MMA: Strickland stuns champion Adesanya to win UFC middleweight title

SYDNEY, Australia -- Polarizing Sean Strickland unleashed a flurry of powerful punches to defeat champion Israel Adesanya and claim the UFC middleweight title after a grueling fight in Sydney on Sunday.

In the main event of UFC 293, American Strickland stunned hot favourite Adesanya to win the 185-pound belt with an unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to prevail in a five-round slugfest.

At the sold-out Qudos Bank Arena, Strickland landed several stinging punches to the head and had Adesanya on the back foot throughout.

"Never in a million years did I think I would be here," said Strickland, who inflicted New Zealander Adesanya's third defeat from 27 fights.

"I thought I would be walking away a little broken up. I'm a little shocked that didn't happen.

"This is the first time I'm lost for words."

Strickland, who caused controversy ahead of the fight with misogynistic comments about putting women back in the kitchen, agreed to fight on late notice after Adesanya's South African rival Dricus du Plessis was unavailable.

Fifth-ranked Strickland earned his title shot after wins over Abus Magomedov and Nassourdine Imavov.

In the first UFC fight held in Sydney since 2017, both fighters felt each other out initially amid a febrile atmosphere.

The 32-year-old attempted to play to his strengths of wrestling and striking from close range in a bid to produce a major upset.

He made his move late in the first round after connecting with a powerful right-hand punch that felled Adesanya.

After surviving Strickland's flurry, Adesanya regrouped in the second round and utilized his favored kicks to deadly effect.

Adesanya threatened to take control in round three before Strickland landed a left hook as the fight went the distance.

Strickland (28-5) was unrelenting and trash-talked a bloodied Adesanya, a former kickboxer considered the marquee fighter in mixed martial arts, in the waning seconds with a shock title secured.

Also on the main card, towering two-meter (six foot seven inches) Alexander Volkov silenced the rowdy fans after defeating Australian Tai Tuivasa by submission in the heavyweight fight.

With a five-inch height advantage, Russian Volkov confirmed his favoritism by submitting Tuivasa with an Ezekiel choke in the second round, pinning his opponent to the ground with his right arm around the neck.

"(He took) so many punches and he was still on his legs, this guy is very tough," said 34-year-old Volkov, who won by submission for the first time since 2016.

In the other heavyweight bout, New Zealander Justin Tafa knocked out American Austen Lane in the first round after landing a left hook flush on the chin.

It was the second UFC event in Australia this year after lightweight champion Islam Makhachev overcame local Alexander Volkanovski at Perth Arena in February.

Agence France-Presse

MMA: Jones crushes Gane to win UFC heavyweight crown

LAS VEGAS -- Mixed martial arts legend Jon Jones scored a stunning first-round victory over France's Ciryl Gane to claim the vacant UFC heavyweight crown on Saturday.

Former light heavyweight champion Jones, making his return to the Octagon after more than a three-year absence, forced Gane into a submission after just 2min 4sec of the opening round to seal the win.

The 35-year-old American, who is widely considered to be the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, used all his skill and experience to outfox his 32-year-old French opponent.

Jones had talked boldly before the fight of scoring a quick victory against Gane, who hinted at nervousness in the opening seconds by aiming kick at the American's groin which required an official timeout.

Jones meanwhile proved to be as good as his word, easily ducking under a wild left hand from Gane and wrestling the off-balance Frenchman to the floor with ease.

He quickly had Gane in trouble and the Parisian submitted after being trapped in a guillotine chokehold by Jones.

"I've been working for this for a long time," a delighted Jones said after his victory. 

"You know a lot of people thought I was never coming back. I'd read that all the time 'This dude's never coming back' – but I've been faithful to my goal, faithful to my mission."

Jones said while he was wary of Gane's prowess on his feet -- the Frenchman is a former kick-boxing champion -- he had always been confident of winning if the bout ended up on the canvas.

"I really had the strong conviction that if I could get him down to the ground the fight would be in my area," Jones said. 

"I've been wrestling since I was 12 years old and I feel stronger and more comfortable, especially on the ground.

"With kickboxers you never know -– he zigs, I zag. And I actually felt a little goofy on my feet -– it's been a while. 

"But once I got my hands on him I knew that’s where I was most comfortable and I could take control."

Agence France-Presse

MMA: Kamaru Usman defends title over Colby Covington at UFC 268

Through two rounds, the UFC 268 main event rematch between welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington seemed ill-conceived.

Usman (20-1), of Denver by way of Nigeria, won their first fight nearly two years ago at UFC 245. And he nearly finished this bout at New York's Madison Square Garden when he dropped Covington (16-3) twice in the closing seconds of the second round.

Covington, though, showed tremendous tenacity by rallying in Rounds 3 and 4 with crisp striking, putting the fight's result in question.

That's when Usman showed championship mettle. He clamped down in Round 5 with crisp striking and a little more in the gas tank, and held on for a unanimous decision in the title bout.

The judges' scores were 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 for the champ.

