Event Reviews – Fight Matrix

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UFC Fight Night 267 Review

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Jack Latham

Fight of the Night

Chidi Njokuani vs Carlos Leal

Last weekend’s fight night in Houston, Texas, had a handful of entertaining fights, with the featured preliminary bout between Chidi Njokuani and Carlos Leal my pick for fight of the night.

Njokuani had won five of his previous nine UFC bouts prior to this matchup, with three of these victories coming via KO/TKO. However, a submission loss to Jake Matthews in July last year meant he faced Leal off the back of a loss.

As for Leal, he made his UFC debut in 2024 and suffered a controversial decision defeat at the hands of Rinat Fakhretdinov before beating Alex Morono by TKO in March 2025.

My name is Jack Latham.

I am 20 years old and am currently studying Sports Journalism at the University of Chester.

I became interested in combat sports, particularly MMA, in the lockdown period and have followed it closely ever since.

I have previously created my own website titled ‘Combat Corner,’ where I produce MMA content.

Prediction for the UFC 326 Main Event: Holloway or Oliveira?

Posted on February 23, 2026 by A. J. Riot

UFC 326 is expected to be an intriguing fight night in 2026, especially with Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira making headlines in a long-awaited rematch for the prestigious BMF (Baddest Mother F*er) title. This 2026 bout is a clash between two veteran MMA stars with different paths to the top. Let’s break down tactics, physicality, psychology, and fight scenarios.

Is UFC 324 The Fight of the Year Already? Why Gaethje vs. Pimblett Changed MMA Forever

Posted on February 2, 2026 by A. J. Riot

When UFC 324 first came, many fans were excited. However, it was also perceived as a form of an unexpected matchup. Justin Gaethje is known as one of the most established and experienced lightweights in the sector. He was set to face Paddy Pimblett. Paddy was a fast-rising name popular for his overall confidence and skill set. Therefore, the matchup clearly set experience against momentum.

As the fight started, it became clear that there was something more to only entertainment. The bout raised major questions about modern MMA, like how fights are matched, how rankings are viewed, and how the sport rates popularity & competition. As the climax of the match came about, fans were already in a debate: Had UFC 324 delivered the fight of the year?

Spectacular MMA Tournaments Continue in Ukraine Despite the War, Featuring High-Level Fighters

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Mark Collins

Azamat Boziev vs Gustavo Wurlitzer — Tournament in Odessa

The fight took place under the Ukrainian Fights Promotion. Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine remains part of the international MMA scene. The country hosts high-level tournaments that attract foreign fighters. One such event featured a bout between Azamat Boziev from Kabardino-Balkaria, representing Latvia, and Gustavo Wurlitzer from Brazil.

The Odessa tournament included the participation of MMA legend Igor Vovchanchyn as an honorary guest, highlighting the prestige of the event and giving the fight an added international context.

Why Royval vs. Kape Is the Perfect Headliner to Close 2025 — And What It Means for Flyweight Title Picture

Posted on December 17, 2025 by A. J. Riot

This article recaps UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Kape, held on December 13, 2025, the final UFC event of the year and the last under the U.S. ESPN broadcast agreement. Beyond simply closing the calendar, the night delivered a decisive flyweight result that reshaped contender momentum and set the tone for the division heading into 2026.

UFC Closes Out On Yet Another Dramatic Year

Posted on December 12, 2025 by A. J. Riot

UFC has had another amazing year fighting wise. To be honest it wasn’t lacking in drama either. In the aftermath of the UFC 323 event we have seen just how passionate and emotional fighters can be even after the duel is over. At times it is hard to differentiate the hardest sports out there from a soap opera. With a year almost over, and only one UFC event on the horizon in 2025, let us walk you through the most dramatic events that marked the past few weeks in the UFC.

Kabdrakhmanov vs Jieleyisi 2: Fight Review and Scoring

Posted on December 10, 2025 by Oleg

On November 29th, 2025, [#260 FW] Nurbek Kabdrakhmanov rematched [#173 FW] Jieleyisi Baergeng for the Naiza FC featherweight championship. In their first meeting at Naiza Fighter Championship 75, Nurbek defeated Baergeng by unanimous decision to capture the vacant title.

