Former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix agreed to part ways with the PFL on Tuesday, mak...

Former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix agreed to part ways with the PFL on Tuesday, making him one of the top free agents in mixed martial arts.Mix is officially free to sign with any promotion, as the PFL doesn't have a matching period, sources told <a href="https://x.com/arielhelwani/status/1922443014082822594">Uncrowned's Ariel Helwani</a>."Professional Fighters League and Patchy Mix have mutually agreed to not extend his contract," the promotion <a href="https://x.com/PFLMMA/status/1922433803890413949">said</a> in a statement. "We both decided this is the best course of action for PFL and him.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Patchy is a fantastic fighter and we wish him well. PFL is excited to crown our next 135-pound champion in the PFL World Tournament."Mix, who holds a 20-1 pro record, is considered one of the best bantamweights outside the UFC. The 31-year-old held the Bellator bantamweight title from November 2023 to earlier this year when the PFL dissolved the Bellator brand."I want to thank the PFL," Mix <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJnS31uyQqp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=4927e982-2eed-40db-ad59-1e6727321ee4">wrote</a> on Instagram. "As we all know, the sport of mixed martial arts needs the PFL to continue giving top fighters opportunities, as it's the only other major company in MMA. I wish the PFL all the success in the world going forward, as well as former competitors and everyone that's helped make these great moments throughout the years."Mix signed with Bellator in 2019 and was one of many fighters who transitioned to the PFL after the Donn Davis-led promotion purchased Bellator in 2023. However, Mix has competed just once since the acquisition, defeating Magomed Magomedov at a Bellator Champions Series event in May 2024 in Paris.The Buffalo native went 9-1 under the PFL/Bellator banner, earning wins against the likes of Sergio Pettis, Kyoji Horiguchi, and Raufeon Stots. Mix has been a pro fighter since 2016.

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PFL releases ex-Bellator champ Mix

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is adamant that he's not ducking interim champ Tom Aspinall.  ...

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is adamant that he's not ducking interim champ Tom Aspinall."I've got people in the chat calling me a duck. Meanwhile, I'm living my absolute best life," Jones <a href="https://x.com/acdmma_/status/1922255386242875903">said</a> on Instagram Live earlier this week while apparently riding a motorcycle."I don't know if it's considered ducking when you're living good. I don't think it works like that."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>MMA fans have been eager to see Jones and Aspinall square off in a title unification bout for well over a year, though it's yet to materialize. UFC CEO Dana White said in March he was "very confident" the fight would happen this summer. From all accounts, the holdup is on Jones' side and is likely a financial issue. Aspinall <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3284959" href="https://thescore.com/news/3284959">said</a> earlier this week he was "bored" of waiting for the fight to happen.Jones, one of the greatest fighters of all time, has defended the heavyweight title just once since winning it in March 2023. He finished Stipe Miocic by third-round TKO at UFC 309 last November. Jones said after his victory that he preferred a superfight with then-light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira over a unification bout against Aspinall, and that retirement was also on the table.Aspinall has held the interim heavyweight title since November 2023 and recently became the longest-reigning interim champion in UFC history.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: Jon Jones of the United States of America reacts after his TKO victory against Stipe Miocic of the United States of America in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City.

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Jones refutes ducking claims: 'I'm living my absolute best life'

Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision to capture the UFC welterweig...

Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision to capture the UFC welterweight championship in the UFC 315 main event Saturday night at Bell Centre in Montreal.The judges scored the fight 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 in Della Maddalena's favor.Della Maddalena's sharp striking, distance management, and takedown defense guided him to a hard-fought victory. He outstruck Muhammad in all five rounds and fended off six of nine takedown attempts, keeping the fight almost entirely on the feet.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"It's exactly how I thought it would feel," Della Maddalena said in his postfight interview after becoming the new champion. "It feels f-----g good."He added: "Coming in there against someone like Belal with that sort of pressure and wrestling, I knew I had to be smart. I couldn't spend too much time on my back."Della Maddalena put an exclamation mark on his performance in the fifth round, outslugging Muhammad and bloodying him with hard punches. Della Maddalena said he tried to score a late knockout and gave Muhammad kudos for being tough to finish."I looked up at the clock and saw 30 seconds left," Della Maddalena said. "I thought I was ahead, but I wanted to keep pushing. I wanted to take him out of there. I was gunning for a late finish. But Belal is the man. He's a tough dude. He's not easy to put away."Della Maddalena, who entered the fight as the No. 5-ranked welterweight, wasn't expected to get the next title shot until three months ago. He was originally scheduled to face Leon Edwards at UFC London in March, but the promotion placed him in the title fight against Muhammad instead when Shavkat Rakhmonov was unavailable because of an injury.Della Maddalena outlanded Muhammad 200-155 in total strikes and 178-132 in significant strikes. He held Muhammad, one of the best wrestlers in the division, to just 3:21 of control time. Muhammad didn't secure his first takedown until the fourth round, and by then, it was too late for him to overcome Della Maddalena's edge in the stand-up department.Della Maddalena lifted his UFC record to 8-0 and extended his winning streak to 18 overall. He's the third Australian-born champion in UFC history after Robert Whittaker and Alexander Volkanovski.UFC CEO Dana White suggested earlier this week that lightweight champion Islam Makhachev would move up to welterweight to challenge for a second title if Della Maddalena were to beat Muhammad at UFC 315. In his postfight interview Saturday, Della Maddalena said he'd be more than happy to take on the Dagestani."It's a beautiful challenge," Della Maddalena said. "He's pound-for-pound No. 1. I'm gonna get him back for Volk."Makhachev <a href="https://x.com/MAKHACHEVMMA/status/1921439326300164188">wrote</a> on X that it's "time to become a double champion." He <a href="https://x.com/MAKHACHEVMMA/status/1921451287121383717">added</a> that he will show Della Maddalena a "different level" and asked the new welterweight champion to "keep my belt clean."Muhammad lost for the first time since January 2019, ending his 11-fight unbeaten streak. He was making his first title defense since dethroning Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - MAY 10: (R-L) Jack Della Maddalena of Australia punches Belal Muhammad in the UFC welterweight championship bout during the UFC 315 event at Bell Centre on May 10, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.

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Della Maddalena beats Muhammad to claim UFC welterweight title

Valentina Shevchenko defeated Manon Fiorot via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) to retain...

Valentina Shevchenko defeated Manon Fiorot via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) to retain the women's flyweight championship in the UFC 315 co-main event Saturday night at Bell Centre in Montreal.Shevchenko secured her first title defense since reclaming the belt last September against Alexa Grasso. The 37-year-old holds the most title-fight wins in women's 125-pound history at 10.Her latest victory against Fiorot was very competitive. Shevchenko started strong in Round 1, landing a few hard counter punches before making Fiorot's nose leak blood with a right hook. She also secured a takedown in the final 90 seconds.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>However, Fiorot responded well in the second, defending Shevchenko's takedown attempts and outworking the champion on the feet. Fiorot managed to make the rest of the fight competitive, but in the end, Shevchenko's offense was a bit more effective than the challenger's. The biggest moment of the fight came in the final seconds of the fourth round when Shevchenko sat Fiorot down with a counter right.Shevchenko is now riding a two-fight winning streak. Fiorot, the No. 1-ranked women's flyweight contender, suffered her first UFC loss, falling to 7-1 in the promotion.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - MAY 10: (L-R) Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan battles Manon Fiorot of France in the UFC flyweight championship bout during the UFC 315 event at Bell Centre on May 10, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.

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Shevchenko edges out Fiorot to retain UFC flyweight title

Jose Aldo seemingly announced his retirement from mixed martial arts after losing to Aiemann Zaha...

Jose Aldo seemingly announced his retirement from mixed martial arts after losing to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315.Aldo suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Zahabi on Saturday night at Bell Centre in Montreal. All three judges scored the fight 29-28 in Zahabi's favor."I don't think I have it in me anymore," Aldo said through an interpreter.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The fight between Aldo and Zahabi was scheduled to take place at bantamweight, but the promotion moved it to featherweight Friday after it became clear Aldo would be unable to make weight."This was a tough week," Aldo said. "It wasn't about the cut or the weight. There were so many things that happened. It was tough to go through all this. This was a very tough week. I felt that I didn't have it in me. I didn't want to cut anymore. My body said no."I don't want to go into war all the time and go through this. I just don't have it in my heart anymore. I think this is the last time you'll see me. I can't do this anymore."Aldo, a former featherweight champion and a UFC Hall of Famer, initially retired from MMA in 2022 but returned to the Octagon in 2024. The 38-year-old Brazilian defeated Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301 last May but then suffered a split-decision loss to Mario Bautista at UFC 307 last October.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - MAY 10: Jose Aldo of Brazil prepares to face Aiemann Zahabi of Canada in a featherweight bout during the UFC 315 event at Bell Centre on May 10, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.

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Aldo appears to retire after UFC 315 loss to Zahabi

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame th...

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer as part of the 2025 class, the promotion announced Saturday night.Belfort was in attendance at UFC 315 in Montreal when play-by-play commentator Jon Anik revealed the news.Nicknamed "The Phenom," Belfort was one of the scariest knockout artists at his peak. He debuted in the Octagon at UFC 12 in 1997 at the age of 19 and went on to enjoy lengthy tenures in the UFC, PRIDE FC, Strikeforce, and other organizations. He captured the UFC light heavyweight title with a stoppage win over Randy Couture at UFC 49 in 2004, but he lost the belt to Couture in his first defense.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Belfort unsuccessfully challenged for gold three times after that: at middleweight against Anderson Silva in 2011 and Chris Weidman in 2015, and at light heavyweight against Jon Jones in 2012.The 48-year-old Brazilian retired from mixed martial arts following a knockout loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 224 in 2018. Belfort has competed in two boxing matches since then: He knocked out former world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield in an exhibition bout in 2021 and defeated former UFC fighter Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza in a pro fight in 2023.

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Vitor Belfort to be inducted into UFC Hall of Fame

Two of the UFC's most promising Canadians kept their momentum going in Montreal.  Welterweight Mi...

Two of the UFC's most promising Canadians kept their momentum going in Montreal.Welterweight Mike Malott and women's flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius earned stoppage wins over Charles Radtke and Jessica Andrade, respectively, in the final two preliminary bouts of UFC 315 on Saturday night at Bell Centre.Malott dropped Radtke with a left hook and then bounced his head off the canvas with a barrage of devastating punches. The referee stepped in at the 0:26 mark of the second round. Press <a href="https://x.com/EzeemmaCraic/status/1921381217640865820">here</a> to watch the finish.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jasudavicius, meanwhile, easily took care of business against Andrade to secure the biggest win of her career. Jasudavicius took Andrade's back early in the first round and then sunk in a rear-naked choke to force the tap at the 2:40 mark. Press <a href="https://x.com/HelmsMMA/status/1921373645064085565">here</a> to watch the finish.Malott, who fights out of Burlington, Ontario, is now riding a two-fight winning streak and is 5-1 in the UFC.Jasudavicius, of St. Catharines, Ontario, has won five in a row. She entered the fight as the No. 9-ranked women's flyweight, while Andrade was No. 7.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - MAY 10: Mike Malott reacts after a knockout victory against Charles Radtke in a welterweight bout during the UFC 315 event at Bell Centre on May 10, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.

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Malott, Jasudavicius earn finishes on UFC 315 preliminary card

Middleweight Bruno Silva was taken out of the Octagon on a stretcher after a knockout loss to Mar...

Middleweight Bruno Silva was taken out of the Octagon on a stretcher after a knockout loss to Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC 315.Barriault finished Silva with a series of elbows against the fence on Saturday's preliminary card in Montreal. Silva appeared unconscious for several minutes after the stoppage but woke up as medical personnel tended to him.UFC commentator Brendan Fitzgerald said later that Silva was alert and moving all extremities. He underwent a scan of the head, face, and neck at a local hospital "as a precautionary measure" after complaining about neck pain. All X-rays were negative. Silva was released from the hospital later Saturday night, his manager told <a href="https://x.com/mma_kings/status/1921404470820233393">MMA Junkie's Nolan King</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/785047/cropped_Screenshot_2025-05-10_at_7.05.34_PM.jpg?ts=1746922003" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/785047/w220xh124_Screenshot_2025-05-10_at_7.05.34_PM.jpg?ts=1746922003 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/785047/w320xh180_Screenshot_2025-05-10_at_7.05.34_PM.jpg?ts=1746922003 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/785047/w640xh360_Screenshot_2025-05-10_at_7.05.34_PM.jpg?ts=1746922003 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/785047/w768xh432_Screenshot_2025-05-10_at_7.05.34_PM.jpg?ts=1746922003 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/785047/w1080xh607_Screenshot_2025-05-10_at_7.05.34_PM.jpg?ts=1746922003 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> ESPN</figcaption></figure>Silva, a 35-year-old from Brazil, suffered his fifth straight loss and seventh in eight fights. This was his first defeat via knockout or TKO. Silva began his UFC career in 2021 with three straight victories.Barriault, of Gatineau, Quebec, snapped a three-fight skid with the win, his first since June 2023.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - MAY 10: (L-R) Bruno Silva of Brazil battles Marc-Andre Barriault of Canada in a middleweight bout during the UFC 315 event at Bell Centre on May 10, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.

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Bruno Silva exits on stretcher after KO loss at UFC 315

Paul Hughes put on a show in front of his hometown fans.  The budding star earned a brutal TKO fi...

Paul Hughes put on a show in front of his hometown fans.The budding star earned a brutal TKO finish over Bruno Miranda just 42 seconds into the PFL Belfast main event Saturday at SSE Arena.Hughes dropped Miranda with a left hook and swarmed him with ground-and-pound, forcing the referee to step in.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
42 SECONDS IS ALL IT TOOK 😱 WHAT A HOMECOMING FOR PAUL HUGHES!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PFLBelfast?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PFLBelfast</a> | LIVE NOW <a href="https://t.co/kuOwUPHvSg">pic.twitter.com/kuOwUPHvSg</a>— PFL (@PFLMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1921309834160324714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Hughes, a 28-year-old who resides in Belfast, Northern Ireland, was headlining an event at home for the first time. It was his first fight in the city since 2019 and his fourth overall."I made my professional debut in this exact arena just over eight years ago," Hughes said in his postfight interview. "Every single time I drove past it, I said, 'I'm gonna fight there some day.' And tonight, I made my dream come true thanks to you."Following the win, Hughes immediately angled for a rematch against Usman Nurmagomedov."Usman Nurmagomedov," Hughes screamed into the microphone. "You can run. You can try to delay this rematch as long as you want. But your day is f-----g coming."Hughes challenged Nurmagomedov for the Bellator lightweight championship in January, losing a majority decision after a thrilling fight. A rematch between Nurmagomedov and Hughes would arguably be one of the biggest fights in PFL history.Hughes is now 3-1 since signing with the PFL in 2024. He defeated Bobby King and former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee in his first two fights before losing to Nurmagomedov. Hughes, who's fought professionally since 2017, is a former Cage Warriors champion."We're a small, wee country, but we're doing big things on the world stage," Hughes said. "I hope I'm representing you all well, because I'm going to the f-----g top."

