The MMA Thread

[Frank_Grimes]

So it's official. The bill has passed and MMA is now finally legal in New York. It'll be great to see a UFC event at Madison Square Garden, but it's a shame they couldn't make it happen in time for 200 as per the plan.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Ariel Helwani apparently arsed from fox sports for leaking the Diaz McGregor rematch details. Bit precious if true, journos job

 

[Frank_Grimes]

Ariel Helwani apparently arsed from fox sports for leaking the Diaz McGregor rematch details. Bit precious if true, journos job

I guess that's as much confirmation as any of the rematch going ahead. Curiously bookies have McGregor as early favourite.

In other news - Jones calls a cop a pig and a liar after he was stopped and given 5 tickets for drag racing, weaving, exhibition driving, loud exhaust and failing to properly display licence.

The video does show the cop being a bit of a dick, but so was Jones. No update yet on what this would mean for his probation, but it seems Jones still hasn't grown up. Surely someone could sit him down and explain 10 other things he could do with his free time and disposable income that won't land him in trouble...

http://mmajunkie.com/2016/03/video-...r-after-allegedly-drag-racing-given-5-tickets

 

[AusKnightRKO]

He has been booked for breaking the terms of his probation.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

so an interim title fight between Aldo and Edgar is confirmed for the Diaz vs Mcgregor undercard..

can't understand the interim title decision though, either Mcgregor vacates the featherweight strap or you just have a #1 contender fight. I thought interim title fights were when a fighter was unable to defend due to injury or suspension.

This is a scenario where the champ could defend the title but is instead doing an exhibition fight (not a super-fight) to repair his ego.. I like Mcgregor but its a bit disrespectful to the featherweight division imo

 

[Frank_Grimes]

What makes this even worse is that the champ is fighting on the same f**king card...

Dana hoses this down by talking about how Conor has had a few fights drop out late notice and has always taken on the replacement so he gets what he wants this time.

Problem is he shouldn't want this. Apparently even coach Kavanagh tried to talk him out of it...

 

[Frank_Grimes]

Jones took the plea bargain and 197 is still on also. Unless he finds another way to f**k up.

 

[shiznit]

What makes this even worse is that the champ is fighting on the same f**king card...

Dana hoses this down by talking about how Conor has had a few fights drop out late notice and has always taken on the replacement so he gets what he wants this time.

Problem is he shouldn't want this. Apparently even coach Kavanagh tried to talk him out of it...

Agree 100%

I've been a big fan of Conor right from the start... But he hasn't done the right thing by the company here...

I suppose though that's Karma for the UFC... They pandered to McGregor early on which created this monster... And now they are exposed to his every whim.

Not that I blame the UFC... I thought they played it as a promoter should have...

 

[Jono078]

I think if McGregor wins this he wont even defend the featherweight title. He enjoyed fighting at 170 due to how good he felt, no way he's going to want to cut to 145 again.

 

[Frank_Grimes]

I can't imagine anyone would enjoy Nate Diaz cranking on their neck from behind, but I get what you mean. I still think he goes down and fights the winner of Aldo/Edgar.

In other news - DC is out of 197 with a left leg injury. Jones has put up a video on social media asking the UFC to give him a replacement. Heavyweight or Light Heavyweight.

 

[Frank_Grimes]

And Ovince Saint Preux steps up to fight Jones for the interim title. Bader would have to be feeling pretty shit right now. This should not be an interim belt fight.

Can't help but feel Saint Preux is no more than a speed bump on the way to DC.

 

[Jack_Napier]

Bader would've been a speed bump as well as Bones already destroyed him to get his first title shot. I'm glad Bones has said he'll still fight, keen to see him after the lay off as he looks like a monster in the training shots I've seen of him.

 

[Jono078]

Hate hate hate the Ovince choice. In saying that, crazy things happen in the sport and that guys got the reach and power to possibly drop Jones.

I give that a 3% chance of happening though.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Jones will walk through osp

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Hopefully he can make it to 197 though without getting arrested again

 

[Frank_Grimes]

Bader would've been a speed bump as well as Bones already destroyed him to get his first title shot. I'm glad Bones has said he'll still fight, keen to see him after the lay off as he looks like a monster in the training shots I've seen of him.

No doubt Jones would run through Bader also, but for OSP to just get a title shot is pretty big. Bader has improved a lot. If not for getting knocked out by Rumble I would suggest he'd be on this card instead.

 

[Frank_Grimes]

BJ Penn's return set for 199 against Dennis Siver. Happy to see the legend back in the game.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

One of my all time favourite fighters rashad Evans looks like he's about to retire. Got put to sleep by Glover Texeira.

Probably time to call it a day, has had a great career and Chins are not known to come back once they go. Will go on to make a good analyst with Florian and co

 

[Frank_Grimes]

Yep, agree with the retirement call. He's only been KO'd once before but that one yesterday was brutal. He started the fight negatively and never looked like competing. That much vaunted overhand right of his just doesn't look quick enough now.

 

[Frank_Grimes]

Sooooooo apparently Conor has retired now. Just announced on twitter.

Supposed to be no joke, but part of a dispute with the UFC.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/ufc/co...c/news-story/d8d8a5e356c1b4fb4ae473d090aef240