UFC announced today it will return to Newark, N.J. on Saturday, June 1 for UFC 302 at Prudential Center. The soon-to-be-announced fight card will be available live on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View. UFC returns to Prudential Center after setting the live sporting event gate in 2023 with UFC 288 headlined by Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo. UFC 302 will mark the tenth UFC event at the famed arena dating back to 2007. UFC 302 tickets will go on sale Friday, April 12 at 10 a.m. ET and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com . “The city of Newark and Prudential Center have always been great partners to us,” said UFC President & CEO Dana White. “After setting a new arena record last year, I wanted to bring another huge event back to New Jersey to kick-off the summer with another big UFC event. UFC 302 is going to be fun!” “After the success of last year’s event, we are proud to welcome the UFC back to New Jersey.” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Providing an excellent experience for the thousands of UFC fans attending will not only generate economic activity for the region, but will also ensure that New Jersey is known as a premium entertainment destination.” UFC 302 Newark.. “UFC brings its unique brand of competition and excitement to Prudential Center and Newark for the second straight year, and we are thrilled for their highly anticipated return,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “Our city has a long history as a center for sports, from bicycle racing in the 1890s to the Newark Bears and Eagles of the 1930s, to the New Jersey Devils and Seton Hall basketball of today. UFC is writing another chapter of Newark’s glory here, showcasing our attractions and diversity for the latest wave of visitors. We look forward to welcoming fans from our own city and around the world to enjoy this electrifying event again.” “After UFC’s triumphant return last year to Prudential Center, which was one of the highest grossing sporting events in the building’s history, we are excited to once again partner with UFC for another global pay-per-view event in Newark,” said Tad Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. “As The Rock continues to offer one of the most diverse schedule of events in the country, we proudly open our doors to the thrilling and captivating sport of mixed martial arts and its tremendous fans. We can’t wait to add to the storied tradition of UFC events in the State of New Jersey for UFC 302 on June 1.” Current bouts* on the card include: Pivotal matchup scheduled for the middleweight division as No. 9 ranked contender Roman Dolidze (12-3, fighting out of Batumi, Georgia) and No. 12 Anthony Hernandez (12-2 1 NC, fighting out of Dunnigan, Calif.) go to battle Looking to put to their rivalry to rest, bantamweights Ailin Perez (9-2, fighting out of Buenos Aires, Argentina) and Joselyne Edwards (13-5, fighting out of Panama City, Panama) square off An action packed bout is set for the 155-pound division as Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Grant Dawson (20-2-1, fighting out of Coconut, Creek, Fla.) locks horns with Joe Solecki (13-4, fighting out of Wilmington, N.C.) Well-rounded welterweights Phil Rowe (10-4, fighting out of Orlando, Fla.) and Jake Matthews (19-7, fighting out of Epping Victoria, Australia) slated for three five minute rounds New Jersey’s own Mickey Gall (7-5, fighting out of Green Brook, New Jersey) makes his return to the Octagon to take on Bassil Hafez (8-4-1, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) at welterweight *Bouts subject to change

Luiz Cado returns to action at BRAVE CF 81 when he takes on Ismail Naurdiev in the co-main event of BRAVE Combat Federation’s third event in Slovenia.  From the rough streets of Curitiba to the bright lights of the cage, Luiz Cado's rise in the world of MMA has been nothing short of remarkable. Born in 1992, Cado's childhood was marked by poverty and violence. Raised in a family where his father worked as a butcher and his mother cared for his ailing grandmother, Cado found solace in the world of sports.  Growing up, Cado was a fierce supporter of Coritiba, one of the two big football clubs in Curitiba. This loyalty towards Coritiba made him part of the Hooligan firm of the club. And being part of the hooligan firm meant that he often had to engage in violence with rival firms. This proved to be the first taste of fighting in the life of Cado. As a teenager, Cado often got mixed up in street fights. Just when his life seemed to be going nowhere, an unexpected invitation to join Muay Thai by a legendary figure of the rival Athletico-PR firm changed the trajectory of his life. Cado immediately fell in love with Muay Thai and trained regularly.  However, this did not keep Cado away from the violence on the streets. In fact, he used his newly acquired Muay Thai skills to get the better of his rival firm members in the street; making him feel invincible. This feeling of invincibility led Cado to drugs and alcohol.  While Cado was thriving as a Muay Thai fighter on one side, his life outside the ring was on a downward spiral due to his addictions.  The rise of MMA’s popularity in the state forced Cado transition into MMA as well. He found success inside the cage just like his run in Muay Thai but during this transition also, he was struggling with his addiction. The addiction was so deep that sometimes, he would even get intoxicated during fight week. His true potential was being eclipsed by his addiction but the cure for this was in Combat Sports itself. Cado’s life turned upside down after he joined Evolucao Thai. With the help of Andre Dida, his teammates and his coach, Cado crawled out of the abyss of his addictions and started channelling all his energy towards combat sports. Outside the cage, he joined law school with the goal of being an advocate for social causes. Fast forward to the present, Cado is now at the brink of challenging for the Super Welterweight World Title in BRAVE Combat Federation as he prepares for his fight at BRAVE CF 81 against Morocco's Ismail Naurdiev.

MMA Fans are set to witness an exhilarating showdown at the upcoming UFC Fight Night, featuring a high-stakes clash between Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot. Scheduled for Saturday, 30th March 2024, UFC Fight Night: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot, will take place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and will be broadcasted on ESPN+ in the United States. In a thrilling main event, the flyweight division will be spotlighted as Erin Blanchfield squares off against Manon Fiorot in a battle for dominance at 125 lbs. Both fighters have been on impressive trajectories, making this matchup a critical juncture in their careers. The co-main event promises to deliver just as much intensity, featuring a welterweight clash between Vicente Luque and Joaquin Buckley. Competing at 170 lbs, these two fighters will bring a combination of power and technique to the octagon, aiming to climb the ranks of the welterweight division. The event's main card is stacked with talent across various weight classes: In the middleweight division (185 lbs), Bruno Silva will face off against former champion Chris Weidman, in a match that signifies Weidman's determination to reclaim his position at the top of the division. Another middleweight bout features Nursulton Ruziboev going head-to-head with Sedriques Dumas, showcasing the division's rising stars. Featherweight action (145 lbs) sees Bill Algeo taking on Kyle Nelson, with both fighters looking to make a statement. Chidi Njokuani and Rhys McKee will battle it out in the welterweight division, adding to the night's excitement with their striking prowess. The preliminary card is equally packed with promising matchups: Nate Landwehr vs. Jamall Emmers and Julio Arce vs. Herbert Burns, both in the featherweight division, are set to deliver high-octane action. Strawweight contenders Virna Jandiroba and Lupita Godinez will showcase their skills in a fight that could position the winner for a title shot. Light heavyweights Ibo Aslan and Anton Turkalj, along with flyweights Melissa Gatto and Victoria Dudakova, are among the other athletes featured, each aiming to climb the ranks within their divisions. The card also includes middleweight, bantamweight, and additional featherweight bouts, rounding out an event packed with potential. UFC Fight Night: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot is shaping up to be a memorable event, offering a full slate of bouts across multiple divisions. Fans around the globe are bracing for a night filled with spectacular finishes, strategic battles, and the heart-pounding action that only UFC can deliver.

As he gears up for his UFC debut at Fight Night: Blanchfield vs Fiorot, Connor Matthews of the New England Cartel is taking a straightforward five-hour journey from New England to Atlantic City, marking a pivotal moment in his fighting career. Contrary to the ease of his physical journey, Matthews’ path to the UFC has been anything but direct. Enduring a defeat on Dana White’s Contender Series, securing a victory on Dana White’s Looking For A Fight, and clinching another win on the Contender Series were necessary steps to finally earn his place in the UFC. Now stepping into the octagon as a 31-year-old featherweight, Matthews is determined to leave a lasting impact. “I’m aiming for a dominant performance that will solidify my place in the UFC,” Matthews shared with UFC.com . His record stands at 7-1, reflecting his relative newness to professional fighting, yet his time at the New England Cartel, training alongside Rob Font and Calvin Kattar under Tyson Chartier, has prepared him well beyond his official record. Matthews’ first UFC challenge is Dennis Buzukja, a fellow Contender Series graduate with a 0-2 UFC record, yet a formidable opponent. Matthews views this matchup as an opportunity to showcase his versatility and affirm his capabilities in the featherweight division. Priding himself on being a versatile fighter, Matthews has honed his skills across wrestling, grappling, jiu-jitsu, boxing, and kickboxing. “I’ve dedicated different periods of my life to mastering all aspects of fighting,” he explains, promising unpredictability and excitement in his fighting style. Matthews credits his growth and resilience to the mentorship and training environment at the New England Cartel. Reflecting on his evolution since his first appearance on the Contender Series, he acknowledges the significant impact his team has had on his development. “I owe my UFC readiness to the Cartel,” he asserts, highlighting his transformation into a significantly more skilled fighter. Excited to make his debut in front of a live audience in Atlantic City, Matthews is eager to fulfill a lifelong dream and demonstrate his engaging fighting style on a large stage. With ambitions of remaining undefeated in the UFC, Matthews is focused on delivering an impressive performance to kickstart his journey in the promotion.

