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  • Jake Paul Changes Tone On Potential Anderson Silva Fight

    Jake Paul has pivoted from his previously ambivalent stance towards a potential boxing match against UFC legend Anderson Silva.

    Paul is coming off of back-to-back wins over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley in 2021 preceded by a first-round knockout of former UFC fighter Ben Askren. He’s aiming at another eventful year in the ring in 2022 with a return expected sometime later this year.

    Speculation has run rampant regarding who Paul could face for his next ring appearance. Paul has previously downplayed the idea of facing Silva in the ring, citing Silva being in the later stages of his combat sports career.

    His position on a fight with Silva has changed in recent days. During an interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Paul was asked whether or not he would consider a fight against Silva for his next boxing challenge.

    “Yes, definitely,” Paul said. “Definitely. I would love that fight.”

    Paul went on to detail how Silva was an inspiration for him growing up, and even got to meet him early in his childhood.

    “And interesting story, I think he was the first celebrity I ever saw. So right when MMA was blowing up, my dad was a super big fan and we went to this local MMA event. And they must have paid Anderson Silva to come because it was like in Ohio, so I don’t know why he would have been there.

    Getty Images

    “But I actually asked for his autograph. And we took a picture with him…I’m maybe like 12 years old. But I think he was the first celebrity that I met. So it would be fun to bring it back full circle and fight someone who was, I guess, one of my first idols.”

    Paul has also reportedly hinted at a potential matchup with one of Silva’s recent boxing opponents, Julio César Chávez. After defeating Chavez Jr. in a back-and-forth war, Silva knocked out fellow UFC alumni Tito Ortiz last year.

    Silva had also previously been rumored to fight Jake’s brother Logan in the ring. However, nothing ever materialized from those alleged talks.

    It’s unclear who Paul will face next in his boxing tenure, but Silva appears to be a potential option moving forward.

    Would you be interested in a Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva boxing match?

  • Archives: Khabib Nearly Landed On DiCaprio In UFC 229 Leap (2019)

    When Khabib leaped into the audience during the UFC 229 post-fight brawl, famed Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio nearly made an unwanted cameo appearance as this article published on this day three years ago details.

    The following article was published on this day three years ago. It is brought to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 5, 2019, 12:31 PM]

    Title: Khabib Nurmagomedov Nearly Landed on Leonardo DiCaprio During UFC 229 Brawl

    Author: Damon Martin

    Khabib Nurmagomedov may have been aiming at Dillon Danis during the UFC 229 post-fight brawl but he nearly gave Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio flashbacks of the time a bear mauled him in the film ‘The Revenant’.

    The entire situation unraveled just seconds after Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor this past October by fourth-round rear-naked choke.

    Almost immediately after Nurmagomedov secured the victory, he leaped over the cage and went after McGregor’s teammate who was working his corner that night. The moment the undefeated UFC champion made his way over the cage, a huge melee broke out in the crowd.

    It turns out when Nurmagomedov made that jump, he nearly landed on the Oscar winner, who was sitting cage side at the time for the fights.

    “Honestly, I didn’t recognize them, apart from Leonardo DiCaprio,” Nurmagomedov said about the celebrities sitting in the first row when he jumped out of the Octagon when speaking to MatchTV in Russia. “He is a big fan of martial arts. He told me, ‘I was sitting five meters away, you nearly landed on me!’ It was interesting for me how he would sit there [amid so many people].

    “He’s a regular guy, but it was surprising to me, when people came up to him for a photo, he said ‘I don’t take photos.’ I asked why, and he said it’s not possible to make everyone happy. He said he only takes photos with kids. With everyone else, it’s not possible. That surprised me, but in general, he’s a regular guy.”

    Nurmagomedov found out about nearly falling on DiCaprio when he met the actor in Paris a few months ago — and he did manage to get a photo taken with him.

    As for the repercussions from that post-fight brawl, Nurmagomedov was just recently sentenced to a nine-month suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission as well as fined $500,000 for his actions.

    Nurmagomedov could have his suspension reduced by three months if he completes an approved anti-bullying message for the state of Nevada but as of now, the reigning UFC lightweight champion has said he has no plans to record that public service announcement and will instead serve his full nine-month suspension.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqz-pibg1Ah/?utm_source=ig_embed

  • Ngannou: I Looked At Gane In The 3rd Round & Saw My 2018 Self

    UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou was reminded of his first Stipe Miocic fight when he looked at Ciryl Gane midway through UFC 270.

    Ngannou made his first title defense against Gane in the UFC 270 main event, winning via unanimous decision. It wasn’t the striking showcase everyone expected, but the champion demonstrated his improved grappling skills to get the victory over Gane.

    The first two rounds weren’t going in Ngannou’s favor according to two of the UFC 270 judges. However, he was able to turn the tide in Rounds 3 through 5 and control the path to retaining his belt.

    Ngannou’s journey to the UFC title was anything but easy. After a difficult loss to Miocic at UFC 220, he would lose a lackluster bout against Derrick Lewis before going on his current six-fight winning streak.

    Ngannou has alluded to his UFC 220 fight with Miocic as a completely different version of who he is today. During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, he revealed that Gane’s body language at the end of Round 3 reminded him of his former self.

    “By the end of the round, I looked at him, I saw me when I fought Stipe the first time,” Ngannou said. “I’m like, ‘This guy is done.’ Yeah, and he wasn’t even able to listen to his coach. I was listening to his corner talk to him and he wasn’t reacting. I’m like, he’s done. That is exactly me when I fought Stipe the first time. That’s the moment that I knew I won the fight, at the end of the third round… He was broken, I could tell. I look him in his eyes and was like it’s a done deal.”

    Francis Ngannou’s UFC Future Remains Uncertain

    Ngannou went through quite the buildup to UFC 270. He’s been dealing with tense contract talks with UFC President Dana White and the promotion, and negotiations have seemingly hit a dead end.

    This was further supported when White declined to put the belt around Ngannou as the official decision was read at UFC 270. White also was notably absent from post-fight media obligations, though White has since claimed external issues prevented him from carrying out these activities.

    When asked by Helwani to forecast his future with the promotion, Ngannou remained cautiously optimistic. There are tears in the relationship with the UFC that need repair, and Ngannou seems hell-bent on getting the promotion back on his side.

    What are your takeaways from Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane?

  • Check Out Last-Minute Betting Odds For UFC Vegas 47

    The final UFC Vegas 47 betting odds are in for as this event is quickly approaching for the Las Vegas-based promotion. 

    The event is here, and it goes down tonight (Saturday, February 5, 2022) from Las Vegas, Nevada at the UFC Apex facility.

    The headliner will feature a slugfest with Jack Hermansson and Sean Strickland in a middleweight showdown. Moving things along, Shavkat Rakhmanov vs. Carlston Harris goes down in a fight. 

    Rounding out the main card is Julian Erosa vs. Steven Peterson, Tresean Gore vs. Bryan Battle, Sam Alvey vs. Brendan Allen, and Shavkat Rakhmanov vs. Carlston Harris.

    According to oddsmakers, is a – favorite over, who is a + underdog. Other odds for the main card include being a + underdog against, who is a – favorite. Here are the full betting odds: 

    MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

    Sean Strickland (-210) vs. Jack Hermansson (+175)

    Punahele Soriano (-190) vs. Nick Maximov (+160)

    Shavkat Rakhmonov (-240) vs. Carlston Harris (+195)

    Tresean Gore (-160) vs. Bryan Battle (+140)

    Julian Erosa (-300) vs. Steven Peterson (+235)

    PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)

    Miles Johns (-210) vs. John Castaneda (+175)

    Hakeem Dawodu (-170) vs. Mike Trizano (+150)

    Marc-Andre Barriault (-115) vs. Chidi Njokuani (-105)

    Alexis Davis (-225) vs. Julija Stoliarenko (+185)

    Jailton Almeida (-380) vs. Danilo Marques (+290)

    Philip Rowe (-140) vs. Jason Witt (+120)

    Denys Bondar (-240) vs. Malcolm Gordon (+195)

  • WATCH: UFC Vegas 47 Post-Fight Press Conference Live Stream

    The UFC Vegas 47 post-fight press conference will be live once the action concludes.

    In the headliner, Jack Hermansson and Sean Strickland will collide in a middleweight clash. UFC Vegas 47’s co-main event will see a clash between Shavkat Rakhmanov and Carlston Harris. action will also be featured on the main card as Carlston Harris shares the Octagon with Shavkat Rakhmanov. 

    The fighters from both the main and co-main events are expected to attend the post-fight press conference barring any hospital visits. Of course anyone else on the card who has a breakout performance could also attend the presser.

    MMA News will be providing live coverage of the UFC Vegas 47 card. Be sure to check back here for the post-fight presser with a tentative start time of 10:15 p.m. ET.

    Let us know your big takeaways once the UFC Vegas 47 post-fight press conference.

  • Nunes During Face-To-Face With Peña: I Just Want To Be 100% Ths Time

    Amanda Nunes wants to prove her backers right when she gets a second chance against Julianna Peña after the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.

    Earlier today, MMA News broke the news that Julianna Peña and Amanda Nunes will be coaching the next season of TUF opposite one another. We now know that the new season will kick off on May 3 after news became public following an appearance from Peña on Ellen. You can peep the official poster down below.

    Image

    Shortly after this news and the team rosters were released, Peña and Nunes sat down for a virtual face-to-face interview moderated by ESPN’s Michael Eaves. Here were some of the main talking points from the joint interview.

    • Peña reiterated her enthusiasm to give back to the next generation of fighters after getting her start on TUF almost a full decade ago.
    • Nunes touched briefly on her decision to leave American Top Team, stating that she has always wanted to be a coach and that she expects this process to help her in the rematch.
    • When asked what life has been like since pulling off one of MMA’s biggest upsets of all time, Peña stated that she is not resting on her laurels and is looking forward to putting the Nunes chapter of her career behind her so that she can see what’s next.

    “Honestly, of course, the belt is something that all of us chase. At this point in my life, I just want to show up 100% how I want to be. So with the belt, without the belt, I just want to really, really prove I’m better than her.” – Amanda Nunes

    From Amanda Nunes’ Twitter

    In what was perhaps the most noteworthy tidbit from this interview, Nunes claims that she was not 100% in her UFC 269 bout against Peña and that her primary objective going into the rematch is not about winning, losing, or championships, but just showing up at full strength, which she claims was not the case last December.

    Nunes did not specify what precisely was ailing her, however, it is common knowledge that she reportedly came down with COVID-19 last year, which is what caused the postponement of this fight, which was originally scheduled for UFC 265.

    You can view the full virtual face-to-face interview below.

    Are you looking forward to the next season of The Ultimate Fighter hosted by Julianna Peña and Amanda Nunes?

  • Connecticut Police Department Sets Up Youth Jiu-Jitsu Program

    A Connecticut police department is teaching children jiu-jitsu as a form of self-defense.

    The New Haven police department in New Haven, CT is hoping to stop crime from the ground up. The department has instituted a youth jiu-jitsu program designed to keep kids on a good path while instilling some self-defense practices.

    Police Lt. Elliot Rosa is the instructor of the program. He has trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for 12 years and works with the children three days a week for an hour each day. He hopes to instill discipline along with keeping the children physically fit. In addition, he prepares them for bullying-type situations and prepares them to handle these types of situations.

    “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is what we teach and it’s mostly holds–holds, pins–and it’s about controlling someone. It’s not so much about MMA where they’re going to be hitting and striking someone or karate. Those martial arts are good but for what we’re teaching, more of the bully prevention. They may be able to hold down the bully and just talk to them calmly and be able to take care of the situation without actually hurting someone,” Rosa told Fox61.com.

    The New Haven PD Assistant Chief Karl Jacobson told Fox 61 that this is the first Police Activity League Jiu-Jitsu in the state of Connecticut. The program allows for the children to gain skills while growing pride in themselves. It also allows for the students to become familiar with the officers involved and gets them comfortable with them in case there is ever a need for help.

    One child interview by Fox 61 told reporters that he was often bullied in school and being a part of the program has helped him. With just 28 children enrolled, the program is looking to grow and can at this time accept more students.

    If your children or anyone you know might be interested there is more information at The New Haven police website or email [email protected].

    Would you like these kinds of programs for the children in your area?

  • Arnold Allen Explains Why He Accepted Fight Against Unranked Hooker

    Arnold Allen believes his upcoming fight against Dan Hooker at UFC London is a key point in his career.

    Allen is currently the seventh-ranked featherweight and is 17-1 as a pro, including being 8-0 in the UFC. However, he still doesn’t have the biggest name in the division, so he knows if he can beat a fan-favorite in Hooker, it would be big.

    “I think it will definitely put me in the top-five talks. That’s why I was all for the fight because it definitely puts me up there,” Allen said to The Sun. “If you loom at the guys he’s fought recently at lightweight, the weight above, he’s coming down and I think he was ranked eighth at lightweight. So he’s coming down to fight and a [win] will for sure propel me to those top boys. It’s kind of a funny division, featherweight, at the minute. All those top guys, the top-five or top-six, they’re all kind of tied up with each other anyway.”

