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George Hardwick interested in a UFC debut matchup vs. Michal Figlak: “That would be a good fight.”

George Hardwick is open to facing long-time rival Michal Figlak in a potential promotional debut for the UFC in March. Hardwick currently holds the Cage Warriors lightweight belt, having defeated Chris Bungard in his first title defense in November. The fight was one of his most impressive to date, winning a decisive first round before […]

George Hardwick is open to facing long-time rival Michal Figlak in a potential promotional debut for the UFC in March.

Hardwick currently holds the Cage Warriors lightweight belt, having defeated Chris Bungard in his first title defense in November. The fight was one of his most impressive to date, winning a decisive first round before finishing the fight with a body shot in round two.

In a recent LowKickMMA Exclusive Interview with Frank Bonada, George Hardwick revealed that he is hoping to return to action in early 2023, stating:

“In terms of competitive schedule, I’m thinking about March. I’m thinking about March, April, seeing what’s gonna come up then.”

Fans of the sport will no doubt be aware that the UFC is once again holding an event in England in March. Considering the blistering form Goerge Hardwick is on, and Cage Warriors’ close relationship with the UFC, it would be no surprise to see Hardwick getting the call-up for that card. When asked about a potential UFC debut in March, Hardwick had the following to say:

“That’s the goal. That would be ideal. But that’s stuff I’ve got no control over. That’s what my manager deals with. I’m just gonna train to be the most effective martial artist I can be. Enjoying the extra calories for a bit. Cage Warriors events pick up in March, so if there’s no UFC call-up then, (I’ll) just defend the belt again.”

George Hardwick vs. Michal Figlak?

George Hardwick has been offered a UFC contract in the past, but was forced to turn it down.

When the UFC made its maiden trip to France, Hardwick was offered a short-notice fight with Firas Ziam on the preliminary card. However, he had not fully recovered from injuries sustained in his previous fight. Instead, the UFC turned to Michal Figlak, the man whom Hardwick had appeared set to face off against next.

Now with a UFC debut on the horizon, Hardwick is still very much open to a matchup vs. ‘Mad Dog.’ Speaking in the interview, he discussed the circumstances surrounding the UFC Paris call-up, as well as a fight with Figlak.

“Yeah, I would love to fight that. It’s kinda weird, I was primed for a possible fight with him for the Cage Warriors belt. Obviously had that stare-down that lasted ten minutes. And then he stepped up, on that week’s notice to fight in Paris. But you know, even his fight with Sadari, he took a few big knees, you’ve got to be careful back to back. That’s one of the reasons why I knocked it back because my hands were still busted up. I tried to rush back into training and it didn’t help them. My nose was still a bit busted up and it was just really bad timing, to jump in on an opportunity like that on a week’s notice.”

“But you know, that would be a good fight. He likes to come forward. I do, but I do it a bit better. It would be a shame that it wouldn’t be five rounds but yeah, it’d still be great.”

During a photoshoot for CW 141 Unlocked, George Hardwick and Michal Figlak can be seen squaring off in a particularly tense moment, check out the clip below:

Would you like to see George Hardwick vs. Michal Figlak?

UFC veteran Chael Sonnen faces civil assault lawsuit from hotel employee

Chael Sonnen is set to face yet another lawsuit after a Four Seasons hotel work has claimed the former UFC star assaulted him. Chael Sonnen faced assault charges for a previous altercation that took place at the same venue. Previously it was claimed Sonnen attacked two people causing harm to both before having an altercation […]

Chael Sonnen is set to face yet another lawsuit after a Four Seasons hotel work has claimed the former UFC star assaulted him.

Chael Sonnen faced assault charges for a previous altercation that took place at the same venue. Previously it was claimed Sonnen attacked two people causing harm to both before having an altercation with the security guards on site. From this Sonnen was not arrested but was charged with misdemeanours.

Despite having some of the charges dropped it now appears Chael Sonnen will face another civil case following this latest update.

In December of last year, police were called to the Four Seasons in relation to an assault that was committed by Sonnen on two guests at the hotel, since this initial incident the American has been charged with four counts of misdemeanour battery.

Sonnen did not face a felony charge for battery by strangulation after it was determined the injuries of the victims in question were not severe enough. Similar to the two individuals’ misdemeanour battery charge that was also dismissed from this original case.

Chael Sonnen Facing Another Assault Lawsuit

As initially reported by MMAFighting, an employee at the Four Seasons has filed a civil complaint against Sonnen in what many believe is to be related to the ‘American Gangster’s previous altercation which took place at the same location.

