The weekend of June 13-15, 2025, was nothing short of spectacular, delivering breathtaking finishes, career-defining victories, and compelling storylines across the world of combat sports. From the octagon in Atlanta to boxing’s storied stage in New York, the intense atmosphere of Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, and the dazzling lights of Dubai, fight fans witnessed history in the making.

A weekend full of pivotal wins and eye-catching performances underscored the global allure and unpredictability of combat sports. With Usman back in contention, Ondash becoming a rising Muay Thai star, Hitchins and Cruz eyeing world boxing glory, Porter surging in bare-knuckle competition, and Mokaev’s impressive streak continuing, the combat sports landscape is as thrilling and dynamic as ever.

Stay tuned as we continue to follow these fighters’ journeys and bring you the best in combat sports coverage!

By Chris Cannon, M2MMA General Manager

The age of social media has given rise to a disturbing new trend: combat-themed spectacles designed not to elevate sport, but to manufacture viral content. These events, like the controversial 'Run It Straight' promotion, prioritize clicks over care, showcasing head-on collisions between competitors in exchange for fleeting online fame. Although the format feels modern, the concept of violent, unregulated collision contests has been around for years. Now rebranded for the algorithm age, they are rapidly gaining traction, often at the expense of athlete safety.

The recent death of a 19-year-old in New Zealand while participating in a similar event highlights the grave health risks these spectacles present. There is very little oversight and regulation, only the hope of viral recognition and perhaps a cash prize. These events ignore the well-established science around Traumatic Brain Injury. What’s worse, they glorify that risk as entertainment in search of social media views.

This is not just dangerous. It’s exploitative. Athletes, many of them economically vulnerable, are being used as disposable performers in an online theatre of pain. Regulation is absent. Duty of care is nonexistent. And the profits are short-lived. But the damage? Often permanent.

What’s also alarming is that this disregard for safety isn’t just a moral failure; it’s one of the key reasons combat sports remain undervalued. When athletes are put in harm’s way for fleeting online attention, it damages the legitimacy of the entire sport. Time and again, promoters have opted for sensationalism over structure, reinforcing harmful stereotypes: reckless, unregulated, and brutal. This pushes away serious partners and sponsors, keeps the sport underfunded, and further entrenches its status as an outsider.

At the heart of the issue is short-term thinking. The pursuit of virality has too often taken precedence over building lasting value. Instead of highlighting the sport’s technical brilliance, strategic depth, and human stories, some promotions chase shock value, devaluing the very thing they aim to celebrate. It’s not just a perception problem, it’s a structural one with long-term economic consequences.

M2MMA fundamentally rejects this flawed model. We believe combat sports can and must grow through integrity, structure, and innovation. Our events are built on a foundation of athlete safety and respect. We don’t treat athletes as content fodder; we treat them as the future of the sport.

Our strategy doesn’t chase viral moments, it builds legacy. As part of that legacy, we are actively developing AI-powered technologies designed to revolutionize safety and athlete welfare in combat sports. These tools aim to provide real-time health insights, improve officiating accuracy, and offer data-driven support for both fighters and coaches. At the same time, they enhance the fan experience by unlocking deeper storytelling, providing meaningful analytics, and increasing transparency, without resorting to shock-value theatrics.

Our recent events at Phuket’s Sinbi Stadium also demonstrate this philosophy in action. Athletes such as Michael Baranov, who competed in M2MMA 1 and 2 before successfully debuting in ONE Championship with a highlight reel KO victory, represent the type of athlete we aim to support and promote. Michael’s transition from M2MMA rising star to ONE Championship is precisely the kind of story we are here to celebrate. A testament, firstly, to Michael and his prodigious talent and work ethic, but also to his coaching team at Tiger Muay Thai and manager Jonny Betts for how they have managed his development. We are thrilled to promote Michael's rise to stardom on another promotion, as we see Michael as not just another Red or Blue corner on our promotion to be replaced, but someone who will always be an M2MMA athlete. We will back Michael all the way.

Another way we supported our athletes as more than just ticket sellers and view drivers is through our response to an unforeseen event rescheduling in December. Even though not a punch was thrown or a dollar earned, we made the decision to pay the athletes 50% of their purses. It was an uncommon move in this industry, but it was the right one. Because for us, athletes are not just there to put bums on seats or rack up view numbers, they are ambassadors of the sport’s future, the very heartbeat of M2MMA, and we back them with action, not just words.

On the note of supporting athletes holistically, we are also exploring the development of a utility-based digital token as a future tool to strengthen the athlete community. The token is envisioned as a means for fans to engage more directly with fighters, access exclusive experiences, and support welfare-focused initiatives, including education, recovery, and, where appropriate, advocacy resources for athletes. This concept is rooted in transparency, ethical alignment, and non-speculative community participation. By aligning incentives with meaningful progress, this model aims to foster a stronger, more resilient ecosystem for the entire combat sports world. M2MMA focuses on real, measurable improvements in athlete care. We actively highlight our fighters’ journeys and use each event to reinforce the message: combat sports can be both thrilling and ethical.

This approach is already attracting the right kind of attention as more and more rally around our cause. Not because we’re tailoring to investors, but because we believe that when you do things right, the right partners will come. Partners who share our vision: a smarter, safer, more respected future for combat sports. One where athletes are genuinely valued.

Combat sports must redefine themselves now. We must draw a clear line between disciplined athletic competition and exploitative spectacle. M2MMA is proud to lead that charge.

We invite all who care about the future of combat sports: athletes, fans, partners, regulators we invite to join us. Let’s build something lasting. Something worthy.

Because genuine thrill isn’t born from brutality, it’s born from brilliance. And brilliance deserves to be protected.

Stay tuned for more updates as the world of combat sports continues to deliver thrilling action and compelling stories.

About M2MMA:

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)

Stay tuned for more updates as the world of combat sports continues to deliver thrilling action and compelling stories.