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      Conor McGregor will NEVER fight Jake Paul but I’ll smoke him instead, says UFC star’s training partner Kiefer Crosbie

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      CONOR McGREGOR’S training partner Kiefer Crosbie has told Jake Paul to forget about fighting the UFC star. But Crosbie would gladly step in to shut Paul up following years of the YouTuber-turned boxer calling out McGregor.
      Kiefer Crosbie with training partner Conor McGregorCredit: @kiefercrosbie_mma
      Jake Paul in training for his next fightCredit: @jakepaul
      He told SunSport: “I’d smoke Jake Paul, I’d smoke him. But obviously it comes down to a name thing.
      “The easy thing is, ‘Who’s he?’ That’s the easy way out of that fight, ‘Who’s Kieffer Crosbie?’ 
      “Cool, well move round with me then, mate. Spar me then, fight me then, it would never happen, he’d never fight me. 
      “He’d go after a bigger name with less skills, that’s what he’s trying to do or the biggest name where he knows it will never happen. 
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      “He’s calling out Canelo, calling out Conor, he knows them fights will never happen and he’d never win them fights, let’s be real. 
      “But yeah, I’d smash Jake Paul, easy. Let’s be real, he’s good and improved but you can only improve so much in a couple of years. 
      “I’m doing this my whole life, you can’t just jump into this sport and after two or three years think you can take on the world.” 
      Paul, 26, suffered defeat for the first time in February, losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 24, in Saudi Arabia.
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      But he snubbed a rematch to instead return on August 5 in Texas against Nate Diaz, 38, who shared two classics in the octagon with McGregor.
      Paul wants to fight McGregor, 34, afterwards and claimed he would even do it in the cage.
      But Crosbie, 33, said: “Conor is the biggest combat sports athlete of all time, so of course the whole world is going to try call him out. 
      “Jake Paul calling someone like Conor out is just stupid to me. There’s levels to this game, let’s be real here. 
      “Look what Conor’s done, all his accomplishments. He’s one of the best of all time and that’s a way all these guys are trying to get clout. 
      “They’re calling Conor out to keep their name out there but that’s just what YouTubers and celebrities try to do. 
      “They’re looking for clickbait and Conor is not bothered about all them. Jake Paul, he’s a marketing genius.”
      Conor McGregor and Kiefer Crosbie are friends and training partnersCredit: @kiefercrosbie_mma
      Jake Paul facing off with Nate DiazCredit: @mostvaluablepromotions More

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      Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou purse details revealed as MMA ace set to pocket ‘multiple’ times more than UFC earnings

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU is set to earn a career-high payday against Tyson Fury – which will eclipse his entire UFC earnings.The Predator finalised a controversial crossover clash with the WBC heavyweight champion earlier this week.
      Francis Ngannou finalised a big-money showdown with Tyson Fury this weekCredit: ESPN
      The Predator bagged the fight six months after leaving the UFCCredit: GETTY
      Ngannou is set to take home a career-high payday for the Saudi showdownCredit: GETTY
      Ngannou, 36, bagged the most high-profile fight of his career a little over six months after leaving the UFC.
      And according to his manager Marquel Martin, the Saudi showdown will see the Cameroonian clubber pocket a “life-changing” amount of money.
      During an appearance on The MMA Hour, Martin said: “Let’s just say this: The bag is so big, he may actually just drop it on the way to the bank.
      “Let’s just say that.
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      “I don’t know what the haters are trying to say right now, I kind of just blocked it out, but they’ll just be proven wrong again.
      “This is life-changing. This is exactly what we planned and visualized, so we’re happy.”
      When asked if Ngannou’s earnings for the fight will be more than his UFC winnings, Martin added: “Oh, my God. I mean, by far. By multiples.
      “Just to make [this money] even while being champion, he would’ve had to fight multiple times just to [be in this ballpark].”
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      Ngannou and Fury’s showdown will be a ten-round affair under the official Queensberry boxing rules.
      But it’s not yet known if the fight will count on both men’s records.
      Knockout artist Ngannou trained as a boxer before being convinced to try his hand at mixed martial arts by former head coach Fernand Lopez.
      And he plans to turn the combat sports world upside down by becoming the first man to defeat the fleet-footed Fury.

