Updated: September 2026

The heavyweight division has a new world champion—and the Fight Week Heavyweight Top 10 has undergone its biggest shakeup since we launched the rankings.

Filip Hrgovic entered his August 29 showdown with Moses Itauma as a sizable underdog and spent much of the fight being outboxed. But the Croatian survived a second-round knockdown, weathered Itauma’s early attack and turned the fight around when the young British heavyweight began to fade.

Hrgovic stopped Itauma in the ninth round to capture the vacant IBF heavyweight championship and move directly into the upper tier of the division.

Meanwhile, Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley are preparing to do it all over again, Agit Kabayel remains unbeaten, and Oleksandr Usyk continues to sit above everyone despite no longer holding the four sanctioning-body championships.

Fight Week’s rankings consider recent results, quality of opposition, championship accomplishments, activity and where each fighter stands in the heavyweight division right now.

Here is the Fight Week Heavyweight Top 10 for September 2026.

1. Oleksandr Usyk — 25-0, 16 KOs

Previous Rank: 1 — No Change

The belts may have scattered across the division, but the heavyweight throne still belongs to Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk remains unbeaten after stopping kickboxing great Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round on May 23. It was considerably more difficult than many expected, but Usyk once again found a way to finish a fight that appeared to be slipping away from him.

Usyk subsequently relinquished his WBC, WBA and IBF championships, allowing the next generation of heavyweights to compete for those belts. He remains The Ring heavyweight champion and, more importantly for Fight Week, the man every other heavyweight must surpass.

His résumé still separates him from the field: two victories over Tyson Fury, two over Anthony Joshua and two over Daniel Dubois.

Until somebody beats Usyk, No. 1 isn’t really up for debate.

2. Daniel Dubois — 23-3, 22 KOs

Previous Rank: 2 — No Change

Daniel Dubois remains Fight Week’s No. 2 heavyweight.

Dubois’ brutal May victory over Fabio Wardley looks even more impressive with time. He survived two early knockdowns before systematically breaking Wardley down and stopping him in the 11th round to capture the WBO heavyweight championship.

Now he has to prove he can do it again.

Dubois vs. Wardley II is officially scheduled for October 17 at London’s O2 Arena, with the WBO heavyweight championship on the line.

The winner will have an extremely strong case to pursue a unification bout in 2027.

For now, Dubois remains the heavyweight closest to Usyk in the Fight Week rankings.

3. Agit Kabayel — 27-0, 19 KOs

Previous Rank: 3 — No Change

Agit Kabayel remains undefeated, dangerous and perhaps still underappreciated.

Kabayel’s heavyweight résumé includes stoppage victories over Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez, Zhilei Zhang and Damian Knyba.

After Usyk relinquished his sanctioning-body championships in June, Kabayel was elevated from interim champion to full WBC heavyweight champion.

Unlike several highly marketed heavyweights, Kabayel has consistently taken difficult fights and won them.

A showdown between Kabayel and one of the other champions—Hrgovic, Dubois or Murat Gassiev—would immediately become one of the biggest fights the heavyweight division can make.

4. Filip Hrgovic — 21-1, 16 KOs

Previous Rank: 7 — ↑ 3

Nobody gained more this month than Filip Hrgovic.

Moses Itauma appeared faster, sharper and more explosive through the early rounds of their August 29 title fight. Itauma even dropped Hrgovic in the second.

Hrgovic simply refused to go away.

As Itauma’s pace slowed, Hrgovic kept coming. The Croatian veteran eventually overwhelmed the exhausted 21-year-old and scored a dramatic ninth-round TKO to capture the vacant IBF heavyweight championship.

It was precisely the type of victory Hrgovic’s career needed.

His only professional defeat remains an eighth-round stoppage against Daniel Dubois in 2024.

Hrgovic now wants unification fights, although Frank Sanchez is his mandatory challenger after accepting step-aside money that allowed the Itauma fight to happen.

From No. 7 to No. 4—the biggest move in the Fight Week rankings this month.

5. Tyson Fury — 36-2-1, 25 KOs

Previous Rank: 4 — ↓ 1

Tyson Fury drops one position, but it isn’t because he suddenly became a lesser fighter.

Hrgovic simply earned the move above him.

Fury returned from his latest retirement this year and has now logged two comeback victories, including a seventh-round stoppage of veteran Mariusz Wach on July 24.

Fury’s only two professional defeats came against Usyk.

At his best, the former heavyweight champion still has the size, movement, ring IQ and experience to beat nearly anyone in the division.

The next major question is whether the long-awaited Anthony Joshua showdown finally becomes reality.

6. Fabio Wardley — 20-1-1, 19 KOs

Previous Rank: 5 — ↓ 1

Fabio Wardley remains inside the Fight Week Top 10 despite suffering his first professional defeat against Dubois.

And there is a good reason.

Wardley dropped Dubois twice during their first fight and pushed the eventual champion through an extremely difficult night before Dubois’ sustained pressure finally caught up with him.

Rather than rebuild against softer opposition, Wardley immediately activated his rematch clause.

On October 17, he gets another shot at Dubois and the WBO heavyweight championship at the O2 Arena.

A Wardley victory could completely rearrange the top five.

7. Frank Sanchez — 26-1, 19 KOs

Previous Rank: 10 — ↑ 3

Frank Sanchez may be the quietest major threat in the heavyweight division.

The Cuban reminded everyone of his ability on May 23 when he demolished previously undefeated Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. in just two rounds.

The victory came in an IBF final eliminator and put Sanchez directly back into the world-title picture.

His only professional loss came against Kabayel in 2024.

Sanchez is now positioned as the mandatory challenger for newly crowned IBF champion Filip Hrgovic. Hrgovic would prefer unification fights, but unless another step-aside arrangement is reached, Sanchez appears to be next in line.

His combination of speed, movement and counterpunching makes him a difficult matchup for nearly every heavyweight above him.

8. Anthony Joshua — 30-4, 27 KOs

Previous Rank: 8 — No Change

Anthony Joshua stays at No. 8.

His July fight with Kristian Prenga was supposed to be a straightforward tune-up.

It wasn’t.

Joshua was dropped twice during a disastrous opening round before recovering dramatically and knocking Prenga out in the second.

The comeback showed Joshua’s power and resilience, but the first round also reminded everyone why questions remain about where the former two-time unified heavyweight champion stands against today’s elite.

Joshua remains dangerous enough to change these rankings with one major victory.

And if he finally fights Fury, that result will have enormous consequences for both men.

9. Murat Gassiev — 34-2, 27 KOs

Previous Rank: 9 — No Change

Murat Gassiev holds one of the four major heavyweight championships but still needs a signature heavyweight victory.

The former unified cruiserweight champion is now the WBA heavyweight champion and successfully defended that title July 11 by stopping Peter Kadiru in the sixth round.

Gassiev has expressed interest in unification fights with Kabayel and Dubois.

That’s exactly what he needs.

A win over one of the division’s top champions would send Gassiev significantly higher in the Fight Week rankings.

Until then, he remains No. 9.

10. Moses Itauma — 14-1, 12 KOs

Previous Rank: 6 — ↓ 4

The hype train hit its first major obstacle.

But it hasn’t been derailed.

Moses Itauma looked sensational for much of his fight against Hrgovic. His speed, combinations and accuracy gave the veteran tremendous problems, and Itauma scored a flash knockdown in Round 2.

Then came the lesson.

Itauma exhausted himself, Hrgovic refused to break, and the fight turned dramatically in the ninth round. Itauma was eventually stopped at 2:27 and suffered the first defeat of his professional career.

At only 21 years old, Itauma has plenty of time.

His promoter Frank Warren has urged patience rather than rushing immediately into another championship fight, despite Itauma asking for a rematch.

The talent remains obvious.

But Fight Week rankings are based on what fighters have accomplished—not what we expect them to accomplish.

For now, Itauma falls from No. 6 to No. 10.

Fight Week Heavyweight Top 10 — September 2026

Biggest Mover: Filip Hrgovic

There can only be one choice.

Hrgovic went from respected contender to IBF heavyweight champion by surviving Itauma’s best work and scoring a dramatic ninth-round stoppage.

He rises three positions from No. 7 to No. 4.

Frank Sanchez also climbs three spots, but winning a world championship gives Hrgovic the edge for Biggest Mover.

Biggest Faller: Moses Itauma

Itauma falls from No. 6 to No. 10 after the first defeat of his career.

That isn’t a declaration that the 21-year-old has been exposed or that his ceiling has changed.

It means Fight Week’s rankings have consequences.

Lose a championship fight and the fighters producing major victories move ahead of you.

Now we find out how Itauma responds.

