Sean O'Malley's head coach wouldn't be surprised if the former UFC bantamweight champion moves to...

Sean O'Malley's head coach wouldn't be surprised if the former UFC bantamweight champion moves to the featherweight division at some point in his career."It's definitely possible," Tim Welch said on "<a href="https://x.com/arielhelwani/status/1927796249736138837">The Ariel Helwani Show</a>" on Wednesday. "There's still really big fights at bantamweight. Sean's 5-foot-11, he walks around at around 160 pounds. If we took six, seven months to put three, four, five pounds of muscle on him, he definitely could hang with a lot of the 145ers."O'Malley is scheduled to challenge Merab Dvalishvili for the 135-pound title in an immediate rematch at UFC 316 on June 7 in Newark. O'Malley dropped the belt to Dvalishvili in lopsided fashion at UFC 306 last September and hasn't fought since.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>While a second defeat to Dvalishvili could expedite O'Malley's jump to 145 pounds, Welch said there's a good chance he'll eventually move up in weight regardless."I think there's a bunch of really big fights for him at 145," Welch said. "These weight cuts, they really are brutal. ... They're tough every single time. But he's the most professional when it comes to cutting weight. ... He's going to make weight every single time."O'Malley, who became one of MMA's biggest names when he claimed the title in 2023, carries an 18-2 (1 NC) record into his rematch against Dvalishvili.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: Sean O'Malley is seen on stage during the UFC 316 press conference at Kaseya Center on April 11, 2025 in Miami, Florida.

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Coach: O'Malley moving to featherweight 'definitely possible'

Boxing star Ryan Garcia underwent surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles to repair his injured right hand...

Boxing star Ryan Garcia underwent surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles to repair his injured right hand.Garcia suffered the injury during training camp ahead of his May 2 loss to Rolly Romero in New York's Times Square."I went and got the surgery for my hand and what I needed to get done," Garcia <a href="https://x.com/RyanGarcia/status/1927537577160003648">wrote</a> Tuesday night on X. "I never used that as an excuse for my fight. The media is going to report the surgery. I'm just blessed it was done and successful."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Garcia is expected to be sidelined from training for six weeks, according to <a href="https://www.si.com/boxing/ryan-garcia-to-undergo-hand-surgery">Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix</a>.The 26-year-old received multiple cortisone shots ahead of his lackluster fight with Romero, a source told Mannix. Garcia outstruck Romero 66-57 in the main-event bout but suffered a knockdown in the second round. Their combined 490 punches thrown is the fourth fewest in a 12-round fight in CompuBox history.Garcia, one of the biggest names in the sport, holds a career 24-2 (1 NC) record. He was expected to face Devin Haney in a rematch later this year with a win over Romero, but the loss threw a wrench in those plans and left Garcia's next steps uncertain.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 01: Ryan Garcia weighs in for his welterweight bout against Rolando "Rolly" Romero at the Manhattan Center in Times Square on May 01, 2025 in New York City.

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Ryan Garcia undergoes hand surgery

Enough is enough.  It's been six months since Jon Jones defended the UFC heavyweight title agains...

