Tag: Ali Abdelaziz

Dominick Cruz Clashes with Ali Abdelaziz, Calls the MMA Manager ‘Weak’

Dominick Cruz Clashes with Ali Abdelaziz, Calls the MMA Manager 'Weak'Dominick Cruz got into a heated back-and-forth with Dominance MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz after answering he would compete one…

Dominick Cruz Clashes with Ali Abdelaziz, Calls the MMA Manager 'Weak'

Dominick Cruz got into a heated back-and-forth with Dominance MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz after answering he would compete one final time in 2025.

Last week, ‘The Dominator’ revealed in an interview with TMZ Sports that he would return to the Octagon after the new year for one last dance on MMA’s biggest stage.

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“I think I got a last dance, I got one last dance in me, just to go out there and go have fun,” Cruz said. “And when I say ‘fun’ I mean ‘fight to the bitter death and see what I have in me.’ The fun comes months after that, that’s where it gets to set in and okay, that was fun.

“But I’m ready to walk into the fire again and see what life and death really looks like. And one more go at that would be a pleasure. So I’m building myself up, I’m at altitude, I’m out here in Mexico City [at the UFC Performance Institute]. Some of the best training I’ve ever had in my whole career.”

Following Cruz’s announcement, UFC play-by-play man Jon Anik took to social media and suggested a rematch with Henry Cejudo as the former two-time bantamweight titleholder’s swan song.

As it turns out, Anik’s suggestion sparked a war of words between Cruz and Abdelaziz, Cejudo’s manager. After Abdelaziz commented on Anik’s post saying a fight with Cruz would be “easy money for Henry,” ‘The Dominator’ snapped back.

Dominick Cruz

“You are simply a work mule…Your words hold no weight,” Cruz replied.

“Also, one more thing the only weight you hold is commentating on the desk, I promise you I hold a lot more weight than you in this game,” Abdelaziz wrote back.

“It’s easy money for you-as you get a percentage paid by your fighter no matter what, while you chat sh*t that you personally cannot back up,” Cruz clapped back. “You have no skin in the game, that’s what makes you weak.“

Abdelaziz says he won’t take a percentage from Cejudo if dominick cruz accepts the fight

After exchanging words, Abdelaziz said that if Cruz accepted the fight, he wouldn’t take a percentage of Cejudo’s purse.

“I will make you a deal if you fight Henry I will take zero percentage from,” Abdelaziz wrote. “I just want to see him whoop your ass and I’m sure Henry will make a lot more money than you do, you have my word as a man I will take zero percentage” (h/t BJPenn.com).

Cruz and Cejudo previously met at UFC 249 in May 2020. On that night, ‘Triple C’ scored a TKO over Cruz in the waning seconds of the second round to retain the bantamweight title. Cejudo then immediately vacated the belt, announcing he would be retiring from the sport.

Dominick Cruz

Since then, Cejudo has returned to the Octagon, losing back-to-back bouts against Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili.

Dominick Cruz Doesn’t Stand For Ali Abdelaziz’s Disrespect: ‘You Chat Sh*t That You Cannot Back Up’

In a recent interview with TMZ, former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz stated that he wants to fight one last time before calling time on his career. Following a four-year break in activity, Cruz returned to the Octagon at UFC 249 in 2020 where he challenged Henry Cejudo for the 135-pound title. Since then, he […]

In a recent interview with TMZ, former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz stated that he wants to fight one last time before calling time on his career. Following a four-year break in activity, Cruz returned to the Octagon at UFC 249 in 2020 where he challenged Henry Cejudo for the 135-pound title.

Since then, he has fought three more times, earning wins over Casey Kenney and Pedro Munhoz before being stopped by Marlon Vera in August of 2022. “I’ll tell you, I think I got a last dance, I want one last dance in me,” Cruz told TMZ. “Just go out there and have fun, and when I say fun, I mean fight to the bitter death and see what I have in me.”

His fellow UFC commentator, Jon Anik, posting on X to suggest that a rematch with Cejudo four years down the line from their first meeting would be of interest. The post received a response from the often vocal Ali Abdelaziz who is Cejudo’s manager at Dominance MMA.

When Cruz replied to Abdelaziz calling this fight “easy money” for his fighter, the two men went back-and-forth in a series of posts.

Cruz continued to hit back at Abdelaziz and criticized him for trash talking other fighters when he doesn’t have to face any repurcusions because he still gets paid whether or not the clients that he manages win or lose.

“It’s easy money for you-as you get a percentage paid by your fighter no matter what, while you chat sh** that you personally cannot back up. You have no skin in the game, that’s what makes you weak.”

The argument continued with Cejudo also catching a few strays from Cruz who said that fighting him would be like “killing you two birds with one stone”.

