Apart from that, Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane will fight for the interim heavyweight championship in another high-profile contest on the card. Other notable fighters scheduled to compete include Sean O’Malley, Derrick Lewis, Michael Chandler, and Bo Nickal, among others.

The card has seven blockbuster fights, making it one of the most stacked events the promotion has announced in recent memory. However, there are no women on the fight card, which has certainly raised questions about Donald Trump‘s grand vision.

Historically, the UFC has frequently featured women fighters on its biggest events, but this occasion has been noticeably different from previous cards. CEO Dana White was recently asked about this during an interview, and he shared his thoughts on the matter.

“I wanted women on the card, but it just didn’t work out that way. The only thing that I cared about making this card is having people that I could depend on. They’re gonna deal with levels of stress and weird things that they’re not used to,” said Dana White via TIME.

When Dana White started UFC, he wasn’t willing to let female fighters participate; however, everything changed with Ronda Rousey. Since then, the promotion has made several other female superstars, including Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Valentina Shevchenko, Amanda Nunes, etc.

However, none of the active big female fighters got the opportunity to fight at the White House event. Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see whether the card can live up to the hype.

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UFC champion predicts UFC’s White House main event

Ilia Topuria is one of the biggest stars on the roster, making his first lightweight title defense since capturing gold. For Justin Gaethje, this could be the final opportunity to challenge for the lightweight championship and achieve UFC glory.

Current welterweight champion Islam Makhachev recently discussed the matchup, sharing his thoughts and predictions ahead of the highly anticipated fight.

“The main event at the White House. Of course I’m not counting Gaethje out. He’s an old warhorse with a lot of experience but Topuria is younger. It will be great fight for the fans. I believe this fight definitely won’t go the distance and I’m leaning toward Topuria winning,” said Islam Makhachev via UFC.

Islam Makhachev has expressed interest in fighting Ilia Topuria, a matchup many fans consider one of the biggest possible. However, the pound-for-pound king remains focused on defending his welterweight title against the division’s top contenders next.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Asked Dana White Whether a Full Camp Could Prepare Him for a UFC Fight

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The post Dana White Explains Why Women Won’t Compete on UFC’s White House Card first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

Despite his inactivity, McGregor is still the biggest name in the world of combat sports, and this card has the potential to break records. During a recent interview, the current pound-for-pound king, Islam Makhachev, shared his views on McGregor’s return to action.

“It’s good, big name for our sport but he have tough opponent. I think Max can beat him,” said Islam Makhachev via UFC on TNT.

Makhachev and McGregor have shared a heated rivalry ever since the Irish superstar faced Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. The reigning welterweight champion has also openly expressed interest in facing McGregor should the opportunity arise in the future.

Since McGregor’s departure, the UFC has worked tirelessly to develop a new superstar capable of carrying the promotion. Despite several attempts, many believe no fighter has matched McGregor’s star power, making his return especially significant.

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Islam Makhachev gives an update about his UFC return

The last time Islam Makhachev faught it was back at UFC 322 when he beat Jack Della Maddalena to win the belt. Since then, the champ has struggled with a wrist injury, but now he’s ready to get back in action.

In a recent interview, Makhachev finally gave updates about his future fight plans. “Right after here, I’m going to camp, and I don’t know, August. I will be ready. A lot of contenders, but number 1 is Ian Garry. And we still have a couple more who want to take the belt,” Makhachev continued.

Several top contenders, including Ian Garry and Michael Morales, are vying for a title shot against Islam Makhachev. However, the biggest question remains when the reigning champion will return and who the UFC ultimately chooses as his next opponent.

READ MORE: Jonathan Haggerty Celebrates Freddie’s Win, Eyes ONE World Title Shot Against Rambolek

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The post Islam Makhachev Backs Conor McGregor’s Long-Awaited UFC Return Against Max Holloway first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

During a recent appearance, the UFC president stated that he believes men should not openly speak about mental health issues in public, arguing that problems should instead be handled privately.

“Talking about it publicly, I just feel like it opens the door to make young men think that it’s OK to just f**king go, ‘Oh, I’m having mental [health issues],’” White said before mocking the idea in a sarcastic tone.

White continued by saying, “Handle it behind closed doors. Don’t show that weakness to anybody.”

The comments immediately created heavy discussion online, with fans and critics debating whether White’s stance represents traditional masculinity or an outdated approach toward mental health conversations.

White also doubled down on his views regarding masculinity itself, saying, “I am unapologetically masculine. What is toxic masculinity? Who has it? Who’s too masculine?”

The UFC boss has long presented himself as someone who values toughness, discipline, and resilience, which are qualities often associated with combat sports culture. Over the years, White has repeatedly praised fighters for mentally pushing through adversity and handling pressure without publicly breaking down.

However, his latest comments arrive during a period where more athletes than ever before have openly discussed mental health struggles. Fighters across MMA, boxing, and other professional sports have increasingly spoken about anxiety, depression, burnout, and the psychological effects of competition at the highest level.

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Many fans defended White’s comments, arguing that he was promoting personal accountability, emotional control, and mental toughness rather than attacking mental health awareness itself. Others strongly disagreed, saying public conversations around mental health can help remove stigma and encourage people to seek support before situations become worse.

Combat sports in particular have seen major conversations around mental health in recent years due to the intense physical and psychological demands placed on fighters. Between brutal training camps, injuries, public pressure, online criticism, and financial uncertainty, many athletes have spoken openly about the emotional side of fighting that fans rarely see.

White’s comments now add another highly divisive topic to the ongoing debate surrounding masculinity in modern sports culture. As expected, reactions online have been split between those who agree with his old-school mentality and those who believe public openness around mental health is necessary in today’s world.

READ MORE: Khamzat Chimaev Aims To “Kill” Sean Strickland In The Rematch In A Now Deleted X Post

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The post Dana White Sparks Major Debate After Comments On Men’s Mental Health And Masculinity first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

White and Trump have shared a close friendship spanning over two decades, making this upcoming event especially meaningful for both figures. The President recently appeared in TIME Magazine’s latest cover story focused entirely on White’s incredible influence within combat sports globally.

The issue officially releases June 8 and includes several behind-the-scenes stories involving Trump while attending recent Ultimate Fighting Championship events. During UFC 327, Trump reportedly watched Kevin Holland compete before asking Dana White an outrageous and unexpected question cageside afterward.

Holland remains one of the promotion’s most active fighters, regularly competing across both the welterweight and middleweight divisions. Despite approaching his eightieth birthday, Trump continues attending UFC events regularly while maintaining strong enthusiasm surrounding mixed martial arts competition.

During the conversation with Dana White, Trump hilariously mentioned, “Now If I wanted to heavy train, because I’m a very good athelete, could I beat the sh** out of him.”

Laughter filled the room before the President followed his absurd question by jokingly asking whether anyone would stop him. Thankfully, the UFC president told his longtime friend he would absolutely prevent him from seriously attempting something that reckless and dangerous.

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Dana White explains why veteran UFC fighters hate him

Over the years, Dana White has dealt with thousands of fighters, they have often led to fallouts. Especially veterans who, after leaving UFC, criticize UFC and White for mismanagement and unfair practices.

One of the former UFC middleweight champions is Anderson Silva, who had a fallout during his last years in the promotion. In a recent interview, White talked about it in detail and shared the reason behind it.

“Anderson Silva was always a unique individual to deal with, but he lost like 9 or 10 in a row. That guy won’t talk to me to this day. I told him it’s over. He can still fight, you just can’t do it here,” said Dana White via Rolling Stone.

Following his retirement from UFC, like many others, Silva also tried his luck in boxing and participated in high-profile bouts. It would be interesting to see whether the veteran makes a comeback to the boxing world anytime soon.

READ MORE: Khamzat Chimaev Aims To “Kill” Sean Strickland In The Rematch In A Now Deleted X Post

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The post Donald Trump Asked Dana White Whether a Full Camp Could Prepare Him for a UFC Fight first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

McGregor recently opened up about how the injury forced him to rethink preparation, survival, and the way he approaches worst-case scenarios inside the Octagon. Rather than focusing only on highlight-reel finishes, the Irishman explained that experience has taught him to prepare for chaos first.

“I have the perfect scenario, you knock them out with the big backhand, the crowd roars,” McGregor said while discussing his mentality toward fighting.

“But then I have the worst case scenario… I have a whole selection of responses to the worst case scenarios.”

Conor McGregor Explains How The Leg Break Changed His Mentality

The injury against Poirier at UFC 264 remains one of the most shocking moments of McGregor’s career. After building his reputation as one of the most fearless and explosive strikers in MMA history, seeing him collapse with a broken leg at the end of the opening round completely changed the direction of his career.

For many fighters, an injury like that can create hesitation or uncertainty. McGregor, however, says the experience pushed him to evolve mentally rather than retreat.

“So if the ankle goes, if the knee goes, if the shoulder goes, what’s my response? Because the fight’s not over,” he explained.

According to McGregor, modern fight preparation is no longer just about executing the ideal game plan. Instead, he now spends more time preparing for difficult moments that could happen unexpectedly during a fight.

“If you have a maneuver, you can outlast and you can survive,” he added.

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The comments offer an interesting look into how McGregor’s mindset has matured over the years. Earlier in his career, much of his confidence came from believing he could dominate opponents before things became complicated. Now, after injuries, setbacks, and years at the highest level of combat sports, his focus appears more balanced between offense and survival.

“As I have gotten more experience in the fight game, I’ve found to work my way backwards from the worst case scenario, to the best case scenario,” McGregor said. “And then focus and prepare for the best case scenario.”

The quote immediately caught attention among MMA fans because it showed a more reflective side of McGregor than people are used to seeing publicly. Known for his trash talk, bold predictions, and larger-than-life personality, the former champion instead sounded analytical and deeply focused on adaptability.

Whether McGregor ever fully returns to his peak remains one of the biggest questions in the sport. Injuries, inactivity, and age have all created doubts about whether he can still compete with the elite fighters at lightweight or welterweight.

Still, his latest comments suggest he is approaching the next chapter of his career differently. Rather than relying purely on confidence and aggression, McGregor now appears focused on preparation, adaptability, and finding answers even when things go wrong inside the cage.

For a fighter who built his legacy on predicting perfect outcomes, learning how to survive imperfect ones may end up becoming the most important adjustment of his entire career.

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The post Conor McGregor Reveals How His Leg Break Had Him Change His Fighting Style Ahead Of Return first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

Now, nearly five years later, McGregor is expected to return in July against Max Holloway in one of the most anticipated comeback fights in UFC history. The question many fans continue asking, though, is simple will he actually show up?

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So Much Has Changed Since Conor McGregor Last Fought

The amount of change inside the UFC since McGregor’s last appearance is almost difficult to believe. Back in 2021, Alex Pereira had not even entered the UFC yet. Since then, Pereira has become one of the biggest stars in the company, winning titles across multiple divisions and headlining several major pay-per-view cards.

At the same time, Francis Ngannou was still the reigning UFC heavyweight champion. Since then, Ngannou has left the organisation entirely, crossed over into boxing, and completely changed the conversation around fighter pay and free agency in combat sports.

Another reminder of how much time has passed is the rise of Ilia Topuria. During McGregor’s last fight, Topuria was still competing on UFC prelim cards and was nowhere near mainstream stardom. Today, he is one of the faces of the promotion and currently holds the UFC lightweight championship.

The UFC itself has also evolved during McGregor’s absence. New champions have emerged, divisions have changed dramatically, and an entirely new generation of stars now carries the company forward.

Despite all of that, McGregor still remains one of the sport’s biggest attractions. Every update surrounding his comeback instantly dominates headlines, showing just how much attention he continues to command even after years away from competition.

His scheduled fight with Holloway in July is expected to answer several major questions. Fans want to know whether McGregor can still compete at the elite level, whether the hunger is still there, and whether his body can physically handle a full return after such a long layoff.

If he does make the walk against Holloway, it will not just feel like the return of a fighter. For many fans, it will feel like the return of an entirely different UFC era.

READ MORE: Freddie Haggerty Has Japan In His Sights After The Inner Circle On May 22

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The post How The UFC Has Changed Completely Since Conor McGregor’s Last Fight first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

McGregor remains under contract with the UFC, but interest surrounding his future outside the promotion continues to grow because of the enormous commercial value attached to his name. The Irish superstar is currently scheduled to return to the octagon in July against Max Holloway in one of the biggest fights of the year, marking his long-awaited comeback after several years away from active competition.

Even before his UFC return, speculation has already started around what McGregor’s future could look like beyond the promotion.

Jake Paul, Nate Diaz And Self-Promoted Events Being Discussed

According to recent reports, MVP would be willing to build entire events around McGregor if he ever became available, potentially allowing him far more control over matchmaking, promotion, and revenue than most fighters usually receive.

One of the biggest possibilities reportedly being considered is a crossover fight against Jake Paul. The matchup has been discussed for years and could reportedly happen under either boxing or MMA rules. Given McGregor’s global popularity and Jake Paul’s pay-per-view success, the fight would likely become one of the biggest events in combat sports history.

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Another option that continues to attract attention is a trilogy bout with Nate Diaz. The rivalry between McGregor and Diaz remains one of the UFC’s most iconic feuds, and a third fight outside the UFC banner would almost certainly generate massive interest worldwide.

Reports also claim MVP would structure deals to ensure McGregor receives the vast majority of the revenue generated from events he headlines. That kind of financial setup would represent a major change compared to the traditional UFC model and could become extremely attractive if McGregor eventually explores free agency.

For now, McGregor’s immediate focus remains his July return against Holloway, but the growing interest from promoters outside the UFC shows just how valuable he still is despite his long absence from fighting.

Whether inside the UFC or beyond it, McGregor continues to remain one of the biggest draws combat sports has ever seen.

READ MORE: Freddie Haggerty Has Japan In His Sights After The Inner Circle On May 22

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The post MVP Ready To Go All-In On Conor McGregor If He Becomes A Free Agent first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

The matchup has already become one of the most talked about potential heavyweight fights in the UFC, especially with Pereira attempting to become a three-division UFC champion after winning titles at middleweight and light heavyweight.

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Tom Aspinall Explains Why Gane’s Movement Could Trouble Pereira

Breaking down the fight, Aspinall explained that Pereira’s knockout power has been devastating partly because he has often been the bigger man against opponents at 185 and 205 pounds.

According to Aspinall, things become very different against a natural heavyweight like Gane, who is “used to taking punches off big heavyweights” and possesses movement that most fighters in the division simply do not have.

The interim heavyweight champion also pointed out that Pereira usually performs best against opponents “who don’t move a lot,” while Gane’s footwork and mobility could make him extremely difficult to hit cleanly over five rounds.

At the same time, Aspinall admitted Pereira still has a major weapon that could shift the fight in his favour. He specifically highlighted Gane’s weakness defending leg kicks, while calling Pereira “an unbelievable leg kicker.”

Despite recognising the danger Pereira brings, Aspinall ultimately leaned towards Gane winning on the scorecards, saying the French heavyweight would likely “move too much for him” and “beat him on points.”

A potential victory for Pereira would arguably become one of the greatest accomplishments in UFC history given the success he has already achieved across multiple divisions. Meanwhile, Gane has the opportunity to stop Pereira’s rise at heavyweight and re-establish himself as one of the biggest threats in the division.

READ MORE: Freddie Haggerty Has Japan In His Sights After The Inner Circle On May 22

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The post Tom Aspinall Predicts Ciryl Gane To Beat Alex Pereira At UFC White House first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

Over the years, Khabib’s dominant win over McGregor has remained one of the biggest moments in MMA history. The fight generated enormous global attention and became one of the highest-selling events in UFC history. Dana White recently suggested that Khabib was showered with massive wealth and opportunities across the Muslim world after defeating McGregor, but the former lightweight champion has now strongly denied those claims.

Speaking about the situation, Khabib made it clear that the stories being circulated online are far from accurate.

“I’ll say this: I swear by Allah, this is an absolute lie. No one ever gave me those millions, and what people write — that I left the sport because I made a lot of money — is also not true.
The whole world knows the real truth — I’ve already spoken about it many times, and there’s no need to repeat myself.

Sometimes I read headlines like this on the internet. I’m obviously not someone who likes commenting on every piece of trash online, but when Dana says things like this, it spreads everywhere.”

Khabib has consistently maintained since his retirement that his decision to walk away from MMA had nothing to do with money. Following the death of his father and longtime coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov in 2020, Khabib repeatedly stated that he promised his mother he would no longer continue fighting without his father by his side.

The undefeated Dagestani retired from the sport with a perfect 29-0 professional record after submitting Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Despite years of speculation surrounding a possible comeback, Khabib has continued to insist that his fighting career is over.

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His latest comments also highlight the complicated relationship between fighters, public narratives, and media headlines in modern combat sports. While Dana White’s remarks may have been intended to emphasise Khabib’s global popularity following the McGregor fight, the former champion clearly felt the claims distorted the real reasons behind his retirement.

Even years after stepping away from the octagon, Khabib remains one of the most talked about figures in MMA history, and any comments involving his rivalry with McGregor still quickly become major talking points across the sport.

READ MORE: Freddie Haggerty Has Japan In His Sights After The Inner Circle On May 22

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The post Khabib Nurmagomedov Responds To Dana White’s Claims About Making Millions After Conor McGregor Fight first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

GSP spent 13 years in the promotion, winning two titles in different weight classes while becoming one of UFC’s biggest superstars.
He was also part of several iconic fights against other legendary competitors, creating unforgettable moments that remain etched in the memories of MMA fans worldwide.

Saint Pierre was well known for being one of the most well-rounded fighters with incredible striking skills and extremely lethal wrestling. Despite all those achievements, as it turns out, the legendary fighter never really appreciated being a professional fighter in the first place.

“I never really liked it. First, you can get hurt, but also it’s heartbreaking. It’s like you have done all this for ending up losing. This feeling is terrible. But the winning is the highest. When you win you feel like everything, all that sacrifice, was worth it,” said Georges Saint Pierre via YouTube.

Saint Pierre only lost twice in his professional MMA career against Matt Serra and Matt Hughes, but bounced back and avenged his respective losses. Following his retirement, the fighter became a brand ambassador of MMA all around the world.

Apart from fighting, Georges St-Pierre also explored acting and appeared in major Marvel movies alongside several other popular projects.
The UFC legend rarely attends events nowadays but still follows major fights closely and stays updated with top fighters worldwide.

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Will Georges Saint-Pierre ever make his combat sports return?

Following his retirement, Georges Saint-Pierre only showed interest in fighting when UFC offered him Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, the negotiations didn’t go through, and the veteran had a small fallout with the promotion.

However, given the current environment of many retired UFC fighters making MMA and boxing returns, fans are hyped about GSP. In a recent interview, the legend talked about this in detail.

“I get requests maybe once or twice a month for either fighting in MMA, boxing, wrestling, grappling – whatever,” said Georges Saint Pierre via MMA Junkie.

Georges Saint-Pierre has not shut down the idea of making a combat sports return but believes the timing isn’t right. The veteran wants to return on his own terms and believes it could happen next year.

READ MORE: Freddie Haggerty Has Japan In His Sights After The Inner Circle On May 22

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The post “Never Really Liked It”- UFC Legend Georges St-Pierre Makes Surprising Admission About Fighting Career first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.