Combat Sports Deliver Knockouts and Title Defenses in Action-Packed Week

The world of combat sports experienced a thrilling week from October 12th to 18th, 2026, featuring significant title defenses in boxing and explosive finishes in both professional boxing and mixed martial arts. Fans witnessed a heavyweight clash in London, a super welterweight championship bout in Las Vegas, and a high-stakes UFC Fight Night in Edmonton.

In boxing, Daniel Dubois successfully defended his WBO World Heavyweight Championship with a second-round technical knockout victory over Fabio Wardley at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday. This highly anticipated rematch, following their intense encounter five months prior, saw Dubois drop Wardley early and dominate to secure the TKO at 2:21 of the second round. Across the Atlantic in Las Vegas, Sebastian "The Towering Inferno" Fundora retained his WBC Super Welterweight World Championship, delivering a dramatic final-second 12th-round knockout against undefeated mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj. Fundora weathered an early storm and steadily broke down Hadribeaj with an onslaught of uppercuts and body shots. Other notable boxing action included a 10-round unanimous decision victory for Anton over Rojas on Friday, October 16th.

Mixed Martial Arts also provided a week of memorable moments, headlined by UFC Fight Night: Buckley vs. Malott in Edmonton, Canada, on October 17th. In the main event, Mike Malott secured a devastating knockout victory over Joaquin Buckley at 2:32 of the second round. The co-main event saw local fighter Jasmine Jasudavicius upset Erin Blanchfield via unanimous decision, positioning herself as a potential contender in the women's flyweight division. Earlier in the week, Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) Season 10 concluded on October 13th, with four fighters earning coveted UFC contracts. Among them, Smilla Sundell defeated Aline Pereira, while Douglas da Lapa and Luis Francischinelli both secured TKO victories. Liz Carmouche also clinched a title at PFL Chicago 2, where she shaved her head to make weight for her championship bout against Jena Bishop. Additionally, Cage Warriors 211: Bellandi vs Pereira took place in Rome, Italy, and OKTAGON 95: Škvor vs Narkun was held in Karlovy Vary, Czechia, both on Saturday, October 17th.