Skip to main content
The Feed

McGregor's Comeback Trail and Blachowicz's Next Target

Conor McGregor's recovery, Jan Blachowicz's next target, and a look at the PFL's ongoing challenge to the UFC.

McGregor's Comeback Trail and Blachowicz's Next Target

🎧 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 updates on Conor McGregor’s recovery, a call-out from Jan Blachowicz, and some interesting takes on fighter injuries and promotional rivalries. Let’s dive into what’s happening now and what’s coming next.

McGregor’s Comeback Trail

Conor McGregor is on the road to recovery after successful knee surgery. He’s already begun his rehabilitation, drawing inspiration from athletes like Tom Brady and other UFC legends known for their longevity and successful comebacks. McGregor has been vocal about his determination to return to the octagon, stating he’s “unstoppable” and focused on getting back to fighting form. Fans are eagerly awaiting his return, and his recovery process will undoubtedly be a major storyline in the coming months.

Blachowicz Eyes Ankalaev

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz has his sights set on Magomed Ankalaev for his next fight. Blachowicz recently called out Ankalaev, expressing his desire to face him in the octagon. This potential matchup would be a significant bout in the light heavyweight division, pitting two top contenders against each other. Fans are already speculating about how this fight might play out, and it could have major implications for the title picture.

PFL’s Challenge to UFC

The PFL continues to make moves, with Nakisa Bidarian responding to Dana White’s dismissal of the PFL as a threat. Bidarian’s comments highlight the ongoing competition between the two promotions for top talent and market share. Meanwhile, the PFL recently held its Charlotte event, featuring ‘Battle vs. Rosta,’ showcasing its roster and commitment to delivering exciting fights. This rivalry is good for the sport, pushing both organizations to innovate and offer compelling matchups.

Aspinall’s Eye Injury and Fan Reactions

Tom Aspinall’s eye injury has sparked a lot of discussion, with Joe Rogan hitting back at critics of the UFC champion. Rogan roasted fans for their reactions, emphasizing the severity and impact of such an injury on a fighter’s career. It’s a reminder of the physical toll MMA takes on athletes and the importance of understanding the challenges they face. The incident also highlights the often-harsh scrutiny fighters receive from the public.

UFC Vegas 120 and Other News

UFC Vegas 120 saw a last-minute change as a UFC star’s brother was pulled from his debut, with a replacement stepping in just two days before the event. This kind of last-minute shuffle is a common occurrence in MMA, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the sport. Elsewhere, Amanda Lemos is focused on regaining her aggressiveness to continue her run in the UFC, and Jorge Masvidal believes a former Bellator champion could be a “nightmare” for Islam Makhachev. Plus, opening odds for UFC 331 are out, highlighting some massive favorites.

From the community

Over on r/MMA, fans are talking about this: PFL Charlotte Full Lineup For Friday 8-7.

