MMA News

Author: Aakrit Sharma

  • Colby Covington Reveals Conversation With Donald Trump On Election Night: ‘Most Historic Night Of My Life…’

    Colby Covington Reveals Conversation With Donald Trump On Election Night: ‘Most Historic Night Of My Life…’

    Donald Trump’s close relationship with Dana White is no secret at this point. The UFC President accompanied Trump during his historic win in the US Presidential election and even gave a speech.

    From Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje to Sean Strickland and Dustin Poirier, Trump has many supporters from the UFC roster. Colby Covington backs the Republican Party member as well, frequently expressing his support during interviews and official UFC media interactions.

    The 47th President of the United States invited White alongside a group of UFC fighters including Covington while votes were being counted. “Chaos” described this as one of the most memorable moments of his life during an interview for the Submission Radio YouTube channel.

    The former interim UFC welterweight champion believes that the 2024 presidential elections make for a landmark moment in US history. Trump has supported the UFC from its early days, and Covington is positive that the promotion will benefit greatly from his win.

    “Probably the most historic night of my life. I mean, when you’re talking in terms of the future of our country. And the future of the world, really, because America. Everything goes to America,” Covington continued. “We exchanged a couple of words, you know. He’s excited. He’s always asking, ‘Colby, when is your next fight? Man, I want to come to your next fight’. And, you know, so he’s going to be there at the next fight.”

    Covington revealed that Trump always asks him about his next fight, and the night of the election was no different. The UFC welterweight expects the President to watch his imminent return to the Octagon live and thanked him for having an inspiring work ethic.

    “Chaos” is naturally elated with Trump’s victory. He had high praise for White too, who introduced Covington to the Trump family. The former title challenger appreciated the UFC CEO’s healthy lifestyle and sharp mic skills, which were on display during the election night.

  • Daniel Cormier Explains Why He Avoids Interviewing Conor McGregor

    Daniel Cormier Explains Why He Avoids Interviewing Conor McGregor

    Even if you’ve lived under a rock, you might have heard about the conflict between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. The UFC lightweight superstars fought for the title in October 2018, and soon after submitting the Irishman in the fourth, Nurmagomedov jumped over the Octagon to attack Dillon Danis.

    UFC 229 ended with one of the most heated brawls in the promotion’s history. To this day, “The Eagle” has never tried to mend his relationship with McGregor and they’re likely rivals for life.

    Nurmagmedov’s close relationship with former UFC double champ Daniel Cormier is also no secret. The duo makes for a popular bromance in MMA circles and over the years, their bond has strengthened considerably. So much so that Nurmagomedov and Cormier consider each other as close as family.

    During the latest episode of 3 Rounds on his YouTube channel, Cormier admitted to no longer approaching McGregor for interviews and other media interactions. The reason? “The Notorious” conflicts with “The Eagle.”

    “I don’t try to request McGregor for interviews. I don’t think that I would get him but I’m just saying it’s not a request I make every time I’m there. But this like, part of the course for these dudes. Because honestly, Khabib’s not just a teammate. He’s family. And they’re like that with everyone and they feel like if someone’s in conflict, especially at the level that Jones and I. Jones and I were in conflict, they’re very stern in the side they pick. And it’s kind of refreshing because most people aren’t like that guys. They’re just not, especially us, as Americans. So, watching that, that wasn’t crazy for me. Dude, he really is the man. Khabib is the man. He’s got to be one of the most genuine humans I’ve ever met.”

    The former UFC heavyweight champ also highlighted the time when Nurmagomedov claimed Jones would never be a friend because of the latter’s conflict with DC. Cormier acknowledged that the undefeated UFC lightweight’s philosophy is not very common in the United States, but he agrees with it now.

    Both Cormier and Nurmagomedov have retired from MMA, but it is safe to assume their close friendship will remain strong behind the scenes.

  • Former UFC Champ Argues Leon Edwards Should Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ‘Rematch Against Belal Muhammad…’

    Former UFC Champ Argues Leon Edwards Should Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ‘Rematch Against Belal Muhammad…’

    UFC 310 no longer boasts two title fights as Belal Muhammad has pulled out of the main event because of a toe injury. While some fans want the newly crowned champion to be stripped for inactivity already, others are more concerned with finding a new opponent for Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    Several contenders in the UFC welterweight division could benefit by stepping in and winning on UFC 310. Former champs Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman would want to re-enter the title race by beating a top prospect. On the other hand, fresh talents like Ian Garry, Sean Brady, and Jack Della Maddalena should be interested in securing their first title shots.

    While discussing how UFC 310 should be dealt with, Michael Bisping pointed out that replacing Muhammad could help Edwards get his rematch quickly. “Rocky” gave the new champ his props after losing the welterweight belt at UFC 304 but also admitted to feeling fatigued due to the unusual timing.

    Here’s why Bisping expects Edwards to take a risk by fighting Rakhmonov at UFC 310:

    “For Leon Edwards, this does everything. You beat Shavkat Rakhmonov, you are the man. You step up, you are the man. You beat this man that’s finishing everybody. What does that do for you? Well, then you’re right back in the title conversation. In fact, you will be probably getting a rematch against Belal Muhammad.” He continued, “He wants to get his hands on Belal Muhammad once again. He wants to right the wrongs, he wants to prove to the world and himself that he’s the better man. But more importantly, to get back to becoming the welterweight champion of the world.”

    Edwards holds two wins over Usman, and “The Count” claims beating an intimidating opponent with a 100% finish rate would be another feather in his cap. Additionally, a rematch with Muhammad in the United States would ensure he gets a chance to avenge his loss and fight at a more favorable time.

    The former UFC champ understands that losing to “Nomad” is a huge risk for the English fighter as it would further extend his path back to the title. However, he thinks that the rewards outweigh the risks in this situation.

    Bisping lastly called UFC 310 a great card regardless of the main event falling out. Like countless other fans, though, wouldn’t mind seeing the undefeated Rakhmonov put to the test again.

  • Chael Sonnen Reveals UFC Rule He Would Change As U.S. President: ‘Mayweather Never Did That…’

    Chael Sonnen Reveals UFC Rule He Would Change As U.S. President: ‘Mayweather Never Did That…’

    The U.S. Presidential elections are underway, giving UFC legend Chael Sonnen a chance to discuss fighters who could make good presidential candidates. From Khabib Nurmagomedov to Daniel Cormier, he had several names in mind but ultimately chose Brian Stan.

    Sonnen also talked about what he would change in the UFC if he were the President of the United States. The former UFC title challenger demanded stringent laws around fighters missing weight, though he clarified that his wish is unlikely to be fulfilled in the real world.

    “The American Gangster” admitted that MMA is risky, and fighters are prone to injuries and other complications while training. When a UFC fighter misses weight, they are required to forfeit 20-30% of their purse to their opponent and are eligible for any bonuses, or the fight is canceled.

    Sonnen wants to amend the current system to penalize fighters for pulling out of fights and suggests rankings should be affected by such developments. He remembered watching wrestlers get their hands raised in the absence of an opponent and expects the UFC to recognize a forfeit similarly.

    The retired MMA fighter also drew parallels to other sports such as basketball, boxing, tennis, golf, and football where not showing up is considered a loss. He reiterated that this is a purely practical approach which would seem harsh for fighters compelled to pull out of upcoming bouts because of factors out of their control.

    Here’s what Sonnen stated in a recent video on his official YouTube channel:

    “Serena never did that, Mayweather never did that, Tiger Woods never did that. These guys are wimps, or they’re supposed to be, but they show up at an agreed-upon time and fighters don’t. And there should be a penalty, and you should pay for that. And it shouldn’t be done with heart. I understand we want to show people grace, and we want to lift them, right?” He continued, “A lot of times, these fights are missed due to illness or injury, that’s very tough stuff. In fact, there’s nothing more tough than that, that’s his health. It can’t be done that way, it can’t be done with heart. Because it is completely about who can get there on the agreed-upon date.”

