Tag: UFC 303

Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective on Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight

On June 30, Eric Nicksick knew that he would be heading to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but he didn’t realize that Dan Ige would be coming with him. UFC 303 produced one of the most remarkable stories in the history of the promotion as Ige agreed to step in and face Diego Lopes […]

Continue Reading Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective on Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight at MMA News.

On June 30, Eric Nicksick knew that he would be heading to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but he didn’t realize that Dan Ige would be coming with him.

UFC 303 produced one of the most remarkable stories in the history of the promotion as Ige agreed to step in and face Diego Lopes in the co-main event all within the space of a few hours.

After receiving the call from his fighter, Nicksick (who was already cornering on the card), immediately got to work in order to make this happen.

He picked up his fighter’s cup from Xtreme Couture and under Ige’s instructions, assembled a corner on short notice.

Nicksick quickly arranged to meet with both Kai Kamaka III and Sean Strickland who he knew were in Vegas, breaking up the former middleweight champion’s lunch date with his girlfriend.

All of these details and more recently came out when he gave his side to this incredible story.

Eric Nicksick Says Dan Ige Is Always Looking And Staying Ready For Opportunities Like This

During his appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, Nicksick detailed what the crazy turnaround of UFC 303 looked like from his perspective.

He also revealed that taking fights on short notice to try and save the card is something that Ige regularly has his eye on in case something exactly like this happens.

With him being in shape and training out of Las Vegas, he was the perfect fighter to step in for Brian Ortega who withdrew due to illness.

“Here’s the thing about Dan. Every card, he’ll look at the landscape of the division or the card, for example, and be like, ‘hey this dude at 55, there’s these two fights at 45, whatever. Take a peek at it, let me know if something comes up short notice, I’m always down to take these types of fights, especially if the juice is worth the squeeze’ and in this particular situation, it was and he jumped on it man.”

Nicksick also said that though they didn’t get the win, he’s glad that Ige was able to pull this off because it shows what’s possible if you’re prepared.

He went from any old Saturday to fighting in the co-main event of International Fight Week all because he was ready to stick his hand up when the UFC called and said they needed a guy.

“That’s what makes me the most proud about the situation is that anytime there’s an opportunity like that, our team can pick up the phone and answer the call. Chris Curtis, Sean Strickland, Roman Dolidze, Dan Ige, you know, and I think it sets a precedence amongst the rest of the team to know what is possible if you’re f****** prepared and you’re ready to go and you’re doing all the right things day in and day out, even if you’re outside of camp. Those opportunities come once in a lifetime and are you willing to open the door when that door knocks.”        

Read also: MMA Analyst Dismisses Ilia Topuria’s Champ-Champ Aspirations

Continue Reading Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective on Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight at MMA News.

Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective on Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight

On June 30, Eric Nicksick knew that he would be heading to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but he didn’t realize that Dan Ige would be coming with him. UFC 303 produced one of the most remarkable stories in the history of the promotion as Ige agreed to step in and face Diego Lopes […]

Continue Reading Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective on Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight at MMA News.

On June 30, Eric Nicksick knew that he would be heading to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but he didn’t realize that Dan Ige would be coming with him.

UFC 303 produced one of the most remarkable stories in the history of the promotion as Ige agreed to step in and face Diego Lopes in the co-main event all within the space of a few hours.

After receiving the call from his fighter, Nicksick (who was already cornering on the card), immediately got to work in order to make this happen.

He picked up his fighter’s cup from Xtreme Couture and under Ige’s instructions, assembled a corner on short notice.

Nicksick quickly arranged to meet with both Kai Kamaka III and Sean Strickland who he knew were in Vegas, breaking up the former middleweight champion’s lunch date with his girlfriend.

All of these details and more recently came out when he gave his side to this incredible story.

Eric Nicksick Says Dan Ige Is Always Looking And Staying Ready For Opportunities Like This

During his appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, Nicksick detailed what the crazy turnaround of UFC 303 looked like from his perspective.

He also revealed that taking fights on short notice to try and save the card is something that Ige regularly has his eye on in case something exactly like this happens.

With him being in shape and training out of Las Vegas, he was the perfect fighter to step in for Brian Ortega who withdrew due to illness.

“Here’s the thing about Dan. Every card, he’ll look at the landscape of the division or the card, for example, and be like, ‘hey this dude at 55, there’s these two fights at 45, whatever. Take a peek at it, let me know if something comes up short notice, I’m always down to take these types of fights, especially if the juice is worth the squeeze’ and in this particular situation, it was and he jumped on it man.”

Nicksick also said that though they didn’t get the win, he’s glad that Ige was able to pull this off because it shows what’s possible if you’re prepared.

He went from any old Saturday to fighting in the co-main event of International Fight Week all because he was ready to stick his hand up when the UFC called and said they needed a guy.

“That’s what makes me the most proud about the situation is that anytime there’s an opportunity like that, our team can pick up the phone and answer the call. Chris Curtis, Sean Strickland, Roman Dolidze, Dan Ige, you know, and I think it sets a precedence amongst the rest of the team to know what is possible if you’re f****** prepared and you’re ready to go and you’re doing all the right things day in and day out, even if you’re outside of camp. Those opportunities come once in a lifetime and are you willing to open the door when that door knocks.”        

Read also: MMA Analyst Dismisses Ilia Topuria’s Champ-Champ Aspirations

Continue Reading Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective on Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight at MMA News.

NSAC Withholds Portion Of Mayra Bueno Silva’s Purse For Cage Jump After UFC 303 Loss

Mayra Bueno Silva lost to Macy Chiasson at UFC 303 after the cageside doctor stopped the fight due to a deep cut above her left eyebrow. Although the Brazilian was keen to continue fighting, Chiasson was handed the TKO win. As Chiasson began celebrating her International Fight Week victory, “Sheetara” hopped the cage and rushed […]

Continue Reading NSAC Withholds Portion Of Mayra Bueno Silva’s Purse For Cage Jump After UFC 303 Loss at MMA News.

Mayra Bueno Silva lost to Macy Chiasson at UFC 303 after the cageside doctor stopped the fight due to a deep cut above her left eyebrow. Although the Brazilian was keen to continue fighting, Chiasson was handed the TKO win.

As Chiasson began celebrating her International Fight Week victory, “Sheetara” hopped the cage and rushed to talk to Dana White. While still dripping in blood from the cut, she seemed to complain about the stoppage and the UFC CEO naturally had no control over the situation.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has now punished Silva for jumping over the cage at UFC 303, withholding a portion of her purse.

Mayra Bueno Silva Facing Fined For Jumping Over The Cage At UFC 303

MMA Junkie’s Nolan King reported on X that the NSAC has temporarily cut $2,500 from Bueno Silva’s UFC 303 purse, which amounts to $100,000. Jumping over the Octagon is banned for safety reasons, even though fighters often ignore this rule in the rush of winning a fight.

King also stated that the women’s bantamweight contender might be asked to pay a fine, which will be determined at the commission’s meeting on August 27.

If Bueno Silva ends up being fined, she would join Diego Lopes on the list of those recently punished. He had to pay $2,500 for jumping over the cage after his UFC 300 win over Sodiq Yusuff. The commission originally withheld $5,000 from his purse, and Bueno Silva’s sailing on a similar boat.

Unsurprisingly, Bueno Silva’s penalty has received a mixed response in MMA circles. Some fans have called out the commission for not being equally strict about fouls that happen during fights.

Suspensions and fines for actions beyond fighting are fairly common in the UFC. The most prominent example is Arman Tsarukyan, the #1-ranked UFC lightweight contender, who is currently facing a six-month suspension for punching a fan while walking out at UFC 300.

Continue Reading NSAC Withholds Portion Of Mayra Bueno Silva’s Purse For Cage Jump After UFC 303 Loss at MMA News.

Chael Sonnen Feels Conor McGregor Could Have Come Up With Better Excuse Than ‘Discolored Pinky Toe’ To Pull Out Of UFC 303

Chael Sonnen is stirring the pot once again, aiming his barbs at Conor McGregor and accusing the former two-division champion of fabricating his injury to dodge a fight at UFC 303. “The Notorious” was set to make his eagerly awaited return to the Octagon against Michael Chandler in a welterweight bout, headlining UFC’s International Fight […]

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Feels Conor McGregor Could Have Come Up With Better Excuse Than ‘Discolored Pinky Toe’ To Pull Out Of UFC 303 at MMA News.

Chael Sonnen is stirring the pot once again, aiming his barbs at Conor McGregor and accusing the former two-division champion of fabricating his injury to dodge a fight at UFC 303.

“The Notorious” was set to make his eagerly awaited return to the Octagon against Michael Chandler in a welterweight bout, headlining UFC’s International Fight Week last month. However, just weeks before the fight, that anticipation was dashed when McGregor announced he had suffered a toe injury, rendering him unable to compete.

When the fight was canceled, Sonnen speculated that McGregor withdrew due to being in rehab for substance abuse. This theory provoked a heated rebuttal from the Irishman, who shared numerous photos of his bruised toe to refute the claim.

However, this didn’t deter the former UFC middleweight title challenger from questioning the authenticity of McGregor’s claims. Last month, he boldly asserted that the injury was a ruse, devised solely to avoid the bout with Chandler.

Sonnen once again targeted McGregor, casting doubt on the legitimacy of his injury claim with unrelenting skepticism…

Sonnen Amplifies Scrutiny Over McGregor’s Toe Injury

During a recent video on his YouTube channel, “The Bad Guy” once again aired his doubts about McGregor’s alleged broken toe.

Sonnen scrutinized the timeline of events following his supposed injury and questioned why McGregor missed the Dublin press conference.

“I’m looking out for his version of a discolored pinky toe that may or may not be broken,” Sonnen said. “It wouldn’t explain the absence of a press conference, and that’s where you get jammed up. Where was it? Where could you have been that precluded you from coming to a press conference? You don’t have to drive yourself.”

Sonnen further speculated whether the photos of bruised toes McGregor shared on social media were genuinely his or possibly someone else’s.

“You start running out of options, and so when you go with a discolored pinky toe that may or may not belong to you and may or may not be broken, I’m just wondering, in hindsight, do you look back on that and think it was a little bit of a miss because we’re not owed an explanation?”

McGregor has been sidelined from active competition since fracturing his leg in the first round of his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

Although his return has yet to be rescheduled, UFC CEO Dana White has hinted that McGregor won’t re-enter the Octagon before November. However, it remains uncertain whether he will face Chandler for his comeback.

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Feels Conor McGregor Could Have Come Up With Better Excuse Than ‘Discolored Pinky Toe’ To Pull Out Of UFC 303 at MMA News.

Michael Venom Page still wants Kamaru Usman fight despite UFC 303 loss: ‘If he’s happy to take it, why not?’

Michael Venom Page calls for fight with Kamaru Usman in UFC return why notDespite seeing his promotional-pefect run coming to a halt at UFC 303 at the end of last month, British…

Michael Venom Page calls for fight with Kamaru Usman in UFC return why not

Despite seeing his promotional-pefect run coming to a halt at UFC 303 at the end of last month, British striker, Michael Venom Page still wants to share the Octagon with former champion, Kamaru Usman next – especially if the latter is sticking to the welterweight limit.

Page, a former Bellator MMA title challenger, made his sophomore outing in the Octagon at the end of last month on the main card of UFC 303, taking on unbeaten Irish striker, Ian Garry during International Fight Week.

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Dropping a close split decision loss to the Portmarnock native, London Shootfighters stalwart, Page suffered his first UFC defeat following a prior unanimous decision shutout win over Kevin Holland in his debut earlier this year.

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Michael Venom Page calls for fight with Kamaru Usman

However, initially staking his claim for a showdown with former pound-for-pound number one, Usman should he topple Garry at UFC 303, veteran striker, Page has now claimed despite his defeat to the former, he would still like to take on Auchi native, Usman.

Michael Venom Page plans spectacular knockout of Ian Garry at UFC 303 he's going to sleep
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“You know what, for me, I feel like I still hold weight,” Michael Venom Page told Michael Bisping during a recent interview. “People are still excited to see me fight and while that is there, it’s one more win and I’m back in the same conversation again. I would still go for someone like an (Kamaru) Usman – he’s number one ranked.”

“And if my – my thing is, the only reason I keep saying this as well is because he doesn’t seem to be in line for a fight,” Michael Venom Page explained. “So I’m not sure what he’s doing. …If he is going to be staying in the division, then why not? If he’s happy to take the fight, then why not?”

Earlier this week to boot, Usman suggested a shortlist of potential opponents whom he could fight in his return to action – weighing up clashes with both the above-mentioned Garry, as well as incoming UFC 304 headliner and title challenger, Belal Muhammad. 

Who wins in a potential future fight: Michael Venom Page or Kamaru Usman?

Classy Neil Magny ‘Tips Hat’ To Ian Garry’s UFC 303 Performance: ‘If You Go Out There & Try To Do A Little Bit Too Much Against MVP…’

Ian Machado Garry maintained his undefeated record at UFC 303 where he handed Michael “Venom” Page his first loss inside the Octagon. The two dynamic welterweight strikers went the full three rounds in the main card opener where Garry’s takedowns and ground control proved to be the difference. He received some criticism from fans for […]

Continue Reading Classy Neil Magny ‘Tips Hat’ To Ian Garry’s UFC 303 Performance: ‘If You Go Out There & Try To Do A Little Bit Too Much Against MVP…’ at MMA News.

Ian Machado Garry maintained his undefeated record at UFC 303 where he handed Michael “Venom” Page his first loss inside the Octagon.

The two dynamic welterweight strikers went the full three rounds in the main card opener where Garry’s takedowns and ground control proved to be the difference.

He received some criticism from fans for this performance after not backing up some of his words about how the striking battle would play out.

Garry’s been known to ruffle some feathers during his UFC tenure, not least during the build up to his fight with the veteran 170-pound competitor Neil Magny.

The two men met at UFC 292 last year where the rising contender said some things about Magny that didn’t really resonate with a lot of the fans.

Despite their previous tensions, there is no bad blood towards the Irishman at least from Magny’s point of view as has been clear in the past.

Neal Magny Praises Ian Garry For His ‘Smart’ & ‘Patient’ Performance At UFC 303

During a recent interview with James Lynch for InsideFighting, Magny spoke about his former opponent’s last outing.

The welterweight staple is set to return on August 24 where he looks to make it back-to-back wins since his loss to Garry when facing Michael Morales.

He believes, like many, that the clash between Garry and Page came right down to the wire where it was eventually decided by the slimmest of margins.

“Yeah I watched it, it’s one of those fighters where it’s a tough call. When you have so much time to prepare for a fight, every move you make has to be very calculated where had one guy or the other slipped up one way or the other like had MVP [been] able to stuff one takedown, it would change the outcome of the fight. Had Ian Garry missed one takedown it could change the outcome of the fight, had MVP landed one more significant strike it could change the outcome of the fight so it was just one of those fights that was close going into it and anything can literally happen.

“That fight literally came down to who made the least amount of mistakes. I mean even some of the takedowns that Ian Garry was able to score on MPV, it didn’t really come from like, ‘Oh I’m going to set up a shot with my strikes and feint and get in this way.’ It was off a caught kick or something like that and he took full advantage of it.”

Where some fans criticized Garry for relying on his grappling skills to make the fight a more gruelling affair, Magny credited him for this.

He spoke about how when you’re up against an opponent like Page, doing anything other than keeping it simple can result in a rough awakening.

“It was a very close fight I was definitely impressed with the grappling display that Ian Garry was able to pull out of that fight. I definitely tip my hat to the performance that Ian Garry. It was one of those fights that is very difficult to prepare for because if you go out there and try to do a little bit too much against MVP, you end up waking up looking at the ceiling so he fought a very smart fight, a very patient fight and was able to get it done.”

Read also: Ian Garry Gets Support From Fellow Irish UFC Fighter After Criticism Of Michael Page Win: ‘F*ck Fighting MVP, He’s A Nightmare!’ 

Continue Reading Classy Neil Magny ‘Tips Hat’ To Ian Garry’s UFC 303 Performance: ‘If You Go Out There & Try To Do A Little Bit Too Much Against MVP…’ at MMA News.