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PFL, Bellator & ONE

65 stories on this topic, newest first.

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.