MMA News

Author: Harvey Leonard

  • Ngannou: In France, I’m French When I Win & Cameroonian When I Lose

    UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou has suggested the media in France are very fickle when it comes to his representation of the European country.

    At the opening pay-per-view of 2022, two former teammates at Paris’ MMA Factory gym collided. On one side of the Octagon was a Cameroon native who built his life and career in France. Opposite him was a La Roche-sur-Yon native, born and bred in the west side of the nation.

    In the main event, it was Ngannou who emerged victoriously and left the cage as the undisputed heavyweight king. He did so despite carrying a torn MCL into the contest and following a difficult opening two rounds.

    After struggling on the feet against “Bon Gamin” for the first 10 minutes, “The Predator” adjusted his strategy and won the remaining three frames thanks to top control and an impressive display of wrestling.

    With the victory, Ngannou closed the book on his feud with former coach Fernand Lopez, defied the odds, and established a strong position for future negotiations with the UFC. A defeat may well have seen him depart the promotion.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZSIEpeL2SY/

    Ngannou: The French Media Wanted A Villain

    Given the two names involved in the headline clash, it’s unsurprising that French interest was at an all-time high ahead of UFC 270. But with Ngannou’s history and frequent praise of the opportunities he was given in France, it was perhaps surprising to see the attitude of some of the country’s media towards him.

    At the UFC 270 press conference during fight week, Ngannou had a heated exchange with a French reporter who asked him if he’d “brainwashed” his time at Paris’ MMA Factory gym out of his memory. The champ later took issue with another journalist who seemed to suggest Ngannou had described Gane as an easy opponent.

    During an episode of Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour in the week following the PPV event, Ngannou was asked why members of the French media pushed a negative narrative about him leading up to the contest.

    “It’s (attitude of the French media) because I was fighting a French guy,” Ngannou said. “That’s how it happens in France. In France, when you lost, you are Cameroonian; when you win, you’re French-Cameroonian or French. And this time I was fighting a real French guy, so they built up the story of the villain and the good guy. I mean, it’s just media. After the fight, a lot of them, they just changed their mind. Some people just wrote back the article, like, ‘A French-Cameroonian retained his title,’ all that kind of stuff. It’s the media, you can’t control that stuff.

    “But regardless of that, I know that I have a huge fanbase in France,” added Ngannou. “I have people in France who love me and that’s all that matters. That’s the people who I represent. In France, my fans, my friends, those who even became my family, you know, that’s why I’m happy about France.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CVOAPmMjlCi/

    Despite moving permanently to the United States to train at the Xtreme Couture gym, Ngannou has previously returned to France and certainly appears to appreciate the support he still receives from his fanbase across the Atlantic.

    It’ll be interesting to see how the French media approaches Ngannou’s next fight, and whether, like Ngannou says, they’ll follow a different narrative if he’s not up against a French national.

    What did you make of the French media’s attitude towards Francis Ngannou prior to UFC 270?

  • Chael Sonnen: Conor McGregor Needs To Give Us More Information

    Former two-division UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen has pleaded with Conor McGregor to provide some more information surrounding his return to the Octagon.

    McGregor hasn’t been in action since July 2021. While he’d have hoped to climb back to the top of the lightweight division and perhaps have gold around his waist entering 2022, he was instead flung to the sidelines courtesy of a brutal broken leg at UFC 264.

    The injury marked his second defeat of the year, his second consecutive setback to Dustin Poirier, and his second TKO loss in six months. Understandably, that form has left many wondering whether we’ve seen the last of the Irishman at his best inside the cage.

    Nevertheless, McGregor seems as committed as ever and firmly on his road back to fighting. Having consistently updated fans on his recovery via social media, the former two-division champion is evidently nearing the end of his recovery and preparing to return to full MMA sparring.

    But with talk of his return rising to the surface, there’s one question still unanswered.

    Sonnen Tells McGregor To “Pick A Division”

    Over the course of his incredibly successful career in the sport, McGregor has reached the mountaintop of both the featherweight and lightweight divisions in the UFC, and had success at welterweight. That variety, coupled with his potential opponents and apparent bulked physique, has left some wondering what weight the “Notorious” megastar will step on the scale at next time out.

    During a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen discussed McGregor’s options, which include a tetralogy with “The Diamond” and a third clash with Stockton brawler Nate Diaz.

    “Nate Diaz’s last fight, you’ve got something special that deserves to be done just right,” said Sonnen. “Poirier vs. Conor works, I understand that but part four is a little weird. Particularly when two and three didn’t have a single round won by Conor. It was very uncompetitive.”

    But before considering which name is more likely and who we could see McGregor share the Octagon with next, Sonnen said the Irishman has to provide clarity on which weight class he’ll return in.

    “Conor’s got to give us a little more info too, he’s putting pictures out, he’s 190 pounds. Is he planning on stopping by 170? Is he planning on going back to 155? It just depends on the day that you talk to him.

    “Conor has been for a meaningful period of time and will live the rest of his career on the same unique spot that he monopolies. Which is, whatever he does, is going to work,” Sonnen added. “Does Conor have the same pursuit of getting back to a world championship? If that answer is yes, he has to pick a division.” (h/t Pundit Arena)

    While McGregor has consistently pursued a title fight at 155 pounds, especially following Charles Oliveira’s victory over Poirier at UFC 269, his social media posts have suggested a potential return to welterweight could be the leading option.

    One post, described by the likes of Joe Rogan as deceptive, showed a McGregor who’s packed on a significant amount of muscle. With his previous interactions with Kamaru Usman and a positive record at the weight, perhaps a 170-pound McGregor will be returning to action later this year.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZUlROcNLC-/

    While his return weight may still be up in the air, McGregor has once again confirmed his intention to make a comeback following his gruesome injury last year. In a recent upload, the Irishman promised to put the Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey back on the shelf and immerse himself fully in training in the coming months.

    It remains to be seen if that’ll be enough to bring back the “Notorious” fighter of old.

    Do you think Conor McGregor can make a successful comeback to the Octagon this year?

  • Rogan: Peña’s UFC 269 Upset Over Nunes Changed The World

    UFC color commentator Joe Rogan believes women’s bantamweight queen Julianna Peña changed the world with her victory over Amanda Nunes at UFC 269.

    At the final pay-per-view of 2021, Peña closed out the year by providing one of its most memorable moments. Prior to the event, “The Venezuelan Vixen” carried an air of confidence that has never been synonymous with opponents of Nunes, who was undefeated since 2014 at the time and reigned over both the 135 and 145-pound weight classes.

    Having been branded delusional by most, including the “Lioness,” Peña set out to prove herself right and her doubters wrong. In about as impressive fashion as she could, she did just that.

    After surviving the opening round, Peña brought a look out of Nunes that no one has managed to do since Cat Zingano eight years ago. After tiring the Brazilian out in a wild battle on the feet, Peña dragged her to the ground and submitted her.

    According to the new champ, Nunes got “exposed” at UFC 269.

    Rogan: Peña Showed What Is Possible

    The result was an upset felt around the world. From casual fans and hardcore fans to fighters and pundits, very few had seen it coming. That’s what made it arguably the biggest shock in UFC history.

    One man who recognized the momentous nature of the win was Joe Rogan. From his cageside seat, the renowned podcast host had a front-row view for what transpired. In his mind, the fight not only changed the landscape of the division and the promotion but the entire world.

    “It was almost like the world changed,” Rogan said while hosting Peña on an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience. “The whole world changed. Like, what is not possible is now possible.”

    Whilst the UFC 269 co-main event brought the MMA community one of the most memorable underdog triumphs the sport has ever seen, Rogan believes the fight itself also boasted everything required to make it a classic.

    The 54-year-old told the newly-crowned champion that her effort that night in Las Vegas created everything he and the rest of the fanbase would ever want from a matchup inside the Octagon.

    “That was one of the best fights I’ve ever seen. In terms of, what do you want out of a fight? You want to be completely immersed,” added Rogan. “The world goes away. All you’re thinking about is what’s happening right in front of you. And because of your effort, because of what you accomplished that night, you changed the way people think about what’s possible and not possible. That’s everything we want from a fight. Everything.

    “You were the underdog, you came in, you were counted out by so many people, you fought the greatest of all time, and you fucked her up. And the way you did it, the whole world—everybody that watched that was like, ‘Holy shit.’ The world is a different place now.”

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    Having ascended the 135-pound mountaintop, the next step for Peña will be to further tighten her hold on the belt by adding another blemish to Nunes’ record when they collide for their expected rematch later his year.

    But even if she is unable to do so, nobody will be able to take away her accomplishment and the incredible feat she achieved on December 11.

    What was your reaction when Julianna Peña ended the two-division dominance of Amanda Nunes at UFC 269?

  • Hooker: Turning Down Fights While You’re Healthy Is Unfathomable To Me

    Fan favorite and always-game UFC star Dan Hooker has questioned why fighters who are “young and healthy” turn down bouts.

    If there’s ever been a fighter down for anyone and everyone, it’s “The Hangman.” Hooker has never shied away from an opponent, from the thankless task of welcoming three-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler to the UFC to a short-notice clash with fear-inducing Dagestani phenom Islam Makhachev.

    It’s that exact willingness that has landed him in a featherweight matchup against rising Englishman Arnold Allen at UFC London on March 19.

