Paddy Holohan and Willie Gates will square off next month as part of UFC Fight Night 87.
The bout was recently added to the May 8 lineup from the Ahoy Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Alistair Overeem takes on Andrei Arlovski in the main event.
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Paddy Holohan and Willie Gates will square off next month as part of UFC Fight Night 87.
The bout was recently added to the May 8 lineup from the Ahoy Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Alistair Overeem takes on Andrei Arlovski in the main event.
Holohan (12-2-1) has posted a 3-2 record over five Octagon appearances, but his two-fight win streak was snapped last October with a submission loss to Louis Smolka. The Irish fighter has topped Vaughan Lee, Shane Howell and Josh Sampo over the past two years.
Gates (12-6) was finished by Dustin Ortiz last August after stopping Darrell Montague earlier last year for his first UFC win. His dropped his debut – on short notice – to former top contender John Moraga in 2014.
Other planned bouts include Antonio Silva vs. Stefan Struve, Gunnar Nelson vs. Albert Tumenov and Germaine de Randamie vs. Anna Elmose.
After hearing a lot of feedback where he has taken some heat from MMA fans, UFC Light Heavyweight contender Anthony “Rumble” Johnson took to social media this week to explain why he didn’t take the short-notice offer to fight Jon Jones in the UFC 197 main event.
As noted, when Daniel Cormier pulled out of the originally scheduled UFC 197 main event against Jones, the belief was UFC would scramble to put together Jones-Johnson as a replacement main event.
It was reported, however, that Johnson turned down the fight claiming he needed to do some dental work. Johnson posted a series of videos on Instagram, which you can watch below, explaining the real story.
Headlined by Jon Jones vs. Ovince St. Preux for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, UFC 197 takes place on April 23, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Okay, everybody’s hitting me up now, all of my friends, saying that Jon is throwing me under the bus or whatever,” Johnson said. “I never accepted the fight with Jon. The UFC hit me up and asked me about it, but they didn’t know anything about that I had dental work done. I had four screws put in my jaw, okay? So why would I accept a fight and then say, ‘No, I don’t want to fight him?’ That’s stupid. I have more sense than that. So, either the UFC is telling this man the wrong thing, or somebody’s not telling the truth somewhere in between. Because I got told something different and now I’m hearing Jon is being told this. So, I don’t know, but it is what it is.
“And I know my teammate Kamaru said I was ready, but he didn’t know I had, you know, dental work done. He didn’t know I had four screws put in my jaw at the time he did that interview because he hadn’t seen me, but like maybe twice in the gym, so he was just showing love and support whenever he said I would be ready. He’s not supposed to say my teammate hasn’t been in the gym, he hasn’t been doing anything. No teammate would say that to another teammate if you respect that person. I hope nobody gets it twisted and like I said, it is what it is.
“And I’m only doing these videos because I owe it to the fans, I owe it to everybody, so they can know besides reading and hearing sh*t from other people. You’re hearing it from me. I never said ‘okay’ to the fight. I never said, ‘Yeah.’ So, I just want to let you guys know what the deal was and hopefully we get to the bottom of it because something’s not right. Him being told that I accepted the fight and I never said it. Like I said, I heard something totally different as far as coming from his camp. I heard other things. Like I said, it is what it is and I hope everybody has a good day.”
After hearing a lot of feedback where he has taken some heat from MMA fans, UFC Light Heavyweight contender Anthony “Rumble” Johnson took to social media this week to explain why he didn’t take the short-notice offer to fight Jon Jones in the UFC 197 main event.
As noted, when Daniel Cormier pulled out of the originally scheduled UFC 197 main event against Jones, the belief was UFC would scramble to put together Jones-Johnson as a replacement main event.
It was reported, however, that Johnson turned down the fight claiming he needed to do some dental work. Johnson posted a series of videos on Instagram, which you can watch below, explaining the real story.
Headlined by Jon Jones vs. Ovince St. Preux for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, UFC 197 takes place on April 23, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Okay, everybody’s hitting me up now, all of my friends, saying that Jon is throwing me under the bus or whatever,” Johnson said. “I never accepted the fight with Jon. The UFC hit me up and asked me about it, but they didn’t know anything about that I had dental work done. I had four screws put in my jaw, okay? So why would I accept a fight and then say, ‘No, I don’t want to fight him?’ That’s stupid. I have more sense than that. So, either the UFC is telling this man the wrong thing, or somebody’s not telling the truth somewhere in between. Because I got told something different and now I’m hearing Jon is being told this. So, I don’t know, but it is what it is.
