Baku 2026 Worlds: Nagayama, Abe, Grigalashvili Lead Entries

The Baku World Senior Championships 2026 Individuals commence on October 4, 2026, bringing together 640 athletes from 97 countries. As of September 27, 2026, 71 of these competitors are ranked within our active top 100. Entries are subject to change, and the official draw has not yet been released.

Men -60 kg

With 45 athletes entered, including seven from our active top 100, the men's -60 kg category promises intense competition. Ryuju Nagayama (JPN) leads the pack with an Elo rating of 1557. His decorated career includes an Olympic bronze medal from 2024, a World Championships gold in 2025, and three World Masters golds. Nagayama, born in 1996, favors the seoi-nage technique and is right-handed.

Ayub Bliev (RUS), rated 1421, secured a World Championships bronze in 2025 and boasts multiple Grand Slam titles. Born in 1998, Bliev's preferred technique is uchi-mata. Luka Mkheidze (FRA), with an Elo of 1378, brings Olympic silver and bronze medals from 2024 and 2021 respectively, alongside multiple Grand Slam and continental championships wins.

Men -66 kg

The -66 kg division sees 51 judokas entered, with six in our active top 100. Hifumi Abe (JPN) stands out as the highest-rated entrant on our Elo with 1676. A two-time Olympic champion (2021, 2024), Abe is also a three-time World Champion (2018, 2022, 2023) and has earned two bronze medals at the World Championships. Born in 1998, his favored technique is seoi-nage.

Ramazan Abdulaev (RUS), rated 1433, has a strong record of Grand Slam medals. Takeshi Takeoka (JPN), with an Elo of 1407, is the reigning World Champion from 2025 and also secured a silver medal in 2024.

Men -73 kg

Fifty athletes are set to compete in the -73 kg category, six of whom are in our active top 100. Hidayat Heydarov (AZE) is the highest-rated entrant with an Elo of 1453. Heydarov is the reigning Olympic champion from 2024 and also won the World Championships in 2024. He has accumulated numerous continental titles and Grand Slam victories throughout his career.

Daniel Cargnin (BRA), rated 1390, is a World Championships silver medalist from 2025 and an Olympic bronze medalist from 2021. Danil Lavrentev (RUS), with an Elo of 1367, has achieved multiple Grand Slam medals.

Men -81 kg

The -81 kg weight class features 51 entrants, with six in our active top 100. Tato Grigalashvili (GEO) leads the field with an Elo of 1557. Grigalashvili is a three-time World Champion (2022, 2023, 2024) and won an Olympic silver medal in 2024. He also holds multiple World Masters and continental championship titles. Born in 2000, his favorite technique is sasae-tsurikomi-ashi.

Joonhwan Lee (KOR), rated 1405, is a bronze medalist from the 2024 Olympic Games and has three World Championships bronze medals. Zelim Tckaev (AZE), with an Elo of 1385, earned a World Championships bronze in 2025.

Men -90 kg

In the -90 kg category, 49 athletes are entered, including six from our active top 100. Sanshiro Murao (JPN) is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1568. Murao is the reigning World Champion from 2025 and a silver medalist from the 2024 Olympic Games. He also holds a World Masters gold and numerous Grand Slam titles. Born in 2001, he favors the uchi-mata technique and is left-handed.

Lasha Bekauri (GEO), rated 1556, is a two-time Olympic champion (2021, 2024) and has a World Championships silver medal. Luka Maisuradze (GEO), with an Elo of 1428, is the 2023 World Champion.

Men -100 kg

Fifty-six judokas will compete in the -100 kg division, with five in our active top 100. Arman Adamian (RUS) leads with an Elo of 1450. Adamian is the 2023 World Champion and has a World Championships bronze from 2025. He also holds Grand Slam titles and continental championship medals.

Robert Florentino (DOM), rated 1437, is a continental champion. Nikoloz Sherazadishvili (ESP), with an Elo of 1436, is a two-time World Champion (2018, 2021) and a bronze medalist from the 2024 World Championships.

Men +100 kg

The heavyweight division features 43 entrants, with three in our active top 100. Inal Tasoev (RUS) is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1542. Tasoev is a two-time World Champion (2023, 2025) and has multiple Grand Slam and continental championship titles. Born in 1998, his preferred technique is uchi-mata.

Guram Tushishvili (GEO), rated 1490, is the 2018 World Champion and has earned silver medals at the 2021 Olympics and the 2024 and 2025 World Championships. Lukas Krpalek (CZE), with an Elo of 1391, is a two-time Olympic champion (2016, 2021) and a two-time World Champion (2014, 2019).

Women -48 kg

In the women's -48 kg category, 39 athletes are entered, with two in our active top 100. Wakana Koga (JPN) leads with an Elo of 1499. Koga is a World Championships silver medalist from 2021 and has earned two bronze medals at the World Championships. She also holds a World Masters gold medal.

Shirine Boukli (FRA), rated 1384, is an Olympic bronze medalist from 2024 and a World Championships silver medalist from 2023. Laura Martinez Abelenda (ESP), with an Elo of 1328, has World Championships bronze and multiple Grand Slam medals.

Women -52 kg

The -52 kg division sees 39 judokas entered, with four in our active top 100. Uta Abe (JPN) is the highest-rated entrant on our Elo with 1690. Abe is a five-time World Champion (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025) and the 2021 Olympic champion. Born in 2001, her favored technique is uchi-mata.

Odette Giuffrida (ITA), rated 1482, is the reigning World Champion from 2024 and an Olympic silver medalist from 2016. Ariane Toro Soler (ESP), with an Elo of 1374, has Grand Slam and continental championship medals.

Women -57 kg

Forty-five athletes are set to compete in the -57 kg category, with four in our active top 100. Eteri Liparteliani (GEO) leads with an Elo of 1509. Liparteliani is the reigning World Champion from 2025 and has multiple Grand Slam and continental championship titles. Born in 2000, her favored technique is ippon-seoi-nage.

Sarah Leonie Cysique (FRA), rated 1483, is an Olympic silver medalist from 2021 and a World Championships bronze medalist from 2025. Momo Tamaoki (JPN), with an Elo of 1452, has two World Championships silver medals.

Women -63 kg

The -63 kg weight class features 48 entrants, with ten in our active top 100. Jessica Klimkait (CAN) is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1529. Klimkait is the 2021 World Champion and an Olympic bronze medalist from 2021. She also holds multiple Grand Slam and World Masters titles. Born in 1997, her favored technique is harai-goshi.

Clarisse Agbegnenou (FRA), rated 1491, is a five-time World Champion (2014, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023) and the 2021 Olympic champion. Haruka Kaju (JPN), with an Elo of 1469, is the reigning World Champion from 2025.

Women -70 kg

Forty-four athletes are entered in the -70 kg category, with six in our active top 100. Shiho Tanaka (JPN) leads with an Elo of 1475. Tanaka is the reigning World Champion from 2025 and has earned multiple Grand Slam titles. Born in 1999, her favored technique is ouchi-gari.

Madina Taimazova (RUS), rated 1421, is an Olympic bronze medalist from 2021 and has World Championships and World Masters medals. Miriam Butkereit (GER), with an Elo of 1399, is an Olympic silver medalist from 2024 and has World Championships bronze.

Women -78 kg

The -78 kg division sees 45 judokas entered, with three in our active top 100. Anna Monta Olek (GER) is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1469. Olek is a World Championships silver medalist from 2025 and has multiple Grand Slam titles. Born in 2003, her favored technique is kata-guruma.

Patricia Sampaio (POR), rated 1378, is an Olympic bronze medalist from 2024 and has World Championships bronze. Audrey Tcheumeo (FRA), with an Elo of 1367, is a former World Champion (2011) and has multiple Olympic and World Championships medals.

