Alistair Overeem claims his UFC debut win against Brock Lesnar eclipsed the UFC debut of Michael Chandler and much more — this is your Fightful fix roundup.
Alistair Overeem claims his UFC debut was better than Michael Chandler's
Alistair Overeem has dismissed some claims from the MMA world that Michael Chandler has the most impressive debut in the UFC. Chandler earned universal acclaim for his performance against Dan Hooker. But ahead of UFC Vegas 18, Overeem has reminded everyone that his UFC debut was against non-other than Brock Lesnar and is still the greatest UFC debut of all time.
“Definitely better than Michael Chandler. All respect to Michael and his performance, but I don’t think you can even compare those two fights," Overeem said to MMA Fighting. "Alistair vs. Brock Lesnar in 2011, or Michael Chandler vs. Dan Hooker. I don’t think you can make a comparison between those two.”
Reflecting on the buildup, Overeem has reflected on all the components in the lead up to his fight with Lesnar.at UFC 141 and the former K-1 Grand Prix winner remembers the chaos leading into his first UFC fight.
“I remember everything very clear. There was a lot of things going on. It was crazy. I came off the [Fabricio] Werdum win and then before that the K-1 Grand Prix win and the DREAM title win," remembered Overeem. "It was a very hectic time. A lot of moving parts. I was moving to the states. Fans everywhere. I couldn’t walk around Vegas, I just got chased by fans. It was a crazy time. I’m actually happy it’s not as hectic anymore. It’s a little more calm and soothing.”
Frankie Edgar "upset" he never got Conor McGregor fight
Frankie Edgar and Conor McGregor was a fight that has been speculated a few times but one that never materialized. The pair seemed destined to fight at featherweight during "The Notorious" one's rise to superstardom. Edgar admits that is the fight that got away and given McGregor is focusing on lightweight, it doesn't seem possible for them to face off.
“Of course it upset me. He is the most popular guy in our sport,” Frankie Edgar said of Conor McGregor on Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com. “Anytime you can get in the cage with someone like that you jump at the opportunity. I do think it is in the past, he is at 155, maybe even 170 if he fights Nate, I’m a couple of weight classes below.”
Ben Askren teases wrestling contest with Floyd Mayweather
Ben Askren has teased that once he fights Jake Paul in boxing, he will face off against Floyd Mayweather in a "2 out of 3 falls wrestling exhibition." "Funky" has teased the contest in a presumably joking way as Mayweather has only competed in boxing and given Askren is a two-time NCAA D-1 wrestling champion, a two-time Big 12 Conference champion, and a two-time Dan Hodge Trophy recipient, we can assume Askren is just poking fun at Mayweather and Paul.
PUMPED TO ANNOUNCE that after I beat up @jakepaul live on @triller April 17 I will return to my roots. @floydmayweather has agreed to a best 2 of 3 falls wresting exhibition. After I pin Floyd in no time flat I anticipate pinning several more amateurs. pic.twitter.com/4nJXwDB8eq
— Funky (@Benaskren) February 4, 2021
Paul hasn't been quiet himself recently and has commented on Askren's boxing and bizarrely comparing it to a "middle-aged Dutch woman." Askren posted a video on his Instagram of him punching a boxing bag with Paul's face on it, and the YouTuber has seen the funny side of it.
“It’s funny, bro. I’m starting to like Ben, oddly enough. He’s funny. He’s entertaining me right now. I thought that was hilarious. I thought, ‘Bro, what are you doing?’ Like what is that? And it looks like his hands are so small. It looks like he has tiny hands in that video,” Paul said to TMZ Sports (h/t BJPenn.com). “Hopefully, he’s just joking. Hopefully, he’s just trolling. But Ben’s doing a good job to promote the fight, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m going to knock him out in one round. This guy fights and looks like a middle-aged Dutch woman.”
Promoter claims Jose Canseco “took a dive” in Rough N’ Rowdy fight
Dave Portnoy, the owner of Barstool Sports, and the promoter of Rough N’ Rowdy was irate with Jose Canseco’s performance this evening. The fight started but after Billy Football went after Jose Canseco and landed several strikes. They then engaged in a clinch and the intern landed a shot that dropped Canseco and Canseco then grabbed his shoulder and the ref stopped the fight. Portnoy took to Twitter and admitted that he believes Canseco "took a dive."
