UFC 258 discussion thread

UFC 258 takes place Saturday in Las Vegas, and you can discuss the event here.

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Saturday’s UFC 258 event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, which kicks off at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT). You can discuss the event here.

Be sure to follow along with the latest card updates in our UFC 258 live results post, and then discuss the event in the comments section below.

Round-by-round updates and official results begin at approximately 7 p.m. ET for the preliminary card and 10 p.m. ET for the main card.

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Daniel Cormier approves of Dana White’s persistence with Khabib: ‘You have to do that’

Daniel Cormier doesn’t have any issues with Dana White’s relentless attitude to getting Khabib Nurmagomedov back in the octagon.

[autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] doesn’t have any issue with Dana White’s relentless approach to getting UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] back in the octagon.

Since Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA, 13-0 UFC) retired from MMA in October following his second-round submission of Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, White has remained confident he can persuade the undefeated Russian to return, even despite Khabib’s promise to his mother that he would stop fighting after his father and coach Abdulmanap died.

White showed deflation about Nurmagomedov’s fighting prospects in the wake of Dustin Poirier’s knockout of Conor McGregor at UFC 257 in January, admitting that a comeback didn’t look likely following a meeting in Abu Dhabi. White has again changed course in recent days, though, and stated on Friday that he’s going to keep pushing until he gets an unequivocal no from “The Eagle.”

Cormier, who is a good friend of Nurmagomedov and longtime training partner at San Jose’s American Kickboxing Academy, isn’t among those who believe White should stand down and let go. White has received some criticism from fans for his persistence, but Cormier said he approves.

“As a promoter, you have to do that,” Cormier told reporters, including MMA Junkie, on Friday following UFC 258 weigh-ins. “We have to understand that as a promoter, you have to get one of the biggest stars in your organization to try to fight. So if there is an inkling of a chance, you continue to press down that path (and) that’s what Dana’s doing.”

Part of White’s argument is that, despite Nurmagomedov publicly stating he’s not interested in fighting and willing to give up the 155-pound title at any point, he has not made the type of definitive statement that has the UFC boss convinced.

Nurmagomedov has agreed to a meeting with White sometime over the next month in Las Vegas, and Cormier said that could be as sign the door remains opened.

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“(Khabib is) constantly going in there,” Cormier said. “So if he’s meeting with him, he’s talking to him. You don’t know. But Khabib’s respectful. If Dana White asks him to dinner, he will go. So you never know. I actually don’t spend much time thinking about it at this point.”

Although Cormier is trying to remain neutral in this situation, he can relay one bit of knowledge about Nurmagomedov that, in his mind, is unwavering. Cormier said Nurmagomedov is a man of his word, and if he’s already deciding fighting isn’t part of his future, he won’t go back on it.

“If it happens, it happens (and) if it doesn’t, it doesn’t,” Cormier said. “One thing I do know: If Khabib has his mind set on something, it ain’t going to change.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38kRyPGIfyA

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MMA Junkie Radio special: UFC 258 preview with Dan Tom and Simon Head

Check out this latest edition of MMA Junkie Radio covering all things UFC 258.

A special Friday edition of MMA Junkie Radio is here!

On this latest episode of the podcast, MMA Junkie’s Dan Tom and Simon Head join “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” to preview UFC 258, which is headlined Saturday by a welterweight title fight between champion Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Tune in!

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

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Jon Anik finds Kamaru Usman-Gilbert Burns former teammate storyline compelling

Jon Anik believes former teammates fighting for a title is nearly as compelling an angle as a grudge match.

LAS VEGAS – Jon Anik will be back on broadcast duty at UFC 258.

The UFC’s lead play-by-play announcer spoke to members of the media Friday following the official UFC 258 weigh-ins and faceoffs.

Anik discussed the main event between UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) and [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] (19-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC), offering insight on why he felt this was an intriguing main event. He also explained what he likes about the co-main event between flyweights Maycee Barber (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and Alexa Grasso (12-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC). Anik also talked about Belal Muhammad’s big fight, and what it was like having fans back in attendance during the company’s recent run in Abu Dhabi.

Check out Anik’s full news conference in the video above.

UFC 258 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

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UFC 258 ‘Embedded,’ No. 5: Kamaru Usman gets emotional reflecting on the journey

UFC welterweight Kamaru Usman was nearly brought to tears when watching a short film about his journey.

The UFC returns Saturday night with its second pay-per-view of the year, UFC 258, where the UFC welterweight title will be on the line.

UFC 258 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streams on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

In the main event, UFC 170-pound champion [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) defends his belt for a third time against former teammate [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] (19-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC). And in the co-headliner, Maycee Barber (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) returns after a year-long layoff due to a knee injury to take on rising flyweight contender Alexa Grasso (12-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC).

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The fifth episode of “Embedded” follows all the big stars who will compete at UFC 258. Here’s the UFC’s description from YouTube:

Kelvin Gastelum trains with a longtime coach. Ian Heinisch reflects on lessons learned through struggles. Gilbert Burns attends virtual media day; Gastelum gets sidetracked. Champ Kamaru Usman reacts to seeing himself get emotional on screen.

Missed an episode? We’ve got you covered:

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UFC 258: Fighters face-off one last time before fight night

UFC 258: Fighters face-off one last time before fight night

UFC 258: Fighters face-off one last time before fight night

Bobby Green collapses after UFC 258 weigh-ins; status of Jim Miller fight in question

Bobby Green made weight for his UFC 258 fight with Jim Miller – but it appears to have been a struggle.

[autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] made weight for his UFC 258 fight with Jim Miller – but it appears to have been a struggle.

Green was the last fighter to weigh in Friday morning at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and hit the lightweight limit at 156 pounds. He walked to the scale and stepped on without assistance.

When it came time for the pre-fight faceoffs about 25 minutes later, Green and Miller did not participate. UFC president Dana White explained why during his scrum with reporters.

“Bobby Green just collapsed back there,” White said. “Doctors are looking at him. They’re trying to rehydrate him right now.”

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White added he was unsure if Green’s collapse was related to his weight cut. It’s unclear if the fight will go on as planned.

Green (27-11-1 MMA, 8-6-1 UFC) is looking to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Thiago Moises last October, which snapped a three-fight winning streak.

This story will be updated when a decision on Green is made.

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UFC president Dana White answers media questions ahead of UFC 258

UFC president Dana White answers media questions ahead of UFC 258

UFC president Dana White answers media questions ahead of UFC 258