MMA News Roundup – Dana White’s Tactics for Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev Exposed; Team Khabib Attacks Conor McGregor After $3M Tax Evasion; Young MMA Fighter Passes Away

Running low on time to check out the fresh developments in MMA? Well, worry not, because we have another daily roundup edition just for you to stay updated on the most noteworthy moments in our favorite sport. We will start today’s news compilation with UFC CEO Dana White. Welterweight champion Leon Edwards recently revealed that the 54-year-old offered him three different opponents, including Khamzat Chimaev and Islam Makhachev, before making the UFC 304 announcement.

Then we’ll shift our focus to Conor McGregor. The Irishman has been warned by Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s former manager after he unloaded on the Dagestani phenom for his $3 million debt controversy. Finally, the roundup will conclude with a young 26-year-old MMA fighter, who recently passed away.

Dana White insisted Leon Edwards to fight Khamzat Chimaev or Islam Makhachev

Just when we learned that Dana White gave into Belal Muhammad‘s wish to fight for the 170-pound gold, recent revelations from Leon Edwards have indicated that ‘Remember the Name’ was never the first choice for the UFC CEO. Ahead of his third title defense in Manchester, on UFC’s return to English soil, ‘Rocky’ had a conversation with Ariel Helwani, where he claimed that White wanted him to fight three other fighters, but not Muhammad, who’s the current No.1 contender. The three fighters in question are Islam Makhachev, Khamzat Chimaev, and Shavkat Rakhmonov.

“Yeah [on Dana White giving him Makhachev, Chimaev and Rakhmonov as options]. And then, I was like, ‘I’ll fight whoever because I’m known for that,” said Leon Edwards. “I said…’What about Belal?’ They didn’t even entertain it.” Will Belal Muhammad react to these comments or will he prove Dana White wrong at UFC 304? That remains to be seen.

Team Khabib warns Conor McGregor to stop “talking”

Conor McGregor had a lot to say about a wide range of things during a recent live stream on Kick. One of those topics he opined on included Khabib Nurmagomedov’s recent reports of $3 million tax evasion. ‘The Notorious’ claimed that ‘The Eagle’deserves everything that is happening to him, stating that he fell into a “rat trap.” But guess what? Ali Abdelaziz, Nurmagomedov’s manager and someone that McGregor has plenty of beef with, stepped up for the Dagestan phenom and clapped right back at the Irishman with a warning.

“[Conor McGregor] you keep talking about Khabib you forgot what happened to you and your team be careful what do you wish for because none of you guys are safe if you keep talking,” Ali Abdelaziz wrote in a tweet. But it remains to be seen if Conor McGregor will tone it down or if he continues to bash Khabib Nurmagomedov like has usually does.

26-year-old budding MMA prospect passes away

Rising English MMA fighter Connor Hitchens recently succumbed to an untimely death. This news comes just after a former UFC fighter, Geane Herrera, passed away because of a motorcycle accident in Tampa, Florida. However, the reason for Hitchens’ death has not been disclosed publicly, as we’re still in the dark regarding what went down. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old amassed a pretty respectable record for himself with 6 wins and two losses in his professional career.

Connor Hitchens started on the regional circuits in the UK Fighting Championships, Evolution of Combat, and Super League MMA before he joined Cage Warriors, where Conor McGregor became a professional MMA double champion for the first time in his career. Although Hitchens couldn’t replicate the same level of success, the MMA community, without a doubt, will remember him for the memories he’s given until his last clash inside the eight-sided cage.