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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."

Canelo Alvarez has devoted countless hours to perfecting every aspect of his technique. He has been able to shine when it matters most because of the time he has invested on his art outside of the spotlight. At the conclusion of 2021, Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) proudly climbed up on the top turnbuckle with world belts in four different weight classes. Alvarez stripped every 168-pound champion of their title in less than a full calendar year. The Mexican star was the last one standing after he conquered them all. Although the 32-year-old is adamant that he is a complete fighter, he has a history of turning up the heat and searching for knockout blows as his fights come to a close. While the pound-for-pound king's strength has shown to be lethal, competitors like Dmitry Bivol have demonstrated unbreakable chins. Although things may not have gone as planned initially, Alvarez is optimistic that things would turn out differently this time. Bivol and Ryder have both demonstrated remarkable tenacity throughout the course of their careers, but Alvarez is certain that if his money shot connects, the lights of his rivals will unquestionably be shutout. “Yea, everybody,” said Alvarez to a group of reporters when asked if he could knock out anyone with the right shot. Everybody down for sure.” Recently, Alvarez's name has been inextricably linked to David Benavidez in addition to Ryder and Bivol. The 26-year-old interim WBC champion has made no secret of his eagerness to take on his Mexican opponent. Alvarez’s biggest threat, Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) recently handed Caleb Plant just the second defeat of his career. Alvarez isn't stressing out about the enormous task that could soon be in front of him. Alvarez believes that Benavidez's chin is identical to everyone else's. So if Alvarez gets a good look, the fighter who was just dubbed "The Mexican Monster" could also be stopped cold. “You know the word everybody?” Said Alvarez while smiling when asked if he has enough power to KO Benavidez. “Everybody.”

Chinese heavyweight boxer Zhang Zhilei is set to face Joe Joyce in a showdown for the WBO interim-heavyweight title at the Copper Box Arena in London this Saturday. Both Joyce and Zhang are Olympic silver medal winners, and the winner of this fight will earn a mandatory crack at IBF, WBO, IBO, WBA champion Oleksandr Usyk. Zhang, who will turn 40 in May, is looking to secure a world title shot and is possibly in his last opportunity to do so. He is coming off a controversial decision loss to Filip Hrgovic in an IBF final eliminator. However, Zhang is determined to bounce back and prove himself in the ring. "My goal is to open up a field for Chinese boxers and add our names to the heavyweight competitions. It's not an easy trip here, but I feel like I'm getting closer to my dream," Zhang told Xinhua. "My dream is to win the world championship, the title belt." Zhang usually towers over his opponents, but he will face a tough challenge in Joyce, who is coming off a sectional knockout of former world champion Joseph Parker. Joyce is a skilled fighter with a record of 15-0, with 14 of those wins coming by knockout. However, Zhang is confident in his abilities and is ready to take on Joyce in the ring. "I'm excited for this fight and ready to give it my all. Joyce is a tough opponent, but I'm confident in my abilities and ready to prove myself in the ring," said Zhang. the upcoming fight between Zhang Zhilei and Joe Joyce is set to be an exciting matchup between two skilled heavyweight boxers. Zhang is looking to secure a world title shot and prove himself as a top contender in the heavyweight division. Joyce, on the other hand, is looking to continue his winning streak and earn a mandatory crack at Oleksandr Usyk's titles. Boxing fans around the world will be eagerly waiting to see who comes out on top in this highly anticipated fight.

David Benavidez is not one to sit idly by and wait for opportunities to come to him. The 26-year-old boxer is coming off a dominant 12-round victory over Caleb Plant and has his sights set on the biggest name in the sport, Canelo Alvarez. However, with Alvarez's schedule already booked, Benavidez and his team have a different plan in mind for the immediate future. In an interview with FightHubTV, Benavidez's father and trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr., revealed that they have a concrete plan in place for his next several fights. While they would love to face Alvarez, they understand that it may not happen anytime soon. Instead, they are focused on building Benavidez's resume and reputation as one of the top fighters in the sport. Alvarez, who usually fights twice a year, is set to face London's John Ryder in May. He is then expected to fight Dmitry Bivol, the light heavyweight titlist from Russia, in the fall. Benavidez understands that he won't get a chance to fight Alvarez this year, but he is not deterred. "We're just going to keep fighting the top guys and keep building our legacy," said Benavidez Sr. "We're not going to sit on our hands waiting for Canelo. We have a plan, and we're going to execute that plan." Benavidez's plan includes facing tough opponents and winning titles. He is currently the WBC super middleweight champion and has a record of 24-0 with 21 knockouts. His next opponent is yet to be announced, but Benavidez is ready for whoever is put in front of him. "I'm ready for anybody," said Benavidez. "I want to fight the best and prove that I'm the best. Whether it's Canelo or someone else, I'm ready to go." David Benavidez is not content to sit back and wait for opportunities to come to him. He has a plan in place for his boxing career and is focused on building his reputation as one of the top fighters in the sport. While a fight with Canelo Alvarez is not in the immediate future, Benavidez is ready for whoever is put in front of him and is determined to prove that he is the best.

