This past Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the former middleweight champion made a strong start but ultimately lost to Dricus Du Plessis through second-round technical knockout. Du Plessis is therefore set to face Israel Adesanya for the middleweight championship rather than Whittaker. Whittaker recently responded to the loss in a social media video post. “Congratulations to Dricus. He showed up to fight, and I didn’t,” Whittaker said. “But that’s the nature of the beast. You can’t have a day off. It is what it is. But I will say that I do believe that challenges and hardships and obstacles that get presented to you that you overcome, make you stronger. Build character, make you a better man and by fact a better athlete, and I will come back stronger from this.” Adesanya was the only opponent to defeat Whittaker in the Octagon in 15 fights since June 2014 prior to Saturday night. The PMA Super Martial Arts representative wants to go back into the winning column as soon as possible. “I will come back stronger from this,” Whittaker said. “I’ll come back hopefully by the end of the year. I want to get in the octagon by the end of the year to get in there, close the year on a win, and bring back the ‘Reaper’ you guys all know. But that’s me. I’m gonna enjoy a couple weeks now with my family just resting and recalibrating, recharging the batteries. Then I’ll get back in the gym, get back to work, and come back better than ever. Thanks again, everybody, and stay tuned.”

In a surprising turn of events, Charles Oliveira has revealed that he won't be ready to face current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 in October. Despite expectations that Oliveira would be next in line for a shot at the title following his impressive win over Beneil Dariush in May, the Brazilian fighter cited the timing as the primary reason for his decision. Oliveira expressed his readiness to compete in November or December instead. Speaking to TSN about his next fight, Oliveira stated: "So I’m going, to be honest with you, we don’t have anything yet. They are still waiting but to be honest October, it’s too soon for me. It’s too soon, especially if the fight’s going to be [in Abu Dhabi]. I’m really going to be ready in November/December, but October is too soon. But we don’t have anything yet." UFC president Dana White had previously indicated that Oliveira would be the logical choice to challenge Makhachev for the lightweight title. However, with Oliveira unable to compete in October, the promotion will likely need to explore alternative plans. One possibility could be the winner of the upcoming UFC 291 main event between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, but nothing can be confirmed until after that fight on July 29. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his next move, Oliveira remains steadfast in his goal to reclaim the UFC lightweight title. The belt was stripped from him after missing weight ahead of his fight against Gaethje in May 2022, and he failed to regain it in his subsequent loss to Makhachev. "I want to be the champ again, and I will be the champ again," Oliveira declared. "So now I just need to wait. I just need to wait and see what they’re going to do. I can tell you I’m going to be the champ again; it’s just a matter of when." Oliveira's determination to regain the lightweight championship highlights his unwavering commitment to his career. While fans eagerly anticipate the announcement of his next fight, it remains to be seen when Oliveira will have the opportunity to step back into the Octagon and vie for the title he so fervently desires.

The new UFC flyweight championship was won by Alexandre Pantoja over Brandon Moreno on Saturday night. He discussed how much he suffered with money during his Monday appearance on The MMA Hour. The newly crowned champion recalled that only two fights earlier, he was delivering food for Uber Eats in order to make money to give back to his family in Brazil, who were dealing with pandemic-related problems. He could only quit the side job when he earned the UFC bonus in his fight with Brandon Royval. This news comes as the UFC is being criticized for low fighter pay during some of the companies biggest revenue years.

In a display of incredible toughness and resilience, Dan Hooker emerged victorious against Jalin Turner at UFC 290, despite suffering a broken wrist during the fight. The post-fight celebrations took an unexpected turn as both fighters found themselves side by side in a hospital room, sharing a moment that showcased the indomitable spirit of mixed martial arts. Amidst speculation about a potential injury, Hooker playfully brushed off suggestions of a broken arm during his split decision win over Turner. However, he later took to social media to provide proof of his injury, posting what appeared to be an X-ray confirming the broken bone in his right wrist. Accompanying the image was an emoji of a shrug, reflecting Hooker's light-hearted response to the adversity he faced. Throughout the hard-fought bout, Turner endured several punishing moments, absorbing a barrage of powerful strikes, including a flush head kick that left its mark. By the end of the fight, the blonde hair Turner sported was dyed red from the blood spilled during the intense exchanges. Despite the punishment he endured, Hooker emerged victorious with two judges scoring the fight 29-28 in his favor, while one dissented in favor of Turner with the same score. Before sharing the X-ray of his fractured arm, Hooker posted another image, this time alongside Turner. Both fighters, battered and bruised, were transported to the hospital following their grueling battle. The picture captured a moment of camaraderie, where the boundaries of competition dissolved, and mutual respect prevailed. The remarkable display of fortitude by both fighters serves as a testament to their unwavering dedication and the true spirit of the sport. Dan Hooker's ability to overcome the adversity of a broken wrist while securing a hard-earned victory is a testament to his warrior mentality and unyielding determination. As fight fans, we are privileged to witness the unwavering passion and grit displayed by athletes like Hooker and Turner. Their willingness to push beyond their limits, even in the face of injury, exemplifies the essence of mixed martial arts. While the road to recovery may be arduous, Dan Hooker's broken wrist will forever serve as a symbol of his unwavering commitment to the sport. In a memorable display of sportsmanship, both fighters found solace and camaraderie in the hospital room, sharing a unique bond forged through their shared pursuit of greatness.

