Issue 228
April 2026
Paul Browne jumps into the Fighters Only wayback-when machine to recap the best of mixed martial arts in April 2026.
Kayla Harrison Hints at Exit from Bantamweight, Eyes Featherweight Future After Amanda Nunes Fight
UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison is already looking beyond her current division, suggesting her days at 135 pounds may be numbered as she recovers from neck surgery.
Harrison (19-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, is sidelined after suffering an injury during preparation for her highly anticipated superfight with former champion Amanda Nunes. The bout was originally scheduled for UFC 324 in January but was postponed due to the injury.
Speaking recently on Jorge Masvidal’s podcast, Death Row MMA, Harrison made it clear that her long-term plans may not include staying in the bantamweight division.
“Yeah, dude. That's the plan,” Harrison said when asked about the possibility of moving up. “I mean, they don't know it, but once I [beat] Amanda, I'm just gonna be like, ‘Listen…’”
Harrison revealed that she intends to push the UFC to create a women’s featherweight division (145 pounds), a weight class that has historically lacked depth and consistency in the promotion.
“I’m going to ask them to make a 145 (division) so I can be more active,” she explained.
The 35-year-old has previously competed at higher weight classes earlier in her MMA career and has been open about the physical toll of cutting down to 135 pounds.
“It’s just like taking years off my life. I’m not gonna lie to you,” Harrison admitted.
Despite her desire to move up, Harrison left the door open for a high-profile bout at bantamweight against reigning flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, whom she described as a “legacy fight.”
“Unless Valentina wants to fight,” Harrison said. “Because I know she's a 125er. Then I would cut down again because she's a legacy fight… I’d fight her at 35.”
Shevchenko, widely regarded as one of the greatest female fighters of all time alongside Nunes and Ronda Rousey, has long dominated the flyweight division. A potential clash with Harrison would represent a rare cross-divisional superfight.
For now, Harrison’s immediate focus remains on recovery and rescheduling her showdown with Nunes. But her comments signal a possible shift in the UFC’s women’s divisions, especially if the promotion entertains her push for a revitalized featherweight class.
“That Fight Was This Close”: Topuria Details Missed Makhachev Clash
Ilia Topuria says he was on the verge of landing one of the biggest fights of his career before plans abruptly changed.
The reigning lightweight champion is now set to face interim titleholder Justin Gaethje in a title unification bout in the main event of the UFC’s upcoming event at the White House on June 14. But according to Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), the promotion had initially been working toward a superfight between him and former 155-pound champion Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC).
Speaking during an interview with Adam Catterall on One on One, Topuria revealed just how close that matchup came to becoming official.
“Actually, it was about to happen, because before I (got) the confirmation to fight against Justin, I was supposed to fight against Islam,” Topuria said. “Dana said that he was about to make the announcement of the White House card. And myself, from the call that I (got) from the UFC, I knew that I was fighting Islam, because the first fight that they offered me, it was against Islam, so I went to sleep.”
Topuria explained that the situation changed dramatically within hours, when he was informed that Makhachev was no longer available due to injury.
“In the middle (of the) night, I got like, I don't know, a hundred calls from (his manager) Mark, from the UFC. (They said): ‘listen, he's injured, and you're gonna face Justin Gaethje,’” he said.
The sudden switch left Topuria acknowledging a sense of disappointment, though he emphasized that the circumstances were beyond his control.
“Hours before the announcement of the card, I was supposed to fight against Islam. That fight was this close to happening,” Topuria said. “I can feel a disappointment because the things are out of my control, like whatever. I don't involve any emotions in the things that are out of my control, you know what I mean?”
Despite the setback, Topuria remains optimistic that a showdown with Makhachev could still materialize in the future.
“So, if the fight has to happen, it's going to happen. If not, it's not going to happen,” he said. “I think it's going to happen at some point. I hope so, at least. And hopefully, it's going to happen at the end of the year. After this fight, who knows? Maybe we are going to get that fight. Finally.”
Cormier Praises Paulo Costa’s “Best Performance” After UFC 327 Finish
UFC color commentator Daniel Cormier was highly impressed with Paulo Costa’s performance in his light heavyweight debut at UFC 327, where the Brazilian stopped Azamat Murzakanov in the third round of Saturday’s co-main event at Miami’s Kaseya Center.
Costa (16-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC), a former middleweight title challenger, delivered a statement victory against the previously unbeaten Murzakanov (16-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), showcasing a disciplined and aggressive striking approach that drew praise from Cormier.
Speaking on his YouTube channel shortly after the event, Cormier described the outing as one of Costa’s best in recent memory.
“Paulo Costa beat Azamat Murzakanov. That was the best performance I think I've seen from Paulo Costa in a really, really long time,” Cormier said. “Costa did a great job of using his weapons to set up a chance to finish the fight.”
Cormier highlighted Costa’s strategic use of kicks early in the fight, noting how they played a critical role in breaking down his opponent.
“When he was walking to the octagon, we said, use body kicks from range to try to control Azamat,” Cormier explained. “He did that. He blasted body kick after body kick after body kick early, and low kick after low kick early in the fight to set Azamat up, and then ends up hitting him with the high kicks.”
The turning point came in the third round, when Costa dramatically increased his offensive output.
“(In) the third round, Paulo Costa came out as if he was shot out of a cannon,” Cormier said. “He started throwing high kicks after high kicks after high kicks. And ultimately, he hit Azamat with so many high kicks that eventually he went down.”
Cormier also emphasized the significance of the stoppage, particularly given Murzakanov’s toughness and previously unblemished record.
“Look…Azamat Murzakanov is a very, very tough guy,” he said. “For him to willingly go down after taking that head kick, where it didn't just put him down, it tells you how badly he must have been hurt, because he understands what having a 16-0 record means in your career.”
With the victory, Costa not only secured a successful debut at 205 pounds but also reestablished himself as a dangerous contender in a new division.
“Deal With It”: Carlos Ulberg Fights Through Knee Injury to Win UFC Title
Carlos Ulberg revealed that quitting never crossed his mind, even after suffering a knee injury in the opening moments of Saturday’s UFC 327 main event against Jiri Prochazka.
Ulberg (14-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) appeared significantly compromised after his knee popped early in the fight, limiting his mobility and forcing him to adjust on the fly. Despite the setback, he rallied to deliver a stunning knockout victory over Prochazka (32-6-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC), capturing the vacant light heavyweight title.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Ulberg emphasized his mindset in the immediate aftermath of the injury.
“It was just... deal with it. Deal with it and see how we can adapt and what we need to do from there,” Ulberg said. “I knew that I never counted myself out of the fight and knew that all I needed was my hands to land.”
Rather than considering the scorecards or the possibility of losing rounds due to his compromised movement, Ulberg said his focus shifted entirely to pressing forward and finding a finish.
“As soon as the leg went out, we knew what we had to try and figure something else out on the fly,” he said. “And I think it was just more about pushing forward. And this is the fight game and these sorts of things happen, and I've already dealt with that.”
Ulberg added that his preparation going into the bout included mentally committing to persevere through adversity, no matter the circumstances.
“I've already said to myself that, whatever happens in that cage, we have to keep going. We have to keep pushing through. Keep going until you get that belt, because nothing is going to stop me from getting it,” he said. “And I heard him saying that throughout the week as well. And, you know, that's what pushed me to do it too.”
“I Fought Everybody”: Gilbert Burns Walks Away After Storied UFC Run
Gilbert Burns called time on his illustrious career in the wake of his defeat at UFC Winnipeg.
Burns (22-10 MMA, 15-10 UFC) was stopped by Canadian favorite Mike Malott in the third round of the main event at Canada Life Center on Saturday night, signalling a fifth straight defeat for the former welterweight title challenger.
“Durinho” fought inside the Octagon 25 times since signing with the UFC back in 2014, picking up wins over notable names such as Demian Maia, Tyron Woodley, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and Jorge Masvidal. He challenged Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title at UFC 258 back in 2021 but ultimately came up short.
“I worked so hard, but I think that's it, you know?” Burns told Paul Felder in the Octagon after Saturday night’s defeat to Malott. “I think I had a great career. I fought so hard. I wanted to win so badly. But yeah. I think that's it, you know what I'm not…I think that's it.
“I fought the best guys in the world. Number one, pound for pound. A lot of guys are former champions. I never say no to a fight, you know, but... I think that’s it, but I'm content. I always try to challenge myself. And I never say no to a fight. I fought everybody.”
“A Big Stress on My Body”: De Ridder Explains Move to 205 Pounds
Reinier de Ridder is set to move up to the UFC’s light heavyweight division, a decision driven as much by performance as by practicality.
After a blistering start to life in the UFC (four wins in the space of just nine months), de Ridder’s momentum at middleweight has stalled. Back-to-back losses to Brendan Allen and Caio Borralho prompted the Dutchman to reassess his approach, with the strain of repeated weight cuts emerging as a key factor.
Now, the former two-division ONE champion is embracing a return to 205 pounds, a division where he previously found considerable success.
Speaking in a video posted to his YouTube channel on Sunday, de Ridder (21-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) detailed the physical toll of competing at middleweight and how much of his preparation revolved around making the limit.
“The last two camps…basically the last six to eight weeks, I'm fully focused on dieting,” de Ridder said. “Can't eat anything crazy for a long time and even the healthy stuff I eat, I need to be very, very careful with, just to be able to get close to my weight. It'll be a lot easier and hopefully I'll have a lot more energy in training camp as well.”
The issue, he explained, extended beyond discipline…it became a cumulative burden on his body.
“At middleweight, I would get up to like 215 pounds, or, on fight night, like 96 kilos something like that,” he said. “But I think the weight cut got worse and worse every time I did it. It was just a big stress on my body.”
By contrast, de Ridder pointed to his experience in ONE Championship, where hydration testing protocols significantly limit extreme weight cutting. That system allowed him to compete closer to his natural weight, particularly during his run at light heavyweight.
“In ONE, I used to fight at 205. So, all my fights were at 205 because we kind of didn't do weight cuts there,” he said. “They kind of tried to stop people from cutting weight with hydration tests and everything. My natural walk around weight was like 210 at the time, so like 95 kilos something like that. So I wouldn't really cut weight. I would just eat a little less the few days before and make 205 or 93 kilos very easily.”
The move back to light heavyweight now represents both a strategic reset and a return to familiar territory. With less emphasis on drastic weight management, de Ridder is betting that improved energy levels and more efficient training camps will translate into better performances inside the Octagon.
Arman Tsarukyan Hints at UFC Return, Could Fight for Featherweight Title
Arman Tsarukyan is preparing for a return to the Octagon, and the lightweight contender may be weighing more than one option for his next fight.
The No. 2-ranked 155-pound fighter has not competed since his victory over Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar last November. In the months since, Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has remained active in grappling competition, racking up four wins under the RAF banner and also across multiple other disciplines.
With the lightweight title picture moving forward, champion Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) is set to face interim titleholder Justin Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) in a unification bout scheduled for June 14 at the White House. That leaves Tsarukyan currently outside the immediate championship conversation at 155 pounds.
However, Tsarukyan revealed that his next appearance could come as soon as June, and it might even be in a different division.
“Roughly around June. They’re still deciding who I’ll fight,” Tsarukyan said during an interview with Ibra TV on Monday. “It’s even possible that I drop down to 145 pounds to fight for the title. We’ll see how things go.”
A potential move to featherweight would open the door to a title opportunity against reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC). Still, Tsarukyan made clear that such a decision would depend on the stakes.
“Ideally, I’d prefer to stay in my weight class at 155 pounds, but if that doesn’t happen, if they offer me a title fight at 145, then why not?” he said. “Otherwise there’s no point fighting at 145 against just anyone, I’d rather stay in my own division.”
Tsarukyan also pointed to the depth and visibility of the lightweight division as a key factor in his thinking.
“Especially since in our division there are way more names, way more stars to fight and make more money, gain more exposure,” he added.
For now, Tsarukyan remains in a holding pattern as the UFC finalizes plans for his return, with both divisional paths still in play.
“Let’s Get It Shaking”: Sterling Makes Case for Volkanovski Title Fight
Aljamain Sterling is making his case for a featherweight title opportunity following a decisive victory over Youssef Zalal in the main event at UFC Vegas 116 on Saturday night.
Sterling (26-5 MMA, 18-5 UFC) delivered a dominant five-round performance at the UFC Apex, improving to 3-1 since moving up to the 145-pound division. The former bantamweight champion, who held the title from 2021 to 2023, now finds himself firmly in the conversation among the division’s top contenders.
With uncertainty surrounding the next challenger for reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC), Sterling used his post-fight platform to publicly stake his claim. While Movsar Evloev (20-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC) is widely considered the division’s No. 1 contender, no title fight has been officially announced, leaving the door open for other challengers to emerge.
Speaking backstage after his win, Sterling directly addressed Volkanovski and made a respectful but clear appeal for the matchup.
“Volkanovski, I respect you. You're the OG. I had a great time bonding with you in Thailand. It would be an honor if I could share the Octagon with you before it's all said and done for both of us,” Sterling said. “I know the clock is ticking. He's 36 years old, I'm 36 years old. He's an OG in the sport, I'm an OG in the sport. So let's get it shaking, baby. You know what time it is. Tell these guys what's up.”
Sterling emphasized both fighters’ veteran status and suggested the bout would carry strong appeal for fans.
“I know you want this legend versus legend fight, so let's make it happen,” he continued. “Two guys still at the top of their game, doing it big. And I think this will be a fight that the fans will love to see.”
Paddy Pimblett Learns Hard Lesson in Gaethje Defeat, Looks to Evolve
Paddy Pimblett is taking a more reflective approach following the first loss of his UFC career, after coming up short against Justin Gaethje in their interim lightweight title clash at UFC 324 in January.
The bout, which headlined the event, saw Pimblett (23-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) drop a decision on the scorecards after five grueling rounds. Known for his aggressive and entertaining style, “The Baddy” admitted that his mindset going into the fight may have worked against him.
With Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) now expected to face Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) in a title unification bout later this summer, Pimblett has shifted his focus inward, reassessing both his tactics and decision-making inside the Octagon.
Speaking in a video posted to his YouTube channel, Pimblett acknowledged that ego played a role in how the fight unfolded.
“To be honest, with the last fight, I think a little bit of my ego got in the way. I wanted to knock him out, I wanted to strike with him and show everyone I could strike. I wanted a war. When you’re trying to take him down in the fifth round after he bludgeoned you at the end of the second, it’s quite hard!” Pimblett said.
The Liverpool fighter pointed to a lack of discipline in sticking to a structured game plan, something he now sees as critical moving forward.
“Back to fight IQ, back to the game plan, and not just swinging recklessly,” he added.
The loss marks a pivotal moment in Pimblett’s career, prompting a recalibration as he looks to remain a contender in the UFC’s highly competitive lightweight division.
Arman Tsarukyan Reveals Scrapped Bout With Michael Chandler for “Freedom 250”
Arman Tsarukyan says he was in line for a high-profile matchup at the UFC’s upcoming “Freedom 250” event at the White House before plans ultimately shifted.
Speaking during an appearance on the PBD Podcast, Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) revealed that he was initially offered a fight against Michael Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) for the June 14 card. However, UFC matchmakers later pivoted, instead booking Mauricio Ruffy (13-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) to face Chandler.
“Yes. They called me for the Chandler (fight),” Tsarukyan said.
When asked about the eventual Chandler vs. Ruffy booking, he added: “They wanted me put against Chandler. And then they understood it's bad for Chandler and he represents US. It's like 99.9 (percent chance) that I'm beating him. And then they put Ruffy. So if someone gets hurt in Ruffy or Chandler, they might call me too.”
The comments come amid a frustrating stretch for Tsarukyan, who many observers view as one of the top contenders in the UFC lightweight division but who has struggled to secure another title opportunity. The Armenian standout was originally slated to challenge former champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January 2025 but withdrew at the last minute due to injury.
Since then, Tsarukyan has fought just once in the Octagon, earning a submission victory over Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Qatar last October. Despite limited UFC appearances, he has remained highly active in the grappling scene, competing in ten events across multiple professional organizations in recent months.
Meanwhile, the lightweight title picture has continued to evolve under current champion Ilia Topuria, with Tsarukyan still widely regarded as a dangerous and unresolved contender in the division.
While no official bout has been announced for him, Tsarukyan indicated he could still be called upon as a replacement for the White House card if circumstances change. For now, however, he remains on the outside looking in at one of the UFC’s most significant upcoming events.
