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Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, was impressed by how quickly UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira got to grips with the martial art.

Both Harrison and Pereira have found significant success in mixed martial arts after originally making their names in other sports.

While the 34-year-old Ohio native followed two-time glory on the Olympic stage in judo with a pair of championships under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner, the Brazilian has added two UFC titles to a trophy cabinet that already boasted middleweight and light heavyweight Glory Kickboxing belts.

Thanks to Jake Paul’s recent callout, talk is currently floating around regarding a potential boxing crossover for “Poatan” in the future.

But judging by Harrison’s comments after hitting the mats with “Poatan” last month, a career in a grappling discipline is seemingly not that far-fetched…

Harrison Reflects On Training With UFC Peer Pereira

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Harrison reflected on her training session with the UFC light heavyweight kingpin.

The bantamweight contender lauded how quickly Pereira was able to learn judo techniques. That no doubt adds context to how the Brazilian has been able to transition from kickboxing to mixed martial arts and achieve unprecedented success in less than three years under the UFC banner.

“He was showing me the videos of him training and he was kicking — dude, I wish he would release this one. Oh my god, he like, did the move I taught him and then did the move you do if the (first) move doesn’t work,” Harrison said. “I was like, ‘Dude, you look like a judo (athlete).’ It’s crazy how fast he picks stuff up. He looked like a legit judo (athlete).

“I also grappled with Alex. Dude, he’s a strong mothertrucker,” Harrison continued. “Obviously he didn’t really grapple with me, but I just felt his natural — f*cking fixing tyres must build like, a different kind of (strength).”

Harrison was in attendance at UFC 303 for Pereira’s second successful title defense. In the aftermath of the result, she jokingly wrapped a yellow belt — which is not usually given to adults — around “Poatan” backstage.

The former middleweight and reigning light heavyweight champ was previously awarded his legitimate black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu following his knockout of Hill at UFC 300.

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• Read More: Kayla Harrison Hits Back At Julianna Peña’s PED Accusation: ‘Only Shot In The Ass People Need Around You Is Anti-Nausea Medication’

Continue Reading Kayla Harrison Describes Teaching Judo To Alex Pereira: ‘It’s Crazy How Fast He Picks Things Up…’ at MMA News.

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Two very different styles will clash during the main card of UFC 304 this weekend as Paddy Pimblett takes on Bobby Green in a huge lightweight contest.

“The Baddy” has gone to the scorecards in his last two fights after finishing his first three opponents inside the Octagon but he’s always dangerous.

Whilst the Englishman’s physical prowess and submission skills are a big threat, the dangers that Green presents are very different.

With this fight being the big number 50 on his pro record, the veteran lightweight contender is a slick boxer who often tricks opponents into overcommitting.

A former UFC champion believes that this could be the story of the fight come Saturday night in Manchester.

Alexander Volkanovski Expects King Green To Play The Matador Against Paddy Pimblett

During his breakdown of the card on his YouTube channel, former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski spoke about the difficulties of fighting someone like Green.

Green often carries his hands by his side and will rely on his reaction time to get opponents to throw at him so that he can slip and counter with his fast hands and combinations.

Pimblett has been working extensively on his striking in recent times and there have been questions in the past about how solid his technique is, when fists start flying.

Volkanovski sided with Green when giving his picks for the card and he believes that a crucial aspect of this fight will be the 155-pound stalwart playing his usual game.

“I’m going to have to go with Bobby Green, I think he’s the safer bet here. It’s going to be a three-round fight. Paddy Pimblett, yeah I find it, it’s going to be hard for him to take him down and get a finish. Can he go and upset, you know, hometown crowd. I don’t think that’s going to faze Bobby Green.

“Again, Bobby Green’s going to put himself in positions where Paddy Pimblett’s going to feel he can fire and going to lull him into shots. I guarantee we’re going to see that pretty much straight away. I feel Bobby Green’s going to hit him, hurt him, maybe Paddy Pimblett would start trying to look for the shots straight after that. Does he get them? Or does he get hurt straight away? I’m not sure.”

• Read More: UFC Commentator Surprised Paddy Pimblett Is Considering Influencer Boxing Ahead Of Last Fight On Contract: ‘One Of The Most Dynamic Grapplers…’

Continue Reading Former UFC Champion Picks Against Paddy Pimblett At UFC 304: ‘Bobby Green’s Going To Hit Him, Hurt Him’ at MMA News.

MMA News

Leon Edwards has outlined his hopes of trying to become a two-weight world champion if he’s able to keep hold of the welterweight title this Saturday at UFC 304.

His third title defense comes in Manchester against Belal Muhammad but whilst “Rocky” has plans to go up, the champion at the weight class below may have something to say about that.

Lightweight king Islam Makhachev also wants a shot at champ-champ status in the near future and Edwards has been open to that idea in the past.

Despite Makhachev being considered by many to be the most in-form fighter in the world right now, the welterweight champion’s coach believes that he isn’t a big threat to Edwards’ title.

Dave Lovell Questions If Islam Makhachev Would Be Able To Cause Leon Edwards Problems

During an interview with Submission Radio, Team Renegade’s Dave Lovell spoke about how he sees a fight between Makhachev and his fighter playing out.

Lovell doesn’t believe that the lightweight champion is a major concern to Edwards for a few different reasons.

As he points out, “Rocky” is very used to fighting the top grapplers in his weight class at this point and has proven to be very effective against them.

With Makhachev moving up in weight there will be a clear size difference between the two men and that gives Lovell confidence that “Rocky” would be too big and too skilled should the fight ever happen.

“Would he be big enough? Would he have the same effect that he has at his weight now? I don’t think so. Has he met a sharp shooter like Leon? No he hasn’t. Again, what can Islam bring to Leon? Size wise, Leon’s physically bigger than him, outreaches him.

“So again, he’s going to resort to what he knows which is his wrestling so it’s just unfortunate that you look at the last guys Leon fought. Usman twice, Colby, all wrestlers. Now Belal, wrestler. So, Islam is not known for his striking. They’re known for their wrestling and basically, Leon’s improving, people don’t understand.”

• Read More: Jon Jones Told He ‘Cannot Do Anything But Acknowledge That Victory’ If Tom Aspinall Defeats Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304

Continue Reading Leon Edwards’ Coach Dismisses Makhachev’s Chances In Potential Super Fight: ‘Islam Is Not Known For His Striking…’ at MMA News.

MMA News

Fight week for the UFC 304 pay-per-view this Saturday night has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode.

Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad and the co-main event between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.

Saturday’s lineup is topped by a championship rematch, with welterweight kingpin Edwards (22-3, 1 NC) looking to add a third successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 in August 2022. He’s since retained possession of the belt by getting the better of Usman again and Colby Covington in 2023.

If “Rocky” is to continue his rule atop the 170-pound mountain, he must record a victory over Muhammad (23-3, 1 NC) at the second time of trying. The pair first collided in a UFC Fight Night main event back in 2021, which ended prematurely when accidental eye pokes left “Remember the Name” unable to continue. He’s since won five straight over Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns to finally earn his first shot at gold.

Before those two run it back in the main event at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, another home fighter will put his title on the line in a rematch.

Two years on from a devastating knee injury handing him his first UFC loss, interim heavyweight champion Aspinall (14-3) will look to right that wrong by leveling the score with Blaydes (18-4, 1 NC). In defense of the strap he captured with a thunderous knockout of Sergei Pavlovich last November, Aspinall is tasked with preventing “Razor” following his TKO of Jailton Almeida with first-time title glory on July 27.

Ahead of those two contests across the pond, fans can catch previews in the full episode of UFC 304 Countdown on the promotion’s YouTube channel.

UFC 304 Countdown: Full Episode

Continue Reading VIDEO: UFC 304 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 & Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes 2 at MMA News.

MMA News

Jake Paul put on a thoroughly dominant display in his boxing matchup with Mike Perry on Saturday, overwhelming the BKFC star en route to a sixth-round knockout win.

