MMA News

Category: MMA

  • King Green Explains His Issues With UFC 304 Opponent Paddy Pimblett: ‘Ariel Doesn’t Even Pay Conor, Why Would He Pay You?!’ 

    King Green Explains His Issues With UFC 304 Opponent Paddy Pimblett: ‘Ariel Doesn’t Even Pay Conor, Why Would He Pay You?!’ 

    UFC lightweight veteran King Green hasn’t liked a number of things he’s seen from upcoming opponent Paddy Pimblett in recent years.

    Green and Pimblett are tasked with setting the stage for the two title fights that will top the lineup at this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event, which goes down inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    While the 37-year-old Californian remained in the rankings courtesy of his victory over Jim Miller at UFC 300 this past April, Saturday’s clash marks “The Baddy’s” first opportunity to crack the divisional top 15.

    The matchup itself has been a while in the making, with Green first addressing a possible showdown with the Liverpool native while recording him on Instagram Live while both were in attendance at a UFC event back in 2022.

    And when it comes to his desire to throw down with Pimblett, Green has his reasons…

    Green: ‘Spoiled’ Pimblett Has Gotten ‘Drunk Off Of Winning’

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBfV63dFVkU

    During a fight week interview with Adam Catterall for TNT Sports, Green looked ahead to his latest Octagon appearance, which marks his 50th fight as a professional mixed martial artist.

    Explaining why he set his sights on sharing the cage with Pimblett a number of years ago, King took aim at “The Baddy’s” attitude and how he’s handled winning on the sport’s biggest stage.

    The American specifically highlighted his opponent’s back and forth with renowned reporter Ariel Helwani, who claimed Pimblett had requested payment for an interview in late 2022.

    “I said his name first. I just felt like Paddy was the brash, mouthy, spoiled kid,” Green said. “There’s a lot of guys that want the same opportunities as he’s gotten. He’s got his own podcast, I heard (he got) a million dollars for his own podcast, and to do this, and then he’s asking Ariel to pay him (for interviews)! Ariel doesn’t even pay Conor (McGregor), so why would he pay you?!

    “It’s like, certain guys don’t realize you’re the kid. Now that you’re in that position, you’re mistreating it,” Green continued. “All you have to do is be happy, smile, and then the whole world is yours kid. They’ll give you all the right fights; they’re taking care of you. Man, he’s just acting spoiled. He thinks he’s the sh*t. He’s gotten drunk off of winning.”

    With those beliefs in mind, Green will be looking to hand Pimblett a reality check come fight night in Manchester this weekend.

    “The Baddy,” on the other hand, has promised to deliver an emphatic and violent performance that will reverse the apparent change of heart many fans have had about him owing to the Tony Ferguson and Jared Gordon bouts.

  • Chael Sonnen Insists Tom Aspinall Has To Finish Curtis Blaydes To Beat Him At UFC 304

    Chael Sonnen Insists Tom Aspinall Has To Finish Curtis Blaydes To Beat Him At UFC 304

    According to former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen, Tom Aspinall can’t beat Curtis Blaydes on the scorecards this weekend.

    The pair will collide in Saturday’s UFC 304 pay-per-view co-main event for the interim UFC heavyweight championship, which has been held by Aspinall ever since his first-round knockout of Sergei Pavlovich last November.

    That win came in just the second fight back for Aspinall after returning from the serious knee injury he sustained against Blaydes in 2022, which saw that UFC Fight Night headliner end in just 15 seconds.

    After dispatching Marcin Tybura in 73 seconds last July, Aspinall required just 69 to send Pavlovich to the canvas inside Madison Square Garden, maintaining his 100 percent finish rate in the process.

    With Aspinall having yet to go the distance in his professional career, “Razor” will no doubt look to drag him to deep waters in their five-round affair tomorrow night. And if he does, one ex-fighter has little doubt about who will have their hand raised…

    Sonnen: Finish Is Essential For Aspinall At UFC 304

    During a recent episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen gave his assessment on the first of two title fights set to play out in Manchester this weekend.

    Sonnen pointed to the little cage time Aspinall has had since being struck by a severe injury against Blaydes two years ago.

    And with questions remaining about how the Brit will fare in the later rounds, “The American Gangster” stated Aspinall must close the show early if he’s to maintain his grip on the title on home soil.

    “Tom Aspinall’s on one heck of a roll. People wanna talk about this fight with Curtis Blaydes (being) over two years ago. Well, that’s true…but it was only two fights ago,” Sonnen said. “That’s not much experience. You’re talking about being on the shelf for close to three years with the exception of a total of three minutes.

    “The odds of Tom winning are good. In fact, they’re -360. The chances that Tom can win a decision are very small,” Sonnen continued. “He’s gotta finish him. Oh, and by the way, not only does he gotta finish him, I think he’s gotta finish him in the first three rounds. … I think that Curtis is in a better spot than Tom based on those (15) seconds they shared the Octagon.”

    Given his penchant for finishes and the aggressive start he made to their 2022 bout, it stands to reason that Aspinall will absolutely be looking for another early night this weekend.

    Should he reach uncharted territory in the form of a fourth round, however, Sonnen is seemingly expecting the interim gold to change hands at UFC 304.

  • Max Holloway Lays Heavy Praise On UFC 304 Fighter: ‘One Of The Very Few IQ’s In This Game That I Respect…’ 

    Max Holloway Lays Heavy Praise On UFC 304 Fighter: ‘One Of The Very Few IQ’s In This Game That I Respect…’ 

    It takes a mighty fight IQ to impress Max Holloway, but the UFC’s BMF champion thinks one athlete set to make the walk this weekend has exactly that.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back across the pond this week, staging an event in a UK city other than London for the first time since pre-pandemic. The host venue falls in Manchester, with two titles fights and a host of intriguing bouts set to go down inside the Co-op Live arena.

    Topping the lineup will be a pair of English titleholders in welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. While the former targets his third successful defense at the expense of Belal Muhammad, the latter will be putting his strap on the line for the first time opposite Curtis Blaydes.

    Like most, Holloway has his eyes firmly locked on those two championship collisions. And one of them will see a fighter who boasts a particular talent lauded by “Blessed” enter the Octagon…

    Holloway Commends Edwards’ Fight IQ Ahead Of UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Holloway provided his breakdowns and predictions for the major matchups set to play out in Manchester on Saturday night.

    In terms of the main event, “Blessed” acknowledged that both Edwards and his challenger are “tacticians.” But when it comes to overall fight IQ, the BMF champ suggested that very few can match what “Rocky” brings to the table.

    “Belal is a tactician. he’s a gameplanner. He does not stray away from his gameplan,” Holloway said. “But so does Leon, bro. Leon is a tactician. He’s a gameplanner. He sticks to his gameplan no matter what. … A lot of people were counting Leon out (ahead of the Covington fight) like he was gonna get grappled.

    “Leon is one of the very few IQs in this game that I respect, man,” Holloway continued. “His fight IQ is super high, super smart. It’s just hard to go against the champ here, bro. I think Belal puts on a fight. Early in the fight, I think it’s a tough fight. But then when we get to the third and then the championship rounds, I think Leon is gonna take over.”

    Interestingly, Muhammad has branded his fight IQ as one of the aspects of his game that is being most underrated in the lead-up to UFC 304.

    He’ll look to prove that’s the case by using his intelligence and strategical approach to upset the odds and get the better of Edwards on fight night, achieving his long-held goal of UFC title glory in the process.

  • Matt Hamill Reacts To 12-6 Elbow Rule Change: ‘Dana White, I Know You’re Desperate To Get Jon Jones An Undefeated Record…’

    Matt Hamill Reacts To 12-6 Elbow Rule Change: ‘Dana White, I Know You’re Desperate To Get Jon Jones An Undefeated Record…’

    Former UFC light heavyweight Matt Hamill has addressed the recent rule change regarding “12-6” elbows, a move that led to his victory over Jon Jones.

    Officially, Hamill is the sole man to defeat Jones across the current UFC heavyweight champion’s illustrious and record-breaking 29-fight professional career in mixed martial arts.

    The manner of victory, however, has long been a cause of debate, with “Bones” being disqualified by referee Steve Mazzagatti after being deemed to have thrown an illegal “12-6” elbow.

    Jon Jones

    The move is banned downward elbow that some perceived to be more dangerous than an angled strike. But that belief has frequently been called into question, leading to a vote on the removal of the ban at the annual conference held by the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC).

    The vote went down on Tuesday in Louisville, Kentucky, with the committee unanimously voting in favor of removing the prohibition on “12-6” elbows from November 1 onwards.

    Jones was quick to react to the news, once again calling for help from UFC CEO Dana White in getting his 2009 loss overturned.

    The man victorious on that night, however, has something to say about that…

    47-Year-Old Hamill Offers Jones Rematch In Light Of 12-6 Elbow Ban Being Lifted

    A few years on from his win over Jones, Matt Hamill washed out of the UFC off the back of a 1-3 run that included a knockout loss to Alexander Gustafsson and decision defeat to Thiago Silva.

    He subsequently lost his first three fights outside of the Octagon before bouncing back with a pair of regional triumphs in 2017 and 2018.

    “The Hammer” hasn’t competed since, but judging by a recent Instagram post reacting to the new change coming regarding “12-6” elbows, he’d be down to revisit his matchup with Jones…

    “Let’s cut this chase… @danawhite – I know you’re desperate to get @jonnybones an undefeated record,” Hamill wrote. “I see how you want to profit from that! Is also why you bail him out of all the other things… How about a rematch?! I’ll be happy to fight him for a heavyweight title. If I beat him, I want a UFC belt. Let me know if Stipe Miocic backs out. I’ll take short notice, just remember he already lost to me!”

    At Thursday’s UFC 304 press conference, White insisted that whoever emerges from Saturday’s event as the interim heavyweight champ will face the winner of Jones vs. Miocic down the line.

    Suffice to say, Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes likely won’t be too worried about having to compete with Hamill for that spot…

  • Belal Muhammad Ponders Reason For Fan Hate Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘I’m Not A Black Belt…I’m Just A Normal Guy’ 

    Belal Muhammad Ponders Reason For Fan Hate Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘I’m Not A Black Belt…I’m Just A Normal Guy’ 

    UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad believes he knows why a sizable portion of the MMA community is against him.

    Muhammad is set to make the walk in the main event of this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, where he’ll challenge for Leon Edwards’ 170-pound title in enemy territory.

    Getting to the first shot of his UFC career hasn’t been an easy ride for “Remember the Name,” who has had to go unbeaten through 10 fights and win five straight since a no contest opposite “Rocky” to earn the chance.

    Despite that arduous journey, however, it would appear that Muhammad still boasts a bigger group of detractors than most in the sport.

    While some have put that down to his style of fighting, the UFC 304 title challenger has other theories…

    Muhammad Explains Why Fans Don’t Want Him To Succeed

    During a recent fight week interview with Daniel Cormier, Muhammad looked ahead to his first opportunity at winning gold on MMA’s biggest stage and assessed the continued doubt many are throwing his way.

    In addition to his victories over widely adored fighters like Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns, Muhammad suggested the fanbase doesn’t respect a “blue-collar guy” making it in the sport without the kind of combat credentials others boast.

    “I just feel like I’ve beaten their favorite fighters. I’ve beaten the fan favorites,” Muhammad said. “And when you look at me, I’m not a black belt in anything, I didn’t wrestle in college, I didn’t have the crazy accolades, Olympian or anything like that. I’m just a normal guy that outworks everybody. I’m a normal guy that started late in my career and did it the hard route. People just don’t respect that. But I’m the blue-collar guy.

    “We’re in a new day and age. You’ve gotta be outlandish, you’ve gotta say stupid stuff, you’ve gotta be flashy, you’ve gotta smoke weed to get that hype,” Muhammad continued. “The fans nowadays, that’s what they’re looking at. … I’ve been telling people, if GSP was in this era, I don’t think anybody would like him. People would be like, ‘This guy’s boring, he’s too nice, he’s Canadian.’ … In his era, I would have been a superstar.”

    Following Thursday’s press conference, there’s little doubt over the kind of reception Muhammad will receive from those in attendance at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday night.

    But he expects to upset the home crowd and the odds at UFC 304, completing a title crowning that he’s long branded inevitable in the process.

  • UFC Commentator Feels The Delayed Start Time Of UFC 304 Will Not Affect Fighters Or Fans

    UFC Commentator Feels The Delayed Start Time Of UFC 304 Will Not Affect Fighters Or Fans

    UFC commentator Laura Sanko recently assured that the postponed start time for UFC 304 would have minimal impact on both the fighters and the fans in the United Kingdom.

    The eighth numbered UFC pay-per-view event of 2024 is just around the corner, set to unfold this Saturday at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. The card will feature two headline title fights, both of which are eagerly anticipated rematches.

    In the main event, UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards will defend his title against Belal Muhammad. Meanwhile, the co-main event will see interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall clash with Curtis Blaydes.

    Since the announcement of the UFC 304 schedule, a storm of controversy and fan uproar has erupted over the decision to start the fight card at typical United States times, even though the event is taking place in the United Kingdom.

    The event broadcast is set to begin at 11 PM BST on Saturday, July 27. Consequently, the headlining fighters are expected to make their Octagon walkouts between 5:00 and 5:15 AM the following morning. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the fight card will kick off at approximately 6 PM ET / 3 PM PT on Saturday afternoon, with the main card slated to start around 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.

    However, UFC’s first female color commentator believes that the late-night and early-morning schedule will neither hinder the fighters nor deter the viewers…

    Sanko Believes UFC 304 Excitement Will Keep Fans Hooked

    During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Sanko, who will be fulfilling her role as a desk analyst for UFC 304, offered her insights on the pay-per-view broadcast schedule. She acknowledged that while the schedule is less than ideal for the fans, it ultimately won’t matter much on fight night, given the high anticipation surrounding the card.

    “It’s unfortunate for the fans, but I think when that day comes, it’s not gonna matter for the fans or for the athletes,” Sanko said. “I think the energy is going to be so off-the-charts it’s not going to matter if you’re a fan and trust me; you’re going to be able to soldier through because the action from these fights is going to be enough to keep you going, hopefully.”

    The UFC broadcaster further noted that the last PPV event in Manchester, UFC 204 in October 2016, also followed a similar schedule. She emphasized that the real challenge for fighters lies in preparing for the late-night bouts rather than the timing of the event itself.

    “Here’s my one tip: just don’t start drinking too early. That’s going to be the downfall of at least a certain proportion of this fan base. But I think for the fighters, you know, Leon Edwards actually had this exact same situation when he fought on Michael Bisping’s card, where he had his huge win over Dan Henderson in Manchester. So he’s familiar with it, and he said the same thing.

    He said, ‘Listen, it didn’t matter. The moment I walked out to that arena, it could have been 2 o’clock in the afternoon, it could have been 2 o’clock in the morning, I wouldn’t have known the difference. I was headed into a fight.’ So I think it sucks probably more in the lead-up, the preparation, stressing about it, stressing about how it might affect you. But I think when the time comes, these guys are just going to do their job.”

