MMA

JORGE MASVIDAL has opened the door to a fight with Jake Paul – but only after his career in the UFC is done. Paul has called out the UFC welterweight recently, despite the pair previously training together.
Jorge Masvidal opened the door to a fight with Jake Paul after his career in the UFC is doneCredit: Getty
Former US president Donald Trump with Jake Paul
But Masvidal fights Leon Edwards on December 11 next and still has aspirations of winning the UFC title, despite consecutive defeats to champion Kamaru Usman.
And he believes a mega-money boxing match with Paul will still be on the table once his time in the octagon comes to a close.
Masvidal said on the MMA Hour: “Right now, where I’m at in my career, I’m gonna fight the world’s best fighters in the world.
“We can both agree that they’re in the f***ing UFC. In 170 pounds there’s a lot of good guys and I could f***ing beat them.
“And I’m gonna get the most money out of it, my brother.
“Now when I’m done beating up world-class fighters, if this will still be around, I’ll go and collect a quick pay cheque for hitting him so f****** hard in front of the whole world.
“Those other options will always be there. But right now while I’m in my prime, I gotta do things that people in their prime do and that’s fight the world’s best. He’s not in that conversation or ever will be.”

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Masvidal, 36, linked up with Paul, 24, earlier in the year when the YouTube star fought his ex-opponent Ben Askren, 37.
Askren was knocked out in one round which saw the American social media sensation go 3-0 as a boxer.
But then Paul signed to face Masvidal’s friend and training partner Tyron Woodley, 39, which started a feud between the pair.
Paul called Masvidal an ‘air head’ and revealed aspirations to fight the former UFC title challenger.
But Masvidal hit back: “He knows at the end of the day, on a face-to-face. Unless he has his 50 bodyguards and I’m by myself.
“Because at the end of the day I can always pick this little kid up and slam him through the concrete so hard that he will be invalid for the rest of his life.”
Paul is 4-0 as a boxer with wins over online rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson as well ex-UFC pair Askren and Woodley.
Masvidal meanwhile was beaten by UFC welterweight king Usman, 34, in July 2020 and then knocked out in their April rematch.
He will return against Britain’s Edwards, 30, three years after their backstage brawl at UFC London.
Jorge Masvidal blames the UFC for lack of fights and brands Brit Leon Edwards a coward More

JOHN FURY has tipped son Tyson to make a switch to MMA once he quits boxing – opening the door to some mouthwatering match-ups.Fury has teased on several occasions about debuting in MMA but more recently said he would only fight in a cage if there was no takedowns or grappling.
Tyson Fury with UFC middleweight Darren Till
Nonetheless, his dad told Joe: “He’s quick and he’s light on his feet, but his balance is good and I do believe if a top MMA trainer took him on, he could do big things with him.”
With that said, here SunSport looks at five potential opponents if the WBC champion, 33, was to cross over to the cage.
Francis Ngannou
Ngannou, 35, is most likely to fight Fury in the boxing ring after confirming his interest in switching sports.
He first dreamed of becoming a boxer aged 22 before he moved to France but took up MMA as it was easier to find fights.
But even as UFC champion, Ngannou is talking up a move to boxing having also called out Anthony Joshua, 32, and Dillian Whyte, 33.
UFC president Dana White might have something to say about, that citing contractual obligations, meaning Fury may be welcomed to the UFC instead.
UFC heavyweight champion Francis NgannouCredit: Getty

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Stipe Miocic
Former UFC champ Miocic, 39, was an accomplished amateur boxer which has helped shape his style in MMA.
Again, he has spoken about one day testing himself in the ring with Fury mentioned as a challenge.
If Fury was to jump in the deep end in the UFC, Miocic next to Ngannou would be his biggest test.
He once said in April 2020: “Stipe says he wants to box me — that would be a good fight for sure.”
Ex-UFC champion Stipe Miocic has called out Tyson Fury beforeCredit: Getty
Junior dos Santos
The Brazilian has now been released by the UFC and wants to close out his career with big crossover bouts.
Dos Santos, 37,was known for his boxing skills and called for a two-fight deal with Fury, one in the ring and the other in a cage.
He said in 2019: “It would be perfect to fight Tyson Fury in MMA, as he wishes, and then, with a win over him, fight him in boxing, in his world.
“He would come to my world and then I would go to his world. It would be the pinnacle, a great moment for both sports.”
Junior dos Santos wants to fight Tyson Fury in MMA and boxingCredit: Getty

Ryan Bader
Bellator have proved open to mixing MMA and boxing, unlike competitors like UFC.
Bader, 38, is their current champ, a big name in the promotion and recently talked up a fight Fury.
He told FightHype last year: “You train with him to fight, or whatever, boxing, MMA, I’m always down.”
Bader also confirmed he would be open to doing it in the ring, saying: “Hell yeah, let’s go. Get the boxing money.”
Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader
Greg Hardy
Hardy, 33, has had 12 MMA fights since leaving the NFL amid allegations of domestic abuse.
He has a current record of 7–4 with one no-contest but his UFC future is in question after consecutive losses.
Hardy has proven to have KO power but lacks quality on the ground or in wrestling clinches.
It means he could match up evenly with Fury if he chose to stand and strike, like has been the case in his previous fights.
Greg Hardy has had 12 MMA fights since leaving the NFLCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

JAKE PAUL mocked Conor McGregor over his alleged attack on an Italian DJ and urged the ‘tough guy’ from the UFC to try ‘do something’ to him.McGregor was accused of punching DJ Francesco Facchinetti in the face and leaving him with a bloody lip and nose in front of his horrified wife.
Jake Paul mocked Conor McGregor over his alleged attack on an Italian DCredit: Instagram @jakepaul
Conor McGregor spotted by the Vatican for the christening of his son RianCredit: The Mega Agency
DJ Francesco Facchinetti alleged Conor McGregor punched himCredit: Instagram
Police were called after the Irishman allegedly got into the scuffle with musician Facchinetti while the two attended an event at the St Regis hotel in Rome.
YouTube star-turned boxer Paul, who once offered McGregor $50million to fight in the past, was quick to take aim at the alleged incident.
He tweeted: “Conor likes to play tough guy with musicians… Conor PLEASE try and do something when you see me !!”
McGregor, 33, and his partner Dee Devlin have been in Italy over the last few days for the christening of their youngest child Rian in the Vatican.
But the trip faces ending on a low note as both Facchinetti, 41, and his wife Wilma Faissol, 39, made the allegations to their nearly 1.5million combined followers on Instagram.
Facchinetti posted a video recounting the alleged incident and showed off cuts on both of his lips.

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Wilma also shared a series of Instagram stories accusing the fighter of attacking her husband, and fearing he could have been killed.
It remains unclear what triggered the alleged melee but SunSport contacted McGregor’s team for comment on the alleged confrontation.
Italian Police confirmed to us they were called to the scene at 5.30am after an incident had taken place.
McGregor was not spoken to by the police, but he “may be in coming days” as the DJ plans to file a formal complaint in his home city of Milan.
Facchinetti, who is also a TV and radio personality in Italy, told his one million followers on Instagram: “I could be silent but someone like him who pulls a punch, think what could happen.”
He went on that “real fighters don’t behave like that” and accused the Irish star of punching him “for no reason”.
“Conor likes to play tough guy with musicians… Conor PLEASE try and do something when you see meJake Paul’s tweet to Conor McGregor
The DJ added: “We welcomed him as a hero and instead he’s just a bully of the worst kind … what a disappointment … I feel sorry for him, he has everything but he has nothing …
“He must be stopped because he is dangerous for others. Now I understand why he had 20 bodyguards. Not to defend him from others, but to defend others from him.”
Also taking to Instagram, Wilma posted to her more than 477,000 followers accusing McGregor.
“He could have killed him, he split his lips and nose,” she said.
Wilma claimed that McGregor’s bodyguards had to hold the lightweight fighter back as he “wanted to keep beating Francis”.
She claimed McGregor’s team gave them hankies to clean up the blood before the couple were then told to leave through the side door of the hotel.
NOTORIOUS PAST
“I was crying, I was shaking, we called the police and ambulance,” Wilma added.
McGregor previously got into trouble for punching a man at The Marble Arch Pub in Dublin back in August 2019.
The ex-UFC champion allegedly hit Desmond Keogh, 50, after the older man had declined to drink a shot of whiskey.
He was convicted of assault and ordered to pay a fine of £860 – and then later went on to spend £1.75million buying the pub.
McGregor last fought in July against Dustin Poirier, 32, the man he initially beat in 2014 by was knocked out by in their January rematch.
In the trilogy bout at UFC 264, disaster struck for McGregor as he suffered a brutal leg break seconds before the end of round one, then losing by doctor stoppage.
He remained in America for surgery in Los Angeles where he continued his rehabilitation process before taking a holiday in Europe with his family. 
Conor McGregor pictured in RomeCredit: The Mega Agency More

FRANCIS NGANNOU named heavyweight boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson as his two dream fights. The UFC champion was asked to name which fantasy opponent he wishes he could most face.
UFC heavyweight champion Francis NgannouCredit: Getty
But Ngannou snubbed even the best MMA icons of the past to instead opt for two of the most celebrated boxers of all time.
Speaking on Jeff’s Barbershop, he said: “I think I will put Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.”
Ngannou first dreamed of a boxing career aged 22 before he moved to France.
But instead he transitioned to MMA as it was easier to find fights and by 2013 the Cameroonian made his debut.
After just six years 13 bouts into his UFC career, Ngannou, 35, this March won the title by knocking out Stipe Miocic, 39, the man he lost to in 2018.
But the hard-hitter has flirted with a move to boxing to fight the likes of Tyson Fury, 33, Anthony Joshua, 32, and Dillian Whyte, 33.
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Heavyweight legend Mike Tyson pictured in 1988Credit: Getty
Boxing and sporting icon Muhammad AliCredit: Getty Images

And again Ngannou publicised his intentions to crossover to the ring after revealing financial struggles, even while reigning as UFC champ.
He said on the MMA Hour: “MMA is more difficult than boxing. I feel I should not be needing to borrow money for my training camp.
“At some point, I’m gonna go after the money. I’m going to boxing for sure. I’m not challenging the system, I’m just saying my right.
“I have not signed a new deal yet, because I do not want to sign a deal on these certain terms as I do not feel protected.
“In the past two years I have had to borrow money and nobody cares about it and I have no guarantee in that deal.
“At some point, I’m gonna go after the money. I’m going to boxing for sure. I’m not challenging the system, I’m just saying my right.Francis Ngannou
“So based on that experience I am trying to get better terms on my contract, and what I believe that I deserve.
“According to what they said, I am on an independent contract so I want a terminated date so after that I can be free.
“Then after that I would like to be free, so then you have a right from there to decide where you going and what you are going to do.
“I will also then not be forced to keep signing the contract (with a termination date), so that is not being an independent contract.
“If you say I am challenging the system, I already am having a hard time getting out at the moment but I can assure you that I am not.”
UFC star Francis Ngannou says he is sick of ‘borrowing money’ as he hints at boxing switch as Fury and Wilder rake in £18m each More

TYSON FURY’S dad John has tipped UFC star Tom Aspinall to make the switch to boxing.And Fury Sr reckons Aspinall can follow in the footsteps of his son by winning heavyweight world titles.
Tom Aspinall is making waves in UFC and could switch to boxing to go for world titlesCredit: Getty
John Fury sees plenty of similarities between his son Tyson and AspinallCredit: EPA
The 28-year-old is establishing a fine reputation for himself in MMA with 11 wins from 13 fights.
He made his UFC debut last year on Fight Island and remains unbeaten in the promotion, being taken beyond the first round just once.
Aspinall actually sparred with Fury ahead of his showdown with Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.
And then the Wigan warrior took a break from MMA in 2017 to make his pro boxing debut, beating Tamas Bajzath with a first-round knockout.
Fury Sr told Give Me Sport: “I’m telling you now, Tom Aspinall will do big things in the UFC, but he’ll also have a crossover bout and he’ll probably be the first MMA fighter to do mega things in boxing as well.
“He doesn’t let nothing overcome him. He doesn’t let anything get in his way.

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“Look at the mark he’s already making, he’s in the top ten now in the UFC, he’s only young still.
“And I think when he’s done there, he can be the first crossover to come from the MMA world to conventional boxing and win titles, and I said that first.
“Keep doing your thing Tom Aspinall, you’re great mate, I like you a lot.”
Fury Sr reckons Aspinall’s rapid hands, technical skills and 6ft 5ins frame are transferrable from the octagon to the ring.
The 57-year-old added: “He can actually box well, punches hard, and moves really well for a heavyweight.
“He’s a big guy, six foot four or five, eighteen stone.
“But he’s got bottle and guts to burn, and he’s a big strong lad. He’s willing to learn and improve his game.
“He’s a good listener Tom Aspinall, I like him, I like his attitude, he’s a warrior like Tyson.”
John Fury threatened to call off Klitschko vs Tyson moments before the opening bell More