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Matchups & bookings

97 stories on this topic, newest first.

Makhachev says Morales must fight again as Prates declares himself next in line

With the welterweight belt on the line at UFC 330, the queue behind it got loud. Champion Islam Makhachev argued backup fighter Michael Morales (19-0), inactive since finishing Sean Brady in November, hasn't earned a shot and should face a contender like Carlos Prates or Shavkat Rakhmonov first, while praising a potential Prates bout. Prates (24-7), riding stoppage wins over Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards, told Sean Brady and Uros Medic to 'calm down,' insisting he fights for the belt next and will handle the rest afterward.

Why it matters: The 170-pound division is stacked with unbeaten and finishing contenders, and the winner of Makhachev-Garry inherits a logjam — the jockeying between Prates and Morales sets up the next title fight.

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.

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 wants Leon Edwards next after 30-second Belgrade knockout

Fresh off icing Daniel Rodriguez in 30 seconds in his Serbian homecoming — his fourth straight first-round finish — Uros Medic again called out former welterweight champion Leon Edwards, who is 0-3 in his last three but still ranked in the top 10. Medic said beating two former champions puts him 'next in line for the belt.' Rodriguez, fighting for the first time since an eight-month stint in a Mexican prison, said he 'loaded up on the jab and he beat me to the punch.'

Why it matters: Edwards is exactly the ranked-but-fading name that could vault a surging Medic into the welterweight top 10 — if the UFC chooses to reward its newly minted Serbian draw.

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.

Ditcheva grinds out rusty return, gets Carmouche title fight next

Dakota Ditcheva returned from a year out with a hand injury to sweep Denise Kielholtz on the cards (30-27 x3) in the PFL New York co-main, moving to 16-0 but failing to finish and drawing boos for a low-output third round; the PFL didn't even give her a post-fight interview. Afterward she called for a flyweight title fight with Liz Carmouche, and PFL CEO John Martin confirmed that's the bout they'll make next.

Why it matters: PFL's marquee women's star looked human for a second straight fight, and Carmouche, a three-time title challenger, is the most credible test the promotion can offer before the UFC-move questions grow louder.

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.

Jake Paul says his MMA debut will be Nate Diaz in 2027

A day after MVP merged with the PFL, Jake Paul declared he's finally getting in the cage in 2027 and named Nate Diaz as his target, telling his old boxing rival to 'stop ducking'; he floated Mike Perry as an alternative and confirmed he'll box first. Paul beat both Diaz and Perry in the ring, but a Diaz MMA fight would flip the skill advantage to the four-time UFC veteran.

Why it matters: It gives the new MVP-PFL a marquee crossover bout to sell, but it's a spectacle fight, not a sign the merged promotion can build a division to challenge the UFC.

RAF books Chimaev vs. Woodley for Moscow, with ex-ONE triple champ Malykhin debuting

Real American Freestyle announced Khamzat Chimaev vs. Tyron Woodley as the main event of RAF Moscow on Sept. 5, streaming on FOX Nation in the U.S. It is Chimaev's second freestyle-wrestling bout for the promotion after pinning Dillon Danis in June, and the first RAF appearance in his native Russia; Woodley is separately slated to debut against Joaquin Buckley at RAF 12 on Aug. 22. The undercard adds former three-division ONE champion Anatoly Malykhin against fellow heavyweight Pouya Rahmani.

Why it matters: Chimaev is keeping himself busy on the mats while his UFC middleweight future stalls, and RAF is quietly assembling a genuine roster of name fighters. It also underlines how far Woodley, 0-3 in boxing and eight years without a combat-sports win, has drifted from relevance.

Strickland warms to a Chimaev rematch as Imavov fumes on the sidelines

Middleweight champion Sean Strickland, still recovering from a shoulder injury that pushes his first defense toward late 2026 or 2027, signaled he now favors running back his split-decision win over Khamzat Chimaev, mocking 'Borz' over his fight-week weight cut. Chimaev has been calling for the rematch since the loss at UFC 328. No. 2 contender Nassourdine Imavov, who beat Israel Adesanya and Caio Borralho to build a five-fight streak, fired back in the comments: 'You'll do what you're told. See you soon.'

Why it matters: Imavov has the resume for the shot, but Chimaev has the box office and the bad blood, and Strickland's preference tilts the 185-pound picture toward the bigger sell over the more deserving contender.

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.

UFC hands KSW champ Parnasse a Paris main event against Hooker

Two-division former KSW champion Salahdine Parnasse, signed after his win on May's MVP Netflix card, will make his Octagon debut in the main event of UFC Paris on Sept. 5 against No. 12 lightweight Dan Hooker. Hooker says it's the biggest payday of his career 'by a country mile' and openly acknowledges the UFC is fast-tracking the 28-year-old Frenchman toward the top of a lucrative market. One analysis calls Parnasse potentially the UFC's most important signing of 2026, arguing the promotion has been too slow to raid outside talent.

