As he gears up for his second consecutive UFC main event, a clash of 185-pound contenders against Jack Hermansson on February 5, “Tarzan” has been preparing at the renowned Xtreme Couture gym under the tutelage of Eric Nicksick. Among his training partners is a certain “Predator.”
“That dude will literally spar anybody in our gym,” Nicksick said. “He calls Francis out every sparring session. He loves to spar Francis because he goes ‘I want to feel as close to death as possible and I want to have that fear of God in my heart every time I spar a guy like Francis Ngannou.’ So sure, we throw him in there and let him get some rounds with Francis.”
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Strickland discussed his experience sparring the Cameroonian behemoth while speaking to combat sports journalist Helen Yee. The #7-ranked middleweight contender suggested Ngannou cannot relate to the level of fear he feels while standing opposite the heavyweight titleholder in the gym.
“You know, I would like to think that I fucked Francis up, but I really think that he’s very nice… He’s a good dude, man. I was actually sparring him the other day and I told Francis, ‘You’ve never experienced this in your life, but when I spar you and you’re throwing punches at me, like, I genuinely have fear. You’ve probably never felt that in your life.’ But Francis is a great guy. He throws hard, I trust him not to hurt me. Anytime he fucking wants to bang, dude, I welcome it.”
Not much can prepare a fighter for an opponent’s power better than training with the biggest power-puncher in the world. And from trading blows with “The Predator” donning the 16oz gloves, Strickland certainly has respect for the power Ngannou possesses.
In a tweet on Wednesday, “Tarzan” admitted a shot from the heavyweight behemoth with 4oz gloves would send him to sleep.
Everyone ask me how do I do with francious lol!! I will tell you that I do really well with him with 16 Gloves in the GYM lol!!! bottom line is you put 4 ounce gloves on him in a FIGHT and he touches me once and I will go to dreamland!!!! LOL
“Everyone ask me how do I do with francious lol!! I will tell you that I do really well with him with 16 Gloves in the GYM lol!!! bottom line is you put 4 ounce gloves on him in a FIGHT and he touches me once and I will go to dreamland!!!! LOL.”
Ngannou Is Gearing Up For A Crucial Unification Showdown At UFC 270
While Strickland is preparing for a main event contest with Hermansson, Ngannou’s work in the gym is going towards his upcoming unification showdown with interim champ Ciryl Gane.
Since ascending the heavyweight mountain last March with a knockout victory over Stipe Miocic, Ngannou has been on the sidelines, watching on as his former teammate emerged triumphant in two main events and had interim gold wrapped around his waist.
Chael Sonnen has been impressed by Jake Paul’s young boxing career, and he sees some likenesses to that of former UFC champion Conor McGregor.
Paul is fresh off his sixth-round knockout over another former UFC champion, Tyron Woodley, to remain undefeated in the ring. In 2021, he earned back-to-back wins over Woodley along with a vicious knockout of Ben Askren.
There’s no question that Paul has great ambitions in boxing, as evidenced by recent callouts of Jorge Masvidal, Nate Diaz, and McGregor. While he has been criticized for his lack of true boxing competition, he seems intent on continuing the ‘MMA vs. Boxing’ storyline.
During a recent segment on his YouTube channel, Sonnen explains what he thinks so highly of Paul despite being just a few fights into his boxing career.
“Jake Paul had a crazy idea that he’s going to go into a sport of which he does not belong with no amateur pedigree, no golden gloves, no lineage within the family, like you know, my uncle fought, my grandpa used to box in the Army, nothing like that,” Sonnen said. “He’s going to do well, and he’s going to headline shows with Olympians and world champions on the card. They are going to open. He is going to be the marquee fight. That is ridiculous. He did just that. Jake Paul is calling his own shots the way Conor McGregor used to do when Conor was getting his come up and then he’s seeing them through.”
Chael Sonnen Sees Eerie Parallels Between Jake Paul, Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor, Image Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Sonnen went on to point out how McGregor used to defy the odds with his fight predictions, which is similar to what Paul is doing now.
“Remember ‘Mystic Mac’ and he had a crystal ball? Conor was not only calling the stoppages, he was calling the rounds. And then once he calls the stoppages and he calls the rounds, he starts calling the technique that he’s going to stop them with. Remember when he was doing that? Jake Paul is doing the same thing.”
McGregor has dabbled into the boxing world once before when he fought Floyd Mayweather back in 2017. Despite losing via TKO, he impressed many with his ability to transition well to another sport.
Paul has claimed that he makes more than McGregor, who topped the Forbes Top 100 list in 2021. He has also teased McGregor on social media and in multiple interviews, and a big-money fight between the two of them may not be far-fetched.
Renowned MMA voice and UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik has revealed the biggest question he wants answered in the promotion this year.
MMA’s premier organization had a host of memorable moments in 2021. From the return of fans and memorable knockout wins for Kamaru Usman and Rose Namajunas at UFC 261, to the remarkable championship wins for 42-year-old Glover Teixeira and underdog Julianna Peña in the final quarter, last year certainly delivered in droves.
One constant over the top of each pay-per-view moment and occasional UFC Fight Night classic was the voice of Jon Anik. Not only has the Boston native become a fan favorite in the sport, but he’s also established himself as one of the hardest-working and knowledgeable personalities involved in MMA.
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With that in mind, not many are better placed to discuss the upcoming year for the UFC. During a recent interview with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Anik was asked for his “burning” question heading into another 12 months of competitive and enthralling action inside the Octagon.
His answer centered around one man: Khamzat Chimaev.
Khamzat Chimaev. Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
“I mean, people bang on me and Dana [White] because they think there’s some agenda with Khamzat Chimaev. We’re just going by what we’ve seen with our own eyes. My big question was how many times could he make 170 pounds? Was he long for this division? And, even though the [UFC 267] weight cut was a little bit dicey, I have more conviction now in his ability to make the weight than I did before. I just do.
“It seems like his coaches have him of a singular mind that he’s chasing welterweight contention and not gonna be dicking around at middleweight. So yeah, my burning question is: Is Khamzat Chimaev as elite he seems to be? As strong and dangerous as he seems to be? And can he work himself into a fight with a guy in Kamaru Usman who is something like 15-0 in the UFC and one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of all time? That’s sort of at the tip of my tongue right now.”
Chimaev Broke Back Onto The Scene In 2021
Jon Anik’s answer is understandable. Chimaev is one of the most exciting and talked-about rising stars in the UFC today.
“Borz” immediately made an impact when he debuted in 2020. With a perfect 3-0 record and a trio of triumphs recorded in the space of just 66 days and across two weight classes, many branded Chimaev the breakthrough fighter of the year.
After a battle with COVID-19 saw multiple bookings with top contender Leon Edwards fall through, and even brought up thoughts of retirement, Chimaev’s rapid surge was stalled. But he certainly hit the accelerator when he returned to the cage late last year.
At UFC 267, the Chechen-born Swede faced ranked contender Li Jingliang. Having committed to a title charge at welterweight, the clash with “The Leech” represented his first step towards contention. Not only did he extend his unbeaten record, Chimaev brutally choked out a tough opponent and established himself as a threat to the 170-pound top 10.
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While Chimaev’s next step is unclear, 2022 is set to be a huge year for him. Like Jon Anik said, the next 12 months will define whether the hype surrounding “Borz” is for good reason.
Whether it’s Gilbert Burns, Belal Muhammad, or even Colby Covington, Chimaev’s next Octagon outing will be crucial in defining his place in the UFC. Should he emerge victorious, we’ll likely see him challenge for gold before 2022 is out.
What do you think is the most intriguing question in the UFC this year? Do you agree with Jon Anik?
UFC lightweight Dustin Poirier has revealed the supportive message his wife and boxing coach gave him following his defeat to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269.
Poirier’s incredible journey towards the top in the UFC has always seemed destined to end in championship glory. But after two attempts at ascending the 155-pound mountain, “The Diamond” has failed to capture gold and now sits at a crossroads in his career.
After making his way back to the belt following his defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019, many expected Poirier, who some branded the “uncrowned champ,” to close out his 2021 with a memorable title-winning performance at the final pay-per-view of the year.
In his way was Oliveira, an underdog who has continued upsetting the odds and defying the narrative about his title credentials. Having won the vacant belt with a remarkable comeback against Michael Chandler earlier in the year, “Do Bronx” was tasked with a ferocious Louisianan for his first title defense.
Given the work he’d put in to earn a second crack at the title, which saw him record a victory over Dan Hooker and two wins against Conor McGregor, Poirier’s current state of mind is unsurprising. Alongside his immense disappointment has been a self-admitted dose of de-motivation and confusion at what lies ahead for his future.
Does he want to go through another resurgence to the title? Does he want to simply enter the Octagon for fun fights? Does he still enjoy the art of fighting? Those were all questions he said he has to ask himself during an appearance on THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas.
“I’m still trying to figure it all out… (I’m having difficulty) seeing the (silver) lining of what I’m gonna learn from this, what is the lesson from this one. And also, looking in the mirror and asking myself, ‘What happens next?’ That’s the big question… If I’m out of the title picture, am I fighting to get myself back there? Or am I fighting for a pay check? Am I fighting because I love to get into fights? That’s the big question I have to answer. I’m still trying to process everything.”
Luckily for Poirier, whatever path he chooses to follow, he’ll certainly have the unwavering support of those closest to him, including his wife of 12 years and high school sweetheart Jolie Poirier.
As a part of his entire mixed martial arts journey, Jolie has seen and experienced the highs and lows of the sport. With that in mind, it’s unsurprising she has been supportive of Dustin since his latest setback, as “The Diamond” revealed to Atlas.
“Her (My wife) and my boxing coach told me the exact same thing. They both said they’re behind me 100 percent, whatever I wanna do moving forward, and that with the right mindset, I can beat anybody in the world. They both told me the same thing.”
Poirier vs. Diaz: On! Off? On! Off?
While his motivation to mount another title charge may have dwindled and his future at lightweight could be non-existent, the one matchup that has consistently had Dustin Poirier excited over the past few days and weeks has been a clash with Nate Diaz, something originally set to happen way back in 2018.
After an initial December back and forth and apparent agreement to fight in January or February appeared to collapse at the negotiation stage, it seemed that bounce-back opportunity was off the table for Poirier.
Anthony Smith believes Jake Paul does care about fighter pay and wants to make a difference.
Ever since Paul has started to take boxing seriously and began boxing ex-UFC fighters he has brought up fighter pay and how Dana White doesn’t pay his fighters enough. Originally, many thought Paul was only doing that to help sell his fights and get in a rivalry with White. But for Smith, he believes Paul is being sincere.
Does Jake Paul really care about fighter pay? 👀 Anthony Smith thinks so….
Listen to what Smith (@lionheartasmith) had to say alongside @DinThomas
“I think he’s being honest, I think he does care. Here’s the deal, we have had these movements where people talk about fighter pay, it is also people it benefits,” Smith said on his radio show on Sirius XM. “In the history of the sport we have had people come from the outside and they want to seem like they are some savior and they are going to come in and save us and help us. At the end of the day, every single one of those guys has had their own end game at the end of it. Jake Paul has nothing to gain here, so I do believe it and it does sound genuine because it is a pain in the ass and it’s hard to do and he’s still attacking it.
Image via YouTube – Graham Bensinger
“He is continually bringing it up for months and months and months and he’s not letting it go… I think he actually cares and he has shown that,” Smith continued. “Even when he fought Tyron the first time he gave Tyron that little bump in pay, took some of his money, and gave it back to the other fighters so those guys got paid. The easiest way to see if someone is being true and honest is are they willing to put their money where their mouth is and he’s already pulled money out of his own pocket.”
At this point, it is hard to disagree with Anthony Smith that Jake Paul doesn’t care about fighter pay. After all, as Smith says, Paul has taken money out of his own pocket to help the cause. He has also been so vocal about it for months and even donated to Sarah Alpar so she could train full time.
Like it or not, Smith believes what Paul is doing will keep happening for quite some time and perhaps will eventually make a difference.
Do you think Jake Paul really cares about fighter pay?
Despite his form and rise up the light heavyweight division, Paul Craig is staying firm on his plan to hang up his gloves before he turns 35 in November.
Since a knockout loss to Alonzo Menifield in 2019, a setback that left him 3-4 in the UFC, Craig has found the form of his life. In his last five fights, the Scot has gone 4-0-1. Aside from a split draw against Mauricio Rua, “Bearjew” has recorded wins over Vinicius Moreira, Gadzhimurad Antigulov, Jamahal Hill, and defeated Rua in their rematch.
In his most recent appearance, Craig surged to just one spot outside the 205-pound top 10 by becoming the first blemish on Hill’s record. The surging prospect had been on a tear prior to his clash with the 34-year-old, but that came to an end in brutal fashion.
At UFC 263, Craig forced Hill to the ground and inflicted a gruesome injury after locking in a tight armbar. After a dislocated elbow apparently wasn’t enough for the referee to step in, Craig unleashed an onslaught of punches and elbows to bring the TKO finish.
Since his Performance of the Night-worthy victory last summer, Paul Craig has had a frustratingly-long layoff. The #11-ranked contender was initially set to face two-time title challenger Alexander Gustafsson in London. After the Swede got injured and the card moved to America, Craig opted to wait for the matchup to be re-booked.
With Gustafsson still out late last year, the UFC booked Craig against top-10 light heavyweight Nikita Krylov. This time, the issue was on the Scot’s end. That fight fell through after he was unable to obtain a visa to travel to the US in time.
Despite a one-fight 2021 and back-to-back canceled fights, Craig has not altered his retirement plans. Speaking to Sky Sports, “Bearjew” revealed he’s still hoping to call time on his career before he turns 35. To meet that target, the 34-year-old will have just 11 months to make his final impact in the UFC.
“I’m 34 years old. I’m losing my hair. I made this kind of deal with myself that I’d like to get to 35. That’s my number and I’ve only got a year left on that… Last year was a nightmare with everything that happened. But I’m still kind of firm on that number of 35. I just don’t see the point of taking damage, for not being at my best.”
Craig’s revelation comes in a division where age truly seems to be just a number. With a champion over 40 and the most recent former titleholder just about on the younger side of it, it’s perhaps surprising Craig is considering retiring so soon. However, the Airdrie native won’t let himself become another exploited past-his-prime fighter.
“We’ve got Jan Blachowicz (ex-champion) who’s 38. We’ve got the new champion (Glover Teixeira) who’s 42. But I don’t want to be the guy who’s being used. I’ve used people, used their fame, but I don’t want to be the person being used. But… you ask my coach, you ask my family, they’ll probably tell you I’m fighting until I’m 42.”
Despite having one eye on a future beyond active MMA competition, Craig’s hunger and drive to enter the Octagon has clearly not dwindled, and he’s looking ahead to his return to action in 2022. The submission specialist believes he could be fighting in March, likely on the UFC Fight Night card targeted for London, England.
“I love fighting. I love the fear of the unknown. I love the walkout, the music. I love it, win, lose or draw, the pageantry that goes along with MMA. It’s going to be March. There’s rumblings that it’s potentially going to be London.”
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While it would be disappointing to see Craig say farewell to the sport this year, it’s always good to see fighters prioritize their health and wellbeing. That’s especially true when we’ve seen many legends continue throwing down in the Octagon when their time appeared to have been up long before.
Would you like to see Paul Craig continue fighting beyond 2022?
On December 26th, Sterling made a post that was a parody conversation between him and “Russians.” This mock conversation saw him imply the Russian he was talking to was cheating, with the Russian replying “I know but c’mon, dude. You know what’s up already.”
After the post received backlash, Sterling made a post to clarify that his sights aren’t actually set on Russians. Instead, it’s still on Yan only.
For the record, I do not think every Russian fighter or athlete cheats. Just like every American, Brazilian, Chinese, or any other nationality of athletes, you have the clean and dirty ones.
Personally I think Cheotr Yan is a dirty cheat. Maybe I’m wrong but I highly doubt it. https://t.co/NFWdQC4RGi
“For the record, I do not think every Russian fighter or athlete cheats. Just like every American, Brazilian, Chinese, or any other nationality of athletes, you have the clean and dirty ones,” said Sterling via Twitter. He then used a play on words to imply Yan cheats, saying “Personally I think Cheotr Yan is a dirty cheat. Maybe I’m wrong but I highly doubt it.”
Sterling Destined To Cross Paths With Yan Again
Petr Yan, Aljamain Sterling Face-Off, Image Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Sterling became the UFC Bantamweight Champion last year after defeating Yan. The fight ended in a controversial fashion, as Yan disqualified himself with a knee to Sterling’s head while he was deemed a grounded opponent.
Yan has since returned and defeated Cory Sandhagen to become the interim UFC Bantamweight Champion. His interim title status lines him up to face Sterling in a title unification belt sometime down the line. For now, though, it isn’t known when that fight will actually happen if it is in fact what’s next for the top of the bantamweight division.
Do you think Aljamain Sterling genuinely believes Petr Yan is a cheater? Or do you think he is just trying to get in the head of the interim champ and his fans?
UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou won’t allow himself to divert from the gameplan ahead of his UFC 270 clash with Ciryl Gane.
Ngannou will make his first title defense against Gane, a former teammate of his while they were at MMA Factory in France. He’s been at an impasse with the UFC brass amidst an ongoing contract dispute but is ready to defend his belt at the UFC’s first pay-per-view event of 2022.
“I think Francis did a lot these last years, and he proved he improved and he’s more intelligent,” Gane said in an interview with BT Sport. “And that’s great. He’s well-rounded now. And I think it’s gonna be more like that. Because he (knows) I can manage the power. I think he knows I can manage the power.”
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Ngannou responded to Gane’s remarks and thinks his prediction was a bit forced.
“That’s probably his prediction because he has nowhere else to go,” Ngannou said.
“He has nothing else to do. Instead of expecting to jump around and waiting for the decision, I’m sure he’s going to be like, ‘I’m going to take him to the long rounds, the deep water’ and all this. That can be his only prediction, which could be very contrary of my prediction, which is knocking him out.”
Francis Ngannou Vs. Ciryl Gane Wasn’t Expected To Happen Next
Gane earned the title shot after winning the interim heavyweight title over Derrick Lewis at UFC 265. He was able to stifle Lewis on the feet and control the pace of the fight, eventually earning a TKO finish.
Ngannou was widely expected to face Jon Jones for his first title defense after earning the belt over Stipe Miocic. The UFC then targeted a matchup between him and Lewis, but contract negotiations stalled as Ngannou asked for more money.
The Ngannou vs. Gane matchup pits two of the most elite strikers in MMA against one another. If Ngannou were to lose to Gane, his UFC future could be uncertain as he would then enter free agency.
What is your prediction for Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane?
The former bantamweight champion has since claimed that he used EPO to assist in his weight cut to 125 pounds and wasn’t meant to give him an added boost in the cage. He was tested 25 times by USADA over the past year.
Dillashaw & Costa Both Fought Once In 2021
Cory Sandhagen and TJ Dillashaw
Dillashaw made his long-awaited return to the cage in 2021 against rising bantamweight Cory Sandhagen, earning a split-decision win in a Fight of the Year contender.
Costa was tested 23 times in 2021, which could be seen as a bit surprising given his relative inactivity in the UFC over the past few years. He faced Marvin Vettori in a catchweight bout in his lone fight of the year, losing via a unanimous decision in a back-and-forth contest.
Just above Dillashaw and Costa on the list was Misha Cirkunov, as the middleweight and former light heavyweight was tested by USADA on 27 separate occasions.
As the new year begins, Dillashaw looks to earn another bantamweight title shot, while Costa is looking to get back on track in the middleweight conversation.
What are your predictions for TJ Dillashaw and Paulo Costa in 2022?
UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori has invited Jake Paul to a private sparring session.
Jake Paul has made no secret of his preference to face MMA fighters throughout his boxing career. Two of his viral KOs came against former champions of the sport in Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley. He has also set his sights on potential boxing matches against Jorge Masvidal, Nate Diaz, and Kamaru Usman, among others.
One name that isn’t on the list but would like to box Paul is “The Italian Dream” Marvin Vettori. Tuesday, Vettori posted the following challenge to Paul with a video attached of his colleagues discussing the potential session.
Hei Fake Paul @jakepaul let’s set up a sparring. I’ll match any bet you want. You claim anybody, anytime, anywhere but you won’t go further then 6 rounds I promise you that. Put your nuts on the table, I wanna feel if you can really box.#FakePaul#theitaliandreampic.twitter.com/0FBuSzAGu2
“Hei Fake Paul @jakepaul let’s set up a sparring. I’ll match any bet you want. You claim anybody, anytime, anywhere but you won’t go further then 6 rounds I promise you that. Put your nuts on the table, I wanna feel if you can really box.”
Ironically, it was just last year that Vettori blasted the media for its ongoing coverage of Paul. Yet, surely the outspoken middleweight must know that such a challenge, with Paul’s name directly attached to it, would receive wide attention and go viral.
In any event, Vettori is not the only person to express an eagerness to spar Jake Paul. In the case of Claressa Shields, not only did she invite Paul to spar with her, she even proposed putting up $100,000 in a winner-take-all encounter. The YouTuber never responded to the “GWOAT’s” challenge, nor has he responded to Vettori’s as of this writing.
Paul most recently knocked out Tyron Woodley in their rematch on December 18 to advance his boxing record to 5-0. Marvin Vettori last competed in October with a unanimous decision victory over Paulo Costa.
Who do you think would win in a boxing match between Jake Paul and Marvin Vettori?
UFC Hall-of-Famer Michael Bisping has suggested a potential opponent for veteran fan favourite Nick Diaz if he returns to the Octagon this year.
Diaz’s highly-anticipated 2021 comeback wasn’t the return many had envisioned. After nearly seven years away from the sport, a hiatus that began following his 2015 clash with Anderson Silva, the older Diaz brother ran it back with former foe Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 in September.
The pair first collided way back in 2004 at the UFC 47 event. While Diaz recorded a memorable knockout win in that clash, their rematch was to end significantly different.
In the eyes of many, including UFC President Dana White, Diaz’s 2021 defeat should mark the end of the veteran’s memorable career. But while that seems to be the general consensus, not everyone leans the same way.
One prominent member of the MMA community hoping to see Diaz fight this year is former middleweight titleholder Michael Bisping. During a recent YouTube Q&A, “The Count” expressed that feeling, and even named a fellow UFC veteran Diaz could face if he returns to the Octagon in the coming months.
“I would like to see him fight and I would like to see Cowboy [Donald Cerrone]. That’s a really good suggestion but it looks like Cowboy’s fighting Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett.” (h/t Sportskeeda)
Like Diaz, Cerrone is another long-serving UFC star who appears well-past his prime and on his way out of the sport in the near future. Although there has been no official confirmation, recent rumors have hinted towards a March clash between “Cowboy” and rising star Pimblett.
Should that prove to be just conjecture, perhaps the UFC will pair Cerrone up with a fighter on the opposite end of their career to “The Baddy.” Not many fill that criteria better than Diaz.
Do you agree with Michael Bisping? Would you like to see Nick Diaz fight Donald Cerrone in 2022?
UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira hasn’t received Dustin Poirier’s promised donation yet, despite their post-UFC 269 conversations.
Oliveira defeated Poirier in the main event of UFC 269 via third-round submission, locking in a standing rear-naked choke in his first title defense. He had earned the belt after defeating Michael Chandler earlier this year.
Following their lightweight title fight, Poirier told Oliveira that he intends to donate $20,000 to a charity of Oliveira’s choice in his hometown of Sao Paulo, BR.
“I just tell people that the money didn’t arrive yet, but if Dustin really wants to make a donation and needs those bureaucracy documents, I´ll pick some local social project in my area,” Oliveira said. “The most important thing is helping people who need to be helped, but to tell you the truth, after all the headaches I´ve been dealing with due to that Octagon proposal, I really don’t know if it was good or not.”
Dustin Poirier Is Working With Charles Oliveira’s Team
After getting word of Oliveira’s comments, Poirier assured that he intends to live up to his promise and help the champ’s community.
For anyone asking about the $20k donation I promised, of course I'm going to honor it! We have been in contact with Charles and his team. We are waiting for them to figure out what project they want it donated to.
“For anyone asking about the $20k donation I promised, of course, I’m going to honor it!” Poirier said. “We have been in contact with Charles and his team. We are waiting for them to figure out what project they want it donated to.”
This isn’t the first time that Poirier has been involved in a donation-related controversy. Ahead of his trilogy with Conor McGregor, Poirier had accused the Irishman of failing to follow up on his promised donation to his charity, sparking a feud between the two lightweights.
It appears that Poirier intends to live up to his end of the deal, but it’s a bit surprising that it hasn’t come to fruition just yet after earlier tensions with McGregor regarding a similar issue.
What are your thoughts on this latest donation debacle?
UFC light heavyweight contender Jamahal Hill believes Aleksandar Rakić should be challenging champion Glover Teixeira next instead of Jiří Procházka.
While Rakić has been in the UFC since 2017, Procházka only arrived on MMA’s biggest stage last year. But in the short period of time he’s been a part of the promotion’s light heavyweight roster, “Denisa” has made a monumental impact, one that’s seen him surpass Rakić in the rankings.
In his debut, Procházka brutally knocked out former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir on Fight Island. Having broken onto the scene in impactful fashion, the Czech star went one step further in his second appearance, breaking into title contention with an even more vicious KO, this time against Dominick Reyes.
Not many people have secured a main event slot in just their sophomore outing, and even fewer have cemented their status as number one contender without even making three walks to the Octagon. But despite his impressive start in the UFC, not everyone believes he’s done enough to earn a spot at the front of the queue.
According to Hill, who is tipped as a future star at 205 pounds and currently sits at #12 in the rankings, Rakić deserves to be fighting for gold next over his European peer.
“I mean, both have a case, I guess. Me, personally, I think it should be Rakić, just because Rakić has been here longer,” Hill told The Hannibal TV. “Who’s had the most success at his weight? Who’s done the more things to put themselves into championship position? I think that’s Rakić. Jiří came in and beat two guys that were on losing streaks.”
Rakić Will Have To Go Through A Former Champion To Reach Gold
Since joining the UFC, Rakić has gone 6-1. However, most believe the Austrian should boast a perfect record in the promotion. His sole loss, a split decision defeat to Oezdemir in 2019, was highly controversial, and most believe he was the rightful winner.
Since that setback, “Rocket” has got back on track with consecutive successes against former title challengers Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos. In the eyes of many, those victories, coupled with his triumphs over the likes of Jimi Manuwa and Devin Clark, should have been enough to book him a date with the champion. That’s without even mentioning the suggestion that Procházka turned down offers to face the 29-year-old.
Instead, Rakić will have to go through former champion Jan Blachowicz if he is to earn a title shot in 2022. The Polish powerhouse was dethroned by Teixeira at UFC 267 and will be looking to secure a chance at redemption by stalling the charge of his fellow European.
The pair are set to headline the March 26 UFC Fight Night. The winner is expected to challenge the victor of the likely championship clash between Teixeira and Procházka.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXWW0DMpUsz/
Do you agree with Jamahal Hill? Should Aleksandar Rakić be fighting for the title next instead of Jiří Procházka?
Priscila Cachoeira’s manager, Wallid Ismail, says she wasn’t intentionally eye-gouging during her December fight against Gillian Robertson.
The controversy around Cachoeira’s fight comes from the ending sequence while she was in a rear-naked choke. She reached up to Robertson’s head while in the choke, with her fingers making contact with Roberton’s eyes at times. Cachoeira was submitted by Robertson in the closing seconds of the first round.
Ismail, a former UFC fighter in his own right, echoes Cachoeira’s claim that her movement towards the eyes of Robertson only happened accidentally during the sequence. He criticized those who thought otherwise in a recent interview:
“It was cowardice from the press and everyone who attacked her. She didn’t put her finger in the opponent’s eye on purpose. She just tried to push her away in the heat of the fight,” said Ismail, in an interview with Sherdog.com. “People who work in the UFC come from the fighting business, they know what I mean. We are already talking about her next fight and Priscila will return to [the] win column.”
Recent Loss Put Cachoeira Back Into Losing Ways
Image Credit: Via WMMA Rankings
Cachoeira’s loss at UFC 269 broke a two-fight winning streak she had attained. This included two finish wins, defeating Gina Mazany in May 2021, and stopping Shana Dobson a year before then.
The result kept her promotional record negative, now sitting at two wins and four losses in total. Cachoeira’s start in the UFC was rough, losing three times between 2018 and 2019. This included a fight against now UFC Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko, which concluded via second-round submission.
As stated above, Ismail says they are currently working on a new fight for Cachoeira. In the new year, she will have a chance to turn around her UFC run.
