As the MMA community gears up for UFC 306, the excitement is palpable with a star-studded fight card set for September 14, 2024, at The Sphere in Las Vegas. This event not only promises thrilling matches but also marks the first major event at this futuristic venue.
The Return of the UFC to Canadian Soil Will Mark a Debut for Modified Rules of MMA
The big awaited return of the UFC to Canadian Soil finally materializes, but this time with an array of changes that could just gate-crash the world of MMA. This event is going to be the first in Vancouver to introduce newly revamped MMA rules by the UFC, and the reactions have been really mixed among fighters, fans, and analysts alike. Since the MMA community is preparing for this landmark event, it’s important to understand what these changes entail and how they may change the landscape of fights and the sport altogether.
Ronda Rousey Retires from WWE – Backstory
Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesAccording to Sports Illustrated, Ronda Rousey has indefinitely retired from the WWE. “During an interview with NewsNation’s “Banfield,” Rousey claimed that Gulak pulled her by the strings of her sweatpants while she was waiting to speak with WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque.” Due to his unprofessional conduct, Dave Gulak was fired by the WWE.
She has had a short, yet successful career in combat sports, including Judo, MMA, and professional wrestling. Dana white had vouched never to have a female fighter in the UFC. However, due to being a bronze medalist in the USA Olympic Judo team and her popularity in Strikeforce, she impressed Dana White. In turn he included women in the UFC.
Ronda Rousey was the pioneer of women’s MMA in the UFC. The unfortunate part of Ronda Rousey’s story is that her striking needed a lot of improvement. Yet, she was an excellent grappler and when she won it was typically by submission.
Eventually, Rousey’s and opponents figured out her weakness and after consecutive losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, her career deteriorated. This led her to transition to professional wrestling. It’s a rarity for an individual to achieve the highest level of success in numerous sports in such a short period of time. Ronda Rousey will go down in history of the UFC, WWE, and Judo.
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. 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. I enjoy writing about combat sports and martial arts for FightMatrix.
Brendan Allen vs Marvin Vettori
Dana White seems like he would have liked to see that fight that took place in the casino happen in the cage. Read on for more….
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. 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. I enjoy writing about combat sports and martial arts for FightMatrix.
FightMatrix Exclusive: Interview with Boxing Manager Ilker Furat
Mr. Furat holding the YouTube award received by 12 Raund Boxing podcast
Today, we bring you an exclusive interview with Türkiye-based boxing manager Ilker Furat.
You can find more information about Ilker and his business endeavors at https://www.ilkerfurat.com. You can also listen to his award winning podcast, 12 Raund Sports.
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. 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. I enjoy writing about combat sports and martial arts for FightMatrix.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs Murphy (05-18-2024)
Featherweight (145)
[#15] Edson Barboza (24-11-0, +132) vs. [#38] Lerone Murphy (13-0-1, -158)
Last 3 Fights: Edson Barboza (2-1-0)
2023-10-14: W vs. [#47FW] Sodiq Yusuff (13-4-0) via UD (48-46, 48-46, 49-46)
2023-04-15: W vs. [#44FW] Billy Quarantillo (18-6-0) via KO (Knee) in 2:37 of round 1
2022-03-05: L vs. [#16FW] Bryce Mitchell (16-2-0) via UD (30-25, 30-26, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Lerone Murphy (3-0-0)
2023-07-22: W vs. [#108FW] Joshua Culibao (12-3-1) via UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-26)
2023-03-18: W vs. [#116FW] Gabriel Santos (10-2-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2021-10-30: W vs. [#394LW] Makwan Amirkhani (17-10-0) via KO (Knee) in 0:14 of round 2
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Lerone Murphy | -158 | 58.69% | |
| Elo K170 | Edson Barboza | 1917.98 | +29.54 | 54.24% |
| Elo Modified | Edson Barboza | 1926.08 | +99.78 | 63.98% |
| Glicko-1 | Edson Barboza | 1973.01 | +127.67 | 67.59% |
| WHR | Edson Barboza | 1795.98 | +1.44 | 50.21% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Edson Barboza 217, Lerone Murphy 301
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
.
Welterweight (170)
[#39] Carlston Harris (19-5-0, +118) vs. [#53] Kalinn Williams (14-3-0, -142)
Last 3 Fights: Carlston Harris (2-1-0)
2023-08-05: W vs. [#59WW] Jeremiah Wells (12-4-1) via Technical Submission (Anaconda Choke) in 1:50 of round 3
2023-03-11: W vs. [#62WW] Jared Gooden (23-9-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2022-02-05: L vs. [#5WW] Shavkat Rakhmonov (18-0-0) via KO (Spinning Hook Kick and Punches) in 4:10 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Kalinn Williams (2-1-0)
2023-05-06: W vs. [#168WW] Rolando Bedoya (14-3-0) via SD (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)
2022-05-07: L vs. [#23WW] Randy Brown (18-5-0) via SD (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
2021-11-13: W vs. [*] Miguel Baeza (10-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:02 of round 3
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Kalinn Williams | -142 | 56.12% | |
| Elo K170 | Carlston Harris | 1886.25 | +136.39 | 68.68% |
| Elo Modified | Carlston Harris | 1884.04 | +140.04 | 69.13% |
| Glicko-1 | Carlston Harris | 1937.50 | +155.94 | 71.05% |
| WHR | Carlston Harris | 1943.64 | +305.55 | 85.31% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Carlston Harris 287, Kalinn Williams 378
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Carlston Harris leads 1-0
.
Women Strawweight (115)
[#9] Angela Hill (16-13-0, -157) vs. [#29] Luana Pinheiro (11-2-0, +130)
Last 3 Fights: Angela Hill (2-1-0)
2023-11-04: W vs. [#19SW] Denise Gomes (8-3-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2023-05-20: L vs. [#8SW] Mackenzie Dern (13-5-0) via UD (49-44, 49-44, 49-43)
2022-12-03: W vs. [#21SW] Emily Ducote (13-8-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Luana Pinheiro (2-1-0)
2023-11-18: L vs. [#14FLY] Amanda Ribas (12-5-0) via TKO (Spinning Wheel Kick and Punches) in 3:53 of round 3
2023-04-08: W vs. [#54SW] Michelle Waterson-Gomez (18-12-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2021-11-20: W vs. [#49SW] Sam Hughes (8-6-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Angela Hill | -157 | 58.42% | |
| Elo K170 | Angela Hill | 1585.39 | +110.66 | 65.41% |
| Elo Modified | Angela Hill | 1637.50 | +192.11 | 75.14% |
| Glicko-1 | Angela Hill | 1633.90 | +209.18 | 76.92% |
| WHR | Angela Hill | 1519.59 | +153.29 | 70.73% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Angela Hill 196, Luana Pinheiro 182
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Luana Pinheiro leads 2-0
.
Keep Reading
Current MMA Rankings Updated (01-21-2024)
Notable Info
A bit of a strange situation at Middleweight, as Du Plessis eeked past Strickland in a draw-ish fight. Due to the weakness of Strickland’s recent performances (aside from the win over Adesanya), combined with the pre-fight ratings gap between Du Plessis and Strickland, Adesanya finds himself back in the top spot.
The Elo and Glicko systems all saw Du Plessis as the #1 fighter at Middleweight even before this fight. This did not change. The edgier WHR system had Du Plessis at #1 before the fight, which Chimaev now holds as the system saw Du Plessis’s narrow win as a reason to deduct some points. It expected Du Plessis to win by a wider margin.
What to know about wrestling betting?
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American company that organizes wrestling events televised globally. It’s not just a spectacular show but also an opportunity to make money. WWE betting is available in bookmaking companies like Parimatch Canada, where players can place bets on individual matches as well as entire tournaments.
Fight Matrix 2023 Awards – Rookies of the Year (PRELIMINARY)
In case you didn’t know, we have our own list of annual awards we issue. They’ve all been posted for 2023. There is a lot of fine print on that page, so please read. Furthermore, please be aware that the awards are at minimum, strongly guided by the data and sometimes, 100% decided by the data. I’m creating posts like this to serve as supporting commentary.
The Rookie of the Year award presents some interesting challenges. It is guided by stats, but not decided by stats. There are many factors to consider, including W-L record, ratings (all systems), strength of division, and rank in division, just to name a few. Furthermore, many fighters who qualify as rookies, spend their early career in lower-level leagues that are known to have inaccurate and delayed reporting. We may get results a week, or a month from now, that could change the fighter that most deserves the award and this is why “Preliminary” is noted in the title.
Similar to baseball, a rookie to us, is a fighter who had adequate activity in the award year, but is allowed to have limited activity in the year prior. Additionally, they must have debuted in either the award year, or in the calendar year before.
As usual, there were many close calls…
Rajbet App Review: How to Place Mobile Sports Bets
Rajbet is a well-known website where you can bet on more than 30 different sports. Although the company is relatively new, it already has a solid fan base thanks to its high quality service and frequent bonus offers. Importantly, the operator has also developed a separate mobile app for Android and iOS devices. What are their benefits, how to download and install the app, whether they have bonuses – you will find out about this and more in today’s review of the Rajbet App in 2023.