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 50 for August 7th, 2026, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC. DUKE: Alright, Nora, let’s kick things off with the biggest news dominating the MMA world right now: Conor McGregor. He’s back on the sidelines after another serious injury, but he’s already talking about his recovery.
NORA: That’s right, Duke. McGregor suffered an injury in July, just sixty-nine seconds into his first fight in five years. He’s now had successful knee surgery and is already on the road to recovery.
DUKE: And he’s not just recovering, he’s drawing inspiration from some pretty big names. Tom Brady, other UFC legends. he’s clearly got his sights set on another big comeback.
NORA: He told Bloody Elbow, and I quote, “My knee is repaired. Surgery was a success, and I am on the road to recovery,” end quote. It’s a familiar path for him, unfortunately, but he’s always been resilient.
DUKE: He has. And you have to wonder what this means for his timeline. Another long layoff, another recovery. It’s tough to see him constantly battling injuries.
NORA: It definitely impacts his active career trajectory. Each injury adds more time away from the octagon, and at some point, that starts to really affect a fighter’s ability to compete at the highest level consistently.
DUKE: Speaking of injuries, Joe Rogan has been defending Tom Aspinall after some critics went after him following his fight. What’s the deal there?
NORA: Rogan believes Aspinall deserved more sympathy after his bout with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 ended in a no-contest from an accidental eye poke this past Saturday. He’s not a fan of how critics have treated Aspinall.
DUKE: It’s a tough spot for Aspinall. Rogan’s right to call out the unfair criticism.
NORA: Absolutely. An injury like that can be career-altering, and it’s important to remember the human element behind these fights. It’s not just about wins and losses.
DUKE: Moving on to some fight announcements, we’ve got a last-minute change for what’s being called UFC Vegas 120. A fighter’s brother was pulled from his debut.
NORA: Yes, a last-minute change indeed. The promotion had a successful debut in Serbia last Saturday, with Uros Medic knocking out Daniel Rodriguez. But for Saturday’s event, a replacement has stepped in for the brother of a UFC star, less than two days out.
DUKE: That’s a tight turnaround. It always makes you wonder what happened to cause such a late pull-out. Hopefully, the replacement is ready to go.
NORA: It certainly adds an element of unpredictability to the card. These last-minute changes can sometimes lead to unexpected and exciting matchups, though.
DUKE: And on that same card, Amanda Lemos is looking to bounce back.
NORA: Lemos is definitely under pressure. She’s betting on recovering her aggressiveness to continue in the UFC. This fight is crucial for her to get back on track and maintain her position in the division.
DUKE: Three losses in a row is a tough spot to be in, especially in the UFC. She needs a dominant performance to show she’s still a contender.
NORA: Exactly. It’s a make-or-break moment for her career trajectory in the UFC. A win here could reignite her momentum.
DUKE: Let’s talk callouts. Jan Blachowicz is eager to bounce back from his recent defeat, and he’s singled out who he wants to fight next.
NORA: Blachowicz has called out a fellow former UFC champion. He’s looking for a high-profile opponent to get back into the win column and reassert his presence in the division.
DUKE: That’s a smart move. A big name fight is exactly what he needs to erase the memory of his last loss and put himself back in title contention.
NORA: It shows he’s still aiming for the top. A win against another former champion would significantly boost his ranking and put him back in the conversation for a title shot.
DUKE: And speaking of big names, Jorge Masvidal has some thoughts on Yaroslav Amosov. He thinks Amosov is a nightmare for Islam Makhachev and other top-ranked welterweights.
NORA: Masvidal believes Amosov is a bad stylistic matchup for every top-ranked welterweight, including the reigning champion, Islam Makhachev. He sees Amosov as a serious threat.
DUKE: That’s high praise from Masvidal. If Amosov can really pose that kind of challenge, it could shake up the welterweight division significantly.
NORA: It suggests a potential shift in the landscape of the division if Amosov can live up to that hype. His style could indeed be problematic for many of the current top contenders.
DUKE: Now, let’s get to some PFL news. We’re hearing about PFL Charlotte ‘Battle vs. Rosta’ this Friday.
NORA: That’s right, Duke. Eastern Time. It’s another event showcasing the PFL’s talent.
DUKE: And the MMA community on Reddit is pretty hyped about this one. They’re discussing the full lineup for PFL Charlotte, which is reportedly for Friday, August seventh.
NORA: Yeah, the Reddit community is definitely buzzing about the card. It’s always interesting to see which fighters are getting the most attention leading up to an event.
