Randy Couture to Jon Jones: If You’re the GOAT ‘Step Up and Fight’ Francis Ngannou or Tom Aspinall

Randy Couture to Jon Jones: If You’re the GOAT 'Step Up and Fight' Francis Ngannou or Tom AspinallMMA legend and multi-time UFC champion Randy Couture says that it’s time that Jon Jones stepped up to the…

Randy Couture to Jon Jones: If You’re the GOAT 'Step Up and Fight' Francis Ngannou or Tom Aspinall

MMA legend and multi-time UFC champion Randy Couture says that it’s time that Jon Jones stepped up to the real challenges of the heavyweight division. Francis Ngannou and Tom Aspinall were both ducked by the current heavyweight champion.

Randy Couture

The Natural’ Randy Couture is a five-time UFC champion having collected titles in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. He is best known for his rivalries against fighters such as Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, and Tim Sylvia.

Despite the Olympic wrestler being a trailblazer in the sport, he is on the UFC’s naughty list as he was constantly clashing with the brass on his rights and contractual disputes. In the 2000s, he walked away from the UFC to pursue a fight against the all-time great heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko as the UFC refused to co-promote with the organizations that had the contract of Fedor.

Randy Couture reveals gnarly aftermath of fight with UFC rival Pedro Rizzo I couldn't walk for 6 weeks

Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou or Tom Aspinall

‘Bones’ Jon Jones vacated his light heavyweight title after having an all-time great career running through the division. He then moved to heavyweight and captured the throne and later defended it against the aged Stipe Miocic while avoiding the interim champion Tom Aspinall. Additionally, while Francis Ngannou was the UFC heavyweight champion, Jon Jones refused to step up the heavyweight at that time instead he chose to wait until the Cameroonian fighter had left the organization.

Francis Ngannou PFL
Photo by Tim Wheaton

Enough is enough according to Randy Couture. According to him, Jon Jones must face Aspinall or Ngannou for the sake of his legacy even if it requires co-promotion. In a recent interview with talkSPORT, Couture said:

“That was certainly the fight I pursued for a long time—to fight Fedor. It never happened. I think that that conversation, obviously, we’re still having it right now. And Jon Jones—as much as he doesn’t wanna fight Francis—is gonna have trouble avoiding that. Now he says he didn’t wanna fight Tom. I mean, why? You’re supposedly the GOAT. Step up and fight whoever they want you to fight.

“I’m not in Jon’s head, so I couldn’t tell you. I think, you know, he needs to step up and fight the guys they want him to fight. You can’t shy away from guys, anybody, honestly. So, I mean, that’s a challenge. But certainly, Tom has earned—earned a crack and deserves that. Whether Francis—and they do a co-promotion or cross-promotion—that, you know, that’s something that… our sport is still very anti-competitive.

“There’s no transparency in the sport. There’s no way to do those types of cross-promotions.The restrictive nature of the contracts in the promotions themselves prevents that. That’s why the Fedor fight never happened. One wanted to do a co-promotion with the UFC, and the UFC wasn’t willing to do that. I don’t think their attitude on co-promotion has changed. So that will be a big challenge—to see Francis get in there with Jon or Tom, if Tom beats Jon.”

Francis Ngannou currently holds the lineal UFC titles as he left the organization without losing the crown. He then competed in blockbuster boxing matches and picked up the PFL heavyweight title.

Couture is currently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia part of the broadcast team for PFL 10 2024 on November 29 which features the tournament final bouts.

PFL Responds to Fans: Elbows Allowed in Championship Matches

PFL Responds to Fans: Elbows Allowed in Championship MatchesPFL has a clear response to fans, “You asked for elbows, we are giving you elbows.” For all championship…

PFL Responds to Fans: Elbows Allowed in Championship Matches

PFL has a clear response to fans, “You asked for elbows, we are giving you elbows.” For all championship matches elbow strikes have been legalized.

PFL and Elbow Rule Changes

During standard tournament matches, to help avoid cuts, the PFL does not allow elbows. Typically, for tournament finals elbow strikes stay outlawed. But for 2024, the PFL has heard the fans’ demands and given it to them. Elbows will be allowed at the PFL 10 2024 Championship finals going down on November 29.

Last year, CEO Donn Davis and I discussed elbows in the league and he said:

MMA, fantastic elbows in the sports season. PFL League where you have to fight every 60 days. Not a good part of that format. So we carefully studied how do you put on the sports season format where you fight four times in nine months. And everybody said that’ll never work.  And I said, there’s a way. And after studying the data of what are the injuries and what is the health of fighters?

“It would work clearly based on the data with only one thing eliminated; elbows to the head. And it does work. Five years of it works great. And so for that product, which is a great product, you can’t have elbows to the head and fight four times in nine months and it wouldn’t, it wouldn’t be good for the health of fighters.  So every other product, PPV Super Fight. Yes. Bellator Champion series. Yes. Champs vs. Champs. Yes.

PFL 10 2024

This is an upcoming mixed martial arts event scheduled for November 29, 2024, at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event will feature the finals of the 2024 Tournament across six weight divisions. The winners of each division will receive a substantial $1 million cash prize.

