UFC

PAIGE VANZANT has documented her incredible body transformation after shedding more than a stone.
It comes after VanZant successfully made weight ahead of her highly anticipated Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut.

Paige VanZant documented her incredible body transformation in an Instagram video – with this shot being how her body inititally lookedCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant

Paige VanZant began slimming down for the fightCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant

The American’s weight loss begins to become visibly noticableCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant

VanZant’s weight cut started at 148.8lb and was completed at 126lbCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant

The 26-year-old former UFC star revealed her weight cut started at 148.8lb and was completed at 126lb.
That meant she went from 10st 6lb to 9stone by the time her training camp was completed.
VanZant announced her shock switch to bare-knuckle boxing after she was released by the UFC with an 8-5 MMA record.
In her BKFC promotional debut, she headlines ‘Knucklemania’ against former pro boxer Britain Hart.

The pair almost came to blows at the weigh in as they engaged in a shoving match, with pre-fight tensions building.
VanZant, who has created her own private website, headlines BKFC 15 in Florida despite no pro boxing or bare-knuckle experience.
Her opponent Hart, 31, on the other hand has a 4-4-3 pro record and 1-2 in BKFC.
Despite VanZant potentially becoming a promotional poster girl, BKFC president David Feldman warned she is in for the fight of her life.

But he is confident the Sports Illustrated cover girl can show looks can be deceiving as she experiences the exposed fist for the first time.
Feldman told SunSport: “It’s going to be a tough match-up and I think Paige VanZant’s going to shock a lot of people.
“I think she’s going to take a punch well, she’s got a very tough opponent in front of her in Britain Hart.”

Paige VanZant signed for BKFC after leaving the UFCCredit: Instagram

Ex-UFC star will headline BKFC 15 off the back of no pro boxing or bare-knuckle experienceCredit: Instagram

Paige VanZant training for her BKFC debut More

PAIGE VANZANT has been backed to prove she is not just an ‘Instagram model’ but a tough fighter who is not afraid of being a ‘bloody mess’.
The American makes her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut on Friday night against former pro boxer Britain Hart.

Paige VanZant has a massive online followingCredit: Instagram

Former UFC star Paige VanZant had proved she can take a punchCredit: Sportsfile – Getty

VanZant’s shock and brutal switch comes having been released by the UFC, where she left with an 8-5 MMA record.
And BKFC president David Feldman insists any fans sceptical of her transition should look at some of the ex-UFC star’s gory battles in the cage as evidence she can take one to give one.
Feldman told SunSport: “People say she’s an ‘Instagram model’, that kind of thing, but at the end of the day if you’ve seen her face in some of her fights she was a bloody mess.
“She’s not afraid of bleeding, of getting hit, and this is what this sport is about – if you can get hit and throw a punch back you have a good chance of doing well.

“Paige is a tough girl, she didn’t have to come to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, she came over to test herself.
“That says a lot about the kind of fighter and athlete that she is. Am I expecting her to transition well? Yes I am.”
Feldman launched BKFC in 2018 and has since welcomed former UFC and boxing veterans into his promotion.

BKFC fighter Jason Knight

Artem Lobov after a BKFC fight
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His most high-profile fight was the brutal grudge match between Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov in 2020.
Conor McGregor’s training partner Lobov won the bout on points which featured on pay-per-view.
But securing 26-year-old VanZant – who starred on Dancing With The Stars and Sports Illustrated – has garnered the organisation’s greatest attention.
And Feldman hopes the arrival will spark new interest in bare-knuckle boxing and help bring more eyes to the sport
He explained: “She’s a really good fighter and also what I call an A-lister, a lot of people know her in the celebrity world.
“She was on Dancing with The Stars, Sports Illustrated cover girl, so many different things that made her an attractive signing to us to bring fans that wouldn’t normally have watched.”

Paige VanZant modelling for Sports Illustrated

The ex-UFC star was on Dancing with the StarsCredit: 2015 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.

Paige VanZant will headline BKFC 15Credit: Instagram
VanZant, who has created her own private website, will headline BKFC 15 in Florida off the back of no boxing or bare-knuckle experience.
Her opponent Hart, 31, on the other hand has a 4-4-3 pro record and 1-2 in BKFC.
Despite VanZant potentially becoming a promotional poster girl, Feldman warned she is in for the fight of her life.
But he is confident the swimsuit cover girl can show looks can be deceiving as she experiences the exposed fist for the first time.
Feldman said: “It’s going to be a tough match-up and I think Paige VanZant’s going to shock a lot of people.
“I think she’s going to take a punch well, she’s got a very tough opponent in front of her in Brittany Hart.”

