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Get ready for an explosive matchup in the bantamweight division as Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen step into the Octagon to face off at UFC San Antonio. With both fighters coming off impressive victories, this pivotal bout promises to be one of the most exciting matchups of the year. Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen weighed themselves for their fight earlier today, which might decide who will contend for the men's bantamweight title in the future. The first two competitors to show up at Friday's official weigh-ins for Saturday's bout, which takes place at AT&T Centre, were the headliners of UFC San Antonio. Vera clocked in at 136 pounds and Sandhagen was right behind him at 135.5 pounds. Vera currently ranked #3, also known as "Chito," is a rising star in the bantamweight division. He has an impressive record of 20-7-1 and has won four of his last five fights. His most recent victory was a 4th-round KO over Dominick Cruz at UFC San Diego in August 2022. Vera is a dangerous striker who can finish a fight at any moment. He also has a solid ground game, with 8 submission victories in his career. Sandhagen currently ranked #5, on the other hand, is coming off a spectacular performance against Song Yadong. Sandhagen put on a striking clinic, winning via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) by the end of round 4. With a record of 15-4, Sandhagen has won two of his last four fights, including victories over Frankie Edgar and Song Yadong. He suffered 2 consecutive losses in between these 2 wins. One is against former champion TJ Dillashaw and the second one was against Petr Yan in an interim title fight. He is known for his dynamic striking, with seven of his wins coming by knockout. This fight is a critical one for both fighters, as a victory could potentially earn them a shot at the bantamweight title. Vera has been vocal about his desire to fight for the belt, and a win over Sandhagen would certainly put him in contention. Sandhagen, meanwhile, is looking to show that he is still a top contender in the division. While both fighters have a similar striking style, they also have different strengths that could make the difference in this matchup. Vera's ground game could prove to be a challenge for Sandhagen, who has struggled in the past with wrestlers. However, Sandhagen's reach advantage and dynamic striking could give him an edge in the stand-up game. Regardless of the outcome, fans are in for a treat with this matchup. Both Vera and Sandhagen are exciting fighters who are always looking to finish their opponents. With so much on the line, this fight promises to be a must-watch for any UFC fan. So, mark your calendars for UFC San Antonio on March 26th, as Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen step into the Octagon for what is sure to be an explosive and pivotal bantamweight bout.

Cody Garbrandt wants to return at UFC 290 and has an opponent in mind. Garbrandt and Yahya were slated to meet one other twice in 2022, however, both contests collapsed when Yahya pulled because of an injury. Before making a comeback versus Trevin Jones at UFC 285 a few weeks ago, "No Love" took note of his injuries. He received a unanimous decision victory. It was Cody Garbrandt's second victory in his past seven starts and his first since 2020. After losing the bantamweight championship to T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 217, when they had a revenge fight, the 31-year-old has had a severely poor performance in the cage. However, Yahya's matchup with Montel Jackson at UFC Fight Night 222 is set for April 22. Garbrandt thinks they may rematch on July 8 at UFC 290 if Yahya survives the Jackson bout uninjured. The former bantamweight champion was questioned on MMA Junkie Radio regarding his upcoming match and likely foe. “I’d like to fight International Fight Week. My birthday is July 7. The fight’s July 8, so it would be great to weigh in on my birthday, fight the next day, (and) get a big win. I saw Rani Yahya is slated to fight in April, so if he wins, hopefully, he can fight in July. That’s something I look forward to, fighting him.” He further added: “He’s (Yahya) got a lot of records in the bantamweight division, riding a three-fight win streak, probably the best grappler in our division, so I would like to test my grappling skills against him. It’s already been two camps I was supposed to fight him, and he pulled out twice two weeks before the fight. So that would be my ideal fight July 8.” Yahya, who is known for his grappling skills, has a professional record of 28-10-1 and has won his last two fights in the UFC. Despite his recent struggles, Garbrandt remains one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC. Known for his knockout power and aggressive style, Garbrandt has earned 10 of his 13 professional wins by knockout. If the fight is rebooked for UFC 290 in July, it will be interesting to see how Garbrandt approaches the matchup. Will he look to keep the fight standing and use his striking to knock out Yahya, or will he try to take the fight to the ground and test his grappling skills against one of the best submission artists in the UFC? Regardless of how the fight plays out, it is sure to be an exciting matchup between two of the best bantamweights in the UFC. Garbrandt is hungry to get back in the win column and prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level, while Yahya is looking to continue his winning streak and prove that he is more than just a one-dimensional grappler. Fans of the UFC will no doubt be eagerly anticipating this matchup, and if Garbrandt gets his wish, we could see these two fighters square off at UFC 290 in July.

Bob Arum, founder of Top Rank Inc., is feeling uncertain about the outcome of the highly anticipated junior welterweight bout between Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez. Scheduled for June 10, the fight is expected to draw fans both in-person and on ESPN, but Arum is unsure who will come out on top. In an interview with BoxingScene.com, Arum expressed his doubts, saying, “I don’t know what Teofimo has anymore. And really, I don’t know what Taylor has anymore. You know, this is not like you can predict the fight based on guys who fight frequently. Teofimo has been a little disappointing, in his last fight and in two of his last three fights. And Taylor didn’t look great against Catterall. Hopefully for this fight, they both can present the public with their top-flight self.” Taylor, who has a record of 19-0 with 13 KOs, will be defending his WBO junior welterweight title against Lopez, who holds a record of 18-1 with 13 KOs. The fight will be held at either Madison Square Garden or the Hulu Theater, with the venue dependent on the playoffs of the Rangers and/or Knicks. Lopez, a Brooklyn native, recently fought at Madison Square Garden, where he won a split decision over Spanish southpaw Sandor Martin in a 10-round bout. This win came after he lost his IBF, WBA, and WBO lightweight titles to Australian underdog George Kambosos Jr. in November 2021. Taylor, on the other hand, has not fought since February 2022 when he lost to Jack Catterall in a controversial split decision. Despite a 15-month layoff, he remains confident about his chances against Lopez. The uncertainty surrounding the fight has not dampened enthusiasm among fans, and the event is expected to draw significant attention. Whether Lopez can reclaim his former glory or Taylor can defend his title, the fight promises to be an exciting one that fans won’t want to miss.

Jermell Charlo, the undisputed junior middleweight champion, is eagerly awaiting his return to the ring after suffering a broken hand during a sparring session last December. Although the injury forced the postponement of a scheduled fight against Tim Tszyu earlier this year, Charlo remains confident that his hand will come back stronger than ever. In a recent interview with Brian Custer on The Last Stand Podcast, Charlo discussed his progress in rehab and the steps he’s taking to ensure a full recovery. “I just doing everything I can with rehab. I haven’t been able to [train]. I have not punched yet. When you break two bones in one hand, it takes a lot to [recover]. The hand is real delicate. These are my moneymakers. It’s gonna be stronger than what it was before.” Charlo’s injury was a setback for the fighter, who has been eager to face Tszyu in the ring. Tszyu recently fought and defeated Tony Harrison in a match that was originally scheduled against Charlo. When asked about a future fight against Tszyu, Charlo remained optimistic. “By the end of the summer or something. Hopefully … the middle of this year, it could be August, it could be July, it could be whenever.” Charlo is a skilled fighter with a record of 35-1-1, with 19 KOs. The Houston native is known for his power and precision in the ring, and his absence from the sport has been felt by fans and fellow fighters alike. With his hand on the mend, Charlo is eager to step back into the ring and prove that he’s still a force to be reckoned with. Despite the challenges of rehab, Charlo is staying positive and focused on his recovery. “I’m working. I got some time, but I’ll be back,” he said. As one of the most exciting fighters in the sport today, Charlo’s return to the ring is eagerly anticipated, and fans can’t wait to see what he’ll accomplish next.

