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MMA Fighting’s 2026 Submission of the Midyear: Murtazali Magomedov’s mind-blowing Scottish twister

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2 months ago

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MMA Fighting’s 2026 Submission of the Midyear: Murtazali Magomedov’s mind-blowing Scottish twister

Halfway through 2026 and MMA has seen no shortage of memorable manglings.

Sure, we've yet to see a major title fight decided by a submission yet, but what's great about the mixing of the martial arts is that sometimes you see some of the most amazing finishes happen when you least expect it, and that's doubly true when it comes to fighters forcing their opponents to tap out.

Six months into the year, we've seen all kinds of submissions from airtight chokes to body-bending holds to classic armbars, so we had plenty of options to choose from when deciding which was the best for our Midyear awards. In the end, we landed on a Dana White Contender Series signing making a debut that will be tough to top, a talented flyweight contender putting an exclamation point on an impressive performance against one of his division's most dangerous spoilers, and never-before-seen-in-the-UFC leg lock courtesy of a streaking strawweight who's proving she's more than just a meme machine.

So let's look at MMA Fighting's top-3 submissions of 2026 so far.

No. 1: Murtazali Magomedov vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan (UFC Vegas 119)

You could be forgiven for mistaking Murtazali Magomedov for a striker.

For many fans, their first introduction to Magomedov came on the Contender Series, where he showed slick hands to put away Brahyam Zurcher and earn a UFC contract. Even his last Octagon League featherweight championship defense came courtesy of a hellacious knockout knee up the middle. Magomedov might be a wrestler, but he certainly doesn't shy away from throwing hammers on the feet.

However, his UFC debut reminded everyone he has a dangerous submission game. Once Magomedov put Melsik Baghdasaryan on the mat, he didn't settle for a pedestrian rear-naked choke or hunt for a joint lock; no, that wouldn't be satisfying enough. Instead, he waited for Baghdasaryan to turn into his body lock, trapping him halfway through, and then twisting him in such a way that his upper half threatened to separate from his lower half.

The official call was Scottish twister and the official result was Magomedov putting the 145-pound division on notice that he is not to be messed with when it comes to grappling.

No. 2: Asu Almabayev vs. Charles Johnson (UFC Baku)

Asu Almabayev is so close to breaking into that elite tier of flyweights and he moved one step closer to cementing a spot with his latest win.

Kazakhstan's Almabayev has been a healthy favorite in his past couple of fights, but it's one thing to look good on paper and another to look good inside the octagon. For two rounds, against flyweight kingmaker Charles Johnson, Almabayev showed off a complete game, especially his superior wrestling.

Up on the cards heading into Round 3, Almabayev could have cruised to a decision win. Why risk giving Johnson even the slightest window for a comeback considering his history of upsets (UFC champion Joshua Van and Lone'er Kavanagh know all too well how dangerous Johnson is) when you're in control of the cards? With less than two minutes left in the fight, Almabayev took advantage of Johnson attempting to stand up out of back control, snatched Johnson's leg to break his base, and then utilized a classic Suloev stretch to yank his foot way over his head. Tap or say goodbye to your hamstring.

With just one loss in eight UFC appearances, don't be surprised if this is the performance that pushes Almabayev towards an eventual title shot.

No. 3: Alice Ardelean vs. Polyana Viana (UFC Vegas 117)

Is Alice Ardelean… good?

Even the most positive-minded fight fan (me!) had a difficult time reconciling Ardelean being signed to the UFC in 2024. Her two claims to fame were her considerable social media following (millions are subscribed to Ardelean's socials for her viral reaction face) and having previously lost to Zhang Weili. Her pro record was 9-5. And then she lost to Shauna Bannon and Melissa Martinez. Like, what are we doing?

Then something weird happened. Ardelean stuck to it. She could have settled for using a brief UFC run to further boost her profile, but she actually started winning fights. A Fight of the Night-winning performance against Rayanne dos Santos. Another decision nod over Montserrat Conejo. And then a matchup with Polyana Viana, a struggling veteran, but a woman that knows a thing or too about internet notoriety.

Ardelean made sure both of them went viral again. With Ardelean in top position, Viana countered with a body lock from bottom position, aiming to control Ardelean's posture. However, what she didn't know was that Ardelean is terminally online and guess what? That's a pretty dangerous base for MMA in 2026.

With Viana's foot tucked between her legs, Ardelean turned body lock defense into leg lock offense and soon it was Viana being forced to signal her submission.

I don't know if Ardelean ever becomes a serious contender. I don't know if she even comes close to cracking the top 15. But she's already made her mark, becoming the first fighter ever to say that they successfully scored a Capsule Lock submission in a UFC fight.

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MMA

Cris Cyborg wants to ‘save’ UFC 332 with Amanda Nunes revenge fight

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31 minutes ago

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September 5, 2026

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Cris Cyborg wants to ‘save’ UFC 332 with Amanda Nunes revenge fight
Cris
Cyborg has offered the
Ultimate Fighting Championship a solution to its UFC 332
main event problem.

Cyborg took to social media to call for a rematch with former
two-division champion Amanda
Nunes, suggesting the fight could headline the Oct. 3 numbered
event in Salt Lake City, which still doesn't have an announced
headliner. The pair faced off back in 2018, when Nunes won via
first-round KO.

Cris Cyborg calls for Amanda Nunes rematch after UFC 332
headliner uncertainty

A women's flyweight title fight between Valentina
Shevchenko and Natalia
Silva was rumored for UFC 332, but recent reports indicate
Shevchenko has been forced to withdraw. With other UFC champions
having recently fought or already booked for later events, the
promotion appears to be scrambling to find a viable headliner.

Cyborg has offered a solution. The former UFC champ took to X to
call for a rematch with her former foe, Nunes. The latter was
expected to take on Kayla
Harrison earlier this year, but a neck injury to Harrison saw
the matchup fall through.

“[Amanda Nunes] tired of waiting for [Kayla Harrison]?†Cyborg
wrote on X. “Feel like saving an UFC event?â€

They initially squared off at
UFC 232 in December 2018, when Nunes emerged victorious to
become a double champ. “The Lioness†retired in 2023, while Cyborg
most recently competed at
PFL Tampa on Aug. 22, defeating Ketlen
Vieira by unanimous decision in what was expected to be her
final mixed martial arts bout.

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MMA

UFC Paris: 'Hooker vs. Parnasse' Live Results and Highlights

Published

2 hours ago

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September 5, 2026

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UFC Paris: 'Hooker vs. Parnasse' Live Results and Highlights
Trending:

NSAC doubles down on punishment for UFC 329 fighters, fines Paddy Pimblett and two other big names

The Octagon returns to France for today's UFC Paris event, a 14-bout fight card headlined by Dan Hooker vs. Salahdine Parnasse.

Hooker (24-14 MMA) will enter the contest with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. ‘The Hangman' most previously competed this past February at UFC 325 in Sydney, where he suffered a second-round TKO loss to Benoit Saint Denis. That setback was preceded by a submission loss to Arman Tsarukyan in November of last year. Prior to those defeats, Dan Hooker had put together a three-fight winning streak, a stretch which included victories over Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot.

Meanwhile, Salahdine Parnasse (23-2 MMA) will be making his Octagon debut this evening in Paris. The former two-division KSW champion will enter the contest on a five-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory coming over Kenneth Cross at May's ‘Rousey vs. Carano' MVP MMA event.

Today's UFC Paris event is co-headlined by a lightweight bout featuring Fares Ziam taking on Axel Sola.

Ziam (18-5 MMA) will enter the contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a decision loss to Tom Nolan in his most recent Octagon appearance this past June. Prior to that setback, the ‘Smile Killer' had strung together a six-fight winning streak, a stretch which included knockout victories over Matt Frevola and Nazim Sadykhov.

Meanwhile, Axel Sola (12-1-1 MMA) most previously competed this past July, where he scored a first-round submission victory over Ismael Bonfim. Prior to that triumph, the Frenchman was coming off the first loss of his professional career which he suffered at the hands of Mason Jones by way of unanimous decision.

