Tag: UFC 194

Frankie Edgar: I’m Going To Put Jose Aldo Away

A former lightweight champion, Frankie “The Answer” Edgar dropped down in weight back in 2013, receiving an immediate title shot at then champion Jose Aldo. Edgar would come up short in a very close five round affair, and has since rattled off five straight victories including three finishes, putting himself right back on the brink

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A former lightweight champion, Frankie “The Answer” Edgar dropped down in weight back in 2013, receiving an immediate title shot at then champion Jose Aldo.

Edgar would come up short in a very close five round affair, and has since rattled off five straight victories including three finishes, putting himself right back on the brink of title contention.

Aldo has since lost his long-held strap, suffering a disappointing 13 second knockout loss to Conor McGregor last December at UFC 194.

Both “The Answer” and “Scarface” have been campaigning for a shot at the Irish knockout artist, but the UFC has actually paired them off opposite each other in an interim title tilt at July 9’s UFC 200, the same event in which McGregor will rematch Nate Diaz in a 170-pound scrap.

While Edgar obviously had his eyes set on the ‘money fight’ with the “Notorious” one, he’s also excited to get his chance at redemption with Aldo:

“I’ve got Jose on my mind 24/7 now,” Edgar told FOX Sports. “He’s the most dominant featherweight that we’ve ever had. He stumbled his last fight but he’s still dangerous. I know he wants to get back at Conor and I know I want a chance at Conor as well so I’m definitely excited for this fight.

“It was a close (first) fight, a lot of people feel I may have won or it was super close and just to have a chance at redemption is always a good thing.”

As far as his upcoming rematch goes, Edgar feels as if the McGregor knockout may have seriously affected Aldo, who now has the pressure riding on him:

“He could be second-guessing himself,” Edgar said about Aldo. “Conor threw one punch and it’s over in 13 seconds, that’s a tough pill to swallow and we’ve got a lot of pride as competitors. That eats at your pride and your ego. He’s going to have to deal with all these emotions leading up to this. He didn’t lose for 10 years, he’s a winner and I’m sure he’ll bounce back. I’m expecting this fight to be all it’s cracked up to be.

“It’s going to be over three years at this point (since the last fight). I’m very comfortable, I feel like I’m coming into my own more and more and I’m coming in there to finish him 100 percent. He has a lot to try and bounce back from and he’s going to have a lot of pressure on him but I feel like it’s my time right now.”

Despite starting off slow the first time around, and taking over later in the fight, Edgar plans to control much of the action against Aldo in July. In fact, “The Answer” guaranteed a finish:

“I definitely think if I touch him and string my punches together, put that pressure on him I’m going to make him wilt and I’m going to put him away,” Edgar said.

Which man will secure the interim strap, and buy his ticket to a showdown with McGregor?

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Jose Aldo: Interim Belt Is Made For Media & Fans, Not For Me

It was announced last week that former long-time 145-pound champion Jose Aldo would take on former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar at July 9’s UFC 200 for the interim featherweight strap. Why is there an interim title on the line, you ask? Well, that’s because reigning champion Conor McGregor will once again be squaring off with

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It was announced last week that former long-time 145-pound champion Jose Aldo would take on former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar at July 9’s UFC 200 for the interim featherweight strap.

Why is there an interim title on the line, you ask?

Well, that’s because reigning champion Conor McGregor will once again be squaring off with Nate Diaz, the man who submitted him last month (March 6, 2016) in a welterweight scrap in the evening’s main event.

Aldo isn’t too happy with how things have played out, recently saying that he deserved a rematch with the Irishman, who shockingly knocked him out in just 13 seconds last December at UFC 194.

Despite not being pleased, “Scarface” is confident that he will once again take out Edgar on his way back to the top:

“He will be fighting at the same night in a different division, in a rematch that means nothing,” Aldo said during a recent media scrum in Rio de Janeiro (via MMAFighting.com). “We asked for a rematch. For everything I’ve done, all the years as champion, I deserved a rematch, but what can I do? I had to accept. We’re not the ones making the call. We’ll go there and win. I respect Frankie Edgar, but it’s our first step towards the belt.