Jose 100% took a dive. We paid half up front and he got double if he won. We thought that would ensure he’d fight. We were wrong.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) February 6, 2021
Joanne Calderwood calls for No. 1 contender fight with Lauren Murphy, Murphy responds
Joanne Calderwood has called out Lauren Murphy for a number one contender fight given the current landscape of the UFC flyweight division. Calderwood has issued a challenge that she and Murphy should face-off to determine who is next in line and the winner would progress to face Valentina Shevchenko or Jessica Andrade if they fight later this year as rumoured to be the case.
"I was thinking of fighting Lauren Murphy because I know she's kind of waiting for her title shot as well. I definitely like the Valentina and Jessica fight next," Calderwood admitted to The Sun. "Hopefully, me and Lauren Murphy [will fight next] and then the winner of that can go on and fight whoever wins out of those two[Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jessica Andrade]. I know Cynthia [Calvillo] is injured right now, Katlyn [Chookagian] - I would fight her again but it's not a fight that anyone probably wants to see."
Murphy seen this challenge and immediately took to Twitter to issue her response.
Welcome to the conversation @DRkneevil !
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) February 4, 2021
I’m your huckleberry, send location, I accept, etc etc etc https://t.co/Ha4kLCkUhf
ONE: Unbreakable 3 results
Mixed Martial Arts - Atomweight: Alyona Rassohyna defeats Stamp Fairtex via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 4:53 of Round Three
Mixed Martial Arts - Bantamweight: Fabricio Andrade defeats Shoko Sato via Unanimous Decision
Mixed Martial Arts - Strawweight: Ryuto Sawada defeats Robin Catalan via Submission (Rear-naked Choke) at 4:19 of Round One
Mixed Martial Arts - Heavyweight: Kang Ji Won defeats Mehdi Barghi via TKO at 4:50 of Round One
Mixed Martial Arts - Lightweight: Ahmed Mujtaba defeats Rahul Raju via Knockout at 0:56 of Round One
Mixed Martial Arts - Bantamweight: Tial Thang defeats Paul Lumihi via TKO at 2:25 of Round Two
Kayla Harrison "excited" for potential PFL fight vs. Claressa Shields
Kayla Harrison has admitted that a potential fight vs. PFL Newcomer Claressa Shields is very intriguing to her. Harrison is 8-0 in the PFL and would relish the opportunity to welcome fellow Olympian Shields to the PFL. Shields was linked with a switch to the UFC and was highly sought after. She is one of only 8 boxers to hold all four major world titles in boxing and Harrison believes that the PFL is the right place for her to be.
“We’ve known each other since the 2012 Olympics. She’s been a friend of mine for quite some time. She reached out to me and let me know she was signing (with PFL) and I said, ‘This is amazing, this is a great move for you business-wise as well as personally.’ She was kind of in the place I was in after 2016, I felt like there was nothing left to accomplish in judo," Harrison claimed to MMAMania. "She’s at that point now in boxing. There’s not many mountains left for her to climb in boxing. I think it’s awesome. I think she’s young, I think she’s talented, I think she’s hungry and I look forward to watching her career, watching it blossom. I’ll be here to help her and mentor her how I can. When ... if that day comes that we step into the cage together, it will be with respect and I’ll be excited about it.”
Ian Heinisch admits Kelvin Gastelum is the "biggest" fight he has had
Ian Henisch is looking to build on his epic knockout of Gerald Meerschaert and make 2021 his year. Heinisch is no.15 in the middleweight division and is set for the biggest test of his career as such when he faces top contender Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 258. And Heinisch is hoping a win over a name like Gastelum will propel him into a potential title opportunity down the road.
“He’s a big name. Your next fights usually your biggest and he’s fought the who’s who, kinda like Derek Brunson. He’s fought for a title, he’s been up there. But I feel he’s a little one dimensional," Heinisch claimed to lowkickmma. "He’s got great boxing. But for me it’s just to be unpredictable. Mix it up. Strike with him. Brawl a little, clinch with him, take him down. Just mix everything up. Cus the second I get one dimensional, he’s very good at timing people and that’s where he gets his knockouts."
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