On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Pound for pound #1 and current ONE Featherweight world champion Chingiz Allazov is set to leave the promotion and become one of the hottest free agents in combat sports according to a source as reported by Beyond Kickboxing.
ONE Champion to Depart from Asian MMA Giant, to Become Free Agent
Allazov spoke about his decision to leave the promotion saying:
“I know in ONE, all the best fighters in my division are in ONE. I know ONE is one of the best kickboxing promotions, it’s true… but we don’t like the contract about this promotion. I would like to thank ONE Championship. It’s not about the money. I beat Sitthichai, and Superbon and became the pound-for-pound best fighter. Marat Grigorian was a tough fight – a fight for my legacy. Now I have another plan. I care about my heart, my legacy, and my dream. I’ll finish my career [with] ONE.”
Allazov leaving ONE is a massive blow to the organization as they will lose one of the top fighters on the planet. There are multiple options for Allazov to pursue as he will be sought after by many top organizations. While he apparently wishes to spend the remainder of his career in Belarus, Russia, and Azerbaijan, he also is slated to compete for three to five years more. If this is true it is hard to see him not compete in a premier organization during this time. Rizin could be Allazov’s landing spot or even GLORY.
If Allazov went to GLORY he would have the chance to become a champion in two of the most prestigious kickboxing organizations on the planet and would also be gifted an opportunity to avenge his most recent loss, a split decision defeat to Enriko Kehl in 2021. Kehl is currently slated to fight current GLORY champion Tyjani Beztati in March.
Fight fans have also seen in recent years with the likes of Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya, kickboxers who have been making their way into MMA and doing it very successfully. While he does not have any notable grappling experience there would certainly be a major attraction from fans to see him compete in either the UFC or the PFL, similar to how former GLORY champion Cedric Doumbe has recently embarked on his own MMA career.
Whatever the case, he is certainly a hot commodity and soon will be inked by a top promotion.
More must-reads:
- Injured Phillies pitcher takes big step toward return
- Dynamic safety extension a massive win for Vikings
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
TODAY'S BEST
Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov prediction, pick, odds for UFC Abu Dhabi (Saturday, July 26)
Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders special treatment in training camp, but it's not the type of favoritism the fifth-round pick would necessarily want. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders is the only Browns quarterback who has not been taking reps with the first-team offense during OTAs or the first two practices of training camp. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel have all split reps with the first team. Despite being asked to throw passes to members of the equipment staff amid a shortage of professional pass-catchers for a four-quarterback roster, Sanders said he's thankful for the opportunity to show the Browns coaching staff his talents. "I feel like that it's not in my control, so I'm not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is," Sanders said to a question as to why he's not getting first-team reps. "There's a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I'm here and I'm thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is." Sanders, 23, believes that he can contribute more to the Browns than what the coaching staff is asking of him. "It doesn't make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person," Sanders said. "I know who I am as an individual and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance." The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in April's draft. As a player whom many draft analysts thought was a first-round talent, Cleveland took what could be the steal of the draft in the fifth round. It's curious why the Browns aren't giving Sanders a shot with the first team early in training camp before the quarterback race becomes more serious. Cleveland should absolutely see what Sanders has to offer this summer. Flacco, 40, isn't a long-term solution at the position. Pickett failed in Pittsburgh. The Browns need to gauge what rookies Gabriel and Sanders can do with the first team. Having Sanders throw balls to the equipment staff is a waste of everyone's time. But then again, Cleveland has wasted plenty of quarterbacks.
ESPN Predicts Mets-Twins Trade One Week Before Deadline
The New York Mets are a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East, but their pitching staff is still injury-ravaged despite the recent returns of Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Brandon Waddell (hip), Dedniel Nuñez (elbow), Max Kranick (flexor), Paul Blackburn (shoulder), Tylor Megill (elbow), Griffin Canning (Achilles), Drew Smith (elbow), A.J. Minter (lat), Danny Young (elbow), and Christian Scott (elbow) are alll on the Mets' IL. The MLB Trade Deadline is July 31 at 6 p.m. EST, so the front office has one week to add healthy arms from around the league this season. ESPN's David Schoenfield predicted on Thursday that New York would trade for a Minnesota Twins reliever. "One guarantee of the trade deadline: The Mets will add to the bullpen, probably with more than one trade. Though the rotation still ranks fifth in ERA, that was built off a hot start," he wrote. "More importantly, the only Mets starter to complete six innings since June 7 has been David Peterson. As a result, manager Carlos Mendoza has run relievers Reed Garrett, Huascar Brazoban, Jose Butto and Ryne Stanek into the ground. The bullpen had a 2.78 ERA through May, but that figure is over 5.00 since the beginning of June (ranking near the bottom of the majors)." "The Twins have two high-profile relievers in [Jhoan] Duran and [Griffin] Jax, both of whom are under team control through 2027, so they'll be much more expensive than your usual short-term relievers if the Twins decide to trade one or both," he continued. "Duran would be harder to deal -- but bring more in return -- so we'll say Jax will go. Don't be fooled by his 4.09 ERA: He has 68 strikeouts and 12 walks in 44 innings with a 97-mph heater. He's an elite strikeout reliever, the type you want on the mound in October." The Mets are hot despite their injuries, as they're on a four-game winning streak and just swept the Los Angeles Angels. Next up is a road trip against the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. New York right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48 ERA) will face Giants right-hander Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08 ERA) on Friday.
