Jake Paul has made his call-outs of Oleksandr Usyk, and even at one point had a face-off with him. But it appears Usyk has tried to one up Paul with a challenge that involves the two of them venturing into a different combat world.
Paul made a post on social media detailing a five-year plan that he had for himself which included, among other things, defeating Usyk.
The undisputed heavyweight champion would respond by welcoming a challenge from Paul; however, he proposed a different kind of fight. Usyk brought up the idea of potentially facing Paul in an MMA bout following the end of his boxing career.
Good plan, @jakepaul. But I’m not here for 5th place — only first. Soon, I'll close the book on boxing, and after that, I’ll be waiting for you in the cage. Let’s see if you’ve got the balls or just a hunger for hype. https://t.co/d0IuwLesKX
“Good plan, Jake Paul. But I’m not here for fifth place — only first,” Usyk posted. “Soon, I’ll close the book on boxing, and after that, I’ll be waiting for you in the cage. Let’s see if you’ve got the balls or just a hunger for hype.”
Could Oleksandr Usyk Face Jake Paul In An MMA Fight Instead Of Boxing?
Paul signed a deal with the PFL in January 2023 but has yet to make a debut in the sport of MMA.
The undefeated Usyk most recently fought in July, stopping Daniel Dubois to regain the IBF heavyweight championship and become undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time in his career, becoming the first multiple-time undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
PFL CEO John Martin is hoping to gain clarity into what the future is for the promotion and Francis Ngannou, who has not fought since the PFL Battle of the Giants event in October 2024.
Part of that press release stated that the PFL Super Fights heavyweight title Ngannou won last year was a “special, one-time designation” and that “going forward, those belts may be used only for occasional special events.”
Martin, who took over as the new CEO of PFL this past July, added that “importantly, I will be engaging directly with Francis to determine what’s next for him in the PFL.”
John Martin To “Engage Directly” With Francis Ngannou Over Future
After his UFC departure at the start of 2023, Ngannou and the PFL agreed to a contract in May, with Ngannou competing in the pay-per-view Super Fights division and receiving perks such as becoming the owner and chairman of the PFL Africa promotion and being a member of the PFL’s global advisory board.
Ngannou’s fight with Ferreira, however, has been the only fight he’s had in the PFL thus far. Ngannou, meanwhile, competed twice in boxing, nearly upsetting then-WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in October 2023 before getting knocked out by Anthony Joshua in March 2024.
The relationship with the PFL and Ngannou, however, has seemed to hit a bit of a rocky road. PFL Chairman Donn Davis expressed disappointment in Ngannou for not attending either of the first two PFL Africa events this summer. Ngannou would respond on The Ariel Helwani Show in August, expressing disappointment in how the PFL Africa brand has been built in comparison to the vision he had for it. Ngannou specifically noted not as much of a focus on African fighters as he preferred.
Since John Martin took the reigns of the PFL during the summer, many in the MMA community have wondered what changes could potentially come under the new CEO. And it appears that Martin’s first mission is to address the PFL’s championship situation.
After a 2025 season that was filled with uncertainty over what would happen with Bellator champions, the re-branding of the regular season to the World Tournament and making championships for them and PFL world titles, Martin is looking to make things simple.
“My goal is clear: one champion, one division, one world title, a system that is simple for athletes to chase and for PFL fans to follow,” Martin said in a press release.
The PFL’s champions originally were determined annually through the regular season-and-playoffs format that was in effect from the inaugural 2018 season through 2024. The championship pictures, however, became more complicated over the past couple of years since the PFL’s purchase of Bellator in November 2023. Bellator champions defended their titles in Bellator Champions Series branded events, which became PFL Champions Series events following the full dissolution of the Bellator brand.
PFL CEO John Martin Clarifies PFL Championship Picture
Martin stated that the annual champions did create “some confusion about who truly sat atop of each division” and admitted the handling of Bellator’s brand and champions left “fans unclear on who was the definitive champion in each weight class.”
“We are now simplifying our championship system,” Martin said. Going forward, each division will have one PFL World Champion, the single, undisputed titleholder in that weight class.”
A PFL middleweight champion was crowned at PFL Cape Town in July, which saw Costello Van Steenis score a last-minute, come-from-behind submission of Johnny Eblen to win the title. The rematches between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Huges and Corey Anderson and Dovlet Yagshimuradov to be held next week at PFL Champions Series 3 will determine the PFL lightweight and light heavyweight champions, respectively.
Martin additionally announced two world title fights to be held at the 2025 PFL Europe Championships in December — a PFL heavyweight title fight between former Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov and 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira, and a women’s featherweight title fight that will see the legendary Cris Cyborg face Sara Collins.
The PFL title picture may have more confusion thanks to the PFL Battle of the Giants event held in October 2024, which saw Francis Ngannou beat Ferreira for the PFL Super Fights heavyweight title and Cyborg defeat Larissa Pacheco for the PFL Super Fights women’s featherweight title.
Martin, however, claimed these title were special one-off titles that could be used occasionally for special events. Martin further claimed he will speak with Ngannou about what is next for him and the PFL.
This will be the first boxing match of Steveson’s career. He just made his professional MMA debut on September 12, scoring a finish of Braden Peterson in 98 seconds at LFA 217.
Steveson is one of the more accomplished wrestlers in recent history. Steveson won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and was a multiple-time national champion, All-American, and conference champion while competing at the University of Minnesota.
Steveson’s career was briefly halted by a 2019 sexual assault allegation, as well as stints with the WWE and the NFL’s Buffalo Bills between 2021 and 2024.
Swanson is 4-3 as a professional MMA fighter. He had most recently fought at BKFC 79 in August, getting stopped by Bear Hill.
Jake Paul vs Tank Davis is set for November and the card keeps filling out as we enrocach closer. Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix have announced that the WBA super lightweight world champ Gary Russellversus the WBA’s #1 contender, undefeated Andy Hiraokain out of Japan. This will be a 12-round men’s 140 pound championship fight.
Also in a massive preliminary card headliner for the Jake Paul vs Tank Davis card, unified super bantamweight world champion Ellie Scotney will be the youngest UK boxer ever to ficompete for undisputed world championship status whether male or female. That will be in a ten-round women’s championship clash against Mexican combatant, WBA world champion Mayelli Floresin a contracted contest set for 122 pounds.
Along with Scotney versus Flores, MVP’s Costa Rican starYokasta Valle will defend the WBC strawweight world title in a clash with Yadira Bustillos. That will be a ten-round women’s 105 pound championship clash. Also on the card, MVP’s top contender Avious Griffin will face Cesar Francis in an eight round bout at 147lbs.
Gary Antuanne Russell, the youngest of the fighting Russell brothers from Capitol Heights, Maryland, has carved his own path in boxing while drawing from the legacy of his family. Nicknamed “The Last,” the 29-year-old reigning WBA super lightweight world champion grew up under the tutelage of his father, Gary Sr. and alongside his brothers, including former WBC champion Gary Russell Jr. The generational legacy of the Russell family will be seen globally via Netflix as part of Jake Paul vs Tank Davis.
As an amateur, he won National Golden Gloves titles before representing the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Russell then transitioned to the pro ranks, building his reputation with an aggressive southpaw style and a string of first-round stoppages. Russell has earned notable wins over Viktor Postol, Rances Barthelemy, and Kent Cruz, while rebounding from a narrow split-decision loss to Alberto Puello in 2024.
In March 2025, he dominated Jose Valenzuela to capture the WBA 140lb world title with a performance that underlined his potential to become the most accomplished of the Russell dynasty. Offering up his thoughts on participating in an event like Jake Paul vs Tank Davis, Gary Russell said,
“I’m excited to be on an event of this magnitude and put the Russell family legacy on display live on Netflix. Hiraoka is my mandatory challenger and a strong fighter. We will prepare as we always do and handle business. I will be king of division for a long time and defending my title will be the first step towards it!”
Andy Hiraoka is an undefeated super lightweight contender from Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan heading into the Jake Paul vs Tank Davis card. The 29-year-old Hiraoka began boxing as a teenager under the guidance of his father, an American military veteran, and turned professional in December 2013 at just 17 years old. He quickly climbed Japan’s ranks, winning the Japanese national and WBO Asia Pacific super lightweight titles.
Hiraoka gained international recognition with his U.S. debut in 2019, where he secured a TKO win over Rogelio Casarez. Since then, he has retained his unblemished record with a nearly 80% stoppage rate, establishing himself as one of Japan’s brightest hopes for world championship glory and a serious force in the global super lightweight division. He is currently the #1 WBA contender at 140lbs.
“Becoming world champion has been my mission since day one, and on Friday, November 14, live on Netflix, I will make that dream a reality,” said Andy Hiraoka. “Gary Russell is a great champion, but I am coming to Miami to win his belt and become Japan’s next world champion.”
MVP’s unified super bantamweight world champion Ellie Scotney will become the youngest UK boxer in history, male or female, to fight for the undisputed crown on Friday, November 14. The Catford, England native made her pro boxing debut in 2020. In her seventh pro fight, Scotney dethroned former 122lb champion Cherneka Johnson by UD to become the new IBF world champion.
Scotney successfully defended her IBF belt against Laura Griffa in September 2023 before unifying the division and adding the WBO and Ring Magazine titles to her collection in a UD win over then-undefeated 18-0 champion Segolene Lefebvre. The 27-year-old most recently faced the longest-standing division champion, former WBC titlist Yamileth Mercado on the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3 all-women’s card live on Netflix, winning by UD and adding the WBC belt to her unified collection.
Scotney is ranked Boxrec’s #9, ESPN’s #10, and Ring Magazine’s #10 pound-for-pound boxer, as well as ESPN’s #1 super bantamweight in the world. Aiming to show out at the Jake Paul vs Tank Davis event, Ellie Scotney said,
“Belt by belt, I’ve earned this the hard way. Undisputed has always been the goal, and now thanks to MVP we’re on the final and most important step. On Friday November 14th I’ll make history as Britain’s next Undisputed World Champion.”
Mayelli Flores is the reigning WBA super bantamweight world champion from Mexico City, Mexico. Standing at 4’11”, Flores turned professional in 2014 and has built a reputation for high pressure and punch volume inside the ring.
After an early career highlighted a narrow world title challenge against Yulihan Luna, Flores defeated Nazarena Romero by split decision in Kissimmee, Florida, to capture the WBA 122lb crown in May 2025.
Known for her toughness, stamina, and willingness to trade in the pocket, the 33-year-old Flores represents Mexico with pride on the Jake Paul vs Tank Davis card as she continues her rise among the sport’s elite.
Jake Paul vs Tank Davis card gets beefed up with recent bout announcements
“I would like to thank God, MVP and my team for this incredible opportunity. When I was offered the fight against Ellie Scotney, without hesitation I said yes,”said Mayelli Flores. “I will be ready for a war. Ellie Scotney is a great and tough fighter, but I am up for the challenge. I know the importance of this fight—a win over Scotney will put me in the history books as Mexico’s first undisputed female fighter, and I am ready to make history. I dedicate this fight to my family and all the boxing fans that will be watching on Netflix.”
Yokasta Valle is a three-division world champion boxer born in Nicaragua and raised in Costa Rica. Growing up with limited resources and countless challenges in San Jose, Yokasta learned early on that nothing is given, and everything is earned. In a sport historically dominated by men, she carved her own path and fought to open doors for women in boxing. The bright lights of Netflix offers up a big spotlight on her arduous journey leading into Jake Paul vs Tank Davis.
She won her first world title in 2016 and has gone on to conquer six world titles across three weight divisions, establishing herself as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. She currently has held the WBC minimumweight title at 105lbs since November 2024. Valle has also championed equal pay in women’s boxing, fighting for and achieving the same purse conditions as male boxers.
Outside the ring, the 32-year-old is an entrepreneur, boxing promoter, and social role model. In 2023, she was recognized by the United Nations as their Costa Rica Champion for the example she set in the fight for women’s and migrants’ rights. Valle is currently BoxRec’s #5, Ring Magazine’s #8, and ESPN’s #9-ranked pound-for-pound boxer in the world heading into Jake Paul vs Tank Davis.
“This will be my first WBC world title defense, and doing it on MVP’s debut card with Jake Paul makes it even more special,” said Yokasta Valle. “I’ve worked my whole life for these moments, and I know what it takes to stay at the top. My opponent Yadira Bustillos is tough and hungry, but I’ve never backed down from a challenge.”
“I fight with discipline, with heart, and with the pride of Costa Rica on my shoulders. The landscape of women’s boxing is opening up, and there are many great possible opponents ahead, but before any of that, I need to win this fight convincingly. On fight night, the world will see why I’m not just a champion—I’m here to inspire and to keep breaking barriers for women in boxing.”
Yadira Bustillos, from Las Vegas, Nevada, is of Mexican descent with roots in Durango. The Jake Paul vs Tank Davis undercard combatant was introduced to boxing through her uncle and brother before beginning training under coach Gil Martinez. What started as curiosity quickly became passion, as Bustillos pushed herself to keep up with male sparring partners and prove her toughness in the gym.
Her amateur career was highlighted by accolades including back-to-back Roy Jones Jr. National Invitational titles, Nevada Golden Gloves gold, and a third-place finish at the 2019 Olympic qualifiers, where she was ranked #6 nationally. She made her pro debut in 2021 and contended for the WBC 105lb interim world title in just her eighth pro fight. Competing across the 105, 108, and 112lb divisions, Bustillos aims to become undisputed champion across multiple weight classes.
Touching on this hgih stakes fight on the Jake Paul vs Tank Davis undercard, Yadira Bustillos stated,
“It’s an honor and a dream come true to fight for this title. The WBC belt represents the peak of the sport, and I respect my opponent, but I’m ready for this. I’m not here to compete. I’m here to conquer!”
MVP’s Avious Griffin has quickly emerged as a force in the 147lb division. With a staggering 94% stoppage rate, the Las Vegas-based fighter from Chattanooga, Tennessee was introduced to boxing at age eight by his father, Alvin and the sport became both powerful passion and bond between them. Just weeks before Griffin’s pro debut in 2016, Alvin passed away unexpectedly from a brain hemorrhage as Griffin frantically rushed his dad to the hospital—a devastating loss that he continues to honor through his career.
The following year brought another life-altering setback: a wrongful murder conviction that led to 11 months of incarceration before his exoneration. These hardships forged Griffin’s “TTD” (To The Death) mentality—an ethos that powers his ring performances and his commitment to breaking generational cycles of poverty, while advocating for mental health and addiction recovery.
He trains under Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, widely recognized for guiding Terence Crawford’s championship rise, Esau Diéguez, and renowned S&C coach Larry Wade. The elite team continues to refine him ahead of the Jake Paul vs Tank Davis event and have helped transform Griffin into one of the sport’s most dangerous and disciplined rising contenders. Leading into Jake Paul vs Tank Davis, Avious Griffin said,
“Thanks to MVP, the best promotional company in the business, we’re back on stage Friday, November 14.“See y’all soon.. it’s the kid that did.”
Rising contender Cesar Francisfights out of West New York, New Jersey. Born in Panama City, Panama, the 35-year-old rising contender made his pro debut in 2017 and has contested for multiple regional titles to date, including the vacant WBO NABO super lightweight title in 2022 and the vacant WBO Latino super lightweight title in 2023. Francis most recently continued his rise in the division with a second round TKO of Wayne Boudreaux in September 2025.
Tapping into his mindset ahead of this prizefight on the Jake Paul vs Tank Davis event, Cesar Francis quipped,
“This is a fight I’m excited to win.I know I’m levels above this guy, and I’m going to show it and show why I can fight for a welterweight title in the next 12 months.”
One of the most iconic UFC title fights of all time transpired today and a former UFC veteran has weighed in on that bout. ‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor touched upon the significance of the light heavyweight championship clash between then-defending champion Frank Shamrock and hungry title challenger Tito Ortiz.
It was a monumental matchup that further galvanized the rock solid legacy of Shamrock who emerged victorious. But it also informed Ortiz’s future trajectory in a positive fashion as the setback lit a fire under ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ that eventually led him to UFC gold. Shamrock would outpace Ortiz en route to a fourth round TKO finish at UFC 22.
Describing the historical significance of the bout while also touching on the quality of fighting especially for the era it took place in, Lawlor said,
“This was such a fantastic high level fight for the time (1999!). One that solidified Frank Shamrock as an all time great and gave Tito the motivation to come back stronger and become the UFC’s biggest star at the time. Watch this highlight. Watch the entire fight.”
This was such a fantastic high level fight for the time (1999!). One that solidified Frank Shamrock as an all time great and gave Tito the motivation to come back stronger and become the UFC’s biggest star at the time.
The UFC roads for Shamrock and Ortiz since that fight
This was quite the seismic contest in the history of the UFC with both participants taking noticeably different paths since their fight.
For Ortiz, as Lawlor mentioned, he would go on to become one of the biggest stars in the promotion’s history. Ortiz would capture the title that Shamrock vacated by leaving the company when Ortiz bested Wanderlei Silva at UFC 25 to claim the crown. Ortiz would go on to notch five successful title defenses before dropping the crown to Randy Couture at UFC 44.
Conversely for Shamrock, the legendary combatant would never re-enter the octagon again. Shamrock would briefly retire from the sport but would return in late-2000 to beat Elvis Sinosic under the K-1 banner. Shamrock would go on to compete for organizations like Strikeforce, WEC, and Elite XC thereafter. Shamrock’s most recent competitive effort came in a grappling contest against Kazushi Sakuraba under the Rizin banner in 2017.
Julianna Peña is now part of the commentary team with Real American Freestyle. This news comes ahead of Roman Bravo Young and Nathan Tomasello being set to clash at RAF 02 on October 25th. Even more special guests and further matchups will keep getting announced for RAF 02. This sophomore event emanates from Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center which is in Tampa, Florida.
Real American Freestyle now has multi-time UFC bantamweight champion Julianna Peña joining the RAF ranks for matside commentary as well as live analysis for the RAF 02 broadcast. The former multi-time 135 pound titleholder joins up with Bubba Jenkins, Kurt Angle, and Chael Sonnen, Peña is the latest standout titleholder to join the Real American team.
Peña has the notable distinction of being the inaugural woman to win a season of The Ultimate Fighter. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ is listed as the number one contender in the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings. She is also number five in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings. The promotion has also revealed that current RAF Bantamweight Champion Nathan Tomasello will clash with the two-time NCAA Division I champion Roman Bravo Young who is also an alum of Penn State.
Julianna Peña and the importance of her RAF signing
Following a notable inaugural effort in Cleveland, Real American Freestyle returns with a highly anticipated second card with co-founder and CEO of Real American Freestyle Chad Bronstein said,
“Julianna is one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport, and will bring her unique expertise to our already incredible commentary team. We made a promise to feature the highest caliber fights, and NATO vs. RBY is another example of the legends that will be vying for the title at RAF02.”
RAF 02 was initially set for Rec Hall but was since moved to Bryce Jordan Center to accommodate the sizable demand for this card. This all will be attached to a venue that has been home to 14 NCAA team titles as well as a litany of Olympic and world class competitors through the Nittany Lions.
Real American Beer has launched Hulkamania Forever, which is a 16 ounce limited-edition beer that was created in partnership with WWE. RAB aims to celebrate the legacy of prolific WWE star Hulk Hogan. The internatioanl reveal of said can took place on Saturday night as part of WWE Wrestlepalooza which transpired in Indianapolis.
Live on-air toasts as well as the Fan Zone takeover inside the arena marked the official start of a comprehensive campaign in the worlds of retail, digital, and broadcast networks.
The Hulkamania Forever beer will fill out shelves as of early October and is available at select relate locations for a limited time before the pro wrestling-centric sipper sells out. In relation to this RAB release, co-founder of Real American Beer, Chad Bronstein said,
“We’re proud to partner with WWE to create a true tribute to the legendary Hulk Hogan. This campaign brings together two iconic American brands, a collector-tier release, and a national megaphone — it’s a powerful moment for our fans, our partners, and our future.”
As part of the WWE and RAB collaboraiton, there is now the launch of the Hulkamania Sweepstakes. The winner would receive two tickets to Saturday Night’s Main Event which emanates from Salt Lake City on November 1st. The sweepstakes will be open until October 10th at TheRealAmerican.com, which is where individuals can sign up for key updates and timely alerts.
“WWE has one of the most powerful brands in the world”, says RAB CEO
Also of note, CEO of Real American Beer, Terri Francis stated,
“WWE has one of the most powerful brands in the world right now, and we’re thrilled to be working together on Hulkamania Forever. This LTO release delivers exactly what retailers want: high demand, built-in fan energy, and a commercial engine to drive velocity at shelf.”
Real American Beer is having it’s second product launch with Hulkamania Forever. Further large reveals are being teased for the future in ceelebration of Hulk Hogan’s legendary career in professional wrestling.
Slips are often a misunderstood technique since combat sports fans think they are purely defensive and used for evading punches, however there is a lot more nuance and context when using this tool. There are inherent risks and dangers when using any tool in combat sports and slipping is no different. There are two types of slips: rear side slip and the lead side slip. Both types of slips have their dangers and benefits in the open stance match up.
Slipping to the Rear Side
It’s best to look at southpaw vs orthodox match ups to really understand the dangers of slipping in a ruleset that involves kicking. The rear kick from this stance matchup is very effective at punishing the rear side slip.
The importance of the standing leg as mentioned in a previous study:
“Slipping to the rear foot in an open stance matchup is the most risky and most dangerous thing to do. This is because of the position of the standing leg. It only needs a small adjustment in the pocket and has all the space for the rear kick to meet the path of the slip.“
Video 1: Video breakdown of how easy it is to adjust the standing leg at borders in an open stance matchup. Usman reacting to the feinted rear straight by slipping to the rear side cost him here since he’s in the grey area between borders and the pocket.
One of the dangers of open stance matchups is the grey area between the pocket and borders. Open stance matchup are usually a battle of “flint locks” as Jack Slack says. So feints from borders become really convincing because of the small distance needed to cross it. Even high level fighters like Kamaru Usman was slipping a punch he thought was in pocket distance.
Video 2: Belal Muhammad slipping and trying to cross check (dutch block) a kick on the open side. Bringing both hands to block a body kick and slipping at the same time puts Muhammad’s head in the path of Edwards high kick.
This doesn’t mean that slipping to the open side should be avoided all together. There are examples of fighters that successfully slip to the open side and do not get punished for it. But they still follow the rules below: either clinch up or exit the pocket.
Video 3: Valentina Shevchenko dipping to the rear side as Kaytlyn Chookagian tries to set up a high kick. Normally this is dangerous, but in this case Shevchenko punishes Chookagian by crowding then catching her kick.
Video 4: Here’s an example of Jose Aldo doing the “wrong thing” by leaning back into the rear side. He’s able to mitigate the risk by going shoulder to shoulder after Jonathan Martinez shows the rear hand. This closes down the space necessary for Martinez rear kick. Aldo is able to pivot out and exit the pocket safely.
The way to make slips work in a sport that involves kicks:
Understand the stance matchup and where the standing leg of the kick is.
Don’t overuse it.
A general rule to follow is one slip followed by either exiting the pocket or clinching up to prevent further offense from the opponent.
In boxing some fighters can use 2-3 slips, but that is still dangerous since each subsequent slip in the pocket can damage the structure of the stance as well as position of the fighter.
Slipping to the Lead Side
Slipping to the lead side in an open stance matchup is less risky against kicks since the opponent would need to take a full step back in order to make space for their lead leg kick.
One of the best ways to slip to the rear side is what Toki Tamaru does in all his fights; where he slips outside the opponent’s lead foot and drop his level and enter in on a clinch. This removes a lot of the space needed for his opponent to kick him or even punch him.
Video 5: Tamaru doesn’t lean into the open side like wrestle boxers in mma, but instead changes level with his head outside the opponent’s lead shoulder and completely removes the space where his opponent can strike back.
While slipping to the lead side is less risky than slipping the rear side in open stance match ups. Its still dangerous if done at borders. Slipping in any scenario should be used to close down space or create it, but slipping to the lead side can be punished if the weight transition isn’t protected.
Video 6: Buckely uses an outside slip as he goes into the grey area of borders and the pocket. Holland’s jab keeps him in place so all his weight is on the lead foot and cannot move to smoother punches or leave range and gets punished for it.
There is a lot of nuance with slips in rulesets that require kicking. Slips can work in these rulesets, but they must be executed with the understanding of the distance that is being created or being removed.
For more information about slipping in closed stance matchups, please check out the video below:
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Ian Machado Garry did not mince words when talking about a particular ex-UFC champion and thinks that not only will he lose his upcoming bout against Carlos Prates but that we won’t see that UK combatant again following that November bout. Leon Edwards is the combatant in question and he is the one who will be taking on Prates at Madison Square Garden in the coming months.
These thoughts toward ‘Rocky’ Edwards were expressed in an interview with Games Hub and in previewing that massive welterweight matchup set for UFC 322, Machado Garry said,
“I feel like Leon Edwards is on his way out and has been on his way out. But I don’t think he has a team strong enough or vocal enough to say what needs to be said. I feel like he has a bunch of yes men behind him. Mentally, he’s weak. I feel like his love is gone from the game and there wasn’t much of a fighter in there in the first place. I think he’s gonna get knocked out, put unconscious, and we’re never gonna see Leon Edwards again.”
Ian Machado Garry eyes middleweight move someday, focuses on 12 month plan for welterweight gold and dominating 170 pounds
While Leon Edwards and Carlos Prates are relevant divisional peers to Ian Machado Garry right now, that won’t be the case forever apparently. In discussing his future goals at 185 pounds, Ian Machado Garry stated,
“I absolutely want to move up to Middleweight at some point. I don’t believe it’ll be anytime soon. I feel like it’s been a long time since you’ve seen anybody dominate a division. Like proper, complete domination. I want to be that guy. I want to dominate 170 first. So I will absolutely, at some point in time, move up to middleweight. And I’ve been shouting and saying this for so long, I would love to fight Khamzat Chimaev.”
When touching on his timeline over the next year as far as his blueprint for domineering over welterweight before pursuing those referenced middleweight aims, Machado Garry quipped,
“Within the next 12 months, I want to guarantee myself as the next in line for the world title. I want to win that world title and I want to prove to myself and to the world that I’m the best welterweight on the planet. And there is going to be no doubt that my name is in that conversation for the greatest fighter of all time.”
Ronda Rousey evidently has a reknewed spark for mixed martial arts as evidenced by recent training footage and Cris Cyborg is throwing her name in the proverbial hat for return opponents if ‘Rowdy’ does in fact return to the sport. The former UFC and Strikeforce champion put the kibosh on a return at next year’s UFC White House card but Rousey did mention in conversation with The Lapsed Fan Podcast to ‘never say never’ regarding a competitive return to shoot fighting.
Over the weekend, the Olympic judo medalist shared training footage with Rousey looking sharp especially in the context of giving birth to her second child only a couple of months ago. Cris Cyborg retweeted a link from MMA Fighting regarding Rousey’s latest training footage and in her retweet indicated a desire for the long awaited dream fight between the two. This was evidenced by a post on X that has been embedded below.
There has been bad blood for years between Cris Cyborg and Ronda Rousey but their paths were never directly aligned for a contracted fight against one another.
Ronda Rousey’s message that corresponded with her recent training post
Ronda Rousey also captioned the Instagram post with her recent MMA training footage and outlining her broader journey over the last few years with the IG post reading as followed,
“From eight weeks after having a baby and eight years of stepping away from MMA to eight months postpartum and finding my love for it again. The first clip is my first session working with [coach AJ Matthews]. I was super self-conscious, embarrassed of how much I regressed, and honestly trying my very best not to pee my pants throwing punches so soon after having baby Pā’ū.”
“Second clip was yesterday, I’ve never laughed or smiled so much on the mat as I do these days. The last six months have been an absolute blast, feels like I have so much left to grow, and without the weight of the world on my shoulders nothing is holding me back.”
Rousey is closing in on almost a decade of dormancy as her last pair of fights saw her get finished inside the distance by Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes.
The latest season of Dana White’s Contender Series continued with a highlight, finished-filled night in Las Vegas.
DWCS began in 2017 and has produced a notable number of fighters currently on the UFC’s roster. Since the show’s inception in 2017, a couple have even gone on to claim UFC championships. Known as “The ultimate job interview,” DWCS features five fights weekly, over the course of 10 weeks, as combatants compete to impress UFC CEO and President Dana White and earn a UFC contract.
Last year’s edition saw 42 fighters earn a contract with the world’s leading MMA organization across 10 events, slightly down from the 46 handed out in 2023. Episode seven of season nine this week saw six prospects earn the opportunity to taste the Octagon’s bright lights.
The night had a strong start, courtesy of Rafael Tobias scoring a win over Jair de Oliveira. Tobias landed a counter shot in the opening minute of the fight, appearing to hurt de Oliveira and forcing him to use the clinch to recover. Tobias did not let up on the pressure and power, however, cutting off the cage on a constant basis. Tobias was able to score a takedown after a body kick, and he locked in a rear-naked choke on de Oliveira, scoring a first-round submission and earning a UFC deal.
Things only got better with Javier Torres pulling off a comeback finish of Justice Torres. Torres looked to bring pressure to Reyes early and get him toward the fence with his striking. But Reyes was able to find an opening and land a right hook to the body, starting up a sequence of power that overwhelmed Torres. The shots would bring Torres down to the mat covering up, giving Reyes the first-round finish and a UFC contract.
In what will go down as one of the best fights DWCS has ever seen, Jeisla Chaves came out on top in a war with Sofia Montenegro. Chaves and Montenegro came out with striking exchanges right away, with both ladies sporting blood on the sides of their faces within the first minute. Montenegro’s straight shots were finding their mark, but Chaves’ combinations and hooks were also leaving an impact. After a violent first round that earned praises for both women, Montenegro’s striking dropped Chaves in the first minute of round two. Chaves was able to get to her feet and landed some strong shots in the round’s final minute, but most of the round saw her pinned to the ground and fence by Montenegro.
The bloody war continued into a solid third round, with Chaves earning the split decision victory in a fight that could have fallen either way. It truly was one of the best fights of the DWCS season, and White displayed that by giving both women contracts. This makes both women’s fights this season the two fights so far to have both the winner and loser earn contracts.
Finishes returned in the co-main event, as Murtazali Magomedov pulled off a victory over Brahyan Zurcher. As the two seemed to get their striking going in the opening frame, Magomedov landed a jab that appeared to stumble Zurcher, getting through his guard and wobbling him. Magomedov then pressed and scored the finish seconds later, earning a victory and a UFC contract in quick fashion.
And one more strong performance came courtesy of the main event, as Mantas Kondratavicius put away Dani Barbir. Kondratavicius pressured right away, intending to get the fight to the ground quickly. He was able to do so, but Barbir scambled up and pressed himself. After a minute, Kondratavicius landed a one-two with a right hand that put Barbir’s lights out, giving him a UFC contract and capping off one of the best DWCS nights of the season.
UFC fans in the U.S. will have to shell out more to catch the action on ESPN networks.
Back in 2019, the UFC inked a five-year exclusive broadcasting deal with ESPN. Throughout the partnership, ESPN aired the promotion’s full lineup of events on its television network and ESPN+ streaming platform, while also holding the rights to distribute pay-per-view cards.
As the ESPN deal nears its conclusion at the end of 2025, the UFC has striked a staggering seven-year, $7.7 billion agreement with Paramount Skydance. Under the new arrangement, the promotion will move away from the traditional PPV model for its biggest events, instead broadcasting these cards live to Paramount+ subscribers at no additional cost.
PARAMOUNT AND TKO ANNOUNCE HISTORIC UFC MEDIA RIGHTS AGREEMENT💥All UFC numbered events and Fight Nights will stream live on Paramount+, with select marquee fights simulcast on CBS, beginning in 2026. pic.twitter.com/54z8DWlCk1
ESPN still has four UFC PPV events remaining before their departure, but viewers will have to pay extra to catch three of those cards.
Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC
ESPN To Hike Streaming Costs From October With UFC Exit On The Horizon
On Tuesday, Disney, ESPN’s parent company, revealed that ESPN+ has been officially rebranded as ESPN Select. The announcement also included price hikes across several of Disney’s streaming services, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select, as well as increases to bundled packages. These changes will also impact UFC fans.
Beginning October 21, the monthly subscription for ESPN Select will rise from $11.99 to $12.99, while the annual plan will increase from $119.99 to $129.99. Fans can also access ESPN Select content through the new ESPN Unlimited streaming service, priced at $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year.
Meanwhile, bundle pricing is also set to rise. The ad-supported Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select package will increase from $16.99 to $19.99 per month, while the ad-free version will climb from $26.99 to $29.99 per month.
Since launching its streaming service, ESPN has consistently raised subscription prices year after year. The recent hikes also extend to the UFC’s PPV events, which previously cost $59.99 and now run $79.99.
By comparison, Paramount+ is priced at $7.99 per month with ads or $12.99 per month for the ad-free tier. While the company has not announced any upcoming price changes, an increase seems possible once the UFC’s new broadcast deal begins next year.
Charles Oliveira finally has an opponent set for his next Octagon appearance.
Oliveira was originally slated to face Rafael Fiziev in a lightweight bout headlining UFC Rio on October 11 at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. However, last week it was revealed that “Ataman” had to withdraw due to injury, prompting a search for a new opponent for the former UFC 155-pound champion.
The UFC has lost its lightweight main event between Charles Oliveira and Rafael Fiziev on Oct. 11 after Fiziev has been forced to withdraw due to injury, sources confirmed to @bokamotoESPN.
Octagon Update was first to report the news of Fiziev's injury. The UFC has not commented…
Several fighters, including Benoit Saint Denis, Mateusz Gamrot, and even former UFC featherweight title contender Diego Lopes, emerged as potential short-notice replacements for “Do Bronx”.
Charles Oliveira Matched With Mateusz Gamrot In UFC Rio Main Event
On Tuesday, Charles Oliveira revealed that he has agreed to face Mateusz Gamrot in the UFC Rio main event following Rafael Fiziev’s withdrawal.
“Opponent: Mateusz Gamrot,” Charles Oliveira said on social media. “This is the guy we’re going to battle in a great war. The rest just wanted the hype, just wanted to stall and talk but that’s part of it, that’s how it is… Mateusz Gamrot, thank you for accepting the fight. It’s going to be a big war! The lion is hungry. I’m full of willpower. We’ll meet on Oct. 11.”
“Do Bronx” is coming off a devastating first-round knockout loss to reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 this past June. Once riding an impressive 11-fight win streak, Oliveira is now navigating a challenging period in his career, going 3-3 in his last six bouts.
He holds a 23-11 record with one no contest in the UFC, with 16 of those victories coming via submission.
Meanwhile, Gamrot had been eager for a showdown with the Brazilian veteran for quite some time, and when the headliner spot at UFC Rio became vacant, he threw his hat in the ring and kept campaigning on social media until the UFC finally made the call.
“Gamer” last stepped into the Octagon at UFC Vegas 107 this past May, securing a unanimous decision victory over Ludovit Klein. The 34-year-old Polish fighter holds an 8-3 UFC record, with four of those wins coming by stoppage.
Former UFC fighter Darren Till has spoken about the sponsorship deal regarding fighter kits that he believes was “cruel”.
Nowadays, Darren Till is one of the most exciting influencer boxers out there in the space. There’s even been talk of him getting a big fight against someone like Jake Paul or Andrew Tate, but of course, that has yet to be confirmed – and it’d take a lot of work to make it happen.
Alas, Darren Till is enjoying a pretty successful run post-UFC, most recently knocking out Luke Rockhold in pretty devastating fashion. During his UFC days, however, he had a strong career, even earning himself a shot at the UFC welterweight championship.
In a recent interview, though, Darren Till spoke about the Reebok/Venum sponsorship deals that restricted what fighters could earn from their attire.
Darren Till’s view on UFC’s sponsorship complications
“I don’t like to slander Dana too much, he gets a lot of heat, but obviously I have to be a truthful guy as well. I always stand on business with what I believe in as well, but even when you’re in the UFC, it’s like, ‘We’re going to take away your sponsorship now. We’re going to put Venum in there or Reebok,’” Till said.
“I was like, ‘What the f*cks going on now?’ So now the fighters aren’t even making money outside of it. It was actually quite cruel, some of it. It was, it was cruel.
“That sort of stuff, 10 plus 10, and then your fight’s set in stone, f*ck all that, that does not—For me now, I couldn’t be loving life more, I’ll be honest. I’ve just made a s**t-ton of money.”
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on the latest rumors regarding a potential return to the cage for Conor McGregor.
At this point in his career, Conor McGregor is a pretty controversial figure. He’s been involved in many controversies and along the way, he seems to have lost a fair amount of his fans. With that being said, many would still be intrigued to see him step back inside the octagon, and it definitely feels like UFC’s White House event is when he wants to do that.
Daniel Cormier, who has followed Conor McGregor’s career closely for many years, has the following to say on the matter.
Daniel Cormier’s view on Conor McGregor
“He’s told us time and time again that he’ll be there and he hasn’t shown up. I believe that this time, there’s a stronger possibility because of all the time that’s passed and I believe the White House is going be that big of a deal to him.”
“But, I think the biggest factor in why Conor McGregor may fight is because no one believes him anymore and some of that shine is starting to wear off.
“It doesn’t matter how much money you’ve got Chael, when you’re a guy that develops the level of stardom that he reached, when you’re a guy that loves the attention and the adulation and it starts to fade, then you come back and you do what you did before.
“I think he’s coming back, but it’s not because he wants to compete,” Cormier said. “I think he understands now that people just aren’t in on the Conor McGregor business anymore.”
UFC legend Robbie Lawler has taken a look back at his incredible rematch against Rory MacDonald from back at UFC 189.
When it comes to absolute warriors, Robbie Lawler is up there with the best of them in the history of mixed martial arts. He has achieved some amazing things throughout the course of his career, and he’s been involved in some absolute wars. One of the most notable, of course, was his battle with Rory MacDonald at UFC 189.
Robbie Lawler was at the top of his game as UFC world champion and while MacDonald was able to keep up with him for most of the fight, ‘Ruthless’ was just operating at a different level.
In a recent interview, Robbie Lawler spoke openly about what went down in that encounter and in the immediate aftermath.
Robbie Lawler looks back at Rory MacDonald rematch
“It actually healed [his lip] pretty fast within, like, two weeks,” Lawler said. “I was like, ‘Man, this actually looks pretty freaking good.’ Obviously, the UFC [had] everything lined up so food wasn’t falling out, water wasn’t falling out of my mouth, so it was good. I didn’t realize how bad it was when I was in the fight and I’m talking to Dana and he’s, like, ‘Hey man, don’t talk.’ I just started laughing.
“Because really in my eyes, you ever seen the movie Predator? It’s one of my favorite lines: ‘Hey, you’re bleeding.’ ‘I don’t have time to bleed.’ So that’s kind of my mindset. Whatever, there’s blood, it’s not a big deal, but I didn’t realize it was this lip.”
“At that point in time, it’s funny, I was thinking, ‘Let’s go,’” Lawler said recalling the incident. “I felt like he was running, but really it wasn’t, he was being strategic and I was like, ‘Let’s go, it’s freaking time,’ is what I was thinking.”
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has explained why he believes Charles Oliveira will accept a fight against Mateusz Gamrot on short notice.
As we know, Charles Oliveira is an absolute warrior and a true fan favorite in the world of mixed martial arts. However, after his knockout loss to Ilia Topuria, the Brazilian sensation decided to jump back on the horse by booking a fight at UFC Rio – not long after the KO defeat.
Unfortunately, after his opponent Rafael Fiziev pulled out, Charles Oliveira has been left without an opponent. Mateusz Gamrot is someone who has been poking the bear and implying that he will take on ‘Do Bronx’ and in the eyes of Michael Bisping, that makes sense.
Michael Bisping’s thoughts on Charles Oliveira vs Mateusz Gamrot
“I can’t imagine Charles Oliveira will turn this down,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “Remember, these are tweets on Sunday from Mateusz Gamrot. I’m sure that when Charles Oliveira gets wind of this, I’m sure the UFC would like to make this matchup. … Mateusz Gamrot 100 percent wants the fight. I think that’s the fight to make.”
“I’m sure Charles Oliveira is not worried about the style of Mateusz Gamrot,” Bisping said. “Charles Oliveira has stepped in there against the very best. He’s not scared of anyone. Fighters at this level, they aren’t scared. The stylistic matchup that he has, the way that he goes forward, the way that he walks people down, the way that he strikes, he’s got knockout power. He’s got finishing ability in every bloody fiber of his body.
“And Mateusz Gamrot, given his style, isn’t going to knock him out because he’s just not that guy. He tends to go forward, he’ll use a single-leg takedown, head on the outside, which is dangerous against Oliveira for the guillotines, but that’s what he does. He takes people down and he’s got a really smothering style on the ground and, of course, a tremendous ground game, but it’s not the striking that he’s known for.
“Given the last fight [Oliveira] had against Ilia Topuria, the last thing you want to do is go up against someone with knockout power, which is what he was doing against Fiziev, and that’s why I respected him taking that matchup. This truly is kind of a crazy wrinkle here from Mateusz Gamrot.”
Boxing promoter Oscar De La Hoya has gone after UFC boss Dana White as their war of words, now spanning years, continues.
We all know that Oscar De La Hoya and Dana White aren’t exactly big fans of one another. They have spent a long time criticizing the other and now, Dana has actually ventured over into the world of professional boxing. In terms of what that means for both men moving forward, it’s not quite clear, especially given we’re in the early stages of this shift.
In a recent video, however, Oscar De La Hoya wasn’t about to hold back when describing how he feels about White.
“Speaking of poor promotion; Dana White didn’t have his best week. His t shirt shrank smaller every minute. Especially when he was questioned about his attempt to ammend the Muhammad Ali Act.
“So you’re saying this reporter is an ‘Asshole’ because he’s asking a legitimate question? That’s because te Muhammad Ali Act protects fighters. And TKO needs it to change so they can fuck fighters over. Sorry Uncle Fester. You can’t muzzle boxing media like you do in the UFC.
“And after this debacle, he decided to skip the undercard and shows up at the beginning of the main event where he’s just watching the UFC on his phone the entire time. I wonder if he regrets abondoning the UFC for a sport that doesn’t want him.”
Don’t be surprised if we hear a retort soon, folks.
Amanda Mazza was working hard to cinch in a rear-naked choke when disaster struck.
Competing against Emily Hansen at a Cage Fury FC BJJ event in Philadelphia on Saturday, Mazza found herself in a good spot just two minutes into the contest, taking Hansen’s back looking to lock in an RNC. Suddenly, something truly bizarre happened.
As Mazza fought to secure the choke, her arm made an unmistakable popping sound, leading to widespread confusion.
After referee Vitor Ribeiro stepped in, bringing a brief halt to the contest, the match was restarted with Mazza back in control. However, it didn’t take long for them to realize that something was terribly wrong. The bout was ultimately stopped moments later due to the shocking injury.
Amanda Mazza Remains in Good Spirits Following Freak Injury
While no details regarding the extent of the injury have been released, Mazza took to social media and made light of the situation.
“Thank you everyone for the love and sweet messages,” Mazza wrote on her Instagram Stories. “I’m still smiling and will be back and better. That mat return though, damn I felt good out there. So good I didn’t even feel my arm crack on her chin.”
Initially, both competitors thought it was Hansen who had suffered some type of jaw injury during the attempted choke. In the end, it was Mazza who required the immediate medical attention.
“Ummm, so I won by iron chin tonight,” Hansen wrote on Instagram Stories. “In all seriousness, this was not even in the realm of possibilities for tonight. Amanda is such a good person that she stopped because she thought it was my jaw that popped. I wish her a quick recovery and maybe we can run it back.”
Mere hours after being taken into custody, Raja Jackson is back home.
Around 9 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, Jackson was arrested on a felony charge of battery with serious bodily injury nearly a month after he viciously attacked Stuart Smith (also known as Syko Stu) at a professional wrestling event in the Sun Valley neighborhood of Los Angeles. TMZ released footage of the arrest, which took place in Huntington Beach, California. According to the report, Jackson was transported roughly 50 miles north and booked at a jail in Pacoima.
Jackson was held for several hours on $50,000 bail, but ultimately bonded out at some point overnight.
🚨NEW: Footage of Raja Jackson’s arrest outside an apartment building in Huntington Beach, CA, Thursday has been released. 👀
Police officers executed an arrest warrant for Jackson 24 days after a violent incident at a Knokx Pro wrestling event in Los Angeles on Aug. 23.… pic.twitter.com/rbVrnsxAcE
While Raja Jackson has not publicly commented on the situation, his father and former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson has been very forthcoming about the fact that his son “f*cked up” and should pay the price for his actions.
“I’m doing OK, I’m holding up well,” ‘Rampage’ said in a statement … adding he understands the situation is no longer under his control. “He f***ed up, he f***ed up. He gotta learn his lesson. It is what it is, all I can do is be a dad. He don’t listen to me, at the end of the day, he can’t say I didn’t do what I was supposed to do as a dad.”
Following a backstage altercation between the two at the KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy, Jackson slid into the ring during Smith’s match roughly an hour later, picked him up, and violently slammed him to the mat before unleashing more than 20 full-forcing punches to the unconscious wrestler. Eventually, Jackson was pulled off of Smith by other wrestlers before fleeing the scene.
Smith spent several days in intensive care before being released on August 31. He later detailed his injuries on social media, revealing he sustained a “serious head injury, … trauma to both the upper and lower jaws, a laceration to his upper lip and a fracture to the maxilla bone, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of several teeth,” according to a post on his Instagram.
After making his mark in the world’s biggest mixed martial arts promotions—Strikeforce, the UFC, Bellator, and PFL—Romero has made the move to boxing where, despite being 48-years-old, he continues to dominate the competition. After scoring a pair of highlight-reel finishes under the Dirty Boxing Championship banner, ‘Soldier of God’ made his bare-knuckle debut earlier this month and did it yet again, finishing Theo Doukas via a vicious second-round KO.
Looking back on the Cuban’s impressive performance at BKFC 80, former UFC and ONE world champion Demetrious Johnson commended Romero’s ability to take control of every environment he steps into, whether it be a ring, a cage, or an Octagon.
“The movement, the constant rhythm change, the constant in and out rhythm, high guard, dropping in the right hand or straight shots down the middle of that guy’s guard was pretty much the story of the fight,” Johnson said via his YouTube channel. “All right, here we go. By that rhythm in the B. Boom. Right here. Boom. Right down the middle. Right down the middle. Look at his—look at his face. Look, man. Look at the blood just drop right here. Look at this. Then whack. Like, he’s just able to dictate what the guy’s going to do and move a certain way and be able to land those shots. My goodness.”
“I think the biggest thing is Yoel’s movement, him putting things down the middle of the pipe on his opponent and then constantly just being active. Being absolutely active.”
Reinier de Ridder has an ace up his sleeve in the form of a UFC Hall of Famer.
Since making his Octagon debut in November 2024, ‘RDR’ has taken the UFC by storm, securing four straight wins, including a highlight-reel finish of Bo Nickal and a gritty split decision victory over ex-titleholder Robert Whittaker. Now, the Dutchman is gearing up for another tough test when he takes on Brendan Allen in the UFC Vancouver main event on Saturday, October 18.
Determined to leave no stone unturned, de Ridder revealed during a recent interview that his team has brought in former welterweight king Robbie Lawler to help hone his skills.
“Robbie [Lawler] is a big part of it as well at the moment,” de Ridder told MMA Junkie. “It’s nice to have that inside–all the knowledge that Robbie has in training is very useful, it’s very helpful… Technique-wise, he’s really helped me a lot. I think maybe personality-wise we’re pretty similar.”
Will Allen Capitalize on His Golden Opportunity Against Reinier de Ridder?
Originally, ‘RDR’ was scheduled to fight Anthony Hernandez in the evening’s headliner, before ‘Fluffy’ bowed out due to an injury. Instead it’ll be Allen stepping into the spotlight to take on the former two-division ONE world champion.
‘All In’ is fresh off a big win over Marvin Vettori in July, snapping a two-fight losing skid and keeping him within earshot of the middleweight top 10. With a win over de Ridder in The Great White North, Allen could skyrocket himself all the way into the top five, putting him potentially one big win away from his own shot at UFC gold.
Of course, de Ridder will do everything he can to prevent that from happening, and bringing in a legend like ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler is a pretty good start.
New details have been revealed for the upcoming Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis boxing matchup.
The Paul vs. Davis showdown was originally scheduled for November 14 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. But plans shifted last week when Most Valuable Promotions pulled its request to host the bout in Georgia after the state’s Athletic and Entertainment Commission raised concerns over the significant weight gap between the fighters.
Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis: What Are The Official Rules?
Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis held their first promotional press conference in New York on Monday, where Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian revealed key details about their upcoming fight.
The fight is set for 10 rounds, each lasting three minutes, contested at a 195-pound catchweight. Both boxers will wear 12-ounce gloves. While the bout is classified as an exhibition and won’t affect either fighter’s professional record, three ringside judges will score the contest, ensuring a winner is declared if it goes the full distance.
For context, welterweight boxers (147 pounds and under) typically wear 8-ounce gloves, which “Tank” is used to. Paul, meanwhile, usually fights with 10-ounce gloves, standard for higher weight classes, except in his exhibition with Mike Tyson in November 2024, when both wore 14-ounce gloves.
Davis has spent most of his career fighting at lightweight, with a limit of 135 pounds. By comparison, “The Problem Child” weighed 200 pounds in his most recent bout and typically competes in the cruiserweight division.
Jake Paul last fought in June, securing a unanimous decision win over former WBC middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr. He currently boasts an 11-1 record, with seven of those victories coming by knockout.
Gervonta Davis last entered the ring in March, facing Lamont Roach Jr. in a bout that ended in a majority draw. The reigning WBA lightweight champion remains undefeated in his professional career with a 30-0-1 record, including 28 wins by knockout.
The UFC Rio lineup has reportedly undergone some adjustments.
The MMA promotion is slated to return to the “Cidade Maravilhosa” this year with a Fight Night event named UFC Rio, scheduled for October 11 at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
According to a recent report from an MMA journalist Alvaro Colmenero, the welterweight clash between seasoned contenders Vicente Luque and Santiago Ponzinibbio has fallen through after the “Argentine Dagger” was forced out of UFC Rio with an injury.
Luque, however, won’t be left without an opponent, as he is now reportedly set to face Joel Alvarez, who will be making his debut in the 170-pound division.
🚨BREAKING NEWS: Joel Álvarez vs Vicente Luque is in the works for UFC Rio on October 11 in Brazil.
Santiago Ponzinibbio is out and will be replaced by El Fenómeno on short notice, per sources.
“The Silent Assassin” last competed at UFC 316 in June, where he was submitted by Kevin Holland in the second round. Luque’s recent run has been a tough one, with just two wins in his last six outings. The 33-year-old Brazilian holds a 16-7 UFC record, with 14 of those victories coming by way of finish.
Meanwhile, Alvarez has been out of action since December 2024, when he scored a first-round knockout over Drakkar Klose at UFC Tampa. Riding a three-fight win streak, “El Fenomeno” carries a flawless finishing rate across his 22-3 professional record and has gone 7-2 under the UFC banner.
The UFC Rio card was originally set to be headlined by a lightweight clash between former champion Charles Oliveira and Rafael Fiziev. However, Fiziev had to step away from the fight due to injury, and the promotion is now working to secure a replacement opponent for “Do Bronx”.
The UFC has lost its lightweight main event between Charles Oliveira and Rafael Fiziev on Oct. 11 after Fiziev has been forced to withdraw due to injury, sources confirmed to @bokamotoESPN.
Octagon Update was first to report the news of Fiziev's injury. The UFC has not commented…
