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Fight results & recaps

131 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.

Sundell outpoints Pereira's sister as DWCS finale hands out four deals

The final episode of Contender Series Season 10 handed out four UFC contracts and tied the show record at 46 for the year. The headline result was 21-year-old former ONE Muay Thai champion Smilla Sundell outpointing Alex Pereira's sister Aline Pereira by unanimous decision at bantamweight; White said he wanted Sundell to gain more experience but was outvoted by matchmaker Mick Maynard. Luis Francischinelli (first-round TKO), Douglas da Lapa (third-round TKO of a durable Davi Cabral) and Greg Foster (decision) also earned deals, while main-event grappler Erick Visconde was passed over despite beating Ilias Bulaid.

Why it matters: Sundell is a blue-chip striker the UFC pushed through over White's own objection, giving a thin women's bantamweight division a real prospect while Aline Pereira's bid to join her brother stalls.

Goddard defends rare eye-poke point deduction, flags the sport's bigger problem

Referee Marc Goddard took a point from Christian Leroy Duncan for an eye poke in the second round of Saturday's UFC Vegas 122 main event, then used a lengthy X post to explain both the call and MMA's wider eye-poke problem. Goddard said he had warned Duncan about outstretched fingers in the first round before acting, and acknowledged how hard it is to break 20 years of ingrained habit with a few minutes of pre-fight instruction. The deduction didn't affect the result, as Brendan Allen submitted Duncan in the fifth round.

Why it matters: Eye pokes remain one of MMA's most persistent unsolved problems, and a respected referee publicly treating a first infraction as point-worthy signals officials may be ready to police outstretched hands more aggressively.

Allen submitted Duncan while fighting off a fight-week staph infection

Teammate Belal Muhammad revealed that Brendan Allen battled a staph infection from the Tuesday of fight week, requiring antibiotics he was still taking after Saturday's win. Allen, who looked sluggish at times, still submitted Christian Leroy Duncan with a fifth-round rear-naked choke for his fourth straight victory and a Performance of the Night bonus. Allen himself called the showing disappointing, saying he felt slow and 'non-reactive.'

Why it matters: It recontextualizes a tentative-looking main event and underscores how close the No. 4 middleweight came to compromising the biggest fight of his current run — all while he keeps angling for Dricus du Plessis.

Head kicks headline Vegas 122 bonus haul as the prelims draw scorn

UFC Vegas 122 produced nine finishes and four $100,000 Performance of the Night bonuses — for Andre Fili and Otari Tanzilovi's head-kick knockouts, Brendan Allen's main-event submission, and Alice Pereira's doctor stoppage — with no Fight of the Night awarded. The undercard drew heavy criticism for roster quality, and Ismael Bonfim missed weight by roughly eight pounds before losing to Francisco Prado. Veterans Gerald Meerschaert and Niko Price led the night's promotional-compliance pay at $21,000 each.

Why it matters: A finish-heavy main card papered over a thin, uneven undercard, reviving the complaint that the UFC's lower tiers are increasingly stocked with unready prospects and faded veterans.

Allen chokes out Duncan in the fifth, calls for du Plessis

Brendan Allen (28-7) submitted Christian Leroy Duncan via rear-naked choke at 2:46 of round five in the UFC Vegas 122 main event at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. It was a scrappy, error-filled fight in which Duncan lost a point in the second round for an eye poke, but Allen's grappling edge decided it as he took the back late and forced the tap. The win is Allen's fourth straight and earned a $100,000 Performance bonus; Duncan's five-fight streak ends. Afterward, Allen called for a title shot or a bout with former champ Dricus du Plessis.

Why it matters: Allen reinforces his top-five standing but stays stuck in middleweight no-man's land while the title picture is frozen by the Strickland pay standoff. A du Plessis matchup is the most realistic next step toward a shot.

Fili starches Kamaka with a 22-second head kick

Veteran Andre Fili (26-14, 1 NC) knocked Kai Kamaka III out cold with a right head kick just 22 seconds into the second round of their featherweight bout at UFC Vegas 122. The 36-year-old, in his 28th Octagon appearance, snapped a two-fight skid and drew praise from peers for pulling his follow-up punch once he saw Kamaka was already out. The finish, a Knockout-of-the-Year candidate, landed Fili a $100,000 Performance bonus.

Why it matters: Thirteen years into his UFC run, Fili remains a dangerous divisional stalwart and an ideal measuring stick for rising featherweights.

Meerschaert retires after 60 fights and a sixth straight loss

Gerald Meerschaert hung up his gloves in the Octagon following a second-round TKO loss to Julius Walker in the UFC Vegas 122 prelim headliner. The 38-year-old, who moved up to light heavyweight for the bout, was overmatched and finished on the ground, closing his run with six consecutive defeats. 'GM3' retires 37-23 across a near-20-year career, holding the records for most finishes and most submission wins in UFC middleweight history.

Why it matters: One of the division's most dangerous finishers walks away; even in defeat, his submission legacy outlasts a rough final stretch.

UFC's no-commentary Topuria-Gaethje cut reopens Goddard stoppage debate

The UFC released a no-commentary, extra-corner-cam version of Justin Gaethje's White House TKO of Ilia Topuria, surfacing the between-rounds exchange in which Topuria told brother Aleksandre he could 'barely see anything.' The ringside doctor moved to wave the fight off after round three, but referee Marc Goddard overruled him — 'I'm happy to let this go. Ilia, put yourself back in the fight' — and Topuria absorbed another round before his corner finally stopped it. Fans blasted Goddard's decision, with Topuria having left the bout with a broken nose, fractures to both orbital bones and a shattered foot.

Why it matters: It reignites the officiating controversy around the sport's biggest night of 2026, as Topuria faces a rebuild toward a 2027 return and Gaethje weighs a defense against Arman Tsarukyan or retirement.

Moura survives early scare to become first UFC BJJ double champ amid split-decision uproar

Reigning bantamweight champion Cassia Moura, 20, took a disputed split decision over Adele Fornarino to claim the inaugural women's flyweight title and become UFC BJJ's first two-division champion at UFC BJJ 12 in Las Vegas. Fornarino badly hurt Moura with first-round leg locks and was widely seen as deserving at least the opening round, fueling criticism of both the judging and the three-round format. In the co-main, Renato Canuto captured the vacant lightweight title by unanimous decision over Ethan Crelinsten, while returning UFC veteran Gilbert Burns was submitted by a first-round heel hook from debutant Gabriel Almeida.

Why it matters: A marquee grappling night undercut by questionable scorecards revives the debate over whether MMA's three-round structure fits elite jiu-jitsu.

Dana White's personal runner KOs his way onto the UFC roster

Salhahuddin 'Sal' Everett, who climbed from UFC security guard to Dana White's personal runner, flattened undefeated Ozzy Martin in 1:57 to earn a contract in the Contender Series co-main, with White stepping away from cageside to stay impartial. It headlined a four-contract night: Preston LaGrange upset Nell Ariano as a +400 underdog, Mateus Soares starched Ryuho Miyaguchi in 63 seconds, and Roque Conceicao locked a triangle through a slam. Everett, now 5-0 with all finishes, says he wants to keep his day job.

Why it matters: It's the rare Contender Series story with a genuine hook, and the four signings keep stocking a roster the UFC is churning through faster than ever — 42 deals across Season 10 so far.

Green blasts Herb Dean stoppage, and Dana White agrees

Esteban Ribovics dropped King Green three times before Herb Dean waved off their UFC 332 lightweight bout at 4:08 of round one. Green, 40, immediately protested, saying he had told Dean beforehand to let him 'go out on my shield,' and Dana White sided with him, saying the veteran official has had a rough year. Cornerman Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson defended the stoppage, telling Green the damage adds up. Ribovics (17-3), who missed weight by half a pound and blamed hotel air conditioning for killing his cut, scored his second straight knockout and says he is ready for a ranked opponent.

Why it matters: A disputed stoppage the promoter himself questioned reopens the officiating debate, and it stalls Green's unlikely BMF push while nudging Ribovics toward the lightweight top 15.

Wang Cong blames eye poke for flat title-fight loss

In her first comments since dropping the vacant women’s flyweight title to Natalia Silva in the UFC 332 main event, Wang Cong said an early eye poke blurred her vision and explained her sluggish start. Silva took the decision 49-46, 48-47, 48-47, extending her UFC run to 9-0 and her overall streak to 15. Dana White said Wang will 'hate herself' watching the film because she waited too long to press the pace. The loss snapped Wang's four-fight winning streak.

Why it matters: The excuse frames a lackluster main event and does nothing to settle a 125-pound title picture still shadowed by Valentina Shevchenko's promised return.

