New Winners and Changes in Fighting Sports (CEFR Compare)

May 13, 2026, 13:40

New Winners and Changes in Fighting Sports

Introduction

Many fighters in mixed martial arts have new titles. Some fighters moved up in the rankings.

Main Body

Joshua Van is now number nine because he won a big fight. Islam Makhachev won another title and has sixteen wins. Ilia Topuria is the new lightweight champion. Tom Aspinall is the new heavyweight champion because Jon Jones stopped fighting. Petr Yan won his title back. Alex Pereira wants a new title in a different weight class. Valentina Shevchenko is the best female fighter again. Mackenzie Dern is the new strawweight champion. Cris Cyborg won a title in the PFL. Muhammad Mokaev will fight Jorge Calvo in Spain. He cannot fight in another event because of travel papers.

Conclusion

Many fighters have new belts and new positions in the sport.

Learning

⚡ The 'Now' Pattern

In this text, we see how to describe a current status or a change. To get to A2, you need to master the word "now" and the word "new".

1. The 'Now' Shift

Example: "Joshua Van is now number nine."
What it means: Before, he was a different number. Today, he is number nine.
Pattern: [Person] + [is/are] + now + [Status].

2. The 'New' Label

Example: "Ilia Topuria is the new lightweight champion."
What it means: He wasn't the champion yesterday, but he is today.
Pattern: [Person] + [is] + the new + [Role].

Quick Vocabulary Map

Won → Past action (It already happened)
Wants → Current desire (It is happening in the head now)
Cannot → No possibility (Stop sign 🛑)

Simple Logic: If someone won (Past) $\rightarrow$ they are now the new champion (Present).

Vocabulary Learning

many (adv.)

A large number of

Example:Many people attended the event.

fighters (n.)

People who fight

Example:The fighters trained hard.

new (adj.)

Recently made or introduced

Example:She bought a new car.

titles (n.)

Names or positions of honor

Example:He earned several titles.

some (det.)

An unspecified number

Example:Some books were missing.

moved (verb)

Changed position

Example:They moved to a new house.

up (adv.)

Higher or toward a higher place

Example:He climbed up the ladder.

rankings (n.)

Ordered list of positions

Example:The rankings were updated.

number (n.)

A numerical value

Example:The number is five.

because (conj.)

For the reason that

Example:I left early because I was tired.

he (pron.)

Male person

Example:He likes to read.

won (verb)

Achieved victory

Example:She won the contest.

big (adj.)

Large in size

Example:It was a big house.

fight (n.)

A physical contest

Example:The fight lasted two rounds.

another (det.)

One more

Example:I need another cup of tea.

has (verb)

Possesses

Example:He has a dog.

sixteen (num.)

The number 16

Example:She is sixteen years old.

wins (n.)

Victories

Example:He has many wins.

lightweight (adj.)

Lower weight category

Example:She competes in lightweight.

champion (n.)

Winner of a competition

Example:He is the champion.

heavyweight (adj.)

Higher weight category

Example:He fights in heavyweight.

stopped (verb)

Ceased

Example:The train stopped.

fighting (verb)

Engaging in combat

Example:He is fighting in a match.

wants (verb)

Desires

Example:She wants a new book.

different (adj.)

Not the same

Example:They have different ideas.

weight (n.)

Mass

Example:The weight is 70 kilograms.

class (n.)

Analysis of Recent Changes in Combat Sports Rankings and Fighter Moves

Introduction

Recent events in mixed martial arts have led to major changes in championship titles, fighter rankings, and professional contracts across several organizations.

Main Body

The UFC rankings have changed after several important fights. Joshua Van moved up to ninth place after knocking out Tatsuro Taira in the fifth round, which proved his skill after a previous win over Alexandre Pantoja was affected by an injury. Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev was removed from the top ten after losing to Sean Strickland. In the lighter weight classes, Islam Makhachev became a two-division champion by defeating Della Maddalena, extending his winning streak to sixteen. Furthermore, Ilia Topuria won the vacant lightweight title against Oliveira and is now scheduled to fight Gaethje. Significant changes also occurred in the heavier divisions. Tom Aspinall became the undisputed heavyweight champion after Jon Jones retired, although his first title defense ended in a 'no-contest' due to an accidental eye poke. Alex Pereira gave up his light heavyweight title after a rematch with Ankalaev and is now fighting Gane for the interim heavyweight title. In the bantamweight division, Petr Yan won the championship back by defeating Merab Dvalishvili, ending Dvalishvili's long winning streak. In the women's divisions, Valentina Shevchenko returned to the top spot globally after a strong win against Zhang Weili. Kayla Harrison is still rising in the UFC, but her title fight against Amanda Nunes was delayed because she needed neck surgery. Additionally, Mackenzie Dern won the strawweight title, while Cris Cyborg regained a championship in the PFL by beating Larissa Pacheco. Outside the UFC, Muhammad Mokaev has agreed to fight Jorge Calvo at the WOW 31 event in Spain after visa problems stopped his fight with Adriano Moraes.

Conclusion

The current state of the sport is defined by a redistribution of titles and the rise of new challengers across different weight classes and promotions.

Learning

⚡ The 'B2 Pivot': Moving from Simple to Complex Actions

At an A2 level, you describe things simply: "Joshua Van won. He is now ninth." To reach B2, you must connect cause, effect, and condition in a single flow. This is called syntactic complexity.

🔍 The Pattern: The "After/Due to" Bridge

Look at how the text connects a result to a reason. This is the secret to sounding professional and fluent.

1. The 'After' Sequence Instead of two short sentences, use [Result] + after + [Action].

A2 Style: Joshua Van knocked out Taira. He moved up to ninth place.
B2 Style: "Joshua Van moved up to ninth place after knocking out Tatsuro Taira."
Coach's Tip: Notice that "knocking" uses -ing. When you use after as a preposition, the following verb needs -ing.

2. The 'Due to' Logic Avoid saying "because of" every time. Use [Event] + ended in/was [Adjective] + due to + [Noun].

Example from text: "...his first title defense ended in a 'no-contest' due to an accidental eye poke."
Why this is B2: It removes the need for a subject and verb (like "because he poked the eye"), making the sentence denser and more academic.

🛠️ Quick Upgrade Table

Instead of (A2)	Try this (B2)	Logic
Because of...	Due to...	More formal / Precise
And then...	Furthermore...	Adds a new layer of info
He won and...	By defeating...	Shows how the goal was reached

💡 Pro Insight: The "Still Rising" Nuance

"Kayla Harrison is still rising in the UFC"

An A2 student says "She is getting better." A B2 student uses a metaphor (rising) and a continuative adverb (still). This tells the reader that a process started in the past and is continuing toward a peak. Use this when describing careers, prices, or trends.

Vocabulary Learning

championship (n.)

A competition for a title or prize.

Example:The championship match was held in front of thousands of fans.

undisputed (adj.)

Accepted by everyone; not challenged or questioned.

Example:He is the undisputed leader of the team.

rematch (n.)

A second match after an initial one, usually to settle a dispute.

Example:After the close score, the fans demanded a rematch.

interim (adj.)

Serving temporarily; in the meantime.

Example:The interim manager will oversee the team until a permanent one is hired.

streak (n.)

A series of consecutive successes or failures.

Example:She has a winning streak of five games.

redistribution (n.)

The act of distributing again or differently.

Example:The redistribution of resources helped balance the budget.

challengers (n.)

People who compete against others, especially in sports.

Example:The challengers prepared for the upcoming tournament.

promotion (n.)

An organization that arranges or sponsors sporting events.

Example:The promotion organized a series of exhibitions.

weight class (n.)

A category of competitors divided by body weight.

Example:Athletes compete in different weight classes.

vacant (adj.)

Not occupied; empty or unfilled.

Example:The vacant chair attracted many applicants.

no-contest (n.)

A fight declared invalid and not counted in records.

Example:The match was declared a no-contest after an accidental injury.

top spot (n.)

The highest position in a ranking or list.

Example:He moved to the top spot in the rankings.

rising (adj.)

Increasing in rank, importance, or popularity.

Example:The rising star is gaining popularity.

agreed (v.)

To have a mutual decision or arrangement.

Example:They agreed to meet at noon.

visa (n.)

An official document allowing a person to enter a country.

Example:She applied for a visa to travel abroad.

Analysis of Recent Combat Sports Personnel Transitions and Ranking Adjustments

Introduction

Recent events in mixed martial arts have resulted in significant shifts in championship holdings, divisional rankings, and professional engagements across multiple promotions.

Main Body

The UFC pound-for-pound rankings have undergone revisions following several pivotal bouts. Joshua Van has ascended to the ninth position after a decisive fifth-round knockout of Tatsuro Taira, thereby validating his championship status following a previous victory over Alexandre Pantoja that was characterized by the latter's injury. Conversely, Khamzat Chimaev has been excised from the top ten following a loss to Sean Strickland. In the lightweight and welterweight spheres, Islam Makhachev has achieved two-division championship status via a victory over Della Maddalena, extending his winning streak to sixteen. Simultaneously, Ilia Topuria secured the vacant lightweight title by defeating Oliveira, with a subsequent engagement against Gaethje scheduled at the White House. Institutional shifts are further evident in the heavier weight classes. Tom Aspinall has been elevated to undisputed heavyweight champion following the retirement of Jon Jones, although his initial defense ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke. Alex Pereira, having vacated the light heavyweight title after a rematch with Ankalaev, is now pursuing an interim heavyweight title against Gane. In the bantamweight division, Petr Yan has reclaimed the championship by defeating Merab Dvalishvili, terminating the latter's extensive winning streak. Within the women's divisions, Valentina Shevchenko has re-established her primacy as the top-ranked female fighter globally following a dominant performance against Zhang Weili. Kayla Harrison continues her ascent within the UFC, although a scheduled title defense against Amanda Nunes was deferred due to surgical requirements for a neck injury. Additionally, Mackenzie Dern has secured the strawweight title, marking a transition in divisional leadership. Outside the UFC, Cris Cyborg has regained a championship in the PFL by defeating Larissa Pacheco. Regarding independent promotional activities, Muhammad Mokaev has finalized a bantamweight engagement against Jorge Calvo for the WOW 31 event in Spain. This arrangement follows Mokaev's withdrawal from a scheduled bout with Adriano Moraes due to visa complications.

Conclusion

The current landscape is defined by a redistribution of titles and the emergence of new contenders across various weight classes and promotions.

Learning

The Architecture of 'Clinical Detachment'

To move from B2 to C2, a student must transition from describing events to conceptualizing them. The provided text is a masterclass in Lexical Sterilization—the act of using high-register, Latinate terminology to strip raw, violent imagery of its emotional weight, transforming a 'bloody fight' into a 'professional engagement.'

◈ The Pivot: From Dynamic to Static Verbs

C2 mastery involves the strategic use of verbs that describe status rather than action. Observe the transformation of movement in the text:

B2 Level: "Khamzat Chimaev was removed from the rankings."
C2 Level: "Khamzat Chimaev has been excised from the top ten."

Analysis: "Excised" is a surgical term. By applying it to a ranking list, the author elevates the tone from a simple report to an institutional decree. The verb does not just indicate removal; it suggests a precise, clinical operation.

◈ Nominalization as a Tool for Authority

Notice the reliance on heavy noun phrases to encapsulate complex events. This is the hallmark of academic and high-level administrative English.

"...following a previous victory over Alexandre Pantoja that was characterized by the latter's injury."

Instead of saying "Pantoja was injured, so he lost," the author uses "characterized by the latter's injury." This shift does three things:

Objectifies the event: The injury becomes a 'characteristic' of the victory.
De-emphasizes the agent: The focus is on the state of the match, not the pain of the athlete.
Increases Density: It packs more conceptual information into a single clause.

◈ Semantic Precision: The 'Surgical' Lexicon

To bridge the gap to C2, replace generic descriptors with domain-specific high-register synonyms:

Common Word	Text's C2 Alternative	Nuance Shift
Importance	Pivotal	Suggests a turning point upon which everything else depends.
Top spot	Primacy	Implies not just being first, but having fundamental superiority.
Change	Redistribution	Suggests a systematic shifting of assets (titles) rather than random change.
Postponed	Deferred	Carries a formal, often contractual or legal connotation.

C2 Takeaway: Mastery is not about using 'big words,' but about using words that shift the perspective of the reader from the visceral (the fight) to the systemic (the personnel transition).

Vocabulary Learning

pound-for-pound

A ranking that compares fighters regardless of weight class, assessing overall skill and performance.

Example:The pound-for-pound ranking places the lightest fighters alongside the biggest champions.

ascended

To move upward in rank, position, or status.

Example:She ascended to the top of the leaderboard after the final match.

decisive

Conclusive or conclusive; having a final and determining effect.

Example:The decisive blow ended the bout before the referee could intervene.

excised

Removed or cut out, especially from a larger whole.

Example:The panel excised the controversial segment from the broadcast.

undisputed

Accepted by all as true or valid; not subject to challenge or doubt.

Example:He was the undisputed champion of the league after winning every title fight.

no-contest

A fight declared void, usually due to an accidental or rule‑violating incident.

Example:The bout was declared a no‑contest after an accidental headbutt in the first round.

vacated

Left empty or relinquished, often by a title holder stepping down or retiring.

Example:The title was vacated after the champion announced his retirement.

interim

Temporary, serving in place of the main holder until the rightful champion returns.

Example:She won the interim title while the champion was recovering from injury.

primacy

The state of being first or most important in a particular context.

Example:The primacy of the new policy was unquestioned by the board.

deferred

Postponed or delayed to a later time or date.

Example:The match was deferred until the venue was available.

transition

The process of moving from one state or condition to another.

Example:The transition to the new system took several months to complete.

redistribution

The reallocation or reallocation of resources, titles, or positions.

Example:The redistribution of seats aimed to balance representation across districts.

emergence

The act of coming into existence or becoming visible.

Example:The emergence of new competitors shook the rankings.

withdrawal

The act of pulling out or removing oneself from a contest or agreement.

Example:The athlete's withdrawal shocked the fans and left the bracket incomplete.

complications

Difficulties or problems that arise, often hindering progress.

Example:Visa complications caused the event to be rescheduled for a later date.