Sean Strickland on Dricus Du Plessis defeating Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 – “Well that was depressing”
Sean Strickland isn’t happy about Dricus Du Plessis defeating Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. The ever-outspoken UFC middleweight recently took to social media to air his frustration and claimed the result was “depressing.” Du Plessis shockingly beat Whittaker in a middleweight title eliminator at UFC 290 last weekend and secured an incredible second-round TKO victory. In the aftermath, ’Stillknocks’ shared a tense face-off against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the octagon. With Dricus Du Plessis almost certainly fighting Adesanya for the title next, Sean Strickland finds himself on the waiting list for the next championship opportunity. For context, ‘Tarzan’ emphatically called for a title shot after finishing Abus Magomedov at UFC Vegas 76. Expressing his dismay at the South African securing a massive upset win over Whittaker, Strickland tweeted: “Well, that was depressing… Well, looks like we wait….” Strickland is on a two-fight win streak, last beating Magomedov and Nassourdine Imavov to redeem two consecutive losses against Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier. While it’s highly unlikely that the 32-year-old American gets to fight Israel Adesanya next, the two middleweights share a mutual dislike for each other and have made no effort to hide it. “Give me the f*cking title. I earned it.”- Sean Strickland claims the UFC owes him a title shot Earlier this month, Sean Strickland secured an impressive second-round TKO win over promotional newcomer Abus Magomedov at UFC Vegas 76. After his victory, ’Tarzan’ called for a title shot and claimed that he’s paid his dues to the promotion by taking unranked fights. While Strickland is the No.7-ranked middleweight contender, his last two opponents weren’t the caliber that the fans expect him to face at this point in his career. He cited good money and staying active as the reasons behind his decision to accept those fights. However, ‘Tarzan’ now wants his willingness to accept challenges with risk but little reward, to be rewarded. At the UFC Vegas 76 post-fight press conference, Sean Strickland claimed he wants a shot at divisional champion Israel Adesanya and said: “It needs to happen, you guys. We know Izzy is on f*cking repeat… Every time they try to bring new blood in, I send them back. Give me the f*cking title. I earned it… I paid my dues. I’ve f*cking paid my dues… Even if Dricus f*cking (wins)… I’m a good sport, man… I f*cking need it, dude. I want it. You guys, the fans, want it. You f*cking want it.”
Conor McGregor claims he will compete for the BMF title on his return in a confusing Twitter post
It seems Conor McGregor has his eyes on the UFC’s infamous black and silver ‘BMF’ belt. The Irishman recently insinuated that he wants the ‘Baddest Motherf**ker’ title and took to social media to call out the next contenders for the special one-of-a-kind honor. The BMF title was something that came out of Nate Diaz calling Jorge Masvidal out after his spectacular victory over Anthony Pettis at UFC 241. The Stockton slugger boldly proclaimed himself the “baddest motherf**ker in the game” and wanted to prove it by facing ‘Gamebred’ in the cage. Masvidal ultimately beat Diaz in a welterweight contest to take the symbolic belt home and held it till his retirement in April. With Justin Gaethje set to go up against Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 for the now-vacant BMF title, Conor McGregor recently fired shots at both top-ranked lightweights and named himself Masvidal’s successor. Claiming that the title was meant for him, he tweeted: “And don’t think for one second that the BMF belt isn’t being lined up specifically for the Mac Dad. Little one-division twerps.” Ariel Helwani on the one obstacle that could prevent Conor McGregor from returning. MMA journalist Ariel Helwani recently offered his two cents on Conor McGregor potentially returning to action this year. ‘The Notorious’ has been away from the octagon for two years due to suffering a nasty leg fracture during his last fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. After an extended period of recovery, he made his return as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter opposite Michael Chandler this year. The two coaches were highly expected to throw down in the octagon sometime later this year, but there has been no progress on that end so far. However, Ariel Helwani believes the Irishman wants to return and put on a show for his fans. In a recent interview with Daily Star, the MMA journalist claimed that the only problem with McGregor returning is time and stated: “I think we’ll see him come back. I think he wants to come back, and I think by this time next year, he will have already, it’s just a matter of where he fits in… Father Time is undefeated, as they say, and it’s hard as you grow older, and you have those long lay-offs, to get back. I think the fires there, the question is like, is he gonna train as much and all that?” In a previous interview, Conor McGregor told Ariel Helwani that he’s certain that his fight against Michael Chandler will happen this year, and mentioned December as the most probable month.
