Rousey, Paul Mock UFC Viewership; Makhachev's Next Fight

We summarize the day’s news in our own words. Full credit to the outlets below for the original reporting, click through to read their work:

• Paul, Rousey mock UFC White House TV figures (ESPN MMA)
• A Top Contender Wants Merab Dvalishvili Rematch More Than UFC Gold (Low Kick MMA)
• ‘Rowdy’ rival! Ronda Rousey reacts to White House viewership numbers, trolls UFC’s Hunter Campbell: ‘Kiss my ass’ (MMA Mania)
• “Tom’s got a beautiful double leg”: Michael Bisping breaks down Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane rematch (Low Kick MMA)
• Islam Makhachev says the UFC’s ‘small purses’ could hold up Usman Nurmagomedov signing (Bloody Elbow)
• Arman Tsarukyan breaks down Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry UFC 330 welterweight title bout (Low Kick MMA)
• UFC Champ Tears into Colby Covington: “He was putting on an act” (Low Kick MMA)
• Former opponent says Conor McGregor has “a better chance of beating Max” than he had against Khabib (Low Kick MMA)
• Ex-NFL star who squatted 700lbs lands devastating 11-second KO to become an MMA champion (Bloody Elbow)
• Michael “Venom” Page unsure of UFC future: “We are not even in discussions” (Low Kick MMA)
• Justin Gaethje reveals the secret that helped him avoid facial damage in the Ilia Topuria battle (Bloody Elbow)
• Bryce Mitchell Says He’s Broke and Only Takes UFC Fights When His Bank Account Hits Zero (Low Kick MMA)
• Open Thread, June 20, 2026 (MMA Mania)
• UFC Vegas 119 Results: Kape vs. Horiguchi 2 (MMA Fighting)

Welcome to Open Scoring MMA. This is episode 2, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC.

Ronda Rousey and Jake Paul are absolutely reveling in the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House failing to surpass Most Valuable Promotions’ MMA record for viewing figures. This is according to ESPN MMA, and it’s a pretty big deal. Rousey, in particular, isn’t holding back, telling UFC’s Hunter Campbell to “kiss my ass” after learning the official numbers. The Freedom 250 card, which went down last Sunday, apparently delivered across the board with every fight ending in a knockout and roughly 17 million total viewers. But that wasn’t enough to beat MVP’s record, and Rousey, who’s had her own very public disagreements with the UFC and Dana White in the past, is clearly enjoying this moment. It’s a classic case of an ex-employee taking a shot at their former boss, and honestly, you can almost hear the glee in her voice. It just goes to show that even after leaving the UFC, some rivalries never truly die. And for Jake Paul, it’s another feather in his cap, another way to needle Dana White and prove that his ventures into combat sports are legitimate, at least in terms of drawing eyeballs. It’s a fascinating dynamic, and it’s certainly got the MMA world buzzing. Speaking of the White House card, Ciryl Gane’s win over Alex Pereira has pushed him right back into the title picture. Michael Bisping, ever the analyst, broke down a potential rematch between Tom Aspinall and Gane, noting that “Tom’s got a beautiful double leg.” This is a fight that makes a lot of sense, especially with Gane’s performance. He looked sharp, he looked powerful, and he’s clearly got the skills to compete at the very top of the heavyweight division. Aspinall, of course, is a force to be reckoned with, and a rematch between these two would be an absolute barnburner. It’s the kind of fight that could headline a pay-per-view and really deliver for the fans. The heavyweight division is always exciting, and with these two at the top, it’s only going to get more interesting. Now, let’s talk about Islam Makhachev. The number two lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan, has weighed in on Makhachev’s next bout, which is apparently a welterweight title fight against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330. That’s a huge jump for Makhachev, going up a weight class to challenge for another belt. Tsarukyan’s insights are always valuable, given his own history with Makhachev. It’s a bold move for Islam, and it speaks to his confidence and his desire to cement his legacy. Garry is no easy opponent, and moving up in weight is always a challenge, but if Makhachev can pull this off, it would be an incredible achievement. It’s the kind of fight that really gets the fans excited, a true superfight between two of the best in the sport. The implications for both the lightweight and welterweight divisions are massive. But there’s also some chatter about Makhachev’s cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov. Islam isn’t sure the UFC will pay up to bring the PFL lightweight champion to the Octagon, citing the UFC’s “small purses.” This is a recurring theme in MMA, the debate over fighter pay. Usman Nurmagomedov is widely regarded as an incredible talent, and bringing him into the UFC would be a massive coup. However, if the financial incentives aren’t there, it’s understandable why he might stay put. Islam’s comments highlight a real issue in the sport, and it’s something that fans and fighters alike are constantly discussing. It’ll be interesting to see if the UFC can make a deal that satisfies Usman and brings his exciting style to the biggest stage in MMA. Moving on to some fighter status updates, Michael “Venom” Page is feeling uncertain about his UFC future. He told Low Kick MMA that he’s not even in discussions with the promotion, comparing the process to “dating someone but…” It sounds like he’s in a bit of a holding pattern, which is never ideal for a fighter of his caliber. MVP is a huge draw, a unique talent, and he’s proven he can compete at the highest level. It would be a shame if he couldn’t find a consistent home in the UFC. Hopefully, they can sort things out and get him back in the Octagon soon, because he brings a level of excitement that few others can match. Then we have Bryce Mitchell, “Thug Nasty,” who made a candid admission on the Sean Mike Kelly Podcast. He revealed that he’s broke and only takes UFC fights when his bank account hits zero. That’s a pretty stark look at the financial realities for some fighters, even those with a significant profile like Mitchell. It’s a tough business, and it just goes to show that even with a UFC contract, financial stability isn’t always guaranteed. It’s a sobering thought, and it really puts into perspective the sacrifices these athletes make. In other news, a former UFC title challenger is more interested in running it back with Merab Dvalishvili than chasing another bantamweight title shot. This is according to Low Kick MMA, and it speaks volumes about Dvalishvili’s impact on the division. He’s a relentless force, and clearly, he’s left a lasting impression on his opponents. Sometimes, a fighter just wants to avenge a loss, and that desire can be even stronger than the lure of a title. It’s a testament to the competitive spirit of these athletes. Tyron Woodley, the former UFC Champion, used Colby Covington’s retirement to revisit a long-simmering rivalry. Woodley tore into Covington, saying he “was putting on an act.” This is a classic case of an old beef getting reignited. Covington’s retirement, whether it’s permanent or not, has certainly opened the door for his past rivals to get some final jabs in. Woodley and Covington had a very personal rivalry, and it’s clear that Woodley still has some strong feelings about it. It’s a reminder that in MMA, personal grudges can run deep and last a long time. Jose Aldo, a legend of the sport, believes Max Holloway is the favorite at UFC 329 against Conor McGregor. However, Aldo also thinks McGregor has “a better chance of beating Max” than he had against Khabib. That’s an interesting take from someone who has faced both McGregor and Holloway. Aldo’s perspective is always valuable, and his assessment suggests that while Holloway is a tough opponent, McGregor’s style might be better suited to facing him than it was against the wrestling-heavy attack of Khabib. It’s a highly anticipated rematch, and Aldo’s comments just add another layer of intrigue to it. And here’s a feel-good story: an ex-NFL star, Jon Cunningham, who squatted 700 pounds, landed a devastating 11-second KO to become an MMA champion. Bloody Elbow reported on this, and it’s the kind of story that makes you think the UFC could come knocking. We’ve seen a number of former American football players transition to MMA, and Cunningham’s performance is certainly eye-catching. That kind of power and athleticism is rare, and an 11-second knockout is a statement. It’s always exciting to see new talent emerge, especially from other sports, and Cunningham definitely has the potential to make waves in the MMA world. Justin Gaethje revealed a secret that helped him avoid facial damage in his battle with Ilia Topuria. He apparently escaped relatively unscathed despite taking some hard shots. This is a testament to Gaethje’s toughness and his defensive skills. He’s known for his wars, but clearly, he’s also got some tricks up his sleeve to minimize the damage. It’s a small detail, but it speaks to the high-level preparation and strategy that goes into these fights. Even in a slugfest, protecting yourself is paramount. Now, let’s quickly look at the next two cards coming up. First, we had UFC Vegas 119, which just wrapped up. MMA Fighting has the results for Kape vs. Horiguchi 2, which was the main event. Manel Kape rematched one-time UFC title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi in a flyweight contest. Kape has been on a roll, winning three in a row, and this was a chance for him to solidify his position in the division. These smaller cards at the Apex always deliver, and the flyweight division is incredibly competitive, so I’m sure it was a great night of fights. Looking ahead, we’ve got UFC 330 on the horizon, which, as we mentioned, is set to feature Islam Makhachev challenging Ian Machado Garry for the welterweight title. That’s a massive fight, a true super fight that will have huge implications for two divisions. It’s the kind of card that you absolutely do not want to miss. The build-up to that one is going to be intense, and the fight itself promises to be a classic. Keep an eye out for more details on the full card as it develops. And just a quick pulse check from the community: the r/MMA crowd is having a field day with their weekly recap for the week of June 07 to June 13. Always a good time to see what the fans are buzzing about. That’s all for today’s Open Scoring MMA. We’ll be back tomorrow with more news and analysis from the world of mixed martial arts. Until then, keep those hands up and your chins down.