The Octagon is at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri for tonight’s UFC on ESPN 56 event. The fight card is headlined by a heavyweight bout between knockout artist Derrick Lewis and 15th-ranked Rodrigo Nascimento.
Lewis (27-12, 1 NC) will enter the match coming off a decision loss to Jailton Almeida in his last fight.Lewis, ranked 12th in the division, has lost four of his last five fights and desperately needs a win to stay relevant in the weight class. Nascimento (11-1, 1 NC) is riding a three-fight winner streak and looking to take out his highest profile opponent.
Joe Rogan has shared his views on Mike Tyson as the heavyweight seems locked in on Jake Paul and has even begun viewing his opponent as ‘raw meat’.
Despite his age, Tyson is preparing to make his long-awaited return to professional boxing when he collides with Jake Paul later this year. While the bout has received mixed reviews from fans due to the age differential, the intrigue of a man once labeled ‘the most dangerous man on the planet’ competing once again has many peoples attention.
All eyes are on Mike Tyson’s comeback, but Joe Rogan did have some positive things to say about Jake Paul.
“[He’s] a legitimate boxer, yes,” Rogan said about Jake Paul on his JRE Podcast. “People mocked me when I was saying that before, but now I think people are coming around.”
“If this kid was not a YouTuber. If he wasn’t some guy that you knew from the time he was like 16 years old on YouTube, and you just saw him box, you saw him knock out former UFC champions, you saw him beat legitimate boxers or beat athletes and beat a bunch of MMA fighters, you’d go, ‘This kid can f***ing fight.”
Rogan then went on to discuss just how unnerving Mike Tyson was during his prime years inside the squared circle.
“There’s not a f***ing chance in hell that Jake Paul would survive against the Mike Tyson that beat Marvis Frasier… It was an execution.”
“It was Tyson in his prime where he was f***ing terrifying. He was so fast and he would do angles, he was bobbing and weaving, you couldn’t hit him, and he was just coming at you.”
“I think that Mike Tyson is the best heavyweight of all time. I don’t think anybody f***s with him… I look at fighters when they’re in their absolute prime, like what have you ever seen that was better than this? And with Mike Tyson, I’ve never seen anybody better… He’s still not normal. But he’s still like a heavyweight professional boxer, he’s still terrifying.”
Joe Rogan later spoke on Mike Tyson’s comments about Jake Paul and the former heavyweight kingpins elite mentality.
“Mike Tyson’s mind has switched over into war. He was doing this interview and someone said to him, he goes, ‘You look like you’re in your 20’s, what are you doing?’ He [Tyson] goes, ‘I just eat raw meat… I’m eating raw meat because that’s what I’m going to eat when I fight. I’m gonna eat him, he’s raw meat.'”
“He’s in that God of War mode. He’s still got that in him… He’s in savage mode right now, he’s in savage mode. If I was Jake Paul right now I’d be sh*ttng my pants.”
Related: Mike Tyson refuses to fight Jake Paul under usual exhibition rules – ‘This is a fight’
Rogan later reminisced on how Mike Tyson inadvertently forced him to change the size of the table in his studio.
“He’s terrifying when he’s in the zone. I changed the shape of the table because of him… We had a table that was this size at the old studio and at the new studio, I was like, ‘Maybe we’ll make the table smaller, it’ll be more intimate, I’ll be closer to the guests.'”
“So, we had Mike Tyson in when he was 300-pounds. And he was just eating and having fun and smoking weed… Then he got this offer to fight Roy Jones Jr..”
“So, he gets in insane shape and the next time I see him, the second podcast we do, Mike now weighs 230-pounds and he’s got these muscles in his forearms. So, he’s sitting there and he’s a different human.”
“He’s so intense, that I was like, ‘If this table was closer to him, I’d be nervous.’ Like, I wouldn’t be able to do my best job as a podcaster. That’s the reason why this table is this width.”
“I’m always afraid when I’m around that guy. Kevin Hart said it best, he goes, ‘It’s like being in a room with a lion.'”
Rogan admitted that he’s interested in seeing how the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul affair plays out.
“I’m curious. I’m gonna watch the fight, we’re all gonna watch the fight. I’m gonna watch it. I mean, it’s a brilliant move by Jake because if he was going to fight anybody else, people would watch, but would the same amount of people watch? No.”
“This is the one where the old heads are all sitting around going, ‘Wait until he gets a hold of Mike Tyson, he’s going to regret that.’ All the old guys are pulling for him like, ‘Come on, Mike. Come on, one more. You got one more in you.'”
