Tag: Inside MMA

Donald Cerrone & Bas Rutten React To Mayweather vs. McGregor Rumours

UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor is making all kinds of noise in the mixed martial arts world right now. So much of a racket is ‘The Notorious’ creating, that h’s somewhat surpassed the level of media attention that any MMA star before him has ever experienced, and it’s not strictly limited to his beef with

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UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor is making all kinds of noise in the mixed martial arts world right now. So much of a racket is ‘The Notorious’ creating, that h’s somewhat surpassed the level of media attention that any MMA star before him has ever experienced, and it’s not strictly limited to his beef with the UFC. The rumoured fight with boxing great Floyd Mayweather has been the main subject recently, but the reasons behind this unlikely pairing start with contract related issues for the Irishman.

After refusing to attend a press conference for his scheduled UFC 200 rematch with Nate Diaz, ‘The Notorious’ went in to a social media meltdown that was both very unexpected, but also possibly telling of his frustration towards the promotion. So perhaps these rumours of a fight with ‘Money’ are just to get under the UFC brass’ skin?

mayweathermcgregor

While both Mayweather and McGregor have confirmed negotiations are underway, and the Irish striker continues to tease everyone over social media, we really have no concrete evidence to suggest this fight will happen Outside of the fact McGregor is caught in a contract, although the right money could probably loosen the shackles, he would surely face an unbeatable challenge in facing such a decorated boxer in his own domain.

At least that’s what Bas Rutten and Donald Cerrone will tell you.

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Former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten was subject to heavy rumours regarding his own fighting return recently. He laughed them off and shot them down as he revealed he was actually scheduled for surgery on his sine soon.

During an episode of Inside MMA this week, alongside UFC welterweight Donald Cerrone, ‘El Guapo’ addresses the rumours of Mayweather vs. McGregor. Thanks for stopping by, you can check out the video on Youtube player courtesy of AXS TV Fights.

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Bas Rutten Asks Michael Bisping If He Spat On Anyone, All Hell Breaks Loose

UFC middleweight contender Michael Bisping recently scored the biggest victory of his storied career. Facing Anderson Silva in the recent UFC Fight Night 84 main event, very few were giving ‘The Count’ a chance of beating the former middleweight champion. As it turned out, they were all wrong. Although he was nearly knocked out at

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UFC middleweight contender Michael Bisping recently scored the biggest victory of his storied career. Facing Anderson Silva in the recent UFC Fight Night 84 main event, very few were giving ‘The Count’ a chance of beating the former middleweight champion. As it turned out, they were all wrong. Although he was nearly knocked out at one point in the fight, Bisping put in an impressive and typically gritty performance against ‘The Spider,’ and took the judge’s decision after five rounds.

Anderson-Silva-and-Michael-Bisping[1]

Finally, after years of toiling in or around the top contender spot, the fruits of Michael Bisping’s labour were starting to be seen. During a recent appearance with Bas Rutten and Kenny Rice on AXS Inside MMA, ‘The Count’ took some time to recap what was a glorious night in front of home fans in England on February 27, but not before pulling off an April fool’s prank for the viewers.

Watch Bisping and Bas Rutten prank

But they actually did hold a real interview with Bispng, and it was pretty cool really, check it out before we continue the speculation on ‘The Count’s’ next fight:

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“Inside MMA” Gets A New Co-Host In Mauro Ranallo

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Mauro Ranallo, who was recently signed by the WWE to announce “Smackdown,” has another weekly gig.

Ranallo will replace Kenny Rice as the co-host of “Inside MMA” on AXS TV beginning March 25, according to a press release. Ranallo calls boxing action for Showtime and is also the former voice of Strikeforce.

“In a year in which I landed a dream job with WWE, my dream to once again cover MMA and work with my broadcasting brother Bas Rutten has also come true,” Ranallo said. “Filling the shoes of consummate pro Kenny Rice won’t be easy, but I can’t wait to return to AXS TV.”

Rice will become a correspondent for the program, which airs typically every Friday night after live MMA and other combat sports action.

“I am excited to step into the new role as a special correspondent, continuing to bring the exclusive access to our viewers that has been synonymous with Inside MMA over the past 10 seasons,” Rice said. “It’s a true team at Inside MMA and I welcome longtime friend Mauro Ranallo to it.”

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Mauro Ranallo, who was recently signed by the WWE to announce “Smackdown,” has another weekly gig.

