The Al Iaquinta dispute is not an individual issue.

When Al Iaquinta infamously flipped off the crowd after edging out a narrow split decision over Jorge Masvidal last April, no-one thought the road back to the octagon would be such a topsy-turvy tale for “Raging.” Out of his fight on his home soil at UFC 205, it looked like Madison Square Garden would have to wait for Iaquinta, however, it now looks like the pair may never meet.

It was all shaping up so perfect for the New York native. A return to the octagon after a 17-month-layoff, on home soil, potentially sharing the card with team-mate Chris Weidman, it couldn’t have been pictured any better.

Not the case.

Behind the scenes it was a different story, the bout agreement hadn’t even been signed yet, reluctant to put pen to paper, Iaquinta just couldn’t bring himself to sign on the dotted line. Why though? Who cares, he can fight someone else? It’s not quite that simple. Digging into the facts, the opponent, or even the destination is not the issue in this dispute, it’s the one thing that most fighters tend to shy away from discussing. Contracts.

Iaquinta last fought in March 2015 - he won a close split decision
against Jorge Masvidal.
Credit: mmafrenzy

Speaking on The MMA Hour, Iaquinta discussed in detail about the injuries and treatments that have caused him such a lengthy lay off.

Originally, Iaquinta was planning on undergoing an allograft to repair his injured knee, under Dr. Riley Williams in New York. The UFC thought otherwise. Adamant that stem cell surgery would not work to treat his injured ACL, Iaquinta flew out to L.A go ahead with it regardless, much under the UFC’s command. Six months later, there is no progress and he is back at square one.

Iaquinta stated that ironically after this disappointment, the UFC only offered to pay less than half of his $60,000 allograft surgery with Dr. Williams. However, after some time the organization did pay the full cost. It was this, accompanied with the newly instated Reebok deal which left Iaquinta ‘ripping his hair out.’

Iaquinta in action vs Masvidal
Credit: Bloody Elbow

Now we all know about the Reebok deal by now, it’s been in tuition for over a year now. But it wasn’t until this situation with Iaquinta, that I myself realized, how little I knew about it. I had no idea that prior to the Reebok deal, fighters were being paid monthly by their sponsors, I was under the impression it was only per fight. I guess there’s a reason fighters keep this stuff behind closed doors. It’s shocking.

I believe the pivotal point of this situation is not necessarily the fact that Iaquinta signed his UFC contact before the Reebok deal was introduced, because that’s common sense, he hasn’t fought since April of last year, and besides, many other fighters are in that position too. What interests me is looking at where Iaquinta stands, ranking wise, in the company.

Now of course he is not one of the faces of the UFC, or even his division in that case. But this is a guy who is ranked #13 in one of the toughest divisions in the UFC. So what does that mean? It means that if you’re an upcoming fighter, making and breaking your butt off to try and step foot into the UFC, you better buckle up because it will be rougher than a bumpy ride. Not everyone can talk-the-talk like Conor McGregor to build up their persona, and certainly no-one can avoid the ever so present injuries of the sport.

If there was ever a time for a fighter’s voice, it’s now.

UFC 203: Will Miocic be another victim to the hometown curse?

 

Strike one. UFC 188: Mexico City, Mexico, Cardio Cain is contrastingly outworked by Fabricio 'Vai Cavalo' Werdum, and is eventually submitted much to the shock of his loyal Mexican followers.

Strike two. UFC 198: Curitiba, Brazil, the calculated, technical Vai Cavalo uncharacteristically runs hands down at Stipe Miocic, only to be knocked out stiff in front of his home faithful.

Strike three. UFC 203: Cleveland, Ohio, we wait for the consensus to be answered.

With a combined total of 56 MMA fights on his resume, and an impressive kickboxing career to match, Alistair Overeem is certainly not lacking in the experience aspect when he faces Stipe Miocic this Saturday, for the UFC heavyweight title. As usual, this title fight means much more than a gold belt to Overeem. Looking to become the first fighter ever to hold belt's in three different MMA organizations (Dream, Strikeforce and UFC) Overeem believes this fight will cement his legacy.

