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Joaquin Buckley Talks ‘Kinship’ With Impa Kasanganay & PFL Success After Suffering Viral Knockout

Joaquin Buckley recently lavished praise on Impa Kasanganay for his remarkable career resurgence following a devastating viral knockout loss. Buckley and Kasanganay faced off at a Fight Night event in October 2020, but for ‘Tshilobo,’ his second appearance in the Octagon turned out to be disastrous. In the second round, he found himself on the […]

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Joaquin Buckley recently lavished praise on Impa Kasanganay for his remarkable career resurgence following a devastating viral knockout loss.

Buckley and Kasanganay faced off at a Fight Night event in October 2020, but for ‘Tshilobo,’ his second appearance in the Octagon turned out to be disastrous. In the second round, he found himself on the receiving end of a spectacular jump spin kick to the face, resulting in a jaw-dropping knockout.

Following the setback, the 30-year-old Florida man, with a mix of one win and one loss, exited the UFC. Kasanganay then embarked on a brief journey through smaller promotions before ultimately finding his home in the PFL in March 2023.

After racking up three impressive victories, he secured the PFL’s light heavyweight title and a $1 million prize in the 2023 league tournament. Kasanganay currently boasts an 8-1 record in the PFL, with his sole defeat coming by way of a narrow split decision against the undefeated Johnny Eblen this past February at the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions event.

Despite the outcome, “New Mansa” and Kasanganay forged a strong friendship, and Buckley now has nothing but glowing remarks about his former opponent’s success.

Buckley Says Kasanganay Transformed His Memorable Loss Into Launchpad For Success

During a recent interview with MMA journalist Kevin Iole, Buckley was prompted to share his thoughts on Kasanganay’s achievements following his departure from the UFC. “New Mansa” expressed high admiration for Kasanganay’s abilities, revealing that the former PFL champion transformed his devastating loss into a powerful source of motivation, propelling his career forward.

“Of course [I feel a kinship with him], no hate in my blood,” Buckley said. “I love what Impa was able to do; he didn’t dwell on that moment; he used that moment, and he let it fuel him. He let it push him. A lot of people will talk about whatever they want to say about his skill set because he fought me, but he’s a very talented fighter, if not a world-class fighter because he’s a world champion… Yet again for me, it also gives me a lot of light because, you know, I was able to beat a great fighter like that.”

Buckley is preparing for his third appearance in the Octagon this year, as he is set to face Stephen Thompson in a welterweight clash on the preliminary card of UFC 307. This highly anticipated event will take place this weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“New Mansa” is currently on a tear, having achieved a three-fight win streak after dropping down to the 170-pound division in May 2023.

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Continue Reading Joaquin Buckley Talks ‘Kinship’ With Impa Kasanganay & PFL Success After Suffering Viral Knockout at MMA News.

Alex Pereira’s Training Partner Describes Glover Teixeira’s Coaching Style: ‘He’s Playing Video Games’

It cannot be overstated how Alex Pereira’s success in MMA is partly down to the company that he chooses to keep. Early on in his transition from kickboxing, “Poatan” started to work closely with the former UFC light heavyweight champion, Glover Teixeira. As a 42-fight veteran, Teixeira was the perfect person to pass knowledge on […]

Continue Reading Alex Pereira’s Training Partner Describes Glover Teixeira’s Coaching Style: ‘He’s Playing Video Games’ at MMA News.

It cannot be overstated how Alex Pereira’s success in MMA is partly down to the company that he chooses to keep.

Early on in his transition from kickboxing, “Poatan” started to work closely with the former UFC light heavyweight champion, Glover Teixeira.

As a 42-fight veteran, Teixeira was the perfect person to pass knowledge on to Pereira and the two men have become very close as a result.

The skill set that saw him become the UFC’s oldest first-time champion is also the perfect counter balance to the striking skills that the current 205-pound champion possesses.

