UFC Announces Female Flyweight Division, Ultimate Fighter to Crown Champion

Just like they did with the strawweight title, the first-ever UFC female flyweight champion will emerge through The Ultimate Fighter. That season saw Carla Esparza survive on her way to besting Rose Namajunas to win the championship. The UFC sent out a press release on Wednesday stating an open casting call will take place in […]

Just like they did with the strawweight title, the first-ever UFC female flyweight champion will emerge through The Ultimate Fighter. That season saw Carla Esparza survive on her way to besting Rose Namajunas to win the championship. The UFC sent out a press release on Wednesday stating an open casting call will take place in […]

Dominick Cruz Feels He’s Earned Right to Fight For UFC Title Again

If Dominick Cruz has his way, then his next fight will be for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight title. “The Dominator” was stunned by Cody Garbrandt back in Dec. 2016. Cruz lost his 135-pound gold via unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC 207. Cruz decided not to take an immediate rematch, so […]

If Dominick Cruz has his way, then his next fight will be for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight title. “The Dominator” was stunned by Cody Garbrandt back in Dec. 2016. Cruz lost his 135-pound gold via unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC 207. Cruz decided not to take an immediate rematch, so […]

Tyron Woodley on Demian Maia Taking UFC 211 Bout: ‘Damn That Was Stupid’

Tyron Woodley questions Demian Maia’s decision to fight Jorge Masvidal at UFC 211. Just before Woodley defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight title at UFC 209, Maia vs. Masvidal was announced. The two will battle on May 13 inside the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Many fans and analysts were confused with the […]

Tyron Woodley questions Demian Maia’s decision to fight Jorge Masvidal at UFC 211. Just before Woodley defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight title at UFC 209, Maia vs. Masvidal was announced. The two will battle on May 13 inside the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Many fans and analysts were confused with the […]

Nate Diaz Details Phone Call With Floyd Mayweather While High

Nate Diaz set the MMA world ablaze (pun intended) during a slow week for the sport during a special episode of “The MMA Hour” with Ariel Helwani earlier today, and no topic was safe. He laid out his plans to take the rest of 2017 off without a proper offer from his bosses, but Diaz

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Nate Diaz set the MMA world ablaze (pun intended) during a slow week for the sport during a special episode of “The MMA Hour” with Ariel Helwani earlier today, and no topic was safe.

He laid out his plans to take the rest of 2017 off without a proper offer from his bosses, but Diaz didn’t stop there. Far from it, actually. With his sights set on Conor McGregor and even his potential boxing opponent Floyd Mayweather, the polarizing fan favorite detailed a phone conversation he had with “Money” right after he just got done enjoying some of his favorite herbs, a conversation McGregor later used to call Diaz a “bitch.”

However, Nate set the record straight to Helwani:

“So Floyd Mayweather randomly calls me, I just smoked a joint. I’m like, ‘What the fuck? This is fuckin’…odd.’ You know, I’m like, ‘What up?’ And I even thought to myself, ‘He thinks he’s a fuckin’ genius. I look, and I’m talking to Mayweather, and I never talked to Mayweather before, I’m like, ‘What up?’ And I was thinking like, ‘You know what? Fuck this dude, he’s gonna fight with McGregor and make all this money?’ Fuck that, I don’t mean to be a hater, but fuck that. I wanted to fight these motherfuckers. I was thinking about being like, ‘Fuck you, motherfucker, what the fuck you calling me for?’ and I was thinking about hangin’ up quick. But then when I was talking to him, I was like, ‘That’s Floyd Mayweather, I have respect for the man, you know what I’m sayin’? I fuckin’ am a martial artist; that’s guy’s the best at what he does and has been doin’ it for years.”

Diaz then said he would beat McGregor in a boxing match, and that “The Notorious” calling out a smaller fighter in Mayweather wasn’t even a legit challenge:

“Either way, I woulda whipped your ass in a boxing match, McGregor, but Mayweather’s gonna fight you. Whatever, I got winner in a boxing match or a fight. And you’re not even being that challenging. Fight a heavyweight fool, five-five, a boxer, heavyweight division, I’ll whoop his ass in mixed martial arts, how about that? That’s a challenge, that’s something people should want to see. What you wanna see, I’m not gonna talk shit to no little-ass 147-pound Mayweather; I don’t even fight at that weight.”

Diaz was then asked if he had any resentment to the fact that the UFC was trying to make that fight happen, as he had long been the face of boxing in MMA. Diaz revealed that boxing promotions had tried to buy out his contract from the UFC in years past, but they never let anything happen:

“Years ago, boxing promotions were trying to buy my contract out from the UFC. And UFC wouldn’t let me out, and they always came in under the radar.”

But even if Diaz sounds bitter about the whole thing, he believes it will all work out in his favor. He’s sick of all the hype about McGregor vs. Mayweather, and wants to see the UFC actually make the fight happen with it being the only major attraction in a barren year for the UFC.

No matter who wins, he says, things will look good for a huge potential fight with him in the future:

“I already said it, I’m calling their bluff. Can we pick up the place please? I thought it was going to, but now everybody’s died down and shut up. Every week they were talking shit back and forth. It’s all a fuckin’ hype game, they’re building each other up and UFC’s in on it too. Bring boxing back alive, bring MMA alive; it’s the only thing going on. It’s only cause it’s the only thing going on and they’re selling it as that.

“Mayweather’s coming back relevant, McGregor’s staying relevant, and the boxers are all known and the UFC sees that, and now everybody’s like, “Oh, this is the biggest thing.” So it was good for everybody to happen, but now that it’s time to happen, where’s it at? I call they bluff, make the fight happen. Let’s see it the fuck happen, because in the end, I’m the winner in the whole thing anyway.

“If McGregor fuckin’ wins, then Mayweather just got beat – the best boxer right now – just got beat by the guy I beat the fuck out of. That’s good for me. And if Mayweather knocks his ass out, it’s like, who gives a fuck? I already whipped his ass anyway; now fight a real G? You know what I’m saying? Fight the real shit like I said. And if you come back to MMA, fight Ferguson; then you can get a shot at the golden ticket. You’re the bitch. That’s why I’m saying he’s the bitch.”

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Nate Diaz reveals he accepted (then rejected) Tony Ferguson fight at UFC 213

He’s not about to do Conor McGregor’s “dirty work.”

Since coming up short in his rematch against current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion, Conor McGregor, at UFC 202 last year, Nate Diaz has been laying low. Though he was rumored to return against Eddie Alvarez is and getting called out by the likes of Tony Ferguson, Diaz never addressed either challenge … until now.

During a special appearance today on “The MMA Hour,” Diaz — who initially denied being offered any fights recently — revealed that he was approached with the Ferguson fight for UFC 213 on July 8, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada; however, he rejected the 155-pound bout after initially accepting it.

“Yeah, I have — for July 8th. I wasn’t supposed to say that. And I gladly accepted it, and then it was gladly rejected because of circumstances. Sure, I will fight him, but under these circumstances, you know what I’m saying? Then I was ignored and the rumors went on. So I said, ‘why are the rumors still going if it’s not popping?’ And then I thought about it: Why am I going to do Conor McGregor’s fucking work for him? No fight each other motherfucker and then you get a shot at the golden child right here motherfucker. What are you going to do? You’re going to take time off to make $1 million to fight Mayweather and I’m going to do your dirty work for you?”

Indeed, McGregor has been working hard to lock down a multi-million dollar boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, while Ferguson has been clamoring for his shot at the 155-pound strap currently being held hostage by “Notorious.” And while talks for a fight against “Money” have stalled, no word yet if the much-talked about bout has officially been scrapped.

As for Diaz’ next step, he plans to sit out the remainder of 2017 while preparing for race season with big brother Nick. Unless, of course, UFC comes correct with a big offer that is worth the Stockton slugger’s time. And since Diaz has “hella money” in the bank, the promotion better be prepared to come correct in 2018.

He’s not about to do Conor McGregor’s “dirty work.”

Since coming up short in his rematch against current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion, Conor McGregor, at UFC 202 last year, Nate Diaz has been laying low. Though he was rumored to return against Eddie Alvarez is and getting called out by the likes of Tony Ferguson, Diaz never addressed either challenge … until now.

During a special appearance today on “The MMA Hour,” Diaz — who initially denied being offered any fights recently — revealed that he was approached with the Ferguson fight for UFC 213 on July 8, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada; however, he rejected the 155-pound bout after initially accepting it.

“Yeah, I have — for July 8th. I wasn’t supposed to say that. And I gladly accepted it, and then it was gladly rejected because of circumstances. Sure, I will fight him, but under these circumstances, you know what I’m saying? Then I was ignored and the rumors went on. So I said, ‘why are the rumors still going if it’s not popping?’ And then I thought about it: Why am I going to do Conor McGregor’s fucking work for him? No fight each other motherfucker and then you get a shot at the golden child right here motherfucker. What are you going to do? You’re going to take time off to make $1 million to fight Mayweather and I’m going to do your dirty work for you?”

Indeed, McGregor has been working hard to lock down a multi-million dollar boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, while Ferguson has been clamoring for his shot at the 155-pound strap currently being held hostage by “Notorious.” And while talks for a fight against “Money” have stalled, no word yet if the much-talked about bout has officially been scrapped.

As for Diaz’ next step, he plans to sit out the remainder of 2017 while preparing for race season with big brother Nick. Unless, of course, UFC comes correct with a big offer that is worth the Stockton slugger’s time. And since Diaz has “hella money” in the bank, the promotion better be prepared to come correct in 2018.

UFC 211: Will Henry Cejudo Shutdown The Young And Hungry Sergio Pettis

The main card of UFC 211 features two top level flyweights, each of whom could be considered for a title challenge with a few more good wins. While Henry Cejudo may have already had his crack at glory, Sergio Pettis is looking to throw his card into the Demetrious Johnson sweepstakes (a prize that I’m not sure anyone truly wants to win at this point). This fight has a lot riding on it for both fighters and it’s good to see it opening up the main card for one of the more stacked events of the year (good job UFC, keep this up and people may end up caring about flyweight).

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The main card of UFC 211 features two top level flyweights, each of whom could be considered for a title challenge with a few more good wins. While Henry Cejudo may have already had his crack at glory, Sergio Pettis is looking to throw his card into the Demetrious Johnson sweepstakes (a prize that I’m not sure anyone truly wants to win at this point). This fight has a lot riding on it for both fighters and it’s good to see it opening up the main card for one of the more stacked events of the year (good job UFC, keep this up and people may end up caring about flyweight).

Henry Cejudo has the tools to give anyone at 125 lbs tons of issues. His mix of gritty, powerful and technical wrestling has matched well with his kickboxing style. Cejudo showed in his bout with Joseph Benavidez that he has the ability to go three hard rounds against a tactical and fast paced opponent. His kicking game was also very impressive. The biggest flaw in that fight however was how much power he threw into every shot. If he learns to fight at a more measured pace, picking his shots, flashing the jab to control distance, and level changes when Pettis over commits, we could see Cejudo put on a dominant performance.

The plan of attack for Cejudo should be fairly straight forward. Takedowns will play a major role, as will controlling the clinch and landing heavy punches on the break. Cejudo is likely to have a strength advantage here and he needs to let Pettis understand that as soon as the first bell rings. Cejudo fell in love with his power a bit in his bout with Joseph Benavidez and he’ll want to avoid that here. Basic boxing combinations like the double jab cross will be effective in this fight. He’ll need to stay in Pettis’ face and stay busy the whole time in order prevent the younger man from trying to control the distance. Pettis wants distance which means Cejudo needs to make him feel claustrophobic and fight in a phone booth. Ending combinations with either a left hook or right round kick will do Cejudo a ton of good.

Sergio Pettis may not have the flash and flare of his older brother, but he does indeed have a more complete game. The younger Pettis looks to mix up his attack with sharp striking coupled with some nicely timed level changes. Rather than just focus purely on knocking opponents out, Pettis likes to employ a game that keeps his opposition guessing. He’s as likely to fire off a blistering head kick as he is to shoot for a takedown.

The goal for Pettis here is to frustrate Cejudo and get his distance with kicks immediately before the Olympic wrestler can get comfortable. While kicking against a wrestler can be ill advised, if you get the distance just right it can keep the shorter Cejudo on the outside. The benefit of Sergio Pettis being from a traditional martial arts background means that he has the ability to throw strikes from both stances. It will allow him to confuse Cejudo and, once his opponent is bewildered, land a devastating rear round kick or cross from the southpaw stance.

Most important for Pettis is to ensure his feet keep moving. The younger Pettis has a tendency to stand still at times which can get him into all kinds of trouble with a power puncher and wrestler of Cejudo’s caliber.

Which flyweight will take one step closer to punching their ticket for the Demetrious Johnson horror show?


Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.

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