In the world of boxing, the heavyweight division has always been the most popular and sought-after category. And with the emergence of Joe Joyce, the landscape of heavyweight boxing is set to change yet again. Joyce has his sights set on Tyson Fury’s WBC heavyweight title and is ready to face the champion in a summer showdown at Wembley Stadium in London. Joyce, who is 15-0 with 14 KOs, is looking forward to a potential fight with Fury, who is considered one of the best heavyweight boxers of his generation. With Fury’s team currently in negotiations with Anthony Joshua for an undisputed heavyweight title fight, Joyce is hoping to get his shot at Fury’s WBC belt. The 37-year-old Joyce is set to face Chinese contender Zhang Zhilei on April 15th at the Copper Box Arena in London. If he can come out victorious against Zhilei, Joyce will be in a good position to challenge Fury for the WBC title. “I’m ready. With Fury, it’s a massive fight. Everyone wants to see it. It’s a great fight in the making,” said Joyce. Joyce is preparing for a potential fight with Fury by facing southpaw fighters like Zhilei. He believes that his style is perfectly suited to take on the WBC champion and is confident of his chances in the ring. A fight between Fury and Joyce would be a great British summer spectacle and would attract a lot of attention from boxing fans around the world. With both fighters possessing an impressive record and an aggressive style, the fight would be a true test of their skills and determination. In conclusion, Joe Joyce is looking to make his mark in the world of heavyweight boxing and is eyeing a shot at Tyson Fury’s WBC title. With his impressive record and aggressive style, Joyce is confident of his chances in the ring and is preparing hard for a potential summer showdown with Fury at Wembley Stadium. Boxing fans around the world will be eagerly waiting to see if this fight comes to fruition and who will come out on top.

Alex Pereira, the recently dethroned UFC middleweight champion, has announced his move up to the light heavyweight division. Standing at a towering 6-foot-4, Pereira has struggled to make the 185-pound mark in his nine-fight MMA career, making his shift up in weight a natural decision. Though he remains confident in his ability to compete in the middleweight division, Pereira has his sights set on bigger things but still, he's keeping an eye on Israel Adesanya's behavior. "All of you saw the provocation from Adesanya after the fight... Let’s see how he behaves… I will always be able to make 185... I’m sure if I insist to fight him again immediately, the UFC and my promoters will make it happen." After losing his title to Adesanya in a rematch at UFC 287, Pereira wasted no time in announcing his move up to light heavyweight. He feels that Adesanya is acting a bit too smug about his recent win and wants to see how he behaves going forward. Though Pereira has no date or opponent lined up for his return to the octagon, he's already looking toward the future. In a video he posted to his YouTube account, Pereira gave the following reasons for switching to the 205-pound weight class: "My next fight will be at 205 [pounds]. Yeah, you heard right. I think I did my work and now I'm feeling good to go up to 205... This division 185, I always made weight... But now it's the moment for me to go to the next division." Pereira has had a phenomenal kickboxing career, competing in both the 185 and 205-pound weight classes. He committed fully to MMA in 2020 and was signed to the UFC after going 3-1. Though his history with Adesanya provided him a good reason to stick with middleweight, his loss in their fourth fight made the move up in weight an imminent choice. While a rubber match with Adesanya felt like a real possibility, Pereira is instead focusing on his next steps in the light heavyweight division. He assures fans that he could have run things back once more with “The Last Stylebender” but ultimately feels that moving up in weight is the best decision for his career. Despite the change in weight class, Pereira remains confident that he could fight Adesanya immediately if he chose to do so. Even though Pereira hasn't yet fought scheduled, light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill publicly pointed out his enthusiasm to welcome the former middleweight champion to the 205-pound class. It'll be fascinating to see how Pereira performs in his new division and whether he can make a statement against some of the world's top light heavyweights.

