Eddie Hearn, the promoter of former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, has said that his charge could fight Deontay Wilder if the latter gets past Zhang Zhilei.
"There are two things: the potential vacating of the IBF title and the temptation to fight Wilder. If Deontay Wilder gets past Zhang Zhilei, and I believe he will, then everyone will start talking about the Joshua-Wilder fight again. It's definitely a fight that His Majesty likes. AJ is open to this fight. Of course he wants to win the world title again, he would love to fight the winner of the Fury - Usik fight.
Nothing is decided at this point because of all these upcoming fights. We'll see how the card will lie on May 18 and June 1," said Hearn in an interview with YouTube channel Boxing Social.
Recall that the Wilder vs. Zhilei fight will take place on June 1 as part of the "5 on 5" tournament from the promotional companies Matchroom Boxing and Queensberry Promotions.
Bogdan Guskov, an Uzbek welterweight competing in the UFC, addressed mixed martial arts fans, urging them not to confuse him with Anthony Smith.
"The second round was my time. In the first one I let him work a little bit, and in the second one I already turned on full force. But in the future you will all see, remember this name - Bogdan "Tsarevich" Guskov! Don't confuse me with "Lionheart" (Anthony Smith's nickname - note), I am Bogdan Guskov!", - said the fighter after the victory over Ryan Spann.
The fight between Guskov and Spann took place this morning at UFC On ESPN 55, ending with the Uzbekistan representative winning by TKO in the second round. The fight was the co-main event of the tournament.
Alex Pereira, the current UFC bantamweight champion, revealed where he excels over his former opponent, former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
"Honestly, I don't know, man. You have to see the criteria they use. Adesanya has made a few title defenses, but I haven't been able to make any middleweight defenses. However, there are things I have done: I was able to become a two-time champion. Izzy made attempts to become a two-time champion, but he couldn't. It doesn't bother me because it doesn't matter what classification you are given. What matters is what you do and inspiring people. And I think I am very good at it," Pereira said in an interview with Brazilian journalist Lavierte Viena.
Absolute world middleweight champion Saul Alvarez has assured that he is in no way hurt by talk of him avoiding a fight against David Benavides.
Uzbek welterweight Bogdan Guskov spoke about his desire to fight for the championship belt after his victory over Ryan Spann.
"I had three fights in the last six months. And all three opponents were from the top-10. Now I want to recover a little bit, rest. And then with new strength to continue the march to the top. Maybe make a title fight.
I think maybe the UFC management will give me a title shot. It would be a big opportunity for me. For my part, I'm doing everything I can. I put on a show every time. I don't like boring fights. I don't like grappling and winning on points. I like blood and show," - quotes the words of Guskov MMA Junkie.
Recall, Guskov knocked out Spann in the second round at UFC on ESPN 55, held April 27 in Las Vegas.
Islam Makhachev, UFC lightweight champion, explained the choice of opponent for the nearest title defense.
"Honestly, no. Dustin is a good opponent. Because I've already beaten Oliveira and Tsarukyan in my time. My dream fight in the lightweight division is Justin Gaethje, but he lost to Holloway. Now only Porier is left among worthy opponents. Arman refused to fight, Oliveira and Gaethje lost. We had no other choice," Makhachev said in an interview with TMZ Sports.
The fight between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Puryear will take place on June 1 at UFC 302 in Newark (USA).
Recall, earlier it became known that Makhachev's opponent could become Tsarukyan, but he refused to fight.
Arman Tsarukyan, the number one UFC lightweight ranking, compared Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov to each other.
"In some aspects Islam is better, in some aspects Khabib is better. It's hard to compare like that. But in terms of media and his opposition - Khabib is on another level. Plus Khabib didn't have the kind of man behind him that Islam has behind him. Islam was top 10, beat Bobby Green and made it to the top 5. How is that possible? I think it's at Khabib's expense. Islam's title fight after such opposition is also a credit to Khabib. Plus they fight a lot in Abu Dhabi. So the UFC is interested in Islam," said Tsarukyan.
Recall, earlier Tsarukyan urged not to make a superhero out of Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev, UFC lightweight champion, revealed what topic they never talk about with Khabib Nurmagomedov, the promotion's former champion in the division.
"We've never talked about it. We don't even have thoughts about it. Who is better, who is stronger... We just help each other become champions. That's all it is. We don't talk about the level of greatness, the number of title defenses. Our relationship is above fights and money," Makhachev said in an interview with TMZ Sports.
Islam Makhachev will make his next title defense on June 1. His opponent will be the organization's former interim lightweight champion Dustin Porier.
Mike Perry, former UFC fighter and current BKFC fist league fighter, has once again challenged Darren Till, former UFC middleweight.
"Darren Till! You fat fucking dog, get your ass over here or I'm out in the UK. Nate Diaz is fighting Jorge Masvidal in some fucking battle of the coasts. We should fight," Perry stated.
It's worth noting that Perry defeated Thiago Alves in the main event of BKFC's No. 61 and has since challenged Till.
Till last appeared in the octagon in December 2022. Then he lost by submission to Dricus Du Plessis. This defeat was the third consecutive loss for the British fighter.
UFC ranked lightweightMichael Chandler has spoken out about his upcoming fight with Conor McGregor, the promotion's former two weight class champion.
"The most likely scenario is I'm going to go out there and completely dismantle him, and that's probably the last time we'll see Conor fight. I can't lose to a guy who's been out for three years. I can't lose to a guy who's been written off. I can't lose to a guy who gave up and is sleeping on silk sheets on his Lamborghini yacht. I can't lose to that guy," Chandler said on The MMA Hour program.
Recall, the fight Chandler - McGregor will take place on June 29 in the framework of the tournament UFC 303 in Las Vegas (USA).