If that wasn't enough to get you interested, today's UFC Paris main card lineup also features a highly anticipated middleweight contest between Michael Page and Nursulton Ruziboev.

Michael ‘Venom' Page walking out at UFC London. Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Page (25-3 MMA) will enter the bout on a three-fight winning streak, this after scoring decision victories over Sharabutdin Magomedov, Jared Cannonier and Sam Patterson in his most recent Octagon appearances. Prior to those triumphs, ‘Venom' had suffered a decision loss to recent UFC welterweight title challenger Ian Machado Garry.

Meanwhile, Nursulton Ruziboev (37-9-2 MMA) also currently boasts a three-fight winning streak, with his most recent Octagon victory coming over Andrey Pulyaev via submission this past June. The Uzbekistan native has gone 12-1 over his past thirteen fights overall.

Get all of today's live results and highlights below:

UFC Paris Main Card (3pm EST on Paramount+)

Lightweight: Dan Hooker vs. Salahdine Parnasse –

Lightweight: Farès Ziam vs. Axel Sola –

Middleweight: Michael Page vs. Nursulton Ruziboev –

Welterweight: Daniil Donchenko vs. Punahele Soriano –

Featherweight: Kurtis Campbell vs. Trevor Peek –

Featherweight: Losene Keita vs. Muhammad Naimov –

UFC Paris Prelims (12pm EST on Paramount+)

Featherweight: Morgan Charrière vs. Felipe Lima –

Heavyweight: Mário Pinto vs. Ryan Spann –

Light Heavyweight – Oumar Sy vs. Modestas Bukauskas – Bukauskas def. Sy via TKO (knee and punches) at 3:57 of Round 2

Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood vs. Pavel Andrusca – Andrusca def. Wood by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

Flyweight: Michael Aljarouj vs. Fabià Sintes – Sintes def. Aljarouj by unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 29-27)

Women's Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle vs. Klaudia Syguła – Cornolle def. Syguła by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Middleweight: Matthieu Letho Duclos vs. Luis Felipe Dias – Duclos def. Dias via TKO (punches) at 4:35 of Round 1

Women's Strawweight: Delphine Benouaich vs. Sofia Montenegro – Benouaich def. Montenegro via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:22 of Round 2

Who are you picking to win today's event headliner between Dan Hooker and Salahdine Parnasse? Share your predictions in the comment section PENN Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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MMA

Movsar Evloev has a blunt response to Alexander Volkanovski’s UFC 333 plan

Published

4 hours ago

on

September 5, 2026

By

Movsar Evloev has a blunt response to Alexander Volkanovski’s UFC 333 plan
While Movsar
Evloev is grateful to be taking on a legend in his maiden title
bout in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship, the Russian foresees one-way
traffic.

Evloev (20-0) is set to challenge Volkanovski (28-4) for the UFC
featherweight championship in the
UFC 333 main event on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi. The matchup has
been brewing for quite some time now and Evloev claims his skills
have improved, predicting he'll have his way against the two-time
Aussie champ.

Movsar Evloev questions Alexander Volkanovski's strategy ahead
of their UFC 333 title fight

Evloev opened up about his upcoming fight with Volkanovski in an
interview with MMA Junkie, in which he outlined his improvements in
the striking department.

“To become a champion while beating a legend, that’s the dream of
fighters,†Evloev said. “My skills are getting better. My striking,
everyone noticed, is a little bit better than I do before. We’re
confident to fight with a guy like Alex. We respect him. We’ll
respect him even after we beat him. Nothing but respect, but this
is my time.â€

Volkanovski has previously expressed confidence in his ability to
deal with Evloev’s wrestling pressure and force the fight into a
striking battle. The latter questions the champ's approach.

“He's been a little illogical,†Evloev added. “I will do anything I
want. Whenever I decide to take him down, I will take him down… I’m
not scared of his striking skills, too. He’s great. But like I
said, my time is coming. Oct. 24, everybody will see. I’m going to
win.â€

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