MMA

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Anderson Silva rages at ‘terrible’ UFC for stopping Georges St-Pierre from boxing and says ‘a caged lion will die’

      by

      LEGENDARY fighter Anderson Silva has blasted the UFC’s decision to prevent Georges St-Pierre from boxing. St-Pierre, a two-division UFC champ, was offered a lucrative deal to take on Oscar De La Hoya in his comeback bout.
      Anderson Silva hit out at the UFC’s treatment of Georges St-Pierre
      St-Pierre has been told he cannot box Oscar De La HoyaCredit: Instagram @georgesstpierre
      Ryan Kavanaugh, chief of Triller Fight Club promotions, revealed UFC president Dana White blocked St-Pierre’s move into boxing.
      White claimed that the 40-year-old is still under contract with the UFC despite last stepping inside the Octagon in 2017.
      On the other hand, Brazilian hero Silva makes his boxing debut to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on June 19.
      Silva, 46, is regarded as one of the best UFC fighters of all-time and holds the record for the longest title reign in history at 2,457 days.
      Speaking to MMA Junkie at a Los Angeles media day, Silva said: “I think it doesn’t make sense, especially because Georges did a lot for the sport, especially for UFC.
      “Why you hold the guy? This makes no sense.
      “Georges is a fighter. You can’t hold a fighter.
      “It’s the same if you take the lion in the jungle and put him inside a cage. The lion is going to die. You can’t do that. Nobody can do that.
      “This makes no sense. This is terrible, terrible – completely terrible.”
      Anderson Silva is training ahead of his boxing debut with Chavez Jr in Mexico

      WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
      WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      Silva was released from his UFC contract in October after defeat against Uriah Hall.
      He was allowed to pursue other ventures and penned a deal to fight the former WBC Middleweight Champion of the world Chavez Jr in Mexico.
      Silva looked in terrific shape ahead as he trained ahead of his boxing debut and added of his upcoming bout: “When I look back at my journey, I see that nothing has been in vain!
      “I am extremely happy for the opportunity to test my boxing skills with Julio César Chávez Jr.
      “I train continuously, always am striving for resilience and to overcome obstacles. Fighting is my everlasting breath.”
      Dana White tells Jon Jones he’s free to never fight again More

    • 275 Shares129 Views

      in Boxing

      Jake Paul insists Kamaru Usman fight WILL happen but rules out bout with UFC legend Khabib as he ‘loves him and Russia’

      by

      JAKE PAUL insists a boxing match with UFC welterweight king Kamaru Usman WILL come to fruition.The YouTuber began trading verbal jabs with Africa’s first UFC champion last month.
      Jake Paul insists he will fight UFC welterweight champion Kamaru UsmanCredit: INSTAGRAM@JAKEPAUL
      But the YouTuber has no intention of ever fighting Khabib NurmagomedovCredit: Getty
      Usman, 33, was quick to pour cold water on a clash with the younger Paul brother but sent a chilling warning his way after he tweeted a picture of his daughter.
      But The Problem Child is confident he’ll share the ring with The Nigerian Nightmare.
      During an Instagram Q&A, Paul was asked: “Do you wanna fight Usman?”
      And the 25-year-old replied: “Yes it will happen.”
      Paul may be eager to fight Usman, but that eagerness doesn’t stretch to former lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov.
      When asked if he’s interested in facing The Eagle, he replied: “No, I love Russia and Khabib.”
      Paul’s comments on a potential fight with Usman come just days after he claimed talks over the bout are already under way.
      WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
      How Jake Paul stacks up against Kamaru Usman
      He told Chael Sonnen: “There’s conversations happening.
      “I believe Kamaru’s manager is already in talks with Dana [White], and I think that’s all I can say.
      “One hundred per cent, I’m down for all the smoke. I want all the smoke. Daniel Cormier, another example.”
      UFC supremo White, however, has no intention of ever doing business with Paul.
      During an interview with ESPN, the veteran promoter said: “First of all, I would never do business with those guys, just no.
      “No, this is not what we do. I’m not gonna f*****g loan them a guy for f*****g what? There’s no way.
      “You got plenty of fg goofballs out there that you can muster up to get in there and play these games that these guys are playing. Yeah, I’m not your guy.”
      Dana White has no intention of ever doing business with Jake PaulCredit: Getty

