MMA News

Tom Taylor - August 9, 2017

Last month, during Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor‘s international press tour, McGregor made a few questionable remarks, several of which were deemed to be racist. The most controversial of McGregor’s remarks occurred during a backstage interview with Jimmy Kimmel Live, when he was asked about the film Rocky 3 – in which Rocky trains at an all-black gym – and referred to it as the one with all the “dancing monkeys in the gym.” Speaking to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith earlier this week, Mayweather once again addressed these questionable comments from his upcoming 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

UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping will defend his title against former welterweight kingpin Georges St-Pierre at UFC 217 this November at Madison Square Garden. Prior to beginning his training camp, “The Count” decided to take his family on a Hawaiian vacation to the beautiful island of Maui.

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

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

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.

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

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

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: