All articles tagged with #title fight
Volkanovski says his next featherweight title defense hasn’t been officially locked in and should be announced after UFC Freedom 250, with a September date (potentially UFC 331) on the horizon; he believes Movsar Evloev is the rightful No.1 contender and wants the fight next, even noting he could defend the belt after his 38th birthday.
Hamzah Sheeraz captured the vacant WBO super-middleweight title by stopping Alem Begic in the second round in Egypt, using sharp jabs and body shots before a left hook forced the stoppage. With the belt secure and Saul Alvarez watching, Sheeraz hinted at a future unification fight, while compatriot Jack Catterall also claimed the WBA regular welterweight title on the same card.
Sebastian Fundora overwhelmed Keith Thurman from the opening bell, forcing a sixth‑round stoppage to defend his WBC super welterweight title. Fundora said it felt easier than expected despite nerves about Thurman’s name, while Thurman couldn’t mount a response as the referee halted the bout in Round 6.
Ian Machado Garry publicly teased a welterweight title showdown with Islam Makhachev after his recent win, saying he’s ready while noting Makhachev might need more time. Makhachev is the reigning champ after defeating Jack Della Maddalena, and Garry sits at 10-1 in the UFC with a two-fight win streak. Makhachev’s manager replied on Twitter, though the article doesn’t detail the reply.
Brandon Figueroa outlasted Nick Ball in a gripping 12-round battle in Liverpool, landing a dramatic late left hook that dropped Ball and forced the referee to stop the bout, giving Figueroa the WBA featherweight title. The win improves Figueroa’s record to 27-2-1 with 20 KOs, while Ball falls to 23-1-1 with 13 KOs. The fight was closely contested earlier, with Ball having moments of cleaner punching, but Figueroa’s relentless pressure and finishing punch sealed the championship in the final round.
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will rematch Petr Yan at UFC 323 on December 6, aiming to set a record for most title defenses in a year, with the event also featuring a flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van.
Khamzat Chimaev has publicly called out UFC champion Alex Pereira, following Pereira's recent victory at UFC 320 where he regained the light heavyweight title with a first-round knockout. Chimaev, who has long wanted to fight Pereira, suggests a high-stakes striker vs. grappler matchup could be on the horizon, making it one of the biggest fights the UFC could organize.
Alexander Volkanovski is considering multiple options for his next UFC featherweight title defense, with Aljamain Sterling expressing his desire for a shot at the title and challenging the current contenders, despite not being the immediate next in line.
Jack Della Maddalena's coach believes he can finish Islam Makhachev at UFC 322, citing Makhachev's perceived lack of chin compared to Belal Muhammad, and considers Makhachev the GOAT in MMA, making the upcoming fight highly anticipated.
Khamzat Chimaev won the UFC middleweight title in Chicago with a dominant performance and is now targeting potential challengers like Nassourdine Imavov, Caio Borralho, and Reinier de Ridder, with upcoming fights and rankings shaping the next title contenders.
Claressa Shields defends her undisputed women's heavyweight title against Lani Daniels at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, with the fight starting at 8 p.m. ET on DAZN, featuring Shields's historic achievements and Daniels's winning streak.
Manny Pacquiao, returning to boxing after four years, is determined to defeat WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, aiming to become the oldest boxing champion in history. Despite his age and recent inactivity, Pacquiao's disciplined training and passion drive his confidence, while Barrios, younger and in his prime, prepares to defend his title. The fight also features Pacquiao's son debuting professionally and other notable bouts on the card.
Sean O'Malley reflects on his UFC 316 title loss to Merab Dvalishvili, admitting he should have played it safer in the final moments, and expresses relief at not needing surgery after the fight, unlike his previous loss. Despite the defeat, he remains the top-ranked bantamweight and plans to return in December.
Demetrious Johnson advised Kayla Harrison to retire after her UFC title win and avoid a potentially unfavorable fight against Amanda Nunes, citing the disparity in competition faced and Nunes' recent retirement. Nunes, who retired after her win in June 2023, plans to return but faces a drug testing delay that could postpone their super fight until 2026.
Kayla Harrison, a former PFL champion and Olympic judoka, made her first 135lbs weight in her MMA career at UFC 316, overcoming a challenging cut to challenge Julianna Peña for the bantamweight title, demonstrating her discipline and resilience.