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Pimblett's Purse, Mir's Ambition, and Barboza's Farewell

From Bisping's take on Pimblett's purse to Barboza's retirement and Mir's ambitions, we're diving into the latest MMA buzz.

Pimblett's Purse, Mir's Ambition, and Barboza's Farewell

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It's a busy day in the world of MMA, with some big names making headlines for a variety of reasons. We've got financial disputes, ambitious up-and-comers, and a legend calling it a career.

Pimblett's Purse Predicament

Paddy Pimblett's fight purse is currently being withheld, and it's a situation that has drawn criticism from UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping. Bisping has openly called the rule causing this delay 'ridiculous' and 'extremely unreasonable'. Adding to the intrigue, Bisping also hinted at a potential title fight for Pimblett at UFC 334, suggesting a big future could still be on the horizon despite the current financial snag.

Barboza Bids Farewell

After a storied career, Edson Barboza has officially retired from the UFC, and he's making it clear that this decision is final. He has no plans to reverse his retirement, sending a blunt message to promoters. However, Barboza isn't completely stepping away from the sport; he's already identified Mauricio Ruffy as an 'improved version' of himself, seeing a lot of his own fighting style in the surging Brazilian star from UFC 331.

Mir's Lofty Goals

Bella Mir, daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, is making her own waves in combat sports. She's set to headline Tuesday's Dana White's Contender Series event, where she'll face Alex Apodaca. Bella has some ambitious goals for her career, aiming to make a significant impact in the sport, following in her father's footsteps while forging her own path.

Rumors and Call-Outs

Jiri Prochazka has put an end to rumors about his immediate return to the UFC and a potential interim title fight against Paulo Costa. Meanwhile, Costa himself has voiced concerns about the UFC, claiming the organization is 'lost' without more active involvement from Dana White. In other news, wrestling standout Jordan Burroughs has issued a challenge to UFC legend Georges St. Pierre, calling for a wrestling match and identifying St. Pierre as his top choice for an opponent.

Grappling and Allegations

Sharabutdin Magomedov, known as Shara Bullet, is set to face Neiman Gracie in a grappling contest at Real American Freestyle in Moscow on September 5. This event will also feature Khamzat Chimaev. On another front, Gregory Rodrigues has responded to allegations of cheating made by Anthony Hernandez, who claimed foul play during the UFC Sacramento main event.

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 68 for August 25th, 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 news that's got the entire MMA community buzzing, and honestly, it's a little wild. Michael Bisping, the Hall of Famer himself, has come out swinging against the UFC over how they're handling Paddy Pimblett's purse. NORA: That's right. Bisping believes the rule under which Paddy Pimblett's fight earnings are reportedly being withheld is, quote, "extremely unreasonable." It's a pretty strong statement from someone who knows the inner workings of the organization. DUKE: "Extremely unreasonable" is putting it mildly. I mean, we're talking about a fighter's income here. What's the backstory on this, Nora? Why is Paddy's money being held up? NORA: The specific reason for the withholding wasn't detailed in Bisping's statement, but it's usually tied to things like medical suspensions, post-fight drug testing, or sometimes even contractual disputes. Given Bisping's reaction, it sounds like it might be something more administrative than performance-related. DUKE: And this isn't just a minor issue. This is a fighter's livelihood. It's a big deal when a Hall of Famer like Bisping steps up to call out the system. It really highlights the financial complexities that fighters often face, even at the top levels. NORA: Absolutely. It also brings into question the transparency of these processes. If a fighter's purse can be withheld for reasons that are deemed "ridiculous" by a former champion, it raises concerns about fairness across the board. DUKE: Speaking of Paddy, Bisping also leaked some interesting news. It sounds like "The Baddy" could be in line for a title fight at UFC 334. Now that's a development that would shake things up in the lightweight division. NORA: A title fight for Pimblett at UFC 334 would be huge. It indicates the UFC sees him as a major draw and a legitimate contender, despite some of the criticisms he's faced about his strength of schedule. DUKE: I mean, the guy brings the energy, he brings the fans, and he brings the finishes. If he gets that title shot, you know the arena is going to be absolutely electric. It's the kind of fight that could really elevate his career to the next level. NORA: It would certainly be a massive opportunity. His fan base is incredibly loyal, and a title fight would undoubtedly be a huge pay per view draw. It's a smart business move for the UFC, assuming he's ready for that step up in competition. DUKE: Alright, moving on from the Baddy, we've got some news from the Contender Series. Bella Mir, daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, is headlining Dana White's Contender Series event this Tuesday. NORA: Yes, Bella Mir is facing Alex Apodaca in the main event of Dana White's Contender Series this Tuesday. She's got some lofty combat sports goals, and this is a significant step. DUKE: Lofty goals is an understatement. She's got a lot of eyes on her, not just because of her famous father, but because she's shown a lot of promise herself. This is her chance to really make a statement and show she belongs. NORA: It's a high-pressure situation for sure. A dominant performance could fast-track her career. DUKE: Always exciting to see new talent coming up through the Contender Series. NORA: Absolutely. It's a crucial platform for aspiring fighters. Every one of these fighters is looking to impress Dana White and earn that contract. DUKE: Shifting gears a bit, we've got some news about a grappling contest that's caught my attention. Sharabutdin Magomedov, also known as Shara Bullet, is set to face Neiman Gracie in a grappling match. NORA: That's correct. Shara Magomedov will face Neiman Gracie in a grappling match at Real American Freestyle in Moscow on September fifth. It's an interesting matchup, bringing together two distinct styles. DUKE: Gracie, of course, comes from that legendary jiu-jitsu family, so you know his grappling is top-tier. Shara Bullet is known more for his striking in MMA, so it'll be fascinating to see how he adapts to a pure grappling environment. NORA: It's a great test for both. For Gracie, it's an opportunity to showcase his family's legacy against a high-profile opponent. For Magomedov, it's a chance to demonstrate his all-around combat skills beyond just striking. DUKE: And this event is headlined by Khamzat Chimaev, so it's a pretty stacked card for a grappling show. It shows how much interest there is in these crossover events. NORA: Definitely. These grappling matches often draw significant attention, especially when they feature big names from the MMA world. It's a different kind of challenge, and fans enjoy seeing fighters in a new context. DUKE: Now, let's talk about a legend. Edson Barboza has made it clear that his retirement is final. He's got a blunt message for promoters: don't even try to tempt him back. NORA: Yes, Barboza has stated his retirement is final and he has no plans to reverse his decision. DUKE: It's always tough to see a fighter like Barboza hang up the gloves, especially one who's given us so many highlight-reel knockouts. But you have to respect a fighter who knows when it's time to step away and sticks to it. NORA: Absolutely. He's leaving on his own terms, which is something not every fighter gets to do. His legacy as one of the most exciting strikers in UFC history is secure. DUKE: And it seems he's already passing the torch, in a way. Barboza actually called UFC 331 star Mauricio Ruffy an "improved version of me." That's high praise from a legend. NORA: It is. Barboza sees a lot of himself in Ruffy and believes the surging Brazilian has become an "improved version" of him. That's a huge endorsement for Ruffy's potential. DUKE: That's a massive compliment. For a fighter like Ruffy to get that kind of recognition from someone like Barboza, it's got to be a huge confidence booster. It sets high expectations for his future. NORA: It certainly does. It suggests Ruffy possesses a similar exciting striking style, but perhaps with even more refined techniques or a broader skill set. Fans will be watching Ruffy very closely now. DUKE: Speaking of legends, Jordan Burroughs has called out Georges St. Pierre for a wrestling match. That's a dream matchup for any combat sports fan. NORA: Burroughs has indeed called for a wrestling match against Georges St. Pierre, revealing that the UFC legend is his top choice. It would be an incredible clash of wrestling styles. DUKE: GSP is one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, known for his incredible wrestling and athleticism. Burroughs is an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling. This isn't just a fantasy fight; this is a legitimate challenge. NORA: It would be a fascinating contest. While GSP's wrestling was elite in MMA, Burroughs is on another level in pure wrestling. It would be a true test of GSP's grappling prowess against a specialist. DUKE: I'd pay good money to see that. It's the kind of crossover event that really gets people talking. Two absolute titans in their respective sports. NORA: It would definitely be a spectacle. The technical exchanges alone would be worth the price of admission. DUKE: Now, we've got some interesting back-and-forth in the PFL. Cris Cyborg fired back at Kayla Harrison after her PFL farewell. NORA: Yes, after reaching 30 career wins and defending her PFL featherweight belt against Ketlen Vieira, Cris Cyborg moved to dismiss rumors of immediate retirement. She used the microphone still inside the octagon to fire back at Kayla Harrison, who was present in the arena. DUKE: So, Cyborg's not going anywhere, and she's still got that competitive fire. And she's calling out Harrison directly. That's the kind of drama we love to see. NORA: It certainly adds fuel to a potential future matchup. Both are dominant forces in women's MMA, and a clash between them has been highly anticipated for a long time. Cyborg's callout keeps that possibility alive. DUKE: Two of the most dominant women in the sport, potentially squaring off. That would be a massive event. NORA: It would be a huge draw, no doubt. Both fighters have proven their ability to finish opponents, and a fight between them would have significant implications for the landscape of women's combat sports. DUKE: Alright, let's talk about some rumors being shut down. Jiri Prochazka has shut down ongoing rumors about his return to action and an interim title fight with Paulo Costa. NORA: That's right. Jiri Prochazka has shut down rumors about his return to action and a potential interim title fight with Paulo Costa. It seems those reports were premature. DUKE: That's a shame, because that would have been an absolute barnburner. Prochazka is an exciting fighter, and Costa is always in entertaining fights. Fans were definitely looking forward to that one. NORA: It would have been a high-stakes matchup, but Prochazka's statement indicates he's not ready or not interested in that particular fight right now. It leaves the interim title picture a bit more open. DUKE: And speaking of Paulo Costa, he's got some strong opinions about the UFC. He claims the organization is "lost" without Dana White being more actively involved. NORA: Paulo Costa claims the Ultimate Fighting Championship is "lost" without Dana White being more actively involved. He believes White's direct influence is crucial for the organization's direction. DUKE: That's a bold statement from Costa. Dana White is definitely the face of the UFC, and his presence is undeniable, but to say the organization is "lost" without him is a pretty strong take. NORA: It's an interesting perspective on the organizational structure from a fighter's point of view. DUKE: It makes you wonder what specific issues he's seeing that lead him to that conclusion. Is it fight bookings? Fighter pay? The overall direction of the company? NORA: He didn't elaborate on the specifics, but it's clear he values White's direct involvement. It highlights the perception some fighters have of the importance of White's role. DUKE: And finally, we have Gregory Rodrigues responding to Anthony Hernandez's cheating allegations. This stems from the UFC Sacramento main event. NORA: Yes, Anthony Hernandez accused Gregory Rodrigues of cheating in the UFC Sacramento main event. Rodrigues has now responded to those allegations. DUKE: What exactly were the allegations? And how did Rodrigues respond? NORA: Hernandez's specific allegations weren't detailed, but typically, cheating claims involve things like grabbing the fence, low blows, or illegal strikes. Rodrigues's response was not explicitly quoted, but the fact that he's addressing it suggests he's refuting the claims. DUKE: It's never a good look when cheating allegations surface, especially after a main event. It can really tarnish a fighter's win, even if the claims are unfounded. NORA: It can. It creates a cloud over the performance and can lead to a lot of debate among fans and pundits. Rodrigues will want to clear his name and move past this quickly. DUKE: Alright, let's dive into our OSM Pick for the week. We've got a banger coming up, and our system has a strong read on it. NORA: We do. DUKE: Okay, so what's the model saying for Silva? DUKE: Seventy-nine percent. That's a pretty high confidence level. NORA: It is. DUKE: Interesting. So we're seeing a bigger edge for Silva than the oddsmakers. NORA: Exactly. We've shifted to a more confident stance on Silva since our initial look. DUKE: What are the top reasons our system is so high on Jean Silva? NORA: The primary reasons are finishing favors Silva and form favors Silva. He's been incredibly impressive in his recent outings. DUKE: So, the model is looking at his ability to finish fights and his recent performances as key indicators. NORA: That's right. His recent form suggests he's in peak condition and has the tools to get the job done, and his finishing rate is a significant factor. DUKE: If Silva's finishing ability and current form are that strong, it's hard to argue with the numbers. NORA: The model sees a clear path to victory for Silva based on those metrics. It's a strong pick for us this week. DUKE: Alright, let's look ahead to some upcoming cards. We've got UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov versus Song coming up this Saturday, August twenty-ninth. NORA: That's right. The main event for this Saturday's card is Song Yadong versus Umar Nurmagomedov. DUKE: That's a fantastic main event. Nurmagomedov is a rising star, and Song Yadong is always a tough out. That's going to be a high-level bantamweight clash. NORA: It's a very important fight for the bantamweight division. Both fighters are looking to climb into title contention, and a win here would be huge for either of them. DUKE: It's a solid card overall, with significant implications for the rankings in both divisions. Fans can expect some exciting matchups this Saturday. DUKE: And then looking further out, we have UFC Fight Night: Hooker versus Parnasse on September fifth. DUKE: Dan Hooker is always in wars, and Parnasse is a highly touted prospect. That's a main event that promises fireworks. NORA: It's a classic veteran versus rising star matchup. Parnasse has a chance to make a big statement against a very durable and experienced opponent in Hooker. DUKE: It's a great way to round out that card. NORA: It is. Both cards are looking strong, offering a good mix of established talent and up-and-coming fighters. DUKE: Alright, that's going to wrap things up for us today on Open Scoring MMA. NORA: Thanks for listening. 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.