Manager Pleads With The World To Accept BMF Title Is No More

Manager to the stars, Ali Abdelaziz, is tired of hearing people talk about fighting for the BMF title.

The BMF title was a specially crafted belt designed for and awarded to the winner of the fight between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. Ultimately, …

Kamaru Usman Jorge Masvidal KO

Manager to the stars, Ali Abdelaziz, is tired of hearing people talk about fighting for the BMF title.

The BMF title was a specially crafted belt designed for and awarded to the winner of the fight between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. Ultimately, it would be Masvidal who was awarded the novelty belt, with none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson putting it around his waist after their UFC 244 main event was stopped by the doctor.

Since then, and despite the fact that Dana White has made it clear that this was a one-off situation, there have been countless fighters calling for their crack at the BMF title. Everyone ranging from Leon Edwards to Colby Covington and more has asked for their own opportunity to fight for it.

One of the more recent people to call for the BMF title was Covington, who spoke in an interview about wanting to see it up for grabs if he is to fight Jorge Masvidal, like both men and many others want.

“Put that fuckin’ wack-ass BMF belt back on the fuckin’ line. Everybody knows who the real baddest motherfucker in this sport is. It’s Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington. Bring that fuckin’ belt out and lets fuckin’ do this shit: do The Ultimate Fighter whatever, tape for four weeks, six weeks, eight weeks, and run this fight in Miami. It makes sense,” Covington said.

“Let’s go to American Airlines Arena. We could sell out that arena in seconds. And if we don’t go to American Airlines, we can go right up the street to BB&T Center, which is 30 minutes up the street. I’ll beat his ass in both arenas. We’ll go beat BB&T Center, go up to Broward County; then, go down to Miami-Dade County and beat his ass in American Airlines Arena. Fuckin’ little bitch Jorge.”

Stop Asking For A BMF Belt, Says Abdelaziz

One person who is tired of hearing talks of a BMF title is one of the biggest managers in MMA, Ali Abdelaziz. In fact, he issued something of a response to the people who are asking for it, but seemingly Colby Covington in particular.

Posting to Twitter, Abdelaziz explained that his client, welterweight champ Kamaru Usman, is the lineal BMF champ after knocking out Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261. Therefore, he demands that nobody else asks to fight for this title, as it is no longer relevant.

“Please stop talking about this BMF belt @USMAN84kg won that belt and he throw it in the garbage already Win some fights and try to win the undisputed UFC title. Good luck with that,” Abdelaziz wrote.

The fact is the only time that Dana White even showed interest in bringing the BMF title back into circulation was in the event of a rematch between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. So even though Kamaru Usman might be the lineal titleholder, it is all just talk, as the actual belt does not appear to be going up for grabs anytime soon.

Do you still acknowledge the existence of the BMF title?

Continue Reading Manager Pleads With The World To Accept BMF Title Is No More at MMA News.

Khamzat Chimaev: The Gilbert Burns Fight Comes Down To His Manager

UFC welterweight Khamzat Chimaev has addressed rumors he could fight Gilbert Burns next, suggesting whether or not the matchup comes together is down to the Brazilian’s manager Ali Abdelaziz.

The fact that we’re already in a position to discuss Chi…

Khamzat Chimaev, Ali Abdelaziz, Gilbert Burns

UFC welterweight Khamzat Chimaev has addressed rumors he could fight Gilbert Burns next, suggesting whether or not the matchup comes together is down to the Brazilian’s manager Ali Abdelaziz.

The fact that we’re already in a position to discuss Chimaev and Burns in the same breath is remarkable. It’s a testament to the 27-year-old’s rapid and brutal rise up the UFC ranks, something he’s achieved in just over a year in the promotion.

Last summer, “Borz” arrived in style, picking up two wins over John Phillips and Rhys McKee in the space of just 10 days on Fight Island. A couple of months later, he boosted his UFC record to 3-0 with a 17-second knockout of middleweight veteran Gerald Meerschaert.

After being sidelined for over a year due to COVID-19 complications, something which led to a booking against top-three contender Leon Edwards collapsing, many wondered whether Chimaev could pick up where he left off in his return. Against Li Jingliang at UFC 267, he did that and more.

The Chechen-born Swede jumped into the rankings with a memorable first-round submission victory in which he rendered “The Leech” unconscious with a rear-naked choke.

Since his successful comeback, Khamzat Chimaev’s future has been one of the most talked about topics in the UFC. While some even called for “Borz” to be immediately accelerated to the top to challenge Kamaru Usman, UFC President Dana White suggested he needed “one or two” more wins against high-ranked contenders to earn a title shot.

It appears Chimaev could have his chance to stake his claim for a championship opportunity in January. Recent reports suggested the promotion was targeting a matchup between the newly-arrived contender and former title challenger Gilbert Burns.

Chimaev Believes Burns Would Accept The Fight

During a recent appearance on the MMA Hustle podcast, Chimaev was asked about the rumored clash, which would likely serve as a title eliminator. After expressing interest in facing “Durinho,” the 27-year-old suggested it’s down to Burns’ manager Ali Abdelaziz, who Chimaev parted ways with earlier this year.

“I don’t really know, but I’d love to fight (Burns) and we’ll see. If (his) manager Ali (Abdelaziz) says. The fighter himself, I don’t think he will refuse. The manager decides. Ali understands who I am and who he is… It seems that’s what Ali is trying to tell him, that it’s not advantageous for him. I’m number 10 and he’s number three or two. And whether (it’s) advantageous or not, I’ll get to him and to everyone anyway.” (Via translation)

If the Dominance MMA CEO does give the green light for his man to enter the Octagon with one of his former fighters, Chimaev doesn’t believe he’ll have an issue dispatching the Brazilian. In fact, the #11-ranked contender went as far as to agree with one of the podcast hosts who claimed the matchup would be easy for him.

“Yeah, of course. He’s small, not big. I’ll out-box him… No way he could go low on me. A jiu-jitsu fighter, there’s no way. I don’t think he will get me on the mat. When was the last time he managed that? Fighting is different. Jiu-jitsu is on the floor and you still have to get there.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWRuxxDpkk-/

Having fallen short of the gold at UFC 258 earlier this year, Burns would be looking to secure a second crack at dethroning Usman by halting the surge of Chimaev if the booking comes together.

After rebounding against Stephen Thompson at UFC 264, “Durinho” has made it clear he’s ready to face anyone who can get him back to the title, expect for teammate Vicente Luque, that is.

How do you think a fight between Gilbert Burns and Khamzat Chimaev would play out?

Continue Reading Khamzat Chimaev: The Gilbert Burns Fight Comes Down To His Manager at MMA News.

Ali Abdelaziz ‘100%’ Believes Henry Cejudo Returns To The UFC In 2022

Henry CejudoDominance MMA leader and prominent mixed martial arts manager, Ali Abdelaziz has claimed that he wholeheartedly believes his client, former two-weight undisputed bantamweight and flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo will snap a retirement from the sport next year in an Octagon return. Cejudo, a former undisputed bantamweight, and flyweight gold holder, and an Olympic gold medalist […]

Henry Cejudo

Dominance MMA leader and prominent mixed martial arts manager, Ali Abdelaziz has claimed that he wholeheartedly believes his client, former two-weight undisputed bantamweight and flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo will snap a retirement from the sport next year in an Octagon return.

Cejudo, a former undisputed bantamweight, and flyweight gold holder, and an Olympic gold medalist — in quite surprising fashion, called time on his professional mixed martial arts career back in May of last year following his co-headlining title defense win against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249.

However, despite failing to feature in active competition since hanging up his gloves more than a year ago, Cejudo has been continually linked with an Octagon return — including against the likes of former flyweight best, Deiveson Figueiredo, bantamweight champions, Aljamain Sterling, and Petr Yan — as well as featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski — in an attempt to become the first three-weight champion in the history of the UFC.

Despite this constant speculation linking him to the move back to the promotion — which Cejudo fuels himself to boot, a return has yet to hit the cards. However, according to the Los Angeles-born former champion’s manager, Abdelaziz, he believes “100%” that Cejudo makes his retirement snapping return next year.

Ali Abdelaziz floats a fight between Henry Cejudo and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski

Yes I do,” Abdelaziz replied when asked by MMA Fighting if he believes Henry Cejudo returns next year. “100 percent I do. I think he (Henry Cejudo) does.

If he lost, he (Henry Cejudo) can go down to 135(lbs),” Abdelaziz said. “He’s not coming in for one fight. He’s coming in for a legacy fight to get three belts but at the end of the day, too, there’s a lot of fights at 135 and 145, too, it’s no problem. He’s a competitor. As long as he’s breathing, this guy’s going to be a champion.

An immediate featherweight title fight for Cejudo on his return is sure to upset the applecart, however, Abdelaziz has hypothesized that former champion, #1 contender Max Holloway, as well as Giga Chikadze — could just fight either Cejudo or current champion, Volkanovski in the future, regardless of his client’s potential return.

Of course, Max [Holloway] deserves [the title shot], too but I think timing will be great because Henry can fight in February and Max can fight the winner,” Abdelaziz said. “But also it’s a huge gap in the division. You have Alexander (Volkanovski), you have Max and it’s a huge gap and you have someone like Giga (Chikadze), who has a seven-fight winning streak. Giga has a fight (against Calvin Kattar). I think it’s the perfect time for Herny to come in and see what he can do in the division. If he wins, he can fight Max and after that, he can fight Giga. In reality, it’s a really great fight. It’s a really big fight.

Henry did a great job keeping himself relevant in the sport,” Abdelaziz said. “He hasn’t fought for a long time. I’m very sure Dana (White) will go for it if everyone is serious and everyone will honor what we can do. It’s a very intriguing fight and I respect the champ very much, especially after the last fight (against Brian Ortega). How can you not respect this guy? But stylistically, it’s a great matchup. I like to favor Henry for this fight but it’s not going to be an easy fight. It can be a reality if everyone buttons up and says, ‘Let’s do this’.

WWE Has Reached Out To Kayla Harrison, Per Her Manager

Two-time PFL lightweight champion Kayla Harrison has allegedly been reached out by World Wrestling Entertainment during her free agency.

This is according to her manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who says that WWE has inquired about Harrison’s potential inte…

Kayla Harrison

Two-time PFL lightweight champion Kayla Harrison has allegedly been reached out by World Wrestling Entertainment during her free agency.

This is according to her manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who says that WWE has inquired about Harrison’s potential interest. He also went on to say that Harrison is solely focused on her MMA career right now.

“Everybody trying to sign Kayla. Even Walmart try to sign Kayla. The WWE has been calling too but we’re interested in real fighting,” Abdelaziz told TMZ Sports. “[Kayla’s] focusing on fighting right now. PFL, it doesn’t matter where she gonna be — whatever Kayla wants.”

Harrison has downplayed a more prolonged return to professional wrestling after making a brief appearance at an AEW event with her American Top Team teammates. She was also recently sitting cage-side to watch Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg earn a first-round knockout over Sinead Kavanagh at Bellator 271.

Kayla Harrison Recently Made An Appearance At An AEW Event

ATT's Kayla Harrison Trashes AEW Experience - Wrestling Inc.
American Top Team Invades All Elite Wrestling

The speculation over Harrison possibly opting for a move to pro wrestling began when she joined ATT owner Dan Lambert, along with UFC stars Jorge Masvidal and Junior dos Santos at AEW: Saturday Night Dynamite earlier this year. Her former Olympic Judo teammate, Ronda Rousey, made the transition from MMA to wrestling with relative ease prior to stepping away from the ring in April 2019.

Nevertheless, Harrison has downplayed any future interest in making the move to the ring, going as far as calling it “a fake sport”.

At 30 years old, Harrison has plenty of time left in the MMA world, but it could be a big boost financially if she decided to make the move to wrestling down the line. She arguably has the marketability to become a wrestling star alongside Becky Lynch, Rousey, and others.

For now, it appears Harrison is laser-focused on MMA. She has earned multiple titles in her relatively short time in the sport and has expressed interest in signing with larger promotions such as Bellator and the UFC.

Do you think Kayla Harrison could eventually end up in professional wrestling?

Continue Reading WWE Has Reached Out To Kayla Harrison, Per Her Manager at MMA News.

Justin Gaethje Responds To Khabib’s Harsh Remarks With Doubt

UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje has had his fair share of back-and-forths with Khabib Nurmagomedov on Twitter but now doubts that it’s really him.

The apparent banter stems from Gaethje’s comments regarding his desire for the next lightwei…

Justin Gaethje

UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje has had his fair share of back-and-forths with Khabib Nurmagomedov on Twitter but now doubts that it’s really him.

The apparent banter stems from Gaethje’s comments regarding his desire for the next lightweight title shot over other contenders such as Islam Makhachev. Gaethje last fought for the belt against Nurmagomedov at UFC 254, losing by second-round submission despite some early success.

Gaethje is now neck-and-neck with Nurmagomedov’s protege, Makhachev for the No. 1 contender spot. Lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will defend the belt against Dustin Poirier next month at UFC 269.

Nurmagomedov recently took shots at Gaethje and blasted him for thinking that he deserves the next title shot over Makhachev, but Gaethje doesn’t believe these latest comments are from Nurmagomedov.

Justin Gaethje Lost To Khabib Nurmagomedov At UFC 254

“I honestly do not believe it’s [Khabib Nurmagomedov] saying this stuff,” Gaethje tweeted. “He got someone running that s**t or something.”

Gaethje also made his case for why he should get the next title shot over Makhachev.

“Your boy has 2 and you want him to fight for the belt,” Gaethje said to Nurmagomedov in a tweet. “My 3 losses are the former champ, interim champ, and current champ. Islam [Makhachev] beat #14 and a late replacement #6. Stay humble champ, get in line. Don’t forget [Beneil Dariush] is sitting right in front of you.”

Ironically, MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz has represented both Gaethje and Nurmagomedov during his time working with the UFC roster. He’s been accused of promoting his fighters on their social media accounts.

Geathje is coming off of his win over Michael Chandler at UFC 268 and has made it known that he wants the next shot at the belt. However, the UFC could give the next shot to a new contender in Makhachev against the winner of Oliveira/Poirier.

What do you think about Justin Gaethje’s comments about Khabib Nurmagomedov?

Continue Reading Justin Gaethje Responds To Khabib’s Harsh Remarks With Doubt at MMA News.

Dillon Danis In Alleged Altercation With Ali Abdelaziz At UFC 268

Bellator fighter Dillon Danis allegedly got into a physical altercation with MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz at UFC 268 and got slapped by him.

Danis has become a noteworthy social media personality in the world of combat sports, mostly for arguably the …

Dillon Danis

Bellator fighter Dillon Danis allegedly got into a physical altercation with MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz at UFC 268 and got slapped by him.

Danis has become a noteworthy social media personality in the world of combat sports, mostly for arguably the wrong reasons. He hasn’t competed in the Bellator cage since 2019 due to a series of injuries he’s been dealing with.

Abdelaziz is arguably the most well-known MMA manager in the game, representing championship-level fighters such as Kamaru Usman and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Despite his professionalism in the field, he’s also had his fair share of run-ins with adversaries of his clients.

Abdelaziz has made his opinions of Danis’ training partner, former UFC champion Conor McGregor, well-known since McGregor fought Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. Danis got into a post-fight brawl with Nurmagomedov in the stands in arguably one of the darkest moments in the sport’s history.

Things haven’t changed since then, as Danis and Abdelaziz nearly fought while both were in attendance at UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden. The news of the incident was first reported by MMA Junkie reporter John Morgan over the weekend.

Dillon Danis And Ali Abdelaziz Got Into It At UFC 268

“Ali Abdelaziz slapped Dillon Danis backstage tonight at UFC 268 according to multiple people who witnessed the incident,” Morgan tweeted. “Danis was then apparently removed from the building.”

“Reached out to [Abdelaziz], but he declined to comment.”

Video of the alleged incident hasn’t been made available to the public, despite multiple witnesses to the Danis/Abdelaziz confrontation. But, Morgan is arguably one of the most trustworthy media personalities in the business and is respected by many in the field.

Danis constantly attempts to stir the pot around the MMA community, and many believe he may be going down the wrong path in his professional career.

What’s your reaction to Dillon Danis’ latest incident with Ali Abdelaziz?

Continue Reading Dillon Danis In Alleged Altercation With Ali Abdelaziz At UFC 268 at MMA News.