UFC

CONOR MCGREGOR has a big chip on his shoulder ahead of his return to the octagon – and plans to use it to ‘break a few faces’.The Notorious is gearing up for a trilogy fight with former featherweight foe Dustin Poirier, whom he’ll meet on July 10 in the main event of UFC 264 in Las Vegas.
Conor McGregor is gearing up for a trilogy fight with Dustin PoirierCredit: Reuters
The Notorious’ rubber match with Poirier will headline UFC 264 on July 10Credit: UFC
McGregor, 32, suffered a brutal second-round KO loss to The Diamond in January and is determined to remind the world he’s still an elite lightweight in their rubber match.
He tweeted: “I’ve got a big chip on my shoulder and I’m gonna break another few faces with it.”
McGregor’s vow to ‘break another few faces’ with his shoulder – which he shattered Donald Cerrone’s nose with at UFC 246 – came after he was embroiled in a row with lightweight rival Justin Gaethje.
Former interim lightweight champ Gaethje took aim at the UFC’s poster boy after seeing him criticise his head coach Trevor Wittman for not competing in mixed martial arts.
And that drew a quick and blistering response from Mystic Mac.
He replied: “I’d smoke you and your coach at the same time in these patented @McGregorFast fight gloves.”
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Despite his efforts currently being focused on mixed martial arts, McGregor continues to be linked with a return to the boxing world – which he entered in August 2017 for a blockbuster fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
YouTube star Jake Paul has been trying to lure the Irishman back to the ring and renewed his calls for the fight after his one-minute decimation of former UFC star Ben Askren.
McGregor’s recent sparring partner Dylan Moran reckons the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion will return to the squared circle one day, telling Sky Sports: “There are plenty of years left in Conor.
“Wherever the big fights are at. You can see by the rematch with Dustin that he doesn’t shy away from challenges.

Conor McGregor boxed Floyd Mayweather in August 2017Credit: Getty

“If the right challenge is put to him, he will take it on board.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Conor back in the boxing ring, for sure.
“I’ve been in there with him at Irish level, European level and world level. Conor has given it to me as much as anyone. That speaks for itself.
“When you are a person of Conor’s notes, you will have naysayers and doubters of the highest degree. Even if his boxing was the best, people would say it’s useless.
“I’ve sparred him. I’ve been in there with him, and I’m a boxer. So my opinion is one to listen to.”
Dana White confirms Dustin Poirier vs Conor McGregor trilogy fight at UFC 264 More

DANIEL CORMIER said Ben Askren was ‘laughing all the way to the back’ after being knocked out by Jake Paul. The retired UFC welterweight was stopped in two minutes following a simple one-two combination.
Ben Askren, pictured with wife Amy, didn’t look too upset about his defeat
Askren, 36, barely got an attack off during the fight but did make it to his feet after being floored.
Still, it was not enough to convince the referee he was stable enough to continue, with the fight waved off afterwards.
Askren was captured afterwards smiling as he made his way out of the arena with his wife Amy.
They married in 2010 and have three children together – daughters Alex and Andy and son Ozzie.
Cormier, 41, tweeted: “Wait a minute, did Askren get us all?
“Like this is some magician stuff he wasn’t laughing on his way to the back was he? Cmon Ben lol @Benaskren.”
Askren was guaranteed a £360,000 purse but bonuses after the pay-per-view sales means he can expect to clear £1million.
And fans accused the retired fighter of cashing out with an underwhelming performance.
That’s ben walking to the bank right now.— Adam Shiek (@adam_shiek) April 18, 2021

I mean he made it clear he might lose, and he also just made $1M for 60 seconds of his time. And now he just goes back to wrestling. I’d be smiling too.— Jesse (@jesseg183) April 18, 2021

Fake fight , only for money , I Think they set up this— Rafal_ski (@Eryk25073736) April 18, 2021

So Ben Askren can take a punch from some of the most lethal men on the planet in the UFC but cant go a round with Jake Paul. Nothing and nobody will ever convince me that this was anything other than a fix. A complete embarrassment to the sport of professional boxing— Gerry Twomz 🔰 (@TwomeyGerard) April 18, 2021

Just saw the Jake Paul/Askren stoppage. What a load of guff. Ref said he was stumbling… not when he walked forward he wasn’t, he took a step to the right. Fix at the highest level.— Dan B (@DannoGB) April 18, 2021

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One said: “Just saw the Jake Paul/Askren stoppage. What a load of guff.
“Ref said he was stumbling… not when he walked forward he wasn’t, he took a step to the right. Fix at the highest level.”
Another said: “So Ben Askren can take a punch from some of the most lethal men on the planet in the UFC but cant go a round with Jake Paul.
“Nothing and nobody will ever convince me that this was anything other than a fix. A complete embarrassment to the sport of professional boxing.”
Askren was subject to ridicule online as he was stopped by the social media star – but later admitted it was justifiable.
He said: “It’s probably deserved. I got knocked out by Jake Paul, it’s f***ing embarrassing.”
Jake Paul knocked out Ben Askren in round oneCredit: Getty
The referee waved off the contestCredit: Getty
Jake Paul called out for fight by UFC star Robert Whittaker who says he’d fight for less than the £500,000 Askren got More

JAKE PAUL made short work of Ben Askren with this stunning knockout. The YouTuber stopped Askren in round one of their Triller pay-per-view headliner.

Ben Askren was sent tumbling after a decent comboCredit: Getty
Jake Paul knocked out Ben Askren in round oneCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Paul landed a simple one-two over the top and left the retired UFC fighter unable to continue in the eyes of the referee.
And a video shot ringside showed the brutality of Paul’s finish as Askren was left face-flat on the canvas.
Jake’s brother and fellow YouTuber also filmed the big moment with a veiled warning to Floyd Mayweather, who he is supposed to be fighting in an exhibition later this year.
Afterwards, he said: “I told y’all I was gonna do it in the first round. I told y’all I’m a real fighter.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve gotta prove myself that this is for real.”
Askren, 36, barely got into the fight before he hit the deck and saw the action waved off.
Paul, 24, moved to 3-0 in his boxing career since turning professional in January 2020 and dedicated the win to his bodyguard Shamir ‘Shadow’ Bolivar, who passed away earlier this month.
He said: “This is for Shadow, my security guard, who passed away ten days ago.

YouTuber Jake Paul celebrates his winCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Jake Paul scored his third professional winCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“He told me I would knock him out in the first round. He said he had a vision, a dream.
“This has been the hardest ten days of my life. I had to hold it together to keep it going. And I’m just honoured to be here.”
A defiant Paul then sent a message to all the detractors he has encountered throughout his life.
He continued: “Just a couple of years ago, my teachers were making fun of me in class, telling me I can’t do nothing, telling me I wasn’t smart.
“My schoolmates making fun of me. I used to landscape.
“I just had a dream and I chased it and I worked hard. To think that I’m standing here next to these legends, these legends right here, it’s unbelievable.”
Ben Askren says he will not be back again after knockout loss to Jake Paul More

DANIEL CORMIER said Ben Askren was ‘laughing all the way to the back’ after being knocked out by Jake Paul. The retired UFC welterweight was stopped in two minutes following a simple one-two combination.
Ben Askren, pictured with wife Amy, didn’t look too upset about his defeat
Askren, 36, barely got an attack off during the fight but did make it to his feet after being floored.
Still, it was not enough to convince the referee he was stable enough to continue, with the fight waved off afterwards.
Askren was captured afterwards smiling as he made his way out of the arena with his wife Amy.
They married in 2010 and have three children together – daughters Alex and Andy and son Ozzie.
Cormier, 41, tweeted: “Wait a minute, did Askren get us all?
“Like this is some magician stuff he wasn’t laughing on his way to the back was he? Cmon Ben lol @Benaskren.”
Askren was guaranteed a £360,000 purse but bonuses after the pay-per-view sales means he can expect to clear £1million.
And fans accused the retired fighter of cashing out with an underwhelming performance.
That’s ben walking to the bank right now.— Adam Shiek (@adam_shiek) April 18, 2021

I mean he made it clear he might lose, and he also just made $1M for 60 seconds of his time. And now he just goes back to wrestling. I’d be smiling too.— Jesse (@jesseg183) April 18, 2021

Fake fight , only for money , I Think they set up this— Rafal_ski (@Eryk25073736) April 18, 2021

So Ben Askren can take a punch from some of the most lethal men on the planet in the UFC but cant go a round with Jake Paul. Nothing and nobody will ever convince me that this was anything other than a fix. A complete embarrassment to the sport of professional boxing— Gerry Twomz 🔰 (@TwomeyGerard) April 18, 2021

Just saw the Jake Paul/Askren stoppage. What a load of guff. Ref said he was stumbling… not when he walked forward he wasn’t, he took a step to the right. Fix at the highest level.— Dan B (@DannoGB) April 18, 2021

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One said: “Just saw the Jake Paul/Askren stoppage. What a load of guff.
“Ref said he was stumbling… not when he walked forward he wasn’t, he took a step to the right. Fix at the highest level.”
Another said: “So Ben Askren can take a punch from some of the most lethal men on the planet in the UFC but cant go a round with Jake Paul.
“Nothing and nobody will ever convince me that this was anything other than a fix. A complete embarrassment to the sport of professional boxing.”
Askren was subject to ridicule online as he was stopped by the social media star – but later admitted it was justifiable.
He said: “It’s probably deserved. I got knocked out by Jake Paul, it’s f***ing embarrassing.”
Jake Paul knocked out Ben Askren in round oneCredit: Getty
The referee waved off the contestCredit: Getty
Jake Paul called out for fight by UFC star Robert Whittaker who says he’d fight for less than the £500,000 Askren got More