Usman torches Colgan and hits free agency

PFL New York belonged to Usman Nurmagomedov, who blitzed Archie Colgan in a round to close out his contract and open the most consequential free agency in MMA. Dakota Ditcheva shook off a year of rust but underwhelmed, and Jake Paul used the MVP-PFL merger to name a cage opponent. UFC Belgrade, the promotion's Serbia debut, goes off later today.

Usman Nurmagomedov flattens Colgan in a round, enters free agency 22-0

Usman Nurmagomedov retained the PFL lightweight title by first-round TKO over previously undefeated Archie Colgan (13-1) in the PFL New York main event at UBS Arena, dropping him with a question-mark kick and finishing with uppercuts and ground strikes at 3:42. It was the final bout of his PFL contract, leaving the 22-0, 1 NC champion a free agent. Post-fight he said he'll see what Dana White offers while daring new PFL co-owner Jake Paul to pay him what he's worth. Khabib, Islam Makhachev, Justin Gaethje and Kamaru Usman were cageside.

Why it matters: The best lightweight outside the UFC is now on the open market just as the MVP-PFL merger gives the PFL money to keep him, setting up a real bidding war for a fighter who could contend for UFC gold quickly.

Ditcheva grinds out rusty return, gets Carmouche title fight next

Dakota Ditcheva returned from a year out with a hand injury to sweep Denise Kielholtz on the cards (30-27 x3) in the PFL New York co-main, moving to 16-0 but failing to finish and drawing boos for a low-output third round; the PFL didn't even give her a post-fight interview. Afterward she called for a flyweight title fight with Liz Carmouche, and PFL CEO John Martin confirmed that's the bout they'll make next.

Why it matters: PFL's marquee women's star looked human for a second straight fight, and Carmouche, a three-time title challenger, is the most credible test the promotion can offer before the UFC-move questions grow louder.

Anthony Smith's wife calls felony arrest a 'mental health crisis'

Days after Anthony Smith was arrested in Nebraska on three felonies, including attempted first-degree domestic assault and terroristic threats, his wife Mikhala broke her silence, saying she was 'always safe,' that Smith 'would never hurt me,' and that she 'called for help to protect him from himself.' Manager Brian Butler urged the public not to rush to judgment. Dana White, in Belgrade, called it a situation that 'can happen to anybody.' Smith is due in court Aug. 17.

Why it matters: The statements reframe a case that could carry up to 20 years, but the felony charges stand, and the UFC's hands-off response keeps the fighter-welfare question in play.

UFC debuts in Serbia as Medic and Rodriguez headline Belgrade

The UFC stages its first-ever event in Belgrade on Saturday, with hometown knockout artist Uros Medic (all seven wins by stoppage) facing returning welterweight Daniel Rodriguez in a five-round main event; Rodriguez fights for the first time since an eight-month stretch in a Mexican prison and vows to make Medic 'eat his words.' In the co-main, 43-year-old former champ Jan Blachowicz meets unbeaten Navajo Stirling, who took the fight on short notice. Both winners are eyeing a bout with Leon Edwards.

Why it matters: A packed local card gives the UFC a foothold in Serbia and a Top-15 welterweight shuffle, with Medic one violent night away from the Top 10 and Stirling a win from the title conversation.

Jake Paul says his MMA debut will be Nate Diaz in 2027

A day after MVP merged with the PFL, Jake Paul declared he's finally getting in the cage in 2027 and named Nate Diaz as his target, telling his old boxing rival to 'stop ducking'; he floated Mike Perry as an alternative and confirmed he'll box first. Paul beat both Diaz and Perry in the ring, but a Diaz MMA fight would flip the skill advantage to the four-time UFC veteran.

Why it matters: It gives the new MVP-PFL a marquee crossover bout to sell, but it's a spectacle fight, not a sign the merged promotion can build a division to challenge the UFC.

Dana White dismisses MVP-PFL merger: 'Nobody will watch'

Speaking in Belgrade, Dana White brushed off the MVP-PFL merger as two organizations 'that don't sell tickets and nobody watches' combining into a bigger company that still won't, and insisted Jake Paul's outfit isn't UFC competition. The dismissal came as Paul touted MVP's Netflix numbers and the UFC leaned on its new $7-billion-plus Paramount deal.

Why it matters: White's public shrug is familiar, but the merger, a Netflix platform and Usman Nurmagomedov's free agency mean the rival now has money and a marquee name to actually test that stance.

Also worth a look

Browse previous days →