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Nickal vs. Pyfer pulled from UFC 335, rebooked as February Cleveland headliner

Bo Nickal (9-1) says his middleweight bout with Joe Pyfer (16-3), announced for UFC 335 on Dec. 12 in Las Vegas, has been moved to a Fight Night card he'll headline in Cleveland in February. Nickal revealed the change on stage at a campaign rally for Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Pyfer rides a four-fight winning streak capped by a second-round TKO of Israel Adesanya, while Nickal has back-to-back finishes of Rodolfo Vieira and Kyle Daukaus since his lone pro loss to Reinier de Ridder.

Why it matters: It strips a marquee contender bout from a year-end numbered card, fueling the ongoing complaints about thinning pay-per-view lineups, while handing Nickal a hometown main-event stage.

Buckley goes silent, snubs White's handshake as UFC Edmonton loads up

All 26 fighters hit their marks for UFC Edmonton at Rogers Place, headlined by welterweight Joaquin Buckley (No. 10) against hometown favorite Mike Malott, with flyweight contenders Erin Blanchfield and Jasmine Jasudavicius in the co-main. At Friday's ceremonial weigh-ins Buckley, on a two-fight skid, refused handshakes from both Malott and Dana White and then sat mute through his scheduled interview. Malott (14-2-1) enters on a four-fight streak that includes a TKO of Gilbert Burns; Buckley needs a win to halt his slide.

Why it matters: There are real stakes beneath the theatrics — Malott's push up a loaded welterweight division and Buckley's standing in the top 10 — with the loser facing pointed questions about his place on the roster.

Adesanya to end skid in Riyadh against surging Shara Magomedov

Ariel Helwani reports the UFC is targeting Israel Adesanya vs. Shara 'Bullet' Magomedov for the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia on Dec. 5 at the anb Arena in Riyadh, though the promotion has not confirmed it. Adesanya, 37, is on a four-fight skid — most recently a TKO loss to Joe Pyfer — and left Eugene Bareman's City Kickboxing earlier this year. Magomedov (17-1, 6-1 UFC) has won two straight over Michel Pereira and Marc-Andre Barriault and called Adesanya out after UFC Baku; his lone loss came to Michael Page.

Why it matters: It's a soft landing for a fading great — a fellow pure striker with no title-caliber résumé — and a genuine career crossroads: a fifth straight loss would make retirement talk unavoidable, while a win reinserts a marquee name into a middleweight picture clouded by Sean Strickland's exit threats.

Carmouche shaves her head to make weight for PFL Chicago title fight

Liz Carmouche shaved her head on the scale to shed the final 0.2 pounds and hit 125 for Friday's PFL Chicago main event against Jena Bishop, with the vacant PFL women's flyweight title on the line at Wintrust Arena. The belt is open because champion Dakota Ditcheva is injured. Carmouche, 42, knocked out Bishop in the 2025 flyweight tournament final and has won four straight; Bishop (124.6) gets her rematch after winning four of five. The co-main pits undefeated featherweight Timur Khizriev against Gabriel Braga.

Why it matters: It's a legacy night for one of women's MMA's pioneers — a former UFC title challenger and Bellator champion chasing a belt in a third major promotion — and sets up a 2027 showdown with the undefeated Ditcheva.

UFC Edmonton set: Buckley-Malott headlines, flyweight eliminator beneath

The UFC returns to Rogers Place on Saturday with Joaquin Buckley vs. Mike Malott topping a Canadian-heavy card. Buckley, ranked higher, looks to snap a two-fight skid against Sean Brady and Kamaru Usman; home favorite Malott rides a four-fight streak and needled Buckley that 'nobody knows you.' The co-main between Erin Blanchfield and Jasmine Jasudavicius — both of whom lost to Manon Fiorot — has become a de facto title eliminator after Valentina Shevchenko vacated and Natalia Silva claimed the vacant flyweight belt.

Why it matters: The winner of the co-main likely fights Silva for the title in 2027, giving a Fight Night co-feature real divisional stakes, while the main event sorts a crowded welterweight logjam behind Carlos Prates and Ian Garry.

Maycee Barber returns from brutal Grasso KO against streaking Judice at UFC 335

The UFC added Barber (15-3) vs. Carli Judice (7-2) at women's flyweight to UFC 335 on Dec. 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It's Barber's first fight since Alexa Grasso knocked her cold in March, ending a seven-fight win streak, and she faces a dangerous Judice riding four straight wins and three post-fight bonuses. The card also added DWCS signing Quentin Pasley (4-0), whom Dana White compared to a young Jon Jones, against Junior Tafa at light heavyweight.

Why it matters: A win keeps the No. 8-ranked Barber in the flyweight title mix under new champion Natalia Silva; a loss to a hot prospect could stall her comeback for good.

UFC 333 title odds open as pick-'em; Volkanovski floats Gaethje swan song

Oddsmakers installed Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev at -110 apiece for their featherweight title headliner on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi, while bantamweight champion Petr Yan opened a -180 favorite over Merab Dvalishvili in their trilogy co-main. Volkanovski, defending against the unbeaten 20-0 Evloev, floated a lightweight-title "super fight" against Justin Gaethje as a mutual send-off should he win. Jorge Masvidal warned that Evloev's relentless grappling and grip could wear the 38-year-old champion down over five rounds.

Why it matters: A rare pick-'em title fight and a championship trilogy anchor one of the year's deepest cards, with Volkanovski already angling for a third crack at 155 pounds.

Even Volkanovski needles UFC pay in his latest comedy skit

Ahead of his UFC 333 featherweight title defense against undefeated Movsar Evloev on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi, Alexander Volkanovski released another Sportsbet comedy short, this one casting him as a movie star. Amid the gags, including a crack about having 'seen Islam Makhachev, twice,' his fictional agent delivers the punchline about a flop film: 'it still made more than what Dana pays.' The bit lands while a genuine fighter-pay revolt simmers across the roster.

Why it matters: When a loyal, about-to-defend champion is openly ribbing Dana White over pay in a sponsored skit, the fighter-pay conversation has spread from malcontents to the promotion's marquee names.

Makhachev-Prates targeted to headline UFC 336 in Toronto on Jan. 30

Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev's second title defense is reportedly set against surging contender Carlos Prates, with reporter Álvaro Colmenero saying the fight is expected to top UFC 336 on Jan. 30 in Toronto. Makhachev took the 170-pound belt from Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 and defended it against Ian Machado Garry in August; Prates has won three straight, including a knockout of Della Maddalena. Makhachev had said he wants to fight before Ramadan begins in early February.

Why it matters: It would line up the pound-for-pound king against a feared knockout artist and set the UFC's first numbered card of 2027.

Procházka vs. Stirling headlines UFC's Doha return on Nov. 21

The UFC made official a Nov. 21 card at Doha's ABHA Arena headlined by No. 2 light heavyweight Jiří Procházka against undefeated No. 5 Navajo Stirling, who has stopped all three opponents in 2026, most recently finishing Jan Błachowicz in the first round. Ex-bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling meets red-hot Kevin Vallejos in the featherweight co-main, with Dan Hooker-Brian Ortega and Jared Cannonier-Ikram Aliskerov also on the bill.

Why it matters: The winner likely positions himself for champion Carlos Ulberg, out until 2027 with a knee injury — and a Stirling win would bag a second former champion in a row.

Salkilld eyes UFC Sydney return after finishing Dariush and Gamrot

Unbeaten UFC lightweight Quillan Salkilld (6-0 in the promotion) signaled he's targeting the UFC's February return to Sydney, posting 'Reporting for duty #feb.' The 26-year-old Australian has climbed the rankings off first-round finishes of Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot and is overdue a step up against the division's elite. No opponent has been named for the Afterpay Arena card.

Why it matters: A home-soil date for one of lightweight's fastest risers would anchor the Sydney card and set up Salkilld's first real test near the top of a stacked division.

Three miss weight for UFC Vegas 122, Bonfim off by 7.5 pounds

Ismael Bonfim blew his weight cut for the third time in the UFC, stepping on the scale at 163.5 pounds — a full 7.5 over the lightweight limit — ahead of his bout with Francisco Prado at Saturday's Meta APEX card. Ketlen Souza (one pound over) and Brendson Ribeiro (2.5 over) also missed, with all three fights proceeding at catchweight and forfeited purse percentages. The middleweight headliners made weight cleanly, Brendan Allen at 186 and Christian Leroy Duncan at 185, for a contenders' clash that could reshuffle the top of the division.

Why it matters: Bonfim's serial misses raise real questions about his roster spot, while Allen–Duncan is a genuine fork in the middleweight contender line with both men on long win streaks.

PFL Africa stages tournament semifinals in Casablanca debut

PFL Africa holds its 2026 playoff card Saturday at the Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca, headlined by heavyweights Abdoulaye Kane and promotional newcomer Badr Medkouri, with welterweight, lightweight and bantamweight semifinalists fighting for spots in $100,000 finals later this year. GM Elias Schulze pitched the continent — median age 19 — as MMA's richest untapped talent pool and vowed to build global champions from the region. Shido Boris Esperança was the lone weight miss, a pound over.

Why it matters: As the UFC leans away from its top African names, PFL is planting live-event roots across the continent and building a development pipeline no rival is seriously contesting.

Allen vs. Duncan headlines UFC Vegas 122 with the middleweight top 10 in flux

No. 4 middleweight Brendan Allen meets red-hot Christian Leroy Duncan in Saturday's UFC Vegas 122 main event at the Meta APEX, a five-round bout both men frame as a step toward the title picture. Duncan, riding a five-fight win streak after beating Roman Dolidze and Jared Cannonier, says a dominant finish could leapfrog him past Nassourdine Imavov or land a fight with former champ Dricus du Plessis. Allen, who took the matchup after higher-ranked opponents declined, vows to drag the striker into deep water: 'He better hope he catches me early.' The card also features Matheus Camilo vs. Jai Herbert and likely last stands for veterans Niko Price and Gerald Meerschaert.

Why it matters: With Strickland threatening to vacate and Imavov waiting on a shot, a statement here could reshuffle a middleweight contender picture already in limbo.

UFC BJJ 12 crowns two champions Thursday with Moura vs. Fornarino

The UFC's grappling arm runs UFC BJJ 12 on Thursday at the Meta Apex, topped by two title bouts. Reigning bantamweight champ Cassia Moura meets ADCC double-gold winner Adele Fornarino in the flyweight grand prix final, with the 20-year-old Brazilian chasing a second belt. The co-main pits Renato Canuto against Polaris champ Ethan Crelinsten for the vacant lightweight title, while Gilbert Burns continues his post-MMA grappling run against Gabriel Almeida.

Why it matters: A legitimate pound-for-pound submission-grappling final headlining a UFC-branded card shows the promotion steadily building out its jiu-jitsu platform beyond a novelty.

UFC gives Niko Price a do-over retirement fight this weekend

Niko Price returns against Leon Shahbazyan on the UFC Vegas 122 prelims Saturday after his first retirement, at UFC Seattle, was overshadowed by Michael Chiesa also hanging them up that night. Price says Sean Shelby reached out offering a 'proper' send-off, a matchup the welterweight calls a fair one rather than a feed to a hyped prospect. Price (16-11) enters on a four-fight skid but insists this is the end — golden nuggets aside.

Why it matters: A rare bit of sentiment from the matchmakers for one of the era's most reliably violent action fighters, who deserved a better exit than he got in Seattle.

Pereira vs. Pavlovich confirmed for UFC 335 — and Poatan opens as the underdog

The UFC confirmed Alex Pereira's heavyweight stay, booking him against No. 2 contender Sergei Pavlovich in a five-round UFC 335 co-main event on Dec. 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Oddsmakers immediately opened Pereira as a slight underdog, around +105 to Pavlovich's -120. Pereira is coming off a second-round TKO loss to Ciryl Gane in his heavyweight debut but refuses to drop back to light heavyweight, while Pavlovich (21-3) has won three straight, most recently a 39-second knockout of Tallison Teixeira — one of Pereira's own sparring partners. The card is headlined by Charles Oliveira's BMF title defense against Diego Lopes and also features Bo Nickal vs. Joe Pyfer.

Why it matters: A win likely lines Pereira up with the Gane–Hokit winner and keeps his bid to become the UFC's first three-division champion alive; a second straight heavyweight knockout loss would quietly end it.

UFC 335 set: Oliveira defends BMF belt vs. Lopes, Pereira back at heavyweight

The UFC announced its Dec. 12 year-ender at T-Mobile Arena during the UFC 332 broadcast. Charles Oliveira makes his first BMF title defense against Diego Lopes, who moves up to lightweight for the first time. Alex Pereira returns from his loss to Ciryl Gane to face knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich in a five-round heavyweight co-main, with Bo Nickal meeting No. 4 middleweight Joe Pyfer also on the card.

Why it matters: A loaded card gives 2026 a marquee close, and both Pereira and Pavlovich are fighting to re-enter a heavyweight title picture now anchored by champion Ciryl Gane.

Ribovics misses weight as UFC 332 faceoffs boil over

On the eve of UFC 332 in Salt Lake City, Esteban Ribovics was the card's lone miss, tipping the scale a pound over for his lightweight bout with 40-year-old King Green. The ceremonial weigh-ins turned heated when Wang Cong, in her trademark Joker makeup, taunted Natalia Silva ahead of their vacant women's flyweight title main event, forcing security in; co-main men Deiveson Figueiredo and Payton Talbott also had to be separated by Dana White. Silva rides a 14-fight win streak into a bout that crowns only the fourth champion in the division's history.

Why it matters: The flyweight belt has sat vacant since Valentina Shevchenko's injury withdrawal, and Saturday's winner inherits a division split between young risers and aging ex-champions.

Court McGee set to close a 16-year UFC run at home

Utah's Court McGee, the TUF 11 winner, makes his final walk in the UFC 332 opener against Eric Nolan in Salt Lake City, retiring at 41 after a 25-fight, 16-year UFC run. A recovering heroin addict who was clinically dead for minutes after a 2005 overdose, McGee built a fan following on his candor about sobriety and now turns fully to coaching and his nonprofit, The McGee Project. He finishes with Octagon wins over a young Robert Whittaker and Tim Means.

Why it matters: One of the sport's genuine good-news stories bows out on his own terms — a reminder that longevity in the UFC is as much about what fighters build outside the cage as inside it.

White credits Silva's signature wins to her opponent while selling UFC 332

Pitching Saturday's vacant women's flyweight title fight, Dana White twice listed wins over Rose Namajunas, Jessica Andrade and Alexa Grasso as Wang Cong's resume — but those belong to her opponent, Natalia Silva, who is 8-0 in the UFC on a 14-fight streak. Wang (10-1) is the actual headliner, her lone notable credential a 2015 kickboxing win over Valentina Shevchenko. Both women made weight Friday in Salt Lake City, with the much-criticized card going Saturday on CBS and Paramount+.

Why it matters: The thrown-together vacant-title main event was already drawing 'worst card ever' talk; the promoter botching his own sell, twice, underscores how thin the UFC's star power and storytelling look right now.

Iasmin Lucindo returns from doping ban as UFC 333 card grows

Former top-10 strawweight Iasmin Lucindo (18-6) returns from a nine-month suspension — for mesterolone her team blamed on a contaminated supplement, a finding CSAD's investigation backed — against Nicolle Caliari at UFC 333 on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi. The card also added Bolaji Oki, who drops to featherweight after two straight lightweight losses to meet Daniel Santos. The event is topped by Alexander Volkanovski defending the featherweight title against Movsar Evloev and Petr Yan's bantamweight trilogy with Merab Dvalishvili.

