Tag: Ali Abdelaziz

Canelo Alvarez Pokes Fun At Ali Abdelaziz, Questions ‘Who The F*ck’ He Actually Is

Canelo AlvarezIn his quest to land his client, UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman a professional boxing match this year, Dominance MMA leader and prominent manager, Ali Abdelaziz has come under fire from world champion boxer, Canelo Alvarez.  Usman, the current undisputed welterweight champion under the UFC’s banner, has yet to book his first Octagon outing of […]

Canelo Alvarez

In his quest to land his client, UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman a professional boxing match this year, Dominance MMA leader and prominent manager, Ali Abdelaziz has come under fire from world champion boxer, Canelo Alvarez. 

Usman, the current undisputed welterweight champion under the UFC’s banner, has yet to book his first Octagon outing of this year, however, is earmarked to feature at a pay-per-view event in July in a title rematch against Leon Edwards.

The Auchi native recently underwent a surgical procedure to address a ligament injury to his right hand, with his most recent outing coming in the form of a November unanimous decision win over two-time opponent, Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden.

Canelo Alvarez recently insisted the time was not right for a bout against Kamaru Usman

Whilst Usman has confirmed that he is likely to share the Octagon with Edwards next, a venture to the squared circle in a professional boxing match against the above mentioned, WBA and WBO world champion, Canelo has continued to rumble in the background, with Usman clamouring for a shot at the Mexican striking sensation.

Attempting to draw Canelo into a clash against Usman, the aforementioned, Abdelaziz claimed that the former was a “chicken”, who was fighting opponent who had no effect on his legacy.

“@Canelo (Canelo Alvarez) is an absolute chicken, he is fighting guys with 5,000 followers on Instagram, these guys will never do nothing for his legacy,” Ali Abdelaziz tweeted. “Now I understand why he doesn’t wanna lose to someone like @USMAN84kg this is chicken style, no risk – no reward.”

Replying to Abdelaziz, Canelo gained mass attention – questioning who the mixed martial arts manager actually was.

“Who the f*ck is this? (laughing face emoji) (confused face emoji),” Canelo Alvarez tweeted.

Issuing another tweet aimed at Canelo, Abdelaziz accused the world champion of avoiding a championship rematch with Gennady Golovkin.

“You know who I am, you know what’s the difference between you and @USMAN84kg?” Ali Abdelaziz tweeted. “You’ve been ducking GGG (Gennady Golovkin) for 2 years now, but Kamaru have (sic) fought everybody UFC threw at him. I’m being very nice to you, because it’s Ramadan.”

Manager Shares The Only Way Harrison Can Fight Cyborg After PFL Deal

MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz says talks of his client Kayla Harrison fighting Cris “Cyborg” Justino could theoretically happen, despite Harrison’s new deal with the PFL. Harrison concluded her free agency by re-signing with the PFL, despite lucrative offers from Bellator and the UFC. In addition to signing Harrison, the PFL announced that they intend to…

Continue Reading Manager Shares The Only Way Harrison Can Fight Cyborg After PFL Deal at MMA News.

MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz says talks of his client Kayla Harrison fighting Cris “Cyborg” Justino could theoretically happen, despite Harrison’s new deal with the PFL.

Harrison concluded her free agency by re-signing with the PFL, despite lucrative offers from Bellator and the UFC. In addition to signing Harrison, the PFL announced that they intend to launch a “super fight division” to garner the attention of some of the best fighters around the sport.

Talks of a fight between Harrison and Cyborg began when Cyborg defeated Sinead Kavanagh at Bellator 271. Harrison was a guest of Bellator President Scott Coker to watch Cyborg put on a dominant performance.

Tensions between Harrison and Cyborg have skyrocketed in recent weeks. This was after Harrison challenged Cyborg to a fight at American Top Team before getting blocked by her on Twitter.

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Abdelaziz explained how a Harrison vs. Cyborg fight can still happen down the line, which is for the reigning Bellator featherweight champion to jump ship.

