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There are fight nights… and then there are weekends like this.
This Saturday and Sunday, two of the world’s most powerful combat sports promotions — the UFC and ONE Championship — are putting on cards that feel less like routine events and more like turning points.
In London, a fallen champion returns under pressure. In Japan, two of the most iconic strikers in history face off in a dream fight years in the making. Five belts are on the line. Multiple divisions are in flux. And several careers — some legendary, others just beginning — may never look the same.
Saturday, March 22 – O₂ Arena, London
Redemption vs. Rise | #3 vs. #8 in the Welterweight Division
Leon Edwards isn’t just fighting for a win — he’s fighting to remind the world who he is.
After one of the most iconic knockouts in UFC history (the fifth-round head kick of Kamaru Usman), and a technical masterclass over Colby Covington, “Rocky” was on top of the world. But his title run was cut short by a grinding decision loss to Belal Muhammad, and now, in his home country, he’s staring down a hungry contender with a similar style.
Sean Brady is the kind of opponent who doesn’t just want to beat you — he wants to drown you. His grappling-first approach has shut down nearly everyone he's faced. His only loss? To the same man who beat Edwards: Belal Muhammad.
Edwards has the highest significant strike defense in UFC welterweight history (61.6%) — and he's never been submitted. Brady has a takedown accuracy of 87%. Something has to give.
For Leon: Reclaim top contender status and set up another title shot.For Brady: A win over a former champ could catapult him into title talks — and silence critics who say he’s too one-dimensional.
This is your classic generational clash.
Jan Błachowicz — the man who stopped Israel Adesanya’s unbeaten run — is 42 years old and chasing a dream. He wants to break Randy Couture’s record and become the oldest champion in UFC history.
Standing in his way is Carlos Ulberg, the slick Kiwi knockout artist with movie star looks and killer instincts. A City Kickboxing product, Ulberg is riding a wave of highlight-reel KOs — and this is his biggest test yet.
Błachowicz brings experience, ground game, and underrated counter-striking. Ulberg brings power, speed, and devastating low kicks.
For Jan: Keep the dream alive and stay relevant in the light heavyweight division.
For Ulberg: Break through as the next contender from the gym that produced Adesanya and Volkanovski.
Fan favorite McCann looks to bounce back from a rough patch against a dangerous Brazilian newcomer.
Two European action fighters with aggressive, technical styles collide in a guaranteed barnburner.
When ONE Championship brings an event to Japan, it means something. When they bring it to Saitama Super Arena, with Takeru and Rodtang headlining, and five world titles on the line — it’s history in motion.
This is the most ambitious card in ONE’s history. It’s a love letter to Japanese martial arts and a declaration that ONE is ready to fill the void Pride and K-1 once held. From rising prospects to hardened champions, every fight has weight.
Takeru Segawa isn’t just a fighter; he’s a national treasure. A three-division K-1 champion and knockout artist, his blend of aggression and technique has made him a household name in Japan. After a close loss to Superlek in his ONE debut, and a rebound TKO win over Thant Zin, he now faces the ultimate test.
Rodtang Jitmuangnon, the Thai fan-favorite with over 320 professional fights, is the former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion. Known for his granite chin and pressure style, he’s a walking highlight reel.
It’s Japan vs. Thailand. K-1 vs. Muay Thai. Style vs. pressure. In 4oz gloves, this could end violently and suddenly.
Rodtang has never been knocked out. Takeru finishes over 70% of his fights.
Bragging rights. Legacy. A claim to being the best pound-for-pound striker in the world.
UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady
ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang
This weekend is a love letter to everything we love about combat sports.
Whether it’s the roar of the O₂ crowd as Edwards looks to rise again, or the rhythm of Saitama as Takeru and Rodtang go to war, these are the nights that define careers, fanbases, and divisions.
History will be made. Don’t miss it.
March 19, 2025
By Chris Cannon, M2MMA General Manager
The combat sports world is buzzing with excitement over Dana White and Turki Alalshikh's bold launch of a new boxing league, aiming to unite the fragmented landscape of professional boxing and "Make Boxing Great Again". This ambitious vision has captured imaginations across the industry, promising fresh opportunities and high-profile matchups. However, significant challenges lie ahead, and overcoming these obstacles will be essential if this new initiative is to achieve long-term success and reshape the sport.
One of the first and perhaps biggest challenge awaiting Dana White and Turki Alalshikh will be how to work with boxing's existing power promoters. Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren, Oscar De La Hoya, and Bob Arum have been titans of the industry for decades and have played a key part in the initial foray into the sport for Turki Alalshikh and Saudi Arabia, collaborating on numerous huge events over the last few years. How they react to Turki Alalshikh bringing in White to build out this new promotion will be an intriguing storyline to say the least and play a key role in the success of this new endeavor.
Oscar De La Hoya, head of Golden Boy Promotions, candidly expressed his discomfort, stating he felt "a little offended" by White's entry into boxing talkSPORT. De La Hoya emphasized his extensive personal investment and dedication to the sport, having been involved in promoting for over two decades. While acknowledging the potential value that new initiatives could bring, De La Hoya conveyed a protective attitude, highlighting the inherent complexities of boxing promotion that newcomers might underestimate. Despite his initial frustration, he affirmed his willingness to continue working constructively, particularly citing his ongoing positive collaborations with Turki Alalshikh. He also acknowledged the benefits of competition, stating, "The competition in boxing is really good, it's positive, it's great" talkSPORT. De La Hoya's comments reflect a broader sentiment among traditional boxing promoters—a guarded openness tinged with skepticism towards outsiders aiming to reshape the boxing landscape.
Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing provided a cautiously optimistic perspective, "I think it is amazing news... Any time someone like Dana White, TKO, and Nick Khan want to make a play in boxing, that goes to show you where boxing is at" talkSPORT but did not shy away from a stern warning about the harsh realities awaiting new entrants, "Boxing is the worst business in the world. I hope these guys have got the appetite to be up all f*****g night and sleep with one eye open every single day" The Sun. This stark comment underscores the intense competitive dynamics and territorial nature of boxing promotions.
Meanwhile, Ryan Garcia, a prominent boxing star, echoed similar sentiments, warning that the intricate complexities of boxing promotion pose considerable risks for newcomers, suggesting that White and Alalshikh may underestimate the challenges involved. Garcia specifically stated, "We might not like it, but boxing has politics, and these politics make it very hard for new leagues to succeed" talkSPORT.
From the fighters' perspective, more competition on the surface appears positive for their earnings. Promoters competing for fighters should drive purses up, something we've seen recently in another Saudi sporting endeavor, the LIV Golf League. However, as seen in golf, the downside is the division it has created, frustrating fans by preventing the best competitors from facing each other regularly. Should the power promoters of boxing resist this new league, fighter valuations may increase due to inevitable bidding wars, but the sport could become even more fragmented as a power struggle unfolds.
Addressing how to work with the power promoters will be crucial for White and Alalshikh's league to succeed. As previously discussed in my article Dana White and Turki Alalshikh Join Forces to 'Make Boxing Great Again', boxing is fragmented, and Dana White and Turki Alalshikh have set out to create a more cohesive sport. The question is, will it be a hostile takeover, or can they indeed work together in a mutually beneficial way?
One potential pathway to successfully integrating major promoters could involve collaborative event models, where the new league acts as a neutral platform to facilitate cross-promotional matches. Revenue-sharing agreements, transparent co-promotion structures, and jointly negotiated broadcasting deals might encourage established promoters to participate. Additionally, utilizing White and Alalshikh’s extensive resources and networks could help mitigate traditional promotional conflicts, creating an environment where all stakeholders benefit.
Ultimately, thoughtful engagement, strategic diplomacy, and meaningful partnerships within the boxing community will determine whether White and Alalshikh's bold vision can effectively reshape the sport. There is no doubt there will be trials and tribulations on this journey to reshape the sport, and there will be winners and losers, but that is the case for any great challenge in life. Dana White and Turki Alalshikh's record of success and the financial backing behind them suggest that success is inevitable—as after all, money talks!
For us at M2MMA, the innovative and ambitious attitude demonstrated by White and Alalshikh aligns closely with our core values and vision. Much like their mission in boxing to redefine the industry, M2MMA is committed to innovation, integrating cutting-edge AI technology, and enhancing the safety and entertainment value of combat sports. We see ourselves playing a pivotal role in reshaping the broader combat sports landscape, contributing significantly to a future defined by innovation, athlete well being, collaboration, and unparalleled excitement.
March 21, 2025
By Chris Cannon, M2MMA General Manager
Dana White has built the UFC into a global juggernaut. His aggressive leadership style, relentless promotional drive, and iron grip on operations turned what was once a niche fight promotion into a multi-billion-dollar empire and the undisputed leader in mixed martial arts. But now, White is stepping into boxing Dana White and Turki Alalshikh join forces to 'Make Boxing Great Again' a move he’s teased for years and is finally bringing to life. For a sport he’s long criticized as disorganized and outdated, White sees an opportunity to modernize and dominate.
While he insists that his new boxing venture won’t impact the UFC, history shows that when key leadership divides its attention, ripple effects are inevitable. With the UFC already facing structural challenges, White’s new focus may intensify the pressure.
Over the past two decades, White’s hands-on leadership has driven the UFC’s rapid expansion. He hasn’t just built the brand, he’s been the brand, central to fighter negotiations, event marketing, and organizational strategy. Now, as he shifts part of his focus to boxing, questions arise about how the UFC will maintain its momentum in his partial absence. Even if core operations continue, White’s instinctive promotional touch has always been a differentiator. Without it, the organization could face slower growth and diminished adaptability.
Compounding this concern is the UFC’s struggle to develop its next generation of superstars. Earlier eras were defined by crossover icons like Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, Georges St-Pierre, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, athletes who transcended MMA and brought millions of casual viewers to the sport. Today, the UFC’s roster remains deep in talent but light on true marquee names, and there are growing reports that this is translating into declining pay-per-view sales.
If White shifts promotional energy toward building stars in boxing, the UFC’s ability to create and market global icons could decline even further. This not only affects revenue but also creates a talent retention problem. In a landscape where attention equals opportunity, fighters may feel overlooked or undervalued. That perception alone could encourage them to seek better options elsewhere.
One major point of speculation had been whether White’s boxing promotion would adopt boxing’s traditionally more fighter-friendly pay structure. That possibility alarmed many within the UFC, who already believe their earnings don’t reflect the revenues they help generate. But according to emerging reports, White’s new boxing venture will instead mirror the UFC’s current model—standardized contracts, centralized matchmaking, and limited revenue sharing.
While this may offer White operational control and cost certainty, it changes the equation for fighters hoping boxing would provide a more lucrative or flexible alternative. The expectation that White might introduce a fresh financial model is giving way to the realization that he may be replicating the UFC system in a new arena. That may slow the exodus of UFC fighters to boxing—but it also exposes White to criticism that he’s extending a pay structure already viewed as controversial.
The closed nature of the UFC model, where the promotion controls nearly every aspect of a fighter’s career, has faced criticism for years. In contrast, traditional boxing has allowed athletes to negotiate per-fight deals, build their own brands, and command larger shares of event revenues. White’s choice to apply a UFC-style framework to boxing could be a positive sign of what is to come for the UFC as this may well be a protection measure to avoid incentivizing talent to leave the UFC for Boxing. However it poses the question once again, where will his priorities lie and the issue of conflict of interest. Trade off's will have to be made it seems and this is where the question will be asked, if indeed White is the right man to lead this new Boxing league while still heavily invested in the UFC?
Meanwhile, competitors in MMA are watching closely. The Professional Fighters League, now bolstered by its acquisition of Bellator, continues to pitch itself as a more fighter-friendly alternative. ONE Championship is leveraging its international footprint and martial arts ethos to expand into new markets. These promotions may find new traction if athletes begin to see UFC and White’s boxing venture as two sides of the same coin, profitable for the promotion, but restrictive for the talent and that White may no longer be acting in their best interest's while his attention is divided.
However, the flip side is, White’s dual control of MMA and boxing entities could also open some new opportunities, particularly in the form of crossover fights and hybrid events. In the past, the UFC has only approved rare boxing crossovers, such as McGregor vs. Mayweather. But with White controlling both ends of the deal, the logistics of such events could be simplified. UFC fighters might gain more chances to box without having to leave the promotion entirely. The question is whether those appearances will come with true financial upside or just more branding for the broader company.
At M2MMA, we see these developments as a clear sign that the combat sports industry is entering a new, more complex phase. For all the noise around promotion and pay, the deeper issues shaping the future of this sport go beyond contracts and personalities. The long-term health of fighters, the ethical responsibility of promoters, and the evolution of fan engagement will define which organizations lead in the next decade.
Combat sports are finally confronting the harsh realities of traumatic brain injury. The cumulative damage of repeated head trauma can no longer be ignored, and organizations must go beyond compliance to take proactive measures. At M2MMA, we are investing in systems and technologies aimed at preventing, detecting, and managing brain injuries with more precision—both in and out of competition.
Simultaneously, we are building new frameworks for how fans experience the sport. Today’s audiences demand more than just a broadcast, they want interactive, data-driven, and immersive viewing experiences. Our approach prioritizes real-time insights, enhanced audio environments, and more direct connections between fighters and fans. We believe that building a sustainable combat sports model requires innovation that serves both the athlete and the audience.
Dana White’s move into boxing might change the playing field, but it’s clear the game itself is evolving. While legacy promotions react and reposition, M2MMA is pushing forward with a vision for what combat sports should be: smarter, safer, and more connected.
Whether White’s latest gamble pays off or not, one truth remains, the future of this sport is being written now. And M2MMA intends to be part of the story.
M2MMA is a revolutionary combat sports promotion that transforms the industry through cutting-edge innovation, advanced technology, and a steadfast commitment to athlete welfare. By integrating artificial intelligence, data-driven insights, and forward-thinking strategies, M2MMA enhances athlete safety, optimizes performance, and redefines the fan experience. Focusing on community engagement and fostering a dynamic future for combat sports, M2MMA stands at the intersection of technology and tradition, driving progress while honoring the sport's rich heritage.
The company is publicly traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) of NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "RLAB."
RLAB/M2MMA is majority controlled by M2Bio Sciences, which is also publicly traded on the Over-the-Counter market under the ticker symbol (OTC Pink: MRES)
General Manager of M2MMA
