From the opening bell, Strickland tried to control the fight with his signature high-pressure boxing style, using his jab to maintain distance and disrupt du Plessis' rhythm. However, the South African champion showed significant improvements in his game. He countered Strickland’s pressure with well-timed leg kicks, lateral movement, and crisp combinations, which gradually took a toll on the American challenger.

The turning point came in the fourth round when du Plessis landed a crushing right hand, breaking Strickland's nose. Blood immediately started pouring, and the challenger was visibly shaken. While Strickland continued pressing forward, his offense became increasingly reckless, allowing du Plessis to pick him apart with cleaner striking.

Despite Strickland’s resilience and some late-round pressure, the judges scored the fight 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46, awarding du Plessis a unanimous decision victory. With this win, du Plessis not only retained his belt but also silenced critics who questioned his legitimacy as champion.

The co-main event featured a strawweight title clash between reigning champion Zhang Weili and top contender Tatiana Suarez. This was a stylistic matchup between Weili’s powerful striking and Suarez’s world-class wrestling.

Suarez started aggressively, attempting multiple takedowns in the opening rounds. She successfully grounded Weili early in the first round and controlled her for over two minutes. However, the champion showcased incredible defensive grappling, escaping dangerous positions and using her strength to neutralize Suarez’s wrestling.

As the fight progressed, Weili’s striking advantage became more apparent. She landed a series of devastating body kicks and counter punches that visibly slowed Suarez. By the third round, Suarez struggled to keep up, and in the fourth, Weili delivered a perfectly timed spinning backfist that nearly ended the fight.

While Suarez managed to survive, the champion dominated the later rounds, securing a unanimous decision victory. This marked another successful title defense for Weili, reinforcing her position as one of the greatest strawweights in UFC history.

Tallison Teixeira stole the spotlight in his UFC debut with a brutal knee and elbow knockout over Justin Tafa in just 35 seconds.

Quillan Salkilld delivered one of the fastest knockouts of the night, finishing Anshul Jubli in just 19 seconds with a devastating right hand.

Meanwhile, over in Thailand, ONE Championship hosted Fight Night 28 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. The event was headlined by a Muay Thai championship clash between Prajanchai P.K. Saenchai and Ellis Badr Barboza for the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title.

Prajanchai, known for his elite striking, delivered a masterful performance, systematically dismantling Barboza with sharp kicks and lightning-fast hands. The fight showcased the beauty of Muay Thai at its highest level, with Prajanchai dictating the pace and countering Barboza’s aggression effortlessly. After five dominant rounds, Prajanchai retained his title via unanimous decision.

The event also featured a grappling showcase between Gianni Grippo and Gabriel Sousa, further demonstrating ONE Championship’s commitment to blending different combat sports under one banner.

In boxing, British heavyweight veteran Derek Chisora made his return to the ring on Saturday night in London, facing American heavyweight Gerald Washington.

Chisora, known for his relentless pressure and durability, entered the fight looking to make a statement. The 40-year-old former title challenger set a blistering pace early, closing the distance and forcing Washington into a phone-booth-style brawl. Washington attempted to keep Chisora at bay with his jab, but the Brit’s experience and inside fighting were too much to handle.

In the later rounds, Chisora landed a series of thunderous hooks and uppercuts, rocking Washington on multiple occasions. While the American showed toughness, he was unable to mount any significant offense to sway the judges. After 10 hard-fought rounds, Chisora earned a unanimous decision victory, proving he still has gas left in the tank.

With this win, Chisora keeps his name relevant in the heavyweight division, though questions remai;n about how he would fare against the new generation of contenders.

The boxing world is mourning the heartbreaking loss of John Cooney, a 28-year-old Irish fighter who tragically passed away on February 8, 2025, following injuries sustained in his last bout.

Cooney was competing in a Celtic super-featherweight title defense against Nathan Howells on February 1 at Ulster Hall in Belfast. The fight was a back-and-forth battle, with Cooney showing his trademark toughness and skill. However, in the ninth round, he was caught with a heavy shot that sent him to the canvas. Although he attempted to recover, it was clear something was wrong.

Ringside medics immediately intervened, and Cooney was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where doctors discovered a severe brain hemorrhage. He underwent emergency surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain, but despite the efforts of medical professionals, he remained in a coma for several days before sadly passing away.

Cooney had been a rising star in the Irish boxing scene, having won the Celtic super-featherweight title in 2023 with an impressive first-round knockout victory. His passion for the sport and dedication to his craft made him a fan favorite and an inspiration to many young fighters.

His tragic passing is a painful reminder of the risks that come with stepping into the ring. The entire combat sports community stands in solidarity with his family, fiancée Emmaleen, and all those who knew and loved him.

May he rest in peace.

From du Plessis' statement win in Sydney to Prajanchai’s technical brilliance in Bangkok, and Chisora’s gritty boxing triumph in London, this weekend offered something for every fight fan.

With more major events on the horizon, including upcoming title fights in the UFC and blockbuster boxing matchups, the world of combat sports continues to thrill. Stay tuned for more action-packed weekends ahead!