Author: Anton Tabuena

Dana White’s words doesn’t really match their actions in regards to Francis Ngannou and his UFC contract.

Francis Ngannou and Dana White have been at odds for quite sometime now. The UFC heavyweight champion has not been happy with various things, including the frequency of which he is booked, his contract status, and the way the UFC negotiates.

Based on White’s latest comments, things between them haven’t improved yet.

“These things happen. Sometimes you don’t always come to terms with people,” White told ESPN, before taking yet another shot at Ngannou’s management team. “When you’re a fighter, you have to be careful who represents you. I don’t think he’s had the best representation.”

White and Ngannou’s manager have had heated arguments publicly in the past. Interestingly enough, Ngannou is represented by Creative Artist Agency (CAA), a massive Hollywood and sports agency, which also happens to be long term rivals with White’s bosses over at Endeavor.

White also claims that there’s “no problem” with him, if Ngannou doesn’t want to be with the UFC anymore.

“Look, if you want to be with us, we’d love to have you. If you don’t want to be with us, no problem. It’s all good,” White claimed. “I think his contract, and this is off the top of my head, if he wins he still has time with us after this fight. He’d probably have one more fight.”

White’s words here contradict with the promotion’s actions though, and it doesn’t seem “all good” with them if Ngannou leaves. His original contract reportedly should’ve expired last May, but despite not signing a new deal, UFC has been extending it using controversial provisions in his contract.

Ngannou won the UFC heavyweight title in March of 2021. Just about three months after that though, and the UFC decided to book an interim heavyweight title, which Ciryl Gane now holds.

A title unification between Ngannou and Gane is currently booked for UFC 270 on January 22. It’ll be interesting to see not only who wins that intriguing match up, but also how Ngannou’s contract dispute plays out after that contest.

Holy s—t!

Jake Paul knocked out Tyron Woodley in the sixth round of their rematch on Saturday night. Their first fight ended in a close split decision, and the YouTuber turned boxer made sure he left no doubt this time around.

After getting Woodley to bite on a feint, Paul unleashed a wicked right hand that put the former UFC champion out cold. The ringside angle of the knockout has since been released, and the face plant KO actually looks far more brutal than the one on the original broadcast.

Watch the clip below:

With the victory, Paul improves to 5-0 in his boxing career, including 4 knockout victories. After achieving it on his second try, Paul now proudly says he has knocked out every person he has ever stepped into the ring with.

After the loss, Woodley now goes 0-2 against Paul, in what has been a very rough start to his boxing career. He is 19-7-1 in his MMA career, but has also lost his last four bouts in the cage.

Watch video from the Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley rematch.

Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley met in an unexpected and short notice rematch Saturday night. The first bout had Woodley landing the best shot, but ultimately losing a split decision due to a lack of activity. After a close start to the contest, Jake Paul eventually landed a big right hand in the sixth round that put Woodley out cold and leaving no doubt this time around.

Watch videos of the fight below, along with a snippet from our play-by-play.

Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley – Round 5

This ref has had enough of this hit and hold shit. If I was a paying fan I’d feel ripped off watching this fight, but I am also fiscally responsible. Paul lands a jab and then the clinchfest continues. They trade body jabs. I think Woodley clipped Paul. Oh there’s the bad headbutt. Right hand behind the ear for Paul. Combo by Paul mostly misses. I’ve checked out. 48-47 Paul.

Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley – Round 6

And after all of that unwatchable boxing from the previous five rounds, Paul faceplant KOs Woodley with a right hand in the 6th! It’s all over!

Watch NBA vet vs NFL vet in a boxing match.

As part of the Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley 2 card, former NBA superstar Deron Williams took on former NFL star Frank Gore in a four round exhibition boxing match.

Williams has a combat sports background in wrestling, and has been training for a while in his Fortis MMA gym. That experience showed in the fight, and he looked pretty good for a guy having his very first fight ever. In the end he won a split decision over the NFL vet and won his boxing debut.

After the win, Williams said he is one and done in his combat sports career.

Watch videos of the fight below, along with a snippet from our play-by-play:

Deron Williams vs. Frank Gore – Round 4

Williams lands a right hand, Gore dealing with all of Deron’s wrestling and hitting while holding. Uppercut by Williams. Gore with a roundhouse right that’s blocked. Hard right hand by Gore but Williams isn’t that bothered. Williams and Gore have given everything they’ve got. Right hand on the temple, body shots, and then Williams again hitting in the clinch. That’s it. That fight happened! 39-37 Williams.

Deron Williams vs. Frank Gore – Round 3

More roughhousing in close! Williams staggers Gore. Then Gore backed up against the ropes rocks Williams with a left! What is going on?! Clubbing blows from Williams and Gore is gonna get a count because he was saved by the ropes! They trade right hands. Williams missing with a left hook. Gore with a left. Williams loading up the right hand but missing. They’re both gassed. Round is over. 29-27 Williams.

Nate Diaz is looking to fight soon, so it won’t be against Conor McGregor.

Nate Diaz is on the last fight of his UFC contract, and he isn’t looking to wait for that trilogy with Conor McGregor next. The Stockton native is looking to fight as soon as January, and tried to set some stipulations for a potential trilogy bout with McGregor.

“I’m not fighting Conor until his leg grows back and he beats some people so we know he can even fight still till then. Can I get on January card @ufc Thanks,” Diaz wrote.

As for who he will fight next, Diaz and Dustin Poirier expressed mutual interest in getting it done, but it looks like the UFC isn’t interested in booking it.

“The ufc don’t wanna pay for u dp sorry u suck,” Diaz tweeted. “Loser.”

Despite not agreeing on a new deal yet, the UFC also reportedly used one of their controversial provisions and extended Diaz’s contract recently. With Diaz asking for January, the UFC superstar seems to be intent on finishing up that deal as soon as possible to test free agency.

UFC has changed their COVID-19 protocols, passing on some costs to their athletes.

The UFC has implemented yet another sweeping change in a move seemingly done to cut more fighter costs.

The UFC has been requiring COVID-19 testing for fighters and cornermen prior to traveling to the events they’ve been booked in, and now they won’t be spending for it anymore. The policy remains the same, but the athletes will now be shouldering the costs instead of the promotion.

This is according to a report from Ariel Helwani, who says that the change will be from their next event onwards:

“As of this weekend’s UFC card, fighters and corners will be responsible for paying for their own COVID testing expenses, I’m told. Up until this point, fighters and corners did a 10-day pre-departure test, domestically and internationally. That was paid for by the UFC. International fighters/corners went to labs, domestic fighters/corners were sent kits. As of this weekend, they are responsible to take and pay for the tests themselves.”

The news comes soon after Endeavor and the UFC boasted about breaking all financial records set by the promotion. Ari Emanuel recently touted 2021’s revenue and EBITDA, saying they’re having the most lucrative first three quarters in company history.

Numbers reveal that the UFC is also likely on track to generate $1 billion for the year, a first for the promotion.

Low revenue-share and fighter pay have long been a controversial issue for the UFC. Even if it’s not the biggest sum of money, this move that passes on costs from the promotion to the athletes will only widen that gap even more.