A whole new week means a whole new set of MMA news and events that needs to be discussed by yours truly. So let’s get right into it with some interesting topics for this week:
Al Iaquinta bashes his employers
Hey @ufc go fuck yourself
— Al Iaquintađź—˝ (@ALIAQUINTA) April 23, 2017
This place is getting wrecked
— Al Iaquintađź—˝ (@ALIAQUINTA) April 23, 2017
Fuck you https://t.co/UoGqPspJAw
— Al Iaquintađź—˝ (@ALIAQUINTA) April 23, 2017
Based on the tweets above, Al Iaquinta is a tad bit upset that his first round knockout of The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 winner Diego Sanchez was not a performance of the night winner. He took to twitter to voice his displeasures (albeit vulgar) and even went on The MMA Hour to further elaborate that the money does not seem right for him to continue fighting. This is a fine choice for Iaquinta if he decides to quit the fight game because, from I’ve heard, he is a very successful real estate. Plus it is always nice to see a fighter act like the UFC does not own them because they do not own a single person. Everyone is free to take their own paths like Iaquinta has done.
John Dodson says other fighters are ducking him
John Dodson recently defeated Eddie Wineland this past Saturday in a very impressive performance. He says that his ability to finish guys and ability to avoid getting hit while still striking his opponent is a primary reason why guys do not want to fight him. He even name dropped Raphael Assuncao and Alijamain Sterling as two of the fighters who refused to fight him on multiple occasions. If I were the other fighters in the bantamweight division then I would not blame them for wanting to avoid Dodson because he has the ability to embarass you in that octagon. It’s a surefire way to lose any momentum you have real fast. Regardless though, Dodson needs an opponent soon and I still think Jimmie Rivera should face him next (read more about that here) but only time will tell.
Phil Davis replaces King Mo against Ryan Bader at Bellator 180
King Mo has informed Bellator MMA of an undisclosed injury that will force him out of his Bellator 180 showdown with Ryan Bader. Instead, Phil Davis will defend his light heavyweight belt against Bader in the “Big Apple” at Bellator 180. This is going to be a great matchup (even though many see their first bout as a snore fest). I think another title fight is always a plus for me especially since Bellator’s rival had three title fights on their first New York card. This just got me more excited for Bellator 180 and I’m sure to spend any amount of money this PPV.
Frank Mir is unhappy with his suspension
This is just sad. Frank Mir recently stated how he does not like the UFC as much anymore because of the two year suspension he was given for his failed drug test he took back in March.
I don’t think Mir has anyone to blame but himself and at this point he should just retire because two years is a long time when you are already considered old in the division. Heavyweights don’t age well anyways. That’s one reason why none of them can hold the belt for more than two title defenses. Either way, the tests do not lie. Mir is a cheater and should just live with the consequences.
Ronda Rousey and Travis Browne get engaged
The couple of Ronda Rousey and Travis Browne are getting married. This is sure to keep Rousey out of the cage even longer. Browne on the other hand has suffered defeat in his last three fights. I don’t think anybody is going to miss them for the time being. Good luck with the marriage and have a nice honeymoon. I could use this time to bash on their careers each but that would be in poor sport. so I’ll just leave this here instead:
Other News:
- Conor McGregor’s manager says fight with Floyd Mayweather is heading in right direction
- Rafael Dos Anjos confirms rumors that he passed out before his title defense fight with Eddie Alvarez
- Georges St-Pierre says he believes in ring rust but also adds that it will not stop him from dethroning Michael Bisping
- Marcos Rogerio de Lima is expected to move up to heavyweight after failing to make weight at light heavyweight again
- CM Punk will be on MTV’s “The Challenge” acting as a “pro” in the UFC
- Mike Perry believes he just ended Jake Ellenberger’s career with that elbow knockout this past Saturday
- Pitbull was fined for climbing the cage to his and everybody else’s confusion
- Cub Swanson wants a title shot late this year or early next year
- Maurice Smith joins Urijah Faber in this year’s UFC Hall of Fame class