Why it matters: Lucindo was climbing toward a title shot before the flag; the step down against a fighter with one UFC win reflects how much ground she has to make up in a crowded 115-pound division.

Undefeated Erdogan meets one-punch Elliott with ONE heavyweight title on the line

ONE Fight Night 48 runs Friday from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok (US primetime on Prime Video), headlined by a heavyweight bout that could decide a challenger for the vacant ONE heavyweight MMA title. Shamil Erdogan (13-0), a wrestler who has beaten Aung La N Sang, faces Paul Elliott, whose eight pro wins all come by knockout, including a six-second finish in June. The card also features undefeated flyweight Joshua Perreira (6-0, six finishes) against Antonio Cesar.

Why it matters: With ONE's heavyweight belt vacant, the winner takes a real step toward the title — a reminder there is meaningful championship business happening well outside the UFC this weekend.

UFC 332 reshuffled on fight week: Romero steps in, Smith added

With Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong for the vacant women's flyweight title headlining a Salt Lake City card many have branded the worst of 2026, the UFC reworked the lineup days out. Bernardo Sopaj withdrew injured, so UNF champ Anthony Romero (7-2) takes the Marcus McGhee fight on three days' notice at featherweight, while undefeated welterweight Jacobe Smith (12-0) was added against Bruce Whitehead, pushing Saturday's slate to 14 bouts.

Why it matters: A thin, heavily criticized numbered card gets even more makeshift — but Roberto Soldic's debut and Figueiredo-Talbott still give it a reason to watch.

Prochazka vs. Stirling headlines stacked UFC Qatar on Nov. 21

The UFC revealed nine bouts for its Nov. 21 return to Doha's ABHA Arena, topped by a five-round light heavyweight main event between former champion Jiri Prochazka and undefeated Navajo Stirling (11-0), who is riding a six-fight UFC run and coming off a first-round KO of Jan Blachowicz. Aljamain Sterling faces rising featherweight Kevin Vallejos in the co-main, and Brian Ortega makes his lightweight debut against Dan Hooker. The card also features Jared Cannonier vs. Ikram Aliskerov, Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Asu Almabayev, and Aleksandre Topuria vs. Santiago Luna.

Why it matters: With champion Carlos Ulberg still sidelined by a leg injury, a Prochazka win over Stirling would scramble the 205-pound title picture — and a Stirling win would stamp a new contender. Tickets go on sale Oct. 9.

Silva favored over Wang Cong for vacant flyweight title on a panned UFC 332

UFC 332 lands in Salt Lake City on Oct. 3 with Natalia Silva a -195 favorite over Wang Cong (+165) for the vacant women's flyweight title, opened up after Valentina Shevchenko was forced out with injury. It is the first full numbered card to simulcast on CBS and Paramount+, with Jon Anik, Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan on the call and bantamweight Payton Talbott the card's biggest favorite at -575 over former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo. MMA Fighting's own roundtable savaged the event as arguably 'the worst numbered UFC event in modern history,' with the panel arguing Wang leapfrogged more deserving contenders to get here.

Why it matters: Crowning an 'undisputed' champion while Shevchenko still holds the division's real claim underscores how thin both the belt and the numbered-PPV label have become in the Paramount era.

UFC 334 sets Gane-Hokit and Harrison-Nunes for MSG on Nov. 14

The UFC announced its full UFC 334 card for Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden, with undisputed heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane (14-2, 1 NC) defending against undefeated No. 4 contender Josh Hokit (10-0) in the main event and bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison (19-1) meeting returning two-division great Amanda Nunes (23-5) in the co-main. The undercard adds Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui, Uros Medic vs. Kevin Holland, Stephen Thompson vs. Charles Radtke and Jim Miller's 48th UFC appearance against Terrance McKinney. It is the promotion's first trip to the Garden since UFC 322 last November.

Why it matters: Two title fights on one card, and Harrison-Nunes puts the reigning 135-pound champ across from arguably the greatest woman in MMA history — a legacy bout that reshapes the division whatever the outcome.

Rosas Jr. vs. Barcelos tops thin UFC Vegas 121, with two TUF 34 finals

The UFC returns to the Meta APEX on Saturday night for a bantamweight headliner between 21-year-old prospect Raul Rosas Jr. (12-1) and surging 39-year-old veteran Raoni Barcelos (22-5), both on five-fight win streaks. A grudge match between No. 2 Norma Dumont and No. 4 Ailin Perez was bumped up to the co-main, and the card closes The Ultimate Fighter 34 with finals at bantamweight (Mehemmedeli Osmanli vs. Ilimbek Akylbek) and women's strawweight. Late shuffling saw Luis Hernandez take a short-notice light heavyweight bout with Sedriques Dumas, while John Castaneda shaved his head to make the bantamweight limit on his second attempt.

Why it matters: It's a low-wattage lineup, but a Rosas win nudges the young headliner toward the top 10, and Dumont-Perez carries real 135-pound title-picture stakes.

UFC exiles headline crossover Saturday: Till-Romero at BKFC, Cejudo's boxing debut

Two crossover cards stacked with former UFC names run Saturday. At BKFC 94 in Manchester, Darren Till (1-0 bare-knuckle) headlines against 49-year-old Yoel Romero, with champion Dave Mundell defending his middleweight belt against Jack Cullen. On the Misfits Boxing card in Miami, two-division UFC champ Henry Cejudo makes his pro boxing debut against 20-year-old actor Javon 'Wanna' Walton, while Tony Ferguson defends a Misfits middleweight title against late replacement Mahmoud Sebie. The Misfits weigh-ins turned chaotic, including an undercard influencer knocked flat by a cheeseburger slap.

Why it matters: The post-UFC economy keeps humming — Till, Romero, Cejudo and Ferguson are all cashing checks the Octagon never offered, a reminder of how much combat-sports money now sits outside the promotion.

Brandon Moreno books flyweight bout with Charles Johnson for UFC 335

Former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno is expected to face veteran Charles Johnson at UFC 335 on Dec. 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Moreno snapped a two-fight skid with a win over Joseph Morales at Noche UFC 3 in September and wanted one more bout before year's end. Johnson, 35, has alternated wins and losses over his last six.

Why it matters: It's a stay-busy bout to keep Moreno relevant at 125 with the title picture shifting under new champion Joshua Van, rather than a fast track back to contention.

Undefeated Jacobe Smith steps in on nine days' notice for UFC 332

Welterweight prospect Jacobe Smith (12-0) will fight Octagon newcomer Bruce Whitehead on nine days' notice at UFC 332 on Oct. 3 in Salt Lake City. Smith, a former NCAA wrestler, has finished his way up the division with wins over Josiah Harrell, Niko Price and Preston Parsons. Whitehead (8-2) steps in just 13 days after knocking out Ali Abouzalam at Fury FC 124.

Why it matters: Smith keeps one of the division's hottest unbeaten runs moving after a Kevin Holland fight fell through earlier this year, even if a short-notice newcomer is a low-reward assignment.

Rosas Jr. headlines UFC Vegas 121 with Perez-Dumont grudge on the prelims

UFC Vegas 121 lands Saturday at the Meta Apex, headlined by 21-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. (12-1) against 39-year-old spoiler Raoni Barcelos (22-5) in Rosas's first five-round main event — making him the youngest fighter ever to headline a UFC card. Buried on the prelims is the card's most heated bout: a genuine women's bantamweight title eliminator between No. 2 Norma Dumont and No. 4 Ailin Perez, a years-in-the-making grudge match, with Perez already angling for the Kayla Harrison–Amanda Nunes winner.

Why it matters: A thin card, but Rosas's step-up test against a proven hype-train wrecker and the Perez-Dumont winner both carry real divisional consequences at 135.

Bryce Mitchell crosses over for Musumeci freakshow at UFC BJJ 11

UFC BJJ 11 lands Thursday at the Meta APEX, headlined by grappling ace Mikey Musumeci giving up size and self-imposed handicaps — no guard pulls, no butt-scooting, no leg locks — against UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell in a bantamweight show match. The more serious business is the co-main, where champion Mason Fowler defends his light heavyweight title in a rematch with CJI champ Nick 'Nicky Rod' Rodriguez, who beat him at Fight Pass Invitational 7 in 2024. It is also the promotion's first card behind the Fight Pass paywall rather than free on YouTube.

Why it matters: The Mitchell sideshow is pure eyeball bait, but Fowler-Rodriguez is a legitimate elite grappling title fight — the draw that has to justify the new paywall.

UFC 334 card set: Wonderboy's farewell, and Dana braces for Hokit

The UFC filled out its Nov. 14 Madison Square Garden lineup. Stephen Thompson will fight for the final time, meeting Charles Radtke on the prelims in a retirement bout, while Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui and Kevin Holland vs. Uros Medic anchor a deep card beneath the Ciryl Gane–Josh Hokit and Kayla Harrison–Amanda Nunes title fights. Dana White admitted he 'f*cked up' by muddying Gane's promotion to undisputed champion, and made clear he's dreading the idea of the polarizing Hokit taking the belt: 'I literally don't f*cking like anything that Josh Hokit says.'

Why it matters: A Thompson send-off closes the book on one of welterweight's most stylish strikers, while Hokit — 4-0 and one win from a title White openly doesn't want him holding — is now the heavyweight division's wildcard.

PFL MENA returns to Riyadh Oct. 2 with a Nada-Elsaidy trilogy

PFL MENA 11 goes down Oct. 2 at Boulevard City in Riyadh, headlined by Saudi Arabia's Mostafa Nada and Egypt's Osama Elsaidy meeting for a third and final time in a light heavyweight grudge bout a decade in the making. The card sets welterweight, featherweight and lightweight tournament semifinals, and Saudi Muay Thai champion Fatima Al-Ammari makes history as only the second Saudi woman to compete for the promotion.

Why it matters: Regional MMA's steady build in the Gulf is generating its own rivalries and homegrown stars, not just serving as a stage for imported UFC names.

UFC 334 set for MSG: Gane-Hokit and Harrison-Nunes — and Gane is undisputed after all

The UFC announced UFC 334 for Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden with two title fights: Ciryl Gane defends the heavyweight belt against unbeaten Josh Hokit (10-0), and Kayla Harrison makes her first bantamweight defense against Amanda Nunes, who returns for the first time since 2023. The broadcast also confirmed Gane as undisputed champion following Tom Aspinall's vacating of the belt, reversing Dana White's claim a day earlier that Gane still had to fight for it, which commentators blamed on White's hearing. White made clear he dislikes the outspoken Hokit but won't punish a winning fighter.

Why it matters: The elevation flips yesterday's 'Gane must earn it' stance and hands a title shot to a controversial contender even the boss can't stand, while Nunes' return against Harrison is one of the most anticipated women's fights ever.

Tsarukyan nearly scraps with Ruffy as UFC 331 makes weight

All 24 fighters hit their marks for UFC 331 in Los Angeles, headlined by Joshua Van's flyweight title defense against Alexandre Pantoja in their rematch. At Friday's ceremonial weigh-ins, Arman Tsarukyan again created a faceoff incident, walking into Mauricio Ruffy's outstretched fist and nearly triggering a scuffle before Dana White stepped in. The five-round co-main is billed as a lightweight title eliminator, with the winner in line for Justin Gaethje. Herb Dean drew the main-event refereeing assignment.

Why it matters: The Tsarukyan-Ruffy winner is positioned for a 2027 shot at Gaethje, but Tsarukyan's repeated faceoff antics keep testing the UFC's patience just as he angles back toward a title.

Volkanovski, Evloev square off as UFC 333 build opens

UFC 333 (Oct. 24, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi) held its first press conference in Los Angeles. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and undefeated challenger Movsar Evloev, who trained together years ago, were respectful and shook hands at their first faceoff. The co-main bantamweight title trilogy between champion Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili carried more edge, with each man holding a prior win over the other.

Why it matters: Two title fights anchor the UFC's Abu Dhabi return, and the unbeaten Evloev finally gets the featherweight shot he has waited years for.

UFC 331 fight week opens with Van-Pantoja 2 and a finish-heavy card

Fight week is underway at Crypto.com Arena, where champion Joshua Van (17-2) defends the flyweight title Saturday against Alexandre Pantoja (30-6) in a rematch of their 26-second injury bout from December. At Thursday's press conference faceoff, Pantoja stayed stone-faced while Van grinned throughout. Below the main event sit a five-round Tsarukyan-Ruffy co-main, Patricio Pitbull vs. Dooho Choi, and Gable Steveson's second UFC outing, on a 12-fight card with an unusually high career finish rate. It marks the UFC's first return to the LA arena in eight years.

Why it matters: Van can convert a fluke-injury title win into a legitimate reign; Pantoja can become just the third two-time UFC flyweight champion. The rematch settles a question the first meeting never answered.

UFC books return to Qatar for Nov. 21 in Doha

The UFC and Visit Qatar announced a Fight Night at ABHA Arena in Doha on Nov. 21, the promotion's second event in the country after the November 2025 debut headlined by Arman Tsarukyan's submission of Dan Hooker. Tickets go on sale Oct. 9, and the card is expected to stream on Paramount+. No bouts have been announced yet. Qatar becomes the third Middle Eastern country to host the UFC, alongside the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Why it matters: A second straight year in Doha signals the UFC is locking in another annual Middle East stop as its regional footprint keeps expanding.

Van-Pantoja 2 headlines UFC 331 with real bad blood this time

Joshua Van defends the flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, nine months after their first meeting ended in 26 seconds when Pantoja dislocated his elbow bracing a fall. Pantoja says he's fully healed and out to reclaim the belt he never lost in the cage; Van, who legitimized his reign with a fifth-round TKO of Tatsuro Taira, has turned combative — 'As far as I checked, I'm his dad. He should get smacked.' Pantoja had to be restrained at the kickoff press conference.

Why it matters: The first fight settled nothing on the mat, so this rematch is the real coronation for whichever man walks out with the belt — and a rare flyweight title fight headlining a numbered card in a major market.

Steveson-Sharaf turns ugly as underdog resurfaces old allegation

The UFC 331 heavyweight bout between Gable Steveson and Sean Sharaf — bumped to the main card after Brian Ortega withdrew from his rematch with Renato Moicano — has gone personal. Sharaf, a Marine veteran and heavy underdog, referred to Steveson as a 'rapist,' invoking a 2019 sexual-assault arrest for which prosecutors filed no charges, citing inadequate evidence. Steveson called the tactic cowardly, branded Sharaf a 'sacrificial lamb,' and compared the fight to Mike Tyson's 89-second demolition of Peter McNeeley.

Why it matters: The UFC is building Steveson as its next heavyweight star, and how his handlers and the promotion navigate a resurfaced allegation during a showcase fight week is its own kind of test.

Ortega-Moicano falls apart again; Moicano lands Oct. 31 headliner vs. Nolan

Brian Ortega withdrew from his lightweight debut against Renato Moicano at Saturday's UFC 331, revealing a deep cut that required stitches above his eye — the second time this rematch has collapsed after a UFC 326 cancellation earlier this year. Rather than sit, Moicano (21-7-1) was moved into a five-round main event against No. 11 Tom Nolan (11-1) at UFC Vegas 123 on Oct. 31 at the Apex. UFC 331 drops to 12 fights, with Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf now opening the main card.

Why it matters: Nolan, riding a five-fight streak, gets his first UFC main event and the biggest name of his career, while Moicano keeps momentum after snapping his own skid — and a cursed rematch nine years in the making stays unfinished.

