MMA News
Mike Perry goes off on Colby Covington, has plans to fight him soon
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2017
“Platinum” Mike Perry and Colby “Chaos” Covington are two of the brightest young contenders in the UFC welterweight division – and they really don’t seem to like each other. Over the last few months, the pair have exchanged plenty of heat in interviews and on social media. On the latest episode of BJ Penn Radio, the trend continued, as Perry spat some fire at Covington, assuring that if Covington gets by Demian Maia on October 28, he’d like to fight him as soon as possible thereafter.
Dominick Cruz is ready to replace Cody Garbrandt or TJ Dillashaw at UFC 217
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2017
On November 4, in the co-main event of the stacked UFC 217, UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt will attempt to defend his title against an estranged teammate in former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw. This is, by all accounts, one of the biggest and best title fights in UFC bantamweight history, which is why it would truly suck if we lost it to injury. The good news, however, is that if either Garbrandt or Dillashaw is injured, former UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz is ready and willing to step in. “I’m always training, I’ve been training this whole time,” Cruz said on a recent episode of UFC Unfiltered (h/t MMAMania). “For me, the title shot is important. I’ve earned that shot, I held the belt longer than anyone in this division and I help build the division.”
After Bellator 183, Benson Henderson vows to 'stop having close fights'
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2017
Last night, in the main event of Bellator 183, Benson Henderson fought to yet another split decision, this time opposite long-time Bellator contender Patricky “Pitbull” Freire. Though Henderson has won his fare share of split decisions in the past, he lost this one. Whether the judges got it right or not (the MMA community didn’t seem sure), he is now a tough 1-3 in the Bellator cage, and as such, he believes it’s time for a change in his fighting style. “I think that either way, win or lose, I need to stop having close fights,” Henderson told MMAJunkie.com post-fight. “(People say), ‘Oh, it was kind of close, maybe you could have won, you could have lost.’ Like, those close fights are killing me. It’s always nice to win a close fight, win a close split decision, but just being in close decision, close split decision, split decision (all in a row) – those are just too close to have. You can’t have those. You have to have a better performance win or lose. You got to be in more decisive battles. It sucks.”
VIDEO | Rory MacDonald and champ Douglas Lima have first staredown at Bellator 183
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2017
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MMA community reacts to Patricky Freire's controversial decision defeat of Benson Henderson
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2017
Last night, Bellator MMA returned to San Jose, California with the stacked Bellator 183. In the card’s main event, we watched former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson collide with long-time Bellator lightweight contender Patricky “Pitbull” Freire. As is so often the case when it comes to Benson Henderson fights, this one was incredibly close. For three rounds, we watched Henderson relentlessly pursue the takedown, effectively shutting down Pitbull’s offense as he did, while Pitbull denied all of those takedown attempts, depriving Henderson of the opportunity to rack up points in the judges’ eyes.
Bellator 183 Results: Paul Daley KO's Lorenz Larkin (VIDEO)
Chris Taylor - September 23, 2017
A highly anticipated welterweight showdown between knockout artists Lorenz Larkin and Paul Daley served as the co-main event of tonight’s Bellator 183 fight card. Round one begins and both men are cautious early while trying to find their range. They exchange kicks early during the feeling out process. Lorenz lands a heavy low kick. Daley eats it and backs off. Larkin rushes in with a flurry of punches on Daley. Paul circles and throws up a head kick. It misses and he falls to the ground. Larkin jumps on him and begins working from side control. “Da Monsoon” with some good shots from the position before the horn sounds to end round one.
Bellator 183 Results: Roy Nelson defeats Javy Ayala via decision
Chris Taylor - September 23, 2017
Former UFC heavyweight standout Roy Nelson made his Bellator debut tonight against Javy Ayala on the main card of Bellator 183. Round one begins and Ayala lands a high kick early. Nelson is staying patient and looking for an opening to land his big overhand right. Ayala is very active early on here. Nelson shoots in and scores a big takedown against the fence. Roy is working from half guard now. Nelson transitions to full mount and begins landing some shots. Ayala scrambles and is able to get back to his feet. Ayala lands some big knees and punches to close out an entertaining opening round.
Bellator 183 Results: Aaron Pico brutally KO's Justin Linn (VIDEO)
Chris Taylor - September 23, 2017
Highly touted prospect Aaron Pico returned to the cage tonight where he squared off with Justin Linn on the main card of Bellator 183. Round one begins and Pico is able to secure the early takedown just twenty seconds into the fight. Pico with some solid punches from the top. He is staying active here. Linn scrambles up to his feet. Justin begins sneaking in some bombs of his own now. The fighters exchange shots and then Aaron shoots in and secures another takedown. Pico with some shots from the top. He postures up and motions Linn to stand back up. Justin does and we are back to standing. Pico lands an absolute bomb of a left hand and this one is all over as Linn crashed to the floor. WOW!
UFC Fight Night 117 Reebok Athlete Outfitting Payouts
Chris Taylor - September 23, 2017
The octagon returned to Japan yesterday for UFC Fight Night 117. The event was headlined by a light heavyweight scrap featuring Ovince Saint Preux taking on Yushin Okami.
