VIDEO | Ex-One Direction Star Niall Horan Bili Struts In ‘Spot-On’ Conor McGregor Impression

Niall HoranFormer One Direction member, Niall Horan donned a spot-on impression of Irish compatriot, former undisputed UFC lightweight and featherweight kingpin, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor during his opening monologue on a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! — even bili strutting as well as impersonating some of the Dubliner’s most iconic catchphrases. The Mullingar-born singer-songwriter featured as a […]

Niall Horan

Former One Direction member, Niall Horan donned a spot-on impression of Irish compatriot, former undisputed UFC lightweight and featherweight kingpin, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor during his opening monologue on a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! — even bili strutting as well as impersonating some of the Dubliner’s most iconic catchphrases.

The Mullingar-born singer-songwriter featured as a guest host on the talk show, where he began his opening monologue, detailing American people’s reaction when they find out he’s from Ireland — which usually includes claims that their distant relative is also Irish. 

The 27-year-old then joked about the difference between St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland and the United States and how they are celebrated in each country, claiming that there’s a vast difference between the festivities.

On St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, you just go to mass and light a candle with your granny,” Horan said. “Here in America, you just sing U2 songs all day and then puke green beer on your Uber driver.

Touching on the idea of the “Fightin’ Irish” Horan compared the Notre Dame mascot, that of a leprechaun to former United States president, Abraham Lincoln, and a garden gnome. 

If you want real “Fightin’ Irish” according to Horan, then look no further than his compatriot, the aforenoted, McGregor, whom he claimed would “pull your heart right through your arse“. 

Bili strutting in McGregor fashion as well as sporting his best Dublin accent, Horan sported an impression of the 33-year-old lightweight contender; “Who the f*ck is Abe Lincoln anyway, he’ll do absolutely nothing,” Horan said. “I’ll fight him any day.

Following former lightweight and featherweight champion, McGregor’s successful UFC 202 majority decision rematch victory over Stockton favorite, Nate Diaz back in August 2016 — Horan posted a picture of himself with the Dubliner, claiming that McGregor made Ireland proud again — as well as offering his respect to both competitors.

Never seen anything like that,” Niall Horan posted. “It was an absolute honor to be there tonight to watch two absolute warriors go toe to toe in battle. So much respect for both of them. Congratulations, Conor (McGregor) you’ve made our small country proud again, and Nate (Diaz) what a fighter and gladiator.

As for McGregor-himself, the Straight Blast Gym mainstay currently remains in Beverly Hills following recent surgery to repair a fractured tibia in his left leg — suffered in his first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to three-time rival, Dustin Poirier last month at UFC 264. 

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Brandon Royval With Second Round Rear-Naked Choke – UFC Vegas 34 Highlights

PantojaLikely earning his first shot at UFC flyweight gold, Alexandre ‘The Cannibal’ Pantoja is also primed for a title rematch against recently minted titleholder, Brandon Moreno — via an impressive second round rear-naked choke over the pressing, Brandon Royval to kick off the main card of UFC Vegas 34. Opening up the main card portion […]

Pantoja

Likely earning his first shot at UFC flyweight gold, Alexandre ‘The Cannibal’ Pantoja is also primed for a title rematch against recently minted titleholder, Brandon Moreno — via an impressive second round rear-naked choke over the pressing, Brandon Royval to kick off the main card of UFC Vegas 34.

Opening up the main card portion of UFC Vegas 34 tonight, Pantoja and Royval got off to a frenetic pace early, with the Brazilian immediately engaging with clinch work and grappling exchanges, taking the latter’s back for the majority of the opening round.

Attempting to granby roll on cue, Royval almost set up his own heel hook attempt during a scramble, before he was clipped with what appeared to be a well-placed right hand during latter striking exchanges before the close of the first round.

Again taking Royval’s back in the opening minute of the second round, Rio de Janeiro native, Pantoja patiently locked his hands around Royval’s chin, forcing an eventual tap in the process — as he looks to meet with defending champion, Moreno following an initial clash on The Ultimate Fighter before a UFC Fight Night Santiago matchup back in May 2019. In both pairings, Pantoja emerged victorious.

Below, catch Pantoja’s submission stoppage over Royval.

Ignacio Bahamondes KO’s Roosevelt Roberts With Huge, Buzzer-Beating Wheel Kick – UFC Vegas 34 Highlights

BahamondesChilean striker, Ignacio ‘La Juala’ Bahamondes has turned in a definite contender for Knockout of the Year on the preliminary section of UFC Vegas 34 — stopping Roosevelt Roberts with a stunning wheel kick with just five seconds remaining in their showdown. Improving to 1-1 in the Octagon, Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Bahamondes outstruck […]

Bahamondes

Chilean striker, Ignacio ‘La Juala’ Bahamondes has turned in a definite contender for Knockout of the Year on the preliminary section of UFC Vegas 34 — stopping Roosevelt Roberts with a stunning wheel kick with just five seconds remaining in their showdown.

Improving to 1-1 in the Octagon, Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Bahamondes outstruck Roberts in the second round in particular, landing a vicious body shot of note which appeared to really nick the attention of the 27-year-old Miami native.

With just 10 seconds remaining in the round, Bahamondes and Roberts returned to the centre of the Octagon following an exchange at the fence, with the former launching a stunning wheel kick attempt from his left side — catching the latter square on the chin, sending him stiff to the canvas in a huge walk away knockout stoppage.

Below, catch Bahamondes’ incredible stoppage over Roberts.

VIDEO | Cheick Kongo Scores Submission Win Over Sergei Kharitonov

Cheick KongoCheick Kongo picked up another wild come from behind win at Bellator 265. In the main event of the evening, Kongo scored a submission win with just one second left on the clock in round two. Prior to that, things weren’t going according to plan for Kongo who ate a ton of jabs and was […]

Cheick Kongo

Cheick Kongo picked up another wild come from behind win at Bellator 265.

In the main event of the evening, Kongo scored a submission win with just one second left on the clock in round two.

Prior to that, things weren’t going according to plan for Kongo who ate a ton of jabs and was even dropped by one in the first frame. However, midway through round two Kongo unleashed a series of punches that hurt Kharitonov. The Frenchman shot for a takedown and the two heavyweights hit the mat with an audible thud.

Kongo quickly transitioned to mount and Kharitonov tried to roll, exposing his neck. Kongo locked in the rear-naked choke and ultimately got the tap with just one remaining in round two.

What’s next for Cheick Kongo after his big win at Bellator 265?

VIDEO | Kayla Harrison Scores First Round Win Over Genah Fabian

Kayla HarrisonKayla Harrison advanced to the lightweight tournament final with ease at PFL 8. The two-time Olympic Judo gold medallist spent the opening minute against Genah Fabian feeling out the distance before shooting in and clinching up against the fence. Harrison landed a few short shots before pulling her opponent to the floor. Harrison soon transitioned […]

Kayla Harrison

Kayla Harrison advanced to the lightweight tournament final with ease at PFL 8.

The two-time Olympic Judo gold medallist spent the opening minute against Genah Fabian feeling out the distance before shooting in and clinching up against the fence. Harrison landed a few short shots before pulling her opponent to the floor.

Harrison soon transitioned to mount and reigned down ground strikes. Eventually, the referee waved off the bout and the 31-year-old walked away with the eleventh win of her career.

Do you think Kayla Harrison will be victorious in the PFL lightweight final?

EXCLUSIVE | Anthony Smith: There’s Nothing Special About Ryan Spann, He’s Gonna Be Tough For One Round

Anthony SmithFormer UFC light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith maintains there is “nothing special” about upcoming UFC Vegas 37 opponent, Ryan Spann, and insists that whilst the former LFA champion may be a tough out for the opening round, the fight will look a whole lot different the longer the pairing plays out. Slated to headline […]

Anthony Smith

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith maintains there is “nothing special” about upcoming UFC Vegas 37 opponent, Ryan Spann, and insists that whilst the former LFA champion may be a tough out for the opening round, the fight will look a whole lot different the longer the pairing plays out.

Slated to headline UFC Vegas 37 on September 18. opposite recent winner, Spann, Smith enters the headlining tilt in the midst of a two-fight winning-run. 

Featuring on the main card of UFC 261 in April at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, a well-timed and placed low kick in the opening round drew a massive reaction from New South Wales finisher, Jimmy Crute. 

At the culmination of the first round, the bout was waved off by the referee per the Octagon-sided physician as Crute dealt with drop-foot as a result of the leg attack from Smith. The victory followed a short-notice headlining bout against Devin Clark at UFC 15 back in November where he submitted the South Dakota native with an opening round triangle.

Dissecting his upcoming headliner alongside LowKickMMA reporter, James Lynch in a recent interview, Smith praised the forward pressing style of Crute, Clark, and now Spann, but maintained that the submission threat was “nothing special” — doubting his ability to present anything different following the opening round.

I do like the fight, I’m a fan of his (Ryan Spann) style,” Anthony Smith said. “It’s been fun for me, you know, the last three guys that I’ve been matched up with, I’ve been fans of how they approach the game. All three of them are very different, but they all like to fight, and where we are in the space in MMA right now, there’s not a lot of guys who like to straight-up throw down. Devin Clark likes to fight and comes forward. Jimmy Crute, obviously likes to fight and just marches forward the entire time, it doesn’t matter what you hit that guy with he keeps coming.

I think Ryan Spann is the same, but I don’t know how long that mentality is gonna last, you know,” Smith explained. “There’s been some situations where you can see Ryan Spann fade a little bit. He does have a tendency to wilt in tough situations. …

Smith went on to hypothesize that Spann will likely attempt to utilize his grappling prowess, which has brought him a stunning 11 separate submission victories, if he begins taking fire on the feet come September 18.

I would suspect that they’re (Spann and Fortis MMA) are gonna wanna blend and kinda fight everywhere and be unpredictable, but when he gets hit hard, he does tend to start shooting,” Smith said. “He doesn’t necessarily enjoy it so much, and I don’t mean that as a knock on him, not a lot of people are like me and don’t really change their gameplan when they get punched in the face — it’s probably smarter to be honest with you.

It’s a big fight for him, it’s a big moment,” Anthony Smith explained. “I got a lot of experience. He’s not gonna show me anything I haven’t seen before, there’s nothing new or flashy, or fancy or special another Ryan Spann. That doesn’t mean he’s not tough. That doesn’t mean he’s not skilled or he can’t beat me. There’s just nothing special about him. I suspect that he’s gonna be really tough for one round. But I think at five minutes and one second into the fight, that fight looks totally different.

While one-time light heavyweight title challenger, Smith enters off the back of a pair of stoppage victories, Memphis native, Spann took home an eye-catching first round knockout over tricky grappler, Misha Cirkunov back at UFC Vegas 21 in March — rebounding from his first UFC loss against upcoming headline attraction, Johnny Walker last September.