Author: Denycia Thompson

  • Covington Responds To Masvidal’s Allegations Of Snitching

    Colby Covington tells a different story of what went down between him and Jorge Masvidal at UFC 241.

    Recently, Masvidal added some more heat to the rivalry by revealing details of the night Covington “snitched” on him to Dana White. According to “Gamebred,” when he confronted the former interim welterweight champion about some things he said online, Covington immediately spoke to Dana White about it.

    However, Covington remembers the scenario a little differently. Here is what he said in an interview with ESPN MMA:

    “Jorge was in the fifth row, he’s five row backs. I’m the champion at the time, so I’m first row, and I’m there to support my boy DC, the “Natty Goat”. You know, Daniel Cormier is the legend, the “Natty Goat.” I call him the “Natty Goat” for a reason. So, I’m there to support him in his fight versus Stipe Miocic, and I just hear rumbling behind me and people are shuffling, and I’m like what the [MUTED]. What’s going on back there? And then I see Jorge, and I’m like ‘Yo, what’s up man? What are you doing, dude?’ ‘Oh, I’m gonna [MUTED] you up for all the things you said. Let’s go outside. Let’s go, dude.’

    There are many differences in their stories. For starters, Masvidal claims he tapped Covington on the shoulder and asked him to talk outside. But what happened next is where the two stories diverge wildly.

    “And I’m like ‘Dude, you really want to go do this outside Jorge, I’m gonna dump you on your head. You’re not gonna have the UFC to pay your medical bills, so you really want to do this?’ And he’s just running his mouth from like the 4th of 5th row back. I’m in the front row, and I’m just like ‘Dude, act like a professional.’

    “And that’s the whole thing, we’re at a UFC event, man, when have I ever laid hands on someone when I can beat up anybody in the crowd, any of the fighters—none of them can touch me. I’m the best fighter in the entire world. But I don’t do it ’cause I’m a professional. I handle my business in the cage. That’s where I do my business, in the UFC Octagon,” Covington continued.

    Dana White Gets Involved In Covington/Masvidal Drama

    Dana White
    Dana White, Photo Credit: Getty Images

    Through Masvidal’s eyes, Covington ran and told Dana White after their interaction. However, Covington denies the entire thing.

    Yes, he spoke to Dana White, but it was not to “snitch.” He says it was because White approached him about the ordeal.

    “So Dana came over to me, he’s like ‘I don’t want any stuff messing up this event tonight. We need this fight to go through, and we don’t need anything to ruin it in the crowd.’ And he goes and tells Jorge the same exact thing. ‘Jorge, chill out, dude. You’re not gonna fight him, dude. You’re not gonna fight in the streets. You guys are professional cage fighters. You guys wanna fight, you can settle it in the Octagon.’”

    A constant in their story is that Dana White did squash any potential scuffle, making it very clear to not fight at the event.

    Obviously, nothing went down that night. But regardless of who is telling the truth, they will settle their conflict legally and in front of the entire world this Saturday, March 5.

    What are your thoughts on Colby Covington’s version of what happened between him and Jorge Masvidal at UFC 241?

  • Cain Velasquez Faces 20 Years To Life In Prison For DA Charges

    If found guilty, Cain Velasquez will serve 20 years to life in prison on charges the District Attorney is filing against him.

    On Monday, Velasquez was arrested by Morgan Hill Police in San Jose, California for the alleged shooting of a 63-year-old male.

    Reportedly, Velasquez intended to shoot 43-year-old Harry Eugene Goularte, who is accused of molesting an underage relative of Velasquez.

    Mugshot of Harry Eugene Goularte

    It is also reported that Goularte was arrested for lewd acts against a 4-year-old child, but was released from police custody after his arraignment on February 25.

    Prosecutors say Velasquez participated in a high-speed chase that went on for 11 miles. It resulted in a non-fatal shooting, where a single shot caught one person in the car.

    The alleged victim, a relative of Goularte, is currently in the hospital expected to make a recovery.

    The Charges Against Velasquez

    The DA has filed multiple charges against Velazquez including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, assault with a firearm, shooting at a motor vehicle, willfully discharging a firearm from a vehicle.

    Regarding the charges against Velasquez, District Attorney Jeff Rosa made this statement at a press release:

    “The sad tragedy is that Mr. Velasquez chose to take the law into his own hands, endangering the public and everyone in the truck,” district attorney Jeff Rosen said in a press release announcing the charges. “This act of violence also causes more pain and suffering to his family.” (h/t MMA Fighting)

    Cain Velasquez is currently awaiting arraignment, which was originally scheduled for today but pushed back to next week.

    Cain Velasquez and His Family
    Cain Velasquez and His Family

    The UFC witnessed a lot of greatness from Cain Velasquez. He was a two-time heavyweight champion and suffered only three losses in his 17 fights with the promotion.

    He parted ways with the UFC after a loss to the current Heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou back in 2019. Now, he is a professional wrestler in Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide after a brief stint in the WWE.

    Stay tuned with MMA News for more updates on the Cain Velasquez story.

  • Masvidal Recounts The Time Covington Snitched On Him To Dana White

    The grudge between Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington gets deeper as Masvidal recalls the night his opponent allegedly snitched on him at a UFC event.

    Ahead of UFC 272, Masvidal and Covington continue to bring up old memories to fuel their rivalry. Masvidal denies their former friendship and has revealed alleged details of their past that place Covington under a negative spotlight.

    The BMF champion highly anticipates putting an end to Covington’s confidence this Saturday, March 5. Every week, he reminds UFC fans that he will destroy Covington, and there has been a huge lead-up as to why.

    Recently, in an interview with ESPN, Masvidal went into detail about a confrontation that took place on the night of UFC 241.

    “I was at (UFC 241), and guess who I see there? Colby. And I haven’t seen him in months because he’s been traveling, I’ve been at the gym, I’ve been in and out of the gym, so we weren’t really clicking. So I finally see him and he just dropped (an) interview. And I just tapped him on the shoulder and he’s immediately nervous. Actually, this is on video. They have this on video. And I asked him, ‘Oh, what’s all that [MUTED] you’ve been talking? But we’re both men, man. You got my phone number. Why don’t we go outside and just talk like men? And he freaked out. He was like, “No, bro, you’re trying to fight, bro?! You’re so unprofessional, bro! We’re grown-ass men! What are you doing?! What’s wrong with you?!’”

    Masvidal/Covington Face-Off Takes A Sudden Turn

    Dana White
    Dana White, Image Credit: MMA Fighting

    That night, Masvidal says his intentions were to speak to Covington about certain posts on social media that pertained to him. Before long, the UFC boss got involved.

