Cristiano Ronaldo

UFC Champ Ilia Topuria Fires Back at Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘Learn to Distinguish Confidence from Arrogance’

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano Ronaldo The Spanish-Georgian UFC champion Ilia Topuria has taken aim at all-time great footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent online…

The Spanish-Georgian UFC champion Ilia Topuria has taken aim at all-time great footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent online rant.

Ilia Topuria Slams Cristiano Ronaldo

Ilia Topuria captured the UFC featherweight crown earlier this year with a knockout against top-ranked pound-for-pound athlete Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski. ‘El Matador’ then defended his title against the highly skilled Max Holloway with another knockout victory.

But professional Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, of Portugal, picked against Ilia Topuria heading into the match. Ronaldo enjoyed Francis Ngannou’s PFL world title victory and spent time with the Cameroonian athlete backstage. There, the football star said: “[Topuria] speaks too much… I think when he [beat] Volk, Volk wasn’t [ready] because of that kick… [Topuria] didn’t fight with the top guys. If he beats Max, I will respect.”

In response to Cristiano Ronaldo, on X, Ilia Topuria Tweeted: “I didn’t expect someone like you to be unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance. But, at the end of the day, we all reflect our own reality onto others. I wish you the best for what remains of your career, and God bless your family.”

Cristiano Ronaldo’s football career is remarkable. Starting at Sporting CP in Portugal, he moved to Manchester United in 2003, where he became a global superstar, before joining Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-record transfer fee. At Real Madrid, he cemented his status as one of the greatest players of all time, winning numerous titles and individual awards, before moving to Juventus in 2018 and later returning to Manchester United in 2021. He now plays in Saudi Arabia with the Pro League club Al Nassr.

Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo Reacts to Francis Ngannou’s Stunning Knockout, Shares Emotional Connection

Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo sat cage side to watch his friend Francis Ngannou earn a world title in MMA. Cameroon’s…

Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo sat cage side to watch his friend Francis Ngannou earn a world title in MMA. Cameroon’s Ngannou and the Portuguese footballer Ronaldo are old friends but both compete largely in Saudi Arabia.

Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. With Manchester United, he won multiple titles including three Premier League championships and the UEFA Champions League. Afterward, he transferred to Real Madrid and became the club’s all-time leading scorer winning four more Champions League titles. Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in January 2023, reportedly earning one of the highest salaries in football history.

Francis Ngannou

Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou was able to become the UFC heavyweight champion, capturing the world title with a stunning knockout. After defending this throne, he left the organization and took on new challenges. Ngannou competed in two blockbuster boxing matches, both hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Last week In Riyadh, he earned the PFL heavyweight crown by first-round knockout.

Cristiano Ronaldo Reacts to Francis Ngannou

Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Francis Ngannou were in Riyadh for the PFL fight and the football megastar enjoyed watching the bout. See below for his reaction:

During their backstage meeting, Ronaldo was a pillar of support for Ngannou according to head coach Eric Nicksick. Speaking to MMA Junkie, he explained:

“He’s super down to earth, super cool guy, and he’s actually a huge fight fan. He had a bunch of questions. He was talking to me about Strickland, he was talking to me about this and whatever fight it was. At one point Francis got up to wrap his hands and Ronaldo was talking about that he could feel Francis’ energy and he’s like, ‘I’m going to give him words of encouragement.’”

Earlier this year, Francis Ngannou lost his one-year-old son. Cristiano Ronaldo related and helped out the athlete with advice. Nicksick continued:

“He was talking about the loss of one of his children and how he related to things like that. It was pretty cool. I know how big of a star he is, but him sitting next to me and having this very personal conversation – he felt like he was a part of the team right then and there. His son was in there with us and hanging out. It was very much a welcomed energy to have in the room, especially with someone of that stature that understands the highest of pressure. It was cool. He was a great guy. Very down to earth. Very cool.”

Cristiano Ronaldo answers: MMA or Boxing?

Taking in the action at notable boxing events in Saudi Arabia over the last couple of years, professional footballing…

Taking in the action at notable boxing events in Saudi Arabia over the last couple of years, professional footballing icon, Cristiano Ronaldo has provided his opinion on the ever-evolving question: MMA or Boxing?

