Liam Lindsay

International Fight Week is just over two months out, and following the White House card in June, UFC 329 is shaping up as the next major event on the UFC calendar. The numbered card is set for July 11th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the full week of events running from July 9th through 12th. The main event is still up in the air, but a handful of bouts have already been locked in, and one major rumor continues to dominate the conversation.

## McGregor's Return on the Table

The biggest storyline surrounding UFC 329 is the return of Conor McGregor. After missing out on a desired spot at the UFC's White House card on June 14th, Dana White has confirmed McGregor's comeback is being targeted for International Fight Week. Ariel Helwani has reported that Max Holloway is the frontrunner to face him, though nothing has been signed. McGregor has not fought since his first round doctor stoppage loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, making any return one of the most anticipated fights of the year. The Irishman is adamant he'll make his return on this event, so all parties seem to be in agreement.

## Pimblett vs. Saint-Denis Looks Set

A top-10 Lightweight clash between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint-Denis is all but official. Pimblett confirmed his return for International Fight Week, and Saint-Denis has all but outed himself as the opponent through cryptic social media posts hinting at facing an Englishman. The Scouser is coming off the first loss of his UFC career, dropping a five-round decision to Justin Gaethje in their interim title fight at UFC 324. Saint-Denis (15-3) is the higher-ranked man at #5, riding a four-fight win streak with wins over Beneil Dariush, Mauricio Ruffy, and most recently Dan Hooker at UFC 325. It's arguably a tougher fight for Pimblett than Gaethje was, but he needs to bounce back into title contention. For BSD, it's the biggest oppotunity in his career since he faced Dustin Poirier in the co-main event of UFC 299, and one that could propel him into title contention.

## Sandhagen vs. Bautista 2

Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista will run it back more than six years after their first meeting. Sandhagen submitted Bautista in the first round at UFC Brooklyn back in January 2019, when Bautista was making his promotional debut on short notice. Since then, Bautista (17-3) has gone 11-2 in the UFC and is coming off a second round submission of Vinicius Oliveira in February. Sandhagen (18-6), meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a lopsided decision loss to then-champion Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 320. With both men firmly in the top 10 at 135, the winner sets themselves up for a real run at the title.

## Edwards Looking to Stop the Skid

Former Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards (22-6, 1 NC) is reportedly set to face Daniel Rodriguez at the event, per Rodriguez himself9. Edwards has dropped three in a row, losing his title to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304, getting submitted by Sean Brady in his return to London, and most recently being knocked out in the second round by Carlos Prates at UFC 322. Rocky needs a win badly to stay relevant in the division, and Rodriguez offers a stylistic test that should give him the oppotunity to bounce back on a big stage, though you can never count out D-Rod.

## Steveson Makes His Octagon Debut

Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson is officially signed and will make his UFC debut at UFC 329. The 2020 freestyle wrestling gold medalist still doesn't have an opponent confirmed, but his arrival has been one of the most anticipated debuts of the year. Elsewhere on the card, former kickboxer César Almeida and undefeated Aruban prospect Damian Pinas have been booked at Middleweight in the first announced bout for the event.

What do you want to see on the UFC 329 card? And who do you think should headline this year's International Fight Week? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know with a comment down below.

Who Is Fighting on UFC 329, International Fight Week?

Did the UFC White House Card Deliver?

After months of speculation, public lobbying from fighters, and mounting anticipation, the UFC has officially unveiled the lineup for the UFC White House card (now dubbed UFC Freedom Fights 250), set for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House. The event will be headlined by a Lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. In the co-main event, Alex Pereira moves up to face Ciryl Gane for the interim Heavyweight Championship.

Elsewhere on the six fight card, Sean O'Malley meets Aiemann Zahabi, Mauricio Ruffy faces Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal takes on Kyle Daukaus, and Diego Lopes squares off with Steve Garcia.

Despite the intrigue of several matchups, the overall reaction from fans and fighters has been somewhat underwhelming. For an event billed as one of the most significant in the promotion's history, a lot of fans have been left questioning if “that’s it”?


```iframe
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.<br><br>He&#39;s lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC287?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC287</a> <a href="https://t.co/0MF4krsH1v">pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v</a></p>&mdash; Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc/status/2030485076988018772?s=20">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
```

## The Fights That Never Materialized

Two of the sport’s biggest names were notably absent from the final lineup, Jon Jones and Conor McGregor. 

