Anthony Smith jailed on felony domestic violence charges

A quiet news day turned heavy with the arrest of former title challenger and current UFC analyst Anthony Smith on three felonies. The matchmaking wheels kept turning too, with UFC Edmonton getting a main event, UFC 330 losing another bout, and PFL and UFC Belgrade locking in weekend cards.

Anthony Smith arrested in Nebraska on three felonies, faces up to 20 years

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger and current Paramount+ analyst Anthony Smith, 38, was booked into Sarpy County Jail in Nebraska on Monday night on charges of domestic violence causing serious bodily injury, terroristic threats and first-degree false imprisonment. The domestic violence count alone carries a maximum of 20 years. Details of the incident have not been released, and Smith remains in custody with no court date set. He retired from the UFC in 2025 and won a bare-knuckle MMA bout earlier this year.

Why it matters: Smith is a prominent broadcast voice for the promotion, not just a former fighter, which makes the felony charges an immediate problem for the UFC's Paramount+ desk. The allegations are serious and unresolved.

Buckley vs. Malott headlines UFC Edmonton on Oct. 17

The UFC has booked No. 10 welterweight Joaquin Buckley against Canada's Mike Malott in the main event of UFC Edmonton on Oct. 17 at Rogers Place. Buckley (21-8) is on a two-fight skid after decision losses to Sean Brady and Kamaru Usman, while Malott (14-2-1) rides a four-fight streak capped by a third-round TKO of Gilbert Burns in his Winnipeg headliner. The co-main pits flyweights Erin Blanchfield and Jasmine Jasudavicius, a bout relocated from UFC 330 after a Blanchfield injury.

Why it matters: It's a make-or-break spot for both: Buckley is defending a top-10 ranking in hostile territory, and Malott can crack the contender picture at 170 with a home win over a name.

UFC 330 sheds another bout as Neal withdraws; Morales set as title backup

Geoff Neal has reportedly pulled out of his UFC 330 bout with Chidi Njokuani, with the promotion seeking a replacement to keep Njokuani on the Aug. 15 Philadelphia card. Meanwhile, undefeated welterweight Michael Morales (19-0) confirmed the UFC has asked him to make 170 and stand by as the official backup for the Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry main event, and says he's been told he's next in line for a title shot regardless. Makhachev himself sarcastically mocked the thinning lineup, calling it 'just wonderFULL.'

Why it matters: The main event carries a card fans have already soured on, and Neal's exit thins it further. Morales' backup role effectively crowns him next challenger over Carlos Prates, who thought the spot was his.

Usman Nurmagomedov defends lightweight belt vs. Colgan atop PFL New York

The PFL has finalized its 11-bout PFL New York card for Friday, July 31 at UBS Arena, headlined by unbeaten champion Usman Nurmagomedov (21-0) defending the lightweight title against fellow undefeated contender Archie Colgan (13-0). The co-main sees top women's flyweight Dakota Ditcheva (15-0) return after more than a year out against Denise Kielholtz. The main card airs on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET.

Why it matters: It's a champion-vs-unbeaten headliner and Ditcheva's long-awaited return, giving the PFL a genuinely stacked card to answer the recurring knock that its top talent goes unseen.

Medic vs. Rodriguez headlines UFC's Serbia debut Aug. 1

UFC Belgrade lands Saturday, Aug. 1 at Belgrade Arena, the promotion's first event in Serbia, headlined by hometown welterweight Uros Medic (13-3) against veteran Daniel Rodriguez in a five-rounder. Medic enters on three straight first-round knockouts and opened as a heavy favorite. The reshuffled co-main pairs former champion Jan Blachowicz with unbeaten Navajo Stirling (10-0) after Blachowicz's original opponent Bogdan Guskov left to face Ankalaev.

Why it matters: Medic gets a rare homecoming headliner as the UFC plants a flag in a new market, while the 39-year-old Rodriguez tries to spoil it and stay relevant in a crowded 170 top 15.

Jon Jones again denies steroid use: 'That was proven'

In an interview with ALF Global, Jon Jones once more rejected the doping accusations that shadow his legacy, insisting he 'never took steroids' and blaming his failed tests on a tainted supplement with 'zero performance-enhancing effects.' Jones (28-1) referenced the picogram turinabol findings and the tainted-supplement rulings, arguing fans ignore the documented conclusions. In the same conversation he claimed he would have submitted Alex Pereira 'pretty quickly' and outwrestled Daniel Cormier.

Why it matters: The steroid asterisk is the crux of the Jones GOAT debate, and his retirement hasn't dulled his need to relitigate it. It's talk, not news, but it's the framing he wants attached to his career.

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