Overview

• UFC officials have highlighted Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho on Sept. 6 in Paris and Reinier de Ridder vs. Anthony Hernandez on Oct. 18 in Vancouver as likely routes to Khamzat Chimaev’s first title defense.
• Given those dates, some outlets report there is a real possibility Chimaev does not compete again in 2025 depending on outcomes and event timing.
• Dricus du Plessis issued a public statement accepting his UFC 319 loss without excuses and his head coach said they need roughly six months to shore up wrestling and grappling.
• Paulo Costa says he prefers a year-end fight with du Plessis over an Israel Adesanya rematch, adding he has spoken with Dana White and Hunter Campbell about securing a marquee matchup.
• Khabib Nurmagomedov defended Chimaev’s control-heavy game plan as calculated, and Daniel Cormier argued the new champion should be ranked No. 3 on the UFC pound-for-pound list.