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Leigh Wood, the former WBA featherweight champion, lost his title to Mauricio Lara in what was dubbed as "the shot of a lifetime" in Nottingham. The fight took place at the Motorpoint Arena, with Wood fighting in front of his hometown crowd. Despite putting up a valiant effort, he was ultimately stopped in the seventh round by a devastating left hook from the Mexican knockout artist. The bout was a closely contested one, with both fighters trading punches from the opening bell. Wood suffered a cut above his left eye in the first round, but he soldiered on and showed great heart and determination. He managed to gain control of the fight as it progressed, but a counter hook from Lara in the seventh round proved to be his undoing. The impact of the punch was so devastating that Wood was knocked to the canvas, and he was in no position to continue. His trainer, Ben Davison, threw in the towel, which ended the fight, much to Wood's disappointment. The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for the Nottingham fighter, who had dreamed of defending his title in front of his hometown crowd. Lara, on the other hand, has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the featherweight division. This was the second time that he had dispatched a British fighter in such a devastating fashion, after knocking out Josh Warrington in February 2021. His power and precision have earned him a reputation as one of the most dangerous boxers in the sport. Despite the loss, Wood received high praise for his performance from the boxing community. Adam Catterall, speaking on talkSPORT's Fight Night, lauded Wood's grit and determination in the face of such a formidable opponent. However, he also acknowledged the sheer quality of Lara's punch, which he described as "the shot of a lifetime." In conclusion, the fight between Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara was a thrilling encounter that showcased the best of the featherweight division. While Wood may have lost his title, he has shown that he is a fighter to be reckoned with, and he is sure to bounce back from this defeat. As for Lara, he has cemented his place as a rising star in the sport, and his knockout power will continue to make him a formidable opponent for anyone who steps into the ring with him.

Greg Hardy, a former heavyweight in the UFC, managed to make his bare-knuckle boxing premiere last night at KnuckleMania 3 of Bare-Knuckle FC. In June 2022, Hardy reached an agreement with BKFC. He started his first game against Josh Watson, although events didn’t work as he had hoped. Greg Hardy's promotional breakthrough was ruined when Josh Watson, a former UFC fighter and star NFL defensive player, knocked him out during the second round. Seeking to grab Hardy's focus, Watson burst into the room in a frenzy. Hardy was fortunate in delivering punches as the action decelerated until rushing forward with a dominant wrist. Hardy seemed to have the size and reach superiority; however, Watson struck a massive blow which sent Hardy into the ropes and unconscious. Hardy was actually saved by the clock since he was in deep shit. Watson sustained a significant laceration above his left eye just before the second round got underway, yet he was still capable of fighting. It really was fortunate that he did as a couple of moments later, Watson stunned Hardy with a perfect blend to end the contest. The 40-year-old Watson stepped into the fight on Friday fresh off a first-round knockout of Kyle McElroy during BKFC 28 in August. In six of his ten MMA fights, Watson submitted the majority of his rivals in the first round. With his UFC release in March of last year, Hardy, 34, put his typical gloved boxing skills to the next level. He signed for BKFC in January after winning two fights over Hasim Rahman Jr. and Mike Cook.

