SHERDOG ARCHIVES: Articles

Dec 31, 2023

Rivalries: Dricus Du Plessis The 29-year-old South African will challenge Sean Strickland for the undisputed middleweight title when their five-round confrontation headlines UFC...

UFC

Dec 31, 2023

5 Defining Moments: Olivier Aubin-Mercier The two-time Professional Fighters League lightweight champion announced his retirement from mixed martial arts in November.

Professional Fighters League

Dec 30, 2023

The Hit List: 10 Fights We Want to See in 2024 No matter what twists and turns the next 12 months bring, they figure to forever alter the landscape of mixed martial arts. The possibilities...

UFC

Dec 30, 2023

How to Watch Rizin 45 A championship doubleheader will carry the freight for Rizin Fighting Federation’s annual New Year’s Eve bash in Saitama, Japan.

Rizin Fighting Federation

Dec 30, 2023

By The Numbers: Cain Velasquez-Junior dos Santos Trilogy They were arguably the two heaviest hitters of their generation, which made them natural foils at the top of the Ultimate Fighting...

UFC

Dec 29, 2023

Fight Facts: KSW 2023, a Year in Review KSW rocked Central Europe all year with a dozen shows, including one massive one in Poland’s capital city.

KSW

Dec 29, 2023

Fight Facts: Bellator 2023, a Year in Review Bellator MMA's reduced but still champ-riddled lineup of events in 2023 included the dramatic conclusion of the 135-pound tourney, the brief and...

Bellator MMA

Dec 28, 2023

Fight Facts: PFL 2023, a Year in Review In 2023, the PFL ran more events and fights than ever before, bringing a tournament that brought several repeat victors and a few eye-popping...

Professional Fighters League

Dec 27, 2023

Sherdog’s 2023 Beatdown of the Year Marina Rodriguez put a horrific beating on Michelle Waterson-Gomez in their rematch at UFC Fight Night 228 on Sept. 23.

Year-End Awards

Dec 26, 2023

Fight Facts: UFC 2023, a Year in Review Jay Pettry gives a statistical breakdown of the 43-event Ultimate Fighting Championship slate in 2023.

UFC

Dec 26, 2023

Sherdog’s 2023 Walkout Song of the Year Chan Sung Jung’s final appearance and The Cranberries iconic “Zombie” brought emotions to a boil at UFC Fight Night 225 on Aug. 26 in Singapore.

Year-End Awards

Dec 25, 2023

Sherdog’s 2023 Upset of the Year Sean Strickland dethroned Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in a massive upset that, by the end, didn't feel like one anymore.

Year-End Awards

Dec 25, 2023

Sherdog’s 2023 Comeback Fighter of the Year Jon Jones returned from a three-year absence to win the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title in dominant fashion, reclaiming his...

Year-End Awards

Dec 24, 2023

Sherdog’s 2023 Story of the Year Francis Ngannou’s journey from scorned Ultimate Fighting Championship free agent to one of the biggest crossover combat sports success stories...

Year-End Awards

Tristen Critchfield

Dec 24, 2023

Sherdog’s 2023 Fight of the Year The first of two encounters between reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev and current featherweight champion...

Year-End Awards

Dec 23, 2023

Sherdog’s 2023 Round of the Year The first five minutes between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev in the UFC 286 co-main event on March 18 towered above all the rest.

Year-End Awards

Dec 23, 2023

Pictures: ONE Friday Fights 46 ONE Championship delivered yet another robust Friday morning card to close out its 2023 series.

Kickboxing & Muay Thai

Dec 22, 2023

Sherdog’s 2023 Event of the Year With the Ultimate Fighting Championship staging a record 520 bouts across 43 long and sometimes conflatable events in the last 12 months, one...

Year-End Awards

Dec 22, 2023

Sherdog’s 2023 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year In less than half a round of total cage time, Tom Aspinall announced his return from a catastrophic 2022 knee injury, won an interim UFC title...

Year-End Awards

Dec 21, 2023

By The Numbers: Phetjeeja OrMeekhun vs. Anissa Meksen The interim One Championship atomweight kickboxing title will be up for grabs at ONE Friday Fights 46 this Friday in Thailand.

Dec 21, 2023

How to Watch ONE Friday Fights 46 Three title bouts will share the marquee when One Championship closes out its busy 2023 schedule on Friday in Thailand.

One Championship

Dec 21, 2023

Superbon: ONE Excels at ‘Satisfying the Fans’ Needs’ The 33-year-old Buakaw Banchamek protégé will challenge Tawanchai PK Saenchai for the featherweight muay thai championship in the ONE Friday...

