Tag: UFC 199

Max Holloway Not Impressed With Dominick Cruz’s Recent Comments

The UFC featherweight division was altered once again at UFC 200. After being knocked out cold by Conor McGregor at UFC 194, Jose Aldo returned to action on July 9 to rematch his old rival Frankie Edgar. Although many felt ‘The Answer’ should have been getting a shot at the undisputed belt, McGregor’s exploits at

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The UFC featherweight division was altered once again at UFC 200. After being knocked out cold by Conor McGregor at UFC 194, Jose Aldo returned to action on July 9 to rematch his old rival Frankie Edgar. Although many felt ‘The Answer’ should have been getting a shot at the undisputed belt, McGregor’s exploits at welterweight meant the fight with ‘Scarface’ was the best option. The interim belt was introduced for the second time in three fights for the division, and once again the Brazilian felt gold around his waist after five rounds.

This opened the door to a rematch with ‘The Notorious,’ although no solid time has been placed on that do-over, but could there be another potentially pivotal bout brewing in the meantime? UFC bantamweight boss Dominick Cruz spoke up yesterday with a rather interesting challenge. Claiming he wanted to fight Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor, ‘The Dominator’ made clear his intentions to greatly further his status in the promotion.

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After numerous injuries and surgeries saw Cruz vacate the bantamweight belt and fight just once in the space of nearly five years, he made a fairy tale comeback against TJ Dillashaw this past January. Winning back the title and defending it against Urijah Faber at UFC 199, ‘The Dominator’ said he’s now eyeing fights with McGregor or Aldo. His comments have struck a nerve with streaking featherweight Max Holloway though, as he voiced his displeasure on Twitter:

Currently on a nine fight winning streak which includes victories over Cub Swanson, Jeremy Stephens and Ricardo Lamas, ‘Blessed’ may have a point here. What’s important to consider in this argument though is the attraction of a super fight. Those extremely rare bouts where champions take on fellow champions, something that the promotion places very high in their monetary prioritisation.

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Although Max Holloway is clearly quite deserving of a title fight, it’s also apparent that Aldo probably wants McGregor or bust. Now factor in that Dominick Cruz could potentially jump the queue, could we see another streaking featherweight contender snubbed by champions changing divisions?

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Freddie Roach Says Michael Bisping Turned Down Fight With Georges St. Pierre

This probably won’t earn Michael Bisping any new fans. The polarizing UFC middleweight champion, who has the MMA world at his proverbial fingertips following his shocking knockout win over Luke Rockhold in the main event of June 4’s UFC 199, has been linked to a rematch with longtime rival Dan Henderson in the main event of

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This probably won’t earn Michael Bisping any new fans.

The polarizing UFC middleweight champion, who has the MMA world at his proverbial fingertips following his shocking knockout win over Luke Rockhold in the main event of June 4’s UFC 199, has been linked to a rematch with longtime rival Dan Henderson in the main event of October’s rumored UFC 204 from Manchester, England.

It’s a rematch he’s understandably wanted since ‘Hendo’ infamously starched him with arguably the most iconic knockout in UFC history at 2009’s UFC 100, but apparently he turned down an absolute massive fight to get it.

All-time great former UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre is reportedly closer than ever to returning to the octagon, ‘GSP’s’ famed boxing coach Freddie Roach recently met up with Fight Hub TV to reveal that ‘The Count’ actually turned down the high-profile bout:

St. Pierre recently unveiled his desire to face Bisping on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, citing only a need to hammer out his contract situation with the UFC, as he’s sponsored by athletic apparel giant Under Armor while the UFC obviously has a long-term deal with Reebok.

But Roach said the fight most likely won’t happen because Bisping said no (quotes transcribed by Bloody Elbow):

“Yeah, I do like that fight, but Bisping said no. I know that that fight’s not going to happen.”

Roach added that even though that fight may be off, St. Pierre will continue to negotiate with the UFC, although it may be with the new owners after talent group WME-IMG bought the UFC earlier this week for a record $4 billion:

“He’s negotiating with the — well, he was negotiating with the Fertitta brothers. But I heard a rumor the company just got sold and bought by Ari Emanuel or someone. Maybe more than one person is involved is what I heard, but I don’t know exactly who owns UFC right now. He’ll negotiate with somebody, I’m sure.”

As for St. Pierre’s readiness to truly come back to fighting, Roach said he’s looked fantastic in training. All he needs is an opponent, and no names have surfaced as of late:

“He looked really good in training. He did really well. But the thing is, there are no names out there yet. We haven’t picked anyone or we don’t have a favorite at this point.”

With Bisping seemingly angering his divisional rivals Chris Weidman, Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza, and Rockhold with his decision to face No. 13-ranked Henderson in order to settle a grudge, the decision to reportedly also turn down a blockbuster bout with St. Pierre is guaranteed to ruffle more feathers.

Did ‘The Count’ miss the boat on what could have been his biggest-ever payday, or will it still come to fruition?

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Luke Rockhold: ‘I F*cked Up The Whole Division’

The mixed martial arts (MMA) world was thrown for a wild loop when longtime UFC veteran Michael Bisping knocked out Luke Rockhold in their UFC 199 main event clash, to secure his first ever UFC title on just two weeks notice. Since the loss Rockhold’s once surging confidence has taken a dynamic blow, and if

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The mixed martial arts (MMA) world was thrown for a wild loop when longtime UFC veteran Michael Bisping knocked out Luke Rockhold in their UFC 199 main event clash, to secure his first ever UFC title on just two weeks notice.

Since the loss Rockhold’s once surging confidence has taken a dynamic blow, and if losing the title on his first defense wasn’t worst enough, the fact that he lost it in such dramatic fashion to the brash Bisping adds insult to injury.

BispingStopsRockholdThough Rockhold never did successfully retain his title in his short run as champion, he does have a history with Bisping as the two men share a win over one another. In a recent interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, courtesy of MMA Fighting, Rockhold stated that he is confident that a trilogy bout with the trash-talking Englishman is on the horizon:

“I think the odds are high,” Rockhold said. “I think the opportunity is there. … I f*cked up the whole division.

I put Bisping in a place where he feels empowered and he’s trying to pick and choose his fights. I think it’s put a strain on everything, on all the matchups that need to happen.

My bad. I f*cked up. I’m sorry to the fighters and I’m sorry to the fans that they have to deal with this piece of sh*t.”

Rockhold credits Bisping for his toughness, owning up to the fact that he lost to the new 185-pound king ‘fair and square, however, the AKA product highly doubts that Bisping would be able to repeat what he did in June once more:

“He’s a tough guy,” Rockhold said. “I lost fair and square. But the odds of that happening are fairly low. He caught me on the tip of my chin on the way out in a perfect moment and then followed it up.

Congrats to him. He won. I think the guy is a true piece of sh*t and I think he’s classless. Like I said, I’d love the opportunity to get that back.

I think the odds are the odds and I’d love to write that wrong and fix it for everybody. I don’t think he deserves it. I don’t think he knew he was gonna do it.

Obviously his reaction tells that. It’s not gonna last long. I want that back. I want to settle the score. It’s 1-1.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 08: (L-R) Luke Rockhold of the United States kicks Michael Bisping of England in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside Allphones Arena on November 8, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 08: (L-R) Luke Rockhold of the United States kicks Michael Bisping of England in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside Allphones Arena on November 8, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Prior to the bout many anticipated a more thunderous finish from Rockhold than the first time he defeated Bisping, something the Californian eagerly wanted to accommodate to the crowd and went into the contest extremely confident in his capability of doing so.

Rockhold, however, took Bisping much too lightly, which ultimately led to his jaw-dropping downfall:

“I think you need those nerves,” Rockhold said. “They keep you honest, they keep you precise. They heighten your senses.

I went in there with no nerves and thinking I had to put on a performance nobody had, go out there and show something different.”

Bisping has had no shortage of suitors for who his next opponent might be. Viable candidates stem from former middleweight champion Chris Weidman, all the way down to No. 13-ranked Dan Henderson who shares a bit of history with the new champion:

“I think I screwed up the whole middleweight division,” Rockhold said. “I think I put them in a tough spot. I think Bisping is obviously doing more of that, him being the ballsy guy and claiming how tough he is and he’ll do this and he’ll do that.

He’s being very picky about who he’s fighting next. It seems like he’s running from quite a few people. We see the true colors come out in Bisping. It’s all coming out now.”

Michael-Bisping-vs-Luke-Rockhold-weigh2-750x370[1]In regards to an immediate rematch between Rockhold and Bisping, Rockhold believes it’s the only option that makes sense at the moment:

“I think it makes the most sense of anything out there,” Rockhold said. “I’ve already beat Weidman. He can’t jump me for that. I’ve already beat Jacare.

I’m the No. 1 contender. I’ve already beat Bisping. I think the rubber match is there and I think that’s the fight to make. I want this. Will he get it? It’s ultimately up to the UFC, though Bisping will have plenty of say.

In the end Rockhold firmly believes Bisping’s reign as champion will be short lived, and if Bisping wants to prove himself as a true champion, the only way to do it is through a rematch with him:

“It’s not gonna last,” Rockhold said. “Face the music. Try to be a real champion. If you want to be a real champion, go out there and let’s fight.

Fight me. Fight one of the top guys. You know I’m your route to being that true champion that you always wished you could be.”

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Michael Bisping Calls Out GSP: ‘He’s A Little B***h’

With the Michael Bisping Sweepstakes in full swing to determine ‘The Count’s’ next opponent after he shockingly knocked out Luke Rockhold in the main event of June 4’s UFC 199, there is no bigger potential name on that list than longtime former welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre. Bisping has been angling for a rematch with

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With the Michael Bisping Sweepstakes in full swing to determine ‘The Count’s’ next opponent after he shockingly knocked out Luke Rockhold in the main event of June 4’s UFC 199, there is no bigger potential name on that list than longtime former welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre.

Bisping has been angling for a rematch with 45-year-old legend Dan Henderson as his first title defense, but a much bigger prospect arose when “GSP” recently revealed that he would be willing to come out of retirement to fight Bisping now that he has the belt. Never one to miss out on an opportunity of such magnitude, “The Count” has already gotten the trash talk battle with St. Pierre started.

Speaking up during “The Countdown” podcast on SiriusXM (via MMA Fighting), the always brash and confident Brit had some extremely harsh criticism for St. Pierre, deeming him a “little b—-h” for leaving the sport behind amidst performance-enhancing drug concerns:

“I have nothing against Georges St-Pierre apart from the fact that he retired from the sport and was like, ‘No, I can’t do it because people are taking performance enhancing drugs.’ Well guess what, they were and they’re getting caught. But if you’re a man, if you’re a fighter, if you’re not a little bitch, you’ll still continue to take those chances and try to beat those people.

“You won’t run away to the shadows and disappear because you think you can’t compete. I’m not the coward. I’m not the coward that needs to takes steroids to compete with these guys. And I would have thought that Georges St-Pierre was man enough also to have the same attitude.”

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The callout may seem a bit harsh, as it’s certainly hard to criticize an all-time great former champion who owns the record for most consecutive title defenses at his weight class, especially when you’re angling to face the No. 13-ranked contender who has auspiciously lost six of his last nine bouts.

Bisping has also backed it up by fighting – and losing to – several top fighters who have been linked to TRT and other PEDs throughout his 10-year UFC career. In fact, his ascent to a title shot was hampered by competitors associated with steroids in his losses to Henderson, Vitor Belfort, and Chael Sonnen, all which arguably stopped his run to a title shot.

And they may have kept him that way if not for Chris Weidman getting forced out of his UFC 199 rematch with Rockhold, opening the door for Bisping to shock the world in his only UFC title fight. Now the world is his oyster, so to say, and Bisping obviously is going to take full advantage. The MMA world is calling him out, and he’s basking in that rarified glow, with a potential fight against the arguable G.O.A.T. looming.

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Bisping knows where the money is, and he understandably doesn’t think it lies with the elite-level talent populating the top of the middleweight ranks right now. “The Count” wants a big payday, so he not surprisingly called out St. Pierre for a fight after he finishes his long-standing feud with “Hendo”:

“Just for the record, I will call GSP out. I’ve got somebody in mind for my next fight and when that’s taken care of, if GSP’s man enough and he wants to step on the dotted line and fight, I will happily fight Georges St-Pierre.”

