Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For May 30, 2024, we’re taking a look at:
- Makhachev doesn’t mind being the odd one out
- Poirier takes on a 155-pound history lesson
- Strickland isn’t happy with the UFC
Islam Makhachev Is Happy To Fly The Flag For Fighters That Don’t Have A Nickname
Over the past few years where he has been dominant at the top of the lightweight division, Islam Makhachev’s personality has started to come out more.
The same could be said for Khabib Nurmagomedov who also saw his sense of humour translate more and more as his English improved.
Makhachev is very much the same and whilst he is incredibly calm and soft spoken, he’s often sarcastic and funny.
During a recent episode of his podcast, AKA head coach Javier Mendez spoke about how people are getting to know what his fighter is like behind the scenes more.
He said that he even asked the champion about why he doesn’t have a nickname that would allow people to connect with him even more.
In Mendez’ words, Makhachev is happy to be the outlier and represent for the fighters that don’t have a moniker.
“I asked him ‘hey, everybody’s got a nickname, someone’s got this, cowboy, Khabib’s got the eagle, this and that, what about you?’ And he said ‘well, somebody’s got to hold the trend for no name so let that be me, they can have the names, I’ll be the guy that starts a no name. Everybody has a name so why not me have no name, just my name’.”
Dustin Poirier Correctly Names Every UFC Lightweight Champion Before Attempting To Become One Himself
In a video posted by the UFC ahead of his clash with Islam Makhachev this weekend, Dustin Poirier showed his MMA knowledge.
Before fight night comes around, “The Diamond” was tasked with naming every fighter that has held the 155-pound gold.
Poirier was impressively able to name all 12 and wasn’t far off doing it totally in order but he did need to circle back to a few at some points.
The next challenger was able to correctly trace back the belt all the way from Jens Pulver being the inaugural champion to modern day, passing by the likes of BJ Penn, Anthony Pettis and Conor McGregor along the way.
One name that did give him some pause as the last one he needed to name was Charles Oliveira who he challenged for the belt back at UFC 269.
Can @DustinPoirier name every lightweight champ in UFC history? 🤔
He looks to add his name to that list Saturday night at #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/w8HBN6ww0V
— UFC (@ufc) May 29, 2024
Sean Strickland Vents Frustrations With The UFC: “It Doesn’t Do The Right Things”
With UFC 302 fight week in full flow, it was only a matter of time before Sean Strickland picked his first target to take a shot at.
The often controversial former middleweight champion is usually found slandering other fighters or even media members but this time around, he chose to get something off his chest.
In an interview with Daniel Cormier, Strickland spoke out about the UFC itself and how in his opinion, they don’t try to do right by the fighters.
He was clearly still frustrated by the rocky negotiations for his fight this weekend against Paulo Costa and this isn’t likely be the last time that we hear about it.
“Here’s the thing, sometimes you’ve gotta be ready to f*cking throw away your entire career if you don’t get your sh*t,” Strickland said. “Just doing the f*cking right things, man. The UFC doesn’t do the right things. It doesn’t f*cking do the right things. It doesn’t do the right things with most of the roster.
“If you go look at what these f*cks, the guys that run the UFC, what they’re making and what (fighters) get paid, it’s f*cking sh*t, dude. The UFC does not do the f*cking right things,” Strickland continued. “Unless you hold them at gunpoint, they aren’t gonna do it. But that’s all business these days. All these f*cking corporations are f*cking leeches, dude. Look at the working man’s f*cking (pay) gap, bro. My gap is a lot f*cking smalled than your guys’ gap, but that’s how it works. These corporations are just f*cking sucky.”
Read more on the story here.
For more MMA news, check out:
- ‘Brought Out The Retirement Home’ – MMA Fans React To Nick Diaz & Tony Ferguson’s Returns Being Announced For UFC Fight Night In Abu Dhabi
- Conor McGregor Lays Into ‘Scruffy C**t’ Islam Makhachev After UFC 302 Fight Week Photos Spark Staph Concerns
- Joe Rogan Outlines Mistake Alexander Volkanovski Made In Accepting Ilia Topuria Fight: ‘If I Had His Ear…’
