Holloway's Custom Charger, Gaethje at the White House

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It’s been a busy week in the MMA world, with fighters making headlines both inside and outside the octagon. From custom cars to presidential visits, there’s a lot to catch up on.

Holloway’s New Ride and Trilogy Hopes

Max Holloway recently received a custom Dodge Charger, calling it ‘kind of a big deal’ as he prepares for his UFC 329 rematch against Conor McGregor. Holloway is already looking past that fight, though, stating he’ll try to convince Dana White to book a trilogy fight with McGregor in a ‘perfect world’ scenario. This potential third bout would be a massive event, especially given their history and the stakes involved in their upcoming rematch.

Gaethje’s White House Visit

Justin Gaethje made a return visit to the White House, where he was hosted by President Trump in the Oval Office. This visit follows Gaethje’s recent lightweight title victory, which earned him multiple awards in the 2026 mid-year MMA awards. It’s always cool to see fighters get recognized at such a high level, and Gaethje’s accomplishments are certainly deserving of the attention.

Concerns for Saint-Denis

Fans are expressing concern for Benoit Saint-Denis ahead of his upcoming clash with Paddy Pimblett. There’s a theory circulating that Saint-Denis might be entering the fight compromised, which has led to a lot of discussion and worry among the MMA community. It’s a tough situation, and everyone is hoping both fighters are at their best when they step into the cage.

New Talent and Big Fights

Undefeated Polish prospect Damian Rzepecki is gearing up for his UFC debut against Magomed ‘Chanko’ Zaynukov. Rzepecki acknowledges the significance of the fight, noting Zaynukov’s fame from his nickname and association with Team Makhachev. He also highlighted his own connection to Ilia Topuria, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this exciting matchup. This is exactly the kind of fresh talent and compelling narratives that keep the sport vibrant.

From the community

Over on r/MMA, fans are talking about this: Average UFC Post-Fight Bonus Money Per Event by Year Since 2010.

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:

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Episode transcript

Read the full episode transcript

Welcome to Open Scoring MMA. This is episode 16 for July 5, 2026, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC.

Max Holloway is reportedly making some serious waves ahead of a highly anticipated fight at UFC 329. He just got a custom Dodge Charger delivered, and he’s calling it “kind of a big deal.” You know, that’s the kind of move that screams “money fight energy” and really sets the tone for a massive week. It’s not just about the fight anymore, it’s about the spectacle, and Holloway’s clearly leaning into that. He’s looking to make a statement even before he steps into the cage.

And speaking of Holloway, he’s already looking past UFC 329, hoping to convince Dana White on a “perfect world” Conor McGregor trilogy pitch. He’s eyeing a stadium event later this year if he gets the win on July eleventh. That’s a bold move, but if he beats McGregor, a trilogy fight in a stadium would be absolutely massive. It shows the kind of confidence Holloway has, not just in his ability to win, but in his star power to draw a huge crowd.

Now, let’s talk about UFC 329, because there’s some chatter around Benoit Saint Denis, who’s set to face our favorite fighter, Paddy Pimblett, in a high-stakes clash. Fans are concerned that Saint Denis might be entering this fight compromised, with theories circulating about a staph infection. He’s no stranger to battling through staph, so it’s definitely something to keep an eye on. You never want to see a fighter go in less than one hundred percent, especially against someone as dangerous and exciting as Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett. This is a huge fight for both guys, and we’re all hoping for a clean, fair contest.

And speaking of Paddy, this is a massive opportunity for him to show the world what he’s truly capable of against a very tough opponent. The Baddy’s always bringing the energy, and a win here would propel him even further up the lightweight ladder. We’re all rooting for him to put on a show and get that W!

Moving on, Justin Gaethje is reportedly still riding high after winning a UFC lightweight title last month. He recently visited President Donald Trump in the Oval Office to celebrate his victory. It’s pretty cool to see a fighter get that kind of recognition from the highest office.

And on the topic of Gaethje, Yahoo Sports MMA reported on President Trump hosting him in the Oval Office after a recent win. Word is, Gaethje’s win and his subsequent visit are part of a larger celebration of the sport’s growing mainstream appeal. It’s a big look for the UFC and for Gaethje himself.

In other news, MMAMania just dropped their two thousand twenty-six Mid-Year Awards, and they’re celebrating the fighters, fights, and moments that have lit up the MMA world so far this year. With six months of jaw-dropping action behind us, they’re highlighting stunning upsets, bone-crunching knockouts, and rising stars. It’s always fun to look back and see what’s stood out, and it just goes to show how much incredible talent we have in the sport right now.

We’ve got an undefeated Polish prospect, Damian Rzepecki, making his UFC debut against Magomed “Chanko” Zaynukov, also known as John Pork. Rzepecki is calling it a big fight, noting Zaynukov’s fame from his nickname and his connection to Team Makhachev. Rzepecki, on the other hand, is a friend of Ilia Topuria, so you’ve got some interesting team dynamics at play here. This is the kind of matchup that can really launch a career, and it’ll be interesting to see how these two prospects perform under the bright lights of the UFC.

Former UFC fighter Eric Spicely recently reflected on winning a bonus after contemplating giving up mid-fight, admitting he wasn’t the same after a Fight of the Night loss, saying his head was “destroyed.” This really highlights the brutal toll this sport can take, even on those who are compensated for their efforts. Last month, Justin Gaethje earned eight hundred twenty-five thousand dollars in post-fight bonuses in one night, which is incredible, but it also underscores the physical and mental sacrifices these athletes make. It’s a reminder that even with big paydays, the cost can be immense.

We’ve also got some interesting news from Wendy’s Aruba, where the Damian Pinas Meal has dropped, marking the first-ever fighter meal. That’s a pretty unique way to get some exposure, and it’s cool to see fighters branching out into different avenues. Who wouldn’t want to eat a Pinas meal, right?

Looking ahead to the next two cards, we’ve got ONE Championship’s Inner Circle twenty-one coming up on July tenth. There are three massive reasons to watch this one: a ONE World Title rematch, a legend’s career crossroads, and a six-figure contract race, all happening in Bangkok. That’s a stacked card with a lot on the line, and it promises to be a night of high-stakes action.

And then, of course, we’re all looking forward to UFC 329 on July eleventh. We’re hearing that a highly anticipated fight for Max Holloway is on the card, and word is we’ll also see the exciting lightweight clash between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis. These are the kinds of fights that define careers and get the entire MMA world buzzing. It’s going to be a must-watch event.

Now for our OSM Pick of the day. Our system has been crunching the numbers for the Damian Pinas versus Cesar Almeida fight. We’ve got Damian Pinas to win, with a seventy-seven percent chance. The betting line implies around sixty-four percent, so we’re significantly higher than the market on this one. This is a strong value pick for us. The top reasons our model likes Pinas are his physical advantages and his recent form. We’re more confident now than ever that Pinas gets the job done.

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

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