    Allen is currently 8-0 in the UFC, a record that includes wins against Makwan Amirkhani, Nik Lentz, and Sodiq Yusuff, and is ranked #7 at 145 pounds. However, he is yet to breakthrough as one of the bigger names on the roster.

    With that in mind, there’s seemingly not a host of high-ranked names willing to face the “Almighty” Ipswich native. In Hooker’s mind, he’s usually the one who ends up in front of those kind of opponents.

    But while that may have led to his downfall at lightweight, for the time being at least, Hooker isn’t planning on changing his strategy.

    During a recent interview with John Hyon Ko for The AllStar, the New Zealander said the idea of turning down fights is “unfathomable” to him at this point in his career. While he’s healthy and young, he sees no reason not to accept opponents.

    “I get in the gym and I have fun. You’re doing all this training, young and fit, make hay while the sun is shining,” said Hooker. “If I’m healthy I’ll take a fight. Turning down a fight while you’re young and healthy is just unfathomable to me. That’s not something I comprehend. If you’re fit and healthy, you see (some) like, ‘Wait, wait, wait, wait.’

    “Man, it’s such a small period of time that you have the opportunity to go out there and be young, and get after it, and really chase goals, and do things. So, I’m just making the most of that. I’m definitely making the most of that,” concluded Hooker.

    Hooker’s Remarks Come After Gillespie Was Accused Of Turning Down Fights

    Dan Hooker’s take on the practice of turning down fights comes after UFC lightweight Gregor Gillespie was accused of doing exactly that.

    Following his first setback in professional MMA, a brutal knockout loss to Kevin Lee in 2019, Gillespie didn’t enter the Octagon for nearly two years. He returned at UFC Vegas 26 last May and finished Brazilian veteran Carlos Diego Ferreira via second-round TKO.

    But without a fight booked since, it appears it could be another year gap between fights yet again for the top-10 155lber. While the UFC has to offer its fighters three bouts a year, Gregor Gillespie has fought just twice across the past three years.

    In the mind of former UFC star-turned-MMA analyst Chael Sonnen, Gillespie’s inactivity is his own fault. “The American Bad Guy” recently revealed he’d heard talk of “The Gift” turning down multiple opportunities and instead attempting to hand-pick Tony Ferguson as his next foe.

    While Sonnen provided little evidence, a callout late last year from Arman Tsarukyan provided some legitimacy to the claim. In an Instagram post, the Armenian-Russian suggested he’d accepted an offer to face Gillespie from the UFC. However, with him now set to face a different opponent, it stands to reason Gillespie turned it down.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CVUvQ6MMf0B/?utm_source=ig_embed

    If Sonnen’s sources are correct, it doesn’t take a genius to work out what Hooker’s thoughts on Gillespie would be…

    Do you agree with Dan Hooker? Is it wrong for “young and healthy” fighters to be turning down bout offers?

  • Procházka Gives His Assessment of A Light Heavyweight Usman

    UFC light heavyweight number one contender Jiří Procházka has given his thoughts on the idea of Kamaru Usman transitioning to 205 pounds.

    Having long reigned over the welterweights, Usman reached another mountaintop last year. After closing the gap to Georges St-Pierre in the 170-pound GOAT conversation, even surpassing the Canadian in the eyes of some, “The Nigerian Nightmare” found himself in the coveted #1 spot in the UFC’s male pound-for-pound rankings.

    While his position in the GOAT debate, both at welterweight and across all divisions, is up for debate, not many could build a solid case to dispute Usman’s status as P4P number one.

    Since dominantly dethroning Tyron Woodley in 2019, the Nigerian-born star has gone on to defend the belt against Colby Covington, twice, Jorge Masvidal, twice, and Gilbert Burns.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZb1zYVLjab/

    Having defeated the majority of top contenders before, and being set to continue his second lap around them in his next defense, expected to be versus Leon Edwards, Usman has considered pursuing success in other pastures and proving his P4P dominance.

    During a recent interview with GQ, Usman revealed that he once trained his aim on a potential super fight with Jan Blachowicz when the Pole was light heavyweight champion.

    “I was going to skip Israel (Adesanya) and go fight Jan at 205 (pounds),” Usman said. “Because I’m pound-for-pound, I want to prove it. No matter what weight it is, I thought he was a really good matchup for me.”

    Now, during a recent interaction with The AllStar’s John Hyon Ko, #2-ranked light heavyweight Procházka has given his take on how Usman would fare at 205 pounds.

    While he didn’t write off the welterweight titleholder’s chances, the Czech knockout artist was surprised to hear Usman’s confidence of how a matchup with Blachowicz would go and suggested his speed and power wouldn’t translate well to light heavyweight.

    “Man, Kamaru Usman? Woah. He will be the big challenge,” said Procházka. “I don’t want to think about Kamaru Usman as an opponent right now, but I think he will be not so quick in our division, and the power, too, will be not on the same level like in our weight. He’s two weights under us, yes? Yeah, so that will be the challenge for him and a little problem.

    “He will beat Jan, that’s what he said? Adesanya didn’t beat Jan, and he thinks he will do that?” Procházka added. “That’s a big and strong word, man. I’m not in his position; he defended in his weight many times and he proved he is a very big name in the fights, but this is very strong.”

    Procházka May Become Champion Before An Usman Arrival

    While he’s not interested in considering a potential clash with Usman down the line just yet, Jiří Procházka may be in a position to do so if he emerges triumphant in his next Octagon outing.

    Since arriving in the UFC in 2020, Procházka has lived up to his reputation; knockouts, elbows, crazy striking, and more knockouts.

    After sleeping Volkan Oezdemir on debut, “Denisa” met former title challenger Dominick Reyes in the main event of UFC Vegas 25 last May. In the second round of what many consider to have been an underrated Fight of the Year contender, Procházka brutally knocked “The Devastator” out with a spinning back elbow.

    Now, with an emphatic first impression and even more impressive sophomore showing behind him, the Czech star has cemented his spot as the next challenger to the throne. He’ll have his chance to win UFC gold at UFC 274 on May 7 when he challenges newly-crowned champ Glover Teixeira.

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    While a victory will likely lead to a grudge match with Aleksandar Rakić or a bout with former champ Blachowicz, Procházka may also have Usman’s name on his mind moving forward.

    Should both men continue their winning ways in the promotion, and should Usman and Adesanya’s reluctance to fight remain, perhaps “The Nigerian Nightmare” will be forced to climb to light heavyweight in order to find two-division success.

    If he does so, “Denisa” may be waiting…

    How do you think Kamaru Usman would fare against Jiří Procházka at light heavyweight?

  • Couture: It Will Take Guys Like Ngannou To Bring About Change

    MMA legend Randy Couture believes it will take the work of champions and stars like Francis Ngannou to make an impact in the fight for improved remuneration and contracts in the UFC.

    At the promotion’s first pay-per-view of 2022, Ngannou made a statement in about as many ways as he could.

    Not only did he overcome the adversity of fighting through a torn MCL and damaged ACL, and battle against the distractions of public attacks from former coach Fernand Lopez and talk of a possible boxing match with Tyson Fury, but he also secured a victory on the main event stage knowing what was at stake contractually.

    The Cameroonian’s UFC 270 clash with Ciryl Gane represented the last on his deal. While a win would grant him leverage and a strong standing in negotiations, a defeat could have signaled his last appearance in the Octagon.

    Under that immense pressure, “The Predator” thrived. After a slow opening two rounds on the feet, Ngannou capitalized on the opportunity to incorporate his wrestling. When he found success in that realm, it was essentially all she wrote.

    After controlling the final three frames, the heavyweight champ secured undisputed status and set in motion what will undoubtedly be an uncertain immediate future for him, but, crucially, one where he appears to have the upper hand.

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    Couture Believes Ngannou & Co. Have An Important Role

    Prior to UFC 270, Ngannou’s demands were revealed. While many expected it to largely center around money, the champ’s manager confirmed the debate is about so much more; freedom, respect, and promotion.

    With Ngannou willing to do “whatever it takes” to get what he and so many other fighters want, it remains to be seen how the coming months will unfold in regards to his heavyweight reign and standing in the UFC.

    One man who has praised Ngannou’s quest for contractual change is former three-time UFC heavyweight champion and two-time light heavyweight titleholder Randy Couture.

    During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, “The Natural,” who was once in a similar position to Ngannou, lauded “The Predator” for using his voice to push for what is “right,” despite what he believes to be an inevitable court battle with the promotion looming down the line.

    “I think, at the end of the day, Francis is a fighter. He wants to fight,” said Couture. “Here he is, at the top of the heap, pound-for-pound one of the best fighters in the world, certainly in the heavyweight division. I don’t think he wants to get involved in all this legal crap, but at the end of the day, right is right, and he’s willing to stand up and use his voice. I don’t see him giving in.

    “It’s gonna be interesting how it plays out,” added Couture. “They’re gonna drag him to court and try to get him to spend as much money as they can get him to spend, and put that pressure on him that way, and get him to fold, get him to give it up and just go back to fighting. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.”

    The focus from fighter pay critics seems to be split. While some slam the UFC for paying the champion $600,000 whilst boxing heavyweights rake in millions, others focus on the lowest take-home sums on UFC cards, which feature some walking away with as little as $12,000.

