Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For October 5, 2023, we’re taking a look at:
- UFC Lightweight Claims Two Bellator Champions Will Also Be Champions In UFC If They Signed On
- Usman Nurmagomedov Explains Cousin Khabib’s Inputs Ahead Of Bellator 300 Showdown
- Conor McGregor Hints At Long-Awaited Return To The USADA Testing Pool: ‘Submitted My Stuff’
UFC Lightweight Claims Two Bellator Champions Will Also Be Champions In UFC If They Signed On
Despite the recent talk surrounding Bellator MMA and it’s parent company Viacom looking to sell the promotion, they’ve arguably never had a better roster than they do right now.
Several fighters and champions on their books have been tipped as being some of the best in their weight class period, if not the best.
During his fight week interviews for his main event clash with Bobby Green this weekend, UFC lightweight Grant Dawson spoke about what he has seen personally.
Specifically naming Bellator’s welterweight and middleweight champions, Dawson believes that they would both prove themselves to be the best in their divisions if they signed to the promotion.
“Johnny Eblen is the best 185-pound fighter on planet earth and that is a hill that I will die on, I think that he beats all of them and it’s not even close. That dude is the best 85’er on planet earth. He walks through Izzy, I’ve seen him and Sean spar, I know you’re not supposed to talk about the gym and I usually have a very strict rule about that but imma tell you right now that Johnny Eblen is the best 185-pound fighter on planet earth today.
There’s rumours that Bellator is going under and there’s a very strong part of me that hopes that they do just so we can see Yaroslav (Amosov) and Johnny Eblen in the UFC.”
When asked if he believes both men would hold belts in the UFC, he simply stated “Yes.” before putting the mic back down.
Grant Dawson believes Johnny Eblen (@JohnnyEblen) is the best middleweight on the planet and thinks him & Yaroslav Amosov (@YaroslavAmosov) will be champions in the UFC if Bellator folds.
(@mmamania) pic.twitter.com/VFQtOo4zMZ
— Combat Sports Today 📰 (@CSTodayNews) October 5, 2023
Usman Nurmagomedov Explains Cousin Khabib’s Inputs Ahead Of Bellator 300 Showdown
One of the other top fighters on Bellator’s current roster is the undefeated lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.
With his cousin – the great Khabib Nurmagomedov – in his corner, he has amassed a 17-0 record with many seeing him as one of the top 155-pound fighters in the world.
Ahead of his title defense against Brent Primus at Bellator 300 this weekend, Usman spoke about the influence of his cousin Khabib.
Despite the fact that he has taken a back step from being in the spotlight, Usman said that his cousin is still having a huge impact on his career and the way he fights.
“All that I will be doing on this fight, this is [what] Khabib made me now. Khabib, all the time on the [phone] line you know and he always give me advice, talk with me, ask me like how I’m feeling, how is my weight like all the time you know. We’re good yeah.”
“A lot of moments like even in my fights like what I did all the time what he say. I’m moving what they say, I listen to his advice and alhamdulillah, I won all my fights.”
Conor McGregor Hints At Long-Awaited Return To The USADA Testing Pool: ‘Submitted My Stuff’
Inactive since his third fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021, being a Conor McGregor fan makes for a lot of waiting.
With the serious injury that he suffered last time out reportedly healed up, fans hoped to see the return of “The Notorious” in 2023 but it wasn’t to be.
Despite having a fight with Michael Chandler confirmed, there is still no date for the contest, largely due to McGregor’s removal from the USADA testing pool.
In a recent Instagram post, the Irishman hinted at his potential return timeframe, stating that he is back in the pool which would tee him up well to return at UFC 300 which is expected to take place in April.
“Find my targets. Hit them. F*ck the consequences. You’re going down,” McGregor wrote. “This is fighting. Sparring day with slick @grozdevnikolay. Always a banger of a spar with the slick fella. Submitted my stuff to Novitzky. Ball rolling ⚽️ see you soon you little light work bitch.’
Read more on the story here.
For more MMA news, check out:
- Ariel Helwani Questions ‘Baffling’ Decision To Announce Fury vs. Usyk Ahead Of Francis Ngannou Fight: ‘The Stakes Have Been Diminished’
- Merab Dvalishvili Makes U-Turn On Potential Of Facing Aljamain Sterling: ‘I Don’t Want To Fight Aljo, But…’
- Robert Whittaker Becomes Latest To Back Tony Ferguson’s Chances Against Paddy Pimblett: ‘I Do Think Paddy Was Overhyped’
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https://www.mmanews.com/features/mma-news-today-ufc-lightweight-bellator-champions-usman-nurmagomedov-cousin-khabib-bellator-300