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A UFC-focused news roundup for August 2026 covering Gregory Rodrigues' pivotal win over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Sacramento and Hernandez's six-month suspension, plus a flurry of headlines on Masvidal's return talk, Rodrigues addressing cheating claims, and rumor-filled chatter about Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili, Costa/Prochazka rumors, and talk surrounding Islam Makhachev's next opponent.
UFC Shanghai on August 29 features Umar Nurmagomedov vs Song Yadong as the main event, backed by a 12-fight card that includes Yan Xiaonan in the co-main. The event at Shanghai Indoor Stadium runs prelims at 3:00 ET and the main card at 6:00 ET, with regional broadcast rights varying (US: Paramount+, UK: TNT/Discovery+, Canada: Sportsnet+, Australia: Kayo/Foxtel, etc.), so check local listings for live viewing.
At UFC Sacramento, Gregory Rodrigues weighed 204.4 lb on fight night, about 2 lb more than Anthony Hernandez at 202.2 lb, underscoring hefty post-weigh-in gains; Rodrigues rose from 185 lb to 204.4 lb (19.4 lb, ~10%), Hernandez from 186 lb to 202.2 lb (16.2 lb, ~9%). Other notable gains included Reinier de Ridder to 221.8 lb (16.8 lb, ~8%), Roman Dolidze to 226.2 lb (20.2 lb, ~10%), and Marcio Barbosa’s biggest jump to 171 lb (25.5 lb, ~18%), vs. Ryan Kuse by nearly 20 lb.
Bella Mir, daughter of UFC legend Frank Mir, is pursuing a cross‑sport ascent by fighting on The Contender Series for a UFC contract while targeting the 2028 Olympics and a berth at the World Wrestling Championships, supported by Dana White who endorses chasing both MMA success and Olympic glory.
Jiri Prochazka has not confirmed his next fight and is pushing back on internet rumors, saying he’ll announce it once he’s ready and that his preparation will be thorough. Following his KO loss to Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327, rumors linked him to a bout with Paulo Costa, but he stated the fight isn’t booked yet. With several UFC events left in 2026, his next appearance could come on a fall card, but no date has been set.
The California State Athletic Commission released the complete payouts for UFC Sacramento’s 26 fighters, led by Gregory Rodrigues with a total of $340,000 ($170,000 to show, $170,000 win) and Reinier de Ridder at $300,000 ($150,000 to show, $150,000 win). Other notable earners included Vitor Petrino at $200,000, Jamall Emmers at $126,000, Shamil Gaziev at $100,000, and Roman Dolidze at $180,000, with the full fighter-by-fighter salaries listed in the CSAC release.
UFC veteran Anthony Smith posted his first public statement since July’s arrest on multiple felonies, including terroristic threats and two counts of first‑degree false imprisonment, stating he’s home with his family while indicating he’ll share his side someday. He has pleaded not guilty ahead of a Sept. 21 court date, with prosecutors detailing an alleged bar altercation in Gretna, Neb., and he has been granted permission to travel to the Dominican Republic for a professional sporting event during the proceedings.
Gregory Rodrigues defeated Anthony Hernandez by unanimous decision in the UFC Sacramento main event, earning Rodrigues his first five-round decision and both fighters a Fight of the Night bonus plus $100,000 each; Hernandez claimed Rodrigues grabbed the inside of his gloves several times and tried to alert referee Herb Dean, though no penalty was issued, while Hernandez battled a shoulder injury and leg issues in a hard-fought bout.
Gregory Rodrigues led UFC Sacramento payouts with a disclosed $340,000 payday ($170,000 show, $170,000 win), the highest on the card, while his main-event foe Anthony Hernandez earned $170,000. The California commission breakdown also shows notable purses for other fighters, including Reinier de Ridder at $300,000, Serghei Spivac at $125,000, and Vitor Petrino at $200,000 total, with the figures reflecting disclosed show and win pay and not counting any UFC bonuses.
Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith faces first-degree domestic assault, terroristic threats, and first-degree false imprisonment charges in Nebraska after an alleged bar-side dispute. He was released on a $500,000 bond and has pleaded not guilty, with a September court date set. Smith broke his silence on Instagram, saying he’ll tell his story someday and adding that “character is revealed in chaos.” His wife publicly defended him, saying he would never hurt her and that she and the family are safe, despite the allegations and ongoing legal proceedings.
California's athletic commission released UFC Sacramento's disclosed salaries: Gregory Rodrigues earned $340,000 ($170,000 show + $170,000 win) plus a $100,000 Fight of the Night bonus for a total of $440,000, while Reinier de Ridder led base pay at $360,000 plus a $25,000 finish bonus; other fighters earned six- or five-figure sums, underscoring the card's sizable payouts ahead of UFC 331 in September.
At UFC Fight Night 285 in Sacramento, Reinier de Ridder led the CSAC-disclosed payouts with $360,000 for win/show plus a $25,000 bonus for a first-round finish; the full payouts list all fighters on the card but notes that figures exclude performance bonuses and side letters (LOA).
UFC Fight Night 285 in Sacramento delivered fast finishes and notable upsets: Jamall Emmers knocked out Lerryan Douglas in Round 1; Shamil Gaziev halted Kennedy Nzechukwu with a first‑round KO; Chris Padilla submitted Nasrat Haqparast with an arm-triangle at 4:59 of Round 3; Stan Dorsainvil edged Gauge Young by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28); Jackson McVey stopped Wes Schultz by knee KO in Round 1; Shanelle Dyer overwhelmed Elise Reed for a Round 3 TKO; and Marcio Barbosa finished Ryan Kuse by KO earlier on.
Live UFC Sacramento results from the Golden 1 Center feature a middleweight main event between Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues, with Serghei Spivac vs. Vitor Petrino in the co-main and Reinier de Ridder vs. Roman Dolidze on the card; the prelims included Jackson McVey defeating Wes Schultz by TKO (R1, 4:13) and Shanelle Dyer defeating Elise Reed by TKO (R3, 1:42).
Conor McGregor publicly pushed back at Max Holloway after Holloway blasted him in a YouTube video, calling his pre-fight hype “delusional” and asserting McGregor looked old. McGregor even teased an AI facial comparison to prove who looked older as Holloway claimed the Irishman slowed in their UFC 329 rematch, while McGregor kept the door open for a trilogy next year.