MMA UK

McGregor in New York causing havoc!

Mick Kane 05/04/2018

It was unclear whether Conor McGregor would he in New York to see who would be taking over from him as lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov or Max Holloway. Well he is well and truly in New York, lile a scene from WWE, having stormed the UFC media day video footage has surfaced showing him and several of his entourage of attacking a bus that apparently had Khabib Nurmagomedov on it. This is after footage yesterday showing Nurmagomedov and his team surrounding McGregor’s friend and Team mate Artem Lobov. It’s now emerging that UFC lightweight Michael Chiesa has been injured, with reports straw weight champion Rose Namajunas has also been injured. There had been reports that McGregor may have been arrested which the New York Police Department have denied. Dana White has now confirmed that Artem Lobov has been pulled from card. UPDATE: Warrant out for Conor McGregor’s arrest. Dana White said warrant is out for Conor McGregor’s arrest. His plane can’t leave New York. — Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 5, 2018 Conor McGregor and members of his team showed up at the Barclays Center at the very end of media day moments ago. There was an altercation with some of the departing fighters who are competing on the card. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 5, 2018 I’m told from people who were in the van that as the van was driving off, they started banging on the windows before security broke it all up. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 5, 2018 I’m told as the van was driving away to take the fighters back to the hotel that’s when it happened. Those fighters haven’t left the arena now. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 5, 2018 I’m told that chairs were thrown through the van window and one passenger on the van was injured. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 5, 2018 Dana White is on his way back to the arena. Most of he fighters are still in the arena but some were able to leave. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 5, 2018 According to multiple sources Michael Chiesa suffered a laceration in the fracas. He is being attended to at the arena. Unclear at this time how serious his injury is. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 5, 2018 I’ve seen video shot by fighters in the van. Very clear Conor is telling someone to get out of the van before being pulled away by security. Khabib and his team were in that particular van. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 5, 2018 https://www.instagram.com/p/BhMxNYzg4WY/ https://www.instagram.com/p/BhMxbOxg5rb/

James DeGale: On The Line

Peter Knox 05/04/2018

James DeGale heads into this weekends rematch with Caleb Truax with much more than a title on the line, perhaps his whole career is on the line as well. A second defeat to Truax will surely leave DeGale with nowhere to go but retirement. DeGale 32 with a record of 23-2-1 is one of those fighters that despite winning a world title, could perhaps have achieved so much more. In 9 years as a professional, DeGale has only amassed a modest 26 fights in that time. Injuries, of course, have played their part, and certainly have affected him, in some average performances over the time of his career. Despite an indifferent fan reception, DeGale went 10-0 as a pro and looked the part, but a slim points loss to old amateur rival George Groves in 2011 set him back. Despite not losing again until the fight with Truax last time out, Degale frustrated by injuries and boxing on smaller shows, DeGale was in danger of being the forgotten man of the sport. Signing a deal with Matchroom in 2014, seem to revitalise DeGale and in winning the vacant IBF super middleweight title against Andre Dirrell a year later, DeGale was finally a world champion. Two successful defences were made before a career-best performance against Badou Jack ended in a draw in a brutal fight. DeGale looked the likely winner until Jack rallied late and dropped the Brit to salvage a draw. DeGale signed with Frank Warren, and a seemingly routine defence against Truax was made. DeGale had only just recovered from shoulder surgery, and during the fight, DeGale was clearly struggling in a strangely off par performance, DeGale blamed it on taking the fight too soon after his surgery. So this Saturday DeGale gets another opportunity to beat Truax and reclaim his IBF super middleweight title. There are lucrative incentives for DeGale, a possible fight with whoever wins out of Groves and Callum Smith could be within reach, but defeat could mean the end. Only a minor improvement from last time should see DeGale have his hand raised, but DeGale will be looking for a little more I think.

GGG could face Billy Joe Saunders in September

Mick Kane 05/04/2018

Billy Joe Saunders has been wanting a fight against Saul Canelo Alvarez or Gennady Golovkin for some time. It now seems Saunders could fight Gennady Golovkin in a middleweight unification showdown in September, the WBO middleweight champion’s promoter Frank Warren has revealed. Warren told Boxing News, that Gennady Golovkin and his promoter Tom Loeffler are open to taking on Saunders in September, however, they rejected a chance for the fight to happen in June. It appears GGG still has plans to fight on May 5th, with a potential bout with Irishman Spike O’Sullivan in the works. Alvarez pulled himself from the fight with GGG as he tries to clear his name after traces of clenbuterol were found in his bloodstream. He faces a Nevada State Athletic Commission hearing on April 18th. It was expected that Alvarez was to face GGG in September however Alvarez could face a suspension ruling him out of that match up too, placing Saunders in pole position. Warren feels he should face some punishment if found guilty. “I don’t think he [Canelo] can just be forgiven,” Warren said. “He has been caught and if he is guilty, he has to get a ban which is one-year in Nevada, I believe.” Warren added that there was never an option for Saunders to replace Alvarez on May 5th. “We couldn’t just cut corners to make that [May 5] date,” the promoter said. “It’s not just about being ready to fight Golovkin, it is about being ready to beat him. We would have been ready to beat him in June, but Tom Loeffler has said they will go ahead and fight on May 5, probably against Spike O’Sullivan, which is ridiculous.”

Al Iaquinta vs. Paul Felder: What will go down?

Peter Knox 05/04/2018

Two Lightweight mainstays open the pay-per-view portion of UFC 223 this weekend, as New York native ‘Ragin’ Al Iaquinta returns to the octagon against striking expert Paul ‘The Irish Dragon’ Felder. Scoring the first-round finish against The Ultimate Fighter victor Diego Sanchez, Iaquinta has been away from the UFC scene, successfully gained his realtor license, while opponent Felder has tried his hand at analyst work on both the Fox Sports desk and more eye-catching, as a colour commentator for the promotion. The Karate and Taekwondo black belt survived an early submission scare against Charles Oliveira to extend his knockout run to three on the trot. Currently riding a 5 fight rise, Iaquinta made his return from a two-year hiatus to wobble then finish Sanchez in just over a minute. Still occupying the #11 rank in the shark tank of the Lightweight division, a win over Felder would certainly see him crack the top ten. A talented wrestler, ‘Ragin’ Al has evolved into a slick boxer, finishing the likes of fellow stalwarts Joe Lauzon and Ross Pearson. Interestingly, Iaquinta holds a decision triumph over one time Interim Lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee, back in 2014. One of the most dangerous and technical kickers at Lightweight today, Paul Felder has not only established himself as a Lightweight contender but also a promising analyst with an obvious flair for commentary. His immense fight IQ and knowledge also benefit him inside the Octagon, evident from his turn around against ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira. Despite three elbow stoppages in a row, Felder has come unstuck against the division’s elite, losing to Brazilian compatriots Edson Barboza and grappling ace Francisco Trinaldo. This match up entirely depends on if Iaquinta can utilise his superior wrestling and Matt Serra purple belt, but also if Felder can catch Al on the entry to a takedown with his arguably slicker standup. Paul Felder via knockout.

Several New Bouts Added To The BAMMA 34 Fightcard

Frankie 05/04/2018

BAMMA announces further bouts for the BAMMA 35 fight card. BAMMA 35 takes place at the 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland on Saturday, 12th May 2018. Tickets are on sale now from bamma.com Justin Burlinson Vs. Konrad Iwanowski – Welterweight Bout (Prelim) After two dominant back to back wins in the Welterweight division, rising star Justin Burlinson returns to Dublin to take on Fantom Teams Konrad Iwanowski. With all the makings of one of the fights of the night, victory would see either fighter climb further up the Welterweight rankings and close in on a future title shot. Will the hype surrounding the seemingly unstoppable Burlisnon continue or will Iwanowski derail the train and set himself up on his own path to title glory? Akionne ‘Jedi’ Wanliss Vs. Jeanderson Castro – Lightweight Bout (Prelim) After having his London BAMMA debut dashed by an injury to his opponent, Akonne ‘The Jedi’ Wanliss is now set for his hugely anticipated debut against Brazilian Jeanderson Castro. Castro is currently based in Ireland and picked up his first win of 2018 in January, and is looking to put together a run of victories. However, Wanliss has been preparing for his BAMMA debut for some time now and will be expected to unleash his full skill set as he sets out on his mission to dominate the division. Other Bouts Recently Announced Dylan Logan Vs. Adam Gustab – Logan and Gustab return to the promotion seeking their first wins respectively under the BAMMA banner. Martin Ward Vs. Diamund O’Buchalla – Ward and O’Burchalla both make their pro and promotion debuts in this Middleweight clash. Dean Barry Vs. Patrick Blight – Former World kickboxing champion Barry signs a multi-fight deal with the promotion as he takes on Belfast’s Blight BAMMA 35 takes place at the 3Arena, Dublin on Saturday May 12th and tickets are on sale now via bamma.com BAMMA 35 Fight Card 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland Saturday 12th May 2018. MAIN CARD Main Event (To Be Announced) Co-Main Event (To Be Announced) Welterweight Bout Alex ‘Da Kid’ Lohore Vs. Ion ‘Bomberman’ Pascu PRELIMS Lightweight Bout ‘Magic’ Myles Price Vs. Pedro Carvalho Welterweight Bout Justin Burlinson Vs. Konrad Iwanoski Lightweight Bout Akonne ‘The Jedi’ Wanliss Vs. Jeanderson Castro Fetherweight Bout Adam Gustab Vs. Dylan Logan Middelweight Bout Martin Ward Vs. Diamuid O’ Buachalla Lightweight Bout Dean ‘The Sniper’ Barry Vs. Patrick Blight More fights to be announced soon

Dana White – Lesnar coming back!

Mick Kane 05/04/2018

One of the biggest names in MMA could be set to make another return to the UFC. Brock Lesnar is currently under contract with WWE, however, it’s understood his contract is up for renewal and his last event will be Wrestlemania on Sunday. White appeared on UFC Tonight on Wednesday where host Daniel Cormier asked White if the former UFC heavyweight champion, Lesnar, was coming back. “Yeah, Brock Lesnar’s coming back,” White said. “I don’t know when, but yes he is.” There could be a wait before we see Lesnar competing as he will need to re-enter the USADA drug testing programme and could still be suspended due to a failed drug test following his one-off appearance at UFC 200 in July 2016 when he defeated Mark Hunt. This result was later changed to a no contest and Lesnar was fined $250,000 and suspended for a year by Nevada State Athletic Commission. Lesnar retired in Feb 2017, meaning his suspension was suspended. Due to his failed tests, he could also face more USADA testing. There can be no doubting Lesnar is one of the biggest names that the UFC could call on if he returns and with a lack of big-name stars at the moment the UFC will be hoping they can get him back ASAP. Would you like to see Lesnar back? Watch the clip below from UFC Tonight.