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Rajabali Shaidullaev continues to dominate the competition in Rizin. | Rizin FF

Rajabali Shaidullaev is one of MMA’s most talented fighters outside of the UFC. The 25-year-old Kyrgyz warrior kept his unblemished record intact and easily retained his featherweight title with a first-round TKO victory in the Rizin Fighting Federation “Landmark Vol. 13” main event on Sunday in Fukuoka, Japan.

Shaidullaev (19-0, 7-0 Rizin), who has run into a shortage of challengers on the Rizin roster, was matched up against striker Yuta Kubo (5-3, 1 NC; 5-3, 1 NC Rizin) in a rematch from their first meeting at the end of 2024. That first fight ended in a TKO triumph for Shaidullaev, and he captured his Rizin featherweight title four months later, but it was also the only time in his Rizin career so far that he was taken into a second round.

Perhaps motivated to make a statement with an even more dominant victory, Shaidullaev did just that in the rematch. After engaging in a…

Josh Hokit was a standout performer at UFC 327. | Getty/UFC

It was a night to remember for Josh Hokit.

After drawing mixed reviews for his various personas during UFC 327 fight week, “The Incredible Hok” delivered on Saturday night, keeping his undefeated record intact with an upset victory over perennial Top 10 heavyweight Curtis Blaydes.

Not only was it a signficant step in Hokit’s career, but it also padded the Jackson-Wink MMA product’s bank account. For a slugfest that resulted in the most combined significant strikes in UFC heavyweight history, Hokit and Blaydes received “Fight of the Night” honors and $100,000 apiece. Additionally, Hokit garnered a $100,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus for his unanimous decision trumph — bring his total bonus earnings up to $200,000.

Belt and a Bonus Meanwhile, Carlos Ulberg earned the card’s other $100,000 “Performance of the Night” award for his stunning knockout of Jiri Prochazka in the UFC 327 headliner…

With his championship dreams seemingly about to go up in smoke, Carlos Ulberg defied the odds.

After appearing to injure his right leg due to an awkward step early in Round 1, Ulberg scored an unlikely knockout victory over Jiri Prochazka in the UFC 327 headliner on Saturday night at the Kaseya Center in Miami. A picture-perfect left hook and approximately six to seven follow-up blows rendered Prochazka unconscious at the 3:45 mark of the opening period. With the victory, Ulberg claims the light heavyweight belt vacated by Alex Pereira.

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The bout was just getting started when Ulberg suffered his injury, which instantly compromised his movement. While Prochazka targeted the leg with kicks, he also let up on the throttle somewhat — even offering to stand and trade with his wounded foe with a symbolic point to the canvas. As Prochazka stalked Ulberg near the fence, “Black Jag” countered with the left hook to instantly send the former Rizin champ to the fl…

The Professional Fighters League has just found a potential star in the making at PFL Chicago, and his name is Mitchell McKee.

In his PFL debut, McKee dominated former world champion Sergio Pettis en route to a decision win (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Saturday night at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Despite the close scorecards, McKee (10-0, 1-0 PFL) was in control for the majority of the fight. The unbeaten Minnesotan made mincemeat of Pettis on the ground and controlled the former Bellator kingpin’s hips in check. Pettis nearly pulled off a hail mary triangle choke in the second round, but once McKee avoided the danger, he closed the door on Pettis’ hopes for a comeback. With his first win in the PFL coming against a battle-tested former champion, the sky is the limit for what the promotion plans for its newest title contender.

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Renat Khavalov kept his unblemished record intact after eeking out a tough decision win over experienced veteran Raufeon Stots in b…

Aaron Pico picked up his first UFC win in Miami. | Getty/UFC

Aaron Pico looked every bit like a fighter who was once one of the sport’s most highly-touted prospects on Saturday night in Miami.

In a battle of former Bellator standouts, Pico (14-5, 1-1 UFC) shook off a slow start to pull away for a unanimous decision triumph against Patricio Freire (37-9, 1-2 UFC) in the featured UFC 327 preliminary bout. All three cageside judges scored the featherweight fight in favor of Pico: 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28. Pico rebounds from a first-round knockout loss to Lerone Murphy in his promotional debut at UFC 319 this past August.

