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In a spectacular display of skill and determination, Yaroslav Amosov defended his Bellator welterweight title in his first fight since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in 2022. Amosov faced off against American fighter Logan Storley in a dominant performance that showcased his wrestling and striking skills. Despite the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Amosov decided to take a break from the sport and participate in a bigger fight with his countrymen. Storley capture the interim title in the meantime. He was able to travel to Dublin to compete in Bellator 291 after almost one and half year gap. In doing so, he made a powerful statement about his commitment to his country and his desire to represent Ukraine on the world stage. For two and a half years since their first match, Amosov showed improved play upon his return to the field and took Storley apart for five rounds. Amosov easily destroyed Storley's takedown in the third round, hitting him on the legs and stunning him repeatedly in rounds three and four. This sufficed for Amosov to earn a decision and emerge as the top 170-pound fighter on the Bellator line-up. Amosov's victory at Bellator 291 was not only a testament to his athletic ability, but also to his resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for over a year, causing a great deal of political tension and uncertainty. Despite this, Amosov remained focused on his training and preparation, showing the world that even amid conflict, athletes can rise above the circumstances and perform at their best. In interviews leading up to the fight, Amosov spoke passionately about his desire to bring attention to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine through his performances in the cage. With his victory at Bellator 291, he has done just that, shining a light on the struggles of his country and inspiring others to stand up for what they believe in. “It was one year yesterday when crazy Putin started the war in my country,” Amosov said on the mic inside Dublin’s 3Arena. “He wants to kill kids who are Ukrainian. I want to say thank you to the Ukrainian military for the defense of my county. Thank you to everyone who helps my country.”

On February 26th, a highly-anticipated ESPN+ pay-per-view event featuring the headline bout between YouTube star turned boxer Jake Paul and British boxer Tommy Fury took place at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia. While the main event garnered most of the attention, there was an undercard fight that caught the eye of many boxing fans. Muhsin Cason, a rising undefeated cruiserweight prospect, took on Taryel Jafarov in a match that many saw as a potential stepping stone for the winner towards bigger career opportunities. Jafarov, known for his knockout power, had a record of 18 wins and 6 losses, with 17 of his wins coming by way of knockout. Cason, on the other hand, was the younger brother of former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, and had been making a name for himself in the boxing world with his impressive record of 11 wins and 0 losses, with 8 wins coming by way of knockout. From the opening bell, it was clear that Cason was not going to let his opponent get comfortable in the ring. Just 14 seconds into the first round, Cason landed a powerful right hand that sent Jafarov down to the canvas. Although Jafarov managed to get back up, he was visibly hurt and struggled to regain his composure. Cason remained composed, using his jab and precise punch placement to keep Jafarov on the defensive. As the round wore on, it became increasingly clear that Jafarov was in trouble. Despite his best efforts to survive, he was unable to mount any significant offense, and Cason continued to dominate. In the final seconds of the round, Jafarov found himself trapped in the corner, taking a barrage of shots from Cason. Although he managed to make it out of the round, it was clear that his chances of winning the fight were slim. Unfortunately, the fight came to an abrupt end before the start of the second round. Jafarov failed to come out of his corner due to an injured finger, and the fight was declared a first-round retirement. While the result may have been disappointing for fans hoping to see a full fight, it was still an impressive win for Cason, who showed off his skills and composure in the ring. After the fight, Cason spoke to reporters about his strategy in the ring. He explained that although he had his opponent hurt, he knew he had to remain composed and not get too excited. “It’s levels to this,” he said. “You got to stay composed. Just because you get excited about one punch, that man could have been hurt one time and came back and won the fight. You got to stay composed, and you got to be professional.” Cason’s win was undoubtedly a significant moment in his career, and one that could help him land bigger fights in the future. In fact, he wasted no time in calling out Tommy Fury on Twitter after the fight, showing that he’s not afraid to take on the best in the business. While it remains to be seen if Cason will get the opportunity to face Fury, one thing is clear: he’s a rising star in the boxing world, and one to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Deontay Wilder, a former heavyweight champion, believes Jake Paul should have been declared the victor over Tommy Fury in their Sunday grudge fight in Saudi Arabia. Fury prevailed via divided decision, with the scores reading 76-73, 76-73, and 74-75 in his favor. However, the fight proved to be more difficult than Fury had anticipated, as he was knocked to the ground and docked points for holding. Paul also lost a point for hitting Fury in the back of the head in the fifth round, even though the former Love Island star was already up 3-1. Referee Hector Afu labeled Paul's action "immature." 'I think Jake got that one,' the boxer told Fight Hub TV after the match. 'It was an immature point. The referee is supposed to give him at least three warnings. He gave him no warnings.' When asked if Paul should have won, Wilder replied: 'I think so. With the knockdown, he sealed it. He got that point taken away. I think Jake Paul needed that knockdown, and when he did, it evened it out. I think he only gave it to Fury because of the point taken.' Replays showed Paul hitting a flush jab at the same time Fury lost his balance during the fight, contrary to Fury's claim that he had simply slipped when knocked down. Following the fight, many fans expressed their agreement with Wilder's assessment on Twitter, with some saying the match had been 'rigged' in Fury's favor. In addition, it was called "daylight robbery" because supporters wanted Paul to "smoke him in the rematch." Others agreed that the knockdown may have been a "slip" and thought the British fighter was "in control the entire time," and they thought Fury was a worthy victor. Both fighters were ready to set their differences aside after the fight and the two years of verbal sparring in order to respect their opponent. The American has promised he would be back for a rematch after blaming the loss on 'illness' and an 'arm injury', with Fury telling him to 'bring it on'.