Natalia Silva outpoints Wang Cong for vacant flyweight title

Silva (21-5-1) used her speed and kicks to win a lopsided-but-tactical unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) over Wang Cong in the UFC 332 main event in Salt Lake City, claiming the women's flyweight belt vacated by the injured Valentina Shevchenko. Wang surged late over the final two rounds but could not find the finish she needed. Shevchenko immediately took to social media to congratulate Silva and warn her to 'keep it warm,' promising to return for the belt.

Why it matters: Silva becomes just the fourth women's flyweight champion and extends her unbeaten UFC run to 9-0, but a Shevchenko comeback now looms as the defining matchup of her reign.

Talbott torches Figueiredo in a round, points at O'Malley

Payton Talbott (12-1) dropped Deiveson Figueiredo with a straight right in the first seconds and never let up, forcing a TKO stoppage at 2:09 of round one in the co-main event. It is Talbott's second straight win over a former champion following his decision over Henry Cejudo. He called out Sean O'Malley afterward, though O'Malley is angling for a title shot tied to the Petr Yan-Merab Dvalishvili trilogy bout on Nov. 24.

Why it matters: Talbott has forced his way into the bantamweight title conversation; an O'Malley fight would pit two of the division's best strikers, but O'Malley has no incentive to take it unless Dvalishvili wins the belt back.

Kopylov starches Gautier as UFC 332 sets a finish record

Underdog Roman Kopylov (16-5) picked apart hyped Cameroonian prospect Ateba Gautier before dropping him with a straight left and finishing with ground strikes at 3:12 of the first, handing Gautier his first KO loss. The result was part of a record run of seven consecutive first-round finishes across the card, with Johnny Walker (heavyweight debut knee KO), Damian Pinas, Imanol Rodriguez and Anthony Wint all starching foes. Walker, Pinas, Rodriguez and Kopylov took home $100,000 Performance bonuses.

Why it matters: Gautier's hype train derails against the division's gatekeepers, while a historically violent prelim card reshuffles several prospect stocks at once.

Dos Anjos stopped by Hernandez, hints at the end

Former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos (31-18) returned from a two-year layoff and looked sharp early before Alexander Hernandez dropped and finished him in the second round for RDA's fourth straight loss. The 41-year-old removed his gloves in the cage, though he stopped short of a formal retirement announcement, saying only 'life moves on' after citing three surgeries and ring rust. It was the 50th pro fight of his career.

Why it matters: A two-time era-defining lightweight appears to be bowing out on a four-fight skid, while Hernandez revives his own career with the biggest win on his resume.

Soldic survives early knockdowns to win octagon debut

Former two-division KSW champion Roberto Soldic, one of the UFC's bigger free-agent signings of the year, weathered two early knockdowns from Khaos Williams before taking over and battering him across rounds two and three for a unanimous-decision welterweight win. Williams showed a granite chin to survive, but Soldic won two 10-8 scorecards in the second. He declined to call anyone out, saying he'll fight whoever the matchmakers send.

Why it matters: After several high-profile outside signings flopped on debut, Soldic proved his skills translate and injects a finisher into a crowded welterweight division.

Anthony Smith stopped in bare-knuckle return after felony arrest

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith was beaten up and stopped in the second round by former PFL fighter Jordan Heiderman at Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred Bareknuckle event in Santo Domingo on Friday. It was Smith's first bout since a July arrest on domestic-violence and related charges, which he denies. A betting favorite, Smith was bullied on the canvas and cut up before the referee waved it off — his fourth loss in five fights. Gamebred brass defended the booking by citing due process while the case is pending.

Why it matters: A once-elite 205er now trading on name value in bare-knuckle MMA, fighting under a legal cloud that promoters chose to work around rather than wait out.

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.

Steveson's 12-second KO loss keeps drawing hard questions

Two weeks on from Sean Sharaf flatlining -2000 favorite Gable Steveson in 12 seconds at UFC 331, the fallout continues. Jon Anik now doubts the Olympic gold medalist even reaches 10 UFC fights, saying 'how do you regroup' from being knocked out that fast. Joe Rogan suggested having Jon Jones in his corner bred overconfidence. Sharaf, meanwhile, has mused aloud about walking away on top, though his finances make a retirement unlikely.

Why it matters: One of the most hyped wrestling-to-MMA prospects in years now faces a mental rebuild in public, and the reactions show how quickly the sport soured on a can't-miss narrative.

Contender Series' first slam KO — and an illegal-knee win Dana White ripped

George Staines scored the first slam knockout in Contender Series history, finishing Loai Abushaar in Round 1 of the Week 8 main event, as all four winners earned UFC contracts. But the night was overshadowed when Ian Escuza landed a clearly illegal knee to a downed Luca Borando in his 32-second TKO; referee Herb Dean and the NSAC let the result stand, and Escuza was signed anyway after Sean Shelby argued for him. Dana White said flatly of Dean, 'He f--ked up.' Adama Diop and Aieza Bertolso also earned deals.

Why it matters: The UFC handing a contract to a fighter who won on an illegal strike — over White's own objection — is an awkward look for a promotion already fielding questions about officiating and result integrity.

Perez outpoints Dumont in a dud, then the feud gets ugly — and the scorecards get questioned

Ailin Perez took a unanimous decision (29-28 x3) over Norma Dumont in the UFC Vegas 121 co-main event, a low-output, clinch-heavy fight that many felt Dumont deserved. Dumont called the result 'one of the biggest absurdities I've ever seen in MMA,' while Perez fired an explicit Instagram jab about Dumont's weigh-in condom-and-cash stunt before pivoting to praise her rival hours later. Featherweight Kevin Vallejos and others backed the verdict, and Amanda Nunes mocked the pair for failing to deliver on the buildup. The win is Perez's seventh straight, the second-longest active streak in the division's history; Dumont has now dropped two in a row.

Why it matters: A close, contested decision in a shallow women's bantamweight division muddies the contender picture just as Harrison-Nunes looms at UFC 334 — and Perez is loudly angling for a title shot.

Rosas Jr. rallies to KO Barcelos in scary UFC Vegas 121 finish; veteran conscious in hospital

In his first UFC main event, Raul Rosas Jr. (13-1) trailed Raoni Barcelos on all three scorecards entering the fifth round and needed a finish. He got a bizarre one: an inside-trip takedown at 1:38 of round five left the 39-year-old Barcelos unconscious on the landing, and he was carried out on a stretcher. Rosas asked fans to pray for his opponent; coach Davi Ramos and Ariel Helwani later reported Barcelos was awake, speaking and moving after a CT scan. The bout won Fight of the Night, and Luis Hernandez, Yazmin Jauregui and others took home bonuses on the card.

Why it matters: At 21 with a six-fight winning streak, Rosas keeps his youngest-champion-in-history dream alive and pushes into the bantamweight rankings — but the manner of the finish, and Barcelos being up on the cards, will fuel more debate about durability and stoppage safety.

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.

Cejudo edges Walton in boxing debut as Ferguson stops Sebie in Miami

Henry Cejudo made his professional boxing debut in the Misfits Boxing main event, using speed and timing to edge 20-year-old Euphoria actor Javon 'Wanna' Walton — a late replacement for Deen the Great — by split decision. Cejudo called out the no-show Deen afterward. In the co-main, Tony Ferguson defended his Misfits middleweight belt with a second-round TKO of short-notice replacement Mahmoud Sebie, fighting through the recent loss of his mother.

Why it matters: The crossover-boxing lane for UFC exiles keeps widening: Cejudo hinted he could commit to it, and Ferguson's late-career reinvention as a Misfits champion continues far from the Octagon.

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.

Musumeci grinds down Mitchell as controversial draw saves Fowler's belt at UFC BJJ 11

At UFC BJJ 11 in Las Vegas, bantamweight champ Mikey Musumeci moved up to featherweight and beat Bryce Mitchell by unanimous decision in a crossover match with an agreed no-leglock, no-guard-pull stipulation; he threatened D'Arce and guillotine chokes but couldn't finish, and survived a third-round power slam. In the co-main, light heavyweight champion Mason Fowler retained via split draw against CJI champ Nick Rodriguez, a result most observers and the UFC's own commentators scored for Rodriguez. On the prelims, debutant Daniel Deeder forced a graphic Kimura arm break on Kolby Gonzalez.

Why it matters: The UFC's grappling sub-brand keeps courting mainstream MMA eyeballs with freakshow matchups, but a scoring system that hands a champion a title-saving draw in a fight he appeared to lose is going to keep drawing scrutiny.

Ruffy breaks silence on Tsarukyan KO: 'It was my carelessness'

Mauricio Ruffy posted his first statement since being knocked out cold by an Arman Tsarukyan elbow in the dying seconds of round one at UFC 331. The Brazilian said he had Tsarukyan hurt and fading, then chose to ride out the clinch rather than escape with four seconds left, dropping his guard — 'the mistake was totally mine, my carelessness, and his merit.' The loss leaves the No. 10 lightweight 2-2 in his last four, both defeats by stoppage.

Why it matters: Rare full accountability, but two knockout losses in four fights stall a feared striker who'd been building toward the 155-pound top ten; a bout with fellow finisher Quillan Salkilld looms as a reset.

DWCS makes history: six contracts, two of them to losers

Week 7 of Dana White's Contender Series produced six UFC contracts — the first time in the show's history that two fight-losers were signed. Piero Guaylupo and Callum Connor combined for nearly 400 significant strikes in a Fight of the Year contender that earned both deals, and Jaden Ortega was signed despite dropping a decision to Alvi Dasuyev. Marcos Degli, Carlos Prates's touted flyweight teammate, submitted Paris Moran with a standing one-armed rear-naked choke, and Damian Piwowarczyk scored a first-round TKO. Only headliner Norbert Novenyi Jr. won without earning a contract.

Why it matters: A deep, finish-heavy week restocks the lighter divisions — and White rewarding losers underlines how much the UFC now prizes action over unbeaten records.

Sharaf was sleeping on a floor weeks before flooring Steveson

Details emerged around Sean Sharaf's 12-second KO of Gable Steveson. Sean Strickland posted DMs showing Sharaf — a former Marine, winless in two prior UFC bouts and reportedly more than $600,000 in debt — sleeping on a mat weeks before the fight; Sharaf plans to give his $100,000 bonus to his ailing mother. Steveson, meanwhile, drew criticism from Daniel Cormier and others for walking out of the cage before the decision was read, and his manager Abe Kawa invoked the early losses of GSP, Islam Makhachev and Cormier himself in vowing a comeback.

Why it matters: The upset of the year has a genuine rags-to-riches subplot, while the hyped Olympic gold medalist's rough exit — and hostile reception — shows how fast a crossover prospect's shine can dim.

Joshua Van outpoints Pantoja over five rounds to bury the 'fluke' talk

Van retained the flyweight title with a unanimous decision (49-46, 49-47, 50-45) over Alexandre Pantoja in the UFC 331 main event, his second successful defense. After winning the belt when Pantoja broke his arm 26 seconds into their first fight, the 24-year-old answered every question by outboxing the former champ for 25 minutes and flooring him with a big right hand in the fifth. The bout earned Fight of the Night.

Why it matters: Van, still only 24, now looks like a long-term pound-for-pound force and the clear king at 125 pounds, while Pantoja's dominant era appears finished. Manel Kape is the likely next challenger.

Sean Sharaf flatlines Gable Steveson in 12 seconds — the biggest upset in UFC history

Marine Corps veteran Sean Sharaf knocked out Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson with a single left hook just 12 seconds into their heavyweight bout, the third-fastest KO in UFC heavyweight history. Steveson entered as high as a -2500 favorite, making Sharaf's win the biggest betting upset the promotion has seen. Steveson, cornered by Jon Jones, left the cage before the result was announced and drew criticism; Dana White matched Sharaf's $50,000 Proper Chaos bonus with another $50,000.

Why it matters: In 12 seconds the UFC's most-hyped heavyweight prospect was exposed and his aura destroyed — a reminder that elite wrestling credentials guarantee nothing in MMA. How the 26-year-old rebounds now defines his career.

Tsarukyan elbow-KOs Ruffy, leaves no doubt as the No. 1 lightweight

Arman Tsarukyan knocked out Mauricio Ruffy with back-to-back elbows at 4:56 of round one in the UFC 331 co-main event, his sixth straight win. Ruffy's improved takedown defense frustrated Tsarukyan early before he mixed a level change into a fight-ending elbow. Tsarukyan demanded a shot at champion Justin Gaethje and later accused Gaethje of being 'scared' and ducking him.

Why it matters: Tsarukyan has done everything possible to force the next title shot, but Gaethje has said he won't fight until 2027 and Ilia Topuria is also cleared and lurking — so the booking is far from settled.

Patricio Pitbull scores his first UFC KO, saves his roster spot and calls out Jean Silva

Fighting on the final bout of his UFC deal, Patricio Pitbull dropped Doo Ho Choi with a right hand and finished him at 3:28 of round one for his first UFC knockout and 38th career win. The former Bellator double champ apologized for his lackluster three prior UFC outings, said the pressure in the UFC dwarfs Bellator, and called out featherweight Jean Silva.

Why it matters: The performance likely earns Pitbull a new contract and finally gives the Bellator legend a signature UFC moment; a Silva matchup would be a natural, high-heat featherweight booking.

Tai Tuivasa ties UFC record with 8th straight loss and looks headed for release

Tai Tuivasa dropped a split decision to the returning Robelis Despaigne on the UFC 331 prelims, in an ugly, cardio-drained heavyweight scrap. The defeat is Tuivasa's eighth in a row, tying Tony Ferguson for the longest losing streak in UFC history; he hasn't won since knocking out Derrick Lewis in February 2022. Dana White praised him but stopped short of committing to his future.

Why it matters: One of the promotion's most popular heavyweights is almost certainly out of chances in the UFC after a stunning fall from a five-fight win streak and title contention.

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.

Abdullaev's 19-second KO leads four new DWCS contracts

Dana White handed out four UFC deals on Week 6 of Dana White's Contender Series. Kyrgyzstan's Akbar Abdullaev (14-0) stole the night, flattening Ednilson Santos with a single right hand in 19 seconds — a finish White called the work of 'the greatest talent that's ever been on this show.' Welterweight Mayton Perea (TKO, :45), middleweight Igor Cavalcanti (TKO, R1) and Luis Hernandez (rear-naked choke, R2) also signed, while decision-winner Tyshawn Williams was the lone winner passed over and offered another shot. The season's DWCS signing count is now up to 28.

Why it matters: Abdullaev arrives as arguably the most hyped Contender Series prospect ever, and at lightweight, a division that always needs fresh blood. White wants him in the Octagon by October or November.

Jean Silva chokes out Delgado, tells the 145 champ he's next

Jean Silva survived an ugly, near-silent first round — including a Jose Delgado knockdown — before taking over and finishing with a one-armed rear-naked choke at 2:57 of round three in the Noche UFC 4 main event in Glendale. It was Silva's second straight win, following his January bounce-back over Arnold Allen. He immediately walked to UFC brass and called for the winner of Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev (UFC 333, Oct. 24), prompting Aljamain Sterling to counter with an offer to fight Silva for the next shot in December.

Why it matters: With Volkanovski-Evloev booked, the next featherweight challenger likely won't fight for gold until 2027 — setting up a resume-vs-star-power argument between Silva and Sterling that the UFC could settle with an eliminator.

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.

McMillen survives knockdown, wins FOTY contender over Rahiki

Undefeated featherweight prospects Tommy McMillen and Marwan Rahiki delivered an instant classic, with McMillen (12-0) badly hurt by a second-round uppercut before roaring back to drop Rahiki in the third and take a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27). The war earned Fight of the Night, McMillen's third straight bonus, and handed Rahiki his first pro loss. McMillen said he wants to return quickly, eyeing Dec. 12 in Las Vegas.

Why it matters: The UFC has been fast-tracking McMillen as a star, and this is the performance that cements the hype — a durable, finish-hunting 145er with momentum in a division suddenly crowded with contenders.

Grasso boxes up Fiorot, cements another title run

Alexa Grasso outpointed No. 2-ranked Manon Fiorot via unanimous decision (29-28 across the board) on the Noche UFC main card, storming out early, dropping Fiorot in the first and weathering a bloody late Fiorot rally. Coupled with her prior win over Maycee Barber, the former flyweight champ has fought her way back to the front of the division.

Why it matters: Grasso is now the obvious challenger for the winner of the vacant-title bout between Natalia Silva and Wang Cong — and the loss exposes ongoing footwork flaws that have kept Fiorot short of gold.

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.

White signs four on Contender Series, likens Pasley to Jon Jones

Week 5 of Dana White's Contender Series Season 10 ran Tuesday at the Meta Apex, producing four UFC contracts. Christian Natividad folded Colton Loud with a body shot in 70 seconds on eight days' notice; Martin Kozak, 24, became the youngest Slovakian signed to the UFC with a second-round TKO of Christian Echols, who had missed weight by three pounds; Isaac Moreno earned a decision White admitted he had to argue past his matchmakers; and 4-0 headliner Quentin Pasley finished Arlind Berisha with first-round elbows, drawing repeated Jon Jones comparisons from White. Apollo Gomes beat Won Il Kwon by decision but was denied a deal, the first week this season with fewer than five signings.

Why it matters: This is the UFC's prospect pipeline in real time — Pasley and Kozak are the names to file away, and White publicly overruling his matchmakers on Moreno is a window into how borderline calls get made.

Parnasse folds Hooker in one round on UFC debut, calls out Holloway

Former two-division KSW champion Salahdine Parnasse justified the hype in his UFC debut, headlining UFC Paris with a first-round TKO of Dan Hooker at 2:35. A liver kick buckled Hooker before a head kick and a left hook finished him against the fence. Parnasse, a roughly -575 favorite, extended his stoppage streak to six and called for Max Holloway next, though Belal Muhammad and others pushed for a Michael Chandler matchup. Hooker has now been finished in three straight.

Why it matters: Parnasse instantly enters the lightweight top 15 and looks like a rare prospect whose finishing power translates against elite competition, giving a loaded division a genuine new threat.

Sola sleeps Ziam, Keita and Pinto also cash bonuses in Paris

UFC Paris delivered finishes top to bottom. In the co-main event, Axel Sola knocked out fellow Frenchman Fares Ziam with a single left hook at 1:40, handing Ziam the first knockout loss of his career and moving to 3-1 in the UFC. Losene Keita rebounded from his debut loss by flatlining Muhammadjon Naimov in the opening round, and undefeated heavyweight Mario Pinto (13-0) survived an early scare to stop Ryan Spann. All four — Parnasse, Sola, Keita and Pinto — took home $100,000 Performance of the Night bonuses, with no Fight of the Night awarded.

Why it matters: France's next wave keeps producing — Sola and Keita are climbing fast at lightweight and featherweight, while Pinto's unbeaten run makes him a live name in a thin heavyweight class.

Dana White signs all five DWCS winners after Week 4, including a 15-second KO

Every winner earned a UFC contract on Week 4 of Contender Series Season 10 at the Apex, with four of five bouts ending in finishes. Modestino Rodrigues starched Brandon Holmes in 15 seconds on a stoppage White called one of the worst in the show's history, while Silvestre Sanchez, Gabriel Lourenco and Adam Darby also scored stoppages and Adam Livingston edged a split decision. White has now signed 20 fighters through four weeks of the season.

Why it matters: The pace of signings is filling the roster fast, and White himself notes it will force veteran cuts to make room for the incoming class.

Zabit Magomedsharipov ends seven-year absence, outpoints Youssef Zalal

Former UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov returned to competition for the first time since his November 2019 win over Calvin Kattar, taking a unanimous-decision grappling win over active UFC featherweight Youssef Zalal in the ACBJJ 22 main event in Istanbul. Zalal, who finished strong, was visibly upset with the verdict. On the same card, ex-UFC welterweight champ Belal Muhammad submitted Kerim Engizek with a rear-naked choke and Brendan Allen heel-hooked Magomedrasul Gasanov.

Why it matters: Magomedsharipov remains one of the sport's great what-ifs, and even a grappling cameo revives talk of a full comeback — he floated waiting 'eight years more' for another. It's also a live look at how a long-idle contender moves against current UFC competition.

Song Yadong KOs Umar Nurmagomedov, demands the title shot

Song Yadong pulled off one of the year's biggest upsets in the UFC Shanghai main event, dropping heavy underdog Umar Nurmagomedov with a right uppercut 1:48 into Round 2 for the first knockout loss of Nurmagomedov's career. Down on the cards after the opening round, Song stuffed a takedown and timed the finish as Umar changed levels. He banked a $100,000 bonus and told the brass, 'Give me the title shot.' Nurmagomedov (20-2) posted that he'll 'work on the mistakes' and return.

Why it matters: Song vaults into the top five and the No. 1-contender conversation with the Petr Yan-Merab Dvalishvili trilogy set for UFC 333 on Oct. 24, while Umar's second title run is derailed and he faces a long climb back.

Denise Gomes flatlines Yan Xiaonan with elbow, makes her title case

In the UFC Shanghai co-main event, No. 9 Denise Gomes iced former title challenger Yan Xiaonan with a standing elbow and follow-up punches at 4:49 of Round 1, leaving Yan unconscious and grabbing the referee's leg. The 26-year-old Brazilian's fifth straight win is the longest active streak at 115 pounds, and her fourth KO ties Jessica Andrade for the most in UFC strawweight history. Gomes said she's 'ready for whoever the UFC brings.'

Why it matters: Gomes crashes toward the top five and into the mix for a shot at champion Mackenzie Dern, while Yan's slide continues at 2-3 in her last five.

Glover Teixeira batters Shogun Rua over eight rounds in boxing debut

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira, 46, dropped and dominated fellow Brazilian legend Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua, 44, to win a lopsided unanimous decision (79-72, 79-72, 80-71) in their boxing match atop Spaten Fight Night 3 in Sao Paulo. Teixeira, cornered by Alex Pereira, scored a second-round knockdown and swelled Rua's eye shut over a bout many fans called brutal to watch. Rua billed it as his combat swan song; Teixeira left the door open to fight again.

Why it matters: Both men retired from MMA on the same UFC 283 card in 2023; the punishment Rua absorbed underlines why the crossover-boxing circuit for aging legends draws as much concern as nostalgia.

Mike Perry dislocates shoulder, stopped by late replacement Brandon Jenkins

Mike Perry's night at the inaugural Duel Arena 1 in Orlando ended in disaster as his shoulder popped out of the socket mid-exchange and Jenkins, a UFC and PFL veteran who stepped in on roughly 48 hours' notice for the withdrawn Dillon Danis, finished him with a first-round body kick and ground-and-pound. Perry, who took a pay cut when the show shifted from pay-per-view to a livestream after Danis pulled out, suffered his first stoppage loss since 2019.

Why it matters: It's a costly, injury-marred setback for the BKFC star and leaves the manufactured Perry-Danis feud with no payoff.

Trujillo stops Terrill in the second to defend BKB heavyweight title

Undefeated BKB heavyweight champion Gustavo Trujillo was pushed out of the first round for the first time in his bare-knuckle career before folding late replacement Mick Terrill with a rasping body shot at 2:59 of Round 2 at BKB 58 in Miami. Terrill, a former BKFC heavyweight champion, took the fight on days' notice after the original bout collapsed over visa issues. Boxing champion Tyson Fury made a surprise ringside appearance and spoke inside the trigon before the main event.

Why it matters: The win keeps the Cuban's perfect record intact and, with WBC and WBO rankings already to his name, teed up his stated goal of a gloved-boxing crossover bout against a ranked name.

Bilal Hasan cashes in the hype with one-punch KO in UFC debut

Eighteen days after winning a UFC contract on the Contender Series, flyweight Bilal Hasan opened the UFC Shanghai main card and knocked out fellow unbeaten Nilson Rojas with a straight right at 2:28 of Round 2. Hasan, who walked out to Billie Jean and hit Michael Jackson moves on what would have been Jackson's 68th birthday, moved to 10-0 with eight knockouts and called out Andre Lima, who had submitted Namsrai Batbayar earlier on the card.

Why it matters: The flyweight division has been starved for fresh faces, and the UFC just found a marketable 25-year-old finisher who backs up the showmanship. Hasan is the second quick DWCS turnaround (after Anthony Wint) the promotion has fast-tracked this year.

Julia Polastri head-kicks ONE legend Xiong Jingnan to 0-2 in the UFC

Julia Polastri stiffened former ONE strawweight queen Xiong Jingnan with a flush right head kick at 3:06 of Round 1 on the Shanghai prelims, the Brazilian setting the finish up by feinting punches to draw Xiong's head into the strike. Xiong, a 19-4 signing who arrived from ONE with title hype, has now lost both UFC outings (to Angela Hill and Polastri). Because both women missed weight, Polastri's highlight KO was ineligible for a performance bonus.

Why it matters: One of the most decorated fighters ONE ever produced looks like a roster casualty at 38, another cautionary tale about crossover stars aging out. Polastri, meanwhile, delivered one of the nastiest women's KOs the UFC has seen.

Home fighters routed as debutants and prospects light up UFC Shanghai prelims

Chinese fighters went winless early on their home card, dropping the opening bouts as visitors piled up finishes. Ex-kickboxer Hector Santiago knocked out Lawrence Lui in his UFC debut (R2), K-1 champ Liu Ce blasted Levi Rodrigues Jr. with a first-round right hook in his debut, and Italian prospect Francesco Nuzzi stopped Xiao Long in 60 seconds — a finish marred when referee Herb Dean nearly let the dazed Xiao stumble out the cage door. Road to UFC standout Rei Tsuruya also submitted Kevin Borjas for his third straight UFC win.

Why it matters: The UFC keeps stocking these regional cards with imports built to win, and Shanghai showed the depth of incoming talent — Tsuruya and Santiago in particular look ready for step-ups. Herb Dean's post-stoppage lapse adds to a rough recent stretch for the veteran official.

Marlon Moraes snaps seven-year winless run in Sao Paulo return

Former WSOF champion and UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes won a mixed martial arts fight for the first time since 2019, grinding out a unanimous decision over 14-15 journeyman Maximiliano Perez under the Liga Monstro Combate banner in Sao Paulo. The victory ends a brutal skid — seven straight losses across his UFC exit and a PFL run — that had prompted two prior retirements. Some cageside suggested the 38-year-old may now walk away for a third time.

Why it matters: A dignified footnote for a fighter who was once a top-five bantamweight and one of the sport's best kickers. Whether he retires or not, it's a rare feel-good result for a name diehards remember from his WSOF and PRIDE-adjacent peak.

Bella Mir vows to rebuild as her mother torches the judges

A day after the biggest upset in Contender Series history, 23-year-old Bella Mir posted a level-headed statement: 'It takes way more than hate and one single loss in my MMA career to break me.' The daughter of Frank Mir, a record -6000 favorite, dropped a unanimous decision to Alex Apodaca, who out-struck her over three rounds and took the UFC contract. Apodaca said she knew she'd won by the end of round one. Mir's mother, Jennifer, drew heavy backlash for flooding Apodaca's social media with claims the judges 'OBVIOUSLY' robbed her daughter.

Why it matters: The hype machine took a real hit, but Mir's composure — and elite wrestling pedigree — keep her a UFC prospect once she banks experience. The parental meltdown is the day's cautionary sideshow.

Bella Mir bloodied in biggest DWCS upset as White hands out five contracts

Bella Mir, daughter of former UFC champ Frank Mir and the largest betting favorite in Contender Series history at -6000, dropped a unanimous decision (three 29-28 cards) to +1500 underdog Alex Apodaca in the Week 3 main event at Meta Apex. Apodaca stuffed takedowns, outstruck the fading prospect and left her bloodied to hand Mir the first loss of her career; pros piled on afterward. Dana White still signed five fighters off the card, including first-round finishers Guilherme Uriel, Ronald Humphrey and Nick Galanti.

Why it matters: The most-hyped women's prospect in years got a brutal reality check at 23, and the manufactured 'best athlete of all time' narrative collapsed in 15 minutes — a reminder that name and odds mean nothing once the cage closes.

Both Sacramento headliners drew six-month suspensions with possible fractures

The California State Athletic Commission's UFC Sacramento medical suspensions put both main eventers on the shelf. Gregory Rodrigues, who took a unanimous decision, faces up to 180 days pending clearance for a possible right-leg fracture, while Anthony Hernandez — whose leg was chewed up by Rodrigues' kicks — faces the same for a possible left-knee fracture. Three others drew six-month timeouts: MarQuel Mederos and Lerryan Douglas for possible orbital fractures, and Elise Reed for a possible broken nose.

Why it matters: Both men fought their way into lengthy layoffs, freezing a middleweight logjam already waiting on champion Sean Strickland; Rodrigues' title-shot push stalls before it can start.

Hernandez accuses Rodrigues of glove-grabbing in Sacramento main event

A day after dropping a five-round decision, Anthony Hernandez accused Gregory Rodrigues of 'cheating' by grabbing the inside of his gloves as many as four times, saying he flagged it to referee Herb Dean but no point was deducted. Hernandez, now on a two-fight skid, also revealed he fought through a shoulder injury on a shortened camp. Rodrigues, who won Fight of the Night and his fourth straight, struck a respectful tone and reiterated his call for former champ Dricus du Plessis or Khamzat Chimaev.

Why it matters: It sours an instant Fight of the Night and reopens the officiating debate around Herb Dean, while Rodrigues tries to leverage the biggest win of his career into a top-tier middleweight matchup.

Rodrigues, De Ridder, Petrino climb in post-Sacramento rankings

The UFC rankings moved after Sacramento: Gregory Rodrigues jumped to No. 5 at middleweight, with Anthony Hernandez sliding only to No. 6. Reinier de Ridder entered the light heavyweight top 15 at No. 15 after ragdolling Roman Dolidze and vacated his middleweight ranking, while heavyweight Vitor Petrino cracked the top 15 at No. 12 following his win over Serghei Spivac. Cris Cyborg held her No. 1 spot at women's featherweight, and Yair Rodriguez fell out of the featherweight top 15 on inactivity as A.J. McKee entered at No. 15.

Why it matters: The reshuffle sets the contender math for three divisions at once, formalizing Rodrigues as a title-picture middleweight and confirming De Ridder's move to 205 is paying off.

Lerryan Douglas fractured orbital, lost vision in Sacramento upset

Featherweight prospect Lerryan Douglas suffered a fractured orbital bone and instantly lost vision in his left eye during his first-round TKO loss to +400 underdog Jamall Emmers, according to his coach Cub Swanson. Emmers dropped Douglas with a right hand flush to the eye socket to close the prelims. Douglas, who had entered on a run of finishes and was better than a 4-1 favorite, will see a specialist this week to determine his recovery timeline.

Why it matters: A hyped, previously unbeaten-in-the-UFC prospect is derailed by both a stunning upset and a serious eye injury that could keep him out for an extended stretch.

Rodrigues grinds down Hernandez, calls out du Plessis

Gregory Rodrigues (20-6) won his first five-round fight, taking a unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47 x2) over Anthony Hernandez in the UFC Sacramento main event. Chopping down Hernandez with calf kicks and outstriking him in the clutch, Rodrigues extended his win streak to four and earned Fight of the Night. He immediately called for former champion Dricus du Plessis. Hernandez, who entered No. 5 at 185, has now lost two straight for the first time in his career.

Why it matters: Rodrigues vaults from the fringe into the middleweight title mix, while a second straight loss stalls Hernandez and raises questions about his future at 185.

De Ridder mauls Dolidze in light heavyweight debut

Reinier de Ridder (22-4) made a statement in his move to 205 pounds, stopping Roman Dolidze via first-round TKO (4:01) in the featured bout at UFC Sacramento. Dolidze committed almost entirely to leg-lock attempts from his back; de Ridder patiently rode top position, worked to mount and poured on unanswered strikes until the stoppage. It was the first time Dolidze had ever been finished by strikes.

Why it matters: After a two-fight skid at middleweight, the former two-division ONE champion resets at light heavyweight with a dominant win that immediately makes him a name to track in a thin division.

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.

Cejudo gets revenge, pins Merab in 36 seconds at RAF 12

Henry Cejudo avenged last month's comeback loss to Merab Dvalishvili on the RAF wrestling mat, scoring a four-point takedown and immediate pinfall just 36 seconds in to claim the promotion's lightweight crossover title. Dvalishvili called for a wrestling trilogy; Cejudo instead called out Cody Garbrandt. In the co-main, Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs returned from a two-year layoff to tech-fall UFC welterweight Sean Brady 11-0.

Why it matters: Pure crossover spectacle, but it keeps two active UFC names busy in the offseason — Dvalishvili still has a Petr Yan trilogy booked at UFC 333 in October.

Ex-NFL linebacker Anthony Wint wins UFC debut 11 days after DWCS deal

Heavyweight Anthony Wint, a former New York Jets linebacker, submitted Terrance Chatman with a first-round arm-triangle choke to open the UFC Sacramento main card — just 11 days after earning his contract with a 34-second knockout on Dana White's Contender Series. Wint moves to 8-0 with finishes in nearly every pro appearance, giving up 35 pounds on the scale but never in trouble.

Why it matters: A remarkably fast prospect-to-winner turnaround adds another football-to-MMA convert to a heavyweight division always hunting for fresh, finishing power.

Tackett taps Gracie again as UFC BJJ 10 crowns new champs

Andrew Tackett submitted Jonnatas Gracie via face crank in the first round at UFC BJJ 10 in Las Vegas, extending his perfect run to 7-0 and defending the welterweight title for a fourth time. Brianna Ste-Marie took the women's featherweight belt from Rebeca Lima with a second-round arm-triangle, while Adele Fornarino and Cassia Moura each won quick submissions to set the inaugural flyweight final. Tackett called out grappling stars Kade Ruotolo, Mica Galvao and Jozef Chen, plus UFC fighters Sean Brady and Paddy Pimblett.

Why it matters: Tackett has become the face of the UFC's grappling venture, and a Fornarino-Moura final pits two pound-for-pound elites for a first belt — the strongest matchup the division could make.

Kaik Brito's brutal walk-off KO caps six-contract Contender Series night

Kaik Brito flattened popular prospect Namo Fazil with an overhand right 12 seconds into the third round in the Contender Series Season 10, Week 2 main event, earning a UFC contract on his second try after a 2023 loss. Dana White handed out six deals from just five fights, including both Roman Puga and losing fighter Taner Trembley after their three-round war. Trent Miller pulled a Von Flue choke on Douglas Rodrigues as a +500 underdog.

Why it matters: Brito (20-6, with finishes in 19 of 20 wins) enters a crowded welterweight division as a proven knockout artist, and White called his finish one of the best in show history.

Neil Magny ties Charles Oliveira for second-most UFC wins

Neil Magny's second-round stoppage of Ramiz Brahimaj at UFC 330 was the 25th UFC victory of his career, moving him past Max Holloway and level with Charles Oliveira for second all-time, three behind Jim Miller's record 28. The 39-year-old welterweight gatekeeper says durability and timing will let him eventually catch Miller.

Why it matters: Magny has quietly assembled one of the deepest résumés in company history and is now within reach of the all-time UFC wins record.

Makhachev outlasts Garry, takes sole possession of UFC's longest win streak

Islam Makhachev retained his welterweight title in the UFC 330 main event, beating Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) for his 17th consecutive UFC win, passing Anderson Silva's record of 16. A second-round head kick dropped Garry, but the Irishman recovered to win the middle rounds before Makhachev took his back late in the fifth to seal it. It was Makhachev's first defense of the 170-pound belt and cemented his two-division reign.

Why it matters: Makhachev now owns the promotion's longest win streak and a two-weight-class title run, pushing him to the center of the GOAT conversation. Garry lost but looked the part of a future contender, and Prates and Morales are next in the welterweight queue.

Dern smothers Robertson to complete first strawweight title defense

Mackenzie Dern defended her 115-pound title for the first time, out-grappling Gillian Robertson over five rounds for a lopsided unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) in the UFC 330 co-main event. Dern nearly finished a first-round rear-naked choke and controlled most of the fight from top position, though she couldn't land the submission she wanted. Robertson, bidding to become the first Canadian woman to win UFC gold, took only the final round.

Why it matters: Dern silences questions about whether she's a true champion and now looks toward a showdown with former titleholder Zhang Weili, whom she named as her most-wanted opponent at 115 pounds.

Scottish twister, hometown upsets and a 39-second Turner KO light up UFC 330 undercard

The UFC 330 prelims and undercard outshone the title fights, producing eight finishes and four $100K Performance bonuses. Charles Johnson pulled off just the second Scottish twister in UFC history to sub short-notice debutant Eduardo Chapolin, Jeremiah Wells upset unbeaten Myktybek Orolbai with a third-round choke, and Dustin Stoltzfus submitted prospect Mansur Abdul-Malik as a heavy underdog. Jalin Turner needed only 39 seconds to blast Kaue Fernandes, his second straight first-round knockout since un-retiring. Dana White reported a venue-record $6.7 million gate.

Why it matters: Turner's back-to-back knockouts put him on the doorstep of the lightweight rankings, while Wells and Stoltzfus scrambled the welterweight and middleweight prospect pecking order in a single night.

Edson Barboza retires in tears after TKO loss at UFC 330

Longtime lightweight and featherweight fighter Edson Barboza called it a career after a second-round TKO loss to Esteban Ribovics, laying his gloves in the center of the Octagon during an emotional Joe Rogan interview. The 40-year-old Brazilian exits on a four-fight skid but leaves a 16-year UFC run defined by iconic finishes, including his spinning wheel-kick knockout of Terry Etim. Dana White praised him as an 'absolute savage' at the post-fight press conference.

Why it matters: Barboza was one of the most exciting strikers the UFC ever produced; his exit closes the book on an era of the lightweight division and removes a durable gatekeeper from the 155-pound picture.

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.

Contender Series Season 10 opens with four signings and two blitz KOs

On the Season 10 premiere of Dana White's Contender Series at the Meta APEX, four prospects earned UFC deals: heavyweight Anthony Wint (7-0), flyweight Bilal Hasan (9-0), featherweight Thomas Pagliarulo (11-2) and middleweight Joseph Kropschot (9-3). Wint, a former Jets linebacker, stopped Matt Adams with ground-and-pound in 34 seconds, while Hasan, a record -5000 favorite, knocked out Mridul Saikia in 45. Kropschot took a decision after refusing to relent on a fight-ending armbar Jon Kunneman wouldn't tap to. White declined to sign lightweight Abe Alsaghir despite his split-decision win, saying the judges 'blew that decision.'

Why it matters: Wint (targeted for UFC Sacramento on Aug. 22) and the heavily hyped Hasan headline a heavyweight-and-flyweight infusion, and Wint continues the NFL-to-MMA pipeline White keeps feeding.

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.

Salkilld submits Gamrot in first UFC main event, arrives at 155

In the UFC Vegas 120 headliner, No. 9 Quillan Salkilld out-grappled No. 6 Mateusz Gamrot and forced a rear-naked choke tap at 4:25 of Round 1. The 26-year-old Australian is now 6-0 in the UFC and 13-1 as a pro, with finishes in five of his six Octagon wins, and holds notable wins over Gamrot, Beneil Dariush and Nasrat Haqparast. It was only the second submission loss of Gamrot's career; Salkilld took a Performance of the Night bonus and pros from Belal Muhammad to Henry Cejudo called for a top-five opponent.

Why it matters: A grappling specialist getting choked out by a striker with a bright ceiling reorders the 155-pound contender picture and hands the division a new name to watch.

Del Valle knocks out Elkins in 35 seconds to end his career

Yadier del Valle spoiled Darren Elkins' farewell at UFC Vegas 120, dropping the 42-year-old with a left hand and forcing a stoppage just 35 seconds into the first round. Elkins had vowed to retire win or lose, and did, walking away 29-13 with the second-most wins and most bouts in UFC featherweight history. Del Valle, 24, rebounds from his first pro loss and moves to 11-1.

Why it matters: One of the division's most durable gatekeepers is gone, and del Valle's power keeps him on the featherweight prospect track — though the one-sided sendoff told us little about his ceiling.

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.

Ferreira wins co-main war, Thainara outpoints Lemos on Vegas 120 undercard

Diego Ferreira edged Billy Quarantillo by unanimous decision in a back-and-forth lightweight scrap that earned Fight of the Night. In another key result, unbeaten prospect Alexia Thainara (4-0 UFC) survived a second-round scare to outpoint former title challenger Amanda Lemos and stay perfect at strawweight, while welterweight prospect Ty Cole Miller (2-0 UFC) took a Performance bonus for a third-round TKO of Billy Goff.

Why it matters: Thainara's win over a ranked veteran pushes her toward the strawweight top 10, and Miller looks like a 170-pound name to track.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Stirling smashes Blachowicz to arrive as a 205-pound contender

Undefeated New Zealander Navajo Stirling took the biggest step up of his career on short notice and stopped former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in the first round of the co-main event, dropping him with a right hand and finishing with ground-and-pound at 2:56. Now 11-0, Stirling called out Khalil Rountree and Paulo Costa. Blachowicz, 43, falls to 0-3-2 in his last five, prompting retirement calls; his City Kickboxing teammate Carlos Ulberg holds the title.

Why it matters: A thin, stagnant light heavyweight division just got a legitimate young finisher, though a teammate wearing the belt complicates Stirling's path to a shot.

Oliveira dusts Oban Elliott on debut, angles for UFC 330 turnaround

Unbeaten Brazilian welterweight Michael Oliveira, a former paratrooper, made one of nine debuts on the card and stopped Oban Elliott in the first round, flooring him twice before a 1:49 TKO. Oliveira immediately called for a quick turnaround at UFC 330 in Philadelphia on Aug. 15, offering to step in against Chidi Njokuani. Elliott, now 3-3 in the UFC and on a three-fight skid, posted a gracious reaction and faces an uncertain roster future.

Why it matters: The UFC left Serbia touting Oliveira as a possible next Brazilian star, and his willingness to fight again in two weeks fits exactly the activity Dana White rewards.

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.

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.

Berlanga climbs off the canvas to stop Butler at Zuffa Boxing 9

At Zuffa Boxing 9 inside Madison Square Garden's Infosys Theater, Edgar Berlanga recovered from a second-round knockdown to break down Canada's Steven Butler and force a seventh-round TKO in a super middleweight brawl, rebounding from his 2025 KO loss to Hamzah Sheeraz. In the co-main, former super lightweight champion Richardson Hitchins pitched a 100-90 shutout of Ricardo Salas in his welterweight debut. On the prelims, Vladyslav Sirenko knocked out Otto Wallin with one second left in the tenth round.

Why it matters: Dana White's TKO-backed boxing venture keeps stockpiling name fighters, and Berlanga and Hitchins give it two marketable American stars to headline future cards.

'John Pork' delivers on the hype, sets sights on Topuria

Dagestan's Magomed 'John Pork' Zaynukov justified his viral buildup on his UFC debut, battering fellow unbeaten Damian Rzepecki with elbows and front kicks over three rounds for a shutout decision to move to 9-0. He immediately called out former lightweight champ Ilia Topuria, needling Rzepecki's ties to Topuria's camp. Mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov's first note after the win was that Zaynukov shouldn't have missed a takedown.

Why it matters: The Nurmagomedov gym's prospect pipeline keeps producing lightweights, and Zaynukov's meme following plus a ready-made Topuria feud hand the UFC a marketable new 155er.

Saidov's 10-0 statement finish leaves Jacoby fearing a broken arm

Unbeaten Russian light heavyweight Muhammad Saidov made a statement UFC debut, overwhelming 20-fight octagon veteran Dustin Jacoby with punches, knees and head kicks for a second-round TKO to improve to 10-0 with nine finishes. Jacoby, who had entered on a three-fight knockout streak, said afterward he believes he broke his right arm early in the fight and would get X-rays once home.

Why it matters: A thin light heavyweight division just gained a genuine finisher, and handing a hot veteran his first stoppage loss in years is the kind of debut that fast-tracks a prospect.

Ankalaev grinds down Guskov for fifth-round TKO in dreary return

Former light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev (22-2-1) returned from his October KO loss to Alex Pereira with a fifth-round TKO of short-notice replacement Bogdan Guskov in the UFC Abu Dhabi (Fight Night 282) main event at Etihad Arena. Ankalaev spent four rounds picking at range to loud boos before switching to wrestling and finishing with ground-and-pound at 2:41 of round five; Marc Goddard waved it off. Guskov, in on 12 days' notice for the injured Khalil Rountree Jr., offered almost no offense, and Ankalaev took only a $25,000 finish bonus rather than a Performance award.

Why it matters: It's a win, not a statement — but Ankalaev reestablishes himself as the top 205-pound contender in a division whose champion, Carlos Ulberg, is out with an ACL tear.

Temirov flatlines Erceg in one round, calls for a title shot

In the UFC Abu Dhabi co-main event, Ramazan Temirov (20-2, 3-0 UFC) knocked out former flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg with a thunderous right hand at 4:21 of round one, dropping the Australian repeatedly before the finish. Fighting for the first time since a 17-month PED suspension, Temirov extended his winning streak to 12 and banked a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Erceg has now lost four of his last six.

Why it matters: Temirov injects a genuine knockout threat into a flyweight division short on finishers, though Asu Almabayev looks like the gatekeeper he'll need to pass before any title talk is real.

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.

Walker ties Demian Maia's record with fifth straight submission

Heavyweight Valter Walker (16-1) tapped Thomas Petersen in just 92 seconds at UFC Abu Dhabi, this time with a calf slicer after breaking a four-fight heel-hook streak, to match Demian Maia's modern UFC record of five consecutive submission finishes. The stoppage earned a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Afterward, Walker took aim at referee Herb Dean over the Pereira-Gane finish and reiterated he won't fight ranked heavyweights 'for peanuts.'

Why it matters: Walker's leg-lock streak is now a legitimate divisional storyline, but his pay complaints signal a looming standoff over the ranked opponents he'll need to climb.

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.

Tommy McMillen breaks Nate Diaz's strike record in Oklahoma City

In just his second UFC fight, featherweight Tommy McMillen battered Alberto Montes to a third-round TKO on the UFC Oklahoma City main card, landing 252 significant strikes to break Nate Diaz's long-standing record for a three-round bout — third-most all-time behind only Max Holloway and Rob Font in five-rounders. The 2-0 prospect, who trains alongside Sean O'Malley in Arizona and cut a Diaz-style post-fight promo, banked his second straight Performance of the Night bonus and wants to fight at Noche UFC in September.

Why it matters: On a card headlined by aging former champs, the loudest takeaway was a potential new star — a high-volume, trash-talking fan magnet the UFC badly needs as its veteran draws fade.

Du Plessis batters Usman over five rounds, angles for a Strickland title fight

Former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis returned from his UFC 319 loss to Khamzat Chimaev and dominated Kamaru Usman in the UFC Oklahoma City main event, winning a wide unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46). Du Plessis repeatedly wobbled Usman with left high kicks and knees but couldn't finish the durable former welterweight king, who rallied late in the fifth. The pair took Fight of the Night, and du Plessis called for a shot at champion Sean Strickland, whom he has already beaten twice.

Why it matters: The win drops du Plessis right back into the 185-pound title mix behind Strickland and Chimaev, though beating a smaller, aging Usman didn't fully answer questions about how he handles elite wrestlers.

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.

Duncan runs win streak to five, batters Cannonier in OKC co-main

Rising British middleweight Christian Leroy Duncan handed Jared Cannonier a unanimous decision loss (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) in the UFC Oklahoma City co-main event, extending his streak to five straight. Duncan bloodied and staggered the 42-year-old with kicks, knees and spinning elbows, though a borderline illegal knee and repeated fence grabs went unpunished by referee Herb Dean. Cannonier has now lost three of his last five.

Why it matters: Duncan pushes into the top 10 and looks like a real 185-pound contender, while another loss deepens questions about how much the veteran Cannonier has left.

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.

McGregor's comeback ends in 69 seconds as his knee buckles

Conor McGregor's first fight in five years was over almost before it started at T-Mobile Arena. He appeared to blow out his right knee throwing a jumping roundhouse kick in the opening seconds, collapsed repeatedly, and referee Mike Beltran waved it off at 1:09 of Round 1, giving Max Holloway a TKO win. Dana White said the working assumption is a torn ACL pending an MRI; McGregor refused crutches leaving the arena. He has now lost four of his last five and, at nearly 38 with another serious leg injury, his future is in doubt.

Why it matters: The sport's biggest draw goes down without landing a punch, facing potentially another year out or the end of his career — and Holloway wins the rivalry without the satisfaction, already floating a trilogy.

Pimblett sleeps Saint-Denis in 52 seconds, declares himself UFC's new face

Paddy Pimblett stole the show in the co-main event, catching Benoit Saint-Denis with a D'arce choke off an ill-advised takedown attempt and putting him fully unconscious 52 seconds into the first round. It was Pimblett's first fight since losing an interim-title bid to Justin Gaethje in January, and it earned a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Reacting live to McGregor's injury backstage, he proclaimed himself the promotion's new top star and called his jiu-jitsu 'the best in the world,' naming Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira and a Gaethje rematch as options.

Why it matters: With McGregor sidelined indefinitely, the UFC's biggest remaining draw at lightweight just made an emphatic case to headline — and a Topuria grudge match is the matchmaking everyone is calling for.

Whittaker TKOs Krylov in light heavyweight debut

Robert Whittaker answered doubts about his move up a division, stopping Nikita Krylov via third-round TKO in his 205-pound debut. Outwrestled early and giving up visible size, the former middleweight champion took over with a fast jab and counter right hands, then landed a clean right in the third that appeared to break Krylov's jaw and forced him to quit at 1:01. It snapped Whittaker's two-fight middleweight skid and made him a winner in three UFC weight classes.

Why it matters: Whittaker instantly becomes a live contender in a light heavyweight division he says is his natural home, changing the conversation at 205 after his middleweight run stalled.

Gable Steveson's hype survives contact with a first-round KO

Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, one of the biggest betting favorites in UFC history, delivered on the hype in his promotional debut, stopping former police officer Elisha Ellison with punches and knees at 2:31 of Round 1. Cornered by Jon Jones, the wrestler out-landed Ellison 41-14 and looked to hurt him rather than grapple, keeping all four of his pro wins to first-round knockouts. He looked raw in spots but finished emphatically.

Why it matters: The UFC is banking on Steveson as a heavyweight crossover star, and a clean knockout debut keeps that project on the fast track.

Bautista avenges 2019 loss, wrecks Sandhagen's knee

Mario Bautista got revenge on Cory Sandhagen seven years after Sandhagen submitted him in Bautista's short-notice UFC debut, taking a unanimous decision (29-28 across the board). A Suloev stretch late in the first round appeared to injure Sandhagen's left knee, hobbling him for the rest of the fight; Bautista dropped him with a left hook to open the third and rag-dolled him with takedowns down the stretch. Bautista has now won 10 of his last 11.

Why it matters: A grinding win over a former title challenger pushes Bautista up a stacked bantamweight ladder, while Sandhagen's title hopes take another hit after losing to Merab Dvalishvili last year.

Garbrandt hints at retirement after Yanez knockout

Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt was knocked out by Adrian Yanez inside three minutes on the prelims, wobbled by a counter and finished at 2:47 of Round 1 for his eighth career loss and third in four fights. He removed his gloves in the cage while awaiting the result but did not lay them down, and left without a post-fight interview, strongly hinting his run is over. Yanez, who credited coach Sayif Saud with talking him off a firefight, scored his first win in two years.

Why it matters: A 2016 champion looks to be at the end of the line, while Yanez resurrects a stalled career and re-enters the bantamweight picture.

King Green completes buzzer-beating comeback on McKinney

In a Round-of-the-Year contender that opened the main card, 39-year-old King Green survived an early beating from Terrance McKinney — a submission scare and full mount included — before dropping McKinney with a liver shot and finishing with punches with one second left in Round 1. The comeback earned a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus and extended Green's win streak to four; he wants to fight again in September.

Why it matters: A veteran written off years ago is in the best run of his career, and his throwback style keeps making him one of the lightweight division's most watchable acts.

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.

Midyear awards: Gaethje-Topuria and a first-of-its-kind submission lead the year

With 2026 halfway done, outlets handed out midyear honors. MMA Mania named Justin Gaethje's stoppage of Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 its Fight of the Year, with Blaydes-Hokit, Van-Taira and Jones-Sola among honorable mentions. For submissions, MMA Fighting crowned Murtazali Magomedov's 'Scottish twister' UFC debut over Melsik Baghdasaryan, while MMA Mania gave the nod to Alice Ardelean's first-ever UFC 'capsule lock' over Polyana Viana, with Asu Almabayev's Suloev stretch also praised.

Why it matters: The midyear ledger frames the storylines carrying into the back half, and the technical variety on the submission list shows the grappling depth arriving on the roster.

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.

Fox Nation documentary revisits the White House spectacle

A new Fox Nation documentary, 'UFC Fight House,' pulled back the curtain on the June 14 UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House South Lawn, including newly released raw corner audio from Justin Gaethje's fourth-round TKO of Ilia Topuria and Dana White's account of Donald Trump pushing to expand capacity from 2,500 to roughly 4,300. The event drew 34 million global viewers, a company record. Jon Jones, left off the card, said the spectacle made him 'feel a lot more important.'

Why it matters: Freedom 250 remains the most-watched event in UFC history and a milestone in the sport's mainstream legitimacy, and the behind-the-scenes audio adds detail to a title unification and a doctor-stoppage controversy that reshaped the lightweight division.

Topuria surfaces in public for first time since Gaethje beatdown

Ilia Topuria (17-1) made his first public appearance roughly two weeks after his corner-stoppage TKO loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, which cost him the lightweight title and cost him orbital fractures and a broken nose. Photos show swelling and bruising largely healed, though he wore sunglasses over the injured eye. He is under a 180-day medical suspension and isn't expected back before 2027. Merab Dvalishvili argued Topuria fought effectively blind after eye pokes, while Bryce Mitchell said pride, not a lack of ability, undid him.

Why it matters: One of the sport's biggest stars had his aura punctured, and the eye-poke controversy adds fuel to a rematch Topuria has already promised to chase.

Officiating becomes the story after UFC Baku

The UFC's second trip to Baku produced a wave of stoppage controversy. Ray Longo went on a profane tirade against MMA referees on the Anik & Florian podcast — calling them 'scumbags' before apologizing — over the 91-second stoppage of his fighter Nazim Sadykhov against Matheus Camilo. Separately, Azerbaijani newcomer Tahir Abdullayev's third-round TKO of Jefferson Nascimento drew accusations of an ear bite and hometown reffing, while Alex Pereira circulated a petition to have Herb Dean removed.

Why it matters: Refereeing consistency is a recurring fighter-safety flashpoint, and a card full of disputed stoppages keeps the pressure on the UFC and athletic commissions.

Fiziev spinning-kicks Torres into oblivion to headline UFC Baku

Rafael Fiziev knocked out Manuel Torres 15 seconds into the second round of the UFC Baku main event with a spinning wheel kick and follow-up punches, his first KO since 2022 and a badly needed win after losing four of his previous five. Fiziev revealed his vision was doubled from a late first-round jab and threw the blind spinning kick on instinct, and he credited Justin Gaethje's upset of Ilia Topuria for restoring his confidence. He's now angling for a BMF title shot against Charles Oliveira, a fight that fell through in 2024 when Fiziev withdrew injured.

Why it matters: A genuine resurrection for a once-hyped lightweight who looked finished, and it sets up a marketable veteran scrap with Oliveira in a stacked 155-pound division.

Yakhyaev sleeps Walker in 8 seconds after Walker predicted the same fate

Light heavyweight prospect Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev floored Julius Walker with his first punch and finished him in eight seconds at UFC Baku, the seventh-fastest knockout in UFC history and second-quickest at 205. The cruel irony: days earlier Walker had described his 'perfect' outcome as a one-punch first-strike KO. Walker, now 1-3 in the UFC on a two-fight skid, posted a reflective statement, while the unbeaten Yakhyaev (10-0) collected a $100,000 bonus and called for a top-10 opponent.

Why it matters: Yakhyaev is fast becoming one of the division's most dangerous finishers, with three straight first-round stoppages to open his UFC run.

Valenzuela KOs De Los Santos to headline Zuffa Boxing 08

Jose Valenzuela knocked out Edwin De Los Santos in the second round to win their rematch atop Zuffa Boxing 08 at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, the TKO-backed promotion's first Vegas card outside the Apex. On the main card, Cain Sandoval upset previously unbeaten Brandun Lee by decision and Omar Trinidad outpointed Jerwin Ancajas. The Paramount+ show was called by Joe Tessitore alongside Max Kellerman and Andre Ward.

Why it matters: Dana White's boxing venture keeps expanding its footprint, signaling TKO's broader push beyond MMA into the boxing market.

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

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

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

Shara Bullet survives knockdown to edge Pereira, calls out Adesanya

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

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

Yakhyaev sparks Walker in eight seconds — after Walker predicted exactly that

Undefeated light heavyweight prospect Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev moved to 10-0 (3-0 UFC) by knocking out Julius Walker with the first punch he threw, an overhand right counter that ended things in eight seconds — the seventh-fastest finish in UFC history and second-fastest at 205 pounds. The cruel twist: days earlier Walker had told an interviewer his 'perfect world' outcome was a first-punch knockout. Yakhyaev took home a $100,000 bonus; Walker (7-3, 1-3 UFC) is now on his first two-fight losing streak.

Why it matters: Light heavyweight is starved for young talent, so a 25-year-old finishing machine going 3-0 with this kind of highlight is a genuinely meaningful addition to a thin division.

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.

Kape stops Horiguchi to seize flyweight title-shot position at UFC Vegas 119

Manel Kape avenged a 2017 RIZIN loss to Kyoji Horiguchi, rallying from two-plus losing rounds to land a fight-changing shot and finish 'Stillknocks' by third-round TKO in the UFC Vegas 119 main event — his fourth straight knockout of a ranked flyweight. The card produced a 100% main-card finish rate: Navajo Stirling stopped Ion Cutelaba to go 10-0, debuting Murtazali Magomedov submitted Melsik Baghdasaryan with a twister in 87 seconds, and Christian Rodriguez choked out Hyder Amil. Kape now likely waits on the Joshua Van–Alexandre Pantoja title rematch.

Why it matters: Kape has knocked out everyone in his path and run out of credible contenders short of gold, putting the flyweight division on notice that the next title fight may have to go through him.

Kape avenges 2017 loss, TKOs Horiguchi in UFC Vegas 119 main event

Manel Kape (23-7) came from behind to stop Kyoji Horiguchi via third-round TKO in the UFC Fight Night 279 headliner at the Apex on June 20, reversing his 2017 RIZIN submission loss to 'The Karate Kid.' Horiguchi appeared to bank the first two rounds before Kape wobbled him and finished with ground strikes 2:42 into the third for a Performance of the Night bonus and his fourth straight win. It was Horiguchi's first loss since 2022; the 35-year-old vowed on social media to return. Kape says the win earns him a crack at champ Joshua Van, with Alexandre Pantoja also looming.

Why it matters: Kape (8-1 in his last nine) has cleared out the flyweight contender pile and finally has the resume to force a title fight against Van or Pantoja.