Tag: Gregor Gillespie

Gregor Gillespie teases hiatus snapping return to UFC, questions fans if he should make comeback

Gregor Gillespie teases return to UFC asks fans if he should make comebackOnce considered a legitimate contender at the lightweight limit, New York native, Gregor Gillespie appears to be weighing-up a potential return to the Octagon – snapping a lengthy hiatus from combat sports. Gillespie, who boasts an impressive 14-1 professional record, returned to the Octagon at UFC Vegas 26 back in May 2021, landing an eventual […]

Gregor Gillespie teases return to UFC asks fans if he should make comeback

Once considered a legitimate contender at the lightweight limit, New York native, Gregor Gillespie appears to be weighing-up a potential return to the Octagon – snapping a lengthy hiatus from combat sports.

Gillespie, who boasts an impressive 14-1 professional record, returned to the Octagon at UFC Vegas 26 back in May 2021, landing an eventual second round TKO win over Brazilian veteran, Diego Ferreira.

That outing came as Gillespie’s first in two years to boot, having dropped his first and only professional mixed martial arts defeat in a stunning, highlight-reel high kick KO loss to former interim lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee at UFC 244 in November 2019.

A former Ring of Combat lightweight champion, Gillespie had embarked on a stunning run of six straight wins, defeating Glaico Franca, Andrew Holbrook, Jason Gonzalez, Jordan Rinaldi, Vinc Pichel, and Yancy Medeiros before his knockout defeat against Lee at Madison Square Garden.

Once touted as a legitimate contender at the lightweight limit, Gillespie was often floated as a potential threat to former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, during the Russian’s title reign. 

Gregor Gillespie weighs up a potential return to the Octagon

And sidelined since his TKO victory against Ferreira back in 2021, Gillespie appears to e weighing up a potential return to the Octagon – questioning fans and the mixed martial arts community if he should pursue a fight in the future.

“Who thinks I should get a fight booked asap???” Gregor Gillespie posted on his official Instagram Stories. (H/T Spinnin Backfist)

Himself linked with a potential clash against former lightweight title challenger, Michael Chandler following his win over Ferreira, Gillespie claimed he previously dominated the Missouri veteran during their amateur wrestling days.

“Dude, you understand like, I’m the wrestler, bro,” Gregor Gillespie said. “I beat the sh*t out of Mike Chandler in college and I’ll f*ck you up in wrestling too. If you’re looking for the wrestler, bro, accept the fight, dude.” 

Ferguson Responds To Gillespie’s Ducking Claims: “Stop Your Whining”

UFC lightweight veteran Tony Ferguson has advised fellow contender Gregor Gillespie to swap his “whining” for some fighting. Gillespie has long been a name present in the rankings, but seemingly far away from the Octagon. At the start of 2019, a victory over Yancy Medeiros moved “The Gift” to a 6-0 record in the UFC,…

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UFC lightweight veteran Tony Ferguson has advised fellow contender Gregor Gillespie to swap his “whining” for some fighting.

Gillespie has long been a name present in the rankings, but seemingly far away from the Octagon. At the start of 2019, a victory over Yancy Medeiros moved “The Gift” to a 6-0 record in the UFC, which he’d built in just three years. Across the following three, Gillespie has gone 1-1.

Following a brutal knockout loss to Kevin Lee, the elite wrestler took nearly two years out before returning with an impressive TKO victory over Carlos Diego Ferreira last May. Now a year later and Gillespie remains on the sidelines and without a fight booked. His place in the rankings has also been lost due to inactivity.

While many had speculated that he’d been released, Gillespie soon took to Instagram to clarify the situation with a lengthy post, during which he accused Ferguson of turning down a fight with him on multiple occasions.

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, which came just just over a week after his fourth consecutive defeat at UFC 274, Ferguson responded to Gillespie’s ducking accusations, which the now-unranked lightweight has been publicly spreading for months.

After denying that him or his team has ever been presented with an offer to share the Octagon with “The Fisherman,” the former interim titleholder offered some advice for Gillespie’s career.

“I’d never heard about him… I was never offered a fight by the UFC with him. I never heard anything, my lawyers (and) my agents never heard anything,” said Ferguson. “I want to be real, that dude is some kind of work man. I sent him a message… the story is, he don’t change his knee pads, I guess, or something like that. He’s a stinky guy. I don’t wanna fight a stinky guy. Clean up your act and go fight some people. You can’t talk your way into the title, you’re not Conor (McGregor). Conor’s got value, he brings something to the table. He breaks records with the gate and everything. So do I.”

Ferguson Accuses Gillespie Of “B*tching” & Not Putting In Work

Ferguson went on to remind Gillespie that nothing is gifted on MMA’s biggest stage. After citing the performances of young and hungry up-and-comers on Dana White’s Contender Series as an example of how to rise the ranks, “El Cucuy” sent some hard truths Gillespie’s way.

In essence, Ferguson told “The Gift” to stop whining and start scrapping.

“Look at Dana White’s Contender Series… Those f*ckers are hungry, because they’re coming from nothing,” said Ferguson. “If you fight like that, and you fight like you’re hungry, and you’re going in there finishing people, not just laying on people and expecting things — a lot of people expect sh*t and they don’t put in the work. Nothing’s gonna come to you if you don’t do any work man.

“If you’re just sitting there bitching all the time and not doing any work, or there for the company, you can’t expect to talk yourself into a title fight, I’m gonna be real… I recommend to him (Gillespie), get in there and fight some mothers*ckers,” Ferguson continued.

“Get some highlight reels, build your record, do what you’ve gotta do, but stop your whining… No one wants to hear that.”

While Gillespie has consistently accused Ferguson of avoiding a fight against him, the New York native has been the recipient of similar claims.

Ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has notably cited multiple incidents of Gillespie turning down a matchup with him, something that was corroborated by Chael Sonnen. The former UFC star revealed he’d been alerted to Gillespie’s tendency to turn down fights, suggesting that the 35-year-old’s inactivity is entirely his fault.

Is Tony Ferguson correct with his assessment of Gregor Gillespie?

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Sonnen: Unranked & Inactive 35-Year-Old Gillespie Has Nowhere To Go

Former UFC star Chael Sonnen has assessed the future of lightweight Gregor Gillespie following his recent removal from the rankings. Since joining the UFC six years ago, Gillespie has made eight walks to the Octagon. In a perfect start to his run on MMA’s biggest stage, “The Fisherman” went 6-0 during his first two-and-a-half years…

Continue Reading Sonnen: Unranked & Inactive 35-Year-Old Gillespie Has Nowhere To Go at MMA News.

Former UFC star Chael Sonnen has assessed the future of lightweight Gregor Gillespie following his recent removal from the rankings.

Since joining the UFC six years ago, Gillespie has made eight walks to the Octagon. In a perfect start to his run on MMA’s biggest stage, “The Fisherman” went 6-0 during his first two-and-a-half years in the promotion, a record that included five finishes.

But since then, Gillespie has gone 1-1 across a near-three-year period. After taking time away from the cage following a brutal knockout loss to Kevin Lee, “The Gift” returned last May, defeating Carlos Diego Ferreira. Despite that impressive performance, it’s now been over a year since the 35-year-old laced the gloves.

His latest spell of inactivity recently led to his removal from the rankings, where he’d occupied the #8 spot.

Gillespie has long been accused of consistently turning down fights, including by lightweight peer Arman Tsarukyan. The Russian-Armenian has claimed on multiple occasions that the elite American wrestler has opted against sharing the cage with him.

Another individual to add fuel to the fire when it comes to rumors of Gillespie’s habit of rejecting bouts is former two-division title challenger Sonnen, who has now reacted to the latest development in Gillespie’s career.

Sonnen Gives Grim Assessment On Gillespie’s Future

During a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen questioned what’s next for Gillespie, suggesting that if “The Gift” couldn’t get the fight that he desired with a number next to his name, there’s little chance of him doing so now that he’s been ousted from the rankings.

“I’m gonna miss him. I really believed in Gregor,” said Sonnen. “What went wrong? … It’s over, sadly. If you couldn’t get the fight that you were looking for when you were ranked, of course you can’t get the fight you’re looking for when you’re not ranked. This is just basic logic… He had the ability to create a conversation, and as I look at his career, something went off here.

“Now, at 35 years old, it’s just simply not going to happen. When Gregor gave his side of the statement, which was contrary to the reports, ‘I’m not released, I’m only removed from the rankings.’ When he gave his side, he was very clear to shine the wheels of the UFC… He’s delivering a message. At 35 years old, unranked and with a reputation of being inactive, there’s nowhere else to go.”

Having cited Gillespie’s age and reputation as evidence, Sonnen went on to suggest that neither Bellator chief Scott Coker nor ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong would be interested in a free-agent Gillespie.

“You could give him his walking papers today, he’s not going to get picked up. His phone isn’t gonna ring and a voice says, ‘Hey, this is Scott Coker.’ That isn’t gonna happen. Phone doesn’t ring, ‘Hey, this is Chatri (Sityodtong).’ That doesn’t happen because he’s 35 years old.”

With a 14-1 record, a host of finishes, and just one, arguably freak, KO defeat, Gillespie’s UFC ceiling appeared high at one point in time. Some, including Sonnen, even touted him as a possible threat to the now-retired legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.

While the future is uncertain, it seems unlikely that the veteran will find the success inside the Octagon that it seemed he was once destined to.

What do you think the future holds for Gregor Gillespie?

Continue Reading Sonnen: Unranked & Inactive 35-Year-Old Gillespie Has Nowhere To Go at MMA News.

Gregor Gillespie Clarifies UFC Release Rumors and Being Removed from UFC Rankings

Gregor Gillespie UFC ReleaseGregor Gillespie woke up to bad news today, as the UFC removed him from the rankings, causing a rampant rumor that he’d been released. Taking to Instagram to make a statement, ‘The Gift’ denied the release rumors and addressed his removal from the UFC rankings: “Guys, I’m STILL in the UFC relax. I’ll explain,” Gregor […]

Gregor Gillespie UFC Release

Gregor Gillespie woke up to bad news today, as the UFC removed him from the rankings, causing a rampant rumor that he’d been released.

Taking to Instagram to make a statement, ‘The Gift’ denied the release rumors and addressed his removal from the UFC rankings:

“Guys, I’m STILL in the UFC relax. I’ll explain,” Gregor Gillespie said.

“1) I’m removed from the RANKINGS. Not from the organization. (Fighters are removed from rankings when inactive for a period of time which I’m gathering is 12 months).”

“2) I’m not fucking going ANYWHERE, rankings or not.” He continued before launching into how much he loves the UFC, and despite their bad reputation for low pay, he’d say they’ve always paid him fairly so far.

Gregor Gillespie’s Statement on UFC Release Rumors, Continued

“I love the UFC, and contrary to what the haters say about them, the UFC has ALWAYS been more than good to me. Pay is great, everything super organized, the follow up after from medical staff is unbelievable, 100% class act top of the food chain.” ‘The Gift’ said.

“It is NOT their fault I have not had a fight. They have offered me plenty of fights in the last year. I have accepted any and all of them against guys who were ranked ahead of me (outside of the VERY short notice ones like 4-8 days), and conversely, I have obviously turned down all of the ones of guys ranked behind me. I am on a mission to fight the top guys w the lowest number next to their name and get towards that belt, and fighting guys who are ranked behind me isn’t the way to do that, but I also understand sitting for a long period of time isn’t either.”

“3) I am and have been patiently waiting for the right fight, one that is going to push me toward the belt,” Gregor Gillespie stated. “Since Ferguson turned it down like 100 fukin times in the last yr, since Mikey Chandler didn’t seem too interested in fighting me when I brought it up, and since RDA just turned down the fight against me (WHICH I ACCEPTED BTW) I guess @beneildariush will have to do. I know you’re banged up and recovering big dawg, so just gimme a 8 week heads up and let’s do the thing.”

“PS … RDA, Chandler, offer always fukin stands … RDA was cool with fighting me on 4 days notice when I was literally on a mountain 7 hours away from home when he needed a last-second replacement, but when just offered fight w me since then where I would have a fight camp, he straight up said no.”

“***Long story short, removed from rankings, not from the UFC,” Gillespie concluded.

What’s Next for Gregor Gillespie?

Gregor Gillespie was one of MMA’s most highly touted prospects before the Kevin Lee knockout in 2019. While still held in high regard, the momentum of Gillespie as an undefeated superstar was officially destroyed by that soul-taking head kick from Lee.

While previously fighting at least twice a year before that, the knockout would cause ‘The Gift’ to take almost a year and a half off before facing Diego Ferreira in what was a close fight, but one that ended favorably for Gillespie as he’d win via ground and pound TKO.

Now, it’s been over a year since that fight. Making Gillespie having fought a single time in an almost two and a half year period.

According to the man himself, an RDA, Beneil Dariush, or Michael Chandler fight seems to be most favorable. But as of now, there’s nothing concrete as to who Gregor Gillespie will face next.

Who do you want to see ‘The Gift’ face next?

Gregor Gillespie Addresses The Speculation About His UFC Status

UFC lightweight Gregor Gillespie has assured his followers that he is still on the UFC roster after news of his removal from the fans’ ranking pool was reported. News of the removal was first reported by MMA reporter Aaron Bronsteter. Additionally, according to Twitter user UFC Roster Watch, Gillespie has been removed from the entire…

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UFC lightweight Gregor Gillespie has assured his followers that he is still on the UFC roster after news of his removal from the fans’ ranking pool was reported.

News of the removal was first reported by MMA reporter Aaron Bronsteter.

Additionally, according to Twitter user UFC Roster Watch, Gillespie has been removed from the entire UFC roster altogether.

Soon after these reports surfaced, Gregor Gillespie took to Twitter to address them.

“I have accepted all and any that were ranked ahead of me (outside of short notice), and conversely I have obviously turned down anyone ranked behind me.”

“I am on a mission to fight the top guys with the lowest number next to their name to get close to the Belt. Fighting guys ranked behind me isn’t the way to do it, but i also understand sitting for a while isn’t either.”

“I am patiently waiting for a fight that will get me closer to a title. Since @TonyFergusonXT turned me down 100x last year, and @MikeChandlerMMA didn’t seem interested, and since RDA just turned down a fight against me (WHICH I ACCEPTED), I guess @beneildariush will have to do.

“PS.. RDA, chandler, offer fucking stands. RDA was cool fighting me on 4 days notice (when i was on the top of a mountain 7 hrs away), but turns me down on a full camp.

“LONG STORY SHORT: NOT REMOVED FROM UFC, JUST FROM RANKINGS. I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

“I am removed from the RANKINGS.. Not from the organization. (Fighters are removed after 12 months of inactivity). I am NOT GOING ANYWHERE! The UFC has always been great to me! 100% class! It is not their fault that I don’t have a fight. They Have offered me plenty of fights”

Gillespie last fought against Diego Ferreira at a UFC Fight Night event last May. He earned a second-round TKO finish following his first professional loss to Kevin Lee at UFC 244.

Gillespie had issued a friendly callout to former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson for a fight before Ferguson ended up getting booked against Michael Chandler.

Gillespie hasn’t had a fight booked since his win over Ferreira and nothing has been reported in the works. UFC commentator Chael Sonnen alleged earlier this year that Gillespie’s inactivity was his fault due to declining fights.

Gregor Gillespie made his UFC debut back in 2016, earning a unanimous decision win over Glaico Franca. He would go on to earn wins over the likes of Yancy Medeiros and Vinc Pichel before falling to Lee.

Who do you think Gregor Gillespie should fight next?

Continue Reading Gregor Gillespie Addresses The Speculation About His UFC Status at MMA News.

Tsarukyan Doubles Down On Gillespie Callouts: “He Is Scared Of Me”

UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has once again expressed his desire to share the Octagon with Gregor Gillespie, who he believes is “scared” to face him. If Tsarukyan wasn’t on your radar as one of the hottest prospects in the UFC before UFC Vegas 49, he certainly is now. After falling to a loss on promotional…

Continue Reading Tsarukyan Doubles Down On Gillespie Callouts: “He Is Scared Of Me” at MMA News.

UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has once again expressed his desire to share the Octagon with Gregor Gillespie, who he believes is “scared” to face him.

If Tsarukyan wasn’t on your radar as one of the hottest prospects in the UFC before UFC Vegas 49, he certainly is now. After falling to a loss on promotional debut to Islam Makhachev, the Armenian got back on track with three consecutive unanimous decision wins.

But now, Tsarukyan has returned to the finishing form that brought him 10 stoppages in his first 13 victories in professional MMA. After a first-round TKO victory over Christos Giagos last September, the 25-year-old hoped to impress even more in his first outing of 2022.

With some brutal elbows and a vicious second-round TKO against fellow young prospect Joel Álvarez, Tsarukyan did just that.

Now, having risen to #12 in the UFC lightweight rankings, Tsarukyan is looking ahead to his next challenge, with the goal being a place inside the divisional top 10. When discussing his next move post-fight, the two-time Performance of the Night winner had a familiar name on his lips.

Tsarukyan Sees Gillespie As Route To LW Top 10

Prior to his fight with Álvarez coming to fruition and after it became apparent a verbal feud with Dan Hooker wasn’t likely to reach the Octagon, Tsarukyan had his sights set on top-10 contender Gillespie.

With “The Gift” seemingly declining him as an opponent, Tsarukyan was forced to look elsewhere. But during his appearance at the UFC Vegas 49 post-fight press conference, the Armenian circled back to the decorated wrestler, calling him out and accusing the 34-year-old of being “scared.”

“You know, in our division, like, I wanna fight with top 10, but now everybody almost have fights, and just (Gregor) Gillespie doesn’t have fight. He is scared of me, you know? UFC offered me twice fights with him, and he doesn’t want fights. I don’t know what he wants, but I’d like fight with him because he’s number nine, it’s gonna be good fight, we both wrestlers. If I win him, it gets me close to title shot and top fighters.”

Tsarukyan previously made a Gillespie offer public. Last October, the 25-year-old took to Instagram to confirm he’d accepted an approach from the UFC to face “The Fisherman.” While he hadn’t answered at the time, the response evidently wasn’t the acceptance Tsarukyan was after.

Interestingly, Tsarukyan’s latest callout comes a few weeks after former UFC star Chael Sonnen claimed he’d been told Gillespie has a habit of rejecting fights.

While he didn’t possess evidence other than an apparent source, Tsarukyan’s failed attempts to make the matchup come together, as well as the veteran’s lengthy periods of inactivity, certainly supports Sonnen’s claims.

It remains to be seen whether the Armenian’s recent remarks will be met with a more positive response from the #9-ranked contender.

Would you like to see Arman Tsarukyan face Gregor Gillespie next?

Continue Reading Tsarukyan Doubles Down On Gillespie Callouts: “He Is Scared Of Me” at MMA News.