Tag: MMA News

Tanner Boser Reveals He Features in Famous MMA Meme

Tanner BoserUFC heavyweight contender, Tanner Boser has revealed he is one of three men featured in a resurfaced mixed martial arts meme — titled, “Say they have a black belt in Muay Thai, under the Gracies.“ Boser, a native of Alberta, Canada has featured seven times under the UFC’s banner since his move from Canadian promotion, […]

Tanner Boser

UFC heavyweight contender, Tanner Boser has revealed he is one of three men featured in a resurfaced mixed martial arts meme — titled, “Say they have a black belt in Muay Thai, under the Gracies.“

Boser, a native of Alberta, Canada has featured seven times under the UFC’s banner since his move from Canadian promotion, Unified MMA back in May 2019 — establishing a 4-3 record so far.

The 30-year-old heavyweight has featured against the likes of former champion, Andrei Arlovski, current interim champion, Ciryl Gane and Ilir Latifi in losses — but has captured wins against Ovince Saint Preux, Raphael Pessoa, Philipe Lins, and Daniel Spitz. Boser was slated to feature opposite Sergei Pavlovich next month until travel issues shelved the bout.

Tanner Boser confirms he featured in forgotten MMA meme

However, an old meme resurfaced on Twitter recently of three teenagers with the caption “Say they have a black belt in Muay Thai under the Gracies” and quite stunningly, Boser confirmed he is the teen on the left wearing a Headrush t-shirt and UFC gloves.

“This mem has been floating around MMA pages for years,” Tanner Boser tweeted. “I’m the guy on the left. We were like 19 years old in line at a UFC fan expo to get UFC gloves signed by Wanderlei [Silva] and Thiago Alves. The photographer was going down the line and taking pictures and told us to put on the gloves and “look tough”.“

“Someone then found this picture a few years later in the UFC fan expo picture archives or some sh*t and made it into a meme,” Tanner Boser continued. “I get why, but I wonder where the creator of this meme is. Own up to it coward. What have you done? I still have that @headrushbrand shirt. I guess it’s true. #FortuneFavoursTheBrave.“

Replying to a Twitter user, Boser confirmed that the teenager in the center of the trio was, in fact, his brother — a fellow professional mixed martial artist and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

“The guy in the middle is my brother and he’s a purple belt in BJJ and has. 1-0 pro record in MMA,” Tanner Boser tweeted. “The guy on the right is Kurtis and he plays drums for a metal band in Edmonton called Tyrant. Probably no ONE [Championship] in the cards for them but they’re doing their thing haha.“

Francis Ngannou Reveals Why He Ignored Ciryl Gane, Fernand Lopez Backstage At UFC 268

Francis NgannouReigning UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has reflected on his decision to blank former head coach, Fernand Lopez, and brief former training partner, upcoming title challenger, current interim gold holder, Ciryl Gane during a less than cordial walk-by backstage at UFC 268 earlier this month. Footage emerged across social media during the event of Ngannou, […]

Francis Ngannou

Reigning UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has reflected on his decision to blank former head coach, Fernand Lopez, and brief former training partner, upcoming title challenger, current interim gold holder, Ciryl Gane during a less than cordial walk-by backstage at UFC 268 earlier this month.

Footage emerged across social media during the event of Ngannou, the promotion’s heavyweight champion who was in attendance to support Kamaru Usman, walk backstage past the trio of Lopez, Gane, and former MMA Factory teammate, welterweight contender, Nassourdine Imavov — appearing to purposely blank all three of his former associates.

However, Ngannou has revealed that his problem does not lie with either upcoming UFC 270 opponent Gane nor former teammate, Imavov, but with former head coach, Lopez — with the Batie native claiming he was unsure if he should interact with him, as well as claiming that his former mentor had been making disparaging comments about him to media.

“I felt like I didn’t want to say, ‘Hi’ for my sake,” Francis Ngannou told former two-weight champion, Daniel Cormier during a recent interview. “It’s been a couple of years now that he’s out there… I mean, like, yeah, I want to be nice. but when it is him in that position, I had a few thoughts. I’m like, ‘Ok, should I say hi?’ Then I’m like, ‘I don’t know’. I might got closer (sic) and say hi and then somehow, you’ll hear that I said, ‘this’, which is not what I said. Getting close to him was giving an opportunity for him. Not only the fact that I’m sure that he didn’t need me to say hi, but it was giving him the opportunity to say something again that I didn’t say. I’d rather stay in the distance. … It’s not like we’re friendly. He’s attacking me all the time. I can’t do that. I don’t feel like it.“

Ngannou then claimed that if he had spotted Gane solely backstage by himself, he likely would have spoken to the French native ahead of their title unification clash at the beginning of next year.

Francis Ngannou claims he would have spoken with Ciryl Gane if Fernand Lopez was not present at UFC 268

“The only thing that bothers me a little bit [was Gane]… and he was right,” Francis Ngannou said. “I would’ve been confused. Obviously, as his coach said, he’s naive. I would’ve been confused, too, because if… I walked by Gane, I would say hi. If it’s just him, I’d say, ‘Hi, what’s up?’” (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)

For Ngannou, the Xtreme Couture mover headlined UFC 260 back in March against two-time heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic — finally clinching the undisputed crown with a thunderous second round knockout.

For the undefeated Gane, the undefeated striking sensation nabbed the interim heavyweight title back in August against common-foe Derrick Lewis — stopping the division’s most prolific knockout ace with a dominant, one-sided third round ground strikes stoppage. 

UFC Alum Luis Pena Arrested Again, Charged With Battery, Criminal Mischief

Luis PenaUFC lightweight alum, Luis Pena has been arrested for the third time this year, following his October release from the North American-based promotion, and is again facing misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal mischief.  As per a report initially from TSN reporter, Aaron Bronsteter on Wednesday, Naples-born lightweight, Pena was arrested in Broward County, Florida where he […]

Luis Pena

UFC lightweight alum, Luis Pena has been arrested for the third time this year, following his October release from the North American-based promotion, and is again facing misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal mischief. 

As per a report initially from TSN reporter, Aaron Bronsteter on Wednesday, Naples-born lightweight, Pena was arrested in Broward County, Florida where he is faced with two new charges of misdemeanor battery and criminal mischief. No bond has been set for Pena who remains at the Paul Rein Detention Center in Pompano Beach, Florida. 

“Former UFC lightweight Luis Pena was arrested on Monday for the third time since June,” Bronsteter tweeted. “He faces two further charges for misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal mischief per Broward arrest records. These charges are for alleged offenses that took place outside of Broward Co.“

Pena, 28, was previously arrested back in June in Coral Springs, Florida where he faced felony charges of battery, criminal mischief, and robbery — with his bond set at an amount of $1,000 on that occasion.  

In October, Pena was arrested for the second time this year by responding Florida officers after he is alleged to have struck and bit his girlfriend as well as also allegedly striking another woman as she attempted to intervene. 

Luis Pena was officially released from the UFC back in October of this year following his second arrest this annum

The second arrest subsequently resulted in his release from the UFC following an eight-fight stint with the Dana White-led organization later that month.

“UFC is aware of the disturbing allegations concerning the recent arrest of Luis Pena,” The statement read. “Mr. Luis Pena has been open about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse issues and the organization has on multiple prior occasions attempted to help him get professional treatment.“

“At this time, UFC believes Mr. Luis Pena needs to deal with the health and legal issues in front of him, and consequently has informed Mr. Luis Pena’s management that his promotional agreement has been terminated.“

In Pena’s most recent professional victory, The Ultimate Fighter 27 contestant took home a split decision victory over Alexander Munoz on the main card of UFC Vegas 24 in April. 

Dan Hooker Eyes Clash With Chan Sung Jung, Confirms Featherweight Return Is ‘Possible’

Dan HookerUFC lightweight contender, Dan Hooker has teased a featherweight division outing for the first time since November 2016 recently, following a rough patch at his lightweight home where he currently resides at #8 in the official rankings. And if he makes a featherweight return — has sights fixed on a showdown against the #4 ranked […]

Dan Hooker

UFC lightweight contender, Dan Hooker has teased a featherweight division outing for the first time since November 2016 recently, following a rough patch at his lightweight home where he currently resides at #8 in the official rankings. And if he makes a featherweight return — has sights fixed on a showdown against the #4 ranked contender, Chan Sung Jung.

Hooker, who most recently featured at UFC 267 back in October on ‘Fight Island’, suffered his third loss in his most recent four Octagon appearances — dropping a first round kimura submission defeat against the surging, Islam Makhachev.

Prior to that, Hooker, who made a short-notice appearance against the Dagestan native — knocked back Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266 in September with an impressive unanimous decision victory. However, it has not been the plainest sailing run for the Auckland native since the beginning of the pandemic — dropping a pair of high-profile losses to both former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier, and a January knockout loss to one-time title chaser, Michael Chandler.

Teasing a move back to the 145lbs limit recently, the City Kickboxing staple utilized a dietician from the UFC Performance Institute whilst he stays in Las Vegas, Hooker successfully made a test weight-cut back to the featherweight limit of 146lbs.

Dan Hooker welcomes featherweight return against Chan Sung Jung

The 31-year-old striker has not competed at the featherweight limit since a unanimous decision loss to promotional alum, Jason Knight five years ago, but maintains that it’s still a possibility that he makes the return to the division for his next outing. 

“That’s a strong possibility,” Dan Hooker told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “The problem was I didn’t really ask, I just talked to Jordi [Sullivan[ and Charles, my dieticians, and that was it really. I just talked to them and just went along and got the job done and did it. I haven’t even talked to the UFC about it, so maybe Sean Shelby’s seen it, maybe he hasn’t. We’ll see.“

When pressed on a potential welcoming party for his return to the division, Hooker claimed that he would be intrigued by a matchup against one-time title challenger, the #4 ranked South Korean favorite, Jung next.

“Head and shoulders, the number one guy that I would love to get in there would be ‘The Korean Zombie’ [Chan Sung Jung],” Dan Hooker said. “I would love to throw down with the zombie.“

“So, I don’t know what the people were saying, that’s why I just put it out there, stepped on the scale, made the weight, and I feel like you just let the people decide,” Dan Hooker explained. “Whoever the people want to see me in there against will kind of convince the UFC. What everyone wants, everyone can get, but for me, it would be head and shoulders, ‘The Korean Zombie’.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

In his most recent Octagon walk, Jung defeated Dan Ige in the main event of UFC Vegas 29 in June — bouncing back to winning-ways following a comprehensive unanimous judging loss of his own against recent title chaser, Brian Ortega in October of last year on ‘Fight Island’.

Ex UFC Fighter Anthony Rocco Martin Punched Security Guards and Urinated On A Casino Floor

Anthony Rocco MartinFormer UFC fighter Anthony Rocco Martin was arrested after punching a security guard in the face and urinated on a Las Vegas Casino floor. Martin’s arrest was first reported by 8 News Now Las Vegas. According to MMA Junkie, the arrest took place Nov. 20th at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Martin reacted violently after […]

Anthony Rocco Martin

Former UFC fighter Anthony Rocco Martin was arrested after punching a security guard in the face and urinated on a Las Vegas Casino floor.

Martin’s arrest was first reported by 8 News Now Las Vegas. According to MMA Junkie, the arrest took place Nov. 20th at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Martin reacted violently after security was made aware of what he was doing and asked him to leave the premises. Martin punched one security guard in the throat and another one in the face. Security took him down and restrained him until Vegas Metro PD could arrive on scene to take him away. Officers claimed that Martin was under the influence of either drugs and/or alcohol when he was arrested.

As he was being arrested, Martin claimed that the arrest was “racially motivated” and he was being “wrongfully arrested”. Martin faces misdemeanor charges of battery and engaging in lewd behavior/dissolute conduct in a public place.

