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“Platinum” Mike Perry revealed his dream opponent to face inside the Bareknuckle Fighting Championship cage.  If he could pick any opponent, it would be Jake Paul.  

Perry has called out Paul before and served as the backup for Logan Paul’s boxing match against Dillon Danis last October.  But Perry knows Paul isn’t coming to BKFC.    

“Jake Paul,” Perry said when questioned about his dream opponent by TMZ Sports.  “If he hurts Mike Tyson, let me get that bro.  He’s not coming to bareknuckle.  That’s the thing, though.”

Paul has a boxing match lined up against 57-year old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.  Tyson will be 58 when he makes the walk to the ring to face the 27-year old Paul.  

“He’s not doing bareknuckle,” Perry said of Paul.  “But I wouldn’t put it past Jake Paul because he’s been doing stuff that people would say that he’s afraid of and things like that.”

Despite the unlikelihood of Paul fighting bareknuckle, Petty issued a challenge to the YouTuber-turned boxer. 

“So Jake, I definitely issue you a challenge.  If you get through Mike Tyson, test yourself for real and let’s have a street fight,” said Perry.  “Jake might have the balls to do it.”  

“I’d like to say I’d beat him as fast as he’s beating these taxi drivers, especially bareknuckle,” Perry continued.  “I’ll hurt him.  He’ll cry and run away and cower in the corner in the fetal position… They’re getting him these guys that he can just knockout, man.” 

Perry headlines BKFC Knucklemania 4 against Thiago Alvez on April 27 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.  He’s currently undefeated without gloves with a 4-0 record.

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Former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas picked up her first win as a flyweight at UFC on Vegas 89 on March 23.  She headlined the event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas against eighth-ranked Amanda Ribas.  

Namajunas defeated Ribas via unanimous decision and debuted in the Top 10 women’s flyweight rankings.  It was her second bout in the 125-pound weight class.  She made her flyweight debut against Manon Fiorot last December and lost by decision.  

Namajunas made the move up a weight class after losing the strawweight title to Carla Esparza in a rematch at UFC 274.  Second-ranked flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield believes Namajunas is a better as a strawweight.  

“I think she’s better at 115,” Blanchfield told The MMA Hour.  “I think just moving up a weight class ten pounds like 115 to 125, it’s a big percentage of your body weight especially when you’re that small.

“She won against Ribas, but Ribas is also someone who’s fought at 115.  She’s not that big of a girl,” Blanchfield continued.  “She had the one fight against Manon and she lost that.  I think she’s a great fighter.  I think he’s got a lot of skill, but I think she’s going to be a little outsized at 125.”      

Blanchfield (12-1) headlines this weekend’s UFC on ESPN event in Atlantic City against Manon Fiorot (11-1).  Blanchfield is ranked second in the flyweight division while Fiorot is ranked third.  It’s a battle of the winning streaks.  Fiorot will enter the match riding an 11-fight winning streak while Blanchfield has won her last nine bouts.  

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Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor appears to be returning to the octagon at UFC 303 on June 29 against Michael Chandler.  

Flyweight Cody Durden leaked the news on Monday as he was announcing his bout on the fight card.  Durden posted a video to social media revealing that he’s taking on Carlos Hernandez on the fight card.  

“What’s up fight fans?  I’m back in the octagon June 29th versus Carlos Hernandez.  UFC 303, Michael Chandler versus the ‘Notorious’ Conor McGregor.  Let’s go baby,” Durden said in the video.  

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Last week, McGregor said that he’ll be returning this summer.  “We got confirmation a few days ago that it’s all systems go,” McGregor told ESPN. “‘The Mac,’ ‘The Notorious’ will be returning to the UFC Octagon this summer.”

On New Year’s Eve, McGregor announced that he’d be returning on June 29, and it turns out that he was right, according to Durden.    

“Ladies and gentlemen, a happy new year to you all,” McGregor said in December. “I’d like to announce the return date for myself, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor. For the greatest comeback of all time will take place in Las Vegas, for International Fight Week on June 29.”

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Women’s flyweight Maycee Barber cracked the Top 5 rankings with her UFC 299 win over Katlyn Cerminara on March 9 in Miami, Florida, but the celebration was short-lived.  Barber revealed on Monday that she spent nine days in the hospital following her UFC 299 win.  

“Well, the past few weeks were quite the ride and included lots of highs and lots of lows,” Barber wrote on Instagram.  “Following my fight, I spent 9 days in the hospital being tested and treated for an infection that they thought were a mix of different things from Strep A to Staph. Being in the hospital and still not having a true definitive answer while battling a 105 degree fever for days, having extremely low blood pressure, HR, and oxygen, was incredibly hard,” Barber explained.  

