UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman lays out the necessary requirements for him to move up to middleweight and attempt to become the promotion's next double champion — Fightful has you covered on what needs to happen for Usman to make the move up to 185-pounds as well as other news from around the world of MMA.
Kamaru Usman Lays Out Requirements For Middleweight Move
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman isn't ruling out a potential move to 185-pounds and becoming the UFC's newest double champion.
"Absolutely," Usman responded to ESPN's Brett Okamoto when asked about interest in moving up to middleweight.
“If Izzy is willing to move up," Usman continued. "Well, he is moving up. But, if he’s willing to give up that 185 belt and say ‘I don’t want to have anything to do with that division anymore’ then absolutely. I would absolutely entertain that thought.”
“But, on no account right now would I ever entertain going up to fight with Izzy," Usman explained. "That’s just not something that I am interested in. I’ve stated it over and over and over before. I’d rather there be two African’s with belts as opposed to just one African with two belts. And you know, after March (Ngannou vs. Miocic 2) there’s going to be three Africans with a total of four belts.”
Dana White Claims To Be "Degenerate", Lost $1 Million On Boxing Bet
Rewind to about 15 years ago and UFC President Dana White lost the biggest bet of his life.
Recalling a boxing bout from over a decade ago between Jermaine Taylor and Kelly Pavlik, White admits to losing $1 million during the contest.
"I bet $1 million on Taylor and he got destroyed," White admitted to ESPN.
“Oh my god. What was the kid’s name? Jermain Taylor," White recalled. "And who did he fight? I know this for the ass-whooping I took. He fought the tall, lanky, white kid from Ohio, Kelly Pavlik. It was the first time I ever bet $1 million dollars because I was so confident Taylor was going to win that fight."
Jake Paul Predicts Quick Knockout Of Ben Askren
On April 17 former UFC contender, Bellator & ONE Championship welterweight champion Ben Askren will make the transition to boxing when he faces YouTube sensation Jake Paul.
Both have been making the media rounds just two months ahead of the highly-anticipated showcase and Jake Paul had quite the prediction for the April showdown.
“I don’t think Ben Askren is the type of guy to have any mental weakness at all,” Paul admitted MMA Junkie. “He’s going to go into the fight completely confident. He’s going to be focused in on what he’s going to do. I know he’s the type of guy that likes the sh*t talk, that likes the joking. I think the content that he’s posting is funny, as well. He’s funny. He’s got a good personality. There’s still going to be a lot of sh*t talk back and forth. I don’t hate the guy, but he’s going to get his ass kicked, and he looks like a middle aged Dutch woman. I like to make fun of him."
“His striking ability sucks," Paul claimed. "He punches like a 4th grader. So there’s going to be the sh*t talk in the build up, but I’m not doing any of it to get into his head. He’s gone up against championship opponents. The Robbie Lawlers, the Demian Maias, the Jorge Masvidals – I don’t think any of those guys got into his head at all. I don’t think Ben is scared. But guess what? You don’t have to be scared of someone to get your ass kicked. He can be as prepared as he wants and as mentally ready as he wants, but the outcome will still remain the same."
Former MTV Star-Turned Bellator Fighter Aaron Chalmers Announces Retirement
Bellator lightweight Aaron Chalmers has decided to hang up his gloves.
The MTV "Geordie Shore" star-turned MMA pro began his career in the UK-based promotion BAMMA before he signed with Bellator in November 2018.
Chalmers, 33, leaves the sport with a 5-2 professional record and held a 2-2 record under the Bellator banner.
Chalmers posted the following statement announcing his retirement.
“Today is exactly 6 months without a drop of alcohol and I honestly can say it’s been 1 of the easiest things iv done!! I haven’t missed it and I’m literally fitter and healthier then Iv ever been!!
“I’m at a new gym training towards a new career and that was literally the game changer…. it’s true you do become who you surround yourself with and I couldn’t be happier, roll on the next 6 months I’m gna be a father again and I’m going to be doing summit I love for the next few years and I’m giving it my all day in and day out in training --
“Don’t ever listen or let people tell you that you can’t do something, normally people say that it’s because they want to do it or they don’t want you to do better than them ----”
Henry Cejudo Calls Cory Sandhagen "Next Best" In Bantamweight Division
Former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo doesn't seem to stay out of the news for long, despite being retired.
The former Olympic gold medalist thinks a certain surging contender is the best at 135...not current champion Petr Yan.
“He’s probably, in my opinion, the best 135 pounder other than me,” Cejudo said of Sandhagen when speaking with "The Schmo".
“But you just have to learn to bring the fight to Cory Sandhagen," said Cejudo. "You just gotta bring the fight, that’s it. You cannot give that kid space. He’s extremely dangerous; he’s got talent. But if you don’t bring the fight, he’s gonna get you because there’s one thing that he does know very well, and that’s distance and his composure, which are the things that I look at when I watch a fight.”
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