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Australian Sports Entertainment Blog: Combat Sports News

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Combat Sports

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February 2026


News

WWE 2K26 Unveils Dominik Mysterio's Slick Entrance Video

The 83-second clip shows Mysterio, son of Rey Mysterio and current Intercontinental Champion with The Judgment Day, mouthing his theme's lyrics like 'Respect isn’t given. It’s taken' amid pyrotechnics and faction graphics. Fans love the authentic details, from updated tattoos and dynamic crowd reactions to his evolving heel vibe, though some critique minor belt plate sizing. WWE 2K26 hits shelves March 13, 2026, with upgrades like refined models and improved audio, building excitement for more reveals.


News

Jade Cargill Sets First Title Defense Against Jordynne Grace on SmackDown

WWE Women's Champion Jade Cargill teamed with powerhouse Jordynne Grace to beat Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez in an impromptu SmackDown tag match Friday night. Post-match chaos led to Grace challenging Cargill for her first title defense on the February 13 episode. Cargill, who's held the belt since November after beating Tiffany Stratton, addressed online critics by confirming the match while noting the fans chanted her name. The win sets up high stakes as Grace eyes gold ahead of WrestleMania 42.

News

Oba Femi Crushes Kit Wilson in Explosive SmackDown Debut

Oba Femi, real name Isaac Odugbesan and former NXT North American Champion with a record 273-day reign, answered Wilson's open challenge on Friday's WWE SmackDown after the Aussie ranted about 'toxic masculinity' from Royal Rumble stars. Femi stormed the ring with green pyros, hit a powerbomb and his Fall From Grace finisher, then trolled Wilson online as 'Oba Feminists.' -Truth hyped his smashing style backstage, Matt Cardona mocked Wilson with a 'CRY BA BY!' pic, and insiders call him lightning in a bottle ahead of Elimination Chamber.

News

Tiffany Stratton Wins Triple Threat, Enters Women's Elimination Chamber


On Friday's WWE SmackDown, Stratton dazzled in jewel-encrusted purple gear, outlasting Green and Lash Legend in a high-flying triple threat match at the United Center in Chicago. Green stole early spotlight with a wild Coast to Coast dive, while Legend traded heavy hits in sleek black attire. Now the first woman locked in for Elimination Chamber, Stratton eyes WrestleMania, with more qualifiers like Giulia vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Zelina Vega set for next week.

News

Orton and Stratton Qualify for Elimination Chamber with Signature Wins

On Friday's SmackDown, Randy Orton outlasted Aleister Black and Solo Sikoa in a triple threat qualifier, hitting his patented RKO to punch his ticket to Elimination Chamber in Chicago's United Center on February 28. Tiffany Stratton dazzled in her return match, eliminating Lash Legend and Chelsea Green to claim the first women's spot, with fans chanting 'It's Tiffy Time' amid her glamorous entrance. These wins kick off the road to the six-person steel cage matches, where victors could earn WrestleMania 42 title shots, as more qualifiers continue on SmackDown and Raw.

News

Cody Rhodes Drops 'Raheem' Zinger on Reigns-Punk WrestleMania Feud

On Friday's WWE SmackDown, Rhodes opened the show by ambushing Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre after losing the 2026 Royal Rumble to him, then took a playful jab at Reigns picking CM Punk for WrestleMania 42 Night 2 on April 18-19 in Las Vegas. His quip about a 'measuring contest' where both stars are glad he's not involved—thanks to his fan-meme 'Raheem' moniker—drew huge cheers and racked up reactions on WWE's clip. The night also saw McIntyre call Punk 'Fragile Phil,' a Jacob Fatu ambush, and qualifiers set for next week's Elimination Chamber including Rhodes teaming with Jacob Fatu and Sami Zayn.

News

WrestleMania 42 Main Events Feature

Reigns vs. Punk and McIntyre vs. Rhodes  Fresh off his dominant Royal Rumble win in Saudi Arabia, Reigns heads to WrestleMania 42 on April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium for a World Heavyweight Championship match against champion CM Punk on Night 2. Night 1 eyes a grudge rematch between Drew McIntyre, who dethroned Cody Rhodes in a brutal Three Stages of Hell on SmackDown with Jacob Fatu's interference, and Rhodes seeking payback. WWE's booking shifted multiple times under Triple H, sidelining plans like Punk vs. Rhodes or Breakker's Rumble push due to injuries and creative choices prioritizing top draws Reigns, Rhodes, and Punk.


News

 Zaria and Lainey Reid Trade Sharp Barbs Ahead of NXT Jacksonville Showdown

The exchange started Friday when Alabama's high-energy Lainey Reid hyped the Jacksonville Armory house show with emojis and a tag to Sol Ruca. Australia's explosive Zaria hit back Saturday in a 47-second video, mocking Reid's partying while boasting her own grind and capping with 'Sol's a cat person.' Reid fired right back at Zaria's alliance with Ruca before both signed off with taunts, setting up their confirmed in-ring clash tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET after doors open at 6:30 p.m.

News

Lola Vice and Mr. Iguana Win AAA Mixed Tag Titles from Page and La Hiedra

The match went down live at Auditorio José María Arteaga in Mexico, where Ethan Page teamed with La Hiedra on short notice to defend the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championships. Mr. Iguana dazzled with high-flying dives and submissions in his green mask, while former MMA fighter Lola Vice unleashed leg kicks and strikes to pin La Hiedra for the win—her first career title. Backstage, The Undertaker posed with the new champs, capping a night of WWE-AAA crossover magic as fans celebrated Vice's breakthrough.

News

WWE 2K26 Screenshots Tease Dual Belts and Wild Stunts

2K revealed first-look screenshots for WWE 2K26, highlighting a ringside podium that holds two championship belts at once—a fix for a long-standing fan complaint—and high-flying moments with luchadores Místico and Rey Fénix. The game promises over 400 superstars like Cody Rhodes and legends such as Hulk Hogan, new match types including Inferno and Dumpster brawls, and a revamped Ringside Pass with six seasons of free and premium content drops. Designer Cornell Gunter emphasized steady unlocks without paywalls, though some fans question pricing and recycled looks like Reigns'. Streamer Troydan laughed off the shopping cart chaos as peak absurdity.

News

Kuniev Grinds Out Decision Win Over Almeida at UFC Vegas 113

At UFC Vegas 113, Kuniev (13-3-1) earned a unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28) over sixth-ranked Almeida (22-5) by keeping the fight standing, landing strikes, and dominating clinches despite Almeida's early wrestling attempts. The Russian, stepping in on short notice with a strong wrestling base, outworked the Brazilian who landed just 14 significant strikes over three rounds. Fans groaned at the lack of finishes, memeing Almeida's style while praising Kuniev's pressure that likely lands him in the top 10.

News

UFC

Basharat Edges Vazquez in Wild Short-Notice UFC Thriller

Javid Basharat claimed a unanimous decision (29-28 x3) over debutant Gianni Vazquez in a bantamweight catchweight bout at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Basharat controlled early with strikes and grappling, survived a fierce second-round rally from Vazquez, and regained top position in the third. The win ends Basharat's two-fight skid since June 2024, while Vazquez impressed fans and reporters with his toughness in his first UFC appearance.

News

Veretennikov Crushes Niko Price with Brutal 1:42 TKO at UFC Vegas 113

In the welterweight prelims at UFC Vegas 113, Kazakh striker Veretennikov trapped UFC veteran Niko Price against the fence and unleashed a right hand, knee, and elbow that left Price limp just 1:42 into the bout. The referee stopped it quickly after Veretennikov kept attacking, marking his first knockout in nearly two years and snapping a 1-3 UFC skid. Price, now 1-5 in his last six, absorbed another highlight-reel finish, while the 36-year-old Veretennikov declared post-fight he's just getting started.

News Bonus

Super Bowl Weekend/Sunday

Conservatives Push Kid Rock Halftime Show Over Bad Bunny's NFL Performance

Ahead of Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, conservative influencers urge viewers to skip Bad Bunny's halftime headlining set on NBC and Peacock, opting instead for Turning Point USA's free 'All-American Halftime Show' featuring Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett streaming on X, Rumble, YouTube, and TBN around 8 p.m. ET. Bad Bunny, the first solo Latino headliner with over 90 million monthly Spotify listeners, drew criticism from figures like Nick Adams and Brigitte Gabriel over unverified claims and his past anti-Trump gestures, while NFL officials defend the pick to boost international appeal. The competing shows highlight divided tastes, with some calling the split cultural segregation, as kickoff nears at 3:30 p.m. ET between the San Francisco 49ers and the NFC champion. (Grok)