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      Tom Aspinall copying Tyson Fury’s bizarre and dangerous pre-fight tactic to secure huge KO win at UFC 304

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      TOM ASPINALL has revealed he’s using a bizarre pre-fight strategy ahead of UFC 304.The Atherton assassin defends his interim heavyweight title in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event of the Manchester pay-per-view card early on Sunday morning.Tom Aspinall renews his rivalry with Curtis Blaydes this weekendCredit: REXAspinall is eyeing revenge in the form of a big finish after suffering a horror knee injury in their first meeting two years agoCredit: ReutersAspinall has harked back to his traveller heritage by dipping his hands in petrol to strengthen themCredit: X@ARIELHELWANIAspinall, 31, will be out for revenge having suffered a horror knee injury in their first meeting two years ago and is eyeing yet another stoppage win.And he’s harked back to his gypsy heritage ahead of the Manchester melee by dipping his hands in petrol every night to strengthen them.During an appearance on The MMA Hour, he said: “You ever see the documentary Knuckle? You familiar with that?”It’s a documentary about travellers, travelling communities in the UK, Ireland.READ MORE ON UFC 304“And there’s a guy on there, big Joe Joyce, an old travelling legend, and big Joe Joyce reveals a few gypsy methods for getting ready for a fight.“I wanted to resort back to a bit of gypsy heritage that I’ve got, so I thought, right, what I’m going to do is I’m going to make a little ring out of hay bales.“When it gets to about 4am, I get my alarm on, I go outside, do a bit shadowboxing in the hay bales.“And then I do the old traveller method of dipping your knuckles in petrol for about 20 minutes as the sun’s coming up, and that hardens your knuckles.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTyson Fury dipped his hands in petrol ahead of his rematch with Deontay WilderCredit: GETTYMany boxers in the traveller community still, to this day, soak their hands in petrol ahead of fights, including former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.The Gypsy King soaked his hands in fuel every day for the final few weeks of training camp for his 2020 rematch with Deontay Wilder, which he won via seventh-round TKO.EXCLUSIVE: ‘Great fight – Tom Aspinall reveals reason for Alex Pereira post after UFC 300 and admits he’d love to fight BrazilianThere are obvious health concerns with leaving one’s hands in a flammable and deadly liquid for prolonged periods of time, although Aspinall isn’t fussed about them.Britain’s third UFC champ said of his hands: Mate, they’re like absolute stones. “You know what, I’ve seen them new gloves, and they’re a lot smaller than the other ones. There’s a lot less padding on them.“And I just thought, you know what, I need to harden the knuckles up, and that’s the only way I know how.”I’ve been doing the old gypsy method of dipping them in petrol, and they’re like rocks.”If I get a disgusting knockout on Saturday, you better believe that half of the roster are going to be dipping their knuckles in petrol.” More

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      Manny Pacquiao’s opponent risks £3.9MILLION fine during fight against boxing legend

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      MANNY PACQUIAO is in line for a £3.9MILLION payout in his boxing return – should his opponent break the rules.The Filipino icon makes his return to the ring over the weekend in Tokyo with Japanese MMA promotion Rizin. Manny Pacquiao in training for his exhibition boxing returnCredit: @MannyPacquiaoK-1 Kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo will face PacquiaoCredit: @anpo_rukiyaPacquiao, 45, will face former K-1 Kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo, 28, in a strictly boxing rules bout. Floyd Mayweather, 47, similarly had two exhibitions with Rizin against martial artists and won both by knockout. In 2018, he beat kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 25, and the contract included a financial penalty for using any illegal strikes. And the same clause is included in Pacquiao and Anpo’s deal – with a kick resulting in a $5m (£3.9m) penalty. READ MORE IN BOXINGRizin president Nobuyuki Sakakibara confirmed the rules in quotes translated by Beyond Kickboxing.Sakakibara said: “Any violation will be punishable by a $5million fine. “At the time of Tenshin versus Mayweather in 2018 that was approximately 500million yen (£2.5m). “However, due to the weak yen, that figure is now around 750million yen.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPacquiao retired in 2021 following defeat to Yordenis Ugas but he has boxed in an exhibition since with the view to make a comeback.He has been linked with fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 36, and unbeaten British boxer Conor Benn, 27. But more recently, the WBC confirmed they would sanction PacMan coming out of retirement to fight world champion Mario Barrios, 29. Talks are ongoing with Pacquiao using his Far East exhibition as a way to prepare for his controversial yet potential welterweight title shot. More

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      Jake Paul offers Mike Perry a job after disgusted Conor McGregor sacked him from BKFC after devastating loss

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      MIKE PERRY was offered a job from Jake Paul after being sacked by Conor McGregor in the aftermath of his boxing loss. Perry was granted permission by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship – in which McGregor co-owns – to face Paul. Jake Paul beat Mike Perry in their boxing boutCredit: GettyConor McGregor fired Perry from BKFC – which he co-ownsCredit: EPABefore the bout, McGregor wished Perry well and labelled YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul a “little dweeb”. But following Perry’s sixth-round loss to Paul, it resulted in a social media rant by McGregor.And he claimed the BKFC champion was expelled from the promotion,But Paul, 27, said on his podcast: “Mike Perry, as you got fired by Conor McGregor from BKFC, we will hire you at Betr into a partnership and give you some sort of role.READ MORE IN BOXING”We’ll figure out what that’s going to be. Betr has a job for you, Mike Perry. We’re just giving him another stream of income. He can keep fighting.”We can maybe start a podcast with him or something… we’ll figure it out.”Paul’s betting company Betr sponsors UFC middleweight Bo Nickal while launching men’s health care line W with bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. The American moved to 10-1 and now heads on to his controversial clash against Mike Tyson, 58, on November 15 in Texas.Most read in BoxingPerry, 32, is now left to ponder a move back into BKFC after speaking out following McGregor’s blast.He said: “He doesn’t have a promotion because me and him are both owners of BKFC, so he can’t fire me.Mike Perry brutally responds to being ‘fired’ by Conor McGregor and warns him Jake Paul fight ‘worse than Mayweather'”We can fight in bare-knuckle, look at me I lost to Jake Paul so why don’t you go and fight Jake Paul.”You can box him with the gloves on, I think it would be worse than Conor McGregor vs [Floyd] Mayweather.” More

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      Oleksandr Usyk tipped for shock career change after ‘retiring’ Tyson Fury in rematch due to lack of opponents

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      OLEKSANDR USYK could be set for a shock career change after his rematch with Tyson Fury.The slick southpaw became the undisputed king of the heavyweights in May when he recorded a split decision victory over The Gypsy King in Saudi Arabia.Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in May to become undisputed heavyweight champCredit: PAThe pair will renew their rivalry on December 21Credit: GETTYUsyk has been tipped to take up a new sport if he wins the rematchCredit: EPAUsyk, however, will have to rematch the former long-reigning WBC champion in a second successive Saudi showdown in December.A second straight win over Fury will have seen Usyk clear out the heavyweight division in just over five years.And his coach has predicted he could make a shock move into MMA or even bare-knuckle boxing after disposing of the Brit.His coach Sergey Lapin told Betway: “He’s proven he’s the best of this generation and, once he’s retired Tyson Fury, he will consider his options. READ MORE ON USYK”Maybe that’s dropping down in weight again, or maybe there’s a wildcard option on the table for him.”Be it in the boxing ring, the MMA cage or even Conor McGregor’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.”The prospect of a potential Usyk fight with UFC heavyweight king Jon Jones or even a boxing match with Jake Paul excites Lapin.He said: “Can you imagine Usyk and Jon Jones fighting to prove they’re the baddest man on the planet? Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Or maybe it’s a third fight with Anthony Joshua in the MMA cage.”Maybe it’s Jake Paul at cruiserweight, although Usyk would need to fight him with one hand behind his back though to make it fair.”Everything we know about Fury-Usyk 2Before Usyk can entertain the prospect of competing in another sport, he has the small matter of handing Fury his second successive loss.The pair will renew their Riyadh rivalry on December 21 and Fury will enter the showdown fuelled by the pain of having his undisputed dream being shattered.He said in June: “Listen up! I’ve conquered everything in boxing – titles, records, the lot.”But I’ve never had to come back from a loss.”On December 21st in Riyadh, in the heart of the kingdom, the king will reclaim his throne and become undisputed. “Usyk, I’m coming for you! Get ready for the Gypsy King!READ MORE SUN STORIES”The path to redemption is all mine.”I know what I have to do, I saw my shortcomings and best believe I am inevitable.”Tyson Fury has vowed to exact revenge on Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTY More

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      Jake Paul opens door to rematch with Mike Perry in bare-knuckle or MMA and vows to win boxing world title in two years

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      JAKE PAUL is ready to rematch Mike Perry – but in MMA or bare-knuckle while vowing to win a boxing world title in two years. Paul dropped the ex-UFC star three times in Florida before closing the show in round six with a barrage of shots in the corner. Mike Perry was beaten by Jake PaulCredit: RexPerry found success after leaving the UFC to join Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship in 2021. Paul insisted in the lead up to the boxing bout that he would be open to running it back in the cage or with exposed fists. And the YouTuber-turned-boxer – also signed to the Professional Fighters League to make his MMA debut – has kept his word. “Yeah, it’d be fun. I’m down for it all,” Paul told Ariel Helwani. “I love combat, I love going to war, this is what I was destined for and in two years I will be the cruiserweight champion of the f***ing world.”Paul, 27, was due to fight Mike Tyson, 58, in front of over 70,000 in Texas in a controversial clash scrutinised for the 30-year age gap. But Tyson was forced to pull out amid a health precaution with the fight rescheduled to November 15. Paul instead chose to fight on with the July 20 date over 1,000 miles away in Florida against Perry. Most read in BoxingHe improved to 10-1 as a boxer and sent an ominous warning to Tyson ahead of their rescheduled bout. “Mike Tyson! You’re next big boy,” Paul said. “Sign the contract! November 15th on Netflix, I’m excited for that one.”I’m going to go home and prepare for that.” Tyson – who was advised to withdraw after suffering an ulcer flare up – retired in 2005 following two dismal defeats. But he came back in 2020 for an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr that ended in an eight-round draw.Tyson posted a video of himself watching Paul’s fight and teased that the “Countdown Begins.””Mike Tyson is training, he’s back, looking crazier than ever,” Paul added. “November 15th on Netflix, I’m gonna get another KO and prove everyone wrong once again.”Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are due to fight on November 15Credit: Alamy More

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      Mike Perry’s stunning rise from fighting in the streets to working as a weed whacker in prison and now boxing Jake Paul

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      SITTING in a prison cell after a botched robbery – Mike Perry’s prospects in life looked bleak. But after serving his time and turning to a career in professional fighting, Perry has completed a complete life turnaround. Mike Perry has had a stunning life turnaroundCredit: Instagram / platinummikeperryHe went from prison to prizefighterCredit: Instagram / platinummikeperryHe is the face of bare-knuckle boxingCredit: Instagram / bareknucklefcThe American was raised in Michigan, were racial tensions were high in Perry’s predominantly black neighborhood. It meant Perry was brawling in the streets way before he was being paid to do so as a profession. “I’ve always been a fighter. Being born in Flint, Michigan, we got great fighters from that area,” Perry told SunSport. “And, I ain’t gonna front being a white boy, having to defend yourself, just hazing in school between the boys.“Guys were strong already and at a young age, I remember guys being 6ft tall with beards in middle school, dunking the basketball and that went around all the sports, football, basketball, boxing, wrestling.” Perry discovered his talent for throwing hands well before picking up prizefighting paydays. “I always just had a knack for physicality,” he said. “I was strong, I was short, I was low to the ground and it took me a long time to realise that I had those abilities. I didn’t know.Most read in Boxing“And then I’ve been coached a lot, had lots of different trainings in my life.“It’s just something that I’ve had in my back pocket and that if I get mad or angry, I can fight, I can fight out of anything.” Sadly, it did not take long for trouble to find Perry. In 2011, aged just 19, Perry and a pair of accomplices drove to a home with the intention of committing armed burglary. But it was botched as the homeowner was in – although police happened to be scoping the area and caught the trio red-handed.Perry was sentenced to two years house arrest and probation – but he was later jailed after violating his terms. He finished the rest of his sentence incarcerated – but it kickstarted the turnaround his life needed. “I did learn a lot from it,” he admitted. “It was like a strict boarding school and you’re in there with a bunch of other guys who can’t get their s*** together either and you got nothing in there but time to get your s*** together.” Perry would spend time in the jail house gym or doing his own makeshift workouts in his cell when he was not working. “I had a job, I went to two different jails without leaving jail,” he said.”They transferred me a couple of times and I worked in the kitchen at one, so I could eat more.“It’s like you worked for just for food, for extra food in there. And then at the other one, I worked road crew where we got to leave and I weed whacked.”When Perry was released he got a job at a UFC gym teaching kickboxing classes while having a few amateur MMA fights. He made his MMA debut in 2014 and in just two years and seven bouts he was signed by the UFC. “I started making jumps and leaps and in the pros and in a short amount of time,” he said.”I think two years, I had seven knockouts in under the third round.“I hadn’t even been to the third round and then I got to the UFC and knocked out a couple more.”It was like a strict boarding school and you’re in there with a bunch of other guys who can’t get their s*** together either and you got nothing in there but time to get your s*** together.Mike Perry on his prison time Perry would go on to become a cult hero in the UFC, beloved for his toughness and all-action style. He spent five years in the UFC before leaving in 2021 to find his true calling. Perry signed a deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and became the face of the brand thanks to his gritty style. He is 5-0 with exposed fists having knocked off some of MMA tops stars of recent years. And after years of callouts, Perry has finally landed his dream fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Paul, 27, was due to face Mike Tyson until the boxing icon, 58, withdrew amid a health scare. So Perry – three years after sparring Paul in Miami – finally gets his crack at the 9-1 social media sensation. And he promised that Paul will not hear the scheduled eighth and final round. “My prediction for the fight, I think I’m gonna get in there, I’m gonna showcase my skills,” he said. READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’m probably gonna hit Jake pretty hard throughout the fight early on, second round, third round, fourth round.“And then I’m thinking I can stop him in the seventh. I’m looking to stop him, I’m looking to hit him hard with significant strikes and stop him before the end of the fight.” More

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      Oleksandr Usyk told to fight Jake Paul with never-before-seen rules or make career switch after ‘retiring Tyson Fury’

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      OLEKSANDR USYK is running so short of opponents he could make a switch to MMA or have a never-before fight against Jake Paul.The Ukrainian great became the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion in history by beating Tyson Fury. Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury but they will now rematchCredit: PAJake Paul could could be a shock option to fight UsykCredit: GettyBut he was forced to vacate his IBF title to proceed their their planned December 21 rematch in Saudi Arabia. One of Usyk’s coaches – Sergey Lapin – predicted another defeat would spell the end of Fury’s iconic career. And it would leave Usyk looking to the likes of MMA or even a spectacle bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in search of new challenges. Lapin told Betway: “He’s proven he’s the best of this generation and, once he’s retired Tyson Fury, he will consider his options. READ MORE IN BOXING”Maybe that’s dropping down in weight again, or maybe there’s a wildcard option on the table for him; be it in the boxing ring, the MMA cage or even Conor McGregor’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.””Can you imagine Usyk and Jon Jones fighting to prove they’re the baddest man on the planet? “Or maybe it’s a third fight with Anthony Joshua in the MMA cage?”Maybe it’s Jake Paul at cruiserweight, although Usyk would need to fight him with one hand behind his back though to make it fair.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPaul, 27, returns over the weekend against ex-UFC star and bare-knuckle boxer Mike Perry, 32. Meanwhile, Usyk, 37, prepares to rematch Fury, 35, looking to continue his reign of domination at heavyweight. Boxing champ ready to fight Jake Paul for his world title… but warns it could end in BRAIN injury for YouTuberLapin added: “Usyk is running out of challenges at heavyweight. “He accepted the challenge at heavyweight and became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, a lot of work went into this achievement.”After the rematch we will see who will remain in the heavyweight division, but Usyk has now passed this level, everyone who stood in Usyk’s way has been overcome. “We are now set for a rematch with Fury, after that we will know who will be next.” More

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      Paige VanZant shares behind-the-scenes footage of Power Slap preparations as husband smacks her with foam tube

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      PAIGE VANZANT called on husband Austin Vanderford to help her Power Slap preparations – by getting smacked with a foam tube.VanZant was a shock name to make a debut in the controversial new sport headed up by UFC boss Dana White. Paige VanZant called on husband Austin Vanderford to help her Power Slap preparationsCredit: Instagram @paigevanzantVanZant got smacked with a foam tubeCredit: Instagram @paigevanzantShe won her Power Slap debutCredit: Power Slap The American went on to beat Christine Wolmarans by dropping her twice during the contest. And it appears that it will not be a one-off as VanZant teased more Power Slap matches. The ex-UFC star posted a video on Instagram where partner Vanderford swings a foam swimming tube her way. She captioned the post: “@powerslap prep.”READ MORE ON Paige VanZantVanZant stunned fans in 2020 when she signed for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship after leaving the UFC.She had two brutal bare-knuckle bouts – losing them both – before taking three years out.But VanZant, 30, returned in May to make her boxing debut with Misfits, home to celebrity-style crossover bouts.She was dropped by OnlyFans star Elle Brooke before clawing back a draw.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt set up a rematch teased but VanZant then made the shock move to Power Slap. She said after the match: “It was weird to stand there with your hands behind your back and I just stood there praying, let me eat this. Watch ex-UFC star Paige VanZant soak up the pain in brutal Power Slap debut win “Once I took the first one, I had all the confidence in the world.“I was nervous going into it, but it’s more like just nerves that I don’t want to get knocked out. Because you just don’t know what to expect. That’s the only real bad-case scenario that can happen. “After I took the first one, I pretty much knew I was going to win.”VanZant left the UFC in 2020Credit: InstagramShe runs an OnlyFans account along with her fight careerCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant More