Tag: UFC 308

Ilia Topuria will knock out Max Holloway if he points to the ground: ‘Such an easy matchup for me’

Ilia Topuria will knock out Max Holloway if he points to the ground: 'Such an easy matchup for me'Undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has vowed to knock out former divisional champion, Max Holloway ahead of their title…

Ilia Topuria will knock out Max Holloway if he points to the ground: 'Such an easy matchup for me'

Undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has vowed to knock out former divisional champion, Max Holloway ahead of their title tangle in two months time at UFC 308 — goading the Hawaiian to try his nerve and invite him to trade in the center of the Octagon.

Topuria, the current undisputed featherweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 308 at the end of October in Abu Dhabi, UAE — taking on former champion and current symbolic BMF titleholder, Holloway in a championship grudge fight.

Initially, the promotion had targeted an undisputed lightweight title fight between pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev and number one ranked division challenger, Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch, however, an unspecified arm injury suffered by the incumbent forced the scrapping of a matchup.

Winning his divisional crown in the main event of UFC 298 earlier this annum, Georgian-Spaniard, Topuria most recently ended the winning spree of common-foe, Alexander Volkanovski with a stunning second round knockout win in Anaheim, California.

Ilia Topuria vows to KO Max Holloway in the center of the Octagon

However, goading Hawaiian fan-favorite, Holloway ahead of UFC 308, Topuria has dared the ex-champion to share the center of the Octagon with him as he did en route to a stunning buzzer-beating knockout of Justin Gaethje on the main card of UFC 300 earlier this annum.

“If he’s (Max Holloway) going to bring the same energy he brings in the last 10 seconds of every round, when he doest his (point to ground), I’m going to knock him out in the first round,” Ilia Topuria told MMA Junkie. “Because in the moment he’s going to stop in the middle and start to exchange and punches with me. I recommend him to use a helmet, because he’s going to need.”

If he does it, even better for me,” Ilia Topuria explained. “Maybe I’m going to point to the ground. Maybe I will do all that because I’m going to feel so comfortable in that fight because I’m telling you, ever time I see him fight I’m like, ‘Everyone is going to be surprised when I knock him out,’ because I see him as luke such an easy matchup for me. If he thinks that I’m not right, prove me wrong. We’re going to be in the same Octagon, October 26. prove me wrong.”

Ilia Topuria Reacts To Max Holloway’s BMF Title Not Being On The Line At UFC 308: ‘When I Beat Him, He Can’t Say He’s A BMF’

While not officially up for grabs in the UFC 308 main event, Ilia Topuria still believes Max Holloway’s BMF status is at risk of disappearing. As has been the case for the past two calendar years, lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev was being lined up to headline the promotion’s annual pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi in […]

Continue Reading Ilia Topuria Reacts To Max Holloway’s BMF Title Not Being On The Line At UFC 308: ‘When I Beat Him, He Can’t Say He’s A BMF’ at MMA News.

While not officially up for grabs in the UFC 308 main event, Ilia Topuria still believes Max Holloway’s BMF status is at risk of disappearing.

As has been the case for the past two calendar years, lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev was being lined up to headline the promotion’s annual pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi in October.

But with an injury set to keep the Dagestani sidelined until the end of the year or early 2025, the main event spotlight in the Middle East this time around will go to Topuria, the reigning featherweight champion, and all-time great Holloway.

The pair will do battle for the Georgian-Spaniard’s gold, which he won at the expense of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 this past February. “Blessed,” meanwhile, garnered support for his latest chance to regain the belt by capturing the symbolic BMF strap with an emphatic last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.

Putting this matchup together hasn’t appeared to be easy, with both men accusing the other of delaying a booking. On Topuria’s part, he originally suggested that he’d only share the cage with Holloway if the Hawaiian’s BMF belt was also put on the line.

That wish hasn’t been granted, but “El Matador” claims not to be bothered…

Topuria On lack Of BMF Stakes At UFC 308: ‘I’m Just Concentrating On My Title Defense’

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Topuria looked ahead to his first defense of the featherweight gold this fall.

The champ confirmed that just his title will be up for grabs come fight night on Oct. 26. But according to Topuria, Holloway will still lose BMF status should “El Matador” deliver the kind of performance he’s expecting in the UFC 308 main event.

“The BMF title is not going to be on the line,” Topuria said. “To be honest, I don’t care. They took that decision and, at the end of the day, it’s like, when I’m going to beat him, he can’t say he’s a BMF or however they want to call him. I’m just concentrating on my title defense and that’s it. I don’t care about anything else.”

Topuria will have the chance to make good on his confident pre-fight predictions in close to two months’ time, when his newly started divisional rule meets about as tough a test possible from its first challenger.

Continue Reading Ilia Topuria Reacts To Max Holloway’s BMF Title Not Being On The Line At UFC 308: ‘When I Beat Him, He Can’t Say He’s A BMF’ at MMA News.

Ilia Topuria Reacts To Max Holloway’s BMF Title Not Being On The Line At UFC 308: ‘When I Beat Him, He Can’t Say He’s A BMF’

While not officially up for grabs in the UFC 308 main event, Ilia Topuria still believes Max Holloway’s BMF status is at risk of disappearing. As has been the case for the past two calendar years, lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev was being lined up to headline the promotion’s annual pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi in […]

Continue Reading Ilia Topuria Reacts To Max Holloway’s BMF Title Not Being On The Line At UFC 308: ‘When I Beat Him, He Can’t Say He’s A BMF’ at MMA News.

While not officially up for grabs in the UFC 308 main event, Ilia Topuria still believes Max Holloway’s BMF status is at risk of disappearing.

As has been the case for the past two calendar years, lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev was being lined up to headline the promotion’s annual pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi in October.

But with an injury set to keep the Dagestani sidelined until the end of the year or early 2025, the main event spotlight in the Middle East this time around will go to Topuria, the reigning featherweight champion, and all-time great Holloway.

The pair will do battle for the Georgian-Spaniard’s gold, which he won at the expense of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 this past February. “Blessed,” meanwhile, garnered support for his latest chance to regain the belt by capturing the symbolic BMF strap with an emphatic last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.

Putting this matchup together hasn’t appeared to be easy, with both men accusing the other of delaying a booking. On Topuria’s part, he originally suggested that he’d only share the cage with Holloway if the Hawaiian’s BMF belt was also put on the line.

That wish hasn’t been granted, but “El Matador” claims not to be bothered…

Topuria On lack Of BMF Stakes At UFC 308: ‘I’m Just Concentrating On My Title Defense’

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Topuria looked ahead to his first defense of the featherweight gold this fall.

The champ confirmed that just his title will be up for grabs come fight night on Oct. 26. But according to Topuria, Holloway will still lose BMF status should “El Matador” deliver the kind of performance he’s expecting in the UFC 308 main event.

“The BMF title is not going to be on the line,” Topuria said. “To be honest, I don’t care. They took that decision and, at the end of the day, it’s like, when I’m going to beat him, he can’t say he’s a BMF or however they want to call him. I’m just concentrating on my title defense and that’s it. I don’t care about anything else.”

Topuria will have the chance to make good on his confident pre-fight predictions in close to two months’ time, when his newly started divisional rule meets about as tough a test possible from its first challenger.

Continue Reading Ilia Topuria Reacts To Max Holloway’s BMF Title Not Being On The Line At UFC 308: ‘When I Beat Him, He Can’t Say He’s A BMF’ at MMA News.

Alex Pereira branded ‘Biggest chicken in the UFC’ for calling out Dricus du Plessis

Alex Pereira branded 'Biggest chicken in the UFC' for calling out Dricus du PlessisUndisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has received more flak for his call out of current middleweight titleholder, Dricus…

Alex Pereira branded 'Biggest chicken in the UFC' for calling out Dricus du Plessis

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has received more flak for his call out of current middleweight titleholder, Dricus du Plessis following UFC 305 over the course of the weekend – by his arch-nemesis, Magomed Ankalaev.

Pereira, the current undisputed light heavyweight gold holder, most recently turned in the second successful defense of his divisional crown at UFC 303 at the end of June, laying waste to former champion, Jiri Prochazka with a blistering second round high-kick knockout win.

pereira walk

And booked to make his comeback for a third time this year to boot, Sao Paulo finishing star, Alex Pereira is set to take main event honors at UFC 307 in October, taking on the surging challenger, Khalil Rountree – for which he has already been criticized for. 

Daniel Cormier Slams UFC: Why Pereira vs. Ankalaev Fight Was Shelved

However, following the culmination of UFC 305 over the course of last weekend, in which du Plessis submitted common-opponent, Israel Adesanya with a stunning rear-naked choke success – Pereira boldly vowed to return to middleweight to take him on for gold. 

Alex Pereira labelled “chicken” by Magomed Ankalaev after UFC 305

Reacting to the Brazilian’s calls, the above-mentioned Ankalaev has blasted Pereira for doing so – labelling him a “chicken” – in fact, the biggest of such currently on the UFC’s books.

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“Alex Pereira [is the] biggest chicken in the UFC,” Magomed Ankalaev posted on his official X account. “He call (sic) out guys middleweight he 40 pounds more than them. I am the only guy he doesn’t even mention my name I promise I’m gonna handle my business in October and I’m gonna knock you out under 2 rounds.”

Himself slated to return just two weeks after Pereira’s comeback, Russian contender, Ankalaev most is controversially set to challenge fellow European star, Aleksandar Rakic in a potential title-eliminator on the main card of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, UAE at the end of the same month. 

Jamahal Hill Claps Back At Magomed Ankalaev Over LHW Title Drama: ‘Bro, You Light Work For Me!’

A lot of MMA fans were surprised to see that Alex Pereira’s next UFC light heavyweight title defense will be against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 in October. Despite Rountree having an impressive run of finishes with back-to-back wins last year, many expected to see Magomed Ankalaev get the next shot at “Poatan”. Instead, […]

Continue Reading Jamahal Hill Claps Back At Magomed Ankalaev Over LHW Title Drama: ‘Bro, You Light Work For Me!’ at MMA News.

A lot of MMA fans were surprised to see that Alex Pereira’s next UFC light heavyweight title defense will be against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 in October.

Despite Rountree having an impressive run of finishes with back-to-back wins last year, many expected to see Magomed Ankalaev get the next shot at “Poatan”.

Instead, Ankalaev will be taking on Aleksandar Raki? at UFC 308 where a win over another top contender will surely see him earn a second shot at the 205-pound title.

He was unsurprisingly critical of the UFC’s decision to book Pereira against Rountree Jr. but some of his comments struck a nerve with another one of the light heavyweight division’s big names.

Jamahal Hill Says He’d Be Willing To Fight Magomed Ankalaev At UFC 308

During a recent YouTube video on his channel, Jamahal Hill gave his reaction to Ankalaev’s comments after the announcement.

Hill believes that Ankalaev has looked to gain popularity from the fans by coming at him to try and win some of them over.

The former champion also referenced how the Dagestani fighter hasn’t always been in the UFC’s good books, believing that he has bitten his tongue this time around rather than publicly slamming the promotion for not booking him as the next title challenger.

“I made a reaction video about the Khalil Rountree and Alex Pereira fight announcement and there was one guy in particular who yeah, I will agree he’s been given the run-around by the business right and I’m assuming now, he’s learned his lesson now to watch his mouth ‘cuz as you know, we talking about Mrs, I ain’t even going to, little ‘Frudamed Gankalaev’, ankle grabber, whatever you want to call him. This dude just can’t stop trying to like clout chase in whatever way he can. bro like, you fought to a draw, you had your chance, you had your chance of winning the title.

