*For immediate release for publication
Roselle, Park, NJ (January 24, 2026)– Welcome to the Real fight media boxing and MMA fights of the weekwhere we cover the most important news of the week and the most notable fights in the sports of boxing and MMA, so you can save time by getting your best combat sports news fast.
In boxing newslast weekend, during a highly anticipated grudge match in Brisbane, Australia, Nikita Tszyu, 28 (11-0, 9 Kos)boxer’s brother Tim Tszyufought Michael Zerafa, 33, (34-5, 22 Kos) on January 16, 2026, which ended in a controversial no-contest as Zerafa said he was blind in one eye, caused by an accidental head collision. No winner was declared, sparking outrage among fans. You can watch this bizarre ending here.
Adding another win to his undefeated record, Raul “El Cugár” Curiel (17-0-1, 13 KOs) beat out a last minute substitution Jordan “The Patriot” Panthen (11-2, 9 KOs) in Palm Desert, California a card promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. You can view the full map overview here.
A US Marshals and Police Warrant has now been issued for the arrest of former WBA World Champion, Gervonta Davis, 31, (30-0-1, 28 Kos)in Miami, Florida, on domestic violence charges. As of Friday, January 23, Davis has been missing for 9 days. You can read about the incident here.
By Dana White The opening event of TKO Boxing and Zuffa will take place on Friday in the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, with many undefeated fighters on this card. This card will be broadcast on television Biggest+. You can register to watch this event here. You can view the full card preview and read about the signing of Cruiserweight Jai Opetaia here. Eddie Hearn promoted Jai Opetaia. You can watch his reaction here.
Raymond Muratalla, 29, (23-0, 17 KOs)is set to defend the IBF title he won for the first time last year when he faced him Andy Cruz, 30, (6-0, 3 KOs)to exclusively headline a Matchroom Boxing show live DAZN. The reason Cruz is getting a title shot so early in his career is because he was a 2020 Olympic gold medalist. You can check out by Robert Brizel example here.
Jose Tito Sanchez will be confronted Jesus Eduardo Ramirez Rubio on Friday in Long Beach, CA, at DAZN. Check out by Robert Brizel example here.
Omar Chavez And Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. both will fight Saturday in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. You can check out by Robert Brizel example here.
Deontay Wilder is close to finalizing a deal to fight Derek Chisora in April, before he fights Oleksandr Usykwhich was approved by the WBC this week. You can check out by Robert Brizel article here.
The Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios The press conference took place on Thursday. You can watch the press conference and showdown here.
WBC chairman Mauricio Sulaiman wrote an open letter as a final stand against Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act HR 4634, which is being passed by Congress. Mauricio explains why these changes are not good for the boxers. You can read by Robert Brizel article here.
The Real Combat Media Boxing Awards took place 2 weeks ago for 2025. Here you can see who won each prize.
You can use the current international boxing rankings here.
In MMA NewsUFC is finally back after 6 weeks off! #4 Justin Slightje, 37, (26-5) will be confronted #5 Paddy Pimblett, 31, (23-3) for the UFC Interim Lightweight Title. Paddy has won 9 fights in a row and is undefeated in the UFC. Gaethje is expected to retire if he loses this fight. The winner will be confronted Ilia Topuria for the official UFC title later this year. You can watch the weigh-in, countdown show, preview and presser here.
The co-main event will feature mainstream striking expert, #3 Sean O’Malley, 31, (18-3) versus the Chinese Kung Fu Kid #5 Song Yadong, 28, (22-8-1). The winner of this fight will be in a contender position to challenge the winner Peter Jan vs Merab Dvalishvili 3. Yadong has won 3 of his last 4 fights, including a win Henry Cejudo. In a must-win situation, O’Malley hasn’t won a fight in almost two years. He has lost to Merab twice in a row because he couldn’t stop his elite wrestling. You can view the bets here.
The third big fight on this loaded card is the reliable Dominican
#5 Waldo Cortes-Acosta, 34, (16-2)who will face the Knockouts Artist’s former title challenger #8 Derrick Lewis, 40, (29-12, 1NC). The winner of this fight will find themselves in a contender position for a possible UFC Heavyweight title later this year or next year.
The rising star, #4 Natalia Silva, 28, (19-5-1)who hails from Brazil will face the former UFC 115lb champion, Rose Namajunas, 33, (15-7). Rose is fighting to stay relevant in her UFC career as she is 3-3 in her last six fights. Silva has been dominant in her UFC career, winning all seven fights and being very confident in her skills. If Silva can win this fight, she will be able to compete Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC title later this year.
At featherweight #6 Arnold Allen, 32, (20-3) will face Brazil #10 Jean Silva, 29, (16-3) in the first battle on the main card. Silva is (5-1) in the UFC; however, he was stopped Diego Lopez in his last fight at 145 pounds in September 2025. Allen also needs to win this fight as he has lost 2 of his last 3 fights.
UFC bantamweight Cameron Smoorman passed out and was planted on the stage immediately after making weight (135.5 lbs) for UFC 324 on January 23, 2026. His fight has been canceled.
UFC Paramount+ full card records:
Main card
Lightweight: Justin Gaethje (26-5) vs. Paddy Pimblett (23-3)
Bantamweight: Sean O’Malley (18-3, 1 NC) vs. Song Yadong (22-8-1, 1 NC)
Heavyweight: Waldo Cortes-Acosta (16-2) vs. Derrick Lewis (29-12, 1 NC)
Women’s Flyweight: Natalia Silva (19-5-1) vs. Rose Namajunas (15-7)
Featherweight: Arnold Allen (20-3) vs. Jean Silva (16-3)
Preliminary map
Bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov (19-1) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (25-5-1)
Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov (30-11) vs. Modest Bukauskas (19-6)
Middleweight: Ateba Gautier (9-1) vs. Andrey Pulyaev (10-3)
Flyweight: Alex Perez (25-10) vs. Charles Johnson (18-7)
Early preliminary map
Lightweight: Michael Johnson (25-19) vs. Alexander Hernandez (18-8)
Heavyweight: Josh Hokit (7-0) vs. Denzel Freeman (7-1)
Welterweight: Adam Fugitt (10-5) vs. Ty Miller (6-0, 1 NC)
Justin slave has publicly disputed that fighter pay has increased under the new UFC-Paramount deal, stating that he “doesn’t get $1 anymore,” a claim that Dana White refutes. You can check out Dana White’s answer here.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik was arrested in Florida for domestic violence and false imprisonment. You can read more about that case here.
The PFLThe world’s #2 MMA organization in the world is officially rebuilding. CEO Peter Murray and chairman Ray Zipos recently resigned. This week, PFL co-founder and chairman, Don Davisannounced he is stepping down from his role, following a quiet end to the PFL’s association with Jake Paul after three years without fighting. PFL discussed its future and you can read the plans to develop the business
here.
42 year old MMA welterweight legend, Nick Diazwas recently released from rehab in Mexico and just got married. However, during his absence, he said that his relationship with his brother… Nate Diazisn’t the same right now, taking shots at him on social media. You can read more about this here here. Hopefully these 2 MMA legends can resolve their family situation soon.
The UFC has officially launched its archive library Biggest+which marks the start of its new primary streaming partnership in 2026. You can sign up here.
The Real Combat Media MMA Awards took place last week for 2025. Here you can see who won each prize.
For PFL tee times, more informationAnd to watch PFL eventsclick here.
To view the current UFC rankingsclick here.
Prepare for the UFC in 2026 and sign up Biggest+ here.
For the most current news from the #2 MMA promotion PFLclick here.
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