MMA News

Author: Harry Kettle

  • “Khamzat Chimaev is good, but he’s not great” says Former UFC Welterweight Champion

    “Khamzat Chimaev is good, but he’s not great” says Former UFC Welterweight Champion

    Former UFC champion Tyron Woodley has given his thoughts on the rise of Khamzat Chimaev ahead of UFC 319 tomorrow night.

    As we know, Khamzat Chimaev will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship on Saturday evening. The two will collide in the main event of UFC 319 in Chicago, and there’s a lot of excitement in the air for what this fight could look like. The pair have very different styles, and that has the potential to turn this into a thrilling encounter between two absolute warriors.

    Khamzat Chimaev has achieved some wonderful things throughout the course of his mixed martial arts career but up to this point, he’s never managed to hold UFC gold. The hope from his fans is that this is the time for him to finally do it, but he needs to get off to a fast start if he’s going to put someone like DDP away.

    In a recent interview with Action Network, Tyron Woodley gave his thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev.

    Tyron Woodley’s view on Khamzat Chimaev

    “Khamzat is good, but he’s not great. He could be, and likely will be, but he’s not great right now he’s not. DDP has to be a spoiler, stay focused. He’s shown up in fights and beaten people like Stye Bender.  He’s kind of like the underdog, the people’s champion, he doesn’t talk much trash but he wins a lot of fights. I think he could win this fight.”

    Is he right? We’ll have to wait and see.

  • Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 319 Gameplan: Eric Nicksick explains his route to victory

    Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 319 Gameplan: Eric Nicksick explains his route to victory

    Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick has given his thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev‘s best path to victory as he prepares to challenge for the UFC middleweight championship.

    On Saturday night, Khamzat Chimaev finally gets his crack at UFC gold. He’ll be going up against reigning champion Dricus du Plessis in a fight that, to put it bluntly, is going to be pretty awesome. There are so many different ways in which it can go, and for Khamzat, you’d have to imagine that his wrestling will be his best bet.

    As it turns out, Eric Nicksick also agrees that Khamzat Chimaev needs to implement his game early.

    Eric Nicksick on Khamzat Chimaev’s route to victory

    “For Chimaev it’s the wrestling, but it’s how he wrestles, the way he gets after these guys that really stands out. He’s on you straight away, suffocating you, not giving you any chance to get settled or prepare for what’s coming. He chains everything together so well, so quickly that it’s hard to react and respond. 

    “He likes to just blitz right away — get across the cage, get connected to you — and then he’s immediately looking to get you down, switching his entries, constantly making you defend. Once he gets you down, he’s flattening you out, looking for ground-and-pound or a choke. We’ve seen it in almost all of his fights — guys are just stuck on the back foot, stuck defending — and Chimaev is too strong, too good for them to be able to stop him.”

    “For Chimaev it’s get out there, get after him, and get it over with in a hurry. He’s not looking to show he can go five rounds or spend any more time in there than he has to. It needs to look like the fight with Whittaker. Shoot right away, get connected, and make him deal with everything you’re giving him, trying to get him out of there.”

  • Michael Page is a Welterweight Fighting a Heavyweight at UFC 319

    Michael Page is a Welterweight Fighting a Heavyweight at UFC 319

    UFC star Michael Page has opened up on the differences between fighting at welterweight and fighting at middleweight.

    As we know, Michael Page, also known as MVP, is one of the most unique and interesting fighters in mixed martial arts. After his recent win over Shara Magomedov, he’ll now be staying in the middleweight division – even if he doesn’t seem particularly thrilled about it.

    Alas, the politics at the top of the division didn’t interest him, which is why we’re now going to see Michael Page vs Jared Cannonier at UFC 319 on Saturday night. It’s the kind of bout that has a whole lot of potential, but it’s also one that could go in one of a million different directions.

    In a recent interview, Michael Page spoke about the journey that Jared Cannonier has gone on from heavyweight all the way down to middleweight.

    Michael Page discusses differences between 170 and 185

    “At welterweight, I’m a sniper. I’m waiting for that right moment and then I’ll land my shot. Wait for the right moment, land my shot. Whereas in the middleweight division, I have to be a bit more aggressive on that front foot—landing combinations and then come back out. Combinations and come back out versus just the one shot hoping to kill these guys because they… again, they are more the natural—especially Jared coming from heavyweight—they are more the natural middleweights.”

    Will MVP be able to earn a UFC world title shot in his next few fights? We’ll have to wait and see.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Is Ready to Out-Wrestle Khamzat Chimaev: “I’m not scared of any of that”

    Dricus Du Plessis Is Ready to Out-Wrestle Khamzat Chimaev: “I’m not scared of any of that”

    UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has made it clear that he isn’t afraid to wrestle with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.

