MMA News

Author: Harry Kettle

  • Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul: Former UFC Champion Questions The Validity of Boxing Match

    Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul: Former UFC Champion Questions The Validity of Boxing Match

    Former UFC champion Tito Ortiz has questioned the validity of the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.

    Just a matter of months ago, Mike Tyson came out of retirement for a boxing match against none other than Jake Paul. On paper, that would’ve seemed like a crazy idea less than a decade ago – but we live in strange times. Influencer boxing has become quite the thing over the years off the back of Paul, KSI and, originally, Joe Weller.

    In the present day, everyone is pretty annoyed about what went down between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. ‘The Problem Child’ was able to pick up the victory but given Mike’s age and general health, it wasn’t considered particularly legitimate. Some people even speculated that it could’ve been staged, with Tyson being paid to lose to Paul, holding back from showing the kind of true power that he once had in his prime.

    That includes Tito Ortiz, who had the following to say about Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul in a recent interview.

    Tito Ortiz’s view on Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul

    “I was kind of bummed. I wanted Tyson to knock out Jake Paul. And I saw him pull some punches. I’m not saying that it was fixed, but I questioned a lot of it. I thought Tyson had a lot more.”

    Will any kind of fight like this ever happen again? If Jake Paul has anything to say about it, then the answer is probably going to be yes.

  • Khalil Rountree Jr vs Jamahal Hill: Jiri Prochazka wasn’t impressed

    Khalil Rountree Jr vs Jamahal Hill: Jiri Prochazka wasn’t impressed

    UFC light heavyweight Jiri Prochazka has given his interesting thoughts on Khalil Rountree Jr‘s recent win over Jamahal Hill.

    Later this year at UFC 320, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr will collide in a blockbuster light heavyweight contest. There’s a whole lot of excitement in the air regarding this encounter, with many believing that the winner will receive another crack at the belt.

    Recently, Khalil Rountree Jr was able to defeat Jamahal Hill in a comprehensive, impressive performance. As it turns out, though, Prochazka wasn’t overly impressed.

    Jiri Prochazka on Khalil Rountree Jr’s win over Jamahal Hill

    “A very careful performance, patient,” Prochazka said of Rountree’s win over Hill on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “My opinion, I don’t like that. I don’t like that performance because he gave Jamahal too many chances to be back in the fight, a chance to win the fight. He had many chances to finish him decisively. So, that was really not good from him. He was very patient.

    “What surprised me was Jamahal Hill’s performance. I thought after a lot of trash talking, he would show a much better fight than he showed. It was strange from Khalil that he let him recover and still survive the fight, and Jamahal didn’t show anything, and he was still too self confident after the fight. If you want to fight on the top level, go there and show your best, totally, no regrets.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

    Who are you backing here? Let us know, fight fans.

  • Ciryl Gane has different priorities ahead of Tom Aspinall title fight, says fellow UFC heavyweight

    Ciryl Gane has different priorities ahead of Tom Aspinall title fight, says fellow UFC heavyweight

    UFC heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane may not be fully focused on his UFC 321 main event against Tom Aspinall, says fellow UFC heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida.

    As we know, Ciryl Gane will face off against Tom Aspinall for the UFC heavyweight championship later this year. There’s a lot of intrigue surrounding this contest given the respective styles of both men, and nobody really knows how it’s going to go for sure – although, if there was a favorite, it’d probably be Tom Aspinall.

    For Ciryl Gane, it’s all about proving that he can really reach that next level in the heavyweight division. In a recent interview, the aforementioned Jailton Almeida had some interesting thoughts.

    Ciryl Gane questioned by Jailton Almeida

    “I’m pretty sure that Aspinall beats Gane,” Almeida said on “The Ariel Helwani Show” through an interpreter. “It seems like Gane has other priorities in his life right now, and once you’re fighting at this level there can’t be no other priority. 

    “If you’re fighting at this level, if you’re fighting for the heavyweight crown of the UFC, you have to be all in, and it doesn’t seem like that’s the case for Gane right now. I get it that he’s taking it because who’s not going to take another title fight for the heavyweight belt? But I think his priorities are in a different place now.”

    “I’m very strategic, I’m probably more explosive than anybody that he’s faced, especially on the grappling side of things,” Almeida said. “I think it would probably develop as a grappling fight. He is a BJJ black belt, but there’s levels to being a black belt. I think that I’ll be able to take him into deep waters once we get to the grappling side of things.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Khamzat Chimaev’s Secret Training Will Out-Cardio Dricus Du Plessis According to Former UFC Champion

    Khamzat Chimaev’s Secret Training Will Out-Cardio Dricus Du Plessis According to Former UFC Champion

    According to former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw, Khamzat Chimaev‘s new training regime could be the difference for him against Dricus du Plessis.

