Author: Tyriece Simon

  • Jake Paul Next Fight: Potential Opponents, Timeline

    Jake Paul’s next fight will see the social media influencer look to continue his undefeated streak in boxing.

    It’s unclear who The Problem Child’s next opponent will be. However, we can look at possible fighters who the Youtuber could compete against next.

    Paul Knocked Out Woodley In Their Rematch

    Jake Paul Tyron Woodley December
    (AP Photo)

    The combat sports community was stunned when Paul knocked out Tyron Woodley at the Amelie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 18, 2021.

    Paul defeated Woodley in their first fight by split decision on Aug. 29, 2021, at the Rocket Morgage Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. In the contest, the Youtube star outpaced the former UFC Welterweight Champion to improve his record to 4-0. Woodley admitted after the fight that he fought the undefeated boxer too patiently.

    Tyron Woodley also expressed that he wanted a rematch against Paul despite the loss. However, Paul responded that Woodley needed an “I love Jake Paul” tattoo to get the second fight. Paul decided to fight Tommy Fury next despite the former UFC champion getting the tattoo.

    Paul vs. Fury was scheduled for Dec. 18, 2021, but Fury pulled out of the fight due to an injury. Woodley accepted to be Paul’s opponent on twelve days’ notice on Dec. 6, 2021. Although Woodley gave Paul a challenging fight, it ended with a sixth-round knockout.

    Paul Focused On Being A Promoter

    Jake Paul
    (Getty Images)

    After his win against Woodley, Paul announced he’d be taking time off from fighting. He had fought three times in 2021, with two wins over Woodley and a TKO victory against Ben Askren at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Apr. 17, 2021.

    Paul wanted to focus on being a promoter with his brand Most Valuable Promotion and work with WBC and WBO Female Featherweight Champion Amanda Serrano. The boxer turned promoter helped set up an undisputed lightweight title fight between Serrano and Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden on Apr. 30.

    Although he’s taken time off from fighting, he plans to have another boxing or possibly an MMA fight.

    Jake Paul
    (Complex)

    Possible Opponents for Jake Paul’s Next Fight

    Jake Paul does not have his next opponent lined up yet.

    However, there are a few interesting candidates under consideration for Jake Paul’s next fight.

    Anderson Silva

    Jake Paul Anderson Silva
    MMA Fighting and © Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

    The former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva could be Paul’s next challenger. Since leaving the UFC, Silva has transitioned into boxing with success. He has a 3-1 boxing record. His most notable win is against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by split decision on Jun. 21, 2021.

    Paul has expressed interest in fighting Silva in an interview with Ariel Helwani. Unlike his past opponents, Silva has more boxing experience and is regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. Despite his age, Silva also has the endurance and technique to give Paul problems.

    Having fought Paul, Askren shared he believes Anderson Silva has a solid chance to defeat the undefeated boxer.

    “I thought Tyron [Woodley] was going to. The first bout was obviously really competitive,” Askren told MMA Island. “Anderson Silva looked great in his one boxing match he did. It was against a guy who had a significant amount of boxing experience, so I would say yeah, I would think so. If Anderson can’t do it, then shit, Jake Paul is pretty damn good,” said Askren.

    A potential win against the former UFC Middleweight Champion would be the biggest accomplishment of Paul’s boxing career.

    Tommy Fury

    Jake Paul Tommy Fury
    (Mike Ehrmann/Jason Miller/Getty Images)

    After pulling out of their first fight, Tommy Fury could be Paul’s next opponent. It would also be Jake Paul’s chance to prove to doubters that he could beat a boxer. Fury is also undefeated with seven wins.

    Both Fury and Paul haven’t held back about how they don’t like each other. When Fury had to drop out of their fight, Paul shamed him and felt he would’ve knocked him out. Now healthy, Tommy Fury shared in an interview with Ariel Helwani that he wanted to silence Paul and the ball was in his court.