    Sonnen argued that athletes are expected to be at their best at a predetermined time and date. So, a forfeit should carry strict consequences. With Belal Muhammad unable to fight at UFC 310 due to a toe injury, the UFC Hall of Famer’s take on forfeits can certainly spark a debate among fans.

  • Sean Strickland To Train With Bellator Champion For Dricus Du Plessis Rematch

    Sean Strickland To Train With Bellator Champion For Dricus Du Plessis Rematch

    It is all but official that Sean Strickland will be fighting Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship next. When they last fought in January 2024, DDP won a razor-close split decision to become the new champion.

    Strickland returned in June 2024 to win yet another split decision, this time against Paulo Costa which he believed to be enough for another title shot. Du Plessis, on the other hand, defended the title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, becoming the first fighter to submit “The Last Stylebender.”

    To ensure Strickland doesn’t lose the rematch, Eric Nicksick will rely on a Bellator champion who brings out the best in his fighter…

    Sean Strickland’s Coach Trusts Johhny Eblen With Emulating Dricus Du Plessis’ Style In Training

    Nicksick recently appeared on the MMAFightingonSBN YouTube channel to discuss his fighters like Francis Ngannou, Strickland, and Daniel Zellhuber. When asked about the former UFC middleweight champion, he admitted that a better game plan could’ve helped him beat “Stillknocks”.

    The coach then brought up Johnny Eblen, the reigning Bellator middleweight champion. The undefeated American fighter has defended the belt three times and will rematch Fabian Edwards in the upcoming Saudi Arabia card. After healing up from the fight, Nicksick expects Eblen to join Strickland in training for DDP.

    “I’m bringing in Johnny Eblen, for sure. Like, I brought Johhny in, we brought Johnny in for, well, we bring him in all the time but Johnny will fight on the Saudi card so once he gets healed up and ready to come, we’ll have him out here. Johnny brings the best out of Sean, and in styles, I think Johnny can emulate so many different styles for us. He’s another guy I consider a teammate although he’s a, you know, ATT champion. We cross train quite a bit so I’m gonna lean heavy on Johnny Eblen this camp.”

    The coach credited Du Plessis for having an unorthodox yet effective fighting style. Although it is hard to copy such a fighter, he believes Eblen to be the best at it. Despite being an American Top Team fighter, he regularly cross-trains at Xtreme Couture.

    On top of having the best training partners possible, Nicksick wants to rectify a bunch of errors this time around. He highlighted Strickland’s high dependency on his jab and believes adding more tools to his fighter’s arsenal could be worthwhile.

  • Renan Ferreira vs. Francis Ngannou Doesn’t Feel Like A Title Fight To Coach – ‘Hasn’t Been Promoted’

    Renan Ferreira vs. Francis Ngannou Doesn’t Feel Like A Title Fight To Coach – ‘Hasn’t Been Promoted’

    Francis Ngannou will take on Renan Ferreira for the PFL heavyweight championship on October 19, 2024. The Battle Of The Giants PPV will be the first time fans will witness “The Predator” in MMA since leaving the UFC.

    Ngannou’s last MMA fight was against Ciryl Gane in 2022 when he defended his UFC heavyweight title. By grappling with the challenger for three rounds, he established himself as one of the most well-rounded heavyweight fighters in the world and went on to box Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

    Ngannou’s return to MMA is certainly a huge deal for fans worldwide, but according to his coach, the PFL hasn’t promoted it in the best way possible…

    Eric Nicksick Coach Critcizes PFL’s Battle Of The Giants Theme For Renan Ferreira vs. Francis Ngannou

    Nicksick discussed the upcoming PFL fight between Ngannou and Ferreira on the MMAFightingonSBN YouTube channel. Like many others, he was surprised by the PFL not emphasizing their main event is for the lineal heavyweight championship.

    The PFL has instead marketed Ferreira and Ngannou as two giants boasting unreal knockout power. According to Nicksick, he has to remind himself that “The Predator” is fighting for a title because the promotion is very different from how the UFC promotes a title fight.

    “I literally forgot we’re, let’s say forgot we’re fighting for a title. But it’s like, oh we get another title fight, you know. You think of a five- rounder or whatever else, it’s like that’s how much it hasn’t been promoted. Like, we know, it’s a title fight in the back of my mind, but I had to like, reassure we’re fighting for a title here. You know, it’s like I feel the same way- it’s like I want to hear that more rather than like these two giants fighting. This is for the PFL title, you know. This is huge man, so I don’t know man, I just wish it was promoted a little bit better too.”

    Nicksick admitted to expecting better promotion by the PFL, considering Ngannou’s solid legacy as a UFC champion and his popular bouts against Joshua and Fury.

  • Francis Ngannou’s Coach Discards Chin-Related Concerns Against Renan Ferreira Despite Anthony Joshua KO

    Francis Ngannou’s Coach Discards Chin-Related Concerns Against Renan Ferreira Despite Anthony Joshua KO

    Francis Ngannou last fought in the UFC in January 2022 and left the promotion amidst contract disputes. He’s since had two boxing matches, against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Although he lost both bouts, the fight against Fury went the distance and many backed him to be the winner.

    On October 19, 2024, Ngannou will finally make his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira. The PFL heavyweight champ knocked out Ryan Bader to claim the title and his first defense is against the lineal heavyweight champion of mixed martial arts.

    Ferreira can end the fight anytime he lands like Ngannou. Despite his fighter coming off a KO loss in boxing, Eric Nicksick is confident in “The Predator” having superior boxing and grappling…

    Francis Ngannou’s Coach Admits To Wresting-Heavy Game Plan Against Ferreira But Denies Knockout Threat

    Nicksick recently discussed the future of many of his fighters during an interview on the MMAFightingonSBN YouTube channel. The coach was asked if fans should be worried about Ngannou’s chin deteriorating, as he’s now 38 and last suffered a crushing KO loss against Joshua.

    With 4 oz gloves that are far lighter than standard boxing gloves, Ferreira certainly boasts dangerous knockout power. However, according to Nicksick, Ngannou has an equal chance to knock his opponent out and his boxing has improved drastically in the last couple of years. “The Predator” has largely worked on his movement and knows how to roll with the punches to absorb damage.

    “It turns into a coin flip, right? Like these guys touch you with 4 oz gloves, somebody’s going to sleep. Now, what we do have in our favor is I think the fact that Francis has been working a lot of his boxing, a lot of his footwork, and understanding how to roll with those punches, how to tie his counters into his defense. Just the evolution of his striking to me has gotten much more crisper, much more pristine, over the last couple years and I know that we weren’t able to show that in the Anthony Joshua fight, but, leading up to that Anthony Joshua fight, I mean, he literally, I mean, the best I’ve ever seen him, you know.”

    Nicksick claimed that Ngannou’s boxing was at its best ahead of the Joshua fight. He couldn’t showcase this to the world, though, because at heavyweight, every match is a coin flip thanks to the power each fighter possesses.

    After praising Ngannou’s boxing prowess, Nicksick also admitted to having a grappling-heavy plan against Ferreira. He expects over 25% of the PFL main event this weekend to be on the ground, indicating Ngannou will be ready to grapple if things go south.

  • Jamahal Hill Finally Explains Yawning After Alex Pereira Beat Khalil Rountree

    Jamahal Hill Finally Explains Yawning After Alex Pereira Beat Khalil Rountree

    UFC 307 was yet another card saved by Alex Pereira as he put on a memorable performance against Khalil Rountree, an opponent who unexpectedly gave him a tough fight.

