MMA News

Justin Golightly - September 1, 2017

Justin Gaethje is one of the most exciting fighters on this planet, or probably any other. If you weren’t accustomed to his entertaining violence before in World Series of Fighting, you were introduced to him in his ‘Fight of the Year’ contender with Michael Johnson at UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter 25 season finale. Unfortunately, the Nevada State Athletic Commission thinks Gaethje is a little too exciting. His trademark backflip off the cage celebration has been banned. So, you won’t see him doing any acrobatic stunts if he gets a win over Eddie Alvarez. “As a kid, I used to flip off anything. Anything and everything. My mom hated it. One time at the church, I tried to flip off a counter, and it broke and I busted my head open on the floor. I’ve been doing it off everything. I only do it when I get a sweet knockout or a sweet finish. So, I’ve done it a few times after probably eight fights. But, no more in Vegas.”

Justin Golightly - September 1, 2017

They don’t call him “Money” Mayweather for nothing. Floyd Mayweather came out of retirement to fight Conor McGregor in what turned out to be a very smart business move. Just showing up in the arena on fight night earned Mayweather $100 million. With the endorsements, pay-per-view cut and other unspoken bonuses, Mayweather probably doubled or even tripled his winnings. Oh yeah, not to mention he won a solid gold belt that is packed with 4,260 precious stones. All of this led to Floyd Mayweather comparing the boxing match to a bank robbery. A robbery he thinks should land him in the Guinness Book of World Records. I'm going in the Guinness Book of World Records for that heist. @PhilippPlein78 #TMT #TBE pic.twitter.com/2d5AdmA9lg

Justin Golightly - September 1, 2017

Sometimes, those small UFC events in between the big pay-per-views reward us with a load of combat violence that makes being a fan all worth while. In November, after the smoke from Michael Bisping and Georges St-Pierre has cleared, the UFC touches down in Norfolk, Virginia for a pretty killer free card. Just added last night, John Dodson will take on former World Series of Fighting bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes in a big test for both fighters. There might be someone ready to fight me. More details coming soon. pic.twitter.com/TNEDqBQSK1

Justin Golightly - August 31, 2017

The Jon Jones news exploded right in the middle of Conor McGregor fighting Floyd Mayweather and still hasn’t slowed down. The UFC light heavyweight champion allegedly tested positive for the steroid Turinabol. While he waits for the results of his B sample, everyone you can think of has weighed in on the controversy. Dana White went on record saying Jon Jones was too talented to use performance enhancing drugs. His manager also continues to stand by his side.  A new voice added to the fray today is Andy Foster. He’s the California State Athletic Commission Executive Director and he spoke to MMA Junkie about why he’s confused about the Jones situation. “This entire situation doesn’t make any sense to me. It just doesn’t. If you’re doing a steroid panel, then [Turbinol] is going to show up every time. The fact that it didn’t show up on [July 6 and 7] when he was tested before, that’s an indication that he was not on that drug at that time.”

Justin Golightly - August 31, 2017

Don’t tell Khabib Nurmagomedov that it’s looking like Nate Diaz will get the next shot at Conor McGregor. After once again missing out on a fight with Tony Ferguson for the interim UFC lightweight title, he’s decided to skip that match-up altogether. After all, why fight for an interim belt if you can fight for the real thing? McGregor said a fight with Khabib in Russia was on his radar and Dana White has mentioned it too, now Nurmagomedov is ready to cash in on the talk. https://twitter.com/SecretMovesMMA/status/901698604414459905

Russell Ess - August 31, 2017

The richest fight in combat sports history ended with a 10th round TKO as Floyd Mayweather landed some clean punches that had Conor McGregor wobbling in the ring. Many thought the stoppage was the right call while others claimed it could have gone longer to give McGregor a chance at recovering. Darragh O’Carrol, a former ringside doctor and emergency physician wrote an article for Tonic and gave his professional opinion on the stoppage. With McGregor claiming after the fight that he was more fatigued than hurt, O’Carrol agreed with referee Robert Byrd’s decision to call an end to the fight at the moment he did. O’Carrol explained that Byrd likely didn’t call off the fight due to signs of McGregor just being tired.

Justin Golightly - August 31, 2017

Hopefully, you knew of Justin Gaethje before he stepped foot into the UFC. If you didn’t, chances are you’ve seen his ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate with Michael Johnson back in July. This wild man has somehow remained undefeated (18-0 with 16 finishes!) while simultaneously being one of the most exciting fighters alive. If he keeps this up, things are really going to get interesting. He’s looking to earn a fight with ‘crazy’ Conor McGregor, but first he’s got to get through Eddie Alvarez. “I think it’s a great match-up for me. I’m much more athletic, faster, [Eddie Alvarez] is getting older and he’s getting up there at the end of his career — that’s fact. I think my leg kicks are going to be very detrimental to his lead leg. I’m working at just getting better every day and I’m ready to fight Eddie Alvarez. I’ve been watching him since I was in high school, I was a fan of him, been a fan forever and I’m still a fan of his. I’m excited to get punched in the face by him.”

Russell Ess - August 31, 2017

Conor McGregor and a couple of his sparring partners from the boxing community have had a bit of a rocky relationship. Prior to the big buzz between McGregor and former two-weight boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi, “The Notorious” had a bit of a rift with Chris van Heerden, a former IBO champion. McGregor and van Heerden sparred leading up to Conor’s rematch with Nate Diaz at UFC 202. Initially, they had great things to say about each other but things turned south when an edited clip of them sparring showed McGregor getting the better of van Heerden. The former IBO champ then released an unedited clip of their sparring session that showed things much more competitive between the two.

Justin Golightly - August 31, 2017

Ronda Rousey can do anything. Despite her two-fight losing streak in the UFC, Rousey has the star power to jump into any other sport, or come back to the Octagon anytime she wants. With movies and television also an open door for Rousey, it’s the wrestling ring that seems to lure her the most. Her entire namesake is based on  the late “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and she’s recently been seen on WWE TV, cheering on her friend Shayna Baszler in the promotion’s all-female Mae Young Classic tournament. Rumors buzzed about Rousey and the WWE, but nothing concrete was ever released. Now, Triple H just gave us a hint that it may be close. “First of all, [Ronda Rousey]’s got to stop throwing me around the ring. The last time I was in the ring with her, Ronda threw threw me from one side to the other. I didn’t like that very much. Ronda is a huge fan. That’s not been a secret, that’s where the ‘Rowdy’ Ronda comes from. She’s definitely interested and we’re having conversations. I’ll say it right here on ESPN, if she wants the opportunity [to wrestle for the WWE] I’d be willing to give it to her.”

Justin Golightly - August 31, 2017

A lot of people thought that Conor McGregor exceeded expectations in his fight with Floyd Mayweather, Kevin Lee thought the opposite according to his latest Submission Radio appearance. He’s about to fight Tony Ferguson in October at UFC 216, but he’s keeping McGregor on the backburner. He plans to go all “Rampage” on Ferguson and then fight Khabib Nurmagomedov, essentially trapping the UFC into only having him as an option for McGregor. After seeing the UFC lightweight champion lose to “little brother-sized” Mayweather, Kevin Lee thinks if he ever gets his red panty night, then it will be a cakewalk. “I mean, let’s be honest, the man got walked down by a 40-year-old dude that weighs 150 pounds. I’ve stood next to Floyd Mayweather, he’s my little brother’s size and he’s a 125-pounder. I mean, he got backed up. I thought before the fight that it was going to be McGregor that was doing the stance switches and being able to fight out of both stances, and it turns out, like, the man can’t fight as well from orthodox as he says he can because it was Mayweather who was the one switching stances on him and hitting him with the southpaw jabs and straight lefts, you know, it was Mayweather that mixed it up a little bit more.”

Russell Ess - August 31, 2017

Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor gave fans a fight to talk about before and after they settled things in the boxing ring at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Although not a complete sellout for the live show, many celebrities were in attendance. Cleveland Cavaliers stars from the NBA, LeBron James and J.R. Smith had seats in the house and chatted about the main event between Mayweather and McGregor following the fight. TMZ caught the two talking about the respect they had for Conor McGregor even after his 10th round TKO loss to the undefeated boxing great.

Tom Taylor - August 31, 2017

On the latest edition of his podcast, You’re Welcome, three-time UFC title challenger and current Bellator MMA star Chael Sonnen shared a pretty intense story about UFC lightweight champ and combat sports superstar Conor McGregor. Apparently, he and the Irish champ nearly came to blows a few years back. According to Sonnen, the trouble began when he asked McGregor the name of his fiancee, Dee Devlin, and McGregor misheard what he said. See a transcription of Sonnen’s account below:

Tom Taylor - August 31, 2017

This Saturday (September 2), the UFC will return to our screens for the first time in several weeks with UFC Fight Night 115: Struve vs. Volkov. Though UFC fight cards typically occur on Saturday evenings, this one will go down in the morning, as it broadcasts live from beautiful Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Start time is 11:30 AM ET / 8:30 AM PT for the undercard, and 3:00 PM ET /12:00 PM PT for the main card. The entire card airs on UFC Fight Pass.

Justin Golightly - August 31, 2017

Kevin Lee has quietly stacked up five straight wins, finishing four of those opponents. Fingers crossed that the card stays together, UFC 216 will push Lee into his highest profile bout yet. He’s going to headline the card against Tony Fergusonin a fight for the interim UFC lightweight title. Ferguson has already been vocal about what he’s going to do to Kevin Lee, mainly choke him until he slowly fades away into darkness. No kidding, he really said that. Of course, Lee disagreed and doubled down with the guys over at Submission Radio that he’s going to destroy Ferguson like a former Pride and UFC veteran, Quinton Jackson. “I mean, [Tony Ferguson] tries to finish everybody with that weak-ass D’arce choke. I mean, apparently the man believes in it, but he ain’t never faced nobody like me. He’s never faced a wrestler like me. He’s never faced somebody with the movement that I’ve had, especially a weak-ass D’arce choke. And look, if he gonna go for that D’arce, I’m gonna pick him up over my head and I’m gonna Rampage his ass.”

Tom Taylor - August 31, 2017

Shortly after his thrilling boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Conor McGregor and his team began expressing interest in a trilogy fight with his fiercest rival, Nate Diaz. This trilogy fight, McGregor said, would have to be in the 155-pound lightweight division, rather than the welterweight division where the pair’s first two battles occurred. Speaking to Submission Radio, Diaz’s boxing coach Richard Perez weighed in on a possible rematch with McGregor. He believes it’s going to take a significant pay boost to get Diaz back into the cage with the Irishman.

Tom Taylor - August 31, 2017

For a long time, UFC flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson was the king of the pound-for-pound list. Then Jon Jones, the former pound-for-pound king, returned to action, knocked out Daniel Cormier to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight title, and stole the top spot back. Unfortunately, Jones once again found himself in boiling hot water when news broke that he’d failed a drug test on the eve of his UFC 214 battle with Cormier. In the wake of this news, his status as pound-for-pound king was once again called into question.

Tom Taylor - August 31, 2017

Though Conor McGregor lost his Saturday night boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr., succumbing to 10th-round punches, the fight itself was a resounding success for him. Not only did he he dazzle his doubters by performing far better than expected, but he’s also likely to pocket far north of $100 million once his portion of the fight’s 6-million-plus pay-per-view sales are factored in. Yes, even in defeat, McGregor’s battle with Mayweather pushed him to new and unprecedented heights. As such, it’s going to take a special, special opponent to coax him back into the UFC’s Octagon. Former World Series of Fighting lightweight champ and current UFC standout Justin Gaethje plans to establish himself as that special opponent the only way he knows how: with extreme violence.

Tom Taylor - August 31, 2017

With the exception of his post-fight media blitz, UFC lightweight champ Conor McGregor has been relatively silent since he came up short in the boxing ring opposite Floyd Mayweather last Saturday. That has now changed. Early on Thursday morning, the Irish champ took to Instagram with a lengthy statement that addressed everything from his training, to his cardio issues, to his fighting future, and even Floyd Mayweather’s chances in MMA. See McGregor’s statement in full below!