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UFC fans, get ready for an exciting matchup on May 13th, as Ian Machado Garry puts his undefeated record on the line against Daniel Rodriguez. This welterweight bout is sure to be a barnburner, as both fighters bring impressive skill sets to the Octagon. After defeating Kenan Song in what can be regarded as his greatest performance in the octagon till now, Ian Garry did not take long getting back into the ring and has now agreed to sign a contract for a crucial challenge. The Irishman was nearly taken out early during the last fight, ultimately winning by TKO after dominating for the duration of the fight. The welterweight has persisted in being included on big cards ever since joining the UFC, and all his four bouts have occurred on noteworthy occasions. Ian Machado Garry needed a massive boost in competitiveness, which is already happening for him. With a perfect record of 11-0, Garry has quickly established himself as one of the most promising prospects in the sport. Daniel Rodriguez has had a fortune in the octagon despite joining the UFC slightly later than the ordinary participant. The tough striker known as "D-Rod" has shown to be a formidable foe for everyone he has fought. He frequently overpowers his rivals with pressure and intensity. After seeing Neil Magny stop his four-fight winning run in November of last year, Rodriguez is attempting to maintain his position among the favorites. "D-Rod" had won 7 of his past 8 UFC contests before the defeat, featuring wins against Li Jingliang, Kevin Lee, Mike Perry, and Tim Means. One thing is for certain, fans can expect an exciting back-and-forth battle when these two warriors step inside the Octagon. With both fighters putting everything on the line, this fight has all the makings of a potential Fight of the Night candidate. For Garry, a win over a seasoned veteran like Rodriguez would be a major statement and could propel him into the upper echelon of the UFC's welterweight division. Meanwhile, a victory for Rodriguez would prove that he can compete with the best in the world. The May 13 UFC event promises to be one of the most exciting cards of the year, with Garry vs. Rodriguez serving as a must-watch matchup for any MMA fan. Be sure to tune in and witness these two rising stars battle it out in what is sure to be a memorable showdown.

Caleb Plant Embraces Underdog Role Ahead of David Benavidez Fight Caleb Plant has never shied away from being the underdog, and he’s certainly embracing that role as he prepares for his upcoming fight against WBC interim champion David Benavidez. Despite previously holding the IBF crown and defending it three times before losing to Canelo Alvarez, Plant is still considered by many to be biting off more than he can chew. For Plant, however, the idea that he will wilt under the pressure of Benavidez is a predictable narrative that he’s heard before. He’s used to coming into big fights with little to no expectations of winning and sees this as an advantage. “I like taking on the title as an underdog,” said Plant during a recent interview. “I feel like that’s something that I’ve been in not just my career but my life.” Plant has proven himself before when the odds were against him, such as in his 2019 fight against Jose Uzcategui, where he dropped the former titlist multiple times before cruising to a unanimous decision victory. His background and the struggles he faced growing up have made him resilient and determined to prove that anyone, regardless of their upbringing or appearance, can achieve great things. “Showing the world that just because you may come from a certain place or look a certain way, that doesn’t mean that you can’t accomplish great things,” said Plant. As he prepares to face off against Benavidez, Plant remains confident and focused, embracing the role of the underdog and determined to prove his doubters wrong once again.

Frank Warren, co-promoter of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has confirmed that a potential unification fight with Oleksandr Usyk is now off the table, at least for April 29. The two sides were unable to agree on the monetary terms for the contracted rematch, with Usyk requesting a 70-30 split in his favor for the rematch, while Fury was demanding a 50-50 rematch split. Usyk’s handlers had put pressure on the fight to go ahead on April 29 at Wembley Stadium in London, but they warned that any delay to the fight would result in a different split. Warren believes that this was a tactic to avoid the match. “The reason they did that was they didn’t think Tyson would be ready for the 29th and suddenly Tyson was ready for it. He has been in training camp for two and a half weeks, got trainers in from America and they looked for a way to get out,” Warren told BBC Sport. Usyk, who holds the WBO, IBF, IBO, WBA titles, is now obligated to three separate mandatory defenses. He must now face WBA mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois, whom Warren also promotes. Then there is IBF mandatory Filip Hrgovic, and finally WBO mandatory challenger Joe Joyce, who has a fight scheduled next month with Zhang Zhilei. “There is an established rota of who Usyk has to defend against,” Warren said. “That’s why after the 29th it goes away.” It’s unfortunate news for boxing fans who were eagerly anticipating a Fury vs. Usyk unification bout, but it appears that it’s not going to happen anytime soon. For now, Fury will have to focus on his upcoming fight with an opponent yet to be determined, while Usyk will look to defend his titles against his mandatory challengers.

