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When they square off on pay-per-view March 25 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for a 168-pound title eliminator, David Benavidez and Caleb Plant are both confident they'll kick each other's butt. They merely express it in other ways. Benavidez occasionally uses a reckless style of speech when speaking. When he discusses what he intends to do to his opponent, the former two-time beltholder doesn't hold back. “On March 25, I guarantee that I’m knocking Caleb Plant out before round six,” Benavidez said to Plant at a predictably spirited kickoff news conference Thursday in Los Angeles. “This has been a fight in the making for the last five years and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m at my best right now mentally and physically. On March 25, I finally get to put hands on Caleb Plant. “When you’re on the ground bleeding, you’ll learn how to respect a real fighter. I’m what you want to be. You’re a chump.” Plant was more reserved but essentially expressed the same thing. I’m coming,” he said. “We’re prepared. I’ve been at this level before and I know what it takes. From now until March 25 it’s just about who can train the hardest and keep their foot on the gas. "This is a legacy fight for me and my team. On March 25, I see myself getting my hand raised.” Over the previous few years, Benavidez and Plant haven't been respectful to one another, possibly helping to advertise a fascinating battle they believed would inevitably happen. Or perhaps they genuinely dislike one another. In any case, this conflict has been simmering for a long time. Even if they are both confident, if they didn't respect one another as competitors, the fight wouldn't take place. Following his stoppage loss to undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez in the eleventh round, which cost him the belt in November 2021, Plant is coming off the most stunning victory of his career, a one-punch knockout of Anthony Dirrell in the ninth round in October. Plant's most recent performance was acknowledged by Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs), who also suggested that it adds sparkle to the approaching match-up. “He had a sensational win against Anthony Dirrell and I take nothing away from that,” he said. “This is the best time this fight could have happened. It was the right move for both of us. I’ve been wanting to fight him for a long time and now the winner of this fight gets to be the mandatory for Canelo Alvarez. I’m super motivated.”

The Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk heavyweight championship fight is one of the most eagerly awaited boxing events in recent history. The fight was initially set for March 4, but has now been rescheduled for April 29, and fans are eager to find out where the battle of the heavyweights will take place. There are two options on the table: either in the scorching deserts of Saudi Arabia or the historic Wembley Stadium in London. The negotiations are in full swing, and a decision is expected to be made in the next few days. Both Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk must agree to the terms with the organizers for the fight to be officially signed. Tyson Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, has confirmed that the fight will take place on April 29, no matter what. He stated in an interview, "We've got to make a deal". Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk has already agreed to the terms with the organizers in Saudi Arabia, while Tyson Fury's negotiations are still ongoing. Tyson Fury, the WBC heavyweight champion, is known for his flamboyant personality and unorthodox fighting style. The "Gypsy King" has an impressive record of 33 wins and no losses, with 24 wins coming by way of knockout. On the other hand, Oleksandr Usyk, the former unified cruiserweight champion, is a highly skilled boxer with a record of 20 wins and no losses, with 13 wins coming by way of knockout. This heavyweight championship fight is set to be the biggest event in boxing this year. With two of the best fighters in the world battling it out, fans are eagerly waiting to see who will come out on top. Tyson Fury is known for his powerful punches and quick reflexes, while Oleksandr Usyk is renowned for his technical proficiency and slick footwork. The Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight is not just a boxing match, but a clash of two completely different fighting styles. It will be a test of power against precision, and a battle of nerves under pressure. This fight promises to be an unforgettable showdown and fans are already counting down the days until April 29. So, grab your popcorn, mark your calendars, and get ready for the biggest boxing event of the year!

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reacted to Joe Rogan's criticism of him in a recent podcast episode. Helwani and Rogan are two of the most well-known names in combat sports today. Rogan spoke on Sean Brady's claims on The MMA Hour that he received death threats prior to UFC 280 during a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with Belal Muhammad. Rogan questioned Brady's comments while discussing it with Muhammad and made a suggestion that Helwani had forced Brady into saying them. Helwani responded quickly when a fan brought up Rogan's remark on his broadcast. “What the fuck is that all about?” Helwani replied to Rogan. “First of all, I didn’t get Sean Brady to say that. Sean Brady just offered that up on his own. How could I have gotten him to say that? "But I mean, of course, we know what the history is with Joe. He’s Dana’s boy." “Amazing to me that a guy who sits in his chair with his headset and some version of a microphone thinks that I’m getting people to say things. What are you talking about?” Helwani continued. Two of Helwani's rivals, UFC President Dana White and former fighter Brendan Schaub, are good friends with Rogan. Although he has never had a problem with Helwani, he has provided his own account of the events that led to Helwani's brief suspension from the UFC due to the Brock Lesnar/UFC 200 news. Rogan seems to be Helwani's most recent target after some back-and-forth with other sports figures.

Tyron Woodley, the former UFC welterweight champion, hopes to compete again this year and wants to begin with a new combat sport. It is believed that he intends to make a combat sports comeback, which will include a brief appearance in the combat sport of kickboxing, where "The Chosen One" will be able to display his crushing kicking technique. Recently, Woodley had been suggested in relation with a fight with KSI, which would probably net him a hefty payoff. Since his shocking knockout loss to Jake Paul in the sixth round in late 2021—his second straight loss to "The Problem Child"—Woodley has not competed. Before that, "The Chosen One" left the UFC following four straight defeats. “I think I’m gonna fight in a kickboxing fight,” Woodley told The MMA Hour. “Every time I kick somebody they hit the ground, why don’t I kick people more? ACLs torn, knocked Jake Shields down a couple of times, I even knocked ‘Wonderboy’ down when I kicked, broke my foot on Fatselum when I kicked him in the Kung Fu Panda belly. I kick hard, so why wouldn’t I think about that? I think that’s gonna gradually build me back up. I wanna wrap up the year with MMA.” GLORY kickboxing and RIZIN, two premier kickboxing organisations are reportedly in talks with Woodley over a new contract. This might also mean that Woodley is protected from engaging in potentially dangerous battles at this point in his career, which could have negative effects on his health.

Luke Rockhold and Scott Coker might get together once more. Coker has disclosed that he and Luke Rockhold are now discussing the possibility of joining hands once more. Rockhold, who is now a free agent after departing the UFC, publicly declared his intention to look for new alternatives in combat sports. Additionally, he has stated that he would like to challenge Jake Paul in an exhibition match to halt the YouTuber's undefeated run and maybe earn a significant sum of money for the former UFC champion. Rockhold's career at Strikeforce was what made him most well-known before joining the UFC. He scored 9-0 there, winning the middleweight title for Strikeforce in the end. Coker, who managed with Rockhold at Strikeforce, claims that he has spoken to Rockhold's agent Dave Martin of MAG Sports regarding the actual possibilities of joining forces. Rockhold will go to Bellator 290 on Saturday, per Coker. “We’ve talked to Dave Martin and I think he’s going to come to the fight. We’ll probably have a conversation or two,” Coker said after a Bellator 290 news conference. “We just haven’t sat down and had a real conversation yet. We’ve been busy with this event, but we will at some point, to see if there’s something that could work or if there’s a fit.” The 38-year-old Rockhold made his MMA comeback in August, but he fell short of defeating Paulo Costa in a contest that earned him the Fight of the Night prize. Before being defeated by Michael Bisping for the UFC middleweight belt in 2016, he had lost three of his previous four matches. Rockhold expressed a few annoyances in the run-up to his very last UFC fight, mainly regarding athlete rights and remuneration. After the bout, he said it was feasible, if not likely, to quit. But Rockhold claimed that since then he has been feeling better than before and he has still got it what it needs to be in the ring. Luke must be aware that he only has a limited amount of time remaining considering his age of 38. Which doesn't preclude him from earning a few bucks at Bellator, though, if it makes sense. Certainly, the veteran is unbeaten underneath Scott Coker's close supervision. In light of this, if they choose to pursue it, there would undoubtedly be some direct marketing advantages.

