MMA
Fight card AKA 53: Championship rivalry headlines March 7 in Lake CharlesAKA 53: Rivalry, redemption and championship dreams collide in Lake Charles
Published
8 months agoon
Lake Charles in Louisiana — AKA 53 Countdown – Hebert vs. Smith 2 it’s not just another fight night. It’s a story of competition, redemption and dreams of championship. Two warriors. Two gymnasiums. Two cities. One gold stripe.
On Saturday, March 7, 2026, the cage doors close at the iconic Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino, and when it does, all that matters is heart, skill and who wants it more.
In the main event, AKA Lightweight Championship takes center stage at AKA 53 as the reigning champion Elliot Hebert defends his gold against a hungry rival Hunter Smith in gameplay fueled by pride, competition and ambition for mastery. Hebert looks to cement his position at the top of the division with another dominant performance, while Smith steps into the spotlight determined to seize his moment and claim the belt for himself. When the cage doors close at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, it won’t just be about rankings or records – it will be about heart, grit and which lightweight is willing to push further when it matters most.
For a champion, it’s the legacy that counts. For the challenger, it’s about redemption. When the lights shine brightest, there are no excuses. No shortcuts. Just five rounds to define a career. The main event of AKA 53 will be a fierce title fight that perfectly reflects the main theme of the event – redemption vs. reign. The champion enters with a vengeance, continuing his streak of dominance and defending his own field. Opposite him is a challenger who has recovered from defeat, sharpened his tools and returned to competition.
Expect fireworks from the opening bell.
AKA 53 Full Fight Card
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino – Lake Charles, Los Angeles
MAIN EVENT
- AKA Lightweight Championship: Elliot Hebert vs. Hunter Smith
MAIN CARD
- Flyweight fight: Austin Soileau vs. Tyler Forsythe
- Featherweight fight: Nevan Driehuis vs. Adrian Smith
SUB CARD
- Amateur Heavyweight Championship: Ayden Bell vs. Marcos Serrano
- Catchweight 190-pound fight: Justin Carpenter vs. Keegan Williams
- Welterweight fight: Byron Walker vs. Landon Erickson
- Middleweight fight: Trey Duhon vs. Julio Melendez
PRELIMATES
- Featherweight fight: Jake Traver vs. Alex Sibrian
- KB middleweight fight: Caiden McDowell vs Mathew Barnard
- KB Featherweight Fight: Jayce Carpenter vs. Darren Stevenson
- Featherweight fight: Caydin Bass vs. Luis Larrazabal

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MMA
Arman Tsarukyan sets one condition for fighting Alexander Volkanovski
Published
1 hour agoon
November 3, 2026
Tsarukyan is open to fighting Alexander
Volkanovski, provided
Ultimate Fighting Championship gold is at stake.
Volkanovski (29-4) defended the featherweight title with a
technical knockout victory over Movsar
Evloev at
UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi before expressing interest in returning to
lightweight. With champion Justin
Gaethje uncertain about his future, Volkanovski offered to face
Tsarukyan (24-3) for the vacant title if Gaethje retires.
Arman Tsarukyan reminds Alexander Volkanovski how Islam
Makhachev rematch ended
Tsarukyan said the championship matters more to him than the
opponent.
“I'm ready for everyone,†Tsarukyan told Yavuz Saynomo. “For me, it
doesn't matter who I'm gonna fight; I just want to fight for the
title.â€
Volkanovski has expressed confidence that he can counter
Tsarukyan's wrestling and avoid being held down. Tsarukyan
responded by recalling the Australian's knockout loss to Islam
Makhachev.
“He said Islam Makhachev cannot knock him out, too,†Tsarukyan
added.
Volkanovski has twice challenged Makhachev for the lightweight
championship. He lost their first meeting by unanimous decision
before Makhachev finished their rematch with a head kick and
follow-up punches.
Tsarukyan remains confident that his next bout will be for the
title. If Gaethje retires, “The Batman†expects to compete for the
vacant belt.
“I have a title fight next,†Tsarukyan reiterated. “Either Justin
Gaethje. If he is retired, someone else.â€
MMA
Report: Jacqueline Cavalcanti vs. Michelle Montague postponed to UFC 335 on Dec. 12
Published
19 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
MMA
On To the Next One: Matches to make after controversial UFC Vegas 123 event
Published
20 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
UFC Vegas 123 went down this past Saturday at the Meta APEX. The Halloween-themed event ended in controversy following referee Dan Miragliotta's decision to stand up Renato Moicano and Tom Nolan with Moicano in a dominant position, thus leading to Nolan getting the finish the third round. Where does Nolan go from this victory where the headlines are solely about the referee?
On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what's next for Nolan after getting his biggest win, yet not getting the rub despite not doing anything wrong. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Jacobe Smith following his impressive win over Randy Brown in the co-main event, Cody Durden after defeating Ode Osbourne in the featured bout, along with fellow main card winners Luana Santos and Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani, and more.
Plus, your matchmaking suggestions during the second half of the program.
Arman Tsarukyan sets one condition for fighting Alexander Volkanovski
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Arman Tsarukyan sets one condition for fighting Alexander Volkanovski
Naoya Inoue Receives Title Shot Opportunity in New Division After Champions Fifth Consecutive Stoppage
Terence Crawfords Interim Champion Eyes Canelo Showdown After Mbilli Victory
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