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  • Daniel Cormier Highlights PEDs As Biggest Concern For Mike Tyson In Jake Paul Fight

    Daniel Cormier Highlights PEDs As Biggest Concern For Mike Tyson In Jake Paul Fight

    November 15 will see one of the biggest and most controversial boxing matches of all time take place when Jake Paul faces Mike Tyson in Arlington, Texas.

    Set to be the first live boxing event streamed on Netflix, the card is sure to draw huge numbers and demand a lot of attention.

    The question is whether this will, in turn, bring a lot of negativity to it because of the nature of the match-up.

    Regardless of any other health and physical factors, the just over 30-year age gap between them has made a lot of people speak out about their concerns for this fight and whether it should even be going ahead.

    Tyson is obviously a legend of the sport even with his experience and power, there’s a good chance that this fight could get ugly, especially once it goes past the first few rounds.

    Daniel Cormier Says Jake Paul’s Cardio & Output Concerns Him In Mike Tyson Fight

    What the fight looks like past the opening few minutes is something that Daniel Cormier has a big problem with.

    The former UFC two-weight world champion spoke during a recent episode of Funky and the Champ about how Paul is surely going to take over, even if the fight starts competitively.

    Cormier made reference to how this was the case in his recent fight with Mike Perry where even when “Platinum” was able to survive an early onslaught, “The Problem Child” was able to keep this pace up and put it on his opponent to get the finish.

    “DC” also stated how Paul has been accused of taking performance enhancing drugs in the past, which will only widen the gap in athletic ability between the two men.

    Like nearly every combat sports fan in the world, Cormier is a big fan of Tyson and doesn’t want to see a scenario where the fight starts to become uncomfortable if Paul starts to pull away due to his conditioning.

    “As the fight went longer, Jake Paul draws on this reserve, finishes Mike Perry. Many believe that in that reserve is a few banned things but at the end of the day, it allows for Jake to draw from that and put himself on the path to get a victory. That is my concern, because what if this thing looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man when Mike can’t draw from that reserve tank to stay and compete with this young kid.”

    Read also: Jon Jones Has NSFW Response To Tom Aspinall Labelling Him The ‘Champion Of Fight Dodging’: ‘I Absolutely Guarantee He Will Not Win…’

  • Chael Sonnen Feels Kamaru Usman Can Hijack Title Shot: UFC Not Ready For Muhammad vs Rakhmonov Presser

    Chael Sonnen Feels Kamaru Usman Can Hijack Title Shot: UFC Not Ready For Muhammad vs Rakhmonov Presser

    When Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards to become the welterweight champion at UFC 304, there was a common consensus for who his first challenger would be.

    At 18-0 with all finishes, Shavkat Rakhmonov currently holds the #3-ranking at 170-pounds and is a huge threat to anyone in the division.

    There is, however, another contender that is still ranked above Rakhmonov despite the fact that he has lost his last three fights.

    Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman was beaten by Edwards in consecutive fights before taking a short notice opportunity against Khamzat Chimaev up at middleweight.

    Though he may be lacking some momentum right now, Usman was a dominant champion whose name still carries a lot of weight, which could be enough to see him jump back into the title picture.

    Chael Sonnen Says Kamaru Usman Needs To Push For Welterweight Title Shot Because He’s So Close

    In a recent YouTube video, Chael Sonnen was very keen to push just how close Usman is to the title shot for a number of reasons.

    He said that he needed to come out and say this after “The Nigerian Nightmare” had called out Rakhmonov when in reality, he should be trying to get the title shot instead because it’s possible.

    Sonnen made reference to how despite both men having fanbases away from the usual US audience of the UFC, the promotion might have some doubts about having Muhammad and Rakhmonov headline an event – which Usman can use to better his case.

    With Usman being a much more familiar face, he could jump in front of Rakhmonov thanks to his name and pedigree even if his fellow contender is much more deserving based on current form.

    “He is right there about to get Belal, I mean he is right there. There is only one guy even in discussion that might nudge him out and that is Rakhmonov and it’s wildly important that they get this figured out. If Rakhmonov nudges him out, there’s probably not going to be another time that Kamaru’s going to be needed.

    “This is the time, he’s got to beat him. Rakhmonov has got to shine himself up just a little bit more. The UFC, no matter how big it is and no matter what the fan base is, is not ready for a press conference with Muhammad and Rakhmonov and Kamaru Usman has got to push that narrative. I’m only sharing that because he is this close and at one point he didn’t know it.”

    Read also: Former Opponent Reveals He Perfectly Predicted ‘Randy Couture Style’ Welterweight Title Win For Belal Muhammad At UFC 304

  • Jake Paul Tries To Broker Multi-Million Dollar Payday For “Bones” To Fight Tom Aspinall: ‘Jon Jones Doesn’t Dodge Anyone’

    Jake Paul Tries To Broker Multi-Million Dollar Payday For “Bones” To Fight Tom Aspinall: ‘Jon Jones Doesn’t Dodge Anyone’

    Jake Paul recently attempted to broker a multi-million dollar deal to entice Jon Jones into a showdown with Tom Aspinall.

    Since capturing the interim heavyweight title with a knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023—an opportunity that arose after “Bones” had to withdraw from his undisputed title clash with Stipe Miocic due to injury—Aspinall has been unabashedly outspoken about his desire to test himself against Jones in a title unification bout.

    However, Jones has consistently dismissed the challenge, even going so far as to disparage Aspinall’s standing as the interim champion. Rather than entertain a clash with Aspinall, the reigning heavyweight titleholder has made it clear that his sights are set on rekindling his bout with Miocic, a showdown that is rumored to headline UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden this November.

    “Bones” has frequently hinted at the prospect of retirement after defeating a legendary heavyweight champion like Miocic, thereby cementing his GOAT status. Many speculate that this might be why Jones is hesitant to risk his legacy against a formidable contender like Aspinall.

    However, “The Problem Child” suggests that the real reason Jones is sidestepping the Brit’s challenge is the lack of a lucrative payday on the table…

    Paul Claims Jones Would Accept Aspinall Bout If The Paycheck Fits

    Paul, well-known for his frequent critiques of UFC fighter pay, recently took to X to refute the narrative that Jones is avoiding a fight with Aspinall. The YouTuber-turned-boxer argued that Jones isn’t one to shy away from any opponent but suggested that the real issue lies in the financial incentive.

    He believes that if the right financial deal is presented, tapping into both the American and English pay-per-view (PPV) markets, Jones would be more than willing to step into the Octagon with Aspinall.

    “Jon Jones doesn’t dodge anyone. He knows exactly what he’s doing,” Paul tweeted. “Show him the money – that real money. Not that spin the narrative money. Him versus Aspinal is massive as it hits two big PPV markets. A $25M guarantee plus PPV seems about right. @JonnyBones”

    During a post-event press conference for DWCS, UFC CEO Dana White suggested that, despite Jones’s occasional talk of retirement, he is confident that “if the Aspinall thing is really flying out there,” Jones would rise to the occasion and accept the matchup.

  • Randy Couture On Whether Saudi Arabia Can Make UFC vs PFL Happen: ‘That Kinda Money…’

    Randy Couture On Whether Saudi Arabia Can Make UFC vs PFL Happen: ‘That Kinda Money…’

    Randy Couture recently offered his thoughts on whether Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority head, Turki Alalshikh, possesses the influence to bring the highly anticipated super fight between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones to life.

    For years, the most monumental heavyweight bout the UFC could have delivered was a showdown between Ngannou and then-light-heavyweight champion Jones, who declared his intent to move up a weight class in 2020. However, a bitter contract dispute with UFC CEO Dana White led to “The Predator” entirely parting ways with the organization. Ngannou later inked a multi-fight deal with the PFL, which included the freedom to explore his passion for boxing.