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Hughes scores 42-second TKO at PFL Belfast, calls out Nurmagomedov

theScore's Nick Baldwin makes his picks for the UFC 315 main-card bouts ahead of Saturday's event...

theScore's Nick Baldwin makes his picks for the UFC 315 main-card bouts ahead of Saturday's event in Montreal.<h3>Welterweight championship</h3>Belal Muhammad (24-3, 1 NC) vs. Jack Della Maddalena (17-2)Belal Muhammad is returning to the Octagon for the first time since dethroning Leon Edwards to become the new welterweight champion at UFC 304 last July. It's also his first fight since developing a bone infection in his foot that forced him out of a planned title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov last December.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>But this weekend, it won't be Rakhmonov standing across from Muhammad in the cage. Instead, it will be Australia's Jack Della Maddalena, who jumped at the opportunity to challenge Muhammad for the title as Rakhmonov recovers from an injury of his own.Della Maddalena, who has won seven straight since his UFC debut in 2022, does a lot of things very well. He's a high-level boxer, arguably one of the best in the promotion. His punches are crisp and fluid. And he has a great killer instinct, as shown in his come-from-behind knockout of Gilbert Burns in March 2024.But this is an MMA fight, not a boxing match.Muhammad, meanwhile, is the definition of a grinder. He does a great job of out-hustling his opponents on the feet, intending to eventually get them to the ground, where he's better than anyone else in the division. Muhammad has fought sharp strikers before - Edwards, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson - and each bout has ended with Muhammad overwhelming and suffocating them with his wrestling. It's not always pretty, but it's effective. And unless Della Maddalena has improved his wrestling defense a ton in the last 14 months, I believe Muhammad will be able to do the same thing to him.Muhammad will come close to finishing Della Maddalena with ground-and-pound late in the fight, but in the end, the champion will settle for a decision victory.The pick: Muhammad, unanimous decision<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784865/cropped_GettyImages-2214126846.jpg?ts=1746812250" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784865/w220xh124_GettyImages-2214126846.jpg?ts=1746812250 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784865/w320xh180_GettyImages-2214126846.jpg?ts=1746812250 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784865/w640xh360_GettyImages-2214126846.jpg?ts=1746812250 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784865/w768xh432_GettyImages-2214126846.jpg?ts=1746812250 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784865/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2214126846.jpg?ts=1746812250 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure><h3>Women's flyweight championship</h3>Valentina Shevchenko (24-4-1) vs. Manon Fiorot (12-1)This is, without question, the toughest matchup available for Valentina Shevchenko in the division. But it's still a passable test for one of the greatest women's fighters of all time.Manon Fiorot is undefeated in the UFC for a reason: She's a very athletic, sharp, and tactical striker who's had her way with all seven of her opponents in the Octagon.The problem for Fiorot is that Shevchenko is just as, if not more, technical on the feet. This isn't to say Fiorot can't beat Shevchenko standing up, but rather their exchanges will be competitive. Shevchenko outstriking Joanna Jedrzejczyk in 2018 is a result that holds up particularly well.If the fight ends up on the ground, it'll be all Shevchenko. She has unreal takedowns, vicious ground-and-pound, and heavy top control in her arsenal. Fiorot has shown solid takedown defense in the past, but she's never fought someone like Shevchenko.Fiorot will be a tough challenge for Shevchenko if the fight takes place mostly in the stand-up department. But with more ways to win, I'm siding with the champion to hold onto the belt.The pick: Shevchenko, unanimous decision<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/592035/cropped_GettyImages-1685813884.jpg?ts=1694926507" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/592035/w220xh124_GettyImages-1685813884.jpg?ts=1694926507 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/592035/w320xh180_GettyImages-1685813884.jpg?ts=1694926507 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/592035/w640xh360_GettyImages-1685813884.jpg?ts=1694926507 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/592035/w768xh432_GettyImages-1685813884.jpg?ts=1694926507 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/592035/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1685813884.jpg?ts=1694926507 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure>Jose Aldo (32-9) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (12-2)Even at 38 years old and with a million miles on his tires, Jose Aldo can outstrike almost anyone.The UFC Hall of Famer and former featherweight champion is clearly nowhere close to the prime of his career, but the ability to land punches and control distance hasn't escaped him yet.That's what makes this matchup with Aiemann Zahabi at least somewhat favorable.Zahabi is a striker through and through. He's landed just one takedown in his UFC career, and that was all the way back in May 2019. Barring a complete overhaul of his game plan, Zahabi will go out there and try to outstrike Aldo - and it won't work.Aldo struggled against Mario Bautista in his last fight: Bautista kept pushing him up against the fence, and Aldo couldn't escape. But that won't be an issue against Zahabi. So give me "The King of Rio" to put forth another impressive performance.The pick: Aldo, unanimous decision<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772224/cropped_GettyImages-2176782560.jpg?ts=1740496309" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772224/w220xh124_GettyImages-2176782560.jpg?ts=1740496309 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772224/w320xh180_GettyImages-2176782560.jpg?ts=1740496309 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772224/w640xh360_GettyImages-2176782560.jpg?ts=1740496309 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772224/w768xh432_GettyImages-2176782560.jpg?ts=1740496309 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772224/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2176782560.jpg?ts=1740496309 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure>Other main-card predictions: Alexa Grasso def. Natalia Silva by split decision; Benoit Saint Denis def. Kyle Prepolec by second-round knockout

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UFC 315 predictions: Who has the edge in Muhammad-Della Maddalena?

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev intends to hold on to his title no matter what.  Makhach...

