MMA

PAIGE VANZANT was beaten by former UFC rival Rachael Ostovich when they fought again under brutal bare-knuckle boxing rules. The two ex-MMA stars headlined Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and put on a thrilling show over the frantic five, two-minute rounds.
Paige VanZant loses rematch against ex-UFC rival Rachael Ostovich in brutal bare-knuckle boxingCredit: Instagram @bareknucklefc
Paige VanZant scraps with Rachael Ostovich in bare-knuckle boxing boutCredit: Instagram @bareknucklefc
Rachael Ostovich beat Paige VanZant in their rematchCredit: @bareknucklefc
But it was Ostovich – defeated by VanZant in the UFC two years ago – who was awarded the verdict on the judges scorecards.
She said: “It’s been a long time, two and a half years since the last time we’ve been in the cage.
“No different, still sport but I still felt Page VanZant fought her heart out. A round of applause, show some respect.”
VanZant, 27, started out the aggressor in the opening round coming forward and even landed a heavy-looking right hand.
But as the pair began to find their range early on, lots of clinching led to dirty boxing on the inside.
In the second round, it was contested largely at range but Ostovich, 30, began to look more comfortable.
It set the American up for a big third round, where her right hand could barley miss over the top.
A combination towards the end put Ostovich in the driving seat heading into the second half of the fight, where her right proved decisive.
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In the fourth, one counter overhand towards the end of the round landed flush on VanZant, who was forced to grab and hold.
Ostovich continued the pressure in the final round landing the cleaner shots, despite PVZ’s determination.
VanZant’s aggression opened her up for counters coming in, and left the judges with no doubt who the winner was.
Two scored it 48-47 in favour of Ostovich and one 49-46, giving the Hawaiian the perfect BKFC debut.
For VanZant, she is now 0-2 in bare-knuckle, having lost her debut to Britain Hart, 31, in February.
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Paige VanZant and Rachael Ostovich scrap in FloridaCredit: Instagram @bareknucklefc
Paige VanZant and ex-UFC rival Rachael Ostovich face off ahead of brutal bare-knuckle boxing clash More

OSCAR DE LA HOYA will put his professional boxing record on the line against ex-UFC champion Vitor Belfort when they fight. The pair 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.
Triller’s Ryan Kavanaugh with Oscar De La HoyaCredit: Instagram @oscardelahoya
Vitor Belfort will fight Oscar De La Hoya on September 11Credit: Instagram @vitorbelfort
According to ESPN, the fight has been approved by the California State Athletic Commission.
But it is subject to De La Hoya, 48, and and Belfort, 44, 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.
It will also be at 180 pounds, but De La Hoya and Belfort can weigh within five pounds of the limit.
Triller will promote the event as part of their ‘Fight Club’ banner, which has also featured YouTuber Jake Paul, 24, and Mike Tyson, 55, previously.
But the brains behind the operation, Hollywood film producer Ryan Kavanaugh, was keen to move away from exhibition bouts.
He said: “It’s important to transition from exhibitions.
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“This is as real as any fight Oscar or Belfort has had, not some staged wrestling event.”
De La Hoya, a six-weight world champion, retired in 2008 after a one-sided loss to fellow legend Manny Pacquiao, who is still fighting aged 42.
In the 13 years since, he has focussed on his Golden Boy promotions banner.
But after watching Tyson come out of retirement after 15 years, later drawing in an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr, 52, it inspired De La Hoya.
Belfort, who won UFC gold in 2004, last fought in MMA three years ago, losing to Lyoto Machida, 43.
But the Brazilian – who is 1-0 as a boxer winning his debut in 2006 – recently linked up with Triller to pursue boxing.
Oscar De La Hoya says he wants a rematch with Floyd Mayweather More

LOGAN PAUL is in talks to fight UFC legend Anderson Silva in a boxing match, the YouTuber’s manager confirmed. Paul is looking to return to the ring having just faced Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition bout in June.
Logan Paul is in talks to fight UFC legend Anderson SilvaCredit: Getty
Anderson Silva recently beat Julio Cesar Chavez JrCredit: Getty
And he won a remarkable moral victory as Mayweather, 44, failed to score a knockout, meaning no winner was declared as it went the distance.
Silva, 46, is also hot off an upset as he beat ex-boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 35, on points the same month.
Before and after, the Brazilian great opened the door to fighting Paul, 26, or his younger brother Jake, 24, who is 3-0 all by KO.
But it is the elder Paul most likely to face Silva, according to his manager Jeff Levin.
However, it has not been decided whether the fight will be an exhibition, like was the case with Mayweather, or a pro bout, the same as Silva’s win over Chavez Jr.
Levin told ESPN: “We just haven’t got there yet.”
A leaked message shared by Conor McGregor’s training partner Dillon Danis, 27, recently claimed Paul would fight Silva in September in Dubai.
Paul has only fought three times before, the first two against online rival KSI.
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They first drew in an exhibition in 2018 before Brit KSI, 28, won the rematch by scrappy split-decision when they turned pro a year later.
So it came as a shock when Paul landed an unthinkable fight with Mayweather and even lasted the full eight rounds.
But he did have a TWO STONE weight advantage over the retired boxing icon, which will not be the same with Silva.
The ex-UFC middleweight king beat Chavez Jr at 182-pounds, which is still eight-pounds lower than Paul fought Mayweather at.
SILVA SURFER
Silva has boxed three times as a pro before, but recently returned to the ring for the first time since 2005.
It came after he was released from the UFC on the back of three straight losses.
Similarly, Tyron Woodley, 39, left the UFC after four consecutive defeats and will now fight Paul’s brother Jake on August 29.
Jake will headline in his hometown of Cleveland in the biggest test of his boxing career to date.
So far, he has only beaten YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36.

