Mike Tyson And Francis Ngannou Name Jon Jones As Their MMA ‘GOAT’
It seems Mike Tyson and Francis Ngannou share a similar opinion on who the greatest MMA fighter ever is. The two personalities recently sat down to discuss all things related to combat sports and named Jon Jones as their personal MMA ‘GOAT.’ Jones is widely considered to be the greatest mixed martial artist of all time by many MMA enthusiasts. After defeating Mauricio Rua to win the light heavyweight title at UFC 128 in March 2011, ‘Bones’ became the youngest champion in promotional history. He was 23 years old at the time. He soon solidified his status as the most dominant UFC champion with a record-breaking 11 title defenses. His championship run included victories over world-class opponents like Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, and Glover Teixeira. Jon Jones was lauded by almost every major MMA entity for his dominant fighting style, technical abilities, and adaptability. With his exceptional wrestling skills and unique striking, Jones was an unsolvable enigma for his opponents. Outside the octagon, ‘Bones’ is widely known to be a cultural icon, thanks to his larger-than-life persona and propensity for finding trouble. In a recent episode of GOAT Talk for Complex, Francis Ngannou and Mike Tyson revealed who they thought was the greatest MMA fighter of all time. While ‘Iron Mike’ claimed he saw many other fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov as bonafide legends, Jones stood apart. Tyson cited Jones’ perseverance in the face of hardships as his reason for picking him as the ‘GOAT.’ Meanwhile, Francis Ngannou claimed that until his fight against ‘Bones’ doesn’t materialize, Jones would be his ‘GOAT’ as well. ‘The Predator’s opinion was especially surprising to fans, considering the ugly history between him and Jones. Jones was initially expected to fight Ngannou in December 2022, however, that bout fell through after negotiations went sour. Francis Ngannou later quit the UFC in January 2023 due to a falling out with the UFC executives. ‘The Predator’ is now booked to face Tyson Fury in the boxing ring on October 28 in Saudi Arabia.
Coach Eric Nicksick Weighs In On Sean Strickland vs. Israel Adesanya
Xtreme Couture head coach Erick Nicksick recently shared his two cents on the Sean Strickland vs. Israel Adesanya title fight. While the veteran trainer, who coaches Strickland, held back from giving a solid prediction for the fight, he claimed that his pupil had a strong chance of winning if their strategy was carried out perfectly. Strickland is set to challenge Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293 in Sydney this weekend. This will be ‘Tarzan’s first title opportunity and the reigning champion’s sixth career title defense. While the odds strongly favor Adesanya, Nicksick hasn’t given up hope on Strickland to pull off an upset. In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Erick Nicksick discussed the upcoming 185-pound title fight. While he recognized Israel Adesanya’s dominance and exceptional fighting skills, the Xtreme Couture frontman believed in the game plan they formulated for Sean Strickland. He stated that while he saw ‘The Last Stylebender’ as the greatest middleweight ever, MMA was an unpredictable sport, and anything could go wrong at any time. He stated: “In my opinion, Adesanya is the best middleweight ever to do it. We have to go out there and execute this thing correctly, and if we can do that, I think we go home with the W.” Given the bad blood between Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, many eagerly look forward to this grudge match. ‘Tarzan’ is coming off two consecutive wins over Abus Magomedov and Nassourdine Imavov. Meanwhile, the Nigerian-born Kiwi last reclaimed his middleweight title against Alex Pereira via second-round knockout at UFC 287. In the co-main event of UFC 293, Tai Tuivasa and Alexander Volkov will clash in a heavyweight contest. Elsewhere on the main card, Justin Tafa goes up against Justin Lane, and Manel Kape faces Felipe Dos Santos.