In the rematch, Baergeng extracted his revenge on Nurbek by split decision, but not without some controversy. Many fans as well as MMA insiders thought that Kabdrakhmanov deserved to have his arm raised. In light of this controversial decision, I decided to watch and score the fight myself.

FightMatrix Rankings After UFC Qatar: Biggest Movers and the Lightweight Fallout

Posted on December 8, 2025 by A. J. Riot

You go into a fight night expecting chaos. It’s the nature of the beast. But even by the volatile standards of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the recent card in Qatar felt different. It wasn’t just a collection of fights; it was a demolition of the status quo.

We aren’t just talking about a few guys moving up a rung or two on the ladder. We are talking about a complete restructuring of the pecking order. When the dust settled and the adrenaline faded, the release of the updated FightMatrix rankings (Release #1000, for those keeping score) confirmed what everyone watching already knew in their gut: the landscape has changed. The old guard is looking over their shoulders, and the new blood isn’t just knocking on the door. No, they are kicking it down.

The 63rd WBC Boxing Convention: Takano vs. Saengiamjit Review

Posted on November 29, 2025 by Heather

TOMOMI TAKANO

Event Overview

The 63rd WBC Boxing Convention was held at the World Siam Stadium in Bangkapi, Bangkok, Thailand. The event featured an exciting matchup in the Women’s Bantamweight division, showcasing two skilled contenders in a memorable bout.

Combat Sports & Martial Arts Author| Director of Partnerships Marketing
I have been an avid viewer of Boxing and MMA for decades. Judo is the martial art that I most admire. At different periods in my life, I have practiced Judo. This piqued my interest in MMA since 2001. I had a 25 year career in healthcare and now I am pursuing my hobby and a new venture. Now I enjoy writing about combat sports and martial arts for FightMatrix.

www.fightmatrix.com

Movers and Shakers: How UFC 322 shook up the welterweight title picture

Posted on November 26, 2025 by Simon Head

By Simon Head for FightMatrix.com

The welterweight division took center stage at UFC 322 as a host of the top names at 170 pounds saw their stock rise, and in some cases fall, on a big week for the weight class in New York City.

The Winners

Islam Makhachev: A new champion is crowned

The former undisputed UFC lightweight champion looked bigger, stronger and healthier on fight night at Madison Square Garden. But, more worryingly for the rest of the welterweight division, he looked better, too, as he dethroned Jack Della Maddalena with consummate ease.

With Makhachev looking like he’s now at his optimal weight class, he can now focus on adding to his already-stellar resumé as he looks to build a list of accomplishments to put him among the sport’s all-time greats. Some may think it’s a tad early to suggest it, but he may already have surpassed the achievements of his coach, friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Five Things We’ve Learned From UFC 322

Posted on November 20, 2025 by Jack Latham

Michael Morales is the biggest threat to Islam Makhachev.

The welterweight division is currently the most stacked in the entire UFC, and UFC 322 proved just why.

Islam Makhachev moved up a weight division to take on the champion, Jack Della Maddalena, and came out victorious after five dominant rounds.

This posed the question: can anyone dethrone one of the best fighters in UFC history who has now proved his worth in two different weight divisions?

And for me, despite the plethora of talent in the division, it will be extremely difficult for anyone to win the belt, apart from Michael Morales.

Belal Muhammad and Ian Garry are set to face off in Qatar on Saturday, and the winner will likely get the next title shot. Both fighters are talented wrestlers but can be hurt on the feet.

My name is Jack Latham.

I am 20 years old and am currently studying Sports Journalism at the University of Chester.

I became interested in combat sports, particularly MMA, in the lockdown period and have followed it closely ever since.

I have previously created my own website titled ‘Combat Corner,’ where I produce MMA content.

A Milestone for European Masters Boxing

Posted on November 17, 2025 by Ralph-Peter Frohn-lux

Germany vs. England – Masterboxing Supercard with Three WBU World Championship Fights

A milestone for European masters boxing

Markt Erlbach (15 November)

One of the most significant masters boxing events of the year took place on Saturday evening at the Rangauhalle in Markt Erlbach. In front of a packed house, 21 bouts were contested, including three officially sanctioned WBU world championship fights – two of them inaugural title bouts and one successful title defence.

Masters boxing, long smiled at and underestimated, presented itself here on a fully professional level:
Male and female athletes from Germany, England, Italy, Austria, Bulgaria and the Netherlands, aged between 32 and over 60, delivered technically high-quality and fair contests throughout the entire evening.

The event was organized by Ralf-Peter Frohn-Lux and Ralph Heerdegen, who have been working for years to establish professional structures in masters boxing.

A special highlight of the night was the successful title defence by WBU world champion Jürgen Grabosch, who was coached in his corner by Siegfried “Sigi” Schuster, a former successful Austrian boxer.

Sporting- as well as organisation-wise, the event set new standards and stands as further proof that masters boxing has secured its rightful place within the European boxing landscape.

Ralph-Peter Frohn-lux

Ralf-Peter Frohn-Lux is a German WBU Master Boxing World Champion, entrepreneur and former elite endurance athlete.

With more than 40 years of experience in competitive sports, he has successfully combined high-level boxing, extreme endurance challenges and business leadership.

He is the first German to win the Las Vegas Master Boxing Title, current WBU Master Boxing World Champion and multiple national and international title holder.

Beyond the ring, he runs several companies in the industrial and health sector, and supports athletes through innovative training concepts for people over 40 and 60.

His mission:

To prove that age is no limit – and to inspire others to become the strongest version of themselves.

18 Years of Real Fight Promotion!

Posted on October 27, 2025 by Vitaliy Vovk

🎉 18 Years of Real Fight Promotion!

Today marks a special milestone.

Eighteen years ago, on October 26, 2007, the first-ever tournament — RFP 1: West Fight 1 — took place, beginning a story that continues to this day.

MMA Promoter | Event Organizer | Analyst

Founder & President of Real Fight Promotion (RFP) – one of the longest-running and most recognized MMA organizations in Ukraine. Organizer of 100+ MMA events. Contributor, analyst, and Trusted Promoter collaborating with leading global MMA platforms.

https://rfpromo.com/

UFC 320 Main Card Recap

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Jack Latham

UFC 320 saw the action return to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where Alex Pereira aimed to reclaim his light heavyweight title against the champion Magomed Ankalaev.

Also on the card, Merab Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight title against Cory Sandhagen, and a huge light heavyweight clash unfolded between Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr.

Abusupiyan Magomedov vs Joe Pyfer

The event kickstarted with a middleweight bout between Abusupiyan Magomedov and Joe Pyfer, with both men looking to build on winning streaks.

Magomedov had won his previous three fights, whilst Pyfer was on a two-fight winning streak, and knew he had the punching power to stop any opponent.

The fight began as many expected, with both fighters acting cautiously, throwing feints in order to find an early opening. This soon changed, however, with Pyfer securing a takedown, although Magomedov was soon able to gain the top mount position.

This was where the German Magomedov wanted the fight to be, and he soon snuffed Pyfer’s attempt to get up with a clean takedown from back control, just failing to secure a kimura on the ground.

Pyfer returned to his feet with a minute left of round one and started headhunting with wild right overhands, narrowly missing his target as the first round ended.

‘Bodybagz’ could sense that Magomedov was fatigued and continued to hunt him down at the beginning of round two, hurting his opponent with some nasty right hooks.

From here Pyfer landed some punches on the ground before searching for an arm triangle, which Magomedov escaped from, leading to his back being taken and Pyfer securing a surprise submission victory via a rear naked choke.

My name is Jack Latham.

I am 20 years old and am currently studying Sports Journalism at the University of Chester.

I became interested in combat sports, particularly MMA, in the lockdown period and have followed it closely ever since.

I have previously created my own website titled ‘Combat Corner,’ where I produce MMA content.

RFP 100: A Historic Milestone in Ukrainian MMA – Blending Fighting Spirit with Purpose

Posted on August 3, 2025 by Vitaliy Vovk

On July 31, 2025, in Kolomyia, Ukraine, Real Fight Promotion (RFP) commemorated a historic achievement — its 100th MMA event, titled “RFP 100 – Grand Prix: Series 5.”

MMA Promoter | Event Organizer | Analyst

Founder & President of Real Fight Promotion (RFP) – one of the longest-running and most recognized MMA organizations in Ukraine. Organizer of 100+ MMA events. Contributor, analyst, and Trusted Promoter collaborating with leading global MMA platforms.

https://rfpromo.com/