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The first round was competitive, but there were some nervous moments for Pico, who was buckled by a jab and stumbled by a counter right in the frame. The 29-year-old Californian kept his composure, however, and truly began to assert himself over the final 10 minutes of the bout.

During that period, Pico showcased his super…

Sherdog's live UFC 327 coverage will begin Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET. BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Radtke (-185), Prado (+154)Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Dayne Fox scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round: Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Dayne Fox scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Dayne Fox scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:The Official Result BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gastelum (-250), Luque (+205)Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Dayne Fox scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Dayne Fox scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Dayne Fox scores the round:Scottie Smith scores the round:The Official Result BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Padilla (-180), Mederos (+150)Round 1 Sh…

Sherdog's live PFL Chicago coverage will begin Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.

A world class bantamweight clash headlines PFL Chicago: Tune in LIVE, Saturday, April 11 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

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Round 1 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:J.L. Kirven scores the round:Mike Pendleton scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:J.L. Kirven scores the round:Mike Pendleton scores the round: Round 3 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:J.L. Kirven scores the round:Mike Pendleton scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:J.L. Kirven scores the round:Mike Pendleton scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:J.L. Kirven scores the round:Mike Pendleton scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:J.L. Kirven scores the round:Mike Pendleton scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Brian Knapp scores the round:J.L. K…

Yoel Romero’s father was concerned about him getting hurt in boxing. 

Still an athletic specimen at 48, Romero has made a career in bare-knuckle boxing since his most recent MMA bout in February 2024. However, the former UFC title challenger recently revealed that his father never wanted him to try boxing, even though he loved it. Romero’s father was concerned about the potential damage his son could suffer in boxing. However. “Soldier of God” went to try his hand at pugilism regardless.

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Difference in Opinion “I wanted to try boxing, but my father said no,” Romero told Red Corner MMA. “He said, ‘I don’t want you to do boxing because it’s very hard. Punches in the face, punches in the head.’ He told me many times, ‘Son, you don’t need to do this.’ I said, ‘Dad, I love boxing.’ When I see bareknuckles, I see it like boxing. The only thing is there are no gloves. He said, ‘No, my son, don’t do that.’ But doesn’t matter. My father said no, but now I…

Jon Jones' retirement from fighting was unceremonious to say the least. 

While Jones (28-1) was teasing a return to fighting until recently, the former UFC double champ is no longer considering it. “Bones” recently confirmed that he is now focused on his business ventures and won’t fight again.

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“No bare-knuckle. My gloves are hung up,” Jones said at an IBA bare-knuckle boxing event in Russia last month. “I’m chilling these days. You got business Jon Jones. No more fighter Jon Jones. The businessman.” 

Jones initially returned to action after a three-year hiatus in 2023 and made quick work of Ciryl Gane to win the UFC heavyweight title. Jones then insisted on defending the title against Stipe Miocic despite Tom Aspinall being the interim champ. Jones successfully defended the title against Miocic in 2024 and stalled the division, continuing to avoid Aspinall.

Failed Bid for the White House While Dana White kept promising that Jones woul…

Ilia Topuria’s son is a curious learner. 

Topuria recently boasted about his son’s fighting skills. However, the UFC double champion claims he has never formally trained his son. Topuria just brings his son to the gym and asks him to figure things out by watching. Topuria claims his son is inquisitive enough to pursue him and other coaches for lessons. Topuria doesn’t want to pressure his son to choose any particular career. While “El Matador” will support his son if he wants to fight, the undefeated Georgian-Spaniard most importantly wants him to have a purpose in life.

Finding a Purpose “You have to see my son. You don’t know how good he is,” Topuria told Adam Catteral. “In my life, I never teach him anything. Everything he knows is because he saw it. I never ever put him in a class. Come [to the gym] and do something. He is the one who’s always asking me and the coaches. When we finish training, he goes, ‘Hey, do you mind to be with me and teach me something?’...…

Terrance McKinney has a few names in mind. 

