UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has weighed in on the ongoing discussion about fighter pay, specifically comparing UFC's compensation to that of the PFL. Makhachev's comments highlight a recurring theme in the sport, with many fighters advocating for better pay. He also expressed openness to Kamaru Usman potentially joining the UFC. These statements from a reigning champion add significant weight to the conversation about fighter compensation and the competitive landscape between major MMA promotions.
Sources (17)
We summarise the day's news in our own words. Full credit to the outlets below for the original reporting, click through to read their work.
- Kooc Media Introduces PR Packages Built for AI Developers and SaaS Brands (The Body Lock)
- Ronda Rousey lines up her next venture after her successful MMA comeback on Netflix (Bloody Elbow)
- Islam Makhachev on UFC's low pay compared to PFL; Open to Usman joining the UFC (r/MMA)
- Michael Chiesa: “Justin Gaethje vs ConorMcGregor is the biggest fight in MMA. Let's say he beats Max, what better fight is there to do right now from a viewing standpoint? Arman Tsarukyan is the next guy for sure, but Gaethje vsMcGregor is the matchup to make in terms of bringing in eyes” (r/MMA)
- Shara Magomedov | The Pirate Returns (UFC)
- UFC Baku weigh-in results: All fighters on point (Yahoo Sports)
- Video: Rafael Fiziev, Manuel Torres on weight for UFC Baku main event (Yahoo Sports)
- UFC Fight Night 280 official weigh-in results: No misses in Baku (Yahoo Sports)
- UFC analyst lays out why Ian Machado Garry 'very dangerous' for Islam Makhachev (Yahoo Sports)
- Anthony Hernandez vs. Gregory Rodriguez headlines UFC Sacramento on Aug. 22 (Yahoo Sports)
- MMA Junkie Radio #3680: Guests Merab Dvalishvili, Diego Lopes, UFC Baku, more (Yahoo Sports)
- Merab Dvalishvili will wait for Petr Yan, no matter how long it takes (Yahoo Sports)
- UFC Baku’s Manuel Torres wants ‘to be feared’ like Mike Tyson, ‘That’s how you become the best’ (Yahoo Sports)
- UFC analyst: Justin Gaethje vs. Conor McGregor is biggest fight in MMA (Yahoo Sports)
- Berggren invägd och klar, gör UFC-debut imorgon (Frontkick Online)
- Vill ha Norge i 16-delen: ”Skulle det vara kul att få ett nordiskt derby!” (Frontkick Online)
- Zoran Milic får nytt OKTAGON-datum, möter tidigare titelutmanaren (Frontkick Online)
Split from that day's roundup, so the sources listed are the full set behind the whole edition rather than this story alone.
This story ran in the June 26, 2026 edition of the daily show.