MMA UK

Josh Grispi – Former UFC Fighter Involved In Horrific Act Of Domestic Violence

Peter Knox 06/08/2014

Former Top UFC featherweight Josh Grispi was arrested last Friday for assault and battery as well as multiple firearm charges. Local news reported that the 25-year-old Grispi abused his wife twice in 4 days and is being held on a $100,000 bail at the Plymouth House of Correction in Massachusetts. Police have informed us that Grispi had allegedly instructed his pet pitbull to maul his wife, who is in hospital recuperating from her injuries. Local Police officer Richard Harvey had this to say “It’s the worst case of domestic abuse I’ve ever seen.” Grispi plead innocent to the charges on Tuesday in court. Two of his former managers said they are not involved with him any longer. Grispi was arrested this past Friday for the 1st time on accounts of assault and battery, four accounts of improper storage of a large-capacity firearm near a minor, three accounts of a rifle/shotgun near a minor and released on $2000 bail. He was then arrested a 2nd time on Monday for violating his release conditions and immediately sent to jail. Police said the fighter had trained his pitbull to attack his wife and she was described as “chewed up” in the attack. They found a Marijuana grow when the police searched his house, as well as a box of guns and ammunition. These firearms were found unsecured next to Grispi’s 3-year-old child. The children are now in the care of their grandmother. In addition to the assault and weapons charges, Grispi is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, violating a restraining order, animal cruelty, malicious damage to a motor vehicle and drug possession to cultivate marijuana. Grispi last fought in the UFC February 2013 and lost to Andy Ogle on points. This was followed by his release from the promotion after going 0-4 with the UFC. Once upon a time, Grispi won four straight fights in the WEC and was tapped to fight Jose Aldo at UFC 125. However an injury to the champ saw Grispi make the choice to stay active and, unfortunately for him, lose his next fight Really disgusting behaviour by Grispi here, arguably on par or worse than the Brett Rogers case, domestic violence and animal cruelty are two things I find sickening. If this is all true then…. Fuck you Josh Grispi sincerely MMAUK.NET

MMAUK.NET Presents – The Dojo Elite – Trojan Free Fighters, A Closer Look Into The Top UK MMA Gyms

Peter Knox 06/08/2014

In this series of upcoming articles Fightstore Pro and MMA UK.net will be taking a close look at the top MMA gyms in the U.K. We will be reporting on gyms that we have researched in depth and that we believe are hatching the latest phoenix’s to trailblaze the Mixed Martial Art World. Headed by owners Dan Richards (Worcester) and head coach/owner Paul Sutherland (Cheltenham). Trojan Free fighters has been established for over a decade as a Mecca for fighters in the Cheltenham and Worcester areas. Originally started in Cheltenham as a prominently Muay Thai based boxing club, it quickly developed into a place that covered all aspects of MMA. Some would say they were ahead of a lot of other U.K gyms as well. Trojan Free Fighters had great early success and nowadays is headed by Paul Sutherland running Trojan Free Fighters in Cheltenham, Dan Richards runs Trojan Free Fighters in Worcester. Trojan Free Fighters gained a lot of respect through their partner promotion Ultimate Impact. As owners of Ultimate Impact and Trojan it would have been easy for them to give their fighters easy fights to pad their records. However, the strict and honourable work code of Paul and Dan means in-fact, they search out the hardest and best competition to pit their fighters against. This has gained them further respect and recognition in the MMA community, as well as giving their fighters a realistic overview of where they are at in their experience. Trojan free was initially set up set up by Charlie Joseph. I have spoken to a few of their fighters and asked them a few questions about TFF. Firstly I spoke too Cage Warrior Mario Rudeboy Saeed and asked him – GS – How long have you been with Trojan Free Fighters and how have you developed since being with them? Mario – ‘I have been with Trojan since day 1! I’ve learnt so much from them, the level of training is very very high and everyone wants to prove to the coach they are better than one another. It is healthy rivalry though because we just use it to push each other, it’s such a blessing to have an amazing gym, team and fantastic coach.’ Mario Saeed I also spoke to another young fighter who I recently watched cage side at Ultimate Impact 12 where he lost a very close decision to a tough opponent in Toby Hartman, Chris Astley. I asked him about how long he’s been with Trojan how he came about and his progress. Chris – ‘I joined Trojan Free Fighters 2 years ago this month. My good friend Mario Saeed took me there too train, I had a feeling he just wanted someone to beat up in the gym! Since I’ve joined Trojan my life has changed more than I could ever have imagined when I started 2 years ago. Paul Sutherland has always supported me and has been an inspiration seeing his work rate first hand. Matt Ewin and all the other coaches at Trojan have also really pushed me and believed in me sometimes more than I believed in myself. I can’t say enough good things about Trojan, I love my team, they are great training partners who are happy to support you as well as punch you all day.’ All the Trojan Free Fighters I have spoken too say the same thing and a lot of it comes back down to a very inpsiring coach in Paul Sutherland. I asked Paul his opinion on what makes his brotherhood of fighters so successful. ‘In my honest opinion I think there are many high quality teams in the uk and I am glad that Trojan Free Fighters is up there with them. We have strength in depth in every weightclass, A good coaching staff and the fighters have good attitude and work ethic.’ Professional and to the point, there’s no razzle dazzle it’s down to hard work and dedication. At Trojan Free Fighters the passion burns very deep and that is what results in their depth of quality. Passion, drive, ambition, success We look forward to seeing more great things to come from Trojan Free Fighters

Demian Maia Injured, Mike Pyle Now Faces Jordan Mein

Peter Knox 06/08/2014

Another day, another UFC fighter pulls out of a fight due to injury. In what seems to be worryingly increasing trend, yet another fight has had to pull out of a future fight due to injury. This time it’s the turn of Demian Maia who was forced to withdraw from his welterweight matchup with Mike Pyle at the upcoming UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos. As luck would have it, just days ago Brandon Thatch announced that he was having to cancel his appearance against welterweight Jordan Mein. Therefore Mein and Pyle have been paired together. The 38-year old Pyle has won five of his last six fights, recently stopping T.J. Waldburger via TKO in the third-round. Jordan Mein is 2-1 in the UFC, only falling to Matt Brown while defeating Dan Miller and Hernani Perpetuo. Mike Pyle may want to be careful up until the fight though as Mein has had a little bit of bad luck with opponents coming in to this fight. Originally scheduled to meet Thiago Alves who then dropped out due to a knee injury. Brandon Thatch replaced him but shortly after suffered a gruesome toe injury and had to withdraw. Better luck with Pyle we hope. UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos takes place on August 23 from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla.

Couple Of Fight Additions To UFC: MacDonald Vs. Saffedine

Peter Knox 06/08/2014

Potential bantamweight title contender Raphael Assuncao will square off against Bryan Caraway at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine. Assuncao enters the matchup riding a six-fight winning streak, including a split decision win over division champion T.J. Dillashaw. Assuncao was originally set for a shot at then champion Renan Barao at UFC 173 but was forced out due to injury. In his place stood Dillashaw who went on to finish Barao in the fifth round setting for a rematch at UFC 177. Caraway last competed at UFC Fight Night Henderson vs. Khabilov on June 7, where he submitted Erik Perez with a rear-naked choke 1:52 into round two. A women’s strawweight clash has also been announced between newly signed Kailin Curran and the young Paige VanZant. UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine takes place on October 4 from the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

NSAC Not Done With Wanderlei Silva

Peter Knox 06/08/2014

he Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) is on a roll lately. Firstly clearing up issues with Vitor Belfort and his failed drugs tests, allowing his to get a licence. Then focusing on Chael Sonnen and threatening to fine him should he take part in Metamoris this weekend. Now they’re turning their focus towards one of Sonnen’s biggest rivals, Wanderlei Silva Wanderlei Silva was accused of dodging a pre-fight drug test prior to his ill-fated showdown against rival TUF coach Chael Sonnen. “The Axe Murderer” originally used the excuse about language barriers and confusion about legal representation but as more evidence came to light the Brazilian finally admitted to taking diuretics for a wrist injury. From MMA Junkie: “Although Silva was unlicensed at the time of his offenses, the complaint defines him as an “unarmed combatant” who is subject to the NSAC’s rules on banned substances. The AG’s office seeks costs associated with the Silva case, including investigative costs and attorney’s fees, and any other punishment the commission sees fit, which could include barring him from applying for a license in the state for a period of time. Silva has 20 days to respond; his case will be addressed at a commission hearing at a date to be determined.” Wandy has since insisted the issue has been resolved. However UFC President Dana White stated the MMA legend was still in “big trouble.”. Keep tuned to MMA UK for more news as it comes.

UFC Veteran Mark Bocek Retires From MMA

Peter Knox 06/08/2014

The 32-year-old Mark Bocek (12-5) announced his decision to retired from MMA via his Twitter account on Tuesday evening. I’m retiring from pro mma.I would like to thank everyone who has helped me and supported me throughout this journey. Onto the next chapter. — Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) August 6, 2014 Mark leaves the sport in the best way, coming off a win against Mike De La Torre at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale in April. However, Bocek has been battling with injuries. At one point he was out of competition for 17 months. Mark Bocek leaves the sport with a career MMA record of 12-5, and 8-5 in the UFC and can be proud that 4 of his 5 losses were to top 10 lightweights and a couple former champions in Frankie Edgar, Jim Miller, Benson Henderson, and Rafael Dos Anjos. We here at MMA UK wish Bocek all the best in whatever the future holds for him.

UFC Womens Strawweight Division Grows With New Addition – Kailin Curran

Peter Knox 06/08/2014

“It’s official next stop @UFC for me. Mahalo for all the support #bessedandhumble” Curran wrote on her twitter. Watch out strawweights, a new undefeated fighter has arrived on the UFC scene, Kailin Curran (3-0) has signed with the MMA frontrunners, UFC. Curran announced the news on her Twitter account. The current strawweight division is a shallow one with only Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Tina Lahdemaki, Juliana Lima and Claudia Gadelha making up the numbers. But the cast of TUF 20 will potentially flesh out the division with a crowing of a strawweight champion and an unknown amount of the women signed to UFC contracts once the show ends. The 23-year-old has won all 3 of her fights via unanimous decision wins under the Pacific Xtreme Combat promotion banner and currently trains out of Reign MMA. An opponent for her debut is yet to be announced, as with all the womens fights, we’ll expect to be entertained.

Matt Riddle Out Of Titan FC Title Fight, Jose Landi-Jons Steps In

Peter Knox 06/08/2014

Former UFC fighter Matt Riddle (8-3-2) was set to take on Ben Saunders later this month for the vacant welterweight championship, however fate has intervened and Riddle is now out of the fight after suffering an injury. This is good news for Jose Landi-Jons though. He has stepped up to replace Riddle, as confirmed by Titan FC COO Lex McMahon. The 40-year old Landi-Jons (28-15) is coming off a knockout win in Brazil. Though he may not be well-known to the casual MMA fan, he does holds victories over big names such as Matt Hughes, Alexander Shlemenko and Pat Miletich. His opponent Ben Saunders (16-6-2), is a Bellator and UFC veteran. Saunders is coming off a loss to Douglas Lima at the Bellator season 8 welterweight final but before that went on a 3 fight winning streak.