“Look at your big tough guy words on X .You’re now talking about paying someone the % of money that you usually would steal from him, just to fight me for you, solely because you yourself can’t cash the checks you write with your big mouth. That’s exactly my point-that’s why you are a weakling. Henry is about as tiny a man in stature as you are mentally. You two deserve each other. Killing you two birds with one stone sounds like a lovely day of humanitarian work.”

As is often the case, Abdelaziz continued to reply until he had the last word, seemingly welcoming Cruz to do something about it physically the next time that they see each other in person.

Islam Makhachev’s Manager Puts Dana White’s P4P Stance Down To Promotional Tactics

The manager of Islam Makhachev believes Dana White’s attempt to downplay the UFC lightweight champion’s status as pound-for-pound best is entirely down to his efforts to promote Jon Jones. “Bones,” a former light heavyweight kingpin who captured the heavyweight gold in his divisional debut last year, is set to make his long-awaited return to defend […]

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev’s Manager Puts Dana White’s P4P Stance Down To Promotional Tactics at MMA News.

The manager of Islam Makhachev believes Dana White’s attempt to downplay the UFC lightweight champion’s status as pound-for-pound best is entirely down to his efforts to promote Jon Jones.

“Bones,” a former light heavyweight kingpin who captured the heavyweight gold in his divisional debut last year, is set to make his long-awaited return to defend the belt in the UFC 309 main event next month.

While Jones and the UFC CEO haven’t seen eye to eye in the past, White has been spreading stories of the heavyweight champ’s accolades and his continued superiority on podcasts and during interviews throughout this year.

Among White’s claims is the suggestion that the rankings panel have massively messed up by putting Makhachev in the pound-for-pound top spot over Jones.

During an interview with MMA Fighting, the Dagestani’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, provided his response to White’s continued dismissal of Makhachev as being worthy of the P4P crown.

“Listen, it’s the reason why Dana White is the pound-for-pound greatest promoter on this planet,” Abdelaziz explained. “Jon Jones is fighting next month. He’s fighting a guy (in Stipe Miocic), he’s probably going to be -800 against. (This is) the best way to promote this fight, to promote Jon Jones.

“Dana never promoted Jon Jones for some reason. But now he’s on Jon Jones’ wagon. Guess what? This promotes Jon Jones, too,” Abdelaziz continued. “He can say he’s the greatest of all time. Islam Makhachev right now currently is the pound-for-pound greatest fighter in the world by far. It’s not even second place. But Dana’s Dana. People think he’s talking gospel.”

White isn’t along in disagreeing with Abdelaziz’s take.

Makhachev’s expected next challenger, in-form Russian-Armenian contender Arman Tsarukyan, also put Jones above the lightweight champ while discussing the pound-for-pound order in a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn.

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev’s Manager Puts Dana White’s P4P Stance Down To Promotional Tactics at MMA News.

Dana White Shuts Down Rumors of Conor McGregor Ducking Justin Gaethje: ‘I Don’t Know If That’s True’

Dana White Shuts Down Rumors of Conor McGregor Ducking Justin Gaethje: 'I Don't Know If That's True'Dana White isn’t buying Ali Abdelaziz’s recent claim that Conor McGregor turned down a fight with Justin Gaethje on…

Dana White Shuts Down Rumors of Conor McGregor Ducking Justin Gaethje: 'I Don't Know If That's True'

Dana White isn’t buying Ali Abdelaziz’s recent claim that Conor McGregor turned down a fight with Justin Gaethje on five different occasions.

During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Abdelaziz, the manager of top MMA fighters including Kayla Harrison, Kamaru Usman, Henry Cejudo, and Gaethje, claimed that the Irish megastar was offered to scrap with the former BMF titleholder, but refused to do so after ‘The Highlight’ had talked trash about him on social media.

Justin Gaethje

”[Conor McGregor] got offered this fight at least five times,” Abdelaziz said. “He never wanted to have to do anything with Justin Gaethje. He said the reason he didn’t want to fight Justin was because Justin talked bad to him on Twitter and Instagram before and the history we have with him. He didn’t want to lose to our team, I guess.”

Dana White disputes Abdelaziz’s claim about conor McGregor

Asked if there’s any truth to Abdelaziz’s comments, White denied the statement suggesting that the promotion has never had a problem with McGregor accepting a fight no matter who the opponent.

”I don’t know if that’s true,” White said following Tuesday’s episode of DWCS. “I’ve said this many times and I’ll say it again, I mean, we actually have video footage of Lorenzo and I walking into his [McGregor] house that he was renting here. He just woke up, telling him the fight fell out, and he’s literally leaving going, ‘Well, I’m going to train, let me know who I’m fighting when I get back.’ We’ve never had those kind of issues with Conor McGregor.’

McGregor may be willing to step inside the Octagon with anyone, the former two-division titleholder hasn’t made competing a big priority in recent years. In June, he was scheduled to headline UFC 303 against former Bellator champion ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler before bowing out due to a broken pinky toe.

Conor McGregor

Chandler has since opted to move on and will now face Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 next month. As for McGregor, there’s still no date for when fans can expect to see him compete. Previously, McGregor was rumored to fight at UFC 296 in December. When that didn’t happen, everyone assumed he would return at UFC 300 in April. Clearly, that didn’t happen.

Now early 2025 appears to be the plan, but don’t expect to find anyone holding their breath in anticipation.

Conor McGregor

Ali Abdelaziz: O’Malley Deserves Title Shot Once Umar Nurmagomedov Is Champion

Umar Nurmagomedov is looking increasingly likely to be the next contender for the bantamweight title that changed hands at UFC 306. Merab Dvalishvili wasn’t sold on the idea following his win over Sean O’Malley last month but with several other top contenders either booked or coming off of losses, it doesn’t look like he will […]

Continue Reading Ali Abdelaziz: O’Malley Deserves Title Shot Once Umar Nurmagomedov Is Champion at MMA News.

Umar Nurmagomedov is looking increasingly likely to be the next contender for the bantamweight title that changed hands at UFC 306.

Merab Dvalishvili wasn’t sold on the idea following his win over Sean O’Malley last month but with several other top contenders either booked or coming off of losses, it doesn’t look like he will have much choice in the matter.

Nurmagomedov has only fought one contender in the top 15, Cory Sandhagen, meaning that his first title defense if he was to win the belt would open up a lot of opportunities. With the biggest name in the division in “Suga” returning to the role of contender, it’s not likely to be long before he’s back in a big fight even if the fighters around him in the rankings stay active.

Ali Abdelaziz Says Sean O’Malley Would Deserve To Fight Umar Nurmagomedov When He’s Champion

There’s a strong chance that O’Malley finds himself in a title fight unless the likes of Deiveson Figueiredo or Petr Yan are able to make a statement when they meet.

During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz spoke about how O’Malley would be at the top of their priorities if he’s successful against Dvalishvili.

“Suga” has recently undergone surgery but if the timelines end up working out, which you’d imagine they will given his recent update, Abdelaziz said that O’Malley deserves this opportunity even if he is coming off a loss.

“Sean O’Malley just have a surgery. The plan was Umar beat Merab and after that Umar gives Sean O’Malley a title shot coming off a loss because I believe Sean O’Malley deserves it. He built the division, he made everybody money, why not give the guy love for making the 135 (division) exciting as it is today.”

Read also: Sean O’Malley’s Coach Called ‘Hypocrite’ For Supporting Mario Bautista’s UFC 307 Win After Bashing Merab Dvalishvili

Continue Reading Ali Abdelaziz: O’Malley Deserves Title Shot Once Umar Nurmagomedov Is Champion at MMA News.

Ankalaev’s Manager: ‘Embarrassing’ If Pereira Avoids Next Fight

Alex Pereira made it clear in his post-fight interview at UFC 307 that he has no plans to leave the light heavyweight division right now. “Poatan” has flirted with both moving up to heavyweight and returning to middleweight but said himself that competing at 205-pounds is a sweet spot for him right now. Though his […]

Continue Reading Ankalaev’s Manager: ‘Embarrassing’ If Pereira Avoids Next Fight at MMA News.

Alex Pereira made it clear in his post-fight interview at UFC 307 that he has no plans to leave the light heavyweight division right now.

“Poatan” has flirted with both moving up to heavyweight and returning to middleweight but said himself that competing at 205-pounds is a sweet spot for him right now. Though his clash with Khalil Rountree in the main event delivered an entertaining fight, many expected Magomed Ankalaev to be his opponent in Salt Lake City.

The #2-ranked contender will instead face Aleksandar Raki? at UFC 308 later this month where if he wins, there surely can be no denying him.

Ali Abdelaziz Says Magomed Ankalaev Has To Be Next For Alex Pereira

In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Ankalaev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz gave his thoughts on the current title picture at 205-pounds. He believes that Pereira’s statement on remaining at light heavyweight gives him no option but to face Ankalaev if he defeats Raki? in Abu Dhabi.

Abdelaziz also pointed to some of his other fighters that have also had to campaign for a long time in order to get their title shots. He said that like the examples he gave, Ankalaev will make up for this long period of waiting by being champion for a significant period of time.

“It would be embarrassing if he did this. He clearly said he’s not running, it would be clearly running but listen, let’s see what happens. Ankalaev needs to focus on Raki? but if I’m a champion and I believe I’m the best in the world, I’m going to fight anybody and listen, remember Islam Makhachev take him a long time to get there but when he’s there, he’s there for a long time.

Khabib, Kamaru, these guys wait for a long time to become a champion, they hang around for a while and I believe this is going to be the deal for Ankalaev.” 

Read also: Khalil Rountree Reflects On Brutal Loss To Alex Pereira At UFC 307: ‘Didn’t Win The Title But I Grew’ 

Continue Reading Ankalaev’s Manager: ‘Embarrassing’ If Pereira Avoids Next Fight at MMA News.