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      Deontay Wilder poses with Joe Joyce as ex-heavyweight champ watches UFC fights while training for comeback

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      DEONTAY WILDER bumped into Joe Joyce while training in Las Vegas and made another trip to watch the UFC. The American heavyweight star is set to return to the ring on October 15 in New York against Robert Helenius.
      Deontay Wilder watching a UFC event
      And he has been training in Vegas ahead of his first bout since losing to Tyson Fury in their October trilogy classic.
      Wilder has been using the UFC’s facility and even bumped into heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, 35.
      At the UFC’s Performance Institute, the ex-WBC king ran into British contender Joyce, who returns against Joseph Parker on September 24.
      Wilder was later seen at the UFC’s Apex Center watching another round of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series.
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      It was the third event he watched in two weeks.
      Wilder, 36, was knocked out in round 11 against Fury, 33, after being floored three times but scoring two knockdowns of his own.
      The ex-WBC champion then went radio silent, leaving his boxing future in doubt.
      But talk of a return soon surfaced as Wilder was seen publicly again and has recently ramped up his training.
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      Former sparring partner Helenius, 38, is in talks to be the Bronze Bomber’s return opponent.
      And the fight is eyed for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which would be on pay-per-view in the UK.
      Meanwhile Joyce, 36, and Parker, 30, fight in Manchester as they continue their pursuit of world honours.
      Joe Joyce and Deontay Wilder at the UFC’s Performance Institute More

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      Paige VanZant AXED from BKFC London fight at last minute leaving ex-UFC star ‘p***ed and heartbroken’

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      PAIGE VANZANT’s do-or-die bare-knuckle clash with Charis Sigala has fallen through at the 11th hour.The former UFC star was due to clash with her fellow MMA fighter in the co-main event of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship’s London debut on Saturday.
      Paige VanZant’s bare-knucke clash with Charisa Sigala has been called offCredit: GETTY
      VanZant and Sigala were due to clash in the co-main event of BKFC London on Saturday nightCredit: BKFC
      VanZant vented her fury at the late cancellation on TwitterCredit: INSTAGRAM@PAIGEVANZANT
      VanZant has been left devastated by the late cancellation of the fightCredit: INSTAGRAM
      But the fight has been called off due to unexplained reasons.
      The 28-year-old wrote on her Instagram story late on Tuesday night: “My fight is off.
      “This is not from my team or from me. I was beyond ready and excited to fight.
      “Hope to have news soon. Heartbroken.”
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      A furious VanZant later added: “THIS IS OUT OF MY CONTROL!!!
      “I WENT AN ENTIRE CAMP AND WEIGHT CUT TO BE PULLED A WEEK OUT!!!!”
      VanZant had hoped to pick up her maiden win under the BKFC banner at Wembley Arena following a difficult start to life in the promotion.
      She said: “I did not pull [out] from my fight!!!! I was pulled!
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      “I am pissed off and heartbroken.
      “I worked my f***ing ass off to be pulled a week before I am supposed to compete.”
      It’s been claimed that VanZant’s clash with Sigala has been rescheduled for October 15, although the promotion have yet to confirm the new date.
      VanZant inked a lucrative multi-fight deal with BKFC in the summer of 2020 after being released from the UFC.
      But life in the BKFC ranks hasn’t gone well for the American Top Team star, who has lost both her outings in the promotion.
      VanZant suffered a decision loss in her debut to Britain Hart last February, with the same fate befalling her in a rematch with fellow former UFC star Rachael Ostovich last July.
      The skid made her now-cancelled London clash with Sigala a must-win in the eyes of BKFC chief Dave Feldman.
      He told GiveMeSport: “If Paige loses, her bare-knuckle career is definitely at an end.
      “I mean, she did an interview and said there was no pressure on this fight.
      “So, you know, if she feels there’s no pressure, then maybe, you know, maybe she’s very confident.
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      “But, you know, I can’t keep saying after every fight, we’ll see how she does.
      “And that’s why if she doesn’t do well in this fight, If she doesn’t come out victorious, or at least look very, very good, then she’s probably at the end of her bare-knuckle career.”
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      Meet Paige Van Zant’s next bare-knuckle opponent Charisa Sigala who shares x-rated pictures and goes to war in the ring

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      PAIGE VAN ZANT is not the only Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship star prepared to leave little to the imagination online. Charisa Sigala, who faces VanZant in London next Saturday, wows fans of her own on social media and even has an OnlyFans account.
      Charisa Sigala fights Paige VanZant in LondonCredit: Instagram / @charisa_sweetheart
      Charisa Sigala has an OnlyFans account of her ownCredit: Instagram / @charisa_sweetheart
      Charisa Sigala has had three BKFC boutsCredit: BKFC via Instagram / @charisa_sweetheart
      Sigala meets Paige van Zant in the ring nextCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant
      But looks can be deceiving as Sigala is a ruthless fighter, not afraid to trade heavy blows in the ring.
      She has a win, loss and draw in her three BKFC bouts, recently drawing against Angela Danzig in March.
      Sigala, 38, returns at Wembley Arena in the biggest fight of her life against ex-UFC prospect VanZant.
      It features on a packed card which is headlined by Bellator welterweight Michael Venom Page, 35, and former UFC contender Mike Perry, 30.
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      Sigala said: “This event is going to be a big part of BKFC history, and I’m really excited to be a part of it.
      “Fighting at Knuckle Mania in 2021 made me a part of that historic event.
      “I didn’t fully recognize the significance of that in my debut, but I’m very aware of it heading into London.
      “This is another huge opportunity to be a part of BKFC history.” 
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      VanZant lost to Britain Hart in her BKFC debut and was then defeated by Rachael Ostovich – who she beat in the UFC – last July.
      So the American part-time professional wrestler is looking for her first win in the ring.
      Cynical fans dubbed her bout with Sigla the “OnlyFans Championship” due to their subscription-based accounts.
      But speaking to the Daily Star, VanZant, 28, hit back: “I don’t know if I have a reaction to that.
      “I mean, you have to understand that both my opponent and me are two females doing what a lot of people cannot do.
      “You know, 99.9% of the world would never have a boxing match, let alone a bare knuckle boxing match.
      “So, we are doing something nobody else can do. I see it as I’ve been extremely successful in a lot of things, and there is a reason that I choose to fight. I get to make it a choice.
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      “A lot of people have to do these things, they have to wake up and go to work.
      “But I get to do whatever I want, because I have been extremely smart financially. I am really lucky that I get to go out and do what I love.”
      Paige VanZant lost her opening two BKFC fightsCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Paige VanZant lost her bare-knuckle debut to Britain HartCredit: @bareknucklefc More

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      Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk kicks-off incredible night of combat sports including UFC and bare knuckle

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      FIGHT fans are in for a feast on August 20 as a night packed full of combat sports awaits.A host of boxing and MMA events take place across Britain and America.
      Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk last SeptemberCredit: GETTY
      But with so much on offer, fans may be forced to pick and choose what they watch live.
      With the help of SunSport, we break down the blockbuster night of bouts.
      Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2, Saudi Arabia
      Joshua, 32, rematches the Ukrainian pound-for-pound great, 35, in Jeddah, following his loss last September.
      For most, this is the pick of the night, with AJ potentially fighting to save his career and regain the heavyweight belts.
      On the undercard, ex-world champion Badou Jack features, as does Callum Smith and even YouTuber Money Kicks – real name Rashed Belhasa.

      Oleksander Usyk and Anthony Joshua rematch in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Mark Robinson
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      BKFC 27: Michael Venom Page vs Mike Perry, London
      Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship make their UK debut at Wembley Arena.
      Headlining is Bellator MMA star Venom Page, 35, against ex-UFC welterweight Mike Perry, 30.
      Former UFC contender-turned pro wrestler Paige VanZant, 28, also returns in her third BKFC fight, looking for a first win,when she takes on Charisa Sigala.
      Michael Venom Page and Mike Perry ahead of their BKFC clashCredit: Jamie McPhillimy / BKFC
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      Professional Fighters League semi-finals, London
      Also making their first trip across the pond is the PFL, MMA’s only league which consists of qualification and knockout rounds.
      London hosts the third and final semis of the year where the men’s featherweights and women’s lightweights are in action.
      Manchester’s Brendan Loughnane faces bitter American rival Chris Wade while double Olympic gold medallist Kayla Harrison tops the Copper Box bill.
      Brendan Loughnane fights Chris Wade in his PFL semi-finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      UFC 278: Usman vs Edwards 2, Salt Lake City
      A potentially historic night for British MMA awaits as Leon Edwards, 30, rematches welterweight title holder Kamaru Usman, 35, in Utah.
      Not since Michael Bisping, 44, has a UFC fighter from these shores held the gold.
      Usman beat Edwards in 2015 but a lot has changed since then, meanwhile Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold co-headlining with Jose Aldo also returning.
      Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards rematch at UFC 278Credit: Getty
      Adrien Broner vs Omar Figueroa Jr, Florida
      Broner – nicknamed The Problem – is back after over a year out of the ring and fights Figueroa.
      The four-division champ beat Jovanie Santiago in February 2021 but troubles outside the ring left him sidelined.
      Broner, 33, is looking for one more crack at the big time and his personality and flashy style is still a big hit with fans.
      Adrien Broner makes his return against Omar Figueroa Jr More

