Tag: UFC London

Drew Dober wants fight with Paddy Pimblett in London, says UFC ‘Won’t let it happen’

Drew DoberDrew Dober would love the chance to fight Paddy Pimblett when the UFC returns to London in March but isn’t convinced the promotion would ever book it. Drew Dober will look to make it three in a row on Saturday night when he steps into the Octagon with the returning ‘King’ Bobby Green. Dober scored […]

Drew Dober

Drew Dober would love the chance to fight Paddy Pimblett when the UFC returns to London in March but isn’t convinced the promotion would ever book it.

Drew Dober will look to make it three in a row on Saturday night when he steps into the Octagon with the returning ‘King’ Bobby Green. Dober scored back-to-back knockouts against Terrance McKinney and Rafael Alves in his last two outings. He’ll go for a third in the promotion’s final event of 2022, but Dober already has his sights set on a big fight for 2023.

Speaking at the UFC Vegas 66 media event, Dober shared his desire to square off with fast-rising lightweight star Paddy Pimblett when the promotion returns to London in March. While that would certainly be a fun matchup for fans, Drew Dober is not convinced that Dana White and company would ever let it happen.

“No, the UFC will not let me fight him. Let’s be honest, we watched his last fight and we know what I’m capable of. That would be a fun one,” Dober said. “I just want to fight in London at that O2 Arena. So if Paddy says yes I’m all for it. But we all know that we’ve got Dana, the UFC, and all those guys, they won’t let that happen.”

Drew Dober Believes Star Power Carries a Lot of Weight With MMA Judges

Drew Dober’s interest in a fight with Pimblett is hot on the heels of the Liverpudlian’s victory over Jared ‘Flash’ Gordon in the UFC 282 co-main event. ‘The Baddy’ was handed a highly questionable unanimous decision victory. Sharing his thoughts on the outcome, Dober believes that Paddy Pimblett’s star power played a significant role in the judges’ decision.

“I mean, I gotta go back and watch it again,” Dober said. “There is a lot of talking. My opinion on the entire matter is there’s something to star power in the judges’ decisions. We’re watching Octagon control and effectiveness and all this other stuff, star power is something you’ve also got to get over. So when you’re fighting a guy as big as Paddy, you’ve got to do more than just five more punches, you know?” (h/t BJPenn.com).

Practically everyone has weighed in on the controversial decision with Michael Bisping, Aljamain Sterling, Henry Cejudo, Chael Sonnen, Chris Weidman, ‘Big’ John McCarthy, Anthony Smith, Joe Rogan, and Dominick Cruz all going on record believing Jared Gordon was the rightful winner of the co-main clash. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Dana White grants Khamzat Chimaev ‘one more opportunity’ at welterweight; ‘He needs to deliver’

Dana WhiteDana White is ready to bring the ruckus when the UFC returns to London in 2023. At UFC 278, England-native Leon Edwards shocked the world with his picture-perfect head kick knockout of Kamaru Usman to capture the UFC welterweight championship. In the immediate aftermath, UFC President Dana White knew one thing for certain: The UFC […]

Dana White

Dana White is ready to bring the ruckus when the UFC returns to London in 2023.

At UFC 278, England-native Leon Edwards shocked the world with his picture-perfect head kick knockout of Kamaru Usman to capture the UFC welterweight championship. In the immediate aftermath, UFC President Dana White knew one thing for certain: The UFC is going back to London.

“We’re coming back to England with the rematch,” White said in an interview with BT Sport. “Leon Edwards in his home country in England. I’m getting goosebumps just telling you this. It’s been so long since we’ve brought a big title fight back to the UK and we’re gonna make that card look like [UFC 280]. And I’m so excited because you know how much I love the fans in England and the UK. I’m f*cking pumped!”

Dana White Will Give Khamzat Chimaev One More Chance at Welterweight

Another fighter Dana White would like to see as part of their stacked return to London in 2023 is Khamzat Chimaev. Coming off a massive weight miss ahead of his previously scheduled main event clash with Nate Diaz, many, including White, believed a move to middleweight was next for the Chechen-born fighter. However, Dana White is willing to give Chimaev one more shot at welterweight which he would like to see happen in London.

“Khamzat wants to fight at 170. I’m gonna give him one more opportunity to fight at 170. He needs to deliver and make the weight and I would love to do that fight in England too.

