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Tom Aspinall already considers himself the best heavyweight in the world, but don’t expect him to get into any arguments about his standing in the pound-for-pound rankings.

Ahead of his interim title defense against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, Aspinall addressed UFC CEO Dana White constantly touting Jon Jones as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. Jones currently holds the UFC heavyweight title after just one fight in the division, but his legacy was built as the longest reigning light heavyweight champion in UFC history.

Outside of a disqualification loss for throwing illegal elbows, Jones’ résumé is perfect and he’s been fighting at the highest level in the UFC for the past 16 years. That’s all impressive, but Aspinall still has no idea how it equates to a pound-for-pound ranking for Jones — or for anybody else, for that matter.

“What is this pound-for-pound bullshit?” Aspinall said during UFC 304 media day. “It’s a load of rubbish. It just doesn’t even make sense. Don’t get me started on that shit. It’s just like, how can you have a pound-for-pound [ranking]? What does that [mean]?”

Truth be told, there’s no exact definition for the pound-for-pound rankings, so Aspinall makes a valid argument.

For some, pound-for-pound effectively just means the best fighter in the world regardless of weight class. There’s also an argument made that the top pound-for-pound fighters should be those who have accomplished the most across multiple divisions.

Others define pound-for-pound as a test of skills, which basically boils down to if all fighters were matched up against each other at the same size and weight, who would be the best?

It’s that final argument that Aspinall bumps up against the most.

“Does that mean if everyone’s the same size?” Aspinall said. “So how can you compare Demetrious Johnson’s style to Brock Lesnar’s style and say if they’re the same? Like, they’ve got completely different attributes.

“I’ve got a bulldog, right? It’s like saying if my bulldog had a really long neck, who would win [in a fight] a giraffe or the bulldog? It’s absolute bullshit. How can you even compare it? It’s a load of rubbish.”

Throughout history, heavyweights have often struggled to get recognition in the pound-for-pound rankings because rarely does any fighter stay on top of that division for very long, but that also speaks to the dangers that come along with that weight class.

Prior to UFC 304 fight week, Blaydes spoke about heavyweights almost being graded on a different curve than athletes from every other division due to the inherent risks that comes along with facing the hardest hitting fighters in the sport.

Aspinall tends to agree. He knows heavyweights don’t get as much credit as well-rounded mixed martial artists, but he also knows some stereotypes about the big boys are actually accurate.

“We’re definitely getting better in terms of skill,” Aspinall said of the heavyweights. “But I think as far as guys who actually are good in all aspects of MMA, I think there’s probably seven or eight of us who are like elite level at MMA.

“The other guys are more like guys who could knock you out, and that’s really it. Heavyweight MMA kind of has its own rules in that regard. In any other division, you need to be fully skilled everywhere; where, in the heavyweight division, there’s still guys knocking around who they just need to hit you once but they’re not really great everywhere else.”

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UFC

It’s not just RIZIN … it’s SUPER RIZIN!

Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will make his return to the “sweet science” to battle Rukiya Anpo (not Chihiro Suzuki) in a three-round exhibition bout scheduled for Sunday, July 28, 2024 inside Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. “Pac Man’s” showcase fight will be part of the Super RIZIN 3 mixed-discipline spectacle topped by the featherweight main event pitting Mikuru Asakura against Ren Hiramoto under MMA rules.

Here’s how (and when) to stream it live:

Super RIZIN 3 will begin streaming LIVE on RIZIN pay-per-view (PPV) at 12 a.m. ET (5 a.m. UK time) with the ring walks for Pacquiao vs. Anpo scheduled for 5 a.m. ET (10 a.m. UK time). As with all live events, the ring walk times are approximate and subject to change, depending on how the preceding fights play out. International fans looking to watch Super RIZIN 3 can stream directly from the promotion’s website HERE.

Here’s the finalized Super RIZIN 3 fight card and PPV lineup:

145 lbs.: Mikuru Asakura vs. Ren Hiramoto (MMA)
125 lbs.: Hiromasa Ougikubo vs. Makoto Shinryu (MMA)
145 lbs.: Yutaka Saito vs. Yuta Kubo (MMA)
135 lbs.: Ryusei Ashizawa vs. Koji Tanaka (MMA)
145 lbs.: Hiroaki Suzuki vs. Ren Sugiyama (MMA)
125 lbs.: John Dodson vs. Takaki Soya (Bareknuckle)
125 lbs.: Tai Emery vs. Charisa Sigala (Bareknuckle)
130 lbs.: Hideo Tokoro vs. Hiroya Kondo (MMA)
108 lbs.: Rena Kubota vs. Kate Oyama (MMA)
145 lbs.: Suguru Nii vs. Kazumasa Majima (MMA)
152 lbs: Manny Pacquiao vs. Rukiya Anpo (Boxing)

For much more on this weekend’s Super RIZIN 3 card in Japan click here.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Paddy Pimblett nearly didn’t get to fight at UFC 304 after his coach contemplated pulling him from the event because he just wasn’t in the right head space to compete.