"I know there's a lot of trash talk and there's a lot of bad blood here, and there's probably still gonna be some after tonight, but this guy is tough as (expletive)," said Usman, who successfully defended his belt for the fifth time.

The evening's co-feature bout was a rematch of a strawweight title bout from seven months ago.

And once again, Colorado's Rose Namajunas defeated China's Zhang Weili. But unlike the last time, when Namajunas (12-4) defeated Weili (21-3) with a flash knockout early in the first round to claim the 115-pound belt, this match was a five-round battle of attrition.

Weili clearly won the first round with a takedown and extended control time, and Namajunas did the same with the fifth and final round in a similar manner.

The middle three rounds were all coin flips, with both fighters having moments in tense kickboxing and grappling exchanges. In the end, Namajunas got enough nods from the judges in those rounds to retain her championship.

She earned a split decision on scores of 47-48, 48-47 and 49-46 for her fifth straight win.

"I was pretty confident in the end that I won it," Namajunas said. "The first couple rounds were pretty close. I wasn't even too worried about the result, just doing my best."

-reuters

Revitalized Khabib returns to face Dustin Poirier at UFC 242

The last time Khabib Nurmagomedov was in an octagon, he didn’t leave through the door.

He’s hoping to make an exit more befitting a champion this weekend.


The UFC’s lightweight pound-for-pound king hasn’t fought in the 11 months since he punctuated his star-making victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in Las Vegas by scaling the fence and jumping into the crowd to fight McGregor’s entourage.

Nurmagomedov’s reckless response to perceived disrespect earned him a suspension and a $500,000 fine, but it undeniably boosted the outlaw star status of the undefeated Dagestani grappler in a sport that loves a rebel. After nearly a year away from competition, Nurmagomedov (27-0) is eager to get back in the cage at UFC 242 to answer any lingering questions about his supremacy in mixed martial arts.

“Right now, I feel this hunger,” Nurmagomedov said. “I feel this motivation, this fire, and that’s why I stay focused. I want to stay busy. I want to stay hungry. I want to stay focused, humble. This is the key.”

Nurmagomedov returns Saturday in Abu Dhabi to face Dustin Poirier (21-5, 1 no-contest), who claimed an interim lightweight title belt during Nurmagomedov’s suspension by beating Max Holloway.


Unlike the theatrics around his bout last year with McGregor, Nurmagomedov has a clear mutual respect with Poirier. Instead of a clash of personalities, this fight will be a contrast of style and strengths.

“My last fight, it was a little bit crazy and tough fight,” Nurmagomedov said. “But now I have an opponent I want to show respect to, and it’s all about respect. That’s why we both show respect. But when the cage closes, it’s going to be a very good, high-level matchup.”

The UFC’s third-ever show in the United Arab Emirates, but its first since 2014, also includes lightweights Edson Barboza and Paul Felder, preceded by a bout between heavyweight contenders Curtis Blaydes and Dagestan’s Shamil Abdurakhimov on the pay-per-view portion of the card.

The UFC is returning to Yas Island to showcase Nurmagomedov to audiences outside the promotion’s North American wheelhouse — and also because Nurmagomedov has vowed never to fight in Vegas again after the fallout from his shenanigans.

Nurmagomedov trains in San Jose, California, alongside Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez and Luke Rockhold. He hasn’t fought outside the U.S. since 2013, but the Russian citizen is eager to expand his reach.



“All the time when I fight in UFC, I didn’t have almost 100% support in the stadium,” Nurmagomedov said. “But (in Abu Dhabi), I think I’m going to feel this, because I feel this is my area. This is not Dustin Poirier’s area. These people don’t come to watch fight because of Dustin. These people come because of me. That’s why I feel I’m going to have big, big support from my friends here in Middle East. A lot of people are going to come from USSR countries, Russia, from Dagestan, from the Arabic countries. A lot of people are going to come support me.”

The matchup and location also appeals to Poirier, who overcame a loss to McGregor in 2014 and climbed past a slew of contenders to get this shot. Once a reckless brawler, Poirier has redefined his game and reached new levels of success by fighting more intelligently.

“It means everything to me,” Poirier said. “How many times in our lives or in our careers do we have a chance to really do something great? These guys are building an arena for us to compete in. I’m traveling across the world in the biggest fight that I can get, and going out there to do something that’s never been done. I have an opportunity for greatness, and I’m approaching it that way.”

Nurmagomedov was confident he could beat McGregor, and he proved it with a one-sided submission victory. While Khabib is a significant betting favorite against Poirier, he is wary of the interim champ’s impressive striking to go with a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

But Nurmagomedov retains the confidence of a career without a defeat.

“When I watch Dustin Poirier, I think it’s going to be my toughest challenge,” Nurmagomedov said. “I always think like this. I don’t want to make a mistake. I don’t want to underestimate any guy.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Tyron Woodley defends UFC welterweight title, hands Darren Till 1st loss

DALLAS — Tyron Woodley had the crowd buzzing instead of booing in his latest UFC welterweight title defense.


The champion who keeps on winning likely will avoid the wrath of UFC President Dana White this time as well, while Woodley waits for his next opponent.

Woodley sent Darren Till to the canvas with a right hand early in the second round, then repeatedly punched and elbowed his English opponent in the face and head before finally winning by submission at UFC 228 on Saturday night.



It was the fourth title defense for the 36-year-old Woodley, and first in more than a year after he was roundly booed and even criticized by White in his previous win in the 170-pound mixed martial arts division.

“Winning conquers everything if you really think about it,” Woodley said. “As long as you keep winning, you keep building up your stats and people go back and look at your record, at the end of the day, they’re going to recognize you as the greatest of all time.

“That’s why I’ve been so quiet. I didn’t overly celebrate after the fight. I just went out there and got the job done.”

Till (17-1-1) lost for the first time in his first title fight.

“Backstage, I was just too calm,” said the 25-year-old from Liverpool, England. “I’m a weird person. Sometimes I’ll warm up hard. And then sometimes I’m just relaxed. I don’t have the same type of ritual for every fight. This time it cost me. In my eyes, it cost me everything.”

Perhaps responding to the boos from his plodding win over Demian Maia in a five-round unanimous decision last summer in California, Woodley (19-3-1) came out aggressively before settling into a more conservative approach for most of the first round.

A right hand early in the second dropped Till, and with Woodley on top of his opponent, the crowd screamed for him to finish it with the repeated blows while Till desperately tried to stay in the fight.

With his neck bent in a headlock and a strained look on his face, Till started tapping Woodley’s hip as the referee stepped in to stop the fight at 4:19 of the second. Woodley had Till pinned for about three minutes before the fight was called.


“Till is a tough kid,” Woodley said. “I’m not surprised he survived my ground and pound.”

After White criticized his win over Maia, Woodley demanded an apology a few days later while saying he had injured his shoulder in the fight. He eventually had arthroscopic surgery.

White declared that “nobody wants to see Tyron Woodley fight” after the Maia bout and said Georges St. Pierre would get the next shot at middleweight champion Michael Bisping instead of Woodley.

St. Pierre has since beaten Bisping and vacated that title, while Colby Covington beat former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos for the interim 170-pound belt in Chicago in June. Woodley dismissed Covington’s spot as the “boo-boo belt.”

Now the question is whether Woodley will face Covington.

“I’m not saying I am going to fight him because I don’t feel like he deserves my platform right now,” Woodley said. “He had a chance to be here. He ditched if you want to be honest and frank.”

Till struggled to stay under the required weight in previous fights, but never got a chance to show whether he had the conditioning to go with it after making weight at 169 pounds and defiantly flashing a pair of obscene gestures at the weigh-in.

Once the fight started, Till was conservative, sitting back while waiting to see how Woodley would attack. There were a few boos when the fighters were locked in bear hugs on the fence twice in the first round.

“He had all the pressure,” Woodley said. “When you’re undefeated, you don’t know. I’ve been in that position, 10-0, rising star. Everybody thought I was the hottest thing on the block. Got knocked out. It broke my heart. I never thought I was going to lose.”

Jessica Andrade (19-6) knocked out Karolina Kowalkiewicz (13-3) at 1:58 of the first round in a women’s 115-pound non-title fight in the co-main event.

Andrade’s strawweight win replaced a women’s flyweight championship fight that was canceled when title holder Nicco Montano was hospitalized for an undisclosed health issue. Montano was supposed to face top-ranked contender Valentina Shevchenko.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Major grudge match for Garbrandt, Dillashaw tops UFC 227

LOS ANGELES — Cody Garbrandt and T.J. Dillashaw have one of the UFC’s most compelling feuds of recent years. This beef is rooted in betrayal and tribalism, and it led to the demolition of a once-cordial relationship between training partners.

The feud persisted even after Dillashaw knocked out Garbrandt and took his bantamweight title belt last year, following months of verbal sparring and pre-fight scuffling.


Their rematch at Staples Center on Saturday night is the main event of UFC 227. It’s also the chance for a particularly personal victory for both men, who declined to shake hands at their ceremonial faceoff Thursday in downtown Los Angeles.


“I prefer to be respectful,” Dillashaw said Thursday. “I prefer to be a martial artist, so I like a respect level, but I don’t mind the drama, either. I’m going to use it to my advantage.”

Garbrandt (11-1) and Dillashaw (15-3) actually have plenty in common. They’re both well-conditioned, gifted strikers who became elite competitors at Team Alpha Male, Urijah Faber’s famed gym in Sacramento. They’ve also both become first-time fathers in the nine months since their last bout.

But they simply haven’t gotten along ever since Dillashaw won the bantamweight title and also left Alpha Male in 2014. To make an epic story short, Dillashaw says he was thrown out because he wouldn’t break ties with coach Duane Ludwig, who had just split acrimoniously from Faber. Several Alpha Male fighters, including Garbrandt, say Dillashaw turned his back on them.

“Let him say what he wants, but that motivates me,” Garbrandt said. “If you say you’re going to ruin my career and basically take food out of my child’s mouth, that’s fine. I didn’t need any more motivation with my new son, and while I’m coming off my first loss, I’ve been more motivated than I ever have out of any win.”

Any viewer of the pay-per-view show can’t miss the clear contrast between Garbrandt, the rural Ohio product with prominent neck tattoos, and Dillashaw, the clean-cut college graduate with a California surfer look. But the rematch primarily is a collision of two fighters with legitimate reason to think they’re the best in the 135-pound division.

Garbrandt rocketed to the top of the class, winning the belt less than two years after entering the UFC. He lost his title in equally stunning fashion last November to Dillashaw, who reclaimed the strap he had lost to Dominick Cruz nearly two years earlier.

During his ascent, Garbrandt appeared to be the archetype of the most compelling lighter-weight fighters. He was slick, athletic, stylistically well-rounded and powerful enough to generate knockouts — and he looked the part of a mixed martial arts star, right down to those tattoos that spread down his resplendently multicolored arms. Garbrandt’s neck is covered by large wings flanking a diamond, with the words “SELF MADE” atop his sternum.

He seemed ticketed for superstardom — until Dillashaw, the former Cal State Fullerton wrestler whose only losses in the last six years were on debatable split decisions, wrecked the narrative with his fists.


Immediately after their bout at Madison Square Garden, Garbrandt claims he tried to quash their grudge, but Dillashaw rejected him. Dillashaw says he isn’t to blame for not wanting Garbrandt around him.

“You’ve got me by the throat before, and that pushed me overboard,” Dillashaw said, recalling a past scuffle between the two. “What’s changed now? Just because I slapped you upside your face, what’s different? Why have you got to be fake?”

While Garbrandt doesn’t accept the blame for this state of affairs, he insists he has grown and changed since his wife, Danny, gave birth in March to their first child, a son named Kai. But Garbrandt also angrily declined to apologize this week for a series of racially insensitive tweets from his early 20s.

“I’ve never felt entitled to anything in my life,” Garbrandt said. “I feel like everything happens for a reason. I’ve been given second chances my whole entire life. … T.J. is a tough adversary. He’s skilled. He’s a good competitor. He doesn’t like to lose either. That’s what’s great about this rivalry.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

MMA star Conor McGregor back in court amid melee plea talks

NEW YORK — Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor is due in court amid plea negotiations to resolve charges stemming from a backstage melee at a New York City arena.

The 30-year-old Irish fighter is expected to be joined Thursday in Brooklyn by his 25-year-old friend and co-defendant Cian (KEE’-uhn) Cowley.

Video showed what appeared to be McGregor hurling a hand truck at a bus full of fighters after a news conference for the UFC 223 event at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center in April.


Two fighters hurt by broken glass were unable to compete.

McGregor has expressed regret, saying after his last court appearance in June that he understood the seriousness of the matter and hoped to resolve it soon.

Last week, he attended the World Cup final as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s guest.

source: sports.inquirer.net

GSP wins middleweight title in UFC comeback

NEW YORK — Georges St. Pierre returned from a four-year layoff and peered through the river of blood that flowed down his face to choke out Michael Bisping and win the middleweight championship at UFC 217 on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).


“I took this fight to challenge myself and I am honored to be champion once again,” he said.

St. Pierre’s win in the main event made it 3 for 3 for the championship challengers at Madison Square Garden in what was easily UFC’s card of the year. T.J. Dillashaw won the bantamweight championship and Rose Namajunas won the strawweight title on the pay-per-view card.

UFC 217 goes on the short list of one of the promotion’s great cards — and a promotion at a crossroads got a vintage performance from an MMA legend in St. Pierre and a breakthrough outing from Namajunas that stamped her as the face of the women’s division.

The 36-year-old St. Pierre had been the UFC’s 170-pound champion for nearly six years, winning 12 straight fights with nine consecutive title defenses when he walked away. St. Pierre cited the need for a mental breather before he wanted to train and fight again.

Against the trash-talking Bisping, St. Pierre fought like he had only four months off, not four years. The Canadian fighter had takedowns in each of the first two rounds as the packed MSG crowd roared for the fan favorite.

St. Pierre’s forehead got busted open and his face turned into a crimson mask. He smothered Bisping in blood as they wrestled on the ground and stood up looking as if they had just left the set of a horror film.

St. Pierre (26-2) shook it off and slapped a rear naked choke at 4:32 of the third to snuff out Bisping and win his 13th straight UFC fight.

“I don’t have words in my mouth right now,” GSP said, wiping blood from his face.

St. Pierre was one of the UFC’s biggest stars and pay-per-view draws during his long reign atop the 170-pound division, but the Canadian star walked away in November 2013. He’s back — and ready for yet another title defense.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Rousey stopped by Nunes 48 seconds into comeback at UFC 207

LAS VEGAS — Ronda Rousey was stopped 48 seconds into her comeback fight Friday night, losing to bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 on Friday night.

Rousey (12-2) returned from a 13-month absence and never managed to get her footing against Nunes (14-4), who rocked Rousey with her very first punches.

Rousey staggered and stumbled backward while Nunes relentlessly pursued her and landed multiple shots. Referee Herb Dean stopped the bout with Rousey still on her feet, and Rousey briefly protested the stoppage before leaving the cage in her mother’s arms.

Cody Garbrandt also won the men’s bantamweight title in the penultimate bout, battering champion Dominick Cruz to earn a surprising decision victory at T-Mobile Arena in the UFC’s traditional end-of-the-year show in its hometown.

Rousey couldn’t compete in her first fight since losing her belt to Holly Holm 13 months ago in her first career defeat. Rousey became arguably the world’s most famous female athlete and a combat sports trailblazer while she rocketed atop the UFC, but a year away from the sport apparently did little to heal the holes in her game.

Nunes claimed her belt with a violent stoppage of Miesha Tate at UFC 200 in July, completing an unlikely ascent for a Brazilian veteran whose skills have improved in recent years. Nunes lost three fights earlier in her career to opponents beaten easily by Rousey, but Nunes’ work ethic and toughness propelled her into the biggest fight in the women’s game against Rousey.

Rousey hadn’t fought since November 2015, when Holm stopped her with a head kick in one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. Rousey had never lost or been in much trouble while the former Olympic judo medalist rocketed to the top of her sport with a series of one-sided victories, but Holm’s veteran striking made Rousey look amateurish before the dramatic finish.

Rousey nearly vanished from public view after her loss, taking time away from the gym and attending to her acting career. After the bantamweight belt changed hands two more times in her absence, Rousey agreed to return for a shot at reclaiming her title. The UFC also was sold during her absence to WME-IMG, the entertainment conglomerate that also represents Rousey’s career.

But Rousey refused to promote this pay-per-view show, leaving Cruz and Nunes to do most of the work. While Rousey’s media blackout will hurt her cut of the pay-per-view revenue, it didn’t affect her guaranteed payday of $3 million, matching Conor McGregor for the biggest disclosed check in UFC history.

Earlier, Garbrandt (11-0) remained unbeaten with a virtuoso performance to claim the belt held for the past 11 months by Cruz (22-2), who ended up with a gaping cut over his left eye. Garbrandt used precise striking, multiple takedowns and remarkable charisma to win over the judges, who all favored him by scores of 48-46, 48-46 and 48-47.

Cruz hadn’t lost an MMA fight since March 24, 2007, winning 13 straight bouts in a career marked by multiple comebacks from major injuries.

The 25-year-old Garbrandt is a native of Uhrichsville, Ohio, who trains in the Sacramento-area gym of veteran fighter Urijah Faber.

Cruz and Garbrandt taunted each other repeatedly during the promotion of their bout, and their genuine dislike translated into a frenzied five-round fight. Garbrandt lived up to his boundless promise with a resourceful effort against Cruz, who was favored to defend his belt.

Instead, Garbrandt landed more shots and did more damage from the opening round. Both fighters landed significant strikes in the first two rounds, but Garbrandt turned the fight in his favor early in the third round during the exchange that opened the cut on Cruz’s face.

Garbrandt put on a performance in the fourth round, repeatedly knocking down Cruz when he wasn’t dancing away from the champion. The unfriendly rivals congratulated each other after the bout, but Cruz didn’t appear surprised when Garbrandt’s hand was raised.

After receiving his belt, Garbrandt wrapped it around the waist of Maddux Maple, a 10-year-old leukemia survivor from northern Ohio who has been his motivational talisman.

Garbrandt’s first title defense could be against T.J. Dillashaw, who dominated John Lineker in a unanimous-decision victory moments earlier at UFC 207, winning 30-26 on all three cards. Dillashaw (15-3) showed off precise striking and a superior ground game to trounce the Brazilian brawler.

“Come try me!” Garbrandt shouted at Dillashaw afterward.

source: sports.inquirer.net

McGregor-Diaz rematch officially headlines UFC 200

It’s the surprise sequel to the stunning fight between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz and it’s happening in UFC 200 on July 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

McGregor lost to Diaz in their first match in UFC 196 when the Irishman tapped out in the second round.

Rafael dos Anjos was originally slated as McGregor’s opponent in what would’ve been for the lightweight title early this month but an injury forced the Brazilian to pullout from the headliner with UFC president Dana White putting Diaz as the replacement.

Like the first bout, the rematch will also be in the welterweight division.

An interim title fight would be the co-main event of the fight between former champion Jose Aldo, the man McGregor beat for the title, against Frankie Edgar, the man who wants McGregor.

Other matches include a heavyweight showdown between top ranked Cain Velasquez and No. 7 Travis Browne, welterweight Jimmy Hendricks taking on Kelvin Gastelum, and a middleweight matchup between Gegard Mousasi and Derek Brunson.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Diaz, McGregor nearly come to blows at UFC 196 presser

As if the tension between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz couldn’t get any more heated, the two almost came to
blows during the UFC 196 pre-fight press conference on Thursday (Friday Manila time).

With the two fighters engaging in a staredown, Diaz put his hands up in a fighting stance, with his right fist directly targeted on McGregor’s face. The Irish didn’t take that act kindly and slapped his opponent’s hand away with UFC president Dana White in between them.

Diaz tried to get to the UFC featherweght champion, with his brother Nick and training partner Jake Shields joining him in the stage. But White, UFC executive Dave Scholler, and the security forces were able to pacify and averted a full-blown brawl.

McGregor will be making his welterweight division debut on Saturday (Sunday Manila time) at UFC 196 in Las Vegas.

The Irish was originally slated to challenge reigning welterweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos for the title, but the Brazilian had to forego the fight due to a foot injury. The fight would’ve given McGregor a shot to be the first man to hold titles in two weight divisions.

Diaz was named as a late replacement for Dos Anjos, and since then, he and McGregor have never stopped trading barbs even before the two faced off in the Octagon.

source: sports.inquirer.net

CM Punk faces Mickey Gall in UFC debut

The CM Punk sweepstakes is finally over.

Welterweight Mickey Gall earned the right to face the former WWE champ, impressing the fans with a first-round submission win against Mike Jackson in just 45 seconds at UFC Fight Night 82 in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).

Gall caught the debuting Jackson in a rear naked choke and in an instant, earned his second UFC win in as many bouts.

He then pleaded for a bout and called out Punk, real name Phil Brooks, to enter the Octagon.

“I want to be fed. I’m hungry. Feed me CM Punk, please!,” said Gall, as UFC commentator Jon Anik made the match official. Punk then entered the Octagon and shook hands with Gall.

The 24-year-old Gall has had his eyes set on Punk for a long time, telling Fox Sports last January, “I’ll finish CM Punk.”

“I’m not sure if I’ll knock him out or I’ll submit him, but I think it ends in the first round. I’m supremely confident. I think I’m made for this fight. It’s a dream opportunity. I did think I’d get to the UFC one day but didn’t think it would happen this quick, but I’m extremely ready. If this comes to fruition, I’ll be a happy man,” he said.

Punk, 37, has been out of action since he last wrestled at Royal Rumble 2014, when he retired from professional wrestling.

He has then took his act to the mixed martial arts world, signing with the UFC on December that year and trained under Duke Roufus, together with former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and ONE FC welterweight titlist Ben Askren in Milwaukee.

Punk was supposed to make his debut in 2015, but a shoulder injury derailed his plan and held him inactive ever since.

Thanks to the drawing power he has from his wrestling background, Punk has repeatedly expressed his intentions to make his first fight at UFC 200.

However, UFC president Dana White has other dates in mind.

“The CM Punk fight is probably going to be in June. UFC 199 is what I’m thinking,” White said in a report on Bloody Elbow.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Rafael dos Anjos stops Donald Cerrone in 1st round

ORLANDO, Florida—Rafael dos Anjos stopped Donald Cerrone at 1:06 of the first round Saturday night to retain the UFC lightweight title.

Dos Anjos hurt Cerrone with a left kick to the midsection, moved in and unleashed a flurry of shots against the fence. Cerrone managed to escape and get back to the center of the octagon, but the fight went to the ground and dos Anjos finished it there.

Dos Anjos improved to 35-7 in his first title defense and second victory of Cerrone.

“I just proved that I am here to stay,” dos Anjos said. “I’m here with my belt. It’s just the beginning.”

Cerrone dropped to 28-7 after winning eight straight fights.

“I didn’t show up to work,” Cerrone said. “Couldn’t find my gear. He showed up and I didn’t. He did a good job.”

After the fight, dos Anjos delivered a message to featherweight champion Conor McGregor, who has said he plans to also fight in the lightweight division.

“Conor McGregor has said he wants to come to my division,” dos Anjos said. “I don’t think that would be a smart decision for him, but I would be happy to welcome him.

Earlier, Alistair Overeem (40-14) scored a technical knockout win over former UFC champion Junior Dos Santos (17-4) in a heavyweight fight.

The two combined to land just 11 strikes in the first round, with Overeem managing seven to Dos Santos’ four, but the action picked up late in the second. After Dos Santos pressed Overeem against the cage with a combination, the two moved back across the octagon where Overeem dropped Dos Santos with a left hook. Overeem, who picked up his third consecutive win, pounced on his downed opponent and landed four hammer fists before the fight was stopped.

“Junior is a very dangerous opponent,” Overeem said. “He throws bombs. He throws strong, so we had to have game plan and figure out his rhythm then slowly pick him apart.”

In a lightweight fight, Nate Diaz (18-10) picked up a unanimous decision over Michael Johnson (16-10) in a standup battle.

It was Diaz’s first fight in over a year, and only his second win in his last five fights, but he looked sharp over the final two rounds to earn the decision. The two kept it standing the entire fight, and the lightning-quick Johnson got the better of the exchanges in the first, out-striking Diaz 36-24. But Johnson slowed in the second, and Diaz began to land combinations as the two slugged it out in the second and third rounds.

“I planned on him coming out fast and hard, so I figured he’d probably slow down,” Diaz said. “I was just making sure I wasn’t in a hurry and trying to make sure he didn’t get too far ahead. I heard my coach and my corner telling me to open up a bit more, so I was just coasting and trying to be smart instead of reckless.”

Johnson, who suffered his second consecutive loss, said that Diaz’s in-fight taunting took him out of his strategy.

“He sucked me in, and congrats to him,” Johnson said. “As far as unanimous … I don’t think it should’ve been that. It was a really close fight.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Silva admits to ‘therapeutic’ PED usage—report

MANILA, Philippines — Anderson Silva, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion, will admit to the Nevada State Athletic Commission that he did use performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).

According to UFC.com, where they cited Brazilian website UOL, Silva took PEDs to help him recover from his leg injury that he sustained in 2013 against UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman.

Silva will testify before the NSAC regarding his intake of PEDs but the hearing still has no specific date.

His lawyers would argue, as per UFC, that Silva’s use of the PEDs were minimal and did not give him any advantage over Nick Diaz in his return fight on January 31.

Silva is currently on a temporary suspension from the NSAC after testing positive for the steroids Drostanolone and Androstane on January 9, and Drostanolone on January 31 following his UFC 183 bout against Diaz.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Weidman unanimously outpoints Machida at UFC 175

LAS VEGAS — Chris Weidman unanimously outpointed Lyoto Machida at UFC 175 on Saturday night to retain his middleweight title.

Weidman improved to 12-0, with the three judges scoring it 49-46, 49-45, 48-47. Machida fell to 21-5.

In the co-main event, women’s bamtamweight champion Ronda Rousey stopped Alexis Davis at 16 seconds of the first round. Rousey improved to 10-0 — all by knockout — with her fourth consecutive title defense.

Rousey  rocked Davis with  a solid right, secured an immediate judo toss and landed nine punches, knocking out Davis and forcing the referee to stop the fight.

Weidman and Machida landed big shots in the first round, with neither taking time to feel out their opponent out.

Weidman pressed forward for most of the second round, keeping Machida on his heels and got a takedown against the fence with just under a minute left. Weidman was able to land a few shots to the grounded Machida and two knees as he rose just before the bell.

Machida’s awkward style and solid kicks kept Weidman’s offense in check for most of the first half of the fight.

Weidman opened things up in the third round, slamming Machida twice and landing two big straight rights that stunned the challenger and sent him into survival mode.

Machida stuffed most of Weidman’s takedown attempts throughout the fight and dazed the champ with a straight left halfway through the fourth round. Machida added a few kicks and punches to clearly gain the momentum in what was his best round.

In the fifth round, both fighters landed multiple power shots and both were hurt. Weidman seemed to take control of the round with a late takedown, but Machida fought back and had the champ in trouble against the cage as the final bell sounded.

source: sports.inquirer.net

MMA star Silva undergoes surgery to repair broken leg

Anderson Silva underwent surgery to repair a broken left leg, a gruesome injury he suffered in his loss to Chris Weidman on Saturday night (Sunday Manila time), the Ultimate Fighting Championship said.

In a statement posted on its website, the UFC said that an “intramedullary rod” was inserted into Anderson’s left tibia (shinbone) in an operation performed at a local Las Vegas hospital.

Silva’s broken fibula (calf bone) has also been stabilized and does not require additional surgery.

In the their UFC 168 title bout, the 38-year-old Mixed Martial Arts star from Brazil dropped to the canvas, writhed in pain, as his lower-leg snapped upon absorbing the impact of Weidman’s check of the kick.

The referee halted the fight a minute and 16 seconds into the second round, and Weidman retained the UFC Middleweight title.

The injury and the loss cast doubts on whether Silva, one of the celebrated MMA fighters of all time, could still return to the ring.

Silva, in a Twitter post, thanked his fans and friends for the support and said that he “will be better soon.”

“I now I need to be with my family to recovering better,” he also said.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Demetrious Johnson defends UFC featherweight title

SACRAMENTO, California—Demetrious Johnson stopped Joseph Benavidez with a big right hand in the first round Saturday (California time) to defend his Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight title for the third time.

Johnson (19-2-1) remained the only champion in the history of the UFC’s lightest men’s division. He caught Benavidez (19-4) directly in the face with an unblocked punch, knocking the challenger senseless just 2:08 into the fight.

Johnson beat Benavidez by split decision in Toronto 15 months ago, claiming the UFC’s first flyweight title in a tight matchup. He defended his title twice this year against John Dodson and John Moraga.

Benavidez earned his way back to a title shot with three straight victories this year, the last two by impressive stoppage.

source: sports.inquirer.net

UFC: Mark Muñoz takes on Lyoto Machida in England

MANILA, Philippines — Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Muñoz will face Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida at the main event of UFC Fight Night 30 in Manchester, England on Saturday, October 26 (Sunday in Manila).

Muñoz (13-3) was originally scheduled to fight England’s Michael Bisping (24-5) who had to beg off due to an eye injury.

Machida (19-4), the former light heavyweight champion, will be making his middleweight debut in the said bout which will take place at the Phones 4U Arena in Manchester.

Muñoz was born in a US military base in Japan to Rodolfo Muñoz of Pasay City and Imelda Kenery of Santa Ana, Manila.

The family relocated to Vallejo, California, in 1980, when Mark was two years old. He had his first MMA fight in July 17, 2007.

“LET’S DO THIS! Kaya natin to Pinas! War UK!” Muñoz said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

source: sports.inquirer.net

UFC on Fox 7 breakdown, betting odds and picks

For years, mixed martial arts fans and pundits regarded Gilbert Melendez as the most significant threat to the UFC lightweight championship.

Now that it’s time for the Strikeforce champion to cross over into the octagon, he’s not even considered one of Benson Henderson’s toughest challengers. Not according to oddsmakers, at least.

Gamblers have bet UFC champion Henderson up to a minus-300 (risking $3 to win $1) favorite with Melendez coming back at plus 250 (risking $1 to win $2.50). That means sports books give Henderson a 75 percent chance of defending his title for a third consecutive bout.

Not only is the price the highest Henderson has commanded in any of his title fights, but it’s the most oddsmakers have favored “Bendo” in his entire career.

The Las Vegas Sun picks panel won’t offer much dissent. Four of the five prognosticators went with Henderson to keep his title.

source: lasvegassun.com

Casual friends turn championship-hungry foes at UFC 152

When Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson square off for the inaugural UFC flyweight title Saturday in Toronto, it won’t mark the first time they’ve been together at the Air Canada Centre.
They’ll trade punches as freely as they passed popcorn a couple of months ago at the venue. While in Canada’s largest city to promote the announcement of UFC 152 this summer, Benavidez and Johnson enjoyed an event the polar opposite of a cage fight.

They went to a Coldplay concert together.
“When we were there, they just had us do all sorts of stuff,” Benavidez said. “They had us go to a Blue Jays game and they said, ‘Hey, we’ve got Coldplay tickets if you guys want to go.’ I was like ‘cool.’ Ends up our seats were together.”
Plenty of fighters on the UFC roster would react to that situation by storming out of the venue before the opening act ever hit the stage. They’d see it as a problem, a distraction to the ultimate goal of dismantling their opponent.
The two best 125-pound fighters in the world, however, were excited to spend time with each other. Benavidez (16-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and Johnson (16-2-1 MMA, 3-1-1 UFC) bonded on a similar promotional tour of Australia before UFC on FX 2 earlier this year.
It’s a bond they’ll put on hold in an attempt to get a UFC championship belt strapped across their waist.
“We’re just cool and really get along personality-wise,” Benavidez said. “I think I’ve been cool with everybody I’ve fought, but I’ve never went into a fight and liked someone as much as I like Demetrious.”
It’s not as if they’re best buddies or train together. Johnson sticks to his camp in Seattle, while Benavidez has arguably surpassed Urijah Faber as Team Alpha Male’s premier fighter in Sacramento, Calif.
Benavidez just felt a kinship with “Mighty Mouse” when they had to work together. Known as one the most pleasant fighters in mixed martial arts, Johnson never has anything but positive remarks about his opponents.
“He’s a great competitor,” Johnson said of Benavidez. “We’re going to make history and to be the first fighter ever crowned champion at a new weight class. I’m speechless. I believe we’re both going to deliver.”
Johnson and Benavidez emerged as the winners in the semifinals of the four-man flyweight tournament when the UFC introduced the new division. The tourney took several months longer than anticipated after Johnson’s first fight with Ian McCall ended controversially in a draw.
Johnson had to rematch McCall, leaving Benavidez frustrated and on an indefinite wait — it only turned out to last six months — for a challenger.
“I just had to slap myself and say, ‘You’re waiting for the UFC title; it’s going to be worth the wait,’” Benavidez said. “I think I made a lot of improvements in that time.”
He figured Johnson would win the rematch but wasn’t sure if that’s what he preferred. The idea of fighting a friend, albeit not a close one, is never ideal.
But Benavidez snapped out of any reservations shortly after Johnson beat McCall by unanimous decision. He knew he had while watching Coldplay tear through their catalog of radio hits.
“Just to think, hey, in a few months, it’s going to be us in there and the crowd is going to be crazy because we’re in there,” Benavidez said. “I kind of looked at him and thought, ‘I can’t wait to punch you.’ I wanted to go at it right there, but he was in the zone listening to music.”

source: lasvegassun.com