Issue 207
July 2024
Ray Klerck jumps into the Fighters Only wayback machine to recap the best of mixed martial arts in July 2024.
Joe Pyfer Discusses UFC 303 Win And Calls For Paul Craig Next
Joe Pyfer make a huge statement in his return to the Octagon at UFC 303.
The victory was the first time Pyfer made the walk since his first loss under the UFC banner. The decision loss at the hands to Jack Hermansson led to some fans questioning if Pyfer’s hype train had been derailed.
‘Bodybagz’ joined Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour to talk about his UFC 303 victory but first, discussed the aftermath of the Hermansson loss with the 27-year-old revealing he took some time away from training to rest following a hectic few years. He said:
“I didn’t train for two months. I didn't lift a weight. I didn't train. I was sick of it. I was honestly, I was disgusted with the sport. I was disgusted with myself. I was disappointed in myself. I hated it. It hurt. It sucked. I was upset. You know, I hold myself to a high standard and I was never discouraged, like, ‘Oh, I'm not going to come back.’
“But I knew I was burnt out, I was worked, I was burnt out and part of it was being as sick as I was. I had the worst illness I had ever had. I was sick from December 22nd until January 21st. I was sick on Joe Rogan. I was sick when Laura Sanko was there, the week before Joe Rogan.
“I was sick when the UFC was out here. I had no voice. Like, I just kept coughing up blood and phlegm the whole camp - even when Brendan Allen was out here. I know it sounds like excuses and they are, I guess, reasons to me and excuses to everyone else. But I wasn't 100%, man. But I went out there and I still showed that no matter how many interviews, no matter how many people put an expectation on me, it doesn't mean sh*t to me.
“I'm still going to go out there, I can eat that pressure and still perform. I think I did a hell of a job with what I had to work with, despite my coaches not even wanting me to take the fight and pull me from it because they didn't think I was healthy enough.”
Pyfer was back in action on Saturday and what a statement he made in his return, flat lining Marc-André Barriault less than 90 seconds into their contest. Pyfer got straight to action, opening with numerous leg kicks, with nothing coming back the other way. ‘Bodybagz’ then landed a big overhand right which backed Barriault, followed it up with some sharp strikes before capping off proceedings with another powerful right hand.
Reflecting on his performance, Pyfer had mixed emotions immediately after and already has switched his focus onto who he wants to face next.
“I felt angry. I felt happy. I felt like, there you go, motherfu*kers.
“Like, here's your Salt Bae motherfu*ker. It was all you jerk offs that sat there and talk shit on me and f*cking harassed me for months... thinking you’re harassing me for months. But I just sat there, I kept quiet, I didn’t do one single interview for this fight. I didn't do anything unless it was UFC mandatory, and I kept my mouth shut for the most part until I got the fight week and I said I wouldn't have much to say until I whooped his ass and then I would talk my shit, and I did.
“Then I called out that f*cking back Princess Paul Craig, who seems to have accepted the fight. So we'll see if he's got his balls in his mouth this time.”
There is clearly no love lost between the pair and when asked why he has distain for Craig, Pyfer recalled a time the pair as being the start of things.
“I was at UFC Boston with Sean and I walk by him and like, we looked at each other and he didn't give a head nod, he didn't acknowledge me at all. Like, there was no, like, respect.
“He just seemed like he was that, hard douche bag like, he's a killer type vibe, I don't know, it just rubbed me the wrong way. Then I tried to, you know, respectfully, get that fight after he fought Brendan Allen because he was in the top 15 or whatever.
“Then obviously I wind up taking the fight against Jack and he like blew it off. And then, I don't know, I just don't like his antics. He's always in people's faces, paints this f*cking face like a smurf and then second he gets slapped up, he lays on his back and he starts asshole scooting across the mat. And I just, I don’t respect it bro, he fights like a bitch.”
10 Bouts Added To UFC Abu Dhabi
The UFC have released a number of bouts ahead of their return to Abu Dhabi on August 3.
The promotion took to social media to announce the abundance of fights, which have been received extremely well by fans online.
The card, which will take place inside the Etihad Arena, was already looking incredibly stacked with Umar Nurmagomedov and Cory Sandhagen squaring off in the main event and a host of huge names including Nick Diaz, Marlon Vera, Tony Ferguson and Deiveson Figueiredo all also set to feature on the main card.
