Dana White Allegedly Grants Another Shot to Troubled UFC Middleweight Fighter

Dana White Is known for his generosity; however, did you know that he went as far as helping fighters reschedule their fights when they were unexpectedly canceled at the last minute? We're referring to the bout between Joe Pyfer and Kelvin Gastelum The two fighters were scheduled to face off at UFC Mexico City. However, Pyfer became ill just before the event and was forced to withdraw on the day of the bout. As expected, this kind of action isn't looked upon favorably by the UFC boss. You might recall when Arman Tsarukyan Pulled from UFC 311 due to a back injury, White penalized the Armenian by removing him from the ongoing title contention. However, Pyfer’s situation appeared distinct.

John Marquez, the head coach of 'Bodybagz,' was recently interviewed by RJ Clifford on MMA Today. During the conversation, he discussed Pyfer’s difficulties while getting ready for his match against Gastelum. He mentioned So, Pyfer and Sean Brady had been out there for about two weeks, sticking to their diet plan and avoiding local water, among other precautions... But he fell ill roughly three days after arriving. Maybe it was because of some coffee or something similar. After getting sick initially, recovering from that illness, and managing his weight successfully, everything seemed normal. They were heading to the PI facility for training sessions with high hopes. However, around 1 AM on fight day, following the official weigh-in, he suddenly became extremely unwell—throwing up frequently, experiencing severe fevers, and constantly needing to use the restroom. It appeared as though he shed approximately 12 pounds almost instantly, sometime before 8 or 9 in the morning.

In the end, 'Bodybagz' couldn’t participate in the match. Undoubtedly, White suffered a significant setback due to this situation. He not only canceled the fight but also had to compensate Gastelum. However, it seems like circumstances are improving for Pyfer. Marquez carried on. “Praise be to God, and gratitude to the UFC for rescheduling him for the Newark event. It’s set for June 7th. So, the work doesn’t cease. Straight back into action.” Furthermore, renowned journalist Damon Martin stated that several informants revealed the updated date for Pyfer versus Gastelum at UFC 316, which will feature the highly anticipated rematch between Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili.

Well, we still need to wait for it. Dana White To verify if Marquez’s statements hold up, we've already witnessed the fury of the UFC top boss. Arman Tsarukyan Despite his withdrawal before UFC 311, we can be confident that Pyfer would not make the same error again if the reports about the revised schedule prove accurate. He attributed this issue to the location being Mexico City.

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Joe Pyfer holds the venue responsible for spoiling Dana White’s event in Mexico City.

Right after the incident in Mexico City, Pyfer posted a video on Instagram venting about his situation. In this post, he placed full responsibility on the North American nation. Here’s what he had to say: I couldn't care less if my comment offends you; I have absolutely no intention of returning to that country... If being at high altitudes means dealing with such places, then forget about that place. There's no way I'll engage in combat there ever again. It's nothing but a sh*thole. Count me out for good. Even if this upsets you, tough luck. After all, you're not the one putting their life on the line.

Food poisoning can strike anytime. Nonetheless, it appeared somewhat frequent for 'Bodybagz'. Previously, when he was set to face Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC 303, Pyfer experienced a severe allergic response to flax seeds. It turned out these were included in his oatmeal without his knowledge. Fortunately, prompt medical care allowed him to participate and secure a knockout victory at UFC 303. This instance, however, saw his dehydrated and weakened state as the cause of his illness.

What are your thoughts on Pyfer’s condition just prior to the UFC event in Mexico City? Do you believe White will let him compete against Gastelum at UFC 316? Please share your opinions in the comments section below.

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Sudan's Army Chief Pledges Continued Battle Against RSF After Regaining Control of Capital

Sudan's army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan has said the military will fight on against the Rapid Support Forces until the paramilitary group is crushed or disarmed.

Gen Al Burhan has repeatedly vowed to continue the war until the RSF is defeated. But his latest pledge, made on the eve of the Eid Al Fitr, takes on added significance because it came days after his troops and allied volunteers recaptured the nation's capital, Khartoum, ending two years of RSF control.

“The joy of victory will not be complete until the last insurgent has been eradicated in the farthest corner of Sudan ,” Gen Al Burhan said in a televised address.

“There will be no going back on defeating and crushing the terrorist Dagalo militia,” he added, in a reference to RSF commander and his one-time ally, Gen Mohamed Dagalo.

The army chief, who serves as Sudan's de facto leader, also ruled out negotiations with the RSF, saying it could only be spared defeat on the battlefield if it laid down its arms and surrendered. He has also said he would pardon RSF fighters who laid down their arms.

General Dagalo admitted to losing control of the capital in an address to his troops shared on social media on Sunday. This statement was made two days following their declaration that they would not withdraw nor yield, with claims that their units were merely regrouping.

"I assure you that we have departed from Khartoum, yet our resolve will be even more steadfast upon our return," stated Gen Dagalo.

Regaining control of the Sudanese capital crowned a string of military victories achieved by the armed forces and their partners within the broader area encompassing Khartoum, Bahri, and Omdurman as well as central Sudan’s fertile Al Jazira region, known for being the nation's breadbasket.

However, the RSF continues to maintain nearly complete dominance over the extensive western area of Darfur and exerts influence over portions of Kordofan in southwestern Sudan. The sole significant city in Darfur that remains under army control is El Fasher, which has faced an encirclement by the RSF since May of the previous year.

The RSF's forerunner, the notorious Janjaweed militia, is accused of committing atrocities against civilians in Darfur in the 2000s.

The war in Sudan broke out on April 15, 2023, when months of tension between Gen Al Burhan and Gen Dagalo boiled over into open conflict. Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the fighting, at least 12 million have been displaced and infrastructure has been destroyed.

The war also created the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with about 25 million facing acute hunger. About eight million are on the brink of famine.

Gen Al Burhan and Gen Dagalo jointly staged a takeover in 2021 that toppled a civilian-led transitional government. The coup derailed Sudan's democratic transition after the removal in 2019 of long-time president Omar Al Bashir.

The two commanders have been accused by the International Criminal Court of war crimes and faced sanctions from the US in the final days of Joe Biden's administration.

The extent of destruction in Khartoum and its sister cities has been shown in videos posted online since the army recaptured the city. Footage shows damaged buildings and aircraft at Khartoum airport, as well as vandalised offices, shattered windows and debris strewn across floors.

The presidential palace has also sustained damage and was blackened by fires.

Gen Al Burhan flew to Saudi Arabia on Friday, his first foreign trip after the army retook the capital, and met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Sudanese Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim said the two countries agreed to set up a joint committee to determine what is needed to restore normal life in Sudan, including basic services such as electricity, potable water and health care.

But while Khartoum may soon be put on the long road to recovery, the same cannot be said about other parts of the country, including Darfur.

Hours after Gen Al Burhan visited the presidential palace on Wednesday and declared the capital “free” of the RSF, the paramilitary group announced a military alliance with a faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North. The rebel group controls parts of South Kordofan and Blue Nile states in the south.

The group clashed with the army and the RSF in the early stages of the war. But it was among several political and rebel groups that signed a charter with the RSF last month, as a prelude to establishing a rival government.

Witnesses in the Blue Nile state capital of Damazin reported that its airport and the Roseires Dam came under drone attack by the RSF and their allies for the first time in the war, AFP reported on Thursday. The army later said it shot down the RSF drones.

On Saturday, the RSF claimed it had seized a military base, about 140km south-west of Damazin.

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'Thurman Raises the Bar with Unyielding Message After Comeback Win'

More than 1000 days away from the boxing ring turned out to be insignificant. Keith Thurman As he secured a crushing technical knockout win against Australia's opponent, he demonstrated his dominance. Brock Jarvis . 

Jarvis stepped into the arena aiming for an underdog victory, yet found himself struggling for solutions by the third round against the previous welterweight titleholder.

Thurman identified the "flaws" in Jarvis' approach during the second round, then increased both the pace and force of his punches, unsettling his opponent as a result.

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The bold American delivered a barrage of uppercuts, leaving Jarvis struggling to get back up and survive the count. However, the referee intervened and halted the fight after this intense assault.

"My passion for the game remains unchanged, which is why I took action today, darling," Thurman stated.

I'm here to demonstrate to everyone that Keith Thurman has returned to the ring.

All I wanted was to step into the ring, box with both strength and strategy. As soon as I noticed all his rage, I figured I’d have him expend it during the first round.

I noticed him flinch... I could tell he would probably topple over just like a row of dominos.

Thurman's record now stands at 31-1 with 22 knockouts after this win, placing him squarely in contention for a matchup against fellow Australian sensation. Tim Tszyu in the future.

Tszyu, who was present at ringside during the event, admitted that the match left him eager to take on Thurman sometime later this year. However, he needs to defeat Joey Spencer first on April 6.

"He is really excited. He just had the starter course," he commented about Thurman's victory.

I can observe things that escaped my notice previously... it’s beneficial for me to witness them now.

Thurman did not rule out the prospect of facing Tszyu, acknowledging that he would agree to any fight deal presented to him.

Nevertheless, the 36-year-old didn't hesitate to warn the ex-middleweight champion about what lies ahead when he faces Spencer.

"By raising the stakes here, I've set a new benchmark for you, Tszyu," Thurman stated.

Three years without action, yet here we are—see what I'm capable of? I made my return with force, darling. You bet that American fighters aren’t taken down by just anybody.

Tim Tszyu, I am eager to step into the ring with any boxer out there. Should that contract come through, you know exactly what will happen... just send over the contract; I’ll put my signature on it.

I'm ready to embrace the challenge.

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SBW vs. Gallen: Mega Millions Revive Epic Boxing Rivalry

A boxing bout between Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen is underway following over ten years of discussions.

Gallen has consented to return from retirement for the match against the ex-All Black player, with more than $1 million at stake for these two football legends.

The ex-NSW skipper told Wide World of Sports that discussions have been happening since January, with both sides dedicated to stepping into the boxing ring.

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Currently, the duration of the rounds is under debate, and no official agreement has been reached.

Gallen has expressed his preference for avoiding fights with rounds shorter than three minutes, whereas Williams reportedly favors rounds lasting two and a half minutes.

Gallen originally desired a bout of ten rounds, yet he has consented to compete for only eight rounds.

The two individuals have been associated with a potential confrontation for nearly ten years, yet nothing substantial has materialized.

The two top-tier league legends exchanged sharp remarks with each other during a panel discussion. Following the Parramatta-Warriors match in 2022, an intense debate caught on camera unfolded backstage after the broadcast had ended.

Williams made his final appearance in the ring in 2022, suffering a defeat against ex-UFC champion Mark Hunt. His overall record remains at 9 victories and 1 loss.

Gallen has suffered defeats at the hands of Justis Huni and Kris Terzievski twice.

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Shocked by Transformation: Tszyu Stunned as Zerafa Embraces New Persona

Michael Zerafa wasn't feeling up to contacting their longtime nearby competitor Tim Tszyu Following his victory as the WBO middleweight champion, he embraced his new identity.

Zerafa secured a victory over lesser-known German Besir Ay through technical knockout in the seventh round, in front of local supporters at their hometown arena. The Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday night .

The 32-year-old dominated the match from the start and then shattered his opponent with a powerful uppercut, succeeded by a right-hand hook that had Ay staggering on the mat.

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Ay survived two significant knockdowns with the referee counting him out before the fight was stopped.

The win was one Zerafa had been pursuing in Sydney, yet his performance inside the ring proved more challenging than many observers anticipated.

The Aussie acknowledged after the game that he was worried about potentially breaking his hand during the second round but chose to tough out the discomfort and secure the win.

"I believe I injured my hand on his head during round two, but we continue," he stated.

I noticed it happened in round two and then I began focusing more on their head... but that’s how things went.

The performance was somewhat lacking. I secured the victory, it doesn’t matter how.

Zerafa (33-5) has maintained a villainous image during his sporting journey, yet appeared to shed this character when questioned about his upcoming opponent in the ring.

He mentioned that the primary question he often receives is about Tim Tszyu.

I'm aware he's within this building, but honestly, I have no issue with him.

Tszyu is considering a possible match against Keith Thurman down the line but first needs to overcome America's Joey Spencer when they fight on April 6 in Newcastle.

It was anticipated that Zerafa would aim to be on track for a potential clash with Tszyu in the boxing ring; however, he admitted that he is prepared to back his compatriot fighter instead.

"He has a major bout approaching, and being an Australian, I'll be supporting him," Zerafa started.

He hasn’t done anything to me. Clearly, when we compete against one another, our aim is to knock each other’s blocks off. However, he is an outstanding athlete. I’m not planning on saying anything negative about Tim.

I usually come off as the hero, but every now and then, we need some antagonists – and I’m glad to step into that part. This game is tough, really challenging. We risk our physical well-being out there.

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Kambosos Jr. Welcomes Knockout Challenge From Indonesian Threat

Daud Yordan has laid out his ambitious strategy to bring an end to George Kambosos Jr's boxing career as Australia's ex-unified lightweight world champion prepares for a significant step-up in weight class during his highly anticipated return fight in Sydney.

Kambosos aims to rebuild his standing and begin ascending the super-lightweight rankings when he fights at Qudos Bank Arena on March 22, marking his first match on Australian soil since 2016.

Following his decision to surrender his IBF and WBO titles to American boxer Devan Haney, and subsequently suffering defeat against Ukrainian legend Vasyl Lomachenko, Kambosos understands that he’s taking a risk in aiming to follow in the footsteps of Jeff Fenech as a multiple division world champion.

A further loss could spell doom for his prospects in boxing, whereas winning might pave the way for a possible world title clash against undefeated American Richardson Hitchins, who was the inaugural opponent to beat Kamboso’s compatriot Liam Paro.

The fierce Kambosos (21-3, 10KOs) is heavily favored against the seasoned 37-year-old veteran.

However, Yordan (43-4, 31 KOs), who is a national hero and serves as a senator in his country, issued a warning to the local favorite on Thursday.

“Hello, I’m Daud Yordan. I won’t be heading to Sydney for the clash with Kambosos. Instead, I aim to knockout George, and I invite all my loyal Indonesian supporters to join me in Sydney so you can watch this happen,” stated the ex-IBO featherweight and lightweight titleholder in a brief video snippet.

Kambosos was delighted to finally receive word from his opponent.

"Senator, I read your message from today. That’s exactly what I wanted to see. It seems like you haven’t been very vocal lately," he remarked.

Do you want to take me down? Big mistake.

I'm eagerly anticipating it. On March 22, at the Qudos Bank Arena, all Indonesian fanatics are welcome. I have quite a few Indonesian supporters cheering for me.

However, take notice: all my supporters, particularly my Australian and Greek followers, will be present, and I intend to make an impressive showing. you out!"

Kambosos last fought in Sydney when he defeated fellow Australian Brandon Ogilvie via unanimous points decision at Luna Park back in 2016, long before his upset win against Teofimo Lopez to claim the WBO and IBF lightweight titles at Madison Square Garden six years later.

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