Latest news with #MMAJunkie
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
OKTAGON double champ Losene Keita wants UFC shot: 'I already slapped everybody in Europe'
Losene Keita saw and conquered – and now he's out for world domination. The current OKTAGON lightweight and featherweight champion, Keita (16-1) thinks it's finally time to test his hand in the UFC after becoming one of Europe's emerging star talents. "I already slapped everybody in Europe," Keita told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. "Every time I'm sitting in front of the TV, I'm watching a featherweight, (and) it's not what it used to be before. It used to be a fun weight class. We need a big star. We need someone who can sleep people. We need some fun fighters. Imagine being in front of the TV, watching these kind of fights. I'm like, 'How are they in the UFC? How?' For me, my job is now to make featherweight great again in the UFC. I think it's time to go to the UFC. I'm the guy the UFC really needs." Keita, 27, is known for his fighting abilities and highlight-reel knockouts but also his mic skills and electric walkouts. He does it all, one of the most highly touted fighters outside the UFC. His only career loss was due to injury, and he's notched 10 knockout victories in 16 fights. While he's still under contract with OKTAGON and could fight for the organization next, Keita said his agreement with the promotion includes a UFC-out clause. He hopes to activate that sometime in the immediate future. "I'm able to leave," Keita said. "I have a clause where I can leave for the UFC whenever I want." What about Keita? The UFC recently signed a large wave of free-agent talent, ranging from veteran PFL fighters like Ante Delija, to KSW champions like Robert Ruchala and Jakub Wiklacz, to OKTAGON contender Shem Rock. Delija was left scratching his head as to why he was not included. "How can they sign these guys?" Keita said. "You look back and see what I've done and who (I've fought) and look at my highlights with everything. I'm like, OK, the big fish is not there yet. So how can you make something great if the big fish is not there yet? No disrespect to all those guys." There's nothing more Keita would like than for UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby to send a contract his way. However, Keita doesn't see it as a favor when he thinks about what the UFC would get in return. Business would be mutually beneficial for all. Born in Guinea, Keita immigrated to Belgium at age 11 and eventually found himself living a troubling lifestyle. At one point, he was in prison, but shortly after his release, he found mixed martial arts and his life was changed forever. Not only does Keita serve as an example of getting on the straight and narrow, he's built a large following in sections of Europe that the UFC does not often visit. From Belgium to Germany to Czechia, Keita has captivated audiences in massive arenas across Northwestern and Central Europe. "I've fought in OKTAGON, in Czech Republic where there is no one (who is) Black there and how I became one of the fan favorites there," Keita said. "People didn't even speak English there, and I speak English. Imagine me going to America and speaking English to this guy and selling myself by being myself." UFC, 'it's time' In his ideal world, Keita would debut at the UFC Fight Night event Sept. 6 at Accor Arena in Paris. There are already names on the tip of his tongue. Understatedly, Keita isn't impressed with the promotion's division and thinks he could make an impact in short order. "If the UFC called me now to fight Dan Ige, I'd accept it and take it with both hands," Keita said. "If the UFC called me now to fight Josh Emmett, I'd take it with both hands. If the UFC called me now to fight any of these guys in the top 15, I would take it with both hands. Zero hesitation. I've been watching these guys, and that's the only thing I do. I watch this guy and I watch this guy and I'm like, 'How do these guys have this much hype? How are they doing this kind of stuff?' I really think I can beat a lot of these guys. For me, I don't care. It can be a wrestler. It can be a striker. It can be Superman. It can be somebody who flies. My only goal is to be a champ." All he needs is a chance, as he explained while also utilizing the signature line of UFC announcer Bruce Buffer. "It's time," Keita said. "Let's make featherweight great again. I can do both weights actually. I even fought in welterweight before. I fought in lightweight, featherweight. Let's just make fun. Let me knock out people on the biggest platform."
USA Today
4 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Daniel Cormier wouldn't be surprised if Derrick Lewis got UFC title shot vs. Tom Aspinall
Daniel Cormier is throwing Derrick Lewis' name in the UFC heavyweight title mix. Cormier doesn't see too many options for UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall's next title defense after Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) has already beaten top contenders such as Alexander Volkov, Curtis Blaydes, and Sergei Pavlovich. All signs are pointing to Ciryl Gane as Aspinall's next opponent, but after Lewis (29-12 MMA, 20-10 UFC) knocked out Tallison Teixeira in the UFC on ESPN 70 headliner this past Saturday, Cormier doesn't rule out the possibility of "The Black Beast" jumping the line. "Probably could (get a title shot), man, with the way the heavyweight division is right now," Cormier told MMA Junkie of Lewis. "He might get an opportunity. If all things were considered and you just need somebody to put on a show, a person that you know is going to bring the eyes, it's Derrick Lewis. "He really is going to bring more eyes than most in the division right now. Tom Aspinall needs challengers. Chael Sonnen told me that on our show, 'If Ciryl Gane so much as coughs, Derrick Lewis is going to get a title fight.'" Many, including UFC CEO Dana White, thought Lewis' TKO win over Teixeira was an early stoppage. While Cormier doesn't disagree, he gives referee Jason Herzog the benefit of the doubt. "I think (the stoppage) was bad, but when a guy grabs the fence to pull himself up you've got to do something," Cormier said. "You can't reset the position because he's getting finished. I think he made the right decision. We're pretty hard on these officials a lot of times, but I think under those circumstances, he was left with no option."
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Dustin Poirier confirms Lil Wayne walkout at UFC 318 ahead of BMF title fight against Max Holloway
Dustin Poirier won't be the only New Orleans icon walking to the cage for the UFC 318 main event on Saturday at the Smoothie King Center. After teasing it in recent weeks, Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) confirmed Wednesday that rap legend Lil Wayne will walk out with him for his final UFC appearance. However, Poirier said he's not straying from his traditional walkout track. ter'It will be a little bit of James Brown, a little bit of Wayne,' Poirier told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference. 'Yeah, Wayne's walking out with me. … I have to [stick with the James Brown song]. I've paid the cost to be the boss. On my last one, I can't go that far away from it. I need to hear that. I need to feel that vibe before I fight someone.' Lil Wayne has long been a vocal UFC supporter and an avid Poirier fan, often posting about fights on social media. His appearance marks a rare celebrity walkout moment, though it's unclear if he'll perform during the entrance. Historically, the UFC has discouraged live walkout performances, with a few exceptions — most notably at UFC 189, when Conor McGregor walked out to Sinead O'Connor singing 'Foggy Dew.' More recently, celebrities like Jack Black, Kyle Gass (UFC 296), and Mark Zuckerberg (UFC 298) have accompanied fighters. Poirier, 36, will face Max Holloway for the BMF title in Saturday's main event, airing on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 318: Patricio Freire media day interview
UFC 318 fighter Patricio Freire spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his main card bout vs. Dan Ige on Saturday in New Orleans.
USA Today
19 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 321 books Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida, a key heavyweight showdown
A potential title eliminator bout in the UFC's heavyweight division has finally been booked after months of discussion. Top contenders Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida are finally set to fight at UFC 321. The event takes place Oct. 26 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. first reported the booking. Both Volkov (38-11 MMA, 12- UFC) and Almeida (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) recently expressed interest in fighting one another in interviews with MMA Junkie. Almeida claimed Volkov turned him down for a June clash in Atlanta – something Volkov didn't deny. Volkov said his declination came because he wanted a break from competition after a controversial loss to Gane in December. The defeat to Gane snapped a four-fight winning streak for Volkov, who could've aligned himself in prime position for a title shot had he won. As for Almeida, he's won back-to-back fights over Alexandr Romanov and Serghei Spivac since his TKO loss to Curtis Blaydes in March 2024. Almeida is 5-1 with four finishes since he moved to heavyweight in late 2022. With the addition, the UFC 321 lineup includes:
