Modern combat sports rely heavily on data. Analysts track strikes, takedowns, control time, and many other indicators. Fans read these numbers and try to understand who holds the advantage before a fight. At first glance, statistics seem clear and objective. They offer structure and allow quick comparisons. However, numbers do not always show the full picture of a fighter’s level.
This Week’s WHR Bets/Parlays
2026 WHR Post #8
Fights considered must satisfy all of the criteria below:
- Both fighters must be active (fought in 360 days prior to event). Reduces uncertainty.
- Both fighters must have at least 7 fights in the prior 7 years, including 1+ loss. If the loss was in their debut, then 2+ losses are required.
- Both fighters must be rated in the same division as the fight. Further reduces uncertainty.
- Must have odds from at least three bookmakers.
Inside the UFC’s Growing Mental Health Reckoning
For years, toughness has been the defining currency of mixed martial arts.
Now, vulnerability is beginning to take its place alongside it.
In recent months, a growing number of UFC fighters have spoken openly about their struggles with mental health, as a central part of their lives inside and outside of the Octagon. What was once whispered in locker rooms is now being said into microphones, in front of millions.
The shift is not subtle. It is cultural.
At last Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, Joe Pyfer delivered one of the most jarring moments in recent memory, not just because he finished Israel Adesanya, who many consider to be the greatest middleweight of all time, but because of what he revealed afterward…
Following his victory, Pyfer admitted that he had nearly taken his own life just weeks before stepping into the cage. The idea that he would consider suicide, right before the biggest moment of his career, reminded us of how complex and dangerous this truly is.
In a sport built on physical resilience, the admission cut through the noise. It reframed the narrative. Fighters are not just competing against opponents. They are also confronting internal battles that often go unseen.
Andrew Carswell is a combat sports columnist and college writing professor, based in Las Vegas, NV, whose work examines the intersection of fighting, media, business, and culture. His commentary and analysis have been featured in various magazines, newspapers, and media outlets, including Yahoo! News, and USA TODAY. Blending journalistic insight and experience with a fan’s perspective, Carswell writes about the fight game as both a cultural phenomenon and a global business.
ROUSEY VS CARANO- FIGHTING FOR THE FREEDOM OF DEFINE THEIR LEGACIES
Two women of action built their reputations in the Octagon. One was a pioneer for women in fighting sports, while the other took that legacy and elevated it, bringing it to new heights. When they both fell from those lofty perches, they remained relevant by adapting to other forms of entertainment. One returned to the ring, following a script and telling a story, adapting seamlessly to the moment. The other brought her moves to a movie set, also telling stories in a different arena. Eventually, they found themselves on the outside looking in again. What they discovered was each other, and on May 16th, they will perform on the streaming service Netflix, returning to their roots.
Luis is a twenty year veteran of the writing wars. He has served as Editor in Chief and writer of various web and print media in the Latin, Asian, and Sports genres. He has contributed as a beat writer for the WNBA New York Liberty and MLS New York Red Bulls as well as Fordham and Columbia College Football.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Duncan (04-04-2026)
Lightweight (155)
[#12][#11UFC] Renato Carneiro (20-7-1, +161) vs. [#39][#25UFC] Chris Duncan (15-2-0, -195)
Last 3 Fights: Renato Carneiro (1-2-0)
2025-06-28: L vs. [#11LW] Beneil Dariush (23-7-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2025-01-18: L vs. [#1P4P][#1WW] Islam Makhachev (28-1-0) via Submission (Brabo Choke) in 4:05 of round 1
2024-09-28: W vs. [#7LW] Benoit St. Denis (17-3-0) via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in 5:00 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Chris Duncan (3-0-0)
2025-12-06: W vs. [#64LW] Terrance McKinney (18-8-0) via Submission (Anaconda Choke) in 2:30 of round 1
2025-08-02: W vs. [#56LW] Mateusz Rebecki (21-4-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
2025-03-22: W vs. [#154LW] Jordan Vucenic (15-4-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 3:42 of round 2
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Chris Duncan | -195 | 63.30% | |
| Elo K170 | Renato Carneiro | 1979.61 | +92.25 | 62.97% |
| Elo Modified | Renato Carneiro | 1965.58 | +101.56 | 64.21% |
| Glicko-1 | Renato Carneiro | 2024.83 | +110.04 | 65.33% |
| WHR | Renato Carneiro | 1907.27 | +74.22 | 60.52% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Renato Carneiro 36.9, Chris Duncan 32.9
