Dustin Poirier has responded negatively to questions about Conor McGregor's potential return, stating "this is not about me, I wish him the worst." Meanwhile, Dana White shared photos from the construction site of the UFC event venue at the White House. Islam Makhachev continues to hint at a July return to action. New sparring footage has emerged showing Brendan Allen and Khamzat Chimaev training together. Chimaev is reportedly undergoing special recovery treatments each evening. Alex Ulberg has begun rehabilitation on his knee injury. Arman Tsarukyan's next fight in RAF will earn him a minimum three percent stake in the company. Peyton Talbott posted a Toy Story reference tagging UFC, seemingly hinting at the promotion's cooling interest in him.
Dustin Poirier has made clear he has no interest in a fight with Conor McGregor, delivering a blunt assessment when asked about the Irishman's potential return to the octagon. The 37-year-old American, who fights out of American Top Team and carries a 30-10-0 record, left little room for interpretation, stating he wishes McGregor "the worst." Poirier, a southpaw standing five-foot-nine with a 72-inch reach, has long been one of the lightweight division's most active and durable competitors, averaging 5.24 significant strikes landed per minute at 50 percent accuracy.
Lightweight and welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, the number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, is continuing to hint at a return to competition in July. The 34-year-old Russian, who trains out of Eagles MMA and holds a 28-1-0 record, is one of the sport's most complete fighters, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing significant strikes at a 58 percent clip.
New sparring footage has surfaced showing middleweight contender Brendan Allen working alongside Khamzat Chimaev, with reports indicating Chimaev is undergoing specialized recovery treatments each evening. Allen, 30, holds a 26-7-0 record and is ranked fifth in the middleweight division. The six-foot-two Kill Cliff FC product carries a 75-inch reach and posts 3.59 significant strikes landed per minute at 53 percent accuracy.
Elsewhere in the news, Alex Ulberg has begun rehabilitation following a knee injury, Arman Tsarukyan's next fight inside the Russia Armor Fight promotion will earn him a guaranteed minimum three percent equity stake in the company, and featherweight prospect Peyton Talbott posted a Toy Story-themed social media reference tagging the UFC, which some have interpreted as a subtle response to a perceived cooling of the promotion's interest in him. Dana White also shared images from the construction site of a planned UFC event venue at the White House.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's July timeline would shape the lightweight and welterweight title picture heading into the second half of 2026
- Allen and Chimaev sparring together raises questions about potential divisional alignment and camp relationships at middleweight
- Tsarukyan's equity arrangement marks an unusual business structure for a ranked UFC contender