Paige VanZant’s opponent Britain Hart

Paige VanZant training for her BKFC debut

Paige VanZant left the UFC with an 8-5 MMA recordCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

FLOYD MAYWEATHER has made it known he is still in the business of making money in the boxing ring.
He may have officially retired as a professional in 2017, after beating ex-UFC champion Conor McGregor, but Mayweather appears ready for more money-spinning paydays.

Floyd Mayweather is interested in a comeback in 2021Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The 43-year-old has maintained he will not risk his health and perfect 50-0 record against the current crop of top prospects or champions.
But he has opened the door to spectacle fights against celebrities and UFC stars, with his next bout against YouTuber Logan Paul this year.
Here SunSport takes a look at five opponents Mayweather could consider after he mapped out a plan to compete in exhibitions in 2021.
Jake Paul, 2-0 YouTuber
Despite not yet boxing older brother Logan after their fight was backdated from February, Mayweather called out Jake.

The internet sensation already has two wins to his name, both knockouts against internet rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and former NBA player Nate Robinson.
Jake took the callout one step further by responding to Mayweather on Instagram with a rhyme, taking aim at the boxing legend.
His assistant coach J’Leon Love happens to be a former protege of Mayweather’s and told SunSport in December his old mentor could end up fighting Jake one day.

Jake Paul has been taunting FloydCredit: Getty Images – Getty

50 Cent, rapper and former friend
The music artist – real name Curtis Jackson – was once a close pal and member of Mayweather’s entourage.
But the pair had a falling out in 2012 and have never recovered, becoming online rivals.
50 Cent recently admitted Mayweather would be his dream opponent and the reveal was reciprocated.
Mayweather wrote on Instagram: “I also heard that 50 cent would fight me but claims I’m too small.
“If he wants to lace up at the end of the year, we can do an exhibition then. I don’t care about weight class with any of these guys.”

50 Cent was a former friend and member of Floyd Mayweather’s teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Conor McGregor, ex-opponent and UFC fighter
Mayweather closed out his career in style after stopping McGregor in ten rounds, in a fight he banked close to £300m for.
Due to the box office and financial success a rematch has been touted ever since, and SunSport revealed the two have been in talks.
If the second instalment was to take place, it could do so in the pro ranks.
But Mayweather’s latest post suggests he is only keen on exhibitions, which would deny McGregor a crack at ending the winning streak.

Conor McGregor was beaten by Floyd Mayweather in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC champion
After Nurmagomedov beat McGregor in 2018, he called out Mayweather insisting ‘in the jungle there is only one king’.
It sparked speculation of another crossover, and Khabib even revealed he was offered $100m to box Mayweather in the Middle East.
But, the UFC champion is currently retired and appears content in never fighting again after the death of his influential father and coach Abdulmanap.
If the Dagestani hero ever does decide to continue his career, his superstardom and lack of boxing experience will always appeal to Mayweather.

Khabib Nurmagomedov has been offered a fight against Floyd Mayweather beforeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Manny Pacquiao, ex-opponent
Mayweather brought an end to five years worth of drawn out negotiations after outpointing Pacquiao in 2015.
It proved to be the richest fight of all time after breaking PPV records and selling 16,219 premium tickets which raked in around £53m alone.
Mayweather didn’t seem interested in offering his great rival a rematch but in 2018 he claimed they would fight again in an exhibition in Tokyo.
It never came to fruition, however, but PacMan has not given up in his pursuit of revenge, having always said he was injured during their first fight.
If Mayweather fancied another lucrative payday, and could guarantee his record stayed intact by avoiding a pro bout, Pacquiao could be his most profitable opponent.
his manager has only just caled Floyd out and promised to retire him for a second time if they do meet in the ring.

Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao in 2015Credit: Reuters More

MIKE TYSON is in talks with ex-UFC champion Fabricio Werdum over taking his £500,000-a-month cannabis empire to Brazil.
The heavyweight legend partnered up with businessman Rob Hickman to launch the Tyson Ranch, built over 418-acres.

Mike Tyson partnered up with businessman Rob Hickman to launch the Tyson RanchCredit: Instagram

Fabricio Werdum is in talks with Mike Tyson for a CBD product Credit: Getty – Contributor

His business offers premium marijuana strains, edibles and extracts and Werdum wants to work with Tyson on a CBD range.
He said, via Sherdog: “I talked to Mike that I would love to take CBD to Brazil, and he loved the idea.
“The situation of CBD in Brazil is different from USA, but we are working on that.”
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is the chemical naturally found in marijuana plants.

It has been shown to be a powerful anti-inflammatory medication, and athletes have used it in oil form for recovery.
Tyson, 54, has his own CBD line which no doubt helped his body as he dramatically transformed back into fighting shape.
Iron Mike completed his comeback, 15 years after retiring, last November as he boxed to a draw over eight exhibitions rounds against Roy Jones Jr, 52.
Tyson confirmed he will fight again this year and SunSport revealed he is in talks for a trilogy with long-time rival Evander Holyfield.

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It is understood the pair – with a combined age of 112 – are in negotiations to extend their rivalry with a third fight in Dubai.
The American heavyweights went toe-to-toe twice, with Holyfield winning the thrilling November 1996 original with an 11th-round stoppage.
The rematch, seven months later, is one of the most infamous in history after Tyson was disqualified for biting off a chunk of the Real Deal’s ear.

Mike Tyson looks sharp and powerful as 54-year-old shows off brutal power preparing for £200m Evander Holyfield rematch More

CONOR McGREGOR admitted he ‘deserved’ to get his legs battered by Dustin Poirier after focussing too much on a boxing stance.
McGregor opened up about using the change of styles against southpaw Dustin Poirier to prepare for a future fight with left-hander Manny Pacquiao.

Conor McGregor admitted he used too much of a boxing stance against Dustin Poirier Credit: Handout – Getty

Manny Pacquiao was in talks to fight Conor McGregor Credit: The Mega Agency

The Irishman was knocked out at UFC 257 and afterwards left unable to walk having been on the end of brutal calf kicks.
It also saw his big-money boxing return to face Filipino icon PacMan all-but KO’d for now – as McGregor instead looked ahead to a trilogy with Poirier.
He wrote on Instagram: “I was savouring very second and enjoying my work.
“A little single disciplined in my approach and stance with mostly boxing.

“It’s what I get for picking this bout and opponent as a precursor to a boxing match against Pacman.
“I deserved to get the legs kicked off me going in with this thinking. This is not the game to play around with.”
McGregor, 32, beat Poirier, also 32, in their featherweight fight in 2014.
But the scored was levelled in Abu Dhabi in January, opening the door to a blockbuster trilogy bout.

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And McGregor called for the immediate rematch with Poirier, and suggested the lightweight title should be on the line.
He said: “A well fought fight by The Diamond. 1 a piece now with a Trilogy bout for all the marbles!
“Wow! Exciting! Not a trilogy I was expecting, nor the tactical affair I was anticipating, but I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t meant to be.
“This is exactly how this was always meant to be! Buzzing!!”

Conor McGregor knocked out by Dustin Poirier Credit: Getty Images – Getty

UFC commentator Joe Rogan says Dustin Poirier admitted to him that Conor McGregor caught him early on and caused him trouble More

TYSON FURY agreed Conor McGregor was beaten by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 due to ‘inactivity’.
McGregor was coming into the fight having had just 40 seconds of action in 12 months, dating back to his knockout over Donald Cerrone.

Tyson Fury opened up about Conor McGregor’s loss Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Conor McGregor lost against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257

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After defeat to Poirier, the Irishman, 32, pointed to his lack of time in the octagon as a sticking point in his performance.
And unbeaten WBC heavyweight champion Fury backed up those claims as he admitted ‘inactivity kills the cat’.
Fury told Gareth A Davies: “He did [use inactivity as an explanation for his defeat], and he’s bang on right.

“Conor McGregor fought in 2016, then he had two years out and then he fought Khabib [in 2018].
“Then he had another two years out, and then he fought Cerrone [in January 2020].
“Then he had another year out, and then he fought this guy, Poirier.
“So inactivity kills the cat, no doubt about it.

“When one man’s been active – fighting, sparring and in camps – and one man’s been on the couch, it’s no good.”

Dustin Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor in round two Credit: Sportsfile – Subscription

Conor McGregor beaten at UFC 257 Credit: Getty Images – Getty

After McGregor’s loss, he said: “It’s hard to overcome inactivity over long periods of time. And that’s just it.
“The leg kicks were good. That low calf good was very good. The leg was dead and I just wasn’t as comfortable as I needed to be.
“It’s inactivity and that’s it. But Dustin is some fighter. If you put in the time in here, you’re going to get cosy in here and that’s it.”
Fury, 32, himself is no stranger to time on the sidelines, having spent almost three years out after winning the unified titles in 2015.
After a battle with alcohol, substance abuse and depression, the Gypsy King marked his return with a win against Sefer Seferi in July 2018.
Within two more years he once again became world champion to cap off a remarkable comeback after dethroning Deontay Wilder of the WBC belt.
Fury opened up on the importance of activity and how legends of the past have all suffered from time out.

Tyson Fury made his comeback in 2018 against Sefer Seferi Credit: Reuters

Tyson Fury won the world title again in 2020 beating Deontay Wilder Credit: Getty Images – Getty
He said: “You lose your timing, you lose your distance, you lose it all.
“You lose it all, it’s all gotta be gained back within camps and within fighting.
“If you had three fights on the bounce after you’d never been in the ring for three years, in the third one you’d be ten times better than the first.
“I’ve always known it. Because I’m a boxing historian I’ve always known about the inactivity.
“Gerry Cooney when he fought Larry Holmes – he was out of the ring for 18 months.
“His timing wasn’t there, he just wasn’t the same fighter as he should’ve been.
“If one man’s not active and one man’s been in the ring, it’s an uphill battle.
“Recently we saw Juan Pablo Hernandez, the former IBF cruiserweight champion, he came back after a long lay-off and fought journeyman Kevin Johnson and got knocked out.”

Tyson Fury warns Anthony Joshua that fighting him is like wrestling a T-Rex More

JAKE PAUL’S sparring partner has predicted the YouTuber will leave Ben Askren ‘out cold’, warning: ‘He’s going to shock people.’
Paul will face the ex-UFC welterweight in his third professional fight on April 17, having won his first two by stoppage.

Jake Paul pictured with Jake Bostwick

Ben Askren will fight Jake Paul on April 17

Brit Jake Bostwick – currently living out in America – was approached by an old gym mate who revealed Paul wanted to spar him.
And the current bare-knuckle boxer and former MMA fighter was left impressed after their three-round session in Miami.
He warned Askren – who has never boxed before and fought primarily as a grappler – that Paul possesses the power to leave him out for the count.
Bostwick told SunSport: “Honestly, I think Jake will knock him out within two or three rounds, I really do, 100 per cent. 

“I feel like his boxing’s going to be way better than Askren’s, he’s the bigger man, he uses range well. 
“I really think he can knock him out cold for sure.
“With those 10oz gloves, and he boxes how I feel he can, especially by April, I think he can sleep him, cold. 
“I believe for sure he’s going to shock people.”

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Paul made his professional debut in January 2020, beating internet rival ‘AnEsonGib’ in one round.
He followed it up with a viral KO against ex-NBA star Nate Robinson in November, on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s comeback.
Askren, 36, will mark a huge step up for the social media sensation, coming with a vast amount of experience in MMA before his retirement in 2019.
Paul has been levelled with criticism and scepticism for having lots to say without yet proving himself against an opponent with a fighting background.
But Bostwick revealed the 24-year-old multimillionaire vlogger is working tirelessly behind closed doors to back up his bold claims.
And Paul, guided by coach and former cruiserweight BJ Flores, is proving his worth in the gym, learning quickly on the job.

Jake Paul, pictured with Daniele Scardina

Ben Askren will be boxing for the first time Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Bostwick, 31, said: “I genuinely rate his boxing.
“I rate his work ethic and I rate how comfortable he is in there with someone of my calibre or anyone else he’s working with. 
“I hit him with some clean shots, he didn’t care, threw some shots back, slipping, moving, his jab is good.”
Paul has already set his sights on future super-fights with UFC stars Conor McGregor, 32, Nate Diaz, 35, and Jorge Masvidal, 36.
He even claimed to have sent McGregor a $50million offer, but after the Irishman lost to Dustin Poirier, 32, the deal was cheekily cut to just $10,000.
Paul has used his career as a successful YouTuber with 20MILLION subscribers to grab the attention of rivals.
But Bostwick admits in private the showman is far more humble instead of his brash online persona.

Jake Paul beat internet rival ‘AnEsonGib’ in one roundCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Jake Paul knocked out ex-NBA star Nate Robinson Credit: AP:Associated Press
He compares Paul to UFC bad boy Colby Covington, the vocal Donald Trump supporter who has become public enemy No1.
Bostwick explained: “Jake’s not just this stupid person people think he is who runs his mouth.
“He is super polite, the dude was like, ‘Please, thank you’, he shook my hand. He’s very respectful.
“He runs his mouth and a lot of people don’t like that but he’s got nothing to lose, he doesn’t give a s***.
“He’s got money behind him, he’s got his friends behind him and if you understand who he is, he’s pretty cool.
“Same thing with Colby Covington, with his Trump hat, but in person he’s like, ‘Oh, hello Jake’. He’ll say your full name, shake your hand.
“These people are nice, it’s just for show.”

Jake Paul hits the pads in training for April 17 boxing return More