Category Archives: Lowkickmma.com

Michael ‘Venom’ Page believes a win over Ian Machado Garry will put him within reach of his first UFC title opportunity.

After besting Kevin Holland in his promotional debut at UFC 299 in March, Page will return to the Octagon on Saturday, June 29 for a clash with the undefeated Irishman. With ‘The Future’ sitting as the No. 7 ranked contender in the welterweight division, the bout will carry with it some serious title implications for both men.

Speaking with Chamatkar Sandhu, Page believes that a win over Garry will get him within earshot of reigning 170-pound king Leon Edwards, but he’ll likely need one more W to push him over the edge.

“I believe there will be one more fight in between for me,” Page said. “If I want to bring it back to the UK, there will most likely be one more fight. They usually do a show [in the UK] in March or something, so if I can get one more fight by the end of the year, that’ll be the perfect way to sign off the year.”

As for who that “one more” could come against, ‘Venom’ has the perfect opponent in mind.

“If I finish Ian, then maybe [Kamaru] Usman,” he continued. “Get a big fight next. He’s number one ranked. Again, like I said, there’s no point wasting time. Let’s jump up. Let’s go. Ask for Usman if he’s happy to go, we go. Get that win and then people… There’s no debate after that. I deserve the belt.”

Kamaru Usman was not impressive with Michael ‘Venom’ page’s UFC debut

Following Michael Page’s UFC debut, Usman admitted to being a fan of ‘Venom,’ though he couldn’t help but be a bit underwhelmed by the former Bellator star’s premiere appearance inside the Octagon.

“It was a good showing,” Usman said on his Pound-4-Pound podcast. “Let’s just start with the entrance, the entrance was great. I like ‘MVP,’ I like the fact that he had the confidence to come in and do that, entrance was great… Now, based on that entrance, I would have liked to see him fight a little bit more- he’s definitely capable of something greater than what he put out” (h/t MMA News).

After losing back-to-back bouts against Leon Edwards, the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ came up short against Khamzat Chimaev after stepping in on nine days’ notice to face ‘Borz’ at UFC 294 in October. Now sitting on a three-fight skid, Usman is in no rush to return but fully intends on chasing gold once he’s ready to strap on the four-ounce gloves again.

LowKickMMA.com

Hall of Fame star and promotional color-commenator, Daniel Cormier has urged Michael Chandler to move on from a failed UFC 303 fight with Conor McGregor this month – claiming he expects the Dubliner to now retire definitively from mixed martial arts.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion under the banner of the promotion, has been sidelined for the last three years – after fracturing his left tibia and fibula in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to common-foe, Dustin Poirier.

And now forced from a UFC 303 return during International Fight Week later this month, McGregor has been struck with an undisclosed injury – and whilst it has been described as not “severe”, the veteran is still expected to be out of action for at least two months.

Seeing himself scratched from the UFC 303 headliner as a result, Chandler will watch on as undisputed light heavyweight kingpin, Alex Pereira drafts into a main event fight on just two weeks notice – in a rematch against former champion, Jiri Prochazka.

Michael Chandler urged to move on from Conor McGregor fight

With speculation rife regarding the immediate fighting future of McGregor – whom UFC CEO, Dana White elected against discussing in the aftermath of his exit from the pay-per-view card, Chandler has been urged to chase other fights by Cormier, in order to snap his almost two-year hiatus.

“He’s (Michael Chandler) got some things to weigh going forward because I don’t know that he should wait anymore,” Daniel Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “I think it’s time to move off of this, and I believe that the overwhelming sentiment is that [Conor McGregor] is done.”

“I thought Conor McGregor was going to come back because to me, Conor McGregor’s a fighter,” Cormier explained. “I know, skill-for-skill, the Conor McGregor of 2015 isn’t the same guy. But I thought that the star was still the same. I just don’t know that he wants to fight. Especially right now.”

Do you think Michael Chandler should move away from a fight with Conor McGregor?

LowKickMMA.com

Alex Pereira has definitive plans to “rest” for some time ahead of his short-notice return at UFC 303 this month, however, still wants to fight in December of this year – if not November in another return to Madison Square Garden.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion and the current light heavyweight gold holder, is slated to return in less than two weeks time at UFC 303 during International Fight Week – taking on former champion, Jiri Prochazka in a short-notice rematch.

