MMA

Subterms

    Latest story

    225 Shares64 Views

    ‘Knowing how dangerous boxing is…’ UFC star Jorge Masvidal has concerns about Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight

    by

    UFC star Jorge Masvidal will be watching Mike Tyson’s controversial comeback fight against Jake Paul as a concerned fan. YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul brings heavyweight great Tyson out of retirement on Friday in a clash criticised for the age gap. UFC star Jorge Masvidal fears for Mike Tyson against Jake PaulCredit: GettyTyson facing off with Jake PaulCredit: GettyMasvidal – like many others – grew up idolising Iron Mike and recognises it will no longer be the Baddest Man on The Planet in the ring. He told SunSport: “I get both of the points of views because if you can make big revenue, go for it.”It’s just that Tyson was such a prominent sports figure on top of the world in great shape, beating some of the best guys in the world rather easily.”And now we can tell it’s not nowhere near the same Tyson, he’s nowhere near his prime.READ MORE IN BOXING”So, you know, obviously the ones that are more fans, we don’t like to see him like that, fighting when he’s not himself.”He’s not that person he used to be and knowing how dangerous boxing is – but I wish both competitors well and nobody gets hurt and everybody just comes out fine.”Paul, 27, has ten wins and just a single loss in 2023 to Tommy Fury, 25, on his boxing record. Tyson, 58, meanwhile has not boxed professionally since 2005 when he quit on his stool and threw the towel in on his boxing career. Most read in BoxingJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe did return in 2020 for an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr but his bout with Paul is to be officially sanctioned and on their records. But it will be competed over eight two-minute rounds – opposed to the usual three – and fought in bigger 14oz gloves instead of 10oz. Fans get first look of Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson training camp with Iron Mike ‘looking like he’s 25 again’Counting down to Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson…READ MORE on all the build-up to the massive clash in Texas on Netflix…Masvidal, 39, meanwhile will be promoting his Gamebred bareknuckle MMA event in Mississippi but expects an interesting bout on Netflix.He said: “I think it’s gonna be entertaining fight for while it lasts.”I think Jake’s gonna be smart man and he’s gonna move the first two rounds, get Tyson a little tired. “There’s one thing everybody knows, it’s like a common thing is that the last thing to leave a man is power and Tyson still has power.”So what you’re gonna have to do is is work his heart, you know, just move, move, move, get him tired and then start to attack.”JAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUT More

    More stories

    • 238 Shares80 Views

      in Boxing

      Major broadcast change as Netflix look to snap up two huge sports after Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight 

      by

      NETFLIX could become the next big powerhouses of combat sports. The streaming giants – who have over 280MILLION paying subscribers – dip their toes into live sport for the first time next Friday. Jake Paul will headline Netflix’s first boxing eventCredit: SportsfileNetflix controversially host Mike Tyson’s boxing comeback against YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Jake Paul. Talks with Paul spanned over a year and a deal was struck when heavyweight icon Tyson agreed to come out of retirement to fight.But SunSport understands this will not be Netflix’s only major play in sports streaming.The movie makers announced a stunning $5BILLION (£3.8bn) deal with the WWE to air events in the US and worldwide. READ MORE IN BOXINGAs of January, the WWE’s flagship show Monday Night Raw will be on Netflix.And by then, Netflix will have ALL of WWE’s programming exclusively platformed on their site in the UK, replacing TNT Sports as broadcaster.The WWE joined forces with the UFC this year as part of a merger with the TKO group worth $21bn (£16.2bn). It comes as the UFC’s five-year, $1.5bn (£1.1bn) TV contract with ESPN, is due to expire at the end of 2025.Most read in BoxingJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSeveral bidders are already in talks with the UFC, with Netflix among them. It would mean Netflix attempting to get the UFC and WWE under one umbrella while more boxing events are also eyed. Fans get first look of Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson training camp with Iron Mike ‘looking like he’s 25 again’Paul has also not ruled out working with Netflix again, having boxed on DAZN, Triller, Showtime and ESPN in the past. He was in negotiations with Netflix for several fights, including a rematch against Tommy Fury, 25, who he lost to in 2023. Paul, 27, has featured in Netflix’s Untold documentary series before and will split a huge $80m (£60m) purse with Tyson, 58.Iron Mike returns for his first professional bout since 2005.It will be officially sanctioned but over eight two-minute rounds – opposed to the usual three – fought in bigger 14oz gloves instead if 10oz. UFC boss Dana White and WWE legend Triple HCredit: Getty More

    • 225 Shares96 Views

      in Boxing

      Watch bare-knuckle boxer’s stunned reaction to having nose BROKEN with single punch that leaves Conor McGregor in awe

      by

      BARE-KNUCKLE boxer Chris Camozzi left opponent Sawyer Depee with a broken nose following a brutal punch. The pair fought it out for the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship cruiserweight title in Denver. Chris Camozzi left opponent Sawyer Depee with a broken nose following a brutal punchDepee’s nose was brutally disfiguredAnd former UFC star Camozzi landed a huge right uppercut in round one one that landed right on Depee’s nose. It closed the show in just one minute with footage showing Depee’s grimacing reaction to the punch. His nose was gruesomely disfigured too as a result of the shot – leaving BKFC part-owner Conor McGregor in awe. He posted on X: “NOSE BREAKER SHOT TO WIN THE BARE KNUCKLE CRUISERWEIGHT GOLD! WOW! Say hello to your new Cruiserweight King.READ MORE IN MMA”@ChrisCamozzi! Hey Chris, what can they say now? Sweet f*** all, baby! Big congrats! “BARE KNUCKLE WORLD CHAMPION!! @bareknucklefc.”Camozzi won the title just a year after losing to Lorenzo Hunt at BKFC 50 for the gold. He said: “I can’t put this into words. This is the best moment of my career. Ever.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCamozzi, 37, had a storied 42-fight MMA career with a 27-15 record. He moved into bare-knuckle boxing in 2022 and has a 3-1 record following his title victory.Ilia Topuria went OFF on Conor McGregor in response to his tweet More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      ‘That would be something’ – Francis Ngannou’s coach opens door to boxing fight ‘everybody wanted to see in first place’

      by

      FRANCIS NGANNOU may still have one more boxing fight in him – and it’s the one “everybody wanted to see in first place.” Ngannou put his MMA career on hold in 2023 to cross over and pursue his lifelong ambition of boxing. Francis Ngannou could still return to boxingCredit: ReutersLast October, he sensationally floored former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, 36, only to lose a controversial decision. He then returned to the ring to face Anthony Joshua, 35, in March but was knocked out in two rounds. Ngannou, 38, shared the ring with the British pair after overlooking American Deontay Wilder, 38. The two humongous hitters were in talks with even a two-fight deal in boxing and MMA touted. READ MORE IN MMAAnd Ngannou’s striking coach Dewey Cooper is still interested in the bout – after fans demanded it in the past. Cooper told SunSport: “A fight with Deontay Wilder? That’s the fight everybody wanted to see in the first place.”Two hard punchers, totally opposite personalties that would be something. “Whatever Francis Ngannou, whatever His Excellency Turki Alalshikh wants to do with Riyadh Season and boxing, if he’s with it, I’m with it.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I have no expectation, whoever it is if it happens again we’re going to work hard and do our best to solidly a final victory for the record book.”Ngannou now returns to MMA with the Professional Fighters League after walking out on the UFC. I’ve had 100 fights but training Francis Ngannou is just as painful… he punches as hard as Mike Tyson He faces 6ft 8in Brazilian Renan Ferreira, 34, in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Wilder meanwhile is in career crisis following points defeat to Joseph Parker, 32, in December and a brutal KO against Zhilei Zhang, 41, in June. And Cooper reckons stepping into the ring with Ngannou could bring an official and brutal end to Wilder’s glittering boxing career. The trainer said: “I’m sure if he were to lose that would be the final nail in the coffin but a fighter knows when it’s time, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physiologically.”If Deontay Wilder still wants to do it, he definitely should. We’re so judgemental, so biased, when he was knocking everybody out at 40-something and 0 with 40-something knockouts, we all thought he was the best thing since sliced bread.”A guy has a few bad fights and the whole world turns against him. We learned this with Anthony Joshua, I remember he lost to Oleksandr Usyk everybody said it’s over.”Then he went on a great run and climbed back to the top of the world. “So, whatever a fighter wants to do, as long as he’s taking his health into consideration, his family and his wellbeing into consideration.READ MORE SUN STORIES”So if Deontay Wilder wants to continue fighting, he definitely should.”Zhilei Zhang knocked out Deontay WilderCredit: Getty More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      I’ve had 100 fights but training Francis Ngannou is just as painful… he punches as hard as Mike Tyson

      by

      TRAINER Dewey Cooper had over 100 professional fights – but taking shots from Francis Ngannou is a far more painful experience. Cooper fought in boxing, kickboxing and MMA before moving into coaching after retiring. Trainer Dewey Cooper with Francis NgannouCredit: Matchroom Boxing And he has been working with Ngannou since 2017, bravely holding the pads and body belt for the 6ft 4in powerhouse. Cooper admits not even a 15-year fighting career brings as much agony as withstanding Ngannou’s power.He told SunSport: “In the fights when I was fighting I had really good defence. I would defend a lot of techniques, getting hit clean was a rarity.”Getting hit by Francis, I’m giving the body away getting hit by him. It’s not happy, it’s not nice for sure. READ MORE IN MMA”It hurts but like I said, I signed up for the job and I’m happy to be here. We’re going to keep working hard.”Ngannou’s power was once tested at the UFC’s Performance Institute in Las Vegas. And the ferocity had the same impact as a 12lb sledgehammer being swung at full force or comparable to being hit by a Ford Escort at top speed. Cooper chuckled: “I believe it! I can tell you right now, I’ve been hit by a lot of guys, recently I’ve been doing pads for Mike Tyson. No one’s hitting harder than Francis, man.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”When he places those punches correctly and bends his knees and turns his hips, sometimes I get hit so hard I’m like, ‘How am I taking this? What am I doing to myself?'”It’s funny to me because I’m like, ‘What am I doing here?’ It’s a lot of pain involved.”‘That would be something’ – Francis Ngannou’s coach opens door to boxing fight ‘everybody wanted to see in first place’ Ngannou, 38, last year put his MMA career on hold to pursue a lifelong ambition of boxing. He sensationally dropped Tyson Fury, 36, in his boxing debut before being knocked out by Anthony Joshua, 35, in March.Cooper led the corner on those occasions but now he welcomes Ngannou back to MMA to fight Renan Ferreira, 34, on Saturday in Saudi Arabia. The coach said: “We’re refreshed to see him back in MMA. “Boxing, kickboxing, grappling, wrestling, all the elements. It’s been a good camp and he’s ready to go.” Ngannou facing off with Renan Ferreira More

    • 238 Shares149 Views

      in Boxing

      Tommy Fury in line to earn TRIPLE his net worth in rematch against Jake Paul… with never-before-seen fight teased

      by

      TOMMY FURY is in line to sensationally TRIPLE his net worth as talks to rematch Jake Paul continue – but with a twist. Fury looked to have buried two years of bitter feuding when he beat Paul via split-decision in the Diriyah desert in Saudi Arabia last year. Jake Paul and Tommy Fury are in talks to rematchCredit: GettyBut the celebrity boxing rivals have continued their feud to build towards a money-spinning rematch. And they could even take their rivalry to the MMA cage with a huge two-fight deal being put in place. Paul is signed to the Professional Fighters League and primed to make his cage debut next year. And in February, PFL founder Donn Davis told SunSport £15milllion ($20m) was on the table for Fury to fight Paul in MMA and boxing. READ MORE IN MMADavis said: “Tommy doing a back-to-back boxing and MMA – hardwired together where Tommy couldn’t back out of one or the other – is on the table.”The rumoured offers of $15-20m to Tommy – which is three times what he could earn for many other of his options – is accurate.”Is that the best option for Jake? I’ll leave that to Jake and Nakisa [Bidarian]. They’re the best at picking opponents and managing that.”But that is accurate and that is a possibility.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFury even recently posed with PFL gloves on in a YouTube video and called out Paul to a rematch in the cage. And PFL CEO Peter Murray – ahead of Francis Ngannou’s MMA return in Riyadh – confirmed talks with the 2019 Love Island star are ongoing. Murray told SunSport: “He was going to be part of this event on the broadcast team. But he’s excited by the sport and that would be interesting.”Listen, he’s a big event fighter and there’s plenty of money to go around. “We’re investing in the sport, we’re investing in big events, that would be a mega event and we’re here to put on a spectacle.”Fury is believed to have earned around £6m for his two wins over YouTube pair Paul and KSI. It means PFL’s proposed double header would see him nearly triple his fight earnings.Fury, 25, controversially beat KSI, 31, in October and underwent hand surgery soon after, leading to a potential return by January.Paul, 27, meanwhile faces heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson, 58, on November 15 in a clash slammed over the 30-year age gap. But PFL are looking to schedule his MMA debut for next year – possibly right after the Netflix fight with Tyson. And Paul confirmed in August that talks to fight Fury in the cage are happening. He said: “I think that’s actually still a discussion. So that could be interesting for sure. Me versus Tommy in MMA.”The PFL are also working on introducing hybrid-rules fights to help bridge that gap between boxing and MMA. And a never-before-seen mixed-rules bout between Paul and Fury has not been ruled out. READ MORE SUN STORIESMurray added: “We’ll see. We haven’t talked about Jake’s debut that would be modified rules. “It’s a possibility but we’re having those conversations with other fighters, in particular from the boxing world. I think it could be interesting.”Tommy Fury has called out Jake Paul to a rematch in MMACredit: @evolutionfitnessxlJake Paul is signed to the PFL to make his MMA debut More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Francis Ngannou’s amazing rise from borrowing money as MMA champ to making millions in boxing and eyeing property empire

      by

      FRANCIS NGANNOU went from borrowing money as the MMA champion of the world to earning millions in the boxing ring. The heroic Cameroonian – who emigrated from Africa to Europe over the course of a year on foot – put his cage career on hold in 2023. Francis Ngannou emigrated from Cameroon for a better lifeHis life changed after switching from MMA to boxingCredit: ReutersNgannou has made millions from his boxing boutsHe walked out on the UFC as their heavyweight champion to pursue a his lifelong ambition of boxing. At the time, he had beaten Ciryl Gane in January 2022 but had no plans to re-sign with the UFC. He made only £450,000 for the bout and revealed he borrowed £150,000 from friend and former UFC champ Kamaru Usman. But after two boxing bouts – against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua – he is believed to have earned over £10MILLION. READ MORE IN MMAAnd Ngannou told SunSport: “Yes, there was a day that I have to borrow money from Kamaru Usman, I might not have to borrow the same amount today.”But I can still borrow because my project gets bigger and bigger. So things are changing as a person I’m growing.”Life is moving, I have different perspective in life. My ambition grows, you know. I set no limit for myself. The sky is my limit.”Ngannou revealed he leant the money from Usman to focus on his fledging property empire. Most read in BoxingNgannou with friend and former UFC champion Kamaru UsmanCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “Personal things, investment, having a house, building a house. I love houses, I love real estate.”I come from a family that we never owned any house. We never had a house. Francis Ngannou’s first fight since tragic death of his son Kobe announced with MMA star to take on giant 6ft 8in rival”Then my first thing was to build houses in different city and then maybe buy one wherever I’m living make some investment. “Think of my future. Think of a potential retirement plan or in case things don’t work out.”I’m doing a job that I have no guarantee, no insurance. I have no guarantee of the future of tomorrow, everything can stop right now.”So yes, you think about that. When you think about that, you need to plan things out at least, like for 1,2,3 years or more in case s*** happens. “So you have something you have some time to reset and start back. I think that’s what every single combat sports athlete should do.”Ngannou left Cameroon when he was 26 for a better life, having began working in the sand mines from the age of just TEN. It took him 14 months to go from his hometown of Batie to eventually France, where his journey as a fighter began. Now, he is a former world champion with two huge paydays in the bank – but there was once a time when securing food to eat was his biggest problem. He said: “There were days that when I wake up my only worry, my only concern was what I was going to eat that day. There were days like that in my life. Ngannou used to work in the sand mines in Cameroon and often visits backCredit: @francisngannouNgannou left Africa for Europe on footCredit: @francisngannouIt took him a year to emigrateCredit: @francisngannou”Basically growing up there were days that going to school, I worry because I didn’t have a pen to take notes or because I didn’t have a note, because my school tuition hasn’t been paid.”So life evolved, doesn’t mean he was that bad day. I think it was just a process. “Because at the end of the day, life is mostly a journey that you have to understand, enjoy the journey is not a destination.”Because, if you set a destination and then you get to destination, then what’s happened? It’s the trusting the process.”Ngannou, 38, sensationally dropped Fury, 36, on his boxing debut only to lose a controversial decision. He then remained in boxing but was knocked out by Joshua, 34, in two rounds in March. Now, he returns to the cage for the first time in over two years to face 6ft 8in Brazilian Renan Ferreira, 34, in his Professional Fighters League debut. And he welcomes the familiar feeling of strapping on the tiny 4oz MMA gloves and stepping foot back in the cage. He said: “I would say the transition was going from MMA to boxing not to from boxing to MMA, because that’s not the transition.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’ve been doing MMA my entire career. I mean, both are definitely two different trainings which MMA has their own complexity. “But, I’m more used to the complexity of MMA.” Ngannou facing off with Renan Ferreira More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      ‘These men are actual giants’, says Jake Paul as he reveals prediction for Francis Ngannou vs Renan Ferreira

      by

      JAKE PAUL felt dwarfed after facing off the gigantic duo of Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira. Ngannou makes his MMA return on Saturday in Saudi Arabia against 6ft 8in Brazilian Ferreira.Francis Ngannou, Jake Paul and Renan Ferreira during the face offAnd two months ago, Paul was tasked with getting in between the two humongous men to square them off.It marks Ngannou’s first fight back in MMA in over two years following a stint in the boxing ring.And Paul believes the former UFC champion and now Professional Fighters League star return to the cage with a vengeance.He said after facing the two off: “Battle of the Giants is very, very real. These men are actual giants. READ MORE IN MMA”And if they were to have started fighting, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything. But, I was there, I was doing my best. “I had some form, but they’re very strong… I just think Francis just has so much to prove here that he’s going to rise to the occasion. “With a taller man and as strong as Francis is with his solid base I just think he’s going to be able to clip Ferreira at some point.” Ngannou, 38, put his MMA career on hold to cross over to the boxing ring to first face Tyson Fury, 36.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd he sensationally dropped the former world heavyweight champ before losing a controversial split-decision.Ngannou then faced Anthony Joshua, 34, in March but was brutally knocked out in two rounds. Francis Ngannou’s first fight since tragic death of his son Kobe announced with MMA star to take on giant 6ft 8in rivalA month later, he endured personal heartbreak when his 15-month-old son Kobe tragically died. His fight with Ferreira, 34, not only marks his first with the PFL but also since he lost his baby boy and decided against retirement. Ngannou said: “I didn’t want to do anything but I just realised it was just my pain speaking. My rationality would not allow things like that. “And also for the reason why I was deciding to retire wasn’t the best reason. “I think I should use it as motivation and make something beautiful out of it.” More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Terence Crawford in U-turn over Conor McGregor clash with boxer ‘tempted’ after UFC star reveals HUGE fight purse

      by

      TERENCE CRAWFORD has admitted he is tempted by Conor McGregor’s two-fight deal – after seeing the money that is on offer. McGregor revealed a package was on the table for a never-before-seen doubler header in boxing and MMA with Crawford.Terence Crawford admitted he is tempted by Conor McGregor’s two-fight dealCredit: APMcGregor revealed the shock talksCredit: GettyBut the former undisputed world boxing champion initially said no amount of money could convince him to get kicked or elbowed. That was until McGregor posted online: “Big respect to @tbudcrawford! “$100million dollars a fight, 1 mma, 1 boxing. $200million dollars!”To which Crawford responded: “Tempted.” READ MORE IN BOXINGMcGregor put his UFC career on hold in 2017 to face ring great Floyd Mayweather in a crossover clash worth huge sums.Crawford wrestled in his youth but went on to become one of the greatest boxers of his era.McGregor said during a Duelbits livestream: “Crawford is very slick, he also has a wrestling background pedigree.”You know they’re always talking to me about bouts. I’ve already boxed a boxer, and the best boxer in MMA is me.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”You know what I mean? I generate the most. We were talking back and forth about a two-fight deal.”In Crawford’s last fight he beat Israil Madrimov to win the WBA super-welterweight world title.Conor McGregor reveals talks worth ‘hundreds of millions’ for two-fight boxing and MMA deal with unbeaten champIt was also his first with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season – who recently partnered with the UFC.And McGregor, 36, was the first to reveal that Crawford, 37, was approached for the two-fight deal – before declining.He said: “I get on the phone and say ‘Crawford, they’re here talking about you and me. Two-fight deal, MMA first, boxing second.”I know you have an extensive wrestling background, and balls the size of a Bengal tiger.”They’re asking for a fight, it’ll be hundreds of millions on the line. ‘What’s up?’, I said.”And then he goes, ‘I don’t fancy taking a kick off Conor McGregor’, that’s what he said. You have to respect that.”McGregor has been out of action since July 2021 when he broke his leg before being ruled out of his return bout in June.The Irishman was forced to pull out of facing Michael Chandler due to a toe injury.Chandler, 38, has since signed to rematch Charles Oliveira, 34, on November 16 to leave McGregor’s next fight in doubt.Crawford meanwhile is a four-division champion and considered one of the best boxers on the planet.He is currently eyeing a super-fight against Mexican icon Canelo Alvarez, 34, despite rumours of pondering retirement.And he joked a switch to MMA to fight McGregor is not something he takes lightly. Crawford said to Bernie the Boxer: “I told Conor, ‘Hell no’.”They called me and they offered me the fight and me and Conor got on the phone and started trying to figure something out.”And I told him, ‘Man I ain’t getting into no octagon with you so you can be kicking me and elbow me and s***’.”He started laughing and s*** and he said ‘Man, I respect it. You respect my sport just like I respect your sport and you understand that if you get in an octagon you’re going to be at a disadvantage.READ MORE SUN STORIES”‘Just like if I get into the boxing ring with you, I’m going to be at a disadvantage’. But he was like, ‘We will make a s*** ton of money’. “I said, ‘Yeah, sometimes it ain’t about the money, I can make money but you ain’t about to be kicking me, dude’. Kicks and elbows man that s*** ain’t no joke.” More