Endeavor and UFC make $250,000 donation to Women’s Sports Foundation

Under the Endeavor Impact banner, the UFC and its parent company Endeavor have made a $250,000 donation to the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) as part of a new partnership to push for “gender equity in women’s athletics.”

UFC officials announced the news in a press release this past week.

An oft-overlooked factor of the UFC is that, once Dana White finally came around on allowing women to fight inside the octagon, it has consistently produced some of the biggest stars in women’s professional sports, from Ronda Rousey (crossing over from Strikeforce), to Joanna Jedrzejczyk, to Amanda Nunes and “Thug” Rose Namajunas.

“We at the Women’s Sports Foundation are thrilled to be joining forces with Endeavor to showcase the importance of investing in women,” said WSF CEO Danette Leighton. “This partnership is vital as we work to illuminate the equity gaps for girls and women on and off the field of play. Together with Endeavor, we will be able to deepen our impact and inspire more girls and women to experience the transformative power of sport.”

IMMAF lands sponsorship deal with Brave CF

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, an amateur governing body who have helped produce talents like current UFC star Muhammad Mokaev, have landed a sponsorship deal with Brave CF.

The goal of the new, multi-year deal is to help push towards the inclusion of mixed martial arts in the Olympic Games.

IMMAF President, Kerrith Brown was quoted in a press release announcing the news as saying that “BRAVE CF has contributed greatly to the development of IMMAF having hosted three IMMAF World Championships and a World Team Championships [MMA SuperCup]. I am delighted that BRAVE CF have decided to move their support to the next level with this sponsorship agreement.

“This support will allow the good work already done to continue and solidify our position as the only legitimate international governing body for amateur MMA. Through mutual collaboration and leveraging of resources, BRAVE CF will undoubtedly accelerate our continued growth across the globe and toward Olympic recognition.”

The IMMAF appeared to be in financial trouble earlier this month, due to reports circulating that they had burned through sponsorship money provided by the UFC.

This has been flying under the radar – things are not looking good for the IMMAF, who have helped produce some serious amateur talent including Muhammad Mokaev (23-0 as an amateur). 2022 IMMAF World Championships just wrapped in Feb. https://t.co/7yO0lhvAYF

— Jay Anders🍁n 🇨🇦 (@CageSideJay) March 11, 2023

McGregor doesn’t mind Michael Chandler, going to “hunt him down” regardless

After coaching opposite the former Bellator lightweight champ on The Ultimate Fighter 31, Conor McGregor says he doesn’t mind Michael Chandler.

“I don’t mind Mike. I don’t mind him, to be honest with you,” McGregor stated during a recent appearance on The MMA Hour. “I’m gonna go after him, I’m going to hunt him down. He’s talking about coming out, putting me on the back foot. There’s not one man on this planet who’s ever put me on the back foot off the opening bell. So we’ll see after that what’s what. And other than that, I’m happy with the match-up, I’m excited to get going, and that’s it.”

That’s not to say everything on the show was smooth sailing. UFC President Dana White previously revealed that tempers had flared between the two fighters during filming of the show, though McGregor downplayed the incident.

“We had a little tussle,” McGregor said, suggesting it had to do with the Irish fighter’s teammate, Lee Hammond. “He was on the show, he’s 5-0, undefeated. So I had skin the game, and it was just, it was emotional. Tempers got flared. But it was all good, we settled it. It was no problem. It was a great experience, and all the competitors fought their heart out. I was happy and honored to in my guys corner and just to be present and experience it.”

There’s no date yet for McGregor vs. Chandler, but “Mystic Mac” predicted a fight later in the summer.

What the hell did we just watch?

Bob Sapp and Rampage Jackson are teaming up for a freakshow fight at the aptly named Fight Circus 6 in Thailand on March 31. In advance of what is being called a Siamese Twin Fight, the promotion brought to you by Full Metal Dojo has released a 70s grindhouse style trailer promoting Sloppy Balboa vs. Twopollo Ramsapp Creed.

It has to be a work, right? This is either the worst idea in combat sports history, or the best thing ever. There is no middle ground.

🚨New Trailer🚨

It is The Underdog Story of Sloppy Balboa 👊 facing The Greatest Siamese Twin Fighter of All Time.

🎪 Fight Circus Vol.6: The Rise or Fall of Sloppy Balboa

🗓️ March 31st
📍 Illuzion Phuket
🎫 Tickets on SALE SOON!!! pic.twitter.com/atAJlvS1fj

— FMD ☣️ (@FullMetalDojo) March 16, 2023

Jake Paul’s trainer shot in armed robbery attempt

Benjamin Flores, a pro boxing trainer who has worked with Jake Paul, was shot this past week in an armed robbery attempt in Medellin, Colombia.

Flores posted video of the aftermath on social media, following an incident that saw him with a gun pressed to his temple. Flores was able to defend himself, but took a bullet to the leg — a much better outcome given where the gun was initially aimed.

“Armed robbery at Gunpoint… At a red light in Medellin Colombia on passenger side… Pistol to my right temple, I was able to move the weapon down and manage to only get shot in the leg one time,” wrote Flores. “Hospital now waiting surgery to remove the bullet . Thank GOD I’m alive.”

Armed robbery at Gunpoint… At a red light in Medellin Colombia on passenger side…
Pistol to my right temple,
I was able to move the weapon down and manage to only get shot in the leg one time. Hospital now waiting surgery to remove the bullet . Thank GOD I’m alive. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/n06LbNc2FN

— BJ FLORES (@bjfloresboxing) March 17, 2023

Flores believes the robbery attempt was targeted. No word on any arrests in the case.

The post Sunday MMA Quick Hits: McGregor Doesn’t Mind Chandler, Sapp-Rampage Freakshow Preview appeared first on Cageside Press.

The signing of the 5-0 bantamweight was announced by the promotion on Wednesday. Additionally, the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation sent out a congratulatory press release heralding the signing.

🚨 NEW SIGNING 🚨

🏆 Former @IMMAFed Champ
👊 Undefeated MMA Record

Welcome to the UFC @MuhammadMokaev 🇬🇧

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 17, 2021

The IMMAF’s release quoted Mokaev as saying “I’m very excited to sign with the UFC. I don’t want to be just a UFC fighter, I want to become the youngest champion in its history. Right now, I’m the youngest fighter on UFC’s roster.”

At 21, Mokaev has some time to reach that lofty goal. The current record is held by Jon Jones, who claimed gold at 23 — 23 years, 242 days to be exact.

Prior to turning pro, Mokaev found considerable success as an amateur under the IMMAF program. He spent two years competing with Team UK, and later Team England, and won back-to-back gold medals at the Junior IMMAF World Championships in 2018 and 2019. He also won the 2019 Junior European Open. In 2020, he moved to the senior division, winning gold at the Oceania Open that year.

Turning pro that same year, Mokaev began competing with BRAVE CF, winning four fights, with a fifth ending in a No Contest due to an accidental groin kick. He’s also competed for the Celtic Gladiator promotion, winning both an exhibition and professional bout there.

Born in Dagestan, Mokaev would pick up wrestling and MMA as a youngster, before moving to England at age 12. He clearly had a knack for it — in addition to his undefeated record as a pro, Tapology lists Mokaev’s amateur record as an astounding 22-0.

The post Muhammad Mokaev, former IMMAF World Champion, Signs with UFC appeared first on Cageside Press.