Retired American mixed martial arts veteran Chel Sonnen has spoken out about the upcoming fight between former UFC two-weight champion Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler.
The Irishman and the American will meet in the main event of UFC 303, scheduled for June 29 in Las Vegas, USA.
"I think McGregor is the better fighter. He's faster, has the advantage in arm span and his style is more awkward. Chandler is straightforward, so I'm leaning towards Conor.
On the other hand, it's tough for a guy to come back after a long layoff, especially in a five-round fight. Conor is coming back from a bad leg injury and he's going to have to fight five rounds right away," Sonnen said on his podcast.
Elijah Topuria, the current UFC featherweight champion, said in a recent interview that he will be the highest paid athlete in the world next year. It's worth noting that last year, the world's highest paid athlete was Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, earning $275 million dollars for the year.
"Look, I'll tell you this. I have no doubt that in 2025 I will be the highest paid athlete in the world. That's for sure. I'd be surprised if it doesn't come true, honestly," Topuria said in an interview with Webpositer.
Recall, not so long ago Topuria, who is a Real Madrid fan, several times posted photos with Barcelona legend Lionel Messi on his social networks, admiring the Argentine.
UFC featherweight champion Alesandre Pantoja revealed that six years ago he trained with current titleholder Sean O'Malley.
UFC flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg explained how he got the offer to fight division champion Alexandre Pantoja.
"When I placed an order at KFC, I got a call offering me a fight with Pantoja. At this point I was in a difficult position: I had no idea what to do - finish my order or put it aside to start calling my father and coach. In the end, I decided to finish my order from KFC first," said the Australian in an interview with the UFC YouTube channel.
Recall that the fight between Pantoja and Ercega will be the main event of the UFC 301 tournament, which will take place next weekend in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira can't stop talking about his dream of sharing the octagon with former two-division titleholder Conor McGregor.
"Everybody knows about it already. I've asked to give me a fight with Conor a thousand times. But I don't think he wants to fight me. I've said it many times - this fight would bring me a lot of money. That's why I like him," - quotes the words of the Brazilian MMA Fighting.
Recall that McGregor will face Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303 on June 29. For the star Irishman this performance will be the first since July 2021.
UFC lightweight champion Alesandre Pantoja reacted to criticism of former middleweight titleholder Sean Strickland. Earlier, the latter compared bouts in the 56.7kg category to "little kitten fights".
"The fighters at the lightest weight are working hard as hell too. It's nonsense that people say such things. You don't have to talk that kind of nonsense. You want me to be out of work, out of money? Don't say shit like that.
I'm pissed at Strickland for what he said about the lightweight division and women. Shut your mouth! Start respecting what we do. This is what I do for a living. In the lightweight division, everybody respects each other, we've all been through a lot," MMA Mania quoted the Brazilian as saying.
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has spoken out about his upcoming fight against Hamzat Chimaev, which will take place on June 22 at the promotion's debut event in Saudi Arabia.
Charles Oliveira, former UFC lightweight champion, has stated his desire to return to the octagon as soon as possible.
"I left Vegas, asking the management to organize a new fight for me as soon as possible. I have a desire to come back. I had two or three stitches above my eye, but they have passed. I'm not injured and I'm ready to fight again as soon as I get the call from the UFC. I want to fight the guys who are above me. That's why we should wait and analyze our next move.I don't have any injuries, but everyone knows camp is camp. I want to take my time, do everything right, no crazy stuff. Why not take a fight that will make me money and strengthen my legacy? We have to think about it and talk to the organization. Why not move up in weight and make a big fight?" - MMA Fighting Portal quoted Oliveira as saying.
Emerson Falcao, coach of former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo shared his expectations for the upcoming fight between his charge and American Jonathan Martinez.
"Martinez is a tough opponent. He has a very diverse arsenal, he kicks well with his feet. We have tried to align our training camp with his style. Jose is well prepared and, most importantly, motivated. He wants to fight, he wants a fight and he expects to win by knockout. We can expect from him only a brutal victory by knockout," said Falcao.
Recall that the fight between Jose Aldo and Jonathan Martinez will take place on May 4 in Rio de Janeiro in the co-main event of UFC 301.
UFC featherweight champion Elijah Topuria has once again stated that he will only give former division leader Max Holloway a fight if he puts the BMF belt on the line.
"Right now it doesn't make sense for Holloway to fight me. He realizes I'm going to beat him, knows it deep down. If you are BMF and you have a chance to fight for the title, what are you going to do? You've got to fight. Max is telling me to sign a contract, do this, do that. But where are you? Put the belt on the line.
I told him I wasn't going to fight him unless he put the BMF belt on the line, and he told me, "The real BMF doesn't win the title that way." You want me to put that belt on and you're not going to do it. So if you lose, you still hold the BMF title. How does that work? It doesn't make sense," Bloody Elbow quoted him as saying.
