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There’s no love lost between Sean Strickland and Belal Muhammad.

Since 2021, the two have traded barbs repeatedly despite fighting in different weight classes. At one point, Strickland even confronted Muhammad in person at Xtreme Couture. When the two didn’t come to blows in the gym, Strickland mocked the top-ranked Welterweight contender online for cowardice.

Now, as an unexpected result of content creator Nina-Marie Daniele’s fairly innocuous prank on Belal Muhammad (watch below), the two are once again beefing.

Strickland replied in the comments, immediately referencing their aforementioned Las Vegas run-in. “If you told him that in person he would put his head down and walk away,” Strickland wrote. “Then try to fight you on Twitter lol.”

That doesn’t rank highly in terms of the most aggressive things Strickland has ever written on social media, but “Remember The Name” didn’t hold back in his response. Muhammad dug into Strickland, painting the former champion as a hypocrite who doesn’t walk his crazy talk.

“If sean tells you he’s gonna fight you to the death,” Muhammad wrote on Twitter. “It means he’s gonna jab you and play defense for 25 minutes … if Sean sees your a harmless kid or homeless man on his ring camera he’s gonna walk out side with a gun and record it to make it seem like he’s crazy … if sean goes on a podcast it means he’s probably gonna cry.”

MMA Twitter is unanimous: this is a rare 10-8 Muhammad round.

Sadly, the two remain unlikely to settle their beef in the cage. Muhammad is next-in-line for a shot at Welterweight gold, as his UFC 304 title shot versus Leon Edwards was recently announced. Strickland, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a close title loss to Dricus Du Plessis by taking out Paulo Costa at UFC 302.

… If the Brazilian signs the contract!

Insomnia

Who will be God’s favored boxer this weekend?

Anecdote of the week: I rode my bike for primary form of aerobic conditioning in my last two fight camps. I only ate s—t once!

Alex Pereira seems to have a great sense of humor.

Do Tim Sylvia next!!!

Combat sports trash talk is usually at least a little homoerotic, and this is unsurprising given some of Mike Tyson’s more legendary quotes.

Charles Jourdain can always be counted on to deliver a fun fight.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Rakhmonov did a great job of landing off the kick directly back in his stance, ready to fire.

Click through for a full recap of the career of Oleksandr Usyk!

I don’t know what happened to Jesuino here, but I hope he’s alright.

Random Land

A chunky marmot.

Midnight Music: Alternative, 1985

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.

Imagine finding out that you’re fighting for the world title from a social media post? That’s exactly what happened to UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad earlier this week.

Muhammad, who has not tasted defeat inside of the Octagon since a decision loss to Geoff Neal back in Jan. 2019, has been waiting years for his shot at the UFC welterweight title. Finally, after putting together a 10-fight unbeaten streak and waiting for a list of other options to fizzle out, Muhammad is finally getting his long-awaited UFC title shot.

Per UFC CEO Dana White, Muhammad will meet current UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 304 this July in Manchester, England.

Unlike some fighters who are in the know about receiving a title fight, Muhammad had no idea he finally got his shot at UFC gold until someone told him during a training session. Muhammad was wrapping up some drills on the mat when he was informed of White’s social media announcement. His reaction was as genuine as they come and it was a great moment for a fighter who has paved his way in UFC over the past five years.

“Alhamdillah Thought this day would never come gods timing is the best timing,” wrote Muhammad via Twitter (reaction video shown above). “Main event Muhammad.”

Muhammad, 35, has already stepped inside of the Octagon with Edwards. The two welterweights collided in a main event showdown at the UFC Apex back in 2021, but an accidental eye poke rendered “Bully” unable to continue. He’ll have his chance for redemption at UFC 304 as he tries to dethrone Edwards in front of his home crowd.

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Stick with Mania for more UFC 304 fight card news, coverage, and announcements.

Tyson Fury is on the cusp of capturing all four major heavyweight titles in a matchup with Oleksandr Usyk tomorrow afternoon (Sat., May 18, 2024) live on DAZN PPV in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but all “Gypsy King” has on his mind is pure violence.

Fury, who has never tasted defeated in his 35-fight professional career, is a small betting favorite for Saturday’s heavyweight superfight. The towering Englishman may have been a heavier favorite in year’s past, but he’s coming off a close decision win over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou his last time out. Fury was knocked down and nearly upset in that fight so oddsmakers are being cautious for his matchup with Usyk.

On Friday, the two heavyweights finally stepped on the scale for official weigh ins and one final staredown. After making weight, Fury and Usyk came together face-to-face before Fury shoved the Ukrainian champion and forced security to break things up. It was a completely different scene compared to Thursday’s pre-fight press conference when Fury refused to look Usyk in the eyes.

After Saturday’s weigh-in, Fury took to the microphone to deliver one last message to Usyk and his team. Fury is not one to mince words and always says what’s on his mind, but his final words to the heavyweight champion were downright terrifying. Check it out below:

“I’m going to knock this little f—ker spark out,” said Fury. “I’m coming for his heart, f—k his belts. I’m coming for his f—king heart. F—k him.”

Usyk, who is always cool, calm, and collected with his trash talk, had a simple message in response to Fury’s on-stage outburst.

“Let your hands talk in the ring,” said Usyk following Friday’s official weigh ins.

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For the complete “Fury vs. Usyk” fight card and DAZN PPV lineup click here. For more boxing news and notes click here.

Mike Tyson is no gimmick fight and one reporter found that out the hard way during Thursday’s press conference in Dallas, Texas.

As you may know, Tyson is currently booked to return to the boxing ring against YouTube sensation Jake Paul, who has done his best to transition into a professional boxer over the past four years. Despite Paul’s overall lack of experience and suspect resume, fight fans are still outraged over the sanctioned fight because Tyson will be 58 years old when the two meet this July on Netflix.

Tyson is undoubtedly one of the best and most dangerous boxers in the history of the sport, but at some point age trumps experience and skill. That seems to be the case with “Iron Mike” in 2024, but you wouldn’t know it by the training videos the former heavyweight champion keeps releasing in effort to scare Paul before their massive PPV clash.

On Thursday, Tyson and Paul stepped on stage for an official pre-fight press conference. The two fighters talked some trash while answering questions from the media. One reporter spoke with Paul and asked him when he’ll stop participating in “gimmick” fights and compete against a real challenge. That immediately struck a nerve with Tyson, who seemed to snap back into his old, media-hating self (like THIS infamous outburst).

Check it out in the above video player.

“What did you just call me?” asked Tyson as he stared the reporter down.

“I didn’t call you anything,” replied the reporter, who sounded like he was looking down the barrel of a loaded gun.

Tyson maintained eye contact with the media member before sinking back into his seat. Not much was said after that, but it was a brief reminder of how aggressive, emotional, and scary “Iron Mike” can still be.

We’ll have to wait and see if Tyson can channel his old self inside of the ring when he meets Paul on July 20 in Dallas.

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For much more on the upcoming “Paul vs. Tyson” showdown on Netflix click here.

Tyson Fury is set to make a staggering payday for his long-awaited heavyweight title fight with Oleksandr Usyk tomorrow afternoon (Sat., May 18, 2024) live on DAZN PPV in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two fighters will collide in a massive main event that is undoubtedly one of the biggest heavyweight fights in recent memory.

As expected, Fury will make a ridiculous amount of money for signing the dotted line and agreeing to unify his heavyweight crown with Usyk, who is currently the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight champion. In fact, “Gypsy King” could make the most money he’s ever made this weekend at “Ring of Fire.”

According to a recent report by Yahoo Sports, Fury is contracted to earn about 70 percent of the overall purse for this weekend’s main event. That purse is rumored to be in the $150 million range, meaning Fury should walk away with more than $100 million. That is before final PPV numbers, ticket sales, and other additional revenue streams are accounted for.

“If you told Tyson Fury he’s set to make $100 million, he’d really get pissed off because he thinks, and I think he’s right, that he’s going to make a lot more,” said boxing promoter Bob Arum. “I don’t know the number, but it’s a lot more than $100 million.”

On the flip side, Usyk is expected to earn the other 30 percent of the overall fight purse. That would equate to somewhere between $30-$45 million, which is by far the most money the Ukrainian champion has ever made in his entire career. For a quick comparison, Usyk only made $6 million in guaranteed money for his last title defense against Daniel Dubois last August 2023.

Either way, this is going to be a huge cash grab for both heavyweights. Saudi billionaires are throwing out money left and right to try to make a new fight capital of the world and it continues this weekend with “Ring of Fire.”

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For the complete “Fury vs. Usyk” fight card and DAZN PPV lineup click here. For more boxing news and notes click here.