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The long-reigning former UFC featherweight champion has suffered devastating knockout defeats in consecutive bouts, barely four months apart, and is adamant about rematching Ilia Topuria in Spain before 2024 ends to regain his crown as the 145lb king. Eugene Bareman’s health update speaks volumes, but will he listen at a stage of his career where he’s fighting time too?
Continue reading “Alexander Volkanovski needs rest, but right now? Good luck getting him to agree”
Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk was supposed to have unfolded a week ago today, with two other championship bouts on the undercard – featuring the return of IBF super-featherweight world titlist Joe Cordina. While the three-month delay complicates matters out of his control, the Welshman has been clear on his stance should he be unable to secure unification bouts at 130lbs. Continue reading “Cordina’s unification desire lingers as IBF world champion enduring unclear future”
Three-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson retired, then quickly circled back faster than Teofimo Lopez, left agitated by the politics of a sport he’s known his entire life. Now 26 and settled as one of the four titlists at 135lbs, the Olympic silver medallist must look inwardly if he’s to live up to the sky-high greatness many have long tipped him for. Will his last display prompt that? Continue reading “Addressing the Shakur Stevenson-shaped problem at lightweight, and well, beyond”
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I spoke to world champion boxing coach Manny Robles last week after he was announced as the new coach of LA Elite in the Team Combat League about a variety of topics: ranging from why he decided to explore a new venture in an ever-changing sport, his corner work for Rafael Espinoza’s stunning world title win over Robeisy Ramirez to an overview of 2024 and much more besides. Continue reading “Exclusive: Manny Robles interview – 2024 plans, predictions after coaching Rafael Espinoza’s world featherweight title win”
This week has revolved around what’s next for Devin Haney – Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia and more outlandish names besides – after logging a dominant decision win over defending champion Regis Prograis. Whether it’s been about his 165lb in-ring weight or the fight purse he should expect going forward, it’s easy to forget the individual showing itself. A week on, here is exactly that. Continue reading “A week on: Haney humbles Prograis to earn WBC light-welterweight world title”
In his second championship reign, Regis Prograis makes the second defence of the WBC light-welterweight title overnight vs. Devin Haney – who relinquished undisputed status at lightweight to face a fellow titlist and one who declares he sees weakness standing across from him. While both are at different stages of their respective careers, neither have yet earned the respect such esteemed accomplishments deserve. Will that change with victory here? That depends. Continue reading “Prograis-Haney a battle of two champions searching for the respect they deserve”
It was an unconventional showing and his weaknesses were again on display, but Ryan Garcia scored a R8 knockout victory over Oscar Duarte to end 2023 in the win column after Gervonta Davis inflicted a humbling first career loss during their heavily-anticipated PPV matchup back in April. So, what’s next? Continue reading “A returning Ryan Garcia gets it done, but not without fuss against Oscar Duarte”
Bobby Green relished his role as underdog to score a fast-and-furious main event finish one week, then the man who derailed his sense of invincibility within the promotion some nine years ago recovered from danger to prevail in his own headliner the very next week. At a time where UFC fans and critics seem all too quick to crown the next future champion, it’s a fitting sign of symbolism. Continue reading “Bobby Green, Edson Barboza show power of experience in consecutive Apex cards”
An intriguing matchup between two top-10 lightweights ended in disaster for Rafael Fiziev, who lost his #6 ranking and any momentum he could’ve earned with victory at the weekend after sustaining a nasty ACL injury during round two of his competitive clash with Mateusz Gamrot [7]. It means a lengthy spell on the sidelines, while the Pole will look to build off an unfortunate ending. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 79: Gamrot gets anticlimactic victory, as Fiziev sidelined with torn ACL”
#6 ranked lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev believes he’s grown stronger for the experience after being outpointed by former interim champion Justin Gaethje six months ago, and enters tomorrow’s Fight Night headliner against Mateusz Gamrot [7] aware of the heavy grappling game his opponent presents. Can the 30-year-old successfully nullify those dangers over 25 minutes though? Continue reading “UFC Vegas 79: Fiziev feels he can handle Gamrot’s wrestling on Saturday night”
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos has this week confirmed he’ll stay at welterweight for the remainder of his career – unless a superfight tempts a 155lb return – stressing future possibilities are endless and another title shot could figure, especially with an impressive win over perennial contender Vicente Luque in tonight’s UFC Vegas 78 main event overnight. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 78: dos Anjos still bullish, as he continues welterweight return vs. Luque”
Five years and three months after a Fight of the Year battle against Dustin Poirier, one he ultimately lost via fourth-round TKO, one-time interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has an opportunity to right the wrong this weekend. Considering the pot of gold which hangs in the balance for Saturday night’s main event winner, the stakes couldn’t be any higher for The Highlight.
Continue reading “UFC 291: Revenge and another title push motivating Gaethje before Poirier rematch”
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