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McGregor's Recovery, Andrade's New Gig, and Tsarukyan's Title Shot

Conor McGregor's recovery progress, Jessica Andrade's surprising side hustle, and Arman Tsarukyan's potential title shot.

McGregor's Recovery, Andrade's New Gig, and Tsarukyan's Title Shot

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It’s been a busy week in the MMA world, with updates on some of the sport’s biggest names and upcoming events. From recovery journeys to unexpected career moves, there’s plenty to catch up on.

McGregor’s Road to Recovery

Conor McGregor recently shared a video with fans, offering a glimpse into his recovery process. While many are eager to see him back in the octagon, not everyone is convinced he’ll return to his former glory. Logan Paul, for instance, has publicly mocked McGregor, suggesting he’s “done” and should consider a move to the WWE. Despite the outside noise, McGregor seems focused on his rehabilitation, keeping fans updated on his progress.

Andrade’s Unexpected Gig

In a surprising turn of events, former UFC champion Jessica Andrade has revealed she’s working as a delivery driver. This unexpected side hustle has certainly caught the attention of fans and the MMA community alike. It’s a reminder that even top-tier athletes sometimes have to find alternative ways to make ends meet outside of their fighting careers.

UFC Abu Dhabi Weigh-Ins

The weigh-ins for UFC Abu Dhabi, featuring Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker, are officially in the books. All fighters successfully made weight, setting the stage for an exciting night of fights. Ankalaev has also been making headlines by calling out Alex Pereira for a trilogy fight, even after Pereira seemingly laughed off the challenge. It’s clear Ankalaev is ready to prove himself against the best.

Tsarukyan’s Title Aspirations

Reports are circulating that Arman Tsarukyan is ready for a UFC title fight as early as September. This would be a massive opportunity for Tsarukyan, who has been steadily climbing the lightweight ranks. Fans are eagerly anticipating an official announcement and the chance to see him compete for the championship.

New Faces and Upcoming Bouts

The MMA landscape continues to evolve with new talent emerging. Alexander Poppeck is set to make his UFC debut on August 1st in Serbia, stepping in for an enticing battle. Meanwhile, ONE Championship has signed a trio of world-class MMA talents, adding to their growing roster. We’re also looking forward to the betting breakdown for Navajo Stirling vs. Jan Blachowicz, which promises to be an interesting matchup.

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 35 for July 24, 2026, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC.

Conor McGregor’s return, where he reportedly suffered a knee injury in the first seconds, is still the talk of the town, and not in a good way for the Notorious one. Logan Paul, of all people, has jumped into the fray, mocking McGregor and suggesting he make a move to the WWE. Paul didn’t pull any punches, saying, quote, “He’s done,” end quote. It’s a pretty harsh take, especially coming from someone who’s crossed over from YouTube to combat sports himself. But hey, that’s Logan Paul for you, always looking for a headline. McGregor, for his part, isn’t letting the noise get to him. He’s already giving fans a glimpse into his recovery process, posting videos of himself working to strengthen that injured knee. He reportedly tore his ACL and MCL after attempting a flying kick, which is a brutal blow for any fighter, let alone one trying to make a comeback. It just goes to show you, the fight game is unforgiving, and even the biggest stars aren’t immune to the injury bug. We’re all hoping for a full and speedy recovery for Conor, because love him or hate him, the sport is always more exciting when he’s in it.

Now, this next story is a bit of a gut punch, honestly. Former UFC champion Jessica Andrade has revealed she’s currently working as a delivery driver. She told LowKick MMA, quote, “I work as a delivery driver. I deliver meals and things like that. I just pick up orders through an app and make the deliveries,” end quote. She added, quote, “I do whatever it takes. I’m not afraid of hard work. I can do just about anything,” end quote. This has raised some real concerns among fans. Here’s a former champion, someone who’s been at the pinnacle of the sport, having to take on a gig job to make ends meet. It really highlights the financial realities for many fighters, even those who’ve held gold. It’s a stark reminder that the glitz and glamour of the UFC often only apply to a select few at the very top. It’s a tough business, and it makes you wonder about the long-term financial security for a lot of these athletes once their fighting careers are over.

Speaking of new opportunities, ONE Championship has been busy adding to its roster, signing a trio of world-class MMA talents. Brandão, Takeuchi, and Almonacid are the latest stars to join the promotion. This is a smart move by ONE, continuing to bring in top-tier talent and expand their global footprint. It’s always exciting to see new faces and new matchups in different organizations, and it keeps the competitive landscape fresh.

Over in the UFC, we’ve got some interesting developments on the fight card front. Alexander Poppeck is finally set to make his long-awaited UFC debut on August first in Belgrade, Serbia. He’s stepping in to replace an injured fighter, which is a huge opportunity for the German standout. Making your debut on short notice is always a challenge, but it’s also a chance to make a big statement. We’ll be keeping an eye on that one.

And speaking of big fights, unbeaten UFC star Navajo Stirling is set to face former champion Jan Blachowicz. This is undoubtedly the biggest fight of Stirling’s career, a true test against a former light heavyweight king. Blachowicz is a tough out for anyone, and if Stirling can get past him, it’ll be a massive boost to his career. This is the kind of matchup that can really launch a fighter into title contention.

Now, for some breaking news that’s got the MMA community on Reddit buzzing: an account claiming to be Ian Machado Garry’s brother has absolutely torn into him. The YouTube account is alleging all sorts of things about Garry’s family life, his relationship with Layla, and even a missed funeral. This is a pretty wild situation, and if these claims are true, it paints a very different picture of the fighter. Family drama spilling out into the public eye is never a good look, and it’s definitely going to be a distraction for Garry. It’s a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of professional fighting, personal issues can often overshadow everything else.

DUKE: Nora, what do you make of this Ian Machado Garry situation? It’s a complete mess, right?

NORA: It certainly appears to be, Duke. While the veracity of the claims is yet to be fully established, the public nature of the accusations is undeniably detrimental to Garry’s image. It’s a significant external variable that could impact his focus.

DUKE: “External variable,” I love it. You mean it’s a huge distraction that’s gonna mess with his head, right? I mean, family stuff like this, it’s gotta be tough to compartmentalize.

NORA: Precisely. The emotional toll of such public allegations can be substantial, potentially affecting performance. It’s a factor the model cannot quantify, but one that a human observer would certainly consider.

DUKE: See, this is why we need both of us. The eye test tells me this is bad news for Garry, regardless of the truth. It’s a cloud hanging over him.

NORA: Agreed. The optics alone are unfavorable. It’s a situation that requires careful monitoring, both from a personal and professional standpoint for Garry.

DUKE: So, if you had to put a percentage on it, how much does this drop his stock in your estimation, just based on the distraction factor?

NORA: Without more data, it’s speculative. However, if these claims prove to be accurate and the family rift is as deep as suggested, it could represent a five to ten percent decrement in his perceived stability, which could translate to performance.

DUKE: Five to ten percent? That’s a lot in a sport where margins are so thin. It just goes to show, the fight isn’t always in the cage.

NORA: Indeed. The mental game is as crucial as the physical.

Alright, let’s shift gears to some title talk. We’re hearing that Arman Tsarukyan is ready for a UFC title fight in September. Reportedly, he’s set to take on BMF champion Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira at UFC 331. Tsarukyan himself confirmed, quote, “We signed the contract on Monday,” end quote. Word is, UFC 331 is scheduled for September, and it’s the first of the autumn’s numbered pay per view events. This is a massive fight if it comes to fruition. Tsarukyan has been on an absolute tear, and a matchup against a legend like Oliveira for the BMF strap would be an absolute barnburner. The UFC hasn’t officially announced anything yet, but if Tsarukyan’s words are true, we’re in for a treat.

Now, let’s talk about this weekend’s action. UFC Abu Dhabi is reportedly going down this Saturday at the Etihad Arena on Fight Island. The weigh-ins just wrapped up, and all twenty-six fighters on the card successfully made weight. The main event is a light heavyweight clash between number two ranked Magomed Ankalaev and number nine ranked Bogdan Guskov. Both fighters looked ready to go, and the ceremonial weigh-ins kicked off earlier today. Ankalaev, who has been a top contender in the light heavyweight division, is looking to solidify his position at the top, while Guskov is a fast-rising contender hoping to make a name for himself against a top opponent. This is a crucial fight for both men, with serious title implications.

And speaking of Magomed Ankalaev, he’s already clapped back at Alex Pereira. Pereira apparently laughed off Ankalaev’s trilogy callout on Instagram, and Ankalaev was quick to respond, saying, quote, “He must have just woken up,” end quote. It’s clear there’s some bad blood there, and Ankalaev is definitely gunning for that third fight with Pereira. This kind of back-and-forth is what makes the sport so exciting, and it adds another layer of intrigue to the light heavyweight division.

That’s all for today’s show. Make sure you tune in this weekend for UFC Abu Dhabi. We’ll be back tomorrow with all the latest news and analysis.

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.