As the MMA landscape remains a battlefield where legends rise, fizzle, and sometimes make surprising comebacks, the weekend of July 11-12 is shaping up to deliver a firecracker lineup that any fight fan worth their weight in wraps won’t want to miss. Former UFC gladiators, those who once pounded the famed Octagon floor, are now stepping into various other combat arenas — MMA, kickboxing, and the gritty world of bareknuckle boxing. This shift isn’t just a patch-up career move; it’s a testament to their unyielding hunger for combat, refusal to fade quietly, and the ever-expanding reach of fighting promotions like Bellator, PFL, and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. With bouts scheduled across different rulesets and organizations, fans get a front-row ticket to witnessing how these warriors adapt, evolve, or sometimes stumble outside the UFC cage’s familiar confines.
The renewed buzz around these fighters isn’t just hyped nostalgia. Take Carlos Felipe, for instance. A once-promising heavyweight with a 3-2 UFC record, Felipe is now prepping for a bout at ACA 189, ready to remind everyone that a highlight reel is just a decision away, even if his recent track record screams “comeback season.” Over at LFA 212, Claudio Ribeiro aims to shake off recent losses with a match that could prove whether his UFC past was a mere warm-up or his peak. And don’t overlook the bareknuckle pioneers like Drako Rodriguez and Robbie Peralta, both itching to prove that fists alone can rewrite their combat narratives. Between these events and the booming popularity of promotions like Strikeforce and KSW teaming up with the rising PFL and ONE Championship, the mid-July fight calendar looks like a combat buffet — a feast for any hardcore fight geek and a test of fighters’ grit, adaptability, and sheer will to slug it out no matter the battlefield.
For those who thought a UFC exit meant hanging up the gloves, these showdowns serve as a brutal reminder: the fight life finds a way. And if you still doubt, glide over to see the latest rankings and a few explosive talents who took the MMA world by storm before shifting gears. With this weekend promising a cocktail of styles and old-school heart, it remains crystal clear that the fighters’ spirit is far from retired, no matter what happens inside the cage, ring, or bareknuckle platform.
Ex-UFC Fighters Reignite Their MMA Careers with Grit and Grind on July 11-12
The crowd loves a good redemption arc, and these ex-UFC contenders are ready to serve one up, starting July 11 with a lineup across regional promotions that bleed passion and desperation in equal measure. Names like Carlos Felipe and Claudio Ribeiro are not just out to collect paychecks — they’re on mission: prove that their UFC days were just pit stops on a longer, messier road back to relevance.
Carlos Felipe’s tale is one of highs and lows. After entering the UFC with a 12-6 MMA record, Felipe’s tenure saw some knockout moments but also ugly losses that put his chances for a title run on the bench. Since exiting the UFC, his record hasn’t set the world on fire — 1 win, 4 losses in MMA — but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a fighter who’s dabbled in multiple formats, including cage boxing and bareknuckle bouts, showing a versatility that would make other ex-UFC guys jealous.
Similarly, Claudio Ribeiro steps into the LFA 212 cage against Diego Dias looking to shake off a recent submission loss. Ribeiro’s UFC run, a shaky 1-3 record, hid flashes of potential that made some scouts scratch their heads. Post-UFC, with a mixed 1-1 record, he’s fighting not just for a win but to erase the “almost” label that’s haunted him.
- Upcoming MMA Fight Highlights (July 11):
- Carlos Felipe vs. Mukhamad Vakhaev – ACA 189
- Claudio Ribeiro vs. Diego Dias – LFA 212
But let’s not forget the scouts, analysts, and the fans who thrive on breakdowns. Carlos and Claudio’s bouts aren’t just about punches—they’re chess games on legs, testing who’s got the better takedown defense, who can scramble like a squirrel on caffeine, and who’s got the heart to withstand waves of pressure even when the judges’ eyes seem blind. This stuff is what hardcore MMA buffs live for, and these fights deliver tactical fireworks anyone following the UFC, Bellator, or PFL rankings can appreciate.
| Fighter | UFC Record | Post-UFC MMA Record | Next Fight | Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Felipe | 3-2 | 1-4 | July 11 vs. Mukhamad Vakhaev | ACA 189 |
| Claudio Ribeiro | 1-3 | 1-1 | July 11 vs. Diego Dias | LFA 212 |
| Mateus Mendonca | 0-3 | 1-0 | July 12 vs. Rogerio Ferreira | Bison Kombat 4 |
| Cameron Else | 0-2 | 1-0 | July 12 vs. Shirzad Qadrian | Cage Warriors 192 |
This breed of warriors thrives in the grind. They throw combinations like they’re trying to pay off debts and scramble like their careers depend on it — well, because they do. Such matchups highlight that the dance inside the Octagon was only one chapter; the story continues, sometimes in tougher venues and against opponents no less hungry.