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Anderson Silva Takes Aim At Michael Bisping For Manchester Rematch

Add another name to the rapidly growing list of fighters that want a bout against UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping after he shockingly ripped the belt from Luke Rockhold’s hands at UFC 199 on June 4. That man is former UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva, and he has a legitimate beef with “The Count” from their

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Add another name to the rapidly growing list of fighters that want a bout against UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping after he shockingly ripped the belt from Luke Rockhold’s hands at UFC 199 on June 4.

That man is former UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva, and he has a legitimate beef with “The Count” from their controversial main event at UFC Fight Night 84 from London.

Silva famously bloodied and battered Bisping when he mistakenly pointed at his mouthpiece towards the end of the second round, but “The Spider” also went through long bouts of inactivity as Bisping pushed the pace with his boxing, actually dropping the formerly iron-chinned Silva. Silva thought he finished Bisping with a flying knee, but he jumped onto the cage wall to celebrate rather than actually finishing the hometown favorite as the time ticked down on the round.

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Bisping recovered and took home a unanimous decision, which became his biggest win at the time as it propelled him to his now-infamous title fight against Rockhold. Now that Bisping has the belt, Silva took to Instagram to call out the champ, stating that he has never asked the UFC for a rematch before. “The Spider” also cited Bisping’s refusal of a rematch at UFC 198 from Brazil and would even fight him in Manchester:

“Well, I could give you million reasons to make the fight against Bisping happen, but the truth is that he is afraid. I’m not going to compare myself to others even mention someone else, but in my perspective I believe I have the right to a fight with him once again, because I have won London’s fight and a rematch was promised. However, as he was injured by me during the fight, he wouldn’t be prepared to fight too soon, then he was ready to replace someone, but not to face me in Brazil, right?

“You know I lived an unexpected situation having a surgery, but if it wasn’t happened I could fight in Brazil. So, I think it’s time to show that I’m serious, I’ve never asked for a rematch with no adversary, but I do want to have an opportunity of a fight with Bisping, I deserve that for everything I have achieve into the organization saving last time fights’ events even in upper categories, fighting injured , broke a leg. I have proved why I am the best in world in this sport and I humbly say that none of my adversaries who supposedly defeated me have achieved or will my actions into the organization. Undoubtedly, I believe this rematch will be the best step for UFC and Dana is aware of it, because numbers does tell and as we always have to stand by the group let it be from both sides. If I could help him to feel more confident and less afraid I would agree to fight him in his hometown, Manchester.”

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He may be losing a step, but the always-entertaining Silva brings headlines wherever he goes. But he’s got one of the fullest slate of vocal title challengers a UFC champion has ever had to answer to, with Georges St. Pierre, Dan Henderson, Rockhold, Chris Weidman, Jacare Souza, and now Silva wanting the next crack at the brash Brit.

Based on the shape Bisping left the last fight, he might not want to take on the still-dangerous Muay Thai of “The Spider.”

Well, I could give you million reasons to make the fight against Bisping happen, but the truth is that he is afraid. I’m not going to compare myself to others even mention someone else, but in my perspective I believe I have the right to a fight with him once again, because I have won London’s fight and a rematch was promised. However, as he was injured by me during the fight, he wouldn’t be prepared to fight too soon, then he was ready to replace someone, but not to face me in Brazil, right? You know I lived an unexpected situation having a surgery, but if it wasn’t happened I could fight in Brazil. So, I think it’s time to show that I’m serious, I’ve never asked for a rematch with no adversary, but I do want to have an opportunity of a fight with Bisping, I deserve that for everything I have achieve into the organization saving last time fights’ events even in upper categories, fighting injured , broke a leg. I have proved why I am the best in world in this sport and I humbly say that none of my adversaries who supposedly defeated me have achieved or will my actions into the organization. Undoubtely, I believe this rematch will be the best step for UFC and Dana is aware of it, because numbers does tell and as we always have to stand by the group let it bem from both sides. If I could help him to feel more confident and less afraid I would agree to fight him in his hometown, Manchester. ???????????????????????????????? Bom, eu poderia dar milhões de motivos para justificar minha luta com o Bisping… Porém de nada irá adiantar, pois percebo uma clara e infeliz insegurança dele aceitar lutar comigo… É uma pena tal sentimento (ele acabou de conquistar o cinturão com os devidos méritos e honra)..! Com o intuito de reduzir tal insegurança e “receio”, desde já me coloco a disposição para lutar na casa dele, em Manchester????????????????????????????????????????????@mikebisping @danawhiteufc

