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MMA News Today: UFC Lightweights Makhachev, Poirier, Chandler, McGregor Involved In Social Media Throwdown, UFC Commentator Feels Michael ‘Venom’ Page Displayed ‘Lack Of Depth’ In Loss To Ian Garry, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 2, 2024, we’re taking a look at: Top UFC Lightweights Makhachev, Poirier, Chandler & McGregor Engage In Social Media Crossfire Some of the top names in the UFC’s lightweight division have been exchanging blows on […]

Continue Reading MMA News Today: UFC Lightweights Makhachev, Poirier, Chandler, McGregor Involved In Social Media Throwdown, UFC Commentator Feels Michael ‘Venom’ Page Displayed ‘Lack Of Depth’ In Loss To Ian Garry, & More at MMA News.

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 2, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

Makhachev, Poirier, Chandler & McGregor all trade shots
Sanko says “MVP” needs the right dance partner
Cejudo still has Pereira grappling concerns

Top UFC Lightweights Makhachev, Poirier, Chandler & McGregor Engage In Social Media Crossfire

Some of the top names in the UFC’s lightweight division have been exchanging blows on social media with Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler all letting their feelings about one another be known.

The conversation was sparked by a post from Poirier where he said if Arman Tsarukyan is unable to fight for the lightweight title, he would be happy to jump back in with Makhachev following their fight at UFC 302.

If arman can't fight let's go again @MAKHACHEVMMA https://t.co/RibEH9MFXr

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) July 1, 2024

“The Diamond” had also been firing back at Conor McGregor in response to the recent social media posts that were made by “The Notorious” in reference to their previous encounters.

Hey @TheNotoriousMMA it felt so nice, I did it twice ya bumskie

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) July 1, 2024

Makhachev replied to Poirier’s message, as did fellow top lightweight Chandler who then also went back-and-forth with the lightweight champion due to their history inside the Octagon.

The full series of crossfire posts shows that there is no love lost between any of the four lightweights.

No thanks https://t.co/FBrjmGmTV3

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) July 1, 2024

“No thanks” – retire man…we good.

— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 2, 2024

Choked your ass out, and you haven't fought since https://t.co/WLV5W3mvJB

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) July 2, 2024

You are unreliable dude, one tweet from your master, and you’ll run away.
Champ needs real opponent. https://t.co/WcmHLvcsjI

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) July 2, 2024

Laura Sanko Says Michael ‘Venom’ Page Needs The Right Match-Up After UFC 303 Defeat

Michael “Venom” Page was defeated by Ian Garry at UFC 303 after the Irishman used his grappling to secure the victory.

Whilst Page had some strong moments on the feet, he was taken down and out-grappled by one of the welterweight contenders who isn’t known for this particular skill set.

UFC commentator Laura Sanko spoke in an interview with Submission Radio about how this fight showed some of the flaws in Page’s game.

She said that whilst there are still plenty of options for “MVP” in the UFC, it needs to be against the right opponent after what we saw this past weekend.

“Yeah, he definitely showed a little bit of lack of depth in terms of the details of the ground game and I think anybody that really appreciates the fine art of jiu-jitsu is going to spot those.

“There are still plenty of really interesting, fun fights for MVP on the UFC roster. The truth of the matter is he needs the right stylistic match-up.”

Henry Cejudo Says The Jury Is Still Out On Alex Pereira And His Grappling

Former UFC champ-champ Henry Cejudo isn’t ready to start calling Alex Pereira the best in the world right now due to one concern.

“Triple C” spoke on his Pound 4 Pound podcast about how “Poatan” is still yet to face an elite grappler that will be able to take him out of his comfort zone.

Despite being able to deal with other strikers in emphatic fashion, as he did in the main event of UFC 303, a huge test awaits him in Magomed Ankalaev.

Cejudo also referred to the fact that Pereira is yet to mention a potential super fight with the heavyweight champion Jon Jones because of the wrestling pedigree that “Bones” brings to the table.

“Either way, Alex Pereira, he’s not mentioning Jon Jones because I think he knows that Jon Jones has that special sauce, and it’s called wrestling. But that being said, I want to see the fight with Ankalaev.”

Read more on the story here.

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Magomed Ankalaev issues cold warning to Alex Pereira after UFC 303: ‘I’ll send him back to Brazil beltless’

Surging light heavyweight contender, Magomed Ankalaev has once more issued a stark warning to current division champion, Alex Pereira…

Surging light heavyweight contender, Magomed Ankalaev has once more issued a stark warning to current division champion, Alex Pereira – claiming he will send the knockout artist back to his native Brazil without his title in tow as he vows to knock him out in a future clash.

Ankalaev, who most recently headlined UFC Vegas 84 earlier this year, knocked back Alex Pereira’s compatriot, Johnny Walker to remain the number two ranked contender, landing a second round knockout in the pair’s immediate rematch.

And as for former undisputed middleweight kingpin, Pereira, the current light heavyweight kingpin remained the pacesetter at 205lbs over the weekend at UFC 303, laying waste to former champion, Jiri Prochazka with a devastating second round high-kick knockout win in Las Vegas.

Welcoming all comers in the immediate aftermath of his win against Czech Republic native, Prochazka, Pereira – who stressed his intentions to make a long-rumored move to the heavyweight limit, was called out by Russian force, Ankalaev.

Magomed Ankalaev offers to strike exclusively with Alex Pereira

Now not only vowing to knock out Pereira if they share the Octagon in the near future, Ankalaev offered to avoid wrestling in their showdown for the opening 15 minutes of the bout, before sending him back to his native Sao Paulo titleless.

“@AlexPereiraUFC I respect you but the reality is you’re still the champion because you haven’t fought me yet,” Magomed Ankalaev posted on his official X account. “You fought a fake ninja and a street fighter both with no chins. If Izzy can KO you then i will cause 3x damage. I will do it with no wrestling with you.”

“Good for him, I will soon send him back to Brazil belt less,” Magomed Ankalaev posted.”

Good for him. I will soon send him back to Brazil belt less. https://t.co/pYL9LtuxYM

— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) July 2, 2024

“@AlexPereiraUFC I will make a deal,” Magomed Ankalaev explained. “First 15 minutes no takedowns. @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite”

Who wins in a future title fight: Alex Pereira or Magomed Ankalaev?

Magomed Ankalaev issues cold warning to Alex Pereira after UFC 303: ‘I’ll send him back to Brazil beltless’

Surging light heavyweight contender, Magomed Ankalaev has once more issued a stark warning to current division champion, Alex Pereira…

Magomed Ankalaev offers to strike exclusively with Alex Pereira

“Good for him, I will soon send him back to Brazil belt less,” Magomed Ankalaev posted.”

Good for him. I will soon send him back to Brazil belt less. https://t.co/pYL9LtuxYM

— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) July 2, 2024

“@AlexPereiraUFC I will make a deal,” Magomed Ankalaev explained. “First 15 minutes no takedowns. @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite”

Who wins in a future title fight: Alex Pereira or Magomed Ankalaev?

Alex Pereira offers to fight at UFC 305 in stunning August return after huge win at UFC 303: ‘This guy is crazy’

Off the back of his blistering knockout win over former champion, Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 over the course…

Off the back of his blistering knockout win over former champion, Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 over the course of last weekend, undisputed light heavyweight kingpin, Alex Pereira has already staked his claim for a fight in just two months time at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia.

Pereira, the current undisputed light heavyweight champion and a former undisputed middleweight gold holder, turned in a second career victory over the above-mentioned, Prochazka last weekend – felling the Czech Republic finisher with an hellacious second round high-kick knockout.

Alex Pereira already planning return at UFC 305 in Australia

And already returning to sparring in Danbury, Connecticut just two days after his stunning victory at UFC 303 – Pereira, who received a special $303,000 post-fight bonus for his win at UFC 303, is already planning a return in just two months time, according to his head coach.

“Alex Pereira is definitely fighting in the second semester of 2024, 100 percent,” Plinio Cruz told MMA Fighting. “The next few months, they’re going to come up with something – this guy’s crazy, maybe that’s why he trained [two days after UFC 303]. He said, ‘Listen, this is my second sparring for my camp for Perth, I want to fight on that card.’ I said, ‘No, no, no. Pump the brakes a little bit. I wouldn’t be surprised [if Alex Pereira fights at UFC 305]. He’s crazy, bro – maybe, you never know.”

Already having a set headliner, UFC 305 is slated to be topped by an undisputed middleweight title fight – with the incumbent, Dricus du Plessis, taking on the returning former two-time champion, Israel Adesanya – who received flak on social media for his nonchalant reaction to arch-rival, Pereira’s knockout win over Prochazka during International Fight Week,

Alex Pereira calls for heavyweight move after huge knockout win at UFC 303 I think that it's in my future

In terms of potential opponents for Pereira next, the Sao Paulo finisher has staked his claim for a long-anticipated heavyweight climb, and has received callouts from the likes of surging contender, Magomed Ankalaev – while former foe, Jan Blachowicz also claimed to have the counter to the Brazilian’s apparent “magic”.

Who would you like Alex Pereira to fight next after his victory at UFC 303?

Alex Pereira banks $303k performance bonus for his sick head-kick KO of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303

Alex Pereira banked some extra coin for saving the day and delivering another highlight-reel performance during Saturday’s massive headliner…

Alex Pereira banked some extra coin for saving the day and delivering another highlight-reel performance during Saturday’s massive headliner in Las Vegas.

During an appearance on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Pereira’s longtime coach Plinio Cruz revealed that CEO Dana White gave Pereira a $303,000 post-fight bonus following his successful light heavyweight title defense at UFC 303.

“He was talking to Dana in the back, and they were talking about a bunch of stuff, and Dana said, ‘As a matter of fact, you won Performance of the Night.’ And he said, ‘$303,000?’ He goes, ‘No, no, no, $50,000,’” Cruz explained.

”But reality of the fact is, he did not — they gave $300,000 bonuses for [UFC] 300 and [Pereira] did not get Performance of the Night. They gave two to Max [Holloway], so he was a little bit salty about that. And I think because of all their history and then taking the fight on two weeks’ [notice], Dana looked at him and said, ‘You know what, man? I’m going to take care of you. You’ve got the $303,000.’ He even joked, he said buy a supercar with that money. [Pereira] goes, ‘I’ve got enough supercars.’ He wants a Cybertruck.”

Pereira stepped into the UFC 303 headliner on just 16 days’ notice after the original main event, Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, was scrapped when the Irishman broke his pinky toe while sparring.

It was the second time in a matter of months that ‘Poatan’ has stepped up to save the day, the last time being at UFC 300 when Pereira put his 205-pound crown on the line against ex-titleholder Jamahal Hill. Originally, Pereira was negotiating to run it back with Prochazka at UFC 305 on August 17 when they got the call to step in and headline this year’s International Fight Week card.

Could Alex Pereira become the UFC’s first-ever three-division champion?

Alex Pereira is now 8-1 under the UFC banner, earning wins over a heap of former champions, including Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, Jan Blachowicz, Jamahal Hill, and Jiri Prochazka. He is just the ninth fighter in the promotion’s 30+ year history to win belts in two different divisions.

Following his impressive performance at UFC 303, it certainly seems like Pereira could find himself with a shot at doing what no man has done before — winning belts in three different divisions.

“[Pereira] has actually a very special vision [when it comes to] timing, distance, and the angles in the way that he [approaches his craft],” Cruz added. “It’s almost like he has his own style of fighting. He just combines his boxing and the kickboxing, and the way that he just implements [everything] is just light years ahead, the vision that he has [for] the game.”

Video – Alex Pereira returns to sparring just 2 days after massive knockout victory at UFC 303

Turning in a dominant victory in his return at UFC 303 on short-notice over the course of the weekend,…

Turning in a dominant victory in his return at UFC 303 on short-notice over the course of the weekend, Alex Pereira is already sparring with his teammates once more in Danbury, Connecticut – just two days after his impressive win against Jiri Prochazka.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion and the current undisputed light heavyweight gold holder, headlined the promotion’s International Fight Week return over the course of the weekend, taking on the above-mentioned Prochazka in a monstrous rematch.

And emerging from the clash largely unscathed, Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira added to his lengthy highlight-reel at UFC 303, stopping Czech Republic native, Prochazka with a brutal second round high-kick knockout in Las Vegas.

Weighing up a heavyweight move in the immediate aftermath of his victory, Pereira has both fan and pundit backing to make a move to the division in search of a historic third championship reign, according to UFC leader, Dana White.

“I’m standing up there with the belt and I had Joe Rogan in my ear the whole time we were up there: Let him (Alex Pereira) fight [at] heavyweight, come on, just do it,’” Dana White told assembled media following to fight again, right away. He’s that guy. He’s a savage, man, an absolute stud.”

Admitting he is open to “anybody” in his next outing inside the Octagon, Pereira has already received numerous callouts from the likes of Jamahal Hill, and Magomed Anklaev – who vowed to knock him out, as well as former champion and prior-foe, Jan Blachowicz.

Alex Pereira returns to sparring 2 days after knockout win at UFC 303

Appearing to already polish up his tools just 48 hours removed from his fight with Prochazka, Brazilian fan-favorite, Pereira is already sharing his mats with training partners in Danbury after UFC 303, sparring, no less.

What’s Alex Pereira’s next move after his huge win at UFC 303?