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    Francis Ngannou reveals he earned more money from Tyson Fury fight than from entire MMA career beforehand

    FRANCIS NGANNOU revealed he made more in one night boxing against Tyson Fury than he did his entire MMA career. Ngannou walked out on the UFC as their heavyweight champion after 20 fights and 17 wins.
    Francis Ngannou made more in one night against Tyson Fury than he did his entire MMA careerCredit: AFP
    He left the promotion to pursue a lucrative boxing switch and agreed a deal to fight unbeaten star Fury in Saudi Arabia.
    Ngannou even dropped the Gypsy King and was deemed unfortunate to walk away a split-decision loser.
    But despite failing to get the win in the ring, the Cameroonian certainly got the result he wanted in his bank account.
    Ngannou said on The Last Stand podcast: “First off all, whatever would have been my next fight, from the moment that I left the UFC, was going to be way different from what I made.
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    “Because in the past three years in the UFC, I was in a contract issue that I didn’t want to sign a new contract that would have given me more money, but not enough, right?
    “Also the conditions and the terms which would have prevented me from doing boxing, which was one of my ultimate dreams that I wanted to do.
    “So it would have been different, even from my next MMA fight, completely different.
    “It’s at least more than everything that I have earned in my life, in my career.”
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    Fury’s controversial win over Ngannou saw his proposed December 23 title unification against Oleksandr Usyk, 36, postponed till February.
    The British legend is believed to have banked up to £65m for the crossover clash while Ngannou, 37, took home around £8m.
    He is now happy to wait till after the fight to rematch Fury, 35, as he wants to challenge the best boxing has to offer.
    He said: “I prefer to fight the top fighters. Why did I feel Tyson Fury? Because he was the top of the game. I want the best.
    “I want the big fights. I want a big show. I want everything big. But, at the end of the day, it’s a sport and we do what we have to do.”
    Ngannou knocked Fury down during the fightCredit: Getty More

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    Conor McGregor uses me for clout and gets me more OnlyFans subscriptions – I love it, says Ebanie Bridges

    EBANIE BRIDGES said Conor McGregor is using her for clout… and she loves it. The IBF bantamweight world champion is sponsored by McGregor’s Forged Irish Stout.
    Conor McGregor is sponsoring Ebanie BridgesCredit: Instagram @ebaniebridges
    Bridges said she does not mind McGregor using her for ‘clout’Credit: Instagram @ebaniebridges
    Bridges also runs an OnlyFans accountCredit: Instagram @ebanie_bridges
    Scroll down for more amazing pictures of Ebanie Bridges
    And the pair have also struck up a friendship with both reaping the rewards of the partnership.
    Bridges told Best Gambling Sites: “He uses me for clout really. He’s sponsoring me to get his brand out. That’s what sponsors do.
    “We met at the AJ fight and I wore his brand there, because he’s using me to get his brand out. Otherwise he’d be wearing a stout shirt.
    “But we work together because he knows – me and him – will get people talking about his brand.
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    “It’s not that I need him, but we both help each other out, we are both an asset to each other’s brands, we both help build each other, it’s not one-sided.
    “They reached out to me, it wasn’t me chasing them.”
    Outside the ring, Bridges, 37, is a huge hit online and on her OnlyFans account having made a name for herself with racy weigh in outfits.
    And linking up with McGregor, 35, has only boosted her popularity and bank account.
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    Avril Mathie fights Ebanie Bridges nextCredit: Getty
    She said: “Obviously being attached to one of the biggest sports people in the world, one of the most recognisable names in the world, being attached to that is obviously going to grow my exposure, it’s going get me more fans, it’s going to get me more subscriptions to my OnlyFans.
    “More followers on my Instagram and in the end more money. And in turn, we will both grow from it. It’s a positive in many ways. But I get more hate as well.”
    Bridges’ next fight is against Avril Mathie which she dubbed the “battle of the boobs” in a bid to masterfully promote the bout.
    She said: “I called it the battle of boobs because it will sell. It’s all about selling. Eyes on the sport. Eyes on me.
    “If I call it the ‘Battle of the Boobs’ people are going to check it out. It’s changing the look of boxing and showing different looks.
    “It’s showing you can be a model and be feminine and still box. You don’t need to be masculine if you want to box.
    “It’s about showing little girls they don’t have to be hairdressers and models, they can do what boys do.”
    Inside Bridges’ glamorous life as a boxing champion and OnlyFans star…
    Bridges is the IBF bantamweight championCredit: Instagram @ebanie_bridges
    The Aussie is known for her racy weigh in outfitsCredit: PA
    Bridges posing with her belt in lingerieCredit: Alamy
    Bridges has a legion of fans on social mediaCredit: @ebanie_bridges
    This was Bridges’ way of announcing her OnlyFans deal – by writing on her bodyCredit: Alamy
    Bridges always sets pulses racing on the stageCredit: Getty
    Bridges admits to also having ‘haters’ but claims to have made a ton of money from her online venturesCredit: Instagram @ebanie_bridges More

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    Conor McGregor’s manager opens door to MMA super-fight against Jake Paul as UFC star nears return

    CONOR McGREGOR’S manager has refused to rule out an MMA super-fight against Jake Paul. YouTuber-turned boxer Paul has continued to call out and goad McGregor since his professional debut in 2020.
    Conor McGregor’s manager has refused to rule out an MMA super-fight against Jake PaulCredit: Sportsfile
    Jake Paul has continued to call out and goad McGregorCredit: Reuters
    And he is so eager to fight the Irishman that he has even offered to do it in the MMA cage.
    McGregor is building towards a UFC return having been out since July 2021 when he broke his leg.
    And his manager Audi Attar is open to the prospect of a blockbuster with Paul after the former two-weight UFC champion makes his return.
    Attar told Fox: “I think anything’s always possible. You never say never. It’s all about how things line up.
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    “I think the challenge with combat sports is looking that far ahead. You never say never.
    “Getting back into the octagon is step one, going in and handling business there.
    “Then, not looking past that, but then, obviously, when you get past that, look at your options and see what’s next.”
    Paul this year signed with the Professional Fighters League, a rival promotion to the UFC which is set to host his MMA debut.
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    But first, he returns on Friday, December 15 against 10-1-1 boxer Andre August, 35, in Florida.
    Paul, 26, suffered defeat for the first time in February losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 24, in Saudi Arabia.
    The American bounced back in August by beating ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38, over ten rounds in a performance slammed by McGregor.
    He posted on X: “That was abysmal last night, Paul is a r****d, absolute garbage he is.
    “Moving backwards like I was watching a fight in rewind. Holy garbage. Embarrassing stuff all round in my opinion.”
    In the post-fight press conference, Paul snubbed McGregor, 35, as he said: “I don’t care about that guy…
    “I want Nate in MMA. I want more professional boxers and I want Canelo.”
    Jake Paul beat Nate Diaz on pointsCredit: Getty More

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    Fans joke ‘Boy George has let himself go’ as Tyson Fury wears bizarre hat to congratulate Tom Aspinall on UFC 295 win

