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Tag: UFC – English

  • UFC betting scandal: Jeff Molina breaks silence on how he was taken down

    UFC betting scandal: Jeff Molina breaks silence on how he was taken down

    As legalized sports betting continues to expand, the UFC finds itself grappling with the mounting complexities of maintaining integrity in combat sports. The recent suspension of flyweight Jeff Molina by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has reignited debates about the risks associated with insider betting and the challenges of enforcing strict regulations.

    Molina received a three-year suspension after the NSAC determined he placed bets on a fight involving his teammate, Darrick Minner, despite knowing about Minner’s pre-existing injury, an action that violated NSAC rules. In a November 2022 bout, Minner, under the coaching of James Krause, faced Shayilan Nuerdanbieke.

    Jake Paul seems unbothered after finding his fiance making a TikTok in their bed

    The fight, marked by Minner’s failure to disclose the injury, triggered suspicious betting patterns and launched investigations into potential misconduct. Both Minner and Krause faced significant penalties, with Krause ultimately being banned from UFC events.

    Taking to social media, Molina defended his actions, emphasizing the relatively small amounts he wagered, his “significant” bet amounting to less than $500-and pointing out that he placed bets across the entire fight card, not just Minner’s bout. However, the 25-year-old also expressed frustration over what he perceives as inconsistent enforcement of betting rules.

    There were more details of the situation

    He highlighted instances where high-profile fighters, like Conor McGregor, openly shared large bets without facing repercussions, calling it a “double standard.” Molina admitted to continuing betting despite the UFC’s directive prohibiting such activities, a decision he now regrets.

    While accepting accountability for his actions, Molina has argued the severity of his suspension, stating, “Acting like 23-year-old me was this fight-fixing mastermind making millions of dollars is comical.” His suspension, retroactive to 2022, allows him to return to competition on November 5, 2025. He was also fined $235.56 in prosecution fees.

    The case highlights the broader issues surrounding betting in UFC. The close relationships between fighters, coaches, and bettors create opportunities for insider information to be exploited. Additionally, the UFC’s relatively low pay for preliminary fighters and mismatches that skew betting odds further contribute to conditions that may enable misconduct, including fight fixing.

    Molina’s suspension underscores the delicate balance UFC must maintain in navigating the growing popularity of sports betting. As fans and gamblers alike engage with the sport, the organization faces increasing pressure to ensure fairness while safeguarding its reputation. The Molina controversy serves as a stark reminder of the vigilance required to preserve the integrity of combat sports in this new era.



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  • UFC star Bryce Mitchell claims he sees “demons” just two months after praising Hitler

    UFC star Bryce Mitchell claims he sees “demons” just two months after praising Hitler

    There are red flags in the UFC after seeing fighter Bryce Mitchell make a strange statement in a video about the “demons” he sees in his dreams, not long after making a scandalous praise of Adolf Hitler two months ago.

    Mitchell, who has a seven-year career in the Mixed Martial Arts company after winning “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2018, shocked the sports world when he claimed that the former Nazi leader was “a good person” and that the Holocaust never happened.

    The Featherweight fighter praised Hitler for attempting to “purify” Germany from the “greedy Jews” who were “destroying his country,” a statement that did not go unnoticed by UFC President Dana White.

    Mitchell’s Demon Dreams

    Now, nearly two months later, Mitchell is back in the spotlight, raising concerns about his mental state after claiming he suffers from “demonic dreams” before his fight with Jean Silva at UFC 314 next month.

    McGregor en la Casa Blanca en el da de San Patricio

    “Good morning, everyone,” he said in an Instagram video message. “I need all my Christian warriors to pray for me so I can sleep peacefully.

    “Every night since the day before the press conference, I’ve had demonic dreams. Legions of demons attack me every time I sleep.”

    “When I mentioned the name Jesus, he became aggressive, barking like a dog and shouting, ‘F you, f you, f you,’” Bryce Mitchell said.

    He continued, “Remember, guys, the days of fighting for myself are long gone. Now, I fight for the name of the Lord. The devil isn’t going to waste his time trying to bring down a loser. He knows that a victory for the Lord is coming.”