What’s your take on the controversy? Do you think Cachoeira was intentionally trying to gouge the eyes of Robertson?
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker supports Jake Paul’s idea of the UFC brass providing healthcare to its fighters as well as other changes.
Whittaker is set to face middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in a title rematch next month at UFC 271. He has managed to get back to the title shot after winning three straight bouts, including most recently against Kelvin Gastelum and Jared Cannonier.
Paul recently offered to retire from boxing and sign a one-fight deal with the UFC if company president Dana White meets certain demands. This includes long-term healthcare for fighters, along with increasing fighter pay.
During a recent interview with Mirror, Whittaker praised the idea of giving UFC fighters additional benefits that extend long after their careers are over.
“It’s hard to say, all the chips are in the company’s playing field,” Whittaker said. “I would certainly love some healthcare, I would love that long-term post-fighting career security and I’m sure every fighter would. I would like different things to change.
Robert Whittaker (Photo: Fernando Quiles Jr./MMA News)
“But I’m not crying over spilt milk, it is what it is. I’m very blessed to be able to do what I do for a living anyway. Instead of asking for what I don’t have, I’m grateful for what I do have.”
In a preliminary response to Paul’s challenge, White hit back at Paul and accused him of steroid use. Paul had previously accused White of using cocaine without sufficient evidence.
Many fighters, including Whittaker and UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal, have called for changes to be made to how fighters are treated by the promotion. The ongoing debate over UFC fighter pay has ramped up over the past year.
It’s unclear if the UFC has any upcoming plans to add benefits for its fighters, but Whittaker is certainly on board with Paul regarding long-term health care.
Do you think UFC fighters should receive long-term healthcare?
UFC light heavyweight Johnny Walker has revealed he’s tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time since the pandemic caused havoc around the world.
But days prior to the clash, Walker revealed the fight, which took place on the 19th, had initially been scheduled for the 5th. The bout was pushed back owing to a positive Covid test for Walker while he was in Ireland. The 29-year-old believes he likely caught it while traveling to Dublin to train at John Kavanagh’s SBG Ireland gym.
Fast forward nearly a year-and-a-half, to a time when the new Omicron variant is threatening to cause further havoc, and Walker has found himself back in isolation following a positive result.
Taking to his Instagram on Sunday, the #10-ranked light heavyweight contender revealed the news and described his current case as similar to his first in terms of symptoms. He also confirmed he’d been vaccinated in late 2021.
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“COVID 2, Johnny 0. Second time testing positive, I took the Johnson vaccine two months ago and was still infected. I felt the same symptoms last time, which are just that of a flu.
“Well, I’m at rest and taking advantage of the opportunity I’m recording everything to post on my YouTube channel, supplements, diet, symptoms. If you want to stay on top of everything I’ll post it weekly, the link is in my bio, subscribe there, it’s free. Don’t forget your mask. My new year was quarantined.”
What’s Next For Johnny Walker?
In March 2019, Walker was arguably one of the hottest rising prospects in the UFC. After earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, the Brazilian entered the promotion with consecutive first-round knockouts. He made that three when he finished Misha Cirkunov with a brutal flying knee at UFC 235.
But Walker’s fortunes changed pretty quick. In fact, they did so about 10 seconds after his fight with Cirkunov ended when a worm celebration left him sidelined with a dislocated shoulder. Upon his return, the Rio de Janeiro native fell to back-to-back losses for the first time in his career. Those defeats came against Corey Anderson and Nikita Krylov.
Despite rebounding against Spann, Walker failed to carry that momentum into his main event debut. In a lackluster clash with former title challenger Thiago Santos in October 2021, the 29-year-old was outpointed across five frames.
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With three losses in his last four Octagon outings, Walker’s next appearance is crucial in keeping his place inside the 205-pound top 10. But the tough tests look set to continue for the SBG Ireland product. Recent reports suggest the UFC is targeting a matchup between Walker and Jamahal Hill.
While Walker will be looking to return the win column this year, Hill will be hoping to continue his form, which saw him finish Jimmy Crute in the opening round last month. The #12-ranked contender’s victory over the Australian marked an impressive rebound from his sole MMA loss against Paul Craig last year, which saw him suffer a gruesome dislocated elbow.
How do you think Johnny Walker would fare against Jamahal Hill?
Paddy Pimblett has hinted that he’ll return to action on the card expected to take place in London in March, but it seemingly won’t be against Donald Cerrone.
In mid-2021, Pimblett had signed for MMA’s premier organization and the hype surrounding his UFC debut was rising. That first appearance finally happened at UFC Vegas 36 in September. At a European-heavy event, he joined UK stars Darren Till and Tom Aspinall on the main card.
Ahead of his first Octagon outing, Pimblett repeatedly promised to knock Luigi Vendramini out inside the first round. In the early exchanges, in which “The Baddy” appeared to be rocked and was taken down, that prediction looked unlikely.
Pimblett Says “He’ll Take Someone’s head off” In The O2
Since Pimblett’s debut victory, there’s been plenty of speculation about his second fight and next opponent. The most prominent rumor surrounded a potential clash with UFC veteran Donald Cerrone. Talk of that clash first appeared after Chael Sonnen suggested “Cowboy” had told him of his interest in facing the young Liverpudlian.
But during a recent appearance on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast, Pimblett said there’s no truth to the idea he’ll be facing Cerrone in early March, suggesting it would make no sense for the promotion to book him on a US card just weeks before they reportedly head to his home country of England.
“It’s going round everywhere, but there’s no truth to it. Nothing on my end. Do you really think that the UFC are gonna put me on a card on the 5th of March in Vegas when they’re doing London on the 19th? It doesn’t make sense… I think that was just Chael having a little go for some clickbait or something. It started with Chael.”
While it appears Cerrone won’t be the opponent, Pimblett is certainly eager to make the London walk on March 19. He further told Bisping that an appearance on the card, which is already set to feature his teammate Molly McCann and fellow UK prospect Jack Shore, is “happening.”
“I would like to fight in London, in front of my home crowd. It would be sick… That’s what I’m guessing (will happen) and that’s what I’ve been told, that me and Molly will be fighting on the same card… That’s happening. I’m gonna take someone’s head off again in the O2. I’ll announce myself once again.”
Despite the UFC’s expected return to London being just over two months away, Pimblett says he’s yet to hear anything from the promotion regarding a potential opponent. But whoever he’s matched up with, the fight is certain to have an electric crowd watching on inside the O2 arena if the London card comes to fruition.
Who would you like to see Paddy Pimblett face if the UFC returns to London for the March 19 card?
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has accepted a fight with Nate Diaz on just weeks’ notice if Diaz wants it.
Poirier is coming off of his lightweight title loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269. It was the second time in his career that he fell short of the lightweight title after losing previously to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019.
But Poirier appears to already be thinking about what’s next in his UFC career and has recently alluded to a move to welterweight. Just days after the loss to Oliveira, Poirier named Diaz as the one opponent who would excite him for his next trip to the Octagon.
The two have gone back-and-forth on social media for years, stemming from their scheduled fight that fell apart in 2018. Poirier and Diaz have teased a potential fight for the start of 2022, and according to Poirier, he’s been issued an official bout agreement to make it happen.
