UFC featherweight champion Elijah Topuria said he would like to make the first defense of his title against Brian Ortega, ranked as the division's third best fighter.
"I would fight Brian Ortega, who was much closer to beating Volkanovski than Holloway was in three fights. Ortega is always a risk to get hit and fight. He won his last fight and has some good wins under his belt. Would I want to come out against him? Sure, because right now it seems like: "Who if not him?" - Topuria stated in El Podcast de Webpositer.
Recall that Topuria won the belt in February at UFC 298 by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski.
Ali Abdel-Aziz, manager of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, shared his prediction for his client's upcoming fight against former interim titleholder Dustin Puryear.
The functionary believes that the Dagestani will be able to knock out the American in the second five-minute fight.
"Dustin Por ier is one of the biggest threats in the lightweight division. But Makhachev is better in all components. My prediction is Islam's victory by knockout in the second round. Dustin has big problems, because Islam looks like a giant Pacific octopus," - wrote Abdel-Aziz in social network X.
Recall that Makhachev and Porier will fight on June 1 in the main event of UFC 302 in Newark, USA.
Erik Bazinyan defends his NABF Super Middleweight Title against Shakeel Phinn at the Montreal Casino in Quebec. Tonight's match pits undefeated local champion Bazinyan against the formidable "The Jamaican Juggernaut," Shakeel Phinn.
Vasyl Lomachenko, former world champion in three weight categories, recalled his defeat in a fight with Devin Haney. The fight took place in May 2023, ending with Haynie winning by unanimous decision of the judges.
"I'll never forget my last fight, the fight with Haney. I'll never forget that robbery. I don't understand how... You can be the best, but the judges may have a different opinion (laughs). Right after the fight I said: "I will sleep very well, because I know that I won this fight," - said Lomachenko in an interview with Top Rank.
Recall, already on May 12, Lomachenko will fight for the title of world champion in the lightweight division of the IBF against George Kambososos.
Former UFC featherweight champion Aleksander Volkanovski has spoken out regarding a possible fight between current belt holder Elijah Topuria and Max Holloway.
"I can come back and make our fight with Topuria end with my easy win. Also, I feel like Max can do the same. Topuria is a dangerous opponent, a great fighter, but I don't think he's as good as he thinks he is. Of course, he caught me off guard, so I can't say anything different. So I need to prove myself and I have everything I need to do that. I'm sure Max has a chance to win too, that's why I wanted to fight Topuria first," Volkanovski was quoted as saying by Fox Sports Australia.
Former UFC featherweight champion Aleksander Volkanovski shared his expectations for the upcoming fight between another former titleholder Jose Aldo and Jonathan Martinez.
The lightweight fight will be part of UFC 301, which takes place on the night of May 5 in Rio de Janeiro.
"I still believe in Aldo's skill set. I think he has kept his speed and hasn't lost much in skills. He has always been very technical and that could be the deciding factor. José and I are veterans of the sport, so I see how strong he is in technique and how few mistakes he makes in a fight.
I will be rooting for Aldo in this fight because I still believe in him. He can win. I have nothing but respect for Jose because he is realistically not easy to beat. I think Aldo will win by judges' decision," Bloody Elbow quoted Wolkanowski as saying.
UFC flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg of Australia expects Brazilian fans to throw bottles at him after he knocked out local champion Alexandre Pantoja.
The clash between these fighters will headline UFC 301, which takes place on the night of May 5 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
"I expect to be thrown bottles after I finish it. This is part of the real experience of performing in Brazil. My goal is to prove to everyone that I'm the best in this division, whether I'm the underdog or the favorite, it doesn't really matter to me," MMA Fighiting quotes Erceg as saying.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, former UFC lightweight champion, attended yesterday's Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid fight in Munich for the first semifinal match of the 2023/2024 Champions League. The meeting ended in a 2-2 draw.
"What a historic match yesterday!", - commented the fighter.
Khabib is known for his love of soccer, as well as the fact that he is a fan of Real Madrid. Earlier, he repeatedly posted joint photos with the former leader of the attacks of "creamy" Cristiano Ronaldo, calling him the best footballer on the planet.
Recall that Khabib Nurmagomedov ended his fighting career in October 2020 with a record of 29-0. In his farewell fight, he won a choke hold against Justin Gaethje.
Oleksandr Usyk, promoter of WBA, WBO, IBF heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, told what is the main difference between his ward and Tyson Fury, WBC world champion.
"Yes, I can tell you about Usik's secret weapon. But the problem is that it's not a secret. His weapons are his heart, his mind, his experience and his boxing skills. And the main thing that makes him different from Tyson Fury is discipline. That's his powerful weapon. This makes him great," - quotes the functionary Sky Sports.
Recall, the confrontation between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will be held on May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. At stake in this fight will be the title of absolute world champion.
Saul Alvarez, the absolute world champion in the super middleweight division, commented on the verbal altercation with the famous promoter Oscar de la Hoya, which broke out in the last few days. Canelo stated that he doesn't care about Oscar's "barbs".
"I really don't care about what he said. I'm happy. I'm focused on the upcoming fight. I really don't care about Oscar. He's got shit on his mind. So I don't care what he says," Canelo said in a recent interview.
On the night of May 5 in Las Vegas, Saul Alvarez will make another defense of his status as absolute champion in the super middleweight division. As part of this defense, he will face his compatriot Jaime Munguia in the ring.
