MMA News

Justin Golightly - August 8, 2017

The internet screams constantly that the UFC has become the WWE. The Booking, outlandish trash talk, head-scratching title shots, and fighter antics have convinced some people that MMA on par with professional wrestling. In actuality, wrestling and MMA have been kissing cousins since the beginning. It has drawn pro wrestlers to it, as well ass pushed fighters to pro wrestling. We’re getting to the point where former UFC fighters are actually wrestling against each other. This brings us to Stephan Bonnar and Matt Riddle. 🔥DREAM FIGHT🔥

Russell Ess - August 8, 2017

Competition is what drives sport and sometimes competitors go a little over the top. In this video highlight, we take a look at some of the most insane moments from the sport of boxing where competitors and even those not competing went a little too far. From kissing opponents during staredowns to cheap shots from opposing team members, here are some crazy moments that will surely make some people cringe and say, “What the heck was that person thinking?”

Russell Ess - August 8, 2017

Even though Paulie Malignaggi and Conor McGregor spent 20 rounds punching each other, there still seems to be no respect amongst the former sparring partners. Malignaggi, a former two-division boxing world champion was brought in by McGregor’s team to be a sparring partner in preparation for the big money fight against Floyd Mayweather set to take place on August 26. However, after their sparring session, members from McGregor’s camp released photos that Malignaggi felt were exploiting him and removed himself from the training camp.

Russell Ess - August 8, 2017

Paulie Malignaggi says that he got the best of Conor McGregor during their second sparring session and it would have only gotten worse for the UFC lightweight champion if he was still a part of his fight camp as he got back into his groove. While Malignaggi recently retired from boxing, Floyd Mayweather will be coming out of retirement to take on McGregor in a big money boxing match on August 26.

Justin Golightly - August 8, 2017

Since stepping away from MMA competition, Dan Hardy has slipped into the shoes of an analyst better than nearly anyone who has followed his footsteps. His Inside the Octagon breakdowns, as well as his work at the desk, solidified himself as a wizard behind the curtain who really knows what he’s talking about. The fruits of his labor have really paid off this time, following the latest announcement that he will join the UK and Irish broadcast of Conor McGregor boxing Floyd Mayweather.

Russell Ess - August 8, 2017

Conor McGregor is known for his counter punching ability. Just look at how he beat Jose Aldo in 13 seconds to win the undisputed UFC featherweight title. Although as good of a counter puncher McGregor is, recently retired former two division boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi says that just after two sparring sessions, his counter punching was sharper than McGregors. Malignaggi was a guest on The MMA Hour on Monday and recalled some details from his controversial time spent in McGregor’s training camp.

Justin Golightly - August 8, 2017

It’s good to be king, it’s even better to leave a kingdom of battles behind you and drive off into the sunset. Max Holloway had to fight through a ridiculous list of fighters as the UFC increased the game difficulty. He never lost a single life in ten fights after falling to Conor McGregor four years ago, then finally climbed all the way to the top to dethrone Jose Aldo. This is when a gamer like Holloway can enjoy the spoils of victory before someone else threatens his featherweight title. What do you think of Max Holloway’s Luigi impression?@BlessedMMA hit the streets of Tokyo for some real life Mario Kart. pic.twitter.com/eHI2NA47CU

Tom Taylor - August 8, 2017

Last weekend, during the UFC Fight Night 114 broadcast, former UFC lightweight champ Anthony Pettis made an interesting callout of fellow contender Dustin Poirier. It did not take Poirier long to respond. “I’m down,” he said matter-of-factly on Twitter. 

Tom Taylor - August 8, 2017

Yesterday afternoon, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold appeared on The MMA Hour to discuss his August 16 fight with former two-division World Series of Fighting champ David Branch. During his interview, Rockhold explained that Branch was simply the only option remaining after he tried and failed to lock down a bevy of other fights. “I’ve tried to get everybody I could possibly think about to get a fight that really got me up, but no one would take a fight,” Rockhold said (h/t MMAFighting.com). “And now we’ve come down to David Branch (who) was the only guy in the top 10 that would take a fight. From June to July to August to September, and it’s time.”

Tom Taylor - August 8, 2017

It is difficult to find people who are confident in Conor McGregor‘s chances against boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather. Andre Berto, however, who is the last man to have fought Mayweather in the boxing ring, is one of those people. Berto explained his confidence in McGregor on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour. “When it comes to Conor, I tell people: He’s a star,” Berto said (h/t Marc Raimondi of MMAFighting.com). “For some reason under that pressure and under those lights and under that atmosphere, he knows how to rise to the occasion. It doesn’t matter what the situation is, he’s one of those special guys that really can thrive in these types of environments, man.

Tom Taylor - August 8, 2017

In the buildup to and immediate fallout of his UFC 214 title fight with Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones has expressed real interest in a fight with former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. The reason for this callout of Lesnar, Jones explained, is because he believes a fight with a superstar with Lesnar at heavyweight would be even more lucrative than a fight with reigning heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. “I feel like if I was going to take a fight at heavyweight it would be against a person who me and my coaches feel would be a perfect matchup for me,” Jones told the media at the UFC 214 post fight press conference. “Right now, Stipe is looking extremely impressive. And I believe if you get an extremely talented big guy versus an extremely talented little guy, I mean, a lot of the cards are in his favor. At the same time, I fear no man. I strike for a reason when I strike.”

Tom Taylor - August 8, 2017

Former Strikeforce welterweight champ and eternal fan favorite Nick Diaz has not been seen in the Octagon since January of 2015, when he gave up a decision to Anderson Silva in a fight that was ultimately ruled a no contest after he tested positive for marijuana, and Silva tested positive for more serious banned substances. Given his lengthy layoff, there is increasing doubt that Nick Diaz will ever return to the cage. UFC President Dana White, for example, is not optimistic.

Russell Ess - August 7, 2017

After nearly four years away from competition, Georges St-Pierre is expected to return to the Octagon in November. Not only will St-Pierre be returning to fight in the UFC, the former welterweight champion is looking to jump up a weight class and take on UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping. If victorious against Bisping, St-Pierre will be among the few who have won UFC titles in two divisions, which include Randy Couture, BJ Penn, and Conor McGregor. While legacy and records are one thing, UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley says GSP has another motive for his comeback and should just be open about it with his fans.

Russell Ess - August 7, 2017

Have you ever imagined a world where Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier were friends?

Russell Ess - August 7, 2017

The beef between team Conor McGregor and Paulie Malignaggi hasn’t been squashed yet as the mystery of what happened during their second sparring session is still a matter of who you ask. Malignaggi, who was asked to join McGregor’s training camp for the mega-money match against Floyd Mayweather quit camp after members from McGregor’s camp released photos from their sparring session. One photo, in particular, that has sparked most of the debate between the two sides is of Malignaggi on his back in the boxing ring as McGregor is standing looking at him. The photo appears as if McGregor knocked Malignaggi down during sparring and the captions with the photo only added to that speculation.

Russell Ess - August 7, 2017

Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier have had one of the most bitter rivalries that the UFC has ever seen. However, following their second time fighting in the Octagon at UFC 214, Jones had his hand raised again winning both of their fights. Although a tough pill to swallow, Cormier had to admit in his post-fight Octagon interview that their rivalry was likely now just a thing of the past. Prior to Cormier having to come to terms with the idea that their rivalry was over, Jones took to the mic in the Octagon after knocking Cormier out in the third round of their rematch and had very kind things to say about his opponent. “Bones” made an appearance on Monday’s episode of “Good Morning America” and was asked by Michael Strahan on giving Cormier respect after everything they have been through.

Tom Taylor - August 7, 2017

Back in January, in the main event of UFC Fight Night 104, fan favorite featherweight contender “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung returned from a lengthy hiatus with fantastic results, knocking out his foe Dennis Bermudez in the first round. Just like that, the all-action Korean star was right back in the featherweight contender picture. From there, the Korean Zombie was scheduled for a compelling UFC 214 scrap with fellow contender Ricardo Lamas. Regrettably, the undead fighter was forced out of this contest with an injury, and replaced by Jason Knight.

Tom Taylor - August 7, 2017

Late last month, in the main event of UFC 214, UFC light heavyweight great and pound-for-pound mainstay Jon Jones returned to the cage after more than a year on the shelf. He did so against reigning light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier, and despite his layoff, won the fight by knockout in the third round to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight crown. Post-fight, Jones re-upped on his recent calls for a fight with former UFC heavyweight king and long-time WWE superstar Brock Lesnar.