Ranallo will replace Kenny Rice as the co-host of “Inside MMA” on AXS TV beginning March 25, according to a press release. Ranallo calls boxing action for Showtime and is also the former voice of Strikeforce.

“In a year in which I landed a dream job with WWE, my dream to once again cover MMA and work with my broadcasting brother Bas Rutten has also come true,” Ranallo said. “Filling the shoes of consummate pro Kenny Rice won’t be easy, but I can’t wait to return to AXS TV.”

Rice will become a correspondent for the program, which airs typically every Friday night after live MMA and other combat sports action.

“I am excited to step into the new role as a special correspondent, continuing to bring the exclusive access to our viewers that has been synonymous with Inside MMA over the past 10 seasons,” Rice said. “It’s a true team at Inside MMA and I welcome longtime friend Mauro Ranallo to it.”

Knockout of the Day: Ammy Fighter Gets Kneed Into La La Land, Literally

For those of you who thought we’d never see a more cartoonish, WWE-esque reaction to a knockout than Rolles Gracie’s Flair Flop at WSOF 5, boy oh boy do we have a treat for you.

Inside MMA have always been a great source for amatuer and local fight highlights across the globe, but they may have outdone themselves with this clip from last month’s VCFC: Danville Destruction 5 event in Virginia. In an amateur match between welterweights Chris Henderson and Chris Gardner, Henderson landed a knee from the clinch so vicious, so devastating, that it sent his opponent into a 360 degree tailspin complete with airplane arms before faceplanting him on the canvas. It was absolutely ridiculous, and even after some two dozen views, I’m still not convinced that the whole thing wasn’t a work.

Video after the jump. 

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For those of you who thought we’d never see a more cartoonish, WWE-esque reaction to a knockout than Rolles Gracie’s Flair Flop at WSOF 5, boy oh boy do we have a treat for you.

Inside MMA have always been a great source for amatuer and local fight highlights across the globe, but they may have outdone themselves with this clip from last month’s VCFC: Danville Destruction 5 event in Virginia. In an amateur match between welterweights Chris Henderson and Chris Gardner, Henderson landed a knee from the clinch so vicious, so devastating, that it sent his opponent into a 360 degree tailspin complete with airplane arms before faceplanting him on the canvas. It was absolutely ridiculous, and even after some two dozen views, I’m still not convinced that the whole thing wasn’t a work.

Video after the jump. 

I mean, that has to be fake, right? Aside from the fact that Henderson’s knee didn’t even appear to land that flush, there’s just no way you can tell me that Gardner’s reaction to said knee was anywhere on the spectrum of normal. It’s even worse when you watch it in gif form:

Yep, these two were definitely in on it, most likely to score some free publicity. Goal achieved, gentlemen. Goal achieved.

The win improves Henderson to 3-0 as an ammy (with all finishes) and drops Gardner to 5-12. He may never be a champion or even a journeyman, but let’s hope that Gardner can rest assured knowing that he will forever be embedded in the cultural grain of MMA thanks to this gif. I can already see the memes…

Me After a Long Day at the Office

How Drunk White Girls Get Into Bed

When It’s Only Monday And You Already Can’t Even

When You Realize You’re Out of Bagel Bites

(Props: AXS TV via Uproxx)

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VIDEO: Ben Askren ‘Inside MMA’ Interview Ends Abruptly After UFC Criticism Upsets Kenny Rice

(Looks like Kenny has the 2014 “Shill of the Year” award locked up. / Video via AXS TV Fights)

Friday’s edition of Inside MMA on AXS TV featured a tense interview segment with ONE FC welterweight champion Ben Askren, and has generated controversy not because of Askren’s words, but for host Kenny Rice‘s reaction to them.

The clip above begins with co-host Bas Rutten asking Askren about Dana White’s recent statement that the UFC might consider signing Askren if he keeps winning. Unsurprisingly, Askren wasn’t there to show gratitude to the Baldfather:

“Dana, he’s a chameleon. He changes his tune depending on whatever fits the situation. I am definitely not fond of this guy at all. I want the chance to prove I’m the best welterweight in the world, but I don’t know if I’m willing to stoop to his level.”

You’d think that Askren’s unvarnished honesty would please the Inside MMA hosts; after all, this is exactly the kind of thing that would generate publicity for their show. Instead, Kenny Rice begins to chastise Askren for his comments:

“Well you’re saying a lot about a $500 million operation, there, Ben. I mean, I gotta be honest, you know it’s always nice to fight windmills sometimes, but to take on verbally with the UFC, this is a battle you can’t win.”

