A new week brings exciting matchups and rivalries for combat sports fans. In MMA, all eyes are on Jake Paul and his promotion MVP, with the league’s first event featuring Ronda Rousey, Francis Ngannou, Nate Diaz, and many others. Russian fans will celebrate the return of Anatoly Malykhin to the cage, as he finally gets a long-awaited rematch against Umar Kane. The week also includes a UFC event and professional boxing.
On May 15, Anatoly Malykhin faces Umar Kane at ONE Championship in Thailand. This rematch is highly anticipated by Russian fans. Malykhin, the current ONE middleweight and light heavyweight champion, will fight for the heavyweight belt held by Kane. The Russian has waited a year and a half for this bout. In fall 2024, Kane stunned the MMA world by defeating Malykhin and taking one of his three belts. Since then, Kane dodged a rematch, citing injuries, a car accident, and other issues. Malykhin, meanwhile, received no other offers and was forced to sit idle. Now they meet again, with Kane’s heavyweight title on the line. For Malykhin, it’s a chance to prove that his first career loss was a fluke.
On May 16, a professional boxing event in England features a heavyweight clash between Filip Hrgovic and David Allen. Hrgovic is a seasoned Croatian with an extensive amateur background and an Olympic medal. He has defeated Zhilei Zhang, Joseph Joyce, and others, but lost his interim world title fight to Daniel Dubois, who recently regained the world championship. Allen, while not a top contender, has 33 bouts, winning 25 (20 by KO). Russian fans know Allen from his loss to Arslanbek Makhmudov, which paved the way for Makhmudov’s fight with Tyson Fury.
Also on May 16, undefeated former WBO lightweight champion Keyvone Davis fights Nahiir Albright in a rematch in the UK. The controversial American won their 2023 bout by decision, but the result was overturned after Davis failed a marijuana drug test. Davis is a rock star of modern boxing, constantly in scandals and brawls but also exciting in the ring. He has 14 wins, 10 by knockout. This weekend, he aims to settle the rivalry with Albright and make a statement.
On the night of May 16-17, Jake Paul’s MVP MMA 1 event takes place in the US, headlined by a monumental women’s fight between legends Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. These two are synonymous with the rise of women’s MMA. Carano brought women’s fights to television and headlined a Strikeforce event for the first time. Rousey then took that momentum to become a global superstar. While this fight comes 15-20 years too late, with both women long retired and past their prime, the marquee still thrills fans regardless of their current form.
Also on the night of May 16-17, former UFC champion Francis Ngannou returns to action against Filipe Lins on the MVP MMA 1 card. Ngannou, one of the most recognizable heavyweights, looks to continue his post-UFC career. The event promises a stacked lineup that bridges MMA history with present-day excitement.
