Combat sports news covering UFC, boxing matches, fight results, fighter rankings, and mixed martial arts analysis.
Tom Aspinall has vacated the UFC heavyweight title, citing an inability to obtain medical clearance for competition. The decision follows multiple surgeries, infections, and accidents affecting his eyes, including bilateral traumatic Brown's syndrome that required double surgery after a no-contest fight in October 2025. Aspinall was originally named undisputed champion in June 2025 following Jon Jones' retirement.
Ryan Garcia retained his WBC welterweight title with a second-round TKO over Conor Benn, climbing to No. 2 in the division. He challenged Terence Crawford, accusing the retired champion of jealousy and claiming he is not truly out of boxing.
Veteran promoter Scott Coker announced plans for Ki MMA, launching in early 2027. The new organization will feature a featherweight Grand Prix tournament spanning four continents, utilizing a ring format alongside matchmaker Rich Chou.
Conor McGregor intends to leave the UFC for the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship after one more bout, expected in 2027. BKFC owner David Feldman confirmed discussions about McGregor's last UFC fight taking place at Fenway Park before his career switch.
ONE Championship previews the upcoming ONE Friday Fights 171 event at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The piece details the main event featuring Klarob NuiCafeboran against Sornsueknoi FA Group, highlighting their recent records and stakes for a US$100,000 contract, while also noting the co-main Muay Thai clash between Petsuphan Lookmuangpet and Mahar Thway.
The article critiques the Conor Benn versus Ryan Garcia boxing match, arguing that mismatched bouts like this provide poor entertainment and harm the fighters' careers. It questions the WBC's ranking decisions and highlights how drastic weight cuts negatively impact performance, suggesting such events fail to serve the sport or its participants effectively.
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev declared he would fight Conor McGregor in a boxing match regardless of the financial offer. The Dagestani fighter, who recently defended his title against Ian Garry, expressed confidence in his striking ability and dismissed concerns about McGregor's current physical condition following recent surgeries.
The Independent argues that Conor Benn's defeat to Ryan Garcia highlights the persistent challenges British boxers face when challenging for world titles in the US. The commentary contends that Benn's passive performance underscores a pattern of determined but ultimately unsuccessful attempts by UK fighters against established American champions.
Ryan Garcia successfully defended his WBC welterweight championship by defeating Conor Benn via second-round TKO at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This match marked the final bout on Garcia's previous Golden Boy Promotions contract, making him a free agent.
Helena Crevar and Pawel Jaworski won gold medals at the 2026 ADCC World Championships in Krakow, Poland. Crevar became the youngest female champion in history with a flawless run, while Jaworski became the first Polish grappler to win ADCC gold. Both athletes represent ONE Championship.