NEW BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION | MERAB DVALISHVILI

An impressive performance on the biggest stage of them all 😮‍💨

Merab Dvalishvili is the NEW bantamweight champion of the world 👏

[ #UFC306 | Riyadh Season | #NocheUFC ]

- UFC

TURKI ALALSHIKH BLASTS CANELO ALVAREZ FOR ONLY TAKING 'EASY FIGHTS'

Canelo Alvarez Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

Canelo Alvarez’s latest fight booking has drawn the ire of some of combat sports’ most influential names.

The superstar boxer recently ruffled the feathers of UFC CEO Dana White and Conor McGregor recently, with White criticizing MGM for booking Alvarez’s upcoming Sept. 14 fight with Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas on the same night as UFC 306 at the nearby Sphere, and McGregor targeting Alvarez himself, calling him “a cornflake.”

Saudi Arabian adviser and fight promoter Turki Alalshikh also appears to have beef with Alvarez as he recently announced that he is not pursuing a dream fight between Alvarez and Terence Crawford.

On Wednesday, Alalshikh elaborated on his reason for not wanting to work with Alvarez or his team via a social media post.

“I heard what Canelo said that he respects me but doesn’t like the way we do business. As for him respecting me, it doesn’t matter to me if he does or not.

“As for the way I do business, I know why he doesn’t like it, because I only target big fights at fair prices, so of course anyone who likes easy fights won’t like that. And I know how he feels after losing to Bivol, so he’s been looking for easier fights ever since. Also, I’m not the one who’s afraid of fighting [David] Benavidez or Crawford.

“Therefore, I knew he was wasting our time and making excuses with big amounts of money that can’t be paid. So I’m continuing my way to make big fights that serve the boxing world, and he’s on his way to making easy show-only fights.”

The gist of Alalshikh’s criticism is that he believes Alvarez is intentionally pricing himself out of marquee matchups to avoid difficult opponents. Alalshikh points specifically to Alvarez’s most recent loss, which came against WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol in May 2022. Alvarez has rebounded with four consecutive victories, knocking off the likes of Gennady Golovkin, Jermell Charlo, and most recently, Jaime Munguia.

Up next for Alvarez is another defense of his super middleweight titles against Berlanga on Sept. 14. In Alvarez’s 65-fight career, he has lost just twice and also has two draws on his record.

Alalshikh has been aggressive in promoting big-name boxing bouts over the past few years. This past weekend, his Riyadh Season promotion held an event at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, headlined by Crawford fighting Israil Madrimov. He was also a driving force behind former UFC champion and current PFL star Francis Ngannou’s fights with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, and Fury’s recent championship bout with Oleksandr Usyk.

- Alexander K. Lee

MMA DIVISIONAL RANKINGS: NURMAGOMEDOV CRACKS TOP TIER AT BANTAMWEIGHT

1. 

Umar Nurmagomedov showed over the weekend that he is a force to be reckoned with.

His unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen on Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, put the undefeated Dagestani with the MMA royalty last name at the head of the line of contenders for the UFC men's bantamweight championship.

Sean O'Malley will defend the belt against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 next month, and the winner should soon have Nurmagomedov standing across the cage from him.

Beyond the shuffling in Brett Okamoto's ranking of 135-pound men, there also was movement among the 125-pound women. Taila Santos moves into the flyweight rankings on the strength of Friday's victory over Liz Carmouche in the semifinals of the PFL playoffs. Santos will go for the $1 million championship in the fall against unbeaten prospect Dakota Ditcheva.

At strawweight, Tatiana Suarez drops out of the top 10 because her inactivity makes her ineligible.

Here are the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings and a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes.

Note: Results are current; rankings as of Aug. 6. To be eligible for the rankings, a fighter must have competed over the past 12 months or must have an upcoming fight booked. Fighters who have been dropped for inactivity can be reinstated only after they compete.