    As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is one of the most talented fighters on the planet. However, one big question has always been his cardio. We all know that he’s good enough to beat the very best, but more often than not, he does so in the first couple of rounds.

    So, how is he going to prepare for someone like Dricus du Plessis who seems to have a pretty good gas tank? In a recent podcast appearance, TJ Dillashaw discussed Khamzat Chimaev’s new training.

    TJ Dillashaw’s view on Khamzat Chimaev’s new regime

    “Not only does Sam train you to be a freak of cardio, but he’s going to help Khamzat make weight the right way. His algorithms for water displacement are next level. As long as Khamzat comes in at the right weight and hydrated on Sunday, the rest is all about taking the 

    weight off safely, just like we always did in my camps.”

    “I said the reason why Chimaev wouldn’t win is because of his cardio. But when you fix the way you’re training, and train that lactic threshold so your body isn’t gassing, you can push pace and go for five rounds. If Khamzat gets his cardio right, he wins. If not, DDP is going to put him away late.”

    “You have to break yourself in practice. You’ve got to bring in enough guys to break you. If you’re not getting beat up in training, you’re not at the right spot. That’s what Khamzat needs — to be broken in the gym, so fight night is easy.”

  • Reinier de Ridder Explains Attitude: How Does a Fighter Continue when ‘Everything Hurts’?

    Reinier de Ridder Explains Attitude: How Does a Fighter Continue when ‘Everything Hurts’?

    UFC middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder has explained how fighters get through the pain of competing and training regularly in mixed martial arts.

    When you talk about top challengers to the UFC middleweight championship, Khamzat Chimaev is obviously the first name that comes to mind given that he’s set to challenge for the title in a few short weeks. Beyond that, though, Reinier de Ridder isn’t too far behind in the wake of his split decision victory over Robert Whittaker.

    While it was seen as a controversial win by many, Reinier de Ridder was still able to prove that he can hang with the very best in the division. Now, you’d have to imagine that he’ll earn a crack at the winner of the aforementioned title fight.

    In a recent interview with Demetrious Johnson, Reinier de Ridder gave a few interesting thoughts on what it’s like to be a fighter and what it’s like to battle through some of the more painful moments of that process.

    Reinier de Ridder explains dealing with pain in MMA

    “Everything hurts, but you learn to live with training pain and keep pushing forward.”

    “The key to success in MMA is having good training partners consistently; Florida offers endless good bodies and coaches.”

    “I’m trying to do all my recovery work right—ice baths, hyperbaric chambers, UV light—I’ve got to take care of my body to keep going.”

    One thing we know for sure is that RDR is as tough as they come, and it’ll be exciting to see what he does next.

  • Tito Ortiz Calls Politics “The most vicious stuff in the world – Don’t Do It!”

    Tito Ortiz Calls Politics “The most vicious stuff in the world – Don’t Do It!”

    Former UFC star Tito Ortiz has spoken about his political run, noting that he wouldn’t recommend for others to do it.

    Throughout the course of his mixed martial arts run, Tito Ortiz was a fantastic fighter and a big star, especially in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was involved in some incredible rivalries and incredible moments but in recent years, he’s been best known for some of his strange and often outlandish comments.

    Either way, Tito Ortiz is a character – and he’s a character that actually wound up doing okay in the world of politics. He was a member of the Huntington Beach City Council for six months, eventually resigning after a series of disputes within the council.

    In a recent interview, Tito Ortiz wasn’t afraid to give his honestly opinion on what being in politics is actually like.

    Tito Ortiz discusses his political run

    “No! Don’t do it. I did it—do not do it. It’s the most vicious stuff in the world. You gotta have a strong team. I like to make everybody happy, and you just can’t. Hats off to the politicians, but I live in Florida now—best move I ever did. My kids are happy, I’m coaching wrestling, and the people here are really, really good.”

    Ortiz is always bound to fly in the face of controversy from time to time, but it’s good to hear that he seems to be enjoying his life. Long may it continue for a man who, in many ways, was a real pioneer.

  • Luke Rockhold on Sean Strickland: “Bend him over and make him call me daddy”

    Luke Rockhold sent a pretty interesting ‘threat’ to Sean Strickland about a possible fight between the two men in the future.

    As we know, the UFC – and mixed martial arts – days are over for Luke Rockhold. In the present, he’s preparing to face off against Darren Till in the realm of influencer boxing with Misfits. Their collision will go down at the end of August and while many aren’t big fans of the Misfits model, there’s no denying that they’ve been able to lure in some interesting names, and this contest is no different.

    One thing that Luke Rockhold has never been afraid to do is talk trash. He’s a former UFC champion, he’s been involved in some huge fights at 185 pounds, and he’s had some legendary rivalries over the years. At this point in his career, though, he needs a big performance in order to prove that he can still get the job done athletically.

    In a recent interview, Rockhold had the following to say when discussing the likes of Mike Perry and Sean Strickland.

    Luke Rockhold makes a series of wild statements

    “I’d like to clean up Perry’s little ass. Wax that, lubricate him a little bit, you know what I mean? Get that thing nice and wet and just rip it up. Jake, if you want to fight a real fighter, we could take Jake. I don’t really like Strickland. Maybe bend him over and make him call me daddy.”

    Make of these comments what you will, fight fans.

  • Is Tim Kennedy a Fraud? UFC Coaches Weigh-In on Stolen Valor

    MMA and military veteran Tim Kennedy has admitted to lying about awarded the Bronze Star with Valor – and Eric Nicksick, among many others, isn’t happy about it.

    Over the course of the last few weeks, Tim Kennedy has been receiving a great deal of criticism after admitting that he lied about his Bronze Star with Valor award. As you can imagine, given the patriotic nature of the United States and the importance of the military in that role, people weren’t happy.

    Tim Kennedy had a perfectly solid mixed martial arts career and did a lot when it comes to his military career too, but this is the kind of lie that can tarnish your reputation in more ways than one.

    In a recent episode of their podcast, Eric Nicksick and his producer Randy Faehnrich couldn’t help but speak about the matter.

    Eric Nicksick and Randy Faehnrich discuss Tim Kennedy

    “Tim Kennedy stole valor. He lied about his Bronze Star with Valor, purple heart – all this was a lie. And it’s always the loudest, most patriotic ones who end up doing the most unpatriotic things.”

    “He wrote a book—book was great—but what if the whole thing is lies? Now, five years ago, guys in the industry were already saying he wasn’t telling the truth.”

    “At that level, you just can’t. When you make millions off this lie, where does that money go? Meanwhile, the rest of your unit, who lived these missions, gets nothing.”

    “The military takes this seriously—and there’s now an investigation underway. Tim Kennedy admitted: ‘I want to take full and unequivocal responsibility for a serious mistake.’”

    “It’s sad. You have a great, honorable career, but now you’re ostracized from the community. Why risk your whole reputation and brotherhood?”

    “There’s so much money made off books, movies, speaking tours—meanwhile, the real guys stay silent. Sometimes, embellishment becomes part of that influencer culture, but outright lying is a line you can’t cross.”

  • Is Ilia Topuria Pulling a Jon Jones and Ducking the Top Contender? Former Champs Weighs-in

    Is Ilia Topuria Pulling a Jon Jones and Ducking the Top Contender? Former Champs Weighs-in

    UFC commentator Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on the theory that Ilia Topuria is ducking Arman Tsarukyan in a manner similar to Jon Jones ducking Tom Aspinall.

    As we know, Ilia Topuriais one of the scariest fighters on the planet right now. He is the UFC lightweight champion, having won the belt by knocking Charles Oliveira out cold. As we look ahead to the future, it certainly seems as if the options are limitless for him – either at 155 pounds, above, or below.

    Right now, there are a few main contenders in the running to face Ilia Topuria for the belt. One of them is Arman Tsarukyan, who has been incredibly vocal in letting the masses know that he wants to battle ‘El Matador’.

    Following a recent back and forth in which Topuria declared that he’d rather vacate the belt than defend it against Arman, Michael Bisping decided to weigh in on the situation.

    Michael Bisping’s view on Ilia Topuria

    “The question is, is Ilia Topuria pulling a Jon Jones? Because Arman Tsarukyan is a real threat to anybody. He is a tremendous fighter… He can do it all. He’s got the striking, the wrestling, the cardio, the strength. He’s very young. He’s in his prime. The man’s an absolute monster.”

    “Ilia Topuria said if the UFC made him fight Arman Tsarukyan, he would vacate the belt. ‘I’m never going to give him a chance to fight for the title. I will be like—listen, if that’s the case, take my belt.’ He doesn’t want to fight him. He wants nothing to do with Arman Tsarukyan.”

  • Claressa Shields Asks Why Would I Fight ‘Ugly’ Cris Cyborg when She Can’t Box?

    Claressa Shields Asks Why Would I Fight ‘Ugly’ Cris Cyborg when She Can’t Box?

    Boxing icon Claressa Shields has given her thoughts on potentially fighting MMA/boxing star Cris Cyborg at some point in the future.

    For the longest time now, Claressa Shields has been seen as one of the best female boxers in the sport. On the flip side, Cris Cyborg is one of the best female mixed martial artists ever. Of course, both have crossed over into the other’s dominant sport, but up to this point in time they’ve never fought one another.

    Professionally, that is. They’ve sparred in the past but right now, given where they’re at in their careers, it doesn’t seem overly likely that we’re going to get Claressa Shields vs Cris Cyborg.

    With that being said, Claressa Shields actually had the following to say about a potential matchup – and she didn’t hold back.

    Claressa Shields takes a shot at Cris Cyborg

    “Cris Cyborg is not vocal about [expletive]. She’s a hater and she’s ugly.”

    “She wanted me to go down to 47 and fight her with 12-ounce gloves or some bull crap. She doesn’t really want to fight.”

    “She’s fighting girls who are trash in boxing, girls who the commission wouldn’t even let get inside the ring with me for sparring. I should have knocked her out when we sparred, but we were friends.”

    “Cris Cyborg cannot box.”

    Shields is still only 30 years of age whereas Cyborg is 40. Who knows, maybe it’ll happen one day – but for now, trash talk is all that we’re going to get.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Will Not Struggle to Finish Dricus Du Plessis According UFC Icon

    Khamzat Chimaev Will Not Struggle to Finish Dricus Du Plessis According UFC Icon

    Khamzat Chimaev will be able to pick up a finish when he battles Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, says former UFC legend Tito Ortiz.

    As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is set to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship in just a few short weeks. While du Plessis is certainly more than capable of retaining his title, ‘Borz’ has been on quite the rise to prominence in the last few years. He’s been backed to pick up the victory and claim the gold by a lot of people, and it’ll be interesting to see how the fight unfolds.

    For Khamzat Chimaev, it’s all about going out there and executing the perfect game plan. If he can do that, then he will be well on his way to becoming champion.

    In a recent interview, Tito Ortiz of all people weighed in on how this contest is likely to play out.

    Tito Ortiz’s view on Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland

    “I think Chimaev overwhelms him in three or four rounds. I’ve watched him; he’s so tough. He had training camp at Jackson, training with Rampage, and he’s the real deal. He can shoot a double-leg from half the cage and still take a guy down. He’s just vicious.”

    As for du Plessis, you’d have to imagine he’s just going to approach it like another day at the office. Regardless of whether he wins or loses, he’s going to put his best foot forward – which should make for one of the most intense fights of the year thus far.

  • Islam Makhachev’s coach agrees with Khabib that Jack Della Maddalena is his toughest fight

    Islam Makhachev’s coach agrees with Khabib that Jack Della Maddalena is his toughest fight

    Islam Makhachev‘s coach Javier Mendez agrees with Khabib Nurmagomedov that Jack Della Maddalena will be the toughest opponent of Islam’s career thus far.

    As we know, Islam Makhachev has vacated his UFC lightweight championship in order to pursue a world title in a second weight class. He’ll be doing so up at welterweight, and in all likelihood, he’ll be facing Jack Della Maddalena for the belt – the current world champion.

    Recently, Khabib Nurmagomedov noted that he believes Jack Della Maddalena is a tougher opponent for Islam Makhachev than Ilia Topuria.

    As it turns out, Javier Mendez agrees with that theory, saying the following when it comes to Islam Makhachev’s chances in the bout.

    Javier Mendez’s thoughts on Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena

    “I’m going to have to one million percent agree with Khabib, I think this is our toughest test,” Mendez told MMA Junkie. “This is my and Khabib’s biggest responsibility to make sure we get Islam in tip-top shape and ready to do what we think and what we believe he will do, and that’s win, but it’s not going to be easy.

    “If we make it look easy, it’s because we were properly prepared, and Jack just happened to give us what we needed, but this is by no means a walkover fight. This is a really tough fight, and we have immense respect for Jack and their team and what they can do.”

    “I think what makes JDM so dangerous No. 1 is he’s unbeaten for quite a while,” Mendez said. “He’s had quite a long win streak, and the fact that this guy mixes it up extremely well. He goes to the body, to the head, and he doesn’t just stick to head hunting. He mixes it all up. He goes body, punch, then also the kick comes.

    “With him, his takedown defense is really, really good also. So, we are not in a situation where we can think we’re going to go to the ground. No, we got to see what he’s going to give us, and probably we’re going to have to make him give us something because I don’t know if he’s going to. He’s really that good.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Dana White praises Hulk Hogan following his death aged 71

    Dana White praises Hulk Hogan following his death aged 71

    UFC boss Dana White has praised Hulk Hogan in the wake of his passing at the age of 71.

    As we know, Dana White has been a big supporter of US president Donald Trump over the years. Another man who has jumped on that train in recent times is Hulk Hogan, the legendary figure from the world of professional wrestling. This has led to a few interactions between the two, which makes sense, given that they’ve both been under the TKO umbrella that is home to UFC and WWE.

