*For Immediate Release to Publish
Roselle, Park, NJ (February 21, 2026)– Welcome to the Real Combat Media Boxing & MMA Fights of the Week, where we discuss the week’s most significant news and the most notable fights in the sports of boxing and MMA, so you can save time by getting your best combat sports news expeditiously.
In boxing news, this past weekend in Halle, Germany, former World Cruiserweight champion Marco Huck, 41, (44-5-1, 28 Kos), a Serbian fighting out of Berlin, Germany, weighing 220 pounds, outworked Vaclav Pesjar, 41, (26-23, 21 Kos), from Plzen, Czechia, who was weighing 231 pounds. Huck looked a lot slower than he did in his prime years ago. You can read Robert Brizel’s recap and view the video highlights here.
Floyd Mayweather, 48, and Mike Tyson, 59, are in advanced talks to fight in an exhibition bout on April 25th in Congo. The fight is not yet confirmed.
Zuffa Boxing 3 took place Sunday at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba, 31 (21-1, 15 Kos), ranked #6 by the WBC, stopped former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin, 39 (30-5-1, 27 Kos), in round 4. Zuffa also announced its new weight classes before the fight. You can check out Robert Brizel’s recap, the new Zuffa Boxing weight classes, the full card results, and video highlights here.
The featured boxing event of the week at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is for the WBC Welterweight title, where Ryan Garcia, 27, (24-2- 1 NC, 20 Kos) takes on Mario Barrios, 30, (29-2, 18 Kos). Ryan Garcia has never held a world title and is coming off a loss to Rolly Romero. The WBC champion, Mario Barrios, is coming off a closely contested draw to the 46-year-old legend, Manny Pacquiao.
DAZN is offering a discount this week for PPV that includes the Garcia vs. Barrios & Chisora vs. Wilder fights at 20% off. You can signup to watch this historic fight here.
Other key fights on this card are unbeaten Richardson Hitchins, 28, (20-0, 8 Kos), defending his IBF 140-pound title against the heavy-handed Oscar Duarte, 30, (30-2-1, 23 Kos). Ryan Garcia stopped Duarte in December 2023. Since then, Duarte has won 4 fights in a row.
Gary Antuanne Russell, 29, (18-1, 17 Kos) looks to defend his WBA 140-pound belt against Japan’s undefeated Andy Hiraoka, 29, (24-0, 19 Kos). Russell lost a close decision in 2024 to Alberto Puello and rebounded and defeated José Valenzuela, in 2025, who now fights for Zuffa Boxing, to win the WBA World Title. The winner of this fight will become a recognized star in the sport. You can view Robert Brizels’ preview, press conference, weigh-in video, predictions, and the preview shows here.
Another major card taking place in London, UK, is Leigh Wood, 37, (28-4, 17 KOs), who will face Josh Warrington, 35, (32-4-1, 8 KOs) in a rematch on February 21, 2026, following Wood’s 7th-round knockout victory in October 2023. Wood, a former WBA featherweight champion, is known for late-fight power, while Warrington is a former two-time IBF champion looking to get revenge for his 2023 loss. You can watch this exciting rematch by signing up here. You can watch the weigh-in, heated press conference, and view the betting odds here.
Claressa Shields, 30, (17-0, 3 Kos) secured a record-setting $8 million, multi-fight deal, marking the largest contract in women’s boxing history. Shield will be facing Franchón Crews-Dezurn, 38, (10-2, 2 Kos) in a high-stakes rematch this Sunday, February 22, 2026. The bout will take place at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, with Shields’ undisputed women’s heavyweight world championship on the line. You can sign up to watch this fight here.
The undercard for the Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman PBC PPV on Prime Video was announced for March 28th. You can view the fights that were announced here.
The UK’s Callum Smith, 35, (31-2, 22 Kos) has signed to fight former Cuban WBA World Champion, David Morrell, 28, (12-1, 9 Kos). David Morrell has lost to just David Benavidez. Callum Smith lost to Artur Beterbiev and Canelo Alvarez. The loser of this fight may never get another opportunity for any big-money fights in the near future. You can read about the fight announcement here.
Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Promotions provided an update on Anthony Joshua, stating he may return to training sooner than expected following a car crash in December 2025. A July return is currently targeted against an alternate heavyweight before pursuing a Tyson Fury super-fight.
You can view the current international boxing rankings here.
In MMA News, the UFC Houston Fight Night returns this week in Houston, Texas, with the durable #3 Sean Strickland, 34, (29-7), who will face #4 Anthony Hernandez, 32, (15-2). You can sign up to watch this event here. You can view the weigh-in video, media day, and betting odds here.
Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano is official. You can read about the announcement here. Ronda has been away from MMA for around 10 years, and Gina Carano retired from MMA 17 years ago.
In PFL news, the PFL Chicago event was announced for April 11th with Sergio Pettis facing undefeated Mitch Mckee. You can read the preview and read about the other fights here.
Top heavyweight prospect and wrestling legend Gable Steveson, 25, moved to 3-0 in MMA with a first-round TKO victory over Hugo Lezama at Mexico Fight League 3 this week. Steveson is expected to sign with the UFC in the near future and is training with Jon Jones.
PFL Pittsburgh added more fights this week for March 28th. You can check out the full card and matchups here.
PFL MMA, the world’s #2 MMA promotion, introduced an updated rankings system last week. Check out the full rankings here.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, 43, was released on parole this week after serving roughly 11 months of a 5-year prison sentence for a 2022 shooting. Sentenced in March 2025 for attempted murder, he received credit for over 1,200 days served in jail and house arrest. Velasquez was in prison for shooting at a man in Santa Clara County, California, and hit an unintended victim. The man whom Velasquez allegedly intended to shoot was Harry Goularte Jr., who had been arrested before the shooting for allegedly committing child sexual abuse on Velasquez’s son at a daycare, which is owned by Goularte’s family.
Recent UFC Roster Changes (February 2026):
AJ Cunningham Bantamweight Feb 20, 2026 Retired (Injury)
Jailton Almeida Heavyweight Feb 12–20, 2026 Released (Early contract termination)
Mohammed Usman Heavyweight Feb 13, 2026 Released (Following 30-month suspension)
Adam Fugitt Welterweight Feb 12, 2026 Released
Javid Basharat Bantamweight Feb 10, 2026 Contract Expired (Not re-signed)
Alex Morono Welterweight Feb 10, 2026 Released
Lucas Almeida Featherweight Feb 10, 2026 Released
The UFC has officially launched its archive library on Paramount+, signaling the start of its new primary streaming partnership in 2026. You can sign up here.
Upcoming Major MMA Events:
UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez – February 21, 2026 (Houston, TX)
For PFL start times, more information, and to watch PFL events, click here.
To view the current UFC rankings, click here.
Get prepared for the UFC in 2026 and sign up to Paramount+ here.
For the most current news from the #2 MMA Promotion PFL, click here.
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