“I’m telling you, I’m gonna bring a bada** card to England. English fans have been incredible. They’re so fun. They bring such great energy to the place. And then finally, when Leon Edwards won that fight [at UFC 278], I literally walked right in the back and said, ‘We’re going to England boys.’ I said, ‘F*ck it. Move this whole schedule. We’re going to England.’ England deserves this and Leon Edwards deserves this and I’m excited. I can’t wait.”

UFC leader Dana White eyes Khamzat Chimaev vs. Colby Covington in March UK return

Khamzat ChimaevUFC president, Dana White has confirmed the organization’s plan to return to the United Kingdom for a promotional event in March of next year – and remains receptive to the idea of booking a fight between the undefeated finisher, Khamzat Chimaev, and former interim titleholder, Colby Covington in a co-main event slot on a potential […]

Khamzat Chimaev

UFC president, Dana White has confirmed the organization’s plan to return to the United Kingdom for a promotional event in March of next year – and remains receptive to the idea of booking a fight between the undefeated finisher, Khamzat Chimaev, and former interim titleholder, Colby Covington in a co-main event slot on a potential London card. 

Undefeated in 12 professional fights, Chimaev, an alum of Brave CF, featured in an impromptu catchweight co-headlining clash against Kevin Holland at UFC 279 back in September, securing a first round D’Arce choke win in a dominant submission performance.

As for Covington, the Clovis native currently occupies the #2 rank in the official welterweight pile, having most recently defeated fellow former undisputed title chaser, Jorge Masvidal with a unanimous decision victory back in their March grudge match.

Linked with a potential middleweight division return off the back of a hectic UFC 279 fight week, Chimaev was initially scheduled to fight the promotional exiting contender, Nate Diaz in the event’s headliner, however, missed weight by a staggering seven and a half pounds – resulting in the clash’s cancellation. 

Khamzat Chimaev has been continually linked with a fight against Colby Covington

However, with the promotion expected to land their Octagon in the United Kingdom for a potential London card or a stadium show in Cardiff – topped by a welterweight title trilogy rubber match between recently minted champion, Leon Edwards, and former kingpin, Kamaru Usman – White has sights on booking Khamzat Chimaev on that card.

Appearing during an interview with Oscar Willis from The Mac Life to preview this weekend’s massive UFC 280 pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi, UAE – White maintained he was interested in booking Chimaev in a potential title-eliminator against Covington in the organization’s United Kingdom return in early 2023. 

In another standout victory earlier this year, Khamzat Chimaev managed to defeat one-time undisputed title chaser, Gilbert Burns with a unanimous decision win back in April at UFC 273.

Leavitt On Pimblett Bout Aftermath: That Was Not A Proper Teabag

UFC lightweight prospect Jordan Leavitt has denied that he was the victim of a “teabag” following his defeat to Paddy Pimblett last weekend. On July 23, the UFC headed across the pond for its second UK-held event of the year. Like the first…

UFC lightweight prospect Jordan Leavitt has denied that he was the victim of a “teabag” following his defeat to Paddy Pimblett last weekend. On July 23, the UFC headed across the pond for its second UK-held event of the year. Like the first, UFC London 2.0 saw rising star Pimblett record a victory in front…

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Jordan Leavitt Says He Frustrated The UFC Before Pimblett Fight

UFC lightweight Jordan Leavitt wasn’t willing to let Paddy Pimblett and the UFC attempt to make a name off of him before UFC London. Leavitt faced Pimblett at UFC London last weekend, losing via second-round submission. Following the victory over…

UFC lightweight Jordan Leavitt wasn’t willing to let Paddy Pimblett and the UFC attempt to make a name off of him before UFC London. Leavitt faced Pimblett at UFC London last weekend, losing via second-round submission. Following the victory over Leavitt, Pimblett went on to live up to his promise of ‘tea-bagging’ his opponent after…

Continue Reading Jordan Leavitt Says He Frustrated The UFC Before Pimblett Fight at MMA News.

McCann Goes Opposite Route From Adesanya With MMA Media

While it may not be in UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya’s good books, the MMA media certainly has the support of women’s flyweight Molly McCann. At UFC 276 earlier this month, Adesanya headlined International Fight Week with the fi…

While it may not be in UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya’s good books, the MMA media certainly has the support of women’s flyweight Molly McCann. At UFC 276 earlier this month, Adesanya headlined International Fight Week with the fifth defense of his 185-pound gold. In what many perceived to be a lackluster performance and main…

Continue Reading McCann Goes Opposite Route From Adesanya With MMA Media at MMA News.