Israel Adesanya, the former heavyweight champion, will seek retribution against Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 287, which will take place in Miami on April 8. This will be their fourth encounter in combat sports. Adesanya lost the UFC middleweight championship to "Poatan" in their first fight inside the cage in November of last year after the Brazilian had defeated him twice in kickboxing. Adesanya is expected to win the title right away despite suffering his first middleweight loss last time out. One of his former opponents claims that even if he succeeds, he won't be the "best" middleweight. After defeating Roman Dolidze this past weekend at UFC 286, #3-ranked contender Marvin Vettori was asked to choose between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya as the "better" fighter. Vettori lost to former champion Whittaker at UFC Paris in September after losing on the scorecards. "I think Whittaker (is better), man," Vettori said. "A way to put it is like, if you line up like, 10 very good fighters and you put both of them against these 10 very good fighters, Whittaker would beat most of them. But with the way they match up, Whittaker struggles with Adesanya a little bit. That's kind of the way I would put it. It seems sense that Vettori, who had previously indicated interest in running it back with both Whittaker and Adesanya, got closer to those prospects by rebounding in London on March 18.

Former super middleweight champions David Benavidez and Caleb Plant will square off on Saturday on Showtime pay-per-view. Both fighters are hoping to secure a victory and advance to a bigger fight. The former two-time WBC champion at 168 pounds, Benavidez (26-0, 23 KO), will try to maintain his unbeaten record, defend the WBC interim title he's carrying into the fight, and possibly force a bout with Canelo Alvarez if he can defeat Plant (22-1, 13 KO), who's only defeat came at the hands of Canelo in 2021. “This is a dream come true. There’s a lot at stake in this fight. I’ve been wanting an opportunity like this for a long, long time. The time is right, right now. This is the best time to make this fight happen. I’m ready to give the fans what they want to see. I’m going for the knockout on Saturday. “I have tremendous power. Everybody I hit gets hurt. I end up breaking them down little by little. This is the most focused I’ve ever been for a fight. But whatever he brings to the table, I’m going to be ready for it. I’m looking for that knockout and I’m going to get it. “I just want to push myself. This is pay-per-view. I want to be in the limelight. I want to continue having pay-per-view fights and to do that, I have to push and get the knockout. This is the best I’ve ever felt mentally, physically and emotionally. I was already a monster before, but Caleb Plant brought the ‘Mexican Monster’ out of me. Who do you think will win? Comment and let us know.

Chris Colbert Set to Regain Super Featherweight Title, But First: Jose Valenzuela Chris Colbert may be facing Jose Valenzuela at lightweight on March 25, but the former WBA super featherweight champion has his sights set on regaining his title at 130 pounds. Colbert lost the belt to Hector Luis Garcia last year, but he plans to take it back before returning to lightweight for good. His fight against Valenzuela is a chance to re-establish himself after the Garcia defeat and prove that he’s still one of the best in his division. Colbert sees his upcoming fight with Valenzuela as an opportunity to show the world that he’s a force to be reckoned with. “I don’t like swimming with fishes. I like swimming with sharks,” he said during a virtual press conference. “So, that’s what I’m coming to do March 25th, swim with sharks, and try to swim and don’t get wet.” Valenzuela, who suffered his first professional loss in September, is no pushover. The Washington-based fighter is taller than Colbert, has fought at lightweight for most of his career, and is known for his punching power. But Colbert isn’t worried. He’s confident that he can beat Valenzuela and prove that he’s still one of the best in the business. After the fight with Valenzuela, Colbert plans to return to the super featherweight division and take on Garcia in a rematch. Despite being the favorite in their first bout, Colbert was dominated by Garcia and lost by unanimous decision. Colbert sees the rematch as a chance to prove that the first fight was a fluke and regain his title. “I gotta go back down and get my belt, man,” he said. “I gotta get what’s mine, what’s rightfully mine, and that’s to beat up on what’s his name again? Yeah, Hector Luis Garcia. I gotta beat up on that guy first. And then I can come up and fight at 135.” Colbert’s fight with Valenzuela is part of the undercard for the David Benavidez-Caleb Plant fight on March 25. The fight will be televised on Showtime Pay-Per-View and is sure to be a must-see event for boxing fans.

Why David Benavidez May Never Get His Shot at Canelo Alvarez David Benavidez has his sights set on a career-defining fight with Canelo Alvarez, but his father and trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr., doesn't believe the Mexican superstar will ever take the risk. Despite holding the WBC interim 168-pound championship and being younger and undefeated, David's father thinks Alvarez and his team would never allow him to step into the ring with their fighter, who is set to defend his IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight titles against John Ryder in May. According to Benavidez Sr., Alvarez's extensive fighting career has taken a toll on his body, despite his young age of 32. The fighter's trainer believes that Alvarez has accumulated too many miles over the years, which could result in the relinquishment of his WBC belt, making a fight against David even less likely. While David Benavidez's boxing career has been relatively short in comparison to Alvarez's, he has remained undefeated in his professional career with a record of 26-0 and 23 KOs. Although his upcoming fight against Caleb Plant on March 26 may serve as a step towards his ultimate goal of facing Alvarez, there is no guarantee that the match will happen. While fans of David Benavidez may be disappointed to hear the likelihood of the fight against Alvarez, they can still look forward to his future fights, which are sure to be exciting regardless of the opponent.

With Oleksandr Usyk's undisputed heavyweight bout out of the picture, promoter Frank Warren does not rule out the possibility that Tyson Fury will opt to retire. One day after it was reported that lengthy negotiations between Usyk, the WBO, WBA, IBF, and IBO champion, and Fury, the WBC champion, were officially over, the head of Queensberry Promotions suggested that prospect on Thursday. The mandatory challenger for one of Usyk's titles, Daniel Dubois, has been identified as a target for a fight by Usyk's squad. Dubois is promoted by Warren, just like Fury is. Fury’s future, on the other hand, is a bit more muddled, Warren noted. “Tyson’s a bit [pissed off] because, obviously, he’s been in training constantly,” Warren said in an interview with SecondsOut, contradicting Fury’s suggestion this week that he had just begun his training camp. “He’s got his trainer in. It’s not a conversation [we’ve had yet.] Everything’s too raw at the moment. We’ll work it out. “Listen, he may retire – I don’t know what he wants to do. He’ll do whatever he wants to do. He’s the guy getting in the ring. Everyone sitting outside making their comments, I find it quite insulting. Tyson Fury who went to Germany, done all the things that Usyk done, beat the best guy of his generation (then champion Wladimir Klitschko), went to America and beat the hardest punching guy (Deontay Wilder)." If Fury, indeed, does end up announcing his retirement, it would not be the first time. Indeed, the Manchester native has had a long history of broadcasting his intention to leave the sport—only to return. In 2016, amid drug and mental health problems, Fury announced that he was retiring. A few hours later, he recanted that statement. But Fury claimed again the following year that he was hanging up the gloves. Fury naturally made a comeback to the ring in 2018, competing three times, including the first match with Wilder, which was decided by a split decision. Following his victory over fellow countryman Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium in London last April, Fury more recently announced his plan to retire. Just five months later, Fury declared that he had once again altered his mind, this time due to boredom. Warren declared that he would back whichever choice his star boxer ultimately makes. “Tyson’s a very philosophical guy, and he will do whatever he chooses to do,” Warren said. “And whatever he chooses to do, I’m there with him.” Usyk and some of his staff have accused Fury of being unreasonable for making so many demands, despite the fact that they had already agreed to a lopsided financial split of 70/30 in Fury's favour. Warren, in response, has criticised Usyk for withdrawing from the battle despite declaring his disinterest in money. “I genuinely thought he said what he wanted – he don’t care about money, he just wants to fight for the four belts," Warren said. "But he pulled out of the fight. You can dress it up, slag off me, slag off Tyson Fury. They. Pulled. Out.”

Manchester Hero Anthony Crolla Backs Lyndon Arthur to Win IBO World Title and Secure Big Fights Former world champion Anthony Crolla has thrown his support behind Lyndon Arthur ahead of his IBO world title fight against Braian Nahuel Suarez. Crolla believes that Arthur has the ability to become a major player in the light heavyweight division and pave the way for some exciting showdowns with other top UK fighters. Crolla, who himself was a beloved figure in Manchester boxing, has urged Arthur to seize the opportunity presented by the IBO title and use it to secure bigger fights. He noted that many great fighters, including Klitschko and Golovkin, have held the IBO belt and that it can be a powerful bargaining tool. Arthur, a product of the famous Collyhurst and Moston ABC, already has a win over Anthony Yarde and has been identified as a rising star in the light heavyweight division. Crolla believes that a victory over Suarez will put him in contention for some major fights against other top fighters in the UK. According to Crolla, the light heavyweight division is one of the strongest in the UK and Arthur has the talent to become a major player. He added that Arthur has the potential to deliver some massive nights of boxing to Manchester and that the IBO title will be a key factor in securing big fights at the Manchester Arena. Crolla’s support for Arthur highlights the importance of having local heroes in boxing and the role they play in generating excitement and support for the sport. With Arthur’s fight against Suarez set to be broadcast live and free-to-air on Channel 5 tonight, it is clear that there is still a strong appetite for boxing in the UK and a hunger for local fighters to succeed on the world stage. As the fight approaches, all eyes will be on Lyndon Arthur to see if he can seize the opportunity and become the next big thing in UK boxing.

