The UFC world witnessed several interesting developments in the past week, including the return of a former double champion and speculations about a couple of retirements. Catch up with the biggest combat sports news, updates, and rumors from the last seven days.
Kayla Harrison Is Tempting Amanda Nunes Back to the UFC Ring
After Kayla Harrison ran through Julianna Peña at UFC 316, she invited Amanda Nunes into the Octagon for a face-off during her interview with Joe Rogan. Harrison gave “The Lioness” her due respect and pitched for a “super fight,” requesting the former UFC double champion to come out of retirement.
Nunes readily agreed and said she was game.
Harrison and Nunes have a rivalry that goes back a few years to when the former called the other out. At that point, they both trained at the same gym—American Top Team—and Nunes felt it was against her interest to continue MMA training at a facility where a member actively sought out a contest with her.
Nunes told ESPN following UFC 316 that she left ATT for Harrison.
Ben Askren Hospitalized With Pneumonia
Former UFC fighter Ben Askren was hospitalized on Saturday after reportedly developing pneumonia and becoming unresponsive. Askren’s wife Amy shared the update on her Facebook profile.
“He developed severe pneumonia, which came on very suddenly. He’s currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time. We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace,” Amy wrote.
Many fighters and fans shared their thoughts and concerns on social media, including Dillon Danis, with whom Askren has a long-running beef.
Francis Ngannou Gets Cryptic About Jon Jones’ Offer
In the latest chapter of Jon Jones’ disinterest in the Tom Aspinall fight, “Bones” teased a “real super fight” with Francis Ngannou.
“I’m hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested… now we’re talking. That’s a real super fight. A clash of champions, not just hype. … Two real legacies colliding,” Jones wrote on X.
“The Predator” responded, “You take care of the UFC, I’ll take care of the PFL, and we’ll finally find out who’s the king of the heavyweight.”
You take care of the UFC, I’ll take care of the PFL, and we’ll finally find out who’s the KING OF THE HEAVYWEIGHT. 🤴 https://t.co/Zz5XwjdFtF
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 7, 2025
The possibility of Ngannou returning to the UFC to fight Jones is very thin, especially after the former’s controversial exit from the promotion. Dana White hinted at the same during the UFC 316 post-fight press conference. However, it is interesting that the French-Cameroonian is not ruling it out either.
Jon Jones Claims UFC Is Hiding Information
In a series of tweets on the Aspinall situation, Jones claimed that the UFC knew his real intentions and was keeping it a secret for the sake of the business.
“I spoke to the UFC a long time ago about what my future plans were,” Jones said. “I haven’t really worked out since my last fight in New York City. Honestly, I believe it’s been in the UFC’s best interest to keep presenting me as the company’s champion—not Tom.
“I’ve just been playing the role of the company man by doing nothing at all… and holding the position,” Jones added. He also claimed he made more money off Aspinall holding the interim belt than the Brit himself.
MORE: Nunes Explains Harrison Beef, Leaving Gym
He also challenged the ongoing petition to strip him of the UFC heavyweight title.
“And remember, you can’t strip a guy like me at this point, I give the belt up freely. Veni, vidi, vici,” he said. White was surprised to find out about the tweets during the press conference on Saturday night, which adds further mystery to Jones’ claims.
Alex Pereira Addresses Retirement Rumors
Alex Pereira’s last opponent, Magomed Ankalaev, has been spreading rumors about the Brazilian’s imminent retirement. Pereira and Ankalaev are supposed to lock horns a second time, where “Poatan” would try to reclaim the light heavyweight throne he lost to the Russian at UFC 313.
The fight has not yet been officially announced. In early June, Ankalaev claimed on X that Pereira had turned down a fight against him three times and that the former champion was never returning to the Octagon. Pereira did not comment on the claims online, but recently broke his silence in a UFC Brasil interview.
“He’s also promoting a little. If he says my name—because nobody knows he’s the champion—so, when he says my name, he appears a little,” Pereira said. “But I’m not responding to his provocations, because I know it’s just for promotion. When the time is right, I’ll go and talk.”
Pereira added that he did not know the date of his comeback yet, but was confident it would be for the title against Ankalaev. He insisted that he was taking a much-required break for his health at the moment, and will be back in action soon.
Dricus du Plessis Irks Nassourdine Imavov
Nassourdine Imavov is scheduled to be the backup fighter for the upcoming middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. However, “Stillknocks” is unwilling to face Imavov if Chimaev pulls out.
“I have to be honest, if [Chimaev] pulls out of this fight early, I will not fight Imavov because I want to fight Khamzat,” du Plessis recently said in an interview shared by RMC Sport Combat. “I don’t want anything else.”
“If I’m already there—two weeks—I’ll fight Imavov if [Chimaev] pulls out. If he pulls out at four weeks, I’m not gonna fight. I will wait for him… because he’s the best.”
Imavov did not take du Plessis’ opinion too kindly. He responded on X, dismissing the possibility that du Plessis would be allowed to pick his opponent.
“Thanks for the compliments, [Dricus du Plessis], but you’re not Jon Jones. If something happens, you’re not going to block anything. If you’re not ready to defend, leave the place,” Imavov tweeted.
Thanks for the compliments @dricusduplessis but you’re not Jon Jones, if something happens, you’re not going to block anything, if you’re not ready to defend leave the place. https://t.co/XhLVecsomN
— Imavov Nassourdine (@imavov1) June 6, 2025
Du Plessis added that Imavov deserved to fight for the belt as he is the No. 1 contender, but suggested that the latter should first face Caio Borralho in a title eliminator.