Altercation
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The Paddy and Molly show will debut this summer on BBC 3 and give fans a look into the family lives of the two U.K. combat sports stars.

Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann are set to star in a new reality TV show on BBC 3 this summer.

The show, entitled ‘Paddy & Molly: Show No Mersey’ will follow the two UFC stars through their fight lives and personal lives as they struggle with the ups and downs of being combat sports stars. The ‘Mersey’ part of the title is a pun on the River Mersey which travels through Liverpool, where the two fighters are from.

“We can’t wait for you all to see what a day in the life for us both entails,” said Pimblett and McCann (yes, both of them somehow, according to BBC). “It’s not all sunshine and rainbows and a lot goes into what we do. You won’t believe it until you see it, so get watching.”

The BBC promises a good dose of reality viewing as provided by Paddy’s wife Laura who is pregnant with twins, and Molly’s fiancé Ellis, who seems like a sweet lass. Maybe after this we’ll have less idiot fans asking if Pimblett and McCann are romantically linked.

After going on a solid three-fight win streak (including an impressive spinning fist KO in 2022), McCann has struggled with two back-to-back losses. The last time we saw her in the cage was for a nasty first round submission loss to Jilija Stoliarenko in July 2023. Molly always takes her losses hard and the mental game will be a big part of her next fight. She’s set to scrap with Diana Belbita on February 3rd in the UFC Apex.

As for Paddy Pimblett, his career continues to move upwards. He’s 21-3 across MMA and 5-0 in the UFC. After a controversial decision win over Jared Gordon and a long layoff due to injury, Pimblett returned to win a one-sided contest against former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson (watch the highlights here). He’s currently eating his way across the U.K. despite a past declaration that’d he’d stop binge-eating between fights.

‘Paddy & Molly: Show No Mersey’ airs this summer on BBC 3 in the U.K. and on the BBC iPlayer for folks around the world with a decent VPN.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

The Sean Strickland story is one of the most surprising in middleweight history.

2023 was the year of the underdog in MMA and arguably none proved that more than MMA Fighting’s Fighter of the Year, Strickland. The reigning UFC middleweight king won three bouts in a row after looking like he was tumbling down the rankings into gatekeeper status with back-to-back losses to close out 2022. Here we are in the first month of 2024 and “Tarzan” will defend his title for the first time against Dricus Du Plessis in UFC 297’s main event this Saturday night.

Strickland’s crowning moment came in Sydney, Australia at UFC 293 in September when he dethroned Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision. With the former two-time champion as his opponent and the performance he put on in consideration, it was inarguably the best Strickland has ever looked as he won four rounds to one across the judges’ scorecards. Even though it was the highlight it was, Strickland hasn’t watched it yet and likely won’t.

“I actually haven’t even watched that fight yet,” Strickland told ESPN of his Adesanya win. “I don’t watch fights. No, no, [I don’t watch my opponents]. Low self-esteem, you know? It just kind of builds up in me and I’m like, ‘You f****** suck. You’re a f****** loser, you shouldn’t have won that fight. You f****** can.’ So, I just ignore it.

“I forget that I’m fighting. Like, I don’t even think about it [when I’m booked]. It’s just another day.”

As the champion, certain media obligations force Strickland to think about his opponents earlier than fight night inside the octagon. The 2024 UFC seasonal press conference is a prime example, followed by their scuffle in the UFC 296 crowd last month.

Despite formerly fighting at welterweight, Strickland, 32, has firmly come into his 6-foot-1 frame at 185 pounds and even fought as high as light heavyweight last year. In terms of his specific fight camp preparation that does play into his mind, it’s all about keeping his body in peak condition.

“I think about my weight cut, I think about dieting,” Strickland said. “At the end of the day, it’s in the hands of God. No matter what I do, no matter how much I think about it, it ain’t changing. The outcome ain’t changing. I could go sit up on a rock like f****** Karate Kid and get a Miyagi and think about it and dwell about it and mentally get in the zone, but the outcome ain’t changing. Enjoy life, go eat a f****** cheeseburger, be happy. Just when it comes, it comes.”

The matchup with Du Plessis quickly appeared to become a grudge match of sorts after the pair’s initial encounters. For “Stillknocks,” he’s unbeaten in the UFC with six straight wins (eight overall, 20-2 record) and can make history as South Africa’s first UFC champion. Stylistically, Du Plessis is an entertaining finisher with only one decision in his winning streak (five KO/TKOs, two submissions).