    Both Aspinall and Blaydes have voiced their grievances about the absurd fight timings, but the MMA promotion remains steadfast in its decision. Meanwhile, “Rocky” has reportedly gone so far as to hire a sleep specialist to help him adjust to the unconventional schedule.

  • ‘This Is The Whole Anthony Smith Thing Again’ – MMA Fans Split After Curtis Blaydes Promises To Eviscerate Alex Pereira At Heavyweight

    ‘This Is The Whole Anthony Smith Thing Again’ – MMA Fans Split After Curtis Blaydes Promises To Eviscerate Alex Pereira At Heavyweight

    Alex Pereira carries an aura unlike any other fighter we have seen in the UFC, during his campaigns at both middleweight and light heavyweight.

    As the current champion at 205 pounds, “Poatan” has spoken about the potential of him moving up to heavyweight at some stage to try and become a champion in a third weight class before retiring.

    The prospect of seeing this has got the fans excited with a striker as dangerous and powerful, going up against the biggest men in the UFC.

    Curtis Blaydes said that should he win the interim title this weekend in a rematch with Tom Aspinall, he would more than welcome Pereira up to the division.

    He spoke at the UFC 304 media day about how he believes it would not end well for the light heavyweight champion if he did make the jump.

    “Bad idea. I’ll give you my premediated plan, I’m going to shoot. Immediately. Why would I give him any chance to knock me out on the feet when I know I can take him down at will and I’m sure, he has to know that. I think he’s looking for a specific heavyweight, not any heavyweight. He has match-ups against, I can see him beating guys like Tai, we watched him sparring Tai Tuivasa. Maybe some other guys like the bottom of the top 15 but you give him a top five guy with some real weight, he’s not winning.”

    Blaydes once again confirmed that if Pereira still wants to come up should “Razor” get the win in Manchester, he’d be happy to oblige.

    “Yes, I know that’s what everyone wants to hear. Yes, I would f****** love Alex Pereira. It’s not cause he’s not good, I’m heavier than he is. Just at heavyweight, gravity, weight matters. It’s not as skill-based, that’s just how it is.”

    MMA Fans React To Curtis Blaydes Labelling An Alex Pereira Heavyweight Move As A ‘Bad Idea’

    Pereira is always going to have an army of fans that back him but it’s probably fair to say that Blaydes would be the toughest match-up for him at heavyweight.

    Not only is he a natural heavyweight, as Blaydes said himself, he has no interest in wanting to strike with “Poatan” and would look to take him down as soon as possible.

    That being said, taking Pereira down is the best route to victory for nearly every opponent that he has faced inside the Octagon and no one has been able to keep him there.

    Fight fans responded to Blaydes’ comments on social media by questioning whether his assessment is correct.

    “I mean that’s a fair assessment, but you never know until the fight plays out. We are still yet to see Pereira’s ground game in full display, so no questions can be answered. I’m a fan of both but wouldn’t be surprised if Pereira got it done”

    “I disagree, let Alex put on 15 pounds and the whole division gets wiped out.”

    “Blaydes isn’t wrong here, but he also thought he’d take down Derrick Lewis”

    “Curtis has been one of my favorites for a long long while but he’ll make a bad decision and get in a situation I think”

    https://twitter.com/Chris_Topher_/status/1816225787546390977

    “This is the whole Anthony Smith thing again”

    “Fair and realistic take from Blaydes”

    “Honestly, if he puts on the weight well, I think it’s a pick’em. Would be a good but quick fight either way imo.”

    Read also: Former Opponent Of Jon Jones’ Believes Tom Aspinall Would Be ‘Too Much’ For Him: ‘He Has All The Weapons To Beat Jon’

  • Jake Paul Reveals Verbal Agreement With Mike Perry To Rematch In PFL, Dirty Boxing Down The Line

    Jake Paul recently agreed in principle to a rematch with Mike Perry, which could first take place in PFL and then in “Platinum’s” new hybrid boxing promotion, Dirty Boxing Championship, at some point in the future.

    “The Problem Child” delivered three knockdowns against the BKFC standout en route to sealing the victory with a relentless onslaught that resulted in a sixth-round TKO this past Saturday at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

    Paul was initially set to face boxing legend Mike Tyson on July 20. However, after “Iron Mike” suffered an ulcer flare-up during a flight in May and was declared medically unfit, Perry answered the call to compete on short notice.

    During the lead-up to their bout, the YouTuber-turned-boxer expressed a keen interest in potentially facing “Platinum” in either MMA or a bare-knuckle fight, determined to prove that he could defeat the former UFC welterweight fighter in any discipline.

    However, in an interview with Ariel Helwani earlier this month, Perry dismissed the notion that Paul would ever seriously consider removing the gloves and facing him in a bare-knuckle fight.

    Perry is anticipated to make his comeback to BKFC unless the promotion’s new co-owner, Conor McGregor, decides to act on his threat to fire him. Regardless, Perry’s future looks promising in combat sports, and it’s likely why Paul is eager for a rematch with him…

    Paul Overlooks BKFC Fight with Perry Eyes PFL or Dirty Boxing Instead

    “The Problem Child” recently took to X to shower Perry with praise for their boxing match, revealing that they have verbally agreed to a rematch under MMA rules in the PFL at an opportune moment.

    “Chopped it up with Mike Perry last night. What a stand-up dude. More confidence than most of these fighters. We agreed to run it in PFL when the time is right.” Paul tweeted.

    A fan commented on Paul’s post, questioning why the 27-year-old Ohio native didn’t consider fighting under bare-knuckle rules. Paul replied:

    “If I’m stepping out of boxing, it’s going to be PFL. After that, we can do Dirty Boxing @PlatinumPerry”

    In January 2023, Paul revealed that he had inked a deal with the PFL to compete in the special super-fight division. However, he has not yet to make his MMA debut, as his primary focus remains on his boxing career.

  • ‘Conor Lost The Match But He Planning On Winning The War’ – MMA Fans React After McGregor DMs Khabib, Offers To Buy His House

    ‘Conor Lost The Match But He Planning On Winning The War’ – MMA Fans React After McGregor DMs Khabib, Offers To Buy His House

    Conor McGregor is not necessarily known for having a track record of burying the hatchet when it comes to people that he has had beef with.

    The tension has never risen as high as it did during the build to UFC 229, where his feud with Khabib Nurmagomedov became very personal.

    Though Dustin Poirier also regularly finds himself back in McGregor’s firing line, there is nobody that “The Notorious” likes to fire at more than his former lightweight rival.

    This is especially true at the moment given the current saga that is playing out between Nurmagomedov and the Russian government over unpaid tax.

    “The Eagle” reportedly owes a rough figure of $3.5 million and if you thought that McGregor would decide to keep quiet in this period, you don’t know the man.

    Fans React To Conor McGregor Posting Screenshots Of DMs Sent To Khabib Nurmagomedov

    McGregor’s latest jab that he fired at the former lightweight champion came in the form of a screenshot.

    Surprisingly, at least on this social media platform, the post shows McGregor sending a direct message to Nurmagomedov for the first time on Instagram.

    In reference to the former fighter’s current situation, “The Mac” sent him a message and jokingly offered to buy his house because he cannot afford it.

    Fight fans reacted to McGregor once again hoping to have the last laugh on social media.

    “Conor lost the match but he planning on winning the war”

    “doesn’t hit like it should knowing he got 10-7’d in the cage unfortunately”

    “Didn’t Khabib spit on this guy and utterly ruin his career Lmao”

    https://twitter.com/elephant_ring/status/1816263590489514357

    “My boy did a bump and chose a file”

    https://twitter.com/ChopDewey/status/1816264938404356564

    “Left on delivered and forcing the beef in 2024”

    https://twitter.com/Charltapper/status/1816250554382762112

    ““Brotha where is the toilet roll” i’m crying”

    Read more: Conor McGregor Takes Issue With ESPN’s List Of Top 10 Women’s MMA Fighters: ‘Cyborg Is A Convicted Steroid Cheat!’