      He added: “Listen, you cannot deny the fact that this kid has inserted himself into the conversation with real guys.
      “‘This guy has got three fights, and I gotta tell you that I don’t know if I truly believe the Ben Askren thing. I have a hard time wrapping by brain around that.
      “Let’s see how long it takes before this kid’s 15 minutes are up, but they are being smart.
      “They are keeping him away from anybody that could actually really do damage.
      “I don’t know. The Ben Askren thing still blows my mind.”
      Jake Paul issued a chilling warning by Kamaru Usman after YouTuber tweeted picture of UFC star and his daughter More

    • 250 Shares119 Views

      in Boxing

      UFC legend Michael Bisping reveals he ‘didn’t suitably entertain’ offer to fight Jake Paul but ‘had a laugh with it’

      by

      MICHAEL BISPING admitted he did not ‘suitably entertain’ an offer to fight Jake Paul – but still ‘had a laugh with it’. Paul was searching for an opponent last December, having just knocked out ex-NBA star Nate Robinson in two rounds.
      Michael Bisping admitted he did not ‘suitably entertain’ an offer to fight Jake PaulCredit: Getty
      Jake Paul pictured with Evander HolyfieldCredit: Instagram @evanderholyfield
      Bisping, 42, along with Dillon Danis and Ben Askren, 36, were all sent a contract to fight the YouTuber.
      The UFC legend has since admitted it was not enough money, while 27-year–old Danis was ruled out with injury, leaving Askren to accept and be stopped in two minutes.
      Bisping was still engaged in a social media spat with Paul having been called out as he opened up on the short-lived negotiations.
      He told talkSPORT: “Jake Paul’s team did make me an offer which I didn’t suitably entertain.
      “I’m not interested in coming out of retirement, obviously I’ve got so many injuries. But I did have a bit of a laugh with it.”
      Bisping, who retired in 2017, has admitted he has no plans to fight again.
      He has found success as a commentator, pundit, podcaster and actor to help keep the competitive urge away.
      But others have not been so lucky, with legendary fighters since coming out of retirement for spectacle bouts.
      WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      Mike Tyson, 54, did so in November, with Evander Holyfield, 58, and Oscar De La Hoya, 48, among the others set to follow.
      But Bisping does not discredit the iconic names for lacing up the gloves again, for whatever reason it may be.
      He said: “I’m all for fighters, you know, being able to make money after they are done. Because it is such a tough road, it is.
      “I’ve been very lucky, I’m not trying to brag, I’m just saying I have been lucky.
      “I commentate for the UFC, I do my podcast and I’ve got things going on. But that isn’t the norm.
      “Most fighters, when they retire, they step away and it is hard reality.
      “They’re no longer the centre of attention, they don’t walk out to 20,000 people, people aren’t asking for autographs and the money dries up pretty quickly.
      “They are kind of on the scrap heap and what happens is some people turn to alcohol, some people turn to drugs, you know they get very depressed.
      “So I will never sit here and judge a fighter that decides to come out of retirement to get another pay day, because they need it.”
      Dana White refuses to do business with Jake Paul after UFC champ Kamaru Usman issues chilling threat to YouTuber More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      YouTuber Jake Paul would ‘beat the s***’ out of Conor McGregor and his team-mates, UFC rival Khabib’s manager claims

      by

      KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV’S manager has claimed Jake Paul would ‘beat the s***’ out of Conor McGregor and all his team-mates. YouTuber Paul has been relentlessly pursuing a boxing match with McGregor and even claimed he sent the UFC star a $50million (£37m) deal.
      Jake Paul has been relentlessly pursuing a boxing match with Conor McGregorCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Conor McGregor pictured ahead of his UFC return Credit: Twitter @thenotoriousmma
      It came after he called The Notorious an ‘Irish c***’ and insulted his fiancee Dee Devlin earlier this year.
      The viral callout earned the respect of Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz – who himself has a bitter rivalry with McGregor.
      Abdelaziz told TMZ Sports: “Jake Paul, I like this kid. You know why? Because he is real.
      “When he talked about Conor’s wife, [Paul] said [McGregor] talked about Khabib’s wife. I like Jake Paul.
      “I think he’ll beat the s**t out of Conor, Conor’s team-mates, all these guys.
      “I like his brother too. Logan Paul, I like these kids, they make something from nothing. Even Mike Tyson likes these kids. Mike is my friend.”
      Paul even went after UFC president Dana White in a desperate bid to entice McGregor back into the ring.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
      Khabib pictured with his manager Ali Abdelaziz

      But the Dublin southpaw – who lost his boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather in 2017 – is more interested in his cage career.
      McGregor, 32, is set to face Dustin Poirier, 32, in July, and will look to avenge his recent defeat to the American.
      Paul, 24, on the other hand is still celebrating going 2-0 after he knocked out ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 36.
      The YouTube sensation is due to fight MMA pro Ben Askren next month.
      Paul has even moved out of his Los Angeles mansion to focus more on training.
      Jake Paul slammed as a coward by ex-UFC star Ben Askren who says YouTuber has gone silent after accepting fight More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Boxing

      Jake Paul reveals there are ‘conversations happening’ to fight UFC champion Kamaru Usman and calls out Daniel Cormier

      by

      JAKE PAUL revealed there are ‘conversations happening’ to fight UFC champion Kamaru Usman – while he also called out Daniel Cormier. The YouTuber is 3-0 in his boxing career and recently knocked out retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren in one round.
      Jake Paul pictured with older brother LoganCredit: Getty
      Kamaru Usman is in talks to fight Jake PaulCredit: Getty
      Afterwards, he turned up to UFC 261 in Florida and was confronted by commentator and former two-weight champion DC.
      Later, he was involved in a Twitter spat with welterweight king Usman, 33, who knocked out Paul’s friend Jorge Masvidal, 36.
      The social media star admitted Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz is in talks with UFC boss Dana White to allow the champ to cross over to boxing.
      Paul, 24, told ex-UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen: “Look, there’s conversations happening.
      “I believe Kamaru’s manager is already in talks with Dana and I think that’s all I could say.
      “But 100 per cent, I’m down for the smoke. I want all the smoke. Look, Daniel Cormier, another example.”
      Askren, 36, was retired two years but was still under contract with the UFC and therefore needed their permission to fight Paul.
      It was granted, but White recently said he will not allow any fighter under contract to fight the internet sensation.
      Jake Paul entered elite companyWIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!

      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      And Cormier, 42, poured cold water on fighting Paul as he insisted he would only do it in the UFC octagon.
      It followed after he was involved in a heated face-to-face debate with the American celebrity.
      Paul said: “It was crazy to me, I was like, ‘Is this guy really doing this right now?’
      “I’m just here as a spectator, he comes over and I’m like, ‘Bro, Daniel, like you’re playing into my game plan here’.
      “You could have just ignored me, went on with your day but instead I think he was just trying to intimidate me.
      Jake Paul was confronted by Daniel Cormier at UFC 261Credit: Reuters
      “Like I think he was really trying to check if I was really about this s***, if I was going to get scared.
      “Because a lot of people see like, I’m on Twitter saying all this s***, I have blonde hair, I’m dressed like an asshole, like I look like a little celebrity kid who you could probably intimidate.
      “I think he was legitimately coming over to check me to see if I was going to get scared by the former heavyweight champion of the world.
      “Like, I’m really about this life, I think I can say that with a lot of credibility now.”
      Dana White refuses to do business with Jake Paul after UFC champ Kamaru Usman issues chilling threat to YouTuber More

    • 288 Shares159 Views

      in Boxing

      Nick Diaz dubs Tyson Fury ‘the last of a dying breed’ after boxer trains with UFC legend and issues demand to Dana White

      by

      NICK DIAZ has dubbed Tyson Fury ‘the last of a dying breed’ following his recent training session with the WBC heavyweight champion.The MMA great got some training in with The Gypsy King in Miami on Friday, much to the delight of combat sports fans.
      MMA legend Nick Diaz trained with Tyson Fury in Miami earlier this weekCredit: TWIITER@NICKDIAZ209
      Tyson Fury shared video footage of his training session with Nick Diaz to his InstagramCredit: Instagram @gypsyking101
      And Diaz – the elder brother of fellow fan favourite Nate – clearly enjoyed his time with Fury, sharing photos of their training session on his social media pages.
      He tweeted: “Last of a dying breed.. real fighting men only a few can relate. My bro @Tyson_Fury.”
      Diaz, 37, looked to be in tremendous shape ahead of a potential return to the octagon – which he hasn’t set foot in since January 2015.
      And the Stockton slugger’s current condition prompted Fury to demand UFC president Dana White book him a fight.
      A fired-up Fury said: “I’m here with my boy Nick, the bad man Diaz. What you saying, Nick?
      “We’re working hard, we’re coming for all you motherf*****s out there. You’re getting smashed to f**k. You better believe it.
      CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH
      SunSport’s latest pound-for-pound UFC rankings
      “Absolutely smashing it, he’s in tremendous shape, he’s ready.
      “Make the fight Dana, make the fight.”
      Mixed martial arts fans across the world are excited by the prospect of the elder Diaz brother returning to the cage.
      UFC supremo White, however, isn’t so sure about the former Strikeforce welterweight champion’s desire to compete.
      He told ESPN: “My whole thing with Nick Diaz is I just question how bad he really wants to fight.
      UFC president Dana White isn’t sure about Nick Diaz’s desire to fight againCredit: Reuters

      “We got together, we had a great conversation, talked about a possible comeback for him, I just don’t know.
      “We’ll see how it plays out this summer and the rest of this year.
      “It’s just the amount of time that he’s taken off already.
      “When you hear him talk about fighting, when you hear him talk about the sport – and I sit down daily, or talk to daily, hungry, young savages that want to break into the top ten, become world champions, all that stuff.
      “Nick Diaz has done it all, seen it all. He’s been in big fights. I just don’t see that in him when I talk to him.”
      Tyson Fury trains with Nick Diaz and calls for Dana White to ‘make the fight’ ahead of the UFC legend’s comeback More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Ben Askren surrounded himself with the ‘wrong people’ and bought into ‘hype’ ahead of brutal Jake Paul KO, says Ferguson

      by

      BEN ASKREN surrounded himself with the ‘wrong people’ ahead of his ill-fated clash with Jake Paul, according to UFC lightweight Tony Ferguson.The former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion suffered a brutal first-round KO loss to the YouTuber in his professional boxing debut last month.
      Ben Askren threw down with social media star Jake Paul in a boxing match last monthCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The former Bellator welterweight champion suffered a brutal first-round KO loss to PaulCredit: Getty
      Tony Ferguson respects Ben Askren for stepping out of his comfort zone and into the ringCredit: Getty
      Askren, 36, briefly trained for the bout at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles with legendary coach Freddie Roach – who will be in Ferguson’s corner this weekend at UFC 262.
      But Ferguson believes the Olympic wrestler didn’t properly immerse himself in the sweet science.
      In an interview with The Schmo, he said of his meeting with Funky: “I’m gonna be real, it was cool.
      “I told him he’s coachable and that he’s gonna have a good shot but he’s going to have to hit the bag.
      “Boxing is no joke, man. You can go out there and learn the sport, but it’s an Olympic sport. People forget that.
      “MMA is so young it hasn’t made it to that spot yet. When I started surrounding myself around boxers, that’s what you get. You get into that mentality. That structured mentality.
      WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game this summer

      “Ben, he went over there and I could kinda see that he was [working] really hard and he was doing his thing.
      “But he was surrounding himself with the wrong people and the vibe about too much of the hype.”
      Despite believing Askren could’ve surrounded himself with a better team, Ferguson respects the Iowa native for stepping into the ring.
      He continued: “Hats off to him to be going out there and to be able to do it because nobody else did it.
      “I’m gonna be real: he put in the work and hopefully he got paid for that s**t, man.

      “Next time, keep your hands up and your chin down.”
      Askren was bitterly disappointed with the outcome of his maiden foray into the ring but insists the fight was by no means fixed.
      He told ESPN: “That’s human nature [to question the fight] but it definitely didn’t happen, I got hit.
      “I guess the question I have for people is what do I gain from it?
      “I told you guys what I made for this fight, it was a very nice paycheque but I’m also not destitute and poor, so what do I gain by that? The answer is nothing.
      “I think in fact I would lose a lot and it’s not something that would ever cross my mind.
      “I said if they guy’s a good boxer then I’m going to lose. There was a fear he had around me and there was a feeling that maybe he wasn’t very good.
      “In the locker room I was pretty confident I was going to win but… the result afterwards is irrelevant to me, my life is going to be the same either way.”
      Ben Askren slams referee for ending Jake Paul fight and reveals he told him he was ready to continue More

    • 263 Shares169 Views

      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury trains with Nick Diaz and calls for Dana White to ‘make the fight’ ahead of the UFC legend’s comeback

      by

      TYSON FURY trained with Nick Diaz and called for Dana White to ‘make the fight’ ahead of the UFC legend’s comeback. Diaz has not fought since 2013, in a loss-turned no-contest against Anderson Silva, but the American veteran is preparing for a sensational return.
      Nick Diaz pictured with heavyweight champion Tyson Fury
      Tyson Fury and Nick Diaz training in Miami
      Tyson Fury pictured with his brother Tommy and Nick Diaz
      And in Miami he bumped into unbeaten WBC heavyweight champion Fury, 32, in camp himself to face Anthony Joshua, 31, on August 14.
      UFC president White held a meeting with Diaz, 37, to discuss a comeback fight, and the Gypsy King warned the Stockton icon is in ‘tremendous shape’.
      Fury said: “I’m here with my boy Nick, the bad man Diaz. What you saying Nick?
      “We’re working hard, we’re coming for all you motherf***ers out there. You’re getting smashed to f***. You better believe it.
      “Absolutely smashing it, he’s in tremendous shape, he’s ready. Make the fight Dana, make the fight.”
      Diaz, who has a history of sparring high-level boxers including Andre Ward, announced plans to fight again last year.
      The former Strikeforce champion was hit with a FIVE-YEAR ban after he tested positive for marijuana metabolites after facing Silva.
      After appealing the decision, it was overturned to 18 months, but after the suspension was lifted, Diaz never made a return.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      He has since watched little brother Nate, 36, rise to fame thanks to his rivalry with Conor McGregor, 32.
      But Diaz has been training to fight for the first time in eight years, but is yet to fully convince White.
      He told ESPN: “My whole thing with Nick Diaz is I just question how bad he really wants to fight.
      “We got together, we had a great conversation, talked about a possible comeback for him, I just don’t know.
      “We’ll see how it plays out this summer and the rest of this year.
      “It’s just the amount of time that he’s taken off already.
      “When you hear him talk about fighting, when you hear him talk about the sport – and I sit down daily, or talk to daily, hungry, young savages that want to break into the top ten, become world champions, all that stuff.
      “Nick Diaz has done it all, seen it all. He’s been in big fights. I just don’t see that in him when I talk to him.”
      Nick Diaz with his little brother NateCredit: Getty More