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Tag: Teddy Atlas

  • Alex Pereira’s Meteoric UFC Ascent Impresses Boxing Icon Teddy Atlas

    Alex Pereira’s Meteoric UFC Ascent Impresses Boxing Icon Teddy Atlas

    Few have experienced the kind of astronomical success in the UFC that Alex Pereira has in recent years, and his rapid ascent has left a renowned boxing trainer in awe.

    Although “Poatan’s” professional MMA debut in October 2015 didn’t unfold as expected, with a submission loss, he flew under the radar for nearly five years, aside from his highly successful kickboxing career. However, everything changed when Pereira signed with the UFC in 2021, and what followed was nothing short of extraordinary.

    Within a span of three years, Pereira achieved an astonishing feat, securing multiple knockout victories and competing in five title fights. He captured the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 281 and claimed the light heavyweight title at UFC 295. Furthermore, he successfully defended his 205-pound title twice in headlining bouts at marquee UFC events this year while stepping in on short notice.

    Teddy Atlas believes that what truly sets “Poatan” apart is not merely his popularity, but his fierce fighting style combined with a multitude of other factors.

    The New Face of the UFC

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Atlas offered high praise for Pereira’s skyrocketing popularity in the MMA realm. The famed boxing coach noted that the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion has established himself as the figurehead of the promotion, largely due to his consistent fight schedule and his aggressive fighting style.

    Atlas mentioned that what truly distinguishes Pereira, however, is that he achieved this status without engaging in disputes or excessive trash talk, distinguishing him from many of his peers.

    “I think Pereira is not just good; he’s scary good,” Atlas said. “He’s becoming a face, or better yet, the ‘Monster of the Midway,’ the monster of the UFC. He could become that star, and I think he has in the UFC.

    Without all the other gadgetry, without all the other bells and whistles, without the great ability to talk and wreak havoc with his words and controversy and sensationalism, he does it in the Octagon with his fists and with his legs.

    He does it with his look, his aura, that look, that stare, coupled with the results that come after—the dynamic results, the sensational extreme results that come after it. That is all you need to promote a superstar.”

    “Poatan” is set to defend his 205-pound title for the third time this year, facing Khalil Rountree Jr. in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 307 this Saturday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Pereira is riding high after a sensational second-round knockout victory over former champion Jiri Prochazka in their rematch at UFC 303 this past June. With this triumph, he now holds an impressive 8-1 record in the UFC.

    • Read More: Israel Adesanya Explains Effectiveness Of Alex Pereira’s Unorthodox ‘Hammer’ Leg Kicks
  • Boxing Expert Welcomes Dana White Into Boxing With Open Arms: ‘We Need You!’

    Boxing Expert Welcomes Dana White Into Boxing With Open Arms: ‘We Need You!’

    This past weekend saw another huge boxing event in collaboration with Riyadh Season with Wembley Stadium drawing in a huge crowd for Joshua vs Dubois.

    Several days before, UFC President Dana White made the trip over to Ireland for Walsh vs. Runowski, a boxing event that was hosted on UFC Fight Pass amongst other major broadcasting platforms.

    White spoke ahead of the event about whether he is finally going to fully make a move into boxing which has been teased for many years at this stage.

    The sport is arguably the strongest it has been in a long time right now and could become even more exciting if the MMA leader’s CEO joins the conversation.

    Teddy Atlas Says Dana White Could Have The Same Impact As Turki Alalshikh In Boxing

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, boxing expert Teddy Atlas said that he would welcome White into the sport with open arms.

    He believes that the way that White has been able to build the UFC into what it is today is by executing one simple idea, giving the fans what they want.

    This was missing from boxing for a long time until, as Atlas states, Turki Alalshikh and the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority started to invest heavily in the sport.

    For a long time, the biggest fights in boxing were held back by promoters not working together or negotiations that became stand-offs.

    Atlas believes that White, like Alalshikh, would place the emphasis back on seeing the best fight the best whenever it is possible.

    “I say come on in! Come on in! We need you! Turki Alalshikh has helped boxing tremendously by making fights that the promoters couldn’t make, they didn’t want to make… Dana White does that.

