Tag: Featured

Micky Gall Wins UFC Debut, Will Be CM Punk’s First Opponent

Mickey Gall & CM Punk (UFC Fight Pass)

https://twitter.com/sportblogg/status/696135907985006592

After several months of waiting, the MMA world — and to an extent, the pro wrestling world — finally got the announcement that they have been waiting for. At Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson event, Micky Gall defeated Mike Jackson with an impressive 41-second knockout to officially become the opponent for former WWE Superstar CM Punk’s UFC fighting debut later this year.

Gall earned the opportunity to fight against Punk after calling him out live in the cage in his pro MMA debut in front of UFC President Dana White a few months ago. The scene was filmed for White’s new reality show, “Dana White: Lookin’ For A Fight,” prompting the UFC to sign the MMA newcomer and put him in a preliminary fight with “the lottery ticket” on the line.

Following his victory this evening, Gall and Punk did a brief promotional stare-down in the Octagon and that too was filmed, so the UFC is already compiling a decent amount of video material despite the fact that Punk has no fights on tape, which is traditionally the material used in the pre-fight “Countdown” specials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLq4XOLUVFI

Mickey Gall & CM Punk (UFC Fight Pass)

https://twitter.com/sportblogg/status/696135907985006592

After several months of waiting, the MMA world — and to an extent, the pro wrestling world — finally got the announcement that they have been waiting for. At Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson event, Micky Gall defeated Mike Jackson with an impressive 41-second knockout to officially become the opponent for former WWE Superstar CM Punk’s UFC fighting debut later this year.

Gall earned the opportunity to fight against Punk after calling him out live in the cage in his pro MMA debut in front of UFC President Dana White a few months ago. The scene was filmed for White’s new reality show, “Dana White: Lookin’ For A Fight,” prompting the UFC to sign the MMA newcomer and put him in a preliminary fight with “the lottery ticket” on the line.

Following his victory this evening, Gall and Punk did a brief promotional stare-down in the Octagon and that too was filmed, so the UFC is already compiling a decent amount of video material despite the fact that Punk has no fights on tape, which is traditionally the material used in the pre-fight “Countdown” specials.

UFC Confirms Opponent For Luke Rockhold’s First UFC Middleweight Title Defense

.@katienolan with another scoop! @LukeRockhold will rematch @ChrisWeidmanUFC in June #GTLive https://t.co/FPRrmAP9og— Garbage Time (@GarbageTime) February 3, 2016

In addition to announcing that the Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones rematch is exp…

luke-rockhold-ufc-title

In addition to announcing that the Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones rematch is expected to take place in April and revealing that November is when Ronda Rousey will likely challenge for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Title against the winner of the Holly Holm vs. Miesha Tate fight in March, Dana White confirmed who will get the first shot at new UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold this year.

The UFC President appeared on FOX Sports 1’s “Garbage Time” on Wednesday and officially announced Luke Rockhold vs. Chris Weidman II will take place in June.

As seen in the clip embedded above, White spoke with FS1’s Katie Nolan and broke the story during his appearance on the show.

Rockhold defeated Weidman to become UFC’s new 185-pound champion in the co-main event of UFC 194 in December of 2015. His rematch against Weidman in June will be his first chance to prove he is the legitimate king of the UFC Middleweight division.

While White announced that the Rockhold-Weidman rematch is expected to take place at UFC 199 in June, there is currently no word regarding the exact date or venue UFC is targeting for the event.

UFC Confirms Opponent For Luke Rockhold’s First UFC Middleweight Title Defense

.@katienolan with another scoop! @LukeRockhold will rematch @ChrisWeidmanUFC in June #GTLive https://t.co/FPRrmAP9og— Garbage Time (@GarbageTime) February 3, 2016

In addition to announcing that the Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones rematch is exp…

luke-rockhold-ufc-title

In addition to announcing that the Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones rematch is expected to take place in April and revealing that November is when Ronda Rousey will likely challenge for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Title against the winner of the Holly Holm vs. Miesha Tate fight in March, Dana White confirmed who will get the first shot at new UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold this year.

The UFC President appeared on FOX Sports 1’s “Garbage Time” on Wednesday and officially announced Luke Rockhold vs. Chris Weidman II will take place in June.

As seen in the clip embedded above, White spoke with FS1’s Katie Nolan and broke the story during his appearance on the show.

Rockhold defeated Weidman to become UFC’s new 185-pound champion in the co-main event of UFC 194 in December of 2015. His rematch against Weidman in June will be his first chance to prove he is the legitimate king of the UFC Middleweight division.