Martin’s last fight inside the UFC came in 2020 when he lost to Neil Magny by unanimous decision at UFC 250. Martin held a record of 9-6 inside the UFC where he fought as a lightweight and a welterweight. His last win in the UFC was against Ramazan Emeev via unanimous decision. Martin has not competed in any other MMA promotion since he fought out his contract with the UFC.

John Kavanagh Claims Conor McGregor Has No Interest In ‘Warm-Up Fight’ Upon UFC Return

Conor McGregorJohn Kavanagh, the head coach of former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor insists that as far as he can tell, his student had no intention of entertaining a potential “warm-up” contest in his return to the Octagon next year, following a string of three losses in his last four outings, and a fracture of his […]

Conor McGregor

John Kavanagh, the head coach of former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor insists that as far as he can tell, his student had no intention of entertaining a potential “warm-up” contest in his return to the Octagon next year, following a string of three losses in his last four outings, and a fracture of his left tibia just four months ago.

McGregor, who headlined UFC 264 back in July, suffered both a second consecutive loss for the first time in his gold-laden mixed martial arts career, as well as a fracture of his left tibia in the opening round of his trilogy rubber match against former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier, resulting in a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss. 

The defeat came as McGregor’s second of the year and third from four lightweight walks, following a January blemish against the aforenoted, Poirier, when the latter became the first to finish the Dubliner with strikes in professional mixed martial arts in the form of a second round knockout on ‘Fight Island’.

In his time away from the Octagon, McGregor, who is expected to be sidelined until the summer of next year at the very earliest, appears to be chomping at the bit to return to active competition — with a slew of past-foes and new faces offering the Dubliner a willing dance partner to share the Octagon in his comeback fight.

However, according to Straight Blast Gym leader, Kavanagh, he has his reservations regarding McGregor’s willingness to drop a gear in his return and take a perceived “warm-up” fight post-losing skid and injury.

“He’s [Conor McGregor] not so much about warm-up fights,” Kavanagh told Submission Radio. “He seems pretty warm to me as it is. So, what will come, will come. He’s got a hundred opponents lined up it would appear. But let’s just get back training, let’s test the leg and test everything, and when the time comes, I’m sure he won’t be short of choice. Whoever he faces he’ll be highly motivated. It’s clear at this stage Conor has a few quid, he’s got a few dollars in the bank account. So, that’s not the motivating factor at this stage, his motivating factor is competition and to improve himself and to test himself against whoever it is.“

A notable matchup McGregor appears to have taken interest in, is a rematch against past featherweight champion, Max Holloway — who recently turned in a unanimous decision victory against Yair Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 43 earlier this month. And according to Kavanagh, he believes given the pair’s prior championship success, they should likely just agree to compete against each other at a certain weight — rather than cutting weight to link up at a weight class with title implications awaiting the victor.

John Kavanagh urges Conor McGregor and Max Holloway to scrap weight classes for potential rematch

“The funny thing is, I think for guys at Conor’s [McGregor] level and Max’s [Holloway] level and those guys, I don’t even really know why they bother cutting weight anymore, you know?” Kavanagh said. “It’s almost like, just let them fight. Cause I’d imagine Max is probably heavier than Conor outside of fighting. I’ve heard stories of him getting up to really high weight. So, why would they agree to fight and then spend eight weeks trying to deplete themselves, trying to get down to some weight class to fight for some belt?“

“Max has had a few belts, Conor’s [McGregor] had a few belts,” Kavanagh continued. “So, they’ve done that. Push that to one side. I don’t know if that’s important anymore. Just have them fight at their weight, whatever their weight is, Just let them do it. Whatever weight they are, let’s go.“

McGregor’s most recent professional victory came in January of last year in the main event of UFC 246 where he stopped one-time lightweight title challenger, Donald Cerrone with a 40-second high-kick and follow-up strikes in a welterweight headliner. 

Kavanagh’s claims that McGregor is against the notion of a warm-up fight in his return, are only further backed up by claims from the latter that he will be competing for lightweight gold immediately in his return to the sport.