    What happened there? Zuckerberg and Pereira’s awkward moment after UFC 313!

    Mitchell expressed confidence in his upcoming fight, stating, “I will win in the name of Jesus Christ. The man’s demons will be cast out of my presence, and he will fall before me just like Goliath fell before King David.”

    Silva responded to Mitchell’s comments on social media, writing, “Bryce, two things: These aren’t demons, it’s just you being scared to face me. And about the beautiful women, you’ve got a hormone called testosterone, and you probably have issues with it.” Silva also warned Mitchell to be ready for their fight on April 12th, saying, “Just be ready, because I will be.”

    Mitchell is set to return to the UFC after his controversial comments about Adolf Hitler earlier this year, which led UFC President Dana White to publicly criticize him.



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  • Oscar De La Hoya offended by Dana White's alliance with Turki Alalshikh

    Oscar De La Hoya offended by Dana White's alliance with Turki Alalshikh

    A battle is brewing between UFC champion Dana White and the conservative side of boxing, mainly with Golden Boy Promotions boss Oscar De La Hoya putting up resistance

    With the announcement of White’s new boxing league, the former world champion, who is now involved in promotional activities with his company Golden Boy Promotions, has just realised where he stands in the UFC CEO’s grand plan for boxing.

    Knockout! Primetime coach learned a lesson on his live show from a female boxer.

    Oscar De La Hoya feels offended

    Dana White and His Excellency Turki Alalshikh announced some time ago the launch of their new boxing league. Alalshikh has partnered with TKO Holdings to launch this initiative, which is also rumored to promote the long-awaited fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford later this year as its inaugural event.

    The Golden Boy got involved in the matter when the GEA chairman made a comment about his ambition with the TKO Boxing League. After the announcement of the league alongside Dana White, Turki Alalshikh bluntly stated: “I am confident that this league, in a short time, will blow everything away”. While this may have generated excitement among fans, with Oscar… it did not!

    You see, White, as he himself claims, will use his UFC model in the league to take it to new heights. Therefore, Oscar interpreted Alalshikh’s comments as if White had been given the reins of boxing, which did not sit well with the promoter. “That comment offended me a little bit,” Oscar De La Hoya told Fight Hub TV on March 11. “I’ve been in boxing all my life. I’ve been promoting for over 20 years.”

    “So what I want to do is stay in my lane and do what I do for Golden Boy and DAZN, and offer the fans the best fights possible, just as we’ve done for years.” He stated that “working with Turki over the last year or so has been an honor for me. However, “I have my business that I will take care of. And nobody is going to touch me in that regard, because we are the best promoters in the world of boxing.”

    Since Oscar’s response to Alalshikh’s comments, White has clarified whether he will work with figures such as Oscar De La Hoya, Eddie Hearn and others.

    Dana White on uncertain future with Oscar De La Hoya and others

    Dana White has been clear about his vision for the new boxing league: he refuses to work with existing promoters or even regulatory bodies. His goal is to replicate the UFC model, where fighters remain exclusive to the promotion, avoiding outside competition. While this strategy has worked in MMA, boxing works differently.

    The best talent is usually tied to promoters such as Oscar De La Hoya, and the big difference in fighter pay makes recruitment difficult. In any case, when White was asked about his intentions to work with Oscar, Hearn and others, he revealed the fate of Oscar and others in his plans: “I don’t know how this is all going to play out, we’ll see how it goes.”

    Despite his firm stance against promoters and regulators, White’s latest comments suggest he is venturing into uncharted territory without a clear plan. Should he adopt or maintain his vision? What is the best decision for his boxing venture?

    It is with information from Essentially Sports



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  • Alex Pereira's defeat to Magomed Ankalaev complicates his move to the heavyweight division

    Alex Pereira's defeat to Magomed Ankalaev complicates his move to the heavyweight division

    UFC 313 left many surprises, and one of the biggest was the defeat of Brazilian fighter Alex Pereira to Dagestani Magomed Ankalaev

    For the first time in his career, ‘Poatan’ looked like a completely different fighter, and not in a good way. Although he started the fight well, he could not cope with the pace of Ankalaev, 32, who used all his skills to dismantle the now former UFC light heavyweight champion

    What happened there? Zuckerberg and Pereira’s awkward moment after UFC 313!

