MMA News Roundup: Zhang Weili Punches and Lifts 7’1 Giant Shaquille O’Neal; Dana White Put to Shame by Cedric Doumbe; Aljamain Sterling Calls Out Sean O’Malley

This edition of the MMA news round-up brings to you the most buzzing headlines in the fight game. So, what’s buzzing in the MMA world over the last 24 hours?

We’ll kick things off with UFC’s strawweight champ Zhang Weili’s hilarious meeting with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. Next up we’ll delve into a PFL star’s uprising, as he puts Dana White and Co. to shame with his decision to stick to UFC’s rival promotion. Finally, we’ll conclude the round-up with Aljamain Sterling’s callout to Sean O’Malley in the aftermath of ‘Aljo’s recent BJJ win.

Zhang Weili’s incredible gym encounter with Shaquille O’Neal

Zhang Weili, the UFC women’s strawweight champ recently surprised NBA Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal during a surprise visit to his gym. The towering 7’1″ Shaq was working out on the elliptical when ‘Magnum’ appeared out of the blue. It was a special day as it was Weili’s birthday, and the two exchanged warm greetings.

However, what truly amazed everyone was what happened next. Zhang Weili, standing at just 5’4″ and weighing 115lbs, decided to test her strength by attempting to lift the 325lbs Shaq off the ground. To everyone’s astonishment, she effortlessly lifted the massive basketball legend off his feet. She even punched Shaq on his solar plexus – leaving him winded and laughing.

The NBA veteran even acknowledged her power in the comments section of her Instagram post, saying, “You hit hard!” This heartwarming encounter between the two athletes has left fans and admirers in awe.

Dana White put to shame by Cedric Doumbe and his tantalizing PFL debut

Cedric Doumbe, the former kickboxing champion from France, made a sensational debut in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Competing in front of a raucous home crowd in Paris, Doumbe needed a mere nine seconds to deliver a blistering knockout against Jordan Zebo.

The fight ended in lightning-fast fashion as Doumbe countered Zebo’s kick with a devastating left hook followed by a right hand. Zebo hit the canvas, and referee Marc Goddard stepped in to stop the contest. Cedric Doumbe’s signing with the PFL was highly anticipated, and he wasted no time in making a memorable first impression.

Around a month earlier, in a surfaced Spinning Backfist post on social media, it was revealed that Doumbe would be paid $140,000 per fight in the PFL, highlighting a substantial difference compared to the offer he received from the UFC, where he would have received a $20,000 show and a $20,000 win bonus.

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The fact that prodigies like Doumbe are opting to go for UFC’s rival promotions over a trivial fighter-pay issue mires the already ongoing controversy around Dana White and Co.’s fighter-pay woes. When will the UFC head honcho finally heed the fighters’ demands? Only time will tell.

Aljamain Sterling’s challenge to Sean O’Malley

Aljamain Sterling, aka ‘The Funkmaster’ recently participated in the prestigious Polaris 25 grappling event. He faced former UFC featherweight veteran and freestyle wrestler Mike Grundy in a ten-minute BJJ contest. Sterling emerged victorious, putting himself back in the win column after his recent title fight loss against Sean O’Malley at UFC 292.

But while he was pleased with his grappling win, he wasted no time in directing his attention back to Sean O’Malley, the current UFC bantamweight champion. Sterling called out ‘Sugar’ – emphasizing the need for a rematch or a fight against teammate and top contender Merab Dvalishvili.

The former Bantamweight champ declared: “I got a message for Mr. Suga T*** because he’s still that to me. Hey, give me my rematch or fight Merab [Dvalishvili]. It’s that simple. Stop ducking the top contenders and be a man and be a real champion. Fight the best of the best. That’s what I did and now you need to turn around and do the same exact s***. Let’s go.”

Sterling urged O’Malley to stop avoiding top contenders and be a ‘real champion.’ He called for ‘Sugar’ to face the best of the best, just as he himself had done – setting a record for the most bantamweight title defenses in UFC history with three in a row.

In the ever-evolving world of MMA, these stories reflect the excitement, surprises, and challenges that continue to captivate fans and fighters alike. What do you make of these fascinating stories? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

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