More information continues to swirl surrounding the now removed main event for UFC 130 between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. Heavy MMA’s Jeremy Botter is reporting that former WEC lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis was …
Heavy MMA’s Jeremy Botter is reporting that former WEC lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis was set to replace Frankie Edgar and fight Gray Maynard in the main event later this month.
The organization contacted him just a few days ago and asked him if he would like to headline the event.
“They were going to have me fight Maynard on that card,” Pettis revealed. “I said yes to that deal right away.”
But today, we now hear that Maynard himself suffered an undisclosed knee injury, which will knock him out of the event as well.
“I guess it turns out that it’s not going to happen. I’m back to fighting [Clay] Guida,” Pettis conceded. “It sucks that he got injured, because it kinda puts the whole lightweight division back on standstill.”
The news is unfortunate and really puts a damper on what was otherwise set to be another outstanding UFC pay-per-view event. With Edgar vs. Maynard now off the card, the UFC has promoted Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s fight against Matt Hamill as the new main event.
Meanwhile, “Showtime” will return to training as he prepares for the fight he was originally scheduled for, against Clay Guida on June 4.
“For three or four days I thought I was going to fight on May 28 and now it’s just killing me, so I’m going to take it out on Clay Guida.”
No guarantee has been made, but it is expected that the winner of Pettis vs. Guida will be the next man in line for a shot at the UFC lightweight championship.
According to a story published by the official UFC Web site, both UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and No. 1 contender Gray Maynard have sustained injuries and will no longer be headlining UFC 130.
The light heavyweight tilt between Quinton …
According to a story published by the official UFC Web site, both UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and No. 1 contender Gray Maynard have sustained injuries and will no longer be headlining UFC 130.
The light heavyweight tilt between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Matt Hamill will now take the headlining spot, which is sure to lower the number of pay-per-view buys. Taking up the co-main event will be a heavyweight battle between grapplers Roy Nelson and former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir.
Edgar vs. Maynard III was made possible because the two met on January 1 at UFC 125 in a bout that resulted in a draw. After 25 minutes, neither man was willing to give an inch, and the judges were unable to name a clear-cut winner.
According to UFC.com, Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard have both suffered “serious injuries” in training camp that will force the third fight between the two to be postponed.In place of Edgar-Maynard as the main event, the original co-main event, Rampage…
According to UFC.com, Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard have both suffered “serious injuries” in training camp that will force the third fight between the two to be postponed.
In place of Edgar-Maynard as the main event, the original co-main event, Rampage Jackson vs. Matt Hamill, will step up to fill the slot.
Thiago Alves vs. Rick Story will move up onto the PPV to start off the main event of the card.
Spike TV will then have Tim Boetsch against Kendall Grove and Miguel Angel Torres against Demetrious Johnson.
Edgar and Maynard have fought two times previously. The first time was at UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Lauzon, which Maynard took via unanimous decision.
The second fight took place earlier this year at UFC 125 for the lightweight title and ended in a split draw.
More on the story as it develops.
UPDATE: Edgar suffered broken ribs, Maynard suffered a knee injury.
According to a recent report from Yahoo.ca, UFC is set to offer a $100,000 insurance policy to each fighter to cover any injuries they sustain in their bouts. It has become a common occurrence for fighters to suffer injuries during their training …
According to a recent report from Yahoo.ca, UFC is set to offer a $100,000 insurance policy to each fighter to cover any injuries they sustain in their bouts.
It has become a common occurrence for fighters to suffer injuries during their training camp, forcing them to withdraw from their bouts and ultimately receive no income. It is pretty simple—if you compete, you will earn a paycheck.
However, UFC vice-president Lorenzo Fertitta is planning to change that.
“We looked at this as a necessity for the sport and something that needed to happen,” Fertitta said.
Fertitta commented on the fact that he and UFC president Dana White have explored this issue awhile ago, and acknowledged the fact that injured fighters were not receiving many benefits. Fertitta said the company will pay approximately 350 athletes who suffer out-of competition injuries, effective on June 1.
Fertitta said fighters have been paid in the past for suffering training-related injuries, but in acquiring a carrier, Houston Casualty Insurance Company, now all expenses will be paid for.
“When you go to an underwriter and say, ‘Hey, we potentially want to insure 400 ultimate fighters,’ they pretty much close the door on you pretty quickly,” he said.
“We didn’t just give up, given the responses we were getting and the answers we were getting from a lot of these carriers. We continued on and it has been a 24-to-36-month process we have been going through to do it.”
Yahoo.ca also reports the new insurance plan being provided to the fighters will only cover training-related injuries and not their medical insurance, such as hospital visitations and prescription drugs.
“This will cover accidents that occur while a fighter is under contract with us,” Zuffa general counsel Lawrence Epstein said.
“Training injuries, a guy falls down the stairs, an automobile accident, those would be covered, but it wouldn’t be something like the flu or some disease or illness. It would only cover accident-related injuries.”
The recent news will likely generate a well-recieved approval from several media outlets, and some coverage, too. With recent announcements such as providing monitors for cage side judges, and a launch of their new interactive web page Discover UFC, the UFC is beginning to walk a fine line within the mainstream media and is another step closer to earning recognition and acceptance as a credible sport.
Jonny “Bones” Jones: A lot of us fighters just need to get a little better about our professionalism. Like me personally, I don’t have health insurance. And, you know? I should have health insurance, so it’s just… James Ryan: …
Jonny “Bones” Jones: A lot of us fighters just need to get a little better about our professionalism. Like me personally, I don’t have health insurance. And, you know? I should have health insurance, so it’s just…
James Ryan: Are you covered through the UFC?
JJ: No, not at all.
JR: Not at all?
JJ: I mean—if you get hurt during an MMA match, then you’re completely covered.
JR: But if you went outside right now and got hit by a car racing down the street, you’re on your own, right?
JJ: I’m on my own.
[Please note that this complete interview, and many more, are only available in my new book, entitled Desolate Warrior, on sale now at www.lulu.com.]
Desolate Warrior specifically deals with the life and struggles of former WEC fighter Will Ribeiro, who was tragically injured in Brazil while riding his motorcycle (he was struck by two racing taxicabs as he was backing out of his friend’s driveway).
At the time, Will had no health coverage that extended beyond the MMA bouts themselves, thus leaving him in a very desperate, life-threatening situation with no obvious resources or support of any kind.
Professional MMA fighters continuously put their livelihoods and futures at risk each and every time they train for an event—or even attempt to cross the street, for that matter.
It’s great that all UFC athletes have been given medical coverage while participating in an actual fight, but many of them barely earn enough money to support themselves or their families, let alone to have the “luxury” of additional health care protection should they need it for any other reasons.
It is a situation that has unfortunately left many warriors without the ability to effectively compete in this sport—or in some cases, to survive.
Well, there definitely seems to be a bit of good news on the horizon regarding this issue.
Today, it has been reported that Zuffa, LLC, owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) brand, has announced that the nearly 350 independently contracted athletes (UFC and Strikeforce) will now be eligible for customized accident insurance coverage.
The coverage will be underwritten by Houston Casualty Insurance Company and will complement the existing event coverage that the company already provides its athletes.
This unprecedented policy will cover accidental injuries suffered by athletes while training, as well as non-training incidents such as automobile (or motorcycle) accidents.
UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta is expected to discuss this topic in further detail today on a media conference call at 3:30 pm ET.
The new policies will add 24-hour worldwide medical life insurance and dental coverage, as well as emergency medical evacuation.
Zuffa apparently plans to pay 100 percent of the premiums for its athletes and will have an employee who is specifically dedicated to the handling and filing of all claims.
“Our athletes are some of the very best in the world and we’ve committed significant financial resources to provide them with insurance that complements the gold standard we have set for event-related coverage. We’re pleased to provide coverage that enables our athletes to seek and receive treatment for injuries sustained while preparing for bouts.”—UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta
“As this sport continues to grow, we have been working hard to secure additional insurance coverage so that our athletes can perform at the highest levels. We’re proud to give our athletes access to this type of insurance.”—UFC President Dana White
All around, I would have to say that this is great news indeed for all UFC athletes, and in light of my recent findings in Desolate Warrior, this news couldn’t have come at a better time for the UFC and the fighters that they employ.
It’s just too bad that a major problem still exists for all MMA fighters that are not currently affiliated with the UFC.
Let’s also not forget about the possibility of long-term health planning for UFC athletes, even if they are no longer fighting within the company. Post-trauma effects from brain injuries sustained through concussions are still a growing concern for many.
One step at a time, I guess.
Jonny “Bones” Jones: Yeah, and I try to do smart things, you know? And not get hurt, but you never know when you’re gonna get hurt, and it’s pretty silly that I don’t have health coverage, especially the way that I train.
James Ryan: Well, you may leave here now and go get health insurance. [Big smile]
JJ: You better watch your mouth! [Laughs]
JR: [Laughs]
JJ: You just might get hit by a car.
JR: I might. [Laughs]
JJ: I’ll go up to Canada and go to the doctor.
JR: That’s what you gotta do, yeah. I’ll adopt you and then you’ll be covered.
JJ: All right, cool.
JR: [Laughs]
JJ: All right, big daddy. [Big hug for James]
These are my opinions. If you don’t like them…I have others. Check them out at www.mrjamesryan.com.
I had to self-publish my book through this particular website because otherwise it would have taken too long to go through a standard publisher (upwards of 12 months) with no guarantee that it would have been made available in Brazil. I couldn’t risk it, so I am doing this myself—which is also a very big risk. Your support is appreciated, as a large portion of proceeds will be going directly to help Will Ribeiro.
Lulu.com is great because it offers print-on-demand services, and buyers have the choice of either purchasing a paperback book (shipped anywhere that FedEx delivers) or, to save time and money, purchasing an eBook.
Since he has been rehabilitating his injuries, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira has spent a considerable amount of time away from the Octagon. Fans last witnessed the Brazilian laid out on the canvas, courtesy of Cain Velasquez at UFC 110. It …
Since he has been rehabilitating his injuries, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira has spent a considerable amount of time away from the Octagon.
Fans last witnessed the Brazilian laid out on the canvas, courtesy of Cain Velasquez at UFC 110. It was only the second time Nogueira had been finished in his career. But according to his boxing coach, Luis Dorea, the 34-year-old is currently training and hoping to make his return to the UFC soon.
“Regarding Rodrigo, he has been training very well. He’s doing rehab, seeing positioning, but the first step is his condition, his health,” Dorea told TATAME, courtesy of FightersOnly Magazine.
Aside from nursing his injuries, and preventing anything further, Nogueira has been open to fighting UFC heavyweight prospect Brendan Schuab at UFC Rio this summer. Schaub has also voiced his interest in fighting the Brazilian, but Dorea has another opponent in mind.
“I would like so much to see a bout between Nogueira and Cro Cop,” he said.
Nogueira and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic have a shared history as both men engaged in a memorable bout while competing in Pride FC, which saw the Brazilian pick up the victory. Dorea expressed his interest in the potential bout, seeing it as a great opportunity for both competitors and for the fans as well.
“I saw Cro Cop say he wanted to fight him. They’re two legends, two names… It really would be very interesting for the MMA world.”
In regards to scheduling the bout, Dorea said he would like to see the bout take place in Brazil this summer. However Dorea’s intention is to make sure Nogueira is healthy first and foremost.
“If he is 100 percent, he’ll fight. He has a physio team helping and he is totally into the recuperation… but this is a fight I would like to see: Nogueira vs Cro Cop,” he said.
More information continues to swirl surrounding the now removed main event for UFC 130 between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard.