Tag: UFC 267

Dan Hooker Wants A Big Change For Islam Makhachev Fight

Dan Hooker is ready to push Islam Makhachev to his absolute limits. Hooker proved his toughness for the rest of eternity by turning around after beating Nasrat Haqparast a month earlier, so he can fight to fight the boogeyman of the lightweight division and Khabib protege Makhachev. This is a man that seemingly no one […]

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Dan Hooker is ready to push Islam Makhachev to his absolute limits.

Hooker proved his toughness for the rest of eternity by turning around after beating Nasrat Haqparast a month earlier, so he can fight to fight the boogeyman of the lightweight division and Khabib protege Makhachev. This is a man that seemingly no one wants to fight, so for “The Hangman” to agree to replace a withdrawing Rafael Dos Anjos, while giving up the ability to return to New Zealand, is without a doubt gangster stuff.

However, just in case you were still unsure about how tough he is or his willingness to accept a challenge, Hooker has decided to up the ante. Posting to his Twitter, he issued a challenger the to Makhachev, trying to turn their UFC 267 featured bout into a five round fight, following the likes of the Diaz brothers, who have set a precedent for these kinds of things.

“Let’s make it 5 rounds? ?” Hooker wrote.

It is hard to know if the UFC would be willing to go for this notion, as there are only two fights in UFC history that have been five-round, non-title bouts, and they both involved a Diaz brother. Nevertheless, you have to absolutely respect Dan Hooker for calling for this to happen, especially against an opponent like Islam Makhachev. And if the promotion does decide to make it happen, it would make the fight significantly closer.

Do you want to see Hooker vs Makhachev turn into a five-round fight? Or is it better served as a three-round contest?

Continue Reading Dan Hooker Wants A Big Change For Islam Makhachev Fight at MMA News.

Couture Ready To Accept Teixeira Into The Post-40 Champions Club

Former six-time UFC champion Randy Couture backs Glover Teixeira to join him in the post-40 champs club with a victory over Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267. Teixeira will have the chance to become the second oldest champion in UFC history when he faces Blachowicz at the promotion’s non-pay-per-view numbered event on October 30. Following UFC […]

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Former six-time UFC champion Randy Couture backs Glover Teixeira to join him in the post-40 champs club with a victory over Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267.

Teixeira will have the chance to become the second oldest champion in UFC history when he faces Blachowicz at the promotion’s non-pay-per-view numbered event on October 30. Following UFC Fight Night 194 in 2018, where the Brazilian’s defeat to Corey Anderson marked his third setback in just five outings, not many would have given Teixeira a chance at climbing back into title contention.

At the age of 41, Teixeira finds himself ranked #1 at 205 pounds and just over a week away from his second championship opportunity. The veteran secured a clash with the current light heavyweight kingpin after building an impressive five-fight win streak, which includes wins over Ion Cu?elaba, Nikita Krylov, Anthony Smith, and Thiago Santos. His destructive and brutal performance against “Lionheart” put the division on notice, but it was his submission of “Marreta” last November that secured a meeting with Blachowicz.

Despite his form, Teixeira is understandably heading to Abu Dhabi as the underdog. After all, Blachowicz is riding a five-fight win streak of his own, one that includes wins against former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold, legendary Brazilian Ronaldo Souza, Corey Anderson, Dominick Reyes, and current 185-pound king Israel Adesanya. While many still underestimated the Polish behemoth heading into 2021, handing “The Last Stylebender” his first setback certainly changed that.

Nevertheless, Randy Couture, the UFC’s only post-40 champion, believes Teixeira can’t be counted out at UFC 267. Not only is ‘The Natural’ the only man to win gold in his forties, but he did it three times, at UFC 44, 49 and 68. The three-time UFC Heavyweight Champion and two-time 205-pound titleholder recently discussed Teixeira’s chances of achieving the rare feat later this month. In an interview with James Lynch, the 58-year-old backed the challenger to perform well on October 30.

“I don’t think you ever count an old dog like Glover Teixeira out. You know, we all have a lot of ups and downs… He’s certainly had his ups and his downs, and I think you’re seeing him back on the upswing. He’s got a lot of fight left in his body and in his heart. So, I think he’s gonna do well.”

Having not fought at heavyweight since a 2002 championship defeat against Ricco Rodriguez, Couture returned to the weight class at UFC 268 in 2007. At the age of 43, the Washington-born legend challenged Tim Sylvia for the belt. After five rounds, Couture secured his third heavyweight title triumph via unanimous decision.

Teixeira will be hoping to display a similar level of longevity by having UFC gold wrapped around his waist for the first time at UFC 267. According to the champ, the Brazilian will be KO’d into retirement in Abu Dhabi.

Do you think Glover Teixeira will become the UFC’s second post-40 champion at UFC 267?

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Hooker On Makhachev Fight: “I Can KO or Submit Any Man In the World”

Dan Hooker isn’t letting Islam Makhachev’s mystique shake him.  With 31 professional fights to his name, there isn’t much that Hooker hasn’t come across in the cage. It’s this experience that leads “The Hangman” to be confident heading into his UFC 267 bout against Makhachev. It also means that he won’t be mentally beaten before […]

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Dan Hooker isn’t letting Islam Makhachev’s mystique shake him. 

With 31 professional fights to his name, there isn’t much that Hooker hasn’t come across in the cage. It’s this experience that leads “The Hangman” to be confident heading into his UFC 267 bout against Makhachev. It also means that he won’t be mentally beaten before making the Octagon walk later this month. Hooker elaborated on his mindset in an interview with Sports Illustrated.

“To me, any fight is a 50–50 contest,” Hooker says. “I know full well that I could submit any man in this world, or that I could knock out any man in this world. Now he’s got a lot going on; he created a lot of momentum. A lot of guys are beaten before they even step into the Octagon with him, but that’s something that won’t happen with me. I’m too experienced; I’ve been in the fight realm and these dogfights. My fans and I both know he’s in for a fight, and that’s a fact.”

Dan Hooker
A victorious Dan Hooker. Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Aside from being one-punch KO’d in his second UFC appearance, Makhachev has looked all but perfect on fight nights. He is currently on an eight fight win streak and was last seen submitting Thiago Moises in July. 

In Hooker’s last contest, he took a unanimous decision over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266. When the news broke that Rafael dos Anjos had to back out, Hooker stepped up and accepted the match with Makhachev. Taking the bout meant that Hooker would have to stay in America due to New Zealand’s strict COVID-19 policies. 

So, not only is Hooker fighting one of the hottest fighters in the sport, he’s going weeks without seeing his family and normal training partners ahead of the bout. 

Who do you see winning between Dan Hooker and Islam Makhachev at UFC 267?

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Oezdemir Expects Ankalaev To “Run Away” During UFC 267 Fight

UFC light heavyweight contender Volkan Oezdemir believes his UFC 267 fight against Magomed Ankalaev will be a cat and mouse affair. Ankalaev has been away from the Octagon for over a year. The Swiss star was last in action at UFC 251 last July. In Abu Dhabi, he welcomed promotional newcomer Ji?í Procházka to the […]

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UFC light heavyweight contender Volkan Oezdemir believes his UFC 267 fight against Magomed Ankalaev will be a cat and mouse affair.

Ankalaev has been away from the Octagon for over a year. The Swiss star was last in action at UFC 251 last July. In Abu Dhabi, he welcomed promotional newcomer Ji?í Procházka to the promotion. Less than a minute into the second round, “No Time” was brutally knocked out by “Denisa.” However, while he fell to his Czech counterpart, Oezdemir was successful in his two prior outings against fellow Europeans Aleksandar Raki? and Ilir Latifi.

With his place in the 205-pound top 10 still secure, Oezdemir will hope to return the win column and begin a pursuit for a second UFC championship opportunity against Ankalaev on October 30. The Russian, who’s ranked at #7 in the division, will ride a six-fight win streak that includes victories over Ion Cu?elaba and Nikita Krylov into his clash with the 32-year-old.

Ahead of the main card opener, Oezdemir spoke with MMA News’ James Lynch. When asked about the matchup, the former kickboxing practitioner suggested Ankalaev suits him better as an opponent than some of his previous foes. He also commented on the changing landscape of the light heavyweight weight class, which has seen him tumble from top of the mountain in terms of size, to bottom of the pile.

“I like him, I like his style, he’s maybe more like a normal type of guy when you compare him to Ji?í or even Raki?. Those guys, even [Dominick] Reyes; some of my last opponents… [have] a different frame and stuff like that, you know, they’re big guys, really tall. And he’s [Ankalaev] pretty much my size.

“The division has changed a lot, now I’m actually one of the shortest guy in the division. I remember when I first came into the UFC, I was already a top 10 since my first fight, since I fought the #6 guy, and I was one of the tallest guys. Now I’m actually one of the shortest guys in the division. Ankalaev is pretty much my size. He’s a little bit bigger, but he’s actually kind of similar.”

Giving his prediction for the fight, Oezdemir suggested Ankalaev will avoid him and attempt to counter-strike. The Swiss contender used the analogy of a cat chasing a mouse to describe how he thinks his 10th UFC outing will play out.

“This fight, I think, is kind of going to be chasing, like a cat chasing the mouse. I think Ankalaev is a guy who’s gonna actually run away a lot. I think he’s going to try to make me miss, make me frustrated. He’s not the kind of guy that actually engages too much; he’s a counter-striker… I think his game is to make me out of my head, to [make me] engage a little too much, or to take me down. This is the stuff I need to watch out [and] stay in my game, stay composed, and obviously I need to bring the power. I think he is somebody who likes to be in his game, in his timing,” Oezdemir told MMA News.

Catch our full exclusive interview with Volkan Oezdemir ahead of UFC 267 below:

Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 267, Volkan Oezdemir or Magomed Ankalaev?

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Hooker: “I’m Not Scared Of Khabib, Why Would I Be Scared Of Islam?”

UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker has laughed off Khabib Nurmagomedov’s recent comments about his upcoming fight with Islam Makhachev. Hooker was in action at UFC 266 last month. At the September pay-per-view, “The Hangman” faced Nasrat Haqparast on the preliminary card. The New Zealander was looking to rebound following consecutive losses to top contenders Dustin […]

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UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker has laughed off Khabib Nurmagomedov’s recent comments about his upcoming fight with Islam Makhachev.

Hooker was in action at UFC 266 last month. At the September pay-per-view, “The Hangman” faced Nasrat Haqparast on the preliminary card. The New Zealander was looking to rebound following consecutive losses to top contenders Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler in his previous two outings.

After three rounds of action, Hooker successfully returned to the win column with a comfortable unanimous decision. In a smart performance, the #6-ranked lightweight, who’s been involved in several all-out brawls in the UFC in the past, utilized his grappling against his German opponent.

Hooker had some difficult weeks leading up to the September 25 event. He clashed with New Zealand police over his inability to train in his own empty gym due to lockdown rules, and had a late struggle to secure a visa that led to him arriving in Vegas just one day before weigh-ins. With that in mind, most understandably expected the 31-year-old to rest and recuperate off the back of a hectic month.

However, that’s just not how Hooker does things. Mere days out from his clash with Haqparast, “The Hangman” accepted a short-notice fight against rapidly surging top-five contender Islam Makhachev. The opportunity for Hooker to do so came after the Russian’s rival Rafael dos Anjos withdrew through injury.

While Hooker is confident in his chances at having his hand raised, says he won’t bring any short-notice excuses into the fight, legendary former 155-pound champ Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t giving him much of a chance at UFC 267. “The Eagle,” who is Makhachev’s friend and teammate, claimed that, barring a lucky punch, there’s a 99% chance that his Dagestani compatriot “mauls” the New Zealander.

Hooker responded to Khabib’s comments during a recent interview with It’s Time For Sports. “The Hangman” said he isn’t scared of him or Makhachev, and suggested the claim that any man has a 99% chance at beating him in a cage is “laughable.”

“I’m not scared of Khabib, why would I be scared of Islam. That really surprises me. If they came to me and they said, ‘You wanna fight Khabib in four weeks?’ I would take that fight in a heartbeat. I took this fight in a sentence, I thought about it for about five seconds. It would take me one second to accept that fight with Khabib. So, you feel like his word carries any weight, that’s just not true. 99%, there’s not a man on this planet that is 99%, 99/1 against me inside the cage. That’s just laughable.”

What did you make of Khabib’s comments? Is a 99% chance of victory for Islam Makhachev against Dan Hooker accurate?

Continue Reading Hooker: “I’m Not Scared Of Khabib, Why Would I Be Scared Of Islam?” at MMA News.

Sterling Says Getting “Ass Kicked” In Training Led To UFC 267 Withdrawal

UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling has revealed his inability to hang with Merab Dvalishvili in training convinced him to withdraw from his UFC 267 title defense. Sterling hasn’t been in action since his championship crowning at UFC 259 in March. At the pay-per-view, “Funk Master” faced Petr Yan. The Russian previously dominated José Aldo across […]

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UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling has revealed his inability to hang with Merab Dvalishvili in training convinced him to withdraw from his UFC 267 title defense.

Sterling hasn’t been in action since his championship crowning at UFC 259 in March. At the pay-per-view, “Funk Master” faced Petr Yan. The Russian previously dominated José Aldo across four-and-a-half rounds to win the vacant 135-pound gold. His first title defense looked to be going in a similar fashion.

“No Mercy” was clearly on top and appeared on his way to a successful retention. However, in the fourth frame, Yan delivered an illegal knee to Sterling. His disqualification saw the challenger become the first champ to have been crowned via DQ.

Sterling’s first defense was slated for the end of the year after he took time away from the cage to undergo neck surgery. He was scheduled to run it back with bitter rival Yan at UFC 267 on October 30. After failing to receive medical clearance due to the lingering issues from his surgery, the champion as forced to withdraw just one month out from the event.

Sterling has now revealed the events and triggers that led to his decision to pull out. During a recent interview with The Schmo, the bantamweight champ said that while he was in Las Vegas for teammate Merab Dvalishvili’s fight, he’d told the UFC that he was planning to fight through the issues.

“I came out to Vegas for Merab’s fight. And I came a little early, so I saw my matchmaker Sean Shelby. I guess he heard about the interview I did with Ariel [Helwani]. And he was like, ‘Dude, what’s going on? Are you OK?’ And I was like, ‘I don’t know, man. I’m gonna fight, though.’ I just told him straight like that: ‘I don’t know; I’m gonna fight.’”

Sterling added that the promotion sent him to have his neck examined by a doctor in Los Angeles. The 32-year-old was told an injury like his could take well over a year for the nerves to fully heal.

“[The UFC] flew me out. I went to the doctor again, LA, and he said the same thing I said. He said this injury takes 12-18 months for the nerves to actually heal. So it’s not even about the surgery itself. The procedure, that’s a three-month recovery. So I recovered. I’m good to go. I’m strong. I feel good. I feel like this is the best physical shape I’ve looked like in a very long time. No pain in my neck. No residual pain, like waking up sleeping, driving, training. The part that sucks is the endurance side. And you need those connective tissues, those nerves, just from a neurological standpoint, to reconnect. Because it’s almost like they’re still severed and they’re still trying to do what they’re trying to do and heal up. So it’s a weird, complex situation where you just don’t know what’s going on in there.”

Sterling also revealed that the trigger for him to pull out of UFC 267 came during training. After getting his “ass kicked” by fellow bantamweight Dvalishvili, “Funk Master” knew he wasn’t competing at the same level as before.

“I was not fun to be around. Ray [Longo] was like, ‘Dude, I haven’t seen you smile in God knows how long.’ I was like, ‘I’m not happy. I’m getting my ass kicked in training. Like, I know Merab’s good, but we battle. It’s never that one-sided.’ He was like, ‘Yeah, well, you know, he’s peaking.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, I know, even when he’s peaking in the past, it’s never been this one-sided. There’s clearly something going on.’ And here we are.”

Following Sterling’s withdrawal, #3-ranked bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen stepped up to face Yan at UFC 267. The pair will compete in Abu Dhabi for interim gold, with the winner setting up a unification bout against “Funk Master” later down the line.

Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 267, Petr Yan or Cory Sandhagen?

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