Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz do not like each other, that much is clear. But when the talented duo start going at each other’s throats, anyone and everyone can get caught in the crossfire.
That’s exactly what happened on a recent edition o…
Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz do not like each other, that much is clear. But when the talented duo start going at each other’s throats, anyone and everyone can get caught in the crossfire.
That’s exactly what happened on a recent edition of “The Herd,” after “The Dominator” and “The California Kid” picked up where they left of the last time they were face-to-face, by firing one verbal jab at another.
And after the two went on about who has fought the tougher competition, and alleged ducking of opponents, T.J. Dillashaw was the recipient of Faber’s verbal fire, as he tried to discredit Dominick’s win over him while saying he never ducked his former training partner.
“Dude, I fought T.J. Dillashaw for eight years every day. Dude, I would smoke T.J. Dillashaw. He looks like a pre-pubescent teenager since USADA came in. You look like a chubby … that’s the route (I’m taking).”
Of course, Cruz quickly picked up on Faber’s accusation and turned it on him, saying that if it is indeed the case that T.J. was dabbling in performance enhancing drugs (PEDs), then he had to have been doing it while under his tutelage and time at Team Alpha Male.
Faber, though, quickly responded by saying he didn’t know whether or not Dillashaw was on PED’s during their time as training partners.
Faber and Cruz are expected to co-headline UFC 199 on June 4, 2016 in a Bantamweight title fight. For more on that click here.
Live results and blow-by-blow updates as brick-fisted heavyweights Ben Rothwell and Junior dos Santos duke it out in the main event of today’s UFC event from Zagreb, Croatia. Join us for live results, play-by-play and discussion as UFC Fight…
Live results and blow-by-blow updates as brick-fisted heavyweights Ben Rothwell and Junior dos Santos duke it out in the main event of today’s UFC event from Zagreb, Croatia.
Join us for live results, play-by-play and discussion as UFC Fight Night: Rothwell vs Dos Santos erupts from the Zagreb Arena in Zagreb, Croatia.
Heavyweights everywhere: in the main event it’s Ben Rothwell vs. Junior dos Santos and, in the co-main, Gabriel Gonzaga meets Derrick Lewis. Francis Ngannou vs. Curtis Blaydes and Timothy Johnson vs. Marcin Tybura, also heavyweights, will precede the pair of featured bouts. Light-heavies Jan Blachowicz and Igor Pokrajac round out the main card, which will kick off with Maryna Moroz vs. Christina Stanciu.
Live results and play-by-play will commence with the prelims on UFC Fight Pass at 10:30 a.m. ET. The full lineup and schedule follows.
R1: Rothwell comes out in a drastically open stance to close the distance. Dos Santos’ opening right hand streaks just over the head of Rothwell but the next one lands downstairs. This time dos Santos follows the right with a left hook that glances, then he throws another while retreating. Rothwell ducks the next overhand right and the Brazilian lands a right and a left to the body.
Outside low kick lands for the ever-stalking Rothwell, then he glances with a massive overhand right of his own. Rothwell flashes his right hand high to set up a plunging left hook to the body. Another glancing right hand for dos Santos. Dos Santos continues to land jabs to the body in open space. Rothwell whiffs on an overhand right but lands a short follow-up cross. Dos Santos buries a right hand into the body of Rothwell. And another. 10-9 Dos Santos.
R2: They exchange heavy overhand rights. Dos Santos flicks out a right that lands short. Outside low kick is good for Rothwell. Dos Santos fires another right to the midsection. Rothwell switches stances and lands a left kick to the ribs. Another short right upstairs for dos Santos. Outside low kick for Rothwell.
Dos Santos goes back to the body after glancing with an overhand right. Jab downstairs for dos Santos. We pause as dos Santos takes an accidental finger to the eye. Rothwell offers a brief bow before they touch up and resume. Dos Santos lands a front kick to the body, then two consecutive jabs. Rothwell heaves two rights but dos Santos is able to slip and counter. More rights and lefts pelt off the body of Rothwell, and dos Santos clobbers him with a big right hand and knocks him on his butt with a front kick to close the round. 10-9 Dos Santos.
R1: Lewis uncorks a massive head kick that knocks Gonzaga sideways despite him blocking it. Gonzaga counter-clinches and hits a crafty trip, landing in side mount. Cross-face forearms for Gonzaga with a heavy base. Gonzaga passes to mount, then switches to back control as Lewis gives up his back. Lewis battles to his feet and hand-fights the rear waist cinch, spinning to face Gonzaga.
Gonzaga stays in the clinch, putting Lewis on the fence. Lewis spikes down a few elbows to the head, prompting Gonzaga to bury his head in Lewis’ chest. They’re separated by the ref at the two-minute mark. Lewis throws a heavy right cross that glances and he anticipates Gonzaga’s counter-takedown by lowering his level to stay upright. Gonzaga holds him on the fence in the 50/50 clinch despite the crowd’s whistles of displeasure. Lewis separates long enough to land a short up-knee. They’re separated again; 30 seconds left. Lewis morphs into a blur of violence, deploying a malevolent three-punch combo with shocking speed, and Gonzaga nosedives into the canvas.
Derrick Lewis defeats Gabriel Gonzaga by KO (punches) R1 4:48
R1: Blaydes steps into a heavy jab and dings Ngannou with it. Blaydes shoots a takedown that Ngannou is able to repel with a little work. Ngannou circles off the fence and lands a right to the body, then separates with a big elbow that glances. They trade punches in the center of the cage. Blaydes touches him with a short jab. And another. Ngannou unbolts a straight one-two and the impact causes Blaydes to stumble.
Blaydes throws a lazy low kick and Ngannou blasts him with a straight left, causing Blaydes to go on roller-skates. Ngannou pounces but Blaydes wisely counter-clinches to slow the pace. Ngannou backs off and separates. Blaydes hits a blast double in open space, taking Ngannou down. Ngannou looks to hit a switch and stand up but Blaydes isn’t having it. Ngannou readjusts and battles back to his feet, and they separate with a half minute left. 10-9 Ngannou.
R2: Ngannou lands an uppercut/straight combo, then repeats the straight with the same success. They both collide with simultaneously flurries and Blaydes looks to have gotten the worst of it. Quick jab is there for Blaydes but Ngannou wings a massive counter-shot that throws Blaydes off balance. Blaydes hits another takedown but Ngannou somehow gets in the standing rear waist cinch after creating a scramble.
They separate into open space. The right eye of Blaydes is an indiscernible mess of swollen flesh and the left is far from perfect. Ngannou targets it with a left cross. And another, showing that Blaydes can’t detect incoming left hands. 10-9 Ngannou.
R1: Tybura lands a hard kick to the ribs. Johnson glances with a pair of rights off his back foot. Tybura lands a stiff front kick to the body, then glances with a right off the top of Johnson’s head. Another right slips through for Tybura. They clinch up with Johnson putting Tybura on the fence and landing two uppercuts to the ribs.
They trade heavy knees as Johnson maintains strong fence pressure, but not much else. They’re separated by the ref with 90 seconds left, and Tybura scores with another right. Johnson answers with a snapping left cross, then a counter shovel punch downstairs. Johnson chases Tybura down but can’t secure the body lock. 10-9 Tybura.
R2: Tybura lands a fast jab. Johnson answers with a left, then crushes Tybura with a right hook that opens a cut on his head. Tybura fires back with a glancing punch and Johnson puts him on the fence. Tybura cross-faces to make space, then circles Johnson onto the fence with double under-hooks. Tybura changes levels for a double but Johnson tosses him away after denying it and the single-leg attempt that follows.
Near clash of heads as both fighters throw. Between Tybura’s reduced output and the blood oozing down his head, the round seems to be all Johnson’s with a minute left. Straight left grazes for Johnson but he eats a kick to the body from Tybura. Johnson triples up on his jab and snaps Tybura’s head back with the last two. 10-9 Johnson.
R3: Commentator Brian Stann relays that Johnson told his corner his arm or elbow has been injured as the third starts. Tybura catches Johnson by surprise with a reactive double leg, taking Johnson down and moving instantly to back control. Johnson cleverly cradles Tybura’s head to pull him out of position, and they reset in open space. Tybura lands a knee to the belly after clinching and Johnson drives him back on to the fence.
The ref separates them due to a lack of action. Tybura thumps Johnson with a surprising high kick, then pounces with punches when Johnson steps back. Johnson counter-clinches and puts Tybura on the cage but Tybura manages to land knees and some sharp right hooks with his back on the fence. Tybura glances with a front snap kick to the face. Johnson’s left eye is grotesquely swollen. 10-9 Tybura. I have it 29-28 Tybura.
