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Exact Moment Matchmakers Found Out ‘Huge’ Fight Was Off

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Dana White has promised fight fans that tonight at UFC 326 he will reveal some, or even all of the fights, for the UFC White House event. It is one of the most anticipated announcements in the company’s history, and the build-up alone has had the MMA world on edge for months.

It will take place on the 14th of June on the South Lawn of the White House to mark Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the United States. White has even gone as far to confirm that each fighter’s walkout will feature them passing through the Oval Office. It was always going to generate a level of attention far beyond your typical fight card, and speculation over who would make the cut had been running at fever pitch heading into this weekend.

White had teased a six-fight card in an interview with Piers Morgan ahead of UFC 326, which gave fans plenty to argue about in the days building up to tonight’s reveal, which also included his willingness for a potential boxing match with British promoter Eddie Hearn. Given the setting and the occasion, the assumption was always that the card would lean heavily on American fighters, and the names being floated around did not disappoint.

Names Rumoured For UFC White House Card

UFC Octagon on White House Lawn

Jon Jones returning from retirement to face Alex Pereira had been on many people’s lips, a long-dreamed-about heavyweight clash that would need very little selling to anybody. Jones has been open about his desire to make one final walk to the Octagon at the White House specifically, and with the prospect of an interim heavyweight title on the line, it would be a fitting closer to one of the greatest careers the sport has ever seen.

This is now made even more possible with Pereira vacating his light heavyweight title in favour of a move up to heavyweight, a move that could see him make history and become the first three-weight UFC champion.

Kayla Harrison was another name firmly in the conversation. The double Olympic gold medallist and UFC women’s bantamweight champion had been due to defend her title against Amanda Nunes in January before a neck injury forced her withdrawal, and a rescheduled meeting between the two at the White House would make perfect sense on every level.

Bo Nickal, given his well-documented friendship with the president, feels like a near certainty to feature, with a potential showdown against MAGA advocate Colby Covington offering another all-American match-up that the crowd on the South Lawn would absolutely love to see. Sean O’Malley against Cory Sandhagen had also been doing the rounds as a strong candidate, a bantamweight fight with genuine title implications attached to the former’s considerable star power.

Sean O'Malley

Further down the card, Derrick Lewis and Michael Chandler had both been linked with appearances. Lewis has a notable admirer in Trump himself, which makes his inclusion feel close to inevitable, while Chandler has been relentlessly vocal about wanting a White House fight ever since his original bout with Conor McGregor fell through back in 2024, another name many want to see fight at the event.

One White House Card Fight Falls Through

There was, however, one piece of unwelcome news. One fight has already been pulled from the card before the event even had a chance to arrive, adding a note of all-too-familiar chaos to what should otherwise be a landmark occasion for the UFC.

Nobody knows who this fight included or why it’s not happening. White didn’t reveal much when speaking with UFC reporter Nina Drama, just that he was informed that a fight wouldn’t be happening.

The moment the news filtered through to the UFC hierarchy appears to have been caught on camera at the UFC 326 weigh-ins, with footage emerging of UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell pulling matchmaker Sean Shelby aside to break the news on stage.

The exchange did not go unnoticed, and Dana White later shed some light on just how badly Campbell had taken it, making a rather dark remark. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes moment that rarely makes it into the public eye, and it spoke volumes about how much this card means to the people putting it together.

The countdown to the South Lawn begins, but with this unexpected fight cancellation, the UFC may not be able to announce a full card for the White House at UFC 326, and who knows what unexpected issues lie ahead in the next three months.

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Viral Croatian Model Ivana Knoll Starts New Career as a DJ

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Ivana Knoll, a Croatian model who went viral at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, has started a new career since first being spotted supporting her country.

She became famous instantly after being snapped wearing the iconic red and white checks of her country eight years ago. The 33-year-old then made headlines in Qatar four years ago after many of her outfits went against the country’s strict rules.

Ivana now has almost three million followers on social media and was spotted at Croatia’s 2026 World Cup clashes with England and Panama. She has continued to work as an influencer since her rise to fame, but has now embarked on a new journey.

Ivana Knoll Starts New Career at World Cup

Croatian model Ivana Knoll is pictured in the stands before the Champions League Final between Manchester City v Inter Milan

As well as her modelling and influencing commitments, Ivana has now embarked on a journey as a DJ. With the stage name ‘KnollDoll’, the superfan is performing at various venues during this summer’s World Cup.

Before her country were beaten by England in their opening game, she performed at a FIFA Fan Festival in Los Angeles. She’s previously worked with David Guetta and performed at high-profile venues like Madison Square Garden in New York.


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Speaking about the time-consuming new venture after watching Croatia defeat Panama, Knoll told talkSPORT: “I’m amazing. It’s my second game. I came only for Croatia games because now I’m on my DJ tour, my first big US tour.”

She then explained how this is her fourth World Cup, saying: “So I didn’t have time to visit other games, but I’m visiting Croatia games, and this is my fourth World Cup. It’s my routine already. Four World Cups in 16 years. In Brazil, I was very, very young.”

Recalling initially going viral in Russia in 2018, and then gaining even more attention in Qatar, Ivana is delighted to now be watching Croatia in the country she now lives in. She continued:

“In Russia, it was special because we [reached] the final, and I was already going viral in the first game.

“Then in Qatar, I really exploded worldwide, which I never expected. And now it’s here in the country where I live, so I moved to Miami four years ago. It’s amazing.”

Some may even recognise the aspiring DJ from a Formula One event earlier in 2026, when a Sky Sports cameraman appeared to get slightly distracted by her.

Ivana Knoll Names Her Favourite Player ‘as a Person’

Erling Haaland in action for Norway Burt Granofsky/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA via Reuters

Over the years, she’s come into contact with some of the biggest names in world football. However, the 33-year-old claimed to have a particularly pleasant experience when meeting Man City and Norway star Erling Haaland.

“Honestly, personally, who I met and I think is the only player who I really like as a person, is Haaland.

“We have a photo together, and I’m small next to him, and I’m 180.”

She continued: “I know Vinicius [Junior], I know I met Haaland, I know Rafael Leao. They’re all nice guys, you know? So I cannot say anything, but my most impression was with Haaland and his friends. So I think they are very nice people.”

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Arsenal Ready First Bid For Morgan Rogers

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Arsenal are preparing their first offer for Morgan Rogers, according to Football Insider, as the Gunners prepare for changes in their midfield department.

The Premier League champions have had a slightly subdued start to the transfer window compared to some of their rivals so far, with less work to do to stay at the very top.

There is still a desire to strengthen the options available to Mikel Arteta, however, with talks underway to sign Christos Tzolis and Jeremy Monga as squad options.

Then there’s a push for Bruno Guimaraes on the cards, with one bid rejected, and a second expected for the Newcastle midfielder in the coming days.

Arsenal have started to ramp up their interest in key targets, and it seems as though Rogers could be the next option the club pushes to sign.

Morgan Rogers Bid Prepared

Morgan Rogers

With a move for Guimaraes stepping up, Football Insider claims Arsenal are expected to make an opening bid for Rogers in the coming weeks of the transfer window.

The England international is claimed to be a “top target” for the Gunners, though any deal could be tough to strike with Aston Villa.

Rogers has a deal until 2031 at Villa Park, and it’s claimed that Unai Emery’s side are firmly against a sale. That said, any offer worth over £100 million would be enough for them to agree a deal.

It’s unclear what Arsenal’s starting point for the 23-year-old will be, as they set themselves up to make the first offer. However, it could be the start of a long saga that the North London club will hope ends in a deal to sign the versatile forward.

It would be quite the statement of intent from the Gunners too, signing a player who has been described as “one of the world’s best” in recent seasons.

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Arsenal Mean Business In Transfer Window

Mikel Arteta waving to the Arsenal crowd

Arsenal are showing they mean business this summer transfer window, with moves for Bruno Guimaraes and Morgan Rogers. The pair have been quality options for Premier League sides regularly making Europe, who will no doubt command huge fees.

But, after winning the division, it’s clear that the Gunners believe they can do what it takes to convince the stars to move to North London, irrespective of the fees.

That could see them move from strength to strength, platforming a pair of superstars into a team that is already filled with quality and hard-working talent around them.


Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates Champions League win against Atletico Madrid


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Arsenal are set to bid for one of their key transfer targets this summer, having made contact over a move.

It’s unclear whether it will be enough to make the side look more comfortable in the key moments, or if it will get them over the line in pursuit of the Champions League.

However, it shows that Arsenal aren’t happy just winning trophies once. They mean business and intend to do it all over again.

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Rangers Face ‘Difficult’ Transfer Negotiations To Land Swap Deal

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Rangers face an uphill task to land a transfer target for Derek McInnes, according to Football Insider, in a potential swap deal for Nicolas Raskin.

It comes as the Ibrox outfit face the possibility of losing the Belgian midfielder as part of a larger change within the squad, following last season’s disappointing finish.

The arrival of McInnes, along with Lawrence Shankland, may create the fresh start that Rangers need to fire them back towards the Scottish Premiership.

However, more moves will be required. There are links for a few options, but that may only come with an exit or two from Rangers in the coming weeks.

Rangers Swap Deal For Lewis Ferguson

Lewis Ferguson battling for the ball

Rangers have been linked with a move for Lewis Ferguson, the Bologna star who has previously featured under McInnes during their time together at Aberdeen.

The reunion has appeared as a possibility, as the Serie A side are interested in Raskin, with negotiations planned to land the midfielder from Ibrox this summer.

The chance of a swap deal appears tough, however, as Football Insider claims that the complex move is “difficult”, as Ferguson’s availability remains a sticking point in discussions.

An issue remains about the valuation of the Scotland international, who is described as “expensive”, especially following his recent outing in the World Cup.

Interest is seemingly set to ramp up in the 26-year-old, but Rangers may find it increasingly tough to get an agreement for their latest transfer target.

That won’t seemingly impact a possible exit for Raskin, however, with Bologna among the teams expected to continue pursuing a move for the 25-year-old in the coming weeks of the transfer market.

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How Much Rangers Want For Raskin

Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin celebrates

Rangers are still expected to lose Raskin this summer, regardless of whether it results in a potential swap deal with Bologna for Ferguson as his replacement.

The report from Football Insider claims a £20 million price tag has been placed on the Belgian international, as he continues to gain interest in his services.


Derek McInnes in the Hearts dugout


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The midfielder is hot property this summer

Another Serie A side, Atalanta, have been linked with Raskin as a potential option this summer, and they likely won’t be the last to join the race.

It remains to be seen where he could end up, but Rangers will be keen to invest the funds well to give McInnes the best chance of succeeding next season.

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