Calvin Ford, the head trainer for superstar Gervonta 'Tank' Davis had assessed the recent lightweight bout between Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko as a draw. Earlier this month, Haney retained his undisputed lightweight gold with a close twelve round unanimous decision over Lomachenko at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Following the event, there was a lot of disagreement on who should have won. "On my scorecard, I had it as a draw," Ford told MillCity Boxing. "I thought Devin was effective in the first half of the fight. In the last round, I didn’t see nothing from nobody, but the judges felt that Devin did more than Loma. He’s a younger fighter with more opportunities. Loma is 35." Haney is currently considering moving up to the junior welterweight limit of 140 pounds. He is, however, willing to remain at 135 for important matches against Shakur Stevenson or Davis. Ford indicates that Davis would have no problem with facing Haney for the undisputed championship - but he doesn't believe Haney is ready for such a content. "I know one thing. I know one thing. He isn't ready for Tank. Devin’s team is saying, 'F--- 135-pounds,' and the only person that could make them change their minds is Tank at 135. They’re going up to 140-pounds if they’re willing to take that chance. If I was with their team, I’d say, 'I’m fighting Tank. Get that payday and keep it moving.' That 140lb is getting real deep," Ford said. "Tank pushed them all out of 135. 'Get out of here.' I’m like this. We make 135 real good. Why do we have to go up to 140? We’re the cash cow. I’m going to make them come to me."

Renowned coach Ray Longo is questioning the UFC's handling of bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, expressing his discontent with the organization's decision to schedule a quick turnaround for his fighter. Sterling, fresh off a hard-fought victory against Henry Cejudo at UFC 288, is set to defend his title against Sean O'Malley in the main event of UFC 292 on August 19th in Boston, a mere three months after his last bout. Longo, who has been an instrumental figure in Sterling's career, believes that the UFC's offer for such a hasty fight is unfair to his fighter, who had initially requested more time to recover. Speaking on the 'Anik and Florian' Podcast, Longo expressed his concerns about the situation, highlighting the treatment of other champions as well. “To me, in business and even down here, you know what people like, consistency. Like if I come in here, everybody pays $200 hundred a month, and then they’re walking around the gym, and someone says no, he only charges me $75. That’s not good, you know what I mean? It’s got to be consistent. That’s why I said we’re giving examples where It seems like favoritism almost, you know.” Drawing attention to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who successfully defended his title against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 in February, Longo pointed out the significant gap between Makhachev's fights. The lightweight champion's next title defense is expected to take place at UFC 294 on October 22nd in Abu Dhabi, giving him a much longer break between fights compared to Sterling. “I think it’s the inconsistency of well (Islam) Makhachev hasn’t fought in a year, why are you forcing (Aljamain Sterling) to fight in two months like that’s where I have a problem. I like fairness, and I like the transparency of knowing everybody’s going the same thing. Like if Dana wanted to turn everybody around every two months, then that’s it, that’s what you signed up for. This is their rule. It’s their company. He built it up. He gets to call the shots, but to do one thing one time and not the other time, I think that’s where it gets a little sticky for me.” Longo's frustration with the UFC's scheduling decisions suggests a sense of favoritism and inconsistency in the organization's practices. He believes that the disparity in treatment between champions raises questions about fairness and equality within the sport. As fans eagerly await the Sterling vs. O'Malley clash this summer, the controversy surrounding the quick turnaround for the bantamweight champion only adds to the anticipation. The outcome of this fight will not only impact Sterling's career but may also shed light on the larger issue of how the UFC handles its fighters, particularly champions, in terms of scheduling and recovery time. Whether or not one agrees with Longo's assessment, his concerns raise important questions about the welfare and fair treatment of athletes in the highly competitive world of mixed martial arts.