“I think this fight is going to be a real, full bore, 100% fight. It’s not even an exhibition. It counts on their professional record so it’s a professional fight.”
Listen to what Joe Rogan had to say about Mike Tyson and Jake Paul below.
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been sidelined since tearing a pectoral tendon while preparing to take on former two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic last November. Recovered enough to be back in the gym training, Jones is expected to meet Miocic later this year.
If he wins, Jones will have choices to make. He could call it a career and walk away. He could take on interim champion Tom Aspinall in a unification bout, or he could face light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira in a super fight.
Last week, Jones wrote on social media that a fight against Pereira would be ‘massive’ and ‘the biggest fight in MMA history.’ On Thursday, Jones reiterated that he’s fighting Miocic in his return but was unsure who he’ll face after that.
“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,” Jones wrote on X. “I am not changing my plans for anyone. Stipe is over there as the best heavyweight ever working his ass off. I’m gonna give that man what he wants, and I’m going to claim another head. Whatever comes next comes next.”
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
In follow up posts, Jones targeted Aspinall and ‘UK fans.’ He also didn’t think there needed to be an interim title created.
“UFC is a brilliant company, did what they had to do to save the event. But I do agree with you, it definitely confused a bunch of UK fans, got them entitled thinking their boy really is the champion. It reminds me of when DC was the “champion” during my absence,” Jones replied to a comment criticizing the creation of interim champion.
UFC is a brilliant company, did what they had to do to save the event. But I do agree with you, it definitely confused a bunch of UK fans, got them entitled thinking their boy really is the champion. It reminds me of when DC was the “champion” during my absence. https://t.co/UXbx7LMboG
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 9, 2024
“I was talking about retirement after Stipe way before there was an intern champion announced. I would literally be in the same exact position if Sergei would had one (won),” Jones wrote in another post. “I love how the UK have convinced themselves I’m afraid of their intern champion, opens me up to a whole new fan base. They all know who the actual champion is.”
Last week, UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones made the case for facing light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira after his return bout against Stipe Moicoc instead of taking on interim champ Tom Aspinall. Jones believes that a fight he and Pereira would be the biggest bout the fight promotion could make.
“If Alex P became champion of the heavyweight division, would you guys consider him the GOAT? Being back in the gym has got me thinking differently. That fight after stipe maybe the next biggest move I could possibly make,” Jones wrote on X. “This killer has already defeated so many champions, and is already considered a legend to millions around the world. The most massive fight the UFC could make. Give Alex a chance to avenge all those great Brazilian champions I’ve defeated.”
“It would be absolutely massive,” Jones continued. “A guy with a chance to be three division champion and a goat versus the actual goat. Same age, different strengths. No one can argue that that would be the biggest fight in MMA history. There’s absolutely no fight that generates a payday like that. Marketing would be insane.”
Jones may be right about the potential match being a massive financial success, but typically when there’s an interim titleholder they fight the champion in a unification bout. Former UFC fighter Ben Askren believes Jones simply thinks Pereira is an easy fight for him than Aspinall.
“We want to see Jones fight Tom Aspinall. Aspinall’s got the interim belt. Jon’s got the belt. It just doesn’t make any sense,” Askren said on Daniel Cormier’s YouTube channel. “Make them fight and then if Jon beats him then Pereira versus Jon or something to that effect, but you can’t leave Tom Aspinall sitting over here with the interim belt.”
“What Jon sees Pereira as a significantly easier opponent than Aspinall,” Askren continued. “He does. There’s no doubt about this. Aspinall, he’s big and strong, hits hard, and is tough to take down and he wrestlers a little bit. He knows what he’s doing on the ground. He’s seen Pereira and thinks, ‘I can do the same exact thing that I did to Ciryl Gane. Same thing. That’s what he’s thinking, for sure.”
If Pereira and Jones were to meet in the cage, Askren doesn’t think the fight would last very long. He doesn’t think it would even go a full round.
“If he fights Jon Jones, I think there’s a chance it’s over in like two and a half minutes,” Askren said. “Look what Jon did to Ciryl Gane. Jon is a large man. He’s a high-level wrestler. He’s got great grappling skills. I think there’s a possibility of that for sure.”
When former middleweight champion Alex Pereira left the 185-pound weight class and moved up to the light heavyweight division, he faced former titleholder Jan Blachowicz in his 205-pound debut.
Pereira narrowly defeated Blachowicz via split decision in the UFC 291 co-main event in July 2023, but Blachowicz believes he won the fight. He also doesn’t think Pereira is a better fighter than him.
“He is not a better fighter than me, and I believe that I deserve the rematch,” Blachowicz told Fanatics View. “When he fight against me, I still believe that I won this fight.
“(Judges) see different scores, but I believe that I won this fight against him, and I believe that I deserve the rematch. He knocked out everybody – not me. When I come back, I believe that I can fight against him one more time.”
The loss to Pereira was the last time Blachowicz’ fought. He’s been sidelined with nagging shoulder injuries. He underwent double shoulder surgery and expects to be back in action at the end of the year.
“So far so good. Left hand is almost ready to fight, but the right hand, like five weeks ago I had surgery so it’s a completely new thing. Everyday is a little bit better but still I need more time to recover and to fix correct. I think my next fight will be the end of the year, not earlier. For sure not earlier,” he said.
In his absence, Blachowicz would like to see Pereira take on second-ranked Magomed Ankalaev. He believes Ankalaev poses the biggest threat the champion.
“I want to see Pereira against Ankalaev because this is the hardest opponent for him right now,” Blachowicz said. “Because I’m not in the division because I’m out for a couple more months. He is the most dangerous fighter for him.”
It’s an emotional day in the mixed martial arts world as we say goodbye to one of the UFC’s pioneers.
The UFC is approaching its 31st anniversary in the business and throughout that time, the promotion has accumulated numerous stars. Fans are often sad to see their favorite fighters bow out of the sport, but the news of a former competitor passing away is much worse.
Art Jimmerson was 60 years old when his death was announced to the world. Jimmerson was well known for competing at the inaugral UFC 1 event, where he sported a single boxing glove on his left hand–ultimately earning him the nickname ‘One Glove’.
Rest in peace to one of the first to ever do it, UFC 1 competitor, Art Jimmerson. pic.twitter.com/4iejXXfiZQ
— UFC (@ufc) May 9, 2024
Before testing himself inside the octagon, Jimmerson was a respected boxer and the National Golden Gloves middleweight champion in 1983. The Missouri native would step into the ring for the final time in late 2002, having won 33 of his 51 bouts inside the squared circle.
On November 12, 1993, on the back of a 15-fight win streak in the ring, Art Jimmerson would forever be stapled in history when he competed at UFC 1.
Related: Never saw UFC 1? Watch it now, FREE! (full event video)
Despite his efforts, he would fall victim to the grappling prowess of Royce Gracie and fall to a submission just 2:18 into the first round. His courage to showcase his skills at the event not only meant the boxing specialist played a huge role in the growth of the UFC, but he also had a strong impact on the entire sport.
Gracie would go on to win the tournament, changing the outlook on combat sports from that day forward.
While this was his one and only fight in the cage, Art Jimmerson would later continue to work with the company. Jimmerson would serve as the head boxing coach at the UFC GYM in Torrance, California.
Watch Jimmerson’s one and only fight under the UFC banner below.
When Dustin Poirier makes the walk to the octagon to challenge champion Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title on June 1, it will be the first time the new UFC Official Fight Gloves will be used in a championship bout.
In early April, the fight promotion unveiled the new gloves during UFC 300 fight week. The UFC Official Fight Glove will debut at UFC 302 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The lightweight title bout headlines the fight card.
“We have been working on these gloves over the past few years with the best designers, engineers, and athletes in the world,” said UFC CEO Dana White said at the time. “This redesign will truly be a game changer for the entire sport of MMA. These gloves will feel lighter, fit fighters’ hands better, prevent injuries, and provide maximum flexibility during the fights. You’ll start to see these in competition this summer.”
Poirier has tested the gloves and likes the new product. Comparing them to the older gloves, Poirier stated much of what White said. They’re lighter, softer, and fit better, according to Poirier.
“I like them. They’re a lot easier to make a closed fist,” Poirier told The MMA Hour. “The problem with the old UFC gloves, they were kind of built flat. We’d have to roll them up in the back and make it easier because your forearm gets full of blood. It’s like you’re straining to make a closed first with those other ones.
“These are a lot softer. I know that they’re lighter. They’re just easier to make a closed fist,” Poirier continued. “I like them better.”
Following their inaugural event later this year, reports have surfaced suggesting that the UFC will never return for a second event at the Las Vegas Sphere.
UFC 306 is set to be a historic event in the sport of mixed martial arts. The pay-per-view will take place at the coveted Las Vegas Sphere and is expected to be one of the most unique events in the sport’s history.
Although the event at the Sphere could be an innovative new addition to the UFC going forward, it may be a one and done for the promotion. The idea of only hosting one card at the venue was discussed during the recent TKO earnings call.
“It wasn’t necessarily built for UFC events. And it will be a one and done. We will do it one and done. “
“That’s what Dana White has told us and he’s going to make it extra special.”
Despite being at the pinnacle of combat sports, the UFC are always trying to find ways to extend the gap between themselves and their competitors.
Listen to the brief clip from the TKO earnings call below.
The Sphere will be a ONE TIME show for the UFC
via // the TKO earnings call pic.twitter.com/1z3tRG39ue
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) May 8, 2024
Related: Sean O’Malley eyeing the Sphere for next fight
Who will be competing at UFC 306?
UFC 306 will take place on September 14 and will be the organisation’s debut event at the Las Vegas Sphere. The PPV will be held in celebration for the upcoming Mexican Independence Day, which begins just days later.
At this time, no bout has been confirmed for the fight card but there have been some huge rumored matchups.
Conor McGregor is making his long-awaited return to the octagon when he faces Michael Chandler on June 29. Ideally, the Irishman wants to make quick work of his tough opponent and make a splash at the Las Vegas Sphere–with Nate Diaz a potential opponent for that date.
Alongside ‘The Notorious’, another rumored clash for the event is Sean O’Malley putting his title on the line for the second time. ‘Suga’ will take on the hard-working Merab Dvalishvili, if the rumors do come to fruition.
Following his UFC 229 knockout win over Alexander Volkov, heavyweight Derrick Lewis took his fight shorts off prior to being interviewed by commentator Joe Rogan. ‘Why did you take your pants off,” Rogan asked. Lewis responded with a line that quickly went viral. “My balls was hot,” Lewis answered.
His comments quickly went viral and it’s difficult to mention Lewis without someone referencing his overheated man parts. “The Black Beast” wishes he would have never said what he said that night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“I’ve been saying it for awhile now, I regret saying it,” Lewis told SHAK MMA. “It’s everyday (that someone mentions it). “Everyday, all day, so I told the media, ‘Do not post nothing about my hot balls this week. I don’t want to hear nothing about my hot balls.'”
Lewis headlines this weekend’s UFC event on ESPN against 15th-ranked Rodrigo Nascimento in St. Louis. It’s the second time the fight promotions has held an event in St. Louis and the first time since January 2018.
Lewis (27–12, 1 NC) will enter the fight with Nascimento ranked 12th in the division. He’s coming off a decision loss to Jailton Almeida in his last bout and has lost four of his last five fights. A loss would likely see him drop from the rankings altogether.
Nascimento (11-1, 1 NC) is riding a three-fight winning steak and last fought on the same event that Lewis lost to Almeida last November. The Brazilian will climb further. up the rankings with a win.
Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja successfully defended his title at UFC 301 this past Saturday, defeating Steve Erceg by unanimous decision. In defeat, the ninth-ranked Erceg had a good showing in just his fourth octagon appearance.
Pantoja’s ability to take the fight to the ground and maintain top control was likely the deciding factor in some close rounds. Former middleweight titleholder Robert Whittaker believes it was Pantoja’s experience is ultimately what led to the win.
“We’re Australian, so we were going for Steve. I wanted to see Steve get that title and bring it back,” Whittaker said on the MMArcade Podcast. “I thought Pantoja did enough to win. Now whether or not it’s a fan favorite him getting takedowns and utilizing control time instead of damage time, or working like that. It’s still winning fights.”
“Personally, I had Pantoja winning the first three (rounds). Four went to Erceg, and I think five, it could have been either way, but I thought the way Steve finished was kind of bad. You never want to finish on your back. I think finishing on your back doesn’t look favorably to the South American judges.”
Despite the loss, Whittaker thought Erceg had a good performance. He also believes that if the two ever with again that Erceg will win.
“I thought that was an amazing showing for Steve,” Whittaker said. “This is his fourth fight in the UFC and he’s gone from fight to fight to fight, higher up to higher up, higher in the rankings. He speed ran his way through the division.”
“It thought he fought a terrific fight. I thought he did really well. I think he did get out wrestled and out scrambled on occasion in several key moments, and I feel like that came from Pantoja’s experience. Pantoja had experience on him. I fell that was the deciding factor,” Whittaker continued. “I think if they were to meet a second time, Steve gets the W.”
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