Tag: UFC News

O’Neill: Focus On Modafferi’s Retirement Pre-UFC 271 Was “Disrespectful”

UFC women’s flyweight Casey O’Neill believes the pre-fight focus on opponent Roxanne Modafferi’s retirement ahead of UFC 271 was “disrespectful.” In the one and only women’s fight on this past weekend’s pay-per-view card, two 125lbers at opposite ends of the MMA scale collided. While O’Neill was looking to extend her unbeaten record to 9-0 and…

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UFC women’s flyweight Casey O’Neill believes the pre-fight focus on opponent Roxanne Modafferi’s retirement ahead of UFC 271 was “disrespectful.”

In the one and only women’s fight on this past weekend’s pay-per-view card, two 125lbers at opposite ends of the MMA scale collided. While O’Neill was looking to extend her unbeaten record to 9-0 and climb further towards title contention, Modafferi was hoping to close out her 46-fight career with a triumph.

After 15 minutes of action on the prelims, it was O’Neill who had her hand raised via split decision. While “The Happy Warrior” gave it her all and made a good account of herself, there was little debate about who earned the nod, despite one dissenting judge.

What followed was a heart-warming final Octagon interview and farewell to active competition for a woman widely regarded as a pioneer for female MMA.

While O’Neill gave credit to Modafferi following the fight and showed respect for the veteran campaigner, she also revealed her frustration at the amount of attention directed towards Modafferi’s retirement ahead of their clash inside Houston’s Toyota Center.

While speaking to the media at the UFC 271 post-fight press conference, “King Casey” admitted her annoyance at the fact her own goals and pre-fight preparations were being overlooked.

Given that her opponent’s retirement wasn’t official until after their fight, the Scottish-Australian contender suggested the questions and discussion about it were “premature” during fight week.

“I was (annoyed). I felt like nobody was giving me any respect or asking me anything about myself,” admitted O’Neill. “It was all about the retirement. To be honest, the retirement wasn’t happening until after the fight, so I felt like it was a little bit premature to just be talking about that. I wanted to talk about myself, and what I’d been doing, and my game plan, and everything. I just felt like I was being brushed over and it was a little bit disrespectful.”

O’Neill: I Deserved More Respect From The Crowd At UFC 271

During her post-fight interview, O’Neill was showered with boos from the Houston crowd, who showed an immense amount of love for Modafferi. The 24-year-old employed the tactic of telling them not to boo her. Who’d have thought that wouldn’t work?

After being asked about the crowd reaction at the post-fight presser, O’Neill pinpointed the boos as another element of disrespect she felt at the PPV. While she expected a negative reaction given the scenario and her nationality, “King Casey” believes she deserved more respect from the fans.

“Listen, Roxanne is liked by everybody, so of course, I’m gonna get booed,” said O’Neill. “I’m also not American and I’m fighting in America. To be (honest), I feel like I deserved a little more respect than that.”

Having said she’s happy to be the “bad guy” if that’s what fans want, O’Neill’s latest remarks certainly continued that narrative…

What do you make of Casey O’Neill’s comments? Is she right to feel disrespected at the pre-UFC 271 focus?

Continue Reading O’Neill: Focus On Modafferi’s Retirement Pre-UFC 271 Was “Disrespectful” at MMA News.

VIDEO | Fans Loudly Chant ‘Free Joe Rogan’ During UFC 271 In Houston, Texas

Joe RoganFootage has emerged of spectators loudly chanting “free Joe Rogan” during the UFC 271 card last weekend at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas – amid the recent controversy surrounding the longtime promotional color commentator. Rogan, who has received criticizm during the last number of weeks, recently came under fire after a viral video surfaced […]

Joe Rogan

Footage has emerged of spectators loudly chanting “free Joe Rogan” during the UFC 271 card last weekend at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas – amid the recent controversy surrounding the longtime promotional color commentator.

Rogan, who has received criticizm during the last number of weeks, recently came under fire after a viral video surfaced on social media detailing no less than 23 instances of Rogan using the n-word.

In January, Rogan and his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience was accused of promoting and spreading “dangerous misinformation” on his platform with Spotify, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as vaccinations and methods of dealing with symptoms of the viral infection. 

