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Joshua Van all smiles during tense faceoff with Alexandre Pantoja ahead of UFC 331

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Joshua Van all smiles during tense faceoff with Alexandre Pantoja ahead of UFC 331

Joshua Van has certainly embraced his role as champion since winning the UFC flyweight title and that hasn't changed in the days leading up to his rematch against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331.

On Thursday, Van was all smiles as he faced off with Pantoja ahead of the highly anticipated rematch at the UFC 331 pre-fight press conference. While Pantoja has remained all business, rarely smirking much less showing any emotion other than anger, Van looked like he was having the time of his life.

With UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby standing between them, Van was just grinning away while it looks like Pantoja was ready to eat glass to get at his opponent a couple of days early.

When they were finally broken apart, Van just kept on smiling while posing with the belt as Pantoja was pulled in the opposite direction.

Prior to the freak injury that ended his title reign, Pantoja was chasing greatness with hope that he could potentially tie or surpass Demetrious Johnson's insane record with 11 consecutive title defenses.

Obviously that's not happening now that Pantoja lost the belt to Van, but he appears ready to reclaim the title and add yet another title fight victory to his resume.

As for Van, he's not shy about already declaring himself as the best ever and he only plans to cement his place in history with another emphatic victory on Saturday night at UFC 331.

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MMA

Floyd Mayweather open to Conor McGregor rematch: Lets do it

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Floyd Mayweather open to Conor McGregor rematch: 'Let's do it'
Floyd
Mayweather Jr. is open to a rematch against Conor
McGregor.

The unbeaten former boxing champion recently reflected on their
2017 bout, saying it elevated McGregor's profile and generated
considerable financial rewards for both men.

Floyd Mayweather discusses possible Conor McGregor rematch nine
years after 2017 boxing match

Mayweather stopped McGregor by technical knockout in the 10th
round, improving his professional record to 50-0. He has since
competed in several exhibitions and remains interested in facing
the Irishman again.

“Actually, I think me and Conor McGregor may lock up again. Yeah,
absolutely,†Mayweather said during an appearance on the “PBD
Podcast.†“I don't live with Conor McGregor, he's not my friend. I
don't have to see him. It's just when it's time for us to do
business and lock up, let's do it.â€

Mayweather's exhibition opponents have included Japanese kickboxer
Tenshin
Nasukawa, social media personalities Logan Paul
and Deji, and former MMA fighter Aaron
Chalmers. “Money†has also faced John Gotti
III twice.

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MMA

Nina Drama denies being forced to wear hijab for Movsar Evloev interview

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Nina Drama denies being 'forced' to wear hijab for Movsar Evloev interview
Nina-Marie Daniele says she wore a hijab for her interview with
Movsar
Evloev out of respect.

Evloev is scheduled to challenge Alexander
Volkanovski for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Daniele's
decision to wear a hijab while interviewing the Muslim fighter drew
criticism online, prompting her response.

Nina-Marie Daniele explains why she wore a hijab for Movsar
Evloev interview ahead of UFC 333

During the interview, Evloev said his religious beliefs would
prevent him from looking at her if she were dressed less modestly.
Daniele defended her choice, explaining that she wanted to make him
comfortable. She also said participation in her interviews is
voluntary and that no one forced her to wear the hijab.

“At the end of the day it's always about respect,†Daniele wrote on
X. “I have so much respect for all my Muslim friends. I love
learning about cultures and I'm so grateful for the UFC for giving
me the opportunity to travel the world. Some people are offended
and that's fine, this came from a place of respect and wanting to
be able to make Movsar
Evloev comfortable in our interview. My interviews are not
‘mandatory' and never were, the fighters that show up show up
because they want to and I was in no way shape or form ‘forced' to
do anything. Thank you to Movsar and his team for giving me the
opportunity to show the fans a different side of him! I'm so happy
people are enjoying the interview!â€

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MMA

Arman Tsarukyan wrestles Anthony Pettis in RAF 15 main event

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Arman Tsarukyan wrestles Anthony Pettis in RAF 15 main event

Anthony Pettis is out of his scheduled RAF debut against Donald Cerrone and is instead hunting bigger game.

On Tuesday, Real American Freestyle announced that Pettis will challenge Arman Tsarukyan for his RAF middleweight crossover title in the main event of RAF 15, which takes place on Nov. 28 at NOW Arena in Chicago.

RAF 15 was originally set to be headlined by Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong. That bout now serves as the co-main event.

MMA Fighting confirmed that Tsarukyan is still wrestling Neiman Gracie at RAF Abu Dhabi on Nov. 14 in a non-title bout. Meanwhile, Donald Cerrone is now out of RAF 15 altogether.

Tsarukyan won the vacant RAF crossover middleweight title this past weekend with a tech fall over Dillon Danis at RAF 14 in Las Vegas.

Pettis, meanwhile, has never competed in freestyle wrestling before, and last competed in any combat sport in 2024, losing a unanimous decision to Chris Avila in a boxing match.

Mike Heck contributed to this report.

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