Replacing an injury-stricken, Conor McGregor, Pereira returns after headlining UFC 300 as recent as April, landing a devastating opening round knockout win over the returning, Jamahal Hill – emerging unscathed from the title fight.

And sharing his thoughts on his decision to take on Prochazka in a short-notice rematch, Pereira appears more than confident, claiming his “ancestors” will guide him into battle in Las Vegas against the former champion. 

“I understand that this fight [with Jiri Prochazka] is very close and there may be difficultes with the lead up time BUT if there is somebody that can make this happen it is me!” Alex Pereira posted on his official Instagram account. ‘POATAN!”

“This is why I am one of the biggest names in the UFC, Alex Pereira!” Alex Pereira continued. “I take risks that not one other person would be willing to take but I know I have my ancestors with me. The spirits are with me and I’m ready for it all.” 

Alex Pereira plans to “rest a little” after his UFC 303 return

Furthermore, Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira confirmed he would likely have to miss a planned UFC 305 return in August in Australia, however, still wants to fight in either November of December in a third outing this annum.

“Now I think it will be a lot of things,” Alex Pereira said on his YouTube channel about the possibility of fighting at UFC 305. “Got to focus on this fight. I don’t know what will happen after. But I also want to rest a little. I have time to fight til the end of the year. Til December, November – December.”

“Who knows? In Madison Square Garden: a spot where I feel very good at,” Alex Pereira explained. “There’s time, I had my doubts. If I do the August one, I want to do an end of year one [fight]. But now it’s possible. I put it in my head I can do it because I have time for it. Yes, we were talking in respect to August in Australia. I would love it. …”

Are you excited to see Alex Pereira fight at UFC 303 this month?

LowKickMMA.com

The UFC went to great lengths to try and salvage Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the Octagon.

Weeks before he was scheduled to make his quote-unquote “greatest comeback in combat sport’s history,” the promotion decided to pull the plug, but not before pulling out all the stops to salvage their biggest ticket of 2024. Per a report from Ariel Helwani, the UFC’s Chief Business Officer, Hunter Campbell, flew to McGregor’s native Dublin to try and save the main event from falling through.

Sadly, Campbell was unsuccessful, prompting the promotion to replace the fight with another high-stakes headliner. Instead of McGregor vs. Chandler, fans will now see a light heavyweight championship rematch as both reigning titleholder Alex Pereira and No. 1 ranked contender Jiri Prochazka will step in on short notice to save UFC 303.

The Promotion Adds two more big fights to UFC 302

Also added to the card was a co-main event clash between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes, as well as a contest between Carlos Ulberg and Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith. Ulberg was originally scheduled to face Jamahal Hill at the event, but ‘Sweet Dreams’ was forced to bout out due to an injury.

Fortunately, it sounds as though the injury that forced Conor McGregor out of the event is not severe.

At this time, it is unclear if the UFC will reschedule McGregor’s long-awaited fight with the former Bellator champion, but Helwani did add in his report that the promotion is eyeing a new date in either August or September.

LowKickMMA.com

Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely considered to be one of the greatest mixed martial artists in the history of the sport—but his skills as a cornerman could use some work.

‘The Eagle’ returned to Islam Makhachev’s corner at UFC 302, overseeing the Dagestani’s third successful defense of the lightweight world title via a fifth-round submission victory over division fan favorite Dustin Poirier. It marked the first time that Nurmagomedov was in his protege’s corner since he claimed the 155-pound crown against Charles Oliveira in October 2022.

Working the corner with Nurmagomedov was renowned MMA coach and American Kickboxing Academy founder Javier Mendez, who helped coach both ‘The Eagle’ and Makhachev to the top of the lightweight division. Speaking with The Schmo following the events of UFC 302, Mendez revealed that while Nurmagomedov is a great game planner, he needs a bit more fine-tuning when it comes to cornering a fighter.

“Khabib’s actually becoming a great coach and a great cornerman – [but] he needs some work on the cornering,” Mendez said. “He’s great at game planning, he’s fantastic at game planning but we need to work a little bit on the cornering – just a little bit” (h/t Bloody Elbow).

Mendez was able to expand on his comments during a follow-up interview with Helen Yee, revealing that Nurmagomedov’s biggest obstacle is his own excitement in the heat of the moment.

“He needs to master the corner though… We still need to work the corner because he goes a little crazy on there, up and down, slamming on the table – [I told him] ‘Calm down, calm down’. He gets really amped up,” Mendez added. “I mean he loves his fighters so much [as] his brothers that you know, he puts everything into that fight when he goes, I forgot what it was like to have him in the corner; it’s kind of crazy.”

Mendez Offered Khabib Nurmagomedov some advice on how to improve his corner work

Having coached a slew of MMA world champions, including Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold, and Usman Nurmagomedov, ‘The Eagle’ would be wise to listen to any advice that Mendez has for him.

“I gave him instructions on ‘Hey, it’s okay to do what you need to do but just sit down, yell as loud as you can to get your fighters’ attention, you don’t have to hit the table, stand up and cause the commission to tell us to sit down,’ Mendez said.

“Scream as loud as you can – he goes ‘Coach, how am I going to reach him’, I go ‘Scream, scream as loud as you can’ but you’ve got to say things within reason because you got to listen the crowd, if the crowd’s screaming [too] then your fighter is going to hear nothing.”

With Makhachev’s win over Poirier, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ will likely find himself squaring off with No. 1 ranked contender Arman Tsarukyan. No official announcements have been made, but ‘Ahalkalakets’ believes their long-awaited rematch will go down this October in Abu Dhabi or in November when the UFC heads back to the world’s most famous arena—Madison Square Garden.

LowKickMMA.com

Alex Pereira seemingly has no qualms about fighting in just over two weeks time at UFC 303 against Jiri Prochazka in a short-notice light heavyweight title rematch, claiming his “ancestors” will lead him into battle in Las Vegas.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion and the current light heavyweight kingpin, is slated to return on short-notice in a main event fight against Czech Republic star, Prochazka in just over two weeks – with the clash replacing the return of an injury-stricken, Conor McGregor.

First fighting Prochazka last November at Madison Square Garden, Pereira would turn in an impressive second round knockout win over the former undisputed titleholder, handing him his first promotional defeat to boot.

Alex Pereira confident ahead of UFC 303 fight with Jiri Prochazka

And commenting on his drafting in on short-notice to UFC 303 in a headlining capacity, Pereira who was in the process of carrying out seminars in a trip to Australia, held no qualms about fighting on short-notice.

“I understand that this fight [with Jiri Prochazka] is very close and there may be difficultes with the lead up time BUT if there is somebody that can make this happen it is me!” Alex Pereira posted on his official Instagram account. ‘POATAN!”

“This is why I am one of the biggest names in the UFC, Alex Pereira!” Alex Pereira continued. “I take risks that not one other person would be willing to take but I know I have my ancestors with me. The spirits are with me and I’m ready for it all.” 

As for McGregor, the former two-weight champion is set to be sidelined for at least two months according to reports, with a potential August or September return for the veteran Irish star already targeted.

Furthermore, while the nature of McGregor’s injury has yet to be disclosed, reports have also suggested the injury suffered was not “severe”.

Who wins at UFC 303 later this month: Alex Pereira or Jiri Prochazka?

LowKickMMA.com

Khamzat Chimaev’s manager, Majdi Shammas has confirmed his client is currently dealing with a “persistent illness” that has now forced him out of his scheduled UFC Fight NIght Saudi Arabia main event with former champion, Robert Whittaker next weekend in Riyadh.

Chimaev, the current number ten ranked middleweight contender, was officially ruled from his slated headliner against Whittaker next weekend in Saudi Arabia through injury – with UFC CEO, Dana White claiming the unbeaten Chechen was “violently ill”. 

In his place steps Russian contender, Ikram Aliskerov – who books his first headliner in the UFC just three fights deep into his tenure, taking on former champion, Whittaker following a two-fight winning spree since landing in the Octagon from the Contender Series.

Khamzat Chimaev ruled from UFC Saudi Arabia due to “persistent illness”

And in a statement released overnight, the above-mentioned Shammas confirmed a “persistent” health battle during training camp had forced Chimaev from the bout – who is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.

“It’s with great disappointment announced that Khamzat Chimaev (13-) has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled fight against #3 ranked Robert Whittaker on June 22nd in Riyadh,” Shammas posted on Instagram.

“The persistent illness that Khamzat has been battling for major parts of training camp could not be cured in time. He has been in and out of hospitals several times. The condition has been kept within the team, since everyone has been absolutely committed to finding a solution. Althought all available options have been throughly considered, it has now come to a point where the team has mutually agreed that it is not possible to carry on like this.”

“Stepping into the cage not proprly prepared against such a formidable opponent as Robert (Whittaker) is unfortunately impossible.” 

Chimaev’s most recent outing came in the form of a short-notice UFC 294 co-main event last October, in the form of a close, debated majority decision win over former welterweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman. 

When do you expect to see Khamzat Chimaev fight again?

LowKickMMA.com

Jake Paul and Sean O’Malley are ready to step and save UFC 303.

Emanating from T-Mobile Arena on June 29, the International Fight Week finale was expected to be headlined by the long-awaited return of former two-division titleholder Conor McGregor. It’s been nearly three years since we’ve seen the Irishman step inside the Octagon, but after all the rumors and reports, it really started to look like the wait was almost over.

Unfortunately, McGregor’s quote-unquote “greatest comeback in combat sports history” against former Bellator champion Michael Chandler is in some serious jeopardy with the UFC reportedly sending out “feelers” to various fighters hoping to find either a replacement for McGregor or a brand new fight altogether.

Well as it turns out, they won’t have to look very far.

After exchanging words on social media, ‘The Problem Child’ and reigning bantamweight world champion ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley went face-to-face, giving fans a little taste of the UFC vs. PFL clash they hope to bring to ‘Sin City’ later this month.

Dana White is more likely to jump off the Cosmopolitan than allow this fight to happen inside the Octagon, but you’ve got to appreciate the marketing tactic here. Two of the biggest names in combat sports today coming together. Paul pushing his new personal care brand.

Not to mention the inclusion of Rubi Rose, a popular American rapper and songwriter with more than 5.3 million followers on Instagram.

Jake Paul vs. Sean O’Malley may not be enough to save the UFC’s disastrous month

It’s been a rough month for Dana White and Co. Not only are they on the verge of losing one of the biggest tickets of the year, but their high-stakes headliner between Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker on June 22 has reportedly fallen through with ‘Borz’ suffering an undisclosed medical emergency.

Adding insult to injury, the UFC 303 co-main event is now in need of replacing. Former light heavyweight titleholder Jamahal Hill was originally expected to square off with Khalil Rountree Jr., but ‘The War Horse’ was forced to bow out after being flagged for a banned substance.

Carlos Ulberg agreed to step in and take Rountree’s spot, but it now sounds like the fight needs yet another replacement.

“In addition to working on a new main for 303, I’m told UFC is also looking at a new co-main for that card,” Ariel Helwani revealed on X. “The current co-main – Hill x Ulberg – might need a replacement now too, and if so it could get bumped down. One new fight that has been discussed – not for the main – is Brian Ortega x Diego Lopes.”

LowKickMMA.com

Demetrious Johnson is not a fan of Jake Paul fighting Mike Tyson.

Tyson and Paul were originally scheduled to face each other inside the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, July 20. However, their highly anticipated clash was postponed after Tyson experienced a medical emergency during a cross-country flight last month. Fortunately, the incident was attributed to nothing more than an ulcer flare-up. Still, Tyson was forced to take a break from training, prompting promoters to push the fight from this summer to November 15.

Johnson, on the other hand, thinks they should just scrap the whole thing altogether, or at the very least, find an opponent for ‘The Problem Child’ who isn’t 30+ years his elder.

“He’s 58 years old,” Johnson said of Tyson during an appearance on The MMA Hour. “I don’t know what his health history is, and I think the biggest thing is you have someone who is 58 years old trying to push his body to the absolute limit, moving. I don’t know if he’s sparring or anything like that. I love Jake Paul, I just think there are so many f*cking boxers out there that he can fight and build, pad his record with. I understand Mike Tyson is a big name and Netflix wants to do it, but I don’t think they should revisit it.

“There are plenty of guys out there that Jake Paul could fight. KSI is one of them. He could fight T-Wood [Tyron Woodley] again. He could fight Mike Perry, ‘Platinum.’ He could fight Jorge Masvidal. There are so many guys! He could fight Anthony Pettis. There are so many guys who are younger than Mike Tyson but a little bit older than him that he can beat and have a big name.

