Light Heavyweight
83 stories covering Light Heavyweight — news, results and analysis.
Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev Eyes Top 10 Leap Against Nikita Krylov at UFC 333
The unbeaten prospect has spent just 4:03 inside the Octagon across three wins. Now he wants a veteran scalp in Abu Dhabi on October 24.
Oct 21, 2026
Daniel Cormier Pushes Back on Alex Pereira's UFC Influence Claim
Cormier says he never lobbied against Pereira but backs the 13-4 former champ earning his way back to a title shot instead of an instant rematch.
Oct 14, 2026
Procházka vs Navajo Stirling: Former Champ Headlines UFC's Doha Return
Procházka (32-6-1, 28 KOs) meets undefeated Stirling (11-0) on Nov. 21, with the Kiwi riding a 6-0 UFC run and three straight stoppages.
Oct 12, 2026
Bivol vs Smith Set for Dec 12 as Russian Defends Unified Titles
Dmitry Bivol (25-1) puts his IBF and WBO belts on the line against Callum Smith (31-2) in Yekaterinburg, with a Beterbiev trilogy waiting in the wings.
Oct 12, 2026
Carl Froch Pumps the Brakes on Ben Whittaker vs Dmitry Bivol
Whittaker, 12-0-1, booked his spot as Bivol's IBF mandatory after beating Conor Wallace — but Froch says he'd have no chance against the champ right now.
Oct 10, 2026
Bivol vs Callum Smith Signed for December 12 in Ekaterinburg
After 'prolonged talks' and a WBO sanctioning standoff, Bivol (25-1) defends three belts against mandatory Callum Smith (31-2) at home.
Oct 7, 2026
Ben Whittaker Survives Conor Wallace Scare, Rematch Talk Begins
Whittaker, now 12-0-1 (9 KO), clung on for a unanimous decision after Wallace stormed the final three rounds. Both camps want a sequel.
Oct 7, 2026
Nell Ariano Puts Perfect 6-0 Record on the Line at DWCS Main Event
Ariano (6-0) headlines week nine of Contender Series Season 10 against Preston LaGrange, who's won twice by submission since his only loss.
Oct 6, 2026
Eddie Hearn Wants Another Fight Before Whittaker Chases Bivol
Whittaker is 12-0-1 and WBC mandatory for the Smith-Bivol winner, but Hearn says the unbeaten prospect needs one more tune-up first.
Oct 5, 2026
Ben Whittaker Survives Late Scare to Edge Wallace in Birmingham
The 12-0-1 prospect cruised for nine rounds then clung on through a brutal final frame. Tony Bellew's verdict: he 'got away with one'.
Oct 4, 2026
Ben Whittaker Teases Heavyweight Future, Dreams of Benavidez Fight
The unbeaten Brit (12-0-1, 9 KO) faces Conor Wallace Saturday with an IBF No. 1 ranking on the line at 175lbs — and bigger plans beyond.
Oct 2, 2026
Prochazka vs. Stirling Headlines UFC Qatar as Perfect 11-0 Prospect Steps Up
Jiri Prochazka (32-6-1) tries to bounce back in Doha on Nov. 21 against undefeated Navajo Stirling, 6-0 in the octagon with three KOs this year.
Sep 29, 2026
Whittaker vs Wallace: A Shot at Bivol's IBF Title on the Line
The winner in Birmingham on Saturday becomes IBF mandatory to Dmitry Bivol. Whittaker rides four straight wins inside two rounds.
Sep 29, 2026
Luis Hernandez Calls Out Chris Curtis, Squashes Strickland Beef
The unbeaten light heavyweight is 9-0 with six submissions and wants Curtis, coming off a loss, as a statement scalp.
Sep 29, 2026
Why Banning the Oblique Kick Would Be a Mistake for the UFC
California's Andy Foster wants the oblique kick gone and Dana White agrees — but after 33 years of MMA rulemaking, the logic doesn't hold.
Sep 27, 2026
Ben Whittaker Headlines in Birmingham as Conor Wallace Leaves Home Turf
Whittaker, 12-0-1 with 9 KOs, faces an Australian making just his second-ever start outside Queensland. Plus three British title fights on a stacked undercard.
Sep 27, 2026
Thiago Santos, Knee Wrecked by Jon Jones, Says Don't Ban Oblique Kicks
The man who fought Jon Jones on two bad knees at UFC 239 breaks with Dana White and CSAC's Andy Foster on banning the strike that changed his career.
Sep 26, 2026
Frederic Vosgrone Went From 4,000 Followers to 665K in Months
The Dutch grappler is 5-0 with two viral submissions. Now he faces veteran Karlos Vemola at Oktagon 94 — and still can't explain the hype.
Sep 26, 2026
Callum Smith Says Bivol Title Fight Is Set — But the WBO Holds the Key
A December 12 date in Yekaterinburg is the target, but sanctioning the fight in Russia is the last domino to fall for Smith's shot at Bivol.
Sep 23, 2026
Paulo Costa Wants His Final Fight — Dana White Isn't Buying It
Costa says he has one bout left on his deal and a contracted three-round purse. White says the No. 6 light heavyweight keeps turning down offers.
Sep 23, 2026
Will Fleury Says Oktagon Is Protecting Makhmud Muradov From a Rematch
After losing the Oktagon 205 title to a 19-second Round 2 KO, Fleury claims Muradov walked back a rematch deal — and the promotion is helping him dodge it.
Sep 22, 2026
David Benavidez Told to Pick a Lane as WBA Eyes 175lb Title Strip
The unbeaten 32-0 champ looks set to stay at cruiserweight, and the WBA wants an answer before it clears his light-heavyweight belt.
Sep 22, 2026
Menifield Wins at UFC 331 but Faces 6-Month Ban for Broken Thumb
The #14 light heavyweight beat Iwo Baraniewski by split decision, then landed on the longest suspension list from UFC 331 — 180 days for a possible thumb fracture.
Sep 21, 2026
Paulo Costa Gives UFC a Three-Option Ultimatum; Ankalaev Wants In
Costa says one fight is left on his deal — a 3-round bout he claims was already agreed. Ex-champ Ankalaev volunteered as his 'get-out-of-jail-free card'.
Sep 21, 2026
Menifield Beats Baraniewski by Split Decision Despite Broken Thumb
Alonzo Menifield fought most of a light heavyweight slugfest with a mangled left thumb and still walked out with a 2-1 nod at UFC 331.
Sep 20, 2026
Iwo Baraniewski Eyes UFC Top 15 in Under Four Minutes of Cage Time
The unbeaten Pole is 9-0 with three first-round UFC finishes totaling 3:22. At UFC 331 he gets #14 Alonzo Menifield and a ranking on the line.
Sep 17, 2026
Bakhram Murtazaliev Joins Bivol-Smith Card in Russia Comeback
The former IBF 154 champ (23-1, 17 KO) returns Dec. 12 in Yekaterinburg, his first fight since a disputed loss to Josh Kelly in January.
Sep 16, 2026
Lucas Fernando vs. Billy Elekana Set for UFC Vegas 124 at Light Heavyweight
A five-fight winner meets a three-fight UFC riser on Nov. 7 in Vegas, with Fernando 14-3 and Elekana 10-2 both hunting momentum at 205.
Sep 11, 2026
Four Undefeated Prospects Land UFC Deals on DWCS Week 5
Quentin Pasley needed under a round to draw Jon Jones comparisons from Dana White, headlining a four-contract night on the Contender Series.
Sep 9, 2026
Contender Series Week 5: Pasley vs Berisha Headlines an All-Undefeated Night
Two unbeaten light heavyweights top DWCS week 5, with Dana White already handing out 20 contracts across the first four weeks this season.
Sep 8, 2026
Josh Hokit Torches Alex Pereira's Push for a Ciryl Gane Rematch
Pereira wants Gane again after a Round 2 KO loss. Undefeated 10-0 heavyweight Josh Hokit says he hasn't earned it.
Sep 8, 2026
Paulo Costa Questions Why Alex Pereira Keeps His 205 Ranking
Costa, the No. 6 light heavyweight, blasts what he calls UFC double standards after Pereira stayed ranked #3 despite losing at heavyweight.
Sep 7, 2026
No Beterbiev Trilogy for Bivol — Callum Smith Gets Dec 12 Shot
Eddie Hearn says the trilogy 'was never offered.' Bivol (25-1) instead defends against Callum Smith on December 12 in Russia.