Alex Pereira’s Training Partner Says Glover Teixeira Coaches Him Like A Video Game

In a recent interview with The Scrap, Pereira’s training partner Renato Valente provided some insight into what the relationship between “Poatan” and Teixeira is like.

He said that having Teixeira in his corner has proven to be massively beneficial for the champion because he gives him the confidence he needs in all areas of mixed martial arts.

Not only that, they have a great understanding and working dynamic with one another, which brings the best out of Pereira – something we are likely to see when he returns at UFC 307 this weekend to face Khalil Rountree.

With Teixeira’s extensive knowledge of the game being channelled into one of the most dangerous strikers we have ever seen inside the Octagon, Valente jokingly remarked that it’s like watching the now-retired former champion control a video game character.

“Definitely Glover is the guy behind the scenes, the big guy behind the scenes because he’s the guy that passed all his [knowledge] , makes him feel comfortable when he’s grappling. We used to say like Glover never play video games in his life, with Alex, that’s what he does, looks like he’s playing video games.

“They have a really, really good relationship and that helps Alex because Alex feels comfortable with him and he’s the guy right now. Alex is a busy guy so he goes everywhere but they have a connection really good like Alex don’t any train with any other gym, talk to any other coach, he makes videos and sends them to Glover and says, ‘Hey, what do you think about that?’”

Continue Reading Alex Pereira’s Training Partner Describes Glover Teixeira’s Coaching Style: ‘He’s Playing Video Games’ at MMA News.

PFL Star Picks Khalil Rountree To Finish Alex Pereira In The First Round At UFC 307

A PFL star has boldly predicted that Khalil Rountree will make quick work of Alex Pereira in their upcoming title showdown at UFC 307. Rountree is slated to face reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira this Saturday night in the main event of a highly anticipated pay-per-view at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, […]

Continue Reading PFL Star Picks Khalil Rountree To Finish Alex Pereira In The First Round At UFC 307 at MMA News.

A PFL star has boldly predicted that Khalil Rountree will make quick work of Alex Pereira in their upcoming title showdown at UFC 307.

Rountree is slated to face reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira this Saturday night in the main event of a highly anticipated pay-per-view at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“Poatan” has been on a dominant, unbeaten tear in the 205-pound division, and he’s gearing up for his third title defense of 2024. His most recent conquest came in June at UFC 303, where he secured a thunderous second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka in their rematch.

Meanwhile, UFC 307 marks “The War Horse’s” maiden shot at UFC gold, which explains why he’s entering the bout as a heavy underdog. Unlike most title challengers, he hasn’t battled his way to the top or earned the number one contender spot, as he’s currently ranked #8 in the light heavyweight division.

However, Brendan Loughnane stands among the select few who argue that Rountree’s underdog status could be the pivotal factor in pulling off a monumental upset against the seemingly unstoppable Pereira…

Loughnane On Rountree’s Chances Against Pereira At UFC 307: ‘He’s Hungry’

During a recent appearance on talkSPORT MMA, Loughnane shared his predictions for the Pereira vs. Rountree title fight. While the 34-year-old Englishman acknowledged the reigning champion’s formidable strengths, he emphasized that this bout represents a crucial opportunity—possibly the sole title shot—for “The War Horse”.

The PFL featherweight fighter expressed that this realization will likely drive Rountree to fight with determination, and he might finish the bout in the first round.

“I’m going to pick the [under]dog in this one,” Loughnane said. “I’m going to go for it. You know why? He’s hungry. He’s been around a long time; this is probably his last opportunity with age creeping up. Alex Pereira’s been an animal, but Khalil—I know him; I have trained with him. Khalil is a good fella; he’s a great fighter… Let’s just really go with it.”

Rountree is poised to make his comeback following a 4.5-month suspension for testing positive for a steroid hormone this past May, and he’s currently carrying the momentum of a five-fight win streak. The 34-year-old Californian’s last Octagon outing saw him secure a third-round knockout victory against Anthony Smith in December 2023.