“Listen, Cyborg is a Bellator fighter. Kayla is a PFL fighter,” Abdelaziz said. Whatever super fight is gonna happen, it’s gonna happen with someone inside PFL. It’s not going to happen with someone in Bellator, because it’s a completely different entity. At the end of the day, I know both people, I’m good with both people, but it’s very hard to get two promoters to sit down and talk. I can be in the middle if they ask me to, but at the end of the day, PFL people fight people in the PFL. To be honest with you, I don’t know of any other champion in another promotion who would fight Kayla.”

Abdelaziz went on to question whether or not a fight with Harrison is a matchup that Cyborg would want.

“I don’t know if she does, I don’t know if she doesn’t. I just think people can say things, but when a contract is drawn, we don’t know what kind of move you’re going to make. You don’t know how you’re going to feel, what kind of butterfly you’re going to feel. One thing I can tell you, [Kayla’s] the greatest fighter of all time. It’s not Ronda, it’s not Amanda Nunes, she is. She’s the most dominant.”

Harrison is getting ready to defend her women’s lightweight title in the upcoming 2022 PFL season. She defeated Taylor Guardado last October for her second consecutive championship in the league.

As for Cyborg, she’s set to face Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 279 in April. She’s won five straight since losing to Amanda Nunes at UFC 232.

If a Harrison vs. Cyborg fight will happen this year, it would have to take place in a cross-promotion event. But according to Abdelaziz, the only way the fight ever happens would be if Cyborg joined the PFL. For now, any conflict between Harrison and Cyborg will only take place from afar.

Do you think Kayla Harrison vs. Cris Cyborg will eventually happen?

Continue Reading Manager Shares The Only Way Harrison Can Fight Cyborg After PFL Deal at MMA News.

Manager: ‘Kamaru Usman Will KO Canelo Alvarez Inside Three Rounds’

Kamaru UsmanMaybe unsurprisingly, Dominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz has picked his client, UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman to stop super middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez with strikes inside three rounds if they ever share the squared circle. Usman, who recorded the fifth consecutive successful welterweight title defense back in November at UFC 268, scored another career win […]

Kamaru Usman

Maybe unsurprisingly, Dominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz has picked his client, UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman to stop super middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez with strikes inside three rounds if they ever share the squared circle.

Usman, who recorded the fifth consecutive successful welterweight title defense back in November at UFC 268, scored another career win over former interim titleholder, Colby Covington.

In the time since, however, Usman, who recently underwent a surgical procedure to address a ligament injury in his hand, and is expected to return in July at either UFC 276 or UFC 277.

As far as potential opponents are concerned, Usman is expected to meet with past-foe, the #3 ranked contender, streaking Birmingham native, Leon Edwards, although the bout has yet to come to fruition. 

Usman has also welcomed a lucrative transition to professional boxing – in a clash with Jalisco-born boxing phenom, Alvarez before the close of this year.

Kamaru Usman has also recently criticized the level of competition Canelo Alvarez has faced

The 31-year-old boasts a spectacular 57-1-2 professional boxing record, and is set to feature at the light heavyweight limit on May 7. against Dmitry Bivol in a championship challenge.

Providing an insight into a potential showdown, the aforenoted, Abdelaziz claimed he was confident Usman would stop Alvarez in just three rounds with strikes.

“Kamaru (Usman) will knock him (Canelo Alvarez) out in three rounds,” Ali Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “You cannot say not to Kamaru Usman. He’s a guy who comes from Africa. He jumped a lot of obstacles. I believe in Kamaru. This is the difference between me and other people. I believe in him. I live with him, I breathe with him, I die with him, I fight with him. He’s a special person in my life.”

“How many street fights have me and Kamaru been to?” Ali Abdelaziz said. “We’ve been in a lot of street fights, and I have to believe in him. I believe Kamaru can beat any man alive.” 

Manager: PFL Deal Makes Harrison Highest-Paid Female MMA Fighter

According to Dominance MMA Management CEO Ali Abdelaziz, Kayla Harrison’s new PFL deal has made her the highest-paid female mixed martial artist in history. After months of speculation and uncertainty, the future of one of the most sought-after free agents in MMA was announced this week. Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and undefeated lightweight…

Continue Reading Manager: PFL Deal Makes Harrison Highest-Paid Female MMA Fighter at MMA News.

According to Dominance MMA Management CEO Ali Abdelaziz, Kayla Harrison’s new PFL deal has made her the highest-paid female mixed martial artist in history.

After months of speculation and uncertainty, the future of one of the most sought-after free agents in MMA was announced this week. Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and undefeated lightweight is set for some more years fighting under the promotional banner of the rising PFL organization.

“I’m happy the free agency is over and I have a fight on the horizon,” Harrison told The New York Post via text. “I’m excited to continue to grow and challenge myself and be one of the highest-paid athletes in the sport.”

And one of the highest-paid athletes she certainly is, if her manager is to be believed.

Per journalist Aaron Bronsteter, Abdelaziz has said his client has shot to the top of the ladder in women’s MMA when it comes to financial gain following the signing of a new lucrative contract.

“I spoke with Harrison’s manager @AliAbdelaziz00, who said ‘the PFL stepped up in a big way and Kayla is now the highest paid women’s mixed martial artist ever. I want to thank everyone who was involved in getting the deal done and in particular, Peter Murray and Ray Sefo.’”

Given that she’s only 12 fights and four years deep into her career, if true, Harrison’s status as the highest-paid female MMA fighter ever is certainly an impressive achievement.

Harrison Will Pursue A 3rd PFL Title In 2022

While a return to the PFL seemed likely a number of weeks ago, a late offer from Bellator seemingly threw a spanner in the works. If that came to fruition, a long-awaited clash between Harrison and Cris Cyborg, who have been going back and forth on social media for months, would have been a possibility.

Unfortunately for Bellator kingpin Scott Coker, his rival for her signature was able to match the offer, thus paving the way for this week’s confirmation.

With her future finally laid out following five months of discussion and a tied-down place on the sport’s rumor mill, Harrison will now turn her attention to what she seemingly does best—destroying her competition inside the PFL cage and capturing gold.

Having previously secured $1 million checks and championship glory in both 2019 and 2021, the Ohio native will be looking for a third successive dose of PFL glory when she returns for the 2022 season.

With the addition of former Bellator featherweight champion Julia Budd to the equation, this year promises to provide the former Judoka with her stiffest tests to date.

Do you think re-signing with PFL was the correct move for Kayla Harrison?

Continue Reading Manager: PFL Deal Makes Harrison Highest-Paid Female MMA Fighter at MMA News.

Ali Abdelaziz Mocks Conor McGregor Losing Run: ‘This Guy’s Not Won A Fight Since The 90s’

Conor McGregorDominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz has mocked the recent losing skid of former duel-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor, claiming the Dubliner has now won a fight since the 1990s, as he finds himself in the midst of a two-fight losing run for the first time in his career. Abdelaziz, a prominent mixed martial arts manager […]

Conor McGregor

Dominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz has mocked the recent losing skid of former duel-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor, claiming the Dubliner has now won a fight since the 1990s, as he finds himself in the midst of a two-fight losing run for the first time in his career.

Abdelaziz, a prominent mixed martial arts manager and agent, is notoriously the manager of McGregor’s former foe and former lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov – with the two sharing one of the most heated rivalries in the history of the sport.

Conor McGregor has been linked to an Octagon return beyond this upcoming summer

During the run-up to McGregor’s October 2018 title challenge against Khabib, the Crumlin native fired multiple personal barbs at the Dagestan native, as well as some personal jibes at Abdelaziz himself.

Currently sidelined amid a fractured left tibia back in July in his first round doctor’s stoppage loss to former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier, McGregor is expected to return to the Octagon at some stage this year.

The trilogy rubber match marked the first occasion in McGregor’s professional mixed martial arts career that he had suffered back-to-back losses, following a January 2021 knockout loss to Poirier on ‘Fight Island’.

Without a victory since January 2020, McGregor’s most recent win came opposite Donald Cerrone at the welterweight limit where he landed a 40-second knockout, however, given the current slide the 33-year-old finds himself, Abdelaziz criticized his recent form in a reply to Brian Kelleher, claiming McGregor had been win-less since the 90s.

“Brian (Kelleher), this guy (Conor McGregor) has not won a fight since the 90’s, you a lot better than him,” Ali Abdelaziz tweeted. “This guy get (sic) beat up inside the cage and outside the cage.” 

Abdelaziz’s claims and reply follow a recent offer to Conor McGregor from Kelleher, who made a proposition to the Dubliner, which would see him corner him for his upcoming fight against Umar Nurmagomedov – in opposing corners to arch-rival, Khabib. 

Adesanya Slams Abdelaziz For “Disgusting” Talk Of Usman Fight

Israel Adesanya has slammed Ali Abdelaziz for comments he recently made about a superfight between the UFC Middleweight Champion and the reigning welterweight king, Kamaru Usman. Adesanya and Usman are currently two of the most dominant champions in MMA’s premier promotion. The pair have enjoyed a similar rise up the ladder of their respective divisions,…

Continue Reading Adesanya Slams Abdelaziz For “Disgusting” Talk Of Usman Fight at MMA News.

Israel Adesanya has slammed Ali Abdelaziz for comments he recently made about a superfight between the UFC Middleweight Champion and the reigning welterweight king, Kamaru Usman.

Adesanya and Usman are currently two of the most dominant champions in MMA’s premier promotion. The pair have enjoyed a similar rise up the ladder of their respective divisions, culminating in championship glory and multiple defenses.

“The Last Stylebender” has recorded two wins over top contender Robert Whittaker and defended his title against Paulo Costa, Yoel Romero, and Marvin Vettori. Meanwhile, “The Nigerian Nightmare” has seen off two challenges each from Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, along with one from former teammate Gilbert Burns.

With nine defenses between them and limited remaining challengers to their individual reigns, many have suggested the next logical step is a blockbuster showdown between the two Nigerian compatriots.

But owing to their national connection and both men’s desire to avoid dethroning a fellow African titleholder, the matchup seems unlikely. Usman even recently claimed it would take a $100 million offer to force him into the Octagon with Adesanya.

Despite that, Usman’s manager, Dominance MMA Management CEO Abdelaziz, is still harboring hope of it coming together. He’s even suggested that if the pair are “real brothers,” they’d agree to make each other some money by sharing the cage.

Adesanya To Abdelaziz: Are You My Brother?

It’s safe to say Abdelaziz’s comments haven’t gone down well with the reigning middleweight king…

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Adesanya responded to the suggestion he and Usman should ditch their allegiance in the name of money-making.

“The Last Stylebender” slammed Abdelaziz’s view as “disgusting,” and suggested Usman’s manager wouldn’t push for the superfight if he really was a fellow “African brother.”

“The way [Abdelaziz] did it was just disgusting. I usually express that the way we do it in our gym and the code that we have,” said Adesanya. “And like I said, me and Kamaru definitely feel the same way. What’s the point? This is bigger than us. Kids are gonna look at us generations from now and be like, ‘Those guys from Nigeria, they did that. They ruled this whole thing till they left, and they left on top’—same with Francis as well.

“[Abdelaziz] always comes up to me, ‘My brother, African brother!’ this and that. So I’m like, if you’re supposed to be a brother brother, why you trying to be selfish now and look at the dollar signs?” Adesanya concluded.

Given Adesanya’s reaction, it seems it would take a spectacular falling out in order to make him share the Octagon with Usman. With that said, it appears both men will have to look to light heavyweight if they’re to achieve two-division success.

While the Nigerian-New Zealander has already failed in that quest once, his manager Eugene Bareman recently hinted that another attempt could be on the cards if his man can get past Jared Cannonier later this year.

Meanwhile, “The Nigerian Nightmare” recently revealed he’d considered moving up to 205 pounds to challenge Jan Blachowicz when the Polish Powerhouse sat on the throne. It remains to be seen if the 170-pound titleholder will ever consider that jump again.

How do you think a fight between Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman would play out?

Continue Reading Adesanya Slams Abdelaziz For “Disgusting” Talk Of Usman Fight at MMA News.