“You’re a coward bro” – Sean Strickland calls out Belal Muhammad for “propagating war” and “divisive” ideologies on social media
It is no secret that Sean Strickland and Belal Muhammad share a contemptuous relationship. Strickland recently recalled engaging in a war of words with Muhammad on the Israel-Palestine issue and explained why he despised the UFC welterweight. ‘Tarzan’ recently appeared as a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) podcast and discussed various topics with Rogan. During their conversation, the two men touched upon the subject of why Muhammad and Strickland disliked each other. The 32-year-old American explained that they once clashed over his opinions on how Palestine should stop fighting and seek peace with Israel for a better future. In a recent edition of the JRE MMA Show (#143), Sean Strickland claimed that he hated Belal Muhammad’s virtue-signaling behavior regarding Palestine’s issues with Israel. ‘Tarzan’ then lambasted ‘Remember The Name’ for spreading enmity and said: “Palestine would be way better if they threw out Hamas and went to Israel saying, ‘Hey, let’s make this shit better.’… But then you have someone like Belal Muhammad, who lives in Miami and barely ever goes to Palestine… Propagating war instead of bringing the olive branch… You’re a coward bro. You sit here in America and say divisive sh*t on your couch with your Twitter thumbs.” Brendan Schaub reacts to Sean Strickland dominantly beating Abus Magomedov at UFC Vegas 76 Former UFC heavyweight fighter Brendan Schaub recently weighed in on Sean Strickland beating Abus Magomedov at UFC Vegas 76 and praised ‘Tarzan’ for his incredible performance. Although some fans criticized Strickland for agreeing to fight a newcomer in the promotion, others suggested that ‘Tarzan’ may face difficulties against the larger and more powerful Dagestani fighter. However, the 32-year-old American proved his doubters wrong by putting on a striking clinic to secure a second-round TKO stoppage. In a recent episode of The Schaub Show, Brendan Schaub opened up about the No.7 ranked middleweight’s masterful performance and how impressed he was with Strickland He said: “He melted this dude and on paper, there’s a reason why Strickland was the favorite, but on paper, you look at Magomedov, the way he fights, his skill level… He’s a bigger dude than Sean, good wrestling, good skill set…Thought it would maybe go five rounds and Strickland would edge it out maybe… Just his pressure and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Dagestani mentally break like that, he just beat the s*** out of this kid.” In the aftermath, Sean Strickland angled for a fight against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and called for a title shot. However, with a title eliminator between Robert Whittaker and Dricus du Plessis scheduled for UFC 290 this weekend, it seems ‘Tarzan’ might have to wait longer for his shot at the belt.
How did Raven win 32 WWE titles?
Scott Levy, widely known by his ring name Raven, was a highly accomplished WWE star who finished as one of the most decorated wrestlers in the sport’s history. Raven’s spanned several significant promotions, including Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/E), and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). Renowned as one of the best talkers in wrestling, he employed psychological heel tactics to captivate audiences and establish himself as a master of manipulation. His rivalry with The Sandman in the mid-1990s is one of professional wrestling’s most emotional and intense feuds, leaving a lasting impact on fans and critics alike. With an astonishing 37 title reigns to his name across WWE, WCW, ECW, and TNA, Raven is one of the most successful wrestlers in history. Among his numerous accolades, he held the World Championship thrice and set a remarkable record of 27 reigns as WWF/E Hardcore Champion. Following a successful eight-plus year career in TNA, now known as Impact Wrestling, Raven was deservedly inducted into the Impact Hall of Fame in 2022. This honor reflects his significant contributions to the promotion and the lasting impact he had on the wrestling industry as a whole. His seven reigns as the Hardcore Champion are among his most notable achievements. During the Attitude Era, the Hardcore Championship saw a flurry of title changes, and Raven capitalized on this chaotic environment to secure the title on multiple occasions. Out of his 27 reigns, Raven’s last 15 reigns were fleeting, lasting less than a day. This statistic highlights the transitory nature of the Hardcore Championship during that time. Raven’s Impact on the WWE Stratosphere Focusing solely on Raven’s Hardcore Championship reigns would do him a disservice. He significantly contributed to Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), where he held the ECW Championship twice. Raven played an integral role in its growth as a cornerstone of the outlaw organization. Notably, he had the title for an impressive 252-day reign from 1996 to 1997, making it the third-longest authority in ECW Championship history. Raven’s success extended beyond ECW. He also had notable runs in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he captured the WCW United States Championship and the WCW Tag Team Championship. Before his time as Raven, he competed under the name Scotty Flamingo and held the precursor to the Cruiserweight Title, the WCW Light Heavyweight Championship. These accomplishments showcase Raven’s versatility and ability to excel in different divisions and promotions. Despite his championship success, Raven’s character remained true to his brooding and melancholic persona. It seems that even record-breaking achievements couldn’t cure his persistent ennui. Nevertheless, his impact on the wrestling world and his contributions to ECW and WCW solidify Raven’s place among the best in the business.
Tracing the career of “R-Rated” WWE Superstar Edge
The iconic opportunist of the WWE world, Edge, was introduced to the platform at a very intriguing time. The Attitude Era was in full swing, with many big and memorable names staking their names at the forefront. Superstars like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, and The Undertaker ruled the wrestling scene, and a relatively unknown figure quietly entered the WWE. Edge’s breakthrough as a singles competitor came when he defeated Jeff Jarrett for the Intercontinental Championship, although Jarrett quickly won it back. By that time, I had lost interest in the WWF. Nothing had been done to retain my viewership until Edge and Christian crossed paths with The Hardy Boyz. Edge’s career began when he formed a daring and high-flying tag team with Christian. As part of The Brood, they were portrayed as vampires under the leadership of Gangrel and later aligned with The Undertaker in the Ministry of Darkness stable. Their entrance theme and gimmick added an extra element of fear and horror during the peak of the Attitude Era. However, Edge’s matches against The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz truly solidified his place in wrestling history. These matches showcased innovative and breathtaking spots that revolutionized the industry. Even today, those matches captivate fans, demonstrating the timeless appeal of Edge’s style. Edge’s Iconic Finisher moves Downward Spiral, Edgecator, Spear, Edgecution, and the man con-chair-to. He also showcased signature moves such as the Big Boot, Edge-O-Matic, and Spinning Heel Kick. Copeland formed notable tag teams and alliances, including The Brood, Ministry of Darkness, Edge & Christian, Rated-RKO, and La Familia, which amplified his impact in the ring. Edge’s impressive resume includes a record-breaking seven World Heavyweight Championship reigns; four WWE Championship reigns, five Intercontinental Championship reigns, and twelve WWE World Tag Team Championship reigns. 2007 Copeland was entangled in an alleged steroid ring and drug investigation. Sports Illustrated reported his name, along with other wrestlers, as someone who had purchased steroids and other substances from an online pharmacy. Copeland admitted to using steroids briefly in 2004 following neck surgery but claimed that he quickly discontinued them due to adverse effects. He also stated that he took Human Growth Hormone (HGH) after spinal fusion surgery to aid his recovery, having consulted doctors and followed proper protocols. Despite controversies and setbacks, Copeland’s determination and passion for wrestling have propelled him to incredible heights. With an autobiography, numerous championships, and a place in the WWE Hall of Fame, Edge’s legacy as the “Rated R Superstar” continues to inspire aspiring wrestlers and entertain fans worldwide.
