PFL's Biggest Fight, Mir's Contender Series Debut, and More

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:

• PFL CEO calls Eblen-Van Steenis rematch biggest fight in company history (Sherdog)
• Cage Warriors Returns to Newcastle on December 5th (Cage Warriors)
• Bella Mir makes history as biggest women’s betting favorite in Contender Series history (Yahoo Sports MMA)
• Coach reveals injury suffered by Lerryan Douglas at UFC Sacramento: “Lost his vision” (Ag. Fight (BR))
• Anthony Smith breaks silence following arrest and felony charges (MMA Weekly)
• Anthony Hernandez accuses Gregory Rodrigues of ‘cheating’ at UFC Sacramento (Sherdog)
• John Martin hails Cris Cyborg, addresses potential boxing bout with Claressa Shields (Sherdog)
• Carlos Prates suggests fight date and famous location in new message to Islam Makhachev (Bloody Elbow)
• Gilbert Burns names UFC’s best MMA & pure jiu-jitsu fighters (Sherdog)
• Jorge Masvidal teases ‘big news’ as UFC return talks heat up (Sherdog)
• Anthony Hernandez accuses Gregory Rodrigues of cheating (MMA Weekly)
• UFC debutant admits he had no idea how to defend submission: ‘What defense?’ (Sherdog)
• Dana White confirms UFC handled ‘crazy’ behind-the-scenes incident (Sherdog)
• Patricio Freire makes UFC contract intentions clear ahead of final fight on deal (Sherdog)

