M2MMA Monday Blog - 24th of February 2025

The combat sports arena was abuzz with significant events from February 21 to 23, 2025, spanning boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA). Here's a comprehensive overview of the outcomes:

Boxing: Bivol Dethrones Beterbiev in Riyadh Rematch

The highly anticipated rematch between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev on February 22, 2025, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, delivered an intense and tactical battle for the undisputed light-heavyweight championship. After twelve hard-fought rounds, Bivol emerged victorious, earning a majority decision with official scorecards reading 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112 in his favor. With this win, Bivol avenged his previous loss to Beterbiev and claimed the undisputed crown at 175 pounds.

Fight Statistics:

Total Punches Landed:

  • Bivol: 170
  • Beterbiev: 137

Total Punches Thrown:

Bivol: 423

Beterbiev: 682

  • Punch Accuracy:
  • Bivol: 40%
  • Beterbiev: 20%

Despite Beterbiev throwing significantly more punches, Bivol’s superior accuracy was the key to his success. He landed the most punches any opponent has ever connected on Beterbiev, proving his precision and strategic approach. The contrast in styles was evident, with Beterbiev relying on his trademark pressure and high-volume punching, while Bivol showcased his elite counterpunching and defensive skills.

Following his majority decision victory over Artur Beterbiev on February 22, 2025, Dmitry Bivol expressed his elation, stating, "I'm just so happy. I went through a lot the last year and this is so exciting. I was better, I was pushing myself more. I was more confident, I was lighter. I just wanted to win so much today."

Promoter Eddie Hearn, who has been instrumental in guiding Bivol's career, shared his enthusiasm post-fight, describing the event as "one of the best fights in the sport on the greatest card in the history of boxing." 

Artur Beterbiev post fight shared his thoughts on the outcome and the possibility of a trilogy fight. He stated, "I don't want to talk about the decision. Congrats to Bivol and Bivol's team." Reflecting on the bout, Beterbiev added, "I think this fight was better than the first fight, but now it's my time to come back." Regarding a potential third matchup, he mentioned, "Actually, I didn't want the second fight. It wasn't my choice. But no problem. We're going to do a third fight

Bivol's ability to stay composed under pressure and efficiently pick his shots ultimately swayed the judges in his favor. This victory not only solidified his place as the undisputed light-heavyweight king, but it also opened the door for a potential trilogy fight, as both fighters have expressed interest in settling their rivalry once and for all.

The event also featured a number of other notable fights:

Joseph Parker vs. Martin Bakole:

Parker retained his interim WBO heavyweight title with a second-round TKO over Bakole, who stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Daniel Dubois.

Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley:

Stevenson successfully defended his WBC lightweight title, securing a knockout victory in the ninth round.

Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz:

The WBC middleweight title bout ended in a split draw, with judges scoring the fight 118-110, 114-115, and 114-114.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov:

Ortiz Jr. maintained his undefeated record, winning by unanimous decision.

Agit Kabayel vs. Zhilei Zhang:

Kabayel captured the WBC interim heavyweight title with a sixth-round knockout victory.

Callum Smith vs. Joshua Buatsi:

Smith emerged victorious by unanimous decision, claiming the WBO interim light-heavyweight title.

MMA: UFC Returns to Seattle For UFC Fight Night : Cejudo vs. Song

Main Event: Song Yadong Defeats Henry Cejudo via Technical Decision

The night’s headliner featured former two-division UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo facing off against rising bantamweight contender Song Yadong. Cejudo, at 38 years old, was looking to rebound after back-to-back losses to Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili, while Song Yadong aimed to establish himself as a legitimate title contender in the 135-pound division.

The fight was highly competitive, with both men displaying their striking and grappling skills. Cejudo, known for his world-class wrestling and strategic fight IQ, had moments of success controlling the action. However, Song Yadong’s speed, striking power, and pressure proved to be a challenge for the former champion.

Unfortunately, the fight ended in controversial fashion at the start of the fourth round when an accidental eye poke from Song rendered Cejudo unable to continue. As the fight had progressed past three rounds, the judges went to the scorecards, awarding Song a technical unanimous decision victory with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27.

This win was a career-defining moment for Song, as he defeated one of the sport’s greatest fighters and moved closer to a title shot in the bantamweight division. Cejudo, on the other hand, was left frustrated with the outcome, as he had hoped to use this fight as a stepping stone toward another championship opportunity.

Co-Main Event & Other Notable Fights

The co-main event featured a grueling middleweight battle between Brendan Allen and Anthony Hernandez. In a closely contested fight, Hernandez emerged victorious via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring it 29-28.

Other key results from the event included:

Rob Font vs. Jean Matsumoto:

Font secured a split decision victory (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) in a catchweight bout, showcasing his striking experience against a rising contender.

Jean Silva vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan:

Silva delivered an emphatic first-round TKO victory, stopping Baghdasaryan at 4:15 with a barrage of strikes.

Alonzo Menifield vs. Julius Walker:

 In a light heavyweight showdown, Menifield edged out a split decision win (29-28, 30-27, 28-29), proving his durability against a tough opponent.

Impact of the Event

The Seattle crowd was electric, and the event delivered plenty of high-stakes matchups and breakout performances. Song Yadong’s victory over Cejudo cemented him as a true bantamweight contender, potentially positioning him for a future title shot. Meanwhile, Cejudo’s future remains uncertain, as he must decide whether to continue chasing UFC gold or consider retirement.

With a successful return to Seattle, the UFC has proven that the Pacific Northwest remains a strong market for MMA, and this event could open the door for more high-profile fights in the region in the future.

M2MMA

M2MMA in Dubai!

M2MMA’s commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology was on full display as CEO Jeff Robinson attended the prestigious STEPS Dubai AI Conference, a global hub for artificial intelligence and emerging tech. The event, which brings together the brightest minds in AI, business, and sports, featured M2MMA Advisory Board Member Tiago Henriques as a guest speaker on an exclusive panel, discussing AI’s transformative impact. With M2MMA poised to revolutionize combat sports through AI-driven analytics, fighter optimization, and next-generation event production, Robinson’s presence at STEPS Dubai solidified the organization’s role as an industry pioneer. As the fight game evolves, M2MMA isn’t just keeping up—it’s leading the charge, leveraging AI to reshape the future of MMA and push the boundaries of what’s possible inside and outside the cage. The future of combat sports is here, and M2MMA is at the helm!

M2MMA’s expansion into the Middle East took a bold step forward this past week as General Manager Chris Cannon embarked on a high-profile tour of Dubai’s top MMA gyms, scouting talent and establishing key relationships as M2MMA lays the foundation for a future event in the region. Known for its world-class facilities and a rapidly growing combat sports scene, Dubai has become a hotbed for elite fighters, coaches, and training camps, making it the perfect battleground for M2MMA’s next major move. Cannon’s visit included stops at TK MMA & Fitness, and the renowned 971 MMA, where he met with top-tier fighters, coaches, and local promoters, sparking excitement about M2MMA’s imminent arrival. With the region’s hunger for high-caliber combat sports at an all-time high, M2MMA is gearing up to deliver an event that will not only showcase elite global talent but also provide a platform for the UAE’s rising MMA stars. This visit marks the beginning of something massive, and the fight world is officially on notice—M2MMA is coming to Dubai!

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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)

Chris Cannon

GENERAL MANAGER OF M2MMA

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