Enough is enough.It's been six months since Jon Jones defended the UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic, and based on his latest social media comments, it doesn't sound like he has any desire to return to the Octagon anytime soon.Jones <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3289355" href="https://thescore.com/news/3289355">said</a> Wednesday on X he's "genuinely enjoying life," seemingly content to do anything but fight. But he also refused to call himself retired since, as he put it, he'll always be able to "pop out and show 'em." What exactly that means is anyone's guess, but Jones seems to be saying he doesn't want to fight right now but might want to again at some point. Essentially, he wants to come and go as he pleases.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Here's the thing: While it might be OK to be a part-time fighter, it's definitely not OK to be a part-time champion.It's understandable that Jones has one foot in the door and one foot out. He's 37 years old, has been a pro since 2008, and has accomplished everything there is to accomplish in MMA. No one would blame him if he were to retire. But he can't keep holding up the heavyweight division.Jones is the least active champion in the UFC. He's held the heavyweight title since March 2023 and has defended it once - against a semi-retired former champ who hadn't fought in over three years. Jones has fought just twice in the last five years, and the last time he competed more than once in the same calendar year was in 2019.Unless Jones suddenly decides he wants to fight again, the UFC should do the right thing by stripping him of the heavyweight championship and promoting Tom Aspinall.It's been over a year and a half since Aspinall won the interim title, and the fact that he's yet to challenge for the undisputed belt is, quite frankly, ridiculous, and a disservice to the Brit, to MMA fans, and to the sport. Fans have been dying to see Jones and Aspinall meet in the cage, but if that isn't going to happen, the next best thing for the division is Aspinall starting to carve his own legacy by defending the belt against whoever the No. 1 contender is.Aspinall has every right to be upset with how much of a mess this has all turned into. He's in the prime of his career. He's the face of British MMA. And he should've fought for the undisputed title a year ago. But Jones is holding him back. Aspinall wants to prove he's the best heavyweight in the world. Jones, by choosing not to fight or give up the title, is preventing him from doing that.The UFC doesn't seem to be doing Aspinall any favors either. UFC CEO Dana White keeps saying that Jones and Aspinall will definitely fight in 2025, but Jones is off in Thailand riding motorcycles and making fun of MMA fans on Instagram Live who call him out for ducking Aspinall. Where do we draw the line? How long should Aspinall have to wait to fight for the title? At what point do we move on?Just last week, Islam Makhachev was forced to vacate the UFC lightweight title so he could fight for the welterweight belt. Makhachev could lose to Jack Della Maddalena and immediately return to 155 pounds, but that doesn't seem to matter. It makes sense that the UFC doesn't want Makhachev to hold up the lightweight division, but it's ridiculous that the promotion seems OK with setting different standards for different champions. There's not even a downside to stripping Jones of the heavyweight title. It would give the division some much-needed life, and then Jones could fight Aspinall whenever he decides he's ready. Or he could fight someone else, like Alex Pereira. And he'd be able to do that freely, since he wouldn't be the champion of a division.Jones is arguably the greatest fighter of all time, but that doesn't excuse him from upholding the basic responsibilities of a UFC champion. Enough is enough.

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It's time for UFC to strip Jon Jones of the heavyweight title

The PFL's debut in Africa will now take place on the same day as a major UFC pay-per-view event. ...

The PFL's debut in Africa will now take place on the same day as a major UFC pay-per-view event.The promotion announced Tuesday it moved its event in Cape Town, South Africa, from July 26 to July 19. No reason was given for the change.The PFL will share the new date with UFC 318, featuring Dustin Poirier's retirement fight against Max Holloway in New Orleans. However, the two cards will likely air at different times of the day.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>A middleweight title fight between Johnny Eblen and Costello van Steenis is scheduled to headline the PFL's event in Cape Town. A women's flyweight bout between 2024 PFL champion Dakota Ditcheva and Sumiko Inaba will serve as the co-main event.

UNCASVILLE, CT - JUNE 13: Dakota Ditcheva celebrates after defeating Chelsea Hackett during PFL 2024 week 4 at the Mohegan Sun Arena on June 13, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut.

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PFL moves Africa event to July 19, same day as UFC 318

Michael Morales has a name in mind for his next fight after scoring a first-round TKO of Gilbert ...

