Smith breaks silence on felony charges

A quiet Sunday in MMA ran mostly on UFC Sacramento fallout: Anthony Hernandez accused Gregory Rodrigues of grabbing his gloves, the rankings reshuffled around three winners, and Lerryan Douglas emerged with a fractured orbital. Away from the cage, Anthony Smith spoke publicly for the first time since his July arrest, and Jiri Prochazka poured cold water on interim-title rumors for a still-headless UFC 332.

Anthony Smith breaks silence a month after felony arrest

Ex-UFC light heavyweight title challenger and current broadcaster Anthony Smith posted his first public statement since his late-July arrest in Nebraska, sharing a family photo and writing, 'I'll be able to tell my story someday soon... Character is revealed in chaos.' Smith faces four felony counts, including a Class 2 felony, terroristic threats and two counts of first-degree false imprisonment stemming from a July 26 altercation with his wife, who has publicly disputed the allegations. He has pleaded not guilty, is out on bail and is due back in court Sept. 21; there is still no word on his broadcast future.

Why it matters: One of the sport's most prominent voices is facing serious criminal charges that could carry decades in prison, and his silence-then-statement leaves both his legal fate and his UFC on Paramount+ role unresolved.

Hernandez accuses Rodrigues of glove-grabbing in Sacramento main event

A day after dropping a five-round decision, Anthony Hernandez accused Gregory Rodrigues of 'cheating' by grabbing the inside of his gloves as many as four times, saying he flagged it to referee Herb Dean but no point was deducted. Hernandez, now on a two-fight skid, also revealed he fought through a shoulder injury on a shortened camp. Rodrigues, who won Fight of the Night and his fourth straight, struck a respectful tone and reiterated his call for former champ Dricus du Plessis or Khamzat Chimaev.

Why it matters: It sours an instant Fight of the Night and reopens the officiating debate around Herb Dean, while Rodrigues tries to leverage the biggest win of his career into a top-tier middleweight matchup.

Prochazka shoots down UFC 332 interim-title rumor: 'not confirmed'

Jiri Prochazka took to Instagram to deny reports that he's signed to headline UFC 332 in Salt Lake City on Oct. 3 for an interim light heavyweight title, writing that the fight 'is not confirmed yet, still working on that.' Rumors had paired him with Paulo Costa for an interim belt while champion Carlos Ulberg — who KO'd Prochazka earlier this year — rehabs a knee injury. UFC.com still lists the event's main event as TBD vs. TBD with roughly six weeks to go.

Why it matters: A pay-per-view is a month and a half out with no headliner, and the leading rumored fight would hand an interim title to a Costa who has openly eyed free agency — an awkward booking the UFC rarely makes.

Rodrigues, De Ridder, Petrino climb in post-Sacramento rankings

The UFC rankings moved after Sacramento: Gregory Rodrigues jumped to No. 5 at middleweight, with Anthony Hernandez sliding only to No. 6. Reinier de Ridder entered the light heavyweight top 15 at No. 15 after ragdolling Roman Dolidze and vacated his middleweight ranking, while heavyweight Vitor Petrino cracked the top 15 at No. 12 following his win over Serghei Spivac. Cris Cyborg held her No. 1 spot at women's featherweight, and Yair Rodriguez fell out of the featherweight top 15 on inactivity as A.J. McKee entered at No. 15.

Why it matters: The reshuffle sets the contender math for three divisions at once, formalizing Rodrigues as a title-picture middleweight and confirming De Ridder's move to 205 is paying off.

Lerryan Douglas fractured orbital, lost vision in Sacramento upset

Featherweight prospect Lerryan Douglas suffered a fractured orbital bone and instantly lost vision in his left eye during his first-round TKO loss to +400 underdog Jamall Emmers, according to his coach Cub Swanson. Emmers dropped Douglas with a right hand flush to the eye socket to close the prelims. Douglas, who had entered on a run of finishes and was better than a 4-1 favorite, will see a specialist this week to determine his recovery timeline.

Why it matters: A hyped, previously unbeaten-in-the-UFC prospect is derailed by both a stunning upset and a serious eye injury that could keep him out for an extended stretch.

Masvidal says UFC return talks 'getting closer,' eyes Leon Edwards

Jorge Masvidal confirmed he's in active negotiations with the UFC about a comeback, telling MMA Junkie the 'numbers are getting closer and closer' and teasing 'big news' this year or early next. The former BMF titleholder, 41, hasn't fought MMA since a 2023 loss to Gilbert Burns and named longtime rival Leon Edwards as the opponent he wants to 'close that chapter out' with.

Why it matters: A genuine box-office draw re-entering the welterweight mix — against a rival with real history — would be a notable free-agency-style signing, though nothing is finalized yet.

UFC sets year-end slate: MSG on Nov. 14, Vegas on Dec. 12

The UFC revealed its final two big shows of 2026: UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov. 14, and UFC 335 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Dec. 12. Welterweight knockout artist Carlos Prates promptly lobbied to headline UFC 334 against champion Islam Makhachev, claiming he's been promised the next shot. Makhachev, coming off a grueling first title defense against Ian Machado Garry, has said he wants to fight again before Ramadan but is still early in recovery.

Why it matters: Two marquee venues now have dates but no announced main events, framing the promotion's end-of-year matchmaking — with the welterweight title the biggest domino.

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