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Aleksandar Rakic aims to ‘crash the party,’ steal title shot

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Aleksandar Rakic aims to ‘crash the party,’ steal title shot

ABU DHABI – Aleksandar Rakic sees his UFC 308 matchup with Magomed Ankalaev as a prime opportunity to shake up the light heavyweight title picture.

Given his 12-fight unbeaten streak in the division, many expected Ankalaev’s (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) next fight be a shot at reigning 205-pound champ Alex Pereira. It didn’t happen, though, and the promotion instead booked him against Rakic (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) on Saturday’s card at Etihad Arena on Yas Island (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN+).

UFC CEO Dana White has said that Ankalaev will get his title shot if he wins in solid fashion. But Rakic has other plans.

“I was happy,” Rakic told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “UFC gives me the opportunity to fight against the No. 2-ranked guy, against Ankalaev, and he was supposed to fight. There were rumors,he was supposed to fight Pereira. But when I got the name, I immediately said yes. You know why? Because I think I put a good show at UFC 300 against Jiri Prochazka, and that’s the reason they chose me to fight Ankalaev.

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“I take this chance really serious. I’ve been working hard for this one. On social media, I was seeing everything going back and forth with Ankalaev and Pereira. I didn’t want to say anything. My main focus was to train hard, to get ready for Ankalaev, to be 100 percent focused for him, and just to do a show on Saturday and crash the party.”

Ankalaev has spent most of the build to UFC 308 taking shots at Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) online and in interviews. Rakic said he hopes his opponent “underestimates” him going into the octagon this weekend but doesn’t think that’s going to be the case.

Rakic, 32, is expecting the best version of Ankalaev, 32, when they step in the cage. That would only elevate the value of a victory.

“He’s the most well rounded guy in the division besides me,” Rakic said. “I’m expecting an MMA fight. I think he will try to strike, he will try to grapple and wrestle. But I did my homework. I have been through hell the last weeks, and I did everything to have an answer to everything Ankalaev can bring.”

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Rakic said he’s not looking past UFC 308 but is no doubt keen on the idea of getting his shot at Pereira. “Poatan” has run through most of the division’s top contenders already despite being champion for less than a year, and Rakic would represent a fresh face to fight for gold.

“He did great things in the light heavyweight division,” Rakic said. “He’s the most active champion we have right now in the UFC. He beat some really good names. I think the most important thing with Alex is to mix it up. Of course, everyone says, ‘Go wrestle him. Go grapple him.’ But, of course, he trains wrestling and grappling, as well, and he knows some defense and how to defend a takedown. It would not be so easy like the people would be thinking it would be.

“He has great kickboxing, but it’s all about the details. We are in the top five. He is the champion. We are all very good fighters, and there is no better league than UFC and no better fighters than the UFC has. So with Alex, you need to be conditioned and very ready and you need to mix things up.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

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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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Donald Trump to appear on Joe Rogan’s podcast: Reports

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October 22, 2024

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Donald Trump to appear on Joe Rogan’s podcast: Reports

Former U.S. president and republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will appear on the wildly popular “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, according to reports.

Various media outlets, including NBC News, report that Rogan is scheduled to tape a podcast with Trump on Friday in Austin, Texas. The episode will then be released at a future date before the Nov. 5 presidential election.

The news of Trump’s appearance comes days after reports that U.S. vice president and democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris was in talks to appear on the podcast. It’s unclear if Harris has finalized her appearance or if discussions are still ongoing.

Trump and Rogan’s public discourse has varied over time. Rogan has publicly voiced his alignment with Trump on some issues, while also being critical on others.

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Trump has long expressed interest in appearing on the podcast, though Rogan previously seemed hesitant to have him on.

“By the way, I’m not a Trump supporter in any way, shape or form,” Rogan told Lex Fridman in 2022. “I’ve had the opportunity to have him on my show more than once. I’ve said no every time. I don’t want to help him. I’m not interested in helping him.”

While Trump has been largely complimentary of Rogan, he did not take lightly to the comedian and UFC commentator’s praise of independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy in August.

After Rogan said Kennedy was “the only one who makes sense to me (for president),” Trump ripped him on Truth Social.

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“It will be interesting to see how loudly Joe Rogan gets BOOED the next time he enters the UFC Ring??? MAGA2024,” Trump wrote.

It’s unclear when the podcast episode will air or how long it will be.

“The Joe Rogan Experience” is one of the most-listened-to podcasts in the world, across multiple platforms. Its current top episode is a 2018 appearance by Elon Musk, which currently has 68+ million views on YouTube (not including the listens and views on other streaming platforms).

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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Premier League to update APT rule proposals after clubs meet

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3 mins ago

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October 22, 2024

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Premier League to update APT rule proposals after clubs meet


The Premier League will update its proposals around rules governing commercial deals after a meeting of top-flight clubs on Tuesday.

It was the first meeting of the 20 clubs since the verdict in Manchester City’s legal case against the Premier League over the league’s associated party transaction (APT) rules was announced earlier this month.

APT rules are in place to ensure sponsorship deals with companies linked to clubs’ owners represent fair market value.

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City had some complaints upheld, with two aspects of the rules deemed unlawful by the tribunal.

The tribunal said low-interest shareholder loans should not be excluded from the scope of APT rules, and that changes made in February to toughen up the regulations also breached competition law.

The Premier League is hopeful it can get an agreement from clubs on the new rules in the short to medium term, but City do not share the view that the matter can be resolved fairly quickly.

There was never an intention to hold a vote at Tuesday’s meeting.

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Premier League chiefs used the meeting, which officials attending said lasted just over an hour, to outline the situation from their perspective.

The league will now use the feedback to update its proposals and recirculate to the clubs. Privately, it has been suggested this could be done in a matter of days.

However, the whole issue will not be clarified until the league holds a vote, which would require 14 clubs to vote in favour.

League officials were not able to offer a timescale on that but agreed this could be over the short to medium term.

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The next Premier League shareholders meeting is due to take place in the middle of November, although adequate time would have to be allowed beforehand if a vote was to take place then.



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Islam Makhachev’s manager reacts to Dana White declaring Jon Jones as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter

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October 22, 2024

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Islam Makhachev’s manager reacts to Dana White declaring Jon Jones as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter

There aren’t many things that Dana White has defended in the UFC more vehemently lately than his passionate declaration that Jon Jones is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport.

While it’s tough to deny Jones’ status among the greatest of all-time, his inactivity over the past few years has pushed him further down those rankings while other athletes like Islam Makhachev have continued to take out contender after contender. Right now it’s Makhachev sitting atop the mythical pound-for-pound list both in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings and the UFC’s official rankings, surely to White’s dismay.

For all the ways White has continued to pound the desk when it comes to his belief that Jones should be No. 1, Makhachev’s manager believes he knows why the UFC boss is taking such a strong stance on the subject.

“Listen, it’s the reason why Dana White is the pound-for-pound greatest promoter on this planet,” Ali Abdelaziz explained when speaking to MMA Fighting. “Jon Jones is fighting next month. He’s fighting a guy [in Stipe Miocic], he’s probably going to be -800 against. [This is] the best way to promote this fight, to promote Jon Jones.

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“Dana never promoted Jon Jones for some reason. But now he’s on Jon Jones’ wagon. Guess what? This promotes Jon Jones, too. He can say he’s the greatest of all time. Islam Makhachev right now currently is the pound-for-pound greatest fighter in the world by far. It’s not even second place. But Dana’s Dana. People think he’s talking gospel.”

Abdelaziz might have a point based on the odds surrounding Jones’ upcoming fight booked against Miocic on Nov. 16 in the main event at UFC 309 in New York.

While it’s impossible to negate Miocic as one of the greatest heavyweights in MMA history, he hasn’t fought since 2021 and his last appearance was a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou. Add to that, Miocic just recently turned 42 and most oddsmakers have him around a 6-to-1 underdog going into the fight with Jones.

There’s also been a lot of blowback that Jones should be fighting interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall next rather than Miocic coming back from a three-plus year long layoff.

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That’s why Abdelaziz can’t fault White for pumping up Jones any way he can, especially with a pay-per-vieiw to sell in November.

“In reality, it is what it is,” Abdelaziz said. “Dana is going to be Dana, Islam has just got to keep going and prove to everyone he’s the pound-for-pound king. I’m not worried about it. Islam is not worried about it. But Dana’s supposed to promote Jon Jones and he’s doing it and he’s doing a great job at it.”

As far as what comes next for Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion is expected to return in early 2025 after dealing with a thumb injury following his submission win over Dustin Poirier in June.

Makhachev’s coach and longtime friend Khabib Nurmagomedov recently stated that a fight was offered and accepted for January, although no further details were revealed.

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Abdelaziz says that timeline is definitely possible now that Makhachev has been cleared to compete again.

“I think January, February,” Abdelaziz said. “He’s ready. I gave the UFC the green light and they’re going to book him against someone, it doesn’t matter who. It can be anybody. Islam is going to fight whoever they give [to him], it doesn’t really matter who.

“Good to go. Firing on all cylinders. Anybody, any time, anywhere.”

Makhachev’s opponent is almost certainly going to be Arman Tsarukyan, who is riding a four-fight win streak in the division and he’s been viewed as the No. 1 contender for the title.

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That’s the matchup that makes the most sense but Abdelaziz says ultimately it doesn’t matter who they throw at Makhachev, which is why he doesn’t really call out opponents as the champion.

“I think Arman, he deserves it more than anyone,” Abdelaziz said. “It can be Arman, it can be [Renato] Moicano. It can be [Dan] Hooker … no, Hooker doesn’t deserve nothing.”

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Emotional Austen Lane dedicates first UFC win to son

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41 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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UFC Fight Night 245: Official scorecards from Las Vegas

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41 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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MMA

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

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48 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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