MMA Chaos Unleashed: Buckley Targets Poirier and Strickland, Raul Rosas Jr. Stuns Covington, and UFC Rankings Shake Up

November 5, 2026 9 Views by

The MMA world has rarely gone a week without controversy, but the latest news cycle delivered everything from heated fighter feuds and rule-change debates to shocking upsets and major UFC rankings movement. Fresh off the fallout from UFC Vegas 123, several fighters have found themselves in the spotlight for vastly different reasons.

UFC Rankings See Major Movement After UFC Vegas 123

The aftermath of UFC Vegas 123 led to significant movement across multiple UFC divisions following standout performances in Las Vegas.

Australian lightweight contender Tom Nolan made one of the biggest jumps, climbing from No. 12 to No. 7 in the lightweight rankings after defeating former title challenger Renato Moicano via third-round TKO in the event’s main event. The victory further established Nolan as a legitimate contender at 155 pounds. Meanwhile, Moicano dropped several spots after suffering the setback. [sports.yahoo.com], [combatpress.com]

At welterweight, unbeaten prospect Jacobe Smith entered the UFC rankings for the first time after a dominant unanimous-decision victory over veteran Randy Brown. Smith’s wrestling-heavy performance earned him the No. 14 position in the division. [sports.yahoo.com], [sports.yahoo.com]

Joaquin Buckley Fires Shots at Dustin Poirier

Former UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley stirred controversy after publicly criticizing retired UFC star Dustin Poirier regarding Poirier’s highly publicized airport incident earlier this year.

Buckley questioned the sincerity of Poirier’s apology and accused the former interim lightweight champion of failing to properly address his behavior during the incident. His comments quickly gained traction across the MMA community, prompting a response from Poirier himself as tensions escalated on social media. [yardbarker.com], [sherdog.com]

The exchange became one of the most talked-about stories of the week as fans debated whether Buckley’s criticism was justified or simply an attempt to generate attention.

Buckley Also Clashes With Sean Strickland

Buckley did not stop with Poirier.

The outspoken fighter also confronted reigning UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland over past comments involving offensive language. Video of the interaction circulated online and showed the two engaging in a tense but controlled exchange.

While the confrontation never became physical, the disagreement sparked further debate across the MMA community regarding accountability and public conduct among high-profile fighters. Strickland later responded by posting old sparring footage involving Buckley, keeping the public back-and-forth alive. [essentiall…sports.com], [mmafighting.com]

Bryce Mitchell Weighs In on Potential Rule Changes

Few fighters are as willing to challenge convention as Bryce Mitchell, and the bantamweight once again generated headlines by discussing potential changes to MMA’s unified rules.

Mitchell argued against efforts to prohibit oblique kicks, maintaining that the technique remains a legitimate element of mixed martial arts competition. He also suggested that face stomps against grounded opponents should be reconsidered under modern rules.

The comments immediately reignited one of the sport’s long-running debates about balancing fighter safety with preserving MMA’s identity as a comprehensive combat discipline.

Raul Rosas Jr. Scores Stunning Upset Over Colby Covington

One of the most surprising results in recent combat sports came outside the UFC when rising bantamweight star Raul Rosas Jr. faced former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington in a submission-only grappling match at Hype Italy in Rome.

Originally stepping in on short notice after Dillon Danis withdrew, Rosas wasted no time making the most of the opportunity.

The 22-year-old quickly secured a takedown, advanced to Covington’s back, and locked in a rear-naked choke that forced the former title challenger to tap in just 43 seconds. The result shocked observers given the significant size disparity and Covington’s reputation as one of MMA’s strongest wrestlers. [sports.yahoo.com], [sports.yahoo.com]

The upset immediately generated reactions throughout the MMA world and added further momentum to Rosas’ rapidly rising profile.

Ray Longo Questions Dan Miragliotta’s Stand-Up Decision

Veteran coach Ray Longo joined the discussion surrounding UFC Vegas 123 by addressing referee Dan Miragliotta’s controversial decision during the Renato Moicano vs. Tom Nolan main event.

The debate centers around a stand-up call that occurred while Moicano appeared to have established significant control on the ground. Many observers felt the restart dramatically altered the momentum of the fight.

Notably, Nolan eventually capitalized on the opportunity and finished Moicano via TKO in the third round, making the referee’s decision a focal point of post-fight analysis. [sports.yahoo.com], [middleeasy.com]

Sean O’Malley Credits Wife for Career Discipline

Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley offered a more personal story amid a week full of controversy.

O’Malley praised his wife, Danya Gonzalez, for helping him maintain discipline throughout his fighting career. The popular star explained that her support and accountability have played an important role in helping him stay focused while navigating the pressures that come with competing at the highest level.

The comments offered a glimpse into the personal side of one of the UFC’s biggest stars and highlighted the importance of strong support systems in professional sports.

Dan Hooker Believes Alexander Volkanovski Can Succeed at Lightweight

Lightweight contender Dan Hooker expressed confidence that reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski remains capable of competing successfully at 155 pounds.

Volkanovski previously challenged for lightweight gold and remains one of the most accomplished fighters in the sport. Hooker believes the Australian’s skill set, fight IQ, and experience would allow him to remain competitive against the division’s elite should he choose to pursue another run at lightweight.

Michael Morales Continues Preparations for UFC 336

Top welterweight contender Michael Morales also drew attention after sharing footage from training camp as he prepares for his upcoming UFC 336 main-event assignment.

The undefeated Ecuadorian has quickly emerged as one of the division’s most dangerous contenders and continues building anticipation ahead of what could be the biggest fight of his career.

With UFC rankings shifting, rivalries intensifying, and breakout stars continuing to emerge, the MMA landscape shows no signs of slowing down as the sport heads into another busy stretch of action.

Sources

Tags: MMA, UFC, UFC Vegas 123, Tom Nolan, Renato Moicano, Jacobe Smith, Randy Brown, Joaquin Buckley, Dustin Poirier, Sean Strickland, Bryce Mitchell, Raul Rosas Jr, Colby Covington, Ray Longo, Dan Miragliotta, Sean OMalley, Danya Gonzalez, Dan Hooker, Alexander Volkanovski, Michael Morales, UFC Rankings, MMA News, Combat Sports

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