Brazilian mixed martial artist Paulo Costa has agreed to a new four-fight deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The news comes as a welcome development for fight fans, who have been eagerly anticipating Costa's return to the Octagon. Costa, who holds a professional record of 13 wins and 1 loss, has been a force to be reckoned with in the UFC's middleweight division. His powerful striking and aggressive fighting style have made him a fan favorite, and he has earned impressive victories over some of the top fighters in the division. Once the promotion revealed Costa had been scheduled to compete against Robert Whittaker at UFC 284, he explicitly stated that he still wouldn't compete without a new agreement. Costa has already been strongly criticized for his dissatisfaction with his contract agreement. Soon after, Costa declared he would explore the possibilities of free agency, but the Brazilian has already disclosed he has signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC. “I haven’t signed the contract yet but we have reached a deal with the UFC regarding the pay,” Costa said to PVT. “It wasn’t easy, there was a lot of hard work, and I have to highlight Tamara’s brilliant work here.” Costa revealed that he is actively in discussions with UFC about his upcoming match. Costa claims that the UFC contacted him with perhaps the chance to compete with either Sean Strickland in May or Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, which takes place on October 21 in Abu Dhabi. “I want that, too,” Costa said of facing both men back-to-back in 2023. “[The UFC] wants to make sure this Chimaev fight happen at all costs, but I want to make both happen. We’ll see.” Costa has a 14-2 record as a career and a 6-2 record since signing the UFC. In his most recent match, which took place in August 2022, he defeated Luke Rockhold by a unanimous decision to end a losing streak of two matches versus Marvin Vettori & Israel Adesanya. It remains to be seen when Costa will return to the Octagon but fight fans can be sure that he will be looking to make a statement with his performances. With a new four-fight deal in place, Costa will have the opportunity to solidify his position as one of the top middleweights in the UFC. Whether it's against Strickland, Chimaev, or another opponent, Costa's fights are always must-watch events. As the UFC continues to grow and evolve, Costa's aggressive style and knockout power make him a fighter to watch in 2023 and beyond.

After the Gypsy King's apparent breakup with Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua will not "sit around and wait" for a battle with Tyson Fury. Tuesday brought news of the cancellation of the anticipated Fury vs. Usyk fight scheduled for April 29 at Wembley Stadium due to yet another contract issue. Team Usyk has now declared that in order to maintain his WBA, WBO, IBO, and IBF titles, they will continue to meet their required WBA obligations. If Joshua defeats Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena on April 1, he could become an option for Fury, who would then be without a dance companion for the summer. Joshua, however, asserts that he would be content to retire without ever meeting the 6' 9" WBC champion because he claims that talking up a fight with Fury has hurt him in the past. Joshua said: “I will be real, as much as I like to entertain that gossip and Fury situation, I have been there twice and people don’t remember that. “I was supposed to fight him before I fought Usyk, the first time, and he pulled out due to his legal case, the arbitration, with Wilder. That was all up in the air and done online. Then we had the one for this December. “Will the fight with me and him get made? I don’t know. Look at all the sh!t they are going through now with this Usyk stuff. It’s just crazy. “I don’t publicize things so it’s actually good that people are starting to see what goes on in negotiations. It’s good that people can actually see the sh!t that people have got to put up with to make a fight, Me and Usyk got two successful fights done. It’s just crazy. “I cannot say I am just going to sit around and wait for this geezer. There are other great fights out there I can have. Without Fury on my record, I will not wake up tomorrow and regret my whole boxing career. If he is on it, I am on it, if he is not, he is not. Whatever.”