Boxing and MMA Worlds Buzz with Championship Fights and Explosive Knockouts

The professional combat sports world saw a flurry of significant action this past week, highlighted by a WBO title change in boxing and impressive performances in both the boxing ring and the MMA cage.

In boxing, Abdullah Mason captured the WBO World Lightweight Championship with a decisive technical knockout victory over Albert Bell in the 12th round on Saturday, July 4th, in Cleveland. This marks Mason's second defense of the title he won in November 2025. Earlier in the week, on July 3rd, William Scull stopped Evander Castillo in Germany.

Boxing fans also continued to discuss the dominant performance of Jaron 'Boots' Ennis, who secured the WBO World Junior Middleweight and WBA World Super Welterweight Championships by defeating Xander Zayas via technical knockout in the seventh round on June 27th at Barclays Center, Brooklyn. Jose Valenzuela also made headlines with a two-round knockout victory over Edwin De Los Santos on June 28th. Adding to the excitement on June 27th, Ben Whittaker delivered an explosive U.S. debut, stopping Richard Rivera in the second round. Liam Paro became a two-division champion on June 24th, earning the IBF World Welterweight Championship with a unanimous decision win over Lewis Crocker.

The mixed martial arts scene delivered its own share of thrills. UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Torres on June 27th saw Rafael Fiziev emerge victorious with a second-round TKO. That same day, PFL San Diego featured A.J. McKee defeating Salamat Isbulaev by unanimous decision in a featherweight main event. The MMA community is also looking forward to the announced retirement fight of MMA legend Cris Cyborg, who is set to face Ketlen Vieira for PFL Gold at PFL Tampa.