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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Whittaker Sees Edwards As More Improved Than Muhammad

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Tom Aspinall Invites Grappling-Heavy Approach From Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304: ‘Not A Very Comfortable Guy To Train For…’

    Tom Aspinall Invites Grappling-Heavy Approach From Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304: ‘Not A Very Comfortable Guy To Train For…’

    Despite wanting to get his own back after the way their first fight ended, Tom Aspinall has not had an enjoyable training camp to prepare for his rematch with Curtis Blaydes.

    The interim UFC heavyweight champion has called this contest his dream fight because he gets the opportunity to get revenge in front of his home fans in Manchester at UFC 304.

    But, with the wrestling heavy style that Blaydes brings to the table, this has been a training camp which Aspinall won’t be wanting to relive quite so soon.

    The champion came into martial arts through jiu-jitsu with his father being a coach and whilst we’ve seen glimpses of his grappling inside the Octagon, we are still yet to see how he fares against a top wrestler.

    Aspinall has been leaving no stone unturned and that means putting himself through the ringer each day in training, to make sure that he is ready for what could be a very physically exhausting and draining fight.

    Tom Aspinall Has Put In The Tough Grappling Rounds To Prepare For Curtis Blaydes Rematch

    Aspinall reflected on his training camp just a few days out from fight night during a recent interview with New York Post Sports.

    Training in the north of England, the Brit has surrounded himself with other big fighters and athletes to ensure that they all get the best and most suitable training possible.

    That being said, whilst he’s excited to step back inside the Octagon on July 27, this camp has been gruelling to say the least.

    He spoke about how in preparing for Blaydes’ wrestling, he has been constantly putting himself in bad positions against big bodies which will be incredibly valuable for him once the cage door closes but it hasn’t been a fun cycle at the same time.

    “That’s probably where I spent the most of this camp is on my back with guys on top of me. It’s not been a very, Curtis Blaydes is not a very comfortable guy to train for. Do you know what I mean, you’re getting up off your back. See the way I work it is I work it with multiple training partners so I’ll be starting on bottom, I get them off, the energy that it takes to get a big guy off is, you know, you expend a lot of energy. Then I restart on my back with a fresh partner, like it’s exhausting man, it’s just exhausting training for this guy and I’ve done everything I can so we’ll see on Saturday how it goes.”

    Read also: Curtis Blaydes Dismisses Notion He’s Planning To Target Knee Tom Aspinall Injured: ‘I Can’t Even Tell You Which One It Is’

  • Conor McGregor Is Enjoying Every Second As Authorities Seize Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Luxury Car Collection

    Conor McGregor Is Enjoying Every Second As Authorities Seize Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Luxury Car Collection

    The feud between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov will never come to an end, especially as far as the Irishman is concerned.

    You never have to wait too long for “The Notorious” to make more comments about “The Eagle” retiring or being scared of having a real fight.

    However, in recent times, McGregor hasn’t needed much additional ammunition because of the news regarding Nurmagomedov’s on-going issues with the Federal Tax Service.

    Mash.ru initially reported that the former UFC lightweight champion owed roughly $3.5 million in unpaid taxes to the Russian government.

    The issues seem to stem from what was described as “uncovered irregularities in documents” regarding businesses that Nurmagomedov is invested in.

    In the latest update as this case still unfolds, Mash.ru have now stated that he has had his car collection seized to a total of around $900,000, after his bank accounts were already frozen.

    Conor McGregor Reposts Explains His Thoughts On Latest Khabib Nurmagomedov Update

    McGregor has already commented on Nurmagomedov’s financial issues several times but he’s never going to miss an opportunity to take a free shot at his former foe.

    Whilst he didn’t respond directly on this occasion, “The Mac” let his presence be known via reposting a video that was targeted at him.

    Underneath the above post which details what vehicles have been seized, a fan responded with a video of McGregor driving his own boat to the soundtrack of “Still D.R.E”.

    McGregor reposted the video without adding any additional context, not that it was necessary to get his point across successfully.

    https://twitter.com/Lizard69Talking/status/1815860630986821933

    Read also: Former UFC Champion Feels Alex Pereira vs. Jake Paul Not A Foregone Conclusion: ‘I Don’t Think It’s An Unwinnable Fight For Jake’

  • Manel Kape Claims Muhammad Mokaev Stopped Training At ATT After Being Constantly Submitted By Alexandre Pantoja

    Manel Kape Claims Muhammad Mokaev Stopped Training At ATT After Being Constantly Submitted By Alexandre Pantoja

    UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape has heard some things regarding past training sessions between his upcoming opponent Muhammad Mokaev and champion Alexandre Pantoja.

    Having had a weight miss and an injury keep him out for the entirety of 2024 thus far, Kape is set to finally make his return to action at this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    To stake his claim for a first title shot on MMA’s biggest stage and rematch with Pantoja, “Starboy” is tasked with blemishing the perfect UFC and professional record of Britain’s Mokaev.

    Given what he’s seen from “The Punisher’s” recent fights, Kape has appeared extremely confident about his chances of doing so.

    While yet to taste defeat in the cage, Mokaev’s latest victories have seemingly left plenty to be desired in the eyes of some fans and peers. That includes in the mind of Pantoja, who has requested to see more from the former IMMAF champion if he’s to challenge for the belt.

    And when it comes to Mokaev’s chances against “The Cannibal,” Kape recently explained why he expects “The Punisher” to be exposed against the division’s elite…

    Kape: Mokaev ‘Tapped A Lot’ To Pantoja At ATT

    During his appearance at UFC 304 media day on Wednesday, Kape looked ahead to his battle with Mokaev on Saturday night.

    When discussing the champ’s comments about his opponent, “Starboy” referenced their history training together at American Top Team. Kape claimed that Mokaev no longer heads to the Coconut Creek-based facility to train due to the struggles he had on the ground against Pantoja.

    “Pantoja can say a lot of things of him because they trained before together, and I know Pantoja had been submitting him a lot, a lot,” Kape said. “He (Mokaev) tapped a lot. It’s the reason that Mokaev don’t go train more at ATT.”

    If that’s true, it seemingly wouldn’t be a surprise for Kape, whose analysis of Mokaev’s game has led to him identifying plenty of mistakes for high-level flyweights to exploit inside the Octagon.

    “There is a lot of mistakes. He’s been struggling a lot. A lot, a lot of mistakes. If he faces somebody in the top three of the UFC (flyweight) rankings, he’s gonna get finished. So it’s gonna be fun.”