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev intends to hold on to his title no matter what.Makhachev said Friday he won't relinquish the 155-pound belt, even if he moves up in weight after welterweight champion Belal Muhammad faces Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 this weekend in Montreal."This Saturday's main event will define what my next move is," Makhachev <a href="https://x.com/MAKHACHEVMMA/status/1920911414387950050">wrote</a> on X. "But regardless of (the) outcome (of) that fight, I'm not going to vacate my lightweight title. We might get (a) real contender there."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>UFC CEO Dana White hinted Thursday that the Muhammad-Della Maddalena fight will determine Makhachev's next opponent. White implied that if Muhammad beats Della Maddalena, Makhachev would likely defend the lightweight title against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 on June 28. But if Della Maddalena dethrones Muhammad, Makhachev would likely move up to 170 pounds to challenge the Australian later this year.Muhammad has trained with Makhachev in the past and said he'll never fight him.Makhachev, ranked No. 1 on the UFC's men's pound-for-pound list, is one of the most dominant champions in 155-pound history, having defended the title four times. The 33-year-old Dagestani most recently submitted Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in January. Makhachev has long expressed a desire to win a second title in the promotion.Despite Makhachev's dominance, there are several lightweight contenders waiting in line for a title shot, including Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, and Justin Gaethje.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Islam Makhachev of Russia reacts after a submission victory against Renato Moicano of Brazil in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 311 event at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

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Makhachev says he won't vacate UFC lightweight title

UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena made weight Friday before they ...

UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena made weight Friday before they square off in the UFC 315 main event Saturday in Montreal.Muhammad and Della Maddalena both weighed in at 170 pounds.Ian Machado Garry weighed in as a backup for the main event, hitting 168 pounds.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Women's flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko and Manon Fiorot were also on the mark for the co-main event. Shevchenko came in at 124 pounds, and Fiorot tipped the scale at 125.Additionally, the UFC announced midway through the weigh-in session that the bantamweight fight between Jose Aldo and Aiemann Zahabi had moved to featherweight. The promotion made the change earlier Friday when it became clear Aldo wouldn't make weight, according to <a href="https://x.com/arielhelwani/status/1920835547662082086">Uncrowned's Ariel Helwani</a>.Here are the full UFC 315 weigh-in results:<h3>Main card (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Belal Muhammad (170) vs. Jack Della Maddalena (170)</li>
<li>Valentina Shevchenko (124) vs. Manon Fiorot (125)</li>
<li>Jose Aldo (143) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (142)</li>
<li>Alexa Grasso (126) vs. Natalia Silva (126)</li>
<li>Benoit Saint Denis (156) vs. Kyle Prepolec (156)</li>
</ul><h3>Preliminary card (ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Mike Malott (171) vs. Charles Radtke (171)</li>
<li>Jessica Andrade (126) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (124)</li>
<li>Modestas Bukauskas (203) vs. Ion Cutelaba (205)</li>
<li>Navajo Stirling (205) vs. Ivan Erslan (205)</li>
</ul><h3>Early preliminary card (ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Marc-Andre Barriault (185) vs. Bruno Silva (187)*</li>
<li>Daniel Santos (146)** vs. JeongYeong Lee (146)</li>
<li>Brad Katona (136) vs. Bekzat Almakhan (136)</li>
</ul>* Missed middleweight limit by one pound, fined 20% of purse ** Made weight on second attempt

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - MAY 09: Belal Muhammad poses on the scale during the UFC 315 official weigh-in at the Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel on May 09, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.

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UFC 315 weigh-in results: Muhammad, Della Maddalena cleared for title fight

UFC 315 is upon us.  In Saturday's main event, Belal Muhammad will defend the welterweight title ...

