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      Jake Paul slammed by Dana White for facing ’40-year-old MMA fighter’ Nate Diaz as UFC boss mocks Tommy Fury loss

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      DANA WHITE mocked Jake Paul for his upcoming fight with Nate Diaz and loss to Tommy Fury. The YouTuber-turned boxer returns to the ring on August 5 in Texas against Diaz, who last year walked out on the UFC when his contract expired.
      Jake Paul is set to fight Nate Diaz nextCredit: Reuters
      UFC president Dana White with Nate DiazCredit: AP:Associated Press
      It comes after Paul suffered defeat for the first time in February, losing a split-decision to Fury in Saudi Arabia.
      So UFC president White was quick to aim a dig when asked about the upcoming bout with his ex-fighter Diaz.
      He said on The Jim Rome Show: “I’ve been trying not to [criticise it]. I like Nate. Nate and I have a good relationship.
      “Listen, Jake Paul went out and fought a real boxer who was his age, his weight, and he lost.
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      “So as soon as he loses, he goes back to a 40-year-old MMA fighter who’s smaller than him [and] not his weight.
      “Listen, it’s just one of those fights. I know that some people are into this. It’s just not what I’m into. It’s not my thing.”
      Diaz, who is in fact 38, is the fourth opponent of Paul’s with an MMA background and will make his professional boxing debut.
      It comes after Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 41, and Anderson Silva, 48, were all also beaten by the internet personality.
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      But when Paul, 26, faced a recognised boxer for the first time in Fury, 24, he suffered defeat.
      A rematch was expected to follow until Diaz surprisingly signed to face Paul instead.
      But the American – speaking at the Miami Grand Prix – insisted that the celebrity boxing rivals WILL fight again soon.
      Paul told Sky Sports: “It’s going to happen, it’s going to happen for sure.
      “I think it was a great fight, it was entertaining, it was the biggest pay-per-view buys in boxing for the last two years so I think we have to run it back.
      “Tommy is down and I’m excited for that.”
      Tommy Fury beat Jake Paul on pointsCredit: GETTY More

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      I’m a London-born boxer who fought for USA, became a world heavyweight champ and then a Hollywood star

