MMA News
Conor McGregor reacts to reports of Proper No. Twelve's financial success
Tom Taylor - April 25, 2019
This morning, The Irish Times reported that Proper No. Twelve, the Irish whiskey brand founded by former UFC lightweight and featherweight champ Conor McGregor, has already had a major affect on the larger Irish whiskey industry. Proper No. Twelve “sold out a six-month allocation in its first 10 days and has now shipped about 200,000 nine-litre cases since its launch,” the Irish Times report read.
UFC St. Petersburg medical suspensions: Alexey Oleynik facing lengthy sit
Tom Taylor - April 25, 2019
UFC St. Petersburg was an action-packed card, from the undercard to the Alistair Overeem vs. Alexey Oleynik main event. As is so often the case with cards of this kind, several of the fighters on the bill are facing lengthy medical suspensions, including Oleynik, who is dealing with a fractured rib after his first-round TKO loss to Overeem.
Benson Henderson is 'very thankful' to be far away from UFC drama
Tom Taylor - April 25, 2019
Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson is now firmly embedded as a member of the Bellator roster. In fact, he’s set to return to the cage at Bellator 220 this weekend, where he’ll take on Adam Piccolotti in a lightweight contender bout. As he prepares for this imminent challenge, Benson Henderson is happy to have put some distance between himself and the drama that is currently plaguing the UFC lightweight division. He’s witnessed the heat between reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and former champion Conor McGregor, and the difficulty top contenders like Dustin Poirier and Tony Ferguson have had getting title shots, and he’s thanking the Lord that he’s no longer in the thick of it.
Report | Massive sales numbers revealed for Proper No. Twelve
Tom Taylor - April 25, 2019
According to a report from the Irish Times, Proper No. Twelve, the Irish whiskey recently launched by former UFC lightweight and featherweight champ Conor McGregor, has already become a massive fiscal success. According to this report, Proper No. Twelve “sold out a six-month allocation in its first 10 days and has now shipped about 200,000 nine-litre cases since its launch.”
Tony Ferguson switches management, no longer shares representation with Conor McGregor
James Lynch - April 25, 2019
Tony Ferguson and Conor McGregor are no longer represented by the same management group. According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Ferguson has left Paradigm Sports Management to sign with Ballangee Group. The 35-year-old had been with Paradigm for the last seven years and joins a group that represents former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez, Vitor Belfort and Aljamain Sterling.
Johnny Walker on Jon Jones: 'I would beat him'
Tom Taylor - April 25, 2019
Johnny Walker is arguably the most compelling young contender in the UFC light heavyweight division at present. In fact, he seems to be on a collision course with dominating light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. In a recent interview with The Body Lock, Johnny Walker discussed a potential matchup with Jones, expressing his long-time admiration for the champion, and his confidence that he would beat him in a fight.
Opponent says Conor McGregor threw cheap shot in exhibition boxing match
Tom Taylor - April 25, 2019
Last week, former UFC lightweight and featherweight champ Conor McGregor once again laced up the boxing gloves. This time, however, he was not taking on a legend for millions of dollars under a Jumbotron in Las Vegas. Instead, he took part in an exhibition bout with amateur boxer Michael McGrane, which went down in his former haunts, the Crumlin Boxing Club in Dublin. Speaking to TMZ, McGrane opened up on this exhibition bout with Conor McGregor and claimed the UFC star zapped him with a cheap shot — a left hand thrown seconds after the opening bell.
More reasons to watch UFC Fort Lauderdale
Mike Straus - April 25, 2019
The UFC is right back at it again. Next up is UFC Fort Lauderdale. While the main event of UFC Fort Lauderdale has seen a revolving door of fighters coming and go, the rest of the card has largely stayed intact. On paper, the card looks to have something for every type of fight fan.
Dustin Poirier unphased by Khabib Nurmagomedov saying he has to 'maul him'
Drake Riggs - April 24, 2019
After taking one of the longer paths to the top, ‘The Diamond,’ Dustin Poirier has stamped his ticket to an undisputed UFC lightweight title fight. At UFC 236 earlier this month, Poirier did so by claiming the interim lightweight title by picking up his second career win over the current featherweight champion, Max Holloway. The two went to war for a full 25 minutes and Poirier would be the one to walk away with the unanimous decision victory.
Stephen Thompson concerned about brain health, hopes for August return
Drake Riggs - April 24, 2019
UFC Nashville was headlined by a pretty unique match-up, to say the least. The main event of the promotion’s return to the state of Tennessee saw former WEC and UFC lightweight champion, as well as former featherweight hopeful, Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis make his 170-pound welterweight debut. His opponent would be none other than the perennial top five contender, two-time welterweight title challenger, ‘Wonderboy,’ Stephen Thompson. Shockingly, after a pretty dominant showing from Thompson, Pettis would be the one to connect late in the second round to score the massive knockout win. It was the Karate specialist’s first time losing via knockout and Pettis’ first time winning via strikes since January 2013 when he TKO’d Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone with a body kick.
Marlon Moraes believes T.J. Dillashaw suspension is not long enough
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2019
Marlon Moraes is getting a shot at the vacant UFC bantamweight title, this after T.J. Dillashaw relinquished his belt due to a two-year suspension from USADA. Dillashaw had tested positive for the banned substance EPO in the lead up to his fight with Flyweight champ Henry Cejudo. Although some fighters claim that they always knew TJ Dillashaw was using drugs, Marlon Moraes was still still shocked and disappointed by the news.
More reasons to watch Bellator 220
Mike Straus - April 24, 2019
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) isn’t the only show streaming live Saturday night as Bellator 220 will go head to head with the MMA juggernaut. While Bellator has a habit of filling up the undercard with local fighters to help move ticket sales, that often times affects the quality of fights the fans get. There’s no denying the strength of the five-fight main card that will stream live via DAZN. However, the prelims fall a bit short of what one would expect from a card of this magnitude.
UFC rankings update: Nate Diaz exits, Alistair Overeem climbs
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of Saturday’s UFC St. Petersburg card, and as expected there have been some notable changes. The biggest change, however, seems to be unrelated to the card, as long absent lightweight star Nate Diaz has finally been ejected from the UFC rankings. In terms of UFC St. Petersburg related changes, Alistair Overeem made a slight climb at heavyweight on the strength of his rousing TKO defeat of Alexey Oleynik.
EXCLUSIVE | Chatri Sityodtong explains how ONE Championship and GAMMA will carry MMA to the Olympics
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2019
Last week, it was announced that Singapore based martial arts powerhouse ONE Championship had signed a partnership with Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA), an independent governing body for the sport of mixed martial arts. The goals of this partnership are multifaceted, but the most notable mission of the two organizations is to bring the sport of MMA to the Olympics.
Chael Sonnen trolls Lyoto Machida, Machida responds
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2019
UFC veterans Chael Sonnen and Lyoto Machida are scheduled to collide in a light heavyweight showdown at Bellator NYC on July 14. Yet on Wednesday afternoon, Sonnen took to Twitter and cast doubt on the status of this matchup. Machida:
Khabib Nurmagomedov embarking on a three-city UK tour in June
James Lynch - April 24, 2019
“The Eagle” will be landing in the UK this June. Khabib Nurmagomedov posted on his Instagram account that UFC fans will have the opportunity to meet him from June 11-16. The 30-year-old will be stopping in London, Manchester, and Midlands. This is an independent tour and not one run by the UFC. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv4qw3Cg0Hm/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=z91vvc5fzdpd “I am really excited to be coming to the UK and meeting my fans,” Nurmagomedov said in a press release. “I appreciate the support I have received from this country and I want to give something back.”
Yancy Medeiros still feels lightweight is 'natural weight class' for Max Holloway
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2019
Back at UFC 236, UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway made his debut in the UFC lightweight division, taking on Dustin Poirier for the interim lightweight strap. Unfortunately for the Hawaiian and his ever-growing fanbase, this move to lightweight didn’t go as planned, as he lost a unanimous decision to Poirier and saw his 13-fight win-streak disintegrate in the process. Speaking to MMA Junkie recently, Yancy Medeiros, one of Holloway’s chief training partners, gave his take on Holloway’s lightweight debut.
Jeff Notvitzky says USADA is 'still evaluating' Paulo Costa case
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2019
If you were hoping to see undefeated middleweight knockout artist Paulo Costa back in the cage soon, well, you might have some waiting to do. According to UFC vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky, Paulo Costa is still being investigated by the United States Anti-Doping Agency after being fined $9,333.33 by the New York State Athletic Commission for an unknown violation.