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PFL-MVP Merger, UFC Belgrade Fallout

PFL and MVP merge, sparking a potential superfight and a war of words, while UFC Belgrade delivers a night of quick KOs and emotional reactions.

PFL-MVP Merger, UFC Belgrade Fallout

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The MMA world is buzzing after a major merger announcement and the fallout from a wild UFC Fight Night. We’ve got big news from the PFL and MVP, plus all the reactions from a record-setting night in Belgrade.

PFL and MVP Merge, Jake Paul and Dana White Exchange Barbs

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) have officially merged, creating a new powerhouse in combat sports. This move immediately sparked speculation about potential superfights, with PFL CEO Peter Murray even opening the door for a Cris Cyborg vs. Ronda Rousey matchup. However, the merger also ignited a fresh war of words between Jake Paul, co-founder of MVP, and UFC President Dana White, with both men exchanging barbs. This rivalry is definitely heating up and promises to bring more fireworks outside the cage.

Uros Medic’s Dominant Performance at UFC Belgrade

UFC Belgrade delivered some incredible action, with Uros Medic stealing the show in the main event. Medic secured a stunning 30-second knockout victory over Daniel Rodriguez, earning a performance bonus for his efforts. Following his dominant win, Medic wasted no time in calling out welterweight champion Leon Edwards, signaling his ambition to climb the ranks. The quick finish was a highlight of a night that saw several rapid KOs, making it a record-setting event for fast finishes.

Fighter Reactions to UFC Belgrade Losses

The emotional toll of fighting was evident in the aftermath of UFC Belgrade, with several fighters sharing their reactions to tough losses. Daniel Rodriguez, despite his quick knockout, stated he was “proud of myself” and acknowledged Medic simply “beat me to the punch.” Oban Elliott also shared his thoughts after a brutal knockout loss. In a more definitive move, Hailey Cowan announced her retirement from the sport following her defeat at the event. These reactions highlight the personal stakes involved in every fight.

Beyond the main event, UFC Belgrade featured other notable performances. Navajo Stirling delivered a stunning knockout over Jan Blachowicz, a win that many pros believe has cemented Stirling as a legitimate contender in his division. Meanwhile, Arman Tsarukyan made headlines outside of a sanctioned fight, easily submitting an Indian influencer in a video that went viral. Tsarukyan then used the opportunity to call out Dillon Danis, adding another layer of intrigue to the lightweight division.