The UFC is always churning out the best matchups for fight fans across the globe. One of the most anticipated fights that have been circulating for a while now is Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Manel Kape. The match is reportedly in the works for UFC 290 on July 8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and has created a lot of buzz within the MMA community. The matchup is rather unexpected given that Figueiredo declared he would switch to a 135-pound weight class right after losing the championship battle to Brandon Moreno at UFC 283 in January of this year. Numerous bantamweights have called out in anticipation of Figueiredo's debut in the division in response to his announcement, most recently Rob Font this past week. But it is currently in limbo. Figueiredo's next fresh challenger since defeating Alex Perez through submission in November 2020 is none other than Kape. The remaining four fights between Figueiredo and Moreno resulted in one draw, one victory for Figueiredo, and two victories for Moreno. Being hampered with fight withdrawals, including three of his last four booked fights falling over, Kape is trying to find a way back on the course to for the division gold. The bout between the former RIZIN champion and Alex Perez was supposed to take place in March, however, Perez's health problems caused it to be canceled on fight night. After a 0-2 opening to his UFC career, he has prevailed in three consecutive matches. After defeating Ode Osbourne and Zhalgas Zhumagulov, he subsequently defeated David Dvorak by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 216 in December. Kape will be looking to make a name for himself by defeating one of the best fighters in the division and potentially becoming the new flyweight title contender. As the UFC continues to put together the best matchups for fight fans around the world, the potential matchup between Deiveson Figueiredo and Manel Kape is undoubtedly one of the most exciting fights on the horizon. With both fighters having so much to gain, fans can expect nothing but the best from these two talented athletes. UFC 290 can't come soon enough!

Renato Moicano's second-ever UFC main event appearance will not take place later this month. According to reports, the veteran has suffered an injury that has forced him to withdraw from his April 29 headliner against Arman Tsarukyan. The fight was planned for lightweight inside the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. As of now, it's unclear whether Tsarukyan will continue on the card with a new opponent or whether the fight will be cancelled outright. With UFC Vegas 72 just over two weeks away, it appears likely that the UFC will have a difficult time finding a high-profile opponent willing to compete in five rounds. Tsarukyan's main event slot, which is very possibly in jeopardy, gave the rated lightweight a chance to win his maiden fight as a headliner. Renato Moicano was supposed to make his debut for the year later this month. He finished 2022 on a high note, defeating Brad Riddell via first-round rear naked choke submission at UFC 281 in November. Moicano's first UFC main event debut came in 2019, when he was defeated by The Korean Zombie in 58 seconds. That was his final appearance at featherweight; he has since made five lightweight bouts. UFC Fight Night 223 lineup now includes: Arman Tsarukyan vs. opponent TBA Caio Borralho vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Marcos Rogerio Cody Brundage vs. Rodolfo Vieira Ange Loosa vs. Josh Quinlan Emily Ducote vs. Polyana Viana Natan Levy vs. Pete Rodriguez Brian Kelleher vs. Journey Newson Martin Buday vs. Jake Collier Cody Durden vs. Charles Johnson Julian Erosa vs. Fern Padilla Hailey Cowan vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth Irina Alekseeva vs. Stephanie Egger

Stipe Miocic, the two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion, has fired back at Jon Jones and Dana White. For many years, Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic has been a great dream bout in the UFC. The match-up was widely rumored throughout 2022, but it never materialized. The widespread consensus surrounding the fight's delays, according to Daniel Cormier, was that Miocic's financial demands were the main issue. Miocic hasn't fought in more than two years. He was last seen at UFC 260, where he was knocked out in the second round by Francis Ngannou to lose the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Jon Jones made his long-awaited comeback to the Octagon this year, winning the heavyweight title with a first-round submission victory over Ciryl Gane. Jones has since blamed Stipe Miocic for the fact that their fight has yet to be announced. Prior to appearing to enter isolation, Bones reportedly asked White to inform him when the Miocic bout was confirmed. Miocic recently posted a video of White addressing Jones' disappearance. Miocic questioned Jones' unexpected departure from the public eye in what appeared to be a callout to both White and Jones. The heavyweight fight was highly anticipated to be the main event of UFC 290 in July. Unfortunately, current rumours indicate that the clash has been postponed again, with a new date set for this fall. Top contests at 265lbs have been delayed – and occasionally completely missed – in recent years.