With the UFC’s debut on ESPN creeping up, we still don’t have any idea what the future of the UFC flyweight division is. The main event of UFC on ESPN+ 1, which takes place this Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, sees UFC fl…
With the UFC’s debut on ESPN creeping up, we still don’t have any idea what the future of the UFC flyweight division is. The main event of UFC on ESPN+ 1, which takes place this Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, sees UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo put his belt on the line […]
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has not fought very often the last couple of years because of his issues with USADA, but 2019 appears like it could be a big year for the three-time champ. TMZ reported over the weekend that Jones, who just knoc…
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has not fought very often the last couple of years because of his issues with USADA, but 2019 appears like it could be a big year for the three-time champ. TMZ reported over the weekend that Jones, who just knocked out Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232, will make a […]
Mixed martial arts in 2018 has had many twists and turns. From dollies, to crowd brawls, and “champ champs,” 2018 was indeed quite the year in MMA. We’ve seen key moments occur this year such as Jon Jones’ return, a trade that s…
Mixed martial arts in 2018 has had many twists and turns. From dollies, to crowd brawls, and “champ champs,” 2018 was indeed quite the year in MMA. We’ve seen key moments occur this year such as Jon Jones’ return, a trade that sent Demetrious Johnson to ONE Championship and Ben Askren to the UFC, and […]
All the talk heading into this past weekend’s UFC 232 event was centered on Jon Jones’ controversial drug test with USADA, and unfortunately all that talk overshadowed what was a tremendous slate of 13 fights. From top-to-bottom, UFC 232 on…
All the talk heading into this past weekend’s UFC 232 event was centered on Jon Jones’ controversial drug test with USADA, and unfortunately all that talk overshadowed what was a tremendous slate of 13 fights. From top-to-bottom, UFC 232 on paper was one of the best cards the UFC matchmakers have put together all year, […]
Another year of mixed martial arts is nearly in the books, and now it’s time to start looking ahead to 2019. In this piece, MMA News columnist Adam Martin gives his five bold predictions for next year in MMA. Despite Dana White Saying It Won̵…
Another year of mixed martial arts is nearly in the books, and now it’s time to start looking ahead to 2019. In this piece, MMA News columnist Adam Martin gives his five bold predictions for next year in MMA. Despite Dana White Saying It Won’t Happen, The UFC Will Introduce 165lbs For months now we’ve […]
As you continue to celebrate Christmas 2021, join us in taking a look back at the MMA News’ Naughty & Nice List of 2018, courtesy of ex-staff member Adam Martin.
The following editorial is brought to you in its original, unaltered form, courte…
As you continue to celebrate Christmas 2021, join us in taking a look back at the MMA News’ Naughty & Nice List of 2018, courtesy of ex-staff member Adam Martin.
The following editorial is brought to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of the MMA News Archives.
[ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED DECEMBER 21, 2018, 12:42 PM]
Headline: MMA Naughty & Nice Christmas List For 2018
Author: Adam Martin
Just like any other year, there was good and bad in MMA in 2018. Below are some instances of those in the business who were naughty, and those who were nice.
Naughty: Khabib Nurmagomedov Jumps Over Cage
There’s no question UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov tops the naughty list after jumping over the fence at UFC 229 and going after Conor McGregor’s corner. Regardless of what Team McGregor said to Nurmagomedov in the lead-up to the fight, he had no business scaling the fence and then launching himself into the crowd. Nurmagomedov hasn’t even received his full punishment for the incident yet, and he is likely headed for more fines and suspensions. But the worst thing about this is that the lightweight division finally had some momentum again and this incident stalled it. The UFC might want to book the rematch between Nurmagomedov and McGregor just because it will sell big bucks, but the promotion shouldn’t even risk something like this happening again.
Nice: UFC Lets Demetrious Johnson Go, Completes Trade with ONE
What wasn’t the greatest PR move was the UFC signing Greg Hardy to a contract. Yes, Hardy is an intriguing heavyweight prospect with huge knockout power and raw athleticism who could be something special. But you can’t ignore his past, and his domestic violence incident will always stay with him. The sport of MMA has a lot of people in it who have done some bad things, so Hardy shouldn’t be completely singled out, but the UFC signing him and then booking him on the same card as Rachael Ostovich was a terrible move.
Nice: “Jacare” Holds Up From Hurting Chris Weidman
Golden Boy MMA goes on the naughty list for actually booking Chuck Liddell to fight in the year 2018. Liddell had no business coming out of retirement and it wasn’t shocking at all to see him get brutally knocked out by Tito Ortiz at age 48. Shame on the promotion, shame on the commission, and shame on the fighter. This fight was embarrassing and should have never happened. Liddell should truly never fight again, and at this point it looks like Golden Boy MMA itself may never put on a fight again, either.
Nice: Chan Sung Jung and Yair Rodriguez Take Hospital Photo After Epic Brawl
Arguably the best fight of 2018 was the wild brawl between Chan Sung Jung and Yair Rodriguez at the UFC’s 25th anniversary event. The two featherweight sluggers went at each other for nearly five full rounds before Rodriguez landed an insane upward elbow with one second left in the fifth round to pick up maybe the single-greatest knockout in MMA history. After the fight, the two warriors posed in the hospital for a memorable picture that exemplified the respect and true martial arts that the bedrock of this sport was built on.
Naughty: Conor McGregor Bus Incident
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the bus incident back at UFC 223. Conor McGregor threw a dolly through a bus window which ended up injuring several fighters and leading to multiple fights being scrapped. It was one of the ugliest outside-the-cage incidents involving an MMA fighter all year, perhaps only eclipsed by Nurmagomedov jumping over the fence at UFC 229, depending on how you look at things.
What are some other examples of naughty and nice in MMA in 2018? Leave a comment below with your examples.