Oleksandr Usyk has received a stern caution from the father of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. The outspoken John Fury recently voiced his opinion vehemently regarding the ongoing negotiations between his son and Usyk, the Ukrainian heavyweight champion who holds the titles of the WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO, claiming that Usyk does not deserve to be compensated equitably. “Again, treat Tyson like a great champion he is,” John Fury told iD Boxing. “Stop being, trying to be the A-side. Usyk is not Tyson’s equal. Fall in line, you’ll get the fight done. Do not respect Tyson, you won’t get the fight. Simple as that.” Recently, Alexander Krassyuk, Usyk's promoter, maintained that his team would not accept a financial offer that was not a 50-50 split. Both Bob Arum's Top Rank and Frank Warren's Queensberry are promoting Fury in the US. Even though it doesn't seem like John Fury is actively involved in negotiations, he insisted that Usyk's alleged implacability could end the mega fight. “Tyson’s the A-side,” he continued. “Usyk is not worthy of 50-50. He couldn’t sell the [20,000-seat] O2 [arena] out. So, fall in line and you might get the fight.” The two fighters have been engaged in negotiations for several months, but recently encountered a stumbling block when it became obvious that the Middle East would no longer serve as the venue for their undisputed heavyweight matchup. Instead, the officials have changed their focus to the United Kingdom, with London's Wembley Stadium being the front-runner. For the fighters, the financial dynamics have also shifted, and not necessarily for the better. The fighters now have to "share the pot" made from the gate, pay-per-view sales, and ancillary income sources, as opposed to being paid top dollar through separate agreements from investors had the fight taken place in Saudi Arabia.

Despite the knockdown, it wasn’t enough for Paul to secure the win. The judges’ decision was split, with two of them awarding it to Fury, 77-75 and 79-73, and one giving it to Paul, 77-75. After the fight, Paul admitted he wasn’t at his best, stating: “I felt flat. I got sick last night and didn’t have my legs under me.” He also claimed that Fury had hit him with low blows, which had affected his performance. Despite these setbacks, Paul remains determined to prove himself in the ring and has already announced his intention to exercise his rematch clause. In a statement, he said: “Tommy Fury knows deep down that he lost that fight. I’m a man of my word, and I’m going to run it back. This time, I’m going to be 100% healthy and 100% ready.” Fury, on the other hand, welcomed the prospect of a second fight, stating: “Bring it on! I’ll fight Jake Paul any day of the week. He hit me with a good shot, but I got up and won the fight. If he wants to go again, I’m ready.” The rematch is sure to generate a lot of interest, given the intense rivalry between the two fighters. Paul has been making waves in the boxing world since his debut in 2020, with many fans and pundits questioning his legitimacy as a fighter. However, he has consistently proven his detractors wrong, racking up wins against opponents from different combat sports backgrounds. Fury, on the other hand, comes from a boxing family, with his older brother, Tyson Fury, being a former heavyweight champion of the world. Tommy has yet to reach the same heights as his brother, but he is seen as a rising star in the sport and has an impressive record of 7-0. The rematch between Paul and Fury is expected to take place later this year, with many fans eager to see if Paul can redeem himself after his loss. Whatever the outcome, it’s sure to be a highly entertaining and hard-fought battle, as both fighters look to prove themselves as legitimate contenders in the world of boxing.