    Whilst acknowledging that a united front across all realms will be important, Couture believes it’s crucial that top stars like Ngannou lead the charge.

    “It takes guys like Francis, those top-tier guys that have the potential to make those six-figure contracts in fighting. There aren’t very many of them. But if those guys are willing to put that on the line to change the sport, and we unite as a group of fighters, and developed and demand these minimum criteria, then I think the sport changes and for the better,” concluded Couture.

    While tensions already appeared high prior to Ngannou’s unification showdown with Gane, subsequent actions and revelations, including Dana White’s post-fight absences and news of legal threats sent to the champ’s team prior to the main event, have increased attention and focus on the dispute tenfold.

    With neither party appearing to back down, it’ll be interesting to see which path this contractual dispute heads down in the coming weeks and months.

    Do you agree with Randy Couture? Will it take the likes of Francis Ngannou standing up to the UFC to force change?

  • Jake Paul Shares How Tommy Fury Could Get Fight Rebooked

    YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has revealed what it would take for him to agree to a rescheduled boxing match with professional pugilist Tommy Fury.

    From fighting fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib to challenging a former UFC champion, Paul’s venture into the combat sports realm has certainly picked up in recent months, both in terms of prominence and competition.

    In his third professional fight last April, “The Problem Child” knocked out former ONE and Bellator welterweight titleholder Ben Askren. In another step-up four months later, Paul defeated former 170-pound UFC king Tyron Woodley on the scorecards.

    With two victories over MMA fighters, Paul’s next test was set to see him stand face-to-face with a pro boxer for the first time. That collapsed when his scheduled December foe, the younger half-brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, withdrew due to injury.

    In his place on short notice stepped in Woodley. While “The Chosen One” targeted redemption and revenge, he was instead left with a second consecutive loss to Paul and, courtesy of a brutal right hand, likely a headache…

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXp11JYOGY4/

    Paul Reveals The Fury Fight Isn’t Dead In The Water Just Yet

    Since extending his record in the ring to 5-0, talk has turned to who could be the next man attempting to get rid of Jake Paul’s 0. One man who has consistently held his hand aloft is Tommy Fury.

    When he pulled out of their December fight, “TNT” made it clear he wanted the bout re-arranged. That sentiment has continued into 2022, with Fury suggesting Paul can’t be serious about the sport if he doesn’t agree to reschedule their fight.

    But while Paul has previously appeared to hold no interest in re-booking his meeting in the squared circle with the Manchester native, he has now sprinkled some hope onto the matchup.

    During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Paul suggested he’d be down to face Fury if he fights and defeats former opponent Woodley first.

    “I sort of want him to fight Tyron Woodley and see what happens there,” said Paul. “Because I think Tyron would knock Tommy out. And so I almost wanna have them fight. Because Tommy, people only know him because of me. And so I want him to like, go get some of your own fans, or clout, or go do some other thing, and then maybe we could run it back after that.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXJ1ZUHDvHM/

    With many, including former two-division UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen, suggesting the same match as Paul, it appears Fury’s path back to “The Problem Child” will have to go through Woodley.

    Given his aspirations to climb the boxing ranks and become a champion, it remains to be seen if Fury will choose to delay those ambitions for two fights against a former UFC titleholder and a YouTuber-turned-boxer.

    How do you think a boxing match between Tyron Woodley and Tommy Fury would play out?

  • Quote: Chimaev/Burns Is A Meaningful Fight, Masvidal/Covington Isn’t

    Ali Abdelaziz has suggested the rumored fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns is much more “meaningful” for the welterweight division than the UFC 272 main event grudge match between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal.

    After the withdrawal of Max Holloway saw some re-shuffling for the third and fourth pay-per-views of the year, UFC 272 was left without its originally scheduled bantamweight and featherweight title fights, and in need of a new headliner.

    What better replacement than two former friends and teammates-turned bitter rivals hashing out their differences for five rounds?

    On March 5, fans will be treated to exactly that as former title challengers Covington and Masvidal look to settle their differences in a unique non-title main event.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CYr6znYsr42/

    While the backstory and feud make this one of the most anticipated headliners of the year for fans and pundits, one man believes it has little effect on the 170-pound weight class.

    During an interview with MMA Junkie, Abdelaziz, a renowned MMA manager, suggested that given both men are 0-2 against reigning champion Kamaru Usman, the UFC 272 main event lacks any real stakes in the context of the division. Instead, he believes one of his clients’ rumored next fight is the one to watch for at welterweight.

    Talk of a fight between rising star Chimaev and #2-ranked contender Burns has existed for a while now and has certainly intensified in recent weeks. Abdelaziz, who manages “Durinho” and used to work with “Borz,” believes that matchup is much more meaningful than the March PPV main event.

    “Listen, it doesn’t matter who Gilbert is gonna fight next. Gilbert, this is what he’s built for, he likes to fight. It can be anybody, Gilbert’s gonna put his hand up… If it’s Khamzat, Gilbert’s gonna fight Khamzat,” said Abdelaziz. “Great fight, I think it’s a great fight; one of the best. This is a meaningful fight. They’ve got the Masvidal and Colby (fight), I don’t think it’s a meaningful fight. I think Khamzat and Gilbert is a meaningful fight. Whoever wins can fight for the title. You’ve got the other two guys, they’re 0-2 against the champion.

    “I think (Chimaev vs. Burns) is a meaningful fight for the division,” added Abdelaziz. “Gilbert is a very good test. Gilbert (was) very close to becoming a champion. He’s the only guy to ever come close to even wobbling Kamaru or punching him… But I think if this fight happens, Gilbert is in. And I know Khamzat is probably in, too. Now it’s up to the UFC. They have to pull the trigger and make this fight happen.”

    Chimaev & Burns Seemingly Agreed To UFC 273 Clash

    Reports suggesting the UFC was targeting Chimaev’s fifth Octagon outing to be against Burns first emerged towards the back end of last year. While they initially pointed towards a January clash, talk seemed to disappear for a number of weeks, leading many to believe the promotion had gone in a different direction.

    But earlier this month, both the Brazilian and the Chechen-born Swede showed that the possibility of their booking was alive and well.

    In a story posted to Instagram by Chimaev, private messages exchanged between the two welterweight contenders appeared to show them agreeing to a fight on April 9, a date slated to host the UFC 273 pay-per-view.

    With a featherweight title bout between Alexander Volkanovski and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung already set for the event, as well as the long-awaited bantamweight unification showdown between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan, the addition of Chimaev and Burns would certainly strengthen the PPV into one of the most stacked of the year so far.

    If the fight comes to fruition, who do you think will win, Gilbert Burns or Khamzat Chimaev?

  • Ariel Helwani: Life’s Too Short For “Nonsense” Cerrone Beef

    Renowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani recently looked back on his “beef” with Donald Cerrone, suggesting it has certainly been squashed on his side.

    Throughout his rise from budding journalist to one of the most well-known names in the world of MMA media, Helwani has clashed with a host of individuals. From recent interactions with Brendan Schaub and Dillon Danis to a feud with UFC President Dana White, one which led to him being stripped of his UFC press credentials, the Canadian has had a prominent presence in the sport, even beyond his coverage of it.

    One other name Helwani has got on the wrong side of is veteran “Cowboy” Cerrone. The incident that sparked animosity occurred at the start of 2019, almost a year prior to the welterweight’s main event clash with Conor McGregor.

    At the time, the fight was only rumored. But while the Colorado native had made his desire to face the Irishman known, Helwani wanted to see more fire in his eyes and more of the “old Cowboy.”

    During an interview with Chael Sonnen, Cerrone took exception to Helwani’s comments. In a profanity-ridden rant, “Cowboy” unloaded on the reporter, threatening to “fuck him up.”

    “You know what else I wanna tell you? When you fucking run into Ariel again, you can just backhand that little bitch for me. If he ever talks about me again, I’m gonna fuck him up, for real… I just saw the little piece that somebody sent me with him talking… motherfucker if you wanna see fire in my eyes bitch, I’ll fucking show you next time I see you… Who the fuck are you behind your microphone motherfucker. Get in there and do something with your life… Next time Ariel wants to have me as a guest, fuck you pussy, you’re dead to me.”

    Helwani: “In My Mind, It’s Squashed”

    Now three years on from the incident, Helwani has addressed where his relationship with Cerrone currently sits. During a recent episode of The MMA Hour, the Canadian reporter was asked whether the beef has been squashed. In response, Helwani gave a run-down of how his comments about “Cowboy” had been misinterpreted.

    “Does he have beef with me still? Maybe, but I haven’t reached out to him. Do I have beef with him? No. Cowboy got mad at me because I said something before, I think it was the Conor fight, no, he was trying to get the Conor fight, and I was saying like, ‘Where’s the old Cowboy? We need the old Cowboy.’ I was basically trying to do the promo that Vince McMahon gave Stone Cold Steve Austin during the invasion in 2001, where he’s like, ‘We need the old Stone Cold! We need the old…’ And I was trying to do that. He looked at it the wrong way and got really mad and said some things.”

    Helwani added that while he certainly has no animosity towards the UFC legend and believes the beef has been squashed on his side, he doesn’t know if the same can be said for Cerrone.