McKinney recently listed potential opponents for his next fight. “T.Wrecks” is eyeing Lance Gibson Jr., Joaquim Silva and Alex Hernandez. However, McKinney notes that Hernandez is scheduled to fight Rafa Garcia at UFC Fight Night 274 on April 25. McKinney wants to take on one more fight before he starts calling for ranked opponents.

Keeping Options Open “Lance Gibson will be cool. Alex Hernandez got a fight, I wanted to fight him. We got a few other names in mind that I sent my coach,” McKinney told MMAjunkie.com. “Maybe Joaquim Silva as well… One more and then a ranked opponent.” 

McKinney (18-8) is one of the most exciting fighters on the UFC roster. McKinney has finished all of his eight UFC wins in the first round and has never seen the judges’ scorecards in his career. McKinney recently knocked out Kyle Nelson at UFC Seattle last month to rebound from a loss against Chris Duncan. 

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Jim Miller will make his 47th Octagon appearance at UFC 328. | Getty/UFC

Jim Miller is still eyeing 50 UFC fights. 

Miller is set to return to action against Jared Gordon at UFC 328 on May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. MMAjunkie.com was first to report the lightweight pairing.

A Goal in Sight Miller (38-19) has previously mentioned that he plans on having 50 UFC fights before retiring. Miller’s upcoming bout will be his 47th fight in the UFC, breaking his own record for the most outings in the promotion. The 42-year-old is 3-2 in his last five outings since 2023 and coming off a decision loss against Chase Hooper from last year. 

Meanwhile, Gordon (21-8) has alternated wins and losses in his last four outings and comes off a stoppage loss against Rafa Garcia. 

Only the Professional Fighters League could go to Nigeria.

Mere hours before the first PFL Africa event in 2026, PFL Pretoria, kicked off, the organization released some details about its second jaunt to the continent. For the first time in PFL history, the league will be traveling to Nigeria, posting up in Lagos at the Eko Convention Center on June 13 for the event that will be coined either PFL Nigeria or PFL Lagos. While only two fights have been revealed, the plan is for the opening round of the bantamweight and lightweight brackets to officially commence.

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Headlining the fight card is a non-tournament tilt pitting local athlete Wasi Adeshina (10-3) against Spain’s Nacho Campos (7-2) at 145 pounds. The former carved his way through the 2025 PFL Africa tournament, debuting with the organization in August and picking up three victories in the span of four-plus months to take home the $100,000 check and a shot at greater heights. In the tournament…

WHAT A COMEBACK!! 🤯

JUSTIN CLARKE KO'S ABDOULAYE KANE OUT OF NOWHERE!!!#PFLPretoria | LIVE NOW on the PFL YouTube Channel pic.twitter.com/8XZZcL0Kqo

— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 10, 2026

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2025 PFL Africa bantamweight champion Nkosi Ndebele shined in his first fight since winning the tournament, beating Italy’s Michele Clemente by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

The hometown hero Nedbele (12-3, 4-0 PFL) headlined Friday’s PFL Africa season opener at the Sunbet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, and he left his countrymen signing with joy. Ndebele was too well-rounded for Clemente (7-2, 0-1 PFL). He outstruck the PFL debutant throughout the first two rounds before dominating his foe from side control throughout the third. Ndebele has emerged as the face of PFL Africa after a string of impressive performances and although he won’t be competing in the bantamweight tournament this season, fans were still excited to see t…

Sherdog's live PFL Africa 1: 2026 First Round coverage will begin Friday at 12 p.m. ET.

A bantamweight world title fight headlines PFL Chicago: Tune in LIVE, Saturday, April 11 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

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Round 1 Women’s strawweights kick off festivities in South Africa, as Mugo (5-2-1, 0-0 PFL) toes the line against Kiiza (3-1, 0-0 PFL) to open the event. Ferdinand Basson draws the officiating assignment. Kiiza refuses to touch gloves, and they get to work. Kiiza throws in combination, both with kicks and punches, but fails to control distance. Mugo clinches and secures a takedown, moving immediately to the back. Kiiza rolls but winds up in full mount. She sweeps into top position and drops ground-and-pound, mostly right hands. Mugo sets off a scramble and maneuvers into full mount once more. She transitions to the back. Absolutely frenetic pace here. Mugo flirts with a face crank and moves to full mount. They scramble to their feet. Mugo clinches and s…

[embedded content] Former heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury's return from his fifth retirement is officially set after the Fury vs. Makhmudov weigh-ins took place on Friday.

Fury (34-2-1) is getting a softer touch in his comeback fight after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024 saw him lose the World Boxing Council heavyweight championship and fail to regain it in a rematch. Prior to the duo of setbacks, Fury had been undefeated with only a draw to Deontay Wilder, who he would go on to beat twice in rematches, being his only blemish. Fury became a household name in 2015 after winning a decision over Wladimir Klitschko for multiple heavyweight belts. For his comeback fight, "The Gypsy King" weighed 267.9.

Meanwhile, Arslanbek Makhmudov is looking to cause a monumental upset at Fury's expense. Makhmudov (21-2) recently lost via TKO to both Agit Kabayel and Guido Vianello. Since the defeat to Vianello, he won two fights in 2025 by picking up a first-round TK…

[embedded content] The vacant Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title will be up for grabs this weekend after both title challengers made weight following the UFC 327 weigh-ins.

Competing for the vacant 205-pound crown are former champion Jiri Prochazka and the streaking Carlos Ulberg. Both men had no issue making championship weight for the five-round title fight. All other fighters also made weight for the card, with the exception of Chris Padilla, who came in two pounds heavy for his lightweight bout against MarQuel Mederos. The fight will continue with Padilla being fined 20% of his purse.

A fan-favorite inside the Octagon, Prochazka (32-5-1) is coming off impressive knockouts of Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree. The former champ's only two defeats inside the UFC are to Alex Pereira. "BJP" will look to regain the belt he originally won in 2022 against Glover Teixeira and officially weighed 203 pounds, or two pounds under the limit.

Meanwhile,…

After a four and a half-year stint in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and two appearances in the Professional Fighters League, Rodrigo Nascimento wants to hit the reset button against a familiar face in the PFL.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Brazilian will rematch Alexander Romanov when their heavyweight prelim buoys the PFL Chicago undercard this Saturday at Wintrust Arena. Nascimento was cut by the UFC after he lost a unanimous decision to the hulking Moldovan in 2024.

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A world class bantamweight clash headlines PFL Chicago: Tune in LIVE, Saturday, April 11 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

“We learned a lot from that,” he told Sherdog.com. “We’re always learning and innovating. After I left the UFC, I came to understand that being an athlete wasn’t only about fighting in the UFC’s Octagon. Being an athlete requires interactions with the public and finding other means to stay in touch with the fans. Now, I’m always posting videos and having live sessions. I’m…

⚖️PFL Chicago Official Weigh Ins are underway!

PFL Chicago Bantamweight Main Event:Sergio Pettis: 134.4Mitch McKee: 135.6

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PFL Chicago will air LIVE on ESPN 2 on Saturday, April 11th!#PFLChicago | Saturday, April 11th | Wintrust Arena | Chicago, Illinois | Early Card 6PM EST… pic.twitter.com/hDa408pPHk — PFL (@PFLMMA) April 10, 2026

A world class bantamweight clash headlines PFL Chicago: Tune in LIVE, Saturday, April 11 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

The Professional Fighters League returns to Illinois on Saturday with 11 fights, which are now all official following the PFL Chicago weigh-ins.

The PFL Chicago main event will see Sergio Pettis look to go 3-0 inside the promotion at the expense of the undefeated Mitchell McKee. Both men had no issue making bantamweight. Two fighters missed their marks as Shanna Young came in 2.2 pounds over for her fight against Viviane Araujo, and Dashiande Harris-Moore was 3 pounds over…

One of the Professional Fighters League’s highest-ranked flyweights will be welcoming a new fighter to the roster next month.

Per sources close to the situation, the PFL has booked a women’s flyweight tilt pitting Taila Santos (22-4) against Qihui Yan (25-5) for the upcoming PFL Sioux Falls event. The two ladies will battle it out inside of the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on May 2. Local athlete Logan Storley will serve in the main attraction as he takes on Florim Zendeli.

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A bantamweight world title fight headlines PFL Chicago: Tune in LIVE, Saturday, April 11 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

After six-month suspension for oxandrolone and clenbuterol metabolites—anabolic agents prohibited both in and out of competition—knocked her out of competing in 2025, Santos will return to action for the first time since late 2024. The Brazilian saw her PFL tournament season come to a crashing halt as she suffered her first career stoppage loss to the…

MAIN EVENT FACE OFF IN PRETORIA!@nkositheking1 and @micheleclemente_thearrow lock horns ahead of their explosive Bantamweight showcase this Friday!

South Africa vs Italy.. Who you got?

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🎟️ TICKETS ALMOST SOLD OUT —SECURE YOUR SPOT NOW: https://t.co/fHRFuKTnRa#PFLPretoria |… pic.twitter.com/ELTw1QRgng — PFL Africa (@PFLAfrica) April 7, 2026 The Professional Fighters League returns to South Africa for its first PFL Africa event of 2026, which is now official following the PFL Africa: Pretoria weigh-in results.

Headlining the card is a bantamweight fight between Nkosi Ndebele and Michele Clemente. Both main event fighters made weight, as did all eight of the welterweight tournament participants. However, two strawweights didn't hit their marks as both Felista Mugo and Jane Osigwe came in overweight for their respective prelim fights, which will move forward with each woman being fined a percentage of their purse.

N…

If there is any consolation, no Ultimate Fighting Championship title will be tied up this season.

The latest season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” its 34th numbered season, will commence this summer. The first episode will launch on June 14, the date of the UFC White House event, with the rest of the episodes coming out via Paramount+ on Tuesdays until it concludes. The UFC issued a press release regarding this latest season of the reality show, one that has served as the catalyst for many a high-level career ranging from T.J. Dillashaw and Rose Namajunas to Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans. It has not yet indicated the Finale date.

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Season 34 will be titled “Team Cormier vs. Team Bisping” because of its coaches, Daniel Cormier and Michael Bisping. The former coached Season 33 against Chael Sonnen in 2025 and his team ended up winning the welterweight bracket, while Sonnen and pupil Joseph Morales took home the six-figure contract for their side. This se…

All those who purchased tickets for this now rescheduled Professional Fighters League event will be given full refunds.

A bantamweight world title fight headlines PFL Chicago: Tune in LIVE, Saturday, April 11 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

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Per a release from the organization on Thursday morning, the PFL has been forced to reschedule its PFL MENA event that was booked for May 8. It was to have commenced the third MENA tournament, as pertaining to the Middle East/North Africa region, at the Dhahran Expo in Khobar, Saudi Arabia. No reason has been given at the time, with the PFL promising details at a later date.

The promotion states that it plans on rescheduling all of the fights booked for the May 8 show to the newly established date, one that has not been announced. It does not indicate whether this PFL MENA season opener will be staged in Khobar, and instead noted that it will return to the city later this year. As mentioned earlier, all tickets will be …

[embedded content] A bantamweight world title fight headlines PFL Chicago: Tune in LIVE, Saturday, April 11 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Aureo Cruz believes he was built for the main stage.

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The 29-year-old Angolan lightweight will make his Professional Fighters League debut when he faces Abdoul Razac Sankara as part of the 2026 PFL Africa 1 undercard on Friday at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa. Cruz took something of a roundabout route to mixed martial arts.

“I was influenced by various schoolmates who already practiced a variety of martial arts,” he told Sherdog.com. “It piqued my interest. I started in karate at 11 years old. That didn’t last too long. By age 17, I started training for self-defense. My self-defense teacher was also my Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach. I started competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and became the national vice champion.”

One of Cruz’s coaches, Shido Boris Esperanca, introduced him to full-contact fighting.

“I starte…