MMA

Subterms

    More stories

    • 200 Shares149 Views

      in Boxing

      Jake Paul ‘absolutely’ serious about sending huge $10MILLION offer to MMA icons for debut cage fight

      by

      JAKE PAUL has the backing to offer Nate Diaz or Jorge Masvidal a huge $10MILLION to fight him in his MMA debut. Paul is 9-1 as a boxer but last year signed a contract with the Professional Fighters League where he will cross over to the cage.Jake Paul offerred Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz $10m to fight him in MMACredit: Professional Fighters League Diaz and Masvidal rematch in boxing after their 2019 UFC fightCredit: FanmioMeanwhile, Masvidal has been granted permission from the UFC to pursue boxing before returning to the octagon after.He takes to the ring for the first time on June 1 against Nate Diaz, 39, beaten over ten boxing rounds by Paul last year.Masvidal, 39, won their 2019 UFC bout after Diaz was pulled out by the cageside doctor amid a horror cut – but they will now rematch in boxing. The pair put aside their feud to mutually chant “f*** Jake Paul” alongside a raucous Las Vegas press conference crowd.READ MORE IN MMAPaul responded to the heckling by brazenly offering both Masvidal and Diaz a deal worth $10m (£8m) to fight him in the PFL cage. And PFL CEO Peter Murray admitted the big-money offer is justified. Murray told SunSport: “We know what that fight will command. It’s one of the biggest events in MMA.”Absolutely, in terms of the draw in terms of the internet so that’s what it’s all about.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”He’s training, he’s building it up and there’s a line of top MMA fighters who would like that chance and that opportunity.”And with discussions with Jake we’ll determine who we think is the biggest opponent and event.”The Sun’s Wally Downes Jr fumes as Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson CONFIRMED with ‘biggest fight of the 21st century’ to be shown live on NetflixPaul, 27, returns on July 20 in Texas against boxing icon Mike Tyson, 57, in a controversial clash scrutinised over the 30-year age gap.It looks to have delayed his debut in MMA – but the American has a custom-built cage in his gym which he has used to prepare for the switch. Murray revealed: “He’s got the PFL SmartCage directly on his compound in Puerto Rico.”Obviously, he’s super focussed on boxing right now with the Mike Tyson fight coming up.”But he’s committed to making his debut and we’re excited.”Jake Paul and Mike Tyson facing offCredit: @jakepaul More

    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Boxing

      Francis Ngannou’s secret football link revealed… but MMA star won’t switch sports again with cage return set

      by

      FRANCIS NGANNOU has a secret link to football back home in Cameroon – but he will not be switching sports again. Ngannou walked out on the UFC last year to swap MMA for boxing – but did so after signing with the Professional Fighters League.Francis Ngannou playing football for a local Cameroonian teamCredit: @francisngannouNgannou even has ownership in a football teamCredit: @francisngannouThe MMA star went back to Cameroon on holiday after his recent boxing lossCredit: @francisngannouThe PFL gave the green light for the move to boxing and the ex-UFC champion faced Tyson Fury, 35, in October.He sensationally dropped the unbeaten heavyweight boxer only to lose a controversial split-decision.Ngannou then faced Fury’s British rival Anthony Joshua, 34, in March but it ended in a sickening second-round knockout loss.And the successive boxing defeat looks to have sent the heavyweight hero, 37, back to MMA for his next bout.READ MORE IN BOXINGBut first he went back to Cameroon for a holiday and took the chance to play some local football for Sable F.C de Batie.And PFL CEO Peter Murray revealed Ngannou is such a big fan that he co-owns a football side in his homeland. But he does not fear losing the 6ft 4in powerhouse to an all-new sport for a second time. Murray told SunSport: “I don’t think he’s going to hit the pitch. He does have ownership in a Cameroonian football club.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”He’s quite passionate about it, he may be quiet about it but he definitely supports that franchise.”Brazilian Renan Ferreira, 34, knocked out ex-UFC heavyweight Ryan Bader, 40, in 20 seconds in February.Anthony Joshua gets grilled by a nine year old in interviewNgannou was in attendance in Saudi Arabia for the lightning-quick finish – where it was announced he will face Ferreira in his cage comeback. It will mark Ngannou’s debut fight for the PFL and his first in MMA since January 2022 – with September in Saudi eyed for the occasion. More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Boxing

      Paige VanZant looks ready to destroy Elle Brooke tomorrow as she shows off stunning physique in poolside snaps

      by

      PAIGE VANZANT showed Elle Brooke what she hopes the Brit influencer will be missing – her toned body.The ex-UFC star aims to stop Elle raining blows on her tanned torso when they finally meet in in a boxing ring on May 25.Paige VanZant has sent a visual warning to Elle BrookeCredit: Instagram @paigevanzantThe American still has a month before the big fightCredit: Instagram @paigevanzantFellow influencer Elle is lying in wait for PaigeCredit: InstagramAnd judging by her rippling physique, mean look and enthusiastic  backing from fans, the renowned wrestler is already in perfect nick.Nonetheless many of Paige’s admirers preferred to focus on other factors as they assessed the pool-side pics she shared in a bikini.Verdicts such as “just perfect” … “beautiful” … damn” … and “omg” flew in faster than Oleksandr Usyk in peak jabbing mode.And one follower seemed to miss the point of Paige’s display of bulging biceps.READ MORE TOP STORIESHe posted: “No need to flex. You’re so much sexier when you don’t.”Another said: “Paige I love you, you’re so amazing.”In one sense, upcoming rival Brooke feels the same The Brit has long regarded Paige or fellow American MMA icon Ronda Rousey as her dream opponents – and now that’s coming true.Most read in BoxingBrooke, 26, and 30-year-old VanZant have one major thing in common – both having earned financial riches as OnlyFans creators.But the Manchester City fan from Surrey is building up a useful record in the ring.Elle Brooke’s 10 most liked Instagram postsElle’s five fights include four wins – two by knockout – and just one defeat.Her last victim, in January, was AJ Bunker.And she will again come out swinging against Paige next month.VanZant, of course, has a greater fighting pedigree, albeit not in boxing.She’s recorded eight wins and seven losses across UFC and the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.And if her current physique is anything to go by, she’s shaping up to give her influencer-rival a painful lesson.The social media star isn’t looking for peace against ElleCredit: Not known, clear with picture deskPaige has amassed 3.1m Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @paigevanzantPaige hopes she doesn’t freeze on the nightCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Boxing

      ‘I would kick your f***king kneecap off’, fumes Jorge Masvidal in response to ‘coward’ Jake Paul’s $10m MMA fight offer

      by

      JORGE MASVIDAL has brutally shot down Jake Paul’s offer to take their rivalry to the MMA cage. Paul is 9-1 as a boxer but signed a contract with the Professional Fighters League to debut in MMA. Jorge Masvidal brutally hit out at Jake Paul’s offer to fight in MMACredit: GettyJake Paul propsed a $10m offer to fight Masvidal in the PFL cageMeanwhile, Masvidal has been granted permission from the UFC to pursue boxing before returning to the octagon after. He takes to the ring for the first time on June 1 against Nate Diaz, 39, beaten over ten boxing rounds by Paul last year. The pair put aside their feud to mutually chant “f*** Jake Paul” alongside a raucous Las Vegas crowd. And Paul replied online: “Two of the biggest names in MMA can’t keep my name out their mouth at their press conference that nobody watched. READ MORE IN MMA”Nate already got his ass beat by me & Jorge is literally permitted by UFC to box anyone but me because Dana knows I will put his little ass to sleep. “Already told both of these bozos to come see me in PFL bc in boxing they got no shot. $10M for either of them.” Paul, 27, returns on July 20 in Texas against boxing icon Mike Tyson, 57, in a controversial clash scrutinised over the 30-year age gap. And Masvidal, 39, did not hold back in response to the YouTuber-turned-boxer’s proposed MMA deal. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said on the MMA Hour: “Jake runs up on me somewhere else where it’s not a ring or something you can find out bro. “You’re talking about the PFL, the f*** are you going to do in MMA? Are you kidding me? You can’t even box. Watch truly bizarre way Jake Paul announces Katie Taylor’s Netflix fight vs Amanda Serrano that sums up mad boxing world “Now you’re going to fight in MMA? I would kick your f***ing kneecap off your fragile body. “You dumb motherf***er, don’t bring up MMA ever you disrespectful piece of s***.” More

    • 275 Shares139 Views

      in Boxing

      Francis Ngannou closes in on first fight since brutal Anthony Joshua KO with star to make MMA return after two years out

      by

      FRANCIS NGANNOU is set to return to MMA for the first time in two years following his brutal boxing loss to Anthony Joshua. Ngannou walked out on the UFC last year to pursue a lucrative switch to boxing but he did so after signing with the Professional Fighters League. Francis Ngannou is set for an MMA returnCredit: GettyThe PFL gave the green light for the move to boxing and the ex-UFC champion faced Tyson Fury, 35, in October. He sensationally dropped the unbeaten heavyweight boxer only to lose a controversial split-decision. Ngannou then faced Fury’s British rival Joshua, 34, in March but it ended in a sickening second-round knockout loss. And the second successive boxing defeat looks to have sent the Cameroonian hero back to MMA for his next bout. READ MORE IN MMAPFL boss Donn Davis said: “We talked to Francis and he said before the fight in Saudi Arabia that he planned to come in MMA this year. “It just depended on the outcome of that fight, he said if he lost that it’s be sooner and if he won it’d be later, so it’ll be sooner. “He says he is recharging, he went home to Cameroon after the fight.”Brazilian Renan Ferreira, 34, knocked out ex-UFC star Ryan Bader, 40, in 20 seconds in February to earn a fight with the returning Ngannou. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSunSport understands another PFL pay-per-view is heading back to Saudi with Ngannou to top it. Davis added: “We think it’ll be autumn, it could be as early as September or as later as October. I think it’ll be one of those two but he’ll be ready. “It’s be a little over two years since we’ve seen in MMA and we are excited to see him in the SmartCage against Renan Ferreira.”Fans ask ‘did he hire Wilder as a spin doctor?’ after Francis Ngannou’s bizarre excuse for Anthony Joshua defeat More

    • 163 Shares129 Views

      in Boxing

      Jake Paul’s anticipated MMA debut faces delay amid huge Mike Tyson boxing fight

      by

      JAKE PAUL’S switch from boxing to MMA faces delay amid his next boxing match against Mike Tyson. The YouTuber-turned boxer faces heavyweight icon Tyson on July 20 in a controversial clash scrutinised over the 30-year age gap. Jake Paul and Mike Tyson facing offCredit: @jakepaulIt will be Paul’s third bout in just seven months as he looks to improve on his 9-1 record. His only defeat came in February 2023 via split-decision against celebrity rival Tommy Fury, 24, in Saudi Arabia. A month beforehand, Paul announced a deal with the Professional Fighters League to make his MMA debut. His first bout in the cage was eyed for 2024 but the American has been forced to shelve his training to focus on boxing great Tyson. READ MORE IN BOXINGPFL boss Donn Davis said: “The good news is, if people didn’t think Jake was serious about combat, he’s proven to be serious. “He’s gotten better. He’s doubled down on boxing at the minute, there’s no question about it. “There was a time when he might have done 50/50 and right now it looks like he might be 90/10 in boxing and MMA. “So his development in MMA is not coming along as quickly as we thought. Will he fight for the PFL? One hundred per cent.Most read in BoxingCredit: The SunCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Will he move to MMA? One hundred per cent. Is the timing delayed? It is.” Paul, 27, has fitted a fully-scaled PFL cage in his Puerto Rico training base to prepare for his MMA debut. How Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson can bring boxing back to viewing figures of Muhammad Ali with 260MILLION expected to watchAnd he even offered Fury a stunning two-fight boxing and MMA deal worth over £15million to rematch his rival across two sports. But the former Love Islander is recovering from hand surgery with Tyson, 57, instead returning after four years out the ring to fight Paul. And the social media sensation is currently out in Colorado with the US Olympic boxing team training for his bout against Iron Mike. Jake Paul will make his MMA debut with the PFLCredit: Professional Fighters League More

    • 188 Shares179 Views

      in Boxing

      Jake Paul called out by Big Brother star for never-before-seen mixed boxing and MMA fight

      by

      JAKE PAUL has been called out to a never-before-seen mixed-rules fight by MMA star Antonio Carlos Junior. The YouTuber-turned boxer is signed to the Professional Fighters League and talking up an anticipated cage debut. Jake Paul has been called out to a mixed-rules fight by MMA star Antonio Carlos JuniorCredit: CELSIUS/Alex SubersAntonio Carlos Junior won the PFL title in 2021And former PFL champion Junior is ready to meet Paul halfway by proposing the first ever boxing fight in an MMA cage. He told SunSport: “We can do boxing in MMA gloves, or regular boxing, MMA. I’m a martial artist. So whatever it is, I’m in. “But it will not end good for him, at all.” Junior – who starred on Brazilian Big Brother last year – returns to this year’s PFL season after coming back from an ACL injury. READ MORE IN MMAThe Brazilian scooped the light-heavyweight title and $1million cash prize in 2021. But he had to pull out injured just two bouts into the 2022 campaign, missing last year’s as a result. Meanwhile Paul, 27, faces boxing icon Mike Tyson, 57, on July 20 in a controversial clash scrutinised over the 30-year age gap. And Junior, 34, raged: “He never really fights a guy in their prime. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“Now he’s going to fight Mike Tyson, who is 57. He’s too old. He was the GOAT, the greatest but now he’s old, it’s different. “Jake, he always fights the guys coming to retirement or whatever.Mike Tyson admits to being ‘scared to death’ of Jake Paul fight”I’d like to see him fight some real fighters in their prime. “He says he wants to fight in MMA, we’re both in the PFL, we can both make the same weight, I don’t know what he’s waiting for.”  More

    • 200 Shares179 Views

      in Boxing

      Boxing world champion announces MMA debut and eyes rematch with bitter rival in whole new sport

      by

      SAVANNAH MARSHALL will become the latest boxing star to make the switch to MMA when she makes her debut on June 8. The undisputed super-middleweight world champion has signed with the Professional Fighters League. Savannah Marshall will make her MMA debut on June 8Credit: GettyAnd she will make her MMA debut in the summer on a PFL Europe card in Newcastle having penned a deal last year. Marshall will even headline the event at the Utilita Arena with her opponent yet to be confirmed. She told Sky Sports: “It’s exciting, it’s new, it’s something that I’m really interested in. “Sometimes in training, I feel good and I think yeah I’m getting it now and other times I’m getting tapped like that and I think: ‘I am terrible at this.’ It’s exciting for me because it’s new.READ MORE IN MMA”It’s BJJ, you’ve got kickboxing, you’ve got judo, wrestling so it’s a mix of all these different sports that I’ve never ever tried.”Marshall, 32, last won in July beating Franchon Crews-Dezurn, 36, to win all four 168lb titles.But she will now turn her attention to MMA, where arch rival Claressa Shields, 29, is currently 2-1 and also signed to the PFL. Seven-division women’s champ Amanda Serrano, 35, is another boxer-turned MMA fighter signed with the PFL. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut Marshall – who was beaten by Shields in their bitter grudge bout in 2022 – is eyeing revenge in the cage. PFL CEO Peter Murray said: “Savannah and Claressa Shields competed in one of the most-watched women’s boxing matchups in history when they first fought.”And now with Savannah’s MMA debut, the two are on a collision course for a rematch wearing four ounce gloves and settling the score in the PFL SmartCage.”Claressa Shields could rematch Marshall in the MMA cageCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunMMA star left brutally ‘folded like a chair’ after stunning ‘face plant KO’ in Bellator Belfast fight More