Retired British mixed martial arts veteran Dan Hardy explained why he has little faith in UFC lightweight Michael Chandler winning his upcoming bout with the promotion's former two-division champion Conor McGregor.
"I can't underestimate Conor's skills. He has done exceptional things in the most intense moments of his career. He knows how to control distance and provoke his opponents with deceptive strikes. And the current Chandler is not the same as he was in Bellator, when he acted carefully and clearly chose the moment to attack.
Michael can beat anyone with his speed, but he's a lot less cautious now. And that's all McGregor needs. Chandler is out for the money, he wants to put on a show. He's not thinking about exactly how he wants to beat Conor, he's just going to come out chopping," Hardy said on The MMA Hour show.
Recall that McGregor and Chandler will fight in the main event of UFC 303, which is scheduled for June 29 in Las Vegas, USA. The fight will take place in the welterweight limit.
Former UFC interim lightweight titleholder Dustin Porier shared his thoughts on the division's champion Islam Makhachev's remarks about himself.
"Sometimes it seems like Islam doesn't respect me. I'll go into the octagon to hurt him. And he said it's an easy fight for him. Maybe he feels that way about all fights. But I can knock out any lightweight in the world.
When I lost to Charles and I was asked about my future, I said I still believe in myself. If I want something, I'll get it. And here I am again, a contender. But right now I'm not thinking about what comes next. Now my goal is to finish my story beautifully," - quotes Porier MMA Fighting.
Recall that Makhachev and Puryear will fight on June 1 in the main event of UFC 302 in Newark, USA.
Former world champion in three weight categories Vasyl Lomachenko said that with age potential opponents became less afraid of him.
Former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Porier expressed his opinion, current full belt holder Islam Makhachev is superior to Khabib Nurmagomedov in striking technique and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Former dominant UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson has made it clear that he's not thrilled with the level of current belt holder Alesandre Pantoja.
French UFC lightweight Benoit Saint-Denis analyzed the upcoming title fight in his division between champion Islam Makhachev and Dustin Porier.
The Dagestani and the American will meet in the main event of UFC 302, which will take place on June 1 in Newark, USA.
"Porye is accurate with his punches, he is always focused and handles pressure well. He is an experienced and resilient fighter. Hardly anyone would say that Porier has no chance at all. Makhachev is versatile and will be well prepared for this fight.
I think it's pretty obvious what Makhachev's plan will be for the fight with Puryear. He will try to replicate what Khabib and Oliveira did. That's the easiest way to beat Dustin. Porye himself understands exactly how they will work against him. But the favorite will still be the reigning champion," MMA Junkie quotes Saint-Denis as saying.
Famous Ukrainian boxing veteran Taras Shelestyuk, following Oleksandr Hvozdyk, condemned former world champion in three weight categories compatriot Vasyl Lomachenko, who never made a single coherent statement regarding the criminal invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.
"I am doing my best, although I have much less influence than Lomachenko. I don't know why Vasyl doesn't want to support Ukraine more actively. It's hard to understand him.
I think he's been brainwashed. Lomachenko should study the history of Ukraine. It seems to me that since he has been boxing since he was a kid, he hasn't studied. It's easy to manipulate people who have no knowledge of history. The Russian church seems to be doing that to him. I think he needs to study the history of Ukraine, and then he will understand what is happening and why Ukraine is an independent and separate country from Russia," The Sunday Long Read quotes Shelestyuk as saying.
Recall that on May 12 in Perth, Australia, Lomachenko will fight for the vacant IBF lightweight title with George Kambososos.
UFC French lightweight Benoit Saint-Denis has admitted that he would like to share the octagon with Armenian Arman Tsarukyan.
"A dream fight? I would really like to face Tsarukyan. It would be a classy fight. It's clear that right now he's the main challenger, but Makhachev is not the most active champion. I don't know if he'll still be champion after the fight with Puryear, but either way he'll probably want to rest.
A lot of things can happen at lightweight. If they gave me a fight with Tsarukyan that would be ideal. But I don't do matchmaking and negotiations," MMA Junkie quotes Saint-Denis as saying.
Recall that in his last fight, which took place on March 9 at UFC 299, Saint-Denis lost by knockout to Dustin Puryear.
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo believes he may get the opportunity to fight for the lightweight division belt held by Sean O'Malley after a solid win over Jonathan Martinez.
"My manager says I can beat the line, I can go out for a title fight because when we left the UFC, we had very good rankings.
I'm hoping that can help me. If we can beat the queue, it will be great. My opinion is this. I will rest, I will return to hard training, and there will be new challenges," - said Aldo.
Recall, Aldo defeated Martinez by unanimous decision of judges last weekend at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro.
Former world light heavyweight champion Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk spoke out about the lack of civic position of prominent compatriot Vasyl Lomachenko.
"If someone is trying to make Lomachenko look like a Ukrainian hero, tell them, let them talk to Ukrainian coaches and fighters. They will give you a completely opposite opinion. Top Rank is probably trying to make it look like Lomachenko is supporting his country.
Today we have this bastard [Putin] who is killing and trying to destroy my country. After this war started, there is more bombing going on. People are under the rubble. People are bleeding, with limbs torn off. I don't support that. Because of this, many people do not like him anymore," - quotes Gvozdik The Sunday Long Read.
Recall that on May 12 in Perth, Australia, Lomachenko will fight for the vacant IBF lightweight title with George Kambososos.
