Tag: Ali Abdelaziz

Ali Abdelaziz: Khabib Nurmagomedov Is Better Than Jon Jones ‘Outside And Inside The Cage’

Ali AbdelazizAli Abdelaziz, Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s long time manager, believes Nurmagomedov is better than Jon Jones inside and outside the cage. Abdelaziz is very outspoken about his clients and their abilities. Just the other week Abdelaziz claimed that his client, welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, would defeat any of the top three light heavyweights. Including new champion Jiri […]

Ali Abdelaziz

Ali Abdelaziz, Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s long time manager, believes Nurmagomedov is better than Jon Jones inside and outside the cage.

Abdelaziz is very outspoken about his clients and their abilities. Just the other week Abdelaziz claimed that his client, welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, would defeat any of the top three light heavyweights. Including new champion Jiri Prochazka, and former champions Glover Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz. Usman would have to jump up two weight classes to defeat those guys, leaving fight fans to doubt Abdelaziz’s claims.

Now, Ali Abdelaziz is claiming that Jones couldn’t even “tie the shoes” of Nurmagomedov.

“Khabib never had any action with USADA, none of the stuff,” he said. “Of course, Jon Jones is a great fighter, but he cannot tie the shoes of Khabib. I don’t think he can. He’s great, but I think Khabib is on a different level. He’s loved by many. I don’t think Jon Jones is a bad person, but I just don’t think all his career, he doesn’t have the right set, the right people to take care of him, to teach him wrong from right. If you gave me what Jon Jones had at 21, I’d probably walk naked in the street.” (Transcribed by MiddleEasy)

Jones has had many run ins with both the law, and USADA over the years. The latest was the domestic that Las Vegas cops were called too between him and his long time fiancé back in 2021. This led to Jones being arrested once again, and in the video he was clearly very intoxicated.

Abdelaziz also thinks ‘The Eagle‘ was far more dominant than Jones as well.

“Man, Jon Jones… When I talk about the good, the good means inside the cage, outside the cage. Khabib never had a close fight. You look at Jon Jones, the last three fights were very close fights. Khabib never had even a close fight,” he said in an interview with Sherdog.com. “Dominance, Khabib is better, undefeated. In many (areas) Khabib is better. Outside the cage, Khabib is better.”

The debate on who the “MMA GOAT” is a very subjective topic, when it comes to comparing fighters from different weight classes that have never fought against each other, or even fighters from different eras. It’s a discussion fans and media will have until the end of time. In all fairness, whether you say Silva, Nurmagomedov, Jones, or St-Pierre, you have a legitimate case to make for it.

Quote: Khabib Would Stop Adesanya In Three Rounds At Middleweight

MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz believes that former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov would finish middleweight king Israel Adesanya inside the Octagon. Khabib, regarded by many as the greatest of all time, retired from active competition following a third successful title defense in 2020. The Dagestani departed the sport having amassed a perfect 29-0 record, including…

Continue Reading Quote: Khabib Would Stop Adesanya In Three Rounds At Middleweight at MMA News.

MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz believes that former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov would finish middleweight king Israel Adesanya inside the Octagon.

Khabib, regarded by many as the greatest of all time, retired from active competition following a third successful title defense in 2020. The Dagestani departed the sport having amassed a perfect 29-0 record, including 13 triumphs on the sport’s biggest stage.

While his dominance at 155 pounds was unparalleled, Khabib’s detractors use his one-weight UFC career to downplay his claims to the GOAT throne. But although his Octagon tenure saw him compete solely at lightweight, barring a few catchweight appearances, stories from training have suggested that “The Eagle” has no issue competing with higher-weight fighters.

That was recently on display when footage of Khabib out-grappling former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold emerged.

And Khabib’s manager, Dominance MMA Management CEO Abdelaziz, believes that his man would have no issue capturing the middleweight gold if he was to return at that weight.

During a recent interview with Sherdog, Abdelaziz said that he’s witnessed Khabib beat fighters of all weights, including heavyweight, in the gym. With that in mind, and given Khabib’s current 200-pound frame, the Egyptian manager thinks the Dagestani would be able to stop reigning middleweight champ Adesanya inside three rounds.

“I’m gonna say something, and I know a lot of people gonna talk bad (about it)… Khabib now weighs 200 pounds. If Khabib come tomorrow and cut to 185, he will stop Israel Adesanya in three rounds, this is my opinion,” said Abdelaziz. “I see it. He beat heavyweights, light heavyweights, welterweights, lightweights. He’s unstoppable. He’s like a tractor trailer.

“Styles, if Khabib want to come back and talk with Dana White, say, ‘Let me fight at middleweight,’ he will finish Israel Adesanya in three rounds because the style of fights. (Adesanya) cannot stop his wrestling, he cannot stop his grappling. Striking, of course, Israel is the best striker on this planet,” added Abdelaziz. “But he (Khabib) can come back and fight middleweight and become a champion today.”

Having seen Khabib’s exchanges with Rockhold, who is still active and gearing up for a comeback this summer, Abdelaziz’s claims are perhaps not as outlandish as some would have branded them before that footage emerged.

While Khabib has consistently rejected the idea of any sort of return to the cage, the idea of a venture into a higher weight class is still an intriguing prospect to think about. And with “The Eagle” still going as hard as ever in the gym, some hope of a comeback will remain for the Russian’s fans.

How do you think Khabib Nurmagomedov would fare against Israel Adesanya at middleweight?

Continue Reading Quote: Khabib Would Stop Adesanya In Three Rounds At Middleweight at MMA News.

“Canelo Alvarez Has Become Just A Regular Guy”: Ali Abdelaziz Says His Defeat Cost Him Fight With Kamaru Usman

Canelo Alvarez, Ali Abdelaziz, Kamaru UsmanKamaru Usman‘s manager Ali Abdelaziz believes Canelo Alvarez is not any more special after his loss to Dmitry Bivol. Canelo Alvarez suffered his first loss in under a decade when he took on Bivol last month. Following the unsuccessful efforts at light-heavyweight, Canelo will move back down to super-middleweight to defend his undisputed title against […]

Canelo Alvarez, Ali Abdelaziz, Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman‘s manager Ali Abdelaziz believes Canelo Alvarez is not any more special after his loss to Dmitry Bivol.

Canelo Alvarez suffered his first loss in under a decade when he took on Bivol last month. Following the unsuccessful efforts at light-heavyweight, Canelo will move back down to super-middleweight to defend his undisputed title against Gennady Golovkin in a trilogy bout.

Canelo Alvarez has lost his shot at Kamaru Usman: Ali Abdelaziz

While many will still attest to the Mexican boxer’s achievements, Abdelaziz, head of Dominance MMA, believes Canelo’s lost some shine after having a blemish in a bid to move up in weight class. Abdelaziz was calling for a crossover matchup between the reigning UFC Welterweight king Kamaru Usman and Canelo Alvarez but his loss against the Russian has changed things.

In an interview with Menace Tube, Ali Abelaziz spoke about Canelo’s loss to Bivol and stated that Canelo had lost his shine as the pound-for-pound champion after the defeat.

“Canelo has become just a regular guy,” Abdelaziz said. “He’s become just one of the guys. It was the pound-for-pound king against the pound-for-pound king but Canelo, his mystique is gone. “I respect Canelo. I think he blew a great opportunity for him. The oddsmakers will probably make it 8/1 against Kamaru but I think Kamaru has enough balls to go to boxing and we know Canelo will never have enough balls to come to MMA.” (h/t Mirror)

During the build-up to his match against Bivol, the subject of a fight with Usman was rarely brought up. Canelo continued to reiterate his stance of building a legacy before he hands out a big payday to ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’. He has the rest of the year planned with a third fight against Golovkin in September and his UK debut in December.

Usman believes that he has the right skill set to pull off a major upset against one of the greatest boxers. While he has been linked with a long-awaited bout with Leon Edwards, he could also possibly see himself lining up against Conor McGregor.

“Kamaru is good, he’s recovering,” Abdelaziz continued. “He’s taking his time. The UFC has been great about giving him space and not pressuring him to fight. He’s the greatest pound-for-pound fighter I’ve ever seen. He has not stopped training. If people think he’s injured, not training – he’s training every day.”

Do you want to see Canelo Alvarez take on Kamaru Usman?

Manager: Canelo Blew His Opportunity To Fight Kamaru Usman

Canelo might have blown his opportunity to fight UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, according to manager Ali Abdelaziz. Abdelaziz was recently interviewed by Menace Tube at Eagle Fight 47 and talked about the long-discussed potential boxing match between his client, Usman, and Alvarez. However, Abdelaziz believes Álvarez blew that opportunity. Alvarez suffered his first defeat…

Continue Reading Manager: Canelo Blew His Opportunity To Fight Kamaru Usman at MMA News.

Canelo might have blown his opportunity to fight UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, according to manager Ali Abdelaziz.

Abdelaziz was recently interviewed by Menace Tube at Eagle Fight 47 and talked about the long-discussed potential boxing match between his client, Usman, and Alvarez. However, Abdelaziz believes Álvarez blew that opportunity.

Alvarez suffered his first defeat in nine years last month when he was bested by Dmitry Bivol in their 175-pound meeting. With the loss, Abdelaziz believes Álvarez’s “mystique” is gone.

“Canelo has become just a regular guy,” Abdelaziz said. “He became just one of the guys. I don’t think he’s the pound-for-pound king anymore.

“Canelo, his mystique is gone. When people lose their mystique, it leaves them. I respect Canelo, but I think he blew a great opportunity for him [to fight Usman].”

Kamaru Usman has been campaigning for a boxing match with Álvarez for some time now. However, UFC President Dana White didn’t seem too interested in trying to make the fight happen.

The UFC has shown very little interest in crossover fights into the boxing world involving their fighters since Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather in 2017. Usman has been dominant throughout his run in the UFC’s welterweight division.

He owns victories over the likes of Colby Covington, Tyron Woodley, Gilbert Burns, Leon Edwards, and many more. The champion is currently nursing a hand injury, recovering from surgery.

As for Álvarez, it looks like he’s now gearing up for a trilogy bout with longtime rival Gennady Golovkin in September.

What do you think about Abdelaziz claiming Canelo blew his opportunity to fight Usman? Sound off in the comments!

Quotes via The Mirror UK

Continue Reading Manager: Canelo Blew His Opportunity To Fight Kamaru Usman at MMA News.

Gilbert Burns, Ali Abdelaziz Bet On Oliveira vs. Makhachev Winner

Gilbert Burns and Ali Abdelaziz seem to have put on a friendly wager for a potential Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev bout. Abdelaziz took to Twitter to note he heard a recent interview in which Burns said he believes that Oliveira would beat his client, Makhachev, in a potential meeting inside the Octagon. Abdelaziz said…

Continue Reading Gilbert Burns, Ali Abdelaziz Bet On Oliveira vs. Makhachev Winner at MMA News.

Gilbert Burns and Ali Abdelaziz seem to have put on a friendly wager for a potential Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev bout.

Abdelaziz took to Twitter to note he heard a recent interview in which Burns said he believes that Oliveira would beat his client, Makhachev, in a potential meeting inside the Octagon. Abdelaziz said he knows Burns doesn’t believe that, as he’d beat fellow top-ranked 155-pounder Beniel Dariush too.

This prompted a response from Burns, suggesting Abdelaziz put his money where his mouth is and wager on the potential fight.

A simple reply of “Done” then followed from Abdelaziz, however, no exact amount was agreed upon.

The lightweight division is certainly in an interesting spot at the moment. Charles Oliveira was forced to vacate the title after missing weight at UFC 274. Now, he’s slated to fight an opponent yet to be determined for the vacant strap.

That opponent is expected to be Makhachev. However, the UFC had previously planned on booking Makhachev against Dariush to determine the No. 1 contender for the title. It remains to be seen what the UFC will officially do next.

Despite the uncertainty, what cannot be denied is the dominance of both Oliveira and Makhachev throughout their current respective runs in the division. Oliveira has been making light work of his opponents with his submission game as of late.

The Brazilian finds himself on an 11-fight win streak at the moment. As for Makhachev, he has only ever lost one fight in his mixed martial arts (MMA) career. He’s on a 10-fight win streak since his first loss in 2015.

Currently, the time couldn’t be more perfect for both men to be competing against each other. It will be interesting to see if the UFC decides to pull the trigger on that fight next.

What do you think of Gilbert Burns and Ali Abdelaziz betting on the potential Oliveira vs. Makhachev bout? Let us know in the comments!

Continue Reading Gilbert Burns, Ali Abdelaziz Bet On Oliveira vs. Makhachev Winner at MMA News.

Ali Abdelaziz Shuts Down Kayla Harrison-Cris Cyborg Fight Talks: “Nobody Gives A Sh*t”

Ali Abdelaziz, Kayla Harrison, Cris CyborgKayla Harrison’s manager Ali Abdelaziz does not believe a potential showdown against Cris Cyborg is the way to go. Going undefeated in her professional career, the two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison has been dominating the competition in the organization. The 31-year-old racked up 13 wins in the PFL and has been touted as the greatest […]

Ali Abdelaziz, Kayla Harrison, Cris Cyborg

Kayla Harrison’s manager Ali Abdelaziz does not believe a potential showdown against Cris Cyborg is the way to go.

Going undefeated in her professional career, the two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison has been dominating the competition in the organization. The 31-year-old racked up 13 wins in the PFL and has been touted as the greatest female athlete of all time even though she has not taken her chops outside the promotion.

Current Bellator women’s featherweight titleholder Cris Cyborg is another woman who had worked hard to build an aura of invincibility around her. Cyborg ran through her opponents during her prime and can still hold hers against the very best in female competition in the company.

Ali Abdelaziz is not interested in Cyborg

There have been talks to put the two women together inside the octagon in a cross-promotion bout for their legacy. However, Bellator president Scott Coker has suggested that no official discussions have taken place in regard to the matter. With Cyborg set to become a free agent this July, PFL will have an opportunity to work towards the super fight and make her an offer.

Ali Abdelaziz, head of Dominance MMA, and manager for Kayla Harrison is not too keen on the idea and believes Cyborg is trying to mooch off of Harrison’s brand.

“At the end of the day, listen, everyone is using Kayla’s name to promote themselves,” Abdelaziz said. “I have no interest in this fight. Kayla will fight anybody. I don’t care about promoters, managers, reporters. They all talk about Kayla and Cyborg. Listen, at the end of the day, I don’t really care about this fight. This fight will probably never happen.

“And even if this fight happens, nobody gives a sh*t. That’s my opinion. Because Kayla’s Kayla. She’s undefeated. She’s the best female fighter in the world, and in my opinion a pound-for-pound great right now. She doesn’t need to prove anything to anybody. Cyborg needs her. She doesn’t need Cyborg. She’s making six figures, seven figures every fight. She’s happy. She’s going to beat whoever they give her.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

Abdelaziz Prefers Amanda Nunes Fight

Ali Abdelaziz has not outright shut down the possibility of Harrison participating in a big fight. While he acknowledged the allure of such an idea, he reiterated his conviction that the opponent needs to be a big draw as well to benefit Harrison.

According to Abdelaziz, Cyborg is not a needle-mover and he would much rather prefer someone like Amanda Nunes. He made sure to let everyone know that it’s not the danger in facing an opponent like Cyborg but the business value of it that influences his decision for Harrison.

“If you talk about maybe one day Amanda Nunes or something like that, yeah, Amanda Nunes is interesting. Let’s do it,” Abdelaziz said. “But I don’t really care about Cyborg. I don’t think people will buy this fight.

“Anybody can come. They’re going to get their ass whooped regardless. It can be Amanda, Cyborg. Anybody. Julianna (Peña). Anybody can get it. They can all get it. Just don’t use Kayla’s name to promote your brand.”