Tag: UFC 296

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals ‘Very serious injury’ suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals 'Very serious injury' suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296Shavkat Rakhmonov entered the cage at UFC 296 with a pre-existing injury, and it almost caused him to pull…

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals 'Very serious injury' suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296

Shavkat Rakhmonov entered the cage at UFC 296 with a pre-existing injury, and it almost caused him to pull out of the fight with Stephen Thompson entirely.

The now 18-0 Rakhmonov continued his reign of domination this Saturday at UFC 296, but according to the young superstar: he almost pulled out of the fight. At the UFC 296 post-fight press conference, Rakhmonov himself via translator admitted to coming into the fight with a serious injury. He explained that he had injured his ankle, and it was a “very serious” injury that was bad enough to have him seriously considering withdrawing from the fight.

Instead of taking the safe route, and withdrawing: Shavkat Rakhmonov told the world how he wanted to roll the dice, and “take a gamble”.

Shavkat Rakhmonov gambles his streak, becoming the first to ever submit Stephen Thompson

“I had a very serious injury and I was even close to pulling out from the fight, but I decided to risk it all,” Shavkat Rakhmonov said via a translator on the UFC post-fight show, “And that’s why I didn’t kick it with my legs, just used my knees. But thank God, I got the victory.” (H/T MMA Fighting)

Now 18-0, and the first man to ever submit Stephen Thompson in his 13-year-long career: the sky is the limit for the ‘Nomad’. Doubtlessly looking to continue his climb, a top-ranked opponent is seemingly all that makes sense for the young superstar.

“Hopefully next time, with God’s willing, I’m going to be 100 percent. But it doesn’t matter,” Shavkat Rakhmonov said. “Whatever injury (I have), you know I’m going to fight to my last blood, until the last sip of blood, because I have to get a win.”

“Hopefully next time, with God’s willing, I’m going to be 100 percent. But it doesn’t matter,” Rakhmonov said. “Whatever injury [I have], you know I’m going to fight to my last blood, until the last sip of blood, because I have to get a win.”

What did you think of Shavkat Rakhmonov’s performance over Stephen Thompson at UFC 296?

Featured Image Credits to Embed from Getty Images

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals ‘Very serious injury’ suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals 'Very serious injury' suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296Shavkat Rakhmonov entered the cage at UFC 296 with a pre-existing injury, and it almost caused him to pull…

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals 'Very serious injury' suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296

Shavkat Rakhmonov entered the cage at UFC 296 with a pre-existing injury, and it almost caused him to pull out of the fight with Stephen Thompson entirely.

The now 18-0 Rakhmonov continued his reign of domination this Saturday at UFC 296, but according to the young superstar: he almost pulled out of the fight. At the UFC 296 post-fight press conference, Rakhmonov himself via translator admitted to coming into the fight with a serious injury. He explained that he had injured his ankle, and it was a “very serious” injury that was bad enough to have him seriously considering withdrawing from the fight.

Instead of taking the safe route, and withdrawing: Shavkat Rakhmonov told the world how he wanted to roll the dice, and “take a gamble”.

Shavkat Rakhmonov gambles his streak, becoming the first to ever submit Stephen Thompson

“I had a very serious injury and I was even close to pulling out from the fight, but I decided to risk it all,” Shavkat Rakhmonov said via a translator on the UFC post-fight show, “And that’s why I didn’t kick it with my legs, just used my knees. But thank God, I got the victory.” (H/T MMA Fighting)

Now 18-0, and the first man to ever submit Stephen Thompson in his 13-year-long career: the sky is the limit for the ‘Nomad’. Doubtlessly looking to continue his climb, a top-ranked opponent is seemingly all that makes sense for the young superstar.

“Hopefully next time, with God’s willing, I’m going to be 100 percent. But it doesn’t matter,” Shavkat Rakhmonov said. “Whatever injury (I have), you know I’m going to fight to my last blood, until the last sip of blood, because I have to get a win.”

“Hopefully next time, with God’s willing, I’m going to be 100 percent. But it doesn’t matter,” Rakhmonov said. “Whatever injury [I have], you know I’m going to fight to my last blood, until the last sip of blood, because I have to get a win.”

What did you think of Shavkat Rakhmonov’s performance over Stephen Thompson at UFC 296?

Featured Image Credits to Embed from Getty Images

Where’s Melania? Former U.S. President Donald Trump Oggles Octagon Girl while sitting cageside for UFC 296

Donald TrumpFormer U.S. President Donald Trump was caught catching an eyeful while sitting cageside for the UFC’s final pay-per-view event…

Donald Trump

Former U.S. President Donald Trump was caught catching an eyeful while sitting cageside for the UFC’s final pay-per-view event of the year.

Showing up just in time for the main card like a true casual, Trump made his way into the arena accompanied by UFC CEO Dana White, Bud Light lover-turned-hater-turned-secret-lover Kid Rock, and Zack Morris’ bitter rival/best friend, Mario Lopez.

Donald Trump was undoubtedly in attendance to offer support to his most loyal fan, Colby Covington, who was headlining the event in a third bid to become UFC welterweight world champion, but the scraps inside the cage weren’t the only thing that caught ol’ 45’s eye on Saturday night in Sin City.

With Melania nowhere in sight, Trump decided to get himself an eyeful of one of the Octagon girls while she was making her rounds between rounds.

Colby Covington Takes a Page out of Donald Trump’s Playbook

Despite a strong showing of support from the live crowd, Covington ultimately came up short in the evening’s main event, dropping a decisive unanimous decision to reigning titleholder Leon Edwards after five rounds. Taking a page out of Trump’s playbook, ‘Chaos’ immediately cried foul, claiming the victory was stolen from him by biased judging rather than his inability to accomplish anything of value throughout the 25-minute affair.

“You can delay us but you can’t deny us,” Covington said during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. “He’s going to make America great again. We need these borders secure, we need inflation down and we need America first again. Donald Trump is the only one that’s going to do that again — Trump 2024!”

Covington has now lost three of his last five fights dating back to 2019. ‘Chaos’ made it clear that he’s far from done inside the Octagon, but it’s safe to assume that if he hopes to ever sniff out another title opportunity, he’ll actually have to win a few fights instead of writing checks with his mouth that his ass can’t cash.

Arianny Celeste Joins Brittney Palmer in Retirement Following UFC 296: ‘They’ve both done their last walk’

Brittney Palmer Arianny CelesteLongtime UFC ring girl Brittney Palmer will have some company as she goes off into retirement following the promotion’s…

Brittney Palmer Arianny Celeste

Longtime UFC ring girl Brittney Palmer will have some company as she goes off into retirement following the promotion’s final pay-per-view of 2023.

Earlier this week, Palmer announced that she would be retiring after 16 years of carrying the cards for both the WEC and the UFC. She officially laid down her shorts at the World MMA Awards while accepting Octagon Girl of the Year honors at the event.

“Thank you everyone,” Palmer said. “I truly am honored to accept this award. Thank you to the UFC. Fighter’s Only, and all the fans who voted for me. Well, there’s no better time to say it. But after 16 years with UFC, I’ve decided to retire. This weekend will be my last event, and I’m so, absolutely grateful for this unforgettable experience.”

“I’ve traveled the world and met some incredible people, and I’ve met some lifelong friends. I will forever appreciate the memories and I’m so excited for the future. Thank you to the UFC, Dana White, and to all the fans for this incredible honor. I’m truly blessed to be a part of this journey. I love you guys” (h/t Brobible).

Dana White Confirms Arianny Celeste Will Retire Alongside Brittney Palmer

As it turns out, UFC 296 served as the swan song for another fan-favorite Octagon girl, Arianny Celeste, who has been with the promotion since 2006. During his appearance at the post-fight press event, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that Celeste had also retired alongside Palmer bringing an end to an era.

“Her (Palmer) and Arianny both, they’ve both done their last walk, I guess you would call it,” White said. “We loved having them here and yeah it’s all good.”

During her time as the promotion’s premiere Octagon girl, Arianny Celeste modeled for a variety of magazines, including Maxim, FHM, Playboy, Sports Illustrated, and Fighter’s Only Magazine.

Celeste posed nude for the November 2010 issue of Playboy, which was one of the top-selling issues that year.

Dustin Poirier again calls for return fight with rival Nate Diaz after UFC 296 card: ‘Nathaniel?’

Dustin Poirier calls for return fight against Nate Diaz after UFC 296 Nathaniel?Yet to book a return to the Octagon following his stunning high-kick KO loss back in July, former interim…

Dustin Poirier calls for return fight against Nate Diaz after UFC 296 Nathaniel?

Yet to book a return to the Octagon following his stunning high-kick KO loss back in July, former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has again stoked the flames on a potential fight with promotional alum, Nate Diaz, calling for the Stockton veteran after the action at UFC 296 last night.

Poirier, the current number three ranked lightweight contender, has been sidelined since he took main event honors at UFC 291 earlier this summer in Salt Lake City, dropping a hellacious second round high-kick knockout loss to Justin Gaethje in the pair’s symbolic BMF championship fight.

As for Diaz, the former lightweight title challenger departed the Dana White-led promotion back in November of last year, after completing his contractual obligations following a stunning fourth round guillotine choke win over former interim gold holder, Tony Ferguson in a short-notice headliner in September of that year.

Making a move to professional boxing back in August of this year in Texas, The Ultimate Fighter victor, Diaz dropped a one-sided unanimous decision loss to professional puncher, Jake Paul, finding himself on the canvas late in the bout to boot.

And yet to make a solid decision on his immediate fighting future amid continued links to a move back to the Octagon, as well as a continued run in professional boxing, Diaz has been heavily linked with a trilogy rubber match bout with former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor before the end of their careers.

Dustin Poirier eyes fight with Nate Diaz next

Another potential return opponent for Diaz if he makes a UFC comeback comes in the form of Lafayette contender, Poirier, who has continually called for a rebooked fight with the former – as recently as last night to boot. 

Targeted to fight at a UFC 230 back in November 2018 at Madison Square Garden, a bout at the lightweight limit between Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier was ultimately scrapped and shelved by the promotion, with both sides placing blame on each other for the failed showdown. 

Would you like to see Dustin Poirier fight Nate Diaz in the future?

Dana White Was far from impressed with Colby Covington’s UFC 296 Performance: ‘He looked slow and old tonight’

Colby CovingtonDana White was not enthused by Colby Covington’s lackluster performance against Leon Edwards. After coming up short in two…

Colby Covington

Dana White was not enthused by Colby Covington’s lackluster performance against Leon Edwards.

After coming up short in two championship opportunities against former titleholder Kamaru Usman, Covington was gifted a third shot at gold at UFC 296. Once again, he was unable to capitalize, dropping a decisive unanimous decision against reigning champ Leon Edwards.

Following the promotion’s final event of 2023, Dana White shared his take on Covington’s performance at the post-fight press event. Initially, the UFC CEO seemed to suggest that the pressure had gotten to Covington, but he then quickly turned his criticisms toward the perennial contender’s performance which was lacking, to say the least.

“I think pressure gets to everybody,” White said. “I’m sure Leon had a ton of pressure. I mean, he was just talking about what [Covington] said about his father and the last thing you want to do is go out and lose to that guy. All these guys deal with pressure, but Colby’s been in big fights before. This isn’t Colby’s first rodeo. He’s been in big fights and Colby just looked slow and old tonight. My opinion. I think everybody felt the same way. He got outwrestled.”

After 25 minutes, Leon Edwards retained the 170-pound crown via 49-46 on all three judge’s scorecards.

“He looked really slow,” White added. “He had a hard time handling the speed. Could never really get off because of the speed, and even got outwrestled.”

Colby Covington’s Dirty Pre-Fight Antics Proved to be Financially Beneficial

However, Colby Covington’s contribution to the evening wasn’t a complete disappointment. Asked for his thoughts on the controversial comment made by Covington in regards to Leon Edwards’ father, Dana White revealed that the PPV buyrate jumped up 25% globally during the roughly 20-minute press event where Covington delivered the vile gibe.

“After that press conference, or during… In the middle or whatever, the pay-per-view shot up 25%,” White revealed. “Our analytical team wasn’t basing it off YouTube views. They were basing it off actual pre-buys while the press conference was going on and ended. 25%. Globally too. Not just on ESPN which is absolutely fascinating.”

With star power like that, it’s unlikely that we have seen the last of Colby Covington. Just don’t expect him to be sniffing around any world title opportunities for the foreseeable future.