Miocic celebrates winning the UFC Heavyweight
title, after knocking out Fabricio Werdum.
Credit: @stipemiocicufc

Overeem's myriad of experience is not something in which Miocic (or most fighters in that case) can say they have under their belt. Being fairly new to the game, but winning the most prized assets of all so quickly, Miocic has dispatched some of the most seasoned UFC veterans on his pathway to becoming the champ. Most notably his effortless knockout of Fabricio Werdum, who also fights on this card, back at UFC 198 in May.

Well known for his durable wrestling, as shown in his five-round masterclass over Mark Hunt, Miocic's boxing is the foundation of his MMA game, and being a Golden Gloves champion, saying he shines in this aspect is an understatement. A great analysis by Dan Hardy, shows the acute angle, and minimal build-up Miocic's punches have, using his bodyweight in rhythm to generate devastating knock-out power. For Overeem, it is the tenacious kickboxing which catches your eye when he fights. Although with a plethora of his finishes coming from kicks and knees, Overeem is certainly comfortable when the fight hits the canvas too. Surprisingly, he has more submission wins then knockouts, and his guillotine has been a frequent feature of these wins.

Before Miocic and Overeem let fists fly, two men (who will be very interested in that headliner) square off in a re-match of a one-sided affair back in 2014. When Travis Browne came into his first fight with Werdum, he was a 2-to-1 favourite riding three consecutive knockouts over Josh Barnett, Gabriel Gonzaga and the man in the main event, Overeem! 

However, Werdum was not bothered by Browne's success. Thoroughly outclassing him in wherever the fight went, many say to date that was Werdum's best performance inside the octagon. Since that fight, it's been a rocky road for Browne. Troubles outside the octagon, and inconsistent performances inside, a win is crucial if Browne wants to make a serious run for that title. 

 

Werdum dominated Browne in all aspects in their first fight.
Credit: Bleacher Report

Having your first pro MMA bout on the main card of a UFC pay-per-view is something that no fighter can have to claim, that will no longer be the case this Saturday. CM Punk becomes only the second man to make the transition from WWE to MMA, as he takes a fellow UFC newcomer in Mickey Gall. When Lesnar made the same move as Punk, criticism was not as apparent due to Lesnar's freak appearance, and successful college wrestling background.

Due to Punk having no MMA experience whatsoever, he has been under the cosh from many big names in the UFC. Unphased by this, Punk will be making his highly-anticipated debut after almost two years of training at Roufusport in Milwaukee, with some of the UFC's biggest names, such as Anthony Pettis, and recently crowned welterweight champ, Tyron Woodley.

This card definitely has the potential to be a thrilling night of fights, from seasoned veterans, to noobie newcomers, UFC 203 will be worth the watch.

UFC Vancouver - Maia vs Condit: The success of UFC 202 causes a killer of a card to be overlooked.

With a potential card of the year, and fight of the year occurring last weekend at UFC 202, Fight Night Vancouver will be looking to step up to the mark with some fascinating match-ups being overshadowed by last week's hecticness.

Condit will be looking to set up a title shot when he takes
on Demian Maia this Saturday
Credit: MMAFighting

Demian Maia. Eight years, twenty-three fights, and the most elite ground game you see in all of UFC to date. Carlos Condit. Seven years, twelve fights, and some of the crispest knees and elbows you will see in the UFC to date. Although Maia respectively has almost double the amount of bouts in the UFC then Condit, these pair come together this weekend in what sets out to be a number one contender fight (after Wonderboy faces recently crowned champ, Tyron Woodley). 

A lot is on the line for these two UFC veteran's, who are still peaking late in their careers, but are currently on very different paths. Maia has been on tear in recent at 170, a five-fight winning streak dispatching prospects such as Gunnar Nelson, and Neil Magny in the process. His Brazilian jiu-jitsu needs little of mentioning, it overwhelms his opponents, making his victories look effortless. Ask anyone, and most will tell you Maia's is on a different level compared to those within the UFC (bar a couple, Fabricio Werdum and Jacare Souza being the two that come to mind).

For Condit, the path has been a little more wayward leading up to this main event in Vancouver. Two steps forward one step back describes Condit's most recent UFC bouts, with only two wins from his last six, his journey has been arduous to say the least. However, that doesn't mean Condit will be discouraged coming into this one. After a back and forth five round war with Lawler in January, in which many believed he should of became welterweight champ, Condit will be looking to prove a point to the rest of the division, that he is by no means down and out of this stacked 170 weight class.

Anticipation is not lost when looking at the co-main event either. Three to four years ago, a freight train hit the lightweight division. A plethora of kicks and twists in his arsenal, Anthony Pettis' elite taekwondo skills lead him to finishes over several UFC veterans such as Donald Cerrone, Benson Henderson and Joe Lauzon.

Above: Pettis after knocking out Donald Cerrone via body kick at UFC on Fox 6.
Credit: Bloody Elbow

The highs are high, and the lows are very low. For Pettis, this could nt be such a fitting statement. Coming off three consecutive losses, all being thoroughly outclassed, many have forgotten about the force in which he once was at lightweight. Making the decision to drop ten pounds could re-ignite a spark in Pettis career, but Charles Oliveria will be looking to spoil the party. With an aggressive submission game, it is clear Pettis owns the striking, whereas Oliveria will favor this fight on the ground.

In addition to the main and co-main event, the main card for UFC Vancouver has two other fun matchups. Jim Miller takes on Joe Lauzon in their re-match of what was an end-to-end, bloody brawl in which Miller came out the victor at UFC 155.

Also strawweights Bec Rawlings and Paige VanZant kick off the main card in a match-up that contains two bulldog-like women who will bite down on their mouthpiece until the final bell is sounded.

UFC 202: As Conor seeks vengeance, Nate aims to eradicate the McGregor era once and for all.

The wait is finally (almost) over.  This coming Saturday, at the T-Mobile Arena, Nate Diaz will face Conor McGregor in what is undoubtedly one of the most eagerly waited, and tough-to-call rematches in UFC history. Cliché? Heard it all before? Yes, well, at the end of the day, it is McGregor who is fighting, so I should at least get some leeway on this one!

The pair get under each other's skin in an interview
on the Jay & Dan show prior to UFC 196.
Credit: Jay & Dan Podcast

Now don't worry, I won't ramble on for long about the magnitude of this re-match, as simply, there is no need too. However, what was impressive to me was not the fact that Nate beat Conor on eight days’ notice (yes of course that's notable in its own right) it was the fact in which eight days was all it took to break "all of" the UFC's records on one Saturday night. 

A press conference, and a couple interviews on some "Tim and Suzie nobody gives a fuck morning shows" to make 196 the biggest PPV in UFC history.  The Stockton style? The McGregor effect? Choose your pick.

Speculation has been drawn to the pairs last outing in which concludes down to one question: Did McGregor gas out? To answer this, we can look at two different approaches, from two very well respected trainers. Firstly, John Kavanagh who (surprise surprise) is McGregor's coach at SBG Charlestown and secondly, Firas Zahabi who is head coach at Tristar Gym in Montreal.

Just two days after Conor's first UFC defeat - Kavanagh told Ariel Helwani he had "never seen Conor breath that heavy before." This doesn't come as a surprise though. 'Exhaustion' and 'inefficiency' were the two words used by coach and fighter to describe the key components of Conor's downfall mid second round to the Stockton native.

McGregor and Coach Kavanagh feel exhaustion was the main factor in his loss,
however Firas Zahabi thinks otherwise.
Credit: Esther Lin - MMAFighting

On the flip side, Zahabi's pre-fight analysis of the match-up is somewhat a great contrast of Kavangh's. "McGregor did not get tired" Zahabi firmly states. "The one-two from Nate" adjoined with the psychological effect of Diaz not hitting the deck, like Conor's previous opponent's after the "big left hand shot," was what lead to his loss. "You're crazy" if you think it was his cardio.

Playing the devil's advocate in Firas' assessments is not often an easy role to take up. However due to the fact the fight was at welterweight, a weight in which McGregor had never competed in, a justifiable counter argument to Zahabi's strongly thought out analysis does seem clear. Conor himself stated he was eating steaks, rice and even ice cream for god sakes, in the lead up to this fight. A great quote from Kavanagh prior to UFC 196 was "You've seen him on salads watch what happens when he's on steaks!"

Left picture: UFC 194 Weigh In - vs Aldo at 145 pounds
Right picture: UFC 196 Weigh In - vs Diaz at 170 pounds
Credit: Esther Lin - MMAFighting

Packing on all that lean muscle mass (which is evident in before and after pictures of McGregor) can play a crucial role on one's cardiovascular fitness. Which, supporting Kavangh's theory, may of lead to Conor being exhausted by the end of the first. 

Scrap that all now. Because the pairs first fight was almost five months ago, so the talk of the town should be there upcoming one, not their first outing. 

A lot of changes have been made by McGregor’s camp in preparation for this re-match. Most notably is (for the first time ever) they are preparing for a specific opponent. Last minute pullouts have been a common theme of The Notorious' hectic schedule. But confident in the fact Diaz will (fingers crossed) show up on Saturday in one piece, the SBG camp have brought in guys from all over the world to emulate Nate's southpaw style. Dillon Danis - a multiple world time BJJ champion, and Conor Wallace - a six-time All-Ireland boxing champion are examples of this.

Don't get me wrong, the fact that two of the most charismatic showmen in the UFC are about to stand toe-to-toe, and create a twenty first century war is appealing, but it is not the key contributor in what makes this fight so special. We have seen re-matches on the grandest stage of all in the UFC - for example St Pierre vs Serra 2, Aldo vs Mendes 2 - and they just don't live up to the bill as the unpredictability is not there. A clear favourite is set and most usually, they always prevail as the victor. 

Not in this re-match though. Fans are split fifty-fifty, down the middle in their picks, half saying Diaz shows off his octagon experience again, and will overwhelm Conor with his endless skills wherever the fight may go. The other half predicting there is no way Nate escapes the Celtic cross for the second time. 

Saturday night, we will find out which half's prediction is fulfilled!

UFC 201: Why Lawler vs Woodley is a mirror image of Dillashaw vs Cruz.

UFC 200 turned out to be the opposite of what was promised. "The biggest event in company history." Well, yes. To an extent that is true, records were broken. Highest gate, and largest fight purse (awarded to Brock Lesnar.) But to say it fulfilled expectations would be laughable.

Out of the 12 promising bouts on the climatic card, not one left fans on the edge of their seat brimming with gratification. Oh, and I haven’t even got to the post fight stuff yet, but by now we all know about that, so I will spare you the time of day.

Now if we're discussing fights, or fighters that leave you clinching tightly to your chair with a face like Joe Rogan after Holm head kicked Rousey's lights out...we are talking about the infamous ruthless one... Robbie Lawler.

Lawler celebrates a victory in a bloody brawl

vs Rory McDonald last July.

Since becoming champion two December's ago, Lawler has deservedly become a fan favourite. Although his last four fights (bar UFC 189) have gone to decision, he has earned one fight of the year and two fight of the night bonuses. The so called 'king of round five' according to Robin Black, the welterweight champ is known for his tenacious 'I'm going to take your head off' approach in the fifth round. All guns blazing is not something you'd be surprised to see from Lawler, and so far his opponents have had no answer to his heavy haymakers of 'holy hell.'

The next 'friendly' foe who boldly steps up to face the 'soul taker', is none other than "The Chosen One" Tyron Woodley. Training at the same camp as Lawler, the pair have made it both clear that if it was no strap there would be no scrap, however as the strap is now on the line, the friendship is set aside.

While Woodley last stepped foot in the octagon 18 months ago, Lawler has defended his 170-pound gold twice. Why you ask? Well, unlike most situations, it wasn't an injury or a suspension that kept Woodley watching curiously from cage side. Originally, Woodley was set to fight Johny Hendricks back at UFC 192 last November, however Hendricks missed weight by twenty, yes that's right, twenty pounds and Woodley was promised a title fight would be next ever since.

Woodley's last fight came at UFC 183 last January.

A lot can happen in a year and a half off, just ask Dominick Cruz.

This fight is somewhat a reflection of when Cruz beat Dillashaw in January to become the bantamweight champion. Now of course, Lawler or Woodley do not have the pinpoint precise footwork of the likes of Cruz or Dillashaw, but it is not the characteristics of the fighters that are similar, in this case it is the scenario.

Dillashaw had put on two outstanding performances to defend the belt twice, but then lost it to a top competitor in Cruz who made his UFC return after 18 months.

Oh and by the way, Lawler has put on two thrilling title defences, and this weekend is about to face a welterweight great in Tyron Woodley, who (what a surprise) returns after an 18-month layoff. Coincidental? Or may I be a bit off topic? I guess we'll find out Saturday night.

Jon Jones Pulled from UFC 200: What Happens Now?

You know what.

Let's not even start with the pound for pound number one, because it is clear to many that not only does he not deserve that title anymore, but he doesn't deserve to be the focal point of discussion. Let's start with Daniel Cormier.

It goes without saying that there is not one male or female competitor within the UFC to this current day that can fully empathise with Cormier in this tragic moment. A feud in which DC truly, wholeheartedly believed he could lay his marker down on, is now out of the picture, and there is nothing Cormier can do about it.

Devastating is an understatement.

Back in April, Cormier was left shell-shocked that he (not Jones) was the one being booed at the UFC 200 Press Conference in Madison Square Garden. But, no-one really raised any eyebrows. We all knew the deal. Fans were sceptical about DC's belt because it was "not solidified" until he beat the champ who never lost the belt, Jones.

Fans who booed Cormier, have to now look back now in embarrassment. You boo a man who has never violated any form of drug testing, has never got himself in any trouble outside the octagon, and has never been defeated in the UFC by any man bar Jon Jones.

On the flip side of the coin, we come to the man of the hour. "Sexual Chocolate" "Bones" "JBJ" whatever you want to call him, for Jon Jones it is just another case of two steps forward, one step back.

A distraught Daniel Cormier addresses the media today
Credit: MMAFightingonSBN

Cormier had it all written out on the table. He predicted this drama would unfold yet again on countless occasions, but no-one really spared him any second look. "Mistakes, mistakes, you don't constantly make mistakes" Cormier said speaking on UFC Counterpunch last week. 

"Many times we've heard this speech. Why am I supposed to believe this guy?" Well DC, us UFC fans (at least myself for that sake) now repeat this question to ourselves when thinking about Jones. Too many times now, Jones has bit off more than he can chew. And if Jones stated that his hit-and-run incident last September left him at 'rock bottom', where he is going to be now? Bedrock? Please, spare me the excuses.

However, I'd be lying if I said my thoughts on Jones mimicked DC's. Cool calm and collected may be way to cliché, but seriously, Jones was almost in a 'state of zen' so to speak prior to this Saturday's fight. His laid back mannerisms at the press conferences won most of us over, and then boom. Just like that. It's gone, all gone.

The reason why no-one shared the same opinion as DC is because they didn't want to believe it. Why would fans want to think Jones will mess up again a few days prior to the biggest event UFC ever? Why would Dana or Lorenzo have any form of concern when everything was going smoothly and as planned? For Cormier, it was expected, but he just didn't know when it would occur.

I guess we now have our answer.

Records set to be broken, animosity begins to climb, sitting patiently for those two words, as Buffer yelps “it’s time!”

Three tantalizing title fights. The return of a global phenomenon. A chaotic card from head to toe. Each day, we step ever so closer to the “the biggest event in company history.”

To say the build up to UFC 200 has been frenetic would be an understatement. All it took was one tweet, which didn’t even come close to bypassing Twitter’s absurd 140 character-limit, to send not only the MMA world, but the whole sporting world into a rambunctious rampage. CNN, ESPN, BBC, FOX Sports, and monumental newspapers from over the globe (even the New York Times for God’s sake!) were all captivated by Conor McGregor’s retirement tweet. Now, there are two things which we evidently know about “The Notorious One.” Firstly, being he loves to cash pay checks, and secondly, he has a lust for breaking records. Ironically, his ‘retirement’ tweet did both. Whilst graciously thanking his fans for the “cheese”, his message was retweeted over 152,000 times, smashing fellow sports icon Kobe Bryant’s retirement tweet out of the water.

No-one predicted the flamboyant Irishman’s memo would of lead to such catastrophic repercussions. Denied a potential $10m payday, raucous rematch and an appearance at the UFC’s grandest event to date, it was surprisingly McGregor who had the last laugh. Putting on a brave face (but was undoubtedly turbulent inside!) president, Dana White, stood uncomfortably as he was heckled by an exasperated crowd after pulling McGregor from UFC 200.What makes the situation even more comical, is that they left an empty seat for the Irishman at the conference; if that is not shooting yourself in the foot, or rubbing salt in your wound, I don’t know what is.

McGregor's tweet which "broke the internet."

The hegemony of the so called ‘trash talker’ lives on again though. Once the pestering and pansiness had all boiled down, McGregor (to many bandwagoners disbelief) was reinstated and rewarded his re-match. Who said luck of the Irish was just a myth.

Wait a second, did I say the pansiness had all boiled down? Oh, forgive me. Because as we all know, this is the UFC, and the senseless squabbling never seems to stop simmering. Let’s cut to the chase, White has never had the most sentimental feelings towards Ariel Helwani, so if a chance arises to take a pop at him, you can be pretty sure that White’s dictator-like style is going to pounce at it.

This scenario could have never been so fitting last month at UFC 199. Minutes prior to Michael Bisping’s gold-claiming knockout over Luke Rockhold, Helwani’s career as a triumphant journalist was about to take a plunge for the worst (at least that’s what we all thought!) “Leaking” the McGregor fight had White peeved, but leaking the Brock fight drove Dana up the wall. Credentials taken, relationships ruined, Helwani left heartbroken. After two days of endless criticism from fans who were up in awe, Helwani (like McGregor) was reinstated to cover UFC events.

What a shock, the UFC backpedal on an irrational decision, who would have ever predicted that?!

After all the miscommunications, diversions and altercations, it looks like we at last have our ‘stacked’ UFC 200 card (although other may not feel as enthusiastic). What looked to be the most promising card in MMA (let alone UFC) history, has somewhat been overshadowed by the loss of “Cholo Gangster Vs Leprechaun 2.”

Bugger.

However, if there was one fight that could re-ignite fans expectations, from flyweight to heavyweight, from Bob Sapp to Georges St Pierre, it would have to be the long awaited grudge (re)-match between current #1 pound for pound, and arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history (no that’s not being hyperbolic!), Jon Jones. Against his adversary, and current heavyweight champ, Daniel Cormier.

Hey pussy, are you still there?

It would be no stranger to your ears if I told you how much Jones and ‘DC’ despise each other, so no, I won’t focus on their bitter sweet relationship…but oh isn’t it entertaining! Verbal diarrhoea, fists flying, Jones and DC have the bond of two immature, spoilt twelve-year-old brothers.

Brock Lesnar. We’ve all heard the name. “Ain’t that the bloody huge geezer in WWE?” Yes, that’s the one. But what sticks in my head about Brock is not his mammoth structure, or abnormally sized trapezius, it is his gigantic PPV buys.

7 years ago, at UFC 100, Brock (with help of other fighters of course) set the current PPV record of 1.6 million, when he brutalised Frank Mir on the ground in their rematch to retain bragging rights, and of course the heavyweight title. Now a hundred UFC’s later, he returns to the octagon; to face the super Samoan with serious KO power, Mark Hunt.

Post UFC 100 - Lesnar: "Talk all the shit you want motherfucker!"

Nah, the build up to the “biggest event in company history” has not been dramatic whatsoever, so buckle yourselves up and prepare for a bore fest!