UFC 331 fight week: Van-Pantoja 2, plus a one-off $50K 'proper chaos' bonus

The UFC returns to Crypto.com Arena on Saturday for its first numbered card in Los Angeles since 2018, headlined by Joshua Van's flyweight title defense against former champ Alexandre Pantoja, whose first meeting ended just 26 seconds in on Pantoja's arm injury. Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy co-headlines with the winner in line for a lightweight title shot. Dana White also announced a one-night $50,000 'proper chaos' bonus, awarded at his sole discretion and tied to a Paramount+ promotion, on top of the usual awards.

Why it matters: It's a rare rematch to legitimize a title that changed hands on a fluke injury, and the Tsarukyan-Ruffy winner likely leaps to the front of a stacked 155-pound queue.

UFC 331 lands Saturday with Tsarukyan calling it title-shot-or-bust

UFC 331 goes down Saturday (Sept. 19) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, headlined by flyweight champion Joshua Van defending against former champ Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch. In the co-main, No. 1 lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan frames his bout with Mauricio Ruffy as do-or-die, saying a loss ends his title hopes for good after his 2025 withdrawal cost him a shot at Makhachev. The card also features Brian Ortega's lightweight debut against Renato Moicano and Patricio Freire vs. Doo-ho Choi.

Why it matters: Tsarukyan's long, injury-scarred wait for a lightweight title shot could finally resolve at 155, with Justin Gaethje — sidelined into 2027 with hand injuries — waiting on the other side.

Noche UFC 4 makes weight; McMillen and Rahiki have to be pulled apart

All fighters hit their marks for Noche UFC 4, which goes tonight at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Paramount+, headlined by Jean Silva (145) vs. short-notice replacement Jose Delgado (145.5) after Yair Rodriguez withdrew. At the ceremonial weigh-ins, undefeated featherweight prospects Tommy McMillen and Marwan Rahiki had to be separated when McMillen shoved and swiped at his opponent. On the main card, Manon Fiorot says her bout with former champion Alexa Grasso is a confirmed women's flyweight title eliminator, with the winner in line for the Natalia Silva–Wang Cong victor.

Why it matters: The 125-pound belt is vacant until UFC 332, so Fiorot-Grasso is the most consequential fight on a card whose headliner lost its ranked opponent. A Silva win keeps his push toward the featherweight top five alive.

Bilal Hasan books third fight in 95 days, meets Gurule at UFC 334 in MSG

Undefeated flyweight prospect Bilal Hasan (10-0) will face Luis Gurule (11-4) at UFC 334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden. Hasan, the biggest betting favorite in Contender Series history, earned his deal with a 45-second knockout in August and followed it 18 days later with a second-round KO of Nilson Rojas at UFC Shanghai; the MSG bout would be his third appearance in roughly three months. Gurule, at 1-4 in the UFC, is fighting to keep his roster spot. Only Nazim Sadykhov vs. Jefferson Nascimento is otherwise confirmed for a card that still lacks a headliner.

Why it matters: The UFC is fast-tracking Hasan as a marketable addition to a resurgent flyweight division. That UFC 334 still has no main event underlines how uncertain Islam Makhachev's timeline has left the promotion's fall schedule.

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.

Jean Silva declares himself next at 145 ahead of Noche UFC main event

Jean Silva insists a win over short-notice replacement Jose Delgado in Saturday's Noche UFC headliner in Glendale, Ariz. makes him the next featherweight title challenger, despite sitting No. 6 in the rankings. Silva, whose original opponent Yair Rodriguez pulled out injured, picked Movsar Evloev to dethrone Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 333 in October and called himself the tougher matchup for either man.

Why it matters: The featherweight title picture is unsettled with Volkanovski-Evloev looming, and a highlight-reel Silva win on a marquee card would force his name into the conversation.

UFC 332 lineup completed as critics savage Silva-Wang headliner

The UFC finalized its Oct. 3 card in Salt Lake City, adding former NFL linebacker Anthony Wint (8-0) against fellow undefeated debutant Lucas Armand (6-0) to round out a 13-fight bill — Wint's second UFC bout in 43 days. The event is headlined by Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong for the vacant women's flyweight title, a booking Brendan Schaub called 'the worst main event in MMA history,' arguing the Paramount+ model has removed the pressure to stack numbered cards. Early money is moving toward underdog Wang (+180). Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Payton Talbott is the co-main.

Why it matters: The backlash is the story: a vacant title on a numbered card headlined by two fighters with little mainstream profile is the clearest test yet of whether the UFC's streaming era softens its matchmaking.

Noche UFC 4 odds land: Silva a big favorite over replacement Delgado

Betting lines opened for Saturday's Noche UFC 4 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Jean Silva (-430) headlines against Arizona's Jose Delgado (+335), who stepped in on a few weeks' notice for the injured former interim champ Yair Rodriguez and has been trading barbs — Silva says Delgado's trash talk will end with him 'sleeping on the mat.' On the undercard, former flyweight champ Alexa Grasso is a +205 underdog against Manon Fiorot, Brandon Moreno is a near pick-'em with Joseph Morales, and Dan Ige debuts at bantamweight against ranked David Martinez.

Why it matters: Silva is one win from a featherweight title eliminator behind Volkanovski-Evloev, while the Fiorot-Grasso winner is squarely in the 125-pound title mix now that Shevchenko is out.

Hooker, Parnasse hit the mark for UFC Paris headliner

Both men weighed 155 pounds Friday for Saturday's UFC Paris main event at Accor Arena, where former KSW double-champ Salahdine Parnasse (23-2) makes a rare debut in a headlining slot against Top-15 veteran Dan Hooker (24-14). The full card made weight, with the lightweight co-main between Fares Ziam and Axel Sola and Michael Page vs. Nursulton Ruziboev at middleweight also official. Parnasse, a heavy betting favorite riding a five-fight win streak, called it the 'perfect' time to arrive; Hooker, on a two-fight skid, framed it as a crossroads fight.

Why it matters: The UFC built the entire Paris show around Parnasse, and a win over a proven gatekeeper would instantly drop him into a stacked lightweight mix behind Gaethje, Topuria and Pimblett.

Sadykhov vs. Nascimento opens the UFC 334 MSG card

Lightweight Nazim Sadykhov will meet former LFA champion Jefferson Nascimento (11-1) in the first announced bout for UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 14. Sadykhov, holder of three Fight of the Night bonuses in six UFC outings, has slid on back-to-back knockout losses to Fares Ziam and Matheus Camilo and needs a win to hold his roster spot. Nascimento seeks his first UFC victory after a debut TKO loss in Baku marred by an unpunished foul. UFC 334 still lacks a headliner.

Why it matters: It's a job-on-the-line striking matchup that kicks off the UFC's annual New York card, whose main event remains up in the air amid Aspinall, Makhachev and Harrison speculation.

UFC targets Silva vs. Wang Cong interim title to save UFC 332

With Shevchenko out injured, reports say the UFC is building an interim women's flyweight title fight between No. 1 contender Natalia Silva and No. 6 Wang Cong to headline the Oct. 3 Delta Center card in Salt Lake City. The booking traces to social-media sources and is not official; Dana White said the main event will be announced this week. Wang, 6-1 in the UFC with four straight wins since her lone loss, notably beat Shevchenko in a 2015 kickboxing bout, setting up a potential grudge unification down the line.

Why it matters: It keeps a title on a card that has spent weeks searching for a main event, and preserves Silva's earned shot rather than handing it away, but an interim women's flyweight bout headlining a numbered PPV is a hard sell to casual buyers.

Shevchenko injury scraps rumored UFC 332 headliner, leaving card without a main event

Valentina Shevchenko has pulled out of a rumored UFC 332 flyweight title defense against Natalia Silva with an undisclosed injury, per Brazil's Ag Fight. It leaves the October 3 Salt Lake City card with no announced main event roughly a month out, after a mooted interim light heavyweight title bout also failed to materialize. Payton Talbott vs. Deiveson Figueiredo is currently the card's marquee attraction.

Why it matters: A numbered pay-per-view with no headliner this close to fight night is a matchmaking emergency, and it costs Shevchenko a shot at passing Amanda Nunes for the most women's title-fight wins in UFC history.

UFC Paris fight week: Hooker vows to spoil Parnasse's debut

The UFC returns to Paris' Accor Arena on Saturday with a five-round lightweight headliner between veteran Dan Hooker (24-14) and KSW two-division champ Salahdine Parnasse (23-2), who debuts in front of home fans. Hooker, on a two-fight skid to Arman Tsarukyan and Benoit Saint Denis, said he took the bout for double his Gaethje-fight purse and promised 'the first and last time this kid headlines a UFC event.' Parnasse is a heavy favorite (around -500). The card also features Fares Ziam, Michael Page vs. Nursulton Ruziboev and Morgan Charriere.

Why it matters: Parnasse is one of the UFC's splashiest recent free-agent signings; a debut win over a durable gatekeeper like Hooker instantly stamps him as a lightweight contender.

Wood lands debuting Andrusca on five days' notice in Paris

With Mairon Santos off UFC Paris, No. 8 featherweight Nathaniel Wood (23-6) will instead face undefeated Moldovan Pavel Andrusca (8-0), who steps in on short notice for his UFC debut. Andrusca has finished seven of eight wins, including first-round KOs in his last two UAE Warriors bouts. Separately, Ares FC bantamweight champ Aboubakar Younousov (8-0) claimed Wood turned down a fight with him, blaming his '-ov' surname.

Why it matters: A high-risk, low-reward spot for Wood, who's on a four-fight run and wanted a ranked opponent — instead he's the established name a finisher can build a career on.

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.

Umar Nurmagomedov, Song Yadong make weight as Shanghai eliminator locks in

Both bantamweights hit their mark for Saturday's UFC Shanghai main event, with Umar Nurmagomedov (135.5) and Song Yadong (136) squaring off at Shanghai's Oriental Sports Center on Paramount+. Three fighters missed weight down the card — Andre Lima, Jingnan Xiong and Julia Polastri — with all bouts proceeding. Song insists a win guarantees a title shot, though champion Petr Yan plus Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili all clog the queue ahead of him.

Why it matters: The winner stakes the strongest fresh claim in a bantamweight division whose title picture is jammed with former champions, yet neither man is assured of being next.

Terrill steps in on days' notice for BKB heavyweight title in Miami

BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing has reshuffled Saturday's BKB 58 in Miami: multi-promotion champ Mick 'The Butcher of Shields' Terrill, originally set to work as ringside commentary, will instead challenge unbeaten BKB heavyweight titlist Gustavo 'The Cuban Assassin' Trujillo after Mark O'Neill withdrew over visa issues. Trujillo is 8-0 in bare-knuckle with all eight wins by first-round KO; Terrill is 11-2 with every win by knockout. The card also features Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa's bare-knuckle debut and appearances by ex-UFC/PFL fighter Aspen Ladd.

Why it matters: A 100%-finishing champion against a 100%-finishing challenger on three days' notice is as high-variance as gloveless combat gets — and a rare marquee bare-knuckle title fight.

Umar Nurmagomedov meets Song Yadong in Shanghai title eliminator

UFC Shanghai (Aug. 29, Oriental Sports Center) is headlined by bantamweights Umar Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong, with each riding two straight wins and the victor building a real case to face the Petr Yan–Merab Dvalishvili trilogy winner. Strawweights Yan Xiaonan and Denise Gomes co-headline, while DWCS Season 10 grad Bilal Hasan opens the main card in his debut. Song insists this fight earns him a title shot.

Why it matters: A genuine top-of-division eliminator in a bantamweight class idling until Yan-Dvalishvili 3 settles the belt.

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.

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.

UFC Sacramento set: Hernandez-Rodrigues headline, De Ridder debuts at 205

All 26 fighters made weight for Saturday's UFC Sacramento at Golden 1 Center, topped by a middleweight main event between No. 7 Anthony Hernandez (186) and No. 10 Gregory Rodrigues (185). Hernandez looks to rebound from a TKO loss to now-champion Sean Strickland that ended an eight-fight run; 'RoboCop' rides three straight wins. Reinier de Ridder makes his light heavyweight debut against Roman Dolidze after back-to-back losses at 185, and heavyweights Serghei Spivac and Vitor Petrino meet in the co-main.

Why it matters: A clean grappler-versus-striker headliner with real top-15 stakes at middleweight, plus a fresh division for the former ONE two-weight champ de Ridder.

Shevchenko to defend flyweight title against Natalia Silva at UFC 332

Valentina Shevchenko will put her flyweight belt on the line against Natalia Silva in the reported co-main event of UFC 332 on Oct. 3 in Salt Lake City, per ESPN Brasil's Higor Ciconello. Silva has won eight straight in the UFC, her last three victories coming over former champions Rose Namajunas, Alexa Grasso, and Jessica Andrade. Her 90 percent takedown defense will be tested against one of the sport's most complete fighters.

Why it matters: Silva is the division's hottest contender and the most credible threat to Shevchenko's second reign, and the fight hands the still-headliner-less UFC 332 a marquee title bout.

Volkanovski says a bad night vs. Evloev could end his career

Alexander Volkanovski, who turns 38 next month, says retirement is on the table if things 'go terribly wrong' in his Oct. 24 featherweight title defense against undefeated Movsar Evloev (20-0) at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi. The champion insists he has no plans to walk away and will 'keep it rolling' if he comes through unscathed, adding that 'money's always good.' Coach Joe Lopez doubts Volkanovski would actually retire on a loss, citing how competitive he is.

Why it matters: The 145-pound title picture hinges on whether an era-defining champion has one more run in him against the best pure grinder he has faced.

Yair Rodriguez out of Noche UFC 4, Jose Delgado steps into main event

Former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez (20-5) has withdrawn from his Sept. 12 Noche UFC 4 headliner against Jean Silva for undisclosed reasons, extending a long run of inactivity. Arizona's Jose Delgado (12-2, 4-1 UFC), coming off wins over Andre Fili and Austin Bashi, steps in on short notice for his first UFC main event at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. Silva confirmed the swap on social media: 'New opponent, same date, same goal.'

Why it matters: Silva-Rodriguez looked like a title eliminator; against a green Delgado a Silva win carries far less weight, cracking the door open for contenders like Kevin Vallejos and complicating Volkanovski's next defense.

Hernandez vows a finish in Sacramento homecoming against Rodrigues

Anthony 'Fluffy' Hernandez (15-3) headlines UFC Sacramento on Saturday at Golden 1 Center against Gregory 'Robocop' Rodrigues (19-6), his first bout since Sean Strickland snapped his eight-fight streak in February. The NorCal native, who trained with Strickland for camp, says he wants to 'hurt somebody' and refuses to leave it to the judges. Serghei Spivac vs. Vitor Petrino and Reinier de Ridder vs. Roman Dolidze round out the main card.

Why it matters: It's the UFC's first trip to Northern California since 2019, and a No. 6-ranked middleweight coming off his first loss in five years needs a statement to stay in the 185-pound mix.

UFC 332 fills out: Figueiredo-Talbott, Johnny Walker's heavyweight debut

The UFC announced seven bouts for UFC 332 on Oct. 3 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, though the card still lacks a main event. Bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott, back after nearly a year out since beating Henry Cejudo, meets former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo; Johnny Walker debuts at heavyweight against Mick Parkin; and Marvin Vettori returns against Ismail Naurdiev to try to snap a four-fight skid. Rumors point to a Jiri Prochazka vs. Paulo Costa interim light heavyweight title fight headlining while champ Carlos Ulberg recovers from ACL surgery.

Why it matters: The lineup gives Talbott his long-awaited crack at the rankings, but the interim-title chatter for a twice-beaten Prochazka has fans questioning the UFC's belt inflation at 205.

UFC books Sean Brady vs. Gabriel Bonfim as Nov. 7 welterweight main event

The UFC announced Sean Brady vs. Gabriel Bonfim for a five-round main event at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas on Nov. 7. Brady (19-2) is coming off a lopsided win over Joaquin Buckley in May, while Bonfim (20-1) rides a six-fight winning streak highlighted by a decision over former champion Belal Muhammad. The winner takes a clear step toward welterweight title contention.

Why it matters: With Islam Makhachev ruling a crowded 170 pounds, the top contenders are sorting themselves out — and this fight produces a legitimate next-in-line at the APEX.

UFC 331 main card set: Pantoja-Van 2 tops LA lineup

The UFC announced the full main card for UFC 331 on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Alexandre Pantoja gets his flyweight title rematch with Joshua Van, who took the belt last December when Pantoja was hurt in the first round. Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy serves as the lightweight co-main, with Patricio Pitbull vs. Doo Ho Choi, Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega, and Alonzo Menifield vs. Iwo Baraniewski completing the card.

Why it matters: The Tsarukyan-Ruffy winner is positioned for a crack at Justin Gaethje's lightweight belt, and Pantoja-Van 2 finally resolves a title change first decided by an early injury.

UFC 333 set for Abu Dhabi: Volkanovski-Evloev, Yan-Dvalishvili trilogy

Announced during the UFC 330 broadcast, UFC 333 lands at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 24 with two title fights. Featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski finally faces undefeated Movsar Evloev (20-0), while bantamweight champ Petr Yan closes his trilogy with Merab Dvalishvili, the series tied 1-1. The card also carries Alexander Volkov vs. Rizvan Kuniev, Arnold Allen vs. Aaron Pico and Lone'er Kavanagh vs. Ramazan Temirov.

Why it matters: Evloev has waited years for a shot and represents the toughest test left at 145; the Yan-Merab rubber match decides one of the sport's best current rivalries. Two belts on one card gives the fall schedule a genuine anchor.

Makhachev, Dern make weight as UFC 330 locks in two title fights

Both UFC 330 title fights became official after Friday's weigh-ins in Philadelphia. Islam Makhachev (28-1) hit 170 pounds for his first welterweight defense against Ian Machado Garry (28-1), with a win extending his streak to 17 and passing Anderson Silva for the longest in UFC history. In the co-main, strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern (115) makes her first defense against streaking challenger Gillian Robertson (115) in the first UFC women's title fight of 2026. The card streams on Paramount+.

Why it matters: A win makes Makhachev a two-division champion and sole holder of the promotion's win-streak record, cementing his GOAT case, while Dern-Robertson is an elite grappling clash that reshapes the top of strawweight.

Morales cuts nearly 60 pounds to make weight as UFC 330 backup

Undefeated welterweight Michael Morales (7-0 UFC) hit 170 pounds Friday to serve as the UFC 330 main-event backup, revealing he dropped from close to 230 down to 170 — roughly 23 of it during fight week alone. Coming off three straight knockouts over Sean Brady, Gilbert Burns and Neil Magny, Morales is on standby to step in for the title fight should Makhachev or Garry fall out.

Why it matters: The willingness to gut a brutal cut for a title chance underlines that Morales is the clear next man up at welterweight.

Makhachev-Garry press conference caps UFC 330 fight week in Philadelphia

Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry faced off Thursday ahead of Saturday's welterweight title main event at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Garry pitched a decade-long reign over chasing a second belt, named Carlos Prates as the only deserving next challenger, and got a co-sign from Conor McGregor, who predicted a Garry head-kick KO. Makhachev, tied with Anderson Silva at 16 straight UFC wins, allowed Garry has skills but insists he has 'keys' to win and can strike if his wrestling stalls.

Why it matters: A win extends Makhachev's record to a solo 17 and fuels the GOAT debate; a Garry upset blows the welterweight title picture wide open with Prates and an injured Shavkat Rakhmonov waiting.

PFL Africa sets Casablanca semifinals for Oct. 10, Kane vs. Medkouri on top

PFL Africa announced six tournament semifinals plus a heavyweight main event for its first North African card, Oct. 10 at Casablanca's Mohammed V Sports Complex. Senegal's Abdoulaye Kane (5-2) meets Morocco's Badr Medkouri (9-3) in the headliner, while unbeaten Algerian-Canadian Karim Henniene (7-0) faces Nigeria's Raphael Uchegbu (11-2) in the bantamweight co-main. Winners in the bantamweight, welterweight and lightweight brackets advance to the season finals, with fighters from nine African nations represented.

Why it matters: The tournament format and continental spread show PFL doubling down on its Africa expansion after June's Lagos debut, one of the few promotions building real infrastructure outside the UFC's reach.

Hemetsberger defends ONE strawweight Muay Thai crown vs. Diachkova in Bangkok

ONE Fight Night 46 lands at Lumpinee Stadium with two-sport champ Stella Hemetsberger making her first ONE women's strawweight Muay Thai title defense against knockout artist Natalia Diachkova. The co-feature has undisputed featherweight Muay Thai champion Nico Carrillo making his kickboxing debut against Chinese prospect Zhou Jiaqiang, as the nine-bout card spans Muay Thai, kickboxing, MMA and grappling.

Why it matters: Hemetsberger is building one of the strongest two-sport résumés in women's striking, and Diachkova is the first opponent with the power to derail an unbeaten ONE run.

Makhachev shuts down retirement talk, targets a 20-fight streak

On UFC 330 fight week, Joe Rogan floated the idea that Makhachev (28-1) could follow Khabib Nurmagomedov and retire on top if he submits Ian Machado Garry on Saturday in Philadelphia. Makhachev flatly rejected it, saying he feels healthy at 34, isn't done, and wants to push his UFC-record win streak to 20. A win over Garry breaks Anderson Silva's mark of 16 straight and makes Makhachev the fifth fighter to defend titles in two divisions. Dana White says he'll weigh the GOAT question only after seeing Saturday's performance.

Why it matters: The record streak and two-division reign put Makhachev squarely in the GOAT debate, and whether he keeps going or walks away on top reshapes the entire welterweight title picture behind him.

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.

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.

Barboza says UFC 330 'could be the finish line'

Edson Barboza, 40, meets Esteban Ribovics on the UFC 330 main card and says the bout could be his last, though he won't commit to retirement. On a three-fight skid and a heavy underdog, the longtime lightweight enters 18-14 across 32 UFC appearances, having beaten a who's-who of the division over 15 years. He says the decision will be made in the moment, win or lose.

Why it matters: One of the most vicious strikers the lightweight division has produced is openly weighing the end, with Ribovics favored to force the issue.

Fighters split on Makhachev-Garry as UFC 330 week opens

Predictions poured in ahead of Saturday's welterweight title main event in Philadelphia. Tom Aspinall called Garry a bad stylistic matchup for the champion but still backed Makhachev to win a decision, while Carlos Prates — the only man to beat Garry inside the Octagon... no. Correction: while Carlos Prates, whom Garry has beaten, picked the Irishman for a decision upset despite Makhachev sitting a -335 favorite. In the co-main, challenger Gillian Robertson leaned into building tension with Mackenzie Dern, predicting a third-round TKO and declaring 'the belt's already mine.'

Why it matters: Buildup only, but it frames how wide the read is on Makhachev's first welterweight defense against a rangy, awkward challenger.

Yan-Dvalishvili trilogy, Volkanovski-Evloev reported for two-belt UFC 333

Per a report from Red Fury MMA, UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi will feature two title fights. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defends against undefeated No. 1 contender Movsar Evloev in the main event, while bantamweight champ Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili complete their trilogy in the co-main. Merab took the first meeting by decision in 2023; Yan won the belt back in their December rematch. The UFC has not officially announced either bout.

Why it matters: Evloev finally cashes in years of contender purgatory, and a Yan-Merab rubber match settles one of the best 135-pound rivalries going. Two belts on one card gives the second October pay-per-view real weight.

Dana White: Tsarukyan promised title shot if he beats Ruffy at UFC 331

Dana White confirmed that Arman Tsarukyan's original UFC 331 opponent 'fell out' before the Mauricio Ruffy matchup was booked, without naming Charles Oliveira, whose planned rematch collapsed after the death of teammate Allan Nascimento. Per Ariel Helwani, Tsarukyan was told by UFC brass he gets the next crack at champion Justin Gaethje if he beats the No. 10-ranked Ruffy on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles. The card is headlined by the Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja flyweight rematch.

Why it matters: Beating a No. 10 contender shouldn't earn a title shot, but the UFC is rewarding Tsarukyan for absorbing a late opponent swap — putting the lightweight title picture on hold behind one more eliminator.

UFC returns to Salt Lake City for Oct. 3 UFC 332, Gautier-Kopylov first booking

The UFC set UFC 332 for Oct. 3 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, its first Utah card since UFC 307 in 2024 and one of two numbered events in October alongside UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi. Neither has a headliner yet. The first confirmed bout pairs undefeated Cameroonian middleweight prospect Ateba Gautier (5-0 UFC) with formerly ranked veteran Roman Kopylov — the toughest test yet for the 24-year-old power-puncher. Johnny Walker's heavyweight debut is also reportedly slated for the card.

Why it matters: Kopylov is a genuine gatekeeper after a thin strength of schedule, and a win would vault 'Mini Ngannou' toward the middleweight top 15. Two numbered cards in one month gives the fall schedule real depth.

Makhachev-Garry fight week opens with champ a heavy favorite in Philly

Fight week began for UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, where Islam Makhachev makes the first defense of his welterweight belt against Ian Machado Garry. Makhachev rides a 16-fight win streak that ties Anderson Silva's UFC record; Garry, 17-1 with his only loss to the sidelined Shavkat Rakhmonov, vowed to 'put a hole' in the champion's head. Mackenzie Dern defends the strawweight title against Gillian Robertson in the co-main. Fighters remain split, with Fighting Nerds teammates Jean Silva and Caio Borralho openly disagreeing on the pick.

Why it matters: After Topuria, Pereira and Chimaev all fell in 2026, the sport's last pound-for-pound king enters as the safe bet — but an upset would complete the year's carnage at the top.

Gamrot-Salkilld set at UFC Vegas 120 as Lemos survives weigh-in scare

UFC Vegas 120 is locked at the Meta APEX, with No. 11 lightweight Mateusz Gamrot (26-4, 1 NC) facing streaking Australian Quillan Salkilld (12-1), who is 5-0 in the UFC and riding 12 straight wins after knocking out Beneil Dariush. Amanda Lemos, mired in a 2-4 skid, needed three trips to the scale before hitting 115.5 pounds, while 42-year-old Darren Elkins made 145.5 for the retirement bout that closes out a 16-year UFC run. All 24 fighters made weight.

Why it matters: It's a classic prospect-versus-veteran headliner with real stakes near the top of a stacked lightweight division — a win vaults Salkilld into the rankings conversation.

Garry hangs empty frame for the belt a week out from Makhachev

With UFC 330 a week away in Philadelphia, challenger Ian Machado Garry (17-1) revealed an empty frame in his home reading 'UFC World Champion coming soon,' waiting above his old Cage Warriors title. He faces pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev (28-1), who can set the UFC record for most consecutive wins by breaking his tie with Anderson Silva at 16. The full card is set, with Mackenzie Dern defending the strawweight title against Gillian Robertson in the co-main.

Why it matters: Garry is a heavy underdog with questions on the mat, but a win would make him champion and hand Makhachev only his second career loss — and history is on the line either way.

Sean Brady left off UFC 330 as Philly's hometown card thins out

No. 5 welterweight and Philadelphia native Sean Brady says he was never offered an opponent for the Aug. 15 UFC 330 card in his own city, telling Home of Fight there were no good options after his win over Joaquin Buckley. Teammate Joe Pyfer also fell off when Caio Borralho withdrew injured, leaving Jeremiah Wells as the card's only local. Fans separately ripped the bout order, which opens the night with top prospect Myktybek Orolbai. Brady will instead wrestle Jordan Burroughs at RAF 12 a week later.

Why it matters: Behind two title fights, a welterweight logjam has left the UFC unable to stock a Philadelphia card with its own ranked Philadelphia fighters.

Jessie Rosas out of UFC Vegas 120; Gianni Vazquez steps in on 2 days' notice

The UFC debut of Jessie Rosas, older brother of Raul Rosas Jr., is off after a UFC doctor pulled him over a potentially infected forehead cut. Gianni Vazquez, released this year after taking a short-notice loss to Javid Basharat in February, replaces him against Miles Johns, with the bout moved to featherweight. Johns has lost three straight. The Meta Apex card is headlined Saturday by Mateusz Gamrot against surging Australian Quillan Salkilld (5-0 in the UFC).

Why it matters: Another late scratch and a recalled castoff underline how thin and churn-prone the UFC's Apex fillers have become the week before a numbered card.

UFC 331 opening odds: Van-Pantoja 2 a pick'em, Tsarukyan a big favorite

Early lines are out for the Sept. 19 card in Los Angeles. The flyweight title rematch is nearly even, with champion Joshua Van (-115) against Alexandre Pantoja (-105), whose first meeting ended on a sub-30-second injury stoppage. In the co-main, Arman Tsarukyan opened -400 over Mauricio Ruffy (+315) in a title eliminator. Robelis Despaigne (-475) is favored over Tai Tuivasa, and Gable Steveson is a -1800 chalk versus Sean Sharaf.

Why it matters: Tsarukyan is again installed as a heavy favorite in a No. 1-contender fight, a reminder that the most deserving lightweight still can't get booked for the belt.

BKB books two-title Mexico debut in Tijuana on Sept. 19

BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing announced its first Mexican card, BKB 59, in partnership with local boxing outfit Zanfer. Tijuana's Julian Fernandez defends the super cruiserweight title against former three-division BKB champion Dan 'Big Pod' Podmore in the main event, while Cecy Ulloa faces Andy Nguyen for the vacant super flyweight belt. It kicks off a multi-year Zanfer partnership aimed at recruiting Mexican fighters into bare knuckle.

Why it matters: Bare-knuckle's push into Latin America gives BKB a foothold in one of combat sports' deepest fan markets.

UFC 331 set for L.A.: Van-Pantoja 2 headlines, Ruffy steps in for Oliveira

The UFC announced UFC 331 for Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena, with champion Joshua Van (17-2) defending the flyweight title in a rematch against former champ Alexandre Pantoja (30-6), whose reign ended via a 26-second arm injury at UFC 323. In the five-round co-main, No. 2 lightweight Arman Tsarukyan faces surging Mauricio Ruffy, who replaced Charles Oliveira after 'Do Bronx' withdrew while mourning teammate Allan Nascimento. The 13-fight card also features Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega, Patricio Pitbull vs. Doo Ho Choi, Gable Steveson vs. Sean Sharaf and Tai Tuivasa vs. Robelis Despaigne. Early odds have Van-Pantoja near a pick-em.

Why it matters: It resets the flyweight picture — Pantoja gets to prove the belt was lost to a fluke — while Tsarukyan-Ruffy is a de facto No. 1 contender bout for Justin Gaethje's lightweight title.

Darren Elkins to retire after UFC Vegas 120, wants to leave gloves in the cage

Longtime featherweight Darren Elkins (29-12, 19-11 UFC), 42, announced Saturday's bout against Yadier del Valle will be his last. Elkins said his body is breaking down after nearly two decades and that he wanted to retire inside the Octagon rather than on social media. A union pipe fitter by trade, he ruled out bare-knuckle boxing but left the door open to grappling or RAF wrestling.

Why it matters: Elkins was one of the UFC's most durable action fighters and a rare no-trash-talk veteran; his exit closes the book on a generation of the featherweight division.

