Thompson’s Clear Message to the Welterweight Division

During an interview with The MMA Hour, Thompson spoke candidly about his expectations from future opponents in the 170-pound division. He said, “I want everybody to know right now in the 170 division, that if you’re going to fight me now you better be on weight or it’s not going to happen.” Thompson’s emphasis on fighting fairly and avoiding any undue advantage for opponents is evident.

His strong sentiment originates from a recent incident when Thompson had to withdraw from the UFC 291 card. This was due to Michel Pereira missing the welterweight limit by three pounds. The aftermath was a financial setback for “Wonderboy”, as he was denied his “show” purse by the promotion president. To add to his displeasure, Thompson recalls a fight against Darren Till, where “The Gorilla” missed weight by 3.5 pounds. Thompson, despite being at a disadvantage, proceeded with the fight but lost via unanimous decision. He reflects on the Till encounter and mentions, “I told myself then after that fight, I will never do this again.”

Upcoming Return: Thompson’s Anticipation for UFC 295

With a fight record of 17-6-1, Stephen Thompson is eagerly waiting for his return to the Octagon. Fans and followers are anticipating his comeback at UFC 295 scheduled for November. As he gears up for this, his recent declarations are bound to set a new precedent in ensuring fairness in the sport.

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“El Cucuy” Addresses Controversy Surrounding Eye Poke Incident

Ferguson took to Instagram to voice his perspective on the recent loss, pointing to the illicit eye poke as a pivotal turning point in the match. Despite significant impairment to his vision, he maintained a fighter’s spirit, refusing to bow out prematurely. Ferguson reiterated his determination to overcome this setback and work closely with his team, including Dana White and Hunter Campbell, to strategize his future in UFC.

It’s noteworthy to remember that before his recent downward spiral, Ferguson maintained an impressive 12-fight winning streak spanning seven years. His streak was halted by Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 in a brutal five-round bout. The remainder of his winless run featured battles against high-ranking Lightweights like Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush, and Michael Chandler. With the recent losses to Nate Diaz and Bobby Green, however, he now faces defeats from unranked opponents. Regardless of the challenges, “El Cucuy” remains hopeful of redeeming his position and achieving future victories.

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Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has recently stoked the fires of rivalry with a contentious statement about his former peer, Alex Pereira. Rockhold, who was present in Miami, Florida for Karate Combat 40 (KC40) as a guest sensei and play-by-play commentator, didn’t hold back when Pereira’s name was mentioned, confidently stating, “Give me 10 seconds on the ground. I’ll f—king kill that motherf—ker.”

Grappling Expertise and Kick Record: Rockhold’s Claim to Fame

It’s not an empty boast from Rockhold, who is renowned for his elite grappling skills. Even though every fight commences on the feet, and Rockhold hasn’t recently tasted much success in that position, his assertion stands. This claim takes on a speculative tone given that Rockhold, the former Strikeforce champion, retired from mixed martial arts (MMA) post his defeat to Paulo Costa at UFC 278. Adding a silver lining to his illustrious career, Rockhold has managed to shatter Pereira’s kick record set last December at KC 37.

Future Fight Night: Pereira’s Upcoming Debut and Rockhold’s Past Encounter

In the upcoming month, Alex Pereira is slated to make his Light Heavyweight debut against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291. As the MMA world eagerly awaits this showdown, fans cannot help but reminisce about Rockhold’s last bout at BKFC 41, which concluded with Mike Perry winning after a severe mouth injury suffered by Rockhold. Regardless of their individual journeys, Rockhold and Pereira continue to captivate fans with their combative prowess and intense rivalry.

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Gaethje Applauds Poirier’s Triumphs Since Their First Encounter

Gaethje, in an interview with retired champion Daniel Cormier on DC & RC, expressed his admiration for Poirier’s accomplishments following their initial showdown. Gaethje commended Poirier not only for his victory over him but also for his subsequent wins, particularly his impressive performances against Conor McGregor. Gaethje described Poirier as a formidable opponent and acknowledged the need for perfection in their upcoming clash. Despite their shared violent nature as athletes, both fighters maintain a respectful and amicable relationship, recognizing the preparation and contentment in facing the challenges ahead at UFC 291.

Poirier’s Stellar Track Record Since Defeating Gaethje

Since defeating Gaethje, Poirier has compiled an impressive 6-2 record, notably marked by his dominant TKO victories over Conor McGregor. While Poirier suffered defeats in his title attempts against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, he has consistently remained in the title contention. The 34-year-old fighter’s remarkable performances have solidified his reputation as one of the most formidable competitors in the lightweight division.

Gaethje’s Redemption Journey and Title Pursuits

Like Poirier, Gaethje has rebounded strongly from his loss to his upcoming opponent. With a similar 6-2 record since their initial encounter, Gaethje has showcased his resilience and determination. Despite setbacks in his title shots against Nurmagomedov and Oliveira, Gaethje’s skill set and relentless fighting style have kept him in the upper echelons of the division. As both fighters vie for the BMF title, their previous setbacks serve as motivation to seize victory and continue their pursuit of championship glory.

Gaethje and Poirier: Title Contenders and Bonus Collectors

Both Gaethje and Poirier have consistently positioned themselves as formidable title contenders and passionate fighters in the lightweight division. Their hunger for success is matched by their ability to put on electrifying performances, earning them a reputation as ravenous bonus collectors. Given their shared commitment to providing fans with enthralling displays of skill and intensity, both fighters recognize that UFC 291 represents a rare occasion where trash talk is unnecessary to generate interest in the event.

Conclusion: UFC 291 is shaping up to be an epic showdown between Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier, where the BMF title will be at stake. The rematch between these two respected lightweights promises to captivate fans with their mutual respect and shared desire to leave everything inside the Octagon. Gaethje and Poirier’s journey to this highly anticipated clash reflects their determination to overcome past setbacks and secure their place among the lightweight division’s elite. With a stacked card and no shortage of action

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Upon hearing that Pereira was stepping up to the light heavyweight division, Blachowicz was quick to grab this potentially career-defining opportunity. After a disappointing majority draw against Magomed Ankalaev, Blachowicz is eager to return to title contention.

“When I heard that he would come to our division, I just want to fight against him,” Blachowicz said on The MMA Hour. His enthusiasm led to swift negotiations, resulting in this eagerly awaited match.

Pereira earned a title shot in just his fifth professional MMA fight, his preexisting rivalry with Adesanya fueling his swift ascent. However, a knockout by Adesanya at UFC 287 ended Pereira’s reign in the 185-pound division. Instead of seeking a trilogy, Pereira opted to move up a weight class, and Blachowicz is keen to see how that plays out.

Blachowicz boasts a formidable track record with fighters transitioning from middleweight, notably breaking Luke Rockhold’s jaw when the American tried the same move. He also dealt Adesanya his only other defeat since joining the UFC roster.

“If you change weight category, you can spar in your gym with the bigger guys. But when you fight, it’s completely different,” Blachowicz shared. He is confident in his ability to put Pereira through the same trial-by-fire initiation into the 205-pound division.

Interestingly, the UFC wasn’t just receptive to Blachowicz’s proactive call-out; they also offered him a tempting incentive. If he defeats Pereira, a title shot awaits, likely pitting him against the winner of the anticipated showdown between current light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill and former champion Jiri Prochazka.

Blachowicz is well aware of the stakes. The excitement of possibly bringing the belt back home to Poland has only fueled his motivation further. However, he isn’t underestimating Pereira. His admiration for Pereira’s striking abilities has him looking forward to testing his own standup skills against one of the best.

“I want to check how my striking is going to look against him,” said Blachowicz. According to the former light heavyweight champion, beating Alex Pereira could be his golden ticket back to a title shot.

Blachowicz vs. Pereira: a clash of titans at UFC 291, Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. This is one fight fans will not want to miss.

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