Tag: UFC 304

Daniel Cormier Advises Tom Aspinall On How To Boost Chances Of Jon Jones Fight After UFC 304

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier thinks Tom Aspinall should switch strategy if he really wants to tempt Jon Jones into a fight. Aspinall’s case for the next shot at Jones grew ever stronger in the co-main event of this past weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view, which went down inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, […]

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Advises Tom Aspinall On How To Boost Chances Of Jon Jones Fight After UFC 304 at MMA News.

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier thinks Tom Aspinall should switch strategy if he really wants to tempt Jon Jones into a fight.

Aspinall’s case for the next shot at Jones grew ever stronger in the co-main event of this past weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view, which went down inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

Close to home, Aspinall put his interim heavyweight title on the line in a rematch with Curtis Blaydes, pursuing both a successful first defense and redemption for the injury-forced TKO setback he fell to opposite “Razor” in 2022.

It took the Brit just one minute to achieve those goals, dropping Blaydes with a stiff jab before reigning down ground-and-pound for the first-round stoppage.

As expected, Aspinall had Jones’ name on his lips post-fight, remaining respectful with his latest callout of the heavyweight titleholder. One of Jones’ former opponents, however, thinks he needs to abandon his nice nature…

Cormier: Aspinall Must ‘Get Louder’ & ‘Rile Up’ Jones

During a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Cormier gave his take on the events that unfolded at UFC 304 from cageside inside Manchester’s Co-op Live.

“DC” touched on his Octagon interview with Aspinall following the co-headliner, claiming the Brit needs to change approach and begin ‘riling up’ Jones if he is to ensure a future dream showdown with the former two-time light heavyweight champ.

“This guy seems to be the future and the present of the heavyweight division,” Cormier said. “You know, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic are gonna fight each other, and deservedly so. … When they get to New York and they fight, Tom Aspinall needs to be in the building, if he’s smart.

“I watched him finish, I watched the way the crowd reacted to him, and I watched his callout to Jon Jones. And in Tom Aspinall fashion, he was nice about it,” Cormier continued. “He needs to rile up Jones a little bit to get the people more invested. … I have seen the crowd get so behind a certain person that the organization will pivot. … Maybe they’ll pivot and make Aspinall vs. Jones right now. We don’t know…but Aspinall has to get a little bit louder.”

Jones had a short and succinct response to Aspinall’s UFC 304 triumph and post-fight callout on social media. By all accounts, the Brit’s emphatic performance did little to convince “Bones” or the UFC to alter their plans for an expected November title fight.

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Advises Tom Aspinall On How To Boost Chances Of Jon Jones Fight After UFC 304 at MMA News.

MMA News Today: Video Shows Paddy Pimblett Reacting Backstage To ‘Most Boring Champion’ Belal Muhammad’s UFC 304 Crowning, Turki Alalshikh Says UFC’s Sphere Card ‘Will Eat’ Canelo Match On Sept. 14, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 30, 2024, we’re taking a look at: Paddy Pimblett Posts Reaction To UFC 304 Main Event, Belal Muhammad Becoming Champion A video posted on Paddy Pimblett’s YouTube channel gives fight fans a behind the scenes […]

Continue Reading MMA News Today: Video Shows Paddy Pimblett Reacting Backstage To ‘Most Boring Champion’ Belal Muhammad’s UFC 304 Crowning, Turki Alalshikh Says UFC’s Sphere Card ‘Will Eat’ Canelo Match On Sept. 14, & 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 30, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

  • Pimblett scolds Muhammad after title win
  • Alalshikh gives strong prediction for UFC vs. Canelo
  • Sonnen points out that Aspinall is finishing big guys with ease

Paddy Pimblett Posts Reaction To UFC 304 Main Event, Belal Muhammad Becoming Champion

A video posted on Paddy Pimblett’s YouTube channel gives fight fans a behind the scenes look at his fight night experience this past weekend.

“The Baddy” delivered one of the performances of the night at UFC 304 in Manchester when he submitted King Green in the first round to earn a lightweight ranking.

The main event, however, did not end on such good terms for the UK fighters and fans as Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards to become the welterweight champion.

In the video, Pimblett is seen reacting to the official decision before going on to label Muhammad as the “most boring champion ever.”

