All 20,000 tickets for Conor McGregor's upcoming fight sold out in just four minutes, moving at roughly 83 tickets per second. Demetrious Johnson has claimed that UFC has stopped signing Russian and Dagestani fighters because their skill level is so high they would dominate the roster. Meanwhile, a trailer has been released for the horror film "Natisk," in which Alex Pereira plays a villain known as the "Butcher," and Merab Dvalishvili confirmed he broke his nose again during a session with Frankie Edgar at RAF, saying it would not stop him. Ben Askren is also scheduled to compete at a RAF event on July 18, where he will face Belal Muhammad.
All 20,000 tickets for Conor McGregor's upcoming fight were snapped up in just four minutes, translating to roughly 83 tickets per second — a pace that underscores the enduring commercial pull of the Irish superstar.
Away from the ticket frenzy, Demetrious Johnson has made a pointed claim about UFC roster strategy. The 39-year-old American, who holds a professional record of 27-3-1 and built his reputation as one of the sport's most technically complete fighters, alleged that the promotion has effectively stopped signing Russian and Dagestani fighters on the grounds that their skill level is high enough to overrun the existing roster. Johnson's striking accuracy sits at 54 percent, and he averages 3.35 takedowns per 15 minutes — numbers that reflect the elite standard he used as a benchmark in making his assertion.
At the Roufusport-connected RAF promotion, a notable matchup is on the books for July 18. Ben Askren, the 41-year-old American known as "Funky," is scheduled to face welterweight contender Belal Muhammad. Askren carries a 19-2-0 record and is a relentless wrestling-based pressure fighter, averaging 4.33 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. Muhammad, ranked sixth in the UFC welterweight division and eighth in the pound-for-pound standings, brings a 24-5-0 record and averages 4.43 significant strikes per minute with a volume-heavy approach.
Also in the news, heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has a horror film trailer out — "Natisk" — in which he plays a villain called the "Butcher." And Merab Dvalishvili confirmed he broke his nose again in a training session with Frankie Edgar at RAF, but stated the injury would not sideline him.
Why it matters
- The McGregor ticket sellout pace signals massive pay-per-view and gate revenue potential for his return.
- Johnson's comments about Dagestani and Russian fighters reflect a broader conversation around regional talent depth shaping UFC matchmaking.
- The Askren vs. Muhammad booking at RAF on July 18 puts a ranked UFC welterweight contender opposite a former undefeated wrestling specialist.
