Specials

Interview: UFC veteran Alistair Overeem predicts Joshua-Ngannou, Jones-Miocic

Alistair Overeem of Netherlands holds an open training session during the UFC Fight Night open workouts at Capital One Arena on December 4, 2019 in...

After yesterday’s weigh-ins, I spoke to former MMA and kickboxing champion Alistair Overeem for the retired Dutchman’s thoughts on a few topics: from predicting how his former foe would fare against Anthony Joshua to gauging interest in the Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic matchup and more besides. Read below for that conversation, as well as final tidbits before fight night.
Continue reading “Interview: UFC veteran Alistair Overeem predicts Joshua-Ngannou, Jones-Miocic”

Specials

Interview: Dan Hardy on Ngannou being MMA’s flagbearer before Joshua encounter

Fighter Dan Hardy provides analysis for the broadcast during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 26, 2020 in Yas...

As the fighters all weighed in before Friday’s Riyadh show, where the final touches are being wrapped up and the stage set… here’s a deeper look from someone with more intimate knowledge of Francis Ngannou’s MMA background – former UFC fighter-turned-analyst Dan Hardy, assessing his chances of an upset against two-time world champion Anthony Joshua tomorrow night. Continue reading “Interview: Dan Hardy on Ngannou being MMA’s flagbearer before Joshua encounter”

Analysis, feature pieces

Knockout Chaos: Finally active and in a groove, Anthony Joshua cannot leave Riyadh with regret next weekend

Anthony Joshua speaks during the Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou Press Conference at Outernet London on January 15, 2024 in London, England.

Armed with new improvements to his ever-changing team, Anthony Joshua has benefited from refreshing activity of late and continues that next weekend against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, buoyed by a moral victory on debut vs. Tyson Fury last October. Given the carrot dangling in the air for both here, the Brit must be sharp to avoid another banana skin.
Continue reading “Knockout Chaos: Finally active and in a groove, Anthony Joshua cannot leave Riyadh with regret next weekend”

UFC

Kayla Harrison’s UFC deal felt inevitable but recent events means arrival falls flat

Kayla Harrison prepares to face Aspen Ladd during the 2023 PFL Championships at The Anthem on November 24, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Two-time Olympic judo champion and PFL star Kayla Harrison has signed with the UFC, per Dana White’s surprise announcement earlier this week, and is already set to face a former champion at 135lbs in April on a stacked UFC 300 card in Las Vegas. Given where she trains, the outside noise and criticism of her opposition in recent years, this move felt inevitable. Is the timing right now? Continue reading “Kayla Harrison’s UFC deal felt inevitable but recent events means arrival falls flat”

Analysis, feature pieces

Fury-Ngannou: However you feel about it all, their lucrative exhibition bout is here

Francis Ngannou trains with coach Dewey Cooper at the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou open workout on September 26 at Ngannou's private gym in Las...

Why haven’t the WBC stripped him? Just another money grab, wasting his prime years. Those are some of the phrases used to describe Fury-Ngannou before their Riyadh showdown this weekend and as fight week begins, the outside noise will pale into insignificance once the two heavyweights from differing disciplines do battle after their loaded undercard on Saturday night. Continue reading “Fury-Ngannou: However you feel about it all, their lucrative exhibition bout is here”

UFC

UFC Paris: Five things we learned from a memorable Fight Night card in new surroundings

Ciryl Gane of France punches Tai Tuivasa of Australia in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at The Accor Arena on September 03,...

Former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane stayed composed and rallied from the first knockdown of his UFC career en route to a third-round TKO finish against Tai Tuivasa during a fun headliner, capping an electric Fight Night card in Paris leaving many talking points – including Robert Whittaker’s future after a masterful decision win over Marvin Vettori and Nassourdine Imavov now riding a three-fight win streak, what’s his next move at 185lbs? Continue reading “UFC Paris: Five things we learned from a memorable Fight Night card in new surroundings”