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Almost a week after Ben Askren’s submission win over Robbie Lawler in the main event of March 2’s UFC 235 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, the controversy over the finish is raging on.

Lawler slammed Askren on his head off of a takedown attempt early, following with vicious punches that made it seem like the fight was over. Referee Herb Dean did not stop the fight, however, and Askren recovered. He locked Lawler in a tight bulldog choke along the fence, and when Dean went to check on him, his arm was limp. Dean called the fight, only for a seemingly conscious Lawler to begin arguing the stoppage.

Askren’s Opinion

Lawler has since called for an instant rematch. UFC President Dana White called it a bad stoppage and agreed that a rematch should be next. ‘Funky’ is far from on board and said on his Rudis podcast (via MMA News) that he doesn’t even believe there was any controversy to the stoppage, even if it makes him money:

“Controversy creates cash obviously, to me there was no controversy. I got beat up for a little bit, got put in a really bad position, I came out of it and I was able to finish him.”

To him, Lawler just had no place to go in order to escape the hold:

“So No. 1, I do think he passed out for a little bit. No. 2, there was just no escape,” Askren stated. “There was 1:40 left, he was not getting out of that hold in no way, shape or form.

“It was sunk deep, it was sunk tight and there was just literally nowhere for him to go.”

Lawler’s Manager Responds

Lawler’s manager David Martin recently answered those claims in a statement. In his eyes, while Askren showed tremendous heart and determination to get out of a bad spot, “Ruthless” was not afforded the same chance.

That’s why they believe a rematch is in order, and they won’t rule out appealing the loss:

“We acknowledge that Ben is a tremendous fighter; coming back from the beating Robbie gave him demonstrates his grit and shows why he has a strong history of winning,” Martin said in the statement. “That is undeniable. However, Ben’s comments speak directly to the fact that there was a lot of time left in the round leading to a lot of unknowns. Things could have dramatically changed in the 1:40 remaining in the round, just as they did a minute into the fight.

“It is unfortunate that Robbie didn’t get his chance to get out of a tough position like Ben was able to do earlier in the round. No one knows, which is why an immediate rematch is warranted. As for an appeal to the commission, nothing has been ruled out. But if this were to occur it would be handled professionally behind closed doors like we do all of our business. Through adversity, Robbie remains a true professional and role model for the sport — someone I certainly want my three boys to look up to.”

‘Ruthless’ was all class in discussing the outcome with Dean after some initial disappointment.

We’ll see if that helps his cause to get a rematch with Askren, because as of today it doesn’t look all too likely.

The post Robbie Lawler’s Manager Responds To Ben Askren’s Claims Of ‘No Escape’ appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Cody Garbrandt is on a jaw-dropping downward slide. His longtime Team Alpha Male is receiving a ton of flack for it.

‘No Love’ was knocked out in the first round of a head-scratching brawl with Pedro Munhoz on the main card of last weekend’s UFC 235 from Las Vegas. Fans, media members, and Garbrandt’s coaches alike were flabbergasted he had resorted to the same exact style that had gotten him knocked out by TJ Dillashaw in his previous two title bouts.

Indeed, his Team Alpha Male cornermen couldn’t believe he stood in the pocket and traded right hands in an all-out brawl. Watch them react with varying degrees of disgust in the UFC 235: The Thrill and the Agony video below:

Even Bruce Buffer was pissed at Cody Garbrandt! pic.twitter.com/JzqdK1aMPy

— Darren Russell (@DarrenRussell_) March 6, 2019

A prominent onetime member of TAM fanned the fire this week when former head coach Justin Buchholz threw shade at the corner’s abilities – or lack thereof:

How not to corner.

— Justin Buchholz (@JustinBuchholz) March 6, 2019

‘No Love’s’ cornerman Chris Holdsworth responded to Buchholz with a venomous barb. Buchholz clapped back with his own vitriol:

Must be rough having all your fighters lose. https://t.co/bgxXcxNwuH

— Justin Buchholz (@JustinBuchholz) March 6, 2019

Buchholz Trolls The Team

But Buchholz elaborated further on the topic in an interview with TSN (via MMA Fighting) this week. He noted that the downfall was largely due to coaching. ‘No Love’ didn’t go all-out brawling when he fought Dominick Cruz for the bantamweight gold, for example:

“They make a situation that is kind of simple, way too simple,” Buchholz said. “They’re like, ‘Oh, he decided to throw caution to the wind.’ Well where was that guy, where was the guy who threw caution to the wind, kill or be killed, I’m just gonna go run across the cage holding my right hand out with my hands down, where was that guy when he fought Dominick Cruz?

“. . . It’s not kill or be killed. It’s win this fight. Get the W. It just pisses me off when people say, ‘Oh he just got emotional. He just decided to do this.’ That’s all from training! That’s all from the camp. That’s all from the cues you receive from your coach.”

On Faber?

Buchholz then pointed the finger right at TAM owner Urijah Faber. He stated he had ruined the team. If you don’t believe what he claims, he said, you need only look at ‘No Love’s’ results against true top opposition:

“If you think of it like football, it’s like the owner of the team got jealous of the head coach and then showed up on the field and started coaching instead of sitting back and kicking his feet up saying, ‘I started the team, I own the team, everything you do makes my shine brighter’” Buchholz said. “But some people can’t understand that because they can’t see past their own ego.

“. . . You can say whatever you want but the results speak for themselves. Cody’s only fights against top-10 opponents are Pedro Munhoz, T.J. Dillashaw, and then Dominick Cruz, and Dominick Cruz was the best out of all of them and he master-classed him but he couldn’t get past those other guys. It has a lot to do with coaching, the program, it’s all that.”

The post Former Team Alpha Male Coach Destroys Urijah Faber, ‘No Love’s’ Corner After UFC 235 appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

The time is here and the biggest and best UFC event of the year so far will go down with tonight’s (Sat., March 2, 2019) UFC 235: Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Decorated-but-troubled light heavyweight champ Jones recently returned to MMA after yet another brush with performance-enhancing drug-related trouble. “Bones” showed no signs of rust, however. He easily reassumed his title by stopping rival Alexander Gustafsson in the headliner of December 29’s UFC 232.

Now, he’s looking to make up for the lost time of his many extracurricular transgressions that have bombarded his career. On the other side of the cage, longtime veteran Anthony Smith will stand as an unlikely contender. He brings the momentum of a dominant three-fight streak of finishes of Rashad Evans, Shogun Rua, and Volkan Oezdemir. He also brings one of the most unorthodox, feel-good backstories in fighting if you take the time to read of it.

Instead of Jones’ elite trajectory, “Lionheart” fought his way up in the smoky backrooms of the Midwest MMA culture, fighting at strip clubs, rodeos and racetracks. Smith never stopped believing. He’s in the big leagues now and has a fight against the one athlete who probably should be the GOAT. Maybe he still is despite all the troubles.

Regardless, Smith is an almost historic underdog on most betting sites tonight. He’s more than +1000 on some, meaning a $100 bet will net you a cool $1000 payday. Buyer beware, however, as most are predicting Smith to just be the latest victim on “Bones’” comeback tour of demolishing. Does “Lionheart” have a chance to shock the world with the biggest upset in UFC history. Find out in our final UFC 235: Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith preview, prediction, and analysis below.

Striking:

This aspect of the fight is a different discussion on each respective side. “Bones” brings a more technical striking game to the fight. He uses his record reach as his greatest edge, feeling his opponents out while keeping them at bay with his accurate jab and impeding low kicks. He’s far from a knockout striker. The champ likes to wear his opponents down with a varied attack of Muay Thai’s eight limbs. He mixes it up like few others ever have. It’s simply a beauty to watch, and Jones is currently in his prime despite his many layoffs.

As for Smith, he’s not terrible in terms of technicality, but he doesn’t come close to Jones. Few do at light heavyweight. No, “Lionheart” is more of a slugger with 17 knockouts in 31 overall wins. Jones has never been knocked out and has rarely been hit cleanly with much power. The belief that Smith can only win with a lucky knockout shot isn’t completely true, but it would definitely help the cause. That’s not anything to depend on, so Smith has to control the action and pressure Jones, no easy job. He does have the height to nearly match the 6’4″ Jones. In the end, ‘Lionheart’ is simply outclassed due to Jones’ more diverse bag of tricks, reach, and accuracy.

Edge: 65-35 Jones

Wrestling:

Jones will secure another glaring strength here. He’s an NJCAA national champ who uses several effective takedowns to ground and control his rivals. Few have been able to stop him from securing one over the course of a full fight. When he’s able to get it, he often controls his opponents with a smothering, technically efficient top game. He’s also known for his clinch skills, using dirty boxing to score close up.

Smith isn’t exactly a terrible wrestler, he’s just outmatched here. He ultimately submitted Volkan Oezdemir in his last fight. However, Oezdemir, a known striker, got “Lionheart” to the ground and took his back. It’s simply not a good sign when you’re facing a historic champion like Jones. He needs to keep “Bones” off his legs or it may be a long night for the upstart contender in Las Vegas.

Edge: 70-30 Jones

Submissions:

“Bones” has a dangerous submission toolkit which has propelled him to six tapouts in 23 total wins. He often gets his opponents on the ground and when he does, the fight is in jeopardy of ending immediately. Jones works an array of chokes and armbars from all positions. His ground and pound when dominating the jiu-jitsu action may be even more fearsome. But “Bones” can and does use his ever-improving ground assault to submit foes. “Lionheart” has been tapped four times in his 44-fight career. This all plays into an edge on the ground for the champ.

But “Lionheart” is no slouch on the ground. He’s tapped out his opponent 11 times in 31 overall victories, a strong number to be sure. It’s just an uphill battle to obtain an advantageous position on the champion on the mat. “Bones” has really only been threatened to submit by a Vitor Belfort armbar in the UFC. He wriggle out of that and tapped out “The Phenom” as a result. So once again, Jones has the edge.

Edge: 65-35 Jones

Final Prediction:

“Lionheart’s” rise to fame is an amazing story that sports are made for.

But the task he’s facing is just too big in my opnion. Jones appears to be at the in his prime in his early 30s, and if he is, he’s the greatest MMA talent ever. He’s that good, and his ever-evolving skillset is so rounded.

It’d be insane if Smith could knock Jones out in a Serra-like scenario, but I don’t see it happening. I see the champion grounding the action, landing some strikes, and locking on a submission in the second round.

Jon Jones defeats Anthony Smith via R2 submission (kimura, 2:25)

The post UFC 235: Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith Final Preview, Prediction & Analysis appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

As expected, a metabolite for anabolic steroid turinabol remains in some of Jon Jones’ UFC 235 drug tests heading into his return against Anthony Smith at this weekend’s UFC 235.

The fact that it is continues to baffle. It seems the metabolite will remain in Jones’ system for the foreseeable future due to previous use. Earlier today the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) released the results of five of Jones’ drug tests ahead of UFC 235. Two of the tests showed ‘adverse’ results containing the M3 metabolite for turinabol. The other three came back clean.

Jones originally tested positive for turinabol prior to his UFC 217 against Daniel Cormier in July 2017. He was suspended for 15 months. Yet the substance still continues to haunt Jones. It was found in his system multiple times in 2018, but USADA did not sanction because it was minuscule amounts. The term “pulsing” has therefore been used in describing why it is in his system. It did cause controversy when his return at December’s UFC 232 forced the card to be moved from Las Vegas to California.

Positive & Negative Tests

According to MMAjunkie, samples tested at Sports Medicine and Research Laboratory (SMRTL) on February 14 and February 15 found 40 and 20 picograms per milliliter of the metabolite. Those numbers are close to other tests Jones has tested positive for the M3 metabolite. A December 9 test was between 60 and 80 picograms and one from December 28, 2018, showed 33 picograms.

Another USADA test is still pending. The NSAC has expedited all of Jones’ tests so the results can be found out sooner due to his history. He was required to undergo Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) testing as a result of being licensed in California. Jones most recently passed a VADA test on February 18, 2019.

Complete List Of Tests Since UFC 232

Jones has been tested nine times overall since his return at UFC 232, according to a report from MMA Fighting. That worked out to roughly one time per week. Four have been positive while five have been negative. Here is the complete list of tests:

• Dec. 28: M3 metabolite (VADA for CSAC)
• Dec. 29: Clean (USADA, CSAC)
• Jan. 6: M3 metabolite (VADA for CSAC)
• Jan. 7: M3 metabolite (VADA for CSAC)
• Jan. 13: Clean (VADA for CSAC)
• Feb. 1: Clean (USADA)
• Feb. 9: Clean (VADA for CSAC)
• Feb. 14: M3 metabolite (NAC)
• Feb. 15: M3 metabolite (NAC)
• Feb. 18: Clean (VADA for NAC)
• Feb. 23: Pending (USADA)

The recent adverse results will not affect his license in Nevada. He recently underwent a lengthy hearing because of his drug history with the NSAC. They granted him a one-fight license for UFC 235 and ordered him to undergo increased drug testing, making him the most tested athlete in MMA history as a result.

