Author: By E. Spencer Kyte

“I’m really looking forward to winning my fight and asking for a title shot. That’s what I want.”Rafael dos Anjos’ voice doesn’t waver as he speaks of handing Nate Diaz a loss in his return to action and using his post-fight interview time with Joe Rogan to request a shot at the UFC lightweight title.Now 30 years old, the Brazilian is at the highest point of his career. In late August, he knocked out former champion Benson Henderson with a single shot just one tick beyond the midway point of the opening round to pick up his second consecutive stoppage due … Read the Full Article Here

Friday night might have marked the start of a serious rivalry in the 105-pound weight class, as 21-year-old Brazilian Herica Tiburcio collected a third-round submission win over Michelle Waterson at the Arena Theater in Houston, Texas to become the new Invicta FC atomweight champion.After a pair of close rounds to begin the fight that saw each fighter threatening with submissions, Tiburcio dumped Waterson on the canvas early in the third after the Team Jackson-Winkeljohn fighter missed a hook kick. Following a brief positional battle on the mat, Tiburcio locked her grip and clamped down on a d … Read the Full Article Here

For many athletes, when their career ends is a personal choice. They sit down with their family and survey the landscape, weighing out options and considering factors like age, health and opportunity while struggling to understand that though the competitive fire still burns, it’s not putting out as much heat as it once did.While some simply wash out, unable to compete at the highest level in their chosen field, for an unfortunate few, the end doesn’t come by choice, but by force, often due to injury or illness.There was a point not that long ago when Todd Duffee had to accept that … Read the Full Article Here

Traditionally speaking, Urijah Faber is at a point in his career where he should be slowing down and taking stock of the legacy he has crafted for himself in this sport.After more than a decade competing at an elite level, “The California Kid” will go down as one of the best fighters to ever step into the cage in the lighter weight classes. In many ways, it was Faber that brought recognition to the featherweight and bantamweight divisions, serving as the face of the WEC throughout his tenure there and continuing to be one of the most recognizable fighters in the sport since transit … Read the Full Article Here

Every athlete that steps into the Octagon has his or her own set of reasons for competing. When it comes to Bobby Green, his motivations are both simple and complex.Though three words can sum up the factors that propel the lightweight contender back into action this weekend – God, family, community – they also fall dramatically short of capturing exactly what it is the 28-year-old who bounced around through foster care as a child is trying to accomplish under the bright lights in the UFC.“(This fight) keeps my mind busy a little bit so that I’m not sitting with all th … Read the Full Article Here

There are perks to being a heavyweight, not the least of which are the expansive boundaries of the division’s weight limit that allows many of the athletes that populate the ranks to compete without cutting weight.Just as the ability to avoid the sauna or running on a treadmill in plastics is a major plus from a lifestyle standpoint, the opportunity to make a quick climb up the rankings by stringing together two or three strong performances is a major plus from a career perspective.The lightweight and welterweight divisions both count greater than 100 fighters amongst their ranks, maki … Read the Full Article Here