      He said: “I’ve been waiting to meet Tyson in the ring for the past three years.
      “My dream was always to box, and to box the best.
      “After becoming the undisputed MMA Heavyweight Champion, this is my opportunity to make that dream come true and cement my position as the baddest man on the planet…
      “All I will say to Tyson for now is he better dance in that ring because if I touch him, he’s going to sleep.” More

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      Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers reveals talks to become Jake Paul’s first MMA opponent with two-fight deal discussed

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      AARON CHALMERS has put himself in line to be Jake Paul’s first MMA opponent after talks with the Professional Fighters League. Chalmers left behind the Geordie Shore house for a career in MMA in 2017 and he went on to have a 5-2 record in the cage.
      Aaron Chalmers has put himself in line to be Jake Paul’s first MMA opponentCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Jake Paul is set to make his MMA debut in 2024Credit: Getty
      But he is now focused on boxing and this year faced American legend Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition.
      Meanwhile, Paul is 6-1 as a boxer but is also signed to MMA promotion PFL, where he is set to make his cage debut in 2024.
      And Chalmers spoke to PFL Europe chief James Frewin during an event in the UK about welcoming the YouTube sensation to MMA.
      He proposed a two-fight deal which would see the celebrity pair share the cage and ring.
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      Chalmers told SunSport: “We were talking.
      “It’s kind of dried up at the moment because I was trying to double up and get a crossover, as in Jake in boxing and in MMA. 
      “He’s obviously getting his way in the boxing and I’m a bit more experienced in MMA.
      “It would make sense for something like that and I would definitely go back to it. 
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      “There’s a lot of hurdles to overcome, Jake’s right up there in the mix, he’s quite a big name. 
      “So I feel like a few wins under my belt in the next few months would hopefully push us back up that ladder.”
      Chalmers, 36, switched over to boxing in 2022 and in only his second bout in the ring he went eight rounds with Mayweather, 46, in February.
      And he returns on Saturday night at the 3Arena in Dublin against Irish MMA veteran Kiefer Crosbie, 33, training partner to Conor McGregor.
      Chalmers said: “He’s MMA based and I’ll tell you hand on heart, whenever Kiefer fights I watch because I know he’s always in a f*****g war. 
      “That’s what gets the blood pumping for me, because I know every fight Kiefer has it’s a war. So that’s what I’m prepared for. 
      “I know that’s what it’s going to be and I can probably say hand on heart it’s going to be fight of the night by a long stretch.” 
      Aaron Chalmers facing off with Kiefer CrosbieCredit: @aaroncgshore More

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      Francis Ngannou makes cheeky dig at UFC boss Dana White in official announcement of Tyson Fury fight

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU took the opportunity to fire shots at Dana White in the announcement of his boxing match with Tyson Fury.The former UFC heavyweight champion’s multi-million-pound Saudi showdown with the Gypsy King was officially announced on Tuesday.
      Francis Ngannou has landed a multi-million-pound showdown with Tyson FuryCredit: ESPN
      Dana White wasn’t keen on the bout while Ngannou was under contract with the UFC and recently suggested it was a ‘gimmick fight’Credit: GETTY
      Ngannou has mocked White’s comments by setting up GIMIK Fight Promotions – which will co-promote his clash with FuryCredit: GETTY
      It saw Ngannou bag the biggest purse of his career a mere six months after leaving MMA’s top promotion.
      White wasn’t keen on making the bout while the Cameroonian was still under contract with the UFC and recently suggested it a “gimmick fight”.
      Ngannou, 36, clearly took the comments to heart, setting up his own promotion aptly named GIMIK Fight Promotions.
      Ngannou’s formation of the promotion was revealed in the official press release for the fight.
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      An excerpt of the release read: “The clash is to find out who is ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ will take place under the official rules of boxing, with 3 judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system.
      “Both fighters, however, are promising to meet in the middle of the ring, go to war and win by knockout in devastating fashion.
      “An agreement has been reached with Queensberry, Top Rank and Ngannou’s Promotional banner, Gimik Fight Promotions, to partner with Riyadh Season to host the history-making event that will capture the imagination of fight fans around the globe.”
      UFC fans were quick to see the not-so thinly-veiled dig at White and were quick to comment, with one saying: “No way hahaha genius.”
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      Another said: “Genius name.”
      And another said: “What a name.”
      One remarked: “Ha. I didn’t notice. That’s awesome.”
      Another chimed in: “10-7 round to Ngannou.”
      One Ngannou fan said: “Lmfaoo!!! Let’s go, Francis.”

      Ngannou’s clash with WBC heavyweight champion Fury will mark his professional boxing debut, in which he plans to turn the combat sports world upside down.
      The Predator said: “I’ve been waiting to meet Tyson in the ring for the past three years.
      “My dream was always to box, and to box the best.
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      “After becoming the undisputed MMA Heavyweight Champion, this is my opportunity to make that dream come true and cement my position as the baddest man on the planet…
      “All I will say to Tyson for now is he better dance in that ring because if I touch him, he’s going to sleep.” More

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      UFC legend Nate Diaz risks injury by taking part in gruelling sport THREE WEEKS before Jake Paul fight

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      NATE DIAZ risks potentially picking up an injury just weeks before his showdown with Jake Paul – by taking part in TWO triathlons.The former UFC lightweight title challenger will lock horns with the YouTuber-turned-boxer in a Dallas dust-up on August 5.
      Nate Diaz will throw down with Jake Paul in a boxing week on August 5Credit: DAZN
      But the former UFC star will take part in TWO triathlons before he faces the YouTuberCredit: INSTAGRAM@NATEDIAZ209
      Diaz has taken part in triathlons throughout his fight careerCredit: INSTAGRAM@NATEDIAZ209
      Diaz, 38, has trained in triathlons throughout his career in order to keep himself in tip-top shape.
      And he would’ve taken part in back-to-back triathlons by the time he shares the ring with Problem Child Paul.
      During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, he said: “I’ve got a race this weekend and next weekend also.
      “But this one’s going to be in a lake so that’s good. Those are my favourite races.”

      Diaz shares his love of triathlons with brother Nick, who has competed in the treacherous ‘Escape From Alcatraz’ – in which competitors swim from the notorious island prison back to mainland San Franciso.
      But Nate has yet to participate in the race, admitting: “I never did Alcatraz though, my brother did it.
      “I would have done that one but we race all year long.
      “And about a week or two out I try not to do too big of races.
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      Nate Diaz’s clash with Jake Paul will be hifs first fight since leaving the UFC last yearCredit: Getty
      “So every time he’s done Alcatraz I was about two weeks out from a fight so I’d always miss that race.
      “But I’ve done other stuff like I did the Big Kahuna half Ironman in Santa Cruz, out there you swim around the pier.
      “The whole team you hear seals and a load of s**t, it’s the scariest thing ever I hate those.”
      Nate isn’t the biggest fan of ocean swims – mainly because of his fear of being eaten by sharks.
      He continued: “Every time we would be on the beach getting ready to go in the morning, my brother would be all pumped up.
      “I’d be like ‘Motherf****r, I’m only doing this because of you and now I’m going to get eaten by a shark’.
      Jake Paul has vowed to put a beating on Nate DiazCredit: GETTY
      “I hate ocean swims but I’ve done a bunch of them and now that my brother hasn’t been competing as much, I haven’t been dragged into too many ocean ones.”
      Nate’s clash with Paul will be his maiden professional boxing match and first outing since officially leaving the UFC last November.
      And former Disney star Paul plans to make it a long night at the office for the Stockton slugger.
      The 26-year-old said: “I’m going to make sure it’s a living hell the whole time.
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      “I think that he’s got a long night ahead of him.
      “I do as well but I’m not afraid of it. I’m ready to rock and roll.” More

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      Nate Diaz, 38, hits back at claims he is fighting with brain damage as ex-UFC star insists ‘I’m smarter now than ever’

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      NATE DIAZ has hit back at claims he is fighting with brain damage and insisted: “I’m smarter now than ever”. Diaz is a veteran of MMA with 34 bouts but at the age of 38 he is making his professional boxing debut against Jake Paul.
      Nate Diaz has hit back at claims he is fighting with brain damageCredit: Getty
      And ahead of the August 5 bout, the American denied suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
      Diaz said on The Pat McAfee Show: “These f****** are talking about how I talk, and I’ve got f****** CTE or some s***.
      “I’m like, ‘Bro, I’ve been talking this way the whole motherf****** time.’ It’s got nothing to do with getting hit or none of that.
      “I’m smarter now than ever.”
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      CTE is a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated head trauma, including concussions and repeated blows.
      It is also associated with the development of dementia and has affected fighters and NFL stars.
      Diaz – who has suffered nasty cuts to the face during his career – is looking to maintain his record of having never been knocked out.
      He said: “I don’t really be eating punches like they say.
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      “I bleed because of the forearms and elbows and s*** cut me up but like I said, I’ve been in a boxing gym and it might not look like it but I roll with a lot of these punches that anybody lands on me.
      “I’m not just walking in like a meathead into punches. I’ve never been knocked out. I’ve never even really been f****** stunned stupid or nothing.”
      Paul, 26, returns off the back of his first ever defeat, losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 24, in Saudi Arabia.
      And he will do so in his first-ever fight scheduled over ten rounds.
      Paul said: “I’m going to make sure it’s a living hell the whole time.
      “I think that he’s got a long night ahead of him. I do as well but I’m not afraid of it. I’m ready to rock and roll.”
      Jake Paul facing off with Nate DiazCredit: @mostvaluablepromotions More

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      Tyson Fury says Francis Ngannou will be paid 50 TIMES MORE than he ever earned in UFC for their crossover fight

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      TYSON FURY said Francis Ngannou is in line to earn 50 TIMES MORE than he has ever made for their fight. The heavyweight stars of boxing and MMA are close to confirming their exhibition extravaganza.
      Tyson Fury is set to fight ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou nextCredit: Getty
      Francis Ngannou left the UFC to pursue boxingCredit: Getty
      It will be Ngannou’s first foray into boxing, which he paved the way for after leaving the UFC when his contract expired.
      And Fury claimed it will prove to be a lucrative move as he compared what they will earn to fighters in the UFC.
      He said on the Out of Interest Podcast: “(The purse is) private information, but let’s say it’s 10, 20, 30, f*****g 50 times the amount.”
      Ngannou, 36, earned just £440,000 in his final UFC fight, but would have made in pay-per-view bonuses.
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      Whereas Fury, 34, was paid over £20MILLION for his trilogy bout win over Deontay Wilder, 37, in October 2021.
      The Gypsy King failed in talks to face Oleksandr Usyk this year, which for the first time ever would have seen all four heavyweight belts at stake.
      Now Usyk, 36, defends his unified WBA, IBF and WBO belts against Daniel Dubois, 25, on August 26 in Poland.
      And Anthony Joshua, 33, returns in a rematch with Dillian Whyte, 35, on August 12 and has a Wilder super-fight in Saudi Arabia lined up afterwards.
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      So it has left Fury somewhat in the lurch and forced to turn his attention to Ngannou.
      They are also lined up for a Saudi showdown, believed to be an exhibition without the WBC title on the line.
      And breaking his silence, Fury confirmed talks have been ongoing.
      He said: “There’s been a lot of talk of me and Ngannou fighting each other, and he wants to come to boxing, he wanted to fight me.
      “He’s been talking a lot of stuff on Instagram, wants to fight. Was even at one of my last fights. Got in the ring, confronted me.
      “There’s potential, potential. We’ve had a lot of offers come in from the Middle East at the moment to host that fight this summer.”
      Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou at WembleyCredit: BT SPORTS More

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      Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou set to be announced as WBC boxing champ to lace gloves up against UFC legend

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      TYSON FURY will fight in a historic crossover clash against Francis Ngannou.A shock showdown between the pair was mooted after The Gypsy King sparked out Dillian Whyte at Wembley last April – with Ngannou entering the ring as the dust settled.
      Tyson Fury challenged Francis Ngannou to a crossover cash last April while the MMA star was still under contract with the UFCCredit: ESPN
      Cameroonian clubber Ngannou became a free agent in JanuaryCredit: GETTY
      The pair will throw down in a shock showdown in the coming monthsCredit: EPSN
      But the fight went cold as Ngannou was still contracted to UFC and MMA mogul Dana White refused to entertain the bout.
      Ngannou, however, became a free agent in January – although Team Fury only recently opened talks with the former UFC heavyweight king a matter of weeks ago.
      And SunSport understands the clash of lineal heavyweight boxing and UFC champions has been finalised.
      The shock fight – which will mark Ngannou’s professional boxing debut – is set to be announced in a matter of hours.
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      A September return for Gypsy King Fury was mooted following the collapse of his undisputed heavyweight showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
      SunSport understands that WBC heavyweight king Fury is set to begin training for the fight next week.
      Fury and Ngannou, 34 and 36 respectively, have been going back and forth with one another on social media for the best part of six months.
      And the Wythenshawe warrior recently revealed he’d received multiple offers from across the globe to stage the fight.
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      He said: “I think there’s been a lot of talk of me and Ngannou fighting each other.
      “He wants to come to boxing and he wants to fight me, he was even at one of my last fights and got up on the ring and confronted me!”
      “There’s potential. We’ve had a lot of offers from the Middle East at the moment to host that fight over the summer”
      Former unified heavyweight king Fury hasn’t set foot inside the ring since his one-sided trilogy fight with Derek Chisora last December.
      PFL newboy Ngannou, meanwhile, was last in action last January at UFC 270 – where he made the final defence of his heavyweight title with a decision win over Ciryl Gane. More