Notable Info
- Men’s Flyweight expanded to Top 350 (from 300).
- Women’s Flyweight and Strawweight expanded to Top 100 (from 75).
- Bareknuckle MMA (not boxing) results will now be recognized in the rankings.
In MMA, What Fight is Most Wanted Right Now?
The year 2023 has been remarkable for the MMA world. Many big fights took place this year, leaving fans hungry for more, introducing emerging talents, reminding the crowd that some veterans are still here to make some noise, and proving that this sport is anything but done.
The UFC once again has taken all the spotlight with its big events and major fights, including Islam Makhachev beating Alexander Volkanovski, Brandon Moreno beating Deiveson Figueiredo in their fourth fight, as well as Israel Adesanya, who defied the odds with a notable KO over Alex Pereira to reclaim his light-heavyweight championship.
These are only a couple of fights that made the rounds around the MMA world in the first eight months of the year. Moreover, a couple of bouts have been drawing more and more attention from fans, who want to see the biggest names in the business put on a show.
Several fights, including the debuts of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and controversial boxer Jake Paul at the Professional Fighters League (PFL), are getting some hype from fans. Still, only one is making the most noise right now, and you’re about to learn more about it.
Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)
| Friday, October 16th 2026: PFL Chicago: Carmouche vs. Bishop 2 | |||
 [#6 W125] Liz Carmouche | [#14 W125] Jena Bishop | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 6/27/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#16 W125] Viviane Araujo Last 5: L W W W W | Last Fight Date: 6/27/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#36 W125] Ariane Lipski da Silva Last 5: W W L W W | ||
| Thursday, December 31st 2026: Rizin FF New Years Eve Event | |||
 [#5 FW] Rajabali Shaidullaev |  [#17 FW] Kyoma Akimoto | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 9/10/2026 [Rizin Fighting Federation] Last Opponent: [#7 FW] A.J. McKee Last 5: W W W W W | Last Fight Date: 8/11/2026 [Rizin Fighting Federation] Last Opponent: [#26 FW] Kleber Koike Erbst Last 5: W W W W W | ||
| Saturday, November 14th 2026: Professional Fighters League PFL Returns to Dubai: Nemkov vs. Bilostenniy | |||
 [#6 HW] Vadim Nemkov | [#16 HW] Sergey Bilostenniy | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 12/13/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#20 HW] Renan Ferreira Last 5: W W W W W | Last Fight Date: 5/02/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#20 HW] Renan Ferreira Last 5: W W L W W | ||
Featured Fighters
| [#43 WW] |  Roberto Soldic | [#1 WW] | Islam Makhachev | |
| [#8 BW] | Payton Talbott | [#28 FLW] |  Imanol Rodriguez | |
| [#26 MW] | Roman Kopylov | [#63 MW] |  Damian Pinas | |
| [#29 LW] |  Esteban Ribovics | [#2 LW] |  Ilia Topuria | |
| [#15 LW] |  Salahdine Parnasse | [#62 WW] | Kalinn Williams |
From Passion to Profession: The Journey of Aspiring MMA Fighters
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a sport that has gained significant popularity over the years. It’s a unique blend of various martial arts disciplines, requiring fighters to be proficient in multiple styles. The journey from being an MMA enthusiast to becoming a professional fighter is a challenging yet rewarding one. This article explores this journey, highlighting the steps involved and the dedication required.
