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Staph
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Jamahal Hill isn’t getting caught up in the internet drama surrounding his UFC 300 loss to Alex Pereira. Instead, he’s already angling for a fight that would get him back into title contention.

Jamahal Hill has already picked his next opponent, just days after suffering a knockout loss to light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at UFC 300.

Hill spent over a year on the sidelines after tearing the Achilles tendon in his foot, so we shouldn’t be surprises that he’s looking to make up for lost time. But we figured he’d take at least a week or two off from social media after getting memed on by Pereira following a first round KO (watch the viral moment here).

Instead, “Sweet Dreams” has shrugged the loss off and is now calling out Jiri Prochazka.

“I dared to be great against adversity and against a great challenge and came up short at the highest level in the world!!!” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I answered the call twice on short notice to fight for a championship that most will never fight for!!! On to the next. Jiri Prochazka least final make it happen!!”

“To the people that support me, I’m good,” he added. “Don’t let haters get to you, I’m winning in life so having to eat a loss like a man is what it is!! They will be quite when the next man drops.”

Jiri Prochazka also fought at UFC 300, knocking out Aleksandar Rakic on the ESPN prelims. It’s clear that the Czech fighter wants another crack at Pereira, who knocked him out at UFC 295. That’s not gonna happen unless he adds a couple more bodies to his resume, so why not book Prochazka vs. Hill?

The UFC light heavyweight division is finally back in a place where it’s got a roster of heavy hitting personalities looking to spark each other out. There’s no way Jamahal vs. Jiri goes to a decision, and that makes it a no-brainer in our opinion.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

The highly anticipated boxing rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano is official for the co-main event of the boxing showdown between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul on June 20 in Arlington, Texas, MVP announced Tuesday. ESPN first reported the news.

The boxing card will take place at the AT&T Stadium and air live on Netflix.

The first clash between Serrano and Taylor took place at Madison Square Garden April 30, 2022, and Taylor won the fight via controversial split decision to retain her WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring titles. Taylor (23-1) recently avenged her lone career loss to Chantelle Cameron in her last outing this past November.

“This is the rematch the world has wanted to see and I’m delighted that it’s finally happening,” Taylor stated in a release. “The first fight in New York was obviously an epic occasion and it more than lived up to the billing, and I’m sure the rematch will be no different. I want to thank Matchroom and DAZN for their help in making the fight possible and I’m looking forward to defending my titles as undisputed world champion in Dallas on Saturday, July 20.”

Serrano, a featherweight titleholder, will move up three weight classes to compete for Taylor’s undisputed super lightweight championships. Serrano won four straight since the first match in New York, and now holds a record of 46-2-1 with 30 knockouts, and has agreed to compete in two-minute rounds in order to rematch Taylor.

“I promised my fans they would see this rematch after we made history at MSG and it feels like a dream come true to know that Katie and I are finally making it happen on the biggest stage possible to show the world what elite women’s boxing is all about,” Serrano stated in a release. “While my focus continues to be on giving women the choice to fight with the same rules as men, I’ve always said that this is the one fight I’d go back to 10×2 for if that’s what Katie wanted. I’m coming for her belts, she wants 10×2, so that’s what we will do. I believe I won our first fight, but I didn’t get the decision, so this time I’m not leaving it to the judges.

Boxing legend Mike Tyson stated in a release that he is “thrilled” to have both female boxers compete on the same card in Texas.

“Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are two of the best boxers in the world,” Tyson said. “I know they can both put on an incredible show, and I’m thrilled to have them join this card. These remarkable athletes will undoubtedly elevate the event with their global appeal and fan bases. Adding one of the greatest fights in women’s boxing history to this unforgettable event is a true gift to fans. Saturday, July 20 can’t get here soon enough.”

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UFC lightweight Michael Chandler discusses the idea of fighting for the rumoured 165lb title. 

After an extremely drawn-out process, UFC CEO Dana White finally made the official announcement of Conor McGregor’s return. During the UFC 300 post-fight press conference, White was handed a note of paper from which he read that McGregor would face Chandler in the main event of UFC 303 during International Fight Week. 

This comes after a season of The Ultimate Fighter, multiple ‘announcements’ and will take place much later than promised.

Michael Chandler eyes 165lb title fight with Conor McGregor

Talking with TheMacLife, Chandler would discuss his upcoming fight against McGregor which is set to take place at the welterweight limit. However, Michael Chandler said he would not be surprised if the UFC were to introduce a 165lbs division to host the bout.

“That was one of the rumours as well, the 165 belt, obviously, that has not happened,” Chandler said. “Even me in this position, man, I would not be surprised if that bout agreement comes over and it says for the 165 title. You never know because the UFC has to keep a lot of things secret. Even to us, right? I mean, you saw Conor broke the announcement again before the UFC did it. I’m sure the UFC said, ‘Hey, don’t do it because we’re gonna do it at the post-fight press conference.’ In typical Conor fashion.”

Continuing, Chandler confessed that he was in the dark on some of the information regarding the fight and feels a fight of this magnitude should be for a title. 

“They want to hold a lot of the information,” he continued. “We knew the date. I knew what the weight class most likely was going to be, and then they sent it over. It should be for a belt, but we’ll see if we can’t make one up.”

Do you think Michael Chandler vs.  Conor McGregor should be for a title?

LowKickMMA.com

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Former lightweight champion and top lightweight contender Charles Oliveira faced fourth-ranked Arman Tsarukyan on the UFC 300 main card on Saturday.  

In a fight that could determine the next title challenger, Oliveira entered the bout coming off an impressive TKO win over Beneil Dariush.  Tsarukyan entered the octagon at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday riding a three-fight winning streak.  He too was coming off a first-round finish over Dariush that earned him a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus.    

They two touched gloves and Oliveira landed first with a leg kick.  Oliveira landed a leg kick as Tsarukyan was throwing on and Tsarukyan fell to the canvas.  Oliveira seized the moment and gained top position.  

Tsarukyan tried to stand but Oliveira applied a guillotine choke.  Tsarukyan defended the submission attempt but it was in deep.  Oliveira mounted Tsarukyan and connected with a solid elbow.  Midway through the opening round, Tsarukyan reversed Oliveira.  He delivered an elbow inside Oliveira’s full guard.  Oliveira went to kick Tsarukyan off him and landed an illegal kick.  The fight was briefly halted for Tsarukyan to recover.  A doctor was brought in and cleared Tsarukyan to continue.  

The fight was returned to the same position with Tsarukyan in Oliveira’s guard.  Tsarukyan delivered back to back elbows.  With seconds remaining in the ground, Oliveira got to his feet.  He delivered a knee inside the clinch before separating and that’s how the round ended.  It was a competitive first round, but MMAWeekly scored it 10-9 for Tsarukyan due to top control.  It could have went either way.    

The two hugged before the second round.  Oliveira stepped in the pocket with a stiff right hand.  Tsarukyan pressed forward but didn’t land.  Tsarukyan pulled out an axe kick that missed.  Tsarukyan ducked under a punch and looked to get the fight to the ground.  Oliveira remained standing but remained in the clinch.  Tsarukyan pulled Oliveira to the canvas with three minutes left in the frame.  

Oliveira controlled Tsarukyan’s posture and kept from absorbing much damage.  Tsarukyan delivered short punches to the body remaining active enough.  He connected with a few elbows.  He connected with a right hand.  Oliveira started to bleed.  Oliveira isolated an arm as the round ended.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Tsarukyan.  

Oliveira pressed forward with a flying knee that came up short.  He delivered a kick to the body of Tsarukyan.  Tsarukyan clinched and they worked for position along the cage.  Oliveira spun him around and separated.  Tsarukyan looked for a takedown but Oliveira defended the attempt.  Tsarukyan landed his jab and changed levels.  He secured a takedown at the midway mark in the frame.  

Oliveira had ahold of Tsarukyan’s neck but was forced to let it go.  Tsarukyan took Oliveira’s back.  Oliveira went to stand and gained top position.  He applied a d’arce choke.  It’s in deep but Tsarukyan held on until the end of the round.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Tsarukyan.  

The judges scored the fight for Tsarukyan via split decision.  The scorecards read 28-29, 29-28, and 29-28.

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Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Alex Pereira is riding high after UFC 300. The Brazilian knockout artist lived up to the hype in the main event, starching Jamahal Hill in the very first round via knockout (watch here). More than a simple stoppage win, his first title defense was pretty much a perfect performance: the first real punch he threw sent “Sweet Dreams” to the canvas!

It’s not clear what’s next for “Poatan.” Pereira expressed interest in fighting again in three weeks at UFC 301, which probably won’t happen. He’s also talked about Heavyweight and fighting Tom Aspinall, but it feels like there’s more for him to accomplish at 205-pounds still. Most notably, Jiri Prochazka’s own UFC 300 knockout win puts him in reasonable position for a rematch, and wrestling ace Magomed Ankalaev is riding a considerable win streak.

After Pereira’s title defense, Ankalaev made it clear that he expects the next opportunity. He called Pereira out for an Abu Dhabi showdown (most likely meaning UFC 308 on October 26) then promised a first-round knockout because “The man doesn’t have a chin.”

… Because talking trash worked so well for Jamahal Hill.

On one hand, Ankalaev is clearly the most deserving contender of a title shot. He hasn’t lost in an awful long time and is coming off a quality knockout win over Johnny Walker. If Pereira isn’t jumping up to Heavyweight, then a Ankalaev title shot makes plenty of sense.

Yet, isn’t it odd for the contender to set the location? Abu Dhabi feels almost like a home field advantage for Dagestani and Russian fighters, who are frequently booked on the former “Fight Island.” Plus, his October timeline doesn’t exactly line up with Pereira’s desired three week turnaround.

It remains to be seen how the Light Heavyweight title picture shakes out.

Insomnia

Jacob Malkoun with the creative Bo Nickal callout! The Australian seems like a reasonable next step for the mega prospect.

In my best Seinfeld voice: That’s a shame.

Joaquin Buckley may not have fought at UFC 300, but he had an eventful weekend! I respect the hustle.

Max Holloway deserves all the love post-UFC 300. Enjoy this highlight clip of some of his slickest lands:

This view from the audience of Jiri being Jiri is very different but also amazing.

In terms of stats, Holloway remains one of one.

Jim Miller fought his ass off but is surely in for a rough week or two after his scrap with Bobby Green.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Check hook pretty much directly to under the neck — nice transition!

No setup required!

I enjoy watching Impa Kasanganay fight and hope he continues to find success in PFL.

Random Land

I’m going spangenhelm.

Midnight Music: Alternative, 1986

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

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Jiri Prochazka is a peaceful guy. Really.

That might sound hard to believe given the intensity that the Czech striker brings to all of his fights – Prochazka has not gone to the scorecards since 2016 – but he wants people to know that his peculiar ways are simply a matter of wanting to get in the right mindset before a fight.

Prochazka was seen standing alone outside of T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas ahead of his fight with Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300 and the pre-fight scene went viral as uploader @OGICEY estimated that the former light heavyweight champion was standing around the same spot for at least 20 minutes.

Following his win over Rakic, Prochazka was asked about the video and he explained what led him to that moment.

“Yeah, that was me,” Prochazka said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “That’s my ritual, which I’m doing before every fight.

“When you are peaceful and quiet in yourself and when you are really connected to yourself, to the best version of yourself, and when you know what will come, what is before you, one day or two days or a week, it doesn’t matter, you have to work on that every day. They name that the ‘law of attraction,’ so you have to just follow your vision in an honest way.”

There’s no arguing with the results as Prochazka proceeded to walk Rakic down on fight night, marching through Rakic’s brutal leg kicks and firing back with thudding punches in the second round to score his 26th career knockout.

It’s that aggressiveness that has given Prochazka such a fearsome reputation, but he swears that when he’s out and about before a fight, he doesn’t mind fans coming up to greet him.

“I’m not a psycho,” Prochazka said when asked about other people in the video who may have thought to approach him. “It doesn’t matter, we can talk, we can whatever, but there is a time when everybody wants to be alone with our things. That’s my kind of meditation.

“That’s something when I started at 16 years old in high school with these things, to watch my visions of my best version in this life and follow them. This was that video, when I’m doing these things, because when you really want something, it’s not you want something. That dream, that vision wants you too and your work is to stay courageous and take action. That’s all.”

Prochazka rebounded from a tough loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 295 this past November. In that contest, Prochazka and Pereira were competing for a vacant light heavyweight title, but Pereira prevented Prochazka from becoming a two-time champion with a finishing flurry in Round 2.

As much of an honor as it was for every fighter to be part of the UFC’s 300th pay-per-view event, for Prochazka it was just as important to prove to himself that he’s still a contender.

“For me, it was not too much about the event, but after my last fight in New York with Pereira, it was for me important to make a spark inside myself,” Prochazka said. “To show to myself that storm, that hunter inside myself, and I’m very glad for that. Very glad.”

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