The combat sports world experienced a seismic shift over the weekend, with major events in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Doha, Qatar, bringing new champions to the forefront and causing significant movement in the official rankings for both boxing and mixed martial arts.
Boxing: Mason Makes History, Haney Dominates, Benavidez Eyes Cruiserweight
The Ring IV: Night of the Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, delivered an unforgettable night of boxing with profound implications across several weight classes.
In a historic performance, 21-year-old Abdullah Mason emerged victorious against Sam Noakes in a hard-fought unanimous decision, claiming the WBO lightweight title and becoming the youngest current world champion in boxing. Mason showcased superior skill and exceptional stamina, enduring 12 rounds for the first time in his career, despite Noakes's relentless pressure. He notably hurt Noakes in Round 7 with devastating body work, though his opponent remarkably survived to push him in the later rounds. Mason's triumph propelled him into the divisional rankings at No. 8.
Devin Haney solidified his status by dominating Brian Norman Jr. to secure the WBO welterweight title. Haney delivered a brilliant boxing lesson, dropping the power-punching Norman in the second round and controlling the fight with a stiff jab, effectively neutralizing his opponent. Norman subsequently dropped three spots to No. 4 in the rankings.
Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez continued his reign at junior bantamweight, unifying three titles with a masterclass finish over Fernando Martinez. This dominant display cemented his position at No. 1, creating a substantial gap between him and the rest of the division. Martinez, despite the loss, remains at No. 2 due to his two previous victories over ESPN's No. 3-ranked Kazuto Ioka.
In the light heavyweight division, WBC champion David Benavidez reaffirmed his elite status with a dominant victory over Anthony Yarde, securing his position at No. 3, behind Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. However, this ranking may be temporary as Benavidez announced his intention to move to cruiserweight for his next fight, aiming to challenge unified champion Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez on Cinco de Mayo weekend.
MMA: Tsarukyan's Explosive Return, Welterweight Shake-Up
UFC Fight Night in Doha, Qatar, saw Arman Tsarukyan make an emphatic statement, reminding fans of his elite lightweight status by choking out Dan Hooker in a one-sided main event. This performance was crucial for Tsarukyan, who had been absent from the Octagon for over a year and a half, rendering him ineligible for rankings.
With his impressive victory, Tsarukyan surged back into the ESPN divisional rankings, landing firmly at No. 2 among 155-pounders, reclaiming his familiar territory.
The only other significant movement in the MMA rankings occurred in the welterweight division. Ian Machado Garry's recent victory over Belal Muhammad reshuffled the balance of power, with Machado Garry climbing from No. 5 to No. 4. Conversely, Belal Muhammad dropped three spots, settling at No. 6 after the loss.