    The defeat was a heavy blow for the 37-year-old Brazilian, as it not only cost him the belt, but could also have curtailed his plans to move up to the heavyweight division, plans he was reportedly considering before the fight against the Russian.

    Alex Pereira’s future is a concern

    Daniel Cormier, former UFC champion, opined that this could be the end of the line for Pereira in terms of switching to the division heading to heavyweight

    If he had won, Alex Pereira had planned a showdown with Jon Jones

    Cormier mentioned that, comparing the physical statistics of Ankalaev and Pereira, there were not many differences, but what really weighed was the constant pressure that Ankalaev managed to apply without Pereira being able to fight back with the same intensity.

    According to Cormier, that lack of power to repel Ankalaev’s pressure could become an even bigger problem if Pereira tries to face the heavyweights

    “When we saw the fight against Ankalaev on Saturday, I get the impression that he has already reached the weight limit. Of course, I don’t think he is strong enough to face someone bigger. Because of the pressure that Ankalaev managed to generate without the danger coming back to him. As we expected, those heavyweights would just easily wade through his punches,” Cormier said in an opinion on his YouTube channel, making it clear that he does not see Pereira being competitive in another division.

    Despite the defeat, Alex Pereira remains one of the most respected fighters in the UFC. In 2024, he defended his title three times, which allowed him to prove why he is considered one of the best

    Possible rematch with Magomed Ankalaev

    However, in 2025, things changed drastically for him and he is now the former champion. Despite this fall, Dana White, president of the UFC, has opened the possibility for a possible rematch between Pereira and Ankalaev, which could be the last opportunity for ‘Poatan’ to regain his belt and continue fighting for a place in UFC history.

    Former champion Michael Bisping also commented on the situation, noting that champions do not usually fight as regularly as Pereira. However, this rematch could be key to the Brazilian fighter’s future.



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  • Welterweight champion criticises Topuria for moving up to lightweight: “You defended the belt once…”

    Welterweight champion criticises Topuria for moving up to lightweight: “You defended the belt once…”

    Ilia Topuria’s decision to vacate the featherweight title and move up to lightweight in search of his coveted second belt continues to generate opinions as the days go by. The latest to speak out on the matter is Belal Muhammad, UFC welterweight champion. The Palestinian fighter is a gym mate and friend of Islam Makhachev, lightweight champion, so his statements about ‘El Matador’ have not been peaceful. For Belal, Topuria should have waited one or two more fights before moving up in division, an opinion that follows the same line of argument as Makhachev or Khabib Nurmagomedov

    In a recent interview with ‘BelieveYouMePodcast’, Muhammad criticized Topuria for vacating the featherweight belt so soon. Ilia won the belt in February 2024 by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and defended it only against Max Holloway, whom he also knocked out last October. After finishing two of the greatest legends in the history of the division, ‘El Matador’ has set his sights on higher heights, with the number one pound-for-pound as his target. “Yes, you had those two great wins over Volkanovski and Holloway, but there’s still other guys in the division before you say ‘I’ve done everything I had to do at 145, I want to move up,’” explained the Palestinian.

    El tenso cara a cara entre Ankalaev y Pereira en UFC 313

    You had those two big wins over Volkanovski and Holloway, but there are still other guys

    Belal Muhammad, campen de peso wlter de la UFC

    All of this has a direct relationship with the figure of Movsar Evloev (19-0), who despite having an undefeated record has yet to receive the opportunity for the featherweight belt because of how little his fights sell. Being Russian and a friend of the ‘Nurmagomedov Clan’, they have already asked on several occasions for Evloev as Topuria’s next opponent before the Spanish-Georgian made his final decision. “At the end of the day, you defended the belt once and I don’t think it’s enough,” Belal concluded.

    A rivalry that goes back a long way

    The bad blood between Ilia Topuria and Belal Muhammad is nothing new. Months ago, ‘El Matador’ described the Palestinian as a “redneck”, while in an Instagram live he also had some harsh words for him. “Belal is a fake champion. He is an impostor. I think right now in the welterweight division, the one who will come back and take the belt will be Kamaru Usman. It will be an easy job,” Topuria said at the time.Obviously Belal did not remain silent, defining Topuria as “the Georgian version of Colby Covington”.

