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    UFC star Jorge Masvidal lists Jake Paul’s three strengths over Nate Diaz and reveals prediction for fight

    JORGE MASVIDAL has given Jake Paul the advantage in three key areas heading into his fight with Nate Diaz. The YouTuber-turned prizefighter returns on August 5 in Texas against ex-UFC star Diaz, who is making his boxing debut.
    Nate Diaz lost to Jorge Masvidal in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    Jake Paul was beaten by Tommy Fury on pointsCredit: Getty
    Masvidal – who in 2019 beat Diaz – has been linked with fighting Paul too.
    But despite the rivalry, he admitted the American’s size, youth and activity gives him an edge heading into the bout.
    Although Masvidal, 37, is actually backing veteran Diaz, 38, to win.
    He told MMAJunkie: “It’s just the time of it. Jake’s obviously a lot younger than Nate. If Nate’s in his prime, I think he smokes Jake.
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    “But Nate’s been out of it for a while. I don’t know what kind of shape his lifestyle is like outside a serious training camp.
    “He hasn’t been in a training camp in a while, so I don’t know. I think the odds are a lot on him.
    “Jake’s been competing and Jake’s naturally a lot bigger, but all that being said, I think Nate just finds a way to tough-guy it out and just beat up Jake and break him down. I think Jake will run a lot.”
    Paul, 26, suffered defeat for the first time in February, losing a split-decision in Saudi Arabia to Tommy Fury, 23.
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    A rematch was expected to follow but instead the social media sensation announced he will instead fight Diaz.
    Meanwhile, Masivdal is now in retirement having hung up his gloves following defeat to Gilbert Burns, 36, his FOURTH in a row.
    But the fan-favourite has refused to rule out a return in either boxing or MMA down the line.
    Jorge Masvidal retired after defeat to Gilbert BurnsCredit: Getty More

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    Ex-UFC champ Eddie Alvarez defends wife screaming during his fights and says critics can ‘go f*** themselves’

    EDDIE ALVAREZ defended his wife for screaming in support of him and said critics can “go f*** themselves.” Alvarez met his partner Jamie as a teenager and now the couple have four children, three sons and one daughter.
    Eddie Alvarez fighting Chad Mendes in a bare-knuckle boxing fightCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
    Eddie Alvarez with his wife JamieCredit: @ealvarezfight
    The couple have four children togetherCredit: @ealvarezfight
    Jamie has been a regular at her husband’s fights throughout his storied career and has been known to make herself heard.
    She often screams in support of Alvarez and his most recent bout was no different.
    The American beat Chad Mendes in a brutal bare-knuckle boxing fight but his wife stole the show in the crowd.
    Although Alvarez is also in his wife’s corner and defended her passionate support.
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    He said on The MMA Hour: “Listen, man, that’s my f*****g chick and if anybody has anything to say, they can go f*** themselves.
    “My wife’s been watching me fight — we met each other when we were 15 years old. We have four children together.
    “I am her f*****g guy and if something happens to me, now you can feel her pain and what she’s feeling.
    “She has my four children, man. She’s my f*****g ride or die.
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    “She can’t control what’s going on and her yelling or her screaming, that’s how she feels.
    “It’s genuine so if you don’t like it, deal with it. But it’s f*****g genuine. I hear her and so does everyone else. We all hear her.”
    Alvarez crossed over to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship after leaving Asian MMA promotion ONE Championship.
    And he beat Mendes, 37, in his bare-knuckle debut by split-decision in a bout Conor McGregor – who beat both in the UFC – watched live.
    Chad Mendes was beaten by Eddie AlvarezCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship More

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    ‘That guy will hurt you’ – WWE legend Ric Flair urges Jake Paul to avoid fighting 56-year-old boxing icon Mike Tyson

    RIC FLAIR has strongly urged Jake Paul to avoid fighting Mike Tyson. The YouTuber-turned boxer has refused to rule out a bout with Tyson, who he is friends with and 30 years younger than.
    WWE legend Ric Flair with Mike TysonCredit: Instagram / @ricflairnatureboy
    Jake Paul pictured with Mike TysonCredit: Twitter@jakepaul
    But WWE legend Flair insisted it is not a good idea – for Paul at least.
    He said on Joe Rogan’s podcast: “I’ll tell you what though, one thing he doesn’t wanna do is fight Mike.
    “He wants to fight Mike, I think. Mike’s in good shape too. Mike trains everyday. Yeah, he don’t wanna fight Mike.”
    UFC commentator Joe Rogan has been a big supporter of Paul’s boxing career, but also warned him about fighting Tyson.
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    Rogan added: “Like, I don’t give a f*** if you think he’s 55-years-old, that guy will hurt you.
    “If Jake Paul’s on the other side of the ring and sees Mike Tyson just f*****g bobbing and weaving, he’s gonna have a recognition.
    “He’s gonna look over and go, ‘Oh my God, that’s really Mike Tyson.'”
    Tyson, 56, retired in 2005 but made a shock comeback 15 years later for an exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr, 54, which ended in a draw.
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    It led to the likes of Paul, 26, being aligned with the heavyweight icon for a similar spectacle showdown.
    The American most recently lost to Tommy Fury, 23, in February and returns on August 5 in Texas against ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38.
    Tyson was a special guest in Saudi Arabia the week Paul lost to Fury and admitted it had him reminiscing about his heyday.
    He said on his podcast: “I just always wanted to be a fighter. That’s all I wanted to do my whole life was be a fighter, nothing else.
    “I miss this stuff, I didn’t think I’d miss it until I was at the weigh-in in Saudi Arabia for [Paul-Fury]. You miss being the centre of attention.”
    Tyson has been linked with a rematch  with Jones as well as a trilogy bout against old rival Evander Holyfield, 60.
    Up until now Iron Mike has remained happy in retirement but leaves the door open to another exhibition.
    Tyson told TMZ Sports: “I don’t know, I’m just chilling out.

    “I did that, I wanted to do that, I did that. People also in Saudi Arabia want me to do this stuff too. I don’t know, I could be persuaded.”
    Mike Tyson after his comeback fight in 2020Credit: Reuters More

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    Conor McGregor’s ex-opponent Eddie Alvarez reveals he listened to UFC legend’s ringside advice in bare-knuckle fight

    EDDIE ALVAREZ revealed he listened to old rival Conor McGregor’s advice during his bare-knuckle fight with Chad Mendes. McGregor was a shock guest at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship’s event in Denver, which featured two of his ex-opponents.
    Chad Mendes, left, was beaten by Eddie AlvarezCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
    Conor McGregor was ringside for the fightCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
    And it was Alvarez, 39, who emerged with a split-decision win over Mendes, 37, following a series of knockdowns from both.
    At one point in the bout, the former UFC lightweight champion listened to the call of McGregor, who cried out for an uppercut.
    And after landing the shot, Alvarez pointed at the Irishman in acknowledgement.
    He later said on The MMA Hour: “He was yelling for uppercut, and I was kind of recognising that Chad was hitching, he was doing a little hitch before he came under, and Conor picked it up and then he was mentioning it as soon as he was against the [ropes].
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    “As soon as he yelled uppercut, I was like, ‘I see it,’ and then I landed it and I was like, ‘Good call.’
    “It was a good moment. He recognised it, I recognised it, and I think that was that.”
    McGregor, 34, knocked out Alvarez in 2016 to win the lightweight belt in 2016, his last title fight victory.
    One year earlier, he recorded the same second-round stoppage against Mendes for the interim featherweight strap.
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    So when he rocked up in support of the pair, McGregor’s loyalty was split.
    Alvarez said: “Someone said he was yelling s*** for Chad too.
    “I don’t think he had a horse in the race, I think he just wanted to see a good fight and he was just recognising some things that were going wrong and he was trying to coach guys.
    “For him, he’s a winner already. He beat both of us. He shows up with his f*****g whiskey, rich and doing nice s***, and good, I wish the best for everyone in this sport.
    “It’s a very difficult life, it’s very difficult to make money, and when he’s done what he’s done for himself and for the sport and for his family, I’m all for it.
    “I have no animosity to any of my opponents. We’re all in this crazy, uncertain life journey. It’s difficult, and if you can do what he did, I’m all for you.”
    Both fighters lost to Conor McGregor in their UFC careersCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship More

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    Conor McGregor called out to brutal bare-knuckle fight by champion Mike Perry after shock face-off in the ring

    CONOR McGREGOR has been called out to brutal bare-knuckle fight by Mike Perry after their shock face-off in the ring. McGregor was a surprise ringside guest at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship’s event in Denver.
    Mike Perry facing off with Conor McGregorCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
    He watched as ex-opponents Chad Mendes, 37, and Eddie Alvarez, 39, put on a brutal barnstormer with the latter winning.
    And McGregor, 34, stunned all when he went into the ring to confront BKFC champion Perry, 31, before teasing a bare-knuckle switch.
    Now the Irishman has been called out to take the gloves off and fight it out.
    Perry told TMZ Sports: “I think a fight looks very entertaining. The build-up. The s*** talk.
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    “We’ve both been professionals in this business a long time, everyone knows who he is, he’s been at the top that list of professional fighters and athletes.
    “Big business marketing standpoint from that, I’ve got some big, big people pushing behind me who would want to make something like this happen.
    “They believe in me and my attributes and my capabilities in the sport of bare-knuckle boxing.”
    McGregor is set to make his UFC return later in the year against Michael Chandler, 36, having been out injured since July 2021.
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    Meanwhile, Perry moved to 3-0 in BKFC after beating Luke Rockhold, 38, having punched the ex-UFC champion’s TEETH out.
    McGregor has one before crossed over to boxing, losing in a lucrative bout against Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
    But he needed special permission from the UFC to do so, something they have not granted a signed star since.
    Although Perry is hoping McGregor wins his comeback bout against Chandler so they can set up a blockbuster in the ring.
    He said: “You know he’s still in with the UFC.
    “Let’s hope he beats Michael Chandler, then we can really make the biggest fight date in the world, Platinum Mike Perry versus The Notorious Conor McGregor.”
    Conor McGregor was a shock guest at the BKFC eventCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship More

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    KSI says he is ‘very close’ to Tommy Fury fight but fears a win will scare Jake Paul away from bitter grudge match

    KSI says he is “very close” to sealing a fight against Tommy Fury – but fears it could ultimately KO his grudge match with Jake Paul. The bitter YouTube rivals looked set to finally end their years of feuding with a blockbuster at the end of 2023.
    KSI says he is ‘very close’ to sealing a fight with Tommy FuryCredit: Darren Fletcher
    Tommy Fury celebrating defeating Jake PaulCredit: AP
    But that was until Paul suffered defeat for the first time, losing a split-decision to Fury in February in Saudi Arabia.
    The American snubbed a rematch or talks with KSI to instead return on August 5 in Texas against 38-year-old ex-UFC star Nate Diaz.
    So KSI will refuse to wait around for Paul and instead try to one-up his arch enemy by finishing what he started.
    KSI told SunSport: “He doesn’t want it. I want Tommy Fury.
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    “I want Tommy Fury, simple as that. I’m not going to waste my time with Jake Paul.
    “He wants to fight Nate Diaz, an MMA fighter who isn’t known for his boxing; black belt in jujitsu, blah, blah, blah.
    “Maybe in the UFC ring it would be a bit more entertaining, in the MMA ring yeah, but in the boxing ring everyone just knows Jake is going to win that.
    “I’m not just going to waste my time, I’m going to go straight for Tommy and do what Jake Paul couldn’t.”
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    KSI, 29, returns on May 13 at Wembley Arena against millionaire nightclub tycoon-turned 9-0 boxer Joe Fournier, 40.
    But in the background, his promoter Kalle Sauerland revealed ongoing negotiations with Fury, 23, and his dad John.
    And KSI insisted the talks to face the brother of unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson is no publicity stunt.
    He said: “It’s so funny, because a lot of people think it’s all cap.
    “A lot of people think I’m just chatting out my a***. Does it look like I’m chatting out my a***?
    “We’re working on it, man. Just a few thing but I think we’re very close and I’m pretty sure, fingers crossed by next week, we’ll see.”
    I’m not just going to waste my time, I’m going to go straight for Tommy and do what Jake Paul couldn’t.KSI
    KSI’s plan would deny Paul, 26, the chance to avenge his loss to Fury in a rematch many expected would follow.
    But the YouTuber, rapper and influencer boxer also believes beating the 9-0 British prospect could scare his nemesis off for good.
    KSI said: “I’m trying to think, do people still want to see it after I beat Tommy Fury?
    “Because then at that point everyone will be in my favour, everyone will be like, ‘Jake has no chance.’ And maybe Jake would also think that.
    “Maybe he’ll just avoid me and maybe he’ll just be happy with fighting MMA fighters.
    “Obviously, I want to destroy Jake, but it takes two to tango, man. If he doesn’t want to fight me, what can I do?
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    “I can’t drag him into the ring, like what the f***. Look, it’s up to him. I’m down and yeah, the cards are in his hands.”
    Jake Paul was beaten by Tommy Fury on pointsCredit: GETTY
    KSI training in his gym ahead of his next fightCredit: Darren Fletcher More

