Author: Tom Sunderland

Ronda Rousey Speaks out on Drug Testing, Nick Diaz’s Ban and More

Ronda Rousey has revealed she embraces drug testing in mixed martial arts with no fear of being caught for fighting outside the law, and she has joined the legions speaking out against Nick Diaz’s five-year suspension.
The Ultimate Fighting Championshi…

Ronda Rousey has revealed she embraces drug testing in mixed martial arts with no fear of being caught for fighting outside the law, and she has joined the legions speaking out against Nick Diaz’s five-year suspension.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s women’s bantamweight champion told Martin Rogers of USA Today she greets drugs testers with open arms as she looks to continue her dominant reign at the pinnacle of the sport:

Any time they get here I am like ‘What’s up, make yourself at home, do you want to stay and watch training?’ They are here for us, they are not here to come and get us. 

I encourage it all the time. I am so successful that people are going to cry ‘drugs’ on me. I get in better shape and my body is better than ever. I want those opportunities to (show) I’m clean all the time.

It’s natural critics will question whether “Rowdy” is clean given the iron vice she’s held over her division in the past three years, successfully defending her belt on seven occasions.

ESPN Stats and Info recently put into context just how far ahead of her competition Rousey has been in that space of time, only once being forced past the first round (her second bout with Miesha Tate in December, 2013):

Rousey is responsible for two of the three fastest title fights in UFC history, according to the promotion’s official website. She took 16 seconds to beat Alexis Davis in 2014 before breaking the overall record—male or female—with a 14-second win over Cat Zingano earlier this year.

Those numbers may well raise suspicion as to how the fourth-degree black belt in judo can reach such monstrous heights in the octagon, but falling foul of the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) is no concern of hers.

Performance-enhancing drugs are a hotly discussed topic in combat sports due to the dangerous impact a doper could have on their opponent, but the rules are breached on occasion.

Take Diaz, for example. A veteran who made his UFC debut back in 2003, the 32-year-old was earlier this year handed a five-year ban after testing positive for marijuana—a recreational drug—for the third time in his career.

Rousey is among those outraged with the severity of the ban and added:

Say you got a parking ticket and you didn’t pay for it and you got another one and didn’t pay for it. No matter how many tickets you got you never deserve life in prison. They are pretty much trying to keep him from fighting ever again. I think that punishment is cruel.

I don’t think they should be testing for weed at all. It has nothing to do with sports. They keep saying it is for the safety of the fighter, so why aren’t they testing us to make sure we are not drunk?

Laws in certain parts of the United States mean fighters can still use marijuana and not be breaking the law, but a fighter still can’t be found with the substance in their system, according to NSAC regulation.

Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter revealed marijuana—or cannabis—consumption appears to be prevalent among fighters, too, if their search history is anything to go by:

Rogers’ report added that Diaz has appealed the ban and is hopeful of seeing it reduced in the near future, but should it be upheld, it most likely means the end of his UFC career.

Rousey is a huge figure in the sport, and her sympathy for Diaz’s plight is likely to help garner more sway that his suspension was far too harsh.

The Arm Collector is preparing for a November 14 bout opposite Holly Holm at UFC 193 and says she’ll beat “anybody regardless of what they’re taking.” Based on the performances we’ve seen so far, there’s not much reason to argue.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Miesha Tate Talks Ronda Rousey, UFC Concerns After Missing Out on Title Fight

It’s been two months since Miesha Tate was hit with the news that she wouldn’t be lining up against Ronda Rousey for a third time at UFC 193 on November 15, but that disappointment still hurts.  
UFC President Dana White virtually guaranteed Tate …

It’s been two months since Miesha Tate was hit with the news that she wouldn’t be lining up against Ronda Rousey for a third time at UFC 193 on November 15, but that disappointment still hurts.  

UFC President Dana White virtually guaranteed Tate another bantamweight title shot following her July win over Jessica Eye. Cupcake was left out of the loop as it was revealed Holly Holm will instead fight Rousey, and she remains indignant about the incident, per ESPN.com’s Brett Okamoto:

I understand why they want to make the Rousey-Holly fight, but that doesn’t change the way they handled it. I think it happened the way it did because they didn’t want to risk the information getting out, but in a way, that’s also insulting to me. I’ve been fighting for a long time, and I’ve proven my character. I’m a professional, and I can separate my disappointment from my actions.

I don’t think the UFC did this to be malicious, but I also don’t think they gave me any consideration. This was another day in the office to them, but to me it’s like, ‘You just ruined my life,’ and I feel like they need to understand that a little.

It was almost two years ago that Tate suffered the most recent of her two defeats to Rousey, but the notion was that after building a four-fight win streak, she was deserving of a third opportunity against Rowdy.

At the time Rousey’s fixture opposite Holm was announced, Bleacher Report’s Scott Harris asserted it was more of a business decision and that Tate had more to offer in terms of entertainment:

Holm is the far less familiar face to UFC fans, having fought under its banner on just two occasions; she beat Raquel Pennington and Marion Reneau earlier this year by split decision and unanimous decision, respectively.

However, the Preacher’s Daughter is an experienced boxer and kickboxer to boot, claiming titles in three weight classes in the former, with a record of 33-2-3.

Tate’s comments cast the perception that the UFC could have handled her needs more carefully, and in that sense, one can see why the 29-year-old might hold some resentment toward the organisation.

However, White has done his part to justify Holm’s selection back in September, where he was perhaps within his rights to point out Tate’s 0-2 record against Rousey, per Fox Sports’ UFC Tonight (via MMAJunkie’s Mike Bohn):

We had talked about that fight between Tate and Eye being the next contender fight, but when you really look at a fight, Miesha Tate has lost to her twice. She’s lost to Ronda twice. Holly Holm is 9-0 in mixed martial arts. If you look at the range, the distance, the head kicks, all the attributes …

We originally brought Holly Holm into the UFC to fight Ronda Rousey. That fight makes sense. Miesha, at this point in her career, if she loses to Ronda Rousey a third time, it’s a career-killer. I know it seems like Miesha got a bad break in this thing, but realistically when you look at it, Miesha has lost to her twice. Miesha’s going to have to knock a couple more people off to get to Ronda.

White will seek to provide fans with what he thinks is the best contest for the competition, and while it may not be Tate’s time right now, that’s not to say she cannot build toward that desired third clash in the future.

Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter agreed it may have indeed been the right decision to try someone new against Rousey, with Holm bringing a significant striking threat to next month’s bout:

The other possible opponent who’s alleged to have been clawing to get at Rousey for some time now is Cris Cyborg, who spoke to TMZ, alongside Tate, on the set of their film, Fight Valley: Knockaround Girls. They each expressed they’re “ready” to face The Arm Collector.

Tate was overlooked for another Rousey rematch, but she may one day come to appreciate it as a blessing in disguise, with the anticipation once again building toward what seems like an inevitable third duel.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Carlos Condit Eyes Georges St-Pierre Rematch, Talks Robbie Lawler Before UFC 195

Almost three years have passed since a unanimous-decision defeat to Georges St-Pierre started the worst run of results in Carlos Condit’s career, but the welterweight contender hopes to one day get his chance at vengeance.  
Now preparing for anot…

Almost three years have passed since a unanimous-decision defeat to Georges St-Pierre started the worst run of results in Carlos Condit’s career, but the welterweight contender hopes to one day get his chance at vengeance.  

Now preparing for another shot at Robbie Lawler’s welterweight title at UFC 195, Condit is hoping GSP will make his way back to the Octagon after two years of retirement, telling Fox Sports’ Heidi Fang the Canadian is assuredly in his sights:

I’ve had the honor of stepping in the Octagon with Georges before and I would love to again, especially because of the fact that he beat me. I have a loss to him and I want to avenge it. I want to avenge my losses. I want to avenge as many losses as I can. I’ve already avenged two in my career and I still have a couple more to go. Avenging a loss to GSP, it’s definitely on my radar.

A long list of variables lie in the way of that bout coming to fruition, but St-Pierre’s coach, Firas Zahabi, recently teased a comeback, telling The MMA Hour host Ariel Helwani his disciple’s fighting “itch hasn’t gone” (via Chuck Mindenhall of MMAFighting.com).

Of course, it wouldn’t hurt Condit’s case for another meeting with St-Pierre were he to defeat Lawler and claim the welterweight belt in January, the title GSP retired with in 2013 following UFC 167.

As mentioned by Fang, Tyron Woodley is the man currently next in line to have a shot at the welterweight crown, but a comeback from the 34-year-old St-Pierre would make for a major stir at the peak of the class.

Tension was at a high in Las Vegas on Thursday as Lawler and Condit met face-to-face for the media day release building up toward the January date:

Condit will be Lawler’s first matchup since the historic slugfest that was UFC 189, where Lawler stopped Rory MacDonald in what may go down as one of the best mixed-martial arts bouts ever; however, Condit says he’s looking to avoid that kind of battle, per Fang: “Fights like that, they change you. It’s an ordeal. I think some guys are able to take more damage, some guys are more resilient than others. The object is to hit the other guy and not get hit. I think the least amount of damage you can take is the best route.”

The St-Pierre battle was the last time The Natural Born Killer was forced to go the distance, winning two and losing two in the wake of that UFC 154 loss.

Lawler, on the other hand, has gone to the fifth round in each of his last three matches, claiming two of those by decision and of course ending MacDonald back in July.

Condit may be a challenge for Lawler, however, in that his record of 28 finishes in 30 wins suggests a much more clinical approach than anything MacDonald could have mustered.

These two were delayed from facing off at UFC 193 next month, but the anticipation is once again building toward what should be an epic clash between two of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s toughest figures.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 189 Results: Winners with Most Impressive Fights on Mendes vs. McGregor Card

A second-round stoppage of Chad Mendes saw Conor McGregor clinch the interim featherweight championship at UFC 189 on Saturday night in what was one of the finest events in the competition’s history.
The co-main event served as a climactic end to the m…

A second-round stoppage of Chad Mendes saw Conor McGregor clinch the interim featherweight championship at UFC 189 on Saturday night in what was one of the finest events in the competition’s history.

The co-main event served as a climactic end to the mixed martial arts extravaganza, but wins for Robbie Lawler, Jeremy Stephens and Thomas Almeida ranked as some of the best moments of the main card.

They triumphed over Rory MacDonald, Dennis Bermudez and Brad Pickett, respectively, in a flurry of early stoppages that split opinion as to where the fight night bonuses should be allocated.

Read on for a breakdown of the main card results, along with dissection of the most impressive fights of the night in what will surely be remembered as a historic night for the sport.

 

Robbie Lawler Defeats Rory MacDonald via TKO

An all-out brawl unfolded between two of the biggest names in the welterweight division on Saturday, with reigning champion Lawler defeating MacDonald in the fifth round with a thundering left punch.

Per ESPN Stats & Info, it was the first time in UFC history that a welterweight bout had ended in the fifth round following 21 minutes of blow-for-blow entertainment:

It was clear early on that MacDonald had suffered a broken nose, but Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com referenced the loser’s trainer Firas Zahabi as saying after the bout that his fighter had suffered a broken foot, too:

The defeat will be somewhat difficult for MacDonald to swallow, too, considering he was in the ascendancy for much of the matchup, and Lawler was understandably emotional in his post-fight comments:

Both fighters received $50,000 bonuses for their Fight of the Night display, but it speaks volumes of the collision’s quality that neither fighter suffered a drop in reputation from such a classic UFC showcase.

 

Jeremy Stephens Defeats Dennis Bermudez via TKO

Stephens inflicted one of two flying-knee finishes at the MGM Grand to bounce back from two successive defeats in 2014, finishing Bermudez early in the third round of their encounter.

Prior to the meeting between MacDonald and Lawler, this matchup was on track to claim Fight of the Night, and MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn was by no means overstated in describing the bout as “incredible”:

Dropping weight was an obstacle for Stephens, however, meaning the bonus award may not have been awarded in any case:

But that shouldn’t take away from the pedigree of the contest itself, where Bermudez fell to a piece of flash-in-the-pan brilliance that could have caught him even if Stephens had made weight.

 

Thomas Almeida Defeats Brad Pickett via KO

Sao Paulo native Almeida is well on track to becoming a major force in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and an innovative outing against Pickett once again showed the youngster’s class.

ESPN’s Darren Rovell compared the all-action nature of the Brazilian’s approach to the lacklustre entertainment value sometimes seen among the elite of the boxing world:

At 23 years of age and unbeaten after 20 fights, Almeida is swiftly carving up a path as one of the most promising bantamweights in the world, boasting a vicious knockout potential.

Alongside McGregor, his display was good enough to earn a Performance of the Night bonus, just reward for a flying knee that stopped Pickett early in the second round, as well as showing off an admirable gluttony for punishment.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Mendes vs. McGregor: Results, Highlights and Post-Fight Comments from UFC 189

Conor McGregor’s meteoric rise through the Ultimate Fighting Championship entered new speeds on Saturday after he defeated Chad Mendes with a second-round stoppage at UFC 189 to clinch the interim UFC featherweight title.
Fans of the Irishman turn…

Conor McGregor’s meteoric rise through the Ultimate Fighting Championship entered new speeds on Saturday after he defeated Chad Mendes with a second-round stoppage at UFC 189 to clinch the interim UFC featherweight title.

Fans of the Irishman turned out in droves at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand as McGregor finally took his place on the throne he’s been seeking for so long.

Robbie Lawler defeated Rory MacDonald to retain his UFC Welterweight Championship in the co-main event. It was a bloody brawl that will undoubtedly contend for 2015’s Fight of the Year and potentially bigger plaudits.

Here’s a look at all the results from Saturday’s main card:

Warning: Some videos herein contain language NSFW.

Jose Aldo may have been the target McGregor was searching for, but Mendes nevertheless made for an entertaining opponent in what proved to be the uncomfortable juxtaposition of styles that was anticipated.

Throughout the fight, Mendes constantly worked to implement his ground game and even succeeded with several takedowns, but he couldn’t keep the wily McGregor pinned down.

It was a left hand from the Dubliner that floored Mendes right after he emerged from one of their ground grapples, with mere seconds remaining in the second round.

McGregor continued to work toward staging a future fight with Mendes in his post-fight comments, and Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com quoted him as saying he suffered worse injuries in training than the supposed bruised rib that ruled the Brazilian out:

From the mount position, Money looked as though he might cause McGregor some serious concern, but if critics had doubts in his ability to withstand assault prior to this bout, they’re likely to have subsided.

Sticking to the fight blueprint, McGregor made full use of that huge eight-inch reach advantage to keep his enemy at bay, flicking wild kicks in Mendes’ direction that struggled to do major damage.

The Californian did a fine job of evading those frontal assaults by and large, but a series of blows to the body left their mark on Mendes, who was visibly gassed within minutes of the bout.

McGregor was less visibly drained and insisted on talking smack to his counterpart, something that Mendes gave credit for as an intimidation factor:

Mendes of course deserves his credit for taking the fight on just a fortnight’s notice. Had he been given the opportunity of a full training camp, we may have seen a different matchup on Saturday, but McGregor was fully deserving of a dominant result.

Speaking in his post-fight comments, Mendes also found time to laud praise upon the Irish supporters who back McGregor, proclaiming he wished “we had support like that,” per the Irish Independent:

First of all, I want to thank Conor for accepting the fight on two weeks, he was training for Aldo that entire time, that’s a completely different match-up for him. The guy is tough. He’s got the talk to back it up. 

What’s awesome is this, these Irish guys are crazy. I wish we had support like that for everyone here, it’s unbelievable the support you show for your athletes and I got to come in here and be a part of it. This is something that I’m never going to forget in my life.

Indeed, McGregor’s Celtic pride and patriotism is one of his major appeals; it’s an almost primal allure that gives him such a tenacious aura and makes him one of the most feared presences in the UFC right now.

But the multifaceted specimen showed far more than primal instinct alone to capture his first UFC crown on Saturday, and the victory over Mendes signals that bigger accolades surely sit on the horizon.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Rory MacDonald Injury: Updates on UFC Star’s Nose, Foot

Rory MacDonald battled through massive injuries on Saturday before losing to UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler via knockout, and it has since emerged that he broke his nose and right foot during the bout.
Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reve…

Rory MacDonald battled through massive injuries on Saturday before losing to UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler via knockout, and it has since emerged that he broke his nose and right foot during the bout.

Greg Beacham of the Associated Press revealed MacDonald’s nose was broken as early as the first round, while his coach Firas Zahabi added that he also fractured his right foot, via Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com:

If anything, the extent of those injuries puts MacDonald’s performance in an even greater light after what will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the best fights of 2015 and the highlight of the UFC 189 card.

A thumping left from Lawler stifled MacDonald’s challenge for the welterweight title at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand, but MacDonald’s reputation won’t have suffered from the commendable defeat.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com