Michael Morales has a name in mind for his next fight after scoring a first-round TKO of Gilbert Burns in this past weekend's UFC Fight Night main event.The surging welterweight contender said Monday he wants to face Ian Machado Garry, potentially at UFC 320 on Sept. 13 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Morales, 25, is from Ecuador but trains out of Tijuana, Mexico."I actually want to beat him up," Morales said through an interpreter on "<a href="https://x.com/arielhelwani/status/1924526477267304519">The Ariel Helwani Show</a>."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I believe (Garry has) been very disrespectful with fighters I admire, like Belal (Muhammad), Neil Magny. I think they don't deserve to be disrespected. I think he talks a lot. One time, he had some problems in the (UFC Performance Institute) with people I know. When I found out, I wanted to see ... what he was doing, but he wasn't there. After that, I just want to shut him up."Garry is the No. 6-ranked contender in the 170-pound division. He served as the backup fighter for the title fight between newly crowned champion Jack Della Maddalena and former champ Muhammad at UFC 315 earlier this month. Garry, a 27-year-old Irishman, is coming off a win over Carlos Prates in the UFC Kansas City main event in April and is 9-1 in the promotion.Morales made quick work of Burns in his first UFC main event Saturday to punch his ticket to the top 10 of the division, finishing the former title challenger with punches against the fence. Morales is undefeated as a pro, boasting an 18-0 record. He's won six fights since debuting in the UFC in January 2022.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 17: (L-R) Michael Morales of Ecuador punches Gilbert Burns of Brazil in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Morales eyes fight vs. Garry at UFC 320: I 'want to beat him up'

Jake Paul believes he would've gotten his hand raised against Canelo Álvarez had the two met in t...

Jake Paul believes he would've gotten his hand raised against Canelo Álvarez had the two met in the ring this month.Earlier in 2025, Paul, the YouTube star turned prizefighter, was in talks to face Álvarez, the undisputed super middleweight champion, in a blockbuster fight May 3 in Las Vegas. But the matchup fell apart after Álvarez instead agreed to a multi-fight deal with Riyadh Season. Álvarez went on to defeat William Scull on the same date in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to regain the undisputed 168-pound title.Paul said Álvarez's performance against Scull gave him confidence that he'd have the upper hand.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I would've beat Canelo for sure," Paul said Monday on "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js-egLhL59E">The Ariel Helwani Show</a>." "Even just watching him against Scull - he's just washed-up, inactive, doesn't throw a lot of punches, not very strong."Álvarez's unanimous decision victory over Scull was highly uneventful, with the two boxers landing a combined 111 punches over 12 rounds. Álvarez and Scull broke the CompuBox record for fewest punches thrown in a 12-round fight (445 combined).Paul is scheduled to take on former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a cruiserweight bout June 28 in Anaheim. His most recent fight was a unanimous decision win over Mike Tyson last November.The 28-year-old said he thinks he'll square off with Álvarez eventually, even if Álvarez loses to Terence Crawford in September and starts to stumble in his next few fights."I would say, from a third-party point of view, we're the two biggest names in the sport. And because of that, it's just gonna be fun and exciting," Paul said of a fight against Álvarez. "I like making history and doing big events."Paul said he has constantly proven people wrong since becoming a professional boxer five years ago and would do the same against Álvarez."When it happens," Paul said of potentially beating boxing's top star, "I'm gonna have the last laugh. I know what I'm capable of. There's a lot more names on the list that I'm going to beat in the next couple of years."

US boxer, actor and YouTuber Jake Paul speaks a press conference at the Avalon Hollywood Theater in Los Angeles on May 14, 2025. Paul will face Mexico's Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., on June 28, 2025, in Anaheim, California.

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Paul says he would've beaten Canelo: He's 'washed-up'

Kyoji Horiguchi's highly anticipated return to the UFC will have to wait.  The flyweight contende...

Kyoji Horiguchi's highly anticipated return to the UFC will have to wait.The flyweight contender is out of his June 21 fight against Tagir Ulanbekov in Baku, Azerbaijan, for an undisclosed reason, sources told <a href="https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/05/19/ufc-baku-kyoji-horiguchis-return-off-tagir-ulanbekov-azat-maksum/83731397007/">MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn</a>.Two-fight UFC veteran Azat Maksum will reportedly step in against Ulanbekov on short notice.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Horiguchi, a former Bellator and Rizin FF champion, was slated to begin his second stint in the UFC after almost nine years away from the world's biggest MMA promotion.The 34-year-old Japan native competed in the Octagon from 2013-16, putting together a 7-1 record. Horiguchi's lone loss came in a title fight against Demetrious Johnson at UFC 186 in 2015.Horiguchi has gone 16-3 (1 NC) since his first UFC run. He captured the Rizin bantamweight title, the Bellator bantamweight title, and, most recently, the Rizin flyweight title. Horiguchi is riding a six-fight winning streak.