“But I just think him fighting Mike Tyson, the guy is 58. I don’t want to see Mike Tyson get hurt. For what? … This is the stupidest f*cking thing that’s happening right now. You’re telling me there is literally nobody out there that can fight Jake Paul that’s his age, that is 8-0 as a boxer?” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Tyson is one of the biggest names in the history of boxing, amassing a 50-6 record with 44 of his wins coming by way of knockout over the course of his two-decade-long career. Along the way, he captured the undisputed heavyweight world championship, carrying the crown from 1987 to 1990.

‘Kid Dynamite’ returned to the boxing ring in 2020 for an exhibition bout with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr., but the clash with Paul will be his first professional boxing match since a 2005 loss to Kevin McBride.

“If they want something that’s big, get a very good boxer that’s really good and have [Paul] fight him,” Johnson argued. “His skills should sell enough. I’m not here for a f*cking circus. I’m here for, are you legit or not? Fight a legit boxer who is 8-0.

“Let’s have a legit boxing promoter like Eddie Hearn give us somebody. ‘Hey, who do you think would be a good fight for Jake Paul? Who?’ Ask Eddie Hearn that and see if he can get the guy to sign on the dotted line and have a fight.”

Demetrious Johnson has the perfect opponent in mind for jake paul

So if Demetrious Johnson doesn’t want to see ‘The Problem Child’ throw hands with Tyson, who would be a suitable opponent? Well, ‘Mighty Mouse’ has the perfect candidate in mind: current BKFC star and the King of Violence, ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry.

“One of the things Mike Perry does very well is he puts a lot of damage on his opponents with bare knuckles,” Johnson said. “With those gloves, I don’t know if he can do the same type of damage, because cutting someone in the face and all that stuff, I don’t think he could do that. But I would watch.

“I’m more excited to see Mike Perry vs. Jake Paul in a boxing match. Netflix, f*cking sign it. Mike Perry vs. Jake Paul. … That’s a way better-selling fight than Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. Let Mike Tyson enjoy his retirement. Don’t bring that man back to fighting. Let him enjoy the rest of his life and let Mike Perry and Jake Paul fight.”

Paul and Perry have teased a potential clash for some time with ‘Platinum’ even serving as the backup for Paul’s fight with former UFC star Nate Diaz last summer. Recent rumors suggest that a date has been discussed for what feels like an inevitable showdown between the two, though no announcements have been made.

LowKickMMA.com

Undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis is all ears to a future title defense against the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev should he win next weekend at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia – however, is less than keen on fighting ex-champion, Robert Whittaker again if he beats the Chechen this month.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight kingpin, headlined UFC 297 back in January in Canada, landing the divisional crown in a controversial, and much debated split decision win over Sean Strickland.

The victory kept the Pretoria native’s perfect promotional run in check since his 2020 debut with the organization to boot.

And linked with a summer comeback fight, du Plessis recently revealed he had agreed to defend his crown next in a rescheduled title fight with former two-time champion, Israel Adesanya – with the duo linked to a UFC 305 battle in Perth as soon as August.

Dricus du Plessis eyes Khamzat Chimaev title fight

Sharing his thoughts on other contenders whom may present themselves to him in the future, du Plessis welcomed the chance to face off with Chimaev – as soon as he beats Whittaker as the prepare to fight next weekend in Riyadh.

“Should he (Khamzat Chimaev) beat (Robert) Whittaker, I would love to fight Khamzat,” Dricus du Plessis told Fight Wave. “In my opinion, should Whittaker beat Khamzat, I don’t think it warrants him a title shot. Honestly [I] would love to see him and (Sean) Strickland fight it out for [a] number one contender fight.”

“I was willing to fight Strickland, Khamzat, (Israel) Adesanya,” Dricus du Plessis continued. “I’m champion. I have to fight who they [the UFC] give me. I want to fight the best guy. Strickland fans were like, ‘Fight him again.’ I said, ‘Guys, I will fight him again.’ I don’t make that decision [when].” 

Would you like to see Dricus du Plessis fight Khamzat Chimaev this year?

LowKickMMA.com