    White has repeatedly asserted that it was Ngannou who blocked the eagerly awaited matchup, while the former heavyweight champion countered by saying that it was “Bones” who was reluctant to fight him as he tried to negotiate a new contract to remain with the UFC. In the end, any negotiations that were in place fell through.

    However, now with Saudi Arabia owning a modest share in the PFL, Alalshikh seemingly has the sway to potentially orchestrate this long-dreamed-of clash. Even White, who has traditionally opposed cross-promotion, was questioned about the possibility during the UFC 303 post-fight press conference in June, and surprisingly, he didn’t dismiss the notion outright.

    “The Natural” thinks the UFC would never gamble with their reigning champion by jeopardizing a loss to someone like Ngannou, whose stock continues to soar. However, he believes the Ngannou vs. Jones clash could become a reality if authorities higher than White step in to make it happen…

    Couture Sees TKO CEO & Alalshikh As Key To Ngannou vs. Jones Fight

    During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Couture shared his thoughts on the likelihood of a Ngannou vs. Jones showdown ever materializing. The former two-division champion expressed his doubt, stating that it’s highly improbable the UFC would ever agree to a cross-promotion bout.

    “I don’t see the champ in the UFC ever getting a shot at fighting the champ from PFL or any other organization for that matter, and that’s unfortunate,” Couture said. “That’s a shame that the fans are never going to get to see those types of matchups. That’s one of the flaws and issues in our sport right now.”

    However, “The Natural” added that a bout of such magnitude could only come to fruition with the involvement of UFC’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, under the leadership of CEO Ari Emanuel, along with the influence of Alalshikh.

    “At the end of the day, I think Ari [Emanuel] is the one calling the shots. He’s the one who bought the company from Zuffa. It’s his business. He has shareholders and people he has to answer to, and he needs to do what’s best for the bottom line for that company, which includes WWE and UFC and everything that’s going on there.”

    “Certainly, what the Saudis are holding and what they’re doing with LIV Golf, and all the other things that they’re doing to build culture and create opportunity for their citizens and their athletes in their country, that [fight] could very well happen because that kind of money can make a lot of things happen.”

  • Classy Khabib Nurmagomedov Sets Record Straight After Tony Ferguson Aims Vulgar Taunts At Him: ‘Enjoy Your Life & Your Family’

    Classy Khabib Nurmagomedov Sets Record Straight After Tony Ferguson Aims Vulgar Taunts At Him: ‘Enjoy Your Life & Your Family’

    Khabib Nurmagomedov facing Tony Ferguson inside the Octagon will always be one of the biggest fights that fans never got to watch happen.

    The two men were at the top of the lightweight division at the same time and whilst their paths never crossed, they beat nearly every other top contender between them.

    Ferguson and Khabib both had incredible winning streaks but the fight simply wouldn’t happen, despite getting close on multiple occasions.

    Though “The Eagle” appeared to move on from this, especially after he announced his retirement, “El Cucuy” doesn’t seem to have ever let this one go even after their careers have gone in completely different directions.

    A recent post from the former interim lightweight champion appeared to hit back at comments that he had seen which were allegedly made by his former rival, claiming that Ferguson’s only chance of beating him was to land a lucky shot.

    Ferguson responded via his usual style of cryptic posting on social media.

    Khabib Nurmagomedov Clears The Air With Tony Ferguson, Tells Him To Enjoy Life

    Rather than just ignoring these kinds of posts from Ferguson, which were once a common occurrence, Nurmagomedov responded to this one via his X profile.

    The undefeated former lightweight king replied underneath Ferguson’s pinned post on his account and offered a classy response.

    Rather than biting back and saying how he would have beaten “El Cucuy” if they did ever face off with one another, Nurmagomedov clarified that these comments weren’t made by him.

    He ended his statement by telling Ferguson to go and appreciate his loved ones, insinuating that he should walk away from the sport for good after he appeared to half-retire following his eighth consecutive UFC loss earlier this month.

    “You know what’s interesting, i didn’t say anything about you, people just post whatever they want on the internet and write that it’s Khabib. Enjoy your life and your family, leave this sport for the young fighters.”

    Read also: Dan Hooker On Learning His Lessons From Initial Top Five Stint, Vows Not To ‘Sell His Title Shot Again’

  • Israel Adesanya’s Coach Honest About UFC 305 Loss: ‘I Prefer The Way He Loses Than The Way He Wins…’

    Israel Adesanya’s Coach Honest About UFC 305 Loss: ‘I Prefer The Way He Loses Than The Way He Wins…’

    Israel Adesanya suffered a defeat on his return at UFC 305 but as always, he was incredibly respectful and humble in defeat.

    Fight fans have seen “The Last Stylebender” come up short on four occasions during his time in the promotion.

    Which each loss, he has always continued to represent himself and his team incredibly well and this is something that his coach takes a lot of pride in.

    The only slight exception to this was his loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293, where Adesanya decided to not speak to the media but this was understandable after the amount of time he had spent doing his media duties throughout his UFC career.

    In fact, the former middleweight champion’s character after a defeat is so strong that his coach prefers this side of him to the celebratory one after a win.

    Eugene Bareman Says Israel Adesanya Is Better At Handling Losses Than Anyone Else In MMA

    Though City Kickboxing head coach Eugene Bareman would obviously rather that Adesanya wins each and every one of his fights, he does like seeing the man that his fighter is in the difficult moments where he lets his opponent have their moment without stepping in the way.

    There was a lot of tension between Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis heading into this fight but any beef was squashed after the two men faced off in Perth.

    During a recent appearance on the ‘Who The Fook Are These Guys?’ podcast, Bareman spoke about how great “The Last Stylebender” is after a defeat.

    He also referenced how the shock upset loss to Strickland is an exception because they weren’t able to take positives or lessons from that particular setback.

    “Yeah he keeps handling it well and you’re right, I love the way he loses. I actually prefer the way he loses than the way he wins. I’m not a big fan of some of the ways he win but I’m definitely a big fan of the way he loses. I think he does it better than anyone in the sport. In a sport that’s proliferated with a bunch of idiots that make up all sorts of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen over the years, especially at that level it’s just crazy, and I think he does it the best but I mean the Strickland loss, he’ll never get over. You just fought badly and it was unexplainable.”

    Read also: Dan Hooker’s Coach Feels Unlucky Mateusz Gamrot Let Down By ‘The Machine’: ‘That Should Have Been His Opportunity…’

  • Jon Jones Has NSFW Response To Tom Aspinall Labeling Him The ‘Champion Of Fight Dodging’: ‘I Absolutely Guarantee He Will Not Win…’

    Jon Jones Has NSFW Response To Tom Aspinall Labeling Him The ‘Champion Of Fight Dodging’: ‘I Absolutely Guarantee He Will Not Win…’

    The war of words between UFC heavyweight champions Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall is still going on. despite the fact that it seems unlikely that they will fight one another.

    Interim champ Aspinall has previously said that he is no longer focused on fighting “Bones” before he calls time on his career.

    Many expect that Jones will retire after fighting former champ Stipe Miocic later this year. following a long recovery process from the injury that forced him out of his title defense at UFC 295 last year.

    While the Brit may be ready to move on, he has become more vocal when taking little digs at Jones which, in fairness, is only a response to some of the comments that Jones has been making.

    In a recent social media clip that was posted by Sport Bible, Aspinall was asked who the champion of ducking fights is and obviously, he had an answer already in mind.

    “Fight dodging? That would have to be Jon Jones wouldn’t it. We know he’s trying to fight old man Stipe, well he’s going to fight old man Stipe so he’s the fight dodger around here.”

    Jon Jones Hits Back At Tom Aspinall’s ‘Fight Dodger’ Comment With Fiery Response

    Jones responded to their particular statement from Aspinall directly via a reply underneath the post.

    Most of his comments about the interim champion have come from interactions with MMA fans on X but this time, he fired straight back at the interim titleholder and didn’t hold back either.

    In a NSFW post, the consensus greatest of all time reminded his fellow heavyweight and the fans just what he has accomplished in his career.

    He also referenced how Aspinall won’t stop talking about him which appears to be true on both sides, despite Jones being lined up to fight Miocic next.

    “This dude literally has my large black c*** in his mouth every week. I’m flattered. I absolutely guarantee he will not win more world championships than me. That’s truly all that matters at the end of the day. There’s been good champions, no one like me. I sleep good at night.”

    Read also: Tom Aspinall Sneakily Reveals Why He Looks Up To Stipe Miocic More Than Jon Jones: ‘Don’t Make Me Say It!’

  • Former Champ Analyzes Topuria vs. Holloway Title Fight At UFC 308: ‘What Happens If You Could Set A Little Fatigue In Him?’

    Former Champ Analyzes Topuria vs. Holloway Title Fight At UFC 308: ‘What Happens If You Could Set A Little Fatigue In Him?’

    Aljamain Sterling recently offered his insights on the upcoming featherweight title clash between reigning champion Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway at UFC 308.

    “El Matador” is gearing up to put his title on the line for the first time against Holloway in the headlining bout of an eagerly awaited pay-per-view event set to take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on October 26.

    Topuria claimed the 145-pound championship with a stunning knockout of former titleholder Alexander Volkanovski in the second round at UFC 298 in February. He has secured five victories in under two rounds, dismantling formidable foes such as Bryce Mitchell, Jai Herbert, and Josh Emmett.

    On the other hand, “Blessed” is preparing for his third bid to recapture the featherweight crown, which slipped from his grasp against Volkanovski back in December 2019. Despite two valiant rematch efforts that fell short, Holloway has roared back with a trio of victories. He is coming off a last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje in a lightweight showdown at UFC 300 in April, a victory that also crowned him the BMF champion.

    Topuria has built his reputation on a combination of aggressive striking and powerful grappling. Meanwhile, Holloway’s extensive experience and resilience make him a daunting challenge for any opponent.

    “Funk Master” suggests that if Holloway can expertly control the distance and fully capitalize on his reach advantage, he has a real shot at toppling Topuria.

    Sterling Predicts Holloway Might Push Topuria To His Limits In Championship Rounds

    During a recent appearance on Verse Us with Eric Nicksick, Sterling weighed in on the Topuria vs. Holloway clash at UFC 308. The former UFC bantamweight champion acknowledged “El Matador’s” knockout power, yet he pointed out several potential vulnerabilities.

    Sterling believes that if Holloway can maintain the fight on the feet and execute his striking game with precision, it could spell trouble for the defending champion.

    “Topuria is a savage; that guy can crack, but he struggled with Volkanovski in the first round,” Sterling said. “Enter Max Holloway: great footwork, high guard, long punches. He has shorter reach than Volkanovski, but his footwork is what helps him so much in his fights, and he’s great durability. So if he gets back to his kicking game and stays in his range—Topuria, I think, is 5’6″, maybe 5’7″. Max has a shorter reach for a guy at 145 pounds; I think it’s like 67″. So you look at that, you look at Topuria’s great grappling, but Max has great takedown defense. If Max could stay on his bike and touch him from the outside, it would be very interesting to see what happens in the later rounds.”

    “Funk Master” went on to highlight that Topuria’s cardio remains relatively untested, and he suggested that if “Blessed” can extend the fight into the fourth and fifth rounds while maintaining a measured striking approach, it could pose yet another challenge for the undefeated Georgian-Spaniard.

    “We haven’t seen Topuria [get] exhausted or tired yet. In round five with Josh Emmett, he was in the driver’s seat the whole time, but what happens if you could set a little fatigue in him—him having some failed takedown attempts, or even if he gets the takedowns and Max can get back up—it makes the fight very interesting. He’s always in your face with those spinning back kicks. If Max gets back to the old-school Max, it’s a very intriguing fight.”

  • Dan Hooker On Learning His Lessons From Initial Top Five Stint, Vows Not To ‘Sell His Title Shot Again’

    Dan Hooker On Learning His Lessons From Initial Top Five Stint, Vows Not To ‘Sell His Title Shot Again’

    It has been a long journey full of ups and downs for Dan Hooker to work his back into the top five of the lightweight division.

    After defeating Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305, he’s riding a three-fight winning streak which has seen him bounce back from consecutive losses.

    Hooker, at one stage, had just one win in his last five Octagon outings and that came after he made it into the top five for the first time in his career. And in his opinion, that skid was caused by a few crucial mistakes he made.

    He has learned a lot in this four-year-period and is now confident that he won’t make the same mistakes that he did last time.

    Dan Hooker Says That Fighting Michael Chandler At UFC 257 Was A Mistake On His Part

    Hooker is now seemingly on the verge of what could be a title eliminator against the likes of Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethje.

    Though he took big fights against Dustin Poirier and the debuting Michael Chandler the last time he was in this position, he believes that the latter in particular was a mistake.

    “Iron” Mike would hit the ground running in the promotion by stopping the Kiwi fighter in the opening round in Abu Dhabi.

    Hooker didn’t need to risk his ranking against a new arrival like Chandler, even if competing in the co-main event of a Conor McGregor card was a big opportunity for him.

    The major issue with taking this fight is that it took place during the COVID-19 pandemic where New Zealand had very strict regulations, which compromised his preparations.

    Having admitted in an interview with ESPN Australia that he has a whole new level of respect for the team around him, Hooker said that he has learned from the missteps that he has made in his career and isn’t going to waste this opportunity.

    “I kind of have learnt that from my first rodeo, is to just kind of not do anything dumb this time around. I mean the last time I was number five, I agreed to fight Michael Chandler. Gave Michael Chandler a shot, it was his first fight in the UFC, I flew to Abu Dhabi so other side of the world with absolutely no coaches and went and fought him with a guy I’d been training for six months in my corner. so it was not the smartest of decisions so I guess this time around, I’m just not gonna do anything dumb or sell my title shot again.”

    Read also: Israel Adesanya’s Coach Says Du Plessis Defeat Better Than ‘Unexplainable’ Strickland Upset: ‘It Was A Good Loss…’

  • Aljamain Sterling’s Cornerman Clarifies Any Doubt Over Faking Petr Yan Disqualification & Title Win

    Aljamain Sterling’s Cornerman Clarifies Any Doubt Over Faking Petr Yan Disqualification & Title Win

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has always had a somewhat rocky relationship with certain parts of the MMA fanbase.

    “Funkmaster” has an awkward striking style and a strong grappling game which means that his fights aren’t always the most exciting to watch, even if he’s incredibly effective at what he does.

    Aside from this, another point that saw some of the UFC’s audience take a dislike to Sterling was what happened at UFC 259, where he challenged Petr Yan for the 135-pound title.

    Yan landed an illegal knee to Sterling’s head whilst he was a downed opponent in the fourth round which the challenger couldn’t recover from.

    As a result, Yan was disqualified, meaning that the title changed hands in disappointing fashion.

    Eric Nicksick Recalls How Aljamain Sterling Had No Memory Of UFC 259 On His Journey Home

    Despite the knee strike being a clear and obvious foul on Yan’s side, some fans didn’t like the way Sterling won the title as a result, and questioned whether he actually couldn’t continue or if he was looking for a way out because the fight wasn’t going his way.

    This was cleared up during a recent episode of the Verse Us podcast where Sterling joined Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick, who was in his corner on that night.

    Nicksick provided more details about how that decision was made to not continue and what the aftermath of that knee landing was like.

    He recalled how, after nominating himself to stay with Sterling and take him back home from the hospital, it was clear that he had no memory of what had just happened.

    “I said to Ray [Longo], I’ll go to the hospital with him and I had to sit in the f****** parking lot. You didn’t get to sit in the waiting room, this is COVID era so I get a text from him or whoever was kind of there, one of the nurses or UFC personnel, ‘Hey, he’s ready, you can come around the back, you can pick him up.’

    “We get in the car and what, 30-minute ride home and this is why I know, from a personal level, that this dude wasn’t faking. 30-minutes of him asking round after round after round. I say this because guys that I know that have been knocked out or have had head trauma have asked the same questions. ‘What happened in round one? What happened in round two?’ Going through everything in their head.”

    Sterling returns at UFC 307 where he faces Movsar Evloev in search of his second consecutive win at featherweight.

    Read also: Aljamain Sterling Accuses Sean O’Malley Of Being Given The ‘Jake Paul Route’ By The UFC: “Stacking The Deck Against His Opponent”

  • Aljamain Sterling Accuses Sean O’Malley Of Being Given The ‘Jake Paul Route’ By The UFC: ‘Stacking The Deck Against His Opponent’

    Aljamain Sterling Accuses Sean O’Malley Of Being Given The ‘Jake Paul Route’ By The UFC: ‘Stacking The Deck Against His Opponent’

    Aljamain Sterling believes that UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has had assistance from the promotion to help build him into a star.

    Though “Suga” still has to beat the opponents that are put in front of him, and has done so in spectacular fashion, his former opponent thinks that this has been aided to some degree.

    The previous titleholder compared O’Malley’s run in the bantamweight division to Jake Paul’s career in boxing, where at a face level, he’s delivering inside the ring by producing huge fights and big knockouts.

    Where a lot of people have issues with Paul’s victories is where the odds are heavily weighted in his favor by things like weight discrepancies and big differentials in both activity and experience.

    Aljamain Sterling Says UFC Always Planned To Talk Him Into Quick Turnaround For Sean O’Malley Title Defense

    Sterling recently appeared on the Verse Us podcast with Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick where he spoke about O’Malley’s upcoming title defense against his friend and training partner, Merab Dvalishvili.

    “Funkmaster” used his own experiences of fighting “Suga” at UFC 292 to explain why he believes there is a comparison that can be made to “The Problem Child”.

    Sterling says that not only was O’Malley fast-tracked into a title shot, he was made to defend his belt against the returning Henry Cejudo first and claims that the promotion were always going to push him towards making a quick turnaround for UFC 292, which would hinder his preparations and recovery.

    The current featherweight contender, who is back in action at UFC 307, has been very outspoken about this decision and how he was eventually talked into fighting O’Malley in Boston shortly after beating Cejudo.

    “I want to see the best of the best compete, no excuses. Now, enter O’Malley, he fights one ranked guy, gets a title shot, split decision albeit and this is not me hating, this is just calling a spade a spade. He’s supposed to fight me next which would give me enough time to prepare but instead, they say, ‘Oh Cejudo’s coming back, we want you to fight him.’ In the back of their mind, they’re like whoever wins this, we’re gonna turn them around for August.

    “So he knows all this, I’m pretty sure he knows all this and only O’Malley can disclose all this. Or at least, the UFC knew for sure that this is what they wanted to do. Give him the best opportunity that they could to become a world champion by hindering and stacking the deck against his opponent. It’s like the Jake Paul route. Stacking the deck so that you get these highlights or you get these favorable match ups and these wins to look as good as you do.”

    Read also: Sean O’Malley’s Coach Calls Merab Dvalishvili ‘Scary’ But Highlights Major Flaw In His Game: ‘Too Close To The Fight Now To Fix’

  • Dan Hooker’s Coach Feels Unlucky Mateusz Gamrot Let Down By ‘The Machine’: ‘That Should Have Been His Opportunity…’

    Dan Hooker’s Coach Feels Unlucky Mateusz Gamrot Let Down By ‘The Machine’: ‘That Should Have Been His Opportunity…’

    Dan Hooker secured one of his biggest career victories at UFC 305 in Perth when he upset Mateusz Gamrot to earn a top five ranking spot.

    It was a back-and-forth battle between the two lightweight contenders that ended in a split decision, after Gamrot started the fight well but faded over time.

    All of the credit went to “The Hangman” who, after suffering some tough defeats, has been able to build his way back into contention at 155 pounds.

    His display of heart and toughness pushed this bout towards winning the fight of the night bonus but of course, his Polish opponent also played his part and that’s something that Hooker’s coach wanted to highlight.

    Eugene Bareman Praises Mateusz Gamrot And Says He Has Veen Unlucky Because Of His Fighting Style

    In an interview with Combat TV, Hooker’s coach at City Kickboxing, Eugene Bareman, took a moment to show his appreciation for Gamrot as a fighter and competitor.

    He referenced how “Gamer” was locked in to be the back-up fighter for UFC 294 in case anything happened to the main event between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira.

    When “Do Bronx” withdrew due to an injury, the UFC went with Alexander Volkanovski as the replacement instead despite Gamrot being ready to go, likely because it made for a bigger fight.

    Bareman, after praising Gamrot’s performance at UFC 305, said that he has been unlucky due to his fighting style which isn’t the most fan-friendly, even if he is extremely talented.

    “For a start, I got a lot of respect for Gamrot and his team. I thought it was very unfair what happened to him in Abu Dhabi, you know, when Volk stepped in when he was already the person that was there waiting to be the replacement and instead of choosing him, they chose Volk who was in no shape to fight.

    “I thought that should have been his opportunity and it was taken away by the machine, you know. The machine that is the UFC and I just thought he was a guy that has suffered a little bit because he doesn’t have the stereotypical fights that the fans necessarily want to see but I love watching the guy fight. The people that know about the sport, they appreciate his work and although it may not be a fan friendly kind of style of fight, the people that know really appreciate the way that he fights.”

    Read also: Kamaru Usman Compares Career To Israel Adesanya & Alexander Volkanovski Ahead Of Rumored Return Against Belal Muhammad: ‘How Disrespectful Are MMA Fans’

  • Israel Adesanya’s Coach Says Du Plessis Defeat Better Than ‘Unexplainable’ Strickland Upset: ‘It Was A Good Loss…’

    Israel Adesanya’s Coach Says Du Plessis Defeat Better Than ‘Unexplainable’ Strickland Upset: ‘It Was A Good Loss…’

    For the first time in his MMA career, Israel Adesanya finds himself coming off the back of consecutive defeats inside the Octagon.

    This doesn’t tell the story of both the fights that took place a year apart, because though he didn’t get his hand raised on either occasion, the story of the fights were completely different.

    “The Last Stylebender” didn’t look himself at UFC 293 where he was shockingly upset by Sean Strickland before taking a year off to return at UFC 305.

    Despite not reclaiming the title against Dricus Du Plessis, Adesanya appeared somewhat back to where he was before and looked to be gaining momentum in the fight until Du Plessis was able to capitalize on a few mistakes to earn a submission win in the fourth round.

    Adesanya’s head coach at City Kickboxing, Eugene Bareman, gave his thoughts on the fight during a recent interview with Combat TV.

    He came away feeling a lot more positive after this loss compared to the one from last year because they were able to learn from clear and obvious mistakes that will only lead to improvements, unlike UFC 293 which left the team scratching their heads.

    “He made some mistakes which you can only, in my opinion, put down to fatigue and the fatigue, you can put down to the work that Dricus was able to do so you can’t do nothing but applaud that. It was a loss but you know, it was a good loss. Me and Israel can walk away from that loss and it’s measurable, it’s tangible. You can put that down, this is why this happened, this is why that happened. The Strickland fight is just a bit unexplainable to us. That’s much harder to get over cuz it’s like well what happened there.”

