UFC

LOGAN PAUL posted then deleted a picture of his professional boxing licence after being ridiculed by Conor McGregor’s head coach.
It comes amid rumours Paul – who lost his pro debut against YouTube rival KSI last November – could face Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition bout.

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Logan Paul lost his pro boxing debut to KSI last year

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Floyd Mayweather has been approached to box Paul

Mayweather, 43, last boxed as a pro in 2017 beating McGregor but in 2018 returned to beat featherweight kickboxer Tension Nasukawa in one round in an exhibition.
And according to TMZ Sports, he has been approached about another exhibition spectacle which would see him remarkably box Paul.
John Kavanagh, who helped McGregor prepare for his boxing defeat three years ago, slammed the potential fight and questioned how it could even be sanctioned.

how is logan getting a pro license to fight mayweather? he has no pro combat sports experience? “yes but didnt conor get a boxing license to debut against him??” true, but you’re a slow donkey if you think that is in anyway similar to a youtuber getting one for his debut.
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) September 17, 2020

Kavanagh tweeted: “How is Logan getting a pro license to fight Mayweather?

“He has no pro combat sports experience? ‘yes but didn’t Conor get a boxing license to debut against him??’
“True, but you’re a slow donkey if you think that is in anyway similar to a youtuber getting one for his debut.”
Paul has in fact boxed twice, both against KSI – real name Olajide William Olatunji.
The first resulted in a draw after six exhibition rounds, but the pair controversially turned pro for their rematch at the end of last year.

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KSI beat YouTube rival Paul by split-decision

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Paul, who was beaten by split-decison after having two points docked, uploaded a picture directed at Kavanagh, revealing that he already has a pro licence.
He captioned the post: “Relax Karen.”
The 25-year-old American will not be in need of a licence if the bout is an exhibition.
Mayweather last year confirmed plans to come out of retirement, but revealed he would likely only box in exhibitions, opposed to returning as a professional.
Despite being approached for the mismatch bout, the American legend is said to be leaning towards rejecting the offer.

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ADRIEN BRONER said Floyd Mayweather pre-planned to stop Conor McGregor in ten rounds and ‘carried’ him during their fight.
McGregor, 32, found success in the opening rounds of his boxing debut in 2017 but tired late on as Mayweather, 43, upped the tempo.

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Adrien Broner said Floyd Mayweather pre-planned to stop Conor McGregor in ten rounds and ‘carried’ him during their fight

The exhausted Irishman was halted a round after being saved by the bell in the at the end of the ninth.
But Mayweather’s former protege and friend Broner, 31, claimed it was all part of his tactical masterplan to take McGregor past his comfort zone.
Broner told VladTV: “He carried him to the tenth round, stopped him, like he told me he was going to do.
“MMA fighters, they don’t fight 12 rounds, they fight three-five rounds. They don’t fight 12 rounds.”

The lucrative money-fight proved to be Mayweather’s fifth and final as a pro.
McGregor has also since retired, hanging up the gloves in June, despite teasing a boxing return online against 41-year-old Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather is again training, and southpaw sparring partner Denis Douglin revealed the former pay-per-view king could be preparing to rematch The Notorious.
It comes after the unbeaten American last year announced he was ‘coming out of retirement in 2020’ to work with UFC boss Dana White.

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Broner is open to boxing a UFC star Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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Broner – who has not fought since losing to Pacquiao in January 2019 – has also thrown his name into the hat to box one of White’s UFC stars.
He explained: “Hell yeah. You’ve got to think, that’s crossing two support systems.
“You’ve got the UFC support, then you’ve got the boxing supporters, so the fight’s automatically going to be big.
“Especially if it’s a big-name UFC fighter.
“I’d fight anyone of those motherf***ers, though.”

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MANNY PACQUIAO has been urged to better Floyd Mayweather’s win over UFC star Conor McGregor.
Mayweather – who beat Pacquiao in 2015 – stopped McGregor after ten rounds in 2017.

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Conor McGregor was beaten by Floyd Mayweather in 2017 Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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Pacquiao has been linked with a fight against McGregor Credit: Getty Images – Getty
It proved to be his last professional fight, but former UFC champion McGregor previously announced plans to box again.
Pacquiao went on to sign for Paradigm Sports – who also work with The Notorious – fuelling speculation of another crossover mega-fight.
And PacMan’s assistant Jayke Joson feels it would give the Filipino the chance to surpass Mayweather by beating McGregor in quicker fashion.
Joson told Manilla Times: “The result of the fight will give us the answer to the question who is the best boxer of all time.

