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Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar has not set foot in the Octagon in almost seven years. 'The Beast Incarnate' has enjoyed a lucrative part-time run in WWE for more than a decade now. While rumors have often circulated of a potential MMA return, Lesnar has seemingly committed to professional wrestling for the most part in recent years. Interestingly, the two main promotions Lesnar has made his fortune are now in the process of merging. UFC parent company Endeavor has purchased 51% of the WWE's stock, making them the majority shareholders. In turn, it has been reported that the WWE and the UFC will form a $21.4 billion sports and entertainment conglomerate. Several people are speculating about potential crossover interactions between UFC fighters and WWE entertainers as a result of the announcement. If Lesnar decides to return to the UFC, he may want to wait until after UFC 287 is over. Gilbert Burns discussed the WWE-UFC merger during the UFC 287 media day. He also expressed his disdain for Brock Lesnar, citing 'The Beast's' pushing of Daniel Cormier at UFC 226 as one of the reasons. “I think UFC can learn so much from the WWE and vice versa," Burns said. "And it’s a good opportunity to slap Brock Lesnar in the face too, right? It’s a good opportunity. I’ve never met him, he’s lucky I’ve never met him. But ... I want to slap him because he cannot push ‘DC’ like that when he came all the way there in the Octagon. I want to slap him in the face.”

David Haye Calls for Anthony Joshua to Rematch Dillian Whyte Former two-division world champion David Haye has voiced his preference for Anthony Joshua to rematch Dillian Whyte next. While Joshua recently won a twelve-round unanimous decision over Jermaine Franklin, Haye doesn't believe it was an impressive enough performance to warrant a blockbuster bout with WBC world champion Tyson Fury just yet. Joshua and Whyte faced off in 2015, with Joshua winning by knockout in the seventh round. However, after Whyte won a tough twelve-round majority decision over Franklin last November, Haye thinks it's the perfect time for a rematch. "I'd like to see him in there with Dillian next, that would be nice, that makes perfect sense," Haye said. "That's not the performance to go in there with Tyson Fury. If he went out there and blitzed him in a couple of rounds, OK, but he needs a better performance than that to jump in with Tyson, in my opinion." Haye believes that Joshua needs a much stronger performance, like a win over Whyte, to create a buzz for a potential fight with Fury. He added, "That's a high-profile fight, lots of pressure, someone that's coming in that can punch. That will get everyone's juices flowing. And then the winner of that can look at Fury." While Joshua has expressed interest in fighting Fury, Haye thinks that Fury isn't interested in negotiating and that Joshua would be better off pursuing a rematch with Whyte. "Fury is not a person to negotiate with because he'll mess you around," Whyte said. "If he's being offered unified heavyweight champion and not taking it, what is Joshua going to offer him to take the fight? Nothing."

Anthony Joshua, according to Deontay Wilder's former WBC heavyweight champion Malik Scott, has become "gun-shy" after losing by knockout to Andy Ruiz in 2019. Last Saturday night in London, Joshua made his ring comeback. He defeated Jermaine Franklin in twelve rounds by unanimous decision. With the win, Joshua ended a two-fight losing streak in which he had lost consecutive decisions to Oleksandr Usyk. Derrick James, the new head coach, was cornering Joshua, a former two-time heavyweight champion. In his previous three fights, Joshua has had three different trainers. After the first defeat against Usyk, he broke off his relationship with career trainer Robert McCracken. and after the Usyk rematch, he distanced himself from Robert Garcia. “He comes across as a little bit gun-shy," Scott told Boxing King Media. "Ever since he fought Ruiz, even when he has looked at his best, in my opinion against [Kubrat] Pulev and Ruiz II, those were still real tactical, safety-first victories for him. “Ever since that [loss to Ruiz], he has been overthinking in the ring, for someone that big, someone that strong, that can be that imposing on his opponent, that is not a good thing. AJ is not a slick guy, he doesn’t punch a little bit hard, he punches very hard. He’s a fast guy, he’s actually known for being one of the latest heavyweights that puts their punches together very well. "But why hasn’t he been putting punches together well in his last three, four fights against smaller opponents? It is not a physical thing, I don’t think it is a trainer thing, I think this is a mental thing.” Can Joshua once again become the menacing puncher he once was?

Raul Rosas Jr., the up-and-coming fighter in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), has been making waves recently with his impressive performances in the octagon. But with fame comes the inevitable backlash, and Rosas Jr. has been dealing with a fair share of haters and jealous fighters who criticize his style and belittle his achievements. Rosas reacted to objections he'd received regarding acquiring this kind of prominent chance by the UFC whereas ranked fighters as well as veterans with a great deal of fighting experience aren't granted the identical scrutiny ahead of his fight with Christian Rodriguez at UFC 287, that opens the pay-per-view main card. However, instead of taking the criticism to heart, Rosas Jr. has chosen to use it as motivation to continue his ascent in the MMA world. In a recent interview, he addressed his critics head-on, saying: “I don’t know who said that, but at the end of the day, they’re all just hating,” Rosas said. “They should take some notes if they want to be on the pay-per-view card. They should take some notes and learn some stuff from me. I already got in the UFC and I’m already on the pay-per-view, not like other regular fighters that are prelim fighters. I don’t want to say names, but yeah.” Even though Raul Rosas Jr. is only 18 years old and has only competed once in the UFC, he still talks trash comparable to an accomplished fighter. If there were a manual for developing a superstar, the UFC's roster would be full of competitors who regularly draw large audiences for pay-per-view events. Rosas received a great deal of media coverage because of his youth after his victory during the UFC's Contender Series and his triumphant octagon premiere three months later, but he doesn't think chance or coincidence had anything to do with the path he's taken to this point. Rosas is aware that, whether anyone wants to admit it or not, he pushed tirelessly to reach where he currently is: “I didn’t [expect it to happen this quickly], but I’m not surprised,” Rosas said. “Like I said, this spot on the pay-per-view wasn’t given, it was earned. I earned it through all my hard work and just everything I do. “I think I’m a pay-per-view fighter and I’m a perfect fighter to open up this pay-per-view card, because not only am I fighter, I’m a showman, a performer, and I’m going to go out there and put on a show and get the people turned up for the rest of the card.” Of course, not everyone appreciates his approach. Some fans and fellow fighters have criticized him for being too outspoken or not respectful enough of his opponents. But Rosas Jr. is quick to point out that he is not trying to be a people pleaser. He is simply being true to himself and his values.

After defeating Jermaine Franklin, Anthony Joshua is eager to get back into the ring. At the O2 Arena in London on Saturday, the former two-time unified heavyweight champion defeated the American. Even though Joshua's fight with Franklin  was exclusively broadcast live on DAZN, Joshua still feels ready to fight again after what he called "12 light rounds." The following day, while in a sauna, he shared a photo on his Instagram account with the caption: "Light 12 rounds, cardio, recovery day [and in] 12 weeks I go again. "All glory  to God." Although Joshua, 33, referred to the fight as a "light 12 rounds," he was unhappy with his performance in what was his first victory since December 2020 against Kubrat Pulev. “I should have knocked him out,” the Olympic gold medal winner from the London 2012 Games said in the aftermath, “but what can I say now? “It’s done. On to the next.” The WBO interim champion Joe Joyce and former green and gold custodian Deontay Wilder have also been mentioned as potential opponents who could be in the opposite corner of the potential summer showdown that has been teased. Tyson Fury, the champion who Joshua pleaded with in the aftermath to make a deal and fight sooner rather than later, is also on the radar. In order to generate interest in a rematch between the two in the paid code after the Brixton puncher was knocked out in the seventh round by 'AJ' back in December 2015 when the Commonwealth, WBC International, and vacant British heavyweight titles were at stake, the aforementioned Whyte was present and trashed his British rival's performance against the man he beat by majority decision just five months prior.

The UFC reportedly working on a highly anticipated featherweight bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez, set to take place on July 8 at UFC 290. This exciting matchup promises to be a clash of two talented fighters with contrasting styles, making it a must-watch event for MMA fans worldwide. Volkanovski, who currently holds the featherweight championship title, has made a name for himself as one of the most dominant fighters in the division. With an impressive record of 25 wins and just 2 losses, he has consistently proven himself as a force to be reckoned with in the octagon. Volkanovski has successfully defended his title twice against former champion Max Holloway, Brian Ortega, and The Korean Zombie, solidifying his position as one of the best featherweight fighters in UFC history. Volkanovski's 22-fight unbeaten record ended in his most recent contest as he suffered his first octagon loss at UFC 284 in February. To become champion-champ, Volkanovski went up a level and competed against Islam Makhachev for the lightweight championship. Volkanovski was defeated by a very close unanimous decision in the contest. On the other hand, Rodriguez is a dynamic and unpredictable fighter who has quickly risen through the ranks of the featherweight division. With a record of 15 wins and 3 losses, he has garnered a reputation for his unorthodox striking style and high-risk maneuvers. In his last fight against Josh Emmett, “El Pantera” won via second-round submission at UFC 284 to become the interim featherweight champion. The likelihood of the fight almost being confirmed for the event was revealed by MMA writer Ariel Helwani. The heavyweight title fight involving Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic has yet to be settled, therefore it is still uncertain if the fight would be the main event or co-main event. Helwani tweeted: "Alex Volkanovski x Yair Rodriguez is scheduled for UFC 290 on July 8, per sources...Not signed yet but everyone is on board. Featherweight title unification bout. TBD on what will serve as the main event for that card just yet." As the main event of their yearly International Fight Week, which includes an entire week of activities and the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony, it is a significant occasion for the company.

Dillian Whyte Urges Anthony Joshua to Prioritize Their Rematch Over Tyson Fury Showdown Heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte has urged former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua to prioritize their rematch over a potential showdown with WBC champion Tyson Fury. After suffering back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua returned to the ring last weekend and won a twelve-round unanimous decision over Jermaine Franklin. Whyte, who defeated Franklin in November, was ringside for the fight. According to promoter Eddie Hearn, the plan was to match Joshua and Whyte in a summer showdown. However, Joshua is also pushing for a fight with Fury. Whyte believes that Joshua should focus on their rematch instead, as Fury is unlikely to accept any terms that Joshua could offer. "Fury is not a person to negotiate with, because he'll mess you around," Whyte told Sky Sports. "If he's [Fury] being offered unified heavyweight champion and not taking it, what is Joshua going to offer him to take the fight? Nothing." Whyte feels that the rematch is the best business move for both fighters. "There is someone here who is willing to fight and ready to go, but for some reason Joshua seems to, and I don't know if it's a tactic of his, brush it under the carpet. I don't know if he just doesn't want to fight me or what, because he knows what my mindset is, I'll come to fight and I carry power in both hands." Joshua and Whyte have fought once before, in 2015, with Joshua stopping Whyte in the seventh round. However, Whyte holds a win over Joshua from their amateur days. It remains to be seen whether Joshua will prioritize the rematch or continue to pursue a fight with Fury.

Eddie Hearn Wants Anthony Joshua to Have Another Fight Before Facing Tyson Fury Eddie Hearn, the promoter for former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, has expressed his desire to see the British star have another fight before potentially facing WBC champion Tyson Fury. In his first fight with new head trainer Derrick James, Joshua won a twelve round unanimous decision over Jermaine Franklin, snapping a two-fight losing streak after dropping back-to-back decisions to Oleksandr Usyk. Hearn believes Joshua should continue to polish the lessons he learned from James and fight another opponent before facing Fury. Joshua aims to fight three times in 2023, which means his next fight must take place in the summer. A rematch with division rival Dillian Whyte is still the likely scenario for Joshua's next bout. "Some fights are there to be made, and you get one chance to do it," Hearn said in an interview with Boxing Social. "I think that is potentially the case with Tyson Fury. At the same time, I would still like him to have another fight with Derrick James to improve on what he has been working on. Dillian Whyte is a great fight. He needs to get back in the ring in July [or] August at the latest if he is to get three fights in this year." Hearn plans to stage the third bout on a date in December if Joshua can have his next fight in the summer. "I would like to see him have a little rest then get straight back to Texas with Derrick and try to have an end-of-summer fight and then try to fight in December. It would be great for his career," he added.

Demetrious Johnson will try to end his feud with Adriano Moraes by raising his hand in their trilogy bout at ONE Fight Night 10 on Amazon Video. By joining ONE Championship, Johnson has added a new chapter to his already famous career, which has been defined by two memorable fights with Moraes. No opponent has ever defeated 'Mighty Mouse' twice. Moraes is hoping to add the biggest win of his career on May 5 at the 1stBank Center in Colorado, after being the first man to knock him out. While Johnson's place as one of the greatest of all time is secure, the question remains: how long can he continue to compete at the highest level of the sport? Johnson recently spoke with FOX 13 Seattle on the longevity of his career and what he attributes it to: “I credit it to great training, the coaches, great lifestyle. The family’s support back at home with my wife and the kids and my mother-in-law and father-in-law. I’ve just been blessed with a healthy body and just been smart. I keep telling everybody, this might be the horse’s last ride, we shall see.” The trilogy bout between the two flyweight greats will close out the stacked ONE Fight Night 10 card. The entire event will be broadcast live and for free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America.

John Fury, father of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has hit back at recent statements made by Deontay Wilder regarding his son. Wilder has continued to make allegations that Tyson Fury cheated in their 2020 rematch, claiming that Fury loaded his gloves with "egg weights." However, these allegations have been vehemently denied by the Fury camp. During a recent interview with ES News, Wilder made it clear that he still harbors negative feelings towards Tyson Fury, calling him a "cheater." Despite appearing to exchange pleasantries with Fury during the Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury showdown in Saudi Arabia, Wilder made it clear that he has no respect for the British boxer. John Fury, who is known for his outspoken nature, did not hold back when responding to Wilder's comments. He called Wilder a "horrible, decrepit man" and stated that he does not like him at all. Fury went on to say that Wilder is a sore loser and will never earn his respect. Fury also criticized Wilder's behavior following his loss to Tyson Fury in the trilogy fight last year. While Jake Paul handled his defeat well and went back to the drawing board, Wilder continued to howl and scream abuse, according to Fury. He questioned how someone can accuse another of cheating when they have been knocked out. Fury further added that if he was a young man like his son, he would have hit Wilder both hands straight in the mouth. He stated that Tyson Fury is a great boxer but does not have his fire, and if someone insults him, he will hit them straight in the mouth. It is clear that tensions are still running high between the two camps, despite their apparent meeting at the Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury fight. Whether or not there will be a fourth fight between the two heavyweights remains to be seen, but it is clear that John Fury will not be backing down from defending his son's honor any time soon.

Although they aren't in a fight, Jorge Masvidal and Kevin Holland came close to starting UFC 287 a few days early in Miami. The welterweights were separated by security at the host hotel on Wednesday, though it appears there was no physical altercation, only a verbal one. A short video of the fighters shouting at each other leaked on social media, with UFC security holding them apart. “Let me just say it,” Holland said on Instagram after the video surfaced. “Before that video’s gonna come out, they’re probably gonna do an opponent change again.” There's no indication on what sparked the incident, but sources told that the fight was "nothing significant" and that neither fighter threw a punch. According to sources, UFC security was already aware of a developing feud between Holland and Masvidal and took precautions to ensure they didn't go too close to one other before their fights on Saturday.

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Kayla Harrison has expressed her frustration with not being included in the 2023 Professional Fighters League season. When Larissa Pacheco crushed lightweight season champion Harrison (15-1) last November in the title fight of the 2022 PFL Championships, she couldn't manage to secure the title for her third consecutive season. The two-time Olympic gold medallist had already made up her mind not to participate in an additional tournament which necessitated her to compete four times over approximately seven months after she fought in a third season for the PFL. Harrison was excited to participate in individual fights, particularly after the PFL unveiled intentions to add pay-per-view shows beginning in 2023. Harrison, who won the PFL women's lightweight championship in both 2019 and 2021, was hoping to avenge her loss in the upcoming season. However, the PFL announced their roster for the upcoming season, and Harrison's name was not on the list. “I wanted to be in the season,” Harrison said on The MMA Hour. “Of course, I wanted to be in the season. The second the tournament was over, the second I lost, I wrote down my goals. I was like: ‘145-pound champ. Going to be in the season. Avenge my loss.’ I had all my key areas of focus, and that’s not in the cards for me. That’s not what they want to do. They want me to fight on the pay-per-view. “I don’t know. I think I get paid a lot of money. I think that they feel like (the regular season and playoffs are) not the best way to utilize me. I think they want to put me on a pay-per-view card against a big name.” Harrison acknowledges that she dislikes being a spectator and feels that she lacks the excitement of the season. “I’ve been a little bit depressed about it,” Harrison said. “It’s hard to watch something you helped build. No matter how awakened and peaceful I am, the world is still moving forward and I’m sitting right here. Sometimes that’s hard. I want to fight, I don’t just want to talk about fighting. I want to fight, so it’s frustrating.” There wouldn't have been much of an audience left if Harrison hadn't fallen to Pacheco a third time. But Pacheco's triumph provided the ideal plot for an anticipated fourth match and an effortless publicity chance for the PFL's upcoming pay-per-view. Sadly, the proposal fell apart since Pacheco declared she wasn't expecting another fight with Harrison to happen this year because of her devotion to four fights if she once again makes it to the finals. Pacheco entered the 2023 PFL season at featherweight. Harrison is presently hoping for yet another chance because this has placed her in a position of uncertainty with little clarity concerning what lies ahead.