Why it matters: It's a rare high-profile external signing at a time fans are grumbling about roster staleness, and a live test of whether the UFC can build a homegrown French star by feeding him a ranked veteran.

Oliveira's camp shuts down Diego Lopes talk, holds out for a Gaethje rematch

Charles Oliveira's manager and coach Diego Lima denied reports linking the BMF champion to a title defense against Diego Lopes, saying the only goal is the undisputed lightweight belt. Lima acknowledged Arman Tsarukyan sits ahead of Oliveira in the pecking order but argued 'do Bronxs' would sell far more and already owns a win over champion Justin Gaethje, who is expected back around March or April 2027. Oliveira is 2-0 in his current run after submitting Gamrot and dominating Holloway.

Why it matters: It clarifies the logjam behind Gaethje: Tsarukyan-Oliveira are jockeying for the next shot while a retirement-curious champion sits on the belt into 2027.

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.

UFC 330 sheds another bout as Neal withdraws; Morales set as title backup

Geoff Neal has reportedly pulled out of his UFC 330 bout with Chidi Njokuani, with the promotion seeking a replacement to keep Njokuani on the Aug. 15 Philadelphia card. Meanwhile, undefeated welterweight Michael Morales (19-0) confirmed the UFC has asked him to make 170 and stand by as the official backup for the Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry main event, and says he's been told he's next in line for a title shot regardless. Makhachev himself sarcastically mocked the thinning lineup, calling it 'just wonderFULL.'

Why it matters: The main event carries a card fans have already soured on, and Neal's exit thins it further. Morales' backup role effectively crowns him next challenger over Carlos Prates, who thought the spot was his.

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.

Till vs. Romero finally booked for BKFC 94 in Manchester

David Feldman announced Darren Till vs. Yoel Romero for BKFC 94 on Sept. 26 at Manchester's AO Arena, a catchweight bout at 190 pounds. The two former UFC middleweight title challengers first traded callouts years ago. Till (18-5-1) is coming off a knockout of Aaron Chalmers in his May bare-knuckle debut, while the 49-year-old Romero has bounced between bare-knuckle and Gamebred promotions since retiring from MMA in 2024. David Mundell defends the BKFC middleweight title against Jack Cullen in the co-main.

Why it matters: It's the biggest UK card BKFC has run and another marquee ex-UFC name migrating to bare-knuckle — a reminder that Feldman's promotion is now a real landing spot for recognizable veterans.

Morales books UFC 330 undercard fight to force next 170 shot

No. 3 welterweight Michael Morales, who missed out on the title shot to Ian Machado Garry despite a seven-fight win streak, has confirmed he'll fight on the UFC 330 undercard on Aug. 15 rather than sit as backup. No opponent is official, but a number-one contender clash with top-ranked Carlos Prates is the logical booking, with the winner in line to face the Makhachev-Garry victor.

Why it matters: The 27-year-old Ecuadorian is refusing to let a personality-driven snub stall his run; a Prates fight would settle the murky welterweight pecking order behind the belt.

Makhachev says he's cracked Garry's game plan for UFC 330

Ahead of his first welterweight title defense against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia, Islam Makhachev said he's spent the whole camp preparing to chase the movement-heavy Irishman: 'He runs too much. I know his game plan.' Makhachev, on a 16-fight streak tying Anderson Silva's UFC record, dismissed the value of Garry's training partner Charles Oliveira — whom he submitted at UFC 280 — quipping the Brazilian can only 'teach him how to tap fast.'

Why it matters: It's the biggest fight on the near horizon: the pound-for-pound king defending a second divisional belt against a 17-1 contender the fanbase is split on. The stylistic riddle — pressure-grappler vs. elusive counter-striker — is the whole fight.

RAF turns UFC grudges into main events: Covington-Muhammad, Cejudo rematch

The wrestling promotion RAF made two grudge matches official. Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo 2 tops RAF 12 on Aug. 22 in Cleveland for the inaugural Lightweight Crossover title, a rematch just six weeks after Dvalishvili's come-from-behind win. Colby Covington defends his Cruiserweight Crossover belt against Belal Muhammad at RAF 13 on Sept. 19 in Miami — a booking rooted in the brawl Muhammad sparked at the RAF 11 post-fight press conference in July. Both cards stream on Fox Nation.

Why it matters: RAF is leaning hard on UFC name recognition and real bad blood to sell its crossover belts, converting octagon rivalries into mat matchups without touching its elite dedicated wrestlers.

With Ulberg out to 2027, Ankalaev angles for an interim title against Costa

Champion Carlos Ulberg, cageside in Abu Dhabi, confirmed his ACL injury will keep him out until 2027 and named Ankalaev a likely opponent on his return. That timeline reopened interim-title talk: Paulo Costa, who knocked out Azamat Murzakanov in April, mocked Ankalaev's dull win, and Ankalaev fired back on social media offering to fight Costa for an interim belt. Fans questioned whether the post came from Ankalaev or manager Ali Abdelaziz.

Why it matters: With the champ sidelined for a year-plus, an Ankalaev-Costa interim title fight is the cleanest way to keep 205 moving — and it could land on UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi.

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.

Mike Perry vs. Dillon Danis booked for Aug. 29 in Orlando

Crypto casino outfit Duel will run a hybrid MMA-boxing-kickboxing card, Duel: Arena, at the Kia Center in Orlando on Aug. 29, headlined by a welterweight bout between Mike Perry (15-8) and Dillon Danis (3-0). Perry is coming off a corner-stoppage win over Nate Diaz at MVP MMA, while Danis has barely competed in MMA since 2019. The event may be co-promoted by Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred banner, and fighter reaction has been largely dismissive.

Why it matters: It's a spectacle booking, not a sporting one — but Perry remains one of the biggest draws outside the UFC, and a highlight finish keeps his comeback narrative alive.

Musaev misses weight, PFL DC title main event reshuffled to Jean vs. Rodriguez

Shamil Musaev, the 2024 PFL welterweight tournament winner, withdrew from Saturday's vacant-title main event against 2025 tournament champ Thad Jean due to weight-cut complications, just hours before the CareFirst Arena card. Undefeated Cuban prospect Ernesto Rodriguez (11-1), already booked lower on the card, moved up on short notice to face Jean (11-0) with the belt still on the line. It's the latest hit to a card that had already lost Magomed Umalatov, Valentin Moldavsky and Mando Gutierrez bouts.

Why it matters: PFL loses one of its most anticipated welterweight matchups and hands a career-defining title shot to an untested short-notice replacement, reshaping the division's next champion.

Gaethje rules out Topuria rematch: 'Arman deserves it way more'

New undisputed lightweight champion Justin Gaethje flatly rejected an immediate rematch with Ilia Topuria, telling RMC Sport Combat that Arman Tsarukyan is far more deserving of the next shot. Gaethje, who forced a corner stoppage before the fifth round at UFC Freedom 250, argued Topuria must return to the win column first and doubted he'd even ask for the fight. Gaethje is expected to sit out the rest of 2026, pointing to a first defense in early 2027.

Why it matters: The champ publicly endorsing Tsarukyan over a Topuria rematch clarifies a lightweight title picture that also involves Oliveira, Holloway and Pimblett.

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.

Imavov says UFC promised him the next Strickland title shot

Nassourdine Imavov says the UFC told him his next fight is for the middleweight belt against Sean Strickland, adding he offered to fight Dricus du Plessis to stay active and was told to wait. Imavov (17-4, 1 NC) is on a five-fight run including knockouts of Jared Cannonier and Israel Adesanya, and lost to Strickland at light heavyweight in 2023. He targets an October or November booking and made the grudge personal, calling Strickland 'not a good person.'

Why it matters: It sets Imavov directly against Khamzat Chimaev, who is also demanding a Strickland rematch, with Dana White having said the fans would decide — leaving the champion's first defense a three-way logjam.

Steveson returns to the wrestling mat vs. Cassioppi at RAF 12

Fresh off a first-round knockout of Elisha Ellison in his UFC debut at UFC 329, heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson will wrestle former college rival Anthony Cassioppi at Real American Freestyle 12 on Aug. 22 in Cleveland. The Olympic gold medalist went 4-0 against Cassioppi in the NCAA ranks and beat Alexandr Romanov at RAF 9 in May. Steveson has said he wants his next UFC bout at the promotion's November Madison Square Garden card.

Why it matters: The UFC's most hyped heavyweight crossover is staying active on the RAF circuit rather than waiting on a matchmaker, and the anniversary card doubles as a showcase for the promotion's UFC-name crossover pipeline.

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.

Royval says UFC passed him over for a headliner on follower count

No. 3-ranked flyweight Brandon Royval revealed the UFC once denied him a 2022 main event because Alexa Grasso had far more social media followers, telling Ariel Helwani he was "pissed." The point was moot when his opponent Askar Askarov withdrew and Grasso vs. Viviane Araujo took the slot anyway. Fresh off a Fight of the Night submission of Lone'er Kavanagh at UFC 329, Royval has since leaned into building his online following and landed three Fight Night headliners.

Why it matters: A candid window into how the UFC weighs drawing power and social reach over rankings when it builds cards.

McKee vs. Shaidulloev to unify PFL and RIZIN featherweight belts in Osaka

PFL and RIZIN announced that AJ McKee (25-2) will meet undefeated RIZIN featherweight champion Razhabali Shaidulloev (19-0) in the main event of Super RIZIN 5 on Sept. 10 at Kyocera Dome Osaka, with both the RIZIN title and the vacant PFL 145-pound title on the line. It is billed as the first fight ever to put two promotions' championships at stake in a single bout, contested under RIZIN rules over three rounds. Shaidulloev has finished all 19 of his wins, 13 in the first round; McKee, a former Bellator champion, rides a three-fight streak since returning to featherweight. The card also features Mikuru Asakura vs. Shinya Aoki.