    “I saw him in Chicago. I went up to him and he didn’t wanna talk to me, so, no beef here. Does he have beef? I don’t know. In my mind, it’s squashed. Life’s too short for this nonsense. Come on.”

    In the months after Cerrone and Helwani’s feud, a fight between the American and McGregor was announced, and the pair headlined UFC 246 in January 2020. While Helwani called for the old Cerrone pre-fight, he was likely left wanting the old Cerrone post-fight.

    After just 40 seconds, “Cowboy” was finished by the returning former two-division champion in vicious fashion. Since then, the 38-year-old has remained winless, falling to defeats against Anthony Pettis and Alex Morono. He is now booked to fight fellow UFC vet Joe Lauzon in April.

    What did you make of Ariel Helwani’s comments in 2019 and Donald Cerrone’s reaction to them?

  • Watch: Holly Holm Schools & Submits Jackass Star Steve-O On The Mats

    If Kevin Holland taught MMA fans anything recently, it’s don’t challenge professional fighters on the mats. But if there’s one person who goes against the grain and does what others warn against, it’s Steve-O.

    From swimming in shark-infested waters with a hook in his mouth and wearing a jellyfish on his head like a sombrero to sending fireworks shooting out of his backside and being flung in the air like a yo-yo inside a portable toilet (don’t google this one, you’ve been warned), the Jackass star performs stunts and enters situations that would never end well for him.

    We can also add ‘grappled a former UFC champion’ to that list.

    In a 2020 video recently uploaded to Instagram by the Jackson Wink MMA gym, the 47-year-old can be seen grappling with former UFC women’s bantamweight champion and current #2-ranked 135-pound contender Holly Holm.

    In a matter of seconds, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt drags Steve-O down with ease, takes his back, flattens him out, and sinks in a rear-naked choke.

    Are we sure there’s no time to add this as a scene in the upcoming Jackass Forever film?

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZXeo2GsL4o/

    Jackass Stars 0-2 Against UFC Stars

    Holm’s grappling success against Steve-O added the first point for the UFC. The second came in the form of a grimace-inducing punch to the groin by Francis Ngannou.

    In a scene in the latest installment of the fan-favorite TV and film series, “The Predator,” who boasts the hardest recorded punch in history, delivered a shot flush to the gentleman’s area of “Danger” Ehren McGhehey.

    For fans, specifically male ones, nothing is more painful to see in an MMA contest than a kick, knee, or punch to the cup. What’s that I hear you say? What could be worse?

    How about a clean, fully-loaded shot to the crown jewels from a man capable of sleeping anybody on the planet with as much as a graze?

    With another Jackass star falling at the hands of a UFC fighter, the question is, who’s next? How about a Brazilian jiu-jitsu match between Johnny Knoxville and Mackenzie Dern?

    Who had it worse, Steve-O against Holly Holm or “Danger” Ehren against Francis Ngannou?

  • Strickland: Steroid-User Adesanya Will Starch Whittaker At UFC 271

    UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland has given his prediction for the upcoming UFC 271 main event between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker.

    In 2019, Adesanya reached the 185-pound mountaintop by knocking out Whittaker at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia. Since then, “The Last Stylebender” has remained undefeated in the division and beaten away the challenges of Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, and Marvin Vettori.

    Adesanya’s ongoing dominance has taken him full circle to “The Reaper.” Since losing his title, Whittaker has been in the form of life. Across 18 rounds of action, he put his fluent striking on full display in headlining wins Against Darren Till and Kelvin Gastelum, and a pay-per-view co-main event victory over Jared Cannonier.

    The stage is now set for a blockbuster rematch, which will go down inside Houston’s Toyota Center on February 12.

    Strickland: We All Know Adesanya Does Steroids

    Despite the convincing ending to their first fight, many are expecting a rejuvenated Whittaker to provide a much stiffer test for Adesanya this time around. One man who disagrees with that sentiment is top-10 middleweight Strickland, who expects the champion to “starch” the New Zealand-born Australian.

    But while the charismatic and controversial contender’s prediction is partly due to Adesanya’s undeniable talent inside the Octagon, “Tarzan” also believes the Nigerian-New Zealander gets a helping hand from steroids, an accusation he’s made in the past.

    “I mean, Israel’s just a crafty motherfucker,” Strickland told combat sports journalist Helen Yee. “Like, don’t get me wrong, we all know he does steroids, and that probably helps his performance. We all seen him fight with the titty that hung down. I mean, have you ever seen a man fight in the UFC with gyno from weed? I mean, look at Nate Diaz; if that was the case, Nate Diaz would have tits down too is knees. Get out of here with this.

    “So, anyways, back to him and Whittaker. Izzy is a great striker; he comes from a steroid background of kickboxing,” added Strickland. “I think he’s gonna starch Whittaker, cause he is a great fighter.”

    Discussion surrounding potential steroid usage is nothing new for Adesanya. At UFC 253, the event at which he dismantled then-unbeaten Brazilian Costa, “The Last Stylebender” sported a visibly swollen pectoral muscle.

    The medical term for swelling in male breast tissue is Gynecomastia. The condition can be can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including drugs and alcohol, some medications, and even herbal products. One of the more well-known triggers is the use of anabolic steroids, an accusation many directed at Adesanya following the September 2020 pay-per-view.

    Months after the event, Adesanya revealed he’d undergone medical tests to determine the cause. With no visible answer, the reigning middleweight king said UFC doctors told him unhealthy living and, in particular, smoking marijuana were likely the reasons for the swelling.

    That answer is clearly not a convincing one for Sean Strickland…

    Morning Report: Israel Adesanya gives update on his swollen pectoral muscle, theorizes marijuana was the cause - MMA Fighting
    Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

    Despite having the first defeat of his professional MMA career added to his record last March thanks to a failed venture to light heavyweight, Adesanya has continued to look unthreatened at 185 pounds.

    But with a revitalized and focused Whittaker steaming towards him, “The Last Stylebender” could be set for his biggest challenge to date next weekend.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 271, Israel Adesanya or Robert Whittaker?

  • Conor McGregor Makes A Vow To His Fans Ahead Of UFC Return

    Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has vowed to put one aspect of his life on hold as he prepares to return to full training ahead of an Octagon comeback.

    McGregor, who’s experienced championship glory on MMA’s biggest stage at both featherweight and lightweight, has been on the sidelines since a disappointing 2021 in the cage came to a crashing (or snapping) end at UFC 264.

    Entering the year, the Irishman hoped to return to regular action and have the 155-pound gold in his possession again. Instead, he was knocked out for the first time in his career by Dustin Poirier in their rematch at UFC 257, before suffering a second consecutive loss to “The Diamond” six months later.

    At the July pay-per-view, a heated feud came to a sudden stop with the brutal breaking of McGregor’s left leg. Since then, the 33-year-old has been recovering on the sidelines.

    In recent months, McGregor has consistently updated the world on his healing process as he edges closer towards a return to full training and sparring. When he does so, he firmly plans on swapping the whiskey glass for the gloves.

    McGregor Promises To Return The Proper No. Twelve To The Shelves

    Perhaps the most successful of McGregor’s ventures outside the cage is his Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey. After helping it to a rapid rise, the Irishman and his business partners sold their majority stake in the business to Proximo Spirits for a whopping $600 million.

    While his involvement with the whiskey brand continues, McGregor has also entered the free house business with the purchase of The Black Forge Inn, where he can often be seen drinking at on social media. Adding another boozy project to his resume, McGregor has also been plugging his pub’s Forged Stout.

    Despite his ongoing presence in the alcoholic business, and enjoyment of holding a beverage himself, McGregor has promised fans he’ll be returning his bottles to the cabinet and using his hands for punching rather than pouring in the near future.

    In a recent Instagram post, which features an image of a glass of Forged Stout and a bottle of Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey, McGregor vowed to abstain from his “liquid gold” and indulge himself in full training again soon.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZUlROcNLC-/

    “Sitting in actual awe at present. Can’t quite describe it. Last week, Saturday, the first day Ireland became free from restriction, and also coincidentally the anniversary of the late Arthur Guinness, @forgedirishstout outsold Guinness on premise for the first time. And everyday since! @forgedirishstout is now the clear leader in Stout sales for us! All of us in this industry know, for a Stout to do this is just unprecedented! Incredible!” Conor McGregor wrote on Instagram. “The fact it happened for the first time on that day in particular, I feel it a sign that I am on the right path here with all of this! Onwards and upwards we go! For my fighting fans, I want to say I know I am enjoying myself with my liquid, but very soon I will be immersing my self in full training again with complete abstention from my wonderful creations of Spirit and Ale. Just 5 more minutes Ma ❤️”

    While a possible return still seems many months away, McGregor’s desire to compete has consistently remained, something his latest post seems to show once again.

    Whether for a fourth fight with Poirier, a trilogy clash with Nate Diaz, or a meeting in the Octagon with Michael Chandler, it seems likely we’ll be seeing McGregor make the walk in 2022.

    Do you think Conor McGregor can make a successful comeback to the Octagon this year?

  • Lopez Reveals How Usman Played Peacekeeper Between Him & Ngannou

    Ciryl Gane’s coach Fernand Lopez has revealed what Kamaru Usman said to him after Francis Ngannou’s victory at UFC 270.