New Entry: None

All 10 fighters from August remain inside the rankings.

The order has changed dramatically, but nobody has broken into—or fallen completely out of—the Fight Week Top 10 this month.

That could change quickly.

On the Bubble

Efe Ajagba

Ajagba is probably the closest fighter to cracking the Fight Week Top 10. The Ring currently has him at No. 7 among its heavyweight contenders, which makes his omission from our list one readers can legitimately debate.

Justis Huni

Huni remains one of the more technically interesting younger heavyweights and is within striking distance of our rankings.

Zhilei Zhang

The dangerous Chinese southpaw has suffered setbacks, but his power and victories over legitimate heavyweight opposition make him impossible to completely dismiss.

Martin Bakole

Bakole has demonstrated that he can be extremely dangerous when active and in shape. One significant win could put him straight back into the Top 10 conversation.

Fight Week Fight to Watch

Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley II — October 17

The heavyweight rankings may not remain intact for long.

Dubois and Wardley return to London’s O2 Arena on October 17 for an immediate rematch with Dubois’ WBO heavyweight championship at stake.

Their first fight was one of the most violent heavyweight battles of the year.

Wardley dropped Dubois twice.

Dubois survived.

Then Dubois broke Wardley down and stopped him in the 11th.

If Dubois wins again, his position as Fight Week’s No. 2 heavyweight becomes even stronger.

If Wardley gets revenge, the entire top half of these rankings could change.

Fight Week Debate

Did Filip Hrgovic’s win over Moses Itauma earn him the No. 4 spot—or should Tyson Fury, Fabio Wardley or another heavyweight still rank ahead of the new IBF champion?

And one bigger question remains:

Who is the biggest threat to Oleksandr Usyk right now—Daniel Dubois, Agit Kabayel, Filip Hrgovic or someone else?

Mielnicki Drops Williams in Opening Round, Adds WBA Continental Americas Title and Sets Sights on Major World Title Fight

NEW JERSEY (September 8, 2026) — Vito Mielnicki Jr. (24-1, 13 KOs) took another major step toward a world title opportunity with an impressive unanimous decision victory over Austin “Ammo” Williams (20-3, 13 KOs) in their 10-round middleweight showdown.

Mielnicki, co-promoted by Matchroom Boxing and Boxlab Promotions, won by identical scores of 98-91 on all three judges’ cards and added the WBA Continental Americas middleweight title to his collection, which already includes the WBC Continental Americas, WBO Global and IBF USBA titles.

Mielnicki, who is one step closer to fighting for a world title, set the tone immediately, dropping Williams in the opening round with a sharp right hook-left hook combination. Instead of rushing for the finish, he stayed patient and controlled the rest of the fight with his timing, movement and accurate combinations.

The event, promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, aired live worldwide on DAZN and on TNT in the United States.

Mielnicki credited his preparation with his trainer Ronnie Shields for allowing him to remain composed throughout the fight.

“I had a great camp with Ronnie,” said Mielnicki. “We worked on staying sharp and disciplined, and I think that showed. When I dropped Ammo in the first round, I didn’t get carried away trying to finish him. I stayed with the game plan and kept doing what was working.”

Although Williams entered the fight as a dangerous and proven opponent, Mielnicki felt he was ready for the challenge.

“I have a lot of respect for Ammo,” Mielnicki said. “He can fight, I knew that coming in. This was the type of opponent I wanted because I want to keep testing myself against good fighters. I felt like I controlled the fight, but I’m still learning and getting better.”

With another regional championship now around his waist, Mielnicki believes the victory has moved him closer to his ultimate goal.

“This was a big win for my career,” Mielnicki said. “I want all the big fights. I want to keep earning my way up the rankings and put myself in position to fight for a world title. Lara, Adames, Bently, are all on my radar.”

Performing at home on a major platform made the victory even sweeter.

“I’m grateful to Matchroom and Boxlab for believing in me and giving me these opportunities,” Mielnicki added. “Having the fight shown on TNT and DAZN around the world, in my home state, was special. I want people watching to see that every time I step up, I’m getting better.”

Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions, believes Mielnicki is on the cusp of a world title shot.

“Vito showed another level against Ammo,” Piedra said. “He hurt him early, but what impressed me was how composed he remained. He didn’t force anything. He boxed, stayed disciplined and controlled the fight. Those are the things you want to see from a fighter who is getting closer to the championship level.”

Piedra believes a world title opportunity isn’t far away.

“Vito now holds regional titles with the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF, and his résumé continues to get stronger,” Piedra continued. “We believe a world title fight is in his near future. He wants the biggest fights available, and our job with Matchroom is to keep putting him in position to earn that opportunity.”

The stars of tomorrow are fighting today.

Every Tuesday, Fight Week Prospect Watch spotlights rising fighters in boxing and MMA before the rest of the sports world catches up.

This week brings something Prospect Watch loves: real tests.

Three unbeaten boxing prospects face opponents who have yet to lose, Dana White’s Contender Series features two undefeated finishers, and Arizona’s own José Miguel Delgado gets the biggest opportunity of his career — a hometown Noche UFC main event against Jean Silva.

Here are five fighters worth watching this week.

1. José Miguel Delgado — UFC Featherweight

Record: 12-2
Opponent: Jean Silva (17-3)
Fight Date: September 12
Event: Noche UFC
Location: Desert Diamond Arena — Glendale, Arizona

José Miguel Delgado has officially moved beyond being just another UFC prospect.

The Yuma, Arizona native steps into the biggest fight of his career Saturday when he headlines Noche UFC against Jean Silva at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. UFC is billing Delgado as “Arizona’s own” as he takes center stage in front of a home-state crowd.

Delgado accepted the opportunity after Yair Rodriguez withdrew, giving the 28-year-old a chance to accelerate his rise through the featherweight division.

And he has earned the opportunity.

Delgado enters at 12-2 and is riding back-to-back UFC victories over Andre Fili and Austin Bashi. Now comes a serious jump in difficulty against Silva, the UFC’s No. 6-ranked featherweight and one of the division’s most dangerous finishers.

For Fight Week, there is another reason this fight stands out.

An Arizona fighter is headlining a major UFC event in Arizona.

That does not happen often.

Fight Week Take: Delgado has gone from prospect to legitimate featherweight player faster than most expected. Beat Jean Silva in Glendale and the conversation changes again — from rising fighter to possible title contender.

2. Dominic Valle — Junior Lightweight

Record: 13-0, 7 KOs
Opponent: Frankie Scarboro Jr. (14-0, 9 KOs)
Fight Date: September 11
Location: Frontwave Arena — Oceanside, California

This is exactly the type of matchup Fight Week Prospect Watch was created to highlight.

Dominic Valle is 13-0.

Frankie Scarboro Jr. is 14-0.

And instead of keeping two undefeated fighters away from each other, they will meet over 10 rounds Friday night on ProBox TV.

Valle has looked like a fighter capable of developing into a legitimate junior lightweight contender, but this represents a different kind of test.

Scarboro has already gone 10 rounds twice in 2026, earning decision victories over Brandon Valdes and Maxwel Montes. He brings experience, confidence and an undefeated record of his own.

One fighter leaves Friday with considerably more momentum.

Fight Week Take: Forget simply reaching 14-0. Beating another undefeated prospect over 10 rounds would give Valle something much more valuable than another win — credibility.

3. Hebert Conceição Sousa — Middleweight

Record: 11-0, 5 KOs
Opponent: Jose de Jesus Adame Chio (15-0-1, 7 KOs)
Fight Date: September 11
Location: Frontwave Arena — Oceanside, California

Hebert Conceição Sousa is running out of reasons to be called a prospect.

The Brazilian Olympic gold medalist has transitioned his elite amateur background into an 11-0 professional record and has already climbed to No. 10 in the WBO middleweight rankings.

Friday gives him another meaningful test.

Sousa faces unbeaten Jose de Jesus Adame Chio, who enters 15-0-1 with seven knockouts, in a scheduled 10-round fight on the ProBox TV card in Oceanside.

With Sousa’s amateur résumé, there is little reason to spend years protecting an undefeated record.

The goal should be contention.

A decisive victory Friday could move him another significant step in that direction.

Fight Week Take: Sousa already proved he could win at the highest level as an amateur. Now the question is how quickly he can force his way into the middleweight world-title picture.

4. Feudri Franco — Welterweight

Record: 7-0, 6 KOs
Opponent: Junior Desir (7-0-1, 5 KOs)
Fight Date: September 11
Location: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Another prospect.

Another undefeated opponent.

And another reason Friday is a very good night for Fight Week Prospect Watch.

