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Showing posts with label MMA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MMA. Show all posts

April 5, 2021

Tito Ortiz Thanks Shane McMahon And Triple H For Opportunity At WWE PC

MMA legend Tito Ortiz is most known for his time inside the octagon, but the Hunting Beach Bad Boy has had a spell in the squared circle.

Aside from some brief appearances as a special guest referee in the mid-2000s, Ortiz’s professional wrestling tenure is most noteworthy for his involvement in TNA’s Aces and Eights storyline. Ortiz joined the infamous biker gang stable in late 2013, but abruptly left the group and the company when Bellator MMA pulled him off television.

While he hasn’t been involved in the pro wrestling world in nearly a decade, Ortiz might be looking to step back in. Speaking with SportsMattersTV, Ortiz discussed his time training at the WWE Performance Center last year.

May 8, 2019

Dean Ambrose Signs On For New MMA - Wrestling Movie Produced By Former WWE Star Christian

Former WWE Superstar Dean Ambrose has signed on to star in a MMA-themed action movie, according to Deadline.

Billed under his real name, Jonathan Good, Ambrose has joined the cast of Cagefighter, which is currently in pre-production. The movie tells the story of a lauded MMA champion who unexpectedly loses a heavily promoted fight to a pro wrestling star making his crossover debut in the world of MMA. Humiliated by the loss, the fighter must fight his way back to the top and earn a rematch.

The movie also stars real-life MMA fighter and actor Josh Herdman, Michael Jai White, Gina Gershon, Michelle Ryan and Jason Maza. MMA legends Georges St. Pierre, Anderson Silva and Alexander Gustafsson will also appear.

Former WWE star Christian is the Executive Producer of the movie. There's no word yet on when it will be released, but we will keep you updated.

May 1, 2019

Brock Lesnar Retires From MMA

Brock Lesnar has decided not to return to MMA, according to ESPN. The Beast is now retired from the sport.

UFC President Dana White said that Lesnar has informed the company that he does not plan on fighting in the Octagon again.

Lesnar had been rumored for a summer 2019 fight against UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier. That fight will not happen as Lesnar told White last week that he is retired from the sport.

"[Lesnar] told me he's done, he's retired," White told ESPN. "We're going to move in another direction with Cormier."

White now plans to book a rematch between Cormier and former champion Stipe Miocic.

Lesnar's last MMA fight came at UFC 200 in July 2016, a win Mark Hunt over that was overturned due to a failed drug test from Lesnar. He had put himself back in the USADA drug-testing pool last July, which made him eligible to fight again for the UFC this past January.

Lesnar lost the WWE Universal Championship to Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 35 earlier this month and is not currently scheduled for any WWE events. He has been rumored for WWE's next event in Saudi Arabia, which is expected to take place on Friday, June 7th.

July 6, 2018

Ronda Rousey Becomes First Woman Inductee In UFC Hall Of Fame

Ronda Rousey helped sell millions of pay-per-views during her MMA career and it helped transcend Rousey past her MMA roots into mainstream pop culture. She has acting and media appearances under her belt as a result of her MMA and Olympic fame. Signing with WWE brought her to a marquee match at WrestleMania 34 where she and Kurt Angle defeated Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in her first match with the company.


She is now a WWE Superstar and competing on the Raw Brand, but Rousey was awarded last night in her previous home because she is now a UFC Hall Of Famer. Matt Serra was inducted into the Pioneer Wing, Art Davie was placed in the Contributors Wing, and Rousey received the honor of being the latest to enter the Modern-Era Wing of the UFC Hall Of Fame.

Rousey is the first female inductee into this elite club of fighters, but during her acceptance speech, she hoped there will be more to come. She also praised everyone involved for the group effort it took to help move along the women's fighting revolution.

"Because of you I am the first woman standing up here accepting this incredible honor, may I be the first of many," Rousey said. "I look around and I see together we have built this. This division, this sport, this revolution. Together we have redefined what it means to be strong, to be sexy. We have changed what it means to fight like a girl."

June 10, 2018

"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey Entering UFC Hall of Fame Next Month

It's been announced that former Ultimate Fighting Championship Women's Bantamweight Champion, Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion, and current WWE Monday Night Raw Superstar "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame next month.

Ronda will be the very first female fighter to enter the prestigious UFC Hall of Fame.

