MMA HEADLINES

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul | Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images Mike Tyson is reportedly being sued in the U.K. after his loss to Jake Paul. According to reports from multiple outlets, including Reuters, the former heavyweight champion, is being sued in a London court for $1.59 million for allegedly reneging on a deal to promote online casino and betting company Rabona after announcing his fight with Paul. According to the report, the lawsuit was filed in October in London’s High Court, which states that Tyson and his company Tyrannic agreed to a promotional deal with Medier—the company that promotes Rabona—in January. The court records say that Tyson terminated the deal in March, which happened on the same day of the announcement of the original July 20 date for Tyson vs. Paul. A health scare for Tyson delayed the fight until Nov. 15, when Paul won via a lackluster unanimous decision. The termination cause was stated to be due to Medier “breaching” the agreement, an allegation the company’s attorneys deny. “The true reason for Mr. Tyson and Tyrannic’s hasty and unlawful termination was because Mr. Tyson had agreed to a deal, sponsored by Netflix, to fight the influencer Jake Paul,” per documents released in the Reuters report. Tyson’s legal team also responded to the terms of the suit, and remain steadfast that their client will be on the correct side of the judgement after all of the facts are examined. “Medier materially breached the terms of its agreement with Tyrannic multiple times by exceeding the scope of the restricted license that was granted, causing, among other things, financial and reputational damage to the company and Mr. Tyson,” Tyson’s legal team said in a statement via ESPN. “Tyrannic properly terminated the agreement and is confident that the Court will view this dispute in its favor.”

Khamzat Chimaev | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC Robert Whittaker is weighing on a hypothetical fight between UFC light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira and the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev. Over the past few days, rumors circulated about an out-of-nowhere matchup between the two popular competitors. Whittaker, who recently suffered a first-round submission loss to Chimaev at UFC 308 in October, has seen the social media discussion about the matchup, and discussed it on his MMArcade podcast. “Chimaev [would win], easily,” Whittaker said. “Not easily, [but] Chimaev though [is my pick].” Chimaev is in prime position to fight for the middleweight title in his next fight following his brutal finish of Whittaker. Dricus du Plessis is set to defend the belt against Sean Strickland in a rematch at February’s UFC 312 event. Pereira could face top contender Magomed Ankalaev after three successful title defenses in 2024, but “Poatan” has already teased that will not be his next opponent. The Brazilian star has also been called out multiple times by heavyweight champion Jon Jones for a superfight. But if the UFC were to somehow put together a Pereira vs. Chimaev matchup, even though Whittaker feels confident Chimaev would win, he does see a potential nightmare situation for “Borz.” “I don’t know, unless the [light] heavyweight strength change is a dynamic that Chimaev can’t take [him down]… Chimaev will get the takedown,” Whittaker explained. “He’s good at what he does, plays into his strength. “But, let’s say hypothetically, [if] Chimaev slows down, gasses a little bit, Pereira won’t. He can strike asleep, dead tired. He’s been doing it his whole life. He’ll kill Chimaev in the standup. It won’t be like the Usman-Chimaev fight where Usman was kind of out-boxing him a little bit at that period when Chimaev got tired. It’ll be a slaughter [if he does that with Pereira].”

Photo by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Mike Perry has his sights set on a former UFC champ for his next bare-knuckle fight. During Saturday’s BKFC Hollywood card, Perry took part in an in-ring interview with Cyrus Fees and was asked what he wanted next, and the promotion’s biggest star singled out Robbie Lawler as an opponent he’d like to face. Mike Perry is ready to get back in the ring #BKFCHollywood | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/Cuufc2VF0q— DAZN Sport (@DAZN_Sport) December 22, 2024 “I think who should face me next — I see Robbie Lawler in the crowd and I think he should take the gloves off, and he should step inside the squared circle against ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry,” Perry said. Perry hasn’t competed in the BKFC ring since his 60 second knockout of Thiago Alves at KnuckleMania 4 in April. Since then, the 33-year-old took a boxing match with Jake Paul in July after a medical emergency to Mike Tyson delayed his fight with Paul to November. Paul stopped Perry in the sixth round in Tampa, which led to UFC star and current BKFC co-owner Conor McGregor to fire Perry on social media — something that has become sort of long-standing joke ever since. After Perry’s callout of Lawler, perhaps Perry is back in the good graces of the former two-division UFC champion because McGregor showed his excitement for the idea on Twitter. What a show! Perry vs Lawler? Gimme— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 22, 2024 “What a show,” McGregor said. “Perry vs. Lawler? Gimme.” Perry says he’s been waiting for an opponent to sign on to face him, but he’s come up empty-handed. Lawler, who retired from the UFC in July 2023 following a sensational knockout of Niko Price at UFC 290, seems like a perfect fit for the promotion. Perry seems to agree with that as well. “Listen, man, I’m the best to ever be up in this ring [with] no gloves,” Perry said. “There’s nobody [that’s] ever done it like me, and I’m waiting for my chance to shine again. The world tried to take things from me. I’m ready for my next opportunity and it doesn’t seem like anybody [wants] to step up to the line. “So what I thought is Robbie Lawler might just be tough enough to do it.”

Jon Jones | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC Jon Jones didn’t always plan on being one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. The UFC heavyweight champion recently had his first successful title defense of the belt with a lopsided stoppage win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November. “Bones” joined the Alex G Was Here YouTube channel to drive a Bugatti, and share stories, including answering a question of what his career path would’ve been if he didn’t become a professional mixed martial artist. “If I wasn’t a fighter, I was always really interested in like military, and being in the military—like doing law enforcement or military type stuff,” Jones said. “I’ve just always been into trying to help people out, try and be a hero.” Jones had a dominant run as light heavyweight champion, defending the championship a total of 11 times over multiple stints as champ. Jones never lost the belt in a fight, but ultimately vacated the 205-pound title—and the division—after defeating Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020 via controversial decision. The 37-year-old returned after a three-year layoff to defeat Ciryl Gane in just over two minutes at UFC 285 in March 2023 to win the heavyweight title vacated by Francis Ngannou after “The Predator” made the choice to leave the UFC and sign with PFL. Injuries kept Jones out of the octagon for 20 months before he came back to dominate Miocic via a third-round finish at Madison Square Garden. If Jones didn’t choose the fighting path, or certain aspects of his life went in an opposite direction, things could have been vastly different. “My life turned out pretty wild,” Jones explained. “I definitely haven’t always been the good guy, but growing up, I always wanted to help people. So I went to school for criminal justice. I ended up dropping out, had a kid at a really young age, and now I beat up people for a living. “It’s a lot different than what I thought I would be doing, that’s for sure.”

Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images Watch Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 full fight video highlights from their main event showdown Saturday afternoon, courtesy of multiple outlets. Usyk vs. Fury 2 took place Dec. 21 at the Freedom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Tyson Fury (34-2-1) and Oleksandr Uysk (23-0) squared off in the the main event clash. The fight aired live on pay-per-view on DAZN. Official result: Oleksandr Usyk def. Tyson Fury via unanimous decision (116-112 x3) Catch all the video highlights below. 116-112116-112116-112AND STILL…. Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury in the rematch #Usyk2Fury | BUY NOW on TNT Sports Box Office ▶️ https://t.co/FXWiFF98Ej pic.twitter.com/p4A8TdUKiv— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) December 21, 2024 OLEKSANDR USYK AND TYSON FURY GO THE DISTANCE A SECOND TIME!#Usyk2Fury | BUY NOW on TNT Sports Box Office ▶️ https://t.co/FXWiFF98Ej pic.twitter.com/OfoaAijBfA— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) December 21, 2024 ❗️#Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeasonLive NOW on DAZN: Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/hUvt3R4Yx3— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 21, 2024 The Gypsy King makes his ring walk! #Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeasonLive NOW on DAZN: Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/iSZQOvz18l— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 21, 2024 Time for the Champion to walk! #UsykFury2 is NEXT #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/n6cCDRAAtA— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) December 21, 2024 ⁉️ #Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeasonLive NOW on DAZN: Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/cGQRPUg0KB— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 21, 2024 Tyson Fury is WAR READY!! ⚔️#Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeasonLive NOW on DAZN: Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/srhZSNMiY4— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 21, 2024 Getting those hands ready for battle @Tyson_Fury | #UsykFury2 pic.twitter.com/BzpBhozP80— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 21, 2024 TYSON FURY IS IN THE HOUSE!! #Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeasonLive NOW on DAZN: Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/dUdHntirE3— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 21, 2024 USYK IS HERE‼️#Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeasonLive NOW on DAZN: Click link in bio to buy | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/bkeBk5Kp3k— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 21, 2024 For more on Fury vs. Usyk 2, check out our live blog below. Round 1: Both fighters light on their feet. Fury just pawing at Usyk before flicking out a jab. Sneaky left from Fury. Fury jabs the body, then doubles up on the jab up top. Usyk fires a straight left to the body. Usyk ventures in and scores with a right, but Fury lands a right at the same time. Fury goes to the body. High jab by Usyk. Fury trying to back him off with sweeping right hooks. Usyk with a quick 1-2, he had to reach a long way to land that. Close frame. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Fury. Round 2: Usyk out with a quick flurry. Body shot by Usyk scores. Fury not finding opportunities to get that jab going. There’s a counter right by Fury. Usyk with a straight left to the body. That appears to be his focus in this round. Another left hand to the body by Usyk, then a right hand over the top. Usyk defending against the jab well. Usyk jabs the body. Fury jabs to get Usyk’s guard up, then strikes the body. Hard 1-2 by Fury at the end of the round. Was that enough to steal it? MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Fury. Overall, 20-18 Fury. Round 3: Usyk sticking with that jab to the body. Fury wants to advance, but Usyk blocks a trio of punches. Usyk lands a punch up high. Fury chasing now as Usyk circles. Short left from Fury scores. Counter left by Usyk, glancing blow. Lunging left hand by Usyk. Fury avoiding the worst of Usyk’s power shots. Fury to the body, Usyk with a counter right. Fury jabs the body. Usyk is getting close with that left hand up top. Fury keeps jabbing the body, that’s paying dividends. Left hook for Fury. Feels like he’s just ahead with the power punches. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Fury. Overall, 30-27 Fury. Round 4: Usyk aggressive, there’s a short left, then a crisp right. He’s ramping up the aggression. Right hand by Fury. Three-punch combo to the body by Usyk. Usyk sticking that jab in Fury’s face now. Both fighters just miss with big hooks. Left hand for Usyk connects clean, then another. Usyk throws a combo, with the right hand connecting. Fury answers with a right hand. Usyk back to the body. Flicking jab by Fury. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Usyk. Overall, 39-37 Fury. Round 5: Usyk just punches his way into a clinch and we’re suddenly seeing a lot more grappling than we saw in the first four rounds. Usyk complains of a rabbit punch. Usyk just rifling punches into Fury’s body. That creates an opening for a straight left down the middle for Usyk. Left hand from Fury, that got Usyk’s attention. Plenty of volume for Usyk, he’s happy to make this fight ugly. Fury with a more measured pace. Nice uppercut to the body from Fury. There’s a 1-2 for Fury. He slips in a right hook to the body. Usyk attacks the body now. Two more good body shots for Fury, though. A great round for the former champion, though Usyk gets him with a pair of solid lefts to close the round. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Fury. Overall, 49-46 Fury. Round 6: Jab battle to start this round. Usyk wants to land power punches, but Fury’s guard is high and tight. Fury lands a couple of quick left hooks as he circles. His left is controlling a lot of these exchanges. Just as I write that, he scores with a big right hand. Usyk mixing up his movement, but Fury tags him with another left hook. Left down the middle by Usyk. He’s letting his hands go. They exchange punches and briefly clinch. Right hand from Usyk and that connected hard. A left hand sneaks through and sends Fury’s head back. Usyk with a hopping left that scores. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Usyk. Overall, 58-56 Fury. Round 7: Nice 1-2 by Usyk to open the seventh. Fury focusing on jabbing the body. Counter right by Fury sends Usyk back. Usyk advances with the left, but Fury looks to have adjusted well after taking a few too many of those earlier on. Fury with a sharp 1-2 combo. Usyk swinging back, Fury at just the right range to lean out of the way. Usyk finds a home for his left. Each time he connects with that, it gets a big reaction. Fury resets at range and scores with his jab. Left hand from Usyk as he looks to attack with Fury on the ropes, but Fury’s defense holds up. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Fury. Overall, 68-65 Fury. Round 8: Fury busy with the jab. They trade punches, Fury goes to the uppercut, but Usyk blocks it. Lunging left by Usyk. He’s starting to pressure more. Accidental clash of heads, ouch! No cuts, fortunately. Usyk ducks in and he’s working the body. Hard left from Usyk. He’s firing punches up top and Fury is getting tagged a few too many times for his liking, I’d imagine. Hard punches from Fury in response, Usyk keeping the gloves high and tight. Jab from Usyk. There’s 1-2 combination on point for the champion. Flurry from Usyk before the bell. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Usyk. Overall, 77-75 Fury. Round 9: Fury with a right to the body. Usyk is headhunting. Right hand from Fury scores. Uppercut to the body by Fury. Two more good body shots from the challenger. A 1-2 from Fury penetrates the guard. Fury just bearing down on Usyk, putting his weight on him. Clean jab from Usyk, but Fury is getting busy with the punches. Usyk strikes the body and then lands up top. Another uppercut to the body by Fury. Right hand poke by Usyk, then a right hook, he has Fury on the retreat. Fury shrugging it off, but those scored. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Usyk. Overall, 86-85 Fury. Round 10: Usyk scores early, but there’s an immediate answer from Fury. A right from Fury backs Usyk up. Left hook by Fury as they grapple and exchange short punches before being broken up. Right hand from Usyk, Fury gets him back with a rip to the body. Great counter left by Usyk. Fury drives a left to the body. Fury tries to bully Usyk, but Usyk just pushing him back. Quick right up high by Usyk. There’s that left hand again from Usyk. Big body shot by Usyk. Fury scores with an uppercut. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Usyk. Overall, 95-95. Round 11: Usyk and Fury rush right at each other and exchange before reestablishing distance. Usyk scores to the body. Fury misses with an uppercut and Usyk jabs his face. Another Fury uppercut misses, that’s not working for him right now. Usyk goes to the body, landing multiple punches. Combo scores for Usyk, Fury needs to pick up the pace this round. A right lands for Usyk, then a left. Fury with a right, then a backhand that draws an annoyed reaction from Fury. He makes Fury pay with another good punch up high. Left from Usyk, then a big combo. He smells blood. Straight left just halts Fury from stepping forward. Fury lands a good right at the end of the round, but clear frame for Usyk. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Usyk. Overall, 105-104, Usyk. Round 12: Hard left to the body by Fury. Both fighters working with urgency. Usyk blasts Fury with a right hand. He’s launching combos now every time Fury slings out a jab. Left hand by Fury, Usyk answers with a left. They’re both throwing like they need a finish. Fury with a 1-2 down the middle. Usyk jabs at the body as Fury walks forward. Three-punch combo lands for Usyk. Uppercut by Usyk, he’s making himself hard to hit, too. Jab by Usyk. They’re throwing with time ticking away. Thrilling finish. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Usyk. Overall, 115-113 Usyk. Official result: Oleksandr Usyk def. Tyson Fury via unanimous decision (116-112 x3)