Even at the age of 51, Herschel Walker still has the competitive fire that once led him to greatness.On Tuesday afternoon, the football legend stated on The LaVar Arrington Show with Chad Dukes (via MMAfighting.com) that he would like to step back into…
Even at the age of 51, Herschel Walker still has the competitive fire that once led him to greatness.
On Tuesday afternoon, the football legend stated on The LaVarArrington Show with Chad Dukes (via MMAfighting.com) that he would like to step back into the cage one final time before calling it a career.
“I would love to do it again,” he said. “I absolutely love MMA. I think it’s an excellent sport.”
Walker wasn’t simply displaying his adoration for a sport where he holds a 2-0 record as a professional.
If I was younger, I would be doing it right now. Because I’m a little bit older and I have a business going, I would like to do one more fight and then, I think, it’s time for me step aside and give it to the young people. But I would love to do one more fight.
When asked by the host about where he would like to fight, the Hall of Famer was quick to identify the UFC as the only option.
Debuting in January 2010, Walker would fight twice under the Strikeforce banner. In both fights, the Heisman trophy winner had his arm raised after securing a TKO victory.
However, before we start fantasy matchmaking for Walker, it’s important to note that UFC president Dana White has been very vocal about his thoughts on Walker competing in MMA.
People think we’re anti-competition? We’re anti-dumb competition. Doing stupid things like this, putting a 50-year-old guy in the Octagon for the first time, and then going out there putting out press releases like it’s a big deal because you signed a 50-year-old Herschel Walker? Are you serious?
After seeing Herschel’s debut, Dana White stated in an interview that if the former running back competed in the Octagon, he would be the first death in MMA.
Dana White has shown on several occasions that he can be swayed by popular demand. Ultimate, the question must be asked: Do you want to see Herschel Walker fight inside the Octagon?
After nearly 18 months of promotion, press conference no-shows, injuries and suspension, the stars have finally aligned for UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz to do battle.The championship bout serves as the main event of UFC 158…
After nearly 18 months of promotion, press conference no-shows, injuries and suspension, the stars have finally aligned for UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz to do battle.
The championship bout serves as the main event of UFC 158, which takes place on Saturday, March 16, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
This card has been designed as a way to showcase the top welterweights on the planet, as Carlos Condit takes on Johny Hendricks in the evening’s co-main event. As if that weren’t enough action at 170 pounds, Jake Ellenberger welcomes former Strikeforce champion Nate Marquardt back to the Octagon.
Here is a look at one of the most anticipated cards of 2013.
In the fast-moving world of mixed martial arts, fans and pundits alike can’t help but gaze into their crystal ball. It’s why we always want to hear one fighter call out their next opponent as soon as Joe Rogan hands them a microphone after a big win.Ho…
In the fast-moving world of mixed martial arts, fans and pundits alike can’t help but gaze into their crystal ball. It’s why we always want to hear one fighter call out their next opponent as soon as Joe Rogan hands them a microphone after a big win.
However, not everyone’s future looks so bright. Some Zuffa fighters are on the cusp of being released. Others are stuck outside of the UFC looking in. There are even some top names who fight in the Octagon who simply don’t have much to look forward to.
Here is a look at 10 fighters whose futures are looking pretty bleak.
At UFC on FX 8, dark horses of the lightweight division collide when Evan Dunham and Rafael dos Anjos meet in the center of the Octagon. Both fighters have won three of their last four contests, and each are ranked according to various sources.In the o…
At UFC on FX 8, dark horses of the lightweight division collide when Evan Dunham and Rafael dos Anjos meet in the center of the Octagon. Both fighters have won three of their last four contests, and each are ranked according to various sources.
In the official UFC rankings, Rafael dos Anjos is the No. 8 contender for champion Benson Henderson, while MMAJunkie.com’s rankings show Evan Dunham as the No. 10 lightweight contracted to Zuffa.
Who will win this clash between rising stars? It’s hard to say. However, by taking a look at their fighting styles, strengths and weaknesses, we can make an educated guess as to how the action will go down.
Here is a head-to-toe breakdown of Evan Dunham vs. Rafael dos Anjos.
Ever since Strikeforce closed their doors in January, the stars who were absorbed onto the UFC roster have been making major waves. Antonio Silva, Gilbert Melendez and Nick Diaz are preparing for title bouts, while lower-tier fighters Bobby Green and D…
Ever since Strikeforce closed their doors in January, the stars who were absorbed onto the UFC roster have been making major waves. Antonio Silva, Gilbert Melendez and Nick Diaz are preparing for title bouts, while lower-tier fighters Bobby Green and Derek Brunson have already recorded signature wins in their new company.
At UFC 161, one-time Strikeforce contender Tyron Woodley looks to follow up his explosive debut with a win over Jake Shields, a man who once held gold in the San Diego-based promotion.
With competition within the welterweight division being the stiffest in all of MMA, this is an important divisional matchup between fighters with completely different approaches to fighting.
Here is a head-to-toe breakdown of the UFC 161 contest between Tyron Woodley and Jake Shields
Saturday night, the UFC makes their way back to Japan for a riveting night of action and combat entertainment. At UFC on Fuel 8, some of the biggest stars in PRIDE history will return to the country where they found fame and look to score another big w…
Saturday night, the UFC makes their way back to Japan for a riveting night of action and combat entertainment. At UFC on Fuel 8, some of the biggest stars in PRIDE history will return to the country where they found fame and look to score another big win in the land of the rising sun.
With 11 total fights on the card, there are several pugilists who have a lot on the line. Aging legend Wanderlei Silva is looking to return to his winning ways against U.S. Marine and ultra-popular middleweight Brian Stann. Meanwhile, Mark Hunt and Stefan Struve hope to inch their way towards the top of the heavyweight division.
And although the preliminary card doesn’t have the name value of some of the more recent events, this card marks the return of Hawaiian dark horse Brad Tavares, who looks to continue ascending the ladder when he meets former DEEP champion Riki Fukuda.
But for every star that has something to gain, there is someone who is also on the cusp of losing everything that they have worked so hard to achieve.
Who has the most to lose? Some might argue that it’s Wanderlei Silva. After all, the former PRIDE middleweight champion is on the last legs of his historic career, and many argue that a loss against Brian Stann unquestionably marks the end of his time in this sport.
However, after losses in seven of his last 10 fights, the legacy of Silva has already been reduced from “unstoppable monster” to “legend who fought too long past his prime.” Once that threshold has been crossed, the damage is already done.
So, if Wanderlei isn’t the man with the most to lose, who is?
Diego Sanchez and Hector Lombard are both fighters who have seen their better days in the eyes of fans. Both men were once on an indisputable collision course with a title shot, but had those hopes dashed with an untimely loss. If either man loses on Saturday night, it will mark a pivotal alteration in their career path and forever keep them from their golden opportunities.
However, neither man currently has enough momentum to possibly be considered the man with the most to lose.
Instead of these men, the fighter with the most to lose on Saturday night is none other than Mark Hunt.
The “Super Samoan” entered the Octagon for the first time in 2010 on the back of five-consecutive losses. It was a dark time in his career and it became even darker when he was submitted only 63 seconds into his promotional debut.
And then the turnaround began.
Over the course of the next 18 months, Hunt suddenly became capable of shutting down grapplers and strikers alike with wins over Cheick Kongo, Ben Rothwell and wrestler Chris Tuchscherer. In that time, the usually-chubby Hunt has worked himself into the best shape of his career to get into a title picture.
Talks of a title shot weren’t prominent until Alistair Overeem was removed from UFC 146 due to a failed pre-fight drug test. When champion Junior dos Santos needed a new opponent, Hunt’s days as a K-1 world champion made him a nice stylistic matchup, while his recent wins gave him credibility as a challenger.
Fans around the world campaigned to earn the PRIDE star a title fight and the #RallyForHunt was born. Although Frank Mir ultimately got the shot, Hunt’s name being thrust into the title scene got the attention of MMA media and UFC president Dana White alike.
On Saturday night, Hunt meets submission specialist Stefan Struve in the evening’s co-main event. Considering that Hunt’s career losses are mostly by first-round submission, if he succumbs to his perceived Achilles’ heel, all of this rebuilding will have been for naught.
To go from a surging heavyweight on the cusp of title contention to a middle-of-the-pack striker would be a tremendous setback for the 38-year-old. That is why he has the most to lose.
For more on UFC on Fuel 8, stay tuned to Bleacher Report MMA.
Even at the age of 51, Herschel Walker still has the competitive fire that once led him to greatness.