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      Conor McGregor impressed with KSI’s controversial win over Joe Fournier despite calling YouTuber ‘friendly little nerd’

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      CONOR MCGREGOR was impressed with KSI’s controversial win over Joe Fournier – despite calling the YouTuber a “friendly little nerd” previously.The social media sensation remained unbeaten with a second-round knockout of the self-proclaimed billionaire at Wembley Arena on Saturday night.
      KSI secured a controversial win over Joe Fournier at Wembley Arena on SaturdayCredit: Getty
      Conor McGregor sung the YouTuber’s praises afterwardsCredit: AFP
      But it was a right elbow from The Nightmare that flattened the 40-year-old and handed him his latest victory.
      The YouTuber turned boxer initially denied cracking Fournier with the illegal strike but has since changed his tune as boxing authorities weigh up OVERTURNING his victory.
      However, UFC legend McGregor remained unmoved by the controversial finish and instead praised KSI.
      The 34-year-old tweeted: “I seen it, I liked it. He goin’, fair play, KSI.”
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      McGregor previously slotted the British star as he prepared for a “nothing burger” boxing match with his former training partner Dillon Danis – which was eventually cancelled.
      The former two division UFC champion was in no mood to entertain the fight and slammed KSI as a “friendly little nerd”, while telling Danis to get back into MMA.
      KSI responded to McGregor’s tweet talking about why he hasn’t spoken to Danis in a while, saying: “I’m sorry but I’m about do some serious damage to your boy.”
      McGregor replied: “Brother you’re a friendly little nerd I don’t care.
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      “He should be back doing MMA if he is doing this little nothing burger match with you.
      “I couldn’t care less about this genre of boxing, I am sorry. Have a good one.”
      McGRegor has not fought since suffering a horrific broken leg in his defeat to Dustin Poirier in 2021 at UFC 264.
      He appears to be closing in on a return to the octagon with a potential bout against Michael Chandler.
      A date for McGregor’s eagerly-anticipated clash with Chandler has yet to be announced.
      But footage of Notorious SHOVING the American has been released ahead of the return of The Ultimate Fighter.
      The lightweight standouts coached opposite one another on season 31 of the long-running reality TV show – which was filmed in Las Vegas earlier this year. More

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      in Motorsport

      Watch as woman in just lingerie squats light heavyweight ex-UFC star in bar in bizarre video

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      INCREDIBLE footage shows former UFC light heavyweight Luke Rockhold being squatted by a woman in her underwear.The 38-year-old last night posted a video taken in a California bar.
      Luke Rockhold clambered on to a woman’s backCredit: Instagram @lukerockhold
      The former UFC champion was amazingly squat liftedCredit: Instagram @lukerockhold
      Rockhold, 38, competed in the light heavyweight division in one of his final UFC fightsCredit: Instagram @lukerockhold
      In the clip, Rockhold can be seen draped over a woman’s back.
      The lingerie-clad woman then squat-lifts the former UFC champion, to the amazement of those watching on.
      A member of bar staff, also in wearing just her underwear, watched the squat lifts open-mouthed.
      Rockhold also appeared to enjoy himself.
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      When posting the video, he wrote: “Orange County is a gem.”
      Fans were also left amazed by the clip.
      One commented: “I like her. Hope you gave her a big tip.”
      While a second wrote: “You’re kidding.”
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      Rockhold fought Paulo Costa at UFC 278 last yearCredit: Getty
      Another added: “You go girl!”
      The ex-middleweight champion fought for a final time in the UFC last year.
      Three years on from his light-heavyweight debut against Jan Blachowicz, Rockhold returned to middleweight to face Paulo Costa at UFC 278 in Utah.
      He produced a spirited performance, with the bout winning fight of the night.
      But Costa won comfortably via decision to bring Rockhold’s amazing UFC tenure to a close.
      He recently returned to fight action by making his BKFC debut.
      Rockhold lost to Mike Perry via second round TKO in Colorado – with Conor McGregor subsequently squaring up to the victor.
      The former champion brought the curtain down on his UFC career with a fight of the nightCredit: Getty More

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      I was drinking and doing drugs before boxing showed up out of nowhere and saved me, says Jake Paul

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      JAKE PAUL has opened up on how boxing prevented him from his life spiralling out of control on drink and drugs. The American shot to fame on social media app Vine and later YouTube along with his brother Logan.
      Jake Paul formerly lived a life of partyingCredit: @jakepaul
      And in pursuit of fame and fortune, both moved to Los Angeles where their life moved in the fast lane.
      But it almost became too much for Paul until thankfully a shock career in boxing helped turn his life around.
      He bravely told DAZN: “I was drinking, doing drugs, doing all sorts of crazy s*** in Los Angeles, not being myself. 
      “Because that’s what happens when you’re drinking like that and doing those things like that.
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      “I needed something to save me and boxing showed up out of nowhere. 
      “I definitely worry – that side of me is the Problem Child side of me – that can get involved in those of things. 
      “But everybody has a story and I’m just now comfortable telling that story because I was kind of embarrassed by it. 
      “I didn’t know if I could talk about those things, I didn’t want to say that I had those problems or was doing those things. 
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      “But I was like, if I can share my story about that and finding boxing and saving me then maybe someone else will be able to relate.” 
      Paul, 26, made his professional boxing debut in 2020, beating online rival AnEsonGib.
      It kickstarted a polarising prizefighting career which has seen the social media sensation headline around the world.
      He even moved out of LA in late 2020 to rid of any distractions, since building an isolated base in Puerto Rico.
      Paul has wins over ex-MMA champions Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 41, and Anderson Silva, 48.
      But he was beaten in his last bout in February by boxer Tommy Fury, 23, losing a split-decision in Saudi Arabia.
      Paul now returns on August 5 in Texas against ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38, in a bid to prove he can bounce back from defeat.
      And having seen boxing change his life, the Most Valuable Promotions boss insisted he will be a mainstay in the sport.
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      Paul said: “One hundred per cent, always. Promoting fights, helping fighters, using my platform. 
      “I’ve even thought about getting my referee’s licence. Wouldn’t that be funny? Wouldn’t that be funny, if I’m like in the ring, refitting a match?” 
      Jake Paul in training for his next fight More

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      Journalist fired on the spot for asking ‘stupid’ question at Jake Paul’s press conference with Nate Diaz

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      JAKE PAUL fired one of his own media team after they asked to fight Nate Diaz’s brother during the duo’s pre-fight press conference.Paul and Diaz fielded questions from the media in Dallas on Tuesday night ahead of a heated face-off to promote their August showdown.
      Jake Paul and Nate Diaz went face-to-face for the first time on TuesdayCredit: DAZN
      A reporter asked Diaz if he could fight his elder brother Nick and vowed to beat his ‘ass’Credit: DAZN
      Paul ‘fired’ the reporter on the spot for his audacious questionCredit: DAZN
      But one of the main talking points ended up being a challenge issued to Nick Diaz by a member of Paul’s media team.
      The journalist said: “Nate, I’m actually a boxer myself and I have been trying to get on this undercard.
      “I’m just wondering if you think I could fight your brother, Nick?
      “If he’s anything like you, I think I’d beat his f*ing a.”
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      Nate, 38, was far from impressed by the callout, firing back: “”You know my homeboys see you right now?
      “That was stupid, huh? That was stupid.”
      The Stockton slugger then asked the reporter “What’s your name?”
      After learning the reporter’s name, an annoyed Diaz replied: “Hey, Derek from Betr Media, you’re a stupid a** motherf****r.
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      “The f**k? You deserve to have your a** whipped.”
      Problem Child Paul was quick to jump in after Diaz issued his threat, saying: “He works for my company.
      “I’ll handle that later. I’ll fire him later. I’m sorry about that, Nate.
      “Derek, shut up, shut up.”
      As he was told to be quiet, Derek said: “All right, sorry.”

      Fight fans were quick to comment on the bizarre incident, with one saying: “This dude Derek going to get his ass chipped up.”
      Another said: “RIP Derek LOL.”
      And another said: “About to get slapped when he walk outside talking crazy.”
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      One remarked: “Was a Paul script, Nate wasn’t in the mood for that.”
      Another chimed in: “That guy’s confidence went out of the window the moment Diaz told him that his boys might check him out on the streets.” More

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      Jake Paul claims next fight will be with Conor McGregor as YouTuber describes bout with UFC legend as ‘inevitable’

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      JAKE PAUL reckons he’ll trade blows with Conor McGregor after he knocks out the UFC star’s bitter rival Nate Diaz.Social media sensation Paul will welcome mixed martial arts fan favourite Diaz to the boxing world in a Dallas dust-up on August 5.
      Jake Paul will throw down with UFC legend Nate Diaz on August 5Credit: DAZN
      The Problem Child plans to get back into the win column in emphatic fashionCredit: SHOWTIME
      Paul reckons an emphatic KO of Diaz will bag him a showdown with Conor McGregorCredit: SPORTSFILE
      The YouTuber-turned-boxer plans to get back in the win column with an emphatic KO of the 38-year-old, which he hopes will entice UFC superstar McGregor to share the ring with him.
      The Problem Child roared: “I want Conor next after that. It’s inevitable.”
      McGregor, 34, has remained quiet on Paul’s frequent call-outs in recent years but didn’t shy away from tipping old rival Diaz to get the better of the former Disney star.
      Paul said of McGregor’s pre-fight prediction: “I think he’s got trauma from when Nate slapped his head off.”
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      Diaz’s multi-million-pound showdown with Paul will take place just under a year after his final UFC outing.
      Paul said of the fight: “This fight made the most sense and the opportunity was there, he was a free agent.
      “[Nate is] someone I’ve always wanted to fight and someone that’s always been on my list.”
      Paul, 26, isn’t taking Diaz lightly by any means, although he firmly believes adding the MMA legend to his highlight reel will pave the way for a clash with The Notorious.
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      He told ESPN: “I see a roadmap where I knock out Nate and go to Conor McGregor.
      “Do what Conor couldn’t do, knock out Nate, then that would be the biggest fight in combat sports that could possibly be made, me vs Conor.”
      During the presser, he said: “This is a big fight, this is a fight that I wanted for a long time.
      “He got out of his UFC contract and this is probably the biggest fight of the year only topping me versus Tommy [Fury].

      “So I want to make big events, big fights happen and strike while the iron’s hot.
      “He was a free agent, let’s run it, make it happen, settle the s*** talk and I’m ready for war.
      “I’m excited to be here, thank you for having me out.
      “Dallas, I love y’all and I’ma do what Conor McGregor couldn’t do and I’ma knock this man out.” More

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      in Boxing

      Jake Paul says ‘I’ve never seen anything like it’ as he is told why Nate Diaz suddenly walked out of press conference

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      JAKE PAUL was left stunned when Nate Diaz went AWOL during their pre-fight press conference.The duo went face-to-face on Tuesday night for the first time since the announcement of their Dallas dust-up in August.
      Jake Paul and Nate Diaz went face-to-face for the first time on Tuesday nightCredit: DAZN
      Former UFC star Nate Diaz twice left the presser – once in order to go to the toiletCredit: TWITTER
      Paul couldn’t believe his eyes after seeing Diaz go for a loo break mid presserCredit: TWITTER
      Former UFC star Diaz, 37, was far from impressed by the presser – which he branded a “sketch-ass and f****** rookie” gathering – and left the stage as the media fielded questions.
      Host Ariel Helwani had to encourage the Stockton Slugger to return to his seat – but it wasn’t long before he was off again.
      Diaz left the stage for a second time to nip off to the toilet and eventually returned to take part in a face-off.
      Paul, 26, was left baffled by Diaz’s second departure, asking: “Is this man leaving?”
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      The YouTuber-turned-boxer then put his head in his hands as he said: “Jesus Christ. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
      Boxing and MMA fans were quick to comment, with one saying: “Hahaha. ‘He’ll be right back’, he said.”
      Another said: “‘He’ll be right back.’ That boy garn, you won’t see him until weigh-in.”
      And another said: “I think Nate likes to let his fists and feet do the talking.”
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      One remarked: “He focused on his bag not sum BS talk.”
      Another chimed in: “Jake is disappointed because Nate isn’t sticking to the script!”
      Diaz’s clash with Paul will mark his professional boxing debut, which comes nearly a year after his UFC departure.
      But social media sensation Paul plans to give the fan favourite a rude welcome to the sweet science.
      He said: “This is a big fight, this is a fight that I wanted for a long time.

      “He got out of his UFC contract and this is probably the biggest fight of the year only topping me versus Tommy [Fury].
      “So I want to make big events, big fights happen and strike while the iron’s hot.
      “He was a free agent, let’s run it, make it happen, settle the s*** talk and I’m ready for war.
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      “I’m excited to be here, thank you for having me out.
      “Dallas, I love y’all and I’ma do what Conor McGregor couldn’t do and I’ma knock this man out.” More

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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