Tag: Instant Articles

Earlier this week, the UFC made some extremely negative headlines when it booked controversial heavyweight Greg Hardy on the same card as Rachael Ostovich.

The move was considered short-sighted and even idiotic due to the fact that Ostovich had only recently been the victim of a very public domestic violence incident. The alleged attack from her husband Arnold Berdon left her with a broken orbital bone as a result. It also forced her out of her scheduled UFC on ESPN+1 fight against Paige VanZant.

Hardy is, of course, an accused domestic abuser himself. His highly-publicized case from 2014 undoubtedly played a big role in him being forced out of the NFL. He’s since rebounded in MMA and racked up several knockout wins. UFC President Dana White has repeatedly insisted Hardy has turned his life around.

Ostovich got a second opinion from her doctor and will fight VanZant after all. However, many fans and media members were shocked to see Hardy booked on the same card as Ostovich. Overall, it seemed like an avoidable mess with an endless stream of UFC events forthcoming.

White discussed the situation via TSN’s Aaron Bronstetter, confirming that Hardy will stay on the card and is continuing his rehabilitation:

“Yeah, absolutely. I mean, he’s gonna be tied to that for the rest of his career, for the rest of his life. You know, this is a guy who has spent the last five years of his life rehabilitating himself from drugs, alcohol, anger management, you name it. Rebuilding his life. He hit rock bottom, he lost his job. And you know, he’s building a family now, he has a son and a daughter and he’s trying to put that behind him.”

Dana White discusses the decision to have Greg Hardy compete on January 19th, the same card as Rachael Ostovich, a recent victim of domestic violence.

White has spoken to Rachael since Hardy was added to hear her feelings on it. Hardy will remain on the card despite the backlash pic.twitter.com/6EHMIXS9lm

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) December 6, 2018

Ostovich Approved

White continued that he had spoken with Ostovich since her attack. He said he had spoken with her about fighting with Hardy on the same card and she was totally fine with it. It was supposedly even a key factor in making the decision:

“Well, first of all, I called Rachael Ostovich and talked to her and walked her through this situation. And her take on it was, “His story isn’t my story. Everybody’s story is different, and I believe in second chances. I have no problem fighting on the same card with this guy.’

“And you know, he didn’t do anything to Rachael Ostovich. So, she was totally cool with it. So obviously, having her support was a key factor in making that decision.”

The outspoken UFC president then affirmed that the card was being worked on months ahead of time and they thought Ostovich was off of it due to her recovery. But when she called and pleaded her case, White agreed to let her fight:

“First of all, these cards get worked on months ahead of time. And Rachael was off the card because of what happened. Then she called me back. And she said, first of all, I wasn’t letting her fight after what happened. I was like, there’s no way she can fight right now, she needs to take some time. She called me and gave me 75 reasons why she needs to be on this card, and I agreed with her. So we did it.”

Timing Is Still Off

That may be the case, but the timing still seems incredibly off. Ostovich was confirmed to be back fighting on UFC on ESPN+1 days before Hardy was announced for the event. Unless they had booked Hardy for the event in the time they thought she was off and didn’t announce it, it’s still a bad look.

Asked if Ostovich and Hardy would be doing media together, White said he wasn’t even thinking about that. Anyone could make an issue out of it, he said, but the only person’s opinion he cared about was Ostovich. She had no issue:

“I don’t know, I’m not even thinking about it that way. Listen, if you wanna make it an issue, you can make it an issue. Everybody can make it an issue if they want to. Rachael Ostovich doesn’t have an issue with it, and that’s all that matters to me.”

The post Dana White Reacts To Rachael Ostovich-Greg Hardy Controversy appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway will return to the Octagon amid much uncertainty when he meets Brian Ortega at this weekend’s (Sat., December 8, 2018) UFC 231 from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With four days left until the anticipated bout, it’s time Holloway sounds off on his recent neurological issues.

Holloway was scheduled to meet Ortega in the co-main of July’s UFC 226, but some concerning ‘concussion-like’ symptoms arose during fight week that forced out of the bout. ‘Blessed’ exhibited lethargy and slowed speech during pre-fight interviews. It was his third withdrawal of a chaotic year for the 145-pound kingpin. He and his team underwent a full battery of medical tests, yet the true cause of his episodes remains unknown.

It’s a dynamic that has Ortega skeptical the week of their second attempt to fight. And while Holloway said he wouldn’t answer health-related questions to Ariel Helwani, he did open up a bit about them on this week’s The MMA Hour. The champ claims he passed all the tests. While the investigation is pending, he stated it wasn’t as serious as initially thought:

“We don’t know. We took the tests [for what] they thought it was. Like I said before, we took all the testing, we passed all the testing, and [all of the results] came back looking great, so at the end of the day, we’ll see. I’ve still got an ongoing private investigation with trying to figure out what’s going on, me and my team, because we’re still trying to figure it out.

“But at the end of the day, it’s not the big things that they thought. So right now I can’t comment too much on it because we’ve still got the investigation going on, but that’s it.”

Shrouded In Secrecy

The mere fact that the issues which forced Holloway out of an alarming third fight of the year understandably has Ortega and everyone else uneasy before this Saturday. Perhaps they’re dreading more of the action on Friday morning, actually, as Holloway will have to make weight.

He’s had his issues making 145 pounds and has also teased a move up to lightweight in the near future. Ortega thinks his huge cut may trigger those problems. While many may doubt his ability to return to his 2017 form, Holloway denies all of that. To him, it’s been one of his best training camps ever.

He said his once-surging career is just in a pit stop. He’ll show them why it’s time to jump back on the train this week:

“Man, I wish I could let you guys into my camp, but ninjas move in silence. This camp has been one of the greatest ones ever. I’ve been breaking numbers, doing a lot of amazing stuff, just fighting a lot of people, so I can’t wait. Man, I just can’t wait for Dec. 8 and to show you guys what I’ve been working hard for.

“People keep sleeping — it’s time to wake them up again and let them know that the ‘Blessed’ era is still in full effect, and jump on the ‘Blessed’ train now. The ‘Blessed’ express, we’re at the pit stop right now, we’re waiting for you guys to all get inside. It’s better to be sitting down inside than chasing us, because it’s a really fast train, so don’t be one of those guys jogging behind it.”

A Champ’s Perspective

Once praised as a wise-beyond-his-years champ, there’s no denying his future was a bit uncertain this year. But Holloway is back already, and he gained a new perspective on life during this year. It may sound cliche, but his nickname ‘Blessed’ came true in his own life throughout a year of hardship:

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, man. I found out a lot about myself [in 2018], I found out a lot about just life in general, and it’s just a learning experience. You live, you learn. So I’m just blessed, man. I found out that I’m blessed. I’m really blessed. It’s bigger than the nickname. So all I can say about this year is I’m blessed. It’s crazy.

“I went through a rough time, a bunch of rough times, but we’re here. It’s not how you start the year, it’s how you finish. I’m going to finish strong come Dec. 8.”

Holloway has a point. Everyone loves a good comeback story. And in hindsight, he really wasn’t out all that long based on how many fight-canceling predicaments he found himself in. The Hawaiian slugger is now tasked with one of his toughest challenges in the undefeated Ortega.

It’s a fight that would be difficult coming off a year without any injuries or issue, yet obviously, that’s not the case of Holloway. He’s made a career off of silencing his doubters. His rise to the title was swift and impressive. He’s still only 25 years old as well.

So even though his concerning neurological issues are cause for alarm, the “Blessed Era” could be back on track in just one night this weekend.

The post Max Holloway Sounds Off On Neurological Issues appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

The sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) is awaiting this weekend’s  (Sat., December 8, 2018) UFC 231 from Toronto with both anticipation and apprehension. The featherweight title fight between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega is one of the most awaited fights in the sport right now.

However, it’s also one that has fallen apart before. Originally set for July’s UFC 226, it was called when Holloway exhibited “concussion-like” symptoms the week leading up to the card. The disappointing cancellation lead to a string of concerning events that ultimately saw Holloway removed from three big title fights this year.

It’s gotten so murky that “Blessed” won’t answer questions about his health heading into the bout. He’s often teased a move up to lightweight to combat the issues that seem to show up when he begins his draining cut. But he is supposedly awaiting the results of an ongoing investigation into what happened at UFC 226. His team still doesn’t know what it was.

That has Ortega on edge, and understandably so. During a recent media luncheon (via MMA Fighting), “T-City” was flabbergasted to learn Holloway still doesn’t know what’s wrong with him:

“Both of us did a show in Canada and that was the first time I heard it,” Ortega said. “He was like, ‘We still don’t know what it is.’ I looked over during the show like, What the f*ck do you mean you don’t know what it is? I was like, Are you serious? And we’re scheduled already not too far from now. I don’t know. I pray for the guy and I hope he’s good.”

Still Uncertain

Ortega touched on how Holloway has made it very close to all the fights he’s withdrawn from this year. Yet when the time to make weight comes, for one reason or another, he hasn’t been able to. The surging contender is still concerned about what may happen, and he thinks the cut triggers it.

