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		<title>Bogdan Guskov Factored in META Rankings in Decision to Join UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/23/bogdan-guskov-factored-in-meta-rankings-in-decision-to-join-ufc-abu-dhabi-main-event/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:25:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MMA News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bogdan Guskov]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 282]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=227441</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Bogdan Guskov was expecting to face Jan Blachowicz, first in March, later in May, then in Serbia at UFC Belgrade on August 1. Instead, he now finds himself in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi this Saturday, where he takes on Magomed Ankalaev. The journey to get to the fight had a few twists [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/23/bogdan-guskov-factored-in-meta-rankings-in-decision-to-join-ufc-abu-dhabi-main-event/" data-wpel-link="internal">Bogdan Guskov Factored in META Rankings in Decision to Join UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Bogdan Guskov was expecting to face Jan Blachowicz, first in March, later in May, then in Serbia at UFC Belgrade on August 1. Instead, he now finds himself in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi this Saturday, where he takes on Magomed Ankalaev.</p>
<p>The journey to get to the fight had a few twists and turns, and interestingly enough, the UFC&#8217;s new AI-driven rankings system played a role.</p>
<p>&#8220;What happened was, because of these continuous changes, I ended up having to have such a long layoff period, which I wasn&#8217;t really happy about. I was willing to fight sooner than that,&#8221; Guskov (18-3-1) said during this week&#8217;s UFC Abu Dhabi media day. The Uzbek fighter had expected the rematch with Blachowicz after the pair fought to a draw last October.</p>
<p>&#8220;About 10 days ago, we heard that [Khalil] Rountree got injured and my manager called me and said that there&#8217;s an opportunity to fight in Abu Dhabi instead,&#8221; he continued.</p>
<p>Factoring into Guskov&#8217;s decision was the new UFC META rankings, an AI-driven rankings panel that is currently used in addition to media voted rankings. In the META rankings, Blachowicz is ranked behind Guskov. Fellow ex-champ Ankalaev is ranked ahead of them both. After discussing it with his manager, Guskov agreed to think on switching fights for 24 hours.</p>
<p>&#8220;I hung up the phone, thought about it for about 15 seconds and immediately accepted the fight. I called him back, said &#8216;there&#8217;s nothing to think about, we&#8217;re definitely doing it.'&#8221;</p>
<p>The way Guskov looks at it, little has changed, and it&#8217;s not really a short-notice fight. &#8220;I went through the full camp, I was ready, I was happy to fight in Serbia but here the only thing that changed was it&#8217;s a week earlier, and that the opponent&#8217;s stance switched from orthodox to left hand. Other than that, everything is the same for me. I&#8217;m ready to go.&#8221;</p>
<p>Later, Guskov would touch on the steady climb he has made up the light heavyweight division. One that has consistently seen him in the role of the underdog.</p>
<p>&#8220;If you look at my career in general, every single opponent that I got was exponentially stronger than the one before him. Every time it was guys from the top and every time it was basically a test for me,&#8221; stated Guskov. &#8220;I was an underdog in every single fight, every single time it was me against somebody that was supposedly stronger than me, and I kept on going through my opponents. So obviously with Ankalaev, he&#8217;s now the most dangerous guy that I can fight. There&#8217;s no way that I&#8217;m underestimating him in any way.&#8221;</p>
<p>Guskov knows that he&#8217;s going to be the underdog once again at UFC Abu Dhabi. &#8220;He&#8217;s going to be the one that everybody&#8217;s going to be looked at as a winner, and it&#8217;s going to be up to me to test myself and to prove myself against somebody that&#8217;s the strongest next challenge in my career.&#8221;</p>
<p><em>Bogdan Guskov faces Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi this Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/23/bogdan-guskov-factored-in-meta-rankings-in-decision-to-join-ufc-abu-dhabi-main-event/" data-wpel-link="internal">Bogdan Guskov Factored in META Rankings in Decision to Join UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>Magomed Ankalaev Responds to Pereira Taunt: &#8220;He Must Have Just Woken Up&#8221;</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/22/magomed-ankalaev-responds-pereira-taunt-must-have-just-woken/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 01:01:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MMA News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Magomed Ankalaev]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 282]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=227437</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Magomed Ankalaev is focused on the light heavyweight division, where he faces Bogdan Guskov in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi this Saturday. That didn&#8217;t stop the Dagestani from responding to questions about Alex Pereira, arguably Ankalaev&#8217;s biggest rival, this week. The pair are 1-1 in their career series, both bouts being title fights. [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/22/magomed-ankalaev-responds-pereira-taunt-must-have-just-woken/" data-wpel-link="internal">Magomed Ankalaev Responds to Pereira Taunt: &#8220;He Must Have Just Woken Up&#8221;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Magomed Ankalaev is focused on the light heavyweight division, where he faces Bogdan Guskov in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi this Saturday.</p>
<p>That didn&#8217;t stop the Dagestani from responding to questions about Alex Pereira, arguably Ankalaev&#8217;s biggest rival, this week. The pair are 1-1 in their career series, both bouts being title fights. Pereira moved to heavyweight earlier this year, vacating his 205lb title, and he recently asked whether Ankalaev was &#8220;still alive&#8221; when the subject of a third fight between the two was brought up.</p>
