Fight Matrix

What Boxing’s Ranking Chaos Can Teach MMA About Credibility And Transparency

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

Photo by: Pavel Danilyuk | Source: Pexels

Have you ever found yourself confused by the rankings in combat sports?

Boxing has long struggled with ranking systems that seem arbitrary and inconsistent. This chaos not only affects fighters but also impacts fans’ trust in the sport. MMA, while still developing its own ranking system, can learn valuable lessons from boxing’s missteps.

Understanding these challenges can lead to a more credible and transparent environment for fighters and fans alike. Let’s explore how boxing’s ranking chaos can ultimately guide MMA to establish a more trustworthy framework.

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Arnold Allen vs Melquizael Costa Preview

Posted on May 14, 2026 by Jack Latham

An intriguing encounter awaits at the Meta APEX this weekend as ‘Almighty’ Arnold Allen faces off against ‘The Dalmatian’ Melquizael Costa in the featherweight division.

BACKGROUND

After over a year out of the octagon, Arnold Allen returned in January on UFC 324, suffering a close decision loss at the hands of top contender Jean Silva.

He now makes a quick return at the Meta APEX, against the dangerous Melquizael Costa, who has won his last six fights.

Allen has been on the UFC roster since 2015, registering wins against Dan Hooker and Giga Chikadze along the way, making him a danger to anyone in the featherweight division.

A fight against Max Holloway and a close decision loss to Movsar Evloev gave Allen valuable experience that he hoped could take him to the next level.

As for Costa, the Brazilian has caught the attention of UFC fans with his high-pressure, high-volume style, which has led to him knocking out Morgan Charriere and submitting Andre Fili.

The Dalmatian’s most impressive victory came in February, though, as he finished Dan Ige with an eye-catching spinning back kick followed by some ground and pound.

With Allen looking to reignite his status as a featherweight contender, and Costa aiming to increase his winning streak, a great fight awaits.

But only one man can come out on top… Keep Reading

Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)

Saturday, August 22nd 2026: Professional Fighters League PFL Tampa: Cyborg vs. Vieira

[#1 W145] Cristiane Justino

[#4 W135] Ketlen Vieira

Last Fight Date: 12/13/2025 [PFL]
Last Opponent: [#2 W145] Sara Collins
Last 5: W W W W W

Last Fight Date: 5/16/2026 [UFC]
Last Opponent: [#10 W135] Jacqueline Cavalcanti
Last 5: W L W L W

Thursday, September 10th 2026: Rizin FF - Super Rizin 5

[#1 W105] Natalia Kuziutina

[#16 W105] Rena Kubota

Last Fight Date: 4/12/2026 [Rizin Fighting Federation]
Last Opponent: [#8 W105] Ayaka Hamasaki
Last 5: W W W W W

Last Fight Date: 12/31/2025 [Rizin Fighting Federation]
Last Opponent: [#2 W105] Seika Izawa
Last 5: W L W W L

Saturday, July 25th 2026: Pancrase 364 / Pancrase Blood 11

[#11 SW] Kanji Funada

[#13 SW] Shunma Sasaki

Last Fight Date: 3/14/2026 [Pancrase]
Last Opponent: [#4 SW] Yuta Miyazawa
Last 5: W W W W L

Last Fight Date: 3/14/2026 [Pancrase]
Last Opponent: [#52 SW] Takafumi Ato
Last 5: L W W W W

Featured Fighters

[#1 LW]	Justin Gaethje	[#164 WW]	Conor McGregor
[#6 WW]	Kamaru Usman	[#1 WW]	Islam Makhachev
[NR]	Matt Hughes	[#2 LW]	Ilia Topuria
[#279 LW]	Johnny Case	[#6 LW]	Paddy Pimblett
[#3 MW]	Dricus Du Plessis	[#58 WW]	Seok Hyeon Ko

This Week’s WHR Bets/Parlays (2026/#14)

Posted on May 14, 2026 by Jason

We’ve been struggling as of late…… need to get back on track!

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.

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UFC 328: Sean Strickland Stuns Khamzat Chimaev — What’s Next for Both?

Posted on May 13, 2026 by A. J. Riot

An MMA Gym – Source: Unsplash

Sean Strickland pulled off one of the greatest upsets in recent memory as he stunned the formerly unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev to claim the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 328 in Newark on May 9th. The brash American was a 4/1 underdog when he made his way to the Octagon, and when the Chechen began with wrestling dominance in round one, it appeared as though it would be business as usual for the defending champion. Then, the California native flipped the script.

