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Dalton Rosta is tied with Aaron Jeffery at one win apiece, but it doesn’t seem like the temperature is high for the former in terms of a rubber match transpiring down the line. Rosta takes on Bryan Battle in the headliner of PFL Charlotte, on August 7th. Also on PFL’s foray into North Carolina, Joshua Silveira versus Aaron Jeffrey takes place in what is another consequential middleweight contest.

When asked if each gets their desired outcome on this Summer card, if a trilogy clash with the former BTC and CFFC champ could garner his interest at all, Rosta said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

“No, because at the end of the day, I think I put on exciting fights whether I’m wrestling or striking. I’ve never been in a boring fight except for with Aaron Jeffery and a lot of his fights, this is no dig at Aaron Jeffery. All of his fights are boring. He hugs everybody against the cage. It’s probably going to be the same way with Josh Silveira. So, if he were to win, which I don’t think he will. If he were to win, I don’t think they’d want to make the trilogy. They don’t want to tank my stock to give him another opportunity. At least that’s what I think.”

“Also, I don’t even think his name’s in the conversation. From my understanding, you’ve got still the top four in the division. Even though I lost to Impa [Kasanganay], I’m still ranked fourth. He’s still ranked third. He’s getting the interim shot. Fabian [Edwards] just fought for the championship. Fabian is still ranked second. Look at the top four. So, they’re going to be focusing on the top four, for sure.”

Dalton Rosta and Aaron Jeffery’s MMA history

Dalton Rosta and Aaron Jeffery have gone the distance in both of their bouts, with each clash taking place under different promotional banners. In their initial showdown, Jeffery earned a unanimous decision over Rosta at Bellator 298.

The sequel clash saw ‘Hercules’ get the nod from the judges this time as Rosta recorded a split decision win at PFL World Tournament 7. It remains to be seen if these two share the cage again, but they both are definitely within the upper echelon of PFL’s stacked middleweight division.

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Legendary mixed martial arts coach Greg Jackson has given fans a preview of what to expect when Gable Steveson steps in there to take on Elisha Ellison this weekend.

At UFC 329, Gable Steveson, who is just 3-0 in his mixed martial arts career, will make his first appearance for the UFC. His official debut takes place on one of the biggest cards of the year with the likes of Conor McGregor and Paddy Pimblett looking to shine on the main card.

Gable Steveson is a controversial figure for many given his past, but in equal measure, he has the potential to be one of the best heavyweights that we have ever seen at the elite level. Well, that’s if you believe the likes of Jon Jones and Greg Jackson, who have been working very closely with him in the lead-up to the Ellison fight.

In a recent UFC Embedded appearance, Greg Jackson had the following to say about Gable Steveson.

Greg Jackson on Gable Steveson’s potential

“I think, if you’re a fan, you’re gonna need to tune in to see what can this guy do,” Jackson said on UFC 329 “Embedded.” “He already won the Olympic gold medal at heavyweight in wrestling. That is so hard to do, I can’t even tell you. Where is the ceiling? What can he accomplish? What can he do?”

“I’ve worked with most of the greatest fighters to ever do this game, and his athletic ability is unprecedented,” Jackson said. “The way he thinks about things, how smart he is, how coachable, you need to tune in now to see where the ceiling for this guy is. He might be redefining what this sport is.”

Quotes via MMA Junkie

Of course, it’s great to show potential in the early stages of your career, but this is the big dance we’re talking about here. Gable understands pressure and tends to deal with it quite well, but when the lights are shining bright on a pay-per-view of this magnitude, this is what will truly tell us what we need to know about the next phase of his development.

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UFC fighter and former champion Cody Garbrandt has discussed his eventual retirement, as well as the money within the fight game.

At UFC 329, Cody Garbrandt will collide with Adrian Yanez in one of the most underrated fights of the year thus far. Both men are known for their sharp boxing skills, but with Cody now being 35 years of age, there are plenty of questions about his longevity in mixed martial arts – especially when you consider the damage he’s taken in that time.