Welcome to Open Scoring MMA. This is episode 67 for August 24th, 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 from the Professional Fighters League, where we're hearing the Costello van Steenis versus Johnny Eblen rematch is being touted as the biggest fight in PFL history. NORA: That's a bold statement, especially considering some of the names that have come through the PFL. But Eblen and Van Steenis have certainly delivered some high-level performances. DUKE: They really have. And it shows the PFL's commitment to building rivalries and showcasing their top talent. It's a fight that has a lot of people talking. NORA: Absolutely. And it's a smart move to highlight a rematch like this. It gives fans a narrative to follow, and both fighters have proven they can put on a show. DUKE: Speaking of PFL, John Martin, the CEO, also had high praise for Cris Cyborg after her recent victory in Tampa, Florida. NORA: Cyborg's win was dominant, as expected. She continues to be a force in women's MMA, and it's clear the PFL sees her as a major asset. DUKE: And Martin even addressed a potential boxing bout for Cyborg against Claressa Shields. That's a crossover fight that would generate massive interest. NORA: It would. Shields is an elite boxer, and Cyborg's power is undeniable. It's the kind of high-profile matchup that could bring a lot of new eyes to both sports. DUKE: Moving over to the UFC, we've got some concerning news out of UFC Sacramento. Lerryan Douglas suffered a pretty serious injury in his fight against Jamall Emmers. NORA: His coach revealed that Douglas suffered an orbital bone fracture in his eye during the featherweight bout. He actually lost his vision during the fight. DUKE: That's incredibly tough to hear. An orbital fracture is no joke, and losing vision mid-fight is a terrifying experience for any fighter. We wish him a full and speedy recovery. NORA: It highlights the brutal reality of this sport. Fighters put their bodies on the line every time they step into the cage, and injuries like this can have long-term consequences. DUKE: And on the same card, Anthony Hernandez is accusing Gregory Rodrigues of cheating during their bout. Hernandez is now on a two-fight skid, and he's not happy with how things went down. NORA: He's made the accusation of dirty tactics. It's a strong claim, and it's something that needs to be looked into if there's any substance to it. Losing two in a row can definitely lead to frustration. DUKE: It can. Fighters are always looking for an edge, but there's a line. And if Hernandez feels that line was crossed, it's understandable why he'd be vocal about it. NORA: The commission will likely review the fight footage. It's important to ensure fair play, especially when a fighter's career is on the line. DUKE: In other news, former UFC fighter Anthony Smith has broken his silence following his arrest on felony charges. NORA: Smith has spoken publicly for the first time since the incident. It's a serious situation, and it's something that will undoubtedly impact his personal and professional life. DUKE: It's a tough spot for him. Legal issues are never easy, and when you're in the public eye, it's even more scrutinized. We'll have to see how that plays out. NORA: Indeed. It's a reminder that fighters, like all athletes, face challenges outside of the octagon as well. DUKE: Okay, so let's talk about some potential returns and big news. Jorge Masvidal is teasing some big news about a potential return to the UFC. NORA: Masvidal always generates buzz. He's a pay per view star, and a return would definitely shake up the welterweight division. Fans love his style. DUKE: He's got that 'Gamebred' charisma. And if he's serious about coming back, you know he's looking for a big money fight. The welterweight division is stacked with possibilities. NORA: It is. And with his history, any fight he takes would be a high-stakes affair. DUKE: And speaking of welterweights, Carlos Prates is continuing his pursuit of Islam Makhachev, suggesting a fight date and a famous location in a new message to the lightweight champion. NORA: Prates is making his intentions clear. Makhachev just defended his one hundred seventy pound title against Ian Garry, so he's fresh off a big win. DUKE: Prates is definitely shooting his shot. Calling out the champ, especially after a title defense, is a classic move to get attention. It's a long shot, but you gotta respect the hustle. NORA: It shows ambition. And if he can keep winning, he might just get that opportunity down the line. Makhachev is a dominant champion, but everyone wants a piece of the gold. DUKE: Gilbert Burns, a jiu-jitsu wizard himself, weighed in on who he thinks has the best MMA and pure jiu-jitsu in the UFC. NORA: He named two fighters when asked about the best jiu-jitsu in the organization. Coming from Burns, that's high praise, given his own credentials. DUKE: It really is. When a guy like Burns, who's a multiple-time world champion in BJJ, gives his stamp of approval, it means something. It's a testament to the skill level in the UFC. NORA: It underscores the depth of talent, not just in striking and wrestling, but in the grappling arts as well. The sport continues to evolve. DUKE: We've also got a debutant, Anthony Wint, who admitted he had no idea how to defend a kimura in his UFC debut. NORA: He survived it, which is impressive, but he openly stated he didn't know the defense. That's a pretty candid admission for a UFC fighter. DUKE: It's almost unbelievable, right? To be in the UFC and not know a fundamental submission defense. It makes you wonder about his training leading up to the fight. NORA: It does. But it also speaks to his toughness and ability to scramble under pressure. He found a way to get out of it, even if it wasn't textbook. DUKE: Dana White confirmed a 'crazy' behind-the-scenes incident involving Namo Fazil, but he declined to discuss the details. NORA: White acknowledged that something serious happened but chose not to elaborate. That usually means it's something significant that they're trying to keep under wraps. DUKE: Yeah, when Dana is tight-lipped about something, you know it's probably pretty wild. It leaves a lot to the imagination, and the MMA community on Reddit is already buzzing with speculation. NORA: It certainly does. And it adds to the mystique, for better or worse. Fans are always curious about what goes on behind the scenes. DUKE: Patricio Freire, 'Pitbull,' is making his UFC contract intentions clear ahead of the final fight on his current deal. NORA: He hopes to continue competing in the UFC after his current contract expires. He's a legend in the sport, and it's clear he wants to stay at the highest level. DUKE: He's still got a lot left in the tank, and he's proven he can compete with the best. It would be great to see him re-sign and continue his career in the UFC. NORA: He's a fan favorite, and his fights are always exciting. Keeping him on the roster would be a smart move for the organization. DUKE: We've got some exciting news for Cage Warriors fans. Europe's leading MMA organization is returning to Newcastle on December fifth. NORA: Cage Warriors will be closing out 2026 at the Vertu Arena in Newcastle. They've had multiple critically acclaimed events there since their return in November two thousand twenty-four. DUKE: That's great for the European scene. Cage Warriors consistently puts on fantastic shows, and Newcastle has proven to be a great market for them. It's always a good atmosphere. NORA: It is. And it's a great platform for up-and-coming talent to get noticed, especially with their events streaming live on UFC Fight Pass. DUKE: And speaking of exciting prospects, Bella Mir, daughter of former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir, is making history tomorrow, Tuesday, August twenty-fifth, on Dana White's Contender Series. NORA: She's already making history as the biggest women's betting favorite in Contender Series history. She's an NCAA wrestling champion, and she's competing for a UFC contract against Alex Apodaca. DUKE: That's incredible. The daughter of a legend, an NCAA wrestling champion, and a massive betting favorite. All eyes are going to be on her tomorrow night. NORA: She's got a lot of pressure on her shoulders, but her pedigree speaks for itself. It's going to be fascinating to see how she performs under the bright lights of Meta Apex in Las Vegas. DUKE: This week's Contender Series, Season Ten, Week Three, is headlined by Bella Mir versus Alex Apodaca. NORA: Then next week, on September first, Contender Series Season Ten, Week Four, will feature more exciting matchups. DUKE: And looking ahead to this Friday, August twenty-ninth, we've got UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov versus Song. Nurmagomedov versus Song is a fantastic matchup in the bantamweight division, and Xiaonan versus Gomes is always going to be a banger. DUKE: Then on September fifth, it's UFC Fight Night: Hooker versus Parnasse. NORA: And the following week, on September twelfth, we have Noche UFC: Rodriguez versus Silva. DUKE: That's a great run of fights coming up. A lot to look forward to in the next few weeks. NORA: Absolutely. The schedule is packed with high-stakes matchups. DUKE: Okay, let's get to our OSM Pick for this week. We're looking at the main event of UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov versus Song, Song Yadong versus Umar Nurmagomedov. NORA: Our system has Umar Nurmagomedov winning this one with approximately eighty-one percent confidence. DUKE: Eighty-one percent. That's a strong lean. NORA: It is. The betting line implies around seventy-nine percent, so we're a little higher than the market on this one. DUKE: So we're seeing something the market isn't quite picking up on, or we're just more confident in what we're seeing. NORA: Exactly. Our top reasons are that the style favors Nurmagomedov, and his form is also a significant factor. DUKE: When you say style favors him, what are we talking about there? Is it the wrestling, the grappling? NORA: It's the complete package, but particularly his control and his ability to dictate where the fight takes place. Song Yadong is dangerous, but Nurmagomedov's ability to neutralize threats is very high. DUKE: So, the model sees him shutting down Song's offense and imposing his will. NORA: That's right. And his recent performances have been incredibly dominant, showing consistent improvement. DUKE: I mean, you look at the tape, and it's hard to argue with that. He just looks like he's on another level right now. NORA: He does. And the numbers back that up. We've shifted to being even more confident in Nurmagomedov since the initial lines came out. DUKE: So, we're all in on Umar Nurmagomedov for this one. NORA: We are. The model sees a clear path to victory for him. DUKE: Alright, that's our pick for the main event. We'll be back next time with more Open Scoring MMA.

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