Tag: UFC News

Khabib Nurmagomedov “Would Not Prefer” Aljamain Sterling’s Title Reign

khabib nurmagomedovFormer UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov thinks that the way that newly-crowned UFC bantamweight title holder Aljamain Sterling earned the belt would not be his preferred method to get the belt. Nurmagomedov has been retired from the UFC for a little under a year, but still pays close attention to the sport he used to […]

khabib nurmagomedov

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov thinks that the way that newly-crowned UFC bantamweight title holder Aljamain Sterling earned the belt would not be his preferred method to get the belt.

Nurmagomedov has been retired from the UFC for a little under a year, but still pays close attention to the sport he used to dominate at the highest level. He opted to leave the sport following his most recent win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 last October.

Sterling has been the target of criticism around the MMA community for how he’s handled getting the UFC belt. He earned the win over Petr Yan at UFC 259 in Round 4 by disqualification, after Yan landed an illegal knee to a grounded Sterling in a fight that the incumbent champion had dominated for a good portion of the bout.

Nurmagomedov recently sat down for an interview with UFC Russia, and weighed in on the drama surrounding Yan vs. Sterling and whether or not he sees Sterling as a legitimate champion.

“Well, I would not prefer to become a champion the way [Aljamain] Sterling did,” Nurmagomedov said. “I think he understands it, and his people do, but they try to support him, and I understand them. I would not like to be the champion who almost lost and won his belt just because his opponent broke the rules.”

“If Petr [Yan] properly does his homework, he will benefit a lot from this. First of all, he needs to continue his training process and stay hungry and focused. I think he will be given a fight this year, or even a rematch, and he deserves it. Anyways, I think he needs it, and it will help him a lot. I hope he finds a way to use it for his own advantage.”

Sterling and Yan are widely expected to fight in title rematch later this year, as Sterling has taken some time off to recover from the injury he suffered in their first fight. The bantamweight title picture had been on hold since their first fight, and it’ll be a breath of fresh air to see those two finally get some sort of closure after their controversial first bout.

Do you agree with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s comments regarding Aljamain Sterling?

Georges St-Pierre On Superfight With Khabib Nurmagomedov: We’re Never Going To See It, Unfortunately

St-PierreFormer UFC middleweight and welterweight champion, Georges St-Pierre appears to be interested in the challenge presented by former lightweight gold holder, the recently retired, Khabib Nurmagomedov, although admitted, almost reluctantly that a pairing of the two would never materialize — a situation he described as “unfortunate“””. Last competing at UFC 217 back in November of […]

St-Pierre

Former UFC middleweight and welterweight champion, Georges St-Pierre appears to be interested in the challenge presented by former lightweight gold holder, the recently retired, Khabib Nurmagomedov, although admitted, almost reluctantly that a pairing of the two would never materialize — a situation he described as “unfortunate“””.

Last competing at UFC 217 back in November of 2017, St-Pierre snapped a four-year hiatus from the Octagon and the sport — returning in a middleweight title main event against then-champion, Michael Bisping — headlining a Madison Square Garden pay-per-view card.

Appearing never to lose a step in his time away from professional mixed martial arts, St-Pierre became a two-weight champion under the UFC’s banner via a fourth round rear-naked choke win over Bisping, before relinquishing the title later that year before a unification bout with Robert Whittaker — citing an ongoing battle with ulcerative colitis. 

In the time since, St-Pierre, who announced his retirement from mixed martial arts at a February 2019 press conference in his native Canada, was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in May of last year as part of the organization’s modern wing of talent. 

For Nurmagomedov, the Dagestani sambo specialist called time on his perfect 29-0 professional career immediately following his lightweight title unification win over Justin Gaethje last October on ‘Fight Island’ following the passing of his father Abdulamanap Nurmagomedov due to health issues stemming from a bout of COVID-19. 

Appearing during a recent interview with Bleacher Report reporter, Tom Taylor —  St-Pierre addressed the prospect of a potential superfight against Nurmagomedov and explained how a timeframe what would have been a well-received bout was an issue for the promotion, and how the pairing will likely never materialize. 

“I believe if you make that fight (with Khabib Nurmagomedov) 10 times, it could be 10 different outcomes — but we’re never going to see it, unfortunately,” St-Pierre explained. “Timing was an issue with the UFC. It’s unfortunate, but it could be seen as a positive that both of us finished our careers with a great legacy, and nothing has been tainted — so it’s good.” (H/T BJPENN.com)

Following his win over Bisping, St-Pierre was also linked to potential meetings with then-welterweight champion, Tyron Woodley as well as a potential comeback the following year against recent UFC 263 feature, Nate Diaz — however, both pairings failed to ever come to fruition.

Conor McGregor Denies Having Staph Infection Ahead Of UFC 264

UFC Lightweight Conor McGregor is in the final stages of preparation for his trilogy fight next weekend at UFC 264 against Dustin Poirier. This hasn’t come without controversy however, as photos have emerged this week of a potential staph infection of McGregor’s left elbow. McGregor denied any type of staph infection being on his arm, […]

UFC Lightweight Conor McGregor is in the final stages of preparation for his trilogy fight next weekend at UFC 264 against Dustin Poirier. This hasn’t come without controversy however, as photos have emerged this week of a potential staph infection of McGregor’s left elbow.

McGregor denied any type of staph infection being on his arm, instead referring to the mark as “Just vicious brain damaging elbows.”

It will be interesting to see if there are any updates in regards the staph infection. It doesn’t seem like it will become an issue however.

