Jump to content
Sign up to our newsletters
Independent
More
Best
TV

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Alex Pattle

Combat Sports Correspondent@alex_pattle

Alex Pattle is Combat Sports Editor at The Independent, predominantly covering boxing and MMA (mixed martial arts). Alex has conducted exclusive interviews with the likes of Oleksandr Usyk, Jake Paul and Israel Adesanya, and has covered live events such as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua fights, plus numerous UFC cards – with his work taking him around the UK, US, and to Saudi Arabia and Monaco. Alex’s career began at ESPN UK and ESPN FC. In 2024, he was nominated in the best young writer category at the British Sports Journalism Awards.

<p>Two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno returns to the Octagon in Mexico City</p>
UFC

When is the next UFC event?

<p>Alexander Volkanovski, former UFC featherweight champion</p>
UFC

UFC schedule 2025: Every fight announced this year

<p></p>
WWE

How much are WWE stars paid for WrestleMania?

<p>Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in action at WrestleMania 40</p>
WWE

Will The Rock appear at WrestleMania 41?

<p>John Cena at WrestleMania 30 in 2014</p>
WWE

Every confirmed match for WrestleMania 41 – with more to be revealed

<p></p>
WWE

Is WrestleMania 41 free to watch on Netflix?

<p>WWE champion Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39 in 2023</p>
WWE

WrestleMania 41 live stream: How to watch WWE’s showpiece event

<p>WrestleMania 39 took place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California – with over 80,000 fans present</p>
WWE

When is WrestleMania 41? Date and start time for WWE’s showpiece event

<p>Oleksandr Usyk is the unified heavyweight champion of the world in boxing</p>
Boxing

Usyk teases shock MMA match-up with Jake Paul

<p>Deontay Wilder will return to the ring in late June</p>
Boxing

Wilder’s next opponent revealed as ‘idols become rivals’

<p>Fourteen-time WWE women’s champion Charlotte Flair</p>
WWE

Ric Flair’s daughter reacts to Cena’s verbal shot at her father

<p>Alex Pereira (left) during his loss to Magomed Ankalaev</p>
UFC

Pereira considered pulling out of Ankalaev fight and now wants rematch

<p>Tyson Fury (left) with his US promoter Bob Arum</p>
Boxing

Fury warned over retirement and urged to take on new role in boxing

Boxing

Fury warned over retirement and urged to take on new role in boxing

<p>Tyson Fury (left) with his US promoter Bob Arum</p>
<p>Tommy Fury (right) remained unbeaten with a points win over Jake Paul in 2023</p>
Boxing

Jake Paul takes aim at Tommy Fury with final update over rematch

<p>Jake Paul (left) and Tommy Fury facing off before their 2023 bout</p>
Boxing

Tommy Fury hits out at Jake Paul over brazen Joshua claim

<p>Ilia Topuria after retaining the UFC featherweight belt against Max Holloway</p>
UFC

Topuria considered other fighters’ ‘dreams’ when vacating UFC title

<p>Left to right: Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett and Lerone Murphy</p>
UFC

UFC stars Britain needs most after deflating Edwards and McCann scenes

<p>Left to right: Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett and Lerone Murphy</p>
UFC

UFC stars Britain needs most after deflating Edwards and McCann scenes

<p>John Cena walks to the ring in Glasgow during WWE Raw</p>
WWE

Cena vows to ‘ruin wrestling’ in latest ‘heel’ WWE promo

<p>UFC star Ilia Topuria receiving an award at the National Sports Gala ceremony in Spain</p>
UFC

Topuria reveals new nickname after teasing fans ahead of next UFC move

<p>Tom Aspinall wants to unify the UFC heavyweight belts with Jon Jones</p>
UFC

Aspinall provides promising update on Jones fight after UFC meeting

<p>Cain Velasquez during a 2022 arraignment</p>
UFC

UFC legend sentenced to five years in prison for attempted murder

<p>Clockwise from top left: Ben Shalom, Caroline Dubois, Natasha Jonas, Lauren Price, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano</p>
Boxing

Boxing was a ‘murky, masculine’ world, until women changed the game

<p>Joe Rogan ahead of UFC 300 in April 2024</p>
UFC

Rogan would ‘rather go to Russia’ than work at UFC event in Canada

<p>Michael Chandler carrying Charles Oliveira during a grappling exchange at UFC 309</p>
UFC

Pimblett offers surprising response to Chandler’s ‘cheater’ reputation

<p>Leon Edwards was tapped out by Sean Brady</p>
LiveUFC

Leon Edwards is submitted by Sean Brady at UFC London - follow live

<p>Joe Rogan ahead of UFC 300 in April 2024</p>
UFC

Rogan would ‘rather go to Russia’ than work at UFC event in Canada

<p>Michael Chandler carrying Charles Oliveira during a grappling exchange at UFC 309</p>
UFC

Pimblett offers surprising response to Chandler’s ‘cheater’ reputation

<p>Leon Edwards was tapped out by Sean Brady</p>
LiveUFC

Leon Edwards is submitted by Sean Brady at UFC London - follow live

<p>George Foreman is one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time</p>
Boxing

Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman dies aged 76

Boxing

Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman dies aged 76

<p>George Foreman is one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time</p>
<p>Former boxing heavyweight world champion George Foreman </p>
Bulletin

Heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman dies aged 76

<p>Anthony Joshua (pictured) is the only fight left for Tyson Fury, according to promoter Eddie Hearn (Bradley Collyer/PA)</p>
Boxing

Hearn reveals Joshua timeline for comeback after ‘injury setback’

<p>Leon Edwards left it late to hurt Belal Muhammad in a decision loss</p>
UFC

Bisping on vital Edwards change that could decide Brady bout

<p>British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn</p>
Boxing

Hearn offers counter after Eubank Jr accepts £1m bet to ‘trick public’

<p>British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn</p>
Boxing

Hearn offers counter after Eubank Jr accepts £1m bet to ‘trick public’

<p>YouTuber KSI (left) and jiu-jitsu champion Dillon Danis</p>
Boxing

When is KSI vs Danis? Fight date, time, undercard and how to watch

<p>Ian Machado Garry has stayed unbeaten since joining the UFC in 2021</p>
UFC

Machado Garry ‘livid’ after being overlooked for UFC title shot

<p>Bryce Mitchell during a loss to Ilia Topuria in 2022</p>
UFC

UFC fighter who praised Hitler says rival sent ‘demons’ to haunt him

<p>Belal Muhammad (top) outpointed Leon Edwards with a grappling-heavy approach</p>
UFC

Edwards explains coaching change to tackle issue from Muhammad loss

<p>Conor McGregor addressing reporters from the White House Press Briefing Room</p>
UFC

McGregor uses White House visit to hit out at immigration in Ireland

<p>Eddie Hearn (right) watches Chris Eubank Jr (left) and Conor Benn face off</p>
Boxing

Eubank Jr accepts £1m bet with ‘rodent’ Hearn over Benn fight

<p>Magomed Ankalaev (right) trying to grapple with Alex Pereira</p>
UFC

Pereira accused of greasing by Ankalaev’s coach after UFC 313 clash

<p>Khabib Nurmagomedov (left) and Islam Makhachev</p>
UFC

Khabib’s coach explains why Makhachev is a better ‘student’

<p>Tyson Fury (right) with former training partner Joseph Parker</p>
Boxing

Fury reacts as Usyk is ordered to fight old teammate Parker

<p>UFC heavyweight Mario Pinto in training</p>
UFC

UFC’s next heavyweight star: ‘This is a blood sport, but it’s fair’

<p>Conor Benn was held back at a press conference for his fight with Chris Eubank Jr, and again on 'Piers Morgan Uncensored'</p>
Boxing

