Tag: Karate Combat

Karate Combat President Says Qatar is Embarrassed by ONE Championship

Asim Zaidi karate combat one championshipThe president of Karate Combat had some choice words for ONE Championship. According to Asim Zaidi, AKA President Awesome,…

Asim Zaidi karate combat one championship

The president of Karate Combat had some choice words for ONE Championship. According to Asim Zaidi, AKA President Awesome, Qatar invested in ONE earlier but since has regretted partnering with them.

ONE Championship in Qatar

ONE Championship had a sizeable investment from Qatar in 2021 and later hosted a 2024 event in the country with ONE 166: Qatar. Qatari-based sponsors such as Qatar Airways and Ooredoo have withdrawn their support for the organization. Additionally, the Karate Combat President explained that the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is not happy with their investment.

Karate Combat has recently declared war on ONE Championship and is hosting an event in ONE’s former home of Singapore. On September 18, Karate Combat will go down in Singapore.

Speaking in an interview with former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping, Asim Zaidi, AKA President Awesome, explained:

“To add to this, Qatar, one of ONE Championship’s major investors, publicly stated their embarrassment over investing in ONE FC. You can find articles about this if you look it up. This was the final straw for me. They weren’t just messing with me; they were impacting fighters’ careers during their prime. So, I decided to take action. We’re throwing an event on September 18th in Singapore, aiming to provide opportunities for former ONE FC fighters and Asian fighters and show them that there’s an alternative to what I see as a dictatorship.”

According to DealStreetAsia, ONE Championship may not be in a great financial position. The company also had multiple rounds of layoffs in 2023. Several fighters and former employees are openly complaining about their contracts with ONE and being unable to get a fight. This included names such as Jiu Jitsu talent Marcus Buchecha, former two-division champion Reinier de Ridder, and kickboxing world champion Chingiz Allazov.

Currently, ONE is mainly focused on Muay Thai in Thailand and promoting events in the USA. A shift from their former strategy of working in Singapore. Only time will tell if they are successful.

MMA News Today: Tom Aspinall Comes Clean On Fake Pre-Fight Routine, Aljamain Sterling Wins Karate Combat Debut In The Final Seconds, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 26, 2024, we’re taking a look at: Tom Aspinall Finally Admits That Strange Pre-Fight Preparations Was A Joke Ahead of his interim heavyweight title defense at UFC 304, Tom Aspinall revealed a unique pre-fight process […]

Continue Reading MMA News Today: Tom Aspinall Comes Clean On Fake Pre-Fight Routine, Aljamain Sterling Wins Karate Combat Debut In The Final Seconds, & More at MMA News.

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 26, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

  • Aspinall finally puts the petrol rumors to rest
  • Sterling got his hand raised after clutching the match in the final seconds
  • Holloway gives massive praise to UFC 304 fighter

Tom Aspinall Finally Admits That Strange Pre-Fight Preparations Was A Joke

Ahead of his interim heavyweight title defense at UFC 304, Tom Aspinall revealed a unique pre-fight process that he was putting himself through in preparation.

The Brit told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that he was following the methods of classic bare knuckle boxers by shadow boxing around haybales and dipping his hands in petrol each night.

Some instantly called it out that Aspinall was in fact trying to trick Helwani but after he didn’t crack a smile at any point, others thought the champion might be telling the truth.

A video posted on fight week shows one half of this weekend’s co-main event calling Helwani in the middle of the night to provide evidence of his preparations.

After leading him on for a bit longer, Aspinall confessed that it was all a joke and that he’s having to tell the truth after people thought he was being serious about it.

Aljamain Sterling Pulls Off A Clutch Win In Karate Combat Grappling Debut

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling made his Karate Combat debut on July 25, where he got his hand raised in the final seconds of the contest.

Competing in the Pit Submission Series, he secured the win over Jay Jay Wilson at Karate Combat 48 in Nashville.

The contest was nearly about to end in a points draw but with the clock ticking down to the final seconds, Sterling was able to pass guard and take his opponent’s back to score the winning point in the dying moments.

After the match, a fired-up Sterling said that his full focus is now on handing Movsar Evloev his first loss in a crucial featherweight match-up at UFC 307 in October.

Also of note for this grappling match is that Sterling weighed in at a staggering 171-pounds.

Sterling even received praise from his former opponent and the current UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley who phoned in during the match.

Max Holloway Praises The Fight IQ Of UFC 304 Fighter: ‘Super High, Super Smart’

Max Holloway believes that the main event of UFC 304 will be a battle between two tacticians that rarely stray from their gameplans.

Both the welterweight champion Leon Edwards and his challenger Belal Muhammad aren’t known for going out there and being involved in wars.

With a fight like this, it will come down to which man is able to implement their approach the best and with that in mind, Holloway is backing the champ to retain in Manchester.

He broke down the card during a recent YouTube video where “Blessed” spoke extremely high of Edwards’s ability to read and control a fight.

“Belal is a tactician. he’s a gameplanner. He does not stray away from his gameplan,” Holloway said. “But so does Leon, bro. Leon is a tactician. He’s a gameplanner. He sticks to his gameplan no matter what. … A lot of people were counting Leon out (ahead of the Covington fight) like he was gonna get grappled.

“Leon is one of the very few IQs in this game that I respect, man,” Holloway continued. “His fight IQ is super high, super smart. It’s just hard to go against the champ here, bro. I think Belal puts on a fight. Early in the fight, I think it’s a tough fight. But then when we get to the third and then the championship rounds, I think Leon is gonna take over.”

Read more on the story here.

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Continue Reading MMA News Today: Tom Aspinall Comes Clean On Fake Pre-Fight Routine, Aljamain Sterling Wins Karate Combat Debut In The Final Seconds, & More at MMA News.

Michael Bisping welcomes trilogy fight with rival Luke Rockhold with Karate Combat: ‘I’d do it, 100 percent’

Michael Bisping welcomes trilogy fight with Luke Rockhold in Karate Combat I'd do it 100 percentMichael Bisping could be coming out of retirement to face Luke Rockhold at Karate Combat. Rockhold is coming off…

Michael Bisping welcomes trilogy fight with Luke Rockhold in Karate Combat I'd do it 100 percent

Michael Bisping could be coming out of retirement to face Luke Rockhold at Karate Combat.

Rockhold is coming off a knockout win over Joe Schilling in his Karate Combat debut over the weekend. It was a great performance from the former UFC middleweight champion, and now, Bisping says he’s interested in the trilogy match with Rockhold.

“Luke Rockhold [vs. Joe Schilling], I was doing a live to it, and everyone’s like, ‘You gotta do the trilogy.’ I’ll do Karate Kombat against Luke Rockhold. I’ll do it. I will have a trilogy with Luke Rockhold in Karate Kombat. I would love to… This is gathering momentum a little too quickly, let me see my hip doctor first and get my neck sorted. I’m joking. I’d do it. 100% I would,” Bisping said on his podcast.

Michael Bisping UFC
Mandatory Credit: Mike Roach – Zuffa LLC

Michael Bisping welcomes trilogy bout with Luke Rockhold

If Karate Combat can sign Michael Bisping and make the trilogy with Luke Rockhold, it would be a massive fight for the promotion to secure. But, whether or not Bisping can be cleared with his eye is uncertain.

Luke Rockhold shows interest in Lyoto Machida rematch

Although Michael Bisping is interested in having his trilogy with Luke Rockhold at Karate Combat, the former middleweight champion called out Lyoto Machida.

Michael Bisping, 2023, UFC
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Rockhold and Machida fought in the UFC in 2015 and Rockhold won by submission, which was the fight that got him the title shot. After his knockout over Joe Schilling, he called out Machida for his next appearance in Karate Combat.

Luke Rockhold eyes potential UFC return despite retiring it's on my terms

“There’s only one man I wanna fight in this pit, and that’s Lyoto Machida,” Rockhold said in his post-fight interview in Dubai (via MMAFighting). “And you’re lucky because they don’t allow elbows, so no more f****** nightmares about the elbows. Bring it. Let’s see what you got, let’s see what your paychecks look like. Bring out that chequebook. Lyoto, I know you need a payday, motherf*cker. Come get it.”

Rockhold has options for his next fight as both Bisping and Machida have now expressed interest in fighting him in Karate Combat.

Ex-UFC champ Luke Rockhold knocks out Joe Schilling in Karate Combat debut – KC 45 Highlights

MixCollage 20 Apr 2024 02 45 PM 1389Luke Rockhold made a statement in his Karate Combat debut. Taking center stage at KC 45 in Dubai, the…

MixCollage 20 Apr 2024 02 45 PM 1389

Luke Rockhold made a statement in his Karate Combat debut.

Taking center stage at KC 45 in Dubai, the former UFC middleweight champion left The Pit with a busted nose, but also an impressive win over former GLORY Kickboxing and Bellator MMA standout Joe Schilling.

Schilling came out immediately putting pressure on Rockhold and backing his opponent up against the wall. Despite controlling The Pit, Schilling offered little in the way of offense in the opening round as Rockhold attacked with his legs, repeatedly going high with the head kick and punishing Schilling’s lead leg. 

Luke Rockhold

After being trigger-shy in the first three minutes, Schilling came out swinging in the second. Rockhold was again able to use his kicks to create space and circle the outside of The Pit before scoring a brief takedown. After being separated by the referee, Rockhold took Schilling down once again, landing some solid ground-and-pound strikes.

Somewhere in the fracas, Rockhold’s nose was busted open and began pouring blood. 

As Schilling continued his pursuit near the halfway point of the third round, Rockhold landed a massive overhand right that sent ‘Stitch ’em Up’ crashing to the canvas. Rockhold followed it up with a few ground-and-pound strikes, forcing the referee to step in and call for the stoppage. 

Official Result: Luke Rockhold def. Joe Schilling via TKO 

Luke Rockhold

Check Out Highlights From Luke Rockhold vs. Joe Schilling at Karate Combat 45:

UFC veteran Sam Alvey claims fighters get paid ‘Way more than we deserve’: ‘They’re paying us more than fair’

Sam Alvey claims UFC fighters get paid way more than they deserve paid fairlyFormer UFC middleweight and light heavyweight Sam Alvey doesn’t think fighter pay is much of a problem. Alvey fought…

Sam Alvey claims UFC fighters get paid way more than they deserve paid fairly

Former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight Sam Alvey doesn’t think fighter pay is much of a problem.

Alvey fought in the UFC from 2014 until 2023 and went 10-13-1 in the promotion, but ended his tenure going 0-8-1. Despite his struggles, the UFC kept him around, which he is thankful for as he knows the promotion pays fighters more than they deserve.

Sam Alvey UFC 2
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“The UFC pays us way more than we deserve,” Sam Alvey told Ultimate Punching (via MMAFighting). “You have some of the superstars like the [Justin] Gaethje’s and the [Max] Holloway’s and the Jon Jones’, those guys get paid what they get paid. But most of the card gets paid way more than we’re worth.”

Although some fighters have complained about the pay, Alvey isn’t one of them. Instead, he says he was treated more than fair and points ot his first win in the UFC and the compensation he got.

“My first win in the UFC was over in Australia,” Alvey said. “They flew me and my corner out there, and then they flew my opponent, his corner out there. We got off the plane, they gave us $1000, they get off the plane, give them $1000. “We did the math and by the end of our fight, the UFC probably spent $50,000 to $70,000 on our fight and didn’t make a penny off us. I mean, nobody tuned in to watch ‘Smilin’’ Sam Alvey. Nobody tuned in to watch Dylan Andrews. They still paid me $70,000, or they paid ‘us,’ to have us fight, $70,000. It’s a crazy amount. We did nothing to deserve that.”

Sam Alvey says UFC takes a bet on fighters

Sam Alvey points to several UFC fighters not becoming stars and washing out of the promotion after a couple of fights, which actually costs the UFC money.

Sam Alvey Karate Combat
Mandatory Credit: Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire

With that, Alvey says when fighters get to the UFC they are paid more than what they deserve as not many fans know the debuting fighters.

“They paid that with the hopes we’d become the Max Holloway’s or the Conor McGregor’s, or ‘Smilin’’ Sam, like I eventually did,” Sam Alvey continued. “But they’re putting a big bet on that in the beginning.

Sam Alvey UFC 2 1
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“As you rise in the rankings, they pay you more and more and more. Now, people also overestimate how many people watch the UFC. We are still — as much as I have made in my career, my passion, and my love, and I’m surrounded by UFC — it is still such a small sport in the grand scheme of things.”

“The biggest event you could ever imagine, which was Conor vs. Khabib [Nurmagomedov], they fit it in the MGM, there was like 15,000 to 17,000 people there. In a mid-season worthless game, the NBA has close to 50,000 people there. It’s ridiculous to compare the sports. They’re paying us more than fair and they’re taking a big risk with every fighter they have.”

Since being released from the UFC, Alvey has been competing in Karate Combat.

Ex-UFC star Luke Rockhold signs with Karate Combat, set to fight Joe Schilling in April debut in Dubai

Luke Rockhold signs with Karate Combat set to fight Joe Schilling in April debut in DubaiFormer undisputed UFC middleweight champion continues his combat sports career outside of the Octagon following a recent venture to…

Luke Rockhold signs with Karate Combat set to fight Joe Schilling in April debut in Dubai

Former undisputed UFC middleweight champion continues his combat sports career outside of the Octagon following a recent venture to bare knuckle fighting – this time penning a deal to compete under the Karate Combat banner against kickboxing talent, Joe Schilling in an April 20. debut in Dubai.

Rockhold, a former undisputed middleweight titleholder under both the UFC and the now-defunct Strikeforce banner, has been sidelined from combat sports since he suffered a second round TKO loss to fellow Octagon alum, Mike Perry back in April of last year in his debut with BKFC.

Luke Rockhold eyes potential UFC return despite retiring it's on my terms

As for Schilling, the former Bellator MMA kickboxer and mixed martial artist has been sidelined from combat sports since a 2019 knockout loss to Tony Johnson at Bellator 229 – with his record slumping to 4-6 as a professional.

Luke Rockhold signs with Karate Combat, booked for April debut

And according to a report from MMA Junkie this Wednesday evening, Luke Rockhold will make his return to combat sports alongside Ohio striker, Joe Schilling – with the duo headlining a Karate Combat card on April 20. in Dubai. 

Making his most recent Octagon outing back in 2022, Luke Rockhold suffered his third consecutive defeat in the form of a unanimous decision loss to former title challenger, Paulo Costa, before confirming his decision to retire from MMA in the immediate aftermath.

Luke Rockhold

During his tenure with the promotion, Santa Cruz native, Rockhold landed the middleweight title with an eventual fourth round ground strikes TKO win over Chris Weidman back in 2015.

Rockhold’s most recent victory in mixed martial arts came in the form of a second round strikes to submission win over David Branch in the pair’s UFC Fight Night Pittsburg main event fight back in 2017. 

Joe Schilling stand your ground law Florida KO bar avoids lawsuit
Mandatory Credit: Bellator MMA

Back in 2013, the above-mentioned Schilling won the GLORY Kickboxing middleweight World Champion Tournament with a decision win over Russian striker ace, Artem Levin.

Who wins in their Karate Combat showdown: Luke Rockhold or Joe Schilling?