MMA News

Justin Golightly - August 9, 2017

Do any of you remember in Ghostbusters when that demon possessed Louis Tully and he started spouting all that strange demi-god history? He warned that during the third reconciliation of the last of the Meketrex supplicants, a new form would be chosen for Gozer the Traveller. Well, that might as well have been Jon Jones. He’s a destroyer, simple as that. When he debuted in the UFC nine years ago today, our world would never be the same. We might have not known it then, but we sure as hell know it now. Aug9.2008

Tom Taylor - August 9, 2017

This afternoon, former UFC welterweight champion and bona fide MMA legend Georges St. Pierre picked up a pen, scrawled his signature on an agreement for a UFC 217 middleweight title fight with champ Michael Bisping, and generated a collective sigh of disappointment from the many established contenders in the UFC middleweight division. Yes, whether middleweight stars like Robert Whittaker, Yoel Romero, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Luke Rockhold and Chris Weidman like it not, this much-discussed, and even more frequently derided middleweight title fight between Michael Bisping and Georges St-Pierre would seem to be a go.

Russell Ess - August 9, 2017

The latest news surrounding the mega-money fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor is all about the sparring sessions and fallout between “The Notorious” and former two-weight boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi. A series of photos that allegedly made Malignaggi look like McGregor got the best of their two sparring sessions made the recently retired boxer remove himself from helping with the fight camp feeling like he was “exploited.”

Tom Taylor - August 9, 2017

Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is not a fan of the way Michael Bisping has been comporting himself as the reigning champ. In fact, he believes Bisping should be stripped of the UFC middleweight belt, as his only defense thus far has come against an aging Dan Henderson, and his next defense will pit him against former welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre. Rockhold made the case for the UFC’s stripping of Bisping in a recent interview with ESPN:

Justin Golightly - August 9, 2017

It’s hard to imagine Dan Hardy without some sort of multi-screen set-up at his home like Batman, watching 20 different fights on tons of monitors while taking notes. MMA fighters trying to diversify their skills as analysts is prevalent now, but Hardy is one of the best. Yesterday, it was announced that Hardy would join the Mayweather vs. McGregor commentary team. Today, he’s already proved his worth by releasing the first entry into a “fight diary” series to add insight to the unprecedented boxing match. THE GLOVE ISSUE – @DanHardyMMA‘s first diary explains the difference in wearing 4oz MMA gloves to 10oz boxing gloves https://t.co/mDtRZ8uyks pic.twitter.com/g5EvTj6sf6

Tom Taylor - August 9, 2017

Last weekend, the UFC returned to Mexico City, Mexico, with an exciting night of fights. In the main event, flyweight star Sergio Pettis derailed with win-streak of surging prospect Brandon Moreno. In the co-main event, meanwhile, rising strawweight Alexa Grasso picked up a close but impressive win over Randa Markos. As expected, these wins sent both young fighters scooting up their respective divisional UFC rankings. Here are the official UFC rankings as they stand in the wake of UFC Mexico:

Tom Taylor - August 9, 2017

Originally, UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt was expected to defend his title against former champion TJ Dillashaw at UFC 213. Unfortunately, Garbrandt was forced out of this anticipated bantamweight title fight with a severe back injury, and the fight was scrapped as a result. Though there was some brief discussion surrounding Dillashaw possibly dropping to flyweight for a fight with divisional champ Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, it is more recently looking like he’ll battle Garbrandt as planned. While it has long been rumored, Garbrandt recently made a clear implication that this fight with Dillashaw will go down at UFC 217 this November 4 in the New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

Dr Pete - August 9, 2017

Nick Osipczak demonstrates this sequence of movements inspired by the Internal Martial Arts. The harmonizing with, and adding to the opponent’s turning will be particularly familiar to those who study Bagua or Aikido. Word of caution: this takedown will be lower percentage when attempted against a topless and sweaty opponent.

Tom Taylor - August 9, 2017

Floyd Mayweather is regarded as one of the greatest defensive boxers ever. The undefeated pugilist has confounded some of the toughest opposition on earth with his elusiveness, and most people expect more of the same when he boxes MMA export Conor McGregor on August 26. Apparently, however, Mayweather plans to divert from the style for which he’s become known against McGregor. We will not be seeing the sly and slippery Mayweather we’re used to, but rather an aggressive, head-hunting version of him. At least, this is what he assured in a recent interview with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.

Tom Taylor - August 9, 2017

Jon Jones is once again the UFC light heavyweight champion. The MMA great and pound-for-pound stalwart reclaimed the throne in late July, when he removed Daniel Cormier’s batteries with a third-round kick to the head. This win marked Jones’ successful return after a long stretch on the shelf. During his hiatus, MMA was finally legalized in his home state of New York, while the UFC made its long-awaited debut in New York City. As a New Yorker, you might expect Jones to be eager to fight in the state, perhaps even as a part of UFC 217, which is scheduled for November 4 inside New York City’s hallowed Madison Square Garden. Apparently, however, this is not the case.

Tom Taylor - August 9, 2017

On August 26, UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor will take his first steps into the professional boxing arena. Yet despite his youth in the sport, he will not be taking on another newbie in some community center basement or banquet hall. He will be taking on undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather Jr., a man widely considered the greatest boxer of this era, in a fight that is being billed as one of the biggest ever. Given that McGregor has never boxed professionally, he is being given little chance against Mayweather, who boasts a sparkling record of 49-0. There are, however, some members of the combat sports world that seem to give the 28-year-old Irishman a chance against his aging opponent, and apparently, Mayweather himself is one of them.

Chris Taylor - August 8, 2017

Cris Cyborg captured the UFC’s vacant women’s featherweight title at last month’s UFC 214 event in Anaheim, defeating a very game Tonya Evinger via third-round TKO. The most feared women’s fighter on the planet now has her eyes set on former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm.

Justin Golightly - August 8, 2017

Don’t buy plane tickets. Please don’t hold your breath. Just everyone stay right where they are. We preface you with these warnings because Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov look like they’ve nailed down the time where they are supposed to fight each other. After hearing this, you’re either laughing, crying in your head, or praying that it actually comes together this time for UFC 217 on November 4th at Madison Square Garden. Let’s go @ufc

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.

Tom Taylor - August 8, 2017

Over the last few weeks, former UFC title challenger and current Bellator star Chael Sonnen has made several callouts of retired MMA legend Chuck Liddell. Hey SCHMUCK Liddell

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.