Benn held back by security in Eubank Jr clash on Piers Morgan show

Boxing

Benn held back by security in Eubank Jr clash on Piers Morgan show

<p>Conor Benn was held back at a press conference for his fight with Chris Eubank Jr, and again on 'Piers Morgan Uncensored'</p>
<p>British heavyweight Joe Joyce</p>
Boxing

New Joyce opponent named after Whyte’s injury and withdrawal

<p>All eight of Tom Aspinall’s UFC wins have come inside the first two rounds</p>
UFC

Tom Aspinall: ‘I want MMA to be respected like football and boxing’

<p>Chris Eubank Sr speaking to boxing fans at a live event in 2024</p>
Boxing

Eubank Sr reacts to son’s egg slap and issues update on relationship

<p>Left to right: Oleksandr Usyk, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, and Terence Crawford</p>
Boxing

Who’s really the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world?

<p>Left to right: Oleksandr Usyk, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, and Terence Crawford</p>
Boxing

Who’s really the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world?

<p>IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois</p>
Boxing

Dubois suffers crucial blow as Usyk’s mandatory challenger is named

<p>Chris Eubank Jr (L) and Conor Benn (R) interact during the face off</p>
Boxing

When is Eubank Jr vs Benn? Date, time, undercard and how to watch

<p>Chris Eubank Jr (right) and his father, boxing icon Chris Sr</p>
Boxing

Eubank Jr explains origin of rift with father as Benn clash nears

<p>Paul Hughes before his PFL title fight with Usman Nurmagomedov</p>
More Sports

Hughes opponent named as journey to Nurmagomedov rematch begins

<p>Left to right: Alex Pereira, Islam Makhachev, Ilia Topuria</p>
UFC

The Independent’s pound-for-pound UFC rankings

<p>UFC president Dana White (left) and Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh</p>
Boxing

Inside White and Alalshikh’s plan to ‘crush’ boxing with new league

<p>Tyson Fury following his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk</p>
Boxing

Fury teases boxing fans before surprise sporting move is announced

UFC

UFC adds Palestine flag to Muhammad’s profile after champion complains

<p></p>
LiveUFC

Pereira drops title to Ankalaev at UFC 313 – results and reaction

<p>Tom Aspinall after retaining the UFC interim heavyweight title</p>
UFC

Aspinall makes Jones claim as Pereira loses title at UFC 313

<p>Alex Pereira after losing the UFC light-heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev</p>
UFC

Pereira addresses next fight after title loss amid heavyweight rumours

UFC

Pereira addresses next fight after title loss amid heavyweight rumours

<p>Alex Pereira after losing the UFC light-heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev</p>
<p>Magomed Ankalaev won a largely uneventful fight with Alex Pereira</p>
UFC

Ankalaev dethrones Pereira with professional display at UFC 313

<p>Two-weight UFC champion Alex Pereira</p>
UFC

The UFC needed Pereira in a post-McGregor world – but is his time up?

<p>Caroline Dubois (right) in action against Bo Mi Re Shin at the Royal Albert Hall </p>
Boxing

Dubois wins brawl with Shin to retain WBC lightweight title

<p>Lauren Price (left) wrestled away Natasha Jonas's world titles, adding them to her own belt</p>
Boxing

Price takes torch and world titles from Jonas as new era dawns

<p>Lauren Price (left) wrestled away Natasha Jonas's world titles, adding them to her own belt</p>
Boxing

Price takes torch and world titles from Jonas as new era dawns

<p>Belal Muhammad celebrates winning the UFC welterweight title</p>
UFC

Muhammad urges White to force UFC to restore Palestine flag

<p>Katie Taylor (right) outpointed Amanda Serrano in their first two fights</p>
Boxing

Taylor vs Serrano 3 confirmed with Netflix streaming boxing again

<p>Coach Joe Gallagher (left) observes as Natasha Jonas makes weight</p>
Boxing

Jonas vs Price weigh-in drama as coach points out issue with scales

<p>Alex Pereira is seeking another successful title defence at 205lb</p>
UFC

UFC champion Pereira responds to Usyk after boxer’s surprise callout

<p>Dmitry Bivol (right) during his rematch win against Artur Beterbiev</p>
Boxing

Bivol ordered to box new contender in blow to Beterbiev trilogy

<p>Magomed Ankalaev will challenge for the UFC light-heavyweight title for the second time</p>
UFC

Ankalaev breaks Ramadan fast after ‘pleading’ for fight to be moved

<p>Moses Itauma needed just 117 seconds to dispatch Demsey McKean in December</p>
Boxing

Moses Itauma: ‘After interviews I think... I shouldn’t have said that’

<p>Jon Jones (left) and Tom Aspinall have no fight date confirmed</p>
UFC

White provides update on Jones vs Aspinall and who will fight winner

<p>Lauren Price at the Royal Albert Hall, where she will box Natasha Jonas</p>
Boxing

Price on what makes her special: ‘Usyk and Lomachenko understand’

<p>Dillian Whyte at a launch event for his fight with Joe Joyce</p>
Boxing

Whyte out of Joyce clash as search for replacement begins

<p>Gervonta Davis (left) took a knee against Lamon Roach Jr, who was awarded no knockdown</p>
Boxing

Review under way after Davis’ knee incident against Roach Jr

<p>UFC light-heavyweight Alex Pereira</p>
UFC

Pereira offers bet with Ankalaev over UFC 313 main event

<p>Gervonta Davis (left) failed to deliver his usual level of performance as he drew with Lamont Roach Jr</p>
Boxing

Davis vs Roach rematch set to be ordered after ‘controversial night’

<p>Clockwise from left: Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney</p>
Boxing

Times Square to host unique boxing card with Garcia, Haney and Lopez

<p>IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois</p>
Boxing

Dubois’ father details son’s illness and names controversial next foe

<p>Paddy Pimblett (left) and Ilia Topuria have history</p>
UFC

Pimblett picks hole in Topuria’s move to lightweight division

<p>Clockwise from left: Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney</p>
Boxing

Times Square to host unique boxing card with Garcia, Haney and Lopez

<p>IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois</p>
Boxing

Dubois’ father details son’s illness and names controversial next foe

<p>Paddy Pimblett (left) and Ilia Topuria have history</p>
UFC

Pimblett picks hole in Topuria’s move to lightweight division

<p>Chris Eubank Jr (centre-left) and Conor Benn face off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where they will fight</p>
Boxing

Eubank Jr vs Benn: How to buy tickets for ‘biggest’ British fight ever

<p>Left to right: Chris Eubank Jr, Nigel Benn and Conor Benn</p>
Boxing

Eubank Jr threatens Nigel Benn and sparks irate reaction from Conor

<p></p>
LiveBoxing

Eubank Jr vs Benn press conference LIVE: Rivals face off again

<p>Chris Eubank Jr is scanned by security after egging Conor Benn at the previous press conference</p>
Boxing

Eubank Jr ‘scanned’ for eggs at second press conference with Benn

<p>Clockwise from top left: Oleksandr Usyk, Joseph Parker, Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury and Agit Kabayel</p>
Boxing

The Ring magazine’s new heavyweight rankings include surprise No 1

<p>Justin Gaethje (left) narrowly outpointed Rafael Fiziev in the co-main event</p>
UFC

Gaethje to face Fiziev as other UFC stars ‘said no’ amid Hooker injury

<p>Conor Benn spots Chris Eubank Jr outside his elevator</p>
Boxing

New footage shows Eubank Jr and Benn in tense elevator run-in

<p>Conor Benn is slapped by Chris Eubank Jr, who was holding an egg</p>
Boxing

Bellew shares theory behind Eubank Jr’s egg slap on Benn

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in