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Report: Horiguchi out of UFC return in Azerbaijan

Undisputed women's heavyweight boxing champion Claressa Shields won't be competing in mixed marti...

Undisputed women's heavyweight boxing champion Claressa Shields won't be competing in mixed martial arts again.Shields doesn't have time to focus on both sports, she told "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js-egLhL59E">The Ariel Helwani Show</a>" on Monday."MMA is done, sweetheart," Shields said. "It was fun. It was fine. I don't have enough time to train for it. It takes six months, eight months to just get ready to defend takedowns. Even though I got a lot better - I got a lot better, I put in time. I got my arm broken twice. It was fun. I enjoyed every fight I did. ... I did it because I wanted to prove a point. All right, I proved that point."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>She added: "I did really good in MMA. ... But it was too hard."Shields, 30, fought in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) - the world's second-biggest MMA promotion after the UFC - three times between 2021 and 2024.Shields made her professional MMA debut in June 2021, defeating Brittney Elkin by third-round TKO. She lost her sophomore appearance four months later, dropping a split decision to Abby Montes. Shields competed three times in boxing between 2022 and 2023 before returning to MMA for a third fight in February 2024. She earned a split-decision victory over Kelsey DeSantis to lift her record to 2-1.Since then, Shields has won two fights in the ring, knocking out Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse last July to claim the WBC women's heavyweight title and then beating Danielle Perkins by unanimous decision in February to capture the undisputed championship. The Flint, Michigan, native is scheduled to defend her belts against Lani Daniels on July 26 in Detroit.Though Shields once had her sights set on a world title in MMA, she's comfortable with her decision to hang up the 4-ounce gloves."It just takes a lot of time to train for MMA - time that I don't have," Shields said. "I did have aspirations of being PFL MMA world champion and having a fight with Kayla Harrison one day or Larissa Pacheco. I did have those dreams and I did have aspirations, but it's just not enough time. I'm great already in boxing, and to be great like that in MMA, I would have to train at least three, four years consistently."

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JUNE 03: Claressa Shields throws a punch against Maricela Cornejo during their Middleweight Championship fight at Little Caesars Arena on June 03, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan.

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Claressa Shields done with MMA: 'It was too hard'

Former UFC fighter Kevin Lee signed a multi-fight deal with the PFL, sources told MMA Fighting's ...

Former UFC fighter Kevin Lee signed a multi-fight deal with the PFL, sources told <a href="https://x.com/DamonMartin/status/1924559223465136165">MMA Fighting's Damon Martin</a>.It's unclear when Lee will debut for the promotion.The 32-year-old hasn't competed in MMA since September when he submitted Thiago Oliveira in the first round at a regional event - Lights Out Championship 17 - in Michigan.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Lee's last fight in a major organization was his July 2023 loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov at a UFC Fight Night event. Lee retired from the sport after that matchup, but he announced in early 2024 he was coming out of retirement."The Motown Phenom" enjoyed two stints in the UFC, with the first one lasting from 2013-21 and spanning 18 fights. He fought for the interim lightweight championship in 2017.Lee was expected to compete in the Global Fight League (GFL) this month before the company called off its first two events due to financial issues.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 28: Kevin Lee prepares to fight Daniel Rodriguez in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 28, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Report: Kevin Lee signs with PFL

Michael Morales made quick work of Gilbert Burns to secure the biggest win of his career.  The ri...