The UFC has seen many great matches over the years, but there are a few that stand out above the rest. Here are the top five UFC matches of all time. 1. Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar – The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale, April 9, 2005 The first season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show was a make or break for the UFC, and it all came down to the finale between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar. The two fighters put on an incredible show, throwing everything they had at each other for three rounds. In the end, Griffin was awarded the unanimous decision victory, but both fighters were declared winners for their gutsy performances. This match is widely credited with launching the UFC into the mainstream. 2. Dan Henderson vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua – UFC 139, November 19, 2011 Dan Henderson and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua put on an absolute war in this five-round battle. Both fighters landed big shots throughout the match, and somehow managed to keep fighting despite taking a tremendous amount of punishment. In the end, Henderson was awarded the unanimous decision victory, but both fighters earned the respect and admiration of fans around the world. 3. Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson – UFC 165, September 21, 2013 Jon Jones had been dominating the light heavyweight division for years, but Alexander Gustafsson gave him the toughest challenge of his career in this five-round battle. Gustafsson used his size and reach to keep Jones at bay, landing shots that had never before been landed on the champion. Jones rallied in the later rounds, however, and was ultimately awarded the unanimous decision victory in one of the greatest light heavyweight matches of all time. 4. Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz – UFC 196, March 5, 2016 Conor McGregor was on top of the world heading into this match, but Nate Diaz proved to be a difficult challenge for the brash Irishman. Diaz weathered an early storm from McGregor and then took over in the second round, locking in a rear-naked choke for the submission victory. The upset stunned the MMA world and set the stage for a highly-anticipated rematch between the two fighters. 5. Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen – UFC 117, August 7, 2010 Anderson Silva had been the middleweight champion for years, but Chael Sonnen gave him everything he could handle in this five-round battle. Sonnen dominated the match with his wrestling, taking Silva down at will and punishing him on the ground. Silva somehow managed to survive until the fifth round, when he caught Sonnen in a triangle choke for the submission victory. The win solidified Silva's place as one of the greatest fighters of all time. Honorable Mentions: · Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald II - UFC 189 · Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard III - UFC 136 · Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier II - UFC 214 · Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva - UFC 79 · Georges St-Pierre vs. Matt Hughes II - UFC 65 · Connor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC 229

Upon his release from prison, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was reportedly spotted returning at the American Kickboxing Academy. Velasquez, who is recognised as one of the greatest athletes to have ever competed in his weight class, spent the bulk of 2022 in prison after being detained and accused of attempting to murder. The 40-year-old Californian is charged with following and firing at a car that was purportedly carrying a person who had allegedly assaulted the four-year-old son of Velasquez at a daycare. After allegedly firing shots and hitting the man's stepfather, who was also in the car, Velasquez was detained. In addition to the nine additional counts stemming from the alleged chase in February, Velasquez still faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the attempted murder charge. Velasquez can be seen returning to the MMA gym in San Jose in a recent video that instructor and Founder of the American Kickboxing Academy Javier Mendez posted on YouTube. As the former UFC champion enters the building, Mendez makes jokes about his prolonged absence. “Hey, you just can’t walk past me without saying anything,” Mendez said. “Who are you? What are you doing here? I don’t recognize you.” Velasquez responded by noting he’s right where he needs to be. Later on, Velasquez can be seen sparring and grappling on the mats before passing on his skills to the next generation of MMA fighters. Usman Nurmagomedov, the current Bellator Lightweight Champion, is pictured receiving one-on-one instruction from the legendary heavyweight. The Dagestani, a distant relative of Khabib Nurmagomedov, defeated Patricky Pitbull to win the gold medal in November.

