The title fight of Jan, the greatness of Nurmagomedov and the new challenge of McGregor: what is being discussed in the UFC world

The fight on the "Fight Island" and the coronavirus coach

Russian fighter Peter Jan will fight for the title in the UFC flyweight division with Brazilian Jose Aldo. ESPN journalist Mark Raimondi was the first to write about this on Twitter, referring to the words of the promotion leader Dana White.

Dana White: Jose Aldo vs. Petr Yan targeted for vacant bantamweight title https://t.co/gOmf6MgR4k

The manager of the domestic athlete Sayat Abdrakhmanov confirmed this information and emphasized that the title fight should take place in June on the “Fight Island”. At the same time, according to his representative, Ian should have no problems flying to the USA from Thailand, where he has been in recent months.

“We are waiting for the contract. Aldo is currently the most famous fighter in the division. Stylistically, this is potentially a very interesting match, ”TASS quoted Abdrakhmanova. 

Ian himself posted on Twitter a photo from a sparring with a Brazilian and wrote that he had nothing to respect for his opponent but respect. 

Nothing but respect ✊🏼 pic.twitter.com/gH26zThZoW

Perhaps the only fly in the ointment in this situation was the information that Andre Pederneyras - Aldo's trainer - passed a positive test for coronavirus. However, the specialist noted that he feels good and is on self-isolation.

The fact that Jan will take part in the title fight, it became known on May 10. Then White said that the Russian will fight for the belt with "someone." The greatest chances to meet with him were Aldo and the first number of the rating Marlon Moraes. The last one, Peter was supposed to test on June 13 at the UFC tournament in Kazakhstan, but this event will not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic.  

COVID-19 mixed plans and Aldo. He was preparing for the title fight with Henry Sehudo, but was unable to fly to the US from Brazil due to the closure of the borders. As a result, Jose on the historic UFC 249 was replaced by another former champion, Dominic Cruz. The dominator did not cope with the current title holder, losing by technical knockout in the second round.  

And Sehudo himself after the fight unexpectedly announced his retirement and left both belts vacant, which facilitated the way for Jan to the top. They decided not to give Moraes a chance to fight him in the leadership of the promotion, but experienced Aldo, who for several years held the featherweight title and even ranked first in the UFC rating, regardless of weight category.  

However, after losing to Conor McGregor in 13 seconds, the Brazilian’s career began to decline. He twice lost to Max Holloway, and after failure in the battle with Alexander Volkanovsky decided to go down to the easiest category. There, in December 2019, Marlon Moraes greeted him inhospitablely. Thus, a duel with Jan is perhaps the last chance to win a belt for a 33-year-old athlete.

As for Peter, in the UFC he still did not know the bitterness of defeat. He has counted six victories in a row, three of which the Russian won last year over the Americans John Dodson, Jimmy Rivera and Yuraiya Faber.    

Nurmagomedov’s pleasant memories and secrets from Gatzhi 

Meanwhile, the current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov continues to prepare for a fight with Justin Gatji. A few days ago, he remembered the duel of seven years ago with Abel Trujillo, in which he spent 21 takedowns in 15 minutes, thereby setting a promotion record.

“A month before the fight, he damaged the lateral ligaments of the knee and could not take the opponent’s back in battle. The solution was simple. Just grab and throw for 15 minutes without stopping. If there is a desire, there will always be a solution, ”Habib wrote.

View this Instagram post

Posted by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) May 25, 2020 at 8:02 PDT

In turn, Gatzy told what nuances he is going to pay attention to in a meeting with an invincible champion. According to the American, in a duel with a Russian, it will be extremely important for him not to let himself be pressed to the net, so as not to allow branded takedowns.

One way or another, Nurmagomedov in this fight will be considered the favorite. It is no coincidence that Orel’s colleagues now regularly include Khabib in the list of strongest fighters in history. For example, Daniel Cormier, a former UFC champion in two weight categories, did this. He also emphasized that the Russian should be ready to meet with Gatzy in September, despite his father’s grave condition.  

And Ben Askren, who finished his career last year, named Nurmagomedov among the seven greatest fighters along with Georges Saint-Pierre, Anderson Silva, Cormier, Sehudo, Demetrius Johnson and John Jones. At the same time, the American did not include either Conor McGregor or Fedor Emelianenko in this list.   

7 People in discussion for MMA GOAT. Some have much better cases than others, but all have cases. Fedor and BJ would have had cases had they retired earlier.

GSP
Anderson
DJ
Khabib
Jon Jones
DC
Henry

The call from Silva and the pride of McGregor

Meanwhile, the Irishman seems to be getting a new rival. The challenge was thrown by the legendary former UFC champion Anderson Silva, whose career was overshadowed by a doping scandal. However, neither this fact, nor two consecutive defeats, nor a respectable age (45 years) forced the Brazilian to hang gloves on a nail. And now he intends to face off with McGregor himself to get, perhaps, the last money battle in his career.  

“I really admire the great athlete Conor is, and I think that our superboy can be a historic event for mixed martial arts. Neither I nor he should prove anything to anyone. Fans of the UFC and this sport want this grandiose fighting show, and it would be great for me to test my combat skills in our fight with him, ”Silva wrote on Instagram.

View this Instagram post

Posted by Anderson "The Spider" Silva (@spiderandersonsilva) May 27, 2020 at 6:36 PDT

The veteran added that he wants to conduct a fight in an intermediate weight of up to 80 kg. McGregor accepted the challenge and emphasized that he was ready to fight in the middleweight, in which Silva plays. Perhaps White’s words prompted him not to receive the welterweight title fight and not meet with reigning champion Camaru Usman, who prompted him to agree to a fight with Spider Irish. 

But this fact is unlikely to affect the self-esteem of a fighter who, unlike Nurmagomedov, is not modest. And if others speak enthusiastically about Khabib, then Conor gave himself the title of best fighter in MMA.  

“Do not forget about the highest percentage of knockouts, as well as the fastest knockouts both in the UFC and outside the promotion. In addition, I won the most titles, won the most victories by knockout in the most divisions. So I'm just the greatest fighter in history, damn it! Deal with it, ”wrote MacGregor on Twitter.

Don't forget the highest% ratio of KO's, as well as fastest KO's, both inside and outside the UFC. Also most titles won. Also most knockouts in most divisions. Also, I'm just the fucking GOAT.
Get over it baby, and get with it!
It's good on this side!
Come chill with the Billi GOAT! https://t.co/ZSo7t60rrs