Looking to bounce back from a losing effort in his opening match on the RAF stage, Nickal welcomed a meeting with Shirvani Gadzhikurbanovich Muradov. A training partner and friend of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Muradov is a highly decorated Russian freestyle wrestler and Olympic gold medalist. Despite being many years away from his prime, the 41-year-old is no slouch and a tough test for any credentialed wrestler.

Having to grind out a win, Bo Nickal secured an 11-8 decision victory against the crafty veteran. In the aftermath, Nickal was nothing but complimentary of Muradov, thanking the legend for pushing him to his limits.

“Yeah, Khabib Team coach. I have great respect for Shirvani,” Nickal said. “I think he’s, you know, an amazing competitor and Olympic gold medalist. So, you don’t get better than that in wrestling. So, I was grateful to compete against him, and he brought me a tough competition. It’s making me better, and I’m grateful for that.”

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A student of the wrestling game, Bo Nickal often shows love to others who share his passion for the sport.

Khabib Nurmagomedov remains one man the NCAA Division I All-American is in awe of. Claiming to have watched all of his fights, Nickal has been studying the MMA icon in hopes of improving his own game.

“For me, I think that I like to compete against the best,” Nickal continued. “You know, I like wrestling really tough competition. I like to fight against tough guys. All of Khabib’s team, all tough guys.”

“I think this is great. They’re great for the sport. Khabib, I have a lot of respect for. I watch all of his fights. [I] study him, try to use some of his techniques for my own. And yeah, all respect.”

Bo Nickal says he has a lot of respect for Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team, adding that he enjoys testing himself against the best competition and even studies Khabib’s fights to learn from his techniques.

“I like to compete against the best. I like wrestling and really tough… pic.twitter.com/qJpBWG4pqX

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 5, 2026

Described as America’s saddest murder trial, the Lindsay Clancy case has been a global phenomenon. Over three and a half years ago, in January 2023, 36-year-old Clancy was home with her three young children. Allegedly, she asked her husband to go and pick up some food for the family and medication for their eldest child. During the short window while her husband was away from home, she is said to have strangled each of her kids with an exercise band before attempting to take her own life. Upon returning home, the husband found his wife paralyzed from the waist down during her suicide attempt, and the three children fatally injured.

The trial has divided opinion. Clancy has admitted to the acts, but has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Her defense team points to a severe, undiagnosed postpartum psychosis, presenting evidence of her declining mental health and suicidal tendencies. The state argued the killings were calculated, premeditated, and intentional, which is exactly what the controversial Josh Hokit believes.

Hokit took to social media to share his thoughts on the case, which earlier went to a mistrial on Friday, September 4.

“If you think Lindsay Clancy is innocent because her hormones are unbalanced, then you should probably think women’s hormones are too unbalanced to even run for political office,” Hokit said. “You probably should think women’s hormones are too unbalanced to even drive. To even vote.”

“They say, Josh, you should look at it through a woman’s point of view. And what do you think I’m doing? I’m looking out through a kitchen window.”

Classic Josh Hokit, living up to his name as one of the most controversial fighters in the UFC. Check out the video below.

It took just 52 seconds for Paddy ‘The Baddy’ to catch Benoit Saint Denis in a choke and render him unconscious. Arguably his greatest display inside the octagon against one of the division’s elite, the Brit has been in limbo since July. No fight announcement, and reportedly no talks have taken place since the 28-year-old’s showstopping performance in Las Vegas.

While comfortable enjoying life away from the octagon, Paddy Pimblett has title aspirations and is seeking the ultimate success under the UFC banner. Likely one fight away from another chance to achieve his dreams, Pimblett has been rumored to face long-term rival Ilia Topuria next.

A win in that fight would undoubtedly earn him a shot at the lightweight throne, but is the fight happening? According to Pimblett, no talks have taken place regarding any future opponents.

“I’d love to smash his head in, lad,” Pimblett said about Topuria. “But we need to wait and see… Nothing [has been discussed] yet. No one’s spoken to me about it, so we’ll see what happens.”

If a fight against Ilia Topuria doesn’t materialize, Paddy Pimblett has no shortage of potential suitors from a stacked weight class. Currently sitting at #5, Pimblett has Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan comfortably in the division’s top 5 alongside him, while Mauricio Ruffy is spearheading his way into title contention; all fighters he’d love to face next.

“Arman, Gaethje, Ruffy, Charles,” Pimblett continued. “There’s loads of names. When I get told who I’m fighting, I’m sure everyone else will know.”

“Yeah, if I fight again this year, it will be December, hopefully. But we’ll see what happens.”

Check out what Paddy Pimblett had to say about the Ilia Topuria rumors in the video below.

🚨 Paddy Pimblett denies rumors that he’s fighting Ilia Topuria, but says he’d love to have one more fight this year.

“I’d love to smash his head, lad, but we need to wait and see. No one spoke to me about it [ FIGHT AGAINST TOPURIA ], so we’ll see what happens.

Fight again… pic.twitter.com/NwQ7zWo6QR

— MMA Pros Pick (@MMA_PROS_PICK_) September 6, 2026

For the first time in his career, Chimaev is navigating life outside the cage, fresh off a defeat. Losing his flawless record came with many negatives, most importantly the loss of his middleweight title. Determined to fight his way back to the head of the table, ‘Borz’ has dismissed any potential matchup and will instead play the waiting game.

During a recent interview, Khamzat Chimaev announced that his two potential next opponents, Caio Borralho and Dricus Du Plessis, are injured. With no other contender in the division warranting a blockbuster fight with the global star, Chimaev has laid out his game plan: be ready to fill in for either Strickland or Imavov if needed.

“It doesn’t matter to me [who I fight next], I call out everyone,” Chimaev said following his win at RAF Moscow. “I want to come back as soon as possible. earlier, I said that I wanted to return in October, and I called Hunter [Campbell].”

“They told me that Caio and Du Plessis are injured. We’ll see what happens. I don’t know exactly. Maybe Imavov and Strickland won’t fight, and I’ll be ready.”

🚨Khamzat Chimaev says he won’t face either Caio Borralho or Dricus Du Plessis in his next fight. Talking to Red Corner MMA after his RAF victory in Moscow, Borz expressed hope of facing Sean Strickland or Nassourdine Imavov if their fight falls through. pic.twitter.com/noOlM7russ

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 6, 2026

Since losing his title, Khamzat Chimaev has been busy dominating the freestyle wrestling scene.

Chimaev’s debut in the RAF world saw him score a one-sided win over Dillon Danis. The impressive performance was followed by an unnecessary brawl between both teams, which stole the headlines on the night.

A more composed Chimaev entered his second RAF outing on Saturday. This time, no post-fight brawl ensued, just complete dominance from the Russian against a respected opponent in former UFC welterweight king, Tyron Woodley.

With no UFC fight on the horizon, Khamzat Chimaev is enjoying showing out in Real American Freestyle. His next fight is already booked, where he’ll collide with former MMA foe Gilbert Burns at RAF 13 on September 18.

’The Gypsy King’ seems to be the driving force behind a potential fight that has all the ingredients to be the greatest in British boxing history. Two powerhouses with a global following, two of the best boxers of their generation, two men who hold a clear dislike for each other, with a built-in rivalry that has lasted over a decade, but only one winner. Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua. An agreement between both parties has been struck and looked to be moving in the right direction, only to stumble at the final hurdle.

Both teams have their own desires on where the fight should take place, leading to a disagreement that threatens to cancel the fight in its entirety.

After months of trying, Tyson Fury is no longer interested in doing a deal with Anthony Joshua. Instead, the titan has altered his approach. He now wants to collide with the only man to ever defeat him in his 39-fight boxing career, Oleksandr Usyk.

Announcing his shift in strategy, Fury said:

“So, it looks like ‘AJ’ has sh*t his pants yet again,” Fury said in a video posted on his Instagram story. “After 11 years, he’s finally sh*t his pants yet again. So, this would only lead me to a fight with Oleksandr Usyk. Oleksandr, you’re his trainer and his sensei, and you know he’s a weak-minded piece of sh*t. And that he would never fight ‘The Gypsy King’. Which you’ve had the guts to do twice. Twice.”

“You know how difficult it is in there. Listen, you got the decisions last time. Fair play to you. Good luck to you. But let’s do it again. Let’s run it back in November. The ball is now in your court, Oleksandr. Do you want to fight me this year, 2026, or are you calling it quits? Let me know, because I am now looking for a new opponent.”

Tyson Fury says the fight between himself and Anthony Joshua has fell through

He now calls for the trilogy with Usyk pic.twitter.com/UPj8uMFUhN

— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) September 6, 2026

Forever a beloved member of the combat sports family, ‘El Cucuy’ tarnished his legacy in the UFC with eight straight defeats over four years. Beginning with a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje, Ferguson struggled to find the performances from earlier in his career that led to him becoming the UFC interim lightweight champion. The eight-fight skid led to his release from the promotion, where he spent over a decade.

In a sudden change of fortune, Tony Ferguson went from a struggling mixed martial artist in the final years of his career to a fun contender in under the Misfits Boxing banner. Ferguson scored a third-round knockout over Nathaniel Bustamante, better known by his online alias “Salt Papi,” capturing the MFB interim middleweight title in his company debut.

Cementing himself as a true player among fellow fighting veterans and influencers, Ferguson was quick to book his next outing. Just four months later, the now-42-year-old would pick up his second consecutive win in the ring, dropping Warren Spencer in the second round before picking up a unanimous decision victory.

In the nine months since that win, there has been radio silence in Tony Ferguson’s camp. Fans patiently waited for further fight news, but none came… until now.

On the undercard of Henry Cejudo‘s highly anticipated bout against controversial social media star Deen the Great, Tony Ferguson will collide with former professional soccer player Kenzo Biyong. Biyong played as a left back during his career, featuring in youth development setups and lower-tier clubs in Europe before an early retirement. The man hails from the Netherlands and has wet his feet in the combat sports world with a submission defeat to Raphael Ferreira at UFC BJJ 7.

Tony Ferguson vs. Kenzo Biyong will be live globally on the DAZN streaming platform. The event will be at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, September 26.

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‘The Highlight’ fulfilled his dream of becoming a UFC champion last time out, outworking Topuria and delivering one of the all-time great performances on the White House lawn. In front of his home country’s fans and during one of the company’s most ambitious events, Gaethje disregarded his underdog status and beat the previously undefeated knockout artist and two-division champion, ‘El Matador’. However, more chapters in his story with Topuria may still be written.

According to UFC commentator Jon Anik, the UFC is exploring an instant rematch between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria. With several options on the table and talks only in the early stages, another contender could stake a claim at the next title shot, but the promotion’s preference is firmly on Gaethje vs. Topuria 2.

Revealing his thoughts on the matter, Anik had this to say:

“I think there are internal conversations to potentially try to do Gaethje vs. Topuria 2. A rematch would be absolutely enormous. And I guess, predictively, that’s what I think is going to happen.”

Gaethje vs. Topuria 2? 🥊
Paddy vs. Oliveira for BMF? 🏆

New video on the Anik Bros. YouTube with @bostonanik breaking down what’s next for the Lightweight division! pic.twitter.com/yJ1xIG4IZI

— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) September 6, 2026

Ilia Topuria recently broke his months-long silence with a heartfelt message to his son, Hugo. During the message, Topuria spoke of overcoming difficult times and battling back from adversity, which he expects to do with his UFC return.

Justin Gaethje has referenced a rematch with Topuria. Once willing to avenge his losses in the sport, Gaethje is now content with where he is in the twilight of his career. Seeking one more huge fight before all is said and done, Topuria was not the man on Gaethje’s lips.

An ideal matchup for the UFC lightweight champion is Conor McGregor. The two have been at odds for some time, and Gaethje has singled the Irishman out as the perfect opponent at this stage of his life.

On Saturday, September 5, Taylor rolled back the years and brought the curtain down on a legendary career. A fairytale ending is what all fighters wish for, and Taylor was given that in abundance. The Irishwoman handed France’s own Flora Pili her first professional loss in a sold-out Croke Park, in her home country. Alongside that, the 40-year-old delivered a near-flawless display in front of a historic crowd of 83,000, breaking the attendance record for an individual female sporting event.

Amid their success in combat sports, Katie Taylor and Conor McGregor have a long history of support for one another. Continuing that tradition, McGregor hailed Taylor after she retired from boxing—even asking her to reconsider her retirement.

“Katie Taylor, let’s do ONE MORE FOR THE MAC,” McGregor said on X. “Well done, champ, Katie Taylor!”

Katie Taylor, let’s do ONE MORE FOR THE MAC 😉 🇮🇪 🏟️

Well done champ! @KatieTaylor 🙏 pic.twitter.com/OcfJkeMCRr

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 6, 2026

The praise didn’t end there. Conor McGregor posted a direct callback to a compliment Katie Taylor had given him years prior, likening him to the Muhammad Ali of the UFC.

Returning the favor, McGregor grouped the three of them in a post on X as boxing and mixed martial arts icons.

McGregor Taylor Muhammad Ali

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 6, 2026

‘The Notorious’ famously went to support Katie Taylor during her WBA and IBF lightweight world titles defense against Cindy Serrano at the TD Garden in Boston.

Remembering that time, alongside the caption, “Real Love,” McGregor called back to his support of Taylor in 2018.

Real love! 🙏❤️ 🇮🇪 for God and for country! pic.twitter.com/wxf0D0kB62

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 6, 2026

Continuing in his Muhammad Ali and Katie Taylor admiration, McGregor shared a picture of the two, 54-years apart, in the very same arena.

The post reminisced about Ali’s 11th-round knockout of Alvin Lewis and showed an eerily similar picture side by side with Taylor’s win on Saturday; both throwing right hands with grimaces on their faces.

SENSATIONAL! 🇮🇪 🙏 pic.twitter.com/pJyEwcwW6u

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 6, 2026

Widely considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers in American history, Burroughs has spent over a decade dominating the sport. With the rise of Real American Freestyle, the 38-year-old joined RAF and has quickly translated his dominance. Bringing in respectable wrestling pedigree himself, Sean Brady stepped up to welcome the Olympian to his first RAF outing. Brady has showcased his grappling prowess in the UFC, battling his way to a respectable 9-2 record inside the octagon. Despite Brady’s ability, Burroughs dismantled the UFC contender with an effortless 11-0 tech fall.

Fast forward to Saturday, and Jordan Burroughs’ expertise was on display once again. Traveling to enemy territory, the New Jerseyan secured a 10-0 technical fall victory against former Russian World Champion Magomed Kurbanaliev.

JORDAN BURROUGHS WINS IT 😤 pic.twitter.com/UIzUZDmWiw

— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA) September 5, 2026

Using his time in the spotlight wisely, Burroughs called for his next opponent. Wanting to prove how elite he is on the mats, the two-time NCAA Division I National Champion and Dan Hodge Trophy winner set his sights on a mega-fight against Islam Makhachev.

“Islam! Where are you?” Burroughs said. “Hey, I came to your country. To your capital city. And tech fall’ed one of your world champions. I’ll be back to Russia very soon, and the only person I want to share the stage with is Islam.”

Taking no time to respond, Islam Makhachev took to social media to share his thoughts on the call out.

Having previously expressed an interest in the match, even claiming he would pose a true challenge to Jordan Burroughs on the wrestling mats, Makhachev seemingly had a change of heart. The UFC welterweight champion welcomed a fight against Burroughs, as long as it’s in the cage.

“Congrats on your win, legend,” Makhachev responded. “In the cage, anywhere, anytime.”

Congrats on your win legend. In the cage, anywhere anytime 😉 https://t.co/OpnalJTExX

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) September 5, 2026

The Brit had long been a target for the UFC before making the jump over from Bellator, where he put on many show-stopping performances and delivered viral, highlight-calibre knockouts throughout the decade he spent in their cage. Now 38-years-old, Page is approaching the tail end of his career, but his aspirations are bigger than ever.

Winning five of his six outings since signing with the UFC—with his sole loss coming against former title challenger Ian Machado Garry—Michael “Venom” Page is keen to pick up where he left off, but knows that may not be possible. Speaking to the media after his win at UFC Paris, Page spoke about his future in the company.

“They weren’t happy with me before. They’re not going to be happy with me now,” Page said. “Again, you know, I want to challenge for a belt. I want to push forward; I want to be in this company. It’s an amazing company to work for. To be a part of. The crowd, as you can see, the fan base in the UFC is just immense. You guys all make up for the UFC being a place that every aspiring fighter wants to be.”

“But again, whether after that performance again, because it just feels like it’s the same thing. So, if I put myself in their shoes, it’s like, again, it’s the same thing. You know, we can sign him again, but are we going to see much more?”

Disappointed with his lackluster display, Page knows he can do more. The fan favorite gave UFC staff an open invitation to his gym sessions, likely where he does his best work, but he knows it only matters under the bright lights.

“Annoyingly, if they came to the gym and they saw me train and they saw what I can do, [it would be different]. But it’s not important there. It’s most important out here under the lights. And again, I just need to be better.”

“Hopefully, they can see something special in me. Even with the way that I can engage with the crowd and how I can lift the crowd. It’s just that last bit, which I know I have in me and people have seen in me, which is why I have such a good fan base. But let’s see if they see that.”

Ultimately, whether he remains with the UFC or takes his talents elsewhere, Michael “Venom” Page insists he is proud of his time with the organization.

An open and honest MVP on what his UFC future holds…#UFCParis pic.twitter.com/ksrGfCShCP

— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) September 6, 2026

Making a first appearance in the UFC in front of thousands of hometown fans in his home country of France was always going to be tough for anybody. While it doesn’t get much bigger than a main-event fight on home turf in your debut, Parnasse made it look like a sparring session against a true, tried-and-tested veteran in Dan Hooker.

An energetic crowd was on Salahdine Parnasse’s side, who ran through Hooker and delivered one of the most impressive UFC debuts in recent history. Expectations were shattered by Parnasse’s calm and collected manner. Despite his composed demeanor under the bright lights, the 28-year-old knew when to pounce.

Hunting down Dan Hooker, Parnasse placed a devastating, pinpoint kick to the liver that snuck under Hooker’s guard. The shot echoed around the arena, dissolving the New Zealander’s poker face and causing him to wince in pain. Hooker was left compromised, and Parnasse went in for the kill.

Surging forward, the Frenchman threw a high kick before landing on the button with a huge left hook that dropped the veteran, still hurt from the liver shot. Following him to the ground, Parnasse rained down a barrage of punches, forcing the referee to step in and close the curtain on a great night of fights in the French capital.

Likely spearheading his way into the UFC rankings, Salahdine Parnasse capitalized on his moment with a big callout. Wasting no time getting familiar with the octagon, Parnasse is seeking a jump in competition. Anyone in the top five would be welcome, but a dream fight against Max Holloway was his ideal next matchup, which generated a significant reaction from the audience.

Check it out below.

On the final fight of his UFC contract, ‘MVP’ likely needed to make a statement to continue what he started in the octagon. Most would believe five wins out of six would be enough to earn a bigger contract with the sports premier promotion, but his performances since making the switch over to the octagon have left much to be desired.

For years, Michael “Venom” Page was considered the hottest property outside of the UFC. Often delivering a viral knockout during his days with Bellator, the kick-boxer has failed to translate those displays into the UFC since making his debut in 2024.

Now, with the weight of the world on his shoulders at UFC Paris, Page secured the unanimous decision win. But, was it enough for a contract renewal? Unlikely.

After losing the first round, the 39-year-old rallied back and point fought his way to a stale victory. While the Brit failed to stun, he has an 83% win ratio in the promotion, confirming himself as a true contender in the weight class.

Will the UFC consider his success an asset to the company or will Page be given the Muhammad Mokaev treatment?

’Borz’ suffered the first defeat of his mixed martial arts career last time out, losing a split decision to Sean Strickland, and subsequently losing his UFC middleweight title. Refining his skills in the freestyle wrestling world, Chimaev has since scored a dominant win over Dillon Danis, and furthered his success on the mats this weekend.

Making a step up from Danis, Khamzat Chimaev was colliding with Tyron Woodley. An NCAA Division I veteran, Woodley threatened to pose a serious threat to Chimaev’s spotless Real American Freestyle record. A fighter backed by true pedigree in both the wrestling and mixed martial arts worlds, Woodley wanted to put his difficult run in combat sports of one win in eight behind him with a statement victory.

Khamzat Chimaev proved too much of a challenge for the former UFC welterweight champion. Dominating from early as fans have come accustomed to, Chimaev pinned Woodley in under two minutes. The statement victory he was searching for.

Khamzat Chimaev dedicated his victory to a friend who sadly passed away. Watch the interview below.

It means more for Khamzat 🤝 pic.twitter.com/e8j6SRwsE4

— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA) September 5, 2026

Khamzat Chimaev is wasting no time staying busy, with his next bout already booked. Reports claim Chimaev is set to lock horns with Gilbert Burns in a blockbuster headliner for RAF.

If he is able to beat the Brazilian for the second time across combat sports, Chimaev could set up his biggest RAF fight yet. Colby Covington has been an unstoppable force since making his debut under the freestyle wrestling banner, and shows no sign of letting up.

’Chaos’ has announced his interest in a fight against Chimaev, but conditions need to be met before the matchup can come to fruition.

Hooker is tasked with welcoming the highly-touted Salahdine Parnasse to the UFC. On enemy territory, against an extremely talented and hungry prospect, is always going to be a difficult task. Hoping to make the challenge even harder, Parnasse fans have been getting acquainted with the New Zealand native.

According to Dan Hooker, he has been on the receiving end of death threats as he heads into enemy territory on Saturday. Brushing aside any comments, Hooker confirmed that he will perform at his best whether those in the audience love him or hate him.

“I have been getting a lot of French fans reach out and say that they’re, they’re just excited for the fight,” Hooker said. “They’re excited that I’m making the trip out there… Yeah, I’ve had a lot of people reach out and kind of apologize for all the death threats, and just tell me that they’re excited for me to come over and put on a show.”

“I don’t even feel like I’m walking into hostile territory. I feel like there’ll just be a lot of people excited for the fight. And whether they love me or they hate me, I couldn’t care less. I feed off the energy of it entirely, at the end of the day. There ain’t nothing anybody can do about it.”

Unfazed by the threats, Dan Hooker hit out at the fans, insisting there’s nothing anybody can do to save Salahdine Parnasse once the cage doors close.

“He could have 10-20,000 people in there that want to kill me,” Hooker continued. “There ain’t nothing they can do but shut the f*** up, eat their popcorn, and watch me beat your boy.”

The founder and CEO has long been figuring out new ways to wow his audience. The Sphere. The White House. AI integration. All innovative ideas that only strengthen the UFC’s long-term success. Fans are the lifeblood of the company, and knowing this, White wants as many eyes as possible on his product. Due to the positive reaction over the years, he has ventured into different states, countries, and arenas to bring the fights to supporters across the globe.

23 years after its first event, Dana White is still looking to expand. After countless attempts, it looks like the UFC has finally figured out how to reach one of its core fan bases. Despite being among its biggest markets, the UFC has never held an event in Hawaii… until now.

The Hawaiian Islands lacked an arena able to accommodate a major UFC card, which often led to them being overlooked when booking new venues. The change of heart from the promotion came when the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District in Halawa, Oahu, was announced: a 31,000-seat multi-purpose facility capable of hosting combat sports events, slated to open in the first quarter of 2029.

Dana White and his team loved the news. Since the announcement, White has wasted no time in revealing that the inaugural UFC Hawaii event won’t be far behind the opening of the new complex.

“One of our biggest markets since day one has been Hawaii, and we’ve still never put on an event in Hawaii,” White said. “We’ve had multiple world champions from Hawaii.”

“The infrastructure there can’t support a UFC event. But now they’re building a new arena there. Supposed to be done in 2028 or 2029. I like destinations where people want to go. When we do UFC Hawaii, people will lose their minds. Who doesn’t want to go to UFC Hawaii? And every staff member I have working is going to want to work that event. So, off the top of my head you firing at me when I think about UFC Hawaii; that will be a fun one.”

The co-headliner will be an all-France clash between Fares Ziam and Axel Sola. Both men are looking to make a statement in hopes of breaking into the top 15 at lightweight.

Refresh the page for the latest outcomes.

UFC Paris Start Times:

• Main Card begins at 3 p.m. ET on Paramount+
• Preliminary Card begins at 12 p.m. ET on Paramount+

UFC Paris Official Results:

MAIN CARD (Paramount+, 3 p.m. ET)

• Salahdine Parnasse def. Dan Hooker via TKO (Body kick and punches) at 2:35, Round 1
• Axel Sola def. Fares Ziam via KO (Punch) at 1:40, Round 1
• Michael “Venom” Page def. Nursulton Ruziboev via unanimous decision
• Daniil Donchenko def. Punahele Soriano via unanimous decision
• Kurtis Campbell def. Trevor Peek via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:07, Round 3
• Losene Keita def. Muhammad Naimov via KO (Punch) at 2:54, Round 1

PRELIMINARY CARD (Paramount+, 12 p.m. ET)

• Felipe Lima def. Morgan Charriere via unanimous decision
• Mario Pinto def. Ryan Spann via TKO (Punches) at 0:55, Round 2
• Modestas Bukauskas def. Oumar Sy via TKO (Knee and Punches) at 3:57, Round 2
• Pavel Andrusca def. Nathaniel Wood via unanimous decision
• Fabia Sintes def. Michael Aljarouj via unanimous decision
• Nora Cornolle def. Klaudia Sygula via unanimous decision
• Matthieu Duclos def. Luis Felipe Dias via TKO (Punches) at 4:35, Round 1
• Delphine Benouaich def. Sofia Montenegro via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:22, Round 2

Almost a year and a half since their birth, Real American Freestyle is quickly becoming a lovable asset in the combat sports world. Fighters from across the globe are competing on their mats, with current and former UFC stars leading the pack. One man who has been an unstoppable force since debuting in the promotion earlier this year is Colby Covington. ‘Chaos’ by name and nature, the 38-year-old has amassed a perfect 4-0 start to life in RAF, beating some incredibly respectable opponents.

Wins over former UFC world champions Luke Rockhold and Chris Weidman, as well as victories against the controversial Dillon Danis and the formerly undefeated Arman Tsarukyan, have made Covington the hottest property in the company. He puts his undefeated record on the line against Belal Muhammad later this month, but he has his sights set on something much bigger.

Currently 1-0 in RAF with several big matches on the horizon, Khamzat Chimaev has too caused a splash while returning to the fundamentals that he built his combat sports career on. A dominant wrestler, capable of out-grappling anybody around his weight class. If the pair remain unbeaten in the singlet, a monster event will likely be constructed around them.

However, if talks between the two parties do advance, it will be under one condition for Colby Covington.

“Yeah, definitely [there’s a chance I fight Chimaev],” Covington said. “It’s the matchup the fans want. I’ve always wanted this matchup for a long time. We were supposed to cross paths at one point in the UFC, but he was unprofessional. He couldn’t make the weight, and he went up a weight class. So, that fight never transpired. But it makes a lot of sense for RAF, but I’m not going to accommodate his weight. I’m not going to [accommodate to] his bogus demands. He’s going to have to come to a fair weight class for me.”

Colby Covington spent the entirety of his mixed martial arts career at 170 lbs. Khamzat Chimaev is the opposite. Chimaev spent the majority of his early UFC career at welterweight before jumping up to 185 lbs, with rumors also suggesting he may move up to 205 lbs in the near future.

Not willing to accept a wrestling match with an oversized opponent, Covington wants to see a strict weight restriction in place should their fight ever unfold.

“185. I think that’s a fair weight class. You know, what he fights [at] in the UFC. Just come down. He used to fight at 170, so it shouldn’t be too hard making the weight.”

“But, you know, we’ve got to talk to his team. See if they can make it. They want a big weight. They want to do, like, in the 200s. I don’t weigh above 190, so why would I go to the 200s? I’m not going to give up 30-pounds to a guy. It just, it doesn’t make sense.”

“But, I want the biggest and best matchups. I’m the people’s champ. I want to give the people what they want. If the people want it and the interest is there, then, of course, I’m going to come out and do that matchup. It doesn’t matter if it’s David vs. Goliath. It can be whatever it needs to be. But if the people want this, the people will get it.”

Listen to Colby Covington’s thoughts on a potential Khamzat Chimaev match on the RAF mats and more in the video below.

Founded in 2004, KSW is the premium mixed martial arts organization in Poland, serving as one of Europe’s most dominant and influential promotions. While many consider any company not named Ultimate Fighting Championship to be nothing more than pieces in a monopoly, KSW is far beyond that. In 2017, they drew an audience of 57,776 fans, breaking the European record and becoming the second-largest global MMA crowd of all time.

Famous UFC champions like Jan Blachowicz and Dricus Du Plessis learned their trade under the KSW banner before making the move to the UFC. Contenders Mateusz Gamrot, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and this weekend’s main event debutant Salahdine Parnasse all hailed from the same Polish cage.

Hoping to be the next big name to be successful in both promotions is Roberto Soldic. ‘Robocop’ has officially signed with the UFC, as confirmed by database updates earlier today.

🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨

🇭🇷Roberto Soldić (21-4) finalmente ha FIRMADO con la UFC, el croata de 31 años fue doble campeón de KSW y ahora competirá en el peso wélter

Roberto es un finalizador nato, 19 de sus 21 victorias han llegado antes del límite#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/Pk86Dr8jpF

— Pelunaton (@pelunaton) September 4, 2026

Soldic has long been considered one of the best prospects not competing inside the octagon, and had been linked to joining the UFC back in 2022 before later turning their offer down due to a pay dispute.

After a less-than-impressive stint in ONE Championship, the Croatian is ready to make the jump to the pinnacle of the sport. While having had much success at both welterweight and middleweight throughout the years, Soldic has been labeled an active welterweight athlete on the UFC website.

For those unaware, not only was Roberto Soldic a two-weight world champion in KSW, but he also remains the only man to secure a knockout victory over former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis.

Soldic and Du Plessis have one win apiece. So, whether he’s hunting for a trilogy fight with ‘Stillknocks’ or tearing through the rankings with violent knockouts, his UFC run is going to be filled with excitement.

Watch the full Roberto Soldic vs. Dricus Du Plessis 2 fight below.

‘El Matador’ showed resilience and battled all the way to the final bell at UFC Freedom 250, which resulted in the first defeat of his career. With many years ahead of him in the unforgiving sport that is mixed martial arts, the Spanish native is preparing his return. The post, directed toward his eldest child, marks his first major public appearance since suffering the loss three months ago.

Fueled by his most recent performance, Ilia Topuria is determined to turn the setback into a powerful comeback story, one christened by gold. Topuria has now officially signaled the beginning of his redemption arc, and here’s what he had to say:

“Hugo. I’ve been thinking about you these past few days,” Topuria said. “About what you felt when you saw me go down. I know it hurt you. And as your dad, I would’ve done anything to spare you from that moment. But I’m also glad we went through it together. Because that day… made us both stronger. I want you to always remember one thing: you won’t always win in life. And that’s okay. Because losing isn’t what matters. What matters is how you lose. Who you choose to be when everything gets dark. When you have to choose between staying on the ground or getting back up.”

“I think God wanted me to go through that moment to teach me something no victory ever could. Character doesn’t show up when everything’s going your way. It shows up when life throws its hardest day at you. And you know what I found? After going through that hell, I’m stronger than I was before. Because a champion isn’t someone who never falls. It’s someone who always finds a reason to get back up.”

“That’s all I want for you. Not that you always win, but that you’re never afraid to lose. That no defeat ever gets to tell you who you are. Only you get to decide that. And no matter what happens, always remember this: character is the one victory none can ever take away from you.”

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While the fundamental contract to make the fight happen has been signed, the entire event featuring two of the UK’s most beloved fighters is at risk of falling apart. The pair have publicly announced their interest in the blockbuster matchup, but remain in an intense dispute over the location. Anthony Joshua‘s team are fighting hard to keep the fight on home turf, with London an ideal destination, while Fury and co. strongly prefer Madison Square Garden in New York City, hoping to capitalize on the American audience.

Tyson Fury’s preference is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season and UFC CEO Dana White. TKO Group, backed by White, has leveraged its muscle in the business to broker a global broadcasting deal with Netflix. The news has been met well by Fury, who turned to social media to thank White for the work he has done behind the scenes, saying:

“I’d just like to thank Dana White for making this fight happen. Making this deal happen with Netflix and getting it all over the line. You did an amazing job, mate. Even if Eddie [Hearn’s] a little jealous f***er and hasn’t got the guts to come out and say he had nothing to do with it, I’m a man and I can give another man respect for doing something great that Eddie and all his mates tried to do for years and could never do.”

“So, thank you very much, Dana. You’re an absolute legend. One of the best promoters in the world, in my opinion. And an all-round top guy. And I can’t wait to see you at the press conference, on a special invitation from ‘The Gypsy King,’ and yeah. I’d love to have a beer with you one of the days, brother.”

🚨| Tyson Fury thanks Dana White for “making” the Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight happen. 👀

The fight has still not been made, and has no confirmed date or venue. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Qf1uum4ehk

— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) September 4, 2026

All athletes officially made weight on Friday morning and participated in the event’s ceremonial weigh-in ahead of the show tomorrow.

UFC Paris Ceremonial Weigh-In Video

The main event was made official when both men, Parnasse and Hooker, came in at 155 lbs.

First to the scale 😤@SalahdineP makes weight at 155 lbs

[ #UFCParis | SEP 5 | 3pmET LIVE on @paramountplus ] pic.twitter.com/5LTtQ49w2H

— UFC (@ufc) September 4, 2026

Main event is confirmed! @danthehangman weighs in at 155 lbs ahead of #UFCParis

[ SEP 5 | 3pmET LIVE on @paramountplus ] pic.twitter.com/dF8v0DKbNI

— UFC (@ufc) September 4, 2026

UFC Paris Official Weigh-In Results:

MAIN CARD (Paramount+, 3 p.m. ET)

• Salahdine Parnasse (155) vs. Dan Hooker (155)
• Fares Ziam (155) vs. Axel Sola (155)
• Michael “Venom” Page (185) vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (186)
• Daniil Donchenko (170) vs. Punahele Soriano (170)
• Kurtis Campbell (146) vs. Trevor Peek (146)
• Losene Keita (146) vs. Muhammad Naimov (145)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Paramount+, 12 p.m. ET)

• Morgan Charriere (145) vs. Felipe Lima (146)
• Mario Pinto (252) vs. Ryan Spann (255)
• Oumar Sy (206) vs. Modestas Bukauskas (205)
• Nathaniel Wood (146) vs. Pavel Andrusca (146)
• Michael Aljarouj (126) vs. Fabia Sintes (125)
• Nora Cornolle (136) vs. Klaudia Sygula (136)
• Matthieu Duclos (185) vs. Luis Felipe Dias (185)
• Delphine Benouaich (115) vs. Sofia Montenegro (115)

Umar had the weight of the world on his shoulders as a prominent name within Team Nurmagomedov, entering the bout against tough powerhouse Song Yadong as the heavy favorite. He was unable to live up to expectations, suffering a violent knockout loss in the second round of his tenth appearance in the UFC. Essentially beating a man while he was down, Sterling hit out at the Russian’s team and the promotion for rushing him into the title picture, causing outrage from fans.

Ahead of UFC Shanghai, Aljamain Sterling insisted that Umar Nurmagomedov was being fast-tracked to the title due to his namesake. As the dust settled on the event, Sterling doubled down on his belief that Umar wasn’t ready to be in there with a talent like Yadong, saying:

“You have Umar in a closely contested fight with Mario Bautista. Now he’s here,” Sterling said. “This is what I was saying in the beginning of his career when he first got to the UFC. He’s a great guy. Great guy, I tell you. No one better than this guy. But this one thing I will say. I always said, you have to level up with the competition. You have to take your time, people.”

“I thought the UFC did him a disservice when they rushed him to the top. And now, this is the situation that we’re dealing with. “

Sterling’s comments didn’t go down well with many in the MMA community. Fans believe Umar Nurmagomedov was just unlucky, and being caught by a power puncher is sometimes the nature of the fight game.

Fans disagreed with Sterling’s belief that Umar was rushed into the title picture. The backlash forced Sterling to react.

“Rushed to a title. Never said Umar’s not skilled,” Sterling stated in response to the critics. “There’s something to be said about experience; don’t take my word for it, though. I ‘clearly’ have no understanding of this sport. Now please go look up Song’s record and compare it. It’s a fight – anything can happen. Do your homework.”

Rushed to a title. Never said Umar’s not skilled. There’s something to be said about experience, don’t take my word for it tho. I “clearly” have no understanding of this sport. Now please go look up Songs record and compare it. It’s a fight – anything can happen. Do the homework https://t.co/VuaQA952l7 pic.twitter.com/3yEL1frgD1

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 4, 2026

Noche UFC was first introduced to us in 2023, designed as a one-time love letter to the country of Mexico, featuring some of its most prominent fighters in the sport. Fast forward three years, and the company has continued that tradition. The event is showcased during the month of Mexican Independence each year to celebrate all that the nation has given to combat sports.

Often filled with rugged veterans and exciting prospects, Noche UFC is one that fans look forward to each year. However, in a disappointing turn of events, the card has lost one of the most anticipated matchups just a week out from fight night.

After earning his spot in the UFC with a devastating first-round knockout victory on the Contender Series, undefeated Mexican Ramiro Jimenez has had his fight next weekend scrapped. Peru’s own Rodrigo Vera, who has rightfully earned plaudits for his short-notice UFC debut win in May, was set to welcome Jimenez to the octagon. Attempts were made to remain on the card after Visa issues threatened to rule Vera out of the fight, but to no avail.

Jimenez was offered a short-notice change of opponent, which he declined, resulting in him being removed from Noche UFC.

🚨FIGHT UPDATE🚨

Rodrigo Vera Is OUT Of His Fight vs Ramiro Jimenez at #NocheUFC September 12th

Ramiro Jimenez Will NOT Be On The Card Anymore As Well I’m Told pic.twitter.com/uS5NTvqYDa

— Kevin (@realkevink) September 4, 2026

Instead of going ahead with a 12-fight card, the UFC booked a replacement bout that will now serve as the Noche UFC opener.

Highly touted talent Jessie Rosas—the older brother of future star Raul Rosas Jr.—has been called up by the promotion following his three-fight win streak outside of the UFC. He will lock horns with Sean King, an undefeated featherweight who bypassed a scheduled October appearance on the Contender Series after being headhunted for a spot on the Noche UFC card.

Noche UFC will take place on Saturday, September 12, at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Alongside the new fight announcement, the card will be headlined by Jean Silva and Jose Delgado, with Mexican favorites Brandon Moreno and Alexa Grasso also on display.

‘The Highlight’ has been a sensation, unlike anything ever seen before since joining the UFC in 2017. Wins over the likes of Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier, and Ilia Topuria are impressive, but it’s the manner in which he fights that has made him a lovable addition to the sport. The 37-year-old welcomes car crashes and thrives in the chaos once the octagon doors close, challenging opponents to prove that they have more heart, determination, and killer instinct than he does. The past nine years in the UFC have been a roller coaster for avid Gaethje followers, but unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.

Before the final chapter of Justin Gaethje’s illustrious career is written, he wants to add one more milestone to his story. Now in the driver’s seat as the UFC lightweight champion, Gaethje is done enjoying his time away from competing and is ready to step back in and defend his throne.

“[My time off has] been really nice. Lots of traveling. Lots of traveling and lots of good food,” Gaethje said. “I had to make a lot of sacrifices fighting in January and June. So, I got to make up all the holidays to my family. So, I got like three Arizona trips coming up.”

“Man, it’s such a weird place to be in, you know. There’s always been a champion. I always had somebody to chase. So, now being the champion, it’s like I just have to retain and hold on to what I have. I’m not looking at specific opponents. I know the best in the world are gunning for me, and that is the name of the game. So, I know it’s going to be one of the best guys in the world… There are a couple of big fights [coming up] that are going to determine who I’ll fight next.”

Earlier in the year, Justin Gaethje was consumed by the thought of avenging his losses to both Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. Now, Gaethje has had a change of heart.

Instead of revenge, Gaethje has his sights set on a legacy fight against Conor McGregor.

“If I could pick anybody that I fought in my career before, who would I fight again? Damn, there’s really no one,” Gaethje continued. “It would have been Oliveira or Holloway, but since Topuria beat them, I’m going to go ahead and justify it to myself like I got them back.”

“So, I guess McGregor. Yeah. It’d be fun to shut him up.”

Umar’s title aspirations in the UFC and standing within the bantamweight division took a huge hit last weekend when he was violently knocked out by Team Alpha Male’s Song Yadong. ‘King Fu Kid’ entered the bout as the heavy underdog, but proved too much for the Russian prodigy, capitalizing on a poorly timed takedown attempt to score the biggest win of his career. The win moves Yadong up to #3 in the rankings and likely sets him up for either a shot at Petr Yan’s belt next or a fight with serious title implications. But where does that leave Umar?

The defeat sees Umar Nurmagomedov barely holding on to his top-five spot in the weight class. Unfamiliar with the nature of losing, Team Nurmagomedov must now regroup and alter their strategy if Umar has any hope of launching a new charge toward the UFC title picture.

Using social media as a direct way to address the fans, the 30-year-old showed deep humility, urging fans not to feel sorry for him during the lows that combat sports often bring.

Umar made it clear that he will not sink into misery or hide away following the setback. Once his medical suspension is over, supporters can expect to see him back in the octagon, with his goal of becoming the UFC bantamweight champion still firmly in his mind. Sharing the vision for his return to the octagon, Umar said this:

“It’s not over until I win.”

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While Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev both achieved the absolute pinnacle of the sport by capturing UFC gold at age 29, younger cousin Umar Nurmagomedov has fallen behind the expectations put on his shoulders.

Though Umar’s 31st birthday is fast approaching, his determination is strong, and the expectation that comes with being associated with those who came before him remains.

‘The Gypsy King’ is at the tail end of his legendary career in boxing and would love nothing more than to face one of his biggest rivals before his days in the ring are over. But following several failed negotiations, Fury has grown tired of the process and has publicly declared that he is moving away from the potential mega-fight.

Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua looks destined to join the list of blockbuster fights that never came to fruition. Instead of sitting and waiting for ‘AJ’ to agree to fight him, Fury has turned his attention to other fighters.

“I see Eddie [Hearn’s] doing a lot of interviews, trying to twist the narrative. The facts are: you don’t want to fight,” Fury said in a recent post on social media. “If you did, you would be ready to rock and roll, like I am. Tyson Fury has already said a thousand times that he’ll fight anywhere. No problem at all.”

Reports claim the fight has stalled regarding the venue. Anthony Joshua’s team allegedly wants the bout to take place in England, given the fact that the pair are two of the best British boxers of their generation. Tyson Fury’s team reportedly prefer a big show in America, where most of boxing’s greatest, both past and present, are showcased.

“Banging on about England, but he moved to Monaco, and the other freak’s moved to Dubai. It’s not about England so much then, is it, boys? Tell the truth. Turki Alalshikh paid you tens of millions to fight, and you’re still acting like little b*tches. It is what it is.”

“There’s nothing I can do. I can’t make a coward fight, can I? At the end of the day, you’ve shown your true colors. If AJ was any sort of man, he would overrule the sausage, and he’d stand up and fight. But obviously he’s not. And that’s where we are.”

Giving up on the Anthony Joshua debacle, Fury is turning his attention to other potential opponents.

“So, good luck to you. One thing for sure is, I won’t wait for a sausage who’s been knocked spark out by Daniel Dubois. I’ve waited ten years for this and been ready every time. But one thing I won’t be doing is wasting my later years at 38 years old with a freak that doesn’t want to fight.”

“So, I will move on. And there’s plenty of world champions out there who do want to fight, who do want to make some money. So, I’ll be giving them a knock. So, there’s plenty of men.”

Tyson Fury ended his update with a message for Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua.

“This is going nowhere, as always. Ten years later, still in the same boat. Still nowhere. Still dragging on by a mouthpiece who’s an absolute piece of sh*t.”

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The clash is being dubbed the “Battle of Britain,” which will feature two of the biggest stars to ever come out of the UK. Many believe the fight should have happened years ago, when the two heavyweight titans were in their prime, but most are happy to settle for now, should the two come to an agreement. Negotiations have stalled and face a potential cancellation due to an ongoing dispute over the event’s venue, forcing ‘The Gypsy King’ to take drastic measures.

With hundreds of millions of dollars on the line, Tyson Fury has broken his silence. Fury unloaded on Joshua’s camp in a fiery call-out, saying:

“This is a Wednesday update. Joshua, where are you?” Fury asked during an Instagram Story post. “Still no deal done. It’s getting quite tiring. I’ve been down to fight every location that’s been mentioned. England, Ireland, Vegas, New York, back to England, back to Ireland, back to New York. Listen, I’ve said, ‘Yep, yep, yep, yep, yep,’ every single time. Zero stipulations.”

“The facts are, I feel like you’re being a coward. I feel like you don’t want to fight, and you’re just conning everybody. I feel like you’ve been doing that for years. You’ve had many opportunities to fight me, but deep down, you never really wanted it. So let’s see if you’re going to man up the final time. We’re both f***ing 37, 38 years old. Let’s f***ing fight; it’s a boxing match. You’ve been banjo’d before plenty of times. You’ve been knocked spark out a few times, so what? What’s the worst that can happen? I’m going to f***ing chin you, 100 percent, but it’s nothing that hasn’t been done before.”

Boxing fans have been here many times. The potential all-British affair has been discussed several times over the years, to no avail.

Despite securing victory last time out, Anthony Joshua still seems to be dealing with both physical and mental issues from his fatal car crash that took the lives of two close friends.

After crossing paths with Mike Tyson, Fury seized the opportunity to film a viral video of the pair, calling out a ‘scared‘ Joshua.

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The UFC has prided itself on professionalism, stripping away chaotic sponsors and personality from its fight gear to ensure those competing under its banner looked the part. However, years passed, and the promotion eventually caved to fan and fighter demand: custom shorts. Spearheading a change in the UFC, Sean O’Malley’s vibrant pink shorts and Bryce Mitchell’s camo-print trunks opened the floodgates for further customization among fighters.

Since then, many competitors on the UFC roster have been gifted with custom shorts. The alteration sparked debate among fans, who argue over which unique look is the best. But we may have a new top contender.

Move over Alex Pereira‘s Brazil-inspired champion shorts, step aside Ilia Topuria‘s iconic red-and-gold fight kit, and go away Max Holloway‘s Hawaiian-style floral gear; there’s a new head of the table. The manufacturer, ProSphere, did an excellent job capturing the true essence of Sean Strickland. His undeniable fashion sense and aesthetic have been combined into a true visual masterpiece that no one but Strickland could pull off.

Without further ado, I present to you the single greatest custom fight kit in UFC history, courtesy of Sean Strickland:

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For those interested in purchasing the best gift any man would want, just months away from the holiday period, these custom Sean Strickland “jorts” are retailing at $55.99 on the UFC Store.

The sleek denim design may have instantly caught your eye, but it isn’t just for show. Sensationally, the shorts come with functional back and side pockets for practical, everyday utility. Sizes range from S to 4XL, so fans of all shapes and sizes can show their support for Strickland and look stylish while doing so.

Chimaev lost more than his undefeated record last time out. The seemingly unbeatable fan favorite was on the wrong end of the judges’ scorecards when he suffered the first loss of his career at the hands of Sean Strickland, subsequently losing his UFC middleweight title; some fans even believe his aura is no longer the same.

Following the loss in May, the 32-year-old headed over to Real American Freestyle to test his grappling against some of the world’s elite. A successful, yet controversial debut in the promotion saw the Russian score a pinfall win over Dillon Danis. He is hoping to build on his win over Danis when he welcomes fellow UFC veteran Gilbert Burns to the RAF mats on September 18.

Since losing to Sean Strickland, fans have been eagerly awaiting news regarding Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC future. Several conflicting rumors have swirled about which weight class Chimaev will be competing at next, but supporters have finally been given their answer.

Earlier this week, Chimaev announced his plans for an imminent return, naming four potential middleweights he wants to lock horns with in the coming months, saying:

“I’m ready. Let me know when you are ready.”

I’m ready 🦾
let me know when you are ready 🫡
Sean
Dricus
Nassourdine
Caio

— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) August 31, 2026

After a couple days of deliberation, Khamzat Chimaev has settled on a name.

Sharing a post on X, ‘Borz’ hinted at a title eliminator clash with the high-flying Caio Borralho. The Brazilian has won eight of his nine fights since being acquired by the UFC in 2022, scoring an impressive bounce-back victory last time out against Reinier de Ridder.

With one of Nassourdine Imavov and Dricus Du Plessis likely competing for UFC gold next against the division kingpin Sean Strickland, Chimaev and Borralho’s reported fight could serve as the next in line affair.

Caio 🫡

— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) September 2, 2026

‘The Notorious’ instead called for a rematch with a man he beat 13 years earlier, Max Holloway. The Irishman had no interest in easing his way back into the unforgiving sport, but the biggest comeback in combat sports history ended before it truly began. Seconds into the UFC 329 headliner, McGregor misplaced a kick, tore his ACL and meniscus in his right leg, and sent his return into turmoil. Disappointment immediately sank in for McGregor fans, having waited half a decade to see him compete again, only for the bout to end in anticlimactic fashion 69 seconds after the opening bell.

Max Holloway’s instant reaction, “Why did you come back?” echoed what most viewers thought while witnessing a once great fighter fall to an injury of his own doing. Despite being glad to see him back, Joe Rogan was confused by Conor McGregor’s willingness to meet one of the best cardio machines in the sport in his first fight back from injury.

McGregor has historically struggled with his cardio and has spent years of blood, sweat, and tears attempting to improve an area of his game that has remained a gaping hole throughout his time in the spotlight. Referencing McGregor’s cardio problem, Rogan said:

“I was shocked that Conor wanted to fight [Holloway] in his first fight back after years off,” Rogan said. “I mean, five years is a long time to not fight. And then to come back and fight a guy like Max who’s been constantly fighting the best guys in the world, and knowing that Max is a guy who never fades. He’s very different.”

Conor McGregor had no shortage of fighters lining up for his return, with Michael Chandler the most heavily linked to face the former two-division world champion for years ahead of his eventual return in July.

Listen to Joe Rogan’s comments on Conor McGregor and more below.

The bantamweight made headlines last month by pulling off the biggest betting upset in the history of Dana White’s Contender Series. Apodaca entered her clash with a significant +1200 underdog status hanging over her head, with almost everyone expecting the daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, Bella Mir, to walk away with a one-sided victory and a subsequent UFC contract.

Instead, Alex Apodaca won a unanimous decision and was immediately offered a spot on the UFC roster by Dana White. However, Apodaca didn’t waste too much time celebrating her life-changing performance. Having only been a professional for two and a half years, the Texan refused to overcommit to mixed martial arts, instead continuing to work her regular 9-to-5 job with sights set on securing her future away from fighting.

Alex Apodaca spoke to Ariel Helwani about her decision, saying:

“Yeah, of course [I’ve been back to work since winning a UFC contract],” Apodaca said. “Okay? Come on. I want to have a 401k and, you know, good insurance and that kind of thing.”

Keeping a level head, Alex Apodaca becomes the latest to join the UFC women’s bantamweight division, currently dominated by Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison. The weight class is stacked with hardened veterans and future champions, so Apodaca will have no shortage of willing challengers waiting for her throughout her UFC debut and beyond.

Apodaca knows that, if her career goes well, she may one day have to decide whether to continue working or alter the way she earns a living away from punching people in the face.

“I think I might have to make the decision or change how I do it, right?” Apodaca continued. “Like, maybe it’s not a full-time position anymore, or maybe, you know, the hours are more flexible. They’ve really provided me with a lot of flexibility. I have this thing called an alternative work arrangement. And for two hours of the day, I get to just go leave and train, and that’s so cool. I don’t really know any other companies that would do that, and it’s one of the reasons I’ve stayed for so long, because they’ve been so flexible.”

“They’ve been so cool with me. They’re okay with me showing up to work looking like this, you know what I mean?”

While keeping the specific name of her employer private, Apodaca has confirmed that she works a full-time job as a consultant and manager at a high-level accounting firm. The UFC contract hasn’t altered her day-to-day life at her job, as she famously attended a 7:30 AM work video call the morning after her UFC-contract-winning performance.

Alex Apodaca gets the UD victory 😤 https://t.co/DwbbAix0Oy pic.twitter.com/zXaQoVcGHK

— UFC (@ufc) August 26, 2026

The 32-year-old wants to remain a key figure at her job for as long as possible, all while juggling a career at the highest level of combat sports.

“For a while I was like, oh gosh, I’m pouring so much into this MMA thing. I hope that they don’t think that I don’t care about my work here,” Apodaca stated. “As long as I’m working outside of fighting, [I want to stay with my accounting firm].”

Alex Apodaca later confirmed that a defeat to Bella Mir and a potential rejection from the UFC wouldn’t have diminished her hopes of competing in mixed martial arts.

“Yeah, I think [I would still fight if I lost to Bella Mir]. The whole idea was like, okay, when I took this fight, I was like, ‘I’m not going to let anything deter me.’ And I know that this is a big challenge, right? Going and fighting Bella Mir. She’s got all the accolades in the world and she’s a good fighter.”

“I was nervous, but I knew that if I go out there and I just make some statement somehow, right? Like, if I go out there and put up a fight, that is, that’s a lot. That’s saying a lot. I wanted to see. I always say every fight is kind of like a test, a little bit. It’s like, ‘What am I capable of?'”

“I wanna have a 401k and good insurance.”

Alex Apodaca explains why she’s already back at her full-time job after earning a UFC contract. pic.twitter.com/IDlaYGsYxi

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 1, 2026

Adam Darby, Modestino Rodrigues, Silvestre Sanchez, Gabriel Lorenço and Adam Livingston were awarded UFC contracts following their wins. Check out highlights from the event.

DWCS 10 -Week 4 Highlights

Four of the five matches ended in finishes. Following the event, UFC CEO Dana White announced that all five winners: Adam Darby, Modestino Rodrigues, Silvestre Sanchez, Gabriel Lorenço and Adam Livingston would receive UFC contract offers.

Your newest UFC fighters 👏

Welcome 5 new athletes from #DWCS week 4 to the roster! pic.twitter.com/GgJv6NHgM5

— UFC (@ufc) September 2, 2026

Welcome to the UFC! The Boss signs 5️⃣ new fighters to the big leagues! ✍️ #DWCS pic.twitter.com/nroFNOBYvC

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) September 2, 2026

Four of the five bouts ended in finishes. All five winners received contract offers from UFC matchmakers.

DWCS 10 – Week 4 Post-Fight Press Conference Video

The fight card was headlined by a welterweight bout between Adam Darby (7-1) and Patrick Rivera (13-4). Both entered the bout riding six-fight winning streaks.

Darby was highly touted and heavily favored heading into the fight.

Darby pressed forward and stood the fight to Rivera. He established his jab early and used his reach well. Rivera opted for a leg kick. Darby continued to utilize his jab. Darby began mixing in oblique kicks to Rivera’s lead leg. Darby stepped in with a knee to the body and Rivera clinched. He drove Darby to the cage but they soon separated. Darby doubled up with his jab. Rivera fired back but Darby stayed just out of range.

Darby pressed forward to start the second. Rivera met him with two right hands. Darby went back to landing his jab. Rivera circle on the outside and landed leg kicks but Darby set the pace. The jabs continued to land and Darby started mixing in right hands. Darby connected with a clean right hand with 90 seconds remaining. Darby picked up the pace in the final minute. Rivera’s face was wearing the damage. Rivera unloaded a right hand that connected. Darby ended the right with a right hand of his own.

Darby pressured Rivera to start the final frame. Darby pressed forward with a combination. He looked to land a left high kick. Rivera’s right found a home but he was unable to together moire than one shot. Darby stepped in with a knee to the body. The referee called in the doctor to check Rivera. The fight was called off. It had gotten extremely one-sided.

The official time of the stoppage was of the third round.

DWCS 10 – Week 4 Official Results:

• Adam Darby def. Patrick Rivera via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 2:42, Round 3
• Modestino Rodrigues def. Brandon Holmes via TKO (punches) at 0:15, Round 1
• Silvestre Sanchez def. Liam McCaken via TKO (punches) at 2:44, Round 3
• cGrGabriel Lorenco def. Charlie Cleveland via KO (punches) at 2:02, Round 1
• Adam Livingston def. Hunter Smith via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

The UFC’s first 2026 foray into China didn’t disappoint, with 10 of the event’s 13 bouts ending via stoppage. Favorites dominated the night, living up to the hype placed on them ahead of their respective bouts. Despite predicted winners mostly coming out on top, UFC Shanghai delivered one of the biggest shocks of the year. Song Yadong, coming into his clash as the heavy betting underdog, knocked out Umar Nurmagomedov, handing the prodigy the second defeat of his career.

Immediately following the knockout, Umar’s brother, Usman Nurmagomedov, stormed the cage and almost got into a physical altercation with Yadong as the 28-year-old celebrated the most significant win of his career. Usman’s actions didn’t go down well with critics, but Daniel Cormier has sided with the former Bellator and PFL standout.

Cormier—a long-term teammate of Team Nurmagomedov at the American Kickboxing Academy—jumped to Usman’s defense. Cormier hit back at critics for their “conspiracy theories,” arguing that the undefeated Russian acted as expected and that he deserved “grace” for displaying the type of emotion he did after witnessing his brother being knocked unconscious.

Daniel Cormier is often criticised for his favoritism toward his friends and former training partners while on commentary. The latest to share their dislike for Cormier is fellow UFC veteran Darren Till, who had this to say on social media:

“Why is DC always on the defensive of the Nurmagomedovs?” Till said in a rant on X. “Baffles me? You, as a company man, should [see that] he shouldn’t have stormed the octagon like that.”

“The guy is celebrating his big knockout against a huge name. But somehow you have found a way to defend [Usman Nurmagomedov] you little potato head. Why why why? I am going to be honest: as much as I think you are one of the best fighters ever in the UFC, the way you are as a company man and the views are f***ing sh*t.”

“Stop commentating and go and be an ambassador for fat camp, you f***ing potato man. Constantly finding excuses for that side, you little potato.

Why is DC always on the defensive of the Nurmagemadovs?
Baffles me?
You as a company man should he shouldn’t have stormed the octagon like that.
The guy is celebrating his big knockout against a huge name.
Bit somehow you have found a way to defend him you little potato head.…

— DT (@darrentill2) September 1, 2026

Following the loss, the first of his career, Chimaev pushed for an immediate rematch against the two-time champion. Strickland hasn’t closed the door on the possibility but doesn’t plan on fighting again until December. On Monday, Chimaev listed four opponents he’s eyeing for his next fight, including Strickland.

“I’m ready,” he wrote on X. “Let me know when you are ready Sean Dricus Nassourdine Caio.”

I’m ready 🦾
let me know when you are ready 🫡
Sean
Dricus
Nassourdine
Caio

— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) August 31, 2026

Among the potential opponents were a rematch with No. 2 ranked former champion Dricus Du Pless, No. 3 ranked Nassourdine Imavov, and No. 6 ranked Caio Borralho.

Chimaev defeated Du Plessis (24-3) in August 2025 to capture the 185-pound championship. The South African is coming off a decision win over former welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman. Imavov (17-4, 1 NC) last fought in September 2025, defeating Borralho via decision. He’s currently riding a five-fight winning streak. Borralho (18-2, 1 NC) rebounded from the loss to Imavov in his last outing, defeating Reinier de Ridder via decision in March.

None of the potential opponents Chimaev named have fights booked. Chimaev is scheduled to face former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in Real American Freestyle on Sept. 5.

Song, a tough out for anyone in the division, ended Nurmagomedov’s aspirations to earn another title fight early in the second round inside Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. As Nurmagomedov attempted a takedown, Song connected with a nicely timed punch that left Nurmagomedov removed from consciousness.

Hours after the knockout loss, Nurmagmedov released a statement via social media.

“Everything is fine with me,” Nurmagomedov wrote on Instagram (translated to English via Instagram). “Alhamdulillah. Thank you so much to everyone who writes. I will work on the mistakes. And I will be back.”

View this post on Instagram

UFC Shanghai featured 13 bouts with 10 ending in finishes. Song earned a Performance of the Night bonus for the stunning knockout. The event marked the promotion’s third visit to Shanghai and 16,188 spectators were in attendance.

UFC Shanghai Highlights: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong

UFC Shanghai Highlights: Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes

UFC Shanghai Highlights: Kai Asakura stops Aori Qileng

The event was headlined by a bantamweight bout between No. 2 ranked Umar Nurmagomedov and No. 6 ranked Song Yadong.

UFC Shanghai Post-Fight Press Conference Video:

Nurmagomedov, a former title challenger, had put together back-to-back wins since losing in to Merab Dvalishvili in a championship bout at UFC 311 in January 2025. It’s the lone loss on the Russian’s impressive resume.

Song entered Saturday’s main event coming off a submission win over former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. A won over the No. 2 ranked contender would put Chinese fighter in the title discussion.

They touched gloves and song took the center of the cage. Nurmagomedov circled on the outside. He stepped in with a leg kick and Song answered with a counter right hand. Each pawed with their jab. Nurmagomedov caught a leg kick and took Song down. Song applied a guillotine choke but Nurmagomedov defended the submission attempt. Nurmagomedov stayed heavy on top in the center of the octagon. He moved to half guard. Song scrambled to his feet but didn’t do much after. MMAWeeekly scored the round 10-9 for Nurmagomedov.

They touched gloves to start the second frame. Song again took the center of the cage. They exchanged leg kicks. Nurmagaomedov shot for a takedown and Song stuffed the attempt. Nurmagomedov partially connected with a head kick. He landed a stiff jab. Song found a home with an uppercut. He connected with a right hand and knocked Nurmagomedov out. The official time of the finish was 1:48 of the second round.

ARE YOU KIDDING @SongYadongLFG?! 🤯

HE JUST KNOCKED OUT UMAR NURMAGOMEDOV! pic.twitter.com/yZAEPhHN32

— UFC (@ufc) August 29, 2026

Xiaonan entered the match at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center coming off a decision loss to Virna Jandiroba in her last outing. She had lost two of her last three fights and needed a win to stay in the top tier of the division. She last fought in April 2025.

Gomes brought with her a four-fight winning streak having emerged victorious in six of her last seven bouts. The Brazilian was looking to pick up the biggest win of her career and jump several spots in the rankings.

Xiaonan took the center of the cage. She connected with a right hand the two exchanged leg kicks. Xiaonan began mixing in side kicks to the lead leg of Gomes. Gomes pressed forward and connected with a huge right hand., Xiaonan took it and fired back. Xiaonan landed a combination with two minutes remaining in the round. She fought a home with an overhand right. Gomes connected with an elbow that dropped Xiaonan. A follow up combination left her unconscious on the canvas grabbing the referee’s leg. Gomes left the crowd silent.

The official time of the stoppage was 4:49 of the first round.

WOAH DENISE GOMES 🤯

The power elbow and follow up strikes put a stamp on an epic KO at #UFCShanghai! pic.twitter.com/C1gKPZmsuY

— UFC (@ufc) August 29, 2026

In the co-featured fight, former title challenger and No. 4 ranked Yan Xiaonan faces and No. 9 ranked octagon veteran Denise Gomes.

Refresh the page of the latest outcomes.

UFC Shanghai Start Times:

• Main Card begins at 6 a.m. ET on Paramount+
• Preliminary Card begins at 3 a.m. ET on Paramount+

UFC Shanghai Official Results:

MAIN CARD (Paramount+, 6 a.m. ET)

• Song Yadong def. Umar Nurmagomedov via KO (punch) at 1:48, Round 2
• Denise Gomes def. Yan Xiaonan via KO (elbow and punches) at 4:49, Round 1
• Kai Asakura def. Aori Qileng via TKO (head kick and punches) at 0:34, Round 2
• Su Mudaerji def. Alex Perez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Ce Liu def. Levi Rodrigues Jr. via KO (punch) at 4:26, Round 1
• Bilal Hasan def. Nilson Rojas via KO (punches) at 2:28, Round

PRELIMINARY CARD (Paramount+, 3 a.m. ET)

• Andre Lima def. Namsrai Batbayar via submission (guillotine choke) at 3:03, Round 3
• Rei Tsuruya def. Kevin Borjas via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:03, Round 1
• Sean Woodson def. Jack Jenkins via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Francesco Nuzzi def. Xiao Long via TKO (punches) at 1:00, Round 1
• Hector Santiago def. Lawrence Lui via KO (punches) at 0:53, Round 2
• Julia Polastri def. Xiong Jingnan via KO (head kick) at 3:06, Round 1
• Cam Nelson def. Meng Ding via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

The Irishman demands attention each time the spotlight is on him, effortlessly breaking his opponents down mentally and selling fights. Viewers, both fans of McGregor and not, would buy his headlining pay-per-views and tune in, hoping to be treated to something spectacular after months of his verbal warfare. While many consider ‘The Notorious’ the standalone best trash talker in the history of mixed martial arts, legendary boxer Tyson Fury believes he deserves much of the credit.

During an interview with Russian media outlet ALF Global, Tyson Fury claimed that Conor McGregor copied his persona and blueprint to achieve global fame. McGregor was able to capitalize on a sport that was short on household names, used trash talk to his advantage while also delivering spectacular performances inside the cage, and quickly became the biggest star the sport had ever seen. Because of this, Fury wants to take full credit for pioneering the exact style that defined McGregor’s career.

“For me it’s always been easy. Talking is what I do best,” Fury said. “If there was world championships for talking, I’d be the undisputed champion.”

“Yeah, maybe [McGregor would compete against me on the mic]. But I taught him. He copied me. He copied my style. I’ve been talking sh*t from the beginning, a long time. I don’t do it to get in their heads. Boxing is a show business. Boxing is Hollywood. Boxing is a movie. The fans have to be entertained.”

“So, when they tune in and pay pay-per-view to watch Tyson Fury fight, press conference, build-up, they’re going to see a show. That’s why they come to see. It’s going to be a crazy show; something’s going to happen. It’s like a circus.”

Listen to Tyson Fury’s statement about Conor McGregor and more in the video below.

UFC Shanghai Final Face-Offs Video:

Nurmagomedov hit the scales first and officially weighed 135.5 pounds. Yadong came in slightly heavier at 136.

Three fighters failed to make weight. Flyweight Andre Lima weighed in one pound above the 126-pound flyweight limit. Women’s flyweights Xiong Jingnan and Julia Polastri came in heavy, Xiong missing weight by one point and Polastri missing her mark 2.5 pounds. Lima was fined 20% of her fight purse. Both fights will proceed and planned.

UFC Shanghai Weigh-In Video

UFC Shanghai Official Weigh-In Results

MAIN CARD (Paramount+, 6 a.m. ET)

• Umar Nurmagomedov (135.5) vs. Song Yadong (136)
• Denise Gomes (115) vs. Yan Xiaonan (115.5)
• Kai Asakura (135.5) vs. Aori Qileng (135.5)
• Su Mudaerji (125) vs. Alex Perez (126)
• Ce Liu (206) vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr. (206)
• Bilal Hasan (124.5) vs. Nilson Rojas (124.5)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Paramount+, 3 a.m. ET)

• Namsrai Batbayar (126) vs. Andre Lima (127)*
• Kevin Borjas (126) vs. Rei Tsuruya (125)
• Jack Jenkins (145) vs. Sean Woodson (145)
• Xiao Long (135) vs. Francesco Nuzzi (136)
• Lawrence Lui (135.5) vs. Hector Santiago (135)
• Xiong Jing Nan (117)** vs. Julia Polastri (118.5)**
• Meng Ding (170) vs. Cam Nelson (170)

*Lima missed weight by one pound

**Xiong missed weight by 1 pound while Polastri was 2.5 pounds heavy

Perry made the announcement during Thursday’s Duel Arena 1 pre-fight press conference. On 48-hours notice, former UFC fight Brandon Jenkins stepped in to face “Platinum” at Kia Center. The bout headlines the fight card.

“Let’s not beat around the bush. This p*ssy ass b*tch Dillon Danis didn’t show the f*ck up,” Perry said. “He’s not here. He backed the f*ck out because he’s a p*ssy.

“I want to give a shout out to my new opponent Brandon Jenkins. He’s getting on a plane right now. He’s flying here to weigh in the morning like a professional and fight me on Saturday night.”

Danis pulling out of fights is nothing new. He last fought MMA in August 2025, defeating Warren Spencer at Misfits 22. He’s had freestyle wresting matches in RAF against Colby Covington and Khamzat Chimaev earlier this year and is scheduled to face Arman Tsarukyan for the inaugural RAF Middleweight Crossover Championship in the main event on October 3, 2026 at RAF 14.

Jenkins last competed under the Most Valuable Promotion’s banner on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano fight card in May, defeating Chris Avila via split decision.