Derrick Lewis has always loved to joke around, and when asked about a potential WWE crossover, he responded in a hilarious way.
‘The Black Beast’ returned to his winning ways last night in St. Louis against Rodrigo Nascimento at the Enterprise Center. In between the second and third rounds, Lewis’ coach implored his fighter to get back to what he does best, which is to knock people out. Lewis obliged and shut the lights of Nascimento out before even a full minute could pass in the third round.
Now just 2-3 in his last five fights, Lewis has shown an eagerness to make a foray into WWE as his UFC career winds down. When asked about what his WWE finisher and costume would be like, Derrick Lewis didn’t mind delving further into the details.
Derrick Lewis Speaks on what his WWE gimmick would look like
“Um, it’s probably,” Lewis began. “You remember Goldust? Probably something like that.” He had a smile on his face as he said those words, possibly implying a genuine interest in doing that, as well.
“You know, as long as I get to paint my face,” Derrick Lewis continued. “People really ain’t gonna know it’s me. Imma be a whole a*s freak out there.”
When asked if he was going to go all in with the tights and boots, Lewis smiled and replied in the affirmative. “All that, and be a little sassy with it,” he said.
Lewis wouldn’t be the first athlete to crossover from MMA to the WWE, and now that the two companies are owned by the same people, it’s very likely that it could happen. With his personality, ‘The Black Beast’ would probably be an entertaining wrestler, and it sounds like he’d want a funny and out-of-the-box gimmick as well.
What do you think about Derrick Lewis considering making a change to the WWE?
Ben Askren expects Jon Jones to make quick work of Alex Pereira if the two ever tussle inside the Octagon.
Following Pereira’s sensational first-round knockout of Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, ‘Bones’ took to social media to gauge interest in a potential superfight between himself and the reigning 205-pound champ. Needless to say, fans exploded with excitement online and pundits immediately began debating who would come out on top in the potential champion vs. champion clash.
Speaking with UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, former Bellator MMA and ONE world champion Ben Askren suggested that Pereira wouldn’t last much longer against Jones than Ciryl Gane did.
“People want to see him have the ability to stop takedowns, because of you can’t stop takedowns [from] Jon Jones, he’s going to take you down and submit you,” Askren said on an episode of Funky & Champ.
“We saw Pereira get taken down by [Israel] Adesanya and he was kept down for, actually, a significant portion of time. And it is kind of wild that we have this guy Pereira, and there’s no doubt he’s making his mark as, possibly, one of the best ever if he keeps winning, yet [there] are questions about his wrestling. Like, how would he do against good wrestling? And we don’t know because somehow Jamahal Hill didn’t try a takedown, [Jiri] Prochazka didn’t try a takedown, [Jan] Blachowicz actually did take him down and keep him down for a round, Strickland didn’t try a takedown. … Like, these guys, they don’t try takedowns.
“He’s won all of these fights … and as he’s fought Sean Strickland and on, besides one round with Jan — and Jan’s not really a wrestler, he possesses some skills but he’s not really a wrestler. [Pereira] has still not fought a wrestler. So we still have all of these questions. So if he fights Jon Jones, I think there’s a chance it’s over in like two and a half minutes. I mean, look what Jon did to Ciryl Gane. He’s a large man, he’s a high-level wrestler, he’s got great grappling skills. Yeah, I think there’s a possibility of that for sure” (h/t MMA Fighting).
Jones secured a quick two-minute submission victory over Gane at UFC 285 to claim the vacant heavyweight title.
‘Bones’ was expected to defend the title against the division’s consensus GOAT Stipe Miocic in November, but a pectoral injury forced him to bow out of the bout.
Askren believes Jon Jones needs to fight Tom Aspinall before Alex Pereira
In the meantime, the UFC has crowned an interim champion in Tom Aspinall after the UK-based star scored a 69-second KO against Sergei Pavlovich inside the world’s most famous arena.