Both men had desperately campaigned for a spot on the card. Jones had expressed interest in a showdown with Alex Pereira, while McGregor had repeatedly targeted Michael Chandler as his return opponent. McGregor, at certain points too, was also bizarrely linked to Welterweight contender Carlos Prates. Ultimately, both Pereira and Chandler landed on the card, just not in the fights fans had envisioned. Chandler taking on Ruffy is a classic veteran vs. prospect matchup, but it lacks the sense of occasion many expected for an event of this magnitude. Pereira vs. Gane, on the other hand, carries genuine intrigue. “Poatan” will attempt to become the first fighter in UFC history to win Championships in three different divisions. However, with only an interim Heavyweight title on the line, the achievement would inevitably feel somewhat hollow compared to capturing the undisputed belt.

## Expectations Were Set Too High?

Now let’s be fair, the card is very good. Topuria vs. Gaethje is a legitimate title unification bout between two of the Lightweight division’s most explosive finishers. Pereira’s move up to Heavyweight to compete for interim gold adds another compelling chapter to his already remarkable run.

If this were the main card of a typical UFC numbered event, most fans would likely agree that it’s stacked. The reality, however, is that this is not just another numbered event. The scale of the promotion around it has given it a “UFC 300”-type feel, arguably even surpassing some of the UFC’s recent marquee shows, including UFC 300 and the Sphere card. With eleven months of hype and anticipation behind it, it is reasonable to say that expectations were higher.

The issue is the overall depth. With only six fights scheduled, fewer than half the size of a typical numbered card, the lineup ultimately feels thin for what is being billed as one of the most historic events in UFC history. It is also worth remembering that, at one point, UFC commentator Jon Anik suggested the card could feature as many as six or seven title fights. Instead, the final lineup includes just two Championship bouts, one of which is for an interim belt.

> I do believe that we may see six or seven undisputed titles contested on the White House lawn. - Jon Anik.

Give us your honest thoughts on the UFC White House card with a comment below.

Did the UFC White House Card Live Up to the Hype?

Doubts are emerging over Ilia Topuria's involvement in the UFC's historic White House event, scheduled for June 14th. Spanish journalist Alvaro Colmenero, who originally broke news of the planned main event, has now reported that the chances of Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje headlining the card have "decreased." The fight has not been signed, and geopolitical concerns appear to be a driving factor behind the shift.

## The Problem

The reasoning behind the uncertainty is an uncomfortable one. Colmenero raised the question of whether Trump's advisors would approve of a Spanish-Georgian fighter headlining an event celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence, particularly one with a high probability of knocking out the American star. Gaethje recently captured interim Lightweight gold by defeating Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, setting up what seemed like a natural unification bout. For now, that plan appears to be on shaky ground. If the White House card falls through for Topuria, International Fight Week in July has been mentioned as a backup option.

## Who Else Could Headline?

With the main event now up in the air, several names are in the mix. Jon Jones and Conor McGregor have both expressed interest in the card, though Dana White has been reluctant to book Jones due to trust issues, and McGregor's return feasibility has been complicated by the UFC's new Paramount+ deal. Meanwhile, Amanda Nunes has called for her rescheduled Women's Bantamweight title fight against Kayla Harrison to be added to the card after it was pulled from UFC 324. That matchup is generating real interest as a potential co-main or even headline slot.

Topuria’s White House Headliner in Doubt

Islam Makhachev isn't concerned about Ian Machado Garry's trip to Georgia. The UFC Welterweight Champion fired back at the Irish contender after Garry made his way to Tbilisi to sharpen his wrestling ahead of rumoured title fight.

> Oliveira brought in some Iranian guy from the Iranian national team. Zero effect. Don't waste your time. - Islam Makhachev

"In Georgia he'll probably improve in some areas," Makhachev said via Ushatayka. "I've been wrestling my whole life, not just 2–3 months, so I don't care about that anymore.

Makhachev isn’t the first, and likely won’t be the last, to criticise Machado Garry’s nomadic approach to fighting. The Irishman has travelled the world in pursuit of improvement, spending time at Chute Boxe Diego Lima in Brazil alongside former Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira, as well as Team Renegade in Birmingham, where he notably had a falling out with Leon Edwards and his team.

“The Future” began his career at Team KF in Dublin, Ireland, where he developed his foundational skills before making his professional turn, and is now in Georgia to sharpern even more tools.

# Ian's Response

Ian Machado Garry isn’t backing down. The #2 ranked Welterweight posted a confident reply on Instagram, stating: “There is no one in the world who learns faster than me.”

It’s a bold claim, but one that aligns with the trajectory of his career so far. Machado Garry has already begun his move to Georgia, fulfilling a promise he made at the UFC Qatar post-fight press conference that he would travel there specifically to prepare for Makhachev’s wrestling-heavy style.

## What's Next?

Per Leo Guimaraes, Makhachev vs. Garry is expected to be next for both fighters, with the Champion set to return post-Ramadan around May or June, potentially at the UFC's highly anticipated White House event on June 14th. Garry earned his shot with back-to-back decision wins over Carlos Prates and former champion Belal Muhammad.