DUKE: It’s good to see the PFL getting some traction and building up its roster. More competition in the MMA world is always a good thing for the fans.
NORA: Absolutely. It provides more opportunities for fighters and more exciting matchups for us to watch.
DUKE: And speaking of other promotions, word is that ONE Championship had two events this weekend.
NORA: The first of those two ONE Championship events took place at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. Petninmungkorn NamkangIceland took on Pet Suanluangrodyok in an atomweight Muay Thai showdown.
DUKE: That’s a lot of action from ONE Championship. They’re really pushing out content and building their global presence.
NORA: They are. It shows their commitment to expanding their reach and offering a diverse range of combat sports to their audience.
DUKE: Now, let’s talk about a fighter who always gets a reaction from us, Nora. Paddy Pimblett. His recent win is being played down by a lightweight rival.
NORA: Yes, it seems everybody was impressed with Paddy Pimblett’s sensational UFC 329 win. But a lightweight rival is calling it a “big mistake.”
DUKE: A big mistake? The Baddy looked incredible. What’s this rival even talking about?
NORA: It’s true that a win is a win. But from a strategic standpoint, some fighters will always look for imperfections, even in a dominant performance.
DUKE: It just sounds like sour grapes to me. Paddy’s stock is through the roof right now, and some people just can’t handle it.
NORA: That’s a common reaction in the fight game, Duke. When a fighter gains a lot of popularity and success, rivals are quick to try and find ways to diminish their achievements.
DUKE: Exactly. But for us, it was a fantastic performance. And it only adds to the excitement around Paddy’s next fight.
NORA: It certainly does. His trajectory is definitely one to watch in the lightweight division.
DUKE: And speaking of trajectories, Rousimar Palhares believes Valter Walker has all the tools to become a UFC champion.
NORA: Palhares is a big believer in Valter Walker, seeing him as a future Ultimate Fighting Championship champion. That’s a strong endorsement from a veteran of the sport.
DUKE: That’s a bold claim. Palhares knows talent, so for him to say that about Walker, it really makes you pay attention. What does Walker bring to the table?
NORA: It suggests Walker possesses a unique skill set or potential that Palhares recognizes. Such an endorsement can definitely put a fighter on the radar for fans and the promotion.
DUKE: We’ll have to keep an eye on Walker then. That’s a name to remember.
NORA: Definitely. It could mean big things for his career if he lives up to that potential.
DUKE: Now, let’s talk about the PFL’s merger with Most Valuable Promotions. Nakisa Bidarian responded after Dana White dismissed the MVP-PFL threat.
NORA: Most Valuable Promotions isn’t shying away from going against the Ultimate Fighting Championship following its merger with the Professional Fighters League. Bidarian’s response indicates they’re serious about competing.
DUKE: Dana White might dismiss it, but the PFL and MVP are clearly looking to make waves. This could be a real shake-up in the landscape of MMA promotions.
NORA: It definitely signals a more competitive environment in the sport, which ultimately benefits the fighters and the fans with more options and potentially better matchups.
DUKE: And finally, the early odds are out for UFC 331. We’re hearing it’s set for September nineteenth in Los Angeles. Some massive favorites on that card.
NORA: The opening odds for UFC 331 at the Arena highlight some massive favorites. It’s always interesting to see how the market initially values these matchups.
DUKE: Massive favorites usually mean some exciting underdog opportunities if you know where to look. Or just some dominant performances if the lines are accurate.
NORA: It could be either, Duke. But it also means the oddsmakers are seeing some clear mismatches on paper, or at least fighters with a significant perceived advantage.
DUKE: Okay, Nora, let’s get to our OSM Pick of the day.
NORA: Our model has Manoel Sousa to win this one.
DUKE: Okay, talk me through it.
NORA: We’ve got him at approximately seventy-nine percent.
DUKE: Seventy-nine percent. That’s a strong pick.
NORA: It is. And the betting line implies around seventy-three percent.
DUKE: So we’re higher than the market on this one.
NORA: Exactly. We see more value in Sousa than the current odds suggest.
DUKE: What are the top reasons our system likes Sousa so much?
NORA: Our model has identified several factors contributing to this prediction.
DUKE: So, he’s got the momentum and the ability to end the fight.
NORA: That’s right. Both of those contribute to our model’s strong confidence in him.
DUKE: I like it. A value pick, and the model’s feeling good about it. I’m with you on this one.
NORA: We’re pretty confident in Sousa for this matchup.
DUKE: Alright, that’s all the time we have for today. 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.