While White announced that the Rockhold-Weidman rematch is expected to take place at UFC 199 in June, there is currently no word regarding the exact date or venue UFC is targeting for the event.

UFC Fight Night 83 Main Eventer Pulled From Event Due To Potential USADA Violation

Another fighter has been flagged for a potential violation UFC’s new, strict anti-doping policy and as a result, a main event for an upcoming show is currently in serious jeopardy.

Tim Means, who is scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 83 against D…

tim-means

Another fighter has been flagged for a potential violation UFC’s new, strict anti-doping policy and as a result, a main event for an upcoming show is currently in serious jeopardy.

Tim Means, who is scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 83 against Donald Cerrone on February 21st in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is officially out of the fight and according to a statement released by the UFC, a replacement opponent for Cerrone will be announced shortly.

Below is UFC’s official statement regarding the situation, as well as Means’ reaction to the news:

The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Tim Means of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection.

USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. However, because Means was scheduled to compete against Donald Cerrone on February 21 in Pittsburgh, there is insufficient time for a full review and proper promotion before the scheduled bout. As a result, UFC will announce shortly a replacement opponent for Cerrone on the UFC Fight Night card in Pittsburgh.

Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.

UFC Fight Night 83 is scheduled for February 21st at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Dana White Reveals When Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier II Is Expected To Happen

jones-cormier-2

It sounds like Jon Jones will be making his return to the Octagon in April.

On Wednesday, UFC president Dana White confirmed to FOX Sports that they’re working on the rematch between Jones and current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier. According to White, the Jones-D.C. rematch will likely go down in April.

“It’s probably going to happen in April,” White told FOX Sports. “I don’t have the date or the venue, but April is looking like the month.

We reported on Sunday that UFC Vice President of Public Relations Dave Sholler was expecting the announcement of a date for the fight between Cormier and Jones in the coming days.

“We expect to have an announcement (of Cormier vs. Jones II) in the next couple of days here,” Sholler said. “Things are shaking out, and I think you guys are going to be pleased with the outcome.

When the two fought at UFC 192, Jones beat Cormier to retain his title. Jones was then stripped of the title on April 28th after his hit-and-run incident, and Cormier defeated Anthony Johnson to win the vacant title.

Related: Daniel Cormier Says “Skill For Skill” He’s Better Than Jon Jones

jones-cormier-2

It sounds like Jon Jones will be making his return to the Octagon in April.

On Wednesday, UFC president Dana White confirmed to FOX Sports that they’re working on the rematch between Jones and current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier. According to White, the Jones-D.C. rematch will likely go down in April.

“It’s probably going to happen in April,” White told FOX Sports. “I don’t have the date or the venue, but April is looking like the month.

We reported on Sunday that UFC Vice President of Public Relations Dave Sholler was expecting the announcement of a date for the fight between Cormier and Jones in the coming days.

“We expect to have an announcement (of Cormier vs. Jones II) in the next couple of days here,” Sholler said. “Things are shaking out, and I think you guys are going to be pleased with the outcome.

When the two fought at UFC 192, Jones beat Cormier to retain his title. Jones was then stripped of the title on April 28th after his hit-and-run incident, and Cormier defeated Anthony Johnson to win the vacant title.

Related: Daniel Cormier Says “Skill For Skill” He’s Better Than Jon Jones

Benson Henderson To Challenge For Title In Bellator MMA Debut

Bellator wasted no time beginning their promotion for their most recent talent acquisition, as the company announced on Tuesday their plans for former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson’s debut fight.

Henderson, a former 155-pound champion in…

bellator-153-benson-henders

Bellator wasted no time beginning their promotion for their most recent talent acquisition, as the company announced on Tuesday their plans for former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson’s debut fight.

Henderson, a former 155-pound champion in the WEC and UFC, has compiled a 2-0 record in his last two fights, which were his first two fights in the 170-pound welterweight division. Once he straps on the Bellator gloves for the first time, “Smooth” Benson will look to continue his winning ways in the welterweight division, as he will be challenging for the Bellator 170-pound title in his first fight with the promotion.

Benson Henderson (23-5) will challenge Bellator welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) in his debut fight for the company in April. Tickets for the fight go on sale this Friday, February 5th and a special pre-sale for Bellator Nation members begins on Wednesday, February 3rd.

Bellator 153: Henderson vs. Koreshkov is scheduled to take place on Friday, April 22nd from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.