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Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov Dominates Luke Rockhold In Grappling Session Ahead Of UFC 278 Return

Despite retiring from professional mixed martial arts almost two years ago, former UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov still clearly remains fresh when it comes to offensive grappling – managing to restrict former middleweight kingpin, Luke Rockhold in some new training footage ahead of his UFC 278 return in August. Khabib Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight […]

Khabib Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the UFC banner, retired from the sport back in October 2020, submitting former interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje with a second round triangle to successfully unify the crowns.

For Rockhold, the former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion is slated to make his first Octagon walk since the summer of 2019 in a rescheduled UFC 278 clash against one-time division title challenger, Paulo Costa on August 20. in Salt Lake City.

The veteran Santa Cruz native was initially slated to meet with the Belo Horizonte striker at UFC 277 on July 30. in Dallas, Texas, however, the pairing has now been moved a month later due to currently undisclosed reasons.

Rockhold was initially slated to feature at UFC 268 back in November at Madison Square Garden against Sean Strickland, however, a back injury forced the shelving of the matchup. Rockhold has yet to feature since a knockout defeat to former light heavyweight gold holder, Jan Blachowicz in 2019.

Khabib Nurmagomedov jokes about the grappling ability of Luke Rockhold

A decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappler, Rockhold, who holds an impressive eight career submission victories, found himself on the receiving end of a grappling masterclass by the dominant Khabib at their native American Kickboxing Academy base in San Jose, California – with Khabib poking fun at the former’s grappling ability, compared to his Sambo expertise.

“If Sambo was easy… itd be called Luke Rockhold,” Khabib Nurmagomedov said jokingly. “It’s okay. Ask Luke (Rockhold) what happened today. I just miss you, I hug you brother.” (Transcribed by Bloody Elbow)

In his most recent professional victory, Rockhold managed to land a second round submission to strikes win over former two-weight WSOF champion, David Branch in February 2017 in the main event of UFC Fight Night Pittsburg.

In his time away from the sport, Khabib has been continually linked with a return to active competition, particularly in the form of a potential future fight against fellow former undisputed lightweight kingpin, Charles Oliveira.

Paddy Pimblett Offers to Help Paulo Costa With Weight Cut; ‘Get Over to Liverpool Big Man’

Paddy Pimblett has gotten a lot of attention for his ability to both gain and drop a significant amount of weight in a short period of time. Taking notice, former UFC middleweight title contender Paulo Costa is asking for help after dealing with his own difficulties cutting weight. The UFC announced that Paddy Pimblett would […]

The UFC announced that Paddy Pimblett would be returning to London on July 23rd to face Jordan Leavitt. Pimblett will be making his third appearance in the Octagon. After back-to-back first-round finishes, Pimblett has already become a big name for the promotion. However, his antics outside of the cage have received just as much attention as his work inside it.

Following his win over Rodrigo Vargas in March, Pimblett documented an insane food-eating binge that saw him skyrocket to 202 pounds, 47 pounds heavier than his weight going into the UFC London contest with Vargas. While Pimblett has received some criticism for the strain he puts on his body, one fighter is looking to Pimblett for some advice.

In response to Pimblett’s July booking announcement, Paulo Costa tweeted asking ‘The Baddy’ to teach him the ways of the weight cut.

“Bro July 23? help me to make weight like that,” said Costa.

Pimblett responded, inviting Costa to come and visit him in Liverpool.

“Get over to Liverpool big man, we get you down to 185 in no time chesty,” Pimblett responded on Twitter.

Paddy Pimblett Willing to Help Costa After He Received Significant Criticism From Fighters and Fans in October

Costa made headlines back in October when he showed up for his middleweight contest with Marvin Vettori noticeably overweight. Three days prior to the scheduled contest, Costa said he weighed 211 pounds, 25 pounds over the middleweight cutoff of 186 pounds for non-title fights. Having no intention of making the cut, the bout was rebooked as a catchweight at 195 pounds before being once again changed to a light heavyweight contest. Costa was criticized heavily by fellow fighters.

With a fight booked against a returning Luke Rockhold in August, Costa will be looking to properly make weight this time and appears to have the Liverpudlian’s support.

Dominick Cruz Targets August UFC Return, Eyes Summer Fight With Petr Yan

Former two-time UFC bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz has insisted he is ready to return to the sport right now, however, has failed to agree a date for a comeback with the organization – detailing how a fight against former champions, Petr Yan, or Jose Aldo – among others, interest him, potentially in August. A two-time […]

A two-time undisputed bantamweight champion, landed his second consecutive victory at UFC 269 back in December, rallying from a difficult opening round against Pedro Munhoz to defeat the Brazilian with a vintage unanimous decision win in the featured preliminary card matchup.

The win followed a prior March split decision win for Cruz against Casey Kenney – returning the San Diego native back to the winner’s enclosure following a pair of losses against former division champions, Henry Cejudo, and Cody Garbrandt.

Dominick Cruz welcomes an August return to the UFC

Speaking on his fighting future, Cruz maintains that a summer return – ideally in August would suit him most, as would a fight against the likes of former titleholders, Yan or Aldo.

“July, August, September,” Dominick Cruz said of a return date during an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. “August 20. (UFC 278) and the one after that, would probably make most sense, it would give me more time. Thee rounds, I could it in July, but, you know. For five, I need eight weeks.”

“I would love to fight a (Petr) Yan,” Dominick Cruz explained. “Like, Yan was a former champion, he’s nasty, he’s one of the best. Like I said, (Jose) Aldo, (Merab) Dvalishvili – just somebody above me, man. It’s not like I’m asking for some kinda weird thing, I’m just asking just to keep moving up and fighting the best guys in the division. (T.J.) Dillashaw, Aljo (Aljamain Sterling) – give me him. …”

In his most recent title reign, Cruz returned from a series of catastrophic knee injuries to defeat the aforenoted, fellow former two-time titleholder, Dillashaw with a close, unanimous decision win in January 2016, before defeating Urijah Faber with a unanimous decision win in June of that year.

Kamaru Usman’s Thrilling Reign Could Come to an End by Leon Edwards, Says Gilbert Burns

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has looked absolutely unstoppable since joining the UFC in 2015. Usman (20-1-0) defeated Tyron Woodley for the welterweight crown at UFC 235. Since then, he has defended his championship five times including multiple defenses against Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington. The odd man out on that list is Gilbert Burns, […]

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has looked absolutely unstoppable since joining the UFC in 2015.

Usman (20-1-0) defeated Tyron Woodley for the welterweight crown at UFC 235. Since then, he has defended his championship five times including multiple defenses against Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington. The odd man out on that list is Gilbert Burns, who lost in his title bid at UFC 258.

Having both competed against and trained with the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’, Burns believes the next man in line has the tools and the talent to end Usman’s reign.

“I’m telling you right now, Leon Edwards is very underrated,” Burns told Brendan Schaub on ‘Food Truck Diaries.’ “That guy is very good. Just think about it: a striker, long and a southpaw. That’s already tough, and that guy has a great team.”

Burns continued, “I know Kamaru pretty well, but that fight is gonna be close. That fight is gonna be close, and I think if you got these three guys, me in my opinion, Colby, Khamzat, and Leon, Leon has the best chance to beat Usman.”

Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards Are Rumored to Face Each Other at UFC 278 in August

Edwards (19-3-0) has won his last nine bouts dating back to 2016. In fact, his last recorded loss came against Usman the year before his active streak began. Edwards lost that bout via unanimous decision and has been working his way to a title opportunity ever since. That opportunity is now on the horizon.

“I think because he’s a striker, and he can grapple, and he can wrestle,” Burns said. “Very long. These other guys are wrestlers. They can strike, don’t get me wrong. Both guys (Covington, Chimaev) can strike, but they are wrestlers. That guy (Edwards) is a striker.

“I think out of these three guys, Leon has more chance to beat Kamaru, and I think that fight is gonna be close. Kamaru is very smart. He’s been there a couple of times. I think he’s gonna take the fight very serious, but if he doesn’t, it’s a mistake. It’s a rematch, now fighting for the title. That guy’s been waiting for the opportunity.”

Per a report from Ariel Helwani, the UFC is targeting Usman vs. Edwards 2 for UFC 278 in August. However, Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed to Brett Okamoto that there is no current timeline for the champion’s return as he continues to recover from hand surgery.

Spoke to Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) about Kamaru Usman’s hand. He said as of now Kamaru has not been medically cleared and there is no timeframe on his return. Kamaru only started slowly testing the hand this month.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 17, 2022

Are you excited to see the long-awaited rematch between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards?