Fighter Highlights – Fight Matrix

Dvalishvili Ahead of UFC 320: Sandhagen’s dangerous. That’s why I Love this Fight

Posted on September 24, 2025 by A. J. Riot

As the Octagon returns to Las Vegas under the bright lights of the T-Mobile Arena, combat sports fans are gearing up for one of the most explosive cards of the year. With high stakes rematches, title bouts, and rising stars ready to make a statement, the upcoming “numbered” Ultimate Fighting Champion event will highlight everything that modern mixed martial arts has to offer. UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 is set for Saturday, October 4, 2025, with 11 bouts across 3 cards, and the fans are slowly gearing up for it.

The main event features a highly anticipated rematch for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, as current titleholder Magomed Ankalaev defends his belt against former champion and the man he took the belt from, Alex Pereira. Their first meeting ended with Ankalaev taking the crown in a dominant performance. Now, Pereira is hungry for redemption as he believes the title is still his to hold. The co-main event, and a more important duel for our extensive overview, is another exciting title fight. UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili is set to face off against top contender Cory Sandhagen in a clash of elite grapplers and strikers.

The rest of the fight card promises a slew of action, including a light heavyweight showdown between Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. In the women’s division, notable bouts include Macy Chiasson vs Yana Santos at bantamweight and Veronica Hardy vs Brogan Walker at flyweight. Rising middleweights Abus Magomedov and Joe Pyfer will square off, while Edmen Shahbazyan takes on Andre Muniz in another pivotal clash. The event kicks off with three early prelims, followed by three prelims and then five main card bouts. Starting at 10:00 PM ET, UFC 320 is shaping up to be one of the year’s most stacked and thrilling events that you have to watch, and perhaps place some bets on.

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Carlos Ulberg vs Dominick Reyes

Posted on September 23, 2025 by Jack Latham

Background

The UFC heads to Perth this weekend as Carlos Ulberg and Dominick Reyes take center stage in a huge light heavyweight affair.

Ulberg comes into the bout off the back of seven consecutive wins, the longest active streak in the light heavyweight division, while Reyes is also impressing, securing three victories in a row.

After earning a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020, Ulberg has been on a warpath, despite a debut loss to Kennedy Nzechukwu. Victories over Volkan Oezdemir and, most recently, Jan Blachowicz put him firmly in the title picture, and a win here would surely grant him a shot.

As for Reyes, many thought the writing was on the wall for his UFC career after suffering four consecutive defeats between 2020 and 2022; however, the 35-year-old’s fortunes have soon changed.

Dominant first-round wins over Dustin Jacoby and Nikita Krylov, paired with the second-round TKO of Anthony Smith, put the ‘Devastator’ firmly back in the title picture, and a win over the Australian Ulberg could make his dreams come true…

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Jack Latham

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.

Brendan Allen Replaces Anthony Hernandez Against Reinier de Ridder in Vancouver UFC Main Event

Posted on September 22, 2025 by A. J. Riot

https://unsplash.com/photos/a-couple-of-men-standing-next-to-each-other-jDYXl-VxsS0

The UFC’s October card in Vancouver has taken on a new look after a shake-up at the top of the bill. An injury to Anthony Hernandez has forced the middleweight contender out of his scheduled fight against Reinier de Ridder, leaving the promotion to turn to Brendan Allen as the replacement headliner. With the bout set for October 18 at Rogers Arena, both athletes will now compete with significant implications for the middleweight title picture.

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UFC 321 Preview: Aspinall vs Gane

Posted on September 20, 2025 by Oleg

On Sat, Oct 25 at 2:00 PM EDT, UFC 321 – Aspinall vs Gane will take place in Etihad Arena, Yas Island, UAE. The main event will feature (C) [#2 HW] Tom Aspinall taking on [#1 HW] Ciryl Gane for the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Championship. Aspinall, the former interim title holder, was promoted to undisputed champion when the former champ Jon Jones announced his retirement.

You may wonder why Cyril Gane is ranked higher than the champion; the likely reason is his recent activity – or rather, Aspinall’s inactivity. As Tom Aspinall has not stepped into the Octagon for over a year, his FightMatrix.com rating has started to decay, putting him just slightly below the more recently active Gane. If we examine other rating formulas, Elo K-170 and Elo Modified also have Gane slightly ahead of Aspinall, while Glicko-1 and WHR systems give the edge to Tom.

Read on for the breakdown of the opponents careers, and our prediction for this exciting matchup. And if you would like to place a wager on this fight, Massachusetts sports betting sites are ready to accept your bet.

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Exclusive interview with Pro-boxer, Byron Rojas

Posted on September 17, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Byron Rojas (29-5-3, 12 KOs) was born and raised in Nicaragua. He is currently ranked #3 Flyweight in Nicaragua, and #64 in the world by BoxRec.com. He is an exemplary fighter who has earned several title shots . When he was living in Nicaragua, in 2016 he had fought for the IBO World Minimum title and won by unanimous decision; however he was not eligible to win the title due to a technicality.

On July 25, 2025, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Mr. Rojas lost a split decision to Andy Dominguez Velasquez. The WBC USA Silver Light Flyweight title was on the line. I feel that Rojas should have won the bout or it should have been a draw. It appeared that Byron was getting more punches in than Andy.

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Heather

MMA & Boxing Author | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. I was once a Judoka, which is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.

www.fightmatrix.com

From Heavyweights to Legends: 10 Boxers You Don’t Want to Face

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

Boxing isn’t a sport for the faint-hearted. This explains why the sport is so popular everywhere you look — whether it’s the United States, China, Argentina or Poland, the fans of the sport are everywhere. Stepping into the ring, professionally or otherwise, has always required a show of power, speed, and strength.

Many people have been fortunate to punch others legally (via boxing). But there are some names that left an impact on their opponents. These aren’t just regular athletes, they’re men that combined toughness and skill, cementing them as boxers you’d never want to face in the real-world.

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Edwards Faces Dangerous Prates Test at UFC 322 After Consecutive Setbacks

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

Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/boxing-training-in-ring-8612504/

Former welterweight champion Leon Edwards has secured his next opponent for UFC 322, and the matchup could produce one of the year’s most explosive encounters. Dana White confirmed that Edwards will face Brazilian knockout artist Carlos Prates on November 15th at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The announcement occurred during White’s Instagram Live session, which added another high-stakes bout to what already appears as a spectacular card. Edwards enters this fight with the weight of a two-fight losing streak, something the Birmingham native has never faced in his professional career.

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The Dirtiest Rule Breakers in UFC History

Posted on September 11, 2025 by A. J. Riot

Mixed martial arts is a sport built on three primary foundations: respect, discipline, and rules. These foundations are in place to ensure fair competition and the safety of fighters given the nature of physical contact. Despite these rules, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), have seen some moments where competitors broke and completely shattered those established guidelines. These fighters were willing to do whatever it took to gain an edge.

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Roy Jones Jr.’s Closure

Posted on September 9, 2025 by Vincent Juico

This content was originally published on https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/09/08/roy-jones-jr-s-closure/

In September 1988 at the Seoul Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, the USA’s Roy Jones Jr. yes THE Roy Jones Jr. fought South Korea’s Park Si-Hun in the light middleweight final of the men’s boxing competition.

Jones landed more than twice the number of punches. Jones was the more superior boxer. Despite being outboxed and outclassed, Park Si-Hun was still awarded the gold medal by a panel of judges’ decision, 3-2.

The decision was met with criticism, ridicule, and outrage from commentators, boxing sports broadcasters, fans, boxing aficionados, and fight analysts.

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Vincent Juico

Vincent Juicio is a sports journalist covering basketball, mixed martial arts, boxing, American football-especially the San Francisco 49ers-and global sports issues. Known for his insightful analysis and a keen eye on both game strategy and broader sports trends, his work offers fans in-depth perspectives across multiple disciplines.

UFC Fight Night 259: Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva

Posted on September 8, 2025 by Vitaliy Vovk

September 13, 2025 – Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Betting Odds, Tale of the Tape & Analytical Breakdown

The main event of Noche UFC pits two of the featherweight division’s most electrifying and rapidly rising contenders against each other. Brazilian submission wizard Diego Lopes faces off against the explosive, undefeated finisher Jean Silva in a bout that promises fireworks and could catapult the winner into immediate title contention.

Tale of the Tape

FIGHTER RECORD AGE RANK

Diego Lopes 26–7–0 30 #5 FW / #2 UFC

Jean Silva 16–2–0 25 #16 FW / #10 UFC

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Vitaliy Vovk

MMA Promoter | Event Organizer | Coach | Analyst

I am the Founder and President of Real Fight Promotion (RFP), one of the most established MMA organizations in Ukraine. With over 40 years of experience in combat sports and a background in law enforcement special forces, I’ve organized more than 100 MMA events, coached high-level fighters, and contributed to the development of MMA at the national level. I actively collaborate with leading MMA platforms and, as a published author, remain committed to advancing the sport of MMA in Ukraine.

https://rfpromo.com/

rfpromo.com/

Interview with Undefeated Pro-boxer, Mohammed Bekdash

Posted on September 8, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Mohammed Bekdash, widely known as “The Destroyer,” has carved an impressive legacy in the world of professional boxing with an undefeated record of 28 victories—24 of which came by knockout. His remarkable journey from the coastal city of Latakia in Syria to the competitive boxing arenas of Germany stands as a powerful testament to the fortitude of the human spirit. Fleeing the turmoil of war, Bekdash rebuilt his life from the ground up, by starting a small business in a new country. It has also transformed him into a symbol of hope and perseverance for others facing similar struggles. His story is one of extraordinary determination, where each obstacle became a cornerstone toward greatness. With over a decade of dedication to boxing, Bekdash has become not only a celebrated athlete but also an inspiration for aspiring boxers worldwide. In this interview, he shares insights into his early experiences, the beginnings of his passion for boxing, and the aspirations that drive him at the peak of his career. Bekdash currently trains at Roland Bebak’s Sturm Gym in Cologne, Germany.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

The Rise of Abdullah Mason: What Young Prospects Mean for Bettors

Posted on September 2, 2025 by A. J. Riot

Picture Credit

Abdullah Mason stands out as one of the most compelling young lightweights in the sport today. A blistering start to his professional career has captured the attention of both fans and bettors who follow the next wave of contenders.

A foundation built on speed, precision, and composure has powered his rise through the lightweight ranks. The coming months promise a step up in stage and scrutiny as he targets world honors against a fellow unbeaten opponent.

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Will Conor McGregor Fight Again in The UFC?

Posted on September 2, 2025 by A. J. Riot

Conor McGregor is one of the most talked-about figures in combat sports. The former two-weight UFC champion, a global phenomenon and a deeply contentious figure, has unquestionably transcended mixed martial sports. However, as time passes and other challengers gain notice, a key issue remains: will McGregor return to active competition, or has his fighting career ended quietly?

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Interview with Ilonka Elmont: Thai Boxing Champion and Coach

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Heather

Introduction

Ilonka Elmont is a retired professional Muay Thai fighter, who is seven times World Champion, a European Champion and a two times Dutch Champion in the Flyweight division. She was born and raised in Suriname, then moved to Netherlands with her family at the age of 8. She is an unorthodox striker, who has developer her own signature techniques, such as one she calls a “tic-tac” kick.

She is currently a Muay Thai trainer, and has been putting on seminars for 27 years. Elmont has also dabbled in modeling and acting.-, including starring in a critically acclaimed short film ‘Color Me Bad’. In 2007, she started the Ilonka Elmont Foundation – a charitable organization whose mission is to support children and communities in need. Ilonka Elmont is a very well-rounded individual, in addition to being a legendary martial artist.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

Vincent Juico’s Interview with Boxer Stanley Johnson

Posted on August 17, 2025 by Heather

Presenting Vincent Juico‘s interview with Eruption Boxing prospect, Stanley ‘Muscle Kid’ Johnson. His manager is Gwen Legge and she is known as “The Next Lady in Boxing”. They seem to make a great team. Mr. Johnson is extremely diligent with his training. For several years he has been a boxing coach for youth. Additionally, Stanley is big into eSports. Gwen gave him the opportunity to box for a wonderful company. As well as allowing him to network at the eSports . Please watch this interview with in depth information regarding Stanley.

Heather