CONOR MCGREGOR has drawn the ire of UFC fans with his latest training footage.
The promotion’s former poster boy is slowly but surely ramping up training ahead of his long-proposed return to the octagon.
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Conor McGregor is slowly but surely ramping up his training ahead of his long-proposed UFC returnCredit: GETTY
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The Irishman has been training in Italy over the last few weeksCredit: INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMA
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‘The Notorious’ recently put a beatdown on two young sparring partnersCredit: INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMA
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The 37-year-old’s intensity against the youngsters divided opinionCredit: INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMA
McGregor, 37, has been putting in the work on the Thai pads during his recent stay in Italy and has since started sparring.
Footage of the former two-division champion trading heavy leather with two young sparring partners started doing the rounds on social media last weekend.
McGregor didn’t take it lightly on his training partners for the day, throwing some full-pelt shots their way.
The Dubliner’s apparent refusal to take it easy on the youngsters annoyed several MMA fans, one of whom wrote on X: “Hmmm. Not a good look for McGregor.”
Another said: “Still an embarrassing show. He is such a shell of his former self.”
And another said: “Bullying young fighters.”
One remarked: “Embarrassing, TBH.”
Another chimed in: “McGregor beating up 12-year-old kids – what a downfall.”
He was set to make his grand cage comeback last June against Michael Chandler but withdrew from the Sin City showdown after breaking his left pinky toe.
McGregor took a major step towards returning to the cage late last month by re-entering the UFC‘s drug testing pool.
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Conor McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg over four years agoCredit: AP
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McGregor recently submitted samples to UFC drug testers following his return to their drug testing poolCredit: INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMA
He submitted random samples to drug testers earlier this month, both of which came back negative for any banned substances.
Jon Jones announced his retirement from MMA in late JuneCredit: GETTY
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But he performed a U-turn after learning of the UFC’s plans to host a card at the White HouseCredit: GETTY
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UFC supremo Dana White has brutally shut down the prospect of Jones fighting on the cardCredit: GETTY
White was initially open to having ‘Bones’ top the bill, but has since performed a public U-turn.
The veteran promoter claimed he couldn’t “trust” Jones enough to give him the honour of headlining the historic card after he pulled the plug on fighting Brit Tom Aspinall.
And he brutally doubled down on his claim during the UFC 319 post-fight press conference on Sunday morning.
He asked a reporter: “What do you think Jon would do in the next couple of months that would make me trust putting him on the White House card?”
“I already said I don’t trust him, and you’re asking me, ‘What could he do for me to trust him in the next three months?’
“You don’t trust him!
“I haven’t talked to him at all. I would not bet on it.
“If I have to make odds, it’s a BILLION TO ONE [that] I put Jon Jones on the White House card.”
Jones, 38, was set to unify the heavyweight belts against interim titleholder Aspinall in a historic showdown at Madison Square Garden in November.
But despite the UFC brass meeting his demands to be paid “f**k you money“, he opted NOT to go through with the fight.
The former pound-for-pound king insisted a bout with Wigan warrior Aspinall did nothing for his legacy.
But he believes a fight at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will add to it.
He said: “In a recent interview, I shared that the opportunity to fight at the White House gave me something deeper to fight for, a ‘why’ that goes beyond paychecks or belts.
If I have to make odds, it’s a billion to one I put Jon Jones on the White House card.”
Dana White on Jon Jones fighting at the White House
“Fighting for my country gives me a greater purpose!
“The silver lining in all this is knowing the fans see my heart.
“They see, I am ready and willing to take on anyone, to represent my country on a historic stage.
“For me, it’s never been just about the opponent. I’m chasing legacy, something timeless, something bigger than the moment.
“So for now, I’ll keep grinding, stay patient, and stay faithful. I’m ready to fight on July 4th.”
KHAMZAT CHIMAEV is the UFC’s new middleweight champion following a BLOWOUT victory over Dricus Du Plessis.
But MMA fans weren’t happy with his wrestling-dominant display and showered him with BOOS after UFC 319’s main event judges turned in their 50-44 scorecards
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Khamzat Chimaev tangled with Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title early this morningCredit: Getty
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Challenger Chimaev was relentless with his takedown from the outsetCredit: Getty
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The Russian controlled the champion for nearly every minute of the fightCredit: GETTY
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Chimaev was over the moon to finally get his hands on UFC goldCredit: Getty
Fan favourite Chimaev, 31, went into his maiden title fight as a HUGE favourite over the dominant champ.
And he ripped the 185lbs strap from DDP’s clutches with a wide unanimous decision victory, a little over five years after his incredible debut in MMA‘s top promotion.
An elated Chimaev said: “I’m happy, happy as always to get my money. Dana [White] send me my money, brother.”
He added: “That guy is strong, I couldn’t finish him. Respect to that guy.
“The only champion was saying my name. This guy has big heart.
“He’s a real lion, an African real lion. Thank you, brother.”
A slew of fight fans flocked to X after Chimaev’s post-fight interview to lambast his style.
One wrote: “I will never watch another Chimaev fight for as long as I live.