Both McGregor and Poirier have lots on the line in this upcoming fight next weekend. The winner will presumably be fighting Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title later this year. McGregor KO’d Poirier in 2014 while Poirier KO’d McGregor in January of this year.

Do you believe Conor McGregor?

Ciryl Gane Offered Interim Title Fight Before Beating Alexander Volkov

Ciryl GaneCiryl Gane is coming off the biggest victory of his career last weekend, defeating Alexander Volkov in a dominant unanimous decision win inside the octagon. Gane will now be looking towards an interim title shot on August 7th at UFC 265 vs fellow top contender Derrick Lewis in Lewis’s hometown of Houston, Texas. While Gane was […]

Ciryl Gane

Ciryl Gane is coming off the biggest victory of his career last weekend, defeating Alexander Volkov in a dominant unanimous decision win inside the octagon.

Gane will now be looking towards an interim title shot on August 7th at UFC 265 vs fellow top contender Derrick Lewis in Lewis’s hometown of Houston, Texas.

While Gane was interviewed by MMA Junkie this week, he spilled the beans on a previously offered interim title bout saying, “We knew already because just before the fight (with Volkov), UFC sent a message to Fernand Lopez (Gane’s trainer), a message like, ‘Yes, this is the semifinal, so do your job, and we’ll see after that.”

“I think it was an interim title shot, yes. But I’m not sure because they didn’t text with me. It was Lopez, and Lopez told me, ‘Man, do your job, and after the fight you’re going to be happy.’”

The sudden booking of the interim title bout surprised many fans, analysts and fighters especially with Ngannou’s team coming out saying they were offered and accepted the title fight for September.

Gane, a teammate of Ngannou’s was ultimately pleased with the interim bout.

“It was good because it’s good news, but I was really focused on the fight and no more pressure,” Gane said. “I just said, ‘Man, Ok, this is good news but I have to do the job before that, so stay focused on your job, on the fight against Volkov and after we’ll see.’ I was really focused, no pressure.”

Overall, this situation has been an interesting and controversial one. Why didn’t the UFC just make this a number one contender’s bout? An answer only few may know.

How do you feel about Ciryl Gane vs Derrick Lewis being for an interim title? Who wins?

Conor McGregor Rips ‘Shelling Ass B*tch’ Dustin Poirier’s Best Boxer Claim

Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier are ramping up the trash talk ahead of their eagerly anticipated trilogy fight which is set to take place at UFC 264 on July 10. The Irishman recently suggested both men keep the fight standing next weekend and said that whoever shoots for a takedown first is a “b*tch”. Poirier […]

Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier are ramping up the trash talk ahead of their eagerly anticipated trilogy fight which is set to take place at UFC 264 on July 10.

The Irishman recently suggested both men keep the fight standing next weekend and said that whoever shoots for a takedown first is a “b*tch”.

Poirier and ‘Notorious’ currently hold one win ahead of their tie-breaking trilogy bout on July 10. In 2015, McGregor made quick with of ‘The Diamond’ on route to the featherweight title. Earlier this year, Poirier avenged that loss by becoming the first man to knock out McGregor when they rematched at UFC 257.

In a recent interview with Brett Okamoto of ESPN, Poirier said that he believes that comment from McGregor was made out of insecurity.

“He just said something on (social media), the first one that shoots a bitch. That’s what he said, yeah? Isn’t he the one who’s always preaching about the flow, the full martial arts, no holds barred, no rules the ultimate fighting, like when he’s talking about boxing and stuff, right? How about the first one to get taken down is a b*tch,” Poirier suggested. “It’s martial arts, put it all together. It reeks of insecurity to me.”

McGregor got wind of the comments and immediately took to social media to attack Poirier in a series of posts.

“Best boxer, my ass! Shooting ass, shelling ass bitch,” McGregor wrote. “Quick take for you and your team pal – You’s got pucked around in the clinch! Elbows, knees, shoulders, fists. Looking outside the cage for advice. #strikerturnedwreslter #dustybitch”

Poirier is yet to issue a reply, but Max Holloway cheekily got involved when he saw the debate about the best boxer in MMA had been reignited.

“Sup bro you rang?” Holloway posted under one of McGregor’s rants at ‘The Diamond’.

Do you think Dustin Poirier has struck a nerve after seeing Conor McGregor angrily react to his recent comments?

Sean Brady vs. Kevin Lee Is Back On For August 28

Sean BradyAn exciting welterweight bout between rising star, Sean Brady and the uber popular, Kevin ‘The Motown Phenom’ Lee has been rebooked for August 28. The event doesn’t have an officially announced location or venue yet but it is expected to take place at UFC APEX. Brady and Lee were originally supposed to meet at the […]

Sean Brady

An exciting welterweight bout between rising star, Sean Brady and the uber popular, Kevin ‘The Motown Phenom’ Lee has been rebooked for August 28.

The event doesn’t have an officially announced location or venue yet but it is expected to take place at UFC APEX.

Brady and Lee were originally supposed to meet at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada at UFC 264 on July 10.

Unfortunately, Lee suffered a rib injury and was forced to withdraw from the bout.

This is just the latest bit of bad luck Lee has suffered. The former interim title challenger has been side-lined since losing to Charles Oliveira at UFC Fight Night Brasilia last May. Lee suffered an ACL tear during then fight then another in his other leg during the recovery process.

Brady last featured at UFC 259 in March at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada — scoring a rather one-sided arm-triangle stoppage over Jake Matthews. The victory came as Brady’s fourth from his first four Octagon walks. He currently boasts a perfect 14-0 record and seems to be a potential player at 170lbs.

Who do you think will win this welterweight clash on August 28? Sean Brady or Kevin Lee?