Tag: Interviews

Exclusive | Andrii Novytskyi Previews His Second Pro Fight vs. Jason Soto: “I think knockout…maybe first or two rounds…not dangerous guy, he is so slow”

Andrii NovytskyiHighly touted Ukrainian amateur boxer Andrii Novytskyi made his pro debut on February 18th where he quickly knocked out his opponent Gabriel Aguilar Costa. Having to move to the United States due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Novytskyi plans to take his boxing career to the next level. Only a couple weeks removed from […]

Andrii Novytskyi

Highly touted Ukrainian amateur boxer Andrii Novytskyi made his pro debut on February 18th where he quickly knocked out his opponent Gabriel Aguilar Costa. Having to move to the United States due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Novytskyi plans to take his boxing career to the next level.

Only a couple weeks removed from his debut, Novytskyi has already scheduled his second pro bout against Jason Soto on March 4th. The rising prospect looks to continue his growing momentum and capture another quick victory.

Leading up to his second pro fight, Novytskyi recently sat down alongside his coach Anatoliy Dudchenko to speak with Timothy Wheaton of LowKick MMA.

Andrii Novytskyi Predicts Quick Knockout

The 6’ 6” Ukrainian nicknamed “Rampage” is set for his 2nd pro boxing match against Jason Soto coming up on Saturday. Coming off a first round knockout in his first fight, Novytski had this to say about how he thinks his second fight will play out:

“I think knockout maybe first or two rounds and that’s it. Not dangerous guy, but he is so slow. He’s old, maybe 38 years old, and I think I have no problem [with him].”

Plans to Keep Novytskyi Very Active in 2023

Noytskyii certainly doesn’t lack the confidence to begin his rise in the pro-boxing scene. Andrii’s coach Dudchenko plans on keeping his fighter extremely active in the first phase of his pro career. When asked how many fights he would like Novytskyi to have, coach Anatoliy Dudchenko responded:

“For now, we’re gonna plan [to fight] one every month. So next fight we have scheduled is April 8th and we’re gonna jump to six rounds for six or seven fights. And then we’re gonna wait and then prepare for a 10-round fight… For now, it’s just experience.”

Andrii Novytskyi Gives Timeline for Championship Aspirations

For now, the plan for Novytskyi is to build up crucial professional experience in order to work his way to the top in the near future. Andrii and his coach Anatoliy have a very specific timeline for when they can see him as a champion. Andrii and Anatoliy explained:

“Maybe 2 to 3 years. When he is 29, he can begin to jump. Then you have like 10 years until 40 and then goodbye.”

Andrii Novytskyi is certainly a name to look out for when discussing the rising talent in boxing. The 6’ 6” monster looks to gain experience by taking frequent fights and eventually work his way to the top alongside his coach Anatoliy Dudchenko. Can Novytskyi live up to the Ukrainian boxing legacy created by legends like Lomachenko and Klitschko?

Watch the full interview with Andrii Novytskyi and coach Anatoliy Dudchenko here:

Modestas Bukauskas details spirited walkout energy ahead of UFC 284 return: ‘I could feel ancestors giving me strength’

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 284 WalkoutUFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas claimed his most recent Octagon walk in Perth, Australia earlier this month brought something entirely different than prior walks, explaining how an energy-filled trek to combat was fueled by ancestors and his late grandparents. Bukauskas, who made his short-notice Octagon return earlier this month at the RAC Arena, turned in […]

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 284 Walkout

UFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas claimed his most recent Octagon walk in Perth, Australia earlier this month brought something entirely different than prior walks, explaining how an energy-filled trek to combat was fueled by ancestors and his late grandparents.

Bukauskas, who made his short-notice Octagon return earlier this month at the RAC Arena, turned in the most high-profile victory of his professional career to date, travelling to hostile territory to land a close, unanimous decision win over Tyson Pedro ‘Down Under’.

The victory came as Bukauskas’ third consecutively, having regained the Cage Warriors heavyweight crown with a one-sided eventual fourth round knockout win over Chuck Campbell back in December of last year. 

14-5 as a professional, Bukauskas had previously competed four times under the Dana White-led banner – dispatching Andreas Michailidis with strikes, before suffering a trio of defeats against Jimmy Crute, Michal Oleksiejczuk, and a devastating TKO defeat to Khalil Rountree Jr. – suffering a debilitating knee injury to boot. 

Modestas Bukauskas details an energy-filled walkout experience ahead of UFC 284

Sharing his experience of walking out in front of a hostile crowd at the RAC Arena ahead of his UFC comeback against Pedro, Bukauskas explained how he felt “strength” was provided to him from ancestors and his late grandparents ahead of his fight.

“I had a very, sort of euphoric opening walkout, actually,” Modestas Bukauskas told LowKick MMA reporter, Frank Bonada. “I felt a real energy, like although I was getting booed, like when I was walking out, I felt so calm. It was weird to me, to have felt that calm. It was probably the most present I ever felt. I felt really in the moment – I could feel everything, I could see everything, I could hear everything – everything just felt like ‘4K’.”

“…Here I felt in the moment, ready to go,” Modestas Bukauskas explained. “I could feel my ancestors giving me strength and energy. And even like my – like I had a weird moment where I felt like my grandparents like presence, ‘cause they both passed away from my dad’s side. And I remember just saying to my dad before we walked out, I said, you know, ‘Grandma and grandad, they’ve given up energy. I’m feeling it. We’re going to go in and do the job.’” 

Modestas Bukauskas details spirited walkout energy ahead of UFC 284 return: ‘I could feel ancestors giving me strength’

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 284 WalkoutUFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas claimed his most recent Octagon walk in Perth, Australia earlier this month brought something entirely different than prior walks, explaining how an energy-filled trek to combat was fueled by ancestors and his late grandparents. Bukauskas, who made his short-notice Octagon return earlier this month at the RAC Arena, turned in […]

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 284 Walkout

UFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas claimed his most recent Octagon walk in Perth, Australia earlier this month brought something entirely different than prior walks, explaining how an energy-filled trek to combat was fueled by ancestors and his late grandparents.

Bukauskas, who made his short-notice Octagon return earlier this month at the RAC Arena, turned in the most high-profile victory of his professional career to date, travelling to hostile territory to land a close, unanimous decision win over Tyson Pedro ‘Down Under’.

The victory came as Bukauskas’ third consecutively, having regained the Cage Warriors heavyweight crown with a one-sided eventual fourth round knockout win over Chuck Campbell back in December of last year. 

14-5 as a professional, Bukauskas had previously competed four times under the Dana White-led banner – dispatching Andreas Michailidis with strikes, before suffering a trio of defeats against Jimmy Crute, Michal Oleksiejczuk, and a devastating TKO defeat to Khalil Rountree Jr. – suffering a debilitating knee injury to boot. 

Modestas Bukauskas details an energy-filled walkout experience ahead of UFC 284

Sharing his experience of walking out in front of a hostile crowd at the RAC Arena ahead of his UFC comeback against Pedro, Bukauskas explained how he felt “strength” was provided to him from ancestors and his late grandparents ahead of his fight.

“I had a very, sort of euphoric opening walkout, actually,” Modestas Bukauskas told LowKick MMA reporter, Frank Bonada. “I felt a real energy, like although I was getting booed, like when I was walking out, I felt so calm. It was weird to me, to have felt that calm. It was probably the most present I ever felt. I felt really in the moment – I could feel everything, I could see everything, I could hear everything – everything just felt like ‘4K’.”

“…Here I felt in the moment, ready to go,” Modestas Bukauskas explained. “I could feel my ancestors giving me strength and energy. And even like my – like I had a weird moment where I felt like my grandparents like presence, ‘cause they both passed away from my dad’s side. And I remember just saying to my dad before we walked out, I said, you know, ‘Grandma and grandad, they’ve given up energy. I’m feeling it. We’re going to go in and do the job.’” 

Rob Font Plans To “Club & Sub” Adrian Yanez At UFC 287 (Exclusive)

UFC bantamweight contender Rob Font plans to stop Adrian Yanez’s hype train in its tracks at UFC 287 in Miami. Font and Yanez will clash at UFC 287 on April 8th in a massive bantamweight main card matchup. The winner will enter the bantamweight t…

UFC bantamweight contender Rob Font plans to stop Adrian Yanez’s hype train in its tracks at UFC 287 in Miami. Font and Yanez will clash at UFC 287 on April 8th in a massive bantamweight main card matchup. The winner will enter the bantamweight title conversation, especially with a devastating finish in the Octagon. Font…

Continue Reading Rob Font Plans To “Club & Sub” Adrian Yanez At UFC 287 (Exclusive) at MMA News.

Jamie Mullarkey Doubles Down on Paddy Pimblett Callout: “I’m dead serious about it… Give me my shot at Paddy.”