Jiri Procházka, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, is eyeing a late summer return to the octagon after undergoing shoulder surgery. Following his fight against Glover Teixeira at UFC 275 in June, "Denisa" has been sidelined. The two candidates for light heavyweight in Singapore's main event put on a showcase. As the fifth round commenced, Procházka was behind on the scoreboard and unexpectedly won via submission. He won the title of light-heavyweight after that, but the great days were short-lived. Procházka was promptly scheduled to face Teixeira again in December of last year, but he was compelled to withdraw because of a shoulder injury. The champion was predicted to be sidelined for nearly a year by the accident, which would force him to relinquish his championship. The UFC scheduled Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev as the co-headliners of UFC 282 in December since the division was desperate for a new champion. The gold was still unclaimed after Ankalaev and Blachowicz fought to a split draw. Glover Teixeira, Prochazka's planned rival, was scheduled to face up-and-coming challenger Jamahal Hill at UFC 283 after a disgruntled Dana White opted to walk on. Hill won the contest handily and won the open title. But despite the setback, Procházka is optimistic about his future and is keen to return to the octagon as soon as possible. It's unclear who Prochazka will face in his return, but the light heavyweight division has plenty of intriguing matchups in the plan which could change the situation upon the return of the Czech native. “I’m working on it,” Procházka said on the Top Turtle MMA Podcast. “Right now, the main target is to be in full range with that shoulder, to have activated all the muscles around the shoulder, and still building the best conditioning in the game and still work on the movement. “I’d like to be (back) this summer or the end of this summer. It doesn’t matter. I will watch how it goes, everything, and by that we can fight maybe earlier or maybe later. But I think this summer is real to be ready and to be the champion.” Prochazka's return will be eagerly anticipated by UFC fans, who have been waiting to see the exciting striker back in action. His unique blend of technical striking and unorthodox offense makes him one of the most entertaining fighters to watch, and his upcoming return is sure to generate a lot of buzzes. Though he has no regrets about vacating the title. “There’s no regrets,” Procházka said. “There’s no regrets. I don’t regret nothing. Everything – what I did was necessary, even the injury. Everything has a reason, so I’m good with everything. I’m just happy with how everything went. “When I will be back in full power, I will be the champion. I am the champion right now, but I will be on paper the champion and I’m looking forward to the next challenges.” As Procházka continues his rehabilitation, he will be working hard to get back to his best and make another run at the light heavyweight title. While the road ahead may be tough, his talent and determination suggest that he has what it takes to achieve greatness in the UFC. We can't wait to see what he has in store for us in his return to the octagon later this year.

Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is struggling to come to terms with losing his world titles after more than five years of being on top. His defeat at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk, however, has not dampened his spirit, as the former Olympic gold medalist has opted for an immediate rematch to regain his title. Despite his improvements, Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) was unable to solve the riddle posed by his skillful Ukrainian rival, leading to a unanimous decision loss. Now, as Joshua begins his journey to reclaim his position, the 33-year-old has set his sights on taking down Jermaine Franklin to make a statement. The two heavyweight fighters are scheduled to meet on April 1st at the O2 Arena in the UK, where they will engage in a fiery battle in the ring. With his legacy on the line, Joshua is expected to bring his best game to the upcoming fight. He is determined to prove himself and regain his position at the top of the heavyweight division. Franklin, on the other hand, is eager to continue his unbeaten streak and make a name for himself by taking down the former champion. The upcoming bout between Joshua and Franklin is poised to be a thrilling match, with both fighters bringing unique skill sets and styles to the ring. As the date draws nearer, fans and pundits alike eagerly anticipate the fight, eager to see who will emerge victorious. “I’m serious, focused, locked in,” said Joshua during a recent presser to a group of reporters. “It’s a serious fight, good opponent, I respect all of my opponents.” Generally speaking, Franklin's chance to compete against Joshua is his second opportunity to do so. On November 26, just a few short months ago, the American challenger faced off against Dillian Whyte. Franklin (21-1, 14 KOs) was in shock as Whyte was awarded a somewhat contentious majority decision triumph after 12 sweat-inducing rounds. Nevertheless, Franklin has promised to step it up before his matchup with Joshua in defiance of his recent setbacks. But the evil puncher from Watford, Hertfordshire, in the United Kingdom, has no plans to lower his defense. The former unified champion finds his fight against Franklin to be a little strange as he continues to iron out the kinks in his technique with new trainer Derrick James. Each of Joshua's fights since 2016 has at least one heavyweight championship on the line. This time, none of the coveted prizes in the heavyweight category will be up for grabs. Still, regardless of where he currently stands, Joshua will not allow Franklin’s lack of a heavyweight title dictate his motivational levels come fight night.

After Jon Jones tried to put an end to their dispute by asking him to commentate on his comeback fight, Daniel Cormier wasn't sure how to respond. When 'Bones' challenges Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight championship at UFC 285 in Las Vegas on March 5, it will be his first return to mixed martial arts since February 2020. When he was at the height of his powers, Jones captured the light-heavyweight title on several occasions and defeated Cormier twice. 'DC' is now retired and has grown to be one of the UFC's favorite analysts. Cormier is anticipated to return to the commentary box for UFC 285 after missing the UFC's most recent trip to Australia for Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski, and Jones is remarkably cool about it. He tweeted: “DC you are more than welcome to commentate at my fight, I think you are really good at what you do. I trust that you would be non-biased. All the best brother.” On his YouTube channel on Thursday, Cormier responded to Jones' remarks and maintained he doesn't require one‘s consent to work the upcoming UFC pay-per-view event. He said: “You guys know how I feel about Jones and how we have felt about each other in the past. But it leads me to this question: How do I take this? “This particular tweet, which at times feels like a compliment, but also could be interpreted as a bit of a dig, considering at times, people call me biased in my commentary and all this other stuff. “First, just for the record, I don’t really need permission to call someone’s fight.” This won’t be the first time Cormier has commented on one of Jones’ fights. He was on the mic when his 35-year-old rival faced off against Ovince Saint Preux in April 2016 and won the interim light heavyweight championship to set up their rematch. He added: “I’ll be honest with you, it’s kind of nice hearing a fighter acknowledge, that even with our history, he believes that I can do him justice and do the job fairly because I’ve done it before. “It seems now that Jones is maturing. He seems to be taking a much different approach to the build to the fight and how he’s approaching everything. But it feels nice for him to acknowledge, ‘I think this guy could do me justice.” Will Daniel Cormier interview Jon Jones after the fight at UFC 285? Let us know in the comments.

Paul has already signed with Professional Fighters League (PFL) with the intention of making his MMA debut later this year. Paul is currently slated to finally fight Tommy Fury in a boxing ring next weekend. Paul's opponent and fight date are currently unclear, but the knowledge that he will soon be switching from boxing to mixed martial arts is fascinating. Paul has already begun some MMA training, which includes kicking and grappling, but he is still new to the discipline. Although Paul's experience in high school wrestling is undoubtedly beneficial, if he wants to have a successful MMA career in the future, he will need to get some really solid training. Nickal, a three-time NCAA Division I national wrestling champion, will make his UFC debut next month. Since the 27-year-old fighter is one of the most exciting prospects to enter MMA in a while, Nickal has had numerous chances to improve his future career prospects. This includes joining Paul's newest business, Betr, the first micro-betting app in the world. Nickal is hopeful that his new friendship with Paul will result in some beneficial gym time for both of them. “He’s doing such awesome things in boxing and in the media space. I’m sure we’re going to be training together. I know he just signed with the PFL and hopefully, he’ll be taking an MMA fight soon. I’m sure that I’ll be able to help him out a little bit on that end.” “100%,” said Nickal when asked if he’d help train Paul. “I’m super excited to train with him. Not only to be able to help him out a little bit on the MMA/grappling side but also to learn from him. He’s had a ton of experience boxing, so it would be awesome to be able to get together and work together.” Nickal, who has a perfect 3-0 record in professional MMA, will take on middleweight veteran Jamie Pickett on March 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at UFC 285.

Tyron Woodley Found Out KSI Fight Talks Broke Down Through Social Media In January 2022, YouTube star KSI (real name Olajide Olatunji) faced off against Faze Temper in London. However, prior to the announcement, KSI had been in talks with legendary former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley about a potential fight. Woodley had agreed to a seven-figure contract, but found out through social media that KSI had decided to fight someone else. Woodley recently spoke out about the situation, sharing his frustration and disappointment at the way things unfolded. He had traveled to Dubai to meet with KSI and sign the contract, only to discover that something wasn't quite right. "I pulled up myself, nobody paid for my flight, I paid for my own flight," Woodley said. "So something told me there was going to be some goofy stuff going on." Woodley and KSI had a minor altercation at ringside during KSI's brother's fight, and the following weekend it was announced that KSI would be facing Danis instead of Woodley. Despite expressing his annoyance multiple times over the coming months, Woodley wasn't even contacted to replace Danis on short notice after he pulled out. Woodley was particularly frustrated by the fact that he found out about the change of plans through social media, rather than being contacted directly by KSI or his team. "How are you going to offer me a fight, send me a contract, I say yes to the most ridiculous rehydration terms on earth and then you don't even tell me we're not fighting any more?" Woodley said. "I found out on the internet." Woodley had agreed to a specific weight for the fight, but was then told that there was a rehydration clause that would require him to stay at 185lb on fight night. This was added after he had already agreed to the original terms, which led to further frustration and a breakdown in negotiations. Despite the disappointment, Woodley remains one of the most respected and celebrated fighters in the world of MMA. He is a former UFC welterweight champion and has faced off against some of the best fighters in the world, including Darren Till, Robbie Lawler, and Stephen Thompson. While the KSI fight may not have materialized, Woodley's fans remain eager to see him back in the ring or the octagon, ready to take on new challenges and demonstrate his exceptional skill and tenacity once again.

Bareknuckle fighting is not for the faint of heart. It’s a brutal, bloody sport that requires skill, toughness, and a willingness to endure pain. At BKFC Knucklemania 3, former WBA boxing champion Austin Trout demonstrated all of these qualities and more as he defeated UFC Hall of Famer Diego Sanchez by doctor stoppage in the co-main event. Sanchez, making his bareknuckle debut, fought hard and showed the heart and grit that had made him a fan favorite in the UFC. He tried to overwhelm Trout with his aggressive style, but Trout was too sharp and too skilled for him. From the beginning, Trout circled away from Sanchez’s initial flurry and used his superior footwork to stick and move. He landed punches to the body and upstairs, and Sanchez found his punches just out of range of the former boxing champion. Sanchez had some success in the second round when he charged forward with punches, but Trout regained control by leading the dance behind his right jab. In the third round, with blood flowing from cuts on his face, Sanchez continued to charge forward, but Trout’s head movement was too good, and he evaded the bigger shots offered by the MMA veteran. In the fourth round, Trout connected with a sharp left hand that sent Sanchez to the mat for the first knockdown of the fight. Sanchez made the count, but Trout continued to land sharp punches, causing blood to cover his opponent’s face. After landing more punches, Trout appealed to referee Dan Miragliotta to check on his opponent. The fight was paused to bring in the ringside doctor, who decided the fight should be stopped due to the severity of the damage. After the fight, BKFC champion Luis Palomino joined Trout in the ring to hype up a potential matchup down the road. It remains to be seen if a meeting between Luis Palomino and Austin Trout will happen, but it would certainly be an intriguing matchup between two talented fighters. For Sanchez, 41, this was his third consecutive combat sports loss, and it raises questions about his future in the sport. Prior to his bareknuckle debut, he lost a unanimous decision to Kevin Lee at Eagle FC 46 and ended up on the wrong end of the judges’ scorecards in his final UFC bout against Jake Matthews at UFC 253. However, his BKFC debut was approved by the New Mexico Athletic Commission after medical testing, indicating that he is still physically able to compete at a high level. Trout, 37, entered the fight as a winner of five straight boxing contests, and his victory over Sanchez in bareknuckle fighting demonstrates his versatility as a fighter. His last appearance in traditional boxing was in December, where he defeated Jose Charles by unanimous decision. In conclusion, BKFC Knucklemania 3 provided fans with an exciting night of bareknuckle fighting, and the co-main event between Austin Trout and Diego Sanchez was a highlight of the evening. While Sanchez fought hard and showed his trademark toughness, Trout was too skilled and too sharp for him, and his victory by doctor stoppage was well-deserved. Only time will tell what the future holds for both of these talented fighters, but one thing is for certain: the world of bareknuckle fighting is as unpredictable and exciting as ever.

UFC has produced many memorable fights over the years, with some contests rising above the rest as truly exceptional. While there have been many incredible battles throughout the history of the sport, one fight stands out as arguably the greatest MMA fight of all time: the five-round war between Dan Henderson and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139. The bout took place on November 19, 2011, in San Jose, California, and was a clash between two of the most accomplished fighters in MMA history. Dan Henderson was a former Pride and Strikeforce champion who had fought and beaten some of the best fighters in the world, including Wanderlei Silva, Fedor Emelianenko, and Michael Bisping. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua was a former Pride champion himself, as well as a former UFC light heavyweight champion, and had defeated a who's who of MMA legends, including Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Lyoto Machida, and Chuck Liddell. The fight was originally scheduled to take place at UFC 128 earlier in the year, but Henderson had to withdraw due to injury. When the fight was finally rescheduled for UFC 139, anticipation was high, and the two fighters did not disappoint. From the opening bell, both Henderson and Rua were clearly in top form, exchanging blows with reckless abandon. Henderson landed his trademark right hand early in the first round, sending Rua to the canvas, but Rua quickly recovered and the two continued to trade punches for the remainder of the round. The second round was even more intense, with Rua seemingly gaining the upper hand, landing several hard shots that had Henderson reeling. But Henderson refused to back down and came back strong in the third, landing a series of vicious leg kicks that left Rua limping. The fourth round was more of the same, with both fighters continuing to trade blows and neither willing to give an inch. By this point, it was clear that this was not just a fight, but a battle of wills, with both men pushing themselves to the absolute limit. Going into the fifth and final round, it was anyone's fight. Both Henderson and Rua were battered and bruised, but neither showed any signs of slowing down. The final five minutes were a fitting end to an unforgettable fight, with both fighters refusing to give up and giving it their all until the final bell. When the fight was over, the judges' decision was unanimous: Dan Henderson had won the fight by decision. But the result was almost beside the point, as both fighters had put on a display of heart, skill, and courage that will be remembered by MMA fans for generations to come. The fight between Dan Henderson and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139 is widely considered one of the greatest MMA fights of all time. It showcased the heart, skill, and determination of two of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport, and reminded us all of the incredible physical and mental demands of MMA. While there have been many great fights in the years since, it is hard to imagine any surpassing the epic battle that took place on that November night in San Jose.

Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez is reportedly set to face John Ryder in a WBO super middleweight title defense on May 6th in Guadalajara, Mexico. While the fight may not be the one fans wanted to see from the pound-for-pound king, it’s believed to be a tune-up for his rematch against Dmitry Bivol in September. Many fans were hoping to see Canelo fight top-level opponents like David Benavidez, Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev, or even Caleb Plant in a rematch. However, Ryder, who has been beaten several times, is the opponent that Canelo and his team have chosen for the May fight. For Canelo, the Ryder fight is a crucial one, and he must look impressive against the underdog if he is to have any chance in the Bivol rematch. Ryder, with his high engine and ability to take control in the second half of a fight, is expected to push Canelo to the limit, potentially pulling off an upset or at the very least making it a close and controversial decision. According to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, the fight will take place in one of the soccer stadiums in Guadalajara, where Canelo is from. It’s been ten years since Canelo last fought in Mexico, and this return is a massive event for Mexican boxing fans. The exact details of the fight, including whether it will be shown on DAZN pay-per-view or a regular subscription package, are yet to be confirmed. Despite some criticism from fans about the choice of opponent, Canelo’s trainer Eddy Reynoso insists that the fight with Ryder is the right one. He said, “We know it’s a tough fight, but it’s the fight we wanted, and it’s the fight that’s going to keep Canelo sharp and ready for the Bivol rematch.” Although Canelo is heavily favored to win against Ryder, he can't afford to underestimate his opponent. He must put on a dominant performance and continue to build on his impressive resume to cement his status as one of the greatest boxers of all time.

Former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder has declared himself an "open agent" and stated that he is taking full control of his career moving forward. Wilder has been guided by adviser Al Haymon and manager Shelly Finkel throughout his prime boxing career, with his fights consistently being broadcast on Showtime and FOX. Although he has been a free agent throughout his career, Wilder has now spoken out publicly about his free agency for the first time. He plans to retire at the age of 40 and intends to make the most of the remainder of his career. Wilder has been ordered to face Andy Ruiz in a WBC final eliminator, but reports suggest that there is frustration between Wilder and Haymon's PBC over the money for that potential fight. As a result, Wilder is fielding offers from other promoters over his next move. "I have no problem with PBC," Wilder said. "We're still thriving, we're strong, and I think PBC still has some of the best fighters out there." Despite no bad blood between Wilder and PBC, he has confirmed that he is talking to other people who could potentially stage the Ruiz fight, or another fight instead. "I'm just an open agent, I'm an open fighter," he said. "I want to fight on all types of platforms. I'm willing to work with anyone in the business." Wilder also discussed former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who is now also a free agent, as a possible option for him. As an "open agent" fielding offers from promoters, there is no doubt Wilder will be receiving plenty of attention and a variety of proposals in the coming weeks. Wilder has also stated that he is taking full control of his career and will be heading out to the Middle East next week for in-person meetings to discuss potentially making the Ruiz fight happen, which is a clash he definitely still wants. It is clear that Wilder is looking to make the most of the remaining years of his boxing career, and his decision to become an "open agent" indicates that he is willing to work with anyone to make the biggest and best fights happen. It will be interesting to see where he goes from here, and which promoter or network he ultimately chooses to work with.

Paulo Laia is a deaf mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who is hoping to inspire others in the upcoming PFL season. Laia, who hails from Brazil, has been deaf since birth, but that hasn't stopped him from pursuing his passion for combat sports. One of Laia's biggest inspirations is Matt Hamill, a former UFC fighter who is also deaf. Hamill was one of the first deaf athletes to compete at the highest levels of MMA, and he has been a role model for many in the deaf community. For Laia, Hamill's success has been a source of motivation and inspiration. “I see many deaf people contacting my coach and wanting to train MMA because of me,” Laia wrote to MMA Fighting. “I’m very happy about that, to be able to show the community that we all can do everything normally.” After sweeping a one-night lightweight competition in November and earning a position on the PFL's Challenger Series, Laia is 14-5 as a professional fighter. The forthcoming PFL season, which will have athletes from around the globe, will include Laia as a participant. Laia will have the opportunity to demonstrate that, despite his impairment, he can rival the best of the best. He wants to demonstrate that everything is achievable with effort and willpower and serve as a positive example for all the other deaf people. His mother, he claimed, has always encouraged his desire to compete in combat sports. “I never suffered any kind of prejudice,” Laia wrote. “I started in a luta livre social project with coach Paulo Josino. When I decided I wanted to do MMA, he introduced me to master Renato Dominguez, and my experience with them has been great. “Being deaf doesn’t make any difference to me these days,” he added. “My connection with my coach and training partners is great. My coach and I understand each other very well with hand gestures. When I want to know something, like how much time we have left or what should I do, he immediately understands me and instructs me on what to do. I have great peripheral vision inside the cage, and I get in there knowing exactly what I have to do.” For Laia, the road to success has not been easy. He has had to overcome many challenges and obstacles along the way, but he has never given up. His passion for MMA has driven him to work harder than ever before, and he is hoping to achieve great things in the sport. Sousa, Laia's rival on Friday evening, is 9-0 overall with a 100% completion percentage, but he stands in the way of Laia's chances of competing in the PFL's million-dollar season. “I’m very happy with everything that’s going on,” Laia wrote. “I’m going taking step by step to the $1 million goal, but I’d rather think of the actual fight and let things happen. My opponent is a tough guy with a good game, but the plan is to get the victory. I’m ready for everything.”