“It’s a bit frustrating, of course, because we expected the title fight, but it’s kind of what they said they would do, that we would fight Frankie Edgar for the belt, but it’s not the undisputed belt. But what can I do? We’re hired to go there and fight.”

Regarding the “prize” on the line, Aldo went as far as to say that the interim belt means ‘nothing’ to him, as it’s just a label for the media and fans. At the end of the day, the Brazilian is simply focused on recapturing the hefty gold belt he carried around for years:

“It means nothing,” Aldo said. “I want the victory so I get the belt next. That’s the first step we’re taking. Interim belt is made for media and fans, not for me. I want the undisputed belt. I respect Frankie Edgar, but I’ll get there and win. This lit that fire again, this desire to go there and win.”

Do you see Aldo finally receiving his chance at redemption after UFC 200?

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Jose Aldo Accuses Conor McGregor Of Being “Full Of Juice” Heading Into UFC 196

jose-aldo-miic

Jose Aldo made some pretty big statements when taking part in a media scrum in Brazil recently.

Aldo spoke about his decision to turn down the short notice offer he received to fight Conor McGregor at UFC 196 when Rafael dos Anjos pulled out. According to Aldo, he turned the fight down because it was offered on short notice and was going to be a non-title fight at 155 pounds.

Additionally, Aldo made a pretty big claim regarding Conor McGregor and performance-enhancing drugs.

“The fight was not at featherweight. Why would I rematch him in a different weight class with no belt? Now, to make this fight at 155, where he was full of juice in his body, where he hides and nobody tests him, only when he gets to Las Vegas, a week before the fight, and then it’s way easier for you to clean the body and fight. They offered the fight knowing that I wasn’t trained at all. I can’t say anything. I can train, beat Frankie Edgar and then know that I’ve earned my fight for the title again.”

Also continued, explaining how frustrating it was not to be able to get a hold of Dana White or the UFC when first looking to secure a rematch with McGregor after their fight at UFC 194.

“We called and texted him every day (asking for the rematch) and nothing. There was no talk for a month. I waited for a call from Dana (White) for three weeks, and when he texted ‘Dede’ (Pederneiras) I was doing a charity soccer match in Manaus, and he talked about replacing Rafael. He knew I wasn’t training because I was coming back from (medical) suspension. They already had in mind who to put against Conor. That’s the path they try to follow, and it’s kind of dirty to me. There’s no negotiation. We ask, and not always we get a response. When they respond is like that, and then they say they love us. It’s a bit weird. But what can I do?”

The former UFC 145 pound champion also spoke about his belief that UFC is showing favortism to Conor McGregor because he makes the company a lot of money.

“If I think so? I’m sure. Not only in this situation, but it’s like that since he showed up. Like I said, it involves money, but you have to respect the other side because you can’t make money alone. They treat him differently, doing this rematch that means sh*t. Nate said he wanted rematches with fighters he lost before, and never got one. This rematch means nothing. I think it’s weird, but what can I do? They make the call.”

As far as the future is concerned, Aldo is convinced that McGregor will have no choice but to return to featherweight, as he won’t be able to achieve real success in either the welterweight or lightweight divisions.

“He will come back. I don’t know if right after this fight, but he will. I don’t see how he gets too far even at lightweight. He won’t do well at lightweight either.”

Finally, Aldo gave his prediction on who he feels will win the McGregor-Diaz II fight at UFC 200. It should come as no surprise that the Brazilian doesn’t like McGregor’s chances in July.

“Nate wins again. He’s used to this weight. It’s really hard to move up in weight and continue winning. It’s going to be different now that Nate will be more prepared. He can do his thing, anything he wants, from start to end. He can slap him, anything, because he will win. It can be faster this time. Nate will prepare, will have enough time, and it can be faster this time.”

H/T to MMAFighting.com for transcribing.

jose-aldo-miic

Jose Aldo made some pretty big statements when taking part in a media scrum in Brazil recently.

