Martial Arts News

Islam Makhachev has no intention of following Khabib Nurmagomedov's footsteps and retiring early.

Nurmagomedov retired at the age of 32 as the undefeated and undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion. Makhachev then surpassed his mentor’s accomplishments at 155 pounds before claiming gold at 170 pounds. The reigning welterweight king has no intentions of stopping anytime soon.

Islam Makhachev discusses UFC 330 title defense, Anderson Silva record chase and future goals Makhachev is set to defend his welterweight title for the first time when he meets Ian Garry in the UFC 330 headliner on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia. Ahead of his first title defense at 170 pounds, the Dagestani made it clear that early retirement isn’t part of his plans. While a victory over Garry will see Makhachev break the Octagon record for most consecutive wins, he’s looking to extend the record and further cement his legacy.

“I am the best fighter in the world, but I want to be th…

Usman Nurmagomedov is now MMA’s most prized free agent. | 📷: PFL MMA

Usman Nurmagomedov has emerged as the most sought-after free agent in mixed martial arts after completing his contract with the Professional Fighters League.

Comments from Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White and Usman’s cousin, UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, suggest his next move could be unveiled soon.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals negotiations on Usman Nurmagomedov’s future will commence ‘soon’ Nurmagomedov further extended his perfect record and added to his value as a free agent with his dominant victory over Archie Colgan at PFL New York. While a UFC move is rumored, re-signing with the PFL could be a possibility amid the promotion’s merger with Most Valuable Promotions.

Notably, PFL CEO John Martin and MVP co-founder Jake Paul have publicly expressed their desire to retain the undefeated lightweight champion. However, when asked about Usman…

Dakota Ditcheva felt bothered by hearing boos from some in attendance at PFL New York. | 📷: PFL MMA

Dakota Ditcheva’s win over Denise Kielholtz drew a negative reaction from some fans in attendance.

Ditcheva entered her latest Professional Fighters League bout as the betting favorite and delivered a dominant performance against Kielholtz. However, her performance drew a negative reaction from portions of the crowd who began booing, a reaction Ditcheva wasn’t expecting.

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Dakota Ditcheva discusses fan reaction, Denise Kielholtz win and PFL New York return Ditcheva has seven first-round stoppage victories in the PFL, but her latest performance didn’t live up to the hype behind her. After her unanimous decision win at UBS Arena in Belmont, New York, Ditcheva discussed hearing boos from the crowd during her fight with Kielholtz.

“It bothered me… Only because I’m passionate about the work I do and I wanted a stoppage myself,” Ditcheva said…

Real American Freestyle continues to bolster its growing roster of Ultimate Fighting Championship talent.

The freestyle wrestling promotion recently announced that Sharabutdin "Shara Bullet" Magomedov has signed with RAF. He joins other current UFC stars like Merab Dvalishvili, Belal Muhammad and Khamzat Chimaev in joining the promotion.

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Shara Bullet Magomedov becomes latest UFC fighter to join RAF crossover wrestling Magomedov’s arrival at RAF comes after the promotion recently introduced its crossover championship titles, allowing active MMA fighters to compete for belts separate from the promotion's elite freestyle wrestlers.

Magomedov owns a 17-1 professional MMA record and has established himself as a fan favorite in the UFC's middleweight division. After opening his career with 15 consecutive victories, "Shara Bullet" suffered his first professional loss via decision to Michael Page before rebounding with back-to-back wins over Michel Pereira…

Josh Hokit and Jake Paul are going back and forth on social media.

Paul recently attracted Hokit’s attention by challenging NFL players. The YouTuber-turned-boxer believes no NFL player can outbox him in the squared circle. However, he’s confident he can catch a touchdown pass without any training.

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Jake Paul offered $1M. This former NFL player had a response “The Problem Child” even offered $1 million to any NFL player who can box him better than he can run routes against them.

“Will pay any NFL player $1 million dollars if you can box me better than I run routes against you Internet is judge. Will send my jet to pick you up who’s down?” Paul wrote on X.

“Not a single NFL player could last 2 rounds in a professional boxing ring,” he wrote in another post. “Meanwhile I can catch a touchdown pass tomorrow in the NFL with 0 training.”

Former football player Hokit didn’t let Paul’s comments pass. “The Incredible Hok” is confident that he can beat …

Jiri Prochazka has sent Paulo Costa a warning.

Prochazka (32-6) recently warned Costa (16-4) against tagging him on social media or mentioning his name unless the Brazilian wants to fight him. The former champ also claims the Ultimate Fighting Championship has offered Costa a booking against him for October or November and he’s eager to take him on.

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Jiri Prochazka claims UFC offered Paulo Costa a light heavyweight matchup

Costa has taken shots at fellow light heavyweight contenders ahead of the final bout on his current contract. The former middleweight title challenger criticized former champion Magomed Ankalaev’s performance at UFC Abu Dhabi and also mocked Prochazka for his loss to current titleholder Carlos Ulberg.

Prochazka has now clapped back at "Borrachinha,” claiming that the latter shouldn’t mention his name unless they’re actually slated to fight. The Czech star added that the promotion has already offered the fight to Costa.

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HOME TOWN HERO 🇷🇸@Urketaraketa proves why he is a PROBLEM in the welterweight division as he earns the electric finish at #UFCBelgrade! pic.twitter.com/pyJO3X7FmD

— UFC (@ufc) August 1, 2026 After a historic UFC Belgrade card that featured 12 finishes, four fighters earned an extra $100,000 for their standout performances.

Given the rapid finishes, it's no surprise that the Ultimate Fighting Championship opted against giving out a fight of the night distinction. Instead, four performance of the night bonuses were awarded, including one to main event winner Uros Medic. "The Doctor" impressed with a 30-second knockout of Daniel Rodriguez, who was completely outmatched by the 33-year-old striker.

Co-main event winner Navajo Stirling also received a performance of the night bonus for smashing former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in under three minutes. It's the biggest win in the career of Stirling, who is now 11-0. Big fights a…

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED@Urketaraketa finds the finish IMMEDIATELY in RD1 at #UFCBelgrade!

[ @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/KxFGNV0qDf

— UFC (@ufc) August 1, 2026

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Uros Medic stuns UFC fans with 30-second main event knockout in Belgrade The first-ever Ultimate Fighting Championship card in Serbia set the record for the most first-round finishes (10) in promotional history and saw the local fighters piling up five victories.

Thirty seconds, that’s how long it took for local hero Uros Medic (13-3, 7-3 UFC) to secure a victory against Daniel Rodriguez (20-5, 10-4 UFC) in the UFC Belgrade main event. Medic took the center of the cage before trading low kicks with fellow Dana White’s Contender Series alum Rodriguez. After a front kick that served to take his opponent's measure, "The Doctor" landed a counter left hook as the American pressed forward, then followed up with a two-piece combination and a knee that imme…

Sherdog's live UFC Belgrade coverage will begin Saturday at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT. The event is also known as UFC Fight Night 283. Round 1 A women’s flyweight tilt between Luciano (7-2-1, 2-1 UFC) and Spasic (7-1, 0-0 UFC) kicks off festivities at Belgrade Arena in northern Serbia. Dejan Tesic presides over the proceedings. They touch gloves and get down to business. Spasic presses forward behind jabs and overhands, all while controlling the center of the cage. Inside leg kick from Luciano. Blinding multi-punch volley from Spasic. Luciano lures her into the clinch and lands a knee to the body. Spasic separates. Luciano connects with a straight left and a right hand over the top. Sharp jab from Spasic, followed by a one-two and a leg kick. They circle one another in the center. Lucian steps into a right hand and beats the Serb to the punch. They trade in the center. Not much mind paid to defense here. Luciano working push kicks to the lead leg, then follows them up with a bur…

Usman Nurmagomedov WITH THE FIRST ROUND KO 😱#PFLNY | Main Card Live NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/mikFN1ZLFx

— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 1, 2026

Professional Fighters League’s return to UBS Arena in Long Island, New York, was punctuated by a majestic performance in the main event.

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The PFL New York headliner saw current 155-pound titleholder Usman Nurmagomedov (22-0, 1 NC; 4-0 PFL) defend his championship against Archie Colgan (13-1, 2-1 PFL). After a feeling-out couple of minutes in the center of the cage, Nurmagomedov connected with a head kick on his opponent’s temple before following up with a big left hand that dropped Colgan. Shortly after the American managed to recompose himself and get back to his feet, Nurmagomedov followed up with more uppercuts that sent “King” to his knees. Smelling blood, the Dagestani landed more punches before referee Keith Peterson waved it off at the 3:42 mark of Round 1. In his post-fight …

Sherdog's live PFL New York coverage will begin Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET.

A lightweight title fight headlines PFL NY: Tune on Friday, July 31 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Round 1 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Tudor Leonte scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Tudor Leonte scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Tudor Leonte scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Tudor Leonte scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Tudor Leonte scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Tudor Leonte scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Tudor Leonte s…

Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Lucie Pudilova has patiently toiled away for her opportunity at a world title. But despite the setbacks and injuries, she vows that her sacrifices will pay off gloriously Saturday night.

“I’ve been waiting a long time for the opportunity to have this fight,” Pudilova told Sherdog.com. “I’ve battled through my injuries so I could be ready as fast as possible and still I’ve been kept waiting. But now I’m here. Finally.”

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Former UFC veteran Lucie Pudilova says years of injuries and postponed fights have prepared her to challenge unbeaten Oktagon champion Lucia Szabova Pudilova aims to shock the world when she challenges unbeaten Lucia Szabova for the Oktagon bantamweight title at Oktagon 92 at Stvanice Stadium in Prague, Czech Republic. This fight is six years in the making as Pudilova (17-11) has had the Oktagon flyweight and bantamweight double champion in her sights since 2020. Twice they were scheduled to fight…