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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

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    Fans all say the same thing as UFC legend Conor McGregor swigs Proper 12 whiskey from ringside at bare-knuckle fights

    CONOR McGREGOR swigged his Proper 12 whiskey from the bottle as he made a shock appearance at a bare-knuckle boxing event. The Irishman took a ringside seat in Denver to watch former opponents Chad Mendes and Eddie Alvarez put on a brutal show.
    Conor McGregor swigging Proper 12 whiskey from ringsideCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrpP6kKuCGy/
    Alvarez, 39, beat Mendes, 37, on points before Mike Perry stopped ex-UFC champion Luke Rockhold in two rounds of the main event.
    And McGregor, 34, looked to be enjoying himself as he was captured sipping his limited edition Irish Apple whiskey.
    But it left some fans fearing the worst with the MMA legend, who is set to make his UFC return later this year against Michael Chandler, 36.
    One said: “There is no way this dude is fighting Chandler.”
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    Another added: “Conor training that liver.”
    One commented: “This dude ain’t fighting.”
    Another agreed: “I don’t think he’s fighting Chandler.”
    McGregor was later called out for a face-off with Perry, 31, and opened the door to a bare-knuckle boxing switch.
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    He 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.
    “He likes to box too, we can go throw hands. And he gave me a face-off, man. How cool was that?”
    Mike Perry facing off with Conor McGregor More

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    ‘I’d fight you’ – Conor McGregor teases brutal bare-knuckle boxing switch after facing off with ex-UFC star Mike Perry

    CONOR McGREGOR teased a switch to bare-knuckle boxing after squaring off with Mike Perry in the ring. The Irishman took a ringside seat in Denver to watch Perry brutally beat ex-UFC champion Luke Rockhold in two rounds.
    Mike Perry facing off with Conor McGregorCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
    And McGregor was called out by the American for a face off in the ring before the two exchanged words.
    Perry, 31, said: “Can I get a face-off with Conor McGregor?”
    The UFC legend, wearing a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship belt, then strutted into the squared circle.
    And he told Perry: “Fair play to you mate, I respect you. I’m into this game, I’m into this game.
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    “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.”
    McGregor, who was in Las Vegas last week to watch Gervonta Davis beat Ryan Garcia, flew into Denver to watch the show.
    And he boasted about holding gold in his first time in the BKFC ring.
    McGregor, 34, said: “It’s an incredible set-up here, incredible matchmaking, incredibly storytelling, I had to come here.
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    “I flew straight away I was not going to miss this and it did not disappoint.
    “All these fighters that stepped in here are warriors and all have my respect and I’m into this game, I’d be into this.
    “I already have the belt. How am I showing up here and already I’ve got the belt? Come get it baby. Come get the strap.”
    McGregor is set to make his UFC return this year against Michael Chandler, 36, having not fought since July 2021.
    Whereas Perry went 3-0 in the BKFC ring having left the UFC in 2021 and called to fight McGregor next.
    He said: “What’s next for me? Conor McGregor. He likes to box too, we can go throw hands. And he gave me a face-off, man. How cool was that?”
    Mike Perry beat Luke RockholdCredit: Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship More

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    Floyd Mayweather reveals friendship with Gotti family ahead of exhibition fight with notorious Mafia boss’s grandson

