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UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones will finally make his Octagon return in November.

“Bones” is scheduled to defend his 265-pound strap against former division titleholder Stipe Miocic, a five-round showdown that was previously scheduled for UFC 295 late last year but delayed when Jones suffered a pectoral tear.

In his absence, fast-rising heavyweight bruiser Tom Aspinall captured the interim crown in New York, then defended the substitute strap by laying waste to Curtis Blaydes in their UFC 304 rematch last month in Manchester.

Unfortunately, the 31 year-old “Honey Badger” will have to sit on the sidelines while Jones and Miocic settle their unfinished business.

A choice that will undoubtedly protect the champ’s UFC legacy.

“Jon Jones is not an idiot,” Aspinall told MMA Fighting. “Even though he might act like it sometimes. He’s not unintelligent. Stipe, one of the best heavyweights if not the best heavyweight of all time. Stipe’s also 43 years old, coming off a three-year layoff and his last fight was a knockout loss. Obviously, he’s going to want to take that fight before me because it’s easier. Way easier. Way, way, way easier. He knows that I’m the tougher fight for him. I’m not going to say [Jones is] scared because he isn’t, but he’s smart in his approach and he’s going to fight Stipe before me every time.”

Sadly, Jones doesn’t have time for “intern” champions like Aspinall.

“I’d like to think he would [fight me] but at this point is Jon Jones even fighting Stipe? We don’t know,” Aspinall continued. “We have no idea. Like I said, Jon Jones is a bit of an unusual guy. You don’t get what you see. He’s tricky, slimy, snaky, he does different movements. He says one thing, does another. So I don’t know. I have no idea to be honest. Jon got one win in the heavyweight division. I got eight, all finishes. I’m not saying my résumé is better than Jon Jones because it isn’t. It’s not close. He’s way better than me but as far as heavyweights go, I’m the best heavyweight in the world.”

And impatient UFC fans are the best crybabies in the world, according to Miocic.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

At the Crawford vs. Madrimov weigh-ins, Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov will step on the scale Friday in Los Angeles, Calif.

Crawford and Madrimov have to hit 154 pounds, the contracted limit for their super welterweight main event showdown.

In the co-main event, Andy Ruiz and Jarrell Miller compete in a heavyweight contest and there is no weight limit.

The Crawford vs. Madrimov ceremonial weigh-ins are expected to begin at 9 p.m. ET.

Check out the Crawford vs. Madrimov weigh-in results below.

Main card (DAZN, PPV.com at 6 p.m. ET)

Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov

Andy Ruiz vs. Jarrell Miller

Jared Anderson vs. Martin Bakole

Isaac Cruz vs. Jose Valenzuela

David Morrell vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic

Andy Cruz vs. Antonio Moran

Prelims (MMA Fighting at 4:20 p.m. ET)

Steve Nelson vs. Marcos Ramon Vazquez

Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Michal Bulk

MMA Fighting – All Posts

Umar Nurmagomedov isn’t a fan of Sean O’Malley’s antics on social media.

The undefeated Dagestani standout returns to the Octagon this Saturday as the UFC heads to Abu Dhabi for a stacked Fight Night in Etihad Arena. Meeting Nurmagomedov in the main event will be bantamweight staple Cory Sandhagen in a bout that should produce the next 135-pound title contender.

As it stands, O’Malley sits atop the bantamweight throne, though his days could be number as he finds himself on a collision course with streaking Georgian sensation Merab Dvalishvili.

The pair will headline Noche UFC at Sphere in Las Vegas this September with the winner presumably facing the winner of Nurmagomedov vs. Sandhagen.

During a recent conversation with Daniel Cormier on the Hall of Famer’s YouTube channel, Nurmagomedov didn’t mince words while discussing O’Malley, slamming ‘Sugar’ for acting like a “clown” on social media and doing things unbecoming of a strong champion.

“Me and Sean are two different [people],” Nurmagomedov said of O’Malley. “He loves being funny. We’re different guys and I’m ashamed we have Sean O’Malley as a champion. Men have to be different, it’s about different things…you have to be a good example for the young generation, and you can’t do something like a clown. When Sean Strickland tells him he looks like a clown…is life about money? No, men have to be strong guys…

“Men have to be gentlemen, not a clown, or doing some TikToks, music and dancing. It’s not about that…women can do this…we know what the UFC cares about. They don’t want to give him good fighters with good wrestling” (h/t BJPenn.com).

Thus far, O’Malley has not responded to Nurmagomedov’s comments.

‘Sandman’ looks to snatch Umar Nurmagomedov’s ‘O’ in Abu Dhabi

Umar Nurmagomedov is a perfect 17-0 in his mixed martial arts career with five of those victories coming under the UFC banner. Currently, he is sitting as the No. 10 ranked contender in the bantamweight division, but if he can score a big win over ‘Sandman’ in Abu Dhabi, he’ll skyrocket himself toward the top of the rankings and all but guarantee himself a shot at UFC gold.

Sandhagen goes into Saturday’s bout having won his last three, earning victories over Song Yadong, Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, and Rob Font. Sandman’ also holds wins over Frankie Edgar, Marlon Moraes, and John Lineker. Sandhagen landed his first shot at a UFC title, competing against Petr Yan for the interim crown in October 2021. Yan won the bout via unanimous decision, forcing Sandhagen to go back to the drawing board.

If the Colorado native can take Nurmagomedov’s ‘O’ in the UAE, a showdown with either O’Malley or Dvalishvili will surely await.

LowKickMMA.com

It appears that Francis Ngannou is gearing up for his long awaited return to MMA, after what has been a difficult year for the former UFC heavyweight champion.

The PFL fighter recently announced that he will be hoping to step back inside the cage later this year in what is sure to be an emotional moment for both he and his fans.

Messages and support poured in from all angles of the combat sports world in April after Ngannou announced the tragic passing of his 15-month-old son Kobe.

A teammate of his said that “The Predator” appears to be building up some steam in training, and he’s doing it with fire in his eyes after what he has been through.

Tim Johnson Says Francis Ngannou Is Slowly Returning To The Gym With Motivation

Former UFC and Bellator veteran Tim Johnson is set to make his return in the main event of PFL 7 this weekend where he takes on Denis Goltsov.

During his training camp at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, he crossed paths with his teammate and fellow PFL fighter as he works his way back.

Johnson gave an update on Ngannou during a recent interview with MMA News, stating that one of the baddest men on the planet is slowly coming back to speed.

“He’s been in the gym, getting his wheels greased again. Kind of going slow but he’s in no rush like he doesn’t, it’s not like he’s fighting in eight weeks or anything but yeah he’s been back in the gym, feeling big, strong, like he always has.”

Johnson also said that Ngannou appears to be doing okay mentally from what he has been able to take away from their conversations.

He said that if anything, the heavyweight knockout artist is now in a position where he is using this difficult time in his life as fuel.

“He seems to be, yeah. I talked to him a little bit and as a father to father, I told him, me and my wife gave him our sympathies. I couldn’t imagine it, that’d be the worst scenario in any parents life and he seems to be harnessing it and utilizing it.”

Read also: 2024 PFL 7 Playoffs: Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson Weigh-In Results

Continue Reading PFL Headliner Tim Johnson: Francis Ngannou ‘Harnessing’ Grief Of Losing Son In Training [Exclusive] at MMA News.

MMA News

As the world begins to change, many things are now acceptable that were once deemed despicable — but Sean Strickland isn’t sitting in silence.

The 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games may go down as one of the most controversial in its over 100-year history. Whether you side with their policies or not, it remains true that the backlash the Olympics has received this time around is unlike ever before.

One of the major concerns with this year’s Olympics falls under the women’s boxing event. Many are outraged with the inclusion of Imane Khelif into the women’s game — with most believing that the Algerian is a man, despite conflicting reports. The anger from supporters was only elevated when Khelif dominated a saddened Angela Carini in the ring.

Sean Strickland is the latest to get involved with the online assault on Khelif. The UFC star posted to social media to share his disgust.

“Such an utter disgrace,” Strickland stated. “This is a man, a mentally ill man beating up women.”

“There are 2 genders and that is a man. Never accept this woke corporate agenda”

“Harley Davidson would be proud, one of many companies who support this financially and ideologically.”

Such an utter disgrace. This is a man, a mentally ill man beating up women.

There are 2 genders and that is a man

Never accept this woke corporate agenda

Harley Davidson would be proud, one of many companies who support this financially and ideologically https://t.co/w6JdJo3ucy

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 1, 2024

However, this wasn’t the last Strickland had to say on the matter.

The former UFC middleweight champion posted a video giving his truth on why Imane Khelif shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near women’s boxing.

“So, guys, what do we know about this boxer? We know this boxer failed a gender test. We know that this boxer was not tested for her/his gender in the Olympics.”

Related: Angela Carini suffers controversial Olympics defeat, UFC fighters react

“We know the Olympics gender test consists of, ‘Hey, what does your passport say?’ You can’t blame us for being skeptical of the Olympics after they just f***ing shoved this transgender f***ing cesspool down our f***ing throats.”

“So, yes Olympics, we are a little f***ing skeptical with you. But, let’s give this boxer the benefit of the doubt. Let’s just say that yes, you did fail a gender test and yes, you do have male chromosomes.”

“Yes you were born a woman and you claim to be a woman. Let’s say this happened. You can do anything on this f***ing planet.”

“You can be a f***ing doctor, you can be a lawyer, you can cure f***ing cancer. But what you shouldn’t do, what you can’t do is go and f***ing beat up women. So, just f***ing stop.”

Here's the facts. The Olympics didn't test this boxer for political reasons. This boxer has failed a gender test in the past. The boxer may be intersex.. This situation was created because the Olympics failed their athletes and their fans out of political wokeness. pic.twitter.com/c5fRqGyiny

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 1, 2024

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Jiu-jitsu legend Mackenzie Dern is ready to face Loopy Godinez this Saturday at UFC Abu Dhabi, and she feels at home competing at the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Dern made a name for herself collecting gold medals in jiu-jitsu before transitioning to MMA in 2016, and the victory that brought her biggest jiu-jitsu spotlight onto her took place in 2015 in Abu Dhabi, when she defeated the much heavier Gabi Garcia en route to capturing the absolute title at the Abu Dhabi World Pro.

“I have so much love for Abu Dhabi and the people here, the sheik, and their support for jiu-jitsu and fight itself,” Dern told MMA Fighting. “They’ve been investing so much in the sport for so long. The vibe I feel being back here is so good, I’m feeling 100 percent that the win will come Saturday.”

Photo via Eduardo Ferreira

Dern defeated Michelle Nicolini and Vanessa Oliveira to win double gold at the 2015 World Pro, but it was her hard-fought absolute semifinal win over Garcia that changed everything in her career.

“If that hadn’t happen, maybe I wouldn’t have taken the next step of coming to MMA and everything else,” Dern said. “It’s crazy the steps we take in life, and now I’m back here. I believe it’s going to be another incredible moment here.”

Grappling promotion ADXC will hold an event Friday featuring the likes of Urijah Faber, Bibiano Fernandes, and Chad Mendes in no-gi matches, and Dern said she’s in talks for a potential match on Oct. 25, the night before UFC 308 lands in Abu Dhabi. Her father, jiu-jitsu legend Megaton Dias, could also be on the card.

For now, she’s focused on beating Godinez at UFC Abu Dhabi to snap a two-fight losing skid at the hands of Jessica Andrade and Amanda Lemos, and feels more motivated having her daughter Moa with her during fight week.

“I joke that I lost those fights and Moa wasn’t there watching me fight, so she’s here in Abu Dhabi with me,” said Dern. “I came here two weeks early and I’m feeling at home. It calms down my heart a bit, and that’s something I’ve been working on more because sometimes I go in too emotional and turn the fight into a brawl after the first punch lands, and sometimes that’s unnecessary. The fight can be 10 times easier for me if I stay calm.”

“I know it won’t be an easy fight, not at all, but I just fought Amanda Lemos, Jessica Andrade, Amanda Hill, who also beat Loopy,” she continued. “I’ve fought a former champion, former contenders. Loopy is very tough, but I don’t know if she’s fought opponents like that, you know? I believe Loopy has to evolve in some areas to win this fight, but I’ve been evolving as well.”

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