Ali Abdelaziz has claimed his client, former duel-weight UFC champion, Henry Cejudo will fight for undisputed bantamweight gold next against current champion, Aljamain Sterling – claiming the fight between the duo “it’s done”. Sterling, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, co-headlined UFC 280 most recently last month, defeating common-foe, T.J. Dillashaw with a series of second […]
Ali Abdelaziz has claimed his client, former duel-weight UFC champion, Henry Cejudo will fight for undisputed bantamweight gold next against current champion, Aljamain Sterling – claiming the fight between the duo “it’s done”.
Sterling, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, co-headlined UFC 280 most recently last month, defeating common-foe, T.J. Dillashaw with a series of second round ground strikes.
As for Cejudo, the retired former undisputed bantamweight and flyweight champion has been retired from active competition since May 2020, co-headlining against former champion, Dominick Cruz in a buzzer-beating knockout win to successfully defend his title.
Henry Cejudo appears in line to fight Aljamain Sterling next
Linked with a slew of potential comebacks in the form of a flyweight excursion against Deiveson Figueiredo, and a featherweight move to fight Alexander Volkanovski, Cejudo has now been tipped to share the Octagon with Sterling in a rumored fight, as per his manager, Dominance MMA leader, Abdelaziz.
“And I can’t wait for my boy, ‘Triple C’ (Henry Cejudo) to come back,” Ali Abdelaziz told John Morgan. “I like Aljo (Aljamain Sterling), I consider Aljo as a friend. Aljo is fighting Henry Cejudo – it’s done, you know, it’s done. It’s just – the UFC said it’s done, he knows it’s done.”
“I understand he wants a different fight, but he (Henry Cejudo) never lost his belt, he’s a two-time champion – defended both his belts. And he left on his own. He didn’t leave cause he lost or was injured, he just needed time off. And guess what, I think he will defend this title – it’s a champion versus champion, ‘cause he never lost his belt. And I disagree with Aljamain, I think it’s a big fight. It’s a tougher fight, he knows that, and I know that. I don’t think Aljamain shied from an opponent, I think he tried to make Henry sweat. But I already know what’s up – he’s fighting Henry.”
Anthony Johnson’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has provided a concerning update for the former UFC star as he continues to battle health complications. Johnson was originally slated to fight at Bellator 268 in 2021 but was forced to withdraw from his scheduled matchup due to an undisclosed illness. Anthony Johnson’s most recent outing before this cancellation […]
Anthony Johnson’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has provided a concerning update for the former UFC star as he continues to battle health complications.
Johnson was originally slated to fight at Bellator 268 in 2021 but was forced to withdraw from his scheduled matchup due to an undisclosed illness. Anthony Johnson’s most recent outing before this cancellation saw him defeat Jose Augusto Azevedo Barros via second-round knockout at Bellator 258.
It has been just over a year since ‘Rumble’ was scheduled to return, and it appears that unfortunately his health complications still have not been resolved. Ali Abdelaziz recently spoke to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto to provide an update on the former UFC title challenger.
“‘Rumble,’ he’s going through some health problems right now. Very sad. I want everybody to pray for him. Pray for Anthony, he’s not doing well. He’s very strong, spiritually, but pray for him,” Abdelaziz said.
Abdelaziz would also go on to show his appreciation for Bellator and Scott Coker for the support they have provided to Johnson throughout his struggle.
“I want to give a shoutout to Bellator, Scott Coker… They’ve been supporting him. You could not imagine how much support they’re giving them.
“Anthony, be strong. A lot of people love you. He’s going to be okay, but he’s not doing well.” (Transcribed by BloodyElbow)
Anthony Johnson’s Competitive Future in Doubt Following Health Update
Johnson had a successful time whilst competing in the UFC despite never acquiring a championship belt. The 38-year-old holds victories over UFC veterans such as Alexander Gustafsson and Ryan Bader. The former light-heavyweight contender also secured his final victory in the promotion with a brutal thirteen-second knockout of the former UFC light heavyweight champion, Glover Teixeira.
‘Rumble’ has only been able to make a singular appearance since signing with Bellator and given his age and current health status, there is a possibility that this could have been his final appearance inside of an octagon. Hopefully, we will be able to see Johnson return to competition once his current situation improves.
Should he return, who would you like to see Anthony Johnson match up against next?
Dominance MMA Management CEO Ali Abdelaziz has asked the MMA community to “pray” for Anthony Johnson during his ongoing health problems. Last May, former UFC title challenger Johnson made his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts follow…
Dominance MMA Management CEO Ali Abdelaziz has asked the MMA community to “pray” for Anthony Johnson during his ongoing health problems. Last May, former UFC title challenger Johnson made his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts following a four-year absence. Debuting for Bellator MMA, “Rumble” knocked out José Augusto Azevedo Barros in one round to…
Islam Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz believes it was a mistake for Charles Oliveira to bring in a wrestling coach ahead of UFC 280. At this point, the MMA community is split as to who will walk away as the UFC lightweight champion when the Dagestani destroyer and ‘Do Bronx’ clash in the headlining bout this […]
Islam Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz believes it was a mistake for Charles Oliveira to bring in a wrestling coach ahead of UFC 280.
