MMA News
Nate Diaz blasts Conor McGregor and the UFC on social media
Russell Ess - September 5, 2017
How many fans have been thinking about the trilogy fight between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz now that the Mayweather boxing match is out of the way? Diaz was the last to defeat McGregor in mixed martial arts as he submitted the Irish superstar at UFC 196 back in March of last year. The two rivals met in a rematch at UFC 202 where McGregor won a close majority decision.
Tired of waiting for an opponent, Francis Ngannou is now focused on a title fight with Stipe Miocic
Tom Taylor - September 5, 2017
If things had gone according to plan, surging French-Congolese heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou would be battling Junior Dos Santos on the main card of UFC 215 this weekend. Regrettably, this bout – which would have been the biggest of Ngannou’s career so far– was scrapped when Dos Santos was notified of a potential United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) violation. On today’s special Tuesday edition of The MMA Hour, Ngannou weighed in on where Dos Santos’ withdrawal leaves him, and what might come next. Initially, as we know, he was hoping for a replacement opponent. Yet with most of the heavyweight division booked, and the only available opponent nursing an injury, he’s decided it’s time for a title shot. From there, he can take on the rest division as title challengers.
Ray Borg Willing to Give Demetrious Johnson a Rematch If He Wins at UFC 215
Justin Golightly - September 5, 2017
We are just a couple of days from Demetrious Johnson trying to make history at UFC 215. In lieu of a fight with T.J. Dillashaw, Johnson wanted to continue his journey toward breaking Anderson Silva’s title defense record. He tied the record with 10 defenses after a dominating performance over Wilson Reis, now he looks to beat the impressive stat in his upcoming fight with Ray Borg. It would seem like the road to this record is paved in gold with a giant, neon sign pointing down to the finish line. However, Ray Borg isn’t counting himself out and neither should you. He’s confident enough to go on record saying he’ll give Johnson a rematch when he defeats him. “I’d take my niece to Disney Land, then I’d fight DJ again.” – Ray Borg if he wins at #UFC215 https://t.co/cdrpwfP9kY
WWE star Jinder Mahal to walk debuting fighter to the Octagon at UFC 215
Tom Taylor - September 5, 2017
This weekend, on the undercard of UFC 215, undefeated heavyweight prospect Arjan Bhullar will make his anticipated debut in the Octagon opposite Brazil’s Luis Henrique. Bhullar’s debut will be a historic one, as he’ll be the first Indo-Canadian fighter to step foot into the Octagon. According to a recent report from Chamatkar Sandhu, Bhullar will be walked to the cage by another Indo-Canadian sports star in WWE Champion Jinder Mahal. Just spoke to Arjan Bhullar (@theone_asb) who told me it's 100% confirmed. @JinderMahal will walk him out to the Octagon at UFC 215.
VIDEO | Ronda Rousey and the Rest of Her 4 Horsewomen Are in a WWE Angle
Justin Golightly - September 5, 2017
Just last week, Triple H sat down on ESPN and talked about former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. He said that he and Rousey were in talks and that the door was always open for her to come wrestle in the WWE. That led us to believe that Rousey was close to stepping inside those ropes and doing a little more than just hip tossing someone, but we had no idea how close it actually was. Just yesterday, Ronda Rousey was featured in an official WWE video being confronted by Charlotte Flair, Bayley and Becky Lynch. A @WWE publicou este vídeo no seu site: "Becky, Charlotte and Bayley confront Ronda Rousey and The Four Horsewomen"https://t.co/rppovLgvOS
CM Punk is Training For His Upcoming Return to MMA
Justin Golightly - September 5, 2017
Has Conor McGregor changed things forever? Alistair Overeem may be fighting a heavyweight boxer, Ronda Rousey could be jumping into the wrestling ring, who knows what could be next. It does look like history seems to repeat itself. Fresh off of the heels of McGregor dipping his toes into the boxing ring against Floyd Mayweather, former pro wrestler CM Punk is ready to get back into the Octagon. Duke Roufus shared a picture of UFC lightweight John Makdessi and CM Punk after a training session and announced that both of them are waiting for their fights to be confirmed.
Khabib Nurmagomedov makes his pick for UFC 216's Tony Ferguson vs. Kevin Lee bout
Tom Taylor - September 5, 2017
On October 7, in the main event of UFC 216, Tony Ferguson and Kevin Lee will collide for the UFC interim lightweight title. The announcement of this fight, of course, came as a bit of a surprise, as any interim lightweight title fight was expected to involve undefeated Dagestani star Khabib Nurmagomedov. Apparently, however, the UFC was not interested in booking Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov – perhaps due to Nurmagomedov’s unfortunately long history of withdrawing from fights.
The UFC is debuting some new Reebok fight kits at UFC 215, and they're a massive improvement
Tom Taylor - September 5, 2017
It is arguable that the most criticized aspect of the UFC today is the promotion’s outfitting deal with sports apparel giant Reebok. This outfitting deal is constantly trashed by fans and fighters alike, primarily for the its often paltry payouts, but also for its total lack of aesthetic variety. With the exception of national colors, and a bit of gold for title-holding fighters, the Reebok ‘fight kits’ as we have come to know them are all pretty similar. As it turns out, that is finally changing.
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).