Josh Emmett, the highly ranked UFC featherweight, has expressed his belief that he was the "clear choice" for the interim title fight at UFC 284. The California native, who holds an impressive record of 18 wins and 2 losses, has been making waves in the featherweight division and has been calling for a title shot for some time. Emmett, Yair Rodriguez, and Arnold Allen were in a three-way competition for the interim featherweight title contest when the current champion Alexander Volkanovski decided to switch to lightweight to pursue double-division champion status. After a series of events, the company chose Emmett and Rodriguez to headline the co-main event of UFC 284 on Saturday at the RAC Arena. “I thought I was a clear choice,” Emmett told reporters at media day. “If you look at my win record, the streak I’m on, the actual opponents I’ve beaten in the top 10, top five, I thought for sure I was next. Allen and Yair were thrown into the mix. It is what it is. Who knows what would have happened?” However, Emmett's claims have been met with some skepticism from fans and experts, who point out that other featherweights in the division may also be deserving of a title shot. Some have argued that the interim title fight should go to a fighter with a longer winning streak or a more dominant record. Emmett had the potential to shake up the featherweight division and made a strong case for a title shot. But the #7 ranked featherweight Calvin Katter believes that he would have been there instead of Emmett for the shot for the gold strap. Unluckily, Katter lost to Arnold Allen via TKO at the very start of the 2nd round. With torn ACL, he is expected to sit out until 2024 and it would be easy for him to watch the co-main event at UFC 284. After switching to the UFC's featherweight division, Emmett has won seven out of his last eight meetings and has five successive wins overall. The Team Alpha Male fighter defeated Calvin Kattar by a split decision in his last outing, although the outcome was highly criticized. Regardless of whether Emmett gets the interim title or not, one thing is for sure - the featherweight veteran is a fighter to watch in the coming months. Despite his age, Emmett has still got somewhere in his body which can make a big difference in the division.

Deontay Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight champion of the world, has issued a challenge to UFC's heavyweight powerhouse Francis Ngannou. Wilder has proposed not one, but two separate fights - one in the boxing ring and one in the octagon. Wilder has even proposed that the historic event take place in Africa, adding to the already high stakes of the proposed fights. Wilder, who has had a storied career in boxing, holds a record of 43 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 42 of those wins coming by way of knockout. The Alabama native is known for his devastating power and has become one of the most feared fighters in the heavyweight division. On the other hand, Ngannou has made a name for himself in the UFC with his incredible knockout power, holding a record of 17 wins and 3 losses, with 12 of those wins by KO. In a recent interview, Wilder stated that he wants to test his skills against Ngannou in both boxing and MMA. The former heavyweight champion believes that he can bring his power and technique to both the boxing ring and the octagon and prove that he is a superior fighter. The two fighters have expressed mutual respect in the past, but the suggestion of a two-fight deal has taken their contention to a new level. “I love Francis,” Wilder told Trill Boxing Talk. “When I met him at the [UFC] APEX in Vegas, we were talking about it during that time and I’m still interested in that fight. I would love to go to Africa for that one. I would love to do that one in Africa. “I even thought about this idea. Let’s make it a two-fight deal. Everybody always comes to boxing. Let’s do this — you come to my s***, I come to yours. You come to my house, I come to yours. A true tea party. I love that idea. I’m a true warrior.” Ngannou, who has expressed interest in crossing over to boxing in the past, has not yet responded to Wilder's proposal. However, the Former UFC heavyweight has stated that he is open to all challenges and is not afraid to step out of his comfort zone to prove his worth. When discussing the possibility of fighting against Ngannou in both boxing and mixed martial arts, Wilder claimed that UFC president Dana White was also engaged in all those discussions. “When he was with Dana [White, UFC president], me and Dana sat down and talked about it. When he brought the idea to me the whole saying was 'if it makes dollars it makes sense'. That's all they need to know. I know he's doing his own thing and I'm proud of him for following his heart, doing what he feels." While the details of this proposed event are yet to be confirmed, one thing is for certain - a fight between Deontay Wilder and Francis Ngannou has the potential to be one of the biggest crossover events in combat sports history. Whether the two fighters will step into the ring and octagon remains to be seen, but the possibility has already got fans talking and eagerly anticipating what could be a historic event.