    Belal is a fake champion. He’s a fraud

    Ilia Topuria, en un directo de Instagram

    The highlight of the feud came with Ilia’s viral tweet. “No finishes, no knockouts, no knockdowns, no girlfriend, no kids… Belal has never finished any man or woman,” ‘El Matador’ tweeted. Since then, whenever they talk about each other it is to increase the beef. It should not be forgotten that Ilia has already said that after getting the lightweight belt he wanted to go for the welterweight belt and be triple champion. For the moment Islam Makhachev is the opponent he wants to face, while between him and Belal another parallel story continues to be generated



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  • Former UFC champion calls Jake Paul a coward for cherry picking his fights: “He preys on older legends”

    Former UFC champion calls Jake Paul a coward for cherry picking his fights: “He preys on older legends”

    Jake Paul is the most polarizing figure in boxing today; media, fans, and boxers either love or hate him, with no middle ground. While his fans support him to the bitter end, his critics, like former UFC champion Michael Bisping, never stop pointing out the age and quality of his opponents.

    Jake Paul’s track record is the most peculiar in boxing. From his fight against YouTuber AnEsonGib, during his beginnings in the so-called influencer boxing, to his fight against former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson last November, the “Problem Child” has mostly faced retired fighters or those past their prime.

    The best opponent he has faced so far is Tommy Fury, boxer, reality TV personality, and brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. The younger Fury is the only one who has been able to beat Paul, and Michael Bisping already knows why.

    Bisping did not hold back in criticizing Paul

    In response to a post on X (formerly Twitter) praising Paul’s career, the former UFC middleweight champion wrote, “Sorry to say it but you’re incorrect. He portrays himself as a fighter but in reality, he’s a businessman, and not a fighter by any stretch. Can’t falut him for that. We all wanna make money.”

    Bisping, who reigned for a year at 185 lbs, was blunt in saying that Paul “preys on older legends that are way past their prime. A real fighter doesn’t know they’re gonna win and they don’t cherry pick fights. They take fights they know they might loose.”

    The former champion didn’t mince his words, saying that’s what makes contact sports exciting. “That’s what’s exciting and inspiring to the average man. Not beating someone way past it, at least 20 years younger. That’s coward sh*t.”

    Topuria respects the “Problem Child”

    But not all is criticism of Jake Paul. Just as Bisping called him a coward, former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria showed respect for what Paul has achieved for boxing. “One way or another, he makes you go to the TV and watch him fight,” said “El Matador.”

    Topuria challenged Paul’s critics to do the same as he has achieved, saying, “You have to give him his credit, you know. And a lot of people says he’s a YouTuber. Do the same thing. Do it. Try doing it.” That’s how Paul’s career has been, with fans and haters hanging on his every move.



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  • Belal Muhammad interferes in Topuria vs Makhachev plans: “I would never fight him…”

    Belal Muhammad interferes in Topuria vs Makhachev plans: “I would never fight him…”

    A very hectic February is expected in terms of announcements in the UFC. There are many champions waiting to know their future, and many great fighters asking to move up in weight and category. Two examples are Ilia Topuria (16-0) and Islam Makhachev (27-1), featherweight and lightweight champions, respectively… but also Belal Muhammad (24-3), welterweight champion since he won it last summer in Manchester.

    His plans could directly or indirectly affect a hypothetical fight between Ilia and Islam. The Chicago fighter, of Palestinian descent, has yet to defend his throne due to injury (he was due to fight Rakhmonov in late 2024), and hopes to return before the summer. However, he refuses to fight Makhachev for the welterweight title

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    “I would never fight Islam because it’s different for me and for him,” Muhammad said in an interview with ‘Barstool Sports Chicago’. “We’ve trained together, and when you’re sweating with someone, and you’re bleeding with someone, and you train with someone like that… it’s just a different relationship. It wouldn’t be about the money for me or for him, I guess,” he said. Both, in addition to having shared camp under Khabib’s command, have the same manager: Ali Abdelaziz.

    For Makhachev “it’s sport”

    Belal eludes him (although Makahchev said a fight between the two should be considered; “it’s sport,” he said) and aims to move up to middleweight: “I would never want to do that, and they have helped me a lot. So in my case, I’d rather move up to 185 pounds and let him stay at 170 if that’s the case.”

    In my case, I’d rather go up to 185 pounds and let him stay at 170 if that’s the case

    Belal Muhammad

    And this, of course, could be a problem for the hypothetical Topuria vs Makhachev. Why? Because if anything could ‘slow down’ Islam’s rise (for now) it was a Muhammad vs Rakhmonov. Now, however, there are rumors of an injury to the Kazakh… and either Belal fights another title contender, or he faces Makhachev. And if he ‘escapes’ to middleweight… it leaves the way clear for the Dagestani to seek the vacant welterweight title.

    Right now, however, it seems quite unlikely that Dana White will allow him to move up: he has not defended his belt even once and the middleweight division is full of contenders for Du Plessis’ throne: Chimaev, Imavov… they do not need ‘fresh meat’ in the high places.

    I want to fight at 155. I don’t really need Islam’s name

    Ilia Topuria

    In reality, Topuria doesn’t really care whether Makhachev is there or not. He already told MARCA’s microphone last Saturday: “I want to fight at 155. I don’t really need Islam’s name. It’s not like he’s anything extraordinary… if he stayed to fight me obviously it’s an exciting fight for the whole crowd and if not, we’ll build our future…”. Straightforward.



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  • Conor McGregor laughs out loud Mike Tyson's brutal response to teenage reporter

    Conor McGregor laughs out loud Mike Tyson's brutal response to teenage reporter

    When Mike Tyson knocks someone out, the world erupts in applause, but no one cheers louder than Conor McGregor. Even if the “opponent” is a 14-year-old reporter who got a response that could have left her scarred for life, McGregor can’t stop applauding the former heavyweight champion’s knockout power.

    The road to the fight between “Iron Mike” and Jake Paul is full of anecdotes, some funny and some not so much. From the slap that Tyson gave Paul in a face-to-face before the fight, to the former champion’s naked butt in the dressing room prior to the fight, everyone remembers something from that historic fight.

    However, few have a more striking memory than Jazlyn Guerra. In an interview days before the fight, the young reporter asked Tyson what he would like his legacy to be “once all is said and done.” The question was innocent enough; the answer, not so much.

    “I don’t believe in the word legacy. I just think that’s another word for ego… We are just dead. We are dust. Absolutely nothing. Our legacy is nothing,” said Tyson, leaving Guerra speechless. Although the interview was a few months ago, McGregor recently dusted it off, adding crazyness to the existential dread.

    McGregor’s unexpected reaction

    It seems that McGregor has some spare time on his hands as he waits for the UFC to give him the green light for his next fight. Between training to face his next opponent and promoting his multiple ventures, McGregor found some space to revisit the infamous interview.

    The former UFC middleweight champion posted the clip of the interview to his Instagram Stories with the caption, “Man is forever,” accompanied by a laughing-out-loud emoji. It’s hard to explain McGregor’s intent in reliving the interview or behind his comment, but it’s undoubtedly completely in character for The Notorious MMA.

    McGregor and Tyson, best friends forever

    McGregor has a very close relationship with Iron Mike. He was one of Tyson’s biggest supporters in his lead-up to the November 15 fight against Paul. Tyson has also shown his support for McGregor, especially in The Notorious’ early attempts to transition from his role as a fighter to that of a promoter.

    The friendship between the two fighters is endearing, whether it’s supporting each other in their respective endeavors or giving a teenage girl a taste of the existential dread reserved for retired warriors.



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  • Alex Pereira vs. Dricus Du Plessis: Sean Strickland heats up UFC's next explosive rivalry

    Alex Pereira vs. Dricus Du Plessis: Sean Strickland heats up UFC's next explosive rivalry

    A storm is brewing in the UFC, and it has the makings of a legendary rivalry. Alex Pereira and Dricus Du Plessis, two champions dominating different divisions, are sparking tension that has fans dreaming of an epic showdown

    The feud transcends weight classes, with Pereira, the current light heavyweight champion, openly declaring his desire to return to middleweight to challenge Du Plessis.