Some of the notable bouts announced by the promotion on August 3 included the return of the Shamil Gaziev. The heavyweight appeared to be on a demolition course through the division when after just one fight with the promotion he found himself taking on the then 12 ranked Jairzinho Rozenstruik at a UFC Fight Night event. It appeared to be too much too soon for Gaziev, who was outworked over four rounds. At the end of the fourth round, the doctor was called into the Octagon and waved the bout off when Bahraini said he could not see. In his return, he takes on Don’Tale Mayers, who is fresh off a win against Caio Machado back in April of this year.
Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady returns in search of his first victory in the UFC gloves when he takes on Guram Kutateladze in a Lightweight contest. Al-Selwady signed with the UFC following a unanimous decision victory over Cage Warriors Lightweight Champion George Hardwick on the 2023 season of Dana White’s Contender Series. He made his promotional debut in March of this year against Loik Radzhabov but came up short against and was stopped in the 3rd round. Kutateladze has really struggled to gain any sort of momentum after beating Mateusz Gamrot in 2020. Since then, he has only made the walk twice and has been beaten both times.
Javid Basharat will be looking to bounce back in the win column against the vastly more experienced Chris Gutierrez when they square off at 135lbs. Basharat is yet another Contender Series alumni to feature on the Abu Dhabi card, having earned his contract with a round three submission against the previously unbeaten Oron Kahlon. In just 17 months, Basharat made the walk four times and built a solid 3-1 promotional record before facing Aiemann Zahabi on UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev. After a good first round for Basharat, Zahabi came on strong in the second and third to take the unanimous decision and handed Basharat his first loss.Gutierrez is no stranger to taking on the whose who of the Bantamweight division, having faced the likes of Song Yadong and Pedro Munhoz and Frankie Edgar in three of his last four bouts.
Bouts added to UFC Abu Dhabi
Mohammad Yahya vs Kauê Fernandes Pinheiro
Alonzo Menifield vs Azamat Murzakanov
Chris Gutierrez vs Javid Basharat
Joel Alvarez vs Elves Brener
Jai Herbert vs Rolando Bedoya
Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs Guram Kutateladze
Shamil Gaziev vs Don'Tale Mayes
Sedriques Dumas vs Denis Tiuliulin
Azat Maksum vs CJ Vergara
Victoria Dudakova vs Sam Hughes
Tom Aspinall 'Absolutely' Happy To Fight Alex Pereira
Tom Aspinall has made his intentions clear ahead of his UFC 304 co-main event bout against Curtis Blaydes, looking to deliver an “absolutely outrageous first round knockout.”
The 31-year-old gets his long awaited rematch against Blaydes to the Co-op Arena, Manchester on July 27, as the UFC return to the UK with a stacked card. The first time the two met ended in tragedy for Aspinall, tearing his MCL just 15 seconds into the bout.
The interim Heavyweight champion joined TalkSPORT MMA’s YouTube channel to discuss all things UFC 304. Aspinall will be sharing the card on July 27 with two of his team mates, in the form of unbeaten Heavyweight Mick Parkin and Light Heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas. All three men have been working tirelessly ahead of fight night, something Aspinall has enjoyed immensely. He said:
“I love that, to be honest. I really love that you feel like that you're almost like on a mission together. The you know, you've got this mission coming up on the 27th of July where all the show up is going to be. Guys flew in to fight in our home country and we've got to defend what we're all about, you know?
“I love that stuff and I'm really looking forward to it, and both guys are looking great as well. Mick actually has the longest winning streak in the heavyweight division believe it or not so Mick is flying and he's got another good fight coming up that he can win. Modestas is looking great, too, and I'm really looking forward to it.”
Although the first fight did not go the way Aspinall envisioned, and he is all to aware of the unpredictability of the sport, the Brit is confident he is going to be able to go in there and even the score on fight night. He said:
“You never know, Heavyweight MMA is crazy. You absolutely never know. We're prepared for the worst, as always. Prepared for the worst, expecting the best. I'm going to try and knock his head off, is what I'm going to try and do. That's my goal, by winning with an absolutely outrageous first round knockout and my hand getting raised, that's the goal always so that's what I'm going to be looking to do!”