Many seasoned combat sports observers thought Conor McGregor would receive a tense phone call from the UFC when he appeared out of nowhere at BKFC 41. Since it does not immediately gain from the platform, the market leader does not appreciate co-promotion or lending out its biggest celebrity. BKFC President David Feldman claimed that McGregor was expecting to hear about it from his promoter after he challenged Mike Perry in the main event of BKFC 41 and slung a BKFC belt over his shoulder. However, McGregor clarified in a recent interview that wasn't the case. “I don’t know [if the UFC was mad],” McGregor said. “No one said anything. The UFC is where it’s at, no matter what. There isn’t nothing above the UFC, and there isn’t nothing that ever will be, and that’s the truth. So I’m sure they had no problem.” McGregor declared that he would accept a bare-knuckle fight without a contract. “I would do it,” McGregor said. “Yes I would do it, and I’d be happy to do it. It’s hard to get a boring fight in it, and it’s actually almost impossible for a boring fight to happen in it, and I’ll tell you why – no other discipline or sport can say that there’s a zero percent chance of having a boring fight. “Boxing can be a snoozefest, MMA can be a snoozefest — there’s no chance of a boring fight in bare-knuckle because even if it is just a back-and-forth jab match, even a jab splits the skin. So from the split skin causes panic in the ring, and the crowd rises, and there’s zero chance of a boring fight. So it’s interesting. I’d be up for it, for sure. Why not?”

Julio Cesar Chávez Jr gave a sad messege through social media . Apoligizing to his father for letting him down and his fans. After spending a year in rehab ex world WBC middleweight champion Chávez Jr with only a few days out goes back to drugs (painkillers, antidepresants, stimulators). He realizes that he hit rock bottom and sees how he hurts his family and those around him. He also said that he now sees that his father always wants whats best for him and is always willing to guide him. He also said that this time he will listen to his father and try harder to stay clean for his family. He told fans watching on social media to take him as an example of what drugs can do to you. Chávez Sr says he will do anything to save his son and keep him safe even if its to keep him in rehab another year.

Calvin Ford trainer of Geovanta "Tank" Davis said that the fight they really want is an undisputed fight against Devin Haney for all the belts (WBC)(WBO)(IBF)(WBA). They want to be the undisputed champ in a shark filled lightweight división. There is so many fights that can be made in that división its crazy. Ford also stated that Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz is an alternative if they cant reach an agreement with the Haney's.

Recently, Henry Cejudo shared an intriguing perspective on a top-tier UFC competitor who he thinks Conor McGregor has a decent chance of defeating. In a recent video that he posted to his YouTube account, 'Triple C' talked about how 'The Notorious' made fun of him following his disastrous UFC 288 defeat to UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling. Cejudo also talked about the Irishman's potential in the Octagon and his next battle with Michael Chandler. Despite the fact that the battle is anticipated to take place at 170 pounds, 'Triple C' said he believes McGregor to receive a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship right away if he defeats 'Iron'. "Okay, so if he [McGregor] wins at 170, then he gets an automatic title shot at 155," Cejudo said. "You think that's fair?" "I think Leon Edwards might be a more winnable fight for him than Michael Chandler," Cejudo opined. “Because Michael Chandler may bring in that wrestling, he may bring in that All-American wrestling, he's an All-American wrestler in, you know, for the University of Missouri, you know, part of Ben Askren's, so, he's been in these positions before. With Leon, Leon's gonna be stubborn, try and keep it on his feet. I still think Leon could beat him.”

