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Tag: Conor McGregor

  • Daniel Cormier Makes Bold Second-Half Of 2024 Prediction For Conor McGregor: ‘Will Get Increasingly Annoyed With The UFC…’

    Daniel Cormier Makes Bold Second-Half Of 2024 Prediction For Conor McGregor: ‘Will Get Increasingly Annoyed With The UFC…’

    Despite coming so close to finally getting Conor McGregor back inside the Octagon, it still remains unclear what will happen from this point on.

    “The Notorious” stated once the news was official that he had withdrawn from the main event of UFC 303, that he wouldn’t need much time to recover.

    His broken toe would mean taking a few weeks away to heal up before getting back into his training camp, so a September or October date would make a lot of sense.

    There is yet to be an update on this and Daniel Cormier wonders whether the UFC could be left in a position where they don’t have a good time for him to come back because of the plans that they already have in place for each month.

    Daniel Cormier Predicts That Conor McGregor Is Going To Find The Remainder Of 2024 Frustrating

    During a recent episode of the Good Guy / Bad Guy show on ESPN MMA, Cormier and Chael Sonnen gave their predictions for the remainder of 2024.

    The first topic tasked both men with completing the sentence, “Conor McGregor will…”, which Sonnen chose to end with ‘return’.

    Cormier, on the other hand, took a different route as he spoke about whether there will be space in the schedule for McGregor’s return now that it has been pushed back.

    When his injury was confirmed, there was talk of whether an additional numbered event would need to take place in order to allow for McGregor to fight without changing any of the other plans that are already in place.

    With the PPV cards already starting to come together for the remaining months of the year, “DC” isn’t sure that booking the Irishman’s comeback against Michael Chandler is going to be a simple process.

    “For me, Conor McGregor will get increasingly annoyed with the UFC because they will not have anywhere to put him, that’s my prediction. He will want to fight, Chael, like you said, because he will want to get back to that guy but as you know, fight cards fill up and Conor McGregor can’t just be dropped onto any fight card.

    Whereas New York may be a great place to put McGregor, you can’t put him on the same card as Jones and Stipe so he will have to find a place to fight.”

    Read also: ‘He’s Touching Billionaire Status…’ – PFL Star & Conor McGregor’s Sparring Partner Feels UFC 303 Withdrawal Showed ‘Maturity’

  • ‘He’s Touching Billionaire Status…’ – PFL Star & Conor McGregor’s Sparring Partner Feels UFC 303 Withdrawal Showed ‘Maturity’

    ‘He’s Touching Billionaire Status…’ – PFL Star & Conor McGregor’s Sparring Partner Feels UFC 303 Withdrawal Showed ‘Maturity’

    MMA fans had to wait a long time before there was concrete news about the return of Conor McGregor.

    There was plenty of questions during this time about whether he would ever comeback, how much he still has left to give to the sport and so on.

    When McGregor announced his withdrawal from the UFC 303 main event against Michael Chandler, some took this in combination with the long wait and posed another theory regarding whether “The Notorious” was ever going to actually fight on June 29.

    Having trained with the Irishman throughout his comeback process, PFL’s Brendan Loughnane strongly disagrees with any sentiment that McGregor doesn’t have that same passion for competition anymore.

    Brendan Loughnane Says Conor McGregor Still Has The Same Fire & Was Correct To Pull Out Of UFC 303

    Loughnane, who is set to return at PFL 9 on August 23, has spent a lot of solid time around McGregor in the past year specifically.

    Having trained alongside “The Mac” as he was looking to make a return to the Octagon, he believes that McGregor is still just as motivated to compete as ever before but pulling out of UFC 303 due to his broken toe was the right call.

    Loughnane drew attention to the fact that the former UFC champ-champ never needs to fight again so putting himself through a training camp in the first place should tell you all you need to know about where he’s at regarding the current status of his career.

    “This guy is hungry for it, he doesn’t have to do this now, he’s touching billionaire status. He’s doing this out of the love of the sport, guy loves it through and through, he’s a martial artist. He wakes up every day, this is what lights the fire inside people like him and me.

    and the fact that he got the injury and he pulled out shows me that he’s in a good place because it’s like going through these fights injured for what? He’s done it before, it’s well documented that he’s done it many times before. Do it when you’re healthy, there’s so much on the line now.”

    Loughnane, like many others have, made reference to how McGregor’s injury that led to such a long time away from the Octagon was caused by him going into the third fight with Dustin Poirier with an existing injury that cost him the fight.

    He believes that with this in mind, it was the correct decision to make on this occasion.

    “I’m glad that he did it, it’s showing maturity and I can’t wait for his comeback.”

  • Jon Anik Maintains Conor McGregor Has ‘An Itch That Can Only Be Scratched In The Octagon’ Amid UFC Return Uncertainty

    UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik has reiterated his belief that Conor McGregor’s time competing in mixed martial arts is not yet up.

    As has been the case for the best part of a year and a half since his comeback was first announced, considerable uncertainty surrounds the career status of McGregor, the promotion’s first-ever simultaneous two-division champion.

    The Irishman has struggled for both activity and positive results since he achieved that feat in 2016, going 1-3 across four fights in over seven years. The manner of his most recent setback — a gruesome broken leg suffered in the first round of his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier in 2021 — left many suggesting the Irishman had entered the cage for the last time.

    Those theories continued throughout 2023 when no news came on his planned fight against Michael Chandler following their stint as opposition coaches on The Ultimate Fighter. And while the bout was eventually set for UFC 303 last month, a toe injury led to McGregor’s withdrawal on late notice.

    That’s once again brought about claims that McGregor is unlikely to make the walk again. Anik, however, has remained firm on his belief that the Irishman has an itch that must be scratched inside the cage…

    Anik Doubles Down On McGregor Return Prediction

    During a recent appearance on MMA Junkie Radio, Anik gave his thoughts on the uncertainty around McGregor’s long-awaited comeback, having previously predicted the Dubliner to rattle of consecutive fights in short time upon his return.

    The UFC’s lead play-by-play commentator reiterated that stance, explaining that factors outside of the cage such as wealth and material goods that some use to dismiss his motivation to compete would be more enjoyable for McGregor after additional Octagon assignments.

    “I guess I’m frustrated. That’s probably the right verb when it comes to some of Conor McGregor’s inactivity. But largely, I think a lot of this has been out of his control,” Anik said. “It’s not always easy being the biggest superstar in mixed martial arts. It certainly isn’t easy when you snap your leg in half, you know? And then obviously he had a setback in this most recent training camp.

    “I’ve gotta stay consistent in terms of my thesis statement on Conor. It’s that he’s going to enjoy the yacht life a whole lot more with a couple more MMA scalps, or at the very least fights, high-profile fights,” Anik continued. “He came back and fought Dustin back-to-back, right, and then snapped his leg in two. I still believe that there’s an itch that can only be scratched in the Octagon for Conor McGregor.”

    It remains to be seen whether or not McGregor will prove Anik’s remarks true later this year. But his recent return to “yacht life” on social media following the UFC 303 cancellation has seemingly left some fans fearing the worst…

  • Sean O’Malley’s Coach Theorizes Conor McGregor Uncertainty Is Delaying Confirmation Of Merab Dvalishvili Title Fight At The Sphere

    Sean O’Malley’s Coach Theorizes Conor McGregor Uncertainty Is Delaying Confirmation Of Merab Dvalishvili Title Fight At The Sphere

    A fight between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC bantamweight championship is all but confirmed. The fighters have been targeting each other online for months and have repeatedly suggested that they might main event the Riyadh Season Noche UFC event.

    O’Malley last defended his title in March against Marlon “Chito” Vera in dominant fashion. Dvalishvili on the other hand, secured his title shot by beating Henry Cejudo in February for his tenth consecutive win in the UFC.

    With both fighters and fans worldwide awaiting an official announcement regarding their matchup, O’Malley’s coach has speculated the reason behind the delay from the UFC.

    Sean O’Malley’s Coach Blames McGregor vs. Chandler For Delay In Dvalishvili Fight Confirmation

    During a recent episode of the TimboSugarShow on O’Malley’s official YouTube channel, he and Tim Welch discussed whether the UFC has an interest in adding McGregor vs. Chandler to the UFC 306 card at the Sphere. If true, this can naturally lead to other major fights being shifted to different events.

    “Sugar” highlighted that Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway is also rumored to be an option for the September 14 card. Yet again, the return of the Irishman can impact when and where this fight happens.

    “The Sphere, and Dana keeps saying it’s going to be something f*****g crazy, and then you got Conor-Chandler maybe going around, you got Max-Ilia, you got me and Merab. You got f*****g some pretty big fights to possibly make, but honest to god, I have not heard from the UFC,” O’Malley said.

    The champ’s coach agreed that the UFC could be eager to organize McGregor vs. Chandler at UFC 306. Because the Dubliner’s commitment has been called into question lately, Welch thinks that the UFC hasn’t been able to confirm the other fights on the card.

    “It’s probably a tough thing for the UFC. It’s like, they want to let you know. If they knew, I’m sure they’d let you know right away. But when you’re dealing with someone like Conor McGregor, who’s just, one day he probably wants it, one day he doesn’t, one day he’s just booger sugared up, one day he’s this. They’re probably waiting on that.”

    During his iconic run to becoming a double UFC champion, McGregor was known for fighting consistently and not pulling out despite injuries. However, his returns to the Octagon since fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the ring have been the exact opposite.

    With nine weeks remaining before the Riyadh Season Noche UFC event, both O’Malley and his coach expect the official announcement for the Merab Dvalishvili fight to arrive as soon as possible should the promotion decide the bantamweight gold will be on the line at the Sphere.

  • Conor McGregor Makes Prediction For Boxing Match Between ‘Little Play Around Dipsh*ts’ Nate Diaz & Jorge Masvidal

    Conor McGregor Makes Prediction For Boxing Match Between ‘Little Play Around Dipsh*ts’ Nate Diaz & Jorge Masvidal

    Conor McGregor has made his opinion known on tonight’s boxing battle between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal.

    As McGregor recovers from his toe injury that led to the postponement of his long-planned MMA return with Michael Chandler — and as we wait for a new date to be announced for such a fight — he has eyes turned toward a main event boxing showdown between two other names that have been UFC stars.

    McGregor is very familiar with Diaz as a fighter, and it’s that experience that partly makes him predict that the Stockton native will come out on top in this fight at Anaheim’s Honda Center on Saturday.

    In fact, McGregor took to social media to state that he has placed a major, $500,000 bet down on Diaz tonight.

    Conor McGregor Places $500K Bet That Nate Diaz Defeats Jorge Masvidal In Boxing

    “Range, form, experience, solely hands being used, I can’t see Masvidal causing any problems to Nate in a boxing ring whatsoever,” McGregor posted. They are both little play around dips**** in a fight, play around bollox, but I feel Nate does him in easy here for real.”

    McGregor and Diaz fought in two legendary battles at UFC 196 and UFC 202. Fighting on just over a week’s notice, the American fan favorite submitted his Irish counterpart in upset fashion at UFC 196.

    McGregor got his revenge in a closely contested encounter by a majority decision win at UFC 202, which at one point was the most bought pay-per-view in UFC history.

    Meanwhile, Masvidal and the former two-division champion never fought in the Octagon, with UFC CEO Dana White at one point noting that McGregor would look small fighting “Gamebred” at 170 pounds.

    Diaz and Masvidal faced off at UFC 244 in November 2019, with the Miami native winning via third-round doctor’s stoppage TKO to become the inaugural BMF champion.

  • ‘You Can’t Really Say Anything Negative About Him’ – Dan Hardy Sticks Up For Conor McGregor After UFC 303 Drama

    ‘You Can’t Really Say Anything Negative About Him’ – Dan Hardy Sticks Up For Conor McGregor After UFC 303 Drama

    Conor McGregor has fought through injuries throughout his career and had never pulled out of a scheduled matchup until UFC 303. While past opponents and some rivals have taken sly digs at the Irishman, others have recognized the risks of fighting with a broken toe.

    By the time McGregor returns, he’d have been out of the Octagon for over three years. The former two-division champion lost three out of his last four fights, and it is hard to see the win over Cerrone as a feather in his cap.

    Naturally, “The Notorious” aims to be fully prepared for his return. Getting back in the win column will instantly open up a ton of exciting fights for the Dubliner.

    For now, though, plenty of focus remains on McGregor’s decision to pull out of UFC 303. But Dan Hardy has a different view to many critics when it comes to the UFC 303 drama and McGregor’s injury…

    Hardy Claims Conor McGregor Respects Michael Chandler Enough Not To Fight Him With A Broken Toe

    Hardy recently appeared on the From The Stands YouTube channel and talked about the postponed fight between McGregor and Chandler.

    The former UFC welterweight title challenger instantly pointed out that the McGregor we’ve long known would never pull out of a fight that he thinks is winnable despite an injury.

    “We know what Conor’s like, he’s not going to pull out of a fight that he feels like he can win, even if he is injured. I think this shows that he’s got a lot of respect for Michael Chandler and he knows that he needs to be on his A game because, I mean, he wants to get back on track, right? He wants to be back in the win column.”

    ”The Outlaw” also reviewed the importance of toes for McGregor to make the most of his wide striking stance.

    “What we know about McGregor is that, you know, he is, you know, he’s very much about footwork, especially the best versions of McGregor, (it) requires him to be mobile. And he’s got a long stance, which means he uses the big toe and the little toe just as much as one another to keep himself mobile.”

    McGregor mostly gained acclaim for his consistency and willingness to fight during his rise to stardom. In contrast, he now has everything he ever wanted from the sport. On top of that, losing three fights in a row will naturally hurt his brand.

    “You know, you can’t really say anything negative about him because we know that (he) would take fights on short notice if you felt capable of competing. And I really want the best version of McGregor because ultimately we might be counting on one hand the amount of times we see him fight again.”

    All these factors compel Hardy to side with McGregor for taking his time leading into the Chandler fight.

  • Nate Diaz Doubles Down On Support For Conor McGregor Following UFC 303 Pullout: ‘Lost His Last Fight Because He Went In There Like A G & Was Hurt…’

    When Conor McGregor announced the reason for his long awaited return at UFC 303 being pushed back, he received a lot of negativity.

    “The Notorious” made the call to delay his comeback fight after breaking his toe in training because after being out for so long, he wanted to step back inside the Octagon at 100%.

    A new date has not been provided yet for when he hopes to fight again and whether or not it will still be against Michael Chandler.

    Despite their long-running rivalry with each other that produced two of the most iconic fights in the history of the sport, Nate Diaz has McGregor’s back on this one.

    Nate Diaz Commends Conor McGregor For Making The Decision To Postpone His Comeback

    During an interview with MMA legend Demetrious Johnson on The MightyCast, Diaz said that he actually supports McGregor’s decision to postpone the fight.

    The Stockton fighter believes that this shows the Irishman’s experience and learning over the years – which is something Diaz has also noticed in his own career regarding fighting injured.

    “That’s experience, you know, he was f***** up when he fought his last fight and I’ve been f***** up in hella fights and I don’t want to like to cry about it afterwards ‘cuz your a** shouldn’t have came to fight if you was f***** up, that’s how I think about it.”

