Skip to main content
The Feed

Gaethje's Future, Usman's Move, and White's White House Win

Gaethje's future plans, Usman's middleweight move, and Dana White's latest takes on fighters and ratings.

Gaethje's Future, Usman's Move, and White's White House Win

🎧 Listen to this episode

Listen: Open Scoring MMA on Spotify or in any podcast app via our RSS feed.

It’s been a busy week in the MMA world, with Justin Gaethje making his intentions clear after his recent title win and Kamaru Usman eyeing a new division. Plus, Dana White has been vocal on a range of topics, from fighter decisions to officiating.

Gaethje’s Next Steps

Newly crowned UFC Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje has confirmed he plans to fight again, despite earlier speculation about his retirement. He recently defeated Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, and Gaethje believes Topuria made a “glaring mistake” that cost him the fight. Gaethje has also shut down any talk of an immediate rematch with Topuria, stating that Topuria “quit twice” during their bout. It seems Gaethje is looking forward, not back, as he plans his next title defense.

Usman Jumps to Middleweight

Kamaru Usman is making a significant move up to the middleweight division to face Dricus Du Plessis. This highly anticipated bout is scheduled for July 18 and will headline UFC Oklahoma City. Usman’s decision to move up in weight class has generated a lot of buzz, as he looks to challenge himself against a top contender in a new division. This fight promises to be an exciting clash of styles and a true test for Usman at 185 pounds.

Kape’s Knockout Streak Continues

Manel Kape delivered another impressive performance, securing his fourth consecutive knockout victory by defeating Kyoji Horiguchi. Horiguchi later released a statement expressing his apologies to fans following the loss. Kape’s dominant run has certainly put him on the radar as a force to be reckoned with in his division, and fans are eager to see who he’ll face next after such a strong showing.

Dana White’s Candid Commentary

UFC President Dana White has been making headlines with his outspoken opinions. He recently mocked Tom Aspinall’s decision to sign with Eddie Hearn, calling it “insane.” White also defended Alex Pereira, stating that Pereira is “not a whiner,” and backed his outrage at referee Herb Dean. Furthermore, White teased “huge” global ratings for UFC Freedom 250, hinting that Ronda Rousey may have celebrated too soon. He also addressed the delay in using Trevor Wittman’s new fighter gloves, explaining that it’s currently “impossible” to implement them.

Sources

Every source behind today's roundup (14)

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:

Open Scoring MMA is a daily AI-produced MMA and UFC news podcast. Listen to today’s episode, read the full Feed, or get every episode by email.

Episode transcript

Read the full episode transcript

Welcome to Open Scoring MMA. This is episode 3, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC.

Justin Gaethje, the new lightweight champion, is planning to fight again. That’s the word from ‘The Highlight’ himself, tempering all that talk about his possible retirement. Gaethje, as you know, just upset Ilia Topuria last week to claim the UFC’s lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250, which was held at the White House. It was a massive win, and honestly, it’s great to hear he’s not hanging up the gloves just yet. We’ve seen fighters talk about retirement before big fights, especially when they’re getting up there in years or have achieved a major goal. For Gaethje, winning the undisputed title was a huge career milestone. But to hear him confirm he’s not done, that he’s planning to fight again, that’s music to the ears of fight fans. It means we’ll get to see more of his exciting, all-action style in the octagon. It also sets up some incredibly interesting matchups in the lightweight division. Who will be next for the champ? That’s the question on everyone’s mind now. The lightweight division is absolutely stacked with talent, so there’s no shortage of contenders.

Speaking of that big win, Justin Gaethje isn’t just planning to fight again, he’s also shutting down any immediate talk of a rematch with Ilia Topuria. Gaethje told MMA Mania and Yahoo Sports MMA that he doesn’t plan on giving ‘El Matador’ an immediate rematch. And he didn’t mince words, saying Topuria “quit twice.” That’s a pretty strong statement from the new champ. It really highlights the intensity of that fight at UFC Freedom 250. Gaethje came into that bout talking about laying down his gloves if he lost, so the stakes were incredibly high for him. He turned that clash with the previously undefeated Topuria into a dog fight, which is exactly the kind of battle ‘The Highlight’ relishes. The fight was so grueling that Topuria’s corner was forced to intervene. So, for Gaethje to say Topuria quit twice, it suggests a level of dominance and mental fortitude that he believes he displayed in that fight. It also puts Topuria in a tough spot for an immediate return to the title picture. He’ll likely need to get another win or two under his belt to earn that shot again, especially with Gaethje’s strong stance on the matter. It’s a clear message from the champ: earn your way back.

In other big news, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is making a significant move up in weight. He’s heading to 185 pounds to face former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC Fight Night on July 18th. This is a huge fight, per ESPN MMA and MiddleEasy, and it’s set to be the main event in UFC Oklahoma City. Usman, who has been a dominant force at welterweight for so long, is now testing the waters in the middleweight division. This isn’t just a random fight; he’s going straight for a former champion in Du Plessis. It shows Usman’s ambition and his belief in his ability to compete at the highest level in a new weight class. Du Plessis is a formidable opponent, known for his aggressive style and power. This matchup has all the makings of a classic. It’s a fascinating move for Usman, and it will be very interesting to see how his skills and power translate against a natural middleweight like Du Plessis. This fight could have major implications for both the middleweight and welterweight divisions, depending on the outcome. If Usman can secure a win, it immediately puts him in the conversation for a title shot at 185 pounds. If Du Plessis wins, it solidifies his position and potentially sets him up for another run at the middleweight title.

Now, let’s talk about the fallout from UFC Vegas 119. Manel Kape picked up his fourth knockout in a row with a third-round finish of Kyoji Horiguchi. That’s according to ESPN MMA. Kape, now twenty four and seven, is on an absolute tear, and this win over Horiguchi, who is thirty six and seven, really solidifies his position in the flyweight division. Horiguchi, the number five ranked flyweight, released a statement after his knockout loss, saying, “I’m truly sorry.” That’s what Yahoo Sports MMA and MMA Mania reported. He also promised, “Karate Kid will be back.” It’s always tough to see a fighter like Horiguchi, who has such a strong following and a reputation for being a warrior, suffer a knockout loss. But his statement shows his resilience and his determination to return stronger. Kape, on the other hand, is building serious momentum. Four straight knockouts is no joke, and he’s making a strong case for a title shot in the flyweight division. His power and finishing ability are undeniable, and he’s becoming a must-watch fighter.

Moving on to some comments from Dana White. The UFC President is still at odds with heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. Bloody Elbow reported that White mocked Aspinall’s “insane” decision to sign with Eddie Hearn. This rift between White and Aspinall seems to be ongoing, with Aspinall having voiced his grievances about fighter pay and treatment. It’s a situation that’s been simmering for a while, and White’s latest comments indicate that there’s no love lost between the two. It’s a shame to see the heavyweight champion and the promotion’s president at odds, especially when Aspinall is such a talented fighter. This kind of public disagreement can create an awkward dynamic, and it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out in the long run. Will Aspinall’s decision to work with Hearn impact his future in the UFC? Only time will tell, but it’s certainly a storyline to keep an eye on.

Dana White also had some strong words regarding Alex Pereira’s outrage at Herb Dean and Ciryl Gane. Yahoo Sports MMA quoted White saying, “Alex Pereira is not a whiner,” and that his anger is warranted. White backed Pereira, stating that the fighter doesn’t “make excuses after fights.” This is a significant endorsement from the UFC president, especially when it comes to a controversial stoppage or a fighter’s reaction to it. Pereira’s frustration with the situation, whatever it may be, is clearly understood and supported by White. It’s rare to see White so openly back a fighter’s criticism of an official or an opponent in such a direct way. This suggests that there might be more to the story than what’s publicly known, or that White genuinely believes Pereira was wronged. It adds another layer of intrigue to whatever happened with Dean and Gane.

And speaking of Dana White, he’s a very happy man after bringing MMA to the White House last weekend for UFC Freedom 250. Bloody Elbow reported that White is teasing a “huge” global ratings release for the event, which brought seventeen million viewers to Paramount Plus. This is a massive number and a huge win for the UFC. Holding an event at the White House was a groundbreaking move, and the viewership numbers clearly reflect the public’s interest in such a unique spectacle. White’s excitement is palpable, and it’s easy to see why. Seventeen million viewers is a phenomenal achievement, and it speaks to the growing mainstream appeal of mixed martial arts. This kind of exposure can only benefit the sport and the UFC moving forward. It’s a testament to the promotion’s ability to innovate and create buzz-worthy events.

However, not everything is smooth sailing. Dana White also explained why the UFC has delayed using Trevor Wittman’s new fighter gloves. BJPenn.com reported that White cited a “high price tag” and said, “It’s impossible.” This is a bit of a setback, as Wittman’s gloves have been highly anticipated by many in the MMA community, including fighters who are always looking for ways to improve safety and performance. Wittman is a highly respected coach and innovator, and his involvement in glove design generated a lot of excitement. For White to say it’s impossible due to the price tag suggests that the cost of implementing these new gloves across the entire organization is simply too prohibitive at this time. It’s a reminder that even with all the success the UFC is having, there are still practical and financial considerations that impact decisions about equipment and fighter safety. It’s a shame, but it’s also a reality of running a global sports organization.

Let’s shift our focus to the upcoming cards. We’ve got UFC Fight Night on July 18th, which we just touched on. The main event, as we mentioned, is Kamaru Usman moving up to middleweight to face Dricus Du Plessis. This is a huge fight for both men, with Usman looking to prove himself in a new division and Du Plessis aiming to solidify his standing. The rest of that card is still coming together, so we’ll bring you the supporting bouts as they get confirmed.

Let’s also take a quick look at the odds watch for an upcoming bantamweight fight, Bekzat Almakhan versus Jean Matsumoto. This is our first look at the line for this fight. Jean Matsumoto is currently the betting favorite at minus one hundred sixty, while Bekzat Almakhan is the underdog at plus one hundred forty. This suggests that the oddsmakers see Matsumoto as having a slight edge, likely due to his more complete skill set. However, Almakhan’s power and ability to finish fights means he’s always a live underdog. It’s a close fight on paper, and the odds reflect that it could go either way, but Matsumoto is definitely getting the nod from the bookmakers right now.

Looking ahead to the next pay per view, UFC 306 is scheduled for August 17th. While the full card is still coming together, the main event is expected to be a highly anticipated title fight. We’ll keep you updated as more details emerge, but you can expect a stacked card for a pay per view event of this magnitude. The UFC always aims to deliver big fights for their numbered events, and UFC 306 will be no exception.

Now, a quick note from the community. The r/MMA crowd is having a field day discussing Dana White’s comments about Tom Aspinall and his decision to sign with Eddie Hearn. It’s definitely sparked a lot of debate and strong opinions among the fans.

That’s all for today’s Open Scoring MMA. I’ll catch you next time.

Before you go, check out our free Fight Tracker at tracker dot open scoring m m a dot com. Every upcoming UFC and PFL card, full fight cards, live odds, and where to watch, all in one place, and you can install it like an app. That’s it for today’s Open Scoring MMA. Keep your hands up, and we’ll see you next time.