MMA

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Watch Anthony Joshua try MMA training with flying knees and kicks in Marbella ahead of Oleksandr Usyk fight

      by

      ANTHONY JOSHUA has MMA fans dreaming of a potential fight inside the cage after showing off his kicking skills.The unified heavyweight champion of the world is currently in Marbella gearing up for his showdown with former cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk.

      But AJ recently took away from time away from his prep to hit Thai pads with former UFC middleweight Luke Barnatt.
      Joshua, 32, showcased decent leg dexterity for a man his size when Barnatt instructed him to throw a right roundhouse kick.
      But he had difficultly nailing the powerful switch left kick, which many beginners struggle with.
      He didn’t, however, have any problem throwing flying knees – leaping through the air and landing his right knee on the pad with some force.
      A number of MMA fighters were impressed by AJ’s attempts at Thai boxing, including PFL featherweight Brendan Loughnane, who tweeted: “Actually looks great.”
      Fans were similarly impressed, with one saying: “Imagine if AJ knew how to throw a proper low kick, that s**t would sting.”
      BETTING SPECIAL – Get McGregor to win by knockout, TKO or DQ at 40/1
      Anthony Joshua attempts to throw a roundhouse kick
      He eventually got the hang of throwing the kick, although he still needed to turn his hips
      Another said: “Dude is such an athlete imagine if he trained MMA when he was young, he kinda has the same body as [Cyril] Gane.
      And another said: “I’d love a top-level boxer to cross over and have a MMA fight with a good level MMA person.”
      One remarked: “This is nuts! Dude is so talented and athletic.
      “You love to see it.”
      Another AJ fan then imagined a potential MMA fight between Joshua and WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
      AJ lands a good solid knee on the Thai pad
      The unified heavyweight champ’s kicking ability impressed some MMA fans.
      They said: “Imagine we’ll get Fury vs Joshua in an MMA match instead of boxing haha.”
      Joshua’s long-awaited showdown with Usyk is set to take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 25, although the Ukrainian’s co-promoter recently revealed some minor details still need to be ironed out.
      Alexander Krassuyk told The Daily Mail: “According to my experience in boxing, the fight is done when both fighters enter the ring and the bell sounds.
      “We just have three small issues to co-ordinate, which we’re going to do tonight.
      “We have a conference call to fix everything and to proceed with signing [contracts].

      “[It’s] some small risky things, which are not likely to happen. But we are professionals and we need to secure even the lowest possibility issues.
      “That’s why we keep saying, ‘The principal things have been coordinated a long time ago.’
      “But all those small issues are in progress. Nothing major.
      “We keep saying we’re going to make it within a couple of days.
      “But the issue is our lawyers are in the United States, we’re in Ukraine, [AJ’s] guys are in the UK.
      “We don’t need to talk much, we just need to agree on small issues and to proceed further.”
      Anthony Joshua looks fighting fit in pads session as champ prepares to face Oleksandr Usyk More

    • 238 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Madrid legend and PSG’s new transfer signing Sergio Ramos ‘turns down tickets’ to watch Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier

      by

      SERGIO RAMOS was forced to pass on tickets for Conor McGregor’s UFC 264 trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier – because he was finalising his move to Paris Saint-Germain.The former Real Madrid man – who is a big fan of The Notorious – was on course to have a front-row seat for the Irishman’s Sin City series decider with The Diamond.
      Sergio Ramos was supposed to watch Conor McGregor’s trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in personCredit: Alamy
      But the Spaniard was unable to make it over to Las Vegas as he was finalising his move to PSGCredit: AFP
      But McGregor has revealed the Spaniard was forced to shelf those plans as he was finalising his next transfer – which he was completely unaware of.
      The Dubliner: “We actually got him tickets (for the fight) got him tickets yeah.
      “He messaged me today saying that he’s signing for a new club and he’s not going to be able to make it.
      “He thought he had more time. He had the tickets.
      “Who is he signing for? Signing for something new or something?”
      McGregor and Ramos’ friendship stemmed from a jokey callout the World Cup winner made on Instagram last January.
      BETTING SPECIAL – Get McGregor to win by knockout, TKO or DQ at 40/1

      MMA superstar McGregor replied by saying: “Stay Ready, my brother Sergio! We have a big fight coming up.”
      Ramos, 35, completed a free transfer to French champions PSG on Thursday.
      In a statement on the club’s official website, he said: “I am very happy to join Paris Saint-Germain.
      “This is a big change in my life, a new challenge and it’s a day I will never forget.
      “I am very proud to be a part of this ambitious project, to be a part of this squad with so many great players.
      “Paris Saint-Germain is a club that has already proven itself at the highest level.

      “I want to continue to grow and improve at Paris and help the team to win as many trophies as possible.”
      McGregor, meanwhile, has vowed to brutally exact revenge on fan favourite Poirier, who knocked him out cold in their January rematch.
      During the UFC 264 pre-fight press conference, he said: “You’re getting walked like a dog in that octagon.
      “This is my bread and butter, this is what wakes me up in the morning with fire in my belly.
      “Errors to correct, tactics to prepare for, I’ve had a great camp and a great focus on the opponent.”
      Conor McGregor back to bad boy ways after trying to kick Dustin Poirier at UFC presser More

    • 225 Shares119 Views

      in Boxing

      Deontay Wilder’s coach taunts Tyson Fury over Conor McGregor ‘friendship’ after UFC star reveals he doesn’t know boxer

      by

      DEONTAY WILDER’s coach Malik Scott insists he doesn’t believe a word Tyson Fury says after The Gypsy King’s claim to be pals with MMA superstar Conor McGregor.In October 2019, The Gyspy King claimed McGregor agreed to train him for an MMA fight – a claim the UFC’s poster boy denied.
      Tyson Fury once claimed Conor McGregor would train him for an MMA fight, a claim the UFC superstar deniedCredit: PA
      And Fury’s claim has had a lasting impact on Deontay Wilder’s coach Malik ScottCredit: EPA
      And McGregor’s denial of ever agreeing to work with the WBC heavyweight champion has had a lasting impact on Scott.
      He told ES News: “We’re dealing with a fighter that I believe nothing he says.
      “We’re dealing with a fighter that said him and Conor McGregor are something like best friends and then McGregor said he don’t even know the guy.”
      Wilder, 35, was due to renew his rivalry with Fury a fortnight on Saturday in Las Vegas.
      But an outbreak of Covid-19 in Fury’s camp has led to the postponement of the pair’s Sin City trilogy fight.
      BETTING SPECIAL – Get McGregor to win by knockout, TKO or DQ at 40/1

      Fury, 32, was one of TEN members of his camp to test positive for Covid.
      The former unified heavyweight champion of the world has yet to address his positive test.
      An official announcement on the postponement of the fight has also yet to be made.
      SunSport understands the third instalment of Fury vs Wilder is on course to take place in October.
      Wilder, however, is still continuing preparations to fight on July 24.
      Scott told ES News: “I don’t care what the media’s reporting.
      Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder’s trilogy fight has been delayedCredit: AFP

      “If this is supposed to be a distraction, we’re not distracted at all.”
      Brit Dillian Whyte is willing to step up and face The Bronze Bomber on two weeks’ notice.

      On Friday morning, Whyte’s promote Eddie Hearn tweeted: “Spoke to @DillianWhyte – he is due to fight end of August but ready to jump in July 24 v Wilder.”
      Both Fury and Wilder haven’t fought since their Las Vegas rematch in February 2020.
      The Gypsy King won his second encounter with the previously unbeaten American in emphatic fashion, registering a seventh-round TKO victory at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
      Tyson Fury tests positive for coronavirus with Deontay Wilder trilogy fight OFF and ‘pushed back to October 9’ More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Dustin Poirier’s coach reveals bare-knuckle boxing is LESS damaging than MMA as ex-UFC star Thiago Alves compares sports

      by

      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

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Nate Diaz to launch MMA and boxing promotion when his UFC contract expires after next fight, reveals training partner

      by

      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

    • 263 Shares119 Views

      in Boxing

      Conor McGregor’s ex-opponent says ‘only fight’ for UFC star is Nate Diaz or Jake Paul if he loses Dustin Poirier trilogy

      by

      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

    • 263 Shares159 Views

      in Boxing

      Jake Paul ‘calls everyday’ trying to fight Nate Diaz, who is open to the ‘easy money’, says UFC star’s training partner

      by

      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

    • 238 Shares119 Views

      in Boxing

      Jake Paul will never ‘have the balls to fight bare-knuckle’ says champion, who challenges YouTuber to ‘prove me wrong’

      by

      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