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<\/a><\/p>\nINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MAY 16: Salahdine Parnasse celebrates after defeating Kenneth Cross by knockout in their lightweight bout during the main card of Netflix\u2019s Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano at Intuit Dome on May 16, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sarah Stier\/Getty Images for Netflix) Getty Images for Netflix<\/p>\n
Question: With the recent UFC signings of Robelis Despaigne and Salahdine Parnasse, are these attempts at sabotaging Most Venomous Parasite (AKA: Joke Paul\u2019s \u201cpromotion\u201d) at building momentum for future events? And if so, who should the UFC look at signing next? (Igl00Man)<\/p>\n
Ryan Harkness: It\u2019s absolutely a case where the UFC is trying to kick the legs out from under MVP, and it\u2019s kind of a good thing?! For years we\u2019ve been screaming about the UFC effectively being a monopoly and how that\u2019s bad for the fighters and the fans. You can see this in how they treated Parnasse before he fought for MVP: they made him the standard lowball offer and told him to go kick rocks when he said no.<\/p>\n
They came back to him after his MVP MMA win over Kenny Cross with a significantly better offer: more money, and a headline fight in his hometown against a top ten contender. All things he deserved, but not something he\u2019d have gotten if the UFC wasn\u2019t feeling a little pressure to ensure MVP MMA doesn\u2019t build any momentum on Netflix with its undercard fighters.<\/p>\n
The next signing isn\u2019t from MVP but PFL: Usman Nurmagomedov will headline his fourth PFL card this weekend in New York, which also happens to be the final fight on his contract. He\u2019s paid very well to be the promotion\u2019s Khabib representative, so well that in the past his teammates have said he\u2019d probably have to take a pay cut to come into the UFC. Here\u2019s hoping Usman gets Parnasse\u2019d instead.<\/p>\n
Alex Behunin: While I do think UFC signing Robelis Despaigne is a way to fuck MVP and a potential fun fight for Francis Ngannou, I\u2019m not sure about Salahdine Parnasse. They have wanted him for a minute now, and I think his win at MVP 1 was him punching his ticket to the UFC to make him undeniable.
They were also desperate for a UFC Paris main event, and so it was a perfect match.
I would have bet they would have signed Mike Perry next, but their next signee is going to be Namo Fazil, who fights on the Contender Series this season.<\/p>\n
Jesse Holland: Parnasse was always on the UFC\u2019s radar, just came down to money. But Parnasse actually got the money he wanted because of his exposure with MVP, once again proving competition benefits the fighters. As far as Despaigne, that may have been an attempt to keep him from fighting Ngannou.<\/p>\n
Thomas Myers: Parnasse, I believe, is calling the shots on this one \u2013 UFC has been trying to lock him down for awhile. And perhaps after that MVP experience, he knew that just wasn\u2019t it? UFC is ultimately the place most fighters aspire to compete \u2026 he\u2019s just the rare bird who is doing it on his terms \/ schedule. Re-signing Robelis could certainly be viewed that way; however, the man seemingly has the touch of death. I would think he\u2019d have a chance at stopping Ngannou if they ever fought, and Dana White would love nothing more than to have that happen. So, I don\u2019t think UFC was playing defense here \u2013 both guys are super talented and should do well, barring poor matchmaking (gulp).<\/p>\n
Tim Edwards: I think this is a great example of how things should work. Parnasse has been lowballed by UFC for years, but the introduction of MVP MMA has helped him get a fair price for his labor. I hope MVPFL grows and grows and continues to force the UFC to make fighters rich in exchange for their services. This raid by UFC shows us that they are taking their new rival seriously. I think their next move will be very telling. If there is another Rousey fight in the near future, do you think they let MVP reap the rewards of it? Or do they stomach a circus fight in order to keep eyeballs off MVP and whatever other stars they are trying to develop?<\/p>\n
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 24: Magomed Ankalaev is interviewed after fighting against Bogdan Guskov in their light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena July 24, 2026 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges\/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Q: What should the UFC do with Magomed Ankalaev? The man is elite, no doubt. He might even be the best light-heavyweight in the world right now. But he is essentially the striker version of Jon Fitch, no? The UFC is looking for an interim title fight to make, and Ank should probably be one half of that matchup. But I could just as easily imagine the UFC trading him like they did with DJ. What should the UFC do with Magomed Ankalaev? (Jack Reacharound)<\/p>\n Ryan Harkness: The UFC is already treating Magomed Ankalaev like they treated Jon Fitch. Fitch came into the UFC in 2025 and went on an eight fight winning streak. But because four of those wins were dull decisions, the UFC never really got behind him as a contender. He basically had to win twice as much as anyone else to get half the reward a more charismatic and exciting fighter would get. Just like Ankalaev did en route to his title shot.<\/p>\n Fitch got that one shot and that was it. Ankalaev is in a better position for a few reasons. Number one: he\u2019s a perfect name to stick at the top of cards in the Middle East, where regional fan loyalty continues to exist despite his lack of an extensive highlight reel. And number two: light heavyweight is a steaming pile of dogs–t and there\u2019s no one else with a credible claim to a title shot.<\/p>\n Jon Fitch kept getting passed over because there was always a more interesting, exciting option for Georges St-Pierre to fight: a Thiago Alves, Dan Hardy, or Josh Koscheck. Today\u2019s 205 pound division may have fun guys like Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree and Jamahal Hill, but they need to string together a win or two by the time Carlos Ulberg returns or Ankalaev will get a title shot by default.<\/p>\n Ankalaev also has something Fitch never did, which is a rivalry with one of the UFC\u2019s biggest stars. If \u201cBig Ank\u201d holds the 205 pound belt, Alex Pereira could swoop back down to light heavyweight to try and take it off him at any point just out of spite. So despite his narcolepsy inducing fight style, Ankalaev is well positioned to continue stinking up the division for a while to come.<\/p>\n Thomas Myers: I love the Jon Fitch comparison; however, Ankalaev has way better striking (and way worse jiu-jitsu). I still can\u2019t believe he didn\u2019t choke out Guskov, it\u2019s almost like he didn\u2019t know how to do it. He\u2019s frustrating to watch. And he\u2019s no doubt a problem for Dana White & Co., but he has been since the ill-fated Jan Blachowicz draw. I think UFC knows what it has and will do everything in its power to keep him away from another title shot, learning from that past mistake. I think either Jiri, Paulo or even Khalil can keep him busy long enough so that never happens again.<\/p>\n Alex Behunin: If I were the UFC, I would call up the PFL and trade him immediately.<\/p>\n My trade: Big Ank, Leon Edwards, & Tracy Cortez for Dakota Ditcheva.<\/p>\n If the PFL don\u2019t budge (they shouldn\u2019t), I guess rebook him with Khalil Rountree?<\/p>\n Andrew Richardson: UFC has done a remarkable job (with Ankalaev\u2019s help) of keeping Big Ank from UFC gold despite him being champion-level in a weak division since \u2026 2019? At this point, they only need to play keep away for a year or two longer before Ankalaev starts to slow down naturally. Regardless of all that: Ank vs. Costa is the fight to make.<\/p>\n Jesse Holland: Ankalaev is not doing himself any favors at this point and I understand that matchmaking plays an important part of it, but he needs a big finish, or any finish for that matter. Being labeled a boring fighter is worse than losing when it comes to UFC.<\/p>\n Tim Edwards: I go back and forth on whether of not guys like Ankalaev are a bug or a feature in MMA. I\u2019m leaning feature, at the moment, since you need guys like him to force the truly great fighters to show themselves. Though, I do think Ankalaev is a little unlucky with how he\u2019s being perceived. He did finish Guskov, after all. And he was actually trying to make a fight out of it. Guskov should shoulder the most blame, in my opinion, for doing his best Kalib Starnes impression. As far as what\u2019s next for Ankalaev, I think you need to reward wins over style, so I think he gets that interim bout, maybe opposite Prochazka.<\/p>\n Uzbekistan\u2019s Ramazan Temirov reacts after winning his men\u2019s flyweight fight against Australia\u2019s Steve Erceg in the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on July 25, 2026. (Photo by Fadel SENNA \/ AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n Q: Let\u2019s talk about Ramazan Temirov because by far that was the most exciting part of Abu Dhabi. Is he for real? Was that just a great matchup for him (didn\u2019t look like it to me)? Can he keep it up? Where should he go from here? Who should he match up against? (LoneCowboy)<\/p>\n Alex Behunin: He definitely stole the show last weekend, and yes, he\u2019s for real. Steve Erceg is a very good fighter, and he sparked him cold in the first round. He did have enough gas for three rounds when he beat Charles Johnson, but I have no idea how he\u2019d do in five rounds. Having knockout power at Flyweight gives you a big advantage in the eyes of the promotion, so I\u2019d expect him to get a bigger fight in his next one.<\/p>\n I would give him Tatsuro Taira for his next outing to really test his grappling.<\/p>\n Thomas Myers: The dude has John Lineker-type small man knockout power and fights with his hair on fire. He might be a little too reckless to become champion, especially if he runs into someone like Manel Kape but I can\u2019t wait to watch and find out \u2013 he\u2019s super fun to watch. I\u2019d like to see him against Lone\u2019er even though he\u2019s coming off a loss. Or, maybe give him the real 125-pound test against Brandon Moreno.<\/p>\n Ryan Harkness: If you have any doubts about whether Ramazan Temirov is the real deal, go back and watch his RIZIN fights. The man is a savage. Whether he can become a champion at flyweight remains to be seen, but hopefully the UFC speeds up his schedule so we can find out.<\/p>\n Andrew Richardson: Temirov is clearly very good! I think the title is a little out of his reach (get it), but it\u2019s definitely not impossible. I\u2019d love to see him fight Asu Almabayev in a collision of Flyweight\u2019s smallest badasses.<\/p>\n Jesse Holland: The Erceg win was exciting but it didn\u2019t teach us anything new about Temirov. He reminds me of Manel Kape, who has 20 finishes in 23 wins. Would love to see that banger somewhere down the road.<\/p>\n Tim Edwards: I was doubting Temirov before this fight. Everything I saw of him looked far too spammy to beat someone as technical as Erceg. He really proved me wrong, though. His striking still looks very chaotic, but if it works, it works. Flyweight is so fun and there\u2019s a lot of great matches ready for him. I did a poll recently, asking for his next opponent, and Kyoji Horiguchi won that. I think Kevin Borjas might be a more realistic next step for him, though.<\/p>\n SAITAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 15: Wanderlei Silva defeats Yuki Kondo inside Saitama Super Arena on August 15, 2004 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n Q: I went down a Pride rabbit hole over the weekend and it made me wonder, what the hell happened to the 205 division?? Thoughts? (Chucs)<\/p>\n Ryan Harkness: Drug testing.<\/p>\n Thomas Myers: What do you mean? UFC\u2019s 205-pound division still has Dom Reyes. That\u2019s all it needs, simple as. Kidding aside, the division is so soft right now. Would love to see an old hat like Rob Whittaker make a run or hitch the promotional wagon to a young talent like Navajo Stirling if he can pass his gatekeeper exam against Jan this weekend. The fact that Carlos Ulberg is champion says a lot (not in a good way). We got spoiled with Alex Pereira; hopefully, \u201cPoatan\u201d returns sooner than later, giving contenders a little time to separate themselves from the \u201ccompetition.\u201d<\/p>\n Alex Behunin: The Light Heavyweight division has always been the glamour division \u2013 Liddell, Rampage, Couture, Shogun, Tito, Jon, Forrest, etc.<\/p>\n I honestly think Jon cursed the division once he left it.<\/p>\n Andrew Richardson: All the bigger weight classes (Middleweight, LHW, HW) have declined in the last five-to-ten years. I would blame the stagnant pay. If you\u2019re a big ol\u2019 stud wrestler, go make a bunch of money coaching. If you\u2019re a huge athletic freak unable to make the NFL, there\u2019s probably an avenue to stream.<\/p>\n Jesse Holland: Nothing happened to it. We just came off a three-year run of exciting Alex Pereira fights. Let\u2019s not pretend we didn\u2019t have our share of stinkers back in the day, as well. Chuck Liddell vs. Jeremy Horn? Rashad Evans vs. Forrest Griffin? Blech.<\/p>\n Tim Edwards: I think Light Heavyweight suffers from the fact that, if you\u2019re that kind of size and athletic then there are a lot more sports out there for you that pay well and don\u2019t come with guaranteed head trauma.<\/p>\n LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 14: Kevin Vallejos of Argentina reacts after a knockout victory against Josh Emmett in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on March 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n Q: When are we going to see Kevin Vallejos again and why does the UFC bench these guys just when they start to get a following? (Chucs)<\/p>\n Alex Behunin: He\u2019s going to fight at Noche UFC 4. And it\u2019s not necessarily the UFC benching them \u2013 once fighters get into the rankings, their activity dramatically slows down. But also, for Vallejos specifically, he fought four times in a year \u2026 he deserved a break.<\/p>\n Andrew Richardson: Top 10 guys don\u2019t fight as often. It\u2019s a sprint to get there, and then those fighters have a smidge of leverage and don\u2019t have to jump at every possible offer (aka can let injuries heal).<\/p>\n Thomas Myers: I think Vallejos will be a future champion. And UFC probably realizes it has something\/someone special; therefore, will probably try and get him over against the right \u201cname\u201d opponent. Too soon for Aljamain Sterling? I don\u2019t think so. I\u2019ll settle for Pat Sabatini or Arnold Allen. Probably will save that Jean Silva rematch for later on down the road if I had to guess.<\/p>\n Jesse Holland: The more popular you get (and the more money you make) the more risk you take with every fight. Dana White once said this about Fedor and to some degree it holds true with almost every fighter who depends on their brand for leverage: You\u2019re one loss away from being worth nothing.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n