Tag: Global MMA

Francis Ngannou released from the UFC, PFL and Bellator MMA hint at interest

Francis NgannouFormer UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has parted ways after the promotion was unable to meet his contract demands. During the broadcast of UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov, a banner on the T-Mobile Arena advertising a Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane heavyweight title fight began doing the rounds on social media. This quickly led […]

Francis Ngannou

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has parted ways after the promotion was unable to meet his contract demands.

During the broadcast of UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov, a banner on the T-Mobile Arena advertising a Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane heavyweight title fight began doing the rounds on social media. This quickly led to fans deducing that Ngannou had vacated his belt, and potentially parted ways with the UFC.

In the post-fight press conference, Dana White would confirm these theories, stating:

“We offered Ngannou a deal that would make him the highest-paid heavyweight of all time. He turned it down. We’re gonna release him from his contract. He can go and do whatever he wants.”

This, of course, leaves Francis Ngannou open to explore free agency in the world of MMA. Two promotions have already indicated they may have some interest in signing ‘The Predator.’

Bellator MMA president Scott Coker reposted a LowKickMMA article from 2022 that focused on Bellator being open to sign Ngannou in early 2022.

PFL, who appear to be the most popular fan pick for Ngannou’s next destination, simply posted the following GIF.

PFL and Bellator do seem the most likely next steps for Francis Ngannou, although it is worth noting that only a year has passed since the now former UFC champ was heavily campaigning for a boxing match with Tyson Fury.

Where do you think Francis Ngannou will go from here?

Report | Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 to headline UFC 286 in London

Leon EdwardsLeon Edwards (20-3 MMA) and Kamaru Usman (20-2 MMA) will go head-to-head one more time at UFC 286.  The pair previously faced each other at UFC 278 last August. Usman appeared to be well on his way to earning a comfortable decision victory when Edwards was able to pull a rabbit out of the hat […]

Leon Edwards

Leon Edwards (20-3 MMA) and Kamaru Usman (20-2 MMA) will go head-to-head one more time at UFC 286. 

The pair previously faced each other at UFC 278 last August. Usman appeared to be well on his way to earning a comfortable decision victory when Edwards was able to pull a rabbit out of the hat and produce the upset of the year. 

With just one minute remaining in round five, ‘Rocky’ set his sights and fired a head kick heard all around the world. He knocked out Usman in emphatic fashion, claiming the undisputed welterweight championship. 

Leon Edwards Vs Kamaru Usman confirmed for UFC 286 

There was much debate surrounding whom Edwards would first defend his 170lbs belt against, following much speculation around Usman’s hand surgery and whether it could delay the trilogy bout.

However, there is no question now, after Dana White confirmed at the UFC Vegas 67 press conference on Sunday who the Englishman would be facing next.

When the UFC returns to the capital of England on March 18th in the 02 Arena, Leon Edwards will defend the welterweight belt on home soil against Kamaru Usman in the main event. 

“Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman is now finalized,” Dana White stated. 

This will be the UFC’s first title fight in the UK since 2016, when Michael Bisping (30-9 MMA) defended his middleweight championship against Dan Henderson (32-15 MMA) in Manchester, England. 

The UFC president also followed up by announcing that Justin Gaethje (23-4 MMA) Vs Rafael Fiziev (12-1 MMA) would be the co-main event on the London card.

“Then Gaethje and Fiziev are the co-main event in London.”

Who will win the trilogy, Leon Edwards or Kamaru Usman?

Paul Craig targets UFC 286 clash with Anthony Smith for the title “of being the jiu-jitsu guy at light-heavyweight.”

Paul CraigPaul Craig has welcomed the opportunity to face fellow light-heavyweight contender Anthony Smith at the UFC’s upcoming pay-per-view in London. Paul Craig returns to action later this month at UFC 283. The Scottish grappling wizard had been tasked with taking on native Brazilian, Johnny Walker, in his homeland when the promotion heads to South America […]

Paul Craig

Paul Craig has welcomed the opportunity to face fellow light-heavyweight contender Anthony Smith at the UFC’s upcoming pay-per-view in London.

Paul Craig returns to action later this month at UFC 283. The Scottish grappling wizard had been tasked with taking on native Brazilian, Johnny Walker, in his homeland when the promotion heads to South America for their first pay-per-view event of the year.

The 35-year-old will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing final outing in 2022 where he dropped a unanimous decision to Volkan Oezdemir at UFC London.

Meanwhile, his opponent, Johnny Walker, will be looking to claim back-to-back victories for the first time since 2019 after he closed his 2022 out with a submission victory over Ion Cutelaba at UFC 279.

You can expect an all-out war when these two men step inside the octagon at the UFC 283, The two hold a combined 47 professional outings so far in their respective careers which have only required the judges’ influence on five occasions,

Should Craig emerge victorious out in Brazil, ‘Bearjew’ already has his sights set on his next opponent after he called for a matchup with former light-heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith.

Paul Craig Calls For Anthony Smith at UFC 286

Speaking in an interview with Michael Bisping, Craig explained his interest in the matchup and why he is so eager to take on the currently ranked 6th 205-pound contender.

“Anthony Smith is already in a camp. So potentially could be Anthony Smith in London. That would be a pretty good fight in London.”

Craig continued, “He’s obviously come out and said that he wanted to fight me after one of his press conferences. I think it’s a tough and fun fight. Two high-level Jiu-Jitsu guys kind of staying with each other, that just turns into this rock em’ sock em’ robot fighting. I think that is how it’s going to go and I’m also looking for a challenge, I’d like to have that title of being the jiu-jitsu guy at light-heavyweight.”

Anthony Smith has already revealed he is almost certainly guaranteed an outing in March and having expressed an interest in facing Paul Craig the UFC matchmakers should have a very easy decision to get these two men paired up.

Would you like to see Paul Craig vs Anthony Smith at UFC 286 in London?

Cody Stamann is ready for a hostile reception at UFC Brazil: “I don’t think I’m going to go full Colby Covington, but I’mma go like halfway.”

Cody StamannCody Stamann is more than prepared for a hostile reception when he faces off against Luan Lacerda at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Stamann, a veteran of the UFC’s bantamweight division, is set to make the trip over to Brazil in the UFC’s first return to the country since the Covid-19 pandemic. He […]

Cody Stamann

Cody Stamann is more than prepared for a hostile reception when he faces off against Luan Lacerda at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Stamann, a veteran of the UFC’s bantamweight division, is set to make the trip over to Brazil in the UFC’s first return to the country since the Covid-19 pandemic. He takes on a promotion newcomer, Luan Lacerda, who made his name competing on regional shows such as LFA and Shooto Brazil.

Brazil is notorious enemy territory for any fighter coming up against a home-crowd favorite, and Stamann is ready for the hostile reception. In a recent interview with Alex Behunin of LowKickMMA, ‘The Spartan’ addressed the potential fan reaction he may receive from the Brazilian crowd, embracing the impending hostilities:

“I’ve been there before. I know what they’re gonna chant. Everybody’s going to be throwing beer at you, treating you like absolute dog s**t, and I’m excited for it. I’ve never really been in that atmosphere outside of wrestling, where you’ve got the student section that’s kinda s**ting on you, and I always loved that. I look forward to it. Everyone else was quiet and miserable on the bus ride, and I was pumped. I couldn’t wait to flip everybody off. I feel like I’m ready to do that in Brazil.”

I don’t think I’m going to go full Colby Covington, but I’mma go like halfway. I’m not gonna disrespect the Brazilian people, but I’mma disrespect Luan.”

Cody Stamann references Colby Covington’s notorious ‘Brazil is a dump’ speech

What Cody Stamann is appertaining to in the above quote is Colby Covington’s infamous post-fight speech he gave after claiming a unanimous decision victory over the Brazilian grappling phenom Demian Maia, in Brazil.

“I should’ve knocked him (Demian Maia) out. Brazil, you’re a dump, all you filthy animals suck!” Covington screamed into the mic, before going on to call out the welterweight champion at the time: Tyron Woodley.

This speech, whilst extremely distasteful, did serve as a catalyst to save Colby Covington’s UFC career. It may also serve as some indication as to the emotions non-native fighters are going through when competing against Brazilian fighters and their passionate fans.

Check out Cody Stamann’s full interview with LowKickMMA right here:

Anthony Pettis confident he beats Jake Paul in a boxing match: “I’m looking for the knockout.”

