Issue 147
November 2016
Novitzky promising more tests
UFC vice president of athlete health and performance, Jeff Novitzky, has promised more testing than ever for performance-enhancing drugs. The PED crackdown was set to ramp up in the second half of 2016 with an expanded testing schedule as part of efforts to clean up the sport. He also reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to the program, which was emphasized by the cancellation of Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones 2 because of a positive test.
“The reality is, sometimes it takes a few of those hard lessons to happen for everybody to get the message that this is real,” he told MMA Fighting. “This is a real program where you’re seeing the main event of UFC 200 pulled because of a potential violation.”
On the radar
Emerging talent with big potential
Viviane Pereira (Brazil)
A champion in multiple organizations, undefeated and just 22 years old, this strawweight needs some higher-caliber competition before we anoint her as the next big thing, but you can’t argue with her record so far.
Shintaro Ishiwatari (Japan)
It’s never too late to make a surge in your career. After defeating highly-touted prospect Victor Henry and former TUF champion Jonathan Brookins in five-round fights, the Pancrase champion has raised a few eyebrows.
Kevin Aguilar (USA)
Having suffered his only career loss to Leonard Garcia in 2013 and taking some time off, this featherweight came back to MMA last year and is now the 145lb champion in Legacy FC. A UFC opportunity awaits him.
Poll Position
Big Mac
After Conor McGregor’s blockbusting UFC 202 triumph, Fighters Only followers weighed in with their views about who they think ‘The Notorious’ should fight next
“He has to fight Aldo to defend his title, then he can go fight either Cowboy or Diaz 3. After that he can fight for another title, then defend is 145, then defend his other title, then he can fight Floyd or Ronda...”
Damen Walsh
“I don’t think he should hold up the featherweight division anymore, but the whole reason we ended up with McGregor v Diaz is because his plans of fighting for the lightweight belt were sidetracked. I say Eddie Alvarez first for this reason.”
Matt Gettler
“Eddie, Jose, then Nate. Could be a long wait for Nate or he could fill in if Jose backs out lol.”
Steven Kevin Miller
“Diaz like he promised.”
Richard Mcgill
ABC Settles Scores
The most significant changes have been made to the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts since they were first conceived. A package of alterations was confirmed by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) by a landslide vote this summer. They will come into effect on January 1st.
Changes include refinements to the scoring criteria, which has been a long-running issue for fans. New language emphasizes that effective striking and grappling are the most important factors for judges to consider. Others include:
A 10-8 round is based on dominance, duration and impact. If a round has two of those characteristics, judges should score a 10-8. If it has all three of, it must be a 10-8.
To be grounded, a fighter must have both hands and feet, or any other body part touching the floor.
A foul is committed if fighter moves their arm toward their opponent with fingers pointing at their face or eyes.
Female competitors must wear a short-sleeved or sleeveless rash guard or sports bra.
330
Significant strikes landed by McGregor (166) and Diaz (164) at UFC 202 — four short of the record set in a fight by Diaz and Donald Cerrone at UFC 141
What's hot
Believe the hype
After the let-down that was UFC 200’s broken fight card, UFC 202 delivered with excitement, drama and one of the best fights of the year.
Ladies’ man
Teruto Ishihara is staking a serious claim to being MMA’s number-one heartthrob – the rising star’s in-cage action is all for his ‘bitches’.
The Choosy One
Screw those rankings, Tyron Woodley wants a big-money match with Georges St Pierre, and he’s just going to make it himself via text message.
What's not
Sports entertainers
Settle down WWE superstars, even if Conor McGregor walks around at about 170lb, we’d still pick him to take you all out in a fight.
Stunning
While he helped ‘CM Punk’ train for his UFC debut, Ben Askren hit a Stone Cold Stunner during sparring. You could almost hear the glass break.
The waiting game
If a Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz rubber match puts José Aldo’s title challenge on hold again, the little Brazilian might just explode.
NYC round 2
World Series of Fighting wants to be a part of it – hosting events in New York, that is. It’s set to be the second major MMA promotion to take a bite out of the Big Apple – after UFC 204 – with a fight card on New Year’s Eve.
The show will be held at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, which has a capacity of 5,600 fans, compared to more than 20,000 in the main arena.
...
