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Just a few weeks ago at UFC 300, former Lightweight champion Charles Oliveira suffered a competitive split-decision loss to fast-rising contender Arman Tsarukyan. It was a close fight against a great opponent, but it’s also the first time “Do Bronx” has lost a non-title fight since December 2017.
Because of the defeat, Oliveira has now lost two of his last three. The Brazilian wants to return to action quickly and get back in the win column, and he’s teased a possible jump to Welterweight in pursuit of high-profile fights. He wants a summer return, and recently, Mateusz Gamrot offered to be his next dance partner.
Oliveira isn’t all that interested.
When asked about fighting Gamrot, Oliveira responded, “Man, to be honest, he deserves all the respect. He is doing a great job. With all respect, I’m not looking behind, just forward … Everyone now wants to face Charles, everybody wants to fight whoever is up front. It’s part of it, let it happen. We have to always be ready, but I don’t think so. We have to think properly and see what would work out. It might be that forward, yes, but right now I think it’s not what the moment is.”
In other words: thanks, but no thanks.
At the moment, Gamrot is ranked No. 5 at 155-pounds, meaning turning him away would still be a significant win for the former champion that helps get him closer to a title shot. However, he’s far from the biggest name in the Lightweight division. If Oliveira is motivated by scoring big fights more than anything else, it makes sense why he would want to weigh his options before committing to “Gamer” as his return.
July and August aren’t too far off, so expect “Do Bronx” to receive an opponent sooner than later.
Insomnia
I like the idea of One Championship’s hydration testing, but the amount of title fights disrupted by the scale is disappointing.
Smilla Sundell’s team experiment with seeing how much her hair weighs.
It’s a quarter of a pound and won’t be enough.
She’s going to lose her belt on the scale. pic.twitter.com/EAHjYhZHHz
— Nicolas Atkin (@nicatkinONE) May 2, 2024
Featherweight b-b-b-banger alert!
Arnold Allen will take on Giga Chikadze at #UFC304 on July 27th.
[first rep. @leoguimaraesmma] pic.twitter.com/lMvvrNUUX1— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) May 2, 2024
Is virtual competition the real future of combat sports? How many decades until all the brain damage is merely theoretical?
In Singapore, virtual taekwondo competitions broke barriers, allowing women to face off against men .
— Tansu Yegen (@TansuYegen) May 2, 2024
I know a ton of MMA fighters who lie and wear contacts in the cage, but I cannot say I’ve ever heard of anyone dipping their feet in honey.
Rampage Jackson says that the octagon canvas sometimes is so slippery, that he had to put honey on the bottom of his feet
“Have you seen guys throw head kicks and they slip? If you really pay attention UFC [fighters] are moving and sliding around a lot. And the ones who… pic.twitter.com/O9Fhcpy894
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 1, 2024
The war on banana trees continues.
Jon Jones reacts to some terminally online MMA Twitter dude dropping a 40-minute conspiracy video that he’s gay:
Crazy that we live in the world where influencers can persuade the minds of the boys on the Internet. Literally some random loser with a microphone in his basement. People can just say anything they want these days, I find it fascinating.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 2, 2024
Bro, what a powerful position to be in, someone mentions your name and maybe make a few more hundred or even thousand dollars for themselves that year. I’m a blessed dude. All good things. https://t.co/M68kdHDy00
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 2, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Yoshiki Takei would appear to have the touch of death is his lead hand.
Yoshiki Takei ???? challenges for the WBO Bantamweight Title against Jason Moloney next Monday.
The former kickboxing champion is 8-0 (8KOs) in boxing, winning the OPBF title in his 5th fight pic.twitter.com/2Rrcnus3Iu
— Tokker? (@atokkers4) April 30, 2024
Who the f—k is Steve Erceg? Watch some clips below and see for yourself!
March 2, 2019
Eternal MMA 41
Ercegs debuts in Eternal MMA, one of the bigger regional promotions in Australia.
Defeats Mark Familiari via RNC in Round 1 pic.twitter.com/nmyvSnad7n
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) April 30, 2024
September 7, 2019
Eternal MMA 47
Ercegs gets the first KO of his career.
Finishing Paul Loga in Round 1 pic.twitter.com/00NGmYZjt3
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) April 30, 2024
October 30, 2021
Eternal MMA 62
Erceg makes his first & only defence of the 125 titles.
Rematching Paul Loga, this time he finishes him with a guillotine choke in Round 1 pic.twitter.com/GIFSz6knY3
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) April 30, 2024
Fighting off the ropes is a better option than just standing there, but that doesn’t make it safe.
Skarbowsky, le seul et l’unique pic.twitter.com/C0DGsXGejh
— La Sueur (@LaSueur_off) April 30, 2024
Random Land
Hit the target perfectly.
Midnight Music: Indie rock, 2012
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.