Following Alex Pereira’s stunning second round knockout over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 last weekend, the discussion as to whether the former Middleweight and current Light Heavyweight champion could do the unthinkable and achieve a third world championship up at Heavyweight.
Although full of respect for the things that Pereira has achieved in his short UFC tenure, Aspinall admitted he would be very much up for a fight against ‘Poatan’. On the potential match up, he said:
“I mean as we've seen with me, I'm not shying away from anybody. So if the UFC want to do that, I'm more than happy to do it. I think as an elite level fighter myself, you can't help but be impressed with what Alex Pereira's done over the past couple years. You know what I mean?
“At this time, few years ago, no one knew he was and now he's like one of the biggest stars in MMA; one of the best fighters in UFC history and I really, really respect what he's done. Does that mean I don't want to fight him? No. I absolutely want to fight him, but I'm sure there'll be a time and a place for it.
“I'm not jumping ahead of things right now, I’m fighting Curtis Blaydes now and if that's what the UFC want to do one day then we will absolutely do it.”
Cage Warriors PrizeFighter Winner To Earn Title Shot
The stakes in the Cage Warriors PrizeFighter tournament just got a lot bigger.
The promotion have now confirmed that the winner of the two fights in one night tournament, that is set to take place at Cage Warriors 174, will take on Cage Warriors Bantamweight Champion Liam Gittins, next.
Winning the PrizeFighter tournament was already set to be a huge deal, with the winner receiving a $50,000 prize fund but now they also have the guarantee of being the next man to challenge for Cage Warriors Bantamweight gold.
The news was announced by Gittins via the promotion’s social media. He said:
“Hi, guys. Liam Gittins here. Your Cage Warriors Bantamweight World Champion. People have been asking me when I am going to fight again, who it’s going to be against? I'm going to be fighting the winner of the PrizeFighter tournament that's taking place on Cage Warriors on the 20th of July. My prediction for the tournament is going to be Alexander Loof to win it.
“I feel like he's the dark horse in his competition and as long as he makes weight, I feel like he will win. I love the chance to fight Loof because it give me the chance to beat him quicker than Luke Riley did.”
Shirzad Qadrian will face Weslley Maia in the first semi-final whilst Aidan Stephen battles it out with Alexander Loof in the second semi-final. Alessandro Giordano and Michele Martignoni will compete in a reserve bout, with the winner of that only proceeding to the final if one of the four athletes in the main semi-finals cannot compete in the final. The semi-finals will be contested over 2, five minute rounds, with a third round only happening if the bout is tied at the end of the second.
At the time of writing, it has not been confirmed when the contest against Gittins will take place.
Leon Edwards Targets Champ Champ Status After UFC 304 Bout
Leon Edwards is chasing greatness but is fully focussed on the upcoming task at hand.
The UFC Welterweight champion will headline the stacked UFC 304 card in a rematch against Belal Muhammad on July 27 at the brand new Co-op Arena.
The 32-year-old finds himself ranked number three in the pound-for-pound rankings. With the Welterweight title already round his waist, Edwards now has his eye on climbing to the top of the pound for pound list. Speaking to talkSPORT MMA, he said:
“That’s my goal. Obviously my first goal was to achieve this (Welterweight title) and now I got it, I have got to make another. What is going to get me up in the morning to go out and achieve what I'm trying to achieve, that’s the numbers now. Obviously the money, the pound for pound rankings and stuff like that.”
Chasing champ champ status is something that has become increasingly popular in the UFC in recent years, with Edwards being the latest man to through his name in the looking to pursuit a second title. However, ‘Rocky’ is also not opposed to welcoming Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev to the Welterweight division, should that option roll around first.
“For sure, for sure (I would be up for facing Islam.) Obviously we have got work to do within the division. I feel like Islam just fought the first actual Lightweight. He fought Volk, but this is the first actual Lightweight he has fought within the division. He's on a three defence streak, after I beat Belal, that’ll be my third as well so both on similar paths so I can see it happen in the future.
“Also, I like to move up as well and try to challenge for the Middleweight belt as well, hopefully. So, whoever comes first.”
Before he can eye a second title, Edwards is fully focussed on finding a path to victory against Muhammad at UFC 304 and is looking forward to putting the chapter to bed. He said:
“I'm excited. Like I said, it's a rematch, you know? I’d done one and a half rounds with him before the eyepoke happened and the way he’s been talking, its like he was winning the fight, you know? So it's good now to go back in my home turf, Manchester headline a bill 27th of July, Co-op Arena, so I am excited man, in the summer, it'll be good.”
Although one of the most loved mixed martial artists in the UK now, Edwards has had a turbulent relationship with UK fans, even getting booed when he faced Gunnar Nelson in London back in 2019. Heading into the Muhammad contest, Edwards believes the fans will be fully behind him.
“I feel like Manchester will be all me, you know, he’s coming onto my territory and I'm defending my belt in my country, you know? So I feel like it's going to be exactly the same Usman 3, at the O2 and I feel like Belal is in for a shock at how the crowd is going to react, the pressure and how loud the UK fans are. So like I said, I'm excited to go out and perform.”
The gym in which Edwards represents, Renegade, are in for a busy few months, with Edwards and Arnold Allen both set to feature on July 27, before his brother Fabian goes for Bellator gold two months later, on a card that is also set to feature Tim Wilde. When asked about why he believes the gym is succeeding at the very top of the sport, Edwards credited the coaching and the fact all egos are left at the door.
“I feel like just the camaraderie, it just feels like home, like family, friends, there’s not like no ego in the gym. Everyone can just go there, have fun, learn, grow. There’s no one trying to take you out and hurt you everyday. You have opportunities to grow so I feel like that’s what it is. Everyone comes down, they enjoy the environment, so they want to stay.
“Dan Hardy and his Mrs, Veronica, comes down and they are there now a lot so often that's the most of what is really. Also great coaches and having people like me there and other people there that can mix and pick each other brain and just see techniques and different stuff like that.”
The Professional Fighters League have announced the launch of PFL Africa.
The league will join the likes of PFL Europe and PFL Mena as part of PFL’s ever growing network of regional leagues. As with all the others seasons, PFL Africa will play host to the Regular Season, Playoffs and Championship season format as it looks to find the new African MMA stars. Fans will have to wait a little while for the PFL Africa to begin, with the league launching in the second quarter of 2025.
It was also announced that Francis Ngannou will be the Chairman of PFL Africa. Ngannou has long been an advocate for shining a spotlight on the the sport within the continent and will play a key role as chairman.
Announcing the news, PFL CEO Peter Murray expressed his delight at the promotion adding yet another regional league to their network. He said:
“The Professional Fighters League is excited to announce PFL Africa, the third international fight franchise as we continue on our path to becoming the Champions League of MMA,
“Africa is home to some of the greatest fighters in the world, including our league Chairman Francis Ngannou, and some of the greatest fans in the sport. PFL Africa aims to serve the great fans with premium content while strengthening the PFL global footprint in what has for too long been an underserved market. Alongside our great investment and broadcast partners we cannot wait to kick off PFL Africa league action in 2025.”
Francis Ngannou revealed his excitement at being able to play such an important role within the African league. He said:
“I am excited and honored to serve as Chairman of PFL Africa, a league that will shape the very foundation of African MMA,
“As we have seen there is a great wealth of talent in Africa just waiting to be given a global stage. I am so very proud to give back to my homeland and to provide great content to a region with such a passionate and diverse fanbase.”
Rose Namajunas Hands Tracy Cortez First UFC Loss At UFC Denver
Rose Namajunas handed Tracy Cortez her loss in the UFC with a unanimous decision win in the main event of UFC Denver.
Having been originally preparing to face Maycee Barber, 'Thug' had a late change in opponent when Barber was forced to pull out of the contest.
The number 11 ranked Cortez, who was set to fight next weekend, then stepped up to the plate to face the former Strawweight champion.
Namajunas wasted no time getting to work when the bell sounded and dropped Cortez just two minutes into the contest. Although unable to finish the fight there and then, 'Thug' continued to show why she had already been to the top of the game, with a slick shot selection to see out the remainder of the first round.
Cortez had some success in the second round but it was Namajunas who pushed the pace and ultimately clinched the round.
'Thug' had a change in tact in the third, opting to immediately take the fight to the floor and the bout stayed there for most of the round. Namajunas searched for submission but Cortez done a solid job of defending.
Round four was much of the same from 'Thug', showing her high level of both striking and grappling throughout.
Cortez, aware of the fact she needed a finish, pushed the pace in the fifth and final round but was unable to find the stoppage she desperately needed and bout went to the judges scorecards.
The official result read 49-46, 49,46, 48-47, all in favour of Namajunas.
Speaking to Paul Felder in the octagon after the bout and expressed her gratitude to the fans and the people of Denver, the place she calls home. She said:
"Denver has been so good to me for so many years. I had a rough upbringing and when I am here, it's like I can just breathe, you know? So I thank you guys so much."
Looking ahead, Namajunas wants either a title shot, or a women's BMF belt:
"Give me the belt man, I want it. I am Colorado's first UFC champion so I want to bring the second one back here. Either that, or a women's BMF."
Dana White Reveals Huge Cost Of Noche UFC At The Sphere “I’m Already $17 Million Into This Thing..."
There is a lot of intrigue surrounding the UFC’s inaugural show at The Sphere, Las Vegas - with UFC CEO Dana White revealing some more information about what fans can expect.
The promotion will head to The Sphere on September 14, with Noche UFC, a card which celebrates Mexican Independence Day and will also serve as the first sports event to take place inside iconic new stadium.
White joined Pat McAfee on The Pat McAfee Show earlier today (July 15) and announced that the card will not feature as many bouts as fans are used to seeing at UFC fight nights, mainly due to the monumental costs associated with doing a show at The Sphere.
“We’re going to do 10 (fights),” he said.
“There will be a main, co-main, and obviously this card will be very Mexican-heavy.”
The sheer cost of the show has led to many believing that it will be unlikely the promotion will head back to the venue after September 14. White has made no secret of the fact that he wants the first event there to be epic and is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure it is a show nobody will forget in a rush. He even disclosed how much money the promotion have already put into the show. He said:
“I’m already $17 million into this thing and we’re not anywhere near September yet.
“When I tell you guys I’m going to put on the greatest live sporting event in the history of combat sports, maybe in sports period, nobody else is going to go in and spend (that much money).”
There has been no confirmation as to which bouts will take the coveted main and co-main event slot but there has been speculation that Mexican native Alexa Grasso will look to defend her Flyweight championship on the card, having already expressed a big desire to do so.
Christian Lee Set To Return At ONE 169: Atlanta, Will Defend Lightweight MMA Crown Against Alibeg Rasulov
It’s been 19 months since two-division MMA king Christian Lee last competed inside the ONE Championship Circle, but his hiatus will officially end at ONE 169: Atlanta later this year.
Lee will return to the promotion when he defends the ONE Lightweight MMA World Championship against Alibeg Rasulov on Saturday, 9th November, at Atlanta, Georgia’s State Farm Arena.
“The Warrior” hasn’t been seen since he dramatically dethroned former ONE Welterweight MMA World Champion Kiamrian Abbasov to become a two-weight titleholder in November 2022 at ONE on Prime Video 4.
One month after that huge accomplishment, Lee tragically lost his younger sister, rising mixed martial arts star Victoria, causing him to step back from competition to focus on family.
But now, it appears he’s ready to pick up where he left off with the ONE Lightweight MMA World Title, which he claimed for the first time against the legendary Shinya Aoki at ONE: ENTER THE DRAGON in May 2019.
He defended the gold on three occasions before a shock defeat to Ok Rae Yoon at ONE: REVOLUTION in September 2021 saw his momentum come to an end.
But Lee emphatically retook the throne by knocking out the South Korean in their rematch at ONE 160 in August 2022.
The hard-hitting Hawaii native’s run in ONE Championship has been nothing short of enigmatic. He has won eight of his last nine outings, with seven of those coming by knockout, and he still holds the record for most victories (17) and most stoppages (16) in the promotion’s history.
However, his upcoming opponent, Rasulov, will undoubtedly offer Lee a challenge.
The undefeated Turkish sensation arrived in the world’s largest martial arts organization earlier this month, and he got to work fast by besting “The Warrior’s” old rival, Ok, by unanimous decision in the main event of ONE Fight Night 23.
Their tilt was initially scheduled to be for the ONE Interim Lightweight MMA World Title until Rasulov failed to pass hydration testing and didn’t manage to make weight in the official time window, rendering him unable to win the belt.
Nonetheless, he saw victory on his promotional bow, pushing his perfect professional slate to 14-0, which has earned him a shot at Lee’s crown.
Both men have a string of finishes to their names, so fans would be wise to expect this one to end before the final bell at ONE 169.
The thrilling show – ONE Championship’s second in the U.S. this year – will also see the return of three-division MMA king Anatoly Malykhin, who will defend the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title against “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane. Along with that, Tawanchai PK Saenchai is set to put his ONE featherweight Muay Thai crown on the line a second time against hometown favorite “Smokin” Jo Nattawut in a huge trilogy match.
Khamzat Chimaev Targets UFC 308 Return & Wants Title Shot Next
Khamzat Chimaev has a date for his return in mind and when the time comes, he wants it to be for a UFC title.
‘Borgz’ is still yet to make this walk to the octagon this year, having previously competed back in October 2023 when he faces Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 due to
Speaking to Russian outlet, Match TV, Chimaev revealed the month, and event, he will look to return to action. He said:
“Most likely (my return will happen) in October in Abu Dhabi,” Chimaev told Match TV. “(The opponent is) unknown so far. I would like to fight for the title.
“I have seven fights, seven victories. There is no fighter in the UFC who has won seven fights without fighting for the belt.”
Although having struggled to have consistent appearances in the octagon, when the unbeaten Russian has competed, he’s taken the cage by storm. He start to UFC stardom when he fought, and beat, John Phillips and Rhys McKee, within the space of 10 days before making the walk less than two months later and stopping Gerald Meerschaert.
He was then given the golden opportunity to face Leon Edwards but due to COVID-related issues from both parties the bout was cancelled on three separate occasions. After over a year since the Meerschaert bout, ‘Borz’ returned at UFC 267 and picked up where he left off, stopping Jingliang Li in the first round of their bout.
It was then 6 months before he returned to the octagon, this time, facing the formidable Gilbert Burns at UFC 273. For the first time in his mixed martial arts career, Chimaev went to the judges score cards and worked to a unanimous decision win.
The turnaround for his next bout was a lot quicker but was marred in controversy when Chimaev missed weight for his bout with Nate Diaz, by an astonishing 7.5lbs, which ultimately seen his bout with Diaz scrapped and the Russian face Kevin Holland instead. He stopped Holland in the first round but the weight miss disappointed a lot of fans.
The last time fans saw Chimaev in the UFC Octagon was at UFC 294 when he walked away with a majority decision win against former Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, at Middleweight.
The UFC Middleweight title will be on the line next month when Champion, Dricus Du Plessis faces long time foe, Isreal Adesanya. However, there has been no indication that the promotion have any intention of Chimaev returning against the Middleweight champion when ‘Borz’ is finally back in action.
Conor McGregor Set To Return ‘The End Of This Calendar Year’
Conor McGregor has suggested that fans will see him back inside the UFC octagon before 2024 is out.
‘The Notorious’ was set to make his return to the cage last month when he was scheduled to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303. However, the Irishman broke his toe during the fight camp and was forced to withdraw himself from the bout.
The 36-year-old is currently out in Marbella for the BKFC Spain press conference. Speaking to the media following the presser, McGregor gave a rough time line on when he is expected to compete again. He said:
“My comeback is scheduled for the end of the year, sometime the end of this year, closing out the show. So I was close to returning, we had an incident and a postponement had to happen, and, you know, it is what it is. We take it on the chin, we rock on. The fight is rescheduled for the end of this calendar year, so I'm excited about that and eager to get back.”
With ‘The Mac’ being in Spain, he was then asked about his thoughts on the current UFC Featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria. Much like the way the Irish supported McGregor during his rise to global stardom, the Spanish are doing much the same for ‘El Matador’.
McGregor acknowledged the way in which the country has backed Topuria and is interested to see how things unfold. He said:
“There’s a lot to see from Topuria. I understand he's taken an inspiration from my journey. You know, he's copied my tattoos and whatnot. He says this, that and the other but, you know, I don't mind Topuria, I don't mind him and we’ll see what happens down the line. You know, Spanish people are backing him and that's great to see.”