Jamie Mullarkey, Paddy PimblettAustralia native Jamie Mullarkey made the most of his opportunity at UFC 284 in Perth. The UFC lightweight faced off against UFC debutant Francisco Prado in a prelim bout on the card and handily defeated him via unanimous decision. Mullarkey, usually one to avoid the fight going the distance, dominated in all facets of MMA […]

Jamie Mullarkey, Paddy Pimblett

Australia native Jamie Mullarkey made the most of his opportunity at UFC 284 in Perth.

The UFC lightweight faced off against UFC debutant Francisco Prado in a prelim bout on the card and handily defeated him via unanimous decision. Mullarkey, usually one to avoid the fight going the distance, dominated in all facets of MMA and put on a complete, well-rounded performance.

A couple weeks removed from his dominant win, Jamie Mullarkey took time to speak to Alex Lerman of LowKick MMA to discuss his performance that night as well as give clarity on his post-fight octagon interview callout of Paddy Pimblett.

Jamie Mullarkey Serious about Fighting Paddy Pimblett Next

Immediately after getting the victory, Jamie Mullarkey wasted no time in calling out his next opponent. During the octagon interview with Michael Bisping, Mullarkey made it known that he wants to fight fan favorite Paddy Pimblett next and reckons this is the fight to make.

Mullarkey fervently vouched for this opportunity:

“I would love to fight him. If he’s not booked, like I think it’s the fight to make. We’re both ranked around the same rankings, [it’ll] be a good test for me it’d be a good test for him, and I think that’s the fight to make. I really do believe I can stop him, I think I’ve got a higher fight IQ… and it would be a really exciting fight.“

“I’m dead serious about it you know. I’m not much of a call guys out kind of guy anyway, but that was my moment just to be like alright, I just fought a guy on debut, I’ve had six fights in the company. I took the fight against a debut guy just so I could fight. Give me my shot at Paddy.”

In addition to affirming the Paddy callout, Jamie Mullarkey also discussed winning alongside his longtime friend Josh Culibao, fighting at a potential Sydney card later this year, and whether his countryman Alex Volkanovski deserves an immediate rematch of the UFC 284 main event.

Watch the full interview with Jamie Mullarkey:

Exclusive | Erin Blanchfield backs Valentina Shevchenko to ‘impose her will’ on Alexa Grasso at UFC 285

Erin BlanchfieldErin Blanchfield has backed Valentina Shevchenko to defend her Flyweight title against Alexa Grasso on account of her well-rounded skillset.  At UFC 285, Valentina Shevchenko will once again defend her Flyweight title and attempt to continue her legendary winning streak at 125lbs. Standing across from her will be Alexa Grasso, who is riding a four-fight […]

Erin Blanchfield

Erin Blanchfield has backed Valentina Shevchenko to defend her Flyweight title against Alexa Grasso on account of her well-rounded skillset. 

At UFC 285, Valentina Shevchenko will once again defend her Flyweight title and attempt to continue her legendary winning streak at 125lbs. Standing across from her will be Alexa Grasso, who is riding a four-fight win streak of her own. The fight is coming on the heels of Shevchenko’s most competitive title fight to date, against Talia Santos, which had many believing that there was a chink in Shevchenko’s armor. 

However, the number three ranked flyweight in the UFC, Erin Blanchfield doesn’t see her losing just yet. Blanchfield recently spoke with James Lynch in a Lowkick MMA exclusive and talked about many things including her official breakdown and prediction of the upcoming Flyweight title fight. 

“I definitely see Valentina winning,” Erin Blanchfield said. “I think Alexa Grasso is a talented fighter in her own right and I think she could give Valentina a little bit of a run but I think Valentina is just a little more well-rounded overall like her striking game and her ground game and her wrestling. I think she’ll be able to impose her will onto Alexa.”

Erin Blanchfield is confident she can expose Valentina Shevchenko’s weaknesses if they match-up

Currently undefeated in the UFC, Erin Blanchfield has looked better and better with each consecutive fight. Most recently, she submitted the ever-dangerous, Jessica Andrade in the second round and earned herself a performance of the night bonus, along with getting her name in the title picture. 

Her wrestling-heavy attack seems to match up well with Valentina Shevchenko, who struggled in the grappling department against Talia Santos. Blanchfield believes that her strengths happen to be Shevchenko’s weaknesses, and is confident in her own abilities if the two were to match up later this year.

“She’s a great muay thai fighter, I mean she’s well-rounded fighter in her own right but I know I’m well-rounded as well and I feel like the parts of her game that she’s weaker, I’m stronger and I know I’ll be able to expose that.”

But first, Alexa Grasso will get a shot at upsetting the Flyweight champion at UFC 285. After which, the division is wide open, which could allow Erin Blanchfield to get her hands on the UFC title.