In a statement, SMRTL’s lab director Dr. Daniel Eichner, said show “no evidence” that a banned substance had been re-administered. There is also no evidence that Jones has an unfair competitive advantage due to the presence of the metabolite heading into UFC 235.

The post Jon Jones’ UFC 235 Drug Tests Show Mixed Results appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

In a card jam-packed full of storylines, perhaps none carries more intrigue than Ben Askren’s UFC debut against Robbie Lawler at this weekend’s (Sat., March 2, 2019) UFC 235 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Funky” has taken the UFC by storm, at least in a certain sense, since being ‘traded’ for Demetrious Johnson from ONE late last year. Since then, he’s engaged in an all-out assault on all things MMA related on social media, and mostly to glaring results. Askren makes his thoughts known on nearly every topic that arises in MMA. And rarely does he say anything positive about the names involved.

Playing The Game & Well

Now, you certainly can’t blame him for taking the fast track in a game that seems to value getting your trash talk recognized over most everything else. “Funky” is playing the game, and he’s playing the game well. His UFC debut could legitimately be one of if not the most anticipated of all-time. And he’s got the resumé to back it up as well.

For those who’ve only seen Askren’s social media blitz of late, he’s a two-time NCAA Division I national champion in wrestling. He won and defended the Bellator welterweight title four times. He then vacated that title in order to negotiate with ONE. There, he won their welterweight title and successfully defended it three times before ‘retiring’ in late 2017.

But hardcore fans – the only ones really paying attention to his body of work at the time – argued he never faced true top opposition. Yes and no, it could be said.

He finished Andrey Koreshkov and beat Douglas Lima in Bellator. You could argue those are two of the best welterweights in the world, although they aren’t up with the best of the UFC. Outside of those two, the biggest name he’s beaten is probably Shinya Aoki. The submission wiz is a Japanese legend for sure, but he’s fought in lighter divisions than Askren his whole career. You could also speculate he was out of his prime when he fought Askren in his final ONE fight.

The Pressure Is On

So his record is spotless while simultaneously raising questions. Either way, he has a shot to silence his critics by dominating “Ruthless” in his Octagon debut. Or, he could prove his many haters right by laying an egg in Las Vegas. Askren doesn’t care if you love him or hate him, just that you tune in. But his act is going to grow old quick if he doesn’t win pretty much every one of his UFC bouts. He’s talked himself into that position, and he seeems perfectly fine with it; even accepting.

Also, Lawler is a near-perfect opponent for him to pick up a victory in his UFC debut. “Ruthless” deserves praise and respect for his long-running success and championship pedigree, Lawler can be neutralized by the most elite of wrestlers and/or grapplers. His wrestling defense really isn’t bad. Yet Johny Hendricks showed he could be taken down in the fifth round of their classic fight at UFC 171. That seems like 25 years ago.

Amazing Match-Up?

But anyway, back to Askren.

His game is predicated on smothering his opponents and not giving them the space to throw before grinding them to the mat. That’s a style tailor-made for beating a brawl-inducing kickboxer like Lawler. “Ruthless” hasn’t fought many wrestlers outside of Tyon Woodley since he fought Hendricks, and “The Chosen One” seems to rely on his striking more these days. Lawler suffered a knockout to the current titleholder in July 2016, and hasn’t been on the same level he was during his title run.

While we can’t count the knockout skill of the former UFC champion, the match looks good on paper for Askren. But that’s even more pressure. he thrives in those situations. Askren has been a winner at every level of his diverse competitive tenure. He’s playing the game the current era of the UFC demands. He’s on the biggest level airing on the biggest PPV in his UFC debut.

So Askren has to deliver a big win, and not just a boring decision. He has to dominate Lawler to validate all his trash talk. His many accomplishments will remain and should be respected. But due to the position he’s talked himself into, Askren has to win and win huge at UFC 235.

If he fails to do exactly that, his prior accolades won’t mean much in the eyes of many fans.

The post Ben Askren’s Trash Talk & Titles Won’t Mean Much If He Fails At UFC 235 appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.