Tag: UFC 160

Mark Hunt Is Ready For His Rematch With Junior Dos Santos

Junior dos Santos may have been pegged as being on the downside of his elite MMA career, but he proved that theory extremely wrong when he dominated top-ranked Ben Rothwell in the main event of yesterday’s (Sun., April 10, 2016) UFC Fight Night 86 from the Zagreb Arena in Zagreb, Croatia. The victory put the previously

The post Mark Hunt Is Ready For His Rematch With Junior Dos Santos appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Junior dos Santos may have been pegged as being on the downside of his elite MMA career, but he proved that theory extremely wrong when he dominated top-ranked Ben Rothwell in the main event of yesterday’s (Sun., April 10, 2016) UFC Fight Night 86 from the Zagreb Arena in Zagreb, Croatia.

The victory put the previously No. 5-ranked “Cigano” in line for another big fight in the relatively barren heavyweight ranks, and indeed there is a small but strong list of potential opponents awaiting him after their current match-ups are done.

However, there’s another top heavyweight who doesn’t have a fight booked and wants a bout with dos Santos, and that’s his UFC 160 opponent, fan favorite Mark Hunt. “The Super Samoan,” who lost to a dos Santos spinning wheel kick at the epic event back in 2013, called out for a rematch with “Cigano” on Twitter immediately after his win over Rothwell:

Although Hunt lost the “Fight of the Night” bout by highlight reel knockout, “The Super Samoan” undoubtedly gave dos Santos all he could handle, rocking him with his trademark massive shots early and often in the fight.

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After the loss to dos Santos snapped a four-fight win streak that had him on the verge of title contention, Hunt went on to participate in his classic brawl with Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva that ended in a draw at UFC Fight Night 33 that December. He knocked out Roy Nelson in September 2014 before losing two straight to current UFC 198 title fight participants Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic.

But Hunt has since rebounded well with knockout wins over Silva in the rematch and Frank Mir at March’s UFC Fight Night 85 from his homeland of Brisbane, Australia. The results suggest that Hunt could deserve a rematch with “Cigano,” and there’s little to no doubt the fight would provide fireworks once again.

There are other top-ranked heavyweights the promotion could be saving dos Santos for, however.

Who do you think “JDS” should throw down with next? Cast your vote here!

The post Mark Hunt Is Ready For His Rematch With Junior Dos Santos appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Despite Long Absence, T.J. Grant Is Doing the Right Thing

Professional sports careers are marred with a multitude of injuries. Often times, the athletes are forced to suffer from their effects for years after their time competing is over.
The controversy surrounding brain injuries has jumped to the forefront …

Professional sports careers are marred with a multitude of injuries. Often times, the athletes are forced to suffer from their effects for years after their time competing is over.

The controversy surrounding brain injuries has jumped to the forefront in recent years. Mixed martial arts is not without its own concerns for head injuries. This is why the slow return of T.J. Grant is a positive move, not only for his career, but for future fighters who are dealing with serious head injuries.

For those of you who may have forgotten, T.J. Grant was, at one time, the No. 1 contender to the UFC lightweight title. After defeating Gray Maynard at UFC 160, Grant was slated to face then-champion Benson Henderson at UFC 164. Instead, Grant suffered an injury that forced him from the card.

The UFC would then give Grant a second opportunity to fight for the title. This time he was placed against Anthony Pettis for UFC on Fox 9, but again he would be put on the shelf because of a continued battle with post-concussion syndrome (via Sherdog). Nearly 17 months after his last fight, there still isn’t a timetable for Grant’s return.

“It’s definitely difficult,” Grant told Mike Bohn of MMAjunkie. “The whole year’s been difficult. Being a professional fighter, you need to be at another level and I’m optimistic going forward that I’ll get better.”

While it is obviously hard for Grant to sit on the sideline while his peers compete, doing so is the best step for his long-term health. Across sports, there are multiple stories of athletes being more aware of the serious nature of head injuries. Sidney Rice, age 28, became the most recent player to step away from the NFL at a young age due to multiple bouts with concussions (via SB Nation). As more information emerges about the potential for long-term damage from concussions, time has become a vital component to the care of athletes who sustain these injuries.

In a sport that involves such violence as mixed martial arts, Grant is taking the right steps to protect his health. Missing a year of competition is a tough position for any fighter, however Grant could sustain further damage that will not only end his career, but harm his personal life as well.

“I could fight tomorrow – I just know it wouldn’t be good for my long-term health,” Grant continued in his interview with MMA Junkie. “Physically, I can do everything I need to, it’s just my brain. I want to make sure that’s OK, because it’s a lot more important than the other stuff. I know I can fight. I just want to be smart about it.”

Mixed martial artists are in a tough position when it comes to dealing with concussions. Time away from fighting means a loss of money and big opportunities in the future. However, rushing back has the potential to damage their health beyond repair. T.J. Grant has sat out for more than a year and while his career may suffer, his health—which is the most important factor—will benefit.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC: 5 Fights to Welcome Back Nick Diaz

Fight fans can rejoice because Nick Diaz has decided to return from his brief retirement. UFC President Dana White used his official Twitter account to reveal the return of the popular fighter. Diaz has signed a new deal that will allow him to appear i…

Fight fans can rejoice because Nick Diaz has decided to return from his brief retirement. UFC President Dana White used his official Twitter account to reveal the return of the popular fighter. Diaz has signed a new deal that will allow him to appear in the Octagon at least three more times. The UFC has struggled to create stars with its current roster, so Diaz’s return comes at a great time for the promotion.

As always, Nick is interested in fighting for a UFC title; however, it will be hard to book him in such a manner coming off of two straight losses.

“I’d like to fight for the title,” Diaz said in a UFC.com report. “I think that would be a big deal and worth fighting for. I want fights that will lead to a title fight. Whoever is in line and whoever has the title, that’s who I’m going to be fighting.

With that in mind, these are five fight suggestions that would work to keep the Stockton, California, native busy while creating interesting contests for the fans to enjoy.

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Dana White Trashes Alistair Overeem for “Ducking” Junior Dos Santos, Gets Immediately Corrected by Overeem

That was the first rebuttal offered by Alistair Overeem after Dana White told UFC Tonight that the former Strikeforce heavyweight champ was “hiding” from former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos. According to White — who was clearly having a bad day at the office — Overeem was offered a five-round main event fight with Dos Santos in Brazil immediately following his dominant win over Frank Mir at UFC 169 (which White was also super critical of, for some reason). After allegedly turning it down, Overeem was then offered a three-round main event with “Cigano,” but promptly turned it down as well.

“He wants nothing to do with dos Santos,” White told UFC Tonight’s Ariel Helwani. “He’s literally hiding from JDS…but he had no problem calling out Brock Lesnar who hasn’t fought in 2 years and who is in WWE.”

A strong accusation coming from a man usually known for making calculated, restrained statements bolstered by impeccable fact-checking (see: Pena, Julianna) if there ever was one.

What’s that, you say? Overeem is hurt, hence why he’s not ready to fight? Well I guess we might as well hear him out…

That was the first rebuttal offered by Alistair Overeem after Dana White told UFC Tonight that the former Strikeforce heavyweight champ was “hiding” from former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos. According to White — who was clearly having a bad day at the office — Overeem was offered a five-round main event fight with Dos Santos in Brazil immediately following his dominant win over Frank Mir at UFC 169 (which White was also super critical of, for some reason). After allegedly turning it down, Overeem was then offered a three-round main event with “Cigano,” but promptly turned it down as well.

“He wants nothing to do with dos Santos,” White told UFC Tonight’s Ariel Helwani. “He’s literally hiding from JDS…but he had no problem calling out Brock Lesnar who hasn’t fought in 2 years and who is in WWE.”

A strong accusation coming from a man usually known for making calculated, restrained statements bolstered by impeccable fact-checking (see: Pena, Julianna) if there ever was one.

What’s that, you say? Overeem is hurt, hence why he’s not ready to fight? Well I guess we might as well hear him out…

After finding out that his promoter (emphasis on “promote”) had once again taken to trashing him in the media, Overeem told MMAFighting that:

I’m hurt. Rib problem. So first [I] need an ETA on recovery time. [It] would be unwise to accept any fight before knowing exactly what’s up. [I] wouldn’t want to pull out of any fight [due to] being unfit, especially an anticipated fight as this one.

My God, what an inconsiderate dick this Overeem guy is. Wanting to be in the best possible health before accepting a gigantic fight against the one guy who has eluded him his entire UFC career? Right there, buddy. Right there.

To be fair, this isn’t the first time someone claimed that Ubereem was ducking Dos Santos. Ever since Overeem juiced his way out of their fight at UFC 146 and pulled out of their rescheduled fight at UFC 160 with an injury, Dos Santos’ camp has aired their grievances with the former K1 star as well. And Overeem’s callout of Brock Lesnar does seems to serve in direct contradiction to his apparent injury, but I imagine that was more a heat of the moment, empty threat than anything else.

Of course, White burying one of his fighters before receiving the facts (or just preferring to ignore them) is common procedure at this point, because it’s hard to understand that injuries sometimes happen when you make your living getting kicked and punched in the head.

That being the case, we should all probably start assuming that Rashad Evans is ducking Daniel Cormier, right?

–J. Jones

[VIDEO] That Was Quick – Forrest Griffin Opens Door to Comeback

(Video via MMA Fight Corner)

Athe UFC 160 post event press conference Dana White announced that former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin was retiring from MMA. Now, less than a month later, Griffin has revealed that he’s at least open to the possibility of coming back should his body heal up well from recent injuries.

“I’ll start training again, September, August. Maybe if I’m just magically healed and like everything works great, then I’ll have to try [fighting] again. But, I’m not healthy now,” the TUF 1 winner told MMA Fight Corner.

