Gaethje's broken hands rule out 2027

The day belonged to fallout and futures: UFC lightweight champ Justin Gaethje confirmed he won't fight again until 2027 with both hands still wrecked from the Topuria war, freezing an already unsettled 155-pound picture. Elsewhere Zabit Magomedsharipov ended a seven-year layoff on the mats, ONE locked in a strawweight title defense, and the Song Yadong title-shot campaign kicked into gear.

Gaethje says he can't punch anything, won't return until 2027

UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje told Sports Illustrated both hands remain injured from his fourth-round TKO of Ilia Topuria at the White House in June, and he won't compete again in 2026. Having beaten Paddy Pimblett in January and Topuria in June, the 37-year-old says he'll weigh retirement versus another run over the rest of the year. He doubts an immediate Topuria rematch is next, noting the UFC ultimately picks his opponent.

Why it matters: The champion parking the belt into 2027 freezes a division where Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway are all angling for the next shot. Tsarukyan can still bank a title guarantee by beating Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 on Sept. 19, but the belt won't be available for a while.

Zabit Magomedsharipov ends seven-year absence, outpoints Youssef Zalal

Former UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov returned to competition for the first time since his November 2019 win over Calvin Kattar, taking a unanimous-decision grappling win over active UFC featherweight Youssef Zalal in the ACBJJ 22 main event in Istanbul. Zalal, who finished strong, was visibly upset with the verdict. On the same card, ex-UFC welterweight champ Belal Muhammad submitted Kerim Engizek with a rear-naked choke and Brendan Allen heel-hooked Magomedrasul Gasanov.

Why it matters: Magomedsharipov remains one of the sport's great what-ifs, and even a grappling cameo revives talk of a full comeback — he floated waiting 'eight years more' for another. It's also a live look at how a long-idle contender moves against current UFC competition.

Joshua Pacio to defend ONE strawweight title against Keito Yamakita in Tokyo

ONE Championship booked reigning strawweight MMA champion Joshua Pacio to defend against Japanese grappler Keito Yamakita at ONE Samurai 5 on Nov. 18 in Tokyo. Pacio (24-5), a three-time champion coming off a first-round submission of Mansur Malachiev in July, faces the 13-1 Yamakita, who rides a five-fight winning streak with wins over Alex Silva and Yosuke Saruta.

Why it matters: It's a clean striker-versus-wrestler stylistic clash for one of ONE's most stable titles, and a home-soil title shot for a surging Japanese challenger the division has been building toward.

UFC Paris set as Dan Hooker welcomes KSW star Salahdine Parnasse

The UFC returns to Accor Arena on Saturday with a 14-fight card headlined by lightweight Dan Hooker against debuting Frenchman Salahdine Parnasse, a former two-division KSW champion (23-2) long coveted by the promotion. Hooker, a rankings fixture, is trying to snap a two-fight skid against Arman Tsarukyan and Benoit Saint Denis. The co-main pits French lightweights Fares Ziam and Axel Sola, with Michael Venom Page facing Nursulton Ruziboev at 185.

Why it matters: Parnasse is one of the highest-profile non-UFC signings in years, and Hooker is a stern gatekeeper test for a hyped debutant. A strong European card is next up before the promotion's fall pay-per-view slate.

Song Yadong demands the belt as O'Malley pushes Song vs. Merab

Fresh off his second-round uppercut knockout of Umar Nurmagomedov, Song Yadong called his win the best moment of his life and demanded a title shot, saying he believes he'd knock out champion Petr Yan in a rematch. Sean O'Malley — who beat Song in January — backed him publicly, arguing Song is a 'problem' for Merab Dvalishvili and should face the Georgian if Dvalishvili beats Yan at UFC 333 on Oct. 24.

Why it matters: Song has vaulted from No. 6 into the bantamweight title conversation with one punch, but with Yan-Dvalishvili III and O'Malley also lobbying, the 135-pound queue is jammed. His demand sets up a logjam the winner in Abu Dhabi will have to sort out.

Duel Arena's chaotic debut spills into the stands with Dumas brawl

Fallout from the inaugural Duel Arena card in Orlando turned uglier a day later. Released UFC middleweight Sedriques Dumas was filmed body-slamming a fan in a Joker costume during a stands brawl that broke out after Paul 'Gypsy Crusader' Miller's split-decision win, an incident that could jeopardize Dumas' Sept. bout with Mickey Gall. Meanwhile main-event winner Brandon Jenkins claimed a clean elbow — not just bad luck — caused Mike Perry's fight-ending shoulder dislocation, and the show's lead commentator branded it 'the worst event I've ever worked.'

Why it matters: The card was already a circus after Danis pulled out and Perry got hurt; a fighter with a criminal record brawling with spectators is exactly the kind of liability that follows crossover freak-show promotions. Dumas' scheduled UFC-adjacent return now hangs in the balance.

Also worth a look

Browse previous days →