Featherweight: Brendan Loughnane vs. Timur Khizriev
Women’s Flyweight: Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos
Light Heavyweight: Impa Kasanganay vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov
Welterweight: Shamil Musaev vs. Magomed Umalatov
Lightweight: Brent Primus vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov
Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov vs. Oleg Popov

In addition to the main card, the preliminary card will feature several matchups, including the finals of the 2024 MENA Tournament in four weight classes each winning $100,000.

PFL MMA

Brent Primus vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov – Odds and Match Preview

Brent Primus and Gadzhi RabadanovThe upcoming PFL MMA match between Brent Primus and Gadzhi Rabadanov is set to be an exciting lightweight bout…

Brent Primus and Gadzhi Rabadanov

The upcoming PFL MMA match between Brent Primus and Gadzhi Rabadanov is set to be an exciting lightweight bout for the finals of the 2024 PFL Lightweight Tournament Championship. The stakes are incredibly high, with the winner not only claiming the championship title but also taking home a substantial $1 million prize.

Brent Primus vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov

Gadzhi Rabadanov appears to be the clear favorite in his upcoming PFL MMA match against Brent Primus. The odds heavily favor Rabadanov, with one bookmaker listing him at -550, while Primus is considered the underdog at +400. This means that a $100 bet on Rabadanov would potentially yield a profit of about $18, while the same bet on Primus could result in a $400 profit if he wins. If you want to make a profit then check out the Razed crypto casino right here.

These odds suggest that bookmakers and bettors view Rabadanov as having a significantly higher chance of winning the fight.

Brent Primus is a former Bellator champion and has a black belt in jiu-jitsu. He is a veteran of the sport. Primus had a challenging upbringing, facing homelessness and legal troubles in his youth. He found his way into MMA through amateur fights and quickly rose through the ranks.

Primus is known for his exceptional grappling skills, particularly his Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He has a strong submission game, with 8 of his 15 wins coming by submission. His ability to control opponents on the ground and finish fights with various chokes and joint locks makes him a formidable opponent.

Gadzhi Rabadanov is a Russian mixed martial artist with a strong combat sports background. Rabadanov began his martial arts journey with combat sambo under the tutelage of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father of UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. He earned the Eagle Fighting Championship lightweight title and International Master of Sports in mixed martial arts.

Rabadanov, coming from a combat sambo background, has a well-rounded skill set with a mix of knockouts, submissions, and decision victories. His experience in sambo may give him an edge in the clinch and with takedowns.

Both fighters have had impressive runs in the 2024 PFL Lightweight Tournament. Brent Primus secured his spot in the finals by defeating Clay Collard in the semifinals by unanimous decision. Rabadanov reached the finals after a knockout victory over Michael Dufort in the second round of their semifinal bout.

The winner of this match will not only be crowned the 2024 PFL Lightweight Champion but will also secure a life-changing $1 million prize. For Primus, a victory would mark a major comeback after losing his Bellator title and solidify his position as a top lightweight in the world. For Rabadanov, winning the tournament would be the biggest achievement of his career and potentially open doors to even bigger opportunities in the future.

This matchup promises to be an intriguing clash of styles, with Brent Primus’s grappling prowess going up against Rabadanov’s well-rounded skill set. Both fighters have shown the ability to finish fights and compete at a high level, setting the stage for what should be an exciting and closely contested championship bout.

Breaking: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes Booked for January 25 in Dubai

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes Dubai PFL Bellator

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes Dubai PFL Bellator

Usman Nurmagomedov will look to defend his world title against the top-ranked contender Paul Hughes in the PFL hosted in Dubai on January 25.

Road to Dubai

Dubai is teaming up with the Professional Fighters League to make the city a major destination for mixed martial arts. This partnership will bring annual events called the “Road to Dubai” to the city, along with training programs to help develop Emirati fighters into future champions. The goal is to establish Dubai as a global hub for MMA while boosting sports tourism and showcasing the city’s world-class hospitality.

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes

The first event, the Champions Series World Title, will take place on January 25, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Arena. Headlining the event is a matchup between undefeated MMA champion Usman Nurmagomedov from Dagestan and Irish rising star Paul Hughes. This will be Dubai’s first-ever major MMA title event and a historic moment for the sport in the region.

Usman Nurmagomedov is the cousin and student of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov. Hughes was a champion in Cage Warriors before signing with the PFL, and recently earned an impressive win against former champion AJ McKee. Usman Nurmagomedov’s world title will be on the line in this matchup.

“I am always excited to challenge myself against the best athletes and I view Paul Hughes as a worthy opponent,” Usman Nurmagomedov continued, “I’m proud to be the first MMA main event in Dubai history.”

“The championship has always been in my plans, and now it’s coming to fruition in January when I face Usman,” Paul Hughes explained. “I respect what he brings to the table and I am not discrediting him, but I know I will leave Dubai on January 25 as the new champion.”

“The Professional Fighters League is proud to be the first organization to launch major global MMA events in Dubai,” said PFL CEO Pete Murray. “We are excited to partner with Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Sports Council to stage annual mega events in the city of gold and develop the next generation of UAE champion fighters.”

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes Dubai PFL Bellator

Breaking: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes Booked for January 25 in Dubai

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes Dubai PFL Bellator

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes Dubai PFL Bellator

Usman Nurmagomedov will look to defend his world title against the top-ranked contender Paul Hughes in the PFL hosted in Dubai on January 25.

Road to Dubai

Dubai is teaming up with the Professional Fighters League to make the city a major destination for mixed martial arts. This partnership will bring annual events called the “Road to Dubai” to the city, along with training programs to help develop Emirati fighters into future champions. The goal is to establish Dubai as a global hub for MMA while boosting sports tourism and showcasing the city’s world-class hospitality.

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes

The first event, the Champions Series World Title, will take place on January 25, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Arena. Headlining the event is a matchup between undefeated MMA champion Usman Nurmagomedov from Dagestan and Irish rising star Paul Hughes. This will be Dubai’s first-ever major MMA title event and a historic moment for the sport in the region.

Usman Nurmagomedov is the cousin and student of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov. Hughes was a champion in Cage Warriors before signing with the PFL, and recently earned an impressive win against former champion AJ McKee. Usman Nurmagomedov’s world title will be on the line in this matchup.

“I am always excited to challenge myself against the best athletes and I view Paul Hughes as a worthy opponent,” Usman Nurmagomedov continued, “I’m proud to be the first MMA main event in Dubai history.”

“The championship has always been in my plans, and now it’s coming to fruition in January when I face Usman,” Paul Hughes explained. “I respect what he brings to the table and I am not discrediting him, but I know I will leave Dubai on January 25 as the new champion.”

“The Professional Fighters League is proud to be the first organization to launch major global MMA events in Dubai,” said PFL CEO Pete Murray. “We are excited to partner with Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Sports Council to stage annual mega events in the city of gold and develop the next generation of UAE champion fighters.”

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes Dubai PFL Bellator

Brendan Loughnane vs. Timur Khizriev – Odds and Match Preview

Brendan LoughnaneThe upcoming PFL MMA Featherweight finals will feature an exciting matchup between Brendan Loughnane and Timur Khizriev, with a…

Brendan Loughnane

The upcoming PFL MMA Featherweight finals will feature an exciting matchup between Brendan Loughnane and Timur Khizriev, with a world title and a million-dollar prize on the line. This high-stakes bout promises to be an exciting contest.

Brendan Loughnane vs. Timur Khizriev

Timur Khizriev is considered the clear favorite to win the upcoming PFL MMA Featherweight finals against Brendan Loughnane. The odds heavily favor Khizriev, with one bookmaker offering odds of 1.185 for his victory, while Loughnane is listed as the underdog with odds of 4.45 (source: https://cryptobetting.ltd/)

This significant difference in odds suggests that bookmakers and bettors view Khizriev as having a much higher probability of winning the fight. Another source confirms this trend, indicating that Khizriev is favored at odds of 1.33.

These odds reflect the betting market’s confidence in Timur Khizriev’s undefeated record and his impressive run in the PFL tournament. However, it’s worth noting that odds can fluctuate as the fight approaches and more bets are placed. Despite being the underdog, Loughnane’s experience and previous success in the PFL could make for an interesting matchup.

England’s Brendan Loughnane has earned his spot in the finals for the third time in four years. He’s coming into this fight with an impressive record of 30 wins and 5 losses and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak. Loughnane is a former PFL champion, having won the title in 2022, he is a veteran performing at the highest level of the promotion. His recent victory over Kai Kamaka III in a decision showcased that he can manage to stay one step ahead of his opponent throughout the fight.

PFL
Mandatory Credit: PFL

On the other side of the cage, we have Dagestan’s Timur Khizriev, an undefeated Russian standout with a perfect record of 17 wins and no losses. Khizriev is a newcomer to the PFL, having previously competed in Bellator MMA before joining the PFL season in 2024. His path to the finals has been impressive, as he defeated three experienced opponents: Gabriel Braga, Enrique Barzola, and Brett Johns.

Brendan Loughnane has shown versatility in his fighting style having started training in MMA in his teens. He is not a specialist in any single area of the sport. Khizriev has a kickboxing background competing in Sanda and Karate where he has picked up national titles. Prior to that, he competed in freestyle wrestling. With dangerous kicks and wrestling, ‘Imam’ Khizriev is dangerous at any range. His coach, Mansur Uchakaev, is a champion in combat sambo.

For Brendan Loughnane, this is an opportunity to reclaim the PFL championship and prove his dominance in the featherweight division. For Khizriev, this is a chance to maintain his undefeated record and announce himself as a major force in the PFL by defeating a former champion.

The stakes couldn’t be higher, with both the PFL Featherweight World Title and a million-dollar prize on the line. It all goes down live on November 29 hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Also on the card will be the PFL 2024 finals for many weight classes but make sure to check out the Women’s Flyweight final featuring Dakota Ditcehva and Talia Santos.