Salkilld headlines UFC Vegas 120 against Gamrot in top-10 gatekeeper test

Undefeated-in-the-UFC Australian Quillan Salkilld (12-1, 5-0 UFC) headlines Saturday's APEX card against No. 8 lightweight Mateusz Gamrot (26-4), a fight the surging prospect personally called for after knocking out Beneil Dariush. Salkilld is a slight favorite and a win would push him into the top 10; Gamrot brushed off the hype, promising 'crazy conditioning.' The co-main pits returning Billy Quarantillo, up at lightweight after 19 months out, against Diego Ferreira.

Why it matters: Gamrot is the division's toughest gatekeeper — beating him is the difference between prospect and contender for Salkilld at 155 pounds.

ONE's Inner Circle 25 stacks title implications in Bangkok

ONE Championship runs The Inner Circle 25 at Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, Aug. 7. Former bantamweight Muay Thai champ Nabil Anane faces Suakim Pongsuphan in a title eliminator, while Abdulla Dayakaev and Superlek run back their controversial split-decision from May. Glory veteran Marat Grigorian opens the ONE featherweight kickboxing tournament against Mamuka Usubyan, with the winner's path leading toward Superbon's belt.

Why it matters: Three fights with direct championship stakes across ONE's striking divisions — the promotion's Muay Thai and kickboxing title pictures reshuffle in one night.

Noche UFC 4 made official: Rodriguez vs. Silva set, Silva a big favorite

The UFC formally announced Yair Rodriguez vs. Jean Silva as the Sept. 12 Noche UFC 4 main event in Glendale, Arizona, with a full card now attached — Manon Fiorot vs. Alexa Grasso, Brandon Moreno vs. Joseph Morales, Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes and more. Silva (17-3) opened as a sizable favorite (around -280) over the returning Rodriguez (20-5), who fights for the first time since his April 2025 win over Patricio Pitbull and makes his first Noche appearance. Silva headlined last year's Noche, losing to Diego Lopes.

Why it matters: A five-round featherweight main event on Mexican Independence Day weekend carries title-shot stakes, with Silva looking to force his way back into the Volkanovski conversation.

Oliveira and Dana White talk up Garry's upset chances at UFC 330

Ahead of Islam Makhachev's first welterweight defense against Ian Machado Garry on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia, Charles Oliveira — who helped build Garry's camp at Chute Boxe — says the Irishman has a 'very good chance,' citing his fight IQ and discipline. Dana White pointed to Garry's takedown defense as a genuine threat, while backup Michael Morales gave him 'zero chance.' Garry remains a +260 underdog to Makhachev's -320.

Why it matters: Makhachev can break Anderson Silva's UFC win-streak record, and the debate centers on the one skill — takedown defense — that could actually derail him.

Makhachev rejects Khabib's retirement plan, eyes 'many more' wins past the record

Ahead of his first welterweight title defense against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia, Islam Makhachev waved off Khabib Nurmagomedov's advice to retire by 35. A win over Garry would break Anderson Silva's UFC record of 16 straight victories, and Makhachev vowed to push 'many more' beyond 17. The pound-for-pound No. 1 turns 35 in October but says he wants to be 'the best fighter to ever do this.'

Why it matters: The sport's top fighter signaling a long reign at 170 sets the ceiling for the division and reframes UFC 330 as a legacy milestone rather than a routine defense.

UFC 331 fills in: O'Neill vs. Moura, Moicano vs. Ortega

The UFC's Sept. 18-19 Los Angeles card at Crypto.com Arena added pieces. A women's flyweight bout between Casey O'Neill (11-2) and Eduarda Moura (12-2) was reported for the event, while former title challenger Renato Moicano is reportedly set to meet submission specialist Brian Ortega at lightweight on the same night. Moicano stayed sharp in the meantime, tapping former Bellator champion Patricky Freire with an arm-triangle in under four minutes at BJJ Stars 19.

Why it matters: UFC 331 is shaping up around a rumored Tsarukyan-Oliveira lightweight rematch; these additions give two grappling-heavy veterans real divisional stakes on a stacked card.

Medic ices Rodriguez in 30 seconds atop record-breaking Belgrade card

In the UFC's debut in Serbia, hometown welterweight Uros Medic knocked out Daniel Rodriguez just 30 seconds into the main event, dropping him with a left-right combination and finishing on the ground. It was Medic's fourth straight first-round knockout, pushing him toward the 170-pound top 10; he called out Carlos Prates and Leon Edwards. The card produced a UFC-record 12 finishes, 10 in the first round, and no Fight of the Night was awarded. Rodriguez, fighting eight months after release from a Mexican prison, was hospitalized but vowed to return.

Why it matters: Medic has gone from action-fighter curiosity to a genuine welterweight threat in a stacked division, and Belgrade gives the UFC a bankable new star in an untapped European market.

Jean Silva vs. Yair Rodriguez booked to headline Noche UFC on Sept. 12

The featherweight main event for Noche UFC on Sept. 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona is set, with No. 6 contender Jean Silva facing former interim champion Yair Rodriguez, per ESPN Brasil. Silva (6-1 UFC) is coming off a decision over Arnold Allen at UFC 324; Rodriguez ends an 18-month layoff after beating Patricio Freire at UFC 314 in April 2025. The card also features Brandon Moreno, Manon Fiorot vs. Alexa Grasso and Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes.

Why it matters: A win puts either man on the short list behind champion Alexander Volkanovski, and it gives the UFC's Mexican Independence Day card a real contender-clash headliner.

UFC debuts in Serbia as Medic and Rodriguez headline Belgrade

The UFC stages its first-ever event in Belgrade on Saturday, with hometown knockout artist Uros Medic (all seven wins by stoppage) facing returning welterweight Daniel Rodriguez in a five-round main event; Rodriguez fights for the first time since an eight-month stretch in a Mexican prison and vows to make Medic 'eat his words.' In the co-main, 43-year-old former champ Jan Blachowicz meets unbeaten Navajo Stirling, who took the fight on short notice. Both winners are eyeing a bout with Leon Edwards.

Why it matters: A packed local card gives the UFC a foothold in Serbia and a Top-15 welterweight shuffle, with Medic one violent night away from the Top 10 and Stirling a win from the title conversation.

Nurmagomedov, Colgan on weight for PFL New York title fight that could be Usman's last

PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov (21-0, 1 NC) and undefeated challenger Archie Colgan (13-0) both hit 154.8 pounds for their five-round main event Friday at UBS Arena. Nurmagomedov is on the final fight of his PFL deal and has openly eyed a UFC move should he win. In the co-main, undefeated flyweight Dakota Ditcheva returns from a year out against Denise Kielholtz, with a long-awaited Liz Carmouche fight looming next.

Why it matters: The promotion risks losing its best fighter the moment it rebrands under MVP, and a Colgan upset would blow up both the division and the UFC talk. Ditcheva's return keeps the PFL's biggest women's draw in motion.

UFC Belgrade makes weight as Dana White snaps at Serbia-debut question

All 28 fighters made weight for the UFC's first card in Serbia, with Uros Medic and Daniel Rodriguez both on the 171-pound limit for Saturday's welterweight headliner and Jan Blachowicz and short-notice replacement Navajo Stirling set at 205 for the co-main. The buildup's louder story came at the press conference, where CEO Dana White dismissed a reporter asking which fight he was most looking forward to as 'a sh*tty question,' saying only that he wanted 'a few holy sh*t moments.' The exchange drew online criticism that White is disengaged from the product.

Why it matters: Medic's homecoming and Rodriguez's return from a Mexican prison give the APEX-adjacent card real stakes, but White's shrug is the more telling note about how much promotional energy a Fight Night in a new market actually gets.

Rodriguez returns from a Mexican prison to headline UFC's Serbia debut

The UFC stages its first-ever event in Serbia on Saturday, Aug. 1 at Belgrade Arena, headlined by a welterweight bout between hometown finisher Uros Medic and Daniel Rodriguez. Rodriguez, released this April after eight months in a Mexican jail on a marijuana possession charge, rides a three-fight streak and calls the headline slot 'a dream come true.' Medic (13-3) has stopped all three of his recent opponents, most recently blitzing Geoff Neal in 79 seconds, and is a heavy favorite; he's already eyeing a future clash with Carlos Prates. Jan Blachowicz vs. short-notice Navajo Stirling co-headlines.

Why it matters: It's a landmark first card in a new market wrapped around one of the sport's more improbable comeback stories, with Medic trying to prove he's more than a hometown highlight.

UFC signs Raul Rosas Jr.'s brother, adds two bouts to prop up thin Vegas card

Jessie Rosas (8-1), the older brother of bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr., has signed with the UFC and debuts Aug. 8 at UFC Vegas 120 (Meta Apex), facing veteran Miles Johns, who is riding a three-fight losing streak. The 23-year-old UWC bantamweight champ carries a 75-percent finish rate. The UFC also added Manoel Sousa vs. LFA champion Richie Miranda, fleshing out a card that had been down to only eight or nine bouts a week and a half out. The Gamrot vs. Salkilld lightweight main event now has 11 fights.

Why it matters: Two short-notice signings to save an anemic Apex card underline how thin the mid-tier schedule has gotten, while the Rosas name gives a regional prospect instant profile.

Buckley vs. Malott headlines UFC Edmonton on Oct. 17

The UFC has booked No. 10 welterweight Joaquin Buckley against Canada's Mike Malott in the main event of UFC Edmonton on Oct. 17 at Rogers Place. Buckley (21-8) is on a two-fight skid after decision losses to Sean Brady and Kamaru Usman, while Malott (14-2-1) rides a four-fight streak capped by a third-round TKO of Gilbert Burns in his Winnipeg headliner. The co-main pits flyweights Erin Blanchfield and Jasmine Jasudavicius, a bout relocated from UFC 330 after a Blanchfield injury.

Why it matters: It's a make-or-break spot for both: Buckley is defending a top-10 ranking in hostile territory, and Malott can crack the contender picture at 170 with a home win over a name.

Usman Nurmagomedov defends lightweight belt vs. Colgan atop PFL New York

The PFL has finalized its 11-bout PFL New York card for Friday, July 31 at UBS Arena, headlined by unbeaten champion Usman Nurmagomedov (21-0) defending the lightweight title against fellow undefeated contender Archie Colgan (13-0). The co-main sees top women's flyweight Dakota Ditcheva (15-0) return after more than a year out against Denise Kielholtz. The main card airs on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET.

Why it matters: It's a champion-vs-unbeaten headliner and Ditcheva's long-awaited return, giving the PFL a genuinely stacked card to answer the recurring knock that its top talent goes unseen.

Medic vs. Rodriguez headlines UFC's Serbia debut Aug. 1

UFC Belgrade lands Saturday, Aug. 1 at Belgrade Arena, the promotion's first event in Serbia, headlined by hometown welterweight Uros Medic (13-3) against veteran Daniel Rodriguez in a five-rounder. Medic enters on three straight first-round knockouts and opened as a heavy favorite. The reshuffled co-main pairs former champion Jan Blachowicz with unbeaten Navajo Stirling (10-0) after Blachowicz's original opponent Bogdan Guskov left to face Ankalaev.

Why it matters: Medic gets a rare homecoming headliner as the UFC plants a flag in a new market, while the 39-year-old Rodriguez tries to spoil it and stay relevant in a crowded 170 top 15.

Walker off, Stirling in as UFC Belgrade shuffles for Serbia debut

The UFC's first-ever card in Serbia lands Saturday at Belgrade Arena, headlined by streaking Serbian Uros Medic vs. returning American Daniel Rodriguez. The card took several hits: Johnny Walker's heavyweight debut against Ante Delija collapsed when matchmakers couldn't find a replacement, and the light heavyweight co-main was reworked into Jan Blachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling after Bogdan Guskov was pulled to Abu Dhabi. Stirling (unbeaten, five straight UFC wins) took the short-notice step up, joking he was 'off a massive bender' in Japan when the call came.

Why it matters: It's a milestone international debut for the UFC, and the Blachowicz-Stirling swap is a genuine crossroads fight — a 43-year-old former champ against a rising 28-year-old trying to force his way into the 205-pound picture while the belt sits idle.

Parnasse signs with UFC, lands Paris headliner vs. Hooker

Per Ariel Helwani, longtime free agent Salahdine Parnasse has signed with the UFC and will make his debut in the UFC Paris main event opposite Dan Hooker on Sept. 5. The 28-year-old former KSW two-division champion turned down the UFC in 2024 over a richer KSW deal, but his stock spiked after a first-round knockout on the Rousey vs. Carano Netflix card. Hooker enters on back-to-back losses to Arman Tsarukyan and Benoit Saint Denis.

Why it matters: One of the best non-UFC talents of the past half-decade finally crosses over, and the promotion handed him a main-event slot on home soil — an immediate test that reshapes the 155-pound depth chart.

UFC 331 fills out: Moicano-Ortega and Pitbull-Choi added

The UFC's Sept. 19 return to Los Angeles, reportedly headlined by an Oliveira-Tsarukyan BMF rematch, added two undercard bouts. Renato Moicano meets Brian Ortega — who is finally moving up to lightweight full-time after chronic weight-cutting problems — in a rematch of Ortega's 2017 submission win at UFC 214. On the same card, ex-Bellator great Patricio Pitbull faces UFC Hall of Fame brawler Doo Ho Choi at featherweight.

Why it matters: The LA lineup is quietly stacking former title challengers and crossover names; Ortega's move to 155 and Pitbull's search for footing in the UFC are both worth tracking.

Ankalaev meets Guskov in Abu Dhabi with 205 stakes

The UFC returns to Etihad Arena on Saturday afternoon (Paramount+) with former light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev headlining against short-notice replacement Bogdan Guskov, in for the injured Khalil Rountree Jr. Ankalaev, coming off his first loss since 2018 to Alex Pereira, needs an impressive win to force his way back into the title mix. The co-main pits former flyweight challenger Steve Erceg against unbeaten Ramazan Temirov.

Why it matters: A clean Ankalaev win reinserts him into a 205-pound picture clogged by an injured champion in Carlos Ulberg; a Guskov upset would blow the division wide open.

PFL welterweight title fight official: Jean vs. Rodriguez tonight

PFL Washington, D.C. is a go after both men made weight: undefeated champion Thad Jean (11-0, 169.2) defends the welterweight belt against late replacement Ernesto Rodriguez (11-1, 169.8) atop the CareFirst Arena card on ESPN. Rodriguez, riding a nine-fight win streak, was slated for the prelims until Shamil Musaev fell out with weight-cut complications on Thursday. Tyson Pedro vs. Rafael Xavier serves as the light heavyweight co-main.

Why it matters: Rodriguez went from prelim undercard to a world title shot in 48 hours — an unlikely main event that headlines the PFL's summer run.

UFC Belgrade: Brave CF champ Nikolic signs on a week's notice

Ahead of the UFC's first event in Serbia on Aug. 1, Brave CF bantamweight champion Borislav Nikolic (16-2) has signed and stepped in on roughly a week's notice to face Mark Vologdin, replacing Josias Musasa. The Belgrade Arena card is headlined by hometown welterweight Uros Medic against Daniel Rodriguez, who returns for the first time since his release from prison, and features Jan Blachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling.

Why it matters: The debut Serbia card leans heavily on regional prospects and short-notice signings — Nikolic, on a six-fight win streak, is one of the more credible newcomers on it.

UFC Abu Dhabi set: Ankalaev, Guskov make weight for Saturday headliner

All 26 fighters hit the scale for UFC Abu Dhabi at Etihad Arena, with former light heavyweight champ Magomed Ankalaev (205.5) and short-notice replacement Bogdan Guskov (205.5) both on point for the five-round main event. Guskov stepped in on under two weeks' notice after Khalil Rountree Jr. withdrew injured. In his first outing since losing the title to Alex Pereira, Ankalaev also traded jabs with 'Poatan' online, firing back at a mocking comment that Pereira 'must have just woken up' after being knocked out by Ciryl Gane.