John “The Magician” Dodson  retained his BKFC Flyweight World Title following his first defense against challenger  Dagoberto Aguero  as their action-packed clash was declared a unanimous draw in the BKFC-59 main event battle at the sold-out Tingley Coliseum in Dodson’s hometown of Albuquerque, NM on Friday.   Dodson dropped the Dominican gloved boxing sensation once in the opening round, and was then sent to the canvas for the first two times in his BKFC career in the second and third. All three judges scored the contest 46-46, with the champ retaining his title. (New Mexico rules currently do not allow for a deciding sixth round in title fights.)   Dodson entered fight night undefeated in his first three trips to the BKFC ring with all of his victories coming by first-round stoppage. Aguero, who is 15-2 with 10 knockouts as a professional gloved boxer, falls to 1-0-1 under the BKFC banner.   “My hat’s off to Aguero. He came out here and performed. He hit harder than I expected, so I’m going to go back to the drawing board so I can come away with the victory instead of the draw,” Dodson told the sold-out Tingley Coliseum.   Added Aguero: “John Dodson was a very tough fighter; I’m just not happy with the decision … I want to do it again, but in Miami.”   “Absolutely,” Dodson replied. “I’ll take the fight anywhere he wants to.”   In the BKFC-59 co-main event, surging Albuquerque product  Donald Sanchez  proved that he's a serious contender in the stacked BKFC middleweight division with a dominant, third-round knockout over  Dallas “The Dentist” Davison  of Great Falls, MT. Sanchez is now 3-1 after earning his third straight victory tonight. Davison falls to 2-3 with the loss. Riding high with back-to-back stoppage victories, Sanchez called out BKFC Middleweight World Champion David “Redneck” Mundell after his win, telling the sold-out crowd, “Let's go. Nobody wants to fight you? I do. Let's go. Nobody can stop me and I'm just getting started. I'm not at my best yet, so fight me now."   BKFC Founder and President  David Feldman  was all smiles in the post-event press conference: "We're working on something big for Austin Trout to defend his title here in New Mexico. It was a great, great night. I'm really happy with the fights, the attendance, everything."   Regarding the rematch between Dodson-Aguero, Feldman said, "We'll talk about it. I've got a lot of travelling to do this week. Dubai and Ireland; hopefully I'll come back with some great news for everybody. But first, we've got two huge shows coming up, KnuckleMania IV and at Mohegan Sun, so we're focusing on those now."   Stockton, CA’s  Nick "Killshot" Kohring  needed only 30 seconds to make a major statement in his BKFC debut against  Kyle “The Irishman” McElroy  of Albuquerque in light-heavyweight action. Kohring floored McElroy twice as “The Irishman” saw his record move to 1-4.   Ruben "Bad Boy" Warr  of Louisville, KY sent Albuquerque’s  Lorenzo "The Disciple" Coca  to the canvas twice before their lightweight bout was stopped with 14 seconds left in the opening round. Warr is now 1-0, while Coca moves to 0-1.   Keith Richardson  of Hollywood, CA dropped Albuquerque’s  Frank “The Tank” Lester  in the final stretch of the opening round of their cruiserweight bout, paving the way for the technical knockout with just three seconds remaining in the first stanza. Richardson is 1-0, while Lester, a UFC vet is 0-1. Albuquerque’s  Marc "The Dream" Entenberg  edged out  Van “Tactic” Vo  of Kettering, OH for a majority decision victory in their lively featherweight matchup. Two judges agreed on the 48-46 score in favor of Entenberg, while one judge saw it 47-47. Entenberg is now 2-0 in the Squared Circle; Vo is winless in his two BKFC bouts. Debuting Detroit bantamweight  Justin “The Nightmare” Street  scored a unanimous decision over  Anthony Sanchez  of Midland, TX in the opening bout of the BKFC-59 main card. Two judges had it 48-47, while one scored the back-and-forth contest 49-46. With the loss, Sanchez’s record falls to 1-2.   Albuquerque welterweight  Felipe "Flip" Chavez  needed just 58 seconds to improve to 2-0 with a first-round technical knockout over  Leandro “The End” Torres  of Mar Del Plata, Argentina in their battle of BKFC Prospect Series vets. Chavez dropped Torres twice, both with his razor-sharp jab. Torres is now 1-1.   Heavyweight  Manuel “Mayor Mano” Otero  of Peralta, NM was victorious by knockout in his BKFC debut against Wheelersburg, OH’s  Michael "The American Gangster" Furnier . Time of the stoppage, which was brought on by a left hook, was 42 seconds into the second round. Furnier is now 0-2 in BKFC.   