Undefeated Chechen sensation Khamzat Chimaev is plotting his return to the Octagon and that only means bad things for his sparring partners.
Chimaev, who is one of the fastest growing stars Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) h…
Undefeated Chechen sensation Khamzat Chimaev is plotting his return to the Octagon and that only means bad things for his sparring partners.
Chimaev, who is one of the fastest growing stars Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has to offer, has been sidelined since his lopsided submission win over Kevin Holland at UFC 279 back in Sept. 2022. The victory helped push Chimaev’s current UFC record to 6-0, but he drastically missed weight for the event and it has cast some doubt on whether or not “Borz” will fight at 170 pounds again.
Whether Chimaev competes at welterweight or middleweight next, the 28-year-old fighter is hitting the ground running. A recent sparring video has emerged showing Chimaev chopping it up with some schmo inside of the cage. The action was fairly friendly in the early going before Chimaev opened up and put a beating on his adversary. Luckily for Chimaev’s UFC running mate, Darren Till, this wasn’t him.
Check out the footage in the above video player.
While this was strictly a sparring session it should strike some fear into those thinking about fighting Chimaev. The undefeated contender is one of the scariest and mysterious fighters to come into UFC in quite some time and is only a win away from a potential title shot. If “Borz” remains dialed in and fixes the few bugs he has in his game there’s no telling how far he can take his UFC career.
What say you, Maniacs? How much to jump in the cage for this sparring session?
Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Berman Law Group
Jake Paul is still expecting to make his mixed martial arts (MMA) debut under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner, but it may come later than expecte…
Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Berman Law Group
Jake Paul is still expecting to make his mixed martial arts (MMA) debut under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner, but it may come later than expected.
At the start of the year the social media sensation signed a deal with PFL that ensured his anticipated debut inside of the cage. Paul and company believes he would be able to make his official MMA debut by the end of 2023, but that may end up trickling into 2024 after all.
On Friday, Paul joined the PFL 2 2023 broadcast (results HERE) to help call some fights and discuss his own combat future. After confirming that his debut may be pushed back to next year, Paul detailed his ongoing MMA training and how is game is coming along.
“But I’m really excited, even just watching the fights tonight has got me hyped up,” Paul said. “I’ve been training jiu-jitsu a little bit and getting back to my wrestling roots; I grew up wrestling in Ohio, Division I, I have that background. So, I really just have to focus on learning the kicks.
“So I need about a year or so, and then I’m gonna be ready, and I’m excited to be doing it with the PFL,” he continued. “And hopefully, we can lock down a big name, because I want to challenge myself. People think I’m crazy, which I am, but I like doing things differently. And since the beginning of this whole like influencer boxing thing, I’ve always said that I wanted to do MMA. So for me, I’m excited to do it, and to be doing it at the PFL.”
Paul, 26, has been doing his best to carve out a memorable career in the sport of boxing. The social media sensation had produced a 6-0 record over the last three years before meeting rival Tommy Fury inside of the ring this past February. Fury ended up defeating Paul via split decision to hand him his first professional loss.
Many thought Paul might push for an immediate rematch against Fury, but he’s keeping his options open. It could be Paul’s last trip to the boxing ring before his crossover into MMA so he’s trying to find the best possible dance partner.
“I’m revisiting the drawing board, going back to the basics, changing some things around with my team, and we’re assessing who it is that I’m gonna fight next,” Paul said. “There’s some really big names out there. We’re talking to multiple different teams, trying to make another massive fight. So stay tuned and hopefully you’ll hear an announcement from me soon.”
Drake is once again testing his luck at mixed martial arts (MMA) betting with four massive wagers later tonight (Sat., April 8, 2023) at UFC 287 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Miami-Dade …
Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images
Drake is once again testing his luck at mixed martial arts (MMA) betting with four massive wagers later tonight (Sat., April 8, 2023) at UFC 287 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Florida. This time around the millionaire rapper is banking on Israel Adesanya and Jorge Masvidal getting it done atop the marquee.
Tonight’s event will feature the return of Jorge Masvidal on Miami soil, but the PPV card was built around Adesanya’s anticipated rematch against UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira. The two middleweights have a history dating back to their days in kickboxing, but their first MMA matchup occurred five months ago at UFC 281 in New York City. It was a fight that “Last Stylebender” was winning, but Pereira ultimately pulled out the comeback win and secured a late fifth-round TKO.
Ahead of their rematch later this evening at UFC 287, fight fans are unsure who has the edge. Pereira is 3-0 lifetime against Adesanya, but Izzy was handily winning the fight last time around before making a crucial error. Drake, along with many other UFC gamblers, are hoping that Adesanya can keep things in check and regain his 185-pound title tonight in Miami.
Late Friday night, Drake shared his newest UFC wager via Instagram. The rapper is putting all of his chips on Adesanya beating Pereira. Drake has put up a total of $900,000 on Adesanya to win and win by knockout. It’s a steep bet to make, especially considering Drake lost big money on Adesanya in his first UFC matchup with Pereira.
In addition, Drake is betting a total of $500,000 on Masvidal to take care of business against fellow welterweight contender Gilbert Burns in the co-main event. Masvidal is riding a three-fight losing streak and has already stated that this could be his final MMA fight, but Drake is hoping “Gamebred” pulls out the win and earns a big knockout along the way.
Between four total bets, Drake can end of walking away with nearly $6 million in winnings. Check out the wager slips below:
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 287 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard on ESPN/ESPN+at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 287: “Pereira vs. Adesanya 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 287 fight card and PPV lineup click here.
It all goes down later tonight (Sat., April 8, 2023) at UFC 287 live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Fla., as Alex Pereira defends his UFC middleweigh…
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
It all goes down later tonight (Sat., April 8, 2023) at UFC 287 live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Fla., as Alex Pereira defends his UFC middleweight title in a rematch against former champion, Israel Adesanya. The co-main event of the evening will feature a welterweight match between top contenders Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns.
In addition to the two marquee bouts, UFC 287 will feature the PPV debut of bantamweight knockout artist Adrian Yanez, the second Octagon appearance for 18-year-old prospect Raul Rosas Jr., and a welterweight clash between Kevin Holland and veteran Santiago Ponzinibbio. Not to mention a “Prelims” affair involving middleweights Kelvin Gastelum and Chris Curtis.
Take a look below at UFC 287’s complete fight card line up and start times:
Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya Gilbert Burns vs. Jorge Masvidal Rob Font vs. Adrian Yanez Kevin Holland vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Christian Rodriguez
‘Prelims’ Undercard (ESPN/ESPN+) 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Chris Curtis Michelle Waterson vs .Luana Pinheiro Gerald Meerschaert vs. Joe Pyfer Karl Williams vs. Chase Sherman
Early ‘Prelims’ Undercard (ESPN+) 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT
Cynthia Calvillo vs. Lupita Godinez Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Trey Ogden Shayilan Nuerdanbieke vs. Steve Garcia Jaqueline Amorim vs. Sam Hughes
Online
UFC 287: “Pereira vs. Adesanya 2” PPV main card can be viewed via the ESPN+ streaming app.
UFC 287: “Pereira vs. Adesanya 2” PPV main card and undercard “Prelims” can be viewed via ESPN+ streaming app through Google Play and iTunes stores.
Bars
Stay home, be safe. But, if you really, really need to go out and watch UFC 287 there is a list of bars near you airing “Pereira vs. Adesanya 2” right here.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 287 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard on ESPN/ESPN+at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 287: “Pereira vs. Adesanya 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 287 fight card and PPV lineup click here.
Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Fight fans weren’t sure what to make of two separate altercations between Kevin Holland and Jorge Masvidal this week leading up to UFC 287 later tonight (Sa…
Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Fight fans weren’t sure what to make of two separate altercations between Kevin Holland and Jorge Masvidal this week leading up to UFC 287 later tonight (Sat., April 8, 2023) live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Fla., but “Trailblazer” was kind enough to detail their feud in an interview Friday night.
Earlier this week, Holland and Masvidal first made headlines with an altercation in a hotel lobby. Security and team members were on the scene so it was more a chest-puffing match than anything, but the entire thing caught the mixed martial arts (MMA) community off guard. Holland does talk a lot and is no stranger to pre-fight melees, but nobody knew of any real beef between the two teams.
On Friday morning, Holland and Masvidal reportedly got into it again outside of UFC 287’s official weigh ins (watch HERE). Holland apparently provoked Masvidal into a fit of rage that saw “Gamebred” pacing outside on the street for minutes. Once again, fight fans were confused.
Luckily, Holland was able to shed some light on the situation during an interview with The Schmo following UFC 287’s ceremonial weigh ins (results HERE). According to “Trailblazer,” their feud dates back to his last trip to Florida at a random MMA event.
