Shaydullaev tops McKee, becomes MVP's first signing

Fight news came from Japan, where Razhabali Shaydullaev outpointed A.J. McKee to unify the RIZIN and PFL featherweight belts and immediately became the first fighter signed by the newly merged MVP promotion. Elsewhere the UFC's roster churn dominated the mic: Paulo Costa says he's begged for his release, Dana White branded Francis Ngannou "a bad guy," and Ilia Topuria is reportedly cleared to return. On the eve of a stacked Saturday, Noche UFC and Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn loom.

Shaydullaev outlasts McKee, unifies RIZIN and PFL gold, signs with MVP

Razhabali Shaydullaev survived an early knockdown to grind out a unanimous decision (30-27 x3) over A.J. McKee in the Super RIZIN 5 main event in Osaka, defending his RIZIN featherweight title and claiming the vacant PFL belt. It was the first time in 20 pro fights the 25-year-old Tajik went the distance, moving him to 20-0. Ariel Helwani reported, and multiple outlets confirmed, that Shaydullaev has signed a two-year deal beginning in 2027 with Jake Paul's MVP, making him the first fighter inked since MVP's merger with the PFL. He'll defend the RIZIN strap once more against Kyoma Akimoto on New Year's Eve before the move. On the undercard, Mikuru Asakura knocked out Shinya Aoki in the first round.

Why it matters: MVP just landed arguably the best featherweight outside the UFC as its statement first signing, and a double champion at that gives the rebranded promotion instant credibility heading into 2027.

Rambolek stripped on the scale before ONE title defense in Bangkok

ONE bantamweight Muay Thai champion Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon missed weight and was stripped of his belt ahead of his first defense against Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri at The Inner Circle 30, Friday at Lumpinee Stadium. Rambolek, who took the title from Nabil Anane in March, can only forfeit the belt while Yod-IQ, riding a 10-fight win streak, remains eligible to claim the vacant championship. The card also stages the sixth and final chapter of Seksan Or Kwanmuang's rivalry with Muangthai PK Saenchai as the four-time world champion retires.

Why it matters: A champion losing his belt on the scale hands Yod-IQ a title with an asterisk and muddies a bantamweight Muay Thai picture that already has Suakim Pongsuphan waiting in the wings.

Costa says he asked for his release and the UFC refused

Paulo Costa revealed on The Ariel Helwani Show that he has repeatedly asked the UFC to release him — most recently days ago — but the promotion insists he fight out the final bout on his deal first. Costa, 16-4 and coming off a knockout of Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327, wanted an interim light heavyweight title fight at UFC 332 while champion Carlos Ulberg recovers from ACL surgery, but the UFC instead booked Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong for the vacant flyweight belt. He says he's turned down a five-round offer without a belt at his current pay and has been asking to fight since May.

Why it matters: A frustrated contender publicly agitating to leave, with RIZIN, MVP and Scott Coker's startup all circling, is another sign of how contested the free-agent market has become for name UFC fighters.

White says Topuria is 'ready to fight,' weighs Gaethje rematch or Pimblett

Dana White told The Jim Rome Show that Ilia Topuria is cleared and eager to return after the corner stoppage loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, his first pro defeat. White floated both a Gaethje rematch and a grudge match with Paddy Pimblett as options, though no fight is booked. Gaethje, sidelined into 2027 with a knee bone bruise, has dismissed an immediate rematch, and Belal Muhammad argued Topuria hasn't earned one since he 'made you quit.' Topuria broke months of silence this week, posting training footage and declaring 'we are back.'

Why it matters: Topuria remains one of the UFC's biggest draws, so his availability reshapes the lightweight logjam behind an injured champion and a stacked contender line of Tsarukyan, Ruffy and Pimblett.

Dana White shuts the door on Ngannou: 'He's a bad guy'

Dana White told the Nightcap show he has no interest in ever bringing Francis Ngannou back to the UFC, placing the former heavyweight champion on his 'Oscar De La Hoya list' and calling him 'a bad guy' he won't do business with. Ngannou, who left in 2023, has since won eight straight MMA fights across PFL and MVP, most recently a first-round knockout of Philipe Lins on Netflix in May, and boxed Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Why it matters: White formally ruling out the sport's biggest heavyweight name closes off any dream reunification of the division and pushes Ngannou's next act toward MVP or another boxing payday.

Noche UFC 4 set for Glendale with Silva-Delgado on top

The UFC's Mexican Independence Day card lands Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena, headlined by featherweight Jean Silva against short-notice replacement Jose Delgado after Yair Rodriguez withdrew injured; Silva, a heavy favorite, predicts an early finish. Brandon Moreno, on a two-fight skid and now training with Syndicate MMA, meets TUF 33 winner Joseph Morales in the co-main, while undefeated prospects Marwan Rahiki and Tommy McMillen collide and heavyweights Waldo Cortes Acosta and Curtis Blaydes round out the main card. Cortes Acosta used fight week to blast inactive champ Tom Aspinall.

Why it matters: It's a proving ground for the featherweight prospect pool and a possible last stand for Moreno, whose place in the flyweight rankings is genuinely on the line.

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