In the opening fight of BKFC-59, Albuquerque flyweight  Austin "The Animal" Lewis  earned his first win under the BKFC banner with a competitive unanimous decision over  Joshua "The Kid" Richey  of Kansas, KS. Two judges scored it 48-47, and one judge had it 49-46, all in favor of Lewis, who is now 1-0, 1 NC. Richey moved to 0-4 with the loss. Here are the full results from BKFC 59. BKFC 59 Result (c) John Dodson vs. Dagoberto Aguero is ruled Unanimous Draw (46-46x3) Dodson retains BKFC World Flyweight Title Donald Sanchez def. Dallas Davison via KO in Round 3 (1:19) Nick Kohring def. Kyle McElroy via KO in Round 1 (0:30) Ruben Warr def. Lorenzo Coca via KO in Round 1 (1:46) Marc Entenberg def. Van Vo via Majority Decision (48-46x2, 47-47) Justin Street def. Anthony Sanchez via Unanimous Decision (48-47x2, 49-46)  Felipe Chavez def. Leandro Torres via TKO in Round 1 (0:58) Manuel Otero def. Michael Furnier via KO in Round 2 (0:42) Austin Lewis def. Joshua Rickey via Unanimous Decision (48-47x2, 49-46)

ONE Friday Fights 57 saw 11 fights entertain the electric audience inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on Friday, March 29. Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree scored an early knockdown against Alexey Balyko in their main event collision. Still, he was forced to hold on in the final two rounds. Balyko did his best to even the score, but the knockdown proved to be the difference as Panrit took the unanimous decision win. In the co-main event, Shakhriyor Jurayev started strong against Numpangna Eaglemuaythai with a first-round knockdown off of a right hook. In the second round, he left no doubt with a clean KO against his Thai foe with a beautiful step-in left elbow. Sungprab Lookpichit kept the action rolling with a first-round KO against Yodnamnuea N and P Boxing. The catchweight win moved his promotional record to 2-0 as he continues to make a name for himself on ONE Friday Fights. While three knockouts preceded it, Soe Lin Oo’s second-round KO of Fabio Reis helped close out the international portion of the card. The Myanmar striker put the bantamweight division on notice with a stiff jab that rocked Reis early and then finished him with it in the second round. Seiya Matsuda dazzled in two rounds against Mikhail Gritsanenko, but the Russian showed his toughness in surviving the onslaught and stuck around to the final bell. In the end, Matsuda got two of the three judges to see it his way for a split-decision victory. In the first match of the night, Japan’s Akari Ogata picked up a win in her ONE debut against Khojinsa Komoldinova. The talented martial artist got the TKO stoppage in the third round to make a big impact in her first match on the global stage. If you missed any of the action or want to relive ONE Friday Fights 58, the event is available on-demand for free via ONE’s official YouTube channel . ONE Friday Fights 57 Full Results Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree def. Alexey Balyko by unanimous decision Shakhriyor Jurayev def. Numpangna Eaglemuaythai by KO at 0:23 of the second round Donking Yotharakmuaythai def. Chalongsuk Jacksonmuaythai by KO at 0:54 of the second round Songpandin Chor Kaewwiset def. Wanchuchai Kaewsamrit by unanimous decision Sungprab Lookpichit def. Yodnamnuea N and P Boxing by KO at 1:06 of the first round Soe Lin Oo def. Fabio Reis via KO at 1:42 of the second round Parham Gheirati def. Otop Or Kwanmuang by KO at 1:02 of the first round Moe Htet Aung def. Tomoya Maruyama by TKO at 2:50 of the third round Tran Quoc Tuan def. Yuya Jonishi by TKO at 0:56 of the third round Seiya Matsuda def. Mikhail Gritsanenko by split decision Akari Ogata def. Khojinsa Komoldinova by TKO at 1:16 of the third round

Spring is here in the Northern Hemisphere, which means if you’ve been going through the motions the last few weeks of winter, it’s time to step it up! Nothing gets us in the mood to train like some of our favorite martial arts and combat sport movies.  This list was going to be “7 Best Movies to Get You in the Fighting Spirit,” but it’s actually more because we couldn’t help but include franchises that have stellar sequels. Let’s jump in! Here are the Movies to Get You in the Fighting Spirit Warrior What happens when what you’re fighting is suddenly what you have been fighting for? This is answered as two brothers go head-to-head in the octagon. Warrior is a gripping sports drama that delves into the intense and emotionally charged world of mixed martial arts (MMA). Directed by Gavin O'Connor, the film follows the Conlon family, whose lives intersect in unexpected ways through the brutal arena of MMA fighting. Tommy Riordan, played by Tom Hardy, is a troubled war veteran seeking redemption and closure by entering the high-stakes world of MMA. His estranged brother, Brendan, portrayed by Joel Edgerton, is a former fighter turned physics teacher struggling to support his family. As the brothers navigate their own personal demons and complex family dynamics, they find themselves on a collision course leading to a climactic showdown in the ring. Fueled by powerful performances, visceral fight sequences, and profound emotional depth, Warrior explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the unbreakable bonds of family, leaving a lasting impact on audiences. Creed (or II or III) By seamlessly blending past and present, Creed  secures its own legacy while paying homage to its predecessors. Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), the son of legendary boxer Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), follows in his father's footsteps, seeking guidance from former heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). Adonis embarks on a journey reminiscent of Rocky's, portraying a young contender determined to prove himself in the ring. What sets this spinoff apart is its focus on Adonis rather than Rocky, allowing the spotlight to shine on the new protagonist. Directed with finesse by Ryan Coogler, Creed stands out as one of the finest follow-ups in the boxing franchise genre, showcasing a compelling narrative and stellar performances. Karate Kid (1984) It seems almost silly to do a synopsis of  Karate Kid  for Black Belt  readers, but here we are. Consider it a refresher! Fewer films bring us this type of  nostalgia along with a renewed desire train and fight like the original Karate Kid . Daniel (Ralph Macchio) relocates to Southern California alongside his mother, Lucille (Randee Heller), only to encounter harassment from a clique of bullies affiliated with the Cobra Kai dojo, where they study karate. Fortunately, Daniel forms a bond with Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita), a modest repairman with an unexpected mastery of martial arts. Miyagi becomes Daniel's mentor, imparting teachings in a compassionate style of karate and equipping him to confront the ruthless adversaries from Cobra Kai. Ip Man  (Ip 2, 3, 4) Like the  Creed series, we have included the original and its sequels of Ip Man  because they are that good. The Ip Man  franchise accomplishes the nearly impossible, having multiple sequels that are commercially and critically successful.  Ip Man  is a gripping martial arts film that chronicles the life of the legendary Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man, famously known as the mentor of Bruce Lee. Set during the tumultuous period of the Sino-Japanese War in 1930s Foshan, China, the movie follows Ip Man, portrayed by Donnie Yen, as he navigates through challenges posed by the invading Japanese forces. Renowned for his impeccable skills in martial arts, Ip Man becomes a symbol of hope and resilience for his community as he stands up against oppression and defends his homeland. The film showcases exhilarating fight sequences choreographed with precision, highlighting Ip Man's mastery of Wing Chun and his unwavering commitment to honor and justice.  Ip Man 2  continues the saga of the Wing Chun master as he relocates to Hong Kong after the Second Sino-Japanese War. Set in the 1950s, the film sees Ip Man, portrayed by Donnie Yen, facing new challenges as he struggles to establish a martial arts school and earn respect in a city dominated by British colonialism and corruption. Through a series of intense confrontations, Ip Man defends the honor of Chinese martial arts against rival schools and prejudice, culminating in a climactic showdown with a formidable British boxer. In Ip Man 3 ,  the legendary martial artist finds himself facing off against a powerful underworld kingpin while also contending with personal challenges, including his wife's illness. As Ip Man squares off against various adversaries, including a ruthless gangster played by Mike Tyson, he must draw upon all his skill and wisdom to protect his loved ones and uphold the values of honor and integrity. In Ip Man 4: The Finale ,  the story comes full circle as Ip Man travels to the United States to fulfill his late master's dying wish and confronts racial discrimination in 1960s America. Alongside his loyal disciple, Bruce Lee, Ip Man battles prejudice and hostility in his quest to preserve the legacy of Wing Chun and unite martial artists across cultures. Each installment in the series offers exhilarating action sequences, compelling storytelling, and poignant reflections on courage, resilience, and the enduring power of martial arts. Rocky and Rocky II (actually, any of the Rocky films!) Yes, we know we already have Creed on this list, but it would be a poor list if it didn’t at least include Rocky  and (at least) its first sequel. Rocky has earned its status as an icon for numerous reasons. From Sylvester Stallone's ingenious writing to his unwavering determination to both produce and star in the film, Rocky  stands out as a boxing movie that has permeated popular culture. Stallone portrays the titular character, Rocky Balboa, a humble Philadelphia boxer who seizes the opportunity to challenge the world heavyweight champion. The film's immense success and enduring popularity