Farmasi Arena, which has hosted numerous UFC events in Rio de
Janeiro, will welcome ACBJJ 23 on Nov. 13. The Russian promotion
unveiled the lineup Wednesday, featuring several prominent names
from grappling and the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.

In the main event, Rousimar
Palhares will face Andre
Galvao in a rematch of their 2011 ADCC under-88-kilogram final,
which Galvao won 9-4 in Nottingham, England. This time, the two
will compete at 100 kilograms under combat jiu-jitsu rules.

In the co-main event, UFC middleweights Kelvin
Gastelum and Rodolfo
Vieira will meet at 88 kilograms under grappling rules. Another
UFC veteran expected to appear on the card, though not yet
officially announced, is Edson
Barboza, according to information obtained by Sherdog.

Rousimar Palhares and Andre Galvao revisit 2011 ADCC final
under combat jiu-jitsu rules at ACBJJ 23

The rematch between Galvao and Palhares brings together two
accomplished Brazilian grapplers. Palhares, known as Toquinho, is
renowned for his heel hooks, with UFC heavyweight Valter
Walker citing him as a major influence.

Palhares competed in the UFC’s middleweight and welterweight
divisions from 2008 to 2013, recording eight wins in 12 fights,
including four by heel hook. The promotion released him after
repeated incidents of holding submissions beyond the referee’s
stoppage. He subsequently struggled to find opponents willing to
face him in high-profile grappling superfights.

Galvao, meanwhile, is regarded as one of the greatest competitors
in Brazilian jiu-jitsu history. A five-time world champion and
six-time ADCC champion, he also had a brief MMA career, compiling a
5-2 record before returning his focus to grappling and coaching the
Atos Jiu-Jitsu team.

Fifteen years after their ADCC final, the two will meet again, this
time with strikes to the body allowed.

“Combat Jiu-Jitsu allows punches and kicks to the body, but strikes
to the head are prohibited. The rounds are scored using the 10-9
system, with three criteria taken into account: impact, fight
control, and aggression,” event promoter and former UFC fighter
Davi
Ramos told Sherdog.

Kelvin Gastelum and Rodolfo Vieira meet in 88-kilogram
grappling match at ACBJJ 23

According to Ramos, the matchup between Gastelum and Vieira will
take place under standard grappling rules.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Vieira brings considerable grappling
credentials to his matchup against Gastelum. He has won five
Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championship titles and one ADCC
title.

Gastelum, a former UFC interim middleweight title challenger, has
faced several of the promotion’s biggest names throughout his MMA
career.

The matchup pits Vieira’s decorated jiu-jitsu background against
Gastelum’s wrestling experience, offering an attraction for both
grappling and MMA fans.

Merab
Dvalishvili is eager to reclaim the
Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title.

The former champion will challenge Petr Yan in a
trilogy bout at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. He’s looking
to avenge his December 2025 loss to the Russian and recapture the
135-pound championship.

Merab Dvalishvili aims to reclaim UFC bantamweight title in
Petr Yan trilogy at UFC 333

Dvalishvili was attempting his fourth successful title defense of
2025 when he lost his rematch with Yan. “The Machine” says he feels
healthy and refreshed ahead of their third meeting.

“I’m really hungry now this time,” Dvalishvili said in a prefight
interview. “My body is fine, and I’m good… Even when I was busy, I
never complained because I’m a fighter and even if something
bothers me, I’m gonna show up and I’m gonna fight.”

Both previous meetings ended in unanimous decisions, with
Dvalishvili dominating their first encounter in 2023 and Yan
winning the rematch last year. Dvalishvili says he’s been “working
smart” to deliver his best at UFC 333.

“We are fighting three times,” Dvalishvili added. “First fight, it
was one-sided. I win. Second fight, it was one-sided but not very
for me… This time I believe I’m gonna win this fight because I
believe I’m much better than him and I have to prove it. I’ve been
working hard. I’ve been working smart and all I have to do is just
show up and do my thing.”

Virna
Jandiroba expects a high-level grappling battle against
Tatiana
Suarez.

The two
Ultimate Fighting Championship strawweights are scheduled to
meet at
UFC Vegas 124 on Nov. 7. Jandiroba hopes to build a winning
streak and return to title contention, targeting a third meeting
with reigning 115-pound champion Mackenzie
Dern.

Virna Jandiroba calls Tatiana Suarez grappling matchup a ‚clash
of titans‘ ahead of UFC Vegas 124

Jandiroba (23-4) said she has completed two training camps in
preparation for Suarez (12-1).

Suarez’s wrestling presents a compelling test for Jandiroba’s
jiu-jitsu. The Brazilian believes their contrasting grappling
backgrounds could produce a memorable matchup.

“I was part of the previous training camp with Demian [Maia], who
faced some great wrestlers throughout his career, and he gave me
some valuable insights. I usually say it will be a clash of
titans,” Jandiroba told Sherdog.

Jandiroba lost to Dern by unanimous decision in their October 2025
bout for the vacant strawweight championship. Dern also won their
first meeting in December 2020. Jandiroba now hopes to secure
another title opportunity in the first quarter of 2027.

“Honestly, I don’t see Weili returning to the Octagon anytime soon.
Since Mackenzie has already said she intends to defend the belt
between January and February, that would be an excellent timeframe
for me,” Jandiroba added. “In fact, I only need one week of rest
after this fight, and I’ll be ready for the rematch in January or
February.”

Further reporting has shed light on the operation during which
Tim
Kennedy was wounded in a Sept. 17 ambush in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo.

According to MMA Weekly, sources close to the Congolese
government said the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight and his fellow
contractors were assigned to a ground-clearing operation. Their
work was linked to broader efforts to protect mining revenue,
combat smuggling and collect taxes for the government.

New report details Vectus Global’s Congo operation that left
Tim Kennedy wounded and Justin Conaglen dead

Kennedy reportedly was part of a three-man contractor team
alongside former New Zealand Special Air Service member Justin
Conaglen and an unidentified contractor. The ambush in South Kivu
province left about 20 people dead or wounded, according to sources
cited by Reuters.

Conaglen was killed, while Kennedy and the third contractor were
wounded. Kennedy reportedly sustained three gunshot wounds to a
leg. At least seven Congolese nationals were among those killed,
and a Congolese security source told Reuters that villagers likely
were among the casualties. The contractors were working for Vectus
Global, a private security company led by Blackwater founder Erik
Prince, according to the reporting.

A Vectus Global representative declined to comment to Reuters. The
attackers’ identities and the precise circumstances of the ambush
have not been officially confirmed.

Islam
Dulatov reportedly has his second
Ultimate Fighting Championship appearance booked.

According to Marcel Dorff, the German welterweight will face
Levan
Chokheli at UFC
Saudi Arabia on Dec. 5. Dulatov was scheduled to face Wellington
Turman in July, but the bout was canceled after Dulatov fell
ill.

Levan Chokheli reportedly faces Islam Dulatov at UFC Saudi
Arabia after 23-second debut win

Dulatov (12-1) earned his UFC contract on
Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024. He knocked out Adam Fugitt
in his promotional debut in July 2025, dropping the American with a
left hook before finishing him with follow-up punches at 4:06 of
the first round.

Chokheli (15-3, 1 NC) also enters the matchup following a
first-round stoppage in his UFC debut. The Georgian welterweight
needed just 23 seconds to stop Leon
Shahbazyan in June.

The promotion has not announced a headliner for UFC Saudi Arabia,
though Israel
Adesanya vs. Sharabutdin
Magomedov has been reported as the targeted main event.

Floyd
Mayweather Jr. is open to a rematch against Conor
McGregor.

The unbeaten former boxing champion recently reflected on their
2017 bout, saying it elevated McGregor’s profile and generated
considerable financial rewards for both men.

Floyd Mayweather discusses possible Conor McGregor rematch nine
years after 2017 boxing match

Mayweather stopped McGregor by technical knockout in the 10th
round, improving his professional record to 50-0. He has since
competed in several exhibitions and remains interested in facing
the Irishman again.

“Actually, I think me and Conor McGregor may lock up again. Yeah,
absolutely,” Mayweather said during an appearance on the “PBD
Podcast.” “I don’t live with Conor McGregor, he’s not my friend. I
don’t have to see him. It’s just when it’s time for us to do
business and lock up, let’s do it.”

Mayweather’s exhibition opponents have included Japanese kickboxer
Tenshin
Nasukawa, social media personalities Logan Paul
and Deji, and former MMA fighter Aaron
Chalmers. “Money” has also faced John Gotti
III twice.

Nina-Marie Daniele says she wore a hijab for her interview with
Movsar
Evloev out of respect.

Evloev is scheduled to challenge Alexander
Volkanovski for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Daniele’s
decision to wear a hijab while interviewing the Muslim fighter drew
criticism online, prompting her response.

Nina-Marie Daniele explains why she wore a hijab for Movsar
Evloev interview ahead of UFC 333

During the interview, Evloev said his religious beliefs would
prevent him from looking at her if she were dressed less modestly.
Daniele defended her choice, explaining that she wanted to make him
comfortable. She also said participation in her interviews is
voluntary and that no one forced her to wear the hijab.

“At the end of the day it’s always about respect,” Daniele wrote on
X. “I have so much respect for all my Muslim friends. I love
learning about cultures and I’m so grateful for the UFC for giving
me the opportunity to travel the world. Some people are offended
and that’s fine, this came from a place of respect and wanting to
be able to make Movsar
Evloev comfortable in our interview. My interviews are not
‘mandatory’ and never were, the fighters that show up show up
because they want to and I was in no way shape or form ‘forced’ to
do anything. Thank you to Movsar and his team for giving me the
opportunity to show the fans a different side of him! I’m so happy
people are enjoying the interview!”

Aaron
Pico is learning to be more patient inside the Octagon.

Pico (14-5) is scheduled to face Losene
Keita (17-2) at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Ahead of the
matchup, the former Bellator
fighter said he wants to gain experience rather than rush to
finish.

Aaron Pico explains new fighting mentality ahead of Losene
Keita matchup at UFC 333

Pico was knocked out in his UFC debut last year before earning his
first promotional victory against Patricio
Freire. He said he has since adopted a “beginner
mentality.”

Pico, who has finished 11 of his 14 professional victories, has
worked with coach Roberto Barreiro to develop a more measured
approach. Instead of trying to end fights as quickly as possible,
he now wants to settle into the action.

“When I say I needed to be humbled, it’s not in the fact that I
walked or carried myself… I needed to humble myself in the way that
I was fighting,” Pico said at the UFC 333 media day. “I was
fighting just too out of control. When I would go do a fight, the
mindset was to get this thing over. I just want to go in there, do
what I have to do, get the win and go home. I’ve really worked with
coach Roberto Barreiro a lot in Morocco to switch the mindset a
little bit. Now I want to enjoy and cook the fight.”

Mandel
Nallo says his nose-picking gesture at the ceremonial weigh-ins
for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship’s recent event in Edmonton,
Alberta, was a message to his children.

Nallo stopped Nate
Landwehr at
UFC Edmonton on Oct. 17. Before the bout, however, the Canadian
lightweight drew attention by conspicuously picking his nose
onstage. He has since explained the gesture.

Mandel Nallo says his sons inspired UFC Edmonton nose-picking
gesture before Dana White’s handshake offer

Nallo said his sons suggested the gesture as a way to acknowledge
them while they watched. That created an awkward moment when UFC
CEO Dana
White extended his hand before Nallo’s faceoff with Landwehr.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Nallo explained that refusing the
handshake might have looked disrespectful.

“I have two boys; they’re 5 and 7… I wanted to notify them that I
knew they were watching,” Nallo said. “So I told them, ‘What’s
something I can do so that you guys can see that I know you’re
watching?’ They told me, ‘Pick your nose.’ I’m a committed nose
picker. I’m not gonna half-*ss it. I’m not gonna pretend. So, I
went up there and that was for them. I’m right-handed. I’m gonna go
up there with my right hand, and then [Dana White] extends his arm
out to you. You don’t have time to explain what just happened. So I
did a finger point so that there was no contact. There was no
disrespect. It was kind of like a ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ moment. I
got this booger in my hand, but if I go, ‘I don’t want to shake
your hand,’ then I look even worse. I just had to roll with
it.”

Nallo also said his sons don’t know what he does for a living.
Although they train jiu-jitsu, he said they are unaware of how
violent MMA can be.

Nallo (15-4, 1 NC) earned his UFC contract on
Dana White’s Contender Series last year but lost his
promotional debut to Jai Herbert
by technical knockout earlier this year. The 37-year-old has never
had a professional fight decided by the judges.

Unbeaten welterweight Jacobe
Smith will reportedly put his perfect record on the line
against
Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Randy
Brown.

Smith is coming off a first-round knockout of Bruce
Whitehead at UFC
332 on Oct. 3. The 30-year-old needed just 92 seconds to
improve his professional record to 13-0. He now faces a more
experienced opponent in Brown, who has competed in the UFC since
2016.

Jacobe Smith vs. Randy Brown reportedly set for UFC’s Oct. 31
Las Vegas card

Brown has made 22 UFC appearances and is coming off consecutive
losses to Gabriel
Bonfim and Kevin
Holland. According to Marcel Dorff, “Rude Boy” will face Smith, who is 4-0
in the UFC after earning a contract on
Dana White’s Contender Series.

The welterweights are slated to meet at
UFC Fight Night 292 on Oct. 31 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas. A
lightweight matchup between Renato
“Money” Moicano and Tom Nolan
headlines the card.

Petr
Yan believes he has figured out Merab
Dvalishvili ahead of their trilogy bout.

Yan is scheduled to defend his
Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title against
Dvalishvili at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Their series
is tied 1-1, but Yan expects to replicate his commanding
performance in their rematch.

Petr Yan expects another dominant showing against Merab
Dvalishvili in UFC 333 title trilogy

Dvalishvili overwhelmed Yan with his wrestling to win their first
meeting by unanimous decision in 2023. Yan reversed the result in
their December 2025 title rematch, repeatedly defending takedowns
and landing effective strikes to reclaim the championship by
unanimous decision.

“No Mercy” expects another strong showing in their rubber
match.

“We definitely have enough information downloaded from the time we
spent together in the Octagon,” Yan said in a pre-fight interview.
“But the second victory, obviously, was very dominant. I’ve figured
him out and I’m gonna do whatever I can to this time bring the same
type of victory and even open new layers which we haven’t seen
yet.”

Alexander
Volkanovski is confident he’ll become the first fighter to
defeat Movsar
Evloev.

Volkanovski (28-4) will defend his
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title against
Evloev (20-0) at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The champion
believes he presents a “nightmare” stylistic matchup for the
unbeaten Russian.

Alexander Volkanovski explains why Movsar Evloev’s grappling
may fail him in UFC 333 title fight

Ahead of their title clash, Volkanovski explained that Evloev
relies on his wrestling to escape difficult situations. The
Australian champion believes his own grappling skills will deny the
challenger that fallback option.

“I think it just doesn’t end well for him,” Volkanovski said in a
pre-fight interview. “I don’t mean it in any bad way. I just think
I’m the guy to take that zero from him. He’s got incredible skill.
He is very effective with what he does… Every time he’s had
problems, he could rely on that wrestling and grappling to get him
out of trouble. And you’ve got to respect that skill. But that
doesn’t work with me. That’s not a get out of jail free card with
me. When you’re panicking, when you’re freaking out, you don’t get
to just grab hold of me and hang on to a leg or anything like that…
I just think that I’m a bit of a nightmare matchup for him.”

Volkanovski has demonstrated his defensive wrestling in previous
appearances, including his competitive first bout against Islam
Makhachev, who tops the UFC’s men’s pound-for-pound rankings.
He has never been submitted in 32 professional fights.