Traditionally, the undisputed champion would unify his belt with that of the interim titleholder upon their return. Unfortunately, that won’t be the case this time around as both Jones and the UFC have remained adamant that ‘Bones’ vs. Miocic will move forward.
With rumors of retirement and now talk of a potential fight with Alex Pereira, it has become increasingly more clear that Jones has no intention of ever fighting Tom Aspinall, much to the chagrin of fight fans and Ben Askren.
“We want to see Jon Jones fight Tom Aspinall,” Askren said. “Aspinall’s got the interim belt, Jon’s got the [other] belt. It just doesn’t make any sense. Just freaking make them fight, and then if Jon beats him, then Pereira vs. Jon.
“You can’t leave Tom Aspinall sitting here with the interim belt.”
Amid an alleged tax bill outstanding to the Federal Tax Services in Russia – in the region of $ 3,300,000, former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov has been linked with a return to the Octagon in order to secure funds to cough up his tally.
Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, under the banner of the UFC, called time on his career back in 2020, following a title unification fight with former interim gold holder, Justin Gaethje.
Submitting the former interim champion with a second round triangle choke win, Nurmagomedov improved to 29-0 as a professional, before calling time on his professional fighting career in the immediate aftermath of his victory.
In the time since, Khabib Nurmagomedov has headed up Eagle FC – a fight promotion with it’s headquarters based in Florida, and has also coached fellow fighters at home gym, American Kickboxing Academy.
Khabib Nurmagomedov allegedly hit with tax bill by Russian authorities
Leading compatriot, Islam Makhachev to a title victory over former champion, Charles Oliveira back in 2022, Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC-led promotion has yet to host an event since November of last year in Almetyevsk, Russia.
Mandatory Credit: Eagle FC
And according a report overnight, Nurmagomedov is alleged to have been hit with a tax bill in the region of 306 million rubles by the FTS (Federal Tax Services) in his native Russia, with the department alleging blocking accounts linked with the Eagle FC organization, a particular charitable foundation, and various other companies.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is reported to have had accounts blocked over $ 3 million in tax debts owed to the Russian Federal Tax Services. https://t.co/iq9DdN4ono
— John S. Nash (@heynottheface) May 11, 2024
The report in question also alleges Nurmagomedov may have used the money in question – in the region of $ 3,300,000 to purchase multiple hotels and other start-up companies in various regions of the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC
And amid those reports, fans of the former lightweight champion across social media have called for the Dagestan grappler to make a return to competition – hinting at the promotion’s recent deal with Saudi Arabia, brokered by adviser, Turki Alalsheikh.
Would you like to see Khabib Nurmagomedov make a return to the UFC?
Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return to the Octagon is still several weeks away, but that isn’t stopping the Irishman from breaking more revenue records.
On Saturday, June 29th, McGregor will compete for the first time in nearly three years when he meets former Bellator MMA champion Michael Chandler in the UFC 303 headliner. Emanating from T-Mobile Arena during International Fight Week, the event is expected to be a massive money-maker for the promotion.
Speaking at the UFC St. Louis post-fight press event, CEO Dana White confirmed that the gate for McGregor’s return is already “way over” $ 20 million, making it their highest gate of all time.
Dana White says the #UFC303 gate is already way over $ 20M. @TheNotoriousMMA #UFCStLouis pic.twitter.com/SAGWyd3kXI
“It’s already way over $ 20 million,” White confirmed.
Conor McGregor is already responsible for three of the four highest gates in UFC history, the biggest being his November 2016 clash with then-lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez. That event generated $ 17.7 million.
With UFC 300 bringing in $ 16.5 million at the gate and a reported million-plus pay-per-view buys, 2024 will undoubtedly be another banner year for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Maybe they’ll finally share some of that wealth with it’s fighters. … But probably not.
Conor McGregor has kept busy during his three-year-long layoff
McGregor’s quote-unquote “greatest comeback in combat sports history” comes 35 months removed from a devastating leg break suffered in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021. Though he has been out of action, ‘Mystic Mac’ has kept himself busy.
Aside from selling his popular brand of Irish whiskey, Proper No. 12, for a whopping $ 600 million, he also made his big screen debut in a remake of the 1989 action classic Road House for Amazon Studios.
McGregor also made headlines last month when he announced that he had become a part owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship during the promotion’s fourth-annual KnuckleMania event in California.
In the fitness world, Mike Mentzer’s training philosophies are having a resurgence in popularity. High-intensity training is more popular than ever and people want to learn about Mentzer’ training system.
Here’s a full breakdown of the Mike Mentzer workout routine and everything you need to know about this training style.
Who was Mike Mentzer?
Before we get into the Mike Mentzer workout routine, let’s talk about who Mike Mentzer was. Mike grew up in Pennsylvania and got into physical fitness and bodybuilding from a young age.
He began training seriously during his teens and worked his way up the ranks and became an influential figure within bodybuilding.
Mentzer’s approach to bodybuilding was heavily influenced by his background in philosophy. This intellectual approach set him apart from many of his peers in bodybuilding.
As a forward thinker, Mentzer developed a highly structured and scientific approach to training. His training philosophy was centered around intensity over volume.
Mike believed that the key to muscle growth and strength gains was to train with maximum intensity with just one set.
The Mike Mentzer Workout Routine
Mentzer’s training philosophy was centered around the idea of intensity over volume. He believed the key to muscle growth and strength gains was to train with maximum intensity.
The entire Mike Mentzer workout routine revolves around one set to failure. Whenever Mike was in the gym, he would pick no more than three exercises and do a single set to failure.
Mentzer argued that this approach allowed for maximum stimulation of the muscle fibers without doing multiple sets. By following this training philosophy, he believed that it would reduce the risk of overtraining and minimize time in the gym.
The Mike Mentzer Workout Routine Training Splits
The Mike Mentzer workout routine is a training split broken up into three days of training per week
Day One: Chest & Back
Day Two: Legs & Abs
Day Three: Shoulders & Arms
Day One: Chest & Abs
Dumbbell Chest Fly, Cable Crossover: 1 set to failure
Incline Smith Machine Press: 1 set to failure
Machine Pullovers or Straight Bar Lat Extensions: 1 set to failure
Close Grip Underhand Lat Pulldown: 1 set to failure
Deadlift: 1 set to failure
Day 2: Legs & Abs
Leg Extension: 1 set to failure
Barbell Back Squat or Leg Extension: 1 set to failure
Leg Curl: 1 set to failure
Standing Calf Raise: 1 set to failure
Weighted Decline Sit Ups: 1 set to failure
Day 3: Shoulders & Arms
Machine or Dumbbell Lateral Raise: 1 set to failure
Reverse Pec Deck or Dumbbell Rear Raise: 1 set to failure
Barbell Curl: 1 set to failure
Cable Triceps Pressdown: 1 set to failure
Weighted Dips: 1 set to failure
What is the Duration of a Mike Mentzer Workout Routine?
The Mike Mentzer workout routine should last no more than 30 minutes per training session. Mentzer believed spending hours in the gym training would just burn the muscles.
He felt that you could get everything you need in just a 30 minute training session.
How Often Should the Mike Mentzer Workout Routine Be Done?
The Mike Mentzer workout routine was based on a split system. Typically targeting different muscle groups on different days of the week.
Mike advocated for a low frequency of training, with each muscle group being worked every 4-7 days to achieve adequate recovery.
The Mike Mentzer Workout Routines Resurgence in Popularity
Years after Mentzer’s untimely death, his workout routine has had a resurgence in popularity. Online, there are now many hardcore fans of the Mike Mentzer workout routine, who have adopted the training philosophy.
It’s no surprise that Mentzer’s training theory has a huge fan base because there’s a lot of good stuff in it. The best part is that you’ll get results with less time spent in the gym.
The Positives of the Mike Mentzer Workout Routine
There’s a lot of good stuff within Mike Mentzer’s training theories, but there’s two reasons it’s still being used. These two reasons are because the Mike Mentzer workout routine is simple and effective.