Michael Morales made quick work of Gilbert Burns to secure the biggest win of his career.The rising welterweight contender stopped Burns at the 3:39 mark of the first round in the UFC Fight Night main event Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.Morales remained undefeated with the victory, lifting his professional record to 18-0.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Michael Morales destroys Gilbert Burns in round 1! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCVegas106?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFCVegas106</a> <a href="https://t.co/oOqxatf1oP">pic.twitter.com/oOqxatf1oP</a>— TakeruCigarra (@TakeruCigarra) <a href="https://twitter.com/TakeruCigarra/status/1923909700598317498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Morales became the first to finish Burns in either the first or second round at 170 pounds.Morales got off to a fast start against Burns and never let up. He tagged "Durinho" with a barrage of punches three minutes into the round before rocking him again moments later. Morales clipped Burns with a right hand and started teeing off with punches as Burns slumped to the canvas.Morales, a 25-year-old from Ecuador, is now 6-0 in the UFC. Morales, No. 12 in the welterweight division coming in, will likely join the top 10 next week after taking out No. 8 Burns.Burns, a 38-year-old former title challenger from Brazil, has now lost four straight fights.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 17: (R-L) Michael Morales of Ecuador punches Gilbert Burns of Brazil in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Morales TKOs Burns in 1st round of UFC main event

Former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix signed with the UFC and will make his debut agai...

Former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix signed with the UFC and will make his debut against Mario Bautista at UFC 316 on June 7 in Newark, the promotion announced Saturday.Mix is replacing Marlon "Chito" Vera, who withdrew from the event earlier this week due to an injury.Mix <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3285541" href="https://thescore.com/news/3285541">became a free agent</a> Tuesday after being granted his release from the PFL.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 31-year-old, who holds a 20-1 professional record, will step into the cage for the first time since defeating Magomed Magomedov at a Bellator Champions Series event in Paris in May 2024.One of the top 135-pound fighters in the world, Mix spent five years under the PFL/Bellator banner. He held the Bellator bantamweight title from November 2023 to earlier this year when the PFL dissolved the Bellator brand. The Buffalo native went 9-1 in the two promotions, beating the likes of Sergio Pettis, Kyoji Horiguchi, and Raufeon Stots.Mix joins a stacked UFC bantamweight division that includes champion Merab Dvalishvili, Sean O'Malley, Umar Nurmagomedov, Petr Yan, and Cory Sandhagen, among others.Bautista is ranked No. 10 at 135 pounds and has won seven in a row dating back to 2022.

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Mix signs with UFC, steps in vs. Bautista

UFC CEO Dana White doesn't see Conor McGregor returning to the Octagon in the near future.  "He's...

UFC CEO Dana White doesn't see Conor McGregor returning to the Octagon in the near future."He's not fighting any time soon," White told <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@adamglyn/video/7504834832770387230">reporter Adam Glyn</a> earlier this week. "I haven't talked to him in a minute. But yeah, I don't know."McGregor, a former two-division champion and the biggest star in MMA history, hasn't fought since July 2021. He was scheduled to take on Michael Chandler at UFC 303 last June, but the Irishman withdrew two weeks before the event due to a toe injury.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>In March, McGregor said he wasn't focused on MMA but expected to make his return eventually."I'm happy with what I've done (in the UFC)," McGregor said at the BKFC 70 postfight press conference."My comeback will be slated as the greatest comeback, or the biggest, most anticipated comeback, of all time. So it has to be right."McGregor, 36, has two fights left on his UFC contract. He became a BKFC co-owner last year and has expressed interest in competing in a bare-knuckle bout under the promotion's banner once his UFC deal ends.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 15: Conor McGregor visits "Hannity" with host Sean Hannity at Fox News Channel Studios on March 15, 2023 in New York City.

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White: McGregor 'not fighting any time soon'

Veteran welterweights Neil Magny and Gunnar Nelson will square off at UFC 318 on July 19 in New O...

Veteran welterweights Neil Magny and Gunnar Nelson will square off at UFC 318 on July 19 in New Orleans, the promotion announced Friday.Magny is looking to rebound from a knockout defeat to Carlos Prates in a UFC main event last November. The 37-year-old has lost two in a row and is seeking his first victory since a come-from-behind TKO of Mike Malott in January 2024. Magny owns the most wins (22) and fights (34) in UFC welterweight history.Nelson returned from a two-year layoff at UFC London in March and suffered a unanimous decision loss to Kevin Holland. The 36-year-old Icelander is 2-1 in his past three Octagon appearances dating back to 2022. Nelson holds the record for most submission wins in division history (seven).<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>A trilogy bout between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier is scheduled to headline UFC 318.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 09: Neil Magny prepares to face Carlos Prates of Brazil in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Magny-Nelson added to UFC 318

Former UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm is returning to boxing.  Holm has signed a de...

Former UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm is returning to boxing.Holm has signed a deal with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions and will compete on the undercard of Paul's June 28 fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., it was announced Wednesday.Holm is scheduled to face Yolanda Vega in a 10-round lightweight bout at Honda Center in Anaheim.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I'm excited to partner with Most Valuable Promotions and return to the boxing ring," Holm said in a statement to <a href="https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/45147814/former-ufc-champ-holm-signs-mvp-books-june-boxing-match">ESPN's Andreas Hale</a>. "This new chapter is going to be an exciting journey, and I'm looking forward to the challenge."Holm is the latest addition to MVP's growing roster of top women's boxers. The promotion announced earlier this week it had signed IBF super middleweight champion Savannah Marshall and WBC interim lightweight champ Chantelle Cameron. MVP also has deals with Amanda Serrano and Alycia Baumgardner.Holm, 43, parted ways with the UFC in January after requesting her release, ending a 10-year run with the premier MMA promotion. Holm, who trains out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, famously knocked out Ronda Rousey in one of the biggest upsets of all time in 2015 to capture the UFC women's bantamweight title. Holm never successfully defended the belt and finished her UFC career with an 8-7 (1 NC) record. Her final fight was a submission loss to Kayla Harrison at UFC 300 last April.Before signing with UFC, Holm was one of the best women's boxers in the world. She amassed a professional record of 33-2-3 from 2002-13 and won world titles in three weight classes. Holm transitioned to MMA full time in 2013 after competing in both sports for a brief period.Vega, a 29-year-old Mexico native, is undefeated at 10-0. She last stepped into the ring in March.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Holly Holm enters the Octagon in a bantamweight fight during the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Ex-UFC champ Holm returns to boxing, signs with Paul's MVP

A flyweight bout between top-five contenders Amir Albazi and Tatsuro Taira will headline a UFC Fi...

A flyweight bout between top-five contenders Amir Albazi and Tatsuro Taira will headline a UFC Fight Night event Aug. 2 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.Taira's management team <a href="https://x.com/TeamIridiumISA/status/1922684060868001814">announced</a> the matchup Wednesday.Albazi, ranked No. 3 in the division, is looking to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to former champion Brandon Moreno in the UFC Edmonton main event last November. Albazi had previously won six in a row, including five in the UFC.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 31-year-old Iraq native holds a win over Kai Kara-France, who is scheduled to challenge Alexandre Pantoja for the 125-pound title at UFC 317 on June 28.Taira is also coming off the first defeat of his UFC - and pro - career. The 25-year-old Japanese fighter dropped a split decision to Brandon Royval last October. Taira, who's 16-1 in the sport and ranked No. 5 at flyweight, began his UFC run in 2022 with six straight victories.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 12: Tatsuro Taira of Japan prepares to face Brandon Royval in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Albazi, Taira to meet in Aug. 2 UFC main event

Former heavyweight title challenger Derrick Lewis will take on Tallison Teixeira in the main even...

Former heavyweight title challenger Derrick Lewis will take on Tallison Teixeira in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on July 12, sources told <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/5/13/24429335/derrick-lewis-fights-tallison-teixeira-in-ufc-nashville-main-event">MMA Fighting's Guilherme Cruz and Mike Heck</a>.Lewis is returning to the Octagon for the first time since earning a third-round TKO of Rodrigo Nascimento at UFC St. Louis in May 2024. The No. 9-ranked heavyweight is 2-1 in his last three appearances.Lewis was scheduled to face Jhonata Diniz at UFC Edmonton last November, but he withdrew on weigh-in day due to a medical issue.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Teixeira will headline a UFC event in just his second outing with the promotion. The 25-year-old Brazilian finished Justin Tafa by 35-second TKO at UFC 312 in February. Teixeira is undefeated as a professional, boasting an 8-0 record.The event will mark the UFC's first in Nashville since August 2023 and seventh overall.

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 11: Derrick Lewis prepares before his heavyweight fight against Rodrigo Nascimento of Brazil during the UFC Fight Night event at Enterprise Center on May 11, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri.

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Report: Lewis-Teixeira to headline UFC Nashville in July

Former bantamweight title challenger Marlon "Chito" Vera is out of his UFC 316 matchup against Ma...

Former bantamweight title challenger Marlon "Chito" Vera is out of his UFC 316 matchup against Mario Bautista for an undisclosed reason, sources told <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/5/14/24430102/chito-vera-out-of-ufc-316-bout-with-mario-bautista">MMA Fighting's Mike Heck</a>.Vera-Bautista was scheduled for the main card of the June 7 pay-per-view event in Newark.The promotion is seeking a replacement to step in against Bautista on short notice.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Vera was looking to rebound from back-to-back losses to Sean O'Malley and Deiveson Figueiredo. The No. 7-ranked bantamweight hasn't been victorious since a unanimous decision win over Pedro Munhoz in August 2023.Bautista, ranked No. 10 in the division, is riding a seven-fight winning streak. He most recently defeated UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo by split decision at UFC 307 last October.In the UFC 316 main event, 135-pound champion Merab Dvalishvili will defend his title in a rematch against O'Malley. The card also features a women's bantamweight title bout between champ Julianna Pena and Kayla Harrison.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - AUGUST 03: (R-L) Marlon Vera of Ecuador faces Deiveson Figueiredo of Brazil in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena on August 03, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

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Report: Vera withdraws from UFC 316 fight vs. Bautista

Former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix agreed to part ways with the PFL on Tuesday, mak...

Former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix agreed to part ways with the PFL on Tuesday, making him one of the top free agents in mixed martial arts.Mix is officially free to sign with any promotion, as the PFL doesn't have a matching period, sources told <a href="https://x.com/arielhelwani/status/1922443014082822594">Uncrowned's Ariel Helwani</a>."Professional Fighters League and Patchy Mix have mutually agreed to not extend his contract," the promotion <a href="https://x.com/PFLMMA/status/1922433803890413949">said</a> in a statement. "We both decided this is the best course of action for PFL and him.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Patchy is a fantastic fighter and we wish him well. PFL is excited to crown our next 135-pound champion in the PFL World Tournament."Mix, who holds a 20-1 pro record, is considered one of the best bantamweights outside the UFC. The 31-year-old held the Bellator bantamweight title from November 2023 to earlier this year when the PFL dissolved the Bellator brand."I want to thank the PFL," Mix <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJnS31uyQqp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=4927e982-2eed-40db-ad59-1e6727321ee4">wrote</a> on Instagram. "As we all know, the sport of mixed martial arts needs the PFL to continue giving top fighters opportunities, as it's the only other major company in MMA. I wish the PFL all the success in the world going forward, as well as former competitors and everyone that's helped make these great moments throughout the years."Mix signed with Bellator in 2019 and was one of many fighters who transitioned to the PFL after the Donn Davis-led promotion purchased Bellator in 2023. However, Mix has competed just once since the acquisition, defeating Magomed Magomedov at a Bellator Champions Series event in May 2024 in Paris.The Buffalo native went 9-1 under the PFL/Bellator banner, earning wins against the likes of Sergio Pettis, Kyoji Horiguchi, and Raufeon Stots. Mix has been a pro fighter since 2016.

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PFL releases ex-Bellator champ Mix

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is adamant that he's not ducking interim champ Tom Aspinall.  ...

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is adamant that he's not ducking interim champ Tom Aspinall."I've got people in the chat calling me a duck. Meanwhile, I'm living my absolute best life," Jones <a href="https://x.com/acdmma_/status/1922255386242875903">said</a> on Instagram Live earlier this week while apparently riding a motorcycle."I don't know if it's considered ducking when you're living good. I don't think it works like that."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>MMA fans have been eager to see Jones and Aspinall square off in a title unification bout for well over a year, though it's yet to materialize. UFC CEO Dana White said in March he was "very confident" the fight would happen this summer. From all accounts, the holdup is on Jones' side and is likely a financial issue. Aspinall <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3284959" href="https://thescore.com/news/3284959">said</a> earlier this week he was "bored" of waiting for the fight to happen.Jones, one of the greatest fighters of all time, has defended the heavyweight title just once since winning it in March 2023. He finished Stipe Miocic by third-round TKO at UFC 309 last November. Jones said after his victory that he preferred a superfight with then-light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira over a unification bout against Aspinall, and that retirement was also on the table.Aspinall has held the interim heavyweight title since November 2023 and recently became the longest-reigning interim champion in UFC history.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: Jon Jones of the United States of America reacts after his TKO victory against Stipe Miocic of the United States of America in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City.

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Jones refutes ducking claims: 'I'm living my absolute best life'

Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision to capture the UFC welterweig...

Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision to capture the UFC welterweight championship in the UFC 315 main event Saturday night at Bell Centre in Montreal.The judges scored the fight 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 in Della Maddalena's favor.Della Maddalena's sharp striking, distance management, and takedown defense guided him to a hard-fought victory. He outstruck Muhammad in all five rounds and fended off six of nine takedown attempts, keeping the fight almost entirely on the feet.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"It's exactly how I thought it would feel," Della Maddalena said in his postfight interview after becoming the new champion. "It feels f-----g good."He added: "Coming in there against someone like Belal with that sort of pressure and wrestling, I knew I had to be smart. I couldn't spend too much time on my back."Della Maddalena put an exclamation mark on his performance in the fifth round, outslugging Muhammad and bloodying him with hard punches. Della Maddalena said he tried to score a late knockout and gave Muhammad kudos for being tough to finish."I looked up at the clock and saw 30 seconds left," Della Maddalena said. "I thought I was ahead, but I wanted to keep pushing. I wanted to take him out of there. I was gunning for a late finish. But Belal is the man. He's a tough dude. He's not easy to put away."Della Maddalena, who entered the fight as the No. 5-ranked welterweight, wasn't expected to get the next title shot until three months ago. He was originally scheduled to face Leon Edwards at UFC London in March, but the promotion placed him in the title fight against Muhammad instead when Shavkat Rakhmonov was unavailable because of an injury.Della Maddalena outlanded Muhammad 200-155 in total strikes and 178-132 in significant strikes. He held Muhammad, one of the best wrestlers in the division, to just 3:21 of control time. Muhammad didn't secure his first takedown until the fourth round, and by then, it was too late for him to overcome Della Maddalena's edge in the stand-up department.Della Maddalena lifted his UFC record to 8-0 and extended his winning streak to 18 overall. He's the third Australian-born champion in UFC history after Robert Whittaker and Alexander Volkanovski.UFC CEO Dana White suggested earlier this week that lightweight champion Islam Makhachev would move up to welterweight to challenge for a second title if Della Maddalena were to beat Muhammad at UFC 315. In his postfight interview Saturday, Della Maddalena said he'd be more than happy to take on the Dagestani."It's a beautiful challenge," Della Maddalena said. "He's pound-for-pound No. 1. I'm gonna get him back for Volk."Makhachev <a href="https://x.com/MAKHACHEVMMA/status/1921439326300164188">wrote</a> on X that it's "time to become a double champion." He <a href="https://x.com/MAKHACHEVMMA/status/1921451287121383717">added</a> that he will show Della Maddalena a "different level" and asked the new welterweight champion to "keep my belt clean."Muhammad lost for the first time since January 2019, ending his 11-fight unbeaten streak. He was making his first title defense since dethroning Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - MAY 10: (R-L) Jack Della Maddalena of Australia punches Belal Muhammad in the UFC welterweight championship bout during the UFC 315 event at Bell Centre on May 10, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.

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Della Maddalena beats Muhammad to claim UFC welterweight title

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