    As Allen says, the division is a weird one with Alex Volkanovski and Max Holloway likely to have their trilogy if Volkanovski gets past Korean Zombie. After that, there is no clear next contender as Calvin Kattar and Josh Emmett are both a fight away, but if the Brit can win this one impressively, he could jump the line.

    Arnold Allen, Dan Hooker
    Arnold Allen, Dan Hooker (Image Credits: Jeff Bottari/Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

    However, even with a potential title eliminator bout being next, Arnold Allen says he isn’t experiencing any added stress.

    “I’m not feeling the pressure. It’s what I train for; this is what I’ve been doing [for],” Allen said.

    “The pressure, if there is pressure, bring it on. It’s what I’m here for.”

    UFC London goes down on March 19 and sees Alexander Volkov vs. Tom Aspinall as the main event.

    Who do you think will win, Arnold Allen or Dan Hooker?

  • Jamahal Hill On Kamaru Usman’s LHW Ambitions: For 205, He’s Tiny

    UFC light heavyweight Jamahal Hill has given his take on a potential transition to 205 pounds for reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman.

    Usman, who dethroned Tyron Woodley in 2019 and has since defended the title five times, secured his place atop the UFC’s male pound-for-pound mountain in 2021 after a period of dominance that saw him defeat Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal (twice), and Gilbert Burns. He further cemented his #1 position with a second victory over “Chaos” last November.

    With the hope of proving his P4P superiority, “The Nigerian Nightmare” has considered pursuing gold in a second weight class. But with friend and compatriot Israel Adesanya ruling over the middleweights, light heavyweight was his target.

    In an interview with MMA News, rising 205-pound contender “Sweet Dreams” Hill gave his thoughts on the potential arrival of Usman in his weight class, as well as his upcoming clash with Johnny Walker on February 19, and the UFC 274 title fight between champion Glover Teixeira and the #2-ranked Jiří Procházka.

    Hill: “Come On In”

    Usman’s consideration for two-division glory came while Polish powerhouse Jan Blachowicz was at the top of the food chain. Despite the 38-year-old’s size and emphatic shutdown of Adesanya’s own desire for double champ status last March, the welterweight titleholder fancied his chances.

    But just like top contender Procházka, Hill doesn’t like Usman’s odds. The #12-ranked light heavyweight told MMA News that while “The Nigerian Nightmare” may be big for 170 pounds, he’d be “tiny” for 205. Nevertheless, he invited Usman to come and mix it up with the “big boys.”

    “Seems like he’s picking and choosing where you wanna fight, picking and choosing which champion you wanna fight,” Hill said to James Lynch. “You’re skipping over a whole weight class just because he’s (Israel Adesanya) your boy and shit, which is cool, I get it. But I don’t know, what am I supposed to think about it?

    “He’s small. Don’t get me wrong, welterweight he’s a big dude. But for 205? He’s fucking tiny. Anybody that feel like they wanna come play with the big boys can come on in.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CYofLrkABgq/

    With his lap back around his previously beaten foes set to continue this year with a defense against Leon Edwards, Usman has certainly cleared out a hefty portion of his challenges at welterweight. With that said, a push for a fresh challenge at a new weight class seems likely.

    With his clear reluctance to share the Octagon with “The Last Stylebender,” a venture to light heavyweight could be a viable option for Usman in the near future.

    How do you think Kamaru Usman would fare at light heavyweight?

  • Two MMA Figures Charged With Sexual Assault Against Minors

    Amateur MMA fighter Jai Troche and MMA trainer Danyal Bahramfar face charges in separate sexual assault cases.

    28-year-old Jai Troche dragged a child under the age of ten into the men’s room of Hookipa Kahaluu Housing community center in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 31. The alleged victim reports he locked her in a bathroom stall and forcefully removed her clothing.

    Witnesses heard screaming and ran out of their homes and surrounding area to chase Troche down when he tried to flee the scene. Bystanders say Troche appeared to be on drugs and the alleged victim’s clothes were torn.

    Moments later, police arrested him not too far from the complex and charged him with kidnapping, third-degree sex assault, and first-degree attempted sex assault.

    The manager of the living complex, Randeatte McEnroe, says Troche does not live on the premises and has no ties to any current community members. McEnroe, along with other residents, are doing what they can to support the victim and her family through this difficult time.

    Troche is due to appear in court on February 7 while on $1 million bail.

    MMA Trainer Charged With Sexual Exploitation

    Miles away in British Columbia, MMA trainer Danyal Bahramfar, or Daniel Golkar, faces two counts of sexual exploitation. The 34-year-old has sexual offenses against a female minor dated back to 2016. (h/t Global News)

    “Through the investigation, witness statements indicate the suspect was involved with other female gym members,” Mounties said in a media release. The investigation also revealed that the alleged suspect taught group self-defence classes throughout the community,” the RCMP continued.

    The Royal Canadian Mounted Police released a photo of him on February 3 so more witnesses can come forward with any information.

    Please contact Honolulu police authorities in the Jai Troche case and contact Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251 to give additional information on Danyal Bahramfar.

  • Watch: One-Armed MMA Fighter Marney Maxx Lands Picture-Perfect KO

    MMA fighter Marney Maxx executed a picture-perfect head-kick knockout during a Brazilian MMA event last Sunday.

    At Demo Fight 11, Marney Maxx took on the winless Deived Costa, who entered the bout with a record of 0-2. Maxx competes with an amputated arm, but as you are about to behold, this does not limit his ability to compete or render his opposition unconscious.

    Two minutes into the first round, Maxx landed a flush head kick to Costa for the KO victory. Peep it out below (h/t @Barrelelapierna)

    With the win, Maxx moves to 4-4 in his MMA career, which began in 2013. You can view the full fight between Maxx and Costa right here.

    Another One-Armed MMA Fighter Who Has Defied The Odds

    Nick Newell, missing lower portion of left arm, to get chance at UFC contract
    Nick Newell

    Many fans viewing the above KO will no doubt think of Nick Newell, who has also competed in MMA with an amputated arm since 2009. It’s possible that Newell served as an inspiration for Maxx, who would debut four years later.

    During his MMA run, Newell has tallied a professional record of 16-4, including two wins by knockout and 11 by submission, with a highly impressive 81% finish rate. Newell has competed in Bellator MMA and the World Series of Fighting (now PFL), including sharing the cage with current UFC top lightweight contender Justin Gaethje.

    Newell tried to enter the UFC in 2018 by way of Dana White’s Contender Series but was not awarded a contract after losing to Alex Munoz via unanimous decision. Most recently, Newell lost to Bobby King via a split decision at Bellator 260.

    What is your reaction to this beautiful knockout by Marney Maxx?

  • Max Holloway Cleared To Resume Training, Asks To Be UFC 273 Backup

    Max Holloway is ready to get himself back inside the UFC Octagon.

