Media Man Blog: Combat Sports. UFC, WWE and Boxing

Media Man Blog

Combat Sports. UFC, WWE and Boxing

UFC

KHAMZAT CHIMAEV: SMASH EVERYONE AND GET ALL THE BELTS

UFC Superstar Khamzat Chimaev’s Desire To Crush The Best In The World Continues As He Faces Former Welterweight Champion At UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2

Nothing was going to stop Khamzat Chimaev from fighting at UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2. After more than a year on the sidelines, “Borz” didn’t care who he faced or at what weight class – he just wants to fight, and he made that clear by accepting Kamaru Usman at middleweight after his bout with Paulo Costa fell through just over a week ago.

The 29-year-old superstar told reporters in Abu Dhabi at UFC 294 media day that the whole process of switching from fighting Costa to fighting Usman was a simple one.

“My manager called me to fight Usman and I said ‘OK, let’s go’,” Chimaev said. “For me, it doesn’t matter.”

When it became clear that Costa was going to have to pull out of their middleweight bout due to an infection in his elbow, Chimaev couldn’t help but feel desperate for a fight. He wrote a message to UFC CEO Dana White begging for a fight with anyone. Ranked, unranked, veteran, or newcomer.

“I wrote Dana White and I said, ‘Brother, give me someone, I need to fight,’” Chimaev recalled. “But then my manager called so I deleted the message.”

Once the fight was announced, many fans were thrilled to find out Chimaev was going to fight Usman in a matchup between the former welterweight champion and one of the division’s top contenders.

But Chimaev moved up to middleweight following a weight miss at UFC 279 and that’s how the fight with Costa came about. Now it’s Usman, and Chimaev is just as excited as the fans to finally showcase what he can do against “The Nigerian Nightmare”.

“Since day one when I get to the UFC, everyone spoke about Khamzat and Usman and our wrestling skills and our striking – all of these things. He’s an old version, I’m new. Like iPhones come out - he’s like iPhone 5 and I’m like iPhone Pro,” Chimaev joked. “If there is gold there, of course he’s going to cut the weight, but he couldn’t take the belt so that’s why he asked [to step in]. I’m Khamzat Chimaev. That’s why he comes up to fight to fight me. The guy comes for money, and the money fight is me.”

Chimaev knows that the public applauds Usman’s decision to step in, and while that’s well deserved, he also knows that coming in on short notice could potentially give Usman the ability to point to his lack of preparation if he were to lose.

“The guy comes just to make money,” Chimaev said. “Of course, he comes to win, everyone comes to the fight to win, but he has all the excuses.”

A win over Usman – and a dominant one like we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from Chimaev – would certainly skyrocket him to the top of the list for title fights at both welterweight and middleweight.

Chimaev believes his UFC career is just getting started. He’s planning on being at the top for the next ten years.

He’s confident that he’ll end up facing Costa at some point and he also has his sights on fighting with Israel Adesanya, battling middleweight champion Sean Strickland, and competing with welterweight champion Leon Edwards.

And that’s exactly what Chimaev wants. He wants to face the best in the world and beat the best in the world in a way that no one has ever seen before. If he can do that, he isn’t concerned with how long it takes him to get to a title shot.

He knows that getting belts and records is inevitable.

“I want to fight the best guys. It’s not fun to watch if I’m going to smash somebody that nobody knows. It’s not going to make UFC any money,” Chimaev said. “I’m not after just the title; I’m after all the heads in the UFC. Smash somebody, make money and be happy.

“If I smash everyone, finish everyone, they have to give me all belts.”

UFC

Dana White Announces UFC 294 Co-Main Event

KAMARU USMAN TO FACE KHAMZAT CHIMAEV IN UFC 294 CO-MAIN EVENT

Former Welterweight Champion Replaces Paulo Costa At UFC 294; Faces Rising Star Chimaev

The UFC 294 card continued it evolution Wednesday when UFC CEO Dana White took to social media to announce a major change to the co-main event.