Sep 2, 2026
Glover Teixeira Wants Gustafsson Boxing Rematch After Beating Shogun Rua
Teixeira, 33-9 in MMA, took an eight-round decision over Rua in his boxing debut and now wants to settle a 2017 score with Alexander Gustafsson in 2027.
Aug 30, 2026
Glover Teixeira Outweighs Shogun Rua by 10 Pounds for Sao Paulo Boxing Bout
Two former UFC light heavyweight champs make weight for an eight-round boxing match, but the real weight story belongs to a 33-pound judo gap.
Aug 28, 2026
Shogun Rua Says His Boxing Match With Glover Teixeira Is the End
The former UFC and PRIDE champ came out of retirement only for Glover Teixeira. After Saturday in Sao Paulo, he says the gloves stay off for good.
Aug 25, 2026
Jiri Prochazka Says His Next Fight Isn't Booked — Yet
The former 205-pound champ shot down online rumors of a Paulo Costa bout, four months after his UFC 327 KO loss. UFC 332 on Oct. 3 looms as a landing spot.
Aug 24, 2026
Anthony Smith Breaks Silence After July Arrest on Four Felony Charges
The 38-22 former UFC title challenger says he's home with his family and pleaded not guilty. His next court date is Sept. 21.
Aug 23, 2026
Bivol vs Smith Heads to Purse Bids After Talks Collapse
The WBO has set an August 27 purse bid in Puerto Rico for Dmitry Bivol's mandatory defence against interim champ Callum Smith.
Aug 21, 2026
Reinier de Ridder Swears Off 185 for Good: 'Never a Middleweight Again'
After six weight cuts in just over a year wrecked his body, de Ridder debuts at 205 against Roman Dolidze at UFC Sacramento on Saturday.
Aug 21, 2026
Reinier de Ridder Goes All-In at 205 Ahead of Dolidze Clash
De Ridder opened his UFC run 4-0 in eight months. Now he's leaving middleweight for good — and switching gyms — before his light heavyweight debut Saturday.
Aug 18, 2026
Anthony Smith Pleads Not Guilty to Four Felonies, Faces September Hearing
The former UFC title challenger, released on $500,000 bond, is due back in a Nebraska court on Sept. 21 after a July domestic incident.
Aug 17, 2026
Bivol Set to Skip Beterbiev Trilogy for Callum Smith Showdown
Eddie Hearn says the 25-1 light-heavyweight king is leaning toward a mandatory defense against Callum Smith, not a rubber match with Artur Beterbiev.
Aug 15, 2026
Craig Richards vs Kalajdzic Anchors Zuffa Boxing 11 in London
The 20-4-1 Brit takes on a puncher who's gone 30-3 with 22 KOs, in a chief support slot both men see as a springboard to a world title.
Aug 13, 2026
Gerald Meerschaert Jumps to 205 to Snap a Five-Fight Skid
The 37-22 submission specialist meets Julius Walker at light heavyweight on Oct. 10, chasing his first win since August 2024.
Aug 13, 2026
Peter Fury Says 'Monster' Gradus Kraus Is Ready for Beterbiev and Bivol
The 25-year-old has stopped 11 of his 12 opponents, but he's never fought near world level. His coach wants him in with the 175lb elite anyway.
Aug 13, 2026
Bivol's Clock Is Ticking: 8 Days to Cut a Deal With Callum Smith
The WBO has handed Bivol and Smith an August 20 deadline. Miss it and purse bids loom on August 27 — or the title gets vacated for Beterbiev III.
Aug 12, 2026
Gradus Kraus Says His Power Will Be Too Much for Dmitry Bivol
The 12-fight Dutch prospect with 11 KOs wants a crack at Bivol, who's never been stopped in 26 pro outings. Talk is cheap at 175lbs.
Aug 11, 2026
Matt Brown Defends Anthony Smith After Arrest, Slams Fan Pile-On
Brown, 26-19 across a long UFC run, says good people make serious mistakes as fans turn on Smith following his recent arrest.
Aug 10, 2026
UFC 332 Heads Back to Salt Lake City for Oct. 3 Card
The UFC returns to Delta Center for its fifth Salt Lake City visit, one of two numbered cards on the October slate — neither with a headliner yet.
Aug 9, 2026
Matt Brown Tells Fans to Back Off Anthony Smith After Arrest
The retired welterweight defended his fellow fighter, who faces three felony charges and a court date on Aug. 17, while calling out the pile-on from fans.
Aug 9, 2026
Makhmud Muradov's Chaotic Comeback KO Headlines a Brutal Week on the Regional Circuit
The ex-UFC man survived a controversial buzzer-beater to stop Will Fleury in under 20 seconds of Round 2 and claim Oktagon's 205-pound title.
Aug 8, 2026
Navajo Stirling Crashes the Top 10 as Blachowicz Slides to No. 10
Stirling took Blachowicz on under three weeks' notice and finished the ex-champ in under three minutes. He debuts at No. 6 at just 28.
Aug 4, 2026
Prochazka Wants Paulo Costa Next — But Costa Says the Fight Doesn't Exist
Prochazka claims the UFC offered him a light heavyweight scrap with Costa for October or November. Costa flatly denies it. Both are 0-for-2026.
Aug 4, 2026
Jan Blachowicz Winless in Four Years After Belgrade TKO Loss to Navajo Stirling
The 43-year-old ex-champ hasn't won since May 2022. Navajo Stirling opened him up and stopped him in Belgrade's co-main.
Aug 2, 2026
Medić flattens Rodriguez in 30 seconds to headline in Belgrade
Uroš Medić needed just half a minute to stop a ranked opponent at home, and Navajo Stirling stayed perfect by dropping Jan Blachowicz. Six first-round finishes on the main card alone.
Aug 2, 2026
Navajo Stirling KOs Jan Blachowicz in Under Three Minutes at UFC Belgrade
The undefeated Kiwi needed less than three minutes to finish a former champ — and now he's staring down a title picture his own teammate controls.
Aug 1, 2026
Alex Pereira Wants a Third UFC Belt — And He'll Fight Anyone to Get It
Poatan is targeting a November return after his KO loss to Ciryl Gane, chasing heavyweight gold as the third title of a 13-4 career.
Aug 1, 2026
August's Best UFC Fights: Blachowicz, Gamrot Meet the Young Guns
Five straight Saturdays, one recurring theme: aging contenders defending their spots against surging talent. Salkilld alone has four first-round finishes in five wins.
Jul 31, 2026
Carlos Ulberg Wants a Contender Made Before He Defends the Belt
The 205-pound champ is 15-1 with a first-round demolition of Jiri Prochazka behind him. Now he's playing matchmaker for his next challenger.
Jul 31, 2026
Navajo Stirling Says City Kickboxing Hasn't Missed a Beat Without Adesanya
Stirling fights Jan Blachowicz in the UFC Belgrade co-main, and he's not sweating Israel Adesanya's exit from the New Zealand gym.
Jul 30, 2026
Aleksandar Rakic Ditches the Weight Cut for a Heavyweight Reset in Belgrade
Riding a four-fight skid and his first win in five years overdue, the #13 light heavyweight moves up to face Marcin Tybura at home.
Jul 29, 2026
Jan Błachowicz Signs On For More at 43, Faces Unbeaten Navajo Stirling in Belgrade
The former champ is 0-2-2 over his last four but heads to Belgrade Arena Saturday against a 10-0 prospect 15 years his junior.
Jul 29, 2026
Jon Jones Says He'd Submit Pereira Fast, Grind Down Cormier in Wrestling
Jones claims his grappling would end Alex Pereira 'pretty quickly' — and that a bad back would cost Daniel Cormier a hypothetical six-minute wrestling match.
Jul 29, 2026
Anthony Smith Arrested on Felony Domestic Violence, Terroristic Threats Charges
The former UFC title challenger, 38-22 in his career, is being held in a Nebraska jail on three felony counts, one carrying up to 20 years.
Jul 29, 2026
Chris Weidman Blames Guskov, Not Ankalaev, for UFC Abu Dhabi Stinker
Ankalaev finished Guskov in Round 5, but the fans hated it. Weidman says the #9 contender who ran for four rounds deserves the blame.
Jul 28, 2026
Ankalaev Grinds Past Guskov, But Is a Ulberg Title Shot Really Next?
Magomed Ankalaev needed five rounds to stop Bogdan Guskov in Abu Dhabi. Champ Carlos Ulberg isn't back until early 2027 — so what now?
Jul 28, 2026
Ankalaev Puts a Condition on Paulo Costa Fight After Guskov Backlash
The #1 light heavyweight went five rounds with Bogdan Guskov and heard about it. Now he's daring #6-ranked Costa to actually stand and trade.
Jul 27, 2026
Ankalaev Returns With 5th-Round TKO, Sets Sights on Lost Title
The former light heavyweight champ moved to 21-1-2 (1 NC) in his first fight since October, then called out Paulo Costa if the champ stays sidelined.
Jul 27, 2026
Ankalaev Grinds Past Guskov at UFC Abu Dhabi as Temirov Steals the Night
Magomed Ankalaev needed five rounds to finish Bogdan Guskov, but a first-round faceplant knockout from Ramazan Temirov became the real talking point.
Jul 26, 2026
Ankalaev Grinds Out Guskov in Round 5 to Reclaim His Title Path
The former champ answered his first KO loss with a five-round mauling in Abu Dhabi, while Ramazan Temirov and Valter Walker put their divisions on notice.
Jul 26, 2026
Ankalaev Wants Costa Next — 'Unless He's Going to Be Running Away'
The No. 1 light heavyweight contender grinded out a fifth-round TKO in Abu Dhabi, then floated a grudge fight with Paulo Costa for UFC 333 on Oct. 24.
Jul 26, 2026
Tyson Pedro Falls to 0-2 in PFL After First-Round KO in Washington
The Australian ended retirement to sign with PFL. Two fights later he's still winless, this time stopped with one second left in round one.
Jul 26, 2026
Ankalaev batters Guskov, wins by fifth-round TKO in Abu Dhabi
The former champ needed 22 minutes and 41 seconds to break Bogdan Guskov, closing a card where seven of twelve fights ended inside the distance.
Jul 26, 2026
Ankalaev Grinds Past Guskov in Abu Dhabi, But the Title Path Is Murky
Magomed Ankalaev shook off his first title loss with a win over #9 Bogdan Guskov (18-3-1), but a flat main event leaves his next move at 205 unclear.
Jul 25, 2026
Ankalaev Batters Guskov to Win in Round 5, Stays in Title Chase at 205
The ex-champ finished Bogdan Guskov in the fifth in Abu Dhabi, while Ramazan Temirov extended his winning streak to 12 with a first-round wipeout of Steve Erceg.
Jul 25, 2026
Ankalaev Grinds Past Guskov in Abu Dhabi, But the Title Case Isn't There
Magomed Ankalaev (21-2-1) got a 5th-round stoppage over short-notice sub Bogdan Guskov, but a booing crowd made it clear this wasn't a statement win.
Jul 25, 2026
Ankalaev's Title Dream on the Line vs. Guskov in Abu Dhabi
One loss removed from the belt, Ankalaev headlines UFC Abu Dhabi against a short-notice Guskov who's finished 15 of 18 wins.
Jul 25, 2026
Ankalaev vs. Guskov: Redemption Fight or Rankings Heist at UFC Abu Dhabi?
Magomed Ankalaev hadn't lost since 2018 before Alex Pereira got to him. Now Bogdan Guskov (18-3-1) takes a short-notice swing at his spot near the top of 205.
Jul 25, 2026
Ankalaev Returns Against Guskov as Rountree Injury Reshapes Abu Dhabi
The former light heavyweight champ makes his first walk since losing his belt to Pereira in October, facing a No. 9 short-notice replacement.
Jul 25, 2026
Illness Scratches Dulatov-Turman From UFC Abu Dhabi Main Card
A welterweight scrap is off the Etihad Arena bill hours before Ankalaev vs. Guskov, thinning out a main card headlined by two light heavyweights.
Jul 25, 2026
Ankalaev's Road Back Starts vs Guskov, 90 Seconds After His Reign Ended
Ankalaev returns from an under-90-second KO loss to Pereira against a short-notice Guskov, who's 18-3-1 with 15 knockouts and a top-5 spot up for grabs.
Jul 24, 2026
Ankalaev vs Guskov: Ex-Champ Returns to Abu Dhabi After Pereira KO
Former light heavyweight king Magomed Ankalaev (21-2-1) headlines UFC Abu Dhabi against #9 Bogdan Guskov and his 15 knockouts. Special daytime start on July 25.
Jul 24, 2026