Tag: UFC 206

Alexander Gustafsson Reacts To Jon Jones Trolling Him

In the time after his impressive fifth-round stoppage over Glover Teixeira in the main event of last weekend’s UFC Fight Night 109 from Stockholm, top-ranked UFC light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson made it clear that he didn’t like Jon Jones as a person even if he was the greatest fighter in MMA history. Late yesterday, the […]

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In the time after his impressive fifth-round stoppage over Glover Teixeira in the main event of last weekend’s UFC Fight Night 109 from Stockholm, top-ranked UFC light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson made it clear that he didn’t like Jon Jones as a person even if he was the greatest fighter in MMA history.

Late yesterday, the still-suspended pound-for-pound king responded to “The Mauler’s” drubbing by going off in a brutal Twitter rant. A few hours after that, Gustafsson reacted to “Bones” online assault with a few responses of his own. First, he said that although he roots for Daniel Cormier, he hopes Jones wins at UFC 214, and would pray for the former champ after he beat him:

The barb was calm enough, yet Gustafsson took the trash talk to an all-new level in replying to “Bones”” suggestion that he lost to him at UFC 165 and Cormier at UFC 192 due to a lack of heart. Gustafsson thinks his loss to Jones came from another more nefarious aspect of the fight game – the fact that USADA wasn’t testing elite UFC athletes at the time:

road to the octagon
Photo by Tom Szczerbowski for USA TODAY Sports

The slick retort may be the usually reserved Gustafsson’s best-ever instance of smack talk, as the respectful fighter doesn’t normally build up his matches with pre-fight verbal assaults, choosing to let his hands and feet do the talking in the octagon. Jones expectedly denied that his razor-thin unanimous decision over “The Mauler” was due to any form of performance-enhancing substance, but with Jones suspended for just that, it’s hard to argue with the top contender’s insistence.

Then Jones appeared to be amusingly hurt by the whole conversation, even though he started the entire war of words himself. The oft-troubled champ evoked a rule they teach young school children to close the conversation in an unexpected way, saying he was done with “The Mauler” for now:

Jones’ knowing he was only done with Gustafsson for now may be a telling prediction, as it seems the Swedish star has done enough to get the next shot at the winner of “Bones’” rematch with arch rival Cormier at July 29’s UFC 214 from Anaheim.

But we all know Jones making it the cage has become anything but a certainty in recent years; in fact, the cold truth of the matter is we’re more likely to see another highly anticipated bout be canceled for one reason or another, be it injury to either man or continuing legal and drug test issues for Jones. The UFC could most definitely be in the realm of considering how many more chances they will give the decorated Jones, but with a disappointing lack of stars present for the promotion in 2017, they could attempt to book fights for the onetime-indestructible titleholder.

No one could blame them, of course, because Cormier vs. Jones II could easily be the highest-selling PPV event in the barren desert that the year has presented the promotion in terms of overall estimated buyrates. In a sport as volatile as MMA, that’s just the fight game.

The UFC could use Jones’ trouble-free return to face Cormier and then perhaps Gustafsson in what could legitimately turn out to be two of the bigger rematches in UFC history. Just don’t count on it.

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DC: Conor McGregor Will Get Slept

After last night’s revelation that Dana White had worked out Conor McGregor’s side of the deal and the follow-up news that McGregor had applied for a boxing license in Nevada, the mixed martial arts (MMA) universe is awash in the distinct possibility that the the infamous “Notorious” could actually be boxing Floyd Mayweather Jr. If

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After last night’s revelation that Dana White had worked out Conor McGregor’s side of the deal and the follow-up news that McGregor had applied for a boxing license in Nevada, the mixed martial arts (MMA) universe is awash in the distinct possibility that the the infamous “Notorious” could actually be boxing Floyd Mayweather Jr.

If it actually does – and it’s far from being anything closely resembling a done deal – the majority of those familiar with combat sports still believe that Mayweather, a boxer whom many consider one of if not the best to ever compete, is going to wipe the floor with the UFC’s biggest star, who has no professional boxing experience.

