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Exclusive – John Fury claims Francis Ngannou fight was ‘Wake-Up call’ Tyson Fury needed ahead of title return

John Fury, the father of reigning WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, says the close call with Francis Ngannou…

John Fury, the father of reigning WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, says the close call with Francis Ngannou was the “kick in the backside” they both needed.

In October, ‘The Gypsy King’ returned to the squared circle for a clash with former UFC heavyweight titleholder Francis Ngannou who was making his professional boxing debut. Fury entered the bout as a massive favorite, but it didn’t take long for those odds to flip once the two men started throwing hands. Not only did Ngannou go toe-to-toe through 10 entertaining rounds, but he also sent Fury crashing to the canvas in the third via a counter-left.

Tyson Fury survives massive scare knockdown to beat Francis Ngannou in split decision win Highlights — Mandatory Credit: Justin Setterfield

In the end, Fury walked away with his undefeated record intact, escaping with a closely contested and much-maligned split decision.

John Fury describes Ngannou – Fury bout as a “wake-up call”

Speaking with Murdo Todd in a LowKick MMA exclusive interview, John Fury who is sponsored by FreeBets, revealed that the fight with Francis Ngannou was a wake-up call for him and Tyson Fury.

“Things happen in this life for a reason and sometimes people need a wake-up call, don’t they? A kick in the backside,” Fury said. “That’s what that was, but it put him in good stead for what’s happening next month. He had 10 good rounds. It wasn’t easy. He boxed a very capable man in Ngannou. You’re going to see a lot more damage from Ngannou in the heavyweight division in the future. I’m sure of it.

“[Tyson] has done what he had to do. He’s got to go to another level and do what’s right, but he had a bad day at the office, but Tyson can still win on a bad night. Two in the morning ring walk, all different… What can you do? These things are sent to try us, but as long as he’s learned from it, he still got the win and he can move on. Learn what you do wrong. Learn by your mistakes and you can improve on life.

“I’m sure he’s done that. I can’t tell you what’s happening in the training camp because I’ve not been there, but I’m sure they’ve had the wake-up call just like I have. If they haven’t, they shouldn’t be in the job. That’s as much as I can say.”

Tyson Fury will face another tough test on Saturday, February 17 when he meets reigning WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in a long-awaited clash for the unified heavyweight world title.

The bout will emanate from Riyadh in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the same location where Fury fought Ngannou last year.

Exclusive – David Feldman: Luis Palomino isn’t popular enough to fight BKFC star Mike Perry: ‘He has to earn it”

David Feldman didn’t hold back when it came to discussing the business of Mike Perry fights. In an exclusive interview with LowKick MMA, he said plain and simply that Luis Palomino isn’t ready to fight Perry yet.

Even more honestly, he…

Even more honestly, he also insinuated that just simply beating Austin Trout on February 2nd at BKFC 57 won’t even be enough. No, Luis Palomino needs to have a superstar performance. In the words of Feldman himself: Palomino needs to make fans want to watch a potential fight between him and Perry.

9-0 in the BKFC, Luis Palomino is currently the BKFC lightweight champion of the world. However, this hasn’t sealed the deal on the biggest money fight of his career. Yet. The door is still open for a Palomino vs. Perry banger, but ‘Baboon’ won’t earn this money fight just via meritocracy alone. David Feldman has a business to run, and he is in the business of selling fights.

David Feldman Describes Arguement with Luis Palomino

In an exclusive interview with LowKick MMA, David Feldman was asked about the potential for Mike Perry to face the winner of the rapidly approaching Palomino vs Trout fight, and also about the direction he personally would like to see Perry take.

“I mean, it’s possible.” Feldman began, speaking about the possibility of a Palomino vs Perry fight. “I actually had an argument with Luis, because he wanted to fight Mike Perry. And I said look, coming off your last performance, you gotta give fans a reason why they want to see you fight Mike Perry. And right now, no one is asking for that…”

The BKFC boss would continue on the subject, highlighting how Palomino was so hyped up to prove himself to be worthy for the Perry fight that he was yelling.

“Now (I told him), go out there this time, and do what you need to do just to get people talking.” David Feldman said. “Saying ‘I want to see Luis Palomino fight Mike Perry’. And you know, we’d (Palomino and I have) gone back and forth a bit… I said listen, man, I’d love nothing more than to see you earn that shot and get your ‘just due’, but you have to earn it. And this is your shot, this Friday night to earn it. So, you want it? Go out and get it.”

When asked if he’d prefer Perry to chase a money fight or a title shot, the answer the CEO of BKFC gave was a very truthful and realistic one.

“Not really,” Feldman said. “Because what people don’t understand is look. If we’re not talking about the growth of the company and we’re just talking about putting on good fights. Then yes. But you’re talking about the growth of the company.”

“You need to put on these big names fighting other big names. Because, when the big names don’t fight big names, it doesn’t get people really, really interested. So, you have to have the big names fight the other big names. And, that gets people who’ve never viewed this before to actually watch it and potentially become a fan of this sport, and this promotion. And that’s the goal here.”

