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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 […]

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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.

Read More: PFL Headliner Tim Johnson: Francis Ngannou ‘Harnessing’ Grief Of Losing Son In Training (Exclusive)

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Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Names Who Has The Best Chance To Beat Jon Jones Out Of Stipe Miocic, Tom Aspinall, & Alex Pereira

Jon Jones has found himself arguing with fans on social media fairly regularly during his recovery process before he hopes to return later this year. The UFC heavyweight champion is expected to face former champ Stipe Miocic after their fight at UFC 295 was cancelled due to Jones’ injury. In the meantime, many fans believe […]

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Jon Jones has found himself arguing with fans on social media fairly regularly during his recovery process before he hopes to return later this year.

The UFC heavyweight champion is expected to face former champ Stipe Miocic after their fight at UFC 295 was cancelled due to Jones’ injury.

In the meantime, many fans believe that his next opponent should instead be Tom Aspinall, who won the interim title and will now be defending it at UFC 304 later this month.

Though the case has been made for Aspinall, Alex Pereira also became a part of the conversation following another dominant performance from the light heavyweight champion at UFC 303.

A former UFC champion at both heavyweight and light heavyweight believes that Jones’ toughest test is also likely to be his next one.

Randy Couture Says Experienced Stipe Miocic Has The Best Chance Of Beating Jon Jones Right Now

In a recent interview with InsideFighting, Randy Couture gave his take on who presents the biggest challenge to Jones and the heavyweight title right now.

Despite giving Aspinall and Pereira their dues, Couture pointed out how their experience competing at the top of the heavyweight division does leave a few question marks next to both men in potential match-ups with “Bones”.

With that in mind, “The Natural” sided with the man that many believe to be the best UFC heavyweight of all time, former champion Miocic.

It has been three years since Miocic last competed inside the Octagon but Couture chose to go with the tried and tested competitor at this current time.

“I think right now, because of experience, Stipe’s probably got the best shot at beating Jon. Aspinall has that raw physical ability and is still green enough and young enough that he’s going to be tough for Jon to deal with, especially if Jon waits any longer because he’s getting stronger and stronger each time out and I think the longer Jon waits, the better he’s going to be, he’s going to be in full stride by the time that fight happens so it’s interesting. Pereira has some things to prove, moving up is no easy task.

“It’s one thing to cut weight and move down and there’s still some questions there even but moving up and dealing with the bigger guys, and Jon’s answered that question already dealing with the bigger guys, it’s a different thing… certainly has all the ability in the world, Pereira does, and he’s a hell of a competitor and he’s just demonstrated that again. I think anybody’s crazy if they don’t think you better strap them on if you’re stepping in there with him because he’s gonna bring it.”

Continue Reading Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Names Who Has The Best Chance To Beat Jon Jones Out Of Stipe Miocic, Tom Aspinall, & Alex Pereira at MMA News.

Randy Couture Explains Why Francis Ngannou Was ‘Rubbed The Wrong Way’ By PFL: ‘There’s Been A Little Blip After The Boxing’

After signing with the PFL in May of 2023, there is still no news regarding when Francis Ngannou will be making his debut in the SmartCage. Several factors have led to this postponement like the success he had against Tyson Fury in boxing and the tragic loss of his son earlier this year. The one […]

Continue Reading Randy Couture Explains Why Francis Ngannou Was ‘Rubbed The Wrong Way’ By PFL: ‘There’s Been A Little Blip After The Boxing’ at MMA News.

After signing with the PFL in May of 2023, there is still no news regarding when Francis Ngannou will be making his debut in the SmartCage.

Several factors have led to this postponement like the success he had against Tyson Fury in boxing and the tragic loss of his son earlier this year.

The one big development regarding his career in the PFL was the recent announcement that PFL Africa will launch in the second quarter of 2025, with the former UFC heavyweight champion acting as the Chairman.

This was a crucial aspect in his decision to sign with the promotion following his UFC departure but Randy Couture believes it may have been even more significant regarding his future in the PFL.

Randy Couture Says Francis Ngannou’s PFL Africa Role Has Been Crucial To His Continued Involvement

In a recent interview with InsideFighting, PFL commentator Randy Couture said that the confirmation of PFL Africa could have helped to keep Ngannou with the promotion.

The former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion stated that he believes that Ngannou may have felt at odds with the promotion after the PFL vs Bellator Champions event earlier this year.

When Renan Ferreira stopped Ryan Bader in the main event, the PFL looked to set up the Brazilian as their big-money signing’s debut opponent in the SmartCage but Ngannou didn’t seem overly enthused by the idea.

Couture says that it can’t be underestimated how much this role as Chairman of PFL Africa means to Ngannou because of his want to give back to others who come from similar backgrounds.

“I think there’s been a little blip after the boxing and Fury and then losing in the next one and they were pushing him to say, ‘Yes I want to take on Renan Ferreira,’ the winner of this champions vs champions and Francis was there at cage side and I think that rubbed Francis the wrong way a little bit.

“But, at the end of the day, this opportunity to be the Chairman for PFL Africa is what kept him there [at PFL] and I think it means a lot to him. As much as him continuing to develop his legacy and establish himself as one of the best heavyweight mixed martial artists in the world and certainly an amazing boxer at this stage of things too, I think this chairmanship in Africa means a lot to him and he wants to do something special for his countrymen.”

Continue Reading Randy Couture Explains Why Francis Ngannou Was ‘Rubbed The Wrong Way’ By PFL: ‘There’s Been A Little Blip After The Boxing’ at MMA News.

UFC icon Randy Couture reveals agony of first fight with Pedro Rizzo: ‘I couldn’t walk right for six weeks’

Former UFC champion Randy Couture reveals his hardest fight through his legendary career. Couture debuted in May of 1997…

Former UFC champion Randy Couture reveals his hardest fight through his legendary career.

Couture debuted in May of 1997 at UFC 13, submitting Tony Halme in just 56 seconds. He would then stop Steven Graham in a little over three minutes to claim his second victory as a professional the very same night.

Couture would compete all the way up till 2011 and became UFC champion six times across light-heavyweight and heavyweight. Randy Couture would fight the very best the sport had to offer during this time including the like of Chuck Liddell, Brock Lesner and Tito Ortiz.

While ‘The Natural’ would fight, and win, against several former champions throughout his career, Randy Couture labelled ‘The Rock’ as his toughest test.

Pedro Rizzo never quite reached the very peak of the sport but the Brazilian would challenge for the UFC title on three occasions. He also holds wins over the likes of Josh Barnett and Mark Coleman.

Randy Couture reveals his toughest ever fight

Couture and Rizzo fought twice with Couture taking the victory in both but declared the first as his hardest ever fight.

“The toughest fight was the first time I fought Pedro Rizzo,” Randy Couture told TalkSPORT’s MMA YouTube Channel during an interview with Jordan Ellis.

“It was a brawl. A back-and-forth five-round battle. I won three of the five rounds, but I broke my nose and got kicked in the leg about 14 times in that fight.

“I didn’t walk right for six weeks after that fight, that was a very tough fight.”

Couture has been competing for four years prior to their first fight but chose the first fight of he and Rizzo’s fight to be the first one his mother attended.

“That was the first fight my mum attended in person,” Couture said. “That one always sticks out to me as one of the toughest fights I’ve been in.”

What is your favourite moment from Rady Couture’s career?

Randy Couture praises Francis Ngannou for UFC negotiation battle: “I’m proud of him for what he’s done.”

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture commended Francis Ngannou for his fight with the UFC. Earlier this month, Ngannou was stripped of the UFC heavyweight title and became a free agent after failed negotiations with the company. According to Ngannou, he asked for the right of sponsorships, health insurance, and an advocate that represented fighters […]

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture commended Francis Ngannou for his fight with the UFC.

Earlier this month, Ngannou was stripped of the UFC heavyweight title and became a free agent after failed negotiations with the company. According to Ngannou, he asked for the right of sponsorships, health insurance, and an advocate that represented fighters at board meetings. He said the UFC was unwilling to accept his requests.

Like Ngannou, Couture is no stranger to negotiating with the UFC. During his run as heavyweight champion, he had a rocky relationship with the company. In an attempt to leave the promotion, Couture took the UFC to court from 2006 to 2007 to be let go from his contract. He ended up settling the dispute and later returning to the UFC.

Randy Couture and the UFC Have a Tough History

During an interview with MMA Fighting, Couture spoke about his past struggles dealing with his UFC and their negotiations.

“The history is there,” Couture said. “When [Zuffa] bought the company, I took them to task over their ancillary rights and the crappy contract they were trying to force me to sign as their heavyweight champion. We asked and put some more clauses in there. The upside to that is I got a much better deal moving forward. The downside is they closed a bunch of the loopholes in those crappy contracts and made it more difficult for other fighters moving forward.” (h/t MMA Fighting)

The 59-year-old also shared his thoughts on Ngannou’s contract dispute and his fight for improved fighter benefits. He also admitted that he hasn’t spoken with Ngannou directly.

“The money they threw at Francis was pretty significant and probably as much as anybody’s gotten paid in our sport but it was the other things — health insurance, a fighter’s representative, some of those things that he asked for that were outside of that, that caused them to drop him,” Couture said. “They don’t want to give up that power.

“They don’t want to give up those things. They want to be able to control the fighters the way they want to control them. They don’t like that transparency. They keep those numbers pretty close to their vest so they don’t have to negotiate with fighters who know what their value is in the market place, that’s how that shakes out.” (h/t MMA Fighting)

Couture hopes to see more top fighters, like Ngannou, become the voice of change in mixed martial arts.

“Francis is probably the closest to a top tier, marquee fighter that was literally holding the belt in the heavyweight division and put that on the line to make a statement. I’m proud of him for what he’s done. Hopefully, more fighters step up.” (h/t MMA Fighting)

Randy Couture Advises Jake Paul On First MMA Opponent Choice

UFC Hall of Famer and PFL analyst Randy Couture thinks Jake Paul should pump the brakes when it comes to his MMA ambitions. Paul signed with the PFL earlier this year and is expected to make his MMA debut at a later date. He’ll also help launch t…

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