Tag: Interviews

Brendan Allen Highlights What ‘Insanely Lucky’ Dricus Du Plessis’ UFC 305 Defense Against Israel Adesanya Will Come Down To (Exclusive)

UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen believes the result of Dricus Du Plessis’ upcoming first title defense will be determined by which version of Israel Adesanya shows up. Seven months on from reaching the throne with his perfect UFC record intact, Du Plessis will look to add another achievement to his ever-growing résumé on mixed martial […]

Continue Reading Brendan Allen Highlights What ‘Insanely Lucky’ Dricus Du Plessis’ UFC 305 Defense Against Israel Adesanya Will Come Down To (Exclusive) at MMA News.

UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen believes the result of Dricus Du Plessis’ upcoming first title defense will be determined by which version of Israel Adesanya shows up.

Seven months on from reaching the throne with his perfect UFC record intact, Du Plessis will look to add another achievement to his ever-growing résumé on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage by successfully defending the title for the first time.

To do so, the South African is tasked with stalling the three-time ambitions of Adesanya in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 305 pay-per-view, set for the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

In the lead-up to his comeback from an 11-month layoff post-shock defeat to Sean Strickland, Adesanya has dismissed regaining the 185-pound gold as being his focus, instead stating that he’s back to “take heads.”

Whatever his motivation is, Allen thinks it has to be strong enough to bring back the formidable Adesanya who got the better of names like Alex Pereira and Paulo Costa if he’s to have his hand raised on August 17…

Allen On Du Plessis vs. Adesanya: ‘If It’s The Motivated Izzy…’

During a recent interview with MMA News’ Ryan Jarrell, Allen looked ahead to the upcoming championship contest in his division.

The #7-ranked contender suggested the result will be determined by which iteration of Adesanya returns to action. Rejuvenated and motivated? ‘And new’. Lackluster? ‘And still’.

“To be honest, I really don’t care (who wins). I don’t like either one of them,” Allen told MMA News. “I’m gonna watch it, of course, because I want to see. But I don’t care. I think we’ll see what Izzy comes back and how he’s been. I think that’s a big tell; what Izzy comes back. Is it a resurged, re-energized Izzy? Or is it like, ‘I don’t know if I wanna be here.’ It’s easy to talk it, it’s easy to watch it, it’s easy to fake it. But you can’t fake it when it’s fight time. That’s the only time we’ll know for sure.

“Obviously Dricus is super confident. He’s at the height of his career. He’s insanely confident, insanely lucky,” Allen continued. “I don’t know, man. I don’t really care who wins. To me, it just depends which Izzy comes back. if it’s the motivated Izzy, I would say Izzy. If it’s the Izzy that fought like, Paulo or Alex the last time, that Izzy is a tough Izzy to beat, man. … If it’s the lackluster one, i don’t think he’s gonna win. Dricus is just gonna keep pushing the pace.”

Allen will be hoping to book his spot opposite the winner down the line by having his hand raised at the expense of Nassourdine Imavov in Paris next month. Success in that regard would leave “All In” on an eight-fight win streak.

But before attention on the middleweight division turns to that co-headliner in the French capital this fall, all eyes are on the impending grudge match between Du Plessis and Adesanya Down Under.

Continue Reading Brendan Allen Highlights What ‘Insanely Lucky’ Dricus Du Plessis’ UFC 305 Defense Against Israel Adesanya Will Come Down To (Exclusive) at MMA News.

Brendan Allen Accuses Nassourdine Imavov Of ‘B*tch Move’ By Rejecting Five Rounds For UFC Fight Night Paris (Exclusive)

UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen is not impressed by Nassourdine Imavov’s alleged decision not to share the cage over 25 minutes next month. Allen will head to enemy territory to throw down with a fellow up-and-comer at 185 pounds in Imavov at the Paris-held UFC Fight Night on September 28. The pair will co-headline the […]

Continue Reading Brendan Allen Accuses Nassourdine Imavov Of ‘B*tch Move’ By Rejecting Five Rounds For UFC Fight Night Paris (Exclusive) at MMA News.

UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen is not impressed by Nassourdine Imavov’s alleged decision not to share the cage over 25 minutes next month.

Allen will head to enemy territory to throw down with a fellow up-and-comer at 185 pounds in Imavov at the Paris-held UFC Fight Night on September 28. The pair will co-headline the event, much to the American’s frustration.

The #7-ranked contender initially publicly rejected the France assignment owing to the fact that the promotion wasn’t looking to have him and Imavov headline. Allen was evidently convinced to compete on the undercard of Renato Moicano vs. Benoît Saint Denis, but he remains frustrated at one stipulation.