    “He’s been doing that forever over at the UFC. Yeah I know it’s one guy in charge. ‘Oh but Teddy, he’s the dictator…’ Listen, if a dictator ain’t chopping heads off and he’s getting things done, sometimes maybe we can learn a little something. Maybe at least it gives us direction, it gives us rules, we could use rules in this world right now, we could use direction in this world right now.”

    Read also: Former Boxing Opponent Calls Jake Paul Out For MMA Debut After Training With Tom Aspinall

  • Teddy Atlas Says Sean O’Malley Could Cross Over To Boxing Successfully: ‘He Has The Instinct, The Talent…’

    Teddy Atlas Says Sean O’Malley Could Cross Over To Boxing Successfully: ‘He Has The Instinct, The Talent…’

    According to legendary boxing trainer Teddy Atlas, UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley could compete with the best in boxing.

    O’Malley’s hands were on full display during his rise to prominence on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. After a memorable knockout on Dana White’s Contender Series to earn a contract, a further five foes were stopped with strikes before “Sugar” found himself challenging for gold last year.

    And the Montana native took full advantage of the opportunity, using his slick counterstriking to finish Aljamain Sterling in the second round of their pay-per-view main event in Boston.

    As he continues to stake his claim for the ‘best boxer in MMA’ crown, O’Malley has frequently touched on the possibility of a venture to the ring down the line, notably targeting WBA lightweight titleholder Gervonta Davis.

    While he thinks that might mark the UFC star biting off more than he can chew, Atlas does agree that success awaits O’Malley in the punching-only realm…

    Atlas: O’Malley Has The Abilities Of ‘A Pure Boxer’

    During a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Atlas acknowledged O’Malley’s boxing ambitions ahead of the bantamweight kingpin’s second title defense this weekend in Las Vegas.

    The renowned boxing coach and analyst highlighted the skills that would make “Sugar” a formidable foe inside the ring, even going as far as to compare his striking talent to that of a “pure boxer.”

    “He can cross over because he has the instinct, the talent, the abilities of a boxer, a pure boxer,” Atlas said. “He’s got the legs. He’s got the eyes. He sees things real good. He’s got long arms. He’s got quick hands. He’s versatile, and he can use the ring and move around and get angles. He can set traps. He’s a great, great natural counterpuncher. If you wait in front of him, he gets out first and puts punches together – smart and educated punches. Smart combinations, up and down. Tricking combinations. They’re advanced combinations, they’re not primitive combinations. They’re not just basic combinations, they’re combinations of a top fighter.

    “If you walked into a room, and he was on TV and you wouldn’t see that he’s not wearing shoes, and you saw him strike, you might think you’re watching a boxing match,” Atlas continued. “He’s that smooth. He’s that natural with it, that comfortable with it. He controls range and distance beautifully, and he can punch. He gets good power. Wiry guys usually can’t get good power.”

    And while he’s not sure O’Malley could get the better of a well-rounded boxer like Davis, he wouldn’t rule the UFC champ out if he were to turn his sights to other names like Ryan Garcia.

    “I’m not knocking him, but I wouldn’t take ‘Tank’ Davis. I’m not saying the other guy is a walk in the park at all. Obviously, not at all. But I’d take Garcia because ‘Tank’ Davis, to me, is the more well-rounded fighter,” Atlas stated. “There are more things to worry about. He can punch. He can counterpunch. He can get you. There are so many facets to his game, and he’s so consistent. Garcia hasn’t shown us that can be consistent.”

    For now, O’Malley’s focus remains on the cage, inside of which he’ll look to make another emphatic statement with his fists on Saturday night when he faces the threat posed by Merab Dvalishvili.

    The pair are set to headline Noche UFC, the promotion’s second annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day, inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere in Las Vegas.

  • Teddy Atlas Breaks Down UFC 305 Main Event: ‘What He Has Is The Same Thing That Usyk Has!’

    Teddy Atlas Breaks Down UFC 305 Main Event: ‘What He Has Is The Same Thing That Usyk Has!’

    Teddy Atlas recently offered his analysis of the UFC middleweight title showdown between reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, which headlined UFC 305.

    Du Plessis defended his title last weekend at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia, securing a dramatic fourth-round victory over Adesanya with a rear-naked choke.

    The fight was a fiercely competitive affair, with both fighters pushing the pace from the moment the bell rang. The first round featured a measured exchange of strikes from both parties, but it was in the second round that ‘Stillknocks’ began to assert his dominance through grappling, securing multiple takedowns despite Adesanya’s stubborn defense.

    As the third round began, the challenger seemed on the ropes, but he quickly found his groove, unleashing a barrage of powerful head and body shots that momentarily swung the momentum in his favor.

    “The Last Stylebender” came out strong in the fourth, seemingly on the verge of securing a knockout, but the South African was quick to counter. With a sudden surge, he unleashed a relentless series of strikes that paved the way for a flawlessly timed takedown. In a flash, he secured Adesanya’s back, locking in the decisive submission.

    Atlas Say Du Plessis Exemplifies ‘Never Judge A Book By Its Cover’

    During a recent episode of THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas, the legendary boxing trainer broke down the Du Plessis vs. Adesanya clash. Atlas showered the middleweight champion with praise, noting how Du Plessis has perfected the art of executing the basics in his own unconventional way. He emphasized that Du Plessis consistently outperforms his opponents’ expectations, proving to be far more formidable than they anticipate.

    “Even though Du Plessis had shown what looked like fatigue earlier, he always keeps going,” Atlas said. “It always seems like he’s out of gas, and then he’s not out of gas. He learned from the earlier attempts to get that choke hold, which Adesanya survived and escaped at least two times, I believe, earlier. But Du Plessis got the third shot at it, and this time, I think a combination of Adesanya being a little worn out and Du Plessis making sure to capitalize on the opportunity made the difference. But at the end of the day, the first thing I have to say about Du Plessis is that he’s one of those enigmas, one of those guys, one of those rarities where the simple and only accurate way to put it is that he’s better than he looks.”

    Atlas further added that “Stillknocks” possesses a relentless drive to win that reminds him of the hunger seen in former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk.

    “There’s nothing dynamic-looking about what he does until he does it—until he gets the end result. Up until then, it’s very deceiving and misleading. He is the perfect example of that old saying, ‘Never judge a book by its cover,’ and he’s physically strong. He’s better in technical areas and subtle areas than meets the eye—he really is. And there’s one other quality that I think describes him: it’s a simple quality, but it’s not something you see every day. No matter how much talent someone has, what he has is the same thing that Usyk has in boxing—an ability to win, a drive, determination. A lot of people have that, but he’s got that plus an uncanny way to know how to win.”

  • Teddy Atlas Breaks Down Adjustment Tuivasa Made That Led To KO Win

    Boxing and MMA commentator Teddy Atlas has given a detailed breakdown of what led up to Tai Tuivasa’s knockout of Derrick Lewis at UFC 271.

    Tuivasa has been on a roll in the UFC’s heavyweight division over the past year. He has won five straight overall by knockout and has demonstrated the ability to end a fight with a single punch. Tuivasa also earned a post-fight performance check for his finish at UFC 271.

    The most stunning moment of Tuivasa’s career to this point was his finish of Lewis at UFC 271. After surviving an early barrage from Lewis, “Bam Bam” found his range on the feet and had Lewis up against the cage. He would land a solid lead elbow that slept Lewis directly after impact.

    During a recent segment on his The Fight podcast, Atlas explained what led to Tuivasa’s KO of the Year candidate at UFC 271.

    “His toughness got him there, no doubt about it, but his intelligence won it for him,” Atlas said of Tuivasa. “Because what did he do? He made an adjustment. A lot of people might not have noticed, (they just) saw two big guys slugging it out. Not quite. Tuivasa started countering in between the big shots of Lewis—in between his reckless aggression. I’ll say it again: his reckless aggression. And he was catching him in between. And that’s how he hurt him. And then, he goes and hits him with an elbow—a clean elbow—that puts the lights out for Lewis.”

    Tuivasa is now a Top-3 heavyweight contender in the UFC following his win over Lewis. He could potentially get a No. 1 contender fight next after just recently catapulting into the rankings.

    What do you think is next for Tai Tuivasa?

