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Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t want any part of a reignited feud with former rival Tony Ferguson.

The retired Russian legend made headlines this week for claiming that Ferguson could only have defeated him via “lucky punch.” Unsurprisingly, Ferguson took issue with that comment and quickly posted a small social media rant labeling “The Eagle” a fat chicken (among other things). All things considered, it was a pretty standard “El Cucuy” post. Still, Nurmagomedov responded on X early Tuesday morning, and he denied making those recent comments.

“You know what’s interesting,” Nurmagomedov posted. “I didn’t say anything about you, people just post whatever they want on the internet and write that it’s Khabib. Enjoy your life and your family, leave this sport for the young fighters.”

The problem with Khabib’s post (or whoever is running his account) is that the source of the lucky punch quote was a podcast … that’s on YouTube … in English! It can still be watched right HERE! You can watch Nurmagomedov say it himself at about the 24:30 mark.

Regardless, the final sentence is good advice. At 40 years of age, Ferguson recently set the UFC record for consecutive losses when he was easily tapped out by Michael Chiesa for an eighth straight defeat. “El Cucuy” hasn’t officially been released by the UFC or retired outright, but there’s nothing left for him in the cage.

Sadly, we’ll never actually know what would’ve happened had Ferguson and Khabib met at the height of their respective powers. Ferguson’s ugly losing streak has largely killed off what once was a strong belief that the Californian could really trouble the legendary “Eagle,” but it still remains as an all-time “what if” in MMA history.

Damn that stupid cable.

Insomnia

Carlos Prates is trying to line up a fight versus Michael Page. It’s been too long since we’ve since a classic Muay Thai vs. Karate match up in the Octagon!

I hate this. There are plenty of actual issues in MMA, go tackle one of those, NSAC.

Win or lose, Nikita Krylov can be trusted to get after it.

It sounds like Dan Ige had a bit of a mishap on the freeway.

There’s only one Merab Dvalishvili.

Luck is as important a factor for success as anything else in this sport.

The devilish red feels quite appropriate.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Jean Silva is a walking highlight reel.

That knee on the way down was well-timed.

15 years ago today! One of the most fun Heavyweight fights of all time.

Random Land

Moving on from Paris 2024 to greener pastures.

Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 2003

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

UFC CEO Dana White just won’t quit Jon Jones when it comes to the debate on the greatest fighter of all-time, as well as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world currently. Despite constant push back from the rest of the MMA community, White is keeping his feet planted on Jones topping both lists without question. In the end, is he actually right?

On an all-new edition of Between the Links, the panel discusses White’s recent post-fight press conference following DWCS on Tuesday, being adamant that Jones is in a league of his own, and what he could be planning for the future in order to prove his theory right. Additionally, topics include Caio Borralho’s big win over Jared Cannonier at UFC Vegas 96, his callout of Dricus du Plessis, what is likely next for the surging middleweight, how much the PFL press conference featuring Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira generated anticipation for their October matchup, Max Holloway’s underdog promo, and more.

Host Mike Heck is joined by MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and The Mac Life’s Oscar Willis.

Watch the show live at 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT in the video above.

If you missed the show live, you can still watch above, or listen to the podcast version, which can be found below and on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your pods.

MMA Fighting – All Posts

MMA fans worldwide are currently divided over Jon Jones defending the UFC heavyweight championship against Stipe Miocic next. This is primarily because Jones hasn’t fought since March 2023 and in the meantime, Tom Aspinall has solidified his claim on the undisputed title by winning and defending the interim heavyweight belt.

To add fuel to the fire, Dana White has missed no opportunity to call Jones the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world lately. He regularly shares this opinion on social media and even argued with the media for over 10 minutes about it recently.

Chael Sonnen has sided with White on the matter and has explained why fans shouldn’t complain about the imminent Jones vs. Miocic matchup…

Chael Sonnen Explains Why Dana White Won’t Cancel Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic For UFC Heavyweight Title

Sonnen reacted to White defending Jones vs. Miocic in a DWCS press conference on his official YouTube channel recently. The former UFC title contender reminded viewers that this match was booked before Aspinall knocked out Sergei Pavlovich in less than 90 seconds.

Sonnen remembered when “Bones” agreed to fight Miocic soon after his flawless win over Ciryl Gane. He pointed out that fans didn’t necessarily oppose the booking. However, things turned complex when the champ had to pull out due to a shoulder injury. He’s been out of action for over 18 months now, and the UFC still not confirming a date for his return is a bone of contention among many.

“This is really unfair, what you’re doing to Jon Jones. This is really unfair, what you’re doing to Stipe. It’s unfair that Dana White had to answer this question. So, let me take your short-term memories, down memory lane.”

Aspinall has been constantly calling out Jones as well since defending the interim UFC heavyweight championship against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. Yet again, he emerged victorious via knockout in the first and believes that he should now get the chance to unify the belts once and for all.

As per “The American Gangster”, White is correct in not disrespecting Miocic by taking away arguably his final shot at the title. The former UFC heavyweight champ hasn’t lost a fight or sustained an injury, due to which Sonnen believes that he still deserves to fight Jones.

“It’s the same fight with the same guys. They haven’t done anything different. Stipe has not slowed down. Stipe has not lost. He hasn’t done anything in front of you that’s any different. And I mean, I will just tell you, like, in this sport, you’re not wrong. Fans going to do what fans want. I understand it, but I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything quite to this degree in an attempt to get Aspinall in there with Jon.”

“It turned nasty against Stipe. That’s the part that’s incorrect. As soon as Stipe falls on his face. As soon as he slips on a banana peal. Go ahead and go after him, that’s fair game, that’s this sport. That hasn’t happened. Stipe has not done that. Stipe has not done anything like that. As a matter of fact, he got a little bit longer to train and this is a consummate professional. He would’ve used that time very wisely.

Despite the backlash, it is safe to assume that the UFC will book Jones vs. Miocic sometime in 2024. It is also worth noting that Aspinall is guaranteed to be the backup fighter for this title match.

• Read More: Max Holloway Touted To Dispatch Ilia Topuria At UFC 308: ‘That’s Gonna Be His Downfall…’

Continue Reading ‘This Is Really Unfair!’ – Chael Sonnen Sticks Up For Jon Jones & Stipe Miocic As Dana White Defends Heavyweight Matchup at MMA News.

MMA News

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Khalil Rountree can officially put his recent drug-test suspension behind him.

At a Thursday meeting of the Nevada Athletic Commission, it was ruled that Rountree’s suspension has been settled at 4 ¹⁄₂ months, retroactive to the failed drug test that forced him to withdraw from a bout with Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 this past June. That means Rountree is clear for his scheduled title fight with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, which takes place at UFC 307 on Oct. 5.

Rountree self-reported his failed test, which was for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a steroid hormone. At the time, Rountree stated that he “was using a personalized, tailored supplement service” and that said service accidentally supplied him with “a blended supplement” that contained the banned substance.

In addition to the suspension, which officially ends on Sept. 18, Rountree is required to pay prosecution fees of $ 157. The commission noted that Rountree’s self-report played a significant part in the fighter not receiving a stiffer penalty.

Rountree was on the call for Thursday’s NAC meeting and he expressed gratitude to the commission for how his case was handled.

Pereira vs. Rountree serves as the main event of UFC 307 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. “Poatan” seeks his third defense of the light heavyweight title, while Rountree enters the contest on a career-best five-fight winning streak.

MMA Fighting – All Posts

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Anthony Taylor has never been afraid to mix it up at a press conference.

The Bellator veteran and current Misfits Boxing light heavyweight champion had to be held back by three security people after he was slapped by Gabriel Silva during their staredown following the Misfits Boxing 17 pre-fight press conference Thursday afternoon.

Watch the altercation below.

See another angle of the incident below. It appears Silva was angered by Taylor grabbing his finger during the usual trash talk segment of their staredown in Dublin, Ireland.

Even KSI had to add in his two cents on X.

Taylor might have also ignited the bad blood during the press conference when he boasted he was going to go after the entire Silva family.

Taylor and Silva square off one more time Friday at the Misfits Boxing 17 weigh-ins before stepping into the ring at Saturday’s event at 3Arena in Dublin.

MMA Fighting – All Posts

Closer than ever
| BJPenn.com

“I learned how to say that in Japanese just for the sheer fact that I knew they’d ask me that.”

Tai Emery has become quite the character in the bare-knuckle boxing (BKB) world.

Australia’s Emery certainly burst onto the scene in BKFC with her promotion debut in Thailand against Rung-Arun Khunchai in September 2022. The performance went as smoothly as Emery could have requested, scoring the first-round TKO at 1:41. However, the unique post-fight celebration arguably had the combat sports world talking more than the in-ring efforts.

Emery, 37, ran to the ropes in elation and gave the Bangkok crowd a surprise by pulling her top up after the win. A recently formed partnership between BKFC and RIZIN led the flyweight brawler to Japan for her last time out when she battled Charisa Sigala at Super RIZIN 3 last month (July 28, 2024). Emery once again scored a quick finish, breaking the nose of Sigala to earn her second pro victory (2-1). Beforehand, she had to make some promises that her unforgettable celebration wouldn’t be repeated.

“100 percent,” Emery told MMA Mania on BROADENED HORIZIN about promising not to flash the Saitama crowd. “In every single email, every single phone call from David Feldman. I literally had to learn how to say, ‘No, I promised David Feldman and Conor McGregor that I wouldn’t flash and I wouldn’t be naughty.’ I learned how to say that in Japanese just for the sheer fact that I knew they’d ask me that.

“I had to pull that [phrase] out in some of the interviews and they were impressed.”

Emery has a lot of options going forward after the big win and debut on Japanese soil. Ultimately, she wants to claim gold in BKFC but she’s not at all opposed to putting the gloves on if requested.

“I want the belt. I want what’s mine. That will be the moment I can finally go (exhales), okay, on top of the mountain, let’s smell one flower, and let’s get back to work,” Emery said. “Outside of that, I really want to put on the gloves and box whether that’s with RIZIN or Misfits or both. I think it’s exciting times for fighters right now.”

Watch the full episode in the video embedded above, or listen to it on Spotify.

BROADENED HORIZIN Ep. 42 AUDIO – 以下の日本語版:

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