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A fighter accidentally kicked his opponent in the groin when attempting a highly complex move

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="9974800" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="lom-ali-nalgiev">Lom-Ali Nalgiev</keyword> won an MMA match in Russia on Saturday.</li><li>But the means he used to do so were as rare as they were inventive.</li><li>In a traditionally vulnerable position with his back on the canvas, Nalgiev spotted an opening in his standing opponent's guard, and thrust his heel into his man's chin.</li><li>The result was a shocking one-strike knockout, as Imanali Gamzathanov fell helpless to the floor where he face-planted the canvas.</li><li>Watch it here.</li></ul>A Russian MMA fighter scored a rare, up kick knockout when he thrust his heel into his opponent's chin while in a seemingly vulnerable position with his back on the canvas.It all went down at an Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA) event, ACA 111, in Moscow's Krylatskoye <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">Sports</keyword> Palace.Loma-Ali Nalgiev competed in a lightweight match against fellow-Russian Imanali Gamzathanov, but finished the fight midway through the first round with an ingenious kick from the ground.Gamzathanov was actually in a traditionally dominant position, however, as he stood up while his opponent lay grounded, he forgot to defend himself and left his face open to an inventive kick from the bottom.Nalgiev drove his heel into Gamzathanov's face and before he could land a second strike, he had already had the fight won, with Gamzathanov falling helpless to the canvas.It was all over. Nalgiev had won by highlight-reel knockout.Watch it here:With victory, Nagliev advanced his record to 18 wins (seven knockouts, three submissions, and eight decisions) against eight losses.Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/colby-covington-woke-athletes-like-lebron-james-are-spineless-cowards-2020-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Colby Covington trashed 'woke athletes' like LeBron James as 'spineless cowards' after dominating in a UFC welterweight match</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/donald-trump-called-ufcs-colby-covington-after-beat-tyron-woodley-2020-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Colby Covington got a congratulatory call from Donald Trump after finishing Tyron Woodley in the 5th round of a UFC fight</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-khamzat-chimaev-wins-17-second-knockout-at-ufc-vegas-2020-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">One of the UFC's scariest new athletes finished his opponent in 17 seconds with a merciless one-punch knockout</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/video-jaron-ennis-floored-juan-carlos-abreu-3-times-2020-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A 23-year-old American called Jaron Ennis just destroyed another opponent to secure his 16th consecutive win by stoppage</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/saul-canelo-alvarez-situation-is-chaos-showtime-boss-says-2020-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Canelo Alvarez could become boxing's greatest free agent, and Showtime's president says he'd 'like nothing more' than to sign him</a>

A Russian MMA fighter scored a rare, up kick knockout by thrusting his heel into his opponent's chin while his back was on the canvas

