Skip to main content
The Feed

Rousey's Return, Rosas's Brother, and Makhachev vs. Garry

Ronda Rousey's potential return, the Rosas family expands in the UFC, and the latest on Makhachev vs. Garry.

Rousey's Return, Rosas's Brother, and Makhachev vs. Garry

🎧 Listen to this episode

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

It’s a busy day in the MMA world, with rumors of a major return, new talent joining the ranks, and some interesting developments in a potential super-fight. Let’s dive into what’s making headlines.

Ronda Rousey Teases MMA Return

Ronda Rousey, a name synonymous with early UFC dominance, is once again hinting at a potential return to the octagon. She’s been vocal about her past experiences, particularly taking shots at UFC executive Hunter Campbell. Despite her WWE commitments, Rousey has suggested she might be open to another MMA fight, specifically for an MVP event. While nothing is confirmed, the idea of ‘Rowdy’ Ronda stepping back into the cage is certainly generating buzz among fans and media alike.

The Rosas Family Grows in UFC

The Rosas family is making its mark in the UFC, with the promotion officially signing Raul Rosas Jr.’s brother. This move expands the family’s presence within the organization, following Raul Rosas Jr.’s impressive debut. It’s always exciting to see siblings compete at the highest level, and this signing suggests the UFC sees significant potential in the Rosas brothers. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how this new talent develops.

Makhachev vs. Garry: Trash Talk Heats Up

The potential matchup between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry continues to be a hot topic, with the trash talk escalating. Jorge Masvidal has publicly stated he wants to see Makhachev “choke Ian Machado Garry to sleep,” adding fuel to the fire. Makhachev’s coach, however, seems to welcome Garry’s verbal jabs, with one notable exception. It appears the mental warfare is already in full swing for what could be a highly anticipated bout.

Nurmagomedov’s Enduring Influence

Even in retirement, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s influence on the MMA world remains strong, particularly within his training camp. PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s cousin, recently stated that Khabib still “rules the gym.” This highlights the enduring impact of the former lightweight king, whose disciplined approach and coaching continue to shape the next generation of fighters. It’s clear his presence is still a major factor in the success of his team.

Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier’s Evolving Relationship

The long-standing rivalry between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, once one of the most intense in MMA history, appears to be evolving. Jones recently opened up about his current relationship with Cormier, suggesting a softening of their animosity. While they were once bitter rivals, it seems time and perhaps their respective career paths have led to a more amicable dynamic. It’s a testament to how relationships can change, even after such heated competition.

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 42 for July 30th, 2026, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC. DUKE: Alright, let’s kick things off with some big news that’s got everyone talking. Jorge Masvidal, you know, ‘Gamebred’ himself, has weighed in on the upcoming welterweight world title bout at UFC 330.
NORA: He has, and he’s got a very specific outcome in mind for Islam Makhachev versus Ian Machado Garry.
DUKE: He wants to see Islam Makhachev choke Ian Machado Garry to sleep. That’s a pretty strong statement from Masvidal, isn’t it?
NORA: It is. It shows the level of animosity and the stakes involved in this fight, especially with word that Makhachev is putting a title on the line for the first time at welterweight.
DUKE: And that fight, of course, is headlining UFC 330 on August fifteenth in Philadelphia, with Makhachev putting his title on the line against the number two ranked Ian Machado Garry.
NORA: Makhachev’s record stands at twenty eight wins and one loss, and we’re hearing this is a significant step for him moving up a weight class to defend a new belt.
DUKE: And speaking of that fight, Islam Makhachev’s longtime head coach has actually commented on Ian Garry’s trash talk.
NORA: He has. The coach stated he has no issue with Garry’s trash talk ahead of the title fight.
DUKE: But there’s one exception, right? He’s okay with it as long as Garry avoids certain subjects. It’s interesting that they’re drawing a line there.
NORA: It suggests that while they’re prepared for the mental warfare, there are some topics that are considered off-limits, likely personal ones.
DUKE: Yeah, you gotta wonder what those specific subjects are. It’s a fine line to walk in the lead-up to a big fight like this.
NORA: Absolutely. It adds another layer of intrigue to the pre-fight build-up.
DUKE: Alright, let’s switch gears a little. We’ve got some news about a potential return to the cage, or at least the ring, for a very familiar name. Ronda Rousey is hinting that she could be back for another MVP MMA fight.
NORA: She isn’t ruling out another bout under the Most Valuable Promotions banner. This comes after her previous criticisms of the UFC.
DUKE: Right, and she’s been pretty vocal about the UFC missing out on major opportunities, even singling out UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell in her criticism.
NORA: She believes the organization could have done more, and her comments have certainly stirred up a lot of discussion in the community.
DUKE: It’s interesting to see her potentially exploring other avenues outside the UFC, especially with her history and impact on the sport.
NORA: It is. And it shows that there are other platforms for high-profile fighters to compete, which could be a significant shift in the landscape.
DUKE: And speaking of Rousey, she’s really been taking shots at Hunter Campbell, hasn’t she?
NORA: She has. Her criticism has been quite direct, focusing on what she perceives as missed opportunities by the UFC, and specifically Campbell’s role in that.
DUKE: It’s a bold move to call out such a high-ranking executive, but Rousey has never been one to shy away from speaking her mind.
NORA: No, she hasn’t. And it certainly keeps her name in the headlines, whether she’s fighting or not.
DUKE: Alright, let’s move on to some family news in the UFC. Raul Rosas Junior’s brother is officially signed.
NORA: That’s right, Jessie Rosas’s Ultimate Fighting Championship debut is set. It’s always exciting to see siblings join the ranks.
DUKE: It is. Raul Rosas Junior has made quite a splash, so there’s definitely some anticipation to see what Jessie brings to the octagon.
NORA: There will be a lot of eyes on him, for sure, given his brother’s rapid rise.
DUKE: And speaking of family, Usman Nurmagomedov has placed Khabib Nurmagomedov at the top of the room when it comes to the family’s elite training group.
NORA: He has. Usman Nurmagomedov, the PFL champion, still considers Khabib the leader and the benchmark for their training.
DUKE: That’s a huge endorsement, especially coming from another champion in the family. It really highlights Khabib’s continued influence, even in retirement.
NORA: It speaks volumes about the respect and the high standards within their camp, and Khabib’s enduring presence as a mentor.
DUKE: Now, this next one is a bit of a shocker. Anthony Smith, a former UFC title challenger, is facing some very serious charges.
NORA: Yes, Anthony Smith is now facing three felony counts in Sarpy County, Nebraska. Prosecutors have presented charges of domestic assault and threatening to kill his wife.
DUKE: That’s incredibly serious, Nora. This is a developing situation, and it’s certainly a dark cloud over his career.
NORA: It is. These are very grave allegations, and the legal process will undoubtedly unfold with significant scrutiny.
DUKE: Absolutely. Our thoughts are with everyone involved in that situation. Moving on to some lighter news, Dione Barbosa is making some moves in the flyweight division.
NORA: She is. Buoyed by two consecutive victories in the UFC, Dione Barbosa has her sights set on a specific target.
DUKE: And that target is Poatan’s ex-girlfriend, with an eye on climbing the rankings. That’s a bold callout.
NORA: It is. In an interview, she revealed her plan to return for the final stretch of the 2026 season and made herself available to the UFC for that matchup.
DUKE: It’s a smart move to call out a recognizable name to get that attention and potentially a faster track to the top.
NORA: Exactly. It’s a way to generate buzz and potentially secure a higher-profile fight that could propel her up the flyweight ladder.
DUKE: Alright, let’s talk about a rivalry that many thought would never soften. Jon Jones has opened up about his current relationship with Daniel Cormier.
NORA: He has. In an interview with ‘ALF Global’, Jones revealed a private dialogue he had with Cormier, indicating that their rivalry has taken on much milder tones behind the scenes.
DUKE: Wow. So, one of the most intense rivalries in MMA history seems to be cooling off. That’s a big shift.
NORA: It is. It suggests that while the public rivalry might still be maintained, there’s a level of respect or at least a cessation of hostilities privately.
DUKE: It’s good to hear, honestly. Those two had some truly legendary battles, but it’s nice to see some maturity there.
NORA: It certainly is. It shows that even the most intense rivalries can evolve over time.
DUKE: Now, let’s talk about a controversial finish. Michel Pereira is aiming to appeal his UFC Baku loss.
NORA: He is. Pereira is looking to appeal his loss to Sharabutdin Magomedov, which was followed by his release from the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
DUKE: And the controversy there was the hair-pulling, right? That was a big point of contention.
NORA: Exactly. The hair-pulling incident was central to the controversy surrounding the fight and the subsequent decision.
DUKE: It’s a tough situation when a fight ends like that, and then you’re released. You can understand why he’d want to appeal.
NORA: Absolutely. He’s seeking to overturn the result and potentially clear his name, especially given the circumstances of his release.
DUKE: Alright, let’s get into some PFL news. The PFL New York card has seen some changes.
NORA: It has. The upcoming Professional Fighters League card has undergone a pair of changes just days before the event.
DUKE: Specifically, the Powell bout has been canceled, and Nishimwe is out. That’s a shame for the fighters involved.
NORA: It is. Last-minute changes are always tough, both for the athletes and for the promotion trying to fill those spots.
DUKE: And speaking of PFL, Bryan Battle has opened up about some personal struggles affecting his preparation.
NORA: He has. Bryan Battle discussed dealing with personal issues, specifically a divorce and his UFC exit, ahead of his Professional Fighters League debut.
DUKE: That’s a lot to go through, and it definitely impacts a fighter’s ability to prepare mentally and physically.
NORA: It does. It highlights the immense pressure and personal challenges athletes often face outside of the cage, which can significantly affect their performance.
DUKE: It’s good that he’s being open about it. It takes a lot of courage to share those kinds of struggles.
NORA: It certainly does, and it provides important context for his recent performances.
DUKE: Now, for a quick look at the PFL New York odds. Dakota Ditcheva is an overwhelming favorite.
NORA: Yes, ‘Dangerous’ Dakota Ditcheva is a heavy favorite to beat ‘Miss Dynamite’ Denise Kielholtz in their three-round women’s flyweight co-main event.
DUKE: Overwhelming, huh? That’s a strong vote of confidence from the oddsmakers.
NORA: It is. It indicates a significant perceived advantage for Ditcheva going into that fight.
DUKE: Alright, let’s talk about Conor McGregor for a minute. Javier Mendez, a rival coach, believes something was off with Conor McGregor before UFC 329.
NORA: He does. Mendez stated that McGregor reportedly didn’t look like himself before his Ultimate Fighting Championship return.
DUKE: That’s a pretty strong observation from another coach, especially one who’s seen so many fighters prepare.
NORA: It suggests that there might have been underlying issues or a lack of optimal preparation that was visible to an experienced eye.
DUKE: It makes you wonder what was going on behind the scenes, especially for such a high-profile comeback fight.
NORA: Absolutely. It adds another layer to the narrative surrounding that fight and McGregor’s performance.
DUKE: Alright, Nora, let’s get to our OSM Pick for the week. We’re looking at a fight that has caught our attention.
NORA: We are. And our model has a strong lean on this one.
DUKE: Lay it on me. Who’ve we got?
NORA: We’ve got a fighter with strong form and finishing ability.
DUKE: Okay.
NORA: Our model gives them a high chance of victory.
DUKE: That’s a big number.
NORA: It is. And the betting line implies a slightly lower chance, so we’re higher than the market on this one.
DUKE: So, this is a value pick for us.
NORA: Exactly. We like it more than the line does.
DUKE: Alright, so what’s driving that confidence? What are the top reasons?
NORA: The top reasons are form and finishing. Both favor our pick significantly.
DUKE: Form and finishing. So, they’ve been looking good and they’ve got that ability to close the show.
NORA: That’s right. Their recent performances and their ability to secure finishes are strong indicators for our model.
DUKE: And their opponent, they’re not really known for that kind of finishing power, are they?
NORA: Not to the same extent as our pick, no. That’s where the model sees a clear advantage.
DUKE: So, we’re pretty confident that our pick gets it done here.
NORA: We are. The numbers are quite compelling.
DUKE: Alright, that’s a solid pick. I like the sound of that.
NORA: Good to hear.
DUKE: And before we wrap up, the MMA community on Reddit is having a field day with all the back-and-forth between Ronda Rousey and Hunter Campbell. There’s a lot of chatter about what this means for Rousey’s future and the UFC’s approach to fighter relations.
NORA: Yeah, it’s definitely a hot topic. The discussions are pretty lively, as you can imagine.
DUKE: Absolutely. It’s always interesting to see how the fans react to these kinds of high-profile disputes.
NORA: It is. And it just goes to show how invested the community is in the sport, both inside and outside the cage.
DUKE: That’s all the time we have for today, folks. Thanks for tuning in to Open Scoring MMA.
NORA: We’ll catch you next time.

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.