    “I’m like, ‘Let’s go outside and just talk, leave everybody here. Just go outside and talk.’ He’s like, ‘No, we’ll talk another day,’ freakin’ out like his usual self. I go back to my seat. I see him waving down Dana White. And I go, “Nah, there’s no way.’

    “You can ask Dana White this…waves down Dana White and tells Dana White that I’m trying to fight him right there on sight. But this guy’s talking all this [MUTED] on the internet, that he’s a thug. Dana White’ll come out and tell you. Like, ‘Man, Masvidal was ready to go. This guy wanted no part of it,’” Masvidal continued.

    “Dana White calls me over, he’s like, ‘Man, you trying to hand out three-pieces and a soda, Masvidal?! <Dana White laugh> No, but seriously, don’t [MUTED] fight here at the event.’ I’m like, ‘Bro, all I wanted to do was talk to the guy outside, bro. Now, he’s made it a problem by [MUTED] going to you…(he’s) snitching on me, you know?”

    It goes without saying, but Masvidal is not amused by fighters disrespecting him. For instance, Nate Diaz is also on his list of future beatdowns for talking trash about him on the internet.

    Whether snitching is worse than trash talk or not, Masvidal was not pleased by Covington’s actions.

    UFC 272 is just a few days away, and the potential for this to be the most hate-fueled match of the year keeps growing.

    Masvidal appears to have a plethora of reasons for his dislike toward Covington and will use every bit of it to motivate his punches in the cage.

    What are your thoughts on Colby Covington allegedly snitching on Jorge Masvidal to Dana White?

  • Former Grappling Industries Employee Calls In False Bomb Threat

    According to Marple Police in Pennsylvania, James O’Brien is charged with calling in terrorist threats during a tournament held by his former employer Grappling Industries.

    The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission wrestling organization Grappling Industries held an event on January 19 at Marple Sports Arena.

    Grappling Industries Event
    Grappling Industries Event, Photo Credit: Grappling Industries

    At the tournament, an employee received a call in which a man warned him to evacuate everyone from the building and call the authorities.

    Later in the investigation, police would also learn that a similar call was reported at another tournament run by Grappling Industries in Illinois.

    Thankfully, no one was harmed and the public was safe from any threats.

    On February 18, police arrested their suspect. James O’Brien, who is a former employee of Grappling Industries was taken into custody for making the terrorist threats, among other charges.

    Currently, O’Brien awaits his arraignment in Delaware County.

  • Ukrainian UFC Fighter Maryna Moroz Curses Out ‘B**ch’ Vladimir Putin

    Maryna Moroz will fight at UFC 272 despite Vladimir Putin’s advances on the country’s land and independence.

    Born in Vilnohirsk, Ukraine, Moroz has family members to worry about during her grudge match with Kazakhstan’s Mariya Agapova on March 5.

    The entire world is shaken up by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attacks against Ukraine. The act of war has and continues to take innocent Ukrainian lives.

    But “The Iron Lady’s” spirit remains strong during the tragedy. And in an interview with TMZ Sports, she had a few choice words for the Russian President:

    “F**k you, bitch! I love my country. Don’t touch Ukraine!”

    A multitude of Russian and Ukrainian athletes have openly stated they disagree with Putin’s actions and are against war. It is a scary thought that while fighting for their country’s respect and honor, many athletes are without their families during this catastrophic time.

    “It’s hard time for Ukraine. I want to support my country, my president, whole army in Ukraine, and I want to say we don’t want war. I worry about my family right now,” Moroz continued to say.

    Of course, the pressure of the fight exists but it is much bigger than that now. Moroz carries Ukrainian pride and will do her best to prove the strength and resilience of her people.

    “I will be fighting and I show that Ukraine people are strong, and my flag will be in the Octagon.”

    Moroz joins a long list of European athletes, from soccer to MMA, competing in championships while reading the horrific news of the war on Ukraine. The UFC fighter is currently on a two-fight win streak and will look to stay in the winner’s circle despite the absence of peace in her home country.

  • Holland Offers To Send Oliveira Into Retirement At UFC 272

    Before UFC 272 kicks off, Kevin Holland proposes sending Alex Oliveira into an early retirement.

    Holland and Oliveira will compete on the main card for UFC 272 on March 5. The event counts as the “Trailblazer’s” debut into the welterweight division. And his confidence going into the fight has not simmered.

    Although appreciative of the Brazilian fighter’s energy, Holland is not opposed to making this Oliveria’s last fight.

    Coming into his next bout with 3 back-to-back losses–2 via submission—plus, the emotion he expressed walking into the Niko Price fight, Holland believes the 33-year-old is due to retire.

    Niko Price and Alex Oliveira
    Niko Price and Alex Oliveira, Photo Credit: ESPN

    “(He’s) pretty awesome. The dude has really, really good energy, so it’s going to be fun to go out there and scrap with him. But I think he’s a little older and a few steps behind, so I’m looking to go out there and exploit that. It looked like he was ready to retire in his last fight with all the crying, so if he wants a warm welcome out… I think my coach was the first person to beat him in like a jiu-jitsu match or something like that. If you look it up, Travis Lutter was like his first L on the record book thing. So I could be his last. From master to student; sounds good to me,” Holland told MMAFightingonSBN.

    It will be another battle of redemption in the UFC. With the exception of Holland’s “clash of heads” no-contest against Kyle Daukaus back in October, both fighters enter the cage coming off losses and looking ahead into a brighter 2022.

    In addition, their stats are nearly equal. Both fighters have 12 knockouts and 5 submission wins under their belts.

    Both fighters carry big smiles and their energy is synonymous with confidence and entertainment. Indeed, the matchup is sure to cause a roar from the audience at the UFC APEX. And if things go as Holland envisions, it will be the final time Oliveira hears this response from a live crowd.

    Are you excited for Holland vs Oliveira at UFC 272?

  • Meet & Greet Georges St-Pierre This Summer At Dublin Comic-Con

    Fans of UFC legend Georges St-Pierre have a chance to meet him at Dublin Comic Con: Summer Edition 2022.

    GSP is easily one of the greatest MMA fighters in the history of the sport. While in the UFC, he dominated in two divisions and departed as the middleweight champ.

    He has won several accolades attributed to his success, which include Fighter of the Year from Sports Illustrated, Inside MMA, and Black Belt Magazine. Also, Canada named him their Athlete of the Year three years in a row from 2008 to 2010.

    And in 2020, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame with 26 wins and 2 losses in his career.

    Georges St-Pierre
    Georges St-Pierre

    Today, he remains one of the UFC’s most decorated fighters. “Rush” was an octagon sensation that put on stellar performances every time he entered the Octagon.