Why it matters: Ankalaev's return launches his climb back toward a suddenly open 205-pound title now held by Carlos Ulberg, and a win keeps his Pereira trilogy campaign alive.

Report: Oliveira to defend BMF belt vs. Tsarukyan atop UFC 331 in LA

Russian outlet Red Fury MMA reports that Charles Oliveira will defend the BMF title against Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 331 main event on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. It would be a rematch of their UFC 300 bout, which Tsarukyan won by split decision. Tsarukyan, long viewed as the top lightweight contender, has said he plans to fight for two belts this year.

Why it matters: A Tsarukyan win would hand him a marquee belt and momentum toward the undisputed lightweight title he has repeatedly been denied — while a loss stalls one of the division's most deserving contenders yet again.

Ankalaev calls Saturday's Guskov headliner a 'tuneup,' wants Pereira trilogy

Returning for the first time since Alex Pereira knocked him out at UFC 320, Magomed Ankalaev is dismissing his UFC Abu Dhabi main event against short-notice replacement Bogdan Guskov as 'just a fight to be back.' Guskov (No. 9) stepped in on under two weeks' notice after Khalil Rountree Jr. was injured, and Ankalaev enters a roughly -600 favorite. The Dagestani says he'll chase a Pereira trilogy at light heavyweight or heavyweight, firing back at Pereira's taunt: 'He must have just woken up.'

Why it matters: A win puts Ankalaev straight back into the title mix behind sidelined champ Carlos Ulberg — but publicly branding a top-10 opponent a tuneup invites an ugly upset at the Etihad Arena.

Ankalaev returns Saturday, admits he erred fighting Pereira hurt

Ahead of headlining UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25 against short-notice replacement Bogdan Guskov, former light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev finally addressed the health issues behind his 80-second title loss to Alex Pereira last October, saying he ignored advice to pull out and "made a mistake." He also vowed to chase a Pereira trilogy at heavyweight or 205, calling their series 1-1. Guskov, in for an injured Khalil Rountree Jr., becomes the first Uzbek to headline a UFC card and says a win puts him next in line for the title.

Why it matters: Ankalaev remains the top light heavyweight contender behind new champ Carlos Ulberg; a win keeps him in title range, while Guskov's rise injects a fresh name into the 205-pound picture.

Garry likens UFC 330 title shot at Makhachev to McGregor-Aldo

Ahead of his Aug. 15 welterweight title challenge against Islam Makhachev in Philadelphia, Ian Machado Garry compared the matchup to Conor McGregor's 2015 win over Jose Aldo, framing a victory over the pound-for-pound king as proof of his own greatness. Makhachev, 29-1 and tied for the UFC's longest win streak at 16, would break the all-time record with a win; teammate Cain Velasquez praised him as a 'master' of the sport, and the champion opened as a roughly -300 favorite. UFC 330 also features Mackenzie Dern defending the strawweight title against Gillian Robertson.

Why it matters: It's still pure buildup, but the stakes are real: Garry's chance to become Ireland's second UFC champion against a fighter one win from the sport's consecutive-victory record.

UFC reveals first six Noche fights for Sept. 12 in Glendale

The UFC announced the opening six bouts for Noche UFC on Sept. 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, during the UFC Oklahoma City broadcast. Former flyweight champ Brandon Moreno faces Joseph Morales, and ex-women's flyweight champ Alexa Grasso meets Manon Fiorot. Also booked: Curtis Blaydes vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Kelvin Gastelum vs. 6-foot-5 ex-kickboxer Yousri Belgaroui, Tim Elliott vs. Edgar Chairez, and JJ Aldrich vs. Regina Tarin. The main event is expected to be announced next week.

Why it matters: Two former champions carry title-relevant stakes; Grasso-Fiorot is a genuine 125-pound contender fight anchoring the early build.

Du Plessis meets Usman in Oklahoma City with a title shot in play

UFC Fight Night 281 lands at Oklahoma City's Paycom Center on Saturday, headlined by former middleweight champ Dricus du Plessis against former welterweight king Kamaru Usman at 185 pounds — Usman's first middleweight bout with a full camp after his short-notice loss to Chimaev in 2023. Both made the 186-pound limit, and the winner is positioned for a shot at champion Khamzat Chimaev. Jared Cannonier vs. Christian Leroy Duncan is the co-main.

Why it matters: A du Plessis loss would scramble the middleweight picture further, while a Usman win would complete one of the stranger late-career pivots in the sport.

Eblen and Kasanganay rematch for interim PFL middleweight title

PFL Austin runs Saturday at Austin's Moody Center on ESPN2, headlined by Johnny Eblen (17-1) against Impa Kasanganay (20-6) for the interim middleweight title, a rematch of their 2024 split decision. Eblen stepped in after champion Costello van Steenis withdrew injured from a planned unification, and the winner is slated to face van Steenis to unify. Both made weight. UFC champ Sean Strickland cornered Eblen and has floated an eventual UFC crossover fight between them.

Why it matters: With van Steenis shelved, this interim belt keeps PFL's deepest division moving and teases the unification bout fans have wanted.

Du Plessis-Usman winner eyes Strickland as Chimaev demands rematch

Former champions Dricus du Plessis (23-3) and Kamaru Usman (21-4) headline UFC Oklahoma City on Saturday, July 18, with both men openly campaigning for a shot at middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Du Plessis, coming off his title loss to Chimaev, says he took the Usman fight specifically to prove himself against a wrestler and holds two wins over Strickland; Usman, moving up from welterweight, is chasing two-division champion status. Meanwhile Khamzat Chimaev posted 'I'm ready' in another plea for a Strickland rematch, which du Plessis dismissed as 'ridiculous' given Chimaev has no title defenses.

Why it matters: A crowded 185-pound picture with no clear next challenger means Saturday's result, and how emphatic it is, could reorder the entire division behind Strickland.

Blachowicz draws unbeaten Navajo Stirling at UFC Belgrade

The UFC has booked former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz (29-11-2) against unbeaten contender Navajo Stirling (10-0) in the co-main event of its first card in Serbia on August 1 at Belgrade Arena. Blachowicz was left without an opponent after Bogdan Guskov was pulled up to face Magomed Ankalaev in Abu Dhabi. Stirling, a City Kickboxing product on a five-fight win streak coming off a TKO of Ion Cutelaba, makes a quick turnaround for his first crack at a former champion. Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez headlines.

Why it matters: It's a classic gatekeeper test: the 43-year-old ex-champ returning from a torn meniscus against one of the division's fastest-rising 205ers, with real ranking stakes for Stirling.

ONE returns to Bangkok with Di Bella-Zhang title rematch and Crevar

ONE Championship runs two Lumpinee Stadium cards this week, headlined by The Inner Circle 22, where strawweight kickboxing champion Jonathan Di Bella (15-1) defends against Zhang Peimian (20-5) in a rematch nearly four years in the making. The card also features 19-year-old grappling phenom Helena Crevar, the No. 1 pound-for-pound women's grappler, moving up in weight against Paige Clymer. On ONE Fight Night 45, Scottish Muay Thai striker Stephen Irvine debuts on the global roster in a flyweight co-main against Suablack Tor Pran49, who missed weight twice before making the limit on his third try.

Why it matters: ONE's Muay Thai and grappling pipeline keeps producing crossover names like Crevar, who is openly angling for super fights against MMA's biggest women's stars.

Dana White makes Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn official for Sept. 12 in Las Vegas

UFC CEO Dana White confirmed WBA/WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) will defend against England's Conor Benn (25-1, 14 KOs) on Sept. 12 at T-Mobile Arena during Mexican Independence Day weekend. It is Zuffa Boxing's biggest card to date and its first global show airing exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., with DAZN carrying it in the UK and Ireland. The date is expected to push Noche UFC 4 to Sept. 19.

Why it matters: White's boxing venture is quickly scaling from a curiosity into a marquee-fight platform, and it's now colliding with the UFC's own calendar.

Michael Page headlines UFC Paris additions with middleweight return vs. Ruziboev

The UFC announced a batch of fights for its Sept. 5 card at Accor Arena in Paris. Michael 'Venom' Page (25-3) drops back to middleweight against surging Uzbek Nursulton Ruziboev (37-9), both on three-fight streaks. The card also adds undefeated heavyweight Mario Pinto vs. Ryan Spann, Oumar Sy vs. Modestas Bukauskas, Losene Keita vs. Muhammad Naimov, and home fighter Nora Cornolle vs. Klaudia Sygula. No main event has been announced yet.

Why it matters: Page bounces between divisions again after a criticized welterweight outing, while Pinto-Spann is a genuine top-15 heavyweight rankings play on a card still searching for a headliner.

Ben Askren returns Saturday at RAF 11, one year after a double lung transplant

Ben Askren competes for the first time since 2021 when he faces former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the RAF 11 co-main event this Saturday in Milwaukee, streaming on Fox Nation. The 41-year-old survived life-threatening pneumonia that required a double lung transplant and a 45-day coma roughly a year ago. RAF commentator Chael Sonnen admitted the comeback makes him 'uncomfortable,' echoing Joe Rogan's concerns, while crediting Muhammad for accepting a no-win matchup so Askren could compete.

Why it matters: A comeback this soon after a transplant is a genuine health story, not a promotional stunt — and Muhammad's willingness to take a lose-lose bout is the quiet subplot.

UFC Oklahoma City card set as du Plessis dismisses a Strickland-Chimaev rematch

The UFC finalized its Saturday card at Paycom Center, adding a late featherweight bout between undefeated newcomers Damien Anderson (5-0) and Ezra Elliott (7-0) on four days' notice beneath the Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman middleweight main event and a Jared Cannonier vs. Christian Leroy Duncan co-main. Ahead of his first fight since losing the belt to Khamzat Chimaev, du Plessis called a potential Strickland-Chimaev title rematch 'ridiculous,' noting Chimaev never defended the belt, and admitted he prepared for a more aggressive Chimaev than the grinding, crucifix-heavy version he faced at UFC 319.

Why it matters: Du Plessis needs a statement over Usman to force his way back into a middleweight title mix where the champion's next challenger is genuinely unsettled.

Dana White's Contender Series moves to Paramount+ for its 10th season

The UFC's talent-discovery show returns Aug. 11 with a 10-episode 10th season, each Tuesday night featuring five bouts streaming exclusively on Paramount+ as part of the promotion's broadcast deal with the network. Since 2017, DWCS and its Brazil edition have handed out more than 300 contracts and produced four champions in Sean O'Malley, Jamahal Hill, Jack Della Maddalena and current light heavyweight king Carlos Ulberg.

Why it matters: It's another piece of the UFC's programming shift onto Paramount, and the pipeline remains the sport's most reliable source of future contenders and champions.

Khabib calls Ian Machado Garry a 'difficult' puzzle for Makhachev at UFC 330

Ahead of Islam Makhachev's first welterweight title defense against Ian Machado Garry on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia, coach Khabib Nurmagomedov flagged the challenger's height (6-foot-3-plus), reach and range striking as a stylistic problem his camp has never faced, adding that the nearly-35 Makhachev will have to chase him down. PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov is reportedly mimicking Garry in camp. Makhachev remains a sizeable favorite as he seeks a record 17th straight UFC win, breaking a tie with Anderson Silva.

Why it matters: Even Makhachev's own corner is publicly framing this as a live underdog spot, which is unusual respect for a challenger against the pound-for-pound No. 1.

Rountree out injured, Guskov steps in to face Ankalaev in Abu Dhabi

Khalil Rountree Jr. has withdrawn from the July 25 UFC Abu Dhabi main event with an injury, and No. 10 light heavyweight Bogdan Guskov (18-3-1) takes the fight on 12 days' notice against former champion Magomed Ankalaev (21-2-1). Guskov, who owns an 18-for-18 finish rate, was pulled from a planned Aug. 1 rematch with Jan Blachowicz at UFC Belgrade to accept his first UFC main event. Ankalaev is fighting for the first time since Alex Pereira knocked him out to reclaim the 205-pound title at UFC 320.

Why it matters: It keeps a top-of-division headliner intact but swaps a ranked contender for a dangerous puncher with nothing to lose; a Guskov upset would blow the light heavyweight title picture wide open.

Du Plessis meets Usman in Oklahoma City with the middleweight title picture open

The UFC returns to Oklahoma City on Saturday, July 18, headlined by former middleweight champ Dricus du Plessis (23-3) taking on ex-welterweight king Kamaru Usman (21-4) in Usman's first full middleweight camp. Du Plessis returns from the one-sided loss to Khamzat Chimaev that cost him the belt, while Usman is fresh off a win over Joaquin Buckley. Du Plessis is roughly a -260 favorite; the co-main pits Jared Cannonier against rising Brit Christian Leroy Duncan.

Why it matters: With Sean Strickland's first title defense unbooked, the winner slots straight into the challenger conversation at 185 — and a strong Usman showing would make his two-weight title bid real.

Bryce Mitchell to fight BJJ champ Musumeci in first-of-its-kind grappling clash

Bryce Mitchell will become the first active UFC fighter to face a UFC BJJ champion, meeting Mikey Musumeci in the UFC BJJ 11 headliner on Sept. 24. The match is at featherweight, so Musumeci moves up from bantamweight and his belt is not on the line. Musumeci is unbeaten under the banner with three heel hooks and a foot lock in four appearances, while "Thug Nasty" went 1-1-1 in recent grappling bouts, including a draw with Jean Silva. Mason Fowler defends his light heavyweight title against Nicky Rod in the co-main.

Why it matters: It's the clearest sign yet the UFC intends to blur its MMA and submission-grappling rosters, giving Mitchell a marquee showcase against an elite grappler.

Moreno returns against TUF 33 winner Morales at Noche UFC

Former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno is booked to face "The Ultimate Fighter 33" winner Joseph Morales at Noche UFC on Sept. 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Moreno (23-10-2) is trying to snap a two-fight skid after losses to Tatsuro Taira and Lone'er Kavanagh, while Morales (14-2) is 2-0 in his second UFC stint. The card also features a women's flyweight eliminator between Alexa Grasso and Manon Fiorot.

Why it matters: A former champ on the slide against a hungry TUF winner is a near must-win for Moreno's fading title hopes, and it stocks up the UFC's marquee Mexican-heritage card.

McGregor, Holloway make weight as celebrity bets pour in

Conor McGregor (170.5) and Max Holloway (170) both weighed in Friday and had an intense final faceoff ahead of Saturday's UFC 329 welterweight main event in Las Vegas, McGregor's first fight since breaking his leg in July 2021. Drake put $1 million on McGregor at +285, while Jake Paul placed a $500,000 McGregor-Pimblett parlay on his own app; Holloway laughed off Drake's backing, invoking the rapper's betting curse.

Why it matters: Manufactured hype aside, McGregor's return after five years is the biggest box-office event of the year, and it finally gets settled in the cage Saturday night.

McGregor and Holloway have to be separated at UFC 329 faceoff

Conor McGregor (22-6) returns for the first time since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021 to face Max Holloway (27-9) in Saturday's UFC 329 main event at T-Mobile Arena, a welterweight rematch of their 2013 featherweight bout. At Thursday's press conference McGregor ripped Holloway's sunglasses off and slapped away his hand, forcing security to pull the pair apart. Holloway is a roughly -225 favorite, though McGregor's price shortened to +170 during fight week. Dana White says the card will produce the UFC's biggest gate in history.

Why it matters: McGregor has one fight left on his contract and is openly eyeing free agency, so this is likely a brief window to cash in the sport's biggest draw; the winner opens up marquee options with Pimblett, Topuria or a welterweight title chase.