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      MICHAEL BENTT had a boxing career fit for Hollywood – before taking his talents to the big screen. Bentt famously knocked out Tommy Morrison for the title and later portrayed Sonny Liston after becoming in actor.
      Michael Bentt was the heavyweight champion-turned actorCredit: Getty
      Michael Bentt was born in London but raised in New YorkCredit: themichaelbentt
      But he so nearly gave up on the sport, having fallen out of love with boxing at an early age.
      Bentt was born in London to Jamaican parents but grew up in New York after moving to America at a young age.
      And he was made to box along with his older brother Winston by their dad, whose cousin Rudolph Bent was also a fighter.
      Bentt went onto have a successful amateur career, winning four New York City Golden Gloves and five US titles.
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      He even won bronze at the 1986 world championship but after twice missing out on the Olympics, he thought his days were up.
      That was until legendary trainer Emanuel Steward phoned and convinced him to turn professional.
      But the heavyweight prospect – who had a 178-10 amateur record – suffered disaster on his debut.
      He was knocked out by journeyman opponent Jerry Jones inside a round which left his boxing hopes facing the KO.
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      Bentt told Boxing News in 2019: “With my amateur pedigree, should that have happened ? No.
      “But I had no respect for him. I didn’t think he would punch back. I was beyond depressed after the fight. I was suicidal.
      “It was like having your heart broken by a woman you love and I wanted to cover my head in shame every day.
      “People had reason to judge me as a loser and I started to see myself as a loser. I had a broken spirit. My confidence as a boxer was shattered.”
      Bentt got a job at a hospital in Queens after the shock loss and spent almost two years out of the ring.
      But iconic British boxing promoter Mickey Duff gave Bentt a fighting chance by organising some sparring with feared puncher Gary Mason.
      Bentt would make his return in 1990 at London’s Royal Albert Hall and went on to notch nine more wins on the bounce over three years.
      I had no respect for him. I didn’t think he would punch back. I was beyond depressed after the fight. I was suicidal. Michael Bentt on losing his debut
      By that time, Morrison was the new kid on the block, a hulking blonde American primed for big things after starring in Rocky 5.
      He had just won the WBO title by beating George Foreman and was in line for a super-fight with Lennox Lewis.
      Morrison had an $8million purse against Lewis waiting for him but opted to take a homecoming bout in Tulsa to pass the time.
      What he did not know was that Bentt came to spoil the party and scored a stunning first-round KO to rip the title and payday away from him.
      Morrison was a punch or two away from winning himself, before a right hand turned the tie on its head within a matter of moments.
      Bentt remembered: “When you knock someone down and the stakes are so high, you can get caught up in it.
      Michael Bentt knocked out Tommy Morrison to win the heavyweight titleCredit: Getty
      “He was hurt, but I knew I had to be careful. He was known for getting up from knockdowns and winning fights – and he was known for his monster left hook.
      “After the first knockdown, I kept my right hand glued to my chin. He threw a big left hook, I caught it and countered.”
      Following the upset, Bentt travelled back to England for his first defence of the belt, which he lost just as quickly as he had won it.
      Bentt was brutally knocked out by Britain’s Herbie Hide in round seven, in what would be his last ever fight.
      He spent four days in a coma but recovered within two weeks – although it was enough to spark a retirement from boxing.
      Bentt said: “The emotional scars were there. Nobody likes to lose, but I think that fight saved my life.
      “I would still be fighting today if that hadn’t happened and I never wanted to end up damaged.”
      Michael Bentt, Herbie Hide and promoter Barry HearnCredit: Getty
      Herbie Hide beat Michael Bentt for the titleCredit: Getty
      After hanging up his gloves, Bentt went to college and studied journalism and acting.
      It was there that he found his calling for performing and before long, he mixed his new passion with his old.
      Bentt landed the role of Sonny Liston in the 2001 Muhammad Ali biopic, where Will Smith starred as The Greatest.
      He also helped Smith – who received an Oscar nomination for the performance – with his training regime.
      Bentt said in 2012: “It was a fantastic experience. It’s my first major film and it’s like I hit the lottery.
      “I’m working with Will Smith and Michael Mann, and I’m working with people like Jon Voight. I just couldn’t go wrong.”
      Bentt has gone on to star in several TV and film roles, but his life and career was in 2019 remembered in an episode of the Netflix series “Losers.”

      And in 2022, he was inducted into the New York Hall of Fame, ensuring his name will live long in the history books.
      Will Smith, left, as Muhmmad Ali against Michael Bentt, playing Sonny ListonCredit: Columbia Pictures
      Michael Bentt at the Telluride Film Festival in 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Conor McGregor vows to ‘blow Manny Pacquiao’s head off’ in bare-knuckle fight in now-deleted tweet

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      CONOR McGREGOR vowed to “blow Manny Pacquiao’s head off” in bare-knuckle fight in a now-deleted tweet. The online rant comes after Pacquiao lost a court battle with Paradigm Sports management, who also represent McGregor.
      Conor McGregor furiously hit out at Manny Pacquiao online
      Manny Pacquiao lost a court battle with Conor McGregor’s management companyCredit: EPA
      Aiming a threat at Pacquiao, McGregor posted in a deleted tweet: “I’ll blow his head off with a back hand in bare knuckle.”
      PacMan in 2020 signed with Paradigm Sports management and was in talks to fight McGregor in the Middle East.
      But the Filipino icon failed to have a bout under Paradigm and was instead sued for breach of contract.
      Following a case in California, Pacquiao was left to owe $8m (£6.3m), with £4m in damages, £1.7m in legal fees and additional 10 percent annual interest on the verdict amount for three years.
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      McGregor, 34, took to social media, reacting to the news by posting: “And don’t let it happen again, @MannyPacquiao.”
      And in another deleted tweet, he added: “Manny owes 8 in all. 5.1 he owes and then 2.1 in legal costs.
      “Legal fees are heavy but that’s what we do. Heavy weight operations.”
      Paradigm signed Pacquiao as a client three years ago and tried to negotiate a fight with both McGregor or Mikey Garcia.
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      But the eight-division boxing champion was later announced to be facing Errol Spence Jr.
      American Spence, 33, pulled out injured and was replaced by Yordenis Ugas, who won the fight and sent Pacquiao into retirement.
      But Paradigm alleged that Pacquiao’s other representatives –  Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions – interfered with their deal.
      It led to Paradigm filing the lawsuit, which Pacquiao, 44, lost when the jury ruled that he acted in bad faith.
      The Orange County jury voted 9-3 in favour of Paradigm in the case.
      Paradigm CEO Audie Attar said in a statement: “We are elated to learn of the jury’s ruling in Paradigm’s favor in our suit against Manny Pacquiao.
      “The jury plainly found that Pacquiao testified falsely in denying Paradigm’s claims against him, and his excuses for his conduct proves our case that a breach of contract was committed.
      “Hopefully, Manny will have learned a lesson from the verdict and will henceforth act with the honesty and integrity that was so lacking in his treatment of Paradigm.”
      Pacquiao retired as a professional following defeat to Ugas, 36, but returned last December for an exhibition bout.

      But he recently revealed his next exhibition is set for the summer while also opening the door to a full boxing comeback. 
      Manny Pacquiao with Paradigm’s Audie AttarCredit: Instagram @audieattar More

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      Conor McGregor reveals key area he would change in second Floyd Mayweather fight and has been ‘thinking’ about rematch

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      CONOR McGREGOR revealed the key area he would change in a second fight with Floyd Mayweather – and has been mulling over a rematch. The Irishman was beaten in ten rounds by Mayweather in what was his professional boxing debut in 2017.
      Conor McGregor has teased a rematch with Floyd MayweatherCredit: @TheNotoriousMMA
      Floyd Mayweather during a recent exhibtionCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But McGregor has talked up a sequel ever since and vowed to “get the job finished” if he had another opportunity.
      Asked about his comments, McGregor told Inside Fighting: “I’ve been thinking about it a long time.
      “I’ve had a long time to think about it and analyse it, happy with how it went the last time.
      “I’d for sure look to (KO Mayweather). I’d like to go back in with my old boxing coaches who I reunited with post-fight. I feel my style has developed.”
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      McGregor, 34, was cornered by his MMA coaches Owen Roddy and John Kavanagh for his defeat to Mayweather.
      But in the years following, he returned to his old amateur boxing coach Phil Sutcliffe, the 1980 and 1984 Irish Olympian.
      Sutcliffe has corned McGregor alongside Roddy and Kavanagh in the cage as well as training the UFC legend in his Crumlin Boxing Club.
      Mayweather, 46, officially retired following the stoppage win but has continued to box in exhibitions since.
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      He has faced stars of the martial arts, social media and celebrity world, returning on June 11 against John Gotti III.
      Last year, Mayweather opened the door to a rematch with McGregor, in a professional or exhibition bout.
      And The Notorious added fuel to the fire by reposting a clip of the ninth round during the Las Vegas fight.
      He posted: “If you don’t think there is some real nice adjustments that can be made and implemented in a second fight, to get the job finished, you’re silly.”
      Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017Credit: Reuters More

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      Conor McGregor brutally reacts to Manny Pacquiao’s huge £6.8million court battle with now-deleted tweet

