UFC 206 | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Former UFC Champ: Conor McGregor Needs To Defend His Title Now

In the weeks following UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor’s close majority decision win over Nate Diaz at welterweight in the main event of August 20’s UFC 202, “The Notorious” has been linked to a variety of high-profile bouts for his next attraction. Those include potentially lucrative fights against supposedly returning former welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre

The post Former UFC Champ: Conor McGregor Needs To Defend His Title Now appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Those include potentially lucrative fights against supposedly returning former welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre and current lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez, but one MMA legend agrees with the many who think McGregor should finally defend his 145-pound title. Speaking during a recent interview with Submission Radio, former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten revealed his stance that McGregor should finally give Jose Aldo, whom he knocked out in 13 seconds to win the belt, his long overdue rematch:

“No, they cannot do it – well they can do it if they want, but that’s not going to be well received. I would say what you said, give up the title, then step away from it and go for the title shot at 155. That I can see happening. But both? No. I think there’s going to be a backlash. I think people are gonna speak up.”

“He needs to defend his title now against Jose Aldo. That’s first. He should have done that before already, I believe. So now he’s going to have to go back to 145, defend his title, then decide.”

As for the rumored fight with GSP, Rutten was brutally honest in his assessment of how it would play out, which made the fight one he is not interesting in seeing. “El Guapo” would be more interested in seeing St-Pierre face top welterweight contender Stephen Thompson:

“Nah. I rather see GSP against somebody with better takedown defense, because we know what’s going to happen – and even if you have great takedown defense, it’s still going to be hard not to be taken down by GSP. We know what’s going to happen, he’s (Georges St-Pierre) going to take him down and then be on top of him. I don’t know if that’s going to be an exciting fight, you know, the whole time he’s on top. I don’t know if he can finish him once he has him on the ground, so I don’t know. Rather see him against Wonderboy or something like that. I think that would be a really good fight – GSP I’m talking about.”

It may be a bit blunt, yet it’s an honest assessment of the situation, as fans new to MMA may think McGregor owns a decided edge on the long-absent St-Pierre while in truth the all-time legend would have a huge edge on McGregor in the wrestling department – his main perceived area of weakness.

Many fans and media members are calling for McGregor to either give Aldo the second chance at redemption he earned by beating Frankie Edgar for the interim featherweight belt at UFC 200, or vacate that title to go on and contend for a second belt up a weight class.

The fight with St-Pierre will always be there, too, and it could truly contend for the title of the biggest fight in UFC history, at least in terms of pay-per-view sales and live gate. The outcome, however, may be a bit of a letdown if anything close to Rutten’s prediction were to come true.

The post Former UFC Champ: Conor McGregor Needs To Defend His Title Now appeared first on LowKick MMA.

GSP: Dana White Doesn’t Know Anything About Me

A rumor surfaced yesterday that legendary former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre was supposedly returning to the Octagon to face featherweight champion Conor McGregor in the main event of November’s UFC 205 from Madison Square Garden, and it was supposedly going to be announced on tonight’s ‘UFC Tonight.’ While the announcement fans were waiting for

The post GSP: Dana White Doesn’t Know Anything About Me appeared first on LowKick MMA.

A rumor surfaced yesterday that legendary former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre was supposedly returning to the Octagon to face featherweight champion Conor McGregor in the main event of November’s UFC 205 from Madison Square Garden, and it was supposedly going to be announced on tonight’s ‘UFC Tonight.’

While the announcement fans were waiting for never came and St-Pierre continued to tease the MMA world about his long-awaited and oft-discussed return, the decorated champion did seem closer than ever to a return after another rumor arrived last week that he would headline UFC 206 from his native Canada. St-Pierre admitted that it wasn’t a coincidence his four-month USADA testing window to re-enter fighting, which began on August 10, would expire on exactly that day:

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence. But it’s in Toronto. Who would be a better man than myself to headline a card in Toronto – Air Canada – get back the Canadian fans, raise the pay-per-view up now that Rory has gone to Bellator.”

Prodded by show co-host Daniel Cormier about just whom he would face in his return, St-Pierre turned the tables on ‘DC’:

“Whoever. I’m glad that you brought it up. Who would you like me to fight?”

But then he addressed the question in full, noting that previously discussed bouts with current welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and a big ticket rematch with Nick Diaz were on his mind. He also added the unexpected name of Demian Maia into the mix after he was impressed by the Brazilian’s dominant submission win over Carlos Condit last weekend:

“Tyron Woodley. I would fight Tyron Woodley. Nick Diaz, I would fight Nick Diaz. Maia looked pretty good in his last fight. I think he, these guys can elevate me. They’re not guys that I’m necessarily supposed to beat, so it’s a big risk, but I’m willing to take the risk because these guys gonna elevate me. To be far in this game, it’s not about who got the biggest balls, so to speak. Sort of, but it’s not about that; it’s not a straight line. You need to know where to go and be able to elevate yourself, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Talk moved on to UFC President Dana White’s suggestion that St-Pierre no longer had the desire to be champion, to which GSP vehemently denied. St-Pierre views this as a sort of negotiation tactic from White, and he said the brash executive would see he truly does want to fight in the first minute of his first fight back:

“He doesn’t know anything about me. I’m a smart guy. I’m not the kind of guy you’re gonna say, “Oh gee, I’m gonna sign it!” and gonna fight for peanut now. I’m a smart person; it doesn’t work on me. But I’m gonna tell him something today, ‘Let me fight once. And you’ll see in the first minute of the fight that is wrong.’”

The all-time great confirmed he did want to be make another run at the title he vacated, and proclaimed he’d prove his desire to be champion against Woodley:

“Yes. Let me fight Tyron Woodley, then we’ll see if I wanna be world champion again.”

At the end of the day, however, he wasn’t mad at White, focusing on the fact that both sides of this potentially huge business deal have to look out for their own respective best interests. Once that game is done being played, St-Pierre noted, the world (and White) will see that he’s truly motivated to make his return:

“I understand what he means. I’m not angry at Dana; he does what he does for the best of his interests, I do what I do for the best of my interests. One day when all of that gonna be over, we’ll probably be friends like most of the guys that I fought. But now, it’s like a game, he’s doing his thing, I’m doing mine, and we’ll work for the best of our interests. But let me fight once, you’ll see. Not once, but after the first minute of the fight, you’ll be like, ‘Oh yeah, he’s serious.’”

The post GSP: Dana White Doesn’t Know Anything About Me appeared first on LowKick MMA.

GSP: Dana White Doesn’t Know Anything About Me

The post GSP: Dana White Doesn’t Know Anything About Me appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Prodded by show co-host Daniel Cormier about just whom he would face in his return, St-Pierre turned the tables on ‘DC’:

“Whoever. I’m glad that you brought it up. Who would you like me to fight?”

The all-time great confirmed he did want to be make another run at the title he vacated, and proclaimed he’d prove his desire to be champion against Woodley:

“Yes. Let me fight Tyron Woodley, then we’ll see if I wanna be world champion again.”

The post GSP: Dana White Doesn’t Know Anything About Me appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Georges St. Pierre Reacts To Rory MacDonald Signing With Bellator

Rory MacDonald has long been considered to be the heir to George St. Pierre’s previously held welterweight throne. St. Pierre reigned over the UFC 170-pound division for years before vacating the title in 2013, but MacDonald was unable to seize the strap after losing a five round war to then champion Robbie Lawler at July

The post Georges St. Pierre Reacts To Rory MacDonald Signing With Bellator appeared first on LowKick MMA.

It may have surprised some to see one of the best welterweights on the planet leave the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion, but St. Pierre couldn’t be happier for MacDonald and his decision:

“Oh, I am very happy for Rory. I think it’s a great move for him. He chose the best option for himself and his family. I wish him the best. We’re going to train together still. I’m very happy for him. He found a new home to make more money and, if the conditions of work are better, I’m happy. I’m all for that.” St. Pierre recently told Uproxx.

As far as “Rush’s’ fighting future goes, the former champion recently made it clear that he plans to return to action after nearly three years away from the sport, and it was even rumored that he would be headlining UFC 206 in his home of Canada. An opponent has yet to be named, although current champion Tyron Woodley and former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz both appear to be reasonable options. In fact, Woodley reached out to St. Pierre to express his interest in the bout, but the Canadian said it’s simply up to the promotion who he faces off with:

“What happened is that, he (Woodley) texted me and I don’t know him very well, but he texted me and he explained that he challenged me and he wanted to do it because he wanted to fight the best. He didn’t want me to take anything as disrespect, and I didn’t take it as disrespect. He’s a competitor and I said, ‘If you want to do it, let’s do it. I’m ready to fight you.’ But it’s not my decision, the UFC is a business and the way it works, because UFC is a business, they have to choose what’s best for them.”

Who would you like to see St. Pierre face off with in his return?

The post Georges St. Pierre Reacts To Rory MacDonald Signing With Bellator appeared first on LowKick MMA.

GSP Talks UFC Return: Our Cards Are On The Table

Amongst the recent rumors that former UFC welterweight king Georges St-Pierre will be making a return to the Octagon, the Canadian legend opened up on the status of his return to his old stomping grounds at 170 pounds. During a phone interview with MMA Fighting, ‘GSP’ revealed that ‘all the stars are aligned’ for a return

The post GSP Talks UFC Return: Our Cards Are On The Table appeared first on LowKick MMA.

During a phone interview with MMA Fighting, ‘GSP’ revealed that ‘all the stars are aligned’ for a return to Octagon action in the near future:

“All the stars are aligned, my friend,” St-Pierre said. “I’m not lying to you, it’s not done yet. It’s not done at this point. We still have to talk to the new owners soon, see what they’ve gotta say.”

St-Pierre is currently promoting his upcoming film Kickboxer: Vengeance in which he co-stars along with Jean Claude Van Damme, Dave Bautista and Gina Carano.

