Ryan Bader on Receiving Offer From Bellator: ‘It’s About Opportunity’

Ryan Bader is still a free agent, but that will be changing soon. Bader gambled on himself when he decided to fight out his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contract instead of re-sign. The move paid off as Bader dismantled Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in the final bout of his contract. Bellator showed interest in Bader and […]

Ryan Bader is still a free agent, but that will be changing soon. Bader gambled on himself when he decided to fight out his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contract instead of re-sign. The move paid off as Bader dismantled Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in the final bout of his contract. Bellator showed interest in Bader and […]

Dominick Cruz Says He’s Fighting For The Title When He Comes Back

No. 4-ranked UFC bantamweight contender Raphael Assuncao picked up a win over No. 7-ranked Aljamain Sterling at this past weekend’s (Jan. 28, 2017) UFC on FOX 23 from Denver, Colorado. After the win, the Brazilian called out former champion Dominick Cruz, who lost his title via unanimous decision to Cody Garbrandt at last December’s UFC

The post Dominick Cruz Says He’s Fighting For The Title When He Comes Back appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

No. 4-ranked UFC bantamweight contender Raphael Assuncao picked up a win over No. 7-ranked Aljamain Sterling at this past weekend’s (Jan. 28, 2017) UFC on FOX 23 from Denver, Colorado. After the win, the Brazilian called out former champion Dominick Cruz, who lost his title via unanimous decision to Cody Garbrandt at last December’s UFC 207:

“I think Dominick Cruz would make a lot of sense right now,” Assuncao said on UFC on FOX 23’s post-event show on FS2. “He’s right there up at the top of the rankings. I don’t see any other guy.”

Cruz, however, doesn’t seem to be too interested in the idea, as he responded by saying that he will fight for the title upon his return:

“It’s not a question of if I’ll fight him,” Cruz said. “I fight the best in the world. I’m ready to fight for the belt. That’s what I’m in line for. That’s who I’m here to fight – the best. That would be the next guy who thinks they’re the champion, and I can take the belt from him. That’s not Assuncao, and I’m not the guy for him. … I’m fighting for the title when I come back, and that’s the end of it.”

Garbrandt is set to defend his title next against fellow former champion TJ Dillashaw, a man Cruz beat last January, after the two coach opposite each other on the upcoming season of The Ulitmate Fighter (TUF). That fight, however, is not yet set for a certain date, which means Cruz could spend some significant time on the sidelines if he does indeed to wait for a title shot.

Should “The Dominator” be awarded a title shot upon his return?

The post Dominick Cruz Says He’s Fighting For The Title When He Comes Back appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

UFC strawweight Aisling Daly retires due to brain scan abnormality

An abnormality that showed up during a brain scan has prematurely ended the career of Irish strawweight fighter Aisling Daly.

As the study of the human brain continues, more athletes are becoming aware of the potential harm that can come from competing in the sport of martial artUs. Just recently, we saw a longtime veteran welterweight in Jon Fitch who has said he might have to reluctantly retire from the sport due to brain issues. Today, an Irish pioneer was forced to make the same choice.

UFC women’s strawweight fighter Aisling Daly, who was a competitor on TUF 20 and went 2-1 in three fights with the promotion, announced her retirement on social media due to an abnormality that arose during a recent brain scan:

I will be officially retiring from the sport of MMA. This past year a routine brain scan showed up evidence of an abnormality, the remnant of a small haemorrhage that had taken place at some point in the months previous. It would be unlikely I would be medically cleared to compete again, even in the event I could find a doctor who would clear me it would be very unwise for me to continue to compete with the risks involved. My career has ended prematurely but I’m very grateful for my long list of achievements, I am and will always be ‘Ais the first’ for so many things, my legacy set in stone in the history of Irish mixed martial arts. I am the countries first ever world champion, the first and only female to ever do it. I have and always will give back to the sport which has given me so much. I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the fans who have supported me tirelessly through various parts of the journey. Without this support there is no sport of MMA as we know it. I would like to thank my good friends and close team mates, there is no substitute for the genuine loyalty built between people over years of blood, sweat and tears. I am truly most grateful for my wonderful family, who were there to pick up the pieces throughout my entire career and especially now when my dream fell apart. This would have been intolerable without their help, emotionally and financially. They say you can’t choose family but I would want no other. Now starts the next chapter of my life. I’m very fortunate to have grown up within such an outstanding organisation as SBG. I am equipped with the skills to be an exceptional coach and member of the martial arts community and I look forward to seeing what challenges lie ahead for me. “New Beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”― Lao Tzu #TheQueenofIrishMMA #AisTheFirst #SBG #happy #proud #grateful #MMA #UFC #retirement #worldchampion #blackbelt #legend

A photo posted by Aisling Daly (@aisydaly) on Jan 30, 2017 at 10:57am PST

Here is her full statement from the post:

“I will be officially retiring from the sport of MMA.

This past year a routine brain scan showed up evidence of an abnormality, the remnant of a small haemorrhage that had taken place at some point in the months previous. It would be unlikely I would be medically cleared to compete again, even in the event I could find a doctor who would clear me it would be very unwise for me to continue to compete with the risks involved.

My career has ended prematurely but I’m very grateful for my long list of achievements, I am and will always be ‘Ais the first’ for so many things, my legacy set in stone in the history of Irish mixed martial arts. I am the countries first ever world champion, the first and only female to ever do it. I have and always will give back to the sport which has given me so much.

I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the fans who have supported me tirelessly through various parts of the journey. Without this support there is no sport of MMA as we know it.

I would like to thank my good friends and close team mates, there is no substitute for the genuine loyalty built between people over years of blood, sweat and tears.

I am truly most grateful for my wonderful family, who were there to pick up the pieces throughout my entire career and especially now when my dream fell apart. This would have been intolerable without their help, emotionally and financially. They say you can’t choose family but I would want no other.

Now starts the next chapter of my life. I’m very fortunate to have grown up within such an outstanding organisation as SBG. I am equipped with the skills to be an exceptional coach and member of the martial arts community and I look forward to seeing what challenges lie ahead for me. “New Beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”― Lao Tzu”

Daly (16-6) has been fighting since 2007, and has competed in Bellator and Cage Warriors along with her Octagon appearances. Her last bout came in October 2015 in Dublin, where she defeated Ericka Almeida by decision. The BJJ black belt has been a member of SBG for many years, and will continue to coach there. We wish her good luck with her future endeavors.

An abnormality that showed up during a brain scan has prematurely ended the career of Irish strawweight fighter Aisling Daly.

As the study of the human brain continues, more athletes are becoming aware of the potential harm that can come from competing in the sport of martial artUs. Just recently, we saw a longtime veteran welterweight in Jon Fitch who has said he might have to reluctantly retire from the sport due to brain issues. Today, an Irish pioneer was forced to make the same choice.

UFC women’s strawweight fighter Aisling Daly, who was a competitor on TUF 20 and went 2-1 in three fights with the promotion, announced her retirement on social media due to an abnormality that arose during a recent brain scan:

I will be officially retiring from the sport of MMA. This past year a routine brain scan showed up evidence of an abnormality, the remnant of a small haemorrhage that had taken place at some point in the months previous. It would be unlikely I would be medically cleared to compete again, even in the event I could find a doctor who would clear me it would be very unwise for me to continue to compete with the risks involved. My career has ended prematurely but I’m very grateful for my long list of achievements, I am and will always be ‘Ais the first’ for so many things, my legacy set in stone in the history of Irish mixed martial arts. I am the countries first ever world champion, the first and only female to ever do it. I have and always will give back to the sport which has given me so much. I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the fans who have supported me tirelessly through various parts of the journey. Without this support there is no sport of MMA as we know it. I would like to thank my good friends and close team mates, there is no substitute for the genuine loyalty built between people over years of blood, sweat and tears. I am truly most grateful for my wonderful family, who were there to pick up the pieces throughout my entire career and especially now when my dream fell apart. This would have been intolerable without their help, emotionally and financially. They say you can’t choose family but I would want no other. Now starts the next chapter of my life. I’m very fortunate to have grown up within such an outstanding organisation as SBG. I am equipped with the skills to be an exceptional coach and member of the martial arts community and I look forward to seeing what challenges lie ahead for me. “New Beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”? Lao Tzu #TheQueenofIrishMMA #AisTheFirst #SBG #happy #proud #grateful #MMA #UFC #retirement #worldchampion #blackbelt #legend

A photo posted by Aisling Daly (@aisydaly) on

Here is her full statement from the post:

“I will be officially retiring from the sport of MMA.

This past year a routine brain scan showed up evidence of an abnormality, the remnant of a small haemorrhage that had taken place at some point in the months previous. It would be unlikely I would be medically cleared to compete again, even in the event I could find a doctor who would clear me it would be very unwise for me to continue to compete with the risks involved.

My career has ended prematurely but I’m very grateful for my long list of achievements, I am and will always be ‘Ais the first’ for so many things, my legacy set in stone in the history of Irish mixed martial arts. I am the countries first ever world champion, the first and only female to ever do it. I have and always will give back to the sport which has given me so much.

I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the fans who have supported me tirelessly through various parts of the journey. Without this support there is no sport of MMA as we know it.

I would like to thank my good friends and close team mates, there is no substitute for the genuine loyalty built between people over years of blood, sweat and tears.

I am truly most grateful for my wonderful family, who were there to pick up the pieces throughout my entire career and especially now when my dream fell apart. This would have been intolerable without their help, emotionally and financially. They say you can’t choose family but I would want no other.

Now starts the next chapter of my life. I’m very fortunate to have grown up within such an outstanding organisation as SBG. I am equipped with the skills to be an exceptional coach and member of the martial arts community and I look forward to seeing what challenges lie ahead for me. “New Beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”? Lao Tzu”

Daly (16-6) has been fighting since 2007, and has competed in Bellator and Cage Warriors along with her Octagon appearances. Her last bout came in October 2015 in Dublin, where she defeated Ericka Almeida by decision. The BJJ black belt has been a member of SBG for many years, and will continue to coach there. We wish her good luck with her future endeavors.

Archives: Peña Issues Statement After Losing to Shevchenko (2017)

It’s been almost five years to the day since Julianna Peña lost to Valentina Shevchenko. As we now know, Peña was able to turn out just fine, currently sitting as the women’s bantamweight champion. But in the following article, we re-experience her raw reaction to losing in the UFC for the first time. The following […]

Continue Reading Archives: Peña Issues Statement After Losing to Shevchenko (2017) at MMA News.

It’s been almost five years to the day since Julianna Peña lost to Valentina Shevchenko. As we now know, Peña was able to turn out just fine, currently sitting as the women’s bantamweight champion. But in the following article, we re-experience her raw reaction to losing in the UFC for the first time.

The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

[ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JANUARY 30, 2017, 8:41 PM]

Headline: Julianna Peña Issues Statement After Losing to Valentina Shevchenko

Author: Fernando Quiles Jr.

Julianna Peña may have lost her first fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), but the sky isn’t falling.

Peña was submitted in the second round courtesy of an armbar from Valentina Shevchenko this past Saturday night (Jan. 28). The loss was Peña’s third as a professional mixed martial artist (MMA). That almost means her four-fight winning streak was snapped.

On her Facebook page, Peña apologized to her fans for falling short in Denver. She believes the defeat will help her grow:

“So, so sorry about my loss you guys. Too hungry. At this level of competition, you cannot make the first mistake or you pay the price. This is a big-time learning experience for me. Time to move forward though. I take one look in the past and then I turn around and keep it pushing toward the future.”

“The Venezuelan Vixen” said she hasn’t lost sight of what’s important. A loss inside the Octagon isn’t going to make her forget about the people who have supported her.

“Michael Jordan missed shots and even the best MMA fighters have tasted defeat at some point in their career. My character is not defined by my wins and losses nor are they contingent on the amount of love I receive from those who truly matter to me. Thank you to those who realize how much work goes into this process. It takes a village to get to the big stage and I could not be more grateful for my team who continue to help me achieve my dreams on a daily basis.”

Peña ended her statement by showing appreciation for her fans.

“You guys motivate and inspire me to continue to be great. You guys are my mentors, my heroes, my main support and without you being there for me, there would be no ‘Venezuelan Vixen.’ Much respect, love and thankfulness to those who tuned in to the fight. Like the terminator says, I’ll be back.”

Continue Reading Archives: Peña Issues Statement After Losing to Shevchenko (2017) at MMA News.

Al Iaquinta Could Make UFC Return Soon

Al Iaquinta’s Octagon hiatus may soon be coming to an end. After flirting with the decision to retire from mixed martial arts (MMA) competition, the former Ultimate Fighter 15 (TUF 15) finalist’s contract dispute with the UFC seem to have resolved itself. UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby posted the following on Twitter indicating that ‘Raging’s’ Octagon

The post Al Iaquinta Could Make UFC Return Soon appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Al Iaquinta’s Octagon hiatus may soon be coming to an end.

After flirting with the decision to retire from mixed martial arts (MMA) competition, the former Ultimate Fighter 15 (TUF 15) finalist’s contract dispute with the UFC seem to have resolved itself. UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby posted the following on Twitter indicating that ‘Raging’s’ Octagon return could be coming soon:

Recently Iaquinta joined Submission Radio (quotes via Bloody Elbow) to discuss what the ‘retired’ life was like, and also discussed the difficulties of working an office job while missing the thrill of competing inside the Octagon:

“It’s tough,” Iaquinta admitted. “I don’t know. I definitely would rather be fighting. It’s pretty hard when you’re fighting in front of thousands of people or whatever, and then you’re working in the office. But I gotta be honest, as far as my health goes, this is probably the healthiest I’ve been in a while. No injuries and I’m not going home every day with neck nagging, pain, stuff like that. So that’s definitely a good part.

“I miss a lot of it, but a lot of it I don’t miss. And I feel like I’m kind of saving myself. I don’t know. It’s not been easy, but I know I’m doing the right thing for right now. I’m going out to Denver this weekend to see Aljo (Aljamain Sterling) and I’m sure I’ll see a couple of people from the UFC and maybe we’ll have a conversation, maybe we won’t. But I definitely miss fighting, that’s for sure. I definitely miss fighting.”

Iaquinta could already have an opponent in mind, as he and Thiago Alves seem to have locked down a welterweight fight on April 8th:

Currently riding a four-fight win streak over names such as Joe Lauzon and Jorge Masvidal, how do you think a match-up against Alves at 170 pounds fares for Iaquinta?

You can listen to Iaquinta’s interview with Submission Radio here:

The post Al Iaquinta Could Make UFC Return Soon appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Aisling Daly Announces Retirement From Fighting

29-year-old veteran Irish mixed martial artist Aisling Daly announced her retirement from mixed martial arts earlier today (Jan. 30, 2017). Taking to her official Instagram page to announce the news, Daly said that a recent brain scan had shown an abnormality as well as the remnants of a small hemorrhage: I will be officially retiring

The post Aisling Daly Announces Retirement From Fighting appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

29-year-old veteran Irish mixed martial artist Aisling Daly announced her retirement from mixed martial arts earlier today (Jan. 30, 2017).

Taking to her official Instagram page to announce the news, Daly said that a recent brain scan had shown an abnormality as well as the remnants of a small hemorrhage:

I will be officially retiring from the sport of MMA. This past year a routine brain scan showed up evidence of an abnormality, the remnant of a small haemorrhage that had taken place at some point in the months previous. It would be unlikely I would be medically cleared to compete again, even in the event I could find a doctor who would clear me it would be very unwise for me to continue to compete with the risks involved. My career has ended prematurely but I’m very grateful for my long list of achievements, I am and will always be ‘Ais the first’ for so many things, my legacy set in stone in the history of Irish mixed martial arts. I am the countries first ever world champion, the first and only female to ever do it. I have and always will give back to the sport which has given me so much. I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the fans who have supported me tirelessly through various parts of the journey. Without this support there is no sport of MMA as we know it. I would like to thank my good friends and close team mates, there is no substitute for the genuine loyalty built between people over years of blood, sweat and tears. I am truly most grateful for my wonderful family, who were there to pick up the pieces throughout my entire career and especially now when my dream fell apart. This would have been intolerable without their help, emotionally and financially. They say you can’t choose family but I would want no other. Now starts the next chapter of my life. I’m very fortunate to have grown up within such an outstanding organisation as SBG. I am equipped with the skills to be an exceptional coach and member of the martial arts community and I look forward to seeing what challenges lie ahead for me. “New Beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”? Lao Tzu #TheQueenofIrishMMA #AisTheFirst #SBG #happy #proud #grateful #MMA #UFC #retirement #worldchampion #blackbelt #legend

A photo posted by Aisling Daly (@aisydaly) on


Training out of the now infamous Straight Blast Gym in Dublin, Ireland, Daly hasn’t competed since Oct. 2015 when she scored a decision victory over Erika Almeida at UFC Fight Night 76. Prior to that she had split wins and losses in the Octagon, picking up a submission victory over Alex Chambers and dropping a decision to Randa Markos.

Overall, Daly holds a 16-6 professional mixed martial arts record including five victories by knockouts and eight victories by submission.

We here at LowKickMMA wish Daly the best in the next chapter of her life.

The post Aisling Daly Announces Retirement From Fighting appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.