Tag: Lionel Messi

UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria links up with soccer superstar Lionel Messi in Florida

MixCollage 07 Apr 2024 01 30 PM 4007Ilia Topuria met legendary football Lionel Messi. The newly minted UFC featherweight champion had the chance to meet and…

MixCollage 07 Apr 2024 01 30 PM 4007

Ilia Topuria met legendary football Lionel Messi.

The newly minted UFC featherweight champion had the chance to meet and take a few pics with the soccer superstar and World Cup winner during Inter Miami’s home game against Colorado on Saturday at Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Topuria, who is a massive fan of Real Madrid, had nothing, but great things to say about the Olympic gold medalist.

“With one of the biggest legends in the history of sports,” Topuria wrote on Instagram. “He’s a great example for me and a role model for everyone.”

Ilia Topuria and Lionel Messi

Ilia Topuria claimed the 145-pound crown with an earth-shattering second-round knockout of ‘The Great’ Alexander Volkanovski in February, extending his unbeaten streak in mixed martial arts to 15-0.

Ilia Topuria KOs Volkanovski

Who could challenge ilia topuria in Spain?

Immediately following his win, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that the promotion would head to Spain for the first time in promotional history. No official details have been announced, but White and Topuria have expressed interest in holding an event at Santiago Bernabéu, an 83,000-seat stadium that has been the home of Real Madrid since 1947.

santiago bernabeu

Topuria has been pushing hard for a fight with Irish megastar Conor McGregor, though there are plenty of fresh matchups for the 27-year-old at the top of the featherweight division — most notably Max Holloway who is days away from a BMF title fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 and Brian Ortega, who is coming off a big win over former interim champ Yair Rodriguez in February.

Ilia Topuria

UFC alum Brendan Schaub mocked for World Cup botch, talks Messi, Mbappe, and ‘Needermeyer’

Brendan SchaubFormer UFC heavyweight contender, Brendan Schaub has been mocked across social media this Saturday afternoon, after footage emerged of him discussing last week’s FIFA World Cup final in Qatar – botching Paris Saint Germain and Brazil forward, Neymar’s name – labelling the star, ‘Needermeyer’. Schaub, a former heavyweight title challenger under the banner of the […]

Brendan Schaub

Former UFC heavyweight contender, Brendan Schaub has been mocked across social media this Saturday afternoon, after footage emerged of him discussing last week’s FIFA World Cup final in Qatar – botching Paris Saint Germain and Brazil forward, Neymar’s name – labelling the star, ‘Needermeyer’.

Schaub, a former heavyweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, has since turned to standup comedy and podcast hosting since his retirement from professional mixed martial arts back in October 2015.

Boasting a 10-5 professional record, Schaub ended his time in the sport in the midst of a two-fight losing skid against both former champion, Andrei Arlovski, and Travis Browne – the latter via ground strikes TKO.

Brendan Schaub mocked for his FIFA World Cup botch

Discussing this month’s FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France in Qatar – where Lionel Messi’s Argentina side defeated Kylian Mbappe’s French holders on penalties, Schaub discussed the duo – as well as mentioning PSG teammate, Neymar, whom he labelled “Needermeyer”.

“Mgappe (sic) – Mgappe, is that his name?” Bryan Callen asked. “Mbappe? Whatever his name is, from France – another freak.” 

“He won the golden boot,” Brendan Schaub said on his podcast. “You know, Messi, Mbappe, and Needermeyer, are all teammates in Premier League.” 

Netting twice in the FIFA World Cup final as well as in the eventual penalty shootout victory, Messi landed his first Coupe du Monde triumph.

For Mbappe, the 2018 tournament victor landed this occasion’s Golden Boot award, and also became just the second player to score a hat trick of goals in a FIFA World Cup final.

As for Brazilian star, Neymar, the former FC Barcelona wideman saw his Brazil side dumped out at the quarter final stage against 2018 finalists, Croatia – with the former missing the opportunity to score from the spot.

Canelo Alvarez issues apology after issuing threats to Argentine football star Lionel Messi: ‘I got carried away’

Canelo AlvarezProfessional boxing ace, Canelo Alvarez has issued an apology to Argentine forward, Lionel Messi – admitting he got “carried away” after he threatened the Paris Saint Germain striker, believing he had disrespected the Mexico national flag at the FIFA World Cup. Canelo, the current undisputed super middleweight champion, last headlined a T-Mobile Arena card against […]

Canelo Alvarez

Professional boxing ace, Canelo Alvarez has issued an apology to Argentine forward, Lionel Messi – admitting he got “carried away” after he threatened the Paris Saint Germain striker, believing he had disrespected the Mexico national flag at the FIFA World Cup.

Canelo, the current undisputed super middleweight champion, last headlined a T-Mobile Arena card against three time opponent, Gennady Golovkin – securing a dominant unanimous decision victory to retain his championships back in September of this year. 

Issuing a threat to former Barcelona forward, Messi, Canelo claimed the Argentina national team captain disrespected his country’s national flag – appearing to kick it off his football boot during celebrations in the team’s Qatar dressing room.

Canelo Alvarez walks back threats aimed at Lionel Messi

Walking back those comments and threats this week following Argentina’s pivotal 0-2 victory against Poland as both teams progressed to the last 16 at the expense of Mexico and Saudi Arabia, Canelo admitted he got “carried away” in his tirade aimed at Messi.

“These last few days I got carried away by the passion and love I feel for my country and made comments that were out of place, for which I want to apologize to (Lionel) Messi and the people of Argentina,” Guadalajara native, Canelo Alvarez tweeted.

“Every day we learn something new, and this time it was my turn,” Canelo Alvarez tweeted. “I wish both teams much success in their matches today, and here we will continue supporting Mexico until the end.” 

Following Canelo’s outlandish comments and threats, Messi was defended by his Argentine compatriot and former Manchester City striker, Sergio Aguero, as well as UFC welterweight contender, Santiago Ponzinibbio – who is scheduled to fight former champion, Robbie Lawler at UFC 282 later this month. 

Expected to make a light heavyweight division return next year, Canelo is rumored to pursue a title rematch with Dmitry Bivol, with the Russian defeating the middleweight kingpin in an upset unanimous decision victory in May of this year.

Santiago Ponzinibbio comes to defense of Lionel Messi following Canelo Alvarez threats: ‘If you want to fight, I’m ready’

Santiago PonzinibbioUFC welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio has come to the defense of fellow Argentinian Lionel Messi, following boxing star Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s outburst towards the footballer. Alvarez would take Twitter yesterday to lampoon footballing icon, Messi, following celebration scenes in the Argentina dressing room after their victory against Mexico in the FIFA World Cup. The boxer would […]

Santiago Ponzinibbio

UFC welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio has come to the defense of fellow Argentinian Lionel Messi, following boxing star Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s outburst towards the footballer.

Alvarez would take Twitter yesterday to lampoon footballing icon, Messi, following celebration scenes in the Argentina dressing room after their victory against Mexico in the FIFA World Cup.

The boxer would accuse Messi of wiping the floor with the Mexican flag, affronted by a Mexico jersey on the floor, ‘Canelo’ would even go as far as to threaten Messi saying that he hoped God does not let him find him.

While it’s never good to hear that one of the greatest boxers in the world is after you, Messi will at least have some comfort knowing Santiago Ponzinibbio has his back.

Talking to MMAFighting, Santiago Ponzinibbio would come to the defense of his countryman, saying that ‘Canelo’ should fight him instead of the ‘respectful’ Messi.

“I was pissed,” Ponzinibbio said. “No point threatening Messi. Everybody knows Messi’s career. If [Alvarez] doesn’t know he shouldn’t say a thing. It’s normal for players to throw jerseys on the ground, they are all sweaty, but he didn’t do anything disrespectful. Everybody that knows Messi knows he’s an impeccable athlete and a very respectful person.”

[Messi] had an excellent match,” Ponzinibbio continued. “I was upset. Brother, if you want to fight, I’m ready, but leave Messi be. You mess with Messi, you mess with the entire Argentina. Don’t bother the kid.” (H/T MMAFighting)

Ponzinibbio is set to face former UFC champion Robbie Lawler on the undercard of UFC 282, which should make for an exciting matchup. The 36-year-old will also be hoping to get back to winning ways following two back-to-back split decision losses.

As for Messi, he and the Argentinian national team will hope to make it to the knockout stages of the world cup, taking on Poland in an important tomorrow night.

How would Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez go?

Canelo Alvarez issues threat to Lionel Messi after wiping floor with Mexico flag at FIFA World Cup

Canelo AlvarezUndisputed world champion boxer, Canelo Alvarez has issued a stark warning to professional footballer and Argentine international captain, Lionel Messi, after footage emerged of the Paris Saint Germain forward wiping the floor of his Argentinian dressing room with a Mexican flag following the national’s side win at the FIFA World Cup. Alvarez, a native of […]

Canelo Alvarez

Undisputed world champion boxer, Canelo Alvarez has issued a stark warning to professional footballer and Argentine international captain, Lionel Messi, after footage emerged of the Paris Saint Germain forward wiping the floor of his Argentinian dressing room with a Mexican flag following the national’s side win at the FIFA World Cup.

Alvarez, a native of Jalisco, currently boasts a 58-2-2 professional record, most recently defeating Kazakh puncher, Gennady Golovkin in the pair’s trilogy fight back in September of this year. The victory ensured Canelo retained his super middleweight championships to boot. 

As for Messi, the former Barcelona wide man has featured prominently in Argentina’s campaign at the winter’s FIFA World Cup – scoring in both a 1-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia, and netting the first of two goals as Argentina ran out 2-0 winners against Mexico. 

However, in the aftermath of the pivotal victory for Argentina, footage emerged showing Messi kicking the floor of the team’s dressing room in Qatar, with a Mexican flag under his feet – leading to a stark warning issued from championship boxer, Canelo.

Canelo Alvarez issues warning to footballing icon, Lionel Messi

“Did you see (Lionel) Messi cleaning the floor with our shirt and flag???” Canelo Alvarez tweeted. “He better pray to God that I don’t find him. Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico! I’m not talking about the country as a whole, just about the bullsh*t that Messi pulled.” 

Expected to rematch Bulgarian light heavyweight champion, Dmitry Bivol next year in a bid to avenge an upset defeat back in May on points, Alvarez’s sole other professional loss came in the form of a majority decision loss against multiple-time, multiple-weight world champion, the retired, Floyd Mayweather back in 2013 – when Alvarez was just 23 years of age.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Questions Lionel Messi’s Latest Ballon d’Or Win

Khabib NurmagomedovRetired UFC Legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has asserted himself into the soccer world, most recently claiming that Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski deserved to win the Ballon d’Or award over fellow soccer great Lionel Messi. The Ballon d’Or is given yearly to the best soccer player in the world, an award Messi has won a record […]

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Retired UFC Legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has asserted himself into the soccer world, most recently claiming that Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski deserved to win the Ballon d’Or award over fellow soccer great Lionel Messi. The Ballon d’Or is given yearly to the best soccer player in the world, an award Messi has won a record 7 times.

“I would give it to Lewandowski or Benzema. One of them. Lewandowski,” Nurmagomedov said, as the Mirror reported.

“I think. Last three years, he is the best football player. We can just look at his results. What he does. He has won the Champions League. He has scored more than 120 goals last two years. For the national team and club.

“It is an amazing result. For the entire football history, I cannot remember, we can name a pair of players who scored 120 goals over two years. He has 65 goals this year. It is too much. For football I think it is too much. I think he deserves Ballon d’Or.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov Is A Huge Soccer Fan

The Russian superstar and former Lightweight king has previously stated his desire to go professional in the soccer world and has stated that he’s received multiple offers from a multitude of clubs throughout Europe. He did admit, however, that football shape and MMA shape are very different and he would have to train properly if he were to enter the football world.

“A lot of football clubs, they offer me [a contract]. But I have to, a little bit, become football shape. Because football shape is a little bit different than MMA [shape]. 

‘When you have to fight in MMA and you have to play in football, these are two different [things]. But I don’t know [if I’ll play professionally. 

‘If some clubs offer me [a deal] and they make me an interesting [offer], I would accept.”

Would you watch Khabib play professional soccer?