Dustin Poirier Is Waiting For Nate Diaz To Sign The Contract
Nate Diaz, Dustin Poirier (Image Credits: Steven Ryan/Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
During a recent interview with Teddy Atlas, Poirier revealed that he’s received an offer to fight Diaz with a notice of just six weeks.
“Honestly – another thing that kinda got that flame going is a couple of days ago, I got a phone call – but I can’t talk about it,” Poirier said. “It’s a very short notice thing. Something I would hate to do is stack things against myself and take a fight on short notice, but, we’ll see what happens, man. I don’t want to give too much ‘cause I don’t know what I can say. No contract has been signed yet, but if this goes go through, I’m gonna take it. I said yes, now we’re waiting on him.” (h/t LowKickMMA)
It’s unclear if Diaz will ultimately agree to fight Poirier after saying that Poirier wasn’t worthy of fighting him. Diaz most recently fought Leon Edwards at UFC 263 and has been waiting for an opponent ever since for his return.
Assuming that Poirier is correct, it sounds like the Diaz fight has a 50-50 chance of actually coming to fruition. Now, we await Diaz’s response and whether or not he’ll sign off on the short-notice bout.
Do you think Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz will happen in 2022?
Kron Gracie hasn’t fought in the UFC in more than two years, and it’s unclear when he’ll return after his first professional MMA loss to Cub Swanson.
Kron’s father, Rickson is arguably one of the greatest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners as part of the famous Gracie legacy. Rickson has been a mainstay in Kron’s corner during his professional MMA career.
Kron followed up an impressive UFC debut against Alex Caceres with a disappointing loss to Swanson. While he had his moments throughout the fight, Swanson proved to be the more experienced MMA fighter and earned a unanimous decision victory.
Things seemed tense between the father-son duo following the loss to Swanson. Rickson was frustrated with the lack of adjustments that Kron made in the fight overall. Following the bout, Swanson had advised Kron to humble himself in the face of defeat.
During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Rickson provided an update on Kron’s status in the sport and potential return to the Octagon.
“Right now we’re giving each other some space, you know?” Rickson said when asked about Kron. “We had some small arguments and now he’s moved to Montana, he’s with his new gym there, he’s training. I don’t know exactly what his plans are for MMA, but I root for him.
“I know he has great potential, not only as a fighter but also as a great teacher, a great man. I’m rooting for him, and I’m also curious, like everybody else, to know what he’ll do next.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
Before signing with the UFC, Kron had enjoyed success in Rizin and Real Fight Championship, earning four-straight submission wins. His loss to Swanson was the first time in his MMA career that a fight of his had gone the distance.
The 33-year-old featherweight has also previously worked with Nick and Nate Diaz in California to prepare for his MMA fights. It’s unclear if Kron intends on training with the Diaz brothers for an eventual return.
Living up to the Gracie tradition in MMA has proven not to be an easy feat for Kron, and it’s unclear if he’ll return to the Octagon for a chance at redemption.
Do you think Kron Gracie will eventually return to the UFC/MMA?
Happy New Year, fight fans! To kick off our 20th anniversary, we will be rolling out the MMA News Top 100 UFC fighters of 2021 throughout the month of January as voted on by our panel.
This list is NOT solely based on fights and performances of 2021. Being active in 2021 is what QUALIFIES one to make the list. Instead of only considering performances of the year, we are taking a holistic look at who is the better overall fighter exiting 2021 based on our selected criteria. A full explanation of the criteria can be found below.
1: Career Trajectory/Recent Performances (50%)
Where are the fighters trending right now? How much evidence-backed momentum do they have?
2: Career Success/Body of Work (25%)
Championships, wins, résumé, etc.
3: Likelihood To Be The Betting Favorite In Any Fight In 2021 (25%)
This was determined using past betting history, betting lines during 2021, and the projected odds moving forward as determined by the panel. This category is being used to get a gauge of the talent level the public feels the fighter is/was at.
Be sure to keep checking back right here at MMANews.com for frequent updates to this list throughout the month of January as we continue to update this list!
#100: Erin Blanchfield
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Reasoning Behind Ranking: With a Cold-Blooded performance over Miranda Maverick and five straight wins overall, the career trajectory category was the strongest reason behind her placement in the top 100.
Heading into 2022: At only 22 years old, Erin Blanchfield is arguably the biggest prospect at flyweight and perhaps all of the UFC’s women’s divisions, not just for the year ahead but for far beyond. Sitting at #100, the stage is set for Blanchfield to continue marching straight ahead with ice in her veins before possibly making the biggest jump of any fighter from this year’s placement to the next.
#99: Casey O’Neill
Casey O’Neill
Reasoning Behind Ranking: “King” Casey O’Neill has big plans to rule the fight game, and after going 3-0 in 2021 with three finishes, the 24-year-old may be well on her way. With a composure far beyond her years, O’Neill seems to welcome the pressure without folding a single crease and has been a blueprint of what a true MMA prospect looks like.
Heading Into 2022: O’Neill (#15) is in no hurry to rise up the ranks and is taking it one step at a time. Her next fight is scheduled against Roxanne Modafferi on February 12.
#98: Jack Shore
Reasoning Behind Ranking: Undefeated after 15 professional fights and a 4-0 UFC record, Jack Shore looks like he has it all. Former UFC champion Michael Bisping has compared Shore to Georges St-Pierre himself, which is some high praise coming from a high place. At 26 years old, we’ve only caught a whiff of Shore’s potential, so his number could be much higher in the 2022 MMA News rankings.
Heading Into 2022: Shore was originally slated to face fellow undefeated fighter Umar Nurmagomedov in his first bout of 2022 but will now be tasked with another Russian, Timur Valiev. This will be a stiff test for Shore, as he looks to shift his hype train into a Supersonic helicopter.
#97: Tyron Woodley
Image Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Reasoning Behind Ranking: As will often be the case in these rankings, body of work and résumé plays a role in ranking position over prospects still on the rise, not only because they are more proven but because if they were placed against similar competition as most prospects, someone like Tyron Woodley would still be expected to win despite his decline.
However, that decline is very real and noticeable, with “The Chosen One” losing four consecutive bouts, not counting the Paul boxing losses. This losing streak and rapid fall from grace are why the former champion only barely made the list.
Heading Into 2022: Tyron Woodley may or may not compete in MMA this year, but he has expressed an interest to do so and to have an active 2022. And even if it does not and cannot come against Jake Paul, Woodley will no doubt be entering the new year with Revenge on his mind.
#96: Lerone Murphy
Lerone Murphy, Getty Images
Reasoning Behind Ranking: Lerone Murphy is undefeated and has maintained his flawless record after four UFC fights against some stiff competition. In 2020, Murphy earned Performance of the Night with his TKO win over formerly ranked featherweight Ricardo Ramos. In 2021, he defeated proven veteran Douglas Silva de Andrade as well as earned a KO win over Makwan Amirkhani.
Heading Into 2022: Thus far, Murphy has given no indication that he will be denied heading into 2022. He is likely one win away from finding himself in the featherweight rankings and could very well be deep in the top 10 by the end of the year and earn himself a much higher place on next year’s MMA News Top 100 list!
#95: Sodiq Yusuff
Sodiq Yusuff, Image: James Elsby-USA TODAY Sports
Reasoning Behind Ranking: “Super” Sodiq Yusuff has a UFC record of 4-1, with the one loss coming against a fighter in Arnold Allen who has not lost in eight years. In two of his four UFC wins, Yusuff displayed just how much power this one man has.