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Renato Carneiro 280, Chris Duncan 119
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Women Strawweight (115)
[#6DD][#11P4P][#3][#3UFC] Virna Jandiroba (22-4-0, -103) vs. [#7][#7UFC] Tabatha Ricci (12-3-0, -118)
Virna Jandiroba is the All-Time #49 ranked Women’s fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Virna Jandiroba (2-1-0)
2025-10-25: L vs. [#5DD][#5P4P][#2SW] Mackenzie Dern (16-5-0) via UD (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
2025-04-12: W vs. [#5SW] Xiaonan Yan (19-5-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2024-07-20: W vs. [#9SW] Amanda Lemos (15-6-1) via Submission (Armbar) in 4:48 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Tabatha Ricci (2-1-0)
2025-07-26: W vs. [#18SW] Amanda Ribas (12-7-0) via TKO (Elbow and Punches) in 2:59 of round 2
2024-11-23: L vs. [#5SW] Xiaonan Yan (19-5-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2024-08-24: W vs. [#20SW] Angela Hill (18-16-0) via UD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Tabatha Ricci | -118 | 51.61% | |
| Elo K170 | Virna Jandiroba | 1802.27 | +117.05 | 66.23% |
| Elo Modified | Virna Jandiroba | 1788.60 | +95.14 | 63.36% |
| Glicko-1 | Virna Jandiroba | 1772.87 | +78.33 | 61.08% |
| WHR | Virna Jandiroba | 1734.08 | +148.28 | 70.13% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Virna Jandiroba 37.8, Tabatha Ricci 31.1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Virna Jandiroba 161, Tabatha Ricci 252
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Virna Jandiroba leads 3-2
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Light Heavyweight (205)
[#59][#27UFC] Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev (8-0-0, -1509) vs. [#74][#32UFC] Brendson Ribeiro (17-9-0, +809)
Last 3 Fights: Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev (3-0-0)
2025-11-22: W vs. [#188LHW] Raffael Cerqueira (11-4-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 0:33 of round 1
2025-08-26: W vs. [#158LHW] Alik Lorenz (7-2-0) via TKO (Knee to the Body and Punches) in 0:30 of round 1
2024-09-26: W vs. [#191MW] Jacky Jeanne (6-2-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 2:23 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Brendson Ribeiro (1-2-0)
2025-09-06: L vs. [#39LHW] Oumar Sy (12-2-0) via TKO (Elbows and Punches) in 4:42 of round 1
2025-06-07: L vs. [#15LHW] Azamat Murzakanov (16-0-0) via TKO (Submission to Punches) in 3:25 of round 1
2025-03-15: W vs. [#85LHW] Diyar Nurgozhay (11-2-0) via Submission (Kimura) in 1:28 of round 2
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | -1509 | 89.50% | |
| Elo K170 | Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 1585.82 | +108.68 | 65.15% |
| Elo Modified | Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 1623.81 | +135.49 | 68.57% |
| Glicko-1 | Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 1651.16 | +137.51 | 68.82% |
| WHR | Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 1640.86 | +150.89 | 70.45% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev 25.2, Brendson Ribeiro 29.6
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev 133, Brendson Ribeiro 210
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Dana White’s Long Game Pays Off With Boxing Breakthrough
How the Ali Revival Act may mark another turning point in Dana White’s long war with boxing
For most of March, it looked like Dana White was finally losing control of the narrative.
A public feud with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn escalated into a war of words that exposed the deep institutional resistance facing Zuffa’s expansion into the sweet science. Things got so heated, there was even talk of a boxing match between the two.
The UFC’s ambitious White House event lost a marquee fight before it could even be formally unveiled. Then, former superstar Ronda Rousey resurfaced as a critic, reigniting long-standing debates about fighter pay and promotional power.
Yet in combat sports, momentum can shift as quickly as a single punch.
The passage of the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act through a key House vote on March 24th may represent White’s most significant strategic victory in years, not inside the Octagon, but in the legislative arena, where the future of boxing itself is being reshaped.
For White and the Zuffa Boxing project, the legislation signals more than regulatory reform. It signals opportunity.
Andrew Carswell is a combat sports columnist and college writing professor, based in Las Vegas, NV, whose work examines the intersection of fighting, media, business, and culture. His commentary and analysis have been featured in various magazines, newspapers, and media outlets, including Yahoo! News, and USA TODAY. Blending journalistic insight and experience with a fan’s perspective, Carswell writes about the fight game as both a cultural phenomenon and a global business.
UFC Fight Night 272 – Moicano vs. Duncan
Lightweight Main Event | April 4, 2026 | UFC Apex, Las Vegas
Fight Analysis
The main event is a classic clash of experience vs momentum.
[#12 LW | #10 UFC] Renato (Moicano) Carneiro (20-7-1) is a high-level veteran and former title contender, known for:
- elite BJJ and submission arsenal
- high fight IQ
- experience against top-tier competition
However, he enters this fight on a two-fight losing streak, raising questions about whether he is still at his peak.
[#37 LW ] Chris Duncan (15-2) is a dangerous rising contender riding strong momentum:
- 4-fight winning streak (most by finish)
- aggressive pressure-heavy style
- significant improvements in grappling
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.
What Makes MMA Rankings Important For Fighters And Fans
Have you ever checked MMA rankings and thought about why they matter so much to fighters and fans?
MMA rankings are not just numbers on a page. They show progress, skill, and consistency. They give a clear picture of how fighters are performing and help fans understand the sport in a better way.
When you follow rankings, you start seeing patterns, growth, and how fighters move forward in their careers.
This Week’s WHR Bets/Parlays
2026 WHR Post #7
Fights considered must satisfy all of the criteria below:
- Both fighters must be active (fought in 360 days prior to event). Reduces uncertainty.
- Both fighters must have at least 7 fights in the prior 7 years, including 1+ loss. If the loss was in their debut, then 2+ losses are required.
- Both fighters must be rated in the same division as the fight. Further reduces uncertainty.
- Must have odds from at least three bookmakers.
UFC’s Main Events in April: Fights You Shouldn’t Miss
MMA fans have a reason to rejoice this April as the Ultimate Fighting Championship will roll out a tremendous lineup comprising top-notch battles, emerging challengers, and possible memorable fights. Besides extremely important concerns over championship rights, the cards of this month also feature generation clashes that are bound to produce sparks thus ensuring every fight lover gets catered to.
Are you willing to watch a leading UFC fight night, excited for a major event such as UFC 327, or looking at young guns trying to make their names? No matter what your preference is, the April calendar will certainly catch your attention. We should start by identifying the main fights, evaluating what might happen, and even taking some risks with our predictions.
Royal Rumble: UK UFC Stars Call For Buckingham Palace Event
The news that the UFC would hold an event for US President Donald Trump at the White House sent shockwaves through the combat world.
The White House card is taking place on June 14th and will be headlined with a lightweight title fight between Spain’s Ilia Topuria and America’s Justin Gaethje, as the pair will be facing off for the undisputed belt.
New Rules for Casino Sponsors in MMA World in the Philippines
Regulations Conditions Rules Standard Terms Concept
Casino Sponsorships in Philippine MMA: The New Rules Explained
The connection between casino brands and mixed martial arts in the Philippines has strengthened over the last decade. Gambling operators have found a valuable market in local combat sports, particularly in events like ONE Championship, which attract some of the most passionate audiences in the region.
That connection is now under closer scrutiny. The government is moving to amend the rules around gambling-related sponsorships in sports, and MMA falls into that category. Several proposed guideline updates aim to limit how casino brands can promote themselves through fighting events, fighter sponsorships, and broadcasts.
The two main government bodies leading this shift are PAGCOR, the country’s primary gambling regulator, and the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), which oversees professional sports. In this article, you’ll find out what’s changing, who is affected, and what it means for Filipino MMA fans.
The Most Underrated MMA Fighters the Sport Has Almost Forgotten
MMA has a short memory. The fanbase grows every year, and with that growth comes a certain erasure — fighters who were genuinely special get buried under the weight of newer names, bigger promotions, and highlight reels that never quite captured what made them worth watching in the first place. Ask a casual fan today about some of the most skilled competitors of the last two decades and you’ll mostly get blank stares. Platforms like Faircrown Australia have leaned into that nostalgia factor, giving fans a space to engage with the sport’s deeper history — but even that hasn’t been enough to rescue some names from near-total obscurity.
That’s a problem. Because some of the most underrated MMA fighters in history weren’t just good — they were extraordinary. They just had the bad luck of competing in the wrong era, on the wrong platform, or without the marketing machine that turns athletes into household names.
Here’s a look at the fighters who deserved far more recognition than they ever got.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer (03-28-2026)
Middleweight (185)
[#5][#5UFC] Israel Adesanya (24-5-0, -133) vs. [#19][#16UFC] Joe Pyfer (15-3-0, +108)
Israel Adesanya is the All-Time #2 ranked Middleweight and #15 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Israel Adesanya (0-3-0)
2025-02-01: L vs. [#3MW] Nassourdine Imavov (17-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:30 of round 2
2024-08-17: L vs. [#9DD][#9P4P][#2MW] Dricus Du Plessis (23-3-0) via Submission (Face Crank) in 3:38 of round 4
2023-09-09: L vs. [#4MW] Sean Strickland (30-7-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Last 3 Fights: Joe Pyfer (3-0-0)
2025-10-04: W vs. [#33MW] Abusupiyan Magomedov (28-7-1) via Submission (Face Crank) in 1:46 of round 2
2025-06-07: W vs. [#21MW] Kelvin Gastelum (20-10-0) via UD (29-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2024-06-29: W vs. [#43MW] Marc-Andre Barriault (18-11-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:25 of round 1
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Israel Adesanya | -133 | 54.27% | |
| Elo K170 | Israel Adesanya | 2002.08 | +46.55 | 56.66% |
| Elo Modified | Israel Adesanya | 1983.42 | +13.55 | 51.95% |
| Glicko-1 | Joe Pyfer | 2053.57 | +36.79 | 55.28% |
| WHR | Israel Adesanya | 1923.19 | +22.17 | 53.19% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Israel Adesanya 36.7, Joe Pyfer 29.5
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Israel Adesanya 420, Joe Pyfer 175
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Women Flyweight (125)
[#5][#5UFC] Alexa Grasso (16-5-1, +114) vs. [#7][#7UFC] Maycee Barber (15-2-0, -156)
Alexa Grasso is the All-Time #20 ranked Women’s fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Alexa Grasso (0-2-1)
2025-05-10: L vs. [#7P4P][#9DD][#3FLY] Natalia Silva (20-5-1) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2024-09-14: L vs. [#1P4P][#2DD][#1FLY] Valentina Shevchenko (26-4-1) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
2023-09-16: D vs. [#1P4P][#2DD][#1FLY] Valentina Shevchenko (26-4-1) via Draw (Split) in 5:00 of round 5
Last 3 Fights: Maycee Barber (3-0-0)
2025-12-06: W vs. [#13FLY] Karine Silva (19-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2024-03-09: W vs. [*] Katlyn Cerminara (18-6-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
2023-06-24: W vs. [#18SW] Amanda Ribas (12-7-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbows) in 3:42 of round 2
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Maycee Barber | -156 | 56.59% | |
| Elo K170 | Maycee Barber | 1882.70 | +157.07 | 71.18% |
| Elo Modified | Maycee Barber | 1836.92 | +126.69 | 67.46% |
| Glicko-1 | Maycee Barber | 1833.34 | +99.61 | 63.96% |
| WHR | Maycee Barber | 1733.45 | +16.17 | 52.33% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Alexa Grasso 32.6, Maycee Barber 27.8
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Alexa Grasso 322, Maycee Barber 112
Previous Match-up Record: Alexa Grasso leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Middleweight (185)
[#67][#42UFC] Yousri Belgaroui (9-3-0, +110) vs. [#77][#47UFC] Mansur Abdul-Malik (10-0-0, -156)
Last 3 Fights: Yousri Belgaroui (3-0-0)
2025-10-18: W vs. [#79MW] Azamat Bekoev (20-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:55 of round 3
2024-09-10: W vs. [#482MW] Taiga Iwasaki (10-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:34 of round 3
2024-02-18: W vs. [#143LHW] Ahmed Sami (12-5-0) via UD ()
Last 3 Fights: Mansur Abdul-Malik (3-0-0)
2025-12-06: W vs. [#483MW] Antonio Trocoli (13-7-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 1:09 of round 1
2025-06-14: W vs. [#142MW] Cody Brundage (11-10-0) via TUD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
2025-02-22: W vs. [#235MW] Nick Klein (6-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:24 of round 2
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Mansur Abdul-Malik | -156 | 56.13% | |
| Elo K170 | Mansur Abdul-Malik | 1650.12 | +23.13 | 53.32% |
| Elo Modified | Mansur Abdul-Malik | 1686.63 | +35.04 | 55.02% |
| Glicko-1 | Mansur Abdul-Malik | 1718.78 | +22.77 | 53.27% |
| WHR | Yousri Belgaroui | 1630.92 | +33.55 | 54.81% |
Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Yousri Belgaroui 33.8, Mansur Abdul-Malik 28.4
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Yousri Belgaroui 161, Mansur Abdul-Malik 112
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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