    While it may have somewhat drifted into the background with the remarkable situation surrounding the heavyweight champion’s future in the UFC and ongoing contractual dispute with the promotion, Ngannou’s bitter and public feud with MMA Factory founder and head coach Lopez was an intriguing narrative heading into the opening pay-per-view main event of 2022.

    Fueled by a dramatic backstage snub at UFC 268 that was worthy of a place in a soap opera, Lopez and Ngannou’s 2019 split rose back to the surface in recent months. While the Frenchman accused his former student of refusing to pay the gym membership and attempting to sabotage Gane’s rise to the UFC, the Cameroonian branded his ex-tutor as “evil”.

    In the end, it was Ngannou who had the last laugh. Pushing through a heap of adversity, including the possibility of “irreversible damage” from a torn MCL and damaged ACL, “The Predator” wrestled his way to a unanimous decision victory over “Bon Gamin.”

    Usman Pushed For Peace

    With the culmination of the unification showdown and the crowning of an undisputed titleholder, most will hope we’ve seen the end of the public criticisms and insults between Ngannou and Lopez. One man who certainly feels that way is reigning UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman.

    Usman, a good friend of his fellow African UFC champ, was in Ngannou’s corner for the UFC 270 main event. While Lopez didn’t share any words with “The Predator” after Gane’s defeat, he did interact with “The Nigerian Nightmare.”

    During a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, Lopez revealed Usman pleaded with him to leave his differences with Ngannou in the past, something the 43-year-old says he is more than happy to do.

    “When I shake Kamaru Usman’s hand, he stopped me and said to me, ‘Fernand, we are brothers. Let’s stop this. Let’s just move on.’ And I said, ‘You’re right. Let’s move on…’ I’m done. I’m exhausted with that topic,” said Lopez.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZGdI7otpdZ/

    While we may not have seen the interaction and in-person make up between Lopez and Ngannou many wanted, the Frenchman’s post-fight words with the likes of Usman and opposition coach Eric Nicksick suggest both sides are willing to put their differences behind them.

    That is, until we see Ngannou vs. Gane 2 down the line…

    Should the beef between Fernand Lopez and Francis Ngannou be put to bed now that UFC 270 has passed?

  • Blaydes: I’m The Worst Stylistic Matchup For Jones At Heavyweight

    UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes believes he’s the worst stylistic matchup in the division for former 205-pound king Jon Jones.

    Blaydes has long been a top name in the UFC’s heaviest weight class. Since his debut in 2016, “Razor” has built a 10-3 (one NC) record that includes victories over Aleksei Oleinik, Mark Hunt, Alistair Overeem, Alexander Volkov, Junior dos Santos, and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

    In his 19-fight professional career, Blaydes has only fallen to defeat against two men, Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis, the two hardest hitters in the UFC, if not the entirety of MMA. With that in mind, it’s unsurprising that Blaydes is confident in his abilities, so much so that he feels he’d provide the toughest matchup for former UFC light heavyweight champion Jones at heavyweight.

    Speaking exclusively with MMA News, Blaydes discussed Jones’ impending arrival in the division, the power of Ngannou and Lewis, and his plans for 2022.

    After a second reign atop the light heavyweight mountain, which included defenses against Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, and Dominick Reyes, Jones vacated the belt in order to pursue a fresh challenge: title success at heavyweight. But since his last fight at 205 pounds in February 2020, “Bones” has remained on the sidelines.

    Fans are hoping 2022 is the year Jones returns, and given his latest comments and his consistent heavyweight transformation updates on social media, it appears the veteran is still targeting a new dose of championship glory.

    With Jones potentially joining him on the heavyweight ladder this year, Blaydes has given his take on the potential matchups that could await the GOAT contender. “Razor” told James Lynch that he sees himself as the toughest stylistic matchup for Jones, simply because of the different looks he’ll bring to the Octagon.

    “Stylistically? Honestly, I think it’s me, because I’m gonna involve the grappling,” Blaydes told MMA News. “I’m not saying I’m the best matchup, but I think I’m offering more different looks. Like, when he goes against an (Francis) Ngannou, or a Stipe (Miocic), or a (Ciryl) Gane, or a Derrick Lewis, he knows they’re all just gonna strike with him. He knows that. He knows that if he stays on the outside, which he’s very good at, people, they don’t know how to get past the long reach of his. The best way to get past it is to get into the clinch. But these guys don’t want it.

    “Derrick Lewis doesn’t wanna clinch, Ngannou doesn’t wanna clinch; they’re looking for the knockout. He’s not gonna give you the opportunity from distance to knock him out,” added Blaydes. “So, I think if he went against those guys he’d just pick them apart from the outside. Me? He’s gonna have to worry about every time he throws a leg kick, am I gonna grab it? And he’s gonna be a little bit more hesitant. Everyone does that. Whenever I fight anyone, like Volkov, Junior (dos Santos), even Jairzinho; we always expect them to be a lot more aggressive, and they’re not. Because we always forget they don’t wanna get taken down.”

    Jones Targets Heavyweight Debut In 2022

    After Ngannou’s title crowing at UFC 260 last March, the biggest fight in the promotion seemed to be a clash between “The Predator” and Jones. But after a public pay dispute saw the matchup collapse, Jones spent the entirety of 2021 on the sidelines.

    At the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony in September, Jones provided an encouraging update, suggesting he was targeting his divisional debut for the second quarter of 2022. That led many to believe Jones would challenge the victor of the UFC 270 main event for the gold.

    With that pay-per-view taking place this past weekend and seeing Ngannou successfully defend his title against former teammate Gane, the stage seems once again set for the former light heavyweight kingpin to take on the Cameroonian powerhouse.

    For both men to reach the cage, it appears a number of things will need to happen. First and foremost is Ngannou’s contract. With his dispute with the UFC ongoing, it’s unclear what the future will hold for the champion, with some even suggesting he could sit out the remainder of his contract and pursue a move to boxing in 2023.

    Similarly, uncertainty still appears to surround Jones’ next appearance, with UFC President Dana White claiming he’s not confident in saying Jones will fight for the title next. He even suggested a return to the Octagon as a 205lber is a possibility.

    Nevertheless, Jones seems as eager as ever to pursue his goals, something that’s an enticing prospect for MMA fans, who haven’t seen Jones in action for nearly two years.

    Do you think Jon Jones has what it takes to win championship gold at heavyweight?

  • Cormier: We’re In Uncharted Waters With UFC/Ngannou Situation

    Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier believes the ongoing dispute between Francis Ngannou and the UFC has entered “uncharted waters,” in more ways than one.

    At UFC 270, much more was at stake than just a belt. As well as bragging rights in regard to his bitter feud with former coach Fernand Lopez, Ngannou’s future, standing in negotiations with the UFC, and hopes of a blockbuster boxing crossover were on the line.

    After the opening two rounds, it seemed “The Predator” had bet on himself and come up short. But one takedown represented an almighty shift in momentum, one that would see Ngannou wrestle his way to a unanimous decision victory.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZD_cgGuwvP/

    Cormier: Ngannou/UFC Dispute Is “Unprecedented”

    What would have been an intriguing post-fight period turned into an explosive and hotly-debated one after UFC President Dana White didn’t enter the Octagon to put the title around Ngannou’s waist and was absent from the post-fight press conference. That lack of attendance seemingly showed all is certainly not well between the promotion and its heavyweight titleholder.

    With there also being a suggestion the social media team were told not to share footage from the fight to the company’s feeds, something that’s hard to deny after a brief look at Twitter, the past few days have seen a lot criticism flung in the direction of White and the UFC. That criticism increased after revelations about a legal threat sent to Ngannou’s manager mere hours before the event also came out.

    According to UFC color commentator Daniel Cormier, the ongoing dispute has firmly drifted into “uncharted waters,” both in terms of White’s post-fight actions and contractually, a scenario he thinks could set the tone for future fighters and their negotiations.

    “When Mick Maynard got up to go and put the belt on, granted, we have seen this in heavyweights before. Do you remember when Stipe beat Francis? When Stipe was upset by the way Francis was getting promoted, he took the belt from Dana and his coach put it on him. So we’ve seen these types of things before. But it was the athlete being upset with the promotion, so he didn’t let him, this was, I don’t know,” Cormier said during a recent episode of DC & RC. “I mean, I’ve seen other guys strap the belts before, but generally at international events. This was the first time I’ve seen a champion win on US soil and not have Dana put the belt on them. I honestly don’t know the last time Dana has not been at a post-fight press conference.

    “So we are in uncharted waters here,” Cormier added. “But not only because of the reaction the UFC has given but also because of where Francis stands and his position. Francis is in a position that not many people get to, in regards to negotiations. It seems as though he’s more than willing to die on his sword. He took a chance on himself and it seemed as though he won… This is unprecedented. This is going to really tell you how people are going to go about their negotiations because we’ve never seen this before.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZND3j6v2vy/

    Despite the reaction of fans and pundits, Ngannou was clearly not fazed by White’s absence, and even suggested it was an “honor” to receive the belt from matchmaker Mick Maynard instead.

    And according to the UFC President, his absence during the main event and post-fight was simply due to other matters demanding his attention. It’s fair to say that explanation has split opinion in the MMA community.

    Do you agree with Daniel Cormier’s take on the situation between Francis Ngannou and the UFC?

  • Atlas Doubts if White’s Criticizers Would Have Acted Different At UFC 270

    Renowned boxing trainer Teddy Atlas has questioned whether those slamming UFC President Dana White for not putting the title on Francis Ngannou at UFC 270 or attending the post-fight press conference would have acted differently if they were in his shoes.

    At the opening pay-per-view of 2022, Ngannou made a statement. Not only was “The Predator” regarded as the underdog heading into his unification showdown with Ciryl Gane, but he also carried a torn MCL and damaged ACL into the contest, as well as the cloud of his ongoing contractual dispute with the UFC looming overhead.

    After losing the opening two rounds and struggling to get close to “Bon Gamin” on the feet, it appeared Ngannou was set to lose multiple things, including his belt, a strong negotiating position with the UFC, and the hope of crossing over to boxing to face heavyweight stars like Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.

    But in the 15 minutes after the start of round three, Ngannou turned things around with a revitalized strategy. Incorporating a much-improved wrestling game into the main event, described by cornerman Kamaru Usman as the “evolution” of the heavyweights, the Cameroonian took frames three, four, and five to walk away with a unanimous decision verdict and, in the context of the clash, a whole lot more.

    The story after Ngannou’s victory was always going to surround what the result meant for his future in the UFC and the future of the heavyweight title. However, that story was majorly fueled by Dana White’s absence, both inside the Octagon at the culmination of the headliner and at the post-fight press conference.

    From fans to pundits, the UFC President has been widely criticized for his unique decision not to put the belt around the champ’s waist following the opening PPV main event of the year. However, one prominent combat sports personality sees things differently.

    Atlas: ‘Dana Runs A Business’

    During a recent episode of The Fight with Teddy Atlas, American boxing trainer and fight commentator Atlas came to the defense of the UFC kingpin.

    Ultimately, the 65-year-old reminded the criticizers that White runs a multibillion-dollar business. With that in mind, Atlas believes he has to be able to look beyond Ngannou and is smart enough to recognize when he’s being challenged.

    “Hey, Dana, he runs an operation, he runs a business,” said Atlas. “He sold that for like $4.2 billion. That’s not shabby. He did that because of his business acumen, he did that because he was the boss, he did that because he led the way. He’s still the boss there, he’s the guy that’s got to think different than someone else has to think. He’s gotta think about the next guy down the road, the next Francis.

    “Francis and his manager, I give them all the credit in the world, they pulled it off. They took a risk, they stood up against the boss in some ways, they made their position noted, and went out and did what they had to do,” added Atlas. “Dana knows, he didn’t sell something and build something up to $4.2 billion by being stupid. He understood where he was being challenged.”

    Nevertheless, Atlas did acknowledge that White’s post-fight actions weren’t a good look. But even so, the New York native doubts those slamming White’s absence after UFC 270 would have acted any differently if they were in the same position.

    “You have to respect both sides. Dana, at that point, a lot of people say that it’s a bad look, that it’s not professional, it wasn’t right, and I got it, I can understand you saying that, I can,” continued Atlas. “But please don’t tell me, even if you didn’t like it, if you were in the same position 100% you would’ve done different. Maybe you would’ve? But maybe you wouldn’t have when it comes down to the backdrop that you are the boss, you do have to be ready for what’s coming down the pipe after Francis Ngannou, and what you believe in and how you hold yourself; the position that you take and the strength of your position.”

    While he certainly sees both sides of the coin, Atlas concluded with a query: would Dana White have built a company with the size and success of the UFC if he was capable of always being a gentleman?

    “He’s got a little bit more going on than just the simplicity of just being a gentleman that we want him to be. I understand both sides… I’ll leave it with this, maybe if he was capable of doing that, which is a nice dimension, maybe he wouldn’t be capable of getting $4.2 billion for the company,” concluded Atlas.

    While the debate is ongoing, White sees it as a non-issue. During an ESPN+ fan Q&A on Wednesday, the 52-year-old addressed the criticism he’s received since last weekend’s main event.

    He said his absence was simply due to other factors demanding his attention backstage at the time and branded those who saw it as disrespectful to Ngannou as “idiots.”

    Do you think Dana White had a valid reason for not putting the belt on Francis Ngannou or attending the post-fight presser?

  • Stephen Thompson Explains Why Henry Cejudo’s Size Impacts His Draw

    UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson has explained why Henry Cejudo’s size has impacted his global draw and ability to demand certain fights.

    Not many individuals boast combat sports accolades as impressive as Cejudo. As well as being an Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, a feat he achieved in Beijing in 2008, “Triple C” is a former two-division UFC champion, having held gold at both flyweight and bantamweight. No other fighter has won an Olympic gold medal and a UFC title.

    But despite becoming only the second fighter to defend titles in two weight classes and defeating the likes of TJ Dillashaw, Dominick Cruz, and Demetrious Johnson, Cejudo is rarely talked about in the conversation for the greatest of all time and certainly isn’t looked at the same as many other former champs by a portion of the fanbase.

    That sentiment was on display recently when the Californian’s intention to return from retirement to challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title was laughed off by many, including UFC President Dana White.

    Thompson Believes ‘Size Matters’

    Having initially called out the 145-pound king last year in the hope of becoming the first three-division champ in UFC history, Cejudo had another crack at booking the matchup in recent days when Max Holloway withdrew from his scheduled trilogy clash with Volkanovski.

    “The Messenger” was met with a claim that it wouldn’t make sense and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung was granted the shot instead.

    In response, Cejudo pointed out that the great Georges St-Pierre was granted the luxury of returning from a long layoff to move up to a new division and challenge for another title. ‘What’s the difference?’ Cejudo exclaimed. According to two-time welterweight title challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, it’s size.

    During a recent episode of his YouTube podcast, the #7-ranked 170lber suggested size matters when it comes to being a global draw and attraction, and being a fighter who’s in a position to make demands.

    “It’s the size. It’s the size that matters,” Thompson said. “Like, guys look at these 125ers, 135ers, and, no beef, probably a lot of these guys can beat me, but what I’m saying is, they (fans) don’t look at these guys… everybody knows the heavyweights, everyone looks at Francis Ngannou, but when they look at the smaller guys they’re just not appealing.

    “It’s like in Japan. The bigger, the more dramatic, the better,” added Thompson. “And when you look at the 135ers, they’re just not big and dramatic. You can try to be dramatic, but people aren’t gonna take you serious, like Cejudo, it comes off super cringe when you got somebody doing that. But you get somebody around 170 and up, especially at heavyweight, (it’s different)… That’s why in Japan there was only one weight class, that was it, heavyweight. When you fought K1, it was all heavyweight. It’s big, dramatic, flares, you know; people wanna see that.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CYfIAAjvtHV/

    While it’s seemingly unlikely we’ll see Cejudo challenging for featherweight gold in his first fight back, all signs point towards the 34-year-old targeting a return to the Octagon in 2022.

    If he can make a successful comeback and perhaps regain the bantamweight title he vacated in 2020, perhaps a super fight against whoever sits on the 145-pound throne at that time will be possible.

    Do you agree with Stephen Thompson? Is Henry Cejudo not a bigger draw because of his size?

  • Paul Craig vs. Nikita Krylov Added To UFC London On March 19

    A clash of ranked light heavyweight contenders has been booked for the UFC’s return to England’s capital.

    The promotion has announced that a fight between the #9-ranked Nikita Krylov (26-8) and the #11-ranked Paul Craig (15-4-1) has been added to a stacked UFC London card, set to go down inside the city’s O2 Arena on March 19.

    Returning to fight in the UK for the first time since his 2018 triangle choke submission victory over Magomed Ankalaev, Scotland’s Craig will be hoping to continue his rise towards contention by extending his win streak to four at UFC London.

    Since a knockout loss to powerhouse Alonzo Menifield in 2019, “Bearjew” has found the form of his life. After returning to the win column against Vinicius Moreira, Craig fought to a split draw against Maurício Rua, before securing a wins against Gadzhimurad Antigulov, “Shogun,” and, most recently, Jamahal Hill.

    Craig jumped towards the top 10 last time out by brutally dislocating the elbow of the previously-unbeaten Hill at UFC 263 in June. After failed matchups with Alexander Gustafsson in September and Krylov in December prevented a second appearance in 2021, the Scot will look to continue his winning ways against the latter in their re-arranged bout in less than two months’ time.

    Joining the likes of Alexander Volkov, Dan Hooker, Timur Valiev, and Makwan Amirkhani as one of the international athletes hoping to spoil a homecoming at UFC London will be Ukraine’s Krylov. “The Minor” has exchanged wins and losses in his last five appearances.

    While he fell to defeats against former champion Jan Blachowicz, reigning light heavyweight king Glover Teixeira, and Ankalaev, the 29-year-old had his hand raised versus Ovince Saint Preux and Johnny Walker.