The man in question, Joshua Olds, has claimed to the Clark County District Court that Sonnen had punched him in the face after Olds found himself in a fight with one of Sonnen’s associates.

Sonnen has yet to make any comment on the matter but since the news was revealed, he has not returned to his post as an analyst for ESPN but has continued on with his YouTube channel.

What do you make of this potential assault lawsuit that Chael Sonnen will now face?

UFC veteran Bas Rutten details love for BJJ: ‘I would put my wife in submissions’

In a recent interview, Bas Rutten admitted to practicing his grappling and submissions on his wife. The former UFC heavyweight champion recently appeared on Valuetainment discussing his obsessions with becoming an elite mixed martial artist. A former UFC heavyweight champion, hall of Fame inductee, and three-time King of Pancrase world champion it is fair to […]

In a recent interview, Bas Rutten admitted to practicing his grappling and submissions on his wife.

The former UFC heavyweight champion recently appeared on Valuetainment discussing his obsessions with becoming an elite mixed martial artist. A former UFC heavyweight champion, hall of Fame inductee, and three-time King of Pancrase world champion it is fair to say that his obsession paid off.

Detailing his career Rutten spoke of his disappointment from losing fights via submission in the early stages. After a defeat to Masakatsu Funaki and losing to Ken Shamrock via submission, Rutten believed it was time for him to make the necessary changes and remove what he considered to be one of the flaws in his game.

This would pay off, following his second defeat to Shamrock, Bas Rutten would finish his career off on an extremely impressive 22-fight unbeaten streak. From his last defeat which occurred in 1995 Rutten devoted a large portion of his time training and perfecting his techniques on the ground which ultimately led to him earning more submission victories than any other method before retiring in 2006.

Bas Rutten Talks On His Passion For BJJ

Speaking to Valuetainment Bas Rutten revealed how he had come so absorbed by Brazilian Ju Jitsu and want to excel at it that he would often use his wife to practice submissions.

The former heavyweight champion recalled on one occasion in fact when he woke his wife up in the middle of the night to practice a technique that had come to him during a dream.

‘Suddenly I became obsessed with it, I mean I became so crazy I would wake up my wife in the middle of the night because I would dream a submission, I would put her in the submissions and I would ask her where it hurt.’

Where does Bas Rutten rank for you as an all-time great?

Gordon Ryan extends sarcastic helping hand to ‘Drunk’ Dillon Danis: ‘Hopefully he doesn’t end up homeless’

Gordon Ryan sarcastically offered Dillon Danis a job during the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3 press conference. Grappling kingpin, Gordon Ryan emerged victorious during his Fight Pass Invitational grappling matchup against Nick Rodriguez. Ryan was able to secure his victory via the fastest escape and following this spoke to the combat sports media. Specifically, Ryan […]

Gordon Ryan sarcastically offered Dillon Danis a job during the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3 press conference.

Grappling kingpin, Gordon Ryan emerged victorious during his Fight Pass Invitational grappling matchup against Nick Rodriguez. Ryan was able to secure his victory via the fastest escape and following this spoke to the combat sports media.

Specifically, Ryan was asked about former rival Dillon Danis with the ‘MMA fighter’ scheduled to face internet sensation KSI in a boxing match taking place in 2023. This is what Ryan had to say about his previous opponent.

“He’s a master at staying relevant without actually doing anything, it’s incredible,” Gordon Ryan said. “I’ve offered him like 10-to-1 odds, I’ve offered him to compete against Luke for 2-to-1 odds, I’ve offered him every kind of match and he’ll post the 2017 ADCC match every now and then and be like, ‘See, I beat the best guy in the world.”

“Hopefully he’s getting paid. He actually randomly messages me on Instagram all the time at like 2am, he’s gotta be like drunk or whatever. He sent like a clip the other day of Chael Sonnen [saying] ‘Dillon Danis is the real deal, he went toe-to-toe with Gordon in 2017 and Gordon won the world championships’ — like out of nowhere, completely unsolicited.”

Danis has not competed inside an octagon since 2019 when he defeated fellow novice Max Humphrey via armbar in the first round. Now it seems a return to the octagon has become even more unlikely with his recently announced boxing affair.

Gordon Ryan Offers Dillon Danis A Job Washing His Cars

Danis has not competed in any facet of combat sports for quite some time and therefore it is understandable why Gordon Ryan perceived his boxing matchup with KSI as having been scheduled for him to earn a payday. However, should Danis fall on hard times Ryan has kindly offered him the opportunity to work under him washing his cars.

“I’m like, ‘Great Dillon, I hope you’re getting paid for this.’ He’s like, ‘I run the game kid, don’t forget this.’ I’m like okay, if it doesn’t work out and you don’t make that much money, I have tons of cars you can clean those for me,” Gordon continued. “I have like five cars to clean and if you want to clean those I’ll give you thirty bucks a week or something for those. And he never responded. Hopefully he’s making a lot of money. Hopefully he doesn’t end up homeless. He manages to stay relevant but it’s hard to stay relevant when you don’t compete.” (Transcribed by MMAMania)

Will you watch Dillon Danis vs KSI in January?

Gilbert Burns slams UFC star Jorge Masvidal about potential fight offer: ‘He was lying, for sure’

Gilbert Burns believes either Jorge Masvidal or the UFC have lied about a potential matchup between the pair. It has been rumoured for months, Burns next opponent would be the former title challenger, Jorge Masvidal. However, recent announcements have suggested otherwise with the Brazilian now scheduled to face Neil Magny at UFC 283 in Rio […]

Gilbert Burns believes either Jorge Masvidal or the UFC have lied about a potential matchup between the pair.

It has been rumoured for months, Burns next opponent would be the former title challenger, Jorge Masvidal. However, recent announcements have suggested otherwise with the Brazilian now scheduled to face Neil Magny at UFC 283 in Rio De Janeiro.

Although Burns was extremely interested in the matchup, he explained at the UFC 282 press conference how he was simply tired of waiting around for Masvidal having been led down a road of empty promises.

“I was [surprised] because he said my name multiple times on a couple occasions in different interviews,” Burns said backstage at UFC 282. “He said he was going to do one more fight this year, and I was like, OK, it’s happening.

“But then, s***, it took so long. The way I see it, he was kind of keeping me going. … ‘Oh, later, oh, next fight, next pay-per-view,’ and I was waiting for the fight. I guess it’s a very hard fight for him. He’s coming from three losses to fight me. It’s a good reward if he beats me – if – it’s going to be a good reward, but it’s a big risk, I think.”

Time continued to pass from the initial fight offer, and Burns’ frustrations grew larger with the fight supposedly being agreed since August. After months of delays ‘Durinho’ opted to move on from a potential fight with Masvidal and instead accepted the opportunity to compete in his home country in the new year facing crafty veteran, Neil Magny.

Despite moving on from this bout, Burns revealed his disappointment in not having the opportunity to face Jorge stating that the matchup did not come to fruition for only one of two reasons.

“He was lying, for sure, or Hunter and the UFC were lying,” Gilbert Burns said. “I don’t believe they were. But they offered me Jorge. ‘You want to fight Jorge?’ That was the question. ‘You want to fight Jorge at MSG?’ You know what I’m saying. I said, ‘For sure.’ And then after that, they said, ‘He’s not ready. We can make it Dec. 10.’ I said yes.

“And after that, Jorge told us, ‘He’s going to fight you in Brazil.’ And I said, ‘No, he didn’t say that.’ [They said], ‘No, he said that.’ I said, ‘Well s***.’ Then after a little bit, the fight’s off the table, we’re going to fight another guy in Brazil. A couple of guys declined, and Neil Magny it is.”

Gilbert Burns Aims To Begin Title Resurgence With Victory Over Neil Magny

An opportunity to restart his title push, Gilbert Burns will compete for the first time since his all-out war with undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 273. Following Leon Edwards dethroning of Kamaru Usman at the top of the welterweight division the opportunity for the Brazilian to once again challenge for the title has increased significantly. Plotting out his route back to the top, the 36-year-old believes three victories all coming by way of finish shall be enough to earn him a shot at the illusive welterweight title.

“For sure, I’m not going to be chasing Jorge, but I’m going to chase another fight real quick,” Gilbert Burns said. “Not passing over Neil Magny – I cannot make that mistake again. I’ve got to destroy this guy in Rio, and looking for another guy. That’s the goal – to get three finishes, three wins, and earn another title shot.” (Transcribed by MMAFighting)

Masvidal would have entered the hypothetical matchup riding a three-fight losing streak and against an opponent in Gilbert Burns who would provide him stylistically with a tough challenge. Should the Brazilian’s comments be true it makes sense as to why ‘Gamebred’ may have not been so eager to return to the octagon.

Will Gilbert Burns defeat Neil Magny at UFC 283?

Opinion | Fights to make following UFC 282: Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev

UFC 282 delivered for the most part a very enjoyable and entertaining card. Ten finishes in the opening ten matchups had everything set nicely for the co-main and main event to send off the UFC’s final pay-per-view of the year on a high. However, as we should expect by now, this was never going to […]

Although the final two matchups did not quite live up to expectations, there are still matches to be made following them. So let us review UFC 282 and see what lies next for those who emerged victorious on the night.

Jan Blachowicz & Magomed Ankalaev

It seems only right to pair these two gentlemen up once again following their draw in the main event of UFC 282. Provided both men have escaped from their bout with relatively tame injuries and are looking to return around a similar time let us see two of the top contenders in the division fight each other again to establish who should be up in contention for the next title shot.

Paddy Pimblett

Now like most of the MMA community, I feel it should be Jared Gordon I am matchmaking for next, as opposed to the now 4-0 UFC lightweight, Paddy Pimblett. However, the Scouse-star got the nod on the judges’ scorecards and therefore shall be moving forward with my matchmaking plans.

The former Cage Warriors champ should be taking a step up in competition next. Therefore, I would like to see Pimblett matched up with the No.10 ranked lightweight contender, Jalin Turner.

Santiago Ponzinibbio

Santiago Ponzinibbio looked well on his way to a decision defeat against Alex Morono. However, in the final round, ‘The Argentine Dagger’ landed a devastating right hand, quickly followed up with a flurry of strikes to claim a TKO victory.

I was a big fan of Ponzinibbio’s original opponent, Robbie Lawler, and therefore would have no complaints should the two be matched up once again.

Dricus Du Plessis

Dricus Du Plessis broke the hearts of many Darren Till fans when he locked in a rear-naked choke to submit the ‘Gorilla’ in the third round. Du Plessis remains undefeated in the promotion and has already established himself as a top contender in the middleweight division.

The South African called for a top-ten opponent next and he deserves nothing less. That is why for his next matchup I would like to see him take on 9th-ranked Jack Hermansson.

Ilia Topuria

In what was widely considered one of the most intriguing and high-level fights on the card, Georgia’s Ilia Topuria turned in an almost flawless display at UFC 282. There is no doubt in my mind that Topuria will contend for a featherweight title in the future, and I can imagine it to occur sooner rather than later. I believe he is deserving of a crack at the top five and therefore would like to see him take on fellow contender, Arnold Allen.

Fights To Make Following UFC 282

Raul Rosas Jr

The 18-year-old star boy delivered on his promotional debut as many had anticipated when he submitted Jay Perrin in the very first round. You can expect the UFC to take a slower approach with Rosas Jr given his age and allow him to grow inside the promotion. Brian Kelleher would make a good opponent for Rosas Jr as he aims to bounce back from a two-fight losing skid, both coming via submission.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik

‘Bigi Boy’ returned to winning ways after he delivered a blitzing 23-second knockout of Chris Daukaus. Having already fought many top contenders and fallen short, Rozenstruik finds himself in a bit of a peculiar position. However, there is one man who he has not fought, and would create fireworks should they fight – that man being Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa.

Edmen Shabayzan

Similarly to ‘Bigi Boy,’ Edmen Shaybayzan returned to the winning column, snapping a three-fight losing streak. A highly touted prospect when he first joined the promotion, Shabayzan is looking to get his career back on track following his UFC 282 victory. Therefore, next for Edmen, I would like to see him take on Jacob Malkoun.

Chris Curtis

Chris Curtis emerged victorious in the battle of heavy hitters when he knocked out Joaquin Buckley in the second round of their UFC 282 prelim matchup. Four wins from five have landed Curtis just inside the top fifteen of the middleweight division. Given most of the contenders already have been scheduled for early 2023 should Curtis wish to continue his ascent up the middleweight rankings he should look to take on Brazil’s Andre Muniz.

Billy Quarantillo

Billy Quarantillo simply does not know how to be involved in a boring fight and this sentiment was fitting following his TKO victory over Alexander Hernandez. Next for Billy Q is a man who would bring the same type of fire that he does already. Nathaniel Wood looked excellent in his most recent outing, and I feel these two would match up extremely well.

TJ Brown

TJ Brown notched his tenth submission victory this past weekend at UFC 282 when he dispatched Erik Silva in the final round. Three victories in his last four outings have Brown finding some stronger form inside the promotion. For his next test, I would like to see him take on experienced featherweight, Andre Fili.

Cameron Saaiman

Another debutant and another victory, Cameron Saaiman extended his undefeated record to 7-0 this past weekend following his TKO victory over a short-notice opponent, Steven Koslow. Next for Saaiman, I would like to see him take on Chad Anheliger.

Be sure to share your thoughts on my selections and leave suggestions in the comments on whom you would like to see the winners from UFC 282 face next.

Jared Cannonier and Sean Strickland will close out 2022 for the UFC as the two middleweight contenders both look to return to winning ways and set themselves up for an exciting 2023.