UFC back with a bang in the Big Apple, as dramatic return to Madison Square Garden throws up plenty of fascinating storylines going forward.

Brazilian newcomer Julie Mezabarba still anticipates ‘hard fight’ in ONE Championship atomweight tournament semi-final against Stamp Fairtex.

Japanese star Itsuki Hirata thinks she will be ‘fine’ in her ONE Championship atomweight grand prix semi-final against Ritu Phogat.

Alex Volkanovski reminds the world why he is UFC featherweight champion and one of pound-for-pound best on the planet with star-defining performance vs Brian Ortega.

UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski fired up over Brian Ortega’s past failed drugs test, saying ‘I ain’t about that’ and accusing challenger of ‘half-a**ing it’.

The 38-year-old fan favourite is back after six years away from the cage, and naturally takes centre stage with all eyes on Saturday night’s fight with Robbie Lawler.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones also charged with injuring or tampering with a vehicle following arrest on Friday morning.

UFC president Dana White dismissive of ONE Championship’s special crossover rules bout between Demetrious Johnson and Rodtang – ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.

Ritu Phogat compares Denice Zamboanga’s split decision defeat by Ham Seo-hee to her own loss to Bi Nguyen, and insists ‘the judges’ word is final, we have to respect that’.

The 25-year-old shakes off slew of opponent changes for atomweight grand prix, saying ‘no matter who stands in front of me, I’m fearless ... that’s what makes a true fighter’.

First woman to defeat former UFC strawweight champ sympathises with her old rival after Rose Namjunas loss ‘only lasted like 10 seconds, and hopes rematch goes all five rounds.

Conor McGregor tells Dustin Poirier ‘you’re dead in that Octagon’ after both make weight for UFC 264 main event in Las Vegas.

Trash talk spills over on to social media after Thursday’s UFC 264 press conference, where Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier had to be separated by security.

‘I try to keep respect to all these OG guys in the UFC, but they have so many losses that I would fight them for sure,’ Gilbert Burns says.

‘The Wizard’ finally returns against Ilia Topuria, and thinks the days of featherweight division swerving him are ‘ hopefully coming to an end’.

No 13-ranked UFC strawweight Virna Jandiroba laments ‘heartbreaking’ death toll from Covid-19 as she blasts ‘racist and homophobic’ government in her native Brazil.

Ayaka Miura is rooting for ONE Championship’s strawweight champ to beat Michelle Nicolini because she feels she can beat her – ‘I match up pretty well with Xiong Jingnan’.

After her stunning debut in Bellator, Diana Avsaragova is fighting for acceptance of women’s MMA in Russia – ‘I believe women should be able to do what they want to do’.

Marina Rodriguez is down to fight Mackenzie Dern but rejects offer for quick turnaround, and tells Joanna Jedrzejczyk ‘one day we’re going to meet in the cage’.

‘You win this fight and you’re gonna blow up in Mexico,’ UFC president Dana White tells Brandon Moreno, as Nate Diaz and fans show ‘The Assassin Baby’ some love.

Flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo requires towel box to strike the 125-pound limit just in time to save title bout against Brandon Moreno in Glendale, Arizona.

‘Rocky’ finds himself overshadowed by two big title fight rematches and a big-name personality going into UFC 263, but has the confidence to deliver a star-making display.

Marvin Vettori might be playing into Israel Adesanya’s hands after rising to the middleweight champ’s ‘roid rage’ barbs, as security separates pair in heated press conference.

‘I’m near the end,’ says Brazilian legend Demian Maia, who will step into the Octagon for the 33rd time this weekend against Belal Muhammad.

‘Maybe that’ll get me my rematch,’ quips Belal Muhammad, who admits he’s still salty over Leon Edwards eye poke but insists he’s not looking past legend Demian Maia at UFC 263.

UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili shakes hands with Rose Namajunas – albeit rather reluctantly – after a fractious build-up to their title fight.

‘You’re gonna be in for a long one, man … remember this face,’ Jorge Masvidal tells UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman during press conference back-and-forth.

UFC flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko says she aims to rule her division ‘for a long time’ with Jessica Andrade the latest pretender to the throne.

‘You’re sitting there today because I chose you,’ says Kamaru Usman, who insists UFC 261 rematch against Jorge Masvidal ‘isn’t personal but all about business’.

Jessica Andrade says a lot of opponents respect Valentina Shevchenko too much and may be afraid of her, but promises ‘I’m gonna be in her face the entire time’.