MMA News Today: Diaz On Why He's Received More Hate Than Support From MMA Community Ahead Of Paul Fight, McGregor's Coach Submits Bodybuilder, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For August 3, 2023, we’re taking a look at:

• Nate Diaz On Why He’s Received More Hate Than Support From MMA Community Ahead Of Jake Paul Fight
• Video: Conor McGregor’s Coach Submits Bodybuilder
• Kamaru Usman Adjusts His Sights To New Target After Missing Out On Khamzat Chimaev Fight

Nate Diaz On Why He’s Received More Hate Than Support From MMA Community Ahead Of Jake Paul Fight

Nate Diaz vs. Jake Paul has had the entire combat sports world weighing in with their thoughts and feelings on the fight. 

Whilst you may expect the MMA fans and former fighters to side with Diaz in this fight, both men have received a real mix of opinions.

In an interview with Andre Ward, Diaz was asked whether he felt pressure from the MMA community to go out there and represent the sport. 

To Ward’s surprise, Diaz revealed that he feels quite the opposite.

Putting it down to jealously, Diaz says that he feels hate coming from both sides of MMA and boxing because of the way he approaches the fight game.

“I feel a lot of hate from the MMA community, I felt a lot of hate from the boxing community and I felt a lot of hate from a lot of haters out there, more than I felt any love or back-up.”

“I think people are more jealous, jealous of my position, not just fighting him but just they know that I do what I want to do and been doing what I want to do the whole time and you got ex-UFC fighters, analysts and stuff like that saying their opinions”

“A lot of those guys, they talk about what I should be doing and what I have done and how I should have done things, I’m like look at you. Look at what you’re doing, don’t worry about what I’m doing”           

Video: Conor McGregor’s Coach Submits Bodybuilder

SBG Dublin’s head coach John Kavanagh may be the face of team Conor McGregor but he isn’t the only highly-respected cornerman he’s got behind him.

Striking coach Owen Roddy has played a part in McGregor’s success and reputation as one of the most effective strikers the sport has ever seen.

Retiring from competition after a loss to former UFC title challenger Wilson Reis, Roddy was a pioneer of Irish MMA in his own right.

Though he is known as a striking coach, Roddy recently showed that just like riding a bike, the grappling skills never leave you. 

In a video posted on Instagram, the SBG coach accepted a challenge from a bodybuilder that massively out-sized him, submitting him with ease.

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Kamaru Usman Adjusts His Sights To New Target After Missing Out On Khamzat Chimaev Fight

Having regained his love for the sport after suffering back-to-back losses and losing his UFC title, Kamaru Usman is back hungrier than ever.

Looking to work his way back to reclaiming the welterweight belt that he successfully defended five times, Usman set his sights on a fight with Khamzat Chimaev.

Despite the bout appearing to be close, the targeted weight class for the contest caused issues, leading to Chimaev signing to fight Paulo Costa at middleweight at UFC 294.

In an interview with TMZ Sports, Usman vented his frustrations at not getting the Chimaev fight but did suggest several other options that are appealing to him.

“I’ve done everything there is to do. The only guys that, to be honest, would even make sense right now, ‘Wonderboy’ (Stephen Thompson). He needs an opponent,” Usman stated. “‘Wonderboy’s been around so long and he’s just that name to where it’s always a great fight. His style is very, very difficult to fight. He’s just one of those names in my era that I never really got to fight.

“So I think ‘Wonderboy,’ I would definitely consider that… And Belal Muhammad, to be honest. But he’s sitting in that position to where he’s like, ‘I don’t wanna risk my title hopes. They’ve already told me I’ll be next whenever that is.’ So, he doesn’t wanna risk that chance for the title,” Usman continued. “I think those are the only two guys that make sense.”

Read more on the story here.

For more MMA news, check out:

• Jake Paul Names Two Moments That ‘Stand Out The Most’ In His Boxing Career So Far
• Boxing Star Amanda Serrano Signs With PFL, Will Compete In ‘Superfight’ Division
• ‘You Can Have The Views That You Want’ – Ariel Helwani Responds To Threats & Heated Remarks From Jamahal Hill

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