  • Former UFC Champion Showers Tom Aspinall With Praise Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘When I Pair Him With Other Heavyweights, I Don’t Know How He Loses’

    Former UFC Champion Showers Tom Aspinall With Praise Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘When I Pair Him With Other Heavyweights, I Don’t Know How He Loses’

    Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker recently lavished accolades on Tom Aspinall, applauding his impressive exploits in the Octagon.

    Aspinall is slated to defend his interim heavyweight title against divisional veteran Curtis Blaydes in a highly anticipated rematch, featured as the co-main event of UFC 304. The upcoming pay-per-view event is scheduled for July 27 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    Their initial bout at UFC Fight Night London in July 2022 ended disastrously after just 15 seconds when the 31-year-old Brit suffered a severe knee injury that sidelined him for an entire year.

    During his time away from the Octagon, Aspinall overhauled his training regimen, a move that paid off immensely. As a result, he is now hailed as one of the premier heavyweights on the current UFC roster.

    Aspinall has cemented his reputation as a versatile powerhouse in the division, with his refined striking skills consistently catching his opponents off guard. “The Reaper” is profoundly impressed by the sophistication of Aspinall’s striking game and agile footwork…

    Whittaker Claims Aspinall’s Speed Unmatched In Heavyweight Division

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWsg0vfJscw&t=217s

    During a recent appearance on the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker shared his thoughts on the upcoming rematch between Aspinall and Blaydes. While the Aussie acknowledged his admiration for “Razor’s” wrestling skills, he pointed out that Blaydes often falls prey to heavy punchers.

    “I’m a big fan of Curtis Blaydes,” Whittaker said. “Big fan of his fights, and he’s one of those fighters that when I pair him against other heavyweights, I don’t know how he loses. Being such a big guy and having that level of wrestling and cardio and output, I find it amazing. He gets caught—that’s the only way he loses; he gets caught by these big dudes. But more often than not, I don’t know if it’s just fight solid that’s led to a level of predictability, and you can see those bigger guys capitalizing on that.”

    “The Reaper” further heaped praises on Aspinall’s exceptional abilities. He remarked that the Englishman’s remarkable level of athleticism, despite his towering stature, is what truly sets him apart from the rest of the heavyweight division.

    “I’m a fan of how Tom Aspinall moves. I think the fact that he’s so light but can hit so hard in such a generally slow division is going to give Curtis Blaydes a lot of trouble. It is so hard to take someone down when they’re light on their feet. It is so hard to take someone down, when you know they can knock you out. It’s going to be a nightmare of a fight for Curtis Blaydes to try and close that gap, and I just don’t see Curtis beating Tom in a standup fight.”

    While Aspinall is primarily celebrated for his striking prowess, the interim champion also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is highly skilled in grappling. This versatility was showcased when he submitted both Alexander Volkov and Andrei Arlovski in the Octagon.

  • Alexander Volkanovski Angling To Be Short-Notice Replacement For Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway: ‘I’ll Actually Be Ready This Time…’

    Alexander Volkanovski Angling To Be Short-Notice Replacement For Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway: ‘I’ll Actually Be Ready This Time…’

    Alexander Volkanovski was one of the most active champions on the roster during his UFC featherweight title reign but after losing the belt earlier this year, he’s finally taken some long overdue time off.

    Rather than jumping right back into a rematch with Ilia Topuria following their first encounter at UFC 298, he made the decision to wait and see how things play out.

    In his absence, Topuria is expected to face BMF titleholder Max Holloway in the coming months with a recent social media post from the champion suggesting that an announcement isn’t far away.

    Though Volkanovski is going to be ready and waiting for the winner, he may also be keeping his phone by his side during fight week for the featherweight title bout.

    Alexander Volkanovski Says He Will Be Fight-Ready Just In Case He’s Needed

    It has become a regular joke amongst MMA fans that Volkanovski will answer the call to step in for absolutely anybody after what went down at UFC 294 last year.

    The 145-pound champion, at the time, stepped in on two weeks notice to face lightweight king Islam Makhachev in a rematch and ultimately regretted his decision after the fight didn’t go his way.

    Despite his coaches believing that this was the wrong decision to make at the time, it doesn’t appear to have deterred Volkanovski.

    He openly admitted that he wasn’t in fighting shape when agreeing to face Makhachev but he’s now ready to ensure that if the UFC come calling, he’s good to go.

    During UFC 304 fight week, he told The Mac Life in an interview that though he’s happy to wait to face Topuria or Holloway, he will be just one call away if either man is unfit to compete.

    “It’s a situation obviously, again, I’m going to be getting antsy but you know, we’ve got plenty of good content coming. I’m going to, you know, I will stay ready and Ash [manager] ain’t going to like this one. I’ll be training really hard and fight fit cuz if there is a late notice, cuz that s*** excites me man, it gets me going but I’ll actually be ready for it this time. I’ll make sure I’m in good nick all year round because I want, so even me having that in my head that if you have to save the day here or there, it’s going to help in training, keep things exciting.”

    Read also: Beneil Dariush Brands Teammate Giga Chikadze The ‘Best In The World When He’s On’ Ahead Of UFC 304

  • Leon Edwards Insists There’s No Bad Blood With Belal Muhammad On His Side: ‘He’s Made Up Scenarios In His Head’

    Leon Edwards Insists There’s No Bad Blood With Belal Muhammad On His Side: ‘He’s Made Up Scenarios In His Head’

    According to UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards, any talk of a bitter feud heading into this weekend’s main event is entirely on the side of Belal Muhammad.

    Edwards is set to defend his title on home soil for the second time and third time overall since winning it from Kamaru Usman in dramatic fashion almost two years ago in Salt Lake City.

    Having gotten the better of Usman in their trilogy fight in London last year and stalled Colby Covington’s ambitions in Las Vegas nine months later, “Rocky” will now put his gold on the line in the city of Manchester.

    He’s set to headline the UFC 304 pay-per-view opposite a familiar foe in Muhammad, whom he previously faced back in 2021. Ever since that bout ended in a no contest, they’ve appeared to have a distinct dislike for one another.

    But although “Remember the Name” continues to admit as much, Edwards insists Muhammad is just another opponent…

    Edwards Dismisses Claims Of Bitter Feud With Muhammad

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

    During a fight week interview with Adam Catterall for TNT Sports, Edwards looked ahead to his second dance in the cage with Muhammad.

    Both men have exchanged verbal jabs in the lead-up to UFC 304, but when it comes to actual bad blood and disdain, the champ claims it is entirely a one-way street.

    “I’m not overlooking him one bit. He has gone out there and put the work in. … You have to take him serious. I just truly believe I am the best fighter,” Edwards said. “I believe that I am better than him on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, (Thursday), Friday; it doesn’t matter. I am the better fighter.

    “I’ll go out Saturday night and prove that. That’s all it is. There’s no bad blood between us, there’s nothing else,” Edwards continued. “For him, he’s making up some scenario in his head where he hates me and blah, blah, blah. But, for me, he’s just another guy that’s in my way of this goal I’m trying to achieve in my life…that’s it.”

    While he may not be motivated by the same level of hatred as his challenger is, Edwards no doubt has plenty to fight for.

    In addition to keeping the welterweight gold in his possession and moving closer to Georges St-Pierre’s record for title defenses in the division, a victory would further boost “Rocky’s” chances of securing a shot at the middleweight belt down the line.

