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.
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.
| Thursday, December 31st 2026: Rizin FF Super Rizin 6: Shiwasu no Owarinagoya Gekokujo Matsuri | |||
 [#1 W105] Natalia Kuziutina |  [#4 W105] Saori Oshima | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 9/10/2026 [Rizin Fighting Federation] Last Opponent: [#18 W105] Rena Kubota Last 5: W W W W W | Last Fight Date: 7/18/2026 [Rizin Fighting Federation] Last Opponent: [#13 W105] Ye Ji Lee Last 5: L W L W W | ||
| Sunday, December 13th 2026: Deep - 135 Impact | |||
| [#3 SW] Sukai China | [#4 SW] Jo Arai | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 5/04/2026 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [#6 SW] Sora Sugiyama Last 5: W W W W W | Last Fight Date: 9/13/2026 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [#23 SW] Daichi Kitakata Last 5: L L W L W | ||
| Sunday, December 13th 2026: Deep Tokyo Impact 2026 6th Round | |||
| [#6 SW] Sora Sugiyama | [#10 SW] Goal Makino | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 9/20/2026 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [NR] Musashi Musashi Last 5: W W W L W | Last Fight Date: 9/06/2026 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [#42 SW] Toshiya Takashima Last 5: W W W W W | ||
| [#18 W125] |  Lucia Szabova | [#1 WW] | Islam Makhachev | |
| [#18 LW] |  Renato Carneiro | [#1 FW] |  Alexander Volkanovski | |
| [#8 HW] |  Josh Hokit | [#13 LW] | Tom Nolan | |
| [#26 WW] | Jacobe Smith | [#102 W125] | Tainara Lisboa | |
| [#1 LW] | Justin Gaethje | [#2 LW] |  Ilia Topuria |
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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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
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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Featherweight (145)
[#2] Max Holloway (24-7-0, -829) vs. [*] Chan Sung Jung (17-7-0, +522)
Max Holloway is the All-Time #3 ranked Featherweight and #9 ranked Absolute fighter.
Chan Sung Jung is the All-Time #22 ranked Featherweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Max Holloway (2-1-0)
2023-04-15: W vs. [#5FW] Arnold Allen (19-2-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
2022-07-02: L vs. [#1FW/#1DD/#2P4P] Alexander Volkanovski (26-2-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
2021-11-13: W vs. [#3FW] Yair Rodriguez (15-4-0) via UD (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Last 3 Fights: Chan Sung Jung (1-2-0)
2022-04-09: L vs. [#1FW/#1DD/#2P4P] Alexander Volkanovski (26-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:45 of round 4
2021-06-19: W vs. [#10FW] Dan Ige (17-6-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
2020-10-17: L vs. [#8FW] Brian Ortega (15-3-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Max Holloway | -829 | 84.73% | |
| Elo K170 | Max Holloway | 2251.02 | +261.18 | 76.73% |
| Elo Modified | Max Holloway | 2221.35 | +267.34 | 76.32% |
| Glicko-1 | Max Holloway | 2304.21 | +327.37 | 86.81% |
| WHR | Max Holloway | 2112.96 | +299.21 | 79.69% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Max Holloway 133, Chan Sung Jung 504
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Max Holloway leads 6-4
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Light Heavyweight (205)
[#14] Ryan Spann (21-8-0, -151) vs. [#16] Anthony Smith (36-18-0, +123)
Anthony Smith is the All-Time #29 ranked Light Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Ryan Spann (2-1-0)
2023-03-11: L vs. [#9LHW] Nikita Krylov (30-8-0) via Submission (Triangle Choke) in 3:38 of round 1
2022-11-12: W vs. [#25LHW] Dominick Reyes (12-4-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:20 of round 1
2022-05-14: W vs. [#28LHW] Ion Cutelaba (17-9-1) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:22 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Anthony Smith (1-2-0)
2023-05-13: L vs. [#10LHW] Johnny Walker (21-7-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2022-07-30: L vs. [#6LHW] Magomed Ankalaev (17-1-1) via TKO (Punches) in 3:09 of round 2
2021-09-18: W vs. [#14LHW] Ryan Spann (21-8-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 3:47 of round 1
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Ryan Spann | -151 | 57.29% | |
| Elo K170 | Ryan Spann | 1830.17 | +13.92 | 51.59% |
| Elo Modified | Anthony Smith | 1824.77 | +7.39 | 50.81% |
| Glicko-1 | Anthony Smith | 1921.70 | +36.11 | 55.18% |
| WHR | Anthony Smith | 1771.60 | +38.06 | 54.34% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ryan Spann 168, Anthony Smith 105
Previous Match-up Record: Anthony Smith leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Featherweight (145)
[#18] Alex Caceres (21-13-0, +186) vs. [*] Giga Chikadze (14-3-0, -237)
Last 3 Fights: Alex Caceres (2-1-0)
2023-06-03: W vs. [#55FW] Daniel Pineda (28-15-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2022-12-17: W vs. [#102FW] Julian Erosa (28-11-0) via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) in 3:04 of round 1
2022-03-12: L vs. [#22FW] Sodiq Yusuff (13-2-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Giga Chikadze (2-1-0)
2022-01-15: L vs. [#7FW] Calvin Kattar (23-7-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-44)
2021-08-28: W vs. [#19FW] Edson Barboza (23-11-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:44 of round 3
2021-05-01: W vs. [#32FW] Cub Swanson (29-13-0) via TKO (Body Kick and Punches) in 1:03 of round 1
| System | Favorite | Rating | Rating Diff | Win % |
| Betting Odds | Giga Chikadze | -237 | 66.79% | |
| Elo K170 | Alex Caceres | 1877.02 | +46.52 | 55.29% |
| Elo Modified | Alex Caceres | 1870.24 | +54.97 | 55.99% |
| Glicko-1 | Alex Caceres | 1908.47 | +39.80 | 55.70% |
| WHR | Alex Caceres | 1764.82 | +65.01 | 57.37% |
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Alex Caceres 84, Giga Chikadze 588
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Alex Caceres leads 1-0
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