Thankfully things turned around during the latter stages of his training camp but Pimblett admits that there were moments where it felt like nothing was going right for him as he prepared for arguably the biggest moment of his career. As upset as he was in the moment when his coach suggested potentially not fighting on Saturday, the 29-year-old lightweight prospect realized that he needed to correct course or a disastrous outing would be a distinct possibility.

“I knew there was stuff going on externally and stuff going on in my head,” Pimblett said during UFC 304 media day. “Obviously when Paul [Rimmer] said it to me, I was upset. I was not happy with him. I was angry. But obviously he’s my coach, he’s like my second dad. He’s only looking out for my best interests but since that moment, I’ve had one of the best camps I’ve ever had a couple of weeks out.

“Like I said, four, five, six weeks out, I was thinking oh my god, this is the worst camp of my life and I’m going into arguably my toughest fight. But then the last couple of weeks has just been quality and I’m looking forward to getting into the octagon again and beating this idiot [King Green] up.”

Pimblett speaks often about his own mental health struggles while serving as an advocate with hopes that more people seek help rather than keeping those feelings bottled up.

On a personal level, Pimblett dealt with a tremendous loss after a close friend committed suicide, which made him really start to examine and identify his own issues.

“Obviously getting it off my chest helps but like it was Ricky’s anniversary two days ago,” Pimblett said. “Been thinking about it a lot more. It’s been bad again lately. Another lad in Liverpool killed himself a couple of weeks ago. A young MMA fighter Connor Hitchens killed himself like three months ago, and he’s younger than me. I just feel like it needs talking about.”

As much as he hopes he’s helping others by speaking out publicly regarding his own mental health, Pimblett erupted after reading some of the vile comments made towards him after a recent interview was published ahead of UFC 304.

Pimblett knows those kinds of loathsome reactions often prevent people — particularly men — from seeking necessary help.

“I’ll be honest lads, seeing Sky Sports put that interview up and some of the responses to it are f*cking disgusting,” Pimblett said. “People saying I’m just doing it for a PR stunt. Like why would I invite pressure on myself like that for a PR stunt? It’s mad. People saying I’m only doing it for that reason when I know several people who have killed themselves. I’ve talked about it in the past. Why would I bring that type of pressure on myself? But again, I do it because I feel like I need to and I don’t want more people to kill themselves, especially men. They just don’t talk to people and kill themselves.

“But some of the responses to me saying that are like ‘just kill yourself, you might as well just kill yourself.’ That’s what some of the responses have been. Other people have been quoting them and putting ‘no wonder men don’t talk [about mental health] when the responses are like this.”

It might sting to read those comments but Pimblett promises that he’s not going to stop talking about his mental health or the need for more open and honest conversations on the subject.

He knows the dark path he could have easily traveled down a long time ago if he didn’t get the help he needed. In fact, those kinds of thoughts still creep up on him unexpectedly but now Pimblett knows he has the resources available to him to make it through to the next day.

“I’ve said before, I wouldn’t still be here if it wasn’t for my wife,” Pimblett said. “Without Laura, I would have took my life a long time ago. With my family, with my team, my mates, when that interview came out yesterday or today, I’ve had about six or seven messages off my mates, my boys that I grew up with [saying] ‘are you all right?’

“But as I said, I feel good again. I feel great again. A couple of weeks ago, I was getting in touch with Jane, who works at James’ place, which is mental health for men where you go and speak, and I was getting in contact with her to have a chat with her. Just trying to get through it. As I say, I did, I got through it. I’m ready for anything now.”

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UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape has heard some things regarding past training sessions between his upcoming opponent Muhammad Mokaev and champion Alexandre Pantoja.

Having had a weight miss and an injury keep him out for the entirety of 2024 thus far, Kape is set to finally make his return to action at this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

To stake his claim for a first title shot on MMA’s biggest stage and rematch with Pantoja, “Starboy” is tasked with blemishing the perfect UFC and professional record of Britain’s Mokaev.

Given what he’s seen from “The Punisher’s” recent fights, Kape has appeared extremely confident about his chances of doing so.

While yet to taste defeat in the cage, Mokaev’s latest victories have seemingly left plenty to be desired in the eyes of some fans and peers. That includes in the mind of Pantoja, who has requested to see more from the former IMMAF champion if he’s to challenge for the belt.

And when it comes to Mokaev’s chances against “The Cannibal,” Kape recently explained why he expects “The Punisher” to be exposed against the division’s elite…

Kape: Mokaev ‘Tapped A Lot’ To Pantoja At ATT

During his appearance at UFC 304 media day on Wednesday, Kape looked ahead to his battle with Mokaev on Saturday night.

When discussing the champ’s comments about his opponent, “Starboy” referenced their history training together at American Top Team. Kape claimed that Mokaev no longer heads to the Coconut Creek-based facility to train due to the struggles he had on the ground against Pantoja.

“Pantoja can say a lot of things of him because they trained before together, and I know Pantoja had been submitting him a lot, a lot,” Kape said. “He (Mokaev) tapped a lot. It’s the reason that Mokaev don’t go train more at ATT.”

If that’s true, it seemingly wouldn’t be a surprise for Kape, whose analysis of Mokaev’s game has led to him identifying plenty of mistakes for high-level flyweights to exploit inside the Octagon.

“There is a lot of mistakes. He’s been struggling a lot. A lot, a lot of mistakes. If he faces somebody in the top three of the UFC (flyweight) rankings, he’s gonna get finished. So it’s gonna be fun.”

Kape will hope that also applies to some further down the pecking order, with the Angola-born Portuguese flyweight currently occupying the #8 position on the 125-pound ladder.

He’ll be looking to climb further toward contention and perhaps secure a top five spot by putting on a standout performance on UK soil this weekend.

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• Read More: Muhammad Mokaev Believes UFC Didn’t Want Him To Take ‘American Star’ Jon Jones’ Youngest Champ Record

Continue Reading Manel Kape Claims Muhammad Mokaev Stopped Training At ATT After Being Constantly Submitted By Alexandre Pantoja at MMA News.

MMA News

Paddy Pimblett recently fired shots at Khamzat Chimaev, labeling the undefeated UFC star a ‘piece of sh*t’.

‘The Baddy’ has amassed a cult following in the sport and has a real ‘love him or hate him’ personality. One thing the scouser isn’t afraid of is speaking his mind, and he did just that when referring to the recent controversies surrounding ‘Borz’.

During a recent interview, Paddy Pimblett bashed Khamzat Chimaev for his involvement in a crypto scam that stole money from his fans.

“Oh yeah, he’s a piece of sh*t,” Pimblett said in an interview with Best Online Poker Sites. “I met Khamzat in person and he was very nice. But, the stuff that I’ve read that he’s done there is wrong.”

“You can’t be doing that to your fans. That’s crazy. If he actually has done that where he’s made a fake coin and scammed so much money out of people, and then just pulled the rug under it and deleted all his posts about it on social media.”

“People have got receipts, people have got screenshots, so you can’t escape that. It’s wrong.” 

Pimblett later detailed a story of him being compared to Chimaev, but not in a positive way.

“I mean, actually it’s funny. Someone actually compared Khamzat to me the other day, like, ‘F***ing hell, Khamzat fell off like Paddy The Baddy, sort of like that!”

The Brit then turned his attention to his time in the UFC. With a win over ‘King’ Green, Pimblett has a several-fight plan toward the title.

“Well, after this I want Renato Moicano. Me and Moicano have had a little back and forth. People love to mention my name, they know they’ll get some followers off it.”

“Beneil Dariush, maybe even him after my next fight. Then someone in the top four or five like [Mateusz] Gamrot or [Dustin] Poirier.”

Related: Paddy Pimblett prepared to leave the UFC

“I think a lot of people would like to see me fight Gamrot because he’s also one of the high-level grapplers. I think a lot of people would like to see me fight him, I think that’d be a good fight to be honest.”

Pimblett later spoke of his contract situation and his future inside the octagon.

“I could end up getting a little niggle or something like that, because my shoulders are still not fully recovered from the last fight.”

“So, this is my last fight on my contract. It’ll be renegotiation time after this fight. It’s an exciting time to be here.”

Watch the full Paddy Pimblett interview with Best Online Poker Sites below.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Curtis Blaydes does not think Alex Pereira should move up to heavyweight.

At UFC 303, Pereira successfully defended his light heavyweight title with a second round knockout of Jiri Prochazka. After the win, talk quickly turned of Pereira possibly moving up to heavyweight to become the first three division champion in UFC history. But Curtis Blaydes believes he should reconsider.

“Bad idea,” Blaydes told reporters at UFC 304 media day. “Him, I’ll give you my premeditated plan: I’m going to shoot. Immediately. Why would I give him any chance to knock me out on the feet when I know I can take him down at will? I’m sure he has to know that. I think he’s looking for a specific heavyweight, not any heavyweight.

“He has matchups against — I can see him beating guys like Tai. We watched him sparring Tai Tuivasa. Maybe some other guys in the bottom of the top-15. But you give him a top-five guy with some real weight, he’s not winning.”

Pereira recently released training footage with Tai Tuivasa which only stoked the flames for a possible heavyweight move. But Pereira is a former middleweight and as Blaydes notes, he’s fought some of the hardest hitting heavyweights of all time, meaning he’s supremely confident “Poatan” wouldn’t even have a puncher’s chance against him.

“I’m going to eat that knee,” Blaydes said when asked about Pereira’s flying knees. “I ate one from Alistair [Overeem]. You think he throws harder knees than Alistair? I know he’s got the aura going on right now, but I ate a knee from 265 pound Alistair. I’m good with eating knees.

“Yes [I would welcome a fight]. Yes. I know that’s what everyone wants. I would f*ck up Alex Pereira. It’s not because he’s not good. I’m heavier than he is. A heavyweight, gravity, weight matters. It’s not a skill basis. It’s just how it is.”

For now, such a matchup is purely hypothetical and Blaydes has his own fight to worry about as “Razor” takes on interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall in the co-main event of UFC 304 this Saturday in Manchester, England.

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