  • UFC 304 Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs: Featuring Leon Edwards, Belal Muhammad, Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, & More

    UFC 304 Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs: Featuring Leon Edwards, Belal Muhammad, Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, & More

    We’re deep into UFC 304 fight week, meaning it was recently time for the top fighters set to be in action on July 27 to take to the stage and answer some questions.

    The MMA leader’s latest numbered event takes place at the Co-op Live arena, where the main attraction of the promotion’s trip across the pond will see UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards put his belt on the line in a rematch against Belal Muhammad.

    Setting the stage for the headliners will be another championship rematch, with interim heavyweight kingpin Tom Aspinall looking to continue the momentum from his title-winning knockout of Sergei Pavlovich. To do so, he must achieve redemption against Curtis Blaydes two years on from a serious knee injury on the side of the Brit bringing their London-held main event to a close in just 15 seconds.

    Also of note on the main card is the first shot at earning a ranking for lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett as he looks to take King Green’s number. Opening proceedings on pay-per-view will be #6-ranked featherweight Arnold Allen. He has the chance to bounce back from two defeats to Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev by defending his spot on the ladder and stalling the ambitions of Giga Chikadze.

    And earlier in the night, there’s an opportunity for another home fighter in Muhammad Mokaev to secure a first shot at the flyweight title at the expense of Manel Kape.

    As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference. The UFC 304 edition saw the four title fight athletes, as well as Pimblett and Green, with mic in hand.

    Check out a full replay of the presser below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, followed by all the highlights and faceoffs.

    UFC 304 Pre-Fight Press Conference Replay

    UFC 304 Pre-Fight Press Conference Highlights

    UFC 304 Pre-Fight Press Conference Faceoffs

  • Manel Kape Reacts To UFC 304 Fight Being Relegated To The Early Prelims: ‘Maybe Mokaev Don’t Deserve The Main Card’ 

    Manel Kape Reacts To UFC 304 Fight Being Relegated To The Early Prelims: ‘Maybe Mokaev Don’t Deserve The Main Card’ 

    UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape doesn’t believe he’s to blame for his and Muhammad Mokaev’s questionable card placement this weekend.

    The pair are set to do battle in one of the most intriguing and important matchups at UFC 304, scheduled to take place inside the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on Saturday night.

    Originally, Kape and Mokaev were alongside the likes of Leon Edwards, Tom Aspinall, and Paddy Pimblett on the main card. That was to be expected given that the winner could be next in line to challenge for Alexandre Pantoja’s title.

    In recent days, however, the bout has been slipping down the pecking order, first to the preliminary card and now to the early prelims.

    The decision has caused debate and confusion in the MMA community. But whatever the reason, Kape doesn’t think it has anything to do with him…

    Kape Happy For Early Get-Out At UFC 304

    During his appearance at UFC 304 media day on Wednesday, Kape looked ahead to his first fight of 2024, which comes after a weight miss in January and injury in April caused his rematch with Matheus Nicolau to be canceled twice.

    In terms of why he’ll be making the walk early in the lineup, Kape theorized that his opponent may not have earned a PPV main card placement yet.

    Regardless, “Starboy” doesn’t appear fazed by the decision. In fact, he seems to be relishing the opportunity to enjoy a night out in Manchester post-fight.

    “Maybe they want to push more the audience. Maybe Mokaev don’t deserve the main card, you know?” Kape said. “But for me, it’s good. For the timing, I don’t need to fight at 3, 4 AM. So I’m going to fight at 11 PM and I can go out (after).

    “I’m gonna win, and after the win, get my boys, get some good food, and enjoy a little bit of town,” Kape added.

    Before hitting the town, Kape must get the job done inside the Octagon on fight night. That will be no easy task, however, with Mokaev undefeated both in the UFC and across his professional and amateur careers to date.

    While many are favoring “The Punisher’s” grappling to get the job done, Kape has dismissed that threat and promised a violent knockout to blemish the Dagestan-born Brit’s MMA résumé for the first time.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Belal Muhammad’s Bonus-Winning Knockout Of Sean Brady Ahead Of UFC 304 Title Challenge

    UFC 304 headliner Belal Muhammad delivered his career-best display when showcasing his ever-improving striking game in Abu Dhabi two years ago.

    Muhammad is set to main event this weekend’s pay-per-view card at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, where he’ll challenge for the UFC’s welterweight championship against a familiar foe in reigning kingpin Leon Edwards.

    The pair first collided back in 2021, with an accidental eye poke rendering Muhammad unable to continue. While “Rocky” went on to capture the belt the following year, “Remember the Name” has been working his way toward a shot of his own and a rematch with the Brit.

    A major step on that journey came in the Middle East in October 2022 when Muhammad shared the Octagon with then-undefeated up-and-comer Sean Brady. While renowned for his grappling game, the Chicago standout showed new wrinkles to his game by piecing Brady up on the feet en route to a second-round TKO.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Muhammad vs. Brady fight from UFC 280 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1j7-FaJDws

    Muhammad is looking to put in a similarly impressive display this weekend to unseat Edwards, vowing to finish the reigning welterweight kingpin before reaching the championship rounds in the UFC 304 main event.

  • Molly McCann Reveals ‘Dream’ Finish For Second Strawweight Fight At UFC 304

    Molly McCann Reveals ‘Dream’ Finish For Second Strawweight Fight At UFC 304

    Molly McCann has a specific move in mind for her second UFC fight since dropping down to strawweight this weekend.

    A year on from her submission defeat at the hands of Julija Stoliarenko in London, McCann will have her latest fight on home soil. She’s set to make the walk on the preliminary card of Saturday’s UFC 304 pay-per-view in Manchester, England.

    “Meatball” will share the cage with Bruna Brasil in a bout that marks her second since committing to a major career change, departing the flyweight division and dropping to 115 pounds.

    Having made the weight this past February, McCann announced her arrival in style at the Apex by showing new wrinkles to her game en route to a gruesome armbar submission of Diana Belbiţă.

    And having long had her ground game questioned, the Liverpool native is looking for a similar feat on July 27…

    McCann Targeting Rear-Naked Choke Finish At UFC 304

    During a fight week interview for UFC.com, McCann looked ahead to her upcoming home fight, as she looks to repeat the memorable performances she delivered in England’s capital two years ago.

    In 2022, “Meatball” utilized spinning back elbows to knock out Luana Carolina and Hannah Goldy. On Saturday, she’s looking to give her compatriots a dose of her ever-growing submission prowess.

    “I’m experienced now. I don’t waste too much energy. … When I make the walk, just stay focused,” McCann said. “The last fight was just about making the weight for the first time. This time, we’ve managed to put a bit of size on. The weight’s the same as what it was (but) i’m a little bit leaner.

    “I feel like all the fear left and it’s like I’ve started again in the UFC,” McCann continued. “As many questions as she (Brasil) asks, I answer more. How many questions I ask, I don’t let her answer. The dream would be a rear-naked choke, first round.”

    McCann will look to make that “dream” a reality on fight night. In doing so, she’ll get the Next Generation MMA gym off to a winning start ahead of a crucial clash for her teammate Paddy Pimblett on the main card.

  • VIDEO: Former Opponents Paddy Pimblett & Jared Gordon Have Respectful Elevator Interaction In Manchester Ahead Of UFC 304

    VIDEO: Former Opponents Paddy Pimblett & Jared Gordon Have Respectful Elevator Interaction In Manchester Ahead Of UFC 304

    There appears to be no bad blood between UFC lightweights Paddy Pimblett and Jared Gordon following their high-profile 2022 fight.

    The pair are both in the English city of Manchester for different assignments this week, While Pimblett is gearing up for his first fight of 2024, Gordon has crossed the pond to train with and support Belal Muhammad in the lead-up to his title shot in the UFC 304 main event.

