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      in Boxing

      Nate Diaz officially leaves the UFC but still open to Conor McGregor trilogy as lucrative Jake Paul showdown looms

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      NATE DIAZ’s run with the UFC is officially OVER following the end of an exclusive negotiating period.The former lightweight title challenger fought out his contract with mixed martial arts’ premier promotion in September.
      Nate Diaz is a free agent after fighting out his UFC contract and the end of an exclusive negotiation periodCredit: GETTY
      Diaz closed out his UFC career with a victory over fellow vet Tony FergusonCredit: GETTY
      But the fan favourite hasn’t shut the door on a trilogy fight with rival Conor McGregorCredit: GETTY
      But the youngest Diaz brother was unable to field offers from potential suitors due to an exclusive three-month negotiation period.
      That has now come to an end.
      Diaz’s manager Zach Rosenfield told MMA Junkie: “Nate is going to be looking at the biggest fights possible.”
      A blockbuster trilogy with rival Conor McGregor is, however, still something Diaz wants to complete before hanging up his gloves.
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      Rosenfield continued: “He has stated that completing the trilogy with Conor McGregor is something that interests him, and that has not changed.”
      Diaz is expected to enter the boxing world following his 15-year stint in the UFC – with a showdown against YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul a real possibility.
      But the fan favourite won’t solely compete in the squared circle next year.
      Rosenfield said: “You will see Nate competing multiple times in 2023, and that will include boxing.”
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      Paul wasted no time in calling out Diaz, who was involved in a skirmish at the YouTuber’s clash with Anderson Silva last month.
      He tweeted: “Hi Nate. Finally out of your UFC contract?
      “Let’s see how tough you are in the boxing ring instead of hallway slap contests. @NateDiaz209.
      A lucrative boxing match with Jake Paul could be on the cards for Nate DiazCredit: REX
      “I have a venue booked. Offer is ready when you are. Just need you to sign.”
      Diaz, 37, closed out his UFC career with fourth-round submission victory over fellow MMA vet Tony Ferguson in the main event of UFC 279 in September. More

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      in Soccer

      Canelo Alvarez called out by Argentine UFC star after threatening Lionel Messi following Mexico World Cup controversy

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      ARGENTINA UFC star Santiago Ponzinibbio offered to fight Canelo Alvarez as he jumped to the defence of compatriot Lionel Messi.Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 in their World Cup Group C match with seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi getting a goal and an assist.
      Argentina UFC star Santiago Ponzinibbio has offered to fight Canelo in defence of Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
      Canelo (left) threatened the Argentina footy icon for ‘disrespecting’ MexicoCredit: EPA
      Wild scenes in the Argentine dressing room followed after they kept their qualification hopes alive after they lost their first group match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia.
      A clip was shared of the joyous scenes, but it showed a Mexico shirt on the floor near Messi, and as the Paris Saint-Germain man took his boot off, his foot brushed the jersey – which boxer Canelo found disrespectful.
      And that led to the Mexican boxing legend saying Messi “better pray to God that I don’t find him”.
      Canelo tweeted: “Did you guys see Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag. He better pray to God that I don’t find him.
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      “Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico! I’m not talking about the country as a whole, just about the bulls**t that Messi did.”
      However, welterweight Ponzinibbio, who has won 28 of his 34 MMA fights, has now joined the likes of Sergio Aguero by wading into the row and having Messi’s back.
      The grappler, who faces Robbie Lawler at UFC 282 on December 10, told MMA Fighting: “No point threatening Messi. Everybody knows Messi’s career. If [Canelo] doesn’t know he shouldn’t say a thing.
      “It’s normal for players to throw jerseys on the ground, they are all sweaty, but he didn’t do anything disrespectful.
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      “Everybody that knows Messi knows he’s an impeccable athlete and a very respectful person.”
      Ponzinibbio added: “[Messi] had an excellent match. I was upset. Brother, if you want to fight, I’m ready, but leave Messi be,
      “You mess with Messi, you mess with the entire Argentina. Don’t bother the kid.”
      Argentina face off with Poland in the third group game of the World Cup, with the two sides occupying the top two slots in Group C.
      A draw will send Argentina through to the knockouts if Saudi Arabia and Mexico also draw, or if the Mexicans win by up to a two-goal margin.
      Lionel Messi will be hoping to fire Argentina into the knockouts later todayCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury wants Jake Paul to fight his dad John, 58, and warns he’d have heart ‘ripped out and fed to him’

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      TYSON FURY wants Jake Paul to fight his dad John and warned the 58-year-old would “rip his heart out and feed it to him”. Paul has long feuded with the boxing family as a celebrity grudge match with Tyson’s brother Tommy remains in talks.
      John Fury offering to fight Jake Paul
      But the WBC champion has called on his former bare-knuckle boxer dad to settle the family feud – and would pay top dollar to see it.
      Tyson, 34, said on The MMA Hour: “I think my dad would rip his heart out and feed it to him and the man is nearly 60 years old.
      “I think my dad and Jake Paul should have a bare-knuckle fight to the end. That would be a spectacle and I would give $100 to see it, pay-per-view.”
      Paul, 25, was a special guest ringside commentator in Dubai this month as John’s youngest Tommy, 23, boxed in a last-minute exhibition bout.
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      And after Tommy went six rounds with Rolly Lambert, 33, he clashed with his famous boxing foe amid rumours of another rescheduled fight.
      Amongst the chaos, his dad John then ripped off his top and threatened Paul, starting a war of words.
      John said: “You, now, I want to fight you! I’m the king of the bare knuckle man, I can fight Mike Tyson to the death.”
      Paul hit back: “You’re embarrassing.”
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      Fury has twice pulled out of fighting Paul, after suffering a rib injury last December and US visa issues in August.
      His Stateside travel restriction still persists today, leaving Paul having to go abroad to revive the bout.
      The American revealed he will return in February and had three potential opponents eyed.
      Most Valuable Promotions banner confirmed: “Offers have been sent out.”
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are still linked with a grudge matchCredit: BT SPORT More

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      in Boxing

      Jake Paul hailed by Terence Crawford but pound-for-pound ace wants YouTuber to fight a ‘real boxer’ and NOT an MMA star

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      JAKE PAUL received praise by Terence Crawford but was urged to fight a “real boxer” next and NOT another MMA star. The YouTuber-turned prizefighter has slowly began winning the backing of those in the boxing business.
      Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum with Terence CrawfordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Jake Paul after beating UFC legend Anderson SilvaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But he is yet to face a seasoned boxer in his 6-0 career despite beating UFC legend Anderson Silva in October.
      Silva, 47, did have a 4-1 record in the ring but it marked another former MMA champion that Paul, 25, had the beating of.
      Now pound-for-pound star Crawford, 35, wants to see the American step up his competition and face a professional boxer.
      He said on The MMA Hour: “When you look at Jake Paul, he’s been training for years.
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      “He’s been fighting without head gear and fighting in the back of his yard. Jake Paul definitely became a professional in this sport.
      “I just want to see him actually fight a real fighter, At this point in time.
      “Any real boxer. Not an MMA fighter that you’re bigger than. Somebody your weight. Get him a real fight. Test him out.
      “Not somebody in the top-10, just a real fighter that we can say, ‘OK, Jake, you fought such and such, he was ranked 15,’ or something, and we can gauge from there.”
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      Paul has signed to fight 8-0 Tommy Fury, 23, TWICE and 13-2 heavyweight Hasim Rahman Jr, 31.
      Fury was withdrawn amid a rib injury and US visa issue while Rahman pulled out due to a weight disagreement.
      Paul confirmed he will return in February and was sending out offers to three different opponents.
      Fury’s side had revealed talks were ongoing to reschedule the celebrity grudge match in 2023.
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are still linked with a grudge matchCredit: BT SPORT More

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      in Boxing

      Five next opponents for Jake Paul after YouTuber announces boxing return including Tommy Fury and ex-UFC star Nate Diaz

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      JAKE PAUL confirmed his boxing return is impending and has several opponents eyed in the pipeline. The YouTuber-turned boxer is coming off the biggest win of his 6-0 career in October, beating 47-year-old UFC legend Anderson Silva.
      Jake Paul is set to return in FebruaryCredit: Reuters
      It was his one and only fight of 2022 and Paul, 25, will waste no time in making a quick comeback next year.
      He tweeted: “Next fight in February. Offers out tomorrow to 3 potential opponents.”
      So here, SunSport runs down the options for Paul’s next fight.
      Tommy Fury
      The celebrity boxing rivals still have unfinished business after Fury, 23, was forced to pull out of their two prior proposed fights.
      Paul was ringside at Fury’s last bout this month and the pair soon struck an agreement to finally share the ring next year.
      Both teams have confirmed talks were underway, making the fight the most likely to come next.
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are still linked with a grudge matchCredit: BT SPORT
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      Nate Diaz
      Paul has long called out Diaz, 37, but the American’s contract with the UFC prohibited the boxing match.
      Now Diaz has left the UFC, opening the door to make an anticipated cross over to boxing.
      Although Paul has maintained he wants to fight a seasoned boxer next, meaning this could be one for the future.
      Nate Diaz has left the UFCCredit: Getty
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      Andrew Tate
      Ex-kickboxing champion-turned controversial celebrity Tate, 35, has confirmed he would be willing to fight Paul.
      And the pair broke the internet, with over TEN MILLION views, when they squared up in Dubai.
      The fight would be a bonafide blockbuster and certainly in the pipeline but it remains to be seen how soon a deal can be done.
      Andrew Tate squaring up to Jake PaulCredit: @jakepaul

      Hasim Rahman Jr
      When Fury was withdrawn from fighting Paul in August amid a US visa issue, Rahman, 31, signed as his replacement.
      But a weight disagreement saw the bout scrapped on just one weeks notice, with Rahman instead returning at heavyweight against Greg Hardy.
      He was beaten over four rounds, making the son of a legend an enticing option for Paul, should he be hellbent on facing an established boxer.
      Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman Jr were due to fight at MSGCredit: GETTY
      KSI
      The pair of social-media stars come prizefighters look on course to finally settle their score in 2023.
      But Paul is adamant KSI will never fight him so he may send out a fight offer to prove it.
      It seems unlikely that the pair will agree terms before the end of the year at the earliest but stranger things have happened.

      KSI and Jake Paul clashing in the ring in 2020Credit: GETTY More

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      in Boxing

      Jake Paul CONFIRMS date for boxing return as YouTube star teases offers to ‘three potential opponents’

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      JAKE PAUL confirmed he will make his boxing return in February – and has offers going out to three potential opponents.The YouTuber-turned boxer is coming off the biggest win of his 6-0 career in October, beating 47-year-old UFC legend Anderson Silva.
      Jake Paul beat Anderson Silva in his last fightCredit: Esther Lin/ SHOWTIME
      It was his one and only fight of 2022 and Paul will waste no time in making a quick comeback next year.
      He tweeted: “Next fight in February. Offers out tomorrow to 3 potential opponents.”
      Paul, 25, has been in talks to fight rival Tommy Fury, 23, following two failed bouts between the pair in the past.
      Fury has withdrawn on both occasions, due to a rib injury last December and US visa issue in August.
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      Paul was ringside in Dubai this month to watch Fury’s last-minute exhibition with Rolly Lambert.
      The pair then clashed post-fight and an agreement to reschedule their grudge match was struck.
      Global Titans, who promoted Fury’s last fight, revealed they had sent out an offer to Paul.
      And Fury tweeted: “NO RESPONSE to my team from @jakepaul in regards to sorting contracts for this fight.
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      “My last tweet until I have some communication from your side.”
      But Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions banner claimed they are still negotiating with Fury’s UK promoter Frank Warren.
      MVP responded: “Mr. Fury: Frank & George Warren are not your team anymore? Robert Davis is not your counsel?
      “For clarity – MVP has been in daily contact with Queensberry to try and move the fight forward.”
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are still linked with a grudge matchCredit: BT SPORT More

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      in Boxing

      Jake Paul says he ‘wouldn’t even have to train’ for ‘easy’ Tommy Fury fight and reveals terms to reschedule grudge match

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      JAKE PAUL said he “wouldn’t even have to train” for an “easy” fight with Tommy Fury after revealing terms to reschedule their grudge match. The celebrity boxing foes have struck an agreement to fight early next year with opposing camps locked in negotiations.
      Jake Paul said he ‘wouldn’t even have to train’ for an ‘easy’ fight with Tommy FuryCredit: Adi Muhtarevic
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are in line to reschdule their grudge fightCredit: Global Titans
      And Paul claimed he will make easy work of Fury, who has TWICE pulled out of fighting him before.
      He said on the MMA Hour: “The kid’s a novice, he’s never fought anyone good. He’s never even fought an eight round fight.
      “He just doesn’t have the experience like I do, which is crazy to say because he’s been doing it his whole life, but people call him a professional boxer and they respect him as a professional boxer.
      “So I would love to strip that title from him. I wouldn’t even have to actually train for that fight.
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      “I would still train because I’m a professional, but I wouldn’t have to train to fight him.”
      Paul, 25, most recently beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, in October, the biggest win in his 6-0 career.
      Meanwhile Fury, 23, returned this month in a last-minute exhibition bout against replacement Rolly Lambert, 33.
      Paul Bamba, 33, was withdrawn on the day amid a weight disagreement and Paul was a special guest commentator on the night.
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      After Fury cruised past six rounds, the two clashed post-fight and an agreement to fight in 2023 was struck.
      The 2019 Love Island star has twice withdrawn before, after suffering a rib injury in December and US visa issues in August.
      So Paul is only willing to try once more if Fury’s team put up the money on their side.
      He said: “There’s definitely interest. I think if his team is taking the financial risk and putting the event on, then I’m cool with that.
      “I just don’t want to take the risk anymore because I think he’s going to back out, again, most likely.
      “But it’s an easy fight for me. Way easier than Anderson.”
      Tommy Fury has twice pulled out of fighting Jake PaulCredit: BT SPORT More

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      in Boxing

      ‘I’m hanging up my gloves forever’ – KSI reveals when he will RETIRE from boxing as YouTube star eyes Jake Paul fight

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      KSI has urged fans to enjoy his boxing career while it lasts – as it could soon come to an end. The YouTube, rap and crossover fight star has emerged as a leader in the new era of influencer boxing alongside Jake Paul.
      KSI urged urged fans to enjoy his boxing career while it lastsCredit: Getty
      Jake Paul has been called out to a 2023 fight by KSICredit: EPA
      And it is a long-anticipated grudge match against his American rival which he says will ultimately bring a close to his career in the ring.
      KSI – who returns on January 14 against Dillon Danis – admitted he will retire once he fights Paul.
      He said on his YouTube channel: “I figured it out, you guys will not be happy until I fight Jake Paul.
      “So that’s why I don’t see the eagerness for you to want me to fight Jake Paul so quickly.
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      “I said I’m going to fight him in 2023, the only reason I’ve come back into the boxing scene is to fight Jake Paul and beat him.
      “So I don’t really understand why people are complaining about the people that I fight.
      “Why don’t we just enjoy the journey? Enjoy the ride because ladies and gentlemen, once I fight Jake Paul, I’m done.
      “I’m not boxing anymore, I would have solidified my legacy and then I’m hanging up the gloves forever. So why do we want to rush that?”
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      KSI, 29, beat Paul’s brother Logan, 27, in their 2019 rematch having drawn in an exhibition bout the year before.
      He then took three years off but made up for lost time in August by winning TWICE in one night.
      KSI – real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji – beat rapper Swarmz, 25, and so-called professional boxer Luis Alcaraz Pineda, 23.
      Meanwhile Paul, 25, is the more accomplished boxer of the two, currently at 6-0 having just beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47.
      Dillon Danis fights KSI on January 14Credit: Misfits Boxing More