Well, the embarrassment that has been GDR's title reign as the only female Featherweight Champion in the UFC's history, continues. It's no secret that most female fighters are terrified by Cris Cyborg, but that doesn't mean you can just completely refuse to fight another fighter, especially when you are the champion, and she is the absolute rightful contender. 

GDR and her team state that they refuse to fight Cyborg because of her known "cheating", but we all know that the thing Cyborg got popped for by the USADA was something and her team were very clear about having told the UFC, and USADA that she was taking it on doctors orders. But for GDR to literally refuse to fight the Pound-for-Pound #1 Women in the world, even stating she would be willing to be stripped of her belt, in order to not have to fight Cyborg. 

de Randamie is a bum. No way around it. She's a joke of a champion, who barely beat Holly Holm to even become the champion, and that was months ago, and she hasn't even defended her belt once, and would get brutalized by Cyborg, and she knows it. So I hope the UFC strips her of her belt and we can forget about her and let Cyborg rule the division that the UFC literally made for her. 

Breaking news as far as tonight's big-time Welterweight matchup between Damian Maia and Jorge Masvidal, as Dana White has officially announced that the winner of tonight's fight will be next to fight Tyron Woodley in the next few months. This is huge news, because both of these warriors will truly deserve a title shot if they're able to overcome tonight's obstacle. 

Damian Maia has the greatest grappling in all of the UFC, and he is trouble so absolutely everyone once they get down to the mat, but my concern with him vs. Woodley will be that he can't get Woodley down. Tyron Woodley is just too big, too strong, and his wrestling is just too strong in my opinion, for Maia to be able to get him to the mat. But, if he does, Woodley should be worried.

As far as Jorge Masvidal, that fight would be an awesome fight between him and Woodley, because both of these guys to scrap, and Masvidal is a true killer, and he will definitely be a tough opponent for Woodley. I think he actually has the capability of finishing Woodley, but once again, the size and strength of Woodley will likely cause an issue for Masvidal if the fight goes to the mat, and he may be able to wrestle his way to a victory. 

Fight fans everywhere should be thrilled for this fight's announcement, because both of these guys will truly deserve a title shot after a win tonight. 

Yesterday was absolutely bananas, in the already crazy world that the UFC is, and I truly don't even know where to start. If you actually care about the UFC, I can't stress enough how badly you need to watch the full hour of the youtube video I posted above. Content on content on content. 

So first, as I blogged earlier, Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier 2 has become official for UFC 214 in July, a huge main event, and a fight that everyone has been waiting years for. But that was just the tip of the iceberg from today's "UFC Summer Kickoff" event, that featured all the big name fighters who will be fighting between now and late July, and boy was it a star-studded event.

But first, I will start with some bad new, which could potentially be spun into good news. Bantamweight Champ Cody Garbrandt tweeted today that he tore his back a few months ago, and received a stem cell treatment that subsequently did not pan out as he hoped, and he is flying to Germany asap to get a second treatment that will hopefully keep him on the July UFC 213 card. The UFC is aware of the severity of his injury, and within the week we should know if he will still fight title challenger and bitter-rival TJ Dillashaw. However, Dana White said that Dillashaw called him this morning, and said if Garbrandt pulls out, he wants to drop down to 125-pounds, and avenge his loss to Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson, and stop Mighty Mouse from breaking the All-Time Title Defense record. That fight would be awesome, and I would loveeeee to see Mighty Mouse knock Dillashaw out for a second time.

Also announced today, was the rematch between Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko for the Women's Bantamweight title will also be added to UFC 213, as many suspected, and those two not only traded verbal jabs, but almost real jabs at their face-off today.

Additionally, it was announced that Chris Weidman and Kelvin Gastelum will headline UFC on Fox 25, in Long Island, this July 22nd. This is a big Middleweight bout, with Weidman looking to get his whole career back on track with a win, and Gastelum looking to continue his dominance in the Middleweight division.

