Martial Arts News

Bare Knuckle Boxing returns to London in November.

BKB 61 goes down on Nov. 14 at the Indigo at O2 Arena in London. Lee Selby will have the English home crowd rallying behind him as he returns to the Trigon in the main event. The former IBF featherweight world champion and the WBC international featherweight champion will take on a yet-to-be-named opponent.

Lee Selby returns at BKB 61 in London after knockout win in his bare-knuckle debutBKB CEO David Tetreault said, “Lee Selby is a proven world champion and one of the biggest names in boxing, so having him back in the Trigon for BKB 61 is a huge moment for us. London is the perfect stage for a fighter of his caliber, and we know the fans will create an incredible atmosphere. As BKB continues to expand globally, attracting champions and boxing stars like Lee is a strong testament of our growth and momentum as the world’s largest bare-knuckle boxing organization.”

Selby hung up his boxing gloves in 2022. He made his bar…

Khamzat Chimaev is set to welcome Robbie Lawler to Real American Freestyle.

Chimaev and Lawler are scheduled to compete in a catchweight wrestling match in the co-main event at RAF 14 on Oct. 23 at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. The card will be headlined by Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dillon Danis.

Advertisement

Robbie Lawler returns for Khamzat Chimaev wrestling match at RAF 14 The matchup marks Lawler’s RAF debut. It’s also the former Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight titleholder’s return to competition since retiring from the UFC in 2023.

Meanwhile, Chimaev lost his UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland this past May. “Borz” has since defeated Danis, Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns, all via pinfall or tech fall, in wrestling matches at RAF.

The card also features the return of Michael Page, who’s competing for the first time since his controversial UFC exit. He takes on Russian veteran Alexander Shlemenko.

BORZ VS RUTHLES…

The Professional Fighters League just released the full card for its return to Chicago.

PFL Chicago goes down on Oct. 16 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The card will be headlined by the inaugural PFL women’s flyweight title fight between Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop.

Advertisement

Liz Carmouche-Jena Bishop 2 and Timur Khizriev-Gabriel Braga 2 headline the Oct. 16 lineup Carmouche (26-8) is currently on a four-fight winning streak with three finishes. “Girl-Rilla” knocked out Bishop in their first bout last year to win the 2025 PFL flyweight world tournament. Bishop (11-3) has since rebounded with back-to-back first-round submission wins.

Timur Khizriev (18-0) takes on Gabriel Braga (17-3) in a featherweight rematch in the co-main event. Khizriev returns to action after nearly two years, as he was recovering from an armed attack and a broken hand. The undefeated Dagestani defeated Braga by split decision in their first meeting in 2024. Braga has since gone 3-1 i…

メインイベント本野美樹 vs SARAMI👑ストロー級QOP戦👑#pancrase366 pic.twitter.com/sAtpkkqbr6

— PANCRASE｜パンクラス (@_PANCRASE_) September 23, 2026

Strawweight Queen of Pancrase champion Miki Motono successfully retained her title with a dominant second-round TKO victory at Pancrase 366 in Tokyo. Motono stopped reigning atomweight champion Satomi Takano, whose bid to become a two-division titleholder was dashed by an onslaught of punches.

Advertisement

Miki Motono retained her Queen of Pancrase title with a second-round TKO of Satomi Takano The southpaw Motono (11-5) repeatedly connected with straight left hands, which were the most significant strikes of the opening round. Takano (20-15) secured a brief takedown after catching a kick, but Motono continued to win the boxing exchanges after returning to her feet.

Takano took Motono down in the second round, but Motono quickly reversed into the scarf-hold position and landed dozens of…

Damian Piwowarczyk made the most of his opportunity on Dana White’s Contender Series.

The Polish light heavyweight secured an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract on Week 7 of Season 10 of DWCS, defeating Emilio Quissua via first-round technical knockout at Meta Apex in Las Vegas.

Advertisement

Damian Piwowarczyk stops unbeaten Emilio Quissua at DWCS Week 7 Piwowarczyk stopped the previously undefeated Quissua with strikes at the 4:55 mark of the opening round after overcoming an early surge from his opponent. The victory earned praise from UFC CEO Dana White, who awarded him a contract.

Piwowarczyk later reflected on the victory and the achievement.

“It was really great. It’s one of the best moments in my life,” Piwowarczyk said in a post-fight interview. “I put a lot of work into this moment. My camp is really long, like three or four months… I just put a lot of work to be here in top shape.”

Piwowarczyk previously made a name for himself unde…

Marcos Degli entered Dana White’s Contender Series with plenty to prove and left the Meta Apex with an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract.

The Brazilian flyweight submitted Paris Moran with a standing one-arm rear-naked choke at the 4:46 mark of the second round at DWCS Season 10 Week 7, extending his winning streak to 13 straight. Degli had an emotional response to the massive achievement.

Advertisement

Marcos Degli extends his winning streak to 13 with submission of Paris Moran Degli has built a reputation as one of Brazil’s more dangerous flyweight prospects. Against Moran, Degli showed that his submission game is just as potent as his striking. The victory was enough to convince UFC CEO Dana White to award him a contract.

In his post-fight interview, Degli (15-3) talked about his grandmother.

“I lost my grandma at the start of the year and I wish that she was here to see where her grandson made it. We made it,” Degli said. “I am sure she would b…

Alvi Dasuyev kept his perfect record intact and punched his ticket to the Ultimate Fighting Championship with a unanimous decision victory over Jaden Ortega on Dana White’s Contender Series.

The victory moved Dasuyev to 10-0 as a professional and marked only the second time he had seen a second round. UFC CEO Dana White awarded both fighters contracts after the bout, praising Dasuyev while also recognizing Ortega’s performance.

Advertisement

Alvi Dasuyev explains what went wrong against Jaden Ortega after earning his UFC contract Dasuyev and Ortega went to war over three rounds on DWCS Season 10 Week 7. White had nothing but praise for Dasuyev and even offered Ortega a contract.

In a post-fight interview, Dasuyev expressed his joy at earning a UFC contract.

“It’s a dream that’s coming true,” Dasuyev said. “Really thankful for that. I think it’s a dream for every MMA fighter. I am happy.”

Furthermore, soon after the fight, he revealed that he had jet lag …

Caio Borralho is willing to take a risky matchup to stay active.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight is set to face Yousri Belgaroui at UFC 334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Borralho is among the top-ranked contenders at 185 pounds, while Belgaroui is unranked. The former recently detailed his reasoning for accepting the fight.

Advertisement

Caio Borralho prioritizes activity against Yousri Belgaroui after emergency surgery Borralho had been sidelined following emergency surgery. Eager to return to competition and avoid another lengthy hiatus from the Octagon, the Brazilian told Sherdog that he’ll accept whatever is offered to him to avoid ring rust.

“I’ve been almost six months without fighting,” Borralho said. “I had to take some time off because I had to undergo emergency surgery on my rib. I want to stay active. I believe I’m one of the best in the world. Whoever they put in front of me, I’m going to have to prove that I’m one …

Justin Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, believes Ilia Topuria has no say in whether an immediate rematch happens.

Topuria suffered the first loss of his professional career against Gaethje, losing the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Topuria has since pushed for a rematch. Abdelaziz, however, dismissed the possibility.

Advertisement

Ali Abdelaziz says Justin Gaethje has nothing to gain from an immediate Ilia Topuria rematch Talking with Submission Radio, Abdelaziz emphasized that Topuria doesn’t have the power to call for an immediate rematch. He further claimed that Gaethje simply has the Georgian-Spaniard’s number and will beat him again should they run it back.

“He's not fighting Justin Gaethje next,” Abdelaziz said. “He doesn't call the shots. Only one guy in the past did that and his name is Conor McGregor and he's not Conor McGregor. Nobody is. He was a favorite because everybody thought he was better than Just…

Dana White has addressed Paulo Costa’s frustration with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Costa recently slammed UFC exec Hunter Campbell after he was seemingly offered a short-notice five-round bout for the final fight of his current contract. While the former title challenger is open to accepting a five-rounder, he wants to be compensated accordingly and have ample time to prepare for a 25-minute bout. The Brazilian has even repeatedly requested his release from the promotion.

Advertisement

Paulo Costa says he wants his final UFC fight as Dana White points to offers he turned down When asked about Costa’s comments following Week 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series, White acknowledged the fighter’s frustration but revealed that “Borrachinha” has turned down several fights.

“Oh, yeah. [Paulo is] frustrated, yeah,” White said. “He's been offered fights and turned them down. We don't just say, 'f*ck Paulo Costa,' and, 'you're not going to get a fight,' and 'no,…

Mauricio Ruffy showcased improved takedown defense against Arman Tsarukyan, but didn’t anticipate the fight-ending blow at the end of the first round.

Tsarukyan stopped Ruffy with an elbow at 4:56 of the opening round on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The result strengthened Tsarukyan’s position in the lightweight title picture, while Ruffy suffered his second loss in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Pedro Rizzo and Renato “Money” Moicano recently reflected on the fight.

Advertisement

Mauricio Ruffy frustrated Arman Tsarukyan’s wrestling before the clinch attack produced the finish Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Rizzo praised Ruffy’s ability to thwart Tsarukyan’s wrestling before highlighting how the latter’s adjustment ultimately made the difference.

“When you start worrying too much about defense, you become too defensive and stop attacking,” Rizzo said. “You have to give their strategy credit. That combination of the clinch and the e…

Gable Steveson has broken his silence following his stunning 12-second knockout loss.

Steveson was handed his first pro defeat by Sean Sharaf, who pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Ultimate Fighting Championship history. In his post-fight statement, the Olympian addressed both the defeat and sexual assault allegations stemming from his college years that resurfaced during fight week.

Advertisement

Gable Steveson addresses Sean Sharaf upset and fight-week allegations Steveson and his teammate were arrested in connection with a sexual assault allegation in 2019, but no criminal charges were ultimately filed because of a lack of evidence. Sharaf repeatedly referenced the allegations during fight week, turning fans against him, and Steveson addressed those comments in a statement.

“This statement is for my family, my friends, my fans and the people who truly know me and know the kind of man I am,” Steveson wrote. “I know there are people who will never support…