    Kape will hope that also applies to some further down the pecking order, with the Angola-born Portuguese flyweight currently occupying the #8 position on the 125-pound ladder.

    He’ll be looking to climb further toward contention and perhaps secure a top five spot by putting on a standout performance on UK soil this weekend.

  • Belal Muhammad Outlines Where He’s Being ‘Underrated’ Ahead Of UFC 304 Title Fight

    UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad believes the masses aren’t giving some aspects of his game the attention they deserve.

    Muhammad is in Manchester, England, this week in pursuit of the 170-pound title, which he’ll have his first career shot at in the main event of the UFC 304 pay-per-view on Saturday night.

    To return back across the Atlantic with a sizable piece of gold added to his luggage, “Remember the Name” must bring the reign of Leon Edwards to an end in enemy territory.

    Muhammad has long awaited his opening opportunity to win the belt, having won five straight since a no contest against Edwards in their 2021 fight and remained on the sidelines for the 14 months since his most recent triumph over Gilbert Burns.

    During that time and in the lead-up to UFC 304, the Chicago standout hasn’t been short of detractors when it comes to his chances of reaching the welterweight mountaintop.

    But having seen the waves of criticism that arrive at his feet, Muhammad is confident that his doubters — including the champion and his team — aren’t aware of just how good he really is in certain areas…

    Muhammad Claims To Be ‘One Of The Most Complete Fighters’ In The UFC

    During a recent interview with Zac Pacleb for UFC.com, Muhammad looked ahead to his title opportunity across the pond this weekend.

    “Remember the Name” has frequently acknowledged the dismissive attitude toward his chances held by some fans and those in Edwards’ camp, outlining the areas they are all underestimating him in.

    “I think that my IQ is underrated,” Muhammad said. “My style is underrated. The way that I go into fights, people don’t understand the strategy. I beat these guys where they’re weakest. I take them to the weakest point. That’s where I beat them at. I could do it all.

    “I think that people are starting to realize I am truly one of the best complete fighters in the UFC,” Muhammad added.

    Muhammad will look to prove as much come fight night in Manchester by achieving what both Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington failed to in 2023.

    And more than just having his hand raised and the belt wrapped around his waist on Saturday night, “Remember the Name” has vowed to dominate the welterweight kingpin and finish him before the championship rounds.

  • Is Jake Paul Fighting In The 2024 Olympics? YouTuber-Turned-Boxer Joins USA Boxing Team

    Is Jake Paul Fighting In The 2024 Olympics? YouTuber-Turned-Boxer Joins USA Boxing Team

    Jake Paul beat Mike Perry on July 20, 2024, via sixth-round KO to extend his boxing record to 9-1. With 6 knockouts under his belt, he’s gained credibility among some fans while others still expect him to fight harder competition.

    After his last win, Paul called out UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira which received a mixed response in MMA and boxing circles. Regardless of such controversies, the social media star can be credited for creating a host of young boxing fans.

    Here’s how Team USA Boxing is using Paul’s unique journey for motivation and whether he’s fighting in the 2024 Paris Olympics…

    Will Jake Paul Fight In The 2024 Paris Olympics?

    No, Paul won’t fight in the 2024 Paris Olympics as a member of Team USA Boxing. Here’s a list of all the athletes representing the nation in boxing this year:

    • Male boxers
      • Roscoe Hill – flyweight
      • Jahmal Harvey – featherweight
      • Omari Jones – middleweight
      • Joshua Edwards – super heavyweight
    • Female boxers
      • Jeniffer Lozano – flyweight
      • Alyssa Mendoza – featherweight
      • Morelle McCane – welterweight
      • Jajaira Gonzalez – lightweight

    Jake Paul Discloses Collaboration With Team USA Boxing For Olympics 2024

    On a recent episode of BS w/ Jake Paul uploaded on his YouTube channel, Paul revealed that he’ll be the mental coach for Team USA Boxing for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

    The internet sensation has now released a documentary on his official YouTube channel. It details his trip to Paris and meeting with the USA Boxing team. As an honorary coach, he talked to the members about meditation, staying calm under pressure, and breathing control.

    “As an athlete, this is the highest prestige. The highest ranking. To me, the courage, the ups, the downs, of what these athletes have to go through are truly, some of the most inspiring stories in the world. And the fact that I get to even just be in Paris next to these kids who are so humble but are the best in the world at what they do is an honor and I’m hoping that everyone else can see and share that vision.”

    Like millions of others, Paul hopes to see Team USA Boxing bag gold medals at the Olympics and he’s already played his part.

  • Why Did Jon Jones Get Disqualified? Only UFC Loss To Matt Hamill Explained

    Why Did Jon Jones Get Disqualified? Only UFC Loss To Matt Hamill Explained

    As Dana White has made abundantly clear, Jon Jones is the best mixed martial artist of all time. He won six out of seven fights after making his UFC debut in 2008 to earn a title shot. The prospect then grabbed the UFC light heavyweight title from Mauricio Rua to become the youngest champion in the promotion’s history.

    Since then, Jones has fought in 15 consecutive title fights and his upcoming bout against Stipe Miocic is likely to be for the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship.

    The only loss on the UFC heavyweight kingpin’s almost-perfect record came in December 2009 against Matt Hamill, via disqualification. Here’s why Jones got disqualified and whether he can update his record as per the latest rules…

    Why Did Jon Jones Get DQ?

    Jon Jones was disqualified against Hamill for throwing consecutive 12-6 elbows at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale. 12-6 elbows are illegal according to the Unified Rules of MMA and accordingly, in the UFC.

    “Bones” was dominating the fight from the get-go, piecing up Hamill with kicks from a distance. He then took the latter down, got top position, and unleashed a flurry of elbows to break his guard.

    While most of Jones’ strikes were perfectly legal and the fight was about to be stopped anyway, he threw a couple of 12-6 elbows. Steve Mazzagatti quickly jumped in to stop the fight and disqualified the rising contender.

    Are 12-6 Elbows Illegal In MMA?

    12-6 elbow strikes, also called downward elbow strikes, used to be illegal under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. They can be described as an elbow landed on a grounded opponent imitating the movement of throwing an elbow between 12 to 6 on a wall clock. Due to concerns related to fighter safety, the move was banned until July 2024.

    The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports voted to lift the ban on 12-6 elbows in July 2024 but the ruling will be effective from November 1, 2024. All state athletic commissions will have to approve these changes in rules separately as well.

    Jon Jones Reacts To 12-6 Elbows Rule Change In The UFC

    Soon after the ABC announced their decision to make 12-6 Elbows legal, Jones took to social media to claim his undefeated record. The UFC veteran even tagged the UFC President to help him overturn his loss.

    “Undefeated then, undefeated now, @danawhite we gotta get that loss out of the history books.” said Jones via Instagram.

    This is not the first time Jones has protested his loss to Matt Hamill. With state athletic commissions yet to approve the change in rules, it is hard to predict whether he will end up having a perfect pro record.

    Read More: Curtis Blaydes Suggests Jon Jones Likely Turned Down ‘Harder Fight’ Against Him For Heavyweight Debut: ‘Smart Decision…’ 

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

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

    UFC featherweight contender Giga Chikadze has received a glowing endorsement from his teammate Beneil Dariush ahead of his return this weekend.

    Chikaze will head to enemy territory for his first assignment of 2024, clashing with England’s own Arnold Allen in the opening fight on the UFC 304 pay-per-view main card at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Saturday.

    The Georgian previously had his fast charge toward a title shot violently stalled by Calvin Kattar at the start of 2022, with the brutal nature of that setback keeping him out for 19 months.

    But having returned successfully in Singapore last August and defended his spot in the top 10 at 145 pounds against Alex Caceres, “Ninja” has his sights back on those above him in the pecking order in pursuit of a title clash with Ilia Topuria.

    And when it comes to the July 27 matchup and any other bout for him in the division, Dariush sees Chikadze at his best as a step above the competition…

    Dariush Speaks Highly Of Fellow Kings MMA Standout Chikadze, Including His Grappling

    During episode two of the UFC 304 Embedded: Vlog Series, Chikadze can be seen putting in the work alongside lightweight contender Beneil Dariush over at Kings MMA in Huntington Beach, California.

    Speaking to the camera, Dariush praised not just Chikadze’s well-known striking, but also his ever-improving grappling game. And with those developments in mind, the veteran 155lber sees the Georgian as featherweight’s top fighter when he’s firing on all cylinders.

    “It’s obvious to see how great his striking is, right? But I think the place he’s improved the most is his grappling. I think there’s been a shift in Giga’s mindset,” Dariush said. “His game is just, it’s changed so much since his days in kickboxing. When Giga’s on, he’s the best in the world. We’re gonna show up (at UFC 304) and we’re make sure he’s on.”

    With that in mind, perhaps Allen — who is coming off a wrestling-heavy defeat to Movsar Evloev — isn’t in for the preferred striking battle he’s after and has preached about in the lead-up to UFC 304.

    “Almighty” got exactly that the last time he competed on home soil, with lightweight contender Dan Hooker falling to a flurry of strikes early into their clash at a London-held UFC Fight Night in 2022.

    Having slipped from title contention with consecutive losses, Allen will no doubt be hoping to deliver a similar statement display on home soil this weekend.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Curtis Blaydes Smashing Jailton Almeida With Hammerfists To Secure Interim Title Shot At UFC 304 

    UFC Full Fight: Relive Curtis Blaydes Smashing Jailton Almeida With Hammerfists To Secure Interim Title Shot At UFC 304 

    UFC 304 co-headliner Curtis Blaydes’ latest triumph inside the Octagon came in memorable fashion four months ago.

    The #4-ranked heavyweight contender is set to feature in the co-main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, where he’ll challenge for the division’s interim title against Tom Aspinall.

    To earn that opportunity, which marks his first shot at UFC gold, “Razor” stalled the charge of the highly touted Jailton Almeida in violent fashion at UFC 299 in Miami this past April.

    Off the back of a grappling-heavy decision win over Derrick Lewis in Brazil last November, “Malhadinho” picked up where he left off by attempting early takedowns on Blaydes. But after a round of control, Almeida’s grappling entry seconds into the second round was met with hammerfist after hammerfist from the American for the TKO stoppage.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Blaydes vs. Almeida fight from UFC 299 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xdh-kxt5N8

    Blaydes will hope to deliver a similarly emphatic finish at the expense of Aspinall this weekend.

    Should he accomplish that feat, “Razor” will not only head back to the United States with gold in his possession for the very first time, but he will also add a more definitive victory over the Brit to his record following the unfortunate ending to their 2022 bout.

  • Chael Sonnen Feels Conor McGregor Could Have Come Up With Better Excuse Than ‘Discolored Pinky Toe’ To Pull Out Of UFC 303

    Chael Sonnen Feels Conor McGregor Could Have Come Up With Better Excuse Than ‘Discolored Pinky Toe’ To Pull Out Of UFC 303

    Chael Sonnen is stirring the pot once again, aiming his barbs at Conor McGregor and accusing the former two-division champion of fabricating his injury to dodge a fight at UFC 303.

    “The Notorious” was set to make his eagerly awaited return to the Octagon against Michael Chandler in a welterweight bout, headlining UFC’s International Fight Week last month. However, just weeks before the fight, that anticipation was dashed when McGregor announced he had suffered a toe injury, rendering him unable to compete.

    When the fight was canceled, Sonnen speculated that McGregor withdrew due to being in rehab for substance abuse. This theory provoked a heated rebuttal from the Irishman, who shared numerous photos of his bruised toe to refute the claim.

    However, this didn’t deter the former UFC middleweight title challenger from questioning the authenticity of McGregor’s claims. Last month, he boldly asserted that the injury was a ruse, devised solely to avoid the bout with Chandler.

    Sonnen once again targeted McGregor, casting doubt on the legitimacy of his injury claim with unrelenting skepticism…

    Sonnen Amplifies Scrutiny Over McGregor’s Toe Injury

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, “The Bad Guy” once again aired his doubts about McGregor’s alleged broken toe.

    Sonnen scrutinized the timeline of events following his supposed injury and questioned why McGregor missed the Dublin press conference.

    “I’m looking out for his version of a discolored pinky toe that may or may not be broken,” Sonnen said. “It wouldn’t explain the absence of a press conference, and that’s where you get jammed up. Where was it? Where could you have been that precluded you from coming to a press conference? You don’t have to drive yourself.”

    Sonnen further speculated whether the photos of bruised toes McGregor shared on social media were genuinely his or possibly someone else’s.