Aldo spoke about his decision to turn down the short notice offer he received to fight Conor McGregor at UFC 196 when Rafael dos Anjos pulled out. According to Aldo, he turned the fight down because it was offered on short notice and was going to be a non-title fight at 155 pounds.

Additionally, Aldo made a pretty big claim regarding Conor McGregor and performance-enhancing drugs.

“The fight was not at featherweight. Why would I rematch him in a different weight class with no belt? Now, to make this fight at 155, where he was full of juice in his body, where he hides and nobody tests him, only when he gets to Las Vegas, a week before the fight, and then it’s way easier for you to clean the body and fight. They offered the fight knowing that I wasn’t trained at all. I can’t say anything. I can train, beat Frankie Edgar and then know that I’ve earned my fight for the title again.”

Also continued, explaining how frustrating it was not to be able to get a hold of Dana White or the UFC when first looking to secure a rematch with McGregor after their fight at UFC 194.

“We called and texted him every day (asking for the rematch) and nothing. There was no talk for a month. I waited for a call from Dana (White) for three weeks, and when he texted ‘Dede’ (Pederneiras) I was doing a charity soccer match in Manaus, and he talked about replacing Rafael. He knew I wasn’t training because I was coming back from (medical) suspension. They already had in mind who to put against Conor. That’s the path they try to follow, and it’s kind of dirty to me. There’s no negotiation. We ask, and not always we get a response. When they respond is like that, and then they say they love us. It’s a bit weird. But what can I do?”

The former UFC 145 pound champion also spoke about his belief that UFC is showing favortism to Conor McGregor because he makes the company a lot of money.

“If I think so? I’m sure. Not only in this situation, but it’s like that since he showed up. Like I said, it involves money, but you have to respect the other side because you can’t make money alone. They treat him differently, doing this rematch that means sh*t. Nate said he wanted rematches with fighters he lost before, and never got one. This rematch means nothing. I think it’s weird, but what can I do? They make the call.”

As far as the future is concerned, Aldo is convinced that McGregor will have no choice but to return to featherweight, as he won’t be able to achieve real success in either the welterweight or lightweight divisions.

“He will come back. I don’t know if right after this fight, but he will. I don’t see how he gets too far even at lightweight. He won’t do well at lightweight either.”

Finally, Aldo gave his prediction on who he feels will win the McGregor-Diaz II fight at UFC 200. It should come as no surprise that the Brazilian doesn’t like McGregor’s chances in July.

“Nate wins again. He’s used to this weight. It’s really hard to move up in weight and continue winning. It’s going to be different now that Nate will be more prepared. He can do his thing, anything he wants, from start to end. He can slap him, anything, because he will win. It can be faster this time. Nate will prepare, will have enough time, and it can be faster this time.”

H/T to MMAFighting.com for transcribing.

Weidman Calls Rockhold Rematch ‘Bigger Than Anderson Silva’

Ex-middleweight champion Chris Weidman, a gritty wrestler from Long Island, New York, rose to prominence when he shockingly knocked out former legendary divisional kingpin Anderson “The Spider” Silva back at UFC 162 in 2013. Weidman would then once again topple Silva at UFC 168 after “The Spider” suffered a gruesome leg injury, giving “The All-American”

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Ex-middleweight champion Chris Weidman, a gritty wrestler from Long Island, New York, rose to prominence when he shockingly knocked out former legendary divisional kingpin Anderson “The Spider” Silva back at UFC 162 in 2013.

Weidman would then once again topple Silva at UFC 168 after “The Spider” suffered a gruesome leg injury, giving “The All-American” back to back milestone victories.

The New Yorker would secure two more title defenses over the likes of Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort before surrendering his strap to reigning champion Luke Rockhold at last December’s UFC 194.

Weidman will get his chance at redemption when he meets Rockhold in a rematch at the upcoming UFC 199 (June 4, 2016), and the former champion admits that this rematch lies bigger than his bouts with Silva:

“This is a do or die fight for me,” said Weidman. “I have to go out there and dominate him. This is my career on the line. This is bigger than my Anderson Silva fights.” Weidman said on a recent edition of Inside MMA.

The first fight saw the two men go back and forth for much of the opening minutes before an ill-advised spinning kick attempt by Weidman gave Rockhold the upper hand later in the bout.

The Serra-Longo product had also apparently come into the fight with a broken foot, also previously admitting that his mental state may not have been where it should have.

Now, however, the former boss feels as if he’s back to normal, and ready to recapture glory:

“I know where I was at for that last fight,” added Weidman. “I know my potential. I know where I was physically and mentally at and I know where I can be at.”

Will Weidman be able to fix his mistakes and come out on top in the rematch?

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USADA Upholds Yoel Romero’s Suspension

Yoel Romero (11-1) was informed on January 12th, 2016 that he potentially tested positive for a failed drug test taken out-of-competition. His team insisted that it was due to a tainted supplement that caused him to fail his USADA test, however, and the supplement was indeed found to have had the incriminating substance in it despite

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Yoel Romero (11-1) was informed on January 12th, 2016 that he potentially tested positive for a failed drug test taken out-of-competition. His team insisted that it was due to a tainted supplement that caused him to fail his USADA test, however, and the supplement was indeed found to have had the incriminating substance in it despite not listing it on the label.

“The substance has a label with a bunch of stuff on it,” his manager Malki Kawa said in an interview days after the news broke. “None of that is illegal to take. What he got popped for is not on the label. So it’s obviously not his fault that he popped for this.”

“I don’t expect it to be two years,” Kawa said. “I don’t think two years would be fair.”

But even though the supplement was found to be the culprit — or at least to some degree — Romero will apparently still receive a suspension, although he doesn’t plan to accept it.

Ariel Helwani reported on Wednesday that USADA has given Romero a suspension, and he has decided to appeal the suspension. The middleweight is now headed to arbitration. No word yet on how long the suspension is for.

“Confirmed that USADA has given Yoel Romero a suspension, per sources. He has decided to appeal and will be going to arbitration.“

Romero last fought at UFC 194 when he defeated Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza on the main card, and is currently on a seven-fight winning streak. Following the fight, he was considered as a potential #1 contender for Luke Rockhold’s middleweight title, but obviously his future as a title contender is now on hold as his puzzling suspension situation gets mulled over in an appeal.

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USADA Upholds Yoel Romero’s Suspension

Yoel Romero (11-1) was informed on January 12th, 2016 that he potentially tested positive for a failed drug test taken out-of-competition. His team insisted that it was due to a tainted supplement that caused him to fail his USADA test, however, and the supplement was indeed found to have had the incriminating substance in it despite

The post USADA Upholds Yoel Romero’s Suspension appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Yoel Romero (11-1) was informed on January 12th, 2016 that he potentially tested positive for a failed drug test taken out-of-competition. His team insisted that it was due to a tainted supplement that caused him to fail his USADA test, however, and the supplement was indeed found to have had the incriminating substance in it despite not listing it on the label.

“The substance has a label with a bunch of stuff on it,” his manager Malki Kawa said in an interview days after the news broke. “None of that is illegal to take. What he got popped for is not on the label. So it’s obviously not his fault that he popped for this.”

“I don’t expect it to be two years,” Kawa said. “I don’t think two years would be fair.”

But even though the supplement was found to be the culprit — or at least to some degree — Romero will apparently still receive a suspension, although he doesn’t plan to accept it.

Ariel Helwani reported on Wednesday that USADA has given Romero a suspension, and he has decided to appeal the suspension. The middleweight is now headed to arbitration. No word yet on how long the suspension is for.

“Confirmed that USADA has given Yoel Romero a suspension, per sources. He has decided to appeal and will be going to arbitration.“

Romero last fought at UFC 194 when he defeated Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza on the main card, and is currently on a seven-fight winning streak. Following the fight, he was considered as a potential #1 contender for Luke Rockhold’s middleweight title, but obviously his future as a title contender is now on hold as his puzzling suspension situation gets mulled over in an appeal.

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