His training system is easy to follow and will get you results. All you have to do is train hard for one set per body part and you will get results.
Criticisms of the Mike Mentzer Workout Routine
While the Mike Mentzer workout routine can be an effective form of training, many exercise science professors have issues with it. Here are some of the biggest criticisms of Mentzer’s training style.
Outdated Training Methods
The biggest criticism of the Mike Mentzer workout routine is that the training methods are outdated. This doesn’t negate Mentzer’s influence as a forward thinker, but science wasn’t available during his era.
Now that more research and studies have been done on the best training methods, we know what works and doesn’t work. For his era, Mentzer was ahead of his time, but since more research has been done, we can see his theory’s flaws.
Mentzer’s Progression Algorithm
In Mentzer’s progression algorithm, he starts every exercise with 8 reps and continues at that weight until he completes 12 reps. Once he achieves 12 reps at the weight, he adds 10% to the load and restarts the progression.
Newer exercise science research has shown that you can hit hypertrophy with a 5-30 rep range and not just 8 reps. The other flaw in Mentzer’s progression algorithm is the progression will eventually take longer to achieve.
A better progression would be keeping the same rep-range, but adding 2.5 to 5 lbs in your next training session. You’ll have a more frequent progression and get better results.
Mike Mentzer vs. Arnold Shwarzenegger
The biggest detractor of Mike Mentzer’s training Theory was the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger. These two were bitter rivals who hated each other.
Mentzer’s training theories and diet went against everything Arnold founded his training on. The two would constantly snipe at each other at Gold’s Gym and nearly came to blows.
In the 1980 Mr. Olympia, Mentzer came in fourth and Arnold took first when many thought he didn’t deserve it. This caused Mike to quit professional bodybuilding, citing that it was all political and in favor of Schwarzenegger.
The Legacy of Mike Mentzer and His Workout Routine
Despite his tragic passing in 2001, the Mike Mentzer workout routine is more popular than ever. There are now more people using the training philosophies that Mike developed decades ago.
It’s a shame that Mike didn’t live to see his theories validated, but people will continue using his training philosophies.
After delivering a couple of noteworthy knockouts at UFC 300, Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira appear to be on a collision course once again.
In November, ‘Poatan’ KO’d Prochazka in the second round of their headliner in MSG to win the vacant light heavyweight title. Since then, Pereira successfully defended his crown with a stellar first-round knockout of Jamahal Hill while ‘BJP’ put away Aleksandar Rakic with an insane come-from-behind finish in the landmark event’s featured prelim.
Those victories appear to have put Pereira and Prochazka on a path that will lead the two back to each other for a summertime scrap.
Speaking with James Lynch on behalf of Bodog Canada, Prochazka revealed that he has not heard anything from the promotion about a potential title opportunity, but he’ll be ready to go as early as June should the UFC decide to lock in the rematch.
“I didn’t heard anything,” Prochazka said. “I just said what I said in the cage after the fight — I want to be the next challenger for the title, and that’s something that is my opinion. Right now it’s up to the UFC, when they want to do this fight because I believe in my win and I will show I am able to take that belt and win in a fight with Alex Pereira.
“I’m waiting to settle this upcoming fight and I still don’t know who, if it will be Alex or who, but I believe the world wants to see that. The world wants to see this fight and I know I have the right weapons to defeat Alex Pereira” (h/t MMA Mania).
Alex Pereira would rather rematch Jiri Prochazka than wait for Magomed Ankalaev
Initially, it appeared as though Pereira’s next fight would be with streaking Russian standout Magomed Ankalaev.
However, the Dagestani would prefer to wait until October when the UFC makes its annual pit stop in Abu Dhabi. ‘Poatan’ has no interest in waiting that long, making Jiri Prochazka a prime target for his next title defense.
“Perfect time for me right now is to take two, three weeks, just a little bit of rest,” Prochazka added. “Take some inspiration. And right now I know what to do in preparation [for] the next [fight], especially for a fight with Alex. But, it’s still about my manager to confirm that. I think about August. July, August, or something like that. October maybe. Doesn’t matter. For me it doesn’t matter.
“If they want for me to fight in some short way, I will do that. I will go for that. If [UFC 303 in June] would be accepted by Alex, I will do that. I will go that.”
Could we see TJ Dillashaw make his return to the Octagon?
After suffering a devastating should injury during his UFC 280 title tilt with then-bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, the two-time titleholder’s career appeared to be all but finished. However, the Sonora, California native gave his fans hope on Instagram, revealing that he is healing up nicely after undergoing surgery and added that “the future looks bright.”
Of course, Dillashaw could be simply appreciating the fact that he won’t live out the rest of his life dealing with pain and immobility. But considering how his UFC career came crashing down during his final few active years, we imagine his ultimate goal is to make a comeback and try to make history as the promotion’s first-ever three-time bantamweight champion.
At one time, TJ Dillashaw was considered the greatest 135-pound fighter of all time. That narrative was immediately invalidated in March 2019 when he vacated the bantamweight title after USADA and the New York State Athletic Commission found adverse findings following his bout against Henry Cejudo at a Fight Night event two months prior.
He was slapped with a 12-month suspension before being hit with an additional year after testing positive for testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin, or EPO.
Dillashaw made no excuses and owned up to using banned substances.
TJ Dillashaw’s Return to the UFC was plagued by injuries
He sat out until July 24, 2021, when he returned to earn a split-decision victory over Cory Sandhagen. That promptly put him back into the title picture, but a knee injury sustained during the fight kept him out of action for another 15 months.
He sought to reclaim the bantamweight crown against the ‘Funk Master’ in October 2022 but dislocated his shoulder early in the bout. Dillashaw’s team attempted to pop it back in place, but he ultimately lost the bout via TKO in the second round.
Dillashaw is 13-5 in his UFC career, earning victories over Renan Barao, John Lineker, Cody Garbrandt, and the aforementioned Cory Sandhagen.
Would you like to see TJ Dillashaw make one more run inside the Octagon?
Jon Jones remains steadfast in his pursuit of a title fight defense against Stipe Miocic in his immediate return to the UFC, claiming a potential bout with Tom Aspinall has no appeal to him right now – labelling the current interim gold holder a “hype train”.
Jones, a current heavyweight champion and former two-time light heavyweight titleholder, has been out of action since March of last year, headlining UFC 285 in his hiatus-snapping return.
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC
Winning vacant heavyweight spoils, Rochester native, Jones turned in a dominant first round guillotine choke submission win over former interim champion, Ciryl Gane.
And ruled from a UFC 295 comeback at Madison Square Garden at the end of last year, Jones suffered a pectoral tendon tear, resulting in the introduction of an interim title.
Winning that gold in a co-main event slot, the above-mentioned, Aspinall made light work of Sergei Pavlovich – finishing the Russian with a first round knockout win.
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC
Jon Jones unsure on fight with Tom Aspinall
And staking his claim continually for a title unification fight with Jones – ultimately to no avail ahead of an expected UFC 304 return in July, Aspinall has been labelled a “hype train” by the former, who questioned why he should fight him at all.
Mandatory Credit: Chris Graythen
“I’m in the middle of a pretty clear decision,” Jon Jones posted on his official X account. “Stick to exact and original plans, and fight the man with all the accolades or completely disregard all of the Stipe training I’ve put in and fight another potential hype train that may not even be around in three years.”
I’m in the middle of a pretty clear decision… stick to exact and original plans, and fight the man with all the accolades. Or, completely disregard all of the Stipe training I’ve put in and fight another potential hype train that may not even be around in three years. I am not…
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 9, 2024
“I am not changing my plans for anyone,’ Jon Jones continued. “Stipe is over there as the best heavyweight ever, working his a** off. I’m gonna give that man what he wants, and I’m going to claim another head. Whatever comes next comes next.”
Who would win in a fight: Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall?
Is Conor McGregor getting ready to drop a diss track on Michael Chandler?
On Saturday, June 29, the Irishman will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon for a showdown with the former Bellator MMA champion in the UFC 303 main event. It will be McGregor’s first fight since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier nearly three years ago.
In the time since his last outing, ‘Mystic Man’ has stayed busy with a series of projects. He unloaded his Proper No. 12 brand of Irish Whiskey for a whopping $ 600 million, made his big screen debut in a remake of the 1989 action classic Road House, and became a part owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
Now, it looks like McGregor is ready to drop a few bars for his next pet project.
Taking to Instagram, the former two-division champion shared an image of himself in the studio with the caption, “Big announcement incoming…”
Fans convinced conor McGregor is going take a page out of ryan garcia’s playbook
With the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar dominating headlines, maybe we’ll see the Irishman put his own Irish twist on the rap game and slam a few Sucker MCs in the process.
Or it could be something else entirely, but fans online are pretty convinced that McGregor is trying to take a page out of Ryan Garcia’s playbook.
Urijah Faber and Sacramento State University president J. Luke Wood are set to make history with a revolutionary collegiate program that’s meant to guide young aspiring fighters and give them a foot in the door to the fight game.
A trailblazer in MMA, Faber has towed the line between fighting and being a coach himself for many years. He runs a very successful gym called Team Alpha Male, which has seen rise to multiple UFC champions. Now, thanks to the wit of one student traveling to Sacramento State from overseas, paired with a flourishing relationship between Urijah Faber and president J. Luke Wood, the world’s first-ever collegiate MMA program will be coming to life in Northern California.
Speaking to LowKick MMA reporter Makoa Goble, Urijah Faber detailed this revolutionary new program, which is to be called Combat U. Combat U will help students develop as mixed martial artists while also giving them a promotion to fight for, as Faber owns his own promotion called A1 Combat.
Urijah Faber details Combat U and its inception
When asked how the idea of such a revolutionary program came to be, Faber explained a few factors that led to it. He spoke of how President Wood was a fan of combat sports, and actually even trained at Faber’s gym. Then, a female mixed martial artist from India got into contact with President Wood and told him how she decided to go to the school because of how close it was to the Team Alpha Male gym.
All of these factors led to an idea, and it was a very brilliant one. How about a collegiately backed program that is aimed to usher in an entirely new generation of combat sports athletes? It was made even more convenient by the fact that Faber’s gym is so close to the campus. As Faber continued to explain things, it was as if all the building blocks perfectly fell into place, as if it was all meant to be.
Faber on the unclear pathway for young fighters, and what the program could mean for them
“We have a strong history of being a host to young athletes (at Team Alpha Male), but they’ve always had to take a fork in the road: pursue academics, or pursue a career in the fight game,” Urijah Faber said. “…We actually have some of our current fighters that are interested in being a part of the program.”
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
“So, we already have guys that were waiting to go back into their education afterwards (after their fight career is over), that is going to start doing it (going back to school) now. It’s still really raw, there’s still really no pathway. I’ve got a bunch of things outside of this that I’m working on to help really get that dialled in.”
Urijah Faber would go on to speak about how he’d like to work in conjunction with what the UFC is already doing, which is trying to open the floodgates and more easily allow aspiring fighters to walk the path. He brought up how more classic sports, such as football or basketball, already had very set paths for athletes to follow. The sport of MMA, however, does not have the same easy canals for young prospects to float down.
Young prospects must lead a difficult life of balancing working, training, and fighting. If a fighter is lucky, somebody will invest in their future and allow them to focus solely on training and fighting. However, this could be considered quite rare, and most fighters just have to work while also undergoing gruelling training and then pitting themselves against other young and hungry fighters in the cage.
Now, though, everything could be changing. If the Combat U program at Sacramento State is a success, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more colleges around the country and world provide a similar program. All of which would supply young fighters with a solid support system to make following their dreams a little easier.
What are your thoughts on Urijah Faber and Combat U?
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