The Rise of the Jerichoholics: 28-time champion Chris Jericho’s WWE dominance
1990s WWE superstar Chris Jericho has made a significant impact in various wrestling promotions, including World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), as well as in Canadian, Mexican, German, and Japanese promotions. Jericho amassed an impressive record of 30 championships across WWF/E, WCW, and ECW, which were prominent American promotions during the 1990s and early 2000s. Notably, he was the first Undisputed WWF Champion, successfully unifying the WWF Championship and the WCW Championship. Chris Jericho’s WWE Champion reigns Within WWE, Jericho achieved a total of six world championship reigns, winning the WWF Championship once, the WCW Championship twice, and the World Heavyweight Championship three times. He is also a record nine-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, a two-time WWE United States Champion, and the fourth WWE Grand Slam Champion. In 1996, Jericho joined Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) upon the recommendation of Mick Foley to promoter Paul Heyman. He quickly made an impact, winning the ECW Television Championship in June 1996. Jericho faced top talents in ECW, including Tazz, Sabu, Rob Van Dam, Cactus Jack, Shane Douglas, and 2 Cold Scorpio. His performances caught the attention of World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Jericho made his first appearance with WCW on August 26, 1996, and participated in his first pay-per-view match against Chris Benoit at Fall Brawl on September 15. He won the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship on two occasions, and his notable feuds included battles against Rey Mysterio, Jr., Dean Malenko, and Juventud Guerrera. Jericho gained infamy for collecting and wearing trophy items from his defeated opponents to the ring. Jericho’s time in WCW culminated in a feud with Goldberg, where he constantly taunted and mocked the undefeated champion. Despite never actually wrestling Goldberg, Jericho claimed to have defeated him multiple times. His tenure with WCW came to an end in 1999. Jericho engaged in feuds with notable superstars such as Chyna, Triple H, and Kurt Angle. He won the WWF Intercontinental Championship multiple times and achieved his first world championship victory by defeating The Rock for the WCW Championship. At Vengeance in 2001, Jericho became the first-ever Undisputed Champion by defeating both The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin in a single night. Jericho’s WWE career included various character shifts, from face (good guy) to heel (villain) and vice versa. He had memorable storylines and matches, including a rivalry with Shawn Michaels, a tag team partnership with Christian, and participation in the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 21. Outside of wrestling, Jericho is the lead vocalist for the band Fozzy, which he formed in 1999.
How the Big Show changed the WWE Universe
Paul Wight, also known as the Big Show, had a long and successful career in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). However, he decided to leave WWE and join All Elite Wrestling (AEW), now WWE’s biggest rival. In an interview with Inside The Ropes in October 2021, Wight discussed his final appearance on air for WWE and the reasons behind his departure. While WWE superstars often fought out against the “man” during their feuds, a real altercation is as rare as it gets. Some famous on-screen feuds include the one between Stone Cold and Vince McMahon, which served as one of the most memorable feuds that ever became a part of the WWE. Here, we look at how the Big Show shook things up by deciding to exit his contract with the WWE. Paul Wight, aka the Big Show’s issues with the WWE Wight revealed that one of the main factors that led to his decision was his frustration about being put in a “legends role” and being perceived as ready for retirement. He expressed his desire to continue performing and not be relegated to a lesser role. Wight acknowledged that WWE tends to utilize its established talent differently, including playing such roles. However, he disagreed with being placed in that position and believed he still had more to offer as a performer. While Wight acknowledged the importance of focusing on younger talent, he felt that the creative department shouldn’t overlook veterans with something valuable to contribute. He described the experience of being criticized by Randy Orton on air as humbling, where he had to check his ego at the door, as is expected in the industry. Wight understood the dynamic but reached a point where he no longer wanted to suppress his aspirations and ego. He ultimately decided to leave WWE and pursue new opportunities with AEW. Wight’s departure from WWE marked a significant shift in his career, as he joined AEW to continue his wrestling journey. His decision to leave was driven by his desire to remain an active performer and not be limited to the role of a legend or forced into retirement. Wight’s move to AEW allowed him to explore new creative avenues and contribute his experience and talent to a growing promotion.
