Trending Content
UFC lobbies Congress to incentivize proactive piracy blocking
The NBA and the UFC recently asked for the criminalization of IPTV streaming; now UFC is also urging the US Congress to develop incentives that would push online platforms to block pirated live-streams without requiring a takedown notice. Broadcast rights owners find it very difficult to deal with this problem as new links get posted on social media all the time, so no matter how many are blocked, more pop up. UFC General Counsel Riche McKnight argues that although the UFC has agreed on specific takedown arrangements with several social media companies that host the links, they aren’t removed immediately. McKnight proposes a change in the law that would push social media giants like Facebook to remove these links proactively, without even requiring notice from the UFC: “Private, voluntary partnerships [with online platforms like Facebook and Twitter] are not sufficient to combat online piracy. Addressing this problem requires a new approach that includes a strong legal framework, a combination of private and public enforcement, and enhanced cooperation with our international partners.” h/t Technadu
Brendan Loughnane entertaining 'plenty of offers' after snub
The hardcore MMA fanbase was not impressed when Brendan Loughnane was not given a UFC contract after breating ROC FW champ Bill Algeo at DWTNCS. UFC president Dana White cited a takedown with 10 seconds left as the reason. The British featherweight was a little baffled, but is entertaining other options: “What more could a man do? I’ve put everything into the fight, had a great camp, went in there and performed to the best of my ability. That’s pretty much all you can do in this sport. So I’m pretty content, and there’s no hard feelings to Dana. Sometimes things work out, sometimes they don’t. ... The guy’s supposed to be a black belt and a Division I wrestler, and I outwrestled him and outgrappled him. It’s pretty unusual for an English guy to do that. ... I thought I’d pretty much guaranteed it. Then obviously it was pretty weird to see the explanation of things and why I didn’t get it. It felt like something was pretty off. I still don’t know what it is to this day. ... My stock’s through the roof. I’ve got plenty of offers on the table, and it’s about time to make some money now. I’m 29, I’m not getting any younger, so I am out for the highest bidder, whoever that may be. Since this fight, I’ve spoken to PFL, ONE Championship, Bellator, and KSW. I already had those guys on the table before the fight. Nothing’s changed. And they all reached out to me straight after the fight. Like I say, get the money out, and the highest bidder, I will go there. I don’t care about fighting in Asia, fighting in Poland, the States, wherever. I will go wherever now. Wherever the money is, I will go. ... There’s no stopping this train.” h/t MMA Junkie
Black breaks down one of the classic KOs from early MMA
Combate Americas apparently beats Bellator on Paramount and UFC on ESPN ratings
UFC hails recognition of MMA in France
France is currently one of few countries in the world that does not recognize MMA as a sport, but the nation's Ministry of Sports's decision is set to change this, effective from 2020. UFC COO Lawrence Epstein commented: “UFC welcomes the announcement by the Ministry of Sports, which is the first step in officially recognising MMA and integrating the sport into the French sports ecosystem. We will closely follow the progress of the consultation period and pay particular attention to the respect of the integrity of MMA and preservation of its rules by the host federation. We put our global MMA expertise at the disposal of the French authorities to make this process a collective construction.” h/t Sports Business
Latest 10 UFC fights, today's in bold
•Geoff Neal vs. Niko Price at UFC 240 on 7/27 in Edmonton
•Gunnar Nelson vs. Thiago Alves at UFC on ESPN+ 18 on 9/28 in Copenhagen
•Dequan Townsend IN with Justin Ledet OUT vs. Dalcha Lungiambula at UFC on ESPN 3 on 6/29 in Minneapolis
•Glover Teixeira vs. Nikita Krylov at UFC on ESPN+ 16 on 9/14 in Vancouver
•Todd Duffee vs. Jeff Hughes at UFC on ESPN+ 16 on 9/14 in Vancouver
•Marcin Tybura vs. Augusto Sakai at UFC on ESPN+ 16 on 9/14 in Vancouver
•Volkan Oezdemir vs. Ilir Latifi at UFC on ESPN 5 on 8/3 in Newark
•Jim Miller vs. Clay Guida at UFC on ESPN 5 on 8/3 in Newark
•Joaquim Silva vs. Nasrat Haqparast at UFC on ESPN 5 on 8/3 in Newark
•Jordan Espinosa vs. Matt Schnell at UFC on ESPN 5 on 8/3 in Newark
Why Joe Rogan supports overturning Jon Jones' DQ loss to Matt Hamil
The 12-6 elbow prohibition was a ruse to allow elbows when the Unified Rules were codified in NJ - an elbow was described as a 'forearm', while the 12-6 version used to break ice in bogus karate exhibitions was defined as an 'elbow'. In 2009 Jones crushed Hamill, but saw much-pilloried ref Steve Mazzagatti ask 'The Hammer' if he was OK after receiving a 12-6 elbow from Jones. Hamill wasn't OK before the elbow, and is deaf, and didn't reply, and Mazzagatti DQed Jones; it's Bones' sole loss, and UFC president Dana White is reportedly working with the UFC to overturn it. Commentator Joe Rogan comments: "I’m in agreement with this 100%. The 12-6 elbow rule is one of the dumbest rules in combat sports. At the very least that fight should be a No Contest. He was completely dominant." h/t Twitter
Jon Jones names the G.O.A.T. and his Mount Rushmore
Aidan James keen for BRAVE to help European MMA scene
"I can truly say, from my experience with the BRAVE team, that the goal here is bigger than individual fights. They want to reach all communities and make sure they experience mixed martial arts. I've traveled to incredible places and the fans in all those places have been able to experience for the first time a truly global event. As I grow as a martial artist, I'm very proud to be growing with BRAVE and hope to help them reach out to the MMA community in Europe and in the UK, specifically. I can't wait to be in action in England and put on a show for everyone." James, on a three-fight win streak in Brave, fights Cameron Else on the main card of BRAVE 24, an invite-only event on 7/25 at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, inside the Copper Box Arena, that will connect the biggest influencers, politicians, and sportsmen to MMA and is set to empower the sport in the continent of Europe.
Amanda Nunes: Why I want a Cyborg rematch
"I think this is the fight to make. You know, 145 is dead right now, nobody in that division. And Cyborg was the most dominating woman on the planet. I feel like she don't expect she would lose [to] me, as fast at how it was. She thinks she wanna prove something but she knows she's gonna lose again. But I feel like, we should make that [rematch]. All the fans want that." h/t Sherdog • Watch
Why Colby Covington cool with Lawler fight, not title shot vs. Usman
Colby Covington extended his win-streak to six by beating RDA to win the Interim welterweight belt, and saw it removed when surgery prevented a title defense. And he trash talks in a league that loves, even demands trash talk. Yet his first fight in over a year isn't vs. champ Kamaru Usman, it's vs. Robbie Lawler at UFC on ESPN 5 on 8/3 in Newark, and he's OK with that: “I accepted right away. Marty Fake Newsman, he’s out there faking injuries, who knows when he’s gonna fight again? He’s already been out for six or seven months. Who knows when he’ll be back? ... The show must go on. I’ve got to defend this title. I won this title and now it’s time to defend it. Robbie is a bigger name. He looked impressive in that fight with Ben Asscream. He’s a better dad than Ben Asscream, he’s a better fighter, he’s better looking. He just does everything better than Asscream, so I’m excited. It’s a big, big opportunity and I shine brightest in those big opportunities, so this is my chance to really show to the UFC and to ESPN who the real champ is and who is the face of the UFC and that’s what I plan on doing.” h/t MMA Fighting • Listen to MMA Junkie Radio
Dana White ponders boxing rights bids to bolster UFC Fight Pass
Dana White: "A lot of different people have different opinions of me, but I’ve been the vision since the day I said to the Fertittas, ‘You should buy this thing.’ I’m not saying they didn’t have part of the vision, but I’m the vision guy when it comes to the UFC and the fight game. The vision never changed. Since day one, you’ve always heard me say, ‘This will be global, and this will work anywhere.’ … Now with streaming, with ESPN Plus and UFC Fight Pass, we can do fights all over the world. ... We’re considering everything. There could be a situation where we do fights like we do on Fight Pass from other promotions but doing that with boxing, too, maybe acquiring other companies, maybe bidding on the right big fights to air on Fight Pass. We’re looking at all the options, not just one or two. What you’re hearing right now [about buying Premier Boxing Champions], though, is bull$#!@ as usual. ... Whether boxing is fixable or not remains to be seen. I’m going to give it a shot. But I’ll tell you this, there’s four big heavyweights out there that people want to see, and if sold and done the right way could be even bigger. They’re not as big as they should be. They should be much bigger. The gates should be bigger. The pay-per-views should be bigger. I believe I could add value to those fights. Some people might agree; some won’t." h/t LVRJ
YouTube superstar announces main event for Brave CF London debut
Lucas "Mineiro" Martins will challenge world champion Bubba Jenkins with the American's Featherweight title on the line. The announcement was made by Brazilian comedian and YouTube superstar Whindersson Nunes, the biggest digital influencer in his country, and Lucas' personal friend and student, who used his Instagram fanbase of over 30 million followers to declare his support for his teacher. BRAVE Combat Federation's first trip to England is set to be a once in a lifetime experience for the exclusive guests, in an invite-only event that will change the landscape of mixed martial arts in Europe and in the world. Watch
Jon Jones explains why he said managers should get 10%, max
“The reason why I came out and I encouraged fighters to think about what they’re paying management companies is just because there are a lot of fighters walking away from the sport with nothing. At the end of the day, I just feel like everyone should be earning what they get. I just wanted to educate some of the boys. At the end of the day, true legacy moves are how you affect other people’s lives. I felt like if one athlete re-evaluated his situation and ultimately saved more money for his family then I helped. It’s about changing lives and giving back and that was my way of doing it. Just in a small way. Having brothers in the NFL, you’re used to managers and football taking 1 percent, 2 percent. In MMA, it’s common for managers to take 20 percent, 25 percent. We’re making a lot less money than NFL players. Something doesn’t seem right to me about that. Just to voice it and allow guys to think a little bit outside the box? I know that’s a win for some people. I’m grateful for anybody who had the opportunity to reassess their situation.” h/t MMA Junkie
UFC 240 poster drops
KHK praised by IMMAF pres. Kerrith Brown for Brave CF MMA development work
Brave Combat Federation and the Kingdom of Bahrain have been praised for the roles they played in the development of mixed martial arts on a grass-roots level. On November 9-16, 2019, 550 athletes from more than 60 countries will compete in the IMMAF-WMMAA World Championships in Isa Town, Bahrain, during Brave International Combat Week 2019, the largest combat sports festival in Asia. Brown: “His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Hamad Al Khalifa has worked very hard to help us deliver an amazing event by giving the athletes all the conditions possible so they can be able to put on world-class performances when it matters. Our relationships with BRAVE and His Highness are the best possible. We have the same visions and goals for the sport. They have stepped up to the plate in terms of understanding our vision and putting the sport at the highest level and I’m thankful to be partners with them.” h/t Conan Daily • Watch
Amanda Nunes on when Rousey, Tate, and Cyborg broke
“Against Miesha… when I connect a couple punches, I saw she slowly breaking. That is a very good moment for you as a fighter to see because you want to see your opponent breaking .... For Ronda Rousey, when I was able to connect, I saw she was done right away. She didn’t wanna be there. ... Move forward to Cyborg, when I connect with the first one was when it got her dropped. I saw she wasn’t gonna recover right away because she never got hit like that before, ever in her life. When you never got hit like that, you know you’re not gonna come back, because you never felt that before. In those moments, when you see your opponent done… definitely [it’s the best feeling in the world].” Nunes defends her bantamweight belt vs. former champ Holly Holm at UFC 239 on 7/6 in Las Vegas. h/t MMA Weekly • Watch (2:01)
Suckerpunch Entertainment partners with Russian MMA team to expand global reach
In anticipation of the growing market in Russia, as well as the expansion of fighters coming out of that region, Suckerpunch Entertainment, with 130 athletes on the roster, has partnered with ‘Raty MMA’ to promote and bring more fighters abroad as well as sending more U.S. based athletes overseas in the coming months. Butler-Au: “Our goal at SuckerPunch is and has always been to take care of the best talent in MMA worldwide. To do this we have to constantly look at ways to expand our footprint and create a real infrastructure for the management of athletes in this sport. We have been vetting potential partners for some time now and we are excited to formally partner with Raty Team in Russia. Raty team is a very respected and credible name in their region and their staff and culture are what we are looking for in a global partner. They have an abundant roster of very talented fighters and we will be bringing them into the North American market while they will be helping bring our clients opportunities in Eastern Europe." h/t MMA Fighting
Yorgan De Castro: ‘Very special’ to be first UFC fighter from Cape Verde
Now an undefeated heavyweight, Yorgan De Castro, 31 De Castro spent his first 18 years in Cape Verde, where he grew up with a single mother. He moved to Portugal in 2005 at 18 in pursuit of opportunity, and trained and competed in kickboxing for five years. Then he moved to Mass and found Lauzon MMA and later Regiment Training Center.De Castro put Cape Verde on the map in the MMA world with his Round 1 TKO vs. Alton Meeks on Dana White’s Contender Series last week: “This is a big deal. If you don’t know, it’s a really small country. We don’t normally do big things. Nothing happens there. For me, it’s big to be able to inspire the generation coming up. Not just (kids from) Cape Verde, but kids from all over the place that grew up in a humble place and have nothing. I want them to see me as hope and do what they want to do and believe that anything can happen.” h/t BE
Dana White: I think I pushed Darren Till a little too soon
“I think after the win over Cowboy, I pushed him a little soon. It happens. Sometimes when a guy gets that much steam behind them, pump the brakes a little here, and let him get back and work on the things he needs to work on. For some people [with a win over a fighter of Cerrone's caliber], it’s the perfect time. For others, it’s too soon. That weight division is nasty. It’s like Murderer’s Row in that top-8. He’s gonna be around. We’ll give him some time, look for an opponent and see what’s next for him.” h/t BJPenn.com • Watch
Romania's Cosmin Dusa collapses before fight at Eagles FC, and dies
On Friday morning Romanian bantamweight Cosmin Dusa made weigh for a fight vs. Lilian Grosu at Eagles Fighting Championship - Eagles Elimination on June 22. Dusa reportedly made weight on Friday morning without any apparent health problems. However, on Saturday morning he was found by his team, collapsed in his hotel room. Dusa was rushed to a local hospital and placed in intensive care, but died on Tuesday morning. The cause of death remains undisclosed,but is expected to be announced on Wednesday. h/t Sherdog • Alba24.ro
Miles Johns Miguel Baeza earn UFC contracts on DWCS Episode 2
Shorty following the five bouts on the second episode Dana White's Contender Series, the UFC President announced the promotion would be signing two of the night's athletes: Miles Johns and Miguel Baeza.