Kickboxing & Muay Thai

Dec 21, 2023

Sherdog’s 2023 Robbery of the Year In his fourth appearance under the Ultimate Fighting Championship flag, Trey Ogden saw untold hours of work and one of the best performances of...

Year-End Awards

Dec 21, 2023

Sherdog’s 2023 Knockout of the Year A crushing blow from Josh Emmett separated Bryce Mitchell from his senses in their UFC 296 featherweight showcase on Dec. 16.

Year-End Awards

Dec 20, 2023

By The Numbers: Joseph Lasiri vs. Prajanchai PK Saenchai The One Championship strawweight muay thai title will be on the line in the ONE Friday Fights 46 co-headliner.

One Championship

Dec 20, 2023

By The Numbers: Tawanchai PK Saenchai vs. Superbon Singha Mawynn The fate of the One Championship featherweight muay thai title will hang in the balance in the ONE Friday Fights 46 main event.

Kickboxing & Muay Thai

Dec 19, 2023

Sherdog’s 2023 Fighter of the Year Even as he walks in the considerable shadow of longtime friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight titleholder...

Year-End Awards

Dec 19, 2023

Sherdog’s 2023 Submission of the Year Alexa Grasso snared Valentina Shevchenko with a brilliant face crank to capture the Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight title at UFC 285 in...

Year-End Awards

Dec 19, 2023

Undefeated Vitor Petrino Aims for a Top 15 Opponent in His Next Outing The undefeated light heavyweight prospect talked to Sherdog about his perfect 2023, fighting for the UFC in his home country, and the gym he...

UFC

Marcelo Alonso

Dec 19, 2023

Fight Facts: KSW 89 ‘Bartosinski vs. Parnasse’ KSW 89 featured one of the lowest finish rates of any KSW card, the most active fighter in organizational history going for gold one last time...

KSW

Dec 18, 2023

Fight Facts: UFC 296 ‘Edwards vs. Covington’ UFC 296 featured a British champion that fears no wrestler, an unstoppable nomadic force and a dubious distinction for a fan-favorite lightweight.

UFC

Dec 18, 2023

Matches to Make After UFC 296 The last Ultimate Fighting Championship event of 2023 was a pay-per-view featuring a bevy of big matches.

UFC

Lev Pisarsky

Dec 17, 2023

Pictures: UFC 296 Two title fights highlighted the UFC 296 marquee.

UFC

Dec 16, 2023

Pictures: Jake Paul Knocks Out Andre August Professional Fighters League-signed Jake Paul upped his professional boxing record to 8-1 (5 KOs) with a first-round knockout of Andre August...

Boxing

Esther Lin

Dec 16, 2023

Pictures: ONE Friday Fights 45 ONE Friday Fights 45 boasted six explosive finishes in 11 top-notch contests.

Kickboxing & Muay Thai

Dec 15, 2023

Ariane Lipski Always Up for a Challenge The former KSW champion will confront Casey O'Neill as part of the UFC 296 undercard this Saturday in Las Vegas.

Women’s MMA

Dec 15, 2023

Into the Void Steps Karol Rosa The Parana Vale Tudo rep will return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight division when she squares off with Irene Aldana in a featured...

Women’s MMA

Dec 15, 2023

How to Watch UFC 296 The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Saturday will tie a bow on its 2023 package with its year-end show in Las Vegas.

UFC

Dec 15, 2023

How to Watch KSW 89 Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki will close out its 2023 calendar with a championship doubleheader on Saturday in Poland

KSW

Dec 15, 2023

Alexandre Pantoja’s ‘Long Road’ to the Top The Brazilian will defend the undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight title for the first time when he rematches Brandon Royval in the...

Fight Odds

Dec 15, 2023

Prime Picks: UFC 296 ‘Edwards vs. Covington’ Sherdog’s Jay Pettry expects one champion to defend his title, gives it up for the old guard and waits for violence to ensue in the co-main...

Fight Odds

Dec 15, 2023

How to Watch ONE Friday Fights 45 Teenage muay thai phenom Otop Or Kwanmuang will attempt to establish more stable footing in One Championship when he faces Turkish bantamweight...

One Championship

Dec 14, 2023

5 Things You Might Not Know About Damian Janikowski The 34-year-old middleweight will try to give himself some breathing room and move one step closer to title contention when he meets Tomasz Romanowski in a featured...

KSW

Dec 14, 2023

By The Numbers: UFC 296 Pre-Fight Edition The Ultimate Fighting Championship will drop the curtain on an eventful 2023 campaign this Saturday in Las Vegas.

UFC

Dec 14, 2023

Storylines to Watch at UFC 296 While some questions are likely to be answered, others figure to arise when the Ultimate Fighting Championship closes the book on its 2023 campaign.

UFC

Dec 14, 2023

Preview: UFC 296 ‘Edwards vs. Covington’ The Ultimate Fighting Championship typically tries to end the year on a high note, and the promotion certainly seems primed to come through on...

UFC

Dec 14, 2023

By The Numbers: Pawel Pawlak vs. Michal Materla The middleweight championship will be on the line in the KSW 89 co-main event on Saturday in Poland.

KSW

Dec 13, 2023

Rivalries: Brandon Royval “Raw Dawg” will get his crack at the undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight title when he rematches Alexandre Pantoja in the UFC...

UFC

Dec 13, 2023

The Steady Hand of Vicente Luque “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 21 semifinalist will face unbeaten Kill Cliff Fight Club stablemate Ian Garry in a featured UFC 296 attraction.

UFC

Dec 13, 2023

Preview: UFC 296 Prelims Josh Emmett and Bryce Mitchell anchor the final Ultimate Fighting Championship undercard of 2023 on Saturday in Las Vegas.

UFC

Dec 13, 2023

By The Numbers: Adrian Bartosinski vs. Salahdine Parnasse The fate of the welterweight crown will hang in the balance in the KSW 89 main event on Saturday in Poland.

KSW

Dec 12, 2023

5 Defining Moments: Colby Covington The 35-year-old contender and promotional lightning rod will challenge Leon Edwards for the undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title in the...

UFC

Dec 12, 2023

UVF 4: Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman Consecrate Wrestling in the Land of Jiu-Jitsu Marcelo Alonso shares exclusive photos and anecdotes from the fabled 1996 tournament in Rio de Janeiro where Mark Coleman introduced his...

MMA Roots

Marcelo Alonso

Dec 11, 2023

Pictures - UVF 4 In October 1996, Mark Coleman, fresh off winning back-to-back UFC tournaments, brought his pupil, Kevin Randleman, to Brazil for Universal Vale Tudo...

MMA Roots

Marcelo Alonso

Dec 11, 2023

Fight Facts: UFC Fight Night 233 ‘Song vs. Gutierrez’ UFC Fight Night 233 featured a submission that spewed scarlet rain, a flyweight with serious chin deficiencies and a mean-spirited machine...

UFC

Dec 11, 2023

Notes and Quotes from Yadong Song's UFC Fight Night 233 Post-Fight Press Conference Yadong Song is a man on a mission.

UFC

David Andrew

Dec 10, 2023

Matches to Make After UFC Fight Night 233 The penultimate Ultimate Fighting Championship card of 2023 was low on star power and contenders but featured entertaining bouts nonetheless.

UFC

Lev Pisarsky

Dec 10, 2023

By the Numbers: UFC Fight Night 233 Yadong Song is getting comfortable in the main event position.

UFC

Tristen Critchfield

Dec 10, 2023

Pictures: UFC Fight Night 233 UFC Fight Night 233 hosted 11 bouts at the Apex in Sin City.

UFC

Dec 09, 2023

Pictures: ONE Fight Night 17 ONE Fight Night 17 produced seven finishes in eight hard-hitting muay thai bouts.

Kickboxing & Muay Thai

Dec 08, 2023

Pictures: ONE Friday Fights 44 ONE Friday Fights 44 saw six explosive finishes in 12 action-packed bouts.

Kickboxing & Muay Thai

Dec 08, 2023

By The Numbers: UFC Fight Night 233 Pre-Fight Edition Yadong Song will get another opportunity to prove he belongs near the top of the Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight division when he takes aim at...

UFC

Dec 08, 2023

How to Watch UFC Fight Night 233 Under-the-radar bantamweights will step into the Ultimate Fighting Championship spotlight when Yadong Song collides with Chris Gutierrez on...

UFC

Dec 08, 2023

Prime Picks: UFC Fight Night 233 ‘Song vs. Gutierrez’ Sherdog’s Jay Pettry has an eye out for upsets in the final two fights while keeping an eye on his watches for a couple of decently matched...

Fight Odds

Dec 08, 2023

Cleiton Pereira da Silva Sets a High Bar The 37-year-old Brazilian middleweight will make his Professional Fighters League debut in a global qualifier as part of the PFL Europe 4 undercard.

Professional Fighters League

Dec 07, 2023

Storylines to Watch at UFC Fight Night 233 While some questions are likely to be answered, others figure to arise when the Ultimate Fighting Championship moves ever closer to the end of 2023.

UFC

Dec 07, 2023

How to Watch ONE on Prime Video 17 Roman Kryklia will take on Alex Roberts for the inaugural One Championship muay thai heavyweight title on Friday in Thailand.

One Championship

Dec 07, 2023

How to Watch ONE Friday Fights 44 Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri will put his considerable skills to the test under One Championship auspices when his bantamweight muay thai clash opposite...

One Championship

Dec 07, 2023

How to Watch PFL Europe 4 SBG Ireland featherweight Nate Kelly will duke it out with Professional Fighters League newcomer Dimitry Solimeis in the main event on Friday in...

Infographics

Dec 07, 2023

Preview: UFC Fight Night 233 ‘Song vs. Gutierrez’ Bantamweights Yadong Song and Chris Gutierrez will headline the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s penultimate show of 2023 on Saturday in Las Vegas.

UFC

Dec 07, 2023

5 Defining Moments: Tom Breese The Team Renegade middleweight will turn to the Professional Fighters League for the first time when he meets Cleiton Pereira da Silva in a 2024 global qualifier as part of the...

Professional Fighters League

Dec 06, 2023

Preview: UFC Fight Night 233 Prelims The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s final UFC Apex show of 2023 features another solid undercard on Saturday in Las Vegas.

UFC

Dec 06, 2023

3 Reasons to Watch ONE on Prime Video 17 One Championship on Friday will move all of its eggs into one basket with an muay thai-only fight card in Bangkok, Thailand.

One Championship

Dec 06, 2023

Johan Ghazali: A Muay Thai Star for Today, Tomorrow The 17-year-old One Championship prospect will look to close out his 2023 campaign with a bang when he meets Edgar Tabares in a ONE on Prime Video...

Kickboxing & Muay Thai

J.L. Kirven

Dec 06, 2023

Rivalries: Chris Gutierrez The 32-year-old Factory X bantamweight will collide with Yadong Song in the UFC Fight Night 233 headliner.

UFC

Dec 05, 2023

By The Numbers: 2023 PFL Europe Finalists The Professional Fighters League will close the book on an eventful 2023 campaign with 2023 PFL Europe Finals on Friday in Dublin.

Professional Fighters League

Dec 05, 2023

5 Things You Might Not Know About Roman Kryklia The Ukrainian kickboxer will seek to become a two-discipline One Championship titleholder in the ONE on Prime Video 17 headliner this Friday in...

Kickboxing & Muay Thai

Dec 05, 2023

The Rookies: UFC Fight Night 233 Three first-time combatants, led by “The Ultimate Fighter 31” quarterfinalist Carlos Vera, will suit up for the Ultimate Fighting...

UFC

Dec 05, 2023

Buddies Over Bullies: How Tom DeBlass and Evolve MMA are Grappling the Issue of Cyberbullying Cyberbullying is a growing concern in schools around the world, and it’s one that Tom DeBlass is ready to grapple with.

One Championship

J.L. Kirven

Dec 04, 2023

Mikey Musumeci: ONE Has the Best Strikers in the World Mikey Musumeci may be one of the best grapplers on the planet, but he has a keen eye for striking as well, and he isn’t shy about comparing his...

One Championship

J.L. Kirven

Dec 04, 2023

Notes and Quotes from Dana White's UFC on ESPN 52 Post-Fight Press Conference UFC CEO Dana White addressed a number of topics following Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 52 card, including the evening’s top performers, upcoming...

David Andrew

Dec 03, 2023

Matches to Make After UFC Austin The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s final 2023 card broadcast fully on “The Mothership” ended up being one of the promotion’s best of...

UFC

Lev Pisarsky

Dec 02, 2023

By the Numbers: UFC Austin Arman Tsarukyan just made a strong case for a rematch against reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight king Islam Makhachev sometime...

UFC

Tristen Critchfield

Dec 02, 2023

Pictures: UFC on ESPN 52 UFC on ESPN 52 was topped by lightweight sparkplugs Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan.

UFC

Dec 02, 2023

Pictures: ONE Friday Fights 43 ONE Friday Fights 43 brought an explosive 12-bout fight card to Bangkok.

Kickboxing & Muay Thai

Dec 01, 2023

How to Watch UFC on ESPN 52 Lightweight go-getters will fly the Ultimate Fighting Championship flag when Beneil Dariush confronts Arman Tsarukyan on Saturday in Texas.

UFC

Dec 01, 2023

Rodolfo Bellato’s Zero Hour The 27-year-old Brazilian light heavyweight will make his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut when he faces Ihor Potieria as part of the UFC on...

UFC

Dec 01, 2023

The Pulse: UFC on ESPN 52 The Ultimate Fighting Championship will enter the home stretch of its 2023 campaign with UFC on ESPN 52 this Saturday at the Moody Center in...

UFC