Tag: Manny Pacquiao

Khabib Nurmagomedov Reacts To Tony Ferguson’s UFC 223 Withdrawal

On an Easter Sunday that just so happens to also fall on April Fool’s Day, the MMA world is buzzing with the deflating news that interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson was reportedly forced out of his pivotal UFC 223 main event against Khabib Nurmagoemdov next weekend. After injuring the LCL in his knee, Ferguson was […]

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On an Easter Sunday that just so happens to also fall on April Fool’s Day, the MMA world is buzzing with the deflating news that interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson was reportedly forced out of his pivotal UFC 223 main event against Khabib Nurmagoemdov next weekend.

After injuring the LCL in his knee, Ferguson was apparently replaced by UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway, who will return from his own leg injury to try and hand “The Eagle” his first-ever MMA loss.

Many wondered if the news of the fight being called, which has somehow happened three times before, was a cruel joke, but to this point, it appears that it’s legitimate.

Shortly after the internet started breaking, Khabib got onto Instagram himself to react to the news, wishing Ferguson well but also telling him that he wouldn’t stoop to his level and begin talking smack even though he wanted to:

“Tony heal up man. Just want to advise you, don’t talk too much anymore. Lot of thoughts in my head right now, but I don’t want to become like you. Hope, this lesson will teach you watch your mouth.”

Nurmagomedov has clearly had his own extended issues with staying healthy and making it to his fights, and this point in time it seems like his awaited match with Ferguson just isn’t meant to be.

UFC president Dana White suggested the winner of Holloway vs. Nurmagomedov could fight lightweight champion Conor McGregor possibly this September, but as we’ve seen with “The Notorious’” schedule as of late, nothing is close to guaranteed.

As for Khabib, you could argue his work just got a little easier even though he is facing a surging champion on an incredible win streak because Ferguson was on the same type of run while being the bigger fighter.

For the 25-0 one-man wrecking crew, his opponent most likely doesn’t matter, however, and next weekend could mark the rise of ‘The Eagle’ even if he’s not facing his oft-scheduled rival Ferguson.

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Tony Ferguson Out Of UFC 223, Max Holloway Faces Khabib

It appears that Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov is indeed a fight that’s too good to be true. A report arrived from MMA Fighting tonight that revealed sources had informed Ariel Helwani that Ferguson was out of his anticipated main event versus “The Eagle” at next weekend’s (Sat., April 7, 2018) UFC 223 from the Barclays […]

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It appears that Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov is indeed a fight that’s too good to be true.

A report arrived from MMA Fighting tonight that revealed sources had informed Ariel Helwani that Ferguson was out of his anticipated main event versus “The Eagle” at next weekend’s (Sat., April 7, 2018) UFC 223 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Apparently, Ferguson injured the LCL in his knee in training a few days ago and UFC President Dana White told ESPN that it was serious enough to require surgery:

“He actually tore it off the bone, he’s gonna need surgery on his knee,”

UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway, who recently was forced out of his scheduled title defense versus Frankie Edgar at March 3’s UFC 222, will apparently step in to face Nurmagomedov for some version of the lightweight title, the official version of which has not been contested for since Conor McGregor beat Eddie Alvarez at November 2016’s UFC 205.

White had high praise for Holloway, focusing on the potential history “Blessed” could make as a two-weight champion if he somehow got by the undefeated, bulldozing Nurmagomedov:

“He’s a stud,” White said of Holloway accepting the bout on short notice. “The guy hasn’t lost a fight since 2013, and that was a decision to Conor McGregor.

“He’s the type of guy that steps up for opportunities like this. And when you think about it, if he wins this fight, other than Conor McGregor, he will be the only guy to hold two belts at the same time.”

White said that McGregor couldn’t make weight and be ready in six days’ time when asked if “The Notorious” was in consideration to replace Ferguson, and did not really want to waste his biggest draw on short notice anyway:

“I don’t think Conor McGregor could make the weight on six days’ notice. That’s a tough weight cut for him,” White said. “And Conor is not the guy I want to throw in as a late replacement fighter. He’s a guy I want to make a fight with and have the right amount of time to promote the fight.

“I think Conor could return in September, and it could be against one of these guys.”

White clarified that Ferguson would lose the interim title he won the interim title by defeating Kevin Lee at last October’s UFC 216, and it appears he’s going to miss out on winning the official title in the immediate future.

Regardless of the confusion, however, this fight is for the real title according to White, and the winner will face McGregor sometime around this fall:

“That goes away,” White said. “This fight is for the title. The winner of this fight will be the champion.

“As soon as these guys step in the ring and throw a punch, it’s on for the title,” White said. “Whoever wins, wins the title and we’ll see what happens with Conor over the next several months. I know he had expressed some interest in fighting in September.”

Ferguson had been scheduled to face Nurmagomedov three times before, with each fight being called off for one injury or another to both fighters.

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Tony Ferguson Describes How Conor McGregor Cheated His Way To The Top

If interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson can somehow hand undefeated bulldozer Khabib Nurmagomedov his first defeat in the main event of April 7’s UFC 223, ‘El Cucuy’ could finally move on to a title unification bout (or something like that) with absent champion Conor McGregor. Yet while that’s the biggest carrot currently being dangled […]

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If interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson can somehow hand undefeated bulldozer Khabib Nurmagomedov his first defeat in the main event of April 7’s UFC 223, ‘El Cucuy’ could finally move on to a title unification bout (or something like that) with absent champion Conor McGregor.

Yet while that’s the biggest carrot currently being dangled in the MMA world, it’s far from guaranteed that McGregor will face Ferguson or McGregor no matter who wins the awaited fight in Brooklyn, New York.

The polarizing Irishman has drawn the ire of much of the collective MMA fanbase after not defending either the lightweight nor featherweight titles since he won the 145-pound strap back in 2015, and he’s recently chosen to enjoy the spoils of his monstrous payday to box Floyd Mayweather last August. That fight earned ‘The Notorious’ a reported $100 million dollar haul, and so it’s hardly a surprise to hear roars of him potentially facing Mayweather again, this time in the octagon.

His pending trilogy match with Nate Diaz will always be around, too, so Ferguson or Nurmagomedov could be left out in the cold, even if they become the official – or something – champion at UFC 223. Ferguson has long led his #defendorvacate charge online, but during a recent media luncheon yesterday (Thurs. March 29, 2018), ‘El Cucuy’ used an old-school video game reference to describe McGregor’s rise to stardom, a path he called easy to the point of cheating in a certain sense (via MMA Fighting):

“Conor used the Game Genie to get to where he’s at,” Ferguson said Thursday. “Now if you play video games all the time and you’re a real gamer, you’re not going to use the Game Genie, you’re not going to use the codes. You’re going to go on there and get your ass kicked and you’re going to play it again.

“When I used the words that Conor used the Game Genie, I said that he talked his way into it,” Ferguson said. “Which I’m not bashing. But I’m saying that he used a method that not a lot of people get to use. Because when we get into the fight game, we get into it, not to do this (makes hand-talking gesture). I’m blessed with that. I speak what’s real. … I’ve earned my way here. I don’t want anyone else carrying my torch because that torch is heavy.”

An obscure throwback for sure, but also one that might make some sense when unpacked considering McGregor beat Dennis Siver to earn his title shot against Jose Aldo in 2015.

Regardless, McGregor’s mouth has earned him the throne atop MMA’s most revered names, even if he hasn’t fought for almost two years. Despite that fact, McGregor’s boasts on social media still generate headlines, even if a rapidly growing contingent of MMA faithful are growing tired of his all flash and no substance style as of late.

So Ferguson knows he may or may not get the fight, and isn’t apologetic for the accusations he just leveled at ‘The Notorious.’ To him, people need to get off their phones and social media and do something else with their lives:

“I said he used the Game Genie,” Ferguson said. ”Everybody is so uptight worried about what everyone else thinks. Stop. Unplug, go out. Do something with your life. Get off of this sh*t (makes motion like scrolling through a cell phone). Go do something.”

Sound advice without a doubt, but there’s also little doubt that a heavy social media campaign will most likely be required to get the fight with McGregor even if he does defeat Nurmagomedov in two weeks’ time.

Do you agree with Ferguson saying McGregor was gifted an easy road to stardom, and if they do one day meet, will he back up that talk in the octagon?

