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McGregor's Fifth Surgery, Makhachev's Next Target

Conor McGregor undergoes his fifth career surgery, Islam Makhachev eyes new challengers, and Yair Rodriguez headlines Noche UFC 4.

McGregor's Fifth Surgery, Makhachev's Next Target

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It’s been a busy week in the MMA world, with major news breaking on several fronts. From injury updates to potential matchups and event headliners, there’s a lot to unpack as we look ahead.

McGregor’s Fifth Surgery

Conor McGregor has announced he’s undergone his fifth career surgery following an injury sustained at UFC 329. This latest procedure adds to a long list of medical interventions for the former two-division champion. Fans are certainly hoping this recovery goes smoothly, though the timeline for his return remains uncertain. It’s a tough break for McGregor, who has faced numerous setbacks in recent years.

Makhachev’s Next Targets

Islam Makhachev is making headlines with his predictions and potential opponents. He’s confident in a finish against Ian Machado Garry, showing his usual self-assuredness. Beyond that, Makhachev has also approved a potential duel against Carlos Prates, indicating he’s looking for new challenges in the lightweight division. It seems the champion is keeping a close eye on the talent pool, ready to defend his title against worthy contenders.

Noche UFC 4 Headliner

Yair Rodriguez is set to return to the octagon, headlining Noche UFC 4 against Jean Silva. This highly anticipated event is scheduled for September and promises to be an exciting night for fight fans. Rodriguez’s return is a big deal, and facing Silva should make for a thrilling main event. It’s great to see such a strong matchup leading the card for Noche UFC.

Heavyweight Callouts and Rankings

In the heavyweight division, Valter Walker has expressed his desire to fight Derrick Lewis, explaining why ‘The Black Beast’ is his preferred opponent. This kind of callout always adds a bit of spice to the division. Meanwhile, a former champion has weighed in on the landscape, listing the five most dangerous UFC fighters across various weight classes. It’s always interesting to hear who the pros consider the top threats in the sport.

PFL Merger and Future Plans

MVP, Michael ‘Venom’ Page, has detailed his long-term plan to challenge the UFC following the PFL merger. This move could shake things up in the MMA landscape, as PFL aims to establish itself as a major player. However, Matt Brown has given credit to MVP but also stated that the gap between the PFL and UFC remains massive. It’ll be fascinating to see how this rivalry develops and if PFL can truly close that gap in the coming years.

From the community

Over on r/MMA, fans are talking about this: Jean Silva vs Yair Rodriguez to main event UFC Noche.

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 48 for August 5th, 2026, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC. DUKE: We’re kicking things off today with some big news out of the featherweight division, as Yair Rodriguez is reportedly set to make his return to the Octagon. Word is he’ll be headlining this year’s UFC Noche event, facing off against Jean Silva.
NORA: That’s right, Duke. It’s a featherweight matchup that’s got a lot of people talking, especially with Silva being one of the division’s most dangerous finishers. It’s a real test for Rodriguez coming back.
DUKE: And the MMA community on Reddit is already having a field day with this one, Nora. They’re pretty excited about Jean Silva versus Yair Rodriguez headlining UFC Noche. What do you make of it?
NORA: I think it’s a fantastic booking. Rodriguez has been a staple at the top of the division for a while, and Silva is a rising star with a lot of power. This fight could really shake up the featherweight rankings.
DUKE: Absolutely. Speaking of big names, Conor McGregor is back in the news, but not for a fight. He’s heading back to the operating room for his fifth career surgery following his injury at UFC 329.
NORA: It’s unfortunate news for McGregor fans. A fifth surgery indicates a significant setback, and it raises questions about his long-term future in the sport, especially after such a highly anticipated return.
DUKE: Yeah, it’s tough to hear. You always want to see the biggest stars healthy and competing. This definitely puts a damper on any immediate comeback plans.
NORA: It does. His recovery timeline will be crucial, and it’s another reminder of the physical toll this sport takes on its athletes.
DUKE: Moving on to the welterweight division, we’ve got Islam Makhachev making some bold predictions. He’s reportedly predicting a finish against Ian Machado Garry in the UFC 330 main event on August fifteenth in Philadelphia.
NORA: Makhachev is the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and he’s defending his welterweight title for the first time against the number two ranked Ian Machado Garry. A finish would be a huge statement in a new division for him.
DUKE: And he’s not just looking at Garry. Makhachev has already got his eye on future opponents. He pointed to Carlos Prates, affectionately nicknamed ‘Nutella Cake,’ as a potential significant rival in the octagon, praising his fighting style and rise.
NORA: It shows the champion’s confidence, looking beyond his immediate challenge. Carlos Prates is definitely an exciting prospect, and for Makhachev to acknowledge him speaks volumes about Prates’ potential in the welterweight division.
DUKE: It’s interesting to see a champion already scouting future talent like that. It keeps the division exciting, doesn’t it?
NORA: It certainly does. It creates narratives and potential matchups that fans can look forward to, even as the current title picture unfolds.
DUKE: Now, let’s talk about some heavyweight aspirations. Valter Walker has two names in mind for his next Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight bout, and he’s explained why Derrick Lewis is his preferred opponent.
NORA: Derrick Lewis is a fan favorite and a perennial contender. For Walker to call him out, it shows he’s looking for a high-profile fight to make a statement in the heavyweight division. It’s a smart move if he can get it.
DUKE: It’s a classic case of wanting to fight the biggest name to climb the ladder. Lewis brings a lot of attention, and a win over him would be huge for Walker’s career trajectory.
NORA: Exactly. It’s about making a name for yourself, and Lewis is a known commodity with a lot of power. It would be a banger of a fight, too.
DUKE: Switching gears a bit, Stamp Fairtex’s next bout has been confirmed by One Championship. She’s returning against Selina Flores at One Fight Night 47.
NORA: Stamp Fairtex is a huge star in One Championship, and her return is always big news. Flores will be a tough opponent, but Stamp always brings an exciting fight. It’s a great booking for One Championship.
DUKE: Absolutely. It’s good to see her back in action. Now, let’s talk about the broader landscape of combat sports. Most Valuable Promotions, MVP, aims to become a long-term challenger to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, using its growing combat sports platform and partnership with the Professional Fighters League to expand its reach.
NORA: This is a significant development. MVP and PFL merging creates a stronger entity that could potentially offer more competition to the UFC, especially in terms of fighter opportunities and fan engagement. It’s a strategic move.
DUKE: Matt Brown, though, gives them credit but says the UFC gap remains massive. He believes it’s a sensible business move but still no match for the industry leader.
NORA: Brown’s perspective is grounded in reality. While the merger strengthens MVP and PFL, the UFC has decades of dominance and a global infrastructure that’s hard to replicate. It’s a long road to truly challenge that position, but it’s a step in the right direction for the sport as a whole.
DUKE: It’s going to be interesting to watch how that plays out over the next few years. More competition is always good for the fighters and the fans, right?
NORA: Absolutely. It pushes everyone to be better, and that ultimately benefits the sport.
DUKE: Now, let’s talk about some free agency news. Usman Nurmagomedov is currently the most sought-after free agent in mixed martial arts. He bet on himself, and now the UFC question begins.
NORA: Usman Nurmagomedov is an incredible talent, and the fact that he’s a free agent is huge. Every major promotion will be vying for his signature. The UFC would be a natural fit, given his family’s legacy, but he has options.
DUKE: It’s a big decision for him, and it could really impact the lightweight division wherever he lands. He’s got a lot of eyes on him.
NORA: He does. His next move will be one of the most talked-about topics in MMA for a while.
DUKE: And speaking of big names, Joe Rogan has some advice for Rico Verhoeven. He believes Verhoeven will financially benefit more from boxing than from joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
NORA: Rogan’s advice makes sense from a financial perspective. Heavyweight boxing can offer massive paydays, especially for someone with Verhoeven’s striking pedigree. The UFC’s pay structure, while improving, might not match what he could earn in a big boxing match.
DUKE: It’s a different world, for sure. The crossover appeal is there, but the money can be very different.
NORA: Exactly. It’s about maximizing his earning potential at this stage of his career.
DUKE: Let’s get to a fun one now. Former middleweight champion Michael Bisping listed his five most dangerous UFC fighters. He’s got some interesting picks.
NORA: Bisping’s always got strong opinions. He mentioned Shavkat Rakhmonov, saying, quote, ‘We’ve all forgot about Shavkat. He’s been inactive since he last fought Ian Garry. But this man is a finishing machine,’ end quote. He also praised Rakhmonov’s accuracy, saying, quote, ‘They should call him the surgeon because this accuracy is absolutely ridiculous,’ end quote.
DUKE: ‘The surgeon,’ I like that. He’s definitely a problem for anyone in the welterweight division. Who else did Bisping highlight?
NORA: He also talked about Jiri Prochazka, saying, quote, ‘This is just a quick message for Paulo Costa,’ end quote, which is a classic Prochazka move. And he mentioned another fighter, saying, quote, ‘One of my favorite guys to watch right now. This guy has a lot of fun whether he’s smoking cigarettes or smoking people inside the octagon, he puts people to sleep,’ end quote.
DUKE: That’s high praise from Bisping. It’s always great to hear a former champion’s perspective on who the real threats are in the sport.
NORA: It gives you a sense of who the fighters themselves respect and fear, which is often different from just looking at the rankings.
DUKE: Mateusz Gamrot is reportedly looking to feed off Dustin Poirier’s energy ahead of his upcoming bout. That’s an interesting approach.
NORA: Poirier is known for his incredible work ethic and intensity. For Gamrot to draw inspiration from that shows he’s focused on bringing his A-game. It’s a mental edge he’s trying to cultivate.
DUKE: It’s a good mindset to have, especially when you’re preparing for a tough fight. You want to absorb all the positive energy you can.
NORA: Absolutely. Every little bit helps when you’re stepping into the Octagon.
DUKE: Okay, Nora, it’s time for our OSM Pick. We’ve got a lot of exciting matchups coming up, and our model has been busy crunching the numbers.
NORA: Our model’s pick this week is Paddy Pimblett.
NORA: That’s right, Duke. We’re looking at some intriguing possibilities for upcoming fights.
DUKE: What’s catching the model’s eye this week?
NORA: The model is showing some interesting trends in the lightweight division, particularly with some of the rising contenders.
DUKE: So, no specific fight to highlight, but more of a general trend in a division?
NORA: Exactly. It’s a division to watch closely.
DUKE: That’s a great insight. It means there’s a lot of value to be found for those who are paying attention to the up-and-comers.
NORA: Absolutely.
DUKE: Alright, that’s all the time we have for today on Open Scoring MMA.
NORA: Thanks, everyone. 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.