Tag: The Ultimate Fighter

Dana White Will “Absolutely Entertain” Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson TUF Season: “Hopefully They’ll Get P*ssed Off Enough At Each Other”

Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony FergusonKhabib Nurmagomedov could be returning to the UFC against Tony Ferguson in a different setting as hinted by Dana White. Former UFC Lightweight champion Khabib had an unblemished record inside the cage with 13 wins coming under the banner. There was a time when both Khabib and Ferguson racked up 12-fight UFC win streaks and […]

Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson

Khabib Nurmagomedov could be returning to the UFC against Tony Ferguson in a different setting as hinted by Dana White.

Former UFC Lightweight champion Khabib had an unblemished record inside the cage with 13 wins coming under the banner. There was a time when both Khabib and Ferguson racked up 12-fight UFC win streaks and were indisputably two of the best 155-lbs of their time. Having been matched up against one another five times in the past, not a single bout came to fruition.

Dana White is interested in Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson TUF Season

After Khabib announced his retirement from the sport in October 2020, his dream fight against Ferguson was declared to be one of the biggest fights that got away. However, there may still be a way for these two to compete.

Last month, Ferguson expressed his desire to compete against ‘The Eagle’ in any sporting format, be it grappling or another form of an athletic contest. In a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, ‘El Cucuy’ proposed the idea of coaching a season of The Ultimate Fighter opposite Khabib.

The undefeated Dagestani voiced his support for the idea and even offered to propose a deal on his own promotion, Eagle FC.

In a recent appearance on The Spinnin Backfist MMA Show, UFC President Dana White seemed to be interested in the prospect. While he did appear to be worried about having two coaches that won’t likely fight each other, he could get behind the idea if the fans want it.

“So you’re telling me, you guys as fans, media, whatever it might be, like the idea of two guys possibly coaching that wouldn’t fight each other?” White responded Tuesday when asked about Ferguson’s proposal.

“I’ll consider it. Congratulations. … I will absolutely entertain that idea.”

White continued to joke about having the two get mad enough at each other so they can actually make the fight happen.

“Hopefully they’ll get p*ssed off enough at each other that they actually want to fight and I can make them fight,” White joked. “I’m in. You sold me.”

Do you want to see Khabib Nurmagomedov coach TUF against Tony Ferguson?

Amanda Nunes Expected More Verbal Strikes From Julianna Pena On TUF 30: “Don’t You Talk Online?”

Amanda Nunes, Julianna PenaFormer two-division UFC women’s champion Amanda Nunes is of the impression that Julianna Pena held back the trash talk. Following a major upset win Pena secured to snatch the UFC bantamweight title from Nunes, the pair were put together to coach a season of The Ultimate Fighter. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ seemed to share a sense […]

Amanda Nunes, Julianna Pena

Former two-division UFC women’s champion Amanda Nunes is of the impression that Julianna Pena held back the trash talk.

Following a major upset win Pena secured to snatch the UFC bantamweight title from Nunes, the pair were put together to coach a season of The Ultimate Fighter. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ seemed to share a sense of animosity with the 34-year-old Brazilian and had been very vocal about criticism. The pair are slated for a rematch at UFC 277 on July 30 in Dallas, Texas.

Given the trash talk that went into their first bout, ‘Lioness’ expected more heated interactions to follow in the show. However, Nunes seems surprised by what she actually got from Pena.

Amanda Nunes expected more trash talk from Julianna Pena

In a recent appearance on MMA Fighting podcast Trocação Franca, Amanda Nunes detailed her surprise at Julianna Pena’s lack of trash talking when compared to her activity online. The 32-year-old had called Nunes a “high-maintenance” person along with being a “diva” on the production set for the show.

“Since Julianna was talking a lot, being the trash talker she is, I thought she would really bring that to TUF, but it didn’t go as I expected,” said Nunes.

“She was cool, completely different from who she really is. I don’t know if she was faking it because it would air on TV and she doesn’t want bad publicity. She’s too much, and everything’s full of Julianna already – imagine if she’s the way she [really] is on TUF. I think it wouldn’t be good for her, so I think she held back a little bit.”

Nunes speculated whether having daily interactions made Pena switch her stance towards her.

“I don’t know if she was used to seeing me all the time and that’s why she pumped the brakes on that stuff,” Nunes said. “I even told her, ‘Don’t you talk online? I’m in front of you now, open your mouth.’ But it was cool. [Normally] I don’t talk too much but I asked her, ‘What’s up?’ That’s what TUF is all about, it’s a reality [show] and people want drama.

“I even tried to poke her a little bit to see if I could get something out of her, but didn’t get much. … I didn’t understand much of it. I real expected something completely different than what she’s when on the show.”

Speaking on her title loss last December, Nunes shared her thoughts on why she feels like she needed it to grow.

“That was my first belt and I really want it back,” Nunes said. “That loss motivated me a lot. Instead of demotivate me, it really injected fire in me and made me rethink a lot of things and make several changes in my life. I’ll continue on this vibe. I’ll dance to the music that plays and won’t let any [belt] go without an answer.

“My love for the sport speaks louder. I love everything that surrounds MMA. It’s always hard for someone to retire, especially in their prime. This rematch will be another great achievement. I’ll get this belt back, no doubt about it, and it will be historic. That’s what makes me so fascinated about this sport.”

Amanda Nunes Expected More Verbal Strikes From Julianna Pena On TUF 30: “Don’t You Talk Online?”

Amanda Nunes, Julianna PenaFormer two-division UFC women’s champion Amanda Nunes is of the impression that Julianna Pena held back the trash talk. Following a major upset win Pena secured to snatch the UFC bantamweight title from Nunes, the pair were put together to coach a season of The Ultimate Fighter. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ seemed to share a sense […]

Amanda Nunes, Julianna Pena

Former two-division UFC women’s champion Amanda Nunes is of the impression that Julianna Pena held back the trash talk.

Following a major upset win Pena secured to snatch the UFC bantamweight title from Nunes, the pair were put together to coach a season of The Ultimate Fighter. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ seemed to share a sense of animosity with the 34-year-old Brazilian and had been very vocal about criticism. The pair are slated for a rematch at UFC 277 on July 30 in Dallas, Texas.

Given the trash talk that went into their first bout, ‘Lioness’ expected more heated interactions to follow in the show. However, Nunes seems surprised by what she actually got from Pena.

Amanda Nunes expected more trash talk from Julianna Pena

In a recent appearance on MMA Fighting podcast Trocação Franca, Amanda Nunes detailed her surprise at Julianna Pena’s lack of trash talking when compared to her activity online. The 32-year-old had called Nunes a “high-maintenance” person along with being a “diva” on the production set for the show.

“Since Julianna was talking a lot, being the trash talker she is, I thought she would really bring that to TUF, but it didn’t go as I expected,” said Nunes.

“She was cool, completely different from who she really is. I don’t know if she was faking it because it would air on TV and she doesn’t want bad publicity. She’s too much, and everything’s full of Julianna already – imagine if she’s the way she [really] is on TUF. I think it wouldn’t be good for her, so I think she held back a little bit.”

Nunes speculated whether having daily interactions made Pena switch her stance towards her.

“I don’t know if she was used to seeing me all the time and that’s why she pumped the brakes on that stuff,” Nunes said. “I even told her, ‘Don’t you talk online? I’m in front of you now, open your mouth.’ But it was cool. [Normally] I don’t talk too much but I asked her, ‘What’s up?’ That’s what TUF is all about, it’s a reality [show] and people want drama.

“I even tried to poke her a little bit to see if I could get something out of her, but didn’t get much. … I didn’t understand much of it. I real expected something completely different than what she’s when on the show.”

Speaking on her title loss last December, Nunes shared her thoughts on why she feels like she needed it to grow.

“That was my first belt and I really want it back,” Nunes said. “That loss motivated me a lot. Instead of demotivate me, it really injected fire in me and made me rethink a lot of things and make several changes in my life. I’ll continue on this vibe. I’ll dance to the music that plays and won’t let any [belt] go without an answer.

“My love for the sport speaks louder. I love everything that surrounds MMA. It’s always hard for someone to retire, especially in their prime. This rematch will be another great achievement. I’ll get this belt back, no doubt about it, and it will be historic. That’s what makes me so fascinated about this sport.”

Tony Ferguson Roasts Khabib Nurmagomedov In New Teaser For TUF: “Fat, You Smell Funny, & Ur Momma Dresses Ya’ Weird”

Tony Ferguson, Khabib NurmagomedovTony Ferguson fired shots at Khabib Nurmagomedov in an unofficial promo video for The Ultimate Fighter. Coming off the first knockout loss of his career, Tony Ferguson has stayed active in the media and continued to share updates with his fans. His recent loss to Michael Chandler marked the fourth fight he dropped in a […]

Tony Ferguson, Khabib Nurmagomedov

Tony Ferguson fired shots at Khabib Nurmagomedov in an unofficial promo video for The Ultimate Fighter.

Coming off the first knockout loss of his career, Tony Ferguson has stayed active in the media and continued to share updates with his fans. His recent loss to Michael Chandler marked the fourth fight he dropped in a row, leaving many to speculate what would be next for the former interim UFC lightweight titleholder.

While Ferguson has not shied away from taking a few jabs at the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov every now and then, he went a step ahead with his new promo video teasing a season of The Ultimate Fighter. ‘El Cucuy‘ has been calling to compete against ‘The Eagle’ in any sporting format and had suggested the idea of the two opposite each other as coaches.

““Next TUF Season” Or… We Make Something Happen On A Different Platform Eyy Fathead, Eure Fat, You Smell Funny, & Ur Momma Dresses Ya’ Weird *mack* For My Crew – Champ -CSO- # CertainFightsInterestMeToTrain 100% SomeoneShowOl’Boy For Me- “

Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – a match cursed by the MMA gods

Having been put together and canceled four times in the past, Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov is a matchup that seems to be cursed by the MMA gods. At the time when the Dagestani was on the rise in the UFC with six wins, he was set to take on Ferguson in the finale for The Ultimate Fighter Season 22.

Although the bout never took place, Ferguson’s idea of the pair competing against each other as coaches on TUF could make for entertaining viewing. Khabib has stayed firm on his decision of retirement and is unlikely to ever be seen inside the octagon again.

An opportunity to return to the UFC might be lucrative but Khabib also has his own promotion, Eagle FC, to focus on. The Dagestani native has been doing a run of media tours in order to promote his brand’s upcoming fights and may stick to doing so in the near future.

Would you like to see Ferguson vs. Khabib on TUF?

Kamaru Usman’s Brother Mohammad Usman Books Place In The Ultimate Fighter Season 30 Semi-Finals

Mohammad UsmanMohammad Usman, brother of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, snatched a hard-fought win over Mitchell Sipe. In the third episode of the recap of The Ultimate Fighter, Mohammad Usman took on Sipe in a heavyweight matchup between the two teams. For the 30th season of TUF, UFC recruited the star power of Amanda Nunes, who […]

Mohammad Usman

Mohammad Usman, brother of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, snatched a hard-fought win over Mitchell Sipe.

In the third episode of the recap of The Ultimate Fighter, Mohammad Usman took on Sipe in a heavyweight matchup between the two teams. For the 30th season of TUF, UFC recruited the star power of Amanda Nunes, who had suffered a major upset last December. Losing her women’s bantamweight strap to Julianna Pena, Nunes faced her as a coach this season.

Mohammad Usman gets to the semi-finals

Usman was representing team Pena, while Sipe was on team Nunes. The fight kicked off to a fiery start as the two went back and forth trading punches. Then, Sipe caught Mohammad with an overhand right that dropped him. An animated Nunes was excited to see her student get the finish as she encouraged him from the corner.

However, Sipe was not able to finish Mohammad as he got back to his feet quickly. Mohammad connected one on Sipe that sent him down this time. While Pena acknowledged her hopes for a finish, she realized the tit for tat going on between the pair.

In the second round, Sipe seemed to start playing more than focusing on the game plan. Nunes kept reiterating her advice to focus on the fight instead of showman antics only to fall on deaf ears. After two rounds of action, the judges decided that it needed to go to a third round.

With a spot in the semi-finals at stake, the contest went on for a third round, deemed to be the sudden victory round. Mohammad Usman came in all guns blazing whilst maintaining his composure to get the nod from the judges via a unanimous decision. Coach Nunes admired Usman’s talents in the final round as she spoke about him piecing her student up.

Sipe was less than happy with the outcome as he continued to talk smack even after the decision was announced. As Sipe told Muhammad that he’ll “f**k you (Usman) up later, watch”, coach Pena reminded Mohammad to ignore his words as she repeated, “just a barking dog”.

Study Finds Reduced Involvement In Violent Crime For UFC Viewers

A new study has found that exposure to UFC events does not coincide with aggressive and criminal behavior. According to a study published by the Journal of Health Economics specifically focusing on consumption of UFC content, watching the UFC does not result in a higher rate of crime from its viewers. Relying on Nielsen ratings…

Continue Reading Study Finds Reduced Involvement In Violent Crime For UFC Viewers at MMA News.

A new study has found that exposure to UFC events does not coincide with aggressive and criminal behavior.

According to a study published by the Journal of Health Economics specifically focusing on consumption of UFC content, watching the UFC does not result in a higher rate of crime from its viewers.

Relying on Nielsen ratings and arrest data from the FBI, researchers initially endeavored to see if there was any correlation between criminal activity and viewership of the UFC’s reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter. The show helped to establish the modern popularity of the UFC with its first season in 2005 and is currently in its 30th season.

The study first focused on crime statistics and TV viewership data from 2001 to 2016. The Ultimate Fighter didn’t debut until 2005, but checking earlier TV timeslot data allowed researchers to identify if the premier of the first season had any correlation with criminal activity.

The study examined viewership of the UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter, which is currently in its 30th season. (Zuffa LLC)

In addition to The Ultimate Fighter, the study looked at crime statistics from 2010 to 2016 in the context of viewing 91 different UFC fight cards during that period. Texas A&M professor Jason Lindo, one of the authors of the new study, identified the unpredictable scheduling of events throughout the year as being beneficial to the research process.

“The fact that these events are scheduled irregularly throughout the year is a distinct advantage that is critical to the empirical strategy that we used in this section, which compares how rates of crime change around the time of these events relative to the same times on otherwise-similar days.”

While the researchers acknowledged that their study is only a small sample of the larger body of “violent media content” that viewers can be exposed to, their findings were nonetheless encouraging.

“We find no evidence that consuming this sort of content increases involvement in crime. In fact, we find that it actually reduces involvement in violent crime, particularly assaults,” Lindo told psychology and neuroscience news website Psypost.

What’s your reaction to the results of this study examining UFC viewership and crime statistics?

Continue Reading Study Finds Reduced Involvement In Violent Crime For UFC Viewers at MMA News.