Tag: Sports

Michael Bisping: Conor McGregor Fighting For A Title ‘Wouldn’t Be The Craziest Thing’

Conor McGregorConor McGregor is arguably the biggest star in combat sports and given this it’s no surprise we have seen McGregor gain preferential treatment. McGregor will be hoping to use his stardom to his favour by lining up a UFC lightweight title shot on his return. Many people believe McGregor shouldn’t be able to jump the […]

Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor is arguably the biggest star in combat sports and given this it’s no surprise we have seen McGregor gain preferential treatment. McGregor will be hoping to use his stardom to his favour by lining up a UFC lightweight title shot on his return.

Many people believe McGregor shouldn’t be able to jump the queue past everyone in the division and one those of people who share this is opinion is former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping.

Bisping spoke on his ‘Believe You Me’ podcast about exactly why McGregor isn’t deserving to be in that position.

““Yeah, McGregor, title fight next. I don’t know, maybe he could. It wouldn’t be the craziest thing to ever happen, let’s be honest, the man is a f***ing mega-star so maybe… I doubt it, I doubt it very much but obviously I assume it was just a tweet. But you can’t look at that like it’s gospel. Obviously, that’s what Conor McGregor wants… it’s not gonna happen, but if it does happen, it wouldn’t blow my mind either. The guy has lost three of the last four I believe, so there’s no way the guy is coming back for a title shot.” (Transcribed by Sportskeeda)

There is no questioning the appeal Conor McGregor brings with him however given his recent outings to the octagon for the most part not going his way and given how active the rest of the lightweight division is currently it is very unlikely we see McGregor straight back into a title matchup.

However, convincing McGregor of that himself is going to be a lot harder.

The former two-division champion posted to social media earlier this month declaring he will be fighting whoever is holding the lightweight strap on his return. Here’s what McGregor had to say.

“Hi lads, here goes… clicks and the like. Your boss and what not. The Mac. Santy Claus. I’m facing whoever the f*ck has that LW title next. Deal with it. Take off your goggles and mark the trilogy “unfinished”. Deal with that too. The rest mentioned, after this. Deal. With. It.”

What is next for Conor McGregor?

McGregor has lost three of his last four outings to the octagon and would certainly need to secure at least one win back in the division to be pushing on for a title shot. One option is the fourth matchup with Dustin Poirier. If Poirier can get past Charles Oliveira at UFC 269, and McGregor can get a win on his return, many fans will be calling to see those two fighters step inside the octagon again.

Another option for McGregor is the Nate Diaz trilogy, Diaz gave McGregor his first loss inside the UFC, which McGregor was quick to rectify after he was able to beat Diaz in the rematch. It only seems right that these two men finish off what they started with a final bout in the trilogy.

Who do you want to see Conor McGregor fight on his return?

Jon Jones Hits 60-day Sober Mark After Initial Miscount

Jon JonesJon Jones announced on Twitter last night he had hit the 60-day sobriety mark following his initial miscount, just a few days earlier. Jones’s initial announcement came just 58 days following his domestic assault incident which took place after the UFC Hall of Fame awards ceremony. However, now he has officially hit the 60-day mark […]

Jon Jones

Jon Jones announced on Twitter last night he had hit the 60-day sobriety mark following his initial miscount, just a few days earlier.

Jones’s initial announcement came just 58 days following his domestic assault incident which took place after the UFC Hall of Fame awards ceremony. However, now he has officially hit the 60-day mark Jones took to Twitter to share his achievement.

Jones also spoke on the importance of him staying sober and how he could have lost everything at a moment’s notice.

‘Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” My family, my life, my career could’ve been over after what happened in Las Vegas. But God had other plans for me. 60 days sober and counting”

The former champion also took the time to celebrate his achievement surrounded by his family.

Jon Jones Potential Return

Jon Jones will need to stay on this path of sobriety if he aims to return to the UFC to pursue the Heavyweight championship. ‘Bones’ has not competed in the octagon since his decision victory over Dominick Reyes in February 2020. Since his last outing, Jones has been posting to social media sharing his process on moving up a weight division. A process of which he feels is going very well.

‘It’s going to be nice competing without starving and dehydrating myself on fight week. This heavyweight body feels nice, I still need to get bigger and stronger. Plenty fast’

Jones will be looking to jump straight into the title picture when he debuts in his new division, whenever that may be. Given Francis Ngannou and Cyril Gane are scheduled for UFC 271 in January, and former champion Stipe Miocic is currently without a scheduled matchup, do you think the former heavyweight champion would match up well against Jones?

Whenever Jon Jones does make his return, who do you think will be welcoming him back to the octagon?

Nate Diaz Tells Jake Paul: ‘You’d Get Smoked in A Real Fight’

Nate DiazJake Paul and Nate Diaz got into a Twitter back and forth last night after Diaz took shots at one of the YouTuber’s previous boxing opponents, Ben Askren. ‘Funky’ spoke on the Lex Fridman podcast on Jake Paul’s boxing ability going onto compliment his skillset. “So, the thing I said when I went in to […]

Nate Diaz

Jake Paul and Nate Diaz got into a Twitter back and forth last night after Diaz took shots at one of the YouTuber’s previous boxing opponents, Ben Askren. ‘Funky’ spoke on the Lex Fridman podcast on Jake Paul’s boxing ability going onto compliment his skillset.

“So, the thing I said when I went in to fight him [Jake Paul] is maybe he’s good or maybe he’s not. We really have no idea to this point, you know. I knew that Tyron was a lot better in boxing than I was. And so, I thought that there is a good likelihood that Tyron beats him up but there is a chance that Jake is kind of good at this.

“I think what played out is he’s kind of good at it. And if you saw the way I saw it, he was still impressive in his showing and he has obviously put a lot of time into it. So, he’s not bad, I’ll say that much.” (Transcribed by sportskeeda.com)

This clearly didn’t sit well for Diaz who went on to callout Askren for his comments saying he is “a retired wrestler who can’t fight or box”

This led to ‘The Problem Child’ firing back at the comments in the defence of Askren by calling out on Diaz and his record.

Diaz put an end to the talking with his final message to Paul once again calling out the level of competition Paul has faced in a boxing ring.

Nate Diaz has also expressed his interest in scheduling a bout for December in the hope of a return to the octagon.

He has not stepped foot inside the cage since his previous outing in a unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards.

Jake Paul’s Toughest test to date

Jake Paul’s last outing the ring saw him pick up a victory over Tyron Woodley. However, his next outing is going to be the biggest challenge he has faced this far.

Paul will be put to the test to see just how good his boxing abilities are when he takes on his toughest opponent yet, in the form of undefeated professional British boxer Tommy Fury on December 18th.

Paul also enters the bout sporting an undefeated record however none of his victories have come over professional boxers meaning someone will be losing their clean record come fight night.

Who do you see coming out as the winner when these two step into the ring?

Alexander Volkanovski Thinks Max Holloway Is Scared To Fight Him

Alexander VolkanovskiAlexander Volkanovski believes Max Holloway is afraid to accept a 3rd bout against the Australian, following on from his win over Yair Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 42. Holloway picked up a unanimous decision victory this past weekend in what many presumed for the winner to be next in line for a title shot. Former champion […]

Alexander Volkanovski

Alexander Volkanovski believes Max Holloway is afraid to accept a 3rd bout against the Australian, following on from his win over Yair Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 42.

Holloway picked up a unanimous decision victory this past weekend in what many presumed for the winner to be next in line for a title shot. Former champion Holloway secured the win, however he didn’t rush to call out Volkanovski, instead opting for a potential rematch with Connor McGregor and the current featherweight champion spoke on his YouTube channel about why he thought Holloway has done this.

“Max, we know what’s next. We know what’s next, right? Leading into this fight, the winner was going to get a title shot. Whether it was Max or Yair, whoever won was going to get the title shot. The UFC said that to us. We’re waiting on it. I’m sure the UFC said it to Max. So, the UFC, green lights on UFC for the trilogy; green light for me. But the only one that’s talking about other options is Max Holloway. So, yeah, this might rattle a few feathers, but I’m gonna leave you with this. Am I saying he’s scared? Maybe. But I want you to hear me out here.”

“For Max, this is a big deal. You fight me again, and lose, and go zero and three against me in the featherweight division in your prime – Max in his prime – You talk about legacy? Your name isn’t in GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) conversations anymore. It’s in GOAT conversations now.

“People are still, even though he’s zero two against me, there’s still people throwing his name in the GOAT conversation. He loses again, we know no more. Your legacy in the featherweight division – Tarnished. Let’s be real. Zero and three in your prime. That doesn’t look good. Maybe that’s what it is. Maybe he wants bigger option money fights because he can still have these legacy talks about getting some money fights, you know what I mean? But if he loses, that tarnishes that legacy.” (Transcribed by Sportskeeda.com)

Who is next for Alexander Volkanovski?

A lot of the focus will now be on Holloway following his win however let’s not forget. The current featherweight champion holds two victories over number one and a victory over the second-ranked fighter in the division. Yair Rodriguez will probably need and want some time following his war with Max Holloway and will also want to get back to winning ways before pushing for title. Calvin Kattar and Giga Chikadze are scheduled to fight at the start of next year, does a win for Chikadze here earn him a title shot? If so, how much of an issue can you see Chikadze causing the champ?

Who do you want to see Volkanovski defend his belt against next?

Joanna Jedrzejczyk Open To Carla Esparza Rematch: ‘I Just Want To Be Back’

Joanna JedrzejczykJoanna Jedrzejczyk has expressed her desire to get back into the octagon in a recent interview with SCMP MMA. Jedrzejczyk has not set foot inside an octagon since her all-out war with Zhang Weili for the Strawweight belt, in which she would fall just short in back in March 2020. Never to be put off, […]

Joanna Jedrzejczyk

Joanna Jedrzejczyk has expressed her desire to get back into the octagon in a recent interview with SCMP MMA. Jedrzejczyk has not set foot inside an octagon since her all-out war with Zhang Weili for the Strawweight belt, in which she would fall just short in back in March 2020.

Never to be put off, Joanna Jedrzejcyk is determined to get back to it to prove herself as still being one of the best and even has a potential opponent in mind in the form of a rematch with Carla Esparza.

“It would be an interesting fight; we have a good fighting history. She’s waiting for the title shot – I don’t know what’s going to happen next. She might get the title shot; she might not get it because Dana (White) is saying something totally different than Mick (Maynard). But I don’t know, I would love to fight her and if she wants to get the title shot, I can fight her.”

Joanna Jedrzejczyk Is Also Eyeing A Third Fight With Rose Namajunas

Joanna Jedrzejczyk has only lost to fighters who currently hold or have held a championship within the UFC with all her shortcomings occurring in title fights. Since her last fight against Weili, the strawweight belt has changed hands with Rose Namajunas successfully acquiring and then defending her belt against Weili. Given her previous fights with ‘Thug Rose’ it would be understandable that the new champ would be Jedrzejcyzk’s first target. However, this wasn’t the case when asked about her return and potential trilogy with Rose.

“Yes and no, I know how to do business as well and I understand UFC and Dana promised me after my last fight, but I understand Rose’s position. She’s the champ and she can decide who she wants to fight next and when. I feel like I want to be back to the Octagon March-April so if the champ is not going to be ready, if she’s not willing to fight me, I will take another fight because I just want to be back. I don’t want to sit here and wait another six, eight, 12 months – it’s not that UFC made the pressure on me, but I just want to do what’s good and best for me.” (Transcribed by BJPENN.com)

Who do you want to see Joanna Jedrzejczyk fight next?

Glover Teixeira Gets Hometown Parade & Key To The City

Glover TeixeiraGlover Teixeira has been awarded a key to the city, as well as being given a parade around his hometown of Danbury, following on from his impressive victory over Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267. Teixeira was able to secure the light heavyweight championship following his submission victory last month, returning to his hometown he and […]

Glover Teixeira

Glover Teixeira has been awarded a key to the city, as well as being given a parade around his hometown of Danbury, following on from his impressive victory over Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267.

Teixeira was able to secure the light heavyweight championship following his submission victory last month, returning to his hometown he and his fellow residents took time to appreciate his achievement.

The Brazilian who owns Teixeira MMA and Fitness, a gym located within Danbury took a moment during his acceptance speech to say thank you to everyone who has supported him.

“I’m just so happy this is happening over here, I come to Danbury in 1999 and people just warm hearts over here, just opened their arms for me. It’s the land of opportunity. I had a dream in Brazil to be a professional athlete. Most of the people, I have a lot of people from my town here, they know how hard it is over there.

“I couldn’t train, I couldn’t do anything, and I come here, and I say, ‘This is the land of opportunity, I want to be a world champion. Greg Davis is one of my guys there that trained with me. He was there when I say — I couldn’t speak much English, he asked me, ‘Why are you training in jiu-jitsu for?’ I said, ‘I want to be UFC champion.’” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

Glover Teixeira’s Road to Glory

Those MMA fans who have followed his career will know just how impressive what he has done is, at the age of 42. Teixeira held an eight-fight winning streak when he challenged Jon Jones for the belt back in 2014. Although he was unsuccessful in his attempt and would go on to trade wins and losses up until the start of 2019, Teixeira wasn’t to be put off.

The Brazilian started his hot streak with a first-round submission win over Karl Roberson in January 2019. He would follow this up with Rear Naked Choke victory over Ion Cutelaba, earning himself a performance bonus. He would then edge out a split decision victory over Nikita Krylov before returning to the bonus column with his TKO win over Anthony Smith. Teixeira would then submit Thiago Santos extending his winning streak to five before fulfilling his lifelong dream by dethroning then Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz.

At 42 years old who knows how long Glover Teixeira’s will be able to maintain his time at the top with many fans speculating his first defence will come against Jiri Prochazka.

How does Glover Teixeira match up against the number one contender?