    TYSON FURY drew comparisons to pop legend Boy George after congratulating Tom Aspinall on his UFC title win. Aspinall – a former sparring partner of Fury’s – knocked out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 to win the interim heavyweight title.
    Tyson Fury stunned fans with his purple hat as he congratulated Tom Aspinall on his UFC title winCredit: Instagram @TysonFury
    Pop legend Boy George is famed for his brilliantly flamboyant hats
    Fans also compared Fury’s headwear to something the Undertaker might go for
    And the Gypsy King – wearing a burgundy fedora – was quick to congratulate Britain’s newest champion.
    He said: “Just want to say a massive shoutout to my brother Tom Aspinall, the new UFC heavyweight champion of the world!
    “God bless you Tom, all the best brother. It couldn’t have happened to a more lovely person.
    “Congratulations to you and your family and I hope you have a fantastic, fantastic time.”
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    But Fury’s uncharacteristic choice of hat was likened to something singer Boy George famously wears or WWE legend The Undertaker.
    A fan teased: “Boy George has let himself go.”
    Another joked: “What’s that hat sorry.”
    One said: “Why’s he dressed like a maroon version of The Undertaker though?”
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    Aspinall’s crack at glory came after Francis Ngannou was stripped of the UFC title when his contract expired, paving the way for a switch to boxing.
    Ngannou, 37, went on to face Fury, 35, in Saudi Arabia and even dropped the WBC champ but was controversially beaten on points.
    Meanwhile Jon Jones, 36, won the vacated belt and was due to defend it against Stipe Miocic, 41, until injury postponed the bout.
    So Aspinall, 30, filled in on two weeks’ notice and KO’d Pavlovich, 31, in the first round.
    And now the Northerner wants to fight Jones next in a dream bout.
    He said: “Right now I want to take a little break.
    “I don’t want to fight again this year. I’ve had enough of this nerves thing and pressure. I want a little bit of time off.
    “I want to fight Jon Jones. I know there’s a lot of contenders coming up at the moment, but I want to fight Jon Jones. That’s my goal.”
    Tom Aspinall knocked out Sergei Pavlovich in round oneCredit: Getty More

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    Deontay Wilder opens door to incredible career change as talks for massive Anthony Joshua fight stall

    DEONTAY WILDER has opened the door to a stunning move into MMA.Wilder has suffered frustrations as a super-fight with Anthony Joshua remains on the ropes.
    Deontay Wilder has opened the door to a stunning move into MMACredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Now the former WBC heavyweight world champion is teasing a cross over to the cage.
    He told Blue Blood Sports TV: “I’m thinking about doing both, UFC and boxing. To keep the activity alive and keep it going.
    “I’ll be a dangerous man in the UFC, bro. With those four-ounce gloves?
    “I broke the f***ing hitting bag machine with those four-ounce gloves on. That was some real stuff.
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    “I could see myself in [the UFC]. I think I want to tie it to the competitive side of me, wanting to do both.
    “Get in there and just show the ability and talent of what I could do.
    “I don’t think there’s nothing cooler than being a champion in both. Have the titles at the same time, too.”
    Boxing legend James Toney was infamously dominated in a round against UFC star Randy Couture when he made the move.
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    But UFC president Dana White did not rule out welcoming 38-year-old Wilder to the octagon.
    White said: “It’s interesting, you know what I mean?
    “You never see this s*** happening, you never see the boxers going, ‘I want to come over there and fight in the UFC. So we’ll see what happens.”
    Dana White is open to Deontay Wilder joining the UFCCredit: Getty More

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    Jake Paul threatens to ‘KILL’ rival amid $15m fight offer as YouTuber-turned boxer talks up MMA debut

    JAKE PAUL has talked up his impending MMA debut by threatening to “KILL” an old boxing rival. The YouTuber-turned boxer this year signed for the Professional Fighters League, a competing promotion to the UFC.
    Jake Paul is set to debut in MMA with the PFLCredit: PFL
    Paul is coming off the back of a ten-round points win over ex-UFC star Nate Diaz in August.
    And both the American and the PFL have proposed a $15m (£12.5m) rematch in the cage.
    But Diaz has so far seemed uninterested and instead wants a return in the boxing ring.
    So Paul said: “Nate Diaz is a smart man, staying away from me in MMA. He can’t take me down, I have better wrestling than him.
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    “Ohio Division-1 state wrestling experience. He clearly can’t punch me. He punches so soft, like pillow hands.
    “If we fought in MMA it would only be 15 minutes, which is half the amount of time we just fought.
    “I’d up the punch count, up the pace, kill that man.”
    Paul, 26, suffered his first defeat in February, losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 24, in Saudi Arabia.
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    And despite the prospect of rematching Diaz, 38, in the cage, the social media sensation returns in the ring on December 15.
    He faces little-known 10-1-1 pro boxer Andre August, 35, as he bids to start a steep climb up the world championship rankings.
    Paul said: “I’m a professional boxer and I want to be world champion, so I need to pursue the path towards greatness against people who have been boxing their whole life.
    “So far, my entire boxing career has been on pay-per-view, but now it’s about more than business.
    “Now I want to build my experience in the ring against seasoned fighters.
    “I’m coming to prove my greatness on Friday, December 15th live on DAZN for the world to see.”
    Jake Paul wants to rematch Nate Diaz in MMACredit: Reuters More

