MMA News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 26, 2026 at 11:41 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Bogdan Guskov couldn’t capitalize on his short-notice opportunity against Magomed Ankalaev, but he isn’t allowing Saturday’s setback to get him down. Guskov stood across the Octagon from Ankalaev in the UFC Abu Dhabi headliner inside Etihad Arena. Guskov had a chance to emerge as a new contender in the light heavyweight division. Ankalaev ultimately put Guskov away in the fifth round via TKO. It’s the former light heavyweight champion’s first win since losing the 205-pound gold against Alex Pereira back in Oct. 2025.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 26, 2026 at 10:51 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Daniel Cormier wouldn’t be surprised if Magomed Ankalaev is Carlos Ulberg’s first challenger. Ankalaev fought Bogdan Guskov in the UFC Abu Dhabi headliner this past Saturday. Ankalaev was initially expected to face Khalil Rountree, but the dangerous striker had to pull out of the fight due to an injury. Guskov couldn’t make it to the final horn as Anakalev scored a fifth-round TKO victory.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 26, 2026 at 9:46 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Steve Erceg has updated fans after face planting during the UFC Abu Dhabi co-main event. Erceg was looking to extend his winning streak to three when he collided with Ramazan Temirov this past Saturday. “Astro Boy” got dropped with a right hand in the opening frame, and Temirov never took his foot off the gas. Eventually, Temirov caught him on the chin a few more times and Erceg was dropped again to seal the deal.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 26, 2026 at 9:07 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Carlos Ulberg had vested interest in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event, and he believes he saw enough of Magomed Ankalaev to have him downloaded. Ankalaev took center stage inside Etihad Arena this past Saturday. He shared the Octagon with Bogdan Guskov, who was a late replacement for the injured Khalil Rountree. Ankalaev ended up scoring a fifth-round TKO finish.

Harry Kettle - July 25, 2026 at 4:24 AM PDT // 0 Comments

MMA analyst Paul Felder has given his thoughts on Conor McGregor potentially making another comeback from injury. As we know, Conor McGregor is once again on the shelf after injuring his knee in his rematch with Max Holloway. The bout barely lasted a minute before it was stopped, and now, the Irishman is back on the road to recovery – after just getting off of it.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM PDT // 0 Comments

A single performance can change the trajectory of an entire career, and for one debuting fighter, the stakes reach even further than that. Nat Khat Min steps into the Circle for the first time against Thai veteran Pompet PongSuphan PK in the flyweight Muay Thai main event of ONE Friday Fights 163 on Friday, July 24. The card broadcasts live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.

Curtis Calhoun - July 24, 2026 at 3:44 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Olympic bronze medalist Robelis Despaigne has opted to return to the UFC instead of continuing to pursue a fight with Francis Ngannou. After knocking out Josh Parisian in just 18 seconds at UFC 299, heavyweight Robelis Despaigne was thought of as a potential threat to Jon Jones and other top heavyweights. But back-to-back losses to Austen Lane and Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Despaigne’s first career losses in Mixed Martial Arts, ended up leading to his release from the promotion.

Curtis Calhoun - July 24, 2026 at 2:08 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Former UFC featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega will fight in his hometown as he completes his full-time move to lightweight. After a scary pre-fight weight cut ahead of UFC Shanghai, former featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega will make the full-time move to the lightweight division. Ortega has lost four of his last five fights, including his recent unanimous decision loss to former bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling at UFC Shanghai.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 24, 2026 at 1:00 PM PDT // 0 Comments

A knockout debut would be one thing. Becoming a two-division threat from day one is another matter entirely. Ryujin Nasukawa opens his ONE Championship account against Thai slugger Thongpoon PK Saenchai in a strawweight kickboxing bout at The Inner Circle 23 on Friday, July 24. The card streams exclusively to subscribers from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 24, 2026 at 12:03 PM PDT // 0 Comments

The headliners for UFC Abu Dhabi have made weight along with the rest of the fighters scheduled for Saturday’s card. Light heavyweights Magomed Ankalaev and Bogdan Guskov are set to clash inside Etihad Arena. Initially, Ankalaev was set to face Khalil Rountree, but “The War Horse” suffered an injury. Despite the short notice, Guskov made weight at 205. pounds. Ankalaev had the same weight on the scale, making the UFC Abu Dhabi main event official.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 24, 2026 at 11:37 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Rose Namajunas doesn’t want to retire just yet, but she needs to have a good reason to trade leather again. Namajunas last competed inside the Octagon back in January. She stepped inside the Octagon with Natalie Silva in hopes of returning to the UFC title picture, but she dropped a unanimous decision to Silva. The outcome was a bit controversial, as many pundits felt “Thug” Rose did enough to secure the win.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 24, 2026 at 11:12 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Oscar De La Hoya believes Zuffa Boxing is trying to fool fighters by offering select names bigger paydays in the short term. Recently, the promotion booked its biggest match to date with Conor Benn challenging Ryan Garcia for the WBC welterweight title on Sept. 12. Benn is signed to Zuffa Boxing, while Garcia is under De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. While this will be a co-promoted event, De La Hoya still has major issues with TKO and Zuffa Boxing.

Curtis Calhoun - July 27, 2026

Boxing superstar Claressa Shields’ ongoing feud with Mixed Martial Arts legend Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino struck an abrasive tone this week. Former training partners-turned-adversaries Claressa Shields and Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino have traded barbs for months. The two female combat sports legends have teased a potential boxing match in recent years, including at a fan expo run-in.

Cole Shelton - July 27, 2026

Salahdine Parnasse has finally decided to sign with the UFC. Parnasse signed with the promotion and will headline UFC Paris on Sept. 5 against Dan Hooker. It’s a fan-friendly fight, as Parnasse has been sought-after for years, but he felt like the time was now to sign with the promotion as he got a chance to headline a card in his country and against a top-ranked opponent.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 27, 2026

Khalil Rountree had every intention of making the UFC Abu Dhabi trip, but his coach made him think better of the situation. Rountree was scheduled to meet Magomed Ankalaev this past Saturday for a pivotal light heavyweight bout inside Etihad Arena. “The War Horse” ultimately pulled out of the fight due to an injury. Bogdan Guskov stepped in, and he was finished in the fifth round via TKO.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 27, 2026

One highly regarded MMA coach believes it’s time for UFC lightweight Michael Chandler to hang up his gloves. Chandler has been known for his exciting fighting style throughout his 34-fight career. He’s had success inside the cage, having won Bellator gold three times. At the age of 40, Chandler hasn’t earned a win since 2022, which means the retirement calls have grown louder.

Curtis Calhoun - July 27, 2026

Former UFC featherweight Cole Miller says modern Mixed Martial Arts fans don’t understand the grind fighters go through to get to the cage. The Ultimate Fighter 5 veteran Cole Miller has transitioned beautifully from fighter to coach after hanging up the gloves. Miller, who earned wins over the likes of Ross Pearson, Dan Lauzon and Leonard Garcia during his career, is viewed as a sponge for Mixed Martial Arts knowledge.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 26, 2026

UFC Abu Dhabi is in the books, and one competitor who fell short in his bout this past Saturday is apologizing for his post-fight comments. Mike Davis went on a social media rant after he was defeated by Nurullo Aliev via unanimous decision on the preliminary portion of the card. Davis was none too pleased with his opponent’s grappling and went as far as to call for his release from the UFC roster.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 26, 2026

Carlos Ulberg is playing matchmaker following the events of UFC Abu Dhabi. Ulberg, the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, witnessed ex-titleholder Ankalaev put away Bogdan Guskov in Saturday’s main event. Ulberg told the UFC on Paramount+ crew that he was confident he saw what Ankalaev brings to the table in a possible title fight. He also mentioned that he’s targeting an early 2027 return to the Octagon.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 26, 2026

Magomed Ankalaev won’t dismiss a possible collision with Paulo Costa in the near future. Ankalaev is fresh off his fifth-round finish over Bogdan Guskov in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event this past Saturday. The former 205-pound titleholder was coming off his championship loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 320. It was just the second defeat of the Dagestan bruiser’s pro MMA career, but he got back on track this past Saturday.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 26, 2026

Daniel Cormier wouldn’t be surprised if Magomed Ankalaev is Carlos Ulberg’s first challenger. Ankalaev fought Bogdan Guskov in the UFC Abu Dhabi headliner this past Saturday. Ankalaev was initially expected to face Khalil Rountree, but the dangerous striker had to pull out of the fight due to an injury. Guskov couldn’t make it to the final horn as Anakalev scored a fifth-round TKO victory.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 26, 2026

Steve Erceg has updated fans after face planting during the UFC Abu Dhabi co-main event. Erceg was looking to extend his winning streak to three when he collided with Ramazan Temirov this past Saturday. “Astro Boy” got dropped with a right hand in the opening frame, and Temirov never took his foot off the gas. Eventually, Temirov caught him on the chin a few more times and Erceg was dropped again to seal the deal.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 26, 2026

Carlos Ulberg had vested interest in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event, and he believes he saw enough of Magomed Ankalaev to have him downloaded. Ankalaev took center stage inside Etihad Arena this past Saturday. He shared the Octagon with Bogdan Guskov, who was a late replacement for the injured Khalil Rountree. Ankalaev ended up scoring a fifth-round TKO finish.

Harry Kettle - July 25, 2026

UFC legend Henry Cejudo has claimed that Kamaru Usman fought Dricus du Plessis with an injury last weekend. In the main event of UFC Oklahoma City, Dricus du Plessis dominated Kamaru Usman to vault himself right back into world title contention in the UFC’s middleweight division. While DDP is set for a big fight next, Kamaru’s future is up in the air.