Tag: UFC 160

[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

Brian Bowles Fails UFC 160 Drug Test


(Bowles in happier times)

In case you missed it, nation, not all UFC 160 fighters passed their post-fight drug tests. Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Executive Director Keith Kizer let us know yesterday that former champion Brian Bowles has some ‘splaining to do.

Regarding UFC 160, Kizer wrote in an email that “All athletes tested.  All results negative, except Brian Bowles tested positive for an elevated T/E ratio (> 20).  A complaint will be forthcoming.”

First off, let’s just highlight the fact that Kizer said that all fighters on the UFC 160 card were tested. Used to be that only a select few were ever tested following bouts, you might remember. For some time now, however, the NSAC has been testing all fighters on a given card. Ain’t no Canadian loopholes in Nevada, we suppose.

Back to Bowles – The failed test is just an extra bummer for him. He returned to action for the first time since 2011 at UFC 160 and lost via TKO to George Roop. No one seems to really be able to truly explain the precise significance of what elevated testosterone to epitestosterone ratios mean, but we do know that athletes can sure get in trouble for having them.

A complaint from the NSAC will soon be filed against Bowles and his license to fight is presumably temporarily suspended until he has a hearing before the regulatory body to explain himself and the test results. At that point, the commission could decide to do any number of things with Bowles from reinstating his license immediately to suspending him for a specific period of time and fining him a portion of his UFC 160 purse.

Bowles has now lost two in a row. Thus far, he hasn’t appeared to comment publicly on the test results.  We’ll keep you posted as more news develops.

– Elias Cepeda


(Bowles in happier times)

In case you missed it, nation, not all UFC 160 fighters passed their post-fight drug tests. Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Executive Director Keith Kizer let us know yesterday that former champion Brian Bowles has some ‘splaining to do.

Regarding UFC 160, Kizer wrote in an email that “All athletes tested.  All results negative, except Brian Bowles tested positive for an elevated T/E ratio (> 20).  A complaint will be forthcoming.”

First off, let’s just highlight the fact that Kizer said that all fighters on the UFC 160 card were tested. Used to be that only a select few were ever tested following bouts, you might remember. For some time now, however, the NSAC has been testing all fighters on a given card. Ain’t no Canadian loopholes in Nevada, we suppose.

Back to Bowles – The failed test is just an extra bummer for him. He returned to action for the first time since 2011 at UFC 160 and lost via TKO to George Roop. No one seems to really be able to truly explain the precise significance of what elevated testosterone to epitestosterone ratios mean, but we do know that athletes can sure get in trouble for having them.

A complaint from the NSAC will soon be filed against Bowles and his license to fight is presumably temporarily suspended until he has a hearing before the regulatory body to explain himself and the test results. At that point, the commission could decide to do any number of things with Bowles from reinstating his license immediately to suspending him for a specific period of time and fining him a portion of his UFC 160 purse.

Bowles has now lost two in a row. Thus far, he hasn’t appeared to comment publicly on the test results.  We’ll keep you posted as more news develops.

– Elias Cepeda

UFC 160 Drug Test Results: Brian Bowles’ T/E Ratio More Than 20-to-1

UFC 160 is a few weeks behind us, but the drug test results have just become public, and things look bad for one fighter. Former WEC bantamweight champion, Brian Bowles, returning to the cage for the first time since November 2011, was the only fighter…

UFC 160 is a few weeks behind us, but the drug test results have just become public, and things look bad for one fighter.

Former WEC bantamweight champion, Brian Bowles, returning to the cage for the first time since November 2011, was the only fighter from the May 25 fight card whose post-fight drug test came back with issues.

Bowles, who was TKO’d by George Roop in the second round of their preliminary card bout, came back with a testosterone to epitestosterone ratio of more than 20:1. The acceptable level in the state of Nevada is 6:1.

Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer provided the drug test results to Bleacher Report via email and stated that a complaint against Bowles would be coming shortly.

Bowles had been out between 2011 and 2013 tending to injuries. The loss dropped his career record to 10-3.

Bowles has never failed a drug test in the past. It is likely that he will face a fine and suspension as a result of the failed test.

Full UFC 160 results:

Cain Velasquez defeats Antonio Silva via TKO at 1:21 of Round 1

Junior dos Santos defeats Mark Hunt via knockout at 4:18 of Round 3

Glover Teixeira defeats James Te Huna via submission at 2:38 of Round 1

T.J. Grant defeats Gray Maynard via TKO at 2:07 of Round 1

Donald Cerrone defeats KJ Noons via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Mike Pyle defeats Rick Story via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Dennis Bermudez defeats Max Holloway via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Robert Whittaker defeats Colton Smith via TKO at 0:41 of Round 3

Khabib Nurmagomedov defeats Abel Trujillo via unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)

Stephen Thompson defeats Nah-Shon Burrell via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

George Roop defeats Brian Bowles via TKO at 1:43 of Round 2

Jeremy Stephens defeats Estevan Payan via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Key Statistics from the Month of May in the UFC

The month of May has come and gone and with it a pair of UFC events—UFC on FX 8 and UFC 160.The former took place on May 18 in Brazil. It featured a middleweight bout between Vitor Belfort and Strikeforce import, as well as former champion, Luke …

The month of May has come and gone and with it a pair of UFC events—UFC on FX 8 and UFC 160.

The former took place on May 18 in Brazil. It featured a middleweight bout between Vitor Belfort and Strikeforce import, as well as former champion, Luke Rockhold. The latter, a pay-per-view event, was headlined by a heavyweight rematch between champion Cain Velasquez and top contender Antonio Silva.

But May featured much more than a pair of main events, and we have the top statistics to prove it. 

Check out where the month of May stands in comparison to the first four months of 2013 in the UFC, what six-year-old record was broken at UFC 160 and other key stats from the past 30 days.  

Begin Slideshow

Mike Pyle Eyeing Top 10 Competition Following Victory at UFC 160

Mike Pyle put on one of the grittiest performances of his career last weekend at UFC 160.Following a treacherous first round where he was dropped and close to being finished by Rick Story, the Las Vegas-based fighter bounced back with vigor to earn the…

Mike Pyle put on one of the grittiest performances of his career last weekend at UFC 160.

Following a treacherous first round where he was dropped and close to being finished by Rick Story, the Las Vegas-based fighter bounced back with vigor to earn the split-decision nod. It was a fight which required the savvy veteran to tap into every facet of his skill set. And while his ground game and striking turned the tide of the fight, it was perhaps his intangible attributes which ultimately secured the victory.

Over the three-round affair, the 37-year-old Syndicate MMA fighter displayed heart and determination all the while relying on his experience to help him persevere. It was a close fought back-and-forth affair, but after the 15 minutes had concluded, Pyle’s hand was raised in victory.

“It was a good war,” Pyle told Bleacher Report. “It’s been awhile since I’ve been in a three round battle and a fighter needs it every now and again to dig deep and get the job done. I’m happy with my performance. I’m happy with the outcome. I’m glad to be victorious, man.”

The opening minutes of the fight were spent grappling on the mat. But when the fighters returned to their feet, Story caught Pyle with a big shot that put the veteran flat on the canvas. The 29-year-old Team Brave Legion fighter immediately swarmed in looking for the finish, but Pyle was able to regroup and get Story under control inside his guard.

“The thoughts going through my mind were like, ‘I have to weather the storm and hang in there. I know I can beat this kid, I just can’t let him get anymore shots in on me,” Pyle said. “I tried to stay safe and [Steve] Mazzagatti did a good job by not stopping the fight. I was still in that fight and he did a good job.”

While Pyle rode out the rest of the first round off his back, the position would be repeated several times throughout the fight. But where the majority of fighters lose points with their backs to the canvas, Pyle remained offensive from the bottom as he made several solid submission attempts.

“I was just looking for whatever he gave me,” Pyle said. “I was just playing it by ear. If he gave me something I was going to take it. He gave me opportunities a couple of times but I wasn’t able to capitalize on them. That boy is really strong. Rick Story is a strong son of a b***.”

“I have put a lot of time into my ground game and I believe that showed through in this fight. I’m comfortable off my back. I know that I can hang with the best. That is all there is to it. I’m not afraid to be in that position and I’ll be there with anyone. I don’t care who they are. In a fight, you are going to end up on your back.

“It’s not just about scrambling up to get back to your feet. It’s about winning. You have to stay focused and make sure your defense is sound before your offense. I have a pretty good defense on the ground and it’s somewhere I’m comfortable.” 

Going into the final frame it was anyone’s fight to take and Pyle put his foot on the gas pedal. Where the first two rounds were spent in grappling exchanges, the third round saw Pyle open up with his striking and score at will. He consistently backed Story up with solid shots and scored enough to lock down the round on the judge’s scorecards. 

“I was just in better shape,” Pyle said. “I was in better shape and I could see a lot more openings because he slowed down a bit. I was moving a little slow myself but I was scoring. My corner was telling me it was time to get after him. I got a little complacent trying to put a play in and let him get that takedown at the end. But I was still able to use my jiu-jitsu again off my back and make the fight.

The win over Story at UFC 160 was Pyle’s fourth-consecutive victory and added to an impressive streak where he’s found success in seven of his last eight showings. That momentum has brought him to the doorstep of the top 10 and creates a likely scenario where he will see one of the division’s best standing across the cage the next time he steps into the Octagon.

That being said, the decisions as to what comes next or where he stands in the bigger picture of the welterweight division are out of his hands. For Pyle, the only thing within his control is his ability to improve with each and every fight and the slick welterweight is determined to be prepared for whatever comes his way next. 

“Let’s do it,” Pyle replied when asked about getting a top-10 opponent for his next fight. “Whatever comes my way I’m going to take it. I can’t predict and I can’t control what the UFC has plans for as the welterweight division. Hopefully I fit in there somewhere and we’ll just take it day by day.

“I’m only getting better, man,” he added. “My health is great. I feel 27 not 37 and I’m ready to keep going. Let’s do it.”

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.

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