MMA News
Wanderlei Silva explains why he no-showed Bellator press conference
bjpenndotcom - June 13, 2017
This past week, MMA legend Wanderlei Silva no-showed a press conference ahead of his ‘Bellator NYC’ grudge match with Chael Sonnen on June 24th. While Bellator was quick to put out the fire for ‘The Axe Murderer’ claiming that he was ill, Silva himself has now shed light on why he decided to skip out on the press conference for what is all-but guaranteed to be Bellator MMA’s biggest card ever. He spoke to MMAJunkie to discuss the situation:
Max Holloway has a problem with his UFC contract but believes Dana White will fix it
Russell Ess - June 13, 2017
Max Holloway is on a new level now that he is the undisputed featherweight champion and wants to make sure he is being paid like a champion. At UFC 212, the 25-year-old Hawaiian took out Jose Aldo in enemy territory in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and was crowned the new king of the 145-pound division.
Former boxing champion talks about 'jealous' competition and how Conor McGregor can stop Floyd Mayweather
Russell Ess - June 13, 2017
There have been some outspoken members from the martial arts community that have laughed at the potential superfight between boxing’s 49-0 Floyd Mayweather and MMA’s 21-3 Conor McGregor. Boxing legend turned promoter, Oscar De La Hoya has been one that went as far as to ask fans to not buy into the “circus” matchup, even after campaigning for a McGregor vs. Golden Boy Promotions boxer Canelo Alvarez.
Mike Goldberg finds new home as MMA commentator and is joined by another familiar face
Russell Ess - June 13, 2017
Mike Goldberg is returning to work in the world of broadcasting for mixed martial arts.
Michael Bisping makes his pick for Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker's interim title fight
Tom Taylor - June 13, 2017
With UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping on the shelf nursing a knee injury, the UFC’s matchmaking team has opted to crown an interim middleweight champion to keep the division moving in the champ’s stead. This interim middleweight title fight will occur at UFC 213 this July 8, when streaking Cuban contender Yoel Romero collides with surging Australian star Robert Whittaker. Given the tremendous skill of both fighters, many people are having trouble confidently picking a winner for their fight. Bisping, however, doesn’t seem to have any trouble in this regard.
Coach reveals Jose Aldo was injured prior to UFC 212
bjpenndotcom - June 13, 2017
At UFC 212 recently, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo looked to defend his featherweight title for the first time since being promoted to the undisputed champion once again. While the champ found success in the opening round, it was the challenger, Max Holloway, who picked up momentum as the fight continued. Ultimately, in the third round, Aldo was dropped by a big right hand from Holloway, and was TKO’d, losing the featherweight title to Max Holloway. Now, following the fight, Aldo’s head coach, Andre Pederneiras answers the question that ran through the minds of many MMA fans during UFC 212: ‘Why didn’t Aldo kick more?’
Michael Bisping gives timetable for his retirement from MMA
Tom Taylor - June 13, 2017
Having made his MMA debut all the way back in April of 2014, reigning UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has been fighting for a long time. And given that the champ is now 38 years old, it’s hard not to wonder when he might opt to hang up the gloves and call it a career. Wonder no longer.
VIDEO | Jeff Mayweather discusses rumored date and venue for Mayweather-McGregor
Tom Taylor - June 13, 2017
Earlier this week, rumors began to surface surrounding a potential date and location for the much discussed boxing mega fight between UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor, and undefeated boxing star Floyd Mayweather. According to these rumors, the fight is being targeted for August 26, at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena – not the new T-Mobile Arena. Speaking to Helen Yee, Mayweather’s uncle Jeff Mayweather, and one of his proteges Kevin Newman weighed in on these rumors. While neither was willing to confirm or deny thee rumors, both seemed to think they made sense.
Coach spills the beans on location and date of "Shogun" Rua's next fight
Tom Taylor - June 13, 2017
Though he has been labelled as “washed up” and “past his prime” more than a few times over the last few year, PRIDE legend Mauricio “Shogun” Rua is currently enjoying a significant career resurgence. The Brazilian striking specialist is currently on an impressive, three-fight streak, having recently bested fellow legend Antonio Rogerio Nogueira by unanimous decision, talented contender Corey Anderson by split decision, and gritty New Yorker Gian Villante by knockout. With this streak, Shogun has reinserted himself into the light heavyweight top-5. As such, he would seem to be just a win or two away from the opportunity to fight for light heavyweight gold once again.
