LightHeavyweight & Middleweight Musings
Fresh on the heels of a historic rematch for the UFC middleweight belt, both the champion and the challenger are seeking to broaden their MMA horizons by moving up to 205 lbs. This doesn’t come as a huge surprise to anyone: the once again middleweight champ Israel ‘The Last Stylebender’ Adesanya has already tested his luck at a higher weight class, losing a unanimous decision to Jan Blachowitz at UFC 259. Meanwhile Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira has competed as a light-heavyweight in kickboxing in the past, and is a huge middleweight by UFC standards.
While Pereira and Adesanya moving up in weight seems almost inevitable, it does throw two already tumultuous UFC division into further disarray. Read on for my thoughts on the state of the 185 lbs and 205 lbs weight classes in the UFC, or if you are just here for the gambling content, you can waste some time playing slots with no deposit bonus 2023 Germany.
Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)
| Monday, May 4th 2026: DEEP 131 Impact | |||
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| Last Fight Date: 12/14/2025 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [#7 SW] Haruo Ochi Last 5: - - W W W | Last Fight Date: 3/08/2026 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [NR] Musashi Musashi Last 5: W W W W W | ||
| Saturday, June 27th 2026: Professional Fighters League PFL San Diego: McKee vs. Isbulaev | |||
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| Last Fight Date: 3/20/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#28 FW] Adam Borics Last 5: W W L W W | Last Fight Date: 2/07/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#25 FW] Jesus Pinedo Last 5: W W W W W | ||
| Saturday, May 2nd 2026: PFL Sioux Falls: Storley vs. Zendeli | |||
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| Last Fight Date: 12/13/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#5 HW] Vadim Nemkov Last 5: W W W L L | Last Fight Date: 8/21/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#53 HW] Karl Williams Last 5: W W W L W | ||
Featured Fighters
| [#18 W125] | Lucia Szabova |   | [#13 FW] | Youssef Zalal |
| [#1 WW] | Islam Makhachev |   | [#3 FW] | Aljamain Sterling |
| [#3 W135] | Joselyne Edwards |   | [#21 LW] | Rafa Garcia |
| [#42 BW] | Davey Grant |   | [#5 W135] | Norma Dumont |
| [#1 LW] | Ilia Topuria |   | [#1 MW] | Khamzat Chimaev |

What’s Next For Israel Adesanya Following His Stunning Knockout Victory over Alex Pereira?
On April 8th, at UFC 287 inside Miami’s Kaseya Center, former Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya embarked on his toughest challenge yet. He faced off against nemesis Alex Pereira, a man that has beaten him three times in the past. ‘Poatan’ twice defeated The Last Stylebender in the kickboxing world, before defeating him once again the first time the pair faced off in the Octagon, taking the Nigerian-born Kiwi’s title in the process, as well as ending his undefeated streak in the middleweight division. Oddschecker, which compares combat sports odds and offers, couldn’t split the pair heading into the bout, but it was Adesanya who asserted his dominance for the first time in the duo’s epic rivalry.

Top 10(11) Fighters of the 1990s – Sherdog vs Fight Matrix
Sherdog recently released a Top 10 (Actually 11) Ranking for the 1990s. How do we compare to them?
I took our All-Time Ranking process and ran it against only bouts prior to 2000. It wasn’t coded with this purpose in mind, but why not?
In the light blue is the Sherdog rank, followed by our rank of those fighters. In the far right column, is our Top 11.
For the most part, we are in rough agreement. But the ones we disagree on, we vary pretty widely.
I think all can agree that both Shamrocks, Royce Gracie, Mark Coleman, Bas Rutten and Dan Severn belong in this list. And they are in both. Miletich made both lists and although the Welterweight talent pool was not vast in the 90s, I think he deserves inclusion. 7 out of 11 isn’t bad at all and each of the 7 don’t vary by more than 4 spots. When you consider the divisional differences, it is actually great.
So, that does leave 8 fighters who are on only one list.. First, we’ll discuss the big problems.

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.
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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
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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.
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The Best Pound-for-Pound Fighter in UFC History
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has become one of the most popular sports in the world, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is undoubtedly the premier organization for MMA fighters. Over the years, the UFC has seen some of the greatest fighters in history step into the Octagon, and fans have been treated to some incredible displays of skill, power and determination.
When it comes to discussing the UFC’s top fighters, the term “pound-for-pound” refers to a fighter’s ability to perform regardless of weight class. In other words, if two fighters of different weights were to compete, the pound-for-pound ranking would be used to determine who the better fighter is.
With so many talented fighters having graced the UFC’s Octagon, it’s not an easy task to determine who the best pound-for-pound fighter in the organization’s history is. From legends like Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre to modern-day superstars like Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov, the list of UFC’s top fighters is long and impressive. However, after taking into account their skills, accomplishments and impact on the sport, one name stands out as the best pound-for-pound fighter in UFC history:
The Thrill of MMA: What Makes It Such an Exciting Spectator Sport?
Mixed martial arts, commonly known as MMA, has taken the sports world by storm and emerged as one of the most popular combat sports across the globe. MMA combines various fighting styles, including wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, and kickboxing, making it a highly dynamic and exciting sport to watch.
With popular organizations like the UFC, Bellator, and ONE Championship, millions of fans around the world tune in to watch their favorite fighters compete in the octagon each week. MMA is known for its fast-paced action, technical skills, and unpredictable outcomes, making it a thrilling experience for viewers.
In this article, we delve into the various aspects that make MMA an electrifying sport and explore what draws fans to this exciting world of fighting.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC 287: Pereira vs. Adesanya (04-02-2023)
Middleweight Championship (185)
[#1/#7DD/#8P4P] Alex Pereira (7-1-0, +115) vs. [#2] Israel Adesanya (23-2-0, -142)
Alex Pereira is the All-Time #22 ranked Middleweight fighter.
Israel Adesanya is the All-Time #2 ranked Middleweight and #20 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Alex Pereira (3-0-0)
2022-11-12: W vs. [#2MW] Israel Adesanya (23-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:01 of round 5
2022-07-02: W vs. [#10MW] Sean Strickland (26-5-0) via KO (Punches) in 2:36 of round 1
2022-03-12: W vs. [#48MW] Bruno Silva (22-8-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Israel Adesanya (2-1-0)
2022-11-12: L vs. [#1MW/#7DD/#8P4P] Alex Pereira (7-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:01 of round 5
2022-07-02: W vs. [#4MW] Jared Cannonier (16-6-0) via UD (49-46, 50-45, 49-46)
2022-02-12: W vs. [#3MW] Robert Whittaker (24-6-0) via UD (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Israel Adesanya | -142 | 55.78% | |
| Elo K170 | Israel Adesanya | 2228.01 | +305.38 | 80.14% |
| Elo Modified | Israel Adesanya | 2206.78 | +230.23 | 73.26% |
| Glicko-1 | Israel Adesanya | 2228.41 | +173.50 | 73.08% |
| WHR | Israel Adesanya | 2046.15 | +1.09 | 50.13% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Alex Pereira 147, Israel Adesanya 147
Previous Match-up Record: Alex Pereira leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Welterweight (170)
[#5] Gilbert Burns (21-5-0, -498) vs. [#17] Jorge Masvidal (35-16-0, +353)
Gilbert Burns is the All-Time #24 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Jorge Masvidal is the All-Time #20 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Gilbert Burns (2-1-0)
2023-01-21: W vs. [#12WW] Neil Magny (27-10-0) via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 4:15 of round 1
2022-04-09: L vs. [#5MW] Khamzat Chimaev (12-0-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2021-07-10: W vs. [#7WW] Stephen Thompson (17-6-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Jorge Masvidal (0-3-0)
2022-03-05: L vs. [#3WW] Colby Covington (17-3-0) via UD (50-44, 50-45, 49-46)
2021-04-24: L vs. [#2WW/#10P4P] Kamaru Usman (20-3-0) via KO (Punch) in 1:02 of round 2
2020-07-11: L vs. [#2WW/#10P4P] Kamaru Usman (20-3-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Gilbert Burns | -498 | 79.04% | |
| Elo K170 | Gilbert Burns | 2180.56 | +98.42 | 61.05% |
| Elo Modified | Gilbert Burns | 2142.64 | +67.12 | 57.29% |
| Glicko-1 | Gilbert Burns | 2203.17 | +50.87 | 57.27% |
| WHR | Gilbert Burns | 2024.87 | +148.44 | 66.34% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Gilbert Burns 77, Jorge Masvidal 399
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Gilbert Burns leads 2-0
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Bantamweight (135)
[#7] Rob Font (19-6-0, +148) vs. [#56] Adrian Yanez (16-3-0, -184)
Rob Font is the All-Time #43 ranked Bantamweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Rob Font (1-2-0)
2022-04-30: L vs. [#6BW] Marlon Vera (21-8-1) via UD (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
2021-12-04: L vs. [*] Jose Aldo (31-8-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
2021-05-22: W vs. [#24BW] Cody Garbrandt (13-5-0) via UD (48-47, 50-45, 50-45)
Last 3 Fights: Adrian Yanez (3-0-0)
2022-06-18: W vs. [#266BW] Tony Kelley (8-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:49 of round 1
2021-11-20: W vs. [#27BW] Davey Grant (15-6-0) via SD (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)
2021-07-24: W vs. [#628BW] Randy Costa (6-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:11 of round 2
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Adrian Yanez | -184 | 61.64% | |
| Elo K170 | Rob Font | 1875.54 | +119.74 | 63.34% |
| Elo Modified | Rob Font | 1851.89 | +154.97 | 66.34% |
| Glicko-1 | Rob Font | 1922.37 | +164.38 | 72.04% |
| WHR | Rob Font | 1777.94 | +93.23 | 60.49% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Rob Font 343, Adrian Yanez 294
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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Will UFC 288 Provide Redemption for Two Former Champions?