Tracing American Heartthrob John Cena’s incredible WWE career
John Cena embarked on his journey to become a wrestler in 1999 when he started training at the “Ultimate University” operated by Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW) in California. Initially, he portrayed a semi-robotic character named The Prototype. His early career was featured in the Discovery Channel program called Inside Pro Wrestling School. Cena held the UPW Heavyweight Championship for almost a month in April 2000. The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) signed him from UPW in 2001, placing him under a developmental contract and sending him to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), their developmental territory, to continue his training. In OVW, Cena wrestled under the names The Prototype and Mr. P, winning the Heavyweight Championship and Tag Team Championship (with Rico Constantino). Cena’s Rise in the WWE Cena’s first televised match in WWE took place on June 27, 2002, in response to an open challenge by Kurt Angle. Inspired by a speech from WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, where he encouraged young talents to display “ruthless aggression,” Cena impressed by almost defeating Angle but ultimately lost. Following this, he became a fan favorite (face) and engaged in a rivalry with Chris Jericho, defeating him in an upset at Vengeance. Cena later formed a tag team with Billy Kidman but turned heel (villainous) and attacked Kidman after a loss. He then adopted a rapper gimmick and began cutting promos in rhyme. Cena’s popularity grew as he showcased his rapping skills, and he was joined by enforcer Bull Buchanan, later replaced by Rodney Mack. In early 2004, Cena participated in the Royal Rumble match, making it to the final six before being eliminated by Big Show. This led to a feud between Cena and Big Show, resulting in Cena winning the WWE United States Championship from him at WrestleMania XX. During his reign, Cena clashed with SmackDown! General Manager Kurt Angle and was involved in issues with René Duprée and Torrie Wilson. Cena lost the title due to an incident with Angle and later regained it by defeating Booker T in a “best of five” series. However, he lost it to Carlito Caribbean Cool and feuded with him. Cena suffered a kayfabe injury, keeping him out of action while he filmed his debut movie, The Marine. Upon his return, he regained the US title from Carlito and introduced a custom-made spinner-style title belt. Cena continued his rise in 2005, participating in the Royal Rumble and making it to the final two with Batista. The match ended controversially, leading to a rematch that Batista ultimately won. Cena then faced Kurt Angle and earned a spot in the WrestleMania 21 main event, initiating a feud with WWE Champion John “Bradshaw” Layfield (JBL). Cena defeated JBL at WrestleMania, capturing his first world title in WWE. Their rivalry continued, and Cena reclaimed the original WWE Championship belt in an “I Quit” match at Judgment Day. Cena’s impact off the ring Beyond his wrestling career, Cena has been involved in various endeavors outside the ring. He has showcased his musical talents as a rapper, releasing his debut album “You Can’t See Me” in 2005. The album succeeded commercially and featured his entrance theme song, “The Time Is Now,” which became his signature tune. Cena has pursued an acting career and has appeared in several films. His debut came in 2006 with the action film “The Marine,” followed by roles in movies such as “Trainwreck,” “Daddy’s Home 2,” and “Bumblebee.” Cena’s list of championships and accomplishments in WWE is extensive. He has won the WWE Championship a record 13 times, the World Heavyweight Championship three times, and has held numerous other titles, including the United States Championship, Tag Team Championship, and Money in the Bank contract.