Spotify CEO, Daniel Ek claimed that he didn’t believe it was right to attempt to silence Joe Rogan amid his recent controversy

Amid his most recent controversy, Rogan, who was initially booked to feature in the commentary booth of UFC 271 on Saturday last alongside play-by-play lead, Jon Anik, and former two-weight champion, Daniel Cormier, was pulled from the broadcast late on Friday night.

The promotion released a statement detailing how Rogan had a scheduling conflict that would prevent him from taking commentary duties at the pay-per-view event, with former undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Michael Bisping replacing him in the booth – making his flagship event bow.

However, following the culmination of the event, UFC president, Dana White confirmed that the statement regarding a scheduling conflict for Rogan was “bullsh*t” – claiming that the latter simply did not want to work the event, as well as maintaining he was unaware when Rogan would return to the broadcast. 

During the event, multiple Twitter accounts detailed how spectators at the sold-out Toyota Center had continually chanted “free Joe Rogan” during the card, amid the recent controversy surrounding the longtime podcast host, standup comedian, and commentator.

Prior to the event, UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya also attempted to defend Rogan during a pre-fight press conference for UFC 271.

“First off, let me take this one, hold up,” Israel Adesanya said. “I’m black, I can take this one. Look… there’s a lot of c*nts in this game. There’s a lot of snakes in this game. I’ve been in this fight game since 2008. And Joe Rogan is one of the nicest, coolest, humble motherf*ckers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Understand that. You know it’s – f*ck the noise, man. You know what they’re trying to do. You can’t control the man (Joe Rogan) and he’s got the biggest platform in the world right now.”

Amanda Nunes: I Was Lying To Myself Pre-UFC 269

UFC Women’s Featherweight Champion Amanda Nunes says she was “lying” to herself by believing she could compete at UFC 269. After extending her win streak to 12, her two-division rule, and her seven-year unbeaten run at UFC 259 last March with a dominant submission win against Megan Anderson, Nunes returned to bantamweight to defend her…

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UFC Women’s Featherweight Champion Amanda Nunes says she was “lying” to herself by believing she could compete at UFC 269.

After extending her win streak to 12, her two-division rule, and her seven-year unbeaten run at UFC 259 last March with a dominant submission win against Megan Anderson, Nunes returned to bantamweight to defend her 135-pound gold against Julianna Peña.

While many saw the challenger as a gift-wrapped delivery for the Brazilian’s first outing in the weight class since 2019, Peña switched the ‘And Still’ bunting to ‘And New’ in December.

After their initially scheduled UFC 265 clash was pushed back after the then-champ returned a positive COVID-19 test, the pair finally collided at the last pay-per-view of the year.

Providing one of the most memorable moments of the year, and across the promotion’s entire history, “The Venezuelan Vixen” submitted Nunes in the second round to be crowned the new queen of the bantamweights.

During a recent media scrum, Nunes, who still owns the featherweight gold, looked back on her crushing defeat inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Having branded her camp as a “mess” due to the negative effect the UFC 265 cancelation had on her training, as well as numerous injuries she claims to have carried into the event, Nunes suggested the smart thing to do would have been to delay the matchup for the second time.

According to the Brazilian, she was lying to herself by attempting to fight through her issues and by believing she could compete at 100% of her abilities at UFC 269.

“I thought it wouldn’t look good if I let that fight fall through one more time. So I put what I was (dealing with) aside, but I didn’t have a very good camp, that was the honest thing,” said Nunes. “I tried putting into my head that I was ready, I was 100%, but I was lying to myself. That is exactly what I was (doing). But as a fighter, as a warrior, I wanna fight. I want to do that. I’m gonna fight whatever, even if I have an injury. But at this level, you cannot do those stupid moves. So, I paid for it.

“I was supposed to let the fight fall through, get 100% again, and fight Julianna,” Nunes continued. “And I know Julianna is a very tough opponent. I know that (defeat) could have a chance at happening cause my timing was very off. I wasn’t even able to do sparring in my camp.”

Nunes Reveals Doctor Advised Her Not To Fight At UFC 269

To put into context how serious her troubles and physical issues were prior to UFC 269, Nunes revealed her doctor had advised her to pull out of the UFC’s year-ending PPV.

The “Lioness” described her decision to ignore that advice as a “dumb” move, and one she certainly paid for at the hands of Peña.

“Unfortunately, sometimes we do dumb things, and especially at the level I’m at, we’re not supposed to do those things,” said Nunes. “Sometimes I say, ‘Man, I really should’ve listened to my doctor.’ He told me, ‘Let me handle it with the UFC, I’ll tell them exactly what you’re going through right now, and you have to have time to rest and recover. If you don’t you’re not gonna perform as well.’ I was like, fighting with my doctor. I said, ‘You’re not gonna do that, you don’t have my permission to do that. I’m gonna fight.’

“So, I went back to his offices (after UFC 269) and he looked at me like, ‘I told you,’” added Nunes. “So now, after watching the fight as well, I had a hard time for a little bit watching the fight because I was like, ‘Man, I don’t know what happened.’ Like, I kept lying to myself after the fight.”

After losing the bantamweight title in 2021, Nunes will be hoping to reclaim her spot on the throne this year when she meets Peña for the second time. The pair are set to run it back following a stint coaching this year’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter.

Are you excited for the new season of TUF and Julianna Peña vs. Amanda Nunes 2?

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Arnold Allen Thinks He Should Be Tested By USADA More Often

Arnold Allen admits that he believes USADA should come knocking more often. The English featherweight Arnold Allen is on a roll lately. He has won 10 fights in a row, including all eight he has had in the UFC. He is quickly rising up the featherweight rankings and proving that he has what it takes…

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Arnold Allen admits that he believes USADA should come knocking more often.

The English featherweight Arnold Allen is on a roll lately. He has won 10 fights in a row, including all eight he has had in the UFC. He is quickly rising up the featherweight rankings and proving that he has what it takes to fight some of the best at 145 pounds.

Allen is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Sodiq Yusuff last April. Since then, he has been pretty quiet, until recently.

Allen booked a fight against Dan Hooker for the upcoming London card in March. Allen spoke recently to The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani about the U.S Anti-Doping Agency testing and why he feels the testing should be happening more often.

“I feel like I don’t get tested that much to be honest,” Allen said. “There was a lot of time before I hadn’t been tested once in England and then suddenly they start testing and then during COVID there wasn’t much testing. It’s been a bit quiet.”

Allen’s father was a strongman who he admitted did take steroids during his lifting days. Having discussed this brought about the issue of his own drug testing in the UFC.

Since the insertion of the USADA testing back in 2015, several fighters have been caught or suspended for failing to uphold the drug policy. Allen has not had any trouble himself but feels things could be run a little tighter in that department.

“I don’t even remember maybe before Christmas (when asked about the last time he was tested), yeah I don’t know. I’m also traveling every other minute with these drives three times a week so I don’t know how it would work. I put it in the thing, in the app, telling them where I’m at, maybe they’ll come get me at the truck stop, in the showers.”

According to the USADA website, Allen was tested once so far in 2022, unlike Israel Adesanya and Michael Chandler who have each been tested six times this year.

Drug testing in the sport is always a hot-button issue. Recently, Sean Strickland suggested a lifetime ban for those who break the drug policy. Allen, although among the least tested, is open to more thorough protocols.

Do you think the USADA should be testing fighters more often?

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VIDEO | Ronda Rousey Botched WWE Move Goes Viral

Ronda RouseyThe WWE’s latest SmackDown episode has been recorded ahead of time and a video has gone viral between Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair botching up their staged altercation on the show. The fan footage shows what appears to be a typical contract signing for the ‘WWE Elimination Chamber’ match between Rousey, Naomi, Flair and Deville. The botch […]

Ronda Rousey

The WWE’s latest SmackDown episode has been recorded ahead of time and a video has gone viral between Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair botching up their staged altercation on the show.

The fan footage shows what appears to be a typical contract signing for the ‘WWE Elimination Chamber’ match between Rousey, Naomi, Flair and Deville.

The botch between the two entertainers shows, Ronda Rousey attempting to slam WWE Women’s Champion’s head onto the tabletop. To put it nicely, it doesn’t really go to plan.

it is most likely the editors working for the production will edit the mistake out, when the show finally airs on Friday, ahead of the WWE’s Elimination Chamber PPV on Saturday 19th February 2022.

Ronda Rousey’s contract position with the WWE

Rousey has just returned to the WWE since signing a full-time contract in 2018, after making her shock return at the productions Royal Rumble PPV in January. 

Some believe ‘Rowdy’, has signed a new deal with the WWE, however, it is rumoured that she is still on her original three-year deal, as it was frozen in her hiatus away from the company, 

The current Elimination Chamber 2022 event order:

  1. WWE Champion Elimination Chamber Match:  Brock Lesnar vs Seth Rollins vs Austin Theory vs Riddle vs AJ Styles vs Bobby Lashley.
  2. WWE Raw Women’s Championship Number #1 Contender’s Elimination Chamber Match:  Doudrop vs Liv Morgan vs Rhea Ripley vs Nikki A.S.H vs Belair vs TBA*
  3. Universal Championship Match: Roman Reigns (C) vs Goldberg
  4. Raw Women’s Championship Match: Becky Lynch (C) vs Lita
  5. SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos (C) vs The Viking Raiders
  6. SmackDown Women’s Champion Match: Charllote Flair & Sonya Deville vs Ronda Rousey & Naomi.
  7. Madcap Moss vs Dre Mcintyre.

* The winner will receive a WrestleMania 38 title match for the WWE Raw Women’s Title.

Does Ronda Rousey regain her title at WWE Elimination Chamber?

Dustin Poirier Doesn’t Believe Nate Diaz Is Really Eying Retirement

Dustin Poirier isn’t buying Nate Diaz’s retirement claim. Following his heartbreaking loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269, Dustin Poirier immediately began his soul-searching journey. He wasn’t sure what the future held for him or if there even is a future as far as MMA is concerned, but he did know one thing: If he…

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Dustin Poirier isn’t buying Nate Diaz’s retirement claim.

Following his heartbreaking loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269, Dustin Poirier immediately began his soul-searching journey. He wasn’t sure what the future held for him or if there even is a future as far as MMA is concerned, but he did know one thing: If he were to have one more fight, it would need to be against Nate Diaz.

Poirier and Diaz have unfinished business dating back four years ago to their collapsed UFC 230 booking. Neither man has forgotten that unfulfilled date, and they have sporadically trash-talked one another on social media over the years.

It wasn’t until Poirier’s loss to Oliveira that talk of the two finally fighting hit such a fever pitch. Both men have publicly agreed to fight, and yet there has been no significant progress toward making it official.

Diaz Joins Poirier’s Unscheduled Retirement Party

Nate Diaz
© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Over the weekend, Nate Diaz would take a different approach towards getting the fight against Poirier booked. He would appeal to the UFC to set this up as his retirement fight before he rides off into the Stockton sunset.

While it is unknown what White and the UFC made of Diaz’s retirement claim, the other invested party, Dustin Poirier, isn’t convinced.

“I don’t believe that,” Poirier said of Diaz’s retirement claim during a recent media scrum. “Nate, he’s got that dog in him. He’s gonna fight forever. We’ll see what happens, but I believe he has a lot of fight left in him—but no telling what his plans are and his exit game and whatever’s going on. But I want the fight, and I think he wants it as well.”

Poirier’s choice of words may have been influenced by Diaz himself, who just last year stated that he would never retire.

One possibility is that Diaz is using a faux retirement as a way to persuade the UFC to book this fight as the last fight on his current UFC deal while avoiding any re-signing negotiations. That would allow Diaz to not only get the fight he wants but also hit the free-agent market, where he would have increased negotiation leverage, whether or not he opts to re-sign with the UFC.

Poirier has maintained that a fight with Diaz is the only bout he’s interested in, and the feeling seems to be mutual on the Diaz side.

As we tread deeper into 2022, we’ll find out if this year will play host to one or both of these two legends’ final career fight and if it will be against one another.

Do you believe Nate Diaz would really retire after a fight against Dustin Poirier?

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