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Two MMA fighters quarreled on the sidelines of the UFC's flagship Abu Dhabi event Saturday.</li><li>Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Khamzat Chimaev seemed to patch things up after intervention.</li></ul><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA</a> stars <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/khamzat-chimaev" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khamzat Chimaev</a> and Abubakar Nurmagomedov brawled cageside after Saturday's conclusion of <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC 280</a> at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.Video footage appears to show Chimaev congratulating Nurmagomedov for his team member's performance after <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/islam-makhachev" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Islam Makhachev</a> won the UFC lightweight championship for his second-round submission over <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/charles-oliveira" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Charles Oliveira</a>.<a href="https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/10/ufc-news-khamzat-chimaev-abubakar-nurmagomedov-quash-beef-khabib-ramzan-kadyrov-chechnya" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA Junkie reported</a> Sunday that animosity between the fighters began last year, with Nurmagomedov fuming about comments Chimaev had made regarding his cousin Khabib.Abubakar even told Chimaev to "be careful" at the time, MMA Junkie said.Things came to a head Saturday when both athletes were cageside for the UFC's flagship event in the United Arab Emirates.The altercation quickly became physical and security had to restrain Chimaev, before eventually removing him from the area.The fighters have since patched things up, though, as Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov video-called the two fighters and told them to bury their rivalry.<h2>Kadyrov said he 'personally' made sure that the fighters buried the hatchet</h2><div type="image" title="A head and shoulders shot of Ramzan Kadyrov, leader of the Chechen Republic, in a baseball cap on February 25, 2022." height="1333" width="2000" msid="95069055" hostid="261" sizebytes="109618"></div>Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic, is a wildly controversial figure in combat sports, as the 46-year-old owns Grozny-based MMA firm Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA) and keeps close ties to combat athletes from his region.The US Treasury sanctioned Kadyrov in 2020, citing human rights abuses.<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1208" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The US Treasury said the Kadyrovtsy</a>, which is an organization "under the guidance of Kadyrov," committed "egregious" activities that included the "kidnapping, torturing, and killing members of the LGBTI population in the Chechen Republic."The Kadyrovtsy are accused of illegal abductions, torture, extrajudicial executions, and other abuses, including the detention of journalists and activists," the statement said.Kadyrov remains a prevalent and influential figure in mixed martial arts, particularly in Russia and the Middle East. He seemed to use that influence recently to rebuild a more positive relationship between Nurmagomedov and Chimaev.Kadyrov posted a screenshot of his video call to his Instagram account."There is no quarrel between Khamzat Chimaev and Abubakr Nurmagomedov — I have made sure of it personally, and I pass this information on to the ill-wishers," Kadyrov said."Do not blow up this problem of a global scale and do not try to instigate and tease athletes and their fans. This happens, including among brothers. But it was the misunderstanding that was resolved."We were and will be brothers, Inshallah. So do not write nonsense, do not take sin to your soul, for every dirty word you will have to answer to the Almighty."<h2>Abubakar also said publicly that he has moved on</h2><div type="image" title="Abubakar Nurmagomedov." height="1456" width="2000" msid="95069056" hostid="261" sizebytes="121088"></div>Abubakar, who won his UFC 280 match against Gadzhi Omargadzhiev, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkENuCmPZpY/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said on his own Instagram account</a> that he has moved on from the altercation.He called the incident "a small understanding" with Chimaev, and added that Khabib led a circle of fighters to intervene and also told them to stop bickering with one another."Khamzat is my brother in faith and I always wish him health and success. I ask you, brothers, not to invent any kind of gossip and I hope our meeting will be beneficial between our brotherly peoples."

2 MMA stars who brawled at UFC 280 seemed to settle their beef after a video call from Chechen warlord

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A Russian MMA boss stormed a cage in the middle of a match last weekend.</li><li>ACA president Mairbek Khasiev made the unconventional move as he thought the fight was too boring.</li></ul>A Russian <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA</a> boss stormed a cage in the middle of a match to disqualify both fighters for being too boring.ACA president Mairbek Khasiev made the unconventional move at Friday's ACA 141 event that took place at the DS Bolshoy Adler Arena in Sochi, Russia.ACA 141 was a 12-bout card, and Khasiev's intervention came late in the event as the MMA president seemingly had enough of the 155-pound fight between Ali Bagov and Rashid Magomedov.<div type="image" title="Mairbek Khasiev calls off the fight." height="638" width="1000" msid="93170929" hostid="261" sizebytes="11446"></div>The official result for the lightweight match is a no contest after four of a scheduled five rounds due to lack of activity.The fight was supposed to be a quarterfinal for ACA's ongoing lightweight tournament."The ACA League is not a kindergarten," Khasiev told the live crowd after disqualifying both fighters, <a href="https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2022/7/22/23274824/aca-141-promoter-mairbek-khasiev-cancels-magomedov-vs-bagov-mid-fight-timidity-mma-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to MMA website Bloody Elbow</a>. "It is a serious league."Khasiev continued: "The ACA League today, is — regardless of what anyone says — is the second greatest fight league in the world."Every time I say this, someone comes out with some sort of criticism. And now we are showing you what sort of league we really are."That's it. Disqualified. That's it, I've had it, I got no nerve for this. What is this? What the fuck are you — what are you? Do you think we're schoolboys over here!?"Right, you're all free to go, that's it. Akhmat Power, Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar."Watch the disqualification right here:The winner of the bout was due to proceed to the tournament semifinal against Artem Reznikov.It is currently unclear whether Reznikov will compete against a replacement opponent, or proceed to the final on a bye.ACA returns August 13 with ACA 142 that takes place in Kazan, Tatarstan, in Russia.

A Russian MMA boss stormed a cage to stop a fight and disqualify both fighters for being too boring

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="10973376" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="damian-janikowski">Damian Janikowski</keyword> scored a second-round knockout win at a <keyword id="10688143" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ksw">KSW</keyword> event Saturday.</li><li>After seeing that he'd dislocated his finger during the fight, he popped the digit back into place.</li><li>See Janikowski continue his celebration after tending to his injury in a video below.</li></ul>Everyone knows that <a href="https://insider.com/category/mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA</a> fighters are tough, but Damian Janikowski could be one of the toughest of the lot.Janikowski won a bout Saturday via knockout, popped his dislocated finger back into place, and then celebrated like nothing had even happened.It all went down at the KSW 59 event called "Fight Code" - a nine-bout card at the Wytwornia Club in the Polish city of Lodz.A middleweight competitor, Janikowski finished former Bellator <keyword id="6403489" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma">MMA</keyword> and Cage Warriors fighter Jason Radcliffe in the second round.Janikowski had injured his own finger during the fight and, after seeing the damage, he nonchalantly popped his digit back into place.He then balled the fingers on each hand into a fist and did a back-flip as he advanced his pro MMA record to six wins (four knockouts, one submission, and one decision) against three losses.Watch the finish and finger pop here:Polish KSW is one of the biggest MMA firms in Europe, alongside Cage Warriors in the UK and Ireland, and ACA MMA in Russia.Mariusz Pudzianowski beat Nikola Milanovic in the KSW 59 main event.

A Polish MMA fighter won a bout via knockout, popped his dislocated finger back into place, then celebrated

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Chechen strongman leader <keyword id="319580" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Ramzan-Kadyrov">Ramzan Kadyrov</keyword> seemingly convinced <keyword id="9643917" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="khamzat-chimaev">Khamzat Chimaev</keyword> to unretire.</li><li>Chimaev is suffering from long COVID and coughed up blood this week months after testing positive.</li><li>Regardless, Kadyrov wants him back in the <keyword id="992778" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="UFC">UFC</keyword>. "HE REMAINS AND WILL FIGHT TO THE END!"</li></ul>Chechnya's warlord president, Ramzan Kadyrov, said he convinced the <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC</a> star <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/khamzat-chimaev" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khamzat Chimaev</a> to halt his retirement during a phone call this week.An unbeaten mega prospect seemingly destined for the top of the mixed martial arts world, Chimaev was expected to fight the elite welterweight Leon Edwards in his 10th pro bout in March.The match has been fraught with complications related to COVID-19, with both fighters contracting the virus at separate times. It was rescheduled twice before being completely cancelled in February.While Edwards has recovered from the virus, <a href="https://www.insider.com/khamzat-chimaev-struggling-with-covid-unclear-when-hell-fight-again-2021-2">Chimaev continues to suffer lingering effects,</a> and even thought that he might die because his pain was so severe.The 26-year-old was flown from Europe to the US to receive further treatment but coughed up blood this week and issued a statement on social media <a href="https://www.insider.com/khamzat-chimaev-hints-at-ufc-retirement-battles-covid-aftermath-2021-3">hinting that his MMA career was over.</a>Before long, Kadyrov dropped Chimaev a video call."Khamzat said that recovery from illness is slow, and in an attempt to be honest and frank with the fans, he decided not to give them hope," Kadyrov said in a Russian language statement.In the statement, posted on the Instagram page of Chechnya's tourism board, Kadyrov continued by saying: "I told him that all the Chechen people were upset by this news.""I reminded Chimaev that all our young people, whom he inspires, are pinning great hopes on his victory."During our conversation, Chimaev realized how important his career is for every Chechen and promised to make every effort to recover as soon as possible."Kadyrov said Chimaev will return to Chechnya for a "rehabilitation course" and a training camp."This means that Khamzat does not leave," the strongman leader added."HE REMAINS AND WILL FIGHT TO THE END!"<h2>The US recently sanctioned Kadyrov and his <keyword id="6403489" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma">MMA</keyword> firm ACA</h2>US-issued sanctions against Kadyrov in recent months have implications in the MMA industry, meaning that American promotions cannot do business with Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1208" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the US Treasury</a>.ACA is one of six companies owned and controlled by Kadyrov impacted by the sanctions, which relate to "serious human rights abusers," the US Treasury said in a statement December 2020.The statement alleges that Kadyrov and the forces he commands, known as Kadyrovtsy, are implicated in the murder and torture of political opponents.Further, it claims the Kadyrovtsy kidnapped, tortured, and killed members of the Chechen LGBT+ population.Kadyrov has denied purging his region of gay people in recent years and even claimed Chechnya has no gay men, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/07/15/ramzan-kadyrov-says-there-are-no-gay-men-in-chechnya-and-if-there-are-any-they-should-move-to-canada/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to a statement in The Washington Post.</a><h2>UFC boss <keyword id="1358348" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Dana-White">Dana White</keyword> expects Chimaev to return to his Octagon</h2><div type="image" title="Khamzat Chimaev UFC retire" height="671" width="1342" msid="81311648" hostid="261"></div>Kadyrov is far from the only person who wants to see Chimaev fight again. <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/dana-white" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/dana-white" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The UFC President Dana White</a> gave a <a href="https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/dana-white-khamzat-chimaev-emotional-but-not-retiring">statement to MMA Junkie</a> of his own that said he expects the Russian athlete to compete in June."When he got here, the doctors took care of him, and they put him on prednisone which is a nasty f------ steroid," White said."He's supposed to be taking this thing and chilling, relaxing, and letting himself recover. He went in and f------ trained today, felt like s---, and got super emotional and posted that."White called Chimaev a "savage" for continuing to train despite an instruction to medicate and rest, said he's "going to be fine," and added: "He ain't quitting."Chimaev's manager Majdi Shammas, meanwhile, <a href="https://frontkick.online/ufc/in-english-khamzat-chimaev-majdi-shammas-interview-ufc-mma-retirement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told the Swedish MMA website Frontkick</a> that: "It's still very sensitive. It's hard for him right now and he needs some distance."We ask everyone for your understanding and patience at this point", Shammas said."What's most important at this point is his health. There's nothing that is more important. Right now, that's as far as we're thinking."I will always stand by Khamzat and support him, regardless of what he wants to do. He is already a champion as far as we're concerned."

Chechnya's warlord leader Ramzan Kadyrov said he convinced UFC star Khamzat Chimaev to unretire during a phone call

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A Russian <keyword id="6403489" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma">MMA</keyword> fighter landed a spinning back elbow that resulted in an instant, brutal KO.</li><li>It took place at an <keyword id="10753903" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="absolute-championship-akhmat">Absolute Championship Akhmat</keyword> (ACA) event in Russia on Friday.</li><li>Watch the perfect strike right here.</li></ul>A Russian MMA fighter called <keyword id="10753902" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="dzhikhad-yunusov">Dzhikhad Yunusov</keyword> landed a spinning back elbow that was so perfect he won by instant, brutal knockout during an Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA) event Friday.Yunusov fought Leonardo Limberger in a featherweight match during the preliminary section of the 15-fight show in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.The 145-pound combatant is not renowned for his knockout prowess as he tends to grind out decision wins, and had not finished an opponent since a doctor's stoppage win over Paata Robakidze in 2017.But that all changed on fight night this week.With his back to the fence, Limberger seemingly had a grip on Yunusov's head.Yunusov rotated a quarter-step on his lead left foot, shifted his weight, and maneuvered into a spinning back elbow strike that landed perfectly on the Brazilian's face.It was a strike that was so well-timed, and so powerfully-accurate, it had a shocking impact on Limberger, who was knocked out long before he had even hit the canvas.His body went stiff, he fell to the ground, and the referee jumped ahead of Yunusov so he could not land a further blow.It was all over.Watch it right here:Victory advanced Yunusov's pro MMA record to 18 wins (two knockouts, four submissions, and 12 decisions) against five defeats.

Russian MMA fighter landed a spinning back elbow that was so powerful he won by instant, brutal knockout

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Professional Fighters League hopes to continue its mission of reimagining the world of combat <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> when its new season begins in 2021.</li><li>The <keyword id="1715557" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="PFL">PFL</keyword> has been an outlier this year as the <keyword id="6403489" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma">MMA</keyword> firm postponed its 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic.</li><li>During the year it has enhanced its digital offerings and added significant names to its roster for the new season, next year.</li><li>The CEO <keyword id="5885869" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Peter-Murray">Peter Murray</keyword> told Insider this month about what's to come, and spoke about the detail of its behind-closed-doors residency in Las Vegas from April.</li></ul>The Professional Fighters League (PFL) hopes to continue its mission statement of reimagining the world of combat sports when its new season begins in April 2021.PFL MMA was the only major fight organization to postpone operations for the entire year because of the coronavirus pandemic.Other MMA companies like the UFC, Bellator MMA, and ACA use standalone matches during a fight night, with the winners and losers moving up and down divisional rankings.But the PFL is different. It integrated an NFL-style season, playoff, and championship format into its model, and so decision-makers did not hold events in 2020.Peter Murray, the CEO of PFL, told Insider earlier in the year that the company focused on its digital offerings, PFL Studios, and an OTT app, while also exploring the free agency market to enhance its roster when operations restart.With the new season five months away, Murray spoke to Insider again to look ahead at his firm's offer for the new season - its third since its founding in 2018.He told us about:<ol><li>Details of a Las Vegas residency for events in 2021</li><li>Talent management and new PFL signings</li><li>Tech innovations and market response to 2020 digital offerings</li><li>Hopes to double its audience share on the ESPN platform in the US</li></ol><h2>Creating a bubble environment at a Caesars Entertainment venue</h2><div type="image" title="Caesers Entertainment" height="600" width="1000" msid="79824355" hostid="261"></div>When Insider interviewed Murray earlier in the year, he spoke of his excitement at the potential for a vaccine arriving, which could drastically alter the live event industries.As the FDA has now approved Pfizer and Moderna as vaccine candidates for mass rollout in the US, and considering partial fan allowances are already in place for some big boxing events in the country, is there a possibility PFL could shift away from a behind-closed-doors bubble environment before or midway through the 2021 season?It is, for Murray, too early to say."We are first and foremost planning for the worst, and should the landscape change as it relates to safety for fighters, operational staff, and of course fans, then we will open up our events in 2021 to fans," he told us this month."But, at this point, we're planning a live, made-for-TV and streaming experience at a single site in Las Vegas, in partnership with Caesars [Entertainment]."<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/timcasey/2020/10/20/professional-fighters-league-returning-to-action-on-april-23-in-las-vegas/?sh=3501c3715244" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to Forbes</a>, the site's frontrunners will be Caesars Palace - which has a rich fighting history having hosted mega-fights involving Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard - or Rio - a casino that held MMA events under the Final Fight Championship banner."We're excited," Murray told us."Las Vegas is, in my view, the pinnacle of combat events and for legacy. And we're looking forward to coming back and having Las Vegas as the home for the 2021 PFL season."<h2>PFL's talent management tested </h2><div type="image" title="Lance Palmer MMA PFL" height="1331" width="2000" msid="79824356" hostid="261"></div>The PFL's ability to manage talent was tested in October when Lance Palmer, a two-time PFL tournament winner, tweeted that fighters were suing the PFL because of how it postponed the season due to COVID-19.PFL founder and chairman <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-professional-fighters-league-wants-to-change-mma-forever-2020-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donn Davis previously told Insider</a> that it would be paying fighters not to fight, with a monthly stipend of $1,000 paid to the athletes under contract.Murray added that the PFL has sympathized with the fighters on its roster, honored the stipend, and allowed fighters to compete in other regional MMA promotions or different disciplines outside of MMA.He added: "There's a sub-set of fighters who voiced concern and frustration, and of course, we get that."Candidly, that's in the rear-view mirror, though. There have been no lawsuits imposed on the PFL - no litigation. We'll be back in the cage with the best season ever coming in April, and that's what the conversation [with fighters] is about now."<h2>There have been significant additions to the PFL roster</h2><div type="image" title="Claressa Shields" height="1000" width="1500" msid="79824358" hostid="261"></div>The former Bellator MMA welterweight champion Rory MacDonald, the former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, and the former two-time Olympic gold medal-winner Claressa Shields are three significant athletes who will be making their debuts in 2021 for the New York-headquartered firm.Signing Shields may have come as a surprise for some, considering she is an undefeated boxer in the prime of her career in that sport.However, it is a relationship Murray has fostered for years.Murray, a former senior executive at Under Armour, has worked with many big-name athletes in sponsorship and knew Shields well as he helped outfit the US Olympic team in 2016."I signed the USA Olympic team, we outfitted the team, and Claressa was a prominent athlete. I was inspired by her years ago."Murray said her debut in the PFL would likely be "a massive, global event" in June. She will fight twice in MMA at a minimum, but there could be scope for a third bout before she heads into the 2022 season in the 155-pound division."She's going to absolutely leave her mark in the sport of MMA," Murray said.Of course, Werdum has already made his mark as one of the best heavyweights ever to grace MMA.At 43 years old and with 34 matches under his belt, he's also a veteran. But his addition has excited the PFL's heavyweight division."He was an incredible signing by [PFL President] Ray Sefo," Murray said. "And I know our other fighters in the heavyweight division are also excited."Considering the hype surrounding Shields and the roster's interest in Werdum, it is easy to forget that 2019 addition MacDonald is still to make his first fight for PFL."Boy, Rory is chomping at the bit," said Murray. "He wants to be top dog, and he's ready to prove, in his view, that he can run through the welterweight division."There are also more signings to come."There are big, new signings in every weight class," Murray said. "We've announced some of them … but there are more to come [next 60 days]."<h2>The market response to its digital offerings has pleased PFL</h2><div type="image" title="PFL MMA app" height="500" width="1000" msid="79824359" hostid="261"></div>Integral to the PFL's content drive in 2020, during a year when its live events business was on pause, Murray launched PFL Studios, which tells audio-visual stories about MMA, the PFL, and PFL's athletes, together with the PFL MMA app, which is a platform for those PFL Studios stories, and the company's archival footage of live events."We're focused on our mission to reimagine the world of sport," he said. "And obviously, we're going to do that with our compelling live events, with our long-form storytelling distributed to our partners, including ESPN, which keeps the brand visible."For our OTT app, we're seeing excellent month-over-month usage of the app in the US and internationally. We have a full archive of the 2018 and 2019 seasons, every fight, every event. As well as the World Series of Fighting archive."Murray said that the PFL would be celebrating the Olympic year in combat sports by distributing live events through its app, together with broader combat across different, single disciplines.This will include traditional Olympic combat sports like taekwondo and judo and kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu."We've evolved from an event-driven company to a year-round content company, and now we're going to be a media company and destination for broader combat."We will feature regional MMA promotions around the world, as well as kickboxing and perhaps even wrestling."Other innovations in the new season include more extensive data pooled from its SmartCage, which will provide statistics for athletes in-camp and then fight fans watching on a live broadcast.This, Murray said, provides "invaluable data for how athletes are measuring aspects of their performance against different opponents, like speed, for example."Athletes will have real data on themselves and their opponent, for things like average punch speed and the type of damage that can do, and what you can do to avoid that damage, Murray said."And the same goes for kick speed as well as other data."<h2>Murray expects ESPN ratings to double</h2>The 2019 championship - which saw six $1 million checks awarded to the tournament winners - drew 361,000 viewers on ESPN2, <a href="https://frontofficesports.com/professional-fighters-league-ott" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Front Office Sports</a>.The roster signings, tech innovations, and Las Vegas residency combined with the ESPN platform will see twice as many people tune in to watch the $1 million finals at the end of 2021, Murray hopes."It's going to be our most exciting season to date and we expect absolute, continued, explosive growth," he said.<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/callum-smith-full-of-anguish-waiting-for-canelo-fight-contract-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inside one of boxing's biggest bouts of the year as Callum Smith attempts to upset the odds against Canelo Alvarez - the sport's marquee attraction</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/conor-mcgregor-probably-skeptical-about-fighting-in-covid-white-said-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor was 'probably' skeptical about competing when the UFC said it would hold events through COVID, Dana White said</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/watch-jake-paul-drop-sweary-50-million-conor-mcgregor-offer-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Paul offers Conor McGregor $50 million to fight him in an insult-filled, expletive-laden video posted on social media</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-claressa-shields-could-master-mma-in-pfl-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Claressa Shields could master MMA at a 'rapid rate' as she's already got the mind of a warrior, PFL stablemate Clay Collard says</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/weve-entered-a-golden-era-of-boxing-exhibitions-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">We've officially entered a golden era of showbiz boxing, and it's all down to Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, and Floyd Mayweather</a></li></ul>

PFL MMA hopes to continue its mission of reimagining the world of combat sports when its new season begins in April 2021

<ul class="summary-list"><li>UFC's latest champion has been photographed with brutal Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov.</li><li>Islam Makhachev recently beat Charles Oliveira and received a hero's welcome in Russia.</li></ul><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/islam-makhachev" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Islam Makhachev</a>, who won the <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/ufc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UFC</a> lightweight championship with a dominant win over Charles Oliveira, received a hero's welcome upon his return to Russia, even posing with brutal Chechan dictator <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/ramzan-kadyrov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ramzan Kadyrov</a>."New UFC lightweight champion Russian Islam Makhachev brought the belt to Ramzan Kadyrov," read a caption on the photo, which state-owned RIA Novosti Sport <a href="https://t.me/sportrian/26216" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted on Telegram</a>.The photograph further underscores the influence Kadyrov wields in combat sports, as the politician, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2022/mar/30/ramzan-kadyrov-putins-attack-dog-and-ukraine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">routinely dubbed Vladimir Putin's attack dog</a> by western media, has his own MMA firm called Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), is frequently spotted alongside the sport's top stars, and has even appeared cageside at prominent UFC events.A wildly controversial figure, Kadyrov was even sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2020, for human rights abuses.<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1208" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The US Treasury said the Kadyrovtsy</a>, which is an organization "under the guidance of Kadyrov," committed "egregious" activities that included the "kidnapping, torturing, and killing members of the LGBTI population in the Chechen Republic."The Kadyrovtsy are accused of illegal abductions, torture, extrajudicial executions, and other abuses, including the detention of journalists and activists," the statement said.The photograph of Kadyrov with Makhachev can be seen below.<h2>Kadyrov has undeniable influence in mixed martial arts</h2>The power Kadyrov has over MMA fighters from his region has been evident throughout the COVID era of sports.<div type="image" title="Ramzan Kadyrov" height="1330" width="2000" msid="95240055" hostid="261" sizebytes="118862"></div><a href="https://www.insider.com/khamzat-chimaev-chechan-warlord-convinced-ufc-star-to-unretire-2021-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">He convinced UFC star Khamzat Chimaev to come out of retirement from the sport</a> in 2021, after the athlete said he was done with the game because he was struggling from coronavirus infection.Just last month <a href="https://www.insider.com/ramzan-kadyrov-video-called-ufc280-stars-after-they-brawled-2022-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kadyrov reportedly settled a rivalry between Russian fighters Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov</a> by video calling them both and reportedly ordering them to stop quarreling.Makhachev, meanwhile, has risen to the highest echelons of world <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA</a>, having learned the sport from the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib Nurmagomedov's father and trainer.<a href="https://www.ufc.com/rankings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to the UFC's own rankings</a>, Makhachev is the world's No. 3-rated ultimate fighter, behind only Alexander Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya.It is unclear who Makhachev will fight next; however, the winner of this month's bout between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler, Beneil Dariush, or even Volkanovski would all make worthy challengers.

Islam Makhachev showed his UFC championship belt to brutal Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="2944528" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Conor-McGregor">Conor McGregor</keyword> will never recapture his old, glory days.</li><li>That's according to the retiring UFC lightweight champion <keyword id="6164007" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Khabib-Nurmagomedov">Khabib Nurmagomedov</keyword>.</li><li>"A man cannot have two primes," Nurmagomedov said.</li></ul><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/khabib-nurmagomedov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khabib Nurmagomedov</a> destroyed <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/conor-mcgregor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor</a>'s comeback attempts with six simple words."A man cannot have two primes," the retired UFC lightweight champion told ACA light heavyweight Magomed Ismailov <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92Q7Wx-enJ8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in a recent interview on YouTube</a>.After McGregor's conclusive, fourth-round submission loss to Nurmagomedov in 2018, he has fought twice - beating Donald Cerrone in 2020 before a second-round knockout defeat to Dustin Poirier <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/fight-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on Fight Island</a> last month.McGregor has won three mixed martial arts matches, and lost three, in a six-fight run going back to 2016. He has also lost to Floyd Mayweather in a <keyword id="6362171" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Boxing">boxing</keyword> match in the middle of that period.The Irishman is expected to fight Poirier for a third time in the summer, but Nurmagomedov - who finished his career as an unbeaten champion - said his old rival will never recapture his own glory days."Never. There is no way that a man can be at the peak for two times," said the 32-year-old.He later added: "I'm not talking about him. What I mean is, a man cannot have two primes."A team could do it," Nurmagomedov said. "For example, Real Madrid did this a few times in a row. Teams may have this. But we're talking about us, and one man on his own cannot have this."A second-round victory via arm-triangle choke against Justin Gaethje last year brought an end to Nurmagomedov's run as a pro MMA fighter. He finished his career unbeaten in 29 fights.Nurmagomedov remains the UFC's champion at 155-pounds, though, and will likely vacate the belt in the coming months.It is a title McGregor appears intent on re-claiming, but he'll need to avenge his Poirier loss in his next bout to get himself back into the title picture if he is to become the UFC's lightweight champion once again.You can watch Nurmagomedov's full interview (in Russian with English subtitles) below - discussion of McGregor's comeback is at around 13 minutes:

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A fighter accidentally kicked his opponent in the groin when attempting a highly complex move

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A Russian MMA fighter scored a rare, up kick knockout by thrusting his heel into his opponent's chin while his back was on the canvas

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2 MMA stars who brawled at UFC 280 seemed to settle their beef after a video call from Chechen warlord

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A Russian MMA boss stormed a cage to stop a fight and disqualify both fighters for being too boring

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Chechnya's warlord leader Ramzan Kadyrov said he convinced UFC star Khamzat Chimaev to unretire during a phone call

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Russian MMA fighter landed a spinning back elbow that was so powerful he won by instant, brutal knockout

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PFL MMA hopes to continue its mission of reimagining the world of combat sports when its new season begins in April 2021

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Islam Makhachev showed his UFC championship belt to brutal Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov

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Khabib Nurmagomedov destroyed Conor McGregor's comeback attempts with 6 simple words

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