“You know what we’ve been dealing with this week. We just got the big fight done yesterday, the highly anticipated rematch in Abu Dhabi: Makhachev vs Volkanovski,” he said, referencing Tuesday evening’s announcement that Charles Oliveira was injured and would be replaced by the featherweight champion Volkanovski.

“Now you’ve been waiting for the co-main event. Costa’s hurt…we got it done. The No. 4 welterweight in the world, Khamzat Chimaev, is moving up to middleweight and he will face the No. 1 welterweight in the world: Kamaru Usman.”

Usman was one of the most dominant champions in UFC welterweight history before dropping the only two losses of his career back-to-back vs current champion Leon Edwards. He’ll look to build another run to the title, beginning on just 9 days notice vs Chimaev October 21.

Chimaev has become appointment viewing since joining the UFC roster in 2020. Undefeated in his 12 professional bout, with most of his wins coming within the first two rounds, his dynamic style remains a puzzle yet to be solved.

“No. 1 vs No. 4 at middleweight, Usman vs Chimaev,” White said excitedly. “I will see you in Abu Dhabi!”

UFC

CHARLES OLIVEIRA OUT, ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI IN AGAINST ISLAM MAKHACHEV AT UFC 294

Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski Replaces Injured Charles Oliveira For Lightweight Ttile Rematch Against Islam Makhachev

UFC CEO Dana White announced a change for the main event at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will step in against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev after Charles Oliveira was forced to pull out of their scheduled rematch. The main event between Makhachev and Volkanovski is a rematch of their epic duel from February at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia, where Makhachev bested “The Great” via unanimous decision. 

The previous bout between Makhachev and Volkanovski was a back-and-forth affair in front of an electric Australian crowd, who were in full voice supporting their fellow countryman at UFC’s first event in Australia since October 2019. Makhachev successfully defended his title, but some believed Volkanovski did enough to earn double-champ status that night. After the fight, the two champions shared pleasantries, and Volkanovski started pining for a rematch – even saying he was keen to fight Makhachev in Abu Dhabi. 

A few months later, Volkanovski returned to the featherweight division to defend his 145-pound belt against interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez at the end of International Fight Week at UFC 290. Makhachev, on the other hand, has not competed since their initial bout. Headlining UFC’s pay-per-view in Abu Dhabi for a second consecutive year, Makhachev hoped to also repeat his performance at UFC 280 when he submitted Oliveira in the second round to win the lightweight title his mentor and close friend Khabib Nurmagomedov once held. 

The disappointment for Oliveira, meanwhile, is understandably high. “Do Bronx” was adamant that he was too caught up in the intensity of the first fight with Makhachev, particularly after Oliveira was forced to vacate the title when he missed weight before knocking out Justin Gaethje at UFC 274 in Arizona, and thusly underperformed.

Oliveira, never a stranger to bouncing back from adversity, showed he was still one of the best lightweights in the world when he ran through Beneil Dariush at UFC 289, snapping Dariush’s 8-fight win streak.

While one can assume the winner in Abu Dhabi will face Oliveira next, it does get a bit more complicated should Volkanovski win a second belt. That opens the door to a trilogy, a Volkanovski-Oliveira fight or even a situation involving Justin Gaethje, whom many believed earned a title shot with his epic knockout win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 for the BMF title. 

All that said, the Abu Dhabi fans are in for a treat with UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 on October 21.

(UFC)

UFC 294 Tale Of The Tape and Fight Card

TALE OF THE TAPE

Islam Makhachev

Age: 31

Record: 24-1

Height: 178cm

Reach: 179cm

Leg reach: 103cm

Alexander Volkanovski

Age: 35

Record: 26-2

Height: 168cm

Reach: 182cm

Leg reach: 91cm

THE BETTING ODDS?

Volkanovski is once again the underdog despite coming extremely close to pulling off an upset in his first fight against Makhachev.