Do you think Luis Palomino will defeat Austin Trout at BKFC 57 and fight Mike Perry next, and, what’s your opinion on the take from David Feldman about Perry’s future fights?

Exclusive – David Feldman: Luis Palomino isn’t popular enough to fight BKFC star Mike Perry: ‘He has to earn it”

Even more honestly, he…

David Feldman Describes Arguement with Luis Palomino

“I mean, it’s possible.” Feldman began, speaking about the possibility of a Palomino vs Perry fight. “I actually had an argument with Luis, because he wanted to fight Mike Perry. And I said look, coming off your last performance, you gotta give fans a reason why they want to see you fight Mike Perry. And right now, no one is asking for that…”

The BKFC boss would continue on the subject, highlighting how Palomino was so hyped up to prove himself to be worthy for the Perry fight that he was yelling.

“Now (I told him), go out there this time, and do what you need to do just to get people talking.” David Feldman said. “Saying ‘I want to see Luis Palomino fight Mike Perry’. And you know, we’d (Palomino and I have) gone back and forth a bit… I said listen, man, I’d love nothing more than to see you earn that shot and get your ‘just due’, but you have to earn it. And this is your shot, this Friday night to earn it. So, you want it? Go out and get it.”

When asked if he’d prefer Perry to chase a money fight or a title shot, the answer the CEO of BKFC gave was a very truthful and realistic one.

“Not really,” Feldman said. “Because what people don’t understand is look. If we’re not talking about the growth of the company and we’re just talking about putting on good fights. Then yes. But you’re talking about the growth of the company.”

“You need to put on these big names fighting other big names. Because, when the big names don’t fight big names, it doesn’t get people really, really interested. So, you have to have the big names fight the other big names. And, that gets people who’ve never viewed this before to actually watch it and potentially become a fan of this sport, and this promotion. And that’s the goal here.”

Do you think Luis Palomino will defeat Austin Trout at BKFC 57 and fight Mike Perry next, and, what’s your opinion on the take from David Feldman about Perry’s future fights?

Exclusive – BKFC reality TV show in the works: ‘We want it, and I really think we’re going to get it’

A BKFC reality TV show is currently being shopped around, according to BKFC President David Feldman. Such a show…

A BKFC reality TV show is currently being shopped around, according to BKFC President David Feldman.

Such a show could likely catapult BKFC into a different stratosphere regarding reach and exposure. Back in the day, another very well-known fight brand by the name of the UFC launched its own reality TV series, and it played a pivotal role in turning the UFC into one of the most popular combat sports brands in the world today.

According to Feldman, the BKFC reality TV show won’t just be a carbon copy of The Ultimate Fighter. In fact, he says the show will focus more on the individual fighters, highlighting their day-to-day lives and journeys.

David Feldman Discusses the Potential for a BKFC Reality TV Show

When David Feldman was asked about the potential for a BKFC reality TV show, he began smiling. Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, he would let out an emphatic “Yeah!”

“Yeah, great question,” the BKFC President told LowKick MMA reporter, Makoa Goble. “And actually, even better timing. Because there’s a television conference that’s happening in New Orleans, right now, as we speak. And, we’re pitching our reality show to a bunch of different networks right now.”

“So, perfect, perfect, timing. Great question,” He continued. “Yes, the answer is yes, absolutely. We want it, absolutely. And, I really think we’re gonna get it, ’cause these guys have amazing stories.”

When asked for a little more details about what the show might entail, David Feldman didn’t mind obliging, speaking about what fans can expect from the show, and also describing some of the trials and tribulations that fighters experience in their careers.

“…Look, man. It’s (the show is) gonna be following their journey. There’s not gonna be a bunch of guys living together. It’s gonna be just following their journeys and really seeing about what it’s like to become a fighter… To fight for your life, ’cause a lot of these guys are fighting for their lives. They are fighting for their next meal. And what that really takes to do that, and what you’re giving up and sacrificing.”

Feldman would continue enthusiastically talking about the BKFC reality TV show, and breaking down more of what it would feature. “It will also focus a little bit on the team of BKFC, and what they did to sacrifice… and a lot of the challenges that they face every day. So, it’s a little bit of a combination of both, but it’s really about following the journeys of these guys, and really getting in deep with what makes them tick.”

So, it seems like a BKFC reality TV show could be coming our way sometime soon. This will likely be a great move by the company, and expose them to consumers they might not ordinarily reach.

Will you watch the new BKFC reality show?

Exclusive – David Feldman heaps praise on Mike Perry ahead of BKFC 56 return: ‘He’s a major, major star in combat sports’

BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) boss, David Feldman has claimed promotional poster boy, Mike Perry is nothing short of…

BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) boss, David Feldman has claimed promotional poster boy, Mike Perry is nothing short of a “major star” across the combat sports sphere, as he gears up for an end-of-year clash with former UFC lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez in Utah.

Perry, a former contender under the banner of the UFC, will make his return to the ring in December against former lightweight champion, Alvarez in a welterweight main event slot atop a BKFC 56 card in Salt Lake City.

Embarking on a perfect three-fight winning run since landing in the above-mentioned, Feldman-led promotion, Michigan native, Perry most recently turned in an impressive second round win over former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold back in April.

The victory came off the back of consecutive decision wins for Mike Perry over both former Bellator MMA welterweight title challenger, Michael Page, and The Ultimate Fighter veteran, Julian Lane – in what has proven to be a hugely successful venture for UFC alum, Perry.

David Feldman heaps praise on BKFC star, Mike Perry

And sharing his thoughts on the recent surge in stardom of Mike Perry, BKFC leader, Feldman claimed that while both the promotion and Perry helped each other rise, the former has cast himself into a new stratosphere as a definitive combat sports star.

“You know, I think – and Mike (Perry) will say it, we helped each other,” David Feldman told LowKick MMA during a recent interview. “As we resurrected him from the UFC and we were able to help him become a – really I think, he’s a major, major star in combat sports now. At the same time, he talks very good about us. He knows what to say [and] when to say it. He’s just a walking, you know, a walking drop, he knows what to drop and when to drop it. And he does good, and talks good about the organization.”

“He’s a great guy, he’s a great family man,” Feldman explained. “So, I think – look, I always say this, whether I’m talking to sponsors, whether I’m talking to tv networks, whether I’m talking to fighters, I say, ‘Listen, we have to establish a great partnership.’ And if we establish a great partnership, then it works for everybody. And if it doesn’t work for everybody, it doesn’t work for anybody.

Also featuring on that previously mentioned April card in Colorado, incoming BKFC 56 headliner, Alvarez debuted in the rising promotion with a close, split decision win over fellow former UFC star, Chad Mendes, following his departure from Singapore organization, ONE Championship.

Who wins at BKFC 56: Mike Perry or Eddie Alvarez?

Exclusive: The Schmo praises Charles Oliveira’s ability to bounce back: ‘There’s something so special about him’

Renowned MMA journalist The Schmo would never bet against former UFC lightweight champ Charles Oliveira. On October 21, ‘Do Bronx’ will attempt to once again claim the 155-pound title as he challenges reigning champion Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 294, emanating from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Their highly anticipated title rematch […]

Renowned MMA journalist The Schmo would never bet against former UFC lightweight champ Charles Oliveira.

On October 21, ‘Do Bronx’ will attempt to once again claim the 155-pound title as he challenges reigning champion Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 294, emanating from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Their highly anticipated title rematch will come almost exactly one year removed from their first meeting. On that night, Oliveira suffered a disastrous second-round submission loss to the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ but has since bounced back with a convincing first-round TKO against top-10 contender Beneil Dariush.

Speaking with Mike Owens in a LowKick MMA exclusive interview, Dave Schmulenson, better known by MMA fans as The Schmo, spoke about Charles Oliveira’s impressive ability to come back from a devastating defeat, something that ‘Do Bronx’ has been doing throughout his entire career.

“If you look at Charles Oliveira, he’s the epitome of why combat sports are the greatest sports on the planet,” Schmulenson said. “He’s what makes the UFC brilliant. It’s that anyone can win on any given night and so many people… Look at all the dog fights. Look at the [Dustin] Poirier fight. Look at the [Justin] Gaethje fight. Look at the Michael Chandler fight. Everybody was writing off Charles Oliveira and he had moments in all those fights where you thought he’d get beat.

“For him to come, do what he does, finish fights, and do it in spectacular fashion. He’s got this aura about it. There’s something so special about him and even as I’ve interviewed him as The Schmo and we don’t speak the same language and there’s translators communicating, I’ve always felt an aura with him. A sense of confidence and this greater human achieving greater things and that’s why I say I would not doubt Charles Oliveira. I would not bet against Charles Oliveira because there’s just something so special about him.

“I’m very interested to see how this fight goes and I do know that Islam Makhachev is truly the real deal.”

Can Charles Oliveira Make Another Big Come Back at UFC 294?

Considered by many as the greatest lightweight in the history of the division, Charles Oliveira has seen his fair share of setbacks inside the Octagon. ‘Do Bronx’ has been finished eight times in his UFC career, but after dropping four out of six between 2015 and 2017, Oliveira saw a massive career resurgence, scoring 11 straight wins with only one of those victories coming by way of a decision.

During that run, Oliveira claimed the vacant lightweight title with a big win over Michael Chandler but tragically lost the belt on the scale after weighing in heavy for his UFC 274 scrap with Justin Gaethje. ‘Do Bronx’ went on to win the fight against Gaethje, but would come up short in his bid to reclaim the 155-pound crown against Makhachev at UFC 280.

Will Charles Oliveira solve the puzzle his second time around, or will the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ continue his reign of terror over the lightweight division?