UFC

EX-UFC star Paige VanZant left little to the imagination on Instagram before showing off her boxing skills.
VanZant uploaded a video where she started in lingerie and knee-high boots before cutting to herself in shorts and gloves.

Paige VanZant left little to the imagination on Instagram

The post comes off the back of her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut

Paige VanZant uploaded a video where she started in lingerie and knee-high boots before cutting to herself in shorts and gloves

The post comes off the back of her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut, which she lost against Britain Hart.
It was VanZant’s first fight since leaving the UFC, which led to her shock bare-knuckle boxing switch.
But the 26-year-old is set to perform a quick turnaround and get back in the ring early in the summer.
Feldman told MMA Fighting: “I can confidently say Paige VanZant absolutely will be back with us here in early to mid-summer.

“100 per cent. We are 100 per cent in the Paige VanZant business.
“We like being in that business. She delivered for us on every aspect we needed and finished the fight strong so that was very important for us.”
VanZant signed a multi-million-pound deal with BKFC last summer after being released by the UFC following her submission loss to Amanda Ribas.
Despite VanZant coming up short in her promotional debut, Feldman insists BKFC’s acquisition has so far been a success.

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He said: “Some people looked at me crazy ‘you’re paying her too much, you’re doing this, you’re doing that.’
“I said, ‘Look I don’t know everything but I know what I’m doing on this stuff and she delivered.’
“She delivered on every aspect that we needed her to deliver on.
“She was worth everything that we gave her and it’s a great partnership.
“She did everything we wanted her to do and we did everything she wanted us to do. We definitely have a win-win relationship.
“I said in all my interviews and I said to you, I really take my hat off to her because she didn’t have to do this.
“Now I take my hat off to her even more because she definitely doesn’t have to do this again.
“She’s doing it and she really wants to prove herself and that’s the kind of person that I wanted to be in business with, the kind of person I have a lot of respect for.”

Paige VanZant wants to return to the ring in the summerCredit: Instagram

Paige VanZant was beaten on her BKFC debutCredit: @bareknucklefc More

LEON EDWARDS predicted Ben Askren is ‘going to get chinned’ against Jake Paul – with the result ‘bad for MMA’.
YouTuber Paul faces the retired ex-UFC welterweight on April 17, and heads into the pay-per-view headliner as a betting favourite.

Jake Paul fights ex-UFC welterweight Ben Askren on April 17

Ben Askren is coming out of retirement to fight Jake PaulCredit: Getty Images – Getty

And according to current 170lb contender Edwards, the social media sensation does so for a reason.
Paul has been backed to KO Askren, leaving a humorous stain on MMA in doing so.
Edwards, 29, told talkSPORT: “He’s going to get knocked out, I’m serious.
“It’s going to be bad for MMA, man! I don’t know who agreed to this. I don’t think it’s going to be good for MMA and he’s going to get chinned.

“But, it’s going to be funny to see.”
Askren, 36, comes into the fight having won titles with Bellator and ONE Championship before signing for the UFC in 2019.
But after three bouts, and two losses, he hung up his gloves and underwent hip surgery last year.
Paul, 24, turned pro in 2020, boxing only once before in an exhibition bout in 2018.

Leon Edwards has tipped Jake Paul to knockout Ben AskrenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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But he already has two knockouts in as many fights, although he only beat online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 36.
Despite Askren’s lifetime of experience in MMA, his lack of proven striking skills leaves him the underdog.
But it has not affected his confidence in any way, as he predicted Paul will be beaten into an ugly submission.
Askren said on Twitter: “I feel great, just tremendous. Boxing stuff is really starting to come together.
“I can’t promise you it’s going to be the prettiest thing you ever saw – although my face is pretty – my combat skills are not, they are unique, they are different.
“But here’s what I can tell you; you will witness the humiliation of Jake Paul. You will witness one man breaking another man’s will.
“And that man Jake Paul, will give up and be humiliated in front of millions of people, live on Triller on April 17th.”

Ben Askren trains for fight against Jake Paul as ex-UFC star punches heavy bag with YouTuber’s face on it More

CANELO ALVAREZ’S coach has offered to help train Conor McGregor following the UFC star’s ‘surprising’ display against Floyd Mayweather.
McGregor lost his ring debut in 2017 against Mayweather in ten rounds, but raised eyebrows after a fast start.

Canelo Alvarez pictured with trainer Eddy ReynosoCredit: Instagram @caneloteam

Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017Credit: AFP or licensors

He is yet to make a return to boxing after talks to face Manny Pacquiao collapsed following his loss to Dustin Poirier in January.
Mexican trainer Eddy Reynoso has backed McGregor in his summer trilogy against Poirier and offered the Irishman a masterclass in boxing.
Reynoso told Little Giant Boxing, translated from Spanish: “I think they should do a trilogy fight. It’s 1-1 so the third fight should be good.
“Here we can support him. We can help to better his boxing and defence.

“Honestly, when he fought Mayweather he surprised me. He has a good counter. He has good footwork, waist movement, and agility.
“Therefore, I think he would do good in boxing.
“Give it your best, keep working hard, don’t quit. You have a lot to give, and get the third fight with Dustin Poirier.”
McGregor, 32, has been linked with a rematch against Mayweather, 44, ever since their blockbuster in Las Vegas.

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But another crack at boxing royalty in Pacquiao, 42, was lined up this year up until he was beaten by Poirier, 32, at UFC 257.
Even boxing pound-for-pound king and four-division champion Canelo, 30, opened the door last April to fighting McGregor.
But Alvarez – also subject to a callout from UFC favourite Jorge Masvidal – could instead end up helping The Notorious brush up on his skills.
Reynoso said: “There’s bad nights sometimes. Conor has a lot to give, I don’t know what happened, but his career is untouchable.
“He’s a tremendous athlete that’s going to be in the history books.

NINTCHDBPICT000632223673Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Andy Ruiz Jr, Canelo Alvarez, Eddy Reynoso, Frank Sanchez, Ryan Garcia and Oscar Valdez
“Anytime, this is your home Conor whenever you wanna come practice and learn. We welcome you with open arms.”
Reynoso has a star-studded stable in his adopted home of San Diego, with Ryan Garica, 22, Andy Ruiz Jr, 31 and Oscar Valdez, 30, alongside Canelo.
McGregor in 2019 returned to his first ever boxing coaches at the Crumlin amateur club.
They have since been in his camp and corner for his last two fights, a win against Donald Cerrone, 37, and loss to Poirier.
But McGregor has admitted since defeat this year than he focussed too much on boxing, as he eyed a mega-money match against PacMan.

Conor McGregor buys Proper No12 whiskey from off licence and laugh off ‘heavy’ £35 price for his own drink More

ROY JONES JR is set to return once again after revealing his ‘dream fight’ with UFC legend Anderson Silva.
The American all-time great came out of retirement in November for an exhibition spectacle against Mike Tyson.

Roy Jones Jr fought to a draw with Mike TysonCredit: � 2020 by ZUMA Wire

UFC legend Anderson Silva has been called out by Roy Jones JrCredit: 2020 Jeff Bottari

After eight rounds, the fight for the ages resulted in a draw, with both Tyson, 54, and Jones, 52, calling for a rematch.
But with Iron Mike now set to instead face iconic rival Evander Holyfield, 58, in a trilogy bout 24 years in the making, Jones is eyeing Silva, 45.
He told TMZ Sports: “Truthfully speaking my dream next fight will probably be Anderson Silva.
“Because Anderson’s available now, I’m available now.

“So, we’ve been wanting to box for the longest time. Why not me and Anderson go out there and put it on for the people?
“It can happen, I think. I’m gonna call him when I’m back home, see what’s happening – it can happen, yeah.”
SunSport revealed in December that the two veteran stars had started preliminary talks to finally fight, following years of missed opportunities.
Silva, a former middleweight champion, had always wanted to face Jones by crossing over to the boxing ring, but his UFC contract blocked the move.

But following his release from the premier MMA promotion late last year, the Brazilian is free to make the step into the ring.
Silva has boxed twice before, losing his debut in 1998 before returning in 2005 with a win, a year before signing with the UFC.
Jones only retired professionally in 2018, but admitted his knees, mixed in with Silva’s boxing experience and southpaw style, makes it a fair fight.
He said: “Anderson knows what pro boxing is, he’s been a pro boxer before, he knows how to pro box.
“At this age, with my knees not being the same they used to be, it gives him a better chance.

Roy Jones Jr revealed his ‘dream fight’ is with Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva was released by the UFC
“And he’s a tall left-hander. So all that works in his favour.
“So there’s a few different elements now that give him a little bit better chance than he would’ve had back in the day.
“Now in my prime, no, no chance. But now that I’m older, and older than him, so it’s something to look at now.
“Because I feel that his chances now are better than they ever were before.” More

JAKE PAUL’S Triller backers are ready to offer him a Floyd Mayweather fight ‘for the right price’ – but only if the YouTuber first beats Ben Askren.
Paul headlines Triller’s next pay-per-view on April 17, facing ex-UFC welterweight Askren.

Triller are ready to offer Jake Paul a fight with Floyd Mayweather ‘for the right price’Credit: Instagram

Floyd Mayweather in his 2018 exhibition with Tenshin NasukawaCredit: AFP

Despite just one year’s worth of professional experience, with two knockouts in as many fights, the social media star has become one of the most polarising names in boxing.
Paul, 24, publicly challenged UFC kingpin Conor McGregor, 32, and even claimed he had $50milllion waiting for him in January.
But after the Irishman was beaten by Dustin Poirier, 32, on his UFC return, the offer was instead reduced to $10,000.
Paul was then subject to a shock callout from Mayweather – who is due to face Jake’s brother Logan this year – with the 50-0 star saying he would fight the younger Paul should he get past Askren.

And Triller’s ‘Fight Club’, led by Ryan Kavanaugh, CEO of billion dollar film company Relativity Media, are also on board to front the cash for the spectacle.
Kavanaugh, 46, told SunSport: “For the right price we would definitely do that. If Jake wins this fight it makes a big difference.
“He would have beat one of the best fighters there is, he may not be the best boxers, we don’t know, but he’s a real fighter.
“If Jake then calls for a big fight, he has a little more credibility to do it. If Jake wins this fight, he can go to major fights, a Mayweather-type thing.”

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Paul, 24, first boxed in an exhibition in 2018, but turned pro two years later alongside Logan, 25.
He beat online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ on his debut before leaving ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 36, out cold in November on Triller’s first PPV.
Paul acted as chief support for Mike Tyson, 54, that night, after the heavyweight icon returned to face Roy Jones Jr, 52.
But for his third fight he will headline the bill, against Askren, 36, who retired from the UFC in 2019.
Kavanaugh – whose firm have produced over 250 movies – projects the event with sell 2M PPVs – surpassing Tyson’s 1.6m sold on his return.
And he credits Paul’s army of fans and followers – 20MILLION of which subscribe to his YouTube channel – as a major part in his box office appeal.
Kavanaugh, who has worked with Hollywood’s elite, revealed it took him just one meeting to recognise Paul’s star quality, which compares to other A-listers.

Ryan Kavanaugh with movie star Channing TatumCredit: Getty Images

Jake Paul is 2-0 in his professional boxing careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Ex-UFC welterweight Ben Askren fights Jake Paul on April 17Credit: Getty Images – Getty
He said: “I’ve always tended to know who’s going to be a star before they’re a star.
“When I was working with Bradley Cooper in Limitless, he was the ‘Hangover guy’ but you could just tell he was going to be a star.
“He had the quality not only on set but off set. There’s just a certain character that comes off.
“When Gerard Butler and I were doing ‘300’ he was the guy behind the mask in ‘Phantom of the Opera’.
“Again, on-camera, off-camera, you could just feel he was going to be a movie star.
“Channing Tattum, his second movie we did called ‘Fighting’ and then after that ‘Dear John’ you could just tell he was going to be a star.
“Jake has that quality. When you sit in a room and talk to him he has that air that exudes stardom, it just comes out.”

Watch YouTuber Jake Paul training to fight ex-UFC star Ben Askren More