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2026 UFABET Slot Precision: Budget Tactics and Timing Wins

Posted on May 13, 2026 by A. J. Riot

In 2026, smart gaming thrives on sharp money control and peak focus moments, with UFABET platforms leading the way. Players shift from random spins to planned moves that stretch funds and sharpen decisions. This guide reveals core methods for lasting gains, blending tight limits with alert playtimes. Top performers divide budgets wisely, dodge chase traps, and pick optimal hours. Advanced steps like game variety and calm responses build steady edges. Master these for reliable progress in fast UFABET (ยูฟ่าเบท) environments.

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UFC’s Polymarket Deal Adds a New Layer to Fight Analysis

Posted on May 12, 2026 by A. J. Riot

UFC’s partnership with Polymarket is not just another sponsorship deal. It signals that prediction markets are moving closer to the live fight experience, where fan sentiment, probability shifts and real-time market reactions may become part of how bouts are discussed.

TKO announced Polymarket as the official and exclusive prediction market partner of UFC and Zuffa Boxing, describing the deal as the first integration of prediction market technology directly into the live fan experience. The partnership is expected to include activations across live events, broadcasts and digital content.

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Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night: Allen vs Costa (05-16-2026)

Posted on May 11, 2026 by Jason

Featherweight (145)
[#16][#13UFC] Arnold Allen (20-4-0, -180) vs. [#17][#14UFC] Melquizael Costa (26-7-0, +149)
Arnold Allen is the All-Time #29 ranked Featherweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Arnold Allen (1-2-0)
2026-01-24: L vs. [#11FW] Jean Silva (17-3-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2024-07-27: W vs. [#35FW] Giga Chikadze (15-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2024-01-20: L vs. [#2FW] Movsar Evloev (20-0-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Melquizael Costa (3-0-0)
2026-02-21: W vs. [#27FW] Dan Ige (19-11-0) via TKO (Spinning Back Kick and Punches) in 4:56 of round 1
2025-12-13: W vs. [#66FW] Morgan Charriere (21-12-1) via KO (Head Kick) in 1:14 of round 1
2025-05-17: W vs. [#98FW] Julian Erosa (31-13-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

System	Favorite	Rating	Rating Diff	Win %
Betting Odds	Arnold Allen	-180		61.55%
Elo K170	Melquizael Costa	1996.99	+80.28	61.35%
Elo Modified	Melquizael Costa	1972.87	+69.24	59.83%
Glicko-1	Melquizael Costa	2034.05	+67.88	59.64%
WHR	Arnold Allen	1847.39	+14.19	52.04%

Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Arnold Allen 32.3, Melquizael Costa 29.6
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Arnold Allen 112, Melquizael Costa 84
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Featherweight (145)
[*] Doo Ho Choi (16-4-1, +105) vs. [#62][#34UFC] Daniel Santos (15-2-0, -126)

Last 3 Fights: Doo Ho Choi (2-0-1)
2024-12-07: W vs. [#85FW] Nate Landwehr (18-8-0) via TKO (Elbows) in 3:21 of round 3
2024-07-20: W vs. [*] Bill Algeo (18-9-0) via TKO (Submission to Punch) in 3:38 of round 2
2023-02-04: D vs. [#86LW] Kyle Nelson (17-7-1) via Draw (Majority) in 5:00 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Daniel Santos (3-0-0)
2025-10-04: W vs. [#458LW] Joo Sang Yoo (9-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:21 of round 2
2025-05-10: W vs. [#216FW] Jeong Yeong Lee (11-3-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2023-06-03: W vs. [#197BW] Johnny Munoz Jr. (15-4-0) via UD (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

System	Favorite	Rating	Rating Diff	Win %
Betting Odds	Daniel Santos	-126		53.33%
Elo K170	Daniel Santos	1803.57	+30.84	54.43%
Elo Modified	Daniel Santos	1800.60	+25.73	53.69%
Glicko-1	Daniel Santos	1847.49	+20.07	52.88%
WHR	Daniel Santos	1806.93	+45.04	56.45%

Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Doo Ho Choi 35.1, Daniel Santos 31.2
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Doo Ho Choi 525, Daniel Santos 224
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Light Heavyweight (205)
[#29][#19UFC] Modestas Bukauskas (19-7-0, -138) vs. [#52][#25UFC] Rodolfo Bellato (13-3-1, +102)

Last 3 Fights: Modestas Bukauskas (2-1-0)
2026-01-24: L vs. [#21LHW] Nikita Krylov (31-11-0) via KO (Punches) in 4:57 of round 3
2025-09-06: W vs. [*] Paul Craig (17-10-1) via KO (Elbow) in 5:00 of round 1
2025-05-10: W vs. [#27LHW] Ion Cutelaba (20-11-1) via SD (29-28, 30-27, 27-30)

Last 3 Fights: Rodolfo Bellato (1-1-0, 1 NC)
2026-03-07: W vs. [#112LHW] Luke Fernandez (6-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:42 of round 1
2025-09-27: L vs. [#36LHW] Navajo Stirling (9-0-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
2025-06-14: NC vs. [*] Paul Craig (17-10-1)

System	Favorite	Rating	Rating Diff	Win %
Betting Odds	Modestas Bukauskas	-138		53.94%
Elo K170	Modestas Bukauskas	1731.69	+135.45	68.56%
Elo Modified	Modestas Bukauskas	1731.52	+81.43	61.51%
Glicko-1	Modestas Bukauskas	1748.44	+74.05	60.50%
WHR	Modestas Bukauskas	1663.80	+43.06	56.16%

Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Modestas Bukauskas 32.2, Rodolfo Bellato 30.3
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Modestas Bukauskas 112, Rodolfo Bellato 70
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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How MMA Fighters Are Building Wealth Beyond Fight Purses

Posted on May 11, 2026 by A. J. Riot

The average UFC fighter earns between $152,000 and $228,000 per year. With most fighters competing only two or three times a year, that’s about $50,000 per fight.

Entry-level fighters get paid a lot less. Sometimes, they get as little as $12,000 to $20,000 to show up. And that’s why the UFC had to pay out a $335 million class-action settlement in 2024 over fighter pay suppression.

Yet despite this, it’s safe to say that some UFC fighters get paid well. Conor McGregor, for example, has a net worth of $200 million. Khabib Nurmagomedov is at $40 million. Israel Adesanya, Jon Jones, and Alex Pereira have also built great wealth.

But how? Well, they’ve been building wealth outside of their fight purses. They’ve used their fighting career as momentum for business ventures. That’s where the real money is made for MMA fighters.

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The Union Jack Takeover: Winning Spirit of the Best English MMA Fighters

Posted on May 11, 2026 by A. J. Riot

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In the high-spirited realm of MMA, England has produced a constellation of titans who have not only knocked out their opponents but also etched their legacy into our hearts. Their top-notch skills have given a sign that both rivals and spectators can get a moment of elation and excitement.

Resilience is a must-have tool, whether in the Octagon or on the markets. To stay afloat, reliable sources are an absolute necessity. To track performance metrics, meta trade 5 can be offered as a robust tool on sport-related indices.

Let’s take a deep dive into the English MMA “Hall of Fame” to call out some prominent names loudly.

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Vintage Casino Games That Collectors Prefer

Posted on May 11, 2026 by A. J. Riot

Vintage casino games occupy a specific and well-documented niche in the broader collectibles market. Items like antique slot machines, roulette wheels, blackjack tables and mechanical card shufflers are valued not just as objects but as preserved records of a particular period in gambling culture. According to a 2024 report by the Antique Amusement Machine Association, interest in classic gambling equipment has grown consistently over the past decade, with authenticated pre-1960s slot machines routinely reaching auction estimates 30 to 50% above their listed reserve prices.

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Fight Matrix Program – MVP MMA 1: Rousey vs Carano (05-16-2026)

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Jason

Women Featherweight (145)
[*] Ronda Rousey (12-2-0, -500) vs. [*] Gina Carano (7-1-0, +353)
Ronda Rousey is the All-Time #4 ranked Women’s fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Ronda Rousey (1-2-0)
2016-12-30: L vs. [*] Amanda Nunes (23-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:48 of round 1
2015-11-14: L vs. [*] Holly Holm (15-7-0) via KO (Head Kick and Punches) in 0:59 of round 2
2015-08-01: W vs. [NA] Bethe Correia (11-6-1) via KO (Punch) in 0:34 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Gina Carano (2-1-0)
2009-08-15: L vs. [#1DD][#3P4P][#1FW] Cristiane Justino (29-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:59 of round 1
2008-10-04: W vs. [NA] Kelly Kobold-Schmitz (20-3-2) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2008-05-31: W vs. [NA] Kaitlin Young (12-13-1) via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in 3:00 of round 2

System	Favorite	Rating	Rating Diff	Win %
Betting Odds	Ronda Rousey	-500		79.05%
Elo K170	Ronda Rousey	1651.67	+247.63	80.62%
Elo Modified	Ronda Rousey	1676.59	+210.56	77.07%
Glicko-1	Ronda Rousey	1705.99	+272.46	82.75%
WHR	Ronda Rousey	1668.84	+214.92	77.51%

Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Ronda Rousey 39.3, Gina Carano 44.1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ronda Rousey 3424, Gina Carano 6118
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Heavyweight (265)
[*] Francis Ngannou (18-3-0, -1354) vs. [*] Philipe Lins (18-5-0, +720)
Francis Ngannou is the All-Time #8 ranked Heavyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Francis Ngannou (3-0-0)
2024-10-19: W vs. [#18HW+] Renan Ferreira (13-6-0) via KO (Punches) in 3:32 of round 1
2022-01-22: W vs. [#1HW+] Ciryl Gane (13-2-0) via UD (48-47, 49-46, 48-47)
2021-03-27: W vs. [*] Stipe Miocic (20-5-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:52 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Philipe Lins (3-0-0)
2024-03-09: W vs. [#27LHW] Ion Cutelaba (20-11-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2023-06-03: W vs. [#58LHW] Maxim Grishin (35-12-2) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
2023-02-18: W vs. [*] Ovince St. Preux (27-18-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:49 of round 1

System	Favorite	Rating	Rating Diff	Win %
Betting Odds	Francis Ngannou	-1354		88.41%
Elo K170	Francis Ngannou	2363.07	+551.98	96.00%
Elo Modified	Francis Ngannou	2339.57	+498.10	94.62%
Glicko-1	Francis Ngannou	2491.53	+629.08	97.40%
WHR	Francis Ngannou	2203.75	+441.31	92.70%

Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Francis Ngannou 39.7, Philipe Lins 40.7
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Francis Ngannou 574, Philipe Lins 798
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Francis Ngannou leads 1-0
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Welterweight (170)
[*] Nate Diaz (21-13-0, +163) vs. [*] Mike Perry (14-8-0, -202)

Last 3 Fights: Nate Diaz (1-2-0)
2022-09-10: W vs. [*] Tony Ferguson (25-11-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:52 of round 4
2021-06-12: L vs. [#9WW] Leon Edwards (22-6-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
2019-11-02: L vs. [*] Jorge Masvidal (35-17-0) via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in 5:00 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Mike Perry (1-2-0)
2021-04-10: L vs. [#17WW] Daniel Rodriguez (20-5-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
2020-11-21: L vs. [*] Tim Means (33-17-1) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
2020-06-27: W vs. [*] Mickey Gall (7-7-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

System	Favorite	Rating	Rating Diff	Win %
Betting Odds	Mike Perry	-202		63.75%
Elo K170	Nate Diaz	2046.32	+494.89	94.53%
Elo Modified	Nate Diaz	2018.49	+426.09	92.07%
Glicko-1	Nate Diaz	2115.79	+464.42	93.55%
WHR	Nate Diaz	1852.03	+335.74	87.35%

Fighter Ages on Fight Day: Nate Diaz 41.1, Mike Perry 34.6
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Nate Diaz 1344, Mike Perry 1862
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Nate Diaz leads 1-0
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Current MMA Rankings Updated (05-10-2026)

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Jason

Budget Cannabis for Adult Combat Sports Fans

Posted on May 8, 2026 by A. J. Riot

The budget-cannabis decision becomes more visible to adult combat-sports fans when small purchases add up across a busy fight-card season. Eighth-tier buying runs 35 to 60 dollars per eighth in 2026 dollars. Value-tier ounce options cut the per-gram cost by 40 to 60 percent. The shift makes sense for adults in legal jurisdictions on a steady use cadence.

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Why Was Prince Naseem Hamed So Highly Regarded By Fight Fans?

Posted on May 8, 2026 by A. J. Riot

Few fighters in modern boxing history have left an impression quite like Prince Naseem Hamed. For many fans, he wasn’t simply a world champion; he was an event. Every appearance felt larger than life, blending elite athleticism, theatrical spectacle, and unapologetic personality into one unforgettable package. The sports betting experts at Ivy Bet have helped us to look back on what made him such a popular figure among boxing fans.

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5 British Fighters Who Took The UFC By Storm

Posted on May 8, 2026 by A. J. Riot

The United Kingdom has produced some of the most memorable athletes in mixed martial arts history, with British fighters making a lasting impact inside the UFC Octagon. From championship gold to electrifying fan-favourite performances, these competitors have helped elevate the profile of UK MMA on the global stage. It’s also always busy on the UK sports betting markets when a British fighter is competing. Here are five British fighters who truly took the UFC by storm.

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