Arman Tsarukyan vs. Charles Oliveira 2 cancelled as Tsarukyan set for new UFC 331 fight
Credit: Jeff Bottari/Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC/Getty
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev hinted that Usman Nurmagomedov could be signing with the promotion soon.
Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC welterweight title this Saturday against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330. Makhachev returns to the Octagon after becoming the UFC's latest two-division champ by defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.
As Makhachev continues his final preparations for UFC 330, one of his longtime teammates could be on the way to the promotion. PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, is a free agent and could potentially sign with the UFC in the coming weeks.
UFC CEO Dana White recently expressed interest in signing the undefeated champion, and manager Ali Abdelaziz hinted that the promotion has reached out. Nurmagomedov most recently finished Archie Colgan at PFL New York.
Ahead of UFC 330, Makhachev not only hinted that a Nurmagomedov UFC signing could be imminent, but also teased a few potential matchups for the PFL champ.
Islam Makhachev tabs Usman Nurmagomedov for immediate UFC title shot
During his UFC 330 media day press conference, Makhachev was asked about Nurmagomedov's potential UFC signing and hinted at a potential deal in the works.
“Usman has been training with us since he was really young. I know 100 percent that he's ready to fight for the UFC title tomorrow,†Makhachev said of Nurmagomedov.
“In my opinion, Usman did his job in the PFL, and he's ready to show a good performance in the UFC. Right now, is the time for Usman in the UFC and we have some people in mind. We want Justin for the belt, but if he has to do one more [fight], he'll face Arman [Tsarukyan] or [Mauricio] Ruffy.â€
Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy will clash in the UFC 331 co-main event next month in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, lightweight champ Justin Gaethje's return timeline remains uncertain, although he's widely speculated to face the Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy winner for his first title defense.
Can Usman Nurmagomedov win a UFC title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Michael
“Venom” Page says his new deal will pay him more than he earned
during his
Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure.
Page had promised an exciting performance against Nursulton
Ruziboev in September, the final bout of his UFC contract. He
won by unanimous decision, but the promotion opted not to re-sign
him. The Englishman now says his move to Misfits Boxing will bring
a substantial increase in earnings.
Michael Page compares three-fight Misfits contract with
earnings from six UFC appearances
Page produced highlight-reel knockouts in Bellator,
but all six of his UFC appearances went the distance. He finished
5-1 in the promotion, with his only loss coming against Ian
Garry.
Page (26-3) said he received offers from several promotions before
signing with Misfits. He expects to earn more from the three-fight
agreement than he did from his six UFC bouts, describing his new
compensation as roughly double what he previously earned. He also
said Misfits intends to launch an MMA show with him as a leading
figure.
“Misfits came with an absolutely crazy deal, which means I’ve
continued to grow and get better financially,†Page told Ariel
Helwani. “They have vision for the future. They're trying to get an
MMA show going, with me kind of lead that way, be the face of that…
I’ve left the UFC and I’m making more money. Like two times more,
maybe just over, and in a shorter period. In a three-fight deal,
I’ll make more than I have my whole UFC contract.â€
MVP reveals he’ll make more money in his
three-fight Misfits deal than he did during his entire UFC run,
with seven figures per fight: “Misfits came with an absolutely
crazy deal, which means I’ve continued to grow and get better
financially. I’ve left the UFC and I’m making more money. Like two
times more, maybe just over, and in a shorter period. In a
three-fight deal, I’ll make more than I have my whole UFC
contract.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
October 12, 2026
Alistair Overeem wants to be part of the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua boxing card on Dec. 11, and he wants Rico Verhoeven standing across the squared circle.
Overeem shared a post on social media suggesting the bout after mentioning his interest in transitioning to boxing, and issued a callout on his Instagram stories.
“Stop hiding,†Overeem wrote. “Let's make history.â€
Fury vs. Joshua takes place at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, and airs live on Netfilx.
Verhoeven was part of a massive boxing show this past May in Egypt, where he lost via controversial 11th-round stoppage in his boxing debut against heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Prior to that match, Verhoeven remained undefeated in kickboxing for over a decade, reigning as the GLORY heavyweight champion. He was slated to face Overeem in 2021, but the MMA veteran withdrew due to an injury.
The former Strikeforce titleholder won four of his past six UFC bouts, all by knockout, between 2018 and 2021, including a first-round stoppage over Sergei Pavlovich. His UFC run also includes wins over former and future champions Fabricio Werdum, Frank Mir, Brock Lesnar, Junior dos Santos and Andrei Arlovski.
Ismael
Bonfim has been removed from the
Ultimate Fighting Championship roster.
Bonfim's UFC tenure ended after a loss to Francisco
Prado at
UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday. The Brazilian missed the non-title
lightweight limit by 7.5 pounds and forfeited 25% of his purse. He
then suffered a first-round technical knockout before being removed
from the roster.
Ismael Bonfim exits UFC with 2-5 record after third weight miss
and Francisco Prado TKO
This was Bonfim's third weight miss during his UFC tenure. He came
in 3.5 pounds overweight for a scheduled fight against Vinc Pichel
in 2023, prompting the bout's cancellation. Bonfim missed weight by
five pounds against Chris
Padilla last year and lost by knockout. He was finished in his
last four UFC appearances.
Before news of his departure, Bonfim posted a statement Sunday
reflecting on the loss. The 30-year-old thanked his supporters and
said his career was not over.
“Always grateful to God for life, health and every opportunity He
gives me,†Bonfim wrote on Instagram. “Everything doesn’t go as
planned, results don’t always come as desired, but my faith remains
unshakable. Because, above my plans, are God’s plans, and I choose
to trust, even when I don’t understand. Thank you to every person
cheering me on, praying for me and standing by my side no matter
the outcome. You are all part of my story! There are no excuses, no
shame, and much less reason to give up. We’ve come here the hardest
way, facing battles few know about, overcoming fears, breaking
barriers, and fighting against things that go far beyond what
happens inside an octagon. The result of a battle does not define
the value of a warrior, and defeat will never be able to erase the
entire history we have built. I keep my head held high, my heart at
peace and my faith even stronger. Because who knows where he came
from, everything he faced and how much he had to fight to get here,
doesn’t give up because of a result. My story doesn’t end here. God
is still writing the next chapters, and I trust Him completely. All
honor and all glory be given to God!â€
Bonfim earned a UFC contract on
Dana White's Contender Series in 2022 and won his promotional
debut with a flying knee knockout of Terrance
McKinney. He went 1-5 afterward, finishing his UFC tenure at
2-5.