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Pimblett vs. Topuria Heats Up, McGregor's Return, and More!

Pimblett and Topuria's rivalry heats up, McGregor's return sparks fan reactions, and other big news from the MMA world.

Pimblett vs. Topuria Heats Up, McGregor's Return, and More!

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The MMA world is buzzing with fresh rivalries, fighter call-outs, and a highly anticipated return. Let’s dive into the latest headlines and see what’s got everyone talking.

Pimblett vs. Topuria: The Beef Continues

The long-standing animosity between Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria is showing no signs of cooling down. Pimblett recently called Topuria a “fat featherweight,” reigniting their war of words. This comes after Topuria’s recent title loss, with a new photo circulating that shows his physique two weeks post-fight. Meanwhile, Rafael Fiziev, another lightweight contender, has weighed in on Pimblett’s potential future, suggesting a fight between Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis would be a “Fight of the Night” contender.

McGregor’s Return and Fan Reactions

Conor McGregor’s upcoming return at UFC 329 is generating a lot of buzz, but not all of it is positive. Fans have been quick to mock his new shorts, which feature a $100 bill design. Despite the fashion critiques, McGregor’s presence always guarantees attention, and his return is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated events on the UFC calendar. It’s a reminder that even outside the cage, McGregor knows how to keep himself in the headlines.

Heavyweight Drama and Call-Outs

The heavyweight division is seeing some interesting developments. Josh Hokit, a heavyweight contender, has publicly called for the UFC to cut Tom Aspinall. This is a pretty bold statement, especially considering Aspinall’s standing in the division. Hokit also took aim at Alex Pereira, adding more fuel to the fire in the heavyweight landscape. It seems like everyone is looking to make a statement and climb the ranks.

Chimaev Accuses Strickland, Other Fighter News

Khamzat Chimaev has accused Sean Strickland of avoiding a rematch, adding another layer to their ongoing rivalry. This accusation comes as Anthony Hernandez is reportedly training with Strickland ahead of UFC Sacramento, which could be an interesting dynamic. In other news, Gillian Robertson has discussed her marijuana use leading up to her UFC 330 title shot, and Georges St. Pierre has offered his thoughts on what Islam Makhachev needs to do to achieve GOAT status in the UFC. Plus, a UFC champion has expressed interest in fighting PFL ace Johnny Eblen for the title, hinting at potential cross-promotional matchups.

From the community

Over on r/MMA, fans are talking about this: Paddy Pimblett doesn’t think Ilia Topuria will ever be the same: “Ilia’s never had to come back from adversity. Ilia’s only ever been the hammer, he’s never been the nail.” “I’d happily be his first fight back.”.

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 12 for July 1, 2026, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC.

Paddy Pimblett is back in the headlines, and he’s not pulling any punches when it comes to former two-division champion Ilia Topuria. The Baddy, our favorite fighter here at Open Scoring MMA, recently dropped a bombshell, calling Topuria a “fat featherweight.” Now, this is a spicy take, especially considering Topuria’s recent run. We’re talking about a guy who knocked out Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight belt. So, for Paddy to come out and say that, it really shows the intensity of their rivalry. It’s clear there’s no love lost between these two, and it just makes you wonder if we’re building towards a massive showdown down the line. We’re hearing that the MMA community is having a field day with this one, dissecting every word. Everyone’s got an opinion on whether Topuria is indeed a “fat featherweight” or if Paddy’s just stirring the pot. It’s exactly the kind of drama that keeps us all glued to the sport. And speaking of Paddy, there’s also chatter from another UFC lightweight who’s predicting that Paddy Pimblett versus Benoit Saint Denis will be the Fight of the Night. That’s a bold claim, but honestly, with Paddy in the cage, you know it’s always going to be an exciting affair. He brings that energy, that aggression, and that willingness to go for broke. If that fight does happen, it’s definitely one to circle on your calendar.

Now, let’s talk about another massive name making waves: Conor McGregor. We’re hearing that The Notorious one might be set to end a five-year hiatus from the Octagon, possibly on July eleventh at UFC three hundred twenty-nine. This is huge, folks. Five years is a long time in this sport, and everyone’s buzzing about his potential return. But it’s not just his comeback that’s got people talking. His rumored kit for the bout has been mocked by fans. We’re hearing about one hundred dollar bill shorts, and you know how the internet reacts to anything McGregor does. Love him or hate him, he knows how to get people talking, and this is just another example of him being Conor McGregor. It’ll be fascinating to see if he can shake off the ring rust and perform at the level we know he’s capable of after such a long layoff.

Moving on to some heavyweight drama, Josh Hokit is not holding back. He’s trying to set himself up for a heavyweight title shot, and he’s doing it by calling for the UFC to cut Tom Aspinall. That’s a pretty aggressive stance, and it’s clear Hokit is trying to make a statement. Hokit is clearly trying to generate some heat and get himself noticed in a very competitive division. It’s a bold strategy, let’s see if it pays off for him.

In other news, UFC middleweight champ Sean Strickland is out there promoting his training partners. Sherdog reported that Strickland sincerely promotes his training partners, and he’s even expressed a desire to fight PFL ace Johnny Eblen for the title. That’s an interesting crossover callout, and it shows Strickland’s confidence in his team and his willingness to take on all comers. It also highlights the growing conversation about potential matchups between the UFC and other promotions.

Let’s shift gears to Gillian Robertson, who’s explaining her marijuana use ahead of her UFC three hundred thirty title shot. Sherdog reported that Gillian Robertson is not completely off of marijuana even during her fight camps. This is a topic that’s been gaining more and more attention in combat sports, with many fighters advocating for its use for recovery and pain management. It’s a conversation that’s evolving, and it’s interesting to see how fighters are navigating these personal choices while still competing at the highest level.

Rafael Fiziev has an exciting opponent in mind. He believes Magomed Zaynukov, who he calls ‘Wild Chanco,’ would make for an exciting matchup in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Fiziev is known for his exciting style, so if he’s calling someone out, you know it’s going to be a banger. These are the kinds of fights that fans love to see, and it’s always good to hear fighters actively seeking out exciting matchups.

Georges St. Pierre, the legend himself, has revealed what Islam Makhachev must do to become the UFC GOAT. The former Ultimate Fighting Championship champion has outlined the path that Islam Makhachev could take to cement his status as the greatest of all time. When GSP speaks, you listen. His insights are invaluable, and it gives us a glimpse into the mindset of a true champion and what it takes to reach that elite level.

Finally, Anthony Hernandez is reportedly training with middleweight champ Sean Strickland ahead of his headlining bout at UFC Fight Night two hundred eighty-five in Sacramento. This is a great look for Hernandez, getting to train with the champ. It shows the camaraderie in the sport and how fighters often help each other prepare for big fights. It’ll be interesting to see how that training translates into his performance.

Now for our OSM Pick of the day! We’re looking at the upcoming bout between Damian Pinas and Cesar Almeida. Our system has been crunching the numbers, and we’ve got Damian Pinas winning this one. He’s coming in with a sixty-four percent chance of victory according to our model, which is right in line with the betting line of minus one hundred ninety. We’re seeing Pinas as the favorite here, and the top reason is his superior striking accuracy and his ability to control the pace of the fight. We’re confident in this pick, and we’re sticking with Pinas to get the job done.

That’s all the time we have for today on Open Scoring MMA. Make sure to tune in tomorrow for more breaking news and analysis from the world of mixed martial arts. Until then, keep those hands up and your chins down.

Before you go, two quick things. Check out our free Fight Tracker at tracker dot open scoring m m a dot com, with every upcoming UFC and PFL card, live odds, and where to watch, all in one place. And follow us on YouTube, just search Open Scoring MMA, for breaking news alerts, fight breakdowns, and videos you won’t get here on the feed. That’s it for today’s Open Scoring MMA. Keep your hands up, and we’ll see you next time.