Anthony PettisAnthony Pettis believes he possesses the skill set necessary to defeat Jake Paul in a boxing match. Pettis may have the opportunity to take on Jake Paul following the announcement that the YouTube sensation has recently signed a deal to compete under the Professional Fighters League banner. Paul currently is undefeated as a boxer holding […]

Anthony Pettis

Anthony Pettis believes he possesses the skill set necessary to defeat Jake Paul in a boxing match.

Pettis may have the opportunity to take on Jake Paul following the announcement that the YouTube sensation has recently signed a deal to compete under the Professional Fighters League banner.

Paul currently is undefeated as a boxer holding a professional record of 6-0. The YouTube star’s most recent outing saw him defeat former UFC middleweight champion, Anderson Silva in October 2022.

Despite now appearing to make the transition to compete in MMA, Anthony Pettis revealed in an interview with InsideFighting that should the opportunity ever arise to box Jake Paul he is extremely confident in getting his hand raised.

‘I’ve been boxing professional boxers since way back when I was a champion in 2015 so I’ve actually spared against professionals. I’m not talking s**t but guys like Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley they come from a wrestling background where their transition to boxing is brand new. Yeah, they’re strikers and they are knocking guys out in MMA, but they don’t know the science of how to do an 8-round fight. They’ve never been in there and felt that fire of how to stick to the science of boxing. I’m confident in myself.’

Anthony Pettis Credits Jake Paul’s Boxing Ability

Pettis did go on to credit the skillset that Jake Paul has acquired since he began his journey into boxing but still remains confident that should the two ever meet, he could and would knock him out.

‘I’m looking for the knockout obviously, but Jake Paul’s boxing skills are good bro. I think he’s exploited an area of MMA, but he got the right guys to box against. He’s making his name in there and he’s definitely got boxing skills but I for sure have way more years of sparring and boxing against real professionals than he does.’

For now, it seems Paul’s focus will be switching over to Mixed Martial Arts following his new deal with the PFL and whether it be in Boxing or MMA Anthony Pettis has very clearly vocalized his interest in facing the PFL’s most recent signing.  

How well do you feel Jake Paul will transition into MMA?

Report – Bo Nickal vs. Jamie Pickett rebooked for UFC 285

Bo NickalBo Nickal is finally set to make his highly anticipated UFC debut, when he faces off against Jamie Pickett at UFC 285. The highly touted prospect picked up two first-round finishes on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, submitting both Zack Borrego and Donovan Beard. Nickal was initially scheduled to take on Pickett at UFC […]

Bo Nickal

Bo Nickal is finally set to make his highly anticipated UFC debut, when he faces off against Jamie Pickett at UFC 285.

The highly touted prospect picked up two first-round finishes on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, submitting both Zack Borrego and Donovan Beard. Nickal was initially scheduled to take on Pickett at UFC 282: B?achowicz vs. Ankalaev in December. However, the bout would be scrapped after Nickal sustained an injury in his training camp.

Now rebooked, Bo Nickal will seek to pick up a dominant win over ‘The Night Wolf’ to kickstart his career in the UFC. This fight booking would be announced by renowned MMA journalist Nolan King.

Jamie Pickett currently holds an MMA record of 13-8, with a 2-4 record in the UFC. ‘The Night Wolf’ is currently coming off back-to-back losses, having been KO’d by Denis Tiuliulin at UFC 279 and submitted by Kyle Daukaus at UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill.

Pickett does have respectable decision wins over Joseph Holmes and Laureano Staropoli on his record, having also KO’d Jhonoven Pati on the Contender Series. However, this is clearly a fight designed to serve as an entry point for Bo Nickal’s UFC career, and Pickett will no doubt open as a heavy underdog.

The two men clash at UFC 285, a PPV event set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card does not yet have a main event fight, although the following matchups have already been booked:

Jessica Penne vs. Tabatha Ricci
Farid Basharat vs. Da’Mon Blackshear
Amanda Ribas vs. Viviane Araújo
Cody Garbrandt vs. Julio Arce
Julian Marquez vs. Marc-André Barriault
Mario Bautista vs. Guido Cannetti
Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis
Geoff Neal vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov

How do you think Bo Nickal vs. Jamie Pickett will play out?