Why it matters: It is the most ambitious cross-promotional move since the Bellator-RIZIN era and a real statement from PFL that it can make marquee non-UFC fights matter — with McKee getting a career-defining test against the best featherweight outside the UFC.

Muradov jumps up to challenge Fleury for OKTAGON light heavyweight title

OKTAGON double champ Will Fleury (17-3, 1 NC) will defend his light heavyweight belt against interim middleweight champion Makhmud Muradov (29-8, 1 NC) at OKTAGON 92 on Aug. 1 in Prague, after original challenger Daniel Skvor withdrew with a torn pectoral. Muradov, a UFC veteran, moves up a division on short notice for a shot at a second-weight title against a fighter who also holds the promotion's heavyweight strap. The card is co-headlined by Lucia Szabova's bantamweight title defense against Lucie Pudilova.

Why it matters: Two of OKTAGON's unbeaten stars now collide with gold on the line, and a Muradov win would make him a two-division champ — a marquee outcome for Europe's fastest-growing promotion.

Pantoja cleared to return, wants his flyweight belt back from Van

Former flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja says he is fully recovered from the arm dislocation that ended his UFC 323 title defense against Joshua Van after just 26 seconds last December, and he wants an immediate rematch. Pantoja praised Van's fifth-round TKO of Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328 but insisted, 'As a man, I don't think he beat me.' Reports have floated Van-Pantoja 2 for UFC 331 on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles, though nothing is confirmed.

Why it matters: A healthy Pantoja restores flyweight's marquee fight; Van won the belt on a freak injury and still owes the former champ a clean answer.

Du Plessis passes on Strickland callout, points him toward Imavov

After a lopsided decision over Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City, former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis declined to call out titleholder Sean Strickland — whom he has beaten twice — and instead urged Strickland to defend against No. 3 Nassourdine Imavov in December before 'I come take my belt back.' Khamzat Chimaev is also demanding an immediate rematch after his split-decision loss to Strickland at UFC 328. Usman, meanwhile, said an early thumb to the eye blurred his vision and hinted at an undisclosed issue coming in.

Why it matters: DDP stepping aside clears a lane for Imavov or Chimaev next while positioning himself as the eventual winner's problem.

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.

Muhammad kicks Covington at RAF 11 presser as RAF 12 grudge match is booked

The RAF 11 post-fight press conference dissolved into chaos when Belal Muhammad charged the stage and kicked at Colby Covington after a barrage of insults from both men. Security separated them, and RAF officials announced that Covington vs. Muhammad will co-headline RAF 12. Covington dismissed the matchup as "easy money," while Muhammad, who has feuded with him for years, needed to be restrained.

Why it matters: It gives RAF Wrestling its next marquee grudge match and channels a long-running UFC rivalry onto the mats, though it remains a wrestling booking rather than an MMA fight.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Costa, Blachowicz turned down the Ankalaev fight — and Costa ripped UFC pay

Before Guskov signed on, the UFC offered the short-notice Ankalaev fight to both Paulo Costa and Jan Blachowicz. Costa (16-4) says he declined a non-title, five-round bout on 13 days' notice, a 16-hour flight, and no extra money, and accused the promotion of pushing away talent the way it did Francis Ngannou. Blachowicz said he was willing but hesitated over making weight, so Guskov landed the fight first; Blachowicz still hopes to stay on the UFC Belgrade card.

Why it matters: Costa is a win from a title shot on the last fight of his deal, and his public gripe reopens the recurring fight over how the UFC compensates short-notice replacements against elite opposition.

Gaethje's camp rules out rematches, pointing the title at Tsarukyan

Manager Ali Abdelaziz says Justin Gaethje's first defense of the undisputed lightweight title won't be a rematch, ruling out Ilia Topuria, Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway and Paddy Pimblett. That leaves Arman Tsarukyan, the top contender and the only fighter in the 155-pound top five Gaethje hasn't faced, as the clear target. Gaethje has said it's highly unlikely he fights again in 2026, so a bout likely lands around the turn of the year.

Why it matters: It closes the door on Oliveira's campaign for an immediate rematch and finally lines up the Tsarukyan fight the division has been waiting on, even if it means the belt sits idle for months.

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.

Lightweight contenders swarm Gaethje as Oliveira spams for his shot

With Justin Gaethje sitting on the lightweight title and non-committal about his future, the contenders wasted no time. Charles Oliveira flooded the UFC 329 post-fight press conference feed with "Charles vs Justin," leaning on his 2022 first-round submission of Gaethje and his March BMF win over Max Holloway. Holloway, meanwhile, is chasing a rematch of his UFC 300 buzzer-beater KO, and Paddy Pimblett called out the entire top of the division after sleeping Benoit Saint-Denis.

Why it matters: Gaethje has a genuine logjam of credible challengers — Oliveira, Holloway, Tsarukyan, Topuria and Pimblett — but no booking yet, and his own uncertainty leaves the division in limbo.