Dominican welterweight Feudri Franco enters 7-0 with six knockouts and faces fellow unbeaten Junior Desir in an eight-round main event at the Carlos “Teo” Cruz Coliseum in Santo Domingo. Desir brings a 7-0-1 record with five knockouts.

Franco has built his early reputation with power, stopping six of his first seven opponents.

Now we find out more.

Desir is not a veteran opponent brought in to survive rounds. He is another young fighter protecting his own unbeaten record and looking to use Franco as a launching point.

Those fights tell us something.

Fight Week Take: Power against developmental opposition gets attention. Power against another hungry unbeaten fighter starts building a résumé.

5. Quentin Pasley — MMA Light Heavyweight

Record: 3-0
Opponent: Arlind Berisha (6-0)
Fight Date: September 8
Event: Dana White’s Contender Series

Tonight, somebody’s perfect record goes.

Quentin Pasley headlines Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 10, Week 5 against undefeated light heavyweight Arlind Berisha at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.

Pasley is only 3-0 as a professional, but the record does not tell the whole story.

He has stopped all three professional opponents by knockout — all in the first round.

Berisha may be even more dangerous.

He enters 6-0 with six finishes, giving Tuesday’s main event a simple selling point:

Two undefeated light heavyweights. Two perfect finishing rates. One chance to earn a UFC contract.

For Pasley, this is the opportunity to skip several steps in the normal prospect-development process.

Win impressively and his next fight could come in the UFC.

Fight Week Take: Pasley has destroyed everyone put in front of him. Tonight we find out what happens when the fighter across the cage has been doing exactly the same thing.

Fight Week Prospect of the Week: Dominic Valle

Dominic Valle gets this week’s Fight Week Prospect of the Week honor.

José Miguel Delgado has the biggest fight.

He has the biggest stage.

And he has the strongest Arizona storyline.

But Valle represents exactly what Prospect Watch is supposed to reward.

He is 13-0.

Frankie Scarboro Jr. is 14-0.

There is no aging veteran being brought in to add another victory to somebody’s record.

There is no obvious “B-side.”

It is two undefeated junior lightweights willing to find out which one is ready for more.

That is how prospects become contenders.

Fight Week Prospect of the Week: Dominic Valle.

Arizona Spotlight: José Miguel Delgado Gets His Moment

Fight Week will be paying particularly close attention to Saturday’s Noche UFC main event.

Delgado grew up in Yuma.

Saturday, he headlines in Glendale.

And a victory over Jean Silva would give Arizona MMA one of its biggest breakout performances in years.

The UFC has given Delgado the stage.

Now he has to take advantage of it.

Three Unbeaten Boxing Showdowns

There is a clear theme running through this week’s Prospect Watch.

Dominic Valle (13-0) vs. Frankie Scarboro Jr. (14-0).

Hebert Conceição Sousa (11-0) vs. Jose de Jesus Adame Chio (15-0-1).

Feudri Franco (7-0) vs. Junior Desir (7-0-1).

Those are the fights we want to see.

Young fighters risking undefeated records against other young fighters who believe they are headed toward the same destination.

By the end of the week, several prospect rankings could look very different.

Who Should We Watch Next?

Fight Week Prospect Watch returns every Tuesday as we follow young fighters making the jump from prospect to contender — and identify the names worth knowing before everybody else does.

Boxing. MMA. Future champions. Every Tuesday on Fight Week.

Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn headlines a huge combat sports Saturday, while Jai Opetaia returns and Noche UFC brings a loaded card to Glendale.

September rolls on with one of the busiest fight weekends we have seen in several weeks.

Boxing takes over Las Vegas on Saturday night as Ryan Garcia puts his WBC welterweight championship on the line against Conor Benn. That same card features one of the sport’s best cruiserweights, Jai Opetaia, facing former world champion Noel Mikaelian.

MMA fans have plenty to watch as well. The UFC celebrates Mexican Independence Day weekend with Noche UFC from Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, featuring several fights with serious divisional implications.

And the action starts Friday night in California.

Here are Fight Week’s 5 Fights to Watch This Week.

1. Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn

Boxing — WBC Welterweight World Championship
Saturday, September 12 — T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Paramount+ in the U.S.

This is unquestionably the biggest fight of the week.

Ryan Garcia makes the first defense of his WBC welterweight championship against Britain’s Conor Benn in a matchup built around two aggressive fighters with plenty of power and plenty to prove.

Garcia captured the title earlier this year and now gets the opportunity to establish himself as one of the major players at 147 pounds.

