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Justin Gaethje probably just earned some brownie points with UFC CEO Dana White by taking that pesky MMA Media to task.
It all started, as it often does, on Twitter. UFC’s ventures into the Middle East are not without controversy, particularly its partnership with Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. Veteran combat sports journalist, Luke Thomas, commented on as much while the UFC 294 broadcast was promoting Abu Dhabi’s incredible safety record, pointing out their strict censorship policies.
Abu Dhabi is, the broadcast tells us, the safest city in the world. You can also be thrown in jail for criticizing the government on Twitter, though.
— Luke Thomas ???? (@lthomasnews) October 21, 2023
Gaethje wasn’t having it. The UFC BMF strap-hanger wasn’t impressed with Thomas’ critiques, and he let him hear it. “Leave it to Luke,” Gaethje wrote. “You never miss a chance to let us all know how much better you are than everyone else. Their values are strong. Your morals seem weak but I’m sure I’m wrong.”
Leave it to Luke. You never miss a chance to let us all know how much better you are than everyone else. Their values are strong. Your morals seem weak but I’m sure I’m wrong.
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) October 22, 2023
Continuing on, Gaethje also acknowledged the other related elephant in the room: Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. The United States has active sanctions against Kadyrov, a dictator with a horrific human rights record, but over the last decade, quite a few UFC fighters have visited or associated with him in Chechnya, from Khamzat Chimaev to Henry Cejudo to Justin Gaethje.
Two of Kadryov’s sons were in the corner of Khamzat Chimaev, and Gaethje admitted to going to their birthday party too. He also referred to Kadyrov as “the Chechnya guy” and was proud to bring some joy to those kids.
Yes I went to the Chechnya guys sons birthday party. I will judge the world with my own eyes as you have. The people there were as respectful and excited to meet me as any other place I have been. Lighting up eyes of random kids in that town is something I would never give back.
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) October 22, 2023
“Yes I went to the Chechnya guys sons birthday party. I will judge the world with my own eyes as you have. The people there were as respectful and excited to meet me as any other place I have been. Lighting up eyes of random kids in that town is something I would never give back.”
When longtime MMA photojournalist Amy Kaplan merely screenshotted Gaethje’s quotes with his own quote — “the Chechnya guy” — that also drew Gaethje’s ire. He replied back, “The liberal cesspool of MMA Media. You are the queen/king.”
“the Chechnya guy” pic.twitter.com/oBbH4mR7sA
— Amy Kaplan (@PhotoAmy33) October 23, 2023
The liberal cesspool of the MMA media. You are the queen/king.
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) October 23, 2023
I’m not sure why Gaethje was so on the offensive over Abu Dhabi and Kadyrov issues. Perhaps the knockout artist was simply upset that White seems ready to rebook Makhachev vs. Oliveira 2 over another Geathje title shot? Whatever the case, his Twitter fingers were blazing!
Insomnia
Read this thread! Islam Makhachev is investing serious money into his camps and bringing 30 people focused on helping him to fights. No wonder he’s still improving!
Islam Makhachev traveled to Dubai to prepare for #UFC294 15 days or so before the event. He came with a team of 30 people.
Bellow I’ll list out his coaches & training partners that came with him, with short description about each of them. pic.twitter.com/x137yO79GI
— Fedor’s nephew (@FdrNphw) October 21, 2023
Countering the hand shake with a headbutt is definitely effective street fighting but also a d—k move.
Nathaniel Wood got fairly screwed at UFC 294, and he wasn’t alone.
Now seeing the fight back myself I can’t help but feel super frustrated with blatant cheating, his left hands is literally grabbing the inside of my glove in the most important 10 seconds left of the fight! 2 clean groin shots, fence grabbing and then this pic.twitter.com/Pe5T9g5Z8Q
— Nathaniel Wood (@TheProspectMMA) October 23, 2023
Francis Ngannou is expected to return to the cage in the first quarter of 2024.
Francis Ngannou says the time frame for his PFL debut is between February and March.#TheMMAHour
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) October 23, 2023
Josh Barnett has proven a voice of reason regarding Victor Henry’s low blow, whereas Javid Basharat has acted like a complete tool — disappointing.
Wow. Just wow.
Go rewatch it. Go listen to the sound of your foot blasting his cup. You hit it from underneath and railroaded his cup into his groin.
No way eh? Then maybe you should give his swollen testicles a nice look and then go tell the doctors who did the ultrasound how… https://t.co/zFOfqZhWUt
— (@JoshLBarnett) October 22, 2023
Very disappointed in Victor honestly. I find it crazy that we were fighting on live television and there’s cameras literally everywhere and no footage of contact on the replays!
Also send me the report— Javid Basharat (@JavidBasharat) October 22, 2023
The fight had gone 1 round and was split 2-1 on the scorecards. Gets fully blasted in the groin and can’t continue.
Yet this guy thinks that Victor took getting crotch rocketed as an opportunity to quit – a fighter with 30 fights, undefeated in RIZIN, fought all over the world,… https://t.co/sqd0ZUAg7l
— (@JoshLBarnett) October 23, 2023
I’m pretty sure most everyone who watched the original clip thought it was probably fake, but … good job, I guess?
GymShark staged the Francis Ngannou door breaking incident
Here’s the BTS of how they did it pic.twitter.com/j2sU5fLoeY https://t.co/b39Xr5a9EC
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) October 20, 2023
Fun times for everyone involved, I’m sure.
Usada man told me he had to watch me shit today…….what are we doing?
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) October 22, 2023
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Inside low kick to overhand right — IT’S THE HENDO!
OUT COLD!
Yuto Takahashi stops Toki Oshika to become the new Krush Flyweight champion.@proboxertaka | #Krush154 pic.twitter.com/NRSGWA2epF
— Beyond Kickboxing (@Beyond_Kick) October 21, 2023
Standing in range with hands at ribs is a risky proposition.
Massive headkick KO by Kamil Pi?tkiewicz at Octagon Fight League 13 pic.twitter.com/BXCGQZQRCv
— Matysek (@Matysek88) October 21, 2023
Brutal knockout aside, this match up begs the question: Has there been a Silva vs. Silva fight in the UFC? I cannot recall one, but I have to assume it has happened.
Scary KO at SFT 43 in Brazil. Jessika Silva knocks out Jocilene Silva in the first round. Kickboxing rules / 4oz gloves.
(loud commentary warning)#SFT43 pic.twitter.com/4AaO2BGrn8
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) October 21, 2023
Random Land
If done right, no can defend.
Midnight Music: New Wave, 1979
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.