The title pretty much says it all. Julian Wallace has been accused of hitting his ex-girlfriend and just recently plead guilty to the charges. While we may not know the entirety of the situation, the fact that Wallace has done a number of questionable things in his past takes the sympathy card off of the table. No man should put his hands on a woman and Julian Wallace found out the hard way how being a complete douche nozzle can be when he decided to train with a room full of killers. Take a look at the video after the jump.
The title pretty much says it all. Julian Wallace has been accused of hitting his ex-girlfriend and just recently plead guilty to the charges. While we may not know the entirety of the situation, the fact that Wallace has done a number of questionable things in his past takes the sympathy card off of the table. No man should put his hands on a woman and Julian Wallace found out the hard way how being a complete douche nozzle can be when he decided to train with a room full of killers. Take a look at the video after the jump.
So if you had the opportunity to tune into UFC Fight Night 96 then you saw a number of things take place. For one, you got to see two of the greatest fighters in the world at the bantamweight division throw down as John Lineker and John Dodson traded blows for five rounds and twenty-five minutes. Though the decision could be argued there’s no arguing that the fans got what they paid for with the main event. We also had the opportunity to see Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira defeat Will Brooks in the co-main event and then immediately disrespect his unconscious opponent moments after securing a knock out victory.
So if you had the opportunity to tune into UFC Fight Night 96 then you saw a number of things take place. For one, you got to see two of the greatest fighters in the world at the bantamweight division throw down as John Lineker and John Dodson traded blows for five rounds and twenty-five minutes. Though the decision could be argued there’s no arguing that the fans got what they paid for with the main event. We also had the opportunity to see Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira defeat Will Brooks in the co-main event and then immediately disrespect his unconscious opponent moments after securing a knock out victory.
Fighting can be a pretty emotional endeavor. As much logic is needed to perform at your technical best, there is no denying that emotions can sometimes run high. We saw it on both sides of the equation. Where Will Brooks was frustrated by Oliveira missing weight, Cowboy was pissed that the former Bellator lightweight champion refused to face off with him at the weigh-ins. But while Brooks was far more within his rights to be upset, Cowboy missing weight by five pounds, Oliveira being angered by Brooks refusal to face him at the weigh-ins is unwarranted. By performing the “Degeneration X” crotch chop to disrespect Brooks after already obtaining victorious, Alex Oliveira crossed over the line.
Now while many will defend Cowboy by bringing up examples like Conor McGregor, let me say now that it’s a poor example. Why? Because though McGregor may talk a ton a trash, he’s also sure to be humble in both victory and defeat. It’s what made his loss to Nate Diaz so compelling. He lost fair and square and carried himself much the same way he did when he defeated Jose Aldo to become the featherweight champion.
There’s certainly a fine line when it comes to fighting. For some fighters it’s hard to separate the notion that a fight is nothing more than a test of skill and not at all personal. If someone punches you in the face, it’s going to be hard not to take it personally. But the reality is that when you get to the highest levels of the sport you should possess some manor of professionalism. Cowboy Oliveira not only missed weight, but then proceeded to act like a schoolyard bully after defeating his opponent. Not all that classy whatsoever.
Alex Oliveira’s decision to disrespect Brooks has done little in the way of harming his relationship with the UFC. What it’s done instead is possibly mar his reputation with the fans and depending on the how powerful of a reaction they have, that can either be the worst thing for Cowboy or boost him to new heights.
What do you think of Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira’s actions?
Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
UFC 205 has had everyone in a bit of a frenzy this week. Since the announcement of Conor McGregor’s bid to challenge Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight title, there has been nonstop talk from every media source, including this one, about how enjoyable and historic the event will be. So when the revelation that John Lineker versus John Dodson was occurring this weekend, you can understand that I was a bit surprised. It’s an event that not many are talking about and that’s a huge mistakes as two of the hardest hitting bantamweights under 5’6″ tall will be trying to take each other’s heads off.
UFC 205 has had everyone in a bit of a frenzy this week. Since the announcement of Conor McGregor’s bid to challenge Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight title, there has been nonstop talk from every media source, including this one, about how enjoyable and historic the event will be. So when the revelation that John Lineker versus John Dodson was occurring this weekend, you can understand that I was a bit surprised. It’s an event that not many are talking about and that’s a huge mistakes as two of the hardest hitting bantamweights under 5’6″ tall will be trying to take each other’s heads off.
John Lineker has officially become a dark horse at bantamweight. Ever since giving up on his flyweight title aspirations due to weight cutting issues, Lineker has moved up a weight class with devastating results. He’s been knocking out bantamweights left and right with the same tactics ever time. His forward pressure, head movement and ability to cut off the cage while throwing hard hooks eventually pushes his opponents back to the fence. With their backs against the cage opponents usually feel compelled to come forward with strikes, which usually never works out well for them. Either you’re forced to move to the left where a Lineker right hook will be waiting or to your right where the left hook is also sure to call problems. Much like every other bout, Lineker should use his high pressure style to give Dodson few escape routes. Dodson’s speed will give Lineker problems, so targeting the legs with hard kicks should definitely be an option.
John Dodson has also failed to capture gold at flyweight, but unlike Lineker was able to challenge the champion Demetrius Johnson. Unfortunately for Dodson, Johnson had too many different tools at his disposal causing Dodson to fall flat at his second title challenge. Dodson is still extremely dangerous and talented with a number of striking tools that should give Lineker trouble. Firstly, Dodson has a great deal of speed in his strikes as well as in his footwork, abilities that he must use to secure victory. While lateral movement is something to focus on when fighting a wrestler or grappler, Dodson needs to do the same to avoid Lineker’s nasty power strikes. When he does decide to commit to his strikes, throwing two or three at the most is ideal as well as exiting off on an angle. Staying too long in the pocket with Lineker is a dangerous gamble and Dodson has the speed to land shots and get out of harms way with the quickness. A pot shorting game will suit Dodson best in this fight, following up with kicks after probing with the hands.
This fight is sure to be an insane display of movement with both men landing their fair share of shots. If Dodson decides to get into a brawl with Lineker than it will surely prove to be his undoing. If Dodson instead chooses to play the outside game then victory can be in sight. Look for John Dodson to play the long game as he defeats John Lineker by unanimous decision.
So, it seems as if the fighters at featherweight are more than a bit disgruntled. After it was announced that Conor McGregor would be fighting Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, it seemed like every fighter in the featherweight division decided to lose it. Jose Aldo decided he’d rather retire then play the UFC’s money grab game and it seems that Max Holloway refuses to be outdone. Usually a more reserved and tactful individual who does his talking in the cage, Holloway has gone on a verbal tirade denouncing both Aldo and McGregor in the process.
So, it seems as if the fighters at featherweight are more than a bit disgruntled. After it was announced that Conor McGregor would be fighting Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, it seemed like every fighter in the featherweight division decided to lose it. Jose Aldo decided he’d rather retire then play the UFC’s money grab game and it seems that Max Holloway refuses to be outdone. Usually a more reserved and tactful individual who does his talking in the cage, Holloway has gone on a verbal tirade denouncing both Aldo and McGregor in the process. Check out the tidbit below courtesy of MMAFighting.com
“The whole thing with Aldo, and everybody thinking he’s the best for 10 years, that he’s unbeaten and the untouchable champ, and all that,” Holloway said. “Then the whole thing with Conor thing came out, and he got knocked out, and everybody getting pissed off why he didn’t get a rematch after 13 seconds. These guys need to educate themselves in damn mixed martial arts. How many times has Aldo pulled out of a main event? Not counting the Conor time, how many times before that has Aldo pulled out of a fight? It’s happened a bunch of times.”
Granted injuries are an unforeseen part of the game, Holloway does have a bit of a point where pulling out of fights is concerned. There are so many fighters who fight injured and by sitting out on fights it gives the appearance as if Aldo was trying to play it safe and hold onto his belt as long as possible, even if that isn’t actually the case. The fact of the matter is that Aldo has beaten some of the best of the best out there and for Holloway to disrespect him is a bit much. Holloway may be doing all this to get Aldo in the mindset of fighting the young up and comer, but for now we’ll have to see how that plays out.
But Max Holloway also had some choice words for featherweight champion Conor McGregor as well.
“There’s only two guys in our division that Conor beat that’s still ranked, myself and Aldo,” he said. “Who the hell else did he beat? I don’t even know who he beat. I only know the two ranked guys were me and Aldo. I don’t take that away from Conor, that he beat Chad Mendes on short notice. Chad took that fight knowing he had a chance to beat Conor, so that’s Chad’s fault he took that fight. My last four guys I beat have all been ranked.”
Dems fightin’ words. Too bad that Conor already has an assignment to handle at UFC 205.
Look, not saying that Max Holloway doesn’t have a point here. He’s wanted to fight Jose Aldo and rematch Conor McGregor for a long time now. Holloway has collected some high level scalps in his bid for a title shot and by all rights has a reason to complain about an Aldo retirement or a McGregor money fight at MSG. The unfortunate part for him is that he’ll have to wait on the sidelines regardless.
So, much in the fashion of the current UFC and MMA landscape, talking seems to be the best way to bring in the dollars. While many want to denounce Conor McGregor for his tactics, the reality is that he’s been able to get paid a considerable amount of money based on his fighting skills as well as his equally impressive skills on the microphone. As such, more and more fighters are speaking out letting the masses know exactly what’s on their minds. Now granted these fighters have always remained true to themselves, but racking up a pile of cash like McGregor isn’t easy and it requires fighters to turn themselves into a brand.
So, much in the fashion of the current UFC and MMA landscape, talking seems to be the best way to bring in the dollars. While many want to denounce Conor McGregor for his tactics, the reality is that he’s been able to get paid a considerable amount of money based on his fighting skills as well as his equally impressive skills on the microphone. As such, more and more fighters are speaking out letting the masses know exactly what’s on their minds. Now granted these fighters have always remained true to themselves, but racking up a pile of cash like McGregor isn’t easy and it requires fighters to turn themselves into a brand.
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone was always a fighter who spoke his mind, unafraid of the backlash he’d receive from fighters because, well, if they had a problem they can actually solve it with their fists. To say Cowboy hasn’t spoken his mind before Conor McGregor entered the scene would be a grossly idiotic and uninformed stance to take. But never before has Cowboy singled his opponents unless he signed a bout agreement. As time passes and his star has grown, Cowboy has become a man who tells it like it is and isn’t afraid to let everyone know exactly what he’s thinking.
In a recent interview on the radio show Jim Norton & Friends, Cowboy went in depth about how he feels about a number of fighters in the game, namely Khabib Nurmagomedov and one Conor McGregor. According to Cowboy Cerrone, these two men have been running scared and have no intentions of meeting him in the cage. Take a listen.
How do you think Cowboy would do in a fight against Khabib or Conor?
Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
So last week I was speaking on the fact that UFC 205 was missing some marquee bouts. Since then the announcements of Chris Weidman vs Yoel Romero, Donald Cerrone vs Kelvin Gastelum, Tyron Woodley vs Stephen Thompson, and numerous others has instantly made this card stellar even by the UFC standard. Overnight it seems that UFC 205, if no one gets injured that is, is likely going to be the fight card of the year. But the icing on the cake for this event is the announcement of Eddie Alvarez vs Conor McGregor lightweight title match.
So last week I was speaking on the fact that UFC 205 was missing some marquee bouts. Since then the announcements of Chris Weidman vs Yoel Romero, Donald Cerrone vs Kelvin Gastelum, Tyron Woodley vs Stephen Thompson, and numerous others has instantly made this card stellar even by the UFC standard. Overnight it seems that UFC 205, if no one gets injured that is, is likely going to be the fight card of the year. But the icing on the cake for this event is the announcement of Eddie Alvarez vs Conor McGregor lightweight title match.
Now, granted Conor McGregor is certainly jumping the line in terms of getting the title shot at lightweight, but let’s look at this from a business perspective. UFC 205 is going to be held at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. The event being held at such a venue is historic in itself. Combine that with the UFC’s biggest earner and draw, then you have some pretty groundbreaking stuff going down here.
The issues that everyone seems to be talking about is where do we draw the line?
With Conor McGregor fighting for the lightweight title, the featherweight division will be tied up once again. McGregor will remain the featherweight champion and a win over Eddie Alvarez will mean that he would be the first fighter in UFC history to hold two belts at the same time. It would forever cement Conor McGregor’s legacy as one of the all time greats in the sport. But should the match up even being occurring in the first place?
You have to concede the fact that Khabib Nurmagomedov is getting a raw deal on this one as he’s more than earned his title shot. To give the opportunity to McGregor could be considered a slap in the face to many of the lightweights who have been campaigning for a chance to get a crack at the title. McGregor should be defending his featherweight belt as opposed to tying up that division as well. But money talks in the sports world and if the UFC sees an opportunity to make bookoo bucks, then it’s no surprise which side of the equation they’re going to fall on.
Do you think booking Eddie Alvarez vs Conor McGregor was the right move?
Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
