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      Anthony Joshua cleared to face Francis Ngannou but Eddie Hearn prefers two-fight UFC and boxing deal with Dillian Whyte 

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has been given the green light to fight Francis Ngannou – but Dillian Whyte is first in line for the UFC champion. Ngannou first set his sights on a boxing career aged 22 but, after moving to France, he instead embarked on an MMA career as it was easier to find fights.
      Anthony Joshua has been given the green light to fight UFC champ Francis NgannouCredit: Instagram
      Francis Ngannou is the current UFC heavyweight championCredit: Getty
      Fast-forward 12 years and Ngannou is the UFC heavyweight king after knocking out Stipe Miocic.
      But he has not given up hope of reaching the boxing summit, and recently called to fight Tyson Fury, 32 and Joshua, 31.
      AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn is on board and threw out the possibility of UFC legends Amanda Nunes or Cris Cyborg challenging Irish boxing champion Katie Taylor.
      Hearn told SiriusXM: “AJ wants to be the best, but he also wants to do different things once he meets his goals.
      “So a fight with Francis Ngannou isn’t impossible. Just like Katie Taylor vs Cyborg or Nunes, potentially.”
      Hearn last year had plans for Whyte, a former European kickboxing champion, to face Ngannou in a two-fight deal.
      It would have seen one bout in the ring and the other in the cage, as both have experience in the rivalling sports.
      Hearn even filmed an explosive online press conference between the pair, but it never aired as the UFC were not aware of the recording.
      Dillian Whyte was in line to fight Francis NgannouCredit: Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing
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      The promoter has still not given up on the idea of the historic cross promotion alongside the UFC between Ngannou, 34, and Whyte, 32.
      Hearn said: “I love Francis NGannou. We almost had a presser with Dillian Whyte and him, but the UFC shut that down after we taped it.
      “We do have the footage, though. I would love to see a double matchup with Ngannou and Dillian Whyte.
      “One in the cage and one out of it. Ditto for Taylor and Nunes.”
      UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou warns Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury he wants to box More

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      Jake Paul warned he will be thrown to ‘the floor’ and mauled in ‘dirty’ Ben Askren fight by Georges St-Pierre’s coach

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      JAKE PAUL is in danger of being ragdolled and thrown ‘on the floor’ in his fight against Ben Askren.The YouTuber will throw down with the former UFC star in a boxing match at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta on Saturday week.
      Jake Paul (L) and Ben Askren (R) face off after their pre-fight press conferenceCredit: Getty
      Jake Paul is the favourite going into his showdown with Ben AskrenCredit: Getty
      Despite only having two professional fights to his name, Paul goes into his bout with the former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight champion as the bookies’ favourite.
      But Zhabi, the long-time coach of MMA great Georges St-Pierre, reckons the 24-year-old will be in for a rude awakening.
      During a lengthy breakdown of the fight, the Tristar Gym coach said: “I think Ben Askren wins.
      “Here’s why, I saw Jake Paul’s last fight, he’d knocked out some guy with a couple overhand rights, stunned him a few times, dropped him.
      “But here’s where Jake Paul — I don’t think he knows what he’s getting into.
      “Number one, Ben Askren is a wrestler, yes and his forte is not striking, we all know that. He’s not the greatest striker.

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      “But he’s been in there with killers. He’s been in there with like legitimately dangerous human beings.
      “Robbie Lawler, Douglas Lima — I can go on and on, the list is super long. He’s been in there with real killers, and I know he didn’t use boxing, but he took shots from these guys… it was some serious shots. Ben Askren never wavered.
      “The computer was still working, he didn’t panic. He’s a true competitor.
      “He’s been training in MMA, he’s been learning how to strike.
      “Let’s call it fifteen years, he’s been striking — let’s call it ten years, let’s be very reserved here.
      “It’s not only boxing offense that’s the issue.
      Jake Paul is cutting no corners with his diet
      “I guarantee you that he takes a shot better than Jake, I can guarantee you that, I’m guaranteeing you that right now.
      “So Jake’s going to go in there, and in the first two, three rounds he’s going to be dancing around and he’s going to jab Askren. He’s going to look alright, he’s going to look good.
      “Askren’s going to hit him back and it’s going to be a give and take. But here’s what Jake doesn’t know, Askren has proven that he’s got an incredible chin.”
      Zahabi reckons Olympic wrestler Askren, 36, will use his years of grappling experience to ‘maul’ Paul in the clinch.
      Firas Zahabi reckons Ben Askren will ‘maul’ Jake Paul in the clinchCredit: Getty
      He added: “Ben Askren is going to maul him in the clinch, dirty box him. He’s going to get warned by the referee, but it doesn’t matter.
      “Barring the exception that Askren’s chin is finished (after that Masvidal KO), Askren is going to maul him.
      “It’s not going to be pretty. It’s going to be a dirty fight.
      “It’s going to be a seesaw battle a little bit early on, then all of a sudden Jake is going to fatigue and Ben Askren will be all over him.
      “He’ll throw him on the floor, ragdoll him.
      Jake Paul and Ben Askren will trade blows a week on SaturdayCredit: TRILLER

      “Maybe even picks up and slams Jake Paul once or twice. It would not surprise me.
      “Ben Askren probably doesn’t have a clause where if he gets disqualified, he doesn’t get paid. In my opinion, Ben Askren doesn’t care if he gets disqualified.
      “He’s going to pull on his head, step on his feet — shove him so he’s off balance, and it’s going to be a mauling.
      “How is he going to pick and poke, stick and move and stay away from Askren?
      “Once they lock up, once they lock up, I guarantee you, Jake’s battery is going to start to drain.”
      Watch Ben Askren train with legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach as ex-UFC star prepares for Jake Paul fight More

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      UFC star Vettori offers to beat up Jake Paul for FREE and sends chilling warning about ‘locking’ YouTuber in with him

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      UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori wants to teach Jake Paul a lesson about fighting by smashing him inside the cage.Former Disney star Paul, 24, is currently gearing up for a boxing match with ex-UFC welterweight Ben Askren, whom he’ll face a week on Saturday in Atlanta.
      Jake Paul has ruffled plenty of feathers in the combat sports worldCredit: Jake Paul
      UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori (R) isn’t a fan of Jake PaulCredit: Getty
      The YouTuber turned boxer has become one of the most-talked-about figures in combat sports, much to the frustration of many.
      Vettori isn’t a fan of Paul, so much so he’s offered to fight him for free at Kings MMA in Huntington Beach, California.
      The Italian, who will face Kevin Holland this weekend in the main event of UFC on ABC 2 told MMA Fighting: “Just tell him, somebody go get him and I want to make it a surprise.
      “I want to show you something. Just bring him to Huntington.
      “Once he steps in that door, we just lock the door. Trust me, we wouldn’t be unfair.
      “It’s not like we would jump him or something but it’s just like you want to experiencing fighting? Good.
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      “Get into the cage and I’ll be glad to welcome him. I can send some 145’er that would smash him. It’s all right.
      “It’s the world we live in these days. You can’t do much about it. You just stay in your own lane and do your own s**t. That’s it really.”
      The outspoken Paul goes into his showdown with Askren next weekend as the bookies’ favourite.
      But legendary MMA coach Firas Zahabi reckons the social media star will end up being ‘mauled’ by Funky.
      Zahabi, the long-time coach of UFC Hall-of-Famer Georges St-Pierre said: “I think Ben Askren wins.”
      He added: “Ben Askren is going to maul him in the clinch, dirty box him. He’s going to get warned by the referee, but it doesn’t matter.
      “Barring the exception that Askren’s chin is finished (after that [Jorge] Masvidal KO), Askren is going to maul him.
      “It’s not going to be pretty. It’s going to be a dirty fight.
      “It’s going to be a seesaw battle a little bit early on, then all of a sudden Jake is going to fatigue and Ben Askren will be all over him.
      Jake Paul will face former UFC welterweight Ben Askren on Saturday weekCredit: TRILLER
      Legendary MMA coach Firas Zahabi reckons Ben Askren will maul Jake PaulCredit: Getty

