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Dana White Names Conor McGregor As One Of The Most Loyal Fighters

UFC President Dana White has had some difficult fighter relationships during his time with the promotion, but Conor McGregor is an exception.

McGregor is in the middle of his planned comeback to the UFC Octagon next year, after suffering a brutal l…

Dana White, Conor McGregor

UFC President Dana White has had some difficult fighter relationships during his time with the promotion, but Conor McGregor is an exception.

McGregor is in the middle of his planned comeback to the UFC Octagon next year, after suffering a brutal leg injury at UFC 264. In the meantime, he’s managed to stay active on social media and in the gym.

White has never been afraid to speak his mind, especially when it comes to the fighters on his roster. He and McGregor have always seemed to have a cordial relationship, even when McGregor hasn’t shown up on time.

During a recent interview with Teddy Atlas, White explained how McGregor has stood out among the rest.

“You know better than anybody, how f*cking dirty the fight business is, man,” White said. “It doesn’t take much to get somebody to cut somebody’s throat in the fight business. But there’s been a lot of fighters that have been incredibly loyal to me, and I’ve been incredibly loyal to them. Conor McGregor is one of them. Conor’s a f*cking handful, boy.

Conor McGregor, Dana White
Conor McGregor and Dana White Miles Apart On Pacquiao Fight

“But when you look at the way fighters are built, they’re different than everybody else on this planet. But the Ronda Rouseys, the Chuck Liddells, Matt Hughes, Conor McGregor, there’s a lot. And I don’t wanna mention people, but there’s been a lot of fighters over the past 20 years that have been very loyal.” 

A big reason why the UFC, and MMA in general, have grown immensely over the years is its global superstars. McGregor is one of the most notable names, bringing a brash and exciting style into the UFC ranks.

Despite his large fortune, McGregor doesn’t seem like he’s planning on retiring anytime soon. He’s looking forward to getting back on track after back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier in 2021.

What are your thoughts on Dana White’s comments?

Continue Reading Dana White Names Conor McGregor As One Of The Most Loyal Fighters at MMA News.

Adesanya: Shields Has “More Ovaries Than All You Boxers Have Balls”

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has praised undisputed light middleweight boxing titleholder Claressa Shields for making the transition to MMA.

Shields is widely regarded as one of, if not the greatest female boxer of all time. The 26-yea…

Israel Adesanya, Claressa Shields

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has praised undisputed light middleweight boxing titleholder Claressa Shields for making the transition to MMA.

Shields is widely regarded as one of, if not the greatest female boxer of all time. The 26-year-old has held multiple world championships across three weight classes and holds the record for achieving two and three-division title glory in the fewest amount of professional fights.

The undefeated Michigan native, who won back-to-back Olympic gold medals at the London and Rio games, has entered the ring 11 times as a pro, with gold being on the line on every occasion beyond her debut. Unlike most, success inside the squared circle wasn’t the end of Shields’ combat sports ambition.

This year, “T-Rex” tested the waters of MMA, signing with the rising Professional Fighters League promotion. In her debut, Shields overcame adversity in the opening two rounds to secure a third-frame TKO victory.

While the same issues on the ground were present in her sophomore appearance, this time, she wasn’t able to mount a comeback. Against Abigail Montes At PFL 10, Shields fell to her first defeat as a professional in combat sports.

Adesanya Praises Shields For Trying “Real Fighting”

Shields is now set to turn her attention back to the sport of Boxing. On January 29, she’s set to put her WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring middleweight titles on the line against Slovenia’s Ema Kozin. But she’s insisted her journey in MMA is far from over, something the UFC’s middleweight king certainly respects.

In the latest episode of his UFC 271 Fight Camp vlog series, Adesanya lauded Shields for adding more disciplines to her game. According to “The Last Stylebender,” the 26-year-old is doing something most boxers are too afraid to do—try their hand at “real fighting.”

“People don’t understand. How do you think I’m a fucking world champion? With just one discipline? Fuck no! I know how to fight. I could’ve been a fucking boxer. Done the whole blueprint like I said. Same as a kickboxer. But I humble myself when I realized I want to be a full-fledged fighter, so I humble myself and I learn. I tell you one thing, Claressa Shields has got more ovaries than all you boxers have balls. ‘Cause she actually humbled herself as well and ventured into real fighting.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

Despite her setback, the message from Shields has been, “It’s not over.” She’ll now look to re-enter the win column by extending her unbeaten record and continuing her dominance in the boxing ring. If she does, it stands to reason we’ll be seeing “T-Rex” back in the cage later in 2022.

Do you agree with Israel Adesanya? Should Claressa Shields be praised for making the crossover to MMA?

Continue Reading Adesanya: Shields Has “More Ovaries Than All You Boxers Have Balls” at MMA News.

Khabib Shares A Time He Was Ready To Fight An Overzealous Fan

The price of fame appears to be weighing heavily on Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The consensus lightweight GOAT retired from MMA over a year ago and has since transitioned into a highly successful coaching career. Like he was in the UFC, as a coach Khabib …

Khabib Nurmagomedov

The price of fame appears to be weighing heavily on Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The consensus lightweight GOAT retired from MMA over a year ago and has since transitioned into a highly successful coaching career. Like he was in the UFC, as a coach Khabib remains undefeated, having most recently steered Islam Makhachev to victory at UFC 267. His record as a coach stands at 7-0.

While “The Eagle” remains content helping out his teammates from the sidelines, he’s still very much in the headlines. This year, Nurmagomedov leveled some honest yet fiery criticisms at former opponent Justin Gaethje, who he claims isn’t worthy of a lightweight title shot over Makhachev. Khabib also went after old foe Tony Ferguson, and even José Aldo caught some of “The Eagle’s” brutally honest critiques.

Khabib Shares How He Deals With Fame, Tells Story Of Almost Fighting Fan

So it seems Nurmagomedov is still very much in the MMA limelight, and as one of the sport’s most recognizable faces, will be for a long time. But the life of a global sports star hasn’t been all roses for Khabib.

Speaking at an event in the UK, the 33-year-old revealed that to avoid the thronging masses of fans who regularly clamor for his attention, he often goes out completely incognito, wearing a hoodie and COVID mask.

“This is best feeling—go outside when people not bother you, just be like regular person. Sometimes I do this,” said Khabib.

Khabib Nurmagomedov
PHOTO: GETTY

Khabib’s disguise isn’t always foolproof, however. The Dagestani related an incident—one of many, he claims—where a fan spotted him, and things got a little tense.   

“In Moscow, couple weeks ago, I put mask, hoodie, and just walk around, and one guy come to meet,” said Khabib. “It was a lot of people there. And (he said), ‘Can I take picture?’ And I was walking. I said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘Because I don’t want.’ It was (a discussion) between me and him, just walking. He said, ‘But I want to take picture with you.’ I said, ‘OK, take on the way, but I don’t want to stop.’ Because I know if I stop, put mask off, I have to stop there for one hour. And he don’t like this. It was very nervous (discussion) with him. I feel pressure, too. But I was ready for fight. Because I don’t want to take picture. Because now is not time.”

How would you handle a situation like the one Khabib found himself in with this overzealous fan?

Continue Reading Khabib Shares A Time He Was Ready To Fight An Overzealous Fan at MMA News.

Alana McLaughlin Denies Transitioning ‘Just To Fight Women’

Transgender fighter Alana McLaughlin has responded to frequent accusations that she transitioned from male to female just so she could fight women in MMA.

Alana McLaughlin made her MMA debut in September at Combate Global: Perez vs. Roa, picking up…

Alana McLaughlin

Transgender fighter Alana McLaughlin has responded to frequent accusations that she transitioned from male to female just so she could fight women in MMA.

Alana McLaughlin made her MMA debut in September at Combate Global: Perez vs. Roa, picking up a comeback victory over fellow debutante Celine Provost of France. McLaughlin was able to secure the rear-naked choke victory in the second round to pick up the first win of her controversial career.

The topic of trans-athletes competing against cisfemale athletes has been a controversial subject in recent years, but perhaps none more so than in MMA, where there is full-on hand-to-hand combat taking place.

Among the first to tackle this subject in the mainstream MMA community was the always-unfiltered Sean Strickland. Soon after, several other fighters voiced their stance against transgender athletes being allowed to compete in women’s MMA, including Michael Bisping, Sean O’Malley, and Demian Maia.

For McLaughlin’s part, she shared that she has received death threats since her debut but vowed not to address her detractors ever again after an initial Instagram post defending her participation in bouts against cisfemale opponents.

Recently, she would again address them, however, specifically responding to those who accuse her of transitioning only so that she could beat up women legally and easily.

“Transphobes claim I transitioned specifically to fight women because I couldn’t beat men as if my previous job wasn’t fighting a real actual war and ending human lives. If I had been able to keep pretending to be a man I’d have started fighting MMA in 2010,” McLaughlin wrote.

“As if I haven’t been fighting men without the safety of gloves and referees and doctors my whole life. As if I haven’t been shot, stabbed, blown up, and worse. Having a dick doesn’t make someone strong, and women, both cis and trans, are stronger than we’re given credit for,” she continued.

McLaughlin is referring to her time as a member of the US Army Special Forces from 2004-2010. She is currently 38 years of age and remains 1-0 as an MMA pro. There is currently no word on when “Lady Feral” will compete again or who will be her next opponent.

What do you make of Alana McLaughlin’s response to the accusations made by her detractors?

Continue Reading Alana McLaughlin Denies Transitioning ‘Just To Fight Women’ at MMA News.

New Zealand Gym Fined Hefty Penalty For Defying Vaccine Mandate

Oliver MMA, a combat sports gym located in Auckland, NZ, has been fined $12,000 NZD ($8,000 USD) for defying the country’s COVID-19 mandate.

New Zealand’s workplace and safety agency, WorkSafe, found the gym in violation of a mandate that requires …

Oliver MMA

Oliver MMA, a combat sports gym located in Auckland, NZ, has been fined $12,000 NZD ($8,000 USD) for defying the country’s COVID-19 mandate.

New Zealand’s workplace and safety agency, WorkSafe, found the gym in violation of a mandate that requires all gyms and businesses to ensure fully vaccinated staff and patrons against COVID-19.

During a recent interview with the New Zealand Herald, WorkSafe issued a statement on the penalty to Oliver MMA.

“Egregious breaches like this will be treated seriously,” said Simon Humphries, Head of Specialist Interventions at WorkSafe. “This business has continued to operate in breach of the rules. That’s not fair to the high number of businesses and organizations who have changed how they operate to keep people safe.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)

The Gym Owners Are Determined To Keep Oliver MMA Open

The gym’s ownership, consisting of Steve and Krissy Oliver, told the publication that they intend to remain open for the foreseeable future after hundreds of New Zealanders had been turned away elsewhere. Steve expressed his empathy for the community.

“We care about them and have put in extra measures to ensure that we are helping them to get the right support and to be there for them,” the owner said.

It is unclear if the gym will receive more severe penalties in the future for its intentions to defy the COVID-19 mandate. The gym is home to a couple of amateur fighters and is mostly utilized as a training gym, hosting classes daily.

What are your thoughts on vaccine mandates?

Continue Reading New Zealand Gym Fined Hefty Penalty For Defying Vaccine Mandate at MMA News.

Jake Paul Denies PPV Buys Report But Admits Disappointment

Jake Paul has denied the reported number of buys for his latest boxing fight, although he has admitted the fight didn’t do too well.

Earlier this week, DAZN reported that Paul’s rematch fight against Tyron Woodley did a low number on pay-per-view. …

Jake Paul

Jake Paul has denied the reported number of buys for his latest boxing fight, although he has admitted the fight didn’t do too well.

Earlier this week, DAZN reported that Paul’s rematch fight against Tyron Woodley did a low number on pay-per-view. It reportedly sold approximately 65,000 buys. The figure for online purchases of the event are not known at the moment.

Paul has denied this rough figure but also admitted his disappointment with what he knows about the sales.

“The PPV number rumors are b*******,” said Paul in a Twitter post. “1st fight [with] Woodley we sold 500k+. Numbers for this one are still rolling in but still looking positive. Not my best business night.”

Paul gives credit to Showtime and Woodley for putting on the show, also using the opportunity to take a shot at his opposition.

“Shoutout to Showtime for riding with me and all the fighters on the card and Tyron for not being a b**** like most of these “fighters” are,” said Paul.

Masvidal Mocks Paul over Report

Jorge Masvidal, Jake Paul
Jorge Masvidal, Jake Paul

UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal has run with the report about the PPV, using the stat to mock the celebrity-turned-boxer.

Masvidal talked about the reported sales and used the statistic to distance himself from a potential fight against Paul.

“Bitch boy can’t afford the big boys. Never again do I want to hear my name associated with the fake,” said Masvidal via Twitter.

Paul was originally set to face undefeated boxer Tommy Fury earlier this month. He was given Woodley as an opponent after injury forced Fury out of the matchup.

While reports say the PPV didn’t do well, it undeniably created a buzz afterward. Paul’s sixth-round knockout of Woodley currently has 10 million views on Showtime’s official Youtube page.

Continue Reading Jake Paul Denies PPV Buys Report But Admits Disappointment at MMA News.