Griffin last fought in July of 2012, when he beat long-time champion Tito Ortiz by unanimous decision. Griffin won three out of his last four fights but was forced to pull out of a scheduled bout with Phil Davis this year due to a torn MCL in his knee.

Griffin will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame July 6th at UFC 162 along with his TUF 1 co-finalist Stephan Bonnar. And, although the fighter sounds eager to get back into training and acknowledges the possibility of his return to competition, he warns not to read too much into his desire to be back in the gym.

“But, to say I’m unusual for that, most professional athletes have that,” Griffin explained.

“Most guys are like ‘Ok when can I start training again?’. I got into this because I like fighting, I like training. It’s fun, you know.”


(Video via MMA Fight Corner)

Athe UFC 160 post event press conference Dana White announced that former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin was retiring from MMA. Now, less than a month later, Griffin has revealed that he’s at least open to the possibility of coming back should his body heal up well from recent injuries.

“I’ll start training again, September, August. Maybe if I’m just magically healed and like everything works great, then I’ll have to try [fighting] again. But, I’m not healthy now,” the TUF 1 winner told MMA Fight Corner.

Griffin last fought in July of 2012, when he beat long-time champion Tito Ortiz by unanimous decision. Griffin won three out of his last four fights but was forced to pull out of a scheduled bout with Phil Davis this year due to a torn MCL in his knee.

Griffin will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame July 6th at UFC 162 along with his TUF 1 co-finalist Stephan Bonnar. And, although the fighter sounds eager to get back into training and acknowledges the possibility of his return to competition, he warns not to read too much into his desire to be back in the gym.

“But, to say I’m unusual for that, most professional athletes have that,” Griffin explained.

“Most guys are like ‘Ok when can I start training again?’. I got into this because I like fighting, I like training. It’s fun, you know.”

The as of yet still retired champion also says that his next fight is more likely to come outside of the cage than inside it. “If we’re at the movies and some guy pours a drink on my wife, it’s going down,” he joked.

So, what do you say, taters? Do you think Forrest can really stay away from fighting or will he be back in the Octagon before his Hall of Fame plaque can even begin to collect dust on his mantle?

– Elias Cepeda

[VIDEO] That Was Quick – Forrest Griffin Opens Door to Comeback

(Video via MMA Fight Corner)

Athe UFC 160 post event press conference Dana White announced that former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin was retiring from MMA. Now, less than a month later, Griffin has revealed that he’s at least open to the possibility of coming back should his body heal up well from recent injuries.

“I’ll start training again, September, August. Maybe if I’m just magically healed and like everything works great, then I’ll have to try [fighting] again. But, I’m not healthy now,” the TUF 1 winner told MMA Fight Corner.

Griffin last fought in July of 2012, when he beat long-time champion Tito Ortiz by unanimous decision. Griffin won three out of his last four fights but was forced to pull out of a scheduled bout with Phil Davis this year due to a torn MCL in his knee.

Griffin will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame July 6th at UFC 162 along with his TUF 1 co-finalist Stephan Bonnar. And, although the fighter sounds eager to get back into training and acknowledges the possibility of his return to competition, he warns not to read too much into his desire to be back in the gym.

“But, to say I’m unusual for that, most professional athletes have that,” Griffin explained.

“Most guys are like ‘Ok when can I start training again?’. I got into this because I like fighting, I like training. It’s fun, you know.”


(Video via MMA Fight Corner)

Athe UFC 160 post event press conference Dana White announced that former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin was retiring from MMA. Now, less than a month later, Griffin has revealed that he’s at least open to the possibility of coming back should his body heal up well from recent injuries.

“I’ll start training again, September, August. Maybe if I’m just magically healed and like everything works great, then I’ll have to try [fighting] again. But, I’m not healthy now,” the TUF 1 winner told MMA Fight Corner.

Griffin last fought in July of 2012, when he beat long-time champion Tito Ortiz by unanimous decision. Griffin won three out of his last four fights but was forced to pull out of a scheduled bout with Phil Davis this year due to a torn MCL in his knee.

Griffin will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame July 6th at UFC 162 along with his TUF 1 co-finalist Stephan Bonnar. And, although the fighter sounds eager to get back into training and acknowledges the possibility of his return to competition, he warns not to read too much into his desire to be back in the gym.

“But, to say I’m unusual for that, most professional athletes have that,” Griffin explained.

“Most guys are like ‘Ok when can I start training again?’. I got into this because I like fighting, I like training. It’s fun, you know.”

The as of yet still retired champion also says that his next fight is more likely to come outside of the cage than inside it. “If we’re at the movies and some guy pours a drink on my wife, it’s going down,” he joked.

So, what do you say, taters? Do you think Forrest can really stay away from fighting or will he be back in the Octagon before his Hall of Fame plaque can even begin to collect dust on his mantle?

– Elias Cepeda