    Unfortunately, news broke yesterday that Hogan had passed away at the age of 71. This led to an outpouring of reactions from the pro wrestling and MMA community – both positive and negative, depending on your perception of his incredibly controversial past.

    In a recent interview, Dana White gave his own thoughts on the impact Hogan had on his own life.

    Dana White reacts to Hulk Hogan’s passing

    “I’m 55 years old, so I grew up right in that (time) when the WWF was massive and Hulk was becoming a really big star,” White said on FOX News. “I watched the WWF back then, and I was a Hulk Hogan fan.”

    “When I got there, they walked me literally right into a holding room where they had me and Kid Rock,” White said. “On the way to my room, Hulk Hogan grabbed me and asked me if he could talk to me privately for a second. He pulled me aside, and you know, I’ll never forget that conversation that we had that night. He was a good man, he was special. He loved the president and obviously, he loved America.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Gilbert Burns reveals he is in concussion protocol

    Gilbert Burns reveals he is in concussion protocol

    UFC star Gilbert Burns has revealed that he is current in concussion protocol, but that when he returns, he’s interested in a fight against Daniel Rodriguez.

    Gilbert Burns is an absolute warrior and that’s been the case throughout the course of his UFC career. He even managed to compete for the welterweight title, causing Kamaru Usman some serious problems before ultimately losing via finish.

    Now, however, Gilbert Burns has lost four on the bounce. At the age of 39, some have wondered whether or not he’ll carry on competing in the UFC – but it certainly seems as if that’s his plan.

    In a recent interview, Gilbert Burns spoke openly about his current situation and what he wants next.

    Gilbert Burns looks ahead to the future

    “I’m looking toward December,” Burn told MMA Junkie. “I had a little concussion, I’m still not able to come back, so I’ve still got to get a few more things in the protocol to get able to get back to training. I’ve still got to take it easy a bit. It was a hard one, but I’m looking toward December. I just saw Daniel Rodriguez just got a nice win against Kevin Holland. He’s ranked now. I think that should be a fun one. Me and Daniel Rodriguez in December, maybe January.”

    “Let’s see how the concussion protocol goes,” Burns said. “That’s one I’m looking forward to. With the brain you can’t play it all. We’ve got to take it most serious. Most likely December or January. Let’s see how it goes.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Ilia Topuria is not unbeatable, says former UFC opponent

    UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell has said that he believes Ilia Topuria is beatable – even if he wasn’t able to get the job done when they fought.

    As we know, Ilia Topuria is an absolute monster, and he’s one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts today. He is a two-weight world champion in the UFC, and somehow, it feels like he’s only just getting started. ‘El Matador’ has managed to knock off some huge names across his last few fights but prior to that, he also fought some decent competition at featherweight.

    That includes Bryce Mitchell, at a time when both men were rising up through the ranks pretty quickly. In the end, it was Ilia Topuria who got the better of their exchanges, eventually securing a submission win.

    Ahead of his return to the cage this weekend, Bryce Mitchell spoke to reporters about Ilia Topuria and the possibility of him facing Islam Makhachev.

    Bryce Mitchell’s view on Ilia Topuria

    “If Islam gets on top of him, he’s in trouble,” Mitchell told MMA Junkie and other reporters during Wednesday’s media day. “He (Topuria) hits harder and better, and is just more precise at punching than Makhachev. That’s why he’s got so many knockouts. You tell Arman I was as sick as a dog in that fight, and if it was a proper fight – I should have let the fans know I probably shouldn’t have took the fight. Anyways, I won’t fight sick again.

    “That’s the one fight that bothers me to this day. I can’t believe I let my pride get the best of me, and I took that fight. But yeah, if Arman gets him down, he’ll do great. What’s great about Ilia is his shot selection, and he doesn’t waste his energy. He’s very, very good at conserving his energy, but he is not unbeatable, bro. I blacked his eye on a night when I didn’t have no power in my arms. If I had gone in there healthy, he’d have two black eyes.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Dakota Ditcheva is Ready for a Super-Fight against Valentina Shevchenko “History Making”

    Dakota Ditcheva is Ready for a Super-Fight against Valentina Shevchenko “History Making”

    PFL sensation Dakota Ditcheva has made it clear that she’d be interested in a superfight against Valentina Shevchenko.

    As we know, Dakota Ditcheva is easily one of the most exciting fighters in women’s mixed martial arts right now and that’s been the case for quite some time. She continues to thrive under the PFL umbrella and while many want to see her make the switch over to the UFC, she’s decided to continue plying her trade with the PFL, recently signing a new deal with the promotion.

    Of course, given her flyweight success, Dakota Ditcheva has often been linked with an eventual superfight against the one and only Valentina Shevchenko. It doesn’t seem like it’s going to be happening anytime soon, but the masses still want to see it.

    In a recent interview, Dakota Ditcheva spoke about the possibility of that bout coming to fruition.

    Dakota Ditcheva looks ahead to possible superfight

    “I don’t know if UFC super-fight is in my immediate future, but if PFL champ versus UFC champ happens, I’m happy to do it. That would be a serious, history-making fight.”

    Ditcheva has many years ahead of her in MMA as she celebrates her 27th birthday today. As far as the UFC is concerned, you’d have to imagine they’ll be keeping a close eye on her – and with so much potential clearly yet to be brought to the forefront, we can’t imagine they’ll turn their nose up at signing her one day.

    Will Valentina still be at the top? We’ll have to wait and see.

  • Tony Ferguson Calls Out 110% of MMA Fans Over His Upcoming Boxing Venture

    Tony Ferguson Calls Out 110% of MMA Fans Over His Upcoming Boxing Venture

    Former UFC fighter Tony Ferguson has gone on a rant against those who have criticized his decision to compete in a boxing match against Salt Papi.

    On August 30th, Tony Ferguson will make his return to active competition – but not in mixed martial arts. He will fight on a Misfits Boxing card, and he’ll do so against Salt Papi, who is a pretty popular figure within that sub-genre of the sport.

    As we know, Tony Ferguson will forever be known as one of the greatest lightweight fighters of his generation. He did some wonderful things in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, including going on an amazing 12-fight win streak. Unfortunately, ‘El Cucuy’ ended his UFC tenure by going on an eight-fight losing run, with five of those defeats coming via finish.

    Ahead of this fight against Salt Papi, Tony Ferguson had the following to say to those who have gone after him for this move.

    Tony Ferguson unloads on critics

    “90% of the f***ing comments out there are saying that I’m washed up, I’m old, and I should f***ing retire… They’re saying that because they can’t f***ing do this s*** that I’m doing.

    “The other 20% is saying that Salt Papi is gonna knock me out, so 100% of you bitches are out there hating on me. You know what? That’s more fuel for my fire.”

    He may not be what he once was, but Ferguson seems to be as determined as ever to try and put on a show for the fans.

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov: Jon Jones’ Legacy “Will Always Have Questions”

    Khabib Nurmagomedov: Jon Jones’ Legacy “Will Always Have Questions”

    UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has questioned what kind of legacy Jon Jones will leave behind in the world of mixed martial arts.

    Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the most respected MMA fighters of all time. He accomplished some truly incredible things throughout the course of his career, including going 29-0, becoming UFC lightweight champion, and generally being viewed as one of the most dominant fighters to ever walk through the doors of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

    Khabib Nurmagomedov has been retired for five years now and a lot of people still put him in the conversation of greatest of all time. Of course, someone else who features pretty prominently in that is none other than Jon Jones.

    In a recent podcast appearance, Khabib Nurmagomedov gave his thoughts on the legacy of Jon Jones now that he’s walked away from the sport.

    Khabib Nurmagomedov questions Jon Jones’ legacy

    “Legacy and achievement are two different things, a lot of people confuse those two concepts.”

    “What is legacy? Legacy is when kids look at you and feel inspired by you.”

    “As a fighter, he’s the best. As a person, in terms of inspiration, character, when it comes to personal qualities, there will always be questions.”

    “As an athlete, he reached greatness. He has no equal but there will always be questions about doping, whether he was caught or not, and yes, he was caught. That’s a fact.”

    Who knows, maybe ‘Bones’ will decided to try and climb the mountain once again. We’ll have to wait and see.

  • Robert Whittaker: Dana White Bought Me New Teeth After Khamzat Chimaev Smashed Them

    Robert Whittaker: Dana White Bought Me New Teeth After Khamzat Chimaev Smashed Them

    UFC star Robert Whittaker has said that UFC boss Dana White helped pay for new teeth following his defeat to Khamzat Chimaev.

    As we know, Robert Whittaker is set to return this weekend as he prepares to battle Reinier de Ridder at UFC Abu Dhabi. In his last outing, though, he was beaten pretty badly by Khamzat Chimaev, who inflicted a nasty jaw injury on him.

    Robert Whittaker is an absolute warrior and we all know that to be true, but most human beings would struggle to deal with the kind of pressure that Khamzat puts you under.

    In a recent interview, Robert Whittaker revealed that Dana White definitely had his back after the incident.

    Robert Whittaker reveals kind Dana White gesture

    “My teeth? They’re better than before, better looking even. Uncle Dana paid for the implants. It was a work injury.”

    For Robert Whittaker, the focus now is on Reinier de Ridder and attempting to make his case for still being an elite middleweight contender. We all know that he’s good enough to mix it up with the very best but at this point in his career, he’s sustained a fair bit of damage.

    As for Dana White, we hope to see him carry on this trend of helping out fighters as much as he possibly can. Who knows, maybe we’ll even see things change in the fighter pay department.

    Either way, we’re just glad that ‘The Reaper’ is back doing what he loves – and long may it continue.

  • Dakota Ditcheva: Laura Sanko Says the UFC Needs “Violent Cinderella”

    Dakota Ditcheva: Laura Sanko Says the UFC Needs “Violent Cinderella”

    UFC commentator Laura Sanko wants to see Dakota Ditcheva join the promotion sooner rather than later.

    As we know, Dakota Ditcheva is one of the biggest stars in women’s mixed martial arts today. That’s saying something, too, given that she has yet to step foot into the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s octagon.

    Instead, Dakota Ditcheva has been making a name for herself in the PFL. It’s all been smooth sailing so far and as we look ahead to the future, it certainly seems as if she’s gearing up to become the new face of the promotion – if she isn’t already.

    In a recent video, the aforementioned Laura Sanko made it known that she’s very interested in seeing Dakota Ditcheva make the switch over to the UFC.

    Laura Sanko wants Dakota Ditcheva in UFC

    “For me, it’s Dakota Ditcheva. What a fighter. Talk about a women’s division needing a superstar… She is a violent Cinderella. Bring her to the UFC as soon as you possibly can.”

    Ditcheva is set to turn 27 years of age tomorrow and you’d think that she would be interested in making her way over to the UFC at this point in her career. Alas, perhaps she wants the best deal possible, and would rather make as much money and build as much hype as she can with the PFL before the jump.

    Either way, Dakota has the potential to do some incredible things in the sport, and it’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out (sorry Dana).

  • Paulo Costa Slams ‘One Dimensional’ Khamzat Chimaev: “I’m coming for you”

    Paulo Costa Slams ‘One Dimensional’ Khamzat Chimaev: “I’m coming for you”

    UFC middleweight Paulo Costa has reiterated his desire to square off with Khamzat Chimaev as the rivalry between the two men continues to intensify.

    As we know, Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev aren’t big fans of one another. It certainly seems like they’re both interested in the idea of squaring off but right now, their paths don’t quite align. Costa is coming off the back of a win over Roman Kopylov, whereas Chimaev is just a matter of weeks away from challenging Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship.

    There are lots of interesting things happening at 185 pounds right now and this is certainly one of them. For Paulo Costa, this is an incredibly personal matter – but it’s not quite clear as to whether or not Khamzat sees it the same way. Whatever the case may be, it’s hard not to be drawn in and be intrigued by their rivalry.

    In a recent interview, Paulo Costa once again went after Khamzat Chimaev and made it known that he’s coming after him.

    Paulo Costa calls out Khamzat Chimaev

    “Khamzat’s game is so one-dimensional—he shoots for the legs instantly. Everyone knows that.”

    Will these two ever see eye to eye? It certainly seems unlikely. Will they ever fight? Potentially. Will it be an official contest sanctioned by the UFC? It’s hard to say. One thing we know is this: we need at least one press conference with these two throwing verbal bombs at each other, and we need it yesterday.

  • Reinier de Ridder will stay ready if he beats Robert Whittaker in case of UFC 319 drama

    Reinier de Ridder will stay ready if he beats Robert Whittaker in case of UFC 319 drama

    UFC star Reinier de Ridder is ready to take on a late notice UFC middleweight title shot if called upon – and, of course, if he’s able to get through Robert Whittaker.

    On Saturday night, Reinier de Ridder will battle Robert Whittaker in what is easily the biggest fight of his UFC career. If he wins, then he will be vaulted straight into UFC title contention – which says a lot about just how far he’s come in such a short period of time.

    Of course, nothing is guaranteed, but Reinier de Ridder is flying right now in a manner that is similar to the rise of current champion Dricus du Plessis. DDP is set to defend his belt next month against Khamzat Chimaev, but if something happens to one of the two men in that main event, RDR has made it clear that he’s ready to step up.

    Reinier de Ridder is ready for potential last minute title shot

    “If I can do it well, and do it spectacularly, I think I have something to say about the title as well,” de Ridder said about his fight. “I think I can strike with him. I think I can wrestle with him and I think I can definitely choke him out.

    “The most important thing is that I play my game. I put the pressure on him. I get close to him and that I don’t give him too much space to do what he does best.”

    “Let me do it right first but I think if I can do well, and I can finish him spectacularly, I think I have something to say about the title,” de Ridder said. “Or maybe Khamzat pulls out last minute and that would be even better.

    “We’ll see. It’s not going to be a lot of work because it’s only two weeks later. But yeah, I think so [I’ll stay ready just in case].”