At this point, the MMA community is split as to who will walk away as the UFC lightweight champion when the Dagestani destroyer and ‘Do Bronx’ clash in the headlining bout this Saturday. Both fighters are on incredible runs as of late, with Makhachev earning 10 straight victories while Oliveira has scored 11 in a row including wins over Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. As two of the best submission specialists in the game, the highly-anticipated clash could very well come down to who the better man is on the mat.
Preparing himself for a war on the ground, Oliveira added wrestling famed wrestling coach Alireza Noei to prepare for Makhachev’s smothering Sambo style of grappling. However, not everyone believes this is a good idea. Specifically, combat sports manager Ali Abdelaziz who represents Islam Makhachev.
“I humbly, respect Charles Oliveira, I respect his team. I think Islam is gonna dominate him. I don’t think it’s going to be even a close fight, on paper. The only way Charles Oliveira can win if you catch him was the lucky punch,” he said in an interview with ESPN.
TALK ABOUT INTENSE!
Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev will deliver! #UFC280#MMA#UFC
Ali Abdelaziz Believes Charles Oliveira Should Stick to What He’s Good At
With his undeniably great Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills and well-rounded striking, Charles Oliveira is one of the most exciting fighters to watch inside the Octagon. Abdelaziz believes changing the style that has delivered ‘Do Bronx’ so much success this late in the game could lead to disastrous results. Particularly if he attempts to wrestle with Makhachev in Abu Dhabi.
“I think like Charles Oliveira, you don’t change what got you here, right? Charles Oliveira what got him here, he’s reckless, he’s spontaneous, and now, he learned how to wrestle,” he said. “And I think Macaco was a great coach, his striker is a great coach and I think the biggest mistake they did they brought in a wrestling coach. And I think you want to wrestle? Let’s wrestle.”
Islam Makhachev has already expressed a strong desire to take Oliveira to the mat and force him to tap or nap on Saturday. Oliveira may be best served by staying on his feet where many believe he holds the advantage. That could be easier said than done, but only time will tell. Will Charles Oliveira recapture the UFC lightweight title or does Islam Makhachev shock the world and begin a new era in the lightweight division?
Dominance MMA Management CEO Ali Abdelaziz has admitted that he used to tweet for Khabib Nurmagomedov “four or five” years ago. In terms of MMA twitter, posts from some athletes often come with a ‘take with a pinch of salt’ aste…
Dominance MMA Management CEO Ali Abdelaziz has admitted that he used to tweet for Khabib Nurmagomedov “four or five” years ago. In terms of MMA twitter, posts from some athletes often come with a ‘take with a pinch of salt’ asterisk attached to them. In the case of polarizing former champ-champ Conor McGregor, that’s through…
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Slim Trabelsi was originally scheduled to make his Octagon debut at UFC 280 on October 22nd against Parker Porter. Training alongside UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and former interim champion Ciryl Gane at the MMA Factory Paris, the Ares FC heavyweight champion was set to make his promotional debut in Abu Dhabi […]
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Slim Trabelsi was originally scheduled to make his Octagon debut at UFC 280 on October 22nd against Parker Porter.
Training alongside UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and former interim champion Ciryl Gane at the MMA Factory Paris, the Ares FC heavyweight champion was set to make his promotional debut in Abu Dhabi later this month, but it was reported that Slim Trabelsi had not been released from his previous contract. Since then, Slim Trabelsi’s manager Fernand Lopez has spoken out on the situation including threatening messages he received from famed MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz.
In an interview with BJPenn.com, Lopez decided to clear the air on the entire ugly situation between himself, Slim Trabelsi, and Abdelaziz, going back to the very beginning.
“Well, everything started four years ago. He became the French National champ and went from his second gym and shows up to my gym,” Lopez said. “He says he has been struggling as the other gyms are just using him for wrestling and they don’t help him with MMA as he wants to start a career in MMA. That’s how we start and I told him he didn’t need to pay me because he didn’t have money and I’ll take care of him. He then signed a management deal with us and we will go from there. So, after he started training, he was very talented in wrestling but needed help with striking.”
After years of development and getting a few fights under his belt, Lopez reached out to UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard. At that point, the UFC passed, asking Slim Trabelsi to get more experience inside the cage. Frustrated, Slim Trabelsi asked for his release from Lopez. His release was granted, but it wasn’t long before Trabelsi returned and the two signed a new agreement.
“We signed a contract on May 14, 2022. We started to work together and very quickly I had a fight for him and he did great and then I had a second fight for him,” Lopez said about the contract. “The UFC was then coming to Paris on September 10 and I told Mick when you come to Paris, I want you to attend the show to meet Slim.”
Here is Slim Trabelsi training with Gane and Ngannou. This was early in his transition to MMA.
Slim Trabelsi Tells the UFC That Ali Abdelaziz Is His Manager Despite Contract With Fernand Lopez and Ares FC
Little did Fernand Lopez know, Slim Trabelsi had associated himself with Abdelaziz, a manager in the industry who holds the distinction of managing some of the biggest world champions in recent history including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Henry Cejudo, and Kamaru Usman. Abdelaziz also manages PFL star, Kayla Harrison.
“I attended the show and Mick asked me who my guy is? I told him Slim. He started to laugh and I said what’s wrong? He said he had Ali on the phone and he said he has this guy and I should sign him and I said no way, I have been working with this guy for four years and I just re-signed him four months ago and everything is going smooth. He was training in my gym, I’m the one who manages him and there is no chance he has another contract. Mick said Ali said this was his guy. I told Mick I will forward you the contract and you will find out very soon who has the rights and ask Ali to give you his contract.
“After that, I didn’t hear from Mick and I was talking to Mick about my other guys in the UFC and I saw on Twitter, Brett Okamoto reported that Slim would be fighting at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. I was like f*ck this is serious sh*t. I went back to Mick and he’s saying Slim listed Ali as his manager. I told Mick no, and he said I needed to talk to Slim. I said I’m not going to talk to Slim because as the Ares president before any guy moves from Ares he needs a release.”
As a result of the conflict, the UFC released Slim Trabelsi from his newly signed contract.
“Slim decided to just screw me and just never talked to me. I kept writing him after he won the belt, he didn’t answer me,” Lopez continued. “Mick is telling me I need to talk to Slim and Slim e-mailed Mick and told him my manager is Ali Abdelaziz which is not possible because I have the contract. Usually, when this happens the UFC won’t allow it and will go to the manager with the contract. At this point, Mick was very disappointed he called Ali and asked for the contract, Ali didn’t have one, he called me I sent him the contract and from there he told me he was releasing Slim Trabelsi.”
An update on Tunisian heavyweight Slim Trabelsi … if you haven't been following this story, the UFC booked Trabelsi, a very promising prospect who has trained with Ngannou and Gane in France, to a fight this month, but had to rescind the offer due to a contract dispute …
Fernand Lopez Says Ali Abdelaziz Made Threats Over Slim Trabelsi Situation
Unhappy with losing his latest meal ticket, Ali Abdelaziz reached out to Lopez and reportedly lobbed threats, demanding that Lopez release Slim Trabelsi from their contract.
“When Ali found out this was complicated that is the first time he called me. Hey Lopez can we talk let’s do this as gentlemen, why aren’t you letting the kid go? Let him go fight, I said what the f*ck are you talking about? He was telling me this was a good kid and don’t ruin this kid’s dream,” Lopez said. “Like what the f*ck are you talking about, I let this guy live in the gym, didn’t make him pay anything, gave him food. Ali was taking the best fighter I have, that I trained, promoted, and then he tried to take him right as he was about to get into the UFC. He doesn’t have any heavyweight prospects he can push which is why he wanted Slim. He then told me he will use every penny he has to hurt me.
“He then told me if I didn’t release him, I would hurt you… He then asked what I want to release him and I said two things, but one thing is priceless,” Fernand Lopez continued. “I want to send a message out there that anyone in my management that tries to screw me and not respect the contract won’t be tolerated anymore. I’ve lost too many fighters. The second thing is I wanted compensation and the compensation I thought was very fair is $90,000 over someone who would make millions over Slim’s entire career.
“Slim is someone I am pretty sure will become a champ in two or three years. After Ali didn’t agree to the $90,000 he then told me this is war and I’m from the streets and he will show me what that means,” Lopez continued. “We are now going to the court and I will prove to the court that I was right. I have also had other managers reach out to me and tell me not to let this fight go because Ali steals their fighters too. No one has the courage to speak up, I’m not scared so I stood up.”
Fernand Lopez provided screenshots of the text exchange and a video recording of his conversation with Abdelaziz which can be viewed and heard here.
According to Lopez, Slim Trabelsi has two fights left on his contract with Ares FC before he can pursue other avenues.
Anthony Johnson’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has provided a concerning update for the former UFC star as he continues to battle health complications. Johnson was originally slated to fight at Bellator 268 in 2021 but was forced to withdraw from his scheduled matchup due to an undisclosed illness. Anthony Johnson’s most recent outing before this cancellation […]
Islam Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz believes it was a mistake for Charles Oliveira to bring in a wrestling coach ahead of UFC 280. At this point, the MMA community is split as to who will walk away as the UFC lightweight champion when the Dagestani destroyer and ‘Do Bronx’ clash in the headlining bout this […]
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Slim Trabelsi was originally scheduled to make his Octagon debut at UFC 280 on October 22nd against Parker Porter. Training alongside UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and former interim champion Ciryl Gane at the MMA Factory Paris, the Ares FC heavyweight champion was set to make his promotional debut in Abu Dhabi […]
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