By MukWe heard when Tyron Woodley finished Robbie Lawler to secure the welterweight belt, that he wanted to fight the big money fight, not #1 contender fight. In saying that, he called out GSP and Nick Diaz. GSP has long been rumored over the past year or two in comeback talks, but this week in an Interview with ESPN about his new upcoming role in the movie "Kickboxer: Vengeance", he stated that he is mentally ready for a comeback, and expressed interest in fighting the champion Woodley. He said he is open to fighting any of the people who have been calling him out, and although people often accuse him of ducking fights, he claims he is just looking to take fights that would elevate him, not do nothing for him. He said Woodley and Diaz are fights that would further his career, and finances, while fights like BJ Penn would not, being that he has already fought BJ twice and won both fights. The return of GSP would cause a lot of chaos for an already chaotic division, where one of the greatest fighter in all of the UFC, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson, is waiting for his title shot, that he has earned - and them some. I don't respect Woodley for ducking Wonderboy, the quest for "big money fights" is only acceptable when your division isn't one of, if not the most talented division in the organization. Dana said last week that Wonderboy was next for the 170 pound title shot, and if he isn't, I will truly lose it and for good reason. Wonderboy has destroyed anyone in his way, other than the Immortal, Matt Browne, way back in 2012. Dana, don't blow this, it's time for Wonderboy to get his title shot and pick Woodley apart, and then throw GSP in the cage with that killer, and see them face off. The greatest welterweight of all time returning is a very good thing for the UFC, don't it would be a shame if they ruined the division for it. GSP belongs on any and everyone's Mount Rushmore of UFC Fighters, and along with being one of the greatest overall talents and athletes, he may just be the greatest wreslter in UFC history, leave your opinion in the comments, should GSP have to wait until Wonderboy gets his day? Or does the longtime champ deserve the shot?
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By MukAfter Saturday’s fight, we are left asking what is next for both Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz. Both men have stated their desire to have a third, and final fight for their trilogy. Conor in his post fight interview with Joe Rogan in the Octagon, said it will be on his terms this time since he won, and the two will fight at 155. Then Nate, in his press conference, said that he is not taking any other fights until the trilogy, and Conor shouldn’t either. We know that Dana White said after this fight, Conor has to be faced with the reality of his 145 pound belt. Jose Aldo is waiting and the division is hitting its peak with the rise of Holloway, Frankie still hanging on, and Pettis dropping down, Conor needs to face the music at 145 or vacate the belt. And that's exactly what the UFC officials have seemingly imposed on Conor, this ultimatum of defending his belt or moving on to pursue other ventures. My hopes for what would come after this fight, before it happened was, Conor would win, setting up a third fight. He would then go back down to 145 to fight Jose Aldo, and hopefully - defend his belt. I then feel that Holloway deserves a title shot after winning 8 straight fights, and Conor would look to defeat Max for the second time. Nate would go back to 155, fight another top 5 fighter, and then with a win hopefully get a title shot at 155 pounds, and defeat Eddie Alvarez to become champion. Okay, maybe I am dreaming a bit, thinking these two could put the trilogy off for close to a year as they each would fight two people in the meantime, but Conor could make some serious damage and buy himself some time at 145, and Nate could become the 155 champion with two victories, setting up the third and final fight between the two, almost a year from now, and put the lightweight belt on the line. Conor fighting to become a two belt champion, and Nate looking to make his first lightweight defense, would make for easily the biggest fight in UFC history, shattering PPV and arena ticket sales, with the two fighters expecting pay-outs of over $3 million for sure. Yes, that is all a long shot and all something I have created in my imagination, but a guy can dream can't he? I can't wait for Conor and Nate to run it back, but Conor needs to defend his 145 pound belt no matter what, or just walk away from it to pursue the 155 pound belt.
By MukRumble Johnson is a bad, bad man. He accepted Glover Texeria's invitation to throw down, as the number #1 & #2 Contender fought for the right to face off against Daniel Cormier for the Light Heavyweight belt. Rumble finished Glover in 13 seconds. He showcased why he is absolutely the hardest hitter in MMA, and sent Glover's TOOTH, flying onto the canvas with the uppercut. DC and Rumble had a nice little conversation in the octagon while Joe Rogan, expressing their respect for each other and desire to fight. That fight will be a good one as the two of them have to implement their gameplans to find a way to victory. Rumble will have to get his cardio at the best it has ever been, and be able to last DC's takedown attempts and successful takedowns. Rumble needs to be accurate and smart with his strikes, because while DC can really take a punch, there are only so many Rumble bomb's that can be withstood. While DC has to avoid taking too much damage, and work to get Rumble on the ground and drain his energy.
I am pulling for Rumble in this one, and in a big way. Jon Jones will hopefully get himself together again, and be able to return to fight Rumble as the champion, because although we want to see the DC vs. Jon rematch, the Rumble fight will be the best chance for Jon to be exposed because Rumble would be the hardest hitter he has ever faced and we might see Jon's jaw at a weak point after not fighting for a while. This is a fight to be made and made very soon, as both men are into it and Rumble took basically zero damage last night, he should be ready to go. By MukWhat a fight that was folks. That was a 5-round brawl, and has to be one of the best fights I have ever seen or seen in recent memory. Conor came out of the gate with a perfect gameplan, to target that front lead leg of Nate, which he loved to put so much pressure on. He tried to chop Diaz down and then pummel him with his strikes. Conor landed several big lefts in the first and second, along with brutalizing Nate’s leg, that led to 3 knockdowns. Nate rallied at the end of the second, and Conor seemed gassed, again, and the momentum was back on Nate’s side going into the 3rd. Nate dominated the 3rd, controlling Conor in the clinch, and looked to be in position to take over. Conor looked absolutely exhausted and that he could go down at any point in time, after what was probably the longest round of his entire life. But Conor came out in the 4th firing, and took back his momentum in his first ever championship round. Nate then came out in the 5th and took momentum back onto his side as he out struck Conor and dominated the clinch. The fight went to decision and Conor won by majority, and I have to say that I agree with the decision. People will bring up the stats saying Nate had more strikes, but significant strikes, Nate only scored 17 more, and those are the true point scorers. Nate’s slaps and powerless punches in the clinch just tallied up his total strikes, but did little to affect Conor. Nate took Conor down at the end of the 5th, but Conor stuffed the previous 4 attempts and did a great job of surviving the clinch/jiu-jitsu threats, with some of the best defense I have seen from him. On top of that, Conor still did have 3 knockdowns, which were crucial.
The fight may have ended in a bit of controversy, but to me both these men deserve all the praise in the world. The handled everything post fight so well and with so much respect and class, and both made it clear they want the trilogy, and 155 is the weight for it to happen. What's the next move from them both? Conor stays on the trilogy path? Or does he go back down to defend his 145 pound belt, or be stripped of it for not? There are so many questions that will need to be answered over the next week or two, but let's just enjoy every bit of the show and effort those two warriors gave us. By Muk"I'm gonna be a better McGregor. I'm gonna be the American superstar. He's the Ireland superstar."
Cody No Love is a budding superstar and it's time we all get on board. This quote from above was from last week, and I heard it and knew that if Cody could come out tonight, and put on a quick show, it could be true. Cody's climb to success, is eerily similar to Conor's. They both burst onto the UFC scene, called out the champions after a few incredibly dominant first or second round finishes, and jumped the rankings. While we don't know for sure that Cody will be the next to receive the 135 pound title shot, he is knocking on Domick Cruz's door, and loudly. Cruz and Cody have already had their exchanges of words, and on the pre fight show Cruz said him and Cody had a verbal altercation backstage tonight, and right after his KO win tonight, Cody said he was ready to break Cruz's jaw. If TJ Dillashaw isn't next in line for 135, it needs to be Cody, OR, pit Cody & TJ against each other, and let them settle their Team Alpha Male beef. This young man is talking the talk and has so far walked everything bit of the walk, with lightening fast strikes that have some serious power behind them, it's going to be fun to see what Cody's career has in store, because remember, he's only 25 years old, he is hopefully here to stay. By MukCan Conor McGregor's ego, and superstardom survive another lose to Nate Diaz this weekend? That's a million dollar question, literally. As of now Conor is the biggest star in the UFC, especially since Ronda became a shut-in after he loss to Holly Holm, but with the recent loss to Diaz, his stock took a hit. Now this is the fight game, no one can go untouchable forever, and someone who takes any and every fight likeConor should be cut some slack, because he always shows up and he always comes to kill, but I can't help but wonder the damage a second Nate Diaz loss would do to his ability to sell fights and strike fear into his opponents hearts. Conor will go back down to 145 pounds to defend his belt, win or lose this weekend, where he will face Interim champion Jose Aldo, the man who held the belt since the UFC introduced it in 2010. It took Conor under 30 seconds to erase that 10 year undefeated win streak, with one patented left hand. It's no question Nate has always been a star, but Conor did help launch him into the mainstream because all those who hated Conor and loved to see him lose, backed Nate.
I personally, from a Conor McGregor fan, do feel he can rebound from this, because he is fighting a bigger man in a weight class he never has before, but to the public eye, he cannot lose this fight. He will be crucified and hated, and it's his own fault. He can talk the talk, and we know that, but he needs to walk the walk. This is the biggest fight in Conor's career, and a win can set him back on track for his quest to, "not just take part, but take over". It's do or die for The Notorious in the public & media's eye. I know Conor can handle the loss and come back strong, but in a world where he has created an untouchable, King like persona, it will not be a matter of his own mind, but the minds of the fans. By, BobOver the last 24 hours, the WWE has suspended three active superstars for violating the wellness policy. These wrestlers are Alberto Del Rio, Paige, and Eva Marie. It was not stated exactly what they are suspended for, but if they were not being utilized correctly before this, they are damn well not getting any tv time now. They are each suspended for 30 days, which is a shame because Paige and Eva Marie are both dimes who get a big reaction from the crowd. Del Rio...not so much. Since his return, the only significant win he has gotten is dating Paige (he is a very lucky man) and the crowd usually just boos him. Anyways, it will be interesting to see if any of them can bounce back from this mishap, i guess we will see come October.
By MukThe night all started in typical Conor McGregor fashion, as he showed up late to this 202 Press Conference with Nate Diaz. Dana White was not pleased, and Nate said it was very rude, getting some cheers from the crowd. Finally Conor shows up, Nate is not happy and he takes off relatively quickly after the two trade a few shots back and forth. Conor stays up at the podium answering a few more questions, and did also guarantee a trilogy fight with Nate down the line, as he assumes he will win Saturday, but said he first has some business to handle, referring to his defense of his Featherweight Championship after this weekend's fight. Dana White announced earlier this week that Conor will return to defend the 145 belt after this fight, no matter the outcome, where he will likely rematch the man who held the 145 pound belt for so long, Jose Aldo. As Nate started walking from backstage out to the exit of the conference room, the two begin to exchange words and Diaz's camp joins in, screaming and shouting at Conor, who curses them out from on the stage. Things escalated as the two stars began throwing water bottles and Monster energy cans at each other, with no regard for who they hit. Dana was furious and told everyone the conference was over and that we would see them Saturday. There had been talk of 202 needing a spark, with plenty of floor seats still being unsold, and it was said that Conor & Nate just couldn't match the magic and intensity from the first bout at 196. If there was anything that could spark some change for the 202 ratings, it was this press conference.
By MukDana White has commented on the Jon Jones situation, stating that "It looks like Jon Jones did not take the supplement everyone thought he did". It seems as if the UFC, Jones, & the USADA have worked together to clear up what happened the week of UFC 200, and Jones was able to prove that the substance that caused him to test positive for estrogen blockers, was not taken intentionally. While we will have to wait for official confirmation from the USADA, if it's true this means big time good news for Jon, and just in time before Rumble and Glover face off for the assumed next shot at the title. If Jon is cleared within the next week or so, we could finally see the matchup we have been waiting so long for, and maybe even at MSG, with DC & Jon finally settling their beef inside the octagon. True fight fans everywhere, whether they love or hate Jon, have to be hoping he is cleared and comes back soon.
By MukWith Jon Jones out of the picture (for now), it is safe to assume that if Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson defeats Glover Texeria Saturday night at UFC 202, he will be the next to fight Daniel Cormier for the LightHeavyweight Belt. For Jon Jones, the timing of his "I'll be back soon" post couldn't be more convenient for his sake, trying to stir the pot just ahead of Rumbles big bout with Glover, in which it would seem either man to win this fight would be next up, unless Gustafson is thrown into the mix. If I'm Jon, I'm praying that whatever good news he believes he has heard that will prove his innocence and "accidental" usage of estrogen blockers surfaces within the next week before a title shot is announced for DC, otherwise the division is moving on without him, and quickly.
If Rumble comes out Saturday night and performs like we all know he can, this should be a big KO victory for him. He must maintain his stamina and not wear out like we've seen him do in the past, because there's no man in the game that can take too many of his big shots, as he is possibly the hardest striker in the entire organization. A rematch with DC would be huge for Rumble if he can game plan better than he did in their first fight, and can last longer than 2 rounds endurance wise. Rumble recently said he knows at this point a fight with Jon Jones will likely never happen, and that is a huge loss for a lot of fight fans. Jon mapped out his plan for us of defeating DC at UFC200, fighting Rumble at UFC205 at MSG, and then giving Alexander Gustafson a rematch, marking his legacy in the 205 pound division before moving up to heavyweight and, what we would expect, dominating at 225. Will we ever see Jon & Rumble square off? That question seems to be a tough one, but if Rumble drops Glover, I can't see him being denied. |
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February 2018
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