Henry Cejudo and Merab Dvalishvili are expected to fight next year in the UFC bantamweight division. Cejudo lost a close decision to Aljamain Sterling in May, his first fight in over three years. He then challenged Sterling’s teammate, Dvalishvili, for a title eliminator. But he had to pull out of a fight with Marlon Vera later. Dvalishvili beat Petr Yan by unanimous decision in March, and hoped for a title shot. But Sean O’Malley became the champion in August, and wants to fight Vera again. So, Cejudo vs. Dvalishvili makes sense. The UFC agrees, according to Giori Kokiashvili’s report. He said on social media that the fight is being finalized for January 2024. But the contracts are not signed yet, and the UFC has not announced the fight or the date. It could be at UFC 297 in Canada, which has few big fights so far. This fight is good for both fighters. O’Malley vs. Vera is planned for early 2024, but not confirmed yet.

Alycia Baumgardner wants to fight Cris Cyborg in a boxing superfight. Cris Cyborg is on a roll after beating Cat Zingano in MMA. She has dominated most of her MMA opponents, and now she is looking to do the same in boxing. She has a 2-0 record in boxing after defeating Gabrielle Holloway last year. She is 38 years old, but she still has big ambitions in boxing. She wants to face Katie Taylor, one of the greatest female boxers ever. But Taylor has other plans, and Cyborg needs another opponent. Alycia Baumgardner is willing to step up. She has a 15-1 record in boxing, and she avenged her only loss to Christina Linardatou this year. She is the undisputed female super featherweight champion, and she is only 29 years old. She has the world in her hands. Cyborg is not afraid of anyone. But she might prefer to fight Taylor for her fame and legacy. Anyways, she has many choices in the boxing world.

Francis Ngannou has the full support of the PFL, no matter what he chooses to do. Ngannou stunned the world on Saturday when he faced Tyson Fury in a 10-round boxing match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and knocked down the heavyweight champion in the third round. Ngannou lost a close split decision, but he gained a lot of respect for his performance, and he opened the door for more boxing superfights. Some may think that Ngannou’s MMA promoters would be unhappy with his return to boxing, but PFL founder Donn Davis says his promotion is behind Ngannou all the way. “We wanted the best thing for Francis Ngannou from the start, and that’s why we got our deal done in two days,” Davis said on The MMA Hour. “In business, when you do right by your partners, it usually works out well for you. Like Jerry MacGuire said, ‘Help me help you.’ Sometimes, your partner is a bad partner and it’s bad for you. But in my 35 years, most of the time, if you’re a good partner, the partner is good to you. We wanted the best for Francis, we support him, and we think it will be good for the PFL too.” Ngannou has many options for his next boxing opponent, such as a rematch with Fury or a superfight with Anthony Joshua. But one name that seems to be getting more attention is Deontay Wilder. Ngannou said on The MMA Hour that Wilder has been training MMA for a while now, and Wilder has also expressed interest in cage-fighting. Davis would prefer to see them fight in the smart cage under mixed rules. “I think that would be amazing, because Ngannou already showed what he can do against Fury,” Davis said of Ngannou fighting Wilder. “I think he’ll do it again. … But what would be really intriguing? Deontay Wilder in a mixed rules fight. I always ask myself, what do I want to see? I know a lot about boxing and MMA, but I’m not an expert. I like to check, what do I think millions of people would enjoy? I think that’s the most appealing thing we could see.” Davis didn’t give any details, but he said that Wilder is open to the idea, and that the fight will depend on “availability, money, and details.” Davis thinks that they can make it happen though and so, his prediction for Ngannou’s next move is this fight.

In a display of extraordinary grit and determination, Khamzat Chimaev overcame adversity and secured a title shot despite suffering a torn ligament in his hand during a hard-fought majority decision win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. The injury occurred during the dominant first round, which saw Chimaev receive unanimous 10-8 scores from the judges against the former welterweight champion. Usman had accepted the fight on short notice after Paulo Costa's withdrawal due to a staph infection in his elbow. Chimaev initially feared he had broken his hand, which led to a less aggressive offense for the rest of the fight. However, the diagnosis revealed a torn ligament in Chimaev's hand, as confirmed by his manager, Majdi Shammas. Chimaev will need to wear a brace for the next three to four weeks before beginning rehabilitation. Surgery is not expected at this point, but a reassessment will be carried out after the brace is removed. Chimaev's hard-fought victory not only preserved his undefeated record but also earned him a promise of a middleweight title shot. UFC CEO Dana White made the announcement ahead of the event, though an official decision from the UFC is still pending. Should it come to fruition, the title shot would set up a showdown between Chimaev and the new champion, Sean Strickland, in 2024. In the meantime, Chimaev will rest and recover from his hand injury while anticipating word from the UFC regarding his title shot chances in the coming year. Chimaev's incredible determination and ability to secure a title opportunity in the face of adversity serve as a testament to his resilience and dedication to his craft, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in his journey.

Eddie Hearn, the chairman of Matchroom Boxing, is not one to hold back his thoughts, and he certainly didn't when it came to the controversial split decision loss Francis Ngannou faced against Tyson Fury. Hearn sees the outcome as a game-changer in the world of heavyweight boxing and has an intriguing proposition in mind. Hearn, like the rest of the combat sports world, had his eyes glued to the highly anticipated showdown between WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia. The odds and expectations heavily favored Fury, but the fight unfolded quite differently. Ngannou remained highly competitive throughout the match and even secured the fight's only knockdown in Round 3, resulting in a narrow outcome on the scorecards. However, two of the three judges awarded the victory to Fury, sparking outrage. Hearn was quick to express his disbelief, stating, "I’m baffled, really. Firstly, I feel like Ngannou was robbed. Obviously, he scored the knockdown. No one actually did anything in the fight. The fight was a stinker. But Ngannou won the fight. I can’t believe we’re actually having this conversation. You’re talking about a guy that has never boxed before. And respect to him because he was better than I thought ... Fury looked like he has never put on a pair of boxing gloves before in his life." Hearn firmly believes Ngannou should have been declared the winner, suggesting that Ngannou had "won the fight by two rounds" and called the decision "mental." Despite the controversial loss, Hearn recognizes that Ngannou has asserted his presence in the boxing heavyweight division. Looking ahead, Hearn envisions two potential scenarios. In an ideal world under his control, he would set up a bout between Fury and his fighter, Anthony Joshua. However, he acknowledges the necessity of a fight between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk to unify all the heavyweight championship belts. If Fury vs. Usyk becomes a reality, Hearn proposes a fascinating matchup: Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou. Hearn is confident that Joshua would deliver the lopsided contest that was expected from Fury. He emphatically states, "Let A.J. go in there and end (Fury's) career, please." Alternatively, Hearn believes that Ngannou has earned the right to a significant fight and is intrigued by the prospect of Ngannou facing Joshua. Hearn envisions what could happen when someone truly lets their hands go against Francis Ngannou. Regardless of the path chosen, Hearn recognizes Ngannou's talent and resilience, and he believes the heavyweight division is in for some exciting changes.

Boxing, often celebrated as the "sweet science," has a long history of controversies ranging from questionable judging decisions to allegations of corrupt practices. The sport's integrity is sometimes put into question when unexpected outcomes occur. The bout between Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury is a recent example that has stirred controversy and suspicions about corruption in boxing. Fans were left bewildered as the judges' scoring favored Fury, despite Ngannou's clear aggression and scoring a knockdown while Fury wasn't negated any points for his illegal elbow. We thought we would see a boxing match but it seemed the British boxer was trying to grapple and throw elbows while the Nigerian Nightmare was truly there to box in a weird twist of fate. The Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury Fight Ngannou, a formidable MMA fighter transitioning to boxing, faced off against the experienced and undefeated Tyson Fury. The fight itself was intense, with Ngannou consistently pushing forward, taking the role of the aggressor throughout the match. His ferocity in the ring led to a knockdown of Fury, leaving fans in awe. The Scoring Controversy Despite Ngannou's clear dominance, the judges' scoring perplexed both fans and experts. Fury was awarded a split decision. The result shocked many, as it seemed to ignore the fundamental criteria of boxing, where aggression and knockdowns hold significant importance. Where illegal moves like elbows should deduct points. The integrity of the sport being questioned. Chael Sonnen who isn't even a Ngannou fan is in serious critique of the boxing world right now, as he always expected the sweet science to uphold it's integrity. However with the recent split decision win to Fury, everything is in question now. Jake Paul who faced off against the younger Fury a few months earlier, faced a similar situation where he lost via split decision. Paul was the only fighter who scored a knockdown and was clearly the aggressor of the bout. Tommy Fury's win was a little easier to digest though, as he fought well defensively and clearly outscored Paul - punches thrown to landed percentage wise. Potential Corruption in Boxing The controversial decision raises questions about potential corruption in the boxing world. Corruption in boxing can manifest in various ways, from biased judging to promoter influence on match outcomes. The most common factors leading to corruption allegations include: Biased Judging: Judges' scoring decisions can be influenced by various factors, including personal bias or financial incentives. In the Ngannou-Fury fight, fans questioned the judges' impartiality - given the obvious disparities in the boxers performance. Promoter Influence: Boxing promoters often have a significant influence on the sport's outcomes. They may have a vested interest in specific fighters winning to set up lucrative rematches or future fights. This could result in match fixing allegations. Sports Betting: The betting industry is closely linked to boxing and a significant upset can have substantial financial implications. It's not uncommon for allegations of corruption to arise in cases where a significant underdog, like Ngannou appears to have a chance of winning. The Role of Sports Betting and Commissioners Sports betting plays a significant role in boxing, with millions of dollars wagered on every high-profile match. Bookmakers set odds based on fighters records, previous performances, and public perception. When an underdog like Ngannou performs exceptionally well, it can lead to substantial losses for bookmakers and those who bet on the favorite. Boxing commissioners often have interests in maintaining the status quo. They may prefer established fighters like Fury to continue winning because they bring in larger audiences and revenue. This preference can lead to controversies when up and coming fighters are unfairly judged or not given a fair chance to shine. It's a popular conspiracy in boxing that promoters did their best to ruin Mike Tyson during his dominant era in the sport. He had so many round 1 knockouts that not only did nobody want to fight him, but nobody wanted to bet against him. Sports betting died under Tysons reign. Decades later we watch the worlds leading heavyweight "Tyson" Fury named after Mike, boxing a MMA heavyweight star who grew up being inspired by Mike. What now? The Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury fight serves as a stark reminder of the potential for corruption in the world of boxing. When a clear underdog like Ngannou performs exceptionally well, the odds of a controversial decision become higher especially given the financial interests at play. To address these concerns, there must be increased transparency and accountability in the sport. Independent oversight, stricter judging criteria, and clearer regulations are essential to maintaining boxing's integrity. Only through such measures can the sport regain the trust of fans and ensure that fighters are judged fairly, based on their performance and not their marketability or financial implications.

Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champ, shocked the boxing world by giving Tyson Fury a tough fight on Saturday night (October 28). Ngannou knocked Fury down and pressured him throughout the 10 rounds. Fury barely won by a split decision from two judges. After the fight, Ngannou’s coach Dewey Cooper spoke to reporters. He said that WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman will put Ngannou in the top 10 rankings. “Mauricio Sulaiman, the WBC president, said he’ll rank him in the top 10 because he’s better than most of them. He said that in the ring,” Cooper said. Ngannou received a lot of compliments for his performance against “The Gypsy King.” UFC legend Daniel Cormier praised him on his YouTube channel after the fight. “Francis Ngannou showed that he is the baddest man on the planet,” Cormier said. “Why? Because he was the UFC heavyweight champion, and he fought the lineal heavyweight champion of the world to a split decision. Tyson Fury could not fight Francis Ngannou in MMA like Francis fought Tyson in boxing. There’s no way a fight between any boxer and the UFC heavyweight champion in MMA goes to that kind of decision. It was the most amazing performance I’ve ever seen for a guy outside of his comfort zone.”

Conor McGregor is aiming for an April comeback in the UFC. McGregor, 35, has been out of action since breaking his leg in his third fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021. “That’s the plan,” McGregor said to the media at the Fury vs. Ngannou event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (via MMA Junkie). “They say April and I’m fine with that. I wish it was sooner, but I have to be honest and realistic with myself and my fans. I need to train hard, recover well, and that’s it. April it is, MMA.” The former UFC double champ has only stepped into the cage four times since he beat Eddie Alvarez in 2016, winning against Donald Cerrone and losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Poirier twice. “I’ve been away from my work for almost three years now,” McGregor said. “Think about that. I went through what I went through. I’m dealing with an injury and a defeat. How do you think that feels? You know what Alexander Volkanovski said — I feel the same. I have to get back to my life. This is what I do. So it’s very frustrating and hopefully we can make it happen [in April].” “I just need the date,” McGregor said. “My date, now. That’s all.” McGregor’s situation has been tricky as well. “The Notorious” was supposed to fight Michael Chandler later in 2023 after they coached The Ultimate Fighter 31, but McGregor’s USADA status was a problem. McGregor left the USADA drug-testing pool after his injury and has to be back in it for six months before he can fight."

Francis Ngannou has commented after his high profile encounter with Heavyweight champon Tyson Fury. Many expected Fury to dominate Ngannou, but the MMA star surprised everyone by holding his own against the boxing star for all ten rounds. Ngannou even knocked down Fury with a left hook in the third round, the seventh time Fury has been floored in his career. Ngannou showed his power and skill, but the judges did not reward him. Fury won by a controversial split decision, with one judge scoring it 95-94 for Ngannou, and two judges scoring it 95-94 and 96-93 for Fury. Ngannou was not happy with the result and took to social media to express his frustration. He also asked for a rematch with Fury in his post-fight interview. Fury’s next fight is supposed to be against Oleksandr Usyk, the unified heavyweight champion, in December. It is unclear if Fury will grant Ngannou’s wish for a second fight.

