MONTREAL, January 28, 2026 — Arslanbek Makhmudov is heading back into battle in the UK, where he will challenge former heavyweight king Tyson Fury in a major showdown to be presented on Aprill 11 by The Ring on Netflix.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity. I’m coming to deliver a War. Tyson Fury has been a big champion. I will be more ready than ever to leave with a massive W.” said Montreal-based Russian-born fighter Arslanbek Makhmudov.
“We’re not going to England just to show up. We’re going there to do everything possible to seize this opportunity,” added Eye of the Tiger president Camille Estephan.
Arslanbek Makhmudov (21-2, 19 KOs) will not be entering unfamiliar territory in the United Kingdom. Last October, the fighter known as “The Lion” traveled to Sheffield, where he stunned hometown favorite David Allen by unanimous decision. By capturing Allen’s WBA Intercontinental heavyweight title, Makhmudov reclaimed his place in the WBA world top 10. It also marked the second consecutive victory for the Marc Ramsay protégé, who had stopped unbeaten Olympian Ricardo Brown in just one round last June in Quebec City.
After a retirement lasting just over 15 months, Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) is once again back in pursuit of a third reign atop the heavyweight division. In November 2015, the Brit shocked Wladimir Klitschko in Germany to become the unified heavyweight champion. Nearly five years later, in February 2020, the “Gypsy King” reclaimed the world title by stopping American puncher Deontay Wilder. He held the crown until May 2024, when he lost a split decision to legendary Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk. Fury later lost his rematch bet in December of that same year, falling again—this time by unanimous decision.
