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Conor McGregor reignites feud with Paulie Malignaggi ahead of UFC 303: ‘He got battered out of the gym’

Ahead of his return to the Octagon in June, former two-division champion, Conor McGregor has rekindled his rivalry with…

Ahead of his return to the Octagon in June, former two-division champion, Conor McGregor has rekindled his rivalry with former sparring partner, ex-professional boxer, Paulie Malignaggi, claiming the Italian-American was “battered out of the gym” during their infamous sparring sessions back in 2017.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, has been sidelined since he fractured his left tibia and fibula in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Dustin Poirier almost three years ago.

And booking his official return to active competition amid more than a year of speculation linking him with a comeback to the Octagon, McGregor is officially set to headline UFC 303 at the end of June during International Fight Week.

Taking on former lightweight title challenger, Michael Chandler in a heated grudge match between the two, Conor McGregor – who has been backed by his long-time head coach, John Kavanagh to dispatch of the veteran contender inside two rounds, returned to full-time training this month in anticipation of his return.

Conor McGregor hits out at Paulie Maglignaggi years after sparring fiasco

Backed to return with aplomb amid his continued layoff through a nasty injury, McGregor could not help himself but once more aim barbs in the direction of the above-mentioned Malignaggi, claiming the former WBA and IBF gold holder was comfortably “battered” out of their gym and ring during their infamous sparring tussles back in 2017.

Notably stepping into the squared circle with McGregor that year to briefly help the Dubliner prepare for his historic tangle with former world champion star, Floyd Mayweather, footage emerged of Malignaggi finding himself on the receiving end of some heavy strikes from the former – with the argument of an apparent and phantom knockdown still rife.

Going on to himself suffer a tenth round TKO loss to the unbeaten, Mayweather in the Michigan native’s final professional walk to the ring, McGregor and Malignaggi have both continuously weighed up a potential grudge match down the line since 2017, ultimately to no avail.

Do you think Conor McGregor and Paulie Malignaggi will cross paths down the line?

Sean O’Malley doubles down on his demand to fight Ryan Garcia after next UFC title defense

Once Sean O’Malley takes care of some business with Merab Dvalishvili, ‘Sugar’ has his sights set on a crossover…

Once Sean O’Malley takes care of some business with Merab Dvalishvili, ‘Sugar’ has his sights set on a crossover clash with boxing star Ryan Garcia.

‘King Ryan’ is all the rage after he delivered a lights-out performance against WBC super lightweight world champion Devin Haney in Brooklyn. Since then, a slew of boxers have come out of the woodwork lobbying for a fight with Ryan, including Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, Jaron Ennis, Conor Benn, and Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.

You can also add UFC bantamweight world champion Sean O’Malley’s name to the list. Taking to social media, ‘Sugar’ suggested that after his next title defense, which is all but guaranteed to come against streaking Georgian contender Merab Dvalishvili, he plans to box Ryan Garcia.

“After I KO Merab I’m boxing Ryan,” O’Malley wrote on X.

Considering the UFC chose to let Francis Ngannou leave rather than allowing him to box in between fights inside the Octagon, we’d say there is a 0.01% chance that Dana White allows O’Malley to take on one of the best boxers in the world today while they’ve got him under contract.

Aside from having a very tough test in front of him in Dvalishvili, Sean O’Malley already has a slew of potential contenders to deal with at 135.

A proposed fight between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov will likely decide the division’s next title contender. You’ve also got Deiveson Figueiredo who has continued to climb his way up the bantamweight ranks after already claiming gold at flyweight.

And then there’s Petr Yan who got back into the win column at UFC 299 with a big win over Song Yadong in the main card opener.

Needless to say, there are plenty of fights to keep O’Malley busy without having to fish for a boxing match with the flavor of the month.

‘Nobody wants to see’ Sean O’Malley vs. Ryan Garcia

UFC fans were none-too interested in the idea of seeing Sean O’Malley step inside the ring with Ryan Garcia based on the backlash ‘Sugar’ received on social media.

TKO Group CEO Ari Emanuel banks almost $85 million in 2023, including $20 million UFC bonus

Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel banked nearly $85 million in 2023. According to a proxy statement filed with the Securities…

Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel banked nearly $85 million in 2023.

According to a proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ahead of an annual stockholders meeting scheduled for June, Emanuel netted $65 million for his role as one of the top executives for TKO Group Holdings, the publicly traded entity that currently houses both the Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Wrestling Entertainment under the same roof.

Per a report from Damon Martin of MMA Fighting, the breakdown includes $911,538 in prorated salary based on the merger date to the end of the fiscal year on September 12, 2023, along with a $24 million bonus and just over $40 million in stock rewards.

Emanual also took home a $20 million transaction bonus from UFC that “was not tied to achievement of any specified performance measure and, as such, is not included herein.”

Ari Emanuel wasn’t the only executive who brought home the bacon in 2023

Next on the list was TKO president and chief operating officer Mark Shapiro who made $16 million, including a $9 million bonus and more than $6 million in stock awards. Shapiro brought in another $22.77 million attributable to Endeavor, bringing his total 2023 take to more than $38 million.

Chief financial officer Andrew Schleimer earned more than $8.7 million, with a $5 million bonus and more than $3.1 million in stock awards.

Also reaping the benefits was WWE President and TKO Group board member Nick Khan who took home more than $32 million in total compensation, which included a $15 million bonus and more than $12 million in stock awards.

TKO Group will likely continue to see its profits skyrocket after the WWE closed a five-year, $10 billion deal to move its flagship show, Monday Night Raw, to Netflix starting in 2025.

The UFC will also return to the negotiating table as its broadcasting deal with ESPN is set to expire at the end of next year.

The initial deal with ESPN was for five years with the the cable sports network paying out $1.5 billion for the rights before being extended for an additional two years. Early reports suggest the UFC could double that amount with its next broadcasting deal after seeing a massive boom in business over the last several years.

VanZant Stares Down Brooke Ahead Of Misfits Clash

“I have never been less intimidated,” Brooke wrote on Twitter. Former UFC strawweight sensation and part-time bareknuckle boxer Paige VanZant will make her “sweet science” debut against social media pugilist and current women’s …

“I have never been less intimidated,” Brooke wrote on Twitter.

Former UFC strawweight sensation and part-time bareknuckle boxer Paige VanZant will make her “sweet science” debut against social media pugilist and current women’s middleweight champion Elle Brooke as part of the upcoming Misfits Boxing 15 event on DAZN, scheduled for Sat., May 25, 2024 at NRG Arena in Houston, Texas.

You probably knew that already thanks to this leak.

“Make no mistake, this is a colossal clash in the world of crossover boxing,” said Kalle Sauerland, Co-President of Misfits Boxing. “Hands down, Elle Brooke taking on the legendary Paige VanZant is the biggest female fight we’ve ever had in this space and the number of people watching in the arena, and worldwide on DAZN, will be huge. Brooke is the No. 2 pound-for-pound female fighter in Misfits Boxing but facing VanZant, a proven and global star from UFC, is by far the biggest challenge of her boxing career.”

Tickets for Misfits Boxing 15 are currently on sale through Ticketmaster.

Islam Makhachev calls for Leon Edwards title fight after UFC 302: ‘I already gave a chance to fighters at 145’

Slated to headline UFC 302 in June, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev is hellbent on challenging for a second…

Slated to headline UFC 302 in June, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev is hellbent on challenging for a second title after his comeback this summer, specifically in a showdown with welterweight titleholder, Leon Edwards.

Makhachev, the current lightweight gold holder, is set to make his comeback to the Octagon this summer in New Jersey, taking on former interim champion, Dustin Poirier in the pair’s championship headliner atop UFC 302.

UFC Saudi Arabia postponed until June amid links to Islam Makhachev comeback fight — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Sidelined since December, Birmingham native, Edwards himself most recently took main event honors at UFC 296, himself turning in a one-sided unanimous decision victory against former interim champion, Colby Covington in the pair’s heated grudge fight.

Islam Makhachev calls for Leon Edwards clash

And forever staking his claim for a siege at a second title belt, Makhachev, the current pound-for-pound number one, claims his decision to welcome title challenges from Alexander Volkanovski in a featherweight rise, should allow him to challenge for welterweight spoils after UFC 302.

Islam Makhachev calls for division move after UFC 302 I've already beat everyone at lightweight — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacece

“My dream fight: I have to fight in the next division, 170 [pounds],” Islam Makhachev told The New York Post. “I have to fight Leon Edwards. I already gave a chance to fighters at 145 [pounds]. That’s why I need my chance at a second belt. …Honestly, I don’t have any exciting fights, because Dustin (Poirier) has just one-fight win streak.”

“And we have Arman (Tsarukyan), but I already beat this guy,” Islam Makhachev explained. “I don’t have some job in my division, in my opinion, honestly. And I think I have a chance. They have to give me the chance for a second belt because I already beat the old guys.”

Leon Edwards confirms he will fight at UFC 300 I will defend my title in April in Las Vegas — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Himself linked with a comeback fight at the end of July in Manchester, Edwards has been touted as a shoo-in to feature at UFC 304 in a home soil return – amid links to a title fight rematch with the streaking, Belal Muhammad.

Who wins in a future title ‘super fight’: Leon Edwards or Islam Makhachev?

Officer ‘Bad Boy’ Reporting For Duty!

Woop! Woop! That’s the sound of da police! Woop! Woop! That’s da sound of Ortiz!
Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz, was recently sworn in as honorary sheriff for Lee County in Southwest Florida. Hopefully this en…

Woop! Woop! That’s the sound of da police! Woop! Woop! That’s da sound of Ortiz!

Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz, was recently sworn in as honorary sheriff for Lee County in Southwest Florida. Hopefully this ends better than his disastrous run as mayor pro tempore in Huntington Beach.

“Feeling incredibly honored!” Ortiz wrote on social media. “Yesterday, I was sworn in as an honorary sheriff for Lee County by the amazing Sheriff Carmine Marceno. I’m beyond grateful for this privilege and so proud to serve in my new home of Cape Coral. Here’s to new beginnings and making a positive impact in our community!”

“I am deeply humbled by this privilege and have immense respect for our brave men and women in blue, not just in Cape Coral, but across the entire United States,” Ortiz continued. “Their dedication and commitment inspire me every day. Proud to be a part of this community and to support our law enforcement heroes!”

Not bad for a “blue-collared man” who “lost everything” in 2020.