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PFL, Bellator & ONE

135 stories on this topic, newest first.

Bishop avenges KO loss, takes PFL flyweight title from Carmouche

Jena Bishop (12-3) upset heavy favorite Liz Carmouche (26-9) by unanimous decision (48-47 across the board) to win the vacant PFL women's flyweight title Friday at WinTrust Arena in Chicago. It avenged last year's first-round KO loss in the 2025 PFL tournament final: Carmouche nearly finished Bishop again in round one before fading badly, and Bishop took over with takedowns and repeated back-control submission threats. Dakota Ditcheva (16-0), newly cleared after breaking both hands, faced off with Bishop in the cage and will challenge for the belt in early 2027.

Why it matters: The 42-year-old Carmouche loses the title she was favored to claim, and the result lines up the division's defining fight — Bishop vs. the unbeaten Ditcheva — just as PFL prepares to rebrand as MVP MMA.

Khizriev returns from being shot five times, edges Braga amid boos

In the PFL Chicago co-main event, Timur Khizriev (19-0) won a split decision over Gabriel Braga (17-4) in his first fight since being shot five times by masked attackers in Makhachkala, Dagestan in July 2025. Braga stunned him with a left hook and dropped him twice in the second round, and all three unofficial Sherdog scorers favored the Brazilian; the Chicago crowd booed the verdict. It was the pair's second meeting, both split decisions going Khizriev's way. Elsewhere, Sarvarjon Khamidov (18-1) knocked out Rafael do Nascimento in the first round to press his bantamweight title case.

Why it matters: Khizriev survives a remarkable comeback night with his unbeaten record and featherweight title hopes intact, but a disputed decision over the man who nearly finished him leaves the win under a cloud.

ONE Samurai 4 brings a title doubleheader to Tokyo

ONE Championship returned to Ariake Arena with a pair of championship bouts headlining: Jonathan Haggerty defending his bantamweight kickboxing title against former champ Hiroki Akimoto, and Nadaka Yoshinari putting his atomweight Muay Thai belt on the line against Malaysia's Rifdean Masdor. On the MMA undercard, Itsuki Hirata outpointed Jihin Radzuan over three rounds, while Kota Abe (first-round TKO) and Ryoto Nishiyama (58-second KO) scored fast finishes. The card also staged a featherweight kickboxing tournament semifinal and a Hall of Fame ceremony for Takeru Segawa.

Why it matters: ONE's event-series push keeps feeding its core Japanese market, and the kickboxing tournament bracket funnels toward a shot at featherweight champ Superbon.

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.

Ketlen Vieira hit with six-month PFL ban for failed drug test

Former UFC bantamweight contender Ketlen Vieira has been handed a six-month suspension after testing positive for a WADA-banned steroidal substance in her PFL debut, an August loss to featherweight champion Cris Cyborg in which she also missed weight by more than seven pounds. Vieira said the positive stemmed from medication she took to treat a lingering knee injury as a free agent outside any testing pool, insisting there was no intent to cheat. The ban is retroactive, clearing her to return on March 22, 2027. Cyborg publicly thanked the Mohegan Tribe's regulators for taking testing seriously.

Why it matters: It's another high-profile PFL signing undone the moment a fighter leaves the UFC's year-round testing pool, and it dents both Cyborg's title-run narrative and Vieira's fresh start at once.

Julianna Peña trades the Octagon for the wrestling mat at RAF Abu Dhabi

Former two-time UFC bantamweight champ Julianna Peña will make her Real American Freestyle debut Nov. 14 against Bellator and PFL veteran Diana Avsaragova at Etihad Arena — her first competition since losing the belt to Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 in June 2025. The freestyle bout, not a title match, falls the same night as UFC 334, where Harrison defends against Amanda Nunes; Peña famously beat Nunes at UFC 269. RAF Abu Dhabi is headlined by Khamzat Chimaev vs. Colby Covington for the cruiserweight crossover title.

Why it matters: RAF keeps luring recognizable MMA names onto the mat, and booking Peña opposite the Harrison-Nunes title fight she's linked to is pointed counter-programming.

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.

Cerrone vs. Pettis 3 booked — as a wrestling match at RAF 15

Real American Freestyle announced Donald Cerrone vs. Anthony Pettis, a grappling-only match at RAF 15 on Nov. 28 at NOW Arena near Chicago, with both former UFC fighters making their promotional debuts. It's a third meeting between the pair: Pettis won both MMA bouts, a 2013 first-round KO and a 2020 decision at UFC 249. Cerrone, 43, hasn't competed since his submission loss to Jim Miller at UFC 276 in 2022.

Why it matters: RAF keeps stacking its cards with recognizable UFC names, and this one coaxes Hall-of-Famer Cerrone back into competition four years after retirement — on the mats rather than in the cage.

Chris Leben ends 13-year MMA layoff for Akiyama's retirement fight

Black Combat announced Chris Leben vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama at Black Combat 17: Vantablack on Nov. 21 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, with the bout serving as Akiyama's retirement fight. It's a rematch of their 2010 UFC 116 Fight of the Night, which Leben won by third-round triangle choke. Leben, 46, hasn't fought MMA since a 2013 loss to Uriah Hall; Akiyama, 51, closes a career that ran through the UFC and ONE Championship.

Why it matters: A 16-year-old rematch as a send-off is pure nostalgia booking, but it marks Leben's first MMA fight in nearly 13 years and a fitting curtain call for one of Japan's cult stars.

Edson Barboza isn't done — signs with grappling promotion ACBJJ

Two months after retiring from MMA following a fourth straight loss (a TKO defeat to Esteban Ribovics at UFC 330), Edson Barboza has signed with Absolute Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for gi, no-gi and mixed grappling. The 40-year-old, never known for his ground game across 33 UFC bouts, has already dabbled, drawing with Shara Magomedov under the Hype FC banner in March. No date or opponent is set.

Why it matters: Another UFC veteran extends his career on the mats rather than the cage, part of a growing landing spot — alongside RAF and others — for retired names chasing competition without the damage.

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.

Zabit Magomedsharipov resurfaces, signing with RAF to face Giga Chikadze

One of MMA's great what-ifs is back in competition. Zabit Magomedsharipov has signed a four-match deal with Real American Freestyle, the pro-wrestling promotion, and will debut Nov. 14 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi against fellow UFC featherweight veteran Giga Chikadze, per ESPN and manager Ali Abdelaziz. Magomedsharipov, 35, last fought in MMA in November 2019, beating Calvin Kattar before walking away 18-1 and a perfect 6-0 in the UFC. He has grappled sparingly in recent years, most recently outpointing Youssef Zalal at ACBJJ 22 in August. The RAF Abu Dhabi card is headlined by a Khamzat Chimaev–Colby Covington crossover bout and also features Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Urijah Faber.

Why it matters: It isn't the MMA comeback fans fantasize about, but it's the closest they'll get to seeing one of the most gifted fighters of his generation compete again.

Sam Alvey takes his power to BKFC, eyeing Ironweight gold by April

Longtime UFC and Bellator veteran Sam Alvey has signed a multi-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and will debut Dec. 4 at a BKFC Fight Night in Hershey, Pa., against an opponent to be named in the promotion's new Ironweight division. Alvey, 40, went 11-13 in the UFC from 2014 to 2022 before reviving his career in Karate Combat, where he won two titles, including a unanimous-decision win over Uriah Hall. He remains under contract with Karate Combat but is exclusive to BKFC for bare-knuckle. “By April 2027, I will have my hand held high and the BKFC belt around my waist,” Alvey said.

Why it matters: Bare-knuckle keeps proving a reliable second act for recognizable MMA names, though the format strips away the kicks and takedowns that filled out Alvey's long résumé.

Eersel retains ONE Muay Thai title fighting on a broken arm

Two-sport ONE champion Regian Eersel defended his lightweight Muay Thai title at The Inner Circle 33 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, stopping English challenger George Jarvis with a fourth-round left hook. Eersel was dropped in the opening round and broke his right arm in the second, then fought one-handed, targeting Jarvis' badly damaged right eye until the finish at 1:39 of round four.

Why it matters: A gutsy, signature-moment defense from one of ONE's most reliable champions, extending his grip on the lightweight Muay Thai crown.

Cesar hands unbeaten Perreira his first loss at ONE Fight Night 48

At ONE Fight Night 48 in Bangkok, 22-year-old Brazilian Antonio Cesar battered previously unbeaten Hawaiian flyweight Joshua Perreira to a first-round TKO, the fight waved off between rounds when Perreira told his corner his eye was too damaged to continue. The win pushed Cesar to 15-2 and a 10-fight streak. In submission grappling, Ruan Alvarenga edged Shoya Ishiguro by split decision after the pair traded heel-hook catches.