Askren explains that if he plays out the rest of his career in ONE FC and retires happy, he would consider that a win. He then continues attacking the “iffy decisions” recently made by Dana White, which have led to a backlash by the fans. But before he can really get cookin’, Rice interrupts him:


(Looks like Kenny has the 2014 “Shill of the Year” award locked up. / Video via AXS TV Fights)

Friday’s edition of Inside MMA on AXS TV featured a tense interview segment with ONE FC welterweight champion Ben Askren, and has generated controversy not because of Askren’s words, but for host Kenny Rice‘s reaction to them.

The clip above begins with co-host Bas Rutten asking Askren about Dana White’s recent statement that the UFC might consider signing Askren if he keeps winning. Unsurprisingly, Askren wasn’t there to show gratitude to the Baldfather:

“Dana, he’s a chameleon. He changes his tune depending on whatever fits the situation. I am definitely not fond of this guy at all. I want the chance to prove I’m the best welterweight in the world, but I don’t know if I’m willing to stoop to his level.”

You’d think that Askren’s unvarnished honesty would please the Inside MMA hosts; after all, this is exactly the kind of thing that would generate publicity for their show. Instead, Kenny Rice begins to chastise Askren for his comments:

“Well you’re saying a lot about a $500 million operation, there, Ben. I mean, I gotta be honest, you know it’s always nice to fight windmills sometimes, but to take on verbally with the UFC, this is a battle you can’t win.”

Askren explains that if he plays out the rest of his career in ONE FC and retires happy, he would consider that a win. He then continues attacking the “iffy decisions” recently made by Dana White, which have led to a backlash by the fans. But before he can really get cookin’, Rice interrupts him:

“Ben, everybody wants to be in the UFC. There’s nobody that doesn’t want to be in the UFC, basically. And you know, someday — you’re the welterweight champ now of ONE FC, you were at Bellator — somebody’s gonna ask you, ‘Don’t you want to prove you’re the best in the world?’, and most people will look at the best in the world as being the guys fighting in the UFC.”

Askren responded thusly:

“Well 100%, and I don’t disagree with you, and the UFC has created a monopoly-type situation where everyone does have to go there. But don’t think for a second that there’s a lot of employees of the UFC that are not happy with where they’re at, and don’t think for a second that if they get the opportunity to go somewhere else and make a good living and get treated a whole lot better, that they won’t go. Nothing lasts forever, and the UFC has had quite the monopoly the last handful of years, but really, if they don’t change their tune, they’re gonna start losing some fans. Bellator is gaining ground on them, rapidly, ONE FC is rapidly expanding the Asian market. The UFC is worried, and—”

This was about as much UFC-abuse as Kenny Rice could tolerate. Rice jumps in to end the interview, saying “we gotta close down the soapbox” and thanking Askren for his time.

“Well you guys can’t cut me off like that,” Askren says.

“Yeah we can and we just did,” Rice says, “but best wishes and congratulations on ONE FC.” And with that, Askren’s image is sucked into the hologrammic vortex beneath the Inside MMA studios.

Askren immediately went on twitter, called Kenny a UFC dick-rider, challenged him to a debate on MMA economics, made his challenge known to Mark Cuban, and accused Kenny of being on the take. Meanwhile, everybody who watched the Inside MMA segment wondered what the hell just happened. An MMA “news” anchor throwing off a guest for criticizing the UFC? Here is your crown, King of the Shills; wear it with pride.

Fortunately, AXS TV Fights CEO Andrew Simon stepped in to do damage control the next day, apologizing to Ben and inviting him back on the show to “continue the discussion.” But what would a follow-up appearance really accomplish? We already know Askren’s position, and we know that harsh criticism of the UFC doesn’t fit in with Inside MMA‘s agenda, for reasons we can only speculate on.

Ben Askren should definitely “continue the discussion” — he should just do it elsewhere. Askren is a dynamic, thought-provoking interview, and honestly, Inside MMA doesn’t deserve him.

[VIDEO] MMA Fighter Taps Out Rather Than Continue Hurting His Opponent — Inspirational or Cowardly?

(Via AXS TV.)

We’ve discussed at length the “go out on your shield” mentality that permeates MMA (and all combat sports, truly) and its toxic relationship with the sport’s quest for mainstream appeal. While we all know that MMA fighters are grown-ass men and women who are fully capable of protecting themselves — and that the decision to allow a fight to continue rests firmly on the shoulders of the losing fighter, his/her corner, and the presiding referee — there have been multiple instances in the recent past where all three of these parties have failed miserably to do so. Call it pride, or incompetence, or whatever you will.

But what should we make of it when a losing fighter’s *opponent* voluntarily gives up to spare him from a further beating?

That’s precisely the issue being raised by an amateur fight between Mike Pantangco and Jeremy Rasner that transpired at a Prison Fight League event, ironically, last week. Uncovered by the folks at Inside MMA and posted on r/MMA earlier today, Pantangco vs. Rasner might feature the strangest end to an MMA fight we’ve seen since the Leg Tap Death Touch.

You see, Pantangco was thoroughly outclassing his opponent that night, battering Rasner on the feet throughout the first round of their flyweight tilt. It got so bad at one point, apparently, that rather than continue teeing off on his game but overmatched opponent, Pantangco opted to tap out and grant Rasner the victory. A bizarre choice to say the least, and one that begs the question: Is there such a thing as *too much* sportsmanship in MMA?


(Via AXS TV.)

We’ve discussed at length the “go out on your shield” mentality that permeates MMA (and all combat sports, truly) and its toxic relationship with the sport’s quest for mainstream appeal. While we all know that MMA fighters are grown-ass men and women who are fully capable of protecting themselves — and that the decision to allow a fight to continue rests firmly on the shoulders of the losing fighter, his/her corner, and the presiding referee — there have been multiple instances in the recent past where all three of these parties have failed miserably to do so. Call it pride, or incompetence, or whatever you will.

But what should we make of it when a losing fighter’s *opponent* voluntarily gives up to spare him from a further beating?

That’s precisely the issue being raised by an amateur fight between Mike Pantangco and Jeremy Rasner that transpired at a Prison Fight League event, ironically, last week. Uncovered by the folks at Inside MMA and posted on r/MMA earlier today, Pantangco vs. Rasner might feature the strangest end to an MMA fight we’ve seen since the Leg Tap Death Touch.

You see, Pantangco was thoroughly outclassing his opponent that night, battering Rasner on the feet throughout the first round of their flyweight tilt. It got so bad at one point, apparently, that rather than continue teeing off on his game but overmatched opponent, Pantangco opted to tap out and grant Rasner the victory. A bizarre choice to say the least, and one that begs the question: Is there such a thing as *too much* sportsmanship in MMA?

Pantangco later explained the reasoning behind his forfeit in an interview with Inside MMA:

I just feel that there’s no point in fighting him because he didn’t train against me and I didn’t train for him and I just feel like we’re amateur fighters. We don’t get money. We don’t paid. And I know that the only [way] I’m going to finish the fight is [for] him to go to the hospital or get hurt. I just feel terrible so I’m just going to give him the win. 

Some fans are calling Pantangco’s act of mercy the ultimate embodiment of the respect that all fighters are supposed to have, while others are asking why he couldn’t have simply submitted Rasner rather than continue punishing him on the feet, sparing him a trip to the hospital and only temporary pain in the process.

It’s an interesting debate, to say the least; while it’s hard to fault Pantangco’s selfless act in theory, especially in an era where we trash a fighter for not immediately recognizing/backing off when his opponent is unconscious or defenseless, it’s even harder to believe that being an overly compassionate person can do anything but work against you in a sport as inherently violent as MMA. Guys like Lyoto Machida have become notorious for their self-control in delivering follow up punches to a clearly unconscious opponent, but Machida also typically saves his self-control until after his opponent is unconscious, or at the very least, not walking towards him with their hands raised.

As an MMA fighter, Pantangco probably shouldn’t be afraid to hurt his opponent, no matter what level they are competing at. You don’t see many professional swimmers who are afraid to step in the pool (unless you’re Matt Serra, in which case you’ve seen at least one), or hockey players with aspirations of becoming a professional model, etc. And by giving up, Pantangco essentially robbed his opponent of a chance at a true victory, and the audience of a fight they paid good (decent) money to watch. They had only fought for one round, after all, and we guarantee that Rasner (and most MMA fighters) wouldn’t be afraid to hurt Pantangco had the tables been turned.

But what do you think, Nation? Should Pantangco be applauded for his restraint, or condemned for being too much of a coward to finish what he started? Make your case in the comments section.

–J. Jones