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    Jake Paul ‘can’t fight for toffee’ but Conor McGregor would still get ‘absolutely slaughtered’ by him, says Carl Froch

    CARL FROCH says Conor McGregor would get “absolutely slaughtered” by Jake Paul. That is despite YouTuber-turned boxer Paul not being able to “fight for toffee.”
    Jake Paul has been backed by Carl Froch to beat Conor McGregorCredit: Getty
    McGregor has feuded with both Jake Paul and FrochCredit: AP
    The ex-boxing champion has traded his fair share of words with the American in recent years but he still backs him to beat McGregor.
    Froch told CasinoAlpha: “I no longer know what (McGregor’s) motivation is for fighting; he’s had a couple bad pastings, he’s not short of a few quid.
    “In fairness, he’s earned every penny and he was a phenomenal fighter and you have to admire him for that.
    “But I’m not sure why he wants the Michael Chandler fight, or what his motivation is.
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    “He’s better off hanging around the Misfits and YouTubers and getting involved in a celebrity fight because he’s a massive name.
    “But forget about a crossover fight with Jake Paul, he’d get absolutely slaughtered.”
    McGregor, 35, lost his one and boxing bout to American legend Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
    Froch, 46, commentated on the crossover clash and gave a scathing verdict on the Irishman.
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    It has kept the bad blood brewing between the two to this day.
    Similarly, Froch has not been impressed by Paul’s foray into boxing and insisted he could beat the 26-year-old after ten years in retirement.
    He said: “He’s a s***house, he can’t fight for toffee, and he would not come anywhere near me, even though I’m ten years retired.
    “That’s all you need to know about Jake Paul, he called me out, but he won’t take on a guy who has been retired for ten years.
    “I could come back, not even put myself through a training camp, and it would be such an easy night’s work.
    “He’s a performing clown, hopefully he will go away because boxing fans are not taking him seriously.
    “The reason this isn’t on pay per view is because people are no longer prepared to pay for this rubbish.”
    Froch said he would beat Jake Paul even after ten years in retirementCredit: AP More

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    Conor McGregor leaves first ever boxing coach stunned by gifting him a custom £30,000 truck

    CONOR McGREGOR gifted his first ever coach a custom truck.The Irishman was just ten-years-old when he first walked into Phil Sutcliffe’s Crumlin Amateur Boxing club.
    Conor McGregor’s first coach Phil Sutcliffe was gifted a new truck
    Sutcliffe with McGregorCredit: INSTAGRAM
    But he left behind a promising career in the ring to focus on MMA with his sights set on the UFC.
    What followed was the most iconic rise in the UFC with McGregor becoming the sport’s greatest star.
    He has since brought two-time Olympian Sutcliffe back into his team as a boxing coach.
    And McGregor repaid his first trainer with a brand new Toyota Hilux, which costs around £30,000.
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    Liam Flynn, manager at his Black Forge Inn pub, said: “On behalf of Conor McGregor, he wants to give you this for yourself. This is your new Jeep.”
    A stunned Sutcliffe said: “Thank you Conor, gentleman. Anything he touches turns to gold.”
    McGregor, 35, has been out the cage since July 2021 when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier, 34.
    But he is now touted for a return next year against Michael Chandler, 37, with April the likely date.
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    McGregor said in Saudi Arabia: “I’m happy with April.
    “I would’ve loved it earlier, but if I’m to be honest and be realistic, for my fans, I want to put in a good run, build myself back, and that’s it.
    “It’s looking like April, mixed martial arts.”
    McGregor is set to make his UFC return in AprilCredit: Getty More