Tag: UFC 267

Aljamain Sterling Apologizes On Petr Yan’s Behalf

Petr Yan has done some things that Aljamain Sterling feels the fans deserve an apology for. It goes without saying by now that there is a lot of bad blood between Sterling and Yan at this point in their careers. Of course, a big part of this stems from Sterling taking Yan’s belt by controversial […]

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Petr Yan has done some things that Aljamain Sterling feels the fans deserve an apology for.

It goes without saying by now that there is a lot of bad blood between Sterling and Yan at this point in their careers. Of course, a big part of this stems from Sterling taking Yan’s belt by controversial disqualification and then needing surgery, which has delayed their rematch.

After “Funkmaster” was forced out of their scheduled bout at UFC 267, he caught a considerably large amount of flack from the fans, but he does not feel like he is the one that needs to be berated by people. Speaking on The MMA Hour, he explained that this whole mess of a situation, with an interim title being put in place, is all because of Yan himself and the mistake that he made.

“This whole thing, Ariel, could’ve been avoided. I just hope the fans, the reasonable fans with a brain, actually understand that, that this was all because of Petr Yan that this division is now in this situation. It’s because of him. He could’ve won the fight. He was on his way of dominating. He started to pull away, he was beating my ass all fourth round. I still landed two head kicks right before I shot in, and then he kneed me in the head, but he was beating my ass. That’s a fact,” Sterling said.

Petr Yan, Aljamain Sterling
Petr Yan, Aljamain Sterling. Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

“But this is all his fault because he’s that stupid. You want a champ that doesn’t know the rules and tries to get away with sly, dirty shit? I mean, to each his own, but this is all on him. He’s the reason we’re in this situation to begin with. We could’ve been gone on. I could’ve been still recovering, doing my own thing, not having clown emojis on my page because I’m healing from a surgery, and things would’ve been normal.”

Sterling also felt like it was necessary to apologize to the fans for the situation at the top of the 135lb division. However, he was not apologizing for anything that he has done, instead saying that he was sorry that Petr Yan made the mistakes that he did.

“I’m sorry that he didn’t abide by the rules. I’m sorry that he’s a fuckin’ moron.”

Aljamain Sterling is hopeful to get back to action in the first part of next year. He is expected to face the winner of the UFC 267 interim title fight between Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen.

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Khabib: A Lucky Punch Is The Only Way Hooker Beats Makhachev

Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t believe Dan Hooker offers much of a challenge to Islam Makhachev. Since retiring from fighting, Nurmagomedov keeps busy touring the world and speaking to audiences. These engagements allegedly garner “The Eagle” $300,00 per day if we’re to believe his manager, Ali Abdelaziz.  They also give the former lightweight champion a chance to […]

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Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t believe Dan Hooker offers much of a challenge to Islam Makhachev.

Since retiring from fighting, Nurmagomedov keeps busy touring the world and speaking to audiences. These engagements allegedly garner “The Eagle” $300,00 per day if we’re to believe his manager, Ali Abdelaziz. 

They also give the former lightweight champion a chance to speak and engage more intimately with fans and media. At a recent speaking event in the U.K., the talk turned to Makhachev’s upcoming bout with Hooker.  

“Islam vs. Dan Hooker is gonna be a very big challenge for Islam,” Nurmagomedov said during an interview in front of fans in Harrogate, U.K. “It’s gonna be a good challenge. He’s (Hooker) No. 6 in the rankings, but I think Hooker never fought someone like Islam. All his fights have been against striker. I don’t know what he’s going to do with Islam’s wrestling, pressure, dominance on the ground, how he’s gonna stop him. Only one thing he has is a lucky punch. Without this, 99 percent Islam mauls him.”

Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev, Image Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Oddsmakers currently have Makhachev as a huge favorite (-450) ahead of the short notice bout. The Sambo technician expected to take on Rafael dos Anjos later this month at UFC 267, but an injury took the Brazilian out of the bout. 

Hooker was last seen in action just over a week ago when he punched and kneed his way to a victory over Nasrat Haqparast. When the news broke that dos Anjos could not make UFC 267, Hooker stepped up. 

Nurmagomedov, on the other hand, it seems will not be returning to the Octagon. The Dagestani destroyer trucked Justin Gaethje to defend his belt for a final time about a year ago. After an emotional post-bout display in the cage, Nurmagomedov walked away because of the wishes of his mother.

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Sandhagen Believes He Has More Ways To Win At UFC 267 Than Yan

UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen believes he’ll possess more paths to victory than Petr Yan when they meet for the interim gold at UFC 267. Yan had been originally set to challenge current UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling for the undisputed title at this month’s non-pay-per-view numbered event. However, after not receiving medical clearance as a […]

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UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen believes he’ll possess more paths to victory than Petr Yan when they meet for the interim gold at UFC 267.

Yan had been originally set to challenge current UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling for the undisputed title at this month’s non-pay-per-view numbered event. However, after not receiving medical clearance as a result of lingering issues from the neck surgery he underwent earlier this year, “Funk Master” was forced to withdraw from his first title defense.

In Sterling’s place, Sandhagen has stepped up. With Yan’s presence on the card saved, he’ll now be fighting for an interim title instead of an undisputed one, something he’s not particularly pleased about.

The Russian’s new opponent was last in action in July. “The Sandman” headlined UFC Vegas 32 against the returning TJ Dillashaw, who hadn’t fought since a 2019 suspension following a positive EPO test. In what was an enthralling and competitive five-round main event, Sandhagen ultimately came up short, falling to a narrow split decision.

In a recent interview with The Schmo, the 29-year-old discussed how his interim title opportunity came about following his last appearance. He acknowledged that Dillashaw would have been first in line for the short-notice championship fight had he not been injured by a Sandhagen submission hold earlier this year.

“I got a heel hook against TJ that tore his ACL, and now he’s out and can’t fight. Now I’m the one that gets to fight.”

Discussing his upcoming opponent, Sandhagen suggested he has many more ways to find a victory come October 30 than former champion Yan.

“I think Yan’s really good, but I think that I have a lot of ways that I can finish and hurt Petr Yan, and I think that my abilities and the route to success for me, I have more ways than I think Yan has in beating me.”

Sandhagen’s diverse range of attacks and ability to end a fight any which way is certainly something we’ve seen across his UFC career to date. From his armbar submission against Mario Bautista to his spinning wheel kick against Marlon Moraes to his incredible flying knee against Frankie Edgar, “The Sandman” has it all in his arsenal.

Against Yan, he’ll certainly be up against arguably his toughest opponent to date. While many will likely favor the Russian heading into UFC 267, no one can ever count out a Randy Orton-esque Sandhagen KO out of nowhere.

Who do you think will be crowned Interim UFC Bantamweight Champion at UFC 267, Cory Sandhagen or Petr Yan?

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TJ Dillashaw Shares When He Will Retire From MMA

Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw reveals when he believes he will finally step away from combat sports. Dillashaw returned to the bantamweight division after a long layoff when he battled Cory Sandhagen in an explosive July main event. In the five-round war, Dillashaw found himself in trouble early. After spending too much time in […]

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Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw reveals when he believes he will finally step away from combat sports.

Dillashaw returned to the bantamweight division after a long layoff when he battled Cory Sandhagen in an explosive July main event. In the five-round war, Dillashaw found himself in trouble early. After spending too much time in a submission hold, the former 135-pound titleholder endured multiple tears in his knee. Luckily, his ACL was not torn during the scuffle.

Despite the early adversity, Dillashaw managed to secure some takedowns and earned the victory in one of the closest fights of the year. Following the contest, Dillashaw shared that he would be on the mend for the next three months.

In a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Dillashaw was asked if he would fight until he was 40-years-old. The California native shared when he might hang the gloves up and no longer compete in MMA. In addition, Dillashaw underlined that his financial security will keep him from overstaying his welcome in the fighting business.

“I don’t know. I mean, that’s what great. I don’t have to put a timeline on it, and I also don’t have to say that I have to fight till I’m 40 because I need the money. It’s all about how I feel, and what my career’s doing, and how I’m performing,” Dillashaw said.

“I guess my answer would be if I can’t say that I’m the best bantamweight in the world, the best whatever division I’m in, then I’ll retire. If I don’t have a true chance of becoming a champion, then what’s the point of chasing this? Especially when you don’t have to do it for the paycheck.”

With intentions of recapturing the bantamweight title, in the meantime, it’s safe to say the #2-ranked Dillashaw is not going anywhere. Dillashaw was unable to step in on short notice to face Petr Yan due to injury, so Cory Sandhagen will fight Yan instead. When the smoke clears after UFC 267, surely the former champion will be right on the precipice of challenging for gold once again.

Who do you think TJ Dillashaw should fight next?

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Sean O’Malley Says He’s Training To “Sleep” Petr Yan “In One”

UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley has suggested that he’d knock former champion Petr Yan out inside one round if they were to trade blows inside the cage. O’Malley’s comments came after it was announced that Sterling, the current UFC Bantamweight Champion, was forced to withdraw from his scheduled rematch with “No Mercy” on October 30. The […]

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UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley has suggested that he’d knock former champion Petr Yan out inside one round if they were to trade blows inside the cage.

O’Malley’s comments came after it was announced that Sterling, the current UFC Bantamweight Champion, was forced to withdraw from his scheduled rematch with “No Mercy” on October 30. The clash was set to be the co-main event for the promotion’s return to Abu Dhabi.

The pair first collided at UFC 259 in March. Yan was looking to defend his title for the first time, and through three rounds, he looked to be firmly on his way to doing so. However, an illegal knee signaled the end of the bout and the end of the Russian’s short title reign. After Yan’s disqualification, “Funk Master” became the first UFC champion to have been crowned via a DQ.

After Sterling underwent neck surgery shortly after removing Yan from the throne, their inevitable rematch was delayed. To the fill the time, the rivals continued to trade barbs over social media. With the champ’s withdrawal, that trend is likely to continue over the coming months.

After a short search for a new opponent, it’s been announced that Cory Sandhagen will replace Sterling at next month’s pay-per-view. “The Sandman” will fight Yan for the Interim UFC Bantamweight Championship.

As the UFC bantamweight title scene continues to develop and change, there’s one surging bantamweight who’s been keeping himself involved in the conversation with the top contenders online. Sean O’Malley, who is unranked, has been exchanging words with Yan for well over a year.

Having thrown his name in the hat to face the Russian next month before the announcement of Sandhagen’s interim title fight with him, O’Malley further commented on a possible clash with “No Mercy” in a recent episode of his TimboSugarShow podcast. “Sugar” suggested he’d knock the former champion out inside one round.

“I’m just saying that I’m training for it, me [Sean O’Malley] vs. Petr Yan is happening. Could you guys imagine though, unranked champ? Going from fucking rank number whatever to champ, cos’ I sleep the Russian in one…the biggest fight would be me vs. Petr.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

O’Malley added that he plans on giving everything he has early when he eventually meets Yan inside the Octagon. In his mind, he either knocks the Russian out fast, or he gets finished himself. Either way, he doesn’t believe the fight would last more than two rounds.

“I plan on fucking going in there and in 10 minutes, take him out, and if not, get taken out baby. Petr, you don’t want to fight the poodle?”

Yan did provide a short reply to O’Malley on Twitter. After “Sugar” tagged him in a post immediately after news of Sterling’s withdrawal, “No Mercy” responded with his trademark O’Malley insult, “What’s up poodle?”

Despite being outside of the divisional top-15, O’Malley is one of the bigger names at bantamweight. Since falling to his first loss at the hands of Marlon “Chito” Vera last year, the rising star has rebounded in style. A dominant performance against Thomas Almeida brought him back into the win column, before a record-breaking striking display against Kris Moutinho at UFC 264 netted him $50,000.

After turning down a fight with Frankie Edgar at UFC 268 because of New York’s high taxation and his head coach’s commitments elsewhere, O’Malley announced his intention to fight in December. Brian Kelleher seemingly confirmed a matchup with “Sugar” for later this year, but there’s yet to be any official confirmation.

How do you think Sean O’Malley would fare against Petr Yan?

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TJ Dillashaw: “From What I’ve Been Told, I’m Fighting For The Belt Next”

Former two-time bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw believes he is next in line to fight for the 135-pound belt. Following a hiatus due to a suspension for illegal substances, TJ Dillashaw returned in a wild fight against the #2-ranked Cory Sandhagen. When bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling was forced out of his scheduled rematch with Petr Yan, […]

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Former two-time bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw believes he is next in line to fight for the 135-pound belt.

Following a hiatus due to a suspension for illegal substances, TJ Dillashaw returned in a wild fight against the #2-ranked Cory Sandhagen. When bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling was forced out of his scheduled rematch with Petr Yan, Sandhagen stepped in. Due to some torn ligaments in Dillashaw’s knee from the Sandhagen fight, he was unable to make the Oct. 30 date at UFC 267.

Speaking on The MMA Hour, Dillashaw addressed questions about his next appearance in the cage. In addition, he was asked if he would accept a fight with the #5-ranked legend, Jose Aldo.

“From what I’ve been told, I’m fighting for the belt next, no matter what that belt is. TJ Dillashaw said. So that’s kinda where my mindset’s at right now. But shit, its Jose Aldo. Jose Aldo, to me, is an all-time legend. So it’s hard to think about not taking (that) fight if it’s offered to you. But I’m fighting for the belt next is what I’ve been told.”

With the interim 135-pound strap up for grabs on Oct 30, Dillashaw’s statement raises some questions. TJ Dillashaw presumes he is next to fight for the title, but Sterling sits on the sidelines as champion still. Since “Funkmaster” was never stripped of his title, in the vast majority of circumstances, the incumbent champion is typically next to unify the two belts.

Granted, TJ Dillashaw isn’t convinced that Aljamain Sterling will return after such a major neck surgery. Regardless of what title it is, Dillashaw believes he will vie for gold much sooner than we might have expected.

Who do you think should be next in line for gold after the Petr Yan vs. Cory Sandhagen fight?

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