Tag: News

An amateur MMA fighter from Northern Ireland will be facing severe consequences after trying to take out frustrations from a loss on his ex partner.

Carter Coulter pleaded guilty on July 3 at Craigavon Crown Court to charges of criminal damage, threats to kill, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Coulter was given a two-year sentence in which he will serve one year in prison and another year on license. The fighter also received a non-molestation order until July 3, 2027.

Coulter, competing in his second amateur MMA fight on October 30, 2022, was submitted by Nicky Gordon via D’Arce choke in the first round.

Hours later, Coulter attacked Dolores Gallagher in her own home, locking in a rear-naked choke and threatening to kill her with it. Gallagher was ultimately able to escape and get assistance from neighbors, according to Belfast Live.

Ex Of Irish MMA Fighter Hopes Sentencing Encourages Others To Leave Abusive Situations

Gallagher told the news outlet that people came back to their property afterward for drinks following Coulter’s fight. When everyone left, that’s when Coulter struck.

“He suddenly turned on me and attacked me, knocking me unconscious and dragging me into another room,” Gallagher said. “When I came round, he was standing there screaming at me, and I was terrified that something more serious was going to happen. He then went downstairs and started to sleep on the sofa, so I decided that I would try to sneak out of the house to safety. But as I was doing that, he woke up and then dragged me up the stairs into the bedroom where I begged for him to leave me alone and to not hurt me.

“He then attacked me again, hitting me over and over across my head, ribs and back before putting me into a rear-naked choke. As he was choking me, I started to see dots all over my vision and was certain that this was going to be the moment that I died, as he was whispering in my ear that he was going to kill me.”

Gallagher, who also trains MMA, was able to escape the chokehold and run to a neighbor, who notified police.

The victim added that she still suffers from the injuries to this day and expressed to Belfast Live frustration on what she feels was a light sentencing for her ex and attacker.

“When I was finally free from him, I have had this court case hanging over my head for nearly two years which has caused me further anguish,” Gallagher said. “I am glad that he has received a prison sentence for the attack, but I am disappointed that it was not a stronger sentence. He will lose a year of his life but I feel like I have lost five years of mine. I just hope that by speaking out and highlighting what type of a person he really is, I can make others aware of him and encourage others in a similar situation to find the strength to leave their abusers and get help.”

Continue Reading Irish MMA Fighter Jailed After Putting Ex-Partner In & Threatening To Kill Her With Rear-Naked Choke Following Loss at MMA News.

PFL 6 takes place on Friday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

The Professional Fighters League is back this week, as the organization concludes its latest global regular season with the next round of welterweight and featherweight matchups taking place at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In the main event, 2022 PFL featherweight champ Brendan Loughnane returns to action following a successful start to his campaign at PFL 3 April, where the Brit secured 6 points courtesy of a controversial first-round stoppage against Pedro Carvalho. To ensure he features in the playoffs, Loughnane is next tasked with getting the better of Justin Gonzales, who is coming off a buzzer-beating knockout defeat in round one to Gabriel Braga.

The biggest attraction at 170 pounds, meanwhile, will see former interim Bellator champion Logan Storley return to the cage in his home state. After a losing start to his debut PFL campaign against Shamil Musaev, “Storm” will need an emphatic performance against late-notice replacement opponent Luca Poclit if he’s to make the postseason.

Ahead of the event, 21 out of the 22 fighters successfully made weight, with Gabriel Braga’s 4.6-pound miss of the featherweight limit marking the sole indiscretion on the scale.

Nevertheless, every fight is intact, and all that remains on Thursday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the PFL 6 ceremonial weigh-ins.

Check out a live stream below via the PFL’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 7 PM ET.

2024 PFL 6 Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 6: Brendan Loughnane vs. Justin Gonzales Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream at MMA News.

Anthony Smith returns this weekend at UFC 303 for his second outing of the year in what will staggeringly be his 58th professional fight.

Having made his pro debut all the way back in 2008, “Lionheart” has had a front row seat to the growth of the sport over the past 16 years.

One of the biggest advancements in MMA in this time has been the attitude towards the use of performance enhancing drugs and clamping down on it.

Right before he sat down for his media day interviews ahead of his clash with Roman Dolidze this Saturday, Smith received his jacket from the UFC’s anti-doping department for submitting 50 clean tests. 

#UFC303's Anthony Smith receives his jacket for 50 clean tests under the UFC's anti-doping program. pic.twitter.com/067QnbYrWy

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 26, 2024

Anthony Smith Says He Wouldn’t Be Able To Compete Without The UFC’s Anti-Doping Programs

As someone that has spoken out plenty of times in the past about how damaging the use of PEDs is for this sport, Smith was incredibly proud to have been presented with this jacket as a sign of keeping MMA clean.

When he sat down to talk to the media, the first question he received was about the moment that had just transpired.

Smith spoke about how he has never been the kind of fighter that possesses natural physical advantages over his opponents.

With that in mind, he believes that keeping the playing field even through the UFC’s anti-doping programs allows fighters like himself to compete at the highest level by making the most of their other attributes.

“This means a lot to me. You guys know I’ve always been the anti-PED guy and really holding people accountable and holding their feet to the fire. Guys like me wouldn’t survive without this program. I’m not the most gifted athlete, I never have been the most gifted athlete and I’ve just always been committed. It’s not like there wasn’t opportunities early on in my career, just like a lot of people in my era. 

“That could have all been very different but without Jeff [Novitsky] and Donna [Marcolini] keeping it clean, guys like me aren’t going to make it. We’re already a little bit behind and we make up for it by being dogs and having a better work ethic and being able to go through the fire a little more than other people but if people are getting a head start on us, the guys like me aren’t going to make it.”    

• Read More: Anthony Smith Calls Out Light Heavyweight Division For Turning Down UFC 303 Fight: ‘I’m Willing To Do The Sh*t You Guys Won’t Do’

Continue Reading ‘Guys Like Me Wouldn’t Survive’ – Anthony Smith Lauds UFC’s Drug-Testing Program Ahead Of UFC 303 at MMA News.

UFC bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott doesn’t see anything positive about the lopsided betting odds for his upcoming return to action.

After beginning life on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage with two victories at the Apex, Talbott is set for his first taste of UFC competition in front of a sold-out crowd as he looks to make an impression during this year’s edition of International Fight Week.

The 25-year-old has extended his perfect record to 8-0 with wins over Nick Aguirre and Cameron Saaiman inside the Octagon thus far. Next up, the Las Vegas native is tasked with dispatching Yanis Ghemmouri on the preliminary card of UFC 303 this Saturday.

Given his two performances in the UFC to date, it’s no surprise that Talbott will make the walk at T-Mobile Arena as the favorite. What has shocked some, though, is the fact that he could close as the biggest favorite in the promotion’s history…

Talbott On ‘Crazy’ UFC 303 Odds: ‘If You Don’t Absolutely Demolish The Person…’

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Talbott was asked about the lopsided betting lines, which currently have him at -1600 on DraftKings compared to his opponent’s +900 figure.

The rising bantamweight admitted the odds were “crazy,” and he went on to note that the heavy favorite status leaves him in a difficult position should he not run through his French opponent with ease on fight night.

“Yeah, I’ve seen a little bit (about the odds). People send me all kind of stuff,” Talbott said. “It’s kind of crazy. … It’s kind of funny. It kind of sets you up for failure, though. Because it’s like, if you don’t absolutely demolish the person in the first round, it’s like, ‘Why were you such a big favorite, you know?

“Not really,” Talbott continued when asked whether his favorite status adds pressure. “But it is one of those things where it’s like, you are expected to absolutely outclass the guy and demolish the dude. And if you don’t — I think if you remember, in my debut fight I was like, a -900 favorite. I didn’t finish him until the third round and you can see how much the betting line swayed.” 

Nevertheless, Talbott will look to push the expectations of fans and pundits to the back of his mind and focus on the task at hand on Saturday night.

While no longer on the undercard of the sport’s biggest superstar in Conor McGregor, all eyes are still expected to be on the UFC 303 event. And having had his skills confined to the Apex up to this point, Talbott will no doubt hope to make a splash.

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• Read More: UFC 303: Staff Predictions For Alex Pereira vs. Ji?í Procházka 2, Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes, Ian Garry vs. Michael Page, & More

Continue Reading Payton Talbott Reacts To Mammoth Favorite Status At UFC 303: ‘It Kind Of Sets You Up For Failure’ at MMA News.