Grasso-Fiorot flyweight eliminator booked for Noche UFC

Former flyweight champion Alexa Grasso (17-5-1) will face Manon Fiorot (13-2) at Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 12 in Glendale, Arizona. Grasso is coming off a brutal knockout of Maycee Barber at UFC Seattle in March that snapped a three-fight winless run, while Fiorot rebounded from her UFC 315 title loss to Valentina Shevchenko with a 74-second TKO of Jasmine Jasudavicius. It is the second bout reported for the card, alongside a heavyweight return for Curtis Blaydes against Waldo Cortes-Acosta.

Why it matters: With Shevchenko idle and Natalia Silva the presumed next challenger, this is effectively a title eliminator to determine who gets the following crack at 125-pound gold.

Pimblett and Saint-Denis meet for lightweight position in co-main

Paddy Pimblett (23-4) faces Benoit Saint-Denis in the UFC 329 co-main event, a top-five lightweight bout in his first outing since losing an interim-title war to now-undisputed champ Justin Gaethje at UFC 324. Saint-Denis, riding four straight finishes including a 16-second KO of Beneil Dariush, dismissed fan concern over a foot scab as staph and insisted he is healthy. Pimblett wants his No. 5 ranking back and used the buildup to blast Arman Tsarukyan for chasing a title shot while wrestling in RAF instead of fighting in the Octagon, saying he 'beat an absolute bum' and needs to 'stop tickling people.'

Why it matters: The winner slots directly back into a Gaethje-headed title picture, and Pimblett's swipe at Tsarukyan crystallizes a real divisional debate: whether an inactive contender moonlighting in freestyle wrestling still deserves a lightweight shot.

Sandhagen and Bautista run it back with title stakes

Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista rematch on the UFC 329 main card more than seven years after Sandhagen armbarred a one-week-notice Bautista in his 2019 debut. Bautista (17-3) is now a top-10 bantamweight who rebounded from a decision loss to Umar Nurmagomedov with a submission of Charles Oliveira, and predicts a finish; Sandhagen, coming off a close title-fight loss to Merab Dvalishvili, wants back in the conversation and expects to 'beat up Mario everywhere.'

Why it matters: With a Yan-Dvalishvili trilogy and a possible O'Malley rematch clogging the top of bantamweight, a clean win here gives either man a fresh, rematch-free case for the next title shot.

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.

Pimblett eyes McGregor at MSG as he meets Saint-Denis in co-main

Paddy Pimblett (23-4) looks to rebound from his UFC 324 interim-title loss to Justin Gaethje against surging Benoit Saint-Denis (17-3), who rides a four-fight finishing streak, in the UFC 329 co-main event. Pimblett dismissed the Frenchman's chin and cardio — 'Justin Gaethje's a completely different animal' — and predicts a finish inside two rounds. He's already campaigning for a McGregor fight at Madison Square Garden if both win, while coach Firas Zahabi argued the BSD scrap is too good not to have been a five-round main event of its own.

Why it matters: The winner is one fight from a Gaethje title shot, but Pimblett is openly angling for a McGregor money fight instead — a reminder that at 155 the marketable name often trumps the rankings.

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.

Du Plessis lands Usman at UFC Oklahoma City after tough negotiation

The UFC finally made Dricus du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman official as the July 18 UFC Oklahoma City main event, and du Plessis claims Usman had to be talked into signing: 'They said, We finally convinced him to sign.' It marks du Plessis' first fight since losing the middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August, while Usman moves back up to 185 pounds after dropping a close decision to Chimaev in his only prior middleweight outing. Du Plessis cited teammate Justin Gaethje's recent win over Ilia Topuria as reason not to write off the 39-year-old former welterweight king.

Why it matters: A win puts du Plessis back in the middleweight title picture against Chimaev, and pairing him with an all-time welterweight in Usman is the highest-stakes non-title bout the division has on the calendar.

Vera faces Jourdain at UFC 331 with his roster spot on the line

No. 10 bantamweight Marlon Vera meets Charles Jourdain at UFC 331 on Sept. 19, per Vera's management. Vera (23-12-1) is on a four-fight losing streak — all decisions, to Sean O'Malley, Deiveson Figueiredo, Aiemann Zahabi and David Martinez — and hasn't won since UFC 292 in 2023. Jourdain (18-8-1) has won all three of his fights since dropping to bantamweight, earning bonuses in each, and a win would push him into the divisional top 15. UFC 331 is rumored for the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

Why it matters: It's a genuine crossroads bout: a former title challenger fighting to keep his ranking against a surging contender trying to break in, with real stakes for both at 135.

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.

Basharat-Garza booked on six days' notice to complete UFC 329

UFC newcomer John Garza (6-1) stepped in on less than a week's notice to face unbeaten bantamweight Farid Basharat (15-0) at UFC 329, after Ethyn Ewing withdrew with a 'detrimental injury,' rounding the card out to 14 fights. Basharat revealed he is fighting on the final bout of his current UFC deal and will be a free agent afterward, calling the situation 'a gamble.' He pointed to brother Javid Basharat, who went 4-2-1 but was not re-signed, as a cautionary tale about winning not always being enough.

Why it matters: The scramble shows how thin the margins are for roster fighters, where a 6-0 UFC record still doesn't guarantee a new contract without finishes and stakes.

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.

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.

Whittaker defends his light heavyweight jump ahead of Krylov clash

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker moves up to 205 pounds for the first time at UFC 329, facing Nikita Krylov on July 11. At 6-foot, Whittaker will be one of the smallest light heavyweights on the roster and has drawn viral criticism over his size, but insists the cut to middleweight had become unsustainable and was affecting his performances. He says he's walking around 220-225 pounds and leaned up properly rather than simply eating more.

Why it matters: A former champion abandoning his division is a real inflection point; if the move works against a rugged veteran like Krylov, it opens a new chapter for one of the sport's best 185ers.

Jordan Burroughs to face UFC's Sean Brady in RAF 12 wrestling main event

Real American Freestyle announced that Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs will make his RAF debut against UFC welterweight Sean Brady in the main event at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on August 22. Burroughs, a four-time world champion and 2012 Olympic gold medalist, last competed at the 2024 World Championships. Brady, coming off a win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC 328, is one of the top welterweights in MMA and known for his wrestling despite a non-traditional background.

Why it matters: The crossover pits an all-time freestyle great against an active UFC contender, a novel test of how MMA grappling translates back to the mat and a boost for Burroughs' fledgling promotion.

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.

Jordan Burroughs to face UFC's Sean Brady in RAF 12 main event

Olympic gold medalist and six-time world champion Jordan Burroughs will make his Real American Freestyle debut against UFC welterweight Sean Brady in a catchweight main event at RAF 12 on Aug. 22 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, streaming on Fox Nation. Brady, the No. 5-ranked UFC welterweight and a BJJ black belt, is coming off a lopsided decision win over Joaquin Buckley but never wrestled in high school or college. The card lands a month after RAF Georgia's Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo bout on July 11.

Why it matters: It's another example of RAF poaching name UFC fighters for freestyle wrestling crossovers — a heavy underdog spot for Brady against arguably the greatest freestyler ever.

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.

Pimblett meets Saint Denis in UFC 329 co-main, waves off Topuria talk

Paddy Pimblett faces No. 5-ranked Benoit Saint Denis in the UFC 329 co-main event on July 11 as he looks to rebound from his January decision loss to Justin Gaethje. Pimblett brushed off a next fight with Ilia Topuria, saying the Spaniard's broken orbital from his Freedom 250 loss to Gaethje means he won't return in 2026, and repeatedly called Topuria a 'fat featherweight' who would be too small at 155. He acknowledged a Gaethje rematch is further off, likely requiring wins over Saint Denis and one more contender.

Why it matters: Saint Denis is a live, dangerous obstacle; the winner slots into a lightweight title picture reshaped by Gaethje's reign and Topuria's uncertain timeline.

Gamrot to test red-hot Salkilld in UFC Vegas 120 headliner

The UFC booked No. 8-ranked lightweight Mateusz Gamrot (26-4) against surging Australian prospect Quillan Salkilld (12-1) in the main event of UFC Vegas 120 on Aug. 8 at the Apex. Salkilld is 5-0 in the UFC with four first-round finishes and four Performance of the Night bonuses, most recently starching Beneil Dariush in Perth. Gamrot returned to the win column in April with a second-round arm-triangle over Esteban Ribovics but has alternated wins and losses across his last four.

Why it matters: It's a genuine hype-versus-pedigree test: a win over a proven top-10 gatekeeper would vault Salkilld into the lightweight title conversation, while Gamrot needs a signature name to reassert himself in a division suddenly in flux under new champ Justin Gaethje.

Umar Nurmagomedov meets Song Yadong atop UFC Shanghai

Umar Nurmagomedov (20-1) will headline UFC Shanghai on Aug. 29 against No. 5-ranked bantamweight Song Yadong (23-9-1, 1 NC), the promotion's first mainland China event in a year. Both men are coming off wins over Deiveson Figueiredo — Song by submission, Nurmagomedov by decision. Umar opened as a lopsided -700 favorite. The bout was rebooked after Umar's original opponent David Martinez withdrew injured.

Why it matters: Nurmagomedov's only loss remains his 2025 title defeat to Merab Dvalishvili, and a win here likely earns him another crack — while an upset would finally push the inconsistent Song into the title picture in a home-country main event.

UFC 330 fills out as Ian Garry calls his shot on Makhachev

UFC 330 (Aug. 15, Philadelphia) grew to 10 fights with the additions of Jalin Turner vs. Kauê Fernandes and Neil Magny vs. Ramiz Brahimaj, beneath the Islam Makhachev–Ian Machado Garry welterweight title main event and Mackenzie Dern's strawweight defense against Gillian Robertson. Garry is predicting a deliberate fourth-round finish, citing Sean Strickland's upset of Khamzat Chimaev. Daniel Cormier called the shot-calling 'misguided,' while Jon Jones favors Makhachev on his 'wrestling pedigree.'

