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Dominick Cruz says Conor McGregor was fighting for reason beyond money

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Dominick Cruz says Conor McGregor was fighting for reason beyond money
Dominick
Cruz believes Conor
McGregor's return to action in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship was motivated by more than
financial gain, suggesting the former two-division champion was
looking for a way to escape the lifestyle that produced his
wealth.

McGregor suffered a knee injury with the opening strike he threw at

UFC 329. The referee called a halt to the bout a little over a
minute in, as “Notorious†was unable to plant both feet firmly
while advancing and repeatedly fell over. This marks the second
McGregor fight in a row that has ended in an anticlimactic leg
injury, as his trilogy bout against Dustin
Poirier back in 2021 resulted in a bone break.

The former UFC champion shares his theory behind McGregor's
comeback attempt

Cruz spoke from experience, having dealt with several major
injuries during his own career.

“We keep saying he doesn’t need to come back because he’s got the
money, but I disagree,†Cruz said on the UFC 329 post-show on
Paramount+. “I think the reason why he was coming back was to save
his own life from the money, from the lifestyle he’s been living. I
think that he’s going to be facing that again.â€

The new Hall of Fame inductee and former bantamweight champion
believes McGregor's mindset will now have to reset to how the
Irishman's approach was before signing on to rematch Max
Holloway.

“God is going to keep putting the same test in front of you until
you choose different. Fighting wasn’t going to pull you out.
Fighting can’t solve everything, and he’s going to learn that
because he’s got to face himself without this thing that really
cures a lot of us,†Cruz added. “I mean, martial arts saved my
life. I truly believe he came back to save his own life, and now
he’s back to where he started before he booked this fight.â€

McGregor has released a statement since his defeat to Holloway,
revealing that after getting surgery for his injury, he will return
to training and commence preparations for the final bout of his UFC
contract.

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Akbar Abdullaev lands UFC deal with vicious 19-second knockout

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Akbar Abdullaev lands UFC deal with vicious 19-second knockout
Akbar
Abdullaev always knew he was meant to be in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Abdullaev (14-0) took on Ednilson
Barros Santos (14-8-1) in a lightweight matchup on
Week 6 of
Dana White's Contender Series 2026. He knocked Santos out with
a vicious right hand in just 19 seconds to earn a UFC contract.

Akbar Abdullaev wants a quick UFC debut after stopping Ednilson
Barros Santos

The undefeated prospect with a 100% finishing rate became the first
Kyrgyz fighter to earn a UFC contract on DWCS. UFC CEO Dana
White later hailed Abdullaev as possibly the greatest prospect
in DWCS history.

Abdullaev says he was ready for everything going into his DWCS
opportunity. He had always dreamed of a UFC career, irrespective of
whether he earned a direct contract or went through the Contender
Series. Eager to start his UFC career, the 28-year-old wants to
make his debut within a couple of months.

“This was my place; I was ready for everything,†Abdullaev said in
a post-fight interview. “I happen to be a part of the UFC. It
wasn't important to me how to get here, through the Contender
Series, just a straight contract or any other way. I dreamed of
being here and I am here… I'm hungry; give me fights, I'm ready to
fight in October or November.â€

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MMA

Dana White hails greatest talent in DWCS history after 19-second KO

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Dana White hails 'greatest talent' in DWCS history after 19-second KO

Week 6 of
Dana White's Contender Series featured four new additions to
the
Ultimate Fighting Championship roster.

This brings the total number of contract winners in Season 10 of
DWCS to 28, the most ever at this stage of a season.

DWCS Season 10 Week 6 recap and contract winners

Tyshawn
Williams (9-0) and Antonio
Monteiro (18-6) started the action with a featherweight bout.
Williams earned a unanimous decision win after three rounds of
back-and-forth action. While UFC CEO Dana
White didn't see enough to grant Williams a UFC contract, he
invited the undefeated prospect for another DWCS opportunity.

“Tyshawn, I actually really liked your fight and I like you,†White
said. “You fought a tough guy with a lot of experience. If you're
up for it, what I would like to do is bring you back again. I
talked to Sean about it, like for you to come back and fight in the
Contender Series again.â€

Luis
Hernandez (8-0) took on Hugo
Guillon (7-2) in a middleweight tilt. Hernandez survived a
knockdown and a submission attempt in the second round to make
Guillon tap out just moments later. White gave the Miami-Dade
Sheriff's Office deputy a UFC contract for his come-from-behind
victory.

“Luis, I loved this fight,†White said. “Two dogs blasting each
other with big shots… Both of you guys were in trouble; you
overcame big punches, being tired, submission attempts, to get the
finish. Incredible fight. I absolutely loved it. Welcome to the
UFC.â€

Akbar Abdullaev scores 19-second knockout as four fighters earn
UFC contracts at DWCS Week 6

Akbar
Abdullaev (14-0) took on Ednilson
Barros Santos (14-8) in a lightweight matchup. Abdullaev lived
up to his hype, taking just 19 seconds to knock Santos out while
still on his feet. White believes the Kyrgyz prospect with a 100%
finishing rate might be the greatest in DWCS history.

“Akbar, I don't even know what to say to you,†White said. “That
punch sounded like a baseball bat. I'm gonna go out on a limb here
and I'm gonna call you possibly the greatest talent that has been
on this show in 10 years. I think that you are going to be a huge
superstar and a very big threat in this sport. I can't wait to see
you fight again. Welcome to the UFC.â€

Igor
Cavalcanti (14-2) took on Oscar
Ravello in a middleweight bout. Cavalcanti took just 98 seconds
to take Ravello to the ground and finish him with heavy
ground-and-pound.

“Igor, total and absolute violence,†White said. “Couldn't have
performed better against a very, very Revello. Congratulations,
welcome to the UFC.â€

Mayton
Perea took on Zevan Hunt
in the main event. Ecuador's Perea took just 45 seconds to knock
out the previously undefeated Hunt with a vicious volley of
punches.

“Mayton, you took out an undefeated guy in 45 seconds,†White said.
“Congratulations and welcome to the UFC.â€

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MMA

Jon Jones piles on Tom Aspinall following UFC heavyweight title exit

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Jon Jones piles on Tom Aspinall following UFC heavyweight title exit
Jon
Jones has taken several digs at Tom
Aspinall after the Brit vacated the
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title.

Aspinall hasn't fought since his first title defense against
Ciryl
Gane ended in a no-contest after he suffered eye pokes to both
eyes in the first round. He vacated the belt of his own accord,
without any pressure from the UFC, and claimed he didn't want to
stall the division amid ongoing complications with his right eye.
Jones, however, has a different view of Aspinall's decision.

Jon Jones backs criticism of Tom Aspinall after the former UFC
heavyweight champion vacates his title

An X user recently speculated that Aspinall chose to vacate the
title because of how the first round of his clash with Gane played
out. The user claims Aspinall doesn't fancy his chances in a
rematch with the Frenchman, who currently holds the interim title.
Jones agreed with the user.

“My sentiments exactly,†Jones wrote on X.

Another X user opined that Aspinall was undeserving of the
undisputed heavyweight title to begin with, which also drew a
response from the former two-division champ.

“Ouch,†Jones commented in response to an X user taking a shot at
Aspinall's champion status.

The same X account also noted that Jones was fouled by Gane in
their heavyweight title fight but made quick work of “Bon Gaminâ€
soon after, unlike Aspinall.

“Dude you are on fire,†Jones posted after the X user brought up
his fight with Gane.



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