Turki Alalshikh Not Worried About Saudi-Backed UFC 306 Going Up Against Canelo Álvarez

It’s incredibly rare to see any major sporting events going up against the UFC, but that is exactly what Canelo Álvarez will look to do on September 14 with his fight against Edgar Berlanga.

Alvarez has a track record for fighting on Mexican Independence Day, but he missed out on this last year after the UFC booked the T-Mobile Arena for the first Noche UFC card.

The MMA leader will instead be hosting UFC 306 this year at the Sphere, which is being built up to be an event like no other.

Part of the reason that both events are going head-to-head in Las Vegas is because UFC 306 is being sponsored by Riyadh Season and the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority, which has allowed the UFC to go big on this particular card, meaning Álvarez could run the T-Mobile on this occasion.

Speaking to ESPN, Turki Alalshikh gave a short response to how he believes the Saudi-backed Sphere event will compete with Álvarez.

“We will eat him,”

Chael Sonnen Says Tom Aspinall Is Doing Something That Even Mike Tyson Struggled With

Tom Aspinall’s incredible ability to end fights early on means that he has unbelievably low amounts of Octagon time despite being a world champion.

The interim heavyweight champ has said it himself that he wants opponents to test him in deeper waters but nobody can take him there.

Following his one-minute finish over Curtis Blaydes this past weekend, Chael Sonnen was full of praise for the Brit in a recent YouTube video.

He compared Aspinall to arguably the greatest knockout artist combat sports has ever seen and said that he is even capable of finishing fights in ways that Mike Tyson couldn’t even accomplish.

“Mike Tyson had a hard time putting down the heavyweights that were 240, 250, 260 [pounds]. These are the guys that Tom is touching one time; this is shocking power. Tom is getting guys out of here so quickly. I don’t love the reality that in three years, Tom has been in the ring for about three minutes, but the other side of it is, what are you going to do? How are you going to stop him?”

Read more on the story here.

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Continue Reading MMA News Today: Video Shows Paddy Pimblett Reacting Backstage To ‘Most Boring Champion’ Belal Muhammad’s UFC 304 Crowning, Turki Alalshikh Says UFC’s Sphere Card ‘Will Eat’ Canelo Match On Sept. 14, & More at MMA News.

Belal Muhammad laughs off Colby Covington tirade

Belal Muhammad laughs off Colby Covington TiradeNewly-minted undisputed welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad has laughed off threats from former interim gold holder, Colby Covington – mocking…

Belal Muhammad laughs off Colby Covington Tirade

Newly-minted undisputed welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad has laughed off threats from former interim gold holder, Colby Covington – mocking his record in undisputed fight, after the Clovis native accused him of PED use.

Muhammad, the newly-crowned undisputed welterweight titleholder, returned to action in the main event of UFC 304 over the course of last weekend in Manchester, landing the divisional crown in a stunning upset decision win over common-opponent, Leon Edwards in the pair’s rematch clash.

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As for Covington, the former interim champion has been out of action since he took on now-former champion, Edwards back in December in the main event of UFC 296, dropping his own one-sided unanimous decision loss to the Birmingham native in the duo’s heated grudge fight.

Receiving call outs from both former champion, Kamaru Usman – as well as unbeaten finishing ace, Shankat Rakhmonov, Muhammad was also targeted by Covington, who claimed he would take the champion’s “man card” if they shared the Octagon.

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“You know, the guy’s (Belal Muhammad) a f*cking p*ssy,” Colby Covington told Submission Radio. “The onle time that Belal – the racist juice monkey, wanted to fight me when I only already had a title fight signed sealed and delivered. That’s the only time he wanted to fight me. Otherwise, he’s never said my name because he knoes he’s a little b*tch and he knows what I would do to him. He’s a p*ssy.”

Reacting to Covington’s comments, Muhammad mocked the former interim champion’s losing record in his trio of undisputed welterweight championship fights.

Colby Covington confirms US Congress run I'm the Donald Trump of the UFC
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Belal Muhammad mocks Colby Covington’s title fight record

“0-3,” Belal Muhammad posted on his official X account. 

Out of action since last December, former interim gold holder, Covington has been linked with a massive welterweight showdown with former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira – with the Brazilian fan-favorite remaining open to a potential leap to 170lbs. 

Who wins in a future title fight: Belal Muhammad or Colby Covington?

Colby Covington Unimpressed By Belal Muhammad’s UFC 304 Title Win: ‘He’s Obviously On The Right Steroids’

We can unsurprisingly count UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington among those unimpressed by his division’s newly crowned champion. Belal Muhammad completed his ascent to the mountaintop on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage this past weekend, getting the better of Leon Edwards in the main event of the UFC 304 pay-per-view at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena. […]

Continue Reading Colby Covington Unimpressed By Belal Muhammad’s UFC 304 Title Win: ‘He’s Obviously On The Right Steroids’ at MMA News.

We can unsurprisingly count UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington among those unimpressed by his division’s newly crowned champion.

Belal Muhammad completed his ascent to the mountaintop on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage this past weekend, getting the better of Leon Edwards in the main event of the UFC 304 pay-per-view at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena.

The five-round headliner was largely dominant for the challenger, who made good on his promise to unseat “Rocky” in emphatic fashion and begin a new era at 170 pounds.

Of course, while plenty were left impressed by Muhammad’s efforts in England, he still has his fair share of detractors. Among them is Covington…

Covington On UFC 304 Main Event: ‘I Can Tell You Who Lost & That’s The Fans’

During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Covington gave his first reaction to Muhammad’s championship victory across the pond this past weekend.

Despite not watching the fight itself, “Chaos” was confident that it would have been short on entertainment and a poor watch for the fanbase.

And after taking aim at both the new champ and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, “Chaos” insisted he would have no problems taking the welterweight gold away from Muhammad, whom he also accused of steroid use.

“I can tell you who lost and that’s the fans. I feel bad for the fans that they got robbed of some entertainment,” Covington said. “Belal the racist juice monkey won. Now that he finally made his first check off the prelims, he can finally fix that dildo that’s on his face. … That’s only if Ali doesn’t take all his money because we know his scumbag manager is a thief.

“I didn’t watch the fight, man. … I know that Leon made so much money in the last fight with me that I don’t think he’s hungry anymore,” Covington continued. “(Muhammad’s) a f*cking p*ssy. … The only time (he) wanted to fight me was when I already had a title fight signed, sealed, and delivered. Otherwise he’s never said my name because he knows he’s a little b*tch and he knows what I’d do to him. If I cross paths with him, he won’t be champion anymore. … I’d love to fight him. I’ll do whatever it takes to get to that. … He’s got nothing for me. … He’s obviously on the right steroids right now, doing the right cycles. He had a one night, lightning in a bottle-type performance.”

Despite Covington’s claims, Muhammad had mentioned him long before his title shot was confirmed last year. “Remember the Name” called out “Chaos” way back in 2017 in the aftermath of his victory over Tim Means at UFC Fight Night 121 in Sydney, Australia.

It didn’t take long for Muhammad to respond, taking aim at Covington 0-3 record in undisputed UFC welterweight title fights in a comment under a clip of the ex-interim titleholder’s recent remarks.

Covington most recently fell short of the belt in Edwards’ second defense. A comfortable decision victory for the Brit followed the American’s two previous title losses at the hands of Kamaru Usman in 2019 and 2021.

Continue Reading Colby Covington Unimpressed By Belal Muhammad’s UFC 304 Title Win: ‘He’s Obviously On The Right Steroids’ at MMA News.

Kamaru Usman wants a crack at Belal Muhammad: ‘Get my welterweight strap back’

Kamaru Usman wants a crack at Belal Muhammad "Get my welterweight strap back"Off the back of his upset title victory over the course of last weekend at UFC 304, Belal Muhammad…

Kamaru Usman wants a crack at Belal Muhammad "Get my welterweight strap back"

Off the back of his upset title victory over the course of last weekend at UFC 304, Belal Muhammad has already received a host of challenges to his newly-minted throne – most recently seeing a call out from former champion, Kamaru Usman land on his table.

Usman, a former undisputed welterweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the banner of the promotion – most recently featured at UFC 294 back in October, losing a middleweight limit loss to Khamzat Chimaev in a close majority decision defeat.

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As for Muhammad, the Illinois native headlined UFC 304 over the course of the weekend in enemy territory in Manchester, landing the undisputed welterweight championship in a stunning upset decision win over common-opponent, Leon Edwards.

Besting the Birmingham native throughout their five round headliner at the Co-op Live Arena, surging challenger, Muhammad managed to land the divisional crown in a huge upset win, and has welcomed the chance to take on the unbeaten finishing star, Shavkat Rakhmonov next. 

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Kamaru Usman calls for Belal Muhammad title fight

However, sharing his thoughts on Muhammad’s title coronation in the UK, Auchi native, Usman envisions a path back to his former championship – in the form of a charge against the wrestling talent.

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“You want ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ Kamaru Usman?” Kamaru Usman asked on his podcast. “Give me ample time to get in there. At the end of the year, top of next year, I’ll go in there and I take my welterweight strap back, one hundred percent. But if you’re talking to the man that’s from the outside looking in to try to satisfy everybody when you look at the landscape of everything.”

“Yes it’s ‘Oh, he lost to Leon Edwards,’” Kamaru Usman explained. “But you know, people have amnesia every quickly. People forget that I was winning almost twenty four minutes of that fight until the lightning struck and Leon landed that kick. I think when you land something like that, it almost kind of spoiled Leon to where he forgot that hey I was being dominated this exact same way.”

Who wins in a potential title fight: Belal Muhammad or Kamaru Usman?

Paddy Pimblett Acknowledges Alternative Option To Renato Moicano For Next Fight After UFC 304: ‘If He Wants His Head Punching In…’ 

Should his original callout post-fight at UFC 304 not come to fruition, Paddy Pimblett has at least one other name in mind. Pimblett was among the biggest winners to emerge from this past weekend’s pay-per-view event at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, where he was one of many home fighters making the walk. […]

Continue Reading Paddy Pimblett Acknowledges Alternative Option To Renato Moicano For Next Fight After UFC 304: ‘If He Wants His Head Punching In…’  at MMA News.

Should his original callout post-fight at UFC 304 not come to fruition, Paddy Pimblett has at least one other name in mind.

Pimblett was among the biggest winners to emerge from this past weekend’s pay-per-view event at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, where he was one of many home fighters making the walk.

“The Baddy” put in one of the night’s standout performances, rendering ranked lightweight King Green unconscious with a triangle choke for the technical submission victory in the very first round.

As a result, Pimblett has found himself debuting in the top 15, meaning a whole new set of possible opponents lie in wait for the Liverpool native. One in particular has caught the former Cage Warriors champion’s eye, with Renato Moicano on the receiving end of his Octagon callout at UFC 304.

Moicano is currently set to headline the UFC Fight Night in Paris, France, this September opposite Benoît Saint Denis.

Should the result of that matchup leave a battle with the Brazilian off the table, Pimblett wouldn’t mind throwing down with one of Moicano’s fellow countrymen instead…

Pimblett Open To ‘Punching In’ Dos Anjos For Past Tweets

During a backstage interview with Full Send MMA, Pimblett reflected on his performance at UFC 304 and assessed what could be next in his journey up the lightweight ladder.

While he reiterated his desire to share the Octagon with Renato Moicano, Pimblett did entertain another name, former champion Rafael dos Anjos, who sits one place above him in the 155-pound rankings.

“There are some names. Renato beat Jalin though,” Pimblett said to shut down Turner as an option. “I’ve seen dos Anjos say himself that he’s moving up to welterweight; he’s not fighting at lightweight anymore. So you never know, I could end up moving up higher than 15 in the rankings if ‘RDA’s’ moving up.

“I also have seen ‘RDA’ tweet about me in the past, though. So if he wants his head punching in, I’ll punch his head in,” Pimblett continued. “But as I say, I’m thinking Moicano more than likely.”

Despite suggesting his lightweight stint was over following a knockout loss to Rafael Fiziev in 2022, “RDA” returned to the division unsuccessfully against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 299 in Miami this past March.

Following that setback, the Brazilian once again suggested he’ll only consider welterweight contests moving forward. But perhaps his past comments on Pimblett and the high-profile nature of that matchup could draw him back to 155 pounds.

In the aftermath of “The Baddy’s” win over Tony Ferguson last December, “RDA” branded Pimblett “terrible” and insisted he wouldn’t even need a fight camp to defeat him in the cage.

Continue Reading Paddy Pimblett Acknowledges Alternative Option To Renato Moicano For Next Fight After UFC 304: ‘If He Wants His Head Punching In…’  at MMA News.