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London's Copper Box Arena Zhilei Zhang, a Chinese southpaw, stunned hometown favourite Joe Joyce, an undefeated fighter (15-1, 14 KOs), in the sixth round by shocking TKO to score the most significant victory of his career. In the opening two rounds, Zhang stunned Joyce with devastating left hands. Joyce attempted to increase his offensive output in the subsequent round, but his inability to see Zhang's left hand slowed him down. As Joyce's right eye started to swell in rounds four and five, Zhang started to successfully hit his shots from close range and used his high guard defence to avoid retaliation. Joyce was stepping up his game and throwing his customary assortment of hard punches, but Zhang was connecting with the bigger blows. After two inspections from the ringside doctor, referee Howard Foster was forced to end the fight at 1:23 of round six. Zhang said, “Today belongs to me. It belongs to everyone who showed up. It belongs to every Chinese person who showed up today. “I’m 39 years old. But I’m disciplined. I train hard. The next step is for me to fight for a world title." After falling to Filip Hrgovic in a contentious twelve-round decision in their IBF semifinal eliminator, Zhang recovered with a win over Joyce. Zhang now holds the WBO interim heavyweight title after defeating Joyce, putting him in line for an automatic shot at Oleksandr Usyk, the WBO, IBF, IBO, and WBA world champion. Since Usyk's next required duty is to the WBA and "regular" champion Daniel Dubois is in talks to challenge him before the year is out, Zhang will need to remain active in the interim. And should Usyk triumph, Hrgovic—the IBF's required challenger—would come next.

Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira suffered a minor injury that forced him out of UFC 288 next month. News of Oliveira's withdrawal was first reported by ESPN Deportes. Oliveira was supposed to face Beneil Dariush in a pivotal lightweight co-main event. The winner could've gotten the next title shot against Islam Makhachev. As of now, the UFC is reportedly planning to schedule the bout for a new date later this year. The promotion could potentially schedule it for either UFC 289 or UFC 290, depending on the severity of Oliveira's injury. It's a frustrating setback for Oliveira, who had seemed highly motivated for his clash with Dariush. With the Oliveira fight, Dariush, who has long demanded a shot at the lightweight belt, will probably remain unaltered. He has a winning streak of eight matches, most recently over Mateusz Gamrot in October. Dariush entered the lightweight title race by defeating opponents like Tony Ferguson, Drakkar Klose, and Drew Dober. At UFC 280, Oliveira was defeated by Makhachev for the vacant lightweight championship. Following a disastrous weight cut before his UFC 274 match against Justin Gaethje, he was stripped of the lightweight championship.

Max Holloway, one of the UFC's most beloved fighters, returned to the octagon with a vintage performance, defeating Arnold Allen in a dominant showing at UFC Kansas City. After a string of setbacks and losses, Holloway proved that he is still one of the best fighters in the world with this impressive win. The final scores were 49-46, 49-47, and 48-47, with Holloway receiving the victory and, at 145 pounds, regaining the lead in the championship race. The arena was buzzing as Holloway and Allen faced off in the ring. Holloway's lightning-fast combinations and fancy footwork were a sight to behold, but Allen was no slouch either, chasing him down and looking to land some power shots. Despite taking some heavy left hooks early on, Holloway kept his cool and switched his focus to punishing Allen's midsection with body shots that echoed throughout the arena. With superior speed and a seemingly endless arsenal of strikes, Holloway kept landing crisp, clean hits while easily dodging Allen's attempts to counter. As the fight entered its final round, Allen's coaches urged him to go for broke and try to finish the fight with a knockout blow. And while he gave it his all, Holloway was more than up to the challenge, trading punch-for-punch and even dropping Allen to the ground in the final moments of the fight. It was a grueling 25-minute battle that left both fighters battered and bruised, but in the end, it was Holloway who emerged victorious, embracing Allen in a show of mutual respect and admiration. “Arnold Allen hits like a truck,” Holloway said of his opponent. “My modeling career is in jeopardy because of you. “It was like 10 seconds, five seconds [left in the fight], it was a re-enactment of Ricardo Lamas [fight]. I know he saw that moment, I wanted to remake that moment. It was fun. Dude is durable, he wanted to go all the way and I welcome that.” For Holloway, this win was about more than just getting back in the win column. It was a reminder of why he is one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC, a testament to his dedication, hard work, and unwavering spirit. And for fans, it was a thrilling showcase of the kind of talent and heart that makes mixed martial arts such a compelling sport. As Holloway celebrates this victory, he looks toward the future with renewed confidence and determination. With his sights set on regaining the featherweight title, there's no doubt that Holloway will continue to deliver electrifying performances that will leave fans on the edge of their seats. “Max has been around a long time, he’s been one of the best in the world for a long time,” Allen said. “He inspires me.” For now, we can all revel in the joy of seeing Holloway back to his old self, delivering the kind of vintage performance that has made him a legend in the sport. Congratulations to Max Holloway on a spectacular win, and here's to many more exciting fights in the years to come.

In a stunning display of skill and power, Edson Barboza delivered a devastating knockout to Billy Quarantillo at UFC Kansas City, sending shockwaves through the arena and leaving fans in awe. Barboza sought to establish the pace immediately with lightning-fast kicks and strong hands, but Quarantillo cleverly made an effort to bridge the gap and force the Brazilian to think about his grappling. Barboza managed to avoid Quarantillo while launching him with a few vicious legs kicks right away that had a significant effect. Unafraid to advance, Quarantillo even caught Barboza with a hard blow to demonstrate that he wasn't a lightweight on his feet anymore. Barboza was pulled back into the cage as Quarantillo pressured his opponent, and he then attempted to take down Barboza by throwing a series of blows. With a knee that struck squarely in the target and sent Quarantillo to the ground and out into the thin air, Barboza made him suffer. “I train exactly this move for eight weeks,” Barboza said about the finish. “Please, [I want to fight] somebody in front of me in the rankings. Edson Barboza is still alive. I’m in the best shape of my life and I promise the next one is going to be much, much better.” The crowd erupted in cheers as Barboza raised his arms in victory. It was a performance that will be remembered for years to come, a reminder of the incredible skill and athleticism that makes mixed martial arts such an exciting sport to watch. For Quarantillo, it was a disappointing loss, but he can hold his head high knowing that he gave it his all. Barboza, on the other hand, has solidified his place as one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC, and fans can't wait to see what he'll do next. As the dust settles on UFC Kansas City, one thing is clear: Edson Barboza is a force to be reckoned with, and his opponents will have to be at the top of their game if they hope to defeat him. It's a thrilling time to be a fan of mixed martial arts, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for this incredible sport.

In his first fight back since his world title defeat to Janibek Alimkhanuly in November, Denzel Bentley made a statement by knocking out Kieran Smith in just 45 seconds at the Copper Box Arena in London. Bentley, the British middleweight champion, showed that he is a force to be reckoned with in the domestic scene with this blistering performance. Smith, who had only suffered one defeat in his previous 19 fights, was expected to provide a tough test for Bentley, but he was steamrolled from the opening bell. A savage left hook sent Smith stumbling backwards, and Bentley pounced on his wounded opponent with a straight right hand to the body and a huge right hook upstairs that dropped Smith heavily. Referee Mark Lyson had no choice but to stop the contest, as Smith was in no condition to continue. Bentley's devastating finish was a reminder of his punching power, and it sends a clear message to the rest of the middleweight division in Britain. The 28-year-old from Battersea has now improved his record to 15 wins and 1 loss, with 12 of his victories coming by way of knockout. After the fight, Bentley said, "I'm back and I'm ready for anyone. I felt like a caged lion waiting to come out tonight. I wanted to make a statement and show that I'm still one of the best middleweights in Britain. I'm looking forward to defending my title again soon and taking on bigger challenges in the future." Bentley's return to the ring was a success, and he has put the rest of the British middleweight division on notice with his emphatic performance. For Smith, it's a setback, but he'll have to regroup and bounce back from this defeat.

Zhilei Zhang produced one of the finest performances by an overseas heavyweight in a British ring for many years to stop Joe Joyce in the sixth round. The Chinese southpaw, who is on the cusp of turning 40, pummeled Joyce with his left from the opening round until the referee decided there was no point in allowing the fight to go on. Zhilei Zhang boxed beautifully, leaving Joyce with a badly damaged right eye, which forced the referee to stop the fight. Joyce, who was previously undefeated, was left reeling by Zhang's fierce punches and had no answer to his opponent's skill and strength. Zhang became the new WBO interim heavyweight champion as a result of this upset victory, and his triumph is one that will live long in the memory of boxing fans. The Chinese boxer had expressed his desire to go for the title and with this impressive win, it seems like he is very close to achieving that dream. Speaking after the fight, Zhang said, “Today is mine. It belongs to every Chinese person who showed up. I’m 39, but I’m disciplined and I train hard. My next step is to go for the title.” This was a remarkable performance from Zhang, who made a bright start while Joyce was sluggish in the opener. After a tentative opening 30 seconds, Zhang began to find a home for his left hand, which he used to devastating effect throughout the fight. Joyce, who is known for his toughness and resilience, was unable to withstand Zhang's barrage of punches, and the fight was stopped after 1:23 of the sixth round. It was a clear victory for Zhang, and one that we are sure will have boxing fans eagerly awaiting his next fight. Zhilei Zhang has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. His hard work, determination and skill have paid off, and we can't wait to see what he does next.

The PFL kicked off its third event of the season in spectacular fashion as Olivier Aubin-Mercier spoiled Shane Burgos' debut with a unanimous decision victory at The Theater at Virgin Hotels. The exciting lightweight bout was the co-main event of the evening and had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Aubin-Mercier came into the fight as a seasoned veteran, having fought in some of the biggest MMA promotions around the world. Meanwhile, Burgos was making his PFL debut and was looking to make a statement in his first fight with the promotion. The first round of the lightweight bout between Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Shane Burgos was closely contested, with both fighters exchanging leg kicks and punches without either of them getting stunned. However, Aubin-Mercier appeared to be slightly ahead, landing a clean uppercut that knocked out Burgos' mouthpiece and having a more accurate jab. In the second round, Aubin-Mercier attempted a takedown and succeeded in pressing Burgos against the cage. Although Burgos managed to stand up, Aubin-Mercier took his back and controlled him against the cage for the rest of the round. The third round saw Aubin-Mercier once again going for a takedown and keeping Burgos on the ground for most of the round, despite Burgos' efforts to get back up. Aubin-Mercier's victory over Burgos keeps his unbeaten streak since his release from the UFC in 2019 alive, and he has now won seven consecutive fights, including the 2022 PFL lightweight season and the opening bout of the 2023 season. The win puts Aubin-Mercier in a good position in the PFL's lightweight division, and he will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with as the season progresses. For Burgos, the loss is a setback, but he should take solace in the fact that he put up a good fight against a seasoned veteran. He will have the opportunity to bounce back in his next fight and show the world what he's truly capable of. Burgos' two-fight undefeated run was also ended by a setback; in his preceding contests, he had defeated Charles Jourdain and Billy Quarantillo by unanimous decision. Burgos became part of the PFL in the latter half of 2022 after concluding his UFC deal.

Hamzah Sheeraz, the Commonwealth middleweight champion, was forced to take a break after undergoing hand surgery. However, he is expected to return to full training later this year and is anticipated to participate in a "very significant fight" before the end of the year. Sheeraz is a promising athlete who won 12 consecutive professional bouts before being sidelined by his injury. Despite this setback, he is back in the gym, preparing for his comeback in June, after Ramadan. Frank Warren, promoter of Sheeraz, said, “Hamzah had an operation on his hand and I just want to get him back in the swing in June. He will headline there and I’m looking to get him a significant fight by the end of the year.” The 22-year-old fighter from London is one of the emerging talents in the sport and is expected to make a big impression upon his return. Sheeraz has shown remarkable skill and determination throughout his career, making him one of the most exciting prospects in British boxing. Despite his injury, he has remained positive and focused, training hard every day and maintaining his commitment to the sport. His fans around the world are eagerly anticipating his return to the ring, and many are predicting great things for the young boxer. Hamzah Sheeraz is a name to keep an eye on in the world of boxing. His passion for the sport and his impressive track record to date sets him apart from his peers. He is indeed a fighter to watch out for, and his comeback later this year is something that will surely excite his fans and inspire new converts to the sport of boxing.

Brian Mendoza shocked the world on Saturday night by scoring what could be the frontrunner for knockout of the year and upset of the year. Down big on all three scorecards, Mendoza stopped Sebastian Fundora with a three-punch combination in the seventh round to win the WBC interim super welterweight title. The win was a stunning upset for Mendoza, who was an 11-to-1 underdog going into the fight. Just 13 months ago, Mendoza was fighting in non-televised walkout bouts. But in November, he knocked out former unified champion Jeison Rosario on 10-day notice in his first fight at 160 pounds. The impressive win set up the fight against Fundora. Speaking at his post-fight press conference at the Dignity Health Sports Park, Mendoza said, “It's crazy, man. I'm really here. I wasn't supposed to be here. I wasn't supposed to make it this far. This is just adding fuel to the fire. I'm going to continue working harder than I was. I don't know how that's going to be possible, but I'm going to find a way. It's just belief. You have to kill me to get me to stop.” Mendoza's rise in the sport has been meteoric, and the win against Fundora is the biggest moment of his career so far. The knockout combination he landed in the seventh round will go down as one of the most memorable moments in boxing this year, and it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the new WBC interim super welterweight champion. Mendoza's message to his opponents is clear: “The time to beat me was back then, the old Brian. This is a new monster you see in front of you.” With his impressive win against Fundora, Mendoza has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the super welterweight division.

In a surprising turn of events, Shakur Stevenson received a post-fight message from Devin Haney during his bout against Shuichiro Yoshino at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. ESPN’s Bernardo Osuna delivered the message from Haney, who insisted that he will remain in the lightweight division following his upcoming fight against Vasiliy Lomachenko. Stevenson, who became the WBC’s mandatory challenger for one of Haney’s four titles after defeating Yoshino in the main event of the ESPN broadcast, was surprised by Haney’s message. While Stevenson thinks that Haney will beat Lomachenko convincingly next month, he thought that Haney would give up his four lightweight titles and move up to the 140-pound division for his next fight. However, Haney’s insistence on staying in the lightweight division has sparked interest in a potential fight between the two unbeaten American lightweights. Stevenson hopes that Haney means what he says, as he would prefer to fight for all of the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO 135-pound championships in one fight, not just the WBC belt. Stevenson, who has a record of 20-0 with 10 knockouts, believes that a fight against Haney would be a fascinating bout between two of the best lightweights in the world. With Haney holding four titles in the division and Stevenson now the mandatory challenger for one of those titles, a potential fight between the two could be a unification bout for all of the lightweight championships. As both fighters continue to dominate in the lightweight division, fans eagerly await the possibility of a matchup between Stevenson and Haney. Only time will tell if Haney will follow through on his promise to stay in the division and potentially face Stevenson in what could be a historic fight.

In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated fight between Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush at UFC 288 has been postponed due to an undisclosed injury. Fans of both fighters were eagerly anticipating this bout but will now have to wait for a new date to be announced. The news of the postponement was first reported by Carlos Contreras Legaspi of ESPN Deportes, who stated that he had received word from Oliveira's camp about the injury. While the exact nature of the injury has not been disclosed, sources close to the fighter have hinted that it could be a minor issue that requires some weeks to heal and will be backing to training soon. Charles Oliveira made a name for himself in the UFC lightweight division when he defeated Michael Chandler by knockout at UFC 262 in May 2021 to claim the vacant championship title. He defended the title once by submitting Dustin Poirier before defeating Justin Gaethje via submission in the opening round of UFC 274. However, Oliveira was stripped of his title when he failed to make weight in a later fight. Despite this setback, he was given another chance to reclaim the championship but was unsuccessful. Oliveira recently suffered another loss when he was submitted by Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 in October, resulting in him losing his title. Despite this setback, the Brazilian fighter has an impressive list of victories against notable opponents such as Tony Ferguson, Kevin Lee, Jim Miller, Clay Guida, and Jeremy Stephens, among others. Many consider Oliveira to be the best lightweight fighter in the UFC currently. Beneil Dariush has won eight straight fights and most recently defeated Mateusz Gamrot by decision at UFC 280. Dariush has previously defeated Tony Ferguson in a decision match. He has had important victories during his career, including victories against Diego Ferreira, Drakkar Klose, Jim Miller, Michael Johnson, and James Vick. In contrast, Dariush, who is presently rated #4 among lightweights, would have most certainly received the next championship chance had he defeated Oliveira at UFC 288. While the delay is certainly frustrating for fans of both fighters, it does give them more time to prepare and make any necessary adjustments to their game plans. As for when the fight will take place, that remains to be seen. UFC officials have not yet announced a new date for the matchup, but fans can rest assured that it will happen eventually. In the meantime, fans of MMA can continue to enjoy the many other exciting fights and events that the UFC has to offer. With a stacked roster of fighters and a schedule full of exciting matchups, there is never a dull moment in the world of mixed martial arts. So, while we wait for the next chapter in the Oliveira vs. Dariush saga, let's sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

The cancellation of the fight with Oleksandr Usyk severely damaged Tyson Fury's reputation, and fans now booed him when his name is mentioned in public spaces. From the outside, it appeared that Fury was the one who was constantly avoiding the Ukrainian champion. Furthermore, Usyk was frequently mistreated by the Fury clan, who demanded that he "fall in line" and take what they were offering him. With no undisputed heavyweight bouts on the horizon, both champions must consider their next opponents in order to keep the division alive. Usyk has already found a fight with Daniel Dubois, but Fury remains a mystery. Promoter Frank Warren recently discussed Tyson Fury's likely next opponent with Simon Jordan. It became evident that not even Frank knows what would happen next. He did, however, identify Andy Ruiz as a possible future opponent for the Gipsy King. Fury has yet to sit down and chat with Frank, which is a huge source of concern for the promoter. As things stand, it appears that Fury lacks the stomach to fight again unless it is worthwhile. Frank has already stated that the Anthony Joshua bout would be beneficial to Fury, but he also believes Andy Ruiz is a terrific draw. Frank said: "The first question that Tyson has got to answer, and he'll do that with us when we sit down and address it. First, oes he want to be active, does he want to fight? We've got some dates held; we've got stdiums held for the summer for him. If we're going to be doing something for him, we're going to need to hear that decision fairly soon. Right now, there's nothing more to say because anything else would be speculation. I think he's a credible opponent. Andy Ruiz stopped Anthony Joshua and is a former world champion."