Tag: Rafael Cordeiro

‘Why not?’: Rafael Cordeiro sold on Fabricio Werdum vs. Francis Ngannou in PFL clash of former UFC champs

Fabricio Werdum’s longtime coach would like to see the former UFC champ take on Francis Ngannou in the PFL.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Longtime MMA coach [autotag]Rafael Cordeiro[/autotag] would like to see one of his pupils get the first crack at [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] under the PFL banner.

Cordeiro, the founder of Kings MMA, lead [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] to the UFC heavyweight title, and believes “Vai Cavalo” would be the right man to take on PFL newcomer Ngannou in his first bout with the promotion. Werdum joined the PFL in 2021 and has made one appearance thus far.

“Why not?” Cordeiro told MMA Junkie Radio. “Fabricio, he was a former UFC champ. His background, everybody knows his history, so why not? PFL needs fights like that.”

Werdum’s first appearance in the PFL came in May 2021 against Renan Ferreira. The fight was a controversial one, because Werdum appeared to tap Ferreira with a triangle choke in the first round, but the signal was not seen by the referee. When Werdum released pressure from the choke, Ferreira went back to striking, and knocked out Werdum moments later. The fight was later overturned to a no contest after the New Jersey State Control Board reviewed the footage.

Werdum has yet to compete again and has contemplated retirement, but has recently posted videos on social media of himself working out, looking fight ready. He also directly challenged Ngannou for a fight while stating, “You have a lot of holes in your game.”

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Ngannou, known for his devastating knockout power, is nine years younger than Werdum. The promotion has yet to announce who will be his first opponent after signing the former UFC champion to a lucrative deal that allows freedom to participate in pro boxing bouts.

Despite the age difference, Cordeiro believes Werdum, who brings a different skillset to the table than Ngannou, could make for a solid fight in the PFL.

“I believe Fabricio matches very well,” Cordeiro said. “If they had to choose somebody, I believe Fabricio is the name to put there and to prove he’s still in the game. I believe the best time of his career is right now. … At 45 years old, the shape that he has, the technique that he has, for sure Fabricio can be a great fight for Francis. As soon as they’re locked in the octagon, it’s 50-50.”

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Coach Rafael Cordeiro offers training advice for Nate Diaz ahead of Jake Paul boxing match

Coach Rafael Cordeiro believes Nate Diaz has to dedicate himself to training all over again if he wants to be successful against Jake Paul.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – MMA Kings head coach [autotag]Rafael Cordeiro[/autotag] knows a thing or two about adjustments in the fight game, and has some advice for [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] and [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag].

Diaz is set to face Paul in an eight-round boxing match on Aug. 5, in what will be a change of combat sports scenery for the UFC veteran. After 34 professional MMA bouts, 27 of which were in the UFC, Diaz is lacing up the boxing gloves to take on the Youtuber-turned-boxer Paul at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

While MMA fighters typically train boxing as a part of their usual fight camp, Cordeiro knows if they want to succeed in this current wave of MMA veterans trying their hands in the boxing ring, they must adjust their focus.

“It’s totally different training,” Cordeiro told MMA Junkie Radio. “You’re going to see a lot of MMA fighters fight boxing, but we have to dedicate ourselves to the boxing. It’s a totally different sport, it’s a totally different way that you spend your energy. You can’t fight boxing the way you can MMA. You’re gonna get tired in less than two minutes. It’s going to be impossible to do that.”

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Endurance is a key part of the boxing training regiment. Cordeiro knows boxers train cardio multiple times per day, especially seasoned pros who compete in 12-round bouts. Diaz is used to competing in three or five five-minute rounds in the UFC, whereas Paul is used to preparing for eight three-minute rounds in his boxing career.

That’s not to mention the dedication to just focusing on hand striking, whereas MMA fighters have multiple martial arts disciplines they must pay attention to before stepping into the cage.

“It’s gonna be a tough fight for Diaz, as all those fights are,” Cordeiro said. “All those fights are tough. Same way it’s gonna be tough for Jake. But I believe now Jake has a little bit more time inside the boxing. He’s developed more skills because he just works on boxing world, which means he breathes boxing. Diaz, I don’t believe it’s gonna be a good fight for him after all those years competing MMA. Take a guy, they compete each month in boxing.

“So, I think it’s going to be a great fight. Like I said before, all of those fights are 50-50, but if you want to go from MMA world to boxing, you have to dedicate yourself again.”

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Video: Ak and Barak: Could Mike Tyson compete with young heavyweights?

Mike Tyson’s trainer, Rafael Cordero, recently said he believes his fighter could compete with the top young heavyweights. And Tyson himself said he would be interested in facing reigning titleholder Anthony Joshua in an exhibition. Could the …

Mike Tyson’s trainer, Rafael Cordero, recently said he believes his fighter could compete with the top young heavyweights. And Tyson himself said he would be interested in facing reigning titleholder Anthony Joshua in an exhibition.

Could the 54-year-old former champion actually compete with the best big men?

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss whether a man who was knocked out in his most-recent fight 15 years ago could magically transform into a legitimate heavyweight contender.

Here’s what they had to say.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer TKwIy2LZ]

Video: Ak and Barak: Could Mike Tyson compete with young heavyweights?

Mike Tyson’s trainer, Rafael Cordero, recently said he believes his fighter could compete with the top young heavyweights. And Tyson himself said he would be interested in facing reigning titleholder Anthony Joshua in an exhibition. Could the …

Mike Tyson’s trainer, Rafael Cordero, recently said he believes his fighter could compete with the top young heavyweights. And Tyson himself said he would be interested in facing reigning titleholder Anthony Joshua in an exhibition.

Could the 54-year-old former champion actually compete with the best big men?

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss whether a man who was knocked out in his most-recent fight 15 years ago could magically transform into a legitimate heavyweight contender.

Here’s what they had to say.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer TKwIy2LZ]

See it: Mike Tyson clips his trainer during mitt session

Mike Tyson accidently hit trainer Rafael Cordeiro on the chin during a mitt session.

Train Mike Tyson at your own risk.

“Iron Mike” has posted a number videos of him training ahead of his exhibition with Roy Jones Jr. on Nov. 28. The latest (see below) gives you an idea of how dangerous sharing the ring with him can be. Even at 54.

Tyson was hitting mitts with trainer Rafael Cordeiro when an errant right hand appears to clip Cordeiro, whose head spun halfway around. That’s where the video ends.

The public has marveled at Tyson’s speed and ferocity at his age, although there’s a big difference between training and an actual fight.

Cordeiro, a brave man, learned first hand that Tyson has something left at 50-something.

Tyson and Jones, 51, are scheduled to fight at Dignity Health Sports Park (formerly StubHub Center) in Carson, Calif., on pay-per-view.

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See it: Mike Tyson clips his trainer during mitt session

Mike Tyson accidently hit trainer Rafael Cordeiro on the chin during a mitt session.

Train Mike Tyson at your own risk.

“Iron Mike” has posted a number videos of him training ahead of his exhibition with Roy Jones Jr. on Nov. 28. The latest (see below) gives you an idea of how dangerous sharing the ring with him can be. Even at 54.

Tyson was hitting mitts with trainer Rafael Cordeiro when an errant right hand appears to clip Cordeiro, whose head spun halfway around. That’s where the video ends.

The public has marveled at Tyson’s speed and ferocity at his age, although there’s a big difference between training and an actual fight.

Cordeiro, a brave man, learned first hand that Tyson has something left at 50-something.

Tyson and Jones, 51, are scheduled to fight at Dignity Health Sports Park (formerly StubHub Center) in Carson, Calif., on pay-per-view.

[lawrence-related id=13827,13805,13788]

[vertical-gallery id=9805]

Mike Tyson has speed, power of someone 21, 22? C’mon

The trainer holding the mitts in a viral video of Mike Tyson said Iron Mike has the speed and power of a man 21 or 22 years old.

This Mike Tyson thing is officially out of control.

A viral video of Tyson hitting the mitts prompted some to suggest the 53-year-old former heavyweight champ could take over the division today even though he looked horrible against journeymen in his last few fights 15 years ago.

Now, the trainer holding the mitts in the video, Rafael Cordeiro, threw gas on the fire by telling ESPN that Iron Mike has the boxing tools of a much younger man.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Cordeiro said Monday. “He hasn’t hit mitts for almost 10 years. So I didn’t expect to see what I saw. I saw a guy with the same speed, same power as guys 21, 22 years old.”

Tyson had said recently that he is on a health kick and feels better than he has in years.

Evidently, boxing workouts are part of his regimen. Cordeiro said he has been working with Tyson for three weeks in sessions that range from 60 to 90 minutes. Tyson also has been working with a conditioning coach.

His fitness level evidently led him to suggest he might take part in exhibitions for charities. Cordeiro went a step further, suggesting Tyson could return to competitive boxing with six months of training.

“It’s not a joke,” Cordeiro said.

If Tyson were to return, the joke – a bad joke – would be on him. It’s one thing to hit mitts in the gym. It’s another to have a big, young heavyweight with perfect reflexes firing powerful shots back at you.

And, of course, Tyson knows that. The guess here is that he might do a few exhibitions to help others and that’s it. At least I hope so.