Mark Zuckerberg Trains With UFC Champions Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski
Mark Zuckerberg recently shared some footage from his training session with UFC champions Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski. The Meta Platforms CEO was seen doing some wrestling drills with ‘The Great’ and striking with ‘The Last Stylebender’ on an impressive-sized boat in the middle of the ocean. It’s no secret that Zuckerberg is a huge MMA fan and trains in the art regularly. The 39-year-old is also an avid Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, having won several tournaments. Zuckerberg is also a regular attendee at major UFC events and is often seen sitting cage-side to enjoy all the action. Mark Zuckerberg was first spotted training with the two UFC champions in July when there were talks of him fighting Tesla CEO Elon Musk in an MMA bout. While a potential fight between the two tech billionaires certainly generated a lot of hype among fans, the excitement has fizzled out over the past month due to their talks stalling. In a recent cinematically aesthetic video posted to Instagram, Zuckerberg showed off his impressive MMA skills. While a Mission Impossible voice-over played in the background, Israel Adesanya can be seen sparring with someone unknown. Meanwhile, Alexander Volkanovski grappled with the billionaire. Adesanya can also be seen kicking his partner into the water before repeating it using his wrestling techniques. Mark Zuckerberg and his world-champion friends undoubtedly seemed to have the time of their lives on the boat. As mentioned, the Zuckerberg vs. Musk fight looks like a pipe dream for both tech moguls at this time. However, it seems the Meta Platforms CEO is keeping himself fit for whenever it happens. Meanwhile, Israel Adesanya is set to face Sean Strickland at UFC 293 this weekend in Sydney. This bout will mark the Nigerian-born Kiwi’s sixth career title defense. On the other hand, Alexander Volkanovski is coming off an impressive third-round TKO over Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290.
Tiffany Stratton Sets To Defend Her WWE NXT Championship Next Week Against Becky Lynch
In a turn of events that no one saw coming, Tiffany Stratton, the current WWE NXT Women’s Champion, is set to defend her title against WWE Superstar Becky Lynch in the main event of next week’s NXT episode. The WWE world is anxious about this match after Stratton erroneously cited Becky Lynch as one of the greatest WWE NXT Women’s Champions ever. The irony? Lynch has never actually held the NXT Women’s Championship. The stage was set during Tuesday’s episode of NXT, where Stratton emerged victorious in her match against Kiana James. The crowd was already on their feet when an even bigger surprise occurred: Becky Lynch appeared on the entrance stage screen. Lynch pointed out that although she’s a decorated WWE Superstar, the NXT Women’s Title is one accolade that has eluded her throughout her illustrious career. Lynch’s appearance on the NXT stage wasn’t entirely out of the blue. Stratton had been making waves on Raw and had even shown up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the Payback premium live event. Stratton had been ringside, keenly observing as Lynch took on Trish Stratus in a high-stakes cage match. Now, it was time for Lynch to return the favor, and she did so by laying down a challenge that Stratton could hardly refuse. Both the wrestling community and social media went into a frenzy as the NXT’s official channels confirmed that the match was indeed happening. Becky Lynch, also known as “The Man,” stated that the time has come for her to make a mark on NXT history by securing the one title that she has never won. For Lynch, this match represents a missing puzzle piece in an otherwise star-studded career, which includes multiple reigns as Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion. On the flip side, Stratton acknowledged the gravity of the upcoming bout, calling it the “biggest match of her career.” Despite being relatively new to the business with just two years of experience, Stratton has skyrocketed to prominence in a short span, capturing the NXT Women’s Championship and successfully defending it multiple times. Facing someone of Lynch’s stature could cement Stratton’s reputation as one of the top talents in WWE today, or it could serve as a harsh reality check. While the odds seem to favor the seasoned veteran Becky Lynch, the world of professional wrestling is anything but predictable. Stratton has already turned heads and defied expectations by rising quickly through the ranks. With the NXT Women’s Championship on the line, she has the opportunity to prove that her title reign is not a flash in the pan, but rather the beginning of a new era in NXT history. Lynch, on the other hand, can fulfill a career-long dream by winning the one title that’s eluded her. This much-anticipated match not only puts the spotlight squarely on the NXT Women’s Championship but also on NXT itself, drawing attention to a brand that has been a launching pad for many of WWE’s current top talents. All eyes will be on next week’s NXT episode as two distinct generations of female wrestling talent collide. Whether you’re Team Stratton or Team Lynch, one thing is for sure: the upcoming match will be a monumental moment in WWE history, and it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top.
