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Cristiano Ronaldo like ‘part of the team’ in Francis Ngannou’s locker

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6 hours ago

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Cristiano Ronaldo like ‘part of the team’ in Francis Ngannou’s locker

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Francis Ngannou had a sport’s icon in his locker room ahead of his MMA return.

Ngannou (18-3) claimed the inaugural superfight heavyweight title by knocking out Renan Ferreira (13-4) in the first round of Saturday’s PFL: Battle of the Giants main event.

Prior to making the walk, Ngannou had Cristiano Ronaldo in his locker room. Eric Nicksick says the soccer icon provided Ngannou some comfort and support after going through a similar traumatic experience.

“He’s super down to earth, super cool guy, and he’s actually a huge fight fan,” Nicksick told MMA Junkie. “He had a bunch of questions. He was talking to me about Strickland, he was talking to me about this and whatever fight it was. At one point Francis got up to wrap his hands and Ronaldo was talking about that he could feel Francis’ energy and he’s like, ‘I’m going to give him words of encouragement.’

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“He was talking about the loss of one of his children and how he related to things like that. It was pretty cool. I know how big of a star he is, but him sitting next to me and having this very personal conversation – he felt like he was a part of the team right then and there. His son was in there with us and hanging out. It was very much a welcomed energy to have in the room, especially with someone of that stature that understands the highest of pressure. It was cool. He was a great guy. Very down to earth. Very cool.”

Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time and most well-known celebrities in the world, has been a longtime MMA fan, previously hanging out with the likes of UFC superstar Conor McGregor.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL: Battle of the Giants.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

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Emotional Austen Lane dedicates first UFC win to son

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6 mins ago

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October 22, 2024

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Emotional Austen Lane dedicates first UFC win to son

LAS VEGAS – Austen Lane beat Robelis Despaigne with a unanimous decision Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 245 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Lane, who got his first UFC win – and was the third biggest underdog on the card.

Austen Lane def. Robelis Despaigne

Austen Lane

Result: Austen Lane def. Robelis Despaigne via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Lane (13-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Despaigne (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Key stats: Lane had three takedowns and nearly 9 minutes of control time.

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Lane on the fight’s key moment

Austen Lane def. Robelis Despaigne, UFC Fight Night 245 (via UFC)

“This was a long time coming – definitely an emotional experience. The first couple of fights haven’t gone my way, but I think I found the right formula. I think I found the right team and I found the right routine to put me in a flow state and get that win.

“It’s funny: I was actually going to go to (American Top Team), and my opponent went there (to train), so I couldn’t go there. I go to Xtreme Couture, and Eric (Nicksick) and everybody open their doors to me, and I couldn’t be happier there. There’s a bunch of killers in there.”

Lane on his son at the fight

“It’s definitely been a long journey. Everyone’s been through a lot, right? But I’ve been through a lot the past couple of years, and a lot of that, I felt like, carried over to my fighting a little bit – which I never intended it to. It’s mental sometimes. So (winning) meant everything. I had my son in attendance. This is my first time my son’s ever seen me fight. He spent the whole week with me, and talking about that right combination, that right formula – that’s what I needed. I needed him here. He’s always been my biggest support system.”

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Lane on what he wants next

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 19: (R-L) Austen Lane and Robelis Despaigne of Cuba trade kicks in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

“I’m not meant to really sit around. I don’t like sitting around. When you sit around, your mind starts to wander and everything. I’m just the guy that’s always back in the gym, always pushing forward, always keeping moving. … You can play football, you can play basketball, you can play baseball – but you can’t play fighting because this is a lifestyle, and this and this has to be a lifestyle. That’s what I’ve made it. So as soon as I’m back in Jacksonville, I’m back training.”

To hear more from Lane, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

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Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

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UFC Fight Night 245: Official scorecards from Las Vegas

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7 mins ago

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October 22, 2024

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UFC Fight Night 245: Official scorecards from Las Vegas

Check out the official scorecards from all 11 bouts at UFC Fight Night 245 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

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Caio Borralho ‘in talks’ to fight Israel Adesanya in Sydney

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14 mins ago

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October 22, 2024

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Caio Borralho ‘in talks’ to fight Israel Adesanya in Sydney

ABU DHABI – Yes, Caio Borralho is on Fight Island for UFC 308 fight week. But, no, he’s not there to weigh in as a backup for the co-headliner between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev.

However, Borralho could soon be fighting another former UFC middleweight champion.

On Tuesday, Borralho revealed to MMA Junkie that discussions are ongoing for him to fight Israel Adesanya this coming February at UFC 312 in Sydney.

“I want to fight Izzy. We are in talks with UFC, but nothing confirmed yet,” Borralho said. “But that’s the fight we want. I think that’s the fight that makes sense. Adesanya already fought all the guys from (the) top five. Just me and (Nassourdine) Imavov he didn’t fight, but Imavov didn’t (have) a good fight last time, so I think they’re thinking about me. Let’s see what the UFC wants.”

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The pairing does seem to make sense. Borralho, who’s No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings at 185 pounds, seemingly is in line for a major opportunity after winning a five-round unanimous decision against former title challenger Jared Cannonier. The result, which earned the 2021 Dana White’s Contender Series alum a Fight of the Night bonus this past August, pushed Borralho’s overall winning streak to 16 fights, which includes a 7-0 start in the UFC.

The idea of fighting Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) excites Borralho more than anything.

“A lot of respect for Izzy, you know. I want to fight the best in the world, and I think he’s a legend, one of the best in the world. I want to test myself against him,” Borralho said.

Adesanya, 35, who ruled the middleweight division for nearly three years, has hit a rough patch in his career, having lost three of his past four bouts. That includes a one-sided decision against Sean Strickland and most recently a submission loss to champion Dricus Du Plessis.

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While some might view Adesanya on the decline, Borralho would not take the opportunity for granted.

“He was a great champion. He always has good points,” Borralho said. “I don’t know if he’s vulnerable or anything like that. I don’t have anything with it. If we fought, I’m going with a hundred percent power. I’m going with a hundred percent trying to finish him, and I will do it.”

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

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Hernandez vs. Pereira updates of every fight

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18 mins ago

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October 22, 2024

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Hernandez vs. Pereira updates of every fight

UFC Fight Night 245 takes place Saturday, and you can join us for live round-by-round coverage and official results beginning at 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT). UFC Fight Night 245 (ESPN+) takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Ranked middleweights Anthony Hernandez (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) and Michel Pereira (31-11 MMA, 9-2 UFC) meet in the main event. In the co-feature, Rob Font (20-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) takes on Kyler Phillips (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) at bantamweight.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 4 p.m. ET for the prelims on ESPN+ and 7 p.m. ET for the main card on ESPN+.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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UFC Fight Night 245 lineup

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira
  • Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips
  • Charles Johnson vs. Su Mudaerji
  • Jake Hadley vs. Cameron Smotherman
  • Darren Elkins vs. Daniel Pineda

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)

  • Asu Almabayev vs. Matheus Nicolau
  • Brad Katona vs. Jean Matsumoto
  • Joselyne Edwards vs. Tamires Vidal
  • Jessica Penne vs. Elise Reed
  • Alice Ardelean vs. Melissa Martinez
  • Robelis Despaigne vs. Austen Lane

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

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Ngannou vs. Ferreira updates of every fight

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18 mins ago

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October 22, 2024

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Battle of the Giants ceremonial weigh-ins, faceoffs photo gallery

PFL: Battle of the Giants takes place Saturday, and you can join us for live round-by-round coverage and official results beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. PT). PFL: Battle of the Giants (ESPN+) takes place at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (17-3) is back in MMA for the first time since January 2022 to take on PFL champ Renan Ferreira (12-3) for the promotion’s heavyweight superfight title. In the co-feature, Bellator women’s featherweight champ Cris Cyborg (27-2) takes on PFL champ Larissa Pacheco (23-4) for that division’s superfight belt. And in a third title fight, Bellator middleweight titleholder Johnny Eblen (15-0) meets Fabian Edwards (13-3) in a rematch.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m. ET for the prelims on ESPN+ and 3 p.m. ET for the main card on pay-per-view via DAZN.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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PFL: Battle of the Giants lineup

MAIN CARD (DAZN pay-per-view, 4 p.m. ET)

  • Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira – for heavyweight superfights title
  • Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco – for women’s featherweight superfights title
  • Champ Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards – for Bellator middleweight title
  • Husein Kadimagomaev vs. Zafar Mohsen
  • A.J. McKee vs. Paul Hughes

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 1:30 p.m. ET)

  • Marcos Breno vs. Raufeon Stots
  • Dedrek Sanders vs. Makkasharip Zaynukov
  • Nacho Campos vs. Ibragim Ibragimov
  • Taha Bendaoud vs. Tariq Ismail

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

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Ilia Topuria has lofty aspirations after UFC 308: ‘A three-weight world champion, this is my goal’

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35 mins ago

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October 22, 2024

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Ilia Topuria has lofty aspirations after UFC 308: ‘A three-weight world champion, this is my goal’

Ilia Topuria has big goals after UFC 308.

This Saturday, Topuria defends his UFC featherweight title against Max Holloway in Abu Dhabi. It’s one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year, and it’s Topuria’s first title defense, but for “El Matador” it’s more than that: it’s the next step on a road to immortality.

Speaking with UFC on TNT Sports ahead of this weekend’s big event, Topuria revealed that in the next three years — by the time he’s 30 years old — he plans on being a three-division world champion.

“Probably a three-weight world champion, this is my goal,” Topuria said. “You’re not going to see me in the welterweight division like this, skinny. You’re going to see me different. That’s the goal. Move up to the lightweight division, get that belt, then move up to the welterweight division.”

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Thus far, nine different fights have titles in two UFC weight classes, with only five doing so simultaneously. Thus far no fighter has ever even challenged for a title in three UFC weight classes, though recently, former UFC middleweight champion and current UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira teased the possibility of moving up to heavyweight to do so.

But first thing is first, Topuria has to settle his business with Holloway. The current “BMF” Champion has only lost to Alexander Volkanovski at featherweight over the past decade and presents a serious challenge to the young champion. But Topuria has his own challenge for Holloway come Saturday: to meet him in the middle, like Holloway has repeatedly done at the end of previous fights.

“If he stays in the middle the first 10 seconds of the fight, they’re going to see the most exciting 10 seconds in the UFC in MMA history,” Topuria promised. “It’s going to be fireworks. For sure I’m going to do that, and it’s going to be all up to him if he wants to stay with me or not.”

UFC 308 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi this Saturday.

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