Can T.J. Dillashaw become the first fighter to hold two UFC titles at the same time?
The UFC bantamweight champion, who is expected to put his title on the line against former titleholder Dominick Cruz in 2015, told Team Alpha Male Radio he wants a shot at UFC featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo.
“I wanna fight Aldo so bad, dude,” Dillashaw said. “I will beat Aldo. I wanna fight him.
“I respect him, he’s an awesome fighter.”
Aldo, 3-0 against Team Alpha Male fighters, recently defended his title against Dillashaw’s teammate Chad Mendes at UFC 179 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Dillashaw vs. Aldo won’t happen anytime soon, so the bantamweight champion expects Cub Swanson to get the next shot at the 145-pound title after his upcoming bout with Frankie Edgar at UFC Fight Night 57 on Nov. 22.
“I hope Cub Swanson wins,” Dillashaw said. “I like Frankie Edgar as a fighter, but Cub Swanson is a super cool dude and his stand-up gotten so much better. We have already seen Frankie Edgar fight Aldo, it wasn’t even close. He got beat by Aldo. I wanna watch Cub Swanson against Aldo. I think he should be the next one to fight him if he beats Edgar.”
Aldo holds wins over both Swanson and Edgar, an eight-second knockout in 2009 and a unanimous decision in 2013, respectively.
“I know, but Swanson has gotten so much better. And Aldo is not that fighter anymore,” Dillashaw said. “Aldo is not that aggressive fighter anymore. He’s different. He’ll let you in the fight a little bit.”
Can T.J. Dillashaw become the first fighter to hold two UFC titles at the same time?
The UFC bantamweight champion, who is expected to put his title on the line against former titleholder Dominick Cruz in 2015, told Team Alpha Male Radio he wants a shot at UFC featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo.
“I wanna fight Aldo so bad, dude,” Dillashaw said. “I will beat Aldo. I wanna fight him.
“I respect him, he’s an awesome fighter.”
Aldo, 3-0 against Team Alpha Male fighters, recently defended his title against Dillashaw’s teammate Chad Mendes at UFC 179 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Dillashaw vs. Aldo won’t happen anytime soon, so the bantamweight champion expects Cub Swanson to get the next shot at the 145-pound title after his upcoming bout with Frankie Edgar at UFC Fight Night 57 on Nov. 22.
“I hope Cub Swanson wins,” Dillashaw said. “I like Frankie Edgar as a fighter, but Cub Swanson is a super cool dude and his stand-up gotten so much better. We have already seen Frankie Edgar fight Aldo, it wasn’t even close. He got beat by Aldo. I wanna watch Cub Swanson against Aldo. I think he should be the next one to fight him if he beats Edgar.”
Aldo holds wins over both Swanson and Edgar, an eight-second knockout in 2009 and a unanimous decision in 2013, respectively.
“I know, but Swanson has gotten so much better. And Aldo is not that fighter anymore,” Dillashaw said. “Aldo is not that aggressive fighter anymore. He’s different. He’ll let you in the fight a little bit.”
UFC president Dana White announced on Wednesday that “The Mauler” and “Rumble” will headline the first international UFC on FOX card in Sweden on Jan. 24, with the preliminary card airing on Fox Sports 1. The organization also distributed a press release to media to announce the news.
The event takes place at the 30,000-seat Tele2 Arena in Stockholm.
Gustafsson (16-2) returns to his home country of Sweden for the first time since a unanimous decision victory over Thiago Silva in 2012. The light heavyweight, who came up short against UFC champion Jon Jones in 2013, enters the bout coming off a second-round win over Jimi Manuwa. He was scheduled to rematch Jones in September, but was forced out of the title fight with an injury.
Johnson (18-4), who was recently cleared to compete after being sidelined due to allegations of domestic abuse, is 2-0 since returning to the UFC with dominant wins over Phil Davis and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, the last couple wins of his current eight-fight undefeated streak.
“This is going to be an epic event,” Gustafsson told UFC.com. “I want more than 30,000 fans to come and witness me win on January 24. Then I’m going to go and get the title! My journey back to the top starts now.”
“This fight might be on his home turf, but I’m ready to go over to Sweden and prove that I’m the next in the line for the UFC light heavyweight title,” Johnson said. “I’m not intimidated by fighting in front of Alex’s hometown fans. I’m going to go in there and look for the knockout like I do in all of my fights. I can’t wait for this!”
UFC president Dana White announced on Wednesday that “The Mauler” and “Rumble” will headline the first international UFC on FOX card in Sweden on Jan. 24, with the preliminary card airing on Fox Sports 1. The organization also distributed a press release to media to announce the news.
The event takes place at the 30,000-seat Tele2 Arena in Stockholm.
Gustafsson (16-2) returns to his home country of Sweden for the first time since a unanimous decision victory over Thiago Silva in 2012. The light heavyweight, who came up short against UFC champion Jon Jones in 2013, enters the bout coming off a second-round win over Jimi Manuwa. He was scheduled to rematch Jones in September, but was forced out of the title fight with an injury.
Johnson (18-4), who was recently cleared to compete after being sidelined due to allegations of domestic abuse, is 2-0 since returning to the UFC with dominant wins over Phil Davis and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, the last couple wins of his current eight-fight undefeated streak.
“This is going to be an epic event,” Gustafsson told UFC.com. “I want more than 30,000 fans to come and witness me win on January 24. Then I’m going to go and get the title! My journey back to the top starts now.”
“This fight might be on his home turf, but I’m ready to go over to Sweden and prove that I’m the next in the line for the UFC light heavyweight title,” Johnson said. “I’m not intimidated by fighting in front of Alex’s hometown fans. I’m going to go in there and look for the knockout like I do in all of my fights. I can’t wait for this!”
UBERLANDIA, Brazil — Fabio Maldonado is riding a four-fight winning streak as a light heavyweight in the UFC, but he won’t be able to get back in action anytime soon.
The Brazilian striker scored a second-round TKO victory over Hans Stringer at UFC 179 on Oct. 25, and he entered that bout with a knee injury.
“My knee was already injured, but I completely tore my left meniscus during the fight,” Maldonado told the media during Brazil’s UFC Fight Night 56 on Nov. 8. “I tore my meniscus when Stringer took me down for the third time. I’m glad that the fight was over pretty quickly. I also tore the medial collateral ligament before the fight.”
Maldonado expects to undergo surgery later this week or early next week, and could be sidelined from training until 2015.
“I will undergo surgery and start physical therapy in two days,” he said. “I believe I will be ready to train again in six or eight weeks.”
Riding the second longest winning streak in the UFC light heavyweight division behind reigning champion Jon Jones, Maldonado would welcome an opportunity to face former PRIDE champion Dan Henderson in his next bout. He would also be down to fighting Ovince St. Preux, who called him out after defeating Mauricio Rua at UFN 56.
“I never picked any opponents and I don’t run from anyone, but there’s a guy I would want to fight: Dan Henderson,” Maldonado said. “Maybe I don’t deserve to fight him, but I would really love to. He’s an idol and I respect him a lot. It would be an honor to fight him.”
Henderson is planning on dropping down to 185 pounds for his next UFC fight. Maldonado, is 4-1 since 2013, would cut extra 20 pounds for the opportunity to face his idol.
“If I have enough time, I would do it. It’s a good offer,” he said. “I was at 217 pounds after the Glover Teixeira fight, but I gain weight pretty easily. I would consider cutting down to 185 only for the Dan Henderson fight, but I would prefer to fight him at 205.”
UBERLANDIA, Brazil — Fabio Maldonado is riding a four-fight winning streak as a light heavyweight in the UFC, but he won’t be able to get back in action anytime soon.
The Brazilian striker scored a second-round TKO victory over Hans Stringer at UFC 179 on Oct. 25, and he entered that bout with a knee injury.
“My knee was already injured, but I completely tore my left meniscus during the fight,” Maldonado told the media during Brazil’s UFC Fight Night 56 on Nov. 8. “I tore my meniscus when Stringer took me down for the third time. I’m glad that the fight was over pretty quickly. I also tore the medial collateral ligament before the fight.”
Maldonado expects to undergo surgery later this week or early next week, and could be sidelined from training until 2015.
“I will undergo surgery and start physical therapy in two days,” he said. “I believe I will be ready to train again in six or eight weeks.”
Riding the second longest winning streak in the UFC light heavyweight division behind reigning champion Jon Jones, Maldonado would welcome an opportunity to face former PRIDE champion Dan Henderson in his next bout. He would also be down to fighting Ovince St. Preux, who called him out after defeating Mauricio Rua at UFN 56.
“I never picked any opponents and I don’t run from anyone, but there’s a guy I would want to fight: Dan Henderson,” Maldonado said. “Maybe I don’t deserve to fight him, but I would really love to. He’s an idol and I respect him a lot. It would be an honor to fight him.”
Henderson is planning on dropping down to 185 pounds for his next UFC fight. Maldonado, is 4-1 since 2013, would cut extra 20 pounds for the opportunity to face his idol.
“If I have enough time, I would do it. It’s a good offer,” he said. “I was at 217 pounds after the Glover Teixeira fight, but I gain weight pretty easily. I would consider cutting down to 185 only for the Dan Henderson fight, but I would prefer to fight him at 205.”
Bellator announced on Monday that longtime MMA legend Wanderlei Silva would join several UFC veterans in their pre-Bellator 131 programming in San Diego. It turns out he won’t after all.
Bellator announced on Tuesday that Silva will not be able to participate in Friday’s event in Dave & Busters “due to prior contractual obligations.”
The “official pre-party kick off” now features former UFC stars Royce Gracie, Randy Couture and Frank Shamrock.
Silva has made several appearances since he was banned for life from Nevada Athletic Commission for running from a random drug test earlier this year in Las Vegas, including live commentating an XFCi event in Brazil, but the UFC pulled the plug when he decided to promote the upcoming Bellator card in California.
