And also for the man he would rather be fighting.

On Tuesday, “El Matador,” a former featherweight champion in the company who moved to lightweight last year, posted a pointed message on social media directed at Islam Makhachev and Justin Gaethje.

UFC CEO and President Dana White revealed on Sunday that Makhachev had a hand injury, and was never considered for the White House card as a result.

Topuria considers that an excuse. The Georgian-Spanish fighter has targeted a fight with Makhachev since he was featherweight champ. Just as Topuria moved to lightweight, Makhachev jumped up to welterweight. Both won titles in their new homes after vacating their previous belts.

“Once again Islam comes up with an excuse. This time it’s an injury. I always knew I would be part of the White House event. Even when the UFC told me at one point that they wouldn’t count on me for the event, I knew it was part of the negotiation,” wrote Topuria in a post on social media on Tuesday. “When they finally told me I would be on the White House card, they mentioned Islam and I didn’t hesitate for a second to accept the fight. Even though the fight hadn’t been officially confirmed yet, the White House card was going to be announced the next day. And when I woke, I found out that Islam had gotten injured.”

“And then Justin Gaethje appeared. Once again, someone else who will pay for Islam’s escape,” Topuria continued. “Both of their manager is a b*tch and also ugly as hell.”

“Justin, see you at the White House. I’m not someone who humiliates people. It will be quick. When you wake up, everything will already be over.”

Gaethje and Makhachev are represented by the same management team, Dominance MMA.

The post Topuria: Makhachev Came Up With “Excuse,” Tells Gaethje “It Will Be Quick” appeared first on Cageside Press.

During Saturday’s UFC 326 broadcast, promotion officials revealed that the card, now entitled Freedom 250, would be headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, for Topuria’s lightweight title.

The co-main event sees Alex Pereira, recently announced as vacating his light heavyweight title, take on former UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane. An interim belt will be on the line in that one.

The elephant in the room is Jon Jones, who just days ago suggested he was still negotiating to appear on the White House card. “Bones” was not mentioned by name during Saturday’s announcement, nor has White confirmed that he was part of the fight that reportedly fell through on Friday.

The remaining UFC White House (Freedom 250) fights announced on Saturday include a potential bantamweight title eliminator, as ex-135lb champ Sean O’Malley takes on rising Canadian Aiemann Zahabi.

At lightweight, Mauricio Ruffy of The Fighting Nerds faces off against “Iron” Michael Chandler, once expected to be Conor McGregor’s next opponent. Like Jones, McGregor’s name was nowhere to be found on Saturday.

Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus takes place at middleweight, while Diego Lopes kicks off the night opposite Steve Garcia.

THE OFFICIAL BOUT LIST FOR #UFCWhiteHouse

[ LIVE Sunday June 14 on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/06d09Tm0jZ

— UFC (@ufc) March 8, 2026

The card will almost certainly be talked about as much for who isn’t on it, primarily Jon Jones, as who is. In recent weeks, it has been suggested that the promotion was going a different direction with McGregor, whose star power is capable of elevating any event on its own, and might therefore be wasted on a White House event expected to already draw plenty of attention.

Jones, however, seemed like a possibility, despite Dana White’s reluctance to put the troubled star on such a big card.

Fighters like Colby Covington and Derrick Lewis, a couple of U.S. President Donald Trump’s reported favorites, were also missing from the line-up.

UFC’s Freedom 250 event takes place on June 14, 2026 on the White House lawn in Washington, D.C.

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Justin Gaethje

It’s difficult to decipher what being a two-time interim champion means for Justin Gaethje’s legacy, but what Saturday did provide was yet another reminder that this class of lightweight action heroes is possibly the most special era of any division ever. Gaethje, along with the Charles Oliveiras, Dustin Poiriers, etc. of this lightweight class have been challenged numerous times by the so-called new wave of 155ers, but they have kept giving them the Dikembe Mutombo finger wag. Aside from Arman Tsarukyan, the wave of new names from four or five years have been denied by this aging, but historically great pack of lightweights. Despite an inspired effort, Paddy Pimblett can now be added to the list of names who have fallen short to Gaethje & Company.

As for “The Highlight”, we can expect to see him unify the titles against Ilia Topuria, potentially on the White House lawn. Maybe Topuria is out for even longer than expected and Gaethje has to defend his interim belt, but I’d be doubtful (at least for now).

Gaethje’s next fight: Ilia Topuria

Sean O’Malley

After dropping back-to-back contests to Merab Dvalishvili, Sean O’Malley’s place in the title picture at bantamweight seemed blurry at best and non-existent at worst. But once Petr Yan pulled off the upset and grabbed the belt back, O’Malley’s fight with Song Yadong suddenly took on an entirely different meaning. With a win, O’Malley would have a claim to a title shot since he has a win against Yan, as controversial as it may be.

This decision may have looked somewhat unimpressive compared to some of the highlights he has produced in the past, but it was a win nonetheless and I do believe it will be enough for O’Malley to slide right back into title contention. Especially with a card at the White House coming up, the promotion will probably be looking for Americans to put into some of those title fights, and O’Malley fits that bill.

O’Malley’s next fight: Petr Yan

Waldo Cortes-Acosta

In a surprising turn of events, Waldo Cortes-Acosta has been on a heater at heavyweight since dropping a decision to Sergei Pavlovich. He fought 5 times in 2025, including twice in November. Having now fought on the first card of 2026, he clearly didn’t want to waste any time getting back inside the octagon. After making quick work of Ante Delija and Shamil Gaziev, he showed a more patient and methodical approach to dismantling the power threat in Derrick Lewis. He used his speed advantage to disorient Lewis and break his rhythm, on his way to a second-round TKO.

He called out Curtis Blaydes, which isn’t a bad option, but I prefer the Alexander Volkov matchup. Unfortunately for Volkov, he’ll almost certainly have to fight again before earning his title shot due to the delays of Tom Aspinall’s return. Why not take out the exciting new player in “Salsa Boy” to once again reaffirm your place as next in line?

Cortes-Acosta’s next fight: Alexander Volkov

Natalia Silva

It wasn’t the most action-packed nor the most decisive victory of Silva’s perfect UFC run, so far, but she was already the clear number one contender coming into this bout. Rose Namajunas may have leapfrogged Silva had she beaten Alexa Grasso on this card, which is why it was probably the right call for her to jump into Grasso’s spot once the Mexican withdrew as a way to make sure Rose couldn’t steal her spot.

Usually, these types of performances wouldn’t land you a title shot, especially when there are other names with a claim to it. However, Silva was already deserving of her shot after beating Grasso, this was just some added cushion between her and Erin Blanchfield, Maycee Barber, and the other contenders at flyweight. It may not be the most thrilling affair, but Valentina Shevchenko vs. Natalia Silva should be next.

Silva’s next fight: Valentina Shevchenko

Jean Silva

After suffering his first UFC loss to Diego Lopes in September, fans were wondering how the Brazilian would bounce back. Silva, who was often looking to shake hands with his opponent mid fight, was all business this time around. No fooling around, no unnecessary shenanigans, Silva came to fight. He was still mean-mugging Arnold Allen, doing theatrics in the dying seconds of the bout and was barking after winning the decision, but while in the fight, he seemed to have an added focus.

This allowed him to take home a competitive, but clear decision victory over the Englishman, who’s been a staple of the featherweight top10 for nearly half a decade, now. Knowing the promotion was ready to strap a rocket to him had he defeated Lopes in September, this win should bring him right back into a number one contender bout. I think a fight with Yair Rodriguez in late spring/early summer not only makes a whole lot of sense, but would be absolute fireworks, too.

Silva’s next fight: Yair Rodriguez

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The post Justin Gaethje Compares Paddy Pimblett Win to “Eddie Alvarez” Moment After UFC 324 Interim Title Victory appeared first on Cageside Press.

That’s double the previous standard of $50,000, which was occasionally boosted for major events like UFC 300.

On UFC 324, the first card of the Paramount+ era, kicking off a broadcast deal that helped usher in those new bonuses? It was headliners Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett walking away with Fight of the Night.

Pimblett, unable to use his jiu-jitsu, stood toe-to-toe with the hard-hitting Gaethje for most of the fight, eating some of the lightweight star’s heaviest punches. It was a rough outing for Paddy “The Baddy,” who entered the bout undefeated in the UFC. He exited the bout off a decision loss, while Gaethje claimed his second interim lightweight title, booking himself a future date with Ilia Topuria.

Performance of the Night bonuses were handed out to Josh Hokit and Ty Miller, both of whom featured on the night’s preliminary card. Miller finished Adam Fugitt in the final second of the opening round in their welterweight fight. One bout later, Hokit also earned a Round 1, 4:59 stoppage of former LFA heavyweight champ Denzel Freeman. Both fights ended on the feet.

Starting with UFC 324, UFC fighters who earn finishes will each pick up a $25,000 finishing bonus, though those earning Performance and Fight of the Night awards will not double up. That means Nikita Krylov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta will earn 25K extra. Alex Perez, who stopped Charles Johnson, does not qualify, as he missed weight for the bout.

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The card had kicked off the Paramount+ era, bringing with it a doubling of the post-fight bonuses, and a newly introduced $25,000 finish bonus for any fighter with a stoppage.

For Gaethje, a former interim title holder, the fight was the opportunity to earn one last shot at undisputed gold. Pimblett, meanwhile, was looking at his first title opportunity in the UFC.

Off a touch of the gloves, Gaethje held center, while Pimblett opened the action with a low kick. Pimblett let his right hand go, while Gaethje walked forward, eating another leg kick. Gaethje got inside, landing a solid right hand, going to the body after that. Paddy then got his hands going, and mixed in a kick that Justin ate as he ducked in. Gaethje followed up, landing heavy leather! Paddy went down, and Gaethje was all over him! Pimblett covered up best he could, with Gaethje locking up a front headlock with one arm.

Pimblett however would survive, getting back up as Gaethje backed off. A short jab for Gaethje saw Pimblett sit down, more of a slip. Gaethje was showing Pimblett no respect. When Paddy did land, Gaethje just walked through it. With just under two minutes left in the opening round, Gaethje clinched up from the back, but he didn’t really pursue a takedown. Pimblett fired a leg kick, then an uppercut. Gaethje fanned on a right, and Pimblett signaled that he’d been poked. The poke appeared to connect just prior to the right hand; after a pause, Pimblett was good to go, while ref Marc Goddard warned Gaethje over the infraction, saying he’d take a point if it happened again.

Gaethje kept the pressure on when the action resumed, finishing the round strong.

Round two saw Pimblett continue with his low kicks, something that used to be a staple of Justin Gaethje’s game. Then it was Gaethje wrenching Pimblett down with a headlock. Gaethje let Pimblett back up, and landed a clean jab, then went to the body. Paddy slipped off a kick, but popped back up, and landed an uppercut. Gaethje, meanwhile, was still showing Pimblett minimal respect, even when Paddy fanned on a massive uppercut. In a clinch, Pimblett landed a few knees to the body. And still Gaethje walked forward, using the headlock to force Pimblett to his knees again.

Gaethje was being extremely careful, even when he did get Paddy to his knees, not to let Pimblett use his BJJ. And back up, a knee sent Pimblett to his back. The Brit was right back up, but was dropped by a Gaethje right hand! Gaethje got on top, looking to land ground n’ pound. Things were looking dire for Pimblett, but the clock worked in his favor. Gaethje backed off, landing a flying punch as he dove back on top of Pimblett, and finished the round landing bombs. Pimblett walked back to his corner bloodied.

In the third, Justin continued to walk Pimblett down. A rare leg kick landed for Gaethje. “The Highlight” seemed to have taken his foot off the gas just a little. Pimblett ripped a low kick. Gaethje took a couple of big swings, but missed. Pimblett landed a jab on the chin. Justin, however, cracked Pimblett with a low kick, then a right hand. In the final 90 seconds, Pimblett started coming on a bit, but after landing his best shots of the fight, Paddy landed a low blow off a jump knee. Pimblett protested, but the foul was clear.

Off the restart, Pimblett landed an outside leg kick, and Gaethje went to the body. Pimblett landed a kick to the body, while Justin ripped a low kick then trailed it with a right.

Between rounds, Gaethje’s coach Trevor Wittman warned him not to duck down following his attacks. Gaethje then hurt Paddy early in round four, and again yanked him down, this time after a desperation takedown attempt by Pimblett. Gaethje battered Pimblett with right hands before they stalled out a little. When they got back up, Gaethje was all over the younger fighter. Pimblett dropped for a moment but returned to his feet. His mettle was being tested like never before. More heavy punches from Gaethje, the right hand landing. Nasty. A left and a right, then one more of each, and Pimblett was down, and back up again. True to his word, the Scouser was proving hard to knock out. Gaethje however was easily out-landing Pimblett. A Gaethje knee grazed the cup on Pimblett in tight, with Paddy wincing and complaining, though the ref didn’t catch it.

Ninety seconds remained on the clock in round four. Gaethje walked Pimblett down yet again, and Paddy fanned on a spinning back fist. Pimblett fired a kick, no dice. Gaethje managed a little ankle pick at the end of the round, and while Pimblett scrambled up, he’d lost another round.

In all likelihood, it was 3-1 Gaethje heading into the fifth. Pimblett would need a finish. They hugged to start the final frame, then Justin went on the attack. A jab snapped Pimblett’s head back. A right hand followed. Pimblett, not out of it, landed a few on Gaethje, but he shrugged them off. Gaethje was relentless in his pressure, and Pimblett attempted a knockout blow with a huge uppercut, hitting only air. Pimblett then slid into a takedown, looking for a trip and settling for underhooks and driving Gaethje to the fence. The problem? Pimblett’s wrestling wasn’t up to snuff, no match for the folkstyle wrestler Gaethje.

When Gaethje broke free, he went after Pimblett, connecting with a right. After another clinch, Pimblett fanned on a spinning attack. Gaethje hit the mark with a right, then a left. Then, with a minute to go, it was Pimblett coming on strong. He was unloading, wild hooks, lefts and rights. Gaethje covered up, but didn’t appear hurt. He kept his composure, and fought on. Pimblett would try to get back in it, landed a few, including a low blow, but there was little question by the horn that Justin Gaethje had won a second UFC interim lightweight title.

Official Result: Justin Gaethje def. Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)

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While a number of major promotions have held shows already, the behemoth of the sport is getting a late start after a month off. Much of that had to do with the debut on a new broadcast home, and some big shows quickly approaching (including the obvious: UFC White House, and International Fight Week). Those cards will be stacked, and talent might be in short supply elsewhere as a result.

For its coming out party under the Paramount Skydance family, the UFC had planned a one-two punch: Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for an interim lightweight title, and Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes for the women’s bantamweight crown. Not to mention bragging rights as the female GOAT, a moniker Nunes had earned prior to her retirement in 2023.

However, a serious neck injury to Harrison scrapped that fight, leaving Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong to take its place as the UFC 324 co-main event. A decent fight with an ex-champ, to be sure. But not the two best female fighters in the UFC throwing down. Not a two-time Olympic gold medal winner facing a two-time UFC champ.

Rose Namajunas, Umar Nurmagomedov, Derrick Lewis, and other fan faves are all to be found on the UFC 324 card. After it all plays out, tune in for the night’s post-fight press conference. A live stream is available above!

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That’s per a report on Saturday from the Sports Business Journal, citing UFC CEO and President Dana White.

That means the usual $50,000 bonuses for Performance and Fight of the Night will shift to $100,000. At the start of the UFC’s modern era, bonuses occasionally crept up on Pay-Per-View cards, before a flat 50K was eventually settled on. There were of course a few exceptions, including $300,000 post-fight bonuses at UFC 300.

That said, the double bonus money is good news, and is accompanied by another perk (or perhaps motivational tool, if you prefer): a finish bonus of $25,000 will be awarded to all fighters who knock out or submit their opponent on UFC cards moving forward. Winners of the $100,000 Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses won’t qualify for the finishing bonus, so there will be no doubling up.

UFC 324, which kicks off the UFC’s U.S. broadcast deal with Paramount+, has seen talk once again shift to fighter pay. That, after Cageside Press asked headliner Justin Gaethje about how he had invested some of his post-fight bonus money over the years.

Gaethje immediately lamented having 14 post-fight bonuses that still didn’t add up to a million dollars. He also noted that he wasn’t being paid any more money under the Paramount+ deal than he had been previously, despite comments from promotion officials including White and analyst Daniel Cormier that fighters would be paid more moving forward (White later stated that the UFC had offered Gaethje more money, but had not heard back from the lightweight star).

At Thursday’s UFC 324 pre-fight press conference, Gaethje shot down further questions about fighter pay.

If nothing else, the bonus news, and finish incentive, is a step in the right direction— though it remains to be seen how the promotion will address the loss of Pay-Per-View bonus points, now that PPV is a thing of the past in most regions. Nor does it address the embarrassingly low starting wage in the UFC, which has not increased from $10,0000 to show and $10,000 to win in a decade.

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It’s not surprise that the UFC would kick off a new era in Las Vegas, where the promotion has helped build the fight capital of the world. The card of itself took a hit with the loss of Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes, but has enough star power to maintain the interest of dedicated fight fans, especially with Justin Gaethje involved. He takes on one of the promotion’s quickest rising stars in Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors star who has taken the promotion by storm, winning seven straight bouts.

With names like Derrick Lewis, Sean O’Malley, and Rose Namajunas also involved, UFC 324 doesn’t lack for star power. It remains to be seen how much will really change with the UFC moving to a streamer, and at least in the short term, it likely won’t be much.

UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett Weigh-In Results

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To a man (and woman), nearly everyone involved sounded like their own confidence was high during Thursday’s pre-fight press conference, which saw the full main card on hand.

We’ve got some of the best quotes ready for you, ahead of the first UFC PPV numbered event of 2026!

Paddy Pimblett

On whether he actually hopes Justin Gaethje will draw him into a war and test him.

“Yeah of course. But I know I’ve got that in me anyway. I know I’ve got the heart and desire to go five rounds with a warrior like Justin Gaethje, but it’s not going to go that long. As I say, I’m going to put a beating on him, and it’s going to be like he’s never had before. And I can’t wait to show everyone just how good I am.”

Justin Gaethje

Reacting to Paddy Pimblett’s words, and diss of Dustin Poirier earlier in the week:

“I love it. This guy, I love everything he’s been saying. He sounds overconfident, he’s out here disrespecting legends like Dustin Poirier. I’m going to dog walk this English f*ck on Saturday. You watch.”

Jean Silva

Reacting to getting close to the UFC championship belt this week, and what these opportunities mean to him:

“I think that shows that I’m in the right path, and I’m doing the right things on the way to a title shot. I think even coming off of a loss, I lost to Diego [Lopes] who just got a [title] shot, probably because of the win against me. And I can tell you, Dana [White], Hunter [Campbell], Sean [Shelby], you can trust me, and you can take me to Sydney afterwards, because I can be there, just waiting on the title shot next.”

“For sure, you can rest assured that I will promote the greatest event that you will put on in your life.”

Natalia Silva

On what it will take to become one of the few to stop “Thug” Rose Namajunas:

“I have to be Natalia Silva. The only thing that I need to be on Saturday is to be myself, put my [game plan to work], and do what I need to do.”

Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Speaking on his fight with “The Black Beast” and what it could bring:

“The myth of Derrick Lewis ends on Saturday. This is about Waldo Cortes-Acosta going all the way to the top for the title.”

Derrick Lewis

On stopping Cortes-Acosta from stealing his spot on the UFC White House card:

“I’m gonna knock his ass out, first round.”

Sean O’Malley

Asked what he believes Sunday’s headlines will say about his fight with Song Yadong:

“The Suga Show’s back. I feel like every fight, I need to win. Like Suga Show snipping Song Yadong on Paramount, get more eyeballs- I feel like this is the return of the Suga Show.”

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