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Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan at the commentary booth at UFC 276. | Photo by Alejandro Salazar/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesDominick Cruz still isn’t willing to believe that fellow commentator Daniel Cormier does research for fights. UFC color commentators Daniel Cormier and Dominick Cruz had a brief, shallow spat during UFC 269’s fight week last December. It all stemmed from Cruz’s criticisms of Cormier’s work. “When it comes to DC, I usually mute it. I love DC, he’s my friend,” Cruz said during media day. “But to me, in my experience, he doesn’t do the homework. He wants to get in and out, get the job done, make his money. And I think he cares about us (fighters), but it’s just different. He doesn’t do the preparation from my experience. “Now, I’m hoping he watches some film, this time, on me, so that he knows what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. But I’m not gonna hold my breath on that, that’s for sure.” Cormier immediately confronted Cruz shortly after the comments were made, and the two seemed to have cleared the air. But, “The Dominator” apparently still doesn’t think DC does his homework. “Doubt it. Doubtful. But again, I’ve learned to let go of control, DC’s gonna do DC,” Cruz said during the UFC San Diego pre-fight scrum on Wednesday. “I call him the golden fluffer. He’s like whatever you wanna hear, he will say it. And he will make you love him. That’s his gift. The gift of gab.” Cormier has since responded, saying Cruz’s direct quotes were twisted by the media. I just wish everyone would just stop twisting Dominic words man. It’s frustrating, we’re friends I know you heard him tell me he loves me yesterday at the end of our interview. No one could fake that pic.twitter.com/yYUUBI4gym— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 11, 2022 Cruz will headline the aforementioned event against Marlon Vera this Saturday.

Michael Bisping at UFC London. | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLCMichael Bisping wants one of the hottest prospects in MMA to take it slow. Bo Nickal wowed at the UFC APEX the other night, dominating Zachary Borrego for all of 62 seconds before securing a submission victory. That was the second pro win for the 26-year-old wrestling phenom. Nickal demanded a UFC contract after the win, but had to settle for a second booking on the Contender Series. UFC President Dana White went on record saying that, though he was impressed by Nickal, he doesn’t want to make a habit of signing fighters who are 1-0. Many are sold on Nickal’s potential to be a future star of MMA. Online, he’s been dubbed the ‘American Khabib’ because of his relentless and punishing style of fighting. One man who needs to see more from Nickal, though, is former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping. While working the desk for the Contender series Bisping commented, “Listen, he’s chasing the money, and rightly so.” (ht MMA Fighting) “Bit of caution, though. Just because you can wrestle, just because you’re doing that on the Contender [Series] doesn’t mean you can come in here and beat the best fighters in the world. “I’ve trained with many a great wrestler, guys almost as accomplished as him, and against the fence, it’s a different world. Of course, the man’s going to have a sensational career. But slow your roll a little bit, buddy. “You’re having that developmental contract just yet, but nevertheless, congratulations, that was sensational.” Nickal made his MMA debut in June, beating John Noland by 33-second KO at iKON FC 3. During his college wrestling career at Penn State University Nickal won three NCAA Division I National Championships. He also won three Big Ten Championships. In 2019 he won a US National Championship and an Under-23 World Championship.

Albert Mutalibov rescued a man drowning in the Caspian Sea. A Dagestani boxing coach is being celebrated as a hero after saving a man from drowning in the Caspian Sea. Albert Mutalibov, head coach of the Russian women’s boxing team, noticed a man being carried by the current into a rocky section of the coast. The 49-year-old dove in after the man, despite the dangerous conditions, and pulled him to safety. Tatyana Kiriyenko, Secretary General of the Russian Boxing Federation, announced this on Tuesday in her Telegram channel. “Today, head coach of the Russian women’s boxing team Albert Shukurovich Mutalibov, risking his own life, saved a drowning man in the Caspian Sea,” Kiriyenko wrote. “I have always said that boxers are defenders, and Albert Shukurovich, no doubt, has also become a hero! “I am sure that he could not have done otherwise. We are immensely grateful to him for this invaluable act and infinitely proud that there are such brave and reliable people in our ranks.” Mutalibov, who was in the final day of training camp with his team when the incident took place, is best known for training world champions such as Svetlana Gnevanova, Ekaterina Paltseva, and Sofia Ochigava. He also coaches Kazakhstani boxer Firuza Sharipova, who is ranked number two in the world by the WBA after losing to Ireland’s Katie Taylor by unanimous decision last year. Mutalibov has served as the head coach of the Russian women’s boxing team since March 2022.

Uriah Hall at UFC 276. | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLCThe Ultimate Fighter season 17 runner-up and longtime middleweight contender has decided to call it a career.  Uriah Hall is leaving his gloves in the Octagon. The UFC middleweight announced on Wednesday that he has retired from mixed martial arts after fighting for almost 17 years. In his heartfelt departing message, Hall thanked his team, family, friends and fans, as well as the promotion for the commitment and dedication he received throughout his time as a fighter. He spent the majority of his professional career under the UFC banner, going 10-9 in 19 appearances. “It is with great sadness that I will be stepping away from the greatest sport in the world,” wrote Hall on Instagram. “I’m going to miss the incredible UFC staff that has became like family and the mentors I have met along the way. The UFC has given me the best opportunity to step completely outside my comfort zone. Throughout the years I’ve gone up against some of the best in the world at the highest level. Although I did not achieve the rank of world champion I’ve acquired some of my greatest achievements from mixed martial arts and that was facing my fears and being a champion in life. I want to thank the incredible fans, you guys made the sport what it is today. “It is important to have the right people around you that care for you and encourage you to become a better version of yourself,” continued Hall. “I want to thank my team, my coaches, my friends and my family always standing by me. You all have been the driving force that encouraged me daily. Lastly, I want to specifically thank Dana White for giving me the opportunity to collide with modern day gladiators. Thank you for always supporting me thru [sic] the good and the bad…To the next generation you are the top 1% greatest athlete’s on the planet. Will be a pleasure to watch where you all take this sport from here. I will be watching! Goforth.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Uriah Hall (@uriahhall) Hall joined the UFC after an appearance on The Ultimate Fighter over nine years ago. A unanimous decision against Andy Enz saw Hall enter the TUF House, where he dispatched his next three opponents with relative ease. ‘Prime Time’ finished them by (T)KO, but the most noteworthy one was the spinning wheel kick knockout of Adam Cella during the preliminary rounds. That was awarded ‘Knockout of the Season,’ which saw him net a $25k bonus. Hall fought Kelvin Gastelum at TUF 17 Finale but suffered a split decision loss to his Team Sonnen teammate. The TUF 17 finalist went on to compete against some of the best talents in the UFC middleweight division, earning wins over the likes of Gegard Mousasi, Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman. He was also tied with the aforementioned Silva and Thiago Santos for the most knockouts in divisional history (eight). Hall was previously on a four-fight win streak that was halted after consecutive losses to Sean Strickland and André Muniz at UFC Vegas 33 and UFC 276, respectively. The 38-year-old leaves the sport with a record of 17-11.