MMA Junkie reports that several former UFC fighters are back in action across MMA and bare-knuckle boxing cards scheduled for July 17-19. The piece highlights how veterans such as Aleksei Oleinik, Krzysztof Jotko, and Anthony Birchak are part of a busy weekend slate, with some already coming off recent appearances and others still awaiting official results. The relevance is that these names remain active across multiple promotions, which can affect divisional depth and future comeback opportunities. The article frames the weekend as a notable one for UFC alumni, even if it is not a UFC-branded event itself. What happens next will depend on which veterans get wins and whether any of them become relevant again for major-organizational bookings.
A cluster of UFC alumni returns to action across a busy three-day stretch of MMA and bare-knuckle boxing cards running from July 17 through July 19, with Aleksei Oleinik, Krzysztof Jotko, and Anthony Birchak among the headliners competing outside the UFC banner.
Oleinik, nicknamed "The Boa Constrictor," continues to defy the calendar at 49 years old. The orthodox heavyweight carries a remarkable professional record of 60-17-1 and remains one of the most prolific submission hunters in the sport's history, averaging 1.9 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Standing six-foot-two with an 80-inch reach, he also posts 3.29 significant strikes landed per minute at 48 percent accuracy, suggesting a well-rounded threat well into the later stages of his career.
Jotko, 36, representing Poland and training out of American Top Team, brings a 24-6-0 record into the weekend. The six-foot-one southpaw middlewight owns a 77-inch reach and averages 2.98 significant strikes landed per minute at 42 percent accuracy. He also contributes on the ground, averaging 1.33 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Birchak, known as "El Toro," is 40 years old and still competing at a high pace. The American carries a 16-8-0 record and leads this group in striking output, landing 3.93 significant strikes per minute, though his 36 percent accuracy reflects a high-volume approach. He stands five-foot-eight with a 69-inch reach and trains out of Luta Elite MMA.
Why it matters
- Oleinik's continued activity at 49 keeps his name in circulation for major-organization nostalgia or novelty bookings
- A strong result for Jotko at 36 could renew middleweight contender conversations at larger promotions
- The weekend illustrates the depth of UFC alumni competing across multiple organizations, sustaining divisional activity beyond the flagship promotion
