Aspinall back in camp for Gane rematch

Eight months after his eye injury froze the heavyweight division, Tom Aspinall says he's back in full training and in talks for a Ciryl Gane unification rematch. Meanwhile, fight week belongs to Baku, where Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres made weight for Saturday's lightweight headliner, and the UFC filled out its summer calendar with a Sacramento booking.

Aspinall back in full training, in talks for Gane unification rematch

Tom Aspinall (15-3) announced he is back in full training for the first time since October's UFC 321 no-contest, where repeated eye pokes from Ciryl Gane left him with double vision and required surgery on both eyes. He says his team is in talks with the UFC and referenced a 12-week camp, hinting at a return window around September. Gane holds the interim title after knocking out Alex Pereira at the White House event and has called for the unification bout; UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi is floated as a likelier landing spot than the non-PPV UFC Paris card.

Why it matters: This is the fight that unfreezes a heavyweight division stuck in limbo for most of a year. The wrinkle is Aspinall's new advisor Eddie Hearn, who has publicly urged him not to take the rematch under his current UFC deal.

Fiziev, Torres make weight for UFC Baku lightweight headliner

Rafael Fiziev (13-5) and Manuel Torres (17-3) both hit 156 pounds for Saturday's UFC Baku main event at the National Gymnastics Arena, with the full card weighing in clean. Hometown favorite Fiziev is trying to halt a slide of four losses in five, including a knockout defeat to Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 325. Torres, 5-1 in the UFC with all six Octagon fights ending in the first round, gets his first five-round headliner and says he wants to be a feared finisher in the Mike Tyson mold. Shara Magomedov vs. Michel Pereira serves as the middleweight co-main.

Why it matters: It's a true crossroads at 155: a loss likely ends Fiziev's contender hopes, while a finish would vault Torres toward the top 10 of the sport's deepest division.

Hernandez vs. Rodrigues set to headline UFC Sacramento on Aug. 22

No. 6 middleweight Anthony Hernandez (15-3) returns from his loss to champion Sean Strickland to headline UFC Sacramento against No. 12 Gregory Rodrigues (19-6) on Aug. 22 at the Golden 1 Center. It's the UFC's first event in Sacramento since 2019. NorCal native Hernandez gets a homecoming after his eight-fight win streak was snapped, while Rodrigues rides three straight wins, including one-punch knockouts of Jack Hermansson and Brunno Ferreira.

Why it matters: Two of the division's most dangerous finishers meet with title-picture stakes for the winner, especially with a Strickland-Chimaev rematch looming above them.

McGregor predicts 'demolition' as Oliveira says he was the real pick

Conor McGregor, an underdog returning from a five-year layoff, is forecasting an 'absolute demolition' of Max Holloway in their UFC 329 rematch on July 11 in Las Vegas, claiming his long rest has him entering his prime. BMF champion Charles Oliveira disputes how the fight came together, insisting the bout was supposed to be his and that McGregor 'ran' from him to pick the easier path in Holloway. McGregor counters that the UFC chose the opponent, not him.

Why it matters: McGregor's first fight since 2021 anchors International Fight Week, but the matchmaking dispute underscores how a stacked lightweight queue gets reshuffled around a returning superstar.

Strickland targets December for first middleweight title defense

Sean Strickland says he's eyeing a December return for the first defense of his second middleweight reign, which would make a third fight in 2026 after beating Anthony Hernandez and dethroning Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. Strickland fought Chimaev through a torn shoulder that still needs to heal. Chimaev has accused him of 'running' from a rematch, while Nassourdine Imavov also waits on a title shot.

Why it matters: A December timeline pushes any Chimaev rematch or Imavov shot to year's end, leaving the 185-pound title picture in a holding pattern through the fall.

Topuria's camp eyes December return after first career loss

Ilia Topuria's physical trainer Jesus Gallo says the former two-division champion has recovered remarkably from the two broken orbital bones suffered in his fourth-round TKO loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, projecting a possible comeback in December. Teammate Merab Dvalishvili argued Topuria was effectively fighting blind and was also affected by an eye poke, while former opponent Bryce Mitchell suggested Topuria would be better off returning to featherweight.

Why it matters: How and where Topuria rebuilds — at 155 or back at 145 — shapes two divisions, and the talk of his vision issues keeps the manner of Gaethje's upset in dispute.

Gaethje is the lone MMA fighter nominated for 2026 ESPY

Fresh off becoming undisputed lightweight champion by stopping Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje is the only MMA representative among the four 'Best Fighter' nominees at the 2026 ESPYs, which merged the previously separate MMA and boxing categories. He's up against boxers Terence Crawford, Claressa Shields and Gabriela Fundora, with the ceremony set for July 15 on ABC.

Why it matters: Consolidating the MMA award into a single combat-sports category dilutes the sport's recognition, leaving Gaethje to carry the banner against three decorated boxers.

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