    Quotes via MMA Fighting

  • Justin Gaethje doubles down on push for UFC lightweight title shot

    Justin Gaethje doubles down on push for UFC lightweight title shot

    UFC star Justin Gaethje has made it crystal clear that above all else, there’s one thing he truly wants and desires: another shot at the UFC lightweight championship.

    We all know that Justin Gaethje is one of the most exciting fighters of his generation. In addition to that, he’s also one of the most accomplished lightweights of his era. What he’s failed to do up to this point, though, is capture the UFC lightweight championship – which is something he wants to rectify before he hangs up his gloves for good.

    Justin Gaethje has made it known in the recent past that he wants a crack at the lightweight belt, and that he believes he deserves it. While there’s every chance it’s going to happen, ‘The Highlight’ seems to have been at a bit of a stalemate with the UFC.

    Recently, there’s even been talk of him facing Paddy Pimblett in a title eliminator. For Justin Gaethje, however, that simply isn’t an option.

    Justin Gaethje continues to pursue title shot

    “Absolutely not (fighting Pimblett),” Gaethje said. “If that’s the route that they want me to take, then I don’t believe that they need me anymore. I know that sounds petty or whatever, but I’m No. 3, I’m 3-1 in my last four, the champion (Islam Makhachev) was calling to fight me and he vacated. They bring a new guy in and give a guy who is 2-2 the fight. If their algorithm and their match tells them to just use me until I get beat, then I’m going to have to really reevaluate what I’m doing here.

    “I’ve signed up for a merit-based system. I have lived by that. If they want to give Arman, which Arman had the fight, then I had the fight and I took someone else. He had the fight and pulled out. Those are two different scenarios. For me to get put in the same position and fight for my spot, then I’m going to be upset about that.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Jack Della Maddalena is tougher fight for Islam Makhachev than Ilia Topuria, says Khabib

    UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has emphasized that he believes Jack Della Maddalena is a tougher fight for Islam Makhachev than Ilia Topuria.

    As we know, Islam Makhachev is moving up to the welterweight division in order to try and win a world title in a second weight class. While many believe he can achieve that goal, others are of the opinion that Jack Della Maddalena is simply too big and imposing for Islam to defeat – with Jack himself also falling into that category.

    Someone who also knows just how good Jack Della Maddalena is, seemingly, is Khabib Nurmagomedov. In a recent podcast appearance, Khabib made it clear that this isn’t going to be a walk in the park for Makhachev as he attempts to make history.

    Khabib Nurmagomedov praises Jack Della Maddalena

    “I think Maddalena is the toughest opponent in Islam’s career,” Nurmagomedov told Hustle Show. “That’s my opinion. Not Charles (Oliveira), no one else. None of those other fighters. Not even Ilia, if that fight were to happen. That’s just my personal opinion.

    “First of all, Maddalena is twice the size of Ilia. Taller, bigger, stronger legs, bigger frame. His boxing is just as good. And, in grappling, he scrambles really well if you’ve watched him. For me, if I was preparing Islam for either Ilia or Maddalena, I’d be more concerned about Maddalena.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

    Regardless of whether or not you agree, there’s no denying that this going to be absolutely fascinating to watch unfold.

  • Jon Jones’ Future: A Boxing Attempt Would Destroy Legacy, Says World Champion Boxer

    Jon Jones’ Future: A Boxing Attempt Would Destroy Legacy, Says World Champion Boxer

    Former boxing champion Amir Khan doesn’t think that Jon Jones should make a run in the boxing ring.

    As we know, Jon Jones is one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. While that may be a hard pill for a lot of his critics to swallow, it’s the truth. We all know about his many controversies outside of the cage but in it, ‘Bones’ was able to build something special – with the majority of his work coming at light heavyweight.

    After retiring from the sport, many have wondered what could be next for Jon Jones. It seems as if he’s interested in a UFC White House fight next summer, but Dana White seemingly doesn’t quite trust him enough to put him on that card – for now, anyway. There’s always a chance he could venture into boxing, but again, there’s a lot of unpredictability there.

    In a recent interview courtesy of Genting live casinos, the aforementioned Amir Khan gave his thoughts on Jon Jones possibly testing the waters in the boxing realm.

    Amir Khan warns Jon Jones against boxing

    “There’s no one touching him, honestly, one of the best, and put him in a room with anyone. He’s knocking them out. He’s cleaning him out. He’s very dangerous.

    “He’s one guy you don’t want to meet in a backstreet, no matter who you are, even if it’s like a Mike Tyson, but he’s not going to be the same animal in the boxing ring.

    “He’s gonna make himself stupid. I don’t think he ever needs to do that, because he’s only going to mess his own legacy up.”

    Quotes via Genting