Contender Series returns with four new signings

The UFC's fall calendar filled in as the Contender Series went back into session and fresh bookings landed for Salt Lake City and Edmonton, while UFC 330 fight week ramped up in Philadelphia. Injuries and exits surfaced too, from Uros Medic's hidden meniscus tear to Stephen Thompson eyeing a Madison Square Garden farewell.

Contender Series Season 10 opens with four signings and two blitz KOs

On the Season 10 premiere of Dana White's Contender Series at the Meta APEX, four prospects earned UFC deals: heavyweight Anthony Wint (7-0), flyweight Bilal Hasan (9-0), featherweight Thomas Pagliarulo (11-2) and middleweight Joseph Kropschot (9-3). Wint, a former Jets linebacker, stopped Matt Adams with ground-and-pound in 34 seconds, while Hasan, a record -5000 favorite, knocked out Mridul Saikia in 45. Kropschot took a decision after refusing to relent on a fight-ending armbar Jon Kunneman wouldn't tap to. White declined to sign lightweight Abe Alsaghir despite his split-decision win, saying the judges 'blew that decision.'

Why it matters: Wint (targeted for UFC Sacramento on Aug. 22) and the heavily hyped Hasan headline a heavyweight-and-flyweight infusion, and Wint continues the NFL-to-MMA pipeline White keeps feeding.

Payton Talbott lined up for another ex-champ in Figueiredo at UFC 332

Brazilian reporter Leo Guimaraes reports Payton Talbott (11-1) has verbally agreed to face former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (25-7-1) at UFC 332 on Oct. 3 in Salt Lake City, though contracts aren't yet signed. Talbott is coming off the biggest win of his career, a decision over Henry Cejudo at UFC 323. Figueiredo has dropped four of his last five at bantamweight and rides a two-fight skid after losses to Umar Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong.

Why it matters: It's another legacy name handed to the 27-year-old prospect, a Cejudo-style test that keeps building his contender case at 135.

Buckley vs. Malott headlines UFC Edmonton as card fills out

The UFC made official its Oct. 17 return to Rogers Place, headlined by No. 10 welterweight Joaquin Buckley (21-8) against No. 13 Canadian Mike Malott (14-2-1), with flyweights Erin Blanchfield and Jasmine Jasudavicius in the co-main. Six more bouts were added, including Nate Landwehr vs. Mandel Nallo, Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Kyle Daukaus, and former flyweight title challenger Katlyn Cerminara facing Jamey-Lyn Horth. Contender Series signee Louis Jourdain, brother of Charles Jourdain, makes his UFC debut against Timmy Cuamba.

Why it matters: A ranked welterweight main event with top-five stakes and a deep Canadian undercard gives the Edmonton card genuine division relevance.

Uros Medic reveals he beat Rodriguez on a torn meniscus, needs surgery

Uros Medic says he tore his meniscus during a warmup on the Monday of UFC Belgrade fight week, with the UFC Performance Institute draining fluid from his knee just so he could walk. He hid the injury and still knocked out Daniel Rodriguez in 30 seconds at the UFC's first Serbia event, banking a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus and extending his run to four straight. Medic expects minor arthroscopic surgery in the coming days and hopes to return in November or December.

Why it matters: The No. 10 welterweight called out Leon Edwards after the win; a quick recovery keeps that step-up in play before year's end.

Wonderboy eyes MSG send-off with one fight left on his deal

Stephen Thompson (17-9-1) says he has one fight remaining on his UFC contract and wants to close it out at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 14, likely UFC 334. The 43-year-old former two-time title challenger is scanning the welterweight roster for a 'barnburner' opponent to go out on. He is currently on a three-fight losing streak, dropping bouts to Gabriel Bonfim, Joaquin Buckley and Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Why it matters: One of the division's most beloved strikers is signaling the end; MSG would be a fitting stage, though his slump complicates the farewell matchup.

Garry talks up his résumé over Makhachev's as UFC 330 nears

Days before challenging Islam Makhachev (28-1) for the welterweight title Saturday in Philadelphia, Ian Machado Garry (17-1) argued his recent opponents, including Shavkat Rakhmonov, Belal Muhammad, Carlos Prates and Michael Page, are tougher than the champion's. Jorge Masvidal disagreed with the picture, predicting Makhachev's wrestling wears Garry down and finishes him late. The usual trio of Jon Anik, Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier will call both title fights, with Mackenzie Dern defending against Gillian Robertson in the co-main.

Why it matters: A win lets Makhachev break Anderson Silva's record 16-fight UFC win streak, raising the GOAT stakes atop an already loaded card.

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