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      CONOR McGREGOR has responded in a now-deleted tweet following Manny Pacquiao’s huge £6.8million court battle.Pacquiao in 2020 signed with Paradigm Sports management, who also represent the company’s highest-earner McGregor.
      Manny Pacquiao with Paradigm’s Audie AttarCredit: Instagram @audieattar
      Conor McGregor reacted to Manny Pacquiao’s huge £6.8million court battleCredit: AFP
      But PacMan failed to have a fight under Paradigm and was instead sued for breach of contract.
      Following a case in California, Pacquiao was left to owe $8m (£6.3m), with £4m in damages, £1.7m in legal fees and additional 10 percent annual interest on the verdict amount for three years.
      McGregor, 34, took to social media, reacting to the news by posting: “And don’t let it happen again, @MannyPacquiao.”
      And in a now-deleted tweet, he added: “Manny owes 8 in all. 5.1 he owes and then 2.1 in legal costs.
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      “Legal fees are heavy but that’s what we do. Heavy weight operations.”
      Paradigm signed Pacquiao, 44, as a client three years ago amid rumours of a fight with McGregor, who lost to Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
      A bout with Mikey Garcia was also in the works until Pacquiao was later announced to be facing Errol Spence Jr.
      American Spence, 33, pulled out injured and was replaced by Yordenis Ugas, who won the fight and sent Pacquiao into retirement.
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      But Paradigm alleged that Pacquiao’s other representatives –  Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions – interfered with their deal.
      It led to Paradigm filing the lawsuit, which Pacquiao lost when the jury ruled that he acted in bad faith.
      The Orange County jury voted 9-3 in favour of Paradigm in the case.
      Paradigm CEO Audie Attar said in a statement: “We are elated to learn of the jury’s ruling in Paradigm’s favor in our suit against Manny Pacquiao.
      “The jury plainly found that Pacquiao testified falsely in denying Paradigm’s claims against him, and his excuses for his conduct proves our case that a breach of contract was committed.
      “Hopefully, Manny will have learned a lesson from the verdict and will henceforth act with the honesty and integrity that was so lacking in his treatment of Paradigm.”
      Pacquiao retired as a professional following defeat to Ugas, 36, but returned last December for an exhibition bout.
      The Filipino icon has revealed his next exhibition is set for the summer while he has also opened the door to a full boxing comeback. 
      Manny Pacquiao is open to a boxing comebackCredit: AFP More

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      Conor McGregor shares highlight reel of Floyd Mayweather bout and is convinced he can ‘get the job done in second fight’

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      CONOR MCGREGOR has reignited his war of words with Floyd Mayweather – claiming he played “ping pong” with the boxing great’s head.The Notorious entered the boxing world in August 2017 to lock horns with the former five-weight world champion in a multi-million-pound showdown aptly dubbed ‘The Money Fight’.
      Conor McGregor entered the boxing world in 2017 to take on Floyd MayweatherCredit: GETTY
      The Irishman turned in a valiant display but was stopped in the tenth roundCredit: USA TODAY
      The Notorious recently reflected on the fight on TwitterCredit: TWITTER
      McGregor gave a valiant account of himself in the early rounds but eventually succumbed to fatigue and was stopped in the tenth.
      A fan of the UFC superstar shared a highlight reel of the Irishman’s ninth-round display against Money on Twitter early on Wednesday morning, which Mystic Mac quickly reflected on.
      The UFC’s first simultaneous two-weight champion tweeted: “Round 9. I was playing ping pong with this guys head in there at many times in this fight.”
      SunSport revealed in January 2021 that talks over a blockbuster rematch between the pair had taken place.
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      Last September, Mayweather confirmed that negotiations over a second showdown had resumed.
      And McGregor has no doubt in his mind that he’d get the better of the 46-year-old second time around.
      He continued: “If you don’t think there is some real nice adjustments that can be made and implemented in a second fight, to get the job finished, you’re silly.”
      McGregor, 34, is currently gearing up to make his eagerly-anticipated return to the octagon.
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      The UFC’s poster boy hasn’t set foot inside the cage since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier last July.
      McGregor’s comeback fight is set to be against fellow fan favourite Michael Chandler – who he coached opposite on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter.
      But a date for their mouthwatering showdown has yet to be finalised.
      That’s because McGregor is currently out of the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s testing pool – which he must be in for a minimum of six months before he’s eligible to compete.
      The UFC could, however, could grant their poster boy an exemption to the requirement.
      McGregor launched a stinging attack on USADA in March when they re-affirmed his requirement to be in the pool for six months.

      The enraged Irishman tweeted: “This is my issue. I’ve not lied once.
      “Nor have I tested positive. Ever.
      “I have over 70 clean tests under this program, yet they are consistently coming out after I speak in a manner that makes it seem I am lying.
      “It’s ridiculous. F**k used. You are in The Bin. Over 70 clean tests.
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      “Never violated once. I will not be scapegoated by this garbage organization.
      “You are not the be-all end-all in this equation USADA.” More

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      Stunning UFC octagon girl Brittney Palmer sizzles in tiny bikini as fans say ‘it should be illegal to be this hot’

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      BRITTNEY PALMER has wowed fans in her most recent Instagram post.The UFC octagon ring girl donned a tiny red bikini during a trip to Cabo, Mexico.
      Brittany Palmer has sizzled in a red bikiniCredit: Instagram / @brittneypalmer
      She shared the picture from a trip to Cabo, MexicoCredit: Instagram / @brittneypalmer
      Brittney is a favorite on the ring-girl sceneCredit: Getty
      And has been for many yearsCredit: Getty
      The 35-year-old enjoyed some downtime in the Mexican city as she had a night out on the town as well as hit the beach with some tequila shots.
      And she shared some fun of her own with a string of raunchy pictures.
      The main snap was her in a tiny red bikini twinned with a wide-brimmed hat that left little to the imagination.
      She also shared a few pictures of herself wearing a figure showing grey unitard.
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      The ring girl shared the pictures on her Instagram for her 1.1 million followers.
      The post was captioned: “Cabo, where the drinks are strong and the views are stronger.”
      Reacting to the pictures, one gushing fan commented: “Gorgeous you and the scenery. I think you improve the scenery.”
      A second wrote: “You are just stunning!”
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      She has built up a massive online followingCredit: Instagram / @brittneypalmer
      She has over one million followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram / @brittneypalmer
      A third said: “Ohhhh you sweet thing ❤️.”
      While a fourth added: “It should be illegal to be as hot as Brittney Palmer 🔥.”
      Brittney has been a ring girl for years and previously shocked fans when appearing on the cover of Playboy magazine in 2012.
      She has gone on to be a three-time winner of Ringcard Girl of the Year and is popular with the MMA crowd.
      In her free time she is an incredible artist, regularly painting pop art pieces.
      She has painted UFC star Conor McGregor and has been known to charge over £20,000 for her artworks.
      And often uploads teasing picturesCredit: Instagram / @brittneypalmer
      As well as travel snapsCredit: Instagram / @brittneypalmer More

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      Boxing promotion reveal how much they paid Deji for Floyd Mayweather fight after YouTuber alleged he was owed money

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      BOXING promotion Global Titans have revealed proof of payment after YouTuber Deji claimed he was owed money by them.Deji – full name Oladeji Daniel Olatunji – faced boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in November in an exhibition bout in Dubai.
      Floyd Mayweather beat YouTuber Deji in DubaiCredit: Lee Hamilton-Cooper

      He also received a deposit upfront – total of $750k for the fight— Global Titans Fight Series (@GlobalTitansFS) April 29, 2023

      But five months on and the social media star alleged that he was still owed an amount by Global Titans.
      He said: “Global Titans? Yeah they just fully disappeared.
      “They still owe me money, actually. I enjoyed sharing the ring with Floyd Mayweather and that’s enough payment in itself.
      “I got to share the ring with a great. He was nice to me, yeah, he took the p*** in the ring but I still hold so much respect for him, I think he’s a solid guy. A d***head, but solid.”
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      Mayweather, 46, beat Deji, 26, in six rounds and hinted at more exhibition fights with Global Titans.
      But the Dubai-based promotion are yet to stage any more events since their inaugural one in the Middle East.
      Although they broke their silence to hit back at Deji and revealed proof of a $662,000 (£528,000) payment.
      Global Titans added in another tweet: “He also received a deposit upfront – total of $750k for the fight.”
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      Mayweather most recently faced reality TV star-turned boxer Aaron Chalmers, 35, at London’s O2 Arena in his latest exhibition.
      Meanwhile, Deji will make his return to the ring on May 13 on his brother KSI’s undercard.
      He will take on rapper Swarmz – who last August lost to KSI – but beat rival Ryan Taylor in January after throwing ONE punch.
      KSI pictured with younger brother Deji More