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      UFC champ Kamaru Usman prefers to ‘gamble’ with £83m boxing switch against Canelo Alvarez instead of Jake Paul

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      UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman admits he’d prefer to “gamble” in the boxing ring with Canelo Alvarez than Jake Paul.The UFC’s pound-for-pound king has been calling for a clash with undisputed super-middleweight king Canelo for close to a year but has yet to seriously get the Mexican’s attention.
      UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman wants to test himself in the boxing ringCredit: GETTY
      Usman is eager to test himself against former pound-for-pound king CaneloCredit: GETTY
      The prospect of facing YouTuber Jake Paul doesn’t interest The Nigerian NightmareCredit: AFP
      Usman, however, has also been subjected to multiple taunts from YouTuber turned boxer Paul during that time – although the social media star has done little to entice The Nigerian Nightmare to fight him.
      During an appearance on The Athlete Podcast, Usman said: “Me fighting Jake Paul, I’m helping him.
      “I beat Jake Paul, nobody cares. You’re supposed to beat him. I still get a bank account now, I still get that.
      “I beat Canelo, biggest athlete in the world, not even close, 100 million in the bank. If I’m gonna gamble, I’m gonna gamble well.”
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      Former Disney star Paul has made serious waves in the boxing world since making his pro debut in January 2020.
      The Problem Child brutally knocked out former UFC 170lb champ Tyron Woodley – who Usman dethroned in March 2019 – in the sixth round of their rematch last December.
      Usman said of the YouTuber: “Absolutely [fighting Jake Paul is a risk]. Listen, me and him get in a scrap right now, he could touch me.
      “I’m not naive or ignorant enough to think – let them put it on the news. I’m a realist.
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      “I know I’m gonna dog walk him, but at the same time, everyone has a puncher’s chance.”
      Usman’s eagerness to test himself against Canelo stems from his desire to become “the face of fight game”.
      The UFC star recently told SunSport said: “Obviously, the bigger the dream, the bigger the manifestation.
      “And the more it scares me, the more I’m willing to prepare and go through [hell] to achieve it.
      “It’s no surprise. Canelo is a tall glass for anybody – a tall pint.
      Fighting Canelo scares and excites Kamaru UsmanCredit: AFP
      “And it scares me, it scares me to death. But the real reason [I want the fight] is: I wanted to be welterweight champion, I got it.
      “I wanted to be pound-for-pound, I got it.
      “I always thought this phrase was special, and the phrase that I’m after now is: ‘The Face of the Fight Game’.
      “And Canelo, right now, can’t say [he’s the face of the fight game].
      “Yeah, he’s the face of boxing, but he can’t say he’s the face of the fight game.
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      “And I can’t claim to that as well. So, there’s only one way for me to stake claim to that.
      “And that’s taking on something that seems astronomically impossible to everyone, except myself.”
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      ‘I would love to’ – Jake Paul called out to fight by Tito Ortiz but UFC legend admits he is an ‘AMATEUR’ in boxing

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      TITO ORTIZ is open to a fight against Jake Paul – but the UFC legend admitted he is an “AMATEUR” when it comes to boxing. Ortiz held the UFC light-heavyweight title from 2000-2003 and most recently fought in MMA against ex-WWE star Alberto Del Rio in 2019.
      Tito Ortiz was beaten by Anderson Silva in September 2021Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Jake Paul was called out by Tito OrtizCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But the American, 47, made a shock switch to the ring last September, losing to MMA great Anderson Silva, also 47.
      It leaves Ortiz winless in the ring but still refusing to rule out a bout with YouTuber-turned prizefighter Paul, 25.
      He said on Chris Van Villet’s podcast: “I would love to. That’d be amazing.
      “That would be fun. Once again, I have an 0-1 record, he has a [5-0] record. I still feel like I’m an amateur in boxing.
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      “I do a lot in mixed martial arts, but I still feel myself as an amateur but I’m competitive. I’m very competitive.”
      Ortiz is yet to return since his first-round knockout loss to Silva.
      Whereas Paul most recently knocked out Tyron Woodley, 40, last December, four months after beating the ex-UFC champ on points.
      He also has KOs over online rival “AnEsonGib”, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 38, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 38.
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      Paul was set to face Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, in his comeback fight on August 6 at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden.
      But a weight disagreement between the two forced the entire MSG event to be cancelled only a week out.
      As revealed by SunSport, Paul is now eyeing a return in October for his sixth professional bout.
      Rahman was due to be his first opponent with a recognised boxing record after Tommy Fury, 23, twice pulled out, with injury and a visa issue.
      Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman Jr before their fight cancelationCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      ‘He got his ass kicked ‘ – Floyd Mayweather got ‘BEAT UP’ by Conor McGregor, says ex-UFC star amid talk of rematch

