Max Holloway has revealed that he isn't as into a Conor McGregor rematch as he was before his loss to Dustin Poirier and Jorge Masvidal teases a fight with Canelo Alvarez and much more — Fightful fix is your one-stop-shop for combat sports news.
Max Holloway on Conor McGregor Rematch "I Don't Wanna Kick A Dog When He's Down"
Max Holloway has admitted that the intrigue of fighting Conor McGregor isn't what it once was following "The Notorious" knockout loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257. The pair fought in featherweight in a 3 round unanimous decision when they first clashed back in 2013 but both have developed into two of the most dangerous strikers in MMA. Holloway is fresh off a sensational performance over Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Island 7 and had the Irishman defeated Poirier the next week at UFC 257, "Blessed" has revealed that a rematch was a massive possibility.
"[Holloway vs. McGregor] was on a very short list for UFC if everything went well in [Conor's] last fight and it didn't," the 29-year-old Hawaiian told TMZ Sports in L.A.
"And I don't wanna kick a dog when it's down. At the end of the day, we'll see what happens."
Jorge Masvidal teases Canelo Alvarez fight
Jorge Masvidal has hinted that he would like to crossover into the boxing world. Masvidal was speaking after Canelo Alvarez defeated Avni Yildirim. Masvidal interviewed Alvarez after the fight and when interviews himself, he admitted he has thought of a boxing match given it is his "first love."
“Definitely a dream,” Masvidal said to IFL TV. “My first love is boxing and I still love it to this day. If a champion in MMA can come over and challenge a champion in boxing? For me, it’s more than a dream, it’s a fulfillment. I first fell in love with boxing before UFC, started boxing before I even saw the UFC, so it’d be just full circle amazingness.”
As for how he’d fare against Alvarez? "Gamebred" wouldn't rule himself out of potentially causing an upset.
“He’s one hell of a boxer, my brother,” he replied (h/t MMAMania). “Chances are limited, but I’m a dog in every fight I’m in.”
Amanda Ribas hoping to reschedule "very cool" fight with Michelle Waterson
Amanda Ribas lost to Marina Rodriguez at UFC 257 but she was originally due to face Michelle Waterson at the event instead. "The Karate Hottie" was forced to pull out due to family issues and Rodriguez duly stepped up and took her spot. Rodriguez TKO'd Ribas and now the Brazilian has called out Waterson again to rebook their fight.
Heyy @karatehottiemma ! What do you think of making our fight happen ?!
— Amanda Ribas (@amandaribasufc) February 26, 2021
I think it would be very cool --
let's go do this ----@danawhite @Mickmaynard2 @Alexdavismma @ufc @UFCBrasil @espnmma @ribasfight @ParrumpaATT pic.twitter.com/jOL9Qa1mDf
Pedro Munhoz knew what type of fight to expect from Jimmie Rivera
Pedro Munhoz wasn't surprised about the type of fight he got from Jimmie Rivera at UFC Vegas 20. Munhoz avenged a 2015 split-decision loss to Rivera with a unanimous decision win and he implemented a low kick-heavy tactic and outlanded Rivera by a 40-to-13 count in this category which ultimately proved decisive.
"I already knew the type of fight that we were getting in,” he said (h/t Sherdog). “That’s the reason that I was getting anxious a little bit the last couple of days, because I knew we were going to put down, we were going to exchange and trying to take each other’s head off, so it feels really good. It feels great. I’ve been fighting the best fighters in the world, even my losses were super close against top contenders, but it definitely feels really good to bring the victory back home.”
Gordon Ryan slaps Andre Galvao at an event
Gordon Ryan was competing in a grappling contest against Roberto Jimenez who showed some excellent defensive work before submitting to an armbar at the hands of Ryan. The main event then saw Craig Jones, a teammate of Ryan, make short work of ATOS’ Ronaldo Junior, and that’s when everything went downhill. Ryan took to the mats to shake hands with ATOS head coach Andre Galvao, he was flipped off in return as a result of their recent social media wars. The pair had another backstage altercation where Ryan slapped Galvao as the pair argued back and forth. Check out the footage below.
Gordon Ryan smacks the daylight out of Andre Galvao pic.twitter.com/7om88yCVGq
— MMABreez (@BreezMma) February 27, 2021
Magomed Ankalaev targets UFC's light-heavyweight top five with his six-fight winning streak
Magomed Ankalaev is eyeing up the big names in the light-heavyweight division after his win at UFC Vegas 20. Ankalaev defeated Nikita Krylov and although Krylov was No. 8 in the UFC’s official light heavyweight rankings, the Russian fighter wants an even higher-ranked opponent.
“Krylov wasn’t my ideal opponent because I was expecting for me to be propelled in the rankings in my division,” Ankalaev told reporters at the post-fight news conference (h/t MMAJunkie). “I was expecting someone higher up. But right now, top-five or top-six fighters in my division – they have fights scheduled. So depending on who wins, I’m hoping to get an opponent among those winners.”
PFL’S Brendan Loughnane excited for fight against UFC veteran Sheymon Moraes
Brendan Loughnane is hoping that 2021 will be his year. Loughnane (19-3, 2-0 PFL) will take on Dana White's Contender Series alumni Sheymon Moraes on the first card in the 2021 Season. In Loughnane’s opinion, fans will witness a great show once he and his opponent’s aggressive fighting styles collide inside the cage.
“To be honest, he might be the biggest name at featherweight. He’s got the most name value in that division. He’s actually performed in the UFC for years. Everybody knows his name. In terms of name value, he brings a lot to the table," Loughnane told Sherdog. "He’s a striker like me. When it got announced, a lot of people were like, ‘Oh s**t, that’s a great fight!’ Fans are excited for it, I’m excited for it, and I’m sure Sheymon is the same, let’s do it.”
Alexis Davis "can breathe again" and is ready for the next level
Alexis Davis beat Sabina Mazo with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Vegas 20. Davis has admitted that she felt great inside the Octagon and is looking to use this win as a springboard onto more wins and being ready to go when the UFC comes calling again.
“I’m always really critical of myself, win or lose. (There are) a lot of things I feel like I could do better, but I’m happy. I felt really good. I was just trying to work on staying calm, relax, get my flow. I’m like, ‘OK, we’re on the ground – I’m good. I’m happy now. This is where I wanted to be.’ I felt really comfortable. Any win is a good win. I’m happy. I know she’s a great up-and-comer. All the people are talking about her," Davis claimed in the post-fight interview (h/t MMA Junkie). "So for me, it felt great and I knew it wouldn’t be an easy fight to come back to. I feel great. I feel like this was the first fight in many that I’m just going to get better from now on. I can breathe again, just getting over this hump, and I feel like the next one’s going to be even better. Whenever they’ve got things ready for me, let’s go.”
Featherweight David Onama Plans to Reach UFC in 2021
David Onama, a 6-0 featherweight prospect, will look to keep his undefeated record intact. The Glory MMA & Fitness product is slated to take on Mike Plazola in a 150lb catchweight contest at FAC 7 on Friday, March 5. Onama said he’s aiming to reach the UFC as opposed to any other major organization.
“That’s why I started fighting. All I wanted to do was be in the UFC. Growing up, all I did was watch UFC. By the end of 2021, I will be in the UFC for sure," Onama predicted when he was speaking to MMA Sucka. "All my hard work I’ve been putting in, it’s definitely gonna pay off pretty soon. There are some guys I could for sure beat up in the UFC right now. As soon as I beat Mike Plazola, I’ll be ready for the UFC for sure."
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