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    Fans joke ‘Boy George has let himself go’ as Tyson Fury wears bizarre hat to congratulate Tom Aspinall on UFC 295 win

    TYSON FURY drew comparisons to pop legend Boy George after congratulating Tom Aspinall on his UFC title win. Aspinall – a former sparring partner of Fury’s – knocked out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 to win the interim heavyweight title.
    Tyson Fury stunned fans with his purple hat as he congratulated Tom Aspinall on his UFC title winCredit: Instagram @TysonFury
    Pop legend Boy George is famed for his brilliantly flamboyant hats
    Fans also compared Fury’s headwear to something the Undertaker might go for
    And the Gypsy King – wearing a burgundy fedora – was quick to congratulate Britain’s newest champion.
    He said: “Just want to say a massive shoutout to my brother Tom Aspinall, the new UFC heavyweight champion of the world!
    “God bless you Tom, all the best brother. It couldn’t have happened to a more lovely person.
    “Congratulations to you and your family and I hope you have a fantastic, fantastic time.”
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    But Fury’s uncharacteristic choice of hat was likened to something singer Boy George famously wears or WWE legend The Undertaker.
    A fan teased: “Boy George has let himself go.”
    Another joked: “What’s that hat sorry.”
    One said: “Why’s he dressed like a maroon version of The Undertaker though?”
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    Aspinall’s crack at glory came after Francis Ngannou was stripped of the UFC title when his contract expired, paving the way for a switch to boxing.
    Ngannou, 37, went on to face Fury, 35, in Saudi Arabia and even dropped the WBC champ but was controversially beaten on points.
    Meanwhile Jon Jones, 36, won the vacated belt and was due to defend it against Stipe Miocic, 41, until injury postponed the bout.
    So Aspinall, 30, filled in on two weeks’ notice and KO’d Pavlovich, 31, in the first round.
    And now the Northerner wants to fight Jones next in a dream bout.
    He said: “Right now I want to take a little break.
    “I don’t want to fight again this year. I’ve had enough of this nerves thing and pressure. I want a little bit of time off.
    “I want to fight Jon Jones. I know there’s a lot of contenders coming up at the moment, but I want to fight Jon Jones. That’s my goal.”
    Tom Aspinall knocked out Sergei Pavlovich in round oneCredit: Getty More

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    Deontay Wilder opens door to incredible career change as talks for massive Anthony Joshua fight stall

    DEONTAY WILDER has opened the door to a stunning move into MMA.Wilder has suffered frustrations as a super-fight with Anthony Joshua remains on the ropes.
    Deontay Wilder has opened the door to a stunning move into MMACredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Now the former WBC heavyweight world champion is teasing a cross over to the cage.
    He told Blue Blood Sports TV: “I’m thinking about doing both, UFC and boxing. To keep the activity alive and keep it going.
    “I’ll be a dangerous man in the UFC, bro. With those four-ounce gloves?
    “I broke the f***ing hitting bag machine with those four-ounce gloves on. That was some real stuff.
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    “I could see myself in [the UFC]. I think I want to tie it to the competitive side of me, wanting to do both.
    “Get in there and just show the ability and talent of what I could do.
    “I don’t think there’s nothing cooler than being a champion in both. Have the titles at the same time, too.”
    Boxing legend James Toney was infamously dominated in a round against UFC star Randy Couture when he made the move.
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    But UFC president Dana White did not rule out welcoming 38-year-old Wilder to the octagon.
    White said: “It’s interesting, you know what I mean?
    “You never see this s*** happening, you never see the boxers going, ‘I want to come over there and fight in the UFC. So we’ll see what happens.”
    Dana White is open to Deontay Wilder joining the UFCCredit: Getty More

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    Geordie Shore’s Aaron Chalmers calls out Jake Quickenden to MMA fight in Newcastle after X Factor star’s debut win

    AARON CHALMERS has called out Jake Quickenden to an MMA fight in his Newcastle backyard. Geordie Shore’s Chalmers went 5-2 in the cage after his 2017 debut but he has since moved into boxing.
    Aaron Chalmers has called out Jake Quickenden to an MMA fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Jake Quickenden won his MMA debut by KOCredit: Oktagon MMA
    Meanwhile, X Factor star Quickenden, 35, won his MMA debut with a first-round knockout of comedian Paul Smith.
    And with Oktagon MMA coming to Newcastle on January 27, Chalmers, 36, has the perfect bout to bring him back into the cage.
    He said: ”This is a message for Jake Quickenden, I saw your MMA debut the other day. It was very impressive.
    “I’ve been out of the MMA loop for four years now, but I know Oktagon has a big show in Newcastle and I am the hometown hero.
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    “You are 1-0, and I haven’t stepped foot in an MMA ring for four years. Let’s get the party started!”
    All five of Chalmers’ wins in the cage came by stoppage, either from a knockout or submission.
    He has since had four boxing bouts, winning his professional debut on points against Alexander Zeledon.
    This year alone, he faced boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, 46, and UFC welterweight Kiefer Crosbie, 33.
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    His most recent fight was on KSI’s Misfits Boxing promotion, losing in round three to Idris Virgo, 30.
    Quickenden was meanwhile quick to shut down any comparisons to influencer boxers after his first pro MMA win.
    He said: “They don’t have to do a weight cut, they don’t have to train for 10 months to learn 5 different disciplines.
    “We did a proper weight cut, we lived a fighter’s life, sorry I’m quite emotional about this.”
    Comedian Paul Smith was knocked out in round oneCredit: Okatgon MMA More

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    Jake Paul threatens to ‘KILL’ rival amid $15m fight offer as YouTuber-turned boxer talks up MMA debut

    JAKE PAUL has talked up his impending MMA debut by threatening to “KILL” an old boxing rival. The YouTuber-turned boxer this year signed for the Professional Fighters League, a competing promotion to the UFC.
    Jake Paul is set to debut in MMA with the PFLCredit: PFL
    Paul is coming off the back of a ten-round points win over ex-UFC star Nate Diaz in August.
    And both the American and the PFL have proposed a $15m (£12.5m) rematch in the cage.
    But Diaz has so far seemed uninterested and instead wants a return in the boxing ring.
    So Paul said: “Nate Diaz is a smart man, staying away from me in MMA. He can’t take me down, I have better wrestling than him.
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    “Ohio Division-1 state wrestling experience. He clearly can’t punch me. He punches so soft, like pillow hands.
    “If we fought in MMA it would only be 15 minutes, which is half the amount of time we just fought.
    “I’d up the punch count, up the pace, kill that man.”
    Paul, 26, suffered his first defeat in February, losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 24, in Saudi Arabia.
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    And despite the prospect of rematching Diaz, 38, in the cage, the social media sensation returns in the ring on December 15.
    He faces little-known 10-1-1 pro boxer Andre August, 35, as he bids to start a steep climb up the world championship rankings.
    Paul said: “I’m a professional boxer and I want to be world champion, so I need to pursue the path towards greatness against people who have been boxing their whole life.
    “So far, my entire boxing career has been on pay-per-view, but now it’s about more than business.
    “Now I want to build my experience in the ring against seasoned fighters.
    “I’m coming to prove my greatness on Friday, December 15th live on DAZN for the world to see.”
    Jake Paul wants to rematch Nate Diaz in MMACredit: Reuters More

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    Dana White-backed Callum Walsh survives huge knockdown to remain unbeaten in front of UFC boss and WWE icon Triple H

    CALLUM WALSH continued his rise up the ranks with a controversial victory in the shadows of Madison Square Garden.The undefeated Irishman – who is trained by boxing royalty Freddie Roach – returned to action at MSG’s famous Theater on Thursday night.
    Undefeated Irish super-welterweight Callum Walsh locked horns with Ismael Villarreal on Thursday nightCredit: 360 PROMOTIONS
    360 Promotion prospect Walsh is being backed by UFC president Dana WhiteCredit: X@TOMLOEFFLER
    WWE icon Triple H was in attendance to watch the fight with UFC chief WhiteCredit: CHISANGA MALATA
    Standing between the surging super-welterweight and a perfect 9-0 record was New York local Ismael Villarreal.
    The Bronx bruiser was, on paper, the toughest opponent of Walsh’s career.
    And the American ended up putting the 22-year-old through the gauntlet on his way to suffering a controversial decision defeat, which came courtesy of harsh 96-93, 97-92, 97-92 scorecards.
    After barely passing the toughest test of his career, Walsh said: “I’m very happy.

    “I’m 22 years old and I’m fighting real guys.
    “That guy was definitely a real fighter. So yeah, definitely happy with that; real happy.”
    Despite fighting on enemy territory, Cork clubber Walsh came out to a deafening rendition of the world-known chant of the travelling Irish.
    “Ole, Ole, Ole” rang throughout the arena before the super-prospect made his way to the ring.
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    And a clearly frustrated Villarreal, who had plenty of his loved ones in the crowd, looked to silence the hostile crowd early with a stiff and piston-like jab.
    Slick southpaw Walsh, however, did a good job of cutting off the ring early and putting the American on the back foot.
    Walsh looked to land to the body early doors and had success with rasping hooks.
    Villarreal soon got the respect of Walsh with a beautiful overhand right counter before the halfway point of the round.
    Another right soon rattled the dome of Walsh, who responded with a good straight left.
    Callum Walsh was at times electric but left himself down with poor defenceCredit: 360 PROMOTIONS
    Walsh started the second like a bat out of hell and sent the sweat flying off Villarreal’s glistening forehead with a straight left which drew a big reaction from the crowd.
    Walsh invested heavily in the lead uppercut soon after but Villarreal was wise to them.
    One, however, found its way through the guard and briefly wobbled the local lad, who was forced to cover up and block an ensuing flurry.
    Walsh looked to work behind his jab early in the third as he tried to pen Villarreal into the corner.
    The Irishman landed a good lead hook in tight a minute into the stanza but failed to follow up with anything of note.
    Villarreal’s corner erupted when their man landed two hard shots and started stalking a retreating and tiring visitor.
    And he almost had him on his backside seconds before the end of the round courtesy of a swift three-piece combo.
    Villarreal thought he’d scored a big knockdown early in the fourth but the ref judged him to have pushed down his man.
    Walsh looked tired midway through the round but came back with a rip-roaring combo – which included a nasty uppercut – that put Villarreal on wobbly legs.
    But instead of rushing in for the kill, the southpaw opted to pick his shots before being hurt by a low below seconds before the bell.
    Ismael Villarreal pushed Callum Walsh to his limitsCredit: 360 PROMOTIONS
    Villarreal headhunted for most of the fifth, abandoning the feints and footwork which served him well in the third.
    Walsh blocked most of the telegraphed shots which came his way and actually egged on his foe to throw more.
    A clash of heads briefly paused the action after the start of the sixth but Walsh shook off the cobwebs and quickly went back to work.
    Two successive three-punch combos in a row snapped back the head of Villarreal, who made sure to respond with one of his own after being cracked.
    Walsh then struggled to land his straight left on the feint and taunt-heavy Villarreal, who went hell for leather after hearing the 10-second clacker.
    He got the better of the two ensuing exchanges and went back to his corner full of confidence for the seventh.
    The Irish in attendance were worried for their man in the eighth when he went into retreat mode and stopped working behind the jab.
    But the shot of the round came from the fatigued prospect, who opened up a cut above the brow of Villarreal with a brilliant right hook.
    A clearly tired Walsh clinched multiple times after the restart, much to the frustration of Villarreal’s team.
    Walsh planted a beauty of a straight left on the dome of Villarreal in the final minute of the stanza, although the American took it like a champ.
    Callum Walsh retained his WBC US Silver super-welterweight at MSGCredit: 360 PROMOTIONS
    Neither man showed any great sense of urgency early in the ninth, despite it seemingly being a razor-close fight.
    Walsh edged himself ahead with a beauty of a straight left that appeared to stagger Villarreal.
    However, it did the exact opposite, stirring his foe on and prompting him to hunt for hard shots to the body.
    A stiff one-two briefly set Villarreal back in his tracks but he quickly composed himself and went again.
    As they were in the early embers of the ninth, both men were patient and opted not to rush in recklessly in the final round.
    Walsh, however, found himself in trouble after being knocked down by a series of hooks with two minutes of the round remaining
    He quickly bounced back to his feet but, surprisingly, went on the retreat.
    Walsh was on course to finish the round strong until he had the sweat smacked off his forehead by a huge overhand right.
    Fan in attendance were left stunned by the wide scorecards, with many expecting a split decision verdict to be announced.
    Hollywood Fight Night results
    Callum Walsh def. Ismael Villarreal via unanimous decision (96-93, 97-92, 97-92)
    Umar Dzambekov def. Frederic Julan via unanimous decision (79-73, 78-74, 78-74)
    Gor Yeritsyan def. Luis Alberto Veron via unanimous decision (80-71, 79-72, 78-73)
    Brian Ceballo def. Kenneth McNeil via TKO – Round 4, 2:17.
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    Omar Trinidad def. Arew Bentley via KO – Round 1, 2:27
    Feargal McCrory def. Nikolai Buzolin via unanimois decision (58-56, 58-56, 58-56)
    Callum Walsh paid tribute to the travelling Irish fans at MSGCredit: 360 PROMOTIONS More

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    Jake Paul ‘can’t fight for toffee’ but Conor McGregor would still get ‘absolutely slaughtered’ by him, says Carl Froch

    CARL FROCH says Conor McGregor would get “absolutely slaughtered” by Jake Paul. That is despite YouTuber-turned boxer Paul not being able to “fight for toffee.”
    Jake Paul has been backed by Carl Froch to beat Conor McGregorCredit: Getty
    McGregor has feuded with both Jake Paul and FrochCredit: AP
    The ex-boxing champion has traded his fair share of words with the American in recent years but he still backs him to beat McGregor.
    Froch told CasinoAlpha: “I no longer know what (McGregor’s) motivation is for fighting; he’s had a couple bad pastings, he’s not short of a few quid.
    “In fairness, he’s earned every penny and he was a phenomenal fighter and you have to admire him for that.
    “But I’m not sure why he wants the Michael Chandler fight, or what his motivation is.
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    “He’s better off hanging around the Misfits and YouTubers and getting involved in a celebrity fight because he’s a massive name.
    “But forget about a crossover fight with Jake Paul, he’d get absolutely slaughtered.”
    McGregor, 35, lost his one and boxing bout to American legend Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
    Froch, 46, commentated on the crossover clash and gave a scathing verdict on the Irishman.
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    It has kept the bad blood brewing between the two to this day.
    Similarly, Froch has not been impressed by Paul’s foray into boxing and insisted he could beat the 26-year-old after ten years in retirement.
    He said: “He’s a s***house, he can’t fight for toffee, and he would not come anywhere near me, even though I’m ten years retired.
    “That’s all you need to know about Jake Paul, he called me out, but he won’t take on a guy who has been retired for ten years.
    “I could come back, not even put myself through a training camp, and it would be such an easy night’s work.
    “He’s a performing clown, hopefully he will go away because boxing fans are not taking him seriously.
    “The reason this isn’t on pay per view is because people are no longer prepared to pay for this rubbish.”
    Froch said he would beat Jake Paul even after ten years in retirementCredit: AP More

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    Conor McGregor leaves first ever boxing coach stunned by gifting him a custom £30,000 truck

    CONOR McGREGOR gifted his first ever coach a custom truck.The Irishman was just ten-years-old when he first walked into Phil Sutcliffe’s Crumlin Amateur Boxing club.
    Conor McGregor’s first coach Phil Sutcliffe was gifted a new truck
    Sutcliffe with McGregorCredit: INSTAGRAM
    But he left behind a promising career in the ring to focus on MMA with his sights set on the UFC.
    What followed was the most iconic rise in the UFC with McGregor becoming the sport’s greatest star.
    He has since brought two-time Olympian Sutcliffe back into his team as a boxing coach.
    And McGregor repaid his first trainer with a brand new Toyota Hilux, which costs around £30,000.
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    Liam Flynn, manager at his Black Forge Inn pub, said: “On behalf of Conor McGregor, he wants to give you this for yourself. This is your new Jeep.”
    A stunned Sutcliffe said: “Thank you Conor, gentleman. Anything he touches turns to gold.”
    McGregor, 35, has been out the cage since July 2021 when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier, 34.
    But he is now touted for a return next year against Michael Chandler, 37, with April the likely date.
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    McGregor said in Saudi Arabia: “I’m happy with April.
    “I would’ve loved it earlier, but if I’m to be honest and be realistic, for my fans, I want to put in a good run, build myself back, and that’s it.
    “It’s looking like April, mixed martial arts.”
    McGregor is set to make his UFC return in AprilCredit: Getty More

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    I was first boxer to have a crossover UFC bout and just like Fury it all went wrong – but I’m still fighting aged 55

    BOXING legend James Toney became the first to trade the ring for the UFC octagon – but it did not go to plan. Toney was among the best during the 1990s and went on to win titles in three divisions.
    James Toney became the first to trade the ring for the UFC octagonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    James Toney was beaten in a round by Randy CoutureCredit: Getty
    But in 2010, he made the shock move to MMA and challenged UFC legend Randy Couture.
    It ended in disaster for Toney, who got taken to the floor within seconds and tapped out to a chokehold in the first round.
    Reflecting on the fight, he told Sky Sports in 2017: “My plan was to knock him out quickly but he got to my legs, took me down, and did what he did.
    “It worked. MMA is not my game but, if I did it again, it would have been different.”
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    In recent times, MMA fighters have more frequently crossed over to boxing.
    It came after the financial success of Conor McGregor’s money-spinning bout with Floyd Mayweather six years ago.
    McGregor, 35, lost in ten rounds but it encouraged several others MMA fighters to step into the boxing ring.
    But none performed as well as former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
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    Ngannou, 37, floored and took Tyson Fury, 35, all ten rounds of their clash in Saudi Arabia, with many feeling he was unlucky to lose on points.
    It was the latest and most shocking of the crossover clashes but if Toney had it his way he would have got Couture back in the ring.
    He said: “I would have loved for Randy to do a boxing match but he wouldn’t. I couldn’t wrestle with him but he can’t box with me.”
    Toney would return to boxing six months after his dismal MMA debut and went on to fight nine more times over seven years.
    His last bout was against Mike Sheppard in 2017 all the way up at heavyweight, which he won by knockout aged 48.
    But now at 55 Toney prepares for another comeback bout in an exhibition in Jamaica against Razor Ruddock, who is 59 himself.
    Toney said: “At my age, I can still whup anybody on the planet, any time, anywhere, any place.
    “I’m the original old-school fighter. I was born to fight. Everybody else was taught to fight.”
    James Toney returns to fight aged 55 More