MMA Live Betting: Navigating the Fast-Paced Action
Online sports betting was birthed in 1994 when the tiny island nation of Antigua and Barbuda decided to legalize this entertainment form through its Free Trade and Processing Act, which allowed companies based in this country to offer remote gambling services. A year before this event, in Denver, inside the McNicholas Sports Arena, in front of an audience of seven thousand and eight hundred people, the UFC ran its first tournament, in which Royce Gracie tapped out Gerard Gordeau in the final. While live wagering on mixed martial arts matches was not a thing in the 1990s, it is all the rage today, with virtually every top-shelf digital sportsbook allowing this practice.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC 293: Adesanya vs. Strickland (09-09-2023)
Middleweight Championship (185)
[#1/#8DD/#4P4P] Israel Adesanya (24-2-0, -606) vs. [#8] Sean Strickland (27-5-0, +417)
Israel Adesanya is the All-Time #2 ranked Middleweight and #15 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Israel Adesanya (2-1-0)
2023-04-08: W vs. [#1LHW] Alex Pereira (8-2-0) via KO (Punches) in 4:21 of round 2
2022-11-12: L vs. [#1LHW] Alex Pereira (8-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:01 of round 5
2022-07-02: W vs. [#2MW] Jared Cannonier (17-6-0) via UD (49-46, 50-45, 49-46)
Last 3 Fights: Sean Strickland (2-1-0)
2023-07-01: W vs. [#59MW] Abusupiyan Magomedov (25-5-1) via TKO in 4:20 of round 2
2023-01-14: W vs. [#18MW] Nassourdine Imavov (12-4-0) via UD (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
2022-12-17: L vs. [#2MW] Jared Cannonier (17-6-0) via SD (49-46, 46-49, 49-46)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Israel Adesanya | -606 | 81.61% | |
| Elo K170 | Israel Adesanya | 2253.11 | +236.14 | 74.63% |
| Elo Modified | Israel Adesanya | 2239.36 | +232.60 | 73.46% |
| Glicko-1 | Israel Adesanya | 2286.67 | +217.10 | 77.72% |
| WHR | Israel Adesanya | 2106.25 | +155.67 | 67.06% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Israel Adesanya 154, Sean Strickland 70
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Israel Adesanya leads 2-0
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Heavyweight (265)
[#5] Alexander Volkov (36-10-0, -204) vs. [#8] Tai Tuivasa (14-5-0, +166)
Alexander Volkov is the All-Time #28 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Alexander Volkov (2-1-0)
2023-03-11: W vs. [#18HW+] Alexander Romanov (17-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:16 of round 1
2022-06-04: W vs. [#13HW+] Jairzinho Rozenstruik (13-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:12 of round 1
2022-03-19: L vs. [#6HW+] Tom Aspinall (13-3-0) via Submission (Straight Armbar) in 3:45 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Tai Tuivasa (1-2-0)
2022-12-03: L vs. [#3HW+] Sergei Pavlovich (18-1-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:54 of round 1
2022-09-03: L vs. [#2HW+] Ciryl Gane (12-2-0) via KO (Punches) in 4:23 of round 3
2022-02-12: W vs. [#11HW+] Derrick Lewis (27-11-0) via KO (Elbow) in 1:40 of round 2
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Alexander Volkov | -204 | 64.09% | |
| Elo K170 | Alexander Volkov | 1975.43 | +170.75 | 68.57% |
| Elo Modified | Alexander Volkov | 1995.43 | +163.30 | 67.15% |
| Glicko-1 | Alexander Volkov | 2079.41 | +199.98 | 75.97% |
| WHR | Alexander Volkov | 1937.97 | +200.93 | 71.46% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Alexander Volkov 182, Tai Tuivasa 280
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 3 win(s) against common opposition.
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Flyweight (125)
[#7] Manel Kape (18-6-0, -381) vs. [#133] Felipe dos Santos (8-0-0, +280)
Manel Kape is the All-Time #41 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Manel Kape (3-0-0)
2022-12-17: W vs. [#32FLY] David Dvorak (20-6-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2021-12-04: W vs. [#70FLY] Zhalgas Zhumagulov (14-9-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:02 of round 1
2021-08-07: W vs. [#55FLY] Ode Osbourne (12-6-0) via KO (Flying Knee and Punches) in 4:44 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Felipe dos Santos (3-0-0)
2022-11-04: W vs. [#310FLY] Hugo Paiva (6-2-0) via UD ()
2022-05-29: W vs. [#521BW] Rafael Montouro Ribeiro (7-3-0) via SD ()
2022-03-06: W vs. [#87FLY] Marcos Degli (9-4-0) via Submission in 0:33 of round 3
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Manel Kape | -381 | 75.05% | |
| Elo K170 | Manel Kape | 1772.48 | +296.09 | 79.46% |
| Elo Modified | Manel Kape | 1786.23 | +308.51 | 79.42% |
| Glicko-1 | Manel Kape | 1859.08 | +398.22 | 90.83% |
| WHR | Manel Kape | 1791.15 | +296.98 | 79.52% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Manel Kape 266, Felipe dos Santos 309
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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Cage Warriors in Manchester: Attractions Before the Fight
As the foremost MMA promotion in Britain, Cage Warriors schedules many fights across the UK and often finds fighting talent before they go international – Michael Bisping and Conor McGregor are the best examples. While the UFC comes to Britain once a year, Cage Warriors consistently put on a show inside its cities. This year, Cage Warriors 160 is coming to Manchester so for those planning to travel for the event, let’s take a look at some of the sights there are to see in the city during your stay.
🚨 Manchester, #CW160 pre-sale is now 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡!
📥 Check your inbox for exclusive access…
General sale starts tomorrow at 11AM! 🔔 pic.twitter.com/4YmXiAcXUa
— Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) July 13, 2023
Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Spivak (09-02-2023)
Heavyweight (265)
[#2] Ciryl Gane (11-2-0, -182) vs. [#9] Sergey Spivak (16-3-0, +147)
Ciryl Gane is the All-Time #23 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Ciryl Gane (1-2-0)
2023-03-04: L vs. [#1HW+/#7P4P] Jon Jones (27-1-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:04 of round 1
2022-09-03: W vs. [#8HW+] Tai Tuivasa (14-5-0) via KO (Punches) in 4:23 of round 3
2022-01-22: L vs. [*] Francis Ngannou (17-3-0) via UD (48-47, 49-46, 48-47)
Last 3 Fights: Sergey Spivak (3-0-0)
2023-02-04: W vs. [#11HW+] Derrick Lewis (27-11-0) via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 3:05 of round 1
2022-08-06: W vs. [#30HW+] Augusto Sakai (16-5-1) via TKO (Punches) in 3:42 of round 2
2022-03-05: W vs. [*] Greg Hardy (7-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:16 of round 1
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Ciryl Gane | -182 | 61.44% | |
| Elo K170 | Ciryl Gane | 2102.64 | +251.46 | 75.93% |
| Elo Modified | Ciryl Gane | 2097.42 | +236.20 | 73.77% |
| Glicko-1 | Ciryl Gane | 2170.54 | +252.97 | 81.10% |
| WHR | Ciryl Gane | 1973.15 | +159.55 | 67.46% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ciryl Gane 182, Sergey Spivak 210
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 2 win(s) against common opposition.
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Women Flyweight (125)
[#4] Manon Fiorot (10-1-0, -196) vs. [*] Rose Namajunas (11-5-0, +156)
Rose Namajunas is the All-Time #9 ranked Women’s fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Manon Fiorot (3-0-0)
2022-10-22: W vs. [#6FLY] Katlyn Chookagian (18-5-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2022-03-26: W vs. [#9FLY] Jennifer Maia (21-9-1) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2021-10-16: W vs. [#5BW] Mayra Bueno Silva (11-2-1) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Last 3 Fights: Rose Namajunas (2-1-0)
2022-05-07: L vs. [#2SW/#3DD/#6P4P] Carla Esparza (19-7-0) via SD ()
2021-11-06: W vs. [#1SW/#1DD/#1P4P] Weili Zhang (24-3-0) via SD (47-48, 49-46, 48-47)
2021-04-24: W vs. [#1SW/#1DD/#1P4P] Weili Zhang (24-3-0) via KO (Head Kick) in 1:18 of round 1
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Manon Fiorot | -196 | 62.89% | |
| Elo K170 | Rose Namajunas | 1887.33 | +94.42 | 60.62% |
| Elo Modified | Rose Namajunas | 1821.18 | +13.13 | 51.44% |
| Glicko-1 | Rose Namajunas | 1822.30 | +39.27 | 55.63% |
| WHR | Rose Namajunas | 1774.94 | +28.33 | 53.23% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Manon Fiorot 315, Rose Namajunas 483
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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Lightweight (155)
[#27] Thiago Moises (17-6-0) vs. [#51] Benoit St. Denis (11-1-0)
Last 3 Fights: Thiago Moises (2-1-0)
2023-01-21: W vs. [#83FW] Melquizael Costa (20-6-0) via Submission (Face Crank) in 4:05 of round 2
2022-06-25: W vs. [#68LW] Christos Giagos (20-10-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 3:05 of round 1
2021-11-13: L vs. [#36LW] Joel Alvarez (20-3-0) via TKO (Elbows and Punches) in 3:01 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Benoit St. Denis (3-0-0)
2023-07-01: W vs. [#81LW] Ismael Bonfim (19-4-0) via SUB in 4:48 of round 1
2022-09-03: W vs. [#590LW] Gabriel Miranda (16-6-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:16 of round 2
2022-06-04: W vs. [#443WW] Niklas Stolze (12-6-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 1:32 of round 2
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Elo K170 | Thiago Moises | 1855.83 | +42.17 | 54.80% |
| Elo Modified | Thiago Moises | 1857.38 | +16.61 | 51.82% |
| Glicko-1 | Benoit St. Denis | 1911.25 | +3.46 | 50.50% |
| WHR | Thiago Moises | 1830.16 | +37.91 | 54.32% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Thiago Moises 224, Benoit St. Denis 63
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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