    While Krylov will be looking to rebound from his defeat to Ankalaev last February, Craig will need to find success at UFC London if he hopes to uphold his desire of a late push up the rankings and potential retirement by the end of the year.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CQHXbaLlppu/

    Listed below are the fights currently expected to go down on March 19 in London, England:

    Alexander Volkov vs. Tom Aspinall (heavyweight main event)

    Dan Hooker vs. Arnold Allen (featherweight)

    Paul Craig vs. Nikita Krylov (light heavyweight)

    Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Sergei Pavlovich (heavyweight)

    Jack Shore vs. Timur Valiev (bantamweight)

    Paddy Pimblett vs. Kazula Vargas (lightweight)

    Nathanial Wood vs. Liudvik Sholinian (bantamweight)

    Makwan Amirkhani vs. Mike Grundy (featherweight)

    Molly McCann vs. Luana Carolina (women’s flyweight)

    Cody Durden vs. Muhammad Mokaev (flyweight)

    Jake Hadley vs. Allan Nascimento (flyweight)

    Cory McKenna vs. Elise Reed (women’s strawweight)

    Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC London, Paul Craig or Nikita Krylov?

  • Brandon Moreno: Figueiredo Came For A Decision, Not My Head

    UFC flyweight contender Brandon Moreno believes Deiveson Figueiredo’s strategy at UFC 270 was to take the fight to the judges’ scorecards.

    At the opening pay-per-view of 2022, the two top flyweights stole the show with another entertaining and enthralling chapter to their rivalry. While Moreno, the first Mexican-born titleholder in UFC history, hoped to extend his reign with a second win against Figueiredo, the Brazilian targeted revenge and a second stint atop the 125-pound mountain.

    After five rounds of back-and-forth action, the judges were needed to decide who left Anaheim with the flyweight gold. With 48-47 scores across the board, “Deus Da Guerra” etched his name into the history books as the promotion’s first-ever two-time 125-pound king.

    Moreno: ‘He Never Tried To Finish The Fight’

    While Moreno performed admirably, even doing enough to win in the eyes of some, and kept the fight extremely close with his volume and speed, it was Figueiredo’s power that proved to be the difference, with knockdowns in the third and fifth frames seemingly edging him the co-main event contest.

    Prior to the trilogy clash, Figueiredo, who had his first reign at the top of the weight class ended via submission at UFC 263 last June, promised he was going to take Moreno’s head inside the Honda Center.

    But having gone the distance with the Brazilian, “The Assassin Baby” believes Figueiredo’s game plan actually involved doing the opposite to his pre-fight trash talk.

    “I was saying in interviews, ‘Man, I’m expecting a better Figueiredo, like, more motivated, hungry for success, trying to cut my head off.’ Everything was true, except he never wanted to (finish) me,” Moreno told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “His game plan was to go the decision and (he) won like that. He never tried to really finish the fight. He connected with me and got some knockdowns, but I feel like that wasn’t the real game plan.”

    That theory will no doubt be disputed by the newly crowned champ, who claims he would’ve only needed another 30 seconds to finish the Mexican in the third frame.

    While the trilogy contest brought a lot to the cage, one thing it didn’t do was provide closure for the rivalry. With the score now at 1-1-1 and with Moreno calling for a fourth clash later this year, it appears the pair could make history with a tetralogy.

    But with contenders like Askar Askarov, Alexandre Pantoja, and Kai Kara-France waiting in the wings, it remains to be seen whether the UFC will favor an immediate fourth fight or if it’ll choose to venture to new matchups first instead.

    Would you like to see Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo 4?

  • Peña: I’m The Star Power Nunes Needs To Be A Main Event Attraction

    UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña believes she is the partner former titleholder Amanda Nunes needs to be a main event attraction in the UFC.

    At the final pay-per-view of 2021, not only did Peña steal the upset of the year honor, but she also staked her claim to one of the biggest upsets of all time.

    After months of talk, ducking accusations, and a failed booking at UFC 265, “The Venezuelan Vixen” finally had the chance to put her money where her mouth was at UFC 269. In the co-main event, she did exactly what she said she would do. She dethroned Nunes, the then-double champ who hadn’t lost since 2014.

    After escaping the opening round, well-known to be the Brazilian’s strongest, Peña hit the gas. Having hurt a tired Nunes on the feet, she dragged the “Lioness” to the ground and submitted her.

    Peña Believes She’s The “Partner” Nunes Needs

    With the unlikely crowning of Glover Teixeira at UFC 267, 2021 had already seen its fair share of memorable title-winning performances, but not many saw this one coming. However, Peña certainly did and perhaps that’s why she is so open to the idea of granting Nunes an immediate rematch: she believes she has the reigning featherweight champion’s number.

    While she already brought a physical challenge strong enough to defeat Nunes, the newly crowned bantamweight queen believes she offers something else for the Brazilian’s presence at the top.

    While Nunes’ recent defenses and appearances had a built-in interest due to her dominance and lengthy win streak, they lacked a willing dance partner, one who would not only challenge the consensus female GOAT in the Octagon, but who would accentuate the interest, intrigue, and draw of the matchups outside of it.

    Discussing her inevitable rematch with Nunes this year during an interview with The Spokesman, Peña claimed she is the partner the 33-year-old Bahia native needs to become a main event attraction in the UFC.

    “[Nunes] has had several things happen to her where they wouldn’t put her as (the) main event because she couldn’t sell it or because she would pull out. She needs a partner; she needs the other side of the fight,” she said. “I am that other side. I am that star power. I am the one that is saying, ‘Hello, I’m here, let’s do this.’”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CYUXXA4vEsJ/

    While a date is yet to be set in stone for Peña vs. Nunes 2, all three parties necessary in organizing it have given the green light. After UFC President Dana White confirmed a chance at redemption would be offered to Nunes, the former 135-pound champ was quick to accept. Peña has also revealed that talks have begun for the two to potentially coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter opposite one another.

    While it may be unlikely the rematch will headline a pay-per-view given the host of exciting matchups already in store for 2022, it’s hard to deny the pair’s rivalry will have a headlining feel to it in the build-up.

    Do you think Julianna Peña can repeat her UFC 269 performance when she runs it back with Amanda Nunes this year?

  • Blachowicz vs. Rakić March Bout Scrapped, Potentially Moved To May

    MMA reporter Ariel Helwani revealed today via his substack page that Jan Blachowicz has withdrawn from his March 26 bout against Aleksandar Rakić.

    According to the Thursday report, the hope is to reschedule the bout for May. Former

    Blachowicz’s reign at the top of the 205-pound mountain came to a crashing halt at UFC 267 in October. Having won the vacant title in memorable fashion against Dominick Reyes, and successfully defended it once by handing middleweight king Israel Adesanya his first loss in MMA, the Polish star faced the test of Glover Teixeira in Abu Dhabi.

    At 42 years of age, it was the Brazilian’s final chance to have UFC gold wrapped around his waist. With a second-round rear-naked choke, Teixeira dethroned Blachowicz and did exactly that.

    Given his prior form, which had seen him build a five-fight winning streak that dated back to a loss against Thiago Santos in 2019, many had expected Blachowicz to send Teixeira into retirement and move onto a European clash with Jiří Procházka. Having seen those plans collapse, the 38-year-old will be looking to rebound back to the belt in 2022.

    During a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, Blachowicz discussed his plans for 2022, revealing his intentions of returning to the Octagon in the year’s first quarter and discussed a potential bout against Rakić.

    “Yeah, it’s good fight, you know. He’s good, he’s strong, you know, young fighter. All fighters in the UFC, top 10, top five, you know, they are amazing fighters and (it’s a) pleasure for me to fight against all of them. Rakić is good for the next fight, but we will see.”

    If this pivotal light heavyweight bout gets rescheduled or either fighter gets a new opponent, MMA News will bring you the scoop.

  • Ngannou To Fans Who Said He Could Only Win By KO: You Were Wrong

    Although UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou revealed that if he could have chosen his path to victory against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 it would have been via knockout, proving people wrong worked out well also.

    With the eyes of practically every fan on him and the talk in all circles surrounding his uncertain future and ongoing dispute with the UFC, Ngannou didn’t buckle under the pressure.

    In fact, much like his knee brace held up his torn MCL and damaged ACL through five rounds of action, Ngannou’s focus, perseverance, and the team around him held up his self-belief, something that would prove to be crucial on his path to victory.

    Having pushed through multiple areas of adversity, “The Predator” made it to the Octagon for the first pay-per-view main event of 2022 with a point to prove. After two rounds of comfortable control on the feet for Gane, that point looked to be fading.

    But after metaphorically catching that point and slamming it to the ground in the third round, the Cameroon native used his improved wrestling game to add the first blemish to his former teammate’s record.

    Having been unable to get close to “Bon Gamin” on the feet, it was undoubtedly the strategic adjustment to takedowns and ground control that turned the tide last Saturday. Having seen Gane’s reaction to it at the end of the third round, Ngannou said he knew it was to be smooth sailing for the remaining 10 minutes.

    Ngannou Happy To Prove Doubters Wrong Despite KO Preference

    Prior to UFC 270, the prevailing narrative was that the unification showdown was a case of power vs. technique on the feet. Very few even discussed the possibility of either party choosing to initiate a wrestling sequence, and even fewer believed Ngannou would be capable of engineering a victory with it.

    While he sees the opportunity to have proven his doubters wrong and show he can go five rounds, even when grappling is involved, as a good thing, Ngannou still admits he’d have chosen a KO if he could have.