      “He’ll throw him on the floor, ragdoll him. Maybe even picks up and slams Jake Paul once or twice. It would not surprise me.
      “Ben Askren probably doesn’t have a clause where if he gets disqualified, he doesn’t get paid. In my opinion, Ben Askren doesn’t care if he gets disqualified.
      “He’s going to pull on his head, step on his feet — shove him so he’s off balance, and it’s going to be a mauling.
      “How is he going to pick and poke, stick and move and stay away from Askren?
      “Once they lock up, once they lock up, I guarantee you, Jake’s battery is going to start to drain.”
      Georges St-Pierre’s coach warns Jake Paul that he’ll be thrown to the floor and mauled in ‘dirty fight’ with Ben Askren More

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      Eddie Hall responds after UFC icon Joe Rogan blasts his ‘terrible’ boxing technique ahead of big Hafthor Bjornsson fight

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      EDDIE HALL says he took ‘no offence’ after Joe Rogan slammed his ‘terrible’ boxing technique ahead of his fight with Hafthor Bjornsson.The British former strongman faces rival Bjornsson in September, in a fight billed as the ‘heaviest boxing match in history’.
      Eddie Hall takes ‘no offence’ after Joe Rogan slammed his ‘terrible’ boxing techniqueCredit: Instagram / @eddiehallwsm
      Legendary UFC commentator Joe RoganCredit: Getty
      In preparation, Hall uploaded videos of his training, but was hit with criticism by UFC commentator Rogan.
      But he responded on his YouTube channel: “I love Joe Rogan, I absolutely do love Joe Rogan
      “Look man, people can speculate, they can make assumptions, they can guess, they can do whatever they want, but I’m knocking Thor out.
      “There’s no doubt in my mind. So, people can say whatever they want.
      “I take no offence to Joe Rogan’s comments. He’s an experienced guy, he knows what he’s talking about, but he doesn’t know the full picture.
      “You look at a few clips, you can’t make assumptions from that.
      “It doesn’t bother me in the slightest, it doesn’t put me off. I hope it gives Thor more confidence, because he needs it.
      “He’s in deep trouble. And I’d still love to go on The Joe Rogan Show and tell him a story for everyone to hear.”

      The response comes after Rogan and and guest, CrossFit legend Mat Fraser, watched some footage of Hall’s recent training.
      He said: “That’s not good. Right away we’re seeing that we have a real problem. Yeah, this is terrible.
      “He’s very rudimentary, but also you see that his body is very stiff. Looking at him sparring there, he’s just not moving so good
      “This is super stiff. He’s throwing these punches with his arms. These are arm punches, almost like he shouldn’t be hitting things.”
      Eddie Hall decks YouTuber Nile Wilson after he volunteered to take punch from former World’s Strongest Man More

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      Eddie Hall responds after UFC icon Joe Rogan blasts his ‘terrible’ boxing technique ahead of Hafthor Bjornsson fight

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      EDDIE HALL says he took ‘no offence’ after Joe Rogan slammed his ‘terrible’ boxing technique ahead of his fight with Hafthor Bjornsson.The British former strongman faces rival Bjornsson in September, in a fight billed as the ‘heaviest boxing match in history’.
      Eddie Hall takes ‘no offence’ after Joe Rogan slammed his ‘terrible’ boxing techniqueCredit: Instagram / @eddiehallwsm
      Legendary UFC commentator Joe RoganCredit: Getty
      In preparation, Hall uploaded videos of his training, but was hit with criticism by UFC commentator Rogan.
      But he responded on his YouTube channel: “I love Joe Rogan, I absolutely do love Joe Rogan
      “Look man, people can speculate, they can make assumptions, they can guess, they can do whatever they want, but I’m knocking Thor out.
      “There’s no doubt in my mind. So, people can say whatever they want.
      “I take no offence to Joe Rogan’s comments. He’s an experienced guy, he knows what he’s talking about, but he doesn’t know the full picture.
      “You look at a few clips, you can’t make assumptions from that.
      “It doesn’t bother me in the slightest, it doesn’t put me off. I hope it gives Thor more confidence, because he needs it.
      “He’s in deep trouble. And I’d still love to go on The Joe Rogan Show and tell him a story for everyone to hear.”

      The response comes after Rogan and and guest, CrossFit legend Mat Fraser, watched some footage of Hall’s recent training.
      He said: “That’s not good. Right away we’re seeing that we have a real problem. Yeah, this is terrible.
      “He’s very rudimentary, but also you see that his body is very stiff. Looking at him sparring there, he’s just not moving so good
      “This is super stiff. He’s throwing these punches with his arms. These are arm punches, almost like he shouldn’t be hitting things.”
      Eddie Hall decks YouTuber Nile Wilson after he volunteered to take punch from former World’s Strongest Man More

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      Ben Askren says it’s ‘almost impossible to tell’ if Jake Paul is a good fighter as ‘level of his competition was so low’

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      BEN ASKREN reckons it is ‘almost impossible to tell’ if Jake Paul is a good fighter because his level of competition ‘was so low’. Paul has won both his fights by knockout since turning pro in January 2020.
      Ben Askren reckons it is ‘almost impossible to tell’ if Jake Paul is a good fighterCredit: Getty
      YouTuber Jake Paul is 2-0 as a proCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But those have come only against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA star Nate Robinson.
      His biggest challenge comes on April 17, against retired UFC welterweight Askren.
      And the former Olympic wrestler admitted he is still in the dark about what to expect, having seen Paul untested in his boxing career.
      Askren, 36, told The Metro: “We haven’t seen anything.
      “The level of his competition was so low that it was almost impossible to tell if he is actually good at this.
      “If there is one thing people respect about all fighters it’s the toughness to deal with adversity in battle and we have not seen that out of him.
      “I don’t think he was hit hard by either one of those guys. They were so incredibly terrible at boxing. So we haven’t seen anything out of him yet.”
      Askren was considered one of the best talents outside of the UFC before he finally signed with Dana White in 2018.

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      He divided opinions due to his wrestling-based style, and hung up his gloves after just one win and two losses in the UFC.
      But as Askren heads into his unprecedented boxing match with Paul, 24, he finds himself in an unusual position – as the more popular headliner.
      He said: “I didn’t realise how much people didn’t like Jake Paul until I tuned in and started listening to what people were saying about him.
      “At best for me, it’s like 50 percent positive comments and 50 percent negative comments.
      “That’s my persona. But everyone freaking hates Jake Paul.
      “One of the things you have to realise about prize fighting is that the more recognition and scrutiny you can bring to yourself, the faster you are going to move up the ranks.
      “When you look at the job, you have to look at all parts of the job. Is part of the job being good at fighting? Absolutely.
      “But a part of the job is also figuring out how to promote yourself so you can advance much quicker.”
      Watch Ben Askren train with legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach as ex-UFC star prepares for Jake Paul fight More

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      UFC champ Francis Ngannou dreams of fighting Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury but draws line at idol Mike Tyson

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU is still dreaming of fighting Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua – but draws the line at idol Mike Tyson. The newly crowned UFC champion first set his sights on a boxing career aged 22.
      UFC heavyweight champion Francis NgannouCredit: Getty
      Heavyweight legend Mike Tyson is Francis Ngannou’s idolCredit: Getty
      But after moving to France, he instead embarked on an MMA career as it was easier to find fights.
      Fast-forward 12 years and Ngannou is the UFC heavyweight king after knocking out Stipe Miocic.
      Miocic, 38, previously revealed he would never face Tyson, but was open to challenging boxing champions AJ or Fury.
      And Ngannou similarly could never fight his hero Iron Mike, but still has the desire to achieve his goal of reaching the boxing summit.
      He told TMZ Sports: “I’m in the same spot as Stipe as well.
      “I don’t want to fight Mike Tyson but I would like to fight other heavyweights such as Tyson Fury. Absolutely, I’m open to that.
      “Remember, boxing was my primary dream and I still have the fire and the dream inside me and I believe that at some point I’m going to make the step.”
      Ngannou, 34, is being primed as the UFC’s version of Tyson, a fearsome puncher capable of captioning the wider public’s attention.
      Tyson Fury was called out by Francis NgannouCredit: Reuters
      Unified heavyweight champion Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
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      And the Cameroonian star beams as he talks about the comparisons with boxing’s youngest heavyweight champ of all time.
      Ngannou said: “Every time that they compared me to Mike Tyson, you know for me it’s just an honour that they can attach my name to somebody like Mike Tyson.
      “Growing up, hearing about Mike Tyson, even though I didn’t have a chance to see him fight because I was in a small village and we didn’t have a TV and stuff.
      “It was very hard for us to have access of those stuff but as soon as I had a chance I just go on YouTube and keep watching Mike Tyson tape and I was so impressed by him and was just dreaming to become like him.”
      UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou warns Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury he wants to box More

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      Jake Paul warned he’ll be thrown to ‘the floor’ and mauled in ‘dirty fight’ with Ben Askren by Georges St-Pierre’s coach

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      JAKE PAUL is in danger of being ragdolled and thrown ‘on the floor’ in his showdown with Ben Askren.The YouTuber will throw down with the former UFC star in a boxing match at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta on Saturday week.
      Jake Paul (L) and Ben Askren (R) face off after their pre-fight press conferenceCredit: Getty
      Jake Paul is the favourite going into his showdown with Ben AskrenCredit: Getty
      Despite only having two professional fights to his name, Paul goes into his bout with the former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight champion as the bookies’ favourite.
      But Zhabi, the long-time coach of MMA great Georges St-Pierre, reckons the 24-year-old will be in for a rude awakening.
      During a lengthy breakdown of the fight, the Tristar Gym coach said: “I think Ben Askren wins.
      “Here’s why, I saw Jake Paul’s last fight, he’d knocked out some guy with a couple overhand rights, stunned him a few times, dropped him.
      “But here’s where Jake Paul — I don’t think he knows what he’s getting into.
      “Number one, Ben Askren is a wrestler, yes and his forte is not striking, we all know that. He’s not the greatest striker.
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      “But he’s been in there with killers. He’s been in there with like legitimately dangerous human beings.
      “Robbie Lawler, Douglas Lima — I can go on and on, the list is super long. He’s been in there with real killers, and I know he didn’t use boxing, but he took shots from these guys… it was some serious shots. Ben Askren never wavered.
      “The computer was still working, he didn’t panic. He’s a true competitor.
      “He’s been training in MMA, he’s been learning how to strike.
      “Let’s call it fifteen years, he’s been striking — let’s call it ten years, let’s be very reserved here.
      “It’s not only boxing offense that’s the issue.
      Jake Paul is cutting no corners with his diet
      “I guarantee you that he takes a shot better than Jake, I can guarantee you that, I’m guaranteeing you that right now.
      “So Jake’s going to go in there, and in the first two, three rounds he’s going to be dancing around and he’s going to jab Askren. He’s going to look alright, he’s going to look good.
      “Askren’s going to hit him back and it’s going to be a give and take. But here’s what Jake doesn’t know, Askren has proven that he’s got an incredible chin.”
      Zahabi reckons Olympic wrestler Askren, 36, will use his years of grappling experience to ‘maul’ Paul in the clinch.
      Firas Zahabi reckons Ben Askren will ‘maul’ Jake Paul in the clinchCredit: Getty
      He added: “Ben Askren is going to maul him in the clinch, dirty box him. He’s going to get warned by the referee, but it doesn’t matter.
      “Barring the exception that Askren’s chin is finished (after that Masvidal KO), Askren is going to maul him.
      “It’s not going to be pretty. It’s going to be a dirty fight.
      “It’s going to be a seesaw battle a little bit early on, then all of a sudden Jake is going to fatigue and Ben Askren will be all over him.
      “He’ll throw him on the floor, ragdoll him.
      Jake Paul and Ben Askren will trade blows a week on SaturdayCredit: TRILLER

      “Maybe even picks up and slams Jake Paul once or twice. It would not surprise me.
      “Ben Askren probably doesn’t have a clause where if he gets disqualified, he doesn’t get paid. In my opinion, Ben Askren doesn’t care if he gets disqualified.
      “He’s going to pull on his head, step on his feet — shove him so he’s off balance, and it’s going to be a mauling.
      “How is he going to pick and poke, stick and move and stay away from Askren?
      “Once they lock up, once they lock up, I guarantee you, Jake’s battery is going to start to drain.”
      Watch Ben Askren train with legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach as ex-UFC star prepares for Jake Paul fight More