McKee (25-2), once a Bellator featherweight champ, faced off against the previously undefeated Salamat Isbulaev, and battled through three hard-fought rounds to come away with a unanimous decision victory.

It was far from easy. A competitive scrap saw the pair both have their moments on the feet, while McKee appeared to have the advantage in several thrilling grappling exchanges. The American was sporting a cut over one eyebrow in the end, though Isbulaev was cut as well. Luckily, neither wound had any direct impact on the action, with the bout going the full 15 minutes.

Triplicate 30-27 scores outlined just how successful AJ McKee was in the bout, though Isbulaev was never fully out of it. Afterwards, McKee admitted that he had “underestimated” his opponent, referring to him as a champion.

It’s reclaiming gold that is on McKee’s mind next however, and he called for just that following the win. The PFL’s 145lb title sits vacant, and only Timur Khizriev, #1 at featherweight, sits ahead of AJ McKee.

The 31-year old was joined in the winner’s circle on Saturday by a familiar face to fight fans. Liz Carmouche also made her case for a title shot undeniable at PFL San Diego, though that’s not what the #2-ranked women’s flyweight called for at the end of the night.

Carmouche (26-8), a former Bellator flyweight champ, as well as a title challenger in both Strikeforce and the UFC, won the 2025 PFL World Tournament, and found herself paired up with fellow UFC vet Viviane Araujo at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, CA. The bout saw Araujo and Carmouche spend plenty of time clinched up along the fence, but in the second round, it was “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche hitting a guillotine choke and forcing the tap.

At age 42, Carmouche has looked as good as ever, with just PFL promotional darling Dakota Ditcheva perched ahead of her in the rankings. The British star skipped the World Tournament last year, and has been out with injury; she’s set to return against Denise Kielholtz later this summer.

Should she win, Ditcheva vs. Carmouche for the vacant women’s 125lb title seems like a no-brainer. Yet in the cage on Saturday, Carmouche called for something she’s desired for a long time: a shot at a second title, at bantamweight. Neither Bellator nor the PFL have featured a women’s bantamweight division, and Carmouche very much wants to lead one.

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After a closely contested opening round, Fiziev put Torres away early in the second, setting it up with a spinning back kick that while blocked still sent the Mexican lightweight to the canvas.

Torres struggled back to his feet but was felled again as Fiziev turned up the heat, firing lefts and rights and finally finishing it off with a few more punishing follow-up strikes. The victory saw Fiziev return to the win column following a loss to Mauricio Ruffy earlier this year, and pick up one of four Performance of the Night bonuses announced following UFC Baku.

No Fight of the Night was awarded as part of the UFC’s second-ever trip to Azerbaijan.

Also among the bonus-winners, Asu Almabayev, who may find himself in the running for Submission of the Year. After dominating Charles Johnson for the better part of two rounds, Almabayev locked up a rarely-seen Suloev stretch in the third, forcing the tap. There was never any doubt that the sub would earn bonus bucks.

With nine finishes on the card, Daniil Donchenko and Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev picked up the remaining Performance of the Night bonuses at UFC Baku. Donchenko put away newcomer Theodor Berggren with a head kick and a few follow-up blows; Yakhyaev took just eight seconds to knock out Julius Walker.

The remaining five finishers on the card earned $25,000 in bonus money for their own stoppages. Those were Tahir Abdullayev, Kaan Ofli, Nursulton Ruziboev, Abusupiyan Magomedov, and Matheus Camilo.

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The winner of the bout should be lined up for a championship engagement, given the league’s 145lb title sits vacant. The San Diego card, meanwhile, is the first of six big shows in eight weeks for the PFL, which will make stops in Austin, TX, Washington, DC, and New York coming up.

In the night’s co-headliner on Saturday, former UFC title challenger and Bellator MMA women’s flyweight champion Liz Carmouche was in action, taking on Viviane Araujo. Carmouche, who fought for a Strikeforce title early in her career, had won the PFL World Tournament in 2025; Araujo was looking to build off a win over Shanna Young in her promotional debut just a few months back.

