Tag: ufc 307

Arman Tsarukyan reflects on Khamzat Chimaev grappling match: ‘Very strong’

Arman Tsarukyan reflects on Khamzat Chimaev grappling match: 'Very strong'Employing the talents on unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev ahead of a planned UFC 308 title fight with Islam…

Arman Tsarukyan reflects on Khamzat Chimaev grappling match: 'Very strong'

Employing the talents on unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev ahead of a planned UFC 308 title fight with Islam Makhachev, surging lightweight challenger, Arman Tsarukyan has described the Chechen as “very strong” after many a grappling showdown.

Tsarukyan, the current number one ranked divisional contender, most recently featured on the main card of UFC 300 back in April, taking on former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira — fighting the Brazilian in an officially-billed title eliminator.

Arman Tsarukyan reveals talks to take on Islam Makhachev in December title fight at UFC 310
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

And defeating the Sao Paulo finisher over the course of three rounds in a controversial split decision success, Tsarukyan was lined up to tackle Makahchv at the end of October in the main event of UFC 307, the pairing hit the skids with Makhachev sidelined through an unspecified arm injury.

Arman Tsarukyan breaks down training with Khamzat Chimaev

However, sharing the mats with unbeaten middleweight contender, Chimaev ahead of a potential title fight with Makhachev next, the streaking, Tsarukyan has shared some interesting insights into how those sessions played out.

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“Of course I did,” Arman Tsarukyan said when asked if he felt Khamzat Chimaev’s power during their training sessions during an interview with Islam Badadzhanov. “We had a [grappling] match with him. It’ll be part of the [Hype Reality] project. And in addition to the wrestling, I felt his power, too.”

“He is very strong, powerful and he weighs I think about 100 kilograms,” Arman Tsarukyan explained. “He can take you down well, control — [he] breathes well. Such as wrestling work with control and at the same [time], uses grappling very well, especially in chokes. He has two very solid techniques. He chokes from the position — the position that it’s better not to be in.”

chimaev

As for his own return to action, Chimaev is set to co-headline the above-mentioned UFC 308 card later this year — taking on former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker in a rescheduled clash over the course of five rounds.

Arman Tsarukyan reflects on Khamzat Chimaev grappling match: ‘Very strong’

Arman Tsarukyan reflects on Khamzat Chimaev grappling match: 'Very strong'Employing the talents on unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev ahead of a planned UFC 308 title fight with Islam…

Arman Tsarukyan reflects on Khamzat Chimaev grappling match: 'Very strong'

Employing the talents on unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev ahead of a planned UFC 308 title fight with Islam Makhachev, surging lightweight challenger, Arman Tsarukyan has described the Chechen as “very strong” after many a grappling showdown.

Tsarukyan, the current number one ranked divisional contender, most recently featured on the main card of UFC 300 back in April, taking on former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira — fighting the Brazilian in an officially-billed title eliminator.

Arman Tsarukyan reveals talks to take on Islam Makhachev in December title fight at UFC 310
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

And defeating the Sao Paulo finisher over the course of three rounds in a controversial split decision success, Tsarukyan was lined up to tackle Makahchv at the end of October in the main event of UFC 307, the pairing hit the skids with Makhachev sidelined through an unspecified arm injury.

Arman Tsarukyan breaks down training with Khamzat Chimaev

However, sharing the mats with unbeaten middleweight contender, Chimaev ahead of a potential title fight with Makhachev next, the streaking, Tsarukyan has shared some interesting insights into how those sessions played out.

gettyimages 1748811224 612x612 1

“Of course I did,” Arman Tsarukyan said when asked if he felt Khamzat Chimaev’s power during their training sessions during an interview with Islam Badadzhanov. “We had a [grappling] match with him. It’ll be part of the [Hype Reality] project. And in addition to the wrestling, I felt his power, too.”

“He is very strong, powerful and he weighs I think about 100 kilograms,” Arman Tsarukyan explained. “He can take you down well, control — [he] breathes well. Such as wrestling work with control and at the same [time], uses grappling very well, especially in chokes. He has two very solid techniques. He chokes from the position — the position that it’s better not to be in.”

chimaev

As for his own return to action, Chimaev is set to co-headline the above-mentioned UFC 308 card later this year — taking on former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker in a rescheduled clash over the course of five rounds.

