Tag: UFC News

Eddie Alvarez Believes Winning ONE Belt Would Make Him The Lightweight GOAT

Eddie AlvarezFormer UFC and Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez truly believes that winning the ONE championship belt would make him the greatest lightweight in MMA history Alvarez will return to the cage next week to face luri Lapicus with the winner next in line to fight for the ONE lightweight title. Alvarez, of course, is also […]

Eddie Alvarez

Former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez truly believes that winning the ONE championship belt would make him the greatest lightweight in MMA history

Alvarez will return to the cage next week to face luri Lapicus with the winner next in line to fight for the ONE lightweight title. Alvarez, of course, is also the former UFC lightweight champion and the former Bellator lightweight champion, so winning a third belt in a major organization would make give him the extremely rare “triple crown” in MMA.

In an interview with TMZ Sports, Alvarez said that he believes winning the ONE lightweight title would give him the resume he needs to say he’s the greatest MMA lightweight ever.

“I mean, I think in my eyes I’d be the greatest lightweight that ever lived. It’s fine to be great for five years, it’s even good to be great for 10 years. But for two decades, to continue to fight champions all over the world. I’m not staying in one place, I’m not staying in one promotion. I’m going to all parts of the world and fighting every champion from every major promotion and becoming the champion on that platform. No one has done it, no one will ever do it. You have to be as crazy as I am,” Alvarez said.

“But I love this sport and it’s one fight at a time. It’s one fight at a time, and that’s how I’ve done it. As many belts as I collet and as many champions as I’ve defeated, it will be argued, but I’ll just tell people to check the scoreboard, you know what I mean? I don’t want to argue it. Check the scoreboard. Let’s accumulate the data and check the scoreboard. Then we’ll talk about who’s the greatest lightweight that ever lived.” (Transcribed by BJPENN.com)

While Alvarez will certainly go down as one of the greatest lightweights to ever compete inside a cage, its hard to proclaim the goat with people like the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov out there at 29-0.

Do you think Eddie Alvarez would be the GOAT Lightweight if he were to win the ONE Title?

Khabib Nurmagomedov On Dana White: ‘Sometimes He Is Not Nice’

Khabib NurmagomedovKhabib Nurmagomedov has given a rather honest assessment about his former boss. Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA after defeating Justin Gathje at UFC 254. However, UFC president Dana White was adamant that he could convince the undefeated fighter to come back for one more fight. That all changed last month, when the UFC finally […]

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov has given a rather honest assessment about his former boss.

Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA after defeating Justin Gathje at UFC 254. However, UFC president Dana White was adamant that he could convince the undefeated fighter to come back for one more fight. That all changed last month, when the UFC finally accepted that Nurmagomedov was gone and stripped him of the lightweight title.

Speaking to teammate Daniel Cormier on the UFC 260 weigh-in show, Nurmagomedov elaborated on the meetings he had with White and his decision to ultimately retire from the sport. ‘The Eagle’ maintained that he didn’t see any challenges for himself in the current landscape and didn’t want to hold up the division any longer.

“It’s very hard to say no to Dana White. I’m going to be very honest because this guy, sometimes he is nice. Sometimes he is not nice. Sometimes he says one thing,” Nurmagomedov said. “Anyways, it was very honest, real talk with two real men. This is what I feel. In the last meeting, he come and say, ‘Hey, what are we going to do?’ I say, ‘Nothing changed. Nothing changed.’ I think, my opinion, lightweight division has to go on. I don’t want to hold (the) division.”

While nothing Nurmagomedov said was particularly inflammatory, it’s definitely a broader peak into their relationship than we’ve seen him give in the past.

The relationship between Nurmagomedov and White now that the former is retired should be interesting to watch play out. Nurmagomedov still remains a huge sports figure in Russia and has essentially served as a brand ambassador overseas. As well, he said said that he hopes his newly minted Eagle Fighting Championship can find a home on UFC Fight Pass and serve as a feeder league to the world’s premier MMA organization.

And lest we forget, Nurmagomedov is only 32 years old. He still has a few years left in his prime, and while he may be happy in retirement now, a new challenge could arise that peaks his interest. If that does happen, you can bet White would welcome him back with open arms, so it would be in his best interest to stay in Nurmagomedov’s good books for the time being.

What do you make of the relationship between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dana White?

Colby Covington Predicts Ben Askren Will Beat ‘Complete Joke’ Jake Paul

Colby CovingtonColby Covington is backing Ben Askren to cause an upset when he meets Jake Paul in his boxing debut on April 17. ‘Chaos’ and Askren haven’t enjoyed the friendliest relationship over the years but during a recent interview with Helen Yee, Covington made it clear who he’s backing ahead of the bout. “Hopefully Ben goes […]

Colby Covington

Colby Covington is backing Ben Askren to cause an upset when he meets Jake Paul in his boxing debut on April 17.

‘Chaos’ and Askren haven’t enjoyed the friendliest relationship over the years but during a recent interview with Helen Yee, Covington made it clear who he’s backing ahead of the bout.

“Hopefully Ben goes out there and knocks out Jake Paul,” Colby Covington said. “I’m just sick of hearing him talk. He’s just running his mouth and there’s no substance behind anything he says.

“I think he will [beat Paul], I think he’s just going to put that pressure on him. If he uses the clinch and just ties him up and just gets him tired, there’s no doubt he has a better gas tank than Jake Paul – some little YouTuber,” Covington added. The kid’s a complete joke, he’s an embarrassment to society, he’s an embarrassment to the MMA and boxing world in general. I hope Ben goes out there and shuts his mouth.”

Askren recently claimed Jorge Masvidal is scared to fight Covington.

“Me and Ben have had a feud and he’s always talked sh*t about me in the media,” Covington said. “We’ve exchanged not-so-nice words in the past and the fact that he’s coming out showing support for me shows that I deserve [the title shot] more than anybody right now and he knows that I’ve been putting in the work. He knows that Jorge Masvidal is scared to fight me.

“Since he ran from me for six months and was scared to fight me, how do you reward that guy and give him another title shot? It doesn’t make sense, I don’t think the fans are happy with it, I think they’re showing by their comments, their support of me, they want to see me back out there, they know I’m the best show inside the Octagon and outside the Octagon.” (Transcribed by BJPENN.com)

Do you agree with Colby Covington? Will Ben Askren beat Jake Paul on April 17?

Colby Covington Willing To Be Backup For UFC 261 Main Event

Former UFC Welterweight interim champion Colby Covington has expressed his interest in being the backup fighter for the upcoming UFC 261 main event rematch between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. During an interview with MMA reporter The Schmo, Covington shared that he plans to attend the event and would willingly weigh in as an alternate […]

Former UFC Welterweight interim champion Colby Covington has expressed his interest in being the backup fighter for the upcoming UFC 261 main event rematch between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal.

During an interview with MMA reporter The Schmo, Covington shared that he plans to attend the event and would willingly weigh in as an alternate if needed.

“Everbody knows, the UFC hasn’t told me but I think it’s self-explanatory, I’m the backup guy,” Covington said. “If anything happens, anybody gets COVID, anybody gets cold feet and pulls out of that fight then I’m showing up.”

“I’m staying ready, I have my weight ready to go, I’m training preparing like I am fighting April 24 for the world title so you know if they want me to weigh in I’d love to weigh in, if not it’s okay I’ll be there in attendance and I’ll be ready to go in case anybody pulls out last minute.”

Covington most recently fought in September of 2020 against Tyron Woodley and was able to achieve victory via fifth-round TKO. Before that bout, Covington had lost an attempt at the Welterweight title in an extremely competitive five-round war where he was finished by Usman in the final round.

Usman most recently defended his title against Gilbert Burns in February, winning the fight via second-round knockout. In 2020 Usman took on Masvidal for the first time on short notice and secured himself a landslide decision victory.

Since their initial meeting Masvidal has sat out from, however, he was offered opportunities to fight Covington including for the pair to host the return of The Ultimate Fighter.

For Covington, it isn’t clear if the UFC will choose to have him as a backup for the event, or what will be next for the highly ranked fighter following this title fight.

Who do you think we see Covington face off against next?

Kevin Holland vs Marvin Vettori Reportedly Set For April 10

HollandJust 21 days after UFC Middleweight Kevin Holland entered the octagon to take on Derek Brunson, he will once return to face rising prospect Marvin Vettori on short notice. In a report by ESPN, sources confirmed that the matchup would be going down, confirming earlier reports from both Holland and Vettori themselves. The bout was […]

Holland

Just 21 days after UFC Middleweight Kevin Holland entered the octagon to take on Derek Brunson, he will once return to face rising prospect Marvin Vettori on short notice.

In a report by ESPN, sources confirmed that the matchup would be going down, confirming earlier reports from both Holland and Vettori themselves.

The bout was initially scheduled to be Darren Till taking on Vettori, however, Till was forced to withdraw from the bout after suffering an injury during training.

Holland’s quick return comes after he was defeated by a unanimous decision on March 20. This return ties both Michael Bisping and Deiveson Figueiredo for the shortest turnaround between main event fights in UFC history.

In 2020 Holland rose to fame thanks to his active fighting schedule and passion for trash talk. The middleweight put on five winning performances over the calendar with the most impressive coming in December when he knocked out UFC legend Jacare Souza with a brutal shot off his back.

While competing Holland would also taunt his opponents with words, an act that while unique to him many saw as the reason for his most recent main event loss to Brunson.

Vettori is coming into this fight off a win against Jack Hermansson in a grueling five-round main event war. This bout was also on short notice for the Italian who was set to face Souza himself before replacing Till to take on Hermansson.

The main event position of this bout brings high stakes for both fighters, more so Vettori who with a win could put himself into the title conversation.

Following his unsuccessful bid at the Light-heavyweight title, Israel Adesanya will be returning to Middleweight once again and his next opponent will be drawn from one of few key matchups taking place in the division including the upcoming main event.

Who do you think takes victory in this short notice fight?

Kevin Holland Confirms Marvin Vettori Fight Is Signed For April 10

Holland VettoriA short-notice middleweight headliner between Marvin Vettori and Kevin Holland is seemingly official for UFC Vegas 24. Vettori was originally set to take on Darren Till at the Fight Night event taking place April 10 at the Apex facility in Las Vegas. However, he had to pull out earlier this week after suffering a broken […]

Holland Vettori

A short-notice middleweight headliner between Marvin Vettori and Kevin Holland is seemingly official for UFC Vegas 24.

Vettori was originally set to take on Darren Till at the Fight Night event taking place April 10 at the Apex facility in Las Vegas. However, he had to pull out earlier this week after suffering a broken collarbone.

Holland was quick to throw his name in the hat and had already accepted a short-notice fight with Vettori. All that was required was the green light from Vettori’s side.

Two days later and the fight is seemingly official as per Holland.

ESPN’s Ariel Helwani would confirm the fight as well.

“‘See you April 10,’ Kevin Holland says. Kevin Holland x Marvin Vettori is signed for April 10. Five rounds.”

It will also tie the record for the shortest layoff in between main event fights.

“Holland just fought on March 20. So he will tie records set by Michael Bisping and Deiveson Figueiredo, who went 21 days between main events, per @ESPNStatsInfo.”

Holland, of course, fought late last month when he suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Derek Brunson.

It snapped a five-fight winning streak for “Big Mouth” who continues to prove he’s willing to fight anyone, anytime by stepping in to fight Vettori just 21 days later.

As for Vettori, he is coming off a unanimous decision win over Jack Hermansson. He has also won his last four in a row.

Who do you have winning this fight?