Read More: Khalil Rountree Wants To Honor Murdered Father’s Name At UFC 307

Continue Reading PFL Star Picks Khalil Rountree To Finish Alex Pereira In The First Round At UFC 307 at MMA News.

Kayla Harrison Says She Could Beat Ketlen Vieira, Raquel Pennington & Julianna Pena On The Same Night

Kayla Harrison injected some much-needed new blood into the women’s bantamweight division with her debut win at UFC 300. After the way she was able to dominate a former champion in Holly Holm, there was a serious conversation regarding whether she should go right into the next title fight. Instead, Raquel Pennington will look to […]

Continue Reading Kayla Harrison Says She Could Beat Ketlen Vieira, Raquel Pennington & Julianna Pena On The Same Night at MMA News.

Kayla Harrison injected some much-needed new blood into the women’s bantamweight division with her debut win at UFC 300.

After the way she was able to dominate a former champion in Holly Holm, there was a serious conversation regarding whether she should go right into the next title fight.

Instead, Raquel Pennington will look to defend the belt for the first time this weekend at UFC 307 against former titleholder Julianna Peña.

Harrison will be looking to make a statement on the same night as she faces fellow top contender Ketlen Vieira in an opportunity to prove that she is undeniable.

Kayla Harrison Says She Could Beat All Three Women On The Same Night

Harrison has been full of confidence since she arrived in the UFC and the former PFL star certainly isn’t here to make up the numbers.

Though she was disappointed to not get the title shot in her second fight, she has remained clear on the idea that whoever leaves Salt Lake City with the belt will simply be looking after it for her, until her time comes.

In another example of her supreme confidence that becoming the champion is a matter of if and not when, she said in a recent interview with ESPN MMA that she would come out on top even if you lined up the other three bantamweights on this card one after the other.

“That’s because nobody cares about that fight. I mean I feel like, whatever, let’s let them fight. I honestly believe that I could fight all three girls in the same night and be champion. When you’re the best in the world, you’re the best in the world and my time is now. I hope they hold on to that title real tight while they can cuz I’m coming.”

Continue Reading Kayla Harrison Says She Could Beat Ketlen Vieira, Raquel Pennington & Julianna Pena On The Same Night at MMA News.

José Aldo Explains Recommitting To UFC Despite Having Boxing Request Rejected

UFC legend José Aldo is set for more bouts inside the Octagon, and that’s despite the promotion rejecting the possibility of him being able to box simultaneously. Aldo returned from a short-lived retirement at UFC 301 this past May, fighting out his contract with another victory in front of his compatriots in Rio de Janeiro. […]

Continue Reading José Aldo Explains Recommitting To UFC Despite Having Boxing Request Rejected at MMA News.

UFC legend José Aldo is set for more bouts inside the Octagon, and that’s despite the promotion rejecting the possibility of him being able to box simultaneously.

Aldo returned from a short-lived retirement at UFC 301 this past May, fighting out his contract with another victory in front of his compatriots in Rio de Janeiro.

After the Brazilian got the better of Jonathan Martinez, considerable uncertainty surrounded his future, with a possible re-signing with the UFC sitting alongside remaining ambitions inside the boxing ring.

But the allure of adding further gold to his trophy cabinet on MMA’s biggest stage proved too much to resist for “Junior,” who will make the walk again this weekend to face Mario Bautista at UFC 307.

Freedom To Box, Three Times More Pay Not Enough To Overtake Aldo’s UFC Ambitions

During a recent fight week interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, Aldo looked ahead to his return to action on Saturday night, which will kick off a new multi-fight deal for the Brazilian veteran.

Aldo admitted that he had attempted to include the freedom to box in the contract, but had that request firmly shut down. Nevertheless, with another stint as UFC champ remaining his ultimate ambition, he still put pen to paper on a continued stay inside the Octagon.

“After that fight (at UFC 301), that’s when we sat down and thought, ‘Okay, now let’s hear the proposals that you have.’ Afterwards, when we saw the proposals for the new contract, I chose the UFC,” Aldo said, before being asked whether the new deal allows him to box. “No, not at all. Listen, I’ve asked for it twice. There were a couple of events I tried to get in and twice I got a, ‘No!’ So now, with all these fights on the contract, I’m really not fighting boxing.

“My dream has always been to be champion in the UFC. … That was my ultimate goal. Thinking about the contract now, looking forward with this opportunity, if anything else came about or any other proposals, I knew that was going to be locked in with the UFC,” Aldo continued. “This is my ultimate goal. I want to continue to do it and be a champion.”

Aldo added further context behind those remarks by revealing he turned down up to three times more money offered by other promotions in order to stay put in the UFC in pursuit of continuing to enhance his already stellar legacy.

If he’s to ensure that decision turns out to be fruitful and better his chances of a late-career title shot, Aldo must first get the better of another young up-and-comer in Bautista this weekend at UFC 307.

Read More: Alex Pereira On Chances Of Ex-Kickboxing Foe Finding UFC Success: ‘They Are Not Me, They Are Not Adesanya’

Continue Reading José Aldo Explains Recommitting To UFC Despite Having Boxing Request Rejected at MMA News.

Israel Adesanya Gives ‘Dumb Game Plan’ Advice For Khalil Rountree Ahead Of UFC 307: ‘It’s a Matter Of Time Because You’re Drowning’

Khalil Rountree has got a tough task ahead of him at UFC 307 where he will be walking into the biggest fight of his career. The #8-ranked light heavyweight contender will be challenging Alex Pereira for the title in Salt Lake City. Rountree’s striking has proven to be very dangerous, but implementing that against someone […]

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya Gives ‘Dumb Game Plan’ Advice For Khalil Rountree Ahead Of UFC 307: ‘It’s a Matter Of Time Because You’re Drowning’ at MMA News.

Khalil Rountree has got a tough task ahead of him at UFC 307 where he will be walking into the biggest fight of his career.

The #8-ranked light heavyweight contender will be challenging Alex Pereira for the title in Salt Lake City.

Rountree’s striking has proven to be very dangerous, but implementing that against someone as technical as the former two-weight GLORY kickboxing world champion will not be easy.

One man knows about facing Pereira better than anyone else and he had some thoughts to pass onto the challenger ahead of Saturday night.

Israel Adesanya Lays Out Flawed Game Plan For Khalil Rountree

During his UFC 307 predictions on his YouTube channel, Israel Adesanya spoke about how Rountree can win this fight.

“The Last Stylebender” has faced off with “Poatan” twice in kickboxing and twice in MMA, winning their last encounter at UFC 287 via knockout.

He said that Rountree’s best route to victory is getting it done early before Pereira can start to break him down and set traps.

However, Adesanya then corrected his own point by stating that being overly aggressive against Pereira can also play into the Brazilian’s hands.

If Rountree is to take one piece of advice from this, it’s to back his opponent up to avoid what the former two-time UFC middleweight champion describes as “drowning”.

“Khalil has to just go at him, can’t be scared, just press him back. You can, it’s possible, press him back. Watch out for the low kicks cuz that’s what he’s gonna use to stop him… Khalil attack the body, attack the legs too cuz Pereira will take them but he doesn’t get affected by them till later, much later. If Khalil is gonna win, he’s gonna have to win or try and win early but that’s a dumb game plan so don’t listen to me. Don’t try and win early cuz that’s how you get caught as well with Pereira. He can catch him with anything. Catch him with hook coming in, knee, leg kicks and then eventually, when you feel like the third one, you’re like, ‘Oh s***,’ then I can’t press him back anymore. Then it’s like a matter of time as you’re drowning.”

Adesanya would, however, go on to pick Alex Pereira to win the fight at UFC 307, in his official predictions.

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya Gives ‘Dumb Game Plan’ Advice For Khalil Rountree Ahead Of UFC 307: ‘It’s a Matter Of Time Because You’re Drowning’ at MMA News.