May 7, 2018

Final Two Members Of MMA's Four Horsewomen Report To The WWE Performance Center In Orlando

WWE now has all four of MMA's Four Horsewomen working for the company as Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke have reported to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Ronda Rousey is currently on the RAW brand while Shayna Baszler is the WWE NXT Women's Champion. Shafir is engaged to NXT Tag Team Champion Roderick Strong.

Below is WWE's full announcement on Duke and Shafir arriving:

Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke, Four Horsewomen teammates of Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler, report to WWE PC

MMA's Four Horsewomen have arrived in WWE in full force.

Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir have joined their Four Horsewomen teammates Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler in making the move from mixed martial arts to sports-entertainment, reporting for training today at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla.

The 5-foot-11 Duke fought professionally from 2012 to 2016, competing in the bantamweight class for organizations including the UFC. She was also a member of the UFC's "Ultimate Fighter" reality competition series in 2013, as part of "Team Rousey."

Shafir, known by the nickname "The Supernova from Maldova," stands 5-foot-7 and has fought under the banners of Invicta and Lights Out Promotions. She is also engaged to NXT Superstar Roderick Strong and has been seen at ringside for many of The Messiah of the Backbreaker's matches.

The WWE Universe no doubt remembers the Four Horsewomen's standoff with Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Bayley — three-quarters of WWE's Four Horsewomen, alongside Sasha Banks — at last year's Mae Young Classic. Duke, Shafir and Rousey were there to support Baszler, who advanced to the final round of the inaugural tournament before losing to Kairi Sane. Though the Four Horsewomen factions did not come to blows at the Mae Young Classic, the exchange of words made for a stirring scene.

Since then, Baszler and Rousey's impact in the squared circle been nothing less than immense: The Queen of Spades forcefully claimed the NXT Women's Title from Ember Moon at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, while "Rowdy" Ronda has emerged as one of Raw's top Superstars following a spectacular in-ring debut at WrestleMania, where she teamed with Kurt Angle to defeat Triple H & Stephanie McMahon.

With Duke and Shafir now preparing to conquer a new world of combat sports, will it be long before they add to Baszler and Rousey's already incredible list of accomplishments in the ring?

January 21, 2018

UFC President Dana White Says CM Punk Will Fight in UFC Again

Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White recently spoke to The New York Post about a variety of subjects related to UFC. When asked about C.M. Punk possibly fighting in UFC again, White says that he plans on giving Punk another chance to redeem himself inside the UFC Octagon:

“I like that guy. He’s a good dude,” White said. “He wants one more. He wants to get another shot. I’m going to give it to him.”

White did say though that as of right now, he doesn't have any particular opponent or a date set in mind for Punk's next fight.

June 20, 2017

Triple H Extends Invitation For Conor MacGregor And Floyd Mayweather To Appear On Raw



If Triple H has things his way, we could see an in-ring confrontation between Conor MacGregor and Floyd Mayweather on a future episode of Raw

It's no secret everyone is paying attention to the upcoming fight which is scheduled to take place on August 26 and everyone includes the WWE who is attempting to capitalize on this hype train. Triple H discussed the bout in a recent interview with Sky Sports

“Can a world-class boxer, probably the best ever, can he stand in the ring with an MMA guy? And can that MMA guy bring his striking skills up to the level of somebody like Floyd Mayweather?”

Triple H then extended the invitation for both men to make an appearance on an episode of Raw

“You say it is sports entertainment and, if they want to really showcase what they can do, I would invite both guys to come to Monday Night Raw. There is no bigger platform that they could have to show the world and tell the world, who they are, and why they are the man.”

February 15, 2017

Brock Lesnar Retires From UFC, Puts MMA Career to an End


Brock Lesnar has notified UFC that his days fighting in the Octagon are now over. Lesnar, a former UFC Heavyweight Championship who is currently signed to a WWE contract, failed multiple drug tests stemming from his UFC 200 showdown with Mark Hunt in Las Vegas last year, which led to a one-year suspension of his fighting license by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), as well as a $250,000 fine.

Lesnar, who is 39, returned to UFC in 2016 after five years away, defeated Hunt, but then was hit with two anti-doping violations from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which oversees the UFC's drug testing program.

Lesnar proclaimed his innocence. He tested positive for clomiphene, an estrogen blocker that can remain in the system for about a month after use. His team said it believed the substance in question was part of a foot cream used by Lesnar in the lead-up to the fight, but he was unaware it contained banned substances. If Lesnar wanted to get back into the Octagon, he would have been eligible in July of this year. This retirement announcement freezes the suspension, and he'd have to fulfill it if he still has a desire to fight down the line.

The retirement announcement has no impact on his WWE career. Some have speculated that Lesnar, who has been criticized by some fans for only appearing in a few pay-per-views a a year, might increase his number of appearances on weekly shows like Raw, where it has been noted that "The Beast" is a ratings boost when he does make an appearance.

Lesnar has not commented publicly on his retirement.

source: rollingstone.com

January 23, 2017

Mike Goldberg opens up about ‘disappointing’ UFC departure: ‘I watched everything around me be shattered’


No one is more disappointed than Mike Goldberg about the way things ended between he and the UFC.

The longtime play-by-play voice of the Octagon unceremoniously parted ways with the UFC last month after spending 20 years as a mainstay of the company’s broadcast booth — exiting the UFC without even a tribute from the promotion itself. On Monday, speaking publicly for the first time his departure, Goldberg said was stunned to learn of the UFC’s decision to not renew his contract at the beginning of December, and explained that he simply resolved to close out the final three shows of his UFC career with the same level of professionalism as everything that came before.

“It was a shock,” Goldberg said on The MMA Hour. “I was speechless. I didn’t know what type of emotion to have, because I was just in a state of shock and disbelief.

December 31, 2016

Ronda Rousey Suffers Stunning Defeat in Her Return Fight at UFC 207


UFC star Ronda Rousey returned at last night’s UFC 207 PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and faced Amanda Nunes for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship in the main event.

Nunes made quick work of Rousey, as she defeated the former Champion 48 seconds into the first round via TKO. Below are detailed fight results, courtesy of Sherdog.com:

Herb Dean is the referee for tonight’s main event, scheduled for five rounds in the women’s bantamweight division. The champion Nunes sticks out a hand to touch gloves, but challenger Rousey shows no interest. Nunes connects with her first combination, putting Rousey on her back foot, backing up to the fence. Nunes walks her down, digs into the body with more punches, then goes back upstairs. Rousey is on wobbly legs, staggering around as Nunes continues to tag her with right hands. Rousey tries to clinch, gets a one-two to the face, a left straight on the jaw, now a right hand on the temple. Rousey is out on her feet, still absorbing punches, when referee Dean steps in to stop the beating. Nunes circles the cage with a finger to her lips, shushing the stunned crowd. Rousey seems confused at first, ready to keep fighting, but her bloody face tells the story of the brief fight. Amanda Nunes retains her UFC 135-pound title with an impressive performance against the former champion.

December 16, 2016

Brock Lesnar Suspended And Fined For UFC Drug Test Failures, Fight Result Overturned


Brock Lesnar has been suspended for one year for his two failed drug tests related to his UFC 200 win over Mark Hunt earlier this year, according to MMAFighting.com. The punishment was handed down today by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Lesnar will be able to return to MMA in 2017.

Lesnar also agreed to pay a $250,000 fine as part of a settlement with the Nevada attorney general's office. Lesnar's win over Hunt will be overturned into a No Contest.

As reported a few months back, Lesnar twice tested positive for anti-estrogenic agent Hydroxy-clomiphene in pre-UFC 200 fight drug tests. One test was on the day of the fight, July 9th, and the other was on June 28th.

Lesnar received a then-UFC record $2.5 million purse for the victory.

November 30, 2016

GSP And Other MMA Fighters Launch MMA Association, Why It's Not A Union, UFC Responds


Former Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney joined fighters Georges St-Pierre, Donald Cerrone, Cain Velasquez, TJ Dillashaw and Tim Kennedy on a conference call with media earlier today to announce the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association. Rebney said he is working with the group as an advisor, providing strategy and support. The five fighters on the call make up the board of the association.

The group laid out plans to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with UFC and to establish a 50/50 revenue split between UFC and the fighters. It was claimed on the call that UFC fighters receive just 8% of company revenue. Rebney clarified that this new group is an association and not a union because UFC fighters are independent contractors and unionization would slow their process down.

The group is focused on just the UFC but Rebney said they have not reached out to the UFC yet and don't plan on doing so any time soon. He said:

"There's no reason (for us) to (reach out). Our structure and what we're doing, and our plan of attack, does not include us reaching out to the UFC. It includes the implementation of strategies that are designed, and have been designed over the last two years, to achieve a very specific set of goals. And those strategies, I think, will be very effective in achieving those goals. And at some point, I'm quite comfortable our phone will ring."

Kennedy was the first to speak on the call and talked about how they're concerned about fighters of yesterday and tomorrow, pointing to how fighters of the past have been forgotten and discarded. Cerrone said the group was something that needed to be done and while he still has a UFC contract, he's scared to death. Cerrone confirmed he will still be fighting for UFC next weekend. Regarding possibly recruiting Conor McGregor into the association, GSP said they are looking to get as many big names as possible. GSP said, "He [Conor] knows what's right. He's not a coward. Everyone knows what we're doing is right."

A UFC official issued a response to the new association, seen below from MMAFighting.com:

"We respect all of our athletes and are always open and willing to hear their thoughts on how to improve the sport."

The same official added that the company will not have further comments at this time because they feel not enough details were shared on the two-hour call.

November 24, 2016

Conor McGregor's agent: "If there is a WWE offer, we are willing to entertain it"


Less than two weeks after his historic victory at UFC 205, when he became the first fighter to hold titles in multiple weight classes simultaneously, talk of what's next for Conor McGregor has continued to dominate headlines.

McGregor announced he will take some time off after a hectic 2016 for the birth of his first child, and he isn't expected back in the Octagon until at least May, per UFC president Dana White. At the same time, talks about a superfight in boxing with retired champion Floyd Mayweather just won't seem to go away.

But what about a third option -- the idea of McGregor entering the scripted world of pro wrestling during his upcoming hiatus from mixed martial arts, which coincides conveniently with WWE's WrestleMania 33 card on April 2 in Orlando, Florida?

According to his agent, Audie Attar, who appeared Tuesday on ESPN's 5ive Rounds podcast, it's something McGregor is willing to entertain -- as long as the money is right.

"I think it's all about business, man," Attar said. "If [WWE] is going to come with an offer, we are willing to entertain it. We are here. Have their people call his people -- which is me. We can have a conversation."

The topic of a McGregor crossover into sports entertainment picked up steam when executive and 14-time WWE world champion Paul "Triple H" Levesque was in attendance at UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Levesque gave an interview with a British newspaper in which he said McGregor would be a perfect fit for WWE.

"He could come over, he's got it all, man," Levesque told the Daily Telegraph. "He's got the personality, the skills, the talk. He's an entertainer, for sure."

October 21, 2016

First Case of CTE Diagnosed in MMA Fighter


He was only 25, but Jordan Parsons was a cage fighter, a professional mixed martial artist who on his best nights beat his opponents into submission. On his worst nights, Parsons was sent spiraling to the canvas by devastating blows to his head.

Now, six months after he was struck and killed as a pedestrian by an alleged drunken driver, Parsons is the first fighter in the multibillion-dollar MMA industry to be publicly identified as having been diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

The diagnosis was disclosed to the Globe by Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist who first discovered CTE in a professional football player (in 2003) and a professional wrestler (2007).

Omalu also announced the discovery of CTE in professional wrestler Jon Rechner, whose ring name was Balls Mahoney, as well as signs of early stages of the disease in Rechner’s tag team partner, Brian Knighton, who went by Axl Rotten. Both died this year at age 44...More?

source: bostonglobe.com

October 2, 2016

NXT Coach Seth Petruzelli Says He’s Training for His Pro Wrestling Debut


Wrestlezone.com reports that NXT trainer and striking coach Seth Petruzelli revealed that he’s going to be appearing for an indy wrestling promotion in Winter Park, Florida. He revealed the news on a recent podcast appearance.

According to Petruzelli, NXT officials want him to cut his teeth on the indy scene and possibly start wrestling there. He added that he’s been training for his pro wrestling debut for six months. Seth Petruzelli is a former MMA fighter, and he’s fought in the UFC, Bellator MMA, and Elite XC. He also famously knocked out the late Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson in 14 seconds in their fight in 2008.

September 11, 2016

CM Punk says he'll keep fighting, but he isn't sure if it'll be in the UFC


CM Punk vows to fight on. He just doesn't know for what promotion.

After a blowout loss in his MMA debut to Mickey Gall at UFC 203, Punk said he'll continue training and fighting. The former WWE star just isn't sure if the UFC will want him back after a poor debutante performance.

"My initial venture into this was gonna be at the lowest level," Punk said at the post-fight press conference. "This opportunity just got presented to myself and I would have been a fool to say no. I don't know what happens from here on out. What if I get cut? I don't know. I think that's a possibility. Do I want that to happen? No. But who's to say where I go from here? I don't know. I definitely want to keep going."

Gall took Punk down right away and finished him with a rear-naked choke submission in just 2:14. Punk got emotional discussing the loss. Sure, it was his dream to be a mixed martial arts fighter and he said he had the time of his life this week. But he also planned on being victorious.