Makhachev's grappling is arguably the best in the sport, and Garry's path to victory almost certainly runs through keeping the fight standing. Whether a few months in Georgia makes any real difference remains to be seen, but it at least shows Garry is leaving no stone unturned.

What do you think? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know with a comment below.

Islam Makhachev: Ian Machado Garry Is “Wasting His Time” in Georgia

The UFC has cut Jailton Almeida from the organization, according to Laerte Viana. 

## The Cause

Almeida (22-5, 8-3 UFC) was ranked number 8 in the Heavyweight division before his release. The decision comes following back-to-back losses to Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev. Almeida lost a split decision to Volkov at UFC 321 in October, then dropped a unanimous decision to Kuniev at UFC Fight Night 266 on February 7th. The Brazilian had gone 8-3 in the UFC with wins over notable names including Derrick Lewis, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Serghei Spivac, but the recent skid proved costly.

What do you make of this release? Is it a good move or a cruel one by the UFC? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know with a comment down below.


Jailton Almeida Released by UFC After Back-to-Back Heavyweight Losses

The UFC's White House card on June 14th is sneakily approaching, and Dana White confirmed this week that matchmaking meetings are underway with fights expected to be finalized by the weekend. The event less than four months away, and there's not  much clarity to build off. The event is set to take place on the South Lawn of the White House, and will reportedly only feature 6 to 7 fights, opposed to the usual 12-14 fights on a UFC PPV or Fight Night card.

## Topuria vs. Gaethje: The Likely Main Event

The most rumored matchup for the White House card is a Lightweight title unification bout between current Champion Ilia Topuria and interim Champion Justin Gaethje.  Gaethje has been vocal about his desire to compete on the historic event, telling The Pat McAfee Show that "Ilia Topuria on the White House. Has to be. No other option."

Gaethje recently captured his second interim lightweight title by dominating Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, while Topuria has been sidelined dealing with personal issues. The matchup makes sense from a promotional standpoint, as Gaethje is currently one of only two American UFC champions on the roster, and the only male American UFC Champion.

## Jones vs. Pereira: Dead in the Water?

Despite speculation earlier, the potential superfight between Jon Jones and Alex Pereira appears unlikely to happen. Dana White has expressed reluctance to book Jones due to trust issues stemming from his abrupt retirement, and Pereira recently posted "Looks like the White House is a NO GO!!!" on Instagram. Jones himself admitted the situation is out of his control, and has since opened up about severe arthritis in his hip that may keep him retired for good. Three months ago, this fight was the frontrunner to headline, now it doesn't seem likely.

## McGregor's Return Remains Unclear

Conor McGregor has campaigned hard for a spot on the card, but Dana White has shot down the long-rumored matchup with Michael Chandler. McGregor has not fought since 2021 where he suffered a first round doctor stoppage loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Michael Chandler has also campaigned for a spot on the card, calling out Max Holloway for the BMF title, or Arman Tsarukyan.

## Harrison vs. Nunes Cutting it Close

The Bantamweight title fight between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes was originally scheduled for UFC 324 but was postponed due to Harrison undergoing neck surgery. As the only current female American UFC champion, Harrison seemed like a lock for the White House card, but only if she can recover in time. Her manager Ali Abdelaziz has expressed hope she can still make the June date if her recovery goes well, though nothing is confirmed.

## What's Next?

With Dana White and the matchmakers meeting this week to finalize the card, fans should expect official announcements soon. The limited number of bouts means only the biggest names and most compelling matchups will make the cut. Whether that includes McGregor, Harrison, or other top stars remains to be seen.

What fights do you want to see on the UFC White House card? And who should headline this historic event? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know with a comment down below.

Who Is Fighting on the UFC White House Card?

Jailton Almeida is heading back to Light-Heavyweight after suffering back-to-back losses for the first time in his career. The Brazilian submission specialist has informed the UFC of his decision to return to 205 pounds, according to his manager Leonardo Pateira.

## Malhadinho's Rough Patch

Almeida, now 22-5, has hit a wall at Heavyweight, dropping consecutive fights to Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev. The losses mark the first time in his career he has lost back-to-back fights, a reality check after looking like a potential title contender just months ago. Before the skid, Almeida was on a tear with wins over Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Derrick Lewis, and Serghei Spivac. But the Heavyweight division has proven to be a different beast, and Almeida is looking for a fresh start.

## Blaydes Set the Tone

The wheels started coming off against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 299. Almeida controlled the first round with his grappling, landing multiple takedowns and setting a UFC Heavyweight record with 9 takedowns in a single round. But Blaydes turned the tables in the second, knocking Almeida out in just 36 seconds into the round.

