Combat Sports Recap: Strickland Reclaims Title, Rousey Dominates in Return, Dubois Retains Heavyweight Gold

The world of professional boxing and mixed martial arts delivered a week of thrilling action, highlighted by a championship upset in the UFC, a dominant return for an MMA icon, and a significant heavyweight title defense in boxing.

In mixed martial arts, UFC 328 on May 10 saw Sean Strickland reclaim the UFC Middleweight Championship, defeating Khamzat Chimaev via split decision in a highly anticipated bout. Also on the card, Joshua Van successfully defended his UFC flyweight title with a fifth-round technical knockout victory over Tatsuro Taira. Sean Brady secured a dominant unanimous decision win against Joaquin Buckley, while Alexander Volkov also earned a unanimous decision over Waldo Cortes Acosta. King Green made a statement by submitting Jeremy Stephens in the first round.

Later in the week, May 17 brought the star-studded MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano event. Ronda Rousey made a spectacular comeback to the cage, defeating Gina Carano with her signature armbar in a mere 17 seconds. In another major bout, Francis Ngannou retained his lineal heavyweight title by knocking out Philipe Lins in the first round. The event also saw Mike Perry emerge victorious over Nate Diaz, and Robelis Despaigne delivered a brutal knockout of Junior dos Santos. Additionally, UFC Fight Night: Allen vs Costa on May 16 featured Arnold Allen defeating Melquizael Costa.

Professional boxing also had a busy week. On May 9, Daniel Dubois successfully defended his WBO World Heavyweight Championship, overcoming Fabio Wardley with an eleventh-round technical knockout in Manchester, England. Filip Hrgovic delivered a powerful performance on May 16, stopping Dave Allen by technical knockout in the third round. Paddy Donovan earned a majority decision victory over Karen Chukhadzhyan on May 15. Closing out the week, on May 17, Keyshawn Davis secured a clear decision win against Nahir Albright, and Brian Norman Jr. stopped Josh Wagner with a brutal second-round finish. Earlier in the week, at Zuffa Boxing 6 on May 10, Shane Mosley Jr. defeated Serhii Bohachuk by TKO in round six, and Julian Rodriguez secured a wide decision win over James Perella on May 11.