Amanda Serrano sharply criticized Jake Paul on February 9, 2026, after he labeled Bad Bunny a “fake American citizen” for his Super Bowl halftime performance in Santa Clara, California, and accused him of “hating America.”
The exchange unfolded on X, where Paul (who resides in Puerto Rico and benefits from Act 60 tax incentives), took aim at the Puerto Rican superstar’s show.
Tonight I am here where I’m supposed to be in my beautiful Island with my people celebrating and watching with awe how well Benito represented us and our culture
I am proud to be Puerto Rican, and I am proud to be an American citizen. Puerto Ricans are not “fake Americans.” We…
Serrano, a top fighter signed to Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, defended Bad Bunny and Puerto Rican identity in response. Serrano acknowledged Paul’s role in elevating her career but drew a firm line on cultural disrespect.
“Puerto Ricans are not ‘fake Americans.’ We are citizens who have contributed to this country in every field, from military service to sports, business, science, and the arts, and our identity and citizenship deserve respect.”
Conor McGregor praised Andrei Arlovski as a “hero” after the 47-year-old became BKFC heavyweight champion at KnuckleMania VI on Saturday night.
The BKFC co-owner took to his Instagram story to celebrate what he called the greatest night in bare-knuckle boxing history, with a record-breaking crowd of more than 18,000 fans packing the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Arlovski Delivers Emotional Post-Fight Speech
Arlovski defeated Ben Rothwell via third-round TKO in the main event to become a two-sport world champion — having previously held the UFC heavyweight title two decades ago.
The victory was remarkable enough on its own, but Arlovski’s post-fight speech elevated the moment. The Belarusian, who has survived cancer three times, aimed a powerful message at anyone currently fighting the disease.
“Guys, people who are in the battle right now with the f—ing cancer, don’t f—ing give up,” Arlovski said. “I’m a great f—ing example. Three times cancer survivor. Keep f—ing fight. Life is beautiful.”
McGregor Pays Tribute on Instagram
McGregor reacted directly on his Instagram story, calling Arlovski a “hero” and celebrating the accomplishment. As BKFC’s most prominent co-owner, McGregor has been instrumental in elevating the promotion’s profile, and KnuckleMania VI delivered the company’s biggest event to date.
The record-setting crowd of 18,000 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena underscored how far bare-knuckle boxing has come under McGregor’s watch.
Arlovski’s Remarkable Late-Career Renaissance
At 47, Arlovski continues to defy expectations. The former UFC champion transitioned to bare-knuckle competition and immediately captured championship gold, adding another chapter to one of combat sports’ most inspirational careers.
With KnuckleMania VI setting attendance records and McGregor publicly championing its fighters, BKFC’s momentum heading into the rest of 2026 has never been stronger.
Anthony Joshua had a humorous response when Islam Makhachev invited him to train in Dagestan — he’d come for weeks, not years.
The two-time unified heavyweight boxing champion attended PFL’s event in Dubai on Saturday night and headed backstage to meet the Nurmagomedov team ahead of Usman Nurmagomedov’s successful title defense.
Joshua Meets Islam Makhachev Backstage
Joshua spent time in the Nurmagomedov dressing room, where an all-star corner had assembled for Usman’s fight. Khabib Nurmagomedov headed up proceedings alongside coach Javier Mendez, while Usman’s brother Umar and the legendary Makhachev filled out the team.
The boxing star appeared particularly keen to meet with Makhachev, pulling out his phone to show the two-weight UFC champion something. After their exchange, Makhachev told Joshua he “should come” to Dagestan.
Joshua then referenced the popular “2-3 years Dagestan” meme — commonly used online when someone is told they need to toughen up by training in the Russian republic.
Joshua’s Compromise Draws Big Laughs
Rather than committing to the meme’s infamous two-to-three-year exile, Joshua countered with a more practical offer: two to three weeks. The joke drew a big laugh from everyone in the room.
The moment was captured on video and shared across PFL’s social media channels, quickly going viral among combat sports fans who enjoyed seeing the crossover between boxing and MMA royalty.
Joshua, who currently lives in Dubai, also sat next to PFL women’s flyweight champion Dakota Ditcheva throughout the event and met with new PFL CEO John Martin. The former heavyweight boxing champion has been increasingly visible at MMA events in recent months.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUef5FPDvBj
Usman Nurmagomedov Retains PFL Belt
The main event saw Usman Nurmagomedov choke out Alfie Davis in the third round to retain his PFL lightweight title. The Dagestan connection in combat sports continues to grow, with the Nurmagomedov team producing champions across multiple organizations.
Whether Joshua actually follows through on a Dagestan training trip remains to be seen — but the two-to-three-week compromise may have been enough to earn him an open invitation.
KnuckleMania VI marked a pivotal night for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, returning its flagship show to Philadelphia just as the promotion is hitting a new popularity peak. Billed as BKFC’s biggest card of the year, the event packed the Xfinity Mobile Arena and was positioned as a showcase for bare-knuckle’s rapid rise from niche curiosity to a regular player in the combat-sports calendar.
In the main event, longtime UFC veterans Ben Rothwell and Andrei Arlovski brought decades of heavyweight name value into a brutal BKFC title fight that was framed as one of the most important matchups in the company’s short history. The promotion doubled down on exposure by making the entire card free to watch on its own app and YouTube, a strategic move BKFC president David Feldman has pushed for as a way to grow the fanbase at a time when traditional pay-per-view pricing is under pressure across combat sports.
Combined with a 13-fight lineup that mixed established champions, ex-UFC names and cult favorites like Charles “Felony” Bennett, KnuckleMania VI was designed to feel less like a routine show and more like BKFC’s annual statement that it belongs in the same conversation as the biggest nights in MMA and boxing.
“people who are in the battle right now with the f*cking cancer, don't f*cking give up. I'm a great fucking example. Three times cancer survivor. Keep f*cking fight. Life is beautiful”
There’s been a ton of boxing news over the past several days, here’s a roundup of the stop stories we’re watching:
WBC Strips Shakur Stevenson of Lightweight Title
The WBC officially declared its lightweight title vacant on Wednesday, just four days after Shakur Stevenson dominated Teofimo Lopez to capture the WBO super lightweight crown at Madison Square Garden. The sanctioning body cited its rules against fighters holding WBC titles while simultaneously reigning as champion in another weight class with a different organization.
Stevenson fired back on social media, calling the WBC “crooks” and alleging they demanded a $100,000 sanctioning fee despite having no involvement in the Lopez fight. He also drew a connection to the WBC’s recent stripping of close friend Terence Crawford’s super middleweight title over a similar fee dispute. The WBC’s interim lightweight champion is Jadier Herrera, with William Zepeda ranked as the No. 1 contender.
Fundora vs. Thurman Officially Rescheduled for March 28
Premier Boxing Champions confirmed that WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora will defend his title against former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman on March 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The bout will headline a PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view card.
The fight was originally scheduled for October 25, 2025, but was postponed after Fundora suffered a hand injury during training camp. A press conference was held Wednesday at Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles, where both fighters exchanged words. Thurman, 37, embraced what he called a “gatekeeper” role, while Fundora, 28, remained focused on business as usual. Tickets went on public sale today.
Arrest Warrant Issued for Gervonta Davis in Baltimore
A Baltimore judge issued an arrest warrant on Monday for Gervonta “Tank” Davis after ruling that the boxer violated his probation. The warrant, issued by Circuit Judge Althea M. Handy, stems from Davis’ 2020 hit-and-run case in Baltimore that injured four people. Davis, 31, had been sentenced to 90 days of house arrest, three years of probation, and 200 hours of community service.
The probation violation ruling comes just one week after Davis was arrested in Miami on charges of battery, false imprisonment, and attempted kidnapping related to an alleged October 2025 incident involving his ex-girlfriend. Davis’ attorney has filed a motion to recall the warrant and request GPS monitoring instead. Davis has also been stripped of his WBA lightweight title and designated a “champion in recess.”
Zuffa Boxing Plans to Expand Beyond 13 Events in 2026
Dana White announced that Zuffa Boxing will hold more events in 2026 than the originally planned 13 cards. Speaking at the Zuffa Boxing 02 post-fight press conference, White said the promotion is “further ahead” than expected after its first two events. IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia is set to headline the fourth Zuffa Boxing card on March 8 at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, marking the Australian’s U.S. debut.
