Tag: short notice

Ryan LaFlare Rolls the Dice, Will Fight Court McGee at UFC on FOX 9 After Five-Week Layoff


(Ryan sticks out like a tall white guy in a room full of Blackzilians. I really want that saying to catch on. / Photo via @RLaFlare)

Let me start with an embarrassing admission: As I was checking out the UFC Fight Night 32 card last week, I was shocked to learn that welterweight Ryan LaFlare was not in fact making his UFC debut that night. Apparently he’d beaten Ben Alloway by decision on the prelims of the Mousasi vs. Latifi* card in April. I had no idea; I’d never heard of the dude before. Anyway, LaFlare is now 2-0 in the UFC (following his decision win against Santiago Ponzinibbio over the weekend), and has a chance to move to 3-0 next month when he fights Court McGee at UFC on FOX 9.

That’s right folks, LaFlare has agreed to step up as a short-notice injury replacement for Kelvin Gastelum, who was forced out of his scheduled match with McGee earlier this week due to a torn knee ligament. Considering that UFC on FOX 9 is scheduled for December 14th, LaFlare will have just five weeks between fights. It’s a gamble, but it’s one that a relatively anonymous 9-0 prospect can afford to make. If he wins, he’s just beaten a TUF winner on a televised card. If he loses…wait, who the hell is Ryan LaFlare again? This is the Long Island native’s opportunity to make his name. Considering that he’s already 30 years old — and was completely inactive from 2011-2012 — the dude needs to make some hay while the sun is shining, so to speak.

And in case you missed the update to our post about Kelvin Gastelum and Jamie Varner’s injuries, Bobby Green is also making a quick turnaround for the 12/14 card. Following his controversial TKO win against James Krause at Fight for the Troops 3, he’ll be filling in for Varner against Pat Healy.

* Hey Joe Silva, are you gonna book Ilir Latifi’s follow-up match any time soon, or what? The Latifi Nation can’t wait any longer.


(Ryan sticks out like a tall white guy in a room full of Blackzilians. I really want that saying to catch on. / Photo via @RLaFlare)

Let me start with an embarrassing admission: As I was checking out the UFC Fight Night 32 card last week, I was shocked to learn that welterweight Ryan LaFlare was not in fact making his UFC debut that night. Apparently he’d beaten Ben Alloway by decision on the prelims of the Mousasi vs. Latifi* card in April. I had no idea; I’d never heard of the dude before. Anyway, LaFlare is now 2-0 in the UFC (following his decision win against Santiago Ponzinibbio over the weekend), and has a chance to move to 3-0 next month when he fights Court McGee at UFC on FOX 9.

That’s right folks, LaFlare has agreed to step up as a short-notice injury replacement for Kelvin Gastelum, who was forced out of his scheduled match with McGee earlier this week due to a torn knee ligament. Considering that UFC on FOX 9 is scheduled for December 14th, LaFlare will have just five weeks between fights. It’s a gamble, but it’s one that a relatively anonymous 9-0 prospect can afford to make. If he wins, he’s just beaten a TUF winner on a televised card. If he loses…wait, who the hell is Ryan LaFlare again? This is the Long Island native’s opportunity to make his name. Considering that he’s already 30 years old — and was completely inactive from 2011-2012 — the dude needs to make some hay while the sun is shining, so to speak.

And in case you missed the update to our post about Kelvin Gastelum and Jamie Varner’s injuries, Bobby Green is also making a quick turnaround for the 12/14 card. Following his controversial TKO win against James Krause at Fight for the Troops 3, he’ll be filling in for Varner against Pat Healy.

* Hey Joe Silva, are you gonna book Ilir Latifi’s follow-up match any time soon, or what? The Latifi Nation can’t wait any longer.

With Brunson Out of March 3 Strikeforce Bout, Tim Kennedy Willing to Step In Against Jacare


(Do over? Photo courtesy of MMAJunkie)

With the news today that Derek Brunson has failed his medicals and as a result has been forced out of his March 3 main card bout with Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at the upcoming Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey show in Columbus, OH, it appears that one prime candidate for the bout is very interested in stepping up on just over two weeks notice: Tim Kennedy.

Kennedy, who still has a bitter taste in his mouth from the unanimous decision loss he suffered against Souza back in August 2010 at Strikeforce: Houston responded to questions on Twitter today regarding his desire to take the bout and said he is in shape and ready to go if he gets the call to rematch the Brazilian submission specialist.


(Do over? Photo courtesy of MMAJunkie)

With the news today that Derek Brunson has failed his medicals and as a result has been forced out of his March 3 main card bout with Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at the upcoming Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey show in Columbus, OH, it appears that one prime candidate for the bout is very interested in stepping up on just over two weeks notice: Tim Kennedy.

Kennedy, who still has a bitter taste in his mouth from the unanimous decision loss he suffered against Souza back in August 2010 at Strikeforce: Houston responded to questions on Twitter today regarding his desire to take the bout and said he is in shape and ready to go if he gets the call to rematch the Brazilian submission specialist.

“I know I don’t really have an objective opinion, but I’m pretty accurate in how I view how fights went, and I thought I landed more strikes,” Kennedy told MMAjunkie.com after the fight. “I thought I landed more kicks. I knew I stuffed both of his takedowns. I knew I was the only one that scored takedowns. I knew I was the one that was controlling the center of the ring. In my understanding of the scoring of MMA, that means I won the fight.”

Brunson wasn’t cleared by the Ohio commission when they learned that he wears contacts when he fights — a common practice by fighters. After being told that he would be pulled from the card, he tweeted today that he will be booking an appointment for Lasik eye surgery in the near future.

“Failed medicals [– specifially the] eye exam. I’ve been fighting with contacts for 11 fights, [and it] never was an issue [before],” Brunson explained. “Ohio won’t pass my eye exam. I’m working on getting Lasik [surgery] this week. I’ll be back in no time.”

Hopefully Zuffa books Kennedy for the rematch since it’s unlikely that many opponents will be lining up to take on a tough former Strikeforce champ in two-and-a-half weeks. Tim is said to be next in line at a shot at champ Luke Rockhold, but a planned January bout never materialized for unknown reasons.