spawned multiple sequels and a contemporary spinoff series. Stallone embodies Rocky with charm, portraying him as a genuine and kind-hearted athlete striving to earn the respect he rightfully deserves. Rocky clinched three of its ten Oscar nominations, including the coveted Best Picture award, solidifying its status as a timeless classic in the genre and a must-watch for cinephiles. In our view, Rocky II holds its own just as admirably. The sequel delivers a gripping rematch between Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) and Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), as both fighters grapple with their pride in distinct ways. While the second installment may not have garnered the same critical acclaim and accolades as its predecessor, it nevertheless achieved success at the box office. Stallone continued to produce and star in four additional films as Balboa: Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V, and  Rocky Balboa . These boxing features received mixed reviews from dedicated fans as Rocky's journey unfolded over a span of 30 years. However, among the franchise's entries, Rocky II stands out as a solid installment, primarily due to Stallone's remarkable performance as he confronts Weathers' formidable character once again. Everything, Everywhere, All At Once This Oscar-winning film does a spectacular job at showcasing what it means to fight and when to stop fighting. This over-the-top martial arts, fantasy, drama stars Michelle Yeoh as she fights off actual villains and the inner demons of her multi-universal daughter. Winning the Academy Award for Best Picture, the fight scenes are often hilarious and surprising, but the way Yeoh’s character fights for her daughter is the true power of the film.  Million Dollar Baby While this might not have the happiest ending, it’s a powerful tale about fighting for your chance despite age, gender, class, or even environment! This Oscar-winning Best Picture serves as the cornerstone of female boxing films, showcasing the resilience and determination of a formidable woman in a demanding sport. Hilary Swank takes the lead as Maggie, a struggling waitress with aspirations of becoming a champion boxer, who persuades seasoned boxing trainer Frankie (portrayed by Clint Eastwood) to mentor her. With Morgan Freeman serving as both narrator and supporting character, "Million Dollar Baby" clinched four out of its seven Oscar nominations. This woman-driven boxing film serves as a poignant reminder that the sport demands unwavering fortitude, standing out among its iconic counterparts for its remarkable ability to inspire audiences with its compelling narrative.

Joaquin Buckley always brings the hype to fight week, but this time it's on another level. Stepping into the fighter hotel in Atlantic City for his co-main event matchup with Vicente Luque, Buckley feels like he's finally arrived at the UFC. Being on the poster and fighting in the co-main slot? That's exactly what this St. Louis native has been dreaming of since he was a kid. And let's be honest, the dude deserves it. Remember that knockout that's practically UFC legend status? Yeah, that was Buckley. He even dabbled in fighting middleweight contenders, but his move down to welterweight is what really put him on this path. So far, Buckley's undefeated at welterweight with wins over André Fialho and Alex Morono. The Morono fight was particularly impressive - Buckley dominated the whole time, looking fresh as a daisy. After that win, he kept training, with his eye on December's UFC 296. Not because he had a fight, but because there were some welterweight showdowns he wouldn't miss. Guys like Shavkat Rahkmonov, Stephen Thompson? If anything went down with their fights, Buckley wanted to be ready to jump in. Well, injury forced Ian Machado Garry out, and Buckley volunteered to step in against Luque on short notice. No dice on that one, but hey, he stayed prepared. Then came his lucky break. Luque's originally scheduled opponent, Sean Brady, pulled out with an injury. This time, the UFC called Buckley, and he was pumped. "I'm getting what I've been asking for," Buckley said. "I called out a lot of fighters, but never got a fight. Now that I do, I'm gonna show everyone why I wanted this!" Buckley, currently unranked, knows fighting a ranked fighter like Luque is a golden opportunity. He's been waiting for a chance to prove he belongs with the welterweight elite, and knocking out the #11 ranked Luque would be a seriously epic way to do that. "Big respect to Luque," Buckley said. "He's a beast, been around forever. But I think he's achieved a lot without quite reaching that world champion title. I know he's still hungry for it, and beating a guy like that, someone still dangerous, that's huge for me. A win over Luque would be incredible, and this is exactly the kind of fight I need to show the world I'm a star."