    The challenger landed several clean shots in the first two rounds, keeping fans worldwide at the edge of their seats. However, Pereira eventually altered his game plan and unleashed his gas tank in the third to sway the momentum and win via TKO in the fourth.

    The UFC 307 main event was anything but boring, which explains why fans weren’t happy with Jamahal Hill yawning in the audience. The former UFC light heavyweight champion has finally opened up on his true intentions behind the reaction…

    Jamahal Hill Calls Out ‘Disrespectful’ MMA Fans For Misunderstanding His Reaction To Alex Pereira Knocking Out Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Hill recently broke down all UFC 307 fights on his YouTube channel. Before diving deep into the main event, he claimed his yawning reaction was misunderstood by the media.

    “Sweet Dreams” gave Rountree his props for giving the UFC light heavyweight kingpin a run for his money in the first two rounds. The challenger performed much better than his expectations in every way. In contrast to what Hill had predicted, Rountree landed efficiently, had decent cardio, and showed exceptional durability.

    “It’s crazy how y’all see a clip with no context, no nothing and y’all just be ready to talk s**t and just attack and come disrespectful as ever. And it’s like hilarious, all right. So, now, I wasn’t miked up, or anything like that, so I couldn’t explain the context of the yawn and things like that after the fight. I think I did hear a reporter told Alex, “Oh, Jamahal said the fight was boring.” I never said the fight was boring.”

    Hill also clarified that he never claimed Pereira vs. Rountree to be a boring fight. Him yawning after the main event was a way to tell that he wasn’t surprised or impressed. To prove this, he even reflected on his UFC 307 predictions.

    “Now, to the yawn, the yawn at the end was. Was it entertaining? Yes. Was I impressed? No. I was not impressed. You know, I’m ready to go. Did I see anything in the cage that scares me or that I didn’t expect to see? No. So, as far as reacting and everything, I don’t think I really need to do much of a reaction to this fight because, before, if you watch, or you watch my breakdowns, you can see I told you exactly how the fight was going to go.”

    To be fair to Hill, he did mention Rountree’s inability to land counters against properly set-up shots, especially jabs. He also mentioned that the challenger would gas early as the height disadvantage would compel him to explode to hit “Poatan”. Both these predictions were indeed on point.

  • Renato Moicano Discovers ‘Unbelievable’ Hole In José Aldo’s Game After Mario Bautista Loss

    Renato Moicano Discovers ‘Unbelievable’ Hole In José Aldo’s Game After Mario Bautista Loss

    Renato Moicano is arguably at the prime of his career in terms of momentum and popularity. His four-fight win streak as a UFC lightweight includes popular names like Jalin Turner, Benoit Saint-Denis, and Drew Dober, and he’s eyeing to fight the biggest stars in the division now.

    Many fans believe Moicano to be a rising prospect because of his charisma on the mic. However, he’s been in the UFC since 2014 and has fought the best of the best in the UFC featherweight division until moving up a weight class.

    Moicano faced José Aldo in the biggest match of his career in 2019. He lost via second-round TKO but claims he could’ve emerged victorious with a game plan similar to Mario Bautista…

    Renato Moicano Claims Mario Bautista Will Benefit From Beating José Aldo Like Alexander Volkanovski And Merab Dvalishvili Despite Controversy

    Moicano, Gilbert Burns, and Matty Betts discussed all things UFC in the latest episode of Show Me The Money podcast on YouTube. Interestingly, Burns believes Aldo lost the fight because Bautista could hold him against the cage. The UFC welterweight instead blamed the referee for allowing the stalling.

    Moicano understandably had a completely different concern. In 2019, he was definitely fighting a much better version of the Brazilian legend and a victory could’ve helped him secure a title shot. After UFC 307, Moicano believes he should’ve held Aldo against the cage as well but admitted that he wasn’t aware of the strategy.

    “I’m so mad that I lose to José Aldo because if I knew that he could not escape to the cage, I would do the same thing. Because, when I was like, supposed to fight José Aldo, I say, okay, I’m not taking this motherf****r down because he has a 100%…90% takedown defense ratio. But, he cannot escape the cage, unbelievable! Because Mario Bautista is not strong, he doesn’t look strong.”

    The Brazilian fighters did acknowledge that Aldo might’ve been less active in the clinch because of fatigue. It is important to note that the fight took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, a venue notorious for affecting athletes’ cardio because of altitude.

    The UFC lightweight contender also went against the masses and claimed that having Aldo on his resume will benefit Bautista in the long run. The likes of Merab Dvalishvili and Alexander Volkanovski were criticized for how they beat the former UFC featherweight champ too but over the years, their wins aged like fine wine.

    “You know, once you beat a guy like José Aldo. Remember Merab or Volkanovski, everybody was talking s**t about the performance back in the day. Nobody cares anymore. Everybody say he beat Aldo, you know, and I think it’s going to be exactly the same. People forget.”

    Moicano didn’t agree with Burns and stated Aldo was robbed at UFC 307, though. He just identifies several positives for Bautista as well and thinks that the American bantamweight contender can still turn his career around for good.

  • ‘Zero Technique’ – Ilia Topuria On Max Holloway Knocking Out Justin Gaethje

    ‘Zero Technique’ – Ilia Topuria On Max Holloway Knocking Out Justin Gaethje

    Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway are scheduled to fight for the UFC featherweight championship at UFC 308. While Holloway secured the title shot after beating Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, “El Matador” claimed the title from Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298.

    The undefeated Georgian fighter is as confident as ever ahead of his first title defense. From claiming he’ll be the first to knock Holloway out to purchasing his own BMF belt, Topuria has done everything to get under the challenger’s skin.

    Here’s how Topuria and Holloway responded when asked who the best boxer in the UFC was…

    Ilia Topuria Explains Why Max Holloway Is Not The Best Boxer In The UFC

    Topuria and Holloway met virtually on the ESPN MMA YouTube channel to promote their UFC 308 matchup. The interview started on a relatively positive note with the UFC featherweight champ admitting he’s been a fan of “Blessed” for a long time.

    However, things soon turned sour as “El Matador” outright rejected Holloway’s skills and claimed to shut his lights out repeatedly. He stated the challenger lacks head movement, knockout power, and several other fundamentals to be called the best boxer in the UFC.

    “Bro, that’s a shame. Don’t say that again! I recommend don’t say that again. Not head movement, not knockout power, not technique. He’s just [starts imitating Holloway]. And I saw him working with the pads [imitates the challenger’s training clips]. Bro, what the f**k is this? Don’t do that”

    Topuria also brought up Holloway’s iconic knock-out of Gaethje at UFC 300. He recognized that the moment was amazing for fans but the final exchange had no technique and resembled a bar fight.

    As he’s said many times before, “El Matador” challenged the UFC veteran to stand and trade with him. He’s confident about getting the better of Holloway in such an exchange because of his superior technique and power.

    “The only thing excited [exciting] about that fight was the last 10 seconds, to be honest. I didn’t see any technique in that fight. I didn’t see any strategy, I didn’t see any f*****g thing. I just saw a bar fight, to be honest. It was very spectacular for the fans but for me, as a professional, it was a, I don’t know not something very impressive because you can impress everyone but you know the technique behind that knockout and it was zero.”

  • Dana White Recognizes Alex Pereira’s ‘Halo Effect’ As Artem Vakhitov Gets UFC Contract

    Dana White Recognizes Alex Pereira’s ‘Halo Effect’ As Artem Vakhitov Gets UFC Contract

    Alex Pereira is by far the most outstanding athlete the UFC has signed in recent years. Six of his ten UFC fights have been for a title, and he now holds the record for the quickest turnaround for three title defenses in the promotion.