On Sunday evening, Badou Jack achieved the history he set out to make from the moment he accepted the fight against Ilunga ‘Junior’ Makabu. With precision power punching that went a long way, Jack became a three-division titlist after stopping Makabu in the 12th round. Makabu was down in rounds four and eleven, before a final flurry by Jack forced referee Mark Lyson to halt the contest at 54 seconds of round twelve. Jack, a 39-year-old boxer from Sweden who relocated to Las Vegas and now lives in Dubai, ended the three-year WBC cruiserweight title reign of Makabu with an incredible performance, becoming the first Muslim boxer to win a major title in Saudi Arabia. This historic moment was a testament to Jack’s determination and dedication to his craft. Having previously won the WBC super middleweight and WBA light heavyweight titles on U.S. soil, Jack added another major title to his already impressive resume. “It feels amazing,” Jack said during the in-ring post-fight interview. “Alhamdulillah.” He also learned that he was the oldest cruiserweight champion of all time, adding another milestone to his incredible career. The fight was slow in the first three minutes, but things picked up in a hurry in round two. Jack found success with his jab and left hook to the body. Makabu, who was already at a height and reach disadvantage, struggled to work his way inside. Despite fighting in a tiny 18-foot ring, Jack managed to find his desired spacing, using subtle lateral movement to disallow Makabu from ever setting his feet. In round three, Makabu found greater success closing the gap. He landed several left hands to the body, then later came back with a right hook over the top. Jack took the shot well, but his offense was stunted as he was forced to play defense for most of the round. However, Jack added to his early lead in a big way with the bout’s first knockdown. Much of round four was fought on even terms before Jack sent Makabu to the canvas. A right hand knocked Makabu off balance, and the rest of his fall appeared to be aided by a tangling of the feet as he rolled on his back. The official knockdown ruling was met without protest, though Makabu was able to beat the count and appeared to be clear-headed once action resumed. Momentum remained in favor of the challenger, as Jack’s superior footwork and skill set controlled the action and the pace throughout rounds five and six. Makabu was back to square one, unable to work past Jack’s jab. Head trainer and former title challenger Johnathon Banks encouraged Jack to stick to boxing and not get caught in a bruising fight that would favor Makabu. Jack was able to have his cake and eat it, too. A straight right hand by the 39-year-old challenger briefly froze Makabu in place in the latter half of round seven. Jack confidently boxed in the final minute of the frame. Jack presented a different look in round eight, spending the first half of the round fighting out of a southpaw stance. He reverted to orthodox once Makabu clocked him with a right hook, responding with two straight right hands along of his own inside the final minute. Jack also connected with an overhand right, followed by a left hook and right uppercut while Makabu was unable to offer anything in return. Makabu attempted to pick up the pace in round nine while Jack reserved his strength for the back half of the frame. The more telling blows were landed by the challenger, including a right hand upstairs just before the bell. Jack cemented his victory with a second knockdown early

KSI, the popular YouTuber and rapper, had a lot to say in response to Jake Paul’s recent defeat to Tommy Fury. KSI, who had previously fought and defeated Jake’s older brother, Logan Paul, in a highly publicized boxing match, took to social media to revel in his rival’s loss. During the fight, KSI was highly critical of the referee, claiming that the ref was ruining the fight. He also took issue with what seemed to be Jake Paul copying KSI’s signature “bounce” style in the ring, tweeting “Jake Paul tryna copy my bounce lmao. Funny thing is, he has no idea what he’s doing with it.” After the fight, KSI continued to mock Jake Paul on Twitter, saying “Honestly I would destroy both Jake Paul and Tommy Fury.” Both Tommy Fury and Jake Paul responded to KSI’s comments, with Jake stating that “KSI is yet to fight a real opponent, so we don’t know his skill level, but that is still a massive fight,” while Tommy Fury said “At the end of the day KSI can sit back in his chair in London and say what he wants.” Despite the trash talk, KSI has indicated that he would be willing to fight either Jake Paul or Tommy Fury. In a video posted to his YouTube channel, KSI confirmed that he would take the fight, with his father John agreeing that the match would be a good idea. While there is no official confirmation that a KSI vs Jake Paul or KSI vs Tommy Fury fight will happen, the possibility of such a match is sure to generate a lot of excitement among fans of the sport. With KSI having previously shown that he has what it takes to succeed in the boxing ring, it would certainly be interesting to see how he would fare against either Jake or Tommy. It remains to be seen whether or not KSI will actually face off against one of his rivals, but one thing is for sure: his comments on social media have certainly stirred up a lot of buzz and generated a lot of interest in the world of boxing. Only time will tell if we will see KSI back in the ring again, but one thing is certain: he will have plenty of supporters cheering him on if and when he does.

The highly anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia ended in a split decision after eight thrilling rounds. Despite being knocked down in the final round, Fury picked up the crucial win. The fight was filled with controversial moments, with both fighters having points deducted for various infractions. In the fifth round, Paul lost a point for rabbit punches, and in the sixth round, Fury lost a point for holding. The final round saw Paul land a left hook that almost caught Fury off balance, but the Englishman recovered quickly. However, he was later clipped and went down, although he claimed it was a slip. The judges scored the fight 75-74 in favor of Paul, and 76-73 and 76-73 in favor of Fury. The split decision was not without controversy, and some viewers felt that Paul deserved the win. Despite the animosity between the two fighters leading up to the fight, the post-fight reactions were surprisingly respectful. Fury broke down in tears, telling Paul that he had nothing but love and respect for him. He praised Paul for being a true warrior and said that he was a better man than he expected. Paul, on the other hand, said that he respected Fury and that he deserved the win. He also expressed a desire for a rematch and said that he would be back in the gym to train for it. The fight may not have lived up to the hype in terms of skill and technique, but it certainly provided plenty of drama and excitement for fans of both fighters. Whether or not a rematch is in the cards remains to be seen, but it’s clear that both Paul and Fury have earned each other’s respect.

