Welcome to Bloody Elbow’s every day round-up of combat sports news as our week of no fights is nearly at its end.
That is your one-stop shop for the highest five stories from February 16, 2026. With UFC Houston on the horizon this weekend, our wait for top level motion is nearly over.
Our week got off to a superb start, particularly when you’re a boxing fan as Tyson Fury officially marked his return to the massive time with a large London press conference. Jorge Masvidal also had a significant announcement a few recent bare-knuckle MMA tournament.
- ON THIS DAY: Mirko Cro Cop avenged his final UFC loss before a stroke ended his profession
Tyson Fury makes headlines at first Netflix press conference
The construct for Tyson Fury’s return to the ring kicked off in earnest today as he headed to London together with his dad John Fury to face off with Arslanbek Makhmudov. News lines abounded as he tickled his rival, before making a giant announcement about his future.
The 2-time heavyweight champion also declared that he won’t be working with a trainer for this bout. He has split with the Kronk Gym’s Sugarhill Steward after five years together, and insists he’s going to be ‘like Clubber Lang’.
His dad also couldn’t resist making himself the focus as he took aim at Carl Froch and Lennox Lewis, who were a component of the Netflix broadcast.
Nate Diaz lists potential opponents including Conor McGregor
Over the past few days, legendary former lightweight title contender Nate Diaz declared that he would love to return on the UFC White House event that’s scheduled for this coming June. His last fight within the promotion was almost 4 years ago when he defeated Tony Ferguson on the way in which out.
Since then, he has fought Jake Paul and Jorge Masvidal within the boxing ring and is now trying to make his MMA return. He had been offered a rematch with Paul in PFL, but has all the time insisted that he only desires to fight within the UFC if he isn’t boxing.
“I would love to fight someone, I’m able to get back into real motion, I need to fight either McGregor (trilogy), I need to fight perhaps Dustin Poirier if he stops being such a p—- after which perhaps Mike Perry, we’ll see what happens in the longer term, though,” Diaz told TMZ Sports.
Paddy Pimblett balloons by 35lb after UFC 324
Paddy Pimblett’s routine weight gain after fighting continued as he posted a brand new YouTube video during which he claimed to now be tipping the scales at 190lb. ‘The Baddy’ just fought Justin Gaethje at UFC 325, and has grow to be known for indulging his love of junk food when he’s not got a fight coming up.
Since falling to a unanimous-decision defeat at UFC 324 on January 24, the British fan favorite has been off his weight loss plan and having fun with all of the food he missed during fight camp. He famously missed his birthday and Christmas while training, and is now making up for it.
Jorge Masvidal declares $500,000 tournament
Jorge Masvidal is bringing back his Gamebred promotion, and has confirmed plans to stage his most ambitious project yet with two tournaments for $500,000 each. The bare-knuckle MMA show may have 16-man brackets at heavyweight and light-weight.
The important thing name listed for the heavyweight tournament is Anthony Smith, who returns to motion lower than a yr after his emotional UFC retirement. He’ll move up in weight as he goes for the title and a large payday.
Mike Tyson vs Floyd Mayweather ‘tentatively’ sets recent date
In response to Mike Coppinger of The Ring Magazine, there’s now a date and venue for Mike Tyson vs Floyd Mayweather. The 2 aging boxing icons will fight within the Congo on April 25, in response to ‘tentative’ plans.
Tyson is returning at 59 after losing to Jake Paul back in 2024, while Mayweather is fighting twice in a matter of months, including a showdown with kickboxing champion Mike Zambidis that has been announced for June 27 in Athens.