Women +78 kg

Thirty-five athletes will compete in the women's +78 kg category, with three in our active top 100. Romane Dicko (FRA) leads with an Elo of 1461. Dicko is the 2022 World Champion and has earned two Olympic bronze medals. She also holds multiple Grand Slam and continental championship titles. Born in 2000, her favored technique is harai-goshi.

Lea Fontaine (FRA), rated 1382, has Grand Slam and continental championship medals. Raz Hershko (ISR), with an Elo of 1332, is an Olympic silver medalist from 2024 and has World Championships bronze.

Baku World Senior Championships 2026 Individuals -- highest-rated entrant by category

Category	Top entrant	Elo
Men -60	Ryuju Nagayama	Elo 1557
Men -66	Hifumi Abe	Elo 1676
Men -73	Hidayat Heydarov	Elo 1453
Men -81	Tato Grigalashvili	Elo 1557
Men -90	Sanshiro Murao	Elo 1568
Men -100	Arman Adamian	Elo 1450
Men +100	Inal Tasoev	Elo 1542
Women -48	Wakana Koga	Elo 1499
Women -52	Uta Abe	Elo 1690
Women -57	Eteri Liparteliani	Elo 1509
Women -63	Jessica Klimkait	Elo 1529
Women -70	Shiho Tanaka	Elo 1475
Women -78	Anna Monta…	Elo 1469
Women +78	Romane Dicko	Elo 1461

Entries as of 27 Sep 2026 from the IJF; entries can change. Elo is projudo.xyz's rating from past IJF results, not a forecast. Names link to full profiles on projudo.xyz.

Follow projudo.xyz for more.

Featherweight: Analyzing Toughest Opposition Faced

In the Featherweight division, Ricky Turcios leads the pack for facing the toughest opposition, with his opponents holding a combined win rate of 82.1%. This statistic, 'Toughest opposition faced,' measures the average win rate of every opponent a fighter has encountered in their UFC career. To qualify for this list, a fighter must have competed in at least 5 UFC fights. Our data includes 131 qualified fighters out of 281 on record in this group, with fighters categorized by their current weight class.

The Leaders in Opposition Strength

Ricky Turcios sits at the top with an 82.1% opponent win rate. His UFC record stands at 2-4 across 6 fights, with his last bout on 07 Mar 2026. This high percentage indicates that Turcios has consistently been matched against fighters with strong winning records in the UFC. While a high opponent win rate can reflect a challenging schedule, it is worth noting that rate statistics derived from a smaller number of fights can sometimes be more susceptible to fluctuation.

Following closely is Diego Lopes, with an 80.7% opponent win rate. Lopes has compiled a UFC record of 7-3 over 10 fights, last competing on 14 Jun 2026. His profile shows a fighter who has not only faced formidable opponents but has also achieved a winning record against them, suggesting a consistent ability to perform under challenging circumstances.

Melsik Baghdasaryan holds the third position with an 80.5% opponent win rate. Baghdasaryan's UFC record is 3-3 from 6 fights, with his most recent appearance on 20 Jun 2026. The close proximity of the top three percentages highlights a cluster of fighters who have navigated exceptionally difficult paths early in their UFC careers.

The Rest of the Top 10

Muhammad Naimov is fourth, with a 79.9% opponent win rate. He has a UFC record of 5-3 across 8 fights, last fighting on 05 Sep 2026. His winning record against such strong opposition places him as another notable entry on this list.

Dennis Buzukja is fifth, with a 79.5% opponent win rate. His UFC record is 1-5 over 6 fights, last seen in action on 01 Aug 2026. Buzukja's record, despite facing such high-caliber opposition, underscores the demanding nature of his matchups.

Tied for sixth is Daniel Teymur, with a 78.9% opponent win rate from 5 UFC fights and a 1-4 record. His last fight was on 14 Dec 2019, indicating a period of inactivity since facing his challenging opponents. Also at 78.9% is Kaan Ofli, who holds a 3-2 UFC record from 5 fights, last fighting on 27 Jun 2026.

William Gomis and Michael Aswell Jr. share the eighth spot, both with a 78.1% opponent win rate. Gomis has a 5-2 UFC record from 7 fights, with his last fight on 09 May 2026. Aswell Jr. has a 2-3 UFC record from 5 fights, last competing on 19 Sep 2026.

Rounding out the top ten is former champion Alexander Volkanovski, with a 77.6% opponent win rate. Volkanovski's UFC record stands at an impressive 15-3 over 18 fights, with his last fight on 31 Jan 2026. He is currently booked to fight Movsar Evloev on 24 Oct 2026. His inclusion on this list is particularly notable given his extensive UFC career and championship pedigree, demonstrating that even at the highest level, he has consistently faced opponents with strong winning records.

Featherweight — toughest opposition faced

Fighter	Opponent win %	UFC fights
1. Ricky Turcios	82.1% opponent win rate	6 fights
2. Diego Lopes	80.7% opponent win rate	10 fights
3. Melsik Baghdasaryan	80.5% opponent win rate	6 fights
4. Muhammad Naimov	79.9% opponent win rate	8 fights
5. Dennis Buzukja	79.5% opponent win rate	6 fights
6. Daniel Teymur	78.9% opponent win rate	5 fights
7. Kaan Ofli	78.9% opponent win rate	5 fights
8. William Gomis	78.1% opponent win rate	7 fights
9. Michael Aswell	78.1% opponent win rate	5 fights
10. Alexander Volkanovski	77.6% opponent win rate	18 fights

Career statistics from UFC Stats; Elo is bjjmetrics' own rating from UFC results. Updated twice a day.

Follow bjjmetrics.com/ufc for more.

Rosas Jr. Stops Barcelos in Fifth, Alatengheili Pulls Off Major Upset

UFC Fight Night: Rosas Jr. vs. Barcelos delivered a night of compelling action, highlighted by a dramatic main event finish and a significant upset that reshaped the bantamweight landscape. Alatengheili stunned the betting public by defeating John Castaneda, who entered the bout as a heavy 78% favorite, marking the most newsworthy moment of the card.

Raul Rosas Jr. Finishes Raoni Barcelos in Fifth Round

In the highly anticipated main event, Raul Rosas Jr. secured a pivotal victory over Raoni Barcelos, stopping him by referee stoppage due to strikes at one minute, thirty-eight seconds of the fifth and final round. The finish came after a grueling contest that saw Barcelos, a seasoned veteran, control much of the earlier action. Indeed, Barcelos had won rounds two through four on all three judges' scorecards, putting him in a strong position to claim a decision victory before the late stoppage.

Rosas Jr., who is just shy of his 22nd birthday, showcased a more diverse striking attack than in previous outings, moving away from his typical grappling-heavy approach. The fight was fought at a relentless pace, with both bantamweights inflicting and incurring significant damage throughout the four rounds. Following the bout, Barcelos received immediate medical attention and was stretchered out of the Octagon, though he was conscious, able to move his extremities, and speak as he was transported to a Las Vegas hospital for a CT scan. Rosas Jr. offered a prayer for his opponent in his post-fight interview, acknowledging Barcelos as a 'warrior'.

The victory extends Raul Rosas Jr.'s professional record to 13-1, further solidifying his ascent in the bantamweight division. For Raoni Barcelos, the loss snapped an impressive five-fight winning streak, a tough blow given his strong performance leading into the final round.

Alatengheili Upsets Heavy Favorite John Castaneda

In arguably the biggest shock of the night, Alatengheili pulled off a significant upset in the bantamweight division, defeating John Castaneda by split decision after three rounds. Castaneda was a substantial betting favorite, with the market making him a 78% likelihood to win, while Alatengheili entered as a 3.4-to-1 underdog. The contest was a closely fought battle, described as being split into two halves. Castaneda utilized heavy leg kicks and frequent stance switches, while Alatengheili focused on his jab and powerful right hands. In the decisive third round, Alatengheili secured a crucial takedown and maintained control, landing knees to the thigh that likely swayed the judges in his favor, ultimately earning him the split decision with scorecards of 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28.