Alas, Cody Garbrandt has always been a fighter who is remembered fondly for the early portion of his career, especially when he won the world title. Either way, though, this is his last real opportunity if he’s serious about making another run for the gold.

In a recent interview before UFC 329, Cody Garbrandt had some interesting thoughts on his future, the UFC and fighters managing their money.

Cody Garbrandt discussers fighter money

“I don’t know how many years I have left in the sport, but I pray that God lets me stay healthy, intact, and I can leave on my own terms,” Garbrandt told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “I think a lot of fighters don’t get that opportunity. They have to fight because they need the money. They have to fight injured. It’s tough. You see them walk away and the detriment that it does getting released back into the wild. Like, man, you’re not going to have that adrenaline, something to look forward to, so it’s tough. I just pray that a lot of these fighters stacked their money, get plans for after. 

“I wish the UFC did a little more in helping us out with that: healthcare, insurance, 401K. It’s scary to leave something that’s secure and you’ve chased your whole life, and then it’s done and those paychecks don’t come in, those sponsorships don’t come in. Then you go back to not having that adrenaline of chasing something. … It’s scary to think about that stuff. I can see why mentally, physically, emotionally a lot of fighters you see in the media go through stuff like that.”

Quotes via MMA Junkie

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Former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili has said that Ilia Topuria was fighting blind after the early stages of his fight against Justin Gaethje.

As we know, Ilia Topuria lost the UFC lightweight championship at UFC Freedom 250 when he was defeated by Justin Gaethje. It was a hard-fought affair and Ilia certainly had his moments, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough, and ‘The Highlight’ finally managed to win the big one after years of trying – and a few failed attempts against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.

Ilia Topuria is a warrior in his own right and we all know that to be true, but it’s not insane to ask questions about what kind of response he will have after a beating like the one he took. The first professional loss for any mixed martial artist can really make you reevaluate your career, so it will be interesting to see what kind of changes he looks to implement.

In a recent interview, Merab Dvalishvili weighed in on Ilia Topuria’s loss.

Merab Dvalishvili discusses Ilia Topuria’s loss to Justin Gaethje

“My brother Ilia, unfortunately, he lost but he showed a great fight,” Dvalishvili told MMA Fighting. “Fight was really tough. Unfortunately, Ilia was fighting blind since the first round. I think one moment Justin Gaethje threw a punch like this [with his thumb extended], I think he eye poked him. It was even worse and then Ilia [was] blind in both eyes. He [wanted] to keep fighting. He almost finished Justin Gaethje from the body shot. He even dropped him.

“If Ilia continued [throwing] hammerfists or throwing punches, he would finish him. But Ilia chased the submission and then Justin Gaethje somehow survived. It was a tough fight but I’m proud of my brother Ilia. He showed a great, great fight.”

Quotes via MMA Fighting

Regardless of what may have been happening with Ilia’s vision, there’s no denying that Gaethje put on an incredible performance to secure the win. At the same time, Topuria will almost certainly be back in a world championship fight sooner rather than later, and we can’t wait to see how it plays out.

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Ian Machado Garry won’t be seeking an early finish against reigning UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.

The Irishman is going to lock horns with Makhachev on August 15 in the main event of UFC 330. Garry recently joined Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency, and earlier today, during the signing presser at Vicar Street, Dublin, the next 170-pound UFC title challenger spoke about his upcoming fight.

Ian Machado Garry breaks down upcoming UFC 330 title clash with Islam Makhachev

Ian Machado Garry, the short-notice risk-taker, renowned for breaking his opponents, having endless cardio, and always fighting the smart fight, appears to have a similar game plan against the P4P king.

Garry, while breaking down how he wants to dismantle Makhachev, made it clear that it won’t be an early knockout or a submission. Instead, he plans on going for 15 minutes and then look for the final kill in the fourth stanza. He wants to purely dominate and show the world why Irish MMA is the best. “The Future” said:

“My ideal scenario. I want a fourth-round finish. I don’t want any early knockout. Because then there are ifs, buts, and maybes. Ah, there are excuses. I want four rounds of domination. And in that fourth round, I am going to tell everybody, ‘I am going to do it now.’ And then I’m going to go and finish him. I’m going to open the door. I’m going to walk him into my traps and take his head clean off his shoulders.”

Check out Ian Machado Garry’s comments below:

During the same presser, talking about his big plans and why he’s the next big superstar in Irish MMA, “The Future” added:

“With my next fight, I am the most victorious Irishman in UFC history. I will have 11 wins. I want to [bring the UFC back to Ireland as fans here deserve it]. I am the next superstar of Irish MMA. I am going to be carrying the second wave.”

Check out Ian Machado Garry’s comments below:

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The UFC headed east to Azerbaijan for a UFC Fight Night event that featured a homecoming for Rafael Fiziev, while a card packed with emerging talent looked to put on a show in front of a packed crowd at the National Gymnastics Arena.

Here are our power rankings for the night’s top performers at UFC Baku.

UFC Baku Power Rankings

1. Rafael Fiziev

The homecoming hero of Baku was given the task of closing the show, and he did so in style with a brilliant second-round knockout of notorious first-round finisher Manuel Torres.

Fiziev entered the bout in poor form, having lost four of his last five bouts, but each of those matchups came against elite opposition. But against rising talent Torres, Fiziev proved that there are levels to the UFC’s lightweight division as he took the fight to the Mexican from the opening exchange, avoided Torres’ vaunted first-round finishing power, then stopped him in the second.

The finish, a spectacular spinning heel kick, with follow-up punches, was a thing of beauty, and the perfect way to send the Baku fans home happy after a great night of fights.

2. Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev

It will take you longer to read this than Yakhyaev needed to actually win his fight. The light heavyweight finisher entered the Octagon, patiently waited for Bruce Buffer to finish his announcements, then proceeded to demolish Julius Walker with strikes.

The whole fight lasted just seven seconds, as Yakhyaev gave another warning to the light heavyweight division that he’s a force to be reckoned with at 205 pounds.

3. Asu Almabayev

In terms of the most comprehensively excellent all-round MMA performance of the night, Asu Almabayev stood above the rest. Matched with the tricky veteran Charles Johnson, the Kazakh contender showcased smart stand-up skills, and mixed in his wrestling to keep the American guessing.

And when the fight hit the mat in the third round, Almabeyev produced a piece of grappling magic, as he worked himself into position and executed a perfect Suloev stretch to force the tap an secure his third straight win inside the Octagon.

Alabayev looks like a contender in the making at 125 pounds, and while he may need one more win to put himself right in line for a title shot, he can expect a big fight for his next assignment.

4. Matheus Camilo

Matched against Azerbaijan’s own Nazim Sadykhov, Brazil’s Matheus Camilo knew he was going into enemy territory in Baku. But, despite his opponent receiving the entirety of the fan support in the arena, it was Camilo who emerged with his hand raised in victory.

A well-timed punch dropped Sadykhov hard to the canvas, and a series of follow-up strikes forced the finish as Camilo claimed back-to-back wins in the UFC after losing his debut to Gabe Green in May 2025. Now he’s on a win streak, it’ll be interesting to see how far he can take his form in the talent-stacked lightweight division.

5. Daniil Donchenko

Having won The Ultimate Fighter, Ukraine’s Donchenko is starting to make real progress in the UFC’s welterweight division. His TKO of Swedish replacement opponent Theodor Berggren showcased Donchenko’s trademark aggression as he pushed the pace, hurt his man, and got the stoppage early in the second round.

At just 24 years of age, we’re only starting to scratch the surface of Donchenko’s potential in MMA gloves, but what we already know is that he’s an exciting talent to follow, and one who loves a tear-up. That’ll bode well for his booking prospects in the coming years, and it probably won’t be long before we see him on another fight card.

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Julian Lane is a former BKFC welterweight champion who is looking to return to winning ways against one of the top surging contenders in his division. A multi-time BKFC title challenger who trains with Julian Lane has weighed in on this looming Lane vs. Henry bout.