‘GSP’s’ agency CAA, however, are rival talent agencies in Hollywood with new UFC owners WME-IMG, but St-Pierre believes this should not be an issue during negotiations:

“Conflict is sometimes good,” St-Pierre said. “It raises the bar. It’s a good thing. Some people might not like what I have to say, but I think it’s good.”

St-Pierre also says that he wants to get back into the Octagon now rather than later, as he feels he is still in the prime of his career at 35-years-old and doesn’t want to pass up the best years that he can get out of himself:

“It’s something fair and we have to wait,” GSP said. “I’m very well represented. I’m very confident and trusting in the people that work for me.

I’m very well taken care of for that. I want to go back to fighting. I don’t have to. I would like to, because I feel I’m in my prime right now. I’m the best I’ve ever been at 35. Right now.

I don’t want to wait any longer, because if I wait too long I’m gonna be past that prime and I don’t want that. This is a good time to be back right now. That’s why I want to go back.”

At the end of the day the former welterweight champion says that it’s all up to the UFC in regards to his return, as he and his team have already put all of their cards out on the table:

“It depends on them,” said GSP. “We put our cards on the table, see what’s going to happen. I think my agents are talking to the new owners pretty soon. So we’re going to have some news.”

Rumor has it that St-Pierre is being targeted for the UFC 206 pay-per-view (PPV) event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on December 10, 2016. An opponent, however, has not yet been discussed.

The post GSP Talks UFC Return: Our Cards Are On The Table appeared first on LowKick MMA.

GSP’s Return Could Come Right When The UFC Needs It

The MMA world got what is hopefully a sign of things to come when a report surfaced earlier today that decorated former UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre would finally return to action at December 10’s UFC 206 pay-per-view (PPV) from Toronto. Nothing has been confirmed as of yet, but with St. Pierre recently enrolling in

The post GSP’s Return Could Come Right When The UFC Needs It appeared first on LowKick MMA.

The MMA world got what is hopefully a sign of things to come when a report surfaced earlier today that decorated former UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre would finally return to action at December 10’s UFC 206 pay-per-view (PPV) from Toronto.

Nothing has been confirmed as of yet, but with St. Pierre recently enrolling in the UFC’s drug testing protocol with USADA – a requirement for un-retiring fighters – hope is understandably palpable for the all-time great to return to the Octagon.

Even though his last several fights were derided as boring and safe, albeit wholly dominant, decision wins, it’s safe to say that something has been missing ever since the soft-spoken Canadian superstar vacated the title after his controversial split decision win over Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in November 2013. St. Pierre was a draw unlike any other; a draw especially unlike the loudmouth requirements that are seemingly a must in today’s fast-paced, social media-driven MMA world.

Not to sound bitter, because both the UFC and MMA as a whole are undoubtedly at an all-new level of excitement and exposure, and that can only be a good thing for the sport. But St. Pierre, who could bring in big numbers without fabricating any sort of bad blood, would simply add a master from another time who was arguably (maybe?) still in his prime, a dynamic that would make for must-see action.

And with the UFC recently having been purchased by talent group WME-IMG for a record-breaking $4 billion, GSP’s potential return couldn’t come at a better time for the new owners, or Dana White, either. While MMA is hot right now thanks to the Conor McGregor-Nate Diaz brawl that most likely broke records at last weekend’s UFC 202, overall, difference-making star power was on the decline in the UFC this year.

Of course, there were the controversial drug test failures of UFC 200 headliners Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar, and while those two will reportedly receive somewhat shortened sentences based on the circumstances (Jones has a strange defense for his failure), the damage was obviously done to the UFC’s so-called “biggest event ever” marquee of UFC 200. Jones hasn’t been able to stay out of trouble, and at this point only he can prove he can finally stop standing in his way of being the most dominant competitor MMA has ever witnessed.

McGregor, while still a massive star in his own right, had cooled off a bit from his second-round submission loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 196. He got it back at UFC 202 – controversial or not – so now he’ll continue on as the game’s biggest star. The only other athlete to give him a run for his money as the UFC’s biggest name was Ronda Rousey, and we’re simply uncertain of when or if the onetime bantamweight queen will ever return to the cage.

This week, White confirmed that Rousey wouldn’t be fighting at the promotion’s long-awaited New York debut of UFC 2015 on November 12, as if we truly needed confirmation of that. We didn’t. Rousey had some minor knee surgery done a couple months ago as well, yet it’s not her physical health that’s keeping her from returning for what she lost. The fight game could certainly use by far its biggest female star back in the game, but business rolls on.

That’s why a St. Pierre return would be so huge. It comes at the right time when Jones may be forced to miss UFC 205 due to his USADA punishment and Rousey is out, so while New York is still very much up in the air, the UFC could knock it out of the park only a month later by simply confirming that St. Pierre is back.

The fights available for him are absolutely huge, as bouts with McGregor, Nick Diaz, Michael Bisping, his long-rumored super fight with Anderson Silva, or even a welterweight title fight with Tyron Woodley would all do big business.

Respect his accomplishments or hate his style, you can’t deny that St. Pierre is just good for the fight game.

The post GSP’s Return Could Come Right When The UFC Needs It appeared first on LowKick MMA.