Who Is JD McDonagh? Will He Join The Judgment Day Faction?
The Judgment Day celebrated their position as the most dominant team in WWE to date, as they emerged from WWE Payback 2023 with several championships under their belt. After the Live Event Premium, Damian Priest (in addition to owning the Money in the Bank briefcase) and Finn Bálor were crowned WWE Couples Champions; while Rhea Ripley retained the Women’s World Championship and Dominik Mysterio continues to be the NXT North American Champion. JD McDonagh, gaining points against The Judgment Day The celebration was great since each member of the group held a title. However, during the celebration, J.D. McDonagh made an appearance on stage, which caused Damian Priest some annoyance. However, the newcomer had a surprise in store: a personalized Money in the Bank briefcase for the Archer of Infamy. The segment did not end there, since Sami Zayn made his entrance to express his dissatisfaction with the way The Judgment Day snatched the TAG TEAM Championship from him and Kevin Owens, and challenged Dominik Mysterio, who played a fundamental role in that victory. Surprisingly, JD McDonagh spoke on behalf of The Judgment Day and, although Priest and the others initially showed annoyance, they were satisfied when McDonagh decided to face Sami instead of Dominik. JD McDonagh vs. Sami Zayn It was so that the aspiring to be part of The Judgment Day took the best of his arsenal to put Sami Zayn in a predicament, he had a few moments at the beginning of the fight, but ended up being dominated by JD, who did not get tired of hitting him. Sami struggled for several minutes until he finally managed to react and took control of the match, seeking to finish off his rival at any cost. But just when he was going to finish McDanagh, Dominik Mysterio appeared to help him. Sami hit Dom and got distracted, which was taken advantage of by JD to take the match. But not happy, Sami continued to attack “Dirty” who was now rescued by McDonagh, who ended up receiving Zayn’s punishment.
3 Possible Opponents For CM Punk If He Returns For WWE This Year
CM Punk’s potential return to WWE has wrestling fans buzzing with excitement. If he were to make a comeback to the company this year, there are several exciting opponents he could face. Here are three possible opponents for CM Punk if he returns to WWE in 2023: 1. Seth Rollins: The feud between CM Punk and Seth Rollins has a real-life history, with Rollins previously referring to Punk as a “cancer. This personal animosity could be translated into a compelling storyline, making their matches must-see events for fans. 2. Roman Reigns: Roman Reigns has become one of WWE’s top stars, and a clash with CM Punk would undoubtedly be a marquee match. Punk’s return could involve challenging Reigns for the Universal Championship, creating a high-stakes showdown. 3. John Cena: John Cena is a WWE legend, and a final showdown between him and CM Punk could be a dream come true for fans. Their history and rivalry in the past could provide the foundation for an epic encounter, perhaps even at a major pay-per-view event like WrestleMania. With CM Punk’s return to WWE, any of these matchups would generate significant interest and excitement among wrestling enthusiasts.
Everything You Need To Know About Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland UFC 293 Fight
The UFC is gearing up for an exciting showdown as Israel Adesanya, the reigning middleweight champion, prepares to defend his title against Sean Strickland at UFC 293. Taking place in Sydney, Australia, on September 9, 2023, this event promises to be a thrilling night of mixed martial arts action. Fight Date and Timing Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 9, as the action kicks off at 10 p.m. ET in the United States and 3 a.m. UK time. The main event, featuring Adesanya vs. Strickland, is expected to start around 1 a.m. ET in the U.S. and 6 a.m. UK time. Keep in mind that these times might vary depending on the duration of the undercard fights. For viewers in the United States, the event will be available on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View. UK fans can catch the action on TNT Sports 1. Venue The fight will take place at the Quodos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, setting the stage for an international showdown between two formidable fighters. Israel Adesanya’s Journey Israel Adesanya, also known as “The Last Stylebender,” is on a quest to solidify his legacy as a dominant middleweight champion. He breathed new life into his MMA career with a spectacular knockout victory over Alex Pereira at UFC 287. Now he’s ready to face the challenge posed by Sean Strickland. Sean Strickland’s Return Sean Strickland is no stranger to the middleweight division, having returned in 2020. He has only suffered two losses since then, making him a tough contender for Adesanya’s title. Fight Card Aside from the highly anticipated Adesanya vs. Strickland clash, the UFC 293 card boasts an exciting lineup of bouts: Main Card: 1. Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland (for Adesanya’s UFC middleweight title) 2. Tai Tuivasa vs. Alexander Volkov (heavyweight) 3. Manel Kape vs. Felipe dos Santos (flyweight) 4. Justin Tafa vs. Austen Lane (heavyweight) 5. Tyson Pedro vs. Anton Turkalj (light heavyweight) Prelims: 1. Carlos Ulberg vs. Jung Da-un (light heavyweight) 2. Jack Jenkins vs. Chepe Mariscal (featherweight) 3. Jamie Mullarkey vs. John Makdessi (lightweight) 4. Nasrat Haqparast vs. Landon Quinones (Lightweight) Early Prelims: 1. Mike Mathetha vs. Charlie Radtke (welterweight) 2. Shane Young vs. Gabriel Miranda (featherweight) 3. Kevin Jousset vs. Kiefer Crosbie (welterweight) Betting Odds In the main event, Adesanya is the clear favorite with odds of -650, while Strickland is the underdog at +470. The co-main event features a closer matchup, with Tai Tuivasa as the underdog at +205 and Alexander Volkov as the favorite at -250. UFC 293 promises to be an unforgettable night of MMA action, as Adesanya defends his title against Strickland in front of a global audience. Make sure to tune in on the specified date and time to witness this epic showdown in the world of mixed martial arts.
Ciryl Gane Claims His Home Broken Into During The UFC Paris Main Event
In a shocking turn of events, French MMA star Cyril Gane found himself the victim of a burglary during the UFC Paris main event. Gane, who had recently returned to the octagon after a submission loss to Jon Jones in March, was headlining the event and emerged victorious by knocking out Serghei Spivac in the second round. However, his celebration was short-lived, as he returned home to discover that his house had been ransacked by thieves. The incident, which occurred in the Nogent-sur-Marne commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, left Gane without £128,000 worth of jewelry and other valuables. While Gane was focused on his fight, opportunistic criminals took advantage of his absence to steal a host of luxury items from his residence. Law enforcement was alerted to the burglary at 7:30 a.m., but by then, the thieves had already fled with their ill-gotten gains. Video footage from the scene is being used to identify the culprits and recover the stolen items. Gane, understandably shaken by the break-in, has not yet commented on the incident. Among the items reported stolen was a luxury Rolex wristwatch, adding to the substantial value of the stolen goods. This unfortunate incident highlights the vulnerability of public figures like MMA fighters, even in seemingly secure locations. Gane, who had been riding high on his recent victory, must now focus on moving forward without his luxury assets. Despite this setback, Gane is expected to continue his career in the UFC and is slated to face English competitor Tom Aspinall. The winner of this bout is likely to earn a shot at the coveted heavyweight world championship belt. Gane’s ordeal is not isolated, as several other French athletes have fallen victim to similar crimes in recent months. This incident serves as a reminder of the security challenges faced by high-profile athletes and the importance of safeguarding their homes and valuables. While French authorities investigate the burglary and work to apprehend the thieves, Cyril Gane remains determined to rise above this unfortunate episode and continue his pursuit of MMA excellence.
Laura Sanko Set To Make Commentary Debut At UFC 293
In a groundbreaking moment for the world of mixed martial arts, Laura Sanko is set to become the first female commentator to call a UFC pay-per-view event. This milestone is scheduled to take place at UFC 293 in Sydney, an event that promises intense action and excitement. Laura Sanko, a former professional MMA fighter, has been a familiar face in the UFC since 2016, primarily serving as a backstage reporter. However, she is now preparing to step into a brand new role as part of the cageside commentary team for UFC 293. Sanko, who is 40 years old, will join lead commentator Jon Anik and UFC Hall of Fame star Daniel Cormier in providing commentary for the event. Her journey into the commentator’s chair began earlier this year at Fight Night 281 in Las Vegas. Upon hearing the news of her role in UFC 293, she expressed her excitement and gratitude on social media, describing it as a dream come true. Sanko’s background adds an extra layer of credibility to her commentary role. She began her professional fighting career in 2013, securing a second-round submission win. Despite taking a break from her fighting career due to family reasons, she returned to the sport, this time as an interviewer and analyst. Sanko’s journey to this historic moment has not been without challenges. She has faced criticism from some who questioned her qualifications for the job, attributing her success to her appearance. However, she emphasized that her male co-workers and fellow fighters have shown her respect, contributing to her position at the commentary table. In this historic debut, Laura Sanko will not only bring her deep knowledge of the sport but also her passion and dedication to the world of MMA. Her presence as the first female commentator at a UFC pay-per-view event marks a significant step forward in the industry, breaking barriers and inspiring future generations of commentators and fighters alike. Laura Sanko’s commentary debut at UFC 293 promises to be a momentous occasion for the sport and its fans worldwide.
AEW Dynamite All Confirmed Matches For 06th September 2023
AEW Dynamite is all set to deliver another electrifying episode tonight, September 6, 2023, with a lineup that’s sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats. The episode will serve as a critical stepping stone in the build-up for two highly-anticipated events: the Grand Slam 2023 special and WrestleDream 2023 PPV. The wrestling world is buzzing with excitement, as tonight’s card promises drama, action, and potentially a few surprises that could shake the landscape of AEW. One of the most awaited bouts of the evening is the tag team clash between Le Sex Gods, comprised of Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara, and the formidable Aussie Open. The storyline leading to this matchup has been intense. Guevara stood loyal to Jericho when others turned their backs on him, but a spat between the two erupted following Jericho’s loss to Will Ospreay at All In. The tension was diffused when Jericho extended an olive branch to Guevara last week on Dynamite, proposing that they join forces to aim for tag team glory. Just when things seemed to be smoothing over, Aussie Open initiated a feud, taunting Jericho for his commentary remarks during last week’s Rampage. Sammy Guevara quickly came to Jericho’s aid, setting the stage for tonight’s thrilling confrontation. Considering Aussie Open’s remarkable list of championships including IWGP, NJPW Strong, and ROH Tag Team titles, the stakes are incredibly high for both duos. While the tag team match is expected to garner a lot of attention, another headline-grabbing segment will be MJF addressing Samoa Joe’s surprise assault on him at All Out. MJF has been a polarizing figure, and fans are eager to hear what he has to say about the unprovoked attack that has left everyone speculating. On a similar note, Hangman Page is also set for a segment tonight, though the details remain shrouded in mystery. But that’s not all. AEW is kicking off its World Title Eliminator Tournament, a multi-week event that will ultimately decide who will face MJF for the AEW World title at AEW Grand Slam. The first match on this road will feature Darby Allin taking on his friend and protégé Nick Wayne. The young Wayne has been under Allin’s mentorship since his arrival at AEW. Both wrestlers have shown signs of potential conflict recently, especially when Allin chose to forgive A.R. Fox for his assault on Wayne. Given that Allin was trained by Nick Wayne’s late father, Buddy Wayne, the emotional weight adds another layer to this already complex bout. Lastly, the World Title Eliminator Tournament will also feature Roderick Strong against Trent Beretta. Strong made it clear last week that he’s in the tournament not just to vie for the world title but also to settle some unfinished business. He aims to succeed where his erstwhile best friend Adam Cole failed—defeating MJF. Strong’s ambitions don’t just end at winning the title; he’s fueled by a vendetta against MJF for sabotaging his friendship with Cole.