After Solid Bellator 106 Ratings Come In, Bjorn Rebney Takes Shot at Dana White

This just in: Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney and UFC President Dana White don’t like each other very much. 
The latest in the feud between the top executives in the mixed martial arts world began on Saturday, when White sent out a tweet mocking Rebney …

This just in: Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney and UFC President Dana White don’t like each other very much. 

The latest in the feud between the top executives in the mixed martial arts world began on Saturday, when White sent out a tweet mocking Rebney after Eddie Alvarez recaptured the Bellator lightweight strap from Michael Chandler. 

Alvarez was on the shelf for over a year due to a long, drawn-out legal battle with Bellator, as they refused to let him take his talents to the Octagon. 

After Alvarez vs. Chandler II was announced in August, both sides acted as if the past was the past, but it’s hard to believe there isn’t some bad blood lingering. 

Rebney‘s reaction, per Bloody Elbow, after Alvarez won the title back after a hard-fought 25-minute battle speaks volumes about the tumultuous relationship. 

Now that the Bellator 106 ratings have come in, bringing in an all-time high of 1.1 million viewers according to a press release from Spike TV sent to Bleacher Report, Rebney didn’t mind letting White know about the latest numbers. 

The UFC’s last event televised on FOX Sports 2, UFC Fight Night 2, drew in a lackluster 122,000 viewers according to MMA Payout, though it’s worth mentioning that the show took place in England and therefore aired in the afternoon in the United States. 

Additionally, MMA Fighting’s Shaun Al-Shatti reports that in a conference call, White stated that his initial tweet was clearly talking about the contract situation with Alvarez and nothing else. 

I have no comment on that. When I sent that karma text, everybody knows what I was talking about. He tried to f–k this kid, and then he loses. What was he shaking his head about if he was so f–king pumped about his evening? (*Louder*) If his evening was that wonderful and he was so pumped about it, why was he back there shaking his head and looked like he wanted to f–king kill himself?

While Alvarez vs. Chandler II was unquestionably a phenomenal fight that is among the year’s best, few other bouts at Bellator 106 delivered, so it will be quite telling to see how high the ratings of the next Bellator show are. 

 

John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com.

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After Solid Bellator 106 Ratings Come In, Bjorn Rebney Takes Shot at Dana White

This just in: Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney and UFC President Dana White don’t like each other very much. 
The latest in the feud between the top executives in the mixed martial arts world began on Saturday, when White sent out a tweet mocking Rebney …

This just in: Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney and UFC President Dana White don’t like each other very much. 

The latest in the feud between the top executives in the mixed martial arts world began on Saturday, when White sent out a tweet mocking Rebney after Eddie Alvarez recaptured the Bellator lightweight strap from Michael Chandler. 

Alvarez was on the shelf for over a year due to a long, drawn-out legal battle with Bellator, as they refused to let him take his talents to the Octagon. 

After Alvarez vs. Chandler II was announced in August, both sides acted as if the past was the past, but it’s hard to believe there isn’t some bad blood lingering. 

Rebney‘s reaction, per Bloody Elbow, after Alvarez won the title back after a hard-fought 25-minute battle speaks volumes about the tumultuous relationship. 

Now that the Bellator 106 ratings have come in, bringing in an all-time high of 1.1 million viewers according to a press release from Spike TV sent to Bleacher Report, Rebney didn’t mind letting White know about the latest numbers. 

The UFC’s last event televised on FOX Sports 2, UFC Fight Night 2, drew in a lackluster 122,000 viewers according to MMA Payout, though it’s worth mentioning that the show took place in England and therefore aired in the afternoon in the United States. 

Additionally, MMA Fighting’s Shaun Al-Shatti reports that in a conference call, White stated that his initial tweet was clearly talking about the contract situation with Alvarez and nothing else. 

I have no comment on that. When I sent that karma text, everybody knows what I was talking about. He tried to f–k this kid, and then he loses. What was he shaking his head about if he was so f–king pumped about his evening? (*Louder*) If his evening was that wonderful and he was so pumped about it, why was he back there shaking his head and looked like he wanted to f–king kill himself?

While Alvarez vs. Chandler II was unquestionably a phenomenal fight that is among the year’s best, few other bouts at Bellator 106 delivered, so it will be quite telling to see how high the ratings of the next Bellator show are. 

 

John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Alexander Gustafsson vs. Jimi Manuwa Official for UFC London in March

Alexander Gustafsson officially has a new dance partner for his highly anticipated return to the Octagon.
While his original opponent Antonio Rogerio Nogueira was forced out of the bout with a back injury just five days after the fight was made officia…

Alexander Gustafsson officially has a new dance partner for his highly anticipated return to the Octagon.

While his original opponent Antonio Rogerio Nogueira was forced out of the bout with a back injury just five days after the fight was made official, on Tuesday, the UFC announced “Lil Nog’s” replacement in undefeated British slugger Jimi Manuwa.

The 33-year-old powerhouse has been a wrecking machine since joining the UFC roster in late 2012. The “Poster Boy” has collected three consecutive victores—all coming by way of stoppage—with his most recent outing against Ryan Jimmo at Fight Night 30 ending with via TKO in the second round.

While the bout was officially called due to the Canadian suffering a leg injury, Manuwa was beating him to the punch at a high percentage, all the while taking minimal damage of his own. The bout with Gustafsson will undoubtedly be the biggest of Manuwa‘s career and will present a tremendous opportunity for the Nigerian-born fighter to catapult himself onto the title radar at 205-pounds.

As for Gustafsson, the bout with Manuwa presents the proposed road back to a title shot. Following his instant classic and “Fight of the Year” worthy performance against pound-for-pound great Jon Jones at UFC 165 in September, Gustafsson campaigned for an immediate rematch, but the UFC opted to go a different route and tapped surging contender Glover Teixeira to face Jones Next.

Nevertheless, UFC President Dana White never pushed Gustafsson too far out of the picture as he deemed the Team Alliance fighter would be granted another shot at championship gold if he found success in his next fight.

Gustafsson vs. Manuwa is set to take place when the UFC returns to London’s O2 Arena on March 8 and will be the main event of a “Fight Night” card which will air on Fox Sports 2.

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report.

 

 

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UFC 169: Renan Barao vs. Dominick Cruz Takes Top Billing over Aldo-Lamas

Turns out, next year’s bantamweight title unification bout between Renan Barao and Dominick Cruz is bigger than tradition.
The 135-pound championship fight will serve as the main even for UFC 169 on Feb. 1 in Newark, N.J., taking precedence over …

Turns out, next year’s bantamweight title unification bout between Renan Barao and Dominick Cruz is bigger than tradition.

The 135-pound championship fight will serve as the main even for UFC 169 on Feb. 1 in Newark, N.J., taking precedence over Jose Aldo’s featherweight title defense against Ricardo Lamas, according to a report Tuesday by MMA Junkie.com.

It is typical UFC policy on cards featuring multiple championship bouts that the heavier fighters are given top billing. By allowing Barao-Cruz to trump Aldo and Lamas’ 145-pound clash, the promotion effectively sends the message that this bantamweight title tiff will be something special.

The fight marks champion Cruz’s return to the Octagon after two years, four months away rehabbing injuries. In his absence, the talented 26-year-old Barao took control of the division, defeating Urijah Faber to claim the interim title at UFC 149 last July before skating through back-to-back title defenses.

Barao (31-1-1) opened as the betting favorite when the bout was announced last month, though Cruz (19-1) has never lost in the 135-pound division. Since dropping from featherweight in 2008, he’s gone 9-0, winning the WEC championship and then becoming the first-ever UFC 135-pound titlist when he defeated Scott Jorgensen in Dec. 2010.

The main impediment to Cruz’s success has been an inability to stay healthy, as he’s missed extended periods while nursing a series of knee injuries. His most recent defense of the bantamweight crown came in Oct. 2011, when he defeated current UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson via unanimous decision.

At featherweight, Aldo (23-1) will be vying for the fifth consecutive defense of his UFC championship and his seventh straight defense overall, after winning the WEC title in Nov. 2009. The 145-pound champion and consensus top-five pound-for-pound fighter has won 16 fights in a row dating back to 2005.

Lamas (13-2) comes in riding a four-fight win streak in the UFC.

UFC 169 will be the company’s annual Super Bowl weekend show, typically regarded as one of the biggest MMA events of the year.

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Jimi Manuwa to Face Alexander Gustafsson When the UFC Visits London

Former title challenger Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson will now face Jimi “The Posterboy” Manuwa when the UFC visits London in March.The bout was announced on BT Sport’s “Beyond the Octagon” on UK television by Gareth A. Davies, but the rumour was d…

Former title challenger Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson will now face Jimi “The PosterboyManuwa when the UFC visits London in March.

The bout was announced on BT Sport’s “Beyond the Octagon” on UK television by Gareth A. Davies, but the rumour was doing the usual Twitter rounds days before.

The Swedish light heavyweight was originally scheduled to face Antônio Rogério Nogueira, but the Brazilian pulled out through injury. British favourite Manuwa now takes his place in what will be the biggest fight of his career in front of his home fans.

The Posterboy has only fought three times in the Octagon, with two bouts ending in unusual circumstances. Both Ryan Jimmo and Cyrille Diabate suffered in fight injuries and Manuwa was awarded the victories. In his debut against Kyle Kingsbury, however, Manuwa displayed his accurate and powerful striking, which he was renowned for in the UK.

Manuwa explained during his appearance on BT Sport, “I got the call about three days ago from my manager, and he put the fight to me.”

“I spoke to my coaches and everything, and we decided to accept the fight, so I’d like to confirm the rumours are all true, and I’ll be kicking off the first of six fights in Europe next year in my hometown of London.”

Gustafsson, though, will be by far the most skilled opponent he has come across. The Mauler is already the heavy favourite, and most, if not all, expect him to come through the bout unscathed and be next in line for another shot at Jon Jones.

UFC Fight Night in London is scheduled for March 8 and will also feature the rematch between Ross Pearson and Melvin Guillard after their first bout ended in a no contest due to a knee to a downed opponent from Guillard.

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Dominick Cruz vs. Renan Barao Will Now Headline UFC 169

The UFC has announced the champion vs. champion bout between Dominick Cruz and Renan Barao. They will headline UFC 169, while Jose Aldo will defend his featherweight crown against Ricardo Lamas in the co-main event.When the two fights were announced fo…

The UFC has announced the champion vs. champion bout between Dominick Cruz and Renan Barao. They will headline UFC 169, while Jose Aldo will defend his featherweight crown against Ricardo Lamas in the co-main event.

When the two fights were announced for the same event, many assumed it would be the 145lbs title fight which would headline.

In normal circumstances, the heavier weight class would be given top billing on a card with two title fights. However, the UFC has decided to go against protocol in favour of the 135lbs title bout, which is the bigger fight of the two.

Cruz’s return to face a seemingly unstoppable Barao in a champion vs. champion encounter will be one of the most eagerly awaited bouts of the new year. Plus, with the bantamweight champion’s regular appearances on Fox broadcasts and the interim champion’s recent successful pay-per-view appearances, both faces are the more familiar to audiences.

UFC 169 takes place on February 1 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and is the UFC’s annual Super Bowl weekend showpiece. Although usually in Las Vegas, the event is instead taking place alongside the NFL’s curtain closer, which is held the next day at MetLife Stadium.

Bantamweight champion Cruz returns to the Octagon after more than two years out of action. Since the champion’s last title defence against Demetrious Johnson in 2011, his Brazilian opponent beat Urijah Faber to the interim title, defended his belt against Michael McDonald and, most recently, beat Eddie Wineland at UFC 165.

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