UFC 315 is upon us.In Saturday's main event, Belal Muhammad will defend the welterweight title for the first time against Jack Della Maddalena. And in the co-headliner, women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko will put her belt on the line against Manon Fiorot.Here are three key storylines ahead of the UFC's return to Bell Centre in Montreal.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Will Muhammad-Della Maddalena decide the UFC 317 main event?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766162/cropped_GettyImages-2194453325.jpg?ts=1737266483" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766162/w220xh124_GettyImages-2194453325.jpg?ts=1737266483 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766162/w320xh180_GettyImages-2194453325.jpg?ts=1737266483 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766162/w640xh360_GettyImages-2194453325.jpg?ts=1737266483 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766162/w768xh432_GettyImages-2194453325.jpg?ts=1737266483 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766162/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2194453325.jpg?ts=1737266483 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure>For weeks, fans have patiently waited for Dana White to announce which fight will headline the UFC's annual International Fight Week pay-per-view event, UFC 317, on June 28 in Las Vegas.It's strange, if not worrisome, that we're seven weeks away from one of the year's biggest events and still don't have a headliner. But fear not, that will likely soon change.There's a good chance Saturday's main event between Muhammad and Della Maddalena will play a major role in deciding the UFC 317 main event and dictating the future of the lightweight division. Islam Makhachev, the promotion's dominant lightweight champion, has openly talked about his desire to move up to 170 pounds to challenge for a second title. A fight against the Muhammad-Della Maddalena winner would seem like the logical next step - ideally at UFC 317, with the promotion running out of options. However, it's not quite this straightforward.Muhammad has said he'll never fight Makhachev because they've previously trained together. Makhachev doesn't seem particularly keen on the matchup either. This leaves the UFC in a bit of a dilemma.If Muhammad beats Della Maddalena and holds onto the welterweight belt, that would likely force Makhachev to stay at 155 pounds for the time being. A title defense against former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria would be a shoo-in for the UFC 317 main event. But if Della Maddalena beats Muhammad, we could end up getting either a quick turnaround for the Australian against Makhachev - or, more likely, an interim or vacant lightweight title bout between Topuria and Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, or Justin Gaethje.<h3>Can Della Maddalena pull off the upset?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/559106/cropped_GettyImages-1366345528.jpg?ts=1675880679" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/559106/w220xh124_GettyImages-1366345528.jpg?ts=1675880679 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/559106/w320xh180_GettyImages-1366345528.jpg?ts=1675880679 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/559106/w640xh360_GettyImages-1366345528.jpg?ts=1675880679 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/559106/w768xh432_GettyImages-1366345528.jpg?ts=1675880679 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/559106/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1366345528.jpg?ts=1675880679 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure>Della Maddalena has proven to be a formidable welterweight contender throughout his three-year UFC run, but there's no question this is a massive step up.Della Maddalena - whose best wins are a come-from-behind knockout of Gilbert Burns and a split decision over Kevin Holland - has never fought someone of Muhammad's caliber. On top of that, he hasn't even headlined a UFC event until now. Though he's been scheduled for a few five-round fights on the regional circuit, Della Maddalena has never made it past the third round.That's what makes this title fight such a tall order, at least on paper.Of course, Della Maddalena wasn't supposed to be here. Not yet, anyway. Shavkat Rakhmonov was in line to challenge Muhammad next but was unavailable due to an injury. Della Maddalena just happened to be in the right place at the right time. This, at least to some degree, hampers the expectations for Della Maddalena. If he manages to pull off the upset and become champion, it would be quite the story.<h3>Odds stacked against Shevchenko in latest title defense</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/cropped_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure>It's rare for a UFC champion to be an underdog in a title defense, and even rarer when it's an all-time great. But that's exactly the scenario Shevchenko finds herself in against Fiorot, as she's +110 on theScore Bet as of Wednesday afternoon.Whether you agree or disagree with those odds, it's not difficult to see why Shevchenko is the underdog. Fiorot is undefeated in the UFC and has looked like a future champion since debuting in 2021. And although Fiorot is only two years younger than the 37-year-old Shevchenko, she has way more tread on her tires, having turned pro in 2018. In comparison, Shevchenko has been fighting professionally since 2003.Shevchenko will need a near-perfect night to retain the title, so the pressure is on. But if there's anyone who can fend off this level of challenge and prove why she's a GOAT, well, it's "Bullet."

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3 biggest storylines ahead of UFC 315

A grudge match between top-15 middleweights Marvin Vettori and Brendan Allen has been rescheduled...

A grudge match between top-15 middleweights Marvin Vettori and Brendan Allen has been rescheduled for UFC 318 on July 19 in New Orleans, sources told <a href="https://www.mmamania.com/2025/5/7/24425877/bad-blood-brendan-allen-vs-marvin-vettori-re-booked-for-ufc-318-in-new-orleans">MMA Mania's Alex Behunin</a> on Wednesday.Vettori and Allen were initially slated to square off in a UFC Fight Night main event in April 2024, but an injury forced Vettori out of the matchup. Weeks later, the two <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3055063" href="https://thescore.com/news/3055063">got into a brawl</a> on a casino floor after a PFL event in Florida.Vettori, ranked No. 10 in the division, is looking to get back on track from the first losing streak of his professional career. The 31-year-old Italian is coming off a unanimous decision defeat to Roman Dolidze in a March main event. Vettori hasn't won a fight in over two years.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Allen, the No. 11-ranked middleweight, has also lost two straight. The 29-year-old dropped a unanimous decision to Anthony Hernandez in February after falling short to current No. 1 contender Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Paris last September. Allen had won seven in a row before the recent slump.In the UFC 318 main event, Dustin Poirier will make the final walk of his MMA career in a trilogy bout against former featherweight champion and current BMF titleholder Max Holloway.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 15: Marvin Vettori of Italy prepares to face Roman Dolidze of Georgia in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on March 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Report: Vettori-Allen rebooked for UFC 318 in New Orleans

Bo Nickal is taking the first loss of his MMA career in stride.  The UFC middleweight prospect ca...

Bo Nickal is taking the first loss of his MMA career in stride.The UFC middleweight prospect came up short for the first time this past weekend, suffering a second-round TKO defeat to Reinier de Ridder in Des Moines, Iowa.Nickal reflected on the setback Tuesday on "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdFehoNurYc">The Ariel Helwani Show</a>," vowing to continue to improve his game.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I don't really feel like the goal or myself or anything has changed," Nickal said. "It's unfortunate to kind of have to experience that because I hate losing. But I think even now, having gone through many, many losses in the past, and feeling like those were some of the biggest catalyzing moments in my career, I'm already very grateful for it. I think this is nothing but a learning opportunity and an experience that I think will just help me grow and improve and get better."Nickal, a three-time Division-I national champion in folkstyle wrestling, joined the UFC in 2023 as one of the brightest prospects in years. He found immediate success in the Octagon, scoring four straight wins, including three by stoppage.But De Ridder, a former ONE Championship two-division titleholder with a significant edge in MMA experience, was too much for Nickal. De Ridder overpowered Nickal on the feet before finishing him with a devastating knee to the body in the second round.Nickal said he was underprepared but credited De Ridder for being the "better fighter" and uncovering some holes in his skill set."When I look at that fight and some of the things that kind of were his biggest positives in the fight, those were things that I really wasn't prepared for," Nickal said. "So now it's like, 'All right, that's eye-opening.' I realized there were certain situations where I was vulnerable and certain weaknesses I had in my game, and those have been exposed. And now I get to work on them, which is a good thing."When asked if he overlooked De Ridder, Nickal said he didn't - and that his mindset was much different."I looked at (De Ridder) as a really big test. ... Knowing the danger of the fight going in, I felt like there was a lot of opportunity and chances for me to have weaknesses in my game exposed, and that's exactly what happened," Nickal said. "I wasn't really afraid of that going in. I think more than being overconfident, it's just being naive. Being in certain situations and not realizing that I'm in danger. It just comes with experience."Again, I had an experience this past weekend that I'm gonna be really, really grateful for in the long run. He fought his fight, and I fought his fight, too. That's something that, moving forward in the future, I'm gonna know not to do."Nickal, who now sits at 7-1 in pro MMA, said he hopes to return to the cage sooner than later."I'll talk to the coaches and see what's best," Nickal said. "Got to get back to 100% and feel like I can put a training camp together. We'll see. I would like to fight a couple more times this year. So getting back as quickly as possible would be good for me."

DES MOINES, IOWA - MAY 03: Bo Nickal reacts after his TKO loss to Reinier de Ridder of The Netherlands in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Wells Fargo Arena on May 03, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa.

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Nickal says he was 'exposed' in 1st UFC loss

Naoya Inoue stopped Ramon Cardenas in a thriller to retain the undisputed junior featherweight ch...

Naoya Inoue stopped Ramon Cardenas in a thriller to retain the undisputed junior featherweight championship Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.The finish came at the 0:45 mark of the eighth round. Inoue dropped Cardenas late in the seventh and then stopped him with a flurry of punches early in the eighth.Inoue had to overcome a huge moment of adversity to secure his latest title defense. Cardenas <a href="https://x.com/trboxing/status/1919230259758583825">floored him with a left hook</a> late in the second round. However, Inoue returned to his feet and made it to the bell.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"The Monster" shook off the cobwebs and turned up the heat in the fourth, landing power punches in the pocket to Cardenas' head and body. And Inoue's onslaught continued into the next few rounds. Cardenas showed immense heart as Inoue stalked him in the fifth and sixth, even catching the champion with a solid body shot.But eventually, Inoue was too much for the challenger. He pressed the action early in the seventh and finally <a href="https://x.com/trboxing/status/1919235290285187577">scored his lone knockdown of the fight</a> with 25 seconds left in the stanza. Inoue came out in the eighth and pummeled Cardenas with a barrage of punches up against the ropes, forcing the referee to intervene.Inoue now holds a 30-0 career record with 27 knockouts. The 32-year-old Japanese superstar has defended the undisputed 122-pound championship four times since winning it in December 2023.Inoue was fighting in the United States for the first time since 2021, having competed in his native Japan in his last nine bouts before Sunday.One of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the sport, Inoue used to hold the undisputed bantamweight championship before moving up in weight in July 2023.Cardenas suffered just the second loss of his career, falling to 26-2. The 29-year-old San Antonio native's 14-fight winning streak ended.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 04: Undisputed junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue (R) punches Ramon Cardenas in the first round of their title fight at T-Mobile Arena on May 04, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Inoue survives knockdown, TKOs Cardenas in 8th round

Cory Sandhagen put his fellow bantamweights on notice with a dominant performance against Deiveso...

Cory Sandhagen put his fellow bantamweights on notice with a dominant performance against Deiveson Figueiredo.Sandhagen stopped Figueiredo in the second round of the UFC Des Moines main event Saturday night. Figueiredo tapped out after suffering a knee injury during a ground exchange.The finish came at the 4:03 mark of the round and was officially ruled a TKO win for Sandhagen.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"It wasn't a shame (how the fight ended)," Sandhagen said in his postfight interview. "If you don't know how to play 50/50 (guard), your knee gets popped. It happened to TJ (Dillashaw), it happened to Figgy. If you just don't know how to play that position, you lose. And I'm better there, so I put him there, I sat up, it popped, and that's how it goes."Sandhagen was dominant from start to finish, outlanding Figueiredo 54-6 in significant strikes and 92-8 in total strikes. Sandhagen and Figueiredo secured two takedowns each.Sandhagen got off to a terrific start in the first round. After Figueiredo tried to initiate a ground exchange, Sandhagen got on top and made him pay. Sandhagen pummeled Figueiredo with punches to the head throughout the rest of the stanza and defended his opponent's nonstop heel hook attempts.Early in the second round, Sandhagen picked Figueiredo apart on the feet before taking him down again. Sandhagen continued to land ground-and-pound and appeared to be en route to a masterful win. In the final minute, he shredded Figueiredo's knee during an exchange on the mat and forced the Brazilian to tap.Sandhagen, the No. 4-ranked bantamweight, bounced back from a unanimous decision loss to Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Abu Dhabi last August. Sandhagen, 33, is now 4-1 in his last five Octagon appearances.Sandhagen called for a title shot against the winner of Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley 2, which is scheduled to headline UFC 316 on June 7 in Newark."I'm ready to win that belt," Sandhagen said. "Sean O'Malley, Merab, I want the winner. I'll be the backup if they want. I've dreamed of being a world champion for more than half of my life now. UFC, please give me an opportunity to show how great I am to the whole world."Figueiredo has now suffered back-to-back losses for the first time in his career. The 37-year-old is 3-2 since moving up to 135 pounds in 2023. Figueiredo came in as the No. 5-ranked bantamweight.

DES MOINES, IOWA - MAY 03: Cory Sandhagen punches Deiveson Figueiredo of Brazil in their bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Wells Fargo Arena on May 03, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa.

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Sandhagen stops Figueiredo in UFC Des Moines main event

Reinier de Ridder pulled off a stunning upset against Bo Nickal, handing the top UFC prospect his...

Reinier de Ridder pulled off a stunning upset against Bo Nickal, handing the top UFC prospect his first career loss.De Ridder finished Nickal with a devastating knee to the body in the co-main event of UFC Des Moines on Saturday night. The TKO win came at the 1:53 mark of the second round.Nickal, a former standout NCAA wrestler, falls to 4-1 in the UFC and 7-1 as a professional MMA fighter.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Nickal was attempting to crack the top 15 of the middleweight division against the No. 13-ranked De Ridder, but instead, he's headed to the drawing board for the first time in his career.After the fight, De Ridder expressed interest in a matchup against former champion Sean Strickland.A former ONE Championship two-division titleholder, De Ridder improved to 3-0 in the UFC with the win over Nickal. He made his Octagon debut last November and has beaten Gerald Meerschaert, Kevin Holland, and now Nickal.

DES MOINES, IOWA - MAY 03: Reinier de Ridder of The Netherlands reacts after his TKO victory over Bo Nickal in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Wells Fargo Arena on May 03, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa.

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De Ridder hands Nickal 1st career loss with brutal TKO

Canelo Álvarez defeated William Scull via unanimous decision (115-113, 116-112, 119-109) to once ...

Canelo Álvarez defeated William Scull via unanimous decision (115-113, 116-112, 119-109) to once again become the undisputed super middleweight champion Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Álvarez entered with the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles, while Scull held the IBF belt.Following the fight, Turki Alalshikh announced Álvarez will defend the undisputed championship against Terence Crawford on Sept. 12 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Álvarez and Crawford faced off in the ring afterward.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Álvarez and Scull delivered a lackluster affair, breaking the <a href="https://x.com/DanCanobbio/status/1918887491181928822">CompuBox</a> record for fewest punches thrown in a 12-round fight (445 combined). Álvarez outlanded Scull 56-55 in total punches and 48-28 in power punches, while Scull had a 27-8 edge in jabs.With the victory, Álvarez improved his professional record to 63-2-2. He's now a two-time undisputed super middleweight champion. Álvarez was stripped of the IBF title in July 2024 after booking a fight with Edgar Berlanga instead of a mandatory defense against Scull.The 34-year-old Mexican has now recorded nine super middleweight title defenses dating back to 2020.Scull, a 32-year-old from Cuba, suffered the first loss of his career, falling to 23-1.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 03: Saul "Canelo" Alvarez looks on during super middleweight fight against William Scull on the Fatal Fury City of Wolves card at ANB Arena on May 03, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Canelo beats Scull, to fight Crawford in September

Ryan Garcia didn't like fighting Rolly Romero in Times Square.  Garcia suffered a shocking unanim...

Ryan Garcia didn't like fighting Rolly Romero in Times Square.Garcia suffered a shocking unanimous decision loss in Friday's welterweight main event in New York."I wasn't a fan of that at all," Garcia <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d54YMRp8ogw">said</a> at the postfight press conference of the event's quiet atmosphere. "It felt like a sparring match, and it felt like you could hear everybody. It just didn't feel authentic to me. But no excuses. It is what it is."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The event - put on by Turki Alalshikh and The Ring in the middle of Times Square - was invite-only, with around 300 VIP guests in attendance.Garcia, one of the biggest stars in boxing, competed for the first time since he was suspended for one year by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) for multiple failed drug tests.Garcia was coming off a no-contest against former WBC junior welterweight champion Devin Haney in April 2024, originally a majority decision victory that was later overturned.Romero scored the only knockdown of Friday's fight, as he dropped Garcia with two left hooks in the second round. It was a rather uneventful matchup, with Garcia edging out Romero 66-57 in total punches. "It was a pretty off night," Garcia said. "Rolly did what he does. He does a lot of good power shots, caught me in the second round. But just even at the start of the fight, it just didn't feel like my feet were under me, like I had anything. But I just had to fight through it, and just found myself very off after the year layoff."He added: "I just didn't feel there. Didn't feel there at all. ... I just didn't let my hands go in any way, shape, or form. It's as simple as that."The 26-year-old fell to 24-2 (1 NC) after the first decision loss of his professional career."That whole year (during the suspension), it was a lot for me, mentally. So the fact that I got here and I'm in the position I am and my mind is as clear as it is, is a victory for me, I would say," Garcia said. "But I'm extremely disappointed in the way I fought. It definitely isn't my best in any way."

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Ryan Garcia throws a punch at Rolly Romero during a fight for the WBA Welterweight title in Times Square on May 02, 2025 in New York City.

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Garcia: Times Square fight 'didn't feel authentic'

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