“And I know my teammate Kamaru said I was ready, but he didn’t know I had, you know, dental work done. He didn’t know I had four screws put in my jaw at the time he did that interview because he hadn’t seen me, but like maybe twice in the gym, so he was just showing love and support whenever he said I would be ready. He’s not supposed to say my teammate hasn’t been in the gym, he hasn’t been doing anything. No teammate would say that to another teammate if you respect that person. I hope nobody gets it twisted and like I said, it is what it is.
“And I’m only doing these videos because I owe it to the fans, I owe it to everybody, so they can know besides reading and hearing sh*t from other people. You’re hearing it from me. I never said ‘okay’ to the fight. I never said, ‘Yeah.’ So, I just want to let you guys know what the deal was and hopefully we get to the bottom of it because something’s not right. Him being told that I accepted the fight and I never said it. Like I said, I heard something totally different as far as coming from his camp. I heard other things. Like I said, it is what it is and I hope everybody has a good day.”
A video posted by Anthony Johnson (@anthony_rumble) on
Thanks to the power of social media, fighters have been able to get their side of the story out rather quickly.
Case in point, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson recently took to Instagram with a series of video messages to explain why he isn’t facing Jon Jones later this month for the interim UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 197. Instead, the main event role will go to Ovince Saint Preux.
Johnson confirmed that he recently underwent surgery on his mouth, as he had to have “four screws put into my jaw.”
Jones has questioned why Johnson wouldn’t fight him, but the contender isn’t sure if “Bones” was told the truth or not.
“I never said ‘OK’ to the fight,” Johnson stated. “I never said ‘Yeah.’ I just want to let you guys know what the deal was and hopefully we get to the bottom of it because something’s not right.
“Him being told that I accepted the fight and I never said it. I heard something totally different as far as coming from his camp. I heard other things. It is what it is.”
Fabricio Werdum has bested the likes of Fedor Emelianenko, Cain Velasquez and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira during his career on his way to winning the UFC heavyweight title.
Stipe Miocic, though, doesn’t see an area of his own game that isn’t better than Werdum.
He’ll get his chance to prove that next month when the two collide at UFC 198 in Brazil.
“I think I have the advantage everywhere,” said Miocic, during a recent interview with Submission Radio. “I know he’s going to the ground, but he knows I’m a good wrestler. If we’re on our feet I think I beat him on the feet, and I think wherever it goes I’ll have an advantage everywhere.
“Whatever happens, happens man. It’s a fight. And if it goes to the ground, you know, I’ll be smart about what I do. You know what I mean? I mean, anyone could get submitted. I mean, even if you’re a black belt or not. I mean, it is a part of the game. You know, look at Ben Rothwell. I don’t think he’s a black belt, but he choked out Josh Barnett.”
As for how the main event ends, Miocic only said to tune in and “you’ll see how I did it.”
Fabricio Werdum has bested the likes of Fedor Emelianenko, Cain Velasquez and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira during his career on his way to winning the UFC heavyweight title.
Stipe Miocic, though, doesn’t see an area of his own game that isn’t better than Werdum.
He’ll get his chance to prove that next month when the two collide at UFC 198 in Brazil.
“I think I have the advantage everywhere,” said Miocic, during a recent interview with Submission Radio. “I know he’s going to the ground, but he knows I’m a good wrestler. If we’re on our feet I think I beat him on the feet, and I think wherever it goes I’ll have an advantage everywhere.
“Whatever happens, happens man. It’s a fight. And if it goes to the ground, you know, I’ll be smart about what I do. You know what I mean? I mean, anyone could get submitted. I mean, even if you’re a black belt or not. I mean, it is a part of the game. You know, look at Ben Rothwell. I don’t think he’s a black belt, but he choked out Josh Barnett.”
As for how the main event ends, Miocic only said to tune in and “you’ll see how I did it.”
UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson isn’t looking past top contender Henry Cejudo and his title defense this month.
But with the UFC announcing that the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 24 would receive a shot at the flyweight champion in December, there is no way for “Mighty Mouse” to not be asked about the subject.
As far as Johnson is concerned, he’s content with facing the winner of the reality series – just not so much when the UFC seems to want it to happen.
“I’m fine with having two fights this year, but I don’t want to wait all the way to December,” he said, during a recent interview with Submission Radio. “I would, you know, I’ve told the UFC that I like to stay pretty active and I like fighting in September. That’s kind of like the schedule I’ve been on, fighting April and September. So I want to fight in September, then, you know, if they want to have me fight in February – you know, give the guy who won the Ultimate Fighter December off, then January, February, fighting in February, I’m happy with that. But I like to stay active.
“I don’t like to wait on people to be successful in this sport. Because at the end of the day, my timer and my age is getting up there. And the longer I sit on the shelf, the longer I’m not making money.”
As for his upcoming opponent, Johnson views it as just another challenge. He’s already bested the likes of Joseph Benavidez, Ian McCall, Ali Bagautinov and Kyoji Horiguchi.
“Well they always bring in different challenges. I mean, that’s like the perks of always fighting somebody new,” he said. “But you can always sit down and look at tape, but until you get in there with me or try get in there with those guys, you know, they see it as ‘oh yeah, everybody talks about how Demetrious is fast, his cardio, his wrestling, ability to switch it up, to switch from different arts of combat, you know, fluid’ and when they get in there with me they’re like ‘holy schizer! Yeah this is what we saw on tape and I’m not prepared for it.’ So that’s what I think is going to happen, but we’ll have to see.
“It’s not overcoming a guy like Cejudo or anybody, it’s just me overcoming myself – make sure I go out there, feel good, I get in my rhythm, you know, be sharp and go out there and fight. So you know, I was thinking about it and I was like, you know, when I’m fighting these guys, I’m not fighting these guys. I’m fighting myself. I just gotta go out there and do what I do best, which is win.”
UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson isn’t looking past top contender Henry Cejudo and his title defense this month.
But with the UFC announcing that the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 24 would receive a shot at the flyweight champion in December, there is no way for “Mighty Mouse” to not be asked about the subject.
As far as Johnson is concerned, he’s content with facing the winner of the reality series – just not so much when the UFC seems to want it to happen.
“I’m fine with having two fights this year, but I don’t want to wait all the way to December,” he said, during a recent interview with Submission Radio. “I would, you know, I’ve told the UFC that I like to stay pretty active and I like fighting in September. That’s kind of like the schedule I’ve been on, fighting April and September. So I want to fight in September, then, you know, if they want to have me fight in February – you know, give the guy who won the Ultimate Fighter December off, then January, February, fighting in February, I’m happy with that. But I like to stay active.
“I don’t like to wait on people to be successful in this sport. Because at the end of the day, my timer and my age is getting up there. And the longer I sit on the shelf, the longer I’m not making money.”
As for his upcoming opponent, Johnson views it as just another challenge. He’s already bested the likes of Joseph Benavidez, Ian McCall, Ali Bagautinov and Kyoji Horiguchi.
“Well they always bring in different challenges. I mean, that’s like the perks of always fighting somebody new,” he said. “But you can always sit down and look at tape, but until you get in there with me or try get in there with those guys, you know, they see it as ‘oh yeah, everybody talks about how Demetrious is fast, his cardio, his wrestling, ability to switch it up, to switch from different arts of combat, you know, fluid’ and when they get in there with me they’re like ‘holy schizer! Yeah this is what we saw on tape and I’m not prepared for it.’ So that’s what I think is going to happen, but we’ll have to see.
“It’s not overcoming a guy like Cejudo or anybody, it’s just me overcoming myself – make sure I go out there, feel good, I get in my rhythm, you know, be sharp and go out there and fight. So you know, I was thinking about it and I was like, you know, when I’m fighting these guys, I’m not fighting these guys. I’m fighting myself. I just gotta go out there and do what I do best, which is win.”
Joao Carvalho, 28, died following a third round knockout loss against Conor McGregor teammate Charlie Ward at the Total Extreme Fighting (TEF) event on Saturday evening in Dublin, Ireland.
You can watch the final minute of the fight between Carvalho and Ward from this past weekend above.
Carvalho, a Portuguese welterweight fighter, who fought against Ward on Saturday night at the National Boxing Stadium, passed away at 9:35pm local time on Monday.