Marat Grigorian has already made an impact in 2024 with a win over Sittichai Sitsongpeenong. He will try to keep the momentum rolling on Friday, April 5, with a shot at the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship at ONE Friday Fights 58. To claim gold in ONE Championship for the first time, Grigorian will have to defeat Superbon Singha Mawynn. “Life is a risk. This year, I’m going to risk everything. I really need and want to win. That’s all there is. The only thing on my mind is to beat him. Finish or not, it doesn’t matter how it will end. I just want to win,” Grigorian told ONE. “My goal is to be the World Champion of ONE Championship. That’s the only goal in my mind. So it means everything to me. I will do my best to get there.” The two talented featherweights have already met twice, once for ONE gold. In this ever-important trilogy contest, Grigorian expects a lot of what Superbon did in their last meeting, which led to a unanimous decision loss. “The first fight was really short because it took only 29 seconds. The second fight was five rounds of fighting. I saw everything that he throws. I was just very, very slow that night, and he improved a lot. But I have also improved a lot. So every fight is different. We need to stay sharp because one mistake, and it can end very fast,” the Armenian noted. “I think he will do the same game plan as the last time, just teeping me away and throwing some knees. I think that’s the only thing that he can do against me. I will work on distance, take my points, and that’s it.” Grigorian has already arrived in Thailand to acclimate to the changes he will experience on fight night. After his last performance against Superbon, the Armenian wanted to ensure he was 100% ready for their latest encounter. Being used to the change in time and making sure his body is as healthy as possible, Grigorian is peaking at the right time. “The last fight with Superbon, I was really well prepared. But on the day itself, I didn’t recover. My body was not working. It’s not an excuse that I lost against him. I don’t like excuses. But one of the reasons was I didn’t recover well. You can see it in my fight. I was really slow. I was throwing everything like slow motion,” the featherweight said. “So that’s why now we are here [in Thailand] for longer. To get healthy and recover. It’s helping me to get used to the time. I’m sleeping well and things like that. So I think it will be a different night.” April 5 is the date he believes will bring him to his destiny. The ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Title hangs in the balance against one of his biggest rivals. Grigorian is as confident as ever that everything has fallen into place to bring him gold in Bangkok. “Everything is going good. I’m here with my team, six or seven people, including my coach, Nick Hemmers, and some of my sparring partners,” Grigorian said. “We are just focused on me for now. There are no other people with us who are going to fight, so the focus stays on me. Every day, we are training or working on some different game plan. It’s heavy, and we’re sparring a lot of times.” ONE Friday Fights 58 airs live on watch.onefc.com  on Friday, April 5, for $24.99.

In less than two weeks, the 2024 Regular Season of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) will kick off in San Antonio, Texas. This year’s roster of fighters is perhaps the most high-profile in the history of the league, thanks to the influx of talent from Bellator MMA, which was recently acquired by the PFL in late-2023. Every season, the PFL’s million-dollar tournament has managed to produce household names from fighters who were once upon a time relative unknowns such as Kayla Harrison, Renan Ferreira, Brendan Loughnane, and Ray Cooper III, all of whom have reached the pinnacle of the league.  This season however, the PFL’s flagship tournament will feature a mix of established fighters and up-and-comers, all looking to change their lives with a million-dollar purse.  So before this upcoming season gets underway, let’s see who are the names to look out for in what could be the biggest PFL season ever.  Honorable Mentions: Liz Carmuouche, Talia Santos, Valentin Moldavsky, Neiman Gracie Brett Johns (Featherweight, 20-3) A native of Swansea, Wales, Brett Johns has a wealth of experience under his belt, having competed in major promotions like the UFC, Bellator, and the PFL. “The Pikey” made his SmartCage debut at PFL Europe 4 last year, defeating David Crol via third-round TKO. This year, Johns moves up to the main roster, so to speak, and will try to fight his way to a PFL world championship and a million-dollar payday.  Patricky Pitbull (Lightweight, 25-12) Don’t let the record fool you, Patricky Pitbull is as dangerous as they come. The brother of two-division Bellator Champion Patricio Pitbull, Patricky himself is a former Bellator World Champion and owns wins over the likes of Josh Thomson, Benson Henderson, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Peter Queally, and Roberto de Souza. A long-time staple with Bellator, Patricky now tries to recapture success in the PFL.  Dakota Ditcheva (Women’s Flyweight, 10-0) A standout striker from England, Dakota Ditcheva has been on these kinds of lists ever since she made her PFL Europe debut last year. Now, after becoming the inaugural PFL Europe Women’s Flyweight Champion, Ditcheva moves on up to the PFL’s million-dollar tournament and is set on adding another PFL championship to her collection. Undefeated in ten professional bouts, Ditcheva is definitely a name to watch out for this season.  Andrey Koreshov (Welterweight, 27-4) A two-time Pankration gold medalist, Andrey Koreshov is also one of those fighters who have been with Bellator seemingly since forever. The Omsk, Russia native made his Bellator debut back in 2012, and has faced a who’s-who of Bellator welterweight royalty, including the likes of Ben Askren, Marius Žaromskis, Lyman Good, Douglas Lima, Benson Henderson, and Lorenz Larkin among others. In 2015, Koreshov finally won the Bellator Welterweight Championship and this year, he hopes to take home the PFL Welterweight Championship as well.  Phil Davis (Light Heavyweight, 24-7) All things considered, Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis is one of, if not the biggest name in the tournament this year. Davis was a top contender in the UFC, having defeated the likes of Brian Stann, Alexander Gustafsson, Minotouro Nogueira, Lyoto Machida, and Glover Teixeira. In Bellator, Davis found success as he became the promotion’s light heavyweight titleholder, and his run with the promotion includes notable wins over the likes of King Mo Lawal, Linton Vassell, Lyoto Machida (again) and Yoel Romero. Considering Davis’ pedigree, he’s likely a favorite to bring home the PFL title.  The 2024 PFL Regular Season begins with PFL 1 on Thursday, April 4th in San Antonio Texas, followed by PFL 2 on Friday, April 12th in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first half of the season wraps up with PFL 3 on Friday, April 19th in Chicago, Illinois. Catch the action live on ESPN and ESPN+.

Josh Barnett ’s hard-hitting Bloodsport officially comes to Japan with ‘Bloodsport Bushido’ taking place at the historic Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on June 22. Previously it was announced that ‘The Warmaster’ himself would compete on the card alongside the legendary Minoru Suzuki . Today more iconic names & top international talent were confirmed. The names announced include: Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson (former UFC & Pride champion) Mike ‘The Titan’ O’Hearn (bodybuilding superstar) Kazushi Sakuraba (MMA & martial arts icon) Davey Boy Smith Jr. (generational pro wrestling star) David Mozimanashavili (Olympic wrestler) Masakatsu Funaki (legendary MMA fighter & pro wrestler) To date, Bloodsport events have taken place only in the United States. ‘Bloodsport Bushido’ now marks the Japanese & international debut and is the biggest event yet for the rising promotion. “We are gathering some of the biggest warriors for Bloodsport Bushido,” said Josh Barnett. “This event marks our debut in Japan, a place I hold dear to my heart. This will be a special night filled with epic battles, legendary names, and iconic moments. Fans in Japan, the United States, and around the world will not want to miss this!” Opponents for the announced athletes will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Fans will be able to watch the action live on  Trillertv.com . Upcoming Bloodsport events Bloodsport X, April 4, Philadelphia, United States Bloodsport Bushido, June 22, Tokyo, Japan

UFC 305 to be hosted at the RAC Arena, Sunday, August 18 In a landmark announcement, the world's leading mixed martial arts organization, UFC, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), has forged a multiyear alliance with the Western Australian Government via Tourism Western Australia. This partnership heralds the return of UFC to Perth, starting with the much-anticipated UFC 305 event at RAC Arena on August 18. UFC 305 will be Perth's third major UFC Pay-Per-View event, following the success of UFC 221 and the record-setting UFC 284 in February 2023. Additionally, the new deal includes another marquee UFC FIGHT NIGHT event, further cementing Perth's status as a prime destination for MMA enthusiasts. UFC CEO Dana White expressed his excitement about returning to Perth, highlighting the city's enthusiastic fan base and the success of previous events, particularly UFC 284, which set new records for attendance and revenue at RAC Arena and nationally for ticket sales. The economic impact of UFC 284 on Perth was substantial, with an estimated $42.8 million in total economic benefits and over 9,000 visitors from outside the state attending the event. The announcement was made at Scrappy MMA in Willetton, featuring UFC luminaries such as former champion Alex Volkanovski, Perth's own Jack Della Maddalena, and Steve Erceg, along with UFC's Vice President for Australia and New Zealand, Peter Kloczko, Western Australia's Premier Roger Cook, and Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti. Premier Cook highlighted the significant economic boost UFC 284 brought to Western Australia, noting the enthusiastic fan base and the state's growing reputation as a host for world-class sporting events. Deputy Premier Saffioti echoed these sentiments, anticipating another successful event for the state's tourism and hospitality sectors. UFC's return to Perth with UFC 305 and another event underscores the growing strength of MMA in the region, thanks to a strong talent roster and record-breaking events. Details on the fight matchups for UFC 305 will be announced later, with fans encouraged to register at www.ufc.com/perth  for pre-sale tickets and event updates.