Tag: UFC

‘Eye Poke Bones Will Be Back’ – Fans React As UFC 309 Fighters Revealed To Be Using Old Gloves

Eyebrows have been raised after the promotion announced that those competing at this weekend’s UFC 309 pay-per-view won’t be using the new gloves. The mixed martial arts leader has touched back down in New York City this week for its annual numbered event at the iconic Madison Square Garden, where UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones […]

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Eyebrows have been raised after the promotion announced that those competing at this weekend’s UFC 309 pay-per-view won’t be using the new gloves.

The mixed martial arts leader has touched back down in New York City this week for its annual numbered event at the iconic Madison Square Garden, where UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones will mark the main attraction.

While he defends his belt against the returning Stipe Miocic in the UFC 309 headliner, co-main eventing will be former lightweight titleholder Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler, who run it back three and a half years on from their first battle.

During fight week, those names and the rest of the lineup on Nov. 16 were told they wouldn’t be entering the Octagon sporting the new glove design that was introduced this past June.

The promotion announced the change back in April prior to UFC 300, outlining benefits such as additional padding to protect bone structure, a wristband locking system to prevent glove grabs, lighter weight and more flexibility.

A decrease in knockout percentages have kept the new gloves as a prominent talking point since, and the decision to revert back to the old gloves for UFC 309 got the MMA community talking online.

Many pointed to Jones’ history of eye pokes with the old design to share their conspiracy theories on the decision not to use the new gloves for his return fight.

It’s worth noting that the new design didn’t explicitly address the eye-poke issue, and that form of foul has far from been eradicated in the months since it was introduced.

Regardless, that didn’t stop fans from poking fun (pun intended) at Jones’ expense ahead of UFC 309.

Continue Reading ‘Eye Poke Bones Will Be Back’ – Fans React As UFC 309 Fighters Revealed To Be Using Old Gloves at MMA News.

Volkanovski: Jon Jones Not A ‘Proper Double Champ’ Until He Fights Tom Aspinall

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t believe Jon Jones’ stint on the heavyweight throne will mean much if he continues to avoid facing Tom Aspinall. Jones secured the heavyweight crown in his divisional debut last year, running through Ciryl Gane in quick time to achieve glory in a second weight class. But his detractors […]

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Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t believe Jon Jones’ stint on the heavyweight throne will mean much if he continues to avoid facing Tom Aspinall.

Jones secured the heavyweight crown in his divisional debut last year, running through Ciryl Gane in quick time to achieve glory in a second weight class. But his detractors haven’t been short on ammunition when it comes to dismissing his status as kingpin.

While that started with claims he avoided a showdown with Francis Ngannou following “The Predator’s” rise to the top in 2021, the Rochester native is now being accused of ‘ducking’ Aspinall.

The Brit earned the interim title last November after Jones’ planned first defense against Stipe Miocic fell through on late notice due to an injury to the champ. A year later, “Bones” is choosing to keep his sights on the returning veteran instead of his interim counterpart.

That decision has been a prominent topic in the lead-up to Jones vs. Miocic this weekend at UFC 309, and among the latest to fall on the side of Aspinall in the debate is “Alexander the Great.”

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Volkanovski gave his assessment of the heavyweight title picture, commenting on Jones’ recent claim that he’ll likely only fight beyond Saturday’s event if it was against light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira.

The Australian was firm in analyzing the damage that continuing to avoid Aspinall will do for Jones, insisting that he can’t be seen as the best heavyweight or a two-division champ unless he unifies the title.

“I’m sure Jon Jones is sick of hearing this, but the Tom Aspinall fight is the fight everyone wants to see,” Volkanovski said. “You want to be heavyweight champion? You want to claim that crown? It’s going to be hard to convince me you’re a defending champ if you don’t fight Tom Aspinall while he’s interim champ.

“He’s already got an incredible legacy. But if you want to claim the heavyweight division, say you’re a proper double champ…you’ve got to fight Tom Aspinall,” Volkanovski continued. “If you really want that on your résumé, ‘I was the best heavyweight while I was there,’ you have to fight Tom Aspinall. He is definitely the biggest threat. … I can see why he’s pointing to that (Pereira), but give away the heavyweight belt then.”

Aspinall himself has taken issue with some of Jones’ comments during UFC 309 fight week, posting his highlight reel inside the Octagon on social media in response to the all-time great questioning what he’s done on MMA’s biggest stage.

There’s also a chance of the pair running into each other in the coming days, with Aspinall currently in New York City to weigh in as backup fighter for the Nov. 16 main event.

