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Published 5 May 2025
What happens when the world’s biggest combat stars clash across three continents in one weekend? You get highlight-reel knockouts, high-stakes drama, and a blockbuster megafight announcement that set the internet on fire. From UFC's clinic in Des Moines to DAZN's gritty showcase in Times Square, from Muay Thai chaos in Bangkok to Canelo's calculated destruction in Riyadh—this weekend reminded us why fight fans never sleep. Here's your full breakdown of everything that went down in and out of the cage.
Venue: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa
Attendance: 15,627
Date: 3 May 2025
Broadcast: ESPN / ESPN+
TKO (knee injury) – Rd 2, 4:08 The highly anticipated bantamweight main event came to an unfortunate halt when Deiveson Figueiredo suffered a serious knee injury. Sandhagen was already taking control by mixing jabs, calf kicks, and feints to disrupt the Brazilian's rhythm. In Round 2, Figueiredo dove for a leg lock and collapsed in pain mid-transition. Sandhagen swarmed with elbows before the referee intervened. While the ending lacked satisfaction, Sandhagen’s dominance was never in question.
Sandhagen: “It’s not the ending I wanted, but domination is domination. Give me the winner of O’Malley–Dvalishvili.” (mmamania.com)
KO (knee to the body + punches) – Rd 2, 1:53 In a clash of elite grapplers, de Ridder flipped the script with a decisive striking finish. After stuffing a trademark Nickal takedown attempt, the former ONE double-champion landed a brutal knee to the solar plexus. Nickal crumpled, and de Ridder followed up with punches to seal the upset. It’s a massive bounce-back moment for the Dutchman after back-to-back setbacks in ONE Championship.
de Ridder: “Choke, strike, knee—doesn’t matter. I finish people. Vettori or Cannonier next, your choice.” (mmamania.com)
Location: 7th Ave & W 45th St, New York City
Date: 2 May 2025 · Broadcast: DAZN PPV
Unanimous Decision – 118-109, 115-112, 115-112 Rolly Romero turned the lights down on the Ryan Garcia hype train with a bruising, physical performance in front of a wild Times Square crowd. The action started hot in Round 2, where Romero timed Garcia with a short, sharp left hook that dropped him. From there, Rolly used his size, clinch work, and body shots to rough Garcia up against the ropes.
Garcia struggled to establish his jab or timing, with Romero constantly smothering exchanges and pressing forward. Despite a few flashy combinations in the middle rounds, Garcia never found a consistent rhythm, and Romero cruised to a clear-cut decision.
Romero: “They booked me as a tune-up—now I’m the guy with the belt. Devin Haney, let’s dance.”
Unanimous Decision – 118-110, 116-112×2 — retains WBO 140-lb crown Lopez opened strong with explosive right hands and slick upper-body movement, taking early control of the fight. Barboza found some success with body work in the middle rounds, but Lopez adjusted, using sharp counterpunching and footwork to pull away late. This win keeps Lopez at the top of the super lightweight division.
Lopez: “Two more at 140, then greatness at welterweight.”
Venue: ANB Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Date: 3 May 2025
Broadcast: DAZN PPV
Unanimous Decision – 119‑109, 116‑112, 115‑113 — retains undisputed super-middleweight title. Canelo Álvarez showcased his trademark patience and precision in a 12-round tactical affair against the previously unbeaten William Scull. The Cuban came out aggressive early, firing jabs and moving well on the outside, but it didn’t take long for Canelo to start breaking him down.
From Round 3 onward, Canelo's body work took center stage—heavy hooks and uppercuts to the midsection gradually slowed Scull’s movement. The Mexican champion controlled the center of the ring, cut off angles, and maintained a high guard that neutralized Scull’s straight punches.
Although Scull had flashes of activity—particularly with his jab and lateral movement—he couldn’t keep Álvarez off him for long stretches. The later rounds saw Canelo press harder, digging in with looping hooks and walking Scull down with confidence.
By the final bell, there was no doubt who dictated the action. While two of the scorecards were relatively close, the performance never truly felt in jeopardy.
Canelo: “Champions adapt. Benavidez, Crawford—whoever signs first.” (mmamania.com)
Bombshell: Minutes later Saudi entertainment chief Turki Alalshikh confirmed Canelo will defend against Terence Crawford on 12 September 2025 at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas—the first blockbuster under the TKO Boxing banner.
Alalshikh:"We will deliver the fight of the century with Riyadh Season on Sept. 12 at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium," Alalshikh wrote on Twitter. "The legend Canelo defends his Ring Magazine title vs. the great Terence Crawford. TV platform will be announced soon with big surprise. My brother Dana White will promote this first TKO boxing event with me. It will be something crazy."
Venue: Lumpinee Stadium, Bangkok ·
Date: 2 May 2025
Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree delivered a sensational performance, stopping Suksawat PK Saenchai with a vicious liver hook and a short elbow in the first round. Banluelok Sitwatcharachai followed with an equally dominant display, earning a first-round TKO over Petbanrai Singha Mawynn—his third straight stoppage win.
Rustam “Tomahawk” Yunusov kept his undefeated record intact by finishing Alfie Ponting with a slick body kick and knee combination. Suesat Manop Gym crushed Chalamdam Sor Boonmeerit with a brutal leg kick KO, while Khasan Salomov dropped Payakrut Suajantok three times en route to a commanding unanimous decision.
Panrit: “ONE global card—book me!”
Yunusov: “4-0, 4 first-round KOs. Give me a bonus, give me a contract!”
Additional highlights included a gritty decision win for Petphupa over Chattawee and a slicing elbow TKO victory by Abdulla Dayakaev over Saemapetch Fairtex in the second round.
Venue: Lumpinee Stadium, Bangkok · Date: 3 May 2025 · Broadcast: Prime Video (US)
Muay Thai legend Nong-O Hama returned to the win column with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Kongthoranee Sor Sommai. He adjusted from their prior razor-thin bout with punishing low kicks, sharp elbows, and forward pressure across all five rounds.
Nong-O: “Legend never dies—belt or no belt, I’m still the benchmark.”
Tye Ruotolo defended his ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling world title with a masterclass over Dante Leon. For the full ten minutes, Ruotolo dictated pace with guard passes, submission threats, and positional control, leaving Leon unable to mount any offense.
Ruotolo: “Grappling king today—MMA prospect tomorrow.”
Abolfazl Alipourandi turned heads with a head-kick KO of Liam Nolan just 59 seconds into Round 1. Lucas Gabriel used effective wrestling to earn a decision over Zhang Lipeng, while Abdulla Dayakaev continued his surge with a second-round elbow TKO of Saemapetch Fairtex. Rounding out the card, Akif Guluzada and Jordan Estupiñan each earned unanimous decision wins in their flyweight Muay Thai bouts.
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Stay tuned for more updates as the world of combat sports continues to deliver thrilling action and compelling stories.