‘Just a few friends training in the garage’: Glover Teixeira trains Alex Pereira with a beer on hand

'Just a few friends training in the garage': Glover Teixeira trains Alex Pereira with a beer on handAhead of his title fight return in two months time in the main event of UFC 307, Alex Pereira…

'Just a few friends training in the garage': Glover Teixeira trains Alex Pereira with a beer on hand

Ahead of his title fight return in two months time in the main event of UFC 307, Alex Pereira appears to be a joy to prepare for combat according to long-time training partner, Glover Teixeira — who admits he often trains the Brazilian while touting a beer in hand.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight gold holder, and the current undisputed light heavyweight champion, is slated to return in the headliner of UFC 307 at the beginning of October, returning to Salt Lake City, Utah for the second time in the space of a year.

pereira walk

Booked to headline the pay-per-view event, Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira is set to take on fellow surging knockout artist, Khalil Rountree — who is fresh from a December stoppage over former title challenger, Anthony Smith last year.

Glover Teixeira breaks down Alex Pereira gameplan ahead of UFC 307

Sharing his thoughts on the matchup with Ultimate Fighter finalist, Rountree, former champion, Teixeira expects the two to share the bout on the feet for the majority of the UFC 307 main event fight.

Alex Pereira branded 'Biggest chicken in the UFC' for calling out Dricus du Plessis

“We prepare for everything,” Glover Teixeira told RG.org of Alex Pereira. “(Khalil) Rountree is a good fighter. We know who he is: tough kid, very good striker… It’s not much different than the other fights, to be honest, because anything can happen. So it’s pretty much the same training for Jamahal Hill or Jiri Prochazka.

Furthermore, according to Minas Gerais veteran, Teixeira, his compatriot Alex Pereira is a joy to train — with the Danbury, Connecticut team plying their trades out of a garage.

Boxing Champion Zhilei Zhang Trains with Alex Pereira, Claims He Can Take Heavyweight Title: ‘He has the power’

“At the end of the day, it’s just a few friends training in the garage, having fun, doing the right thing and conquering the world,” Teixeira explained. “It’s all play, man. At the end of the our lives, we’re just going to look back at the quality moments together. Sometimes, I coach with a beer in my hand.”

Chael Sonnen claims Khalil Rountree easily ‘Walks through’ Alex Pereira in UFC 307 title fight

Chael Sonnen claims Khalil Rountree easily 'Walks through' Alex Pereira in UFC 307 title fightFormer two-weight title challenger, Chael Sonnen is going with the massive underdog ahead of UFC 307 in two months…

Chael Sonnen claims Khalil Rountree easily 'Walks through' Alex Pereira in UFC 307 title fight

Former two-weight title challenger, Chael Sonnen is going with the massive underdog ahead of UFC 307 in two months time — picking unlikely light heavyweight title challenger, Khalil Rountree to solve the striking puzzle of Alex Pereira and capture the crown in Salt Lake City.

Rountree, the current number eight ranked light heavyweight challenger, returns in October in the headliner of UFC 307, taking on former two-division champion, Pereira, in his first championship charge under the banner of the promotion.

Sidelined through an anti-doping violation, Rountree, a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter, most recently improved his impressive winning run to five straight fights with an impressive third round knockout win over former title chaser, Anthony Smith.

Boxing Champion Zhilei Zhang Trains with Alex Pereira, Claims He Can Take Heavyweight Title: ‘He has the power’

As for Alex Pereira, the Sao Paulo knockout artist headlined UFC 303 back in June, landing his second successful defense of the 205lbs crown already this year, laying out former champion, Jiri Prochazka with a spectacular second round high-kick knockout win.

Alex Pereira branded 'Biggest chicken in the UFC' for calling out Dricus du Plessis

Chael Sonnen picks Khalil Rountree to topple Alex Pereira

And despite opening as a considerable betting underdog to beat Brazilian favorite, Alex Pereira later this year in the main event of UFC 307, Rountree has received the backing on former title challenger, Sonnen to “walk through” the champion with ease.

Khalil Rountree hit with two month suspension after testing positive for DHEA ahead of UFC 303
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“First off, let me give you the hot take of the day: Khalil Rountree is going to walk through (Alex) Pereira,” Chael Sonnen said on Good Guy/Bad Guy. “That is the worst matchup I could think of. This is Smackdown invading Raw, and let me explain. When you think of who’s going to go fight for a title on pay-per-view, we think of other guys who have won a whole bunch of fights on pay-per-view. Well, Khalil was from Smackdown. He came from the other show.”

“…I will tell you this because I don’t know how familiar you are or the rest of the fans are with Khalil, but he does his absolute best work when he’s being attacked by a kickboxer,” Sonnen explained. “It’s not Khalil swarming somebody or taking them down or submitting them. He is a counter fighter, and he loves when you punch or kick at him first.”

Sean Strickland talks Alex Pereira rematch: ‘I’m not scared, but I’ll just go to sleep’

Sean Strickland talks Alex Pereira rematch: 'I'm not scared, but I'll just go to sleep'Former undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland has claimed he is not “scared” about the possibility of rematching fellow former…

Sean Strickland talks Alex Pereira rematch: 'I'm not scared, but I'll just go to sleep'

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland has claimed he is not “scared” about the possibility of rematching fellow former divisional titleholder, Alex Pereira in the future, however, admits he would likely get knocked out for a second time.

Strickland, the current number one ranked middleweight challenger, most recently turned in a decision win over former title chaser, Paulo Costa back in May — co-headlining UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey.

Coach rules Sean Strickland from 'Nightmare' rematch with UFC star Alex Pereira

As for Brazilian fan-favorite, Pereira, the undisputed light heavyweight champion is slated to headline UFC 307 later this year in a title defense against Khalil Rountree — having dispatched Jiri Prochazka with a brutal second round high-kick back in their June title rematch during International Fight Week.

However, with Dricus du Plessis submitting former champion, Israel Adesanya earlier this month at UFC 305, Strickland has already been lined up to take on the South African in a rematch of their controversial UFC 297 title showdown — with the former hoping to strike the rematch in North America this time around.

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Sean Strickland unsure of rematch fight with Alex Pereira

And following claims from his head coach, Eric Nicksick that he would likely skirt a rematch between Strickland and Pereira, the former admitted that while he’s not scared to take on the Brazilian again — he admittedly doesn’t fancy his chances.

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“I’m not scared of Alex (Pereira), but my chin — I’ll just go to sleep, it’s a weird thing,” Sean Strickland told the Brazilian’s head coach, Plinio Cruz during a recent video. “For me to knock Alex out, he has to do something really stupid. If you gave me one free shot and you said give everything you can, I’m not knocking him out.”

But you do that to Alex, everybody on the roster’s going to sleep,” Sean Strickland explained. “I just know that no matter what the f*ck I do, he’s gonna eat it, and if he just touches me one good one — good night.”

Jan Blachowicz wants Ji?í Procházka Next: “I think it will be a very good fight”

Jan Blachowicz wants Ji?í Procházka Next: "I think it will be a very good fight"Jan Blachowicz thinks a fight with Ji?í Procházka makes the most sense. Blachowicz has been on the shelf ever…

Jan Blachowicz wants Ji?í Procházka Next: "I think it will be a very good fight"

Jan Blachowicz thinks a fight with Ji?í Procházka makes the most sense.

Blachowicz has been on the shelf ever since a July 2023 loss to Alex Pereira in the current light heavyweight champion’s divisional debut. After undergoing a pair of should surgeries, the Polish powerhouse is healed up and is hoping to make his return to the Octagon before 2024 comes to a close.

Jan Blachowicz

As for who he could find himself competing against, Blachowicz believes there’s only one man who fits the bill. Well, maybe two.

“For me, what makes sense is Hill or Procházka,” Blachowicz told MiddleEasy. “I think Ji?í is in a dark place right now. I hope that he will come back and we make this fight because I think it will be a very good fight, a very exciting fight. So if not Pereira, I would like to fight against Procházka, somewhere in Europe that will be very big here — in Poland or maybe in Czech Republic. It will be a great event.

“Of course, [Hill makes sense too],” Blachowicz continued. “For me, only Pereira, Hill, Procházka. I don’t (want) anybody else” (h/t MMA News).

Jan Blachowicz criticizes Khalil Rountree’s title shot

Despite the long layoff, Blachowicz still holds things down as the No. 4 ranked contender in the light heavyweight division with only Jamahal Hill, Magomed Ankalaev, and Ji?í Procházka sitting above him. Realistically, any one of those fights would make sense.

However, we can’t imagine many people clamoring for a rematch against Ankalaev after their lackluster title tilt in 2022 resulted in a draw.

Meanwhile, Alex Pereira is gearing up for his third defense of the light heavyweight title after smashing his way through both Hill and Procházka earlier this year. In a surprising twist, ‘Poatan’ will meet No. 8 ranked contender Khalil Rountree in the UFC 307 main event on October 5 in Salt Lake City.

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Blachowicz, like many, was none-too-pleased to hear about Rountree’s opportunity to skip the line.

Jan Blachowicz

“With all due respect to Khalil but there are at least two higher ranked contenders who are ready to fight Poatan,” Blachowicz wrote on X. “He doesn’t need special protection.”