    In the main event of UFC 319, Dricus du Plessis will defend his UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev. As we’ve said for weeks now, this is easily one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year. DDP is unpredictable and chaotic, whereas Chimaev is ruthless and efficient in what he does.

    Something has to give, and we can’t wait to see them lock up for the first time. Of course, the wrestling prowess of Khamzat Chimaev is considered to be the strongest factor for either fight in this one – and it’s pretty clear to see why. At the same time, though, Dricus du Plessis is the kind of fighter who can pull a rabbit out of his hat in the blink of an eye.

    In a recent interview, Dricus du Plessis made it known that he isn’t particularly bothered about the porospect of having to wrestle with Chimaev on Saturday night.

    Dricus du Plessis discusses Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling

    “I understand that he’s really good at wrestling and he’s really good on the ground, but I mean, that is the game. That’s truly how I feel about this fight. Yes, he is going to shoot. And yes, he is probably going to take me down, but I’m going to shoot too and I’m probably going to take him down. I’m going to strike and I’m probably going to hit him and he’s going to strike and probably hit me. I’m not scared of any of that.”

  • Khamzat Chimaev Says Girls Like Terrorists

    Khamzat Chimaev Says Girls Like Terrorists

    UFC star Khamzat Chimaev came out with an absolutely wild comment when being interviewed by Daniel Cormier earlier this week.

    As we know, Khamzat Chimaev will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship this weekend at UFC 319. In the eyes of many, ‘Borz’ is the favorite to win the fight and finally claim UFC gold for the first time in his career. Of course, getting the job done against DDP is going to be easier said than done.

    Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t fear anyone, and neither should he if he wants to become world champion. Alas, Dricus du Plessis has a lot of great attributes, as does the challenger.

    In a recent interview, though, Khamzat Chimaev and Daniel Cormier took some time away from speaking about the fight to engage in a bit of back and forth banter.

    Khamzat Chimaev jokes around with Daniel Cormier

    Cormier: “But look at me, look at my face, look at your face. This, beautiful, black skin, caramel. Your skin? Chechnya. Not beautiful like mine.”

    Chimaev: “Don’t need to be beautiful.”

    Cormier: “What do you need to be? World champion?’

    Chimaev: “Girls like terrorists.”

    Cormier: “[laughs] You’re so crazy, you can’t say that!”

    Chimaev: “I’m joking man.”

    Khamzat knows that he will become a true superstar if he’s able to get through du Plessis. If he does it convincingly and gets the finish, then it’ll open up the door to all kinds of interesting possibilities – whether it be at middleweight or perhaps even 205 pounds.

  • Kai Asakura: I Can Knock Out Tim Elliott in One Second at UFC 319

    Kai Asakura: I Can Knock Out Tim Elliott in One Second at UFC 319

    UFC flyweight star Kai Asakura has issued a warning to Tim Elliott ahead of their upcoming battle at UFC 319 this weekend.

    As we know, Kai Asakura made a name for himself with his work in Rizin. As a result of what he was able to accomplish, he was immediately given a UFC flyweight championship fight against Alexandre Pantoja in his first bout in the promotion. It certainly caught a lot of people off guard, but either way, it was an interesting direction for the UFC to go in.

    Back at UFC 310 in December, Kai Asakura failed in his attempt to take the belt from Pantoja. In the second round of their championship contest, Pantoja submitted Kai to ensure he successfully retained the flyweight title. Ever since then, many have wondered what would be next for the 31-year-old. Now, we have our answer, as he prepares to go head to head with Tim Elliott at UFC 319.

    It’s an interesting fight between two men who seem to be in very different spots in their respective careers. In a recent interview, Kai Asakura spoke about a very specific part of Tim Elliott’s game.

    Kai Asakura is ready for Tim Elliott

    Kai was asked what he makes of Tim’s style where he likes to block with his hands down – and he made it crystal clear that Elliott shouldn’t pull that kind of trick against him.

    “I think if he does that against me, I will probably KO him in a second. I think he should be careful with that.”

  • Lerone Murphy explains why Mike Tyson has always been his inspiration ahead of UFC 319

    Lerone Murphy explains why Mike Tyson has always been his inspiration ahead of UFC 319

    Undefeated UFC featherweight Lerone Murphy has explained why Mike Tyson has always been a big inspiration of his.

    On Saturday night, Lerone Murphy will attempt to make his case for a shot at the UFC featherweight championship. He’ll do this by trying to defeat Aaron Pico, who has a lot of hype behind him after making the move over from the Bellator-PFL brand. Of course, while Murphy may be unbeaten, this isn’t exactly going to be a walk in the park for him.

    For Lerone Murphy, it’s about proving a point. He isn’t the most thrilling fighter in the division when it comes to picking up stoppage wins, but so long as he can keep grinding out victories, it’ll be hard to deny that he deserves a shot at the belt.

    In a recent interview with Card Player, Lerone Murphy spoke candidly about why he sees Mike Tyson as an inspiration in his career.

    Lerone Murphy reveals Mike Tyson as his inspiration

    “My inspiration has always been Mike Tyson, just because I believe he had a similar upbringing as me, around the same stuff. And then turned his life around, went into fighting early and just smashed it and he was just himself. I’ve read his book and I’ve watched all his podcasts. That’s somebody that inspired me the most in terms of combat sports. He also had a crazy mindset that I relate to.”

    Quotes via Card Player

    Can Murphy extend his unbeaten run on Saturday? We’ll have to wait and see.

  • Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev: Michael ‘Venom’ Page believes both are beatable

    Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev: Michael ‘Venom’ Page believes both are beatable

    UFC star Michael ‘Venom’ Page has given his thoughts on the upcoming UFC 319 main event between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.

    On Saturday night, we will see Dricus du Plessis defend his UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev. It’s a fight that has been a long time coming, and it’s easily one of the most unpredictable title bouts of the year. They have dramatically different styles, they’re both physical, and they both go on the hunt for a finish.

    There are a lot of different ways it can go, and the predictions that have been flying in are all over the place. Some are backing Dricus du Plessis to simply outlast Khamzat Chimaev, whereas others can see ‘Borz’ getting the champ out of there early.

    In a recent podcast appearance, Michael Page became the latest fighter to weigh in on what could go down when Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev finally collide.

    MVP previews Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

    “When we talk about Dricus Du Plessis versus Khamzat Chimaev, the thing people don’t realise is that both fighters are so different in their chaos. Dricus is unorthodox and unpredictable, and that makes him dangerous even when he looks like he’s slowing down. Khamzat is pure intensity from bell to bell, but if you can survive that first hurricane, you start to see the openings. Both are beatable, but you have to be willing to walk through fire to get there.”

    Who’s going to get it done, fight fans?

  • Joe Rogan: Being a UFC Fighter is the ‘Nuttiest’ Job in the World

    Joe Rogan: Being a UFC Fighter is the ‘Nuttiest’ Job in the World

    UFC commentator Joe Rogan has explained why being a fighter is one of the craziest jobs out there.

    As we know, Joe Rogan has served as one of the main voices of the Ultimate Fighting Championship over the course of the last few decades. In that time, he’s seen a lot of fighters come and go – and he’s seen the sport of mixed martial arts evolve in ways that few of us could’ve imagined was possible. In the present day, the UFC has just signed a new blockbuster deal with Paramount that looks set to take the promotion to a whole new level.

    Joe Rogan will be along for the ride, continuing to defend and promote mixed martial arts against all of those who criticize it. While not everyone is going to be a big fan of the product, largely due to the violent nature of the sport, it certainly seems to be getting accepted more so now than it was even just a few years ago.

    In a recent episode of his podcast, Joe Rogan spoke candidly about what it’s like to be a professional fighter.

    Joe Rogan hypes up mixed martial arts

    “It’s very different than a street fight because you’re agreeing to it and you’re training for it. You’ve got this other person who’s like training. You know they’re scary as [expletive] and they’re on the other side of the cage and then you step in and the two of you are about to go to war. It’s the nuttiest job in the history of the world. It really is. Other than war and being a firefighter or a cop, it is the nuttiest job in the history of the world. You’re agreeing to throw bones at each other in front of the world. Millions of people. People love it.”

  • Khamzat Chimaev via Submission Over Dricus Du Plessis, says Undefeated Featherweight

    Khamzat Chimaev via Submission Over Dricus Du Plessis, says Undefeated Featherweight

    Undefeated UFC featherweight Lerone Murphy believes that Khamzat Chimaev will be able to pick up the win over Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319.

    On Saturday night, Khamzat Chimaev will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship. It’s expected to be a highly technical, back and forth affair, and in truth, it’s pretty hard to conclusively say who is the favorite. Chimaev has his incredible wrestling ability, whereas du Plessis is one of the most unpredictable fighters in UFC history.

    They both have numerous paths to victory, and regardless of whether it ends via early finish or decision, we expect that there are going to be plenty of chaotic moments for fans to enjoy.

    In a recent interview with Card Player, the aforementioned Lerone Murphy backed Khamzat Chimaev to secure the win and the title via submission.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HapRvYu44is

    Lerone Murphy’s view on Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

    “Khamzat’s all gas on the pedal. Everyone’s saying if Khamzat wins he wins in the first round and if Dricus wins he wins later rounds. But I think you have to put more respect on Khamzat. He is not just going to gas out after the first round and give up if you don’t finish him. It’s going to be a tough fight for both of them, to be honest. But I see Khamzat getting his hand raised – maybe getting a third or second round submission.”

    Quotes via Card Player

    Do you agree with Lerone? Let us know, fight fans.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Not Impressed with Khamzat Chimaev’s Size After Meeting Him

    Dricus Du Plessis Not Impressed with Khamzat Chimaev’s Size After Meeting Him

    UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis isn’t impressed by the size of UFC 319 opponent Khamzat Chimaev ahead of their clash on Saturday night.

    This weekend, Dricus du Plessis will defend his middleweight crown against Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319. It’s expected to be a pretty competitive back and forth affair, and while it’s hard to predict what’s going to happen, there’s no denying that DDP will do well to overcome the dominant wrestling style that Chimaev possesses.

    Recently, the two men bumped into one another during fight week. Khamzat Chimaev came up to Dricus du Plessis and shook his hands, the pair seemed to be pretty professional about the whole thing. Of course, that could all come crumbling down like a house of cards during the upcoming UFC 319 press conference.

    In a recent interview, Dricus du Plessis made it clear that he didn’t feel like Khamzat was that much bigger than him.

    Dricus du Plessis doesn’t care about Khamzat Chimaev’s size

    “I don’t give a s*** how big he is. It’s not what wins fights, but yeah, I saw him. He’s not definitely not bigger than me.”

    du Plessis has never been the kind of guy who is going to shy away from a fight. If anything, he’s going to embrace it. The South African sensation is heading into this one with all the confidence in the world and if he can pull off the win, he’ll started to be talked about as one of the greatest middleweights of all time.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Laughs At Khamzat Chimaev’s Resume Heading into UFC 319

    Dricus Du Plessis Laughs At Khamzat Chimaev’s Resume Heading into UFC 319

    UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has compared his resume to Khamzat Chimaev’s ahead of their clash at UFC 319 this weekend.

    On Saturday night, Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev will finally collide with the UFC middleweight championship being up for grabs. It’s pretty tough to say who’s going to come out on top with the win, but one thing we know for sure is that both men are going to push the pace and bring the action from the very first moments of the fight.

    Dricus du Plessis has been a fantastic champion at 185 pounds and he’s hungry to improve his legacy even further in the years to come. He’s certainly talented enough to do that, but in order to reach that next level, he needs to be able to get through Khamzat.

    In a recent interview, Dricus du Plessis spoke candidly about his resume in comparison to Chimaev’s as we get closer and closer to fight night.

    Dricus du Plessis talks about comparisons with Khamzat Chimaev

    “I fought a guy that was ranked number seven because number one got injured, and he was the only guy that’s gonna take the fight. I wanna fight the best of the best and that is what I’ve been doing. 

    “If you go look at me and Khamzat, he’s [got] eight wins in the UFC, I’m nine. Just go compare our resumes. It’s ridiculous.”

    Either way, we’re going to get some real clarity on the state of the middleweight division soon.

  • Paddy Pimblett is the One to Beat Ilia Topuria, Says Former UFC Title Contender

    Paddy Pimblett is the One to Beat Ilia Topuria, Says Former UFC Title Contender

    Former UFC fighter Darren Till believes that fellow Liverpudlian Paddy Pimblett could be the man to defeat Ilia Topuria.

    For a while now, Paddy Pimblett has been on the rise in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s rubbed a lot of people the wrong way in that time but in equal measure, he’s also proven himself to be a top star in the lightweight division – and in doing so, he’s proven a whole lot of critics wrong.

    One of the most notable things about Paddy Pimblett’s UFC run thus far has been his feud with Ilia Topuria. Following their recent face-off in the cage, some have questioned whether or not the UFC will book that fight next.

    In a recent interview with Compare.bet, Darren Till gave his thoughts on how Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett could go.

    Darren Till believes Paddy Pimblett could beat Ilia Topuria

    “Paddy has probably got the best chance to beat Ilia, and I know it sounds ridiculous because I don’t think Paddy’s on his level in terms of skillset yet–he will get there.

    “But I just think Paddy with his coaches and the way they strategise, and how big he is, and how sort of loose he is–I think Paddy has a great chance of beating Ilia Topuria.

    “A lot of people will be against that opinion, but I’ve said this for years about Paddy, people like to give Paddy shit, but he can fight. He’s got a solid team around and he obviously works hard because of the shape he gets in.

    “Whether you love or hate Paddy, and he’s not a close friend by any sense of it, but you have to give Paddy props. I know his opponents are questionable and the loss and stuff, but you can only fight who is in front of you.

    “And people will say ‘he’s getting built’ – of course he’s getting built – like me. Because we speak, we talk the talk, why wouldn’t you build Paddy? Stop being a hater.”

    Quotes via Compare.bet

  • Tom Aspinall Tells UFC Fans to Give up On Jon Jones’ Comeback: “Not Interested”

    UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has told fans to move on from the idea of him fighting Jon Jones at next year’s UFC White House event.

    For the longest time, Tom Aspinall was actively asking for the opportunity to face Jon Jones for the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship. Unfortunately, ‘Bones’ never seemed particularly interested in that idea, and he eventually made the decision to retire from mixed martial arts altogether.

    Alas, it didn’t take long for him to start suggesting that he will, in fact, make his way back into the cage one day. Many rolled their eyes at this, noting that it was only the UFC White House card that led to him suggesting a comeback. Tom Aspinall, meanwhile, still isn’t buying it.

    In a recent interview, Tom Aspinall almost seemed exhausted at even having to discuss Jon.

    Tom Aspinall issues warning to fans over Jon Jones’ possible return

    “Do you want me to be honest? It has spent zero seconds in my mind. [I’m] not interested mate, and the world shouldn’t be interested either. What’s the point? [It’s] just false hope.”

    Aspinall is currently preparing to defend his title against Ciryl Gane later this year. If he’s able to win that, and do so convincingly, he could really set himself up for some special things to come in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

    Either way, it feels like the ship has sailed for Jon Jones, especially given that even Dana White is hesitant to trust him with another main event spot.

  • Lerone Murphy Feels More Comfortable as the Underdog: “I do my best work with no pressure”

    Lerone Murphy Feels More Comfortable as the Underdog: “I do my best work with no pressure”

    UFC featherweight star Lerone Murphy is feeling good heading into his battle with Aaron Pico in the co-main event of UFC 319.

    For the longest time now, Lerone Murphy has been battling his way towards a hopeful title shot at 145 pounds. The 34-year-old is unbeaten in his mixed martial arts career and in the wake of his win over Josh Emmett earlier this year, he’s opted for a quick turnaround as he prepares to collide with Aaron Pico on Saturday night.

    It’s always difficult when you’re welcoming someone to the UFC, and it’s even harder when it’s someone who has as much hype as Aaron Pico does. Alas, it doesn’t seem to be something that’s bothering Lerone Murphy too much.

    In fact, even being listed as the underdog by some is great motivation for Lerone Murphy, as he noted in a recent interview with Card Player.

    Lerone Murphy doesn’t mind being underdog

    “I believe it’s going to be a great fight. I think it’s probably the toughest match-up I’ve had so far in my career stylistically and it’s going to be a great fight, man. But I think I can find holes and I believe I’m going to come out victorious. I want to go out there and make a big statement. And I want to finish him.”

    “I prefer to be an underdog, to be honest. With pressure you don’t perform as well, I believe. When I go in there and I just think it is what it is, I’m a fighter anyway. I’m going to be focused on that night and put the pressure on. I believe I do my best work with no pressure, which might be strange to some. Some people perform under pressure but I think I do my best work [when I’m relaxed]. I’m less hesitant and I let it all go and that’s what you’re going to see.”

    Quotes via Card Player

  • Khamzat Chimaev vs Dricus du Plessis: Darren Till makes his prediction

    Khamzat Chimaev vs Dricus du Plessis: Darren Till makes his prediction

    Former UFC fighter Darren Till has given his thoughts on the UFC 319 main event between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.

    On Saturday night, Dricus du Plessis will defend his UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev. This is expected to be a pretty close, intense battle between two of the best middleweights on the planet – and two of the most unique. At this point, nobody really knows what way it’s going to go, and there are many different predictions flying around.

    One man who knows a thing or two about these men is Darren Till. The Liverpudlian fought and lost to Dricus du Plessis during his UFC run, and he trained extensively with Khamzat Chimaev, becoming quite close friends with ‘Borz’.

    In a recent interview with Compare.bet, Till had the following to say about Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev.

    Darren Till’s view on Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

    “DDP will be facing the highest level of wrestling, especially in MMA. Can Khamzat beat him early on? Most definitely.  But can DDP give Khamzat hell? Most definitely.

    “I think it’s 60-40 in Khamzat’s favour, but I just say, when it gets into later rounds, does Khamzat have it [the stamina] to go that? But I think he’s training with Arman Tsarukyan, so I think it’s going to be a demolition job, well I hope it is. But don’t be surprised if DDP gives him problems because he is a phenomenal fighter.

    “I think he’s going to drag Khamzat into deep waters, but I think Khamzat is going to be prepared, so I do see Khamzat winning any which way. But you cannot look past DDP. “

    Quotes via Compare.bet

  • Charles Oliveira confirms interest in Max Holloway rematch

    Charles Oliveira confirms interest in Max Holloway rematch

    UFC legend Charles Oliveira has confirmed that he would be interested in running it back with Max Holloway, 10 years on from when they first met in the cage.

    As we know, Charles Oliveira is one of the greatest lightweights of his generation – and one of the most accomplished in UFC history. However, after getting knocked out by Ilia Topuria in his most recent outing, he needs to build his way back up to the top. He’ll hope to start doing so in the main event of UFC Rio later this year when he collides with Rafael Fiziev.

    For Charles Oliveira, it’s all about proving that he still has what it takes to thrive at the elite level. We all know how good he’s been over the years but the real hope among his fans is that he has at least one more run left in him.

    In a recent interview with Thunderpick, Charles Oliveira spoke about the possibility of a rematch against Max Holloway, a man who is currently looking for a UFC lightweight title shot of his own.

    Charles Oliveira confirms interest in Max Holloway rematch

    “Man, I think everyone wants to see that fight,” Oliveira told Thunderpick of Holloway. “It’s definitely going to happen at some point. Whatever people say doesn’t really matter to me. 

    “Everybody knows I was injured. I spent two days in the hospital, why would I do that for nothing? That’s just part of the game. He’s a great fighter. He’s the BMF champ. So why not make it happen later on? For now, let’s stay focused on this fight, and then we’ll see.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Jon Jones Blown Away by Khamzat Chimaev’s Words: “I’m very grateful”

    Jon Jones Blown Away by Khamzat Chimaev’s Words: “I’m very grateful”

    UFC legend Jon Jones has reacted to Khamzat Chimaev calling him the scariest guy in mixed martial arts.

    While he may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s simply no denying the impact that Jon Jones has had on the sport of mixed martial arts. He has been able to achieve some wonderful things throughout the course of his career and while he may have broken his retirement pretty quickly, his overall legacy will certainly highlight the unbelievable run he enjoyed at light heavyweight.

    Nowadays, Jon Jones is toying with the idea of making a second heavyweight run, even though he’s now surrendered his title to Tom Aspinall. Another man who is currently chasing UFC gold is Khamzat Chimaev, who will be challenging Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 319 on Saturday night.

    In a clip that’s circulating, Jon Jones has given his thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev praising him.

    Jon Jones reacts to Khamzat Chimaev’s praise

    “That’s a huge compliment coming from Khamzat. I’m a big fan of Khamzat. I don’t think he has any reason to toot my horn or to even be humble. He doesn’t have to be. I mean, heavyweights fear him. The fact he has so much respect for me really means a lot, it shows me a lot about his character and his humility to be able to compliment someone in such a huge way.”

    “I wanna see them both [DDP and Chimaev] go on and have long, prosperous MMA careers. I will watch the fight for sure.”

  • Fluffy Anthony Hernandez To Spend UFC Bonus on ‘moving back to the country’ for his Kids

    Fluffy Anthony Hernandez To Spend UFC Bonus on ‘moving back to the country’ for his Kids

    UFC middleweight contender Anthony Hernandez has explained what he plans to do with the bonus money he received courtesy of his nasty submission win over Roman Dolidze.

    Last Saturday night, Anthony Hernandez really took that next step up in his mixed martial arts development. He looked incredible throughout the course of his fight against Roman Dolidze and now, it certainly feels like he’s right there in the mix for a shot at the UFC middleweight championship. ‘Fluffy’ has been overlooked for so long now at 185 pounds, but it’s pretty difficult to do that after such a dominant triumph over someone like Dolidze.

    As we look ahead to the future, it certainly feels like Anthony Hernandez has a major fight on the horizon – even if it’s not for the title. Alas, there are plenty of other things that fighters focus their attention on outside of the cage, especially given how precious the paydays are that they receive throughout their careers.

    In his post-fight press conference, Anthony Hernandez spoke candidly about what his priority is now as he prepares for the next chapter in his life.

    Anthony Hernandez’s big priority after latest win

    “I have kids, so I got to pay some s* down and try to finish my ranch. I’m trying to move back to the country so my kids can have a good childhood.”

    Hernandez is set to head to Chicago this week where he will watch the highly anticipated title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.

  • Khamzat Chimaev’s Wrestling: Former UFC Champion Explains Why It’s Unbeatable

    Khamzat Chimaev’s Wrestling: Former UFC Champion Explains Why It’s Unbeatable

    UFC legend Demetrious Johnson has explained why Khamzat Chimaev‘s wrestling is so difficult to overcome.

    In the main event of UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev will finally get his shot at UFC gold. It’s a moment that he’s been waiting a long time for and in the eyes of many, he’s the favorite heading into this contest. Of course, we all know that Dricus du Plessis is going to put up a tough fight, and there’s a pretty good chance he’ll be able to retain the strap.

    Alas, one of the reasons for the confidence in Khamzat Chimaev is due to his wrestling. He is so precise and powerful when he shoots and when he gets you to the ground, things can get dangerous pretty quickly.

    In a recent analysis video, Demetrious Johnson broke down why Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling is so incredibly impressive.

    Demetrious Johnson praises Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling

    “Look how deep that shot was. He gets all the weight. He pushes the weight that way and it forces you to put your hands on the mat, which means you have to carry his weight. Then he’s also kicking out that leg, so he’s blocked this, but he’s also kicking the leg out too. He’s big for the division. He’s also longer than Robert Whittaker, so he’s able to do that as well, which puts Robert Whittaker on his butt and carrying all of Khamzat’s weight. And right now, Khamzat’s resting. He’s resting, carrying all that weight.”

    “When you look at Khamzat, you have to look at him—when he jumps on you, you better be ready for the best, you better have the best wrestling, anti-wrestling, and fighting skill ready to rock and roll, because once he locks on, he’s going to be looking to go to that position, which I call home. He’s going to sit there and wait and then see what you’re going to do.

    “Once you start to post, he’s going to take out that post, jump to the other side, take out the other post, get his hooks in, and beat you up until you give him your neck or neck crank, and he’s going to take it. That’s what he wants to do. He doesn’t want to do anything on the feet. If he could, he would wrestle all day every day.”

  • Dricus Du Plessis Vs. Khamzat Chimaev: Former UFC Champ Reveals the X Factor at UFC 319

    Dricus Du Plessis Vs. Khamzat Chimaev: Former UFC Champ Reveals the X Factor at UFC 319

    UFC commentator Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on what could be the X-factor between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.

    As we know, Dricus du Plessis will defend the UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319. It’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing fights of the year and while you’ll find a lot of people saying that about a lot of different fights, it certainly seems to be appropriate for this one.

    Khamzat Chimaev is seen by many as the favorite, but underestimating Dricus du Plessis is a mistake that many of us have made over the years. DDP just seems to be getting more and more confident every single time he goes out there, and he has more than earned the right to call himself the king of the middleweight division.

    As we look ahead to fight night, Michael Bisping recently gave his thoughts on what the determining factor could be between Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus du Plessis.

    Michael Bisping’s view on Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev

    “Mental toughness does come into this because sometimes when you are so tired and your lungs are burning and you can’t breathe and your shoulders are on fire and you just want to sit down and collapse and just be left alone, you can always find that next level. 

    “That is why coaches always say, you’ve got to dig deep. You’ve got to dig deep. You’ve got to find that area, that level to where you can push more. It is just a state of mind. Yes, your heart is beating out of your chest, but if you choose to, you can keep going. And that’s just a fact.”

  • Conor McGregor is having an identity crisis, says UFC legend

    Conor McGregor is having an identity crisis, says UFC legend

    UFC legend Matt Brown believes that Conor McGregor is currently in the midst of an identity crisis.

    It goes without saying that Conor McGregor is the biggest star in the history of mixed martial arts. He has been able to achieve some truly incredible things in the sport, to the point where he was even able to cross over into professional boxing and take on Floyd Mayweather.

    His greatness speaks for itself, but as we know, Conor McGregor also has his fair share of demons. He has been involved in numerous controversies outside of the cage and while he may be acting as if everything is fine, a lot of people are concerned about what the future holds for him.

    In a recent podcast appearance, Matt Brown became the latest fighter to weigh in on the Conor McGregor situation.

    Matt Brown’s view on Conor McGregor

    “Every fighter knows it becomes your identity,” Brown said. “When you’re a fighter, it becomes who you are. We talk about it all the time with sports psychologists and other fighters, you can’t let this be your identity. You’re more than that. It becomes your identity. I don’t give a f*ck what everybody tells you or what you try to believe in your own head.

    “When you step out of the cage one day, you’ll realize that’s who you were and that was all of who you were. I think Conor’s having a hard time with that, seemingly.”

    “Now his identity kind of got ripped apart by Dustin Poirier,” Brown explained. “Dustin took his soul. Khabib [Nurmagomedov] probably first, but Dustin kind of put the nail in the coffin on that.

    “Now he’s not a winner with that identity. Now he’s not even competing anymore. That’s a lot to deal with for anyone. So you’ve got to have a little bit of sympathy on that side. It is a lot to deal with.”

    Quotes via MMA Fighting

  • Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t expect to compete on UFC White House card

    UFC star Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t anticipate that he’ll be making an appearance on next summer’s planned UFC White House card.

    For the longest time, it was unclear as to whether or not Khamzat Chimaev would ever be able to fight again the US. We had heard plenty of rumors and reports regarding why that was the case, but now, the issue appears to have been solved. On Saturday night, ‘Borz’ will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship – and he’ll do so in Chicago, Illinois.

    There’s a lot of excitement in the air for this fight, as you can expect, and Khamzat Chimaev is considered by many to be the favorite. As previously mentioned, next year we will see the UFC put on a huge card at the White House. As you can imagine, plenty of fighters are eager to be part of that card.

    Khamzat Chimaev, though, seems to believe that he isn’t destined to be part of the equation.

    Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t expect to fight at White House

    “This wasn’t my bad. This wasn’t my fault,” Chimaev said about not fighting in the United States during an open workout interview with MMA Fighting on Wednesday. “Everyone knows I didn’t have the visa to the U.S. That’s why I didn’t fight only once in Abu Dhabi. So now Donald Trump is here, we go for a fight.”

    “Look at my face. I don’t think so,” Chimaev said with a smile when asked about fighting at the White House. “They [would deport me] to an immigrant camp or whatever. I’m an athlete, a sportsman, all my life I’ve been training. Some people put me in a position like political shit and break my visa down and I don’t know why. I’m just doing for my family — fighting, training. Athletes don’t have to be with politics. I’m not connected.

    “If somebody wants to meet me, I never say no. Why should they do that? It’s putting a lot of athletes in a bad position with this. This is a sport that [brings] all the guys together, [brings] all countries together but they want to do some different ways. I don’t know why. I would be happy if they give me a fight there but I don’t think so.”

    Quotes via MMA Fighting

  • Arman Tsarukyan continues to accuse Ilia Topuria of ducking him

    Arman Tsarukyan continues to accuse Ilia Topuria of ducking him

    Top UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan firmly believes that Ilia Topuria, the current UFC lightweight champion, is actively avoiding him.

    As we know, Arman Tsarukyan is one of the best lightweight fighters that the Ultimate Fighting Championship has on its roster. At the same time, he hasn’t fought for a while now – with one of the reasons for that being the injury he sustained right before he was scheduled to challenge Islam Makhachev for the belt.

    There have been plenty of developments since then, but one thing that hasn’t changed is Arman Tsarukyan’s position as one of the frontrunners in the race for a championship opportunity.

    Unfortunately, Ilia Topuria doesn’t seem to be too invested in the idea of making that happen. In a recent interview, Arman Tsarukyan opened up on the situation and what could be next for him.

    Arman Tsarukyan continues ducking accusations

    “He feels that he’s going to lose that fight, and it’s better to give the belt and then like go up or wait to see what happens with me because he knows I’m a big problem for him,” Tsarukyan told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a media day scrum. “I’m going to get his title, he knows that, and he wants an easy fight with Paddy (Pimblett) or (Justin) Gaethje or someone, just make money and defend, but with me, it’s going to be hard for him.”

    “I already told them I’m ready September or October,” Tsarukyan said. “I’m in shape and I train twice a day. I’m healthy now, so if they tell me October with somebody and December with Ilia, for sure.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Dricus Du Plessis Made His Awkward Fighting Style Intentional: “Training this style for 12 years”

    Dricus Du Plessis Made His Awkward Fighting Style Intentional: “Training this style for 12 years”

    UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has spoken openly about his fight style ahead of his return to action at UFC 319.

    Later this month, Dricus du Plessis will defend the UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev. It’s a fight that has been a long time coming, and while many believe that Chimaev will be able to claim the gold, underestimating DDP is something that has proven to be a really bad idea throughout the course of his mixed martial arts career.

    In his UFC run alone, Dricus du Plessis has been able to defeat some top names including Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya. He has proven himself to be the best middleweight out there right now, and he’s done so with the kind of unconventional style that has put the rest of the division on notice.

    In a recent interview, Dricus du Plessis spoke about his fighting style, making it clear that this is something that has been carefully cultivated.

    Dricus du Plessis explains his fight style

    “My style is awkward on purpose. Me and my coaches have been training this style for 12 years because we think it’s better. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s different, not awkward.”

    When you really think about it, du Plessis doesn’t have to answer to anyone. He knows that all he has to do is go out there and let his fighting do the talking for him, and although Chimaev is the favorite for many, you can bet that Dricus is going to put his best foot forward in Chicago.