    Before the two title fights set to play out inside the Co-op Live arena, Pimblett will stake his claim for a spot in the lightweight top 15 against King Green. And with a dominant performance on Saturday night, “The Baddy” has vowed to get the fanbase back on his side.

    The hype surrounding Pimblett has appeared to fade in recent years, making way for frequent waves of criticism. The catalyst for that was seemingly the controversial result of his first appearance on pay-per-view.

    Nevertheless, that hasn’t created any tension between the Liverpool native and the man he narrowly outpointed at the Las Vegas-held UFC 282 in December 2022.

    Pimblett, Gordon Reunite In Manchester Ahead Of UFC 304

    On that night, Pimblett received his toughest test to date against Gordon. The veteran was competitive throughout and had plenty of fighters, fans, and pundits backing him to get the nod on the scorecards.

    But after the verdict unanimously went the way of Pimblett, many were left up in arms and branding the result a “robbery.”

    Funnily enough, during a recent friendly interaction at the fighter hotel in Manchester ahead of UFC 304, Pimblett told Gordon that he believes the American was actually robbed last time out against Nasrat Haqparast in Saudi Arabia.

    @theufcbaddy

    Always a pleasure running into my man Jared 👊🏻😂

    ♬ original sound – Paddy The Baddy

    “Always a pleasure running into my man Jared,” Pimblett wrote in the description of a TikTok video showing the moment.

    Gordon also posted his own clip of the meeting with Pimblett.

    Before parting ways, Gordon wished Pimblett well for his clash this weekend with Green, who marks a shared opponent for the pair.

    “Flash,” who was knocked out in April 2023 after an accidental clash of heads that resulted in a no contest, told “The Baddy” he foresees a stoppage victory for him come fight night at UFC 304.

  • Conor McGregor Takes Issue With ESPN’s List Of Top 10 Women’s MMA Fighters: ‘Cyborg Is A Convicted Steroid Cheat!’

    Conor McGregor Takes Issue With ESPN’s List Of Top 10 Women’s MMA Fighters: ‘Cyborg Is A Convicted Steroid Cheat!’

    Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor was seemingly not pleased to see one name high up a recent list of top women’s MMA fighters.

    This week, ESPN has released two lists ranking the top 10 male and female mixed martial artists of the 21st century. UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones took top spot above runner-up Georges St-Pierre for the men.

    The women’s list, meanwhile, was topped by former two-division titleholder Amanda Nunes, who brought her career to an end following a successful defense of the bantamweight belt last June.

    The “Lioness” pipped Cris Cyborg and Ronda Rousey to the post, with the pair of ex-champs coming in at second and third, respectively.

    The entries included a description of each woman’s accomplishments in the game. For Cyborg, that’s currently occupying the Bellator featherweight throne and formerly holding UFC, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC gold, making her the only fighter to win championships in four major MMA promotions.

    McGregor, however, thinks ESPN missed out a key piece of information.

    McGregor Sends Cyborg Reminder After Seeing ESPN List

    The former featherweight and lightweight UFC champ was a point of discussion following the release of the men’s top 10, having missed out on a spot among the likes of Chuck Liddell and Kamaru Usman.

    Perhaps agitated by his omission or simply keeping up with his habit of targeting fellow fighters on social media, McGregor looked to take away from Cyborg’s accomplishments and high placement on ESPN’s list with a reminder about her past drug failure.

    Conor McGregor
    Image: @TheNotoriousMMA on X

    “Cyborg is a convicted steroid cheat let’s not forget,” McGregor wrote in a now-deleted post on X.

    Cyborg tested positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid commonly used as a performance-enhancing drug, in December 2011. The California Athletic State Commission suspended Cyborg’s license for one year and fined her $2,500 for the indiscretion.

    The Brazilian’s drug test failure remained a topic of conversation in the years that followed, with UFC CEO Dana White making reference to it prior to Cyborg’s bitter split from the promotion in 2019.

    “We brought in her after she tested positive for steroids and we made her a clean athlete with the best drug testing policy in all of sports the entire time she was here,” White said during a media scrum. “When she talks about her legacy and her brand, her legacy and her brand, nothing’s better than knowing she’s a clean athlete after testing positive for steroids and all the negativity that surrounded her about being a dirty athlete. We bring her in here, we do all this stuff, and she was just never happy.”

    Cyborg hasn’t tested positive for banned substances aside from the 2011 case.

    When it comes to her legacy and spot in women’s MMA greatness, Cyborg appears far from done. While Nunes remains on the sidelines pondering a return from retirement, Cyborg has been pushing for her PFL debut since the promotion acquired Bellator.

    By all accounts, the Bellator featherweight champ is being lined up to face her PFL counterpart, Larissa Pacheco, at a pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia this fall.

  • Former Opponent Of Jon Jones’ Believes Tom Aspinall Would Be ‘Too Much’ For Him: ‘He Has All The Weapons To Beat Jon’

    Former Opponent Of Jon Jones’ Believes Tom Aspinall Would Be ‘Too Much’ For Him: ‘He Has All The Weapons To Beat Jon’

    A notable ex-rival of Jon Jones’ believes the UFC heavyweight champion’s interim counterpart “has all the weapons” to get the job done.

    Tom Aspinall was crowned interim champ at UFC 295 last November after being placed in a short-notice matchup with Sergei Pavlovich. That bout came together after an injury to Jon Jones forced his planned defense opposite Stipe Miocic off the card.

    With the presence of another titleholder, many suggested the promotion would look to book a logical unification showdown upon Jones’ return. But both the Rochester native and the UFC have remained firm on plans to reschedule the Miocic fight.

    After months of backlash from both Aspinall and the fanbase, the Brit will instead defend his interim strap at this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view, where a rematch with Curtis Blaydes awaits him in the co-main event.

    Should he put in an emphatic performance on Saturday night, the likes of Daniel Cormier have theorized that pressure on the UFC to abandon plans for Jones vs. Miocic will only increase.

    And if that potential “fan uprising” results in Jones vs. Aspinall for undisputed status, one fighter familiar to the former two-time light heavyweight kingpin thinks a loss could be on the cards for him…

    Gustafsson Backs Aspinall To Get The Better Of Jones

    During an interview with Top Offshore Casinos, Alexander Gustafsson spoke on Aspinall’s rise toward the top at heavyweight and assessed how he would fare against the throne’s current occupier.

    The Swedish standout is well-versed in the game of Jones, having shared the cage with him twice, narrowly losing out to him in their Fight of the Year clash 11 years ago.

    While he was ultimately unable to have his hand raised at the expense of “Bones” at 205 pounds, “The Mauler” believes Aspinall would have a great shot of doing so up in Jones’ new weight class.

    “Aspinall is on fire right now and he is a very, very good heavyweight. I don’t see anyone beating Aspinall right now,” Gustafsson said. “I understand why Tom wants to fight Jon, it’s because Jon is the GOAT, he is the biggest UFC star right now. If Tom was to beat Jon, it would be bigger than winning any UFC belt. The biggest achievement in the UFC right now is to beat Jon Jones. I understand why Aspinall is chasing the fight. I think he is ready for Jon. He’s on fire right now. If he fights Jon Jones, it should be now. 

    “Yes, I think Tom will be too much for Jon. He has all the weapons to beat Jon. Jon hasn’t been that active, but he’s still the GOAT. You can never count this guy out, he’s so freaking good at what he does. He’s handled every opponent and everybody knows how good he is, but Aspinall right now, I see him as very dangerous for Jon,” Gustafsson continued. “He’s dangerous on his feet, he’s fast, he has great footwork, and he’s a smart fighter. He has the tools to do good against Jon and even beat him. If they will fight, now is the time for Aspinall. He could go down as one of the best heavyweights ever.”

    Jones claims to see things very differently, however.

    While some have suggested that his avoidance of Aspinall serves as an acknowledgement of the Brit’s threat, the UFC heavyweight champ has instead claimed that the decision comes down to drawing power and relevancy, something he states the interim titleholder lacks outside of the UK.

    And in terms of Aspinall’s claim to being heavyweight’s best right now, Jones suggested in the lead-up to UFC 304 that he wouldn’t be surprised to see Blaydes finish him in Saturday’s co-headliner.

  • Israel Adesanya Gives One-Sided Prediction For Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘He’s On A Massacre Right Now…’

    Israel Adesanya Gives One-Sided Prediction For Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘He’s On A Massacre Right Now…’

    Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has a strong idea of how Saturday’s main event title fight in Manchester will play out.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back across the pond this week to stage its first card in the English city of Manchester in close to a decade. And among the home fighters looking to thrill the UK crowd is reigning welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards.

    Following successful defenses of his gold opposite Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington in 2023, “Rocky” is next tasked with getting the better of Belal Muhammad at the second time of trying.

    While their first fight back in 2021 ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke, the champ believes he was firmly en route to a knockout at the Apex. And with that in mind, the Jamaica-born Brit expects to finish the job inside the Co-op Live this weekend.

    In that regard, he has the support of one notable former two-time UFC champ…

    Adesanya ‘Not Hating On Belal’, But Sees A Finish For Edwards At UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya provided his breakdowns and predictions for the major title fights set to play out in Manchester on July 27.

    When it comes to the main event, Adesanya had little doubt backing his fellow Chosen Advisory-managed fighter to emerge with the gold still in his possession at UFC 304, even predicting that he’ll get the job done before the championship rounds.

    “Belal’s got pressure, man. It just seems like he’s able to get to people and put his will on them,” Adesanya said. “But I’ll tell you one thing, this is a different version — Leon just seems like he’s on a massacre right now; he’s on a run. Leon might finish him. I think Leon finishes this fight.

    “I’m trying to see how Belal can win this fight. This seems like a bad match for Belal. I’m not hating on Belal or anything, I’m just trying to see what’s his path to victory in this,” Adesanya continued. “Striking, Leon’s got it. Grappling, you wanna lean towards Belal but Leon is right up there. It’s Leon’s fight to win, Leon’s fight to lose. … Leon’s too crisp compared to Belal. He’s just too sharp. … Leon by knockout in the third round, second or third round.”

    Edwards will look to make Adesanya’s prediction a reality come fight night, when he’s vowed to end Muhammad’s championship ambitions inside the distance with an emphatic performance and stoppage on home soil.

  • Manel Kape, Eric Nicksick Suggest Hotel Fight Was Planned Attack From Muhammad Mokaev’s Team Ahead Of UFC 304

    Manel Kape, Eric Nicksick Suggest Hotel Fight Was Planned Attack From Muhammad Mokaev’s Team Ahead Of UFC 304

    UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape and his coach believe it was Muhammad Mokaev and his team’s intention to start a brawl days out from their showdown in Manchester, England.

    The pair of top 125lbers are set to do battle at UFC 304 this weekend, with their matchup marking one of the most important when it comes to direct implications to a divisional title picture.

    And more than just their career ambitions, it would appear that both are being driven by some bad blood in this one.

    That boiled over on Wednesday night at the fighter hotel, where the two fighters and their teams got into a brawl. Footage was posted by the @Home_of_Fight page on X and showed security personnel frantically attempting to pull the two sides apart.

    Spur-of-the-moment brawls are nothing new in the UFC, but that’s not what one side of the scrap believes happened…

    Kape & Nicksick Claim Hotel Fight Was A Set-Up

    Following the incident, Kape took to social media to give his side of the story.

    The former Rizin champion claimed Mokaev had respectfully asked to take a picture with him before attempting to sucker-punch him. “Starboy” berated his UFC 304 opponent for the “betrayal,” insisting his actions weren’t befitting of their shared religion and promising “carnage” from here on out.

    Interestingly, Kape also made note of an altercation in Las Vegas, admitting to hitting Mokaev but doing so in a fairer way. The Angola-born Portuguese flyweight had previously denied rumors of a physical clash with “The Punisher” at the UFC’s Performance Institute.

    “What kind of Muslim are you? You gave me Salam asked to take a picture and then tried to punch me in the betrayal, i can see now you are not a child of the (Dagestan), because there are created men you are just a poor bastard raised on a low income in Manchester without honor and principles,” Kape wrote. “When I hit you in Vegas I went alone and I told you to be ready, I don’t hit men with their guard down or distracted or on the back. I thought everything was solved, but now the carnage will continue… Shaytan!”

    Kape’s claim was quickly corroborated by his coach, Xtreme Couture’s Eric Nicksick. The renowned trained told MMA Junkie that Mokaev had approached Kape under the guise of taking a photo with a “Muslim brother.” Nicksick stated that Kape was then attacked by the opposition team.

    The image posted by Kape showing a cut to Mokaev’s head would appear to be from the aftermath of their Vegas clash, with the Dagestan-born Brit posting a clean-faced picture to refute suggestions he emerged damaged from their hotel fight.

  • Belal Muhammad Suggests UK Fans Only Support Leon Edwards Because He’s A British Champion: ‘How Can You Be A Fan Of The Guy?’

    Belal Muhammad Suggests UK Fans Only Support Leon Edwards Because He’s A British Champion: ‘How Can You Be A Fan Of The Guy?’

    Since winning the UFC welterweight title in stunning fashion at UFC 278, Leon Edwards has become the face of UK MMA.

    “Rocky” has become a star in this past of the world but his next title challenger doesn’t believe that his supporters are really fans of him.

    Belal Muhammad will look to spoil the night at UFC 304 in Manchester by dethroning Edwards in the main event which will take place in the early hours of Sunday morning.

    Whilst the fans in attendance are sure to leave the Co-op Live Arena disappointed if the final bout of the evening doesn’t go the way of the Brit, Muhammad believes that they were only backing Edwards in the first place because he holds the gold.

    Belal Muhammad Doesn’t Think UK Fans Actually Care About Leon Edwards

    In a fight week interview with Kaz Crossley for Title Sports Network, Muhammad doubled down on his theory that Edwards doesn’t have real ride or die fans.

    He questioned why people back “Rocky” when he doesn’t go out of his way to build his profile and brand by putting himself out there more.

    “Yeah I don’t think Leon has any fans if I’m being honest. Like how can you be a fan of the guy? He’s not loud, he doesn’t talk, he doesn’t tweet, he doesn’t promote himself, he just has the belt.”

    Muhammad then spoke about why he believes Edwards only gets support from the UK fans because he is the welterweight champion.

    The #2-ranked contender at 170-pounds made reference to Edwards’ fight with Gunnar Nelson in 2019 where he was booed in London due to his beef with one half of the main event on that night, Liverpool’s Darren Till.

    “100%. Yeah, I don’t think they’re, you weren’t even riding for Leon before he got the belt. They were booing him. Like before that, they didn’t care about him, they wanted Darren Till to win the belt before him so I don’t think they really care about Leon Edwards. They’re just like, ‘Ah man, Leon got it, all right well let’s go cheer for him right now since it’s going to be at our house anyway, we’ll go watch him.’”

    Read also: Daniel Cormier Believes Leon Edwards & Belal Muhammad Are Underestimating Each Other Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘Both Of These Guys Are Much Better…’

  • Muhammad Mokaev Predicts ‘Easy’ Win For Tom Aspinall Against Curtis Blaydes: ‘There’s Jon Jones & There’s Tom Aspinall, That’s It!’

    Muhammad Mokaev Predicts ‘Easy’ Win For Tom Aspinall Against Curtis Blaydes: ‘There’s Jon Jones & There’s Tom Aspinall, That’s It!’

    Muhammad Mokaev recently said that Curtis Blaydes will be no match for Tom Aspinall in their upcoming rematch, predicting an easy victory for his compatriot due to his versatile skill set.

    Both Mokaev and Aspinall are set to share the spotlight this Saturday at UFC 304 in their hometown of Manchester, England. The pay-per-view event marks the MMA promotion’s return to the “Rainy City” for the first time since UFC 204 in October 2016.

    As “The Punisher” is poised to face off against Manel Kape in a flyweight grudge match, Aspinall will make the first defense of his interim heavyweight title against Blaydes in the co-main event.

    Hailing from the same locale, Mokaev and Aspinall have a deep-rooted connection and share a storied history. Naturally, the undefeated 125-pounder is backing his fellow townsman and believes Aspinall’s prowess will overwhelm Blaydes…

    Mokaev Confident Aspinall’s All-Around Game Will Outclass Blaydes

    During a recent interview with Title Sports Network, Mokaev shared his insights on the Aspinall vs. Blaydes showdown. “The Punisher” boldly predicted that the interim champion’s diverse skill set would give him a decisive edge, emphasizing that Aspinall’s grappling abilities make him equally dangerous on the ground.

    “I think Tom Aspinall is like… there’s Jon Jones, and there’s Tom Aspinall, that’s it,” Mokaev said. “I think I want to see Jon Jones against Tom Aspinall because he’s so high level. I think he’ll go past Curtis Blaydes easily. You know, Tom Aspinall showed all his striking, but he’s actually a grappler; imagine if the fight goes to the ground. He’s an all-rounded fighter. I think he will win.”

    Aspinall faced his first loss in the Octagon against Blaydes two years ago during the main event of UFC Fight Night London in July 2022. The Brit suffered an unfortunate knee injury just 15 seconds into the bout, bringing the fight to an abrupt halt before any real action could unfold.

    Apart from that blemish, the 31-year-old Salford native boasts an impressive UFC record, with seven victories to his name. Notably, six of these wins came via first-round finishes against formidable opponents such as Sergei Pavlovich, Marcin Tybura, and Alexander Volkov.

  • Former UFC Fighter Jokes About King Green vs. Paddy Pimblett At UFC 304: ‘Biggest Thing He Needs To Worry About Is The Name Change…’

    Former UFC Fighter Jokes About King Green vs. Paddy Pimblett At UFC 304: ‘Biggest Thing He Needs To Worry About Is The Name Change…’

    Two of the boldest characters on the UFC roster will clash at UFC 304 when Paddy Pimblett takes on King Green in Manchester this weekend.

    Both men are true one of a kind personalities that don’t allow what others think of them to affect who they are.

    “The Baddy” has proven to be a love or hate fighter ever since he first stepped foot inside the Octagon.

    He now looks to remain undefeated since signing with the UFC by beating his first ranked opponent, who recently legally changed his first name from Bobby to King.

    A former member of the roster recently jokingly remarked that this name change could be the secret weapon for Green as he looks to pull off the win in enemy territory.

    Tyson Pedro Jokes That King Green’s Name Change Will Give Him Even More Confidence Than Before

    Fox Sports previewed all the action that is set to take place on July 27 via mainevent where they were joined by several of the stars of UFC 304.

    Before Pimblett joined the show, the panel gave their thoughts on the fight with featherweight contender Josh Culibao and former UFC light heavyweight Tyson Pedro breaking down the match-up.

    Pedro, who fought 11 times in the UFC before retiring in March, believes that Pimblett’s ground game will be crucial to him winning this fight.

    During his analysis on where “The Baddy” poses the biggest challenge to his opponent, Pedro mixed up Green’s names for a split second before correcting himself.

    He joked how the #15-ranked lightweight is going to come into this fight with even more confidence than normal after changing his name to King.

    “I would say that’s where he would be leaning towards beating Bobby, King I should say. King Green. That’s probably the biggest thing that he needs to worry about, the name change. The confidence that he’s going to have from the name change is going to be big. But yeah, I would say that that’s where he’s going to try and beat him right, on the ground, but it’s a hard fight.”

    Read also: Fans React As Belal Muhammad Says UFC 304 Win Puts Him Right Below GSP: ‘People Who Believe The Moon Is Made Of Cheese Are Less Wrong’

  • Robert Whittaker Feels Belal Muhammad’s Record Not Comparable To Leon Edwards’ Despite Similar Streaks: ‘There Wasn’t Any Holes Or Glaring Weaknesses…’

    Robert Whittaker Feels Belal Muhammad’s Record Not Comparable To Leon Edwards’ Despite Similar Streaks: ‘There Wasn’t Any Holes Or Glaring Weaknesses…’

    Robert Whittaker recently commented that, despite their remarkably parallel win streaks, Belal Muhammad’s résumé doesn’t quite measure up to that of Leon Edwards.

    “Rocky” is scheduled to defend his welterweight title against Muhammad in a rematch set as the main event of UFC 304. The upcoming showdown will take place this weekend at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England.

    Edwards and Muhammad initially crossed paths in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in March 2021. Unfortunately, an eye poke early in the second round rendered “Remember the Name” unable to continue, resulting in the bout being declared a no-contest.

    After their first encounter, “Rocky” secured a title shot by defeating Nate Diaz at UFC 263 and went on to knock out Kamaru Usman to claim the welterweight championship at UFC 278 in August 2022. Currently, Edwards is riding high on a 13-fight unbeaten streak, marked by victories over notable names such as Donald Cerrone, Rafael dos Anjos, and Colby Covington.

    Meanwhile, Muhammad had to work his way up the rankings, putting together a five-fight win streak (part of a broader 10-fight unbeaten streak) to finally earn a title opportunity. During his journey, the 36-year-old has triumphed over formidable opponents like Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady, and Stephen Thompson.

    However, the former UFC middleweight champion contends that it is the echelon of opponents that “Rocky” has defeated that truly sets him apart from Muhammad…

    Whittaker Sees Edwards As More Improved Than Muhammad

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWsg0vfJscw&t=217s

    During his recent appearance on the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker weighed in on the clash between Edwards and Muhammad. “The Reaper” noted that the Jamaican-born Englishman has exhibited remarkable evolution in his fighting style compared to his opponent since their no-contest meeting.

    “I can see like two possibilities,” Whittaker said. “The first one, Leon Edwards, just being too good. I think the caliber of fights Leon Edwards has had is different from Belal Muhammad’s. Fighting Usman twice is huge, especially when he fought him the first time; that was good. Fighting Colby, like Colby, is a nightmare for everyone, and he was just able to shut him down so well with spectacular spacing. It’s very hard to find a hole, especially, you know, if we compare it to when he fought Nate Diaz, right? And we saw that hole get exposed in the later round or fights before that.”

    “I feel like he’s tightened up to a whole new degree, further than he was then, and especially in that last fight, I was so super impressed with just how clean he was. There wasn’t really anything to pick apart; there weren’t any holes or glaring weaknesses to exploit for Colby.”

    Whittaker further acknowledged “Remember the Name’s” impressive credentials but remarked that Muhammad would struggle to match Edwards’ relentless pace.

    “I find that sort of fight going to be hard for Belal Muhammad, who, you know, is not spectacular in any one field. He’s kind of just really high level at all of them, in my opinion. He’s amazing at everything, but I feel like his greatest strength is that he’s well-rounded. He can take the fight in any direction to get the win. But I think he’s going to have trouble trying to push that sort of game plan on Leon Edwards.”