Islam Makhachev continues to hint at a return in July, though no official announcement has been made. Meanwhile, Arman Tsarukyan's next fight in RAF will bring him a minimum three percent equity stake in the company. Other news items include Dustin Poirier commenting negatively on Conor McGregor's possible return, Dana White sharing photos from construction at the White House event venue, new sparring footage between Allen and Chimaev emerging, and Carlos Ulberg beginning knee rehabilitation. Peyton Talbott posted a Toy Story image suggesting UFC's cooling interest in him.
Islam Makhachev has continued to hint publicly at a return to action in July, though no official bout announcement has come from the UFC or the champion's camp. Separately, contender Arman Tsarukyan has agreed to a deal with Rising Asian Fighting (RAF) that will include a minimum three percent equity stake in the promotion tied to his next fight there.
Makhachev, 34, carries a 28-1 record and holds the welterweight title, ranking first pound-for-pound in the sport. The Russian southpaw trains out of Eagles MMA and is one of the most efficient grapplers in the game, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 58 percent striking accuracy rate. Any confirmed return date would be among the most anticipated bookings of the year.
Tsarukyan's RAF arrangement is notable for its business structure, handing the Armenian fighter an ownership stake rather than a standard purse arrangement alone. No opponent or event details have been confirmed.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's rumored July timeline would set up one of the summer's marquee events, though nothing is signed.
- Tsarukyan's equity deal signals a growing trend of fighters negotiating ownership stakes with emerging promotions.
- Elsewhere, Khamzat Chimaev, the number-one-ranked middleweight at 15-1 and 32 years old, has been spotted in sparring footage alongside Allen, keeping his name in circulation despite no scheduled bout.
- Dustin Poirier, 37, with a 30-10 record, weighed in critically on the prospect of Conor McGregor returning to competition, adding another prominent voice to the skepticism surrounding that situation.
Carlos Ulberg has begun knee rehabilitation, placing his timeline for a return to the octagon in question. Peyton Talbott's social media activity, including a Toy Story image widely interpreted as a comment on UFC's waning interest in him, added an unusual footnote to the week's roster news.