One high-profile subscriber of the theory is UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, who pulled no “Bones” about McGregor’s chances against the legendary pugilist in addition to any of the other rumored UFC vs. boxing bouts during today’s episode of UFC Tonight:

“He can actually go and fight Mayweather. He will lose. But the rest of these guys, they will get no money, and they will get slept.

“Look, James Toney fought in the UFC, and we had no problem showing the footage over and over again of James Toney getting beat by Randy Couture. These boxing promoters will constantly video of the heavyweight champion of the world getting slept by Anthony Joshua, or Jimi Manuwa, c’mon Jimi! Getting slept by David Haye.

These dudes will get slept, it’s going to be embarrassing, so no, it is not good for the UFC. Conor, hat’s off to you, make your money, but don’t get slept! Which might happen to ’em”

Cormier is currently set for his oft-scheduled (and oft-canceled) grudge match with former champion Jon Jones at July 29’s UFC 214, and as we’ve seen in the past, that fight is anything but a certainty to happen despite its high-profile nature. The current champion seems to be the heel in the eye of the fans, and perhaps that’s because he tells the facts how they are in a blunt manner, as he has with his recent back-and-forth with the embattled all-time legend.

And while he may be a public persona for the UFC as a co-host of UFC Tonight, Cormier told it like it is here with the cold truth that most if not all professional MMA fighters would stand little chance in the boxing ring against the sport’s top athletes, just like the top boxers would have no chance in the cage.

McGregor most likely isn’t concerned with that, however, as the possibility of an absolutely unparalleled payday is much more than enough to get past the probability that he may lose. That’s the current mindset of MMA’s biggest star, and he could be headed for a bout that does anything but make the UFC look good in any way.

But with big-money bouts few and far between in 2017, the promotion is looking for the biggest payday it can get. Is this one worth it?

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Jon Jones’ UFC Return Is Official Again

Jon Jones is officially back in the UFC. Again. Well, at least hopefully. It was announced at today’s UFC Summer Kickoff press conference from UFC 211, that longtime former light heavyweight champion “Bones” will meet his bitter rival, current champion Daniel Cormier, at July 29’s UFC 214 from Anaheim, California. Cormier vs. Jones is one of

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Jon Jones is officially back in the UFC. Again. Well, at least hopefully.

It was announced at today’s UFC Summer Kickoff press conference from UFC 211, that longtime former light heavyweight champion “Bones” will meet his bitter rival, current champion Daniel Cormier, at July 29’s UFC 214 from Anaheim, California.

Cormier vs. Jones is one of the most infamous rivalries in UFC history, but outside of Jones’ victory in their first fight at UFC 182, it’s fallen apart far more times due to a variety of circumstances than it’s actually transpired. Jones first pulled out of their initial meeting with an innocent enough knee injury, beat Cormier, and was thought to be moving on to an awaited title fight against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson until his notorious New Mexico hit-and-run briefly made him a fugitive and ultimately resulted in him being stripped of his long-held title.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea for USA TODAY Sports

Cormier filled in against “Rumble” at UFC 187 and submitted the hulking power puncher in the third round, defending his belt against Alexander Gustafsson in a five-round war at October 2015’s UFC 192 to earn the rematch with Jones at April 2016’s UFC 197. But this time, Cormier pulled out with a groin injury, leaving Jones to fight late replacement Ovince Saint Preux for an interim title.

He won in a somewhat plain unanimous decision, and his rematch with Cormier was re-booked for the main event of July 2016’s massively anticipated UFC 200. But then the fight was called off yet again, when only three days prior to the bout news arrived that Jones had failed a USADA drug test for two banned estrogen blocking substances and was off the card. Cormier fought Anderson Silva, using his wrestling to smother the all-time great, while Jones was suspended for one year after an arbitration hearing where he supposedly claimed the substance was due to a sexual performance enhancement pill.

Cormier was supposed to defend his belt against Johnson at last December’s UFC 210 but pulled out with another injury. The fight was scheduled for a third time and Cormier submitted “Rumble” by rear-naked choke again, sending the fearsome knockout specialist into retirement and once again opening up the path for him to finally settle the score with Jones.

White has repeatedly stated that Jones would not headline an event he returned at because of trust issues he had created over the past two years of scandals. It’s an expected response from the company whom Jones was once arguably the biggest star of, yet they most likely know they need any big name they can get – even one as uncertain as Jones – in the octagon for a high-profile fight before this year begins being labeled a total bust.

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Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones II Reportedly Confirmed For UFC 214

The long-awaited Daniel Cormier vs. Jones rematch is reportedly finally set once again, and this time it’s scheduled for late in the summer. According to a report from BJ PENN.com’s Chris Taylor, multiple sources have confirmed that Cormier will rematch Jones at July 29’s UFC 214 from Anaheim, California. The rumored return of Cris Cyborg

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The long-awaited Daniel Cormier vs. Jones rematch is reportedly finally set once again, and this time it’s scheduled for late in the summer.

According to a report from BJ PENN.com’s Chris Taylor, multiple sources have confirmed that Cormier will rematch Jones at July 29’s UFC 214 from Anaheim, California. The rumored return of Cris Cyborg is also still slated to take place on the card, with the dominant female star allegedly fighting for an interim or vacate featherweight belt with her opponent “still in the works”:

Cormier and Jones’ highly-publicized beef goes back nearly three full years to their now-historic presser brawl before their original scheduled rematch at 2014’s UFC 178 from Las Vegas. That fight would go on to fall apart due to a Jones injury, but the two would eventually settle their score – or so we thought – when Jones finally outlasted Cormier with a five-round unanimous decision win over Cormier in the main event of 2015’s UFC 182, the only loss of Cormier’s illustrious career.

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea for USA TODAY Sports

“Bones” was set to move on to the next challenge of his own legendary MMA career when he matched up with Anthony “Rumble” Johnson at May 2015’s UFC 187, but when Jones was forced out of the fight after a bizarre and shocking hit-and-run accident where he left a 25-year-old pregnant girl with a broken arm, the all-time great was stripped of his belt and Cormier was granted na opportunity few ever get after losing a title fight in their previous bout.

He capitalized majorly, submitted Johnson in the third round of their main event bout after getting rocked by a missile of a right hand in the first round, opening up the path for his title reign that has been filled with ups and downs. He defended the belt against Alexander Gustafsson in a classic battle at UFC 192, and was set to rematch Jones at April 2016’s UFC 197 before a leg injury forced him out. Jones ultimately fought and beat Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 197 in a one-sided replacement fight for the interim title.

The rematch was scheduled yet again for last July’s massive UFC 200, but once again Jones made a boneheaded mistake that put his fighting future in jeopardy when he failed pre-fight drug tests for banned estrogen blockers. Cormier fought and beat replacement Anderson Silva in an uninspired, safe decision before defending the belt for a second time with another rear-naked choke win over Johnson at April 8’s UFC 210, a bout after which ‘Rumble’ announced his retirement from the fight game.

UFC President Dana White has stated that Jones will not return to a main event because of the trust issues his track record of the past few years have understandably fostered, so it would seem like the company will have to get an absolutely huge match-up to feature over Cormier vs. Jones, one of the most anticipated  – and rescheduled – rematches in UFC history.

Cyborg fighting Megan Anderson may fit that bill, but it’s safe to say that most eyes will be on the potential return of ‘Bones’ and whether or not he can defeat the more by-the-book champion that most fans seem to hate for one reason or another.

Either way, UFC 214 is looking like it will be stacked.

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Jimi Manuwa Insists He’s ‘The Mike Tyson Of The Division’

Jimi Manuwa has been campaigning hard for a light heavyweight title shot against Daniel Cormier, but now he’s taken things to a new level. Speaking during a recent interview with ESPN’s ‘Five Rounds’ podcast (via MMA Junkie), the English knockout artist revealed his displeasure at Jon Jones reportedly leaping the queue at 205 pounds and

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Jimi Manuwa has been campaigning hard for a light heavyweight title shot against Daniel Cormier, but now he’s taken things to a new level.

Speaking during a recent interview with ESPN’s ‘Five Rounds’ podcast (via MMA Junkie), the English knockout artist revealed his displeasure at Jon Jones reportedly leaping the queue at 205 pounds and getting a rematch with Cormier at July 29’s UFC 214 from Anaheim. According to “The Poster Boy,” even the dominant Jones needs a tune-up after so much uncertainty and time away from the octagon:

“I didn’t want (Jones) to kind of jump the line,” Manuwa said. “I’ve been working hard, knocking people out. I believe I deserve the title shot. He’s the greatest of all time, but he’s been off for a year or two years. I think he needs a warm-up fight, and I think he knows he needs a warm-up fight.”

Manuwa fully acknowledged Jones’ greatness, but also noted that his recent two-fight streak of incredible knockouts is more impressive than Jones’ recent track record after not finishing a fight since April 2013. Due to how he finishes his wins inside the cage, Manuwa gave himself some incredibly high praise:

“You can’t really argue with Jon Jones,” Manuwa said “He’s the best of all time in all weight divisions — maybe him and (Demetrious Johnson) after (UFC on FOX 24) performance. But I don’t know. I just feel I’ve finished all my fights in spectacular fashion. I don’t go to decision. I’m like the Mike Tyson of the division now. I think all these people know that I’m a (tough) fight for anyone.”

Indeed he is a tough fight for anyone, but it’s still a difficult comparison considering he’s been finished by two of the top five contenders at 205 pounds. Still, ‘The Poster Boy’ will be on high alert should anything go wrong with Jones – and that’s tended to be the case as of late – so he can capitalize on the beef he created by appearing cageside at Cormier’s UFC 210 win over Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.

The grueling, grinding champ has called Manuwa “easy work” while he’s dubbed himself the “Kid Dynamite” of the UFC light heavyweight division. Which one is it?

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Dana White Still Won’t Give Jon Jones Headlining Spot In Return

It looks like Dana Whit is sticking to his guns regarding not giving Jon Jones a headlining spot in his return – at least for now. The outspoken UFC executive appeared on ‘Sportscenter’ earlier this week to tease “Bones’” potential return against longtime rival Daniel Cormier at July 29’s UFC 214 from Anaheim, California, but

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It looks like Dana Whit is sticking to his guns regarding not giving Jon Jones a headlining spot in his return – at least for now.

The outspoken UFC executive appeared on ‘Sportscenter’ earlier this week to tease “Bones’” potential return against longtime rival Daniel Cormier at July 29’s UFC 214 from Anaheim, California, but during an appearance on today’s ‘The Herd’ (via FOX Sports), White reaffirmed his earlier words that Jones would no longer headline after so many big missed opportunities:

“That’s a huge problem right now and that’s why I said he won’t headline a card. It will be a co-main event.

“He will not be the main event…until he builds back the trust of the consumers and me.”

Jones may be a top-level pay-per-view (PPV) performer a tier below Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, but it’s understandable why White has a heavy amount of skepticism that Jones will be able to make it to the fight without incident, as he’s seen two headlining spots against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and Daniel Cormier fell apart when he was arrested for a hit-and-run accident before UFC 187 and failed a USADA drug test before UFC 200, respectively.

However, Jones has still kept his top billing spot in terms of light heavyweight rank, and it’s easy to see why in a barren 205-pound division outside of he and Cormier and perhaps a few others. Cris Cyborg tweeted yesterday she would be finally be fighting Germaine de Randamie for the UFC women’s featherweight title in her adopted U.S. home of Anaheim, leaving the potential for a huge late-July card to follow the traditional International Fight Week earlier in the month.

But we all know what the true main event would be.

Can Jones finally make it to his awaited rematch against Cormier?

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