Coach: Jon Jones will be "even meaner" to Daniel Cormier in UFC 214 rematch
Tom Taylor - June 13, 2017
On July 29, in the main event of UFC 214, light heavyweight great Jon Jones will attempt to reclaim the title he once guarded so ferociously when he takes on the reigning champ and his biggest rival, Daniel Cormier. In advance of this fight, Jones’ striking coach Mike Winkeljohn says that Jones – who has always been an innovator when it comes to technique – is still adding new weapons to his arsenal.
Conor McGregor roasts "senior" Floyd Mayweather
Tom Taylor - June 13, 2017
Though it’s still not official, we seem to be closer than ever to a record-breaking boxing mega-fight between UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor and undefeated pugilist Floyd Mayweather Jr. Over the course of the long and winding road that has led us to this point – a point when the fight seems to be a signature or two away from fruition – McGregor and Mayweather have exchanged much in the way of trash talk.
Alexander Gustafsson talks about what happens if training partner Jimi Manuwa gets title shot next and wins
Russell Ess - June 12, 2017
Iron sharpens iron and it goes to show with a couple of the top UFC light heavyweight contenders Alexander Gustafsson and Jimi Manuwa. The two training partners are ranked at the top of the UFC 205-pound division with Gustafsson at #1 and Manuwa at #2. With Gustafsson coming off a KO over Glover Teixeira and Manuwa set to fight Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 214 on July 29, a title shot is within reach for both teammates.
Bethe Correia blasts "overrated" Holly Holm, suspects she will retire early
Tom Taylor - June 12, 2017
This coming weekend, in the main event of the UFC’s upcoming trip to Singapore, former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm will collide with former title challenger Bethe Correia. In advance of this fight, Correia has made no secret of her opinions on Holm. Her latest criticisms of Holm occurred in a Monday interview with Daily Star, during which she called the former champ “overrated,” among other things.
New sponsorship deal will provide bonuses, private flights and more for Team Alpha Male fighters
Tom Taylor - June 12, 2017
Team Alpha male, which is based in Sacramento, California and headed by recently retired MMA legend Urijah Faber, has long been one of the best camps in MMA. And from the sounds of it, it’s about to get even better. Speaking on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, Faber broke the news that Team Alpha Male had inked a new deal with a corporate sponsor that will provide some impressive new benefits for its coaches and fighters. His words:
Michael Bisping reveals his insider information on Chuck Liddell's UFC pay prior to layoff
Russell Ess - June 12, 2017
After the UFC was purchased by WME-IMG for the historical $4 billion price tag, the company faced a bit of restructuring. Many employees were laid off including UFC legends Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes, who held positions with the company following their retirement after competing in the Octagon. Liddell held a position as the UFC executive vice president of business development and with a title like that, the assumption is that there was a nice paycheck that came along with the job.
After being turned down three times, "MVP" says he will no longer accept fight with Paul Daley
Tom Taylor - June 12, 2017
Shortly after coming up short against Rory MacDonald in the main event of Bellator 179, British knockout artist Paul Daley engaged in a heated confrontation with long-time rival and fellow British striking specialist Michael “Venom” Page, who is often referred to as MVP. Given that this was but the latest chapter in an already well established rivalry, interest in seeing the two fighters duke it out is now higher than ever.
Vitor Belfort agrees to Nate Marquardt's challenge
Tom Taylor - June 12, 2017
Earlier this month, on the main card of UFC 212 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, MMA veterans Vitor Belfort and Nate Marquardt collided in an interesting, middleweight clash. In the end, Belfort would win this fight with a rather controversial decision. Though this fight was initially expected to be Belfort’s retirement fight, he was quick to correct this perception, first stating that he planned to continue fighting outside the UFC, then that he actually planned on taking 5 or so more fights inside the UFC’s Octagon.
NYSAC confirms Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva will undergo out-of-competition testing
Tom Taylor - June 12, 2017
On Saturday, June 24, in the main event of the stacked Bellator NYC card, three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen will collide with Pride legend Wanderlei Silva in a fight that should go down as one of the biggest fights Bellator has ever promoted. Given the unfortunate, PED-related history of both men, of course, one would hope that both will undergo significant testing in the buildup to and fallout of this fight. Yet when asked previously by MMAFighting.com what kind of testing the two stars will undergo, the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) gave a rather vague answer.