Green Bay Packers: Former 7th Rounder Has Only Solidified Depth Chart Status in Impressive Training Camp
Three days of Green Bay Packers training camp are in the books and cornerback Carrington Valentine has reinforced his status as the default CB3. It’s only a minute sample size, of course, and the team hasn’t even moved to padded sessions yet. Nonetheless, it’s encouraging to see the former 232nd overall pick put down some roots in a cornerback group that will need meaningful contributions from a slew of less than household names. Carrington Valentine starts strong in Green Bay Packers training camp Writing for Packers Wire, Mark Oldacres observed that Valentine has already picked off a pair of passes in the early going. Stats don’t much much in training camp, but it’s a reflection of Valentine’s keyed-in performance thus far, which included matching up well with standout rookie receiver Matthew Golden. Each player has impressed so far in camp. The Packers are counting on Valentine to backup Keisean Nixon and Nate Hobbs on the depth chart, or take the field with them in nickelback formations. While he is still developing his overall tools, he already has a place on an NFL field due to his coverage skills. Says Oldacres, “Arguably Green Bay’s most gifted cover corner, Valentine is showing signs of hitting his upside in coverage specifically, although proving he is reliable enough in defending the run will still be crucial for him to truly become a full time player.” Valentine enjoyed a decent chunk of playing time last season as a sophomore, taking advantage of Jaire Alexander’s extended injury absence to amass 546 snaps. He notched the first two interceptions of his career and earned a PFF grade of 70.4, which ranked in the 80th percentile of qualified cornerbacks. With Alexander released and Eric Stokes leaving in free agency, Valentine will have an even greater opportunity in 2025. The players behind him on the depth chart are fringe reserves, draft picks, or ex-receivers (Bo Melton). The job behind Nixon and Hobbs is his to lose. If the latter hits the injured list again – Hobbs missed 17 games across his last three seasons in Las Vegas – Valentine could step into an elevated role. Promoting him naturally at some point, injuries or not, might not be such a bad thing. For his part, Oldacres is pretty high on Valentine’s potential. “Entering year three in the NFL and soon to turn 24, Valentine is probably the best bet to lift the ceiling of Green Bay’s cornerback group as a whole.”
Astros Star Pitching Prospect Named Top Trade Chip Ahead of Deadline
After coming off a brutal loss to the Athletics, the Houston Astros have seen their edge in the American League West start to shrink. It has been a fantastic season so far for the Astros, but with the competition in the AL West getting tougher, Houston must think about making some upgrades before the trade deadline. The recent deal that sent Josh Naylor to the Seattle Mariners was a clear signal they are looking to improve and make a run at the Astros in the division. The Mariners are a very good team that needed offensive help, and that is starting to come. More News: Astros Place Another Starting Pitcher on IL With Concerning Injury Houston likely will try to be aggressive to make some improvements as well. When looking at the roster, they could use a left-handed bat to help the offense, along with a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher. Depending on how aggressive the team will try to get, it could cost them some of their best prospects. Fortunately, their farm system has coveted pieces, with one prospect standing out as a potential trade option. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com recently wrote about the best trade chip for the Astros being right-handed pitching prospect Miguel Ullola. “The 23-year-old possesses a strong fastball and a solid slider, projecting as a mid-rotation starter. Houston is looking for a left-handed bat and suddenly has an opening at third base following Isaac Paredes’ recent injury.” More News: Astros Should Target Ryan O'Hearn Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline Even though Houston knows there is no such thing as too much starting pitching, Ullola is a great trade chip after the 23-year-old has posted a 3.50 ERA across 69.1 innings pitched in Triple-A. With an elite strikeout per nine rate of 11.6, there is a lot to like about the potential of Ullola going forward. As arguably the best trade chip the Astros have, they wouldn’t move him, more than likely, for just a rental player. The right-hander would be far too valuable to give up for a player for just a couple of months. More News: Astros Must Improve Offense Following Mariners Acquisition of Josh Naylor Due to the injuries to Isaac Paredes and Yordan Alvarez, help in the lineup seems like it would be the most pressing area for them to try to upgrade. This is a unit that hasn’t been great for most of the year, but a lot of that is because of the injury to their star slugger. If it is Ullola who is dealt at the trade deadline, that would mean more than likely an impact player is coming back in return. For more Astros news, head over to Astros On SI.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
