Latest news with #IridiumSportsAgency
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Steve Aoki gives jiu-jitsu a try thanks to UFC star Diego Lopes
Steve Aoki gives jiu-jitsu a try thanks to UFC star Diego Lopes EDM star Steve Aoki has long been a fan of combat sports, but he recently hit the mats for a jiu-jitsu session for the first time ever – with a little assistance from UFC star Diego Lopes. "Now, I've got the excitement," Aoki said, after the session at the Iridium Sports Agency office gym. Lopes met Aoki at one of his concerts in Guadalajara, Mexico. The two have been friends since, and Aoki even did a custom mix of "La Chona" for Lopes' UFC 314 title challenge walkout in April. Aoki, 47, said the mindset he's drawn from watching fights might be the reason he's been able to maintain a rigorous tour schedule a decade-plus after his first Grammy nomination. "The resiliance, the training, the heart, the hard work," Aoki said. "You're putting your entire life in that octagon. That feeling of that moment is something that I love. You guys are putting your entire spirit in that octagon, and I know that. That's how I look at my life, my career, my shows, my music. I think that may be one of the reasons why I'm still able to tour, being able to make music, and people listen." In stepping outside of his comfort zone, Aoki thinks he may have unlocked a new version of himself. While the recent session was his first, it doesn't sound like it'll be his last. "I realize I know 0.0001 percent," Aoki said. "But what I did learn was the inspiration and excitement to now step through the door. I've always been kind of fearful of it. I've been scared of it. I like to watch it on TV. I like to watch my f*cking friends do it. Now, I'm ready. So Diego, it's all your fault."
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC books Amir Albazi vs. Tatsuro Taira main event
UFC books Amir Albazi vs. Tatsuro Taira main event Flyweight contenders will collide in the UFC Fight Night main event Aug. 2 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Both looking to bounce back from losses, Amir Albazi and Tatsuro Taira will meet in a five-round bout. Two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed the matchup to MMA Junkie after Iridium Sports Agency, which represents Taira, announced it Wednesday on social media. Albazi (17-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) recorded his first UFC loss in November when he was defeated by unanimous decision by Brandon Moreno. The defeat came after wins over Malcolm Gordon, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, Francisco Figueiredo, Alessandro Costa, and Kai Kara-France. Taira (16-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) lost a split decision to Brandon Rovval in October – his first UFC defeat. Prior to the loss, Taira defeated Carlos Candelario, C.J. Vergara, Jesus Aguilar, Edgar Chairez, Carlos Hernandez, and Alex Perez. With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup for Aug. 2 includes:
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Video: Watch Diego Lopes' emotional rollercoaster during UFC 314 fight night
UFC 314 was the highest of highs for re-crowned featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, but the emotions were much different for his opponent. Diego Lopes came up short in his first promotional title bid after skyrocketing into title contention. During UFC 314 fight week, a camera crew documented the highs and the lows of the build and aftermath of Lopes' fight night in Miami. From the final moments in the hotel and his warm-up in the locker room to an emotional wind-down post-fight, a video published by Lopes' management Iridium Sports Agency shows the rollercoaster that was fight night. Check out the full video above. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 314 video: Diego Lopes' emotional rollercoaster documented
USA Today
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Video: Watch Diego Lopes' emotional rollercoaster during UFC 314 fight night
Video: Watch Diego Lopes' emotional rollercoaster during UFC 314 fight night UFC 314 was the highest of highs for re-crowned featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, but the emotions were much different for his opponent. Diego Lopes came up short in his first promotional title bid after skyrocketing into title contention. During UFC 314 fight week, a camera crew documented the highs and the lows of the build and aftermath of Lopes' fight night in Miami. From the final moments in the hotel and his warm-up in the locker room to an emotional wind-down post-fight, a video published by Lopes' management Iridium Sports Agency shows the rollercoaster that was fight night. Check out the full video above.
