Tag: Global MMA

Chael Sonnen believes Dustin Poirier is prioritizing ‘a Conor McGregor status’ over becoming a UFC champion

Chael SonnenChael Sonnen has proclaimed that Dustin Poirier is more interested in hitting the popularity levels of one Conor McGregor that attaining the UFC Lightweight belt. Dustin Poirier took another step in the right direction towards once again competing for the UFC lightweight championship following his third-round submission victory over Michael Chandler. The Louisiana native overcame […]

Chael Sonnen

Chael Sonnen has proclaimed that Dustin Poirier is more interested in hitting the popularity levels of one Conor McGregor that attaining the UFC Lightweight belt.

Dustin Poirier took another step in the right direction towards once again competing for the UFC lightweight championship following his third-round submission victory over Michael Chandler.

The Louisiana native overcame adversity in the opening round and in turn played his part in delivering what many consider a fight-of-the-year contender. On the back of his victory, suggestions were made that Poirier’s next opponent should come in the form of 4th-ranked lightweight contender, Beneil Dariush.

The victor of that potential contest would undoubtedly be next in line for a shot at Islam Makhachev’s lightweight strap should he successfully defend his title against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284.

However, when members of the media suggested this idea to Poirier, ‘The Diamond’ showed his appreciation for the impressive eight-fight winning streak Dariush has acquired but was not completely convinced by the idea of facing him.

Now, Dustin Poirier may have his reasons as to why a matchup against Dariush does not excite him, however, this response potentially helps solidify Chael Sonnen’s claims.

Chael Sonnen Believes Dustin Poirier Is More Interested in Super Fights Than Becoming UFC Lightweight Champion

Reviewing Poirier’s performance on his YouTube channel, Sonnen explained exactly why he believes the American Top Team fighter’s motivation is not solely focused on becoming the UFC Lightweight champion.

“Dustin Poirier right now is not on a mission to be champion,” Chael Sonnen said. “And to become champion is very realistic; that’s not the statement I’m making.

“Dustin Poirier’s No. 1 goal right now is not to reclaim his championship. He wants to go into a category. It’s the elite of the elite.

“It’s a category so high that when you start training, you don’t even set a goal to do. There’s one more category above champion – one category, and that is when the outcome of your fight doesn’t matter.

“When you get to a level of popularity where the outcome of your match no longer matters. The next time you come out, the crowd will be sold out, and you will be in the main event. Even if you’re coming off of a loss, your next fight will be the main event.

“I’m talking about a Conor McGregor status. He wants to do super-fights. He wants to do massive fights and the title be damned. He’s already got one. He’s got one sitting in his mantle at home. He will go down in the record books if he never fights again as a champion of the world, which he was. He wants to go into this different realm.” Chael Sonnen stated. (Transcribed by Mirror)

Do you agree with Chael Sonnen’s comments?

Exclusive | Randy Couture proclaims Kayla Harrison as the P4P No.1 in women’s MMA

Kayla HarrisonRandy Couture has shared his belief that the two-time Olympic gold medallist, Kayla Harrison, is the best female fighter in the sport. Harrison returns to action on the 25th of November to compete in the 2022 PFL World Championship, where she will attempt to emerge once again victorious as the Women’s lightweight champion. A tournament […]

Kayla Harrison

Randy Couture has shared his belief that the two-time Olympic gold medallist, Kayla Harrison, is the best female fighter in the sport.

Harrison returns to action on the 25th of November to compete in the 2022 PFL World Championship, where she will attempt to emerge once again victorious as the Women’s lightweight champion. A tournament that she has already won on two separate occasions previously.

Across all elite mixed martial arts organizations, Harrison is regarded as one of the best female fighters currently active within the sport.

Despite arguments that are made that Kayla Harrison has not faced the elite-level competition that she would find inside the UFC, her talent can simply not be questioned.

Mike Owens of LowKickMMA spoke to a man who knows exactly what it takes in order to become a world champion when he was joined by three-time UFC Heavyweight and two-time Light heavyweight world champion, Randy Couture, to preview the upcoming 2022 PFL World Championship.

Whilst breaking down the card, Couture revealed his thoughts on the Judoka world champion and where he places her in the Women’s Pound-for-Pound list.

Randy Couture Claims Kayla Harrison’s Ability Influenced Amanda Nunes To Leave American Top Team

“Honestly, I think she is the best female in our sport right now. I think you could have made a debate between her and (Amanda) Nunes and then Nunes just dropped a fight, and now has come back and gotten back in there and done a great job. I know they used to train together, and I think maybe Nunes saw the writing on the wall.”

“And potentially, she is going to have to fight this person, so she chose to create a little separation and go to a different gym for a while. Honestly, I believe she is the best female fighter in our sport right now.“

Kayla Harrison, who will headline this year’s PFL championship, has already revealed she only has a singular fight remaining on her contract and does intend to explore her options at the conclusion of this PFL season. The UFC now needs to be the first one knocking when she does become a free agent to allow her to join the organization and prove just exactly how talented she is.

Should she sign for the promotion, given the sporting credentials she has, she could very well be put in a position to face Nunes after just a handful of fights.

Who would you favor in a matchup between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes?

Joe Rogan commends Israel Adesanya for his conduct following UFC 281 defeat: “The way he responded to that loss is better than anybody ever”

Joe RoganUFC commentator, Joe Rogan, has praised Israel Adesanya for the way he conducted himself following his defeat to Alex Pereira at UFC 281. Heading into the fifth and final round Adesanya was leading on all three judges’ scorecards and looked to be en route to securing another impressive title defense in the main event of […]

Joe Rogan

UFC commentator, Joe Rogan, has praised Israel Adesanya for the way he conducted himself following his defeat to Alex Pereira at UFC 281.

Heading into the fifth and final round Adesanya was leading on all three judges’ scorecards and looked to be en route to securing another impressive title defense in the main event of UFC 281.

However, in an eerily similar matter to one of the pair’s previous meetings when they faced each other in Kickboxing, Pereira was able to land the game-changing blow (this time multiple) which would ultimately daze ‘The Last Stylebender’ and force the referee, Marc Goddard, to step in and call the fight.

Questions surrounded the stoppage at the time with some considering it to have come too early in comparison to others, including teammate Dan Hooker, who believed the referee made the right decision and prevented the previously undefeated middleweight from taking any unnecessary damage.

How a champion responds to setbacks such as this provides us with a true telling of just how they are as individuals, and as Joe Rogan states, Israel Adesanya conducted himself in arguably the best way we have seen a former champion be.

Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe Rogan shared his view on the now-former champion’s actions and why he believed he conducted himself in such a graceful manner.

“Dude, the way he responded to that loss is better than anybody ever,” Rogan said on his podcast. “The dude shows up to the press conference with a f****** fur coat like a king. Dope-ass watch on and just says, ‘He got me.’ He basically said ‘the hunter is now the hunted, I’m coming after him, I’m going to find a way to beat that dude. I was on my way to beating him, and he got me.’

“He was honest about all of it. About how Pereira landed a bunch of calf kicks early on and f***** up his leg and he couldn’t move right. Those calf kicks have changed the game.”

Joe Rogan Praises Marc Goddard For UFC 281 Main-Event Stoppage

Having seen more than his fair share of fights throughout his career, it is reasonable to say that Joe Rogan is well-versed in understanding when a fight should or should not be stopped.

After discussing it on his podcast, the longstanding UFC commentator praised the main-event official, Marc Goddard, for what he perceived as a ‘good stoppage’.

“I don’t think Pereira was going to stop,” Joe Rogan said.

“He had more time, ‘Izzy’ was stationary and Pereira was gonna hit him with some big shots. We don’t need to see ‘Izzy’ with his eyes rolled back behind his head flat out unconscious. I think it was a good stoppage.

“I could see where he’d be upset about it, too. I could see where other fights have gone on longer and they have, but it’s a subjective call and Marc Goddard is one of the very best in the world. He’s top 2 or 3, he might be No. 2, I think Herb Dean’s No. 1. He was saying ‘Bring back Steve Mazzagatti.’ (laughs) Then he went on Andrew Schulz’s podcast on Monday, they were drinking, having fun. He handled it very, very well.” (Transcribed by MMAFighting)

Israel Adesanya now finds himself in a unique position within his weight division as he attempts to reclaim the title in which he held for so long. Not one to be pessimistic and dwell on the defeat, Adesanya instead is looking forward to once again becoming the hunter as he aims to return to the top of the middleweight division.

Who would you favour in a rematch between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya?

Jon Jones reacts to Alex Pereira’s brutal standing knockout of Israel Adesanya at UFC 281

Jon JonesFormer light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, has reacted to Alex Pereira defeating Israel Adesanya in the UFC 281 main event to become the new middleweight champion. UFC 281 delivered a truly incredible card last night at Madison Square Garden. Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler produced an all-out war that saw the former interim lightweight champion […]

Jon Jones

Former light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, has reacted to Alex Pereira defeating Israel Adesanya in the UFC 281 main event to become the new middleweight champion.

UFC 281 delivered a truly incredible card last night at Madison Square Garden. Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler produced an all-out war that saw the former interim lightweight champion emerge victorious and submit Chandler in the third round.

Weili Zhang reclaimed her throne at the top of the strawweight pyramid as she defeated Carla Esparza in the second round via submission. This was all before the highly anticipated main event where once again Alex Pereira was able to best arguably one of the greatest middleweights of all time in Israel Adesanya to become the new UFC middleweight champion.

This came as Adesanya’s second professional loss in MMA and the UFC after he was previously beaten by at the time light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz. One main who knows about reigning supreme in the 205-pound division and fighting off all contenders is none other than Jon Jones.

Given Jones’ and Adesanya’s history it comes as no surprise that ‘Bones’ had to share his thoughts after the main event of UFC 281 concluded.

Initially, it started with one of the all-time greats accepting the praise of Khabib Nurmagomedov after the former lightweight champion made comparisons between him and Israel Adesanya.

Jones then followed up on the praise he received by passing on some of his own to the new middleweight champion, Alex Pereira.

‘It’s already yours Champ, Congratulations! Incredibly happy for you and your team. ?? ??’ Jones stated.

Jones then concluded his series of tweets by responding to a fan questioning why he would toy with Israel Adesanya after he suffered his defeat.

‘Now why would I go and do something like that?’ Jones said.

Although Jon Jones maybe held back on his remarks regarding Adesanya, it is not far from speculation that he enjoyed seeing the middleweight champion dethroned.

Jon Jones Calls on Stipe Miocic for UFC 282 Matchup

Having taken time away from the sport in order to begin his transition into the heavyweight division, it now appears Jon Jones is ready to step back inside the octagon and clearly has no interest in taking on an easy opponent after he called out the former heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic.

‘I’m preparing to fight Stipe December 10 in Las Vegas. Not really sure what’s going on between Stipe and the UFC but   I’m ready to compete! I’m going to control what I can and stay in shape.’  Jones tweeted.

Following up from this Jones sent another prompt towards Miocic as he urges the former champion to put pen to paper and sign the contract.

‘I’m bringing all the heat @Stipemiocic, I got that fire you could never put out. Sign the contract #Ufc282’ Jones prompted.

UFC 282 is less then a month away so it seems unlikely that Jon Jones wishes shall be granted but given his readiness to compete, we should expect to see ‘Bones’ back inside of the octagon in the first quarter of 2023.

What did you make of UFC 281?

Dustin Poirier blasts ‘dirty motherf*cker’ Michael Chandler, alleges he fishhooked him in UFC 281 slugfest

Dustin PoirierOnce again Dustin Poirier delivered a truly phenomenal fight at UFC 281 where he was able to submit Michael Chandler via a rear-naked choke in the third round. Tensions were high heading into the bout with the former interim lightweight champion displaying a real disdain for his adversary. Despite those tensions seeming to be somewhat […]

Dustin Poirier

Once again Dustin Poirier delivered a truly phenomenal fight at UFC 281 where he was able to submit Michael Chandler via a rear-naked choke in the third round.

Tensions were high heading into the bout with the former interim lightweight champion displaying a real disdain for his adversary. Despite those tensions seeming to be somewhat diffused after the matchup, Poirier still was angered by the actions of Chandler during the fight.

Chandler illegally fish-hooked Poirier during their matchup in an attempt to help him better his position. The Louisiana native also claimed that this was not the only dirty tactic he employed against him as he says Chandler also blew snot out of his nose towards his during one of the sequences.