Ronaldo, a former footballing star for Real Madrid and Manchester United — twice, currently plays his trade in Saudi Arabia, featuring with Pro League side Al Nassr — netting 50 goals for the side since his unceremonious second exit from Old Trafford two years ago.

Cristiano Ronaldo picks MMA over boxing as his preferred combat sport

And spotted side-by-side alongside former two-division UFC champion, Conor McGregor sat ringside at Francis Ngannou’s boxing match debut with former WBC heavyweight titleholder, Tyson Fury last year in a controversial decision — Cristiano Ronaldo has shared his thoughts on which combat sports he finds better: MMA or Boxing?

Picking mixed martial arts as his preferred combat sports over boxing — despite appearing at Oleksandr Usyk’s title unification clash with the above-mentioned, Fury alongside Saudi adviser, Turki Alalshikh — the veteran Portuguese striker appears to have his preference set on mixed martial arts over combat exclusively in the squared circle.

Along with his pick of MMA over boxing, Ronaldo claims he would also rather watch the NBA over the NFL, tennis over golf, Formula 1 over it’s motorcycle MOTOGP partner — Ronaldo could not separate between tennis megastars, Novak Djokovic, or Spaniard ace, Rafael Nadal.

When it comes to professional wrestlers, the European Championships winner also sided with The Rock instead of veteran Hulk Hogan, and picked Chicago Bulls icon, Michael Jordan over Golden State Warriors shooter, Stephen Curry.

Ilia Topuria confident he will overtake Cristiano Ronaldo as the ‘highest-paid athlete in the world’ by 2025

If there is any one thing that Ilia Topuria lacks, it certainly isn’t confidence. Even before his highlight-reel-worthy knockout…

If there is any one thing that Ilia Topuria lacks, it certainly isn’t confidence.

Even before his highlight-reel-worthy knockout of Alexander Volkanovski in February to claim the UFC’s featherweight crown, ‘El Matador’ was talking a big game. More importantly, he has backed it up every step of the way, going 15-0 and capturing a world championship in the process.

With a horde of European fight fans behind him, Ilia Topuria expects to unseat famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s wealthiest athlete in the coming year.

“Look, I can tell you that I have no doubt that in 2025, I will be the highest-paid athlete in the world,” Topuria told Webpositer. “I’ll be there. I’d be surprised if I didn’t do it. I have no doubt, really” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Ilia Topuria Doubles down on his BMF title demand

Given that so many of his predictions have already come to fruition, it’s hard to doubt anything Ilia Topuria has to say about his own career. However, to reach that next level, he’ll have to go through some of the toughest names in the game — namely Max Holloway.

Holloway is coming off a career-defining knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 to claim the promotion’s bragging rights belt, the BMF title. That has all but guaranteed ‘Blessed’ a crack at Topuria’s featherweight strap — so long as Holloway puts his new hardware on the line as well.

“You are the BMF champion, you have the opportunity for the title, to fight for the title,” Topuria said. “What are you going to do? Are you going to fight or are you not going to fight? He says, ‘Sign the contract,’ this, that, such and such. Where are you? Put the title in the game.

“What I said was how I’m not going to fight him if he doesn’t put the BMF belt on the line. [Holloway] was like, ‘That’s not the way a real BMF claims the title.’ You want me to come and put this belt on the table, and you don’t want to put yours [on the table]? That is, if you lose, you want to continue being the BMF. How does this work? I mean, what BMF are you?“

Topuria vs. Holloway is without a doubt the No. 1 fight on every fight fan’s featherweight wishlist. Should ‘Blessed’ get passed over, ‘El Matador’ has his sights set on a rematch with Volkanovski or a potential showdown with division mainstay Brian Ortega.

“If [the BMF belt] is not on the line, the only thing that makes it relevant, I would first give Volkanovski the opportunity for a rematch,” Topuria said. “Before that, I would fight Brian Ortega, who was much closer to finishing Volkanovski in one fight than Max did in three.

“[Ortega] always puts his face in there and he fights. He has won his last fight, he has several good victories. Would I like to go ahead against him, of course, I would, because right now it’s like who but him?”

Ex-UFC titleholder Francis Ngannou squares up to Cristiano Ronaldo during face off in Saudi Arabia

Travelling to Riyadh amid his departure from the UFC earlier this month, former undisputed heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou met with Portuguese captain and former Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Arabia capital – squaring up to the football icon. Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 270 back in January […]

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 270 back in January of last year against French talent, Ciryl Gane in a title unification bout, defeating his brief former sparring partner in a wrestling and grappling-heavy unanimous decision victory.

In the time since, the Batié native has been sidelined from active competition after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery to address an injury suffered in the days before his fight with Gane.

With his contractual obligations with the UFC expiring officially on December 9. last, Francis Ngannou was officially stripped of the undisputed heavyweight title by the promotion earlier this month, ahead of a vacant title fight between former 205lbs best, Jon Jones and the previously mentioned, Gane at UFC 285 on March 4. next.

Linked with a potential move to the PFL (Professional Fighters League) as well as Bellator MMA if he is to remain in mixed martial arts, the Cameroonian has also been tied to a potential hybrid rules fight with WBC heavyweight best, Tyson Fury.

Cristiano Ronaldo labels Francis Ngannou as a “world champion” after UFC departure

Travelling to Riyadh this week, Ngannou met with former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo – facing-off with the new Al Nassr signing for a photo opportunity before the duo embraced and hugged each other.

“Great to catch up with world champion @francisngannou today!” Cristiano Ronaldo posted on his official Instagram account.

Clinching the undisputed heavyweight championship in 2021, Francis Ngannou managed to stop former two-time division titleholder, Stipe Miocic with a thunderous second round knockout at the UFC Apex facility.

As for Ronaldo, the veteran Portuguese striker featured in an All-Stars matchup against Paris Saint Germain earlier this month following his move to Al Nassr, scoring twice over the course of 90 minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo Tells Khamzat Chimaev To ‘Smesh Everybody’

Khamzat Chimaev has been forming unlikely friendships as of late. ‘The Wolf’ has spent most of the past week training with Darren Till in Sweden and now he has apparently become buds with football legend Cristiano Ronaldo. Chimaev recently reached out to the Manchester United player to invite him to come and watch his next […]

Khamzat Chimaev has been forming unlikely friendships as of late.

‘The Wolf’ has spent most of the past week training with Darren Till in Sweden and now he has apparently become buds with football legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

Chimaev recently reached out to the Manchester United player to invite him to come and watch his next fight. Ronaldo couldn’t make it but did have some words of encouragement for the streaking welterweight contender.

“He has a game that’s why he said he could not come. But he’s going to watch my fight, Chimaev said.

“When [Ronaldo] started following me, I wrote to him, he’s the champ. Then he wrote ‘SMESH EVERYBODY’. 100% brother. Then I invited him to my fight. I’m not a big fan of football, but this guy is big. One of the best guys in the world in football. He’s a nice guy.” (Transcribed by Sportskeeda)

Khamzat Chimaev Has Quickly Become One Of The Biggest Stars In MMA

Chimaev burst onto the scene in the summer of 2020 and made an instant impact when he fought twice in the space of 10 days.

Just 10 days later, Chimaev dropped down to welterweight to take on UFC debutante and Cage Warriors standout, Rhys McKee. This time he looked even better, dominating McKee from the opening bell and finding the finish inside the first round.

In September 2020, Chimaev moved to 3-0 in the UFC as he picked up the biggest win of his career with a spectacular one-punch KO of Gerald Meerschaert. The long-time UFC middleweight was a considerable step in opposition and many suspected that ‘GM3’ could spring the upset. However, Chimaev silenced his doubters with the first punch he landed which closed the show in just 17 seconds.

Chimaev returned from a year-long layoff at UFC 267. ‘The Wolf’ faced the toughest test of his 10-fight career when he squared off against Li Jingliang in Abu Dhabi.

‘Borz’ made the toughest test of his career to date look like a stroll in the park, submitting Jingliang in just over three minutes.

The 27-year-old is expected to face off against Gilbert Burns in his next fight. The welterweight duo have been in talks for what appears to be a number one contender fight for some time but the fight is not finalized although it is expected to take place in April or May.

Do you think Khamzat Chimaev will become the UFC welterweight champ in 2022?