South Africa 
Aline Pereira defends her Karate Combat flyweight title against former Bellator champion Juliana Velasquez on July 24. The Miami card also features Sam Alvey vs. Uriah Hall, while Pereira returns after her win over Jade Masson-Wong.
OKTAGON 91: Engizek vs. Jotko 2 brings two title fights to Cologne. After Krzysztof Jotko ended Kerim Engizek’s decade-long unbeaten run, the middleweight champion wants revenge. Machaev vs. Palokaj adds another championship battle to a deep Oktagon MMA card.
Ariane Lipski has retired after losing to Jena Bishop at PFL San Diego. The former KSW champion leaves MMA after nearly 13 years, having also beaten Sumiko Inaba in her PFL debut and recorded a memorable UFC finish over Luana Carolina.
PFL San Diego: McKee vs. Isbulaev saw AJ McKee hand Salamat Isbulaev his first professional loss, while Liz Carmouche, Rob Wilkinson and several rising contenders added memorable finishes. The PFL card also featured strong submission wins from Khasan Magomedsharipov, Jena Bishop and Cobey Fehr.
Iranian MMA fighter Milad Shahbazi was reportedly detained again immediately after his first court hearing on June 5. His family says authorities have provided no clear information about his condition, the reason for his re-arrest or his current legal status at Lakan Prison in Rasht.
Cris Cyborg will end her legendary MMA career against Ketlen Vieira at PFL Tampa. The former Strikeforce and Bellator champion built her legacy through wins over Gina Carano, Holly Holm and Tonya Evinger, with Amanda Nunes handing her one of only two career defeats.
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has added MMA training to his 2026 offseason program. Working with respected coach Rafael Cordeiro, Gibbs is using striking, grappling and constant movement to improve his conditioning, body control and durability before taking over as Detroit’s unquestioned lead back.
Conor McGregor has pushed back on PED allegations ahead of UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2, where he returns to the UFC against Max Holloway. With Holloway vs. McGregor approaching, both McGregor and the promotion deny he broke anti-doping rules.
All eyes on Johannesburg for EFC 130: the Flyweight Grand Prix kicks off with Manyamala vs Ngamnthwini and Komana vs Zondi, plus Sanchez vs Van Staden headlines. Full org hub: EFC Worldwide.
Preview EFC 129 in Johannesburg: flyweight champ Willie van Rooyen vs Tumelo Manyamala, plus Boyd Allen vs Vince Bembe, Makengele vs Alonu 2, Goncalves vs Moyo, and Luiters vs Born. Keep the EFC Worldwide hub open for times and updates.
