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Nurmagomedov's PFL Dominance and Belgrade's Debut

Usman Nurmagomedov dominates at PFL New York, while UFC Belgrade delivers a night of finishes and debuts.

Nurmagomedov's PFL Dominance and Belgrade's Debut

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What a week it’s been in the world of MMA! We saw a PFL champion defend his title in spectacular fashion and the UFC make its first-ever stop in Belgrade, Serbia, bringing some exciting matchups and finishes.

Nurmagomedov’s PFL Dominance

Usman Nurmagomedov once again proved why he’s a force to be reckoned with, retaining his PFL title at PFL New York. He defeated Archie Colgan by TKO in the first round, showcasing his striking prowess. Nurmagomedov landed a head kick that dropped Colgan, followed by ground and pound to secure the victory. This win further solidifies his position at the top of the lightweight division, and he even took a jab at Jake Paul, suggesting he’d fight him for a bigger payday.

Ditcheva’s Next Challenge

Also on the PFL New York card, Dakota Ditcheva continued her impressive run. While the details of her fight at this event aren’t fully out yet, we do know she’s already got her next opponent lined up. Ditcheva is set to face a former UFC title challenger, which will be a significant step up in competition for her. It’s clear the PFL is looking to test her skills against top-tier talent as she climbs the ranks.

UFC Debuts in Belgrade

The UFC made history this past weekend with its inaugural event in Belgrade, Serbia. UFC Belgrade: Medic vs. Rodriguez featured a card packed with exciting fights and several finishes. The main event saw a clash between two promising fighters, and the crowd in Serbia was treated to a memorable night of action. It’s always great to see the UFC expand its global reach and bring the sport to new audiences.

Belgrade Card Highlights

The Belgrade card delivered on its promise of thrilling matchups. While specific results are still coming in, the event featured a mix of veteran fighters and rising stars. Many fights ended in finishes, keeping the energy high throughout the night. Fans who tuned in were treated to a showcase of diverse fighting styles, from powerful knockouts to slick submissions, making it a successful debut for the UFC in Serbia.

From the community

Over on r/MMA, fans are talking about this: [Official] PFL New York: Nurmagomedov vs. Colgan - Live Discussion Thread.

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 44 for August 1st, 2026, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC. DUKE: Welcome back to Open Scoring MMA, your daily deep dive into the world of fights. We’re kicking things off today with some big news out of the PFL, where Usman Nurmagomedov just put on an absolute clinic.
NORA: He certainly did, Duke. Usman Nurmagomedov knocked out Archie Colgan in the first round to retain the PFL Lightweight World Championship at PFL New York on Friday. It was a dominant performance.
DUKE: Dominant is an understatement. I mean, this guy is just on another level. He made it look easy, and it was the main event at UBS Arena. That’s a huge statement.
NORA: It is. And what’s interesting is that this was the final fight on Nurmagomedov’s PFL contract. He’s reportedly amassed a twenty one and zero record, making him one of the best fighters outside the UFC.
DUKE: So, what does that mean for his future? Because after a performance like that, you’ve got to wonder if he’s eyeing bigger things.
NORA: Well, he certainly issued a challenge of sorts. After retaining his title, he jabbed at new PFL promoter Jake Paul, essentially asking for a more lucrative deal.
DUKE: He’s looking for that money fight, huh? Can’t blame him after a spectacular knockout like that. He’s making a statement to the lightweight division and, frankly, to Dana White.
NORA: Absolutely. When you perform at that level, you create options for yourself. Everyone was talking about Nurmagomedov’s performance and what it means for his next move.
DUKE: And speaking of PFL New York, it wasn’t just Nurmagomedov making waves. Dakota Ditcheva was also on that card, right?
NORA: She was. Dakota Ditcheva returned from a lengthy layoff to co-headline the PFL New York event. She’s the PFL’s top female star, and she’s already got her next fight lined up against a former UFC title challenger.
DUKE: That’s a quick turnaround. She’s looking to stay busy, which is great for the fans. It shows she’s serious about making a run.
NORA: It does. And it’s a smart move to keep that momentum going, especially after a co-main event slot.
DUKE: Alright, let’s shift gears a bit, because we’ve got some concerning news regarding Anthony Smith.
NORA: Yes, former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith was arrested on Monday in Nebraska and faces three felony charges. His manager, Brian Butler of SuckerPunch Entertainment, released a statement on Friday.
DUKE: And what did that statement say, Nora?
NORA: Butler told Yahoo Sports MMA, quote, “We are aware of the reports concerning Anthony Smith’s recent arrest. At this time, it would be inappropriate to comment on the allegations or speculate regarding facts that have yet to be fully established,” end quote.
DUKE: So, they’re asking for patience and due process, essentially.
NORA: Exactly. Butler also said, quote, “Like every individual, Anthony is entitled to the presumption of innocence and the due process protections afforded under our justice system. We respectfully ask that people avoid rushing to judgment based solely on initial reports, as they often do not reflect the complete facts or context,” end quote.
DUKE: That’s a fair request. It’s easy to jump to conclusions with initial reports, but the full story often takes time to emerge.
NORA: It’s a difficult situation for everyone involved, and it’s important to remember that.
DUKE: Moving on to some upcoming action, the UFC is headed to Belgrade for the first time ever this Saturday. That’s a big deal for the region.
NORA: It is. We’re hearing that UFC Belgrade, also known as UFC Fight Night two hundred eighty three, might be streaming live on Paramount Plus. Sherdog’s live coverage begins Saturday at ten AM Eastern Time.
DUKE: And for that historic card, we’re hearing the main event could be Uros Medic versus Daniel Rodriguez in a welterweight fight.
NORA: That’s correct. And for the light heavyweight co-main event, we’re hearing former division champion Jan Blachowicz taking on Navajo Stirling.
DUKE: That’s a solid co-main. Blachowicz is a big name, and word is Stirling was a longtime training partner of Israel Adesanya, which adds an interesting layer.
NORA: It does. Israel Adesanya himself weighed in on that fight, predicting the outcome between Jan Blachowicz and Navajo Stirling.
DUKE: He’s got some history with Blachowicz, right? Adesanya lost to him for the light heavyweight title back at UFC two fifty nine.
NORA: He did, by unanimous decision. And he was also a longtime training partner of Stirling at City Kickboxing, so he knows both fighters well.
DUKE: That’s a unique perspective. It’ll be interesting to see if his prediction holds up.
NORA: It will. It’s always compelling when a fighter with that kind of insight offers their take.
DUKE: So, we’ve got a full slate of fights coming up, and some big news breaking. It’s never a dull moment in the MMA world.
NORA: Never. And that’s why we’re here every day to break it all down.
DUKE: Exactly. Now, let’s talk about our OSM Pick for the week. Nora, what’s the model saying?
NORA: Okay, so our model is looking at a fight this week.
DUKE: Alright, what’s the call?
NORA: We’ve got a strong lean on Stephanie Luciano.
DUKE: And what’s the percentage on that?
NORA: Approximately eighty percent.
DUKE: Eighty percent. That’s a strong lean.
NORA: It is.
DUKE: So, this is a value pick for us.
NORA: Exactly. We like it more than the line does.
DUKE: Why the confidence, Nora? What are the top reasons?
NORA: The primary reasons are form and physical attributes. Both favor our pick significantly.
DUKE: Form, I can see. She’s been looking sharp.
NORA: And the physical advantages are pretty clear when you look at the matchups.
DUKE: So, the model sees a clear path to victory for our pick based on those factors.
NORA: It does. We’re feeling pretty good about this one.
DUKE: Alright, that’s our OSM Pick for this week.
NORA: That’s the call.
DUKE: And that wraps up another edition of Open Scoring MMA. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll catch you all tomorrow.
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.