Tag: UFC 296

Stephen Thompson plans to call out Leon Edwards after UFC 296 win: ‘I’m coming for him next’

Stephen Thompson eyes Leon Edwards title fight after UFC 296 I'm coming for himFormer two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson has claimed with a victory against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 later…

Stephen Thompson eyes Leon Edwards title fight after UFC 296 I'm coming for him

Former two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson has claimed with a victory against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296 later this month, he will stake his claim for a third championship challenge – with a particular eye set on the incumbent, Leon Edwards.

Thompson, the current number six ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since he took main event honors a year ago at UFC Orlando, landing an eventual fourth round corner stoppage TKO win over Riverside striker, Kevin Holland. 

Twice failing in his bid to land the undisputed welterweight crown, Thompson fought to a majority decision draw with Tyron Woodley in the co-main event of UFC 205. At UFC 209 in March 2017 the following year, Thompson dropped a split decision loss to the St. Louis native, and has yet to earn a title fight since.

Stephen Thompson eyes Leon Edwards fight after UFC 296

However, sharing his thoughts on his upcoming return against the unbeaten star, Rakhmonov, Thompson revealed with a win over the Uzbekistan native at UFC 286, he will call for a title fight – and believes Edwards will stand across from him subsequently.

“The guy that I’m going to he calling out is whoever is champ,” Stephen Thompson told Submission Radio. “And I believe it’s going to be Leon (Edwards). So, it’s not for the title. I’m not going out there and calling out, ‘I want the next title shot.’ I want whoever’s champ. And as of right now, before that fight, it’s going to be Leon. So, I’m going to be calling out Leon. I’m going to let everybody know. UFC, I’m coming for Leon.”

“‘Cause that’s a fight that I thought was going to happen before he even got the title shot,” Stephen Thompson explained. “There’s a few times where I called him out, and he wasn’t obviously biting cause he was on a streak. But that’s something that I thought was going to happen before he was champ, and it never did. And now that he’s champ, dude, I think that would be a banger. I mean, he’s only been fighting grapplers here pretty much. He’s been fighting grapplers.” 

Do you want to see Stephen Thompson fight Leon Edwards after UFC 296?

Stephen Thompson expects grappling spree from Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296: ‘I think eventually he’s gonna shoot’

Stephen Thompson expects Shavkat Rakhmonov to grapple at UFC 296 he's gonna shoot eventuallyFormer two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson reveals he expects incoming opponent, Shavkat Rakhmonov to eventually show off his…

Stephen Thompson expects Shavkat Rakhmonov to grapple at UFC 296 he's gonna shoot eventually

Former two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson reveals he expects incoming opponent, Shavkat Rakhmonov to eventually show off his grappling chops in their upcoming UFC 296 clash later this month, claiming he doesn’t believe the Uzbekistan native will solely strike with him.

Thompson, a former two-time undisputed welterweight title challenger and current number six ranked contender, has been sidelined since he featured in the main event of UFC Fight Night Orlando back in December of last year, landing a fourth round corner’s stoppage TKO win over Kevin Holland in the pair’s Fight of the Night showing.

Himself sidelined since March of this year, number five ranked welterweight contender, Rakhmonov managed to land his seventeenth consecutive professional win and finish, stopping common-foe, Geoff Neal at UFC 285 in a third round standing rear-naked choke submission win.

Stephen Thompson expects Shavkat Rakhmonov to wrestle at UFC 296

And taking on Rakhmonov in a potential title-eliminator at UFC 296 later this month, Thompson, a decorated kickboxer, claimed he doesn’t expect the bout to stay exclusively on the feet, claiming the former will likely attempt to utilize his grappling.

“Do I feel like Shavkat (Rakhmonov) is going to stand there bang with me? I don’t think so,” Stephen Thompson told Submission Radio. “I think eventually he’s going to shoot. He’s going to shoot in and try to get the fight to the gorund, obviously. But he’s still a type of guy to try to finish. And I would rather go out on my shield than just somebody hold me there. You know what I mean?”

“One of the worst feelings that I have, is after a fight, walking through the airport and not having a bump or a bruise or an ache to show the battle that I had the night before,” Stephen Thompson explained. “And when I fought those two fights, with Belal (Muhammad) and Gilbert (Burns), I was literally walking through to the airport [with nothing]. The best feeling is walking though the airport the next day, can barely move, man. People are looking at you like, what did this guy go through last night.” 

Who wins at UFC 296 later this month: Stephen Thompson or Shavkat Rakhmonov?

Colby Covington makes case for ‘Dream’ fight with Conor McGregor after UFC 296: ‘I’d love to lock horns with him’

Colby Covington eyes dream fight with Conor McGregor after UFC 296 I'd love to lock horns with himAhead of his return to the Octagon this month at UFC 296, former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington claims…

Colby Covington eyes dream fight with Conor McGregor after UFC 296 I'd love to lock horns with him

Ahead of his return to the Octagon this month at UFC 296, former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington claims he would love to pursue an eventual “dream” fight with ex-two-weight champion, Conor McGregor – whom he was full of praise for. 

Covington, the current number three ranked welterweight, has been sidelined since he took home a one-sided unanimous decision win over former training partner and close friend, Jorge Masvidal back in March of last year.

Returning to the Octagon later this month at UFC 296 in a healdining slot, Clovis native, Covington takes on incumbent welterweight champion and long-time rival, Leon Edwards in the pair’s anticipated championship showdown.

As for McGregor, the former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion has yet to return to the Octagon since he suffered a fractured left tibia and fibula in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Covington’s former teammate, Dustin Poirier back in July 2021.

Colby Covington eyes future Conor McGregor fight

And expected to make his comeback against former lightweight title challenger, Michael Chandler at some stage next year, McGregor has a potential fight with UFC 296 main event star, Covington awaiting him it would appear – with the latter labelling the painting as a “dream” showdown.

“[He’s] one of the biggest and best fighters to ever grace the Octagon,” Colby Covington said of Conor McGregor during an interview with UFC.com. “I mean, the biggest fighter, for sure, in terms of celebrity status. I think it’d be a great contest. What he’s been able to accomplish in this sport is unmatched and I’d love to lock horns with him.”

“He’s unpredictable,” Colby Covington continued. “You don’t know what you’re going to get when you get Conor in the Octagon. He knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds, no one thought he was going to do that. I’d love to step in there because I believe that is someone that would really bring the best in me and you’d see the best Colby Covington in that fight.”

Would you like to see Colby Covington fight Conor McGregor in the future?

Colby Covington chomps for fight with arch rival Dustin Poirier after UFC 296: ‘He got me kicked out of my old gym’

Colby Covington eyes grudge match with Dustin Poirier after UFC 296 he's the reason I got kicked out of my old gymFormer interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington remains keen on settling his long-standing rivalry with former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin…

Colby Covington eyes grudge match with Dustin Poirier after UFC 296 he's the reason I got kicked out of my old gym

Former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington remains keen on settling his long-standing rivalry with former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier after the conclusion of his UFC 296 return next month – claiming the Lafayette native got him removed from American Top Team. 

Covington, the current number three ranked welterweight contender and former interim division champion, headlined a March pay-per-view card against former training partner and close friend, Jorge Masvidal last year in a massive grudge match between the duo, shutting out the Floridian with a one-sided decision win.

Colby Covington echoes calls for Dustin Poirier fight

As for Poirier, the Louisanan headlined UFC 291 back in July most recently in a symbolic BMF championship fight rematch wih Justin Gaethje, dropping a hellacious second round high-kick KO loss to his fellow former interim gold holder. 

Eyeing a long-awaited grudge match against Poirier in the immediate aftermath of his win over the aforenoted, Masvidal last year, Covington has instead been booked against incumbent welterweight kingpin, Leon Edwards at UFC 296 next month, however, still eyes a showdown with his former training partner.

“A guy by the name of Dustin Soreier (sic),” Colby Covington told UFC.com. “He’s the one that got me kicked out of my old gym by crying and having feelings, saying, ‘Oh, Colby is a mean person. Kick him out of our gym.’ while we get locked in an Octagon to hurt each other in our underwear on Saturday nights.”

“I would love to square up with Dustin Soreier, but he’s afraid of me and he’s afraid of my shadow,” Colby Covington continued. “I’ll never get to fight him because he’s just afraid.

Staking his claim for a return to the Octagon in the opening quarter of next year, Poirier has announced plans to feature at UFC 300 in April, having received multiple callouts from the likes of former lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos, and former title chaser, Gilbert Burns. 

Who wins in a future grudge match: Colby Covington or Dustin Poirier?

Colby Covington eyes dream title fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 296 return: ‘It’s the Rocky IV theme’

Colby Covington eyes title fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 296 it's the Rocky IV themeAhead of his Octagon return at UFC 296 next month, incoming welterweight title challenger, Colby Covington has noted his…

Colby Covington eyes title fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 296 it's the Rocky IV theme

Ahead of his Octagon return at UFC 296 next month, incoming welterweight title challenger, Colby Covington has noted his interest in a title fight showdown with current lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev in the future – describing the superfight as his most sought-after pairing. 

Covington, the current number three ranked welterweight contender and former inteirm division champion, is slated to headline UFC 296 next month in the final pay-per-view event of the year, taking on undisputed champion and long-time rival, Leon Edwards in Las Vegas.

As for Makhachev, the Russian force and current pound-for-pound number one fighter, headlined UFC 294 back in October against featherweight gold holder, Alexander Volkanovski, turning in a spectacular first round high-kick knockout win over the New South Wales native.

Colby Covington eyes Islam Makhachev superfight

And ahead of his comeback fight, Covington, who has been earmarked as a potential future foe by Makhachev who himself is weighing up a welterweight division leap, would be welcomed by the Clovis native, who described the pound-for-pound ace as his dream fight.

“Number one for sure, is Islam Makhachev,” Colby Covington told UFC.com. “That’s the money fight. That needs to be settled. USA vs. Russia. It’s the Rocky IV theme line. Rocky vs. Drago. Everybody is talking like he’s pound-for-pound this, he’s pound-for-pound that. Against me, he’ll see a real fighter.”

“He needs to stop being a weight bully, cutting all that weight to get the size advantage over people, and he needs to come see America’s champ,” Colby Covington explained. “He needs to come see Donald Trump’s favorite fighter. I’ll see you soon, Islam.” 

In his most recent outing, MMA Masters trainee, Covington landed a dominant unanimous decision win over arch-rival and former training partner, Jorge Masvidal back in March of last year in a long-awaited grudge match between the two. 

Who wins in a future fight: Colby Covington or Islam Makhachev?

David Goggins Snaps Back at ‘Stupid Comments’ From UFC Fans in Defense of Tony Ferguson Vomit Video

David GogginsEx-U.S. Navy Seal and ultramarathon runner David Goggins is snapping back at UFC fans. Earlier this week, Goggins and…

David Goggins

Ex-U.S. Navy Seal and ultramarathon runner David Goggins is snapping back at UFC fans.

Earlier this week, Goggins and former UFC interim titleholder Tony Ferguson released a video showing the pair working together ahead of Ferguson’s return to the Octagon on December 16. El Cucuy‘ is currently sitting on a six-fight losing streak. Determined to turn things around, the UFC fan favorite called in Goggins, an elite athlete and motivational speaker who has put the UFC star through a “hell week” in hopes of guiding him back into the win column next month.

However, many fight fans were quick to criticize Goggins’ extreme training methods which can be seen in the video clip below:

Delivering an explicit-filled response on social media, Goggins insisted that critical commenters were simply uneducated and afraid of the hard work being put on display.

“Rather than trying to find flaw in the methodology, try finding inspiration in watching someone searching their soul for every last bit of themselves!” Goggins wrote on Instagram. “I have been a high-level endurance athlete for almost 20 years and trained some of the best athletes around and what we are doing right now is not for the faint of heart.

“When you train a person like Tony, you have to find their limit and once you find it, that is when you have to push them way beyond it. The challenge with Tony is that his limit is way the fuck out there because of his ability to handle so much pain. What you are seeing in this video is a man that has been through 4 days of a no-shit hell week. This isn’t like a football two-a-days or some wrestling camp bullshit.“

Goggins Insists Hard Work ‘Is Never Pretty’

“I see the comments that Tony should be sparring or be on the bag rather than doing this kind of cardio,” Goggins continued. “I can tell that the vast majority of you have no idea what the fuck you are talking about. To have the guts- and I mean guts- to allow a motherfucker like me to train him shows exactly his commitment to come back and win again.

“Many of you have no idea what it does to a human being’s mind when their body keeps saying to stop but their mind will not allow them to!!!! There is a lesson to be learned here. He’s comfortable with you all seeing what he is going through because this is the exact kind of dedication it takes to reach greatness. Hard work is never pretty!

“This is why it is so foreign to some of you,” Goggins said. “Watching a person work this hard and striving for greatness scares a lot of you. It’s okay. It used to scare me too. I used to be one of those guys making stupid comments about the ones who wanted it like there was no tomorrow. Stay hard!”

‘El Cucuy’ is scheduled to face streaking standout Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett at UFC 296.

If Ferguson fails to get back into the win column against the Liverpudlian, he is expected to hang up his four-ounce gloves for good, bringing an end to his 15-year career in mixed martial arts.