“Despite having multiple IV antibiotics and medications over the course of several days, they were unable to get my fever to drop, which eventually led to me developing Pneumonia. It definitely wasn’t what I had planned and was honestly very scary at times. There were a few moments where I wasn’t sure if I was going to be okay, but I know that whatever happens was meant to happen and that it’s all just another piece of the puzzle of life,” She continued.  “Grateful for everyone who has been by my side through it all. Little scares like this make you really step back and appreciate those around you! God is good and I am blessed!”

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Barber (14-2) is riding a six-fight winning streak and is ranked fourth in the women’s 1125-pound division.  Her last loss came three years ago at UFC 258 to the current champion, Alexa Grasso.    

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Watch the UFC Vegas 89 highlights video and recap from Saturday’s UFC Vegas 89 main event between Rose Namajunas and Amanda Ribas.

UFC Vegas 89 took place on Saturday, March 23rd, at The APEX in Las Vegas, NV.

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Is Nick Diaz about to make a return?  The Stockton native made a social media post on Sunday seemingly teasing that something is in the works.  

“Somebody is gonna pay very soon,” Diaz wrote on Instagram accompanied by a video of him training.  

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The older of the Diaz brothers returned to the octagon after more than six years away in September 2021 in a rematch with Robbie Lawler.  In their first meeting back at UFC 47 in April 2004, Diaz knocked Lawler out.  17 years later, Lawler stopped Diaz in the third round.  

It may not have been the last time we’ll see Diaz inside the octagon.  Days before he made the “Somebody is gonna pay soon” post, Diaz shared a photo looking to be in incredible shape.  

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While he was active, Diaz fought for the UFC welterweight title and interim belt.  His last three fights, although separated by years, were against three former champions: Lawler, Anderson Silva, and Georges St-Pierre.  It’s been a decade since Diaz has won won a fight but he remains a fan favorite.    

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Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley defended his title for the first time at UFC 299 on March 9, defeating Marlon “Chito” Vera in a one-sided unanimous decision.  

With the win, O’Malley avenged the only loss on his record.  Vera defeated O’Malley in the first meeting at UFC 252 in August 2020.  Following the March 9 win, O’Malley called out newly crowned featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria.  

UFC CEO Dana White put the kibosh on any talk of O’Malley and Topuria fighting any time soon.  Instead, O’Malley will face top bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili in his next title defense.   

“Merab is next.  Merab is f**king next.  Your wish is granted,” O’Malley said on the TimboSugarShow.  ” A lot of people said I’m ducking him.  I really am not ducking that little dude.  I like the fight for me.  There’s multiple ways to win.  I’m excited about the fight now, finally.  I was never ducking him.  I was just never excited to fight him.”  

“Now is the right time just like the ‘Chito’ rematch.  The time will come to where it’s the right time to fight certain people.  Merab is next, and be careful what you wish for buddy.”        

Dvalishvili (17-4) is riding a 10-fight winning streak and is ranked No. 1 in the division.  His last three wins have been over former UFC titleholders.  In his last outing, Dvalishvili defeated former two-division champion Henry Cejudo in one-sided fashion.  Before that, Dvalishvili won a lopsided decision over former champion Petr Yan after defeating former two-time featherweight titleholder Jose Aldo.  

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A women’s flyweight bout between former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas and eight-ranked Amanda Ribas headlined Saturday’s UFC Vegas 89 fight card.  

Ribas entered the octagon coming off a highlight-reel finish over Luana Pinheiro in her last fight. Namajunas made her 125-pound debut in her last outing against Manon Fiorot and lost via unanimous decision.  Ribas was looking to secure the biggest win of her career while Namajunas hoped to pick up her first win in a new weight class.

Namajunas made her way to the cage saying, “I’m the best” over and over.  Ribas clapped to the beat of her walkout song all the way to octagon-side.  

Namajunas landed her jab early and used her footwork to stay just out of the way of Ribas’ counters.  Ribas switched stances and the two exchanged leg kicks.  Ribas connected with a combination and took Namajunas down.  Namajunas quickly got back to her feet and the two battled inside the clinch position at the midway mark in the round.  

In the chinch, Namajunas delivered knees to the body before separating.  Ribas landed a counter right hand but Namajunas responded with a left.  Ribas worked to get the fight to the ground but Namajunas rolled through and gained top position.  Ribas controlled Namajunas’ posture and avoided taking heavy damage.  MMAWeekly scored the first round 10-9 for Namajunas.  

Ribas missed with a head kick to start the second round.  Namajunas connected with a right hand.  Ribas responded with a leg kick.  A left hand found the mark for Namajunas.  Ribas delivered a back kick to the body.  Namajunas secured a takedown but Ribas immediately scrambled to her feet.  With two minutes remaining, Ribas rolled for a knee bar.  Namajunas got her leg free and Ribas tried to toss Namajunas to the canvas but Namajunas again gained top position.  

Namajunas delivered short right hands to the body of Ribas.  Ribas did a good job controlling Namajunas’ posture.  MMAWeekly scored the second round 10-9 for Namajunas.  

Ribas’ corner told her to “knock her out” before the third round.  Namajunas landed a counter right hand.  Ribas went high with a kick that was blocked.  Namajunas delivered a hard kick to the body.  She stepped into the pocket with a combination.  Ribas responded with a leg kick.  They briefly clinched and exchanged knees to the body.  

Namajunas went to the body.  Ribas landed a right hand.  Namajunas pressed forward with punches but Ribas changed levels and took Namajunas down.  Namajunas quickly reversed the situation.  Ribas scrambled and two ended up back standing.  Ribas took Namajunas down with just under a minute remaining in the round.  She connected with elbows an punches forcing Namajunas to give up her back.  MMAWeekly scored the third round 10-9 for Ribas.

The two took the center of the cage and looked for an opening.  Ribas connected with a right hand.  Namajunas moved into the pocket and was met with a right hand.  Namajunas snapped Ribas’ head back with a jab.  Namajunas took Ribas down in the center of the octagon.  

Namajunas delivered right hands to the body in Ribas’ half guard.  Ribas worked her way back to full guard and kept Namajunas from posturing up.  Namajunas continued to deliver short punches to the body.  MMAWeekly scored the fourth round 10-9 for Namajunas.  

Ribas’ corner told her to look for the knockout.  Namajunas told herself ‘I’m the best’ before heading out for the final frame.  

Ribas connected with a kick to the body to start the fifth round.  She landed another one.  Namajunas reacted with a combination.  Namajunas landed a counter right hand.  Ribas came up short with a spinning back fist.  Namajunas stepped in with a stiff jab.  Namajunas kept making Ribas miss.  Ribas pressured Namajunas.  She unloaded several kicks that missed.  One partially landed but Namajunas was unaffected.  As the clocked ticked away, the two stayed at distance but neither landed anything significant.  MMMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Namajunas.  

The judges scored the fight for Namajunas by unanimous decision. The scorecards read 49–46, 49–46, and 48–47.

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In a stunning display of unsportsmanlike conduct, flyweight Igor Severino was disqualified during his UFC Vegas 89 bout against Andre Lima after biting him.  

Midway through the second round, Severino bit Lima in the arm while Lima was attempting to take him down.  Referee Chris Tognoni halted the fight and called in a doctor to check Lima before disqualifying Severino.  The bite marks were clearly visible during Lima’s post-fight interview.  

“Those were two up-and-coming undefeated fighters,” UFC CEO Dana White told Kevin Iole. “If you get frustrated and want out of the fight, there are plenty of ways to do it, but the worst thing u can do is bite your opponent. Now, you get cut and lose the biggest opportunity of your life. Not to mention, he’s going to have real problems with the NSAC.”  

Back at UFC 47 in April 2004, heavyweight Wes Sims accused Mike Kyle of bitting him during their match.  During the post-fight press conference a bite mark was clearly visible on Sims’ chest.  That’s the only other time I can recall that a fighter has bitten another fighter inside the octagon.  

Of course, the most famous bite in combat sports came in June 1997 when Mike Tyson bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear at the MGM Grand Garden and was disqualified.  

Igor Severino biting Andre Lima at UFC Vegas 89 video

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Flyweight Andre Lima remained undefeated and picked up his first octagon win on Saturday during the UFC Vegas 89 preliminary card when his opponent was disqualified.  

During the second round of their bout, Igor Severino bit Lima on the arm while attempting to take him down.  Lima alerted referee Chris Tognoni and showed him the bite mark.  Tognoni halted the fight and disqualified Severino.  The bite marks could clearly be seen on Lima’s arm during his post-fight interview.  Severino received his pink slip from the fight promotion following the brazen rule violation.   

Lima decided to get the bite marks forever in place on his arm where he was bitten.  He posted a video to social media of him getting a tattoo of the indentions.  “First ever “I got f**king bit bonus,”” the caption read.  

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With the win, Lima improved his undefeated record to 8-0.  With such an infraction, it’s unlikely Severino will see the inside of the UFC octagon again.  UFC CEO Dana White was not happy about such a blatant foul and the Nevada State Athletic Commission will not be either.

“Those were two up-and-coming undefeated fighters,” White told Kevin Iole. “If you get frustrated and want out of the fight, there are plenty of ways to do it, but the worst thing u can do is bite your opponent. Now, you get cut and lose the biggest opportunity of your life. Not to mention, he’s going to have real problems with the NSAC.” 

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