Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 24, 2024, we’re taking a look at:
- Ngannou bravely opens up following a tough year
- Pimblett jokes with Gordon during shared elevator ride
- Muhammad ranks welterweights, puts Edwards fourth
Francis Ngannou Shares Heartbreak Following Family Tragedy
The combat sports world rallied around the former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou after he suffered a family tragedy.
His 15-month-old son, Kobe, sadly passed away in April and after taking time to have privacy, Ngannou spoke about this recently.
The PFL fighter is hoping to resume his fighting career in the near future but after what he has been through as of late, his outlook on life has changed to some degree.
He bravely spoke on the JRE MMA Show about what this was like to go through and how he now sees things differently.
Despite always being grateful for what he has right now, Ngannou said that he looks forward to being reunited with his son in another life.
You have a lot of things to be grateful about but in your heart, you feel like you're broke, you have nothing. I mean, I always love life and know that I have everything but at least for once, I'm like at least whenever I die, I'm going to go see my kid. I'm going to see him. I'm not afraid of it. I still want to live but at least whenever, you get to that point, to think like that. So someway you're looking for what, for whenever that happen.
Paddy Pimblett And Jared Gordon Cross Paths And Exchange Pleasantries During UFC 304 Fight Week
Ahead of his UFC 304 encounter with King Green this weekend in Manchester, Paddy Pimblett crossed paths with a former opponent of his when stepping into the fighter hotel lift.
"The Baddy" earned a controversial split decision win against Jared Gordon back at UFC 282 but the two lightweights have always been friendly towards one another.
After coming across one another, the two men embraced and Pimblett told him that he thought Gordon should have won his last fight which went the way of Nasrat Haqparast via another split decision.
Gordon jokingly remarked, "I f****** did, again", which both the lightweight contenders had a laugh about.
"Flash" gave his prediction for the fight before they parted ways, stating that he thinks Pimblett will stay undefeated in the UFC this weekend by finishing Green who he faced in March last year.
Belal Muhammad Says Leon Edwards Is The Fourth Best Active Welterweight
Belal Muhammad believes that whilst his opponent this weekend at UFC 304 is the welterweight champion, he isn't the best fighter in the weight class.
Leon Edwards is set to make his third title defense in Manchester but Muhammad isn't so sure that he's worthy of being called the champion.
In a recent interview with Kaz Crossley for Title Sports Network, the challenger was asked to give his own version of the top five rankings at 170-pounds.
He, of course, put himself at the top spot with Edwards sitting below both Kamaru Usman (who Edwards beat twice) and Shavkat Rakhmonov with Jack Della Maddalena rounding out the top five.
Muhammad will look to back up his claims on July 27 when he faces the man that, in his opinion, isn't the top dog in the division.
I would be one. Then I would put Kamaru two, Shavkat (Rakhmonov) three. I would put Leon four. And then number five, I would put Jack Della (Maddalena),” Muhammad said. “Man, you’re gonna lose the last couple fans you have left once I take the belt away from you. sorry bro. … I don’t like Leon. My other opponents, I didn’t wanna fake it (trash talk) with like, a ‘Wonderboy’ or a Maia. … It’s easier to bully him (Edwards).
Read more on the story here.
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