Kayla Harrison seeks her third PFL Women’s Lightweight Title in $1 million-dollar, trilogy battle against Larissa Pacheco

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) returns this Friday, November 25, just one day after Thanksgiving, in one of biggest nights in all of MMA. New York’s Madison Square Garden will play host to six title fights and six PFL Championship belts with a grand total of $6 million at stake.

ESPN Pay-Per-View ($49.99) will broadcast and distribute the historic “PFL World Championship” event live from the “World’s Most Famous Arena,” beginning at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT.  Also, ESPN+ will exclusively stream the undercard at 5:30 p.m. ET/ 2:30 p.m. PT.  Plus, pre-fight show coverage will start at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT on ESPN+.

The main event will feature Kayla Harrison (15-0), the unbeaten two-time PFL Women’s Lightweight Champion, battling Larissa Pacheco (18-4). This will be the third time these two ladies have fought one another. The first time, in May 2019, Harrison beat Pacheco, via unanimous decision. Harrison, again, would defeat Pacheco later that same year to win her first PFL Women’s Lightweight Championship.

Kayla Harrison launches a kick across Pacheco’s head.

The years later, Harrison, seeking her third consecutive PFL Championship and $1 million grand prize, has emerged as one of the top female athletes in combat sports. Harrison’s name has been linked to Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes, two of the all-time greatest female fighters in history.

Whether Harrison fights either Cyborg, or Nunes remains to be seen. However, the one guarantee that is certain remains the fact Harrison and Pacheco will battle fiercely once again for the privilege of being called PFL Women’s Lightweight Champion. This trilogy, perhaps the final chapter between these two rivals, has a grand prize of $1 million at stake.

This will be Harrison’s fourth fight in 2022. She also repeated that feat just last year; winning her second PFL Championship having earned four finishes in as many fights. Harrison competed just once outside of the PFL during the 2020 COVID-Pandemic, but fought four times in 2019; winning her first PFL Women’s Lightweight Championship in 2019.

Since her professional debut in 2018, Harrison has had 15 professional MMA fights, 12 finishes. Harrison has fought and defeated some of the best fighters the PFL made available. As long as Harrison is competing in the PFL tournament, it’s almost a given that she will win the $1 million grand prize each time. At age 32, Harrison continues to evolve into this ferocious beast once the PFL cage door closes.

With respect to Pacheco, I’m 100% not sure she can do anything that can potentially upset Harrison on Friday. However, to Pacheco’s credit, she’s younger at 28. Her resume has a few recognizable names. Pacheco is 7-2 since signing with the PFL. She beat Sarah Kaufman, a former Invicta FC champion. Pacheco is currently on a five-fight winning streak (5 finishes); having competed five times since May 2021.

This maybe the most competitive of the three fights Harrison and Pacheco have had. Plus, the entire card looks stellar from top tot bottom:

https://www.ticketmaster.com/pfl-mma-2022-championship-new-york-new-york-11-25-2022/event/3B005D34B4061548

Vladim Nemkov wins World Light-Heavyweight Grand Prix, Unbeaten Nurmagomendov wins world title

BELLATOR MMA returned on Friday, November 18, with the World Light-Heavyweight Championship Grand Prix finale. BELLATOR 205-lb. World Champion Vladim Nemkov (16-2, 1 NC) successfully defended his title in a rematch against Corey Anderson (16-6, 1) in the main event; winning the $1 million-dollar grand prize.

Vladim Nemkov has successfully defended his 205-lb. title successfully four times; winning a $1 million-dollar BELLATOR MMA Grand Prix tournament

Nemkov-Anderson II was the main event of BELLATOR 288 live from Chicago, IL live on SHOWTIME on Friday, November 18.

The two initially fought in the tournament finale back in April. It appeared as though Anderson had the champion in serious trouble on the ground and was on the verge of winning the championship along with $1 million dollars. However, an accidental headbutt left a serious laceration above Nemkov’s eye. The fight was stopped and ruled a No-Contest, as Nemkov couldn’t continue.

Anderson had a tremendous win-streak and a lot of momentum on his side; winning his first three fights since signing with BELLATOR MMA after leaving the UFC in 2020. After knocking out Melvin Manhoef in devastating fashion, Anderson entered the light-heavyweight Grand Prix and knocked out Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov in three rounds. Anderson also KO’d Ryan Bader, the World Heavyweight Champion, in just 51 seconds.

When I tell you those two opportunities to become world champion and taking home $1 million was a missed opportunity for Corey, it was a sorely missed opportunity.

After seven months of preparation for the rematch, Nemkov seized the opportunity to working on the necessary adjustments needed to beat Anderson. Nemkov kept his distance, defended Anderson’s takedown attempts, and out-boxed the slugger through five competitive, but dominant rounds.

Nemkov stuffed several takedowns in round one, as he kept the fight in the middle of the cage. Nemkov jabbed and countered Anderson’s punches; landing with greater accuracy and consistency. Nemkov dropped Anderson at the end of the first-round behind a reverse spin-kick to the head.

Reverse heel-kicks, spinning back-fists, jabs, and takedown defense, Nemkov’s striking was on full-display in the biggest fight of either fighter’s career. Anderson did land some good shots, but Nemkov threw more punches and display more skills throughout the fight.  

In round three, Anderson landed some solid shots that had Nemkov on his heels. However, when Anderson went for another unsuccessful takedown, Nemkov defended it successfully and kept the fight in the middle of the cage. Anderson’s face was swelling and bleeding.

Anderson was game. He truly was game, as he waited patiently for openings to assert himself into the fight. The fact that Anderson failed to score a single takedown on at least 10 attempts really put a dent in his game plan. One of the reasons why Anderson was so successful in BELLATOR was the “ground-and-pound,” which Anderson needed to score either a takedown, or a knockdown.

Neither of which occurred, as Nemkov continued to box, kick, and defend his way toward retaining his championship; winning the $1 million-dollar grand prize.