    Pereira’s announcement came after Du Plessis defended his middleweight title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. “I’m coming down to 185 one more time,” Pereira said, setting his sights on Du Plessis. However, the South African champion dismissed the challenge, advising Pereira to stay in his lane during a post-fight press conference at UFC 297.

    A hatred that continues to grow

    Adding fuel to the fire, Sean Strickland-set to face Du Plessis at UFC 312-revealed Pereira’s growing disdain for the middleweight champ. “Alex is an angry guy, man. He hates Dricus,” Strickland said, hinting that Pereira’s animosity runs deep.

    Strickland, who has been training with Pereira and will corner him for his fight, shared that Pereira’s focus on Du Plessis is undeniable, even during Strickland’s own preparations.

    While Du Plessis recently mocked Pereira for cornering Strickland, Pereira responded with his trademark stoicism. Instead of engaging in verbal sparring, the Brazilian champion posted an Instagram story of himself en route to Sydney with his team-a subtle reminder that he’s ready to let his actions speak louder than words.

    The future of this rivalry will be explosive

    Though both champions are currently focused on their respective divisions, the ongoing tension has captivated MMA fans, setting the stage for a potential blockbuster clash.

    With Pereira’s warrior mentality and Du Plessis’ rise to dominance, this rivalry could evolve into one of the most electrifying stories in UFC history. For now, the anticipation continues to build, with fans eagerly awaiting the moment these two titans meet inside the Octagon.



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  • Why Mike Tyson would be the GOAT if he joined UFC in the '90s

    Why Mike Tyson would be the GOAT if he joined UFC in the '90s

    A recent social media post sparked a heated debate among combat sports fans, claiming former UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier would defeat boxing legend Mike Tyson in a hypothetical street fight. The post included an alleged quote from Cormier, suggesting he would prevail over Tyson in such a scenario. This bold claim quickly ignited discussions, with fans and even notable figures like grappling phenom Gordon Ryan weighing in.

    UFC lightweight fighter Chase Hooper also entered the fray, sharing his perspective on the matchup. Hooper reposted a statement from user @DovySimuMMA, who asserted that Cormier would defeat “99.9% of the world’s population in a street fight.”

    Jake Paul declared winner over Mike Tyson fans erupt in boosLUCAS MOSTAZO – ARLINGTON, TEXAS

    Agreeing with the sentiment, Hooper added his thoughts, stating, “The people that think that Mike would beat DC in a street fight are the same ones who thought he’d outbox Jake Paul at 58 years old. Now DC might lose an ear, but one takedown and it’s over.” Hooper’s comment highlighted the significant advantage Cormier’s wrestling and grappling skills would provide in a no-rules scenario.

    While acknowledging Tyson’s legendary striking ability, Hooper emphasized that Cormier’s grappling expertise would likely end the hypothetical fight quickly. He also took a playful jab at Tyson supporters, suggesting they may be overly nostalgic about the boxer’s dominance in his prime. However, Hooper also conceded that Tyson could have been a force in mixed martial arts under different circumstances.

    Revisiting the Cormier-Tyson street fight debate

    Reflecting on Tyson’s career, Hooper noted that financial considerations likely kept the former heavyweight boxing champion from exploring MMA during its early days. “He’d be the undisputed GOAT if he hopped into UFC in the 90s or 2000s,” Hooper wrote, adding, “But the money wasn’t there at the time to be nearly convincing enough.” In the 1990s, UFC was still gaining traction, while Tyson was a global superstar selling out arenas alongside figures like Don King and Donald Trump.

    Hooper further argued that Tyson’s striking prowess would have been unmatched in the UFC during its formative years. However, he acknowledged that today’s fighters are far more well-rounded, excelling in areas like grappling and wrestling. “Current divisions have a lot more well-rounded fighters that I think would give him trouble in the other 2/3rds of the sport that isn’t striking,” Hooper explained. While Tyson’s power remains legendary, MMA’s evolution presents challenges beyond pure striking ability.



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