Benn presents a fascinating challenge.

He has spent recent fights competing above the traditional welterweight limit and must return to 147 pounds for this championship opportunity. That weight cut has quickly become one of the biggest storylines surrounding the fight.

The contrast in styles should make things interesting. Garcia owns exceptional hand speed and a dangerous left hook, while Benn has built his reputation around pressure, aggression and a willingness to engage.

The fight headlines the latest Zuffa Boxing event from T-Mobile Arena, with the main card beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Why watch: Big names, genuine knockout power and a world championship on the line.

2. Jai Opetaia vs. Noel Mikaelian

Boxing — Cruiserweight Championship
Saturday, September 12 — T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Paramount+

The Garcia-Benn undercard features a fight that hardcore boxing fans should not overlook.

Jai Opetaia faces former cruiserweight world champion Noel Mikaelian with the Zuffa Boxing and Ring Magazine cruiserweight championships at stake.

Opetaia has established himself as one of boxing’s elite fighters at 200 pounds. His combination of speed, movement, power and conditioning makes him extremely difficult to deal with over 12 rounds.

Mikaelian, however, gives him an experienced opponent who understands championship-level boxing.

This matchup could also help determine what comes next in a cruiserweight division with several intriguing fights available.

Opetaia has spent the past few years building a strong argument that he belongs among boxing’s pound-for-pound elite. Another dominant performance on a major Las Vegas card would only strengthen that case.

Why watch: One of boxing’s best cruiserweights faces another proven championship-level opponent on a massive stage.

3. Manon Fiorot vs. Alexa Grasso

MMA — UFC Women’s Flyweight Bout
Saturday, September 12 — Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
Paramount+

This may actually be the most important MMA fight of the weekend.

Former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso faces Manon Fiorot in a matchup between two of the highest-ranked contenders at 125 pounds.

The UFC currently lists Fiorot at No. 2 and Grasso at No. 3 in the division.

That makes the stakes obvious.

Fiorot has already challenged for the championship and remains one of the division’s most technically difficult fighters. Her movement, range and disciplined striking present problems for almost everyone.

Grasso knows exactly what it takes to reach the top. She shocked Valentina Shevchenko to capture the championship in 2023 and has remained near the title picture ever since.

Both women enter needing the same thing: a statement win that puts them back at the front of the championship conversation.

Why watch: No title is officially at stake, but this certainly feels like a potential title eliminator.

4. Jean Silva vs. Jose Miguel Delgado

MMA — UFC Featherweight Main Event
Saturday, September 12 — Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
Paramount+

Noche UFC closes with a matchup designed for action.

Brazil’s Jean Silva faces Arizona’s Jose Miguel Delgado in the five-round featherweight main event.

Silva enters the week ranked No. 6 by the UFC and continues to establish himself as one of the division’s most dangerous rising contenders. He arrives in Glendale following an impressive victory over Arnold Allen earlier this year.

Delgado gets the biggest opportunity of his career — and gets it in Arizona.

That home-state atmosphere should add another layer to a fight that already has significant consequences.

A Silva victory would keep him moving toward the top five and potentially toward a championship eliminator. Delgado has the opportunity to jump several levels in the featherweight hierarchy with one upset.

Noche UFC takes place Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena, with the main card streaming on Paramount+.

Why watch: A dangerous top contender meets a motivated hometown fighter in a five-round Noche UFC main event.

5. Giovani Santillan vs. Abass Baraou

Boxing — Junior Middleweight Bout
Friday, September 11 — Frontwave Arena, Oceanside, California
ProBox TV

Don’t wait until Saturday to start watching fights.

Giovani Santillan and Abass Baraou meet Friday night in an excellent junior middleweight matchup from California.

Santillan enters at 35-1 and has rebuilt his career following his 2024 loss to Brian Norman Jr. He now gets an opportunity to move further into the increasingly competitive 154-pound title picture.

Baraou enters at 17-2 and is looking to rebound from his narrow split-decision defeat against Xander Zayas in a WBA-WBO unification fight earlier this year.

This is exactly the type of crossroads matchup that can produce a good fight.

Both men have legitimate championship ambitions, and neither can afford a setback if he wants to remain near the front of the junior middleweight division.

Former featherweight champion Luis Alberto Lopez also appears on the card against Daniel Lugo, giving Friday’s ProBox event some additional depth.

Why watch: Two experienced contenders fighting to stay relevant in one of boxing’s deepest divisions.

Fight Week’s Must-Watch Fight

There really isn’t much debate this week.

Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn is Fight Week’s must-watch fight.

Garcia has the speed and explosive left hook that can change a fight instantly. Benn brings pressure, physicality and an attacking style that should force Garcia to work.

Add a world championship, a major Las Vegas stage and questions surrounding Benn’s return to 147 pounds, and there are storylines everywhere.

But don’t sleep on Opetaia vs. Mikaelian.

From a pure boxing standpoint, Opetaia may be the best fighter competing anywhere this weekend.

And over in Glendale, Fiorot vs. Grasso could ultimately have greater championship consequences than the Noche UFC main event itself.

From Friday night in Oceanside to a packed Saturday in Las Vegas and Glendale, this is another strong week for boxing and MMA.

Fight Week will have coverage of the biggest fights and stories throughout the week.

Katie Taylor ended her historic career as an undisputed champion at Croke Park, Salahdine Parnasse destroyed Dan Hooker in his UFC debut, Damian Knyba stunned Andy Ruiz Jr., and Eridson Garcia produced one of boxing’s biggest upsets of the weekend.

Here are Fight Week’s Weekend Winners & Losers from September 4–6.

WINNER: Katie Taylor

There really wasn’t another choice for the top of this week’s list.

Katie Taylor finally got her night at Croke Park — and then gave Ireland the ending it wanted.

Taylor dominated previously unbeaten Flora Pili over 10 rounds Saturday, winning by scores of 100-90, 100-90 and 98-91 to become undisputed super lightweight champion once again.

Then she retired.

Taylor finished her professional career 26-1 in front of approximately 83,000 fans in Dublin, adding the vacant WBC championship to the belts she already held and becoming a three-time undisputed world champion.

The symbolism was almost too perfect. Taylor had spent years talking about fighting at Croke Park. At age 40, in the final fight of her career, she finally got there and produced one of her most complete performances.

Afterward, she placed her gloves in the center of the ring.

Fight Week Verdict: There are good retirements, and then there are endings like this. Taylor walked away as champion, in front of her home country, on her own terms.

WINNER: Salahdine Parnasse

Welcome to the UFC.

Salahdine Parnasse entered UFC Paris with a strong reputation from his championship career outside the promotion.

He left looking like a potential UFC lightweight star.

Parnasse stopped veteran Dan Hooker in the first round of Saturday’s UFC Paris main event, overwhelming Hooker with his striking and producing exactly the type of debut that can fast-track a fighter toward ranked opposition.

This wasn’t a prospect being eased into the UFC against a favorable opponent.

Hooker has shared the cage with many of the best lightweights in the world.

Parnasse ran through him.

Fight Week Verdict: One UFC fight. One massive statement. Parnasse immediately belongs in the lightweight conversation.

WINNER: Damian Knyba

Damian Knyba didn’t just beat Andy Ruiz Jr.

He may have completely changed the trajectory of his career.

Knyba defeated the former unified heavyweight champion by unanimous decision Friday night in Newark, with scores of 117-110, 114-113 and 114-113. Ruiz had hoped the fight would launch another run toward heavyweight relevance. Instead, Knyba took the opportunity for himself.

Beating a former heavyweight champion still means something — particularly when you’re trying to move from prospect or contender into meaningful fights.

Knyba now has a recognizable name on his résumé and a victory that should open doors.

Fight Week Verdict: This is the kind of upset that changes a career. Knyba should get another significant heavyweight fight next.

WINNER: Eridson Garcia

If Knyba scored the biggest-name boxing upset of the weekend, Eridson Garcia may have delivered the most dominant one.

Garcia entered his fight with undefeated Alan Chaves as a major underdog.

Then he dropped Chaves four times.

Garcia controlled the 10-round lightweight fight and won by huge scores of 99-87, 99-88 and 98-88, handing Chaves his first professional defeat while capturing the IBF International and WBO Latino lightweight titles.

This wasn’t a controversial decision or a lucky punch.

Garcia dismantled an unbeaten fighter who entered with a 22-0 record and 19 knockouts.

Fight Week Verdict: One of the weekend’s biggest stock risers. Garcia just forced his way into more meaningful lightweight fights.

WINNER: Axel Sola

Axel Sola made sure Parnasse wasn’t the only French lightweight leaving UFC Paris with serious momentum.

Sola knocked out Farès Ziam in the first round, landing the type of shot that immediately becomes part of a fighter’s highlight reel.

Ziam entered with considerably more UFC experience, making the emphatic nature of the result even more important.

Sola didn’t edge out a decision.

He erased him.

Fight Week Verdict: Another name to watch in an already ridiculously deep UFC lightweight division.

ALSO UP: Paddy Donovan

Paddy Donovan continued moving toward bigger opportunities by stopping veteran Tyrone McKenna in the fourth round on the Taylor-Pili undercard.

The official result came by doctor stoppage in Round 4, another strong performance for Donovan on the biggest stage Irish boxing could provide.

Fight Week Verdict: Donovan did exactly what a rising contender should do against an experienced opponent.

WEEKEND LOSERS

LOSER: Andy Ruiz Jr.

Andy Ruiz Jr.’s comeback has taken another major hit.

The former heavyweight champion wasn’t simply returning Friday night for another payday. The idea was to beat Damian Knyba and begin building toward another significant heavyweight fight.

Instead, Knyba beat him.

Ruiz lost by unanimous decision and now finds himself facing difficult questions about where he fits in the heavyweight division.

Ruiz will forever own one of boxing’s most famous upsets after knocking out Anthony Joshua in 2019.

But that victory is getting further away.

Fight Week Verdict: This may have been Ruiz’s last realistic opportunity to quickly re-enter the heavyweight title conversation.

LOSER: Dan Hooker

This was about as bad as a main-event loss can get.

Dan Hooker wasn’t fighting some unknown UFC rookie. Parnasse arrived with an excellent résumé and championship experience.

But Hooker was still the established UFC veteran.

He was supposed to provide the test.

Instead, Parnasse stopped him in the opening round.

Hooker’s toughness and willingness to fight anyone have never been questioned. But repeated damage and losses become increasingly difficult to ignore when you’re competing in the UFC’s deepest division.

Fight Week Verdict: Hooker remains a fan favorite, but his days as a serious lightweight contender may be nearing their end.

LOSER: Alan Chaves

Few fighters had a rougher weekend than Alan Chaves.

Chaves entered Friday undefeated at 22-0 with 19 knockouts, carrying significant momentum and high expectations.

Then Eridson Garcia dropped him four times.

The wide scorecards — 99-87, 99-88 and 98-88 — reflected just how decisive the defeat was.

One loss doesn’t destroy a young fighter’s career.

But this wasn’t a narrow defeat against another elite prospect.

Chaves was comprehensively beaten by a significant underdog.

Fight Week Verdict: The unbeaten record is gone, and so is the fast track toward a world-title opportunity. How Chaves responds will tell us considerably more about him than 22 straight victories did.

LOSER: Farès Ziam

Farès Ziam had been building momentum in the UFC lightweight division.

Axel Sola stopped it in less than two minutes.

Sola’s first-round knockout turned what could have been another step forward for Ziam into one of the night’s most memorable losses.

That’s particularly costly at lightweight, where dozens of fighters are competing for limited opportunities.

Fight Week Verdict: Ziam is still talented, but getting knocked out that quickly makes the climb toward the rankings considerably steeper.

TOUGH BREAK: Nathaniel Wood

Nathaniel Wood entered UFC Paris hoping to continue pushing toward the featherweight rankings.

Instead, short-notice UFC newcomer Pavel Andrusca defeated him by unanimous decision, with scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28.

Losing to a late replacement is one of the fastest ways to lose momentum.

Fight Week Verdict: Not a career-killer, but absolutely a missed opportunity.

Fight Week’s Biggest Winner of the Weekend

KATIE TAYLOR

There really isn’t a debate this week.

Salahdine Parnasse may have produced the weekend’s biggest MMA statement. Damian Knyba and Eridson Garcia pulled off excellent upsets.

But none of them can top what happened at Croke Park.

Katie Taylor fought for the final time in front of approximately 83,000 people, dominated an unbeaten opponent, became undisputed champion again and retired with a 26-1 professional record.

She didn’t hang around until boxing forced her out.

She left with the belts.

She left with a victory.

And she left from the ring she had spent years dreaming about fighting in.

Katie Taylor is Fight Week’s biggest winner of the weekend.

Another weekend down. More fighters moving up, more fighters moving down — and a legend walking away exactly the way she wanted.

Check back every week for Fight Week Weekend Winners & Losers.