    “You start running out of options, and so when you go with a discolored pinky toe that may or may not belong to you and may or may not be broken, I’m just wondering, in hindsight, do you look back on that and think it was a little bit of a miss because we’re not owed an explanation?”

    McGregor has been sidelined from active competition since fracturing his leg in the first round of his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

    Although his return has yet to be rescheduled, UFC CEO Dana White has hinted that McGregor won’t re-enter the Octagon before November. However, it remains uncertain whether he will face Chandler for his comeback.

  • MMA News Today: Emotional Francis Ngannou Opens Up About The Passing Of His Son, Paddy Pimblett Shares Warm Encounter With Former Foe At UFC 304 Fighter Hotel, & More

    MMA News Today: Emotional Francis Ngannou Opens Up About The Passing Of His Son, Paddy Pimblett Shares Warm Encounter With Former Foe At UFC 304 Fighter Hotel, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 24, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Ngannou bravely opens up following a tough year
    • Pimblett jokes with Gordon during shared elevator ride
    • Muhammad ranks welterweights, puts Edwards fourth

    Francis Ngannou Shares Heartbreak Following Family Tragedy

    The combat sports world rallied around the former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou after he suffered a family tragedy.

    His 15-month-old son, Kobe, sadly passed away in April and after taking time to have privacy, Ngannou spoke about this recently.

    The PFL fighter is hoping to resume his fighting career in the near future but after what he has been through as of late, his outlook on life has changed to some degree.

    He bravely spoke on the JRE MMA Show about what this was like to go through and how he now sees things differently.

    Despite always being grateful for what he has right now, Ngannou said that he looks forward to being reunited with his son in another life.

    “You have a lot of things to be grateful about but in your heart, you feel like you’re broke, you have nothing. I mean, I always love life and know that I have everything but at least for once, I’m like at least whenever I die, I’m going to go see my kid. I’m going to see him. I’m not afraid of it. I still want to live but at least whenever, you get to that point, to think like that. So someway you’re looking for what, for whenever that happen.”

    Paddy Pimblett And Jared Gordon Cross Paths And Exchange Pleasantries During UFC 304 Fight Week

    Ahead of his UFC 304 encounter with King Green this weekend in Manchester, Paddy Pimblett crossed paths with a former opponent of his when stepping into the fighter hotel lift.

    “The Baddy” earned a controversial split decision win against Jared Gordon back at UFC 282 but the two lightweights have always been friendly towards one another.

    After coming across one another, the two men embraced and Pimblett told him that he thought Gordon should have won his last fight which went the way of Nasrat Haqparast via another split decision.

    Gordon jokingly remarked, “I f****** did, again”, which both the lightweight contenders had a laugh about.

    “Flash” gave his prediction for the fight before they parted ways, stating that he thinks Pimblett will stay undefeated in the UFC this weekend by finishing Green who he faced in March last year.

    Belal Muhammad Says Leon Edwards Is The Fourth Best Active Welterweight

    Belal Muhammad believes that whilst his opponent this weekend at UFC 304 is the welterweight champion, he isn’t the best fighter in the weight class.

    Leon Edwards is set to make his third title defense in Manchester but Muhammad isn’t so sure that he’s worthy of being called the champion.

    In a recent interview with Kaz Crossley for Title Sports Network, the challenger was asked to give his own version of the top five rankings at 170-pounds.

    He, of course, put himself at the top spot with Edwards sitting below both Kamaru Usman (who Edwards beat twice) and Shavkat Rakhmonov with Jack Della Maddalena rounding out the top five.

    Muhammad will look to back up his claims on July 27 when he faces the man that, in his opinion, isn’t the top dog in the division.

    “I would be one. Then I would put Kamaru two, Shavkat (Rakhmonov) three. I would put Leon four. And then number five, I would put Jack Della (Maddalena),” Muhammad said. “Man, you’re gonna lose the last couple fans you have left once I take the belt away from you. sorry bro. … I don’t like Leon. My other opponents, I didn’t wanna fake it (trash talk) with like, a ‘Wonderboy’ or a Maia. … It’s easier to bully him (Edwards).”

    Read more on the story here.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • Paddy Pimblett Praises ‘Big Sister’ Molly McCann’s Training Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘She’s Coming To Take Bruna’s Soul!’

    Paddy Pimblett Praises ‘Big Sister’ Molly McCann’s Training Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘She’s Coming To Take Bruna’s Soul!’

    UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett is confident of Molly McCann starting the night off in strong fashion for their team this weekend.

    Both Pimblett and McCann will be in action at UFC 304, set for the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on July 27. The pair will look to recreate their double does of success at two London-held UFC Fight Nights back in 2022.

    First to the cage will be “Meatball,” who is slated to throw down with Bruna Brasil on the preliminary portion of the event. The bout marks her sophomore strawweight outing, having moved down following consecutive defeats at 125 pounds.

    In her divisional debut, McCann impressed by showing new wrinkles to her game in a gruesome armbar submission victory over Diana Belbiţă this past February.

    And having seen her preparation pre-UFC 304, Pimblett is expecting a similarly emphatic performance in a few days’ time…

    Pimblett: McCann In ‘Best Shape Of Her Life’ Ahead Of UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Pimblett broke down and predicted the matchups set to play out in Manchester this weekend.

    When it came to his teammate and friend’s second fight since dropping to strawweight, the Liverpudlian unsurprisingly backed McCann to get the job done in convincing fashion.

    More than just a Next Generation MMA bias, “The Baddy” touted McCann’s work behind closed doors as justification for his one-sided pick.

    “Next fight, my big sister, Molly the ‘Meatball’ McCann. … Yous know I don’t need to give a prediction for this,” Pimblett said. “Molly is in the best shape of her life. I’ve never seen her look so good in sparring and in strength and conditioning and everything.

    “She’s coming to take Bruna’s soul. I’m predicting a TKO for Molly in this fight,” Pimblett continued. “You never know though. Just like last time, she could get a submission. People are sleeping on her jiu-jitsu game.”

    McCann will look to prove Pimblett’s prediction correct when she makes the walk on Saturday’s preliminary card and in doing so set the stage for “The Baddy” to record a crucial victory of his own over Bobby “King” Green on PPV.

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

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

    UFC welterweight challenger Belal Muhammad’s bold claim regarding his division’s GOAT contention drew out plenty of reactions on social media.

    Muhammad is currently across the pond ahead of his first opportunity at winning gold on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. He’ll headline Saturday’s UFC 304 pay-per-view in competition for Leon Edwards’ title inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    Riding a 10-fight unbeaten streak, “Remember the Name” has been firm in stating that a crowning is inevitable. He’s made claims of superiority over Edwards, whose skillset he’s frequently downplayed. He even recently placed the champ down at fourth in his welterweight rankings.

    Despite that, though, Muhammad stated during a fight week interview with MMA Fighting that a victory over “Rocky” at UFC 304 will put him directly below the great Georges St-Pierre in the division’s GOAT discussion.

    “That belt doesn’t belong on his shoulder, it belongs on my shoulder,” Muhammad said. “My goal isn’t just to be the champion; my goal is to be the best welterweight to ever do it. For me to go out there and beat Leon, who beat Usman twice who everybody thought was the best welterweight to do it, then I’m ahead of him and right underneath GSP.

    “When you look at both of our lineups, it’s like, I beat ‘Wonderboy,’ I beat this guy, I beat that guy, then I get these next young killers,” Muhammad continued. “You give me the Shavkats, you give me the JDMs, the Ian Garrys, and (if) I walk through all of them, there’s nothing else, right? I’m just going to be cemented as the best to ever do it.”

    Fans React To Muhammad’s Claim To Second In Welterweight GOAT Debate: ‘Complete Insanity’

    Unsurprisingly, those remarks from a polarizing figure in Muhammad led to plenty of pushback from his detractors on social media, with many branding the top welterweight contender “delusional.”

    https://twitter.com/Glade2meetU/status/1815790603076043124
    https://twitter.com/Paulthefig/status/1815761913642639540
    https://twitter.com/CovertBetsMMA/status/1815758612758667394
  • Curtis Blaydes Dismisses Notion He’s Planning To Target Knee Tom Aspinall Injured: ‘I Can’t Even Tell You Which One It Is’

    Curtis Blaydes Dismisses Notion He’s Planning To Target Knee Tom Aspinall Injured: ‘I Can’t Even Tell You Which One It Is’

    UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes plans to defeat Tom Aspinall without the aid of a severe injury second time around.

    Blaydes is back in enemy territory this week to run it back with Aspinall in competition for his interim title in the co-main event of UFC 304, set for the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, on Saturday night.

    The pair previously shared the cage in the country’s capital two years ago, headlining a UFC Fight Night at The O2. On that night, Aspinall had his previously perfect UFC record blemished courtesy of a freak injury just 15 seconds into the very first round.

    In that regard, Blaydes is hoping that lightening doesn’t strike twice…

    Blaydes Doesn’t Want Help From An Injury At UFC 304: ‘That Stains The Win’

    During a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Blaydes looked ahead to his second dance with Aspinall and first chance to capture gold on MMA’s biggest stage.

    While many would perhaps be inclined to put additional focus on the limb that gave way 15 seconds into their first fight, Blaydes dismissed any suggestion that he’ll employ such a strategy in Manchester.

    “I mean, not unless it’s something I can immediate target or there’s a read, I see him with a limp,” Blaydes said. “But that’s not like, the gameplan, ‘Oh, attack his lead leg.’ I’ll be honest, I can’t even tell you which one (leg) it is, off the dome. No, that’s not part of the gameplan.

    “I don’t want to win by an injury. That stains the win. You can’t really brag about a win when the guy got injured,” Blaydes continued. “if it happens, it happens. I’ll take the belt. But it’s not the plan.”

    With that said, Blaydes will be looking to have his hand raised at the expense of Aspinall thanks to his arsenal of weapons inside of the Octagon.

    While that’s conventionally been his smothering wrestling game, the likes of Chris Daukaus and most recently Jailton Almeida have felt the full force of “Razor’s” striking power.

  • Francis Ngannou Provides Positive Update On PFL Debut: ‘I Think It’s Going To Be Him…’

    Francis Ngannou Provides Positive Update On PFL Debut: ‘I Think It’s Going To Be Him…’

    It appears that all systems are finally go for Francis Ngannou’s debut under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner.

    Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, hasn’t competed in mixed martial arts since his successful title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. Since then, he’s departed the UFC off the back of a lengthy contractual dispute and found a new home.

    “The Predator” put pen to paper on an exclusive MMA deal with the PFL last May, which also sees him as the chairman of PFL Africa, set to launch in 2025. He’s yet to enter the SmartCage, however, instead using the freedom granted to him to complete a long-desired venture to the boxing ring.

    And after shocking the world with his performance against then-WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, Ngannou remained in the boxing world for a blockbuster matchup with former two-time unified champ Anthony Joshua.

    A brutal knockout loss to “AJ” in Saudi Arabia this past March appeared to put a stop to his charge in the ring for the time being, and it now appears that Ngannou’s sights are back on the sport in which he made his name…

    Ngannou Says PFL Debut In The Works For October

    During a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, Ngannou revealed that his MMA return and PFL debut is in the works over a year on from his signing.

    “The Predator” confirmed that the promotion’s second pay-per-view is targeted for October 19 in Saudi Arabia, and that the current plan is for him to share the cage with 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira.

    “We have a good relationship. I have a fight. I will be fighting by the end of the year,” Ngannou said. “I think Renan Ferreira is the guy. I’ve been telling people about this guy for almost two years. Very athletic, fast hands, one-two…very athletic. I think it’s going to be him.

    “That’s what the PFL is working on. … They’re working on October. It’s not finalized yet, but they (were) talking about October 19,” Ngannou added.

    Ngannou’s remarks come as the second indication that the PFL will stage a major card in Riyadh on Oct. 19. Earlier this month, former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero claimed he’s set to challenge Corey Anderson for the Bellator light heavyweight title on that date.

    While the date comes as a fresh update for “The Predator’s” MMA return, Ferreira has been lined up as the opposition ever since his standout performance in the main event of the PFL vs. Bellator PPV card this past February.

    In the main event, “Problema” knockout out Bellator Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader just 21 seconds into the very first round. He now looks in line to be rewarded for that performance with the kind of handsome payday set to come with fighting Ngannou in the PFL.

  • Belal Muhammad Ranks Leon Edwards As Fourth-Best Welterweight In The UFC Right Now

    Belal Muhammad Ranks Leon Edwards As Fourth-Best Welterweight In The UFC Right Now

    UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad doesn’t believe he’s fighting for the title against the division’s best this weekend.

    Muhammad’s long-awaited chance to reach the mountaintop on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage is now just days away, with the 36-year-old set to challenge for Leon Edwards’ gold in the main event of UFC 304.

    The pay-per-view card will be staged inside the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, this Saturday night, with Edwards and Muhammad’s second dance set to follow another title rematch between interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.

    “Remember the Name” will make the walk through a hostile crowd as the underdog on July 27, tasked with achieving a feat that both Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington have failed to since “Rocky’s” 2022 crowning.

    But Muhammad has unwavering confidence when it comes to upsetting the odds. And to do so, the challenger doesn’t think he even needs to beat a top-three welterweight in the UFC…

    Muhammad Puts Himself, Usman, Rakhmonov Above UFC 304 Opponent Edwards

    During a recent interview with Kaz Crossley for Title Sports Network, Muhammad looked ahead to his first title opportunity in enemy territory this weekend and assessed the man looking to stall his championship ambitions.

    When asked to rank his current top five in the welterweight division, Muhammad put Edwards all the way down at fourth, below a man the champ has beaten consecutively in recent years, ex-titleholder Usman.

    “I would be one. Then I would put Kamaru two, Shavkat (Rakhmonov) three. I would put Leon four. And then number five, I would put Jack Della (Maddalena),” Muhammad said. “Man, you’re gonna lose the last couple fans you have left once I take the belt away from you. sorry bro. … I don’t like Leon. My other opponents, I didn’t wanna fake it (trash talk) with like, a ‘Wonderboy’ or a Maia. … It’s easier to bully him (Edwards).”

    Muhammad will look to prove his claim to superiority over Edwards come fight night in Manchester this weekend and secure the division’s top spot in the process.

    Should he accomplish that feat, all signs point toward a first defense against the undefeated Rakhmonov. And given Muhammad’s rankings, he’d no doubt be confident of a successful title retention.

  • Jon Jones Reacts After ABC Officially Approves Removal Of Ban On 12-6 Elbows

    Jon Jones Reacts After ABC Officially Approves Removal Of Ban On 12-6 Elbows

    Some big changes are coming to the Unified Rules of MMA later this year.

    The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC) is holding its annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky, this week. The latest rule vote took place on Tuesday, and it saw a couple of long-awaited changes approved.

    The first surrounds the ban on fighters throwing “12-6” elbows. The linear downward elbow is notably responsible for the sole defeat on the record of light heavyweight legend and reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones.

    Debate has long raged on over the prohibition on the move, with the direction of the elbows perceived to be more dangerous than a conventional, angled strike by some. But after many in the community argued against that claim, committee members unanimously voted on the ban’s removal this week.

    Jones, who was handed a disqualification defeated against Matt Hamill back in 2009, reacted to the news on Instagram. Alongside an image of his bout with Hamill, “Bones” tagged Dana White and reiterated his desire to get the blemish scrubbed from his record.

    “Undefeated then, undefeated now,” Jones wrote. “@danawhite we gotta get that loss out of the history books.”

    While Ariel Helwani has reported that Jones will be able to retroactively appeal the defeat, it would appear unlikely for the result to be overturned given that the ban was in place at the time.

    Changes To Definition Of A Grounded Fighter Also Approved By ABC

    Removing the ban on “12-6” elbows wasn’t the only successful rule change at this year’s ABC conference. The committee also looked to rectify the confusion and disagreement regarding what constitutes a grounded fighter.

    The topic notable reared its head this year when Arnold Allen fired off knees to the head of Movsar Evloev at UFC 297 this past January. The blows were deemed illegal owing to the Russian placing one hand on the ground.

    Many suggested that the Englishman was unfairly robbed of a potential finish, and from November 1 onwards, he’ll now be able to utilize that offense.

    Previously, the language in the rulebook stated that any part of the body other than the sole of the feet touching the floor would make a fighter grounded. The new language approved this week is as follows:

    “A fighter shall be considered grounded and may not be legally kneed or kicked to the head when any part of their body other than their hands or feet is in contact with the canvas (ground).”

    Both the new definition for a grounded fighter and the removal of the ban on “12’6” elbows officially come into place on November 1, 2024.

  • Kamaru Usman Honest About Brother Mohammed’s Latest UFC Loss: ‘Is This What You Want To Do Or Is It Not…’

    Kamaru Usman Honest About Brother Mohammed’s Latest UFC Loss: ‘Is This What You Want To Do Or Is It Not…’

    Kamaru Usman candidly shared his thoughts on his brother Mohammed’s recent UFC defeat, expressing that he could have performed significantly better.

    “The Motor” suffered his second consecutive defeat in the Octagon this past Saturday, falling to Thomas Petersen during the preliminary portion of the UFC Fight Night event at the Apex in Las Vegas.

    The fight began with both men cautiously gauging distance. Midway through the round, Petersen connected with a solid left hand, pressed forward, landed a knee, and finished the round strong with a front headlock and more strikes.

    In the second round, Usman resumed jabbing but was quickly countered by his opponent, who landed a potent left hand and secured a takedown. Usman managed a technical standup but looked fatigued.

    In the third and final round, “The Train” landed another heavy strike and consistently countered his opponent’s single shots. With a minute left, Petersen dominated, finishing with a crucial takedown and ground-and-pound. Petersen defeated Usman by unanimous decision, with all judges scoring the contest 30-27.

    Mohammed’s elder brother appears disheartened by the setback, but “The Nigerian Nightmare” believes there’s ample scope for refinement and an opportunity for a powerful comeback…

    Kamaru Sees Growth Potential In Mohammed’s Game Plan Misstep

    During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Henry Cejudo, Usman weighed in on his younger brother’s loss to Petersen. “The Nigerian Nightmare” critiqued Mohammed’s performance, pointing out that he deviated from his game plan and made several tactical errors, ultimately costing him the bout.

    “You know, disappointing loss for him,” Usman said. “But I think this was one of those crossroads fights that lets you know, is this what you want to do or is this not what you want to do? I think he’s right now, sitting at home, reflecting on all the work that he put in. Did you go out there and fight to your abilities? You did not. You didn’t go out there, you didn’t execute the game plan, you didn’t execute what you’re capable of doing.”

    The former UFC welterweight champion added that “The Motor” must reevaluate his mistakes and work on them to improve himself for a stronger return.

    “I know that’s something that’s very, very tough for him to deal with, but he’s sitting in it. He has to deal with it, he has to understand it, and it’s something that’s potentially going to make him much, much stronger. Like I say, it’s tough to enjoy the great times and winning when you don’t know what losing feels like. So, I think he’s feeling it right now, and I think he’s going to go back, reassess, recompose himself, and go back to it.”

    The younger Usman currently boasts an Octagon record of 3-2, having made a striking entrance into the UFC with a second-round knockout victory over Zac Pauga in The Ultimate Fighter 30 Finale in August 2022.

    While Mohammed shows promise as a fighter, he has yet to reach the same level of success that his brother achieved in his storied career.

  • Former UFC Champion Feels Alex Pereira vs. Jake Paul Not A Foregone Conclusion: ‘I Don’t Think It’s An Unwinnable Fight For Jake’

    Former UFC Champion Feels Alex Pereira vs. Jake Paul Not A Foregone Conclusion: ‘I Don’t Think It’s An Unwinnable Fight For Jake’

    Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman believes that the potential boxing match between Alex Pereira and Jake Paul is anything but predictable.

    “The Problem Child” has persistently shown an avid fascination in taking on UFC stars in the boxing ring, and he’s already notched victories against retired fighters such as Ben Askren, Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley (twice), and Nate Diaz.

    However, after securing a sixth-round TKO over former UFC fighter Mike Perry in a cruiserweight bout last weekend, Paul shocked the combat sports world by calling out reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira.

    The YouTuber-turned-boxer connected with “Poatan” via FaceTime. During the call, he asked the Brazilian and his manager if Pereira could negotiate his release from the UFC to turn this crossover matchup into a reality.

    Pereira shared his perspective of the call, capturing a moment of uncertainty as he glanced sideways at his manager. This subtle gesture likely hinted at the complexities involved in securing UFC CEO Dana White’s approval for the boxing match.

    However, if the stars ever align, “The Nigerian Nightmare” holds a view contrary to the general consensus, believing that Paul has the potential to defeat striking phenom Pereira in a boxing showdown…

    Usman Believes Paul’s Arsenal Has ‘Really Good’ Moves To Challenge Pereira

    During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast with former two-division champion Henry Cejudo, Usman shared his thoughts on “The Problem Child’s” callout of Pereira for a boxing match. The former welterweight titleholder expressed skepticism about the potential clash, citing Paul’s strained relationship with White as a major obstacle.

    “No, it won’t happen,” Usman said. “I just don’t think it’s… Jake Paul, in the name of promoting nowadays, has done a lot of things and said a lot of things about Dana White that I feel are Colby Covington-esque. In that case, you’ve put yourself off to where I don’t think Mr. Dana White ever wants to do business with you.”

    “The Nigerian Nightmare” added that if the matchup were ever to materialize, Paul would stand a fair chance of overcoming Pereira with his slick jabs and diverse arsenal.

    “I do believe Alex Pereira can win that fight, but I don’t think it’s an unwinnable fight for Jake Paul. Jake Paul definitely showed some really good things there, being able to stick by the jab. When he was able to commit to the jab, the jab was working. Yes, I know Alex Pereira is very good at doing the thing that gave Mike Perry success in that fight, but Alex Pereira also holds his hands very low.

    “Yes, he has a mean left hook, but he also holds his hands very low. That head moves when he’s slipping and ripping, but other than that, it’s not like it’s constantly moving. It’s not constantly doing what a boxer’s head movement should be doing. So, I’m not completely counting Jake Paul out.”

    Paul is slated to face boxing legend Mike Tyson in a rescheduled bout on November 15. The social media influencer is currently riding a four-win streak in his 11-fight career, marred by only one setback—a split decision loss to Tommy Fury in February 2023.

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

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

    Daniel Cormier recently remarked that Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad’s assertions of downplaying each other’s abilities ahead of their rematch at UFC 304 are far more than mere wordplay.

    Edwards is set to put his title on the line against Muhammad in the main event of the upcoming UFC pay-per-view this Saturday in front of his hometown crowd at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    The two fighters first collided in a short-notice bout during the main event of UFC Fight Night in March 2021. Regrettably, an accidental eye poke in the second round compelled “Remember the Name” to bow out, resulting in the bout being ruled a no-contest.

    Since their rematch was announced this past May, both rivals have been relentlessly downplaying each other’s abilities through trash talk in interviews and social media posts. Muhammad, in particular, has gone so far as to label Edwards as the “easiest” opponent he could face in the division.

    While the animosity between Edwards and Muhammad is palpable, the former UFC two-division champion believes their trash talk is merely a tactic to rile each other up and hype the fight…

    Cormier Dismisses Edwards and Muhammad’s Verbal Jabs As ‘Gamesmanship’

    During a recent appearance on the Anik & Florian Podcast, “DC” observed that both Edwards and Muhammad seem to be underestimating each other, each believing that their opponent hasn’t improved since their first fight three years ago.

    “I think we’re in a situation where both of these guys are looking at the other, going, ‘Well, he ain’t what he’s supposed to be,’” Cormier said. “When I hear Leon Edwards talk about the competition, it feels like ‘Rocky’ expects the Belal that he kicked in the head in round one of the first fight, and then he was kind of beating, but it’s not the same Belal Muhammad.

    “But I know Belal Muhammad needs to recognize that it’s not the same Leon Edwards. We saw Leon Edwards change from fight one to fight two against Kamaru Usman.”

    The UFC Hall of Famer noted that both fighters are deliberately making provocative remarks to get under each other’s skin and boost their own confidence ahead of their upcoming clash.

    “I truly believe that it is all gamesmanship. We’re getting to the point where the gamesmanship starts to show, where you insult the guy to make yourself feel more confident going into the competition.”

    Following their initial bout, “Rocky” earned a title shot by defeating Nate Diaz at UFC 263 and ultimately dethroned Kamaru Usman to claim the welterweight gold at UFC 278 in August 2022.

    Meanwhile, Muhammad had to embark on a five-fight winning streak to finally secure his first UFC title opportunity. Only time will reveal how much both fighters have evolved to counter each other’s game plans.

  • ‘Hunter Campbell Himself Called Netflix’ – Ciryl Gane’s Coach Dismisses Ducking Tom Aspinall Narrative

    ‘Hunter Campbell Himself Called Netflix’ – Ciryl Gane’s Coach Dismisses Ducking Tom Aspinall Narrative

    Despite the history between Curtis Blaydes and Tom Aspinall with the way their first fight ended, having this match-up for the interim heavyweight title was not the first choice for the co-main event of UFC 304.

    If the UFC was able to make it happen, Ciryl Gane was reportedly the frontrunner to face Aspinall in Manchester this Saturday.

    It was later revealed that Gane was unable to fight on July 27 due to previous commitments that he had made to working on a movie.

    The French fighter received criticism for this as a result but as his coach recently explained, the decision wasn’t made as choosing one or the other.

    Fernand Lopez Explains Why Ciryl Gane Couldn’t Fight At UFC 304 After Scheduling Issues

    In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Gane’s coach Fernand Lopez explained how this whole process came together and why they were unable to take the interim title fight.

    This movie project has been something that “Bon Gamin” was set to work on since much earlier in the year but the plans were changed once the UFC came to him and his team with the idea of fighting Sergei Pavlovich.

    Lopez states that Pavlovich was unable to take the fight in March so they made an arrangement to push back the filming so that Gane could fight the Russian powerhouse at UFC 300 in April.

    This meant that when the fight didn’t happen, they were unable to change the plans, hence why Gane is now reported to return in October to face Alexander Volkov after almost a full year of inactivity.

    Lopez referenced how in trying to make the dates work for all parties, the UFC was in communication with Netflix to try and reschedule the movie’s filming schedule to allow for Gane to compete at UFC 304.

    Unfortunately, they were unable to push the dates back even further which led to Aspinall defending the interim title in a rematch with Blaydes instead.

    “When we went back with Netflix, signed the deal with Netflix, we couldn’t stop it. The UFC couldn’t stop it. Matter of fact, I give the contact of Netflix and I give the contact of the producer of the movie that was very kind, I give that contact to the UFC and try to talk with them. UFC have very good relationship with Netflix, with the global Netflix, and they was trying to reschedule thing and change thing I say okay, if you can make it to move things, to remove the movie and push it a little bit back, then we are good to go.

    “We will do that, we will wait and we will do the fight and then wait for the movie and they tried with the UFC. Hunter Campbell himself call Netflix to try to push back the filming but that was too much money to spend. That was too much thing to move around and again, this is something that is not a problem. We don’t have any beef with the UFC talking about this movie.”

  • Sean O’Malley Thinks That Mike Perry Beats Jake Paul In Bare-Knuckle Boxing: ‘He’s The King Of That Sport’

    Sean O’Malley Thinks That Mike Perry Beats Jake Paul In Bare-Knuckle Boxing: ‘He’s The King Of That Sport’

    UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley wasn’t impressed by what he saw from Mike Perry this past weekend in his boxing clash with Jake Paul.

    Many expected that “Platinum” could prove to be a tough night for Paul because of his unwavering toughness and mentality but this wasn’t to be the case as he was stopped in the sixth round.

    BKFC’s “King of Violence” certainly showed grit on Saturday night but his ability to take damage and keep on coming only got him so far.

    Despite feeling like Perry looked somewhat of place in the ring with Paul, O’Malley did reaffirm that there’s a good reason for that.

    Sean O’Malley Says That Mike Perry Was Fighting Out Of His Comfort Zone Against Jake Paul

    Perry may have been different to Paul’s previous opponents in that he’s an active fighter that isn’t past his prime, but his lack of boxing experience, combined with a size difference between the two men, was simply too much for “Platinum” to overcome.

    O’Malley did say that for how the fight ended up going for Perry, you can’t be too surprised given that he was out of his comfort zone in this fight to some degree.

    The former UFC fighter has been incredibly successful in BKFC but removing the gloves changes everything specifically in regards to defense and shot selection.

    O’Malley spoke on a recent episode of the TimboSugarShow about how just because Perry was outmatched on Saturday night, it doesn’t mean he couldn’t beat Paul if they were to fight in his more natural environment.

    “The thing is Mike Perry would probably beat Jake Paul in bare knuckle boxing, that’s where Mike Perry is the f****** man, that’s where he is the champ. He’s the king of that sport so for him to come over into boxing, I didn’t expect too much. I’ve never seen Mike Perry hands up, throw a beautiful 1-2, slip, like that’s not really his style. He definitely didn’t look great.”

  • Coach: Israel Adesanya Won’t Be Champion When Leon Edwards Moves Up In Weight

    Coach: Israel Adesanya Won’t Be Champion When Leon Edwards Moves Up In Weight

    A win in the main event of UFC 304 will earn Leon Edwards the third ruby on his welterweight title.

    Since stunning the MMA world with his head kick knockout of Kamaru Usman, the Brit has defended his title on two occasions heading into this rematch with Belal Muhammad on July 27 in Manchester.

    Edwards has made it clear that he has big goals in mind for his title reign at 170-pounds where he hopes to break the great Georges St-Pierre’s records.

    Though he has no plans to permanently leave welterweight at any point soon, “Rocky” also hopes to challenge himself at middleweight at some stage.

    With several top names sitting at the top of the division, it could be a very different landscape at 185-pounds by the time Edwards makes his move.

    Dave Lovell Picks Out Sean Strickland & Dricus Du Plessis As Potential Middleweight Fights For Leon Edwards

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Edwards’ head coach Dave Lovell was asked to give his opinion on who the middleweight champion will be when his fighter attempts to become a two-weight world champion.

    Israel Adesanya is set to challenge for the title that he has held twice before when he faces Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 next month but Lovell doesn’t believe that “The Last Stylebender” will be around for much longer.

    Edwards’ friendship with Adesanya makes a fight between them incredibly unlikely anyway but the Team Renegade captain doesn’t see this coming to pass.

    He believes that either the current holder or the man he won the title from, could be Edwards’ middleweight opponent.

    “I don’t think Israel [Adesanya] because in all fairness, I love him and Israel is my brother but I think he’s coming to the twilight of his career now. and if I was him, if he fights Dricus, maybe win the title, defend it once or even just win that title and retire because he’s earned enough, he’s got nothing more to prove. I wouldn’t like to see Leon fight Israel because we’re all close that way, we’re all friends so I wouldn’t like to see that.

    “Dricus maybe if Dricus is still hanging around. I think the easiest, well I take that back, one of the fights that I think would be a good fight for Leon to showcase his skills against a man, Mr Strickland, who’s a kind of come forward kind of style fighter which would suit Leon.