Aljamain Sterling versus Henry Cejudo appears to be set to be officially confirmed by the UFC for May 2023. In a brief conversation with The Schmo, the current bantamweight champion made the announcement public. Sterling's fight with "Triple C" has been pushed back as he continues to recover from a torn bicep. To hasten his recovery, he is flying to Colombia this weekend to have a stem cell transplant. The fight, which was reportedly scheduled to take place in April, was purportedly again delayed by a month at the request of the bantamweight champion's medical staff. When 'Funk Master' takes against the former two-division champion in May, he expects that the stem cell therapy will restore him to full health. "Henry, 'Triple Zero' is next, 110% he is next. It's not going to be April though. After talking with my medical team and the doctors, we're going to give myself a little bit more time and it's going to be May... So here we are. I think the stem cells with the bio accelerator is going to be very good. I'm very optimistic about that and think it's going to get me back to a 100%. So I can compete against a tough competitor like 'Triple Zero'." There aren't that many alternatives open to Sterling following his title defense with Cejudo in May, according to him. While comrade Merab Dvalishvili is currently on the verge of contention for the title, Sterling confesses that No. 1 contender Sean O'Malley is a tempting opportunity. However, Sterling claims a move up to featherweight is possible. Aljamain Sterling believes that by having to lose less weight, he will be less exhausted at 145 pounds. "I can see a second-round finish, [a] TKO [against Cejudo]. And after I finish Henry Cejudo, I really don't think the bantamweight division has anything left for me. Maybe a money fight with Sean O'Malley, if you know, he can get his toenails in order and make sure he stays pretty on the sidelines and healthy... or probably I'm just going to go up to 145 [pounds]... I've got dense bones man, I get heavy... 145, It would make things a bit easier... I won't have to deplete myself as much." Sterling also admitted how challenging losing weight to 135 pounds is for him, even though he has never managed to miss the scale. He has received criticism frequently for drastically reducing his weight. It has been asserted by certain professionals and fight enthusiasts that "Funk Master" is not a genuine 135-pounder.

World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury has created excitement among fans with the prospect of a brotherly battle. Fury suggested a four-way face-off with him and his half-brother Tommy Fury against Jake and Logan Paul. Tommy Fury is set to fight Jake Paul in Saudi Arabia on February 26, while Tyson Fury is expected to face Oleksandr Usyk in a world heavyweight title unification bout, though that has not been confirmed yet. Tyson Fury surprised Jake Paul backstage at London's OVO Arena and came up with the idea of a tag-team match where he and Tommy would take on Jake and Logan. Fury is no stranger to the WWE ring and the concept of a Fury versus battle royale would likely attract a lot of attention from fans who are new to combat sports. However, there is an obvious obstacle in Tyson Fury's participation, as it would give the Furys a distinct advantage. Jake Paul is 6-0 as a professional fighter, but there is some doubt about the validity of his fights. To make it a fair fight, Tyson Fury could have one arm tied behind his back. For now, both Tommy Fury and Jake Paul will focus on their upcoming clash in Riyadh, but their feud is unlikely to end regardless of the result. Either the loser could ask their big brother to pursue a rematch. Jake Paul has responded positively to the idea of competing in a tag-team match with his brother Logan against Tyson and Tommy Fury in the past, opting for the bout to be in the WWE instead. Logan Paul has made a big impact in his WWE debut earlier this year and has since signed a contract with the organization. Tyson Fury has also made occasional appearances in the WWE, most recently at the Clash at the Castle in Cardiff. Jake Paul has expressed confidence in the Paul brothers' ability to beat the Furys in a tag-team match in the WWE. He told Queensberry Promotions, "Anything is possible in this world and I can see that happening. It would be funny. Logan is a beast and I think he will be the WWE champion one day. Tyson Fury can't fly in the air like Logan, so I would say the Paul brothers would win." This latest development in the rivalry between Tyson Fury and Jake Paul shows the willingness of both parties to venture into new territory and add some excitement to the world of combat sports. The potential for a Fury versus Paul brotherly battle in the WWE has fans eagerly waiting for what promises to be an entertaining showdown. In conclusion, Tyson Fury's suggestion of a four-way face-off has generated a lot of excitement among fans, but it would take some creative problem-solving to make it a fair fight.

Daniel Cormier understands Conor McGregor's motivation for selecting Tony Ferguson as his coach for Season 31 of "The Ultimate Fighter." Ferguson, Michael Chandler, and Rafael dos Anjos have all put their names in the bucket to challenge "The Notorious" in the forthcoming season of "TUF," which McGregor said he will be coaching. Cormier thinks Ferguson and McGregor provide excitement on the show, but he also thinks McGregor can win this fight to make a return.“I absolutely tap in. I think it would be funny to see Tony Ferguson and Conor McGregor doing the show,” Cormier said on his ESPN show DC & RC. “But also that’s a fight Conor McGregor could win when he comes back.” McGregor has dropped three of his last four fights and will make his comeback after suffering a horrific fractured leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. He hasn't triumphed since a marquee welterweight bout against Donald Cerrone in January 2020. Ferguson wants to resume his winning streak as well. The former interim lightweight champion, who had a 12-fight winning streak, has lost his last five contests, which date back to May 2020. At UFC 279 last September, Nate Diaz was his most recent opponent, and he lost by submission.

Kell Brook, the former IBF welterweight champion, was recently caught on camera snorting a white powder. This event has raised many questions among his fans and the boxing community, as well as sparked debates about the athlete's drug use. Kell Brook recently spoke out about his struggles with mental health during his retirement from boxing, offering an apology to his loved ones, friends, and fans. A recent video depicting Brook using drugs sparked concern among his supporters, leading him to address the situation via social media. In an Twitter post, Brook admitted his mistake and expressed regret for his actions. "I messed up, and I want to apologize to my family, gym, friends, and fans," he wrote. The former IBF Welterweight Champion went on to reveal that the transition to retirement has been challenging for him, particularly in terms of his mental health. Brook pledged to take the necessary steps to improve, saying, "I am actively seeking help to get me on the right path." He concluded by apologizing once again for causing hurt and disappointment to those around him. What was the White Powder? The white powder in question is believed to be cocaine, a highly addictive and illegal drug. It is used for recreational purposes and is known to have negative effects on one's health, both physically and mentally. Brook's Recent Struggles Despite his early success, Brook has struggled in recent years. In 2018, he suffered a broken orbital bone in his loss to Spence Jr., and has since struggled to regain his form. In a recent fight against Crawford, Brook suffered a significant loss. The Impact of the Incident on Kell Brook's Career If the substance in question is indeed cocaine, Kell Brook could face serious consequences, both legally and professionally. The use of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited in the boxing world and could result in the athlete's suspension or even termination of his contract.

The World Boxing Council (WBC) is one of the most prestigious organizations in the sport of boxing, and its president has recently stated that he expects light heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith to face each other next. This highly anticipated match-up has already generated a lot of buzz in the boxing community and has fans on the edge of their seats. In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at what makes this potential fight so intriguing and why it could be a defining moment for both fighters. Beterbiev's Rise to the Top of the Light Heavyweight Division Artur Beterbiev is a Russian-born fighter who has quickly become one of the most dominant light heavyweight champions of his generation. He holds an impressive professional record of 19 wins, 0 losses, and 19 KO's, and has quickly made a name for himself in the boxing world with his aggressive and relentless fighting style. Beterbiev has won his last ten fights by KO and has not lost a single round in the last five years. This dominance has led many boxing experts to label him as one of the best light heavyweight fighters in the world today. Callum Smith: A Champion on the Rise Callum Smith is a British fighter who has also quickly made a name for himself in the boxing world. He holds a professional record of 29 wins, 1 loss, and 21 KO's, and has become one of the most highly rated fighters in the super-middleweight division. Smith has been on a roll lately, winning his last six fights by KO and earning a title shot against the WBC super-middleweight champion. He is a well-rounded fighter who is known for his technical skills and his ability to finish fights in dominant fashion. The Potential Fight If the WBC's president's expectations come to fruition, we could be in for one of the most exciting fights of the year. Both Beterbiev and Smith are champions in their respective divisions and are two of the most dominant fighters in the world today. Beterbiev's aggressive and relentless fighting style will match up perfectly against Smith's technical prowess and ability to finish fights. The potential match-up has already generated a lot of buzz in the boxing community and fans are eager to see who will come out on top. What's at Stake for Both Fighters For Beterbiev, a victory against Smith would solidify his status as one of the best light heavyweight fighters in the world today. It would also give him a chance to prove that he can perform at the highest level against top-tier competition. On the other hand, a loss would be a significant setback for his career and could raise questions about his ability to compete against the best fighters in the world. For Smith, a victory against Beterbiev would be a huge statement win. It would demonstrate that he is a dominant fighter who can perform at the highest level against top-tier competition. It would also give him a chance to prove that he is one of the best fighters in the world today and would set him up for even bigger fights in the future. A loss, on the other hand, could raise questions about his ability to compete against the best fighters in the world. Conclusion The potential fight between Beterbiev and Smith is one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year. Both fighters are champions in their respective divisions and are two of the most dominant fighters in the world today. This match-up has already generated a lot

According to their promoter Eddie Hearn, a fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight championship may take place one day, but it won't happen before Canelo Alvarez has a chance to settle the score with Bivol. The head of Matchroom, which represents both Alvarez and Bivol, Hearn, has repeatedly stated that he is willing to discuss the possibility of a 175-pound unification bout with Top Rank, the promoter of Beterbiev, the champion of the WBC, WBO, and IBF. However, Hearn has made it clear that he will not agree to a situation in which Alvarez must postpone his scheduled fight in September in order to make room for Beterbiev That means, provided the individual organizers of the fights can actually reach an agreement, that Beterbiev-Bivol would most likely have to happen in 2024. Since losing a decision to Bivol last spring in Las Vegas in a 12-round light heavyweight contest for Bivol's WBA championship, undisputed 168-pound Mexican superstar Alvarez has been trying to even the score with the Russian fighter. Alvarez, who typically competes twice a year, is anticipated to return to the ring in the spring against London's John Ryder and again in the fall against Bivol. In a recent interview, Hearn was asked if Alvarez would be ready to wait until the boxing world crowned an undisputed champion at 175 pounds this year before getting another chance to face Bivol. Hearn categorically rejected that idea. “At the end of the day, Canelo Alvarez wants revenge against Dmitry Bivol,” Hearn continued. “Like I said, we’ve got a lot of irons in the fire here where we have to do what’s best for a number of fighters, you know. Beterbiev-Bivol is one of the best fights in boxing.” In any case, it would be challenging to organize a Beterbiev-Bivol fight because it would require cooperation between Top Rank and Matchroom on a number of business matters, the most important of which is the broadcaster for the potential contest. Top Rank is required to promote its fighters on ESPN, whereas Matchroom has its own extensive output agreement with DAZN. Beterbiev-Bivol can only take place if ESPN is allowed to broadcast it, according to Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who has long made that plain. Additionally, Bivol's compensation against Beterbiev would be significantly less lucrative than his prospective career-high earnings versus boxing's cash cow, Canelo Alvarez. “Like I said, Canelo’s plan is to fight John Ryder and Dmitry Bivol,” Hearn said. “I spoke with Eddy Reynoso last night. We’re looking at possible venues, obviously there are other fights for Canelo Alvarez. We’re planning with Eddy and Saul [fights for] this year and next year. Obviously, you have [Caleb] Plant-[David] Benavidez [168-pound bout] coming up. I know Edgar Berlanga is making a lot of noise. If he can get a couple of big wins, I think that’s a big fight against Canelo Alvarez as well. The priority is May against the mandatory John Ryder and moving towards Dmitry Bivol for undisputed at 168.”

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has begun negotiations with UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou about a potential superfight with two-time boxing champion Anthony Joshua. Since Joshua became professional following the London 2012 Olympics, the British promoter has been looking after his career and has helped him to two reigns with the unified heavyweight belts. And with former UFC champion Ngannou, he might now bring his client one of the biggest crossover matches ever. Since Cameroonian fighter Ngannou quit the UFC without surrendering his title, the organization will have to name a new champion when Jon Jones takes against Ciryl Gane next month. He is now eager to transition into boxing, his first love in combat sports, and has listed Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, and Anthony Joshua as potential opponents. Hearn confirmed that discussions had begun between Matchroom and Ngannou last week. "I think he's an outstanding man," Hearn said. "I always talk too much and I don't want to talk too much about what was said. "I'm fascinated by people who have almost educated themselves to a point where you can have a conversation with a fighter or an athlete like that almost more productively than an agent or a lawyer. I reached out to Francis just to say 'look, I'm getting all these approaches from people claiming to represent Francis Ngannou, just tell me who I need to speak to,' and the answer was 'me'. Hearn is eager to promote what would be one of the biggest boxing bouts between two outstanding heavyweight champions from different sports, but he is aware that Ngannou will want to assemble the best team first. Additionally, there will be offers from other promoters who want to book him, especially for the matches against Fury or Wilder. "I feel like he probably wants to build a team of people around him who make sure that they successfully navigate that ocean and maximise his potential," Hearn continued. "We'll see, for me we'd love to be involved in his career. The Anthony Joshua fight is probably one of the biggest fights that can be made across any kind of sport. "Obviously the Tyson Fury fight is there for him as well. I was pretty captivated by him, I'm not a massive MMA fan, but I still respect what he's achieved there. I just found him to be an outstanding gentleman, we'll see where it goes. I said 'we'll talk' and ultimately he's going to have a lot of opportunities presented to him. "He has a golden opportunity now to really solidify himself financially and many generations beyond him by being involved in an event that would be one of the biggest in fight sport history. I think he should fight Anthony Joshua, these guys have a mountain to climb in terms of the challenge of fighting an elite boxer." Do you think Francis Ngannou will do well in a boxing ring? Let us know in your comments.