MMA Weekly Roundup - September 28, 2026: Rosas Jr. Finishes Barcelos, UFC 332 Looms
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MMA Weekly Roundup · Monday, September 28, 2026
The past week in the cage was headlined by a Las Vegas Fight Night that delivered a dramatic finish and two new champions crowned on the preliminary card, six fresh names added to the UFC roster out of the Contender Series, and a lightweight title picture that stayed murky even as the promotion's newest contender kept pressing for his shot. Here's everything that moved the needle this week, plus a look at what's coming up next weekend.
Rosas Jr. Survives a War to Finish Barcelos in the Main Event
UFC Fight Night: Rosas Jr. vs. Barcelos went down Saturday, September 26 at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, and the headliner delivered exactly the kind of grinding, five-round fight fans hoped for. Raul Rosas Jr. finished Raoni Barcelos by TKO via slam at 1:38 of the fifth round, closing the show on a night that had already tested both men's chins and gas tanks. In the co-main, Ailin Perez outworked Norma Dumont over three rounds for a clean unanimous decision (29-28 across the board).
The undercard also produced two new champions crowned in the TUF Season 34 finale bouts: Tina Black stopped Melissa Amaya by TKO in the second round at strawweight, while Ilimbek Akylbek picked up a bantamweight win over Mahammadali Osmanli by disqualification after an illegal knee. Earlier on the card, Luis Hernandez submitted Sedriques Dumas with a first-round guillotine choke.
Six New Contracts Handed Out on Contender Series
Dana White's Contender Series Season 10 rolled through Week 7 on Tuesday, September 22 at Meta APEX, and six fighters walked away with UFC contracts: Alvi Dasuyev, Jaden Ortega, Marcos Degli, Piero Guaylupo, Callum Connor and Damian Piwowarczyk. The most notable call of the night was White signing Connor despite his loss to Guaylupo — White called their fight a potential Fight of the Year contender and said he didn't want Connor competing anywhere else. Guaylupo, an undefeated 21-year-old (13-0), earned White's praise as the standout performer of the evening.
White also weighed in on Gable Steveson's shock knockout loss at UFC 331, keeping his comments brief: "He lost. People lose. It happens." He added that one bad night doesn't define a career and left the door open for a Steveson comeback if the former Olympic wrestler wants it.
Title Picture: Gaethje Noncommittal, Tsarukyan Waits in Line
Lightweight champion Justin Gaethje continued to sound uncertain about his next move this week, telling reporters on September 24 that at 37 years old and with 40 professional fights behind him, he isn't sure he needs to fight again while he deals with lingering injuries. Gaethje did acknowledge that Arman Tsarukyan is next in line for a title shot if he chooses to defend the belt. Tsarukyan punched his ticket with a knockout of Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 and has reportedly been told by UFC leadership that his next fight will be for the championship, with a bout potentially landing in early 2027 depending on Gaethje's plans.
Looking Ahead: UFC 332 Lands in Salt Lake City
The promotion returns to numbered-event action this Saturday, October 3, with UFC 332: Silva vs. Wang at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City — the city's first numbered card since UFC 307 in October 2024. Natalia Silva meets Wang Cong for the vacant women's flyweight championship after original opponent Valentina Shevchenko withdrew with a back and shoulder ligament injury expected to sideline her for a year. The card also marks a first for the promotion: it's the first numbered UFC event main card to air on CBS alongside Paramount+. A middleweight bout between Marvin Vettori and Ismail Naurdiev was scrapped after Vettori suffered a broken rib, but a welterweight clash between Jacobe Smith and Bruce Whitehead remains on the docket.
Sources
UFC.com – Fight Night: Rosas Jr. vs. Barcelos Results
UFC.com – Contender Series Week 7 Recap
Sports Illustrated – Gaethje on His Next Title Defense
UFC 332: Silva vs. Wang Event Details
Yahoo Sports – UFC Vegas 121 Results and Bonus Winners