With his measured approach and calculated cruelty, the 28-year-old Yusuff has proven to be one of the top prospects at featherweight.
Heading Into 2022: Yusuff enters the year ranked #12 at featherweight. There are currently rumblings that Yusuff will be making his first Octagon appearance of the year against “Bruce Leeroy” Alex Caceres.
#94: Cody Garbrandt
Cody Garbrandt (Image Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Reasoning Behind Ranking: While it is no secret that Cody Garbrandt has had his share of struggles as of late, there is also no denying that he’s made a big noise during his seven-year UFC run. This includes becoming bantamweight champion after a career-defining victory over arguably the greatest bantamweight of all time, Dominick Cruz.
Additionally, Garbrandt was able to make the cut due to his most recent victory being only two fights ago in a devastating KO over Raphael Assuncao that won him performance of the night. Garbrandt also made the list due to him being the betting favorite in two of his last three fights (category #3).
Heading Into 2022: Entering 2022, Garbrandt has lost five of his last six fights, which definitely makes his placement on the list up for debate. However, Garbrandt is always one win or KO away from showing that it’s not too late for this 30-year-old to recapture his glory days. And if he has it this way, that KO will come against “Suga” Sean O’Malley.
#93: Pedro Munhoz
Pedro Munhoz vs. Cody Garbrandt, UFC 235
Reasoning Behind Ranking: Pedro Munhoz remains a top-10 bantamweight in the UFC, but he only falls at #94 due to the Brazilian losing two consecutive fights via unanimous decision (José Aldo, Dominick Cruz) and losing four of his last fight fights.
However, Munhoz does have a victory this year over Jimmie Rivera in what was a Fight of the Night winner. He also holds an impressive KO victory over our #94-ranked fighter, former champion Cody Garbrandt on his résumé as well as a win over another fighter who will appear later in these rankings, Rob Font.
Heading Into 2022: Coming off a loss to Dominick Cruz at UFC 269 to end 2021, the 35-year-old Munhoz will fight to keep his spot in the bantamweight top 10 and prove that he’s still a Young Punisher who is ready to start killin’ ’em again. There is currently no word yet on who the first man in that potential murder lineup will be.
#92: Darren Till
Darren Till, Image Credit: 2018 Alex Livesey – Zuffa LLC
Reasoning Behind Ranking: Darren Till has lost four of his last five fights and narrowly made the top 100 due to holding two wins over other fighters ranked on this list and his likelihood to be the betting favorite in 2021 compared to others. Additionally, Till has a very high unlikelihood to ever be a heavy underdog due to his technical fighting style, which often has opponents fighting at his pace.
If you need another reason for Till making the list at #92, one need only look at the night he gave former champion and pound-for-pound ranked Robert Whittaker all he can handle just one fight ago, taking two rounds on all three of the judges’ scorecard. Not many fighters have the ability to do that or the potential for greatness that still remain within this 29-year-old.
It’s also worth remembering that Till has only fought the best of the best over the past three years, which leaves him more open to setbacks than many prospects who’ve seen more recent success but against lower competition.
Heading Into 2022: Darren Till enters the year still ranked as the #8 middleweight in the UFC. His next fight remains unclear at this time, but there have been informal talks of a potential fight against Uriah Hall.
#91: Tony Ferguson
Tony Ferguson
Reasoning Behind Ranking: It wasn’t too long ago that a #91 placement for Tony Ferguson would seem blasphemous. Today, after suffering three bad losses in a row, the ranking will likely warrant some explanation and be considered too high by some readers.
Tony Ferguson’s recent struggles are clearly behind the low ranking, but how did Ferguson make the list at all? Well, in category #2, which factors in career body of work and résumé, Ferguson remains tied for the most consecutive victories in lightweight history. In terms of category #3, which factors in respect from bettors and oddsmakers, Ferguson was a betting favorite against current champion Charles Oliveira in December 2020, and he was only a +130 underdog against #3-ranked Beneil Dariush in his most recent fight.
Finally, in terms of the most heavily weighted category of recent performances, while it’s true Ferguson’s defeats were one-sided, they came against the current champion, the current #1 contender (Justin Gaethje), and the current #3 contender (Beneil Dariush).
Furthermore, a strong case can be made that Ferguson’s fight against Gaethje was more competitive than the prevailing narrative would have you believe. After all, Gaethje may very well have been saved by the bell after a devastating uppercut to close out the second round.
Heading Into 2022: Tony Ferguson is still ranked at #7 in one of the deepest divisions in the UFC despite his recent struggles. Far from considering retirement, El Cucuy is eying a potential bout against Michael Chandler to kick off 2022 and get back in the win column to prove that the Boogeyman’s party has just begun.
Stay tuned to find out who is next on the MMA News Top 100 Fighters Of 2021 in Part 2!
Undefeated UFC welterweight Sean Brady believes a fight with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is the only matchup that makes sense for him next.
After a perfect 4-0 start on MMA’s biggest stage, which included a 2021 submission victory over Jake Matthews, Brady had his chance to break into the group of contenders at UFC Vegas 43 in November. He faced the challenge of promotional veteran Michael Chiesa, a man who boasts the names of Neil Magny, Rafael dos Anjos, and Beneil Dariush on his résumé.
In a controlling performance, Brady extended his unblemished record to 15-0 with a unanimous decision triumph over “Maverick.” In doing so, he rose to #9 in the UFC welterweight rankings. With that in mind, he’s targeting a big name for his next Octagon outing.
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Brady Hopes To Use Thompson As A Stepping Stone Up The WW Ladder
While Brady surged up the welterweight ladder in 2021, one top veteran went in the opposite direction. At the start of the year, Stephen Thompson was riding a two-fight win streak and, as one of the few high-ranked names yet to challenge Kamaru Usman, had aspirations of a title shot.
Fast forward to the start of 2022 and the script has flipped for “Wonderboy.” Defeats to Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad have left him in need of a rebound performance to keep his hopes of a third championship opportunity alive.
During a recent interview with The Schmo, Brady offered to give Thompson that chance. Discussing his options in 2022, the 29-year-old suggested there aren’t many beyond “Wonderboy.”
“It’s a weird division,” Brady said. “Honestly, I’m nine, Wonderboy’s seven, I don’t really see any other options right now. I know the guys in the top five, they only want guys higher than them or a title fight, and then Neil Magny and me are training partners, we’re not fighting each other, and there’s Masvidal; I’m realistic, I know I’m not getting that fight. So I think me and Wonderboy would be a great fight.”
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With Brady evidently ruling out a clash with teammate Magny, that leaves the UFC with two pairs of training partners refusing to fight inside the 170-pound top 10, top-five contenders Burns and Vicente Luque being the other.
Nevertheless, should Brady fight and beat Thompson, avoiding a clash with “The Haitian Sensation” shouldn’t be an issue, as he’ll be well on his way towards title contention and not far from a shot at “The Nigerian Nightmare.”
How do you think a fight between Sean Brady and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson would play out?
Joanna Jędrzejczyk claims she could be fighting for the world title next if she wanted, but she has no intentions of sitting out for the required wait time.
Former UFC strawweight queen Joanna Jędrzejczyk has not competed since March 2020 in her Fight of the Year-qualifying war against Zhang Weili. Zhang barely squeaked out a split-decision victory and went on to battle Rose Namajunas in back-to-back title fights that saw Zhang come up short both times.
Meanwhile, Jędrzejczyk has been inactive since this classic struggle, waiting for the most suitable moment to make her long-awaited return. First, Jędrzejczyk expressed that she was not interested in competing while there were still no fans allowed in arenas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She then voiced discontent with her current UFC contract, even though company president Dana White used her as an example of fighter wealth present on the company roster.
Joanna Jędrzejczyk Claims She Could Fight For Title In November/December
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 8: Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland enters the ring prior to her fight against Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan in a flyweight bout during the UFC 231 event at Scotiabank Arena on December 8, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Last November, Jędrzejczyk did name three potential names for her return fight, however. She expressed interest in facing either the winner or loser of the Namajunas/Zhang rematch at UFC 268 or Carla Esparza. With Esparza now being pegged as next in line for Namajunas, that leaves Zhang.
Jędrzejczyk acknowledges this as her most likely next fight but also claimed that she could be fighting for the world title in the fourth quarter of 2022 if she so chose (via BBC Sport).
“I thought it might be Carla Esparza, but it’s been confirmed she is next to fight for the championship,” Jędrzejczyk told Polish TV show Kanal Sportowy recently. There was also [Maria] Rodriguez, but she fights [Xiaonan] Yan in March so that leaves Weili.
“I don’t see any other fight. [UFC president] Dana [White] made me an offer to fight for the championship, but I would have to wait until November [or] December and I don’t want to wait. I want to fight.”
Due to her inactivity, Jędrzejczyk is currently no longer in the strawweight rankings. She has lost two of her last three fights and four out of her last six. She also holds two title-fight losses to current champion Rose Namajunas.
What are your thoughts on Joanna Jędrzejczyk’s claim that she was offered to fight for the title at the end of 2022?
Paulo Costa’s manager insists that “Borrachinha” is staying put in the middleweight division.
It was unclear if Costa could handle the weight at 205 and make it all five rounds against Vettori. As commentator Michael Bisping mentioned early in round one, “I’m tellin’ ya, Paulo Costa’s fading already…” Dana White echoed these comments in the post-fight show. However, “Borrachinha” hung around after everything “The Italian Dream” unleashed.
The days leading up to UFC Vegas 41 kept MMA fans confused and Marvin Vettori frustrated as to whether the fight would happen at middleweight or catchweight, but despite the one-sided weight hurdles, both men put on an outstanding battle, throwing heavy attacks until the final bell. The pre-fight tension certainly let everyone know these two meant business, and it was an exciting matchup to see.
Photo Credit: MMA Fighting
After Costa failed to make weight for a middleweight fight—moving the fight from 185 to landing at 205 pounds—and did not take home the victory against Vettori, Dana White made the call to move him to light heavyweight.
“He’s a light heavyweight,” said White. “I mean, you guys saw him tonight. He’s massive.”
Costa’s Manager Claims Costa Will Remain At Middleweight
Despite White’s insistence that Costa move to 205 permanently, Costa’s manager, Wallid Ismail, remains determined to see his fighter become a champion at middleweight and claims White’s notion of Costa moving up a weight class has changed since the post-fight conference.
“The UFC is not the biggest fighting company in the world by chance,” Ismail told Sherdog.com. “They know that ‘Borrachinha’ was injured and that’s why he had problems with his weight. There is no doubt his next fight will take place in the middleweight division.”
So why was it difficult for Costa to make weight? He initially kept the MMA world in the dark about why he could not hit the 185lb mark. It was only during the post-fight press conference that Costa informed us about his weight-cut journey, in which he reported he “needed to stop some weeks in training” due to an injury to his left bicep.
Of course, Vettori shunned the excuse, claiming this explanation didn’t make any sense and that he didn’t buy Costa’s explanation.
Either way, Costa, now 13-2-0, is headed into a new UFC journey after his loss to Marvin Vettori, 18-5-1, during UFC Vegas 41 on October 23, moving down to #5 in the UFC middleweight rankings.
We now anticipate what comes next for “Borrachinha” and whether or not he will indeed remain in the middleweight division.
Do you think Paulo Costa should compete at middleweight or light heavyweight moving forward?
UFC Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou packs a heavy punch and knows a thing or two about striking.
In a Youtube video posted to his channel last Thursday, Ngannou came out and labeled potential foe Jon Jones as the best striker in MMA. Ngannou also talked about his most challenging fight, which was his first fight against Stipe Miocic; who the #1 trash talker in the sport is; the state of boxing; and who he thinks is the best striker in the sport. You can hear his explanation behind his best striker pick below.
“If I’m about to say the best striker for MMA striking it would still be Jon Jones,” said Ngannou. “For MMA striking, I would give it to Jon Jones. Because, like, with his elbow and all of that stuff he does.. the oblique kick, all those stuff. For MMA, it’s the perfect striking.”
Ngannou and Jones have had a little history with one another. The two were in talks of fighting in a blockbuster mega-fight before it got shut down due to failed contract negotiations between Jones and the UFC.
Ngannou also said that Gane, who he will be fighting on January 22nd is the best kickboxer in MMA.
“But if we go kickboxing style, then I think it will be Gane,” Ngannou said.
Ngannou and interim heavyweight champion Gane used to be former teammates and sparring partners. When the two step foot in the Octagon in a few weeks, the undisputed heavyweight champion will be crowned. This will be the first title fight of 2022 and Ngannou’s first title defense since becoming the champion last March when he KO’d Stipe Miocic.
You can hear Ngannou’s thoughts on the other range of topics he covered in the video below.
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping thinks he would get the last laugh against Georges St-Pierre if they were to fight again.
Bisping made his second title defense against the returning St-Pierre at UFC 217. After going back-and-forth on the feet, St-Pierre would eventually get the fight to the ground and put Bisping to sleep with a rear-naked choke.
Despite being the larger man in the matchup, Bisping appeared to have issues with St-Pierre’s athleticism and grappling throughout the fight. Bisping would go on to lose to Kelvin Gastelum following the title loss, before retiring shortly afterward.
Bisping has transitioned to a career in broadcasting as a part of the UFC on ESPN crew. But he feels if he were to get a rematch against St-Pierre, things would’ve gone differently.
Michael Bisping Believes He Would ‘Smash’ Georges St-Pierre
“I would smash him,” Bisping said during a recent Q+A. “I would have smashed him that night (UFC 217) but I was injured. I was very injured and–I had one eye, and I had my ribs torn.
“You know what, and to be honest, I’m not diminishing Georges–I was impaired in that fight, I was injured and whatever. Yeah, there was nothing that really troubled me–until the shot that dropped me. I mean, we knew going into it he’d be a tremendous wrestler and that was a big part of the training camp. I couldn’t move well because of my ribs. Georges was aggressive in that fight, but he never really hurt me till the third round, when obviously he caught me with that left hook. It was a great shot and he choked me out, so God bless him for that one.” (h/t LowKickMMA)
Both athletes are in their 40s now and haven’t expressed significant interest in returning to MMA anytime soon. For now, it remains speculative as to how a Bisping vs. St-Pierre rematch would’ve played out.
What are your thoughts on Michael Bisping’s comments?
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