February 1, 2026

Just when you think you’ve seen everything, heavyweight contender Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller created a new viral moment Saturday night during his split decision victory over Kingsley Ibeh at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Miller had promised a knockout during the undercard bout but instead provided an unexpected highlight in Round 2 when Ibeh’s right uppercut knocked his hairpiece off. Fans were left astonished as Miller’s toupee flew off his head. Instead of trying to hide from the situation, Miller fully embraced it, removing the toupee at the start of Round 3 and tossing it into the audience, where WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley caught it.

#safekeeping 🫡 pic.twitter.com/OywAk0qGjF

— Fabio Wardley (@FabioWardley) February 1, 2026

Miller revealed that he got a hairpiece two days prior after losing his hair due to a mishap with “ammonia bleach,” which he accidentally used instead of shampoo.

“I’m a comedian,” Miller stated in the post-fight interview. “You have to make fun of yourself.”

🫡 @BIGBABYMILLER‘s post fight interview 🥊

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— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 1, 2026

Miller returned to the ring for the first time since August 2024, when he fought Andy Ruiz to a majority draw, and improved his record to 27-1-2.

The second UFC numbered event of the year took place on Saturday in Sydney, showcasing a series of early submissions and dominant displays. The main event featured a rematch of last April’s featherweight title bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. Following another stellar showing from the Aussie champion, it’s evident that we likely didn’t need a second clash between Volk and Lopes.

In the fights leading up to the main event, the lightweights delivered impressive performances. While the next challenger to Ilia Topuria’s title is yet to emerge, UFC fans can anticipate a series of high-caliber bouts from the new generation of lightweights in the near future.

Sometimes the critics are correct. This rematch wasn’t necessary.

The UFC often gets its matchmaking right, but this instance was a misstep. There was no compelling reason to set up this rematch just 10 months after their initial matchup.

Complicating matters is Volkanovski’s age—37. His window for championship fights is diminishing. though he didn’t seek the rematch, he would never refuse a fight. But what sense does it make for Volkanovski to face the same opponent twice in just over 10 months, especially after the initial bout was, frankly, not competitive? If Volkanovski were 32, it might not have been as regrettable, but at his current age, it feels as though valuable moments in his illustrious career are being squandered.

This critique is not aimed at Lopes. He showcased commendable effort in both bouts and earned his place by knocking out a formidable Jean Silva in September. It’s Lopes’s performance that receives no blame; rather, the UFC deserves scrutiny for this decision. Choosing Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy would have been a much more suitable option. Volkanovski should have faced someone else on Saturday. — Brett Okamoto

Clinical Saint Denis inches closer to a lightweight title shot—but it won’t be next

The lightweight division remains competitive, and Benoît Saint Denis solidified his place in the title discussion with an impressive victory over the tough Dan Hooker. This marked the Frenchman’s fourth consecutive win in the UFC, and his strong performance deserves a leap in the rankings by at least a couple of positions.

Saint Denis (17-3) leveraged his grappling ability to wear Hooker down in close battles, achieving two takedowns along the way. though a submission finish was out of reach, the final flurry of elbows and punches earned him a TKO victory with just 15 seconds remaining in Round 2.

In the Octagon after his victory, Saint Denis expressed his desire for a shot at the interim title recently secured by Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 or a chance at the BMF title, which will be contested by Charles Oliveira and reigning champion Max Holloway at UFC 326 in March. He may require one more win against a true lightweight contender to convince the UFC that he’s ready for a title fight. Nevertheless, with his fourth straight win, he is definitely knocking at the lightweight door. — Sam Bruce

The lightweight division is in good hands

The 155-pound division has historically been one of the deepest in MMA and will always be in a solid position. yet, there have been some concerns in recent years. The newcomers like Saint Denis, Rafael Fiziev, Jalin Turner, and recently Paddy Pimblett faced challenges against the established stars of the lightweight era, including Dustin Poirier and Gaethje. This new generation is still finding its footing, yet bouts like Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy highlight the incredible talent emerging in this division.

There’s more development to come. Yet with Poirier’s retirement and Gaethje and Oliveira not far behind, there’s a potential gap at lightweight; however, this isn’t alarming. Expect to witness epic encounters between emerging fighters like Arman Tsarukyan (29), Ruffy (29), Saint Denis (30), alongside Pimblett (31), Quillan Salkilld (26), and Manuel Torres (30). While we will miss the big names in the lightweight arena, this new breed promises to be just as entertaining. — Okamoto

Shakur Stevenson decisively defeated Teofimo Lopez in a masterclass performance Saturday night, capturing the WBO junior welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) had vowed to make the bout against Lopez appear effortless, and he succeeded, with all three judges recording the fight at 119-109 in his favor. This victory also marked Stevenson as the fastest fighter to achieve four-division champion status.

“I broke him down and executed my game plan,” Stevenson stated. “This is the essence of boxing—hit without being hit and outmaneuver opponents. I’ve claimed I’m the best fighter in the world, and I firmly believe that.”