Christian Edwards Delivers Third-Round Knockout Over Rodolfo Bellato

Christian Edwards secured his first UFC victory in dramatic fashion, overcoming Rodolfo Bellato with a knockout punch at one minute, forty-seven seconds of the third round in their light heavyweight clash. Edwards entered the bout as a 1.7-to-1 underdog, and the fight proved to be a test of his resilience. He survived being dropped and fended off submission attempts through the first two rounds, weathering dangerous moments. However, Edwards rallied in the third, finding the opening he needed and detonating on Bellato with a massive shot that dropped him, followed by ground-and-pound to seal the violent finish.

Montel Jackson Floors Ricky Simon in Bantamweight Action

Montel Jackson delivered a dominant performance against Ricky Simon, securing a knockout punch at two minutes, thirty-nine seconds of the second round. Jackson, who was the betting favorite at 68%, was looking to rebound after consecutive losses. He showcased his lightning-fast speed, finding a straight left hand early in the first round that visibly rocked Simon and later sat him down against the fence. While Simon managed to secure some takedowns and grappling control in the opening frame, Jackson's pressure with his jab and 1-2 combinations in the second round proved too much, culminating in a massive left hand that landed flush on Simon's chin, ending the fight decisively.

The undercard also featured several explosive finishes. Elves Brener, a 1.1-to-1 underdog, snapped a three-fight losing streak with a spectacular first-round knockout of Josiah Harrell, landing a powerful right hook at four minutes, fourteen seconds after an early takedown scare. Brener, motivated by his fallen teammate Allen Nascimento, secured his tenth career first-round finish. Kicking off the event, heavy favorite Yazmin Jauregui, returning from an extended absence, wasted no time in her women's strawweight bout, lighting up Vanessa Demopoulos with a barrage of punches against the fence to earn a knockout victory just one minute and two seconds into the first round.

UFC Fight Night: Rosas Jr. vs. Barcelos — full results

Winner	Defeated	How
Alatengheili UPSET	John Castaneda	Decision
Christian Edwards UPSET	Rodolfo Bellato	KO/TKO R3
Montel Jackson	Ricky Simon	KO/TKO R2
Elves Brener UPSET	Josiah Harrell	KO/TKO R1
Yazmin Jauregui	Vanessa Demopoulos	KO/TKO R1

Results from UFC Stats; odds quoted in the article are the closing Polymarket prices before the card.

Follow bjjmetrics.com/ufc for more.

Norma Dumont and Ailin Perez Set for Highly Anticipated UFC Fight Night 289 Clash

Women's bantamweight contenders Norma Dumont and Ailin Perez are slated to compete at UFC Fight Night 289, also known as UFC Vegas 121, on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The event is scheduled to take place at the Meta Apex in Enterprise, Nevada. The matchup has garnered considerable attention from various sports outlets, with headlines from the York Daily Record, Action Network, MMA Junkie, and Yahoo Sports all offering predictions and odds for the contest.

A Brewing Rivalry

The bout between Dumont and Perez has been characterized by a developing rivalry that has unfolded over the past two years. ESPN Knockout commentator Gaston Reyno initially announced the matchup on social media, a detail later confirmed by Perez herself on Instagram. According to Yardbarker, Perez has actively pursued this fight for an extended period, dating back to her decision victory over Joselyne Edwards in June 2024. Dumont, in turn, has stated that the fight was offered to Perez multiple times in the past, with Perez allegedly declining the opportunities.

Speaking to UFC.com, Dumont expressed her satisfaction that the fight is finally happening. "I was very happy [to get this fight]," Dumont stated. "It's been four years coming, and finally, I get my chance to beat her up and still make money." She further explained that the animosity began when Perez entered the UFC and claimed there were no women willing to fight her. Perez views the upcoming clash as a pivotal moment for her career, telling UFC.com that she believes it will determine the number one contender for the bantamweight title.

Norma Dumont's Recent Form

Norma Dumont, currently ranked #4 in the UFC women's bantamweight division, brings a UFC record of 9-3-0 from her twelve fights in the promotion. The 35-year-old orthodox fighter stands 5 feet 7 inches tall with a 67-inch reach. Before her most recent outing, Dumont was on a six-fight UFC win streak. Her last fight, in April 2026 at UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal, resulted in a unanimous decision loss to Joselyne Edwards, where the pre-fight market had Dumont favored at 64% to win. Prior to that, she secured a split decision victory over Ketlen Vieira in November 2025 and unanimous decision wins against Irene Aldana in September 2024 and Germaine de Randamie in April 2024. Dumont has demonstrated a takedown accuracy of 66%, averaging 1.5 takedowns per fight, complemented by an 81% takedown defense rate.

Ailin Perez's Momentum

Ailin Perez, ranked #5 in the women's bantamweight division, holds a UFC record of 6-1-0 across her seven UFC appearances. The 31-year-old switch-stance fighter measures 5 feet 5 inches in height with a 66-inch reach. Perez enters this fight on a five-fight UFC win streak. Her most recent victory came in February 2026 at UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Kavanagh, where she defeated Macy Chiasson by unanimous decision, with the pre-fight market favoring Perez at 62% to win. Before that, she earned a unanimous decision over Karol Rosa in January 2025 and secured a submission victory against Daria Zhelezniakova in the first round in September 2024. Perez averages 3.8 takedowns per fight with a 42% accuracy, while maintaining a 57% takedown defense.

Divisional Implications

Despite both fighters holding top-five rankings in the women's bantamweight division, their clash is scheduled for the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 289. UFCalendar highlighted this placement, noting that the fight between the #4 and #5 ranked contenders could directly lead to a title shot for the winner. The outcome of this bout is expected to significantly impact the landscape of the women's bantamweight division as both Dumont and Perez aim to solidify their positions for future championship opportunities.

By the numbers

Fighter	UFC record	Ranking
Norma Dumont	9-3-0	Women Bantamweight #4
Ailin Perez	6-1-0	Women Bantamweight #5

UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.

Follow bjjmetrics.com/ufc for more.

Rosas Jr. and Barcelos Successfully Make Weight for UFC Fight Night Headliner

Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Barcelos. The event, also known as UFC Fight Night 289 or UFC Vegas 121, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both fighters hit their marks on the scale, confirming their readiness for the main event clash.

Rosas Jr. Enters Main Event with Momentum

Raul Rosas Jr., at 21 years old, steps into his first UFC main event with a significant amount of momentum. He holds a UFC record of six wins and one loss across seven UFC fights. Before his most recent victory, Rosas Jr. was on a four-fight UFC win streak, which he extended to five with a unanimous decision win over Rob Font in March 2026 at UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2. He is currently ranked as the number twelve contender in the UFC bantamweight division.

Rosas Jr. has demonstrated a versatile skill set in the octagon. His offensive grappling is notable, with an average of 2.3 takedowns per fight at a sixty-three percent accuracy rate. His recent performances include a unanimous decision victory over Vince Morales in March 2025 and another unanimous decision win against Aoriqileng in September 2024. Prior to those, he secured a submission win via rear-naked choke against Ricky Turcios in June 2024 and a first-round knockout victory over Terrence Mitchell in September 2023.

Barcelos Brings Veteran Experience

Facing Rosas Jr. is the seasoned veteran Raoni Barcelos, who will also be headlining a UFC event for the first time in his career. Barcelos, 38 years old at his last fight, boasts an impressive UFC record of eleven wins and four losses over fifteen UFC fights. Like his opponent, Barcelos is also riding a five-fight UFC win streak. His most recent triumph came in April 2026, where he defeated Montel Jackson by split decision at UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal. Before that, he had accumulated four consecutive wins.

Barcelos is ranked number thirteen in the UFC bantamweight division, just one spot below Rosas Jr. His recent run of victories includes a unanimous decision over Ricky Simon in November 2025, a unanimous decision win against Cody Garbrandt in June 2025, and another unanimous decision victory over Payton Talbott in January 2025. He also secured a submission win via rear-naked choke against Cristian Quinonez in February 2024. Barcelos is known for his strong takedown defense, successfully defending eighty-four percent of takedown attempts against him.

A Crucial Bantamweight Showdown

The main event between Rosas Jr. and Barcelos is a pivotal matchup in the bantamweight division, featuring two fighters on identical five-fight win streaks. With Rosas Jr.

By the numbers

Fighter	UFC record	Ranking
Raul Rosas	6-1-0	Bantamweight #12
Raoni Barcelos	11-4-0	Bantamweight #13

UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.

Follow bjjmetrics.com/ufc for more.

Bantamweight Bets: Model Sees Value in Castaneda, Jackson

The upcoming UFC fight schedule is brimming with compelling matchups, and our BJJ Metrics model has flagged several intriguing contests, especially within the Bantamweight division, where our predictions diverge from the market odds. Fans can anticipate a packed September 26th card, featuring a host of pivotal bouts across multiple weight classes, alongside a Lightweight addition for October.

Bantamweight Battles: Model vs. Market

The Bantamweight division takes center stage with a series of fights that our model suggests could offer unexpected turns. One such bout pits John Castaneda (21-8-1) against Alatengheili (17-10-2). While the market heavily favors Castaneda at 75%, our model gives him a more conservative 58% chance of victory, suggesting that 'The Mongolian Knight' Alatengheili, known for his wrestling-based approach, might be a tougher out than bookmakers predict.

Another Bantamweight clash sees Montel Jackson (record not provided by search) face Ricky Simon (record not provided by search). Here, our model aligns with the market's general sentiment but still sees a tighter contest, favoring Jackson at 58% compared to the market's 67%. Jackson, known for his impressive reach, will look to leverage that advantage against Simon's well-rounded game.

The highly anticipated matchup between Brady Hiestand (9-2-0) and Rinya Nakamura (record not provided by search) also presents a notable discrepancy. The market has strong confidence in Nakamura, giving him an 77% chance, but our model projects a closer fight, favoring Nakamura at 56%. Hiestand, nicknamed 'Bam Bam,' will aim to defy the market's expectations.

Norma Dumont (13-3-0), 'The Immortal,' steps into the Bantamweight cage against Ailin Perez (record not provided by search). In this instance, both our model and the market are in complete agreement, with both favoring Perez at 58%, indicating a tightly contested fight where either fighter could emerge victorious.

Rounding out the Bantamweight action for September 26th are two additional intriguing pairings. Mehemmedeli Osmanli (12-1), 'The Ineffable,' brings a strong finishing record into his bout against Ilimbek Akylbek (10-3). Osmanli has an impressive 10 finishes in his 12 wins, while Akylbek, a former two-division champion, boasts six submission victories.

Middleweight and Strawweight Showdowns

In the Middleweight division, Mickey Gall (record not provided by search) takes on Sedriques Dumas (10-5, 1 NC). The betting line for this fight has seen significant movement this week, with Gall's chances slipping from 59% to 50%, reflecting a shift in market perception as fight night approaches. Dumas, known as 'The Reaper,' will be looking to capitalize on this momentum.

The Women's Strawweight division also features a compelling clash between Vanessa Demopoulos (record not provided by search) and Yazmin Jauregui (record not provided by search). Our model strongly favors Jauregui with a 67% chance of winning, though the market is even more confident, placing her at 88%. Jauregui's aggressive style often leads to exciting finishes, making her a fighter to watch.

Another Strawweight bout sees Melissa Amaya (record not provided by search) and Valesca Machado (record not provided by search) both seeking to make a statement in the division.

Heavyweight and Lightweight Additions

A Heavyweight showdown on September 26th features Rodolfo Bellato (13-3-1), 'Trator,' against Christian Edwards (8-5-0), 'Pain.' Our model and the market are in perfect sync here, both favoring Bellato at 62%. Bellato is known for his high finish rate, with eight knockouts and four submissions among his wins, while Edwards is a powerful striker with five knockout victories.

Looking ahead to October 17th, Kyle Nelson (record not provided by search) is set to meet Cristian Perez (15-2-0) in a Lightweight contest. Perez, nicknamed 'Puas,' boasts a strong professional record with 12 of his 15 wins coming inside the distance, showcasing a dangerous blend of Mexican boxing and jiu-jitsu.

Follow bjjmetrics.com/ufc for more.

Raul Rosas Jr. Aims for Youngest UFC Champion Title, Eyes Retirement by 25

Raul Rosas Jr., currently 21 years old, has articulated a clear and ambitious career path, aiming to become the youngest champion in UFC history and subsequently retire from the sport by the age of 25. This goal, which would see him surpass Jon Jones' record set in 2011, has been a consistent theme in his recent interviews.

The Path to a Record-Breaking Title

Rosas Jr. has openly discussed his aspirations, telling ESPN's Brett Okamoto, “I just want to accomplish my dreams, which is to become the youngest UFC champion, have the belt, defend the belt a few times, and probably retire. So, hopefully, by 25 years old, my career is all said and done, and I'm able to enjoy time with my family and whatever I decide to do.” He reiterated this sentiment in a conversation with FullSend MMA, stating that if he accomplishes his career goals by 25, he intends to step back from the sport. The bantamweight contender believes he is currently on the right track to achieve these milestones, emphasizing the importance of his upcoming bouts.

To break Jon Jones’ record, who became champion at 23 years and 243 days old, Rosas Jr. recognizes the need for an accelerated ascent through the ranks. He has indicated a willingness to take short-notice fights and risks, aiming to make significant statements with each performance rather than simply securing wins.

Current Standing and Upcoming Challenge

Raul Rosas Jr. holds a UFC record of 6-1-0 across seven fights. His last fight in March 2026 at UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 saw him secure a unanimous decision victory over Rob Font in the bantamweight division, a fight where pre-fight market odds favored him at 72% to win. This extended his UFC win streak to four fights before that bout, now standing at five consecutive wins. He is currently ranked #12 in the official UFC bantamweight rankings.

His next challenge is scheduled for September 26, 2026, where he will face Raoni Barcelos at UFC Fight Night: Rosas Jr. vs. Barcelos in a bantamweight contest. Rosas Jr.'s recent victories include unanimous decision wins against Vince Morales in March 2025 and Aoriqileng in September 2024. Prior to these, he secured a submission victory via Rear Naked Choke against Ricky Turcios in the second round in June 2024, and a first-round knockout/TKO win with punches over Terrence Mitchell in September 2023.

A Defined Future

Beyond securing the bantamweight title, Rosas Jr.'s long-term vision includes defending the belt multiple times and potentially moving up one or even two weight classes to challenge himself further. He clarified that his decision to retire is tied to the accomplishment of his goals, rather than a strict adherence to the age of 25, suggesting that if his goals are met earlier or later, that would dictate his departure from active competition.

By the numbers

Fighter	UFC record	Ranking
Raul Rosas	6-1-0	Bantamweight #12

UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.

Follow bjjmetrics.com/ufc for more.

Bantamweight Reach: Montel Jackson Leads the Pack

In the UFC Bantamweight division, Montel Jackson stands out with the longest reach among active fighters. Reach, in the context of combat sports, measures the distance from fingertip to fingertip when a fighter's arms are outstretched horizontally. This physical attribute indicates how far a fighter can extend their strikes and maintain distance from an opponent, potentially offering an advantage in striking exchanges and defensive positioning. The following list identifies the Bantamweight fighters with the longest reach, based on data from fighters who have competed in the UFC within the last two years. Out of 262 Bantamweight fighters on record, 100 qualified for this analysis, grouped by their current weight class.

The Top Contenders

Leading the division is Montel Jackson, with an impressive 75-inch reach. This measurement gives Jackson a notable advantage, allowing him to engage opponents from a greater distance and potentially control the range of a fight. Jackson holds a UFC record of 9-4 across 13 fights. His last fight was on 25 Apr 2026, and he is currently booked to face Ricky Simon on 2026-09-26. At 34 years old, Jackson has utilized his physical dimensions throughout a significant portion of his UFC career.

Tied for the second-longest reach at 74 inches are Santiago Luna and Josias Musasa. Santiago Luna, at 22 years old, has a UFC record of 2-1 from 3 fights, with his most recent bout on 06 Jun 2026. For fighters with very few bouts, like Luna, the impact of their reach on their record is less clear, as rate statistics from limited fight data can be noisy. Josias Musasa, 28 years old, has a UFC record of 0-2 from 2 fights, last competing on 27 Sep 2025. Despite his considerable reach, Musasa has yet to secure a victory in his nascent UFC career.

The Rest of the Top 10

Two fighters share the fourth and fifth spots with a 73-inch reach. Taylor Lapilus, 34 years old, has a UFC record of 6-2 across 8 fights, with his last appearance on 28 Sep 2024. Ode Osbourne, 35 years old, has a record of 5-7 in 12 UFC fights, last fighting on 09 Aug 2025. Both fighters have utilized their reach over multiple UFC appearances.

A cluster of five fighters rounds out the top ten, all possessing a 72-inch reach. This group includes Lawrence Lui (UFC record 1-1, 2 fights, last fought 29 Aug 2026, age 30), Kyler Phillips (UFC record 6-4, 10 fights, last fought 18 Apr 2026, age 31), and Sean O'Malley (UFC record 12-3, 15 fights, last fought 14 Jun 2026, age 32). O'Malley's reach is a well-known aspect of his striking-focused approach. Also in this group are Saimon Oliveira (UFC record 0-4, 4 fights, last fought 11 Oct 2025, age 35) and Borislav Nikolic (UFC record 1-0, 1 fight, last fought 01 Aug 2026, age 34). Nikolic, with only one UFC fight, is another example where the long-term impact of his reach is yet to be fully established.

The leaderboard highlights a clear leader in Montel Jackson, followed by a tight grouping of fighters with reaches ranging from 72 to 74 inches. While reach is a significant physical attribute in fighting, its effectiveness is always intertwined with a fighter's technique, strategy, and overall skill set.

Bantamweight — longest reach

Fighter	Reach	UFC fights
1. Montel Jackson	75"	13 fights
2. Santiago Luna	74"	3 fights
3. Josias Musasa	74"	2 fights
4. Taylor Lapilus	73"	8 fights
5. Ode Osbourne	73"	12 fights
6. Lawrence Lui	72"	2 fights
7. Kyler Phillips	72"	10 fights
8. Sean O'Malley	72"	15 fights
9. Saimon Oliveira	72"	4 fights
10. Borislav Nikolic	72"	1 fights

Career statistics from UFC Stats; Elo is bjjmetrics' own rating from UFC results. Updated twice a day.

Follow bjjmetrics.com/ufc for more.

20th Asian Games: Judo Preview - Aichi-Nagoya 2026

The 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya, commencing on 30 September 2026, will feature a strong contingent of judokas from across the continent. As of 23 September 2026, 203 athletes from 32 countries are entered, with 14 of them currently ranked within our active top 100. Entries are subject to change, and the draw has not yet been made.

Men -60 kg

Twenty athletes are entered in the men's -60 kg category. Hayato Kondo of Japan, with an Elo rating of 1331 and ranked #97 among active seniors, leads the entered athletes. Kondo, born in 2001, stands at 164 cm and favors the Uchi-mata technique. He is coached by EBINUMA Masashi and has secured 1 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals at Grand Slam events. Yeldos Smetov of Kazakhstan, born in 1993, is also entered. Smetov, a 2024 Olympic champion, has an Elo of 1327 and boasts an impressive medal record including Olympic gold and silver, World Championship gold, and multiple Grand Slam medals. Harim Lee of South Korea, born in 1998, completes the top three rated entrants with an Elo of 1293. Lee, a bronze medalist at the 2023 and 2024 World Championships, favors the Seoi-nage technique.

Men -66 kg

In the men's -66 kg division, 20 judokas are set to compete. Nurali Emomali of Tajikistan, born in 2002, is the highest-rated entrant with an Elo of 1359 and ranked #70. Emomali, who stands 176 cm tall, favors Ouchi-gari and has won a silver medal at the 2025 World Championships, alongside multiple Grand Slam and continental titles. Shinsei Hattori of Japan, born in 2004, is the second highest-rated with an Elo of 1332. Hattori, who favors Uchi-mata, has achieved 3 silver and 1 bronze medals at Grand Slam events. Gusman Kyrgyzbayev of Kazakhstan, born in 1993, is also entered, holding a World Championship silver medal from 2021 and an Olympic bronze from 2024.

Men -73 kg

The men's -73 kg category features 16 entered athletes. Shakhram Ahadov of Uzbekistan, born in 1997, leads the field with an Elo of 1376 and a ranking of #56. Ahadov, who favors Ippon-seoi-nage, has won 2 gold and 6 bronze medals at Grand Slam events. Muhiddin Asadulloev of Tajikistan, born in 2006, is the second highest-rated with an Elo of 1331. Asadulloev has secured 2 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals at Grand Slam competitions. Tatsuki Ishihara of Japan, born in 2002, is also among the top entrants, with a silver medal from the 2024 World Championships.

Men -81 kg

Eighteen athletes are entered in the men's -81 kg class. Sotaro Fujiwara of Japan, born in 1998, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1409 and ranked #37. Fujiwara, a silver medalist at the 2018 World Championships, has won 5 gold and 5 bronze medals at Grand Slam events. Joonhwan Lee of South Korea, born in 2003, is closely rated with an Elo of 1405 and ranked #39. Lee is an Olympic bronze medalist from 2024 and has won multiple Grand Slam titles. Abubakr Sherov of Tajikistan is also entered, with Grand Slam silver and bronze medals.

Men -90 kg

Seventeen judokas are entered in the men's -90 kg category. Jonghoon Kim of South Korea, born in 2001, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1333 and ranked #94. Kim, who favors Seoi-nage, has won a gold medal at a Grand Slam event. Aidar Arapov of Kazakhstan, born in 2003, is also entered, holding a Grand Slam bronze medal. Erlan Sherov of Kyrgyzstan, born in 1999, is a bronze medalist from the 2024 World Championships.

Men -100 kg

Twelve athletes are entered in the men's -100 kg division. Said Sadrudinov of Bahrain, born in 2002, leads the entrants with an Elo of 1189. Sadrudinov has won 1 gold and 2 bronze medals at Grand Slam events. Juyeop Han of South Korea, born in 1999, is also entered, with 3 bronze medals from Grand Slam competitions. Dzhakhongir Madzhidov of Tajikistan, born in 2000, has secured 1 silver and 4 bronze medals at Grand Slam events.

Men +100 kg

In the men's +100 kg, 12 judokas are set to compete. Hyoga Ota of Japan, born in 1998, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1355 and ranked #75. Ota, who favors Okuri-ashi-harai, has an impressive record of 5 gold and 5 silver medals at Grand Slam events. Muzaffarbek Turoboyev of Uzbekistan, born in 2000, is also entered. Turoboyev is a World Champion from 2022 and an Olympic bronze medalist from 2024. Minjong Kim of South Korea, born in 2001, is a silver medalist from the 2024 Olympic Games and a gold medalist at the 2024 World Championships.

Women -48 kg

Eleven athletes are entered in the women's -48 kg category. Mitsuki Kondo of Japan, born in 2005, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1296 and ranked #140. Kondo, who favors Seoi-nage, has won 2 gold and 1 silver medal at Grand Slam events. Abiba Abuzhakynova of Kazakhstan, born in 1998, is also entered. Abuzhakynova is a silver medalist from the 2025 World Championships and has multiple Grand Slam bronze medals. Narantsetseg Ganbaatar of Mongolia, born in 1995, has a World Masters silver medal from 2019.

Women -52 kg

Fourteen judokas are entered in the women's -52 kg division. Kokoro Fujishiro of Japan, born in 2002, leads the field with an Elo of 1386 and ranked #49. Fujishiro, who favors Sode-tsurikomi-goshi, has won 2 gold and 2 silver medals at Grand Slam events. Seyun Jang of South Korea, born in 2003, is also entered, with a bronze medal from continental championships. Sita Kadamboeva of Uzbekistan, born in 2002, has secured 3 bronze medals at Grand Slam events.

Women -57 kg

Sixteen athletes are entered in the women's -57 kg category. Mimi Huh of South Korea, born in 2002, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1455 and ranked #26. Huh, a 2024 Olympic silver medalist and 2024 World Champion, favors Uchi-mata and has won 3 gold medals at Grand Slam events. Ariunzaya Terbish of Mongolia, born in 2008, is also entered, with Grand Slam silver and bronze medals. Mio Shirakane of Japan, born in 2006, has achieved Grand Slam silver and bronze medals.

Women -63 kg

Ten athletes are entered in the women's -63 kg division. Narumi Tanioka of Japan, born in 2003, leads with an Elo of 1364 and ranked #67. Tanioka, who favors Osoto-gari, has won 1 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal at Grand Slam events. Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogoo of Mongolia, born in 1999, is the second highest-rated with an Elo of 1358. Lkhagvatogoo is a two-time bronze medalist at the World Championships. Jisu Kim of South Korea, born in 2001, has secured 2 gold and 3 bronze medals at Grand Slam events.

Women -70 kg

Fifteen judokas are entered in the women's -70 kg category. Rin Maeda of Japan, born in 2006, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1280. Maeda, who favors Seoi-nage, has won 1 gold and 2 bronze medals at Grand Slam events. Jing Tang of China, born in 1996, is also entered, with Grand Slam silver and bronze medals. Song Hui Mun of North Korea, born in 2002, has won a gold medal at continental championships.

Women -78 kg

Twelve athletes are entered in the women's -78 kg division. Mizuki Sugimura of Japan, born in 2004, leads with an Elo of 1184. Sugimura has a bronze medal from a Grand Slam event. Minju Kim of South Korea, born in 2003, has won 1 gold and 1 silver medal at Grand Slam events. Hongtao Wu of China, born in 2000, has a gold medal from continental championships.

Women +78 kg

Ten judokas are entered in the women's +78 kg category. Hyeonji Lee of South Korea, born in 2007, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1260. Lee is a bronze medalist from the 2025 World Championships and has multiple Grand Slam and continental medals. Xinran Niu of China, born in 2005, has won 1 gold and 1 silver medal at Grand Slam events. Miki Mukunoki of Japan, born in 2004, has secured a gold medal at a Grand Slam event.

20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya -- highest-rated entrant by category

Category	Top entrant	Elo
Men -60	Hayato Kondo	Elo 1331
Men -66	Nurali Emomali	Elo 1359
Men -73	Shakhram Ahadov	Elo 1376
Men -81	Sotaro Fujiwara	Elo 1409
Men -90	Jonghoon Kim	Elo 1333
Men -100	Said Sadrudinov	Elo 1189
Men +100	Hyoga Ota	Elo 1355
Women -48	Mitsuki Kondo	Elo 1296
Women -52	Kokoro Fujishiro	Elo 1386
Women -57	Mimi Huh	Elo 1455
Women -63	Narumi Tanioka	Elo 1364
Women -70	Rin Maeda	Elo 1280
Women -78	Mizuki Sugimura	Elo 1184
Women +78	Hyeonji Lee	Elo 1260

Entries as of 23 Sep 2026 from the IJF; entries can change. Elo is projudo.xyz's rating from past IJF results, not a forecast. Names link to full profiles on projudo.xyz.

Follow projudo.xyz for more.

Paulo Costa Presents UFC with Three Contract Resolution Options

Paulo Costa has publicly stated he has one fight remaining on his UFC contract and has presented the promotion with three distinct options for its fulfillment. Costa, currently ranked sixth in the light heavyweight division, has communicated his terms through social media, indicating a desire to resolve his contractual situation swiftly.

Contractual Standoff

The core of Costa's dispute centers on the terms of his final fight. He claims his contract stipulates a three-round bout, but he has been offered a five-round fight. Costa's proposed solutions are to either have the UFC honor the original three-round agreement with any available light heavyweight opponent, or to book him for a five-round fight within six weeks with a corresponding increase in his purse. Should neither of these options be met, Costa has requested an immediate release from his contract.

UFC's Stance

UFC President Dana White has countered Costa's claims, stating that the fighter has been offered multiple fights which he has declined. White indicated that the promotion does not simply release fighters and that offers are regularly made.

Recent Performance

Costa's last Octagon appearance was a third-round knockout victory against Azamat Murzakanov on April 11, 2026, at UFC 327. Prior to that, he secured a unanimous decision win over Roman Kopylov on July 19, 2025, at UFC 318. His UFC record stands at 8-4.

By the numbers

Fighter	UFC record	Ranking
Paulo Costa	8-4-0	Light Heavyweight #6

UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.

Follow bjjmetrics.com/ufc for more.

UFC Rankings Shake-Up: Van Claims P4P Top 10, Aspinall Enters Heavyweight Top 1

Tom Aspinall New Heavyweight King

Tom Aspinall has entered the UFC heavyweight rankings at number one. This move comes as a significant development in the division, with Aspinall now positioned at the top of the division's rankings.

Pound-for-Pound Power Shifts

The men's pound-for-pound rankings have seen considerable movement. Joshua Van makes a significant leap, moving from 11th to 6th following his victory over Alexandre Pantoja. Arman Tsarukyan also climbs, moving from 14th to 13th after his win against Mauricio Ruffy. Conversely, Tom Aspinall drops from 6th to 8th in the pound-for-pound list, while Ciryl Gane falls from 10th to 11th. Justin Gaethje moves up one spot from 4th to 3rd. Merab Dvalishvili sees a slight dip, moving from 8th to 9th. Petr Yan also moves down one place, from 3rd to 4th, and Alex Pereira drops from 9th to 10th. Carlos Ulberg enters the pound-for-pound rankings at number 15, while Charles Oliveira drops out of the top 15.

Featherweight and Lightweight Movers

In the featherweight division, Patricio Pitbull makes a move up, climbing from 15th to 14th after his victory over Dooho Choi. Brian Ortega drops two spots from 11th to 13th, and David Onama falls from 14th to 15th. Aaron Pico and Melquizael Costa both move up one spot to 11th and 12th, respectively.

The lightweight division sees significant changes as well. Mauricio Ruffy drops one spot from 7th to 8th following his loss to Arman Tsarukyan. Mateusz Gamrot moves up from 11th to 10th, while Quillan Salkilld climbs from 8th to 7th after their head-to-head bout. Rafael Fiziev falls one place from 10th to 11th, bumped by Gamrot.

Every change in this update

Division	Fighter	Move
Men's Pound-for-Pound	Joshua Van	▲ 11 → 6
Men's Pound-for-Pound	Tom Aspinall	▼ 6 → 8
Men's Pound-for-Pound	Ciryl Gane	▼ 10 → 11
Men's Pound-for-Pound	Justin Gaethje	▲ 4 → 3
Men's Pound-for-Pound	Merab Dvalishvili	▼ 8 → 9
Men's Pound-for-Pound	Arman Tsarukyan	▲ 14 → 13
Men's Pound-for-Pound	Alexandre Pantoja	▼ 13 → 14
Men's Pound-for-Pound	Petr Yan	▼ 3 → 4
Men's Pound-for-Pound	Alex Pereira	▼ 9 → 10
Men's Pound-for-Pound	Carlos Ulberg	▲ — → 15
Men's Pound-for-Pound	Charles Oliveira	▼ 15 → —
Featherweight	Brian Ortega	▼ 11 → 13
Featherweight	Patricio Pitbull	▲ 15 → 14
Featherweight	Aaron Pico	▲ 12 → 11
Featherweight	David Onama	▼ 14 → 15
Featherweight	Melquizael Costa	▲ 13 → 12
Lightweight	Mauricio Ruffy	▼ 7 → 8
Lightweight	Mateusz Gamrot	▲ 11 → 10
Lightweight	Quillan Salkilld	▲ 8 → 7
Lightweight	Rafael Fiziev	▼ 10 → 11
Heavyweight	Tom Aspinall	▲ — → 1

Changes are between two consecutive snapshots of the official UFC rankings.

Follow bjjmetrics.com/ufc/rankings for more.

Arman Tsarukyan's Title Shot Bid Gains Momentum Against Justin Gaethje

Arman Tsarukyan's decisive first-round knockout victory at UFC 331 on September 19, 2026, has significantly amplified calls for him to challenge UFC Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje next. Tsarukyan, who defeated Mauricio Ruffy by KO/TKO with an elbow at four minutes and fifty-six seconds of the first round, immediately used his post-fight platform to advocate for a title opportunity.

Managerial and Commentary Support

The momentum for a Tsarukyan-Gaethje clash has been building, with key figures in the sport weighing in. Justin Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, indicated that Gaethje's next opponent would be someone he has not faced before, effectively ruling out an immediate rematch with Ilia Topuria. This statement from Abdelaziz opens a clear path for Tsarukyan, who has never fought Gaethje in the UFC.

UFC commentator Joe Rogan also publicly supported Tsarukyan's claim to the title shot. Speaking on the UFC 331 broadcast, Rogan asserted that Tsarukyan is the undisputed number one contender, stating, “Get that man a title fight. There's nothing else to say. That is, right there, the No. 1 contender in the world.” Tsarukyan himself expressed a belief that Gaethje might be trying to avoid a matchup, considering it a difficult stylistic challenge for the champion.

Prior to his fight at UFC 331, Tsarukyan had a verbal agreement with UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell that a victory over Ruffy would secure him a title shot. While UFC President Dana White acknowledged Tsarukyan's strong position after his performance, he has not yet officially committed to the title fight, noting that the decision could also depend on Gaethje's future plans.

Fighter Trajectories and Potential Matchup

Arman Tsarukyan, at twenty-nine years old, has compiled an impressive UFC record of eleven wins and two losses across thirteen fights. His recent victory over Ruffy extended his UFC win streak to six consecutive fights. His last defeat came in April 2022. Tsarukyan is currently ranked as the number two contender in the lightweight division. His grappling prowess is evident in his statistics, averaging 2.7 takedowns per fight with forty-one percent accuracy and boasting an eighty-five percent takedown defense rate.

Justin Gaethje, the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, holds a UFC record of eleven wins and five losses from sixteen fights. The thirty-seven-year-old secured the championship in June 2026 at UFC Freedom 250, where he defeated Ilia Topuria by KO/TKO in the fourth round. This victory marked his third consecutive win in the UFC. Gaethje, primarily a striker, averages 0.3 takedowns per fight with thirty-three percent accuracy and has a sixty-seven percent takedown defense. The contrasting styles, with Tsarukyan's strong wrestling background and Gaethje's striking-heavy approach, present an intriguing potential matchup.

Early betting lines for a hypothetical bout between the two fighters have opened with Arman Tsarukyan as the favorite to dethrone the champion. As of now, neither fighter has a next UFC fight booked on the schedule, leaving the lightweight title picture centered on a potential clash between the number two ranked contender and the champion.

By the numbers

Fighter	UFC record	Ranking
Arman Tsarukyan	11-2-0	Lightweight #2
Justin Gaethje	11-5-0	Lightweight champion

UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.

Follow bjjmetrics.com/ufc for more.

Giovanna Carneiro Wins Gold at Manaus International Open

Giovanna Xavier Carneiro emerged victorious at the Manaus International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026, securing the gold medal in the Middle division. Carneiro, representing GF Team, demonstrated her skill with two victories on her path to the title. In the semi-final, she defeated Samir Lima de Souza Galvao by disqualification. She then went on to face Luzelya Luz Bitencourt in the final round, securing the win on the way to gold. Carneiro's current Elo rating is 1506, placing her at world rank #208. This victory adds to her impressive career total of 45 golds from 61 medals.

Giovanna Xavier Carneiro — route to gold

Round	Result	Opponent	Opp Elo	Opp team	Division
Semi-final	Won	Samir Lima de Souza Galvao	—	—	Middle
—	Won	Luzelya Luz Bitencourt	1025	Clube Sevalho	Middle

Match results and Elo from bjjmetrics. Rounds are shown where the IBJJF order of fights recorded them.

Follow bjjmetrics.com for more.

Hungary Grand Slam 2026: Ashpiz and Hershko Claim Gold

The Hungary Grand Slam 2026, held from September 11th to 13th, saw a series of compelling contests across all weight categories. Izhak Ashpiz of Israel secured the men's -60 kg gold, while Raz Hershko of Israel dominated the women's +78 kg division. The event also featured dramatic finishes, including multiple golden score deciders and decisive ippons.

Men -60 kg

Izhak Ashpiz (ISR) claimed the gold medal in the men's -60 kg category, defeating Enzo Jean (FRA) in the final. The match was decided by an ippon from Ashpiz via Ura-nage at 00:03:51. The score sequence showed two shidos against Jean for Avoid-Grip at 0:29 and False-Attack at 2:47, before Ashpiz secured the win with his technique at 3:48. Bronze medals went to Artem Lesiuk (UKR) and David Starkel (SLO).

Men -66 kg

Boyan Yotov (BUL) earned the gold medal in the men's -66 kg division. He defeated Byambasuren Ulziibayar (MGL) in the final, which concluded with an ippon from Yotov via Ura-nage at 00:03:22. Yotov had already registered a waza-ari with Yoko-guruma at 1:57 before sealing the victory. Denis Vieru (MDA) and Ryusei Seki (JPN) took bronze.

Men -73 kg

Rashid Mammadaliyev (AZE) won the men's -73 kg title, overcoming Narek Vardanian (SWE) in the final. Mammadaliyev secured the ippon with Seoi-nage at 00:03:26. Vardanian received two shidos for Non-Combativity at 1:01 and 2:32, leading to Mammadaliyev's decisive technique at 3:24. Ibrahim Demirel (TUR) and Shusuke Uchimura (JPN) were the bronze medalists.

Men -81 kg

The men's -81 kg final saw Yoshito Hojo (JPN) take gold against Mihajlo Simin (SRB). The match went into golden score and was decided by hansoku-make due to a third shido against Simin at golden score +3:30 for Outside-Contest-Area. The fight time was 00:07:31. Simin had received shidos at 2:05 (Non-Combativity) and golden score +1:47 (False-Attack), while Hojo received a shido at golden score +3:30 (Outside-Contest-Area). Murodjon Yuldoshev (UZB) and Vusal Galandarzade (AZE) won bronze.

Men -90 kg

Guilherme Schimidt (BRA) is the men's -90 kg champion. He faced Boris Rutovic (SRB) in the final. Mihail Latisev (MDA) and Lachlan Moorhead (GBR) secured bronze medals.

Men -100 kg

Gennaro Pirelli (ITA) won the men's -100 kg gold medal. Jorge Fonseca (POR) took silver, with Niiaz Bilalov (RUS) and Daniel Eich (SUI) earning bronze.

Men +100 kg

In the men's +100 kg category, Valerii Endovitskii (RUS) was crowned champion. Marek-Adrian Masak (EST) finished with silver. Losseni Kone (GER) and Dzhamal Gamzatkhanov (AZE) took bronze medals.

Women -48 kg

Sabina Giliazova (RUS) secured the women's -48 kg gold medal, defeating her compatriot Kristina Dudina (RUS) in a golden score final that ended at 00:04:55 with a hansoku-make against Dudina for her third shido (Non-Combativity) at golden score +0:54. Earlier shidos were given to both athletes at 1:09 (Non-Combativity) and to Dudina at 3:20 (Non-Combativity). Baasankhuu Bavuudorj (MGL) and Tomoka Arakawa (JPN) won bronze.

Women -52 kg

Ayumi Leiva Sanchez (ESP) won the women's -52 kg title. She defeated Barbara Twarowska (POL) in the final by yuko with O-uchi-gari at 00:04:00. Twarowska received shidos at 0:40 (False-Attack) and 2:24 (Non-Combativity), while Leiva Sanchez scored her yuko at 0:53. Odette Giuffrida (ITA) and Tereza Bodnarova (CZE) took bronze.

Women -57 kg

Haruka Funakubo (JPN) is the women's -57 kg champion. She defeated Olga Mukhina (RUS) in the final by waza-ari-awasete-ippon with Yoko-shiho-gatame (hold-down) at 00:02:30. Mukhina had scored a yuko with Yoko-otoshi at 1:03, but Funakubo responded with a yuko from Ko-soto-gari at 1:30 and then secured the decisive waza-ari with Yoko-shiho-gatame at 2:14. Seija Ballhaus (GER) and Sarah Souza (BRA) won bronze.

Women -63 kg

Megu Danno (JPN) claimed the women's -63 kg gold medal in a golden score final against Kaja Kajzer (SLO), which ended at 00:05:04. Danno secured the winning yuko with Ko-uchi-gari at golden score +1:02. Kajzer had received a shido at golden score +0:47 (Non-Combativity) after both athletes were cautioned for Non-Combativity at 1:20. Danno also received a shido at 0:35 for False-Attack. Ariela Sanchez Benitez (ESP) and Kerem Primo (ISR) took bronze.

Women -70 kg

Elisavet Teltsidou (GRE) won the women's -70 kg title. She defeated Kaillany Cardoso (BRA) in the final by waza-ari-awasete-ippon with Yoko-shiho-gatame (hold-down) at 00:01:41. Teltsidou had scored a waza-ari with Ushiro-goshi at 1:27, following an initial shido against both athletes at 0:14 for Avoid-Grip. Serafima Moscalu (ROU) and Michaela Polleres (AUT) won bronze.

Women -78 kg

Petrunjela Pavic (CRO) is the women's -78 kg champion. She beat Mao Izumi (JPN) in the final by ippon (Cancel Waza-ari) at 00:02:33. Izumi had scored a waza-ari with De-ashi-harai at 1:12 and a yuko with Yoko-shiho-gatame at 1:53, but Pavic's decisive technique at 2:26 overturned the score. Fanny Estelle Posvite (FRA) and Metka Lobnik (SLO) took bronze.

Women +78 kg

Raz Hershko (ISR) secured the women's +78 kg gold medal, defeating Celia Cancan (FRA) in the final with an ippon from Harai-goshi at 00:01:11. The decisive technique occurred at 1:07. Safa Soliman (EGY) and Emma-Melis Aktas (EST) won bronze.

Notable Performances

Among other top-rated athletes, Hidayat Heydarov (AZE) was eliminated in the Round of 64 by Benedek Toth (HUN). Lara Cvjetko (CRO) placed 7th after losing in the repechage to Ingrid Nilsson (SWE). Messaoud Redouane Dris (ALG) finished 5th, falling to Shusuke Uchimura (JPN) in the bronze medal match. Kisumi Omori (JPN) was defeated by Nicole Stakhov (GER) in the Round of 32.

Hungary Grand Slam 2026 -- medallists

Category	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Final won by
Men -60 kg	Izhak Ashpiz ISR, Elo 1343	Enzo Jean FRA, Elo 1255	Artem Lesiuk UKR, Elo 1183 David Starkel SLO, Elo 1120	Ippon (Ura-nage)
Men -66 kg	Boyan Yotov BUL, Elo 1154	Byambasuren Ulziibayar MGL, Elo 1058	Denis Vieru MDA, Elo 1261 Ryusei Seki JPN, Elo 1070	Ippon (Ura-nage)
Men -73 kg	Rashid Mammadaliyev AZE, Elo 1278	Narek Vardanian SWE, Elo 1211	Ibrahim Demirel TUR, Elo 1165 Shusuke Uchimura JPN, Elo 1274	Ippon (Seoi-nage)
Men -81 kg	Yoshito Hojo JPN, Elo 1322	Mihajlo Simin SRB, Elo 1239	Murodjon Yuldoshev UZB, Elo 1274 Vusal Galandarzade AZE, Elo 1225	Hansoku-make (third shido) in golden score
Men -90 kg	Guilherme Schimidt BRA, Elo 1326	Boris Rutovic SRB, Elo 1207	Mihail Latisev MDA, Elo 1282 Lachlan Moorhead GBR, Elo 1119	-
Men -100 kg	Gennaro Pirelli ITA, Elo 1290	Jorge Fonseca POR, Elo 1329	Niiaz Bilalov RUS, Elo 1350 Daniel Eich SUI, Elo 1329	-
Men +100 kg	Valerii Endovitskii RUS, Elo 1211	Marek-Adrian Masak EST, Elo 1100	Losseni Kone GER, Elo 1221 Dzhamal Gamzatkhanov AZE, Elo 1071	-
Women -48 kg	Sabina Giliazova RUS, Elo 1275	Kristina Dudina RUS, Elo 1245	Baasankhuu Bavuudorj MGL, Elo 1325 Tomoka Arakawa JPN, Elo 1127	Hansoku-make (third shido) in golden score
Women -52 kg	Ayumi Leiva Sanchez ESP, Elo 1215	Barbara Twarowska POL, Elo 1070	Odette Giuffrida ITA, Elo 1482 Tereza Bodnarova CZE, Elo 1222	Yuko (O-uchi-gari)
Women -57 kg	Haruka Funakubo JPN, Elo 1519	Olga Mukhina RUS, Elo 1198	Seija Ballhaus GER, Elo 1300 Sarah Souza BRA, Elo 1218	Waza-ari-awasete-ippon (Yoko-shiho-gatame, hold-down)
Women -63 kg	Megu Danno JPN, Elo 1268	Kaja Kajzer SLO, Elo 1267	Ariela Sanchez Benitez ESP, Elo 1154 Kerem Primo ISR, Elo 1149	Yuko (Ko-uchi-gari) in golden score
Women -70 kg	Elisavet Teltsidou GRE, Elo 1370	Kaillany Cardoso BRA, Elo 1141	Serafima Moscalu ROU, Elo 1176 Michaela Polleres AUT, Elo 1291	Waza-ari-awasete-ippon (Yoko-shiho-gatame, hold-down)
Women -78 kg	Petrunjela Pavic CRO, Elo 1092	Mao Izumi JPN, Elo 1259	Fanny Estelle Posvite FRA, Elo 1278 Metka Lobnik SLO, Elo 1229	Ippon (Cancel Waza-ari)
Women +78 kg	Raz Hershko ISR, Elo 1332	Celia Cancan FRA, Elo 1241	Safa Soliman EGY, Elo 1187 Emma-Melis Aktas EST, Elo 1190	Ippon (Harai-goshi)

Results and final scores from the IJF. Elo is projudo.xyz's rating after the event. Names link to full profiles on projudo.xyz.

Follow projudo.xyz for more.