    The former featherweight champion Max Holloway is on the mend. After suffering an injury that forced him out of a title shot at UFC 272, Holloway is now healed up and ready to get back to training, sources revealed the news to ESPN on Friday. According to the report, Holloway will be ready to fight in just a few weeks and would like to serve as the backup for the title fight scheduled between champion Alexander Volkanovski and Chang Sung Jung.

    Holloway was originally the first choice to face off against Volkanovski for the title. The two were briefly linked to a fight at UFC 272 before Holloway was injured. “The Korean Zombie” was the man to step up and into the slot. The bout was then moved to UFC 273 after a welterweight matchup between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal was booked as the UFC 272 main event.

    Holloway and Volkanovski have quite a history together. The two fought two back to back in 2019 and 2020. Holloway suffered losses both times they met. He is still the #1 contender and the likely choice to stand in next against whoever takes home the belt on April 9.

    Volkanovski is undefeated in his UFC career and has not lost since 2013. He is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the 145-pound division. If he can get past Jung, a third go-around with Holloway should be on the docket. However, Jung is a tough opponent who is currently 3-1 in his last four.

    UFC 273 is set to take place on April 9 in Jacksonville, Florida. The featherweight title will serve as the main event with a bantamweight title fight between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan as the co-main event.

    Do you think Max Holloway will regain the featherweight title in 2022?

  • UFC Vegas 47: Hermansson vs. Strickland Weigh-In Results & Preview

    The weigh-in results for UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hermansson (UFC Vegas 47) have wrapped up, and we’ve got the scoop for you below.

    The second UFC Fight Night event of 2022 takes place tomorrow night in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada, inside the UFC APEX. All fights on the card will proceed as follows, although Steven Peterson missed weight by three pounds ahead of his featherweight bout against “Juicy” Julian Erosa. As a result, Peterson will be fined 30% of his fight purse.

    The main event will see Sean Strickland try to inch closer to title contention when he takes on Jack Hermansson. Strickland has continued to make headlines during fight week, such as taking a stab at clarifying previous remarks about homosexuals and offering to do “the man dance” with Kevin Holland. But the bulk of his attention is no doubt placed on the Joker right in front of him.

    Strickland and Hermansson have contrasting game plans heading into tomorrow night’s bout. Hermansson simply looks to hit and make it quick. Meanwhile, Stickland is intending to enjoy every moment of taking Hermansson’s soul while making him bleed. Both things cannot take place, but we’ll see what happens when these warriors and their visions meet in the middle tomorrow night.

    Aside from sharing his graphic prediction for tomorrow night, Strickland has also predicted that he will continue his outspokenness if he is to be booked against Israel Adesanya in a world title fight. Should he reach this point, he claims he will talk about Adesanya’s “titty” during the pre-fight buildup.

    Jack Hermansson doesn’t expect for it to come to that, however, as he will look to do what he claims many have asked him to do: put this wildman down when they meet tomorrow night.

    Below, you can check out the faceoff between tomorrow night’s headliners.

    Here is the faceoff between the co-main eventers Punahele Soriano (8-1) and the undefeated Nick Maximov (7-0).

    You can check out the UFC’s fight-by-fight preview for tomorrow night’s UFC Vegas 47 card right here and get caught up on all the stats and storylines! Below, you can peep the full weigh-in results and viewing information, courtesy of UFC.com.

    Main Card (7 PM ET, ESPN+)

    Main Event – Middleweight Bout: Jack Hermansson (185.5) vs Sean Strickland (185.5)

    Co-Main Event – Middleweight Bout: Punahele Soriano (185) vs Nick Maximov (185)

    Welterweight Bout: Shavkat Rakhmonov (170.5) vs Carlston Harris (169.0)

    Light Heavyweight Bout: Sam Alvey (205) vs Brendan Allen (205)

    Middleweight Bout: Tresean Gore (186) vs Bryan Battle (185.5)

    Featherweight Bout: Julian Erosa (145.5) vs Steven Peterson (*149)

    Preliminary Card (4 PM ET, ESPN+)

    Bantamweight Bout: Miles Johns (135.5) vs John Castaneda (136) 

    Featherweight Bout: Hakeem Dawodu (146) vs Michael Trizano (145.5)

    Middleweight Bout: Chidi Njokuani (185) vs Marc-Andre Barriault (184.5)

    Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Alexis Davis (135) vs Julija Stoliarenko (135.5)

    Light Heavyweight Bout: Jailton Almeida (203) vs Danilo Marques (205.5)

    Welterweight Bout: Jason Witt (171.5) vs Phil Rowe (170.5)    

    Flyweight Bout: Malcolm Gordon (126) Denys Bondar (125)

    Be sure to visit MMANews.com tomorrow night for live coverage, results, and highlights of UFC Vegas 47!

  • Jon Jones Teases LHW GOAT vs. HW GOAT Matchup

    Jon Jones says he’s “down” to face the heavyweight GOAT.

    Jon Jones has long established that he intends on making his heavyweight debut at some point this year. The question now is: who will it be against?

    Following the outcome of the UFC 270 main event, the answer to that question would be the same around most circles as its been for the past 13 months: Francis Ngannou. With Ngannou retaining the undisputed heavyweight championship last month, many believe there’s no question that a Jones/Ngnanou pairing is the fight to make.

    Things took a turn, however, when it was revealed that Ngannou would be needing to go under the knife to repair damage to his injured right knee. The champion is expected to be sidelined for approximately nine months following surgery, which leaves Jones without an ideal target for his long-anticipated heavyweight debut—or does it?

    Jon Jones Asks Fans Who Wants To See Him vs. The HW GOAT

    According to Jones himself, he is already prepared for his next fight and has just the opponent in mind.

    “The greatest heavyweight of all-time versus the greatest light heavyweight, who wants to see it? I’m game”

    While Jones did not mention Miocic by name, the former heavyweight king has been considered to be the consensus GOAT of the division for years now, especially among UFC pundits.

    Also, as someone who has demonstrated how closely he is following current happenings in the division, Jones must be aware that Ngannou is sidelined. Some, including Jones’ former foe Daniel Cormier, have proposed an interim title fight between Jones and Miocic while Ngannou is out.

    A dream fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic has been teased for years, including by Jones himself. Two years ago, Jones sent out a very similar tweet asking about fan interest for a potential fight between him and Miocic. He would later admit to just goofing around without any real intentions of making that fight happen at that point in time.

    Last August, UFC President Dana White had the idea of pitting Jones and Miocic against one another, but Jones shut that down in a hurry. Later that year, his former coach Mike Winkeljohn expanded on this disinterest, stating that Jones wanted a bigger challenge and that a bout against Miocic, who had just been knocked out by Ngannou, was not exciting for “Bones.”

    Jones sounds plenty excited now, though, and the fan interest in the matchup is a no-brainer. That leaves the cards in the hands of Stipe Miocic and the UFC.

    Miocic has been more than welcoming of the idea of fighting Jones in the past and, as mentioned, the UFC has been open to the booking as well. Plus, Miocic is rumored to be holding out for a title shot, so if this bout were made for the interim heavyweight title, that would make the matchup even more appetizing for both fighters.

    All things considered, 2022 may just be the year that fight fans finally witness the dream match between the consensus light heavyweight and heavyweight GOATs.

    Are you down for a Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic showdown this year?

  • Sean Strickland Targets Title Shot: “I’ll Make Fun Of Stylebender’s Titty”

    UFC middleweight Sean Strickland is hoping to secure a title shot and the opportunity to “make fun” of champion Israel Adesanya’s swollen pectoral muscle during the build-up to it.

    Strickland, the current #7-ranked contender at 185 pounds, will have the chance to jump towards a championship opportunity this weekend at UFC Vegas 47. In his second consecutive main event on MMA’s biggest stage, “Tarzan” will face Swedish-born Norwegian Jack Hermansson.

    Having defeated Jack Marshman, Brendan Allen, Krzysztof Jotko, and Uriah Hall since his return to action in 2020, Strickland will hope to add the elite name of “The Joker” to his record inside Las Vegas’ Apex and, in doing so, further climb the middleweight ladder.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZH1SWBvdk2/

    While some fighters’ pursuit of gold derives from the desire to build a legacy, provide for their family, and establish their dominance in the sport of MMA, Strickland’s championship aspirations rest heavily on his enjoyment of making fun of Adesanya’s swollen right pectoral muscle.

    During UFC Vegas 47 media day on Wednesday, Strickland discussed his chances of earning a title shot with a victory this Saturday. While winning the belt isn’t crucial to him, the opportunity to go back-and-forth with “The Last Stylebender” during fight week is certainly an exciting prospect for the North Carolina native.

    “I mean, ideally, Brunson beats Cannonier and maybe, if I can do an impressive performance and, you know, dump and dodge and get a title shot; that would be the perfect world,” said Strickland. “But at the end of the day man, I’m just here to fight and make some money. If I get a title shot, fuck yeah, let’s go. I’ll make fun of Stylebender’s fucking titty all day long.”

    Strickland Has Consistently Accused Adesanya Of Steroid Usage

    Talk surrounding potential steroid usage has existed for Adesanya since UFC 253 in September 2020. While comfortably beating then-undefeated contender Paulo Costa, the Nigerian-New Zealander sported a visibly swollen pectoral muscle.

    The medical term for swelling in male breast tissue is Gynecomastia. The condition can be caused by a host of different factors, such as drugs and alcohol consumption, some medications, and a number of herbal products. One of the more well-known triggers is the use of anabolic steroids, an accusation many directed at Adesanya. Those detractors include Strickland.

    Having backed the champion to “starch” upcoming opponent Robert Whittaker, “Tarzan” recently suggested that everybody knows Adesanya uses steroids.

    “I mean, Israel’s just a crafty motherfucker,” Strickland told combat sports journalist Helen Yee. “Like, don’t get me wrong, we all know he does steroids, and that probably helps his performance. We all seen him fight with the titty that hung down. I mean, have you ever seen a man fight in the UFC with gyno from weed? I mean, look at Nate Diaz; if that was the case, Nate Diaz would have tits down to his knees. Get out of here with this.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZcZDbFp9Xv/

    Given Strickland’s accusations and attacks on Adesanya in recent months, it’s hard to imagine the level of trash talk the rising contender would bring to the current middleweight king during a fight week or at a press conference if he makes his way into the title picture soon.

    Would you like to see Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya share the Octagon together in the near future?

  • Joe Rogan Gets Support Of Brazilian President Amidst Spotify Controversy

    Another prominent political figure has come to the defense of UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan after recent controversies.

    Rogan has been under fire in recent weeks following a pair of controversial podcasts with Dr. Robert Malone and Dr. Peter McCullough. Many have attacked Spotify and Rogan for alleged misinformation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines.

    The conversation regarding Rogan’s platform has risen to the White House, as President Joe Biden’s administration has weighed in on the promotion of misinformation. Now, Rogan has the support of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who came to his defense in a recent tweet.

    “I’m not sure what [Joe Rogan] thinks about me or about my government but it doesn’t matter,” Bolsonaro said. “If freedom of speech means anything, it means that people should be free to say what they think, no matter if they agree or disagree with us. Stand your ground! Hugs from Brazil.” (h/t SportsKeeda)

    After being bombarded by criticism, Rogan posted a lengthy video message on social media promising to take necessary precautions with his podcast. This is after artists such as Neil Young and Joni Mitchell have attacked Rogan and requested to pull their music from Spotify altogether.

    The Joe Rogan Experience doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon, and supporters and critics of the podcast seem steadfast in their positions regarding guests and views found on the show.

    What are your thoughts on Joe Rogan and his podcast?

  • Adesanya Admitted To Hooker He’s Nervous Ahead Of Whittaker Rematch

    Israel Adesanya is apparently feeling the nerves ahead of his middleweight title fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC 271.

    Adesanya and Whittaker first fought back at UFC 243 where “The Last Stylebender” won by second-round TKO to claim the middleweight title. He has since defended the belt three times. But this time around, Dan Hooker, a teammate of Adesanya, says the champ is a bit nervous. (h/t Sportskeeda)

    “He’s good. He’s definitely in a good place,” Hooker said to LowKick MMA about Adesanya. “From the interactions that I’ve had with him… I guess with the rematch, especially the way that the first fight went, you can kind of – not necessarily underestimate your opponent – but you can take it a little bit lightly because you know you put on such a dominant performance right there. It might be hard to get up for the training but it’s not like that. Like he said to me this morning, he said, ‘You know I’m nervous.’

    That’s good, you know. He’s got that nervous energy, which you need.”

    Robert Whittaker (left) and Israel Adesanya go toe to toe during UFC 243 at Marvel Stadium. Photograph: Michael Dodge/EPA

    Although Adesanya said he is a bit nervous, as Hooker says, it is a good thing. Most fighters get nervous before they walk out as it is a fistfight and anything can happen. But as “The Hangman” says, Adesanya uses his nervous energy in a good way.

    Israel Adesanya is coming off a decision win over Marvin Vettori back at UFC 263 to defend his belt for the third time. It also marked his return to the win column after losing to Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight belt at UFC 259, which was his first pro-MMA loss.

