MMA Daily News — March 12, 2026: Topuria vs Makhachev War of Words, Rousey Blasts UFC, Chimaev vs Strickland UFC 328 Leak & Vegas 114 Fight Week
- Dana Black
- Mar 12
- 8 min read
Overview
It is fight week at the Meta Apex — UFC Vegas 114 goes down this Saturday — but the biggest stories in MMA right now have nothing to do with Josh Emmett or Kevin Vallejos. The Topuria-Makhachev social media war has exploded into one of the sport's most compelling rivalries; Ronda Rousey lit the UFC on fire at her Gina Carano press conference; a close source to Khamzat Chimaev's camp has leaked his first title defence date; and UFC 326 turned out to be a historic broadcast. Here is everything you need to know heading into the weekend.
Contents
Topuria Accuses Makhachev of Ducking — Makhachev Fires Back
The Topuria-Makhachev cold war just went thermonuclear. On Tuesday, lightweight champion Ilia Topuria posted on X confirming what had been reported — that he had been booked to face Islam Makhachev at UFC Freedom Fights 250 before a last-minute injury withdrawal — and he was not diplomatic about it. 'Once again Islam comes up with an excuse. This time it's an injury,' Topuria wrote. 'I always knew I would be part of the White House event. When they finally told me I would be on the card, they mentioned Islam and I didn't hesitate for a second to accept the fight.' He then signed off the post with a chilling message to Gaethje: 'Justin, see you at the White House. I'm not someone who humiliates people. It will be quick. When you wake up, everything will already be over.'
Makhachev did not stay quiet for long. The welterweight champion fired back directly on X: 'We both know who chickened out here. You can cover your cowardice with nasty tweets, but don't worry, one day you will get what you asked for! And your fat ass manager don't have to ask for billions to fight me, we'll do it for free.' The shot at Topuria's manager Malki Kawa is a reference to Kawa reportedly asking for enormous fees to make the Makhachev fight, a narrative the Kawa camp denies. Dana White, meanwhile, publicly contradicted Topuria's version of events, saying the Makhachev fight 'was never' the plan and the injury story is not accurate. With two pound-for-pound elites now publicly attacking each other's character and camp, the 'greatest fight the UFC can make' is getting more personal by the day — and no closer to being signed.
UFC 326 Was Most-Watched UFC on Linear TV in 10 Years
For all the criticism of Charles Oliveira's grappling-heavy approach against Max Holloway, UFC 326 delivered at the business level in a historically big way. The UFC confirmed on Wednesday that the event was the most-watched UFC broadcast on linear TV in ten years. The card aired partially on CBS — the first major network appearance under the new Paramount-Skydance deal — and the numbers reflected the power of free-to-air exposure. Dana White had promised the Paramount deal would be transformational for viewership, and UFC 326 was the first major proof point. Ronda Rousey had already pledged that her Netflix Carano fight would beat UFC's numbers — she now has a very specific benchmark to target.
Rousey Blasts UFC at Carano Press Conference: 'One of the Worst Places to Go'
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano held their official press conference on Tuesday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, ahead of their May 16 Netflix fight promoted by Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions — and Rousey did not spend much of it talking about the fight. The former UFC bantamweight queen launched into a sustained attack on the modern UFC, describing it as 'one of the worst places to go' for fighters in the current landscape. Her central argument: the UFC's corporate transformation following its acquisition by WME-IMG and the TKO Group Holdings merger has stripped Dana White of his original decision-making power, replacing a fight-first culture with a shareholder-first one. 'Most of my criticisms of the UFC are because Dana isn't the owner and he isn't calling the shots,' Rousey said. 'They need to be saved from themselves, and luckily I'm here to be their hero.'
Rousey was careful to separate White personally from the institution, describing him as 'loyal to a fault' while arguing that the UFC has bleeding talent as a result of a pay structure that leaves fighters unable to support their families. She originally attempted to stage the Carano fight inside the UFC and reportedly pitched it for New Year's Eve — which would have been the final UFC event before the Paramount transition — but the deal fell through when the new streaming model made matching terms impossible. 'When it wasn't going to work out with the UFC, I told Gina we can do this on our own, we don't need them,' Rousey said. 'That's what led us here, about to put on the most-viewed MMA fight of all time.' She also bet publicly that the Netflix event would beat UFC 326's viewership numbers on Paramount. Whether that comes to pass or not, Rousey's return is the biggest story in women's MMA in years.
Ngannou Added to Card
The card grew even bigger when Francis Ngannou was confirmed as the co-main event, fighting Philipe Lins. Ngannou became a free agent last week after his release from the PFL and wasted no time attaching himself to the highest-profile MMA event available. At the press conference, Jake Paul squared off with Ngannou and said he wanted to fight him — Ngannou replied 'I really didn't want to fight you, but now I want to beat you.' Whether a Paul vs Ngannou boxing match materialises is another matter, but for now, the May 16 Netflix card has Rousey vs Carano headlining, Ngannou vs Lins in the co-main, and the credibility of a genuine MMA event rather than an exhibition. This is a direct challenge to the UFC's market dominance, and the sport will be watching the numbers very closely.
LEAKED: Chimaev vs Strickland Set for UFC 328 — May 9 in Newark
The middleweight title picture may be about to get a lot clearer. Adam Zubayraev, a Russian sports reporter described as close to Khamzat Chimaev's camp, posted on social media this week suggesting that Chimaev vs Strickland is being planned for UFC 328 on May 9 from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. 'Whoever is managing Strickland's schedule needs to cancel all his podcast recordings after May 9 because you can't talk into a mic with a wired shut jaw,' Zubayraev wrote. That is about as unambiguous a leak as you will get without an official UFC announcement. Strickland himself has been stoking the fire all week, posting cryptically about a 'terrorist to fight, belts to be won' in an Instagram caption. Chimaev, for his part, has said publicly he is 'waiting for Strickland' ever since the former champion knocked out Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston last month.
The backstory between these two is rich. They are former training partners from Xtreme Couture, with Chimaev claiming he submitted Strickland during sparring and Strickland disputing the framing entirely. Since then the rivalry has become deeply personal, fuelled by Strickland's pointed criticisms of Chimaev's relationship with Chechen leadership and Chimaev's characterisation of Strickland as damaged by ego. Jorge Masvidal threw fuel on the fire this week by picking Strickland to win the title fight, saying: 'I'm dumping the house on Strickland. I don't even think Chimaev will fight him because they've trained a lot.' Dricus Du Plessis — who has faced both men — also backed Strickland's chances, praising his physical strength and ability to make opponents fight his style. If Newark on May 9 is confirmed, UFC 328 just became one of the most anticipated events of the year.
UFC Vegas 114 Fight Week: Emmett vs Vallejos Full Card Preview
UFC Vegas 114 takes place this Saturday, March 14 at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas — the freshly rebranded venue courtesy of its $100 million Meta naming rights deal. The main event pits featherweight veteran Josh Emmett (19-6) against the division's rising Argentine star Kevin Vallejos (17-1) in what should be a thrilling KO-or-be-KO'd matchup. Emmett, 41, brings fight-ending right hand power and 12 career knockdowns — the most in UFC featherweight history — but is on a two-fight skid and facing a 17-year age gap against his opponent. Vallejos is 24, 3-0 in the UFC, and has stopped Giga Chikadze via spinning backfist in his last outing. He enters as a sizeable favourite at roughly -300. Emmett himself has publicly said the UFC is pushing Vallejos 'a little too fast', which is exactly the kind of bulletin board material his young opponent will be feeding on come Saturday.
Main Card (8 PM ET, Paramount+)
Josh Emmett vs Kevin Vallejos (Featherweight, Main Event) | Amanda Lemos vs Gillian Robertson (Women's Strawweight, Co-Main) | Ion Cutelaba vs Oumar Sy (Light Heavyweight) | Andre Fili vs Jose Miguel Delgado (Featherweight) | Marwan Rahiki vs Harry Hardwick (Featherweight) | Vitor Petrino vs Steven Asplund (Heavyweight)
Prelims (5 PM ET, Paramount+)
Charles Johnson vs Bruno Silva (Flyweight) | Brad Tavares vs Eryk Anders (Middleweight) | Chris Curtis vs Myktybek Orolbai (Welterweight) | Bolaji Oki vs Manoel Sousa (Lightweight) | Luan Lacerda vs Hecher Sosa (Bantamweight) | Bia Mesquita vs Montserrat Rendon (Bantamweight) | Elijah Smith vs TBA
Dana Black's Pick: Vallejos by TKO, Round 2
Emmett has ice in his veins and the most dangerous right hand in featherweight history, but the matchup just does not favour him. Vallejos has superior striking volume, an 83% takedown defence rate that neutralises Emmett's wrestling, and the physical advantages that come with being 17 years younger. Emmett has never been stopped three times and his chin is granite, but Vallejos's volume work should pile up the damage across the first two rounds. I see Vallejos hurting him with a combination in Round 2 and the referee stepping in. Vallejos by TKO, Round 2.
FAQs
Did Topuria and Makhachev actually agree to fight at the White House?
According to Topuria, the UFC told him the fight was on, he accepted without hesitation, and he found out the same morning as the public that Makhachev had withdrawn citing a hand injury. Topuria's manager Malki Kawa confirmed talks happened but said no formal agreement was ever reached. Makhachev denies Topuria's version and suggests Topuria's side actually ducked the fight. Dana White has publicly contradicted Topuria, saying the fight 'was never' Islam vs Topuria. The full truth remains disputed, but it is clear both camps have agreed to fight at some point — and the personal heat between them just made that future bout even bigger.
When and where is Rousey vs Carano?
Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano takes place on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The event is streamed live on Netflix and promoted by Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions. Francis Ngannou vs Philipe Lins serves as the co-main event. The show marks Netflix's first ever live MMA broadcast.
How can I watch UFC Vegas 114 Emmett vs Vallejos?
UFC Vegas 114: Emmett vs Vallejos airs live on Paramount+ on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Prelims start at 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT, followed by the main card at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT. The event is held at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Up Next: UFC Vegas 114 Results — March 14, 2026. Then UFC Fight Night London — March 21.
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