Pimblett-Saint-Denis co-main a near pick'em with title stakes

The UFC 329 co-main event pits Paddy Pimblett (23-4) against Benoit Saint-Denis (17-3, 1 NC) in a three-round lightweight bout. Pimblett is rebuilding after his interim title loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in January, while Saint-Denis rides a four-fight finish streak that includes stoppages of Dan Hooker, Beneil Dariush and Mauricio Ruffy. Saint-Denis opened around -155 but the line has tightened toward a coin flip during fight week. Both fighters said they wanted five rounds; Saint-Denis denied he was the reason the bout stayed at three.

Why it matters: The winner slots into a crowded top five at 155 pounds and could fast-track back into the title conversation, while a Pimblett win keeps his mooted feud with Ilia Topuria alive.

Pacio defends ONE strawweight title as Folayang eyes farewell

ONE Championship returned to Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok with The Inner Circle 21 and ONE Friday Fights 161. Strawweight MMA champion Joshua Pacio defended his belt against Dagestani contender Mansur Malachiev in a rematch nearly three years in the making. Filipino legend and former lightweight champion Eduard Folayang faced Japanese judoka Shozo Isojima in the co-main event, in what could be the final bout of his career, while 18-year-old Jaradchai Maxjandee chased a $100,000 contract atop the Friday Fights card.

Why it matters: Pacio remains one of ONE's most consistent titleholders, and Folayang's likely send-off marks the end of an era for one of the promotion's foundational stars.

McGregor makes his return against Holloway atop UFC 329

Conor McGregor headlines UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena against Max Holloway in a welterweight rematch of their 2013 featherweight bout, marking McGregor's first fight since the leg break against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. McGregor dismissed Holloway's stated plan to drag him into deep waters as disrespectful. The fighter class is split on the pick: Dricus du Plessis and Sean O'Malley back a McGregor knockout, while Sherdog's Sean Sheehan and others favor a fresher Holloway to finish the rusty Irishman at 170 pounds.

Why it matters: McGregor's five-year layoff at age 37 makes this the most scrutinized comeback in years, and a welterweight rematch against a durable, high-volume Holloway is a stern test of whether the sport's biggest draw still belongs.

UFC Shanghai adds Yan Xiaonan vs. Gomes and more

The UFC booked Yan Xiaonan (19-5, 1 NC) against surging strawweight Denise Gomes (12-3) in the co-main event of UFC Shanghai on Aug. 29, with Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong headlining. It's Yan's first fight in over a year following her decision loss to Virna Jandiroba, while Gomes rides a four-fight win streak. Also added: flyweight prospect Rei Tsuruya (11-1) against Kevin Borjas.

Why it matters: A win keeps the No. 5-ranked Yan in the 115-pound title mix, while Gomes has a chance to crack the contender tier — meaningful movement in a strawweight division still sorting itself behind champion Mackenzie Dern.

McGregor-Holloway 2 headlines UFC 329, 13 years in the making

Conor McGregor (22-6) returns from a five-year layoff Saturday, July 11 at T-Mobile Arena to rematch Max Holloway (27-9) at welterweight, having won their 2013 featherweight bout by decision. The pundit consensus is near-unanimous: McGregor's only real path is an early knockout, with the fight expected to stay on the feet, and his gas tank the biggest question after five years out. Chael Sonnen, Jorge Masvidal, Belal Muhammad and Jose Aldo's coach Andre Pederneiras all frame it the same way — McGregor dangerous early, Holloway favored to take over if it goes long.

Why it matters: It's likely the most-watched UFC card of all time, and the winner has a title path: lightweight or BMF options for Holloway, welterweight or BMF for McGregor — assuming McGregor still has anything left after the leg break and layoff.

Odds tell the story: Holloway favored as McGregor's line steams

Despite losing the 2013 fight, Holloway enters UFC 329 as roughly a -227 favorite over McGregor (+192), reflecting the Irishman's five years out. But McGregor's number has shortened sharply — from as wide as +420 (Holloway -550) at open to under +200 — with money chasing his early-finish threat. The card's biggest lock is Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson (-3300) in his heavyweight debut against Elisha Ellison; Benoit Saint-Denis, Adrian Yanez and Lone'er Kavanagh are also favored in notable spots.

Why it matters: The line movement without a flip captures the whole fight: bettors respect McGregor's power in the first two rounds but still trust Holloway's activity and cardio over 25 minutes.

Makhachev's first welterweight defense vs. Garry set for UFC 330

The UFC released the poster for UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, where welterweight champion Islam Makhachev (28-1) makes his first title defense against No. 1 contender Ian Machado Garry (17-1). Makhachev, tied with Anderson Silva for the longest win streak in UFC history at 16, took the belt by dominating Jack Della Maddalena. Garry earned the shot with wins over Carlos Prates and Belal Muhammad. Mackenzie Dern defends her strawweight title against Gillian Robertson in the co-main.

Why it matters: It's the first look at Makhachev as a two-division champion defending 170, against a young, unbeaten-at-welterweight contender — the fight that sets the division's direction post-McGregor weekend.

Hernandez vs. Rodrigues headlines UFC's Aug. 22 Sacramento card

The UFC returns to Sacramento's Golden 1 Center on Aug. 22 with a middleweight main event between No. 6 Anthony Hernandez (15-3) and No. 12 Gregory Rodrigues (15-3). Hernandez looks to bounce back from a loss to Sean Strickland, while Rodrigues rides a three-fight finishing streak. In the co-main, Reinier de Ridder officially moves to light heavyweight to face Roman Dolidze after back-to-back middleweight losses to Brendan Allen and Caio Borralho — with both men on skids. Serghei Spivac vs. Vitor Petrino also lands on the card.

Why it matters: It's a genuine title-relevance middleweight main event, and de Ridder's jump to 205 is a notable pivot for a fighter who arrived with big hype but stalled at 185.

Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong to headline UFC Shanghai

The UFC's Aug. 29 return to Shanghai will be topped by a bantamweight title eliminator between No. 3 Umar Nurmagomedov (20-1) and China's No. 5 Song Yadong (23-9-1), fresh off a submission of Deiveson Figueiredo in Macau. Nurmagomedov, coming off his title-shot loss, was pulled from a July 25 date with David Martinez to take this fight. Former strawweight title challenger Yan Xiaonan (19-5) meets No. 13 Denise Gomes in the co-main, with the Road to UFC Season 5 semifinals running the night before.

Why it matters: The winner likely earns the next bantamweight title shot, and the UFC is again building a marquee card around Chinese stars in a key growth market.

McGregor returns Saturday to rematch Holloway at UFC 329

Conor McGregor headlines UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena, facing Max Holloway in a welterweight rematch 13 years after McGregor won their 2013 featherweight bout by decision. It is McGregor's first fight since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021; a 2024 booking against Michael Chandler collapsed when he broke a toe, footage of which the UFC aired on Countdown. Holloway, coming off a decision loss of the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira, is the betting favorite, though heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall picked a first-round McGregor knockout. Weigh-ins air live on CBS on July 10 with the card streaming on Paramount+.

Why it matters: The UFC's biggest draw returning after a five-year layoff at 37, two weight classes above the original meeting, is the promotion's marquee gamble of the year — and a real test of whether McGregor is anything close to the fighter he was.

Dvalishvili and Cejudo run it back on the mats at RAF Georgia

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili headlines RAF Georgia on July 11 in his native Tbilisi, facing Henry Cejudo in a wrestling match — their first meeting since Dvalishvili beat Cejudo at UFC 298 in February 2024. The co-main pits Olympic champion Kyle Snyder against longtime rival Abdulrashid Sadulaev for the RAF light heavyweight title, with a card also featuring Arman Tsarukyan, Kyle Dake and Helen Maroulis. It streams on Fox Nation at 12 p.m. ET.

Why it matters: The RAF wrestling circuit keeps pulling in crossover MMA names, and seeing Dvalishvili and Cejudo compete outside the cage is a rare novelty for fans of both sports.

McGregor-Holloway 2 headlines UFC 329 as fight week begins

Conor McGregor (22-6) returns from a five-year layoff to rematch Max Holloway (27-9) at welterweight in Saturday's UFC 329 main event at T-Mobile Arena, 13 years after McGregor won their 2013 featherweight bout by decision. McGregor last fought in 2021, breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier, while Holloway is coming off a decision loss to Charles Oliveira that cost him the BMF title. The UFC released its Countdown episode previewing the five-round fight, and analysts including Darren Till flagged McGregor's long inactivity as the biggest question mark.

Why it matters: It is the biggest draw of the year and likely one of McGregor's final two fights under contract, but at nearly 38 and winless since 2020 he is a live underdog against a top-five opponent, and the result reshapes the top of two divisions' star power.

Ruffy named backup for McGregor-Holloway main event

Lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy (14-2) confirmed he will serve as the official backup for the UFC 329 main event, traveling to Las Vegas and weighing in Friday in case McGregor or Holloway withdraws. Ruffy, fresh off a first-round knockout of Michael Chandler at UFC White House, weighed roughly 185.6 pounds and would need to cut about 14 pounds to make the non-title welterweight limit. The UFC's precaution nods to McGregor's 2024 withdrawal from a Chandler bout over a broken toe.

Why it matters: A designated backup underscores how much the promotion is protecting its marquee International Fight Week headliner, and gives a surging contender a lottery ticket into a superstar fight.

Pimblett-Saint Denis co-main carries lightweight stakes

Paddy Pimblett (23-4) meets Benoit Saint Denis (17-3, 1 NC) in the UFC 329 co-main event, both looking to climb the lightweight ladder. Pimblett is rebounding from a January decision loss to Justin Gaethje that snapped a nine-fight streak, while Saint Denis rides a four-fight run capped by a February stoppage of Dan Hooker. Coach Din Thomas and Darren Till both backed Pimblett, citing his durability and recovery ability against the aggressive but defensively suspect Frenchman.

Why it matters: With Gaethje now champion and Ilia Topuria lurking, the winner slots back into a crowded lightweight title picture on the sport's biggest card of the summer.

De Ridder vs. Dolidze booked at light heavyweight for UFC Sacramento

Former ONE two-division champion Reinier de Ridder (21-4) and Roman Dolidze (15-5) will meet at 205 pounds at UFC Sacramento on Aug. 22 at Golden 1 Center, with both men moving up from middleweight to snap skids. De Ridder started 4-0 in the UFC before back-to-back losses to Brendan Allen and Caio Borralho prompted the move up, while Dolidze has gone 3-0 in prior light heavyweight appearances. The card is headlined by a middleweight bout between Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues.

Why it matters: Two ranked middleweights rebooting at 205 pounds gives a thin light heavyweight division fresh contenders to sort out.

Ethyn Ewing pulls out of UFC 329 injured, leaving Basharat without a dance partner

Conor McGregor's comeback against Max Holloway headlines UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas, McGregor's first walk to the Octagon in five years. The undercard took a hit when unbeaten prospect Ethyn Ewing (10-2) confirmed he's out with an injury he says he carried for five weeks, leaving 15-0 bantamweight Farid Basharat awaiting a replacement. Basharat, fighting on the final bout of his contract, is gambling on a big performance to force a new deal.

Why it matters: McGregor's return is the promotion's biggest 2026 draw, but the shuffled undercard and Basharat's contract limbo are the concrete stakes for the divisions below the marquee.

UFC 330 set for Philadelphia: Makhachev-Garry and Dern-Robertson lead 10 bouts

The UFC confirmed a 10-fight card for UFC 330 on August 15 at Philadelphia's Xfinity Mobile Arena, topped by welterweight champion Islam Makhachev's first title defense against No. 2 contender Ian Machado Garry. Mackenzie Dern defends her strawweight belt against Gillian Robertson in the co-main. A Makhachev win would give him sole possession of the UFC record for consecutive victories at 17, breaking a tie with Anderson Silva. Jon Jones and training partner Usman Nurmagomedov both favor Makhachev's wrestling, while Garry vows to beat him 'where he's best.'

Why it matters: Two titles and a shot at the sport's most iconic win streak make this the summer's most consequential card, with Garry's takedown defense the central question of whether history gets made.

McGregor returns after nearly five years to headline UFC 329 vs. Holloway

Conor McGregor fights for the first time since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021 when he meets Max Holloway in the welterweight main event of UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It is a rematch of a 2013 featherweight bout McGregor won by decision, with Holloway moving up to 170 pounds. Jose Aldo, who lost his title to both men, makes Holloway the favorite on activity alone, noting McGregor is 'an unknown quantity' after so long out, while Jon Jones praised the Irishman for returning when he didn't need to.

Why it matters: A McGregor win reopens the promotion's biggest draw; a Holloway win puts him a step from title shots at lightweight or welterweight. Either way it's the marquee fight of International Fight Week.

Reinier de Ridder moves to light heavyweight to face Dolidze at UFC Sacramento

Reinier de Ridder will fight fellow former middleweight Roman Dolidze in a 205-pound bout at UFC Sacramento on Aug. 22 at Golden 1 Center. The former ONE two-division champion started 4-0 in the UFC before dropping back-to-back fights, most recently a decision loss to Caio Borralho, while Dolidze is also on a two-fight skid. The card is headlined by a middleweight bout between Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues.

Why it matters: A loss stalls both once-rising contenders; for de Ridder, the jump to light heavyweight signals he may be done chasing a middleweight title shot behind champion Sean Strickland.

PFL sets Washington D.C. card with Jean-Musaev welterweight title fight

PFL finalized an 11-fight card at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C. on July 25, headlined by unbeaten Thad Jean (11-0) challenging Shamil Musaev (20-1-1) for the welterweight world title. The co-main pits contender Magomed Umalatov against Ernesto Rodriguez, with Bryce Meredith vs. Jack Cartwright and Sullivan Cauley vs. Rasul Magomedov also on the ESPN main card. The prelims feature veterans Denis Goltsov, Tyson Pedro and Bruno Cappelozza.

Why it matters: It's a title fight between two of PFL's most dangerous finishers and a chance for prospect Jean to validate his rise against an established knockout artist.

Fight Week opens with McGregor-Holloway 2 as undercard sheds two bouts

The 14th International Fight Week (July 9-12) culminates in UFC 329, where Conor McGregor returns from a five-year layoff to face Max Holloway at welterweight, a rematch of their 2013 bout. The card lost two fights to injury: Ode Osbourne (replaced against Cody Durden by Alessandro Costa) and undefeated prospect Ethyn Ewing, leaving Farid Basharat seeking a short-notice opponent. The week also includes a Hall of Fame class headlined by Dominick Cruz and Demetrious Johnson.

Why it matters: McGregor's first fight since July 2021 is the UFC's biggest draw in years, but the withdrawals — including the scrapped Basharat-Ewing prospect clash — thin out an undercard that was supposed to showcase the division's rising talent.

BKFC boss Feldman shoves fighter who nearly launched rival off weigh-in stage

At weigh-ins for Friday's BKFC Liberty Brawl in Philadelphia, welterweight Pat Sullivan shoved opponent Ruben Arroyo hard enough to nearly send him off the stage, prompting BKFC president David Feldman to physically shove Sullivan and berate him as a 'f-ing punk.' The card is headlined by title fights: Austin Trout vs. Ben Bonner for the vacant lightweight belt and Britain Hart defending her strawweight crown against Sarah Shell.

Why it matters: A promoter getting physical with his own fighter is a rare sight, but Feldman's anger was warranted — a careless stage shove can injure a fighter and blow up a card, as Jeremy Stephens vs. Drakkar Klose once showed.

Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong headlines UFC Shanghai on Aug. 29

Former bantamweight title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov (20-1) will face No. 5-ranked Song Yadong in the main event of UFC Shanghai on Aug. 29 at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. Nurmagomedov, on a two-fight run over Deiveson Figueiredo and Mario Bautista since losing to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311, replaces a scrapped David Martinez booking. Song, 23-9-1 and coming off a submission of Figueiredo at UFC Macau, headlines in his home country for the second straight time.

Why it matters: It's a genuine top-five bantamweight clash that keeps Nurmagomedov in the title mix while giving Song a marquee home-soil test — a real ranking-mover rather than a callout.

Alessandro Costa replaces injured Ode Osbourne against Durden at UFC 329

Alessandro Costa (16-5) has stepped in to face Cody Durden in a flyweight bout on the July 11 UFC 329 card in Las Vegas after Ode Osbourne withdrew with injury. Costa enters on wins over Stewart Nicoll and Matt Schnell, while Durden recently snapped a four-fight skid. The McGregor-vs-Holloway-headlined card also features Gable Steveson's debut and Robert Whittaker's light heavyweight move against Nikita Krylov.

Why it matters: A minor swap on a major card, but it keeps UFC 329's deep undercard intact as Conor McGregor prepares for his first fight since 2021.

McGregor's UFC 329 return loses a prelim as Ewing withdraws

With Conor McGregor's five-year comeback against Max Holloway set for July 11 at T-Mobile Arena, UFC 329 lost a bout when rising bantamweight Ethyn Ewing (10-2) pulled out of his matchup with unbeaten Farid Basharat (15-0) due to an undisclosed injury; the promotion is seeking a short-notice replacement. Holloway, coming off his BMF loss to Charles Oliveira, opened as better than a 5-1 favorite in the welterweight-contested rematch, though the line has tightened.

Why it matters: It's the biggest draw of International Fight Week and a genuine test of whether a nearly-38-year-old McGregor can still hang with elite competition after half a decade out.

Makhachev-Garry UFC 330 card fills out with prospects and vets

The UFC announced four new bouts for UFC 330 on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia, including welterweights Myktybek Orolbai vs. Jeremiah Wells, prospect Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Dustin Stoltzfus, Vicente Luque vs. Tresean Gore, and Geoff Neal vs. Chidi Njokuani. The card is headlined by Islam Makhachev defending his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry while chasing a record-breaking 17th straight UFC win, with Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson in the co-main. Jon Jones picked Makhachev, calling him a possible all-time great alongside himself.

Why it matters: A Makhachev win would make him one of a tiny group to defend titles in two divisions, and the build is now framing him squarely in the GOAT conversation.

McGregor return locked in as UFC 329 card finalizes

The full bout order is set for UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena, where Conor McGregor fights for the first time in nearly five years against Max Holloway in a welterweight rematch of their 2013 meeting. The UFC released a new promo with McGregor vowing to 'son' Holloway again, while the prelims feature Gable Steveson's debut and Robert Whittaker's first light heavyweight outing. Cody Durden, who signed a new four-fight deal, will open the card against late replacement Alessandro Costa after Ode Osbourne withdrew.

Why it matters: McGregor remains the sport's biggest draw, but at welterweight against a surging Holloway the result carries real stakes for whether he has anything left.

McGregor eyes activity at UFC 329, dismisses Gaethje as 'woeful' at his worst

Two weeks out from his welterweight return against Max Holloway on July 11, Conor McGregor talked up staying busy and a possible title run, while taking shots at new lightweight champion Justin Gaethje — calling him 'OK' at his best but 'atrocious' and 'woeful' when off, and noting Holloway has already knocked Gaethje out. McGregor, who has two fights left on his contract and hasn't competed since his 2021 leg break, said he's now a 170-pound fighter and 'open for business.' He also debuted custom Venum 'money' shorts for the bout.

Why it matters: McGregor's first fight in nearly five years anchors a UFC summer expected to break gate records, and his interest in welterweight gold reshapes the division's drawing-power math.

Fiziev fights to stay relevant against Torres in Baku

The UFC returns to Azerbaijan on Saturday with a five-round lightweight main event between No. 11 Rafael Fiziev (13-5) and surging Mexican knockout artist Manuel Torres (17-3), who has finished every UFC opponent in the first round. Fiziev has dropped four of his last five, with losses to Justin Gaethje (twice), Mauricio Ruffy and Mateusz Gamrot, and is fighting to hold his spot in the rankings. The co-main pits one-eyed striker Shara Magomedov against Michel Pereira at middleweight, with Aliskerov-Ferreira and Sadykhov-Camilo rounding out a finisher-heavy main card. All 26 fighters made weight.

Why it matters: With Gaethje now champion and the 155-pound picture suddenly fluid, a Torres upset would vault a first-ever Mexican lightweight contender toward the title conversation while a Fiziev loss likely ends his run as a ranked name.

McKee chases more gold against unbeaten Isbulaev at PFL San Diego

Former Bellator featherweight champion A.J. McKee (24-2) headlines PFL's first San Diego card against undefeated Kazakh prospect Salamat Isbulaev (10-0), who knocked out Jesus Pinedo in his PFL debut. McKee is biding time for a title shot while champion Timur Khizriev recovers from being shot in Dagestan, calling the matchup 'big risk, little reward.' The co-main features former champ and 2025 PFL tournament winner Liz Carmouche against Viviane Araujo. All made weight except Sarvarjon Khamidov, who missed by 1.6 pounds.

Why it matters: PFL CEO Pete... John Martin says he wants a featherweight champion crowned by year's end, and an Isbulaev upset could even open the door to a PFL Kazakhstan event — making this a genuine contender bout, not a placeholder.

McGregor talks down Holloway as UFC 329 rematch nears

Conor McGregor, returning from a five-year layoff, declared himself 'multiple levels above' Max Holloway ahead of their July 11 welterweight rematch headlining UFC 329 in Las Vegas. McGregor dismissed Holloway's record octagon fight time (8:52:43) as proof he 'can't finish people,' despite his own long inactivity since breaking his leg at UFC 264. Lightweight champ Justin Gaethje confirmed he'll be cageside, repeating he'd 'love to punch Conor in the face,' while a pro-Holloway billboard went up in Ireland.

Why it matters: McGregor's first fight in four years is the UFC's biggest 2026 draw, and Gaethje eyeing the winner ties the marquee bout directly to the lightweight title picture.

Hernandez vs. Rodrigues to headline UFC's Sacramento return

Anthony Hernandez (sources confirm) will face Gregory Rodrigues in the middleweight main event of UFC Sacramento on Aug. 22, the promotion's first event in the city since 2019. 'Fluffy' looks to rebound from a third-round TKO loss to new champion Sean Strickland that snapped his eight-fight win streak, while 'Robocop' rides a three-fight run including two first-round knockouts.

Why it matters: It's a contender-clearing bout in a middleweight division now led by Strickland, with the winner re-entering the top-10 mix.

Fiziev, Torres make weight for UFC Baku lightweight headliner

Rafael Fiziev (13-5) and Manuel Torres (17-3) both hit 156 pounds for Saturday's UFC Baku main event at the National Gymnastics Arena, with the full card weighing in clean. Hometown favorite Fiziev is trying to halt a slide of four losses in five, including a knockout defeat to Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 325. Torres, 5-1 in the UFC with all six Octagon fights ending in the first round, gets his first five-round headliner and says he wants to be a feared finisher in the Mike Tyson mold. Shara Magomedov vs. Michel Pereira serves as the middleweight co-main.

Why it matters: It's a true crossroads at 155: a loss likely ends Fiziev's contender hopes, while a finish would vault Torres toward the top 10 of the sport's deepest division.

Hernandez vs. Rodrigues set to headline UFC Sacramento on Aug. 22

No. 6 middleweight Anthony Hernandez (15-3) returns from his loss to champion Sean Strickland to headline UFC Sacramento against No. 12 Gregory Rodrigues (19-6) on Aug. 22 at the Golden 1 Center. It's the UFC's first event in Sacramento since 2019. NorCal native Hernandez gets a homecoming after his eight-fight win streak was snapped, while Rodrigues rides three straight wins, including one-punch knockouts of Jack Hermansson and Brunno Ferreira.

Why it matters: Two of the division's most dangerous finishers meet with title-picture stakes for the winner, especially with a Strickland-Chimaev rematch looming above them.

McGregor predicts 'demolition' as Oliveira says he was the real pick

Conor McGregor, an underdog returning from a five-year layoff, is forecasting an 'absolute demolition' of Max Holloway in their UFC 329 rematch on July 11 in Las Vegas, claiming his long rest has him entering his prime. BMF champion Charles Oliveira disputes how the fight came together, insisting the bout was supposed to be his and that McGregor 'ran' from him to pick the easier path in Holloway. McGregor counters that the UFC chose the opponent, not him.

Why it matters: McGregor's first fight since 2021 anchors International Fight Week, but the matchmaking dispute underscores how a stacked lightweight queue gets reshuffled around a returning superstar.

Cris Cyborg books MMA retirement fight vs. Ketlen Vieira at PFL Tampa

PFL announced that women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg (29-2) will have her final MMA bout in the PFL Tampa main event on Aug. 22 at Benchmark International Arena, defending her title against newly signed ex-UFC contender Ketlen Vieira (16-5). Cyborg, a champion in the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, Invicta and PFL, is unbeaten in nine straight. Vieira, cut by the UFC in May despite being a top-five bantamweight coming off a win over Jacqueline Cavalcanti, moves up to featherweight and confirmed her PFL signing this week.

Why it matters: It marks the end of one of the most decorated careers in women's MMA history, and PFL landing a recently released top-five UFC contender continues its pattern of capitalizing on UFC cuts.

McGregor predicts 'demolition' of Holloway in UFC 329 rematch

Ahead of his first fight in five years, Conor McGregor vowed to 'son' Max Holloway again when the pair rematch at welterweight in the UFC 329 main event on July 11 in Las Vegas. McGregor, a +190 to +210 underdog, claimed his long layoff leaves him fresher and that Holloway, despite winning the featherweight and BMF titles, only improved by adopting his moves. Georges St-Pierre cautioned McGregor must embrace the grind to succeed. The card lost flyweight Ode Osbourne, leaving Cody Durden without an opponent.

Why it matters: McGregor's comeback after a broken leg and two-fight skid is the UFC's biggest box-office bet of the summer, and the result reshapes the lightweight title queue.

UFC Baku closes out the schedule with Fiziev vs. Torres

The UFC's final card before a weeklong break lands Saturday, June 27, at Baku Crystal Hall, with Azerbaijan's Rafael Fiziev meeting surging Mexican finisher Manuel Torres in the lightweight main event. Fiziev is looking to rebound from a TKO loss to Mauricio Ruffy, while Torres (5-1 in the UFC) leads the division in knockdowns per 15 minutes. The co-main pits strikers Shara Magomedov and Michel Pereira, with Asu Almabayev, Nazim Sadykhov and Ikram Aliskerov also featured.

Why it matters: A pick-em main event in a hostile home crowd is a real test of whether Fiziev's stock has slipped and whether Torres is a genuine 155-pound contender.

UFC Oklahoma City card fills out behind Du Plessis-Usman, with Vera-Jourdain reportedly co-main

The UFC officially added eight bouts to the July 18 Paycom Center card headlined by former middleweight champ Dricus du Plessis vs. former welterweight king Kamaru Usman, who moves up to 185. Announced fights include Jared Cannonier vs. Christian Leroy Duncan, Kevin Holland vs. Jacobe Smith, Brad Tavares vs. Marc-Andre Barriault and a strong prospect block (Austin Bashi, Tommy McMillen, Fatima Kline vs. Tabatha Ricci). A bantamweight co-main between Marlon Vera and Charles Jourdain was reported to round out the lineup at 14 fights. Du Plessis said Usman was reluctant to sign and framed the wrestling test as a way back to a title shot.

Why it matters: It's a high-stakes middleweight crossroads: a win pushes Du Plessis back toward the belt and tests whether the 185-pound elite can handle Usman's wrestling, the exact area Khamzat Chimaev exposed.

Ian Garry talks up Makhachev title fight, tells Morales to move to 185

Ahead of challenging welterweight champ Islam Makhachev in the UFC 330 main event on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia, No. 1 contender Ian Machado Garry argued the division would be 'better off' with him as champion, citing Makhachev's once-a-year activity and a deeper slate of rematches with Carlos Prates and Shavkat Rakhmonov. Garry (17-1) also suggested undefeated contender Michael Morales move up to middleweight, threatening to 'punch a hole in his head' at 170; Morales fired back on Instagram with 'suck it' and said he isn't budging from welterweight.

Why it matters: Makhachev sits one win from tying Anderson Silva's record streak, but a logjam of Garry, Prates and Morales behind him means the division's direction hinges on whether the champion actually defends with any regularity.

Makhachev to defend welterweight belt against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330

Islam Makhachev makes the first defense of his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry on Aug. 15 at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. Garry (10-1 in the UFC) earned the shot with wins over Carlos Prates and former champ Belal Muhammad and says he was promised the fight as far back as January, claiming Makhachev turned down offers including a proposed Ilia Topuria superfight at the White House. Makhachev, riding a 16-fight win streak tied with Anderson Silva for the longest in UFC history, dismissed Garry as a backfoot fighter who 'constantly runs away' and said grappling can't be learned in a single camp. Myktybek Orolbai vs. Jeremiah Wells has been added to the card.

Why it matters: It's the marquee striker-vs-grappler test of the summer and Makhachev's chance to cement a second-division reign, with Garry trying to halt a historic streak and re-stamp Irish MMA at the top.

Du Plessis returns against Usman in UFC Oklahoma City headliner, opens big favorite

Former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis (23-3) makes his first walk since losing the belt to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, headlining UFC Oklahoma City against ex-welterweight king Kamaru Usman (21-4) on July 18 at the Paycom Center, streaming on Paramount+. Du Plessis opened as a heavy favorite, around -350 to Usman's +285, and said he chose the grappling-heavy matchup over Nassourdine Imavov specifically to showcase his improved wrestling, claiming the UFC had to 'convince' Usman to sign. Usman is coming off a June 2025 decision win over Joaquin Buckley after a long layoff.

Why it matters: It's a high-stakes 185-pound crossroads: a win keeps Du Plessis next in line for a title rematch, while a 21-4 Usman moving back up could reorder a division now ruled by Chimaev.

BKFC books bare-knuckle card on the field at Fenway Park

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship will stage BKFC 92 on Aug. 29 directly on the field at Boston's Fenway Park, the first sanctioned bare-knuckle event ever held in Massachusetts. Featherweight champion Kai Stewart (9-0) defends his belt for a sixth time against New England native Harry Gigliotti (6-0). The rest of the card is still to come, and co-owner Conor McGregor has hinted a BKFC broadcast deal with FOX is near.

Why it matters: While the UFC swears off outdoor shows, BKFC keeps planting flags in iconic venues — an aggressive, distinct growth play in combat sports' second tier.

UFC 329 main card set: Steveson bumped to prelims for King Green vs. McKinney

The UFC finalized the main card for its July 11 International Fight Week event at T-Mobile Arena, headlined by Conor McGregor's return against Max Holloway and co-headlined by Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoit Saint-Denis. The biggest change: Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson's debut against Elisha Ellison was pushed off the main card to the prelims, replaced by a lightweight scrap between King Green and Terrance McKinney. The card also features Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista and Brandon Royval vs. Lone'er Kavanagh. Dana White, meanwhile, downplayed McGregor's claim that his next bout is already booked for April.

Why it matters: Slotting two action lightweights over the year's most-hyped debut signals the UFC is protecting Steveson for a bigger TV window rather than burning him in a card-opener.