Jamahal Hill explains yawning at UFC 307, Renan Ferreira speaks on Francis Ngannou's $2M gesture, and more: MMA News Roundup
Jamahal Hill opened up on being filmed yawning after the conclusion of the UFC 307 main event. Elsewhere, Renan Ferreira talked about Francis Ngannou demanding a big paycheck for his opponents in PFL.
Catch up with today's top combat sports updates with Sportskeeda MMA.
"I never said the fight was boring" - Jamahal Hill explains viral yawning video
Jamahal Hill was seen doing a fake yawn while seated in the crowd at Delta Center in Salt Lake City after Alex Pereira knocked Khalil Rountree Jr. out at UFC 307.
The video went viral and Hill received backlash from fans, who pointedly reminded him that he too got knocked out by Pereira in their fight. 'Poatan' himself taunted him about the UFC 300 KO, which did not sit well with Hill.
Explaining his yawn in a video on his YouTube channel, 'Sweet Dreams' said:
"It’s crazy how y’all see a clip with no context, no nothing, and y’all just be ready to talk sh*t and just attack and come disrespectful as ever... it's hilarious. I wasn’t mic’d up or anything like that, so I couldn’t explain the context of the yawn and things like that after the fight... I never said the fight was boring."
He continued after breaking the UFC 307 headliner down:
"Now, to the yawn, the yawn at the end was – was it entertaining? Yes. Was I impressed? No. I’m not impressed. You know, I’m ready to go. Did I see anything in the cage that scared me or that I didn’t expect to see? No."
Watch Jamahal Hill's explanation below (13:00):
Renan Ferreira talks about Francis Ngannou's $2 million gesture
Francis Ngannou's much-controversial exit from the UFC led to a historic contract with the PFL that earned him "equity and leadership" status in the promotion. He also fought for a minimum payout of $2 million for his opponents, a move fellow fighters have lauded.
In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Renan Ferreira, Ngannou's next opponent, opened up on the matter:
"I mean I think it shows volumes of who he is and the priority he has. It's great! I'm sure he understands what it takes to be at this level, to compete at this stage. So I commend him for that."
'The Predator' is set to fight Renan Ferreira on the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants card on Oct. 19 to make his promotional debut.
Khalil Rountree Jr. weighs in on Islam Makhachev vs. Alex Pereira UFC P4P debate
Ever since Alex Pereira's win over Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307, many have been calling for the Brazilian to be ranked as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, a place currently held by Islam Makhachev.
Kamaru Usman is among those who argued in Pereira's favor during a recent episode of Pound 4 Pound podcast, while co-host Henry Cejudo debated in Makhachev's favor.
Appearing on the podcast, Rountree Jr. cast his vote on the matter:
"I personally would also have to say Alex [Pereira]. The only other person I would say, and we'll find out later on in the year, would be Jon Jones... Right now, just based on what I have seen, based off of performances, level of opponents, things like that, right now, I'd say it would be Alex."
He also said that he believes Pereira would be able to handle a wrestler like Magomed Ankalaev and get the job done.
Watch Khalil Rountree Jr.'s comments below (17:45):