UFC star made Mel Gibson cry, Mike Perry forced to take a pay cut, Hasbulla issues threat to Conor McGregor: MMA News Roundup

Hollywood actor and ardent MMA fan Mel Gibson nearly broke down watching a UFC fighter lose inside the octagon. Elsewhere, social media star Hasbulla sent a warning to Conor McGregor.

Here are your today's top combat sports updates, presented by Sportskeeda MMA.

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Mel Gibson feels sorry for UFC fighters

Hollywood legend Mel Gibson is a huge UFC fan but feels sorry for the fighters competing inside the octagon. During a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience (Ep. #2254), the Academy Award-winning actor said that he cannot always stomach the punishment the athletes take:

"I’m addicted to the UFC, I love it. But I know that these guys are…I feel kind of sorry for them."

Gibson added that he knows one fighter - Brian Ortega - fairly well and to see him suffer a beating against Alexander Volkanovski almost brought him to tears:

"He was fighting Alexander Volkanovski and it was Brian Ortega, and he was getting his a** handed to him. He almost got him a couple of times... It was like my son was in there. I almost started crying, and it got to me. I should probably feel like this about all these guys but I don’t know them as well."

Watch Mel Gibson's comments on The Joe Rogan Experience below (43:00):

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Mike Perry may have to take a pay cut

Mike Perry is potentially the highest-paid fighter in the BKFC. For his KnuckleMania 4 outing against fellow UFC alum Thiago Alves, 'Platinum' took home a whopping $600,000 purse. He reportedly received a similar sum or more to box Jake Paul.

However, he may have to take a pay cut for his next outing. BKFC president David Feldman told Ariel Helwani they were looking to book Perry for the upcoming $25 million tournament, whose winner will take home $15 million at the end. But Perry will be paid much less for participating in the earlier rounds:

"I mean, look, it would be a price reduction for him. A purse reduction for him to fight in the opening rounds, so he's going to have to risk that. But yes... it will really pay off."

Listen to David Feldman's comments below (20:35):

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Hasbulla sends a warning message to Conor McGregor

Hasbulla, the internet sensation who went viral in 2021 for MMA-style faceoffs with fellow influencer Abdu Rozik, has sent Conor McGregor a threatening message.

During his recent appearance on Russian YouTuber Adam Zubayraev's podcast, Hustle Show, Hasbulla addressed his long-running beef with the Irishman.

Hasbulla said [Translation: Championship Rounds]:

"He thought he would hype himself up, but he promoted me instead. If we crossed paths, I would kick him in the legs... I'ma man. Why should I run from him?"