UFC title picture heats up with Oliveira BMF defence at UFC 331
The UFC's busy July continues with a major announcement: former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is set to defend the BMF title in the main event of UFC 331. Sources from BJPenn.com reported on 23 July 2026 that Oliveira will headline the card, though an opponent has yet to be officially named. The BMF belt, originally created for the Conor McGregor vs Donald Cerrone bout and later won by Justin Gaethje, has taken on a life of its own as a symbol of the most violent and exciting fighters in the sport.
Oliveira, who lost the undisputed lightweight title in a controversial bout against Islam Makhachev in 2022, has since rebuilt his career with three consecutive wins. His last outing saw him submit Beneil Dariush in the first round to earn the BMF strap. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has long called for a rematch with Makhachev, but with Makhachev now campaigning at welterweight, Oliveira's path to gold has required an alternative route. The BMF title gives him a marquee position while the promotion works out the lightweight division's next steps. Dana White has previously stated that the BMF belt is reserved for fighters who embody the 'toughest son of a bitch' mentality, and Oliveira fits that description perfectly.
Du Plessis dominance forces Usman to consider retirement
Meanwhile, the UFC Oklahoma City card on 19 July produced a seismic shift in the welterweight division. Dricus du Plessis, who moved up from middleweight, delivered a dominant performance against former champion Kamaru Usman. The South African known as 'Stillknocks' controlled the fight from the opening bell, earning a lopsided decision win that left Usman questioning his future. Speaking to Damon Martin of MMA Fighting, Usman said: 'See whether it's worth continuing to do this.' The 39-year-old Nigerian has now lost three of his last four fights, a stark decline from the 15-fight winning streak that made him one of the greatest welterweights in history.
Usman's contemplation of retirement comes after a brutal year. He lost his title to Leon Edwards in 2023, then dropped a decision to current champion Belal Muhammad, and now the du Plessis defeat. The former champion's wrestling base, once his greatest weapon, was neutralised by du Plessis's relentless pressure and improved takedown defence. Israel Adesanya praised du Plessis after the win, calling it 'the best I've seen Dricus look', as noted in MMA Fighting's Morning Report. Du Plessis declared 'Stillknocks 2.0 is here' after the fight, positioning himself as a top contender in a second division. For Usman, the decision may come down to whether he wants to endure the gruelling training camp required to compete at the highest level. Brendan Allen, a middleweight contender, criticised du Plessis for taking what he called 'easier fights' after the Usman win, suggesting Allen was told a fight with du Plessis was set but never materialised.
Magomed Ankalaev eyes Pereira trilogy after UFC Abu Dhabi
At light heavyweight, Magomed Ankalaev remains fixated on Alex Pereira. The Russian fighter, who fights Bogdan Guskov this weekend at UFC Abu Dhabi, told MMA Fighting that his loss to Pereira for the title 'must have been the worst day of my life'. Ankalaev lost a controversial split decision to Pereira in their January 2025 title bout, a fight many felt he won. He refuses to give up on a third fight, and a win over Guskov would put him back in the conversation. Pereira, meanwhile, has been active. He recently faced Ciryl Gane at UFC White House and continues to hold the light heavyweight belt.
Costa seeks new representation as Pereira warns him off light heavyweight
The light heavyweight division also saw drama this week when Paulo Costa reportedly approached journalist Ariel Helwani to get the phone number of boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. According to Hearn, citing BJPenn.com's report on 23 July, Costa is seeking representation from Matchroom Boxing. This move comes after Costa publicly pleaded for a light heavyweight title shot against Alex Pereira. However, Pereira wasted no time in warning Costa. In a statement reported by BJPenn.com, Pereira issued a 'warning' to Costa, telling him to stay away from the light heavyweight division unless he wants a brutal fight. The Brazilian duo have a history; they were scheduled to fight at middleweight several years ago but Costa pulled out due to injury.
Costa's pursuit of Hearn is intriguing. The former middleweight title challenger has struggled to find consistent momentum in the UFC, alternating wins and losses since 2020. A move to Matchroom would suggest he is considering a jump to boxing, similar to what Francis Ngannou did. However, Hearn is known for working with MMA fighters on crossover bouts. If Costa signs with Matchroom, it could open up a boxing match with a name like Jake Paul or a return to MMA under a different promotion. The UFC may not take kindly to a contracted fighter seeking outside representation, but Costa's contract status is unclear.
Makhachev vs Garry headlines UFC 330 as welterweight title fight draws analysis
Another major fight on the horizon is Islam Makhachev defending his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330. Former champion Belal Muhammad, who lost the belt to Makhachev last year, shared his breakdown with BJPenn.com. Muhammad noted that while Makhachev is the heavy favourite, Garry is good enough to cause real problems. Garry, the undefeated Irish prospect, has been on a tear since moving to 170 lbs, using his length and striking to outpoint veterans. He has drawn comparisons to Conor McGregor, but Dana White is quick to dismiss any notion of another McGregor. 'There's never going to be another Conor McGregor,' White told reporters on 23 July, calling McGregor 'a unicorn'. Garry himself sees parallels to McGregor's 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo, as reported in the Morning Report.
For Makhachev, this fight represents a chance to solidify his legacy. He already holds wins over Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski, and Muhammad. A dominant win over Garry could set up a superfight with the winner of Du Plessis vs the next middleweight contender. The UFC 330 card lost a flyweight contender bout earlier this week, but the main event remains intact.
What This Means For You: Key takeaways from a busy week in MMA
This week's flurry of announcements and developments offers several actionable takeaways for fight fans and bettors. First, the BMF title has real drawing power. Oliveira's defence at UFC 331 will likely attract big viewing figures, and if the promotion books a star opponent such as Gaethje or Poirier, that card could be one of the year's best. If you are placing bets, pay attention to Oliveira's opponent: he has struggled against elite wrestlers but has been unbeatable against strikers and BJJ specialists.
Second, the welterweight division is in flux. With Usman likely retiring, the top contenders are du Plessis, Muhammad, and the winner of Makhachev vs Garry. Du Plessis's performance suggests he is a real threat to Makhachev, but he may need one more win to earn a title shot. Fans should watch the UFC Abu Dhabi card closely: Ankalaev vs Guskov could determine the next light heavyweight contender, and a potential Ankalaev-Pereira trilogy would be must-watch television.
Third, the crossover trend continues. Paulo Costa's pursuit of Eddie Hearn mirrors what Jake Paul has done with boxing and what Ngannou did before him. If Costa signs with Matchroom, expect a boxing match in early 2027. For fighters, this opens a new revenue stream. For fans, it means more options, but also potential dilution of MMA fight cards. Finally, Conor McGregor's health remains a concern after his knee injury at UFC 329. Dominick Cruz offered a positive view on his recovery, but at 38 years old, McGregor's return is uncertain. The UFC is planning for a future without him.
Conclusion: The UFC's new era takes shape under a changing guard
As July 2026 draws to a close, the UFC landscape is clearly shifting. Established stars like Usman and McGregor are fading, while new champions and contenders like Du Plessis, Garry, and Oliveira are stepping up. Dana White's admission that the UFC will never have another Conor McGregor signals a move towards a more sustainable model built on multiple stars rather than one supernova. The coming months will determine whether the promotion can maintain its momentum without a singular face. With UFC 330, UFC 331, and the ongoing PFL season, there is no shortage of action. For now, the story of the summer is the rise of a new generation of fighters ready to seize the spotlight.