Using a powerful jab and swift reflexes, Stevenson controlled Lopez from the very start. Instead of circling the ring, Stevenson confidently stood his ground in the center, systematically breaking down Lopez and draining his morale as the fight progressed. Lacking effective tactics, Lopez’s father and trainer resorted to urging him to push forward instead of providing strategic advice during the breaks.

although his determination, Lopez (22-2, 18 KOs) struggled to keep pace with Stevenson, who outperformed him with a staggering 78-23 punch advantage after six rounds, leaving Lopez unable to adapt successfully.

Following his victory, Stevenson issued a challenge to Conor Benn, who last competed against Chris Eubank Jr. at 160 pounds in November.

SAN DIEGO — Joel Dahmen joined the PGA Tour too late to witness Tiger Woods at his peak in Torrey Pines. but, on Saturday, he experienced what could be considered a close second — Justin Rose playing exceptionally well and leaving the competition feeling defeated at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Rose expanded his lead to as much as eight shots in a display that Woods would certainly admire. While he encountered a few hiccups on the back nine, he finished with a 4-under 68, leading by six strokes, marking the largest 54-hole advantage in the tournament since Woods had an eight-shot lead in 2008.

“I’ve enjoyed playing the golf course this week. I want to continue enjoying the overall experience,” Rose noted. “And yes, it’s another fantastic round in pleasant weather on a magnificent golf course.”

Starting with a four-shot lead, Rose increased his advantage with an impressive stretch of three consecutive birdies on the front nine — a pitching wedge landing 6 feet from the back pin on No. 5, a 7-wood reaching pin-high on the par-5 sixth, and a 9-iron skillfully maneuvered over a tree to 5 feet with the pin placed right above a bunker.

“He aimed for some pins that were quite impressive, and then he made it to 4 feet and tapped in for birdie,” Dahmen commented. “You know you’re playing at an elite level when you’re performing like that, and it was pretty much one after another.”

Yet, it was the seventh hole that truly caught his interest, even though Rose modestly admitted he wasn’t intending to be quite that bold.

“There’s no room for error,” Dahmen explained. “The wind starts picking up from that canyon, making everything play longer. So he had to hit it high over the tree from the first cut — it could either fly or come out flat. But he launched it impressively, landing it to 4 feet.”

“You don’t attempt that shot in practice, let alone with a six- or seven-shot lead on a Saturday,” he added. “At that moment, it was basically like, ‘Alright, you win.’

Rose reached 21-under 195, setting a new 54-hole tournament record, breaking the previous mark by three shots, which he had tied in 2019, sharing the record with Kyle Stanley (2012), Woods (2008), and Woody Blackburn (1985). Of those, Stanley is the only player who didn’t go on to win despite holding a five-shot lead.

Rose is seasoned enough to never take success for granted. He once experienced the fallout of Dustin Johnson, then the world No. 1, losing a six-shot advantage in the 2017 HSBC Champions.

“There will never be any room for complacency,” Rose stated. “I’ve always got enough respect for the game of golf in the back of my mind that I have to perform perfectly tomorrow. It’s essential to remain focused and play well.”

Woods virtually dominated the public course along the Pacific bluffs with eight professional victories, including a U.S. Open title.

Brooks Koepka, returning to the PGA Tour after his stint with LIV Golf, played reasonably well, aside from his struggles with short putts. He turned a 3-foot par attempt into a double bogey on the par-3 11th, and a 3-foot birdie attempt turned into a bogey on the par-5 ninth, his concluding hole. He missed six putts from inside 5 feet, finishing with a score of 73.

“I’ve never felt at ease on poa [bluegrass]. Once you miss a few, your confidence plummets,” he remarked. “I tried to take out the break to stay aggressive like I usually do, but I wasn’t even making it to the hole. I’ll chalk it up as just a rough day. Overall, I’m satisfied with everything else.”

Is it over?

“My only hope is that [Rose] forgets to set his alarm or somehow starts hitting into the rough on the back nine,” Dahmen said after his 68, which left him six shots behind, leading the B-flight. “I don’t know. Considering how he’s playing, I’d be happy to settle for second place.”

This is a significant week for Dahmen, who fell outside the FedEx Cup top 100 in the year the tour altered its cutoff for full cards. He holds conditional status and gained entry into the Farmers Insurance Open due to two courses permitting a larger field.

He has also received a sponsor exemption for the WM Phoenix Open next week, making this an opportune moment to turn his luck around. A strong showing on Sunday would do wonders.

Meanwhile, Rose continues to relish what he has called his “Indian summer.”

At 45, he was the oldest member by seven years on Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup squad. whether or not approached — in the event Luke Donald declines a third captaincy — Rose indicated last week that his focus would remain on competing in the 2027 Ryder Cup.

A win would elevate him to as high as No. 4 in the world rankings.

“Justin is really excelling in golf right now,” Dahmen concluded.