We present the results of the UFC Fight Night 216 tournament, which took place on the night of December 18 in Las Vegas. Headed the event fight in the middle weight category Jared Cannonier — Sean Strickland.
Heavyweight Chris Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KOs) scored a devastating fifth-round knockout victory over Armend Jojai (14-3, 7 KOs) in Saturday night's main event in Bournemouth, England. Jojai started the fight well, but Billam-Smith ended up with a series of punches that sent Jojai into a deep knockout.
Oleksandr Usyk (20-0.13 KOs) can count on the help of the Klitschko brothers before the upcoming fight with Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs). Usyk is the IBF, WBA and WBO champion, while Fury holds the last WBC belt. Both sides are in talks about the fight, which is likely to take place in the Middle East.
Famous British boxer Amir Khan convinced that the holder of the WBC heavyweight belt Tyson Fury confidently defeat the WBA, WBO and IBF world champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Savannah Marshall (12-1, 10 KOs) announced that she activated the rematch clause for the fight with Claressa Shields (13-0, 2 KOs). Their first duel took place in October and ended with the victory of the American by unanimous decision.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to enter the boxing ring with Russian President Vladimir Putin like a real man.
Famous coach Buddy McGirt gave his prediction for a possible confrontation Oleksandr Usyk with Tyson Fury.
There are still two weeks left of the year, but ESPN journalists have already presented awards for the 2022 season. Boxer of the Year was named Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs). The WBA light heavyweight champion defeated Saul Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez this year.
Michael Rivera (24-0, 14 KOs) and Frank Martin (16-0, 12 KOs) met the lightweight limit at the official weigh-in ceremony before their fight in Las Vegas. Their meeting will become the eliminator for the WBA world title and the main event broadcast on Showtime. Rivera weighed 61 kg, Martin - 61.1 kg.
Ryan Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) decided not to fight Mercito Gesta (33-3-3, 17 KOs) January 28 in Phoenix. For the American, it was supposed to be a warm-up fight before a big fight with Gervonta Davis (28-0, 27 KOs).
