Author: By Dan Downes

That’s right boys and girls, it’s time for another Australian version of the Downes Side! No matter what direction your toilet flushes, I think we all can agree that we should direct our attention to UFC Fight Night this Friday. Live from the Allphones Arena in Sydney, Australia, the main event of the evening features a middleweight clash between Luke Rockhold and Michael “The Count” Bisping. In the co-main event of the night, lightweights Ross Pearson and Al Iaquinta try to move up the crowded 155-pound ladder. Northern Hemisphere or Southern Hemisphere, it’s f … Read the Full Article Here

The tension between the members of Team Melendez continues to rise as we open this week’s episode. Lisa Ellis is the latest member to join Heather Clark as persona non grata among the team. The major issue seems to be the fact that both Lisa and Heather do not fully participate in practice. Heather’s knee has bothered her for awhile, but Angela Magana and others think she’s faking. Coach Melendez places some of the blame on the six fight losing streak. He’s still holds out hope that the team can come together. 
That shift in team unity needs to begin with #7 ran … Read the Full Article Here

We start this week’s episode with the focus firmly on No. 12 Angela Magana as she prepares for her fight against No. 5 Aisling Daly. Born to drug addicted parents, she tells us that, in many ways, she’s been a fighter since day one. She doesn’t let her difficult past sidetrack her from her goal, though. She’s firmly focused on her fight, and certainly doesn’t lack confidence. Every fighter says they’ll knock their opponent out, but Angela goes a step further. She says that she has a “premonition of a TKO.” It’ll be a tall order to knock o … Read the Full Article Here

The episode begins with an update on Marlon “Chito” Vera’s condition. Scheduled to face Alejandro Perez in the semifinal match, Chito has a skin condition that could prevent him from competing. The rashes on his face and body are becoming progressively worse, and he’s starting to feel nauseous as well. As a precaution, he’s quarantined at a local hotel so he doesn’t infect the other housemates. As Chito’s chances dim, the other bantamweights on Team Latin America could be given a second opportunity. Guido feels that he should replace Chito because he … Read the Full Article Here

Dry your eyes boys and girls, it’s time for another edition of the Downes Side! Don’t call it a comeback (it was more of a brief hiatus), but the Nostradamus of MMA has returned to enlighten, engage and enfuriate readers and editors the world over. (Ed note – nice one with enfuriate and not infuriate)This weekend we find ourselves in Rio de Janeiro for UFC 179. Live from the Maracanzinho Gymnasium, Jose Aldo defends his featherweight title against Chad Mendes in the main event of the evening. A rematch nearly three years in the making, Aldo knocked out Mendes with a well-pl … Read the Full Article Here

This week’s episode focuses on the highly anticipated grudge match between No. 6 Felice Herrig and No. 11 Heather Clark. Heather explains her distaste for Felice by politely saying, “I don’t particularly care for [Felice’s] antics.” She then throws out all civility and calls Felice things like trashy, obnoxious and tasteless. She may be concerned with Felice’s antics, but Heather should also worry about her own teammates. Sensing the rising tension, Coach Gilbert Melendez calls a team meeting. Besides most of the other women not liking Heather personally, … Read the Full Article Here