Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Former UFC standout Paige VanZant is excited for her BKFC debut at Friday’s “KnuckleMania” event and reveals she’s making big money to fight.
Former UFC standout Paige VanZant is excited for her BKFC debut at Friday’s “KnuckleMania” event and reveals she’s making big money to fight.
In this week’s edition host Simon Head, ‘Gorgeous’ George, Goze and John Morgan unpack UFC on ESPN 15, debate which MMA promotion has the best light-heavyweight division and what should be next for Tony Ferguson.
In this week’s edition host Simon Head, ‘Gorgeous’ George, Goze and John Morgan unpack UFC on ESPN 15, debate which MMA promotion has the best light-heavyweight division and what should be next for Tony Ferguson.
Thiago Alves reflects on his time with the UFC and looks ahead at his future in bareknuckle boxing.
[autotag]Thiago Alves[/autotag] is about to start a new chapter in his fighting career.
The long-time UFC welterweight contender and former title challenger recently signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship after finishing his UFC contract and testing free agency. The Brazilian expects to make his bare-knuckle boxing debut on May 16 in Miami but has yet to be booked against an opponent. Alves (23-15 MMA) plans to compete at 165 pounds but said he is open to 175, as well.
Having fought under the UFC banner for nearly 15 years, Alves reached the pinnacle of MMA when fought for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 100 against Georges St-Pierre, going the distance with a dominant champion before dropping a unanimous decision.
Alves became a staple of the UFC 170-pound division and gave fans many fights and knockouts to remember.
Ahead of his transition to bare-knuckle boxing, MMA Junkie caught up with “Pitbull” to discuss his decision to leave the UFC and sign with BKFC.
Below is a transcription of the conversation with Alves:
“I feel pretty good, man. I went to see a show they had a few weeks ago. Feb. 14, Hector Lombard fought. I liked it, you know, they’re very organized. The show was a lot of high-level fights, and their organization, the venue, everybody, staff were very nice to me. So I’m excited, man. I’m excited to be a part of something new, a new sport in a way that’s growing every year in America.
“I have a lot of guys in the gym that are already thinking about doing some bare-knuckle fights a little bit later down in their career, so I think you’re going to see a shift from MMA to bare-knuckle boxing. I’m excited to be a part of this company right now. I think it’s the perfect time to be in it, to really make my mark and walk away on a high note.”
“Yeah, for now, definitely. I got a phenomenal contract with Bare Knuckle FC. My goal was to bring a belt, bring a bare-knuckle boxing belt to American Top Team. We don’t have one of those yet, and I think we’re the perfect camp to collect belts in every combat sport out there. So my goal right now is 100 percent to be the best I can be in bare-knuckle boxing. And then, once I’m done with that chapter, then we see. But in my head, pretty much I’m done with MMA for now.”
“It was just something different, something new. I’ve been fighting MMA my whole life. My first fight was at 17, so it’s been 19 years of competing in MMA. I just wanted something new that makes sense financially, and bare-knuckle boxing gave me this opportunity to kind of refresh my career at this moment. Jumping to a new territory is exciting and savage, it’s bare-knuckle, so I’m excited to test myself, and I think my fighting style is perfect for it. There were some good offers on the table from Bellator, PFL, but bare-knuckle boxing was the best one, and it made more sense for me and it excites me the most.”
“So my first five MMA fights back in Brazil were all bare-knuckle. It was MMA, but PRIDE FC rules, you know? You could headbutt, we could kick to the head when the guy’s down on the floor, and there was no gloves. So, yeah, pretty much. I know it’s gonna be a little bit of an adjustment, you know, and I won’t know 100 percent until I’m actually in the ring, but I think I’m going to be just fine, man. I’m not afraid of getting punched or getting hit. I’m going to just stay in the middle and swing and see who stops first.”
MMA Junkie’s John Morgan is joined by MMA Junkie Radio’s own Gorgeous George and Goze to unpack the biggest storylines coming out of UFC 247 and UFC Rio Rancho.
MMA Junkie’s John Morgan is joined by MMA Junkie Radio’s own Gorgeous George and Goze to unpack the biggest storylines coming out of UFC 247 and UFC Rio Rancho.
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 10 media day workout video
Video courtesy of Evan Zentar/BKFC
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 10 media day workout video
Video courtesy of Evan Zentar/BKFC
Paulie Malignaggi is open to the idea of fighting Jason Knight, so long as it is a boxing match.
Paulie Malignaggi might come out of retirement for one more fight – if the price is right and it’s a strict boxing match.
Mixed martial artist Jason Knight challenged Malignaggi, the former two-division titleholder, to a boxing match on social media Monday. Knight was coming off a fifth-round stoppage of Artem Lobov in a bare knuckle boxing bout on Saturday promoted by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships. Malignaggi had dropped a controversial decision to Lobov, also in a BKFC match, over the summer.
Malignaggi claimed he broke his hands in that fight and recently swore off making a return. He has had to deal with brittle hands nearly his entire career.
Cognizant of Malignaggi’s hand issues, Knight offered a different possibility.
“I know u don’t want to fight BKFC again but what would u say to a boxing fight??” Knight wrote on Instagram. “I have no prior boxing but I bet I can school you at your own game!!”
Malignaggi responded on Instagram shortly thereafter:
“Well done Jason, solid adjustments Saturday night. I have not yet seen the fight but saw (highlights) and your sense of timing and disciplined game plan was very impressive to notice. You def caught onto a few tactics from my fight and fought smarter.
“I wish my hands could survive the impact again (because) truthfully I enjoyed the experience and wouldn’t have minded facing you after your display. However I have a career history of hand problems and I cannot keep risking them or I’m gonna wind up with permanent damage to them.
“If there are interested parties that are willing to put up enough money I am not against regular boxing though where some protection for my hands is there. Maybe David (BKFC promoter) can do a card where you and I glove up but instead of a ring we can fight in the BKFC squared circle with our undercard consisting of bare knuckle fights.
“Again it’s (dependent) on the compensation. After all, we are prizefighters. Once again though, well done and congrats on an impressive display.”