<p>Ankalaev (20-2-1, 1NC) responded during Wednesday&#8217;s UFC Abu Dhabi media day. &#8220;Alex Pereira must have been sleeping for a long time, because I believe that he was put to sleep pretty hard. So he must have just woken up and he must have forgotten that I&#8217;m alive still.&#8221;</p>
<p>Pereira was finished by Giryl Gane at the UFC Freedom 250 card on the White House grounds last month. &#8220;I&#8217;m alive and well, and I&#8217;m waiting to see what he can show,&#8221; Ankalaev added, before later suggesting that while light heavyweight is his immediate focus, he&#8217;d be game for a third fight with Pereira at heavyweight.</p>
<p>Magomed Ankalaev has not fought since losing his title to Pereira back in October, and believes that the loss had a silver lining.</p>
<p>&#8220;A defeat effects different fighters different ways. I think a defeat for me was beneficial because it got me more motivated, it got me training harder, it gave me a reason to come back and to show that I belong here. I think it&#8217;s going to be a good fight, and I&#8217;m excited to show what I worked on.&#8221;</p>
<p>He also responded on Wednesday to criticism that he&#8217;s too nice, that his kindness might hold him back as a fighter.</p>
<p>&#8220;How are people going to know what I am or what I have inside?&#8221; Ankalaev questioned. &#8220;It&#8217;s just that, I&#8217;m a professional fighter, I like to keep my emotions inside and if there&#8217;s no crossing of a specific line, then I come out here and I come out as a professional. But if somebody crosses that line or kind of toes the line, then I&#8217;m sure I can show my character as well. Other than that, I like to keep my emotions in, my head cool, and go in and do my job.&#8221;</p>
<p><em>Magomed Ankalaev headlines UFC Abu Dhabi opposite Bogdan Guskov on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/22/magomed-ankalaev-responds-pereira-taunt-must-have-just-woken/" data-wpel-link="internal">Magomed Ankalaev Responds to Pereira Taunt: &#8220;He Must Have Just Woken Up&#8221;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>TTP Ep. 541: Tom Pagliarulo, Lex Ludlow, and UFC Abu Dhabi</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/22/ttp-ep-541-tom-pagliarulo-lex-ludlow-and-ufc-abu-dhabi/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Daniel Vreeland]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:42:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Podcasts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lex Ludlow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tom Pagliarulo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Abu Dhabi]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=227378</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Tom Pagliarulo Interview (1:48) Kicking off this UFC Abu Dhabi edition of TTP is our interview with Dana White&#8217;s Contender Series featherweight, Tom Pagliarulo. Pagliarulo discusses getting his call to fight for his UFC contract this August. He&#8217;ll fight on week one against Ananias Mulumba. He gives us a quick breakdown of that fight and [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/22/ttp-ep-541-tom-pagliarulo-lex-ludlow-and-ufc-abu-dhabi/" data-wpel-link="internal">TTP Ep. 541: Tom Pagliarulo, Lex Ludlow, and UFC Abu Dhabi</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3>Tom Pagliarulo Interview (1:48)</h3>
<p>Kicking off this UFC Abu Dhabi edition of TTP is our interview with Dana White&#8217;s Contender Series featherweight, Tom Pagliarulo. Pagliarulo discusses getting his call to fight for his UFC contract this August. He&#8217;ll fight on week one against Ananias Mulumba. He gives us a quick breakdown of that fight and a prediction. Plus, he also talks about his move out to Colorado and what prompted moving his training camp there. He now works out of the brand new Tiger Beetle Martial Arts with Cory Sandhagen and Carrington Banks.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/soundcloud%253Atracks%253A2365985789&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true&amp;visual=true" width="100%" height="300" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc; line-break: anywhere; word-break: normal; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap; text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-weight: 100;"><a style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" title="TopTurtleMMA" href="https://soundcloud.com/topturtlemma" target="_blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">TopTurtleMMA</a> · <a style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" title="Episode 541: Tom Pagliarulo, Lex Ludlow, and UFC Abu Dhabi" href="https://soundcloud.com/topturtlemma/episode-541-tom-pagliarulo-lex" target="_blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Episode 541: Tom Pagliarulo, Lex Ludlow, and UFC Abu Dhabi</a></div>
<p><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;">Fights, Dogs and Parlays: UFC Abu Dhabi (17:24)</span></p>
<p>After a few domestic fights, the UFC heads overseas for UFC Abu Dhabi. Headlining the card is former light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev. He&#8217;ll face a late replacement, Bogdan Guskov, who steps in for an injured Khalil Rountree Jr. Plus, in the co-main event, former flyweight title challenger <a href="https://www.fanduel.com/research/ufc-mexico-best-bets-and-predictions-moreno-vs-erceg" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Steve Erceg</a> faces Ramazan Temirov. We&#8217;ll break down those fights as well as some of our other favorite fights on the main card. Plus, as always, we&#8217;re hitting you with an underdog and a plus-money parlay that we think will make your wallet fat this weekend. For this segment, all <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">odds via FanDuel Sportsbook</a>.</p>
<h3>Lex Ludlow Interview (24:08)</h3>