The two-time BKFC bantamweight title challenger who works with Lane is Ryan Reber, and he knows Julian Lane better than most on several levels. Bryce Henry is the surging 165-pounder who will collide with Lane, and the 6-0 bare knuckle boxer carries a one hundred percent finishing rate into his battle with ‘Let Me Bang’ Lane on June 4th at BKFC Hollywood.

This event also happens, but a couple of days after the eight-year anniversary of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, promoting their kickoff card, with the company kicking off their promotional efforts on June 2nd, 2018. When discussing his personal as well as professional relationship with Julian Lane, Reber said [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],

“Yeah. No, it’s good, man. That’s my brother in the game, and we talk a lot. We get to share a lot of ideas together. I mean, we talked on the phone the other night for an hour. Just talked about him, talked about me, talked about things that needed to be different, talked about things we could do differently. It’s great to have those people in my corner, man. It really is because a guy like him, he’s an absolute legend in the sport. So he’s got a lot of insight. He’s got a lot of knowledge to pass down.”

Julian Lane vs. Bryce Henry analyzed by BKFC’s promoter

Julian Lane and Bryce Henry is a compelling clash at BKFC’ Florida-based card in the coming weeks, and as BKFC president David Feldman commented on the consequential contest at welterweight, Feldman said [via Fight Book MMA],

“Julian Lane has been with us since the beginning and is a true BKFC fighting legend. However, Bryce Henry has been on an unprecedented winning streak, all by knockout. Both guys want a shot at the world title, and this is a true BKFC crossroads battle. The former champ versus the fast-rising star, expect fireworks from the opening bell.”

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Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo is one of the more interesting UFC betting spots on the May 30 card in Macau because it pairs a younger, rising bantamweight with a former flyweight champion whose name still carries weight in the market. The line has already moved toward Song, which tells you where the early money has gone and sets up a clear debate between form, style, and finishing threat.

Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo Odds

Song Yadong enters UFC Macau as the clear betting favorite over Deiveson Figueiredo, and the market has leaned his way hard since lines opened for the May 30 main event at Galaxy Arena in Macau, China. The current betting on ufc fights board shows Song around -590 at one book and between -550 and -560 at others, while Figueiredo sits near +390 to +410, which points to a wide gap in expected outcome.

Song’s case starts with youth, activity, and division fit. He is officially listed at 22-9-1, while Figueiredo is 25-6-1, and Song is the younger, taller bantamweight with a 5-foot-8 frame to Figueiredo’s 5-foot-5 build. Song’s recent form is still useful even after his January loss to Sean O’Malley, because that defeat came on the scorecards in a high-level five-round spot.

Before that, he beat Henry Cejudo by technical decision and had wins over Chris Gutierrez and Ricky Simon, which supports the view that he can hang with experienced names over distance. In a market like this, that recent resume helps explain why sportsbooks have made him a heavy side.

Figueiredo is still dangerous, and that is why his number is not longer despite the market move against him. He brings elite finishing history and a record of 9 knockout wins and 9 submission wins on his UFC profile, which means he can threaten in more than one phase.

The concern is his recent bantamweight run. Figueiredo lost to Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision in January 2026, and he has dropped three of his last four at 135 pounds. That run does not erase his upside, but it does make the underdog case harder to sell against a fast, active contender in Song’s spot.

On paper, Song is the safer pick, and the best betting angle is his side rather than chasing a finish prop at a short price. Figueiredo’s live chances are real because of his finishing history, but the current market suggests most bettors see Song’s pace and divisional comfort as the steadier path to victory. For a clean fight-preview takeaway, Song by decision is the most workable call, with Song outright win the sharper side than forcing a method bet at the current number.

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Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano belongs near the top of MMA’s cultural milestones, Netflix and MVP said the event peaked at nearly 17 million viewers globally, while the U.S. peak was 11.6 million, which was enough to reset the American MMA viewership mark. That puts it in rare air for the sport, and in women’s MMA history.

Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Drew 17 Million Viewers on Netflix, Setting an MMA Mark

Carano, the early mainstream face of women’s MMA from the Strikeforce years, and Rousey, the athlete who took women’s MMA into the UFC and made it a major-force television property. Carano is a pioneer who boosted the visibility of women’s MMA from 2006 to 2009, while Rousey was the first woman signed by the UFC and the promotion’s first women’s bantamweight champion. Put simply, Carano helped open the door, and Rousey kicked it off the hinges.

