Latest news with #titlefight
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 321 receives big-time championship match
The first official heavyweight title defense for Tom Aspinall as undisputed champion is now booked. Aspinall will put his belt on the line opposite Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. Set for October 25, the event takes place from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The card will be the 22nd held in Abu Dhabi, including an upcoming UFC on ABC set for this coming Saturday. Aspinall became the undisputed champion when Jon Jones announced his retirement earlier this year. He previously held the interim title, sitting at 15-3 overall and 8-1 inside the Octagon. MORE: Dustin Poirier: 'I feel appreciated. I feel seen' after UFC 318 fight The 32-year-old has won each of his last three, including a knockout of Curtis Blaydes back in July 2024. That was his last fight, meaning he will have been off for over a year. Gane owns a 13-2 career mark, which includes a 10-2 record with the UFC. He scored a victory this past December when he earned a decision over Alexander Volkov. Volkov is set to meet Jailton Almeida and Aleksandar Rakic will square off with Azamat Murzakanov in two other previously announced bouts. MORE COMBAT SPORTS NEWS: Ex-Bellator champion earns his first UFC win at UFC 318 Former UFC double champion re-enters anti-doping program for return to Octagon PFL Cape Town, PFL Africa results from event UFC 318: Dustin "The Diamond" Poirier career retrospective
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Merab Dvalishvili to defend title vs. Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320
It didn't take long for UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili to get another title defense on the schedule. Dvalishvili is set to make his third title defense against top contender Cory Sandhagen in the UFC 320 co-main event Oct. 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The news was announced Tuesday by UFC CEO Dana White on Instagram Live. Dvalishvili (20-4 MMA, 13-2 UFC), one of the busiest champions today, fights for a third time in 2025 – all three bouts being title fights. The Georgian fighter made his first title defense in January, outpointing Umar Nurmagomedov, and his second in June, submitting Sean O'Malley in a rematch. Dvalishvili looks to tie the record of most consecutive title defenses at 135 pounds. Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) fights in his first undisputed UFC title fight. He competed for the interim belt years prior, losing to Petr Yan. Sandhagen is 4-1 in his past five outings. In his most recent performance, Sandhagen stopped Deiveson Figueiredo in May. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 320: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen set for October
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Team Dubois to hold 'inquest' after 'gathering'
Daniel Dubois' team will hold an "internal inquest" after a video surfaced showing a reported "gathering" at his house just hours before his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk on 27, did not arrive at Wembley Stadium until around 20:15 BST - less than two hours before his ring was stopped in the fifth round, losing his IBF title as Ukraine's Usyk, 38, became a two-time undisputed heavyweight world Londoner's trainer, Don Charles, said he could not confirm the accuracy of the video but admitted that it had taken place, with what he believed to be more than 30 people in attendance."I would like to change the word from party to gathering," Charles told BBC added an internal review into the events of fight night is expected, with promoter Frank Warren and his son George set to hold talks with Dubois' team."There's a meeting pending," Charles said. "We'll hold an internal inquest on what happened. Questions will be asked by Frank and George Warren."Charles explained that a similar event had been held before Dubois' shock victory over Anthony Joshua in September, when he knocked out the former champion in the ninth round."It's not unusual," he said. "This gathering is the same gathering which was used for the AJ fight day preparation. "A lot was made of Daniel's ring walk for that fight - how enthusiastic and confident he looked - and people were praising him." 'Dubois wasn't unsettled by gathering' There are unconfirmed reports the gathering was organised by Dubois' father, and suggestions the fighter left during the event to go for a short drive. Charles rejected claims this was a sign of distress."To put logic to it, the father mainly replicated the recipe that worked against AJ to hopefully get a victory last Saturday. And it didn't work. Consequently, there is now a big highlight on this party, which was a gathering," he said."Daniel went for a drive, like you do. He's a fighter who's fighting on that day. If he wanted to get some fresh air or whatever, it's not unusual to say 'I'm going for a drive.'"It is also alleged that some members of Dubois' entourage were refused entry to the venue, contributing to the late arrival. Charles said he was unaware of that situation but was content with how Dubois presented himself on arrival."I had 90 minutes to prepare him - the duration of a football game - and I was satisfied," he said. "I didn't see a fighter unsettled. He seemed the Daniel Dubois that I knew, who I see every day in the gym."Usyk - who also stopped Dubois in the ninth round of their 2023 bout - floored the Londoner twice in the fifth round of the rematch, with Dubois unable to beat the count after the second has previously faced criticism for "quitting" in defeats to Joe Joyce and Usyk, but Charles insisted his fighter showed bravery."He went out on his sword," he said. "He took a punch - a horrible punch - and made the count. The referee waved it off. I'd already thrown the towel in anyway. I didn't want any more for him. I want him to live to fight another day. That's what I'm paid for."Despite the defeat, Charles praised Usyk as "an all-time great" and said Dubois remains determined to bounce back.
Forbes
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Claressa Shields vs. Lani Daniels Preview, Date, Time and How to Watch
Claressa Shields-Lani Daniels Claressa Shields will put her undisputed heavyweight title on the line on Saturday, July 26 at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Shields' opponent will be Lani Daniels, a relative unknown, but who is she, and does she have a chance to win? First, here's the viewing information: Claressa Shields vs. Lani Daniels Fight Card Daniels technically has an opportunity to shock the world, but let's be real—this is a massive uphill climb. The 36-year-old from New Zealand has a solid story. She's held IBF world titles at both light heavyweight and heavyweight, and she's earned respect in her home country. They call her the 'Smiling Assassin,' and she's been a pro for eight years. Before that, she was a mental health nurse and a national amateur champ. Her record is respectable at 11-2-2. But here's the thing—only one of those wins came by knockout. That's the red flag. To beat someone like Shields, you've either got to outbox her (which no one has been able to do) or carry real power that can make her think twice. Daniels doesn't have either. She's already made history as the first Māori-born New Zealander to win world titles in two weight classes. That's meaningful, but none of it will help her overcome this stiff challenge. She picked up the IBF heavyweight title in May 2023, then dropped to win the light heavyweight version later that year. In women's boxing, especially at higher weights, it's not uncommon to see this back-and-forth movement. Sometimes the ladies are switching classes just to find an opponent. Daniels is riding a nine-fight unbeaten streak coming in, including a TKO over Razel Mohammed—her only stoppage win to date. Aside from the streaks and stats, the truth lies in the level of competition the fighters have faced. Shields has faced and defeated all comers. She's 16-0; a two-time Olympic gold medalist and the only fighter in history—male or female—to become undisputed in three different weight classes. She's cleaned out 154, 160, and 168. Now she's at heavyweight, not because it's her optimal class, but because there's no one left for her at the lower divisions—and cutting that kind of weight is only getting harder with time. There's a serious gap in speed, power, and experience. Shields has faced elite competition. Daniels hasn't fought anyone even near that level. The odds reflect the reality: Shields is a minus-2000 favorite. Daniels sits at plus-950. This isn't a 50-50 fight. It's not even 70-30. This is a showcase, and Shields is likely to dominate every round. The best-case scenario is that Daniels survives the full ten rounds, which is likely the New Zealander's goal. I'll have more fight week coverage and the post-fight info on Saturday. Stay tuned.
The Independent
18 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Sheeraz, Yarde, Itauma: Who will be Britain's next world champion after Dubois loss?
Daniel Dubois was outclassed and stopped inside five rounds by Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley as he relinquished his IBF heavyweight title to the Ukrainian great. His loss leaves Britain with just one male fighter holding a full version of a world title – Nick Ball. The featherweight is flying the flag for the UK at the moment and will defend his WBA belt against Sam Goodman next month. But will any other Brit step forward to join him on the world scene in the coming months? Let's take a look at those who could achieve world honours to become Britain's next breakthrough star. Moses Itauma Itauma is still only 20 years old but has already been put forward as a future opponent for Usyk by Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh. If Alalshikh gets his wish that fight could happen sooner rather than later. Itauma would be a significant underdog against Usyk, but has been mightily impressive in his 12 professional bouts to date. He is due to face Dillian Whyte in August and a convincing victory would further enhance his claims for a world title shot. Itauma looks like a world champion in the making, but it remains to be seen whether he will be fast-tracked or if Queensberry bide their time before throwing him in with Usyk. There is also a chance the belts could become fragmented soon, and Itauma is well-positioned with all four governing bodies to fight for a vacant title. Anthony Yarde Yarde does have a title shot lined up as he will be taking on David Benavidez in November. The British light-heavyweight has fallen short at world level twice before, but delivered spirited performances against Sergey Kovalev and Artur Beterbiev. It will not be any easier against Benavidez who is unbeaten in 30 fights, winning 24 by knockout. But Yarde is now 33 and has experience on his side. This could be his time to upset the applecart and prove he belongs amongst the light-heavyweight elite. Sam Noakes Noakes will also challenge for a world title on the same card as Yarde in Saudi Arabia later this year. He is due to take on Abdullah Mason for the vacant WBO lightweight strap. Mason is widely viewed as one of American boxing's next big stars at just 21, but Noakes will be no pushover. He has stopped 15 of his 17 opponents and has won British, Commonwealth and European titles along the way. He has gradually stepped up his level of competition and is now primed for his big moment. The 28-year-old will feel he has every chance of getting to his younger opponent and walking away with a world title. Hamzah Sheeraz Sheeraz lit up New York earlier this month as he knocked out Edgar Berlanga inside five rounds in devastating fashion. In the aftermath, Turki Alalshikh announced his intention to set up a fight between Sheeraz and undisputed super-middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. Canelo has to get past Terence Crawford in September first, but Sheeraz's latest win has certainly thrown him into the mix at 168lbs. He looks to be in his prime and would have a significant height and reach advantage over Canelo. The Mexican legend has not been at his best in recent fights, and this may give Sheeraz even more confidence that he can beat him and become the super-middleweight king. Dalton Smith Smith may also be on the same bill as Yarde and Noakes, making it three world title fights for Brits in Riyadh. The light-welterweight contender is the mandatory challenger for the WBC title, and faced off with champion Subriel Matias after he dethroned Alberto Puello earlier this month. Turki Alalshikh wants the fight to take place on the 'Night of Champions' card in November, and on paper, it seems to be a genuine 50-50 clash. Smith is unbeaten and has steadily built a solid resume, while Matias is viewed as a knockout artist after picking up 22 of his 23 wins inside the distance. However, he has lost twice and is far from invincible. Smith may sense Matias is vulnerable and ought to believe he can get the job done to announce himself on the world stage.