Heavyweight | Light heavyweight | Middleweight | Welterweight

Lightweight | Men's featherweight | Men's bantamweight

Men's flyweight | Women's bantamweight | Women's flyweight | Strawweight

HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 265 pounds)

1. Tom Aspinall  

Promotion: UFC interim champion

Record: 15-3

Last: W (TKO1) vs. Curtis Blaydes, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Ciryl Gane  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 12-2

Last: W (TKO2) vs. Serghei Spivac, Sept. 2, 2023

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Alexander Volkov

3. Curtis Blaydes  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 18-5, 1 NC

Last: L (TKO1) vs. Tom Aspinall, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Alexander Volkov  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 38-10

Last: W (UD) vs. Sergei Pavlovich, June 22, 2024

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Ciryl Gane

5. Sergei Pavlovich  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 18-3

Last: L (UD) vs. Alexander Volkov, June 22, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Renan Ferreira  

Promotion: PFL champion

Record: 13-3, 3 NC

Last: W (KO1) vs. Ryan Bader, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Jailton Almeida  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 21-3

Last: W (Sub1) vs. Alexandr Romanov, June 1, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Serghei Spivac  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-4

Last: L (TKO2) vs. Ciryl Gane, Sept. 2, 2023

Next: Aug. 10 vs. Marcin Tybura

9. Vadim Nemkov  

Promotion: Bellator

Record: 18-2, 1 NC

Last: W (TechSub2) vs. Bruno Cappelozza, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Derrick Lewis  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 28-12, 1 NC

Last: W (TKO3) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento, May 11, 2024

Next: TBD

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

1. Alex Pereira  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 11-2

Last: W (TKO2) vs. Jirí Procházka, June 29, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Jirí Procházka  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 30-5-1

Last: L (TKO2) vs. Alex Pereira, June 29, 2024

Next: TBD

3. Magomed Ankalaev  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 19-1-1

Last: W (KO2) vs. Johnny Walker, Jan. 13, 2024

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Aleksandar Rakic

4. Jamahal Hill  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 10-2

Last: W (KO1) vs. Alex Pereira, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

5. Corey Anderson  

Promotion: Bellator champion

Record: 18-6, 1 NC

Last: W (UD) vs. Karl Moore, March 22, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Aleksandar Rakić  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-4

Last: L (TKO) vs. Jiří Procházka, April 13, 2024

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Magomed Ankalaev

7. Khalil Rountree Jr.  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 37-19

Last: W (TKO3) vs. Anthony Smith, Dec. 9, 2023

Next: TBD

8. Volkan Oezdemir  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-7

Last: W (KO1) vs. Johnny Walker, June 22, 2024

Next: TBD

9. Johnny Walker  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 21-9, 1 NC

Last: L (KO1) vs. Volkan Oezdemir, June 22, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Anthony Smith  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 38-20

Last: L (UD) vs. Roman Dolidze, June 29, 2024

Next: TBD

MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

1. Dricus du Plessis  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 21-2

Last: W (SD) vs. Sean Strickland, Jan. 20, 2024

Next: Aug. 17 vs. Israel Adesanya

2. Israel Adesanya  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 24-3

Last: L (UD) vs. Sean Strickland, Sept. 9, 2023

Next: Aug. 17 vs. Dricus du Plessis

3. Sean Strickland  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 29-6

Last: W (SD) vs. Paulo Costa, June 1, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Robert Whittaker  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-7

Last: W (KO1) vs. Ikram Aliskerov, June 22, 2024

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Khamzat Chimaev

5. Johnny Eblen  

Promotion: Bellator champion

Record: 15-0

Last: W (SD) vs. Impa Kasanganay, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Nassourdine Imavov  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-4, 1 NC

Last: W (TKO4) vs. Jared Cannonier, June 8, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Jared Cannonier  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-7

Last: L (TKO4) vs. Nassourdine Imavov, June 8, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Khamzat Chimaev  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 13-0

Last: W (MD) vs. Kamaru Usman, Oct. 21, 2023

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Robert Whittaker

9. Brendan Allen  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 24-5

Last: W (SD) vs. Paulo Costa, June 1, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Paulo Costa  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-4

Last: L (SD) vs. Sean Strickland, June 1, 2024

Next: TBD

WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

1. Belal Muhammad  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 24-3, 1 NC

Last: W (UD) vs. Leon Edwards, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Leon Edwards  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 22-4, 1 NC

Last: L (UD) vs. Belal Muhammad, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

3. Kamaru Usman  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-4

Last: L (MD) vs. Khamzat Chimaev, Oct. 21, 2023

Next: TBD

4. Shavkat Rakhmonov  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 18-0

Last: W (Sub2) vs. Stephen Thompson, Dec. 16, 2023

Next: TBD

5. Jack Della Maddalena  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-2

Last: W (KO3) vs. Gilbert Burns, March 9, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Gilbert Burns  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 22-7

Last: L (KO3) vs. Jack Della Maddalena, March 9, 2024

Next: Sept. 7 vs. Sean Brady

7. Ian Machado Garry  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-0

Last: W (UD) vs. Michael "Venom" Page, June 29, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Colby Covington  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-4

Last: L (UD) vs. Leon Edwards, Dec. 16, 2023

Next: TBD

9. Sean Brady  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-1

Last: W (Sub3) vs. Kelvin Gastelum, Dec. 2, 2023

Next: Sept. 7 vs. Gilbert Burns

10. Stephen Thompson  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-7-1

Last: L (Sub2) vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov, Dec. 16, 2023

Next: TBD

LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

1. Islam Makhachev  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 26-1

Last: W (Sub5) vs. Dustin Poirier, June 1, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Arman Tsarukyan  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 22-3

Last: W (SD) vs. Charles Oliveira, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

3. Charles Oliveira  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 34-10, 1 NC

Last: L (SD) vs. Arman Tsarukyan, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Justin Gaethje  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 25-5

Last: L (KO5) vs. Max Holloway, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

5. Dustin Poirier  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 30-9, 1 NC

Last: L (Sub5) vs. Islam Makhachev, June 1, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Beneil Dariush  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 22-6-1

Last: L (KO1) vs. Arman Tsarukyan, Dec. 2, 2023

Next: TBD

7. Mateusz Gamrot  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 24-2, 1 NC

Last: W (UD) vs. Rafael Dos Anjos, March 9, 2024

Next: Aug. 17 vs. Dan Hooker

8. Rafael Fiziev  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-8

Last: L (TKO2) vs. Mateusz Gamrot, Sept. 23, 2023

Next: TBD

9. Dan Hooker  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 29-12

Last: W (SD) vs. Jalin Turner, July 8, 2023

Next: Aug. 17 vs. Mateusz Gamrot

10. Jalin Turner  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-8

Last: L (TKO2) vs. Renato Moicano, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

MEN'S FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

1. Ilia Topuria  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 15-0

Last: W (KO2) vs. Alexander Volkanovski, Feb. 17, 2024

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Max Holloway

2. Alexander Volkanovski  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-4

Last: L (KO2) vs. Ilia Topuria, Feb. 17, 2024

Next: TBD

3. Max Holloway  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-7

Last: W (KO5) vs. Justin Gaethje, April 13, 2024

Next: Oct. 26 vs. Ilia Topuria

4. Brian Ortega  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-3, 1 NC

Last: W (Sub3) vs. Yair Rodriguez, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Diego Lopes

5. Yair Rodriguez  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-5, 1 NC

Last: L (Sub3) vs. Brian Ortega, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Patricio Freire  

Promotion: Bellator champion

Record: 36-7

Last: W (TKO3) vs. Jeremy Kennedy, March 22, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Josh Emmett  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 19-4

Last: W (KO1) vs. Bryce Mitchell, Dec. 16, 2023

Next: TBD

8. Movsar Evloev  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 18-0

Last: W (UD) vs. Arnold Allen, Jan. 20, 2024

Next: TBD

9. Arnold Allen  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-3

Last: W (UD) vs. Giga Chikadze, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Aljamain Sterling  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 24-4

