In a dramatic UFC Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi, Tony Ferguson faced a swift defeat against Michael Chiesa, tapping out to a rear-naked choke in the first round. This bout marked Ferguson's return to the welterweight division, but it ended in disappointment as he continued his losing streak, which now extends to eight consecutive losses since his last victory in 2019.

The fight, held at the Etihad Arena, was a significant moment for Ferguson, who had hoped to rejuvenate his career by moving up a weight class. However, Chiesa's superior grappling skills proved overwhelming, leading to an early submission victory. The match was a part of a highly anticipated card that also featured top contenders and rising stars.

Influencer N3on found himself in hot water after a confrontation with Nate Diaz at the final press conference for Diaz's upcoming boxing match against Jorge Masvidal. The young streamer, known for his bold antics, pushed his luck too far this time.

During the press event, N3on provocatively asked Diaz, “When you do get knocked out, are you going to retire?” The question, captured in a video, instantly enraged the UFC veteran. Diaz unleashed an expletive-laden tirade and threatened to kick N3on's leg. The situation escalated quickly, with footage later showing N3on being chased out of the venue while repeatedly shouting, “Please, I’m sorry!” He later claimed on social media that he was nearly attacked by Diaz’s entourage.

Alex Pereira's spectacular performance at UFC 303 earned him a staggering $303,000 bonus from Dana White, according to his coach. Pereira, 36, has now stepped in twice in just three months to save the UFC, having also defeated Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 300 on short notice back in April.

The UFC 303 event, however, was even more tumultuous. Pereira was initially in talks for a rematch against Jiri Prochazka for UFC 305 when the UFC approached his team to replace Conor McGregor at UFC 303. Despite his coach's initial hesitation, Pereira was ready to step up immediately. By the next morning, all details were finalized, and the title rematch was set.

Pereira had previously claimed the light heavyweight title with a second-round TKO over Prochazka in November 2023. This time, his coach anticipated a longer fight, planning to pace themselves in the early rounds and increase pressure as the fight progressed. Their strategy aimed to exploit Prochazka’s tendency to take risks later in the fight.

The turning point came from an unlikely source: Instagram. Before the fight, Pereira's team noticed a flaw in Prochazka's defense from a UFC social media clip. They quickly adjusted their game plan, resulting in a devastating head kick that ended the fight in the second round.

The lights of T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas shone brightly on June 29, as the highly anticipated main event of UFC 303 unfolded. Alex Pereira (11-2) and Jiri Prochazka (30-5-1) squared off in a thrilling clash that ended with a stunning knockout, courtesy of Pereira's lethal head kick.

The fight, broadcast live on ESPN+ pay-per-view, delivered everything fans hoped for. Pereira, who has quickly cemented his place among the elite fighters in UFC history, did not disappoint. Coming into the fight as one of the few athletes to have claimed UFC titles in two different weight classes, Pereira showcased his prowess once again.

In the second round, just 13 seconds in, Pereira executed a flawless head kick, followed by a barrage of punches, leading to a TKO victory over Prochazka. This victory marked another successful title defense for Pereira, who had previously knocked out former champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 300.

When the UFC is in a bind, there’s one name they can always count on: Alex Pereira. Once again, the Brazilian powerhouse has answered the call to action, stepping in to save UFC 303 after Conor McGregor’s withdrawal due to injury.

UFC President Dana White announced on Thursday that McGregor, who was set to face Michael Chandler in the main event on June 29, is out with an undisclosed injury. Instead, Pereira will take on former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka, ensuring that the highly anticipated event remains a blockbuster.

Pereira's readiness to step up is nothing new. When UFC 295's headliner between Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones fell apart, it was Pereira who stepped in to deliver an unforgettable performance at Madison Square Garden. When UFC 300 needed a headliner, Pereira was there again, defeating Jamahal Hill in a thrilling match. Now, with McGregor out, Pereira once more dons the mantle of the UFC’s go-to savior.

The announcement came while Pereira was in Australia, enjoying a mix of fan engagements and training sessions. Even though he was busy, he didn't hesitate when the call came in. “Yeah, I should be able to make that,” he said, nonchalantly glancing at his watch.

Conor McGregor's highly anticipated return to the Octagon will have to wait. UFC President Dana White announced on Thursday that McGregor, who was set to face Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303 on June 29, has been forced to withdraw due to an injury sustained during training camp. The nature of McGregor's injury was not disclosed in the brief social media video.

White, however, ensured fans that UFC 303 will still feature an electrifying main event. Replacing McGregor vs. Chandler, light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will now take on Jiri Prochazka in what promises to be a thrilling showdown during International Fight Week.

Speculation about McGregor's status began to swirl when a press conference scheduled for June 3 to promote the bout was abruptly canceled. The UFC released a statement on the morning of the event, providing no details but confirming that the press conference would not take place. This fueled rumors that something was amiss, which were confirmed by White’s announcement.

Khamzat Chimaev's highly anticipated UFC clash with Robert Whittaker in Saudi Arabia has been derailed. UFC CEO Dana White announced on Thursday that Chimaev will not compete on June 22 due to a severe illness.

"Unfortunately, Khamzat Chimaev is out of the fight next weekend in Saudi Arabia," White stated. "Violently, and I mean violently, ill. So he's going back home and hopefully he gets well soon."

Stepping into the spotlight is middleweight contender Ikram Aliskerov, who will now face former middleweight champion Whittaker in what promises to be an electrifying showdown.

"This guy is 15-1. His only loss in a 16-fight pro career is to Khamzat Chimaev," White said. "So this dude is a legit contender in only his third UFC fight. If he gets a knockout against Robert Whittaker, he'll go into a tie for the longest active UFC knockout streak... We offered everybody in the division this fight. Nobody would take it except Robert Whittaker. The main event is badass. This should be a great fight."

Sean O’Malley didn’t intend to start a feud with Conor McGregor, but as the saying goes, work until your idols become your rivals.

In May, McGregor unleashed a social media tirade, blasting boxer Ryan Garcia after he tested positive for the banned substance ostarine following a win over Devin Haney. In his rant, McGregor also took a shot at O’Malley, who tested positive for the same substance in 2019.

A few weeks later, McGregor retracted some of those comments during a live stream, saying, “I like Sean O’Malley” and explaining that O’Malley “kind of got caught in the crosshairs” when he was criticizing Garcia.

Despite McGregor's public retraction, O’Malley hasn’t personally spoken to the former two-division UFC champion but remains a fan, even if they are currently at odds.