*For immediate release for publication
Roselle, Park, NJ (February 28, 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 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the T-Mobile Arena, Ryan Garcia, 27, (24-2, 1NC, 20 Kos) dominated Mario Barrios, 30, (29-2, 18 Kos) from the start, he scored a first-round knockdown with his right hand, to win an unanimous decision to win his first WBC world title. After the fight, Ryan shouted Shakur Stevenson. You can watch the video highlights, post-press conference and full card results here.
Richardson Hitchins, 28, (20-0, 8 Kos) reportedly got sick and started vomiting shortly after arriving Friday, causing his fight with him to be canceled Oscar Duarte, 30 (30-2-1, 23 Kos). Promoter Oscar De La Hoya called for an investigation. See what Oscar De La Hoya had to say here.
Gary Antoine Russell, 29, (19-1, 17 Kos) successfully defended his WBA super lightweight title, while Andy Hiraoka, 29, (24-1, 19 Kos) suffered his first professional defeat. Russell wants to be a champion Dalton Smith or Richardson Hitchins before you are confronted Shakur Stevenson in the future with this victory.
Leigh Wood, 37, (29-4, 17 KOs) defeated Josh Warrington, 35, (32-5-1, 8 KOs) by wide unanimous decision in their rematch on February 21, 2026 at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, UK. After the fight, both fighters said they might retire, and Wood said he wants to spend more time with his family. You can see the full card results, presser and video highlights here.
Featherweight boxing legend, Ruben Castillowho challenged for the World Boxing Council Featherweight and Super Featherweight titles four times, died this week in Bakersfield, Ca. You can read by Robert Brizel article here.
Claressa Shields, 30, (18-0-0, 3 KOs) successfully defended her undisputed world heavyweight championship against Franchon Crews-Dezurn, 38, (10-3, 2 Kos). You can watch the video highlights and pre-fight weigh-in here.
Zuffa Boxing made the news this week and signed UK Star Conor Benn to a 1 fight deal, that Eddie Hearn from Matchroom Promotions called a betrayal. For years, Eddie stood by Conor Benn’s side when he failed two drug tests, claiming he lent money to Benn when he was out of boxing and fighting his suspension. You can listen to some Eddie Hearn and Dana White to say about this historic signing here.
Carlos Adames, 31, (24-1-1, 18 Kos) will defend his WBC World Middleweight title against Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, 29, (20-1, 13 Kos) at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on Saturday, March 21. This fight was rescheduled after Adames was forced to withdraw from the fight prior to the weigh-in due to illness. You can read more about the fight announcement here.
Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao 2 it’s official! The first fight was boxing’s best-selling PPV in 2015 history. Floyd Mayweather still working on finishing an exhibition fight with Mike Tyson in Congo in April, while Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to be confronted Ruslan Provodnikov in a 10-round welterweight exhibition bout on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas. This rematch will be on Netflix and is an official boxing match. You can read the official press release here.
David Benavidez vs. Gilberto Ramirez Press Conference took place this week. You can watch the press conference here.
This week’s featured boxing event is Eduardo Nunez, 28, (29-1, 27 Kos)from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, the International Boxing Federation World Super Featherweight champion, who will face former champion Emanuel Navarette, 31, (39-2-1, 32 Kos) from San Juan Zitlaltepec, Mexico. The fight will take place on DAZN in Glendale, Ariz. You can watch the fight here. You can read by Robert Brizel preview, prediction, weigh-in, press conference and betting odds here.
You can use the current international boxing rankings here.
In MMA News, the UFC Houston Fight Night took place in Houston, Texas, with the outspoken, enduring #3 Sean Strickland, 34, (30-7)creating an astonishing upset #4 Anthony Hernandez, 32, (15-3)by stopping him with a knee to the body. Strickland is now in a position to fight for a title again or fight for an interim title. You can watch the video highlights, read the full card results and watch the post-press conference here.
UFC Fight Night Mexico takes place Saturday on Paramount Plus. Hometown hero and former UFC flyweight champion #6 Brandon Moreno, 32, (23-9-2)while facing rising prospects #15 Lone’er Kavanagh, 26, (9-1). This is likely Brandon Moreno’s last chance to return to a title shot if he loses this fight. Moreno has lost three of his last five fights. You can log in to watch this fight here. You can watch the preview show and see the betting odds here.
Ronda Rousey, 39, (12-2) has released intense sparring footage in preparation for her return to MMA for a Netflix fight against Gina Carano, 43, (7-1)which is scheduled for May 16, 2026 on Netflix. You can watch Ronda Rousey’s workout here.
A planned middleweight title fight between champions Khamzat Chimaev And Nassourdine Imavov has reportedly been postponed due to Chimaev’s injury.
Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has officially announced a permanent move to the light heavyweight division, citing a desire for a fresh start at 205 lbs.
Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley will headline a Fight Night on April 25.
Jasmine Jasudavicius faces Karine Silva at UFC Winnipeg on April 18.
Joshua Van will defend his first flyweight title against Tatsuro Taira at UFC 327 on April 10.
The PFL announced its return to South Dakota on May 2, culminating in a welterweight fight in between Logan Storley And Florim Zendeli.
The PFL Belfast card was also announced this week. You can view the announcement and map here.
PFL MMAThe world’s #2 MMA promotion, introduced an updated rankings system last week. View the full rankings here.
Recent UFC roster changes (February 2026):
AJ Cunningham bantamweight February 20, 2026 Retired (injury)
Jailton Almeida heavyweight February 12-20, 2026 Released (early contract termination)
Mohammed Usman heavyweight February 13, 2026 Released (after a 30-month suspension)
Adam Fugitt welterweight February 12, 2026 Released
Javid Basharat bantamweight February 10, 2026 Contract expired (not re-signed)
Alex Morono welterweight February 10, 2026 Released
Lucas Almeida featherweight February 10, 2026 Released
Rinat Fakhretdinov welterweight Contract not renewed after being undefeated (6-0-1) in the UFC. UFC should have re-signed him.
Gavin Tucker Featherweight He retired at the age of 39, resulting in the cancellation of his scheduled fight in April 2026.
Michelle Montaguean undefeated PFL featherweight fighter, was just signed by the UFC.
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.
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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