Sean Strickland offers Joe Rogan his view of the Ukrainian president – “Zelensky is a piece of s**t”
Sean Strickland is seemingly not a fan of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. The UFC middleweight recently weighed in on the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict and lambasted Zelensky for his undemocratic behavior and for “dooming” his country. For context, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the two nations have been involved in a serious armed conflict ever since. More than a year after the initial invasion, the war has shown no signs of ending anytime soon and has caused extensive loss of human life. In a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show (#143), Sean Strickland and Joe Rogan went deep on the Russo-Ukrainian war and discussed how complex the situation was. However, ‘Tarzan’ admitted that he despised Volodymyr Zelensky and asked how the masses viewed him as an upholder of democracy. He stated: “Putin’s a piece of sh*t… By the way, Zelensky is a piece of sh*t. The president of Ukraine. He’s like throwing political parties in jail, he’s a piece of sh*t himself. I don’t know how we look at him as a democracy… You have doomed your country. Did you see the pictures of the cities? Just rubble. Everything’s f**ked… How do you come back from that as a country.” Michael Bisping makes a case for a Sean Strickland vs. Israel Adesanya middleweight title fight Michael Bisping recently weighed in on Sean Strickland calling for a title shot against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. ‘The Count’ claimed that ‘Tarzan’ has rightfully earned himself an opportunity to compete for the championship. Strickland recently faced Abus Magomedov at UFC Vegas 76 this past weekend and defeated the Dagestani fighter via second-round TKO. The 32-year-old then called for a title shot against ‘The Last Stylebender in his post-fight press conference. Strickland’s title shout was a much-debated topic among MMA fans considering that a pivotal title eliminator between top-ranked middleweights Robert Whittaker and Dricus du Plessis is booked for UFC 290 this weekend. In a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Bisping opined that if Robert Whittaker beats Dricus du Plessis, Sean Strickland should be getting the call-up to fight the middleweight champion. Citing Whittaker’s past two failed attempts to beat Adesanya, Bisping said: “Sean Strickland got the job done… What a performance… He wants to fight…. He wants to fight Israel Adesanya. He feels that Israel Adesanya has fought everyone… He’s fought Robert Whittaker twice… He also said people don’t want to see Whittaker fight him again. I’ll be honest, after that one last night [win over Magomedov], I wouldn’t mind seeing it. And, of course, the trash talk in the lead-up to the fight would be phenomenal.”
Sean Strickland tells Joe Rogan what stopped him from killing a man – “That’s a hard case to beat”
UFC middleweight Sean Strickland is undoubtedly among the most outspoken fighters in mixed martial arts and is well-known for boldly expressing his unfiltered opinions on sensitive social issues. ‘Tarzan’ recently opened up about his dark past, revealing that he almost took a man’s life once. In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show (#143), Strickland spoke to Rogan about various topics ranging from martial arts to politics. During their conversation, ‘Tarzan’ told the podcaster about an incident when he had a gun to a man’s head but refrained from pulling the trigger after realizing how hard proving his innocence in court would be. The 32-year-old narrated a story about getting into an altercation with an armed man at his house party after damaging his wall. However, Strickland managed to snatch the gun away and turn it on the other man. He explained what made him not pull the trigger, saying: “Right as I’m about to pull the trigger, his girlfriend jumps on top of him crying… The problem was, that’s a hard case to beat. You have the gun, he’s defenseless. That’s a hard case to beat.” Sean Strickland goes off on MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz for his unethical actions before Abus Magomedov fight Sean Strickland recently went off on Dominance MMA Management founder Ali Abdelaziz and viciously slandered the Egyptian for spying on him before the Abus Magomedov fight. Last weekend, Strickland went up against Magomedov at UFC Vegas 76 in a middleweight bout. ‘Tarzan’ opened the fight strong and dominated his opponent with his striking to secure an impressive second-round TKO victory. The win also earned the 32-year-old a Performance of the Night bonus. In the same JRE episode with Joe Rogan, Sean Strickland explained how Ali Abdelaziz attempted to hamper his chances against the Dagestani fighter by snooping on him while he sparred in the gym. In an expletive-laden rant, Strickland claimed that managers shouldn’t be allowed into MMA gyms and said: “So this f**king c*nt, Ali… He comes to the gym, he watches me spar with Marvin Vettori… I don’t give a f**k, Marvin’s a friend, I’m trying to help him. And f**king three weeks later you pull out this f**king guy to fight me? And then you start betting that he’s going to beat me… You f**king rat. You watch me spar, and you pull this f**king guy out of your hat… I don’t think managers should be in the gym.”