Michael McDonald’s Maturation Continues

Without fail, Michael McDonald gets sick during training camp – he has for each of his last five bouts, and has already battled a three-day illness during his preparation for Saturday’s co-main event showdown with Urijah Faber on FOX.“For about the last five fights, I’ve gotten sick every single fight, and this one, I’m over my sickness already, which is great,” explains the bantamweight contender. “It came a little bit earlier, and it’s always the exact same sickness with the exact same symptoms and the exact same time frame in regards to my fight, so it’s something that we’re going to do a l … Read the Full Article Here

Without fail, Michael McDonald gets sick during training camp – he has for each of his last five bouts, and has already battled a three-day illness during his preparation for Saturday’s co-main event showdown with Urijah Faber on FOX.“For about the last five fights, I’ve gotten sick every single fight, and this one, I’m over my sickness already, which is great,” explains the bantamweight contender. “It came a little bit earlier, and it’s always the exact same sickness with the exact same symptoms and the exact same time frame in regards to my fight, so it’s something that we’re going to do a l … Read the Full Article Here

Chad Mendes: The Fighter

“Fighter” – that’s what Chad Mendes writes in the little box on his tax return forms, and any other government document that inquires about one’s occupation.Stripped down to its essence, the 28-year-old Hanford, California native makes his living trading punches and kicks with similarly sized, like-minded individuals every three to six months.As of late, Mendes has been doing his job better than anyone in his weight class, and arguably better than anyone in the business as a whole.Going StreakingOver his last four fights, the Team Alpha Male representative has collected four wins, each one end … Read the Full Article Here

“Fighter” – that’s what Chad Mendes writes in the little box on his tax return forms, and any other government document that inquires about one’s occupation.Stripped down to its essence, the 28-year-old Hanford, California native makes his living trading punches and kicks with similarly sized, like-minded individuals every three to six months.As of late, Mendes has been doing his job better than anyone in his weight class, and arguably better than anyone in the business as a whole.Going StreakingOver his last four fights, the Team Alpha Male representative has collected four wins, each one end … Read the Full Article Here

No Vacations for Court McGee

Court McGee is going to spend his 29th birthday cutting weight. He spent Thanksgiving limiting his caloric intake as well.Such is life as a fighter.“People are like, `Are you mad at that?’ and I say, `Naw, man – it’s part of the job,’” laughs the UFC welterweight, who steps into the Octagon this weekend to square off with late replacement Ryan LaFlare on the preliminary portion of Saturday’s UFC on FOX fight card from the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California.“I’ll put a little candle in my egg whites in the morning. We’ll do the birthday after.” The eschewing of holidays and celebr … Read the Full Article Here

Court McGee is going to spend his 29th birthday cutting weight. He spent Thanksgiving limiting his caloric intake as well.Such is life as a fighter.“People are like, `Are you mad at that?’ and I say, `Naw, man – it’s part of the job,’” laughs the UFC welterweight, who steps into the Octagon this weekend to square off with late replacement Ryan LaFlare on the preliminary portion of Saturday’s UFC on FOX fight card from the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California.“I’ll put a little candle in my egg whites in the morning. We’ll do the birthday after.” The eschewing of holidays and celebr … Read the Full Article Here

Mac Danzig: Still Chasing Perfection

Prone on the canvas in the center of the Octagon, Mac Danzig started crying. Moments earlier, a blistering short left hand from Melvin Guillard rocked the former Ultimate Fighter winner. His survival instincts kicked in, but Guillard was unrelenting. More punches followed as Danzig shelled up on all fours. As he tried to roll onto his back, a series of powerful hammerfists brought the fight to a close, with Danzig laid out on the mat, his face spotted with blood.Danzig’s pained response could be heard on press row, and brought conversations about the finish to a halt.Back in the SaddleHe event … Read the Full Article Here

Prone on the canvas in the center of the Octagon, Mac Danzig started crying. Moments earlier, a blistering short left hand from Melvin Guillard rocked the former Ultimate Fighter winner. His survival instincts kicked in, but Guillard was unrelenting. More punches followed as Danzig shelled up on all fours. As he tried to roll onto his back, a series of powerful hammerfists brought the fight to a close, with Danzig laid out on the mat, his face spotted with blood.Danzig’s pained response could be heard on press row, and brought conversations about the finish to a halt.Back in the SaddleHe event … Read the Full Article Here

Rory MacDonald: Misunderstood Talent

Keep the fame – he doesn’t want it.Keep the spotlight – it has zero influence on his preparation and focus.Keep the questions about personality, sartorial choices, and potential willingness to step into the cage with his friend and training partner too – asked and answered, ad nauseam.Rory MacDonald is different.While the sporting landscape is littered with young stars courting the spotlight and craving the attention of fans and media alike, the 24-year-old MacDonald prefers to play the cut, tucked away in the chilly transition between fall and winter in Montreal, content to work on his craft … Read the Full Article Here

Keep the fame – he doesn’t want it.Keep the spotlight – it has zero influence on his preparation and focus.Keep the questions about personality, sartorial choices, and potential willingness to step into the cage with his friend and training partner too – asked and answered, ad nauseam.Rory MacDonald is different.While the sporting landscape is littered with young stars courting the spotlight and craving the attention of fans and media alike, the 24-year-old MacDonald prefers to play the cut, tucked away in the chilly transition between fall and winter in Montreal, content to work on his craft … Read the Full Article Here

Tyron Woodley: Unleashing The Chosen One

Tyron Woodley has spent the last two years poised to break into the upper echelon of the welterweight division, but it has yet to happen.After enduring an uncertain time in Strikeforce following Nick Diaz’ departure that produced victories over Paul Daley and Jordan Mein, Woodley was tabbed to face Nate Marquardt for the vacant welterweight title.As one of the most tenured fighters on the company’s roster, it was a bout that was a long time coming, and could have been the moment that propelled Woodley to the next level, both within the organization and in the sport as a whole. Ultimately, it w … Read the Full Article Here

Tyron Woodley has spent the last two years poised to break into the upper echelon of the welterweight division, but it has yet to happen.After enduring an uncertain time in Strikeforce following Nick Diaz’ departure that produced victories over Paul Daley and Jordan Mein, Woodley was tabbed to face Nate Marquardt for the vacant welterweight title.As one of the most tenured fighters on the company’s roster, it was a bout that was a long time coming, and could have been the moment that propelled Woodley to the next level, both within the organization and in the sport as a whole. Ultimately, it w … Read the Full Article Here