    FLOYD MAYWEATHER revealed his friendship with the notorious Gotti family – which helped make his fight with the mafia boss’s grandson. Mayweather is set to return to the ring for an exhibition on Sunday, June 11 in Miami against John Gotti III.
    Floyd Mayweather with John Gotti III ahead of their exhibitionCredit: Rex
    Notorious New York mafia boss John Gotti in 1990Credit: Getty
    Floyd Mayweather with John Gotti Jr
    But the boxing legend’s history with the crime family goes way back, having formed a friendship with Gotti Jr.
    And the pair have been talking for a number of years in an attempt to make a bout between Mayweather and Gotti III.
    Mayweather said at a press conference: “I’m friends with his dad.
    “This is what people don’t know, I’ve always been friends with the Gotti family. That’s what a lot of people don’t know.
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    “Of course, John Gotti Jr, how you doing John? It’s always good seeing you.It’s always great talking with you.
    “And I’m glad we’re finally able to get this done, we’ve been working on this for a couple years now. For a long time.
    “And of course, a great last name for this battle, last name means everything. You’re last names matters.
    “I just want to say thank you John once again. You’ve always been a class act, a gentleman, a respectful man.
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    “And your son has been busting his ass working extremely hard, whether it’s MMA or boxing.
    “And to be the best you have to continue to fight and improve yourself that’s what I did and I’m glad we were able to come together to make this event happen.”
    Gotti Sr was famously boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City and earned the nickname the “Teflon Don.”
    He was imprisoned in 1992 and sentenced to life after being found guilty on 14 accounts of conspiracy to commit murder and racketeering.
    Gotti died in 2002 aged 61 after a battle with throat cancer while his son Jr stepped in as acting boss during the 90s.
    Jr was also sentenced to six years and five months in jail in 1999 having been indicted on racketeering charges.
    But following his release, the American claimed to have left the criminal underworld.
    Gotti III – a 5-1 MMA fighter and 2-0 light-heavyweight boxer – has no links to organised crime.
    He turned professional in MMA in 2017 but switched to boxing last year, most recently winning in January.

    And Gotti III will be the latest in Mayweather’s collection of exhibition bouts since officially retiring in 2017.
    His last came at London’s O2 Arena against reality TV star-turned boxer Aaron Chalmers, 35, which he dominated over eight rounds.
    Floyd Mayweather is set to face John Gotti III on June 11 in MiamiCredit: Rex More

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    Conor McGregor had to apologise for calling TV boss a ‘weasel’ in order to get Gervonta Davis tickets, claims old rival

    CONOR McGREGOR had to apologise to TV boss Stephen Espinoza in order to get tickets to Gervonta Davis’ fight with Ryan Garcia. That is according to old rival Paulie Malignaggi, who famously feuded with the Irishman following their disputed sparring sessions.
    Conor McGregor at Gervonta Davis’ fight with Ryan GarciaCredit: Social Media Collect
    Floyd Mayweather, Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza and Conor McGregorCredit: USA Today Sports
    The spars came in the lead up to McGregor’s crossover boxing match with Mayweather in 2017, which he lost in ten rounds.
    And during the heated build up to the blockbuster bout, the UFC superstar called Showtime’s Espinoza a “weasel”.
    So when McGregor, 34, wanted entry into Davis’ super-fight with Garcia six years later, he allegedly had some grovelling to do.
    Malignaggi claimed on his YouTube channel: “This happened because I’ve got all the inside sources, Conor McGregor had to apologise to Stephen Espinoza in order to get tickets to the Gervonta Davis versus Ryan Garcia fight.
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    “Everybody knows that McGregor has had issues, his run ins with Espinoza in the past and they were enemies as well.
    “But Espinoza now controls the tickets, it’s a Showtime fight. He had to apologise and this p****y apologised just to get tickets to the fight.
    “Conor McGregor, Connie, how does Stephen Espinoza’s d taste? Can you let me know?
    “Because I told them to f*** off when they wanted me to apologise.”
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    Malignaggi, who retired in 2017, was sacked as an analyst for Showtime in 2020 over comments about race.
    McGregor watched as Davis, 28, stopped Garcia, 24, in round seven with a brutal body shot.
    He was later seen backstage and bumped into Mayweather Sr, where he revealed an interest in training with his ex-opponent’s dad.
    And McGregor also visited Garcia’s changing rooms after the American’s defeat and called to see a rematch with Davis.
    Ryan Garcia with Conor McGregor after defeat to Gervonta DavisCredit: Golden Boy More

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    Watch boxing legend Floyd Mayweather effortlessly train in his mid 40s ahead of fight against crime boss’ grandson

    FLOYD MAYWEATHER keeps proving that age is nothing but a number as he still goes strong at the advanced age of 46.Mayweather retired from professional boxing back in 2017 with a stunning undefeated record, which saw him winning all of his 50 fights.
    Floyd Mayweather proved he hasn’t slowed down despite his advanced ageCredit: Instagram / @jamielynn
    Mayweather avoided punches without even looking while trainingCredit: Instagram / @jamielynn
    Money has since been competing in exhibition bouts around the world and is set for his first US match since his fight with Logan Paul back in 2021.
    This time, the American bruiser will take on John Gotti III, who is the grandson of infamous mafia boss John Gotti.
    The two fighters will lock horns on June 11 at the LA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
    And Gotti has his work cut out as Mayweather hasn’t slowed down one bit since hanging up his boxing gloves.
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    The undefeated legend posted a video last year showing him training at the gym.
    And the session was so effortless for the star boxer that he would spar without even looking at his trainer.
    Mayweather would instead stare at the camera and still duck out of every single move that was thrown his way.
    Gotti has won two out of two boxing fights after switching to the sport from MMA.
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    The New Yorker also enjoyed success inside the octagon with a 5-1 record under his belt.
    The 30-year-old’s grandfather ran the Gambino family, which was once described as America’s most powerful crime syndicate.
    The crime boss wound up serving a life term in jail for racketeering and murder until his death on June 10, 2002 at the age of 61.
    The father of Mayweather’s opponent John A Gotti became the acting boss of the Gambino family until he was sent to prison for racketeering, and has since claimed to have left the gang. More

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    Jake Paul calls for ‘homie’ Nate Diaz to be released from prison after brawl with Logan lookalike

    JAKE PAUL called for Nate Diaz to be freed by police after the former UFC star handed himself into custody.A warrant for the MMA superstar’s arrest was issued on Monday after footage of him being involved in a mass brawl in New Orleans last Friday went viral.
    Nate Diaz handed himself into police after a warrant for his arrest was issued on MondayCredit: AP
    New Orleans police wanted Diaz in custody over his involvement in a mass brawl last FridayCredit: INSTAGRAM@BAMBAJUICE
    Upcoming opponent Jake Paul was quick to react to the news of Diaz’s arrestCredit: INSTAGRAM@JAKEPAUL
    Diaz, 38, was rushed upon by Logan-Paul-lookalike Rodney Petersen following a Misfits Boxing event and proceeded to choke him UNCONSCIOUS – an act his team claims was “self-defense”.
    After getting wind of the warrant for his arrest, Diaz decided to cooperate with the New Orleans Police Department and turned himself
    And that prompted Paul to take to social media and urge NOPD to release his upcoming opponent.
    Paul posted a snap of the news with prayer and crying-face emojis to his Instagram story and wrote: “Free big bro @natediaz209.”
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    He then posted a snap of himself with a tear emoji and the accompanying caption: “They locked my homie up @natediaz209.”
    Paul didn’t have to wait long for Diaz to be released by the NOPD.
    The Stockton slugger was released from custody a mere four hours after turning himself in.
    Agent Zach Rosenfield issued a statement shortly after news of Diaz handing himself into custody broke.
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    It read: “Nate voluntarily turned himself into the New Orleans Police Department this morning approximately at 7:10 AM CT.
    “We continue to look forward to presenting all the evidence and videos that show Nate was acting in self-defense.”
    Diaz has yet to break his silence on his involvement in the brawl, which Petersen was happy to comment on on social media.
    The professional MMA fighter and BJJ competitor said: ” “So I don’t know what the hell I did to Nate Diaz.
    Jake Paul and Nate Diaz will throw down in a boxing match on August 5Credit: MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS
    “But I’ll telling you what, I’m going to knock him the f*** out when I know he’s coming.
    “You caught me off guard, dude. Did you think I was Logan? What the f***?”
    Diaz is set to throw down with YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in a lucrative showdown in Dallas on August 5.
    The fight will be his first since he left the UFC last September following a submission victory over Tony Ferguson. More