“I guess a while back when I fought in Florida I was fighting Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Somehow, someway, somebody said I was going to the event to cause problems,” explained Holland. “I was really going to the event to see a honey I was talking to at the time. Just really chill with her because she couldn’t make it to my dinner. Somehow, someway, it turned out to be another story. I don’t really give a f—k.
“Now all of a sudden dude’s got feelings. So when I seen him I said, ‘What’s up, baby girl?’ Next thing you know he started Pmsing. I don’t really think it’s that special of a story to keep underneath the rug or maybe they’re just trying to use it for another time, but shit you’re my man so now you know.”
There you have it. Not the biggest news of the week, but at least fight fans have some context to all of these incidents involving Masvidal and Holland. Luckily, both fighters compete in the UFC’s welterweight division so they could book a matchup next if they really want to settle this beef.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 287 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard on ESPN/ESPN+at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 287: “Pereira vs. Adesanya 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 287 fight card and PPV lineup click here.
Photo by Leandro Bernardes/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Gilbert Burns pulled out all the stops for his co-main event clash with Jorge Masvidal later tonight (Sat., April 8, 2023) at UFC 287 live on ESPN+ PPV…
Photo by Leandro Bernardes/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Gilbert Burns pulled out all the stops for his co-main event clash with Jorge Masvidal later tonight (Sat., April 8, 2023) at UFC 287 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Fla., and that includes hiring scouts to pick his own game apart and show him his flaws.
Burns, who is coming off an impressive win over Neil Magny this past January, is hoping to parlay a victory over “Gamebred” at UFC 287 into his second welterweight title shot. Masvidal has been struggling of late, but Burns will certainly have his work cut out for him. After all, Masvidal is fighting in his own backyard and seems more dedicated to this fight than most of his other recent bouts.
In order to give himself the best chance possible to win Burns has once again called upon the expertise of MMA scout and striking coach, Daniel Mendes.
“He sends me a lot of numbers, especially for a guy like Masvidal who has 51 fights. There’s a lot of tape for him to watch,” Burns said. “There are many habits he won’t change. He can get better here or there, he can change something here, but he won’t change everything completely overnight, so you can see his tendencies.
“You can see how he defends takedowns. Demian [Maia] took him down this way, Colby [Covington] took him down that way, Kamaru [Usman] took him down like this. But those three guys are on another level. Most people tried and couldn’t take him down. Michael Chiesa shot well for a takedown but ended up on bottom and got submitted. It’s good to have those numbers and those tendencies, you know? Like, ‘He does this well, so I won’t waste any energy there.’ That helps in the strategy.”
Burns utilized Mendes for his fight against Magny earlier this year and the result speaks for itself. “Durinho” more or less dominated Magny en route to a first-round submission finish. It proves that Mendes’ work is paying off, but Burns acknowledges his methods aren’t for everyone. Most fighters wouldn’t be able to check their ego at the door in order to have an outsider tell them what’s wrong with their performances, and then positively build off of that.
“We’re working on changing that because I have many tendencies as well,” Burns said, laughing. “Daniel really does great scouting, and I was shocked. I did so many things wrong. He has a study of the Neil Magny fight and I did five things wrong during that fight, before we went to the ground. I didn’t notice that — and we only strayed on the feet for a minute and a half.”
“I liked this evolution, it makes you know yourself and change bad habits to get better, but it’s not for everyone,” he continued. “Some people don’t have their ego under control for that, instead of saying, ‘Wow, I’m doing all that [wrong]? I’ll start working now.’ Daniel did that with me, and there’s the pre-Khamzat and post-Khamzat ‘Durinho,’ and people will start to feel the difference now in terms of defense and movement now.”
With all of his preparation in check Burns is hoping to turn in a memorable performance against Masvidal at UFC 287. The veteran contender knows “Gamebred” isn’t a walk in the park, but Burns believes his grappling and late-round striking will ultimately prevail.
“I think the best path is taking him down and working on ground-and-pound and submissions,” he said, “but knowing he has good takedown defense, I’ve worked on some attacks. And there’s plan B. In case he survives, he will be tired and his reflexes his diminish. If I can’t execute what I want, that will mean he’s done a great job, and doing that great job takes a toll on you. Second and third rounds, I think I’ll see a lot of openings on the feet, the fight becomes less dangerous [on the feet].”
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 287 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard on ESPN/ESPN+at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 287: “Pereira vs. Adesanya 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 287 fight card and PPV lineup click here.