But “T-City” wants to be at the top, and he knows beating Holloway is the only way to get there for now:

“He’s made it all the way through his training camp, he’s always successful with that,” Ortega said. “It’s just these last … I don’t know if the [weight] cutting triggers something. I don’t know what it is. He doesn’t know what it is. But there is a concern there. Obviously, he is the best and I want to fight him. That’s why he’s got the belt around him. For me to fight him, it would secure my name at the top as well.”

The challenger seems leary about the situation. He thinks Holloway and his team have undergone all the right tests because he’s fighting. Then again, he isn’t one hundred percent positive about that. The fact they still don’t know what happened is still lurking in the back of Ortega’s mind:

“They did all the tests, right?” Ortega said “They evaluated, they made sure he was healthy. The UFC, being the name that they are, I don’t think they’re gonna let someone go in there if they’re not in the right state.

“What does kind of seem a little bit off is the the fact that they still can’t seem to figure out what’s going on. That’s kind of where it’s like, well are you guys being professional with this? Or do you guys really want to push this fight? I don’t know.”

A Legitimate Concern

Ultimately, Ortega’s concern is for Holloway’s health, even if he’s trying to damage it in a way. The California challenger doesn’t want to be the one that triggered something bad happening to the young Hawaiian champion – and father:

“My concern is always for him. I said it before, even though we’re fighting, I still have respect and love for the guy. He has a family, he has a kid and I don’t want to be the guy that triggers something bad to happen. I wouldn’t like to live with myself with that.”

The post Brian Ortega Wonders Why Max Holloway’s Health Issues Remain Unknown appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Last night’s (Sat., December 1, 2018) classic heavyweight title fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury has the fight game buzzing. It’s time Fury reacts to the amazing-yet-controversial bout.

The fight was a back-and-forth battle that played to both men’s strengths (watch full highlights here) and featured many moments of intrigue. It was declared a controversial split-decision draw on the judges’ scorecards, a result that had most onlookers aghast at how Fury had lost.

“The Gypsy King” spent most of the fight stifling Wilder’s power punches with his unorthodox movement and technical precision. Wilder had his huge moments when he dropped Fury twice. He nearly knocked him out with a vicious two-punch combination in the twelfth round. Fury looked almost out cold but somehow got back to his feet to even fight back before the fight concluded. The belief was that Fury had it in the bag despite the two knockdowns, but that wasn’t the case.

In his post-fight interview with SHOWTIME Boxing (via SportingNews.com), Fury reacted to the draw. He said fighting on American soil played a part in the narrow draw, but it’s something he’s used to:

“Listen, we are on away soil and I got knocked down twice, but I still believe I won the fight, and I believe every man in here believes I won too. But I’m showing total professionalism here. I’m a true champion, a true warrior. I went to Germany to fight [Wladimir] Klitschko and I’ve come to America to fight Wilder. That’s what I do.”

A Special Set Of Skills

Fury has fought back from long odds due to his lengthy battle with substance abuse and mental health issues in 2016 and 2017. He’s clearly back in shape, and his movement against Wilder proved that. He touted his unique skillset, yet wouldn’t disparage his heated rival Wilder:

“I’m what you call a professional athlete who loves to box. I’m 6-9 and 260 pounds — I don’t know anyone on the planet who can move like that. That man is a fearsome puncher, but I avoided his shots tonight. I’m not going to take anything from Wilder, he’s a great champion and a great man. I thank him for the opportunity.”

His respect for Wilder aside, however, Fury put it succinctly when he stated his belief he should still be champion:

“But the world knows the truth. I thought I won the fight. I should be taking the belt home.”

Wilder Second Best?

As for his unreal rise from a massive two-punch combo from Wilder that knocked him down in the last round, Fury said he had divine forces watching over him and just wouldn’t be knocked out. He thinks Wilder is the second-best heavyweight in the world:

“I am a fighting man. Jesus has got his power over me — I was never going to be knocked out tonight. I got put down by some good shots but showed good heart to get back up. I came here and fought my heart out — he [Wilder] is the second best heavyweight behind me.”

Overall, Fury seemed positive even though he thought he won. He offered a final perspective on his current state:

“None of us can complain, both of us are going home to our families.”

The post Tyson Fury Reacts To Controversial Draw With Deontay Wilder appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Kamaru Usman put on a frighteningly dominant performance (watch highlights here) over former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of last night’s (Fri., November 30, 2018) The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 28 Finale from The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The victory kept “The Nigerian Nightmare” undefeated in the UFC. It also has him on the edge of title contention. If you listen to UFC President Dana White, Usman may just be there already. White offered his adulation of Usman’s performance on the FOX Sports 1 post-fight show. In a rare move, he admitted he was wrong about the outspoken wrestler:

“Listen man, I haven’t given the kid any credit yet because I felt like he talked too much and didn’t do enough. So we put him in there with a guy I have a lot of respect for, former world champion “RDA,” and Usman looked like a stud tonight.”

Title Shot Next?

White said Usman fought so effectively that he wants to see him fight welterweight champ Tyron Woodley:

“You know from the first round, he actually got stronger as the fight went on, throwing tons of punches, kicks, wrestling. Stood up and went toe-to-toe with him a few times. I was impressed. I’m telling you, I wanna see the Woodley fight, that’s what I want. But we’ll see.”

The next shot was expected to go to interim champion Colby Covington. But White didn’t sound so optimistic for “Chaos’s” chances due to his inactivity. It was somewhat strange to hear considering Covington just beat dos Anjos in his last appearance as well.

Because of Usman’s more recent domination, he wants that match-up instead:

“I mean, it was a great fight. Covington’s obviously there. I’m one of these guys, man, I’m always like, if you just fought and you came off a great performance against a stud like ‘RDA,’ I’m looking at you. Covington hasn’t fought in a while, he got injured, he didn’t defend his title, you know, all that stuff. Listen, in one fight, I used to talk a lot of smack about Usman and in one fight, this guy turned me around. And you know, makes me excited to see the Woodley fight.”

White was then asked about other top 170-pound contenders that Usman could face instead of the title fight. He admitted that while there were other good challengers, he has tunnel vision for the Woodley fight:

“Yeah, we’ll see. You know, you’re right. There’s obviously a couple of good options out there, but after seeing what I saw, all I can think of is Woodley.”

The post Dana White Wants To See Kamaru Usman Fight Tyron Woodley Next appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Longtime SBG coach John Kavanagh apparently hasn’t spoken to his star pupil Conor McGregor since UFC 229.

The former two-division champ was submitted with relative ease by Khabib Nurmagomedov in the fourth round of their anticipated title bout. Since then, McGregor has requested an immediate rematch. But that prospect will have to wait right now due to several reasons.

Both McGregor and Khabib are facing sanctions from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for their part in the post-fight brawl at UFC 229. McGregor has also been focused on selling his Proper Twelve whiskey. As for the fight, McGregor did provide his own lengthy breakdown of what went wrong. In it, he did state he could have ‘listened to himself more.’ That lead to speculation he doubted the strategy of his trainers.

Kavanagh was recently asked if there was some discord during an interview on True Geordie Clips (via MMA Mania), and his answer was a bit cryptic. He said he didn’t know if McGregor was unhappy with his coaching. In fact, he hasn’t seen nor heard from McGregor since UFC 229:

“The honest answer is I don’t know. I haven’t actually spoken to him, I haven’t really seen him since the fight. I’ve hit the ground running, got so much on. He’s doing his whiskey tours of the world. It’s sold out, it’s crazy.

“I don’t know, you’re going to ask me to get into the mind of another human, and I just can’t do it. He said what he said and you’d have to get him as your next guest, fingers crossed, and ask him.”

Disagreement?

One could certainly read into this more than necessary. It seems there may be some discord on how the fight played out. Indeed Kavanagh touched on that lightly by saying there were some ‘slight’ disagreements at how he approached Khabib early:

“He did wanna feel the clinch early. Maybe some slight disagreements on that end, but he did want to feel that end. He was just like, ‘Come on, go for your takedown, let’s feel the clinch.’

But it was just, it’s a competitiveness. The guy’s great at kicking, let’s exchange kicks, let’s see what that feels like. Whatever area you’re great at, alright come on, show me.”

Kavanagh was then asked if he thought that was McGregor’s ego coming into play. He responded by saying it was more curiosity:

“I think it’s almost like it’s interesting to him. Everybody talks about it, let’s do it. I don’t know if it’s ego, I don’t know what it is, I think it’s curiosity.”

Ego aside, that obviously wasn’t the best strategy against the top grappler in MMA right now. Regardless, McGregor and Kavanagh are doing their own things and their paths haven’t crossed since UFC 229.

There’s a lot of red tape to bypass before McGregor can truly return to the Octagon. But there’s also little question that he will at some point when the NSAC issues are behind him. We’ll see if he works out a different strategy with his coach when he does.

The post Kavanagh: I Haven’t Seen Or Spoken To Conor McGregor Since UFC 229 appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.