Vladimir Shishkin Weighs in on Benavidez vs. Plant Fight Super middleweight contender Vladimir Shishkin is closely watching the upcoming fight between former world champions David Benavidez and Caleb Plant, as he inches closer to an IBF title shot. Shishkin believes that Benavidez has the edge due to his power but acknowledges Plant’s improved skills after his fight with Canelo. Despite Shishkin’s favoring Benavidez, WBA ‘regular’ world champion David Morrell views the contest as a close one, with both fighters having their strengths and weaknesses. Morrell would love to face the winner and believes that the fight will be a tough one for both fighters. The fight between Benavidez and Plant will be a great matchup between two elite fighters in the division. Fans of the sport are excited to see the outcome of the fight and the potential matchups that may come after it.

A certain mythical title in the realm of boxing is coveted by many. And no, it's not the prized top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings that so many boxers strive for. It has always been an honor to be referred to as the celebrity among stars, the ticket seller, or the one who moves the needle. That very championship has changed hands from fighter to fighter up until this point. And while Canelo Alvarez, Deontay Wilder, and others have all been regarded as the top dog, Gervonta Davis is adamant that he has supplanted them all as the man in town. “I feel as though I’m the face of boxing right now,” said Davis to Showtime Sports during a recent interview. Even though his statements are outrageous, they might be true. Davis (28-0, 26 KOs) has proven to be a draw in the pay-per-view market regardless of who he is fighting in addition to filling arenas all over the world. Most recently, the 28-year-old earned about 220k pay-per-view purchases against the underrated Hector Luis Garcia. While acceptable, that number is expected to increase tenfold the following month. Davis will face fellow unbeaten and well-liked talent Ryan Garcia on April 22 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and put his spotless record on the line. Davis can't help but observe his pugilistic surroundings as their big fight approaches. He acknowledges the abundance of skilled fighters with expanding fan bases in the boxing world, but he is adamant that his peers are merely playing the leaderboard game. Davis has come to understand that history is cyclical. Davis comes to the conclusion that he's just following in the greats of the sport's history, such as Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, and many others, who pushed the envelope and became the dominant figure of their age. “It’s a lot of fighters, if you watch, they do everything that I do. When Floyd was coming through, when Oscar was coming through, it’s something that you can’t teach. It’s just in you. When Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, and all the greats were coming through, everybody wanted to be like that. That’s why a lot of people are calling my name.”

The Fight of the Explosive Punchers: Davis vs Garcia On April 22nd, two of boxing’s most explosive punchers will face off in a highly anticipated 12-round, 136-pound fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Gervonta Davis, a southpaw from Baltimore, will take on Victorville, California’s own Ryan Garcia, in a fight that has been highly anticipated by fans and analysts alike. As the promoter for Garcia, Oscar De La Hoya has a say in selecting the judging panel for the fight. However, he believes that the power possessed by both fighters will make the judges’ scorecards unnecessary. Speaking to reporters recently, De La Hoya predicted that the fight will end in a knockout, with the first fighter to land a flush punch likely to come out on top. Davis, with a professional record of 28-0 and 26 knockouts, has proven himself to be one of the most explosive punchers in the sport. Only one of his past 19 fights has gone the distance, a testament to his knockout power. Garcia, on the other hand, has won 83 percent of his professional bouts by knockout and has won six of his past seven fights inside the distance. Despite Garcia’s height advantage, most handicappers have made Davis the favorite to win the fight. However, Garcia has shown himself to be a resilient fighter, coming back from being dropped by Luke Campbell to win their fight with a body shot in the seventh round. He has also made improvements in his technique since hiring Canelo Alvarez’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, before parting ways with him last year and teaming up with veteran trainer Joe Goossen. It’s clear that both fighters possess the power and explosiveness to end the fight with a knockout. Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly awaiting this highly anticipated matchup between two of boxing’s most exciting punchers.

David Benavidez and Caleb Plant have made it no secret that they don’t like each other before their Interim WBC super middleweight title fight. While Benavidez has been relatively low-key before the biggest fight of his career, Plant has been fighting everyone on social media. Renowned trainer Buddy McGirt believes that controlling the bad blood is essential, and one should not go into the fight trying to knock out the opponent. Plant has to be careful to avoid getting too emotionally involved while battling it out online with Benavidez’s father and trainer, Jose. Meanwhile, Benavidez is seemingly keeping his focus on the task at hand. The fight may finally see him fulfill his potential and become a star. A victory by Benavidez on Saturday would put him in the Canelo sweepstakes, but first, he must face Plant, who is arguably the toughest test of Benavidez’s career. And so, it all comes down to Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. A fight that has been brewing for years, a grudge match fueled by bad blood and animosity. For Benavidez, it’s the chance to prove himself as the best in the division, to silence the doubters and secure his place in the sport’s biggest fights. For Plant, it’s an opportunity to bounce back from his loss to Alvarez, to prove that he still belongs among the elite and can handle the power and pressure of a fighter like Benavidez. It’s a fight that promises fireworks, with two of the sport’s most exciting fighters going toe-to-toe in the ring. Whether it’s Benavidez’s power or Plant’s technical skills that prevail, one thing is for sure – this is a fight that fans won’t want to miss.

The upcoming IBO light heavyweight world title showdown between Lyndon Arthur and Braian Nahuel Suarez promises to be an explosive affair as the dynamite-fisted Argentinean vows to cause an upset and leave Arthur’s plans for huge domestic clashes in tatters. Suarez, who has KO’d 17 opponents, has arrived in the UK ahead of the fight on Friday night, which will be broadcast live and free-to-air on Channel 5 in association with Ladrbrokes, Numan and Infinitium Entertainment. The winner of the bout will take home the IBO belt and put themselves in the frame for some bigger fights in the packed 175 lbs division, including potential clashes with Joshua Buatsi, Dan Azeez, and other top talent on the UK shores. “Everyone wants to fight in big fights and I believe that if I defeat Arthur I should be given my chance against Buatsi, Azeez and the other fights that he is chasing,” said Suarez. “Arthur is a good boxer with great skills, he is tall and uses the distance well, but he also has weaknesses like everyone and I plan on taking advantage of them.” Suarez, a former youth football player for Velez Sarsfield and River Plate, will be fighting outside of his homeland for the first time as a professional. However, the 30-year-old from Buenos Aires is not worried about being the away fighter and is fully prepared and ready for the challenge. “For me this is an honour to be able to fight in the UK and represent my country abroad. I am extremely motivated for this fight,” Suarez said. The Arthur vs. Suarez fight will headline a Wasserman Boxing card at the University of Bolton Stadium, with the excitement set to begin at 10pm on Friday night. Boxing fans won’t want to miss this must-watch event that could have a significant impact on the UK light heavyweight scene.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum's time with the PFL has officially ended after one bout. During a recent interview with Canal Encarada, Werdum revealed that his PFL contract had been formally canceled. Throughout his PFL career, Werdum only engaged in one fight, losing to Renan Ferreira in May 2021. Ferreira appeared to have tapped out to a submission early on in the bout, which led to the match subsequently being declared a no-contest. Werdum missed the start of the 2021 PFL regular season and hasn't competed since. Over the previous year, he hinted at a comeback to the PFL, but a fight booking never materialised. Werdum defeated Alexander Gustafsson via first-round submission in his UFC final before joining with the PFL in free agency. After the finish over Gustafsson, he appeared to be in position to earn his second victory in a row. Werdum traded victories and defeats inside the Octagon after Stipe Miocic defeated him for the heavyweight championship at UFC 198. Before leaving the UFC, he defeated Walt Harris, Marcin Tybura, and Travis Browne. With six straight victories, Werdum got off to a strong start in the UFC. At UFC 188 in 2015, he defeated Cain Velasquez to claim the heavyweight championship.

Jorge Masvidal wants to face Colby Covington in the Octagon at least once more before deciding to quit MMA. Masvidal will make a comeback to take on Gilbert Burns in Miami at UFC 287 next month. He has been away for a year due to unresolved legal issues following his defeat to Covington at UFC 272. Covington and Masvidal's feud deteriorated further ahead of their rematch at UFC 272. Covington brought up Masvidal's family, and more especially, his kids, during the trash talking prior to the bout. Days after the altercation at the restaurant in the Miami region, caused Masvidal to confront Covington, attacking him, and inflicting severe injuries. Masvidal is facing legal action from Covington, and if he is found guilty of aggravated violence, he might go to jail . Masvidal, who is 38 years old, might be a year or two away from calling it quits in the ring. But he intends to run it back with Covington no matter how UFC 287 turns out. Before hanging up his gloves, Masvidal promised to square off with Covington once more during a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. "He showed his true colors for the money, for the pay-per-view," Masvidal said. "He knows the relationship I have with my kids, and you're trying to use that against me? You f***ing piece of s**t... "That wasn't the best version of me... what happened, happened, but I promise you, before I close this chapter of my life in MMA, I'm gonna f***ing take his soul...I wasn't my best at that time for different reasons, but I know I can f***ing end this guy."

Larissa Pacheco, the Brazilian mixed martial artist, has made a bold move by setting a price for a non-season fight against two-time Olympic gold medallist Kayla Harrison. This comes after Pacheco expressed her frustration at waiting for a fight against Harrison in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). This past November, Larissa Pacheco defeated Kayla Harrison for the first time in MMA, winning the PFL lightweight title as well as a million-dollar bonus. It's doubtful that the two will face up as well this season with Harrison withdrawing from the regular season in 2023 with Pacheco weighing in at 145 pounds. A fourth fight between Pacheco and Harrison "would be amazing" in regards to publicity and an opportunity to conclude the rivalry, although Larissa emphasized that she won't wait around for her. Pacheco suffered two decisions against Harrison in 2019 until gaining her vengeance three years later. “If they offer me a great purse, or at least something equivalent to what they offer her, I would obviously [do it],” Pacheco said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “But am I going to wait for her to decide when she wants to fight? PFL offered me a spot in the season, so I took it.” Harrison's return date and rival are yet unknown, however, the two-time Olympic gold winner is anticipated to take part in the new PFL pay-per-view format. “If I were on the same stage of hers in terms of money and was sure of my contract, relax,” Pacheco said. “Like, ‘I need time for my mind, I need time to assess everything that’s going on and decide which way I wanna go.’ I would possibly do the same thing. “Kayla has won so many millions of dollars with the PFL and sponsors and everything, so I think she’s happy about that. She wants big names and big fights. Maybe she needs more time to see what’s going on in her life, and all she needs right now are super fights. I’m still very young, I still have a lot to grow. I can’t simply not work just because she doesn’t want [to fight] right now, or because they won’t want to book it right now. I’ll continue working and doing my part.” Pacheco has a lot to gain from a fight against Harrison. A win against the two-time Olympic gold medalist would be a significant boost to her career and reputation. It would also put her in the spotlight, potentially leading to more high-profile fights and opportunities. For the time being, Pacheco's only goals are to sweep the 2023 featherweight season, claim two titles in the PFL, and complete the calendar year with additional million dollars in her pocket. Whether or not the fight happens, Pacheco's bold move has put her in the spotlight and shown that she is willing to do whatever it takes to advance her career. She is a fighter to watch in the coming months and years, and MMA fans can't wait to see what she does next.

Holly Holm, one of the most recognizable names in the UFC, has recently signed a new six-fight deal with the organization ahead of her upcoming bout in San Antonio. The deal is a testament to the fighter's enduring popularity and the faith that the UFC has in her ability to continue delivering exciting fights for fans. Lenny Fresquez, the manager of the former world champion, had earlier this morning verified the information to MMA Fighting. The Albuquerque Journal published the announcement of the new agreement in its initial report. The Albuquerque native has had an impressive career thus far, with notable victories over the likes of Ronda Rousey, Bethe Correia, and Megan Anderson. However, the former bantamweight champion is hungry for more and has her sights set on another title shot. After her keynote performance opposite Ketlen Vieira in May of last year, "The Preacher's Daughter" has not performed. Holm believed that winning the match would guarantee her a crack at the title. Even though the decision was highly contentious, the Brazilian finally pulled off the shocker. The former champion will compete on Saturday, almost a year after that loss. This weekend at UFC San Antonio, Holm will compete against Yana Santos in the co-main event. After losing by knockout to Irene Aldana at UFC 264 in July 2021, "Foxy" has not competed. Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera's five-round bantamweight fight is anticipated to be the main event of the night. Fresquez announced the new deal along with additional information. With one or two more victories, Holm hopes to contend for the crown. It certainly wouldn't be hard to come up with the argument given the status of the women's bantamweight category right now. Overall, Holm has competed in five UFC title fights and has spent the last eight years consistently near the highest spot in the rankings. “We expect to get a title shot with one or two more wins,” Fresquez said in a message to MMA Fighting. Even though Holm did lose to Amanda Nunes, the current UFC bantamweight champion doesn't currently have many opponents lined up to challenge her. Nunes has been out of action since July 2022 when she reclaimed the 135-pound title with a decisive win over Julianna Pena at UFC 277. It may put Holm on Nunes' handful of prospective opponents in the future, but she must first defeat Santos on Saturday. Fans of the UFC will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on Holm's upcoming fight against Aldana, as well as her future bouts in the octagon. With her new six-fight deal in place and a renewed hunger for championship gold, there's no telling what the future holds for this legendary fighter.