*For Immediate Release to Publish
Roselle, Park, NJ (January 24th, 2026)– Welcome to the Real Combat Media Boxing & MMA Fights of the Week, where we discuss the week’s most significant news and the most notable fights in the sports of boxing and MMA, so you can save time by getting your best combat sports news expeditiously.
In boxing news, this past weekend, in a highly anticipated grudge match in Brisbane, Australia, Nikita Tszyu, 28 (11-0, 9 Kos), the brother of boxing star Tim Tszyu, fought Michael Zerafa, 33, (34-5, 22 Kos) on January 16, 2026, which ended in a controversial no-contest due to Zerafa saying he was blind in one eye, caused by an accidental head clash. No winner was declared, leading to fan outrage. You can watch this bizarre ending, here.
Adding another victory to his unbeaten record, Raul “El Cugár” Curiel (17-0-1, 13 KOs) defeated last-minute replacement Jordan “The Patriot” Panthen (11-2, 9 KOs) in Palm Desert, California a card promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. You can view the full card recap here.
There is now a US Marshals and a police warrant issued for the arrest of former WBA World Champion, Gervonta Davis, 31, (30-0-1, 28 Kos), in Miami, Florida, for Domestic Assault allegations. As of Friday, January 23rd, Davis has been missing for 9 days. You can read about the incident here.
Dana White’s TKO Boxing and Zuffa inaugural event is taking place on Friday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, with many undefeated fighters on this card. This card will be televised on Paramount+. You can sign up to watch this event here. You can check the full card preview and read about the signing of Cruiserweight Jai Opetaia here. Eddie Hearn used to promote Jai Opetaia. You can view his reaction here.
Raymond Muratalla, 29, (23-0, 17 KOs), is set to defend the IBF title he won last year for the first time when facing Andy Cruz, 30, (6-0, 3 KOs), to headline a Matchroom Boxing show live exclusively on DAZN. The reason Cruz is getting a title shot this early in his career is that he was a 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist. You can check out Robert Brizel’s preview here.
Jose Tito Sanchez will face Jesus Eduardo Ramirez Rubio on Friday in Long Beach, CA, on DAZN. Check out Robert Brizel’s preview here.
Omar Chavez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will both be fighting in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, on Saturday. You can check out Robert Brizel’s preview here.
Deontay Wilder is close to finalizing a deal to fight Derek Chisora in April, before he fights Oleksander Usyk, which was approved this week by the WBC. You can check out Robert Brizel’s article here.
The Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios Press Conference took place on Thursday. You can watch the press conference and face off show here.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman wrote an open letter as a last stand Against Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act H.R. 4634, which is passing through Congress. Mauricio explains why these changes are not good for the boxers. You can read Robert Brizel’s article here.
The Real Combat Media Boxing Awards took place 2 weeks ago for 2025. You can see who won each award here.
You can view the current international boxing rankings here.
In MMA news, UFC is finally back after 6 weeks off! #4 Justin Gaethje, 37, (26-5) will face #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 face Ilia Topuria for the official UFC Title later this year. You can view the weigh-in, countdown show, preview, and presser here.
The co-main event will feature the mainstream striking expert, #3 Sean O’Malley, 31, (18-3) vs. China’s 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 of Peter Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili 3. Yadong has won 3 of his last 4 fights, including a win over Henry Cejudo. In a must-win situation, O’Malley has not won a fight in close to 2 years. He has lost 2 in a row to Merab because he could not stop his elite wrestling. You can view the betting odds here.
The third major fight on this loaded card is the reliable Dominican
#5 Waldo Cortes-Acosta, 34, (16-2), who is going up against knockout artist former title challenger #8 Derrick Lewis, 40, (29-12, 1NC). The winner of this fight will be in a contender position for a possible UFC Heavyweight title shot later this year or next year.
The rising star, #4 Natalia Silva, 28, (19-5-1), who is from Brazil, will face the former UFC 115lb champion, Rose Namajunas, 33, (15-7). Rose is fighting to remain relevant in her UFC career since she is 3-3 in her last 6 fights. Silva has been dominant in her UFC career, winning all 7 of her fights, and is very confident in her skills. If Silva can win this fight, she will be in a position to battle Valentina Shevchenko later this year for the UFC Title.
At Featherweight #6 Arnold Allen, 32, (20-3) will face Brazil’s #10 Jean Silva, 29, (16-3) on the first fight on the main card. Silva is (5-1) in the UFC; however, he was stopped by Diego Lopez in his last fight at 145lbs in September of 2025. Allen also needs to win this fight because he has lost 2 of his last 3 fights.
UFC bantamweight Cameron Smotherman passed out and faceplanted on stage immediately after making weight (135.5 lbs) for UFC 324 on January 23, 2026. His fight is cancelled.
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 Card
Bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov (19-1) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (25-5-1)
Light Heavyweight: Nikita Krylov (30-11) vs. Modestas 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 Card
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 Gaethje has publicly disputed claims that fighter pay has increased under the new UFC-Paramount deal, stating he’s “not getting $1 more,” a claim Dana White refutes. You can view Dana White’s response here.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik was arrested in Florida for domestic violence and false imprisonment charges. You can read more about that case here.
The PFL, the world’s #2 MMA organization in the world, is officially under reconstruction. CEO Peter Murray and President Ray Sefo recently stepped down. This week, Co-Founder and Chairman of PFL, Donn Davis, announced he is stepping down from his role, following a quiet end to the PFL’s partnership with Jake Paul after three years with no fights. PFL discussed its future, and you can read its plans to develop the company
here.
42-year-old MMA Welterweight legend, Nick Diaz, was released from a rehab facility in Mexico recently and just got married. However, during his time away, he said his relationship with his brother, Nate Diaz, is not the same at this time, while taking shots at him on social media. You can read more about this here. Hopefully, these 2 MMA legends can resolve their family situation soon.
The UFC has officially launched its archive library on Paramount+, signaling 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. You can see who won each award here.
For PFL start times, more information, and to watch PFL events, click here.
To view the current UFC rankings, click here.
Get prepared for the UFC in 2026 and sign up to Paramount+ here.
For the most current news from the #2 MMA Promotion PFL, click here.
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