There has been no confirmation of a date, or location for McGregor’s return at the time of writing but ‘The Notorious sounded very sure in the fact he will be back fighting before the year is out.
Nick Diaz's UFC Abu Dhabi Bout Against Vicente Luque Removed From Card
Nick Diaz’s Welterweight bout against Vicente Luque has been cancelled.
The Welterweight bout was set to serve as the co-main event at UFC Abu Dhabi on August 3rd but the contest will no longer go ahead on that date, with the promotion looking to rebook the fight at the earliest opportunity.
The UFC have cited travel issues as the reason for the bout being cancelled.
The contest would’ve saw Diaz back in the UFC octagon for the first time since 2021, when he faced fellow MMA legend, Robbie Lawler at UFC 266. Prior to that, Diaz had not competed since 2015.
In his last outing, Lawler’s relentless pressure proved to be too much for Diaz who retired within the first minute of the third round.
After a four fight winning streak over 2020 and 2021, Luque has struggled to find consistent for as of late. The Brazilian picked up two losses in 2022 before getting back to winning ways in his only bout of 2023, against Rafael dos Anjos. Luque faced Joaquin Buckley but was stopped by ‘New Mensa’ in the second round.
With the Diaz vs. Luque bout off, Middleweights Shara Magomedov and Michal Oleksiejczuk will now square off in the co-main event slot.
‘Bullet’ Magomedov will be looking to keep his perfect record in tact in what will be his third fight for the promotion. On his path to the UFC, Magomedov went 11-0, with 10 stoppages.
In his promotional debut, Bruno Silva earned a unanimous decision at UFC 294. His last bout, which was only back in June, the 30-year-old stopped Antonio Trocoli in the second round with a stunning left hook.
Elsewhere on the card, Cody Sandhagen will meet Umar Nurmagomedov in a number one Bantamweight contender bout, in the main event. Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, will face former Flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. The card will also see the return of Tony Ferguson, when he squares off against Michael Chiesa.
Oban Elliott Sees Competing On UFC 304 As 'An Honour'
Oban Elliott feels ‘honoured’ to be appearing on the UFC 304 card.
After sealing his UFC contract on the 2023 season of the Contender Series, Elliott made his promotional debut at UFC 298 and beat Val Woodburn by way of unanimous decision to collect his first win inside the octagon.
Ahead of his UFC 304 bout, Elliott joined Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. Discussing what feels different heading into his second UFC contest, Elliott admitted that the first time round, he almost felt a touch of imposters syndrome. However, heading into this contest, the Welshman is more than comfortable and feels like the extra pressure he put on himself previously, is no longer there.
“I’ve just given myself a little kick up the ass a bit and been like, ‘What are you talking about? You are the man. You belong here. This is a lifetime work that's come to fruition. Now I get to go and show it again, but better, way better and I get to go and do it in on these shores.”
His upcoming bout will see ‘The Welsh Gangster’ get the chance to compete in front of a home crowd since signing with the UFC. The 26-year-old is relishing the opportunity to be back in front of a UK audience.
“It was an honour (to be matched on UFC 304), it was very cool because, I won't go into detail now, but after the last fight I had a couple of bumps and bruises and I didn't actually get cleared to fight until you know, later on.
“I was going back and forth, the UFC look after you when it comes to your health, 100%. Obviously it was all good, I had the clearance and it was like three days later they put me on the card. I was thinking, ‘Oh, I may be not going to be able to get on this card, because I wasn't eligible for be matched but literally I think it was the Friday I said, ‘Yeah, I'm all good.’
“Just needed it off the doctor, by the Wednesday I had a fight come through. I was like, ‘Wow, that is an honour.’ I know you see online, people are trying to get a fight, but it seems like they wanted me on this card, so yeah, I'm honoured, 100%.”
The man looking to cause an upset in Elliot’s return to the UK, will be American, Preston Parsons. Giving his honest opinion, the Shore Mixed Martial Arts athlete sees Parsons as a fun fight but is wanting to show that there are levels to the game.
“He is a good fighter, he's on his second contract, he’s had four fights in the UFC and I'm his fifth. So you know it's no mug is it. He’s a good fighter, but he's not as good as me. That's all I've really got to say about him. Yeah, he'll find out, he'll find out.”
