Anthony Smith, a former challenger for the UFC bantamweight championship belt, spoke out about a possible fight between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev.
"Ancalaev is a good wrestler and is capable of handling Pereira. But if he stands opposite Alex and exchanges punches with him, Pereira will knock out Ankalaev. That will absolutely happen in that case. But if Ancalaev fights smart, throws tekdowns and can keep Pereira down, then I think he'll have a good opportunity, even though he's not the best finisher. Since each round starts in the standup, Pereira can utilize his striking and conditioning and he can get back up to his feet, staying safe for the rest of the round. When the next round starts back on the feet, you don't want to be in there with Alex Pereira for too long. I think this is going to be an interesting confrontation. It's definitely one of the toughest tests for Pereira in the division. Mohammed has the skills and ability to handle him," Smith said.
Mahmud Muradov, an Uzbek middleweight fighter in the UFC, has announced that he has been fired from the promotion.
Michael Bisping, former UFC middleweight champion and current commentator and analyst, shared his opinion on the upcoming fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg.
"AlexandrePantoja is a phenomenal fighter. He has no weaknesses. He knows how to throw punches, he knows how to wrestle, he has world class jiu-jitsu. Can Erceg win? I love Steve, he's a good guy. But not this time. I wish him all the best and hope he can prove me wrong. Pantoja is too experienced. But you can never know for sure. In MMA gloves, one punch is enough. But of course, my favorite is Pantoja," Bisping said on his YouTube channel.
Conor McGregor, former UFC champion in two weight classes, has called for a lifetime ban on Ryan Garcia, who failed a doping test before his fight with WBC bantamweight champion Devin Haney.
"Failed the weigh-in and cheated - lifetime ban. Sad to see it, sad to talk about it. Sad and a little sickening. Don't come near me when you see me, Ryan Garcia. I'm really disgusted. What's the matter? What are you letting yourself do? Crazy," - wrote McGregor on social networks, but after a while deleted his post.
Recall, in the doping sample of Garcia were found traces of the banned drug ostarine. Now Haney wants the result of the fight with Garcia to be changed to "failed".
UFC welterweight Anthony Smith has spoken out about his upcoming bout with Vitor Petrino.
"For me, the underdog status doesn't matter. The bookmakers don't know what they're talking about. This story is not about whether the bookies think I'm going to win or lose. In betting matters, it's all about where the money goes. So it just seems to me that a lot of Brazilian fans are betting on Vitor. He's only at the very beginning so far, but next, maybe he'll have five or six losses in his career and hopefully one of them will be from me. We'll see where he ends up. You know what I mean? I think we'll find out on Saturday how good he really is," Smith said.
As a reminder, the bout between Smith and Petrino will take place on the night of May 5 at UFC 301.
On the night of May 5, Rio de Janeiro will host Tournament 301, headlined by a bout between flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg. The broadcast of the preliminary fights will begin at 01:00. The main card will start at 05:00. Below are the links to the broadcast and the fight card of the tournament:
Main Card:
Alexandre Pantoja - Steve Erceg;
Jose Aldo - Jonathan Martinez;
Anthony Smith - Vitor Petrino;
Paul Craig - Caio Borrallo.
Preliminary Card:
Joanderson Brito - Jack Shore;
Karolina Kowalkiewicz - Yasmin Lucindo;
Elvis Brenne - Myktybek Orolbay;
Gene Silva - William Gomis;
Joaquim Silva - Drakkar Klose;
Jamie Mullarkey - Mauricio Ruffy;
Dion Barbosa - Ernesta Caricaite;
Ismael Bonfim - Vince Pichel;
Alessandro Costa - Kevin Borjas.
Jaime Munguia, the undefeated Mexican boxer, has spoken out about his upcoming fight with absolute world super middleweight champion Saul Alvarez. Munguia noted that outside the ring he has the utmost respect for Canelo, but will try to knock him out in the fight.
"Outside the ring, Canelo has my unconditional respect, but in the ring the respect will not be there. I like that he wants to knock me out. I think the same, but in reverse, and I intend to knock him out," said Munguia.
Recall that the bout between Saul Alvarez and Jaime Munguia will take place on the night of May 5 and will headline the night of boxing in Las Vegas.
Conor McGregor, former UFC champion in two weight classes, reacted to the news that Charles Oliveira, the promotion's former lightweight champion, is ready to insure the Irishman's bout with Michael Chandler. Conor has stated that he is ready to beat Charles and Michael two in one night.
"I'll do you both in one night. I won't even break a sweat. I will destroy you both within a round," McGregor wrote on social media.
The bout between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will take place on June 29 and will headline UFC 303.
Recall that McGregor had his last fight in July 2021, losing early to Dustin Puryear. Conor broke his leg and for a long time recovered from the injury.
Conor McGregor, former UFC champion in two weight classes, reacted to the conflict between the absolute world champion in super middleweight Saul Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya. Conor suggested that the pair should settle their relationship in a fist fight
"Would love to see these two in a fist fight at BKFC. Take the gloves off and fight, bitch," McGregor wrote on social media.
It is worth noting that the other day McGregor became one of the co-owners of the most famous fist fight league BKFC.
Recall, Alvarez and De La Hoya said a lot of unpleasant things to each other. Later Oscar said that he plans to sue Alvarez for damage to his reputation.
Charles Oliveira, former UFC lightweight champion, has revealed that he may insure a bout between Conor McGregor, the promotion's former two-division champion, and Michael Chandler.
"I have informed the UFC that I am willing to insure this fight if they have not found me an opponent by then. The only condition is that if I have to fight McGregor, I would like to renegotiate the terms of the agreement for the fight," the Brazilian told Guilherme Cruz.
The fight between McGregor and Chandler will take place on June 29 in Las Vegas and will headline the 303rd UFC event.
Recall, earlier Charles Oliveira stated his desire to return to the octagon as soon as possible.
