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      Anthony Joshua receives surprise present from Conor McGregor as UFC legend sends Brit message before Helenius fight

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA received a surprise gift from UFC superstar Conor McGregor just days before his return to the ring.The former unified heavyweight champion will continue his career rebuild tomorrow night with a short-notice showdown with Robert Helenius at The O2.
      Anthony Joshua returns to the ring tomorrow night for a clash with Robert HeleniusCredit: GETTY
      The former heavyweight champ was gifted some of Conor McGregor’s Forged Irish StoutCredit: INSTAGRAM@FORGEDIRISHSTOUT
      The UFC superstar sent a message of support AJ’s way after seeing him receive his stoutCredit: GETTY
      The entire combat sports world will be waiting with bated breath to see if AJ can continue to breathe new life into his career with a highlight-reel knockout.
      MMA legend McGregor is rooting for Joshua to do the business, so much so that he sent him a care package of his newly-released Forged Stout.
      Upon receiving the four-pack of stout, a chuffed AJ said: “My guys!
      “I’ll crack this open and tell you later.”
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      Joshua, 33, then sent a personal message to The Notorious’ way, saying: “Just be happy.
      “You seem happy and that’s all that matters in life at the end of the day.
      “Long may the success continue.
      “And when I’m out in Ireland one day, I’ll visit the pub but I want drinks for free though!”
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      McGregor – whose Forged Stout will be one of the sponsors on fight night – was pleased to see Joshua receive his gift.
      He said: “This man Anthony Joshua is the definition of class, quality, and loyalty!
      “What him and Eddie Hearn have built is just absolute magic!
      “I cannot wait to witness AJ Powerhouse do work this weekend and live from ringside! Wow! Honoured! Let’s go!”
      Joshua will look to finalise a long-overdue grudge match with Deontay Wilder with a statement-making victory over Helenius tomorrow night.

      🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius: How to watch, UK start time, live stream details 🥊
      The golden boy of British boxing bounced back from consecutive defeats to former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk with a scrappy points win over Jermaine Franklin in April.
      AJ’s ring return this weekend was due to a be trilogy bout with longtime rival Dillian Whyte, although a failed drug test for the Brixton Body Snatcher laid waste to their domestic dust-up.
      He said: “This wasn’t in the script. I respect Helenius and may I say, I respect any male or female who steps into the ring.
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      “I am laser-focused on the win.
      “I can make steps forward to bigger and better things but the road map has a checkpoint, Saturday night. May the best man win.” More

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      Conor McGregor receives MASSIVE snub from Jake Paul after YouTuber beats up UFC star’s bitter rival Nate Diaz

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      CONOR MCGREGOR has been publicly snubbed by Jake Paul – who insists he doesn’t “care” about fighting the UFC superstar.YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul welcomed the Irishman’s long-time rival Nate Diaz to the boxing world in a Dallas dust-up early on Sunday morning.
      Jake Paul got back to winning ways with a decision victory over Nate DiazCredit: GETTY
      A long-mooted grudge match with Conor McGregor is now being talked about for the YouTuberCredit: SPORTSFILE
      Paul has no interest in fighting The Notorious anytime soonCredit: GETTY
      The Problem Child got back to winning ways with a decision victory over the MMA fan favourite, which immediately led to talk of a future grudge match with McGregor.
      But Paul’s sights are firmly set on honouring his vow to rematch Diaz in the Professional Fighters League cage and an unlikely showdown with boxing’s former pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez.
      When asked about potentially facing The Notorious, the 26-year-old said: “I don’t care about that guy.
      “He needs to go to rehab. I want Nate in MMA. I want more professional boxers and I want Canelo.”
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      Former Disney actor turned fighter Paul dropped the durable Diaz in the fifth round of their Texas tussle on his way to earning a unanimous decision victory.
      But he wants to give the former UFC lightweight title challenger the opportunity to get one over him by stepping into the mixed martial arts realm.
      He said: “I wanna run it back in MMA.
      “There’s an offer of $10m PFL (Professional Fighting League).
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      “Let’s run it back in MMA – make it fair. I won one, now it’s your chance in home territory – let’s do it.”
      Paul said of his victory over fan favourite Diaz: “I knocked him down, won basically every round.
      “I think he won one round but he’s a warrior.
      “I had him hurt in the first round, he kept on coming.
      “All credit to my team, my conditioning, going ten rounds in my eighth fight, it’s unheard of.
      “I’ve only been boxing for three years, he’s a UFC legend, I was watching this kid growing up.” More

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      Nate Diaz admits he tried to CHOKE Jake Paul with illegal MMA move as UFC icon suffers defeat in boxing debut

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      NATE DIAZ admits he put Jake Paul in an ILLEGAL chokehold in their boxing match.The MMA legend was welcomed to the boxing world by the social media sensation early on Sunday morning in his first outing since leaving the UFC.
      Nate Diaz locked horns with Jake Paul in his boxing debut early on Sunday morningCredit: REUTERS
      The former UFC star was dropped in the fifth on his way to a decision defeatCredit: REUTERS
      The MMA legend put Paul in a guillotine choke in the closing stages of the fightCredit: DAZN
      Diaz, 38, was outfoxed by the YouTuber-turned-boxer – who won the contest via unanimous decision – and dropped in the fifth round.
      As he’s done throughout his mixed martial arts career, Diaz came back strong in the closing rounds.
      And he put Problem Child Paul in a guillotine choke in the closing stages of the tenth round.
      Diaz confirmed he intentionally cinched the choke after learning of Paul’s intention to fight him in mixed martial arts.
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      He said: “I had the single leg in the 1st and the guillotine in the 9th so I already won that.”
      Fight fans were quick to comment on the choke attempt, with one saying: “He had the gilly locked haha.”
      Another said: “Jake don’t want this MMA fight can’t lie. Gunna be real long for him.”
      And another said: “Nate Diaz really put Jake Paul in the Guillotine on the final round lmao.”
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      One remarked: “Nate almost fell deep into the MMA roots. Was about to see a guillotine.”
      Paul broke his silence on the incident in the post-fight press conference, saying: “He f***ing choked me.
      “He was actually choking me.
      “I was like, ‘This is crazy.’ I didn’t think he was gonna stop, he had it in. It’s funny.”
      Jake Paul wants to rematch Nate Diaz in MMACredit: Reuters
      Former Disney star Paul inked a multi-year deal with rising MMA promotion the Professional Fighters League in January.
      And he’s adamant he would’ve dumped Diaz on his head if he tried to put him in a guillotine in the cage.
      He continued: “That’s why I wanna run it back in MMA.
      “If it was in MMA, I would’ve dropped to a double leg, picked him up and dropped him on his head.” More

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      Watch Jake Paul arrive for Nate Diaz fight in an army TANK before going on to beat UFC legend on points

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      JAKE PAUL turned up for his fight with Nate Diaz in an army TANK. The YouTuber-turned boxer returned to the ring in Dallas against ex-UFC star Diaz.
      Jake Paul arriving to his fight in a tank

      And he arrived at the American Airlines Center in style as he sat atop of a huge tank – leaving fans stunned.
      One said: “Everything is bigger and unnecessary in Texas.”
      Another added: “That is probably the coolest thing I’ve seen this year.”
      One commented: “Dude’s good at promotion.”
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      Another wrote: “Nah that is so badass. Jakes really pulled up to his fight in a Tank.”
      Paul, 26, bounced back from the first defeat of his career having lost a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 24, in February.
      He snubbed a rematch with the British boxer to instead face MMA veteran Diaz, 38, who ws making his boxing debut.
      And Paul managed to get back in the win column with a points victory in which he dropped Diaz in the fifth round.
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      🥊 Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz: UK start time, stream, TV channel, details for HUGE Texas fight 🥊
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      He told DAZN after the fight: “I knocked him down, won basically every round. I think he won one round but he’s a warrior.
      “I had him hurt in the first round, he kept on coming. All credit to my team, my conditioning, going ten rounds in my eighth fight, it’s unheard of.
      “I’ve only been boxing for three years, he’s a UFC legend, I was watching this kid growing up.”
      Jake Paul took on Nate DiazCredit: EPA
      He won on pointsCredit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury rival Francis Ngannou shows off ripped physique as he wrings litres of SWEAT out of top after brutal training