In a surprising turn of events, former UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has shared his prediction for the highly anticipated boxing match between Nate Diaz and YouTube sensation turned professional boxer, Jake Paul. Poirier, who has a storied history with Diaz, expressed his support for Paul, citing his reasons for favoring the controversial internet star to come out on top. Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz have a long-standing rivalry that has spanned several years. They were scheduled to face each other at UFC 230 in 2018, but an unfortunate injury forced Poirier to withdraw from the bout. Their feud escalated on social media, with both fighters exchanging verbal jabs and calling each other out. However, the opportunity to settle their differences never materialized before Diaz left the UFC in late 2022 to pursue new avenues. Despite their heated history, Poirier harbors no ill will towards Diaz and acknowledges the importance of fighters being adequately compensated and finding success outside the UFC. Poirier expressed his satisfaction with Diaz's upcoming high-profile boxing match against Jake Paul, scheduled for August 5 in Dallas. While Poirier had actively campaigned to be Diaz's final UFC opponent, that opportunity ultimately went to Tony Ferguson. With Diaz now venturing into the boxing world, Poirier believes that Paul has what it takes to secure the victory. Poirier's prediction aligns with his desire for fighters to succeed, regardless of the organization they compete in. “Man, Jake’s younger, bigger, faster — it’s not an easy fight,” Poirier said. “Just because Nate’s a grizzled veteran with the right experience, and Jake’s a new guy who’s on YouTube — he’s got the money and the amenities to surround himself with the best people and dedicate himself to fighting, and he’s younger and more explosive. And I think Diaz’s boxing is good for MMA — it’s a completely different thing. It’s a completely different thing.” With Diaz's boxing debut just a week after Poirier's highly anticipated rematch against Justin Gaethje at UFC 291, Poirier hopes to attend the event in person. As long as he recovers from his fight in time, Poirier plans to make the journey from his home in Louisiana to witness the clash between Diaz and Paul at Dallas' American Airlines Center. While their rivalry may have gone unresolved, Poirier supports Diaz's pursuit of new opportunities and hopes that he achieves success in his boxing endeavor. As fight fans eagerly await the Diaz-Paul showdown, all eyes will be on Dallas to see if Poirier's prediction comes true and if Jake Paul can prove his mettle against the seasoned warrior, Nate Diaz.

Leon Edwards was watching UFC 287 in April when he saw the last brief moments of his chance to settle a grudge against Jorge Masvidal fade away. A controversial backstage brawl between the fighters at a UFC London event in 2019 seemed to set the stage for their final confrontation, with Masvidal punching Edwards many times before security stepped in. The fight ultimately never happened, but after Edwards won the UFC welterweight title this past August, he held out the tiniest shred of hope that maybe Masvidal might reinvent himself as a serious contender so they could finally settle their issues in the ring. Unfortunately, Masvidal lost to Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision at UFC 287 and then declared his retirement from fighting, ending Edwards' opportunity to win. “That was the fight to make even after the [Ben] Askren fight,” Edwards told MMA Fighting when asked about Masvidal. “That was the fight to make straight away, but for some reason they didn’t want to make it. “I think [at UFC 287], he showed his age. He’s what, 37 or 38? He looked slow in there. He got fatigued within a round or so. I don’t think either of them looked great, him or Gilbert. Gilbert was just the better man that night, but I think it’s probably good for him to retire.”

MMA great Chael Sonnen recently commented on Shavkat Rakhmonov's choice to publicly criticize Kelvin Gastelum. Rakhmonov, who is undefeated, last contested at UFC 285 and used a rear-naked choke to force Geoff Neal to submit late in the third round. Joe Rogan entered the Octagon shortly after the fight to conduct a post-fight interview with the budding Kazakh star. The well-known podcaster claimed that the 17-0 Rakhmonov had moved into a "top contender position" after defeating Neal. The UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards or Colby Covington, according to Rakhmonov, are his top choices for the following opponent. However, it now seems that 'Nomad' is interested in facing Kelvin Gastelum in his 170lbs return next, much to the dismay of Chael Sonnen. Sonnen recently posted a video on his YouTube channel in which he criticised 'Nomad' for calling Gastelum out in a "wimpy" way. "He [Rakhmonov] called out Kelvin Gastelum," Sonnen said. "And it was nice, it was friendly, right, I mean it was about as wimpy as you could do a callout while still qualifying as a callout. It was more like a suggestion or an idea that came from him than it was a callout. In fact, it was even a question, 'Should I be the one to welcome Kelvin Gastelum back at 170?" "You had a very powerful person say, 'Your next fight will be for the world championship,'" Sonnen said. "You sat on that for three months, and decided to ask, in question form, about Kelvin Gastelum... There's so many words I could use to describe Rakhmonov, smart doesn't make the list."

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is gearing up for yet another exciting event as it returns to the sunny state of Florida. Set to take place on July 14 at a soon-to-be-named venue in Lakeland, BKFC 47 promises to deliver an electrifying night of bare-knuckle action to fans around the world. The highly anticipated main event of the evening features a clash for the middleweight championship. Defending champion David Mundell, with an impressive record of 6-1, is prepared to put his title on the line against the formidable Mike Richman, a former Bellator standout. Richman, known for his exploits at light heavyweight, will be making the daring move down to the 175-pound weight class. Mundell, at the age of 31, made a seamless transition from professional mixed martial arts to the world of bare-knuckle boxing during the early days of BKFC. With a career MMA record of 10-5, Mundell seized the BKFC middleweight title in December when he secured a third-round TKO victory over Francesco Ricchi at BKFC 34. Currently riding high on a four-fight winning streak, Mundell will look to showcase his relentless determination and skill as he defends his hard-earned crown. Meanwhile, Richman, aged 37, seeks redemption following a knockout loss to Lorenzo Hunt in a light heavyweight title fight at KnuckleMania 3. Although Richman managed to drop Hunt during the match, an unfortunate turn of events resulted in him being knocked unconscious in a wild and unforgettable sequence. This upcoming bout presents an opportunity for Richman to prove his mettle in the world of bare-knuckle fighting, and he undoubtedly aims to make a resounding statement with a victory over the reigning champion. While the main event promises fireworks, fight enthusiasts can also look forward to a line-up of additional thrilling matchups. Although no other fights have been announced thus far, BKFC has a reputation for delivering exhilarating contests that keep fans on the edge of their seats. So, mark your calendars, prepare for an adrenaline-pumping experience, and get ready to witness the next chapter in bare-knuckle history as BKFC 47 takes center stage in Lakeland, Florida.

Rolando 'Rolly' Romero, the freshly crowned WBA junior welterweight champion, has accepted Ryan Garcia's challenge at junior welterweight. "Okay Rollies, you asked for it. Let’s get it. This one is for Barroso," Garcia stated on social media. The 27-year-old Romero controversially stopped top rival Ismael Barroso earlier this month to win the vacant WBA belt. After the win, Romero called for a fight with Garcia. "There’s only two fights I want,” Romero said. “There’s the rematch with Tank Davis. But I think there’s a much bigger option. I want to go after Ryan Garcia. We can do it on Showtime PPV.” Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) was knocked out by Gervonta 'Tank' Davis back in April in what is currently the biggest pay-per-view fight of the year. This was Garcia's first loss in his professional career. 1.2 million people watched their event on pay-per-view. Additionally, he cut ties with his trainer Joe Goossen and hired veteran trainer Derrick James, who presently works with Errol Spence, Jermel Charlo, Frank Martin, and Anthony Joshua. Regarding Romero, there is still the matter of Alberto Puello, the "champion in break." Romero was originally scheduled to fight Puello, but the bout was cancelled after Puello tested positive for a prohibited drug. Later, Barroso, who was ranked first, took his spot, succeeding him. Puello's status as 'champion in break' has not been officially revoked or suspended by the WBA. It is possible that Romero will be instructed to present a defence against Puello if he manages to get out of this situation. Romero's lone loss, which occurred last year, is likewise a knockout loss to Davis. Garcia and Davis squared up at a catch weight of 136 pounds. Garcia made it obvious that he was upping his weight to 140 pounds after suffering his first defeat.

This past saturday Lawrence Okolie defended his WBO world cruiserweight championship against tuff challenger Billam-Smith in a somewhat weird fight. Okolie being known for being a highly skilled fighter that knows how to use his reach, fought unlike what we are used to see from him. He did more holding than fighting and was even knocked down three times, although two were questionable the ref counted so it made it official. Many are surprised to see Okolie loose because they thought he was the dark horse in the cruiserweight división. Being 6'4" and a highly skilled boxer that knows how to use his reach many thought he would unify titles then move up to heavyweight. Thats what makes boxing so special, its always full of surprises. Okolie lost by majority decisión making Billam-Smith the new world WBO cruiserweight champion.