Fighter Highlights – Page 5

Turkish Women’s Boxing is Making Waves!

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Heather

Busenaz Surmeneli (First Turkish Boxer to Win an Olympic Metal)

Women began boxing in Türkiye as early as the 1920’s. This came about due to foreign soldiers being in Istanbul. In 1924, female boxing was hitting the media. This soon started to diminish in popularity due to the newly founded Turkish Republic, in 1923. Boxing was viewed as unconventional for women to partake in. Women were seen as having enough equality by 1935, and the female boxing scene was put on hiatus. It took off again in the late 1990’s, when teams were formalized. In the 2000’s, Turkish women began boxing internationally.

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Heather

Combat Sports & Martial Arts Writer| Partnership Marketing and Digital Strategy Lead (Combat Sports)
I have been an avid viewer of Boxing and MMA for decades. I have had an interest in MMA since 2001. I had a 25 year career in healthcare, and now I am pursuing my hobby. I enjoy writing about combat sports and martial arts for FightMatrix.

www.fightmatrix.com

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?

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A Fighter’s Reflection: David Price on Boxing, Purpose, and Britain’s Next Heavyweight Era

Posted on January 30, 2026 by A. J. Riot

In a sport where titles come and go, true insight often comes from those who’ve stepped away from the ring. Former heavyweight contender David Price may no longer lace up gloves for competition, but his perspective carries the weight of experience, from Olympic highs and domestic pressure to brutal setbacks and public scrutiny.

In a recent interview with 247Bet, which was produced for boxing and MMA betting enthusiasts, Price offered a grounded, honest look at the state of heavyweight boxing today, the inner world of elite fighters like Tyson Fury, and the rising stars who carry the future of British boxing.

David Price has lived the sport from inside the ring and now offers a view many fans miss. As scheduled cards and live odds shape public perception of fighters, favourites, underdogs, and returning names alike, his perspective in this conversation focused on what the numbers don’t show.

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UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes Preview

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Jack Latham

Background

After the Paramount era got off to a bang last weekend with Justin Gaethje defeating Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title, attention now turns to Australia and the heavily anticipated rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.

Volkanovski currently holds the featherweight title after defeating Lopes in April 2025, after Ilia Topuria had vacated it to move up to the lightweight division.

Before being defeated by Topuria, Volkanovski had held the title for 1526 days, defeating the likes of Brian Ortega and Max Holloway on the way to securing five title defenses.

As for Lopes, he caught the eye of MMA fans in 2021 after losing via technical decision, due to an eye poke, against Joanderson Brito on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Despite his chance for a contract being cut short, the UFC eventually signed him, and he made his debut on five days’ notice against Movsar Evloev in May 2023.

Lopes then went on to defeat Ortega and Jean Silva to earn a shot at the gold, losing out via unanimous decision over five rounds.

But Lopes is determined to capture the title and this time maybe his fortunes will change…

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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.

UFC 324 — Gaethje vs. Pimblett

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Vitaliy Vovk

Interim Lightweight Championship (155 lbs)
January 24, 2026
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

[#5][#4 UFC] Justin Gaethje (26–5–0) vs. [#8][#5 UFC] Paddy Pimblett (23–3–0)

Stylistic Breakdown

Justin Gaethje

Pressure-based striker with high output, emphasis on leg kicks and mid-range exchanges. Defensive wrestling and takedown awareness have improved, particularly against single-shot entries. Historically effective over extended durations. Primary risk area remains prolonged grappling sequences and transitional control.

Paddy Pimblett

Submission-oriented finisher with strong positional awareness in scrambles. Most effective when converting chaos into back control or dominant top positions. Striking output has increased, though defensive gaps remain, particularly against sustained pressure and leg-kick damage.

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Vitaliy Vovk

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/

rfpromo.com/

FightMatrix 20 under 20

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Hafid Darbaki

FightMatrix’s Current MMA Rankings are built to surface talent globally, regardless of promotion size, geography, or hype. With thousands of active fighters tracked and ranked weekly through the CIRRS system, the data often reveals elite prospects long before they become widely known.

This article highlights the 20 highest-ranked professional MMA fighters in the world under the age of 20, based on the latest FightMatrix rankings. Each athlete listed here is already ranked globally and within their division, reflecting real competitive results — not projection.

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What’s Next for Oleksandr Usyk Following Unified Heavyweight Champion’s Lengthy Hiatus

Posted on January 19, 2026 by A. J. Riot

A boxing speed bag – Source: Unsplash

It’s been six long months since we last saw the unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk step into the ring. His last effort was arguably the finest performance of his career, a five-round destruction of Daniel Dubois to become undisputed champion for the second time. The Ukrainian no longer has the undisputed tag attached to his name, vacating the WBO title because injury didn’t allow him to defend against his mandatory challenger Joseph Parker, but he remains the king of the heavyweight division, of that there is no doubt.

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Olympian Boxer and Trainer, Andrew Singh Kooner

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Heather

Introduction

Andrew Singh Kooner’s (10-3, 4 KOs) life story is truly remarkable, marked by resilience, achievement, and compassion. From an early age, Andrew faced and overcame significant challenges, channeling his determination into the sport of boxing where he consistently excelled. His journey is not just about personal victories in the ring, but also about the selfless ways he utilizes his experiences to help others.

Andrew is a passionate advocate for those affected by Parkinson’s Disease, using innovative and supportive methods to slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life. His commitment extends beyond advocacy; he actively engages with individuals facing these challenges, demonstrating a genuine care that reflects the golden character he is so often praised for. Through his words and actions, it’s clear that Andrew’s compassion is deeply rooted and sincere, making a lasting impression on everyone he encounters.

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Heather

www.fightmatrix.com

Three MMA Fighters: When Image Becomes a Weapon

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Mark Collins

Modern MMA is no longer just about technique and physical strength. It’s about characters — fighters whose image is instantly readable by the audience. A strong archetype amplifies a fighter’s presence, makes them memorable, and turns a fight into a story. Here are three fighters whose images work as powerfully as their skills.

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Best Boxing Matches To Make in 2026

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Rob McPhail

2025 put out some great super fights that should set the stage for an even better showing in 2026. From bouts like Canelo Alvarez vs. Terrence Crawford, Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev II, and Connor Benn vs. Chris Eubank Jr., boxing definitely took a step towards leaving behind an era of soup cans, ducking and cherry picking.

This year, we should see that momentum carry on as there are some exciting bouts on the horizon and a few more that promoters need to make before the year has ended.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the biggest fights that boxing fans want to see in 2026, and matchups that have a real shot at happening. Although we can’t predict how promoters will handle this year, there’s potential for these bouts taking place in 2026. No, this list doesn’t include celebrity boxing match between Jake Paul or Floyd Mayweather Jr.

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Rob McPhail

Rob “Knuckles” McPhail is a trusted expert in sports betting with 20+ years of experience, especially in Boxing. He shares sharp fight analysis, proven betting strategies, and clear education to help bettors stay disciplined and win smarter.

For more from Rob, visit www.knuckles.com

Breaking Barriers: How Christy Martin and Laila Ali Put Female Boxing on the Map

Posted on January 14, 2026 by A. J. Riot

Introduction

Today, fight fans tune into the latest UFC events or the Oktagon to follow the top female fighters. Celebrities in their own right, today’s female combatants owe a deep debt of gratitude to two of the toughest females to step into the ring, Christy Martin and Laila Ali. Well before the age of social media and sports betting, this is how Christy and Laila put female boxing and combat sports on the map.

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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.

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What Does Ilia Topuria’s Hiatus Mean for his Future in the Ring?

Posted on December 19, 2025 by A. J. Riot

As one of the most promising fighters from the last few years, Ilia Topuria quickly became a fan favorite. From his work in the bantamweight-lightweight classes, Topuria has consolidated himself as one of the most exciting fighters to blend BJJ with Mexican boxing techniques. Formerly finding a place as number one in the UFC pound-for-pound ratings, Topuria seemed to be at the top of his career.

As of late 2025, Topuria has stated that he won’t be fighting in the first quarter of 2026, citing personal reasons. While we don’t know what these reasons could be, this does raise some general questions and points about the effect that the spotlight of UFC has on competitors in terms of expanding career possibilities. There’s a lot of pressure and potential in equal parts here, and it’s not just in competing directly.

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Breaking Barriers: Women Who Are Redefining Combat Sports

Posted on December 19, 2025 by A. J. Riot

Introduction

When the lights dim and the crowd roars, the walk to the cage or ring is more than just a prelude to battle-it’s a statement. For decades, women in combat sports fought not only opponents but also the perception that their place was on the sidelines. Today, a new generation of athletes has shattered that ceiling, proving that grit, skill, and charisma know no gender.

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Rizin FF – Shiwasu no Cho Tsuwamono Matsuri

Posted on December 18, 2025 by Oleg

On Tuesday 12.30.2025 at 11:00 PM ET, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, a spectacular MMA event is shaping up to take place.

Rizin – Shiwasu no Cho Tsuwamono Matsuri will feature the most elite MMA fighters from Japan and all over the world, bringing in the New Year’s Eve in style with a sixteen-fight lineup. This will be Rizin’s 10 year anniversary show.

You can watch the RIZIN Year-End Super Powerhouse Matsuri on RIZIN.TV PPV ($19.99 USD) or subscription ($16.99 USD per month).

Stay tuned for the matchups and more information about this exciting event!