Hill side

Chimaev wants Covington, Dana White shows his charitable side

By Jeffery R. Callaham
Khamzat Chimaev, UFC 279 ceremonial weigh-in Credit: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press

Dana White donates $10,000 to a Muay Thai fighter who suffered a tragic accident, while Khamzat Chimaev thinks welterweight again and targets Colby Covington. That and more, because your Sunday MMA fast kicks are back!

Chimaev wants Colby Covington next

Well, for a minute it looked like Khamzat Chimaev was headed for middleweight. He’s fought there before, after all, and blasted the weight of a country mile at UFC 279, resulting in a 180-pound weight with Kevin Holland being hastily reunited, since Nate Diaz reached the welterweight limit for the event.

Apparently, however, Chimaev wants to stay around 170 – and wants Colby Covington next.

Sure, it’s a fun fight and one that’s been talked about for ages. But can Chimaev make the weight this time?

Bo Nickal and Raul Rosas Jr. announced for UFC 4

Earlier this season, Dana White announced that a Contender Series contract winner would be added to EA Sports UFC 4. On the season six finale, they included Joe Pyfer, Raul Rosas Jr. and Bo Nickal.

After another outstanding performance from Nickal, White announced that he and 17-year-old Rosas Jr. would be added to the game.

Of course, people aren’t thrilled that fighters like Jamahal Hill and upcoming title challenger Alex Pereira aren’t in the game, when a pair of athletes without a single UFC fight will be. But hey, welcome to the fighting game.

White’s announcement from last Tuesday can be found below.

Dana White pledges $10,000 to Muay Thai fighter who lost his legs

In December 2021, Muay Thai fighter John Esposito lost both his legs after being hit by a car while working day on the road.

A public works worker in Somerset County, Esposito was filling potholes when a car drove into his worksite and hit him from behind, pinning him down. His legs were amputated in the accident and Esposito was left flat while being transported to hospital via medivac, to be resuscitated.

Less than a year later, Esposito is trying to stay positive and can walk short distances using two canes. There is currently a GoFundMe set up to help make his home accessible – and according to TMZ, UFC President Dana White has donated $10,000 to the cause.

Dana White plays the good guy for a change.

Juan Archuleta explains how he ended up on Kingdom

Bellator’s Juan Archuleta made numerous appearances on Kingdom, an MMA-themed show that ran from 2014 to 2019. But how did he end up on the show? The Bellator 286 fighter told Cageside Press that Joe Stevenson was brought in as an MMA consultant for the series – and Archuleta is one of Stevenson’s proteges.

Series creator Byron Balasco also attended Archuleta’s first fight, which was Balasco’s first time attending a live MMA event. It also helped. “He loved the fight and loved everything about it, and got me on the show.”

Roberto Soldic’s ONE Championship debut announced

Former KSW champion Roberto Soldic will make his ONE Championship debut in December.

On Friday’s ONE show on Prime Video 2, promotion officials confirmed that Soldic (20-3), who won welterweight and middleweight gold in Poland’s KSW, will fight Murad Ramazanov on December 2 in Manila, Philippines.

Solidc has won seven straight fights and is perhaps best remembered for his back-to-back outings with current UFC star Dricus Du Plessis.

Antonio Inoki has died aged 79

Antonio Inoki, Japanese professional wrestling legend and MMA promoter/pioneer, has died aged 79.

Inoki, who staged MMA fights under Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye and Inoki Genome Federation, appeared in a precursor to modern mixed martial arts himself when he faced Muhammad Ali in a mixed rules contest in June 1976. The fight, which came under scrutiny as if it was a (staged) work, went through numerous rule changes just days away and ended in a draw. Ali was rushed to hospital after sustaining leg injuries from Inoki’s kicks.

Inoki’s death was reportedly due to systemic transthyretin amyloidosis.

Flying Kick KO dazzles at the regional show

No explanation is really needed here. Just check this.

Cris Cyborg victorious in his professional boxing debut

Following in the footsteps of Conor McGregor, Anderson Silva and others, Cris Cyborg is the latest MMA fighter to dabble in professional boxing.

Competing at a Fight Music Show event in her native Brazil, Cyborg picked up the win against Simone Silva. The fight went away, with Cyborg winning a unanimous decision.

Bellator title defense next? Cat Zingano anyone?

Ben Rothwell makes his presence felt at BKFC 30

Ben Rothwell made his BKFC debut on Saturday at BKFC 30 and immediately made his presence felt. Rothwell dropped Bobo O’Bannon at just 19 seconds. Consider yourself savvy, BKFC heavyweights.

Jeffery R. Callaham
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