Author: MMA Fighting Newswire

Who will win UFC 189’s main event? The folks over at EA Sports UFC simulated Saturday’s showdown between Irish sensation Conor McGregor and top contender Chad Mendes. Do you agree with their prediction?

LAS VEGAS — MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, Shaun Al-Shatti and Marc Raimondi take a closer look at the top storylines heading into Saturday night’s UFC 189, including the UFC interim featherweight title clash between Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes. In the co-main event, Robbie Lawler puts his welterweight title on the line against Rory MacDonald.

Conor McGregor and another Team Alpha Male fighter almost fought a day before UFC 189.

A seemingly friendly greeting between McGregor and Urijah Faber almost turned into something much more backstage before UFC 189 weigh-ins Friday afternoon at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. McGregor mussed Faber’s hair and pretended to grapple him, but it got serious very quickly.

McGregor meets Faber’s teammate Chad Mendes in the main event of UFC 189 on Saturday night with the interim featherweight title on the line.

Here’s a listen to the audio from Faber’s Instagram page:

Looks Connor’s Jr high level wrestling hasn’t learned the drag re-drag drill yet. I’ve seen crack heads roaming the streets that look healthier than McGregor right…

In the latest episode of UFC 189 Embedded, Conor McGregor shows off his clothes, the fighters participate at UFC 189 workouts and the UFC 189 press conference, and more.

Marina Shafir’s Invicta debut went very fast — and not in a good way.

Ronda Rousey’s best friend was finished by TKO in just 37 seconds by debuting Amber Leibrock at Invicta FC 13 on Thursday night in Las Vegas.

Leibrock (1-0) dropped Shafir (1-2) with a punch then landed ground and pound until Shafir was out cold. Shafir was going for a leglock, but Leibrock seemed to hold onto the cage to keep herself upright. Referee Steve Mazzagatti didn’t see it.

Shafir has now lost two in a row by first-round knockout after going undefeated as an amateur. Watch the knockout below.

WOW!!!! #InvictaFC13 opens up with a BANG! Leibrock w/ the finish! Start your FREE trial now http://t.co/r0HFwxDSTn http://t.co/7y0ZgScN8u

— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) July 10, 2015

With the heavyweight landscape changing so rapidly over the last couple of months, the game of calling people out is heating up.

And one heavyweight looking to get back on track, Travis Browne, knows who he’d like to face next in the Octagon.

According to a report on UFC Tonight, Browne would like to face the rejuvenated Ben Rothwell in his next fight. Browne’s manager John Fosco told Ariel Helwani that the Browne camp remembers when Rothwell had called him out a few fights ago.

Since losing to Gabriel Gonzaga in January 2013, Rothwell has come charging back into contention with three straight victories. His last two — against Alistair Overeem and Matt Mitrone — opened a lot of eyes. With Fabricio Werdum having dethroned Cain Velasquez at UFC 188, the heavyweight pecking order is a little up in the air.

Browne is coming off a loss against Andrei Arlovski at UFC 187, but it was one of the more memorable fights of 2015. The Hawaiian fighter has now lost two of his last three fights, including a loss to Werdum in April 2014.