    With 9 consecutive title defenses, you cannot discuss GOAT status in the promotion without hearing the name Georges St-Pierre.

    In addition to his cage fights, St-Pierre fought on the big screen, as well. Marvel fans witnessed the elite fighter take on Captain America in The Winter Soldier, showcasing his skills in a completely different environment.

    To shake the hand of the MMA legend is the dream of many. And soon, those people will have the opportunity to do just that.

    At the Comic-Con in Dublin, GSP will reveal details about himself, his career, and his plans for the future during an event called “An Evening With Georges St-Pierre.” It will take place Saturday, August 6 at The Convention Centre Dublin in Ireland.

    Don’t miss the chance to see the former UFC superstar in close range. Earlier today (February 28), general admission and VIP tickets went on sale.

    Please visit TIXR for more information on the event and ticket purchasing.

  • Julianna Peña Names Four Female Fighters She Admired As An MMA Newcomer

    The UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña admired some of the best female names in MMA during her come-up.

    With a professional record of 11 wins and 4 losses and recently defeating one of the greatest women in MMA to obtain the UFC bantamweight title, Julianna Peña is becoming a star in her own right.

    Peña took the MMA world by storm when she defeated Amanda Nunes at UFC 269. She started a fierce MMA career back in 2009 and is still going strong. So it is no surprise that the list of women MMA fighters she admires are/were strong competitors.

    “There was, the girls that were fighting before me, while I was coming up. Miesha Tate, Cris Cyborg, and Gina Carano. I loved Gina Carano. Those were the ones that I remember too,” Peña told New York Post.

    Peña and Miesha Tate became friends during their season of The Ultimate Fighter.

     Miesha Tate
    Miesha Tate, Photo Credit: Harry How/Zuffa LLC

    Tate is a former UFC bantamweight champion who owns impressive wins against the likes of Holly Holm and Jessica Eye. In May, the former champion will face Lauren Murphy for a shot back in the winner’s circle after losing the second fight of her 2021 comeback to Ketlen Vieira.

    It is also not shocking that Cris Cyborg made the list. Her name goes hand-in-hand with women’s mixed martial arts. The current Bellator bantamweight champion was in the middle of dominating her opponents when Peña was entering the professional MMA scene.

    Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg
    Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg, Photo Credit: Strikeforce

    Gina Carano was an unstoppable force until Cyborg put an end to her 7-fight win streak in 2009. It was the only loss and last fight of her MMA career.

    “Shayna Baszler, too. I remember buying her shirt and getting her autograph and being a fan of hers. And then I had to fight her on “The Ultimate Fighter.” I was like, ‘I’m fighting someone that I look up to! Someone that I think is really great!’It was so weird to be fighting a legend. That definitely happened,” Peña continued.

    Shayna Baszler
    Shayna Baszler, Photo Credit: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

    And an exciting match it was for Peña. She defeated her idol in round 2 by rear-naked choke. The current WWE star Baszler had an MMA record of 15-11.

    What are your thoughts on the fighters Julianna Peña admired when she started MMA?

  • Israel Adesanya Talks Financial Struggles Before UFC Debut

    Israel Adesanya reports he was down to his last few hundred dollars before making a deal with the UFC.

    Now a four-time title defending champion and signed to a new major deal with the UFC, surely financial hardship isn’t on the course for Adesanya.

    However, before he got his chance with The Ultimate Fighting Championship, Adesanya experienced less than desirable contracts with other fight promotions.

    He claims there was only $300 in his bank account at the time. This was mostly due to a company in China breaching their contract with him.

    “The company that I was working in China f***** me over cause I had seven fights left in my contract, each fight at that time was like $25,000. And they just stopped giving me fights. I was like ‘what about the contract I need fights’,” said Adesanya, according to Mirror.

    He credits MMA clothing line and products site Engage for getting him through the rough patch.

    Israel Adesanya
    Israel Adesanya

    “So, I went to the UFC. Shout out to Engage though, they came in the clutch at that time. This was around my UFC debut at around November 2017. I wouldn’t have rent for either the next week or the week after,” Adesanya continued.

    Friends and family also pulled through to help the future champ.

    “This is one thing I loved about my parents, they always supported me. I hated going to them and asking ‘can you pay me this’ but I always did. And a friend like Corbin [close friend of Adesanya] as well, who was always in the clutch for me as well. People like that I keep around and I hold them dearly,” The champ explained.

    Next Up For Adesanya

    Israel Adesanya
    Israel Adesanya, Photo Credit: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

    The middleweight champ signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC before his second battle against Robert Whittaker.

    Whittaker thought he had the arsenal geared up to defeat Adesanya, but came up short in the decision. At such a close match, and “Bobby Knuckles” claiming to be the only fighter with the potential to take him down, a trilogy may be in store for the future.

    That being said, there are others in the division that are hungry to be part of Israel Adesanya’s next fight.

    For example, Jared Cannonier viciously beat Derek Brunson out of a title shot on the night of Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2. Cannonier now stands at number 2 in the middleweight rankings, just under Whittaker.

    What are your thoughts on Israel Adesanya’s financial struggle before signing with the UFC?

  • Rousey Says Judo Was Hardest On Her Body Over Wrestling And MMA

    During a Facebook Live gaming stream, UFC legend and WWE star Ronda Rousey explained how judo has been the worst for her body and gave details of her future WWE events.

    Rousey’s reign in the UFC put a spotlight on women’s MMA. With brutal armbars, she took down big names before the final bell rang.

    She was crowned the UFC bantamweight champion after a victory over Liz Carmouche back in 2013. Every title defense from then on was won by a vicious submission.

    Ronda Rousey
    Ronda Rousey, Photo Credit: UFC

    Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes are the only two fighters to defeat Rousey in her UFC career.

    But before she dominated in the octagon, Rousey made incredible strides in the Olympics.

    In 2004, she was the youngest athlete to qualify for the Olympics in Athens. The then 17-year-old gained only one win that year. However, she returned to the Summer Games in Beijing four years later and took home the bronze medal.

    Ronda Rousey, Photo Credit: Getty Images

    Judo has helped the submission artist collect a lot of Ws in her MMA career. But after many years, the Japanese martial art has become her most strenuous activity.

    “No, Judo’s definitely the hardest on my joints than MMA or pro wrestling. I was about ready to retire from Judo just because of how bad it was on my knees when I was like in my early 20s. But, what’s it called? — no, I was surprised. Even at the Royal Rumble, I wasn’t even breathing hard at the end of it and in the match the other day [in Saudi Arabia], I wasn’t even, yeah. I’m an athlete, you know? So I’m not talking about breathing hard. I wasn’t feeling like I was — I couldn’t catch my breath or something like that. So no, I feel great and I haven’t been that sore yet, but I got a bunch of live shows coming up,” Rousey explained on her Facebook Live stream (h/t Wrestling Headlines.)