Strickland acknowledges the unique challenge ahead of him, but doesn’t call the fight personal even after admitting to Du Plessis crossing the line with comments in the build-up.

“He’s f****** awkward,” Strickland said. “It’s like when you’re that level of awkward, you just do weird s*** and it works. He’s tough, he fights hard, I mean f***. His coach always keeps him hard, keeps him ready (laughs). He’s just f****** awkward, dude.

“I actually dearly like Dricus, but you just like — here’s the thing, man … You know who I am. I will f****** kill you. I love my life, I don’t want to go to prison, and I don’t want to die, but I’m the one guy who is okay throwing away my life. One day, I hope if the opportunity presents itself, I f****** man up and I do it. We’re gonna have this interview and we’re gonna all look back at it like, ‘Oh yeah, Sean wasn’t f****** joking. He really f****** threw away his life.’ It’s like, I’m the one person — I’m okay dying as long as you die with me.”

TOP STORIES

Loss. Tatiana Suarez out of UFC 298, Mackenzie Dern now faces Amanda Lemos

Insight. Unapologetic: Sean Strickland teammates, coaches detail what it’s like to have the UFC champ in the gym

Caution. Sean Strickland threatens to stab Dricus du Plessis if he crosses line at UFC 297 fight week

Update. Not Logan Paul (Rodney Petersen) reports 8 head staples, severe concussion from Nate Diaz brawl

Commentary. Dominick Cruz replaces Joe Rogan on broadcast team for UFC 297

Rematch. Chael Sonnen: Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz boxing match among worst ideas ‘I’ve heard in a meaningful period of time’

Roundtable. Is Sean Strickland poised for another ‘Fighter of the Year’ run?

Unknown. Matt Brown hints at retirement if he gets Jim Miller at UFC 300: ‘There’s a good chance that could be my last fight’

VIDEO STEW

MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck chats with Eric Nicksick and Jon Anik.

Sound & Pound.

Embedded 2.

Official Pennington vs. Bueno Silva preview.

UFC Connected: Mike Mallott.

RIZIN Confessions 140.

Volk on 298.

LISTEN UP

Reaction. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, Jed Meshew, and Eric Jackman discuss Dana White announcing Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway BMF title fight for UFC 300.

Reaction. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Jed Meshew discuss PFL vs. Bellator champions event revealed — how successful can it be?

Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses if the Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis winner will headline UFC 300.

MORNING MUSIC

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Mhmm.

PFL is back.

History potential.

Pursuit.

Crowds.

Poster.

Response.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Amanda Lemos (13-3-1) vs. Mackenzie Dern (13-4); UFC 298, Feb. 17

Renan Ferreira (12-3) vs. Ryan Bader (31-7); PFL vs. Bellator, Feb. 24

Impa Kasanganay (15-3) vs. Johnny Eblen (14-0); PFL vs. Bellator, Feb. 24

Magomed Magomedkerimov (34-6) vs. Jason Jackson (17-4); PFL vs. Bellator, Feb. 24

Jesus Pinedo (23-6-1) vs. Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (35-7); PFL vs. Bellator, Feb. 24

Bruno Cappelozza (15-6) vs. Vadim Nemkov (17-2); PFL vs. Bellator, Feb. 24

Thiago Santos (22-11) vs. Yoel Romero (15-7); PFL vs. Bellator, Feb. 24

Clay Collard (24-11) vs. AJ McKee (21-1); PFL vs. Bellator, Feb. 24

Gabriel Braga (12-1) vs. Aaron Pico (12-4); PFL vs. Bellator, Feb. 24

Biaggio Ali Walsh (0-0) vs. Chris Morris (0-0); PFL vs. Bellator, Feb. 24

Claressa Shields (1-1) vs. Kelsey DeSantis (1-2); PFL vs. Bellator, Feb. 24

Stamp Fairtex (11-2) vs. Denice Zamboanga (10-2); ONE 166, March 1

Kennedy Nzechukwu (12-4) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (26-17); UFC Vegas 87, March 16

Bobby Green (31-15-1, 1 NC) vs. Jim Miller (37-17, 1 NC); UFC 300, April 13

Justin Gaethje (25-4) vs. Max Holloway (25-7); UFC 300, April 13

FINAL THOUGHTS

Typically, I’d say it might not be the best approach that Strickland is taking with his game-planning, but it’s obviously paid off. Everyone is different. Stick to whatever works. To know Dricus is awkward, he must have watched him fight though, right…?! Busted!

Thanks for reading!

EXIT POLL

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.

MMA Fighting – All Posts

Sean Strickland has a crazy theory as to why Israel Adesanya failed to retain his middleweight world title when the two men met inside the Octagon last year.

In the days leading up to their UFC 293 headliner in Australia, Strickland accused Adesanya of having an inappropriate relationship with his beloved dog who had since passed away. ‘The Last Stylebender’ was content to let the comments simply roll off his back during interviews and press events, but immediately following their 25-minute scrap, Adesanya’s first words to Strickland addressed the vile comments he made about a pet that the two-time titleholder loved like family.

Strickland won the bout via a decisive unanimous decision, claiming the 185-pound crown which shocked fighters and fans alike. Now on the cusp of his first middleweight title defense this Saturday night (January 20), Strickland is suggesting that the allegations of bestiality he levied against Adesanya are what ultimately made the former champ crack under pressure.

“At some point, we all lose,” Strickland said in an interview clip shared by Bloody Elbow. “And you could be like Izzy, lying in a bathtub of flower petals. You could have an entourage and people following you around, but at some point, someone is going to make fun of you for having sex with your dog and then you’re going to f*cking crumble as a human being. That’s just not me because I’m level.”

Sean Strickland Gets a Taste of His Own Medicine

The tables were seemingly turned on Strickland last month when his UFC 297 challenger, Dricus Du Plessis, struck a nerve by making light of the champ’s traumatic childhood. Their heated verbal confrontation at the UFC Seasonal Press Conference boiled over 24 hours later when the two were seated near one another at the promotion’s final pay-per-view of 2023.

Strickland lept over a row of seats and physically attacked Du Plessis. Strickland even admitted to biting the South African contender during the fracas.

Fortunately, things were quelled quickly by security staff and UFC CEO Dana White. ‘Stillknocks’ recently revealed that he was given the option to press charges against Strickland, but Du Plessis opted not to, noting that it would likely spell the end of their title tilt scheduled for this weekend in Toronto.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

In the second episode of UFC 297 Embedded, Sean Strickland gives influencer Nina Drama a lesson in fighting, Mayra Bueno Silva sees her UFC 297 promo, Dricus du Plessis (sort of) does a Polar Bear challenge, Strickland flies to Toronto, Mike Mallott and Jasmine Jasudavicius get ready for their fights in Canada, and more.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

UFC 300 has added its second title bout — of sorts — with a BMF clash between Justin Gaethje and ex-featherweight kingpin Max Holloway.

Additionally, Jim Miller has gotten his wish to fight at the banner pay-per-view event, drawing vet Bobby Green, UFC CEO Dana White announced Tuesday via social media.

UFC 300 takes place April 13 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. White this past week announced a women’s strawweight bout between champ Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan, adding the first piece of gold up for grabs on the ESPN+ pay-per-view.

Gaethje makes the first defense of the belt the UFC revived this past year with a rematch featuring “The Highlight” versus Dustin Poirier at UFC 291. In a shocking turn, Gaethje starched Poirier via head-kick knockout to claim the zinc belt, first conceived for the UFC 244 headliner between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal.

It was expected that Gaethje could be in line for the real gold against lightweight champ Islam Makhachev, who should be available to fight this summer. But instead, he will take on Holloway, whose path back to the featherweight title has been blocked with a trio of losses to champ Alexander Volkanovski. In his most recent outing, Holloway retired Chan Sung Jung via knockout to up his current winning streak to two after his third setback to Volkanovski.

Miller gets a quick turnaround — and one he publicly called for — after submitting Gabriel Benitez this past Saturday at UFC Vegas 84. At the post-fight presser, he called for a UFC 300 bout against welterweight vet Matt Brown, and for longtime UFC announcer Bruce Buffer to give him a very special introduction.

Here is UFC 300’s card as it stands:

• Zhang Weili vs. Yan Xiaonan
• Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan
• Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic
• Calvin Kattar vs. Aljamain Sterling
• Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt
• Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage

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UFC 300
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