issue 234
November 2026
Fighters Only’s social media editor, Paul Browne, picks out his highlights from the past month on MMA social media.
STRICKLAND GOES FULL JIMMY HOFFA
Sean Strickland has built a career on being willing to fight just about anyone, anywhere, often verbally and without being asked. So seeing him refuse to sign a contract is quite the plot twist. Whatever needs sorting out, it's apparently serious enough to stop the one man in MMA who rarely stops talking.
Nina Drama has discovered a new way to negotiate with Dana White. Forget managers, contracts, and lengthy meetings. Apparently, all you need is 25,000 comments from people scrolling Instagram on the toilet. And it worked. Dana announced Alex Pereira vs. Sergei Pavlovich for UFC 335 on December 12. Somewhere, a professional MMA manager is wondering why he's paying for an office.
Joaquin Buckley appears to have entered a sauna and emerged with a retirement plan. After taking his grandmother's advice, he's decided there's just one more fight left in him. Most people go into a sauna to sweat out their problems. Buckley went in to contemplate his entire career. At least he's giving himself time to cool off before making it official.
CRIME PAYS, BUT WRESTLING DOESN'T
Kevin Vallejos is delighted with his new UFC pay, but Aljamain Sterling has already suggested he won't be earning it the fun way. Sterling's plan apparently involves holding him down until the police arrive.
TALK LESS SAYS MAN WHO NEVER STOPS TALKING
Ali Abdelaziz has warned anyone thinking of challenging Islam Makhachev. Apparently, nobody is worthy of his client, and everyone should stop talking. It's an interesting promotional strategy from a man whose job involves arranging fights and talking about them. If Ali gets his wish, Islam might become the first champion to defend his title against absolutely nobody.