With five-round co-main events becoming more common, Allen says he pushed for that against “The Sniper,” but the Frenchman refused. Having had three of his last four outings scheduled for 25 minutes, the 28-year-old is not pleased about Imavov’s apparent reluctance to prepare for the longer distance…

Allen Tells Imavov: You Want To Fight For The Title? 5 Rounds Is How You Do It

During a recent interview with MMA News’ Ryan Jarrell, Allen looked ahead to his second Octagon appearance of 2024, which comes a few months on from his memorable victory over Chris Curtis in their barnburner at the Apex.

That result added to “All In’s” five-round experience, and Imavov isn’t short on it himself having gone the 25-minute distance with both Sean Strickland and Roman Dolidze, as well as recently entering a fourth frame with Jared Cannonier prior to the TKO stoppage.

Despite that, though, Allen says the three-round stipulation for the Paris co-main event is entirely down to Imavov and his team, a decision he has a firm view on.

“Some people just need all the deck in their favor to try to win. But it’s not gonna be enough. I’m still gonna win,” Allen told MMA News. “I accepted the five rounds; I asked for the five rounds. I’ve heard the explanations but I still don’t agree or understand it. But it’s above my pay grade. I think it’s bullsh*t that 10 and 12 guys are main event over four and seven, where we have title contentions possibly surrounding our fight.

“I think it’s kind of a b*tch move that he (Imavov) doesn’t want to accept five rounds. Even as a co-main, he doesn’t want to accept five rounds,” Allen continued. “You wanna fight for the belt? You wanna stake your claim? Like, that’s how you do it. You go out there and win a five-round fight, even if it doesn’t go five rounds. … I don’t fully understand his reasoning, but I understand their logic. Some people just need all the cards in their favor as much as possible.”

Regardless, Allen will still be looking to deliver a standout performance in the French capital to stake his claim for a long-awaited first shot at title glory on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

Having already won seven straight, perhaps the addition of the #4-ranked contender to his ever-growing résumé is the piece of the puzzle Allen needs to secure his spot opposite the champion next time out.

Continue Reading Brendan Allen Accuses Nassourdine Imavov Of ‘B*tch Move’ By Rejecting Five Rounds For UFC Fight Night Paris (Exclusive) at MMA News.

Neil Magny Inspired By Teixeira, Couture’s Late UFC Title Success: ‘They Let Us Know It Could Be Done’ (Exclusive)

UFC welterweight veteran Neil Magny still has his eyes on the ultimate prize, and he’s being spurred on by similar late-career success stories. Magny has long had the largely unwanted ‘gatekeeper’ label attached to him at 170 pounds, a weight class in which he holds the records for most wins, most fights, and most Octagon […]

Continue Reading Neil Magny Inspired By Teixeira, Couture’s Late UFC Title Success: ‘They Let Us Know It Could Be Done’ (Exclusive) at MMA News.

UFC welterweight veteran Neil Magny still has his eyes on the ultimate prize, and he’s being spurred on by similar late-career success stories.

Magny has long had the largely unwanted ‘gatekeeper’ label attached to him at 170 pounds, a weight class in which he holds the records for most wins, most fights, and most Octagon time.

Losses to Shavkat Rakhmonov, Gilbert Burns, and Ian Garry since 2021 have prevented “The Haitian Sensation” from making a push up the ladder. But the 37-year-old has maintained a ranking by pushing away challenges from Daniel Rodriguez, Phil Rowe, and Mike Malott.

His most recent victory over Malott came in memorable fashion, as Magny overcame a two-round deficit to stall the highly regarded Canadian’s expected arrival into contention with just 15 seconds remaining at UFC 297 this past January.

And it’ll be a similar assignment for Magny later this month, with the New York City native tasked with defending his spot against another up-and-comer in the unbeaten Michael Morales at the UFC Fight Night on August 24. The bout will mark his first fight since signing a new four-fight contract.

The welterweight vet is expecting to have his hand raised, and more than just keeping out the hungry prospects, he still has his eyes on gold…

Magny Wants To Be More Than Just ‘Competitive’ As He Approaches 40

During an interview with MMA News, Magny looked ahead to his second Octagon outing of 2024 and reiterated his continued championship hopes on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

Title success at such a late age is rare, but certainly not unheard of. Magny specifically pointed to the careers of Glover Teixeira and Randy Couture, both of whom had gold wrapped around their waist after passing 40.

“I have the opportunity to go out there and show them (UFC) I’m still able to be one of the best guys in the world,” Magny said. “Realistically, I have to look at what some of the guys have done before; look at guys like Glover Teixeira and that kind of thing. Glover Teixeira was not only able to be competitive well into his early forties, but also win a championship at 42.

“So, when I look at guys in MMA for longevity, I’m not just looking at guys who were able to just show up to fight and have a coin toss, ‘Maybe I win, maybe I lose.’ I’m looking at the guys who were able to compete at a high level,” Magny continued. “Glover Teixeira, Randy Couture; those guys are the actual examples for the guys that managed to be successful and very competitive well into their forties. For me, that’s my standard. Those are the guys that have done it before, that let us know it could be done.”

Magny will look to move closer to joining the likes of Teixeira and Couture in the champs’ club by making it two wins from two fights against highly touted prospects in 2024.

“The Haitian Sensation’s” clash with the undefeated Morales is set to co-headline the UFC Fight Night on Aug. 24, with a crucial middleweight contest between another veteran pursuing late-career title success, Jared Cannonier, and Caio Borralho taking the main event spotlight.

Continue Reading Neil Magny Inspired By Teixeira, Couture’s Late UFC Title Success: ‘They Let Us Know It Could Be Done’ (Exclusive) at MMA News.

UFC Veteran Neil Magny Signs New 4-Fight Contract Ahead Of August 24 Return (Exclusive)

Neil Magny will have plenty of chances to extend his lead for multiple UFC records after extending his stint on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. Magny — a welterweight veteran who boasts the most wins, most fights, and most Octagon time in the division’s history — has exchanged wins and losses since 2022. But he’s […]

Continue Reading UFC Veteran Neil Magny Signs New 4-Fight Contract Ahead Of August 24 Return (Exclusive) at MMA News.

Neil Magny will have plenty of chances to extend his lead for multiple UFC records after extending his stint on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

Magny — a welterweight veteran who boasts the most wins, most fights, and most Octagon time in the division’s history — has exchanged wins and losses since 2022. But he’s coming off a major result from UFC 297 this past January, where he stalled the surge of the highly touted Mike Malott.

And following that major comeback in Canada, “The Haitian Sensation” has been rewarded with a fresh UFC contract.

The 37-year-old, who has competed inside the Octagon ever since a successful debut at UFC 157 in 2013, revealed to MMA News that he’s put pen to paper on a new four-fight deal with the promotion.

“I just signed a new four-fight contract,” Magny said. “We have four more to go out there and get the job done; continue to climb the ranks, continue getting things done, and keep moving forward.

“I’m happy (with the money), definitely thrilled,” Magny continued. “We invested a lot of real estate for my family and I after this fight, so I’m definitely thrilled about it.”

Magny To Kickstart New UFC Deal Against Another Rising Name On Aug. 24

It won’t be long until the first fight on Magny’s new deal, with the welterweight mainstay once again tasked with turning away the rise of a promising prospect at 170 pounds later this month.

After putting a stop to Malott’s charge for the time being, the #12-ranked contender must once again defend his position on the ladder from a man outside the top 15, the undefeated Michael Morales.

The Ecuadorian will have the biggest assignment of his young career to date when the pair collide at the upcoming Apex-held UFC Fight Night on August 24.

At 16-0 as a professional, the 25-year-old has shown significant promise to date, most recently by recording his fourth UFC victory at the expense of Australia’s Jake Matthews last November.

While Morales will have ambitions of a rise into contention by the end of this month, Magny has proved time and again that he is no easy path into the welterweight rankings, and “The Haitian Sensation” will look to show that once more by blemishing the prospect’s record.

Continue Reading UFC Veteran Neil Magny Signs New 4-Fight Contract Ahead Of August 24 Return (Exclusive) at MMA News.

UFC Veteran Neil Magny Signs New 4-Fight Contract Ahead Of August 24 Return (Exclusive)

Neil Magny will have plenty of chances to extend his lead for multiple UFC records after extending his stint on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. Magny — a welterweight veteran who boasts the most wins, most fights, and most Octagon time in the division’s history — has exchanged wins and losses since 2022. But he’s […]

Continue Reading UFC Veteran Neil Magny Signs New 4-Fight Contract Ahead Of August 24 Return (Exclusive) at MMA News.

Neil Magny will have plenty of chances to extend his lead for multiple UFC records after extending his stint on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

Magny — a welterweight veteran who boasts the most wins, most fights, and most Octagon time in the division’s history — has exchanged wins and losses since 2022. But he’s coming off a major result from UFC 297 this past January, where he stalled the surge of the highly touted Mike Malott.

