MMA
Khabib Nurmagomedov praises 'legend' Edson Barboza after former rival's retirement
Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCUFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov applauded his former rival Edson Barboza following his UFC 330 retirement.
Khabib Nurmagomedov stood cageside as his longtime friend and pupil, Islam Makhachev, successfully defended his UFC welterweight title at UFC 330 last weekend. Makhachev, the UFC's pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter, defeated Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision in a grueling battle.
Before making the full-time transition to coaching, Nurmagomedov wrapped up his legendary career as the UFC's pound-for-pound king with a win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Despite being in the middle of his prime, Nurmagomedov retired to fulfill a promise to his mother following the tragic death of his father, Abdulmanap.
On his way to highlight-reel wins over Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Gaethje, Nurmagomedov went through a gauntlet in the UFC's lightweight division. His win over Edson Barboza at UFC 219 clinched his long-awaited lightweight title shot, defeating Barboza by unanimous decision.
Following a loss at UFC 330, Barboza dropped the gloves and announced his retirement from Mixed Martial Arts at 40 years old. Nurmagomedov, who was backstage preparing Makhachev for his fight at the time of Barboza's announcement, had a classy message for his former rival.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's live reaction to Edson Barboza's UFC 330 retirement
During a recent episode of Anatomy of a Fighter, Nurmagomedov shared his live reaction to Barboza's retirement at UFC 330.
“Long time ago, the sport left him. But today, he leaves the sport, too,†Nurmagomedov said of Barboza.
“This happens. When you're 40 years old, you have to think about your family. Family is better than being beat up like this. Just my opinion. But he's a legend!â€
Barboza earned wins over the likes of Paul Felder, Beneil Dariush, and Anthony Pettis during his illustrious UFC career. He made his promotional debut at UFC 123.
What is your favorite memory from Edson Barboza's UFC career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
Credit: Carmen Mandato/Chris Unger/Getty/Zuffa LLCJon Jones plans to ‘pray' for Daniel Cormier after the UFC legend's recent GOAT take on longtime teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov.
UFC legends Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier will likely never improve, despite being years removed from their two fights inside the Octagon. Their historic rivalry reignited after Jones and Cormier spent time coaching against each other on a Russian spinoff of The Ultimate Fighter, via ALF Global.
The two former rivals recently traded barbs after Jones claimed that Cormier told him that their feud was ‘worth too much money to end'. Cormier vehemently denied the allegations in a lengthy YouTube upload.
But it's Cormier's latest comments, crowning Khabib Nurmagomedov as the UFC's greatest fighter, that have refueled the fire behind the Jones-Cormier rivalry.
Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier trade barbs over Khabib Nurmagomedov GOAT take
In a recent interview on behalf of ALF Global, Cormier raised eyebrows when asked about putting Nurmagomedov over Jones as the UFC GOAT.
“Jon Jones, for as good as he is, has one loss. Why? Because he made a mistake,†Cormier said of Jones.
“Khabib dominated and never made a mistake. Never got himself disqualified…never made mistakes. I don't know why more people share this opinion.â€
In a recent Instagram comment, Jones responded to Cormier's recent interview.
“I started in the UFC so early that I didn't even know what the rules were. The night I fought Matt was the first night I had ever even heard the term “12-to-6.†Literally, my entire career has been in the main event, fighting for a world title,†Jones responded to Cormier.
“My brother, Daniel Cormier, your jealousy runs so deep through your blood. I honestly pray that the good Lord heals you from your envy and that, one day, you won't feel the need to do interviews like this. Until then, it's flattering to see the passion you have when it comes to me.â€
Nurmagomedov and Cormier entered the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022 in the same induction class. Meanwhile, Jones is expected to join them in the coming years, after retiring from Mixed Martial Arts in 2025.
Is Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier the greatest rivalry in UFC history? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCA matchup between star heavyweights Josh Hokit and Alex Pereira might be the fight to make, according to Pereira's coach Glover Teixeira.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira's heavyweight debut ended in disaster as he lost to Ciryl Gane in the UFC Freedom 250 co-main event earlier this summer. After a back-and-forth opening round, Gane defeated Pereira by second-round TKO, albeit not without some controversy.
Despite initially hinting at retirement due to his opposition to referee Herb Dean, Pereira aims to return to the heavyweight division for another title chase. A potential opponent is Josh Hokit, who earned a stoppage win over Derrick Lewis earlier on the UFC Freedom 250 card.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira, Pereira's longtime mentor and coach, believes there's one fight that makes the most sense for the UFC superstar's next assignment.
Josh Hokit gives caveat for accepting potential Alex Pereira heavyweight fight
In a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Teixeira was asked about Pereira's next move and didn't hesitate to call out Hokit.
“I know for sure he's going to get that belt, so he's going to stay at heavyweight,†Teixeira said of Pereira's plans.
“Hokit is talking a lot of s—, let's go over there and knock his a– out and get back to the top. And then get the rematch.â€
In a recent tweet, Hokit responded to Teixeira's endorsement of a showdown with Pereira.
“Either give me Ciryl for the title or Alex for the BMF,†Hokit posted.
“Tired of watching these little crotch sniffers lay & pray & people call them the BMF/P4P. You can't have those titles & just hold guys down without doing damage. Whoever I fight, the fans will get pure violence with a show.â€
What's your prediction for a potential Alex Pereira vs. Josh Hokit fight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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