Tyson Fury expressed his thoughts after a contentious split decision victory over Francis Ngannou tonight in Saudi Arabia. The match, which was not for Fury’s WBC heavyweight title, saw Fury (34-0-1) face off against Ngannou (17-3 MMA) in a 10-round professional boxing match on DAZN pay-per-view. Fury, returning to the ring for the first time since his December 2022 TKO win over Derek Chisora, faced Ngannou, who was making his boxing debut. Ngannou, last seen in UFC 270 in January 2022, surprised many by keeping the fight competitive and even knocking down Fury in the third round. Despite some solid hits from Fury, the match was closer than expected, ending with Fury winning by split decision (96-93, 95-94, 94-95). Post-match, Fury commented on the fight’s difficulty and Ngannou’s strategy of countering his punches. He acknowledged the third-round knockdown as part of boxing and confirmed he was unharmed. Looking ahead, Fury is anticipated to face Oleksandr Usyk next.

In the unpredictable and often unforgiving world of mixed martial arts, Dricus Du Plessis stands as a testament to a fighter's unwavering resolve. Despite a somewhat unjust turn of events following his impressive win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290, Du Plessis remains steadfast in his pursuit of a title shot. In July, Du Plessis showcased his skills by defeating Whittaker, keeping his UFC record unblemished at 6-0. Immediately after the fight, he had a face-off with then-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, signaling his intent to challenge for the title. However, a broken foot forced him to decline a quick turnaround, and Sean Strickland ultimately secured the title shot instead, dethroning Adesanya to become the new champion. Du Plessis' path to the title seemed momentarily blocked, with Khamzat Chimaev emerging as the next contender. Dana White even labeled Chimaev's recent fight against Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 as a No. 1 contender bout. Chimaev emerged victorious, and White reiterated his position as the next in line. So, where does that leave Du Plessis? While it might be tempting to feel disheartened, the South African fighter refuses to be deterred. He acknowledges the setbacks but refuses to be defined by them. Du Plessis understands that the fight game can be brutal and that decisions often lie beyond a fighter's control. He stated, "It took me maybe a week or so to almost stop feeling sorry for myself like this is unfair. Life’s not fair, and the fight game is definitely not fair. I just said what I’ll do now is I’ll run over the whole division, I’ll run over the top five of this division, which will only make my move to light heavyweight quicker and easier. ... Right now I’m not going to beg for any title shot. I’ve never begged for anything, I’ve fought for it." Du Plessis may have been unimpressed by Chimaev's victory over Usman, asserting that Chimaev is not the invincible "Boogeyman" many believed him to be. He does not dispute Chimaev's shot at the title and, instead, remains determined to make his mark in the middleweight division. With his unbeaten UFC record and his unwavering commitment, Dricus Du Plessis serves as an embodiment of a true fighter's spirit. He may not beg for a title shot, but his actions within the octagon continue to speak volumes. In the unpredictable world of MMA, opportunities can arise when least expected, and Du Plessis is ready to seize his moment when it comes.

Justin Gaethje, fresh off a "BMF" title win with a head-kick knockout of Dustin Poirier at UFC 291, is willing to bide his time, exclusively eyeing a UFC lightweight title shot. Gaethje's recent victories, which include back-to-back wins over Rafael Fiziev, have propelled him into the lightweight title conversation. However, the current champion, Islam Makhachev, further solidified his reign by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski with a first-round head kick at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. If the UFC decides to reschedule the initially planned Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira rematch, Gaethje is content to wait for his opportunity to vie for the belt. "If they want to put Oliveira in there, then I fight (the winner) in September," Gaethje stated during a conversation with ESPN. "Who do I fight? There’s no one. I did what I had to do. I went back, I fought No. 7, fought No. 2, I don’t know what else I need to do. I’ll definitely wait. I have no issues waiting. As I get older, I get to understand from now until the time I fight him, I’m going to be building strength, working on my cardio, and refining my skills. So, I’ll take as much time as they give me, and I’ll be that much more ready." One name that has been floated as a potential opponent for Gaethje is Conor McGregor, but Gaethje is dismissive of the idea. When asked about potential challengers for his "BMF" title, he suggested Max Holloway but explained his reluctance to face the former featherweight champion. "I don't ever want to fight Holloway," Gaethje admitted. "I don't know, I just don't ever – I don't want to punch him. I just don't. It's not necessary. ... I like him too much. I like him. He's a good dude. I don't know him personally, but I'm a fan of his. I don't prefer to punch him. But if I have to, I would I guess." Gaethje's commitment to his quest for a UFC lightweight title shot demonstrates his unwavering focus on achieving his championship dreams, even if it means waiting patiently for his turn in the spotlight. In the ever-evolving landscape of the UFC, opportunities arise when least expected, and Gaethje is determined to seize his moment when it arrives.