The victory marked the fifth former UFC star whom Paul has stood victorious over in the boxing ring, with previous wins over Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, Ben Askren, and Tyron Woodley (twice).

Woodley was, in fact, on color commentary for the Paul vs. Perry DAZN broadcast, and he was willing to tip his cap to his former foe.

“You got to kind of give Jake his props, man,” Woodley told The Schmo in a post-fight interview. “You can be a hater all you want, but he was punching the dude high, low. He was throwing power with both hands, variety.”

Tyron Woodley Explains What Makes For Good Cardio While Defending Jake Paul Against Critics

Paul dropped Perry once each during the opening two rounds. Despite this, “Platinum” continued to go through the former Disney star’s punches and fire away, trying to make use of his well-known and entertaining brawling style. “The Problem Child,” however, continued to land damaging shots, and Perry was dropped for a third time during the sixth round.

Perry stumbled while returning to his feet, prompting the referee to call the fight in Paul’s favor.

One notable thing that critics got on Paul for was his heavy breathing during the fight, as the Cleveland native seemed to be winded after his bashing of Perry for two rounds.

Woodley, however, pointed out that Paul recovered and got the knockout eventually — and that’s what cardio is about, not a lack of breathing hard.

“Everybody thinks you’re supposed to have the cardio where you never breathe hard,” Woodley said. “When you’re punching that hard, it’s not about breathing hard, it’s about recovering. He showed he can recover and go back to the power.”

• Read More: UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Virna Jandiroba Submits Amanda Lemos 

Continue Reading Tyron Woodley Gives Former Opponent Jake Paul ‘Props’ After Mike Perry Win, Defends Him Against Claims Of Fatigue at MMA News.

MMA News

UFC Fight Night takes place tonight from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

In the main event, top-five ranked strawweights Amanda Lemos (#3) and Virna Jandiroba (#5) will clash. While in the co-main event, Steve Garcia will face Seungwoo Choi in a featherweight matchup. 

All fighters successfully made weight at the weigh-ins, however the original co-main event between Brad Tavares and Junyong Park was scrapped due to the latter experiencing a medical issue. 

Make sure to catch all the UFC Fight Night results and highlights as they happen below! 

Main Card (ESPN/ESPN+, 10PM ET): 

• Women’s Strawweight Main Event: Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba  

• Featherweight: Steve Garcia vs. Seungwoo Choi  

• Lightweight: Kurt Holobaugh vs. Kaynan Kruschewsky 

• Flyweight: Cody Durden vs. Bruno Silva  

• Featherweight: Dooho Choi vs. Bill Algeo  

• Featherweight: JeongYeong Lee vs. Hyder Amil  

Preliminary Card (ESPN/ESPN+, 7:30PM ET): 

• Bantamweight: Brian Kelleher vs. Cody Gibson  

• Women’s Flyweight: Miranda Maverick vs. Dione Barbosa  

• Lightweight: Loik Radzhabov vs. Trey Ogden  

• Women’s Flyweight: Luana Carolina vs. Lucie Pudilová  

• Heavyweight: Mohammed Usman vs. Thomas Petersen  

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night: Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba Results & Highlights (7:30 PM ET)  at MMA News.

MMA News

Here is a list of live events from the UFC that are coming soon.

On July 13, the promotion held a UFC Fight Night event at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The main event featured Rose Namajunas taking on Tracy Cortez on short notice in a women’s flyweight bout. “Thug Rose” controlled the fight in the judges’ eyes to win a unanimous decision.

The UFC’s schedule will continue with notable matchups from its stacked roster. The company has several events confirmed to occur this year, including three pay-per-views announced thus far.

This Saturday, the UFC returns for another fight night event at the Apex Facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event will be a women’s strawweight bout between top contenders Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba. Both fighters come into the headliner having won their respective last fights and will be motivated to get a statement win to challenge UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili. Currently, DraftKings has Jandiroba as a slight favorite to emerge victorious.

Elsewhere on the card, Doo Ho Choi makes his return to action to take on Bill Algeo in a featherweight contest. Choi’s last fight was a majority draw against Kyle Nelson at UFC Fight Night: Derrick Lewis vs. Serghei Spivac in February 2023. He’ll try to snap a three-fight losing streak, while Algeo hopes to bounce back from his last defeat. The matchup can be among the best fights on the card based on their fighting styles.

UFC Fight Night: Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba

Saturday, July 20, from Las Vegas, Nevada

Main Card: (ESPN/ESPN+)

• Women’s Strawweight: #3 Amanda Lemos (14-3-1) vs. #5 Virna Jandiroba (20-3)
• Featherweight: Steve Garcia (15-5) vs. Seung Woo Choi (11-6)
• Lightweight: Kurt Holobaugh (20-8) vs. Kaynan Kruschewsky (15-2)
• Flyweight: #14 Cody Durden (16-5-1) vs. Bruno Silva (13-5-2)
• Featherweight: Doo Ho Choi (14-4-1) vs. Bill Algeo (18-8)
• Featherweight: Hyder Amil (9-0) vs. Jeong Yeong Lee (11-1)

Preliminary Card: (ESPN2/ESPN+)

• Bantamweight: Brian Kelleher (24-15) vs. Cody Gibson (19-10)
• Women’s Flyweight: Miranda Maverick (13-5) vs. Dione Barbosa (7-2)
• Lightweight: Loik Radzhabov (18-5-1) vs. Trey Ogden (17-6)
• Women’s Flyweight: Luana Carolina (10-4) vs. Lucie Pudilová (14-9)
• Heavyweight: Mohammed Usman (10-3) vs. Thomas Petersen (8-2)

Continue Reading UFC Schedule: Updated List Of Upcoming Events & Fight Cards at MMA News.

MMA News

UFC commentator John Gooden recently said that Jon Jones should give due recognition to Tom Aspinall if he manages to overcome Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.

Last November, the undisputed heavyweight champion was slated to put his title on the line against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295. However, a torn pectoral muscle forced Jones out of action, postponing the highly anticipated fight.

As a result, Aspinall rose to the occasion on short notice to face the backup fighter, Sergei Pavlovich, for the interim heavyweight title. The Englishman delivered an electrifying performance, clinching a knockout triumph just over a minute into the first round.

Riding high on his victory, Aspinall called for a title unification bout with “Bones”. However, the American has persistently rebuffed the challenge and even downplayed Aspinall’s status as an interim champion. Instead, Jones has expressed his intention to reconvene his bout with Miocic, which is seemingly targeted for November.

Frustrated by the inactivity, Aspinall chose to defend his interim title in a rematch against former adversary Blaydes. The showdown is set as the co-main event at UFC 304, taking place on July 27 in his hometown of Manchester.

Gooden believes this is Aspinall’s golden opportunity to make a bold statement and compel Jones to acquiesce to his formidable presence in the heavyweight division…

Gooden Foresees Blaydes as Aspinall’s Stepping Stone to Jones Clash

During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Gooden offered a preview of Aspinall’s upcoming title defense against Blaydes, suggesting that “Razor” constitutes a formidable threat for the Salford native if he relies on his wrestling and grappling prowess.

However, the English UFC commentator noted that Aspinall could surmount this challenge by applying relentless pressure with his precise striking.

Gooden also hinted that defeating Blaydes could catapult Aspinall to a status that would force “Bones” to recognize his legitimacy.

Aspinall holds an Octagon record of seven victories since his promotional debut in July 2022, highlighted by six first-round finishes against formidable adversaries such as Sergei Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov, and Marcin Tybura.

The only blemish on his record during this UFC run has been a TKO loss resulting from an unforeseen knee injury just 15 seconds into his bout against Blaydes at UFC Fight Night London in July 2022.

• Read More: Tom Aspinall Not Focusing On UFC 304 Fight Time: ‘If You Can Fight Really Well At Midnight But You Can’t At 4 AM…’

Continue Reading Jon Jones Told He ‘Cannot Do Anything But Acknowledge That Victory’ If Tom Aspinall Defeats Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304 at MMA News.

MMA News

Ilia Topuria shocked the world by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title at UFC 298. Rumors suggest that his first title defense will be against Max Holloway.

Although Holloway has lost thrice to Volkanovski, his brand is at an all-time high after his last-second KO win over lightweight Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. He looked flawless in the Octagon that night, and even called out Topuria following the victory.

Here’s how a fight between Topuria and Holloway could go down according to other UFC fighters like Renato Moicano and Gilbert Burns…

Renato Moicano & Gilbert Burns Discuss Whether Ilia Topuria Has The Tools To Beat Max Holloway

Moicano and Burns discussed Topuria vs. Holloway on the Show Me The Money podcast on YouTube recently. The former UFC welterweight title challenger looked back at the events he’s shared with “Blessed” and appreciated the latter’s hard work and skillset.

Burns remembered watching Holloway grapple against elite wrestlers ahead of his fight against “The Korean Zombie” at UFC Singapore. He was amazed by the featherweight’s well-roundedness, strength, and physique.

“He was there, for like a month. oh guys, a high super strong dude. He looks like a 55er, he’s small, but he’s big, he’s very strong dude. I saw him wrestle the good wrestlers, he grappling. Both guys got cardio, both guys got good grappling, they super high level so I gotta, gotta kind of study that fight before.”

“Durinho” isn’t overlooking Topuria though. He acknowledged that the UFC featherweight kingpin is technically gifted too and has the cardio to match Holloway’s pace.

“What’s he gonna do to Max Holloway, let’s be honest. Max Holloway, he’s this crazy, he’s just a little bit old.”

Moicano, on the other hand, isn’t riding on the Topuria hype train. He thinks that “El Matador” cannot harm the former champ on the feet or the ground. The lightweight contender admitted that he picked Volkanovski to beat Topuria too, but he is still not confident about the champ’s ability to get past “Blessed”.

Read More: Chael Sonnen Laughs Off Daniel Cormier’s Claim About Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall: ‘Is He Drunk?!’

Continue Reading Renato Moicano & Gilbert Burns Break Down Ilia Topuria’s Next Title Defense: ‘What’s He Gonna Do To Max Holloway? Let’s Be Honest!’ at MMA News.

MMA News

Conor McGregor was drawn to bare knuckle because of how intense and raw the sport is by taking away the gloves.

His decision to become a part owner in BKFC obviously comes from a business stand point where he knows he can add major value to this promotion on the rise.

At the same time, it’s clearly something that “The Notorious” is very passionate about because of the mindset of the fighters that step into such an unforgiving arena.

He believes that the sport of bare knuckle has one thing over any other combat sport and that’s the respect for the athletes.

Conor McGregor Says Competing In Bare Knuckle Comes With A Certain Amount Of Respect

Ask any boxer about whether they want to compete in MMA and you’re sure to get an answer along the lines of not wanting to spend time training their grappling skills.

However, ask most boxers or MMA fighters about competing in bare knuckle and the issue isn’t that it’s a new skillset for them to learn, it’s that it’s too damaging.

McGregor believes that this puts the athletes in BKFC on a pedestal in combat sports which makes them a small minority in an already very unique profession.

“The Notorious” spoke at his first press conference for the promotion where he used Mike Perry as a reference for how fighters can come and reinvent themselves in the promotion.

He believes that competing in this sport comes with a certain amount of respect in the combat sports world because frankly, most wouldn’t sign on the dotted line.

“Make a new name for yourself. Look at what has happened to Michael Perry, one of our big stars here, the ‘King of Violence’ he titles himself. He’s had such a rise in the sport, now he’s up against a little dweeb of a thing in a fight this weekend that we’re all rooting for him.

“This is the real deal. No one in this combat sports space can speak one bad word about a bare knuckle fighting world champion and that for me, is money in the bank.”

Read also: VIDEO: Jake Paul & Mike Perry Complete Open Workouts Ahead Of Boxing Match

Continue Reading Conor McGregor Feels A BKFC Fighter Commands Respect From All Other Combat Sports: ‘Not One Bad Word About A Bare-Knuckler…’ at MMA News.

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