Justin Gaethje is the sole MMA fighter nominated for a 2026 ESPY award, a significant recognition for the sport. This comes after Pimblett admitted some regret over his loss to Gaethje, revealing he fought through an injury. Daniel Cormier also weighed in, suggesting that Arman Tsarukyan needs to secure a title shot against Gaethje before facing Charles Oliveira, highlighting Gaethje's current standing in the lightweight division.
Sources (14)
We summarise the day's news in our own words. Full credit to the outlets below for the original reporting, click through to read their work.
- Paddy Pimblett Rips Arman Tsarukyan Over Rejected Mateusz Gamrot Rematch (MiddleEasy)
- Paddy Pimblett admits regret over Justin Gaethje loss after discovering injury he fought through (Bloody Elbow)
- Justin Gaethje lone MMA fighter nominated for 2026 ESPY award (MMA Fighting)
- Asadula Imangazaliev (12-0) vs. Aslamjon Ortikov (25-0) for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai Championship on today's The Inner Circle 20 (r/MMA)
- UFC Baku weigh-in results: All fighters on point (MMA Weekly)
- Paddy Pimblett: 'I don't think Ilia Topuria ever comes back the same' (Yahoo Sports)
- Paddy Pimblett looks ahead to exciting Benoit Saint Denis clash at UFC 329 (LowKick MMA)
- Aspinall back in 'full training,' in talks to fight Gane (ESPN MMA)
- Sean Strickland reveals return timeline, targets third fight in 2026 (MMA Mania)
- Why did Prates get much better fights than MVP after losses to Garry? (r/MMA)
- Official Weigh-In Results | UFC Baku (UFC)
- UFC Baku early weigh ins results | Fiziev vs. Torres (MMA Mania)
- Charles Oliveira Says Conor McGregor Picked Max Holloway Because He Ran From Him (MiddleEasy)
- Daniel Cormier Says Arman Tsarukyan Has To Get Justin Gaethje Title Shot Before Charles Oliveira (MiddleEasy)
Split from that day's roundup, so the sources listed are the full set behind the whole edition rather than this story alone.
This story ran in the June 28, 2026 edition of the daily show.