    Eugene Bareman Gives Credit To Dricus Du Plessis For An Aspect Of His Game That They ‘Didn’t Anticipate’

    Bareman agrees with the common consensus that heading into the fourth round, it looked like the momentum was swinging towards Adesanya in the later rounds.

    However, it was Du Plessis’ finishing ability that ended up deciding the fight after he was able to wobble the former champion on the feet and take his back for the rear-naked choke win.

    As he previously stated above, Bareman puts these crucial mistakes down to Adesanya being fatigued and while this is something they worked on during his training camp, the City Kickboxing boss revealed that he was surprised by how effectively the champion is able to weaponize his conditioning.

    He said that Du Plessis may not be a perfect fighter but he’s always making his opponents work hard to try and capitalize on his weaknesses.

    “It looks like he has some holes in his defense, he also makes you work to take advantage of those holes, you know what I mean. It’s tough work out there. Yeah, the holes are there but it’s tough work to find them and it just fatigued Israel and fatigued Israel and fatigued Israel and it slowly, slowly got to Israel to the point where he was so fatigued, Dricus was able to take advantage of it. That was probably something I didn’t anticipate happening as much as it did and I just had an expectation that Israel would be able to push through that.”

    Read also: Sean Strickland Responds To Machine Gun Kelly’s ‘Big Bro Advice’ As Rapper Wanted UFC Star To Not Talk About Him Anymore

  • Sean Strickland Responds To Machine Gun Kelly’s ‘Big Bro Advice’ As Rapper Wanted UFC Star To Not Talk About Him Anymore

    Sean Strickland Responds To Machine Gun Kelly’s ‘Big Bro Advice’ As Rapper Wanted UFC Star To Not Talk About Him Anymore

    It is common knowledge in MMA circles that Sean Strickland has a rocky relationship with Colson Baker, a.k.a. Machine Gun Kelly. Back in February 2024, the former UFC champ ran into the rapper during a Power Slap event where he commented about MGK’s outfit.

    The interaction went south quickly and Strickland had to be escorted out of the venue. Since then, he’s frequently talked about Kelly’s clothes and lifestyle. Megan Fox, who’s currently dating Baker, even reached out to Strickland via Instagram DMs regarding some of these remarks.

    MGK finally broke the silence on Strickland and advised the fighter to not talk about him anymore. Unsurprisingly, the former UFC middleweight kingpin already has a response…

    Machine Gun Kelly Asks Sean Strickland To ‘Shut The F** Up’ After Calling Him Racist And Homophobic

    Baker opened up about his interactions with Strickland on the latest episode of IMPAULSIVE podcast, hosted by Logal Paul and Mike Majlak. The hip-hop artist claimed that he would’ve avoided meeting the UFC star in the first place if he had been aware of the latter’s racist and homophobic statements.

    “I don’t know this guy from a crumb of bread, Right, I didn’t know who he was when I met him. I got hip afterward that he’s like, insanely racist and homophobic and just not my type of guy so I would have never even wanted to shake hands him with him in the first place. But, he also is just a representative of every person who’s too scared to just be themselves because if you’re comfortable as yourself, you don’t care who anybody else is.”

    Kelly then suggested Strickland to live his life and stop commenting on him. The rapper called the UFC fighter insecure for caring about other people’s appearance and verbally bashing them for it.

    Baker stated that Strickland would most likely respond to his aforementioned remarks which would be more detrimental to the fighter.

    “He’s so dumb that I’m going to tell him right now. You should not keep saying stuff because it just makes me look better but you’re going to keep saying stuff so I know that you’ll react and say more things but you’re, you just shouldn’t. As a person who’s just giving you big bro advice, learn this, shut the f**k up! And don’t speak on me anymore. And live your life, but you won’t, and I’m going to continue laughing at you because you’re a f*****g idiot.”

    MGK wasn’t wrong as Strickland has already replied to him on X. Yet again, he has targeted the rapper for his tattoos and accused him of drinking blood. He also claimed to be more comfortable hanging out with online trolls instead of the singer.

    All in all, it is safe to assume that the beef between Strickland and MGK is far from over. Fans of both celebrities are already engaging in heated online debates and it is unlikely that the two sides will find common ground soon.

  • Sean O’Malley’s Coach Calls Merab Dvalishvili ‘Scary’ But Highlights Major Flaw In His Game: ‘Too Close To The Fight Now To Fix’

    Sean O’Malley’s Coach Calls Merab Dvalishvili ‘Scary’ But Highlights Major Flaw In His Game: ‘Too Close To The Fight Now To Fix’

    Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili will fight for the UFC bantamweight championship on September 14, 2024, at the Sphere, Nevada. While the champion is already one of the most popular MMA fighters out there, Dvalishvili has all the hype around him due to his ten-fight win streak in the UFC.

    Both O’Malley and Dvalishvili have defeated former UFC bantamweight champ Petr Yan. “Suga” knocked out Aljamain Sterling for the title after that win, while “The Machine” defeated another former champ Henry Cejudo.

    Despite their evenly matched resumes and countering fighting styles, Tim Welch has explained why O’Malley will defeat Dvalishvili at Riyadh Season Noche UFC…

    Tim Welch Reveals Why It Is Hard To Train For Sean O’Malley And What Makes Merab Dvalishvili An Intimidating Opponent

    O’Malley’s coach Welch reviewed Dvalishvili’s latest training footage and other antics on his official YouTube channel recently. He pointed out that “The Machine” is a tough opponent due to his relentless pace, level changes, and cardio.

    However, he could not help but notice how Dvalishvili can be hit while shooting for takedowns. On top of that, he loses balance when he punches going forward making him extremely vulnerable against an accurate striker like O’Malley.

    “Loses balance a little bit on the punches. Falls forward and that’s something that definitely could get him in trouble here and it’s too close to the fight now to fix. Really lunging in here, throwing the overhand right, bringing his back foot with him which is another thing that could get you in trouble. You saw it with Aljo.”

    Welch believes that “The Machine” cannot improve his balance in the coming weeks, and the UFC bantamweight champion will capitalize on it. The Sterling fight is a good example of “Suga” catching opponents as they lunge towards him.

    According to the coach, it is hard to find training partners who can properly replicate O’Malley’s style during sparring. This should be another key factor in the favor of the champ.

    “I’m thankful that I’m not having to be a trainer training someone against sugar because it would just be so hard to find sparring partners that can do anything remotely close to him. And then you find sparring partners that try to mimic him. They do their best at mimicking him.”

    Although Welch is confident about O’Malley winning via knockout, he explained why Dvalishvili is not an easy opponent at all. He breathes through his mouth for long durations without any impact on his pace. He can take quite a few shots as well so “Suga” must be prepared for the challenger forcing takedowns on him.

    “Merab doesn’t even like, control his breath. He doesn’t even think about controlling his breath. He just, he’ll just breathe in, he’ll be mouth breathing the whole time and he’ll be able to keep up the pace. That’s one thing that’s scary about him. He’ll be able to just keep up the pace the whole time. Just at that, frantic breathing, frantic pace, that’s one of the things that make him really dangerous.”

  • ‘Shame To Ask For A Title Shot’ – Shavkat Rakhmonov Rejects Kamaru Usman’s Case To Fight Belal Muhammad For UFC Welterweight Championship

    ‘Shame To Ask For A Title Shot’ – Shavkat Rakhmonov Rejects Kamaru Usman’s Case To Fight Belal Muhammad For UFC Welterweight Championship

    Shavkat Rakhmonov is easily one of the most hyped prospects in the UFC due to his undefeated record and 100% finish rate. His 18 pro wins include ten submissions and eight knockouts.

    Even in the UFC, Rakhmonov has racked up six consecutive finishes without much trouble. After submitting Neil Magny, Geoff Neal, and Stephen Thompson, he’s now waiting to face Belal Muhammad for the UFC welterweight championship.