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU showed off his hulking physique following a brutal training session in preparation for his showdown with Tyson Fury.The former UFC heavyweight champion will lock horns with The Gypsy King in a controversial crossover clash on October 28.
      Francis Ngannou will lock horns with Tyson Fury in a crossover clash in OctoberCredit: ESPN
      The Predator has been hard at work in Las Vegas ahead of the big-money boutCredit: INSTAGRAM@FRANCISNGANNOU
      The former UFC heavyweight champion worked up an incredible sweat during an outdoor workoutCredit: INSTAGRAM@FRANCISNGANNOU
      Cameroonian clubber Ngannou, 36, has yet to officially begin training camp for his professional boxing debut.
      But that hasn’t stopped The Predator from putting in the work in the searing Las Vegas heat.
      MMA knockout artist Ngannou shared a video of himself wringing out a sweat covered shirt outdoors with his 4.8million Instagram followers.
      His accompanying caption read: “Sweat Equity.”
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      Ngannou’s followers were quick to comment, with one saying: “Bro is probably so strong that shirt is completely dry now.”
      Another said: “Sweat? that’s a whole flood.”
      And another said: “Trust.”
      One remarked: “Smoking that Furry pack real soon.”
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      Another chimed in: “World heavyweight champion.”
      Ngannou’s camp for Fury – which is expected to get underway in the coming weeks – will be overseen by none other than former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
      He said: “Bringing Mike Tyson into my training camp is one of the best decisions I can make to prepare for Tyson Fury in the ring.”
      Iron Mike said: “It is no secret I back Ngannou 100 per cent in this face-off of champions.
      “He has one hard punch, and when it lands, it’s game over.

      “I am looking forward to working with Ngannou and supporting his transition from the octagon to the boxing ring.
      “He isn’t a combat novice; he is a world champion.
      “He knows how to compete when the bell rings.
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      “But the key will be combining his energy and combat skills into his punches and using his agility to move swiftly around the ring then delivering the knock-out blow.
      “We’re here to win.” More

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      Conor McGregor calls out Nate Diaz for UFC trilogy after ‘nonsense’ Jake Paul fight and hits out at Michael Chandler

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      CONOR MCGREGOR has set his sights on a trilogy bout with Nate Diaz after slamming Jake Paul and Michael Chandler in the process. The Irishman shared two epic battles with Diaz in 2016, with both one apiece, but the decider has failed to come to fruition.
      Nate Diaz has been called out by Conor McGregor for a trilogy fightCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Jake Paul ahead of his fight with Nate DiazCredit: DAZN
      Now Diaz, 38, is out of the UFC and makes his boxing debut this weekend in Texas against YouTuber-turned prizefighter Paul, 26.
      But McGregor is no fan of the bout and instead insisted he will once again share the cage with Diaz.
      And he promised to do so with the “Baddest Mother F***er” belt Justin Gaethje won against Dustin Poirer.
      McGregor, 34, tweeted: “Regardless of that nonsense match me and Nate will be completing the trilogy.
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      “I am going to go grab that bmf belt right quick for us to compete for it in the trilogy.”
      McGregor has not returned since breaking his leg in the first round of his trilogy bout against Poirier in July 2021.
      But he is due to face Chandler, 37, in his comeback after the two coached on The Ultimate Fighter against each other.
      McGregor is meant to complete six months worth of United States Anti-Doping Agency tests before being eligible to fight again.
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      But having not yet entered the pool, it leaves the fight hanging in the balance.
      And after Gaethje, 34, knocked Poirier, also 34, out with a headkick to win the BMF belt, he was called out by McGregor.
      The former two-weight UFC champion has also distanced himself further from his TUF coaching rival.
      He tweeted: “F*** Chandler.”
      Conor McGregor facing off with Michael Chandler More

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      Mike Tyson training Francis Ngannou for massive Tyson Fury fight and warns how it could be ‘game over’ for Gypsy King

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      MIKE TYSON is set to train Francis Ngannou for his fight against boxing champion Tyson Fury. Ngannou will cross over to the ring on October 24 in Saudi Arabia, having walked out on the UFC.
      Francis Ngannou will be trained by Mike Tyson for his fight with Tyson FuryCredit: Instagram / @francisngannou
      Tyson Fury fights Francis Ngannou on October 24Credit: Getty
      And he has called on the help of boxing’s youngest ever heavyweight world champion.
      Ngannou, 36, said: “Bringing Mike Tyson into my training camp is one of the best decisions I can make to prepare for Tyson Fury in the ring.”
      The Cameroonian was first inspired to fight by Iron Mike but he pursued MMA over boxing as it was easier to find bouts.
      But now Ngannou will make his long-awaited boxing debut against unbeaten WBC champ Fury, 34.
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      And Tyson said: “It is no secret I back Ngannou 100 per cent in this face-off of champions. He has one hard punch, and when it lands, it’s game over.
      “I am looking forward to working with Ngannou and supporting his transition from the octagon to the boxing ring.
      “He isn’t a combat novice; he is a world champion. He knows how to compete when the bell rings, but the key will be combining his energy and combat skills into his punches and using his agility to move swiftly around the ring then delivering the knock-out blow.
      “We’re here to win.”
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      Ngannou is looking to inherit Tyson’s moniker as the Baddest Man on The Planet.
      He said: “I’ve been wanting this fight for years.
      “And now that it’s here, I’m focused on fighting the greatest fight of my career and shocking the world on the most epic stage for the fans in Riyadh. 
      “October 28th, the world will know who’s the ‘Baddest Man on The Planet’.”
      Tyson Fury with Francis Ngannou More

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      Jake Paul’s press conference with Nate Diaz descends into chaos as brawl between camps breaks out on stage

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      JAKE PAUL’S press conferences with Nate Diaz descended into chaos when a brawl broke out between their camps out on stage. The pair are set to end years of feuding over the weekend in Texas.
      Jake Paul and Nate Diaz’s press conference descended into chaosCredit: DAZN
      Nate Diaz and Jake Paul goes face to faceCredit: DAZN
      Jake Paul gestures to the crowdCredit: DAZN

      But the fight threatened to start early when the two teams clashed after Paul, 26, and Diaz, 38, faced off.
      The rivalling security squads began to shove each other before punches were thrown on stage.
      Reacting to the ruck, Paul said on Instagram: “S*** popped off, Nate’s team started throwing punches at my security guards.
      “My security guards dropped his team and it’s just a little warm up for what’s going to happen Saturday night.”
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      Paul later claimed: “Nate’s team has emailed my team trying to claim assault after his team swung first.
      “Apparently the guy who swung first is at the hospital getting stitches. Hilarious these fake gangsters acting like this!”
      Paul returns for the first since losing to Tommy Fury, 24, by split-decision in their Saudi Arabia grudge match in February.
      But he snubbed a rematch to instead return against MMA veteran and fans’ favourite Diaz, 38, who will make his boxing debut.
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      Paul vowed to “KILL” Diaz when speaking to the media at the open workout and he stood firm on his claim.
      He doubled down: “It’s not being antagonising or s*** talking, it’s telling the f***ing truth, sir.
      “I’m killing this man, I’m killing this man, I’m telling the truth, sir.”
      Paul prepares to step foot into the ring as a beaten boxer for the first time but he vowed to do so better than ever.
      He roared: “Best shape of my life, feeling amazing brought in a whole entire new team, strength and conditioning, nutritionist, head coach, all of that.
      “I’m feeling good, and when I’m in the shape like this and I have the proper time to prepare you’re going to see a different version, the best version of Jake Paul you’ve ever seen.”
      The rivals fight in Dallas More