Where to Watch PFL San Diego

PFL San Diego takes place on Saturday, June 27 at the Pechanga Arena San Diego in San Diego, CA. The card airs live on the ESPN App and ESPN2 (main card only) in the U.S. Full results can be found below. The action kicks off at 8PM ET, 5PM PT.

PFL San Diego: McKee vs. Isbulaev Results

Main Card

AJ McKee def. Salamat Isbulaev by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Liz Carmouche def. Viviane Araújo by submission (guillotine choke), Round 2, 2:07
Alexander Shabliy def. Alfie Davis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Rob Wilkinson def. Abraham Bably by TKO, Round 2, 3:23

Preliminary Card

Khasan Magomedshairpov def. Josh Weems by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 1, 2:10
Jena Bishop def. Ariane Lipski da Silva by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 4:08
Sarvarjon Khamidov def. Justin Wetzell by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 4:11
Shannon Clark def. Ilara Joanne by TKO, Round 3, 1:43
Cobey Fehr def. Daniel Bzdigian by submission (Anaconda choke), Round 1, 2:00

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In the Muay Thai main event, George Jarvis and Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong met for the second time, after Jarvis had knocked out his rival in their first encounter — to win a ONE contract no less. Both had since gone on to challenge for gold in ONE Championship.

Also in action, former ONE lightweight MMA champ Ok Rae Yoon returned to action for the first time since 2024 when he took on Lucas Gabriel.

Where to Watch ONE Fight Night 44

ONE Fight Night 44 takes place at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, June 26, 2026. The full card streams live on Amazon Prime Video; full results can be found below.

ONE Fight Night 44: Jarvis vs. Rungrawee II Results

George Jarvis def. Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong by KO, Round 2, 1:59  — Muay Thai
Lucas Gabriel def. Ok Rae Yoon by split decision — MMA
Johan Estupinan def. Akif Guluzada by unanimous decision — Muay Thai
Charlie Guest def. Sam Fitzgerald by TKO, Round 2, 2:08 — Muay Thai
Nakrob Fairtex def. Jacob Smith by unanimous decision — Muay Thai
Owen Jones def. Fabricio Andrey by split decision — Submission Grappling
Karen Ghazaryan def. Hisashi Ezaki by TKO, Round 1, 5:00 — MMA
Ferrari Fairtex def. Shinji Suzuki by unanimous decision — Muay Thai
Paul Elliott def. Regan Upshaw by knockout, Round 1, 0:06 — MMA

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With Aziz Osorbek Uulu failing to make weight for the planned bantamweight headliner with Eduardo Torres, a scheduled 150lb catchweight between Francisco Hernandez and Pepe Torres was promoted to the top slot.

Austin Clayton vs. Elias Urbina IV was also cancelled when Urbina hit the scales north of 189lbs for the middleweight fight. Genesis Cejudo and Lisa Melendez both missed the strawweight limit for their fight, but that moves forward, as does the flyweight bout between Yevgeni Shinkarevsky and Aiden Ingram, after Ingram came in at 126.6.

Kyle Estrada and Kevin Fernandez, meanwhile, was set for a 130lb catchweight, with both missing weight anyways.

Where to Watch LFA 236

LFA 236 takes place on Friday, June 26, 2026 at the Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. The main card airs live on Vice TV following select prelims (some dark bouts/post-lims may take place after the main event). The main card gets underway at 9PM ET, 6PM ET. Results can be found below.

LFA 236: Hernandez vs. Torres Results

Main Card

Francisco Hernandez vs. Pepe Torres – CANCELED
Chance Ikei def. Enrique Pacheco Parra via Unanimous Decision
Kevin Fernandez def. Kyle Estrada via Unanimous Decision
Delton Kaufmann def. Chaz Polson via R2 TKO, 3:17
Marcus Nash def. Moses Afoa via Unanimous Decision

Preliminary Card

Paul Marghitas def. Quest Truxton via Unanimous Decision
Aiden Ingram def. Yevgeni Shinkarevsky via R1 TKO, 3:38
Yve Nelson. def. Jared Braun via Unanimous Decision
Genesis Cejudo def. Lisa Melendez via R1 TKO, 0:11
Jacob Lagoa def. Mitch Wheeler via Unanimous Decision

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Also set for action on Friday, Nong-O Hama and three-time Rajadamnern Stadium World Champion Kongthoranee Sor Sommai faced off for the third time. And Stamp Fairtex, a former multi-sport champ in ONE and once one of its biggest budding stars, was also part of The Inner Circle on Friday.

It was all Muay Thai on Friday, with no MMA in sight.

Where to Watch ONE Championship

ONE Friday Fights 160 takes place on Friday, June 26, 2026 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Inner Circle fights are available via the ONE Championship website, while the main card streams live on Youtube for western fight fans. Full results from the event can be found below; the action gets underway at 7:30AM ET, 4:30AM PT.

ONE Friday Fights 160 Results

Numsurin Chor Ketwina def. Songchainoi Kiatsongrit by unanimous decision
Yodkhunpon def. Semih Sah Cindir by KO, Round 2, 2:49
Wanchainoi Pongsuphan PK def. Dokmaipa Santiubon by KO, Round 1, 0:54
Ubaid Hussain def. Sanpet Sor Salacheep by TKO, Round 1, 2:31
Chartpayak Saksatoon def. Panpadej NF Looksuan by split decision
Rungruanglek TN Muaythai def. Face Erawan by unanimous decision
Pet Suanluangrodyok def. Adam Sor Dechapan by split decision
Ayad Albadr def. Saenmuangnoi PK Saenchai by unanimous decision
Ryuya Okuwaki def. Hern NF Looksuan by KO, Round 2, 1:14

The Inner Circle

Asadula Imangazaliev def. Aslamjon Ortikov by split decision – for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship
Nong-O Hama def. Kongthoranee Sor Sommai by unanimous decision
Julio Lobo def. PTT Apichart Farm by TKO, Round 2, 2:01
Stamp Fairtex def. Cynthia Flores by split decision
Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree def. Muangthai PK Saenchai by split decision

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Mexico’s Torres has put together a 5-1 record to earn his first main event stint in the promotion, while Fiziev got back in the win column last year with a victory over Ignacio Bahamondes. He’s since dropped a fight to Mauricio Ruffy, but his losses have come to some of the best, including two in the UFC against Justin Gaethje, now the undisputed lightweight champion.

In the night’s co-main event, middleweights Michel Pereira and Shara Bullet were set to face off. Pereira had gotten back in the win column in his last fight, while Shara was competing for the first time in a year.

Weigh-ins for UFC Baku take place Friday, with the ceremonials set for 9AM ET, 6AM PT. Results can be found below.

UFC Baku: Fiziev vs. Torres Weigh-In Results

Main card

Lightweight: Rafael Fiziev (156) vs. Manuel Torres (156)
Middleweight: Sharabutdin Magomedov (186) vs. Michel Pereira (185.5)
Lightweight: Nazim Sadykhov (156) vs. Matheus Camilo (156)
Flyweight: Asu Almabayev (126) vs. Charles Johnson (125.5)
Middleweight: Ikram Aliskerov (186) vs. Brunno Ferreira (185)
Middleweight: Abusupiyan Magomedov (185.5) vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk (186)

Preliminary card

Welterweight: Farman Hasanov (170.5) vs. Eric Nolan (170.5)
Light Heavyweight: Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev (206) vs. Julius Walker (206)
Middleweight: Nursulton Ruziboev (186) vs. Andrey Pulyaev (186)
Featherweight: Kaan Ofli (146) vs. Javier Reyes (145.5)
Welterweight: Daniil Donchenko (170.5) vs. Theodor Berggren (171)
Bantamweight: Bekzat Almakhan (136) vs. Jean Matsumoto (135.5)
Welterweight: Tahir Abdullayev (170.5) vs. Jefferson Nascimento (171)

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Fiziev’s last win, in fact, came at the inaugural Baku, Azerbaijan event a year ago; that victory against Ignacio Bahamondes was followed by a loss to Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 325 earlier this year.

In Torres, Fiziev (13-5) noted during this week’s UFC Baku media day that “I see strengths and I understand what his weaknesses are, and I will use my strengths against his weaknesses.” Torres is 5-1 in the UFC, and is stepping into a main event for the first time this weekend.

Asked about Azerbaijani fans, meanwhile, “I’m sure you’ll be proud,” Fiziev said of the fight.

Fighting at home has Rafael Fiziev feeling relaxed, it seems.

“I came here two times already two times already [to] fight and honestly say, I feel super calm inside. Because usually I come here to rest, see relatives, have something tasty to eat, walk, enjoy our beauty, and they come here to fight. And already, two times, I feel huge piece of mind. No pressure, just zero pressure, soul is very calm.”

That said, Fiziev added the he was sure that after weighing in, “I’m going to start catching a charge,” and going out to fight “will charge me like it did last time,” but for the past week, he’s been “very calm in general.”

Watch the full UFC Baku media day appearance by Rafael Fiziev above.

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The lightweight, known for wars inside the cage and his charitable foundation outside of it, surprised fight fans after being arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia.

Now, bodycam footage of the incident has emerged showing Poirier challenging police to a fight. The video was obtained by TMZ, via the Atlanta Police Department.

“Let’s go big dog. Let’s go big dog. What’s up? Bunch of hoes. Let’s go. Let’s go,” Poirier can be heard on camera. “Relax,” an officer tells Poirier.

An airline employee can be overheard saying “this is why he got pulled off the plane.”

“Pull me off the plane. All my boys went to the f*cking crib, and now what the f*ck?” responds Poirier. “F*ck you and f*ck her and f*ck her.”

“I’ll fight you right now. I’ll go with you right now. Let’s go. Let’s go. Tell them. Tell them, come on. It’s going to be bad,” Poirier is heard exclaiming while the officer on scene radios to his counterparts.

Towards the end of the video, Poirier is heard asking to be arrested.

🚨 Dustin Poirier was unhinged during his arrest this week in a totally chaotic scene

🎥: Atlanta Police Department pic.twitter.com/DKCBQBLR81

— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) June 23, 2026

In a statement issued via his Instagram Story, Poirier later admitted that he needs help.

“I’m at the point where I need some help, walking away from fighting hasn’t been easy on me and alcohol isn’t the answer,” he wrote. “It has ruined my father’s life and I will not allow it to ruin mine, my family deserve me at 100%”

“I’m trying to do everything I can to get my mind right and take the right next steps.”

In a separate statement via Full Send, Poirier said that since retiring, “some days I’m great, some days I’m not so good. If I’m not working towards something or trying to better my family, I’m a danger to myself.”

Poirier retired from mixed martial arts following a loss to Max Holloway roughly a year ago. The former interim lightweight champion has shared the cage with the likes of Holloway, Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Eddie Alvarez, and others.

The post Dustin Poirier Issues Statement After Release of Arrest Footage appeared first on Cageside Press.

The incident took place on Sunday, June 21, which happened to be Father’s Day.

TMZ was first to report news of Poirier’s arrest, noting that in Georgia, the charge is a misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to one year in jail, and/or a fine, if convicted.

Poirier later took to social media to issue a brief statement seemingly in response to the news becoming public. “Love you all, I’m working on myself,” he wrote on his Instagram Story on Monday afternoon.

Following a loss to Max Holloway in a “BMF” title fight last July, Dustin Poirier hung up the gloves and retired, though he had recently hinted he could return for the right opportunity. Primarily for a fourth fight with Conor McGregor, who returns to action for the first time since 2021 next month.

Poirier appears to have other concerns now, though it’s unlikely he’ll face the full penalty for Sunday’s incident. Ben Askren later provided context, which, if it’s believed, appears to have Poirier rough-housing with pals at an airport.

“He was having a good time at the airport. Wrestled some of my friends,
Askren wrote alongside of a video clip of Poirier.

A former interim lightweight champion, Poirier failed three times to claim undisputed gold in the UFC, and lost two “BMF” title opportunities. He does, however, hold wins over McGregor, Holloway, Justin Gaethje (all of whom also have their own wins over “The Diamond”), Eddie Alvarez, and King Green, among others.

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