Dos Anjos books a UFC 332 return at 41

A quieter day dominated by buildup gave way to a few concrete moves: Rafael dos Anjos ended two years of knee rehab with a UFC 332 booking, UFC BJJ 10 crowned new champions in Las Vegas, and Sean Brady wrote off Shavkat Rakhmonov's career. The Namo Fazil hotel-brawl saga also grew as Khamzat Chimaev weighed in.

Dos Anjos returns at 41, faces Alexander Hernandez at UFC 332

Former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos will end a two-year layoff against Alexander Hernandez at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City on Oct. 3, per an ESPN report. Dos Anjos, 41, has undergone three knee surgeries in 14 months since blowing out his knee against Geoff Neal at UFC 308, and returns on a three-fight losing skid, dropping back to 155 pounds. Hernandez, eight years younger and 4-1 in his last five, moves up to welterweight for the bout.

Why it matters: It's a live comeback for one of the division's great pressure fighters, but at 41 with a rebuilt knee and three straight losses, RDA is fighting for relevance as much as a win.

Tackett taps Gracie again as UFC BJJ 10 crowns new champs

Andrew Tackett submitted Jonnatas Gracie via face crank in the first round at UFC BJJ 10 in Las Vegas, extending his perfect run to 7-0 and defending the welterweight title for a fourth time. Brianna Ste-Marie took the women's featherweight belt from Rebeca Lima with a second-round arm-triangle, while Adele Fornarino and Cassia Moura each won quick submissions to set the inaugural flyweight final. Tackett called out grappling stars Kade Ruotolo, Mica Galvao and Jozef Chen, plus UFC fighters Sean Brady and Paddy Pimblett.

Why it matters: Tackett has become the face of the UFC's grappling venture, and a Fornarino-Moura final pits two pound-for-pound elites for a first belt — the strongest matchup the division could make.

Sean Brady: Rakhmonov 'done,' won't fight again

Welterweight contender Sean Brady told Daniel Cormier he doesn't believe Shavkat Rakhmonov (19-0) will ever return, arguing the undefeated Kazakh's recurring knee problems will keep breaking down in camp. Rakhmonov hasn't fought since beating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 in December 2024, has since had surgery and a re-injury, and was removed from the rankings earlier this year despite recent training footage.

Why it matters: Rakhmonov was a near-certain future champion before the injuries; if a rival's read is right, one of the sport's cleanest title cases becomes its biggest what-if.

Chimaev wades into Fazil hotel-brawl claims, warns of 'consequences'

A day after Namo Fazil said 15 Chechens jumped him during his weight cut before his DWCS loss to Kaik Brito, Khamzat Chimaev responded on social media, calling for Chechen-Kurd unity and warning that 'when someone speaks bad there always will be consequences.' Fazil identified Chimaev teammate Baisangur Susurkaev as one of the men involved; Susurkaev posted images mocking Fazil. The friction reportedly stems from Fazil's callouts of Islam Dulatov.

Why it matters: An alleged ethnic-tinged assault at the fighter hotel now involves one of the UFC's biggest stars — a genuine disciplinary and safety issue, not manufactured beef.

Makhachev suspended 30 days; coaches admit they lied about the scorecards

The Pennsylvania commission handed Islam Makhachev a 30-day medical suspension for a rib contusion suffered from Ian Machado Garry's body kicks at UFC 330, the only setback among the four title-fight participants. Coach Javier Mendez revealed he and Khabib Nurmagomedov told Makhachev the fight was 2-2 entering the fifth round to motivate him, despite believing he led. Tresean Gore and Ramiz Brahimaj drew indefinite suspensions off the card.

Why it matters: The short suspension keeps Makhachev on track for his pre-Ramadan turnaround against Carlos Prates or Michael Morales, even after a bruising night.

UFC books top-six bantamweight clash Luana Santos vs. Yana Santos

No. 3-ranked bantamweight Luana Santos will meet former featherweight title challenger Yana Santos at UFC Vegas 123 on Oct. 31, per AG Fight. Yana returns for the first time in over a year after three straight decision wins, and confirmed the booking as her highest-ranked UFC opponent yet. Luana is 6-1 in the Octagon with her only loss to Casey O'Neill.

Why it matters: It's a genuine top-six matchup in a bantamweight division still sorting out contenders behind the belt.

Pimblett says he'd 'terrorize' Topuria and Tsarukyan, respects neither the same

On the Green Light podcast, Paddy Pimblett said he would 'absolutely terrorize' Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan if matched with either, but would stay respectful against Max Holloway or Charles Oliveira. He said he respects Topuria despite years of beef, but has 'no respect' for Tsarukyan, dismissing him as a 'rich kid.' Pimblett wants to fight again before year's end after his 52-second win over Benoit Saint-Denis.

Why it matters: Just talk for now — Topuria has no booked return and Tsarukyan faces Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 — but it maps out Pimblett's preferred path back toward the lightweight title.

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