Tim Johnson defeats Marcin Tybura by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
R1: As Pokrajac comes out looking to swarm with punches, Blachowicz lands a shot downstairs, then glances with a right cross before completing a double leg. Pokrajac goes to the knee shield but he can’t create space and Blachowicz clubs him with a few short rights. Pokrajac works into his full guard, closing it. Blachowicz crams his head on the fence to open the guard, then passes to half guard.
Pokrajac gives up his back when he turtles, and the ploy pays off when Blachowicz gets too high and allows Pokrajac to sneak out the back door. The crowd goes wild as Blachowicz closes his guard to protect himself from Pokrajac’s ground-and-pound. Pokrajac, though unable to land any clean punches, passes to half guard. Blachowicz sits up and goes for a counter waist lock, which opens up a mount pass for Pokrajac. No dice for Pokrajac on the front choke before the horn sounds. 10-9 Pokrajac.
R2: Pokrajac glances with two rights thrown at an odd angle. Blachowicz catches him with a straight right, prompting Pokrajac to shoot a double. Blachowicz denies it and fires a left low kick while coming off the fence. Now a glancing check hook from Blachowicz before Pokrajac forces another clinch. Blachowicz circles off the fence and goes for a double leg, but he bails on it to land shots tot he body. Blachowicz steps back and unleashes a wicked medley of right and left hooks.
Pokrajac fires back, forcing Blachowicz to back away with a hard, straight one-two. Blachowicz answers with a left and waves Pokrajac on. Blachowicz leaps forward and thumps Pokrajac with a lead uppercut that sends Pokrajac stumbling backwards. Blachowicz swarms him with punches against the fence but, after covering to deflect the blows, Pokrajac again lances him with a straight right to back him off. And we’re barely halfway through the round. Pokrajac attacks with punches but Blachowicz changes levels to complete a reactive takedown, quieting the crowd. The pace finally normalizes with Blachowicz in Pokrajac’s open guard. Blachowicz stands up and dives back down with a minute left. Pokrajac, feisty as can be, escapes back to his feet and fires a right low and a left high. Pokrajac settles for pushing Blachowicz on the fence and lands a heavy uppercut. 10-9 Blachowicz.
R3: Pokrajac lands a left off his back foot. Blachowicz shoots and puts Pokrajac on the fence, but it’s defended with double under-hooks. Blachowicz separates and lands a left hook. Pokrajac charges with a one-two but it only glances and Blachowicz takes him down. Blachowicz in half guard, pestering with left punches and hammer-fists.
Whistles from the Croatian crowd echo, then amplify as Blachowicz is able to hold top position. Pokrajac stays oddly complacent, fighting for wrist and posture control from the knee shield. Blachowicz stays busy with left punches and hammer-fists as we enter the final minute. Pokrajac’s right hip is anchored to the mat and Blachowicz finishes the round dominantly. 10-9 Blachowicz. I have it 29-28 Blachwicz.
Jan Blachowicz defeats Igor Pokrajac by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
R1: After a patient start, Stanciu explodes forward with a jumping switch kick and a hail of punches. Stanciu keeps driving forward, putting Moroz on the fence. Moroz circles off the fence and Stanciu jumps to a guillotine before she can turn the corner. As Stanciu starts to slide out of position, she tries to switch to a triangle and then an omoplata before losing her grip. Moroz, who’s been standing despite the submission attempts, falls into Stanciu’s open guard.
Left and right hammer-fists to Stanciu’s body from Moroz, but Stanciu fires an up-kick to clear enough space to separate. Moroz fires a one-two-three, landing the first and final shots. They clinch and Moroz hits an outside trip, landing in a high side mount. Stanciu tries to buck her off and it allows Moroz to secure back control with both hooks in, then with a body triangle. Stanciu hand-fights the choke and Moroz throws a few lefts to the face from back mount. 10-9 Moroz.
R2: Both women plant and throw heavy combinations to open the second stanza. Counter right body kick lands for Stanciu. Short inside low kick from Stanciu in open space. Clean right cross to the face from Moroz before Stanciu can deliver a kick. Stanciu connects on a heavy right hand.
