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Elbek Alyshov gets his shot at history against Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu

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Elbek Alyshov gets his shot at history against Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu

A World Title opportunity rarely arrives ahead of schedule. Elbek Alyshov's has.

Elbek Alyshov challenges reigning ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu at The Inner Circle 24. The card streams live in Asia primetime this Friday from Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium.

A win would make Alyshov the first Azerbaijani to capture ONE World gold in mixed martial arts. He would follow the path blazed by former ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Chingiz Allazov.

Alyshov earned this opportunity through back-to-back submission victories over Jeremy Pacatiw and Carlo Bumina-ang. Those finishes arrived faster than even he anticipated.

He trains as a representative of Team Chingiz Allazov, sharing a banner with the very champion whose path he hopes to follow this Friday. That connection only sharpens the stakes riding on this shot at gold.

The 27-year-old has never chased fame or legacy for its own sake. His stated goal has always been to give his family financial security they have never had.

Belts and headlines have always mattered less to Alyshov than what a win could provide for the people closest to him. Friday's opportunity represents the culmination of that entire mindset.

“I have dreams. My family does not have a house, and I would like to help my entire family and the people close to me. Not only my family, I would like to help people in general,†Alyshov said.

“I am fighting for something greater, and this moment would truly mean so much to me. That is why I try never to give up in life, because I believe you must love and fight to the very last drop.â€

Elbek Alyshov chases a nation's first World Title

A generation of young Azerbaijani athletes is watching to see whether global supremacy is truly possible. Elbek Alyshov carries that weight into Friday's main event fully aware of the stakes attached to his name.

“For Azerbaijan, having a new MMA world champion in ONE Championship would be hugely significant. Throughout my entire journey, so many fans and supporters have stood by me,†he said.

“MMA is also developing rapidly in Azerbaijan right now. This would be an enormous step forward for its growth and a great source of motivation for the younger generation.â€

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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MMA

MVP fires back at Heather Hardys $10M lawsuit over Amanda Serrano fight

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MVP fires back at Heather Hardy's $10M lawsuit over Amanda Serrano fight

Most Valuable Promotions has responded to a lawsuit filed by
former world champion Heather
Hardy over her 2023 rematch with Amanda
Serrano.

Hardy is seeking $10 million in damages from MVP, alleging in her
complaint that the promotion moved forward with the bout despite
concerns about the risks involved. Hardy alleges that she suffered
permanent neurological damage from the fight, which took place in
August 2023 on the Jake
Paul-Nate Diaz
card.

Most Valuable Promotions cites Hardy’s medical clearance and
commission oversight in response to the lawsuit

According to Hardy's complaint, the fight presented an
“extraordinary and foreseeable risk of serious neurological harm.â€
She also alleges that the bout contributed to lasting issues,
including traumatic brain injury, memory loss and double
vision.

MVP disputed the allegations in a statement issued in response to
the lawsuit, emphasizing Hardy's medical clearance and the
commission's oversight of the contest.

“MVP has great respect for Heather Hardy. We recognize the
difficulty of her circumstances and extend our sincere sympathy and
hope that she receives the care and support she deserves,†MVP
responded (via ESPN). “Heather's participation on our Aug. 5,
2023, card was arranged through her promoter, Lou DiBella, who
contracted for the fight, and Heather publicly expressed her
gratitude for the opportunity both before and after the fight.â€

“MVP followed applicable protocols for the fight, Heather was
medically cleared to compete by the athletic commission overseeing
the event, and the bout proceeded under the commission's authority
and supervision in accordance with their standard medical and
safety requirements,†the statement added. “MVP remains committed
to fighter safety and supporting the athletes who compete in our
events in full compliance with commission standards.â€

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Conor McGregor can return to lightweight with the right plan, says former foe Jose Aldo: "Anyone can come in and snatch the title"

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Conor McGregor can return to lightweight with the right plan, says former foe Jose Aldo: "Anyone can come in and snatch the title"

Jose Aldo doesn't subscribe to the theory that Conor McGregor can never return to lightweight.

McGregor hasn't had a lightweight bout since fracturing his fibula and tibia in a trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier back in 2021. His short-lived return to the Octagon against Max Holloway, which also ended in an injury, was contested at 170 pounds.

While many believe McGregor is far past the days of competing at 155 pounds, Aldo isn't convinced. In an interview with Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting, the UFC Hall of Famer said McGregor can return to lightweight if he has the right plan in place.

“Yeah, I think first he needs to go through some dietary re-education to see if he can get back down and be lighter again,†Aldo said. “I think, in my opinion, he has the frame for 155, so it would be good. And I'll tell you this: today, if Conor fights at 155 and beats a name [that isn't necessarily at the top], the division is wide open again. To me, the division has kind of stalled there. Ilia [Topuria] moved up and lost to [Justin] Gaethje, so it's a bit of a mess there, and anyone can come in and snatch the title.â€

McGregor is vowing to make a strong comeback after suffering a knee injury during his UFC 329 return. The rematch with Holloway ended just past the one-minute mark. The “Notorious†one suffered ACL and meniscus injuries, and he will be out until at least the summer of 2027.

Over the years, McGregor and reigning UFC lightweight titleholder Justin Gaethje have traded barbs. Gaethje has admitted that fighting McGregor before he eventually retires is his preference. Some fans are skeptical of the bout ever coming to fruition.

Do you think there is any chance Conor McGregor returns to the lightweight division? Sound off in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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Dustin Poirier wonders if Kayla Harrison can submit Amanda Nunes: "It's going to come down to the takedowns"

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Dustin Poirier wonders if Kayla Harrison can submit Amanda Nunes: "It's going to come down to the takedowns"

Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes is a highly-anticipated UFC title fight, and Dustin Poirier wonders if the bout will end in a submission for the champion.

Harrison and Nunes were set to collide in early 2026, but the women's bantamweight titleholder was forced to undergo neck surgery. The procedure was a success, and Harrison is now prepping to meet her former teammate in the UFC 334 co-main event on Nov. 14.

Poirier has worked with both Harrison and Nunes under the American Top Team banner. During a recent edition of “Deep Waters,†the retired UFC lightweight questioned if Harrison can find a way to submit Nunes inside Madison Square Garden in New York City (via MMAJunkie).

“It's going to come down to the takedowns,†Poirier said. “Can Kayla use her judo and her wrestling to get Amanda down? If she can, I think she's going to have a lot of success.

“You know, we've seen Amanda submitted before. Kayla's big, strong, good top position, knows how to grapple, but the length and power Amanda has, you can't prepare for in the female division. You can't get girls in the gym who can punch like that.â€

Harrison last competed back in June 2025, while Nunes hasn't fought since 2023 after initially retiring from pro MMA competition. Harrison is the betting favorite over a month ahead of UFC 334, but Nunes will look to prove she's still the gold standard of the women's 135-pound division.

Going into the event, Harrison is riding a four-fight winning streak and has just one blemish on her pro MMA record. Nunes retired having gone 14-1 in her last 15 outings, which includes wins in the now defunct women's featherweight division.

Do you think Kayla Harrison can pull off a submission over Amanda Nunes at UFC 334? Join in on the conversation in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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