Most athletes are likely to experience a downturn in their careers at some point but spare a thought for veteran fighter Charles ‘Felony’ Bennett who reportedly suffered his 17th straight defeat on Friday night.
The outspoken Bennett has long been held as one of mixed martial arts’ most colorful characters owing to his penchant for wacky in-ring antics, as well as what might charitably be described as an “occasionally lax” approach to his fight career.
Bennett, who goes by the rather appropriate nickname ‘Felony’ after leaving his previous moniker ‘Crazy Horse’ behind him, occupies a unique position within the sport – with much of the headlines he generates centered around his extra-curricular activities rather than his results in the cage.
Perhaps the most glaring example of this is the story of how he knocked out the then imperious Wanderlei Silva backstage during an event hosted by defunct Japanese promotion PRIDE several years ago, something which has since been confirmed by Silva through gritted teeth.
And while much of Bennett’s fanfare exists solely in situations such as that, his in-ring offerings lately aren’t giving much of an opportunity to outshine them.
Bennett competed on Jorge Masvidal’s latest Gamebred FC fight card in Biloxi, Mississippi on Friday where he took on former UFC fighter and The Ultimate Fighter contestant Rob Emerson in a ‘bareknuckle MMA’ fight – but much like every other fight he has had in the past five years or so, it didn’t go the way of ‘Felony’.
Bennett was finished inside the first round of their fight by Emerson, who hurt his opponent with a slew of punches against the cage before toppling Bennett with a stiff right hand.
Remarkably, according to the stats on Twitter this was Bennett’s 17th straight defeat in combat sports when you add his MMA, bare-knuckle and now bare-knuckle MMA ledgers together dating back to his last victory which came in 2016 – ironically against Wanderlei Silva protege Minoru Kimura.
And as one might expect, Bennett’s extended losing streak has left some fight fans with questions.
Firstly, that ref is way too far away for how clearly rocked Charles is, he took extra unnecessary shots. Also what do we gotta do to get him some help?
“Firstly, that ref is way too far away for how clearly rocked Charles is, he took extra unnecessary shots. Also what do we gotta do to get him some help?” wrote one fan online in response to the latest footage of Bennett hitting the canvas.
“Gotta admire the guy’s resolve, he’s really following his dream,” joked another.
“Imagine when he finally breaks that streak lol,” wrote a third. “What’s worse being on a 17 fight losing streak or losing to a guy that has 17 fight losing streak?”
Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed how legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson accepted his decision not to have a drink when they met after the teetotal devout Muslim joked that he could “smash all of you guys”.
Retired lightweight champion Nurmagomedov was at Old Trafford to watch United draw 1-1 with Everton on Saturday, meeting revered coach Ferguson, world’s fastest man Usain Bolt and former Red Devils star Patrice Evra after the match.
Abstinent Muslim Nurmagomedov later confessed that he turned down the offer of a glass of wine from the 13-time Premier League-winning boss because of his religious beliefs, teasing Ferguson that it could have led to violence.
“I had to explain to him,” the popular Dagestani recounted at a talk later that evening as part of a mini-tour of England.
“There are two things: you can be straight and say ‘no, no, no – I am Muslim, I never drink.’ But I also told him, ‘this is not good because if I drink, I can smash all of you guys. It’s not a good idea.’
“Patrice Evra and Usain Bolt understand. Alex Ferguson asked me about wine. For him, it’s good – I don’t judge him.
“He [Ferguson] understands because he doesn’t think I should smash everybody, so he said, ‘OK, don’t drink.’”
United supporter Bolt has had trials with professional clubs, and Evra and Ferguson, his former manager, were pictured dining with the Frenchman’s Danish model partner, Margaux Alexandra, after the club heroes were thought to have played instrumental roles in the return of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Nurmagomedov’s blunt threat to “smash” opponents has become an iconic term among UFC fans, and the 29-fight unbeaten powerhouse is also arguably the world’s most high-profile Muslim athlete.
“Being a Muslim is not easy, but at the same time, you don’t have to make it tough,” he said. “Just be a good person and show them that you are a Muslim.”
The 33-year-old is rarely shy to voice his opinions, courting controversy when he fiercely rebuked France president Emmanuel Macron for what he perceived to be remarks that were disrespectful to his religion.
“All my friends know I eat halal, I don’t drink,” he reflected of his willingness to be open about his religious beliefs. “If I feel something, I say it.”
Nurmagomedov arrived in Manchester by helicopter and was inundated with requests for pictures, with more than 1,000 fans said to have bought tickets for a photo session with the MMA megastar.
The huge football fan was presented with a shirt bearing the number seven that is synonymous with Ronaldo and another of Nurmagomedov’s friends, former United winger and England captain David Beckham.
Nurmagomedov’s tour, ‘The Legacy Continues’, is being held in support of orphans around the world and will visit Yorkshire on Sunday.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer may have a little explaining to do after a video clip went viral that appeared to show the former Ohio State icon flirting with a host of college students.
Meyer, who is one of the most successful college coaches in history, has endured a rough start to his NFL career after going winless through his first four games in charge of the Jaguars – equaling the number of losses he suffered during his entire six-year stint at Ohio State.
Last week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals was a particularly tough one to take after his side surrendered an early advantage to capitulate late on against the Ohio-based team to cap what was a miserable start to the NFL season.
Meyer – known by his nickname ‘The Dublin Dad’ – has gained a reputation throughout his college career as being a sore loser on the rare occasions when it has happened.
And after the dispiriting loss to the Bengals, reports indicate that the 57-year-old headed to one of the two bars he owns in the state to drown his sorrows – and, as video evidence suggests, get to know the clientele a bit better.
Meyer, who is married, appears to be seen wearing an Ohio State-branded jumper in the video, suggesting that it was recorded on Saturday of last week after Meyer was thought to have attended the Ohio State vs Rutgers game.
It remains to be seen what type of fallout – if any – this will have for Meyer and the Jaguars organization, but judging by the reactions on Twitter, NFL fans are going for the jugular.
Urban Meyer tomorow:
I have decided to step away from the game of football for the next 8 months to seek treatment for a addiction to allmost having sex
“Urban Meyer tomorrow: ‘I have decided to step away from the game of football for the next eight months to seek treatment for a addiction to almost having sex,’” read one response to the footage on social media.
“The Dublin Dad has still got it!” said another.
“Urban Meyer is about to take a leave of absence,” predicted another.
Meyer will have some time away from the cameras this weekend as his Jaguars team aren’t due back on the gridiron until next Sunday’s clash with the Tennessee Titans – but one suspects that NFL fans, nor perhaps his family, will let him off without throwing a little heat his way first.
UFC newcomer Casey O’Neill won her third fight of 2021 by hammering Antonina Shevchenko, hinting afterwards that the fight referee had favored her better-known opponent.
Fearsomely aggressive O’Neill took out Shevchenko – the sister of flyweight champion Valentina – with a ground-and-pound mauling in the closing stages of the second round of their scrap at UFC Vegas 38 on Saturday, concluding with at least two gruesome unanswered shots that compelled Chris Tognoni to step in.
That earned O’Neill a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and a third early night since February, when she knocked out Shana Dobson before submitting Lara Procopio in June.
“I was just angry at him because I got hit like five times, and he was like, ‘show me something’,” the 23-year-old said of Tognoni’s apparent reluctance to rescue Shevchenko.
“I hit her maybe 20 times and he didn’t say anything. I asked, ‘where’s her warning?’”
Some viewers agreed, with Tognoni being accused of putting Shevchenko’s safety at risk. “He tells O’Neill to fight back after she eats three punches in side control, but then when O’Neill is in mount and raining down elbows he is just sitting there chilling,” said one, claiming that the official had shown a lack of consistency.
Casey O'Neill officially landed 102 strikes in the second round against Antonina Shevchenko alone. That ground and pound was just brutal. #UFCVegas38
O’Neill’s victory rarely looked in doubt. “I wanted to get the TKO because it doesn’t look like they give away bonuses for submissions,” the Scotland-born Australian said. “I wanted that 50k bonus.
“She had the most name value and was the most recognized person I’ve ever fought. She was known for being tough and hard to put away, especially standing, so I wanted to go in there and prove how tough I was and that I can put away anyone they put in front of me.
“People look at her as Valentina’s sister, so they think that makes her better than maybe what she is. I do like that. I take away all of her fans off a dominant victory.
“There were still a lot of questions about me, only two fights in – everybody still looks at you as a rookie in your rookie year. I hope that now, after finishing my first year with the UFC, people look at me as a contender.”
The former Eternal MMA strawweight champion said her aim against her more experienced rival had been to “take her down and beat her up, drown her.”
“That’s my game plan with everyone,” O’Neill explained. “My pace and pressure is way too hard for anybody, especially on the ground. As soon as I got her down, I knew I could overwhelm her and finish her.”
Casey O'Neill is a problem, ya'll.
She's one of the best prospects the flyweight division has seen in quite some time. #UFCVegas38
Dedicating her win to late MMA fighter Kyle Reyes, who died at the age of 30 last month, O’Neill revealed that she could now temporarily relent on her three training sessions a day.
“My coaches will have a heart attack if I say I’m going to get in there anytime before March,” she joked. “I’m going to take the new year off and work on my skills.”
Conor McGregor’s rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov shows no sign of abating after the Irishman responded to his Russian foe’s photo with Sir Alex Ferguson by posting a picture on social media wearing a Manchester United jersey.
Nurmagomedov was on hand for United’s 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday afternoon after travelling to the game to watch his friend Cristiano Ronaldo play his latest game for the Red Devils – but while Ronaldo was left on the bench by boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and given only a second-half cameo, Nurmagomedov certainly didn’t leave the Theater of Dreams empty-handed.
The undefeated former UFC champion was pictured after the game in the company of legendary former United manager Ferguson and track and field icon Usain Bolt, with a photograph of the trio of sporting legends traversing the Twittersphere in the hours afterwards.
One social media timeline on which the snap likely appeared was that of noted Man Utd fan and diehard Nurmagomedov rival McGregor, who wasted little time in uploading his own photo to Instagram showing the Dubliner sporting a classic United jersey.
McGregor had even previously floated the idea of making an ambitious bid to buy the club following the fallout of the ill-fated European Super League concept last August.
The social media back-and-forth appears to be the latest in a series of the two UFC lightweight superstars attempting to one-up each other. While attending the 2018 World Cup Final in Russia, McGregor was granted an audience with Vladimir Putin – something ‘The Notorious’ quickly used as ammunition against Nurmagomedov months before they finally met in the Octagon the following October.
This time around, though, the reaction hasn’t been quite so in McGregor’s favor – with Twitter users accusing him of letting Khabib “live rent-free” in his head.
First Khabib, now McGregor. Cristiano Ronaldo got both the MMA legends fanboying for him and Manchester United. ❤ 'Proper' goats pic.twitter.com/PDz9BETvDV
“First Khabib, now McGregor. Cristiano Ronaldo got both the MMA legends fanboying for him and Manchester United. ‘Proper’ goats,” wrote one fan in reaction to photos of both Nurmagomedov and McGregor expressing their loyalty to Manchester United.
“Khabib at the game today. McGregor posts a picture in a United shirt. Talk about living rent-free in his head,” added another.
“So Khabib is at United. He is trolling McGregor, for sure,” said a third.
