Overview

• An alleged Instagram story from Ilia Topuria’s manager teasing Justin Gaethje at UFC 322 was quickly withdrawn, and a Spanish reporter said Topuria is not expected to fight in November and is more likely to return in January or February 2026.
• Justin Gaethje’s manager said Gaethje is holding firm on his demand for the next title shot, reinforcing the fighter’s retirement ultimatum if he is bypassed.
• Arman Tsarukyan is booked for a September 19 submission‑grappling match as he stays active and argues Gaethje should face him to earn a title opportunity.
• Mateusz Gamrot said he turned down a Tsarukyan grappling match offer, urging that any rematch with the Armenian contender should happen in the UFC first.
• Khabib Nurmagomedov backed Tsarukyan to beat Topuria eight times out of ten, a claim Daniel Cormier publicly dismissed as an exaggerated assessment.