Newly crowned PFL featherweight champion Brendan Loughnane has fired back at the UFC’s Charles Rosa’s following his recent call-out. Loughnane fulfilled a lifelong mission this past weekend when he captured PFL gold following a fourth-round TKO of Bubba Jenkins. The win would also see the Mancunian receive a $1 million cheque as every PFL tournament […]
Newly crowned PFL featherweight champion Brendan Loughnane has fired back at the UFC’s Charles Rosa’s following his recent call-out.
Loughnane fulfilled a lifelong mission this past weekend when he captured PFL gold following a fourth-round TKO of Bubba Jenkins. The win would also see the Mancunian receive a $1 million cheque as every PFL tournament winner does.
Many around the MMA world, particularly in the UK scene, would take time to congratulate Loughnane on his win, with some sharing personal anecdotes about the 32-year-old. Even former UFC champion, Conor McGregor would post a glowing message for Loughnane.
Brendan Loughnane exchanges with Charles Rosa
While many were happy to see the Loughnane’s success, UFC featherweight Charles Rosa seemed to take exception to it. The 36-year-old would tweet following the fight, claiming that he was better and frustrated that he does not get anywhere near the pay that Loughnane just received.
“I see PFL MMA is giving out million dollar checks,” Rosa said. “I’ll beat the champ right now! No-Name Loughnane. How do you think a UFC fighter does against current 145lb PFL champ Rosa vs. Loughnane? Put up a million, who ya got?
“How would you feel after 10 years blood sweat and tears working at a place and the guy in company next to you who isn’t as good as your is getting paid 10x more? Be real.” (H/T MMA Mania)
It wouldn’t take long for Loughnane to respond, sounding off on Rosa for his comments.
With the win, Loughnane’s stock has risen tremendously, and finds himself in a great position, seemingly coming into his prime and now with more finical freedom.
Nathaniel Wood returned from a nearly two-year absence at UFC London and put on a dominant display against Charles Rosa. Fighting in front of his hometown crowd, Wood got to work with leg kicks early and quickly compromised Rosa’s lead leg. “Bost…
Nathaniel Wood returned from a nearly two-year absence at UFC London and put on a dominant display against Charles Rosa. Fighting in front of his hometown crowd, Wood got to work with leg kicks early and quickly compromised Rosa’s lead leg. “Boston Strong” briefly threatened a submission at the end of the first round, but…
Former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion, Nathaniel Wood, is looking to make an emphatic performance in his long-awaited return to competition when he takes on Charles Rosa this weekend. Fans of the UFC have not seen the 28-year-old fight since October of 2020. A slew of opponent pullouts and injuries have limited the Englishman’s ability to […]
Former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion, Nathaniel Wood, is looking to make an emphatic performance in his long-awaited return to competition when he takes on Charles Rosa this weekend.
Fans of the UFC have not seen the 28-year-old fight since October of 2020. A slew of opponent pullouts and injuries have limited the Englishman’s ability to advance his career in any meaningful way. However, this weekend, after nearly two years out, Nathaniel Wood will take on eight-year UFC veteran, Charles Rosa.
Talking to LowKickMMA.com, Wood expressed respect for Rosa, but his eagerness to return to the octagon was obvious.
“Obviously, he’s game,” Wood began. “He’s very very game, he’s been in the UFC for many years and he’s obviously very high level. To be in the UFC you have to be high level, to be there that many years you’ve got to be even better.”
“Do I see anything that’s gonna bother be? No. You know, he’s been in the UFC for so long now, I don’t feel he’s really done much with it. It’s win lose, win lose, win lose, he’s just sorta bouncing about.”
‘The Prospect’ also notes that considering Rosa’s reputation and fighting style, he could see a bonus being thrown his way from UFC president, Dana White.
“I’m excited for the fight, excited for a game opponent, he doesn’t come and put on a boring show, so I’d like to think there’s a nice 50gs in it for us. It would be a pleasure to share it with him, there’s no animosity my end, but I will be looking to take his head off, on Saturday night.”
Nathaniel Wood Signs New Contract, Switches Weight Classes
Earlier this year, Wood would announce that he had signed a brand new, four-fight deal with the UFC, the Rosa fight will be the first of which.
Wood also announced at this time that he would be moving up weight classes to featherweight. Although the past two years have been tough for Woods, it seems that we will be treated with more action from the promising Englishman.
“Training’s been amazing. Obviously going up in a weight category has been a weight off my shoulders. It’s meant that this camp I’ve actually been able to focus on my opponent as opposed to purely cutting weight.”
How do you see Nathaniel Wood vs. Charles Rosa playing out?
Court “The Crusher” McGee delivered a tearful message to those who struggle with drug addiction after a unanimous win at UFC Vegas 46. With over a decade of sobriety, the American fighter is an inspiration to anyone dealing with drug abuse. Many people struggle with it or know someone who does. The disease has taken […]
Court “The Crusher” McGee delivered a tearful message to those who struggle with drug addiction after a unanimous win at UFC Vegas 46.
With over a decade of sobriety, the American fighter is an inspiration to anyone dealing with drug abuse. Many people struggle with it or know someone who does. The disease has taken the lives of many and has changed the lives of those who won against it.
“Oh man, you’re gonna make me tear up bro. (Tears up.) Great question, no. I didn’t give myself a shot, but the people around me believed in me, and the people that don’t have access to the recovery that I had access to, that’s who I fight for—to show them that it’s possible, that recovery is possible, and that sobriety is possible, and that you can achieve incredible things one day at a time without a drink or drug.”
Drug addiction is a crippling mental illness. The stigma surrounding drug abuse is enough reason for most to keep quiet about their inner struggles with it.