    Pereira’s quick rise to the top of MMA has perplexed many in the community. He is a kickboxing specialist but the lack of wrestling and grappling experience has yet to bother him in the UFC.

    Artem Vakhitov, who defeated Pereira via decision at Glory 78, has signed with the UFC after winning at Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 9. The UFC President is happy to witness the influx of kickboxers in the UFC and thanked the UFC light heavyweight champ for it…

    Dana White Explains How Israel Adesanya And Alex Pereira Inspired Kickboxers To Enter The UFC

    During the DWCS 75 episode’s press conference, White talked about the recent wave of kickboxers coming to the UFC. He believes the success Israel Adesanya and Pereira have had in the promotion to be the reason behind this.

    Over the years, grappling has gradually become one of the most effective tools for success in MMA. Strikers often struggle to keep the fight on the feet against wrestlers but Adesanya and Pereira are huge exceptions. As a result, a lot of kickboxers with similar careers as these legends are now willing to try out their luck in the UFC.

    The UFC CEO pointed out that many kickboxers have fought gruesome battles for less money than they deserved. By showcasing their exciting standup in the UFC, they can significantly boost their earnings and fame.

    “What I actually think, like we were saying earlier, it’s fascinating how these guys that came out of this whole circuit with Israel and Alex, including them, are doing so well in the UFC. It’s fascinating, so, yeah, why not?” White continued, “I think it’s all of it. Obviously, those guys fought, you know, crazy fights, that I’m sure they didn’t make any money. Joanna Jędrzejczyk and many others. And come over here and it’s absolutely life-changing for them.”

    While he was announcing the contracts for DWCS Season 8, Week 9, Laura Sanko asked White about Pereira’s halo effect in the UFC. Here’s how he responded:

    “100%. It’s fascinating and that these guys are coming over here with so many kickboxing fights. And they’re wrestling is on point. It’s actually fascinating.”

    Vakhitov is a great example of the same. He’s just secured a UFC contract but has already generated a lot of hype because of his win over Pereira in kickboxing. Interestingly, “Poatan” himself convinced White to sign Vakhitov.

  • Conor McGregor Weighs In On Alex Pereira Facing An ‘Untested’ Jon Jones At Heavyweight

    Conor McGregor Weighs In On Alex Pereira Facing An ‘Untested’ Jon Jones At Heavyweight

    Conor McGregor was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but a toe injury forced him to withdraw. The UFC already had most of its pay-per-view events in 2024 booked ahead of time, so “The Mystic Mac” could not return before the end of the year like he wanted to.

    Chandler, in the meantime, has finally moved on from McGregor and will be facing Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. Winning the matchup can help the former get a title shot in the UFC lightweight division or he could fight his original opponent again with even higher stakes.

    The real talk of the town, though, is Alex Pereira who’s defended his UFC light heavyweight belt thrice in 2024. Here’s what McGregor thinks of a superfight between “Poatan” and Jon Jones.

    Conor McGregor Calls Alex Pereira The Pound-For-Pound Best UFC Fighter And A Threatening Opponent For Jon Jones

    McGregor recently appeared on The Schmo YouTube channel for a quick interview. When asked who should be the best pound-for-pound UFC fighter in the world, he vouched for the Brazilian to get the title.

    Next up, “The Notorious” discussed why he thinks Pereira should move up to heavyweight. For starters, it’s a great opportunity to create history by becoming the first three-division UFC champ ever. He admitted to assuming that “Poatan” had a difficult weight cut for UFC 307 but then pointed out that it could be due to antibiotics and other health concerns.

    McGregor, like countless other fans, acknowledged that Magomed Ankalaev deserves to fight Pereira at light heavyweight. However, if the UFC light heavyweight champ moves up a weight class, he should fight Jones according to the Dubliner.

    McGregor reflected on Jones’ impressive but quick heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane in March 2023. He believes that the former UFC light heavyweight champ is still untested at heavyweight and Pereira’s explosive yet patient style could be a tough puzzle to solve.

    The Irishman also claimed that Jones’ size at heavyweight shouldn’t be a problem for Pereira. Although he’s only faced middleweights and light heavyweights yet, he should be able to fit in with the heavyweights naturally.

    “I’d put Alex as number one [pound-for-pound]. I think he poses a lot of problems for Jon also. You know, that’s a dangerous style for Jon but it’s a decent one for him coz he’s not, you know, so big. Jon is new to the heavyweight division. Jon, he had a nice one against Ciryl Gane but he’s still untested at heavyweight. And I’m sure, in the back of his mind, he has that thought that you know, some of these guys are really big. Alex is a nice one and it’s still a dangerous one, though. Probably, even at the core of it, it’s probably even more dangerous.”

  • ‘Get In Line’ – Kamaru Usman Laughs Off Joaquin Buckley’s UFC 307 Callout

    ‘Get In Line’ – Kamaru Usman Laughs Off Joaquin Buckley’s UFC 307 Callout

    Joaquin Buckley did the unthinkable at UFC 307 by becoming only the second fighter ever to knock out Stephen Thompson. He tried to grapple the veteran striker from the get-go. but “Wonderboy” could get back to his feet quickly every time.

    Based on the official scorecards, the third round would’ve decided the winner of the fight but Buckley sealed the deal with an overhand right. Interestingly, it was similar to the overhand superman punch Anthony Pettis landed to knock out Thompson five years ago.

    “New Mansa” called out Kamaru Usman after the victory but it seems like the former champ has no intentions of entertaining that fight…

    Kamaru Usman Admits Joaquin Buckley’s Calling Him Out At UFC 307 Was Better Than The Conor McGregor Callout

    In the latest Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru & Henry podcast, Henry Cejudo asked Usman about Buckley calling him out after the impressive KO win at UFC 307. The American fighter is now 5-0 at welterweight and is clearly riding an impressive win streak.

    However, “The Nigerian Nightmare” outright laughed at the callout and asked Buckley to get in line since the latter’s not the only welterweight to call out the former kingpin recently.

    “Take a number and get in line! I believe he’s probably, what, the 10th, 11th guy? I don’t know how many guys have called me out. It is what it is. It’s obviously, like DC said, it’s a more reasonable callout for him because he is on the streak. He’s been doing good work inside there. I believe he was losing that fight and it was just a way to be relentless and find the shot, eventually, to get that finish. So, you know, hats off to him.”

    However, Usman gave Buckley his props for winning against “Wonderboy” in the best way possible. He also agreed with Daniel Cormier that this was a much more sensible callout than his last fight.

    From the looks of it, Buckley will have to yet again wait for his dream opponent. A couple more memorable wins would make him an undeniable title challenger, though.

  • Kamaru Usman Calls Alex Pereira ‘Pound-For-Pound King’ Over Islam Makhachev

    Kamaru Usman Calls Alex Pereira ‘Pound-For-Pound King’ Over Islam Makhachev

    Alex Pereira defended his UFC light heavyweight belt for the third time in 2024 at UFC 307. He stopped Khalil Rountree via TKO in the fourth, further skyrocketing his popularity.

    Pereira’s exciting fighting style and consistency are second to none in the UFC at the moment. With five title fight wins already, he’s solidified his legacy and fans now expect to see him in the heavyweight division or take on Magomed Ankalaev.

    Kamaru Usman has all the praise in the world for “Poatan” after his UFC 307 victory. So much so, that he called the UFC light heavyweight kingpin the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world over Islam Makhachev.

    Kamaru Usman Explains Why Alex Pereira Is His Pound-For-Pound Best Fighter Despite Islam Makhachev Having More Tools

    On the latest episode of the Pound 4 Pound With Kamaru & Henry podcast on YouTube, Usman and Henry Cejudo debated who deserves to be the P4P best fighter after UFC 307. While “Triple C” still gave the title to Makhachev, Usman had a new opinion after “Poatan” dismantled Rountree’s game plan masterfully.

    According to the former UFC welterweight champion, fighters in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions should be judged differently. At anything over 200 pounds, having a strong ground game is a challenge because of the strength and energy required.

    “I have to admit when, and this is a part of being a man, you have to admit when you feel like you’ve made an error. And in the revelation lately, what I’ve come to is, I realized I’ve been judging Alex Pereira based on what I would be judged at. There’s a lot more men that weigh, walk around on this earth close to 170 to 185 pounds.”

    So, Usman no longer holds Pereira accountable for not showcasing his grappling because it is simply not prevalent enough in his weight division. He’s been decimating the top light heavyweight and middleweight contenders with ease, which is enough for “The Nigerian Nightmare” to call him the P4P best UFC fighter.

    Usman broke down the UFC 307 main event and appreciated how Pereira looked calm throughout the fight. Against a dangerous southpaw like Rountree, he decided to rely on his jab instead of the left hook that usually wins him matches.

    “I think he is pound-for-pound king because of the way he’s able to fight. Not the way he’s able to fight but the way he’s able to make his opponents fight and the way he’s able to dispose of his opponents. I love Islam and his abilities, I think Islam of course has more tools in the shed but for what you have to work with, Alex Pereira I believe he’s the pound-for-pound.”

    The UFC welterweight acknowledged that fighters with relentless wrestling like Merab Dvalishvili have been succeeding in the UFC lately. However, he also pointed out that such a fighting style is usually present in lower weight classes, and even Magomed Ankalaev wouldn’t replicate Dvalishvili’s style at light heavyweight.

    “I can’t be biased to the standard that I’m held to. The standard that Islam is held to because there’s a lot more men that weigh Islam’s size and my size than they do Alex Pereira’s size. So, with what Alex Pereira has to work with, he’s disposing of these guys that way so I have to give that to him.”

  • ‘How Scary Is It?’ – Daniel Cormier Imagines ‘Amateur’ Alex Pereira With A Well-Rounded MMA Skillset

    ‘How Scary Is It?’ – Daniel Cormier Imagines ‘Amateur’ Alex Pereira With A Well-Rounded MMA Skillset

    Alex Pereira is easily the biggest star in the UFC right now. Other big names in the promotion are either nearing retirement or losing fights while the Brazilian just keeps showing up every two months and knocking his opponents out.

    Pereira’s UFC 307 title defense against Khalil Rountree was widely regarded as an impressive performance in MMA circles. The UFC light heavyweight kingpin survived the challenger’s best punches and offense in the first two rounds, then broke him down in the third and fourth.

    Pereira boasts a wealth of experience in kickboxing but has become a top draw in MMA within just 14 pro fights. According to Daniel Cormier, if the former UFC middleweight champion keeps improving his skill set, the best might be yet to come…

    Daniel Cormier And Chael Sonnen Discuss Why Alex Pereira Taking Over MMA Doesn’t Make Sense

    During the latest Good Guy / Bad Guy episode on the ESPN MMA YouTube channel, UFC vets Cormier and Chael Sonnen talked about Pereira’s meteoric rise. He’s one of the top pound-for-pound athletes in the UFC, and despite not speaking English, boasts millions of fans worldwide.

    Although many complain that “Poatan” is yet to be tested by a solid grappler, Cormier considers it a silver lining. He believes the Brazilian had already won six title fights with a rather finite skillset and he’s only going to improve from here.

    Pereira has been training with Glover Teixeira throughout his MMA career and the latter is as knowledgeable in grappling and BJJ as it gets. If the UFC champ can add takedown defense and decent grappling to his arsenal as well, Cormier is right in predicting Pereira to be unstoppable. José Aldo is a great example of an elite striker who reached unprecedented heights by mastering the ability to defend takedowns.

    “On Saturday, it seemed like we saw the best Pereira. But did we? We saw a great Pereira doing the thing that he does so well. But he’s an amateur. So, he’s going to get even better. So, now you got a guy that’s a world champ already, with a very limited skillset that every new skill he picks up, is going to just add to his toolbox. Like how scary is it? When we truly, the idea of what we get when Alex Pereira is complete because, right now, as I said, he just won his 10th fight. He only has 12 mixed martial arts fights in total.”

    Indeed, Pereira has yet to face grapplers who can test his ground game properly. For instance, Merab Dvalishvili and Belal Muhammad shut down precise strikers like Sean O’Malley and Leon Edwards, respectively.

    If “Poatan” can get past Magomed Ankalaev or heavyweights like Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones, though, he will undoubtedly become one of the scariest fighters on the planet by far.

  • MMA Analyst Explains How Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 Performance Differed From Win Over Israel Adesanya

    MMA Analyst Explains How Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 Performance Differed From Win Over Israel Adesanya

    Alex Pereira has defended the UFC light heavyweight three times in 2024 while breaking Ronda Rousey’s record of the quickest turnarounds between three title defenses.

    Although many believed Khalil Rountree to be a much easier opponent than former champs Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka, “The War Horse” gave Pereira one of his toughest UFC fights. The challenger won the first two rounds and compelled the champion to make several adjustments.

    Luke Thomas, like countless others, has all the praise in the world for Pereira’s UFC 307 performance. While breaking it down, he explained how “Poatan” handled Rountree and Israel Adesanya in vastly different ways…

    Luke Thomas Breaks Down Alex Pereira’s UFC 307 Win Over Khalil Rountree By Comparing It To His First MMA Win Over Israel Adesanya

    Thomas reacted to the UFC 307 main event on his YouTube channel recently. Right away, he shut down people claiming that the light heavyweight kingpin shouldn’t have faced trouble against the no. 8 ranked person in the division.

    Then, the analyst explained how Rountree forced Pereira to change his traditional game plan that involves inside leg kicks, jabs to the body, head kicks, and most importantly, the left hook. None of these elements seemed to work against “The War Horse” in the first two rounds following which “Poatan” relied on his left jab and gradually mixed things up.

    “I cannot overstate to you how difficult that is for most fighters, including most elite fighters. Most elite fighters have a game. This is what they do. And if that doesn’t work, and they’re still five, ten, 15 minutes, they have no other gear to go to. And in fact, I’m going to say this in a complimentary way, that is what ultimately happened to Khalil Rountree. He had a game and it was very very potent but once Poatan was able to like plug little holes in it and it began to leak, there was no going back.”

    Thomas highlighted how hard it is for fighters, regardless of skill and experience, to ditch their game plan mid-fight. To explain this further, he compared the significant strikes stats for the UFC 307 main event to the first UFC fight between Pereira and Adesanya.

    Against Rountree, the Brazilian landed 72% head strikes, 13% body strikes, and 14% leg kicks. Against Adesanya at UFC 281, he landed 46% head strikes, 29% body strikes, and 24% leg kicks. Although both fights ended similarly, the difference in Pereira’s approach is evident.

    “This is proof positive. He didn’t have to work for the jab [against Adesanya] nearly as much in this one and the jab is obviously relevant to the body too, but. look at how much the jab to the top of the head was absolutely critical.”

  • Stephen Thompson Releases First Statement After Knockout Loss To Joaquin Buckley At UFC 307

    Stephen Thompson Releases First Statement After Knockout Loss To Joaquin Buckley At UFC 307

    Stephen Thompson and Joaquin Buckley fought in the UFC 307 prelims and after two competitive rounds, “Wonderboy” was knocked out in the third. This was just the second KO/TKO loss of his career.

    Interestingly, Buckley took out Thompson with a leaping overhand right preceded by a literal jump. Five years ago, Anthony Pettis launched himself with the help of the cage and knocked out the Karate specialist with a similar bouncing superman punch.

    The former UFC welterweight title challenger was doing great until he wasn’t, though. Here’s what he said after the crushing KO loss at UFC 307…

    Stephen Thompson Looks Back At First KO Loss To Anthony Pettis As Joaquin Buckley Used A Similar Technique At UFC 307

    “Wonderboy” took to Twitter recently to discuss his second UFC loss in a row. He admitted to not remembering how he got to the hotel and was humble in defeat as usual.

    The veteran simply wanted to thank the fans for their continued support. Salt Lake City is known for its energetic crowd which, contrary to many other venues, shows up even before the main card begins. UFC 307 was no different, and Thompson seemed delighted with the fans cheering during his walkout.

    The American fighter also pointed out that both KO losses in his career resulted from overhand rights. While Pettis used the Octagon to gain momentum, Buckley backed up “Wonderboy” against the cage to land the knockout punch.

    “Just got back to the hotel, although we don’t know how I got here. But again, I get knocked out by an overhand. Once by Pettis, either on the cage or off the cage. Either way, it is what it is. I want to say thank you to all of my fans. You guys really showed out for me as I walked out there. You guys have shown me so much support over the years and I really do appreciate it.”

    Based on the scorecards revealed later, it seems like the third round would’ve decided the outcome of the fight. Derek Cleary had it 19-19 going into the third while Sal D’Amato and Stephen Faragher had it 20-18 for Buckley and Thompson, respectively.

  • Sean O’Malley’s Coach Called ‘Hypocrite’ For Supporting Mario Bautista’s UFC 307 Win After Bashing Merab Dvalishvili

    Sean O’Malley’s Coach Called ‘Hypocrite’ For Supporting Mario Bautista’s UFC 307 Win After Bashing Merab Dvalishvili

    Alongside Alex Pereira brutally breaking down Khalil Rountree, a major highlight of UFC 307 was the controversial officiating. Four fighters won via split decision, including Mario Bautista who beat José Aldo.

    Fans didn’t seem happy with Bautista keeping the former UFC featherweight champ in a clinch. The rising bantamweight prospect couldn’t secure a single takedown despite ten attempts and even during the clinch, he prioritized control over damage which was unusual.

    Bautista belongs to the same team as Sean O’Malley and the latter’s coach Tim Welch backed his fighter for trying to win the fight. However, he was instantly called out for doing so…

    Sean O’Malley’s Coach Explains Why Mario Bautista Played It Safe Against José Aldo At UFC 307

    While reacting to UFC 307 on his YouTube channel, Tim Welch looked elated for Bautista winning his seventh fight in a row. With a couple more wins, he can aim to enter the top five and eventually fight for the UFC bantamweight title.

    To be fair, Bautista has always been an active fighter inside the Octagon. His wins over Ricky Simón and Jin Soo Son are great examples of the same. He possesses several tools, including shoulder strikes and knees that work like a charm during a clinch.

    According to Welch, the American fighter kept it safe against Aldo to make sure he won the fight and got the full pay. While this is an understandable take, the coach was instantly called out for heavily criticizing Merab Dvalishvili’s wrestling-heavy game plan against O’Malley.

    “People are pissed about it. But you got to remember, Mario’s got a family and if he loses the fight, he makes half the amount of money he would’ve if he would win the fight. He’s not going to make a crazy amount of money, a big win bonus, if he goes and sits and slugs it out and potentially gets KO’ed by one of the nastiest strikers ever. He went in there with good game plan, he came in in shape, he did what he had to do to win the fight and if you were in that position, you’d probably do the same.”

    Some fans also pointed out that Dvalishvili was more active than Bautista. The UFC bantamweight champion not only secured several takedowns at UFC 306 but also remained active on the ground. So, Welch favoring Bautista after rejecting Dvalishvili didn’t sit well with many.

    Comments on Tim Welch's YouTube video calling him a hypocrite
    Image: Tim Welch on YouTube

    It is worth noting that Welch has recently admitted to “Machine” having a great game plan against O’Malley at UFC 306. However, it seems like most people in the MMA circle still remember him trying to claim “Suga” won and rooting for damage-based scoring in fights.

  • Jon Anik Shares Best Potential Matchups For Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, & Dricus Du Plessis

    Jon Anik Shares Best Potential Matchups For Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, & Dricus Du Plessis

    The UFC middleweight division has changed a lot in the last couple of years. The turmoil that started after Anderson Silva finally lost the belt ended with Israel Adesanya unifying the title and defending it five times.

    Alex Pereira then fired through the ranks to take out Izzy at UFC 281 but “The Last Stylebender” reclaimed his belt at UFC 287 with one of the most iconic knockouts of all time.

    Just when it seemed like Adesanya would be champion for at least a couple more years, Sean Strickland pulled off one of the biggest upsets of all time to become champ. He then lost the belt to Dricus Du Plessis, who’s already defended it once against Adesanya.

    Amidst the unusual turbulence at the top ranks, here’s how the UFC middleweight division should operate according to Jon Anik…

    Jon Anik Backs Sean Strickland As Next UFC Middleweight Title Contender While Suggesting Israel Adesanya vs. Khamzat Chimaev

    Anik claimed the UFC middleweight division to be stronger than ever during an interview on the official The Schmo YouTube channel. When asked about who should fight for the title next, the play-by-play commentator named Strickland.

    “I don’t think it’s hyperbolic or overstating it to suggest that the middleweight division, right now, has never been stronger. Right? Sean Strickland’s a worthy number-one contender. Nassourdine Imavov, on and on it could go!”

    Anik backed his choice by recalling the times Strickland has stepped up for the UFC and citing his recent win over Paulo Costa and the extremely close decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis, the current champ. He also credited the former UFC middleweight kingpin for risking his top 5 ranking against Pereira in 2022.

    “Well, in a straight meritocracy, I’m on record as promoting Sean Strickland because he has repeatedly stepped up for the promotion. Let us not forget he put his number four ranking on the line against Alex Pereira when nobody wanted to fight Poatan. He has stepped into main events against guys, he’s stepped into a five round fight against Paulo Costa. And he fought Dricus Du Plessis toe-to-toe. So in a straight meritocracy, if I’m the promoter, I lean Strickland.”

    Although he’s no longer the champ, Adesanya is still likely the biggest draw in the division. So, when asked about the best matchup for his return, Anik named Chimaev who’s fighting Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. With that match, the former champ should be able to make the most of his star power and help elevate Chimaev’s popularity as well.

    “I think if you’re Izzy, you just lay back in the cut and maybe it’s Khamzat. I mean that’s a fight that I think would have some appeal but Khamzat could be in a championship setting.”

    Anik acknowledged that the match between Whittaker and Chimaev is bound to shake things up. The winner will likely have an undeniable claim to a title shot and it’ll be interesting to see whether Strickland will be overlooked in the process.

  • Former UFC Champ Highlights ‘Weirdest Thing’ About Fighting Alex Pereira

    Former UFC Champ Highlights ‘Weirdest Thing’ About Fighting Alex Pereira

    Alex Pereira will defend his UFC light heavyweight champion against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 this weekend. Winning would help him break Ronda Rousey’s record and make him the UFC champion to defend their belt three times in the shortest duration.

    Pereira’s rise to the top of the sport is unprecedented. He got a title shot at Israel Adesanya after just three fights in the UFC and bagged the middleweight championship by knocking out the long-time champ in the fifth.

    After his only UFC loss to “The Last Stylebender”, “Poatan” has continued his impressive run in the light heavyweight division. According to Daniel Cormier, fighting the Brazilian is a huge mental challenge as well, and Rountree might be already doing better than the likes of Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka…

    Daniel Cormier Gives Khalil Rountree The Edge Over Jamahal Hill And Jiří Procházka Ahead Of UFC 307 Title Fight Against Alex Pereira

    Cormier interviewed Rountree on his YouTube channel recently. When asked about the odds heavily favoring the champion, Rountree stated that people underestimate him because he doesn’t talk trash and is usually respectful during interviews.

    To this, Cormier couldn’t help but bring up how fighters act unusual before taking on Pereira. Hill used several antics to try and get into the UFC light heavyweight kingpin’s head, with DC recalling him trying to break the arrow during Pereira’s walkout at UFC 300. Following the KO loss, Hill has been called out by fans for making excuses as well.

    Prochazka, who’s lost twice to Pereira, recently claimed that the Brazilian uses black magic and spirits to beat his opponents. For someone as stoic as the Czech fighter, these claims were called strange by many.

    Rountree, according to Cormier, doesn’t seem to be acting unusual leading up to his UFC 307 title fight. He’s still the nice guy in interviews and isn’t feeling the pressure of facing an intimidating opponent like Pereira.

    “That’s you, right? That’s you! But, the weirdest thing about Pereira and dealing with Pereira, people start to act like not themselves. So, when he was walking to the Octagon, Jamahal Hill was like reaching over the cage like come on! He’s like very animated. Jiří Procházka is just doing all kind of weird s**t. Jiri doing all kind of crazy s**t up in there. He’s doing this, he’s doing.. Jiri’s just not acting like himself, right?”

  • ‘I Was Crushed’ – Khalil Rountree Shares ‘Super Emotional’ Story Sparring Pre-Strikeforce Daniel Cormier

    ‘I Was Crushed’ – Khalil Rountree Shares ‘Super Emotional’ Story Sparring Pre-Strikeforce Daniel Cormier

    MMA journalist Brett Okamoto left Daniel Cormier in shock by revealing that the former two-division UFC champ had sparred with Khalil Rountree way back in the 2000s. It was in Wanderlei Silva’s gym; both were quite new to MMA.

    Unsurprisingly, Cormier ended up rag-dolling Rountree with his wrestling. “The War Horse” was just starting to train MMA at the time while DC was close to fighting for Strikeforce after representing the USA in the Olympics. It is safe to assume that Rountree wasn’t mentally prepared to be manhandled.

    While Cormier might have treated the sparring session like any other, here’s how it became a significant learning experience for Rountree, who’s now challenging Alex Pereira for the UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 307…

    Khalil Rountree Explains Why Sparring Daniel Cormier Made Him Want To Quit Fighting

    Cormier finally asked Rountree about their decade-old sparring session while interviewing the UFC 307 title challenger on his YouTube channel.

    “The War Horse” revealed that he, alongside DC, weighed in close to 280 pounds which explains why they were expected to spar together. Both UFC veterans were complete MMA amateurs at the time and as soon as Rountree started swinging, DC did what he knew best.

    “I was like, maybe 280, and you were coming in around the same. You were making your transition, about to fight in Strike Force. You came to Wanderlei’s to train. I was swinging and I hit you with some stuff and you picked me up and you slammed me. And you were all over me. I think we did two rounds. After that, I was like super emotional and my boxing coach came over. He wrote your name on a piece of paper, he put it in my shirt, he said go home and watch that on YouTube. And I typed your name, and I was like, ‘”Okay, that’s why!” You slammed me bro, it was like, and I didn’t even have an amateur fight yet.”

    As a big man, Rountree wasn’t used to being slammed and after two rounds, he couldn’t help but be demotivated. His boxing coach informed the UFC light heavyweight about Cormier’s accolades in wrestling which made him feel much better about the sparring session.

    Despite having no MMA experience, Cormier, by this time, had already been an Olympic wrestler and a well-known name in the wrestling community.

    “We were sparring and I was swinging boom, I must have hit you and you picked me and boom! I was crushed coz I was like damn, I’ve never been slammed like that in my life.”

    It’s very amusing to see how Cormier and Rountree crossed paths over a decade before and how different their lives have been since the sparring session. While DC has retired as one of the all-time greats, the latter aims to grab the title at UFC 307 and build a legacy of his own.

  • ‘Rory Is Dying’ – John McCarthy Opens Up About Reffing Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2

    ‘Rory Is Dying’ – John McCarthy Opens Up About Reffing Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2

    Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2 is widely considered one of the, if not the best MMA fight of all time. The first two rounds started slow but the last three will never be removed from MMA history.

    Lawler’s intense stare before the fifth, followed by him securing the finish, is as iconic as it gets. His post-fight interview with the torn lip was like the cherry on top, making the UFC 189 co-main event one of the most memorable fights of all time.

    John McCarthy had the privilege of witnessing this action more closely than anyone else in the world as the referee. However, he’s now revealed a shocking concern as the welterweights continued damaging each other for five rounds…

    “Big” John McCarthy Explains Rory MacDonald’s Life-Threatening Condition When Fighting Robbie Lawler At UFC 189

    McCarthy recently appeared on Tim Welch’s YouTube channel for an episode of Red Hawk Recap. When asked about the hardest fight to ref, he remembered a random heavyweight bout involving an intentional groin shot.

    However, the conversation turned serious when McCarthy expressed his concerns about MacDonald aspirating blood during his fight against Robbie Lawler at UFC 189. Due to the severe nose blockage, “The Red King” couldn’t breathe properly and his blood was sticking to his lungs which could’ve been fatal if not diagnosed properly.

    “I had that with Rory MacDonald with Robbie Lawler. And a lot of people look at that fight, they love the fight. It was an incredible fight, but if you look at it, Rory is dying! During parts of that fight, based upon he’s aspirating blood. which means he’s starting to have the blood stick into his lungs. He’s not swallowing it, he’s breathing it in and now it’s taking his lungs’ ability to dissipate the oxygen.”

    “Big” further explained his dilemma as MacDonald would always be off to a good start after the one-minute rest between rounds. He would then be fatigued for obvious reasons towards the end of these rounds but because this was a title fight, the veteran referee couldn’t make up his mind about stopping it.

    “He would come out every round, just like they normally do and he would do well based upon he now has oxygen. He’s had that minute rest, now that he gets a little tired, now he’s starting to suck air because he can’t breathe through his nose. And he’s starting to breathe through his mouth and now he’s starting to fall off the cliff. But now it gets to the end of the round, all right, he’s made it. Let’s try to see if we can go to the next one. But those are the ones to me that are scary.”

    McCarthy shockingly revealed that during the fight, he was worried about entering the club of referees who’ve had fatal incidents occur inside the ring while they’re refereeing.

    Luckily, the inhuman brawl against Lawler didn’t affect MacDonald in the ways that McCarthy feared. He competed for seven more years and even won a championship in Bellator.

    READ MORE: Prominent MMA Manager Feels Dana White Has Been ‘Playing’ Media With Jon Jones P4P Talk

  • Max Holloway Projects Khalil Rountree To Stop Alex Pereira’s Leg Kicks In Jon Jones Style At UFC 307

    Max Holloway Projects Khalil Rountree To Stop Alex Pereira’s Leg Kicks In Jon Jones Style At UFC 307

    The hype for UFC 307 headlining Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree is steadily rising as the event approaches. Although it is also being called a mismatch because of rankings, the possibility of witnessing a huge upset has many fans on the edge of their seats.

    Underdogs have performed significantly well against UFC champions lately. Be it Leon Edwards against Kamaru Usman, Belal Muhammad against Edwards, or Sean Strickland against Israel Adesanya, there are plenty of recent examples where viewers were shocked by how a fight played out.

    To pull off an upset at UFC 307, Rountree will likely have to deal with Pereira’s leg kicks that have troubled all his past opponents. According to Max Holloway, here’s how the title challenger will avoid getting his legs compromised by the champion…

    Max Holloway Claims Khalil Rountree Has The Tools To Stop Alex Pereira’s Leg Kicks At UFC 307

    Holloway discussed the UFC 307 main event on his YouTube channel recently. “Blessed” believes the Brazilian to be an unstoppable force at light heavyweight and is curious to see whether the latter can break Ronda Rousey’s record for the shortest time between three UFC title defenses.

    Despite understanding why “Poatan” is a huge favorite, Holloway pointed out that the UFC 307 main event could be a much closer fight than it seems. Rountree’s losses to Ion Cuțelaba and Johnny Walker have naturally hurt his brand, but Holloway still considers him a threat.

    “We saw Khalil Rountree. We saw his ups and downs, his losses. He did lose to some guys that he should have probably never lost to but this, this mother sucker brother, he’s an animal bro. He’s just violence bro. And these two guys is just going to be, it’s going to be a violent fight bro. The biggest question is, it’s going to be, I already know what Khalil is going to do. I tell you guys this much, Khalil Rountree is going to try and stop Alex’s leg kick with that front, like, oblique kick. I’m telling you, the one that he’s done, stomped that guy’s knee out of his socket.”

    While predicting the fight to be violent, Holloway mentioned Rountree’s ability to throw dangerous oblique kicks. “The War Horse” started his ongoing five-fight win streak in the UFC by breaking Modestas Bukauskas’ knee with a perfectly executed oblique kick. The fight had to be stopped instantly as it was evident Bukauskas had a displaced knee.

    The former UFC featherweight champion believes that such perfectly timed oblique kicks could be game-changing for Rountree at UFC 307. Jon Jones has popularized this controversial yet effective move over the years. The light heavyweight GOAT has bothered most of his opponents with it, including Quinton Jackson, Alexander Gustafsson, and Thiago Santos.

    Will Rountree surprise Pereira with the kickboxing tools in his arsenal or “Poatan” knock out the challenger cold with ease yet again at UFC 307?

  • MMA Analyst Highlights Tom Aspinall’s ‘Biggest Issue’ & It’s Not Less Cage Time

    MMA Analyst Highlights Tom Aspinall’s ‘Biggest Issue’ & It’s Not Less Cage Time

    Tom Aspinall would be eagerly waiting for UFC 309 featuring Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic as the main event. He’ll either get the chance to grab the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship as the backup fighter, or at the very least, he’ll know who to fight for it in the future.

    Aspinall’s run in the UFC and even his pro MMA career stand out instantly. He’s won all 15 of his MMA fights via a finish and has never entered the third round in his career.

    Till now, Aspinall has proved that he’s miles ahead of every other heavyweight fighter on the planet. While many believe that the lack of cage time and never facing adversity could backfire on the interim champ, MMA analyst Luke Thomas identifies a bigger hole in his game…

    Luke Thomas Shares ‘Bigger Concerns’ With Tom Aspinall Than Short Octagon Fight Time

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeNvjkTyRlU

    On his YouTube channel, Thomas recently discussed Aspinall’s unstoppable rise in the UFC heavyweight division. Contrary to popular opinion, he stated that even if the interim UFC heavyweight champion runs into someone who’ll last more than two rounds, he won’t be bothered as much by things like cardio or lack of experience.

    Instead, according to Thomas, Aspinall’s striking defense could lead to his first UFC loss. He pointed out how the English fighter keeps his chin up while striking and he gets hit frequently which isn’t ideal at heavyweight for obvious reasons.

    So, Aspinall’s head placement and range management in the pocket concerns Thomas about his future in the UFC. Currently, he compensates for these shortcomings through his striking speed and movement. However, if a fight goes longer and he slows down, opponents might find his chin as well.

    “My hunch is that that’s [less cage time] probably not going to be his biggest issue,” Thomas continued, “The bigger issue to me, though, like the one that shows up right away is his striking defense. His striking offense, his ability to connect, his power, his ability to cover distance, his speed is such a weapon that he can just land on anybody so quickly so incredibly. But he gets hit! And he’s got some bad habits about head position in the pocket where with what they call head slot. What slots he occupies -there’s A,B, and C slots. He, you know, his chin is kind of like, this, up, a lot of times. Those to me are bigger concerns. Because yes, if he slows down, then that could be a problem but it would actually only magnify the other part which is that there are defensive striking issues.”

    Aspinall has already beaten most of the top-ranked UFC heavyweights effortlessly. This explains why fans expect him to take on veterans like Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic who might survive the early onslaught and give the interim champ a run for his money.

  • UFC Veteran Picks Justin Gaethje Over Dustin Poirier & Paddy Pimblett As Renato Moicano’s ‘Glaringly Obvious’ Next Opponent

    UFC Veteran Picks Justin Gaethje Over Dustin Poirier & Paddy Pimblett As Renato Moicano’s ‘Glaringly Obvious’ Next Opponent

    Renato Moicano has won four fights in a row for the first time in his UFC career. Headlining UFC Paris couldn’t have been better for the Brazilian as he put a beating on Benoit Saint-Denis in front of the latter’s home crowd and gave an entertaining post-fight interview yet again.

    Moicano has emerged as an anti-hero in the UFC lightweight division. He disses fellow fighters and the crowds but the “Money Moicano” gimmick has sat extremely well with the fans.

    Moicano is arguably at his career best in terms of momentum and popularity right now. According to Chael Sonnen, Justin Gaethje is the ideal next opponent for the American Top Team fighter…

    Chael Sonnen Explains How Justin Gaethje Could Make Renato Moicano A UFC Star

    Sonnen discussed Moicano’s next UFC opponent on his YouTube channel recently. Although the UFC Paris winner called out the likes of Dan Hooker and Paddy Pimblett in his post-fight interview, “The American Gangster” has many reasons to believe that Gaethje is a better matchup.

    “Moicano’s next fight is Justin Gaethje. Now, that is exactly what my response would be. For me, that’s like glaringly obvious.”

    For starters, Gaethje is coming off a loss but he’s still one of the biggest draws in the promotion. The fight with Moicano gives the former title challenger hope to restart his run while for the Brazilian, it is a great opportunity to make himself known to as many mainstream fans as possible.

    “If you got over on Dustin Poirier, you could then do anything. Fight for titles, main events, there’d be no argument that you couldn’t fit nicely into. And, Justin Gaethje brings those same accolades but there’s one difference which is you don’t have to be as careful with the bookings of Gaethje because he is not a in a situation where he’s saying my next one is my final.”

    With a win over Gaethje, Moicano will have a name big enough to headline most of his events and even fight for the title. Sonnen’s thought process here isn’t new, to be fair. The UFC usually pits rising stars against veterans to build new names.

    This is where Moicano’s age comes in, though. He’s not a prospect and in fact, has been in the UFC for over ten years. At 35, he’s likely on his final title run at lightweight and would want the biggest matchups out there.

    According to Sonnen, Gaethje makes more sense than Poirier because “The Diamond” is adamant about retiring after his next fight and he might be hesitant to agree to Moicano who’s yet to become a top draw.

    Sonnen also declined Pimblett as a potential opponent for Moicano because they both portray a likable heel personality. Instead of booking them against each other and derailing at least one hype train, the UFC would want to build them both and capitalize on a much bigger fight later on.