Combat sports have long captivated audiences with their intense displays of skill, athleticism, and strategic prowess. However there has been a noticeable decline in the legitimacy of combat sports, with fights increasingly being viewed as mere cash grabs rather than authentic displays of sporting excellence. Read along and delve into the factors contributing to this decline. Examine how the pursuit of profit has tarnished the integrity of combat sports. The Rise of Exhibition Matches One of the significant contributors to the decline in combat sports legitimacy is the growing popularity of exhibition matches that prioritize entertainment value over competitive integrity. These matches, often featuring retired fighters or celebrities, attract enormous attention and generate substantial revenue due to their novelty and hype. However they frequently lack the competitive spirit and the rigorous standards that professional fighters adhere to, blurring the lines between sport and spectacle. We saw this with the rise of the Paul brothers, fighting retired fighters under their weight class. Financial Motivations Over Sporting Merit Combat sports like any other industry, are subject to financial considerations. Promoters and organizations seek to maximize profits, sometimes at the expense of sporting merit. There has been an increased focus on creating headline grabbing fights based on marketability and potential earnings rather than on fighters rankings or skills. As a result, deserving contenders are often overlooked in favor of lucrative matchups that are more likely to attract viewership and generate revenue. Celebrity Influence and Cross-Sport Crossovers The rise of celebrity influence and cross-sport crossovers has played a significant role in the decline of combat sports legitimacy. While these crossover events generate considerable hype and viewership, they frequently lack the competitive balance and technical mastery that are integral to the sport. Such events may undermine the credibility of combat sports and reduce their standing as genuine athletic competitions. Controversial Decision-Making and Match Fixing Combat sports have not been immune to controversies surrounding decision making and potential match fixing. When fights are clouded by questionable judging or suspicions of predetermined outcomes, fans and fighters alike lose faith in the sport's integrity. The lack of transparency and accountability in certain instances erodes the trust between the audience and the organizations that govern the sport. Oversaturation and Watered-Down Talent Pools As combat sports gain popularity and the demand for events increases, there is a risk of oversaturation. The proliferation of fight cards can result in diluted talent pools, leading to matches that lack the same level of excitement and competitiveness. This oversaturation can lead to a decline in the quality of fights, making it difficult for fans to discern between genuine sporting contests and events that primarily aim to generate revenue. The decline in the legitimacy of combat sports is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors. The rise of exhibition matches, financial motivations, celebrity influence, controversial decision making, and oversaturation have all played a role in shifting the focus from authentic sporting competition to profit driven spectacles. While combat sports still showcase incredible athletes and moments of true excellence, it is essential for the industry to maintain integrity and prioritize the sport's essence over financial gain. Only by doing so can combat sports regain the trust and respect of fans, athletes, and the wider sporting community

This Saturday the Mexican boxer Alejandro "Peque" Santiago (27-3-5) will have the great opportunity of his life when he faces a Filipino boxing legend such as the "Filipino Flash" Nonito Donaire (42-7) in a fight where The vacant WBC bantamweight world title will be at stake. This will not be the first world championship fight for Santiago, a boxer born in Tijuana, since in 2018 he fought for the IBF super flyweight world title against Jerwin Ancajas, a fight that ended in a draw. This is the golden opportunity for Santiago, because if he won, he would not only be a world champion, but would also do so by defeating a legend who has been world champion in 5 different categories. Andres Lara

Current unified world flyweight champ Marlen Esparza (14-1-0) really wants to avenge her only loss to Seniesa Estrada (24-0-0) who is also a world champion after they got into a battle of words on social media after Esparza's unification fight against Argentina's Gabriela "Chucky" Alanis.