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Tony Ferguson Describes How Conor McGregor Cheated His Way To The Top

If interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson can somehow hand undefeated bulldozer Khabib Nurmagomedov his first defeat in the main event of April 7’s UFC 223, ‘El Cucuy’ could finally move on to a title unification bout (or something like that) with absent champion Conor McGregor. Yet while that’s the biggest carrot currently being dangled […]

The post Tony Ferguson Describes How Conor McGregor Cheated His Way To The Top appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

If interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson can somehow hand undefeated bulldozer Khabib Nurmagomedov his first defeat in the main event of April 7’s UFC 223, ‘El Cucuy’ could finally move on to a title unification bout (or something like that) with absent champion Conor McGregor.

Yet while that’s the biggest carrot currently being dangled in the MMA world, it’s far from guaranteed that McGregor will face Ferguson or McGregor no matter who wins the awaited fight in Brooklyn, New York.

The polarizing Irishman has drawn the ire of much of the collective MMA fanbase after not defending either the lightweight nor featherweight titles since he won the 145-pound strap back in 2015, and he’s recently chosen to enjoy the spoils of his monstrous payday to box Floyd Mayweather last August. That fight earned ‘The Notorious’ a reported $100 million dollar haul, and so it’s hardly a surprise to hear roars of him potentially facing Mayweather again, this time in the octagon.

His pending trilogy match with Nate Diaz will always be around, too, so Ferguson or Nurmagomedov could be left out in the cold, even if they become the official – or something – champion at UFC 223. Ferguson has long led his #defendorvacate charge online, but during a recent media luncheon yesterday (Thurs. March 29, 2018), ‘El Cucuy’ used an old-school video game reference to describe McGregor’s rise to stardom, a path he called easy to the point of cheating in a certain sense (via MMA Fighting):

“Conor used the Game Genie to get to where he’s at,” Ferguson said Thursday. “Now if you play video games all the time and you’re a real gamer, you’re not going to use the Game Genie, you’re not going to use the codes. You’re going to go on there and get your ass kicked and you’re going to play it again.

“When I used the words that Conor used the Game Genie, I said that he talked his way into it,” Ferguson said. “Which I’m not bashing. But I’m saying that he used a method that not a lot of people get to use. Because when we get into the fight game, we get into it, not to do this (makes hand-talking gesture). I’m blessed with that. I speak what’s real. … I’ve earned my way here. I don’t want anyone else carrying my torch because that torch is heavy.”

An obscure throwback for sure, but also one that might make some sense when unpacked considering McGregor beat Dennis Siver to earn his title shot against Jose Aldo in 2015.

Regardless, McGregor’s mouth has earned him the throne atop MMA’s most revered names, even if he hasn’t fought for almost two years. Despite that fact, McGregor’s boasts on social media still generate headlines, even if a rapidly growing contingent of MMA faithful are growing tired of his all flash and no substance style as of late.

So Ferguson knows he may or may not get the fight, and isn’t apologetic for the accusations he just leveled at ‘The Notorious.’ To him, people need to get off their phones and social media and do something else with their lives:

“I said he used the Game Genie,” Ferguson said. ”Everybody is so uptight worried about what everyone else thinks. Stop. Unplug, go out. Do something with your life. Get off of this sh*t (makes motion like scrolling through a cell phone). Go do something.”

Sound advice without a doubt, but there’s also little doubt that a heavy social media campaign will most likely be required to get the fight with McGregor even if he does defeat Nurmagomedov in two weeks’ time.

Do you agree with Ferguson saying McGregor was gifted an easy road to stardom, and if they do one day meet, will he back up that talk in the octagon?

The post Tony Ferguson Describes How Conor McGregor Cheated His Way To The Top appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Quote: Floyd Mayweather Is Broke & Will Fight Again, Just Not In MMA

With few bankable pay-per-view stars currently active for the UFC, talk of “retired” boxing great Floyd Mayweather making his way to mixed martial arts (MMA) just won’t go away. With talk about “Money’s” foray into the octagon spewing forth from UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley on a seemingly daily basis, Mayweather keeps stoking the fires […]

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With few bankable pay-per-view stars currently active for the UFC, talk of “retired” boxing great Floyd Mayweather making his way to mixed martial arts (MMA) just won’t go away.

With talk about “Money’s” foray into the octagon spewing forth from UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley on a seemingly daily basis, Mayweather keeps stoking the fires himself by giving his math-based assessment of how likely it is he competes in the UFC this year.

The saga has expectedly lead to a collective groan from a large portion of hardcore MMA fans, yet it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. It’s become so prevalent, in fact, that the infamous trash talker who weighs in on everything regarding MMA – former UFC title contender Chael Sonnen – has his take on the subject ready.

“The American Gangster” told TMZ Sports (transcribed by MMA Mania) that Mayweather won’t go into MMA, but will fight in boxing again – and only for one reason:

“Floyd’s not gonna do MMA but he is gonna box again. I will tell you unequivocally, right now, Floyd Mayweather does, and is planning, to box one more time.

“Floyd’s broke,” he continued. “It does not matter what you made, it matters what you kept, and he is a dumb-dumb. Look, he’s just not a very bright guy. He’s surrounded with even less bright guys.”

Interesting theory from Sonnen, although it’s not an entirely unfathomable one.

In fact, it could even be obvious, as Mayweather could be drumming up all the attention he can get for his boxing return by hyping – and now becoming slightly more lukewarm about – an MMA debut.

Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Mayweather gets people talking.

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Max Holloway Goes Off On “TMZ Reporter” Tyron Woodley

While he doesn’t have a title defense scheduled as of now, UFC 170-pound champion Tyron Woodley has been keeping his name in the headlines with his varied opinions on topics ranging from the rumored creation of an interim 170-pound title to boxing great Floyd Mayweather’s chances in his rumored MMA debut. ‘The Chosen One’ thinks […]

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While he doesn’t have a title defense scheduled as of now, UFC 170-pound champion Tyron Woodley has been keeping his name in the headlines with his varied opinions on topics ranging from the rumored creation of an interim 170-pound title to boxing great Floyd Mayweather’s chances in his rumored MMA debut.

‘The Chosen One’ thinks Mayweather could one day be successful in mixed martial arts, but many close to the UFC, including UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway, tend to disagree.

‘Blessed’ unveiled his feelings on the subject during a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, suggesting that the 41-year-old ‘Money’ wasn’t really going to fight in the UFC:

“In boxing, he’s greatest. There’s no hate towards him. He finished smart, he made a lot of money, he changed the sport in a lot of ways, and he got there using his brains and being smart … and not being humiliated.

“You guys really believe this guy is going to take an MMA fight, at however old he is right now, against a young guy that’s tough who people consider one of the best in the sport? It just blows my mind, man. If people believe that kind of stuff, it’s wild. I really don’t know what to say.”

For some reason, ‘Money’ has been rumored to make his UFC debut since he finished UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor in the tenth round of their farcical, over-the-top boxing spectacle last August.

The all-time great kicked off that talk by posting a cryptic video of himself setting foot into an MMA cage and claiming he could sign a monstrous contract with the UFC.

Woodley fanned those flames by stating Mayweather would be successful in MMA on UFC Tonight, and he’s consistently kept up the talk on other shows like his own ‘Hollywood Beatdown’ on TMZ.

“Blessed” is a fan of “The Chosen One,” but he thinks the 1700-pound king is getting a little ridiculous with the hype, so much so that he wonders if Woodley is a UFC champion or a “TMZ reporter”:

“I mean, I love Woodley,” Holloway said. “Woodley’s the man. He’s a great dude, but I swear he talks about everything. He’s talking about everything. Whatever you can talk about, he talks about it. That guy is always on TMZ or something, so he wants to be talked about all of the time, that’s it. Woodley, you are the man, brother, but I think it’s a PR stunt.

“How can you not think it’s not a PR stunt? I don’t know. This guy is always — every time I see on Twitter something retweeting about TMZ, it’s Tyron Woodley talking about it. So it’s like, gosh, is this guy a champion or is he a TMZ reporter? What is going on, my friend?”

As he picks and chooses his opponent during a recovery from shoulder surgery, Woodley isn’t making any new fans even though he has, in reality, been one of the most consistent and active UFC champions over the past two years.

And even though Holloway claims he’s one of them, the featherweight champion may have a throng of fans who agree wholeheartedly with his callout of “The Chosen One.”

Do you?

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