Tag: Las Vegas

Coach: It’s Going To Be An Early Night For Nate Diaz

With lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos pulling out of his scheduled super fight with featherweight champion Conor McGregor, it was announced last night that Nate Diaz will step in to meet McGregor on just 11 day’s notice in the main event of March 5’s UFC 195. While a title won’t be on the line, McGregor

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With lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos pulling out of his scheduled super fight with featherweight champion Conor McGregor, it was announced last night that Nate Diaz will step in to meet McGregor on just 11 day’s notice in the main event of March 5’s UFC 195.

While a title won’t be on the line, McGregor vs. Diaz is still a huge fight in its own right. Not only do the two possess contrasting styles of striking, but they also happen to be two of the best trash talkers in the sport, even having a history with each other to show for it.

As for how the fight will play out, it’s hard to tell given the short notice.

The “Notorious” one infamously predicted that he would “dust” dos Anjos in less than a minute, and it appears as if Team McGregor feels just as confident going up against the Stockton native.

McGregor’s long-time head coach, John Kavanagh, recently spoke on the fight, noting some of Diaz’s past performances, including his 2013 knockout loss to Josh Thomson.

All in all, Kavanagh doesn’t feel as if this one is going to last too long (via The42.ie):

“You must be ready for every type of opponent. As for Nate, if you look at his last fight when he beat Michael Johnson by decision, Michael comes from a great team but he is quite new to striking, yet he still managed to land a lot of shots. Josh Thomson badly lit Nate up when they fought in 2013. The Diaz brothers are known for walking through shots but Nate doesn’t quite have Nick’s ability to absorb punishment. It’s a different ballgame when you face somebody who has been striking for their entire life, as opposed to a wrestler who’s still trying to develop their striking. I think it will be an early night for Nate.”

The weight at which this bout is taking place at is also interesting to note.

McGregor, who holds a title at 145-pounds, was jumping up ten pounds to clash with dos Anjos, but he will now move up two whole weight classes to fight Diaz at welterweight.

Who do you see walking away with the victory in this highly anticipated affair?

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Quote: McGregor Is A Simpler Fight Than dos Anjos

Reigning UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is slated to defend his title in the main event of March 5’s UFC 196 against brash and outspoken featherweight champion the “Notorious” Conor McGregor. The Irish challenger will look to become the first man in promotional history to hold two belts at one time, and if he

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Reigning UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is slated to defend his title in the main event of March 5’s UFC 196 against brash and outspoken featherweight champion the “Notorious” Conor McGregor.

The Irish challenger will look to become the first man in promotional history to hold two belts at one time, and if he can topple the Brazilian champion, he intends to defend both titles actively.

Regarding the lightweight division, No. 1-ranked former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez feels as if he’s next in line after the upcoming super fight.

While McGregor has been deemed the ‘Money Fight’, Alvarez actually has his sights set on dos Anjos, who he feels is the superior competitor:

“I would want McGregor because it’s more money and a simpler fight,” Alvarez said to Inside MMA. “He’s the easy guy and more money. Dos Anjos is a bigger challenge. To me, he’s the better fighter. In a perfect world, I’m fighting dos Anjos in June, or July, for the world title.”

Dos Anjos has indeed established himself as the man to beat at 155-pounds, running a demolition course through the division’s elite in recent memory.

However, McGregor isn’t just all talk either. He’s compiled a perfect 7-0 UFC record, and is coming off of a spectacular 13-second destruction of former long-time featherweight champion Jose Aldo.

Who do you see Alvarez eventually squaring off with for the title?

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Conor McGregor Confirms He Will Fight At UFC 200

As the biggest star in not only the UFC, but likely all of mixed martial arts, it’s been widely thought that reigning featherweight champion the “Notorious” Conor McGregor would fight at July’s landmark UFC 200 from Las Vegas, Nevada. However, after shockingly knocking out Jose Aldo at UFC 194, McGregor decided to move up in

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As the biggest star in not only the UFC, but likely all of mixed martial arts, it’s been widely thought that reigning featherweight champion the “Notorious” Conor McGregor would fight at July’s landmark UFC 200 from Las Vegas, Nevada.

However, after shockingly knocking out Jose Aldo at UFC 194, McGregor decided to move up in weight to face off with lightweight kingpin Rafael dos Anjos, attempting to become the first man to simultaneously hold two titles in promotional history.

McGregor will attempt to do this in just a few weeks at March 5’s UFC 196.

According to the brash and outspoken Irishman, who recently spoke with Severe MMA, he will apparently still be competing at UFC 200 before he hopes to once again fight in his home of Ireland:

“Vegas this one, Vegas next one probably because I committed to UFC 200, I did commit to that, then East coast or Dublin.” McGregor said.

With McGregor now confirming that he will compete in July, talk has shifted to just who would be a suitable opponent for the “Notorious” one.

Of course he could defend his 145-pound title, likely against top contender Frankie Edgar. Or perhaps he could put the lightweight strap on the line if he indeed takes out dos Anjos, which of course is no easy task.

But you know McGregor. The Irishman always likes to go big, and the rumors have begun to swirl regarding a possible move up to welterweight in search of a third world title.

According to the “Notorious” one, a move up to 170-pounds is a very realistic possibility, and a move he would be confident with:

“I’m coming for that belt, I’m coming for the next belt, I’m coming for the whole company.” McGregor said.

“Why not go up?”

“They get slower, and they get less free up there, they are stiffer, they are even more stuck than the lightweight division. So I’ll keep going, keep eating, keep training and keep going until all the belts are wrapped up.”

“I’m afraid of no one, I will go up and fight any weight.” McGregor continued. “Anyone can come down and step in that cage with me or any cage and see how they fare, but nobody fares well that’s for sure.”

Could you imagine McGregor vs. “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler for the welterweight title this summer?

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Anthony Pettis vs. Edson Barboza Slated For UFC 197

Two of the most exciting strikers in mixed martial arts (MMA), former UFC lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis and Edson Barboza were originally scheduled to face off last July, but an injury to Pettis caused the bout to be scrapped. Well, the two men will now finally meet as the UFC’s Dave Sholler took to

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Two of the most exciting strikers in mixed martial arts (MMA), former UFC lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis and Edson Barboza were originally scheduled to face off last July, but an injury to Pettis caused the bout to be scrapped.

Well, the two men will now finally meet as the UFC’s Dave Sholler took to twitter to announce the fight for April 23’s UFC 197 from Las Vegas, Nevada:

“Showtime”, a man once considered to be the next big thing, has hit some rough times as of late, losing two straight and dealing with multiple injuries.

After surrendering his crown in brutal fashion to Rafael dos Anjos last March, Pettis recently returned at UFC Fight Night 81 last month, dropping a split-decision to former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez.

Barboza has also been off his game so to say, losing two out his last three bouts. He was last seen taking on Tony Ferguson in what was a fantastic back and forth fight last December, but ultimately ended up losing by way of submission.

While Pettis in particular has shown a weakness against top level wrestlers, one could assume that this fight will take place mostly on the feet, and if it does, fans could be in store for a classic showdown.

UFC 197 will be headlined by a light heavyweight grudge match as reigning champion Daniel “DC” Cormier puts his title on the line in a rematch against former champion and current pound-for-pound king Jon “Bones” Jones.

Dominant flyweight champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson will also defend his strap in the co-main event as he squares off with former Olympian Henry “The Messenger” Cejudo.

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Video: UFC 196 Extended Preview

The most anticipated event of the year is fast approaching as UFC 196 is set to take place on March 5, 2016 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada live on pay-per-view (PPV). The main event will feature a sure super fight, as reigning featherweight champion the “Notorious” Conor McGregor is set

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The most anticipated event of the year is fast approaching as UFC 196 is set to take place on March 5, 2016 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada live on pay-per-view (PPV).

The main event will feature a sure super fight, as reigning featherweight champion the “Notorious” Conor McGregor is set to take on defending 155-pound title holder Rafael dos Anjos.

McGregor has rose to superstardom over the last few years since entering the promotion, winning all seven of his UFC bouts with an impressive six finishes. The Irishman is coming off of a shocking 13-second knockout of former long-time champion Jose Aldo last December.

Dos Anjos on the other hand, has run a demolition course through the lightweight division, establishing himself as a true champion. The Brazilian has compiled five straight victories including wins over former champions Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis, and top contenders Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone.

The excitement doesn’t end there, however, as a second title will be on the line in the co-main event of the evening.

Newly minted bantamweight champion Holly Holm will defend her title for the very first time when she meets former Strikeforce queen Miesha Tate.

“The Preacher’s Daughter”, a multi-time world boxing champion, is coming off of one of the biggest upsets in sport history when she knocked previously dominant champion Ronda Rousey out cold last November.

Tate has won four straight since losing to Rousey and is coming off of a victory over Jessica Eye last July.

Take a deeper look into the training camps of these four fighters with the UFC 196 Extended Preview below courtesy of the UFC:

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Video: Conor McGregor Grounds & Pounds Ahead Of UFC 196

UFC featherweight champion the “Notorious” Conor McGregor will likely be facing his toughest test to date when he moves up in weight to challenge reigning 155-pound kingpin Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of March 5’s UFC 196 from Las Vegas, Nevada. Up until this point, McGregor has backed up his brash and relentless

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UFC featherweight champion the “Notorious” Conor McGregor will likely be facing his toughest test to date when he moves up in weight to challenge reigning 155-pound kingpin Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of March 5’s UFC 196 from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Up until this point, McGregor has backed up his brash and relentless trash talk with seven consecutive Octagon wins including six by way of T/KO. The Irishman is also coming off of a shocking 13-second demolition of former 145-pound boss Jose Aldo at last December’s UFC 194

With that being said, dos Anjos has looked like a different animal as of late, winning five straight including multiple one-sided beatings over the likes of former champions Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis, as well as highly-touted contenders Nate Diaz and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

Despite his much improved striking, it’s important to note that the Brazilian’s strengths lie in the area of McGregor’s perceived weakness: wresting and grappling. The Irishman was repeatedly taken down by Chad Mendes at UFC 189 before scoring a second-round knockout.

Dos Anjos has been known to inflict relentless pressure and wrestling on his opponents, and possesses a third degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

As the event nears closer, it appears as if McGregor has been working on his ground game, releasing a video earlier today (February 14, 2016) via his official Instagram account of his latest sparring session which featured some ground and pound work:

Roses are red, violets are blue, here is some precision ground and pound for you! #HappyValentinesDay

A video posted by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on

While the video looks to just be some light training, one would have to believe that McGregor has worked endlessly on his grappling. Although he’s predicted an early knockout, he obviously won’t be able to let his strikes go if he can’t keep the fight standing.

Do you see the Irishman making history on March 5th?

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