    “…I’m trying my best to get this fight back on track,” said Fury. He continued, “You talk to anybody, this is the fight I want. I’ll wait for him an amount of time, it comes off, great, if it doesn’t, I will resume my career and start winning some titles. That’s just the way life is.”

    While the situation could change, Paul thinks Fury should fight Woodley to fight him. It’s unclear how long Paul will be out of competition, so Fury may fight Woodley to get revenge against his rival.

    Scott Coker Jake Paul
    (Dave Kotinsky/Warren Little/Getty Images)

    Could Jake Paul Compete In MMA Next?

    Paul has expressed interest in having an MMA fight numerous times. While some fans didn’t take the boxing star seriously, Bellator President Scott Coker has shared that they are in talks.

    “If Paul is serious and wants to do it, we’re here. We’re already talking about [it]. You know, when I say talking about it, he’s with Showtime boxing, and he did the fight with T-Wood [Tyron Woodley]. There’s dialogue. I think he wants to do ten boxing fights and then come over to MMA,” Coker revealed(h/t Talksport’s Alex McCarthy)

    It’s unclear if Paul wants to pursue MMA for his next fight, but it’s something that could be possible in the future.

    When Is Jake Paul’s Next Fight?

    After promoting Serrano vs. Taylor on Apr. 30, Paul could begin looking for his next fight. He also seems healthy with inactivity from boxing, but he could need time to train before agreeing on his next fight. It’s possible the 5-0 boxer could fight sometime this summer.

    Conclusion

    Jake Paul

    Paul is looking to remain unbeaten in boxing, hoping to fight Canelo Alvarez in the future. However, who will be his next opponent is up in the air. Both boxers and MMA fighters want to challenge Paul, but he ultimately decides who gets the opportunity.

  • Conor McGregor Next Fight: Potential Opponents, Timeline

    Conor McGregor’s next fight is an opportunity for “The Notorious” to revitalize his UFC career.

    It’s unclear who his next opponent will be. However, we can look at several fighters who want a “Money fight” against McGregor.

    Dustin Poirier Conor McGregor
    (via Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

    Conor McGregor’s Losses to Dustin Poirier

    McGregor hopes to rebound from two losses against his rival “The Diamond” Dustin Poirier.

    He already had a 1st round KO win over Poirier at UFC 178 on Sep. 27, 2014, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, the fight happened at featherweight, and they both had evolved as fighters since their first encounter.

    “The Diamond” got his revenge, defeating McGregor by TKO in the 2nd round at UFC 257 on Jan. 24, 2021, on Fight Island in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. While McGregor acted friendly with Poirier before the rematch, he changed his attitude in their last fight.

    Before their third fight, McGregor insulted both Poirier and his wife. He also posted a screenshot of Poirier’s wife’s DM request on Twitter, insinuating infidelity. Although the MMA superstar tried to get under his opponent’s skin, Poirier got the last laugh.

    At the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Poirier defeated McGregor by TKO in the 1st round at UFC 264 on Jul. 10, 2021. The MMA superstar suffered a broken leg (tibia) during the fight, and the referee ended the fight due to doctor stoppage.

    Conor McGregor injury
    (via: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

    Leg Injury

    The injury resulted in McGregor having surgery, which has kept him out of competition. Coach John Kavanagh also shared that McGregor suffered an ankle injury before the third fight with Poirier.

    While he isn’t ready for fights yet, the Irishman has recovered from his surgery and walks without assistance. He appeared healthy as he supported his SBG Ireland teammates at Bellator 275 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, on Feb. 25.

    He may also be moving up at welterweight for his next fight. McGregor has a history of fighting at welterweight unless his fight has UFC Lightweight Championship implications.

    On a two-fight losing streak and ranked ninth at lightweight, it doesn’t seem likely he’ll be close to a championship opportunity.

    Conor McGregor
    (via Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

    Possible Opponents for McGregor’s Next Fight

    As McGregor prepares to make his UFC return, it’s time to consider possible opponents for the former two-division champion. Although McGregor is UFC’s biggest star, he needs a popular challenger to fight against.

    Conor McGregor Nate Diaz
    (via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)

    Nate Diaz

    UFC fans have anticipated a third fight between McGregor and Nate Diaz as both fighters have a win over the other at welterweight. The rivalry has also created two successful pay-per-view buy rates with UFC 196 and 202.

    Although Nate Diaz is on a two-fight losing streak, he impressed fans with his last performance by hurting Leon Edwards at UFC 263 at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on Jun. 12, 2021. Diaz also shared that he wants to stop fighting soon, so the UFC may decide to have the trilogy before he retires.

    (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

    Dustin Poirier

    While Dustin Poirier has two wins against McGregor, fans still wonder what would’ve happened if the injury didn’t occur in their last fight.

    McGregor remains confident that he would’ve defeated Poirier at UFC 264 and still has animosity towards his rival. In an interview with Morning Kombat’s Brian Campbell, Poirier also believes their feud isn’t over yet.

    “I don’t think so. I don’t think the chapter will ever be closed, said Poirier(h/t Harvey Leonard).

    “The Diamond” has teased a move to welterweight after losing to Charles Oliveria for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 269 at the T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 11, 2021. A welterweight fight against McGregor adds a different element to a potential bout, as McGregor has more experience in the weight class than Poirier.

    It could also benefit Dustin Poirier to adjust to a new weight class against an opponent he’s defeated twice.

    Conor McGregor Jorge Masvidal
    (Photo credit: Instagram @thenotoriousmma, @gamebredfighter)

    Jorge Masvidal

    “Gamebred” Jorge Masvidal presents a unique opportunity for the UFC and Conor McGregor.

    Masvidal is considered the reigning BMF Champion, although he’s lost twice to UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 and 261. Since winning the BMF title, the UFC hasn’t made him defend it. The company may not recognize it as a legitimate championship, but it is an option they can use to promote McGregor’s next PPV main event fight.

    Masvidal has shown interest in fighting the Dublin native in the past. UFC President Dana White downplayed a potential matchup and thought Jorge Masvidal was too big for McGregor. However, the UFC could have McGregor challenge “Gamebred” for the BMF Championship.

    The company may also have Masvidal and McGregor fight without needing a title. The BMF Champion will compete against Colby Covington in a non-title fight main event at UFC 272 at the T-Mobile Arena on March 5.

    Whether Masvidal wins or losses, the UFC has shown faith that he doesn’t need to use the BMF title to sell a PPV. Alongside McGregor, he could create intrigue for fans to want to see them fight.

    Kamaru Usman, Conor McGregor
    (Image Credits: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC & Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

    Another opportunity for McGregor is the possibility of beating a ranked welterweight. “Gamebred” is ranked sixth in the division, and a win for McGregor could make him an instant contender for the UFC Welterweight Championship.

    He’s also teased challenging Kamaru Usman for the title and thinks he could be a three-division UFC champion. Beating Masvidal at welterweight gives McGregor options to be a welterweight or lightweight title contender.

    Conor McGregor
    (Photo Credit: Rex / Shutterstock GQ Magazine)

    When Will Conor McGregor’s Next Fight Be?

    It’s unclear what the UFC has planned for the Conor McGregor next fight. Regardless, the UFC star is looking forward to ending his two-fight losing streak and showing that the surgery made him stronger. The company seems to have its PPV schedule planned until June.

    Conclusion

    Despite his uncertain UFC return, McGregor has plenty of opponents for a comeback fight. However, the MMA superstar will need to get cleared by doctors and resume raining before he can step into the Octagon and score another victory.

    MMA News will provide an update when more information is available.

  • Volkanovski Explains Why Korean Zombie Fight Is Personal

    UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski feels his upcoming fight against the “Korean Zombie” is personal.

    Alexander Volkanovski will defend his featherweight title against Chan Sung Jung at UFC 273 on Apr. 9 at the Vystar Veteran Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. While Volkanovski feels disappointed that UFC replaced Holloway due to injury, he looks forward to settling his feud with Jung.

    Alexander Volkanovski Discusses Upcoming Chan Sung Jung Fight

    Volkanovski appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani recently to discuss his upcoming bout against Jung. Jung had previously called Volkanovski’s title reign “shameful” after his split-decision win over Halloway at UFC 251 on July 11, 2020 and believed he could beat the champion without needing the judges. The featherweight titleholder later responded to Jung’s remarks. (h/t MMA Fighting).

    “Of course. It is,” Volkanovski replied when asked if the matchup is personal. “There was a time where he, I guess, decided to play the heel or his manager, or someone did anyway. And he was there calling us out and saying some things. So yeah, there is a bit of history there. You’ve got to remember, that was before—that’s why he was fighting for that No. 1 contender when Brian [Ortega] and him fought, so it shows you that he was close to that title shot, but it didn’t go his way, so that’s why I fought Brian.

    “Now, he went back and did what he had to do. And he’s lucky—obviously, if Max didn’t pull out, none of these guys would be getting the opportunity maybe. We don’t know, but that’s what happened. So I want to fight, and the UFC wanted us to still fight, so we all agreed that Zombie was the guy to do it with. Again, there is a bit of history. He’s an OG of the division. So let’s make that happen.”

    Jung became a top contender after he won his previous fight against Dan Ige on Jun. 19, 2021, and has won three out of his last four contests.

    Volkanovski is undefeated in the UFC and has won 20 fights in a row. Volkanovski’s win streak also includes his most recent title defense against Brian Ortega at UFC 266.

    The UFC may not have initially wanted Volkanovski vs. Jung, but the champion’s animosity could help make the fight intriguing to promote.

    What do you think about Alexander Volkanovski’s comments?

  • Israel Adesanya Next Fight: Potential Opponents, Timeline

    Israel Adesanya’s next fight will see “The Last Stylebender” defend his UFC Middleweight Championship for the fifth time.

    We do not know who the next opponent will be. However, we can look at several possible challengers and narrow down the options.

    Victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 271

    Adesanya most recently fought at in the main event of UFC 271 back on February 21st. He battled Robert Whittaker in Houston, Texas, and picked up a unanimous decision to conclude their storied rivalry. Robert Whittaker was a challenge, but he was outclassed by the 32-year-old fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand.

    The win improved Izzy’s MMA record to 22-1. The performance also propelled him to become the number two ranked fighter in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.

    Adesanya is in a very important stage of his MMA career. He has already shown the world what he can do. He’s reached the top of the mountain and deserves the “champion” title he has earned. It is now about racking up an impressive streak of wins as champion. Of course, it’s not just about numbers or a streak. He needs to fight against top-caliber fighters to cement a legacy for himself that will stand up over time.

    Israel Adesanya and Eugene Bareman
    (Photo: The Mac Life)

    Potential Next Opponents for Israel Adesanya’s Next Fight

    As he continues his championship run, it’s time to start thinking about the next challenger. If we look at the Top 15 rankings, two people have stuck out as possible contenders.

    Jared Cannonier

    Jared Cannonier
    Jared Cannonier (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

    The “Killa Gorilla” Jared Cannonier is ranked 2nd in the middleweight division, with a two-fight win streak.

    He defeated fourth-ranked middleweight Derek Brunson at UFC 271 by KO in the 2nd round. Cannonier’s win also ended Brunson’s five-fight win streak and his chances of fighting for a UFC championship before he retires. After his win, Jared Cannonier made his case to fight Isreal Adesanya for the UFC Middleweight Championship.

    Cannonier won five out of his last six fights since fighting at middleweight, after beginning his UFC career as a heavyweight and light heavyweight. The “Killa Gorilla” seems to be next in line, and Israel Adesanya and UFC President Dana White also believe in thinking so.

    Adesanya called him out on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani for a Pay Per View event in June or July. UFC President Dana White has also acknowledged Jared Cannonier as the next title contender and was impressed by his win against Derek Brunson at the UFC 271 post-fight press conference.

    “I was excited to see that fight to see how it was going to play out. It was an awesome fight, and Yeah, I’m not going to say no to Cannonier,” said White. However, he was unsure when the fight could happen.

    Adesanya vs. Cannonier would probably generate much interest from fight fans.

    Sean Strickland

    Sean Strickland
    Sean Strickland (Photo: MMA Junkie)

    UFC could also be looking at another contender in the division to fight Adesanya for the middleweight title.

    Sean Strickland could be the next opponent if Cannonier isn’t ready to compete. He’s ranked fifth in the middleweight division and has a better winning record than Cannionier with six straight wins.

    Strickland also has some hatred towards Adesanya, as he accused Izzy of being a steroid abuser in an interview with MMA journalist Helen Yee.

    “I mean, Israel’s just a crafty motherfucker,” said Strickland. He continued, “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 to his knees. Get out of here with this. (h/t Harvey Leonard)

    “The Last Stylebender” wants to stay active, and Strickland is always ready to fight. Strickland’s comments about Adesanya could also sway the UFC to make them fight for the middleweight title at an event later this year.

    Cannonier is probably more likely, but Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland could also be a great match-up.

    Israel Adesanya

    When Will Israel Adesanya Fight Next?

    We know wants to fight three times this year.

    Israel Adesanya requested to fight in June or July. However, the UFC has announced that UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka would headline UFC 275 on Jun. 11. Adesanya has only fought in the main event since become the UFC Middleweight Champion, and it’s unlikely the UFC will make him fight in the co-main event of UFC 275. It’s also unclear if the UFC already has a title fight planned for the July event.

    Playing it Safe?

    Israel Adesanya

    Israel Adesanya is dealing with being too dominant that his idol Anderson Silva had when he held the UFC Middleweight Champion.

    While Adesanya is winning decisively, he has one TKO victory in his last four fights defending the title.

    After his win against Robert Whittaker at UFC 271, both UFC fans and his peers believed he may have played it safe. Silva also faced criticism similar to Adesanya when he held the Middleweight belt.

    Marvin Vettori criticized Adesanya’s performance on Twitter and said that he was “fighting scared” at UFC 271. Michael Chandler also showed his displeasure for the fight on social media after the event.

    Conclusion

    Israel Adesanya hopes to continue his dominance in the UFC Middleweight division. While he may not be winning by knockout lately, he still has defeated top-ranked contenders.

    The champion also teased, returning to light heavyweight to become a two-division champion. For now, Adesanya will look forward to his next title fight.

    Hit up the comments section and tell us what challenger makes the most sense for Israel Adesanya’s next fight.

  • Sean O’Malley Next Fight: Potential Opponents, Timeline

    Sean O’Malley’s next fight remains a hot topic of conversation in the MMA world.

    Malley hopes to continue his three-fight winning streak during his next outing in the octagon.

    O’Malley Beat Raulian Paiva at UFC 269

    “Sugar” Sean’s most recent victory took place back in December at the UFC 269 pay-per-view.

    O’Malley picked up a decisive victory over Raulian Paiva. After landing a barrage of strikes, the referee stopped the fight in the first round (TKO). His record improved to 15-1 (the one loss was against Marlon Vera at UFC 252 in 2020).

    The win over Paiva improved O’Malley’s standing in UFC, improving his position to the 12th rank in the company’s Bantamweight division. That fight was a test, but he rose to the occasion.

    Before UFC 269, UFC President Dana White said O’Malley isn’t ready to face top opponents. Afterward, he was singing a different tune.

    Potential Opponents for the Sean O’Malley Next Fight

    Sean O'Malley

    As Sean O’Malley climbs the ranks, the attention turns to what’s next for him. The UFC has not yet announced Sean O’Malley’s next opponent, but we can take search the bantamweight division and see who are the likely possibilities.

    Here are the top five fighters we feel could be Sean O’Malley’s next opponents:

    Pedro Munhoz
    Image Credit: Dave Mandel of Sherdog.com

    Sean O’ Malley Wants to Fight Pedro Munhoz

    On his Twitch Channel, Sean O’ Malley revealed he’s interested in fighting Pedro Munhoz at UFC 274 on May.7 at the Footprint Center in Pheonix, Arizona. A fight against Munhoz could be his most challenging fight to date. “I’m thinking Pedro (Munhoz), but we will see. I’m going to make sure I can f*****g train full time, and my f*****g s**t feels good,” said O’Malley (h/t BJPenn.com).

    Pedro Munhoz wants to get back into the win column after decision losses to Dominick Cruz at UFC 269 and Jose Aldo at UFC 265 on Aug. 7, 2021. Munhoz is ranked 9th in the division, despite losing 2-fights in a row. While Munhoz is trying to rebound from his failure, O’Malley could attempt to challenge his position in the division. 

    Sean O Malley
    Sean O’Malley (Image Credit: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

    Other Possible Opponents for Sean O’ Malley

    • Ricky Simon is ranked 13th in the bantamweight division. However, he boasts more-recent impressive wins than Sugar. He defeated Raphael Assuncao at UFC Vegas 45 by 2nd round TKO. A win for either Simon or O’Malley may potentially lead to a fight against an opponent ranked higher than them.
    • Frankie Edgar is a good test for O’ Malley to fight a former UFC champion. The UFC likes to put younger talent against veterans. Edgar is hoping to rebound from two straight knockout losses. A potential win over Edgar would add an impressive name to O’ Malley’s record.
    • Raphael Assuncao is falling down the UFC bantamweight rankings with three straight losses. However, he is still ranked 15th in the division and has fought some of the best bantamweights in the company. His employers might try to test O’Malley’s skills against a veteran that seems to be on the decline.

    Sean O’Malley has the potential to be a champion in the UFC. It’s only a matter of time before O’Malley crosses paths with one of the men listed above. A victory, especially a first-round victory like his last fight, would put him on the fast track to a title shot.

    When is Sean O’Malley’s Next Fight?

    Sean O'Malley

    Although, he soundly defeated Paiva at UFC 269, fans thought they’d have to wait to see Sean O’Malley’s next fight. After the fight, the medical suspension revealed that he was dealing with a hand injury to keep him from fighting until June. 

    However, O’ Malley hopes to make his UFC return for UFC 274. He wants to fight Munhoz, but he’s unsure if it will happen. The UFC could also have a different opponent and date for Sean O’ Malley’s return.

    He has his sights on his division’s championship, currently held by Aljamain Sterling. The Funk Master defends the gold against Petr Yan at UFC 273 on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

    Plans for a Fat Contract & “Killing Spree” in 2023

    Sean O'Malley

    Sean O’Malley has big plans for his fighting career and is biding his time until he can unleash himself. Ideally, he would fight three times per year. Unfortunately, an injury got in the way. He might only get the chance to fight twice in 2022.

    In January 2022, O’Malley spoke about his plans on his Suga Sunday Service podcast. The 27-year-old said he would spend the rest of this year getting healthy improving his skills.

    Next year, he plans to sign a new big-money contract with the UFC and show the world just how dangerous he can be.

    “I’m not too worried about it. Ideally, I get three fights in a year,” said O’Malley. “That’s kind of where my head’s at. I don’t know if it’s more money or if it’s… I think it’s competition, I love competing. But I just want to get back in the gym and improve.”

    “So if I only fight two, if I get one in July and November or December, I might only get two this year. Fight out the contract, and then boom, into 2023 with a fat f*cking contract and just go on a killing spree.”