Bareknuckle Boxing: The Gritty Playground for UFC Veterans Ready to Slam Fists with Fury
Bareknuckle boxing has gone from dusty old-school brawling to one of the hottest tickets in combat sports, and July 12’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) events prove that UFC vets aren’t just moonlighting in this arena — they’re recalibrating their careers, punch by punch.
Look at Drako Rodriguez and Robbie Peralta, both sporting UFC scraps on their records but now donning the bare fists gloves, ready to knock out any notion that they’re past their prime. Rodriguez’s bareknuckle record boasts an undefeated 2-0 streak, and he’s planning to keep those bones intact while racking up wins. Peralta, on the other hand, mixes experience and a history of ups and downs, with a 4-2 record since leaving UFC, looking to silence skeptics still questioning his toughness.
- Upcoming BKFC Bouts:
- Drako Rodriguez vs. Howard Davis – BKFC 78, July 12
- Robbie Peralta vs. Bryan Duran – BKFC 78, July 12
Bareknuckle boxing strips down combat to raw fundamentals — no gloves, no excuses, just fists flying and heads snapping. It’s a brutal dance where defense can be as elusive as a decent Wi-Fi signal at a dive bar. Fighters who switched from UFC to BKFC had to rethink their strategies entirely. Those slick UFC jabs? They better come with steel knuckles behind them now, or you might find yourself hitting air like a grandma chasing her specs on laundry day.
| Fighter | UFC Record | Bareknuckle Record | Next Fight | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drako Rodriguez | 0-2 | 2-0 | July 12 vs. Howard Davis | BKFC 78 |
| Robbie Peralta | 4-3 | 4-2 | July 12 vs. Bryan Duran | BKFC 78 |
Watching these fighters transition is a bit like seeing a chessmaster relearn checkers all over again — except the consequences involve swelling faces and broken noses instead of lost pieces. BKFC also offers a platform where aging UFC warriors tap into raw brawling instincts that, let’s face it, sometimes beat fancy technical skills when the fists start flying bare.
Kickboxing’s Resurgence with Former UFC Fighters Adding Brutality and Flair
When UFC vets decide to kick opponents senseless with more than just punches, the spotlight shifts to promotions like Glory Kickboxing and Cage Warriors. July 12 hosts Nate Maness and Cameron Else, two fighters who left UFC looking more like tacticians who forgot to turn on the aggression switch. Now, stepping into the kickboxing ring, they’re set to mix their MMA grappling savvy with some sharp striking, though with gloves this time, unlike bareknuckle’s fragility zone.
- July 12 Kickboxing Battles:
- Nate Maness vs. Christopher Nelson – OniFights 1 (kickboxing)
- Cameron Else vs. Shirzad Qadrian – Cage Warriors 192
Nate Maness, fresh from a UFC win but more recently dabbling in bareknuckle, shows a blazing cardio that once lasted just about as long as buzz around a potential title shot — brief but electrifying. Else, meanwhile, has been slowly building a post-UFC resume with tactical wins that suggest a sleeper threat brewing. Both are also testaments to how diverse skills cross-pollinate from UFC’s cage-centric style into the stand-and-bang world of kickboxing, a discipline where a missed kick can end the party faster than a poorly timed mic drop.
| Fighter | MMA Record | UFC Record | Kickboxing/BKFC Record | Next Fight | Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nate Maness | 16-3 | 5-2 | 1-0 BKFC | July 12 vs. Christopher Nelson | OniFights 1 (Kickboxing) |
| Cameron Else | 11-6 | 0-2 | — | July 12 vs. Shirzad Qadrian | Cage Warriors 192 |
Kickboxing outlaws any grappling safety net. Here, it’s footwork, timing, and knockout power. And while UFC teaches versatility, it’s easy to spot those adapting kickers and those who look like they showed up to the wrong party. The July 12 matches will give insight into which ex-UFC fighters managed to polish their stand-up or if their takedowns will remain a fond memory.
How Fighting Promotions Beyond UFC Shape the Careers of Former UFC Stars
UFC may be the apex predator in the MMA jungle, but it’s far from the only game in town. The world is packed with promotions where former UFC fighters go to carve out new legacies or just get that paycheck after the Octagon doors slam shut. Bellator, ONE Championship, PFL, KSW, Strikeforce, Titan FC, and Invicta FC offer diverse platforms where fighters showcase styles ranging from thriller kickboxing flurries to demolition ground-and-pound tactics, sometimes even throwing punches bareknuckle to boot.
These promotions thrive as breeding grounds for fighters who either didn’t quite hit the peak UFC promised or those who want to reignite a faded flame. For instance, you’ve got contenders like Mateus Mendonca, who’s taking the Bison Kombat 4 spotlight July 12, fresh off a submission win post-UFC. Then there’s the PFL Europe show that recently featured Taylor Lapilus and Gaetano Pirrello showcasing crisp submissions and relentless pace, reminding fans that talent doesn’t retire — it migrates.
- Reasons Former UFC Fighters Choose Other Promotions:
- More frequent fight opportunities without the UFC’s towering competition pressure
- Chance to reinvent and adapt their fighting style in less scrutinized environments
- Access to diverse audiences hungry for action beyond the usual names in the UFC
- Financial incentives that sometimes beat UFC’s lower-tier contracts
| Promotion | Stylistic Focus | Notable Former UFC Alumni | Upcoming Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellator | MMA, Kickboxing | Several former UFC contenders | Continuing regular events in 2025 |
| ONE Championship | MMA, Muay Thai | Various UFC vets | Maintains strong pay-per-view numbers |
| PFL | MMA with tournament format | Taylor Lapilus, Gaetano Pirrello | 2025 PFL Europe 3 upcoming |
| Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship | Bareknuckle boxing | Robbie Peralta, Drako Rodriguez | BKFC 78, July 12 |
| KSW | MMA with European style | Ex-UFC fighters | Regular events throughout 2025 |
| Strikeforce & Titan FC | MMA | Former UFC hopefuls | Ongoing fight calendars |
These varied rings and cages show that post-UFC life doesn’t have to be a dead end. Fighters get to tweak their games, kiss injuries goodbye (or embrace them for the drama), and sometimes emerge stronger, proving that the knockout punch isn’t always literal — it can be a well-timed career reinvention. For the fight junkies, following these migrations brings the thrill of discovery, from explosive MMA talents to grizzled veterans reigniting their fire. Once UFC, always a fighter; the difference is how they choose to claw their way back into the limelight.
Analyzing Techniques and Tactical Shifts of UFC Alumni Competing Outside the Octagon
When ex-UFC fighters step into new combat platforms, the rule changes, environment, and opponent styles force major tactical makeovers. No more ‘run-and-gun’ or sprawling for takedowns without consequence. These guys have to sharpen every edge or risk being a punchline, and sharp they get — though sometimes the adjustment period looks like a sitcom.
Take Carlos Felipe again — his takedown defense inside UFC was hit-or-miss, more like Starbucks Wi-Fi: sometimes strong, often questionable. Out in ACA 189, you better believe he’s polishing those sprawls, aiming to avoid bouncing off the cage like a pinball. In bareknuckle boxing, Rodriguez had to transform from an MMA wrestler to a straight-up brawler, focusing on head movement, timing, and punch placement instead of ground grappling hell. Meanwhile, kickboxers like Nate Maness blend footwork from UFC wrestling distance control with snap-kicks and powerful punches. It’s a fresh recipe, but not without its kitchen fires.
- Tactical Changes Former UFC Fighters Experience:
- More emphasis on striking and distance management in stand-up fights
- Reduced reliance on ground game, focusing on avoiding damage
- Improving cardio with a discipline-specific grind — bareknuckle rounds demand quick bursts, kickboxing needs sustained agility
- Adapting mental game to totally different pacing and judge criteria
| Fighter | Previous UFC Weakness | Adaptation in New Discipline | Notable Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Felipe | Questionable takedown defense | Improved sprawl techniques in MMA | Better cage control in ACA |
| Drako Rodriguez | Limited striking in MMA | Focused on precision striking in BKFC | Undefeated BKFC record so far |
| Nate Maness | Ground grappling reliance | Integrated kickboxing striking and movement | Strong cardio and knockout power |
It’s easy to mock a failed UFC run from the cheap seats, but the real respect comes from watching these fighters flip the script and carve new identities on different battlefields. After all, as the saying goes in UFC heavyweight challenger circles, “it’s not about how you start but how you adapt and finish.” This weekend offers a prime lens to evaluate those adaptations.