(Despite Gray’s best efforts to convince him, Nate Diaz simply wasn’t having any of his “I’m just looking for where I parked my car” defense. via Getty)
Having dropped 3 out of his last 4 fights and not competed in over a year, Nate Diaz will return to the octagon this Saturday to take on rising contender Michael Johnson in the co-co main event of UFC on FOX 17. If the photos circulating the web are any indication, it looks like Diaz is finally starting to take this sh*t seriously, which is a good thing, because when he does, you get results like the ones above.
It may not have been the trilogy fight that any of us were asking for, but Diaz’s performance against Gray Maynard at the TUF 18 Finale in November of 2013 was easily one of his greatest to date — an absolutely savage display of the Diaz’s “punches in bunches” style of boxing and his quickest UFC finish to boot. So to celebrate the arrival of UberDiaz to the UFC’s graces, let’s relive the night he turned a former title challenger in a mumbling, stumbling monster from an Abbott & Costello movie.
(Despite Gray’s best efforts to convince him, Nate Diaz simply wasn’t having any of his “I’m just looking for where I parked my car” defense. via Getty)
Having dropped 3 out of his last 4 fights and not competed in over a year, Nate Diaz will return to the octagon this Saturday to take on rising contender Michael Johnson in the co-co main event of UFC on FOX 17. If the photos circulating the web are any indication, it looks like Diaz is finally starting to take this sh*t seriously, which is a good thing, because when he does, you get results like the ones above.
It may not have been the trilogy fight that any of us were asking for, but Diaz’s performance against Gray Maynard at the TUF 18 Finale in November of 2013 was easily one of his greatest to date — an absolutely savage display of the Diaz’s “punches in bunches” style of boxing and his quickest UFC finish to boot. So to celebrate the arrival of UberDiaz to the UFC’s graces, let’s relive the night he turned a former title challenger in a mumbling, stumbling monster from an Abbott & Costello movie.
Video after the jump.
I’m just saying, if this Nate Diaz shows up to the cage on Saturday, “The Menace” is gonna be in for a looooong night.
(Despite Gray’s best efforts to convince him, Nate Diaz simply wasn’t having any of his “I’m just looking for where I parked my car” defense. via Getty)
Having dropped 3 out of his last 4 fights and not competed in over a year, Nate Diaz will return to the octagon this Saturday to take on rising contender Michael Johnson in the co-co main event of UFC on FOX 17. If the photos circulating the web are any indication, it looks like Diaz is finally starting to take this sh*t seriously, which is a good thing, because when he does, you get results like the ones above.
It may not have been the trilogy fight that any of us were asking for, but Diaz’s performance against Gray Maynard at the TUF 18 Finale in November of 2013 was easily one of his greatest to date — an absolutely savage display of the Diaz’s “punches in bunches” style of boxing and his quickest UFC finish to boot. So to celebrate the arrival of UberDiaz to the UFC’s graces, let’s relive the night he turned a former title challenger in a mumbling, stumbling monster from an Abbott & Costello movie.
(Despite Gray’s best efforts to convince him, Nate Diaz simply wasn’t having any of his “I’m just looking for where I parked my car” defense. via Getty)
Having dropped 3 out of his last 4 fights and not competed in over a year, Nate Diaz will return to the octagon this Saturday to take on rising contender Michael Johnson in the co-co main event of UFC on FOX 17. If the photos circulating the web are any indication, it looks like Diaz is finally starting to take this sh*t seriously, which is a good thing, because when he does, you get results like the ones above.
It may not have been the trilogy fight that any of us were asking for, but Diaz’s performance against Gray Maynard at the TUF 18 Finale in November of 2013 was easily one of his greatest to date — an absolutely savage display of the Diaz’s “punches in bunches” style of boxing and his quickest UFC finish to boot. So to celebrate the arrival of UberDiaz to the UFC’s graces, let’s relive the night he turned a former title challenger in a mumbling, stumbling monster from an Abbott & Costello movie.
Video after the jump.
I’m just saying, if this Nate Diaz shows up to the cage on Saturday, “The Menace” is gonna be in for a looooong night.
(No caption needed, that’s just a straight-up brilliant photo. via Getty.)
It’s hard not to see Chris Weidman‘s brutal defeat at the hands of Luke Rockhold on Saturday as being swept under the rug in favor of all this “Conor McGregor obliterating Jose Aldo” business. If you ask us, it’s for the best, because we happen to appreciate Chris Weidman: The Person just as much as Chris Weidman: The Fighter. Rockhold can be as handsome as he wants, but he ain’t saving no old ladies in between fights and shitting in the trash cans of his future wife, that’s for sure. Dude’s got the personality of a Wheat Thin compared to The Chris, and we say that as the unbiased, legitimate, journalistically integritous reporters that some of you on Facebook seem to think we are.
In any case, Weidman took his first career loss like a champion, sticking around for his post-fight interview and gutting it through Joe Rogan’s always insufferable questions. As you might expect, he’s been keeping away from social media in the days since, because like we said, some of you people on it are the worst. Yesterday, however, Weidman broke his silence via a Facebook post that is just so f*cking classy, you guys, so check it out after the jump.
(No caption needed, that’s just a straight-up brilliant photo. via Getty.)
It’s hard not to see Chris Weidman‘s brutal defeat at the hands of Luke Rockhold on Saturday as being swept under the rug in favor of all this “Conor McGregor obliterating Jose Aldo” business. If you ask us, it’s for the best, because we happen to appreciate Chris Weidman: The Person just as much as Chris Weidman: The Fighter. Rockhold can be as handsome as he wants, but he ain’t saving no old ladies in between fights and shitting in the trash cans of his future wife, that’s for sure. Dude’s got the personality of a Wheat Thin compared to The Chris, and we say that as the unbiased, legitimate, journalistically integritous reporters that some of you on Facebook seem to think we are.
In any case, Weidman took his first career loss like a champion, sticking around for his post-fight interview and gutting it through Joe Rogan’s always insufferable questions. As you might expect, he’s been keeping away from social media in the days since, because like we said, some of you people on it are the worst. Yesterday, however, Weidman broke his silence via a Facebook post that is just so f*cking classy, you guys, so check it out after the jump.
“I will remember this moment forever,” wrote Weidman.
“It has already changed me for the better. The motivation I have inside myself has never been stronger. I did not feel like myself in there for many reasons but it was a loss that I needed and deserved. I have been playing back different moments in the fight where i didn’t do or react the way I should have but this was all part of a true master plan that God has in store for me. I will be back and I will be champion again. I just wanna let everyone know that I am ok. I am so blessed with an amazing family, friends, team and fans. Thank you all so much for the support. It means more now than ever.”
How anyone can claim to dislike this guy is beyond me. Weidman’s a family man, keeps a level head, is humble in both victory and defeat, and is still somehow mean enough to punch a f*cking hole in your chest should you ever step out of line. He should be the next President of the United States, for Christ’s sake, not groveling amongst the Tapout-donning dudebros our once noble sport has been infected with! In my professional, unbiased opinion, I kind of wish that Chris Weidman was my older brother.
While it’s obviously too early to see what will happen to Weidman next — a former champion receiving an immediate rematch after getting torched seems oddly out of the question all of a sudden, unless you’re Ronda Rousey or Cain Velasquez — it’s evident that he’s taken a lot away from his loss, at least. And knowing is half the battle.
(No caption needed, that’s just a straight-up brilliant photo. via Getty.)
It’s hard not to see Chris Weidman‘s brutal defeat at the hands of Luke Rockhold on Saturday as being swept under the rug in favor of all this “Conor McGregor obliterating Jose Aldo” business. If you ask us, it’s for the best, because we happen to appreciate Chris Weidman: The Person just as much as Chris Weidman: The Fighter. Rockhold can be as handsome as he wants, but he ain’t saving no old ladies in between fights and shitting in the trash cans of his future wife, that’s for sure. Dude’s got the personality of a Wheat Thin compared to The Chris, and we say that as the unbiased, legitimate, journalistically integritous reporters that some of you on Facebook seem to think we are.
In any case, Weidman took his first career loss like a champion, sticking around for his post-fight interview and gutting it through Joe Rogan’s always insufferable questions. As you might expect, he’s been keeping away from social media in the days since, because like we said, some of you people on it are the worst. Yesterday, however, Weidman broke his silence via a Facebook post that is just so f*cking classy, you guys, so check it out after the jump.
(No caption needed, that’s just a straight-up brilliant photo. via Getty.)
It’s hard not to see Chris Weidman‘s brutal defeat at the hands of Luke Rockhold on Saturday as being swept under the rug in favor of all this “Conor McGregor obliterating Jose Aldo” business. If you ask us, it’s for the best, because we happen to appreciate Chris Weidman: The Person just as much as Chris Weidman: The Fighter. Rockhold can be as handsome as he wants, but he ain’t saving no old ladies in between fights and shitting in the trash cans of his future wife, that’s for sure. Dude’s got the personality of a Wheat Thin compared to The Chris, and we say that as the unbiased, legitimate, journalistically integritous reporters that some of you on Facebook seem to think we are.
In any case, Weidman took his first career loss like a champion, sticking around for his post-fight interview and gutting it through Joe Rogan’s always insufferable questions. As you might expect, he’s been keeping away from social media in the days since, because like we said, some of you people on it are the worst. Yesterday, however, Weidman broke his silence via a Facebook post that is just so f*cking classy, you guys, so check it out after the jump.
“I will remember this moment forever,” wrote Weidman.
“It has already changed me for the better. The motivation I have inside myself has never been stronger. I did not feel like myself in there for many reasons but it was a loss that I needed and deserved. I have been playing back different moments in the fight where i didn’t do or react the way I should have but this was all part of a true master plan that God has in store for me. I will be back and I will be champion again. I just wanna let everyone know that I am ok. I am so blessed with an amazing family, friends, team and fans. Thank you all so much for the support. It means more now than ever.”
How anyone can claim to dislike this guy is beyond me. Weidman’s a family man, keeps a level head, is humble in both victory and defeat, and is still somehow mean enough to punch a f*cking hole in your chest should you ever step out of line. He should be the next President of the United States, for Christ’s sake, not groveling amongst the Tapout-donning dudebros our once noble sport has been infected with! In my professional, unbiased opinion, I kind of wish that Chris Weidman was my older brother.
While it’s obviously too early to see what will happen to Weidman next — a former champion receiving an immediate rematch after getting torched seems oddly out of the question all of a sudden, unless you’re Ronda Rousey or Cain Velasquez — it’s evident that he’s taken a lot away from his loss, at least. And knowing is half the battle.
(Would you believe us if we told you that canvas was a Serta? via Uproxx)
I’m not sure if it’s a bigger revelation that Roy Jones Jr. is still boxing at 46 years of age or that he’s still winning at 46 years of age (well, for the most part), but, uh, he is, you guys.
He may not be fighting the stiffest of competition, but Jones Jr. has managed to go 8-0 since 2011, defending the (German) WBU Cruiserweight title on three separate occasions and raising a solid middle finger to those of us who have been calling for his retirement for years.
Last weekend, though?
Well, last weekend wasn’t so kind on ol’ Roy, it wasn’t so kind at all, and now it seems like those critics have been coming out of the woodwork to say “I told you so.” Because we care and stuff.
(Would you believe us if we told you that canvas was a Serta? via Uproxx)
I’m not sure if it’s a bigger revelation that Roy Jones Jr. is still boxing at 46 years of age or that he’s still winning at 46 years of age (well, for the most part), but, uh, he is, you guys.
He may not be fighting the stiffest of competition, but Jones Jr. has managed to go 8-0 since 2011, defending the (German) WBU Cruiserweight title on three separate occasions and raising a solid middle finger to those of us who have been calling for his retirement for years.
Last weekend, though?
Well, last weekend wasn’t so kind on ol’ Roy, it wasn’t so kind at all, and now it seems like those critics have been coming out of the woodwork to say “I told you so.” Because we care and stuff.
Video after the jump.
On Saturday night, the single most dangerous man of the 90′s went toe-to-toe with Enzo Maccarinelli, the most Italian-sounding Welshman of the teens*, in a non-title bout. It bears mentioning that Enzo Maccarinelli is 35 years old, which, while being generally up there in terms of the boxing game, is still 11 years younger than Roy Jones Jr. As you might have surmised, he did not fare well.
In the fourth round of their twelve round affair, Maccarinelli knocked Jones Jr. damn near dead with a short right hook behind the ear, sending the longtime G.O.A.T careening to the canvas. It was a scary scene all around, made all the more scary by the fact that, and we think we’re the first to mention this, Roy Jones Jr. should have probably retired 5+ years ago. Some of our other hot takes: Enzo is a funny sounding name, the UFC-Reebok deal sucks, Conor McGregor hits pretty hard, and water is wet. Let’s see what you got, comments section!!
*Is that what it’s called, the time we’re living in? The teens? Or is it the twenty teens? The tweens, maybe? Someone figure this out for me, because I Googled it and got nothing.
Back in 2008, a fresh faced (well, maybe “fresh faced” is a little disingenuous) Conor McGregorwas quoted as saying that he would be the future champion of the UFC’s lightweight division — “I’m the fucking future” was how he summed it up, I believe. Over the next four years, McGregor would put together a string of vicious performances that seemed to align with that belief, becoming CWFC’s first two-division champion in the process.
It was on April 6th, 2013 that McGregor was first tested on the world’s premier mixed martial arts stage, and to say that he passed with flying colors would be a bit of an understatement. McGregor tore through Marcus Brimage like tissue paper, starching the TUF 13 alum in just over a minute and collecting a well-earned 60 G’s (babayy!!) in bonus money to boot.
McGregor’s naysayers used a lot of words to describe his subsequent rise to fame — “protected,” “unearned,” and “all talk” among them — but time after time when it came to fight night, there McGregor would be, his hand raised, a thoroughly bewildered and semi-unconscious opponent beside him. He talked the talk, he walked the walk, and on Saturday, Conor McGregor fulfilled the prophecy that he and he alone created in devastating fashion.
Back in 2008, a fresh faced (well, maybe “fresh faced” is a little disingenuous) Conor McGregorwas quoted as saying that he would be the future champion of the UFC’s lightweight division — “I’m the fucking future” was how he summed it up, I believe. Over the next four years, McGregor would put together a string of vicious performances that seemed to align with that belief, becoming CWFC’s first two-division champion in the process.
It was on April 6th, 2013 that McGregor was first tested on the world’s premier mixed martial arts stage, and to say that he passed with flying colors would be a bit of an understatement. McGregor tore through Marcus Brimage like tissue paper, starching the TUF 13 alum in just over a minute and collecting a well-earned 60 G’s (babayy!!) in bonus money to boot.
McGregor’s naysayers used a lot of words to describe his subsequent rise to fame — “protected,” “unearned,” and “all talk” among them — but time after time when it came to fight night, there McGregor would be, his hand raised, a thoroughly bewildered and semi-unconscious opponent beside him. He talked the talk, he walked the walk, and on Saturday, Conor McGregor fulfilled the prophecy that he and he alone created in devastating fashion.
Much has been made about McGregor’s, let’s call them “linguistic skills” over the years, but arguably more impressive than the Irishman’s gift for gab has been his foresight. He said he would knock out Dustin Poirier in a round, and he did. He said he that Chad Mendes would crumble, and he did. Perhaps most insane of all, he said that Jose Aldo — the pound for pound king and only featherweight champion in the UFC’s history — would “overreact, overextend, and then be KO’d unconscious.” And he did.
In the blink of an eye at UFC 194, all doubt about “Mystic Mac’s” abilities were erased via an emphatic knockout of Aldo that was eerily reminiscent of one from early in his career. It was Aldo’s first defeat in ten years, and it happened in just over 10 seconds. It was a moment that’s still indescribable, even when looking back at the road it took to get there.
Speaking of prophecies, Luke Rockhold seemed to know something we all didn’t heading into his UFC 194 co-main event with Chris Weidman. The middleweight title challenger oozed confidence in the build-up to the fight despite being paired against the man best known for defeating one of the sport’s greatest fighters twice, and his confidence was evident from the very first punch thrown.
We all knew Rockhold’s size would be a factor, but the extent to which he was able to wear down Weidman with body kicks and clinch work was a sight to behold. Even the final sequence of the fight, where Rockhold secured a takedown on the two-time Division 1 wrestler that would lead to the fight-ending onslaught of ground-and-pound (which seemed to last for no less than 90 minutes), was a testament to how well-rounded the former Strikeforce champion has become, and just how dominant he will be moving forward…barring any steroid-fueled spinning head kicks.
And Rockhold will need to bring every bit of confidence to the cage should he face Yoel Romero, who secured a split decision over fellow top contender Jacare Souza just one fight earlier at UFC194, next. Despite Romero’s penchant for stretching the rules and slowing down over the course of three round affairs, his momentary flashes of brilliance (I’m referring to that nasty spinning backfist he landed in the first round, of course) still paint him as a dangerous potential challenge to anyone at 185 . But Romero’s controversial win, coupled with Rockhold’s upset, doesn’t exactly make the middleweight title picture any clearer — in fact, we might have to see Weidman vs. Romero to determine who gets a shot at the new champ next.
In any case, a whole lot of possibilities have just opened up in two of the UFC’s most steady divisions, and that’s always an exciting prospect for those of us who choose to embrace the chaos that the sport oft dwells in.
Main Card
Conor McGregor def. Jose Aldo via first-round KO
Luke Rockhold def. Chris Weidman via fourth-round TKO
Yoel Romero def. Jacare Souza via split decision
Demian Maia def. Gunnar Nelson via unanimous decision
Max Holloway def. Jeremy Stephens via UD
Undercard
Urijah Faber def. Frankie Saenz via unanimous decision
Tecia Torres def. Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger via UD
Warlley Alves def. Colby Covington via submission (guillotine choke)
Leonardo Santos def. Kevin Lee via first-round TKO (3:26)
Magomed Mustafaev def. Joe Proctor via TKO (strikes) at 1:54 of R1
Yancy Medeiros def. John Makdessi via split decision
Court McGee def. Marcio Alexandre Jr. via UD
