Tag: UFC Tonight

Mark Hunt Signs New Multi-Fight Deal With The UFC

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Mark Hunt just might get his rematch with Junior dos Santos after all.

It was reported on “UFC Tonight” Wednesday that the heavyweight has signed a new contract with the UFC. While no t…

mark-hunt

Mark Hunt just might get his rematch with Junior dos Santos after all.

It was reported on “UFC Tonight” Wednesday that the heavyweight has signed a new contract with the UFC. While no terms were announced on the show, an outlet in New Zealand is reporting that the deal is for six fights over 30 months and in the multi-million dollar variety.

Hunt (12-10-1) has resurrected his career over the past six years, going 6-3-1 including a recent knockout of Frank Mir. He’s also topped Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, Roy Nelson, Stefan Struve and Ben Rothwell, with his three losses coming to current UFC champion Fabricio Werdum, current No. 1 contender Stipe Miocic and dos Santos.

What Did Nate Diaz Buy Following His Victory Over Conor McGregor?

nate-diaz-ufc-196

Much was made about the amount of money Nate Diaz was offered to step in and fight Conor McGregor on short notice.

Along with cashing his biggest disclosed payday to date, Diaz also earned a pair of “Fight Night” bonuses, and likely even more backstage.

So, what did the “Stockton Bad Boy” purchases following his UFC 196 submission win? He told “UFC Tonight” Wednesday evening.

“Dinner,” Diaz said. “I haven’t really bought much yet. It just happened.”

Reports continue to circulate about a rematch – this time at lightweight – between Diaz and McGregor for the July UFC 200 event. Some have been critical of it, but Diaz sees it as win-win.

“It’s a real fight. People want to see it,” he said. “When you get a real fight, people appreciate it. If he wants it and UFC wants it, let’s run it back. If not, whatever. I’m here to fight the best fighters in the world.

“If there’s a second fight, I’ll fight at 55. I’d like to be in shape. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear no excuses. I’ll make 55. I was planning on making 55 last time.”

As for if he wants to compete for UFC gold in the near future, that seems to not be a priority for Diaz.

“I think that title thing is a fairy tale,” he said. “The best fighters in the world are getting paid the best money. The belt is a fairy tale, as far as I’m concerned. That might piss a lot of people off.”

Diaz also had nothing but respect for McGregor, just like following the contest. The two exchanged words and shoves in the lead-up, but were grateful of the challenge the other presented after.

“He’s a fighter. He’s doing his thing. He’s making more of a scene than anyone else,” Diaz said. “If everyone was speaking up then everyone would be making more. No one wants to stand up. I’ve been speaking up for years. They’re trying to quiet me down, but I beat their guy so they’re going to hear it now.”

nate-diaz-ufc-196

Much was made about the amount of money Nate Diaz was offered to step in and fight Conor McGregor on short notice.

Along with cashing his biggest disclosed payday to date, Diaz also earned a pair of “Fight Night” bonuses, and likely even more backstage.

So, what did the “Stockton Bad Boy” purchases following his UFC 196 submission win? He told “UFC Tonight” Wednesday evening.

“Dinner,” Diaz said. “I haven’t really bought much yet. It just happened.”

Reports continue to circulate about a rematch – this time at lightweight – between Diaz and McGregor for the July UFC 200 event. Some have been critical of it, but Diaz sees it as win-win.

“It’s a real fight. People want to see it,” he said. “When you get a real fight, people appreciate it. If he wants it and UFC wants it, let’s run it back. If not, whatever. I’m here to fight the best fighters in the world.

“If there’s a second fight, I’ll fight at 55. I’d like to be in shape. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear no excuses. I’ll make 55. I was planning on making 55 last time.”

As for if he wants to compete for UFC gold in the near future, that seems to not be a priority for Diaz.

“I think that title thing is a fairy tale,” he said. “The best fighters in the world are getting paid the best money. The belt is a fairy tale, as far as I’m concerned. That might piss a lot of people off.”

Diaz also had nothing but respect for McGregor, just like following the contest. The two exchanged words and shoves in the lead-up, but were grateful of the challenge the other presented after.

“He’s a fighter. He’s doing his thing. He’s making more of a scene than anyone else,” Diaz said. “If everyone was speaking up then everyone would be making more. No one wants to stand up. I’ve been speaking up for years. They’re trying to quiet me down, but I beat their guy so they’re going to hear it now.”

Miesha Tate’s World Has “Completely Turned Upside Down” Since Besting Holly Holm

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UFC female bantamweight champion Miesha Tate likely had no idea what was about to transpire when she submitted Holly Holm to win the belt.

Tate, already a popular figure in female MMA, has skyrocketed since that win.

“My world has completely turned upside down for the better,” she said, during an appearance on UFC Tonight. “It’s been amazing. I’ve gotten so much love and happiness. People have been following my story for a long time and they know there’s been so much adversity.

“It’s been a 10-year journey. People are loving with me and that feels great.”

Tate (18-5) has now won five straight fights since a 2013 submission loss to Ronda Rousey. That includes decisions over Jessica Eye, Sara McMann and Liz Carmouche.

Currently, no plans have been released regarding who Tate will defend her belt against first, but “Cupcake” knows there will be no easy defenses.

“What I’ve decided as a champ, I can have the mentality to fight anyone at any time,” she said. “There are so many top contenders now – Ronda, Holly, Amanda (Nunes), Julianna Pena, they’re all solid competition. It’s not my job as a champ to pick a fight, it’s to fight whoever they put in front of me.

“I’d like to stay active as a champion and not wait until November. I’d like to defend the belt and continue to prove why I’m the best in the world.”

miesha-tate-q&a-2

UFC female bantamweight champion Miesha Tate likely had no idea what was about to transpire when she submitted Holly Holm to win the belt.

Tate, already a popular figure in female MMA, has skyrocketed since that win.

“My world has completely turned upside down for the better,” she said, during an appearance on UFC Tonight. “It’s been amazing. I’ve gotten so much love and happiness. People have been following my story for a long time and they know there’s been so much adversity.

“It’s been a 10-year journey. People are loving with me and that feels great.”

Tate (18-5) has now won five straight fights since a 2013 submission loss to Ronda Rousey. That includes decisions over Jessica Eye, Sara McMann and Liz Carmouche.

Currently, no plans have been released regarding who Tate will defend her belt against first, but “Cupcake” knows there will be no easy defenses.

“What I’ve decided as a champ, I can have the mentality to fight anyone at any time,” she said. “There are so many top contenders now – Ronda, Holly, Amanda (Nunes), Julianna Pena, they’re all solid competition. It’s not my job as a champ to pick a fight, it’s to fight whoever they put in front of me.

“I’d like to stay active as a champion and not wait until November. I’d like to defend the belt and continue to prove why I’m the best in the world.”

Michael Bisping Lays Out Path To Title For Mark Hunt

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Fresh off a first round stoppage victory over Frank Mir, Mark Hunt is back on the right course towards the UFC heavyweight title.

While Hunt mentioned possible rematches as his first priority, he also realizes those kind of fights will get him closer to a shot at the champion, who is currently Fabricio Werdum.

During Wednesday night’s edition of “UFC Tonight,” guest host Michael Bisping laid out plans for Hunt moving forward.

“I’d like to see him take on the winner of Alistair Overeem vs. Andrei Arlovski,” Bisping said. “Then face the winner of Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne.

“If he wins that, he’s gets a shot at the gold.”

Hunt (12-10-1) has now won two straight, adding the Mir victory to his November first round finish vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva. His two prior losses to those wins came vs. Werdum and the No. 1 contender, Stipe Miocic. Those two meet later this year.

mark-hunt-presser

Fresh off a first round stoppage victory over Frank Mir, Mark Hunt is back on the right course towards the UFC heavyweight title.

While Hunt mentioned possible rematches as his first priority, he also realizes those kind of fights will get him closer to a shot at the champion, who is currently Fabricio Werdum.

During Wednesday night’s edition of “UFC Tonight,” guest host Michael Bisping laid out plans for Hunt moving forward.

“I’d like to see him take on the winner of Alistair Overeem vs. Andrei Arlovski,” Bisping said. “Then face the winner of Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne.

“If he wins that, he’s gets a shot at the gold.”

Hunt (12-10-1) has now won two straight, adding the Mir victory to his November first round finish vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva. His two prior losses to those wins came vs. Werdum and the No. 1 contender, Stipe Miocic. Those two meet later this year.

Ariel Helwani Parts Ways With UFC on FOX Broadcast Team

It looks like one of MMA’s most prominent journalists and on-air personalities has split from his position with UFC on FOX. Ariel Helwani, the longtime host of MMA Fighting’s The MMA Hour and a prominent member of the UFC on FOX broadcast team as well as FOX Sports 1’s ‘UFC Tonight,’ announced on Twitter today

The post Ariel Helwani Parts Ways With UFC on FOX Broadcast Team appeared first on LowKick MMA.

It looks like one of MMA’s most prominent journalists and on-air personalities has split from his position with UFC on FOX.

Ariel Helwani, the longtime host of MMA Fighting’s The MMA Hour and a prominent member of the UFC on FOX broadcast team as well as FOX Sports 1’s ‘UFC Tonight,’ announced on Twitter today (Wed., March 23, 2016) that he has parted ways with UFC on FOX in an amicable split.

Helwani said he holds no ill will towards FOX and will continue on with his full-time job as an integral member of MMAFighting.com:

I wanted to let you know that I’ve parted ways with the UFC on FOX. That means I’ll no longer be appearing on UFC Tonight, as well as the event coverage on FS1.

It’s been an honor and a privilege to cover the sport for FOX. I was one of the first on-air MMA people hired back in 2011, and I met some wonderful people along the way. I hope to work with some them again at some point. I thank everyone involved for the opportunity.

But I’m completely at peace with this decision and believe it’s for the best.

While working at FOX was great, it was always a part-time job. My full-time job since 2009 has been working for MMAFighting.com. Nothing has changed there. The MMA Hour will air on Monday, The MMA Beat tomorrow … all status quo. I humbly believe that I am a part of the best team in the business, working for the best bosses in the business.

Anyway, perhaps I’ll talk about this more on Monday’s show.

For now, thanks to all of you, the amazing fans of this great sport, for your incredible support since the beginning of my career. I do not take it for granted, and it sincerely means the world to me. Thank you for always watching/listening/reading.

As Jay-Z once said, on to the next one …

Ariel

No reasoning was given for Helwani’s departure from the network, and no word has arrived if his breaking of the rumored Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor rematch as the main event of UFC 200 has anything to do with it.

As he revealed in his statement, perhaps that will be discussed during the next episode of The MMA Hour this Monday.

Regardless, Helwani has been a thorough, descriptive, informative, and engaging reporter, which is made clearly evident by his many awards in his nearly five years working with UFC on FOX, and he will obviously continue to do so at MMA Fighting, so we at LowKick MMA wish him nothing but the best in all of his future endeavors.

The post Ariel Helwani Parts Ways With UFC on FOX Broadcast Team appeared first on LowKick MMA.

UFC Not Interested In Rafael Dos Anjos’ Ideas For UFC 200

UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos continues to push for a spot on the UFC 200 card opposite either Nate Diaz or welterweight champion Robbie Lawler.

But officials are not interested.

In a report on “UFC Tonight” Wednesday, dos Anjos’ plea…

rafael-dos-anjos-press-conference

UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos continues to push for a spot on the UFC 200 card opposite either Nate Diaz or welterweight champion Robbie Lawler.

But officials are not interested.

In a report on “UFC Tonight” Wednesday, dos Anjos’ pleas to compete at the July mega-event have fallen by the wayside. Instead, the promotion has told the champion they have “different plans for his next fight.”

Dos Anjos (25-7) scored a December victory over top contender Donald Cerrone and was set to meet Conor McGregor at UFC 196 in a champion vs. champion match. An injured foot, though, knocked dos Anjos out and opened the door for Diaz.

Despite earning a decision over Diaz in 2014, both fighters appear willing to engage once again.

That win is part of a five-fight streak of victories for the Brazilian, who has also bested Anthony Pettis, Benson Henderson and Jason High since a decision defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov. He is 14-5 over 19 appearances inside the Octagon and owns 13 finishes.