Gervonta Davis Claims He Would Fight In The UFC For The Right Payday

Gervonta DavisUndefeated professional boxing champion, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis has expressed an interest in competing in professional mixed martial arts in the future, and has flirted with a potential outing under the UFC’s banner — should the promotion offer him a significant payday. Davis, 25-0 as a professional boxing boasting a stunning 24 knockout victories across his […]

Gervonta Davis

Undefeated professional boxing champion, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis has expressed an interest in competing in professional mixed martial arts in the future, and has flirted with a potential outing under the UFC’s banner — should the promotion offer him a significant payday.

Davis, 25-0 as a professional boxing boasting a stunning 24 knockout victories across his professional career, returns to the ring this weekend against Mexico’s, Isaac Cruz in a defense of his WBA lightweight championship

The 27-year-old last featured in June of this year against Mario Barrios scoring a knockout to clinch the WBA super lightweight title in the penultimate round of their 12 round headliner. 

Davis, a native of Baltimore, Maryland was briefly, previously linked with a potential professional boxing match against former two-weight UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, Conor McGregor — having competed on the undercard of McGregor’s professional boxing debut against his mentor, former multiple-time, weight world champion, Floyd Mayweather back in 2017.

Touching on a potential boxing match with McGregor, Davis claimed he would comfortably dispatch the Dubliner should they ever share the squared circle in the future. 

Gervonta Davis doubts a wrestler would manage to score a takedown against him

However, when asked if he would ever fight under the mixed martial arts ruleset, and more specifically, the UFC, Davis expressed an interest.

I mean, if they pay me — I know they probably wouldn’t pay me like a boxer’s (purse) — like a boxing match, but if they paid me enough to where I’m comfortable with it, I’d fight and MMA fight,” Gervonta Davis said on the Full Send Podcast.
The world champion then questioned if it was possible for him to be kicked in the face if he competed in mixed martial arts, and when told he could, he still flirted with a potential cross-over to the sport.

But, like you can’t kick me in the face — can you kick me in the face in like, the UFC?” Gervonta Davis asked. “No, I’d still do it, ’cause, you gotta think about it, I slip punches — so if somebody can kick me from all the way down there, I deserve to get kicked.

When asked about a stylistic preference, Davis maintained that a wrestler from his own weight class would find it difficult to take him down.

I gotta fight somebody like in my weight class,” Gervonta Davis said. “I don’t think somebody could get me, like somebody at my weight, can get me down and pin me, I don’t see that. ‘Cause, like — I’m from the hood, we used to wrestle. That’s what we do. First thing we do, we swing, and then from the swing, we picking you up and slamming you. Like, let’s just say, I’m fighting right now, on the street, I’m not gonna just straight box you, I’m gonna swing and then pick you up — you going in the air.

Claressa Shields Makes 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 List

Claressa Shields has made the 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 list under the Sports category.

Shields was the only boxer or mixed martial artist to make the list. The 26-year-old is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and is undefeated as a professional boxer…

Claressa Shields

Claressa Shields has made the 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 list under the Sports category.

Shields was the only boxer or mixed martial artist to make the list. The 26-year-old is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and is undefeated as a professional boxer at 11-0. This year, Shields went 2-0 in boxing, with victories over Marie-Eve Dicaire and Ivana Habazin, both via unanimous decision.

How Claressa Shields Beat Marie-Eve Dicaire for the 154-Pound Championship  - The New York Times
Claressa Shields vs. Marie-Eve Dicaire

Shields also made her MMA debut with the Professional Fighters League. She was successful in her debut, pulling out a come-from-behind victory over Brittney Elkin. She would then lose her follow-up bout to Abigail Montes, however.

Heading into her bout against Montes, Shields acknowledged that she’s learning as she goes, but expressed rocksteady confidence once her overall skillset matches her hands.

“I’ve been learning on the job, and I’ve been just getting better and better,” Shields told The Albuquerque Journal. “… I’m being taught armbars and stuff, and I’m being taught how to get out of them. They’re showing me rear naked chokes, and I’m doing really good in wrestling and getting in great positions.

“That’s stuff that used to confuse me. Now I actually feel good doing them, and that’s just giving me more confidence for the future.”

Shields joins the ranks of NBA star Devin Booker, MLB’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott to make this year’s Forbes list, to name a few.

Shields is currently scheduled to box Ema Kozin on January 29 and is expected to make her MMA return next year as well, though a hard date has not been set as of yet.

Is there anybody else from MMA that you think would be a good addition to join Claressa Shields on the 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 List?

Continue Reading Claressa Shields Makes 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 List at MMA News.

Bisping Slams “Suspect” Jake Paul For Refusing Drug Tests For Fury Fight

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping has questioned Jake Paul’s decision not to allow drug testing to take place for his upcoming fight against Tommy Fury.

Having maintained his unbeaten record in the squared circle, much to the dismay …

Jake Paul, Michael Bisping

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping has questioned Jake Paul’s decision not to allow drug testing to take place for his upcoming fight against Tommy Fury.

Having maintained his unbeaten record in the squared circle, much to the dismay of many in the combat sports community, Paul looks set to continue his boxing venture for some time to come. The next man looking to stop that from happening will be the younger half-brother of world champion Tyson Fury.

After defeating fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, retired basketball player Nate Robinson, retired former Bellator and ONE welterweight titleholder Ben Askren, and former 170-pound UFC champion Tyron Woodley, Paul is finally set to face his first professional pugilist. He’ll challenge “TNT” on December 18, with both men’s unblemished records on the line.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW1CmlCt2aR/

Bisping Criticizes Paul’s “Bizarre” Stance

According to Fury’s camp, Paul has refused the implementation of drug testing ahead of their eight-round boxing match in Tampa. Despite it being unclear whether the YouTube sensation was tested against AnEsonGib or Askren, it was confirmed that he had been for his August victory over Woodley.

In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Michael Bisping addressed the news that testing won’t be in place for Paul’s fifth outing in the ring. As a big advocate for clean fighting and stringent testing, “The Count” branded Paul’s reluctance to allow it as “bizarre” and “suspect.”

“Just recently, we’ve seen the rise of Jake Paul. Jake Paul is doing great things in combat sports and he’s young in his career, but I just saw, just a moment ago, MMA Junkie just did an article, and they said that, MMA Junkie said that he’s refused a drug test for his latest fight. Well, not refused a drug test, he hasn’t allowed drug testing to happen for his latest fight against Tommy Fury, which is bizarre. He’s put in all kinds of stipulations about, ‘You gotta change your name to Tommy Fumbles’ and this and that.

“There’s all kinds of things in there, all kinds of stipulations, lots of rules, lots of work for the lawyers to put in. But he refused, or said he didn’t want, to have VADA testing in there, which is, I don’t know, that’s a little suspect. If you’ve got nothing to hide, test the shit out of me, test the shit outta whoever.”

While Paul has certainly been facing tougher opposition every time he enters the squared circle, and has gone some way to legitimizing himself thanks to wins over two MMA pros, a triumph over a boxer would certainly force everyone to take him seriously.

However, should he find a path to victory having prevented drug testing from taking place, it’s arguable there’ll be a cloud hanging over the result.

What do you make of Jake Paul’s desire to avoid drug testing for his fight against Tommy Fury?

Continue Reading Bisping Slams “Suspect” Jake Paul For Refusing Drug Tests For Fury Fight at MMA News.

Rampage Jackson: UFC, Bellator Should Be Worried About Triller Triad Combat

Rampage Jackson“Rampage” Jackson believes Triller Triad Combat is the new game in town and that the UFC and Bellator should be worried. Triller Triad Combat debuted last night along with a brand new fighting ruleset that involved two-minute rounds in a triangular ring with punching from the clinch allowed. The matchups were MMA fighters vs. boxers […]

Rampage Jackson

“Rampage” Jackson believes Triller Triad Combat is the new game in town and that the UFC and Bellator should be worried.

Triller Triad Combat debuted last night along with a brand new fighting ruleset that involved two-minute rounds in a triangular ring with punching from the clinch allowed.

The matchups were MMA fighters vs. boxers with Jackson captaining the MMA team while former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs captained the boxing team.

Names like Mike Perry emerged victorious by decision for the MMA side who earned four out of seven wins. However, the night ended with boxing on top as Kubrat Pulev knocked Frank Mir out on his feet in the first round of the event’s headliner.

Rampage Jackson: It’s Here To Stay

All in all, it’s definitely something new and Jackson believes it might shake up the combat sports scene.

“It’s something new; I think it’s here to stay,” Jackson told MMA Junkie. “I think the UFC is gonna be worried about this. I don’t know what Dana White’s response is gonna be.”

How long it’ll be here to stay remains to be seen. Triller has long boasted of paying its fighters better than the UFC and that only continued last night.

But whether these events are profitable enough will determine whether Triller can keep paying the fighters well. For now, though, Jackson believes all the major MMA promotions need to be worried.

“I think UFC and Bellator should be worried right now, honestly,” he added.

Do you agree with Rampage Jackson?

Free Agent Tyron Woodley Planning To Compete Four Times In 2022 Including MMA Return

Tyron WoodleyExpect plenty of activity from Tyron Woodley next year. The former UFC welterweight champion is currently a free agent and is coming off a unanimous decision defeat to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in August. Woodley was hoping to secure a lucrative rematch only for Paul to brush him aside and move on by fighting Tommy Fury […]

Tyron Woodley

Expect plenty of activity from Tyron Woodley next year.

The former UFC welterweight champion is currently a free agent and is coming off a unanimous decision defeat to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in August.

Woodley was hoping to secure a lucrative rematch only for Paul to brush him aside and move on by fighting Tommy Fury instead.

However, “The Chosen One” remains in a unique position as he plans on competing in various combat sports in 2022. His goal is to compete four times in total (via Middle Easy).

“My ceiling is kinda different right now.” Woodley told MMA Junkie. “The fights that I want to take… I’m the only free agent in combat sports. Nobody else can say they’re a free agent. I can fight here, I can fight there, I can fight f*cking anywhere.”

“Next year, you’re gonna watch me fight 4 times, 4 different promotions, 4 different styles of fighting. I’m gonna be the first one to do it. You’re gonna see everybody else following behind like they always do.”

Tyron Woodley To Make MMA Return

One of those four outings could very well be a boxing match with Dan Hardy. However, mixed martial arts is also on the agenda.

“One of them is gonna be in MMA. I’m planning on fighting in MMA in July,” Woodley added. “Probably (Las) Vegas or something like that.”

It’s unlikely to be a return to the UFC. But there’s always Bellator and Triller Triad Combat if you can count the latter as MMA.

Woodley departed the UFC on a four-fight losing streak with his last outing being a first-round submission defeat to Vicente Luque back in March.

What fights do you expect to see for Tyron Woodley next year?

Woodley Rips Paul Again For Rematch Rejection, Plans Historic 2022 Run

Tyron Woodley may not have a Jake Paul rematch to look forward to, but the former UFC welterweight champ is planning big things for the coming year.

After losing his boxing debut to YouTuber Paul in August, Woodley went to great, even embarrassing …

Tyron Woodley, Jake Paul

Tyron Woodley may not have a Jake Paul rematch to look forward to, but the former UFC welterweight champ is planning big things for the coming year.

After losing his boxing debut to YouTuber Paul in August, Woodley went to great, even embarrassing lengths to engineer the rematch promised by the former. Paul had vowed to fight Woodley if he tattooed “I love Jake Paul” on his person—and that’s exactly what “The Chosen One” did. 

But Paul failed to live up to his end of the bargain, instead setting up a fight with Love Island star Tommy Fury. And this hasn’t sat well with Woodley, who has publicly lashed Paul for failing to honor his word.

The 39-year-old has, however, set his sights on challenges anew, most notably a boxing match with former UFC welterweight Dan Hardy. The duo have been engaged in a bitter war of words in recent months, which is expected to be settled in the ring somewhere in the UK come spring 2022. Contract negotiations are ongoing. 

Woodley Slams Jake Paul For Ducking Rematch, Reveals 2022 Plans

Tyron Woodley Jake Paul
Tyron Woodley, Jake Paul

While Woodley is focused on forging new accomplishments in the ring, it appears Jake Paul remains a thorn in his side. Speaking to MMA Junkie, Tyron accused Paul of avoiding the rematch, and that it was a move motivated by the knowledge that he actually lost their first encounter.

“Man, Jake Paul a bitch,” said Woodley. “He ain’t wanna fight. Like, ‘You did it too late!’ Like, nah, dude, you just didn’t wanna fight and you found a way out. They gave you a gift, and you took it and ran, just like a little kid on the playground, ‘Nae-nae-nae-nae-nae-nae!’ But they know that they really didn’t win.”

The Jake Paul ship may have sailed, but now as a free agent, Woodley believes his prospects are bright.

“Most people that watched the fight feel like I won the fight,” said Woodley. “I really didn’t walk away a loser in the fight. And my ceiling is a little different right now. I’m the only free agent in combat sports. Nobody else can say they’re a free agent. I could fight here, I could fight there, I could fight fuckin’ anywhere.

Tyron Woodley
Tyron Woodley (Image Credit: Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

“So next year, you’re gonna see me fight four times, four different promotions, four different styles of fighting. And I’m gonna be the first one to do it. And you’ll see everybody else follow behind…”

So will one of these fights see the “Chosen One” make a return to MMA? Woodley adamantly believes so. 

“One of them’s gonna be MMA. I plan on fighting MMA (in) July, a real special fight to me,” said Woodley.

What do you think of Tyron Woodley’s plans for 2022?

Continue Reading Woodley Rips Paul Again For Rematch Rejection, Plans Historic 2022 Run at MMA News.