Dave Allen Wins in Malta Comeback Fight After a two-year hiatus from the boxing ring, British heavyweight Dave Allen returned to the sport with a victory against Dorian Darch in Malta on February 19, 2022. Allen won the fight via a unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the bout 80-73 in his favor. Allen, who had previously retired from the sport twice, announced that he was returning to boxing in January 2022. The 29-year-old fighter had taken a break from the sport due to mental health issues and a lack of motivation, but he appeared to be in good form in his comeback fight. Following his victory, Allen expressed his desire to fight regularly and make a run for the British heavyweight title. He also mentioned that he was open to fighting other top contenders in the division, including Fabio Wardley. Wardley, who is also a British heavyweight, is currently undefeated in his professional career, with a record of 12 wins and 0 losses. The 26-year-old fighter has been rising through the ranks and is considered one of the top prospects in the division. Many boxing fans are excited about the prospect of a fight between Allen and Wardley, with some predicting that it could take place in July or August or later in the year in December. Wardley has stated that he wants to win the British title outright and a fight against Allen could be a stepping stone towards achieving that goal. However, some fans and experts are skeptical about Allen’s chances against Wardley. Allen has been relatively inactive over the past few years and has been training himself. In contrast, Wardley is known for his athleticism and good punch variety. Moreover, Allen’s power may not be enough to hurt Wardley, who has shown resilience in his fights. Some experts have predicted that Wardley could win the fight on points or even stop Allen with relative ease. Despite the challenges that Allen may face in a potential fight against Wardley, some fans believe that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. They argue that Allen should first test himself against a good fighter in a 10-rounder before taking on Wardley. Whatever the outcome, it is clear that Dave Allen’s return to boxing has been well-received by fans of the sport. Many are hoping to see him back in the ring and fighting regularly, and it remains to be seen what the future holds for this talented fighter.

Floyd Mayweather’s long-awaited UK debut fails to attract interest with the O2 Arena left virtually empty for the boxing legend’s exhibition against Aaron Chalmers. Despite the anticipation around Mayweather’s appearance in a UK ring, the fight failed to generate much interest or attention, as reflected by the attendance on the night. Mayweather, a 50-0 former champion of the world, appeared to take the occasion very casually as he toyed with his opponent for much of the eight-round fight. The unbeaten American has engaged in a series of extremely lucrative exhibition fights since his retirement in 2017, which have largely taken place in the Middle East. The ‘Royal Pain’ event was painfully delayed after a poor attendance at the start of proceedings, combined with reports of thousands of unsold tickets at the O2 Arena. The farcical feeling to the event was only enhanced further by the fact that the broadcasters did not appear to know that the fight was eight rounds, not six. The lack of interest in the fight is part of a broader trend in boxing, as the sport faces a crossroads in terms of the number of exhibition fights taking place and the money on offer for such. Jake Paul, notable for his YouTube exploits, is set to fight Tommy Fury, a professional boxer, in Saudi Arabia on Sunday night. The promoters tried to save face amid a distinct lack of appetite among the British boxing public for the fight, with a website called ShowFilmFirst, a known seat-filler site, attempting to flog tickets for as little as £4.95 just hours out from the bout. The broadcaster, Zeus TV, appeared to focus solely on the fighters during the ring walk, refusing to pan across to the crowd. It is not clear if this was in fear of showing the relatively empty arena. Both fighters did not acknowledge the swathes of empty seats after the fight, with Mayweather himself in fact calling UK fans ‘unbelievable’. Chalmers, meanwhile, said that his experience would be one to tell the ‘grandkids.’ In conclusion, the long-awaited UK debut of Floyd Mayweather failed to drum up much interest among fans, with the O2 Arena left virtually empty for the exhibition bout against Aaron Chalmers. The poor attendance at the event reflects a broader trend in boxing, with the number of exhibition fights taking place and the money on offer for such being called into question. While the fighters put on a show for those who were in attendance, it is clear that the event was not the blockbuster many had hoped for.