<p>Closing out this UFC Abu Dhabi edition of TTP is our interview with BKFC cruiserweight contender, Lex Ludlow. The most hated man in combat sports discusses where his microphone abilities originate from. Between studying some of his favorite MMA fighters to idolizing the best trash talkers of professional wrestling history. He also digs into what went into his recent nine second knockout win at BKFC Liberty Brawl. Then he digs into what the future holds for him. Will it be a title shot in the cruiserweight division? Will it be a super fight with the biggest name in BKFC? He tells his preference.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/22/ttp-ep-541-tom-pagliarulo-lex-ludlow-and-ufc-abu-dhabi/" data-wpel-link="internal">TTP Ep. 541: Tom Pagliarulo, Lex Ludlow, and UFC Abu Dhabi</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>What&#8217;s Next: UFC Oklahoma City Winners</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/20/whats-next-ufc-oklahoma-city-winners/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mathis Desjardins]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 20:57:03 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chase Hooper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian Leroy Duncan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dricus Du Plessis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fatima Kline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tommy McMillen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 281]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=227335</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>UFC Oklahoma City was yet another example of why the Fight Nights on the road have arguably been the best part of the MMA leader’s product for the past little while. A good mix of action and stakes, capped off with a good main event with name value at the top of the card. This [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/20/whats-next-ufc-oklahoma-city-winners/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Oklahoma City Winners</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>UFC Oklahoma City was yet another example of why the Fight Nights on the road have arguably been the best part of the MMA leader’s product for the past little while. A good mix of action and stakes, capped off with a good main event with name value at the top of the card. This time around, it was two former champions facing off, with both fighters looking to keep their title hopes alive. With UFC Oklahoma City behind us, let’s look at what’s next for the winners.</p>
<h2>Dricus Du Plessis</h2>
<p>The former champion held his spot near the top of the division by winning a unanimous decision over welterweight great Kamaru Usman. Though the name value in Usman is still good, going the distance with a 39-year-old Usman who has been known to have bad knees for some years is not the accomplishment it is on paper. It certainly shouldn’t be enough to leapfrog <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/09/06/ufc-paris-nassourdine-imavov-looks-strong-in-decision-win-over-caio-borralho/" data-wpel-link="internal">Nassourdine Imavov</a> in the title picture, even with two wins over the current champion. I am not saying Du Plessis is three or four fights away from a title shot, he’s probably one good finish away from getting back in there, but he still needs to earn said good finish. If Gregory Rodrigues defeats Anthony Hernandez next month, the car crash that “Stillknocks” and “RoboCop” would create could result in a <em>Fight of the Year</em> contender, and that is an opportunity I am not willing to pass on.</p>
<p><em>Du Plessis’ next fight: Hernandez/Rodrigues winner</em></p>
<h2>Christian Leroy Duncan</h2>
<p>Though he didn’t get a finish, CLD won a clean unanimous decision over a staple of the middleweight top 10 in Jared Cannonier to keep his momentum going. With this win, the Englishman now puts himself with the Gregory Rodrigues’ and the Joe Pyfers as the next crop of 185ers looking to take out the established names. With &#8220;RoboCop&#8221; already having a fight booked, CLD can look at names such as Caio Borralho, the winner of the Sacremento co-main or even Dricus Du Plessis. However, the one I landed on is Brendan Allen, who unfortunately still seems to be in no man’s land despite a big upset win over Reinier de Ridder last October.</p>
<p><em>Leroy Duncan’s next fight: Brendan Allen</em></p>
<h2>Chase Hooper</h2>
<p>After seeing his five-fight win streak get snapped by knockout against the then fellow streaking Alexander Hernandez last summer, Chase Hooper failed to bounce back against Lance Gibson Jr. this past March. The UFC then opted to give Hooper what can only be described as a “gimme” fight against Mitch Ramirez who was winless in the UFC and on DWCS, getting KO’d in every bout. Hooper, as expected, made short work of Ramirez, and while the win was meant to get him some confidence back, the weight miss still wasn’t a good look for the 26-year-old. For that reason, I’d look to give Hooper another “gimme” before steadily increasing the level of competition again. There are multiple candidates for a fight like this, but someone like Anshul Jubli should do.</p>
<p><em>Hooper’s next fight: Anshul Jubli</em></p>
<h2>Fatima Kline</h2>
<p>Filling in on short notice up a division against a top 10 flyweight in Jasmine Jasudavicius, who is big for that weight class and in the middle of the best win streak of her career, was always going to be a tough debut for anyone. But since then, Fatima Kline has done nothing but win. This latest win against Tabatha Ricci will propel her into the strawweight top 10 and will provide her with a great opportunity to insert herself into the title conversation. With Tatiana Suarez and Zhang Weili still around, Kline will surely be in need of another win before truly asserting herself as the next challenger. I think facing the loser of the upcoming title fight in Philadelphia is exactly the kind of fight she needs next.</p>
<p><em>Kline’s next fight: Dern/Robertson loser</em></p>
<h2>Tommy McMillen</h2>
<p>Tommy McMillen earned his second UFC victory in as many fights. His loud personality combined with his fan-friendly style will surely put him in the promotion’s good graces. He asked to be on the <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/20/multiple-fights-announced-for-noche-ufc-on-sept-12-in-glendale-az/" data-wpel-link="internal">Noche UFC card in Arizona</a> in September and I don’t see why the UFC wouldn’t acquiesce to that demand. Why not have him fight another featherweight who will be willing to throw down and put on a show? Someone like Fernando Padilla, who happens to be Mexican, would be a good dancer partner for McMillen.</p>
<p><em>McMillen’s next fight: Fernando Padilla</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/20/whats-next-ufc-oklahoma-city-winners/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Oklahoma City Winners</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>What&#8217;s Next: UFC Oklahoma City Losers</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/20/whats-next-ufc-oklahoma-city-losers/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryson Hester]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 20:27:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alberto Montes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jared Cannonier]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kamaru Usman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mitch Ramirez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tabatha Ricci]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 281]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=227295</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The UFC ventured to Oklahoma City on Saturday for just the third time in the promotion&#8217;s history for an exiting card of 12 fights. The UFC Oklahoma City card was headlined by a pair of former UFC champions in former 170lb king Kamaru Usman and former 185lb champ Dricus Du Plessis. In the co-main event [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/20/whats-next-ufc-oklahoma-city-losers/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Oklahoma City Losers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The UFC ventured to Oklahoma City on Saturday for just the third time in the promotion&#8217;s history for an exiting card of 12 fights. The UFC Oklahoma City card was headlined by a pair of former UFC champions in former 170lb king Kamaru Usman and former 185lb champ Dricus Du Plessis. In the co-main event another ranked middleweight matchup, in the UFC veteran Jared Cannonier versus the former basketball player in Christian Leroy Duncan. The main event ended up winning fight of the night, and an unlikely record was also broken on the main card.</p>
<h2>Kamaru Usman</h2>
<p><a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/ufc-oklahoma-city-dricus-du-plessis-puts-on-spirited-effort-against-game-kamaru-usman/" data-wpel-link="internal">(#2) Dricus Du Plessis</a> accomplished his goal in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City, making a huge statement against (#10 WW) Kamaru Usman with his five-round beatdown of the new middleweight. Kamaru Usman now falls to 16-4 with the UFC with all of his losses coming in his last five bouts. Usman&#8217;s only win during that time period was a June 2025 unanimous decision opposite of Jaoquin Buckley. This was Kamaru&#8217;s second UFC fight a middleweight (the first being Khamzat in 2023) and the former champ stated he wasn&#8217;t sure if he&#8217;d stay or go back down for his next fight. At 39 years old he&#8217;s got some big decisions to make.</p>
<p>The fight that makes the most sense for Kamaru here is staying at middleweight and fighting the loser of Anthony Hernandez vs. Gregory Rodrigues. That fight goes down on August 22 so the timing would be great for Usman. Rodrigues, who is 10-3 with the promotion is riding a three-fight win streak defeating Jack Hermansson, Roman Kopylov, and most recently, Brunno Ferreira. Anthony Hernandez is 9-3 with the promotion and coming off of a loss to the former middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, back in February. Whoever loses that fight should take on Usman. Backup could be a fighter like Jared Cannonier as the timing would work great.</p>
<p>Should Usman go down to welterweight, he should take on a fighter like Belal Muhammad. Belal is a former welterweight champion like Usman. Belal also just turned 38 years old. That&#8217;s a fight that could make a lot of sense as Muhammad is riding a three-fight losing streak stemming from losing his belt to Jack Della Maddalena in 2025. He&#8217;s since lost to Ian Machado Garry and Gabriel Bonfim, last month. Two aging, awkward-striking wrestlers that are former champs. It&#8217;d make a good scrap if the two are ready to fight at around the same time. Easy Fight Night main event too.</p>
<p><em>Usman&#8217;s next fight if 170lbs.: (#7) Belal Muhammad or (#4) Jack Della Madadalena</em></p>
<p><em>Usman&#8217;s next fight if 185lbs.: Loser of (#7) Anthony Hernandez vs. (#9) Gregory Rodrigues </em></p>
<h2>Jared Cannonier</h2>
<p><a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/ufc-oklahoma-city-christian-leroy-duncan-claims-biggest-win-yet-gets-past-jared-cannonier/" data-wpel-link="internal">(#12) Christian Leroy Duncan</a> took the next step in his career as he cruised to a unanimous decision victory over (#11) Jared Cannonier in the co main event on Saturday. Jared has now lost four of his last five bouts dating back to June of 2024. Cannonier&#8217;s sole victory over the stretch came in February of 2025 when he starched Gregory Rodrigues in the fourth. His other losses came against Nassourdine Imavov, Caio Borralho, and Michael Page. Jared is one loss away from a .500 record as he&#8217;s 11-10 with the promotion since being signed in 2015.</p>
<p>Jared&#8217;s next fight should be against the loser of Roman Dolidze vs. Reiner de Ridder. That fight is scheduled for August 22, so the timing would be a little skewed. But Cannonier is 42, so nothing wrong with a little more time to recover. Dolidze is 9-5 with the promotion and has lost two straight. Including in his most recent fight, a unanimous decision to CLD back in March. Dolidze also had a cancelled bout against Cannonier in 2023. RDR is 4-2 with the UFC and also on a two-fight skid. His last fight was a unanimous decision loss to Caio Borralho in March. Whoever loses this fight would be a perfect matchup for Cannonier while the other will likely a way higher matchup in the rankings.</p>
<p>Worst comes to worst here and Cannonier could take on Kamaru Usman. Around the same age range, timing would work, and similar performances on Saturday. Both men have also been in multiple weight classes and would offer solid opponents for each other.</p>
<p><em>Cannonier&#8217;s next fight: Loser of Roman Dolidze vs. Reiner De Ridder or Kamaru Usman</em></p>
<h2>Mitch Ramirez</h2>
<p><a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/chase-hoopers-grappling-clinic-ends-with-r1-submission-victory/" data-wpel-link="internal">Chase Hooper</a> made quick work of Mitch Ramirez on Saturday as he easily submitted his opponent with a rear naked choke in the first round. Ramirez is a 2023 Contender Series competitor that had the misfortunate of facing one Carlos Prates. After another win outside the UFC (LFA) Ramirez got an opportunity with the promotional giant. Mitch is now 0-3 with the UFC and has been finished in every appearance.</p>