The U.S. numbers beat the old MMA benchmark set by UFC on Fox 1, which peaked at 8.8 million viewers in 2011. For years, that was the number everyone pointed to when talking about live MMA on network TV, and it stood as a high-water mark for the sport’s reach. The Netflix event also averaged 12.4 million viewers on the main card globally, according to Netflix and MVP, which makes it more than a novelty.

• Bob Sapp vs. Akebono — 54 million viewers
• Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano —17 million global peak viewers
• UFC on Fox 1: Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos — 8.8 million peak viewers
• EliteXC: Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson — 7.281 million viewers
• UFC on Fox: Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis — 6.7 million viewers
• The Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale: Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock — 6.524 million viewers
• The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale: Kimbo Slice vs. Roy Nelson — 6.1 million viewers
• UFC 75: Quinton Jackson vs. Dan Henderson — 5.811 million viewers
• UFC on Fox 6: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson — 5.2 million viewers

In women’s MMA history, the fight sits in a lane alongside a few turning points: Gina Carano’s Strikeforce run, Ronda Rousey’s UFC debut against Liz Carmouche at UFC 157, and the rise of fighters who followed them into bigger promotions and better paydays. Rousey and Carmouche gave the UFC its first women’s fight in 2013, and that moment is still a key line in any WMMA timeline. Carano’s title fight with Cris Cyborg in Strikeforce was another landmark, because it put a women’s bout at the center of a major show before the UFC had even committed to the division.

For MMA, the event is now a benchmark for streaming-era reach.

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UFC 327’s co-main event between Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa has quietly turned into one of the sharper betting puzzles on the Miami card, with the market tilting toward the undefeated Russian southpaw as fight week begins.

Azamat Murzakanov vs Paulo Costa: UFC 327 Co-Main Betting Breakdown and Best Angles

For UFC 327’s co-main event, the moneyline has Azamat Murzakanov sitting as a moderate favorite in the -180 to -190 range, with Paulo Costa posted around +150 to +160 on the underdog side, a profile that will look familiar to anyone who browses markets at places like GG Bet Casino. In implied probability terms, that prices Murzakanov in roughly the low‑60 percent range to win, while Costa is being given a high‑30 percent chance by the market heading into fight week.

These numbers reflect Murzakanov’s 16‑0 professional record and undefeated UFC run at light heavyweight, along with his recent first‑round knockouts of Brendson Ribeiro and Aleksandar Rakic, contrasted with Costa’s move up from middleweight and a 15‑4 slate that includes a recent stretch where he went 2‑4 across six bouts despite decision wins over names like Sean Strickland and Roman Kopylov.

Betting trends show a slight skew toward Murzakanov tickets, helped by recency bias from his violent run at 205 and the lure of an undefeated record in a co-main spot. At the same time, Costa’s name value and history with Israel Adesanya keep him live in parlays and underdog shots, especially among casual bettors who remember his title run more than his layoffs.

The market leans toward a finish rather than a five‑round style spar, with bettors giving a slight edge to Murzakanov by knockout due to his recent record and striking profile. He has ended a large share of his wins by KO or TKO, including four of his last five UFC victories, and has shown a knack for timing counters from his southpaw stance, particularly against taller opponents trying to kick at range.

This is a high‑leverage spot for both men in a division that needs fresh title threats. Murzakanov is ranked number six at 205 pounds, riding a perfect professional record and back‑to‑back TKO wins over Aleksandar Rakic and Brendson Ribeiro that pushed him from prospect to genuine contender. Costa, a former middleweight title challenger, is testing himself at light heavyweight after years at 185, trying to prove that his power and pressure carry up a division following uneven results and periods of inactivity.

For risk‑tolerant bettors, the main decision is whether to trust Murzakanov’s momentum and cleaner recent data, or to back Costa’s experience in five‑round environments and his ability to push pace in a fight that, on paper, encourages exchanges from the opening horn.

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