MMA News
Fabricio Werdum refuses to judge Junior Dos Santos, says USADA is "too strict."
Tom Taylor - September 5, 2017
Initially, this weekend’s UFC 215 card included a dynamite heavyweight scrap between former champion Junior Dos Santos and red-hot contender Francis Ngannou. Regrettably, Dos Santos was notified of a potential anti-doping violation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), and yanked from the card’s lineup as a result. Speaking to Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com, one of Dos Santos’ rivals, former heavyweight champ Fabricio Werdum, was asked for his take on the issue. Though Werdum admitted he and Dos Santos are not exactly friends, he assured that he would not be judging his fellow Brazilian until more information has been gathered.
Joe Rogan's advice to Paulie Malignaggi: Shut the f*ck up
Tom Taylor - September 5, 2017
Paulie Malignaggi was brought into Conor McGregor’s training camp for Floyd Mayweather as an ally. He left as an arch enemy. Since Malignaggi departed McGregor’s headquarters, he’s taken every opportunity to berate the Irishman, attacking him in interviews, and trashing him on social media. Eventually, Malignaggi even began attacking other members of the MMA community, and in the opinion of UFC commentator Joe Rogan, he’d be wise to stop.
VIDEO | Diego Brandao appears to bite his opponents ear at FNG 73
Chris Taylor - September 4, 2017
Former UFC fighter Diego Brandao squared off with Akhmet Aliev in the main event of FNG 73 today in Kaspiysk, Dagestan. Brandao entered the contest on a two-fight winning streak, with both of those wins coming by form of stoppage.
VIDEO | Diego Brandao walks out of cage mid-fight during Fight Nights Global main event against Akhmed Aliev
Russell Ess - September 4, 2017
Totally bizarre scene at FNG 73. Fans chucking garbage. Diego Brandao leaves the cage. #FNG73 pic.twitter.com/RjwUqS0uS8 — caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 4, 2017
Chael Sonnen comments on his own experience with banned substances and Jon Jones' situation
Russell Ess - September 4, 2017
Ever since Chael Sonnen failed two drug tests in 2014, “The American Gangster” has been rather open about his use of banned substances. The former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight title challenger has previously said that he has taken “everything in the world that you can’t take.” Now, with his former opponent Jon Jones facing his second incident being flagged by USADA, Sonnen questioned Jones’ history of banned substance use on a recent episode of The MMA Hour.
With Pacquiao out, Australian politician targets Conor McGregor as opponent for Jeff Horn
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2017
Back in early July, Jeff Horn defeated Manny Pacquiao with a hotly debated unanimous decision. Given the nature of Horn’s victory, plans for a rematch were quickly laid out for November 12. Regrettably, Pacquiao’s political duties have forced him out of this planned rematched, which has forced Horn and his team to begin hunting for a new opponent. Horn himself has suggested Jessie Vargas as a possible replacement.
VIDEO | Countdown to UFC 215: Full Episode
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2017
This Saturday night, the UFC returns to our screens with UFC 215, an exciting pay-per-view emanating from Edmonton, Alberta’s Rogers Place. The card will be headlined by a flyweight title fight between dominant champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, and challenger Ray Borg. If Johnson wins this fight, he’ll break the record for the most consecutive title defenses in UFC history at a whopping 11-straight. Johnson will enter this fight on an incredible 12-fight streak, having most recently defended his title by tapping BJJ blackbelt Wilson Reis. Borg, meanwhile, is on a solid, two-fight streak over dangerous foes in Louis Smolka and Jussier “Formiga” Da Silva.
VIDEO | Joe Rogan explains why he thinks Mayweather and McGregor have a rematch
Russell Ess - September 4, 2017
Floyd Mayweather is expected to make over $300 million and Conor McGregor over $100 million for their money fight. If they could repeat the success of their first fight, it’s hard to see how either man could turn down that kind of money for another boxing match scheduled for 36 minutes. Joe Rogan spoke with comedian Hannibal Buress on his Joe Rogan Experience podcast recently and Rogan explained why he believes a rematch between the two superstars will happen.
Jim Miller complains about lack of opponent on Twitter, five fighters quickly respond
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2017
UFC lightweight veteran Jim Miller is one of the most consistently exciting fighters in the game. Unfortunately, he’s having a very difficult time finding a willing dance partner for his next fight. The all-action lightweight, who has won nine post-fight bonuses in the UFC, shared his grievances in a video on Twitter.
