Fight Bananas' Breaking News

  • Top 25 MMA Fighters RIGHT NOW — According to Gemini AI

    February 23, 2026
    As of February 2026, the UFC landscape has shifted significantly with several new champions and “double-champs” emerging. Popularity in the UFC is a mix of high-level skill (Pound-for-Pound rankings) and massive social media reach. Here are the 25 most popular and influential UFC fighters right now, categorized by their current status in the promotion: The “Superstars” (Elite Tier) These fighters lead the pack in terms of pay-per-view draw and global recognition: Ilia Topuria – The […]

R&R (Results and Recaps)

  • Top 25 MMA Fighters RIGHT NOW — According to Gemini AI
    February 23, 2026
    As of February 2026, the UFC landscape has shifted significantly with several new champions and “double-champs” emerging. Popularity in the UFC is a mix of high-level skill (Pound-for-Pound rankings) and massive social media reach. Here are the 25 most popular and influential UFC fighters right now, categorized by their current status in the promotion: The “Superstars” (Elite Tier) These fighters lead the pack in terms of pay-per-view draw and global recognition: Ilia Topuria – The […]
  • Michael Chiesa Announces Retirement Fight with Anik & Florian + Mario Bautista joins the show!
    February 22, 2026
    The Anik & Florian Podcast Is Back — And This Episode Was MUST-WATCH TV 🥊 By Cody Merrow | Fight Bananas WHAT IS UP, Fight Bananas faithful! Buckle up, because the Anik & Florian Podcast — now proudly partnered with All The Smoke Fight, powered by All The Smoke Productions — delivered one of its best episodes in recent memory this past Monday, and if you missed it, I don’t know what you were doing […]
  • The Weekly Rounds 2: UFC Heavyweight Division, Diaz, Ilia vs Islam, and more
    February 13, 2026
    What’s good FB family?! This is the 2nd edition of the Weekly Rounds, where I will give some thoughts on some topics around the world of MMA. The opinions are all mine, would love a good debate! By: Will Brewer  Ok. Glove touch. HERE. WE. GO! Round 1: The State of the UFC Heavyweight Division Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC Let’s just face it, The heavyweight division is in shambles right now. This is perhaps the worst […]
  • Anik & Florian UFC & Super Bowl Recap
    February 9, 2026
    ANIK & FLO BREAK DOWN MARIO BAUTISTA’S STATEMENT WIN AND SUPER BOWL HEARTBREAK 🥊 By Cody Merrow | Fight Bananas WHAT IS UP Fight Bananas family! Monday, February 9th, 2026 — the day AFTER the Super Bowl — should absolutely be a NATIONAL HOLIDAY, and Jon Anik and Kenny Florian aren’t wrong about this one! But while the rest of America was nursing hangovers and Patriots heartbreak (more on that in a minute), the guys […]
  • UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs Oliveira Polymarket Report
    February 7, 2026
    BAUTISTA VS OLIVEIRA: WHERE THE SMART MONEY IS GOING Breaking Down Polymarket vs Sportsbooks for UFC Fight Night By Cody Merrow WHAT IS UP Fight Bananas family! We’ve got a BANGER of a main event this weekend at the UFC Apex with Mario Bautista taking on Vinicius ‘Lock Dog’ Oliveira in a five-round bantamweight scrap. But here’s the thing though… where should YOU be putting your money? Let’s break down what the prediction markets AND […]

R&R (Results and Recaps)

  • Top 25 MMA Fighters RIGHT NOW — According to Gemini AI
    February 23, 2026
    As of February 2026, the UFC landscape has shifted significantly with several new champions and “double-champs” emerging. Popularity in the UFC is a mix of high-level skill (Pound-for-Pound rankings) and massive social media reach. Here are the 25 most popular and influential UFC fighters right now, categorized by their current status in the promotion: The “Superstars” (Elite Tier) These fighters lead the pack in terms of pay-per-view draw and global recognition: Ilia Topuria – The […]
  • Michael Chiesa Announces Retirement Fight with Anik & Florian + Mario Bautista joins the show!
    February 22, 2026
    The Anik & Florian Podcast Is Back — And This Episode Was MUST-WATCH TV 🥊 By Cody Merrow | Fight Bananas WHAT IS UP, Fight Bananas faithful! Buckle up, because the Anik & Florian Podcast — now proudly partnered with All The Smoke Fight, powered by All The Smoke Productions — delivered one of its best episodes in recent memory this past Monday, and if you missed it, I don’t know what you were doing […]
  • The Weekly Rounds 2: UFC Heavyweight Division, Diaz, Ilia vs Islam, and more
    February 13, 2026
    What’s good FB family?! This is the 2nd edition of the Weekly Rounds, where I will give some thoughts on some topics around the world of MMA. The opinions are all mine, would love a good debate! By: Will Brewer  Ok. Glove touch. HERE. WE. GO! Round 1: The State of the UFC Heavyweight Division Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC Let’s just face it, The heavyweight division is in shambles right now. This is perhaps the worst […]
  • Anik & Florian UFC & Super Bowl Recap
    February 9, 2026
    ANIK & FLO BREAK DOWN MARIO BAUTISTA’S STATEMENT WIN AND SUPER BOWL HEARTBREAK 🥊 By Cody Merrow | Fight Bananas WHAT IS UP Fight Bananas family! Monday, February 9th, 2026 — the day AFTER the Super Bowl — should absolutely be a NATIONAL HOLIDAY, and Jon Anik and Kenny Florian aren’t wrong about this one! But while the rest of America was nursing hangovers and Patriots heartbreak (more on that in a minute), the guys […]
  • UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs Oliveira Polymarket Report
    February 7, 2026
    BAUTISTA VS OLIVEIRA: WHERE THE SMART MONEY IS GOING Breaking Down Polymarket vs Sportsbooks for UFC Fight Night By Cody Merrow WHAT IS UP Fight Bananas family! We’ve got a BANGER of a main event this weekend at the UFC Apex with Mario Bautista taking on Vinicius ‘Lock Dog’ Oliveira in a five-round bantamweight scrap. But here’s the thing though… where should YOU be putting your money? Let’s break down what the prediction markets AND […]