VIDEO | "El Pantera" the Yair Rodriguez documentary
Chris Taylor - September 23, 2017
After 13 months of production, the highly anticipated documentary film El Pantera starring Mexican UFC fighter Yair Rodriguez will be making it’s world premiere at the New York Latino Film Festival Presented by HBO. The film’s premiere will take place on Saturday October 14, 2017 at 6pm at the Julia de Burgos Cultural Center in New York City. Tickets will be available to the public for purchase at Cinepolis Chelsea Box Office or by calling 877.987.6487. More information can be found at www.nylatinofilmfestival.com Special thank you to NYLFF founder Calixto Chinchilla for helping make the world premiere of El Pantera possible. EL PANTERA is a documentary film that follows the training camp of MMA star Yair Rodriguez aka El Pantera as he embarks on his journey to become the first ever Mexican born UFC Champion. The film will explore topics such as Rodriguez’s manifestation of the American dream, immigration and the sacrifices a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter makes to become a champion.
PHOTO | Chris Weidman shows off massive scar from recent surgery
Chris Taylor - September 23, 2017
Former UFC middleweight kingpin Chris Weidman picked up his first win in over two years this past July. “The All-American” scored a third-round submission victory over surging division contender Kelvin Gastelum in the main event of UFC on FOX 25 on July 22 from Long Island.
Emil "Valhalla" Meek challenges Mike Perry to scrap at UFC 218, "Platinum" responds
Chris Taylor - September 23, 2017
UFC welterweight Mike Perry improved his record to 11-1 last weekend in Pittsburgh by scoring a first-round knockout victory over Alex Reyes. The win marked Perry’s second spectacular knockout in a row, as he had previously disposed of Jake Ellenberger via a viscous elbow at April’s UFC Fight Night event in Nashville.
Georges St-Pierre wants to "shock the world" at UFC 217 against Michael Bisping
Chris Taylor - September 23, 2017
Former UFC welterweight kingpin Georges St-Pierre will return to the octagon for this first time in nearly four years when he squares off with Michael Bisping for the promotions middleweight championship at UFC 217 on November 4 in New York. The last time fight fans saw “GSP” in action was at UFC 167 in November of 2013 where he earned a close split decision victory over Johny Hendricks.
Claudia Gadelha issues statement following tough loss to Jessica Andrade
Chris Taylor - September 23, 2017
Former UFC strawweight title challenger Claudia Gadelha went to war with fellow Brazilian standout Jessica Andrade in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 117 last night in Japan. Unfortunately for fans of Gadelha, after a terrific opening few minutes from Claudia, the tide turned in favor of Jessica Andrade in rounds two and three.
Pros react to Gokhan Saki's impressive UFC debut
Chris Taylor - September 23, 2017
Kickboxing world champion Gokhan Saki made his highly-anticipated octagon debut at last night’s UFC Fight Night 117 event in Japan against Luis Henrique da Silva. After a wild opening few minutes, which saw both fighters have their moments, Saki was able to land a hook that absolutely floored Da Silva and put a stop to the contest late in round one.
Pros react to Jessica Andrade's impressive victory over Claudia Gadelha
Chris Taylor - September 23, 2017
Former UFC strawweight title challengers Jessica Andrade and Claudia Gadelha squared off in the co-main event of last night’s UFC Fight Night 117 card in Japan. The scrap ended up stealing the show as Andrade and Gadelha engaged in a bloody war that lasted the full fifteen minutes.
UFC Fight Night 117 Results: Ovince Saint Preux submits Yushin Okami in Round 1 (VIDEO)
Chris Taylor - September 22, 2017
A light heavyweight showdown between Ovince Saint Preux and Yushin Okami served as the main event of tonight’s UFC Fight Night 117 card from Japan. Round one begins and Okami shoots in and attempts to pull guard. He attempts to sweep but Saint Preux wraps his arms around the neck of Yushin and winds up falling in to half guard. “OSP” begins working some shots to body. He looks to lock in a Von Flue choke and he does. This is tight. Okami goes to sleep. Wow! Impressive stuff from Saint Preux.
UFC Fight Night 117 Results: Jessica Andrade defeats Claudia Gadelha (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - September 22, 2017
A key strawweight scrap between former title challengers Jessica Andrade and Claudia Gadelha served as the co-main event of tonight’s UFC Fight Night 117 fight card in Japan. Round one begins and Gadelha throws a front kick to get things started. Jessica presses forward but Claudia catches her with a nice left hook. Both women connects with combinations. Claudia presses forward and lands a pair of right hands. She follows that up with a nice elbow. Another huge shot lands for Gadelha, this time a left hook. Jessica presses forward but Gadelha catches her with another elbow. Claudia is working Andrade here. She lands a left and then another elbow. Jessica is busted up. She is bleeding out of her forehead. Both women stand and trade punches in the pocket. Andrade presses Claudia against the cage. She lifts Claudia up and slams her to the ground. Gadelha locks in a guillotine choke. Andrade appears to be shaking it off. She does and winds up in top position. Andrade moves to half guard and works some good left hands. She is bleeding all over Claudia here. Thirty seconds remain. More punches from Andrade. Both women are landing punches from the position now. Jessica with the bigger shots from the top. Round one comes to an end.