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UFC 309: Michael Chandler Sounds Off on Conor McGregor, Rematch vs. Charles Oliveira

It’s not the title for which he’s clamored. Michael Chandler has never been the UFC’s best pound-for-pound fighter nor has he exited a cage with one of the…

It’s not the title for which he’s clamored. Michael Chandler has never been the UFC’s best pound-for-pound fighter nor has he exited a cage with one of the…

UFC 309: B/R Main Card Staff Predictions

The UFC makes its annual stop in New York City this Saturday, and as always, the promotion has put together a stacked card for the throngs of fans that will…

The UFC makes its annual stop in New York City this Saturday, and as always, the promotion has put together a stacked card for the throngs of fans that will…

‘Brutal Matchup’ Edson Barboza vs. Steve Garcia Set For UFC Event On February 22

Fireworks appear guaranteed when UFC featherweight veteran Edson Barboza collides with the always exciting Steve Garcia in 2025. Barboza (24-12) reached 30 fights in the UFC this year, but he didn’t mark the occasion in the fashion he had hoped. After consecutive wins over Billy Quarantillo and Sodiq Yusuff, the Brazilian had his winning form […]

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Fireworks appear guaranteed when UFC featherweight veteran Edson Barboza collides with the always exciting Steve Garcia in 2025.

Barboza (24-12) reached 30 fights in the UFC this year, but he didn’t mark the occasion in the fashion he had hoped. After consecutive wins over Billy Quarantillo and Sodiq Yusuff, the Brazilian had his winning form snapped by the undefeated Lerone Murphy this past May.

While he fell short in that main event, Barboza did exit with Fight of the Night honors, marking his third straight bonus. And given who will be awaiting him inside the Octagon early next year, a fourth on the bounce could be on the way.

Per MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin, Barboza will begin his 2025 campaign with a showdown opposite Garcia (17-5) at the UFC Fight Night scheduled for February 22. A location and venue is yet to be announced.

Garcia has been on a violent run as of late, racking up five straight knockouts since being slept himself down at bantamweight by Hayisaer Maheshate back in 2022. This year has seen “Mean Machine” move toward the rankings by dispatching both SeungWoo Choi and Kyle Nelson in one round.

Having earned his shot at a prominent name inside the top 15, the New Mexico native will hope to establish himself as a contender in the 145-pound division at the expense of Barboza.

And Garcia seemingly has the backing of plenty in the community, who reacted to the fight announcement with their support for the up-and-comer. Beyond predictions, though, the common theme on social media was one of excitement to see these two vicious strikers throwing down next year.

Continue Reading ‘Brutal Matchup’ Edson Barboza vs. Steve Garcia Set For UFC Event On February 22 at MMA News.

Stipe Miocic Shrugs Off Critics Ahead Of Jon Jones Fight At UFC 309

Stipe Miocic seems indifferent to criticism leading up to his title showdown with Jon Jones at UFC 309. Miocic is gearing up to challenge reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jones in his bid for a third title shot, with the bout set to take place on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. […]

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Stipe Miocic seems indifferent to criticism leading up to his title showdown with Jon Jones at UFC 309.

Miocic is gearing up to challenge reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jones in his bid for a third title shot, with the bout set to take place on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

In the lead-up to this highly anticipated bout, the former UFC heavyweight champion has faced a barrage of scrutiny for securing a fight against “Bones” after a lengthy hiatus of over three years. Meanwhile, interim titleholder Tom Aspinall remains on the sidelines, waiting for his opportunity at a championship unification clash.

During an interview with MMA Fighting, Miocic responded to the criticism surrounding his UFC 309 return, emphasizing that fight bookings ultimately rest with the UFC and are entirely out of his hands.

The 42-year-old Ohio native acknowledged that a Jones vs. Aspinall matchup would be huge, yet he believes his own showdown with Jones is the fight fans truly wanted to see.

“It wasn’t my choice,” Miocic said. “It’s a fight I wanted, and the UFC gave it to me. They didn’t have to. They gave it to me. I believe so [there’s a reason why it’s happening]. I believe people want to see that. I think a lot more people want to see the fight than him fight Aspinall. [Aspinall is] tough. He hits hard. Big boy. It’s what people want, he knocks people out.”

Miocic further shared that there was a time when the noise from naysayers might have gotten under his skin, but now he brushes it off without a second thought.

“I don’t listen to anything on the outside. I used to when I was younger, when I started I was like why would you say that? How dare you? I was real sensitive. I literally stopped caring anymore. I don’t care what anyone says. I really don’t care.”

Miocic has been out of action since his title loss to Francis Ngannou, who defeated him with a second-round knockout at UFC 260 in March 2021.

Originally slated for a comeback at UFC 295 in November 2023, Miocic’s return was delayed when Jones sustained a torn pectoral tendon just weeks before the anticipated showdown, leading to the bout’s postponement.

Continue Reading Stipe Miocic Shrugs Off Critics Ahead Of Jon Jones Fight At UFC 309 at MMA News.