If you’re an MMA fan finding it hard to stay in the loop about the biggest stories from the MMA world, we’ve got you covered with our MMA Roundup series. Here, we talk about the most noteworthy moments from the past 24 hours in our favorite sport so that you don’t miss out on the important scoops. So let’s start, shall we? We’ll kick this edition with the sport’s biggest star, Conor McGregor, who had another message for the 47th US president, Donald Trump.
Thereafter, we’ll take a look at the changes that the former UFC featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, has claimed to have made as he seeks to win the belt back next month at UFC 314. Finally, the roundup edition ends with details of Nate Diaz and Francis Ngannou‘s current position when it comes to Dana White‘s promotion.
Conor McGregor to represent Ireland in Washington?
Well, it may sound strange, but it seems like Conor McGregor is heading to the US capital of Washington D.C., but it’s not the first time the 36-year-old is visiting the city. In fact, the Irish MMA star even attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony back in January, but this time, he claims to be coming for official ‘Irish’ business. On that note, McGregor seemed to have a message for not only the POTUS but for his fans and followers from his native country.
“I land shortly in Washington for the most important meeting of my country’s future. I am beyond ready,” Conor McGregor wrote on Instagram. “The world will hear Ireland’s call.” Well, President Trump already had a meeting recently with the Taoiseach of Ireland, and now, it remains to be seen what comes out of the meeting when it’s all said and done. Meanwhile, let us go down to the next big story in this roundup edition, involving Alexander Volkanovski ahead of his fight against the surfing Diego Lopes.
Alexander Volkanovski has refrained from drinking amid preparations
After suffering two knockout losses on the trot and dropping the featherweight belt, Alexander Volkanovski’s dominant reign ended at UFC 298. But he’s got his much-deserved rematch but against another rival, who’s much younger than ‘The Great’. Diego Lopes has been on an absolute tear, sporting a 5-fight winning streak, and has looked lethal in his wins. To tackle the 30-year-old Brazilian star, Volkanovski has taken a major step, which is to stay away from alcohol, which is a part of his diet plan, ahead of his chance to become a 2-time champion.
UFC 284 PERTH, Alex Volkanovski of Australia is seen before his fight with Islam Makhachev of Russia for the Lightweight title bout at UFC 284 at RAC Arena in Perth, Sunday, February 12, 2023. ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG, KEINE ARCHIVIERUNG UND KEINE BUCHNUTZUNG PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xRICHARDxWAINWRIGHTx 20230212001762836770
“Everyone knows I bust my ass. I train hard. That’s always been something that I’ll always have and always do,” Alexander Vokanovski told ESPN MMA. While looking back at his mistakes while preparing for Ilia Topuria, ‘Volk’ added, “But, I mean, I probably could have done some things better. You know, my nutrition, maybe lay off the alcohol, stay away from the alcohol… I decided to do that this time, like 14 weeks out from the fight.”
It’s not just the alcohol that he’s staying away from because he’s changed his entire diet. “No cheat meals, not even a cheat meal. And everyone knows I love my food.” Could this method get Alexander Volkanovski back on the winning track at UFC 314? That remains to be seen. Meanwhile, let’s take a look at the final story of this roundup edition.
A look at Nate Diaz and Francis Ngannou’s UFC status
Time has flown by as the two stars we’ll be talking about have not stepped inside the Octagon since 2022. Stockton’s own Nate Diaz, who had been away exploring other endeavors and fought Jake Paul in a boxing match in the process, seems to want to make things right when it comes to his MMA career. The 39-year-old, despite being an icon and a massive fan favorite, just could not win a UFC title during his time in Dana White’s promotion. Well, it seems like that’s where his focus is at right now because Diaz wants to become a UFC champion.
June 12, 2021, Glendale, Arizona, USA: GLENDALE, Ariz. – June 12, 2021: for SPORTS. UFC No. 3 Welterweight Leon Edwards of Jamaica Red gloves defeats Nate Diaz of the United States Blue gloves by Unanimous Decision after five rounds of fighting at UFC 263 in the Gila River Arena. Glendale USA – ZUMAb177 20210612_zap_b177_141 Copyright: xTaidghxBarronx
“The legacy – I don’t think about it as done,” Nate Diaz revealed to Full Violence. Apart from Conor McGregor and his older brother Nick Diaz, the multi-division fighter claims nobody has made as much noise as he did, even though some of them were champions. Seeking ‘credit’ for what he achieved in the UFC, Diaz aims to cement his status with a championship win.
“Well, everybody’s boring right now, so I’m trying to do other sh-t for the moment. But like, I want to go back and get a UFC title. I don’t want to fight for nothing, you know? I want to fight for something,” Nate Diaz added. Well, Dana White has kept the doors open for the Stockton native, but will he get a title shot? That sounds like a tall ask.
But talking about a UFC comeback, we all know that the bridges have been burned when it comes to Francis Ngannou because of his beef with the UFC CEO. Recently, there were certain speculations that maybe Ngannou’s time with the PFL was over as well. However, the promotion’s founder, Donn Davis, has dismissed those rumors, citing them as “fake news”
No truth, fake news. Francis has at least one more fight with @PFLMMA
Further Francis is long-term business partner as Chairman @PFLAfrica https://t.co/sOskCrGv3h
— Donn Davis (@DonnDavisPFL) March 15, 2025
According to David, ‘The Predator’ is in it with the PFL for the foreseeable future, with the expansion plan in sight. “No truth, fake news. Francis has at least one more fight with [PFL]. Further Francis is a long-term business partner as Chairman [of PFL Africa],” Davis tweeted.
Well, what do you think of this roundup edition? Drop your comments below.
The post MMA News Roundup – Conor McGregor Sends a Message to Donald Trump; Alexander Volkanovski Reveals Major Change Before UFC 314; Nate Diaz & Francis Ngannou’s Status With UFC appeared first on EssentiallySports.