Cracking the Code: Casino X Withdrawal Player’s Guide
Cracking the Code: カジノエックス出金 Player’s Guide
カジノエックス, an esteemed online casino platform, has successfully captured the hearts of gambling enthusiasts globally. Recognized for its rich game selection, immersive user experience, and stellar customer service, Casino X has become a go-to choice for both novices and seasoned players. But an integral part of any online gambling experience is the ability to withdraw winnings conveniently and securely. So, how does Casino X fare in this regard?
Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen (04-15-2023)
Featherweight (145)
[#2] Max Holloway (23-7-0, -171) vs. [#5] Arnold Allen (19-1-0, +138)
Max Holloway is the All-Time #3 ranked Featherweight and #10 ranked Absolute fighter.
Arnold Allen is the All-Time #37 ranked Featherweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Max Holloway (2-1-0)
2022-07-02: L vs. [#1FW/#3DD/#5P4P] Alexander Volkanovski (25-2-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
2021-11-13: W vs. [#3FW] Yair Rodriguez (15-3-0) via UD (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
2021-01-16: W vs. [#9FW] Calvin Kattar (23-7-0) via UD (50-43, 50-43, 50-42)
Last 3 Fights: Arnold Allen (3-0-0)
2022-10-29: W vs. [#9FW] Calvin Kattar (23-7-0) via TKO (Knee Injury) in 0:08 of round 2
2022-03-19: W vs. [#12LW] Dan Hooker (22-12-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbows) in 2:33 of round 1
2021-04-10: W vs. [#21FW] Sodiq Yusuff (13-2-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Max Holloway | -171 | 60.02% | |
| Elo K170 | Max Holloway | 2180.89 | +61.16 | 56.94% |
| Elo Modified | Max Holloway | 2176.60 | +79.97 | 58.66% |
| Glicko-1 | Max Holloway | 2252.53 | +97.50 | 63.67% |
| WHR | Arnold Allen | 2070.20 | +14.92 | 51.70% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Max Holloway 287, Arnold Allen 168
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
.
Featherweight (145)
[#25] Billy Quarantillo (17-4-0, -167) vs. [#36] Edson Barboza (22-11-0, +135)
Last 3 Fights: Billy Quarantillo (2-1-0)
2022-12-10: W vs. [#29LW] Alexander Hernandez (14-6-0) via TKO (Knees and Punches) in 4:30 of round 2
2021-11-06: L vs. [#18FW] Shane Burgos (15-3-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2021-07-17: W vs. [#307LW] Gabriel Benitez (23-10-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:40 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Edson Barboza (1-2-0)
2022-03-05: L vs. [#24FW] Bryce Mitchell (15-1-0) via UD (30-25, 30-26, 30-27)
2021-08-28: L vs. [#15FW] Giga Chikadze (14-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:44 of round 3
2021-05-15: W vs. [#18FW] Shane Burgos (15-3-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:16 of round 3
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Billy Quarantillo | -167 | 59.51% | |
| Elo K170 | Edson Barboza | 1732.38 | +4.53 | 50.52% |
| Elo Modified | Edson Barboza | 1763.69 | +23.18 | 52.53% |
| Glicko-1 | Billy Quarantillo | 1812.10 | +16.39 | 52.36% |
| WHR | Billy Quarantillo | 1722.22 | +54.75 | 56.22% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Billy Quarantillo 126, Edson Barboza 406
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Edson Barboza leads 1-0
.
Light Heavyweight (205)
[#20] Dustin Jacoby (18-6-1, -201) vs. [#28] Azamat Murzakanov (12-0-0, +161)
Last 3 Fights: Dustin Jacoby (2-1-0)
2022-10-29: L vs. [#19LHW] Khalil Rountree (11-6-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2022-07-16: W vs. [#44LHW] Da Woon Jung (15-4-1) via KO (Punch) in 3:13 of round 1
2022-03-05: W vs. [#30MW] Michal Oleksiejczuk (20-5-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Azamat Murzakanov (3-0-0)
2022-08-13: W vs. [#32LHW] Devin Clark (14-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:18 of round 3
2022-03-12: W vs. [#101LHW] Tafon Nchukwi (6-3-0) via KO (Flying Knee) in 0:44 of round 3
2021-08-31: W vs. [#56HW+] Matheus Scheffel (17-10-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:00 of round 1
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Dustin Jacoby | -201 | 63.54% | |
| Elo K170 | Azamat Murzakanov | 1760.59 | +12.89 | 51.47% |
| Elo Modified | Dustin Jacoby | 1823.52 | +31.66 | 53.46% |
| Glicko-1 | Dustin Jacoby | 1874.59 | +26.29 | 53.78% |
| WHR | Azamat Murzakanov | 1933.76 | +156.76 | 67.18% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Dustin Jacoby 168, Azamat Murzakanov 245
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Keep Reading