According to his team, Nobrega Team, TEF followed all the safety protocols after the fight, including rushing Carvalho to the Beaumont Hospital 20 minutes after the fight when he started to feel bad. Carvalho underwent brain surgery immediately and stayed in critical condition for 48 hours.
Since the tragic news became clear, both SBG Coach John Kavanagh, as well as the TEF pronotion released statements. Below, in order, are Kavanagh’s and TEF’s official statements:
It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Portuguese fighter Joao Carvalho. On Saturday, April 9, the fighter suffered a medical issue following his three round TKO stoppage loss at a Total Extreme Fighting (TEF) Championship event at the National Stadium in Dublin Ireland. IAPA is working diligently with TEF to gather and evaluate all relevant facts and event processes and will participate in any investigation. Our condolences and thoughts, though, are with Joao’s family and friends and we kindly ask everyone to respect their privacy at this time.
Here is the statement released by the Total Extreme Fighting organization:
The TEF Team is deeply saddened by the news of João Carvalho’s death. Last night 11th of April, mixed martial artist João Carvalho passed away after 2 days of the best medical care and treatment in Beaumont Hospital following his three round TKO stoppage defeat on Saturday 9th April at the National Stadium in Dublin.
Following the referee stoppage João, who was representing Portuguese club Team Nobrega, was assessed by doctors and medical staff at the onsite medical office as per normal procedure. It was determined that he should be sent to hospital. In hospital he received emergency treatment and transferred to ICU later that evening. Formal hospital medical reports and procedures are still being carried out. João was 28 years of age.
Cesar Silva, CEO of TEF said “We extend our most sincere condolences to the family of João Carvalho’s and his teammates in Team Nobrega. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. We’d also like to thank all sports fans for their concern and support. We will give whatever support we can to Joao’s family.”
“We have been in contact with his family and they have requested that we all understand their need for privacy at this difficult time.”
https://youtu.be/Lp0brVc1094
Joao Carvalho, 28, died following a third round knockout loss against Conor McGregor teammate Charlie Ward at the Total Extreme Fighting (TEF) event on Saturday evening in Dublin, Ireland.
You can watch the final minute of the fight between Carvalho and Ward from this past weekend above.
Carvalho, a Portuguese welterweight fighter, who fought against Ward on Saturday night at the National Boxing Stadium, passed away at 9:35pm local time on Monday.
According to his team, Nobrega Team, TEF followed all the safety protocols after the fight, including rushing Carvalho to the Beaumont Hospital 20 minutes after the fight when he started to feel bad. Carvalho underwent brain surgery immediately and stayed in critical condition for 48 hours.
Since the tragic news became clear, both SBG Coach John Kavanagh, as well as the TEF pronotion released statements. Below, in order, are Kavanagh’s and TEF’s official statements:
It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Portuguese fighter Joao Carvalho. On Saturday, April 9, the fighter suffered a medical issue following his three round TKO stoppage loss at a Total Extreme Fighting (TEF) Championship event at the National Stadium in Dublin Ireland. IAPA is working diligently with TEF to gather and evaluate all relevant facts and event processes and will participate in any investigation. Our condolences and thoughts, though, are with Joao’s family and friends and we kindly ask everyone to respect their privacy at this time.
Here is the statement released by the Total Extreme Fighting organization:
The TEF Team is deeply saddened by the news of João Carvalho’s death. Last night 11th of April, mixed martial artist João Carvalho passed away after 2 days of the best medical care and treatment in Beaumont Hospital following his three round TKO stoppage defeat on Saturday 9th April at the National Stadium in Dublin.
Following the referee stoppage João, who was representing Portuguese club Team Nobrega, was assessed by doctors and medical staff at the onsite medical office as per normal procedure. It was determined that he should be sent to hospital. In hospital he received emergency treatment and transferred to ICU later that evening. Formal hospital medical reports and procedures are still being carried out. João was 28 years of age.
Cesar Silva, CEO of TEF said “We extend our most sincere condolences to the family of João Carvalho’s and his teammates in Team Nobrega. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. We’d also like to thank all sports fans for their concern and support. We will give whatever support we can to Joao’s family.”
“We have been in contact with his family and they have requested that we all understand their need for privacy at this difficult time.”