We also saw undefeated UFC-newcomer Justin Gaethje, the former World Series of Fighting Lightweight Champ, get his UFC-debut announced against Michael Johnson, in a fight that will certainly not disappoint. The Lightweight division made their presence known tonight, as #7-ranked Michael Chiesa, and #12-ranked Kevin Lee not only trade verbal jabs, but literally brawled during the conference, both being kicked out afterwards until they were brought back in for their face-off. I am not a fan of Kevin Lee, and I really like Chiesa, so when these two finally get to go at it on June 25th in OKC, there will be fireworks for sure.

I beg of you all to at least watch some of the presser video, starting and stopping where you please, because there was so much going on it's hard to even keep up, with shit-talking, actual punches being thrown, and fighters not even being allowed to come within several feet of each other, this presser served it's purpose. This summer will be incredible for the UFC, and I cannot wait.

PS - Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier definitely still don' like each other, and oh yeah, neither do Michael Chiesa and Kevin Lee:

FINALLY. The rematch that the entire fight world has been waiting two and a half years for, as Jon Jones will look to reclaim his belt from current Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier. There's no getting around it, these two fighters genuinely hate each other. The had traded verbal jabs for 3 years, in person and on twitter, in interviews, anywhere imaginable. 

This rematch has suffered many setbacks, first with Jon Jones getting suspended for his hit and run, and then when he came back DC dropped out with an injury last April, and then finally this past July at UFC 200 when Jon Jones was pulled from the card on the night before the fight for failing a drug test for PED's. So finally, we have yet another date set, and hopefully, with the fight only two months away (July 27th in Anaheim), these two fighters can actually make it into the octagon and settle their differences. 

If Jon Jones comes out and beats DC the way he did in January of 2015, he will once again become the champ of the 205-pound division, and and begin his reign as the greatest Light Heavyweight ever. Not only that, but if Jon Jones beats DC, that will mean the end of DC as we know him. If he loses to Jones yet again, he can no longer run his mouth, and hang around the Light Heavyweight division, because his trash talk has dug him into a hole that I never see him climbing out of. However, if Jones loses, I would love to see a trilogy fight between these two, because it is only right. 

I am excited that this fight has become official, but I won't let myself get too hyped up for it until I watch both guys walk into the cage on July 27th. I LOVE Jon Jones, and even though he has blown several chances, my heart can't let me hate him, and I pray he stays safe and stays clean, and finally finishes the loser that DC is. 

Earlier today, Dana White officially set a deadline for negotiations with Conor McGregor and his team about their side of the potential boxing match with Floyd Mayweather. Dana White said that if by this Sunday, he and McGregor's team can't come to an agreement on terms, then he is moving on from this fight all together and McGregor's next fight will be in the UFC. White plans to have McGregor's side worked out by Sunday, and then he will meet with Floyd Mayweather and his team to iron out their side of the terms, and hopefully turn this once-far-fetched idea into reality.

White had this to say about the potential fight:
“I think (the chances of a deal with McGregor) are pretty good,” White said. “Hopefully Monday I’m going to sit down and negotiate with Team Mayweather. I just can’t keep messing with this thing. I have to run my business and I have to focus on all the other things that are going on around here.” 

Now, I for one have supported this fight in recent months, because I do feel that the payday for Conor McGregor will be so substantial that no one should be able to take that away from him, but I have grown impatient with how long this process has taken. We all know that McGregor was not going to fight anyone, in the UFC or boxing, until his kid was born, so we still wouldn't have had a fight coming up soon regardless, but now that his son has been born, this fight needs to get going.

We also know that Dana White and the people involved were targeting a September fight, particularly September 16th, but that date was lost this past weekend as GGG vs. Canelo was made official for that night, but Dana once again that he is perfectly fine with losing their date to that fight, and he will even be buying tickets and attending that fight.

So what are the chances we get this fight? I am gonna say about 75%. I think that White can get McGregor and his side worked out by Sunday, but if they don't, this is going out the window. My biggest concern is Floyd Mayweather and everyone involved with TMT, because as we all know, they are some of the worst people in sports, and refuse to meet people halfway when push comes to shove.

I hope this fight gets worked out and announced soon, because this has gone on long enough. 

Here is my official UFC 211 Preview:
 
This Saturday’s UFC 211 in Dallas, Texas, is hands down the card of the year thus far, and most likely will be for the entire year. This card is stacked top-to-bottom, with two title fights, #1 contender fights for the Welterweight and Featherweight titles, and fights with huge 'fight of the night' potential. I am absolutely stoked for this card, and I expect nothing but fireworks from these fighters on Saturday night.
 
First, we have former Lightweight Champ, Eddie Alvarez, looking to rebound from his embarrassing loss to Conor McGregor in November, as he takes on Dustin Poirier in the main event of the Preliminary Card, on FX. This fight would be a top fight on any other card, but for UFC 211, it can’t even crack the main card. Alvarez is looking for a big statement win, as he hopes to KO Poirier and put his name back in the 155-pound title picture. Poirier on the other hand needs a win, and a win over a top guy like Eddie Alvarez will send him shooting up the rankings. I expect this one to be a 3-round slugfest if no one gets KO’ed, but I do see someone getting finished.
Prediction: Eddie Alvarez wins via 2nd-round KO
 
The card did suffer a loss this week, as Henry Cejudo, who was supposed to take on Sergio Pettis in a big Flyweight matchup, had to withdraw from the card with a broken hand, and rather than finding a replacement for Pettis, the UFC scrapped the fight all together. Now, the Middleweight matchup between Krzysztof Jokto and David Branch will kick things off for the main card, and to be totally honest with you, I have no prediction for this fight. I expect it to go three rounds and be a decision regardless of who wins, but hopefully the fight gives us a bigtime finish.
 
Next, we have a fight that will almost certainly determine the next challenger for the Featherweight division, pending the winner of Holloway vs. Aldo at UFC 212, as #2 ranked Frankie Edgar takes on a rising star in #7 ranked Yair Rodriguez. Frankie Edgar is a legend in the UFC and although he fell short to Jose Aldo for the second time in their Interim Title at UFC 200, he’s still a threat to the champ regardless of who it is. Yari Rodriguez on the other hand is in possibly the best spot he could ask for, because unless he gets embarrassed on Saturday, he will continue to move up the rankings, and with his absolutely explosive fighting style, he could be the first person to KO Frankie Edgar.
Predication: Frankie Edgar wins via Unanimous Decision 
 
This next fight should absolutely be a title elimination fight, and the winner should be next in line for the Welterweight Title, as #3 ranked Demian Maia will take on #5 ranked Jordge Masvidal. This is a big-time stylistic matchup, as Demian Maia is the best grappler on the UFC’s roster, and can submit anyone, at any time, while Masvidal is a lethal striker, who brutalized Cowboy Cerrone in his last outing. Both men are riding win streaks, Maia’s been one of the most impressive in the UFC, win 6-straight wins, and Masvidal having won 3-straight. This fight will come down to which fighter gets their way, and if Masvidal can keep the fight standing long enough, I think it’s inevitable that he puts Maia away with strikes, but Maia’s ground game only needs a small opening and he can end the fight.
Prediction: Jorge Masvidal wins via 2nd-round TKO
 
Now the real fun starts, as we get to our Co-Main Event, when Strawweight Champ Joanna Jedrzejzyk puts her belt on the line against #3 ranked Jessica Andrade. JJ is truly one of the most well-rounded fighters to ever step in the Octagon, male or female, and she makes her opponents look like they don’t even belong in the cage with her, defending her belt four straight times and being the UFC’s only Strawweight Champion ever. However, her opponent, Jessice Andrade is no pushover, and has won three straight fights since she dropped down to Strawweight, as she looks to be the first woman to ever beat JJ in her career. I expect this fight to be filled with fireworks, with both women coming out swinging, and putting every bit of their skills to the test.
Prediction: Joanna Jedrejzyk wins via Unanimous Decision
 
And finally, our main event, the battle for who the baddest man on the planet is, as Stipe Miocic puts his Heavyweight Title on the line against former-champ and #4 ranked HW Junior Dos Santos. These two met back in December of 2014, and put on a 5-round show, slugging it out for 25 minutes and leaving everything they possibly had in the cage. JDS would win the fight via Unanimous Decision, but the fight was far from one-sided, and I expect their rematch to be equally as entertaining. The Champ has not lost since that night in December, and JDS has only fought twice since then after battling some injuries, losing one and winning one, but Dos Santos is one of the greatest Heavyweights in UFC history, and his boxing skills are incredible, as are Miocic’s. I think Miocic has the ground advantage, but truly when it comes to the striking matchup, these guys are about as equal as it can get. I am honestly so excited for this fight, but as a big-time Stipe Miocic fan, I am hoping he gets the win, and defends his belt for the second time, tying the record of Heavyweight Title defenses.
Prediction: Stipe Miocic wins via 3rd-round KO
 
This card is can’t miss, and I suggest everyone and anyone watches it, whether you’re a UFC fan or not, because there are going to be some serious fireworks on Saturday night.

Well for the first time in months, the UFC has made a move that will keep fighters and fans happy, as they have officially pulled the rug out from under the Bisping vs. GSP Middleweight Title fight. Last week, GSP said he won't be ready until after October, which is a joke, and the fighters and fans let the UFC know that they were not okay with waiting that long for the Middleweight Belt to be defended. As a result, last night, Dana White said that the UFC will no longer wait for GSP, stating that he expected this fight to take place in the Summer, not Fall, and the UFC will target a title fight between Michael Bisping and Yoel Romero.

This is awesome news for everyone involved other than GSP and his camp, but honestly, they deserve no sympathy because they completely blew this and wasted everyone's time, so shame on them! Yoel Romero has been patiently waiting for his very deserved title shot, and finally, he will be given it. This is a dangerous fight for Michael Bisping because Romero is a beast (as you can visibly see from his picture above), and will certainly give Bisping problems, both standing and on the ground.

The Middleweight division had been very vocal about not only their disproval of GSP getting the title shot, with a plethora of worthy contenders already waiting, and former champ Luke Rockhold even called for all 185-pound fighters to boycott the division and not take any fights until the title shot was given to someone who deserved it. But it now seems, that for possibly the first time ever, the UFC Brass actually listened to the fighters who fill their pockets with cash, and did the right thing by taking GSP's title shot away, and giving it to someone who absolutely deserves it. 

This is a good step forward for the UFC in moving back towards real fights, not just "big money" fights, and Bisping and Romero will not disappoint, and Bisping genuinely does not like or respect "the cheater" Romero, so this fight and the fight build-up will be fun for sure.

As far as GSP, I couldn't have lost more respect for him if I tried, and I truly couldn't care less if he ever steps back into the Octagon.

This weekend, Conor McGregor and his long-time girlfriend Dee Devlin announced that their baby boy, Conor Jack McGregor Jr., had officially been born at Coombe Women and Infants Hospital in Dublin, and according to McGregor's social media posts, both mom and Jr. are doing just fine.

This is a huge day for Conor McGregor, because as we know, he said he would be taking a hiatus from fighting until his child was born, because Devlin often becomes very stressed and anxious around fight-time, and he didn't want to put her and the baby through that stress during her pregnancy, a move that no one can knock him for, because family is much more important than fighting. 

McGregor Jr. is going to have one hell of a life, with his dad being one of the greatest fighters in the world, and spoiling everyone close to him in the process. I am curious to see if Jr. follows in his dad's footsteps, or if he stays away from the fight life. He surely will have the genetics and if that lefthand is anything like his dad's, he may have a real future in mixed martial arts.

I am very happy for McGregor and Dee Devlin, as these two have been together for as long as McGregor can remember, and with their son being born healthy and happy, we may see things get rolling even faster in terms of McGregor getting back into the fighting world. 

This weekend's boxing match between Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Julio Chavez Jr. was as one-sided as a boxing match could be, with Canelo dominating all 12-rounds on his way to a Unanimous Decision victory. However, the highlight of the night was not this fight, it was the fight that was announced in the ring after the fight had concluded, as the long-awaited matchup of Canelo vs. Gennady Gennadyevich Golovkin (GGG) has finally been set for September 16th of this year for the Middleweight Title. 

This fight has been a few years in the making, as GGG has been begging to fight Canelo, but for some reason or another, Canelo and has camp continued to push the fight off, but finally we have the fight scheduled and boxing fans everywhere should be thrilled. Two undefeated warriors will finally settle the conversation for who is the king of boxing for all weight classes that are not Heavyweights. GGG is 37-0, with 33 of his wins coming via Knockout, and he posses the clear power advantage, with his punching off of the charts, but Canelo, 49-1-1, with his only loss coming to the "great" Floyd Mayweather, is considered to be a better all-around boxer, with the advantage in overall skills. Canelo's power is not joke either, as he does have 34 knockouts himself, so this fight truly will be incredible. 

However, as the fight world rejoiced with the announcement of this fight, Dana White, who was in attendance Saturday Night, said that the highly-anticipated boxing match between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather lost their date, as they were targeting a September 16th fight. White did say that they are quite alright with losing their date to this fight, because it is a fight that the boxing world needs, and that they will continue to try and get the two sides of McGregor and and Mayweather on the same page and do everything possible to make this fight official.

With one of the most needed fights in the combat sports world being finally put together, we can only hope that McGregor vs.  Mayweather will also become official in the coming weeks, and we will keep a close eye on that situation. 

Last week, the greatest Mixed Martial Artist of all-time said that if the UFC didn't grant him a Interim Title fight against Yoel Romero at UFC 212 in June, he would retire from the sport. Well this weekend, we heard Dana White call "The Spider's" bluff, stating "If you're considering retirement, you should probably do it". That response from White is exactly as I expected it to be, along with the majority of the MMA world.

Listen, Anderson Silva has done more in the long-run for the UFC's success than probably any fighter has, but in recent years we have seen Father Time catch up to him, as it does every elite fighter, and his days of calling the shots are over, as proven by White's comments. Anderson has struggled in his last few fights, from getting KO'ed, to snapping his leg in half, to getting popped for PED's, things have not been great for The Spider.

Do I think Anderson Silva deserves as big and special of a send-off as any fighter ever has? Absolutely. However, demanding a title fight and threatening retirement, at age 42, with 1 win in his last 6 fights, is just not practical. He doesn't have the clout, or the ability to back it up anymore, and looking for a title fight against a very dangerous fighter in Yoel Romero is as reckless as it gets, and we see now that the UFC doesn't seem to care if Silva comes back into the octagon or not.

Silva said after White's comments came out, that he was officially off the June 3rd UFC 212 card, a card in which he was supposed to fight Kelvin Gastelum, who was popped for weed a few weeks ago, and recently received a 90-day suspension, plus had his Win over Vitor Belfort overturned, and Silva was actively seeking a top contender as a replacement, but his demands for the Interim Title fight have not panned out.

Is this the last we will see of Anderson Silva? I hope not, because even at 42 years old he is still as entertaining as it gets, but if the rift between him and Dana White continues, we may have seen the last of The Spider, who until Jon Jones comes back and proves he is still king, will go down as the greatest fighter in MMA history.