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    Ex-UFC star Chad Mendes RETIRES after being left with gruesomely swollen face in bare-knuckle fight with Eddie Alvarez

    CHAD MENDES announced his retirement from fighting after a brutal bare-knuckle boxing bout with Eddie Alvarez. The former UFC pair put on a hellacious show over five rounds in Denver, both scoring knockdowns against each other.
    Eddie Alvarez beat Chad Mendes in their bare-knuckle boutCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
    But Alvarez emerged with a split-decision victory, which left a battered and bruised Mendes to call it quits.
    He said: “I just wanted to say thank you to all the fans.
    “This has been a lifelong career for me, I started wrestling at the age of five years old, never taken a year off up until this now.
    “I’m officially hanging them up tonight guys. Thank you very much for all the awesome memories through all my UFC career, coming into bare-knuckle.”
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    Mendes, 37, left the UFC in 2018 after retiring from MMA.
    But in 2022 he crossed over to sign for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and stopped Joshuah Alvarez in his debut.
    Ex-UFC lightweight champion Alvarez, 39, faced Mendes in his first BKFC fight after leaving MMA promotion ONE Championship.
    And the two slugged it out in front of old rival Conor McGregor.
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    McGregor knocked out Mendes for the interim UFC featherweight title in 2015 and repeated the result against Alvarez a year later for the lightweight belt.
    The Irishman, 34, was seen ducking and dodging during the bout, shouting advice to his former opponents.
    And he later faced off with BKFC champion Mike Perry, 31, who beat Luke Rockhold, 38, in the main event.
    Conor McGregor ringside at the fightCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
    Chad Mendes and Eddie Alvarez after their brutal fightCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship More

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    Ex-UFC champion Luke Rockhold quits in brutal bare-knuckle fight with Mike Perry after having his TEETH knocked out

    MIKE PERRY made Luke Rockhold quit in their bare-knuckle bout after brutally punching his TEETH out. Ex-UFC middleweight champion Rockhold took his gumshield out in round two and signalled that he could not continue.
    Luke Rockhold had his teeth punched out by Mike PerryCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
    Mike Perry beat Luke Rockhold in two roundsCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
    And post-fight, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship president Dave Feldman revealed the extent of the American’s injury.
    Feldman said: “Luke Rockhold got some of his teeth got cracked, so that is why he was unable to continue.
    “His teeth definitely got messed up pretty good. You know, but what a great start to that fight.”
    Perry, 31, moved to 3-0 in BKFC since leaving the UFC in 2021.
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    And he did so with Conor McGregor, 34, as a surprise ringside guest and the Irishman opened the door to a shock bare-knuckle switch.
    McGregor said: “Fair play to you mate, I respect you. I’m into this game, I’m into this game.
    “Fair play to you. I’d fight you. I’d fight you most definitely. I’d fight you no problem, mate. I’m never retiring.”
    Perry said in his post-fight press conference: “What’s next for me? Conor McGregor.
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    “He likes to box too, we can go throw hands. And he gave me a face-off, man. How cool was that?”
    McGregor – swigging whiskey from the bottle – was a keen viewer as his ex-opponents Eddie Alvarez, 39, and Chad Mendes, 39, also put on a show.
    And after a series of knockdowns for both men, Alvarez won a split-decision.
    Mike Perry facing off with Conor McGregorCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship More