December 21, 2017

    GSP vacates UFC middleweight title – don’t act so surprised

    Peter Knox 21/12/2017

    Making a match between GSP and Michael Bisping was always high risk to the Middleweight division. Ever since Bisping shocked Luke Rockhold to win the UFC Middleweight title, the division has been in state of limbo, Bisping v GSP was never likely to lift it out of that limbo, at least in the short-term. If Bisping had beaten GSP there was a high probability that having secured another win over another living legend, he may well have said that’s me done, leaving the title vacant. A win for GSP was never going to be a long-term solution, GSP was never going to stay as a Middleweight, personally I think it was obvious that despite what was written in the contract, it was always going to be a one and done deal. I don’t get the surprise, the shock or the criticism that came when GSP vacated his newly won belt so soon after winning it, it was pretty obvious it was going to happen. If you make a match like Bisping v GSP, then you have to live with the consequences.  

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    A Rivalry Ignites – BAMMA Welterweight champion Alex Lohore video montage

    Myles Painter 21/12/2017

    On March 9 2018 at BAMMA 34 in London, France’s Alex Lohore will look to settle the score with England’s Terry Brazier for BAMMA’S Welterweight crown. A professional since December 2014 and representing MMA Factory France and New Wave Academy, Alex holds a 14-1 record in fifteen career bouts consisting of seven knockouts, five submissions and two decisions. In his BAMMA debut at BAMMA 31 in London, Alex knocked out Nathan Jones in the first round to capture the BAMMA Welterweight title. Then in his first title defense at BAMMA 32 in Dublin he submitted Richard Kiely in the first round via kneebbar. In Terry Brazier, Alex is facing a fighter who owns a 8-1 record in nine career bouts consisting of four knockouts, two submissions and two decisions. Terry is coming off a first round submission of Walter Gahadza at BAMMA 29 in May 2017. Alex’s first round submission of Richard Kiely at BAMMA 32 in Dublin Alex’s BAMMA debut against Nathan Jones at BAMMA 31 in London  

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    Josh Reed among first announced for Cage Warriors 91 in Wales

    Frankie 21/12/2017

    Welsh knockout artist and rising star Josh Reed joins home favourites Richard Williams and Kris Edwards for CW91 on March 3rd. After a huge year for Welsh MMA which saw Brett Johns break into the UFC’s top 15 and Jack Marshman move up the world rankings, Cage Warriors announce the first set of bouts for their CW91 card on March 3rd. First to be announced is rising prospect Josh Reed, who narrowly missed out on Cage Warriors gold at CW86 after staging one of the greatest fights in Cage Warriors history with Bantamweight Champion Nathaniel Wood. He returns to the octagon against Belgium’s Brian Bouland, who travels to Wales off the back of a devastating knockout victory in September. With both of these fighters possessing dynamic power in their hands, this one looks like it’s going to be explosive and is likely not to go the distance. The second fight to be announced is a Lightweight contest between Wales’ Richard Williams and Donovan Desmae, who also travels from Belgium looking for the overseas upset. Williams submitted Cosmin Tutu with an armlock in the first round during Cage Warriors last outing to Wales, and Desmae recently made his mark on the European lightweight roster by defeating submission specialist Aidan Lee, until then unbeaten in 2017, at CW89. This looks to be a seriously exciting contest as both fighters work their way up the European rankings. Welsh fans are also expected to turn out in force for home country favourite Kris Edwards, who returns to Cage Warriors to face Gavin Kelly after an impressive submission victory at CW87. Mason Jones, a young Welsh prospect relatively new to the professional scene but so far unbeaten, will also fight on the card. CAGE WARRIORS 91: CONFIRMED BOUTS (ORDER TBC) Many more to be announced! Main Card: Josh Reed (Wales) vs Brian Bouland (Belgium) Richard Williams (Wales) vs Donovan Desmae (Belgium) Pro Prelims: Gavin Kelly (Ireland) v Kris Edwards (Wales) 135lbs Lawrence Jordan Tracey (England) v Mason Jones (Wales) 155lbs Dan Cassell (England) v Phil Wells (England) 170lbs Maria Vittoria Colonna (Italy) v Cory Mckenna (England) 115lbs Scott Malone (Scotland) v Jason Jenkins (Wales) 135lbs Amateur Card: Elliot Chilcott (RAMMA) v Christian Duncan (Gloucester Range) 185lbs Cameron Clarke (MAT Academy) v Jordan Peake (Tillery Combat/Blaenavon MMA) 155lbs Liam Shotbolt (Gloucester Range) v Oban Elliott (Impact) 170lbs Craig Rawlins (SVT) v Josh Hudson (DOW) 170lbs Pedro Daemon Cardoso (RAMMA) v Josh Joshua Williams (Chris Rees) 145lbs Kacper Klepot (Twister MMA) v Ashley Amos (Tillery Combat) 205lbs Seb Alfarez (Chris Rees) v Jamie Tungate (NMMA) 82kg Catch Franco Tenaglia (RAMMA) v Ryan Lockyer (MAT Academy) 155lbs Alex Boyd (Lionsden) v Michael Jones (Tillery Combat) 59kgs Mitchell Goode (Impact) v Jaxson Lloyd Hembury NMMA) 185lbs Marcus Stevens (Lions Den) v Sean Scrivens (Tillery Combat) 145lbs Declan OCallaghan (Shamrock Combat) v Owain Williams (Chris Rees) 185lbs

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    Rafael dos Anjos doing it again!

    Peter Knox 21/12/2017

    Rafael Dos Anjos is one of the greatest fighters the UFC has ever seen. He has lightning fast hands, legit knockout power, outstanding wrestling, and Brazilian Jujitsu skills that even the Gracie’s would appreciate. With a professional record of 28 wins and 9 losses, it’s no surprise that he’s highly thought of in the sport of MMA. Rafael has fought the best around with dominant wins over Donald Cerrone twice, Nate Diaz, Benson Henderson, Anthony Pettis and Last night Dos Anjos had his 24th fight in the UFC and once again he did not disappoint with a win over former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler. For a second time Dos Anjos is moving his way up a weight class fast. The first time was in the lightweight division. After losing a fight to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Rafael went on a tear up, destroying his next 3 opponents and earning a title shot against highly decorated striker Anthony Pettis. Dos Anjos got the decision victory against Pettis, who looked unbeatable at the time, to win his first belt. Rafael then successfully defended his belt against Donald Cerrone which is a tough ask of anyone with Donald being the biggest head kick k.o specialist we have witnessed since Mirko Cro Cop. Sadly Dos Anjos went on to lose his belt to Eddie Alveraz then went on to lose against Tony Ferguson who is now the interim lightweight champion. Dos Anjos made the decision to move up to the welterweight division as he had previously stated how the weight cut to 155pounds was a tough one and was taking its toll on his body and his performances inside the octagon. Since making the move, Dos Anjos has beaten Tarec Saffiedine by decision, Neil Magny by submission and now he has added Robbie Lawler to his list of victims at 170 pound. In the post fight interview with on Jon Anik, an emotinal Dos Anjos said “I’m just so happy, I’ve been here for so long and being in that fight was a pleasure, fighting a guy like Robbie is a war, my hands are hurting, because I hit him hard and he’s got a pretty hard head. “When Anik asked “Do you believe you did enough to get the title shot?” Dos Anjos replied “In my opinion I just beat the toughest guy in the division, I think I deserve it because of my history, doing what I’ve done in the division, being in the UFC for 10 years and I think I did enough tonight to earn this shot and I’m sure i’ll get that belt” Being the most entertaining thing to come out of Brazil since the football team that lifted the world cup in 2002, Dos Anjos has no plan of stopping anytime soon. Winning all 3 fights with ease, Dos Anjos is thought to be next to fight the champion Tyrone Woodley in what would be a tantalizing match up the fans would truly cherish.

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