MMA

ANDERSON SILVA’S boxing coach has urged Logan Paul to stop ‘hiding’ under exhibition fight rules ahead of a potential meeting between the pair.MMA legend Silva has been linked with a bout to face the American YouTuber in September.
Anderson Silva beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in his first professional boxing bout since 2005 in JuneCredit: Getty
Logan Paul has been linked with a fight against the Spider after his exhibition draw against Floyd MayweatherCredit: Reuters
The 46-year-old, who was released from the UFC last year, outpointed former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 35, in June.
It was his first professional fight inside the squared circle since 2005, with the Brazilian open to more boxing dust-ups in the future.
Logan is coming off the back of an exhibition clash against Floyd Mayweather where the 26-year-old took the 15-time world champion the distance.
But Silva’s coach Luiz Dorea has warned Paul that if he wants to face the Spider next, it has to be under official rules.
He told Sherdog: “Logan proved to be a very brave and talented kid doing an exhibition fight against the legend Mayweather.
“But, of course, if it were in official rules, the result would be different.
“Let’s see if he will keep hiding under exhibition rules or if he will test himself in the real world [under professional rules].
“In that case, I have no doubt Anderson will knock him out.”
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Paul’s manager Jeff Levin confirmed last month that the Maverick was in talks to fight Silva later this year.
He told ESPN: “We just haven’t got there yet.”
Following his exhibition against Mayweather, Paul believes his next outing will be worth $100MILLION.
Speaking to former opponent KSI on his podcast, he said: “Mayweather has this ability to kind of like, bless people with a magic wand. 
“And I knew if I did well, like bro, I’m in this weird position where my next fight is, with the right opponent, could be a $100million fight. 
“Like literally a $100million fight.” 
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VITOR BELFORT left TikToker Bryce Hall wincing in agony during a brutal sparring session. Belfort, a former UFC champion, fights Oscar De La Hoya on September 11 in the boxing legend’s return to the ring.
Vitor Belfort left TikToker Bryce Hall wincing in agony after taking no prisoners in sparring
Vitor Belfort twice dropped Bryce Hall in sparring
The bout raised eyebrows initially, with the Brazilian, 44, having boxed just once before, in 2006, while De La Hoya, 48, has been retired 13 years.
But perhaps even more surprising was Belfort’s choice of sparring partner, social media star Hall, who recently lost to online rival Austin McBroom.
The pair filmed a sparring session which was posted online and could only be described as one-way traffic.
Belfort twice trapped a sheepish-looking Hall in the corner and left him feeling the affects of some brutal body shots as he was floored.
The American celebrity was quick to defend himself on Twitter having likely been mocked for his wimpy display.
Hall, 21, tweeted: “why do people hold me to the boxing standard of a pro when ive only trained in boxing for 2 months?
“im learning and trying to get better! sorry im not floyd mayweather yet.”
Hall faced McBroom, 29, in a TikTok vs YouTube boxing event in June – representing the former.
But it ended in disaster for him, as he was dominated, punched around the ring and beaten in three rounds.
It leaves Belfort needing better sparring partners as he draws closer to his crossover fight with De La Hoya.
The veterans were initially set to box in an exhibition bout, but it will now be a professionally sanctioned contest at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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But it is subject to De La Hoya and and Belfort passing comprehensive medical testing for 40-year-old-plus fighters.
It includes an MRA and MRI of the brain, an EKG, cardiac testing, neurocognitive testing and an ophthalmologic exam.
The bout will be contested over eight two-minute rounds, despite regular pro boxing being fought over three-minute rounds.
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CONOR McGREGOR confirmed his charity wheelchair boxing match with impressionist Al Foran – but said September is ‘too early’. McGregor was lined up to face Foran – a comedian who often mimics the UFC superstar – at the Clayton Hotel in Galway on September 11.
Conor McGregor confirmed his charity wheelchair boxing match with impressionist Al ForanCredit: Instagram @thenotoriousmma
Al Foran is a comedian who often mimics Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram @alforancomedy
But the Irishman, nursing a broken tibia, admitted he will not be able to commit to the bout next month as he targeted a later date.
McGregor tweeted: “Guys, the September date is too early for me. I am still in recovery.
“My docs/physical therapy team out here advice me to stay. I reckon late October at earliest.
“But maybe November/December too. It is hard to say at this time a concrete date. But I’m in! Wait for me please!”
The event has been set up by comedian Stevo Timothy, who will face double Olympic champion Paddy Barnes in a wheelchair bout to headline.
All the proceeds will be donated to the Irish Wheelchair Association, a leading service provider for people with physical disabilities.
‘GIVE ME TIME GUYS’
With McGregor unable to feature on the initial date, he hinted at putting on a separate charity show for the IWA.
He posted: “Give me time guys, I’m in! Just need to focus on this recovery for the next while first before I can commit to a date!
“Have some cool things planned for event tho!”
McGregor, 33, was due to box funny man Foran in a regular bout until he suffered a horror leg break in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier, 32.
The pair headlined UFC 264 on July 10, but it ended in chaos when he broke his tibia seconds before the end of round one.
McGregor as a result, was beaten by doctor stoppage and has since been handed a six-month medical suspension.
He underwent surgery immediately in Los Angeles, where he has since stayed to rest and recover with his family.
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McGregor, despite his injury setback, has already started training again and was pictured working out even with a huge cast on his leg.
UFC president Dana White has predicted the former two-weight champion will be out for a year.
McGregor, who beat Poirier in 2014 but was knocked out in the rematch, called for a FOURTH bout with his rival after their unprecedented ending.
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JAKE PAUL offered fans a glimpse into his training camp with footage of the YouTuber sparring and hitting the pads. The social media star faces ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley on Sunday, August 29 in his home of Cleveland.
Jake Paul training on the pads with coach BJ Flores
Jake Paul in sparring for his fight with Tyron Woodley
After a press tour in Los Angeles and then Ohio, Paul returned to Puerto Rico to continue preparations for what will be his fourth professional fight.
And in a video uploaded online, 24-year-old landed some eye-catching combinations on his sparring partner.
In particular, a uppercut and left hook combination won praise from his trainer, former cruiserweight contender BJ Flores.
A separate clip of Paul on the pads with Flores in Miami saw the American celebrity firing off quick combinations.
Paul comes into the fight 3-0, all by knockout, but has so far faced only limited opposition.
He has beaten internet rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and most recently retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37.
Paul knocked out Askren – a training partner of Woodley’s – in the first round in April.
And it left former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic , 38, impressed, as he hailed his fellow Cleveland native.
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How Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley compare ahead of their boxing match

Miocic told Paul: “Someone asked me about you in an interview and I said, ‘He’s getting better’ and that was scary.
“He’s new to this sport and he’s getting that good that fast, and when you fought Ben I thought Ben was tough, he’s fought the best and never really got knocked out.
“But it’s a fight and you were getting better, and look what happened.”
Jake Paul on stage with Stipe Miocic, middle, with Tyron Woodley, far rightCredit: Esther LinDream Team 2021/22PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON!

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COLBY COVINGTON branded Jake Paul ‘a little Disney star’ and said his training partners ‘exposed’ the YouTuber. Covington claimed members of his team at MMA Masters trained with unbeaten Paul in Miami, Florida.
Jake Paul was branded ‘a little Disney star’ by Colby CovingtonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Tyron Woodley was beaten by Colby Covington in SeptemberCredit: Getty
And he blasted the former Disney Channel actor for picking sparring partners he can ‘beat up and knock out’ in order to ‘boost his ego’.
Covington, 33, told MMA News: “I’ve had some guys at the gym, Colby Covington Incorporated and MMA Masters, that have went (sic) to train with Jake Paul in Miami.
“They’ve all kind of said the same information, that they went there, they exposed him, they made him look bad.
“Of course, they turned the cameras off and they’re not taking pictures that day and they never invite these guys back because Jake ‘The Snake’ Paul only wants kids that he can beat up and knock out and boost his ego and his confidence.“
“He doesn’t actually want guys that are going to push him in the gym and make him better, because, like we’ve said before, he’s not a real fighter.
“He’s a little Disney star.”
‘I THINK WOODLEY COULD DO IT’
Paul faces faces ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley – who Covington beat in September – on Sunday, August 29 in his home of Cleveland.
It will be his fourth and most challenging fight to date, having so far faced only limited opposition.
Paul, 3-0 all by KO, has beaten internet rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and recently retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37.
Woodley reigned as UFC welterweight champion from 2016-2018 and made four defences of his belt.
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How Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley compare ahead of their boxing match

But after losing it to Kamaru Usman, 34, he has since lost his last four on the spin, without a win in three years.
Still, he has the backing off former rival Covington, who predicted Paul will be knocked out.
He said: “I think Woodley could do it. I think he could land a knockout punch and get it done.”
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CONOR McGREGOR is set to face comedian Al Foran on September 11 in a charity wheelchair boxing match. McGregor will box Foran – an impressionist who often mimics the UFC superstar – at the Clayton Hotel in Galway.
Conor McGregor is set to face comedian Al Foran in a charity wheelchair boxing match
Al Foran often impersonates Conor McGregor in videosCredit: Instagram @alforancomedy
The event has been set up by comedian Stevo Timothy, who will box double Olympic champion Paddy Barnes in a wheelchair bout to headline the night.
All the money will go towards the the Irish Wheelchair Association.
McGregor, 33, was due to box funny man Foran in a regular bout until he suffered a horror leg break in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier, 32.
The pair headlined UFC 264 on July 10, but it ended in chaos when the Irishman broke his tibia seconds before the end of round one.
McGregor as a result, was beaten by doctor stoppage and has since been handed a six-month medical suspension.
He underwent surgery immediately in Los Angeles, where he has since stayed to rest and recover with his family.
McGregor, despite his injury setback, has already started training again and was pictured working out even with a huge cast on his leg.
UFC president Dana White has predicted the former two-weight champion will be out for a year.
McGregor, who beat Poirier in 2014 but was knocked out in the rematch, called for a FOURTH bout with his rival after their unprecedented ending.
And the American is ready to oblige, but first wants to challenge lightweight champion Charles Oliviera, 31.
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Poirier told The Daily Mail: “I think I have proven myself the better fighter twice in a row here but we’ll see what happens in the future.
“I don’t know when he’s coming back, he has a long recovery, a long road ahead of him.
“I’m next in line for a title shot, it’s hard to call what’s going to happen in the future, I don’t know.”
Conor McGregor after his leg breakCredit: Instagram @thenotoriousmma
Conor McGregor pictured with comedian Al ForanCredit: Instagram @alforancomedy
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