Why it matters: ONE's flyweight MMA division loses one of its last perfect records and gains a fast-rising finisher in Cesar.

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.

ONE fast-tracks 2-0 Tye Ruotolo to lightweight title shot vs. Christian Lee

ONE Championship booked lightweight champion Christian Lee (18-4) to defend his belt against grappling star Tye Ruotolo on Nov. 6 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, the promotion confirmed Monday. It is a steep jump for Ruotolo, who is just 2-0 in MMA — both wins by rear-naked choke — and will be fighting for a world title in only his third pro bout. Ruotolo submitted Lee's younger brother Adrian in his MMA debut last year and also holds ONE's welterweight submission-grappling championship.

Why it matters: ONE again promotes an elite grappler to a title shot largely on reputation; if Ruotolo can drag the two-division champ into his world it validates the crossover pipeline, and if not it exposes its limits.

Till outpoints Romero before record BKFC crowd, gets in Lorenzo Hunt's face

Darren Till survived a nasty third-round cut and knockdown to sweep the scorecards 49-46 across the board against 49-year-old Yoel Romero in the BKFC 94 main event in Manchester, where a promotion-record 15,800 fans packed the AO Arena. The bare-knuckle bout was cagey, but Till's range and clinch work carried him to a second straight BKFC win. Afterward he called out Tommy Fury and Mike Perry before a heated shouting match with champion Lorenzo Hunt, who ripped his performance.

Why it matters: Till is now 2-0 in bare-knuckle and remains one of BKFC's biggest draws, but the ceiling of his ex-UFC crossover run still hinges on a Mike Perry fight that Perry's recent injury has thrown into doubt.

Vémola stops 'Brock Lesnar clone' before 60,000 at OKTAGON 94

Czech veteran Karlos Vémola handed viral middleweight prospect Frederic 'Neanderthal' Vosgröne (5-1) the first loss of his career, dominating the grappling before a second-round TKO at 4:50 in front of roughly 60,000 fans at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt. The OKTAGON 94 card also saw David Kozma submit Christian Eckerlin and ex-UFC lightweight Marc Diakiese drop a unanimous decision to Fedor Duric.

Why it matters: A 60,000-seat stadium show underscores OKTAGON's rise as Europe's biggest MMA promotion, and Vémola's win cools the hype around one of the continent's most talked-about prospects.

ONE completes flyweight Muay Thai Grand Prix bracket with Ortikov rematch, Rodtang-Nong-O

ONE Championship set the final quarterfinals of its 2026 Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix for The Inner Circle 39 on Nov. 20 at Lumpinee Stadium. Champion Asadula Imangazaliev (13-0) makes his first title defense in a rematch with Aslamjon Ortikov, who he narrowly beat by split decision for the vacant belt in June, with a semifinal berth also on the line. The bracket also revives the long-anticipated Rodtang vs. Nong-O clash as a quarterfinal, alongside Black Panther vs. undefeated Ubaid Hussain.

Why it matters: ONE is stacking its marquee striking division into a tournament with the belt embedded in the bracket, giving the flyweight Muay Thai title a clear, high-stakes throughline into 2027.

PFL sets Chicago card, Carmouche-Bishop rematch for first women's flyweight title

PFL announced its full PFL Chicago lineup for Oct. 16 at Wintrust Arena, headlined by a rematch between 2025 tournament winner Liz Carmouche (26-8) and submission specialist Jena Bishop (11-3) for the promotion's inaugural women's flyweight world championship. In the co-main, undefeated 2024 featherweight champion Timur Khizriev (18-0) returns from injuries suffered in an armed attack to rematch Gabriel Braga, and former light heavyweight champ Emiliano Sordi is also back on the ESPN2 main card.

Why it matters: Carmouche, one-half of the UFC's first women's bout in 2013, can cap her PFL run with a first-ever belt, while Khizriev's return is a notable comeback for one of the league's few unbeaten champions.

Robbie Lawler unretires to wrestle Chimaev at RAF 14

Real American Freestyle booked Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robbie Lawler in a catchweight wrestling match for RAF 14 on Oct. 23 at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. It marks the 44-year-old Hall of Famer's first competition since retiring from MMA in 2023, and a fourth RAF outing for Chimaev, who is 2-0 with pinfall wins over Dillon Danis and Tyron Woodley since losing his UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland. The card is headlined by Arman Tsarukyan vs. Danis and features ex-UFC welterweight Michael 'Venom' Page against Alexander Shlemenko.

Why it matters: RAF keeps building cards on UFC nostalgia and grappling paydays; luring Lawler out of a three-year retirement shows how far the promotion will lean on name recognition over competitive stakes.

PFL books Habirora-El Dafrawy for its final Dubai card before the MVP merger

PFL added a ranked welterweight co-main event for its Nov. 14 show at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena, pairing undefeated Belgian prospect Patrick Habirora (9-0) against former PFL MENA champion Omar El Dafrawy (16-6). Habirora has knocked out three straight former UFC fighters, including a 20-second finish of Benson Henderson in May. The card, PFL's last in Dubai before merging with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, is headlined by Vadim Nemkov's heavyweight title defense against Sergey Bilostenniy and also features Abubakar Nurmagomedov's return.

Why it matters: It's a real building block for one of the PFL's most dangerous young finishers, on the promotion's final Dubai date before a restructuring that reshapes its 2027 landscape.

RAF lands in Abu Dhabi Nov. 14 with Chimaev headlining

Real American Freestyle wrestling will debut in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 14 under a new five-year deal with the Department of Culture and Tourism, headlined by Khamzat Chimaev. Arman Tsarukyan — fresh off his UFC 331 KO and already booked against Dillon Danis at RAF 14 in October — is set to compete, alongside Olympic names Kyle Snyder, Jordan Burroughs and Abdulrashid Sadulaev, with Henry Cejudo also expected.

Why it matters: The UFC's biggest names moonlighting in a Fox-backed wrestling league is becoming a real second stage, and a five-year Gulf deal signals RAF intends to be more than a novelty.

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.

Covington and Chimaev roll at RAF 13, superfight looms

At RAF 13 in Miami, Colby Covington shut out Belal Muhammad 10-0 by technical fall to retain the RAF cruiserweight crossover title, opening with an early eye poke before overwhelming his old rival on the mat. In the co-main, Khamzat Chimaev beat Gilbert Burns 15-4 by tech fall to move to 3-0 in RAF, though Burns became the first man to push him to a second period. Both men called for a Covington-Chimaev clash next. Joe Pyfer also tech-falled Luke Rockhold on the undercard.

Why it matters: RAF keeps pulling recognizable UFC names onto the wrestling mat, and a Covington-Chimaev match would be the promotion's biggest draw yet.

Chimaev leaks Covington superfight as RAF 13 goes down tonight

At the RAF 13 press conference, Khamzat Chimaev appeared to accidentally confirm a wrestling match with Colby Covington at RAF's planned Abu Dhabi debut, saying "we're going to wrestle in Abu Dhabi" before catching himself with "maybe I announced that too early." It remains unofficial and hinges on Friday night's Miami card, where Covington defends his RAF cruiserweight crossover title against Belal Muhammad and Chimaev rematches Gilbert Burns more than four years after their UFC 273 war. Muhammad claims Covington has taken out a restraining order in anticipation of trouble; Luke Rockhold also faces UFC middleweight Joe Pyfer on the card.

Why it matters: A Chimaev-Covington bout would be the biggest draw in RAF's short history, and it underscores how top UFC names increasingly use the wrestling promotion to stay active and paid while the UFC stalls on matchmaking.

Ki MMA touts eight-figure war chest as Fedor eyes a Couture superfight

Scott Coker's newly named Ki MMA promotion, launched Monday with roughly $60M in financing, is opening its checkbook for free agents. Matchmaker Rich Chou said the company has an 'eight-figure war chest' and named ex-UFC welterweight Michael Venom Page as a target of interest. Fedor Emelianenko, on hand at the launch, said he remains open to finally fighting Randy Couture — 'I'm ready if he's ready' — reviving the 2007 superfight that UFC litigation once killed. Ki plans about a dozen events across four continents in 2027, built around a 32-man featherweight grand prix.

Why it matters: A well-funded new promoter actively bidding on free agents gives fighters real leverage for the first time in years — and a credible alternative destination outside the UFC-PFL axis.

Coker launches Ki MMA, built around a 32-man featherweight grand prix

Scott Coker unveiled his new promotion, Ki MMA (pronounced "key"), set to launch in Q1 2027 alongside co-founder Peter Levin and longtime matchmaker Rich Chou, reportedly backed by roughly $60 million. The centerpiece is a 32-fighter featherweight World Grand Prix split into four eight-man continental brackets across North America, South America, Asia and Europe, single-elimination, with the eventual champion needing five wins. In a break from the UFC and PFL, fights will take place in a ring rather than a cage. No roster signings were announced, though Coker said the budget can chase 'any free agents.'

Why it matters: This is the first seriously funded new-promotion challenger since the PFL-Bellator consolidation, and a ring-based global tournament with a war chest gives non-UFC talent — especially young featherweights — a fresh place to land.

Garcia stops Benn in two, calls out Teofimo and Haney

Ryan Garcia needed under five minutes to demolish Conor Benn, dropping the Brit with a right hand and forcing a second-round TKO (1:25) to make the first defense of his WBC welterweight title atop Zuffa Boxing's card at T-Mobile Arena. The stoppage drew some debate — Benn was upright and covering — but Benn didn't protest, absorbing the first knockout loss of his career. Garcia (26-2, 1 NC) then called out Teofimo Lopez, seated cageside, and demanded a rematch with Devin Haney.

Why it matters: Garcia reasserts himself as a top welterweight and hands Dana White's boxing venture a marquee winner with two obvious next fights teed up — evidence Zuffa Boxing is landing real names, not just filling cards.

Opetaia flattens Mikaelian, agrees to Benavidez super-fight

Jai Opetaia defended his Ring Magazine and Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight titles with a brutal ninth-round standing knockout of Noel Mikaelian in Las Vegas, then invited David Benavidez into the ring, where the two agreed to meet next year. The WBC belt was not on the line due to a legal dispute stemming from Mikaelian's ties to Don King.

Why it matters: Opetaia-Benavidez would be one of the biggest fights Zuffa Boxing could make, but the missing WBC strap underscores the sanctioning-body headaches dogging Dana White's boxing project.

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

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

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

Rambolek stripped on the scale before ONE title defense in Bangkok

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

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

PFL books Lapilus-McKee for its final card before MVP rebrand

The PFL will crown its inaugural bantamweight champion on Dec. 19 at LDLC Arena in Lyon, with home fighter and ex-UFC vet Taylor Lapilus (25-4) facing undefeated wrestler Mitch McKee (11-0) in the main event. It's the last event under the PFL banner before the promotion begins operating as Most Valuable Promotions on Jan. 1, 2027, following its merger with Jake Paul's MVP. McKee earned the shot by upsetting former Bellator champ Sergio Pettis in his promotional debut.

Why it matters: It closes out the PFL name with a marquee title fight in France and marks the formal start of the MVP era, reshaping the No. 2 promotion in North America.

Soldic finally signs with UFC, says pay is 'not even close' to ONE

Former two-division KSW champion Roberto Soldic, who makes his long-delayed UFC debut against Khaos Williams at UFC 332 on Oct. 3, said his new UFC deal is 'not even close' to what he earned in ONE Championship — though he took the cut to compete on the biggest stage. Soldic ripped his ONE tenure, where a promised 10-fight deal across MMA, Muay Thai and kickboxing produced just three MMA bouts in four years (1-1-1) and left him 'semi-retired' and depressed. It will be his first fight since February 2025.

Why it matters: Soldic joins Salahdine Parnasse as another marquee ex-ONE name choosing the UFC despite less money, and his account adds to a growing picture of activity problems inside ONE Championship.

Jake Paul moves to sign Michael Page after UFC cuts him loose

A day after Dana White confirmed the UFC won't re-sign Michael 'Venom' Page, MVP co-founder Jake Paul publicly pitched him with a 'bring MVP to MVP' post on X. Page went 5-1 in the Octagon but never scored a finish, and his low-output UFC Paris win over Nursulton Ruziboev drew boos. He's already booked to face Alexander Shlemenko in a Real American Freestyle wrestling match on Oct. 23, with BKFC also circling.

Why it matters: Page is exactly the recognizable name the merged MVP-PFL roster wants to launch its 2027 era, and his exit shows the UFC is willing to let a winning fighter walk over style.

Nemkov defends PFL heavyweight belt vs. Bilostenniy in Dubai

PFL booked Vadim Nemkov's (20-2, 1 NC) first heavyweight title defense against No. 3-ranked Sergei Bilostenniy (15-4) atop PFL Dubai on Nov. 14 at Coca-Cola Arena — the promotion's first Dubai card since the merger with Most Valuable Promotions. Both men train under the Team Fedor banner and have shared camps. Nemkov, a former Bellator light heavyweight king, is 3-0 at heavyweight and won the vacant title by submitting Renan Ferreira last December; Bilostenniy also finished Ferreira, plus Karl Williams and Tyrell Fortune.

Why it matters: It's a genuine title fight between two top-10 global heavyweights and a rare instance of teammates meeting for gold, giving PFL a credible marquee event as it rebuilds around the MVP merger.

Chimaev pins Woodley in 94 seconds at RAF Moscow

Khamzat Chimaev needed just 94 seconds to tech-fall former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in the RAF Moscow wrestling main event, improving to 2-0 in Real American Freestyle after a June win over Dillon Danis. Chimaev, who lost his UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland in May, overpowered the smaller Woodley with a body-lock takedown. The event was not streamed in the U.S. over sanctions concerns tied to the venue; reports link Chimaev to a RAF rematch with Gilbert Burns next.

Why it matters: Chimaev is staying active on the mats while insisting he'll return to UFC middleweight, keeping his name warm without risking his MMA standing against a name opponent.

Slimmed-down Chimaev weighs in for RAF Moscow, stoking UFC return talk

Khamzat Chimaev weighed 192.5 pounds for his RAF Moscow wrestling match with Tyron Woodley (193.6) on Saturday — his lightest in a while, down from over 200 for his June RAF debut against Dillon Danis — fueling speculation he's eyeing a UFC return near the middleweight limit. He co-headlines RAF 13 in Miami against Gilbert Burns on Sept. 18. The Moscow card reportedly streams only inside Russia after a venue switch tied to US sanctions concerns.

Why it matters: Chimaev stays active on the mats while lobbying Dana White for an Octagon return, and his trimmed frame hints he's holding at 185 rather than moving to light heavyweight.

Dy-McHugh title bout salvages BKB's Newcastle debut

BKB has rebuilt the top of its Oct. 10 Newcastle card after hometown headliner Mick Terrill withdrew with a cut suffered stepping in on three days' notice against heavyweight champ Gustavo Trujillo in Miami. Super welterweight champion Rolando Dy (6-1) will now defend against five-time BKB champ and Hall of Famer Scott McHugh (17-5) in the BKB 60 main event, with a David Winiarski–Keiron Harding super middleweight rematch in the co-main. Ex-boxing champ JoJo Diaz Jr. also returns on the card.

Why it matters: Losing a local star weeks out is a blow, but a title fight between Dy's finishing run and McHugh's UK pedigree keeps BKB's first Newcastle show credible.

Chimaev books second RAF grappling match, a Burns rematch

Khamzat Chimaev will face Gilbert Burns in the co-main event of Real American Freestyle's RAF 13 on Sept. 18 in Coral Gables, Florida, a grappling rematch of their 2022 UFC 273 Fight of the Night. It's Chimaev's second RAF booking this month — he faces Tyron Woodley at RAF Moscow on Sept. 5. The card is headlined by Colby Covington vs. Belal Muhammad. Burns, who retired from MMA in April after five straight losses, makes his RAF debut; Chimaev is still awaiting his next UFC assignment after losing the middleweight title to Sean Strickland.

Why it matters: RAF continues to pull recognizable UFC names onto the wrestling mat, and it keeps the former champ active and visible while the UFC sorts out his return.

Fleury calls OKTAGON title-loss stoppage a robbery, wants rematch

OKTAGON two-division titleholder Will Fleury says referee intervention cost him his light heavyweight belt when Makhmud Muradov stopped him in the second round at OKTAGON 92 on Aug. 1. Fleury claims he was defending himself and body-locking Muradov when the fight was waved off, and accuses the referee of pinning him down afterward. He's pushing hard for an immediate rematch.

Why it matters: Fleury has been one of OKTAGON's most reliable champions and a repeated UFC-signing candidate, so how the promotion handles this dispute affects its credibility and his next move.

Gamebred FC books Anthony Smith for Oct. 2 despite pending domestic-violence charges

Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred FC will run Anthony Smith vs. Jordan Heiderman in a bare-knuckle heavyweight tournament bout headlining an October 2 card in the Dominican Republic. Smith was arrested in Nebraska in July on felony counts including terroristic threats and false imprisonment stemming from an altercation with his wife; he has pleaded not guilty and is out on bond. President Lex McMahon issued a lengthy statement defending the booking on due-process grounds.

Why it matters: A promotion platforming a fighter awaiting a domestic-violence trial is a live test of how the sport handles fighters with pending charges, and it drew immediate backlash.

Alex Pereira's sister Aline drawn against ONE prodigy Smilla Sundell on Contender Series

Aline Pereira, sister of former two-division champ Alex Pereira, will fight for a UFC contract against Smilla Sundell in a bantamweight bout on the October 13 Contender Series card. Pereira (3-2, all wins by decision) is the marketable name, but she faces a live threat: Sundell, 21, was ONE Championship's youngest-ever champion as a Muay Thai titlist and is 2-0 in MMA with two violent stoppages.

Why it matters: It's a classic name-value booking, but Sundell is a genuine prospect the UFC's thin women's bantamweight division badly needs — and a heavy favorite over Pereira.

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

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

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

ONE Fight Night 48 fills out with new Muay Thai, kickboxing and MMA bouts for Oct. 2

ONE added several fights to its Oct. 2 Lumpinee Stadium card in Bangkok, headlined by the Shamil Erdogan vs Paul Elliott heavyweight MMA bout. New additions include Nakrob Fairtex vs Iranian knockout artist Parham Gheirati in bantamweight Muay Thai, the rebooked Elbrus Osmanov vs Denis Souza Jr. kickboxing clash, and undefeated flyweight prospect Joshua Perreira (6-0) against Antonio Cesar (14-2).

Why it matters: The Bangkok card is shaping up as a striking-heavy showcase stacked with unbeaten prospects putting their records on the line.

Ex-Bellator's Alejandra Lara banned nine months over cocaine metabolite

The Nevada Athletic Commission handed former Bellator flyweight title challenger Alejandra Lara a nine-month suspension and a $412.50 fine after she tested positive for benzoylecgonine, the primary metabolite of cocaine, around her April 24 loss to Jaleen Robledo at Tuff-N-Uff 153. Lara, 32, is eligible to return Jan. 24, 2027 and must undergo additional testing to be relicensed in Nevada. She responded that she had been appealing on the grounds that consuming coca leaf is an Indigenous cultural practice in South America.

Why it matters: A reminder that commission testing follows fighters onto the regional circuit long after they leave a major promotion. Lara challenged Ilima-Lei Macfarlane for Bellator gold in 2018 before her post-2023 slide.

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.

Shogun Rua plans to retire after Glover Teixeira boxing match

Former UFC and PRIDE champion Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua says his Saturday boxing bout against Glover Teixeira at Spaten Fight Night 3 in Sao Paulo will likely be the last time he competes. The two ex-champions retired from MMA on the same night at UFC 283 in January 2023, and Rua came out of retirement only to check this crossover off his list. Head coach Andre Dida is barred from the arena over a brawl at last year's Spaten event.

Why it matters: A genuine send-off for one of the most beloved fighters of the PRIDE and early-UFC light heavyweight eras, closing the book on a rivalry two decades in the making.

Darren Till says he'll fight Yoel Romero on a torn ACL at BKFC 94

Darren Till revealed he is 'still walking around with a torn ACL' — plus a torn MCL in the other knee — ahead of his Sept. 26 bare-knuckle main event against Yoel Romero at BKFC 94 in Manchester. The 33-year-old, who last fought MMA in a 2022 loss to Dricus du Plessis, says he's delaying knee surgery to cash in on bare-knuckle and boxing bouts but hasn't closed the door on an MMA return once he's healthy.

Why it matters: Till remains one of the sport's biggest UK draws, and the injury details underline how far his body has kept him from the Octagon even as promoters keep dangling a comeback.

Shara Magomedov to wrestle Neiman Gracie on Chimaev's RAF Moscow card

UFC middleweight Shara 'Bullet' Magomedov (17-1) will make his Real American Freestyle debut against former Bellator title contender Neiman Gracie at RAF Moscow on Sept. 5 at VTB Arena. Gracie, a fourth-generation member of the Gracie family, steps in after original opponent Alexander Shlemenko was reshuffled to an October card. The event is headlined by Khamzat Chimaev's wrestling bout with Tyron Woodley.

Why it matters: RAF's rapid crossover pull continues, pulling active UFC contenders and a Gracie onto its expanding international slate as the wrestling promotion pushes past its first year.

Makhachev throws in the towel for Magomedov after dislocated shoulder at PFL Tampa

Cornering ex-Bellator fighter Magomed Magomedov at PFL Tampa, UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev tried to wrench a dislocated shoulder back into place between rounds, then threw in the towel 11 seconds into the third to hand Daniel Marcos the win. Magomedov drops to 2-2 under the PFL banner. The fight came on the same card where Cris Cyborg outlasted Ketlen Vieira to close her PFL contract.

Why it matters: A grim cageside moment and a rough night for Makhachev's camp days after his own UFC 330 title defense.

Cyborg survives Vieira, waves off retirement and calls out Harrison

Cris Cyborg retained the PFL women's featherweight title with a unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46) over Ketlen Vieira in Tampa, in perhaps the most competitive fight of her career — Vieira, ineligible for the belt after missing weight by seven pounds, buckled Cyborg late in the second and scored reversals. Now 30-2 with a 10-fight win streak and off her PFL contract, Cyborg declined to retire, calling out bantamweight champ Kayla Harrison and boxer Claressa Shields.

Why it matters: The most decorated woman in MMA history keeps the door open rather than walking away, dangling the long-ducked Harrison superfight as free agency looms.

Vieira misses weight by 7 pounds, deflating Cyborg's title farewell

Ketlen Vieira, released by the UFC in May, weighed in at 152.2 pounds — more than seven over the 145 limit — for Saturday's PFL Tampa main event against featherweight champion Cris Cyborg. The bout proceeds at catchweight: Vieira forfeits a percentage of her purse and cannot win the belt, though Cyborg has agreed to vacate the title if she loses. Vieira blamed a sudden overnight kidney and stomach illness. It is expected to be the final MMA bout for Cyborg, who enters at 29-2.

Why it matters: A legend's send-off loses its championship framing, and Vieira arrives in PFL with yet another weight-miss black mark on a career already marked by them.

Ditcheva breaks both hands; Carmouche-Bishop 2 will crown first PFL flyweight champ

The PFL's inaugural women's flyweight title will be decided Oct. 16 at PFL Chicago, where Liz Carmouche (26-8) rematches Jena Bishop (11-3), whom she stopped in the third round of the 2025 tournament final. The bout materialized because Dakota Ditcheva, the division's undefeated (16-0) star, broke both hands in her comeback win over Denise Kielholtz and is shelved again. CEO John Martin said he 'didn't want the title to wait' for Ditcheva's return.

Why it matters: It's the first new belt introduced since the PFL-MVP merger, but the marquee Carmouche-Ditcheva showdown fans wanted is again on ice — and Ditcheva's recurring hand problems are becoming a real threat to her momentum.

Cormier presses free agent Usman Nurmagomedov to sign with UFC

PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, a free agent after knocking out Archie Colgan in the final bout of his contract, was backstage at UFC 330, where Daniel Cormier urged him to make the jump: "It's time for legacy. You think they're bums? Come show me." Nurmagomedov (22-0) appeared to question the level of UFC lightweights in the exchange. PFL still holds an exclusive negotiating window amid its merger with MVP before the UFC can formally bid.

Why it matters: The best lightweight competing outside the UFC edging toward the Octagon would immediately reshape a division ruled by Justin Gaethje and thick with Dagestani talent.

Hemetsberger and Carrillo headline KO-heavy ONE Fight Night 46

Stella Hemetsberger defended her ONE women's strawweight Muay Thai title with a third-round knockout of Natalia Diachkova at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. In the co-main, featherweight Muay Thai champ Nico Carrillo made a winning kickboxing debut, stopping Zhou Jiaqiang in the second round for his 30th pro win. On the MMA side, Marcos Aurelio knocked out Jhanlo Mark Sangiao in 57 seconds and undefeated Viet Anh Do (7-0) scored a third-round TKO of Davi Brandão.

Why it matters: Hemetsberger and Carrillo both padded two-sport résumés, and Aurelio's blitz builds a real case toward Elbek Alyshov's bantamweight MMA title.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik signs with the PFL

Former UFC heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik has signed with the PFL, per reporter Danny Podolsky. The 38-year-old Surinamese knockout artist (15-6, 13 by KO) headlined six UFC cards before his 2025 release following a decision loss to Sergei Pavlovich, then won the inaugural Dirty Boxing Championship heavyweight title. No debut date, opponent, or format has been announced.

Why it matters: PFL adds a proven, heavy-handed name with a résumé against former champions to bolster its heavyweight division.

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.

Cyborg to close out MMA career against Vieira at PFL Tampa

PFL finalized its Aug. 22 card at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, headlined by Cris Cyborg (29-2) defending the women's featherweight title against fellow Brazilian Ketlen Vieira (16-5) in what the promotion bills as her final MMA fight. Former PFL lightweight champion Gadzhi Rabadanov returns against newcomer Tracy Reeder in the co-main after Jakub Kaszuba withdrew. The card also features Taila Santos, Natan Schulte and 2025 tournament winner Marcirley Alves.

Why it matters: One of the most decorated women in MMA history is set to walk away, and Vieira — a former UFC bantamweight title challenger — gets a chance to spoil the send-off and take PFL gold.

Akimoto outpoints Koike, moves toward Rizin title as Patchy Mix loses fourth straight

At Rizin 54 in Tokyo, 20-year-old Kyoma Akimoto (13-1) took a unanimous decision over former featherweight champion Kleber Koike Erbst in a title eliminator and is expected to challenge for the 145-pound belt by year's end. In the co-main, Shoko Sato beat Patrick 'Patchy' Mix by unanimous decision after Mix came in more than six pounds over the bantamweight limit and absorbed a two-point deduction that decided the fight — his fourth loss in a row. Tsuyoshi Kamiyama and King Edokpolo advanced to the Heavyweight Grand Prix Japan final in November.

Why it matters: Akimoto's rise reshapes a Rizin featherweight picture now tangled with the promotion's PFL merger, while Mix's slide extends his freefall since leaving Bellator.

Tsarukyan books RAF 14 crossover title fight with Danis, two weeks after UFC 331

Real American Freestyle set Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dillon Danis for the inaugural middleweight crossover championship on Oct. 3 at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. The wrestling bout lands just two weeks after Tsarukyan (23-3) faces Mauricio Ruffy in the UFC 331 co-main on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles. Both men arrive off losses: Tsarukyan was outpointed by Colby Covington in July, and Danis is 0-2 in RAF after defeats to Covington and Khamzat Chimaev.

Why it matters: The UFC's top lightweight contender keeps stacking mat appearances even as his long-delayed title shot finally nears, and RAF crowns a novelty belt between two men both coming off defeats.

Ditcheva broke both hands in PFL New York win, faces another long layoff

Dakota Ditcheva (16-0) revealed on her YouTube channel that she broke both hands during her unanimous-decision win over Denise Kielholtz at PFL New York, her first fight in over a year. She said she felt it early in the second round and hid it from her corner. The damage stems from a fracture she declined to have surgically repaired after breaking both hands against Sumiko Inaba in 2025. She's back in splints awaiting a surgical decision and expects to be sidelined, delaying an anticipated bout with Liz Carmouche; she also floated a boxing crossover under MVP.

Why it matters: The PFL's brightest women's star can't stay healthy, and losing her again — with Usman Nurmagomedov also headed for free agency — thins an already shallow marquee roster.

Rockhold vs. Pyfer set for RAF 13 wrestling card after Philly snub

Real American Freestyle booked former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold against current UFC contender Joe Pyfer in a catchweight wrestling match at RAF 13 on Sept. 19 in Miami. Rockhold, 41, is 0-1 in the promotion after losing to Colby Covington in January; Pyfer, riding a four-fight UFC streak capped by his March KO of Israel Adesanya, missed a UFC 330 homecoming in Philadelphia when a bout never materialized. RAF 13 is headlined by Covington vs. Belal Muhammad.

Why it matters: Pyfer keeping active on a wrestling mat rather than in the Octagon underscores the UFC 330 matchmaking gripes from Philadelphia-based fighters. For RAF, banking a top-15 UFC name is a real credibility get.

Noiri avenges Liu with first-round KO, advances in ONE tournament

Masaaki Noiri closed ONE Samurai 2 in Tokyo by flattening Liu Mengyang with a left hook seconds before the first-round bell, avenging a 2024 decision loss and earning a reported six-figure bonus. The win advances the former interim champ to the ONE Samurai featherweight kickboxing tournament semifinals against Mohammad Siasarani, who head-kicked Kaito Ono out in 87 seconds. The bracket winner earns a shot at Superbon's world title.

Why it matters: The tournament is Noiri's path back to a Superbon rematch, and a career-best performance — praised by CEO Chatri Sityodtong — makes the hometown star a real threat to win it.

Soldic enters free agency as ONE deal expires, UFC move looms

Roberto Soldic announced his ONE Championship contract has expired, making the 31-year-old former KSW two-division champion a free agent. 'Robocop' — a devastating puncher with 18 KOs among 21 wins, and the only man to ever knock out current UFC middleweight champ Dricus du Plessis — went just 1-1-1 across three ONE bouts and last competed in a 2025 boxing match. He turned down a UFC offer in 2022 to sign with ONE; a move to the Octagon is now widely expected.

Why it matters: A genuine name hits the market amid a busy free-agency stretch, and Soldic's power plus his history with du Plessis give the UFC an easy sell at welterweight or middleweight.

Battle edges Rosta in panned Charlotte headliner for first PFL win

Bryan Battle took a split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) over Dalton Rosta in the PFL Charlotte main event at Bojangles Coliseum, earning his first PFL win after losing his debut to Johnny Eblen. The cagey, risk-averse bout drew boos and was branded the 'worst fight of the year' online; Rosta has now lost three straight. In the co-main, Simeon Powell beat Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov by split decision, and Battle used his post-fight mic time to call for a crossover bout with Jake Paul following the MVP-PFL merger.

Why it matters: The second card of the Paul-era PFL landed with a thud in the cage, underscoring how thin the promotion's middleweight main-event pool looks post-merger.

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.

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.

Abdelaziz says PFL never offered Usman a new deal, 90-day window now running

Manager Ali Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie that PFL had a chance to re-sign lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov (22-0) before his July 31 first-round knockout of Archie Colgan but did not, so the unbeaten champ 'gambled on himself' by fighting out his contract. PFL now holds a 90-day exclusive negotiating window before Abdelaziz talks to other suitors, and he cautioned a UFC move is not certain — Khabib Nurmagomedov has to sign off. Islam Makhachev called it 'a dream for our team' for Usman to join the UFC and floated debut opponents like Ilia Topuria or Arman Tsarukyan.

Why it matters: The most coveted free agent in MMA won't hit the open market for three months, tempering the UFC hype — and the family veto means Usman's landing spot is still genuinely open.

Aspen Ladd signs with BKB, debuts bare-knuckle Aug. 29

Former UFC and PFL bantamweight contender Aspen Ladd (12-5 in MMA) has signed with BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing and will debut against Brazil's Bianca Daimoni at BKB 58 on Aug. 29 at Miami's James L. Knight Center. Ladd, who reached No. 2 in the UFC rankings and shared the cage with Kayla Harrison, Germaine de Randamie and Raquel Pennington, went 1-0 in a BKFC appearance last November. The card is headlined by heavyweight champ Gustavo Trujillo's title defense against Mark O'Neil and features Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa's bare-knuckle debut.

Why it matters: Another established MMA name crossing into bare-knuckle underscores BKB's aggressive roster-building and the growing pull of the format for fighters seeking a second act.

Makhmud Muradov KOs Will Fleury to take OKTAGON light heavyweight title

Former UFC middleweight Makhmud Muradov knocked out champion Will Fleury with a second-round counter right hand to claim the OKTAGON light heavyweight title at OKTAGON 92 in Prague. Fleury, who had held both the light heavyweight and heavyweight belts, took the fight to the ground early but was flattened 15 seconds into round two. Muradov is now 6-0 in OKTAGON and also holds the interim middleweight title, setting up a potential showdown with champion Krzysztof Jotko.

Why it matters: A clean title change on Europe's biggest regional stage, and Muradov's dual-belt situation teases OKTAGON's next marquee fight.

MVP pitches 50% fighter pay as its case against the UFC

Laying out the vision behind the newly announced PFL merger, MVP president Nakisa Bidarian told Bloomberg the combined promotion aims to give fighters at least 50 percent of revenue — a direct shot at the UFC's estimated 13-to-20 percent share. He argued a fighter-first split creates 'massive enterprise value,' while conceding most elite talent is locked into restrictive UFC deals. Dana White, asked at UFC Belgrade, again dismissed the tie-up as 'two organizations that don't sell tickets' merging into a bigger one nobody watches. The rebranded MVP MMA targets a launch in early 2027.

Why it matters: Fighter pay is the UFC's most durable vulnerability; whether MVP can actually deliver 50 percent and pry names off UFC contracts is the real test of whether this merger is more than a new coat of paint.

Khabib sets Usman's free-agency clock: talks next month, decision 'very soon'

Khabib Nurmagomedov said negotiations over cousin Usman's future will open next month with an answer expected 'very soon,' a day after Dana White grinned 'sure' when asked about signing him. Usman (22-0) fought out his PFL contract Friday with a first-round knockout of Archie Colgan and is now the sport's biggest free agent. Coach Javier Mendez named Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria as dream matchups but expects a top-five debut opponent such as Paddy Pimblett or Max Holloway. PFL CEO John Martin says he wants to keep his lightweight champion.

Why it matters: With Makhachev now campaigning at welterweight, the logjam that kept Usman out of the UFC is gone — his signing would instantly reshape a lightweight division now headed by Justin Gaethje.

Alyshov stops Baatarkhuu to take ONE bantamweight MMA title

At The Inner Circle 24 in Bangkok, unbeaten Elbek Alyshov dethroned champion Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu with a second-round TKO (2:52) to claim the ONE bantamweight MMA belt. The Friday card at Lumpinee Stadium also saw teenage Muay Thai standout Johan Ghazali drop a split decision to Ramadan Ondash.

Why it matters: A new champion in one of ONE's few MMA divisions, and the loss snaps Baatarkhuu's title reign just days after the promotion promoted the bout.

Jake Paul's PFL debut as promoter turns messy at UBS Arena

Jake Paul's first night running the show after the MVP-PFL merger produced two awkward flashpoints. Alongside Usman Nurmagomedov in the cage, Paul claimed the champion would make 'light work' of UFC lightweight king Justin Gaethje — a jab Nurmagomedov, who shares management with Gaethje, publicly rebuked, calling Paul 'a YouTuber guy' who 'talks too much.' Viral footage also showed Khabib Nurmagomedov pulling the belt from Paul's hands; Paul insisted he had asked Khabib to present it himself.

Why it matters: Paul's first impression as a promoter may have dented his pitch to re-sign the very champion he needs, a bad omen as MVP tries to position PFL against the UFC.

Usman Nurmagomedov flattens Colgan in a round, enters free agency 22-0

Usman Nurmagomedov retained the PFL lightweight title by first-round TKO over previously undefeated Archie Colgan (13-1) in the PFL New York main event at UBS Arena, dropping him with a question-mark kick and finishing with uppercuts and ground strikes at 3:42. It was the final bout of his PFL contract, leaving the 22-0, 1 NC champion a free agent. Post-fight he said he'll see what Dana White offers while daring new PFL co-owner Jake Paul to pay him what he's worth. Khabib, Islam Makhachev, Justin Gaethje and Kamaru Usman were cageside.

Why it matters: The best lightweight outside the UFC is now on the open market just as the MVP-PFL merger gives the PFL money to keep him, setting up a real bidding war for a fighter who could contend for UFC gold quickly.

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.

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.

Dana White dismisses MVP-PFL merger: 'Nobody will watch'

Speaking in Belgrade, Dana White brushed off the MVP-PFL merger as two organizations 'that don't sell tickets and nobody watches' combining into a bigger company that still won't, and insisted Jake Paul's outfit isn't UFC competition. The dismissal came as Paul touted MVP's Netflix numbers and the UFC leaned on its new $7-billion-plus Paramount deal.

Why it matters: White's public shrug is familiar, but the merger, a Netflix platform and Usman Nurmagomedov's free agency mean the rival now has money and a marquee name to actually test that stance.

MVP and PFL merge into one company, and Jake Paul wants the UFC's throne

Most Valuable Promotions and the Professional Fighters League announced a merger that will operate under the MVP banner, led by co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, with outgoing PFL CEO John Martin staying on as CEO and board member. The combined outfit claims roughly 400 fighters across MMA and boxing and five events in August, with a full relaunch targeted for early 2027. Paul framed the play bluntly: 'We don't wanna just pick a fight, we wanna win the fight' against the UFC.

Why it matters: PFL already absorbed Bellator; folding in Paul's promotional and media muscle is the most serious attempt in years to build a No. 2 that can actually bid for talent. Whether it survives where Affliction, EliteXC and Strikeforce failed is the question that shapes the non-UFC market for the rest of the decade.

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.

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.

Baatarkhuu defends ONE bantamweight belt vs. unbeaten Alyshov in Bangkok

Reigning ONE bantamweight MMA champion Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu (14-3) made the first defense of the title he took from Fabricio Andrade against undefeated challenger Elbek Alyshov (10-0) in the main event of The Inner Circle 24 at Lumpinee Stadium. Alyshov, an Azerbaijani-Russian judoka with nine finishes in 10 wins, entered as one of the division's most dangerous risers. The card also featured 19-year-old Muay Thai standouts Johan Ghazali and Ramadan Ondash settling a long-running rivalry.

Why it matters: A win validates Baatarkhuu's Physical: Asia-fueled breakout as a real reign; a loss hands ONE a fresh undefeated champion and reshuffles a deep bantamweight picture.

Rousey won't rule out a second MVP fight, keeps ripping Hunter Campbell

Months after submitting Gina Carano in 17 seconds atop MVP MMA's Netflix debut, which drew a reported 17 million viewers, Ronda Rousey has left the door open to another appearance under Jake Paul's banner despite retiring after the fight. She again blasted UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell, saying his refusal to book Rousey-Carano let MVP become 'the biggest rival the UFC is ever going to have.' Rousey praised the arrival of more promoters, including Scott Coker's return.

Why it matters: A pioneer publicly framing a Netflix-backed rival as legitimate competition feeds the wider argument that fighters finally have alternatives to the UFC.

Anane vs. Suakim set as ONE bantamweight Muay Thai title eliminator

Former ONE bantamweight Muay Thai champion Nabil Anane returns Aug. 7 at The Inner Circle 25 in Lumpinee Stadium against surging Thai veteran Suakim in a title eliminator. ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong has confirmed the winner challenges whoever emerges from champion Rambolek's Sept. 11 defense against Yod-IQ. Anane, 22, is fighting for the first time since Rambolek ended his eight-fight win streak and took his belt in March.

Why it matters: It maps the fastest route back to the belt for the young Algerian-Thai star and sets up a possible teammate-vs-teammate title bout at PK Saenchai down the line.

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.

Thad Jean survives a war with late replacement Rodriguez to win vacant PFL welterweight title

Thad Jean (12-0) stopped Ernesto Rodriguez by TKO at 2:44 of round three to claim the vacant PFL welterweight title in the PFL D.C. main event at CareFirst Arena in Washington. Rodriguez, elevated from the undercard on 48 hours' notice after Shamil Musaev missed weight and withdrew, dropped Jean in the second round and threatened submissions before Jean rallied, took the back and finished with ground-and-pound as referee Mario Yamasaki intervened. In the co-main, Rafael Xavier chopped down former UFC contender Tyson Pedro with calf kicks for a buzzer-beating first-round TKO.

Why it matters: Jean keeps his unbeaten record and cements himself atop PFL's welterweight division, with a Musaev unification bout the obvious next move once the 2024 champ is healthy.

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.

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.

Chopurov flattens Reece McLaren in 63 seconds at UAE Warriors 72

Undefeated bantamweight prospect Asaf Chopurov defended his UAE Warriors title in 63 seconds, dropping former ONE Championship title challenger Reece McLaren with a perfectly timed overhand right counter in the Abu Dhabi main event. The 24-year-old improved to 11-0 with his third UAE Warriors title defense and called for a matchup with ex-UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev. The loss snapped McLaren's three-fight win streak.

Why it matters: Chopurov is arguably the best bantamweight prospect outside the UFC, and a highlight-reel finish like this only sharpens the case for a promotion call-up.

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.

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.

Reug Reug leaves ONE as a free agent, teases an August fight

Former ONE heavyweight champion Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane confirmed his release from ONE Championship after five years, citing fallout from his fourth-round KO loss in the May rematch with Anatoly Malykhin, which spilled into a post-fight brawl between corners. Kane says he is ready to fight in August with an opponent to be announced Friday. His exit adds to a steady drain of MMA talent from ONE as the promotion leans into striking, and fans immediately floated a UFC move or crossover bouts with Francis Ngannou or PFL's Vadim Nemkov.

Why it matters: A title-winning heavyweight hitting the open market is rare, and where Kane lands is a live read on the UFC-PFL-MVP tug-of-war for big men.

Eblen elbows Kasanganay to interim PFL middleweight title, calls out van Steenis

Johnny Eblen avenged the razor-thin nature of his first meeting with Impa Kasanganay, stopping him in the third round of the PFL Austin main event to claim the interim middleweight title. A sharp inside elbow dropped Kasanganay before Eblen finished with follow-up strikes at 2:39. Undisputed champion Costello van Steenis, who withdrew from a planned rematch with Eblen and handed him his only career loss, was cageside, and the two exchanged heated words in the cage afterward.

Why it matters: Eblen sets up a unification grudge match with van Steenis, the only man to beat him, and reasserts himself as PFL's marquee 185-pound name.

Covington hands Tsarukyan his first RAF loss for inaugural crossover title

Colby Covington, who retired from the UFC to compete in RAF Wrestling, out-pointed No. 2 UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan 5-3 in the RAF 11 main event in Milwaukee to win the inaugural Cruiserweight Crossover title. The former Division 1 All-American used his size and stout takedown defense, building a 5-2 lead before surviving a desperate third period from a visibly exhausted Tsarukyan. It was Tsarukyan's first defeat in any discipline since his 2022 UFC loss to Mateusz Gamrot.

Why it matters: The result is a rare blemish for one of the sport's hottest names, though it came on the wrestling mat rather than in the cage where Tsarukyan is still chasing a UFC lightweight title shot.

Askren loses to Belal Muhammad and retires a year after double lung transplant

Ben Askren returned to competition for the first time since a double lung transplant, and lost 6-3 to former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the RAF 11 co-main event. The 42-year-old Olympian, who says he flatlined multiple times during last year's battle with necrotizing pneumonia, built an early 3-0 lead on defense before fading as Muhammad rallied in the third period. Askren left his shoes on the mat afterward, confirming the match was his last.

Why it matters: It closes the book on the competitive career of one of MMA's most influential wrestlers, and the comeback itself, from near death to sharing a mat with a ranked UFC contender, was the emotional centerpiece of the night.

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.

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.

Askren wrestles again a year after a double lung transplant at RAF 11

Real American Freestyle's RAF 11 goes down Saturday in Milwaukee on Fox Nation, headlined by UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan against retired Colby Covington for a crossover title. The co-main marks Ben Askren's return to competition versus former UFC welterweight champ Belal Muhammad, roughly a year after the double lung transplant that followed a coma and multiple resuscitations. Covington publicly questioned whether Askren should be back on the mat so soon. Frankie Edgar and Clay Guida also wrestle on the card.

Why it matters: It's a freestyle-wrestling card, not MMA, but Askren's comeback from near-death is one of combat sports' most remarkable stories of the year.

Suablack elbow-KOs Stephen Irvine at ONE Fight Night 45

ONE Fight Night 45 aired from Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium on Amazon Prime Video. In the co-main, Thai veteran Suablack Tor Pran49 knocked out Scotland's Stephen Irvine with a second-round elbow — despite being dropped himself in the first — to bank a $50,000 bonus in a flyweight Muay Thai bout. Luke Lessei outpointed Mohamed Younes Rabah in the featherweight Muay Thai main event, while Antonio Cesar dominated Lito Adiwang and Lee Seung Cheol beat Bokang Masunyane to press his case for a strawweight title shot.

Why it matters: Irvine's step up to flyweight backfired badly, and Lee's win moves him toward a challenge to strawweight champ Joshua Pacio.

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.

LFA light heavyweight champ Lucas Fernando signs, booked for UFC 330 debut

Reigning LFA 205-pound champion Lucas Fernando (13-3) has signed with the UFC and will debut against Rafael 'Bipolar' Tobias (14-2) at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia. Fernando, a former DWCS competitor riding a four-fight streak with back-to-back first-round knockouts, gets his second crack at the promotion; Tobias is seeking his first UFC win after dropping his debut to Diyar Nurgozhay. UFC 330 is topped by Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry and Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson.

Why it matters: A finish-heavy regional champion adds fresh blood to a light heavyweight division suddenly crowded with middleweights moving up.

McGregor turns promoter, hosting BKFC's 'World's Baddest Man' on Fox Nation

Fox Nation announced a new original documentary competition series, 'World's Baddest Man,' produced with Bare Knuckle FC and hosted by co-owner Conor McGregor, premiering in summer 2027. BKFC fighters will compete in a bracket-style bare-knuckle tournament for an eight-figure prize pool and a live championship finale. McGregor, sidelined and facing knee surgery after his UFC 329 flop, will also serve as an executive producer. It further deepens Fox Nation's combat-sports slate alongside its RAF wrestling deal.

Why it matters: It's the clearest sign yet that McGregor's real momentum is on the business side of combat sports, not in the cage, as he builds out BKFC's media footprint.

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.

Cris Cyborg sets MMA farewell for Aug. 22, plans to start a family

Reigning PFL champion Cris Cyborg confirmed her final MMA bout will come against former top-ranked UFC contender Ketlen Vieira at PFL Tampa on Aug. 22. The 41-year-old, who chases a 30th pro win, says she has one boxing match still booked for later this year before pivoting to motherhood in retirement. She praised Vieira — whom the UFC declined to re-sign — as a credible, in-prime final opponent.

Why it matters: One of the most decorated women's fighters in history is scripting her exit on her own terms, and it closes the book on a career that spanned Strikeforce, the UFC and PFL gold.

Tsarukyan vs. Covington becomes RAF's first 'crossover' title fight

Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington will now wrestle for an inaugural Real American Freestyle 'crossover championship belt' when they headline RAF 11 on July 18 in Milwaukee, per Ariel Helwani. The catchweight (cruiserweight) title is billed as being created for combat-sports crossover stars, hinting at more such belts to come. The card also features Ben Askren's wrestling return against Belal Muhammad, plus Frankie Edgar vs. Clay Guida.

Why it matters: It's Dana White's fledgling wrestling promotion leaning on UFC names to manufacture stakes, and a notable side gig for Tsarukyan as he waits on his lightweight title shot.

Dvalishvili punches Umar fan, brawl erupts at RAF Georgia

At the RAF Georgia press conference in Tbilisi, former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili punched a Umar Nurmagomedov supporter who approached him about his comments, touching off a mass scuffle involving members of Abdulrashid Sadulaev's camp. Asked about a possible RAF wrestling match with Umar, Dvalishvili said 'No, never, f--- that guy,' while insisting he'll wrestle anyone else the promotion picks. Nurmagomedov responded on social media invoking Caucasus honor. Dvalishvili continues to reject a UFC rematch, citing a promised title rematch with champion Petr Yan; the card was headlined by his wrestling rematch with Henry Cejudo.

Why it matters: The bad blood only fuels demand for a Dvalishvili-Nurmagomedov rematch the champ keeps refusing, and it further tangles an already crowded 135-pound title picture behind Petr Yan.

Pacio chokes out Malachiev to retain; Folayang stopped again

At ONE's The Inner Circle 21 in Bangkok, strawweight champion Joshua Pacio retained his belt with a first-round rear-naked choke of Mansur Malachiev at 4:23, earning a $50,000 bonus in their rematch. In the co-main event, former two-time ONE lightweight champion Eduard Folayang was stopped by Japan's Shozo Isojima via first-round TKO at 4:29 in a firefight, a possible farewell for the 41-year-old Filipino icon.

Why it matters: Pacio, a seven-time titleholder, remains ONE's most decisive strawweight, while Folayang, who headlined the promotion's very first event in 2011, appears to be at the end of the line.

Alsaif wins pro debut in Saudi Arabia's first female MMA main event

PFL MENA 10 in Riyadh saw Saudi prospect Hattan Alsaif score a second-round TKO of Algeria's Dania Ouhachi in the first female-headlined MMA card in Saudi Arabia. The 2026 PFL MENA welterweight and featherweight tournaments also advanced, with Hazem Kayyali, Badreddine Diani, Abdelkrim Zouad and Omar Hussein booking welterweight semifinal spots and Elias Boudegzdame and Shadi Kabbani moving on at featherweight.

Why it matters: A woman headlining a card in Saudi Arabia is a genuine milestone for the region's fast-growing scene and PFL's Middle East expansion.

Askren to wrestle Belal Muhammad at RAF 11 a year after lung transplant

Former ONE and Bellator champion Ben Askren will return to competition against ex-UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the RAF 11 co-main event in Milwaukee on July 18, roughly a year after a double lung transplant that followed a life-threatening bout of pneumonia. Joe Rogan, a longtime Askren backer, questioned the wisdom of the comeback, citing the immunosuppressant drugs Askren must now take.

Why it matters: A remarkable recovery story, but one that carries real medical risk for a fighter still early in life after major transplant surgery.

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.

Carrillo crosses to kickboxing as camp demands Tawanchai be stripped

ONE interim featherweight Muay Thai champion Nico Carrillo (30-4) will make a one-off kickboxing debut against Chinese newcomer Zhou Jiaqiang at ONE Fight Night 46 in mid-August at Lumpinee Stadium. Coach JP Gallacher framed the bout as a way to stay active and used it to call on ONE to strip undisputed champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai, who has been sidelined since breaking his leg against Liu Mengyang in December and faces a nine-month-to-a-year recovery.

Why it matters: The stripping debate exposes ONE's logjam at featherweight Muay Thai, where its interim champ is left crossing disciplines to stay busy while the real title sits frozen on an injured star.

Pacio defends ONE strawweight title against Malachiev in Bangkok

ONE strawweight champion Joshua Pacio rematches Mansur Malachiev in the main event of The Inner Circle 21 on Friday, July 10, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. Pacio won their first meeting by unanimous decision at ONE Fight Night 15 in October 2023 — a result Malachiev still disputes, citing a leg injury and short camp. The Dagestani challenger has since beaten Bokang Masunyane, Yosuke Saruta and former champ Jarred Brooks (via north-south choke) to earn the rematch, and plans to lean on his wrestling against the wushu-bred striker.

Why it matters: A healthy Malachiev on a three-fight tear is a legitimate threat to one of ONE's longest-tenured champions, and the outcome reshapes a strawweight division built around this rivalry.

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.

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.

Loik Radzhabov turns down UFC renewal to fight in Russia

Lightweight Loik Radzhabov says he rejected a new UFC offer and is leaving the promotion to pursue fights closer to home. The 32-year-old, 18-6-1, went 2-2 across four UFC bouts after debuting in 2023 and says the UFC offered a comeback path but he'd rather compete in Russian leagues. He's in negotiations with ACA and eyeing an October or November return, potentially on an ACA card in Tajikistan.

Why it matters: It's a rare case of a fighter choosing regional stability over the UFC banner, a reminder that ACA and European promotions are viable landing spots for fighters with roots outside the U.S.

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.

Austin Trout knocked out in BKFC title fight after Apollo Creed walkout

Former WBA boxing champion Austin Trout was stopped by Ben Bonner in the second round of the BKFC Liberty Brawl main event in Philadelphia, ending his 5-0 bare-knuckle run. Trout, 40, had held the BKFC welterweight title but dropped to lightweight for the vacant belt, which Bonner claimed with a knockdown in the first and a finishing right hand in the second. Trout made his entrance recreating Apollo Creed's 'Living in America' walkout from Rocky IV.

Why it matters: A clean finish of a decorated crossover name hands Bonner a title and snaps the aura Trout had built since leaving boxing in 2023.

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.

Joe Lauzon gets UFC's blessing for BKFC debut at Fenway Park

Longtime UFC lightweight Joe Lauzon (28-15), who hasn't fought since 2019 but was never released, secured permission from the UFC to make his BKFC debut on Aug. 29 at Fenway Park in Boston. Lauzon said Hunter Campbell even offered financial help, but insisted the draw is the venue, not money. He remains unsure whether the UFC has fully released him or simply approved this one bout; an opponent is TBD.

Why it matters: It's a window into how the UFC handles dormant contracts of respected veterans, and continues BKFC's run of landing recognizable MMA names — Darren Till and now Lauzon — as it stages a first-of-its-kind card at a Major League Baseball park.

Shogun Rua and Glover Teixeira to finally meet — in a boxing ring

Former UFC light heavyweight champions Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua and Glover Teixeira will fight an eight-round hybrid boxing match in the main event of Spaten Fight Night 3 in Sao Paulo on Aug. 29, roughly 14 years after the UFC first floated the bout. Both around 45 and both having left the UFC on the same night in January 2023, they'll settle a matchup that never materialized in MMA. Shogun believes it will be his retirement fight but wouldn't confirm it.

Why it matters: A long-teased Brazilian legends fight lands on a fast-growing, Globo-televised platform, underscoring how post-UFC crossover cards are becoming real business for aging stars.

Strickland eyes eventual UFC title clash with PFL's Johnny Eblen

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, fresh off upsetting Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328, says a fight with training partner Johnny Eblen is 'inevitable,' predicting Eblen will win a PFL belt, sign with the UFC and get one fight before challenging him. Eblen is set to face Impa Kasanganay for an interim PFL title at PFL Austin on July 18 after Costello van Steenis withdrew injured. Meanwhile, Strickland's teammate Manel Kape brushed off a recent social-media spat with the champ, both training out of Xtreme Couture.

Why it matters: Cross-promotional title talk remains hypothetical, but Eblen's PFL trajectory and Strickland's endorsement make it one of the more plausible UFC-PFL bridges being discussed.

Cyborg calls PFL Tampa her last contracted fight — but leaves the door open

Cris Cyborg (29-2, 1 NC) faces former UFC contender Ketlen Vieira for the PFL women's featherweight title on Aug. 22 in Tampa, billed as a retirement bout and her shot at a 30th pro win — a milestone no woman in a major promotion has reached. The 40-year-old says it's the final fight on her contract but wants to weigh boxing, where she holds a WIBA belt and still covets a WBC title, plus possible MVP MMA bouts before deciding.

Why it matters: Cyborg chasing 30 wins and a boxing crown keeps one of women's MMA's all-time greats relevant beyond the cage and gives PFL a marquee summer headliner.

PFL San Diego purses reignite fighter-pay debate

Disclosed California purses for PFL San Diego showed main eventer Salamat Isbulaev earning just $10,000 in his loss to AJ McKee, who took home a flat $100,000. Co-main winner Liz Carmouche, a former Bellator champion and PFL season winner, was on a modest $50k/$50k deal despite a 13-1 run since leaving the UFC, while seven of 18 fighters made under $15,000. The figures undercut the long-held notion that PFL pays better than the UFC.

Why it matters: With fighter pay under constant scrutiny, the numbers challenge PFL's recruiting pitch and show even decorated names earning surprisingly little.

McKee and Carmouche stake title claims at PFL San Diego

A.J. McKee returned to peak form in the PFL San Diego main event, grinding out a shutout unanimous decision (30-27 x3) over previously undefeated Salamat Isbulaev to extend his win streak to three since moving back to featherweight. The former Bellator champion called for a title shot, with only top-ranked Timur Khizriev ahead of him in a division whose belt sits vacant. In the co-main, 42-year-old Liz Carmouche submitted Viviane Araujo with a second-round guillotine — Araujo's first career submission loss — and asked the PFL to build a women's bantamweight division. The card opened the promotion's six-show, eight-week summer run.

Why it matters: Two veteran ex-Bellator stars are forcing the PFL's hand on vacant titles, and McKee in particular looks ready to headline the league's featherweight picture.

PFL San Diego purses expose stark fighter pay gap

California's disclosed payouts for PFL San Diego sparked backlash over fighter pay long touted as an edge over the UFC. Main-event winner A.J. McKee banked a flat $100,000 with no win bonus, while his opponent Salamat Isbulaev took home just $10,000 in defeat. Liz Carmouche, a former Bellator champion and 2025 PFL tournament winner, was on only a $50k/$50k deal. Seven of the 18 fighters earned under $15,000, with flyweight Shannon Clark making $6,000; 2022 PFL champion Rob Wilkinson, who once won $1 million in the league's tournament, collected $40,000.

Why it matters: The figures undercut the PFL's recruiting pitch of better pay than the UFC, and the gap between a marquee name and his opponent raises fresh questions about the promotion's economics in 2026.

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.

Cris Cyborg sets retirement fight vs. Vieira at PFL Tampa

PFL women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg (29-2) will close out her career on Aug. 22, headlining PFL Tampa against former UFC title challenger Ketlen Vieira (16-5), who makes her PFL debut with the belt on the line. A champion in every major promotion she's fought for, Cyborg has not lost since 2018. The card airs on ESPN.

Why it matters: One of the most accomplished fighters in women's MMA history gets a title-fight sendoff, while Vieira has a chance to spoil the farewell and capture featherweight gold in her first PFL outing.

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.

Matt Brown waves off Rousey and Paul's ratings victory lap over UFC

After the UFC White House card averaged 7 million US viewers (peaking at 17 million) on Paramount+, Ronda Rousey and Jake Paul touted that their MVP MMA card on Netflix averaged 9.3 million, with Rousey again jabbing UFC exec Hunter Campbell and Paul calling himself 'the biggest MMA promoter.' UFC veteran Matt Brown dismissed the comparison, noting the Netflix show was 'already forgotten' while the White House card still dominates conversation, and that Netflix's far larger subscriber base makes its number a lower conversion rate. MVP has yet to confirm a second MMA event.

Why it matters: It's the first real test of whether Paul's promotion is a genuine MMA competitor or a one-night novelty — and so far there's no follow-up card to back the boast.

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.