MMA

EX-UFC fighter Thiago Alves revealed bare-knuckle boxing is LESS damaging than MMA, as he compared the two sports. Alves, who left the UFC in 2019, signed for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship last year and has two fights for the promotion.
Thiago Alves revealed bare-knuckle boxing is LESS damaging than MMACredit: @thiagoalvesatt

Thiago Alves won the inaugural BKFC middleweight titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He recently won the inaugural BKFC middleweight title with a brutal stoppage of Ulysses Diaz.
The Brazilian had 38 MMA fights during his career and despite the blood and gore of bare-knuckle boxing, he said the pain barrier ‘doesn’t compare’.
Alves, 37, told SunSport: “When it comes to injuries in the sport, of course, every time you fight in bare-knuckle, your hands are going to be swollen for a few weeks.
“You’re going to have lacerations from getting hit with bare hands but besides that, you’re good to go.
“I don’t think you take as much damage compared to an MMA fighter. Of course, it’s very graphic, you’re gonna get cut very easy.
“But damage-wise that will carry on through your career, it doesn’t compare to MMA at all.”
Alves, who coaches Dustin Poirier, walked away with the BKFC belt and a shattered middle finger, which needed surgery.
But he revealed it is nothing compared to what he used to suffer from after fighting in the cage.

COMPETITION: WIN A MERCEDES AMG A45S WORTH £51,000 PLUS UP TO £50k IN CASH

Alves said: “Injury-wise, from the neck down, besides your hands and knuckles, I’m good, nothing hurts.
“Every time I fought in MMA my whole body was pretty damaged, from kicking, the knees, the grappling, your ribs, your neck.
“With bare-knuckle boxing, yeah you might have a few stitches in your face but they’re all superficial.
“You can’t really load up because you’ll break your hands. This fight right now, I’ve only have five stitches on my face.
“I broke part of my little finger because I was throwing bombs and I connected really clean, but besides that, I’m good to go.
“Recovery should be easy and I should be back fighting again by the end of the year or start of next year.”
Alves made his MMA debut in 2001, with his career spanning over 18 years, which included a defeat to UFC legend Georges St-Pierre, now 40.
Thiago Alves left the UFC in 2019Credit: Getty – Contributor
Thiago Alves during his stoppage win over Ulysses DiazCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Having spent years tirelessly honing all martial arts crafts, focussing solely on boxing has also been less taxing on his body.
Alves explained: “I really enjoy bare-knuckle boxing, especially right now at the end of my career.
“It’s very easy on my body compared to getting ready for an MMA fight, you don’t have to worry about the grappling.
“That’s where most you’re injuries happen between the exchange from striking to grappling, that’s where you get hurt the most.
“My body feels great, I’m very refreshed despite all my years competing in MMA, in the UFC, I feel like this is a breath of fresh air for me.
“Focusing on one single thing, boxing, it’s a lot easier on my body, I’m able to absorb information, I’m 100 per cent focussed on the boxing, and dirty boxing aspect.”
UFC release epic Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier trilogy trailer that leaves fans hyped for UFC 264 More

NATE DIAZ is set to launch his own MMA and boxing promotion when his UFC contract expires after his next fight. The American, a favourite among fans, has one fight left on his UFC contract having most recently lost to British welterweight Leon Edwards.
Nate Diaz is set to launch his own MMA and boxing promotion when his UFC contract expiresCredit: Reuters
His training partner Chris Avila revealed afterwards, Diaz will look to promote his own shows, across MMA and boxing, headlining himself.
Avila, 28, told SunSport: “He has one more fight I’m sure lined up on his contract and then he’s going to be doing a lot of his own stuff after.
“I know he’s got a lot of new plans. He’s going to be doing his own fight show, he might even headline his own fight.
“It might be boxing, MMA, but it will be a big fight. He’s only hoping to fight the biggest guys, whoever is there to fight, it’s going to be someone big.
“He’s going to get the whole Nick Diaz Academy on his own fight show, we need to show everybody that we’re the s***.
“We’ve got the best fighters out here in Stockton, most people know it but we’ve got guys primed and ready to go.
“We’ve got real fighters putting in real work and it’s time for us to get exposure.”
Jorge Masvidal, who beat Diaz in 2019, recently set up his own bare-knuckle boxing promotion called Gamebred Fighting Championship.
COMPETITION: WIN A MERCEDES AMG A45S WORTH £51,000 PLUS UP TO £50k IN CASH

It paid homage to his backyard brawling roots, where he fought alongside the iconic Kimbo Slice, who tragically died in 2016 aged 47.
But Masvidal, 36, did not fight on his own show, as his UFC contract permits it.
Only Conor McGregor, 32, was given permission to step outside the octagon for his lucrative boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather, 44, in 2017.
But if Diaz decides not to renew his deal with the UFC, he would be free to fight on his own card or in a boxing match.
Avila is targeting an undercard spot after he makes his MMA return at the end of July in Iowa, following his recent win in April.
Nate Diaz was beaten by British welterweight Leon EdwardsCredit: Getty
Nate Diaz pictured with training partner Chris Avila
He said: “A lot of people are tuning into boxing again it seems like, I know Nate, it’s something he’s probably gunning for as soon as he can.
“He might have one more fight and then he’s planning on doing a boxing fight against someone that everybody knows.
“I don’t know who yet, I’m also going to do some boxing fights coming up as I’m a free agent and hoping to fight.
“I got a fight coming up and then I’m trying to line myself up with something good, something big after I win this fight.
“I should be on deck for something good, a UFC comeback, or a good boxing fight, I could go on the undercard of Nate’s promotion.
“He’s either going to do boxing or MMA, or both. That’s what’s happening next, that’s coming soon.”
Nate Diaz says Jake Paul fight is ‘an option’ after being told boxing great Andre Ward praises his skills More

CONOR McGREGOR has been warned another defeat to Dustin Poirier leaves his options limited to fighting only Nate Diaz or Jake Paul next. McGregor was knocked out for the first time in the UFC by Poirier last January, with the American avenging his 2014 loss.
Conor McGregor in his classic 2016 win over Nate DiazCredit: Getty
Jake Paul has continued to call out Conor McGregorCredit: AFP
It sets up the 32-year-old pair with a blockbuster trilogy decider on Saturday when they headline UFC 264 in Las Vegas.
Dana White revealed a win for McGregor propels him back into lightweight title contention as No1 contender for the belt.
But consecutive disastrous defeats could make the prizefighting superstar question his next move.
In the eyes of Joe Duffy – who beat McGregor in 2010 – a trilogy bout with Diaz or lucrative boxing match with YouTuber Paul springs to mind.
Duffy, 33, told SunSport: “I think the avenue for Conor if he loses is the Nate fight or a big boxing fight, the Jake Pauls, stuff along those lines rather than a run back at the title.
“Obviously, with Conor it’s not just the fight itself it’s the whole build up which makes it exciting.
“The likes of Anderson Silva, and some of the other guys, even when they started losing they still had that aura and the fans tuned in to watch them.
“Obviously, he could go in and blast Dustin out and prove us all wrong, it wouldn’t be the first time.”
COMPETITION: WIN A MERCEDES AMG A45S WORTH £51,000 PLUS UP TO £50k IN CASH

McGregor suffered his first setback in the UFC to Diaz, who in 2016 scored a memorable upset after coming in as a late replacement.
The Irishman did level the scoring five months later in a five-round thriller which fans still celebrate as a classic.
But the trilogy has evaded fans ever since, meaning the demand will still be there even if McGregor is beaten twice on the spin.

The former two-weight champion will be hoping a win over Poirier again will kickstart another title run, having not held gold since 2016.
But Duffy, who retired in 2020, fears a loss will leave McGregor unmotivated to climb the ranks again, and instead look in Diaz’s direction.
He explained: “I think the fight for him if he loses is Nate.
“I think that’s the only fight for him unless he wants to work his way back up, but I don’t know if he’d be interested in that.
“Honestly, I think that would be the best thing as he can get active again, that would be the way to go to re-spark him.
Conor McGregor after his defeat to Dustin PoirierCredit: Getty
Joe Duffy beat Conor McGregor in 2010
“But being honest, Nate is the only fight for him.”
Before losing to Poirier at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi, McGregor was all-but confirmed to face boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, 42, afterwards.
But following the stoppage, the mega-money return to the ring was shelved.
At the same time, social media star Paul, who is 3-0 as a boxer, claimed he had $50million waiting for McGregor.
Duffy thinks the pay-per-view numbers could make the unthinkable fight a no-brainer, and potentially the only option in the boxing ring.
He said: “With the likes of someone like Conor and Jake Paul or his brother Logan, they have so many guys following them.
“So many people would tune in. The numbers would be crazy pay-per-view-wise, they can’t really lose in a sense
“I think if he loses to Dustin, big boxing match-ups also go out the window.”
Conor McGregor begins UFC 264 fight week antics by calling Dustin Poirier ‘pea-head’ More

JAKE PAUL ‘calls everyday’ trying to fight Nate Diaz, who is open to the ‘easy money’, his training partner said. Diaz is entering the final fight on his UFC contract and is already plotting a switch to the boxing ring.
Chris Avila with training partner Nate DiazCredit: Instagram chrisavila209
Jake Paul wants to fight UFC star Nate DiazCredit: Getty
He has been publicly called out several times by Paul, who is 3-0 as a fighter, all by knockout.
And according to Diaz’s team-mate Chris Avila, the YouTuber is repeatedly making attempts in private to secure a mega-money boxing match.
Avila, 28, told SunSport: “He calls everyday trying to get a fight with Nate.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen with that too. That’s easy money right there. That would be something too.
“I don’t know what Nate’s thinking about with that, but money talks and I’m sure he’d be more than willing to box Jake Paul or Logan Paul.
“Someone in boxing, Canelo, it will be a big fight.”
Paul, 24, has made a habit of challenging ex-UFC stars, and fights former champion Tyron Woodley, 39, on August 28.
So far in his unbeaten career, he has wins over only online rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED

But he plans to face Diaz, 36, in an attempt to earn a dream fight with the American’s ex-opponent Conor McGregor, 32.
Diaz most recently lost to Leon Edwards, 29, over five rounds in June but almost knocked out the Brit in the final minute.
Now on the verge of free agency, sparring partner Avila, who left the UFC in 2016, revealed the MMA veteran is planning to launch his own promotion.
It could see them both swap the cage for the ring, with Diaz and his brother Nick, 37, renowned for their boxing styles.
Avila, who fights in Iowa this month, said: “They’re boxing’s good, it’s top level. I’m sure they’ve got some plans for boxing fights coming up soon.
“A lot of people are tuning into boxing again it seems like, I know Nate, it’s something he’s probably gunning for as soon as he can.
Nate Diaz was beaten by Leon EdwardsCredit: Reuters
Nate Diaz with brother NickCredit: Instagram natediaz209
“He might have one more fight and then he’s planning on doing a boxing fight against someone that everybody knows.
“I don’t know who yet, I’m also going to do some boxing fights coming up as I’m a free agent and hoping to fight.
“I got a fight coming up and then I’m trying to line myself up with something good, something big after I win this fight.
“I should be on deck for something good, a UFC comeback, or a good boxing fight, I could go on the undercard of Nate’s promotion.
“He’s either going to do boxing or MMA, or both. That’s what’s happening next, that’s coming soon.”
Nate Diaz says Jake Paul fight is ‘an option’ after being told boxing great Andre Ward praises his skills More

JAKE PAUL will never ‘have the balls to fight bare-knuckle’ said champion Hector Lombard, who challenged the YouTuber: ‘Prove me wrong’. Lombard, formerly of the UFC, recently won the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship cruiserweight title.
Jake Paul was called out by bare-knuckle champion Jake PaulCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul
Hector Lombard, right, wants to fight YouTuber Jake Paul
He did so by beating Joe Riggs, 38, but made headlines for his post-fight brawl with Lorenzo Hunt, also 38.
Afterwards, Lombard, 43, called out Paul, 24, and recently doubled down on his offer to do it with brutal exposed fists.
He told MMA Junkie: “I don’t think he’s ever going to have the balls to fight bare-knuckle.
“This is a guy I’ve been supporting – Jake Paul – way before anybody.
“I remember when I said on my Instagram that Jake Paul was going to KO Ben Askren, a lot of people laughed at me.
“But Ben Askren sucks at boxing, so I was right. Jake Paul is an athlete, but I don’t think he’s got the (guts) to ever take the gloves off and fight bare-knuckle.
“I don’t think so. And he can prove me wrong.”
Lombard is now 3-0 in bare-knuckle, having last fought in MMA in 2018.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED

He left the UFC after six straight losses, but was rival Bellator’s inaugural middleweight champ.
Paul is 3-0 in his boxing career, all by KO and has made a habit of feuding with ex-UFC stars.
The social media sensation faces ex-champion Tyron Woodley, 39, on August 28 in his fourth and most challenging fight to date.
Paul most recently knocked out retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 36, in the first round of their fight in April.
It added to his two highlight-reel wins over online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA point guard Nate Robinson, 37.
Woodley, who has seven KOs to his name, reigned the UFC’s welterweight division from 2016-2018 with four defences.
But he departed the promotion this year off the of four straight defeats, leaving him without a win in three years.
Tyron Woodley predicts third-round KO against Jake Paul More

UFC HALL-OF-FAMER Michael Bisping has revealed he wanted $1million to box YouTube star Jake Paul.The former middleweight champion was in the running to be the fourth opponent of Paul’s brief boxing career before his fellow MMA star Tyron Woodley signed on the dotted line.
Michael Bisping received a $500,000 offer to box YouTube star Jake PaulCredit: Getty
But The Count wanted $1million to ‘spank’ the YouTuberCredit: Getty
Bisping revealed to SunSport he was offered £360,000 to throw down with The Problem Child but responded by demanding a bigger purse of £725,000 to ‘spank’ the social media star.
The Count, 42, said: “With Jake Paul, yeah I did get an offer of $500,000 to fight him.
“We countered back with a million, but I was never really entertaining it.
“I was like, ‘Alright, let’s have some fun, let’s see what they say.
“And you never know, if they had came back with a million or higher, maybe I would’ve gone and spanked a YouTuber.”
Although the prospect of one last huge payday briefly enticed Bisping, the pride of Clitheroe is more than happy with his new life outside of fighting.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED
SunSport’s latest pound-for-pound UFC rankings
He continued: “If there’s a million dollars in the table there, I’d be a fool not to pick it up.
“I’m not interested in that, I’m very happy, I’ve got so much going on in my retirement.
“I’m so bloody busy. But yeah, I’m very happy.”
Bisping, Britain’s first and only UFC champion, hung up his gloves in May 2018 following consecutive losses to Georges St-Pierre and Kelvin Gastelum.
The competitive spirit that spurred him on to UFC gold five years ago still burns somewhat, but not enough to convince him to lace up his gloves one more time
He said: “I’ve been there, done it and got the T-shirt. I’ve had a lot of fights.
Michael Bisping is Britain’s first and only UFC championCredit: Getty

“At the time of my retirement, I set a lot of records, won the belt.
“There’s nothing more to do. I’m in the bloody Hall of Fame, it’s unreal.
“I’m a competitor, though, and I still like to do it. But unfortunately, my body has failed me in many ways.
“I’ve had two total knee replacements, I surgery on my neck in January.
“They put a titanium plate in my neck, they want to go and put another two titanium plates. But fingers crossed it doesn’t come to that.
“Obviously I’m blind in one eye, I’ve got bloody this massive lump on the wrist – that hurts. So my body is a mess, but I still like to go in there and compete.
“So I go in and do some jiu-jitsu here and there. I might compete in some jiu-jitsu or something like that or some grappling.
“But yeah, my fighting days are over.”
Michael Bisping reflects on his impact on UK MMA five years after becoming Britain’s first UFC champion More

KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV said the Georges St-Pierre and Kamaru Usman fantasy fight is the UFC’s version of Mike Tyson vs Muhammad Ali. St-Pierre is considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time and the best UFC welterweight ever.
Current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru UsmanCredit: Getty
UFC legend Georges St-PierreCredit: Instagram @georgesstpierre
Usman is the division’s current ruler and on the road to surpassing GSP, according to UFC president Dana White.
The 170lb king, 33, has called out St-Pierre, 40, before but the former two-weight champion is deep into retirement, having not fought since 2017.
It leaves Nurmagomedov – who had already dreamed of facing GSP himself – struggling to split the pair.
He told UFC Russia: “It’d be wrong to compare it. It is like to think who’d win: Mike Tyson or Muhammad Ali?
“No one knows and no one will ever know.”
Tyson, now 54, and Ali, who died aged 74 in 2016, is the most hotly debated fantasy fight amongst fans.
But the heavyweight icons were several eras apart in their primes, whereas Usman became UFC champ once month before GSP retired in 2019.
Nurmagomedov, 32, who retired 29-0 last October, argued Usman would be the current favourite against St-Pierre, who is past his best.
CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: GET £10 FREE BONUS WITH NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED

He said: “Right now, I think it is Usman because it is his prime time.
“What was the prime time of GSP? I believe it was 2009-2010. I think it would have been tough for Usman to fight with him back then.
“I think St-Pierre was the best at that time. So 2021 and 2010 are different times and a different level of competition.”
UFC legend Khabib NurmagomedovCredit: Alamy
Conor McGregor era is ‘finished’ slams Khabib’s manager who says UFC star will soon be reduced to fighting Jake Paul More