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      FLOYD MAYWEATHER “got his ass kicked” and was “BEAT UP” by Conor McGregor, claimed the outspoken Chael Sonnen. McGregor was beaten by the American boxing legend in 2017 after ten rounds in Las Vegas.
      Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017Credit: USA Today Sports
      Chael Sonnen said Floyd Mayweather got ‘BEAT UP’ by Conor McGregor
      But the Irish UFC superstar did win some of the early stages, before tiring down the stretch and being stopped on his feet.
      Sonnen, an ex-UFC title challenger-turned analyst, was referencing Nate Diaz’s odd on beating rising contender Khamzat Chimaev.
      And in doing so he made an outlandish claim about McGregor’s performance in his boxing debut against Mayweather.
      Sonnen said on his YouTube channel: “12-to-1 underdog.
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      “That line is not going to hold, I’m telling you right now, but [Diaz] is a 12-to-1 underdog.
      “Diaz was an 8-1 underdog. Now 11-to-1 is what Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather was.
      “It closed to 8.5, but Conor was an 11-to-1 dog, went out, and beat up a guy for 30 minutes. [Mayweather] lost four of nine completed rounds.
      “He got his ass kicked regardless of what the crooks in the Nevada State Athletic Commission told you that night.”
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      Mayweather, 45, announced his official retirement after beating McGregor, 34, but he has boxed in three exhibition bouts since.
      The first was against featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 23, in 2018 before a return against YouTuber Logan Paul, 27, in June 2021.
      Mayweather was in May then due to box Don Moore in Dubai until the death of 73-year-old UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
      It delayed the fight by a week, later taking place in Abu Dhabi, where Moore was dominated over eight rounds.
      The unbeaten Hall of Famer has since announced he will return in September back in Japan, against MMA star Mikuru Asakura, 29.
      But FightHype, a media company Mayweather famously favours, reported a rematch with McGregor was in the negotiation stage.
      Floyd Mayweather is set to face MMA star Mikuru Asakura in SeptemberCredit: Getty More

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      Conor McGregor was AHEAD after four rounds into Floyd Mayweather fight, says Atlas as he breaks down UFC star’s display

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      CONOR McGREGOR was leading against Floyd Mayweather after four rounds, boxing trainer Teddy Atlas said. MMA superstar McGregor crossed codes in August 2017 as he made a professional ring debut, beaten in ten rounds by former pound-for-pound king Mayweather.
      Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017Credit: Getty – Contributor
      But the Irishman, who was the UFC lightweight champion at the time, got off to a quick start.
      So much so that Atlas – working as a pundit for the fight – had him up at the half-way point – until Mayweather caught up to him.
      He said in an interview with The Schmo last year: “To the credit of McGregor, he was ahead.
      “I know you guys are going to probably choke on your pecan pie that you’re having right now but he was ahead after four rounds.
      “I was there for ESPN calling the fights, and I was there with the great Chael Sonnen sitting ringside and after four rounds he was ahead
      “He being McGregor – and there’s a reason for it: because he was using his reach.
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      “He’s a southpaw, he’s got long arms, he’s a counter puncher and he was staying outside with the counter punching, using his reach, using his jab.
      “Four rounds, he was ahead. But then, of course, Mayweather did what he had to do in his realm to break him down, and he did, and he got to him.
      “But the point I’m making is, styles make fights.”
      Despite Atlas’ claim, only one of the three judges agreed with him, as the other two had Mayweather, 45, leading three rounds to one after four.
      McGregor, 34, was given special permission by the UFC to go out of his contract and fight the boxing legend.
      Four rounds, he was ahead. But then, of course, Mayweather did what he had to do in his realm to break him down, and he did, and he got to him.Teddy Atlas on Conor McGregor’s fight with Floyd Mayweather
      Several other UFC stars have since flirted with the idea of lacing up the gloves, most recently welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, 35.
      Usman has called out boxing’s pound-for-pound best Canelo Alvarez, 32, in the past, but Atlas has warned him against the switch of codes.
      He said: “He’s got physicality, he’s very strong, he’s a decent puncher and he’s not a bad striker – although I think a lot of his strengths are on the mat with his knowledge there and his physicality.
      “You throw him in there with a B-level guy or even a good journeyman guy, no.
      “I don’t want to upset anyone with the fans out there, but as long as the rules are strictly boxing, no he wouldn’t be able to have tremendous success there.”
      Boxing trainer and pundit Teddy AtlasCredit: Getty
      UFC welterweight champion Kamaru UsmanCredit: Getty More