  • Atlas Doubts if White’s Criticizers Would Have Acted Different At UFC 270

    Renowned boxing trainer Teddy Atlas has questioned whether those slamming UFC President Dana White for not putting the title on Francis Ngannou at UFC 270 or attending the post-fight press conference would have acted differently if they were in his shoes.

    At the opening pay-per-view of 2022, Ngannou made a statement. Not only was “The Predator” regarded as the underdog heading into his unification showdown with Ciryl Gane, but he also carried a torn MCL and damaged ACL into the contest, as well as the cloud of his ongoing contractual dispute with the UFC looming overhead.

    After losing the opening two rounds and struggling to get close to “Bon Gamin” on the feet, it appeared Ngannou was set to lose multiple things, including his belt, a strong negotiating position with the UFC, and the hope of crossing over to boxing to face heavyweight stars like Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.

    But in the 15 minutes after the start of round three, Ngannou turned things around with a revitalized strategy. Incorporating a much-improved wrestling game into the main event, described by cornerman Kamaru Usman as the “evolution” of the heavyweights, the Cameroonian took frames three, four, and five to walk away with a unanimous decision verdict and, in the context of the clash, a whole lot more.

    The story after Ngannou’s victory was always going to surround what the result meant for his future in the UFC and the future of the heavyweight title. However, that story was majorly fueled by Dana White’s absence, both inside the Octagon at the culmination of the headliner and at the post-fight press conference.

    From fans to pundits, the UFC President has been widely criticized for his unique decision not to put the belt around the champ’s waist following the opening PPV main event of the year. However, one prominent combat sports personality sees things differently.

    Atlas: ‘Dana Runs A Business’

    During a recent episode of The Fight with Teddy Atlas, American boxing trainer and fight commentator Atlas came to the defense of the UFC kingpin.

    Ultimately, the 65-year-old reminded the criticizers that White runs a multibillion-dollar business. With that in mind, Atlas believes he has to be able to look beyond Ngannou and is smart enough to recognize when he’s being challenged.

    “Hey, Dana, he runs an operation, he runs a business,” said Atlas. “He sold that for like $4.2 billion. That’s not shabby. He did that because of his business acumen, he did that because he was the boss, he did that because he led the way. He’s still the boss there, he’s the guy that’s got to think different than someone else has to think. He’s gotta think about the next guy down the road, the next Francis.

    “Francis and his manager, I give them all the credit in the world, they pulled it off. They took a risk, they stood up against the boss in some ways, they made their position noted, and went out and did what they had to do,” added Atlas. “Dana knows, he didn’t sell something and build something up to $4.2 billion by being stupid. He understood where he was being challenged.”

    Nevertheless, Atlas did acknowledge that White’s post-fight actions weren’t a good look. But even so, the New York native doubts those slamming White’s absence after UFC 270 would have acted any differently if they were in the same position.

    “You have to respect both sides. Dana, at that point, a lot of people say that it’s a bad look, that it’s not professional, it wasn’t right, and I got it, I can understand you saying that, I can,” continued Atlas. “But please don’t tell me, even if you didn’t like it, if you were in the same position 100% you would’ve done different. Maybe you would’ve? But maybe you wouldn’t have when it comes down to the backdrop that you are the boss, you do have to be ready for what’s coming down the pipe after Francis Ngannou, and what you believe in and how you hold yourself; the position that you take and the strength of your position.”

    While he certainly sees both sides of the coin, Atlas concluded with a query: would Dana White have built a company with the size and success of the UFC if he was capable of always being a gentleman?

    “He’s got a little bit more going on than just the simplicity of just being a gentleman that we want him to be. I understand both sides… I’ll leave it with this, maybe if he was capable of doing that, which is a nice dimension, maybe he wouldn’t be capable of getting $4.2 billion for the company,” concluded Atlas.

    While the debate is ongoing, White sees it as a non-issue. During an ESPN+ fan Q&A on Wednesday, the 52-year-old addressed the criticism he’s received since last weekend’s main event.

    He said his absence was simply due to other factors demanding his attention backstage at the time and branded those who saw it as disrespectful to Ngannou as “idiots.”

    Do you think Dana White had a valid reason for not putting the belt on Francis Ngannou or attending the post-fight presser?

  • Teddy Atlas: O’Malley Has All The Makings Of A Star

    Boxing royalty Teddy Atlas believes rising UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley has all the makings of a star in combat sports.

    O’Malley has quickly grown into one of the most recognized and talked about names in the world’s premier MMA organization. That’s down to his unique combination of charisma, eccentric appearance, and clear talent once the cage door closes behind him.

    Since a defeat to Marlon Vera briefly stalled his surge up the bantamweight ladder, O’Malley has been back to his best. In three 2021 appearances, “Sugar” secured a trio of finishes and a $50,000 bonus to make each one that bit sweeter. After triumphs over Thomas Almeida and Kris Moutinho, O’Malley made his biggest impact at the final pay-per-view of the year.

    In the main card opener, the Montana native faced the toughest test since his setback against “Chito,” the formerly-ranked Raulian Paiva. Inside the opening round, O’Malley recorded another highlight-reel knockout and had the crowd inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on their feet.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CX14GhFvzUG/

    With his latest Octagon success, O’Malley entered the top 15 at 135 pounds. Now sitting at #12, “The Suga Show” is well and truly on its way in the UFC, something that doesn’t surprise one of the most experienced men in combat sports.

    In an interview with The Schmo, Atlas, a renowned boxing trainer, spoke about O’Malley’s rise in the UFC. According to him, the 27-year-old has all the traits and characteristics of a future star.

    “He’s got all the makings of a star. Obviously the look, the ‘it’ factor when he gets into the ring; he lights it up. He’s charismatic, he’s smart… He’s got that ‘it’ factor. But he can fight, too… With all that stuff going on, O’Malley can fight.

    “We wanna see him tested, of course. But there are special privileges out there, let’s be real. When a guy can bring money in, when a guy can be Conor McGregor, or potentially Conor McGregor, they get a little special privileges, where they can fight, maybe, a little bit of a lighter competition as they’re allowed the build. I think he’s (O’Malley) probably fallen under that category. They wanna use him a little bit, I think, to help the brand again, you know, build UFC like any other brand, like the NFL. Why do they go to Europe? To build the brand.”

    Teddy Atlas Cautions O’Malley Against Davis Callout

    Sean O'Malley, Gervonta Davis
    Sean O’Malley, Gervonta Davis

    O’Malley has often been compared to MMA’s biggest superstar Conor McGregor. After becoming a two-division champion in the UFC, the Irishman ventured to the squared circle to take on the undefeated Floyd Mayweather in the sport’s biggest ‘money’ fight.

    While some distance away from that level of superstardom and success in MMA, some have suggested O’Malley could be a potential crossover sensation in the future. Th comes at a time when the likes of Tyron Woodley, Vitor Belfort, and Anderson Silva have all laced the gloves in recent months.

    UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman has even called for a clash with Canelo Alvarez, a bout that would mark the first boxing P4P vs. UFC P4P contest. While Atlas acknowledged Usman’s improving striking and immense physicality, he believes a fast and slick fighter on the feet like O’Malley would fare better in-between the ropes.

    “Just because he’s (Usman) a strong guy, you gotta be honest, he couldn’t just come in, you know, because he doesn’t have one area where you can say he’s real cute, he’s real elusive. You know who’d have a better shot? In putting him in boxing in a more open way or a more across-the-board way, that he could have some success? O’Malley. Because he’s a bit more like a cutie, you know, where he can be slick. You could put him in with a guy who’s maybe a little slow-footed, a guy that’s not really busy.”

    Despite having aspirations of grandeur in the UFC, O’Malley has discussed a potential future in the ring. He even recently called out former multi-weight world champion Gervonta Davis. Although Atlas sees that callout as perhaps a little extreme, he does believe “Sugar” can find success in boxing.

    “Listen, Davis isn’t necessarily a seek and destroy guy. He likes to counterpunch, he’s a real smart guy, and everything. But you’re (O’Malley) calling out a guy who’s very dangerous. You make one mistake with him, in a new place, that’s obviously a new realm for him, you make one mistake and you’re not surviving. So that’s a tough callout.

    UFC 269: Sean O'Malley vs. Raulian Paiva
    UFC 269: Sean O’Malley vs. Raulian Paiva (Image Credit: Louis Grasse/PxImages)

    “But O’Malley, again, could probably pick more guys, because there’s versatility that he could do well in boxing, than you could with Usman. There’s not one area where you could say Usman was real slick, or he’s got a great jab, or he can fight not he inside, so it’d be more problematic finding a guy, even though Usman has incredible physical abilities.”

    O’Malley’s boxing credentials could be further tested in his next appearance. The rising contender has called out fellow surging striker Adrian Yanez, whilst also leaving the door open to a clash with Rob Font, a contender well known for his jab.

    Whoever O’Malley faces next and in the future, it stands to reason that if he keeps winning, we’ll be seeing him test the waters of the sweet science before his career is out.

    Do you agree with Teddy Atlas? Would Sean O’Malley find more success in the ring than Kamaru Usman?

  • Teddy Atlas Gives Jake Paul Credit For Respecting The Sport Of Boxing

    Renowned boxing trainer Teddy Atlas has given credit to YouTuber-turned-pugilist Jake Paul for the way he’s approached his venture into the squared circle.

    Five fights into his unlikely journey in combat sports and Paul is showing no sign of slowing down. Unbeaten to date, the Ohio native has certainly proved a large portion of fans and pundits wrong, something he’ll hope to continue doing in 2022. Paul will be entering the year off the back of a brutal knockout victory over former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.

    After finishing fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, former NBA star Nate Robinson, former ONE and Bellator 170-pound titleholder Ben Askren, and Woodley, Paul was set for his first challenge from a pro boxer in the form of Tommy Fury.

    After “TNT” withdrew due to a broken rib and chest infection, Woodley stepped in on short notice for his chance at redemption. But for the second time in 2021, he left the ring defeated, this time after being viciously slept by the internet star.

    Atlas Appreciates Paul Learning The Sweet Science

    Despite extending his unbeaten record and knocking out a recognized fighter who held UFC gold just three years ago, many still doubt Jake Paul’s boxing credentials, and suggest they’ll continue to do so until he faces a professional boxer.

    While boxing royalty Teddy Atlas is under no illusions about the quality of opponents “The Problem Child” has faced, he does appreciate the way Paul has approached his career in the sport. Speaking in an interview with The Schmo, Atlas praised Paul for respecting the sport of boxing by hiring professional coaches and putting in the work necessary to be competitive inside the ropes.

    “He’s smart. A lot of people hate him, but one thing I give him credit for, he didn’t disrespect the sport of boxing. He went and he learned it. Can he go and just beat anyone? Of course not. But he learned the sport. He went out there and got a professional trainer, he went to a gym for the last couple years, and he worked his backside off to become the best he can become at this point, at this stage. He respected the sport.

    Jake Paul Is in Trouble For Throwing a Huge Party | Vanity Fair
    Jake Paul, BY LEON BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES

    “He’s doing the American way. He found a way to make money without hurting anyone, I mean legally… That’s the American way, to go out there and find a way to make money. I give him credit for that. And he took advantage of an audience, a large audience, and he’s taken them with him. He’s become their ambassador.”

    Discussing the next step for Paul, who has made his desire to face UFC stars Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz known, Atlas suggested a clash with “Gamebred” would provide the striking test the 24-year-old needs to take the next step up the boxing ladder.

    “It’s probably not gonna happen, but if he fought Masvidal, Masvidal’s a pretty good striker, that’d be interesting. That would get my attention… Look, the guy that he beat, Woodley, was a real fighter, but he was just about retired, he was 41/42 years old, not a tremendous striker, better on the mat, not a real busy guy, so he picked his spot pretty good. And again, I give him credit. He got the job done. But (it would be) a little more interesting if he fought a Masvidal because Masvidal’s a better striker and he’s more versatile… guys like that.

    “I don’t wanna see him in anymore with guys where you know it’s done, like a movie; you go into a movie and you already know the ending. I wanna see him where there’s still some questions out there when he gets into that ring.”

