Ronda Rousey put the MMA world into a tizzy on Thursday, when she hinted that she had “two years left” in the fight business. After all, she is one of MMA’s youngest, brightest stars, and suggesting she will be gone sooner than later is a scary prospect for women’s MMA fans and the UFC as […]
Ronda Rousey put the MMA world into a tizzy on Thursday, when she hinted that she had “two years left” in the fight business. After all, she is one of MMA’s youngest, brightest stars, and suggesting she will be gone sooner than later is a scary prospect for women’s MMA fans and the UFC as […]
You might recall that, in the weeks before his UFC 163 bout with Anthony Perosh, TUF 8 finalist Vinny Magalhaes told anyone who would listen that his 40 year old opponent “sucked” (not that he was trying to talk shit, he also reminded us) and that if he lost to Perosh, he “deserved to be cut.” Fourteen seconds and a big helping of humble pie later, Magalhaes laid down his gloves in the octagon, a universal symbol in the fight world for retirement.
While most of us were waiting for an official retirement announcement from Magalhaes any day now, it seems that Vinny is already recanting his retirement before it could even begin. Well, sort of. He recently spoke with MSN Brazil (via BJPenn.com), essentially changing his stance to “If the UFC cuts me, then I’ll retire.”
I have one more fight left in my contract, but we all know that it doesn’t mean much and there’s a chance that I get cut. Before this fight I said I deserved to get cut if I didn’t win. I’m waiting for UFC’s decision, anything can happen, but I really don’t care, man.
(Perosh saves his trash talking for the post-fight interview — it’s a strategy that Vinny should probably consider in the future.)
You might recall that, in the weeks before his UFC 163 bout with Anthony Perosh, TUF 8 finalist Vinny Magalhaes told anyone who would listen that his 40 year old opponent “sucked” (not that he was trying to talk shit, he also reminded us) and that if he lost to Perosh, he “deserved to be cut.” Fourteen seconds and a big helping of humble pie later, Magalhaes laid down his gloves in the octagon, a universal symbol in the fight world for retirement.
While most of us were waiting for an official retirement announcement from Magalhaes any day now, it seems that Vinny is already recanting his retirement before it could even begin. Well, sort of. He recently spoke with MSN Brazil (via BJPenn.com), essentially changing his stance to “If the UFC cuts me, then I’ll retire.”
I have one more fight left in my contract, but we all know that it doesn’t mean much and there’s a chance that I get cut. Before this fight I said I deserved to get cut if I didn’t win. I’m waiting for UFC’s decision, anything can happen, but I really don’t care, man.
People say that the UFC doesn’t pay much to their fighters, but if you look to the other events it’s even worse. So if they cut me, I don’t see why I should keep fighting in other events. I’d rather open my own gym than fight for little money. I stopped fighting in Jiu-Jitsu because of the financial part, so it would make no sense for me to return now. If the UFC doesn’t renew my contract, I’ll stop.
Meanwhile, Anthony Perosh is currently the greatest UFC fighter over 35 not undergoing testosterone replacement therapy (suck it, Vitor!). Let this be a lesson to all you up-and-coming fighters out there: Experience > arrogance.
(The first of Riley’s epic pair of HOOKnSHOOT bouts with Yves Edwards. The second is after the jump.)
16 years, 44 (sanctioned) fights and at least three broken jaws. Ladies and gentlemen of the Potato Nation, Aaron Riley has seen it all.
A nine-fight UFC veteran, Riley announced his retirement from the sport via Twitter yesterday after coming up short against Justin Salas on the Facebook portion of the UFC on FOX 8 undercard.
Riley’s loss to Salas was the first time the seasoned veteran had made a UFC appearance since UFC 135 in September of 2011, where he suffered a broken jaw in the first round of his fight with TUF 13 winner Tony Ferguson.
Beginning his MMA career in 1997, Riley built his name under the HOOKnSHOOT banner, fighting alongside (and often with) such future UFC staples as Chris Lytle and Yves Edwards. And not unlike Lytle, Riley would quickly earn a reputation as one of the sports toughest and oft underappreciated brawlers.
(The first of Riley’s epic pair of HOOKnSHOOT bouts with Yves Edwards. The second is after the jump.)
16 years, 44 (sanctioned) fights and at least three broken jaws. Ladies and gentlemen of the Potato Nation, Aaron Riley has seen it all.
A nine-fight UFC veteran, Riley announced his retirement from the sport via Twitter yesterday after coming up short against Justin Salas on the Facebook portion of the UFC on FOX 8 undercard.
Riley’s loss to Salas was the first time the seasoned veteran had made a UFC appearance since UFC 135 in September of 2011, where he suffered a broken jaw in the first round of his fight with TUF 13 winner Tony Ferguson.
Beginning his MMA career in 1997, Riley built his name under the HOOKnSHOOT banner, fighting alongside (and often with) such future UFC staples as Chris Lytle and Yves Edwards. And not unlike Lytle, Riley would quickly earn a reputation as one of the sports toughest and oft underappreciated brawlers.
Riley’s first and second stints in the UFC would be short ones, however. In his promotional debut, Riley would be outgunned by fellow slugger Robbie Lawler en route to a unanimous decision loss at UFC 37. After scoring an impressive head kick KO of Michihiro Omigawa at PRIDE – Bushido 7, Riley would earn a trip back to the octagon…where he would have his jaw broken by Spencer Fisher at Fight Night 3.
It would be two years before we would see Aaron Riley in the UFC again. When he did return at UFC 91, however, he would partake in one of the greatest fights of the decade against Jorge Gurgel. It was a fight featuring such a ridiculous volume of strikes that at one point in the second round, the Fightmetric staff allegedly threw their hands in the air and said, “Fuck it, who wants a beer?”
Riley would emerge victorious from that Fight-of-the-Night earning bout and would compete six more times under the UFC banner, scoring wins over Shane Nelson and Joe Brammer.
Again, the comparison to Chris Lytle is inevitable. Both were highly entertaining brawlers who, while never coming within eyesight of a title shot, put the fans entertainment before their records, their careers and more importantly, themselves. Pay your respects to a true pioneer in the comments section, then do yourself a favor and watch his pair of fights with Yves Edwards. Then find us a video of his fight with Lytle, because we heard that shit was insane.
(Or, y’all could just keep sitting on that couch. It’s whatever, dude. / Illustration via prebek)
Update:According to MMAFighting, Dana White is denying that he made any sort of bout offer “to Gracie or anyone else that reps Nick.” Huh. Maybe Cesar Gracie has fallen victim to the same mysterious troll that’s been offering Bellator contracts to people? Or maybe Dana just doesn’t like when managers tell tales out of school, so to speak.
Then, after losing a not-close-at-all decision to St. Pierre in March, Diaz said once more that he was done fighting. Now, just a few months from that apparent retirement, Diaz is all angst-ed up from a recent split with a gal and ready to fight again.
The welterweight veteran sent a public message to Dana White a couple weeks ago and now, according to his manager, Diaz is considering an offer from the UFC. Cesar Gracie wouldn’t say who the offer is against during an interview with BJPenn.com, only that the proposed fight is “kind of neat, I think. But no decisions have been made for sure.”
Whoa, long time since we had a “neat” fight in the UFC. Way to hype this possibility up, Cesar.
(Or, y’all could just keep sitting on that couch. It’s whatever, dude. / Illustration via prebek)
Update:According to MMAFighting, Dana White is denying that he made any sort of bout offer “to Gracie or anyone else that reps Nick.” Huh. Maybe Cesar Gracie has fallen victim to the same mysterious troll that’s been offering Bellator contracts to people? Or maybe Dana just doesn’t like when managers tell tales out of school, so to speak.
Then, after losing a not-close-at-all decision to St. Pierre in March, Diaz said once more that he was done fighting. Now, just a few months from that apparent retirement, Diaz is all angst-ed up from a recent split with a gal and ready to fight again.
The welterweight veteran sent a public message to Dana White a couple weeks ago and now, according to his manager, Diaz is considering an offer from the UFC. Cesar Gracie wouldn’t say who the offer is against during an interview with BJPenn.com, only that the proposed fight is ”kind of neat, I think. But no decisions have been made for sure.”
Whoa, long time since we had a “neat” fight in the UFC. Way to hype this possibility up, Cesar.
But seriously, what opponents would be kind of neat for Diaz at this point, Nation? We’re assuming he isn’t getting the middleweight or welterweight shot that he wants coming off of two straight losses.
But there are several top welterweights out there right now who Diaz could take on. Demian Maia, for example, needs an opponent and would make for a fascinating “who’s got better BJJ for MMA” matchup. Tarec Saffiedine could provide a fun, “Strikeforce Neva Die” bout. Diaz could also get rag-dolled by Josh Koscheck for three straight rounds and bring “Kos” back into the top tier.
What match up do you think will happen if Diaz re-ups with the UFC, taters? This writer is betting on/hoping for Diaz vs. Maia, which we already signed off on in April.
(*Another* new castmember? This show has officially jumped the shark.)
Wow.
When it was announced earlier today that Ariel Helwani would be hosting a special edition of The MMA Hour in which “a former champion, and one of the most popular names in the sport, will make a special announcement,” speculation began to light up the interwebs like it was a Simi Valley fireworks show. Was Brock Lesnar announcing his return to the sport? Was Bellator dumb enough to actually buy into Tito Ortiz’s “almost healthy” bait-n-switch? WAS ANDERSON SILVA ABOUT TO RETIRE?!
Simply put; no (thank God), not yet, and are you fucking kidding me? It turns out that the “former champion” is question was actually former WEC light heavyweight champ Brian Stann, who shockingly announced his retirement from the sport following his second round KO loss to Wanderlei Silva at UFC on FUEL 8 last March. Citing a new daughter on the way (his third) as well as a concern for long term injuries related to not only his MMA career but his military career and previous football experience among his reasons for calling it quits, Stann was typically composed and grateful, ensuring Helwani that “I leave fighting having taken more from mixed martial arts than I ever gave.”
(*Another* new castmember? This show has officially jumped the shark.)
Wow.
When it was announced earlier today that Ariel Helwani would be hosting a special edition of The MMA Hour in which “a former champion, and one of the most popular names in the sport, will make a special announcement,” speculation began to light up the interwebs like it was a Simi Valley fireworks show. Was Brock Lesnar announcing his return to the sport? Was Bellator dumb enough to actually buy into Tito Ortiz’s “almost healthy” bait-n-switch? WAS ANDERSON SILVA ABOUT TO RETIRE?!
Simply put; no (thank God), not yet, and are you fucking kidding me? It turns out that the “former champion” is question was actually former WEC light heavyweight champ Brian Stann, who shockingly announced his retirement from the sport following his second round KO loss to Wanderlei Silva at UFC on FUEL 8 last March. Citing a new daughter on the way (his third) as well as a concern for long term injuries related to not only his MMA career but his military career and previous football experience among his reasons for calling it quits, Stann was typically composed and grateful, ensuring Helwani that “I leave fighting having taken more from mixed martial arts than I ever gave.”
When asked if his loss to Silvaplayed any role in his decision, Stann was unapologetic and incredibly straightforward. “Yes, it did….when I lost that fight and I looked at all the time I invested in it, I knew it was time.”
Although his final clash ended in defeat, it’s hard to imagine a better fight for “all-American” to go out on then his epic slugfest with “The Axe Murderer.” The fight encapsulated everything we’ve come to know and love about both Stann and Silva, and was the first highlight that Stann listed when prompted by Helwani.
Fighting in Japan in a main event against Wanderlei Silva, who I remember looking up on the internet when I was in the Marines, was pretty cool. When I look back now I’m like ‘Man. Never in a million years did I think I was gonna fight that guy in a main event in Japan. Never.’
In addition to his future role providing analysis for ACC college football on Fox Sports South, Stann assured Helwani that he would continue to work with the UFC, both behind-the-scenes and at his regular pundit gigs on FOX and FUEL TV.
Gilbert Yvel could have been a beloved figure in MMA. A devastating striker with a kill-or-be-killed approach to fighting, the Dutch kickboxer was able to produce 32 wins by KO/TKO in his 16-year, 56-match career, with all 38 of his victories coming by some form of stoppage. Over the years Yvel has knocked out Semmy Schilt, Gary Goodridge, Cheick Kongo, and Houston Alexander, and won multiple fights against Bob Schrijber, Valentijn Overeem, and Tsuyoshi Kohsaka.
Yvel mellowed out, eventually. Since the referee-hitting incident in 2004, the 37-year-old has managed to avoid dirty fighting, disqualifications, and controversy, and settled into a role as a veteran banger, showing up to squash cans in international promotions, or act as fodder for a larger name. A three-fight stint in the UFC in 2010 was a total bust, and seemed to signal the end of Yvel’s time as a relevant force in MMA. But it wasn’t over yet. Yvel attempted to rescue his career with a weight-drop to 205 pounds, going from pleasantly plump to startlingly skinny.
The crazy thing is, it actually worked. Yvel signed with RFA in 2011, and went 2-0 as a light-heavyweight, stopping Damian Dantibo and Houston Alexander, both in the first round — which makes it somewhat surprising that Yvel has now decided to call it a day.
Gilbert Yvel could have been a beloved figure in MMA. A devastating striker with a kill-or-be-killed approach to fighting, the Dutch kickboxer was able to produce 32 wins by KO/TKO in his 16-year, 56-match career, with all 38 of his victories coming by some form of stoppage. Over the years Yvel has knocked out Semmy Schilt, Gary Goodridge, Cheick Kongo, and Houston Alexander, and won multiple fights against Bob Schrijber, Valentijn Overeem, and Tsuyoshi Kohsaka.
Yvel mellowed out, eventually. Since the referee-hitting incident in 2004, the 37-year-old has managed to avoid dirty fighting, disqualifications, and controversy, and settled into a role as a veteran banger, showing up to squash cans in international promotions, or act as fodder for a larger name. A three-fight stint in the UFC in 2010 was a total bust, and seemed to signal the end of Yvel’s time as a relevant force in MMA. But it wasn’t over yet. Yvel attempted to rescue his career with a weight-drop to 205 pounds, going from pleasantly plump to startlingly skinny.
The crazy thing is, it actually worked. Yvel signed with RFA in 2011, and went 2-0 as a light-heavyweight, stopping Damian Dantibo and Houston Alexander, both in the first round — which makes it somewhat surprising that Yvel has now decided to call it a day.
In a new interview with Germany’s GnP TV, Yvel claimed that he’s “pretty much done” competing, citing a “kidney issue” — perhaps the result of his drastic weight-cuts to light-heavyweight — and the accumulated fatigue from 16 years of professional combat.
“I’m done, I’m tired, I’m over it,” Yvel said. “I don’t wanna punch nobody anymore…I’ve been fighting for 16 years, that’s a long time. Look at me, I’m still pretty, I’m not slurring my words. I had a good run, so this is it.”
For the time being, Yvel says he’ll be content to be a trainer instead of a competitor, and has taken a job teaching MMA at Agoge MMA in Dusseldorf, Germany.
So how do we remember a guy like Gilbert Yvel? Much like Mike Kyle, Yvel used to be an asshole, then straightened out — but his late-career accomplishments weren’t enough to completely change his legacy. Can we forgive him for a few ugly nights, considering how long ago those nights were, and how many entertaining moments he’s given us along the way? Check out a few of Yvel’s greatest hits below, and tell us what you think…
(Gilbert Yvel vs. Semmy Schilt, Rings Holland: The Kings of the Magic Ring, 6/20/99)
(Gilbert Yvel vs. Gary Goodridge, PRIDE 10, 8/27/00)
(Gilbert Yvel vs. Ibragim Magomedov, M-1 MFC: Russia vs the World 2, 11/11/01)
(Gilbert Yvel vs. Cheick Kongo, It’s Showtime 2004 Amsterdam, 5/20/04)
(Gilbert Yvel vs. Fabiano Scherner, Cage Rage 17, 7/1/06)
(Gilbert Yvel vs. Pedro Rizzo, Ultimate Chaos: Lashley vs. Sapp, 6/27/09)
(Gilbert Yvel vs. Houston Alexander, RFA 2, 3/30/13)