All three judges scored the contest 49-46 (twice) and 48-47.

Nemkov entered the tournament as the defending BELLATOR World Light-Heavyweight Champion. Nemkov defeated Bader, the organizations first simultaneous, double-champion, in August 2020. Nemkov went unbeaten throughout the tournament; racking up four title defenses to extend his title reign to just over two years.

Next, Nemkov has already been scheduled for a February 4, 2023 title defense against Yoel Romero, a former UFC Light-Heavyweight contender, live on CBS.

Unbeaten Usman Nurmagomendov wins BELLATOR World Light-Heavyweight Championship

At 16-0, Nurmagomendov is an undefeated BELLATOR MMA World Champion

Also, unbeaten No. 1-ranked Usman Nurmagomendov (16-0), captured the BELLATOR World Lightweight Championship from Patricky ‘PitBull’ Fierce (24-15). It was both a dominant and career-best performance from the young 24-year-old cousin of Khabib Nurmagomendov, who retired an unbeaten UFC World Lightweight Champion.

All three judges scored the fight 50-44, as Patricky lost the title in his very first defense as champion.

Nurmagomendov, at 5’ 11,” kept his distance from the shorter 5’ 7” champion. Nurmagomendov, interchanging between south-paw to conventional, opened the fight landing leg-kicks against Patricky’s inner and outer thigh before planting kicks across the champion’s body.

In round two, Nurmagomendov landed a straight-left to Patricky’s face before dragging the champion onto the mat for the takedown. Nurmagomendov, from the dominant position, landed body punches, elbows, and hammer-fists. Nurmagomendov rammed body-punches and head shots before taking Patricky’s back; trying to set-up a rear-naked choke. Nurmagomendov flattened Patricky on the mat before landing vicious elbows upside the head to end the round.

Nurmagomendov continued control the pace of the fight using distance, leg-kicks, and superior striking. Patricky simply couldn’t close the gap, as his face was bloody, left-thigh reds, and championship belt quickly slipping away.

In round five, it was clear that Patricky needed a KO to win. Nurmagomendov dragged Patricky onto the mat for another takedown and continued to dominate the fight. When both fighters returned to their feet, both fighter’s faces was covered in Patricky’s blood.

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, 1984-2022, was Simply Wonderful

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson passed away on Sunday after suffering the effects from a ‘lengthy illness.’ He was 38 years of age.

“Rumble” Johnson will be remembered for his kindness, humbleness, and humility to those that knew him outside the MMA cage. “Rumble” Johnson was a really cool dude and was respected by everyone.

“Rumble” Johnson was a truly wonderful man. However, make no mistake, when those hot and heavy spot lights turned, as that cage door locked, “Rumble” Johnson was one of the most dangerous, fierce, and menacing punchers to have ever competed inside the Octagon.

Win, lose, or draw, “Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (23-6) was one of the most exciting, action-packed, and relentless fighters to have stepped into an MMA cage.

For more than 15 years, “Rumble” Johnson competed amongst the very best MMA fighters from across the globe at the highest level. Vitor Belfort, Josh Koscheck, Andre Arlovski, Phil Davis, Antonio Nogueira, Ryan Bader, Glover Teixeira, Alexander Gustafsson all felt Johnson’s brute strength and unfathomable power. It’s amazing just how much power Johnson had in both fists. “Rumble” had the type of power that could end a fight in just seconds.

When “Rumble” Johnson twice competed for the UFC light-heavyweight championship against Daniel Cormier (2015, 17), even Cormier, as strong and as talented as he is, knew that he had to take “Rumble” off his feet and wrestle him. Cormier defeated “Rumble” Johnson, via rear-naked choke in each of their two UFC title fights.

After beginning his career with a 3-0 record as a welterweight, “Rumble” Johnson went 19-6 after having competed in the UFC for a decade before he retired from MMA after losing to Cormier in April 2017.

“Rumble” Johnson made is BELLATOR MMA debut in May 2021; ending a four-year retirement. Nobody knew that is second-round KO of Jose Augusto Azevedo would be the final fight of is career. “Rumble” Johnson was set to compete in the BELLATOR MMA Light-heavyweight Championship Grand Prix in is very next fight, but withdrew due to an undisclosed illness that ultimately claimed his life.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hemophagocytic-lymphohistiocystosis

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/kimmel_cancer_center/cancers_we_treat/Lymphoma/index.html

I am truly sorry “Rumble” Johnson died so young, before his time. He will be missed by many, hated by few, but respected by all. Here are a few final and most memorable highlights:

Top Rank Boxing on ESPN Release: Janibek Alimkhanuly & Women’s Champion Seniesa Estrada retain world titles

Janibek The Champ: Alimkhanuly Defeats Bentley to Retain Middleweight Title

WBA Minimumweight Champion Seniesa Estrada Returns with Dominant Victory Over Jazmin Gala Villarin

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 12, 2022) —The script underwent some last-minute changes. Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly was supposed to blow out Denzel Bentley, but the London native had other ideas. Alimkhanuly made the first defense of his WBO middleweight world title with a unanimous decision (116-112 2x and 118-110) over Bentley on Saturday evening at Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort. 

Janibek (13-0, 8 KOs) controlled the early rounds, but Bentley (17-2-1, 14 KOs) turned the tide of the fight in the dramatic fifth round. He pushed Janibek to the ropes and laced the heavy favorite with right hands. 

After a competitive 11th, Janibek nearly closed the show in the 12th, landing a series of straight lefts that wobbled Bentley.

Janibek said, “It’s boxing. Anything can happen in the ring. He came prepared. I respect my opponent because he was prepared. He was 100 percent, but I am a champion and I fought all 12 rounds as a champion.

“I am ready for any champion, for unifications. I am ready. Let’s fight.”

Bentley, a two-time British middleweight champion, believed the fifth round marked the fight’s turning point.

Bentley said, “I thought I was in the fight. In the fifth round, my coach told me we weren’t in front and to pick up the pace, so I picked up the pace.”

The rally proved too little, too late, as Janibek stemmed the changing tide and stamped his victory with a dramatic final round.

Estrada Retains World Title

After more than 300 days away from the ring, Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada made her triumphant ring return, defending her WBA minimumweight world title with a one-sided decision over Argentina’s Jazmin Gala Villarino. All three judges had the bout a shutout, 100-90, and Estrada outlanded her foe, 210-121.

Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs) came back in fine form, keeping Villarino off balance by switching from orthodox to southpaw and back again. Villarino (6-2-2, 1 KO) hung tough and landed her share of clean shots, a phone booth affair that culminated in a toe-to-toe 10th round. 

Estrada said, “It’s been an emotional week for me because it’s been 328 days since I’ve been in the ring. And I just want to tell all girls and all women in sports to always believe in yourself and always believe in what you can do and always go after what you want. I might’ve been slowed down, but I can’t be stopped. This is what I was born to do. This is the talent God has given me, and this is my destiny, and you cannot stop destiny.

“After 11 months, we were prepared for her to come in and win. I’m the best opponent she’s faced, and she wanted to defeat me. I was prepared to go 10 rounds or get the knockout.

“I shook the ring rust off, and I’m ready to go for unification fights and undisputed fights.”

In undercard action:

Lightweight: Emiliano Fernando Vargas (2-0, 2 KOs) KO 2 Julio Cesar Martinez (1-1, 1 KO), :47. The prodigy delivered. Vargas, the youngest son of former world champion Fernando Vargas, knocked out Martinez with a left hook in the second round, bringing the capacity crowd to its feet in his Top Rank debut. Vargas withstood an early charge from Martinez, who landed 11 of 45 punches in the opening round. In the second round, the vaunted Vargas left hook ended matters. The celebration began, and Vargas ran into the waiting arms of his father, who also serves as his head trainer.

Vargas said, “The dude was a sturdy guy. He came in there to fight. I know he prepared himself 140 percent, and I prepared myself 140 percent. I just had to listen to my corner, my father, keep on boxing, and the shots will open up. Just box beautifully.”

Lightweight: Raymond Muratalla (16-0, 13 KOs) TKO 6 Miguel Contreras (12-2-1, 6 KOs), 2:23. Muratalla, one of the sport’s rising lightweight contenders, used an educated right hand to grind down Contreras, a tough-nosed veteran from Bakersfield, California. After a right hand shook Contreras in the sixth, Muratalla unloaded. Contreras, defenseless in the blue corner, was saved from further damage.

Super Middleweight: Javier Martinez (8-0, 2 KOs) UD 6 Marco Antonio Delgado (7-5, 5 KOs), Scores: 60-54 and 59-55 2x. Martinez, a former U.S. amateur standout from Milwaukee, earned his fourth straight six-round decision with a workmanlike performance over the durable Delgado.

Junior Featherweight: Floyd Diaz (8-0, 3 KOs) TKO 4Edgar Joel Cortes (9-7-1, 1 KO),1:14. “Cash Flow” notched his second knockout in three fights, knocking Cortes down with a right hand in the fourth round. Cortes beat the count with time to spare, but referee Mike Ortega deemed Cortes unfit to continue and waved it off.

Lightweight: Charlie Sheehy (5-0, 4 KOs) TKO 1 Markus Bowes (2-1, 2 KOs), 1:37. Sheehy overwhelmed Bowes in 97 seconds, knocking down the North Carolina native with a right hand a little more than one minute into the opening stanza. Bowes rose to his feet on wobbly legs and Sheehy pounced to earn the stoppage.

Lightweight: Karlos Balderas (14-1, 12 KOs) TKO 8 Esteban Sanchez (18-3, 8 KOs), 1:02. Balderas, a 2016 U.S. Olympian, earned the most significant victory of his career in knocking out Sanchez, a native of Tijuana, Mexico. Balderas dropped Sanchez with a right hand in the opening round, and in the eighth, a right cross prompted referee Raul Caiz Jr. to stop the fight. Sanchez pushed Balderas in the middle rounds, but he was losing via shutout on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage.

Heavyweight: Antonio Mireles (6-0, 6 KOs) KO 1 Eric Perry (5-1-1, 5 KOs), 2:26. “El Gigante,” a southpaw from Des Moines, Iowa, let the left hands fly in a one-round destruction over the previously undefeated Perry. Mireles landed a plethora of lefts that had Perry stumbling into the ropes, but it was a right hook that planted the Georgia native onto the canvas for the 10-count.

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 12, 2022) —The ste changes. Ja Style” A

Matchroom Boxing Release: CONTROVERSY AS LOVE IS DISQUALIFIED AGAINST SPARK Australian leaves the ring during clinch and Love pays heavy price