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

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Welcome to Open Scoring MMA. This is episode 45 for August 2nd, 2026, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC. DUKE: So, the big news this week, and it’s a massive one for the entire landscape of combat sports, is the merger between the Professional Fighters League, the PFL, and Most Valuable Promotions, MVP. This isn’t just a small acquisition, Nora, this is a move that could genuinely shake up the UFC’s dominance.
NORA: Absolutely, Duke. The PFL and MVP announced their merger on July 30, 2026, creating a new entity that will operate under the ‘MVP MMA’ brand. This brings nearly four hundred athletes under one umbrella, and the stated goal is clearly to rival the UFC’s position in the market.
DUKE: And it’s already causing ripples, isn’t it? We’ve got Jake Paul, who’s a big part of MVP, and Dana White, the UFC president, already exchanging barbs over this. It feels like a war has been declared before the ink is even dry on the contracts.
NORA: It does. The merger formalized MVP’s intention to become a major player, and Jake Paul has been very vocal about challenging the UFC. Dana White, predictably, has responded in kind. It’s setting the stage for a very interesting competitive landscape in the coming years.
DUKE: I mean, the PFL CEO is even talking about superfights already. Cris Cyborg versus Ronda Rousey, for example. That’s a huge name to throw out there right off the bat.
NORA: It is. The PFL CEO has openly discussed the possibility of a Cris Cyborg versus Ronda Rousey superfight, leveraging the combined roster and the new brand’s potential. It’s a clear signal of their ambition to create high-profile matchups that capture public attention.
DUKE: That would be a massive fight, if they could ever make it happen. Two legends. But speaking of big events, let’s talk about UFC Belgrade, which just wrapped up. What a night for finishes.
NORA: It was, Duke. UFC Belgrade, which took place yesterday, Saturday, August first, at the Belgrade Arena in Serbia, set a new record for the promotion. There were twelve finishes on the card, with ten of them coming in the first round. That’s the most first-round finishes in UFC history for a single event.
DUKE: Ten first-round finishes? That’s just wild. And the main event, Uros Medic, in his home country debut, absolutely starched Daniel Rodriguez in thirty seconds. That’s a statement win if I’ve ever seen one.
NORA: Medic delivered a devastating first-round knockout over Daniel Rodriguez in just thirty seconds. He caught Rodriguez with a quick jab, and that was it. It was a huge moment for him, especially fighting in front of his home crowd, and it certainly announced his arrival as a serious contender.
DUKE: He’s a top fifteen welterweight, and to get put out like that, that quickly, has to be a tough pill to swallow.
NORA: It is. Daniel Rodriguez, who was ranked in the top fifteen, acknowledged that Medic simply beat him to the punch. He’s since stated he’ll be back, but a thirty-second knockout loss is a significant setback for any fighter, especially one in the top tier of the division.
DUKE: And Medic didn’t waste any time calling out big names either. He called out Leon Edwards after that win. That’s a bold move for someone who just had their breakout moment.
NORA: It’s a very confident callout. Uros Medic immediately called out Leon Edwards, the current welterweight champion, after his win. It shows he believes he’s ready for the top of the division, though he’ll likely need a few more high-profile wins before getting a title shot.
DUKE: Well, he certainly earned a bonus for that performance. Four fighters took home an extra one hundred thousand dollars at UFC Belgrade, and Medic was one of them.
NORA: Yes, Medic was among the four fighters who received a one hundred thousand dollar bonus for their standout performances at UFC Belgrade. That kind of financial reward often accompanies such a dominant and memorable finish.
DUKE: Another big finish on that card was Navajo Stirling, who is undefeated, taking out Jan Blachowicz in the co-main event. That’s a huge win for Stirling, putting him on the map in the light heavyweight division.
NORA: Navajo Stirling, who came into the fight undefeated, secured a first-round knockout over former UFC champion Jan Blachowicz in the co-main event. This win is a massive boost to his career, establishing him as a legitimate threat in the light heavyweight division and showing he can compete with top-tier talent.
DUKE: And we also saw a retirement after the card. Hailey Cowan announced she’s stepping away after her loss to Nina Milosevic.
NORA: That’s correct. Hailey Cowan announced her retirement from MMA following her loss to Nina Milosevic at UFC Belgrade. Milosevic won by a first-round TKO (body shot), earning a one hundred thousand dollar bonus for the finish. Cowan’s professional record now stands at seven wins and six losses.
DUKE: That’s a tough way to go out, but sometimes you just know it’s time. Oban Elliott also had a brutal knockout loss on the card, his third straight defeat.
NORA: Oban Elliott suffered a brutal knockout loss against Michael Oliveira, a promotional newcomer, at UFC Belgrade. This marks Elliott’s third consecutive defeat, which puts him in a very precarious position regarding his future in the UFC.
DUKE: Yeah, three losses in a row is a tough spot to be in for anyone in the UFC. It’s a brutal sport. But moving on to something a little different, Arman Tsarukyan was out there doing grappling matches in India. He submitted an influencer and then called out Dillon Danis.
NORA: Arman Tsarukyan, a top-ranked lightweight contender, participated in a grappling match in India, where he submitted an influencer. Following that, he called out Dillon Danis. It seems he’s staying active and looking for different ways to compete while waiting for his next UFC bout.
DUKE: It’s interesting to see these guys staying sharp outside the octagon, especially when they’re waiting for a fight. Keeps them in the headlines, too.
NORA: It does. And it allows them to maintain their competitive edge and visibility, even if it’s not a traditional MMA fight. It’s a smart move for a fighter like Tsarukyan who wants to stay relevant.
DUKE: Speaking of staying relevant, the MMA community on Reddit is having a field day with the PFL and MVP merger. There’s a lot of discussion about what this means for fighter pay and the potential for new superfights outside the UFC.
NORA: There’s definitely a buzz. The Reddit community is actively discussing the implications of the PFL-MVP merger, particularly focusing on how it might impact fighter compensation and the possibility of dream matchups that were previously impossible due to promotional barriers.
DUKE: It’s a fascinating time to be a fight fan, that’s for sure. Now, let’s get to our OSM Pick of the week. Nora, what’s the model saying?
NORA: The model is on Magomed Ankalaev for this one, Duke.
DUKE: Okay, what’s the percentage?
NORA: Seventy-two percent for Ankalaev.
DUKE: Seventy-two percent. That’s a strong lean. How does that compare to the market?
NORA: The betting line implies around sixty-five percent for Ankalaev, so we’re quite a bit higher than the market on this one.
DUKE: So, we see some value there. Why is the model so confident in Ankalaev?
NORA: The top reasons are form and activity. Ankalaev’s recent performances and consistent activity are heavily favoring him in the model’s calculations.
DUKE: Form and activity. I can see that. Prochazka’s been a bit more sporadic, and Ankalaev has just been a machine.
NORA: Exactly. The model picks up on that consistency and the quality of his recent wins.
DUKE: So, we’re calling this a value pick then, because we’re seeing a bigger edge than the market.
NORA: That’s right. We’re higher on Ankalaev than the market, making it a value pick for us.
DUKE: Alright, Magomed Ankalaev, seventy-two percent. I like it.
NORA: It should be a great one.
DUKE: That’s all the time we have for today’s Open Scoring MMA. Thanks for tuning in, and 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.