MMA & Boxing — April 22, 2026
UFC Fight Night 274 headlines this week's combat sports action, with Aljamain Sterling set to face Said Nurmagomedov at the top of a Vegas lineup, while the UFC continues building momentum toward its historic White House event in June. On the boxing side, Netflix officially confirmed Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 for September 19 at The Sphere in Las Vegas — one of the most anticipated rematches in sports history. Additionally, the first bout for UFC International Fight Week was revealed, with Conor McGregor's rumored card starting to take shape.
MMA & Boxing — April 22, 2026
Fight Results
UFC 327 (April 12) — Card of the Year Contender
While just outside our strict 7-day window, the aftershocks from UFC 327 continued reverberating through the combat sports world this week. ESPN gave the card an "A" grade, calling it one of the best UFC cards of the year. Carlos Ulberg knocked out former champion Jiří Procházka in the main event at 205 lbs, claiming the vacant light heavyweight title after overcoming an injury scare.
UFC Fight Night — Winnipeg (April 18): Burns vs. Malott
Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott headlined last Saturday's fight card in Winnipeg, Canada, streaming on Paramount+. CBS Sports' expert Kyle Marley published picks ahead of the event, which took place within our coverage window.
Boxing: Wardley vs. Dubois & Key Bouts
The BBC's boxing schedule update this week confirmed several upcoming marquee matchups including Wardley vs. Dubois among the key fights on the British boxing calendar for 2026.
Analysis
UFC Fight Night 274: Sterling vs. Nurmagomedov
This week's marquee UFC event — Fight Night 274 — features former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling squaring off against Said Nurmagomedov at the top of the Vegas lineup, streaming on Paramount+. Sterling, a former dominant champion, looks to reassert himself in the division's upper echelon after losing his title. Nurmagomedov represents a dangerous, emerging contender with devastating striking. The stakes are high: a win either reinvigorates Sterling's title campaign or catapults Nurmagomedov into championship contention.
The co-main and supporting card round out what analysts are billing as a well-constructed fight night event, continuing the UFC's high-quality output following the celebrated UFC 327 card.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2: The Netflix Mega-Fight
Perhaps the biggest combat sports story of the week is Netflix's confirmation of Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao 2, scheduled for September 19, 2026, at The Sphere in Las Vegas. The original 2015 bout — dubbed "The Fight of the Century" — drew over 4 million pay-per-view buys and remains one of the highest-grossing fights in history. The Netflix deal marks a significant moment for the streaming platform's push into live combat sports, following its successful boxing events. Both fighters are well past their competitive primes, but the commercial appeal of a rematch between two boxing legends is undeniable.
Coming Up
UFC International Fight Week (July 2026)
The first bout for UFC International Fight Week has been revealed this week, as Conor McGregor's rumored card begins to take shape. Details of the first confirmed fight were disclosed by Bloody Elbow, with additional matchups expected to be announced in the coming weeks as the promotion builds toward what could be McGregor's long-awaited return.
UFC White House "Freedom Fest" (June 14)
The UFC has released its full fight week schedule for the White House event, dubbed "Freedom Fest," set for June 14 and airing on Paramount+. The card's full lineup is still being assembled, but the promotion has confirmed the event's centerpiece fights include high-profile bouts befitting the landmark venue. Per The Independent's confirmed schedule, Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje headlines, with Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane serving as an interim heavyweight title fight in support.
Paddy Pimblett Returns During International Fight Week
Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett is confirmed to make his return during International Fight Week, according to reports from earlier this month. The Liverpool fan-favorite and social media sensation has been building toward a major comeback appearance.
Boxing: Upcoming Schedule Highlights
- September 19, 2026 — Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2, The Sphere, Las Vegas (Netflix)
- Wardley vs. Dubois — date TBD, UK
- Caroline Dubois vs. Terri Harper and Ellie Scotney vs. Mayelli Flores — headlining a major bill at the Olympia in London
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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