Skye Nicolson defends WBC junior featherweight title vs. Miyo Yoshida

          • Brett OkamotoNov 9, 2026, 11:45 AM
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              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
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          Skye Nicolson defended her WBC junior featherweight title for the first time Sunday, defeating Miyo Yoshida via unanimous decision in Arlington, Texas.

          Nicolson (17-1, 3 KOs) kept Yoshida (19-6, 1 KO) at the end of her punches and utilized her range and footwork en route to judges' scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Yoshida tried to pressure throughout but couldn't consistently close distance on the 31-year-old Australian champion.

          Nicolson's technically sound title defense represented a significant matchup under a partnership between Matchroom Boxing, her longtime promoter, and Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions.

          The two promotions announced an alliance in July to continue to promote women's professional boxing. Nicolson is an important figure in that partnership and has targeted undisputed status at 122 pounds.