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Robert Whiteford speaks on the difference between the UFC & Bellator ahead of his Bellator 267 fight

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Rob “The Hammer” Whiteford (16-4-0) is as honest as they come and is not afraid to speak his mind. He gave his thoughts on fighting for Bellator at a recent media day, something he has only had the opportunity to do once due to the global pandemic. He returns to the cage opposite Andrew Fisher at Bellator 267 this evening.

“I hope I’ve found a home in Bellator….I’ve only fought once for them this the second on Friday night. They seem to have treated me really well, nothing to complain about so if all goes to I’d like to finish my career at Bellator. I think I have two more fights with Bellator(…) see this one out and sign another contract with Bellator. Hopefully they bring Bellator to Scotland.”

When asked to compare working with Bellator vs. working with the UFC he had this to say.

“You ever see how when you were young you had two aunties, or two grans? You went to one that real strict and controlled everything you done and you went to the other and they let you do what the f*ck you want. That’s what it seems like with Bellator, I get to do what the f*ck I want. They treat me well, I fight, I go home. That’s it, end of story.”

Whiteford discussed the idea of comparing organizations, but at the end of the day there are dangerous fighters everywhere and not just in the UFC. The fighters skills speak for themselves, a brand name does not change their level.

“There’s tough competition in Bellator. People like to compare organizations to other organizations but every organizations have dangerous guys right through it so you be the judge of what level I’m at.”

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(Whiteford fought under the UFC banner for close to three years)

He will fight Fisher at Bellator 267, and Whiteford says that his opponent has some interesting insight into who the Scotsman is as a fighter and how he moves.

“Strangely enough he’s cornered a few times against me, so he probably knows more about me than I do about him. You can watch someone on television or you can watch them from the crowd. You don’t really get a good picture of them until you’re either in there with them or your part of corner team, you’re against the fighter.”

The COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2019 (and you know the rest) and Whiteford had to put competing on hold

“I’ve had time out competing but I’ve not had time out training, that’s my life, that’s my lifestyle.”

He cites longtime training partner Chris Duncan (7-0-0) as one of his main source of inspiration to continue training hard during lockdown.

“The last six or seven years he’s never let me down once. When I was younger coming up I was that guy chasing the older guys, you felt like you could never let them down. I’ve not really got a choice if I want to go to training or not. I can’t let him down…I make myself accountable. (…) its not something I choose to dip my toe in and out of.”

Whiteford also had to put his regular visits to his home away from home, American Top Team (ATT), on the back burner.

“I’ve had to do it back here in Scotland. It’s the first time in six or seven years that I haven’t had a camp over there but again I know I’m confident in my abilities and when I turn up fight night all I need to do is perform to the abilities. So it wouldn’t really matter where I train. I suppose its much better if I’m training away from home in the sun (Florida) surrounded by world class facilities. (…) I’ve been here, I’ve been at my local boxing club, I’ve been at my local MMA club back in Scotland. Basically back to my roots.”

Bellator 267- Lima vs MVP is getting underway Friday Oct 1st at the Wembley Arena in London, England. Prelims start at 12:30pm (ET).

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Paul Hughes Gets New Opponent as Oduwole Out

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Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – have today announced a change in the scheduled opponent for Irish superstar Paul Hughes at Cage Warriors 170. 

An injury occurring just days after he signed to fight Hughes has forced Yemi Oduwole out of the contest. 

The promotion wishes him a speedy return to full health. 

CW officials have moved quickly to secure a suitable replacement, today confirming that Hughes will remain on the Saturday, April 6th bill, now facing off with Edgar ‘Smooth’ Escarrega. 

The bout will feature on the main card of CW 170 at Dublin’s iconic RDS, and air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners. 

The 29-year-old Escarrega, who hails from the port city of Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico, brings an impressive 12-3-1 record to the contest. 

The Victory Fight Club man – who is a striker by trade – is unbeaten in his last six contests, and from twelve victories has a total of five KOs, two submissions and five points wins to his name. 

“From Mexico to the world, here I come!” said Escarrega, when signing on the dotted line for what is undoubtedly the biggest opportunity of his professional career. 

Hughes, from County Derry, is widely considered to be on the cusp of signing with the UFC following a series of impressive performances in the famous yellow gloves of Cage Warriors. 

‘Big News’ recently vacated his featherweight title, moving up to the 155lb division to stop top contender Jan Quaeyhaegens in the first round. 

Also scheduled for the CW 170 card, Dublin’s James ‘Jimbo Slice’ Sheehan contests the vacant welterweight title with Switzerland’s Daniel Konrad, with Ger Harris, Solomon Simon, Decky McAleenan, Taka Mhandu and more set to feature. 

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“I Should Get The Shot” – Jacob Smith Wants World Title Fight If He Bests Denis Puric At ONE Fight Night 21

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Fiery flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith enjoyed a triumphant return to ONE Championship last December at ONE Fight Night 17 after 18 months on the sidelines. 

The Scouse striker knocked out Walter Goncalves to gain momentum in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and he plans to add to it next month.

Smith returns to action against Bosnian-Canadian powerhouse Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Saturday, 6th April, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. 

Fans anticipate a thunderous clash, as they are both known to finish fights. Smith feels he knows what to expect from Puric, and he plans to give him an unwelcome gift for his birthday. 

“I’m either going to stop him with the knee or stop him with an elbow. I feel like the first round is going to be quite fiery. But if he decides to rush me too early, he’s going to walk into some big shots, so I could just finish him in round one,” he said. 

“But I’m sure I’m fighting him on his 39th birthday. So, unfortunately, my birthday present is going to be me knocking him out.”

When Jacob Smith debuted in ONE Championship at May 2022’s ONE 157, he battled ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon across three rounds of hard-hitting action. 

He came up short that night via unanimous decision, and a series of injuries forced him to take time away from action afterward. But that gap seemed to have allowed him level up his skill set. 

Smith came back stronger than ever, and his first-round finish of Goncalves last December pegged him as one to watch. The #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender is hoping to score back-to-back wins against Puric next month, and he knows exactly what he wants if he’s successful.

“My goal is to be ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, and fingers crossed by the end of the year that comes through,” Smith said. 

“Rodtang is the champion, and Superlek is number one. After beating Walter, I’m now number two. Rodtang and Superlek are probably going fight each other again soon. Then I should get the shot at the winner after I beat Puric.”

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UFC Vegas 89 – Results | Ribas vs Namajunas

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Live from the Apex, UFC Vegas 89 saw former strawweight Rose Namajunas make her second appearance at flyweight against contender Amanda Ribas.

Note: any point deductions will be denoted by an asterisk and explained at the bottom of the page.

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Main card (2am GMT – TNT Sports)

Rose Namajunas defeats (#8) Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – flyweight bout

Karl Williams defeats Justin Tafa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

Edmen Shahbazyan defeats AJ Dobson via knockout (punches – 4:43 – R1) – middleweight bout

Payton Talbott defeats Cameron Saaiman via TKO (punches – 0:21 – R2) – bantamweight bout

Youssef Zalal defeats Billy Quarantillo via submission (rear-naked-choke – 1:50 – R2) – featherweight bout

Fernando Padilla defeats Luis Pajuelo via submission (brabo choke – 2:45 – R1) – featherweight bout

Prelims (11pm GMT – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)

Trey Ogden defeats Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – lightweight bout

Julian Erosa defeats Ricardo Ramos via submission (guillotine – 2:15 – R1) – featherweights bout

Miles John defeats Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – bantamweight bout

Jarno Errens defeats Steve Nguyen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – featherweight bout

Darya Zheleznyakova defeats Monsterrat Rendon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – bantamweight bout

Andre Lima defeats Igor Severino via disqualification (biting – 2:52 – R2) – flyweight bout

Mick Parkin defeats Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

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