Moroz glances with a left to close her combo, then catches a Stanciu kick. Stanciu pulls guard and rolls beautifully into a kneebar but Moroz pulls her leg out of danger, moving again to back control. Stanciu rolls onto one hip as Moroz tries to dig a hook in, then Moroz moves to full mount. A nasty wrist-control elbow lands from Moroz before Stanciu creates space and scrambles back to her feet. Another left hand from Moroz to close the frame. 10-9 Moroz.
R3: Stanciu glances with an inside low kick. Stanciu’s counter body kick causes a minor wardrobe malfunction for Moroz, who steps away to address it. They resume quickly with Stanciu firing to the body with a front kick and a right cross. Switch kick to the ribs lands for Stanciu, followed by an outside low kick. And another for Stanciu.
Moroz slips a right hand through, then they collide with punches. Stanciu denies a Moroz trip attempt and hits a counter trip, landing on top. Moroz flows into an armbar and it’s deep. Moroz keeps the arm in the pocket as Stanciu defends, then she works her legs into an inverted triangle attempt; a creative counter to the armbar. They stalemate briefly, then Stanciu bails on the triangle but it allows Moroz, who’s still got the armbar, to go belly down with it. Time expires. 10-9 Moroz. I have it 30-27 Moroz.
Maryna Moroz defeats Cristina Stanciu by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
R1: Dalby opens with a quick-release right high kick. Cummings weathers an early storm of kicks and starts working a jab while moving forward. Glancing double jab is there for Cummings, who then ducks a right hand and lands a hard left cross. Glancing outside low kick for Dalby. Cummings answers in kind, then plugs Dalby with a counter uppercut and a right hook, and Dalby goes down.
Cummings follows him, landing in side mount and securing a far-side under-hook. Despite telegraphing his intentions, Cummings secures a topside D’arce choke, then switches to a guillotine when Dalby turtles. Dalby manages to stand up and separate, throwing a hook kick followed by front-leg side kicks to the body. Cummings catches Dalby with a left hand after Dalby goes from southpaw to orthodox. Cummings again tags Dalby after a stance switch. 10-9 Cummings.
R2: They trade high kicks from range, neither landing. Dalby freezes Cummings with a short, step-in left. Cummings switches to orthodox and lands an uppercut/hook combo. Cummings dodges a left and lands a shovel punch downstairs. Another hook kick to the body from Dalby though it’s partially blocked by Cummings, who fires back with a short right.
We pause for an accidental poke to Dalby’s eye but he’s ready to resume quickly. Double jab from Cummings followed by a hard but glancing left cross. Dalby continues to throw kicks with both legs, and Cummings ducks one and nearly catches another. 10-9 Cummings.
R3: Cummings uses straight punches to steer Dalby into a corner and shoot a takedown, but Dalby resists it and separates. Clean left cross is there for Cummings. Dalby finally slips a high kick through but Cummings barely blinks as it careens off his face. Spit flies as Cummings drills Dalby in the mouth with an uppercut. Cummings checks a low kick effectively enough to drop Dalby on his back, possibly suffering from a foot injury.
Cummings falls into his guard in open space as Dalby goes to butterfly guard. Dalby creates space but can’t follow with a sweep or escape, and Cummings uses the pause to hop into side mount. Dalby is slippery, escaping back to his feet and thumping Cummings with a pair of right hands. Now it’s two glancing knees to the chin from Dalby as Cummings clinches up. Cummings circles off the fence and hits a trip despite eating a knee upstairs in the process. Cummings in half guard with a heavy base to maintain position as time dwindles. 10-9 Cummings. I have it 30-27 Cummings.
R1: Entwistle approaches in a crouched stance, diving for a flying heel hook. He’s able to get in position and wrench the hold but Perez slips out. The ref, responding to Entwistle’s wide-eyed protest, checks the legs of Perez for grease but he checks out. Entwistle goes back to the flying leg lock shenanigans but Perez grazes the top of his head with a massive right. Entwistle persists, undaunted, and again gets in heel hook position. Perez rolls out of danger once, then again after Entwistle readjusts.
Entwistle switches to a double leg to flatten Perez on his back, then Entwistle falls back for an inside heel hook. Entwistle torques the hold from both sides, still to no avail. Perez finally takes a knee and gathers his posture, landing a few right hands as Entwistle continues to fish for a leg lock. Now the tide turns as Perez lets his hands go, forcing Entwistle’s attention away from the leg lock for the first time. Perez keeps swinging until Entwistle appears to submit verbally.
Alejandro Perez defeats Ian Entwistle by TKO (verbal submission) R1 4:04
R1: Hard outside low kick lands for Taisumov 30 seconds in. And another, followed by a clean jab. Make it a third outside low kick for Taisumov but Hadzovic gets on the board with a counter right. Taisumov mistimes a spinning kick and Hadzovic catches him with a counter left. Clean jab lands for Hadzovic.
Taisumov answers with a one-two. Hadzovic lands a short right and follows with a clean outside low kick. Step-in right is there for Hadzovic but Taisumov plasters him with a right, and it dazes him. Taisumov stays on the trigger, walking the wobbly Hadzovic into the corner and deploying a vicious uppercut that crumples him.
Mairbek Taisumov defeats Damir Hadzovic by TKO (uppercut) R1 3:44
R1: Pejic catches a low kick but Stasiak continues his forward momentum, putting Pejic on his back and landing in side control. Pejic shrimps out and scrambles back to his feet, keeping Stasiak on the fence in the clinch. Stasiak works around his under-hook to circle off the fence, then hits an outside trip. Stasiak lands in half guard and postures up to deliver a pair of short forearms to the face. Stasiak tries to force a mount pass and is able to get back control on the transition. Both hooks in and a heavy right to the head from Stasiak, who then threads his arm under the chin to secure a rear-naked choke.
Damian Stasiak defeats Filip Pejic by submission (rear-naked choke) R1 2:16
R1: Whiteford lands a straight left and Martins steps in with a counter jab. Another quick jab from Martins. Whiteford with a straight left and Martins with a check hook, both glancing. Martins plugs him with a heavy right. One-two lands for Martins off his back foot. Whiteford with an inside low kick, then a left cross downstairs.
Now a right downstairs from Whiteford. Whiteford attacks with a one-two and it’s countered by a Martin right. Whiteford chops out the lead leg of Martins with a sharp low kick. Martins steps back on a flurry and lands another slicing right hand, and it wobbles Whiteford. Martins throws a jump knee and clinches up; Whiteford circles him onto the fence, landing short knees to the gut and thighs. The ref steps in to split them. 10-9 Martins.
R2: Whiteford glances with a one-two. Martins has a right body kick half-blocked, then eats a right hand upstairs. Whiteford catches a right body kick but can’t capitalize with a flurry of rights — in fact, it’s Martins who lands the better shots despite the compromised position. Stiff inside low kick lands for Whiteford, then a glancing straight left. Whistles abound in the crowd as the pace slows.
Martins grazes with a counter right, then he corners Whiteford and goes airborne with a jump knee. They land simultaneously: Whiteford with a body shot and Martins with a counter right. Martins snaps Whiteford’s head back with a right cross. Whiteford responds with a blast double leg, and he completes it though Martins is back up and separated quickly. 10-10.
R3: Whiteford attacks the lead leg with a pair of low kicks, the last causing Martins to slip when readjusting his footing. Martins lands a cross/hook combo and Whiteford glances with a left hook counter. They exchange grazing punches. Martins again walks Whiteford into a corner but doesn’t pull the trigger.
Step-in right to the body from Whiteford. Martins lands an inside low kick. And another, this one cleaner and harder. Whiteford shoots from distance but settles for putting Martins on the cage in the clinch. Martins circles off and separates unscathed. Jumping switch kick comes up short for Martins. Glancing inside low kick from Martins. 10-9 Martins. I have it 30-28 Martins.
Lucas Martins defeats Robert Whiteford by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
R1: Di Chirico opens with a glancing straight right and a few jabs. Velickovic answers with a left body kick but Di Chirico touches him up with a left hook counter. Straight left is there for Velickovic. They trade low kicks from the fringe, both grazing. Hard inside low kick scores for Velickovic. Di Chirico lands a wide right hand and Velickovic responds with another straight left.
They exchange inside low kicks to the upper thigh. Velickovic lands a jab downstairs and follows with an inside low kick. And another low kick from Velickovic, who follows with a left upstairs. Another inside low kick for Velickovic, who’s setting up his kicks with his hands. Now a right slips through for Velickovic. 10-9 Velickovic.
R2: Di Chirico steps in to jam an incoming flurry, landing a short right to the grill. Velickovic comes in a little wild again and Di Chirico plugs him with a check hook, blasting Velickovic off-balance. Di Chirico catches a Velickovic kick and capitalizes with a hard shot upstairs. One-two is good for Di Chirico though Velickovic targets the inner thigh with a low kick.
Di Chirico lands consecutive straight rights: one upstairs, one down. Velickovic shoots a takedown and finishes it though Di Chirico pops back up to his feet quickly, circling off the cage and separating. Another right down the middle for Di Chirico, who then ducks a spinning kick and lands a clean left. Di Chirico eats an inside low kick but blasts forward to finish a takedown; Velickovic brilliantly latches on a kimura and uses it to seep him. It’s a horrible position for Di Chirico but time expires. 10-9 Di Chirico.
R3: Inside low kick lands for Velickovic, who then scoops up a single but can’t complete it. Clean, short jab from Di Chirico. Velickovic finishes the next single-leg attempt but Di Chirico scrambles back to his feet and dings him with a jab. Now Di Chirico lands downstairs with a right.
Velickovic glances with an inside low kick and then comes high with a left kick that’s only partially blocked. Velickovic scores with a trick step-in knee to the ribs as Di Chirico engages with punches. Di Chirico answers with a left, then glances with a lead uppercut. Di Chirico hits a reactive takedown and, after posturing up, drills Velickovic with a heavy right.10-9 Di Chirico.
Bojan Velickovic defeats Alessio Di Chirico by unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)
It’s once again fight day here at LowKickMMA, and the talent on display today (Sunday, April 9th, 2016) will come in the form of UFC Fight Night 86. Headlining the card are Junior dos Santos and Ben Rothwell, but there’s a whole bunch of great fights also taking place on the preliminary section of the
It’s once again fight day here at LowKickMMA, and the talent on display today (Sunday, April 9th, 2016) will come in the form of UFC Fight Night 86. Headlining the card are Junior dos Santos and Ben Rothwell, but there’s a whole bunch of great fights also taking place on the preliminary section of the card.
Nicolas Dalby (14-0-1) vs. Zak Cummings (18-4) closes the preliminary card on Fox Sports 1 in a welterweight bout.
Mairbek Taisumov (24-5) vs. Damir Hadzovic (10-2) is next in a lightweight bout.
Ian Entwistle (9-2) vs. Alejandro Perez (16-6) is next in a bantamweight bout.
Filip Pejic (10-1-1) vs. Damian Stasiak (8-3) opens the Fox Sports 1 preliminary bouts in a bantamweight bout.
Robert Whiteford (12-3) vs. Lucas Martins (15-3) in a featherweight bout finishes off the UFC Fight Pass preliminary card.
Jared Cannonier (7-1) vs. Cyril Asker (7-1) is next in a heavyweight bout.
Opening the UFC Fight Pass prelims is Bojan Velickovic (13-3) vs. Alessio Di Chirico (9-0) in a welterweight bout.
So join us right here at LowKickMMA for UFC Fight Night 86, kicking off at 10:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. PT!
Here are the results:
Preliminary Card: (FS1 – 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT)
Welterweight Bout: Nicolas Dalby (14-0-1) vs. Zak Cummings (18-4)
Lightweight Bout: Mairbek Taisumov (24-5) vs. Damir Hadzovic (10-2)
Bantamweight Bout: Ian Entwistle (9-2) vs. Alejandro Perez (16-6)
Bantamweight Bout: Filip Pejic (10-1-1) vs. Damian Stasiak (8-3)
“The Outlaw”, who has taken on commentary since his premature retirement, wants to return to the UFC for superfights. Dan Hardy’s world was rocked when the Nottingham-based fighter was diagnosed with an extremely rare heart condition in 2013…
“The Outlaw”, who has taken on commentary since his premature retirement, wants to return to the UFC for superfights.
Dan Hardy’s world was rocked when the Nottingham-based fighter was diagnosed with an extremely rare heart condition in 2013: Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
“The Outlaw”, who was instrumental in the UFC’s expasion into the UK, was forced to retire from the sport at just 29-years-old but shifted his focus towards commentating and analysis work. Hardy commentates alongside UK wingman and former Cage Warriors personality, John Gooden, and has quickly established himself as one of the best analysts in the game for his work on ‘Inside the Octagon’.
Although the former welterweight challenger has enjoyed his time in the commentary booth since retiring from competition, Hardy still has the itch to step back in the Octagon for the adrenaline rush.
When speaking to MMA Junkie Radio on Friday, the 33-year-old said he’s more interested in returning for superfights, rather than working his way up the 170-pound ladder for another shot at promotional gold.
“It’s been an interesting three years,” Hardy said. “I’ve grown a lot. I’ve matured a lot. I have a different perspective on the sport and what I would want out of it. We had this conversation yesterday. I’m not interested in the belt or rankings anymore.
“I like the way the sport is moving into this area where we’re having a lot of superfights. I like superfights. If there are two guys I want to see fight, I’m not bothered by what weight class or what the rankings are. If I want to see them fight, that’s the fight that should be made. If there’s an overwhelming support for a matchup – I mean, when the (Conor) McGregor vs. (Nate) Diaz fight was made, who didn’t want to see that? There were so many people complaining about the weight class and this and that, but it was a fight we wanted to see, and I’d like to at least have the option to step in and just have those single marquee fights every now and then.”
Before returning to prize-fighting, Hardy must pass a medical stress test to ensure he’s fit for the Octagon. The MMA veteran last fought in 2012, where he picked up back-to-back wins over Duane Ludwig and Amir Saddollah.
Gabriel Gonzaga will face Derrick Lewis on short notice — thanks to an injury to Ruslan Magomedov — at the UFC Fight Night 86 mixed martial arts (MMA) event later today (Sun., April 10, 2016) inside Zagreb Arena in Zagreb, Croatia, on FOX …
Gabriel Gonzaga will face Derrick Lewis on short notice — thanks to an injury to Ruslan Magomedov — at the UFC Fight Night 86 mixed martial arts (MMA) event later today (Sun., April 10, 2016) inside Zagreb Arena in Zagreb, Croatia, on FOX Sports 1.
Gonzaga (17-10) finds himself back in the win column (for now) after snapping a three-fight skid by outpointing Konstantin Erokhin last December. The hard-hitting Lewis (14-4, 1 NC), meanwhile, is coming off back-to-back technical knockout wins over Viktor Pesta and Damian Grabowski.
Check out their fight video preview in the embedded player above.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir returned at UFC Brisbane to face fellow legend Mark Hunt in the UFC Fight Night 85 main event. It wasn’t to be Mir’s night, as he fell by one punch knockout to the heavy handed ‘Super Samoan,’ but the 36 year old’s troubles didn’t end in the octagon that
Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir returned at UFC Brisbane to face fellow legend Mark Hunt in the UFC Fight Night 85 main event. It wasn’t to be Mir’s night, as he fell by one punch knockout to the heavy handed ‘Super Samoan,’ but the 36 year old’s troubles didn’t end in the octagon that night. As well as having to consider his future options after such a crushing and one sided loss, Mir was this week notified of a potential USADA (United States Anti Doping Agency) violation. The test results indicate he failed a dope screen on the night of the fight against Hunt.
It’s well known that Mir was a user of testosterone replacement therapy when TRT was the ‘in thing,’ but until this point he’s never actually failed a drug test, and his physique against Hunt in Brisbane would argue against the results of this test. Of course it’s not all about looks, but you could point out that Mir looked perhaps more out of shape than in his entire career in Australia. Here’s his statement to fans on Facebook:
So the word is now out that it was anabolic steroid metabolites that were found in Mir’s system, and he spoke during the phone booth podcast yesterday to give his reasoning. Thanks to BloodyElbow.com for the quotes:
“I couldn’t tell you a single restaurant I remember eating at. I even remember calling James and saying ‘do you remember where we ate?’ I had to write down all of the places we went. And even if I could figure it out; let’s say someone could document where I went. You’re telling me USADA are gonna go down, and, on my behalf, try to test all the different meats to see if, well, you know, kanagaroos are wild and this guy wanted to beef em’ up so he bought something that was very abudnant – in the study that I did – oral turinabol could be bought in powdered form.
You put it on the food and you bulk up your livestock, and you could sell it into the stores because now you get more bang for your buck. An animal that takes two years to reach maturity, you know, muscle weight, now in four months he’s bigger than he’s ever gonna be and you slaughter him. It’s a common practice. I don’t know, I’m not pointing the finger any where, I’m just saying there’s so many loopholes for me to sit there and go ‘where did it come from?’ Hell man, I don’t know, I really don’t. All I know is that I didn’t willingly take anything.”