VIDEO | Fighter gets put to sleep by absolutely insane loop choke
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2017
As MMA fans, we’ve been exposed to some petty gnarly submissions over the years. There was Chan Sung Jung’s Twister over Leonard Garcia. There was Jon Jones’ guillotine win over Lyoto Machida, which left Machida propped against the cage in a seemingly lifeless heap. There was Charles Oliveira’s reverse calf-slicer win over Eric Wisely. There was Oleksiy Oleynik’s Ezekiel choke win over Viktor Pesta. There were the many, many bone-bending leg locks produced by the ever-controversial Rousimar Palhares. The list goes on. Unsurprisingly, of course, there have been countless jaw-dropping submissions in grappling competition too. Late last month, for example, grappling fans were treated to one of the most savage chokes in recent memory, as Alexander Vieira put his foe to sleep with an absolutely ridiculous loop choke at Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tokyo. See Vieira’s incredible win in the video at the top of this post (video via FloGrappling.com).
Sean Shelby says the last UFC welterweight title shot nearly went to Rafael Dos Anjos
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2017
This Saturday night, on the main card of UFC 215, former UFC lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos will take his second fight in the welterweight division opposite dangerous contender Neil Magny. Apparently, however, dos Anjos very nearly found himself in a fight with UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley instead. In a UFC 215 preview video featuring Jon Anik and UFC matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard, Shelby explained that a dos Anjos vs. Woodley welterweight title fight was the contingency plan had Demian Maia not been able to accept a title fight with Woodley at UFC 214.
Brendan Schaub claims Conor McGregor is "steering the ship" in the UFC
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2017
Brendan Schaub has never been afraid to heap praise on UFC lightweight champ Conor McGregor. On Saturday’s special UFC Rotterdam Fight Companion edition of The Joe Rogan experience, Schaub did just that once more, explaining the he believes McGregor will have an incredible amount of sway in future negotiations with new UFC owners WME-IMG. “Conor has changed the game for the better, especially if you’re the fighter,” Schaub told Joe Rogan (h/t MMAFighting.com). “With WME, he’s steering the ship. Think about it, he made over – the numbers have come out and they’re saying it’s gonna be the biggest pay-per-view of all time – so he made $100 million, right? So you’re telling me if you’re Conor, and you’re part of his team you’re gonna go, ‘Hey, fight Nate Diaz for $5-10 million and also, we need you to wear this Reebok and they’re gonna pay you $100,000 a year.’ You think Conor’s gonna [do that]? You’re crazy.”
VIDEO | New corner cam footage from Mayweather vs. McGregor
Chris Taylor - September 3, 2017
There is no shortage of emotion in this new video which showcases the corners and family members of both Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather during their epic super fight from August 26. Conor McGregor had a fantastic start to the fight, arguably winning the contests first four rounds.
VIDEO | Joe Rogan discusses why Conor McGregor gassed against Floyd Mayweather
Chris Taylor - September 3, 2017
UFC commentator Joe Rogan discusses why Conor McGregor “gassed out” in his high profile boxing match with Floyd Mayweather. Rogan believes that “Mystic Mac” has some “serious endurance problems”, and that is why he suffered a tenth-round TKO loss at the hands of the legendary undefeated boxer.
UFC 215 Fight Card and Start Time
Chris Taylor - September 3, 2017
The UFC will invade Edmonton, Alberta, Canada next weekend for UFC 215. The pay-per-view event is headlined by a flyweight title fight featuring long-time champion Demetrious Johnson taking on Ray Borg.
Matchmaker! What should come next for the UFC Rotterdam winners?
Chris Taylor - September 3, 2017
The UFC returned to Rotterdam this weekend for UFC Fight Night 115. The event delivered with a bunch of memorable finishes and some very entertaining fights.
UFC Rotterdam Reebok Athlete Payouts
Chris Taylor - September 3, 2017
The UFC returned to Rotterdam yesterday for UFC Fight Night 115. The fight card was headlined by a heavyweight main event which saw Alexander Volkov score a third-round TKO victory over hometown favorite Stefan Struve.
VIDEO | Emotional Conor McGregor apologizes to Dana White following loss to Mayweather
Chris Taylor - September 3, 2017
Current UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor put forth a valiant effort in his boxing super fight with Floyd Mayweather last weekend in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, after a terrific opening four rounds, “Mystic Mac” fatigued late in the bout which allowed Floyd Mayweather to score a tenth-round TKO victory. In the above video, we see an emotional Conor McGregor apologize to UFC President Dana White for not becoming the first man to ever defeat the legendary boxer.