Josh Stephens and Tim Thompson return to give you the latest mixed martial arts (MMA) headlines, events, and share his opinions on the hottest topics in the sport. As always with fun banter and hot topic debates. This week the guys talk with a legend o…
Josh Stephens and Tim Thompson return to give you the latest mixed martial arts (MMA) headlines, events, and share his opinions on the hottest topics in the sport. As always with fun banter and hot topic debates. This week the guys talk with a legend of the sport, “The New York Badass” Phil Baroni This […]
With competition for places on the roster being so fiercely contested there’s no substitute for winning in the UFC, and as such it’s every fighters worst nightmare to find themselves trapped in the midst of a losing streak they just can’t seem to break out of. Every defeat brings a greater likelihood that their next
With competition for places on the roster being so fiercely contested there’s no substitute for winning in the UFC, and as such it’s every fighters worst nightmare to find themselves trapped in the midst of a losing streak they just can’t seem to break out of.
Every defeat brings a greater likelihood that their next fight could be their last in the Octagon, bringing even more pressure, anxiety and self-doubt that only seeks to further compound the problem.
For some fighters back-to-back defeats is all it takes before they are unceremoniously shown the exit door, but for one reason or another, some are cut a little more slack, which at first might seem like a blessing, but can often prove to be something of a curse as they dig themselves into an even deeper hole on the sports biggest stage.
It’s those unfortunate fighters that are the focus of this article as we count down the worst losing streaks ever recorded inside the UFC’s Octagon.
10. Gray Maynard – 4 losses in a row
Truth be told there’s a number of fighters who have suffered four-fight losing streaks in the UFC over the years, but Gray Maynard makes it onto this list due to the fact his slump came in the midst of a six-year spell in which he would register just two wins in nine Octagon outings.
A former two-time challenger for the lightweight belt, Maynard entered into another title eliminator with TJ Grant in 2013 having only lost once in his previous 14 bouts, but surprisingly was TKO’d barely two minutes into the fight.
Worrying signs that Maynard’s chin was deserting him then emerged when he was also TKO’d in the first round by Nate Diaz, and then Ross Pearson also finished him with strikes.
A further loss to the unheralded Alexander Yakovlev took his losing streak to four fights, but Maynard resisted talk of retiring and instead took over a year out before dropping down to the featherweight division.
He then briefly broke his losing streak with a win over the unheralded Francisco Bruno, but a loss to Ryan Hall since then leaves the 37-year-old’s fighting future in doubt again.
It’s not easy being an MMA referee. When the cage door closes it must be a lonely place knowing that they are the only person standing between two fired-up fighters ready to go to war. The two fighters safety is always a referee’s primary concern during a fight, but as you’ll see in this article,
When the cage door closes it must be a lonely place knowing that they are the only person standing between two fired-up fighters ready to go to war.
The two fighters safety is always a referee’s primary concern during a fight, but as you’ll see in this article, all it takes is for one angry, adrenaline-fueled combatant to disagree with a call they make in the cage and suddenly it’s their own safety that’s in jeopardy.
That’s led to some nasty incidents over the years, though don’t be fooled – just because referees aren’t wearing gloves and a mouthpiece doesn’t mean they can’t fight, and you might be surprised to see how many of them can more than hold their own when it’s time to restore order in the Octagon!
Atilla Kubilay
Atilla Kubilay became an instant villain in the sport after his appaling behavior both before and during his fight with Richard Bowkett at Cage Rage 11 in 2005.
As UK referee Grant Waterman brought the two fighters together in the center of the cage to receive their final instructions prior to the fight, Kubilay suddenly punched his opponent square in the face.
That should have been an instant disqualification, but he was extremely fortunate that Bowkett was still able to continue, and that officials decided that the fight could go ahead.
Despite being warned about his behavior, Kubilay hadn’t learned his lesson, and early in the first round he began landing illegal knees to the head of his downed opponent.
Waterman’s initial attempts to pull Kubilay off Bowkett failed, and so he had to apply a standing rear-naked choke to end the assault, bringing the thug to his knees as other officials rushed in to help him out.
Kubilay only fought one more time before his career came to an abrupt halt.
Former Pride middleweight champion and UFC fighter Wanderlei Silva may elect to make his professional wrestling debut back where it all started.
The 38-year-old Silva is linked to a match with former UFC veteran Phil Baroni on a February 20 …
Former Pride middleweight champion and UFC fighter Wanderlei Silva may elect to make his professional wrestling debut back where it all started.
The 38-year-old Silva is linked to a match with former UFC veteran Phil Baroni on a February 20 card with Japanese mixed martial arts and pro wrestling promotion Inoki Genome Federation. MMA Fighting’s Dave Meltzer first reported the news on “The Axe Murderer.”
Last Thursday, Silva hinted of the potential for a World Wrestling Entertainment match with the man who coached opposite of him on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil Season 3, Chael Sonnen.
Silva last fought in the Octagon in March 2013, defeating former middleweight contender and current UFC commentator Brian Stann via second-round TKO. He was then scheduled to face Sonnen at UFC 175 in July, but the fight was canned after Silva failed to submit to a random drug test from the Nevada Athletic Commission.
The Axe Murderer received a lifetime ban and a $70,000 fine from the NSAC in September for his failure to comply with the random drug test in May.
Just a few days before the ban, Silva announced his retirement from the sport.
The Brazilian’s meeting with Baroni has yet to be confirmed by IGF, and no deal has been finalized. Baroni, who last fought for Bellator in a losing effort against Karo Parisyan in July, has begun training for an eventual pro wrestling debut at the Future Stars of Wrestling School in Las Vegas.
“The New York Badass” has been studying the sport under the guidance of Total Nonstop Action wrestling talent Kenny King, former WWE star D-Lo Brown and indie veteran Michael Modest. The 38-year-old Baroni looks to have an easier time transitioning from the cage to the squared circle than Silva may have.
Baroni is known to fly off the handle at times. The Long Island native was as boisterous as MMA fighters come, often talking trash that would put former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnarto shame (link contains NSFW language).
Microphone skills are highly coveted in the pro wrestling business. In some cases, a well-done promo can overshadow even the most sensational matches.
With an attitude like Baroni’s and a solid education on the mat, there’s no ceiling for him in the sport.
He was also a standout high school wrestler and a two-time All-American at Nassau Community College.
Silva, on the other hand, has no previous wrestling experience. The Axe Murderer hasn’t pursued too many takedowns in his 17-year MMA career.
The Curitiba native has long been a fan favorite for his go-for-broke style of fighting that has produced memorable bouts with Chuck Liddell, Rampage Jackson and Kazushi Sakuraba.
However, Silva’s lack of a collegiate wrestling background doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t make an impact in the sport of pro wrestling. Former UFC heavyweight champion turned New Japan Pro Wrestling commentator Josh Barnett has experience wrestling for the latter.
“I appreciate that they haven’t slowed down the hard-hitting style of the matches. These guys are pushing it just as hard as they ever have,” Barnett told Sporting News’ Brian Fritz.
Silva and Baroni have both fought in Pride and share an interesting history. In 2006, a fight erupted following a bout between Mark Coleman and Mauricio Rua at Pride 31.
Silva and Baroni were both involved in the scuffle, as they were part of the corners of Rua and Coleman, respectively. Should the pair’s proposed wrestling match come to fruition, it would not be without the consent of Silva’s prior employer, the UFC.
“With Silva still under contract to UFC, even though they can’t use him due to Nevada refusing to license him after he refused to take an out-of-competition drug test in May, it would require UFC giving approval to appear,” Meltzer said.
He certainly hasn’t done anything to warrant UFC president Dana White‘s signature. The Brazilian has been outspoken as to the pay practices of the promotion and has also partially blamed the company for his retirement.
The UFC has recently allowed Barnett to wrestle for the IGF and has done the same with Mirko Filipovic in the past.
The IGF event scheduled for February 20 will take place at the Tokyo Dome City Hall, which seats 3,000. IGF’s founder, Antonio Inoki, is one of the biggest stars in Japanese wrestling history. Inoki was also a central figure in the early Japanese MMA scene.
With the IGF, Silva would have the freedom to fight in worked matches, but also MMA bouts as well. The IGF championship, which is currently vacant, can and has been contested in both.
Although his firing has yet to be made official, it appears that Baroni has in fact been let go for his ongoing support of War Machine, even as the horrendous allegations and charges against him continue to pile up. Then again, Baroni’s defense of his former training partner could just be the out Coker was looking for to send the NYBA packing. For one, Baroni’s dropped his past three fights in a row. For two, he was smoked by Karo Parisyan in his promotional debut at Bellator 122. And for three, he can’t even spell the name of the promotion he was fighting in. Three strikes, you’re out!
Now, if only we can make it to the end of this sentence without Coker immediately contradicting his decision to steer clear of anyone even relatively involved in a domestic violence case…
Former Pride middleweight champion and UFC fighter 