Khamzat Chimaev was truly at his suffocating best against Dricus Du PlessisCredit: GETTY
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South African DDP had no answer for the insane wrestling pedigree of Chimaev
“The absolute most boring, overrated, bulls**t fighter to ever watch.
“I don’t give a f**k if you disagree, you’re wrong.”
‘I felt it click’ admits Khamzat Chimaev after inflicting gruesome injury on Robert Whittaker in brutal win at UFC 308
Another said: ” Bro, Chimaev is such a boring fighter. Fighters like him are ruining UFC.”
And another said: “I have never seen a more boring fighter than Khamzat Chimaev. Dominant but boring as hell.”
Chimaev, unsurprisingly, immediately shot for a takedown after pawing out some range-guaging strikes and was successful in grounding the South African in the first.
DDP accepted the takedown but remained calm under the relentless top pressure.
But he must have started to panic when he got put into a mounted crucifix.
Du Plessis managed to get out of the precarious possession with just over two minutes of the round remaining, but he remained under the challenger.
That guy is strong, I couldn’t finish him. Respect to that guy.”
Khamzat Chimaev on Dricus Du Plessis
Du Plessis briefly managed to force a scramble with 30 seconds to go, but found himself grounded again just before the horn went.
Chimaev was at his suffocating best once again after the restart, taking down the champion with a double leg after they traded body kicks.
He chipped away at DDP with knees to the body as he looked for the champion to make a mistake.
But DDP didn’t panic as he rode out the round with Chimaev on his back.
DDP looked visibly fatigued ahead of the third round, and his depleted gas tank no doubt played a part in Chimaev securing the easiest takedown of the fight seconds after the restart.
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Khamzat Chimaev manhandled Dricus Du Plessis for large portions of the fightCredit: GETTY
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Du Plessis was unable to get any of his offence off in the brief moments he was on the feetCredit: GETTY
Chimaev managed to secure a mounted crucifix again, but Du Plessis once again did a good job protecting his head in the body of the challenger.
Chimaev managed to bloody the champion with a few short elbows in the crucifix position.
Du Plessis managed to stuff a takedown for the first time at the start of the fourth, but he was eventually grounded again by a relentless Chimaev.
Du Plessis was given some brief respite with a minute to go when referee Marc Goddard bizarrely separated the pair.
But Chimaev quickly got him to the canvas after eating a body shot.
Du Plessis came out swinging in the fifth, letting his hands go after throwing a flying knee.
But it took Chimaev a mere 30 seconds to take him down for the umpteenth time.
DDP managed to get back to his feet with just over two minutes of the round remaining and wound up on top of the challenger.
And after landing on his back, he went for a Hail Mary guillotine. Chimaev, however, was able to pop his head out.
Chaos ensued after referee Marc Goddard separated the pair on the ground, with Chimaev getting caught by two hard shots.
He then shot for a takedown but saw his attempt to re-ground the fight stuffed.
Du Plessis looked for a rear-naked choke, but Chimaev was wise to it and defended it before ending the round, and the fight, in top position.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
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LERONE MURPHY demanded a title shot from Dana White following his sensational first-round spinning elbow KO of Aaron Pico.
The Manchester ‘Miracle’ locked horns with the former Bellator standout early this morning in the co-main event of UFC 319 in Chicago.
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Lerone Murphy locked horns with Aaron Pico in the co-main event of UFC 319Credit: Getty
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Pico was aggressive from the outset and looked to repeatedly take down MurphyCredit: Getty
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Muprhy iced Pico with a beautifully-timed spinning elbow
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Pico was left unconscious after eating Murphy’s picture-perfect elbowCredit: Getty
Murphy put his eight-fight win streak on the line in his clash with the former uber-prospect, which he had just THREE WEEKS to prepare for.
The Manchester Top Team standout was hoping a dominant victory over the American would earn him the next crack at featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski.
And he staked his claim to be champion Alexander Volkanovski’s next outing with viral KO of Californian clubber Pico, which saw him move to 9-0 in MMA‘s top promotion.
“I’m next in line,” he roared in his post-fight interview wth Joe Rogan. “Let’s go, Volkanovski!”
Pico immediately took the centre of the octagon and put Murphy on the back foot before going to work with vicious body shots against the cage.
Murphy remained composed and landed a nasty short elbow in tight before briefly being taken down.
He looked to establish distance with a long teep and strikes from distance but was taken down again just before the two-minute mark.
Lerone Murphy roared with delight after picking up the biggest win of his careerCredit: Getty
But he managed to return to his feet again and landed a beautiful knee to the body, which echoed throughout the arena just before the midway point of the round.
Pico continued to pressure and look for clinches across the fence.
Lerone Murphy to ‘let it all go’ against Aaron Pico at UFC 319 to convince Dana White & Co. to give him title shot
And Murphy beautifully timed his entry with a sensational spinning elbow KO to punch his ticket to a title shot.
Pico was out cold before he even hit the canvas and Muprhy landed an academic hammerfist, which he pulled back on.
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Nurmagomedov believes McGregor turning his life around would be a story which could inspire people across the globe.
The former undefeated and long-reigning lightweight champion said: “He has to change how he is living.
Conor McGregor shows off shadow boxing after hinting at UFC return
“Why am I talking about this? If he’s gonna change, he can change with him so many other lives too.
“That’s why I wish him to change himself. If he’s not gonna change, it will be punishment all his life.”
McGregor has only fought three times since losing the biggest fight in UFC history.
The Irishman got back in the win column against Donald Cerrone in January 2020 before suffering back-to-back stoppage losses to Dustin Poirier the following year.
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Conor McGregor hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since breaking his left leg four years agoCredit: REUTERS
“He’s currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time.
“We welcome all prayers for healing and for peace.
Jake Paul reveals ‘hefty’ six-man hit-list of opponents for next fight including Anthony Joshua and world champ
“We are trying to keep life as normal as possible for our children currently and doing our best to support them thoughtfully, so please refrain from discussing it with them for now.”
Fans were quick to send their well wishes to the Askren family.
FormerUFCchamp Henry Cejudo wrote on X: “Pray for Ben Askren.”
One fan wrote: “You got this Ben, keep fighting.”
While another commented: “Wishing the best for Ben Askren and his family. Ben was an innovative and creative wrestler in his prime and now he builds up some of the best wrestlers America has ever seen. The wrestling world owes a debt of gratitude to a man like him.”
He’s currently in the hospital and unable to respond to anything at this time.
Amy Askren
Askren began wrestling at the age of just 6.
He competed for the Missouri Tigers in college, twice becoming a D1 national champion.
Askren was a member of the 2008 US Olympics wrestling team, where he lost in the quarterfinals to Cuba’sIvan Fundoraon points.
Following his Olympic adventure, the Iowa-native transitioned into MMA.
But prior to Saturday’s action, Trump indicated his working relationship with Musk was irreparable.
“I’m too busy doing other things. I won an election in a landslide,” he said.
“I gave [Musk] a lot of breaks, long before this happened.
“I gave him breaks in my first administration, and saved his life in my first administration, I have no intention of speaking to him.”
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Elon Musk (right) accompanied Trump to his last UFC event in AprilCredit: AFP
Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s complicated relationship
Former president Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s relationship started rocky, but the pair have since reconciled, with Musk fully endorsing Trump and interviewing him on X Spaces on August 12.
In 2022, Elon Musk and Donald Trump publicly feuded on X, then still known as Twitter.
Trump called Musk a liar and “bulls**t artist” during a rally in Alaska.
“Elon is not going to buy Twitter,” Trump said at the time.
“You know, he said the other day, ‘I’ve never voted for a Republican.’ I said, ‘I didn’t know that – you told me you voted for me. So he’s another bulls**t artist, but he’s not going to be buying it.”
In response to Trump’s critiques, the SpaceX founder clapped back.
“I don’t hate the man, but it’s time for Trump to hang up his hat & sail into the sunset,” Musk posted.
Musk also went on to buy X months later.
The X owner said he had previously voted mostly for Democrats since becoming a United States citizen in 2002.
Musk initially backed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to be the Republican Party’s presidential nominee.
“My preference for the 2024 presidency is someone sensible and centrist,” Musk wrote on X in 2022.
“I had hoped that would [be] the case for the Biden administration, but have been disappointed so far.”
His shift in political parties might be attributed to his plummeting relationship with President Joe Biden who didn’t invite Musk to the 2021 White House electric vehicle summit.
Despite their past issues, Trump and Musk’s relationship took a turn in March after they met at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump was also previously against electric vehicles but has since changed his stance.
“I’m for electric cars,” he said at a rally earlier this month.
“I have to be, because Elon endorsed me very strongly. So I have no choice.”
Following the assassination attempt at Trump’s rally in July, Musk announced his support for the former president.
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk wrote on X after the shooting.
During a recent press conference, Trump spoke highly of Musk.
“I respect Elon a lot. He respects me,” he said.
“Elon, more than almost anybody I know, he loves this country. He loves the concept of this country, but like me, he says this country is in big trouble, it’s in tremendous danger.”
Musk has been pictured at events at Mar-a-Lago and the UFC, buddying up with Trump.
Trump selected Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency – a taskforce aimed at cutting bureaucracy.
In the Octagon, it was a night to remember for Dvalishvili, who proved too strong for O’Malley in their main event rematch.
The reigning bantamweight champion secured his first-ever UFC submission following a brutal choke-out.
And he celebrated by vaulting out of the Octagon for a handshake and words with Trump.
The President also shook hands with a devastated O’Malley, who was able to leave the Octagon under his own steam after the choke.
“He was well trained, he was well prepared, and I knew that he was going to make changes,” Dvalishvili told reporters after the third round win.
“Every time I lost I made big changes and I learned from it.
“But I’m getting better and better. I wasn’t showing this technique [before] and I have more tools in my pocket I’m still working on, and then little by little I will show.
“Now it’s my time.”
Elsewhere on the main card, there were also wins for Kayla Harrison, Joe Pyfer, Holland, and Mario Bautista.
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Trump was given a hero’s welcome by the crowdCredit: Getty
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Kevin Holland shook hands with Trump after beating Vicente LuqueCredit: Reuters