Nick Ball Defends WBA Featherweight Title Against Figueroa Saturday
Undefeated WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball (23-0-1) will make the fourth defense of his title against former two-division world champion Brandon Figueroa (26-2-1) this Saturday, February 7, at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. The fight will stream live on DAZN. Ball enters as a strong favorite in front of his hometown crowd, while Figueroa looks to reclaim world title status after losing his WBC featherweight belt to Stephen Fulton in a February 2025 rematch.
Wilder vs. Chisora Confirmed for April 4 in London
Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora officially announced their heavyweight showdown for April 4 at the O2 Arena in London following a face-to-face in Times Square. The fight will be the 50th professional bout for both men and is expected to serve as Chisora’s retirement fight. Wilder, 40, is looking to build momentum toward a potential world title run, while the 42-year-old Chisora rides a three-fight winning streak. The bout will air on DAZN.
Manny Pacquiao Promotions Partners with Team Boxing League
Manny Pacquiao Promotions announced an agreement with the Team Boxing League (TBL) on Wednesday. Under the deal, Pacquiao will serve as League Ambassador for the 2026 TBL season, with plans to join the ownership group of the San Diego TJ’s expansion franchise beginning in 2027. Pacquiao is also expected to serve as Team Captain and active competitor in future seasons as TBL continues to expand its team-based professional boxing platform.
WBC February Rankings: Dalton Smith Named Boxer of the Month
The WBC released its updated world rankings for February 2026, naming British fighter Dalton Smith as Boxer of the Month following his super lightweight championship victory over Subriel Matias. Notably, the WBC also confirmed Christian Mbilli as the undisputed WBC super middleweight champion following Terence Crawford’s retirement and belt vacating in December.
Stay with MMANews.com for complete coverage of all these developing stories.
Paramount has locked in a five-year broadcast agreement with Zuffa Boxing that will see the media giant pay around $100 million per year to air the upstart combat sports promotion, according to recent reports. The deal, which began in January 2026, makes Paramount+ the exclusive streaming home for Zuffa Boxing across the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
Paramount Secures Zuffa Boxing Rights in Five-Year Deal Worth $100 Million Annually
The arrangement calls for 12 to 13 fight cards annually during the initial rollout, with plans to expand programming in subsequent years. Select events may also be simulcast on CBS and other Paramount-owned platforms, giving the promotion access to linear broadcast audiences. The agreement runs through 2030 and represents a significant financial commitment to an unproven entity that had not hosted a single event when the deal was announced in September 2025.
Zuffa Boxing is a joint venture between TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of both UFC and WWE, and Sela, a Saudi Arabian entertainment conglomerate owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund. The promotion is led by UFC president Dana White, WWE president Nick Khan, and Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. TKO holds a 40 percent stake in the venture while Sela controls the remaining 60 percent.
For its role as managing partner, TKO receives a $10 million annual fee to handle day-to-day operations and promotional oversight. TKO president Mark Shapiro characterized the arrangement as “low risk” during an investor earnings call, noting that the company has “no funding obligation” beyond operational management. The structure allows TKO to collect management fees while the Saudi partners provide the capital backing for fighter purses and event production.
The $100 million annual payment from Paramount works out to roughly $7.7 million per event based on the 12-card schedule. This figure stands in stark contrast to Paramount’s separate deal with UFC, which averages $1.1 billion per year for more than 40 events. The disparity highlights both the speculative nature of the Zuffa investment and the faith Paramount has placed in White’s ability to replicate his UFC success in boxing.
Zuffa Boxing held its inaugural event on January 23, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, featuring Irish middleweight Callum Walsh in the main event against Carlos Ocampo. The debut card featured eight bouts and was followed the next evening by UFC 324, creating a back-to-back combat sports weekend for Paramount. Initial reviews of the first show were mixed, with critics noting competitive mismatches and low-key production values compared to established boxing promotions.
The promotion scored its first major signing on January 16 when it secured IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing. Opetaia’s deal allows him to compete on both Zuffa cards and Saudi-backed Riyadh Season events while pursuing unification bouts with other sanctioning bodies. The Australian champion is scheduled to make his Zuffa debut on March 8 in Las Vegas, defending his lineal, RING, and IBF titles.
White has stated that Zuffa Boxing will apply the UFC’s centralized promotional model to boxing, featuring regular matchmaking that pits fighters against each other based on rankings rather than the fragmented approach common in the sport. The promotion aims to streamline boxing’s current structure of 17 weight classes and move away from the traditional four-belt championship system operated by major sanctioning bodies.
The deal marks Paramount’s return to boxing after shuttering its Showtime Sports division at the end of 2023. Showtime had broadcast boxing for 37 years before Paramount Global eliminated the network’s sports programming as part of a corporate restructuring that preceded the company’s acquisition by Skydance. The Zuffa arrangement positions Paramount+ as what executives call “the home for combat sports,” combining UFC and boxing content under a single subscription platform priced at $12.99 monthly for ad-free service.
Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury will return to professional boxing on April 11 as he ends his latest retirement spell with a scheduled bout against Russian contender Arslanbek Makhmudov.
The fight will take place in the United Kingdom, with the exact venue to be announced shortly, and will be broadcast live on Netflix in what marks the streaming platform’s first-ever live boxing event from Britain.
The 37-year-old announced his return to the ring earlier this month following a year away from competition. Fury stepped back from boxing in January 2025 after suffering a second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian who remains the only fighter to have beaten him throughout his entire career.
However, after posting multiple training videos from Thailand during the festive period, the Gypsy King signalled his intention to compete again in 2026.
Tyson Fury Returns: Gypsy King to Face Makhmudov in Netflix-Streamed Comeback
“Excited to be back. Heart’s always been and always will be in boxing. Someone go tell the king that the ace is back,” Fury declared upon the announcement. His return represents another chapter in a career marked by multiple comebacks, most notably when he retired following his victory over Dillian Whyte in April 2022 only to return six months later.
Makhmudov, 36, brings legitimate heavyweight credentials to the matchup. The Russia-born fighter, now based in Canada, holds a professional record of 21 wins from 23 fights, with 19 victories coming by stoppage.
His recent form has been solid following a loss to Olympian Guido Vianello in August 2024. In October, he dominated British heavyweight Dave Allen over 12 rounds at Sheffield Arena to secure the WBA Inter-Continental title. That performance positioned him as a significant test for Fury’s comeback.
Makhmudov said of the opportunity: “I am thrilled about the opportunity. I’m coming to deliver a war. Tyson Fury has been a big champion. I will be more ready than ever to leave with a massive W.”
Fury’s record currently stands at 34 wins, two defeats, and one draw. His defeat to Usyk came on points in December 2024, with their first meeting taking place earlier that year. Despite those setbacks, the British fighter remains positioned to challenge for titles should he move past this comeback venture. Promoters have suggested the April fight will serve as a shakedown bout before potentially larger opportunities later in 2026.
The exact venue remains unconfirmed, but expectations point toward a major arena given the fight’s streaming prominence and heavyweight billing.
Canelo Alvarez is making his return to the ring. Turki Alalshikh announced today that the Mexican superstar will fight on September 12, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the inaugural event for Canelo Promotions.
“Sept. 12 will be big fight. This will be the first card for Canelo Promotions,” Alalshikh said in a video announcement posted to social media.
‼️ BREAKING: Canelo to return in September ‼️
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh announces that Canelo Alvarez will return on September 12th in a “Mexico against The World” card under his inaugural Canelo Promotions banner in Riyadh 👏 pic.twitter.com/d2objGc2yp
The card is titled “Mexico Against the World” and will take place on Mexican Independence Day weekend. Alalshikh confirmed the main event will be for a world title, though Canelo’s opponent has not been announced.
Canelo, 35, lost his undisputed super middleweight championship to Terence Crawford via unanimous decision on September 13, 2025. Crawford retired in December and vacated all four belts, creating an opportunity for Canelo to reclaim championship status.
The former champion underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery in October 2025 and was initially expected to return in spring 2026 at the earliest. His September comeback represents an accelerated timeline.
Canelo holds a record of 63-3-2 with 39 knockouts and is currently ranked first by the WBC and WBO at super middleweight. He has two fights remaining on his four-fight deal with Riyadh Season.
KSI has revealed that he gave away his entire purse from his Tommy Fury fight, stating that money no longer motivates him in his career.
The YouTube star and Misfits Boxing co-founder made the admission during an interview on The Ranveer Show, explaining his evolved perspective on wealth and success.
“My fight with Tommy Fury, all the money I made, I gave it to my trainers. All of it. For me it’s not—I don’t do stuff for this,” KSI disclosed.
The revelation came as KSI discussed his decision to walk away from boxing despite being offered up to $30 million to fight Jake Paul. For many, rejecting such generational wealth would be unthinkable, but KSI explained he’s reached a different stage in life.
“For me, money doesn’t really drive anything for me. I’m at a point where I’ve made it. I made it in life. I’ve smashed it,” he said. “It’s hard, especially in this space that changes so quickly to stay on top. It’s not easy. But for me, it’s all about giving, just giving back as much as I can.”
KSI expressed relief at finally being able to move past boxing and focus on what truly matters to him.
“I want to do more but I can’t because of this boxing thing and now I can. Now I’m able to really do all the things that I’ve always wanted to do,” he explained.
KSI’s Personal Philosophy
The interview also touched on KSI’s personal philosophy, with the influencer emphasizing the importance of surrounding yourself with positive energy.
“I honestly truly believe in energy. I feel like you can tell when there’s good energy and when there’s bad energy. I just truly believe if you surround yourself with good energy, life becomes beautiful,” he shared.
KSI’s Tommy Fury fight took place in 2023, with Fury winning by split decision. Despite the loss, KSI’s decision to reward his team with the entire purse demonstrates his priorities have shifted far beyond personal financial gain.
KSI has revealed that he rejected offers of up to $30 million to fight Jake Paul, confirming his complete retirement from boxing.
In a candid interview on The Ranveer Show, the YouTube star and Misfits Boxing co-founder disclosed the staggering sums he walked away from to close the chapter on his boxing career.
“I’ve been offered 20 million to fight Jake Paul, 30 million to fight Jake Paul. People, these guys can’t give me any amount of money to fight this guy. When it comes to boxing, I’m done,” KSI stated emphatically.
The revelation comes after years of public tension between KSI and Jake Paul, with the British influencer revealing that the fight he desperately wanted never materialized due to Paul’s continued reluctance.
“My main goal when I got into the boxing ring again was to fight Jake Paul and build Misfits. Built Misfits, tried to fight Jake Paul time and time and time again. He just excuse after excuse after excuse,” KSI explained.
KSI further accused Jake Paul of deliberately manipulating weight requirements to avoid the fight. “He was just getting heavier and heavier and heavier trying to move the goalpost when it comes to weight. Then it got to the point where I was like, ‘What am I doing, man? I’m done,’” he said.
The influencer-turned-boxer also revealed that money has lost its appeal as a motivator in his life, which factored into his decision to walk away from the massive payday.
“For me, money doesn’t really drive anything for me. I’m at a point where I’ve made it. I made it in life. I’ve smashed it,” KSI shared. “But for me, it’s all about giving, just giving back as much as I can.”
Despite never securing the Jake Paul fight, KSI expressed satisfaction with what he accomplished, having successfully launched Misfits Boxing into a major promotion in the influencer boxing space.
The Brutal Reality of Training Camps
KSI also offered a brutally honest account of what professional boxing training camps did to his body and mind, calling it the hardest thing he’s ever done in his life.
“Of everything I’ve done in my life, that is the hardest thing. The hardest thing really. I’d say the training, how physically and mentally draining it is, it’s just like nothing else,” KSI admitted.
The YouTube star painted a vivid picture of how the 12-week training camps would progressively break him down. While the first week felt manageable and even exciting, the reality would quickly set in as twice-daily training sessions took their toll.
“By the seventh, eighth week, you’re like, why am I doing this? I hate this. This is horrible. I’m getting beat up. I don’t even want to get up anymore. I feel ill. My body is starting to shut down because you’re just feeling sick, ill, but you just have to fight through it every day,” he explained.
KSI also detailed the psychological torture of the strict diet that accompanied training. “The food, the type of food you have to eat, bro. It’s the same thing over regimented. Just chicken, rice, no spice, nothing. Just chicken, rice, bland. And you’re yearning for like some sweets or something that just to spice up your life,” he said.
The emotional weight extended to fight night itself, where KSI revealed he grappled with intense fear of public humiliation.
“I don’t want to get knocked out. I don’t want to become a meme,” he admitted, explaining how the pressure of fans betting thousands on him would add to the burden before each walk to the ring.
The aftermath of losing proved particularly devastating after investing so much. “What a waste of my time. What a waste. I literally spent 12 weeks of my life killing myself to not get the result that I wanted,” he reflected.