Although its card may be shy of a blockbusting fight that shifts PPV units, UFC 288 could still deliver at least two intriguing narratives. Charles Oliveira returns to the Octagon against Beneil Dariush, and he will be seeking redemption after a hurtful loss to Islam Makhachev last time out that ultimately cost him the lightweight championship.
The headline bout will see the long-awaited return of Henry Cejudo, the former bantamweight king who surprisingly retired at the age of 33 in 2020.
Any notion that Cejudo would shake off the ring rust with a simple assignment was quickly dispelled when he accepted a fight with current bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, the New Yorker who is currently in the midst of a five-year unbeaten streak.
“I will bring war to you.”
Triple C believes he already has the playbook to defeat the bantamweight champ 📖 #UFC288
(via @dc_mma) pic.twitter.com/RIAzOygSjf
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 23, 2023
5 Underrated Things To Do in the Pacific Northwest
Moving to a big city can change your life for the better, and places such as Seattle and Portland have a lot to offer. From pristine forests and rocky coastlines to bustling nightlife and vibrant arts scenes, the Pacific Northwest is bursting with entertainment and activities to try. If you think that coffee and beanies are all there is to living in Washington and Oregon, you haven’t really explored much. Here are five underrated things to do in the Pacific Northwest.
1. Join an MMA Training Gym
If you are interested in improving your physical fitness while living in Washington or Oregon, you can join an MMA training gym. Mixed Martial Arts has become incredibly popular in recent years, so you won’t have any trouble finding a place to train. MMA is a combination of different martial arts and sports techniques, including boxing, judo, jujitsu, muay Thai fighting, and more. Because it’s a sport with a lot of diverse moves and techniques, you will never get bored of training in an MMA style.
A Look at MMA Fighters Who Also Enjoy Playing Poker
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and poker might seem like two very different worlds, but these two passions collide for some fighters. Many MMA fighters have been known to enjoy playing poker, and some have even become quite successful at it. You may ask yourself why these individuals engage in this intriguing card game. Well, poker’s mental and strategic aspects are similar to those required in MMA.
Both pursuits require high focus, discipline, and the ability to think quickly and make smart decisions under pressure. Additionally, poker offers a different challenge for fighters looking for a new way to test themselves outside the cage. Another reason MMA fighters might enjoy playing poker is the game’s social aspect. Poker is a great way to connect with other people and build relationships, which fighters may value highly given the individualistic nature of their sport.
Poker also allows fighters to compete against others in a less physically demanding way than MMA, making it fun to blow off steam and stay mentally sharp. To sign up with a credible poker site, interested martial artists and other individuals can check out reviews from www.top10pokersites.net to select a platform where they can play real money games. That said, this article will closely examine some MMA fighters who enjoy playing poker and explore why these two seemingly different pursuits have much in common.
Listing the best Australian MMA fighters and their reasons for fame
Mixed martial arts (MMA) has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with millions of fans tuning in to watch the thrilling fights and exciting moments that take place inside the octagon. Australia has produced some of the most talented and accomplished fighters in the sport, with numerous athletes making their mark on the global stage.
The history of MMA in Australia can be traced back to the 1990s, when the sport was first introduced to the country. Since then, it has grown in popularity, with more and more fighters emerging from the local scene and making their way to the top promotions like the UFC, Bellator, and ONE Championship. Today, Australia is widely regarded as one of the hotbeds of MMA talent, with fighters representing the country at the highest levels of the sport.
This blog post will explore some of the best Australian MMA fighters and their reasons for fame. From Robert Whittaker, the former UFC middleweight champion, to Alexander Volkanovski, the reigning UFC featherweight champion, we will delve into the stories behind their success and examine what sets them apart from their peers. Additionally, we will look at the significance of these fighters in the global MMA scene and the future of the sport in Australia.




