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The Roundup: biggest MMA & UFC stories, Sep 8

MVP's UFC deal runs out amid a snoozefest win, Diego Sanchez gets arrested again, and Pereira wants Gane run back despite Aspinall's return.

Michael Page's UFC Deal Just Ran Out, And Nobody's Sure What Happens Next

Michael Page picked up a unanimous decision over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris, pushing his UFC record to 5 and 1, but the win also closed out his current contract [17]. The fight itself did him no favors, with fans and media universally panning it as a snoozefest despite the win [12]. Page himself admitted afterward that he wasn't even sure the promotion still wants him, and he backed that up with a cryptic social media post once the dust settled [12]. Making things weirder, MVP has reportedly been pulled from the UFC rankings entirely, which has fans and insiders openly questioning whether his UFC run is actually over [9]. Derek Brunson isn't waiting around for an answer either, calling out Page the moment word got out that he'd fought out his deal [16]. For a guy who's 39 and still finding highlight-reel angles on the feet, this is a strange time to be a free agent [17].

Diego Sanchez Arrested Again, This Time For Violating His Own Probation

Diego Sanchez, the original Ultimate Fighter middleweight tournament winner, was arrested for DUI in New Mexico [2]. That probation traces back to a July 2025 arrest after Sanchez fired a gun from a moving vehicle, which eventually resulted in five years of probation [2]. Sanchez had said around that time that he was seeking help for substance abuse issues [10]. This is now his second arrest tied to the same underlying case, and it's the kind of pattern that should worry anyone who's followed his career since his TUF 1 days [2].

Pereira Isn't Letting Go Of The Gane Rematch, Even With Aspinall Back

Alex Pereira is publicly insisting a rematch with Ciryl Gane is going to happen, no matter what the heavyweight picture looks like with Tom Aspinall back in the mix [7]. That's a bold thing to say given how their first meeting went. Word is, Gane stopped Pereira in controversial fashion at the White House event, winning an interim UFC heavyweight title [7]. Pereira clearly isn't satisfied with how that night ended, and he's making his case for a do-over loudly enough that the promotion can't ignore it [7].

Chimaev Says He's Not Changing A Thing After Getting Caught By Umar

Khamzat Chimaev is telling anyone who'll listen that he won't change his wrestling-heavy approach [14]. His reasoning is straightforward: MMA is too unpredictable a sport to start overhauling your game plan off one bad night [14]. Whether that stubbornness pays off or bites him again is the real question hanging over his next camp [14].

Benouaich Chokes Someone Unconscious And Still Walks Away Empty-Handed

Delphine Benouaich delivered one of the more brutal finishes of UFC Paris, choking Sofia Montenegro unconscious in a prelim strawweight fight [15]. Despite how violent and clean the finish looked, the UFC denied her a performance bonus for it [15]. That's a rough break for a fighter who did exactly what bonus-chasers dream of doing, on a card that clearly had other priorities for its bonus money.

Chris Weidman Trades The Cage For The Commentary Booth

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman is reportedly set to make his commentary debut at Dana White's Contender Series [8]. It's a natural next step for a guy who's spent his whole career inside the promotion, and it puts him in the booth right as DWCS keeps churning out prospects. Weidman behind the desk instead of behind the gloves is going to be a strange sight for longtime fans, but it fits the trend of former champions transitioning into broadcast roles once their fighting days wind down [8].

Shevchenko Is Lobbying Hard For A Kyrgyzstan Card

Valentina Shevchenko says she's personally pushed UFC leadership to stage the promotion's first-ever event in Kyrgyzstan [1]. Nothing's been announced or locked in, and the UFC hasn't confirmed any deal, but Shevchenko's public comments make clear this is something she's actively campaigning for rather than just wishing out loud [1]. Given how hard champions have pushed for hometown cards in the past, this feels like the kind of pressure campaign that eventually gets results, though right now it's still just Shevchenko's word against silence from the promotion [1]. With twelve UFC events still left on the 2026 calendar starting with Noche UFC on September 12, there's plenty of runway for the promotion to slot in something new before the year is out [13].

Sources

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