Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
FURY Professional Grappling will stage its third event on Dec. 30 on UFC Fight Pass from inside the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Penn., and you would be hard-pres…
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
FURY Professional Grappling will stage its third event on Dec. 30 on UFC Fight Pass from inside the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Penn., and you would be hard-pressed to find more UFC fighters — outside of an actual UFC event — competing in one place.
Headlining “Fury Grappling 3” is the showdown between UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas and jiu jitsu wunderkind Danielle Kelly. Elsewhere on the card, UFC welterweight veteran Donald Cerrone returns to action opposite fellow UFC fighter Joe Solecki.
Here’s the latest Fury Grappling 3 lineup:
MAIN CARD (7:30 p.m. ET)
Rose Namajunas vs. Danielle Kelly Sean Brady vs. Craig Jones Joe Solecki vs. Donald Cerrone Clay Guida vs. Billy Quarantillo Chase Hooper vs. Renato Moicano Nicky Rod vs. Steve Mowry Kevin Holland vs. Kody Hamrah Neil Magny vs. Joaquim Silva Alex Caceres vs. Eddy Torres Phil Hawes vs. Andre Petroski
PRELIMS (6:30 p.m. ET)
Matt Pontano vs. Eiad Kassis Ryot Quinn vs. Brayden Cain
Namajunas is expected to defend her UFC title against Carla Esparza at some point in early-to-mid 2022. Cerrone, meanwhile, has not seen the inside of the Octagon since losing to Alex Morono last May. “Cowboy” is winless across his last six fights.
For more information on Fury Grappling 3 click here.
Nate was in attendance at the Jake Paul-Tyron Woodley rematch on Saturday to show support for his teammate Chris Avila who fought in the card. And as per usual, he found himself in a bit of an altercation with A.J. McKee’s teammate Carrese Archer.
As for “The Problem Child,” Diaz sent this message in a recent Instagram post.
“The Paul sisters hired this security team to make sure I wouldn’t get to them, like I was actually trying too,” Diaz wrote. “but it’s alll good with u guys I don’t take this fight thang with u2 serious.you guys playing boxing with wrestlers who can’t box or lil ass Floyd and that’s not cool bruh but it’s good
“I’m a real fighter from the real fight game so don’t trip so hard when you see me fellas let’s just be friends it’s good”
Diaz (20-13) had one fight left in his UFC contract, which was reportedly extended by the organization without a signed deal in place. He last saw action at UFC 263 against Leon Edwards and lost via decision.
Longtime UFC color commentator, Joe Rogan has defended the promotion’s commentary booth which has been the subject of major criticism over the last number of years, claiming that he himself tries to be as fair and unbiased in his role as possible, as well as maintaining he is hugely respectful of competitors. Rogan, who usually […]
Longtime UFC color commentator, Joe Rogan has defended the promotion’s commentary booth which has been the subject of major criticism over the last number of years, claiming that he himself tries to be as fair and unbiased in his role as possible, as well as maintaining he is hugely respectful of competitors.
Rogan, who usually handles North American-based pay-per-view events for the organization, has seen his role continually limited over the last year amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with the promotion making several trips to the Middle East for pay-per-view events.
Cruz’s criticism of Cormier led to widespread questioning of the former undisputed light heavyweight and heavyweight champion’s performance in the role, with many claiming that American Kickboxing Academy trainee had previously shown favor to former teammates, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and most recently, Manel Kape during his time in the commentary booth.
Joe Rogan defends his role as UFC color commentator following recent criticism
Reacting to the recent criticism which has landed at the booth, Rogan, who has also been criticized for an apparent fall off in knowledge, judging, or understanding of the evolution of the sport, claimed that he always attempts to remain as unbiased as possible while carrying out the role.
“I try to be very fair, always, with my commentary,” Joe Rogan told on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience. “And I’m also very respectful. Like, even if you think that my commentary was biased, or one way or another, you’ll never think I’m disrespectful, ‘cause I try to; unless someone’s doing something dirty.” (Transcribed by Sportskeeda)
Rogan also recently condemned Brazilian flyweight contender, Priscila Cachoeira following her UFC 269 submission loss to Gillian Robertson.
Opening the preliminary card at the event, the Rio de Janeiro suffered a buzzer-beating opening round rear-naked choke loss to Robertson, before twice attempting to gouge the eye of the slick submission artist before eventually tapping. Rogan subsequently called for the 33-year-old to be released from the promotion as a result of her attempted eye-gouging.
Donald Cerrone accepts an award from UFC VP Jeff Novitzky in September. | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Donald Cerrone gives some words of wisdom for young fighters today. A UFC title may have eluded him, but Donald C…
Donald Cerrone accepts an award from UFC VP Jeff Novitzky in September. | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Donald Cerrone gives some words of wisdom for young fighters today.
A UFC title may have eluded him, but Donald Cerrone remains to be one of today’s most respected veterans. A professional of 15 years and counting, “Cowboy” continues to compete at the sport’s biggest stage.
As someone who’s seen and experienced it all, the 38-year-old Cerrone has taken many younger fighters under his wing at his very own BMF Ranch in New Mexico. And as he sees a lot of them venture into the sport on a pro-level, he gave these pieces of advice in a recent YouTube video on his channel.
“Now we are in today’s world with MMA getting so big, you have to find a manager, find a coach, find somebody that has those outlets so that they can help you. ‘Hey, I know so and so, he runs this show, I can get you in.’ And then enough of those ins, get you to the next level, to the next level,” he said.
“And as you move up to the next levels, you have to keep elevating everything. Your managers, your training, your training partners, everything has to keep going.
“You can’t stay with the same guys. It doesn’t happen. It’s like trying to say I married my high school sweetheart. Sometimes, that works. But the person I am right now is so much different than the person I was then. And that happens as you get fame and success and everything as well.”
Fans also love Cerrone for his willingness to fight as often as possible. Except for 2021, he’s fought thrice in a calendar year. From 2014-2016 and 2019, he competed four times. He’s seemingly kept himself fight-ready at all times, and he encourages up-and-comers to do the same.
“I was the guy they’d call and I’d take a fight on two days’ notice, three days’ notice,” he said. “I was always the last-minute guy. All the time. Which is why I tell these kids, ‘You guys gotta be ready. ‘Cause, they’re gonna call.’
Cerrone (36-16, 2 NC) last appeared inside the UFC Octagon in May against Alex Morono, whom he lost to via first-round TKO. He last competed on December 19 against Craig Jones in a combat jiu-jitsu match and lost via rear-naked choke submission.
UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori has responded to compliments from Michael Bisping about his championship credentials, promising that he’ll be the one to dethrone “PED user” Israel Adesanya.
Vettori has already failed to strip Adesanya of his gold o…
UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori has responded to compliments from Michael Bisping about his championship credentials, promising that he’ll be the one to dethrone “PED user” Israel Adesanya.
Vettori has already failed to strip Adesanya of his gold on one occasion and failed to have his hand raised at two attempts against “The Last Stylebender.” After falling to a split decision to the Nigerian-New Zealander in 2018 when both were relatively new to the UFC, “The Italian Dream” fought his way to the top, earning a title shot following victories over Karl Roberson, Jack Hermansson, and Kevin Holland.
In the UFC 263 main event in June this year, Vettori re-visited his rivalry with Adesanya. While he was able to take the champ the 25-minute distance, which was more than both Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa had managed, the 28-year-old was comfortably beaten on the scorecards.
But the Trento native’s hopes of returning to contention couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. After showing his toughness by accepting a light heavyweight clash against an overweight Costa, Vettori put his power and chin on full display across five rounds with “The Eraser” at UFC Vegas 41. Thanks to a pressing volume and some clean lands, Vettori jumped to #2 in the rankings with a unanimous decision victory over the Brazilian.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CViXkVCrsEi/
Discussing that performance during a recent Q&A on his YouTube channel, Bisping, a former 185-pound titleholder and current color commentator, suggested Vettori would be the current middleweight king if it wasn’t for the presence of Adesanya.
“If it wasn’t for Israel Adesanya right now, he’d (Vettori) be the champ, definitely… He’s the next best guy at 185 in my opinion, he’s doing tremendous things. I’m a friend of Marvin’s, I think he’s tremendous. That fight he had against Paulo Costa was sensational. I called that fight, I was right there, he won that fight fair and square but Paulo Costa had a lot of success and some of the shots that Marvin ate, some of those kicks and punches and the power that Costa has, Marvin took every single fucking one of them.” (h/t Sportskeeda)
Vettori Responds With A Promise
Upon seeing Bisping’s take, Vettori took to Twitter to respond. After showing his appreciation for “The Count,” the top contender made a promise. He assured Bisping that he’ll still be the one to end Adesanya’s reign, despite failing to do so six months ago.
“Appreciate it @Bisping Im still gonna show you I will dethrone this PED user very soon.”
While he undoubtedly impressed in his last outing and established himself as one of the top contenders, it’ll likely be a while until Vettori has another chance at having middleweight gold wrapped around his waist.
UFC will separate contender from pretender when No. 3-ranked Beneil Dariush risks his spot in the 155-pound title chase against streaking lightweight grappler Islam Makhachev, currently ranked No. 4, with the victor …
UFC
UFC will separate contender from pretender when No. 3-ranked Beneil Dariush risks his spot in the 155-pound title chase against streaking lightweight grappler Islam Makhachev, currently ranked No. 4, with the victor expected to challenge the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje at some point in 2022.
Event: UFC Vegas 49: “Dariush vs. Makhachev” Date: Sat., Feb. 26, 2022 Location: APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada Broadcast: ESPN+ (4 p.m. ET Prelims | 7 p.m. ET Main Card)
155 lbs.: Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Rong Zhu 115 lbs.: Hannah Goldy vs. Jinh Yu Frey 155 lbs.: Joel Alvarez vs. Arman Tsarukyan 185 lbs.: Misha Cirkunov vs. Makhmud Muradov 125 lbs.: Victor Altamirano vs. Carlos Hernandez 155 lbs.: Terrance McKinney vs. Fares Ziam 185 lbs.: Gregory Rodrigues vs. Armen Petrosyan 135 lbs.: Alejandro Perez vs. Jonathan Martinez
*Fight card, bout order and number of fights remain subject to change due to COVID-19.*
To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 49 news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive here. For more upcoming UFC events click here.
Longtime UFC color commentator, Joe Rogan has defended the promotion’s commentary booth which has been the subject of major criticism over the last number of years, claiming that he himself tries to be as fair and unbiased in his role as possible, as well as maintaining he is hugely respectful of competitors. Rogan, who usually […]
