Coming into the fight, however, there were concerns far greater than fighting weighing on Yagshimuradov, a light heavyweight from Turkmenistan who had been living and fighting out of Ukraine.

“The last two fights haven’t went too well for me, but again, I had a lot of emotions going into this fight,” Yagshimuradov (19-7-1) told media outlets including Cageside Press following a TKO win over Rafael Carvalho at the SAP Center on Friday. “As you guys know, I live in Ukraine. I’m not a citizen of Ukraine, but I have a lot of ties to it. We all know what’s going on; I can’t really speak about it publicly, but there was a lot of emotions going into this fight.”

Ukraine was invaded by Russian forces over a month ago, with war continuing to ravage the European nation. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, Yagshimuradov’s family among them.

“I had to tune out all the emotions and just strictly focus on this fight. My family isn’t there, I want to thank everybody who helped me get my family out there to Turkey, they’re watching over them, and I’m very thankful for everything.”

In terms of the stoppage, which came with a smashing elbow on the ground in the second round, Yagshimuradov said that the plan had been to go longer — but his mother had other ideas. “That was the game plan. My coaches, my sparring partners also told me to do it,” he said of the elbow. “We wanted to go to the third round, but fortunately we finished the fight early. My mom said not to go past the second round.”

Having secured his first win in Bellator, the 32-year old is now looking ahead, and aims to stay busy.

“Going forward, there’s a lot of good names, a lot of [big] names in the light heavyweight division. [Anthony] Johnson, Yoel Romero is definitely one of the big names. First of all, for my [next] fight in Bellator, I want to come back to my rematch with Karl Albrektsson. But moving forward, there’s a lot of [big] names that I want to get into. And if I can get fights more than once [every] half a year, I don’t know what the reason is for that, hopefully Bellator will give me more fights moving forward.”

Watch the full Bellator 277 post-fight press scrum with Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov above.

The post Bellator 277 Winner Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov Thanks Those Who Helped Family Flee Ukraine appeared first on Cageside Press.

With the grudge match of the century decade year whatever time frame fits the UFC’s marketing department’s need arriving with UFC 272 on Saturday, there were plenty of combats sports stories that may have been missed in the past week. We’ve got you covered — let’s get to it.

Bobby Green Done Headlining Cards?

Following his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC Vegas 49 last week, Bobby Green went on record to say he’d rather not headline any more cards.

“Can I be honest? No,” Green stated during the show’s post-fight presser. Later, he’d explain that it boiled down to waiting to go out and compete in the final fight of the evening. And waiting. And waiting…

“I just want to fight and get it over with. Put me on the main card at least, I’ll open it or something like that,” Green said. “It just took so long. I want to fight and get it over and be partying.”

His manager, Green admitted, won’t like hearing him say that.

Curtis Blaydes States the Obvious

Curtis Blaydes has come out and said what we’ve all been thinking: if Conor McGregor was allowed to go and box Floyd Mayweather, just why can’t Francis Ngannou compete against Tyson Fury?

“You opened the door when you let [Conor] McGregor do it,” Blaydes said in a recent interview with MMA Fighting. “I don’t see a real reason why Francis shouldn’t be allowed to do it. I cannot think of a legit reason, because McGregor was able to do it.”

McGregor almost willed his fight against Mayweather into existence back in 2017, defying the odds and managing to get Zuffa to co-promote the fight. Nothing of that nature has happened since, and Dana White’s once-hyped “Zuffa boxing” appears long dead. As for allowing their heavyweight champ to try his luck against Fury, UFC parent company Endeavor hasn’t seemed too keen thus far. Maybe it’s the thought of another MMA loss in the boxing ring — but then, boxers have historically struggled crossing over as well, underscoring that these are two very unique combat sports.

Rodrigo Nascimento Working to Have Overturned Win Overturned Again

Having successfully argued his case following a suspension by USADA, UFC heavyweight Rodrigo Nascimento says he’s working to have a win overturned last year reverted back.

Nascimento tested positive for ritalinic acid last July, and saw his initial TKO win against France’s Alan Baudot changed to a No Contest. The Brazilian would eventually accept a six month suspension from USADA, but after showing a doctor’s prescription for the substance, used to treat his attention deficit disorder, he was granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

Speaking to Combate (translation via Bloody Elbow), Nascimento explained that “We’ve been trying to appeal, because now we have proof that we did nothing wrong. We’re trying to get the win back because that was a hell of a fight and it’s going to be a No Contest because of some crap like this? I’m trying. I don’t know how it works, it’s hard. It took six months for USADA to accept my documents. I had to accept that I did something wrong because first the Commission offered me a two-year suspension, then it was nine months. I said I was not going to take it because I did nothing wrong.”

Nascimento noted that he’s been on the medication since 2012, and always disclosed it on his USADA paperwork. “Every time USADA comes to test me, I tell them I take medication. There was no ill intention. I’ve been taking that even before I joined the UFC.”

Now, having been granted a retroactive TUE, Nascimento will have to take his case to the athletic commission, as they’ll have final say over reinstating the win.

Guess Who’s Back? Back Again? Alvey’s Back — Tell A Friend

Apologies for the bad Eminem spoof, but it’s no doubt mind-blowing to many that in an era where a two-fight skid can result in being shown the door, Sam Alvey is being allowed to fight out his UFC contract.

Alvey is currently on an 0-7-1 run in his last eight fights, and hasn’t had his hand raised since 2018. That’s B.J. Penn levels of slumping, without the Hall of Fame career that afforded Penn the right to keep fighting well past his expiration date.

Thing is, Alvey is just such a gosh darn nice guy that it’s hard to really say much about this. Sure, it does take a spot away from another fighter. Yes, other fighters that deserved to be kept were let go. But the man and his wife foster disadvantaged kids, and Alvey has been a company man who always shows up to fight. Maybe that’s the real story here: Sam Alvey is living proof that in the UFC, it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.

Carano Cites COVID Conspiracy As Cause of Russian Attack on Ukraine

Remember when Gina Carano was just a badass women’s MMA pioneer who had made a name for herself as an actor, in major productions like Deadpool and The Mandalorian?

There’s conspiracy theories, and then there’s whatever Gina Carano is spouting here, which apparently boils down to, “COVID is dying down so they started a war.” Whoever “they” are, we don’t know, but it appears to be someone other than Russia in Carano’s opinion. Or maybe it was Russia under the influence of reverse vampires.

https://twitter.com/ginacarano/status/1497253427730010117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

No, Gina, Russia’s President — in name only, as he’s essentially just a strongman/dictator at this point — Vladimir Putin has made a habit out of floating puppet regimes (see: Kadryov in Chechnya) and illegally “annexing” territory that isn’t his (see: Crimea). He started a war because, quite frankly, he’s a former KGB agent who once said that the collapse of the USSR was “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century,” and because he’d love to usher in a modern Soviet-style regime, under his control. Which means making sure Ukraine is controlled by a pro-Russian government. Or at least kept in check.

Ukraine immediately broke away from the Soviet system in 1991 following a failed communist coup attempt against Mikhail Gorbachev, and they’ve steadily integrated themselves more with the rest of Europe ever since. Seeing a flourishing, democratic Ukraine becoming part of the EU (and potentially NATO) scares Putin, not because of any legitimate threat to Russia itself, but because it would eliminate any hopes of restoring something similar to the previous Soviet empire. And you know, your everyday Russians might finally tire of the faux democracy Putin has foisted upon them.

What it has zero to do with is COVID. We’ve all had enough of COVID, it’s so 2019, and there’s really no reason to link to two.

Here ends the Sunday Political Quick Hits, we hope.

Logan Paul Sees Crossover Potential Between MMA, Slap Fighting

According to Logan Paul, the Youtube content creator turned boxer turned whatever he’s doing these days, slap fighting is rife with potential and could cross over with MMA.

He’s wrong.

Paul, who is promoting Slap Fighting alongside the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger on behalf of Polish outfit PunchDown, sees crossover potential because the “sport” is frankly simple.

“I mean, yeah, guys can go to the gym and train five hours a day, learning 12 different disciplines in Mixed Martial Arts, but the slaps one, everyone knows how to do that,” he told MMA Junkie in an interview last week. “Everyone has been slapping their brothers, sisters, siblings, and cousins since they were three years old.”

And that right there is why the crossover idea, and likely the concept, will fail. No one gets into MMA because it’s easy, and most people want to watch the best fighters in the world compete. Which means, you know, learning 12 different disciplines. Or at least two or three.

In a press release promoting the Slap Fighting Championship on March 5 at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, Logan Paul was also quoted as saying that “To be able to legitimize a sport like slap fighting, that I think is up and coming, is awesome. We have amazing athletes coming in from all over the world looking to put on a show.”

Chris Leben Back Home After COVID Battle

Let’s leave off with some good news, shall me? Chris Leben has beat COVID-19, and is back home.

Daddy’s home. Thank you ⁦@JDS1974SD⁩ 🙏🏻 I called on you from the spirit world and you delivered. To ALL my friends ⁦@danawhite⁩ ⁦@dr_octagon⁩ and all the fans who supported me. I AM GRATEFUL 👊🏻 Time to live, time to fight, time to love. TIME FOR 272!! Lfg! pic.twitter.com/WLLXD9OtuA

— Chris Leben (@ChrisLebenMMA) March 4, 2022

The post Sunday MMA Quick Hits: Gina Carano’s Latest Conspiracy, Logan Paul Sees Slap Fighting-MMA Crossover Potential appeared first on Cageside Press.

Moroz (11-3) defeated Agapova (10-3) via submission in the second round of their prelim bout. For Moroz however her mind was many miles away in her native Ukraine as her country continues to defend itself from invasion against Russia. The pressure was definitely felt by the 30-year-old fighter.

“Yeah I had a lot of pressure. I nervous all when start war in Ukraine. All this week I feel nervous and cried. I tried to focus many people did not realize but it was really hard for me. I see in Ukraine how terrible the situation is, but I did it. I focused and I win fight,” Moroz told the media in her post-fight scrum.

In her post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Moroz explained that she was afraid for her family back in Ukraine and for their safety. Reports out of the region state that the Russian attack has had civilian casualties.

“It’s hard. I’m nervous about my mother I don’t want Russian people come and kill my family. Many of my friends died right now. Many call me ‘He died’. Russian army killed (him). I feel terrible. Everyday I feel somebody come and kill my family, I don’t want,” Moroz said.

“I want people listen. Stop this because I want to save my family.”

Ukraine boasts many professional athletes, a lot of them professional fighters, who have returned to their homeland to take up arms and fight for their country. Moroz gave those fighters respect in her post-fight scrum.

“I cannot go back because visa. If I move I need to take visa so I need to stay in America. I see many, Klitschko, Usyk, Lomachenko and everybody to protection. It’s amazing guys really strong. Not in ring. Outside strong. All the respect for these guys.”

Moroz sent a powerful message home that she hopes resonates with her people and those of the world.

“I want to say guys stay strong. I hope this war finish. I believe it. I love my country. It’s beautiful country people (are) kind. Look how people right now together. Many people back and try to support and protection country because really good country. Nice beautiful everything. Very good delicious food. I so miss,” Moroz said seemingly fighting back emotions.

Watch the full UFC 272 post-fight press scrum with Maryna Moroz above. More coverage from the event can be found below.

The post UFC 272: Maryna Moroz Sends Powerful Message Home: “Stay Strong” appeared first on Cageside Press.

The nation’s athletes, meanwhile, have become collateral damage, banned from flying Russia’s flag and playing its anthem during upcoming FIFA matches, and apparently, given the cold shoulder by the U.K. altogether.

It’s that latter factor that has complicated matters for UFC London later this month. Topping the card is heavyweight Alexander Volkov, who had been expected to face off with England’s Tom Aspinall. Volkov, however, remains in Russia, per UFC President Dana White — and despite having a British visa in hand, getting him out of Russia may prove challenging.

“We’re trying to get him into England sooner so he can fight,” the UFC President told TSN previosuly. “When things like this start blowing up, we start looking at potential problems and what possibilities are, and we try to get around them. We try to figure out, ‘If that’s going to happen, let’s get these guys into England earlier.’ I know that we’ve been trying to get Volkov to leave Russia, and he hasn’t wanted to.”

In addition to Volkov, several other fighters on the card are Russian: Timur Valiev, Sergei Pavlovich, and Shamil Abdurakhimov all hail from Russia, while Nikita Krylov, a Ukrainian of Russian descent, fights out of Donetsk, Ukraine, a disputed territory at the heart of the Russian invasion.

Getting any or all of them to London later this month could prove problematic. Last Thursday, United Kingdom Transport Minister Grant Shapps confirmed he had banned all Russian airlines from entering U.K. airspace or landing there. In a tit-for-tat measure, the Russian government enacted a similar ban on U.K. air traffic.

European Union and Canadian airspace is also closed to Russia. Presumably, Russian travelers could travel to a friendly third party, then resume their trip to Europe — but there may be another stumbling block. While Volkov has a visa in hand, it may not be valid by the time UFC London arrives. Just days ago, the U.K. canceled visas belonging to members of the men’s Belarusian basketball team.

Belarus, closely allied with Moscow, has served as a staging ground for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

As it stands, UFC London is set to go ahead on March 19, 2022 at the O2 Arena in London, England, despite the war, ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and damage to the arena from Storm Eunice.

The post Travel Bans, Sanctions Against Russia Complicate Fight Bookings, UFC London Headliner At Risk appeared first on Cageside Press.

While FIFA has yet to ban Russia outright, the country will not be allowed to use their flag or anthem at upcoming events. Several opposing nations have also stated they will not play against the country.

Outside of soccer (or football if you prefer), the U.K. has also cracked down, with Member of Parliament Priti Patel announcing that visas for the men’s Belarusian basketball team had been cancelled, due to Belarus supporting the Russian attack on neighboring Ukraine.

This same announcement sparked fears that the UFC London main event, featuring Russia’s Alexander Volkov facing English heavyweight Tom Aspinall, could also be in jeopardy.

One Russian fighter, however, has already seen a bout fall through due to his home country’s decision to spark a war in Eastern Europe. Welterweight Shamil Musaev, an undefeated prospect and former M-1 athlete, was expected to compete at KSW 68 later this month. However, on Monday, the Polish promotion announced that they had cancelled the bout in protest of Russia’s actions.

“Due to the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine, KSW has made a tough, albeit ethically justifiable, decision to cancel Russian fighter Shamil Musaev’s fight, which was scheduled for KSW 68 on March 19th in Radom,” the promotion stated on social media.

Poland has been a staunch ally of Ukraine, taking in tens of thousands of refugees in mere days since the conflict erupted late last week.

Musaev (15-0-1), a.k.a. “The Silent Assassin,” joined KSW in 2019, and has posted a 3-0-1 record with the promotion to date. His last outing, against Michał Pietrzak last October, ended in a majority draw, marking the first time the Russian fighter did not have his hand raised in victory through 16 pro fights.

The post Promotion Cancels Russian Fighter’s Bout at KSW 68 Due to Invasion of Ukraine appeared first on Cageside Press.

Amosov joins other notable combat sports figures including heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, and brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, in defending the eastern European nation that has been under attack for days.

Russian forces launched a near-universally condemned, unprovoked attack on Ukraine this past Thursday, February 17. The move came after months of escalating tensions, with Russian President Vladimir Putin claiming that the potential of Ukraine joining NATO was a threat to Russian national security. He would later float the excuse of supporting two breakaway republics in Ukraine as a pretext for invasion.

Ukrainian citizens have taken up arms against the invading Russian army, with the world at large implementing heavy financial sanctions against Russia. Amosov, who was expected to defend his welterweight title in May against Michael “Venom” Page, is one of many who have voluntarily joined the fight.

Several nations have stepped up to provide military hardware to Ukraine to support the nation’s defense. Russian air traffic was also banned from European and Canadian air space on Sunday, while Russia’s Putin escalated tensions by putting his “nuclear deterrence forces” on high alert.

“Probably, many will think that I ran away, I’m hiding or something like that, but this is not so,” Yaroslav Amosov explained in a video statement on his verified Instagram account (translation via Ringside24). “I took my family to the safe zone. Now I have returned and will defend this country as best I can, with what I can.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CadGzJ2A8Xl/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=7debdb41-cd08-4ef7-8d56-9700c4234544

“I love this country, our own. Russia came to our house and started a war here, many people are dying — innocents, women and children. We have to defend this country, and we succeed, friends. And we will succeed, because the truth is behind us.”

Amosov, who sports a perfect 26-0 record in professional mixed martial arts, captured the Bellator welterweight title from Douglas Lima at Bellator 260 last year. The 28-year old also holds multiple medals in Jiu-Jitsu and Combat Sambo.

The mixed martial artist also addressed his Russian followers — many of whom can only view the war through the lens of state-controlled media in Putin’s Russia.

“I would like to address those who subscribed to me from Russia. What is shown to you on TV, you may not watch – this is not true,” he stated. “If I were you, I wouldn’t even watch your news. We are in a real war. I cannot understand those people who do not believe that Russian troops entered Ukraine. I see it with my own eyes, I hear it. Terrible things are happening here. We can do this.”

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