Anthony Joshua's much-anticipated return to the ring is not the only exciting boxing match that fans will be able to witness on April 1st at London's O2 Arena. Matchroom Boxing announced on Thursday that British middleweight Felix Cash will take on European champion Matteo Signani of Italy on the undercard. The bout between Cash and Signani was added to the fight night after Cash was initially set to face American fighter Ammo Williams. However, following a ringside clash between the two after Cash's recent performance in Leeds, attention has shifted to a potential match with Italy's Signani, with a fight against Williams potentially taking place later in the year. The undercard will also see light-heavyweight Craig Richards take on Latvia's Ricards Bolotniks. The pair was originally scheduled to fight in November, but the former fell ill on fight week, delaying the match until April 1st. With Joshua headlining the event for the first time in seven years, fans are in for a treat with two exciting matches in store. The 33-year-old heavyweight will be looking to get his career back on track following his split-decision defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in August 2022. Joshua has been training hard with his new coach Derrick James and is ready to put on a show for the fans at the O2 Arena. Overall, the night of boxing is set to be an entertaining one, with two undercard matches adding to the already highly-anticipated return of Anthony Joshua. With Felix Cash and Matteo Signani bringing their A-game, and Craig Richards and Ricards Bolotniks looking to settle their previously delayed match, boxing fans are in for a treat. Be sure to mark your calendars for April 1st and get ready for an unforgettable night of prizefighting.

Tommy Fury, the 23-year-old British professional boxer, is ready to take on Jake Paul in the highly anticipated match on February 26. Fury, who was previously unable to face Paul due to injury and visa issues, is confident that he is in the best shape of his career and ready to knock out his rival. He believes that his preparation, which included focusing on training instead of attending press conferences, has been the best of his career. Paul, on the other hand, criticized Fury for not showing up to the press conference in Saudi Arabia and called him “unprofessional” and a “flake”. Fury, however, explained that professional boxers do not break training camp mid-way to attend press conferences, especially when the fight is only two weeks away. He is more interested in completing his training and getting in the best shape possible to beat Paul. Fury is not concerned with Paul's insults and is quick to point out that his focus is on training and preparing for the match, rather than on press conferences and other promotional events. He is determined to KO Paul and get him out of the sport. In conclusion, Fury is confident, focused, and ready to take on Paul in the much-anticipated fight on February 26. He is determined to prove that he is the professional athlete in the match and will leave no stone unturned in his preparation to beat Paul.

Jack Catterall has been waiting for a fair fight for quite some time now. The talented fighter from Chorley, England, has been in the shadow of Josh Taylor, who defeated him in a highly controversial decision win in February 2022. Ever since then, Catterall has been on the sidelines, waiting for a rematch that has yet to come. Meanwhile, Taylor has been making headlines for his recent fight plans, which have once again left Catterall in the dust. Top Rank, the premier boxing promoter in the world, has announced plans to have Taylor and former lightweight titleholder Teofimo Lopez face off this summer in the United Kingdom. Taylor will defend his lone 140 lb belt, the WBO title, in this highly anticipated matchup. The news has been met with mixed reactions, with many fans and experts feeling that Taylor is ducking Catterall once again. The Scottish fighter originally intended to move up to welterweight after beating Catterall but instead, he dragged out the process of vacating his WBC, WBA, and IBF titles for months. One of those titles, the IBF, remains vacant, as the organization has yet to get Subriel Matias and Jeremias Ponce into the ring, but that is expected to change on February 25. However, with Boxxer planning Catterall's return for March 25, it's clear that the fighter is eager to get back in the ring and prove his worth. The question on everyone's mind is whether or not Top Rank will finally give Catterall the chance he deserves, or if he'll be forced to sit on the sidelines once again. The Taylor-Lopez matchup is an intriguing one, as both fighters are incredibly talented and have fired some shots at each other in the media in the past. While the build-up could be contentious and nasty, the fight has the potential to be a great one. Both fighters are not riding a wave of momentum at the moment, with Lopez having suffered a shock loss to George Kambosos in November 2021 and struggling against Sandor Martin in December. Taylor, on the other hand, hasn't fought in a year and didn't look very good in his last fight. Despite the current state of both fighters, it's hard not to imagine that they'll show up in good form and put on a great fight. The Taylor-Lopez matchup may not be the undisputed championship fight that was expected, but it still promises to be an exciting and highly anticipated bout. Meanwhile, Catterall continues to wait for his chance to prove himself in the ring. The talented fighter has faced setbacks and delays, but his determination and drive to succeed have never wavered. It's time for Top Rank to give Catterall the chance he deserves and let him step into the ring for a fair fight. The boxing world is eagerly waiting to see what Jack Catterall can do, and it's about time that he gets the opportunity to show it.

According to reports, Charles Oliveira will make his octagon comeback on May 6 at UFC 288. 'do Bronx' will fight for the first time since losing his lightweight title to Islam Makhachev in October at UFC 280. Oliveira's coach Diego Lima reportedly confirmed the booking to MMA journalist lvaro Colmenero following numerous reports of a possible booking against veteran top contender Beneil Dariush. Colmenero tweeted the following: "🥳 Diego Lima, Charles Oliveira's manager and coach, confirmed to me that Oliveira will fight Beneil Dariush on May 6 at UFC 288." Charles Oliveira's eleven-fight winning streak came to an end in the UFC 280 main event when he was submitted by Islam Makhachev in the second round. Beneil Dariush in contrast, is riding a remarkable eight-fight winning streak that was culminated with a resounding decision victory over rising Polish contender Mateusz Gamrot. Recently, the former lightweight UFC champion revealed that negotiations with Dariush's camp were underway between his managers, Jorge Patino and Diego Lima. If he can win the fight against "Benny," Oliveira plans to challenge for the championship at the end of the year. “It’s true that we are negotiating to face Dariush, who is coming from a gigantic sequence of wins,” Oliveira admitted. “My managers Jorge Patino and Diego Lima are taking care of that. As I said in other interviews, that’s a moment where we have to think with reason not emotion.” “I must fight the one who will take me to the title shot. My plan is [to] fight April or May, and fight again for the belt by the end of the year [against] the winner of [Alexander] Volkanovski and Makhachev.” Oliveira strongly down the rumour when it was brought up that he went to Perth in addition to being the backup fighter in case Volkanovski or Makhachev were unable to compete. "No way,” Oliveira exclaimed with a laugh. “I just weighed 187 pounds this Wednesday. I came here to help my teammate and do some jobs for the UFC.”

Islam Makhachev, the UFC Lightweight Champion, has retaliated after Bobby Green, a former rival, accused him of using steroids on a regular basis. Before defeating Charles Oliveira in October to claim the 155-pound title, Makhachev defeated replacement opponent Green in a pinch with a similarly commanding performance. In February 2021, the duo was the main event of UFC Vegas 49, with "King" standing in for the injured Beneil Dariush. With the Californian unable to generate any offensive, Makhachev took him to the ground and used ground-and-pound to win by TKO in the first round. Although the two seemed amicable at the time, Green's recent statements raise doubts about their current relationship. Green claimed that Makhachev and other Dagestani MMA fighters have been "groomed" for success through the usage of performance-enhancing drugs since the age of 10. “I was f*cking round on my YouTube, right, and I found this little video and it said Islam had a little trouble with drugs,” Green said. So, he was saying when he first came over that his school that he trained at in Russia, they just gave him vitamins. They been doing it since who knows when, when you start training.” “Imagine if you gave someone steroids form the age of 10, 12, 13, 14, 15; how strong you would be… He was really strong, it makes sense now… I move with thousands of guys, that was interesting,” Green added." Makhachev responded by stating that dedication alone is what accounts for the power disparity Green experienced in Las Vegas at the beginning of the year, not the use of performance-enhancing drugs. “I don’t know. I am not like Bobby Green. I am not drunk, do some bad stuff,” Makhachev said. “I am training hard, that’s why. That’s why he feel the power. I told you, all the fighters say, ‘I am going to defend his wrestling.’ … But, when fight is happening, when I take down my opponent, they all feel my power” The subject came up again at a time when Makhachev's stature and might were the main topic of conversation. Many have predicted that Volkanovski, the 145-pound champion, will lose to Makhachev's toughness as he prepares to take on a challenge from below this Saturday.

UFC 287, which is slated to take place on April 8 is developing rapidly. The main and co-main events were revealed to be Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya with Jorge Masvidal vs. Gilbert Burns last week. The mixed martial arts world is buzzing with the announcement that Michael Chiesa is making his long-awaited return to the UFC, with a highly anticipated bout against Li Jingliang at UFC 287. Chiesa announced the news Friday on the UFC Fight Night Pre-Show. This is a matchup that is sure to get fans on the edge of their seats, as two of the sport's top welterweights clash in the cage. Michael Chiesa (18-6) is no stranger to the UFC, having established himself as one of the worthy contenders in the welterweight division. With a grappling-based style and a reputation for finishing fights, Chiesa has made a name for himself with a string of impressive victories, including wins over top-ranked fighters such as Carlos Condit, Diego Sanchez, Rafael Dos Anjos, and Neil Magny. After a brief hiatus from the sport, Chiesa is now ready to make his comeback and reclaim his spot as one of the top fighters in the division. Standing in his way is Li Jingliang, a dangerous striker with knockout power in both hands. With a record of 19-8, Li has already made his mark as a tough contender in the welterweight division and has a reputation for putting on exciting and entertaining fights. The Chinese lost his last meeting at UFC 279 against Daniel Rodriguez by a split decision. Between defeats to Khamzat Chimaev and Magny, he had knockout victories against Muslim Salikhov & Santiago Ponzinibbio. Li is a fighter to be reckoned with, and will no doubt bring his best to the cage at UFC 287. This bout is sure to be a thrilling clash of styles, as Chiesa's grappling prowess takes on Li's striking power. With both fighters eager to prove themselves and climb the ranks in the welterweight division, fans can expect a non-stop action-packed matchup that is sure to deliver. Who will come out on top? Will Chiesa continue his dominance in the cage, or will Li stun the world with a knockout victory? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – this is a bout that fans won't want to miss!

The mixed martial arts community is buzzing with the news that Dan Hooker has had to withdraw from his highly anticipated bout against Jalin Turner at UFC 285 due to a broken hand. This unexpected development has left fans disappointed, but also raises questions about who will step up to face Turner in the octagon. As a consequence of the injury sustained during training, Hooker later uploaded a picture on Instagram revealing his hand in plaster. Dan Hooker has been a force to be reckoned with in the UFC, having established himself as a better lightweight contender with a string of impressive victories. His bout against Jalin Turner was poised to be one of the highlights of UFC 285, with both fighters bringing their unique skills and fighting styles to the cage. However, Hooker's injury has thrown a wrench into the plans, and fans are left wondering who will replace him in the matchup. At UFC 281, Hooker defeated Claudio Puelles in the second round to return to the winning sheet. He had up until recently lost four times to top-ranked opponents, notably current champion Islam Makhachev, former interim champion Dustin Poirier, and former Bellator champion Michael Chandler. His previous record was 1-4. Jalin Turner, on the other hand, is eager to prove himself as one of the rising stars of the sport. Despite the setback, he remains confident in his abilities and is looking forward to the opportunity to face a new opponent at UFC 285. With knockout power and a background in striking, Turner has already made a name for himself in the UFC and will no doubt be a fierce competitor, regardless of who he faces in the octagon. Turner misses the opportunity to add a well-known opponent to his résumé while having a current five-fight winning run. Most recently, at UFC 276 the 27-year-old fighter defeated Brad Riddell. The UFC is actively seeking a replacement opponent for Jalin Turner, and fans are eagerly waiting to see who will be selected. Will it be a seasoned veteran or a rising up-and-comer? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – this bout is sure to be a thrilling and action-packed matchup that fans won't want to miss. But several names for the potential replacement are coming up with the likes of Renato Moicano, Arman Tsarukyan, and Mateusz Gamrot. Stay tuned for further updates as the UFC works to secure a new opponent for Jalin Turner at UFC 285. With the lightweight division being one of the most competitive and exciting in the sport, fans can expect a must-watch event, regardless of who steps up to face Turner in the cage.

The January 21st fight between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith was one of the most highly anticipated boxing matches of the year. The build-up to the bout was characterized by genuine animosity between the two fighters, with both men looking to prove their superiority in the ring. Despite no title being on the line, the fight was sold as a dangerous and high-stakes bout, with each fighter risking their reputation and future prospects with a loss. Promoter Ben Shalom has now revealed that the final number of pay-per-view buys was "very high above 200,000", though it did not quite reach the milestone of 300,000. Despite some fans claiming that the fight wasn't deserving of its pay-per-view status, others felt that it was a big enough event to warrant the extra expense. Shalom praised the promotion of the fight, saying that it exceeded all expectations and was a great box office event, due to the 50/50 nature of the bout and the risk that both fighters took by putting it all on the line. The card was set at a price point of £19.95 for Sky Box Office customers, and featured several exciting undercard fights, including Ekow Essuman retaining his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Chris Kongo in a close contest, a labored affair between former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and Jack Massey, and knockout victories for heavyweight prospects Frazer Clarke and Matty Harris. The outcome of the main event was a stunning fourth-round knockout victory for Liam Smith, who shocked the boxing world by sending Eubank Jr to the canvas. Eubank Jr's promoter, Kalle Sauerland, has revealed that the rematch clause in their contract with Smith will be considered over the coming weeks. Eubank Jr has expressed a desire to box Smith again after the defeat, even suggesting that he would be open to staging the rematch in Smith's home city of Liverpool. However, Sauerland has given no indication that they are eager to pursue a rematch, saying that they need to take their time to consider their options and make the right move for Eubank Jr, who is at a pivotal stage in his career. Smith's promoter, Ben Shalom, has indicated that a rematch between the two fighters is likely to be next, but Sauerland remains noncommittal, saying that rushed decisions in boxing are often the worst decisions. In conclusion, the fight between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith was a high-stakes, high-reward bout that delivered on its promise of excitement and drama. Despite the outcome, both fighters have gained the respect of fans and the boxing community, and a rematch between the two is eagerly anticipated by fans of the sport. With no clear decision yet on the future of the Eubank Jr-Smith rivalry, the boxing world waits with bated breath to see what the future holds for these two talented fighters.

Money is the Driving Force Behind Anthony Joshua's Comeback: The former Heavyweight Champion Aims to Get Back on Top with a Win Over Jermaine Franklin After two consecutive losses against Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua is on a mission to get his boxing career back on track. The former two-time unified heavyweight champion is set to face Jermaine Franklin on April 1, in a pivotal moment in his career. In a recent launch press conference for the fight, Joshua was asked what was motivating him during this time. To everyone's surprise, he replied simply and honestly, "Money." Franklin, who put his undefeated 21-fight record on the line last time out against Dillian Whyte, is seen as a tough test for Joshua. Despite the pressure, Joshua is taking his upcoming fight at London's O2 Arena extremely seriously and has travelled to America to work with different trainers. He has now announced that he will be working with Derrick James, who also coaches unified WBA, WBC, and IBF welterweight world champion, Errol Spence, and undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO super welterweight king, Jermell Charlo. Despite his past success, Joshua is aware of what's at stake in this fight. He has been open about his motivation, saying, "I like making money. Straight up. This is a prizefighting sport, and I do it because I'm good at it and I hustle hard." Joshua's honesty is a testament to his determination to get back in the win column and move forward in his career. The money and potential future fights with the likes of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, or even former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, all drive him to perform at his best. According to Forbes, Joshua has already amassed a £38 million fortune, making him one of the richest boxers in the world. However, he is not content to sit back and enjoy his wealth. He knows that the fight with Franklin is a crucial step in his comeback, and he is focused on delivering a performance that will earn him the win and keep the money rolling in. In conclusion, Anthony Joshua's fight with Jermaine Franklin is more than just a boxing match. It is a chance for him to prove himself and to secure his future, both in and out of the ring. The former heavyweight champion is motivated by money and is determined to get back on top, no matter what it takes.

Deontay Wilder, the former heavyweight champion, has offered Francis Ngannou a two-fight deal in which he would make his MMA debut against the UFC heavyweight champion after the two of them face off in a boxing ring. Wilder is one of the names on Ngannou's list of prospective opponents for his first boxing fight after leaving the UFC earlier this year. The two fighters are known for their powerful punches, with Wilder having knocked out all but one of his opponents, Tyson Fury. During an interview on Trill Boxing, Wilder expressed his interest in fighting Ngannou and even mentioned the possibility of making it a two-fight deal. "I love Francis. I would love to go to Africa for that fight," he said. "I even thought about this idea. Let's make it a two-fight deal. You come to my s***, I'll come to yours. I'm a true warrior, that even makes it more exciting and I'm serious about that too." Wilder added that he would be willing to move into MMA for the rematch after their boxing fight. He also joked that although he doesn't have any mixed martial arts experience, he "knows how to beat an a**". The possibility of a Wilder-Ngannou showdown is exciting for fans of both combat sports, as the two fighters are two of the biggest punchers in the industry. The idea of a two-fight deal between the two would be a unique concept, as Wilder would be making his MMA debut against the UFC heavyweight champion. The thought of a "pound-for-pound beatdown" is enough to get fans excited and eagerly waiting for the potential showdown. In conclusion, Wilder's offer to Ngannou is an intriguing proposition, and it would be fascinating to see the former heavyweight champion make his MMA debut against one of the biggest names in the UFC. The two-fight deal would be a groundbreaking concept in the world of combat sports, and fans will be eagerly waiting to see if it comes to fruition.