R&R (Results and Recaps)

  • Top 25 MMA Fighters RIGHT NOW — According to Gemini AI
    February 23, 2026
    As of February 2026, the UFC landscape has shifted significantly with several new champions and “double-champs” emerging. Popularity in the UFC is a mix of high-level skill (Pound-for-Pound rankings) and massive social media reach. Here are the 25 most popular and influential UFC fighters right now, categorized by their current status in the promotion: The “Superstars” (Elite Tier) These fighters lead the pack in terms of pay-per-view draw and global recognition: Ilia Topuria – The […]
  • Michael Chiesa Announces Retirement Fight with Anik & Florian + Mario Bautista joins the show!
    February 22, 2026
    The Anik & Florian Podcast Is Back — And This Episode Was MUST-WATCH TV 🥊 By Cody Merrow | Fight Bananas WHAT IS UP, Fight Bananas faithful! Buckle up, because the Anik & Florian Podcast — now proudly partnered with All The Smoke Fight, powered by All The Smoke Productions — delivered one of its best episodes in recent memory this past Monday, and if you missed it, I don’t know what you were doing […]
  • The Weekly Rounds 2: UFC Heavyweight Division, Diaz, Ilia vs Islam, and more
    February 13, 2026
    What’s good FB family?! This is the 2nd edition of the Weekly Rounds, where I will give some thoughts on some topics around the world of MMA. The opinions are all mine, would love a good debate! By: Will Brewer  Ok. Glove touch. HERE. WE. GO! Round 1: The State of the UFC Heavyweight Division Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC Let’s just face it, The heavyweight division is in shambles right now. This is perhaps the worst […]
  • Anik & Florian UFC & Super Bowl Recap
    February 9, 2026
    ANIK & FLO BREAK DOWN MARIO BAUTISTA’S STATEMENT WIN AND SUPER BOWL HEARTBREAK 🥊 By Cody Merrow | Fight Bananas WHAT IS UP Fight Bananas family! Monday, February 9th, 2026 — the day AFTER the Super Bowl — should absolutely be a NATIONAL HOLIDAY, and Jon Anik and Kenny Florian aren’t wrong about this one! But while the rest of America was nursing hangovers and Patriots heartbreak (more on that in a minute), the guys […]
  • UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs Oliveira Polymarket Report
    February 7, 2026
    BAUTISTA VS OLIVEIRA: WHERE THE SMART MONEY IS GOING Breaking Down Polymarket vs Sportsbooks for UFC Fight Night By Cody Merrow WHAT IS UP Fight Bananas family! We’ve got a BANGER of a main event this weekend at the UFC Apex with Mario Bautista taking on Vinicius ‘Lock Dog’ Oliveira in a five-round bantamweight scrap. But here’s the thing though… where should YOU be putting your money? Let’s break down what the prediction markets AND […]
May 22, 2025
Jack Della Maddalena UFC
Published by Dave Van Auken on May 22, 2025

“He’s a Legend”: Jack Della Maddalena Calls on Volkanovski and Craig Jones to Crack the Makhachev Code

JDM Looks to Fellow Aussie Star for Edge Ahead of Makhachev Clash As Jack Della Maddalena gears up for the biggest test of his MMA career, he’s turning to someone who knows his upcoming opponent better than most—UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) captured the welterweight crown at UFC 315 in Montreal with a win over Belal Muhammad. Now, with Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) expected to vacate his […]
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May 17, 2025
Paddy Pimblett UFC
Published by Dave Van Auken on May 17, 2025

Paddy Pimblett Sees Topuria as Path to UFC Title

UFC Shake-Up: Pimblett Targets Lightweight Title in Post-Makhachev Era With Islam Makhachev officially moving up to welterweight, Paddy Pimblett sees a clear path opening toward a UFC lightweight title shot. UFC President Dana White confirmed this week that Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) will relinquish the 155-pound championship he’s held since 2022 to pursue a new challenge at 170 pounds. He’s expected to face newly crowned welterweight king Jack Della Maddalena later this year. As […]
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May 15, 2025
Gilbert Burns UFC
Published by Dave Van Auken on May 15, 2025

UFC Fight Night: Morales vs. Burns Preview

UFC Vegas 106: Rising Stars, Redemption Arcs, and High-Stakes Clashes Set for Las Vegas The UFC Apex in Las Vegas will once again be the battleground this Saturday night, as UFC Vegas 106 delivers a stacked main card featuring surging contenders and veteran warriors. Headlined by a pivotal welterweight clash, the event could shake up multiple divisions. Here’s a breakdown of the key matchups fans can expect: Main Event: Michael Morales vs. Gilbert Burns Unbeaten […]
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May 15, 2025
Topuria Makhachev UFC
Published by Dave Van Auken on May 15, 2025

“You’re a Coward”: Topuria and Makhachev Erupt in War of Words

Topuria and Makhachev’s Trash Talk Gets Personal Ilia Topuria isn’t holding back when it comes to Islam Makhachev’s recent decision to move divisions instead of facing him in a highly anticipated superfight. Following UFC President Dana White’s announcement that Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) will vacate his lightweight title to pursue a shot at newly crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena, Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) took aim at the Dagestani star, accusing him of […]
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May 12, 2025
Belal Muhammad UFC 315
Published by Dave Van Auken on May 12, 2025

Robert Whittaker: Belal Muhammad Has Only Himself to Blame for UFC 315 Loss

Belal Muhammad Ignored His Strengths — And Paid the Price, Says Whittaker Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker believes Belal Muhammad has no one to blame but himself for his loss in the UFC 315 main event. Muhammad (24-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) lost his UFC welterweight title in his first attempted defense on Saturday night, getting outstruck over five rounds by Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC). “Remember the Name” entered the bout as […]
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May 11, 2025
Published by Dave Van Auken on May 11, 2025

A Dustin Jacoby Exclusive

Written by: Ryan Jarrell ‘The Hanyak’ plans to stop another prospect and start another title run Dustin Jacoby has been a fixture in the fight game for a very long time now. After initiallygaining fame when he first competed in the UFC back in 2011, ’The Hanyak’ then spent timeas a professional kickboxer for Glory Kickboxing where he fought the likes Alex Pereira and others. Staying on the grind comes naturally to the Factory X […]
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May 9, 2025
Jessica Andrade UFC 315 Preview
Published by Dave Van Auken on May 9, 2025

5 Sleeper Fights To Watch At UFC 315

Prelim Spotlight: Fighters to Watch Ahead of UFC 315 in Montreal Quebec hosts its first UFC event in a decade this weekend as UFC 315 takes place at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The card is headlined by two world title fights: Belal Muhammad will defend his welterweight title against dangerous Australian contender Jack Della Maddalena, while Valentina Shevchenko puts her flyweight belt on the line against French striking standout Manon Fiorot in the co-main […]
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May 8, 2025
UFC 315 Preview
Published by Dave Van Auken on May 8, 2025

UFC 315 Preview

UFC 315 Main Card Preview: Title Fights and Big Returns in Montreal The UFC heads back to Montreal for the first time in years, as UFC 315 takes over the Bell Centre with a stacked lineup that includes two world championship bouts. Here’s a breakdown of the high-stakes matchups set for Saturday night’s pay-per-view main card. Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della MaddalenaUFC Welterweight Championship Reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad (24-3, 1 NC) puts his belt […]
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April 30, 2025
UFC Des Moines Preview
Published by Dave Van Auken on April 30, 2025

UFC Des Moines Main Card Preview

UFC Des Moines Fight Night: Main Card Preview This Saturday, the UFC heads to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, for UFC on ESPN 67—an event packed with rising talent, returning veterans, and a high-stakes bantamweight headliner. The evening’s lineup includes a compelling mix of former champions, fast-rising prospects, and fan favorites, promising plenty of action across multiple divisions. Here’s a breakdown of the main card matchups to watch. Main Event: Cory Sandhagen vs. […]
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April 27, 2025
Ian Machado Garry UFC
Published by Dave Van Auken on April 27, 2025

Dana White Names Ian Machado Garry as UFC 315 Backup Fighter

“The Future” Gets His Wish UFC President Dana White has officially announced that Ian Machado Garry will serve as the backup fighter for the upcoming welterweight title showdown between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena. The championship bout is scheduled for May 10 at UFC 315. Garry (16-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) is fresh off a gritty win in the main event of UFC on ESPN 66, which took place this past Saturday in Kansas City, […]
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