All 20,000 tickets for Conor McGregor's upcoming fight sold out in four minutes, at a rate of roughly 83 per second, with the most expensive ticket priced at approximately $35,000. Demetrious Johnson commented on a circulating rumor that the UFC is reluctant to sign more Russian and Dagestani fighters because of how dominant they have become. Alex Pereira's horror film 'Natisk,' in which he plays a villain called 'The Butcher,' has released a trailer. Merab Dvalishvili suffered another broken nose, this time during a grappling session with Frankie Edgar at a RAF event, though he indicated it would not stop him from competing. Ben Askren is scheduled to grapple Belal Muhammad at a RAF event on July 18.
Conor McGregor's next fight became an instant sellout, with all 20,000 tickets snapped up in just four minutes — a pace of roughly 83 tickets per second — and the most expensive seat in the building carrying a price tag of approximately $35,000.
The sellout underscores the enduring commercial pull McGregor commands, though the broader MMA news cycle this week also touched on divisional politics, a grappling event, and an unlikely film debut.
Demetrious Johnson, the 39-year-old American veteran who carries a 27-3-1 professional record and competes out of AMC Pankration, weighed in on a circulating rumor that the UFC has grown reluctant to sign additional Russian and Dagestani fighters due to their sustained dominance inside the octagon. Johnson did not deny the premise of the rumor, lending credibility to a conversation that has been growing louder in MMA circles.
Alex Pereira, meanwhile, is branching out beyond competition. A trailer has dropped for his horror film "Natisk," in which the light heavyweight champion plays a villain known as "The Butcher."
Merab Dvalishvili has suffered yet another broken nose, this one occurring during a grappling session with Frankie Edgar at a RAF event. The bantamweight contender indicated the injury would not sideline him from future competition.
Also on the RAF grappling circuit, Ben Askren is set to face Belal Muhammad on July 18. Askren, 41, holds a 19-2-0 record and built his combat sports reputation almost entirely on wrestling, averaging 4.33 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career while training out of Roufusport. His opponent Muhammad, also a Roufusport product, is currently ranked sixth in the welterweight division and sits at number eight in the pound-for-pound standings. The 37-year-old carries a 24-5-0 record and averages 4.43 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- The McGregor ticket sellout pace confirms his events remain among the sport's biggest commercial draws
- Johnson's comments amplify an already sensitive debate about fighter nationality and UFC roster construction
- Askren vs. Muhammad at RAF is a noteworthy stylistic clash between a career wrestler and a high-volume striker-grappler