    Diaz made a clear distinction between the fact that McGregor didn’t cancel the fight but called for it to be pushed back, and commended him for making that call.

    He reflected on how he found himself in a similar position ahead of his fight with Leon Edwards which was moved to the following month’s event at UFC 263, after he suffered a cut in training that he nearly decided to fight through.

    Diaz also referenced how McGregor’s injury, which was a big reason why he was inactive for so long, came at UFC 264 because he went into the fight already compromised which further supports his decision to delay the return.

    “So now, before you just jump to conclusions and start being like, ‘He’s hurt, f****** p****’ it’s like bro, he lost his last fight because he went in there like a G and he was hurt and he f***** himself up, you know what I’m saying. That being a part of it, he shouldn’t have showed up though but now he knows. So it’s like when people are like, ‘wah’, I’m like why don’t you just shut up and sit down?”

  • Nate Diaz Recalls Negotiations With UFC For First Conor McGregor Fight: ‘I Might Not Be Educated, But I’m Not Stupid…’

    Nate Diaz Recalls Negotiations With UFC For First Conor McGregor Fight: ‘I Might Not Be Educated, But I’m Not Stupid…’

    Nate Diaz recently looked back on how his first fight with Conor McGregor came together, and the discussions he had to ensure he was adequately compensated for the short-notice assignment.

    Diaz has long been a fan favorite in the sport of mixed martial arts, but his star well and truly grew to astronomical levels when he shared the Octagon with McGregor in Las Vegas at UFC 196 eight years ago.

    Diaz answered the call on just 11 days’ notice, replacing the injured Rafael dos Anjos to face the then-featherweight titleholder in a welterweight bout.

    Against the odds, the Stockton native handed McGregor his first professional defeat since 2010 and first setback on MMA’s biggest stage, countering the Dubliner’s tired takedown attempt in round two with some brutal ground-and-pound, which set up the shocking rear-naked choke submission finish.

    As well as the victory, a Fight of the Night bonus, and a Performance of the Night bonus, Diaz exited T-Mobile Arena with his heftiest pay check to date. But the figure on it was apparently a far cry from what the UFC first proposed…

    Diaz Says UFC Tried Offering ‘Pennies’ For McGregor 1

    During a recent interview with UFC legend and current ONE Championship titleholder Demetrious Johnson, Diaz looked back on his first showdown with McGregor and discussed the short-notice bout coming together.

    When discussing the financial implications that many expect to come with fighting McGregor, Diaz confirmed that UFC 196 marked his highest pay up to that point in his career.

    But that was seemingly something he had to work for behind closed doors, outlining the offer originally slid across his desk by the UFC compared to what he ultimately managed to secure.

    “At the time, it was (the biggest pay check I’d received). But they were trying to give me pennies for that too,” Diaz said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, right. I know what I’m doing here. I’ve been through it.’ I’d already been into it with the organization about that. So they called me and they were like, ‘Hey, while you’re going to do this, we’re going to give you a million dollars.’ I was like, ‘Hey, you’re gonna give me more than that.’

    “So I got like five times more than that because of that. I knew the game by then and I was like, ‘F*ck that,’” Diaz continued. “Remember when I was telling you about how if I fight every two months, I could be rich. That basic math attitude kind of f*cking times 10, times 100, over and over again. So I knew what it was with the whole money in the business and sh*t. I might not be educated but I’m not stupid.”

    Both men have had some major paydays since. For Diaz, that’s currently in the realm of boxing.

    After fighting out his contract with the UFC in a submission win over Tony Ferguson, the Stockton star went on to share the ring with YouTuber-turned-pugilist Jake Paul last August.

    Having kept his stock high in defeat against “The Problem Child,” Diaz is next set to revisit his rivalry with Jorge Masvidal, which was forged inside the Octagon at UFC 244 back in 2019.

    Although his current focus is on boxing and his match with “Gamebred” this weekend, Diaz has been firm in insisting that the final chapter in his storied feud with McGregor is not yet written.

    With their series sat level at one win apiece, a trilogy could be in store down the line.

  • MMA News Today: UFC Lightweights Makhachev, Poirier, Chandler, McGregor Involved In Social Media Throwdown, UFC Commentator Feels Michael ‘Venom’ Page Displayed ‘Lack Of Depth’ In Loss To Ian Garry, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 2, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Makhachev, Poirier, Chandler & McGregor all trade shots
    • Sanko says “MVP” needs the right dance partner
    • Cejudo still has Pereira grappling concerns

    Top UFC Lightweights Makhachev, Poirier, Chandler & McGregor Engage In Social Media Crossfire

    Some of the top names in the UFC’s lightweight division have been exchanging blows on social media with Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler all letting their feelings about one another be known.

    The conversation was sparked by a post from Poirier where he said if Arman Tsarukyan is unable to fight for the lightweight title, he would be happy to jump back in with Makhachev following their fight at UFC 302.

    “The Diamond” had also been firing back at Conor McGregor in response to the recent social media posts that were made by “The Notorious” in reference to their previous encounters.

    Makhachev replied to Poirier’s message, as did fellow top lightweight Chandler who then also went back-and-forth with the lightweight champion due to their history inside the Octagon.

    The full series of crossfire posts shows that there is no love lost between any of the four lightweights.

    Laura Sanko Says Michael ‘Venom’ Page Needs The Right Match-Up After UFC 303 Defeat

    Michael “Venom” Page was defeated by Ian Garry at UFC 303 after the Irishman used his grappling to secure the victory.

    Whilst Page had some strong moments on the feet, he was taken down and out-grappled by one of the welterweight contenders who isn’t known for this particular skill set.

    UFC commentator Laura Sanko spoke in an interview with Submission Radio about how this fight showed some of the flaws in Page’s game.

    She said that whilst there are still plenty of options for “MVP” in the UFC, it needs to be against the right opponent after what we saw this past weekend.

    “Yeah, he definitely showed a little bit of lack of depth in terms of the details of the ground game and I think anybody that really appreciates the fine art of jiu-jitsu is going to spot those.

    “There are still plenty of really interesting, fun fights for MVP on the UFC roster. The truth of the matter is he needs the right stylistic match-up.”

    Henry Cejudo Says The Jury Is Still Out On Alex Pereira And His Grappling

    Former UFC champ-champ Henry Cejudo isn’t ready to start calling Alex Pereira the best in the world right now due to one concern.

    “Triple C” spoke on his Pound 4 Pound podcast about how “Poatan” is still yet to face an elite grappler that will be able to take him out of his comfort zone.

    Despite being able to deal with other strikers in emphatic fashion, as he did in the main event of UFC 303, a huge test awaits him in Magomed Ankalaev.

    Cejudo also referred to the fact that Pereira is yet to mention a potential super fight with the heavyweight champion Jon Jones because of the wrestling pedigree that “Bones” brings to the table.

    “Either way, Alex Pereira, he’s not mentioning Jon Jones because I think he knows that Jon Jones has that special sauce, and it’s called wrestling. But that being said, I want to see the fight with Ankalaev.”

    Read more on the story here.

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  • MMA News Today: Insider Reveals Issue That Prevented Dustin Poirier Training Wrestling Pre-UFC 302, Alexa Grasso & Valentina Shevchenko Disagree On Planned Sphere Theme For UFC 306, & More

    MMA News Today: Insider Reveals Issue That Prevented Dustin Poirier Training Wrestling Pre-UFC 302, Alexa Grasso & Valentina Shevchenko Disagree On Planned Sphere Theme For UFC 306, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For June 4, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Poirier and Makhachev both had struggles in camp
    • Grasso and Shevchenko have mixed opinions on Noche UFC
    • Sonnen suggests replacement opponent if McGregor pulls out

    Yves Edwards Says Dustin Poirier Couldn’t Grapple Due To Training Injury Two Weeks Before UFC 302

    A lot of fight fans assumed that similar to his fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier would struggle to stop the grappling game of Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.

    Though he was submitted in the final round, the takedown and submission defense of the challenger was at least enough to make the fight competitive.

    This is only more impressive following some recent comments from a former fighter that had insight into his preparations for Newark.

    On SiriuxXM’s MMA Today, Yves Edwards said that Poirier was unable to grapple toward the end of his training camp due to a rib injury.

    “The way he performed on Saturday night, that was super impressive to me, and nobody knows this, and he’s probably gonna be like, ‘Man, why’d you put that out there?’ I know [Makhachev] was also not 100 percent. Nobody goes into a fight a 100 percent. But [Poirier] hurt his ribs like two weeks before the fight and hadn’t wrestled or grappled for like two and a half weeks.” 

    As Edwards stated, the champion wasn’t in his best shape either having confirmed that he suffered a staph infection during his camp that forced him to take a week off.

    Alexa Grasso & Valentina Shevchenko Express Different Impressions On Whether UFC 306 Will Be Noche UFC At The Sphere

    The trilogy fight between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko was seemingly targeted for UFC 306, which would have been a huge occasion.

    After their last fight took place at the very first Noche UFC event, running it back at the first event inside the Sphere made a lot of sense.

    However, former champion Valentina Shevchenko made it perfectly clear that after the scorecard controversy last time out, she wasn’t keen on the idea of running it back on this particular showcase.

    She expressed in a recent interview ahead of the premiere of their time coaching across from each other on The Ultimate Fighter that the card was no longer being planned around the celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

    This was seemingly news to the champion Grasso who said the opposite after being played a clip of Shevchenko’s comments during an interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn.

    “Well as I know, it’s gonna be Noche UFC again. I mean, I’ve seen a few interviews from Dana White and he’s saying that it’s a love letter for the Mexican Independence Day, for the Mexican fighters that he has.”

    Chael Sonnen Pitches Title Fight For Michael Chandler If Conor McGregor Withdraws From UFC 303

    The late-notice cancellation of the UFC 303 press conference has got fight fans worried about whether the main event will go ahead.

    For seemingly months on end, there were questions of whether Conor McGregor would ever return to face Michael Chandler or whether that ship was sailing. Everything appeared to be heading in the right direction once the fight was made official for June 29. Now, back-up plans are starting to be questioned.

    Chael Sonnen expressed on a recent episode of the Good Guy/Bad Guy show on ESPN MMA that he can’t see McGregor pulling out of the fight no matter what.

    He did also add that if “The Notorious” can’t fight, the UFC should have the BMF champion on speed dial ready to save the show.

    “One of Conor’s codes is the show must go on… I just don’t believe, a month in advance — whether it’s illness, injury, or any other excuse — that Conor’s gonna be the one that pulls,” Sonnen said. “But I will tell you this, there will be no postponement of this fight. They either fight on the 29th or we move on.

    “I believe Conor’s gonna be opposite Michael Chandler. I’m very confident in telling you that,” Sonnen continued. “However, if he’s not, Michael Chandler versus Max Holloway for the BMF is the fight to book.”

    Read more on the story here.

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  • ‘Something Is Absolutely Going On’ – Fan Speculation On Conor McGregor’s UFC 303 Status Increases After Claims Of Deleted Promotional Material

    The build-up to UFC 303 and the return of Conor McGregor was never going to be a straight forward run.

    After months of debate as to whether the fight would finally come together, not even the official announcement has put fight fans at peace.

    This hasn’t been helped by clips of McGregor seemingly partying during his training camp, leading to questions of whether he will even make it to the fight.

    The biggest concern was when on the day it was set to take place, the press conference in Dublin was postponed without any reason being given.

    McGregor put out the following statement but didn’t address many of the concerns that fans had about whether “The Notorious” was withdrawing from the fight.

    His opponent for June 29 in Las Vegas, Michael Chandler, was reportedly told the day before the press conference that it wouldn’t be going ahead in order to avoid him flying over to Ireland.

    Chandler’s following post on social media also had fans speculating as to whether some unfortunate news was on the way.

    MMA Fans React To More Worrying Signs Regarding UFC 303

    The latest potential red flag that could be a coincidence, or could be even more troubling signs, were spotted by fans on social media.

    An account by the name of MMA Joey on X posted screenshots that showed the removal of both the pre-purchase option for the pay-per-view via ESPN+ and two of McGregor’s previous fights that were recently uploaded to the UFC’s YouTube channel.

    MMA fans responded below both posts with concerns that the full story is yet to be revealed regarding the status of the main event.

    “Something is going on”

    “yea it’s over”

    https://twitter.com/yodalorian9/status/1797849084214264000

    “It’s off then, for sure .”

    “Something is absolutely going on”

    “Poor Chandler”

    “Oh yeah it’s over”

  • Chael Sonnen Pitches Title Fight For Michael Chandler If Conor McGregor Withdraws From UFC 303

    Should Conor McGregor not make it to fight night at UFC 303 later this month, Chael Sonnen has an idea on whom the promotion could draft in to face Michael Chandler instead.

    Moments after the milestone UFC 300 pay-per-view concluded this past April, the long-awaited return of McGregor was finally confirmed. After over a year of speculation, the former two-division champ had his comeback fight opposite Chandler made official.

    The pair are slated to headline this year’s edition of International Fight Week, topping the lineup at the UFC 303 pay-per-view on June 29. But shortly after entering the month of the event, the fanbase has its concerns.

    McGregor’s antics away from the cage always draw worry about his status, but the recent cancellation of a scheduled sold-out press conference in Dublin on the morning of has some convinced that “The Notorious” star has a potentially fight-canceling issue.

    Sonnen doesn’t believe that to be the case. In the event it is, however, the former fighter thinks the UFC has a strong alternative for Chandler…

    Sonnen Names The ‘Fight To Book’ For Chandler If McGregor Pulls Out

    During a recent episode of his Good Guy/Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen gave his take on the recent rumors regarding McGregor’s status for UFC 303.

    After claiming that McGregor’s fight “code” means he’s unlikely to pull out of a fight on late notice, “The American Gangster” suggested that a withdrawal would spell the end of his matchup with Chandler for good.

    In that scenario, Sonnen believes the UFC would be wise to turn its attention to a BMF title showdown between “Iron” and Max Holloway.

    “One of Conor’s codes is the show must go on… I just don’t believe, a month in advance — whether it’s illness, injury, or any other excuse — that Conor’s gonna be the one that pulls,” Sonnen said. “But I will tell you this, there will be no postponement of this fight. They either fight on the 29th or we move on.

    “I believe Conor’s gonna be opposite Michael Chandler. I’m very confident in telling you that,” Sonnen continued. “However, if he’s not, Michael Chandler versus Max Holloway for the BMF is the fight to book.”

    Holloway won the symbolic belt in his return to the lightweight division at UFC 300, brutally knocking out Justin Gaethje in the dying seconds after outperforming “The Highlight” for the best part of five rounds.

    “Blessed” has since had his sights set on Ilia Topuria’s featherweight gold. Should the promotion require a savior to replace McGregor, however, perhaps the Hawaiian could be convinced to throw down with Chandler next.

  • Islam Makhachev’s Coach On Conor McGregor Starting Staph Rumor Ahead Of UFC 302: ‘There Would Be Nothing Better For Me & Khabib…’

    Islam Makhachev emerged victorious at UFC 302 as he stopped Dustin Poirier via submission in round five of their fight. The champ now has three title defenses to his name and is hoping to capture gold at 170 pounds too.

    Although Makhachev outclassed Dustin Poirier on the ground as well as the feet at UFC 302, many were concerned about his staph infection going into the fight, including former UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor. 

    McGregor, as usual, didn’t hold back. In a now-deleted post on X, he went as far as to call Makhachev an “inbred” and attacked his entire team.

    Makhachev confirmed that he indeed had a staph infection going into UFC 302, but his coach Javier Mendez is delighted by the attention McGregor gave to the team and has already imagined the best-case scenario for the UFC lightweight champion. 

    Javier Mendez Wants Conor McGregor to “Get Beat” By Islam Makhachev

    While talking to Red Corner MMA following UFC 302, Islam Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez was asked about the media’s reaction to the staph infection. The coach claimed that Makhachev was not on antibiotics to cure the staph infection and his performance was unaffected. 

    He further talked about how McGregor bashing Makhachev has more positives than negatives, and he would love to see a fight between the two in the near future. 

    “It’s kind of funny how little simple things, people notice, and you know, change things. Like Conor, goes and starts a rant, starting to create drama, you know, with Islam, which is kind of good because Conor is the kind of guy you want to root against or root for regardless.

    “Everybody wants to see him. Me, I want to see him get beat by Islam. So, for me, him doing what he’s doing is causing a lot of attention. So, you know, there (would) be nothing better for me and Khabib than to have Islam have a fight with him somewhere down the line.”

    Mendez seems unaffected by McGregor’s banter on X and even praised the Irishman for being observant enough to bring up the staph infection. However, as per the coach, the health problem was already three weeks old by the time McGregor highlighted it and it wasn’t going to change the outcome of the fight.  

    A fight between Makhachev and McGregor could become a possibility if the “The Notorious” beats Michael Chandler at UFC 303 and gets a lightweight title shot. 

  • What’s Next After UFC 302? Full Confirmed UFC 303 Main Card For Las Vegas On June 29

    UFC 302 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering.

    The promotion was in Newark, New Jersey, last week, where the Prudential Center played host to a number of intriguing matchups. Of note were victories for UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev, former middleweight kingpin Sean Strickland, the always entertaining Kevin Holland, and heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida.

    While the aftermath of the June 1 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the current crop of elite lightweights to one of the division’s former champs.

    At UFC 303, set for Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on June 29, former two-division UFC titleholder Conor McGregor will make the walk for the first time since suffering a gruesome leg break against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

    He’ll headline International Fight Week alongside Michael Chandler, the man against whom he coached on The Ultimate Fighter last year.

    Hill, Ulberg, Garry, Page Set The Stage For McGregor Headliner At UFC 303

    Before “The Notorious” Irishman makes his long-awaited comeback in the main event, a number of high-profile names will take to the Octagon looking to make the post of their position on the major card.

    That includes McGregor’s fellow countryman Ian Garry, whose calls for a fight on June 29 were finally answered last month. After Colby Covington frequently rejected the undefeated Dubliner’s callouts, “The Future” will instead defend his position close to the welterweight top five against Michael “Venom” Page.

    After the two elite strikers open the main card, Joe Pyfer and Mayra Bueno Silva will look to bounce back from their defeats earlier this year. After a main event loss to Jack Hermansson, “Bodybagz” is tasked with getting the better of veteran Canadian Marc-André Barriault. “Sheetara,” meanwhile, must rebound at the expense of Macy Chiasson months on from an unsuccessful challenge for the vacant bantamweight gold against Raquel Pennington.

    Then, setting the stage for McGregor vs. Chandler in the co-main event will be former light heavyweight champ Jamahal Hill. “Sweet Dreams” is making a quick turnaround following his knockout loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 300. He’ll share the cage with the charging Carlos Ulberg, who is stepping in as a short-notice replacement for Khalil Rountree.

    See below for the full UFC 303 card, as it stands.

    Main Card:

    • Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler (welterweight main event)
    • Jamahal Hill vs. Carlos Ulberg (light heavyweight co-main event)
    • Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson (women’s bantamweight)
    • Joe Pyfer vs. Marc-André Barriault (middleweight)
    • Ian Garry vs. Michael Page (welterweight) 
    UFC 298: Ian Garry vs. Geoff Neal

  • MMA News Today: Islam Makhachev’s Coach Identifies Incorrect Corner Advice To Dustin Poirier During UFC 302 War, Conor McGregor Caught Abusing Rival Alcohol Brand On Social Media, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For June 3, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Javier Mendez says Poirier was in danger in the middle of the Octagon
    • McGregor gets passionate about stout
    • Fans will need to wait a bit longer to see McGregor and Chandler trade words

    Islam Makhachev’s Coach Says Dustin Poirier’s Corner Made A Mistake When Warning Him About Takedowns

    Dustin Poirier’s takedown and submission defense held up for most of his main event clash with Islam Makhachev this past weekend.

    Though the lightweight champion eventually found a way through in the fifth round where he locked up a D’Arce choke, Poirier was able to be more competitive than many thought.

    However, Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez believes that the corner of “The Diamond” made a crucial mistake when giving advice to their fighter.

    Poirier’s coaches told him that he needed to do whatever he could to avoid being against the cage, as long as he was out in the middle, the grappling wasn’t as much of a threat.

    Mendez said on his podcast that the issue with this advice was that Makhachev was still able to get takedowns in the middle of the cage, as he did in the final round, where he had more room to work.

    “Yeah see that was bad, I would have never said that because it was like what happened? You got taken out in the middle. You’re all good? No, you’re not good, they should have said something else. But, you know, in your mind sometimes you get stuck saying those things.”  

    Conor McGregor Launches Tirade Against Guinness On Social Media 

    In 2018, Conor McGregor entered the drinks business with his Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey and had no problem calling out some of the top names in this particular field.

    “The Notorious” has never been one to shy away from tearing others down where he sees necessary and now, he has a new target in his sights.

    Last year, McGregor’s second foray into the alcoholic beverage market came with Forged Irish Stout which appears to have taken off in similar fashion to his first product.

    Rather than his fellow Irish whiskey brands, the Irishman is now focused on going after Guinness, as shown by Andy Hickey MMA on X.

    The “Guinness Community” Facebook group has had several posts from McGregor, one promoting his own product whilst the other looks to call out the inventor of the popular stout brand, Arthur Guinness.

    UFC 303 Press Conference Called Off, Conor McGregor & Michael Chandler Set To Meet At A Later Unconfirmed Date 

    On the same day that it was set to take place, the press conference for UFC 303 was announced to not be going ahead.

    Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler were set to come face-to-face for the first time since The Ultimate Fighter at a sold-out 3Arena in Dublin.

    Though the tickets were free, fans were still disappointed for the announcement to be made on such short notice due to travel and accommodation costs.

    Chandler was reportedly informed that it wouldn’t be going ahead yesterday before getting a flight over to Ireland to promote International Fight Week.

    An email has also been sent out to ticket holders to inform them that their tickets will still be valid once the event is rescheduled.

    No reason has been given as of yet as to why the press conference has been postponed on such short notice though some have suggested that is due to on-going protests that are currently happening in Dublin.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • Daniel Cormier Urges Michael Chandler To Go Hard At Conor McGregor During UFC 303 Dublin Press Conference

    Daniel Cormier Urges Michael Chandler To Go Hard At Conor McGregor During UFC 303 Dublin Press Conference

    Monday sees Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler come face-to-face for the first time since they coached The Ultimate Fighter.

    From that point, it was a long time before their fight was official for UFC 303 on June 29, so both men have had a long time to think about one another.

    On the series itself, things remained fairly relaxed between them for the most part as Chandler didn’t get too heated or bothered by anything McGregor said.

    The only time that there was clear tension was when McGregor’s team weren’t doing well in the tournament, so “The Notorious” was particularly on edge.

    Daniel Cormier, however, believes that Chandler needs to flip the script.

    Cormier Says Chandler Should Stand Up For Himself More At UFC 303 Press Conference 

    During a recent episode of the Good Guy / Bad Guy show on ESPN MMA, Cormier said that he needs to see something different from Chandler at the press conference.

    In his opinion, “Iron” Mike made it too easy for McGregor to call the shots and run the show during their interactions on TUF.

    He called for Chandler to put his foot down at the 3Arena in Dublin, even if it means exaggerating his own worth in this fight.

    Not letting the Irishman control the narrative over how important Chandler is to this fight will not be easy, but it’s what “DC” wants to see from him.

    “Conor grabs him by the face and Conor’s almost like talking down to Michael the whole time. It is on Michael Chandler to go to Ireland, show Conor McGregor, like, ‘Hey, I understand who you are, I recognize that you are the A-side of this deal, but you do not get to treat me as I’m just a supporting cast. This thing doesn’t go off without me.’ Maybe that is overstating his value, it might be but overstate your value, make this man realize that he cannot treat you as a subservient, like, ‘I’m not there to be the guy that elevates you.’”  

  • Former UFC Champion Tells People To Take It Easy On Conor McGregor For Party Video: ‘If That’s His Wife & They’re Hanging Out…’

    Former UFC Champion Tells People To Take It Easy On Conor McGregor For Party Video: ‘If That’s His Wife & They’re Hanging Out…’

    As with any Conor McGregor fight since he became a major star, there is always going to be talk surrounding how dedicated he is for the training camp.

    “The Notorious” has openly admitted that for his return to the Octagon to face Khabib Nurmagomedov, he was cutting corners where he shouldn’t have.

    That version appeared to go away for his subsequent fights against Donald Cerrone and Dustin Poirier but there’s always going to be a big question mark surrounding his hunger.

    These questions about his fight with Michael Chandler at UFC 303 were not helped by the videos that were released this past weekend of McGregor partying at his The Black Forge Inn until the early hours of the morning.

    However, as a former champion pointed out, this could end up being far less damning than it appears.

    Kamaru Usman Defends Videos Of Conor McGregor Partying During His Training Camp 

    The image of McGregor dancing the night away at his own establishment is sure to raise alarm bells but Kamaru Usman questions whether people have jumped to conclusions.

    Upon seeing the videos for the first time on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, he pointed out two key things.

    Firstly, McGregor isn’t seen drinking or holding any alcohol in the video and secondly, he’s only dancing with his fiancée, Dee Devlin.

    “No, if that’s his wife and they’re hanging out and having a great time and yeah, it’s at least he didn’t have a drink in his hand right? So yeah, he’s blowing off some team, he’s hanging, having a great time partying, if that’s what’s working for him, that’s what’s working for him, I don’t judge.”   

    Usman also questioned whether the video could be an attempt from McGregor to play mind games, forcing people to underestimate him based on what they have seen ahead of June 29.

    “There’s no drink in his hand so listen, Conor McGregor is a smart man, I don’t take anything away from him. I think he’s smart enough to understand that ‘hey, I could play possum here if I need to’, so he could be playing like ‘I’m not training’, he could have just left the gym right here.”   

  • Conor McGregor Lays Into ‘Scruffy C**t’ Islam Makhachev After UFC 302 Fight Week Photos Spark Staph Concerns

    Conor McGregor Lays Into ‘Scruffy C**t’ Islam Makhachev After UFC 302 Fight Week Photos Spark Staph Concerns

    Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor was ready to give his uncensored thoughts on a recent discussion regarding Islam Makhachev.

    Makhachev, who has reigned supreme over the lightweight division since his title-winning victory over Charles Oliveira in 2022, is set to make his first appearance of the year this weekend.

    In the main event of the UFC 302 pay-per-view in Newark, New Jersey, the Dagestani will put his belt on the line for the third time. After back-to-back defenses against Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier is next in line for a shot at dethroning Makhachev.

    Given McGregor’s in-cage history with Poirier and hostile relationship with Makhachev’s team owing to his bitter rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov, it was always likely that the Irishman would be piping up this week.

    And courtesy of the champ’s official fight week photos, the outspoken McGregor was handed a talking point…

    McGregor Reaches Conclusion On Makhachev Photos

    The release of Makhachev’s photos in fight gear immediately drew concerns over a possible staph infection on his left leg. 

    Such a scenario would be déjà vu vu for Poirier, whose most recent opponent, Benoît Saint Denis, was on antibiotics to fight staph during UFC 299 fight week this past March. 

    McGregor followed his usual trend, taking to social media with a slew of verbal attacks directed at Makhachev, whom he branded a “scruffy c**t.” He also called the champ “imbred,” an insult he’s frequently directed at his Dagestani rivals.

    The Dubliner did, however, still predict a quick triumph for Makhachev come fight night.

    “Staph again. This inbred lives with Staph,” McGregor wrote. “This team is infested, make no mistake. Scruff balls. Whatever ya’s are into, I suppose. He still subs Dustin in the 1st.”

    In a follow-up post, McGregor continued his tirade with a reminder on the importance of washing mats after training sessions.

    “Yous absolute scruffy f**ks I’m sick of yous,” McGregor added. “Wash your f**king self! Wash your clothes! Wash your mats! And do it f*cking everyday you scruffy c**nts

    McGregor’s upcoming return to action has led to some discussion about the rivalry between the Irishman and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team reopening.

    Should Makhachev retain his grip on the lightweight crown this weekend and McGregor make a statement in his comeback fight opposite Chandler, many are predicting that the UFC will look to pair them opposite one another down the line.

  • Dustin Poirier Explains Why He Discounts Makhachev’s Lone KO Loss Ahead Of UFC 302 Title Fight: ‘I Think The Islam I’m Fighting…’

    Dustin Poirier Explains Why He Discounts Makhachev’s Lone KO Loss Ahead Of UFC 302 Title Fight: ‘I Think The Islam I’m Fighting…’

    Dustin Poirier isn’t putting too much stock into the one loss that is on Islam Makhachev’s record.

    “The Diamond” is set to challenge the lightweight champion at UFC 302 and has a huge task ahead of him in Newark.

    The champ has been dominant in most of his fights aside from one setback that happened all the way back in 2015 in his second Octagon appearance.

    In trying to land his own big, looping shot on Adriano Martins, Makhachev was caught by a powerful counter and dropped, with the referee stepping in to wave off the fight.

    In an interview on mainevent for Fox Sports Australia, Poirier said that the lightweight champion is far better than he was nine years ago so he can’t expect Makhachev to make the same mistake twice.

    “I think the Islam I’m fighting on Saturday night is a different guy than we sat in that time he lost. He was kind of fumbling and his weight was over his feet, he was running in kind of goofy and got hit with a good shot but definitely if he’s lunging in and covering space like that recklessly, I’ll throw check hooks all day.”

    Dustin Poirier Says He Isn’t Interested In Fighting Conor McGregor Right Now

    Poirier also spoke in the same interview about where he is at right now in regards to his rivalry with Conor McGregor.

    “The Notorious” is set to return at UFC 303 and seemingly still has unfinished business to attend to with “The Diamond” after their third meeting ended in him suffering the injury that has kept him out for so long.

    For Poirier, he’s happy to have moved on to being back in title contention and trying to realize his dream of becoming the world champion.

    This is his main focus for now but you can’t help but feel that whilst the two men are still in the promotion, you can never say never.

    “I’ve kind of moved past it and I’m fighting for the undisputed world title, that’s the pinnacle of the sport. Fighting Conor isn’t the pinnacle, being the undisputed world champion is the pinnacle so that’s what I’ve been focused on. But I do think he’s going to beat Chandler.”  

  • MMA News Today: Conor McGregor’s Coach Sends UFC Plea After Dublin Press Conference Sells Out In Minutes, Benoît Saint Denis Breaks Down Dustin Poirier vs Islam Makhachev, & More

    MMA News Today: Conor McGregor’s Coach Sends UFC Plea After Dublin Press Conference Sells Out In Minutes, Benoît Saint Denis Breaks Down Dustin Poirier vs Islam Makhachev, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For May 29, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Kavanagh calls for the 3Arena to be opened up
    • Saint-Denis says knockout is key for Poirier
    • The all-female promotion is back up and running

    John Kavanagh Calls For The 3Arena To Upgrade Capacity 

    The press conference for UFC 303 and the return of Conor McGregor is shaping up to be a huge moment in the MMA calendar.

    On Monday, The Mac and Michael Chandler will arrive at the 3Arena in Dublin and if there were any doubts as to whether “The Notorious” has still got the backing of the Irish fans, those questions are soon to be answered.

    Tickets went on sale this morning for the event and were free but limited to just two per purchase but that didn’t stop them from selling out in minutes.

    The seating plan for the event shows that as usual for these kinds of occasions, they were only planning to use a part of the full arena.

    McGregor’s own coach, John Kavanagh, said on social media that they should open up the building to accommodate for more seats in order to completely pack out the building for another iconic press conference.

    Benoît Saint Denis Says Dustin Poirier Can Only Win Via Knockout Against Someone As Well-Rounded As Islam Makhachev

    Dustin Poirier earned his shot at the lightweight title following an incredible win at UFC 299 where he was forced to face some real adversity.

    Benoît Saint Denis certainly put “The Diamond” through the ringer before he was stopped in the second round, showcasing his aggression from the very start.

    Poirier weathered the storm and let his striking, specifically his boxing and power, do the talking on that night in Miami.

    In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Saint Denis said that this will be the same for Poirier this weekend at UFC 302.

    In his mind, he believes that the challenger and his former opponent will only be able to pull off the upset if he is able to stop Islam Makhachev with his strikes.

    “Dustin Poirier is very composed and experienced fighter and I do believe he has the boxing at his side but Makhachev is very well rounded and I do believe he has to watch my fight against Poirier as well as Dustin’s fight with Oliveira. Everybody knows what the game plan is gonna be. It’s gonna be Makhachev trying to submit Poirier and Poirier trying to knock out Makhachev, with Makhachev having a bit more options. Makhachev can knock out or submit Poirier but I see Poirier only having the knockout win. Decision-wise, I also see Makhachev having the physicality to dominate the fight if it goes long.”

    Invicta FC Is Back On June 28 After 8-Month Hiatus And Concerning Reports

    Having not hosted an event since last October, reports were suggesting that Invicta FC was coming to an unfortunate end.

    The all-female promotion has had an incredible impact on the sport by providing an excellent place for fighters to build up experience and prove themselves.

    Despite the concerns for fans, Invicta FC isn’t going anywhere, as was announced by the promotion’s President Shannon Knapp during a recent appearance on Sirius XM.

    Knapp announced that the promotion will be returning home to Kansas City on June 28 where former UFC fighter Talita Bernardo will be defending her bantamweight title against Olga Rubin in the main event.

    Read more on the story here.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • Chael Sonnen Explains Why Conor McGregor Would Film Himself Partying At 2 AM Ahead Of Michael Chandler Fight: ‘Jon Jones Played The Same Game…’

    Chael Sonnen Explains Why Conor McGregor Would Film Himself Partying At 2 AM Ahead Of Michael Chandler Fight: ‘Jon Jones Played The Same Game…’

    All of the words out of Conor McGregor’s mouth ahead of his return at UFC 303 have suggested that he is taking this fight seriously.

    Unfortunately, a lot of the comments he has made previously seemed to be undone after some videos were posted over the weekend.

    The footage shows McGregor partying at his Black Forge Inn until the early hours of the morning.

    Whilst there isn’t a video which sees him consuming any alcohol, he is dancing with his long-time partner Dee Devlin amongst other things like taking his shirt off.

    Though some were quick to disregard this as McGregor being out of control and not taking his comeback fight against Michael Chandler seriously, perhaps there is a deeper meaning at play.

    Sonnen Suggests Conor McGregor Is Giving Himself Built-In Excuse By Partying During Fight Camp

    In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Chael Sonnen attempted to unpack the videos of McGregor that surfaced over the weekend.

    “The Bad Guy” made the point that why would McGregor put himself in this scenario knowing that everyone has a camera in their pockets.

    With that in mind, he tried to think about why “The Notorious” would want something like this out there.

    Some may point to it being an attempt to throw people off with the Ryan Garcia style of mind games to lull people into underestimating him.

    Sonnen, however, compared the videos to the former antics of Jon Jones and how he would sabotage himself in order to ease the pressure of winning. 

    “That’s where all of your options all of a sudden start really narrowing and when you’re confronted with the reality that it is not a marketing piece, then what is the story? What is the story and the message that the sports greatest storyteller is attempting to get you to consume. Jon Jones played the same game and Jon Jones eventually quit playing the game but he told the world why he was doing it initially and that was he always wanted to have an excuse in case he lost.

    “Not to you, the public, he wanted to have one for himself. If he would go to practice and he would work hard, he’d do what the coaches asked him, he’d put all that time in but he would also go out and drink and have a good time. If he was to taste defeat could tell himself well yeah but it was because of…”        

  • MMA News Today: Dana White Makes Conor McGregor – Mike Tyson Comparison About Fight IQ, ‘Chito’ Vera Hints That José Aldo Was ‘On The Juice’ During UFC Comeback, & More

    MMA News Today: Dana White Makes Conor McGregor – Mike Tyson Comparison About Fight IQ, ‘Chito’ Vera Hints That José Aldo Was ‘On The Juice’ During UFC Comeback, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For May 28, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • White praises McGregor’s business and fighting mind
    • Vera has suspicions of Brazilian drug testing protocol 
    • Ulberg talks ahead of huge opportunity on June 29

    Dana White Talks About What Makes Conor McGregor Special That You Simply Can’t Teach

    During a recent appearance on the In Search of Excellence Podcast, UFC President Dana White spoke about the emergence of Conor McGregor as a superstar.

    White recalls his first encounter with “The Notorious” where they met in Las Vegas after he was signed to the promotion.

    From the moment he met him, the UFC boss knew that they had something special on their hands if the confident Irishman could back it up in the cage.

    White also emphasised how despite coming from a working class background and cashing welfare cheques, McGregor is an excellent businessman with a great mind for the sport.

    He credited the former UFC champ-champ with having the kind of instincts that you simply can’t teach, comparing him to one of the biggest combat sports stars that came before him.

    “If you look at all the brands that he has built off of his brand, very very sharp kid. When you hear some speak, he’s very articulate about fighting. Again when you talk about fighter IQ, like Tyson, Conor’s fight IQ is off the charts.” 

    Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera Says He Thinks But Can’t Prove That José Aldo Was Juicing For Return Fight At UFC 301

    José Aldo is back in the mix at bantamweight following his triumphant return to the Octagon earlier this month.

