Welcome to Bloody Elbow’s daily round-up of news on a day where the combat sports world took a break after a bombshell announcement from Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
This is your one-stop shop for the top five stories from February 24, 2026. The biggest story of the day was very quickly dismissed by UFC boss Dana White when he declared a report of the UFC White House event changing date to be untrue.
There were also further updates on Conor McGregor’s return to action, as well as news of Merab Dvalishvili returning to competition at RAF Wrestling in Philadelphia.
- Who is Dana White? All you need to know about the CEO and President of the UFC
UFC White House is NOT moving from June 14 to June 26
The MMA world was quick to take a report from Puck News as gospel this evening when they reported a number of tidbits regarding the UFC White House event. Among a host of details, the biggest headline was that the show had moved to June 26.
Either way, the event will be taking place on a day that is unusual for a UFC show; with the 14th landing on a Sunday and the 26th a Friday.
However, Dana White very quickly shut down the report, declaring that ‘media is bulls—‘ and confirming the June 14 date.
Merab Dvalishvili is making his RAF Wrestling debut
After losing his bantamweight title in a record-breaking fourth championship fight in a calendar year back in December, Merab Dvalishvili has been enjoying a well-needed break. However, he is now back into competition, with a big date in April planned.
He will make his RAF Wrestling debut in Philadelphia, just down the road from his long-time home in New York. No opponent has been confirmed as yet, but it will mark his first competition of the year as he awaits a UFC comeback.
Carlos Prates’ update on Conor McGregor fight is more bad news
The Conor McGregor comeback seems to be in some bit of trouble as yet another opponent was pretty much ruled out. He seems to want Michael Chandler to finish their season of The Ultimate Fighter three years on, but the UFC would rather he face a ‘no name’.
The former two-weight world champion claims to have accepted a fight with a lesser-known fighter, with many fans theorizing that he might be forced to return against Carlos Prates. However, the Brazilian says they have had no talks, and fears it’s an unlikely bit of matchmaking.
UFC Houston medical suspensions confirmed
As is customary in the state of Texas, everyone on the UFC Houston card was handed a medical suspension after Saturday night’s event. Even Sean Strickland who scored a knockout win was given a few days.
All of the details are available in our report on the multiple medical suspensions from the show, including Geoff Neal after his vicious first round knockout loss.
UFC Mexico City update amid unrest in Jalisco
This weekend, Brandon Moreno faces replacement opponent Lone’er Kavanagh in Mexico City as he looks to bounce back from his loss to Tatsuro Taira in a quick turnaround. The promotion has assured people traveling to this weekend’s event that they’ve got the all-clear to do so.
There have been some concerns about the location as a result of unrest in Jalisco following a military operation that resulted in the deaths of seven cartel members, including leader Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes.