MMA News

Author: Harry Kettle

  • Alexander Volkanovski is Interested in Facing Conor McGregor: “I don’t think people give him credit”

    Alexander Volkanovski is Interested in Facing Conor McGregor: “I don’t think people give him credit”

    UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has revealed that he’d be interested in a possible showdown with former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor.

    As we know, Alexander Volkanovski is an absolute machine. He will take on anyone, anywhere, anytime. He is a two-time world champ at 145 pounds and he has never been one to shy away from a fight.

    Of course, sometimes that’s led to his downfall, but he’s currently back on top of the mountain after beating Diego Lopes to win the title for a second time. With Alexander Volkanovski, though, he’s always looking ahead to the future.

    In a recent interview, Alexander Volkanovski made it known that he’d be more than open to throwing down with the one and only Conor McGregor.

    Alexander Volkanovski is interested in Conor McGregor fight

    “Probably Conor, man (I would pick to fight), a lot of people are gonna sit there and be like, ‘Oh yeah Conor is a boring answer’ but he was in the featherweight division, that era when he was just an absolute superstar,” Volkanovski told The Unscripted Show.

    “The position you could put yourself in just fighting that guy. When you talk about building your platform, when we talk about money and all of that… The platform you on, you need to take advantage of it and that’s one fast track to getting people to notice you.

    “He was a good fighter, he was a great fighter. He was another fighter that his accuracy, he was actually a bit ahead of his time, he was really good, I don’t think people give him credit… He had great timing, great set ups, good understanding of what works and what works for him, and yeah, he was sharp.

    “A lot of that is gone now he’s probably gonna be reasonably sharp but he’s never gonna be the same Conor McGregor,” Volk continued.

    Quotes via Bloody Elbow

  • Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev: Michael Bisping is surprised by odds

    UFC legend Michael Bisping is surprised to see Islam Makhachev being listed as a big favorite for his upcoming title fight against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

    As we know, Jack Della Maddalena is the current UFC welterweight champion. At UFC 322, he will defend that belt for the very first time against Islam Makhachev, who is making the move up from the lightweight division. While Makhachev being favorite makes sense, JDM has obviously earned the right to be defending the strap after his win over Belal Muhammad.

    In a recent video, Michael Bisping explained why he disagrees with Islam Makhachev being a notable favorite over Jack Della Maddalena.

    Michael Bisping’s view on Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev

    “The crazy thing is that Islam Makhachev is quite a sizable favorite, and I think that’s a little bit disrespectful to Jack Della Maddalena,” Bisping told Bloody Elbow. “The man’s on an 18-fight win streak, he just beat Belal Muhammad, he defended all the takedowns there, he’s beaten grapplers before in the past.

    “Yes, Islam Makhachev is incredible, and he’d be another contender for pound-for-pound No. 1, greatest of all time, whatever you want to call it. But Belal Muhammad was a perfect warm-up fight for Islam Makhachev.”

    “With the boxing of Jack, if Islam was to stand with him, that would be a bad idea,” Bisping said. “With Jack’s boxing and the footwork that’s associated with boxing, that’s going to help, and that’s going to be very advantageous. He knows how to defend a takedown. He knows what he’s doing off his back. He can get back to his feet. 

    “Yeah, I understand why Islam is a slight favorite because he’s tried and tested and the greatest lightweight fighter that the sport has ever seen, but don’t be surprised if Jack Della Maddalena gets it done.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Robert Whittaker gets honest about future UFC title hopes

    Robert Whittaker gets honest about future UFC title hopes

    UFC middleweight star Robert Whittaker has spoken openly about his hopes of getting back into the world title picture.

    As we know, Robert Whittaker is a beloved member of the UFC roster. He is considered to be a fan favorite by many, and he’s a former world champion. However, after losses to Khamzat Chimaev and Reinier de Ridder, many have questioned whether or not he still has what it takes to compete at the elite level.

    Some believe Robert Whittaker should make the shift up to light heavyweight, whereas others want to see him try and turn things around at 185 pounds. Either way, he has a lot of fans out there, and he has plenty of people who are eager to see him bounce back.

    In a recent interview, Robert Whittaker got honest about his championship ambitions moving forward.

    Robert Whittaker opens up about his future

    “The belt is kind of like a pipe dream at the moment after losing to De Ridder,” Whittaker told Submission Radio. “It’s another loss. It pushes me back into much further than I want to be from the title, the pathway to where I wanted to finish up. So right now my trajectory has kind of changed. I’ve got a few fights left. I want to enjoy the journey. I want to enjoy the fights.

    “I want to enjoy the camp process. I want to enjoy fight week. I want to enjoy the fight itself. I want my family to be part of that. I want my boys and my kids to see the show, see the background of the big corporation that is the UFC, the most professional MMA tournament in the world through eyes nobody else can before I wrap things up. So that’s my biggest goal right now.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Colby Covington On His Transition to Poker: ‘Why are you laughing? Are you weak?’

    Colby Covington On His Transition to Poker: ‘Why are you laughing? Are you weak?’

    UFC star Colby Covington has explained why he’s put a lot of focus on building his poker career as of late.

    In the last few years, Colby Covington hasn’t exactly been at the top of his game. He’s suffered losses to Leon Edwards and Joaquin Buckley, leaving many to wonder what exactly is next for him. He’s made it clear that he still wants to compete, but it’s not yet known whether or not he can still mix it up with the very best at 170 pounds.

    For Colby Covington, it’s all about picking his moment. Alas, while he’s clearly still interested in mixed martial arts, he’s also taken quite an interest in poker. In a recent interview, he explained why that’s the case.

    Colby Covington discusses poker switch

    “Yeah, I’m super competitive, you know, like I hate to lose more than I like to win. So, you know, every time I get on a poker table, I take it like a fight. You know, there’s a mental aspect to it. There’s, you know, adrenaline on the line. There’s a lot of pressure ’cause you want to win and make money. But ultimately, it’s just about competition. And I’m a big competitor. So, it’s a pleasure to be out here at the Celebrity Poker Tour.”

    “I think the secret is just trying to breathe and relax and not show your emotions too well. You know, it’s tough though, you know, to keep the composure when you’re bluffing, like when you know you have a s****y hand, it’s tough. … I’ve laughed a couple times and people are like, ‘Why are you laughing? Are you weak? You’re weak. You’re laughing.’ I can’t help myself.”

  • Lerone Murphy Reveals How He Deals with Online Haters

    Lerone Murphy Reveals How He Deals with Online Haters

    UFC featherweight contender Lerone Murphy has spoken candidly about how he deals with online haters.

    As we know, Lerone Murphy is one of the top featherweights on the planet. He has already achieved a great deal throughout the course of his career and as we look ahead to the immediate future, it seems as if he’s on the verge of earning a title shot against reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski.

    He earned that right by knocking Aaron Pico out cold at UFC 319. For Lerone Murphy, this was the kind of statement win he needed to prove that he has what it takes to mix it up with the very best at 145 pounds.

    In a recent interview, Lerone Murphy opened up on what it’s like to have to deal with critics.

    Lerone Murphy discusses dealing with haters

    “You can’t win in this game. There’s always going to be people that love your style, love your game, and there’s always going to be people that hate on you. So it is what it is.”

    For Murphy, it’s all about pushing forward towards a brighter future. He’s already done some great things in MMA, but we all know what he really wants: UFC gold. Volkanovski is going to serve as stiff opposition, as is the case for everyone who goes up against the Australian sensation, but Lerone will believe that he has all the answers necessary to become just the fourth Englishman to win a world title in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

  • Justin Gaethje Reveals He once took Down Georges St-Pierre At Just 18-years-old

    Justin Gaethje Reveals He once took Down Georges St-Pierre At Just 18-years-old

    UFC lightweight Justin Gaethje has claimed that when he was a teenager, he was able to take down UFC legend Georges St-Pierre.

    As we know, Justin Gaethje is an absolutely electric fighter within the world of mixed martial arts. He has been able to accomplish some great things throughout the course of his career in the sport and as we look ahead to the future, it certainly feels like he’s gearing up for one more crack at the UFC lightweight championship.

    Of course, Justin Gaethje has had a long run in combat sports, and it started before he even got into the sport of MMA. ‘The Highlight’ was an amateur wrestler once upon a time, and you could be forgiven for not realizing that, given how he tends to put his focus into his striking when he’s competing in the UFC.

    As it turns out, though, Justin Gaethje’s exploits in wrestling seemingly led to him taking down a pretty big name – Georges St-Pierre.

    Justin Gaethje discusses GSP takedown

    “I was in college, wrestling. They brought some UFC fighters in and I took them down. Georges St-Pierre, I took him down when I was probably 18, and he was the champion at the time. I was a huge fan of the sport, we’d go to Buffalo Wild Wings, we’d sit there for six, eight hours, and watch fights. The entire card.”

    For now, the focus for Gaethje is simple – he wants to secure a title fight against Ilia Topuria. Will it happen? We’ll have to wait and see.

  • Dricus du Plessis’ UFC 319 loss: Anthony Hernandez questions DDP after one-sided defeat

    Dricus du Plessis’ UFC 319 loss: Anthony Hernandez questions DDP after one-sided defeat

    UFC middleweight contender Anthony Hernandez has given his thoughts on Dricus du Plessis‘ UFC 319 defeat to Khamzat Chimaev.

    As we know, Dricus du Plessis lost his UFC middleweight championship in a one-sided affair against Khamzat Chimaev in Chicago. While DDP plans on rebuilding himself and bouncing back, many have doubted that the rematch would go any differently between them.

    Someone who is trying to make their own case for a title shot is Anthony Hernandez. In a recent interview, ahead of his fight against Reinier de Ridder, ‘Fluffy’ had the following to say about Dricus du Plessis’ performance.

    Anthony Hernandez’s view on Dricus du Plessis’ UFC 319 loss

    “I was [surprised], until I started watching what DDP was doing,” Hernandez told MMA Fighting. “It’s like, bro, you’re doing all big explosive strong guy s***. That s*** doesn’t work against good wrestlers, like they can flow off of that s***. 

    “So like DDP just kind of f*cked himself on that, and then Khazmat did a really good job of keeping the pressure on him, keeping him on his hands, keeping it so he couldn’t get up, and I mean, it’s very high level on Khazmat’s end.

    “But to watch as a fan and watch to enjoy blood and s***, like people cracking the f*ck out of each other and like mixing it up. It was kind of boring, but like, that’s just my opinion. I’m a fighter, too. So, I mean, I try to send it, usually, and I’ve been there, too, where it’s like, you’re kind of hurt and you gotta just f*cking do what you gotta do to win. 

    “So I get it, but I look forward to when I get to fight that guy. Right now, I’ve got some more proving to do, so I’m going to go prove a point and then how the f*cking s*** plays out, it plays out. …

    “[But] after about the second round [is] when I realized he couldn’t do s***, and he didn’t know what to do, and like he was just still flexing hella hard on s***. I was like, ‘Oh, OK. He’s f*cked.’”

    Quotes via MMA Fighting

  • Islam Makhachev has everything to lose at UFC 322, says former UFC champion

    Islam Makhachev has everything to lose at UFC 322, says former UFC champion

    UFC legend Robert Whittaker believes Islam Makhachev has everything to lose when he faces Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

    As we know, Islam Makhachev will headline UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden when he challenges Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight championship. While many believe he is the favorite to walk away from New York City with the belt, others are of the belief that JDM is being underestimated.

    In a recent episode of his podcast, Robert Whittaker had the following to say on the pressure currently resting on the shoulders of Islam Makhachev.

    Robert Whittaker’s view on Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev

    “Jack has nothing to lose, and I think Islam’s got everything to lose,” Whittaker said on his MMArcade Podcast. “He’s the hottest prospect right now in MMA. Everyone expects Islam to just run through him.”

    “I think what was unexpected was the relinquishing of the lightweight title,” Whittaker said. “I expected it in a sense that because Topuria did it, people would have to follow suit, but Islam’s kind of like the poster boy right now for the UFC in terms of like megastar sort of things. I didn’t see them doing that.”

    “I’m going to go Jack,” Whittaker said. “I think Jack has that X-factor. I think he has the gut, the grit, the determination to fight the takedowns, to fight the takedown attacks that Islam is going to go for, and I think in a striking fight straight up, Jack is better. I think he wins in the hands. 

    “I think Jack’s got the better game to strike over five rounds than Islam does, as well, especially if Islam is trying to go for takedowns during the fight. People sleep on Jack’s grappling game. They sleep on his jiu-jitsu.

    “I don’t think Islam is going to be as gung-ho with the takedowns as everybody believes because Jack has that level of offense off his back. From the things I remember seeing in the (Alexander Volkanovski) fight, their first pairing, I see the fight potentially going that way.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Dillon Danis’ future: MMA analyst doubts his ability to compete in UFC

    Dillon Danis’ future: MMA analyst doubts his ability to compete in UFC

    MMA analyst Din Thomas has serious doubts over Dillon Danis‘ ability to compete in the UFC.

    Last weekend, Dillon Danis returned to competitive mixed martial arts with a win over Warren Spencer at Misfits Boxing 22. Of course, many felt as if Spencer was pretty overmatched, with the majority rolling their eyes at the choice of opponent for Dillon.

    Now, though, as we look ahead to the future, it certainly seems as if Dillon Danis has some big plans for himself. He’s already been talking about what could be on the horizon and one idea is him signing for the UFC, although it doesn’t particularly feel like the kind of move that Dana White would be open to making.

    In a recent interview, Din Thomas weighed in on what’s next for Dillon Danis and why he isn’t confident about a potential UFC stint.

    Din Thomas’ view on Dillon Danis

    “He’s very good at jiu-jitsu. At MMA, no one knows how good he is,” Thomas told MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn on “The Bohnfire” podcast. “… I’m not sure we’ll ever get to see him at a high level. I don’t think he has the level of professionalism to fight at a high UFC level – to show up to the UFC on fight week and fight a really good guy. I don’t think he has the level of professionalism to do that.”

    “To fight a low-level guy on a Misfits card that everybody’s just kind of tuning in and he can make some money this way? It’s easy to do that. It’s easy to do that,” Thomas said. “But to show up to the UFC – I know that might be his goal, ultimately – it takes a completely different level of professionalism, and I don’t know that he has that.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Colby Covington wants a Superfight against Paddy Pimblett “You’re a bum. You’re a gimmick”

    Colby Covington wants a Superfight against Paddy Pimblett “You’re a bum. You’re a gimmick”

    UFC star Colby Covington has called for a potential superfight against Paddy Pimblett.

    Colby Covington has made a career out of calling people out and generally being quite controversial. He’s never been particularly shy about that fact and as we look ahead to his immediate future, it certainly feels like he’ll need to get vocal if he wants to secure another big fight in the UFC.

    Following losses to Leon Edwards and Joaquin Buckley, it’s not clear as to where Colby Covington sits in terms of the elite in the welterweight division. Of course, he still has name value, but there are a lot of fighters higher up in the pecking order than him at 170 pounds.

    In a recent interview, Colby Covington made it known who he wants to fight.

    Colby Covington goes after Paddy Pimblett

    “I mean, the Paddy Pimblett fight super interests me ’cause in Miami, he was talking… running his mouth backstage. Like, I wasn’t even looking at him or talking to him. He wants to start some shit. He’s been saying some shit. He was saying in an interview the other day his doctor said he had liver failure from cutting to 155. 

    “Dude, come up a weight class. Come to 170. Why are you being a weight bully, Paddy? You know, you’re a bum. You’re a gimmick. Your little English accent and your little bowl cut. That’s the only reason people know you. So, let’s get it going, Paddy. And if I can’t get Paddy, then maybe Gilbert Burns. That would be good.”

    “Yeah, I’ve been talking to Hunter Campbell and we’re looking for October and November. Maybe November in the Garden. But wherever Hunter decides in the UFC, I’ll be ready. 

    “If they need to push me to December in the T-Mobile event, then December in Vegas sounds good. But I want to get in there as soon as possible and on a full training camp. You know, I didn’t get a training camp last fight. So, full training camp. Bring anybody in the world. I’m ready to go. Let’s go, Hunter. In UFC.”

  • Miesha Tate provides big update on her UFC future aged 39

    Miesha Tate provides big update on her UFC future aged 39

    UFC star Miesha Tate has provided an update on her future in the promotion and mixed martial arts in general.

    As we know, Miesha Tate is a legend within the world of women’s mixed martial arts – and MMA as a whole. She is a former world champion, a superstar, and she’s been involved in some absolutely huge fights over the years against the likes of Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes.

    However, after an inconsistent run of form since returning to the cage, Miesha Tate has been left questioning her future in the sport. She’s an icon in her own right, but it certainly feels like her best days are behind her.

    In a recent podcast appearance, Miesha Tate spoke openly and honestly about what’s next.

    Miesha Tate reveals plans for UFC future

    “I’m not officially done,” Tate said on the Jaxxon Podcast.

    “I still have a fight on my contract. One fight. I wouldn’t fight more than one more time.

    “I’m not looking to re-sign,” Tate said of her UFC contract.

    I think just one more, if that, but I haven’t decided for sure.

    “I might be leaning towards not [fighting again],” Tate added.

    “You’d have to ask [the UFC to do a boxing match], but I’m not,” Tate said, when asked if she’d ever box.

    “Boxing, for real? Like, I’m not gonna go do that.”

    Quotes via Bloody Elbow

    Miesha doesn’t owe the sport anything and could easily ride off into the sunset right now. In equal measure, if she wants to get a big send-off, that’s also something she truly deserves.

    Regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of Tate’s work, it’d be great to be given the opportunity to send her off into retirement in style at the end of what has been an important and amazing career.

  • Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev: Sean Brady backs the champion

    UFC welterweight contender Sean Brady believes that Jack Della Maddalena has what it takes to defeat Islam Makhachev at UFC 322.

    In the main event of UFC 322, Jack Della Maddalena will take on an incredibly tough assignment. He will be locking horns with Islam Makhachev, who is moving up from 155 pounds in order to try and win a second world title. While a lot of people are backing Islam to get it done, JDM is the kind of fighter who has proven the masses wrong before – and on multiple occasions.

    The rest of the welterweight division, understandably, will be watching closely to see how it plays out. In a recent podcast appearance, Sean Brady explained why he favors Jack Della Maddalena here.

    Sean Brady backs Jack Della Maddalena

    “I think it’s a lot tougher of a fight for Islam than people are giving Jack credit for,” Brady said on UFC Unfiltered. “Jack’s very hard to hold down. He’s a big body, hits like a freight train, has knockout power and he’s showed that getting someone down doesn’t mean d*ck. Can you hold him down? Jack’s really good at creating scrambles, getting back to his feet, separating the hands. Like, we’d seen that with Belal.

    “Gilbert (Burns) did better at taking Jack down than Belal did. He had better positions on him, but I don’t know. Selfishly for me, I want Islam to win because I want to fight Islam for a legacy thing, and I think I can beat Islam. I think I can beat anybody in the world, and I want my grappling to go against his grappling and see who’s better. I really would love for that to play out. But if I had to pick, and I know Jack would be the underdog, I would pick Jack.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Merab Dvalishvili names potential future bantamweight title contender

    Merab Dvalishvili names potential future bantamweight title contender

    UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has made it crystal clear that he is interested in the idea of a rematch against Petr Yan.

    In his next outing, Merab Dvalishvili will defend the UFC bantamweight championship against Cory Sandhagen. In a lot of ways, this is the fight that makes the most sense, and Merab himself acknowledges that. However, the majority of fans and pundits do believe that the champion has more than enough in his locker to keep hold of the title.

    For Merab Dvalishvili, though, this isn’t just about beating Sandhagen – it’s about building a real legacy for himself as champion. In a recent interview, he spoke about a possible future rematch against top contender Petr Yan.

    Merab Dvalishvili wants Petr Yan rematch

    “I don’t overlook Cory Sandhagen. It’s going to be a tough fight. But God willing, I’m going to do my best to win this fight, and if I win, I want a quick turnaround and I want to fight in December,” Dvalishvili said on the “Full Send Podcast.”

    “I will ask the UFC for a favor to give me another fight in December or even November. I don’t care. Petr Yan is the clear contender right now. He deserves it. I don’t want to make him wait too long. I can take a quick turnaround and fight him, and after we will see who will be the next contender.”

    “Every fight I have a different plan, but against Petr Yan, I don’t have a plan because I was scratching my head: How am I going to fight him?,” Dvalishvili said. “He has good takedown defense, he’s a great striker and he’s a dog. I was like, ‘How am I going to fight this motherf*cker?’ So the day before, when we made weight, he pushed me. Then my mind opened. I’m like: I’m going to teach you.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Justin Gaethje will make Ilia Topuria wrestle, says his manager

    Justin Gaethje will make Ilia Topuria wrestle, says his manager

    Ali Abdelaziz believes that Ilia Topuria will try and wrestle Justin Gaethje in their proposed UFC lightweight championship fight.

    As we all know, Justin Gaethje wants one thing and one thing only in mixed martial arts right now: the UFC lightweight title. It’s something he’s been pursuing for many years, and this feels like his best opportunity to try and seize it. Of course, Ilia Topuria will certainly have other plans, especially given how dominant he’s been since arriving in the promotion.

    Right now, Justin Gaethje taking on Ilia Topuria for the belt is entirely hypothetical. However, while we don’t know for sure that this is the direction we’re heading in, it definitely seems like the idea of this fight is picking up a lot of momentum.

    Ahead of any possible announcement, Justin Gaethje’s manager Ali Abdelaziz gave his thoughts on the whole thing.

    Ali Abdelaziz’s view on Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje

    “It’s a car crash (fight),” Abdelaziz said.

    “Whoever is gonna land first, is gonna go to sleep. This is my opinion.

    “I think Topuria might try to wrestle Justin, also,” Abdelaziz continued. “I think Justin Gaethje is way too dangerous to just stand in front of and throw punches.

    “Justin is a very powerful striker, he’s very dangerous. Honestly, it’s one of the best fights you can make in the UFC.”

    Quotes via Bloody Elbow

    Get ready, fight fans, because this contest – if it happens – has the potential to be one of the most entertaining fights of the year.

  • Jack Della Maddalena’s Coach: Islam Makhachev doesn’t have a chin as tough as Belal Muhammad’s

    Jack Della Maddalena’s Coach: Islam Makhachev doesn’t have a chin as tough as Belal Muhammad’s

    Jack Della Maddalena‘s coach Ben Vickers doesn’t believe that Islam Makhachev’s chin is as good as Belal Muhammad’s.

    As we know, Jack Della Maddalena is set to defend his UFC welterweight championship at UFC 322 against Islam Makhachev. It’ll serve as the first time he has put the belt on the line in the wake of his stunning title victory over Belal Muhammad. Of course, a lot of people are backing Islam to get the job done, but getting through JDM is going to be no easy task.

    Against Belal Muhammad, Jack Della Maddalena managed to put it all together pretty seamlessly. Sure, he had to deal with some adversity, but he came through that test with flying colours. Now, he’ll have to do it all over again, against arguably a harder opponent.

    In the eyes of Ben Vickers, though, one thing Jack Della Maddalena doesn’t have to worry about is Makhachev’s chin.

    Jack Della Maddalena’s coach on Islam Makhachev’s chin

    “Yeah, I do. I just don’t think Islam has the chin that Belal has. We know for a fact if Jack clips someone clean on the chin they can go over. So it could happen in the first minute, it could happen in the 24th minute, it could happen in the 24 minute 59 seconds, it could happen three rounds in. Jack likes long fights, he likes to be in there. But obviously we’re not getting paid for overtime. So, if the opportunity arises, we’re happy to take it.”

  • Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis: “It’s a Joke” Says Conor McGregor’s Training Partner

    Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis: “It’s a Joke” Says Conor McGregor’s Training Partner

    Dillon Danis has given his thoughts on the planned bout between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis.

    As we know, Jake Paul is a pretty controversial figure within the world of professional boxing – and that’s us putting it lightly. He’s been able to do some great things in terms of promoting women’s boxing, but when it comes to his own career inside the ring, there are more than a few critics out there.

    As we look ahead to the future, Jake Paul seems to have some pretty interesting things lined up, including a blockbuster exhibition fight against Gervonta Davis. Once again, this has been ridiculed and slammed by many as being a farce, but that doesn’t appear to be stopping it from going ahead.

    In a recent interview, Dillon Danis, who fought Jake Paul’s brother Logan, weighed in on the whole situation.

    Dillon Danis rips into Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis

    “I think it’s a joke. I mean, he says he wants to be world champion. He’s fighting a 125 pounder. I called it like the Tyson fight. They’re going to have a little sparring match. It’s basically selling wolf tickets and just stealing people’s money. You know, Jake is a good salesman, but you know, this started with me and Jake. There’s no Jake Paul without me. So, I think he’ll finish with us one day.”

    ‘Tank’ has a whole host of potential opponents that he could battle but instead, this is the direction he’s opted to go down.

  • Conor McGregor’s training partner explains why he should stay in the UFC

    Conor McGregor’s training partner explains why he should stay in the UFC

    Dillon Danis has given his thoughts on whether or not Conor McGregor should remain in the Ultimate Fighting Championship or pursue ventures elsewhere.

    As we know, the future of Conor McGregor in the world of mixed martial arts – and combat sports as a whole – is uncertain. While his primary focus seems to be on becoming Ireland’s new president, he’s also been training pretty heavily, giving the impression that he’s gearing up for a return to the UFC. If he does, you’d have to imagine he will have his eyes firmly set on a spot on the UFC White House card.

    Regardless of whether or not that comes to fruition, Conor McGregor returning to the cage is something that a lot of fans want to see. Sure, he has plenty of critics out there, but nobody can deny the star power that he still possesses, even if he isn’t at the same level that he once was back in his prime.

    In a recent interview, Dillon Danis gave his thoughts on the future of Conor McGregor, the man who first introduced him to the limelight.

    Dillon Danis’ view on Conor McGregor’s future

    “I want Conor to stay in the UFC. I want to see him make another run at the title. I know him very well. When he trains right and trains the way he’s supposed to, no one’s beating him. From a friend standpoint, I want to see him be the best mixed martial artist. He is the best mixed martial artist, but I want him to show and prove it again cuz some people talk [__] on his name.”

  • Why Arman Tsarukyan is in UFC ‘Purgatory’, according to MMA Analyst

    Why Arman Tsarukyan is in UFC ‘Purgatory’, according to MMA Analyst

    MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on the future of Arman Tsarukyan and the UFC lightweight championship picture.

    As we know, Arman Tsarukyan is one of the top lightweight contenders at 155 pounds and that much is obvious. He even had a title shot on his plate against Islam Makhachev at the start of the year, only for an injury to rule him out of the fight.

    In a recent video, Chael Sonnen gave his thoughts on Arman Tsarukyan and where he’s currently at.

    Chael Sonnen’s view on Arman Tsarukyan

    “And we’ll stick him in this purgatory, if you will, of MMA where we don’t quite know what we’re going to do with you now. So, we’re going to do nothing. And it might end up being great; you might end up getting to come to heaven. It might not, though, and you’re gonna have to go to hell. But either way, being in a spot where you don’t know is basically punishment enough.”

    “‘Yes, I believe I should have Ilia Topuria. Yes, I want Ilia Topuria. No, I’m not willing to wait to get Ilia Topuria because of my own personal situation, because of four training camps with no fight. I am not willing to wait. So, I guess I don’t get Ilia next.’ And it was a very interesting negotiating tool, I must tell you. 

    “I mean, regardless of what he said, he still wants Ilia. He did the interview to get himself closer to Ilia. And when I read it, he pulled this whole, you know, not only do I not care—I’m not going to get it—not only am I not going to get it, I’m looking for something else. He pulled this whole blew it off his shoulder, right?”

  • Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis: Former UFC champion hits out at exhibition match

    Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis: Former UFC champion hits out at exhibition match

    UFC legend Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on the upcoming Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis exhibition boxing match.

    As we know, Paul and Gervonta Davis are set to square off in an exhibition boxing match later this year. While some are intrigued to see how it all plays out, most boxing fans are furious – mainly because they want to see ‘Tank’ take on bigger challenges than this one.

    Of course, boxing has changed a lot since the introduction of Jake Paul to the party, but we all knew that. As we look ahead to this fight, it’s hard to know how both men are even going to approach it.

    In a recent video, Michael Bisping made it crystal clear that he doesn’t want to see Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis whatsoever.

    Michael Bisping’s view on Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis

    “This fight, in my opinion, was a bit of a mockery of boxing because it doesn’t have the legitimacy or fairness that you’d expect in a high-level contest. It’s more of a spectacle than a sporting event, and it leaves a lot of questions about what Jake Paul’s real ambitions are in boxing.”

    “You’re talking about a massive size difference between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis. This isn’t a professional fight, it’s an exhibition. But man, you can’t help but notice the mockery element to it. It’s like watching David fighting Goliath in the boxing ring, but with a huge weight disadvantage for Paul.”

    Do you agree with Bisping?

  • Luke Rockhold’s old rival believes Darren Till will knock him out in boxing match

    Luke Rockhold‘s old rival Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on Luke’s upcoming boxing showdown against Darren Till.

    As we know, Luke Rockhold has had a rollercoaster ride of a career. While he was UFC middleweight champion, he’s also had a number of high profile defeats both in and outside of the promotion. Now, on Saturday night, he is preparing for his next challenge as he looks set to collide with Darren Till in the main event of Misfits Boxing 22.

    For some, this is a silly fight that shouldn’t be happening. For others, though, it’s the kind of contest that brings in a lot of intrigue, if only because it’s a fight we never got to see in the cage.

    In a recent video, Michael Bisping predicted that Darren Till will be the one to get his hand raised in his collision with Luke Rockhold.

    Michael Bisping’s view on Darren Till vs Luke Rockhold

    “So yeah, I think Darren Till goes out there and probably gets the knockout. Might even be in the first round. But I tell you what, may the best man win. I wish Luke Rockhold nothing but the best. I got nothing against this man. I actually think he’s a solid human being. I got to hang out with him a bit down at the gym last time after the training session. He’s a good dude. 

    “We were just competing at the same time and yeah, I was talking a bit of [expletive] back in the day. He was talking a bit of [expletive]. That’s what we do. We’re trying to sell fights. But when that’s all out the window, the man’s a good human being and he’s just trying to live his life the best way he can by using these things to make a living. And so is Darren Till.”

    “My official prediction: Luke Rockhold gets knocked out by Darren Till probably rounds two or three.”

  • Why Tony Ferguson Is Calling Himself The Mad Scientist of the Sweet Science

    Why Tony Ferguson Is Calling Himself The Mad Scientist of the Sweet Science

    Former UFC fighter Tony Ferguson has called himself a “mad scientist” ahead of his battle with Salt Papi at Misfits Boxing 22 this weekend.

    In the co-main event of Misfits Boxing 22 on Saturday night, Tony Ferguson will collide with Salt Papi in a boxing match. It serves as the latest in a long line of steps down the ladder for ‘El Cucuy’ who, once upon a time, was widely considered to be the best lightweight in all of mixed martial arts.

    A lot of people genuinely believe that Salt Papi could give Tony Ferguson some real problems given how he’s performed in some of his recent boxing outings. Others, meanwhile, feel as if this is the moment for Tony to prove that he’s still got something left in the tank.

    In a recent interview, Tony Ferguson gave his thoughts on this bout and how he’s approaching it.

    Tony Ferguson looks ahead to Salt Papi battle

    “I’m not worried about anybody else besides that dude. I’m not looking past him, but looking through him. I’m going to go out there and hit him hard. He’s going to try to hit me, I’m not going to be there. This is boxing. It’s a science, and I’m going to be a mad scientist in this one.”

    Ferguson has a loyal fanbase and they’d love nothing more than to see him pick up a victory here. In equal measure, all we can really hope for is that he doesn’t get hurt, and that he comes out of it relatively healthy.

  • Leon Edwards reveals UFC return plans for later this year

    Leon Edwards reveals UFC return plans for later this year

    UFC star Leon Edwards has revealed that he wants to make his return to the promotion later this year.

    As we know, Leon Edwards is a former welterweight champion in the UFC. He’s also responsible for one of the greatest knockouts in the history of mixed martial arts, when he put Kamaru Usman’s lights out to claim the belt at 170 pounds.

    While he did manage to successfully defend the belt twice, Leon Edwards also went on to suffer defeats to Belal Muhammad and Sean Brady – and he didn’t look great in either outing. As such, questions have been raised regarding his long-term future at the top of the welterweight division.

    In a recent interview following his brother Fabian’s big PFL knockout, Leon Edwards had the following to say about his plans for the next few months.

    Leon Edwards discusses possible UFC return in November

    “November for sure,” he replied when asked for a timeline on his comeback, before replying in the affirmative to Madison Square Garden as a venue. “I think JDM is fighting Islam Makhachev at MSG so I want to be on the same card, you know? 

    “I feel good, I’ve been training and helping Fabian in camp. Now I’m ready to go, I’ve waited for the division to settle a little bit and now I’m ready to go. I’m one or two away from getting my belt back so I’m locking in and I’m going to get it done.”

    Quotes via Bloody Elbow

    ‘Rocky’ is back.

  • Charles Oliveira is still dangerous after Ilia Topuria loss, says Rafael Fiziev

    Charles Oliveira is still dangerous after Ilia Topuria loss, says Rafael Fiziev

    Rafael Fiziev still believes his UFC Rio opponent Charles Oliveira is dangerous, even after his knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317.

    Later this year, Charles Oliveira will make his return to the cage when he battles Rafael Fiziev in a huge lightweight bout at UFC Rio. While many are excited to see the fight, others are concerned that ‘Do Bronx’ is returning too quickly after he was knocked out cold by Ilia Topuria in his most recent outing.

    Of course, for Rafael Fiziev, this is all about seizing an opportunity. Charles Oliveira is a former world champion and he’s also someone who is more than talented enough to beat a lot of the other guys in the top 15 at 155 pounds.

    In a recent interview, Fiziev gave his thoughts on what kind of Charles Oliveira he expects to see in Brazil.

    Rafael Fiziev’s view on Charles Oliveira

    “I think it’s OK – he has big experience,” Fiziev told Home of Fight of Oliveira. “Medicine in the world right now on a high level also. He put some drops, some IV, for sure he heal up, and he’s getting ready. …(It’s) still a dangerous fight. He’s still dangerous. This knockout does not change anything for my fight with him.”

    “I’m not a boxer. I’m a kickboxer. My punches are also hard, but if I touch him good, for sure I can knock him out, also,” Fiziev said. “Many people say after a knockout, you’re not the same – the chin is not the same. Everybody says that, but I don’t know if it’s true or not. Many people who start to lose by knockout, they just get old. I don’t know if it’s true or not. We’ll check it.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Is Khamzat Chimaev a Boring Fighter? Chael Sonnen Weighs In

    Is Khamzat Chimaev a Boring Fighter? Chael Sonnen Weighs In

    MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on those suggesting that Khamzat Chimaev‘s approach at UFC 319 was boring.

    In the main event of UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev dominated and defeated Dricus du Plessis. ‘Borz’ used his superior wrestling to completely overwhelm du Plessis from start to finish, and in doing so, he earned the right to call himself UFC middleweight champion.

    Of course, there are always those who are going to try and take away from what Khamzat Chimaev achieved. Some have even said that they found his style quite boring which, in itself, sounds like a strange take.

    Chael Sonnen recently gave his thoughts on this idea.

    Chael Sonnen’s view on Khamzat Chimaev ‘boring’ claims

    “The boring one in that fight was Chimaev and the one to blame in that fight was Chimaev, followed by the referee. Now, I know what you’re thinking, you’re thinking, ‘Okay, fine. Yeah, I guess Dricus is the third person that we blame.’ No. Find me an article. You’ll never find it. You will never find an article. Dricus has not even been mentioned, even though he was in there for the exact same amount of time. He’s not even mentioned. Fault has fallen to Chimaev. Fault has then fallen to the referee.”

    “From the beginning of this sport, if there’s a boring match, the boring match will only go to the victor. I mean, this is very consistent. I had a teammate, Matt Lin, who fought and beat Phil Baroni, and Matt got labeled boring and got pulled off TV. He’s so boring. And Phil Baroni, who was in the same contest, just not doing as well, that’s why he lost the contest, was labeled as one of the sport’s most exciting. Two guys in the same fight: one boring, other most exciting. You just kind of wonder how’s that possible.”

    “I’m just wondering what part of it was so bad. In many ways, he fights the way Islam fights and the way Khabib fought. Those are compliments. Matt Brown said, with complete respect, he fights a lot like Georges—which was the biggest draw in all of pay-per-view, which meant people liked the way that he fought. So what exactly was the problem?”

    “Was the ground-and-pound not vicious enough? Was it not mean enough? Did you need to see Dricus get hurt—not just dominated? Was dominated not enough? There’s no wrong answer, and I’m not trying to trap you right now. I’m just trying to have an open dialogue on if we’re going to change a rule so that doesn’t happen again, what rule is it that we would change?”

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov Will Not Say Conor McGregor’s Name – Explained

    Khabib Nurmagomedov Will Not Say Conor McGregor’s Name – Explained

    UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has spoken about the depths of the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor.

    Back in late 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor via submission at UFC 229. He largely dominated the Irishman for most of the fight, and while Conor had his moments, it was Khabib who really made the headlines that night.

    Ever since then, the rivalry between the two has continued. Conor McGregor constantly goes after Khabib Nurmagomedov on social media even to this day, even if Khabib largely stays out of it.

    In a recent interview, however, Daniel Cormier revealed that Khabib Nurmagomedov certainly isn’t willing to forget everything that McGregor put him through.

    Daniel Cormier discusses Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Conor McGregor

    “He won’t say (McGregor’s) name still today,” Cormier said of Nurmagomedov on “Club Shay Shay.” “He still does not say his name. He still won’t say his name. Last week, he did an interview in New York and he says, ‘This guy.’ He’ll never say his name. He hates him. Dude, they’re in the octagon and Conor goes, he whispers after the third round after Khabib’s beating (him), ‘It’s just business.’ Khabib goes, ‘No it ain’t. No it ain’t.’ You don’t mess with them dudes, man.

    “He was going to kill him. He was going to put him to sleep. He was holding him and he said, ‘I kicked your ass. I kicked your ass.’ Then he jumped over the fence and tried to beat his team. I was like, ‘Whoa!’ But dude, he had him. He was not going to let him go because he felt his family got so disrespected by this dude that he wanted to end him. And honestly, sometimes you bite off more than you can chew because Conor got beat bad that night. He got beat bad.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie