“Here’s the deal, [UFC President] Dana [White] came out and said this morning they’re looking to do me and [Jorge] Masvidal,” Ben Askren said in a video he posted on his social media accounts. “I heard that. I said yes last week. It didn’t take me more than 10 seconds to say, ‘Of course, Jorge. Let’s do this. You think you’re a gangster,’
“Well, now I’m starting to hear he’s getting cold feet, he doesn’t want to do it, he doesn’t want to fight because he’s scared. Jorge! Just tell the people. Are you scared? If you’re scared, I will move on to somebody else. If you’re not scared, June 8, Chicago. I’m free, you’re free, let’s do this.
“It’s really simple,” He continued. “The winner’s probably going to get a title shot, Jorge, so there’s quite a bit on the line and I think it would be in your best interest to stop being a chicken and just. Say. Yes.”
Shortly following his win, top welterweight contenders Darren Till and Jorge Masvidal met in London. Askren had his eye on the winner of this bout as soon as his UFC debut concluded.
Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has shut down talks of him fighting Diego Lopes.
Lopes has called out Volkanovski and has expressed interest in fighting him for an interim title or a No. 1 contender. However, Volkanovski says he has no interest as he’s focused on fighting Ilia Topuria for the belt.
Ian Machado Garry can’t wait to lock horns with Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310.
‘The Future’ hasn’t been seen in the octagon since a unanimous decision victory over Michael Page in June. The win was Ian Machado Garry’s biggest of his career thus far and moved him to a stellar 15-0 inside the cage. Following the victory, the Irishman called for a showdown with fellow unbeaten contender, Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Former Olympic wrestler Gable Steveson believes MMA is likely in his future.
The Minnesota wrestler is in a bit of a strange place in his career. After winning gold at the 2020 Summer Games, Gable Steveson instantly became a star. The 24-year-old quickly signed a deal to join the WWE, bypassing offers from the likes of UFC and Bellator. Sadly for Steveson, professional wrestling wasn’t the right fit.
Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is in discussions for his return.
The British fighter is fresh off his trip to New York City for UFC 309. Back for the first time since knocking out Curtis Blaydes in an interim title defense in July, Tom Aspinall served as the backup fighter for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. However, his services weren’t needed. ‘Bones’ ultimately scored a third-round knockout win on Saturday.
UFC light-heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree is reflecting on his war with Alex Pereira.
‘The War Horse’ got one of the most unexpected title shots in October. Riding a five-fight win streak punctuated by a knockout of Anthony Smith last year, Khalil Rountree got a shot at Alex Pereira. For his part, ‘Poatan’ was fresh off a second-round knockout win over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 in late June.
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has responded to Bo Nickal’s recent comments.
‘DC’ was in the broadcast booth for the massive UFC 309 card in New York City over the weekend. On the main card, Bo Nickal returned to the octagon for the first time since a submission win over Cody Brundage in April. There, the former NCAA champion met Paul Craig, in the biggest test of his career thus far.
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman will meet Eryk Anders next month.
‘The All-American’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a controversial April win over Bruno Silva. Despite the Brazilian’s post-fight appeal citing several eyepokes from Chris Weidman, the former UFC champion emerged with a technical decision win. Following the victory, he booked a fight with longtime middleweight Eryk Anders.
UFC legend Glover Teixeira played an amusing prank on Tom Aspinall over the weekend during UFC 309 in New York City.
On Saturday night, Jon Jones defeated Stipe Miocic to successfully defend his UFC heavyweight championship. However, if necessary, interim champion Tom Aspinall was ready to step in on short notice and prove himself against the best of the best. He made weight, he’d done his media obligations, and he was ready to go.