Why it matters: Makhachev is chasing Anderson Silva's 16-fight UFC win streak, and after back-to-back title upsets at UFC 328 and Freedom 250, the underdog Garry has a live blueprint — but Cormier's warning underscores the risk in fighting to a script against the pound-for-pound No. 1.

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.

Diego Lopes signals a move to lightweight after featherweight dead end

Two-time featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes says he wants his next fight at 155 pounds, citing a blocked path at 145 as long as Alexander Volkanovski reigns. Lopes, who has lost only to Volkanovski across his last nine fights and knocked out Steve Garcia at UFC White House, weighed in as the backup for Topuria–Gaethje to signal his intent. He named a Yair Rodriguez rematch as the one featherweight fight that still interests him, but said he'd pick lightweight if forced to choose.

Why it matters: A healthy Lopes at lightweight adds a dangerous name to an already loaded division and frees up the featherweight logjam behind Volkanovski.

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.

Garry vows four rounds of domination before finishing Makhachev at UFC 330

Welterweight challenger Ian Machado Garry (17-1) says he wants no early knockout of Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia, instead predicting a fourth-round finish so there are no excuses. Makhachev (28-1) is tied with Anderson Silva for the longest win streak in UFC history at 16 and would break the record with a win. Jon Jones and Georges St-Pierre both backed the champion's grappling edge, with GSP floating an eventual move to middleweight in pursuit of a three-division milestone no fighter has reached.

Why it matters: The main event pits pound-for-pound king against a rising striker, and Makhachev is one win from standing alone atop the UFC's all-time streak list.

Chimaev demands immediate Strickland rematch; champ says earn it

Khamzat Chimaev, who dropped the middleweight title and his unbeaten record to Sean Strickland by split decision at UFC 328 in May, is lobbying for an immediate rematch after initially saying he'd move to light heavyweight. 'Accept the fight, don't run, I'll beat you anyway,' Chimaev wrote. Strickland, currently in Florida and eyeing a December return, has said Chimaev must string together wins first, insisting the rankings should matter.

Why it matters: It sets up a defining question at 185 pounds: does a razor-thin title loss earn Chimaev a direct do-over, or does he go to the back of the line?

Dern vs. Robertson set for UFC 330 as challenger dismisses champ's grappling edge

Strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern (16-5) makes her first title defense against Gillian Robertson (17-8) in the UFC 330 co-main on Aug. 15, a matchup pairing the promotion's most accoladed jiu-jitsu champion with its all-time women's leader in submissions and finishes. Robertson, riding a five-fight streak, argued Dern's pure-grappling résumé means little in MMA and accused her of underestimating her; she also acknowledged Zhang Weili deserved the shot first. Dern opened as only a slight favorite.

Why it matters: It's a rare title fight between two elite submission artists, and Zhang Weili's absence from the picture leaves the strawweight pecking order in flux.

Dern to defend strawweight title against Robertson at UFC 330, not Zhang Weili

Mackenzie Dern's first defense of the vacant 115-pound title she won at UFC 321 will come against No. 4 Gillian Robertson in the UFC 330 co-main on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia, not the long-anticipated bout with Zhang Weili. Dern said she doesn't know why the Zhang fight fell through, citing scrapped talk of Macau, the White House and New Jersey, but says she wasn't disappointed. The grappling matchup pits Dern against the UFC's all-time women's submission leader, and Dern is openly gunning for a finish.

Why it matters: Robertson is a deserving contender, but until Dern beats Zhang the 'real champion' question hangs over a divided strawweight division — and the promotion's continued interest in dates suggests Zhang remains in the title picture.

Chimaev presses Strickland for middleweight rematch as Eblen reveals the spar that wrecked Sean's shoulder

Khamzat Chimaev publicly demanded an immediate rematch with Sean Strickland, who took his belt by split decision at UFC 328 on May 9, telling 'Tarzan' to 'accept the fight, don't run.' The UFC hasn't committed, with five-fight winner Nassourdine Imavov also lobbying for the next shot. Meanwhile, PFL's Johnny Eblen detailed the fight-week sparring session at Plinio Cruz's gym where Strickland tore up his shoulder — a Type 2 AC separation, SLAP tear and partial rotator cuff tear he fought through.

Why it matters: The middleweight title picture is stuck between a rematch and Imavov's earned claim, and Strickland's injury recovery timeline will dictate when any of it gets booked.

Tsarukyan eyes Oliveira rematch rather than wait on Gaethje

With newly crowned lightweight champion Justin Gaethje unlikely to fight again within six months after his brutal win over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, Arman Tsarukyan's manager says a rematch with BMF titleholder Charles Oliveira is the 'most attractive' option to stay active. Tsarukyan beat Oliveira by split decision at UFC 300 in 2024 and has fought just once in the Octagon since. Oliveira has pushed for a winner-take-all bout putting his BMF belt against the lightweight title.

Why it matters: The No. 1 contender accepting a stay-busy fight signals the division won't sit idle waiting on Gaethje — and an Oliveira rematch could decide the next title shot outright.

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.

Fiziev wheel-kicks past Torres in Baku, calls for BMF title shot

Rafael Fiziev snapped a rough run of form with a second-round knockout of surging contender Manuel Torres in the UFC Baku main event, opening the round with a spinning wheel kick that dropped Torres before finishing with ground-and-pound. It was Fiziev's first knockout since stopping Rafael dos Anjos in 2022 and pulled him out of a 1-4 slump that included two losses to Justin Gaethje. Fiziev earned one of four $100,000 Performance of the Night bonuses and called for a BMF title fight against Charles Oliveira, with whom he was previously booked at UFC Sao Paulo before an injury withdrawal.

Why it matters: A signature finish reinserts the No. 12 lightweight into the upper division's conversation, and his BMF callout collides with Oliveira's hopes for a Gaethje rematch — leaving the UFC a real matchmaking decision at 155.

Shara Bullet survives knockdown to edge Pereira, calls out Adesanya

Shara Magomedov was dropped hard by a Michel Pereira right hand in the opening round but rallied to a unanimous decision (29-28 x3) in the UFC Baku co-main event, leaning on volume kicking over the final two rounds. The win moves the one-eyed Russian to 6-1 in the UFC and 17-1 overall. Magomedov called for a fight with former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya — though his friend Abus Magomedov, fresh off a first-round submission of Michal Oleksiejczuk earlier in the night, also requested the same matchup.

Why it matters: Magomedov keeps building a marketable middleweight resume, but a competitive, foul-marred decision over the weathered Pereira raises the question of whether he's a genuine contender or being carefully matched.

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.

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.

Charles Oliveira campaigns for Gaethje rematch and title unification

BMF champion Charles Oliveira is pushing to be next for new undisputed lightweight champ Justin Gaethje, pitching a BMF–155 unification bout and citing their history: Oliveira submitted Gaethje at UFC 274 in 2022 after being stripped on the scale. Oliveira says his team planned to meet with the UFC this week and is willing to wait into 2027 if Gaethje, who has said he likely won't fight again in 2026, holds off. Arman Tsarukyan, who beat Oliveira at UFC 300, remains the contender with the strongest ranking case.

Why it matters: Gaethje's title and uncertain timeline have opened a logjam at lightweight, with Oliveira, Tsarukyan and the McGregor-Holloway winner all jockeying for the next shot.

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.

Lightweight contenders line up for Gaethje as Oliveira and Pimblett angle for shots

With Justin Gaethje now the undisputed lightweight champion after stopping Ilia Topuria at the White House, the queue is forming. BMF champ Charles Oliveira called for a rematch of his 2022 win, citing the 'scale robbery' that stripped his title before he submitted Gaethje, and pitched it as 'the fight the world wants to see.' Paddy Pimblett, who fights Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 329 on July 11, said Gaethje's run motivated him and claimed eye gouges and low blows marred their January bout, though he conceded Arman Tsarukyan remains the rightful No. 1 contender.

Why it matters: Gaethje's stunning title win blew the division wide open, with Tsarukyan, Oliveira, the Holloway-McGregor winner and a Topuria rematch all in play — and Gaethje himself hinting he may not stick around long.

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.

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.

Gaethje rules out retirement, refuses Topuria rematch, wants equity

A week after his fourth-round TKO of Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 made him undisputed lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje told the JRE MMA Show he plans to keep fighting. He flatly rejected an immediate Topuria rematch — "He quit on the stool. He quit twice" — and suggested 'El Matador' face Paddy Pimblett first, comparing the win to how he derailed Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. Gaethje also pushed for greater purses and an equity stake in the company. Separately, he turned down a truck that Arman Tsarukyan, who won $5.7 million betting on the upset, offered as a thank-you — prompting an irritated Tsarukyan to vow to "whoop" him.

Why it matters: The new champ shutting the door on a Topuria rematch points his first defense toward Tsarukyan or the McGregor-Holloway winner, and his equity push revives the sport's fighter-pay fight.

Ian Machado Garry vows to dethrone Makhachev at UFC 330

Ian Machado Garry will challenge welterweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 on August 15, a bout made official last week. In an Instagram breakdown, the Irishman conceded Makhachev has few weaknesses but argued his length, speed and takedown defense present a problem the Dagestani hasn't faced. Makhachev tied Anderson Silva's record 16-fight UFC win streak by taking the title from Jack Della Maddalena and can break it here; Garry insists he'll be "the guy that stopped history from happening."

Why it matters: Makhachev is one win from the longest streak in UFC history, and Garry — a sizable underdog who's repeatedly outperformed expectations — is the obstacle standing between him and the record.