UFC 331 Headliner Confirmed: Charles Oliveira Defends BMF Title
The UFC has reportedly locked in its next pay-per-view main event. Charles Oliveira is set to defend the BMF championship in the headliner of UFC 331, according to sources familiar with the promotion's plans. The news, first reported on 23 July 2026, confirms a major shift in the lightweight division's landscape. Oliveira, a former undisputed champion, captured the symbolic BMF belt with a dominant win over Justin Gaethje in 2024. Now he will put it on the line against a yet-to-be-announced opponent, with the card expected to take place later this year.
Oliveira has been one of the most active fighters on the roster, holding records for most finishes in UFC history. His BMF title defence comes at a pivotal moment. With Islam Makhachev moving up to welterweight to challenge Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on 15 August, the lightweight division is in flux. Oliveira remains the top contender at 155 pounds, and a win in the BMF bout could position him for a future clash with the Makhachev-Garry winner.
The news also signals the UFC's continued commitment to the BMF concept, which was revived after Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz elevated its profile. Oliveira's next fight will be his first since a submission victory over Beneil Dariush in early 2026.
Usman Contemplates Retirement After Dricus Du Plessis Loss
Kamaru Usman is weighing the possibility of retirement after his defeat to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC Oklahoma City. The former welterweight kingpin dropped a decision to the surging South African, and the loss has left him questioning his future in the sport. Speaking publicly on 23 July, Usman said he needs time to "see whether it's worth continuing to do this." The Nigerian-American fighter has not held gold since losing the welterweight title to Leon Edwards in 2022.
Fought with debilitating injury
In a revealing interview, Usman disclosed that he entered the Du Plessis fight with a significant injury, though he did not specify the exact nature of the ailment. The revelation adds context to his performance, which saw him lose a close but clear decision. Usman had previously hinted at moving up to middleweight, and the injury could accelerate his timeline or force him into retirement. UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar had warned Usman about Du Plessis's danger before the fight, but the warning went unheeded.
Meanwhile, Du Plessis has been accused of ducking tougher competition. Brendan Allen, a top middleweight contender, ripped into Du Plessis for taking what he called "easier fights" after the Usman win. Allen claimed on social media that he was told his own fight with Du Plessis was set, only for the champion to pivot. The rivalry between Allen and Du Plessis is now one of the most heated in the 185-pound division.
Ankalaev vs. Pereira: A Trilogy in the Making?
Magomed Ankalaev refuses to give up on a third fight with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. The former champion faces Bogdan Guskov this weekend at an event in Abu Dhabi, but his eyes remain fixed on a trilogy bout with Pereira. Ankalaev has mocked Pereira's recent heavyweight knockout loss, suggesting the Brazilian is avoiding a rematch. Pereira, however, has other plans. He recently warned Paulo Costa after the middleweight publicly pleaded for a light heavyweight title shot. Pereira labelled Costa "out of touch" and insisted the division must wait its turn.
Ankalaev and Pereira fought to a controversial draw in 2023 and then a unanimous decision win for Pereira in 2024. Ankalaev believes he won the second fight and wants to settle the score once and for all. With Pereira holding the belt and Ankalaev still a top contender, the trilogy is one of the most anticipated matchups in the division. Pereira's willingness to fight at heavyweight has complicated matters, but Ankalaev has made it clear he will chase Pereira at any weight.
Dana White Declares There Will Never Be Another Conor McGregor
UFC president Dana White has admitted that the promotion will never see another fighter like Conor McGregor. Speaking on 23 July, White described the Irish superstar as a "unicorn" whose ability to generate mainstream attention and revenue is unmatched. The comments come amid McGregor's latest injury setback. At UFC 329, McGregor suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, an injury that will keep him out of action for a prolonged period. The former two-division champion turned 38 in July, and many observers believe his prime is behind him.
Recovery and future
Despite the grim outlook, former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has offered a positive assessment. Cruz described McGregor's knee injury as "very repairable" and believes the Irishman can return to competition if he commits to rehabilitation. Jake Paul, McGregor's longtime rival, was less charitable. Paul stated that McGregor is "doing WWE because he is incapable of fighting," referring to McGregor's recent appearances in professional wrestling. Paul also claimed to have received interest from multiple NFL teams about a potential post-boxing career, though his own future in combat sports remains uncertain after a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua.
McGregor also made headlines for losing a $100,000 bet on the World Cup final, where he wagered on an unlikely outcome. The loss added to what has been a difficult year for the former champion.
ONE Championship and PFL Shakeups
ONE Championship continues to stack its roster. The promotion announced that Japanese star Keito Yamakita will face Koyuru Tanoue on the stacked ONE Samurai 2 card. The event is part of ONE's renewed focus on the Asian market. In another significant development, Muay Thai superstar Rodtang Jitmuangnon has rejoined ONE Championship after a brief hiatus. Rodtang's return is a massive boost for the promotion's striking divisions, as he remains one of the most exciting fighters in the sport.
Meanwhile, the Professional Fighters League experienced a last-minute crisis. Shamil Musaev withdrew from the PFL Washington DC headliner just hours before the event, forcing the promotion to scramble for a replacement. The PFL has not disclosed the reason for Musaev's withdrawal, but the move underscores the challenges of event management. On a brighter note, former UFC heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida has booked his first MMA fight since his surprising release from the UFC. Almeida will headline a regional event as he looks to fight his way back to the big show.
Title Implications Across Divisions
Several fighters have spoken out about their next moves. Justin Gaethje has stated that Arman Tsarukyan is "far more deserving" of a title shot than Ilia Topuria, and that Topuria is not fighting him next. The comment adds fuel to the ongoing debate about lightweight contender hierarchy. Belal Muhammad has broken down the upcoming welterweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330, suggesting that a victory would place Makhachev on the MMA Mount Rushmore alongside Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Mauricio Ruffy appears to be on the verge of a featherweight title shot after answering Alexander Volkanovski's call. The 20-1 prospect has impressed in recent outings and could challenge the champion later this year. Finally, Ryujin Nasukawa has declared that he is done living in the shadow of his legendary brother and is ready to "lead the next era" of MMA. The sibling rivalry adds a compelling narrative to the lighter weight classes in multiple promotions.
With UFC 330 and UFC 331 on the horizon, the summer of 2026 promises to be one of the most consequential periods in modern MMA history. Fans can expect further announcements in the coming days as promotions finalise their schedules.
