REPORT: Paulo Costa pulls out of UFC 291, new opponent lined up for Ikram Aliskerov
UFC middleweight star Paulo Costa has reportedly pulled out of his fight against Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291. According to sources based in Aliskerov’s camp, ‘Borrachinha’ has withdrawn from the matchup less than a fortnight before the event in Salt Lake City, Utah. According to a report by @judobetter995 via @SpinninBackfist on Twitter, Aliskerov will still compete at UFC 291, albeit against a different opponent. It seems Georgian middleweight contender Roman Dolidze has replaced Costa and will be stepping up on a 12-day notice for the high-altitude fight at The Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Iterating that nothing is official as yet, @judobetter995 wrote: “My inside source just told me that Costa vs. Ikram is not going to happen, and UFC is looking to book… Dolidze Vs Aliskerov… Nothing official, but info comes from Ikram’s camp, so I’m sure it’s true.” If the news is indeed accurate, it would be Paulo Costa’s second canceled fight this year. He was scheduled to face Robert Whittaker in February, but the Brazilian disputed the announcement, and the fight never materialized. Costa last beat Luke Rockhold at UFC 278 via unanimous decision. The win stopped a two-fight losing skid against Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori. Paulo Costa hints at accepting a super fight against Khamzat Chimaev after reported UFC 291 pullout Paulo Costa recently sent fans into a frenzy by hinting at a potential matchup against grappling sensation Khamzat Chimaev. MMA-based Twitter handle @MMAPauli recently claimed Paulo Costa pulled out of UFC 291 to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. While the tweet sent MMA fans into a frenzy, the Brazilian added fuel to the confusion with a cryptic message. He wrote a one-word comment under the tweet, stating: “Smart.” Costa and Chimaev aren’t on good terms. The two men were involved in an altercation at the UFC PI last year. In the following months, ‘Borz’ and ‘Borrachinha’ traded insults online and in interviews, fueling speculation of a future fight. While fans are undoubtedly excited about the prospect of witnessing Paulo Costa fight Khamzat Chimaev, the Brazilian is known to be a notorious troll online. It remains to be seen if his comments meant anything real.
Paddy Pimblett hopes to be ranked by next year, opens up on weight issues and discipline
Paddy Pimblett recently opened up about his future career moves and claimed he is seriously trying to be more disciplined about his eating habits. It’s no secret that Paddy Pimblett is a foodie through and through. ‘The Baddy’ is known for ballooning in size between training camps due to his extremely high-calorie food intake. However, Pimblett has realized that his incredible transformation wreaks havoc on his long-term health and aims to eat better going forward. Given that the lightweight contender is recovering from ankle surgery, his weight has decreased as he goes through physical rehabilitation. In hopes of keeping it that way at this pivotal point of his career, the 28-year-old Liverpudlian recently told SLOTHBOXX in an interview: “I’m hoping to have another three fights in the bag, another three wins by the end of next year, and be ranked. After a fight, I’ve got a bad eating disorder. At the minute, I’m not too bad because, obviously, I had surgery. I went to America and got fat again, then came back and had surgery. And after the surgery, my weight has just gradually come down.” He continued: “Now I’m just walking around at about (185 pounds) and not really watching what I’m eating… After every fight, I’ve just ballooned up and started eating 8,000 calories a day. Now I probably won’t do that… Injury permitting, I’ll fight before the end of the year. But I’m not going into another fight, not 100 percent again.” Watch the full interview below: Paddy Pimblett on the Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury heavyweight boxing match Paddy Pimblett recently weighed in on the highly anticipated Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury boxing match. The Liverpudlian is confident that his compatriot will emerge victorious and outlined how he thinks the fight will go. ‘The Predator’ is set to face ‘The Gypsy King’ in the squared circle on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Considering the months of speculation about Ngannou’s boxing debut, fans are already hyped to see the former UFC heavyweight champion go up against the WBC heavyweight champion. Interestingly, both heavy hitters have promised to engage in a slugfest that ends with a “devastating knockout.” In the same interview mentioned above, Paddy Pimblett was asked for his thoughts on the matchup, to which he replied: “I think Tyson Fury will keep him in range and jab him. To be honest. Jab his head off. It’s a completely different sport… Ngannou’s got that one-punch knockout power, just like Wilder… But I can’t see him beating Fury. I can’t see anyone beating Fury. Can’t even see Usyk beating Fury.”
Logan Paul Takes Up Ricochet’s WWE Raw Challenge: Sparks Are Set to Fly
In a riveting turn of events this week, the social media sensation and WWE’s recent sensation Logan Paul has accepted the challenge thrown down by Ricochet, the high-flyer of WWE Raw. For three consecutive weeks, Ricochet had been calling out Paul, and finally, he got his response. Last Monday, the two WWE stars had a heated encounter on the Raw stage. Paul, also known as “The Ultimate Influencer,” accused Ricochet of trying to leverage their feud to his advantage. Paul, with only three singles, matches under his belt against wrestling giants The Miz, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins, seemed to view Ricochet’s actions as an attempt to hitch a ride on his burgeoning popularity. However, Ricochet remained unfazed by the accusations and managed to get under Paul’s skin. By the end of the night, he had issued another challenge, asking Paul to face him in the next week’s Raw in Tampa Bay, Florida. Paul’s Acceptance In a surprising response, Paul was delighted to accept the challenge. “CHALLENGE ACCEPTED,” he tweeted, while simultaneously mocking Ricochet’s promo and nicknaming him “Mr. Clean.” This enthusiastic acceptance has upped the anticipation among WWE fans, who are eagerly waiting to see these two face off once again. Background of the Bout The animosity between Ricochet and Paul can be traced back to the Royal Rumble in January when the two had a memorable encounter. The internet went wild over the viral moment when both of them launched themselves at each other from opposite ends of the ring. The tension only escalated earlier this month at Money in the Bank when a high-risk Spanish Fly move resulted in both of them crashing through two tables. Despite the past confrontations, Ricochet appears to have the upper hand, having won their altercation a week ago. This upcoming bout, then, is not just about pride or settling scores; it’s about making a statement. A Highly Anticipated Clash As the showdown looms, it is indeed intriguing to ponder what the wrestling stars have in store for each other and the fans. Ricochet is no stranger to high-stakes matches, and his agility and unique style could pose a challenge for Paul. On the other hand, Paul has proven himself as an unexpected force in the wrestling world. Even though his experience in the WWE is relatively limited, he has already held his own against some of the industry’s top names. The upcoming WWE Raw in Tampa Bay, Florida, will not be just another night of wrestling. Instead, it promises a nail-biting clash between two stars with a lot to prove. The stage is set, the gauntlet has been thrown, and the world waits in bated breath to see who emerges victorious in this electrifying confrontation.
Charlotte Flair thanked her fans! Celebrating 10 Years at WWE
On this day, July 17th, exactly a decade ago, “The Queen” Charlotte Flair first graced the NXT television with her debut match, marking her tenacious journey in WWE. Introduced by the two-time WWE Hall of Famer and her father, Ric Flair, Charlotte (who was only referred by her first name at the time) had signed her WWE contract just over a year before, in May 2012. A Debut to Remember Her initial battle was against Bayley, a match that concluded with Charlotte’s triumphant win using a flipping neck breaker. This impressive move would later gain recognition as Natural Selection. This debut wasn’t just a personal victory for Charlotte, but a herald for what was to come in the world of women’s wrestling. Women’s Evolution Ignited Two years following her impactful NXT debut, Charlotte ascended to the main roster alongside Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks. This shift is often credited as the unofficial beginning of the “Women’s Evolution” or revolution in WWE, where the women’s division started receiving amplified spotlight and recognition. An Unprecedented Reign Throughout her extraordinary eight-year run on the main roster, Charlotte Flair has undeniably reshaped the landscape of women’s wrestling. With a record-breaking 14 Women’s Title reigns under her belt, Flair’s accomplishments include seven reigns as Smackdown Women’s Champion, six-time Raw Women’s Champion, and a unique feat as a one-time Divas Champion, a title she helped merge with the new Women’s Title in 2016. Beyond these, Flair is a two-time NXT Women’s Champion and a Women’s Tag Team Champion. A Legacy in Progress The grand tally of championship wins might serve as a riveting debate in the future, considering her father Ric Flair and John Cena both boast of 16 WWE/World Title reigns in their illustrious careers. With her current trajectory, it seems plausible that Charlotte could surpass this record within the next few years. A Gratitude Note to Fans In the light of her decade-long journey, Charlotte Flair turned to Twitter to express her gratitude towards her fans. Responding to a tweet that featured a video and photos of her WWE debut, Flair stated, “I have the most loyal and best fans in the world. Thank you for all the support the last ten years. The best is yet to come! Diamonds are Forever.” Ten years in and Charlotte Flair continues to redefine the sport, carving a path for herself and others who dare to dream. As she enters her second decade with WWE, one can only speculate what heights “The Queen” will conquer next. Indeed, with Charlotte Flair, the best is always yet to come.
Brock Lesnar Unleashes Fury on Cody Rhodes, Accepts SummerSlam Challenge
Atlanta, GA – WWE Raw witnessed a brutal showdown that left fans in shock and anticipation. The Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar, unleashed his fury on the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes, in his hometown before accepting the SummerSlam challenge. A Heartfelt Beginning in Atlanta The night started with an emotional Cody Rhodes stepping out to a roaring ovation from his home crowd. Fighting back tears, he addressed his rival Brock Lesnar and thanked his mother Michelle, who was watching from ringside. Cody warned Lesnar, “I’m willing to wait all night to meet you face to face.” His determination was evident, but the audience had no idea of the storm that was about to unfold. The Ambush: Brock Strikes As Cody moved to greet his family, Brock’s music hit, but the former world champion was nowhere to be seen. Cody headed backstage, only to be attacked by a chair-wielding Brock, who then stepped out onto the stage. The beatdown was intense as Brock attacked Cody, dragging him toward the ringside area. He performed an F-5 right in front of Cody’s family, but Brock was far from done. A Terrifying Display of Dominance The Kimura Lock, one of Brock’s most lethal moves, was next. The hero was trapped in front of his family and then again in the middle of the ring. The pain in Cody’s eyes was evident, and the terror in his family’s faces was heartbreaking. Standing tall over his rival, Brock winked at Cody’s mother and shouted, “Challenge accepted. I’ll see you at SummerSlam, b***h!” The words echoed through the arena as fans were left in stunned silence. A SummerSlam Showdown Looming The brutal attack on Cody has set the stage for an epic showdown at SummerSlam. The anticipation is building, and the WWE universe is eager to see if the American Nightmare can bounce back from this devastating beatdown. The SummerSlam challenge has been accepted, and the Beast Incarnate is ready to face his rival. The intensity, the emotions, and the rivalry will all come to a head in a match that promises to be unforgettable. Conclusion: A Night to Remember Monday night’s episode of WWE Raw will be remembered for Brock Lesnar’s savage attack on Cody Rhodes. In front of his family and home crowd, Cody was left battered and humiliated. But the American Nightmare is known for his resilience, and fans can expect him to come back with a vengeance. The stage is set for a blockbuster showdown at SummerSlam, and the WWE Universe is bracing for a match that could be a classic in the making. As Cody recovers from his injuries, the question remains: Can he overcome the Beast Incarnate at SummerSlam? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the fans are in for a treat.
Conor McGregor wants Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg in the UFC
Conor McGregor recently shared his two cents on the highly anticipated Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg super fight. Given that ‘The Notorious’ is undoubtedly the biggest superstar in mixed martial arts, thanks to the UFC, it’s unsurprising that the Irishman wants the two tech billionaires to brawl in the famed promotion. While the Tesla and Meta Platforms CEOs were always considered rivals within the tech industry, they are keen to take their competitiveness to the MMA cage. After engaging in some light banter on social media last month, Musk and Zuckerberg agreed to fight each other and seemingly roped UFC president Dana White in to make it happen. White later confirmed that the fight was “very real.” While fight fans are undeniably hyped to see the Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg fight, Conor McGregor recently claimed that the event must take place under the UFC banner. In an exclusive Daily Mail news-byte, the Irishman said: “I’m interested. Are they gonna go ahead with it? Are they gonna make it happen? If it happens under the UFC banner, I’m with it. It has to happen under the UFC banner.” He further added: “I’d do a bit of work with them. I hope they go ahead with it. Their pockets might be large, but is the talk cheap? They said it. Are they gonna do it now? I’m excited to see how it unfolds.” Jake Paul sees Nate Diaz fight as a stepping stone toward Conor McGregor clash While Conor McGregor has rebuffed every fight callout by Jake Paul, ‘The Problem Child’ is unwilling to give up. It’s no secret that McGregor and Paul share an extremely contentious relationship and have traded barbs on several occasions. Jake Paul is set to face McGregor’s former rival Nate Diaz in the boxing ring on August 5 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. While the 26-year-old is undoubtedly looking forward to settling his differences with the Stockton slugger, he’s already looking ahead to a potential Conor McGregor fight. In an interview with talkSPORT, Paul outlined his plans to get McGregor to fight him next and claimed: “When I knock out Nate Diaz, I think Conor McGregor’s going to see me, want a payday, and come and get knocked out… I told everybody that I would fight Conor in any form of fight because he, in my opinion, is that sh*t. I’ll do MMA, I’m not afraid to step in there.” Meanwhile, Conor McGregor is expected to face Michael Chandler in the octagon sometime later this year. The two are currently featured on The Ultimate Fighter as coaches, with Chandler 7-0 up so far.
Israel Adesanya revisits Jon Jones encounter – “It was divine intervention”
Israel Adesanya believes a higher power made his recent chance encounter with Jon Jones possible. It’s no secret that there was no love lost between ‘The Last Stylebender’ and ‘Bones.’ The two eminent champions have a history of bad-mouthing each other, exchanging brutal verbal shots on social media that often involved personal insults. Despite their weight-class difference, Adesanya and Jones even contemplated fighting each other in the octagon. However, their rivalry seems to have thawed over the past few months. After unexpectedly showing each other respect in interviews and podcast appearances, Israel Adesanya shocked the world by posting a video of himself and Jon Jones hanging out like old friends at a famous casino in Las Vegas. While many thought their meeting was a publicity stunt, the Nigerian-born Kiwi insists that it wasn’t. In a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Israel Adesanya described his meeting with Jones and credited the supernatural for making it happen. He said: “I said it’s no one’s business. When I posted about it, I was like, it’s between me and him. That’s it. But it definitely wasn’t a fake encounter. I think it was divine intervention. I honestly do because I feel like there are so many timelines that could have ended up just differently… We just sat down and chopped it up.” Upon being asked if the hatchet had been buried, Adesanya replied: “Yeah. We have understanding and common ground.” Catch Adesanya’s comments here (10:37): Israel Adesanya addresses his emotionally-charged face-off with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290 Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis shared an intense face-off after the South African’s shocking win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. The Nigerian-born Kiwi sounded off on Du Plessis in a racially charged rant, calling ‘Stillknocks’ the N-word multiple times while getting in his face. For context, Du Plessis irked the UFC’s ‘Three African Kings’ with his libelous comments about their African roots and heritage. The South African claimed that Kamaru Usman, Francis Ngannou, and Israel Adesanya left the African continent for plushy lives in developed countries and that he was a more “authentic” African than them. As a result, Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis exchanged heated words on social media building up to their recent face-off. In the same video mentioned above, Adesanya discussed his language during their confrontation and said: “He worked hard. I manifest for myself, and I make sure I do the work to get that manifestation right… Even at the prep time, I was giving him energy, like positive affirmations. When it happened, I just lost my sh*t… I could feel myself turning.” [4:05-7:00] Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis are expected to fight in a middleweight title bout at UFC 293 in Sydney on September 10.
Israel Adesanya on Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury, reveals he’s going to Saudi Arabia for super-fight
Israel Adesanya recently weighed in on the highly anticipated Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury boxing match. ‘The Last Stylebender’ described how happy he was for his “big brother” and revealed that he will be traveling to Saudi Arabia to witness the heavyweight super fight live. ‘The Predator’ shockingly quit the UFC earlier this year after months of contract renewal negotiations failed to bear fruit. Upon becoming a free agent, Ngannou made no secret about his intentions to pursue his dream of boxing and was linked to several world-class pugilists like Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua. After months of speculation, he is booked to fight WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia on October 28. In a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Israel Adesanya discussed the Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury fight. The Nigerian-born Kiwi revealed that he texted the Cameroonian as soon as he heard about the announcement and said: “As soon as I heard the news recently, I was the first person to text him. I was like, ‘I’m gonna be there to witness history.” Adesanya further added: “I think he’ll be back in the UFC. He has to make his bag elsewhere first… Dana and him have beef, but I feel like he’ll do what he has to do and be back in the UFC… That’s big bro… I’m going to Saudi Arabia. I’m witnessing that sh*t live.” Georges St-Pierre on Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury Widely considered among the greatest MMA fighters ever, Georges St-Pierre is a former two-division UFC champion, and few can rival his influence on the sport. The Canadian legend recently weighed in on the highly awaited Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury boxing match. Francis Ngannou proved many of his doubters wrong by securing an incredible big-money fight against arguably one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. The two combat sports superstars are slated to go ten rounds against each other under official professional boxing rules. However, it has been reported that Fury’s WBC belt will not be on the line. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, ‘Rush’ took a neutral stance on the fight. He iterated that while he’s rooting for Francis Ngannou to beat Tyson Fury, it won’t be easy for the Cameroonian to take on the perennial heavyweight champion in the boxing ring. He said: “Well, I’m glad for Francis because he’s going to make a lot of money. Probably a lot more than all his fights in the UFC. On the other hand, my heart is with Francis, but he’s going to take on the champion. The best boxer in his sport. So he’s the one going into another sport and the odds will not favor him… But we never know.”
John Cena says the WWE is much better now than when he first started
John Cena, the legendary face of WWE for over a decade, recently shared his perspective on the evolution of professional wrestling since he first entered the business. In a conversation with Kevin Hart on the show “Hart To Heart.” Cena expressed his belief that pro wrestling has significantly improved over the years. He discussed the growth and transformation of WWE into a globally-reaching entertainment phenomenon, emphasizing the industry’s positive changes in talent care, professionalism, and health. John Cena says the WWE has improved comprehensively since he first joined Cena acknowledged that the pro wrestling landscape has dramatically shifted since he began his career. He recognized WWE’s exponential growth and transformation by comparing it to other industries, such as basketball, football, and baseball. The company has become a massive entertainment juggernaut that can stage events worldwide, from AT&T Stadium in Dallas to performing for troops in Afghanistan. Cena attributed this expansion to WWE’s ability to reach a broad audience, particularly with the shift towards a PG product that appeals to multiple generations: “The business has changed so much since I started.I think a whole lot better. Again, I’m thinking for you, I bet you comedy’s changed from ’98 until now. That’s the biggest thing, it has grown exponentially. To the point where — I always preface the NBA and the ABA in the ’70s, MLB in the late ’70s and ’80s, pro football in the ’80s. Like pro football now, it’s an operation. The NBA now is an operation, MLB’s an operation.” Cena also claimed that modern WWE stars tend to take better care of their body, and are much smarter: “As the company grows, it’s trying to gain more of a following, it’s trying to gain more of a fanbase, a general fanbase, so you have to act accordingly. The great news, I feel, is the talent are better taken care of. They’re more professional. They’re more understanding. They’re not as wasteful, they’re a lot smarter. They’re a lot healthier.” Cena’s observations highlight the positive trajectory of WWE and its impact on professional wrestling as a whole. The company’s transformation into a global entertainment phenomenon has allowed it to adapt to a changing world and gain a more diverse following.
The Undertaker gets referenced on Marvel’s Secret Invasion
The iconic WWE Hall of Famer, The Undertaker, has transcended the WWE Universe and made his presence known in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the recent episode of “Secret Invasion” on Disney+, the character James Rhodes, also known as War Machine and portrayed by Don Cheadle, references The Undertaker during a conversation with Priscilla (Charlayne Woodard) about Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). This revelation confirms that The Undertaker is canonically recognized as a celebrity within the MCU, solidifying his legendary status. The reference to The Undertaker’s WWE persona opens up possibilities for other WWE superstars to exist within the MCU. Dave Bautista, known for his wrestling career as Batista, transitioned to the MCU, portraying the character Drax in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Given that Batista and The Undertaker faced off in a legendary WrestleMania match, it sparks speculation about Batista’s potential existence within the Marvel universe. The Undertaker and the WWE exist in the MCU In the fourth episode of Secret Invasion, James Rhodes enthusiastically shares how he “fired Fury” using a WWE-inspired move, explicitly comparing it to The Undertaker’s signature maneuvers. Rhodes claims that his actions were reminiscent of The Undertaker’s level of excellence and leaves no doubt about the existence of WWE in the MCU. The Undertaker’s mention cements his position as one of the most well-known performers in WWE and acknowledges the impact of professional wrestling within the Marvel universe. While fans will be thrilled to see The Undertaker being referenced in Secret Invasion, wrestling enthusiasts quickly pointed out that the specific move mentioned, a DDT from the top rope, is not one associated with The Undertaker. The DDT is commonly attributed to Jake “The Snake” Roberts, another wrestling legend. Nonetheless, this nod to The Undertaker creates excitement and raises questions about the presence of other WWE wrestlers within the MCU. In addition to The Undertaker’s acknowledgment, WWE continues crossing into the MCU through various avenues. Seth Rollins, a prominent WWE star, has been confirmed for a role in the upcoming film Captain America: Brave New World, previously titled Captain America: New World Order. Rollins’ exact character has not been disclosed, but he has been spotted filming scenes for the movie, further solidifying the connection between WWE and the MCU.