    As for Hooker, he’s set to drop back down to featherweight to take on Arnold Allen at UFC London on March 19.

    What do you make of Israel Adesanya telling Dan Hooker he’s nervous ahead of Robert Whittaker rematch?

  • Strickland Reveals Why He’s More “Offensive” Than Early In His Career

    UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has explained why he feels more freedom to say controversial things now than he did early on in his career.

    There aren’t many figures more polarizing in MMA today than Strickland.

    While he’s entertained with his gym stories, his comments on sparring heavyweight powerhouse Francis Ngannou, his view on the sport of boxing, and his unique (and perhaps partly worrying) hunger for blood and destruction inside the Octagon, he’s also caused controversy with a number of remarks that were perceived to have crossed the line by some.

    But while he’s split opinion with his words and mindset outside the cage, not many can differ from the consensus view on Strickland’s fighting ability. In 27 professional fights, “Tarzan” has had his hand raised 24 times and defeated the likes of Court McGee, Brendan Allen, and Uriah Hall.

    When you’ve only been beaten by reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman, Santiago Ponzinibbio, and an Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos spinning wheel kick across 13 years, you’re doing something right…

    Strickland Enjoys The Freedom To Say “Offensive Shit”

    While Strickland’s reputation as an eccentric, outspoken, and outright bizarre fighter has always existed to an extent, its prominence has certainly increased in recent times.

    Since putting his in-fight trash talk and vocal style on full display when he returned to action against Jack Marshman in 2020, Strickland’s antics have become more and more controversial, culminating in his comments surrounding homosexuality.

    The question many will ask is where was this Strickland at the start of his UFC run? Well, he was in hiding.

    During UFC Vegas 47 media day on Wednesday, “Tarzan” explained why he had to tone down his “offensive” takes early in his career.

    “You know what it is? I’m getting to a point where I can say shit and not get cut from the UFC,” said Strickland. “So before, it was like, man, I wasn’t good; I couldn’t say shit cause Dana White would be like, ‘Hey, go fuck that white trash motherfucker, get him out of here.’ But now, since I’m getting a bit more like, more of a fanbase and people wanna watch me fight, I can say a lot more offensive shit, so it’s nice.”

    Strickland went on to reveal his coaches and manager used to remind him not to say controversial remarks so that getting signed by the world’s premier organization remained a possibility. But now that he’s there and thriving, it’s “white trash motherfucker” from here on out.

    “Every coach or manager I ever had were like, ‘Sean, shut up, they’re not gonna sign you.’ They’re like, ‘Shut up, they don’t want that, they want an image.’ And then now, I’m just gonna be the white trash motherfucker that I am, it’s nice.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZH1SWBvdk2/

    Strickland, who is unbeaten at middleweight in 18 appearances, will face his toughest test to date in the 185-pound division in this weekend’s main event. At UFC Vegas 47, he’ll be tasked with facing perennial contender Jack Hermansson.

    In this clash, we’ll see a smiling Swedish-born Norwegian fishing enthusiast throw down with a self-professed pornography-loving UFC “prostitute” looking for blood and more blood.

    Who will move closer to a title shot this Saturday night, Sean Strickland or Jack Hermansson?

  • Makhachev: Poirier Knows He Won’t Be Champion, Only Wants Money

    UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev has concluded that Dustin Poirier has given up on a championship legacy and is now solely pursuing cash.

    Dustin Poirier’s 11-year WEC/UFC journey culminated at the year-ending pay-per-view of 2021 when “The Diamond” made his reach for some precious gold. Instead of having the lightweight belt in his residence to polish, Poirier is possibly looking for a new division to call home after losing his bid for the lightweight championship at UFC 269.

    Charles Oliveira defeated Poirier by rear-naked-choke, the same method of defeat the Louisianan succumbed to in his first title shot against Khabib Nurmagomedov two years prior.

    UFC 242 results: Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Dustin Poirier to retain
    Image Credit: Per Haljestam

    Following the loss to Oliveira, some have questioned if Poirier is the same fighter who had always wanted to become world champion. Among them was former opponent Justin Gaethje, who wondered if the payouts from the McGregor fights impacted Poirier’s competitive hunger.

    Meanwhile, heading into year 12 of his WEC/UFC tenure, Poirier has handled the loss by openly contemplating and subtly hinting at making a move up to the welterweight division, beginning with a desired fight against Nate Diaz in the weight class.

    Makhachev Believes Poirier’s Potential Division Change Inspired By Money

    Islam Makhachev
    Islam Makhachev, Image Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

    If Poirier decides to make that plunge into the welterweight division, it could be viewed as a fresh start for the former interim lightweight champion. There are fresh opponents and opportunities that could await him at 170.

    However, surging lightweight contender Islam Makhachev seems to think that this potential move would have nothing to do with any pursuit of gold, greatness, or glory—just green (h/t Sportskeeda).

    “I think he just wanna make money,” Makhachev said of Poirier in an interview with Red Corner MMA. “He knows he’s not gonna be champion no more. That’s why he’s thinking about money now. He just wanna choose weight in where he can make more money. This is my opinion.”

    After losing to Khabib at UFC 242, Poirier was able to pull himself back up by the bootstraps as he has become accustomed to doing, and he defeated Dan Hooker via unanimous decision in June 2020. Then, after defeating Conor McGregor at UFC 257, Poirier could have fought against Oliveira for the vacant lightweight championship in his next fight.

    Instead, Poirier opted to fight McGregor again in a trilogy bout at UFC 264. Oliveira would go on to defeat Chandler via TKO last May while Poirier made his trilogy scorecard with McGregor 2-1 in his favor.

    There were some fans who criticized Poirier’s decision to fight McGregor again instead of first challenging for the title. Even McGregor himself took a jab at his rival for choosing the money fight over a title shot, implying that Poirier is beholden to him. And after Poirier fell to Oliveira at UFC 269, Khabib Nurmagomedov, like his protégé Mkahachev, suggested that deep down, Poirier’s hunger to be the champion has been watered down by his recent cash flow.

    If Dustin Poirier does decide to move up to welterweight, do you believe it’s just because of the money?

  • Ngannou After Jackass Cup Test Scene: “Did He Really Have A Nut?”

    UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou appears in Jackass Forever and will be featured in a very violent scene.

    Francis Ngannou captured UFC gold last March when he stopped a former foe in two-time heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic in the second round. After landing a role in the long-awaited film Jackass Forever, the newly minted heavyweight champion will be shown looking to earn gold in a different area of expertise in the film.

    Ahead of its release, Ngannou helped lead viewers through an extended preview of what is being called the “cup test scene,” where Ngannou hits a man (Ehren McGhehey) in the groin at full strength. McGhehey was wearing a cup, but did it make a difference?

    While having a Ford Escort crash into your privates will always leave a mark—if not physically then emotionally—apparently, the cup test was a success. So much so that Ngannou was left wondering, “Did he really have a nut?” when all was said and done.

    You can check out the graphic scene’s extended preview along with Ngannou’s commentary below.

    This isn’t the first time we have seen Francis Ngannou in Hollywood. In fact, the heavyweight champ popped up in a cameo appearance for Fast & Furious 9.

    After Ngannou retained the UFC heavyweight championship at UFC 270 last weekend, many people began to wonder what the future holds for the Cameroonian as he remains in a tense contract dispute with the UFC. But whatever the future holds, at least the heavyweight champion now has Hollywood in his back pocket.

    Jackass Forever hits theaters nationwide today, Friday, February 4, 2022.

    Will you be watching Francis Ngannou in Jackass Forever this weekend?

  • Julianna Peña & Amanda Nunes Set To Coach TUF Ahead Of Rematch

    After winning UFC gold, Julianna Peña will fulfill another dream by coaching The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) prior to her rematch against Amanda Nunes later this year.

    Recently, Peña revealed that talks had begun for her to coach TUF alongside Amanda Nunes before running back their UFC 269 clash. Now, MMA News can confirm that this arrangement has been agreed to by both parties.

    There is currently no set schedule for when the season will begin airing or when the rematch will take place. Peña is on the record for expressing her preference for the rematch to take place in the summer, which falls right in line with the upcoming taping of TUF.

    Julianna Peña shocked the world at UFC 269. The massive underdog overcame a tough first round and let her hands go in the second. The bout ended with Peña sinking in the choke and ending the streak of the consensus WMMA GOAT, Amanda Nunes.

    Immediately following her win, Peña discussed what it would mean for her to coach TUF during the UFC 269 post-fight press conference. 

    “I would love to coach The Ultimate Fighter. It’s always been a dream of mine,” Peña said. “And yeah, I would love for her to coach alongside me. I got nothing but love and respect for Amanda. I think that she’s been a great champion. And coaching The Ultimate Fighter would be another dream come true for me.”

    Julianna Pena
    Julianna Peña

    The Ultimate Fighter has run since 2005 on various media outlets. The most recent season featured featherweight coaches Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega ahead of their UFC 266 title bout. Peña herself became the first female Ultimate Fighter season winner in 2013.

    Throughout the years, the show has waned in viewership but still managed to pump out future stars and provided us with multiple champions. Like Peña, current belt-holders Rose Namajuanas and Kamaru Usman also made their way into the UFC via the show. 

    “The Venezuelan Vixen’s” win over Nunes will forever be remembered as one of the biggest upsets in the promotion’s history. And as she prepares to defend her title, Peña finds herself in the fortunate position to begin paving the way for a new generation of fighters to begin chasing their own dreams and forging new legacies.

    Will you be watching Amanda Nunes and Julianna Peña coach The Ultimate Fighter?

  • Khabib: My Fight With McGregor Was Bigger Than MayMac

    Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov believes his UFC 229 main event with Conor McGregor was a bigger fight than the Irishman’s blockbuster boxing showdown with Floyd Mayweather.

    2017 saw a collision billed as “The Money Fight” and “The Biggest Fight In Combat Sports History.” It pitted undefeated 11-time five-division boxing world champion Mayweather against former two-division UFC titleholder and then-155-pound king McGregor.

    While the battle of boxing vs. MMA has essentially become a norm in today’s crossover culture, back then it was as historical as it was lucrative.

    Following one of the most covered and notable international media tours and build-ups combat sports has ever seen, the pair shared the squared circle inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. After going nine rounds with the boxing GOAT contender, McGregor was finished in the 10th frame.

    The numbers behind the clash were staggering. The contest grossed a remarkable $938 million, sitting in second on the all-time list behind only Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao’s 2015 match ($960 million). That feat certainly doesn’t need any more context, but here’s some anyway; the third highest-grossing fight (Mayweather vs. Canelo Álvarez – 2013) raked in $304 million, over $600 million less than ‘The Money Fight’.

    With that number in mind, it’s no surprise where Mayweather vs. McGregor sits on the pay-per-view buys ladder. Once again second to only Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, the 2017 crossover fight jumped to the #2 spot after attracting 4.3 million buys, nearly two million more than the third-placed bout.

    What did all that help secure? A reported $280 million purse for “Money” Mayweather and a $130 million boost for the “Notorious” McGregor.

    Khabib: McGregor vs. Mayweather Was More “Fake”

    While Mayweather vs. McGregor is widely regarded as one of, if not the, biggest fights of all time, one man shares a different sentiment.

    Khabib Nurmagomedov, one of the leading contenders in the debate surrounding the greatest of all time in the UFC, believes his own grudge match with McGregor clearly surpassed Mayweather’s.

    During an appearance on the Full Send Podcast, “The Eagle” cited the background to the UFC 229 main event and the memorable nature of the fight as the reasons why no other matchup comes close, especially not the “sparring” session between Mayweather and McGregor.

    “For sure this is biggest fight in history of martial arts. Nothing close, I think,” said Khabib. “Even when he fight with Mayweather, it’s like, ‘OK.’ But not many people care about this fight. It was historical event: MMA champion vs. boxing champion. 

    “But inside the fight, many people, they don’t even remember what happened inside the fight. For example, in what round referee stop this fight? Most of the people don’t remember,” continued Khabib. “They don’t remember because it was like sparring fight. For me, it was not real fight because (McGregor) is not real boxer. And Mayweather, what he did—for me, it was like more fake fight. This just my opinion, maybe not.

    “And then what was between us, it was real. And everything (that) happened before the fight, inside the fight, after the fight (was real),” concluded Khabib.

    Whether for positive or negative reasons, UFC 229 was undoubtedly one of the most memorable events in UFC history.

    From the pre-fight exchanges, which saw McGregor attack Khabib’s family, religion, and country, to the fight itself, which saw the Dagestani extend his unbeaten record with a fourth-round neck crank submission, to the post-fight brawl, it’s hard to forget what transpired on October 6, 2018.

    While it attracted 2.4 million PPV buys, leaving daylight to the UFC’s second-highest tally in that regard, can it be regarded as “bigger” across all aspects than Mayweather vs. McGregor? It’s certainly an interesting debate to have.

    Do you agree with Khabib Nurmagomedov?

  • Strickland Invites Holland To Do “The Man Dance” With Him To Settle Beef

    Feelings seem to be mutual between middleweights Sean Strickland and Kevin Holland.

    Both middleweights have recently stated their issues with each other.

    Holland was recently asked about his pick in the upcoming fight between Strickland and Jack Hermansson. When asked about the fight, Holland went on a rant about why he doesn’t like the rising middleweight.

    “Look, I love Eric [Nicksick] over there at Xtreme Couture. I love that gym, I think they’re awesome. But I absolutely do not like Strickland,” said Holland in an interview with ESPN. “If you like Strickland, if you’re a fan of Strickland, you’re kind of awkward. I don’t see how you can like that kind of guy.” (h/t MiddleEasy)

    Strickland: Holland Is Scared Of Me

    Sean Strickland
    Sean Strickland

    During the recent media day appearance for UFC Vegas 47, Strickland told his side of the story regarding his issues with Holland. During this appearance, he mentioned that they first started beefing on Instagram. Soon after, they met face to face at the UFC Performance Institute.

    “So anyways, I see him at the PI the other day. He’s like popped out his fuckin’ chest trying to fight me. And I’m like, ‘Kevin Holland bro, you have my Instagram, dude. We can’t fight here. Edgar, the fuckin, the UFC guy with the abs, he’s going to break this shit up here,” said Strickland. “You’ve gotta fuckin’ call me, we’ve gotta go to this fuckin’ parking lot and we’ll do the fuckin’ man dance.

    “The thing about Kevin Holland, you know, he doesn’t know how to embrace his feelings. He doesn’t know how to feel. He’s scared of his feelings. So like, Kevin Holland is one of those guys [where] he sees me and he’s scared of me.”

    It’s hard to imagine Holland and Strickland settling their beef in the cage anytime soon. Strickland is quite high up in the division currently, as he is theoretically just a few wins from being in the title picture. 

    Holland, however, is currently winless in his past three fights, resulting in two losses and one no contest. He’s set to return on March 5 against Alex Oliveira.

  • Hermansson: People Want To See Me Put Sean Strickland Down

    UFC middleweight contender Jack Hermansson says he’s never received more messages of support before a fight than he has ahead of his main event clash with Sean Strickland this weekend.

    With his position one spot outside the 185-pound top five, Hermansson will be hoping to jump closer to a title shot when he enters the Octagon for the first time this year.

    Having fallen short of doing so in a headliner versus Marvin Vettori in late 2020, “The Joker” got back on track last May with a comfortable decision triumph over the once-highly-touted prospect Edmen Shahbazyan. Since then, Hermansson has been watching matchups unfold and waiting for his next foe.

    That rival has come in the form of outspoken and controversial hard-hitter Strickland. The pair will close out Saturday’s UFC Vegas 47 card inside Las Vegas’ Apex facility, with a place in the championship conversation at stake.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXDeoWKq-rL/

    Fans Urge Hermansson To “Kill This Dude!”

    It’s fair to say that in his 28-fight career, Hermansson hasn’t come up against an opponent like Strickland. The Swedish-born Norwegian couldn’t be more different than his American counterpart when it comes to personality and voice.

    With Strickland’s antics, which have split opinions among fans, pundits, and fighters, it’s no surprise a portion of the MMA community want to see the #7-ranked middleweight beaten. That sentiment has apparently been clear in the DMs of Hermansson.

    During a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, the 33-year-old claimed the wave of support and backing he’s received ahead of his contest with Strickland is like nothing he’s experienced before in the UFC.

    “I was actually suggesting Sean Strickland (as an opponent),” said Hermansson. “Because he’s ranked one behind me, and he’s on a good win streak. I think he’s undefeated in the middleweight division, and he has some hype right now… He’s a little bit different [LAUGHS].

    “I’ve seen (his interviews) and he’s a funny character. Some things he says might be over the line. But what I do know is that I have never faced an opponent where so many people are messaging me, writing to me, like, ‘Man, kill this dude! You have to win this!’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m always trying to win fights.’ People wanna see him go down, that’s for sure,” concluded Hermansson.

    While the pair may differ in their fight week, social media, and interview attitudes, one thing they have in common is their talent and toughness when the cage door shuts. They’ll both look to put that on full display come Saturday night.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised in the UFC Vegas 47 main event, Jack Hermansson or Sean Strickland?

  • Figueiredo Wants To Avoid A Mexico Fight Following Post-UFC 270 Abuse

    UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo does not want to defend his title in Mexico due to the “prejudiced” nature of the country.

    Figueiredo began his second reign on the 125-pound throne at the opening pay-per-view of 2022 last month. In the UFC 270 co-main event, “Deus da Guerra” shared the Octagon with Brandon Moreno for the third time.

    Having failed to defeat “The Assassin Baby” in a December 2020 draw and losing the gold to the Mexican last June at UFC 263, Figueiredo hoped to level the score in Anaheim in front of a largely hostile crowd.

    After five rounds of action, the Brazilian did just that. Seemingly thanks to knockdowns in the third and fifth frames, Figueiredo was awarded the unanimous decision verdict, with all three judges seeing the fight 48-47 in his favor.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZD5QIvLvs8/

    Figueiredo Pours Cold Water On Moreno’s Hopes Of A Mexico Crowning

    With the pair’s feud now at 1-1-1, this chapter of their careers seems to be far from over and could see an immediate historical tetralogy go down later this year, something Moreno believes he more than deserves.

    But while the newly-crowned champion and his manager appeared to envision a fourth fight with the Mexican happening soon, the tune appears to have changed. Having recently claimed it would take a million-dollar check to get him back in the cage with “The Assassin Baby” and suggested an interest in facing top contender Kai Kara-France, Figueiredo has now shut down talk of a possible defense in Mexico.

    During a recent appearance on Combate’s Mundo da Luta podcast, the flyweight king revealed his team is targeting a Brazil outing. Despite previously expressing a desire to defeat Moreno on the former champ’s home turf, post-fight “prejudiced” comments have left “Deus Da Guerra” with little desire to venture to his rival’s nation.

    “If we fight in Mexico, we’re sure not to go out with Cejudo from there because people want his head in Mexico,” said Figueiredo. “We’re going to ask this fight for Brazil, or anywhere else, except Mexico. Even I don’t want to go there. Guys are pretty prejudiced too, some Mexicans come to me calling me ‘monkey’ and stuff. Through that, I don’t want to fight in Mexico.” (h/t BJPenn.com)

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZH2Y_nv3UG/

    With the likes of Kara-France, Askar Askarov, and Alexandre Pantoja waiting in the wings for a shot at gold, a fourth fight between Figueiredo and Moreno is certainly not an obvious and clear-cut choice for the UFC.

    Nevertheless, if the promotion does choose to go down that path, it appears unlikely “The Assassin Baby” will have the chance to dethrone Figueiredo in front of a home crowd, especially while the champ is training with Henry Cejudo.

    Would you like to see Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno meet again for a historical fourth fight?