“Now, I am one of the people that agree that he should have been next in the title shot above Khalil Rountree, and I spoke on this. But, for you to say like, say I’m crying because I spoke on an obvious fact of the game that affects everybody in our weight class and things like that, I see what you tried to do bro. You see that the whole fan base, they’re kinda against me, they kind of want to throw s*** on me and s*** like that. You think that you can get some cool points by jumping on that bandwagon and trying to call me out. Stop it bro, stop it bro. I would expect a low IQ move like that from you, you know what I mean. You don’t want to say anything about the fight being announced because you’ve now learned your lesson from the time whenever you lost, talking about you don’t want to fight for the UFC…and now they have now smacked your hand and now you know to watch your mouth and stay in check.

Hill ended the video by saying that he would be open to stepping in to face Ankalaev if, for whatever reason, Raki? is unable to compete on October 26 in Abu Dhabi.

“Sweet Dreams” was originally scheduled to make a quick turnaround after losing the title but withdrew from UFC 303 in June due to an injury.

“They don’t even like you enough to let you fight [for the title] over the #8 dude! So chill out bro, chill out tryna get cool points bro, focus on other s***. You got a fight coming up against Raki?, shout out to Raki? cuz’ he’s very well capable of putting your a** out. But, best believe if my phone ring and they need somebody to come step in and handle you, bro you’re light work for me. You’re light work for me and I can’t wait to show that.”

Read also: Dricus Du Plessis’ Coach Offers Alternative To Alex Pereira’s Middleweight Tease: ‘I Won’t Give Him The Joy…’

Continue Reading Jamahal Hill Claps Back At Magomed Ankalaev Over LHW Title Drama: ‘Bro, You Light Work For Me!’ at MMA News.

Henry Cejudo reveals shock run in with UFC star Khamzat Chimaev: ‘You’re a rat piece of sh*t’

Henry Cejudo reveals shock run in with UFC star Khamzat Chimaev: 'You're a rat piece of sh*t'Former two-weight UFC champion, Henry Cejudo has revealed he engaged in a rather surprising run-in with the unbeaten promotional…

Henry Cejudo reveals shock run in with UFC star Khamzat Chimaev: 'You're a rat piece of sh*t'

Former two-weight UFC champion, Henry Cejudo has revealed he engaged in a rather surprising run-in with the unbeaten promotional star, Khamzat Chimaev – who labelled him a “rat” and a “piece of sh*t”.

Cejudo, a former undisputed bantamweight champion and flyweight titleholder, as well as a Olympic gold medal winner in freestyle wrestling, most recently featured on the main card of UFC 298 back in February of this year.

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Suffering his second consecutive loss since his return from a 2020 retirement, Los Angeles-born contender, Cejudo dropped a one-sided unanimous decision loss to incoming Noche UFC headliner and bantamweight title challenger, Merab Dvalishvili.

Henry Cejudo reveals Paris run-in with Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev urged to forget title fight call in UFC 308 return that's actually crazy

Yet to be booked for his return to action as he continues to weigh up his fighting future, Cejudo revealed he suffered the wrath of the undefeated, Chimaev – who returns at UFC 308 in October, taking on Robert Whittaker in a title-eliminator with the former champion.

Khamzat Chimaev reveals violent illness which ruled him from UFC Saudi Arabia I had headaches

“I have a crazy-ass story for you,” Henry Cejudo said on his podcast. “Guess who was at the Olympics and trying to fight the ‘Triple C’? I think these dudes sh*t so personal. I believe as an analyst you have to tell the truth. Yeah, I am comical but typically I do say certain things because I mean it. So that’s why I think – he (Khamzat Chimaev) was in the ticket line, I was outside trying to get my damn tickets.”

“Then he sees me and he’s like, ‘Henry Cejudo, you’re a rat piece of sh*t.’ I had a feeling this dude kinda had it because he blocked me from all the social media stuff,” Cejudo explained. “I’m just like, ‘Why? Why am I a piece of sh*t?’ And he just said I’m a piece of sh*t.”