    While Paul has pushed for a bout with Masvidal, who is still under contract with the UFC, it appears the two-time welterweight title challenger isn’t pleased with the current state of negotiations. He recently slammed the $5 million the YouTube sensation offered, describing it as “chump change.”

    Although it doesn’t seem likely to happen anytime soon, talk of Paul vs. Masvidal will likely exist for as long as the polarizing celebrity keeps having his hand raised.

    Who would you like to see Jake Paul face next?

  • Atlas Reveals The One Thing Lewis Needs To Fulfill Superstar Potential

    Teddy Atlas sees superstar potential in UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis but has identified some room for growth in his already dangerous striking style.

    The legendary boxing trainer recently praised and critiqued the ranked UFC fighter on his podcast. Atlas spoke about Lewis after watching him dispose of heavyweight contender Chris Daukaus at last weekend’s UFC “Fight Night” card. The first-round finish put Lewis back into the win column after losing an interim title fight to Ciryl Gane in August.

    Atlas liked what he saw from Lewis but also mentioned one thing he thinks can elevate his striking even more: a solid jab.

    “One thing I would start with him [is] just give him a good reliable jab,” said Atlas on a recent episode of his podcast The Fight. “Just give him that phone-pole jab that George Foreman had that destroyed the late, great Joe Frazier […] Lewis can have something like that. That alone could improve him significantly.”

    Outside of the cage, Atlas was complimentary of the way Lewis presents himself. He mentioned his gift of gab has already amassed him a following and could carry him up to an even more popular spot someday.

    “Lewis is a smart guy. Forget about his power, that guy has a great personality. He can be a superstar […] He’s got a following already, it can get bigger,” said Atlas.

    Lewis is known for being a funny and laidback fighter. Along with his meme-heavy personality online, “The Black Beast” is witty on the mic during interviews. His most viral moment came after a fight against Alexander Volkov. After a brutal knockout win, Lewis took off the outer layer of his fighting shorts, stating, “My balls were hot.”

    Do you agree with Teddy Atlas? Would a jab change how Derrick Lewis fights for the better?

  • Teddy Atlas Compares Peña Over Nunes To Two Historic Combat Upsets

    Teddy Atlas has compared the recent win by Julianna Peña to some of the biggest upsets in combat sports history.

    Peña’s win against Amanda Nunes has shocked the combat sports world. Peña picked up a win last weekend in the UFC 269 co-main event, ending a back-and-forth battle in the second round with a rear-naked choke submission.

    Many have since questioned where the result stands in the history of upsets in MMA. Is it one of the biggest shocks we have seen in the Octagon thus far?

    Atlas, a famous boxing trainer and combat sports pundit, recently weighed in about what fights he could compare Peña’s recent win against Amanda Nunes to. Racking his brain about the fight, he considered a ’90s boxing outcome and a more recent UFC result as two fair comparisons.

    “The first comparison that comes to you is Buster Douglas and [Mike] Tyson. When you think of the enormity of the upset, you know,” he said on his podcast The Fight with Teddy Atlas. “But I was surprised [the commentators] didn’t mention one that was pretty damn enormous right in their own sport. And that was [Holly] Holm and [Ronda] Rousey. People forget how dominant Rousey was. I mean, Rousey was a monster. I mean, she was Godzilla and when she got stopped and beaten… she got beat by Holly Holm, who was a former [boxer].” (h/t Sportskeeda)

    Comparing Peña vs. Nunes To Upsets Of The Past

    Dana White: my
    Image Credit: AP/Andy Brownbill

    Douglas’ 1990 win over Tyson is legendary and is one of the most notorious upsets in sports history. The fight saw Douglas not only enter as a 42-to-1 underdog but also make a comeback after being knocked down to later stop Tyson in the 10th round.

    The comparison of Nunes and Rousey’s upset losses has been made by many recently. The results were both widely regarded as a massive upset, and both fights declared the end of dominant reigns at bantamweight.

    It’s certainly up for debate where Peña’s win ranks in the grand scheme of upsets. However, if there’s one thing for sure, it’s that the bantamweight title fight will be discussed by fans for years to come.

    Where would you rank Peña’s upset victory over Amanda Nunes in MMA history?