A photo posted by Anderson Silva (@spiderandersonsilva) on

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Tim Kennedy Announces UFC Return Date, Blasts Michael Bisping

Strikeforce, WEC, UFC and US Army veteran Tim Kennedy still has not fought in the octagon since his controversial loss to Yoel Romero in 2014. That was UFC 178, and now nearly two years later he still hasn’t indicated a firm date for a fighting comeback, if at all. His new show ‘Hunting Hitler’ for

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Strikeforce, WEC, UFC and US Army veteran Tim Kennedy still has not fought in the octagon since his controversial loss to Yoel Romero in 2014. That was UFC 178, and now nearly two years later he still hasn’t indicated a firm date for a fighting comeback, if at all. His new show ‘Hunting Hitler’ for the History Channel, as well as other US Army obligations have kept Kennedy away from the UFC’s cameras, but there’s also been a number of issues that Kennedy has been very vocal about.

Of course the loss to ‘Soldier of God’ remains a sour point, and perhaps always will for ‘TK,’ but the Special Forces veteran also harbours bad feelings towards the UFC Reebok deal. He has previously said he has doubts about ever fighting again, but has been chirping a very different tune this week.

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Now that Michael Bisping has taken charge of the UFC middleweight division, Tim Kenned has a thing or two to say about the British ‘Count’ being champion. Kennedy defeated Bisping in a one-sided decision in the Ultimate Fighter Nations finale, marking the last time that he tasted victory in MMA competition. Speaking during a Facebook live session, as transcribed by MMAFighting.com, the 36-year old American revealed he still has many doubts about Bisping’s calibre and also announces his return to the UFC:

“What do I think of Bisping winning the title? [Laughs]. Yeah, so Michael Bisping is the current champion in my weight class. You guys know I beat the brakes off him for 25 minutes, pretty much effortlessly.”

MMA: UFC 178-Romero vs Kennedy

“It’s funny because he’s calling out very specific people and my name is not ever coming out of his mouth. For obvious reasons because I could do it again. I could do it tomorrow. I train all the time, but I could seriously destroy Michael Bisping in a matter of minutes if I wanted to.”

“The last time with fought I didn’t like him – I still don’t like him – and I really wanted to make a point to bloody him up. One of my coaches was like, ‘why didn’t you just finish him? Why didn’t you just choke him out? Why didn’t you make him tap?’ Because I didn’t want to. I wanted to put him on his back and punch him in the face for 25 minutes. So that’s what I think about Michael Bisping.”

Finally revealing when he intends to fight again in the UFC, Kennedy says his busy calendar won’t allow him to fight in the octagon until September, but that date is pretty much set:

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“I don’t have a day off until November…I leave tomorrow. I’ll be gone for 10 days. I’ll be back for 6 hours to change out bags and then I go to South America for 80 days. Then I come back and the same day that I come back I grab different bags and I go to Albuquerque, New Mexico to start training for my fight camp for my next UFC fight. So then my next UFC fight happens and then I’ll have Thanksgiving.”

Could Kennedy be granted an immediate title shot upon his return? Given it’ll be his 24-month anniversary of absence in September, and also the fact he’s currently ranked 11th in a very busy division, the chances are the Albuquerque based fighter will have to get at least one win under his belt.

Who should Tim Kennedy face in his UFC return, or does his dominant win over Michael Bisping earn him a homecoming title fight? If there’s one thing we learned from UFC 199’s shocking headliner, it’s that Bisping has evolved a lot in a very short time.

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