## What's Next?

The move back down makes sense for Almeida. He made 205 during his first two UFC fights, and his submission game could be a nightmare for the top guys at Light-Heavyweight. The division is wide open right now, with few wins, Almeida could be right back in title contention and erase the sting of his first career losing streak.

What do you think about Almeida moving back to Light-Heavyweight, and how do you see him matching up with the top guys in the division? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know with a comment down below.

Jailton Almeida to Return to Light-Heavyweight After Back-to-Back Losses

Ilia Topuria has settled his legal dispute with ex-wife Giorgina Uzcategui, clearing the path for his UFC return. The resolution comes after months of uncertainty that saw 'El Matador' step away from competition to handle the personal matter.

## White House Bound?

According to MARCA's Irati Prat, Topuria is preparing for a bout expected to take place at the UFC's White House event on June 14. Alvaro Colmenero reports there's a "90%" chance that Topuria will face interim champion Justin Gaethje on that card. The matchup would unify the Lightweight Championship and serves as the a great fight for the White House card, with Gaethje currently being the only male American UFC Champion.

The White House event is scheduled for June 14, 2026, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. With multiple title fights planned for the card, Topuria vs. Gaethje could likely serve as the headliner, especially given that Gaethje won the interim belt while representing the United States.

How do you see a fight with Topuria and Gaethje playing out? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know with a comment down below.

Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje Likely for UFC White House Event

The UFC has officially announced its return to London's O2 Arena on March 21st, 2026, headlined by an undefeated Featherweight showdown between Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy. The promotion confirmed the card on Monday, with the event streaming exclusively on Paramount+ in the United States.

```iframe
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.<br><br>He&#39;s lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC287?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC287</a> <a href="https://t.co/0MF4krsH1v">pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v</a></p>&mdash; Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc/status/2018355205658787997?s=20">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
```

## The Main Event

Evloev (19-0) returns after defeating Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310 in December 2024, while Murphy (17-0-1) is coming off a knockout victory over Aaron Pico at UFC 319. Both fighters are ranked in the top five of the Featherweight division, and the winner sets themselves up for a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski, who just successfully defended his belt against Diego Lopes at UFC 325 this past weekend.

Murphy will be fighting on home soil, looking to continue his momentum after that devastating spinning elbow knockout. Evloev, meanwhile, has never lost in MMA, but has drawn criticism for his decision-heavy fighting style. All nine of his octagon wins have gone the distance.

## Supporting Bouts Announced

The co-main event features Luke Riley, longtime teammate of Paddy Pimblett, taking on Michael Aswell in a lightweight contest. Bellator veteran Michael "Venom" Page also makes his return to welterweight against Sam Patterson in the featured bout.

Other notable matchups include surging middleweight Christian Leroy Duncan facing Roman Dolidze, Mason Jones taking on Axel Sola at Lightweight, and Austen Lane dropping down to Light-Heavyweight to face Polish prospect Iwo Baraniewski. Lane has struggled at heavyweight with four losses in five UFC fights, making this weight change crucial for his future with the promotion.

The full card also features British fighters Nathaniel Wood, Mick Parkin, and several others looking to deliver in front of their home crowd.

What do you think of this main event matchup between Evloev and Murphy? And who do you see getting their hand raised in London? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know with a comment down below.

UFC London Full Fight Card Announced: Main Card and Prelims

Jiri Prochazka has confirmed that no contracts have been signed for a potential bout with Carlos Ulberg. The Light-Heavyweight matchup is currently in negotiations, with UFC 327 in Miami being discussed as the targeted event. But if a new date comes to the table, or if complications arise, Prochazka will have to rule the fight out.

## BJP's Timeline

While UFC 327 is the date being targeted, Prochazka has expressed his preference to compete sooner. The former UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion is expecting his first child in April, which creates scheduling complications for a Miami fight that would likely take place around that timeframe.

```iframe
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.<br><br>He&#39;s lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC287?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC287</a> <a href="https://t.co/0MF4krsH1v">pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v</a></p>&mdash; Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/VerdictMMA/status/2008660584812999124?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
```


## What is Next?

The fight remains in the negotiation stage, meaning fans will need to wait for official confirmation before getting too excited. But don't believe any rumors; at least for now, this fight is not official. Both fighters are top contenders in the Light-Heavyweight division, making this a key matchup regardless of when it materializes. It also brings Alex Pereira into question, who many fans expected to fight again soon against Carlos Ulberg.

What do you think of this potential matchup between Prochazka and Ulberg? And what does it mean for the Light-Heavyweight division right now? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know with a comment down below.

Patricio Pitbull