Bellator announced on Monday that longtime MMA legend Wanderlei Silva would join several UFC veterans in their pre-Bellator 131 programming in San Diego. It turns out he won’t after all.
Bellator announced on Tuesday that Silva will not be able to participate in Friday’s event in Dave & Busters “due to prior contractual obligations.”
The “official pre-party kick off” now features former UFC stars Royce Gracie, Randy Couture and Frank Shamrock.
Silva has made several appearances since he was banned for life from Nevada Athletic Commission for running from a random drug test earlier this year in Las Vegas, including live commentating an XFCi event in Brazil, but the UFC pulled the plug when he decided to promote the upcoming Bellator card in California.
Back to the win column at UFC 179, Darren Elkins makes his return to the Octagon less than two months after his last win.
The UFC announced on Tuesday that Elkins is scheduled take on Brazilian featherweight Hacran Dias at the UFC Fight Night 58 card in Barueri, Brazil, on Dec. 20.
Elkins (18-4) scored a split decision victory over Lucas Martins in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Oct. 25, putting an end on “Mineiro’s” three-fight winning streak. He returns to Brazil on Dec. 20 looking to two wins in a row for the first time since early 2013.
Dias (21-3-1) fights with his back against the wall after consecutive losses to Nik Lentz and Ricardo Lamas. The Nova Uniao fighter hasn’t won a fight since his UFC debut in June 2012, when he defeated Iuri Alcantara via decision.
UFC Fight Night 58 takes place at the Jose Correa gymnasium in Barueri, Brazil. The complete fight card is the following.
Back to the win column at UFC 179, Darren Elkins makes his return to the Octagon less than two months after his last win.
The UFC announced on Tuesday that Elkins is scheduled take on Brazilian featherweight Hacran Dias at the UFC Fight Night 58 card in Barueri, Brazil, on Dec. 20.
Elkins (18-4) scored a split decision victory over Lucas Martins in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Oct. 25, putting an end on “Mineiro’s” three-fight winning streak. He returns to Brazil on Dec. 20 looking to two wins in a row for the first time since early 2013.
Dias (21-3-1) fights with his back against the wall after consecutive losses to Nik Lentz and Ricardo Lamas. The Nova Uniao fighter hasn’t won a fight since his UFC debut in June 2012, when he defeated Iuri Alcantara via decision.
UFC Fight Night 58 takes place at the Jose Correa gymnasium in Barueri, Brazil. The complete fight card is the following.
“The American Gangster” will return to TV as a MMA analyst.
Fired from FOX Sports after testing positive for five banned substances in two different random drug tests, Chael Sonnen, a former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight title challenger, has signed with ESPN as the channel’s new MMA analyst, The Associated Press reported Tueday.
Sonnen makes his ESPN debut at Friday’s SportsCenter, breaking down the upcoming UFC 180 pay-per-view card, which takes place Saturday night in Mexico City.
“I love to break down fights,” Sonnen told AP. “I love to watch them. The fact that ESPN will allow me to do that on the air in a fancy suit and call it a job, it’s what I would be doing at home anyway.”
Sonnen said he won’t “shy away” from any topic, including his failed drug tests.
“I wouldn’t shy away from a topic, even if it’s one that brought me shame,” Sonnen said. “There are topics like that, and there are opponents I’m going to have to cover that have also embarrassed themselves, but that’s part of the sport, man. I cherish those moments.”
“We know Chael has made some mistakes in the past,” ESPN senior coordinating producer Glenn Jacobs told AP. “He’s been honest. He’s been up-front about it. He has paid for the mistakes that he has made, and he’s moving forward. … The insights that he has on the sport and the ways he sees it, our fans are going to be so much better from watching him on the air. They’re going to be able to watch the fight and look for totally different things than they would have otherwise.”
“The American Gangster” will return to TV as a MMA analyst.
Fired from FOX Sports after testing positive for five banned substances in two different random drug tests, Chael Sonnen, a former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight title challenger, has signed with ESPN as the channel’s new MMA analyst, The Associated Press reported Tueday.
Sonnen makes his ESPN debut at Friday’s SportsCenter, breaking down the upcoming UFC 180 pay-per-view card, which takes place Saturday night in Mexico City.
“I love to break down fights,” Sonnen told AP. “I love to watch them. The fact that ESPN will allow me to do that on the air in a fancy suit and call it a job, it’s what I would be doing at home anyway.”
Sonnen said he won’t “shy away” from any topic, including his failed drug tests.
“I wouldn’t shy away from a topic, even if it’s one that brought me shame,” Sonnen said. “There are topics like that, and there are opponents I’m going to have to cover that have also embarrassed themselves, but that’s part of the sport, man. I cherish those moments.”
“We know Chael has made some mistakes in the past,” ESPN senior coordinating producer Glenn Jacobs told AP. “He’s been honest. He’s been up-front about it. He has paid for the mistakes that he has made, and he’s moving forward. … The insights that he has on the sport and the ways he sees it, our fans are going to be so much better from watching him on the air. They’re going to be able to watch the fight and look for totally different things than they would have otherwise.”