“And who’s the better boxer, Mayweather, who won after 10 rounds or Senator MP?
“That’s why everybody wants to see Pacquiao versus McGregor to compare it to the Mayweather versus McGregor fight.”
McGregor last fought in January, beating 36-year-old Donald Cerrone, but revealed before the fight that he was offered the chance to face Pacquiao.
The Irishman since announced his retirement, but continued to tease a comeback to the ring against PacMan.

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Pacquiao, an eight-division champion, is in line to fight only twice more before retiring and running for president in the Philippines.
And it was revealed his home fans want the boxing legend to face McGregor before hanging up the gloves.
But his strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune is not so convinced.
Trainer Fortune said: “Why even make that guy rich?
“And it will do absolutely nothing for Pacquiao as far as his legacy.
“Manny will destroy Conor McGregor inside the three rounds. He will obliterate him I mean, my God, this is boxing.
“We are boxers. McGregor is an MMA guy and we can’t do MMA, and he can’t box, that’s very simple.”

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McGregor was stopped in ten rounds against Mayweather Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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BROCK LESNAR has been slammed as a “fraud in MMA” and called out to a bare-knuckle fight by Vitor Belfort.
Lesnar, 43, is a free agent after his WWE contract expired, leading to speculation that he could make a fighting return.

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Brock Lesnar became a free agent after his WWE contract expired

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Vitor Belfort called out ex-UFC champion Lesnar
Former UFC fighter Belfort – now signed to ONE Championship – has thrown his name into that hat to face the crossover star, even with just “bare hands”.
He told  Submission Radio: “Brock Lesnar, I think you’re a fraud. But I’ll give you a chance.
“I think you’re a fraud. If you really want to fight with me, let’s go bare hands, me and you.
“We put the gloves, we go combat, you know? I know you’re a very tough man. I heard you’re a grappler, but I’ll fight you, man.

“I’ll fight you any day, any time, and I think that’s a legendary fight right there. But I think he’s a fraud in MMA.”
Lesnar first made the career switch to MMA in 2007 and a year later lost his UFC debut to Frank Mir.
By 2008 he won the heavyweight title after beating UFC legend Randy Couture and successfully defended it against Mir and Shane Carwin.

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But in 2011, after losing to Alistair Overeem in the first round, Lesnar announced his UFC retirement – citing health issues.

He did made a brief return in 2016 to beat Mark Hunt at UFC 200, but his comeback was marred in controversy.
Lesnar failed pre and post-fight drug tests with the result changing to a no-contest.
He flirted with another UFC run last year to challenge heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, but eventually re-signed with WWE.
Dana White is open to welcoming Lesnar back to the octagon, after heavyweight newbie Jon Jones called out the former champion.

But despite his accolades in the cage and outside, Belfort insisted he “doesn’t deserve” the attention he garners having been fast tracked in his career.
He said: “I respect fighters that really paid their way. They deserve to be in the spotlight.
“But, you know, I understand he can be in the spotlight of WWE. So, that’s what I mean.
“A fraud for MMA is this. He doesn’t deserve it, but he sells, man.
“Let’s go Brock. I’ll put my hands on you. That would be nice. I’ll make him pink.”

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PAIGE VANZANT will have a “smooth transition” into bare-knuckle boxing from the UFC as she is “thirsty for knowledge”.
That is according to her striking coach Gabriel de Oliveira, who has the task of moulding the 26-year-old into a fully-fledged puncher.

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Paige VanZant has been tipped to have a ‘smooth transition’ into bare-knuckle boxing from the UFC

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VanZant signed for Bare Knuckle Boxing Fighting Championship after her UFC contract expired.
VanZant, who has never boxed before, signed for Bare Knuckle Boxing Fighting Championship after her UFC contract expired.
Her trainer told MMA Fighting: “We’ll have more time to work with Paige, because she will only fight in November or early next year.
“We don’t have the date set yet – but we’ve already seen how she moves. She’s not totally raw.
“We’ll have to work, add some concepts and change a few concepts she’s carrying over, but I think it’s going to be a smooth transition.

“The most important is that she’s willing to do it.
“One cool thing about her is that we say something and she does it, she wants to learn, she’s thirsty for knowledge.”
After announcing the shock switch, VanZant – who has modelled for Sports Illustrated – insisted she does not fear suffering a nasty gash at the hands of an exposed fist.

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She said:  “I understand people think I’m cute but I’m a fighter and an athlete first and foremost. 

“A cut on your face always heals. I’ve been cut open before and people still think I’m pretty, and it hasn’t hurt my career yet.
“I feel like at this point, I’ll be paid well enough I can have plastic surgery.” More