MMA News

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.

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

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

Back in May, UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier very nearly picked up the biggest win of his career, as he had former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez on spaghetti legs during their UFC 211 undercard scrap. Regrettably, Poirier was then cracked with a salvo of illegal knees. When he was unable to continue, the bout was ruled a no contest. Unsurprisingly, Poirier then set his sights on a rematch with Alvarez, and for a time, it looked like he’d get one. Ultimately, however, the UFC opted to pit Alvarez against breakthrough star Justin Gaethje, leaving Poirier without a dance partner

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.

Tom Taylor - August 8, 2017

UFC lightweight champion and transcendent MMA star Conor McGregor has added another feather to his hat. The Irish striking specialist will be featured on the cover of ESPN the Magazine’s Fighting Issue, and honored with a corresponding feature article. See Conor McGregor on the cover of ESPN the Magazine’s Fighting Issue below:

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

Last month, on the main card of UFC 213, former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum lost a majority decision to former Strikeforce, Dream and K-1 champ Alistair Overeem. That said, Werdum very nearly won the fight in the third, when he visibly rocked his foe. Unfortunately, the decorated grappler opted to ground the fight, rather than attempt to polish him off on the feet. The stoppage win eluded him as a result. Post-fight, Werdum’s refusal to try to finish Overeem on the feet generated some backlash from UFC President Dana White:

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.

Tom Taylor - August 7, 2017

According to a report from Damon Martin of FloCombat.com, fan favorite UFC strawweight Paige VanZant (7-3) has been booked for a return to the Octagon. This return will occur at UFC 216, this October 6 in Las, Vegas, Nevada – it just won’t occur at strawweight. Instead, it’s expected to occur in the new UFC women’s flyweight division, where VanZant will battle bantamweight staple Jessica Eye (11-6). VanZant will enter this fight having recently been choked out by the ever-dangerous “Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson. Prior to this loss, VanZant picked up a 2016 knockout of the year contender, snuffing Bec Rawlings with a jumping switch kick. This win, meanwhile, was preceded by a bloody submission loss to top contender Rose Namajunas.