    “I didn’t know, for sure, that it was gonna be a grappling match. But I have that as an option, that it could be a grappling match,” Ngannou said during his appearance at the post-fight press conference. “Basically, because I wasn’t very comfortable on my stand, I wasn’t very stable, so I was very concerned. I couldn’t move properly, and against a guy who moves as well as Ciryl, It was very tough for me, the standup part. But he kind of gave me the opportunity; came to me at first with those takedowns… My team recommended me to keep doing that, work on the wrestling and grapple because we were pretty confident about our skills.

    “Neither do I (expect to see me fight five rounds), I haven’t seen me fight for so long [LAUGHS]. The wrestling has been part of my game from the beginning. I’ve been working on (it), maybe it wasn’t good enough, but I never had a chance to prove it,” added Ngannou. “If I would’ve chose, it would’ve been a knockout man [LAUGHS]. This five rounds, it wasn’t my call. But meanwhile, it was a good thing because I finally had a chance to prove that I can do it. Everybody counts me out when it goes to five rounds, ‘Ah, Ciryl by decision! Only way Francis wins is by knockout,’ but you were wrong.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZISzJ7Prar/

    With another wrinkle added to his game, Ngannou has displayed his development from knockout artist to all-round mixed martial artist. That’s certainly a scary prospect for the rest of the division should he agree to a new deal with the UFC and continue his reign.

    What did you make of Francis Ngannou’s performance at UFC 270?

  • Arnold Allen Fight Coincides With Dan Hooker’s Reason For FW Move

    UFC fan favorite Dan Hooker is ready to make a splash when he returns to featherweight, starting with an impressive performance against England’s Arnold Allen.

    Despite his recent run of form consisting of losses to some of the best lightweights in the world, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, and Islam Makhachev, Hooker feels that to remain in contention for UFC gold, he has to make a change.

    Believing he doesn’t have a place among the 155-pound elite until the landscape of the division changes, “The Hangman” made the decision to move back to 145 pounds.

    While he initially targeted dream fights with “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung and Brian Ortega, Hooker has had to settle for a contender outside the top five. Nevertheless, a victory over Allen will certainly insert the New Zealander right into the title picture at featherweight.

    The pair are set to throw down on March 19, a date that will signal the promotion’s return to London, England. While “Almighty” Allen targets a triumph in front of his home crowd, Hooker will be looking to spoil the party for the Ipswich native.

    Hooker Hopes To Steal Allen’s Momentum

    Despite going 1-3 in his last four Octagon outings, Hooker isn’t returning to featherweight with the aim of taking easier matchups and rising the ranks slowly. He wants to get straight into the mix at 145 pounds and book dates with the top names in the division.

    With Allen, that is exactly what he’s getting. The Englishman is unbeaten in the UFC. Across his unblemished 8-0 promotional record, the 28-year-old has established himself as one of the fastest-rising contenders thanks to victories over Makwan Amirkhani, Nik Lentz, and Sodiq Yusuff.

    Discussing how the matchup came together in an interview with The AllStar, Hooker explained why Allen is the kind of opponent he usually accepts, while others tend to turn down.

    “He is really good, but not like, a big name. I can see why I got that fight because I generally get the fights that other people don’t wanna take,” said Hooker. “That’s generally how I wind up with opponents… I feel like this is the situation with Arnold Allen, where he’s a super-talented fighter, very technical, well-rounded, and not the biggest name. Those are the difficult fights.”

    While others have perhaps shied away from the challenge of defeating Allen, Hooker is excited by the prospect of becoming the first blemish on the #7-ranked contender’s résumé.

    “For sure, it excites me to get out there and get the opportunity to stop that run, stop a run like that, undefeated in the UFC, 8-0. That’s a huge accomplishment in itself, to reach that sort of achievement, so the opportunity to get out there and stop it, and to take all of that momentum that he’s carrying off those eight wins and take it for myself, that’s what excites me about this fight.”

    While he isn’t taking the task of handing Allen his first loss in MMA’s premier promotion lightly, Hooker is anticipating a place right in the mix among the featherweight elite if he is successful on March 19.

    “Without a doubt, he’s #7 and he’s got all that hype,” added Hooker. “I’m not looking past Arnold or anything like that, but yeah, that (victory over Allen) gets you one of those big-name guys in the division, and that’s really like, my main motivation for going down to featherweight and for making the cut, to put myself straight back in the mix.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWmZYdeJQdD/

    Having previously gone 3-3 during his initial stint at featherweight in the UFC, Hooker will be after more consistency when he makes his return to the lighter weight class.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC London, Dan Hooker or Arnold Allen?

  • Hermansson’s Strickland Game Plan: Hit Him & Make It A Quick Night

    UFC middleweight contender Jack Hermansson is hoping to avoid a long night at UFC Vegas 47 by finishing Sean Strickland inside the opening two rounds.

    For the third time in as many bouts, Hermansson will be fighting down the rankings on February 5. After a memorable first-round submission win against Kelvin Gastelum shot him into title contention in 2020, a main event loss to then-rising contender Marvin Vettori stalled his championship aspirations.

    Having rebounded by adding another defeat to the record of Edmen Shahbazyan last year, “The Joker” is hoping to halt the charge of Strickland in what will be the 33-year-old’s fourth headlining bout in MMA’s premier promotion.

    Ahead of his return to the Octagon, Hermansson spoke to MMA News about the threat “Tarzan” poses, his experience wrestling Khamzat Chimaev in 2021, Francis Ngannou’s ongoing contractual dispute with the UFC, and his thoughts on the upcoming 185-pound title fight between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker.

    Hermansson Looks To Avoid “Grueling” Fight

    In Hermansson’s way of staking a claim for a championship opportunity is Strickland, a unique, and perhaps downright bizarre, individual. But whether fans love his carefree attitude or look down at his outspoken personality, no one can deny his fighting ability.

    Since returning from the Octagon in 2020 after two years on the sidelines, “Tarzan” has been at his best. After getting back on track with wins against Nordine Taleb and Jack Marshman, the 30-year-old recorded victories over highly-touted prospect Brendan Allen and middleweight mainstay Krzysztof Jotko.

    With a fifth straight win last July, a dominant main event triumph over divisional veteran Uriah Hall, Strickland has established himself as a genuine contender at 185 pounds.

    With his opponent’s form and durability in mind, Hermansson is hoping to end things quick come fight night. The Swedish-born Norwegian told MMA News he’s targeting a first or second-round finish when he goes toe-to-toe with Strickland inside Las Vegas’ Apex facility.

    To do so, the game plan is simple: hit him.

    “You know, I don’t want a hard, tough, long, grueling fight with Sean, even though I know that’s a possibility,” Hermansson told James Lynch. “I want a quick, nice finish and that’s how I envision the fight (going). So, I’m gonna go in there, I’m gonna be precise, and I’m gonna hit him and make it a quick night. First or second-round finish.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZH1SWBvdk2/

    If Hermansson is to ascend closer to a date with the champion, he’ll have to join an exclusive club that currently boasts only reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman, 28-5 UFC vet Santiago Ponzinibbio, and knockout machine Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos.

    That club? The group of fighters who have managed to have their hand raised against “Tarzan.”

    Given only three have managed it in Strickland’s 27 professional fights, Hermansson will certainly have to be at his best to get the job done on Saturday night.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised in the UFC Vegas 47 main event, Jack Hermansson or Sean Strickland?

  • Figueiredo: I’d Have Finished Moreno In Round 3 With 30 More Seconds

    UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo believes he’d have only needed another 30 seconds to have finished arch-rival Brandon Moreno in round three at UFC 270.

    At the opening pay-per-view of 2022, Moreno and Figueiredo met for the third time. While the Mexican was aiming to cement his status as reigning 125-pound king and turn the page on the Figueiredo chapter of his career, the Brazilian was hoping to become the first two-time flyweight titleholder in UFC history and regain his place on the throne.

    After five rounds of entertaining Fight of the Night-worthy action, it was “Deus Da Guerra” who accomplished his goal and had his hand raised. With scores of 48-47 across the board, Figueiredo avenged his submission setback to Moreno last June and set the trilogy score at 1-1-1.

    Figueiredo: I Needed 30 More Seconds For The Kill

    One of the pivotal rounds in the co-main event was the third. In a close frame, Figueiredo gained the momentum and almost finished the fight in the closing seconds after dropping Moreno with a flush right hand. Despite locking in what appeared to be a tight guillotine choke, “The Assassin Baby” survived thanks to the round-ending horn.

    During his appearance at the post-fight press conference, Figueiredo was asked what he felt at that moment and whether he thought he was close to the finish. The newly-crowned champ suggested if there were another 30 seconds in the round, the fight wouldn’t have gone beyond the third stanza.

    “You know, if it was 30 seconds more, I feel that I would have gotten him,” said Figueiredo. “I think that he lost his senses a little bit. He looked like he was not feeling too well there. He was kind of saved by the buzzer, and I do feel like his soul left his body. I do feel that with 30 seconds, I would’ve just killed that guy.”

    While we certainly had another intriguing clash added to the history books for Figueiredo and Moreno’s rivalry, one thing we didn’t get was closure to it. With the score now at 1-1-1, it stands to reason the pair will meet for a historical fourth contest down the line, maybe even immediately.

    However, with top contenders like Askar Askarov, Alexandre Pantoja, and Kai Kara-France all hoping to stake their claim for a title shot, perhaps the UFC will choose to divert from Figueiredo vs. Moreno 4 for the time being.

    Would you like to see Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno 4?