Ilia Topuria is incredibly confident going into a potential title bout versus Alexander Volkanovski. Volkanovski defeated Yair Rodriguez via third-round technical knockout to retain his featherweight title in the main event of UFC 290. After the victory, it's unclear what the Australian will do; he might move up to lightweight, but Topuria thinks he should face him if he stays at featherweight. Despite Alexander Volkanovski's perfect record at featherweight, Ilia Topuria believes he can defeat the Australian and even stop the champion in the first round. “I always have confidence in myself, I don’t have any doubt that I can beat him pretty easy. People think it’s a tough fight, he says that I’m the easiest fight he’s gonna have in his whole career,” Ilia Topuria said “My official prediction, I was thinking a lot about that. I was doing my imagination, I see me knocking him out in the first two rounds. I see myself knocking him out, maybe in the first round,” Topuria continued. “He won the title off a fighter who goes forward, and you can’t go forward with me, you can’t do that. Especially if you have that boxing style, he’s a striker. I’m gonna finish, in the first round.” Ilia Topuria would probably be the underdog in the betting if he were to face Alexander Volkanovski. He is certain, nevertheless, that he would not only defeat Volkanovski but also finish him off quickly to win the title.

Sources say that an agreement has been made for a fight between Boxing champ (WBC) Tyson Fury and MMA champ (former UFC) Francis Ngannou to fight on october 28th in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia. What I dont understand is that they will be putting their championships on the líne. I dont see how, Ngannou never boxed profesionally and Fury has never been in the cage. The sanctioning bodies have rules. I figure it might be a conmemorative belt which most likely be a made up WBC belt like in the Mayweather v.s Mcgregor fight. That aside it will be a massive fight to see who the baddest man on the planet is. Although lets be honest the only way to prove that is to fight one fight in boxing and another in mma or even better with no rules. This goes to prove that boxing is a bigger draw than mma, thats why promotors have them box in the ring and not fight in the cage.

Conor McGregor, according to Michael Chandler, is being unfairly treated in TUF 31. The show's coaches are Chandler and McGregor, and Team Chandler has won all six of its fights thus far. Additionally, McGregor isn't seen at weigh-ins and other contenders claim he isn't always present for training on the show. Michael Chandler, however, claims it is untrue because Conor McGregor just missed weigh-ins. “What Conor said on the show, they are filtering this thing about the weigh-ins. Yeah, he didn’t show up to the weigh-ins, that could send a message to your team that, hey I wasn’t there for the weigh-ins, I wasn’t there for this,” Michael Chandler said about Conor McGregor. “But, ultimately, he was there in the training sessions, they are showing him a lot of him training with his guys. I think they definitely could be filtering it a little more. Obviously, I love my guys, I showed up, my attention to detail, my love that I had for each of these guys and their future. It is reality TV, it can be cut any way they want,” Michael Chandler continued about McGregor. “I think Conor’s getting a little bit of a raw deal when it comes to how much he was there or wasn’t there (with his team). Showing up for the weigh-ins isn’t that big of a deal. In the end, coaching doesn't matter all that much in TUF because neither coach has the ability to significantly alter the fighter in so little time. In light of this, Michael Chandler believes the veteran team would still be winning even if the coaches were switched.

Olimpic gold medal winner and multiple time world amateur champion Andy Cruz will make his much anticipated debut against crafty veteran and former world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos. The fight will be this saturday july 15th on DAZN.

Unlike many Mexican boxers, Canto was not a brawler type of boxer whose fights are usually action packed. Mexican boxers are usually stereotyped as "Brawlers". He used boxing techniques and knowledge instead of trying to score knockouts in most of his fights. Proof of this is that he only won fifteen fights by knockout, out of more than seventy professional fights. He was a defensive expert, somewhat in the style of the great Willie Pep. Canto began his professional boxing career on February 5, 1969. He became one of those rare cases in boxing, where a boxer loses his first fight and goes on to become a world champion. He lost that day to Raul Hernandez, in Canto's hometown of Mérida, Yucatan by a knockout in the third. From then on he went in a winning streak, winning a National title and World titles and become one of the best flyweights to ever fight in a ring. That goes to prove that a loss doesnt define what you can accomplish in boxing.