And following that major comeback in Canada, “The Haitian Sensation” has been rewarded with a fresh UFC contract.

The 37-year-old, who has competed inside the Octagon ever since a successful debut at UFC 157 in 2013, revealed to MMA News that he’s put pen to paper on a new four-fight deal with the promotion.

“I just signed a new four-fight contract,” Magny said. “We have four more to go out there and get the job done; continue to climb the ranks, continue getting things done, and keep moving forward.

“I’m happy (with the money), definitely thrilled,” Magny continued. “We invested a lot of real estate for my family and I after this fight, so I’m definitely thrilled about it.”

Magny To Kickstart New UFC Deal Against Another Rising Name On Aug. 24

It won’t be long until the first fight on Magny’s new deal, with the welterweight mainstay once again tasked with turning away the rise of a promising prospect at 170 pounds later this month.

After putting a stop to Malott’s charge for the time being, the #12-ranked contender must once again defend his position on the ladder from a man outside the top 15, the undefeated Michael Morales.

The Ecuadorian will have the biggest assignment of his young career to date when the pair collide at the upcoming Apex-held UFC Fight Night on August 24.

At 16-0 as a professional, the 25-year-old has shown significant promise to date, most recently by recording his fourth UFC victory at the expense of Australia’s Jake Matthews last November.

While Morales will have ambitions of a rise into contention by the end of this month, Magny has proved time and again that he is no easy path into the welterweight rankings, and “The Haitian Sensation” will look to show that once more by blemishing the prospect’s record.

Continue Reading UFC Veteran Neil Magny Signs New 4-Fight Contract Ahead Of August 24 Return (Exclusive) at MMA News.

UFC Featherweight Youssef Zalal Feels Aljamain Sterling’s Jiu-Jitsu Edge Decisive In Movsar Evloev Fight: ‘When The Russian Fought Diego Lopes…’ (Exclusive)

A huge featherweight clash is set for UFC 307 on October 5, as former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling looks to hand Movsar Evloev his first loss. Evloev has been a force of nature since arriving in the Octagon and whilst he hasn’t had the finishes to really gather hype around his winning streak, his record […]

Continue Reading UFC Featherweight Youssef Zalal Feels Aljamain Sterling’s Jiu-Jitsu Edge Decisive In Movsar Evloev Fight: ‘When The Russian Fought Diego Lopes…’ (Exclusive) at MMA News.

A huge featherweight clash is set for UFC 307 on October 5, as former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling looks to hand Movsar Evloev his first loss.

Evloev has been a force of nature since arriving in the Octagon and whilst he hasn’t had the finishes to really gather hype around his winning streak, his record speaks for itself.

Sterling has also not always received tons of praise for his fighting style but his high-level grappling combined with awkward striking, makes him a very tough test for his Russian opponent.

A fellow 145-pound contender on the UFC roster is excited to see how the two men match up with one another once the Octagon door closes.

Youssef Zalal Breaks Down Aljamain Sterling Vs Movsar Evloev At UFC 307

Youssef Zalal will look to secure back-to-back victories during his second stint in the UFC when he returns to face Jarno Errens on August 10.

In a recent interview with MMA News, the Moroccan fighter broke down how he sees the match-up of top contenders and grapplers going down in Salt Lake City.

Zalal made reference to how a clash of two grappling specialists often turns into a striking match between them as they cancel one another out on the floor.

He also provided the theory that based on what he has seen from both, this could be a wrestling versus jiu-jitsu affair.

“Those guys, I think it’s either gonna see a striking match the whole time and I think you’re gonna see one either wrestling and the other one jiu-jitsu. I feel like when the Russian fought Diego Lopes, you could see the jiu-jitsu kind of felt a little bit [off] right. I mean Diego Lopes’ jiu-jitsu is pretty good too so that’s why that, and I think Aljamain is a really good grappler obviously.

“so I think you’re going to see a little battle on that part or it’s going to be a full-on striking match whenever you put two grapplers together so I’m pretty interested to see how the match-ups and the styles go on that part.”

Read also: Dan Ige Has Return After Same-Day Notice Diego Lopes Scrap In The Works For Abu Dhabi-Held UFC 308

Continue Reading UFC Featherweight Youssef Zalal Feels Aljamain Sterling’s Jiu-Jitsu Edge Decisive In Movsar Evloev Fight: ‘When The Russian Fought Diego Lopes…’ (Exclusive) at MMA News.