issue 229

May 2026

Fighters Only’s social media editor, Paul Browne, picks out his highlights from the past month on MMA social media.

CALLING OUT DDP AND NELSON TOO

Caio Borralho flying to Johannesburg to look for Dricus du Plessis while cutting a promo beside a Nelson Mandela statue feels like MMA’s missing persons investigation. Four callouts deep with no reply, Borralho’s now reached the stage where geography itself becomes part of the bit. If you’re willing to cross continents for a callout, fans start treating the fight like unfinished business, whether the other guy asked for it or not.

NEXT TIME SOMEBODY LEAVES IN A BODY BAG

Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland have officially reached the stage where the fight promotion sounds like two action movie villains exchanging final warnings before the bridge explodes. At this point, the UFC doesn’t even need embedded episodes. Just screenshot the posts and hand the marketing team the week off.

HE’S DEMANDING RESPECT WITH INTEREST

Conor McGregor talking about Max Holloway like this feels less like someone trying to remind the sport who used to run it. The phrase itself sounds like vintage McGregor, aggressive, theatrical, and delivered with the kind of confidence that only works if people still half-believe you can back it up. 

CAPS LOCK CONFIDENCE LEVEL MAX 

Ilia Topuria talks like a man who’s already watched the fight in his head and skipped straight to the highlights. The all-caps rant aimed at Ryan Garcia shows that Topuria genuinely believes he can outbox boxers now. Somewhere between those two egos is a pay-per-view that would sell itself in about six minutes.

NATE FINALLY FOUND SOMETHING TO DO

Nate Diaz talking about inactivity like a bored hitman waiting for a phone call feels very on-brand. The funniest part is that underneath all the swearing and “hunting season” talk is a rare moment of honesty. Diaz basically admitting he needed someone to motivate him explains half his career.