    At UFC 301 in Brazil, the former featherweight great looked back to his best against Jonathan Martinez, earning himself a spot in the top 10 rankings in the process.

    One fight that could be next for Aldo in this final run of his career is a rematch with Marlon “Chito” Vera who currently sits in the #4 spot.

    Vera suffered a defeat to Aldo back in December of 2020 which he rebounded from with a great winning streak.

    During a recent appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, Vera suggested that he isn’t sure whether or not his former opponent was being tested for his return fight.

    “Chito” didn’t say for certain but he does have his suspicions about what went down in Brazil. 

    “Check this out, fighting in Brazil, no USADA, those [Jose Aldo] traps were f****** thick so… José might go to those f****** farmers and [juice]. I mean they’re notorious for that, that’s normal in Brazil right? I don’t know, I cannot prove it but I mean you fight in Brazil, I don’t think they’re testing.” 

    Carlos Ulberg Speaks On Jamahal Hill Fight & Conor McGregor Inspiration

    The opportunity to fight on June 29 at UFC 303 is going to be massive for all of the fighters on the undercard but especially Carlos Ulberg.

    International Fight Week is set to be even bigger than usual thanks to the long-awaited return of Conor McGregor in the main event.

    Ulberg wasn’t originally booked for the card but after calling his shot and putting in a great performance earlier this month, he got the opportunity to replace Khalil Rountree and face former champion Jamahal Hill.

    In a recent interview with Engage on YouTube, he spoke for the first time about this fight and where he stands on McGregor and fighting on the same card as his comeback.

    “We’re going up against Hill, I think he’s number three at the moment so that’s some really good news that puts us in a really good spot and I’m not going to pass that opportunity.”

    “He is definitely a big star and to fight under that undercard would be amazing and if we can get the co-main event, then that’d be even more spectacular so yeah man.

    “He goes in with confidence and that’s something that I like to lead into my fights. When I jump in that cage, it’s just me, my opponent and the preparation that I’ve had prior.” 

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  • Conor McGregor Posts Defiant Message After Party Video Sparks Worry About UFC 303 Return: ‘Records & Jaws Are Getting Smashed’

    Conor McGregor Posts Defiant Message After Party Video Sparks Worry About UFC 303 Return: ‘Records & Jaws Are Getting Smashed’

    As fans and pundits express concern over his continued partying ahead of UFC 303, Conor McGregor has reasserted his confidence when it comes to dealing significant damage to Michael Chandler.

    McGregor is set to headline proceedings during International Fight Week in Las Vegas late next month. The Irishman, who once simultaneously held the featherweight and lightweight titles, hasn’t competed since 2021.

    Having been out of action after breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier, the long wait for McGregor’s comeback will reach its end on June 29 when he shares the Octagon with Chandler.

    In the lead-up, the pair appear to be having drastically different camps…

    McGregor: ‘Some Are Just Built Different’ 

    This week, those predicting defeat for McGregor at UFC 303 had their thoughts on the fight cemented when footage emerged of the Dubliner partying into the early hours at his Black Forge Inn pub.

    While there’s no evidence that McGregor was consuming alcohol, the posts still led to many branding it a less than ideal sign when it comes to the former champ-champ’s preparation.

    The Irishman, unsurprisingly, disagrees.

    “Some are just built different,” McGregor wrote on X. “I am only now coming into my own. June 29th, records and jaws are getting smashed! Onwards and upwards! #fightingirish”

    McGregor has vowed to have his way with Chandler inside the Octagon ever since the pair coached opposite one another on last year’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter.

    “Iron” Mike, a former three-time Bellator champion, has gone 2-3 since joining the UFC, defeating Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson but falling to losses against Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier. 

    He’ll look to even up his Octagon record at the expense of McGregor, who hasn’t had his hand raised since a 40-second knockout of Donald Cerrone back in January 2020.

  • Carlos Ulberg Gives First Reaction To Jamahal Hill Co-Main Event At UFC 303, Reveals Thoughts On Conor McGregor

    Carlos Ulberg is looking to capitalize on a huge opportunity that he put himself in perfect position for.

    At UFC 303 on International Fight Week, he will look to secure his biggest win yet by taking out the former light heavyweight champion, Jamahal Hill.

    Ulberg is replacing Khalil Rountree and called his shot to potentially do so after he stopped Alonzo Menifield in just 12 seconds earlier this month.

    Beating Hill, who headlined UFC 300 in April against Alex Pereira, will see Ulberg extend his winning streak to seven and likely secure himself a position in the top five.

    In his first interview since the fight was made official, he told Engage about what this fight and opponent means to him.

    “We’re going up against Hill, I think he’s number three at the moment so that’s some really good news that puts us in a really good spot and I’m not going to pass that opportunity.”

    Carlos Ulberg Talks Fighting On The Same Card As Conor McGregor On June 29

    Competing on International Fight Week is already a big deal but this year’s instalment is something entirely different.

    Ulberg vs Hill will take place in a prominent spot on the PPV main card of UFC 303 which will be headlined by the returning Conor McGregor. 

    This fight was already the biggest of his career but now the 33-year old has the opportunity to secure a massive win on one of the biggest platforms possible.

    In the interview with Engage, Ulberg spoke about McGregor and how he is able to draw inspiration from “The Notorious”.

    “Yeah McGregor is obviously the biggest star to rise out of the UFC and even sporting alone. So everybody that you talk to, they all know McGregor even if they’re not MMA fans. I spoke to someone today and they didn’t know about MMA but they knew who McGregor was which was amazing so he is definitely a big star and to fight under that undercard would be amazing and if we can get the co-main event, then that’d be even more spectacular so yeah man.

    “He goes in with confidence and that’s something that I like to lead into my fights. When I jump in that cage, it’s just me, my opponent and the preparation that I’ve had prior.”        

  • Stephen Thompson: McGregor Will Get ‘Demolished’ If He Faces Usman

    Stephen Thompson is not sold on Conor McGregor moving up to face Kamaru Usman.

    There has been some talk lately about Conor McGregor wanting to move up to welterweight and challenge champion Kamaru Usman for the title, that talk is coming from McGregor himself.

    The former dual champion at 145 and 155 pounds is looking to make another jump when he is cleared to return to the UFC. McGregor has fought at 170 pounds before and although that might not be his natural weight class, he is confident he can hang with the best.

    There are some people who are doubters of McGregor and his skills, however. One man who believes that McGregor would have no shot at beating Usman is Stephen “Wonerboy” Thompson. Thompson spoke about this on his podcast.

    Stephen Thompson
    Stephen Thompson (Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa)

    “[McGregor’s] going to get demolished [by Usman]. Yeah, he’s going to be a big fight, a big payday but you’re going to get demolished,” Thompson said via Sportskeeda. “Dude, I love you Conor but you put on the weight like that and you’re fighting a dude at 170 [pounds]. I mean you got to try and put some weight on to become a real 170 [pounder]. I mean, look at Kamaru, look at the biceps and shoulders on that guy. [And] he’s got both attributes, he’s got cardio for days and he’s one of the top wrestlers in the welterweight division.”

    Thompson has fought some of the best the UFC welterweight division has to offer. He has been in some wars and has fought in two title fights. He knows as well as anyone what it takes to compete in the welterweight division. McGregor’s two fights at 170 pounds were a loss against Nate Diaz and a win against Donald Cerrone.

    Having three losses in a row at lightweight, this move could be a new beginning for McGregor. He is currently out dealing with the recovery of his leg injury he suffered his last time in the Octagon. At this point, a timetable for his return is unconfirmed, but he is expected to be back in action by early fall.

    How do you think Conor McGregor would fare against Kamaru Usman?