    Rousey’s WWE Schedule

    Ronda Rousey
    Ronda Rousey, Photo Credit: WWE

    No longer in the UFC, Ronda Rousey now makes waves in the WWE.

    On January 29, she won the Royal Rumble after years away from the pro wrestling promotion.

    Now the former WWE champion’s schedule has certainly picked up.

    “I’m doing SmackDown this Friday and then I’m doing a live show, I think there’s one in Rochester and one in like Ohio, right? I think like the actual SmackDown is in Pennsylvania. It’s something like Pennsylvania, Ohio, I’m gonna do three shows in a row. I don’t have a match on SmackDown but I’ll be doing a match the next two nights in — on the live shows and then the next week, after SmackDown, I’m doing two live shows. I’m doing M.S.G. in New York and then I’m going to Montreal.

    “So, in the next two weeks, I’ll be having a bunch of matches. Ask me again then. I think it’s more of like the repetition of doing a bunch of matches in a row that’ll really get to you, start to be sore and the travel. Just constantly being able to sit upright but, we’re lucky enough where we actually get to travel on a bus so, I’ll be able to like lay down and not have to jump on a car or on a train after wrestling which helps,” Rousey continued to say on her live stream.

    Rousey’s last performance in the ring was at the Elimination Chamber with Naomi as her tag-team partner. Together, they defeated Charlotte Flair and Sonya Deville.

    Fans of the “Baddest Woman on the Planet” will be elated to see the former UFC champion turned WWE superstar in more wrestling matches in the future.

    Are you following Ronda Rousey’s WWE career?

  • Islam Makhachev Explains Why Charles Oliveira Would Be An Easy Fight

    Islam Makhachev believes his wrestling skills outmatch the lightweight champion’s, which makes it a good, yet easy fight for him.

    The #4 lightweight contender faces off against Bobby Green in a catchweight bout this Saturday, February 26. Green is Beniel Dariush’s replacement, as Dariush suffered an injury a week before the match.

    Makhachev and Green head into their battle with back-to-back impressive wins. Fans anticipate what both fighters will bring to the cage at UFC Fight Night 202.

    Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green
    Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green, Photo Credit: UFC/Twitter

    Some tension has built up leading to their match. For instance, Green says he will be the first fighter to give Makhachev a “real” fight. And Makhachev laughed at Bobby Green’s wrestling skills.

    But that comes as no surprise. Being the wrestling sensation that Makhachev is, he puts his wrestling skills well above many fighters.

    In his last nine straight wins, he racked up four different submissions. Last year alone, he won all of his fights by submission, which includes a kimura to take out Dan Hooker in the first round.

    Though Makhachev credits “Do Bronx” for his striking and grappling, his success leads him to believe he can put Charles Oliveira down with ease in an eventual matchup.

    “It’s gonna be good fight because we almost have same style,” Makhachev said during a UFC Vegas 49 media scrum. He have good grappling skills, he have good striking, and it’s gonna be good fight. And I don’t think it’s gonna be hard for me. I can take him out, take him down easy because I know he don’t have good wrestling skills. But his grappling skills—high level. And we will see who’s better there,” said Makhachev in a pre-fight interview.

    Currently, Oliveira has the most submission wins and finishes in UFC history and has 20 submissions in his entire MMA career. As of now, Makhachev has 10.

    By the time these two amazing grapplers reach each other those numbers can certainly change.

    Oliveira has an upcoming title defense against Justin Gaethje in May. And before that, Makhachev fights for his chance to increase his win streak to ten straight wins.

    Both fights will determine if Makhachev and Oliveira will test their skills against one another in the near future.

    How do you think Islam Makhachev matches up against Charles Oliveira?

  • Former MMA Fighter Josh Bitterman Is Running For Congress

    Former MMA fighter Josh Bitterman is running a campaign to sit in Congress for Michigan’s 11th District.

    Bitterman had a 9-1 record in his 10 amateur fights. Now, at 41-years-old, his name is heard in politics.

    The election is for the 11th District which includes four towns/cities in Michigan: Farmington Hills, Oak Park, Pontiac, and West Bloomfield Township. Bitterman plans to win the position from current seatholder U.S. Representative Haley Stevens.

    Stevens won the election back in 2017 and ended the Republican influence that held the position for many years.

    As a small business owner and native of West Bloomfield Township, Bitterman believes he has a strong chance to put Republicans back in the seat for the district.

    Bitterman joins the ranks of other MMA fighters who have run or are currently running for Congress, including Royce White, who will run against Ilhan Omar for the Minnesota Congress seat.

    https://youtu.be/59wT_Ag4zLk

    What do you make of the growing list of MMA fighters entering politics?

  • Masvidal Says Fight Against Jake Paul Could Only Happen On The Streets

    As of now, Jorge Masvidal has no plans to get in the ring with undefeated Youtube Star turned boxer, Jake Paul.

    On March 5, MMA fans get to see what could be the grudge match of the year. Masvidal will take on rival and former American Top Team training partner Colby Covington.

    The main event is hyped by pre-fight tension. And when Masvidal fights, there has to be a big check involved. And according to Masvidal, Paul does not have the lucrative pull to book a fight with him.

    The #6 welterweight has fought many big names and made a lot of money in his 50-fight career. Unless the payout is massive, Masvidal considers a fight with Paul a waste of his time.

    “I’ll fight him right now, you know, on my way to the gym. But I prepared my whole life to fight the best of the best. He’s not the best of the best… I’m not doing charity. You’re selling 70,000 PPVs, there’s nothing to talk about. He had a street team handing out free tickets at the event for people to go to the event…” said Masvidal in his interview with Audacy.

    Both times, Masvidal predicted Woodley would defeat Paul. After beating him a second time, the Paul brother called out ” Gamebred” and his former opponent Nate Diaz.

    Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley
    Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley, Photo Credit: Chris O’Meara/Associated Press

    Even then, Masvidal’s main argument for the rejection was that Paul simply cannot afford him. That being said, once Paul’s numbers go up, Masvidal claims he will gladly take on the Ohio-born boxer.

    Jake has done a lot in the past months with remaining undefeated and promoting one of the most anticipated women’s boxing matches ever between Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor. Perhaps a more lucrative future is ahead and he will one day gain Masvidal’s attention to settle their conflict in the ring.

    What are your thoughts on Jorge Masvidal not wanting to fight Jake Paul?

  • Kevin Lee Speaks On The Controversy Surrounding Joe Rogan

    Ex-UFC Veteran Kevin Lee has shared his dislike for the surge of negativity against Joe Rogan in the media.

    Lee will debut at Eagle FC on March 11 against Diego Sanchez in a catchweight bout. The match follows his recent, sudden release from the UFC.

    There were some hardships that led up to Lee’s release from the promotion. USADA gave him a 6-month suspension for the use of Adderall weeks prior. In addition, leading up to the end of his UFC career, he took home only one victory in his last 5 fights. The losses brought some uncertainty to his future with the promotion.

    And like every other fighter in any promotion, with a loss comes criticism and hate from the public.

    It is a cold world. Trolls on social media tried to tear him down after every defeat. So Kevin Lee may know, through experience, how Joe Rogan feels at the moment.

    Following accusations of spreading COVID-19 misinformation on his podcast and videos showing him using racially insensitive language, many have called for The Joe Rogan Experience to be shut down and taken off of Spotify.

    In Rogan’s defense, he claims his words were taken out of context. Kevin Lee admits to having a similar experience because social media has also misconstrued his words in the past as well.

    “Sometimes I hate being on social media. Sometimes I hate communicating with people because it can always be taken out of context. So it’s like, maybe I should just do actions and not say anything. Even though that’s not where we want to be either. You got a voice, it’s worth something. It’s not always worth something bad, especially if you don’t have no ill intention behind it,” Lee explained in an interview with Middle Easy.

    Joe Rogan Vs. “Cancel Culture”

    Joe Rogan
    Joe Rogan, Photo Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

    Times are rough for Joe Rogan at the moment, and it doesn’t help that his podcast also has long-standing accusations of transphobic comments and spreading misinformation about the community.

    No matter how much Joe Rogan apologizes for certain behaviors, it seems much of the public cannot be pleased. And Kevin Lee, among others, has spoken out in his defense.

    Lee blames the “culture” for the negative spotlight on Rogan.

    “One day maybe we’ll figure out a way to solve these types of issues. But one thing we can’t do is turn our back on each other, even when you do like make little mistakes or slip up. That comes in everybody’s life. At some point, I’m going to say some dumb sh*t. I have said some dumb sh*t. It’s real easy for people to write people off. I think that’s just a f*cked up way to be. It’s just a f*cked up culture,” Lee continued to say.

    “Cancel culture” has taken aim at the careers of many. One prime example is Gina Carrano, who claims she was ‘canceled’ when she was removed from LucasFilm after using social media to voice some of her political opinions.

    Many UFC fans missed Joe Rogan at UFC 271. And according to Dana White, he could have been there.

    The absence produced many questions and sparked a debate: Was it because of scheduling conflicts, or is the recent controversy at fault?

    What are your thoughts on Kevin Lee’s opinion of the Joe Rogan controversy?

  • Georges St-Pierre Recently Settled A Coffee Debt With McDonald’s

    Georges St-Pierre paid back the money he owed McDonald’s for a coffee he “begged” for earlier in the week.

    During his reign in the UFC, GSP was an almost unstoppable force. He is known as one of the greatest fighters to grace the octagon.

    GSP is a former two-division champion, holding titles in both the middleweight and welterweight divisions. In addition, he is a former three-time welterweight champion in the UFC.

    St-Pierre left the UFC on a 13-fight win streak and as the welterweight champion. He suffered only two losses in his 28-fight professional MMA career, and he won the rematches for both.

    With such an exemplary career, GSP was undoubtedly one of the promotion’s most lucrative fighters. He took home millions of dollars and made more outside of the cage.

    Certainly, a McDonald’s coffee won’t break the bank, right?

    “I always pay back my debt,” GSP wrote as the caption for the Instagram video explaining the story.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CaKlOP_Fh_u/

    “Earlier this week I’m going to the McDonald’s to order a vanilla coffee. And after I ordered it I realized that I forgot my wallet at home. So when it’s time to pay I look down and because I have no wallet I have like four dollars and a change. The woman looks at me and goes Hey, you’re Georges St Pierre and you’re begging for coffee. I was like yes it was freaking embarrassing and yeah now I have to go back and pay my debt,” said GSP (via Sports Manor).

    As one of the most likable MMA fighters to ever grace the Octagon, it’s no shock the cashier was willing to give him the coffee. But returning to repay the debt certainly solidifies the good nature of the Canadian native.

    What are your thoughts on Georges St. Pierre paying off a coffee debt to McDonald’s?

  • Masvidal Disagrees With Trans Swimmer Competing Against Women

    Jorge Masvidal thinks “it’s not fair” transgender Ivy League swimmer Lia Thomas is allowed to compete in the women’s division.

    Recent controversy has stirred up from the dominant performances Lia Thomas puts on for the University of Pennsylvania. As Thomas used to swim for the university’s men’s team, the ongoing debate of transgender persons in sports has reignited.

    Thomas broke several records and received several awards while swimming on the Quakers women’s team. And her achievements have come under heavy scrutiny.

    Lia Thomas
    Lia Thomas, Photo credit: Getty Images

    There is a harsh spotlight beaming on the star transgender athlete. From news channels to the opinions of other athletes, Thomas is unable to swim without immense pressure.

    There are many who disagree with transgender women in women’s sports. For example, Caitlyn Jenner also thinks it is “unfair” to allow transgender women in women’s sports.

    And UFC veteran Jorge Masvidal shares that opinion. (h/t SportsKeeda)

    “It’s such a no-brainer right? It’s not fair. It’s just not. Men should compete against men. If you don’t want to compete against men, it’s not fair to go and compete against women… I’m not trying to diss girls but it’s just different you know. Girls should compete against girls,” said Masvidal.

    He not only disagrees with transwomen in women’s sports, but Masvidal also refuses to let his daughter compete in sports where it is allowed.

    Masvidal has never been one to shy away from honesty. Colby Covington and Nate Diaz can surely attest to that.

    But regardless of the existing members of an unsupportive audience, Thomas has a great future in the sport and at the school. She continues to prove that pressures outside of the pool have yet to diminish her athletic spirit.

    Transgender Women In MMA

    MMA is no stranger to the heavily debated topic, and Masvidal is not the only fighter opposed to it.

    When transgender fighter Fallon Fox was competing, Ronda Rousey refused to fight her, and Joe Rogan was openly honest about his disapproval of her as a contender in the women’s league.

    Fallon Fox
    Fallon Fox, Photo Credit: Championship Fighting Alliance

    Now that Fallon is retired, MMA newcomer and former member of the U.S. Army special forces transgender fighter Alana McLaughlin is the new face of trans women in MMA. And that has come with a lot of backlash.

    Michael Bisping, Joe Rogan, Sean Strickland, and others have voiced their negative opinions about McLaughlin.

    She won her first and only fight last September via submission. However, the win was met with a lot of anger and ridicule.

    Alana McLaughlin
    Alana McLaughlin, Photo Credit: Barcroft Images / Alana McLaughlin

    As of now, it is unclear when she fights again.

    The heated and controversial debate seems to thicken with every transgender athlete’s achievement.

    Although not yet finished making strides, women in sports have come a long way. But the transgender community still has many roadblocks to face.

    What are your thoughts on Jorge Masvidal’s opinion of Lia Thomas competing on UPenn’s women’s swim team?

  • Jorge Masvidal Wants To Put An End To Nate Diaz’s Trash Talk

    BMF Champion Jorge Masvidal won’t pull any punches if a rematch happens against Nate Diaz.

    UFC 272 goes underway on March 5. Masvidal will face his former training partner and rival Colby Covington. The headlining event is sure to drop jaws as pre-fight tension is at an all-time high.

    The two fighters are going back and forth with vicious verbal attacks on social media and interviews, setting up what could be the most hate-fueled fight in recent history. However, a recent uptick in Masvidal’s rivalry with Nate Diaz may bump the Covington fight down a few notches.

    The conflict between Masividal and Diaz has been brewing since their first battle in 2019. The fight ended in a doctor stoppage at the end of round 3. And although Masvidal was the winner and claimed the BMF belt, of course, Nate Diaz would not let that be the end of it.

    Jorge Masvidal, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Nate Diaz
    Jorge Masvidal, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Nate Diaz; Photo Credit: Getty Images

    Social media would see a lot of tweets from Diaz expressing his honest disapproval of Masvidal as well as mocking him. Because of this, Masvidal feels disrespected by Diaz and would be willing to fight him before a rematch with Usman after the Covington fight.

    “That little fu***** broomstick keeps talking, you’re going to have to go at some point, you know. [When] I take Colby’s a** out, if I gotta wait for Usman, it could be you that gets this a**whooping, bro… Let’s fu***** go, man, I’m gonna break your fu***** face, bro,” said Masvidal (h/t SportsKeeda),

    Many fighters know the game of trash talk. With many fights, it is the foundation to get fans pumped to watch. For Masvidal, he would just love the opportunity to shut Diaz up.

    Another title shot is still on “Gamebred’s” mind. However, it can be put on hold so long as he gets a rematch against Diaz.

    “It’s not a call out. After handling business, I’m going for the title, and if I don’t have time to go for the title, I’m gonna break your fu***** face for all the s*** talking you’ve done,” Masvidal continued.

    Only time will tell if Masvidal and Diaz will run it back. Clearly, though, it is a priority on Masvidal’s list. Fans will have to wait and see if Diaz will be on board.

    What are your thoughts on the prospect of Masvidal vs. Diaz 2?

  • UFC Veteran Jessica Eye Wants A Future With All Elite Wrestling

    Jessica Eye has revealed that she wants to wrestle in All Elite Wrestling.

    A little over a week until UFC 272 and Jessica already has her “Evil” eye on another athletic venture.

    Eye will face Manon Fiorot on March 5 in an early preliminary bout. Her French opponent is currently on a dominant eight-fight win streak, suffering only one loss via split decision–at the start of her professional MMA career.

    Jessica’s last bout was in 2021 against Jennifer Maia at UFC 264. After losing the match, Eye had an opportunity for redemption a few months later. However, the bout was canceled due to Eye being hospitalized for an illness.

    It will be Eye’s 30th professional match at UFC 272. And after several back-to-back losses, it will be her chance to get back in the winner’s circle.

    However, win or lose, she wants a slice of All Elite Wrestling.

    Recently, on February 21, Jessica Eye made a statement in regards to AEW.

    “I want to wrestle in AEW,” tweeted Jessica.

    Short and sweet. And with a long list of other MMA fighters that have jumped on the AEW bandwagon, Eye would fit perfectly.

    She will join Paige Vanzant, Junior Dos Santos, Kayla Harrison, and many others that made cameos on the professional wrestling show. Even the BMF champ Jorge Masvidal got the AEW audience riled up when he made an appearance.

    With fighter pay still an ongoing issue within the UFC, many of the promotion’s fighters have branched out, or retired, to acquire money elsewhere. Eye, currently 15 wins, 10 losses, and 1 No Contest, maybe another addition to that growing list.

    Her possible transition to AEW begs the question: face or heel? The nickname “Evil” may prompt fans to push for the latter.

    What are your thoughts on Jessica Eye wanting to wrestle in AEW?

  • BKFC President Provides Update On Paige VanZant’s Return Date

    BKFC President David Feldman assures fans that Paige VanZant will return to the promotion before the end of summer.

    Although coming off back-to-back losses, VanZant will try to make a comeback in the BKFC ring.

    She suffered her second loss in the promotion to fellow former UFC flyweight Rachel Ostovich. This would serve as a rematch to the win VanZant gained over Ostovich back in early 2019.

    But VanZant did not hide away in a corner after experiencing the losses. In fact, she stays busy in the realm of combat sports.

    Outside of her OnlyFans page, she has appeared on All Elite Wrestling, causing chaos with pro wrestler Brandi Rhodes.

    Paige VanZant
    Paige VanZant, Photo Credit: AEW

    And, according to Feldman, fans will see a better version of VanZant fairly soon. The BKFC president has high regard for the young fighter and is excited to see her pull through in the promotion. (h/t Essentially Sports)

    ”She will definitely be back in spring or early summer. A 100% Paige will be back. We have some really good things planned for her. The thing about Paige VanZant is she could not win either of her fights. She came to fight and fought her ass off both times. She did really really well, never took a backward step and you know it’s a different sport. Like I keep saying it and she is learning it, so for her to wanna fight again in bare-knuckle. After taking two losses, you gotta take your hat off to her. You really do, I do, and looking forward to seeing her comeback,” Feldman told MMA Junkie.

    There is no clear opponent for VanZant as of yet, but later this year, she will have the opportunity to get into the winner’s circle.

    Hopefully for VanZant, she can join the other former UFC fighters Mike Perry and Chad Mendes, who both picked up BKFC wins last Saturday.

    Do you anticipate Paige VanZant’s return to the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship?

  • Demetrious Johnson Puts Full-Time Twitch Streamer Dream On Hold

    ONE Championship’s Demetrious Johnson is putting his goals of streaming on Twitch full-time on the back burner.

    There’s a list of fighters who found stardom on Twitch, including Max Holloway, Angela Hill, and “Rampage” Jackson. But Johnson has been in the game longer and feels the streaming service comes with a few obstacles to conquer.

    During his successful streaming career, Johnson hardly had any time for his family. He would train, stream, and repeat. Exhaustion eventually caught up with him, and it was time to put the sticks down and focus on the important things.

    Demetrious Johnson
    Demetrious Johnson, Photo Credit: Game Informer

    “My schedule basically consisted of this: I would go to the gym, train for a session, stream afterward, then get my second session in, come home, eat dinner, kiss my wife, and then go downstairs and stream for another two hours,” Johnson said. At the time, he was making around $3,000 per month from streaming, enough to cover his mortgage. “But then it came to a point where I was like, ‘Why am I doing this? I don’t get to go to bed with my wife. I’m absolutely exhausted. It’s just not worth it,’ ” Johnson told The Washington Post.

    He’s sorry for streamers’ who experience a fluctuation in their followers and subscribers. The thought of being dependent on subscribers to support himself financially does not entice him. Furthermore, the point of him playing video games is simply for enjoyment.

    Training as a mixed martial artist probably sounds daunting to the average gamer. Being one of the greatest fighters in the world is far from easy, but to Johnson, it makes a lot more sense than swimming in Twitch’s algorithm pool and maintaining the support of subscribers.

    Once, “Mighty Mouse” wished to live the seemingly exciting life as a gamer on Twitch. Now, those plans have come to an end.

    The more conversations he has with current streamers and channels he views, the less desirable the idea becomes. Now, Demetrious Johnson fights with ONE Championship.

    “Wake up every day and stream full time? … Oh god no. I couldn’t do it,” Johnson said during an interview on The Washington Post’s Friday live stream, Press Play. “Sometimes I feel bad for some of the streamers; one moment they have a s—load [of subscribers], and then next thing you know, they take a little time off, and their subscriber numbers just drop. I’ll play video games because I enjoy it, but I don’t want it to be my livelihood,” Johnson continues to say.

    Johnson’s love for video games will never diminish. However, now just isn’t the time for him to pursue a full-time streaming career on Twitch.

    At this time, his focus is on his next bout with ONE Championship. On March 26 he faces off with flyweight Muay Thai Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in a special rules match.

    What are your thoughts on “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson giving up being a full-time Twitch streamer?

  • MMA Fighter Kane Mousah Is Still Going Strong Since His Prison Sentence

    12 years ago, MMA fighter Kane Mousah spent four years in prison but has refused to let it ruin his career.

    As a young MMA fighter, Mousah feared his career was over when he got sent away. Every day, his prison sentence reminds him of where he came from.

    It happened early in his career and was the consequence of his involvement in a gang. Reportedly, Mousah and others were searched and found guilty of possessing a handgun, bullets, and a silencer.

    At the time, Mousah was only 23 years of age—young and with a promising career in MMA. Even the judge described the sentencing as a “tragedy” for the rising star.

    He was given a 9-year sentence but served only four. The prison experience truly turned his life around.

    “Prison deterred me from the life that I used to live – I think it needed to happen for me. I did my time and I used it to change my perspective on life, to make sure I’d come out as a better person. Since I’ve come out of prison, all I’ve tried to do is help other people out along the way. I think I do that,” Mousah told Manchester Evening News.

    “The Danger’s” return was incredible, winning by TKO inside round 1. Then, in 2014, he continued to win three back-to-back fights before the second round. He has found success across many MMA platforms before winning two bouts at Bellator.

    Now, at 35, Mousah is training hard with one of the UFC’s most exciting prospects, Khamzat Chimaev for his 15th fight since his return to the cage in 2013.

    Kane will fight Irishman Peter Queally in Ireland at Bellator 275 on February 25.

    Peter Queally and Kane Mousah
    Peter Queally and Kane Mousah, Photo Credit: Fight Nights Global / Bellator MMA

    Both Peter and Kane return to the cage after suffering losses in their last bouts. Mousah is the underdog, as the fight will take place in Queally’s home country.

    Regardless of the home advantage for Queally, Mousah is excited for the match and expects to win.

    Are you excited for Kane Mousah Vs Peter Queally at Bellator 275?

  • Bellator’s Brennan Ward Returns After Addiction Hardship

    Brennan Ward will fight at Bellator 274 after nearly a year of sobriety from drug abuse.

    Ward has seen success and failure within the cage. Most of his wins were finished before the final bell. Only one of his bouts went to decision in his 20-fight career.

    The 14-6-0 fighter faced many battles since his 2008 debut. But his most difficult battle was with drug addiction.

    “I used fentanyl all day, every day,” Ward said. “I found opiates young, when I was in high school — Oxy, Vicodin — and I loved them. I loved them since the first time I did them at 14 years old. And I have chased them ever since. I had lots of money when I was fighting so I was buying lots of drugs and then the pills got hard to find, so we all started doing heroin and then heroin turns to fentanyl. And there you are,” Ward said, according to CT Insider.

    Often, Ward fought while under the influence of drugs. The addiction was controlling most of his life. He missed out on precious times with his daughter because he was either in jail or rehab.

    Brennan Ward
    Brennan Ward

    Still, his addiction came first and he continued to spiral further into its control.

    Although Ward appeared fine on the outside, he experienced frequent blackouts, called out of many fights, broke contracts—leading a life with hard drugs at the reins.

    “I was [messed] up all the time,” Ward said. “I know [people] that get away with it for however long they’re using for. I’m like, ‘How does your wife not know?’ I’m a dead giveaway. Enough was enough. My daughter doesn’t deserve this. It’s not fair for her to get brought into this world and have a father like that. It’s almost like growing up, dude. I was getting too old for that. It’s a selfish, selfish lifestyle because you keep saying, ‘I’m only hurting myself.”

    “Irish” made many attempts to overcome addiction; this one proves the most successful. No one has seen Ward in the cage since his 2 losses in 2017. Now, he has a chance for redemption against Brandon Bell.

    Bellator 274 kicks off Saturday, February 19. And he will enter the cage already feeling like a winner. For the first time in years, he breathes air free of addiction.

    Ward Joins List Of Inspirational Fighters

    Many mixed martial artists have become martyrs for change to help fight drug addiction.

    Terrance McKinney(top), Isaac Vallie-Flagg(bottom), Court McGee(right)
    Terrance McKinney(top), Isaac Vallie-Flagg(bottom), Court McGee(right); Photo Credit:  LFA / UFC Fight Pass / The McGee Project

    For instance, UFC fighter Court McGee has over ten years of sobriety to be proud of. He supports anyone struggling with the disease and is a motivational speaker for the cause.

    And a little over five years ago, Terrance McKinney was hospitalized after a fatal drug overdose in which he died twice. He now tells his story to fans via social media, and many have thanked him for sharing the personal and shocking ordeal.

    American welterweight Isaac Vallie-Flagg fought the awful disease. For years, he struggled with it, and even after a stint with the law, he continued to abuse drugs until it started to ruin his relationship with his family. He now spends his time out of the gym helping others with the disease.

    Similarly, all these fighters believed they should be dead or in jail, but have turned their lives around for the better and could not be more thankful for a second chance.

    Since opening up about his issues with substance abuse, Ward has inspired others to get their lives back on track.

    “My inbox went crazy,” he said. “To see these people now — they’re going to detox, they’re getting clean. I’m trying to talk to all these people the best I can. I might have needed somebody like me years ago, another dude I could relate to, another dude who was an absolute savage like I was. I couldn’t find that. I couldn’t relate to anybody,” Ward explained.

    Sometimes, it takes hitting rock-bottom or destroying the lives of others to really see the destruction of drug addiction. All of these fighters, and many others, are perfect examples that anyone can overcome drug or alcohol addiction.

    Whether fighting in a cage or sitting at a desk, the disease of addiction can affect anyone.

    If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are helpful resources available:

    Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) // CrisisTextLine.org // National Drug Helpline: (844) 289-0879

  • Watch: MMA Fighter Suffers Nasty Head Gash Due To “Faulty Cage”

    Amateur MMA fighter Hunter Boone is recovering from a head gash he reportedly received during a match with the Martial Combat League.

    The bout took place on February 12. Boone faced Jordan Brown at Martial Combat League 3, and within 17 seconds, the match came to a stop.

    After both fighters rushed each other, Boone’s head collided with the cage. Immediately, he fell to the ground. Boone fought back, somewhat, with his opponent on top of him, but a moment of stiffness caused the ref to end the match.

    You can check out the video below.

    “A few seconds after the bell rung Hunter and his opponent spun into the cage,” coach Jason Greer wrote on Facebook. “His opponent had a collar tie and as they hit the fence, Hunter’s head slammed into the gate resulting in Hunter suffering a 20-centimeter gash across the front of his hairline from the left to the right, down the right side and towards the back basically scalping him,” said Greer according to MMA Fighting.

    The shocking loss comes after two round 1 finishes, a ghastly end to the fighter’s 2-fight win streak in his amateur career.

    Boone is reportedly okay, nursing the 17 staples in his head.

    Hunter Boone
    Hunter Boone, Photo Credit: Hunter Boone

    Fellow gym partner, Jesse Dalton, believes the gash was the cause of a faulty cage. However, Martial Combat League put out a statement insisting their cage was in standard condition prior to and after the match.

    “We understand and appreciate everyone’s concern on what happened and our hearts are with the individual who was injured in this incident,” Martial Combat League officials wrote on Facebook. “We were in just as much shock as anyone when this occurred. We assembled our cage no differently than we have for each of our previous events. It is our understanding that the sanctioning commission of the event inspected the cage prior to the show. No issues with the cage were brought to our attention by the sanctioning commission…” said MCL.

    Hopefully, it is a speedy recovery and the “Alpha Wolf” can get his MMA career back on track.

    What are your thoughts on Boone’s horrific injury?

  • Former UFC Fighter Mike Swick Announces He’s Battling Cancer

    On February 16, Mike Swick announced his battle with cancer on Instagram.

    Mike Swick first graced the MMA cage in 1998. His exceptional debut was won by a round 1 rear-naked choke. From there, Swick continued to be a phenomenal contender in the welterweight and middleweight divisions.

    After taking a loss in his WEC debut, Swick showed up a few months later for redemption in his first UFC appearance. In only 20 seconds of the first round, he knocked out Alex Schoenauer.

    Swick certainly lived up to the name. “Quick” finished eight fights inside of round 1, mostly by knockout. Out of his 15 wins, only four went to decision.

    His last bout was in 2015 where he took his 6th professional loss in the octagon against Alex Garcia.

    Two years later, Mike teased a matchup between him and UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes. The bout would have been both fighters’ return to the cage. A fight with Hughes was Swick’s dream during the prime of his career, but, unfortunately, the match never took off.

    Now retired, Swick is the founder and owner of Boxing Boyz, a metaverse boxing platform. He also owns the MMA gym AKA Thailand. Additionally, he has served as the host and creator of the “Real Quick With Mike Swick Podcast.”

    On Wednesday, Swick spoke on Instagram about his cancer diagnosis and recovery.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CaCrBtXhVmw/

    “Anyway, for those wondering where I have been the last 5 weeks, I been battling Cancer in the toughest and most aggressive battle I have ever had. Started with a 48 hour water fast, then the first Chemo session with an additional 24 hour water fast, then a day of solid plant based organic food, followed by another chemo and fast, then plant based again, keeping this routine until the week was over. From then I kept Chemo every other day for the next 3 weeks while eating only plant based organic cancer killing foods daily.”

    “I will get a scan and update in just over a week but I decided not to hide this. I want everyone to watch as I beat this BS and recover myself back to 100% with a full recovery. So stay tuned…”

    Swick ensures everyone he is staying strong through recovery and will continue to keep fans up-to-date. Many left hopeful and encouraging comments to send positive vibes to the MMA veteran.

    What’s your all-time favorite Mike Swick moment?

  • Former Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic Becomes Full-Time Firefighter

    Amid rumors of returning to the Octagon, Westlake Fire Department in Ohio swore in former UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic as a full-time Firefighter.

    The ceremony took place on February 15, after Miocic and two others completed their testing.

    While being one of the greatest heavyweight contenders, Miocic doubled as a part-time firefighter. He worked for the Valley View Fire Department for a number of years and now works for the Fire Department in Westlake.

    Stipe Miocic
    Stipe Miocic, Photo Credit: Jamie Meklemburg

    The inauguration of this new role comes just a few months after he dismissed rumors of going into retirement.

    But as a full-time firefighter, it leaves room to ponder when Miocic will make his return to the Octagon.

    Although his last fight ended in a round 2 knockout, Micoc is not discouraged. After his championship loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260, he made it clear he still has a lot of fight in him.

    Earlier in the month, and in the past, Jon “Bones” Jones flirted with the idea of a match between him and Miocic. Stipe always agreed to the matchup, however, nothing has yet to come of it.

    Stipe Miocic was a well-deserved champion. In his 15 years of MMA, the Ohio native accrued 15 wins by knockout. The first loss of his career was in 2012 against the 7 foot tall Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve.

    Additionally, Miocic has proven he has the ability to bounce back from losses in the past. He bested Daniel Cormier twice in their trilogy and defeated Junior Dos Santos by TKO after losing to him by decision a few years prior.

    Miocic is one of the most successful heavyweights to ever compete. Undoubtedly, he will apply his greatness to being the best firefighter he can.

    What are your thoughts on Stipe Miocic becoming a full-time firefighter?