Steve Erceg, a fighter in the UFC's lightest division, shared his expectations for his upcoming fight with the division's champion, Alexandre Pantoja.
"Pantoja is good - he's champion for a reason. He's strongest on the ground, he has a black belt in jiu-jitsu. Plus, he's stronger than he looks. He also has a very powerful chin. He does a lot of things wrong in the standup, but he gets away with it because he holds his punches. So no, I'm not going to run him over. It's going to be a tough, tough fight. We'll see who turns out to be stronger.... I'm glad I'll be fighting against Pantoja at his house. It'll be loud, I'll be booed. But I've fought in front of unfriendly fans before. I'm looking forward to beating the Brazilian in front of his countrymen and leaving the arena holding the belt," Lowkick MMA quoted Erceg as saying.
UFC lightweightMichael Chandler shared his expectations for the upcoming fight between the organization's featherweight champion Islam Makhachev and Dustin Puryear.
"Everyone has a chance to win. Islam is good. I give respect to this guy who I want to fight. It's lefty against lefty, but Islam is a much tougher fighter. And the ease with which Dustin lets himself get knocked down scares me. But I don't know what's going to happen next week. Let alone seven weeks before the Makhachev-Porrier fight. I don't know how Dustin is going to build a defense against Islam's teikdowns. But Dustin has a very powerful punch. He also has the heart of a champion. I would say Dustin is the most trained fighter I've fought in my life," Chandler said in an interview with The MMA Hour.
Derek Chisora criticized Derrick James, the former trainer of fellow boxer Anthony Joshua. Chisora named James as ineffective due to cultural differences in training techniques. This statement was made during Chisora's talk with Crypto Casino LTD.
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom chairman, openly admitted that the rematch offer for Katie Taylor against Amanda Serrano was too significant to decline. Scheduled for July 20 in Arlington, Texas, this boxing event stands as a chief feature under the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight and will be broadcast on Netflix by MVP Promotions.
British heavyweight veteran Dereck Chisora expressed his opinion that Anthony Joshua in his current form is capable of defeating the current division leaders - Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
"Right now I would bet on Joshua if he has a fight with Fury. His power would be too much for Tyson. Also, we should not forget that Ben Davison (Anthony Joshua's trainer - note) knows Tyson very well, so I think Anthony would win.
Besides, Joshua would have wiped the floor with Usik right now. I don't think the fight would have lasted six rounds. However, considering current records and past performances, the best heavyweight in the world right now is Usik. He has moved up to super heavyweight and conquered it. One more fight and he will be able to prove that he is the best regardless of weight," - quotes Chisora DAZN.
Recall that his last fight Joshua held on March 8, knocking out Francis Ngannou in the second round.
Ukrainian super-heavyweight boxer Oleksandr Usyk believes that compatriot Oleksandr Usyk, the WBA, WBO and IBF world champion in this division, will be able to hold on for victory over British Tyson Fury, the holder of the WBC belt.
"We hope that Alexander will win. But actually I think it will be very hard this time. Because Fury has taken to training very actively. And we see what good shape he's in now. He's lost weight. I think he's going to try to outbox Usik. I don't think he'll be charging for a knockout. I think he will try to outscore by speed," - quotes Zakhozhego vRINGe .
Recall that the long-awaited fight for all belts in heavyweight will take place on May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Former boxing opponent Jorge Linares commented this Wednesday that Devin Haney's increased weight could boost his knockout potential in the upcoming 140-pound title fight at Barclays Center on Saturday.
Former world featherweight champion Jai Opetaia has denied rumors that he sent WBC heavyweight division titleholder Tyson Fury to the canvas during their sparring session.
"It's all bullshit. It's all fucking bullshit. It's annoying that reporters are spreading absolute lies instead of creating something positive. Two top fighters in two different weight classes helping each other move on. It's good for boxing and they want to criticize us and turn us against each other. It's stupid.
I've seen people say in interviews, "This happened, that happened." But they don't know anything. It's bullshit. Everybody who says this or that happened is really lying. You know what I'm saying? Unless you really weren't there, you don't know anything. I think that's a lesson for everybody. The rumors spread very quickly. It should be a lesson for everybody," Opetaya said in an interview with YouTube channel Seconds Out.
American veteran of the UFC lightweight division Michael Chandler assured that in his upcoming fight with Conor McGregor, he will not attack the Irishman's left leg, which he broke in his fight with Dustin Puryear in July 2021.
"His 'sore leg' in his usual stance ends up in the back. So there's no point in me targeting it. You have to concentrate on your strengths. Heavy hand strikes to the head and body, translations, constant pressure and working to exhaustion. That's Michael Chandler's style. And it's silly to think I'd change anything.
On the other hand, breaking an opponent's rack can be beneficial. It affects movement and movement and punching power. But I don't think I'll be throwing a lot of leg kicks. I haven't thought about that yet," Chandler said on the air of The MMA Hour show.
Recall that the fight McGregor - Chandler will be the main event of the tournament UFC 303, which will be held on June 29 in Las Vegas.
Former UFC middleweight champion and current commentator and analyst Michael Bisping has spoken out about the upcoming fight between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa.
"Crazy fight, huh? Costa hits more powerfully, it's clear beforehand. I've trained with Strickland, he's very good in terms of boxing. He almost finished Adesanya in the first round. Shawn is ready to fight dick to dick, nipple to nipple. His style is tied around the jab though. Costa will come forward and punch hard. But Shawn has the advantage of stamina. This will be a five-round fight. And that's a significant advantage for Strickland because he has a style that allows him to conserve energy. Costa hits hard, he throws spinning kicks, he throws high kicks. It's all nice and cool, but those techniques take a lot of energy," Bisping wrote on social media.