Last: W (UD) vs. Calvin Kattar, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

MEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

1. Sean O'Malley  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 18-1, 1 NC

Last: W (UD) vs. Marlon Vera, March 9, 2024

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Merab Dvalishvili

2. Merab Dvalishvili  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-4

Last: W (UD) vs. Henry Cejudo, Feb. 17, 2024

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Sean O'Malley

3. Umar Nurmagomedov  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: Unranked

Record: 18-0

Last: W (UD) vs. Cory Sandhagen, Aug. 3, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Cory Sandhagen  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 3

Record: 17-5

Last: L (UD) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov, Aug. 3, 2024

Next: TBD

5. Petr Yan  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 4

Record: 17-5

Last: L (UD) vs. Song Yadong, March 9, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Henry Cejudo  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 5

Record: 16-4

Last: L (UD) vs. Merab Dvalishvili, Feb. 17, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Jose Aldo  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 6

Record: 32-8

Last: W (UD) vs. Jonathan Martinez, May 4, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Deiveson Figueiredo  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 9

Record: 24-3-1

Last: W (UD) vs. Marlon Vera, Aug. 3, 2024

Next: TBD

9. Patchy Mix  

Promotion: Bellator champion

Previous ranking: 7

Record: 20-1

Last: W (SD) vs. Magomed Magomedov, May 17, 2024

Next: Nov. 16 vs. Leandro Higo

10. Kyoji Horiguchi  

Promotion: Rizin champion

Previous ranking: Unranked

Record: 33-5, 1 NC

Last: W (UD) vs. Sergio Pettis, June 9, 2024

MEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

1. Alexandre Pantoja  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 28-5

Last: W (UD) vs. Steve Erceg, May 4, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Brandon Royval  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-7

Last: W (SD) vs. Brandon Moreno, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: TBD

3. Brandon Moreno  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 21-8-2

Last: L (SD) vs. Brandon Royval, Feb. 24, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Steve Erceg  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 12-2

Last: L (UD) vs. Alexandre Pantoja, May 4, 2024

Next: Aug. 17 vs. Kai Kara-France

5. Muhammad Mokaev  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 13-0,1 NC

Last: W (UD) vs. Manel Kape, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Tatsuro Taira  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-0

Last: W (TKO2) vs. Alex Perez, June 15, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Manel Kape  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 19-7

Last: L (UD) vs. Muhammad Mokaev, July 27, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Alex Perez  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 25-9

Last: L (TKO2) vs. Tatsuro Taira, June 15, 2024

Next: TBD

9. Matheus Nicolau  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 19-5-1

Last: L (KO1) vs. Alex Perez, April 27, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Tim Elliott  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-13-1

Last: W (TechSub1) vs. Sumudaerji, Dec. 9, 2023

Next: TBD

WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

1. Raquel Pennington  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 16-8

Last: W (UD) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva, Jan. 20, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Kayla Harrison  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-1

Last: W (Sub2) vs. Holly Holm, April 13, 2024

Next: Oct. 5 vs. Ketlen Vieira

3. Holly Holm  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-7, 1 NC

Last: L (Sub2) vs. Kayla Harrison, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Irene Aldana  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-7

Last: W (UD) vs. Karol Rosa, Dec. 16, 2023

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Norma Dumont

5. Macy Chiasson  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 10-3

Last: W (TKO2) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva, June 29, 2024

Next: TBD

6. Norma Dumont  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 11-2

Last: W (UD) vs. Germaine de Randamie, April 6, 2024

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Irene Aldana

7. Pannie Kianzad  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-8

Last: L (Sub1) vs. Macy Chiasson, March 16, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Karol Rosa  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-6

Last: L (UD) vs. Irene Aldana, Dec. 16, 2023

Next: TBD

9. Mayra Bueno Silva  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 10-4-1, 1 NC

Last: L (TKO2) vs. Macy Chiasson, June 29, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Yana Santos  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-8, 1 NC

Last: L (SD) vs. Karol Rosa, July 1, 2023

Next: Aug. 10 vs. Chelsea Chandler

WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

1. Alexa Grasso  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 16-3-1

Last: Split draw vs. Valentina Shevchenko, Sept. 16, 2023

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Valentina Shevchenko

2. Valentina Shevchenko  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 23-4-1

Last: Split draw vs. Alexa Grasso, Sept. 16, 2023

Next: Sept. 14 vs. Alexa Grasso

3. Manon Fiorot  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 12-1

Last: W (UD) vs. Erin Blanchfield, March 30, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Erin Blanchfield  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 12-2

Last: L (UD) vs. Manon Fiorot, March 30, 2024

Next: TBD

5. Taila Santos  

Promotion: PFL

Record: 22-3

Last: W (UD) vs. Liz Carmouche, Aug. 2, 2024

Next: TBD vs. Dakota Ditcheva

6. Liz Carmouche  

Promotion: PFL / Bellator champion

Previous ranking: 5

Record: 22-8

Last: L (UD) vs. Taila Santos, Aug. 2, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Maycee Barber  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 6

Record: 14-2

Last: W (UD) vs. Katlyn Cerminara, March 9, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Jessica Andrade  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 7

Record: 26-12

Last: W (SD) vs. Marina Rodriguez, April 13, 2024

Next: Sept. 7 vs. Natalia Silva

9. Rose Namajunas  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 8

Record: 13-6

Last: W (UD) vs. Tracy Cortez, July 13, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Katlyn Cerminara  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 9

Record: 18-6

Last: L (UD) vs. Maycee Barber, March 9, 2024

Next: TBD

STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)

1. Zhang Weili  

Promotion: UFC champion

Record: 25-3

Last: W (UD) vs. Yan Xiaonan, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

2. Virna Jandiroba  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 21-3

Last: W (Sub2) vs. Amanda Lemos, July 20, 2024

Next: TBD

3. Amanda Lemos  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-4-1

Last: L (Sub2) vs. Virna Jandiroba, July 20, 2024

Next: TBD

4. Yan Xiaonan  

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-4, 1 NC

Last: L (UD) vs. Zhang Weili, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

5. Jessica Andrade  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 6

Record: 26-12

Last: W (SD) vs. Marina Rodriguez, April 13, 2024

Next: Sept. 7 vs. Natalia Silva

6. Marina Rodriguez  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 7

Record: 17-4-2

Last: L (SD) vs. Jessica Andrade, April 13, 2024

Next: TBD

7. Mackenzie Dern  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 8

Record: 14-5

Last: W (UD) vs. Loopy Godínez, Aug. 3, 2024

Next: TBD

8. Amanda Ribas  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 9

Record: 13-5

Last: L (UD) vs. Rose Namajunas, March 23, 2024

Next: TBD

9. Angela Hill  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: 10

Record: 17-13

Last: W (Sub2) vs. Luana Pinheiro, May 18, 2024

Next: TBD

10. Loopy Godínez  

Promotion: UFC

Previous ranking: Unranked

Record: 12-5

Last: L (UD) vs. Mackenzie Dern, Aug. 3, 2024

Next: TBD

DANA WHITE SLAMS MGM FOR 'DISRESPECT' TO UFC AMID SEPT. 14 CONFLICT

Getty Images 

 Two titans of the fight game, Canelo Alvarez and Dana White, will go head-to-head Sept. 14 in Las Vegas in a rare scheduling conflict between marquee boxing and MMA events.

Mexico's Alvarez, boxing's top star, defends his unified super middleweight championship vs. Edgar Berlanga at MGM property T-Mobile Arena. Two miles away, UFC will stage the first live sporting event at the revolutionary Sphere venue with UFC 306.

Sean O'Malley defends his UFC bantamweight championship vs. Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of Riyadh Season Noche UFC as the MMA promotion plants its flag on Mexican Independence Day weekend, a traditional date for boxing's biggest star.

"Canelo's one of those guys that I respect and hey, good on [PBC's Al] Haymon," UFC president White told ESPN on Friday. "Haymon snatched that date right away from me. The guys at MGM have done nothing but f---ing disrespect me and the UFC for 20 years. It is what it is. Here we go."

UFC has staged four pay-per-view events at T-Mobile Arena each of the past two years. And MGM controlled all the viable live sporting event venues on the Strip until the Madison Square Garden company opened the Sphere in September.

That paved the way for White and UFC to still hold a major event on Sept. 14 even after PBC and Canelo reserved the date with MGM Resorts International. White beat Canelo to the punch last year and staged the first iteration of Noche UFC (a Fight Night event at T-Mobile Arena) after the MMA promotion reserved the date.

Alvarez instead fought two weeks later at T-Mobile Arena and secured a victory over Jermell Charlo.

"PBC is thrilled to continue the more than 20-year tradition of championship boxing in Las Vegas on Mexican Independence Day weekend with our friends and partners, MGM Resorts and T-Mobile Arena," a PBC spokesperson told ESPN on Friday.

"It's even more special this year as Canelo Alvarez, boxing's biggest star, will fight Edgar Berlanga on Sept. 14 in what will be the sixth time the Mexican icon has celebrated the holiday weekend in Las Vegas. We wish our friends at UFC the best of luck with their event."

A spokesperson for MGM Resorts International said there was nothing to add to PBC's statement.

Before Alvarez took hold of the revered boxing date (along with Cinco de Mayo weekend), those two Mexican holidays were reserved for Floyd Mayweather (and Oscar De La Hoya prior to that). This year, the September weekend will be shared by both Alvarez and UFC.

That was made possible after Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, agreed to sponsor UFC 306 as he continues to commercialize Riyadh Season.

"We will eat him," Alalshikh told ESPN about his event competing with Canelo's.

White, time and again, has expressed just how expensive it is to hold an event at the Sphere with its immersive screens and the art direction necessary to take advantage of the venue's audio and video capabilities. The Sphere also boasts the world's highest resolution LED display, one that wraps up, over and around the audience.

That sponsorship money from Alalshikh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia allowed UFC to become the first live sporting event at the Sphere. White acknowledged last month at the UFC 303 postfight news conference that they've already spent $17 million on the event. He claimed the experience UFC delivers at the Sphere "will never, ever be replicated ... because it costs too much money."

"This is going to be an incredible tribute to the Mexican people for their extraordinary contributions to combat sports," White said.

But now, White and UFC will have to contend with the biggest sports star in Mexico, Canelo Alvarez.

Canelo is expected to cruise past Berlanga, a heavy underdog, and Alalshikh hopes it will help him secure the biggest fight in boxing afterward. That's Canelo vs. Terence Crawford, ESPN's No. 2 pound-for-pound boxer.

Crawford fights Israil Madrimov on Aug. 3 in Los Angeles, the main event of the first Riyadh Season event outside Saudi Arabia. If Crawford is successful and wins a title in a third weight class, Alalshikh will look to match him with Alvarez next year.

"I will give Canelo what I think is a fair price," Alalshikh said. "If he accepts it, he deals directly with me to finish the deal. I don't want anyone in the middle. I guaranteed Crawford a big fight, I want Canelo for Crawford and Crawford wants Canelo. But if Canelo is crazy [with his financial demands] I will still guarantee Crawford any fight he wants."

Alalshikh has delivered five boxing events since he took hold of the boxing industry in October with Tyson Fury-Francis Ngannou. His biggest boxing match was the Oleksandr Usyk-Fury undisputed heavyweight championship fight in May.

Alalshikh and White staged the first UFC event in Saudi Arabia in June.

- Mike Coppinger, ESPN Boxing Insider