And fighting the battle alone can make it even more difficult. McGee was fortunate to have a great support system and took advantage of it.
“I had a great family. I have great, wonderful parents that are not alcoholic, I have support, I was never neglected, there’s no abuse, and I fell victim to it because I have the disease of addiction and there’s thousands and thousands if not millions of people that struggle with addiction daily in the United States, and so, that message of overcoming adversity, my life story, from homelessness, to heroin addiction, to overcoming that adversity, surrounding myself around people in long-term recovery, and then fighting at a local circuit, making it through the juvenile system, getting expunged, building relationships with my attorney general, Shawn Reyes who’s a close friend of mine[…]”
The UFC fighter created an outlet called MCGeeproject.org for anyone to reach out if they are interested in his motivational speeches. His one message is that recovery is always possible.
Overcome and Inspire
After two recent wins in the UFC, welterweight contender Court McGee continues to show progress.
McGee has struggled, yet conquered, and at 37-years-old, he has established a 22-10 professional record.
Other UFC fighters have also courageously spoken up about their battle with drug addiction.
“Boston Strong” Charles Rosa, who fought along with McGee on the preliminary card at UFC Vegas 46, was once a victim of drug addiction and lost both his brothers to the mental illness.
Mixed martial arts gave Rosa a home. His brothers were his fighting role models, and whenever the featherweight gets in the cage, he gives his all for them.
Lightweight Terrance Mckinney once overdosed and often reminds his fans about the fatal moment via Twitter:
“5 years ago I overdosed and died (twice), 2 years ago I made it to UFC Contender Series and lost, but 3 weeks ago I made my debut and set a record. Don’t let mistakes and losses define you. Every day is a new chance to do better than you were,” reads the 27-year-old’s pinned tweet.
That record-setting debut stopped the show in 7 seconds of round 1 at UFC 263 last June.
But a win in the UFC cannot outweigh helping someone who is losing the battle against drug addiction.
When asked about the importance of making a difference versus getting a UFC title, McGee said:
“Man, nine years ago, maybe 10 years ago, I spoke with my first high school and I had a young kid come up to me struggling with addiction—that kid’s married, he worked on an Air-Force base, he had a little baby, and he keeps in touch with me. And as soon as that happened and he came forward and asked for help, I had already won[…]”
Sometimes, the mission is not always winning the gold. Of course, McGee wants to be the best fighter he can be, but taking a moment to inspire those around him appears to give him a purpose.
What are your thoughts on Court McGee’s inspiring story?
In the words of UFC play-by-play commentator, Jon Anik, the clean-up crew have a busy night ahead following our preliminary featherweight bout between Charles Rosa, and eventual victor Damon Jackson. Battling over the course of a three round preliminary card bout, Jackson emerged with a (29-26, 29-27, 30-27) unanimous decision win over Rosa, having lost […]
In the words of UFC play-by-play commentator, Jon Anik, the clean-up crew have a busy night ahead following our preliminary featherweight bout between Charles Rosa, and eventual victor Damon Jackson.
Battling over the course of a three round preliminary card bout, Jackson emerged with a (29-26, 29-27, 30-27) unanimous decision win over Rosa, having lost what looks to be litres of blood after he was sliced with a massive spinning back elbow.
Dealing with a massive laceration to the right of his right eye, Jackson was consulted by the Octagon-side physician, who gave him the go ahead to continue despite the sizeable cut.
Returning to the position at the fence prior to the stoppage in action, Jackson somehow managed to remain composed as himself and Rosa scrambled for the final minute or so, with blood continuing to leak from him like a tap.
Below, catch the highlights from Jackson’s unanimous decision victory over fellow grappler, Rosa.
Justin Jaynes has no regrets after his split decision loss to Charles Rosa at UFC Vegas 30. Jaynes made headlines before UFC Vegas 30 for announcing that he had gambled his entire purse for the event on himself. Jaynes, who was 1-3 in the UFC before the event, was confident that he would secure a win. Jaynes […]
Justin Jaynes has no regrets after his split decision loss to Charles Rosa at UFC Vegas 30.
Jaynes made headlines before UFC Vegas 30 for announcing that he had gambled his entire purse for the event on himself. Jaynes, who was 1-3 in the UFC before the event, was confident that he would secure a win.
Jaynes needed to win. He had suffered three straight losses in the UFC following a spectacular debut at UFC Vegas 3 against Frank Camacho. As most know, the UFC is quick to release fighters with three to four consecutive losses. With his UFC career on the line, Jaynes was in a must-win situation. He made a bet on himself, and his career, that he needed to win.
Jaynes, however, was unable to deliver. Though his performance split the decision, the consensus throughout the MMA community is that he lost the fight to Rosa, and the outcome was accurate. And while he replied to a few tweets post-fight, Jaynes had not released a statement until now. In a series of tweets and replies, Jaynes addressed the loss and doubled down on the decision.
Jaynes’ mentality is admirable, considering that his future in the UFC is unclear at this time. Though the promotion has not commented publicly on his bet or his future in the UFC, it has been their standard practice to release fighters with similar records. And although Jaynes said from the beginning that the bet was about the confidence he had in himself, few can deny the correlation with the current debate on fighter pay in the world of MMA.
The wager leaves many to wonder if other fighters will follow in Jaynes’ footsteps to supplement the base pay. Or will the outcome of his decision serve as a cautionary tale? Only time will tell, but we wish Jaynes all the best as he awaits his fate in the UFC.
Do you think Justin Jaynes was foolish or admirable for wagering his fight purse for UFC Vegas 30 on himself?