<p>Seems pretty likely that Mitch could get the boot here, seeing the outcome on Saturday. Ramirez also appeared to have injured his knee during the performance and turns 34 later this year. If he stays on the roster a good fight would be against the loser of Milos Janici vs. Noah Gugnon. That fight is going down on August 1 so as long as Ramirez didn&#8217;t come away with a bad injury (somewhat unlikely) he&#8217;d be good to go for this fight. Milos has one loss in the widely known KSW promotion and has a lot of finishes on his record. Noah is a one-loss veteran of the Bellator promotion and also has a lot of finishes to his credit. Both are hungry, dangerous fighters in their 20s that would pair up well for a quick elimination fight against Mitch.</p>
<p><em>Ramirez&#8217;s next fight: Milos Janicic vs. Noah Gugnon loser or Cut</em></p>
<h2>Tabatha Ricci</h2>
<p>26-year-old <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/ufc-oklahoma-city-fatima-kline-takes-tabatha-ricci-to-suplex-city/" data-wpel-link="internal">(#14) Fatima Kline</a> looked like she was ready for the elites of the strawweight division with her unanimous decision victory over (#7) Tabatha Ricci on Saturday. Ricci now falls to 7-5 with the UFC and has lost three of her last four since November of 2024. Ricci&#8217;s only win during the time period came in July of 2025 opposite of Amanda Ribas. Amanda was actually Fatima&#8217;s original opponent for Saturday but withdrew from the bout with Tabatha stepping up to replace her. Ricci has faced great competition losing to a pair of title challengers in Yan Xiaonan and Virna Jandiroba.</p>
<p>With all this in mind, Tabatha&#8217;s next fight is going to have to be strategic, and she&#8217;ll need to make a statement. The perfect next opponent for Ricci is (#15) Talita Alencar. Alencar is 4-1 in the UFC after being signed to the promotion off of the Contender Series in 2023. Her only loss in the UFC came to Sephanie Luciano in August of 2024. Talita is riding a 3-fight win streak having defeated Vaness Demopoulos, Ariane Carnelossi and most recently, Julia Polastri. Talita is coming off a win, but there is a small chance for the matchup. Ricci did step up for Ribas, after all. Backup option here would be a fight against Denise Gomes. But only if Gomes is beaten badly or finished in her scheduled upcoming fight against Yan Xiaonan. That fight is on August 29th so the timing wouldn&#8217;t be too far off, either.</p>
<p><em>Ricci&#8217;s next fight: (#15) Talita Alencar or (#8) Denise Gomes if she loses badly to (#5) Yan Xiaonan</em></p>
<h2>Alberto Montes</h2>
<p><a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/tommy-mcmillen-delivers-statement-performance-finishes-montes-at-ufc-okc/" data-wpel-link="internal">Tommy McMillen</a> broke the featherweight record for strikes landed in a three-round fight on his way to a third-round TKO over Alberto Montes to kick of the main card of UFC Oklahoma City. This fight had a lot of buildup to it so rough loss for Alberto who is now 1-1 with the promotion. Montes was signed off the 2024 season of the Contender Series and announced his arrival in the promotion with a bonus winning finish over Ricky Turcios in March.</p>
<p>Alberto should look no further than the fight just before his own at UFC Oklahoma City for his next opponent. Montes should fight Austin Bashi next. Bashi fought and loss of the feature prelim on Saturday losing a unanimous decision against Jose Delgado. Austin is also a 2024 Contender Series veteran and is 1-2 with the promotion. Bashi made his UFC debut against Christian Rodriguez last January, losing a decision. His lone win with the UFC came last August when he submitted John Yannis midway through the first round. Easy matchup here that really has the potential to be an under the radar scrap.</p>
<p><em>Montes&#8217;s next fight: Austin Bashi </em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/20/whats-next-ufc-oklahoma-city-losers/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Oklahoma City Losers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>AJ McKee vs. Razhabali Shaydullaev for Both PFL, RIZIN 145lb Titles Announced</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/20/aj-mckee-vs-razhabali-shaydullaev-pfl-rizin-145lb-title-announced/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:36:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MMA News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rizin FF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AJ McKee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Razhabali Shaydullaev]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Super RIZIN 5]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=227368</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In a historic first, both the RIZIN Fighting Federation and Professional Fighters League featherweight titles will be on the line this September — in a single fight. Announced by PFL CEO John Martin on Monday, AJ McKee (25-2) will face RIZIN champ Razhabali Shaydullaev (18-0) on September 10, 2026, with both Shaydullaev&#8217;s RIZIN title, and [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/20/aj-mckee-vs-razhabali-shaydullaev-pfl-rizin-145lb-title-announced/" data-wpel-link="internal">AJ McKee vs. Razhabali Shaydullaev for Both PFL, RIZIN 145lb Titles Announced</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In a historic first, both the RIZIN Fighting Federation and Professional Fighters League featherweight titles will be on the line this September — in a single fight.</p>
<p><a href="https://x.com/JohnMartinPFL/status/2079198386910036438" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Announced by PFL CEO John Martin on Monday</a>, AJ McKee (25-2) will face RIZIN champ Razhabali Shaydullaev (18-0) on September 10, 2026, with both Shaydullaev&#8217;s RIZIN title, and the vacant PFL strap on the line.</p>
<p>The fight will be part of Super RIZIN 5 at the Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, Japan. In his announcement on Monday, Martin called the fight &#8220;the best of the PFL versus the best of RIZIN, with the goal of determining who the best featherweight in the world really is.&#8221;</p>
<p>While Kyoji Horiguchi previously claimed bantamweight gold in both Bellator MMA and RIZIN, he did not win or defend both his titles simultaneously. Whoever wins between Shaydullaev and McKee come September will be representing both promotions moving forward.</p>
<p>McKee is a former Bellator MMA featherweight champ who has won his last three fights. Most recently, he cruised to a unanimous decision over <a class="border-b border-dotted border-tap_6 hover:border-solid" title="Salamat Isbulaev Fighter Page" href="https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/178290-salamat-isbulaev" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Salamat Isbulaev</a>.</p>
<p>Kyrgyzstan&#8217;s Shaydullaev, meanwhile, has defended his RIZIN title three times since capturing it from Kleber Koike in May 2025. Since then, he&#8217;s defeated Viktor Kolesnik, Mikuru Asakura, and Yuta Kubo.</p>
<p>RIZIN in particular has been seen working with multiple promotions, with BKFC partnering with the Japanese company, along with crossovers with the PFL. They&#8217;ve also opened the door for RIZIN talent to head to the UFC, with Kai Asakura and Kyoji Horiguchi moving there in the past year or so.</p>
<p>Previously, <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2023/07/29/bellator-x-rizin-2-pitbull-vs-de-souza-results/" data-wpel-link="internal">RIZIN hosted crossover events with Bellator</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/20/aj-mckee-vs-razhabali-shaydullaev-pfl-rizin-145lb-title-announced/" data-wpel-link="internal">AJ McKee vs. Razhabali Shaydullaev for Both PFL, RIZIN 145lb Titles Announced</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>Dana White: &#8220;Conor McGregor Discussion Isn&#8217;t Worth Talking About&#8221; Til After Surgery</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/19/dana-white-ufc-oklahoma-city-mcgregor/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brett Cagle&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jay Anderson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 04:27:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MMA News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dana White]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 281]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=227312</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Oklahoma City — Dana White flew into Oklahoma City at the last minute on Saturday— so last minute that he watched the Tommy McMillen fight on the plane. The UFC President and CEO did make it to the event in the end, and addressed the media, including Cageside Press, following the headliner. Immediately on everyone&#8217;s [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/19/dana-white-ufc-oklahoma-city-mcgregor/" data-wpel-link="internal">Dana White: &#8220;Conor McGregor Discussion Isn&#8217;t Worth Talking About&#8221; Til After Surgery</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Oklahoma City — Dana White flew into Oklahoma City at the last minute on Saturday— so last minute that he watched the Tommy McMillen fight on the plane.</p>
<p>The UFC President and CEO did make it to the event in the end, and addressed the media, including Cageside Press, following the headliner. Immediately on everyone&#8217;s mind, the performances of aging veterans Jared Cannonier and Kamaru Usman, both of whom suffered setbacks on Saturday. And, of course, Conor McGregor.</p>
<p>&#8220;Both guys performed and looked good. When you see the &#8216;holy sh*t these guys should retire&#8217; fights, that&#8217;s not it,&#8221; White said of Usman, a former welterweight champ who moved up to middleweight, and Cannonier, an ex-title challenger at 185lbs.</p>
<p>On Kamaru Usman in particular, White added that &#8220;he&#8217;s accomplished so much, and he&#8217;s fighting literally the number one or two best guy in the world who is way bigger than he is. I think Kamaru has done enough in his career, it&#8217;s up to him [whether to retire].&#8221;</p>
<p>Deferring to the former welterweight champ, White added that &#8220;it&#8217;s not like he&#8217;s some young guy that hasn&#8217;t done anything. This guy has done it all.&#8221;</p>
<p>Then there was Conor McGregor. Since blowing out his knee a week ago in the main event of UFC 329, the MMA world has been waiting on the Irish star&#8217;s next move. Of course, he&#8217;s having surgery, and will be on the shelf a bit. That hasn&#8217;t stopped fans from speculating on a return opponent, now that the 38-year old has confirmed he will fight on.</p>
<p>&#8220;The Conor McGregor discussion isn&#8217;t even worth talking about. He&#8217;s gotta have knee surgery, he&#8217;s going to have to go through physical therapy, it&#8217;s all going to take time,&#8221; Dana White exclaimed on Saturday at the Paycom Center. Shutting down the Conor talk, he added &#8220;then when the doctor says you can start hardcore training again, then we start talking about Conor McGregor again.&#8221;</p>
<p>As for the exact injury McGregor suffered, which has been assumed to be ACL-related but has not been confirmed, &#8220;his knee is f*cked up,&#8221; stated White.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/19/dana-white-ufc-oklahoma-city-mcgregor/" data-wpel-link="internal">Dana White: &#8220;Conor McGregor Discussion Isn&#8217;t Worth Talking About&#8221; Til After Surgery</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>PFL Austin Sees Eblen Floor Kasanganay, Face Off with van Steenis</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/pfl-austin-sees-eblen-floor-kasanganay-face-off-with-van-steenis/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jay Anderson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 03:49:03 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Results & Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Impa Kasanganay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Johnny Eblen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFL Austin]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=227298</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Their rematch was for all the marbles. Or perhaps half the marbles, given it was an interim middleweight title on the line in the main event of PFL Austin on Saturday. Either way, Johnny Eblen and Impa Kasanganay met at the Moody Center in a pivotal main event, the winner assured a shot at Costello [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/pfl-austin-sees-eblen-floor-kasanganay-face-off-with-van-steenis/" data-wpel-link="internal">PFL Austin Sees Eblen Floor Kasanganay, Face Off with van Steenis</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Their rematch was for all the marbles. Or perhaps half the marbles, given it was an interim middleweight title on the line in the main event of PFL Austin on Saturday.</p>
<p>Either way, Johnny Eblen and Impa Kasanganay met at the Moody Center in a pivotal main event, the winner assured a shot at Costello van Steenis, the champ who had been forced off the card and out of his own rematch with Eblen.</p>
<p>Like Eblen and CVS, &#8220;Pressure&#8221; and Kasanganay had met once before, at the <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/02/24/pfl-champions-vs-bellator-champions-full-results/" data-wpel-link="internal">PFL vs. Bellator card</a> a couple of years back. Eblen had come away with a decision win that night; he was looking for a more definitive outcome on Saturday.</p>
<p>The opening round of Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2 was a spirited one, both men landing, both men forcing the other back at times. A round that played out pretty much entirely on the feet, with both middleweights throwing hard. What might have been an even round, however, took a dramatic shift when Eblen knocked down his opponent in the dying seconds of the round.</p>
<p>Suddenly, the cadence of the fight had taken a significant shift up.</p>
<p>Round two opened with Kasanganay seemingly wanting to punch his way back into the fight, taking it to Eblen only for the former Bellator champ to give right back. American Top Team&#8217;s Eblen, known as he was for his wrestling prowess, appeared ready and willing to stand and bang with Kasanganay, a former PFL Global tournament winner who had pocketed the million dollars in prize money a few years back.</p>
<p>Kasanganay landed a couple of right hands about 90 seconds into the second frame that forced Eblen to clinch up. No question, Eblen wasn&#8217;t loving the damage he had taken from those. He fired a short elbow before the pair broke.</p>
<p>Later in the frame, Eblen would work the body in a clinch.</p>
<p>Things took another dramatic shift in the third round. More accurately, they came to a crashing halt. After more back-and-forth early, Eblen fired a knee, then popped off an elbow and a couple of punches. It was the elbow that dropped Impa Kasanganay really, with all but one final hammerfist glancing or missing. Either way, Impa was out, and Eblen had the win, celebrating while champ van Steenis sat cageside, belt draped over his shoulder.</p>
<p>They&#8217;d face off in the cage shortly after the smoke had cleared from the PFL Austin main event, setting the stage for their rematch to finally take place hopefully later in the year.</p>
<p><em><strong>Official Result: Johnny Eblen def. Impa Kasanganay by knockout, Round 3, 2:39</strong></em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/pfl-austin-sees-eblen-floor-kasanganay-face-off-with-van-steenis/" data-wpel-link="internal">PFL Austin Sees Eblen Floor Kasanganay, Face Off with van Steenis</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>UFC Oklahoma City: Dricus Du Plessis Puts on Spirited Effort Against Game Kamaru Usman</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/ufc-oklahoma-city-dricus-du-plessis-puts-on-spirited-effort-against-game-kamaru-usman/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jay Anderson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 03:13:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Results & Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dricus Du Plessis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kamaru Usman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 281]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=227244</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The main event of UFC Oklahoma City on Saturday saw Kamaru Usman return to the middleweight division, taking on ex-185lb champ Dricus Du Plessis. DDP was making his return after losing his title to Khamzat Chimaev last year. And after a bit of a feeling out process, South Africa&#8217;s Du Plessis stung Usman with a [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/ufc-oklahoma-city-dricus-du-plessis-puts-on-spirited-effort-against-game-kamaru-usman/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Oklahoma City: Dricus Du Plessis Puts on Spirited Effort Against Game Kamaru Usman</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The main event of UFC Oklahoma City on Saturday saw Kamaru Usman return to the middleweight division, taking on ex-185lb champ Dricus Du Plessis.</p>
<p>DDP was making his return after losing his title to Khamzat Chimaev last year. And after a bit of a feeling out process, South Africa&#8217;s Du Plessis stung Usman with a right hand about halfway through the opening round. That was followed by a combo that seemed to give Usman additional issues, then a kick. Usman landed a right hand in response; Du Plessis fired a jab, and later an uppercut that missed the mark.</p>
<p>A big kick by Du Plessis opened round two, but didn&#8217;t really put Usman in too much danger. A moment later, however, a DDP knee rocked Usman. A punch behind the ear compounded Usman&#8217;s problems. Usman was simply not adjusting well to the power of Du Plessis. A head kick, blocked though it was, had Usman moving back. Another knee connected as Usman moved in, and he was hanging onto a leg for dear life.</p>
<p>Usman would stay on Du Plessis for a bit, before they&#8217;d break and move back to striking range. There, the South African had a solid edge, and another right hand stumbled the former welterweight- though he drew a pause complaining of an eye poke on what was clearly a closed fist. After officials watched it back, they ordered the fight to continue, and Usman had not recovered. He was under fire, split open, briefly fell, and came up into a weak takedown attempt that Du Plessis shook off with ease. A head kick backed up Usman. He&#8217;d survive the round, but it wasn&#8217;t looking good.</p>
<p>Kamaru Usman opened round three with a kick, then another; game as he was, he was looking worse for the wear. And every punch landed by Du Plessis still seemed to wobble Usman. DDP, however, appeared to take his foot off the gas a bit in round three, in addition to slipping a couple of times. It took until the final minute, but Usman finally changed levels and landed a big double-leg takedown. While he couldn&#8217;t keep Du Plessis on the mat, it had to be a morale boost, especially in a much closer frame.</p>
<p>Round four opened similar to the third, with Usman back in the fight, but a high kick by DDP that was blocked still wobbled Kamaru. Du Plessis went back on the hunt, firing that kick twice more. Usman survived, fired a leg kick, but ate a massive right hand. He closed the distance for the takedown, but DDP fought that off, and Usman was again, as in rounds one and two, in a heap of trouble. The kicks, and the right hand, were adding up. And Usman&#8217;s takedown attempts were becoming slower, more telegraphed.</p>
<p>Despite having got himself back in the fight, Kamaru Usman headed to the fifth frame likely trailing and in need of a finish. His corner told him as much between rounds to underscore the point.</p>
<p>It was Du Plessis, however, landing another kick to the body in round five. Usman stayed in front of him; DDP fired a jab, forcing him back. Two minutes in, a low blow by DDP landed, glancing from leg to cup, with Usman needing a moment to recover. On the restart, Du Plessis uncorked another head kick, then another. The second hurt Usman again. A third followed. Usman was under fire! Punches, a fourth kick. Usman would survive, and DDP actually shot a takedown of his own that was stuffed. Du Plessis might have emptied the tank chasing that finish.</p>
<p>With the final minute of the fight fast approaching, Usman went on the attack. DDP was sucking air. A right hand connected for Usman, but there was just 45 seconds left. Du Plessis wasn&#8217;t hurt, even if he was tiring. Usman needed to do damage, and quick. He&#8217;d unload in the final 10 seconds with DDP retreating and covering up, but Kamaru just didn&#8217;t have enough time left.</p>
<p>Dricus Du Plessis came away with a clear decision win, Usman taking only one round with two of the judges.</p>
<p>Calling Usman a warrior he&#8217;d respect for the rest of his life, Du Plessis criticized &#8220;guys laying on top of other guys&#8221; to win decisions, then exclaimed that it was time to get his belt back. Currently, Sean Strickland is expected to rematch Khamzat Chimaev for middleweight gold, though the bout has not been officially announced.</p>
<p><em><strong>Official Result: Dricus Du Plessis def. Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)</strong></em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/ufc-oklahoma-city-dricus-du-plessis-puts-on-spirited-effort-against-game-kamaru-usman/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Oklahoma City: Dricus Du Plessis Puts on Spirited Effort Against Game Kamaru Usman</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>PFL Austin: Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2 Full Results</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/pfl-austin-eblen-vs-kasanganay-2-full-results/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 18 Jul 2026 18:00:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Results & Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Impa Kasanganay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Johnny Eblen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFL Austin]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=227214</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Professional Fighters League was in Austin, Texas on Saturday where Johnny Eblen and Impa Kasanganay threw down in the PFL Austin main event. The pair had first met at the PFL vs. Bellator crossover card a couple of years back, where Eblen saw his hand raised in a close decision. Originally booked into a [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/pfl-austin-eblen-vs-kasanganay-2-full-results/" data-wpel-link="internal">PFL Austin: Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2 Full Results</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Professional Fighters League was in Austin, Texas on Saturday where Johnny Eblen and Impa Kasanganay threw down in the PFL Austin main event.</p>
<p>The pair had first met at the PFL vs. Bellator crossover card a couple of years back, where Eblen saw his hand raised in a close decision. Originally booked into a rematch with Costello van Steenis in Austin, an injury to the champ saw the PFL instead place an interim title on the line in Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2.</p>
<p><a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/06/25/pfl-chicago-biaggio-ali-walsh-swing/" data-wpel-link="internal">Biaggio Ali Walsh</a>, grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, <a href="http://ufc.com" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">UFC</a> vets Caolan Loughran and Julio Arce, and PFL standout Jesus Pinedo were also in action in Austin.</p>
<h3>Where to Watch PFL Austin</h3>
<p><em>The PFL set up shop at the Moody Center in Austin, TX on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The card airs live on ESPN 2 and the ESPN App in the U.S. starting at 5:30PM ET, 2:30PM PT (prelims). Full results can be found below</em>.</p>
<h3>PFL Austin: Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2 Results</h3>
<p><strong>Main Card</strong></p>
<p>Johnny Eblen def. Impa Kasanganay by knockout, Round 3, 2:39 &#8211; <em>for the vacant PFL interim middleweight championship</em><br />
Rafael do Nascimento def. Lewis McGrillen by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 2:07<br />
Julio Arce def. Caolan Loughran by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)<br />
Jesus Pinedo def. Joey Ruquet by TKO, Round 1, 4:50</p>
<p><strong>Preliminary Card</strong></p>
<p>Gamid Khizriev def. Biaggio Ali Walsh by submission (twister), Round 1, 2:32<br />
Aleksandra Savicheva def. Andrea Vazquez by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)<br />
Ashley Thiner def. Mia Grawe by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)<br />
Jackson Glass def. Zak Flessas by TKO, Round 1, 0:47<br />
Victoria Alba def. Borena Tsertsvadze by TKO, Round 3, 4:50</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/07/18/pfl-austin-eblen-vs-kasanganay-2-full-results/" data-wpel-link="internal">PFL Austin: Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2 Full Results</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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