Volkanovski to win — $3.10

Volkanovski win TKO/KO — $6.25

Volkanovski win via points/decision — $5.80

Volkanovski win via submission — $26

Makhachvev to win — $1.37

Makhachev win via TKO/KO — $6

Makhachev win via points/decision — $2.74

Makhachev win via submission — $4

Draw — $51

FULL UFC 294 CARD (ALL TIMES AEDT)

Main Card (from 5am AEDT)

Islam Makhachev (c) v Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC lightweight title

Kamaru Usman v Khamzat Chimaev — middleweight

Magomed Ankalaev v Johnny Walker — light heavyweight

Ikram Aliskerov v Warlley Alves — middleweight

Said Nurmagomedov v Muin Gafurov — bantamweight

Prelims (from 1am AEDT)

Tim Elliott v Muhammad Mokaev — flyweight

Mohammad Yahya v Trevor Peek — lightweight

Javid Basharat v Victor Henry — bantamweight

Abu Azaitar v Sedriques Dumas — middleweight

Mike Breeden v Anshul Jubli — lightweight

Nathaniel Wood v Muhammad Naimov — featherweight

Viktoriia Dudakova v Jinh Yu Frey — women’s strawweight

Shara Magomedov v Bruno Silva — middleweight

X

"Breaking news. The Lightweight challenger to Islam Makhachev's throne, Charles Oliveira, is out of UFC @UFC 294. The fight that was scheduled for Abu Dhabi, but, good news is, Oliveira out, Alexander Volkanovski in" - Michael Bispin @bisping 

"One phone call. He jumps in and he accepts the fight" - Dana White @danawhite , UFC CEO

#UFC294 

X

Mr. 619 vs Logan Paul. Confrontation that will lead to a dream match for the ages. We're rooting for the all American boy, LP. Pumped with Prime @PrimeHydrate ! #SmackDown 

"What's up guys? I'm Megan Morant for WWE Now getting you set with everything that you need to know heading into tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on FOX".. #SmackDown

Wrestling News

WWE SmackDown. October 20, 2023

Confrontation: Rey Mysterio @reymysterio and Logan Paul @LoganPaul , fresh off his boxing victory and challenge

Iyo Sky @Iyo_SkyWWE  vs Charlotte Flair @MsCharlotteWWE - WWE Women's Title

Santos Escobar @EscobarWWE (Latino World Order) vs Montez Ford (The Street Profits)

And no doubt one of two massive surprises. What's lurking behind the curtain, backstage and in the locker room! Don't forget Nick Aldis is the new sheriff in town in the GM position.

Combat sports meets high drama, technical wrestling, brawling, wrestling faction situations, femme fatales, art imitating life, world's greatest communicators and antagonists and more. William Shakespeare would be proud. If you can't make it to the arena book an appointment with your TV! The lock is counting..

Image credit: WWE

X

"But you Logan. Do. I'm not going to hesitate, to whoop your ass. You say you need this. You want this. You want this title"  - Rey Mysterio

"See. So badly". - Logan Paul

"Well, you know what. I'll give you the opportunity. Logan Paul vs Rey Mysterio for the United States championship at Crown Jewel" Rey Mysterio

#SmackDown #WWECrownJewel 

X

"Listen. It's not my responsibility what happens on Raw, It's my responsibility of what happened on SmackDown. And with that being said. you just earned yourself a $10,000 fine" Nick Aldis

"Well if your fining him fine his brother too. Fair's fair right? Adam Pearce

"I'll tell you what I'll do. Gentlemen, please escort him from the building" - NA

"Man, don't touch me" - Jey Uso

"Easy. Do you think its necessary. I'll escort him out" - AP

"You know, your right.  Please escort them both from the building" NA

"Sir"? Security

"You kicking me out of this building" AP

"Yes I am. Now please" NA

"Let the games begin. Let's go" AP 

#SmackDown

MMA/UFC /Combat Sports/Entertainment News

UFC  294 Press Conference

Question

"Do you think that this fight, UFC 294, is going to make better numbers and is going to be louder and better than than that Francis Ngannou vs Tyson Fury fight"?

"HaHaHa. Um, I would certainly hope so. I would certaily hope so. Yeah, listen. Let's be honest, without smashing anybody here. These are the best fighters in the world here, in each weight class. That's what you want to see. I mean, you want to see the best fight the best. These two right here are the best. I would say yes sir.  But I'm pretty biased". - Dana White 

The Competition:

Francis "The Predator" Ngannou vs reigning WBC boxing champion Tyson Fury on Oct. 28 in Riyadh.

Riyadh Season is a state-sponsored annual entertainment and sports festival, part of the larger Saudi Seasons initiative held since 2019 from October to March during winter in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh Season 2023

The fourth edition of Riyadh Season will be launching on 28 October 2023 with a brand new identity, new tagline ("big time") and title sponsorship from SNB. The opener event, Battle of Baddest, featuring Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou, will be held on the same day.

This year's Riyadh Season will be marked with the addition of Boulevard Hall, a 40000 capacity indoor arena with FIFA standard football pitch capable of hosting various types of events. It will be renamed to Kingdom Arena in January 2024 and serve as the new home ground of Al Hilal.

The following events will take place as part of 2023 Riyadh Season:

WWE 

Crown Jewel 2023 will be held in Mohammed Abdu Arena on 4 November 2023.

Riyadh Season Tennis Cup, featuring Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Ons Jabeur and Aryna Sabalenka, will be held between 26-27 December 2023.

Riyadh Season Cup featuring Riyadh XI (combined Al Hilal and Al Nassr all-star team), Manchester City, Al Shabab and AS Roma, with dates to be confirmed.

2023 Supercoppa Italiana featuring Napoli, Inter Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina, with dates to be confirmed.

2023–24 Supercopa de España featuring Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Osasuna, with dates to be confirmed.

Riyadh Season has also secured front-of-shirt sponsorship with Serie A club AS Roma, worth 8 million euros per year.

Video

UFC Official YouTube

UFC 294 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 4

https://youtube.com/watch?v=eXz83shcZQk&ab_channel=UFC

Video

UFC Official YouTube

UFC 294: Pre-Fight Press Conference Highlights

https://youtube.com/watch?v=coDJXlH_hUY&ab_channel=UFC

UFC Official YouTube

Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2 - All Questions Will Be Answered | UFC 294

https://youtube.com/watch?v=StwKf9GcCf0&ab_channel=UFC

UFC Official YouTube

Alexander Volkanovski: 'Fighting in Someone's Territory Doesn't Mean Nothing' | UFC 294

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bw2RJWOWiU4&t=10s&ab_channel=UFC

UFC 294: Live Weigh-In Show

https://youtube.com/watch?v=SUwKoYPdzBU&ab_channel=UFC

Video

Alexander Volkanovski YouTube

FIGHT WEEK FACE OFF UFC 294 | Alexander Volkanovski vs Islam Makhachev II Episode2

https://youtube.com/watch?v=bY2ABZ_5TqQ&ab_channel=AlexanderVolkanovski

Video

Riyadh Season YouTube

FURY Vs NGANNOU

https://youtube.com/watch?v=zTISRmnKDz4&ab_channel=%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%7CRiyadhSeason

Top Rank Boxing Official YouTube

Tyson Fury Arrives in Riyadh Ahead of the Battle of The Baddest | Fight October 28 ESPN+ PPV

https://youtube.com/watch?v=dFn8VmpZkdw&ab_channel=TopRankBoxing

Top Rank Boxing YouTube 

Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou | OFFICIAL PROMO | BATTLE OF THE BADDEST | OCT. 28 ESPN+ PPV

https://youtube.com/watch?v=T8n4PxcxwxQ&ab_channel=PremierBoxingChampions

WWE YouTube

WWE Crown Jewel goes big time when it returns to Riyadh on Nov. 4

https://youtube.com/watch?v=woHik9VX1f4&ab_channel=WWE