The MMA/Boxing Thread

[NW48]

So, uh, Jon Jones failed another drug test, for Turinabol... again. Fight with Gustafsson is still going ahead because $$$$, however, the Nevada State Athletic Commission refused to license Jones as a result, so the UFC has moved the card on 6 days notice to Los Angeles, under the same commission that gave Jones the lenient suspension last year.

I won't bother going into USADA's reasoning for letting Jones fight still, because it's total BS, but this whole thing is just the biggest joke in the history of the sport.

 

[Mike Rotch]

I also see Mighty Mouse is not longer on the UFC's books and is now fighting in Japan. /random

This UFC stunt by White is a joke. I hope nobody turns up to the LA venue - all those people who would have booked for Las Vegas. What a joke!

 

[Eva]

I also see Mighty Mouse is not longer on the UFC's books and is now fighting in Japan. /random

This UFC stunt by White is a joke. I hope nobody turns up to the LA venue - all those people who would have booked for Las Vegas. What a joke!

Mighty Mouse was traded to ONE Championship in exchange for Ben Askren, the first time a trade like this has happened in MMA.

As far as UFC 232 is concerned, it was looking farcical pretty early on. For someone who hasn't been able to have a year without a polluted drug test in what, 5 years, Jones thinks of himself very highly. When Cyborg, Nunes, Zingano, and Anderson were put on the card, I was super excited about the title and the propects for the women's 145 lb class. But they've essentially been completely overshadowed by this mess, which is a shame.

 

[Andrew R]

The fighting has been completely overshadowed by Jones' rubbish which is unfortunate. There's some great fights on the card. Cyborg vs Nunes could be a genuine war. Can't afford the ppv but I have Kayo now so I'll be watching the prelims. I've watched more UFC in the last month since getting kayo than I have in years. Loving it!

 

[NW48]

Well, decent card today. Volkanovski v Mendes was a lot of fun, Anderson v Latifi was a frustrating snoozefest in all honesty, Chiesea v Condit was a great display of slick jiujitsu, but my God, Cyborg v Nunes, what a fight. Only lasted 51 seconds but that was something. Cyborg just completely disrespected Nunes' striking and abandoned her new calm and collected approach and got starched because of it. Great job by Nunes, I look forward to the rematch.

And yeah, that's really it. I heard some steroid injecting junkie fought in the main event, but I wasn't paying attention for that. The result will get overturned in two weeks anyway when he tests positive in two different tests from USADA and VADA.

 

[Andrew R]

I was hoping Nunes could beat Cyborg but I was thinking submission in the fourth or something. Geeze she had some power and the extra weight only helped. Genuine champion. The rematch will be huge.

 

[JohnBM01]

This is my debut to this thread. The UFC is on ESPN right now.

I do watch mixed-martial arts a lot. I used to watch the World Combat League in the 2000s. I watched Bellator a lot on the channel that used to be Spike TV. I also watch the Professional Fighters League. While I never had anything against UFC, I just don't watch it much.

So when I get a chance, it is nice to pop into this thread for MMA discussion.

 

[the_boy]

Henry Cejudo defended his belt against the 135 pound champion, TJ has no excuse but to accept the rematch with his belt on the line this time. The stoppage was a bit premature, but you will get the fight called against you if you don’t answer for 17 straight strikes.

 

[Mr P]

That main event was a farce! How long do we have to put up with garbage refs who see a fighter gesturing 100 punches in 10 secs while most are missing? I sat up all night to watch that BS and I wont be doing it again.. "Look ref I'm throwing my hands really quick here stop the fight quick"

Sack that ref and scrap the result it was blatant robbery imo 👎 and it happens too often

 

[the_boy]

That main event was a farce! How long do we have to put up with garbage refs who see a fighter gesturing 100 punches in 10 secs while most are missing? I sat up all night to watch that BS and I wont be doing it again.. "Look ref I'm throwing my hands really quick here stop the fight quick"

Sack that ref and scrap the result it was blatant robbery imo 👎 and it happens too often

TJ would have hit back if Henry was missing (which makes TJs excuse weak) he didn’t respond to 17 strikes, that’s why it was stopped.

 

[NW48]

The stoppage was perfect. Maybe could have let it go on a couple more seconds to push the envelope but Dillashaw was done. I'd rather see that then someone get belted into a vegatative state. Dillashaw also needs to drop the sore loser act and congratulate Cejudo. Regardless of what you think of the stoppage, there is no doubt Cejudo had him on shaky legs after just 20 seconds. I look forward to the inevitable rematch at 135.

 

[Andrew R]

Hoping Bobby Knuckles can get it done against Kelvin on Sunday. Gastelum can box and it's not known how Whittaker will go after the war with Romero. If Whittaker can go three rounds without getting tagged too bad he should outlast Gastelum.

Silva vs Adesanya fight could be a cracker too. White pretty well confirmed winner gets a title shot, could be an Aus vs NZ title bout!

 

[Andrew R]

Aaaaand Whittaker withdraws from a home title defence again, this time with a hernia that needs surgery today apparently. Leaves a seriously underwhelming card.

 

[JohnBM01]

Last month, I heard the Professional Fighters League signed a two-year television deal with ESPN to air its 2019 and 2020 seasons. You may know of the PFL if you remember it as the World Series of Fighting. It used to air a lot on NBCSN. Now, ESPN seems like it is trying to take over MMA coverage to go with its UFC coverage (which is airing right now as of this post).

 

[the_boy]

UFC was in the UK last weekend, Till got put to sleep , a vicious KO by Masvidal. He might be getting fined by the UFC because of his post fight 3 hit combo on Edwards.

 

[NW48]

TJ Dillashaw has tested posted for an undisclosed performance enhancing drug, and has been suspended 1 year. He has also relinquished the bantamweight title.

 

[the_boy]

That was one savage knockout by my man Pettis, way to represent our city.

 

[NW48]

Conor McGregor has "retired" from MMA as of yesterday. Whether he stays retired, we'll find out, but Dana seems to buy it. However, McGregor may have bigger things to deal with right now.

He is being investigated by Irish police for aggravated sexual assault. It's kind of been the worst kept secret among MMA circles until the NY Times published a report on it yesterday. He has not been charged yet as the investigation is still ongoing.

In other news, Stipe Miocic v Jon Jones is supposedly being targeted as the next fight for both fighters. I think it'd be a good choice for the International Fight Week card (July) in Vegas. Have it be the co-main to (or at least on the same card as) DC v Lesnar for the heavyweight title, as if anyone falls out you can have an intriguing fight with any of the four fighters. But I think that might make too much sense, and be too perfect, to happen.

 

[Mr P]

Looking forward to tonight's crazy co main and main events I'm backing the underdogs in each event just because I have that choice

Max is the massive favourite and will probably win but I want Dustin to win and possibly fight Tony before Khabib comes back.. either way it's going to be an Epic fight 👍 I also think Kelvin KO's Izzy within 2 rounds and ends that hype I'm probably wrong on both predictions! but what a night we have in store woohoo!!! 👍

 

[the_boy]

Early prelims in 45 min on ESPN +

 

[Mr P]

That was the best co main and main event on the same night ever!!! Wow what a spectacle.. Congrats to the winners and there was no losers with those performances

 

[the_boy]

Canelo schooled Jacobs, moves one step closer to unify the middleweight title (Andrade has the only MW belt left) Cowboy brought it to Iaquinta & called out Conor again.

 

[JohnBM01]

UFC 237 is tonight in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Enjoy the action from Rio if you'll be watching or following in some capacity.

 

[NW48]

Damn, I hope that knee/leg injury isn't too bad for Anderson, but those screams and watching him writhe around in pain brought back some uncomfortable memories of the second Weidman fight.

Edit: And what a masterclass in the main event by Namajumas, right up until she lost. Scary slam KO, especially considering Rose just came back from neck surgery as well.

 

[JohnBM01]

I am watching ESPN2, and there is a repeat of the Professional Fighters League highlights from being aired from Uniondale, New York on right now as of the time of this post. One thing I noticed was a familiar face as a WWE fan- former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia is the ring announcer for the PFL. The Professional Fighters League was formerly known as the World Series of Fighting.

 

[JohnBM01]

Did any you see the knockout punch Deontay Wilder put on Dominic Breazeale? Some of the ESPN shows like "Highly Questionable" and "Pardon the Interruption" were questioning whether or not the referee ended the fight too early. All I know is... that KO punch by Wilder was BRUTAL. I'm taking... face-crushing, neck-breaking brutal. Almost like getting hard punched by someone with stone hands.

What was bad enough was that long before that fight, Deontay Wilder made some insensitive comments about boxing being a sport where you can legally kill someone in the ring and get paid for it.

 

[JohnBM01]

HEADS UP!

On right now is the Professional Fighters League on ESPN2 from Uniondale, NY. Tonight is apparently the debut of this new "Smart Cage." It is supposed to be a cage offering unique analysis and scoring of various moves. So it will be interesting seeing all the technological and statistical goodness with two MMA fighters going at it. ESPN+ is told to continue tonight's LIVE action.


[OMISSION] The Smart Cage thing is showing things like total strikes, arm strikes, leg strikes, max strike speed as well as live strike speed, and even where the majority of the action is taking place. For example, are the two fighters spending more time within the center of the cage or mostly outside of the center? I think this makes for some interesting statistical insight on each fight.

Loik Radzhabov is the first-ever PFL fighter from the central Asian nation of Tajikistan.

 

[JohnBM01]

Currently on ESPN2, they are showing the preliminary matches of the UFC in Stockholm, Sweden. Good luck to all fighters competing in Stockholm this weekend.

 

[NW48]

Well, there goes most of the hype for Wilder v Joshua.

In MMA, sad to see Gustaffson retire on a loss like that, but what else could he do, besides moving up to heavyweight, really. The injuries definitely took a lot out of him. A great fighter, but unfortunately fought in a time and division where two greats dominated.

 

[JohnBM01]

Tonight on ESPN2, the Professional Fighters League will take place tonight from Uniondale, New York. Love you some PFL? Then be sure not to miss out on the MMA action tonight!

I am not sure if I actually mentioned my credentials as an MMA fan. I used to watch the old World Combat League and its unique fast-paced fighting format. I have always respected the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). However, I was never really crazy about it. Back when Paramount Network used to be Spike TV, I would watch a lot of Bellator. I have watched a lot of the World Series of Fighting before it became the current Professional Fighters League. I like the strategic aspect of fights, but I am someone who usually likes watching a flurry of punches and kicks along with the occasional takedown. So I usually like seeing strikers a bit more than I do those who are submission specialists. That's not to say I dislike long hold sessions, though.

As far as favorites go, I have always considered Ken Shamrock and Dan "The Beast" Severn as icons. I even liked the two when they even wrestled in the (then) WWF in the late 1990s. I never saw Ronda Rousey in her UFC days, but I did see her time in Strikeforce. I looked at her proper MMA fights before she joined the WWE. I don't know if this counts for discussion here, but I also highly respect the Gracie Brothers as far as MMA goes.


So now I've shared with you some of my MMA thoughts. Go enjoy watching combat sports!