    Here’s what Rakhmonov thinks of other welterweights like Kamaru Usman asking for a title shot and how he plans to defeat the champion…

    Shavkat Rakhmonov Brings Up Kamaru Usman’s Three Consecutive Losses To Deny His Title Shot Against Belal Muhammad

    Rakhmonov recently appeared on the Submission Radio YouTube channel to discuss his future in the UFC. He seems certain about fighting for UFC welterweight gold next and highlighted that no one in the division deserves it more.

    Talking about Usman, “Nomad” pointed out that the former UFC welterweight kingpin has lost three UFC fights in a row. This includes two losses to Leon Edwards and a decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight. So, he expects the “Nigerian Nightmare” to get back in the win column before fighting for the title again.

    Based on the translation provided by Submission Radio, here’s what Rakhmonov said about Usman:

    “Yeah, I don’t know what he’s thinking about, like, I think it’s kind of shame to ask for a title shot after losing three fight straight. Like, in my head, I cannot get my head around it. But, yeah, it is what it is.”

    Rakhmonov also suggested that Jack Della Maddalena and Ian Garry should fight in a title eliminator next. If he beats Muhammad, he looks forward to defending the title for the first time against one of these opponents.

    “There’s few good guys in the division who are very close to title shot. I can say that Jack Della Maddalena and Ian Garry. And maybe they should fight each other and the winner should be next for the title after me.”

    All in all, Muhammad vs. Rakhmonov for the UFC welterweight title looks all but confirmed. The challenger has admitted to being ready for a fight anytime in 2024, so the UFC might announce the final date once the champion confirms his availability.

  • Dan Hardy Reacts To UFC Erasing Francis Ngannou, Compares With Own Experience

    Dan Hardy Reacts To UFC Erasing Francis Ngannou, Compares With Own Experience

    Francis Ngannou found himself in the news without doing anything the week before the press conference for his PFL debut.

    “The Predator” may be gearing up for his long awaited MMA return where he will face Renan Ferreira on October 19 but the legacy he left behind in the UFC will never be forgotten.

    The MMA leader found themselves receiving some criticism during fight week for UFC 305, after claims that they had tried to erase Ngannou from the promotion’s history books due to his name being edited out during the Countdown episode preview.

    Though Dana White did apologise for this and put it down to a miscommunication, it certainly wasn’t the first time that the UFC have tailored things to better suit the promotion.

    Dan Hardy Says Francis Ngannou’s UFC Erasure Was Sad But Not Surprising Based On Track Record

    During a recent interview with Sportskeeda MMA, PFL commentator Dan Hardy gave his thoughts on the discourse regarding the UFC’s conduct around the career of their former heavyweight champion, who left the promotion on less than stellar terms.

    “The Outlaw” spoke about the comparisons between Ngannou’s treatment and that of Randy Couture, who also left to sign with another promotion and wasn’t remembered fondly by the UFC as a result.

    “It was sad to see and it didn’t surprise me unfortunately and I did see what Dana’s reply was about the fact that the editors had assumed that’s what he would have chosen and what he would have wanted and look, they were probably right because it’s happened so many times in history. Ngannou and Randy, they’re two fantastically credible names in the sport.”

    Hardy was also able to draw from his own experiences, even if his was on a smaller scale.

    The current Head of Fighter Operations for PFL Europe left the promotion in 2021 after some disagreements with the UFC, both publicly and privately.

    He recalled how he was seemingly wiped from the history of UK MMA during an event in London where his wife, Veronica, was in action.

    Despite being the first Brit to challenge for a UFC title when he faced Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight belt, “The Outlaw” was nowhere to be seen across the celebrations of the sport in this region.

    “My history in the UFC is far more mediocre in comparison but even so, at UFC London when Veronica was on the card, there’s posters of all the UK fighters on all of the underground tubes and everything and of course, I’m not there. It does happen, they do it a lot.

    “It makes no difference to me, I can dye my hair red and walk down the street and people will remember my fights. It’s just kind of a weird thing to see and for people like Randy and Ngannou, they need to be celebrated because they’ve inspired so many people, myself included. They shouldn’t be omitted, they’re part of the fabric of the sport and I think the fans will always remember that.”  

    Read also: PFL CEO Contradicts President’s Rejection Of Muhammad Mokaev: ‘He Could Absolutely Be The Future Face Of Flyweights Within PFL’

  • PFL Executive Says Tom Aspinall vs. Ngannou & Ferreira Winner Determines Best Heavyweight In The World

    PFL Executive Says Tom Aspinall vs. Ngannou & Ferreira Winner Determines Best Heavyweight In The World

    The heavyweight division in MMA has gone through a lot of changes over the last few years.

    From Francis Ngannou leaving the UFC and vacating his heavyweight title, to Jon Jones debuting in the weight class and becoming champion, to the ongoing situation regrading him, Stipe Miocic and interim champ Tom Aspinall.

    Ngannou is set to make his long awaited return to MMA when he debuts in the PFL on October 19 against PFL champion, Renan Ferreira.

    The fight will see the winner claim the PFL Super Fights belt but with Ngannou never losing his UFC title, he has to be in the conversation for still being the best out there and therefore, Ferreira can also enter that discussion with a win.

    Dan Hardy On Who The Best Heavyweight In The World Is

    In a recent interview with Sportskeeda MMA, PFL commentator Dan Hardy gave his thoughts on the magnitude of the fight that is billed as “Battle of the Giants”.

    The Head of Fighter Operations for PFL Europe believes that Ngannou versus Ferreira is the very highest level in the heavyweight division.

    For what it’s worth, he also weighed in on the current Jones, Miocic, and Aspinall debate, making it clear who his pick is for the best of the bunch.

    “We’re potentially going to find out who the best heavyweight is on the planet. There’s a lot of conversation on the other side around Tom Aspinall, Jon Jones, Miocic, etc. Right now for me, Tom Aspinall is head & shoulders above Jon Jones and Stipe just based on his activity.”

    With Aspinall being his pick for the best heavyweight in the UFC, Hardy said that a fight between the Brit and the winner of Ngannou vs. Ferreira may be the very pinnacle of the weight class.

    “But, then you compare Tom Aspinall to Ngannou and Ferreira and that might be the fight to determine who the best heavyweight is on the planet, the winner of the Ngannou-Ferreira fight and then Tom Aspinall. It’s exciting. As an MMA fan, I love speculating about these things, it’s very rare that we get to match a current PFL champion against the heavyweight king of the world, Francis Ngannou.”

    Read also: Glover Teixeira Gives His Verdict On Alex Pereira Weight Class Move

  • Glover Teixeira Gives His Verdict On Alex Pereira Weight Class Move

    Glover Teixeira Gives His Verdict On Alex Pereira Weight Class Move

    UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira hasn’t been able to miss as of late and this wave of momentum doesn’t appear to be slowing down.

    From headlining UFC 300 to stepping in as the replacement main event for UFC 303, “Poatan” has become a leading figure in MMA but there’s potentially one more thing he can do to take his star level up another notch.

    Pereira isn’t short on challengers in the light heavyweight division but the prospect of seeing him move up to heavyweight to put his power to the test against the biggest and baddest men on the roster, would be must-see.

    It certainly seems to be on the table in the near future, which is crazy when you consider that he entered the promotion as a middleweight contender.

    First, he will be defending his title against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 but the champion was never intending to be in MMA for a long time.

    Pereira has effortlessly made the jump to 205 pounds and his coach, who knows a thing or two about winning titles, believes he can do the same at heavyweight when the time is right.

    Glover Teixeira Says Alex Pereira Fighting At Heavyweight Would Be ‘No Problem’

    Glover Teixeira never intended to be a coach but said that being in Pereira’s corner was something that naturally happened over time.

    The former light heavyweight champion has become very close with the former GLORY kickboxer and during that time, he’s been so impressed with how great of a student Pereira is.

    Having spent so much time alongside him, Teixeira knew that moving up the weights was only a matter of time.

    In a recent interview with RG.org, he spoke about how he warned Pereira that middleweight would only last him so long and how the prospect of seeing his fighter at heavyweight is something he looks forward to, rather than worries about.

    “We talked about it since the beginning. I said to him, ‘You’re going to get bigger because of the wrestling training, and eventually you’re going to have to move up,’

    “I think I feel comfortable now with 205 [pounds], happy with the weight cuts,” Teixeira said. “But also I’ll be happy if he moves up. I think he has the potential to beat anyone at heavyweight. The guy is a beast, man. His strength is like a heavyweight, he hits like a heavyweight. So it’ll be no problem.”

    Read also: Jiří Procházka Reiterates Plan To Move Down To Middleweight Following Dricus Du Plessis’ Title Defense

  • Conor McGregor Appeals To Mick Maynard For Irish Fighter Who Didn’t Receive A Contract Despite Impressive Road To UFC Win

    Conor McGregor Appeals To Mick Maynard For Irish Fighter Who Didn’t Receive A Contract Despite Impressive Road To UFC Win

    Conor McGregor has always been a great advocate for his fellow Irish fighters when it comes to supporting them and giving them exposure, thanks to his huge following.

    “The Notorious” recently couldn’t help but show his appreciation for a UFC hopeful that somehow, despite ticking a lot of boxes, wasn’t offered a spot on the roster.

    Ireland’s Danni McCormack is the Invicta strawweight champion and was given the chance to step into a fight on the Road to UFC Series this past weekend.

    Whilst it was a tough encounter, McCormack rallied in the third round to show what she is made of before winning a unanimous decision, up at flyweight it’s worth adding.

    Her post-fight interview caught the eye of McGregor who gave his seal of approval, which means a lot coming from the man that delivered several of the most iconic moments on the mic in the sport’s history.

    “THIS IS A PROMO! In at the drop of a hat to beat and maul the much bigger girl. Finishing with a call out of the UFC’s current strawweight champion who is from the same region as her just beaten opponent. Magic! IRISH GOER WAR CRY! @danawhite announce her signing brother this is magic! @dannimccormack! FORGED ARMY!”

    Conor McGregor Continues To Push For Danni McCormack’s UFC Signing

    McCormack’s story has been closely linked with McGregor’s for her entire journey in mixed martial arts.

    She met McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh, whilst being out in Las Vegas for UFC 189 where “The Mac” faced Chad Mendes for the interim featherweight title.

    After promising Kavanagh that she’d go on to be one of his fighters, she kept her word and trains out of SBG Dublin to this day.

    On the week after the fight, McCormack revealed that she had not been offered a contract by the UFC though she has been told to stay ready in case they come calling on short notice.

    McGregor once again stood in McCormack’s corner and pushed for her to get a contract regardless of needing to step in on short notice.

    “Mick Maynard my man what’s the craic, we have a story and a journey to witness here! Irish Warrior Woman! Tough as it gets! Let’s roll, @Mickmaynard2 @ufc“

    Read also: ‘Free From What? Rehab?’ – Fans React To Conor McGregor’s Cryptic ‘When I Get Free’ Message Amid UFC Return Uncertainty

  • Former Opponent Reveals He Perfectly Predicted ‘Randy Couture Style’ Welterweight Title Win For Belal Muhammad At UFC 304

    Former Opponent Reveals He Perfectly Predicted ‘Randy Couture Style’ Welterweight Title Win For Belal Muhammad At UFC 304

    Belal Muhammad came into UFC 304 as the underdog but he certainly didn’t look like it in the early hours of the morning in Manchester.

    The welterweight title challenger largely dominated Leon Edwards to become the champion via a unanimous decision verdict.

    After Edwards had already beaten top grapplers in Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, many assumed that he would have no problem thwarting the heavy wrestling approach of Muhammad, but this wasn’t the case.

    Having been inside the Octagon with him for 25 minutes, a former opponent of the current champion saw this performance coming from him and successfully predicted it ahead of time.

    Gilbert Burns Reveals Correct Pre-Fight Prediction & Breakdown For UFC 304

    During a recent episode of the Believe You Me Podcast, Michael Bisping was joined by former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns.

    Burns is looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats next time out when he faces Sean Brady, both of whom whom were beaten by Muhammad during his undefeated run to the title.

    “Durinho” revealed during the interview that he wasn’t surprised by what went down in Manchester and had in fact, told Bisping ahead of time.

    After going through his messages, the former middleweight champion was able to find the message which correctly called that “Remember The Name” would get his hand raised on July 27 and how he would do it.

    Bisping read the message aloud having asked Burns for his prediction, only to then forget to mention it during the live broadcast.

    “Tough fight but I believe Belal’s going to make it a dog fight. I think that’s the only way for him to win and I believe he will do that. Randy Couture style dog fight. Inside dirty boxing mixed up with the wrestling.” 

    Read also: Stephen Thompson On Welterweight Star He Wants To Fight Instead Of Michael ‘Venom’ Page: ‘I Think People Would Boo That Fight’

  • Stephen Thompson On Welterweight Star He Wants To Fight Instead Of Michael ‘Venom’ Page: ‘I Think People Would Boo That Fight’

    Stephen Thompson On Welterweight Star He Wants To Fight Instead Of Michael ‘Venom’ Page: ‘I Think People Would Boo That Fight’

    At 41-years-old, Stephen Thompson knows that he is much closer to the end of his run in mixed martial arts than the start of it.

    Whilst he has been more than happy to take on the new blood at the top of the welterweight division, like his next clash against Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307, there are still some big fights for “Wonderboy” before he walks away.

    Two names stand out the most at 170-pounds due to their striking pedigree which would allow Thompson to do what he does best, rather than spending his final fights defending takedowns.

    Ian Garry met Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 303 where the undefeated Irishman continued his ascent up the rankings by relying on his takedowns to get the win.

    Both opponents are fights that many would like to see Thompson step into but he only agrees with one of the two options.

    Stephen Thompson Explains Why He’s Open To Fighting Ian Garry But Not Michael ‘Venom’ Page

    During a recent interview with Michael Bisping on the Believe You Me Podcast, Thompson gave his thoughts on facing Garry and Page before he hangs up the gloves.

    Garry, who is ranked higher than “Wonderboy” at #7, is a fight that he’s certainly up for but he can understand why the Irishman may not be so keen on it given his undefeated run.

    “I think it would be great, especially Ian Garry but at this point in time, I kind of see where he’s at like he’s just looking for the gold. I don’t think he would even want to give me a chance. I’m ranked #9, he’s close to the title, I think he’s looking for that next.”

    From the moment that “MVP” signed to the UFC, seeing Page and Thompson square off was a potential match-up that got fans excited because they’re both such specialist strikers.

    However, both men took an early stance that the fight probably wouldn’t deliver because they’re too similar to one another, which would create a stand-off.

    “And MVP, I think it would be, I think the fans would love that fight but…”

    After Bisping jokes that it would be nothing but both men keeping their hands down and circling one another, Thompson expanded on why he isn’t that interested in that fight even if it appears to be something that the fans want to see.

    “That’s the thing, I think it would just be that. Just moving around and staring at each other the whole time. We’re both counter strikers, you know, we got that karate background, we want guys to come forward so they run into our techniques, so we can work our angles, so we can blitz but when you have another counter striker on the other side of the Octagon with you, it could possibly be one of the most boring fights ever and I think people would boo it. I think people would boo that fight, I really do man.”

    Thompson also made reference to Garry’s fight against Page where he looked to press the action rather than counterstriking with “MVP”.

    He gave this as his reasoning for why the Garry match-up wouldn’t have the same outcome as the one against Page.

    Read also: Kamaru Usman Compares Career To Israel Adesanya & Alexander Volkanovski Ahead Of Rumored Return Against Belal Muhammad: ‘How Disrespectful Are MMA Fans’

  • ‘I Didn’t Trust Myself Enough’ – Kamaru Usman Reveals How Khamzat Chimaev Loss Was Eye-Opening For Him

    ‘I Didn’t Trust Myself Enough’ – Kamaru Usman Reveals How Khamzat Chimaev Loss Was Eye-Opening For Him

    Kamaru Usman last fought in the UFC in October 2023 against Khamzat Chimaev. “Borz” absolutely dominated the first, as he had Usman’s back for the most part and was either landing unanswered shots or trying for submissions.

    The former UFC welterweight champion bounced back in the second and third rounds, though. He won several striking exchanges and didn’t allow his opponent to do anything effective with takedowns.

    As fans around the world eagerly wait for his return, Usman revealed his learnings from his last fight and why it wasn’t a five-rounder…

    Kamaru Usman Missed The Opportunity To Make Khamzat Chimaev Fight A Five-Rounder Due To Lack Of Confidence

    Usman discussed his last loss to Chimaev on the Weighing In podcast, hosted by John McCarthy and Josh Thomson. Right away, “Nigerian Nightmare” remembered that he had lost a close decision to Leon Edwards six months earlier and was stepping in to fight on 10 days’ notice.

    “That was the issue. And that’s why Trevor, my coach Trevor Wittman tells me all the time that I’m one of the best, if not the best, at building in a fight and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t trust myself and my abilities because that fight, it could’ve been a five-rounder.”

    Even though he had fought in 10 consecutive five-round UFC fights at this point, Usman avoided asking the promotion to make the Chimaev fight a five-rounder too. This was primarily because he didn’t trust his ability to withstand a 25-minute bout without a proper camp.

    However, Usman admitted to not being satisfied with the decision loss to Chimaev. This was an eye-opening moment for him, as he made sure to trust himself again. He also looked back at his coach Trevor Wittman’s remarks who proudly claims Usman to be one of the best in getting better in fights over time.

    “I wasn’t training as I would be if I had a fight and I went through a camp and so, with that being said that, I didn’t trust myself in that sense. So then you get in a fight and I realize I haven’t fought a three-round fight in, I don’t remember last time I fought a three-round fight. So, I’ve built myself up to get in a position to where you can build over the course of five rounds. And so now that it’s not that, it was very very difficult for me to be okay with that result.”

    From the looks of it, Usman has had enough time to rejuvenate physically and mentally after losing the UFC welterweight championship. In his return, he might fight for the title again or aim to avenge his loss to Chimaev in a five-rounder.

  • ‘I’ve Essentially Had Two Camps For This Guy’ –  Robert Whittaker Lays Down Confident Plan To Get Past Khamzat Chimaev & Fight For UFC Middleweight Gold

    ‘I’ve Essentially Had Two Camps For This Guy’ –  Robert Whittaker Lays Down Confident Plan To Get Past Khamzat Chimaev & Fight For UFC Middleweight Gold

    Robert Whittaker, since moving up to middleweight in the UFC, has only lost thrice. Two of these losses came against Israel Adesanya, and he most recently lost to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290.

    Although Whittaker’s been unable to reclaim his UFC middleweight title since 2019, he’s defeated top contenders such as Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, and Ikram Aliskerov.

    “Bobby Knuckles” will now face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308. Here’s what he thinks of fighting another intimidating contender and how he plans to emerge victorious…

    Robert Whittaker Reveals Several Reasons That Make Him Confident About Beating Khamzat Chimaev

    Whittaker appeared on the Submission Radio YouTube channel recently and discussed the state of the UFC middleweight division. When asked about his next fight, “The Reaper” highlighted that he’s had two camps preparing specifically for Chimaev which is naturally a huge advantage.

    “I’ve essentially had two camps for this guy, right? I think skill-set wise, I’m probably at the best I’ve been. I’ve been especially most prepared for Khamzat, theoretically speaking as I could be, right?”

    The former UFC middleweight kingpin also feels great physically and mentally. He likes fighting in the Middle East, which is luckily where UFC 308 takes place.

    Whittaker didn’t hold back when asked about his strategy going into the Chimaev fight. He’s aware of the explosive wrestling his opponent brings in the early rounds. However, he’s certain about neutralizing Chimaev’s wrestling and turning the tides as the fight goes on.

    “Yeah, definitely that high-paced start and his wrestling prowess. It’s quite simple. You know, you got to worry about how hard he’s going to push the wrestling envelope in the first few rounds. And then, like, what I’m going to do after that, after I stop the takedowns, after I get back up or whatever, and just taking the fight to him.”

    Whittaker has racked up two impressive wins in 2024. By ending the year with a win over a huge name like Chimaev, he’ll most likely earn a title shot.

  • Kamaru Usman Compares Career To Israel Adesanya & Alexander Volkanovski Ahead Of Rumored Return Against Belal Muhammad: ‘How Disrespectful Are MMA Fans’

    Kamaru Usman Compares Career To Israel Adesanya & Alexander Volkanovski Ahead Of Rumored Return Against Belal Muhammad: ‘How Disrespectful Are MMA Fans’

    Kamaru Usman has lost three fights in a row in the UFC but he’s still regarded as one of the best welterweight fighters in the world. Many believe he deserved to win his last fight against Khamzat Chimaev or it should’ve been a draw.

    There are plenty of contenders in the UFC welterweight division for the new champion, Belal Muhammad. Although fans and the champion himself have acknowledged Shavkat Rakhmonov and Jack Della Maddalena as worthy title contenders, it is worth noting that Usman is ranked higher than both.

    While talking about his imminent return to the Octagon, “Nigerian Nightmare” compared his journey to former champs Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski. He also revealed certain bitter truths about MMA fans…

    Kamaru Usman Shares The Struggles Of Active Champions Like Himself, Israel Adesanya, and Alexander Volkanovski

    Usman recently appeared on the Weighing In podcast hosted by John McCarthy and Josh Thomson. After claiming that he’s better than Muhammad in every department, the former UFC champ remembered how hard he worked at the peak of his career.

    “I was entertaining and entertaining and entertaining was the thing for me. I didn’t care what I was going through. I didn’t care what I was dealing with. I didn’t care what I was battling physically, mentally, emotionally. Didn’t matter to me, I was going to jump in there and perform and perform and perform. And the same thing with Israel Adesanya which is why you saw ton of those title defenses and I’m sure Alexander Volkanovski, who also came out and expressed.”

    Usman relates to Adesanya and Volkanovski because they were active champs as well. Like them, he sidelined injuries and ignored recovery to go out there and entertain the fans as much as possible.

    The future UFC Hall of Famer admitted to benefitting a lot from his championship run. However, he called out fans who immediately turn on champions after they lose their belts. Without realizing how hard it is to maintain dominance at the top of the sport, people call former champions washed or question their legacy.

    “Now, I’m in a place where, okay, with all of that comes a lot of injuries. All the things that you’ve been dealing with, it kind of catches up to you. And now I’m just in a position to, where I’m trying to heal all of that. Because you know, you stack up all these injuries over time and it starts to diminish your performances to where people start to forget just how good you are, just how much time you spent building your career, doing the things that made you successful to where they start, oh, he’s washed. Which is how disrespectful are MMA fans. How disrespectful are they, oh he’s washed, oh he can’t do this anymore.”

    Such behavior naturally doesn’t sit well with Usman. Now that he no longer has the pressure to defend a championship, though, he looks forward to returning to the Octagon at his best and reminding everyone of his skills.