"There's probably an alternate reality somewhere where I win and I'm still disappointed in myself," Punk said, fighting back the tears. "That's just who I am. I'm just really, really hard on myself. I lost and it sucks and it was lopsided and it's upsetting. But I know I'm better than that."

Punk, 37, was then asked what his wife AJ Brooks, also a former WWE star, told him after he got out of the Octagon.

"You guys are all gonna make me cry," Punk said. "You bastards. ... She just said she was proud of me."

June 7, 2016

UFC lifts ban on Ariel Helwani, MMAFighting.com


Two days after the UFC removed MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani, E. Casey Leydon, and Esther Lin just prior to the UFC 199 main event in Inglewood, California, the promotion has lifted what Helwani said was a lifetime ban from attending events as a credentialed media member. The UFC released the following statement on Monday evening.

"Following a conversation with the editorial team at SB Nation, UFC will not prevent MMAFighting.com from receiving media credentials to cover live UFC events. We respect the role the media plays in our sport and beyond, including MMAFighting's ability to report news. However, in our opinion, we believe the recurring tactics used by its lead reporter extended beyond the purpose of journalism. We feel confident our position has now been adequately communicated to the SB Nation editorial team.

UFC's goal as the world's leading mixed martial arts promotion is to cultivate interest in its world-class athletes and events, and deliver for the fans. We will continue to introduce this sport and its athletes to new fans across the world, and we will do so by working alongside media across all platforms."

This news follows Dana White's assertion to TMZ that Helwani would not be permitted to cover UFC events on-site for as long as he was president. The ban apparently stemmed from Helwani reporting the return of Brock Lesnar on UFC 200, which was published before the UFC's own planned announcement during last Saturday's pay-per-view. Heavy backlash ensued against the UFC by multiple mainstream media outlets for the promotion's actions.

Kimbo Slice Passes Away at Age 42


According to TMZ.com, MMA fighter Kimbo Slice, real name Kevin Ferguson, has passed away at the age of 42. The TMZ report notes Slice died in a Florida hospital from what appears to be heart failure.

Bellator CEO Scott Coker issued the following statement to TMZ:

“We are all shocked and saddened by the devastating untimely loss of Kimbo Slice, a beloved member of the Bellator family.

One of the most popular MMA fighters ever, Kimbo was a charismatic, larger-than-life personality that transcended the sport.

Outside of the cage he was a friendly, gentle giant and a devoted family man. HIs loss leaves us all with extremely heavy hearts, and our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Ferguson family and all of Kimbo’s friends, fans and teammates.”

Kimbo was slated to fight James Thompson at Bellator 158 on July 16, in a rematch from their infamous fight in 2008 that saw Thompson’s cauliflower ear explode. Slice won the fight via TKO in the third round in what is one of the most watched fights in U.S. MMA history.

Kimbo last fought this past February, defeating Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris via knockout in the third round. Harris’ heart stopped and he technically died during the fight, and he was hospitalized for a week. Slice failed a drug test for nandralone and elevated testosterone levels, and the fight was overturned to a no-contest.

June 5, 2016

How Muhammad Ali influenced professional wrestling, MMA


With the passing of Muhammad Ali, much of the talk about his legacy surrounds his contributions inside the squared circle. But Ali’s legacy extends beyond the boundaries of the sweet science as his influence bled into the worlds of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts.

The man known as the “Louisville Lip” is often credited for his influence on the world of professional wrestling and the wrestler’s ability to “cut a promo” in order to sell their upcoming match.

However, Ali has publicly credited professional wrestling for shaping and molding his ability to promote a boxing match like no other. It was in 1961 when Ali met pro wrestling superstar Gorgeous George that the future boxing champion realized the significance of selling a fight. In the autobiography “Muhammad Ali: His Life And Times,” Thomas Houser documents how the flamboyant and charismatic professional wrestler affected Ali.

“[George] started shouting: ‘If this bum beats me I’ll crawl across the ring and cut off my hair, but it’s not gonna happen because I’m the greatest fighter in the world,' " Ali told Houser of when he met Gorgeous George. “And all the time, I was saying to myself: ‘Man. I want to see this fight’ And the whole place was sold out when Gorgeous George wrestled … including me … and that’s when I decided if I talked more, there was no telling how much people would pay to see me.”

Ali would go on to establish a legacy of pre-fight theatrics that would hold just as much significance outside of the ring as the action inside of it...More?

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