Controversy reigned in Cleveland as Montana Love was disqualified after Steve Spark was lifted over the ropes in a clinch in the sixth round – Spark picking up the WBA Intercontinental Super-Lightweight title in the process.   The fight was building into a cracker through six rounds, with drama in the second round as a Spark attack stunned Love who was put onto the canvas hard by the Aussie in the second round, with a right hand the final punch of a damaging flurry. Love recovered quickly but the crowd were on tenterhooks as Spark knew that he could hurt the hometown star.   Love still had his legs and was looking to counter, as an emboldened Spark stalked Love who was looking to set traps and noticeably began investing in body work. Spark once again launched a ferocious attack in the fifth round, but Love was able to withstand the heavy-handed man from Down Under and fire back.   The very first action was an accidental headclash that led to a nasty cut above the left eye of Love, and after a lengthy check from the doctor the fight resumed, and the pair almost immediately got tangled in a clinch that saw the pair land on the ropes heavily and in the melee, Spark toppled over the ropes.   The Australian jumped straight to his feet and back into the ring intent on carrying on a fight that was brewing nicely, but the referee disqualified Love much to the dismay of a crowd that was fully invested in a fight that was building to a crescendo on an exciting night in Cleveland.   “Thank you to Cleveland for the hospitality,” said Spark. “My job is to fight, and this has changed my life. I’m devastated how it ended. I got the early knock down and I was fighting with my whole heart, it was growing into a great fight, but we didn’t want it to end this way.”   “He was using dirty rough house tactics all night and I pushed him off me, I didn’t lift him up or throw him out of the ring,” said Love. “We wanted him to tire out and catch him later on, and that’s where it was going. I want to do it again, he can’t outbox me or outfight me, let’s do it again.”   “It was a bad decision,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Montana was rough but he didn’t intentionally throw him out of the ring, and Steve got back into the ring and wanted to keep fighting. Referees have a tough job but that was a poor decision and one made too quickly.    “It was turning into a great fight, the commission will review, I would love to do it again.”   Richardson Hitchins claimed his first pro title in his first fight with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn as he picked up the IBF North American Super-Lightweight title against Yomar Alamo.   Hitchins established his jab early and then opened up towards the end of the third round, regularly finding a home for his right hand. The Brooklyn slickster was proving too hot to handle for Alamo, who was met with a stiff jab any time he tried to mount an attack but was keeping Hitchins honest despite not managing to land anything to deter Hitchins.   Hitchins was pitching a shut-out moving into the final rounds and showed signs of pushing for a stoppage as Alamo began to look discouraged and Hitchins began to enjoy himself. Alamo made it to the end of the eighth round, but Alamo and his corner ended the bout on his stool, and Hitchins had a belt placed around his waist for the first time – and made it clear that the man he wants next.   “I could have knocked him out earlier but I’m happy with the performance,” said Hitchins. “I started hurting him and adjusting and eventually I got him out of there.   “I didn’t have to take this fight in Ohio in front of a hostile crowd. I want Montana Love next. I keep being asked that question and I keep giving the same answer, it’s time to ask him if he wants it – I came over to Matchroom, it’s time for him to sign the contract and let’s do it.”   Raymond Ford lived up to his nickname with a ‘Savage’ KO win over Sakaria Lukas to defend his WBA Continental Americas Featherweight title. Ford had bad intentions from the start and Lukas was down inside the opening minute of the fight, although that owed as much to a tangle of legs and collision with the referee.Regardless, Ford peppered away in the opening half of the fight, poured it on in the sixth and went in for the kill in the seventh, with Lukas getting a point deducted for holding and hitting to make his plight even worse. A big left hand in the eighth from Ford was a sign of things to come and as the facial damage was beginning to show on the Namibian as Ford connected cleanly with every shot before delivering the massive right hand that closed the sho.   Thomas Mattice recorded the biggest win of his career to date, outpointing unbeaten Puerto Rican Christian Tapia in a back-and-forth contest. Mattice set the tone by putting Tapia down in the second round with a counter left hook and hurt Tapia again in the third in a ferocious start to the fight.    Tapia grew into it after that rough beginning and began to have success leading into the second half of the fight, a body assault seeming to affect Mattice, but the Ohio man turned the tide back with a big right hand in the seventh. The to and fro action continued to the tenth and final round where both men poured it all out to the final bell, a breathless battle ending with scorecards of 97-92, 96-93, 96-93 for the hometown man who ripped the WBC Continental Americas Super-Featherweight title from Tapia.   Kicking off the DAZN broadcast, Beatriz Ferreira made a great start to life in the pro game, beating fellow Brazilian Taynna Cardoso over four three-minute rounds. Former amateur star Ferreira made the perfect start with a knockdown in the opening round, and repeated that trick in the third round en-route to taking victory 40-34 on all three cards, and the 29 year old will return swiftly on December 3 in Glendale, Arizona.   Nikoloz Sekhniashvili got back to winning ways after a dominant performance over David Rodriguez after the referee waved the action off in the corner before the start of the fourth round, with Rodriguez suffering horrible swelling to the right eye which began from being floored by a left hook in the opening session, Sekhniashvili improving to 8-1.   Montana Love’s older brother Raynell Williams put Ryizeemmion Ford down in the first round on his way to a comfortable points win over six as his return to action continued, getting the nod 60-53 on all three cards and moving to 14-1.   Khalil Coe kicked the action off by registering his fourth win in the paid ranks. Coe floored Bradley Olmeda in the fifth round and looked for the stoppage but Olmeda gamely survived to hear the final bell, where Coe swept the cards 60-53 to move to 4-0-1.

Bivol retains WBA light-heavyweight title, Chantelle Cameron becomes Women’s Undisputed, & Plant-Benavidez announced!

To be considered a great fighter, the fighters themselves must take risks. And this week, whether they’ve won, or lost, we saw numerous examples of the type of risks boxers, world champions, and unbeaten fighters must take in order to take their careers to the “next level.”

As an unbeaten WBA light-heavyweight champion of 6 ½ years, Dmitry Bivol has had quite a year. In May, Bivol, in the biggest fight of his career, defeated boxing’s most popular and biggest superstar in Canelo Alvarez. It was almost a total one-sided, masterful performance, as Bivol out-boxed Canelo through 12-rounds for a unanimous-decision victory.

Six months later, which brought us to Saturday, Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) appearing in his second bout of ’22, defended his championship against Gilberto Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs), a previously unbeaten former WBO super-middleweight champion of 6 world title fights.

The victory was Bivol’s 12^th successful defense as 175-lb. champion; a reign that includes defining moments against Canelo, Sullivan Barrera, Issac Chimemba, Jean Pascal, and Joe Smith.   

Ramirez, a highly-regarded boxer/puncher, promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, won his previous five fights at 175, while waiting nearly three years for chance to become light-heavyweight champion.

The action of the fight was fast-paced.  Ramirez came forward and threw a lot of punches; catching Bivol with several stiff right-jabs. However, Bivol countered with greater speed, accuracy, and appeared a bit stronger than Ramirez. Although Ramirez was competitive and kept pace, Bivol’s timing and combination-punching prove to be too much; especially during the championship rounds. Bivol landed the harder, more accurate shots. Bivol forced Ramirez to have to fight moving backwards in an uncomfortable spot, as Ramirez often covered up. Bivol was looking to knock Ramirez out on an accumulation of punches.

The judges’ scored the contest 118-110 and 117-111 (twice).

Unbeaten Chantelle Cameron edges Jessica McCaskill, wins Undisputed World Championship at 140 lbs.

Chantelle Cameron (17-0, 8 KOs) defeating Jessica McCaskill (12-3, was another example of two fighters putting everything on the line to be great.

McCaskill, who is also the Undisputed Women’s World Welterweight Champion, took a huge risk moving down to 140 lbs., to challenge Chantelle Cameron, the unified WBC, IBF and Ring Magazine champion. Cameron agreed to risk her titles against McCaskill for a chance to claim the vacant WBA, WBO, and IBO championships. At age 31, the timing couldn’t out worked out any better for Cameron. 

Had McCaskill won, she would have become only the second woman in boxing history to win Undisputed Championships in two separate weight divisions. The first to ever do it was Claressa Shields, who recently became Undisputed World Champion in a third weight-class.

McCaskill, competing in her ninth consecutive world championship fight, is a three-division world champion. McCaskill, the only woman to ever beat Cecelia Braekhus twice, also fought Katie Taylor, Erica Frias, and Kandi Wyatt. Previously, McCaskill annihilated Alma Ibarra in three-rounds in June.

One of the biggest concerns heading into this fight was the weight. McCaskill has fought comfortably well and efficiently at 147. But whenever an older fighter, a 38-year-old boxer, has to cut down an additional seven lbs. to compete in a weight-class they haven’t fought in so long against an unbeaten unified champion that’s seven years younger, anything can happen.

Maybe the drop to 140 lbs. affected McCaskill, who appeared flat and off-balanced with her punches from the opening bell. In addition, McCaskill received a hard head-butt in that first-round. Cameron, recognized for her boxing ability, easily timed McCaskill’s punches coming forward. Cameron won nearly each exchange early, as it too McCaskill a while to settle into the fight.

When McCaskill did finally settle into the fight, as always she gave Cameron everything she could. McCaskill kept plowing forward; pressuring Cameroon behind wild and ferocious punches that left her face red. McCaskill knew she was behind in the fight and needed to rally.

McCaskill was came-up short, as the three judges at ringside scored the contest 94-96, 94-96, and 93-97.

Caleb Plant vs. David Benavidez announced!

After months of a highly-anticipated build between two of the best super-middleweights on the planet, both Caleb Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) and David Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) have agreed to fight one another in the first-quarter of 2023.

This is what boxing is all about – The Best vs. The Best! I understand winning world championships, unifying titles, mandatory challengers, and optional titles defenses. It’s also understandable how some fighters want to repackage themselves following a loss. However, there are times when there are fights that should be made and they simply aren’t.

Credit to Caleb Plant for making this fight with Benavidez happen. As a former unbeaten IBF super-middleweight champion of nearly three years, Plant stepped-up daring to be great by challenging Canelo for the Undisputed World Super-Middleweight Championships in Nov. ’21. Plant came-up short and was stopped in round 12, but successfully rebounded with a spectacular knockout of Anthony Dirrell at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn just weeks ago.

And just like that, Plant is set to step-up again to face a true monster in the 168-lb. division in Benavidez.

How many times will David Benavidez fight for a WBC title? The guy is an unbeaten, three-time WBC super-middleweight champion. How many times are we going to see guys like Ronald Gavril, Anthony Dirrell, and David Lemieux challenge Benavidez? These are great showcase fights for the monstrous 6’ 1,” 25-year-old American native of Mexican decent. However, his talent and excitement should be going up against guys like Plant and Canelo.

SHOWTIME Boxing Release: David Morrell thrills crowd with emphatic 12th-round KO in WBA 168-lb. title defense

MINNEAPOLIS FAN-FAVORITE DAVID MORRELL JR. THRILLS CROWD WITH EMPHATIC 12^TH-ROUND KO IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE DEFENSE SATURDAY NIGHT ON SHOWTIME^®

FROM THE ARMORY

Brian Mendoza Stuns Jeison Rosario with Fifth-Round KO in Co-Main Event; Fiodor Czerkaszyn Dominates Nathaniel Gallimore in Telecast Opener

MINNEAPOLIS – November 6, 2022 – Minneapolis’ adopted son and rising phenom David Morrell, Jr. showed flashes of his superstar potential, bloodying and battering mandatory challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly over 12 rounds before closing the show in emphatic fashion to defend his WBA Super Middleweight Title Saturday night via KO in the main event of action live on SHOWTIME from The Armory in Minneapolis in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

Watch the KO here: https://twitter.com/ShowtimeBoxing/status/1589103465141354499

“Thank you everybody in Minnesota for coming to support me,” said Morrell, who predicted an eighth round KO during Thursday’s final press conference. “Thank you to my family, my team, everybody. I’m so excited, man. I told everyone at the press conference that the fight is mine. I saw he was hurt at that moment and then the results came in, that knockdown came. A knockout is a knockout, so if it’s in the eighth or 12th round, it’s a knockout anyways.”

Ahead 110-99 twice and 108-101 entering the final round, Morrell (8-0, 7 KOs) wasn’t satisfied with just winning on the scorecards, as he pressed to extend his four-fight KO streak and put an exclamation mark on his performance. With just forty seconds left in the fight, Morrell did exactly that. The 24-year-old Cuban, who now lives and fights out of Minneapolis, flattened Yerbossynuly (16-1, 11 KOs) with a straight left hand followed by a right hook, sending the lively crowd at The Armory into a frenzy. It was the second time in the round that Yerbossynuly was dropped after a straight left hand sent him to the canvas for the third time in his career.

In a fight where over 1,100 combined punches were thrown, the southpaw Morrell, who showed a diverse offensive arsenal and also dazzled with his flashy footwork and defense, landed 39 percent of his punches and 47 percent of his power punches. He landed 64 more jabs and 91 more power punches than the game Yerbossynuly, who showed both skills and guts. Morrell’s 54 body punches landed was also a career-high.

“I don’t think anyone is scared of me, I respect everyone in this division,” said Morrell, looking ahead to what could come next. “I do know they are aware of me. They know exactly who David Morrell Jr. is and that he’s coming for it all. I want David Benavidez, but I don’t care. I’m ready for everybody.”

Following the bout, Yerbossynuly was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center for evaluation.

In the co-main event, late replacement Brian Mendoza (21-2, 15 KOs) seized his opportunity and delivered a stunning fifth-round KO over former unified world champion Jeison Rosario (23-4-1, 17 KOs) in a performance that Mendoza described as career-altering. The 27-year-old Rosario announced his retirement following the fight. Watch the KO HERE: https://twitter.com/ShowtimeBoxing/status/1589087758479507458

“They thought I was a fill in,” said the 28-year-old Mendoza, who took the fight on ten days’ notice after Yoelvis Gomez suffered an injury. “I’ve been in the gym for seven months straight since I fought on March 26. This was anything but a last-minute call.”

Thirty-five seconds into the fifth stanza, Mendoza landed a vicious right uppercut that sent Rosario to the canvas for the second time in the fight. Rosario stumbled when attempting to rise, prompting referee Mark Calo-Oy to put a stop to the action.

In just five rounds of work, Mendoza was able to land 25 punches to the susceptible body of Rosario. In the second round, Mendoza landed a left hook to the body, causing Rosario to belatedly drop to a knee. This was the fourth time in Rosario’s career that he was dropped with a body shot.

“You watch tape on the guy, and you see what they’re open to,” Mendoza said. “I saw an opening and I went for it. I was just beyond ready for anything. Those are the adjustments you work on in camp. He kept slipping the straight line I was throwing. He was ducking and I was like, let’s see if this works. I sat on the punch and let it go, those were the instincts I worked.”

Tonight’s defeat marked the end of a splendid career for Rosario, who captured the WBA and IBF 154-pound belts by stopping Julian Williams in one of 2020’s biggest upsets.

“I think it’s time to say goodbye,” Rosario said. “I’m not fighting anymore. I’m going to retire. I have accomplished a lot, and it was good, but my career stops here. The most important thing is that I’m still healthy. I feel bad that I couldn’t give the Dominican people the result they hoped for, but I love you all and I thank you for all the support through the years.”

It was all Fiodor Czerkaszyn (21-0, 13 KOs) in the telecast opener, a fight in which the talented and undefeated middleweight raised his stock even further with an impressive unanimous decision over seasoned veteran Nathaniel Gallimore (22-6-1, 17 KOs). The judges scored the fight 98-92 and 99-91 twice.

“I felt in this fight I controlled him,” said the Ukrainian-born Czerkaszyn, who now fights out of Poland. “He is very fast and he wanted to catch me with a hard punch, but I wanted to feel the distance. It’s my style. I like to punch like that, fast and sometimes throw a strong punch.

Making his SHOWTIME debut, Czerkaszyn made a good first impression by displaying a wide range of skills during the course of the 10-round destruction. The 26-year-old landed 53 percent of his power punches and held a sizeable 59-6 advantage in body punches landed. Coming off a career-long layoff of 16 months and making his debut at 160 pounds, Gallimore didn’t pose enough of an offensive threat, landing just 24 percent of his power punches, but showed heart and toughness to last all 10 rounds.

“I started a little slow in there tonight,” said the Jamaican-born Gallimore, who now fights out of Chicago. “I couldn’t get my combinations going. He outworked me and they gave him the fight. That’s just how it is. It wasn’t my night. He never had me hurt in the fight. He did hit me with some good shots, but I wasn’t hurt or worried at any point that I couldn’t continue.”

With two consecutive wins in the United States after fighting exclusively in Europe, Czerkaszyn is eager to keep the momentum going stateside.

“I’m ready for the big stage,” he said. “Give me world title preparation, because I only had three weeks before this fight. But this was my chance. This is my step forward. I will be back.”

It was announced on tonight’s telecast that a high-stakes matchup of undefeated fighters will round out the network’s successful 2022 boxing lineup. On Saturday, December 17, lightweight contender Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera (24-0, 14 KOs) will take on Derrick James-trained Frank “The Ghost” Martin (16-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round lightweight title eliminator bout in the main event of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® telecast in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions. Additional details on the card will be announced at a later time.

In SHOWTIME BOXING COUNTDOWN prelim action that streamed live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS^® YouTube Channel, longtime contender Andre Dirrell (29-3, 19 KOs)scored a 10^th-round stoppage over hard-hitting light heavyweight Yunieski Gonzalez (21-5, 17 KOs) and former unified champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams (28-3-1, 16 KOs) scored a unanimous decision win over Rolando Mansilla (18-12-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight bout. Plus, unbeaten super lightweights Kent Cruz (16-0-3, 10 KOs) and Enriko Gogokhia (13-0-2, 8 KOs) fought to a majority draw in a rematch of their February split-draw.

Saturday’sSHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGtelecast will replay Sunday, November 6 at 8 a.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME and Monday, November 7 at 11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME^®. Veteran sportscaster Brian Custer hosted the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast while versatile combat sports voice Mauro Ranallo handled blow-by-blow action alongside Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and three-division world champion Abner Mares. Three Hall of Famers rounded out the telecast team – Emmy^® award winning reporter Jim Gray, world-renowned ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and boxing historian Steve Farhood as unofficial scorer. The executive producer was four-time Emmy Award winner David Dinkins, Jr. The producer was Ray Smaltz III and the director was Chuck McKean. Sportscaster Alejandro Luna called the action with former junior middleweight world champion and SHOBOX^® analyst Raúl “El Diamante” Marquez serving as expert analyst in Spanish on Secondary Audio Programming (SAP). SHOBOX announcer and combat sports expert Brian Campbell and his MORNING KOMBAT co-host Luke Thomas called the action during the live-stream bouts.  

The event was promoted by TGB Promotions and Warriors Boxing.

SHOWTIME Boxing Release: Jake Paul drops, decisions Anderson Silva in Saturday night thriller

JAKE PAUL DROPS, DECISIONS ANDERSON SILVA IN SATURDAY NIGHT THRILLER ON MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS SHOWTIME PPV^®

Ashton Sylve Blasts Out Braulio Rodriguez in Coming Out Party

Alexandro Santiago Stops Antonio Nieves; Uriah Hall Decisions Le’Veon Bell; Chris Avila Batters Dr. Mike Varshavski

The Paul-Silva Replay to Air Saturday, November 5 at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT Before SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

GLENDALE, ARIZ. – October 29, 2022 – The “Problem Child” took down an MMA legend on Saturday. International superstar Jake “The Problem Child” Paul dropped and decisioned former UFC star Anderson “The Spider” Silva in a bruising, brilliant eight-round unanimous decision on Saturday, October 29 in a Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) event live on SHOWTIME PPV from Desert Diamond Arena (formerly Gila River) in Glendale, Ariz., just outside of Phoenix.  The cruiserweight thriller took place in front of 14,430 fans in the highest-grossing boxing event for ticket revenue in the history of the arena.

Round after round, Paul solved the puzzle that is Silva, one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time, outworking the crafty veteran and dropping him with a looping overhand right for the second time in his boxing career with 2:20 left in the eighth round. Paul landed a steady diet of hard right hands and jabs to win by scores of 78-73 (Dennis O’Connell), 77-74 (Paul Calderon) and 78-73 (Chris Wilson). 

The Paul-Silva replay will air next Saturday, November 5 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT before the start of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® headlined by KO artist David Morrell (7-0, 6 KOs) defending his super middleweight title against Aidos Yerbossynuly (16-0, 11 KOs) at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT in a tripleheader.

“It’s a surreal moment,” said Paul, who improved to 6-0 with 4 KOs. “Hard work pays off. First and foremost, I want to say thank you to Anderson. He was my idol growing up. He inspired me to be great. He was the first celebrity I ever met. Without him, we wouldn’t have had a fight this year. He’s a tough mofo. A legend. I have nothing but respect for him. This just goes to show that anyone watching at home, chase your dreams. It’s never too late. I started boxing two-and-a-half years ago as a pro and just beat one of the greatest ever because I’m obsessed with this.”

Paul landed 51 of 121 power punches (44%), while Silva landed 66 of 176 of his power punches (38%). The difference for Paul was his jab. He threw 215 of them, 140 more than Silva, and landed 32. Paul also was committed to the body, with 30 of his 83 power puncher to the midsection.

“We were just fighting in the clinch, and he got caught on the way out,” Paul said of the knockdown. “He took so many hard shots throughout the whole fight. The dude is a real dog. You see what happens to everyone else that gets hit with that. He’s the toughest guy in the world but I just wanted it more. I’m a real dog and I left it all in the ring.

“They’re going to find something to say. ‘Fight a real boxer.’ I tried. If I were walking on water, people would say that I can’t swim. There’s always going to be haters. There’s always going to be critics. It’s an everyday part of life if you’re doing something and being successful. I don’t worry about it. This is just the start. I want Nate Diaz. Canelo, you too. You guys said, ‘You can’t beat a striker, you can’t beat a legend like Anderson Silva.’ I just did it. So why can’t I beat Canelo?”

The bout featured entertaining two-way action with Paul winning the final three rounds on the judges’ scorecards and Silva, 47, showboating, even dropping into a squat and frog-walking around the ring in the second round as Paul maintained his composure. Paul landed a number of hard right hands in an effort to duplicate the highlight-reel knockout he authored against former UFC champion Tyron Woodley last December on SHOWTIME PPV. But he was effective in landing scoring shots.

Paul, who wore feathered black and white trunks, ripped a three-punch combination that he punctuated with a hard right hand with 1:14 left in the seventh. Paul ended the round landing a sweeping right.

Paul, 25, landed another three-punch combination with a minute left in the sixth, starting down low and working his way up. But Silva (3-2) stormed back with a right uppercut and the two went toe-to-toe and exchanged heavy shots.

Most Valuable Promotions and Paul’s Boxing Bullies foundation provided over 300 tickets for local first responders from the Phoenix area to attend Saturday’s show. Paul and Boxing Bullies will continue the goodwill on Monday when they plan to donate $40,000 to help renovate the Central Boxing Gym in Phoenix. The event runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hall of Flames Museum where Boxing Bullies and 100 Club of Arizona will be honoring first responders and have a workout with over 70 local children.  

Paul’s company Betr will also donate $5,000 to the 100 Club of Arizona, which provides financial assistance to families of first responders during the event. 

In by far the toughest test of his young career, Ashton Sylve destroyed the vastly more experienced Braulio Rodriguez, dropping him with a stinging left uppercut with around a minute left in the first round. Rodriguez tried to get up but stumbled. When he finally rose, he wobbled backward, causing referee Tony Zaino to waive it off at 1:01 of the first round of their eight-round lightweight bout in the night’s co-feature. Sylve (8-0, 8 KOs) kept his knockout streak alive, earning his third first-round knockout of his career, which started in October 2020, while Rodriguez dropped to 20-5.

“First round KO – I can go a few more rounds,” Sylve said. “Come back here and put another show on.”

The first prospect signed by MVP, the 18-year-old Sylve kept his composure as the big-swinging Rodriguez cornered him and tried to land a haymaker. But it was Sylve who sliced a left hook in between Rodriguez’s shots that caused the damage. Sylve was economical in his destruction – he landed a total of three punches, according to CompuBox, with his second punch hurting Rodriguez and his third finishing him off. A former amateur star, Sylve stopped Rodriguez faster than the super lightweight contender Ryan Garcia, who needed five rounds to do so.

“I’m speechless,” Sylve said afterward. “I grew up under the spotlight, but this is something else. I’m ready for whatever comes next and I’m loving life right now. I don’t care who comes next. I just want the belt. There is nothing I want more than that right now.”

Sylve of Long Beach, Calif., walked to the ring in a Minions outfit, and he compared his surprising performance to the unexpected effect of Minions, whose small stature bely their powers, he said. 

“I love the movie Minions,” Sylve said. “But at the same time, it’s inspirational. You never would think the Minions do what they do. And I don’t think people would think an 18-year-old would come out here and put a performance on like this with a veteran, experienced fighter.”

In a rematch of their split draw on a 2016 SHOBOX: The New Generation^®, 118-pound contender Alexandro Santiago stopped Antonio Nieves when Nieves’ corner refused to let him come out for the eighth round of their 10-round bantamweight bout. Santiago was ahead on the judges’ scorecards by three scores of 68-65 at the time of the stoppage. Santiago landed 49% of his power punches, and 40 more power punches than Nieves of Cleveland, Ohio, according to CompuBox. Mexico’s Santiago called this the biggest win of his career and blamed nerves on the split draw in 2016 when he took the fight on short notice and was moving up in weight.

“In our first fight against each other, it was my big debut in the United States, so it was a different fight than what you saw tonight,” said Santiago, who improved to 27-3-5 with 14 KOs as Nieves dropped to 20-4-2. “I envisioned that it was going to end this way. I didn’t want it to go to the judges. I’m going to be even better trained for my next fight. I want to become the champion of the world, so I want to fight the best. The best that are out there in my division, I want to fight them.”

Top MMA striker Uriah Hall won a comfortable decision against former NFL star running back Le’Veon Bell on the PPV undercard, repeatedly ringing Bell’s head with jabs and right hands and causing Bell to use his legs, as he did on the gridiron. Hall’s constant pressure earned him three scores of 40-36 on the judges’ scorecards in the cruiserweight bout in both of their pro debuts.  

“I want to keep boxing. I want Jake Paul,” Hall said in the ring afterward. “I’m the dude that’s going to come out here and expose him. If Anderson doesn’t do it, I’m going to be the one to f— you up.”

Hall landed 44% of his power punches (47 of 106) according to CompuBox, and appeared to stun Bell on multiple occasions with his right hand. A 38-year-old former MMA standout who made his mark in both the UFC and Bellator, Hall owns wins over Anderson Silva and former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. After announcing his retirement from MMA in August, Hall agreed to face Bell, a former top running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets. Bell’s only boxing experience consisted of him flattening legendary running back Adrian Peterson with a one-punch knockout last month in a boxing exhibition.

“He definitely surprised me,” Hall added. “He’s pretty good. I do think he has a spot in this career. Obviously, this sport is mental. But for him to stick with his jab to the body, I didn’t know if he was trying to set me up, but he was very consistent with it. He was strong, man. I got cracked a couple times and I was like, ‘Holy shit.’ But I had to keep it together. I’m proud of him, man.”

In the pay-per-view opener, combat veteran Chris Avila dominated debuting “Dr. Mike” Varshavski in a four-round cruiserweight bout, relying on his experience and a potent overhand right to win a unanimous decision by three judges’ scores of 40-36. 

A veteran of 17 fights in both the UFC and Bellator, Avila (2-1) bloodied and hurt Dr. Mike in the final seconds of the fourth as he had Dr. Mike stumbling back into the ropes. Dr. Mike earned the assignment on the strength of his more than 22 million followers but beyond an exhibition in May, had never fought before. A board-certified family physician and media influencer, Dr. Mike showed plenty of toughness but boxed as if he was still learning on the job.

“Props to Dr. Mike for taking the fight,” said Avila, who improved his boxing record to 2-1. “I don’t have any bad feelings towards him. I’m glad I got the win, but I would have liked to get the finish. It was a four-round fight, so I had to get the work in. He’s a tough guy, so props to him.”

Making his second appearance on a Jake Paul card, Avila is an everyday training partner of Nate Diaz, who was on hand on Saturday and cheered his stablemate on. With a minute left in the second, Avila staggered Dr. Mike with an overhand right and hurt Dr. Mike again with a flush left that had him in trouble and taking deep breaths. Avila bloodied Dr. Mike’s nose with a straight right hand halfway through the third round and had Dr. Mike (0-1) stumbling backward in the fourth under a barrage of punches.

“I don’t fight at 185 pounds,” Avila went on. “I’ll come back to 168, so whoever wants it come and get you some. Who’s next? [Chad Ochocinco] can get it. Any of these guys can get it. I’m not going to say any names but any UFC fighters that are locked into your contracts out there, get out and I’ll give you some. Anybody can get it. Any boxer. Anybody.”

In preliminary action on the SHOWTIME PPV COUNTDOWN show, Glendale product Danny Barrios Flores bloodied and stopped Phoenix’s Edgar Ortiz Jr. 30 seconds into the sixth round to move to 11-0 with 3 KOs in the super bantamweight bout. In other action, the highly touted Shadasia Green, a former standout basketball player from Old Dominion, improved to 11-0 with 10 KOs as she dominated Ogleidis Suarez on her way to a TKO stoppage after Suarez’s corner decided she had sustained enough punishment following the fifth round in a super middleweight bout. Jeremiah Milton (7-0, 6 KOs) remained undefeated with a fifth-round stoppage of previously undefeated Quintin Sumpter (5-1, 4 KOs) in a heavyweight bout.