Daily MMA Digest - July 21, 2026

Magomed Ankalaev Ready to Return

Magomed Ankalaev is set to headline UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi this coming Saturday, facing Bogdan Guskov. This match marks Ankalaev's return after a tough period following his loss to Alex Pereira last October, a defeat that stripped him of his light heavyweight title. In his recent statements, Ankalaev expressed his readiness to fight again and tackle personal challenges head-on.

Dricus du Plessis Shines Against Usman

Over the weekend, Dricus du Plessis achieved a remarkable victory over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City. Israel Adesanya commended Du Plessis, noting that it was his best performance to date. This win not only boosts Du Plessis' standing but also highlights the growing talent pool in African MMA.

UFC 330 Main Event Announced

Excitement builds for UFC 330, which is set for August 16 in Las Vegas. The main event features Islam Makhachev defending his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry. Both fighters are looking to add to their impressive records, with Garry aiming for a third consecutive win.

Negotiations for Bivol vs. Beterbiev III

In boxing news, the highly anticipated trilogy fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev is on the horizon. Bivol has reportedly prioritized this matchup, looking to face Beterbiev despite obligations to defend his WBO title against Callum Smith.

RIZIN and PFL Collaborate for Historic Title Fight

RIZIN Fighting Federation and the PFL have announced a groundbreaking event where both the RIZIN Featherweight and PFL World Featherweight Championship will be contested in one fight. Razhabali Shaidulloev will defend against AJ McKee, making this a monumental crossover match.

Upcoming Match - Yousri Belgaroui vs. Kelvin Gastelum

Another interesting matchup is set for the UFC Noche event on September 12, featuring Yousri Belgaroui squaring off against Kelvin Gastelum. The significant height difference between the two fighters adds a unique dynamic to this encounter.

Miloš Cvjetićanin’s GLORY Fight Confirmed

Serbian kickboxing star Miloš Cvjetićanin is confirmed to fight in the GLORY promotion soon, continuing his ascent in the combat sports world. The exact details of his opponent and fight date will be revealed soon.

Conclusion

Today's digest brought you the latest developments in MMA and boxing. From Ankalaev's anticipated fight to Bivol's pursuit of Beterbiev, the landscape of combat sports is as vibrant as ever. Stay tuned for future updates!