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Floyd Mayweather’s uncle Jeff says Viddal Riley ‘would kill’ Jake and Logan Paul in one round More

JAKE PAUL admitted ‘there’s an itch’ to fight in MMA after his high-school wrestling career.But the YouTube star, who is 3-0 as a boxer all by knockout, will not switch over to the cage in the near future.
Jake Paul admitted ‘there’s an itch’ to fight in MMACredit: Getty Images – Getty
Paul said: “I think there’s an itch there, you know?
“Not anytime soon, but it would be fun to go back in and wrestle and maybe throw some submissions.”
Paul, 24, and his older brother Logan, 26, both wrestled in high-school before going on to find fame online.
But now, they are both two of the most polarising prizefighters thanks to their legions of fans and followers as well as doubters.
Younger brother Jake has beaten fellow YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36.
And he faces former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, 39, next on Sunday, August 29 in his hometown of Cleveland.
Logan, meanwhile, boxed rival KSI, 28, in his first two fights, drawing in 2018 before losing their rematch a year later as they turned professional.
But he scored a stunning moral victory in June as he took boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, 44, the distance in their exhibition bout.

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Logan has also called for a move into MMA and even has UFC president Dana White’s phone number.
That is despite Jake feuding with White, believing he does not pay his UFC fighters enough.
He said in June: “There’s a movement moving forwards that is going to show that fighters should be getting paid more.
“It’s unfair. The UFC fighter’s don’t have fair pay. Out of all the sports, the percentage that the owners get versus the athlete, they’re the lowest. 
“Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones, that fight should happen. Dana White, pay them the $10 million.
JAKE’S FEUD WITH DANA WHITE
“He’s taking their money. They’re the ones making the content. They’re the ones who get in the ring risking their life. 
“Chris Weidman goes in, snaps his leg in half, what’s that look like?
“He may never be able to fight again and provide for his family. These fighters are risking their lives. 
“You can quite literally die in the ring and they need to be compensated more. I’m a big proponent of that movement and being in control. 
“It’s just like music labels, same thing, these artists are getting owned and get locked up into these s***** contracts and they don’t know what to do.
“So f*** that shit. F*** Dana White.”
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Floyd Mayweather’s uncle tips Jake Paul to beat Tyron Woodley but it won’t mean anything until YouTuber faces ‘real’ boxer More

JAKE PAUL said Conor McGregor ‘would not stand a chance’ against him and taunted: He needs me more than I need him. The YouTube star has continued to chase a mega-money boxing match with former UFC champion McGregor.
Jake Paul said Conor McGregor ‘would not stand a chance’ against himCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Conor McGregor after defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in Las VegasCredit: Reuters
The Irishman, who lost his ring debut to Floyd Mayweather in 2017, is coming off consecutive losses against Dustin Poirier.
It leaves Paul, 24, believing he is the one calling the shots when it comes to McGregor, 33.
He said: “I think the funny thing about this journey is I’ve predicted everything that has happened thus far.
“Eighteen months ago when I said I wanted to fight Conor, people laughed at me.
“Now I’m laughing at Conor with a broken ankle sitting there in the octagon and he needs Jake Paul more than I need him.
“So yeah, my offer to Conor is $23. If we ever fought I would knock those fake ass teeth right out of his f***ing mouth.
“Dustin Poirier defeated this man. Dustin Poirier is an amazing fighter, don’t get me wrong, an amazing guy.
“I actually became a fan of his over the weekend but he’s 5-foot-9, 155 pounds. I’m 6-foot-1, 200, so Conor McGregor would not stand a chance.”
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Jake Paul entered elite company

Paul made the comments at his press conference with Tyron Woodley, 39, ahead of their pay-per-view fight on Sunday, August 29.
The social media sensation is 3-0 in his career, all by knockout and will be provided his toughest test to date in former UFC champ Woodley.
So far, Paul has only beaten online rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36.
But he warned Woodley will be his next viral meme victim as he looks to silence any doubters once more.
Paul said: “You have never been in a fight like this and you know that the whole MMA community is counting on you.
“You’ve never been in a fight of this scale. That’s why this is the biggest payday of your life and you know the whole MMA community is counting on you to knock me out and beat me.
“When you lost to Kamaru Usman, when you lost to Gilbert Burns, when you lost to all of those guys, you had built in excuses, ‘Oh they were the best.’
“What happens when you lose to Jake Paul? You’re going to be the laughing stock of the internet.
“Just like I turned Nate Robinson into a floormat, I’m going to turn you into f***ing paste.”
Jake Paul fights Tyron Woodley on August 29Credit: The Mega Agency More