Giving thanks to the many wonderful things in MMA: 2018
(https:)The two most egregious acts in MMA this year — Conor McGregor’s Dolly Incident and Khabib Nurmangomedov’s timely rebuttal at (and after) UFC 229 — threatened to give this here sport a black eye. Yet we all know that’s impossible. In the sports family, MMA is the kid who ends up in the principal’s office quite a bit, which tends to cause the most prude observers to squirm — but everybody else?
LFA Champion Kevin Aguilar Signs with the UFC, Faces Rick Glenn at the TUF 28 Finale
(https:)Add another fighter to the list of LFA champions who have received the call up to the UFC.
It is being reported that Kevin Aguilar, the LFA Featherweight champion, will step in for an injured Arnold Allen to face Rick Glenn at the TUF 28 Finale. Currently on a 7-fight winning streak, Aguilar’s most recent win was a split decision victory on this past season’s Dana White’s Contender Series. Prior to that fight, Aguilar had finished 4 of his 6 opponents, which included a first round knockout over Than Le at LFA 40 to unify the featherweight titles.
Taekwondo master Valerie Loureda signs with Bellator, aims to be best fighter on planet
(https:)At just 20 years old, Valerie Loureda has been preparing her entire life for her Bellator debut.
“My mom was pregnant with me during her black belt test,” Loureda told MMAjunkie. “I guess you could say I was kicking from before I was even born. It’s in my blood. I haven’t gone a day in my life without throwing a punch or a kick. It’s who I am.”
A 4th dan taekwando black belt, Loureda (0-0) is a former member of the U.S. Olympic team. Her father served as her grandmaster, training her “very old school and very old-fashioned.” The dedication paid off, and she progressed up the ranks of the taekwondo scene. But a moment in 2017 made her realize her true future lied in another direction.
Ostovich attacked in Hawaii
(m.tmz.com)UFC fighter Rachael Ostovich -- who was scheduled to fight Paige VanZant in January -- was attacked in Hawaii and sources tell us it was so serious, she's being hospitalized for major injuries.
UFC Argentina bonuses: Two Argentine natives cash $50,000 checks
(https:)A pair of Argentinian fighters were among the bonus winners at the UFC’s debut event in the South American nation.
Argentina’s Laureano Staropoli and Mexico’s Hector Aldana shared “Fight of the Night” honors, while Argentina’s Santiago Ponzinibbio and Brazil’s Johnny Walker each earned “Performance of the Night” honors at UFC Fight Night 140, which took place Saturday at Parque Roca Arena in Buenos Aires. The card aired on FS1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.
LFA 54 results: Mazo cruises in title defense, Murrietta delivers stunning KO
(https:)“The Colombian Queen” failed to deliver another head-kick KO, but Sabina Mazo did comfortably cruise to a decision win over an outgunned Carol Yariwaki (7-3), defending the LFA women’s flyweight title in the process.
The bout served as the main event of tonight’s LFA 54, which aired on AXS TV from OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Cage Warriors 99 results: James Webb scores first-round knockout in front of home crowd
(https:)James Webb wasn’t intimidated by Jason Radcliffe’s reach or power, and it paid off big – and quickly – at Cage Warriors 99.
Less than 1:30 into tonight’s headlining bout, Webb (5-1) closed in on the lengthy, studious Radcliffe (13-6) and landed a left hook that would cause his knees to give out from under him. Radcliffe’s delayed physical reaction made for a confusing sight at first, but it soon became clear that he was seriously disoriented.
ONE Championship 84 results: Zebaztian Kadestam takes 170-pound title with thrilling late KO
(https:)As ONE Championship 84’s headliner wore on, it wasn’t at all clear whether Zebaztian Kadestam’s somewhat patient approach would pay off against a gritty Tyler McGuire.
However, just as it seemed like ONE Championship’s new welterweight titleholder was going to be decided in the judges’ scorecards, Kadestam (11-4) found what he’d been looking for. With about 30 seconds left in the fifth and final round, Kadestam dropped McGuire (11-1) with a massive right hand, which he followed up with a knee to secure the most notable win of his MMA career.
ONE Championship 84 took place at Stadium Istora in Jakarta, Indonesia. It streamed live on the ONE Championship app, following prelims on Facebook and Twitter.
'Bellator 209: Pitbull vs. Sanchez' official results
(https:)Bellator returns after a break of nearly a month with Bellator 209. In the main event, featherweight champion Patricio Freire puts his title on the line against Emmanuel Sanchez.
In the co-main event, Ryan Couture looks to get back in the win column when he faces Haim Gozali in a welterweight rematch. Former light heavyweight champ Phil Davis is also on the card against knockout artist Vadim Nemkov.
Justin Gaethje vs. Anthony Pettis targeted for early 2019
(https:)The UFC is in the process of booking a lightweight showdown between Justin Gaethje and Anthony Pettis.
Following an initial report from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, sources confirmed that the lightweight matchup is in the works to MMA Fighting’s Shaun Al Shatti, and is being targeted for early 2019.
Benson Henderson re-signs with Bellator
(https:)Benson Henderson will remain in the Bellator fold.
After fighting out his most recent contract, the former UFC lightweight champion has inked a new multi-fight deal to stay with Bellator MMA. MMA Fighting confirmed the news following an initial report by MMA Junkie.
UFC Denver draws best FS1 Fight Night ratings in almost six months
(https:)“The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung’s third strong Fight of the Year contender of his career continued his run as a legitimate television ratings draw.
Jung’s loss to Yair Rodriguez, which headlined Saturday night’s 25th anniversary show in Denver, drew 840,000 viewers. Rodriguez defeated Jung via last-second knockout in what may have been the greatest finish in UFC history. The ratings were the best FOX Sports 1 Fight Night total since the Kamaru Usman vs. Demian Maia fight drew 870,000 viewers on May 19, and they marked the fourth-best Saturday night prime time number so far in 2018.
Dillon Danis, two others receive extensions on temporary suspensions for UFC 229 brawl involvement
(https:)Dillon Danis and two other fighters involved in the brawl that followed the UFC 229 main event will be out of competition for a little while longer as they await further judgment.
At a meeting of the Nevada Athletic Commission on Wednesday, the committee ruled that Danis, Zubaira Tukhugov, and Abubakar Nurmagomedov will all receive extensions on their current suspensions pending a disciplinary hearing, which is expected to take place at a future NAC meeting in either December or January.
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