This is not the first time that Poirier has been faced with adversity and unfortunately for Michael Chandler, even these moves would not be enough to prevent ‘The Diamond’ from sinking in his fight-ending rear-naked choke.

Speaking to the media in his post-fight press conference, Dustin Poirier revealed exactly what he said to his opponent for using an illegal tactic such as this.

‘I told him this is my house, that’s what I told him. I told him this is my house and I told him he is a dirty motherf****r too for putting his fingers in my mouth and blowing his nose, but it’s all good.’

Michael Chandler in his own press conference would go on to state how none of these attempts were intentional, however, when questioned about this the American Top Team fighter simply did not buy it.

‘It was definitely intentional.’

Dustin Poirier Sees Sense in Beneil Dariush Matchup

Having defeated a vast majority of the top contenders in the lightweight division, speculation was always going to surround what exactly the future holds for Dustin Poirier.

Later during his press conference, Poirier would be asked that exact questions and when thrown the idea of a matchup with Beneil Dariush, ‘The Diamond’ was full of praise for the 4th-ranked lightweight contender but also saw sense in a matchup between the two.

 “That’s one that makes a lot of sense you know, Beneil (Dariush) has earned his stripes and has put away some tough guys. He’s been looking great doing it you know so we’ll see, I’m not against it but it’s ultimately up to the UFC and my time frame of when I want to return. That’s what it comes down to. I think it’s a great matchup, I think he deserves a top matchup.”

Would you be interested in seeing Dustin Poirier face Beneil Dariush?

Israel Adesanya reveals he wishes he could have fought against former boxing champion Prince Naseem Hamed

Israel AdesanyaDespite their timelines being different and the sports they compete in, current UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, revealed his interest to have competed against former Boxing world champion, Prince Naseem Hamed. ‘The Last Stylebender’ will enter the octagon once again in the early hours of Sunday morning when he looks to add a sixth successful […]

Israel Adesanya

Despite their timelines being different and the sports they compete in, current UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, revealed his interest to have competed against former Boxing world champion, Prince Naseem Hamed.

‘The Last Stylebender’ will enter the octagon once again in the early hours of Sunday morning when he looks to add a sixth successful title defence to his impressive resume. Faced with his toughest test to date Adesanya will meet former kickboxing foe, Alex Pereira, in the main-event matchup at UFC 281.

A slick striker in himself, Adesanya sits at the pinnacle of the sport in terms of his striking attributes and competes with such a technical style often leaving his opponents questioning their own abilities. One man who shared this ability to bamboozle his opponents is the former WBO, IBF, and WBC featherweight champion and boxing legend, Prince Naseem Hamed.

Speaking in an interview with The Sun, Adesanya revealed his admiration for the boxing icon and his desire to have been able to test himself against someone of Hamed’s ability.

‘I would have liked to have fought Prince Naseem Hamed. Just because I liked his style, his cadence, his rhythm, his showmanship, everything. So, I would have liked to test myself against that guy.’ (Transcribed by SportsKeeda)

Prince Naseem similarly to Adesanya had only suffered one defeat during his illustrious professional career coming at the hands of fellow Boxing great, Marco Antonio Barrera. Hamed was admired for the way he competed in a water-like state, flowing within the boxing ring, and providing clinical displays much to the displeasure of his opponents.

Israel Adesanya prepared for war at UFC 281

Israel Adesanya has prepared himself to do whatever is necessary to emerge victorious at UFC 281. During his reign at the top of the middleweight division, Adesanya has been near untouchable fending off any and all challengers that have come his way in the 185-pound division.

Now, as he prepares to face a man who has beaten him twice in Alex Pereira, the current middleweight champion has braced himself for war as he aims to avenge his two previous defeats at the hands of the Brazilian.

“I want to make this a horror movie.”

“I want to be the first person he sees when he wakes up. I want to make sure I’m right in his line of sight so he’s looking at me,” Israel Adesanya said.

The Lagos Nigeria native will be looking to exact his revenge and shut the lights out of Pereira as he aims to continue his domination of the middleweight division and silence any of those who still doubt him.

Will Israel Adesanya retain his middleweight title at UFC 281?