It’s hard to pick just 10, especially given a burgeoning new guard of UFC action fighters.
That’s what makes this job so hard. You think it’s easy to narrow down the 10 UFC fighters who are the most fun to watch? I beg to differ, sir or madam. I beg to…
It’s hard to pick just 10, especially given a burgeoning new guard of UFC action fighters.
That’s what makes this job so hard. You think it’s easy to narrow down the 10 UFC fighters who are the most fun to watch? I beg to differ, sir or madam. I beg to differ. So you want to be a slideshow writer…
The group we did end up selecting (plus the considerable honorable mentions list) pulls from a newer generation along with the more familiar contingent. Yes, purveyors of the spinning stuff figure prominently—we’re not made of stone—but there is such a thing as an exciting grappler, and we have those as well.
Be it for their individual fighting style, aggression, in-cage flair, finishing ability or some combination, these 10 guys and gals are must-see TV in the UFC. Extra weight given to fighters who are more active in current competition. After all, you can only be so exciting if you only fight once a year.
Before the co-main event got started at UFC 207, T.J. Dillashaw and John Lineker went toe-to-toe inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While the bout wasn’t a guaranteed title eliminator, Dillashaw certainly fought as if it was.
The Elevation Fight Team member turned in a dominant performance, sweeping the scorecards 30-26. Lineker never got started and what happened to him in the first round certainly didn’t help. “Hands of Stone” told MMAFighting.com that his jaw was broken in the opening frame thanks to a head kick:
“I felt a pop right away. I wasn’t dizzy or anything like that, but I felt a pop. I thought ‘it was just the kick, no problem,’ but it started to hurt a lot in the second round. I truly felt it in the third, when I took all of his punches.”
Lineker thought he was in the clear post-fight until he tried eating. At that point, the bantamweight, “felt the pain and it didn’t stop.”
“Hands of Stone” was in so much pain that he underwent an MRI immediately. That’s when the diagnosis was revealed.
“It was time to go back to the hotel, and I couldn’t handle the pain anymore. I told my wife to call my manager, and I couldn’t wait until the next morning. We called the UFC doctor, and they sent me back to the hotel to do some exams, and a MRI showed two fractures.”
It’s a tough situation for Lineker, who is known for his exciting style. “Hands of Stone” has never been one to shy away from trading shots with his opponents. It cost him at UFC 207 against the former bantamweight champion. Lineker was handed a six-month medical suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). He can return sooner if he is cleared by an ENT or oral maxillofacial surgeon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxzO7LM25Ks
Before the co-main event got started at UFC 207, T.J. Dillashaw and John Lineker went toe-to-toe inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While the bout wasn’t a guaranteed title eliminator, Dillashaw certainly fought as if it was.
The Elevation Fight Team member turned in a dominant performance, sweeping the scorecards 30-26. Lineker never got started and what happened to him in the first round certainly didn’t help. “Hands of Stone” told MMAFighting.com that his jaw was broken in the opening frame thanks to a head kick:
“I felt a pop right away. I wasn’t dizzy or anything like that, but I felt a pop. I thought ‘it was just the kick, no problem,’ but it started to hurt a lot in the second round. I truly felt it in the third, when I took all of his punches.”
Lineker thought he was in the clear post-fight until he tried eating. At that point, the bantamweight, “felt the pain and it didn’t stop.”
“Hands of Stone” was in so much pain that he underwent an MRI immediately. That’s when the diagnosis was revealed.
“It was time to go back to the hotel, and I couldn’t handle the pain anymore. I told my wife to call my manager, and I couldn’t wait until the next morning. We called the UFC doctor, and they sent me back to the hotel to do some exams, and a MRI showed two fractures.”
It’s a tough situation for Lineker, who is known for his exciting style. “Hands of Stone” has never been one to shy away from trading shots with his opponents. It cost him at UFC 207 against the former bantamweight champion. Lineker was handed a six-month medical suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). He can return sooner if he is cleared by an ENT or oral maxillofacial surgeon.
Amanda Nunes’ pummeling of Ronda Rousey at UFC 207 last weekend means that the former champ is required to take a six-week break from action.
Confirmation of post-fight medical suspensions was issued on Tuesday by The Nevada State Athletic Commission. Question marks may still hang over Rousey’s return to the octagon, but what is certainly out of her hands is a mandatory suspension from competitive action until February 14th.
“Rowdy” is not alone in the incurring of a suspension. Co-headliner Dominick Cruz’s title loss to Cody Garbrandt also came with a significant cut above his eye. The damage incurred in the bout with “No Love” means that Cruz is too restricted from activity until February 2016. Garbrandt is also suspended, but only until January 30th.
Another mandatory, six-month suspension looks to be on the cards for Ray Borg, following the left ankle injury suffered during his fight with Louis Smolka. The commission have requested x-rays to be produced by “The TazMexican Devil”. Should a break be confirmed, an orthopedic doctor’s clearance will be required in lieu of a suspension until June 29th.
Alex Oliveira’s no contest bout with Tim Means at UFC 207 was notable for the illegal blows which broke his nose. Oliveira must obtain clearance from a doctor, or also face maximum punishment which will also rule him out until June 29th.
UFC 207: Amanda Nunes vs. Ronda Rousey – suspension list:
Ronda Rousey — suspended until 2/14/17 with no contact until 1/30/17
Cody Garbrandt — suspended until 1/30/17 with no contact until 1/21/17
Dominick Cruz — suspended until 2/14/17 with no contact until 1/30/17 due to left eyebrow laceration
John Lineker — Must have broken jaw cleared by ENT or oral maxillofacial surgeon or no contest until 6/29/17; minimum suspension until 1/30/17 with no contact until 1/21/17
Ray Borg — Must have left ankle x-rayed. If positive then he must have clearance by an orthopedic doctor or no contest until 6/29/17; minimum suspension until 1/30/17 with no contact until 1/21/17
Louis Smolka — suspended until 2/14/17 with no contact until 1/30/17 due to lacerations on both eyes
Johny Hendricks — suspended until 2/14/17 with no contact until 1/30/17 due to right scalp laceration
Marvin Vettori — suspended until 1/21/17 with no contact until 1/14/17
Mike Pyle — suspended until 3/1/17 with no contact until 2/14/17
Niko Price — Must have right big toe x-rayed, if positive then must be cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until 6/29/17. Minimum suspension until 1/30/17 with no contact until 1/21/17
Alex Oliveira — Must have broken nose cleared by ENT doctor or no contest until 6/29/17. Minimum suspension until 3/1/17 with no contact until 2/14/17
Amanda Nunes’ pummeling of Ronda Rousey at UFC 207 last weekend means that the former champ is required to take a six-week break from action.
Confirmation of post-fight medical suspensions was issued on Tuesday by The Nevada State Athletic Commission. Question marks may still hang over Rousey’s return to the octagon, but what is certainly out of her hands is a mandatory suspension from competitive action until February 14th.
“Rowdy” is not alone in the incurring of a suspension. Co-headliner Dominick Cruz’s title loss to Cody Garbrandt also came with a significant cut above his eye. The damage incurred in the bout with “No Love” means that Cruz is too restricted from activity until February 2016. Garbrandt is also suspended, but only until January 30th.
Another mandatory, six-month suspension looks to be on the cards for Ray Borg, following the left ankle injury suffered during his fight with Louis Smolka. The commission have requested x-rays to be produced by “The TazMexican Devil”. Should a break be confirmed, an orthopedic doctor’s clearance will be required in lieu of a suspension until June 29th.
Alex Oliveira’s no contest bout with Tim Means at UFC 207 was notable for the illegal blows which broke his nose. Oliveira must obtain clearance from a doctor, or also face maximum punishment which will also rule him out until June 29th.
UFC 207: Amanda Nunes vs. Ronda Rousey – suspension list:
Ronda Rousey — suspended until 2/14/17 with no contact until 1/30/17
Cody Garbrandt — suspended until 1/30/17 with no contact until 1/21/17
Dominick Cruz — suspended until 2/14/17 with no contact until 1/30/17 due to left eyebrow laceration
John Lineker — Must have broken jaw cleared by ENT or oral maxillofacial surgeon or no contest until 6/29/17; minimum suspension until 1/30/17 with no contact until 1/21/17
Ray Borg — Must have left ankle x-rayed. If positive then he must have clearance by an orthopedic doctor or no contest until 6/29/17; minimum suspension until 1/30/17 with no contact until 1/21/17
Louis Smolka — suspended until 2/14/17 with no contact until 1/30/17 due to lacerations on both eyes
Johny Hendricks — suspended until 2/14/17 with no contact until 1/30/17 due to right scalp laceration
Marvin Vettori — suspended until 1/21/17 with no contact until 1/14/17
Mike Pyle — suspended until 3/1/17 with no contact until 2/14/17
Niko Price — Must have right big toe x-rayed, if positive then must be cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until 6/29/17. Minimum suspension until 1/30/17 with no contact until 1/21/17
Alex Oliveira — Must have broken nose cleared by ENT doctor or no contest until 6/29/17. Minimum suspension until 3/1/17 with no contact until 2/14/17
The main card of the epic UFC 207 pay-per-view (PPV) last night (Friday December 30, 2016) featured a pivotal bout in the UFC’s 135-pound division, as No. 1-ranked TJ Dillashaw and No. 2-ranked knockout artist John Lineker went to war. In the first round Dillashaw was able to utilize his unique movement to land some
The main card of the epic UFC 207 pay-per-view (PPV) last night (Friday December 30, 2016) featured a pivotal bout in the UFC’s 135-pound division, as No. 1-ranked TJ Dillashaw and No. 2-ranked knockout artist John Lineker went to war.
In the first round Dillashaw was able to utilize his unique movement to land some stiff strikes on ‘Hands Of Stone’, taking the Brazilian down nearly at will whenever he shot in. Dillashaw would take the first round with a dominating performance.
The second round would feature more of Dillashaw’s impressive ground game, as he again easily took Lineker to the ground and dropped some nasty ground-and-pound. The fight could have arguably been stopped at the end of the round but Lineker was able to survive until the end of the round.
Lineker was able to land a few good shots in the third round, however, Dillashaw was again the better fighter in the final five minutes of the fight.
You can check out the full fight video highlights here:
Former UFC bantamweight title-holder TJ Dillashaw has quite the battle ahead of him this weekend (Friday December 30, 2016) when he takes on knockout artist John Lineker at UFC 207, in hopes of returning to title contention with a potential win in the T-Mobile Arena. Dillashaw once reigned as the 135-pound king in the UFC
Former UFC bantamweight title-holder TJ Dillashaw has quite the battle ahead of him this weekend (Friday December 30, 2016) when he takes on knockout artist John Lineker at UFC 207, in hopes of returning to title contention with a potential win in the T-Mobile Arena.
Dillashaw once reigned as the 135-pound king in the UFC while Dominick Cruz nursed injuries for a lengthy period of time, but upon ‘The Dominator’s’ return Cruz took home a split decision win to reclaim his title in a razor close contest. Dillashaw has campaigned hard for a rematch with Cruz, however, he has instead been given bouts with Raphael Assuncao and now Lineker since dropping the title.
Cruz on the other hand has successfully defended his title against Dillashaw’s former teammate Urijah Faber and will co-main event UFC 207 in another title defense against yet another former training partner of Dillashaw, Cody Garbrandt.
In the midst of the crowded bantamweight title picture, Dillashaw has since aligned himself with the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association (MMAAA) in effort to fight for better working conditions for UFC fighters. During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Dillashaw admitted that his alliance with the MMAAA has struck fear in him that it might affect his stance with the promotion:
“It does scare me,” Dillashaw said. “It’s definitely in the back of my head.”
MMAAA frontman and former Bellator MMA President and CEO Bjorn Rebney and UFC President Dana White have not been too fond of one another during recent interviews, and Dillashaw hopes a rivalry between the UFC and MMAAA is beginning to form because of it:
“I hope this whole MMAAA isn’t a rivalry thing; I really hope it’s for the better of the fighters,” he said. “I think if they go and continue to screw over fighters from CAA, they’re going to continue to prove they’re not doing what’s right for the fighters.”
Since aligning with the association Dillashaw claims he has not yet faced any scrutiny from the UFC, other than being avoided for another shot at the 135-pound title, but will have to make a bigger ‘stink’ about things if he is overlooked once again with a potential win over Lineker this Friday:
“Other than getting avoided for title shots, I have no proof of being screwed over,” he said. “If it happens again, we’ll have to figure something out. I’ll have to make a bigger stink in the media that they are treating fighters wrongly. It’s just not professional. This is a sport. There shouldn’t be any grudges on who I’m managed by. It’s not my fault, to punish me just because you don’t like my management.”
For now Dillashaw remains focused on the task at hand, Lineker, and the opportunity to get back into the Octagon with Cruz for the bantamweight title; and he plans on doing just that by making a statement in Vegas with a finish over ‘Hands Of Stone’:
“I think I always want to make a statement, no matter who I’m fighting,” he said. “I want to go out there and entertain. I’m not going to go out of my comfort zone and possibly get too crazy and lose a fight. But no matter what happens, as long as I beat John Lineker, I’m making a statement. I will finish the guy.”
UFC 207 will go down live on pay-per-view (PPV) from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday night (December 30, 2016). The card will be headlined by the return of former women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey, who takes on Amanda Nunes for the 135-pound title.
The UFC’s end-of-the-year, big-card tradition continues in 2016, with UFC 207. The event features the return of Ronda Rousey, a pair of title fights and an impressive roster of matchups, from main card to Fight Pass prelims. Among the many intriguing c…
The UFC’s end-of-the-year, big-card tradition continues in 2016, with UFC 207. The event features the return of Ronda Rousey, a pair of title fights and an impressive roster of matchups, from main card to Fight Pass prelims. Among the many intriguing contests is a bantamweight showdown between surging contender John Lineker and former champion T.J. Dillashaw.
Dillashaw won the division’s title in 2014, defeating RenanBarao, who had risen to prominence in the injury-induced absence of Dominick Cruz. When Cruz returned in 2016, he reclaimed his throne from Dillashaw, tumbling The Ultimate Fighter veteran back to contendership. Dillashaw has since rebounded with a victory, and looks to make it two in a row at UFC 207.
Lineker, a former flyweight who had too many issues making the 125-pound cut off, has never looked better since moving to bantamweight last year. He’s rallied for four straight wins (six straight overall), including a pair of finishes in his new weight class.
Dillashaw vs. Lineker has the distinct smell of a title eliminator. The question is, which fighter will emerge with the W?
In preparation of the bantamweight scrap, Bleacher Report examines the matchup, finding the places each fighter holds an edge and ultimately determining which man is the probable victor.
For now Dillashaw remains focused on the task at hand, Lineker, and the opportunity to get back into the Octagon with Cruz for the bantamweight title; and he plans on doing just that by making a statement in Vegas with a finish over ‘Hands Of Stone’: