Issue 138
February 2016
Aldo seeks rematch
All thoughts of an imminent José Aldo retirement post UFC 194 can be swept under the carpet after the former featherweight champ confirmed his commitment to getting his belt back. The Brazilian revealed his hopes to Combate following his 13-second KO defeat to Conor McGregor: “It’s still very hard to digest. We trained a lot, did everything correctly, and the result was not positive. It takes a while to digest this; this is part (of the sport). This is a sport and we have to accept it.”
An emotional Aldo cried in the Octagon following his first loss in 10 years, and explained his reaction: “I was upset with myself at the time, because of the way it happened. Because of everything we did in training, all the preparations and all the strategizing we did to go in there and make a great fight. It all came crashing down. I was upset, but it’s part of it... Of course, I want a rematch. I think I have that right. Not because I say so, but my career speaks for itself.”
Champions want fights before UFC 200
Despite rumors of a UFC 200 double-header in the summer, both Conor McGregor and Holly Holm could fight again before then. First, SBG Ireland head coach John Kavanagh told The MMA Hour ‘The Notorious’ has his eye on a spring fight at 155lb. “I do think the next one will be lightweight for the belt. Maybe that’s going to be around March, April – something like that... Maybe that and then July, UFC 200. Maybe he’ll defend the featherweight belt against Frankie (Edgar) on that card.” Kavanagh added: “He’s never gonna wait until July. Even if I was to suggest it or encourage it, I know it’s a pointless effort.”
The UFC women’s bantamweight champion also eyed an earlier fight: “I’d like to fight sooner than later, but like I said, I’ve never in my life said, ‘I want to fight this person at this time.’ I don’t do that. So I don’t like to wait eight months, but I’m not gonna sit here and demand anything different. You know, if they give me something sooner, great. And if not, great.”
-101
José Aldo landed more than 100 times fewer significant strikes in his fight with Conor McGregor than his previous fight with Chad Mendes
Rousey keeps Marine promise
Ronda Rousey attended a US Marine Corps Ball as the date of Lance Corporal Jarrod Haschert, the man who asked her to accompany him via an online video in August. Not one to turn down a military man, Rousey accepted and traveled to South Carolina for the event, just one month after her loss to Holly Holm.
She told TMZ: “I promised I’d go and it was an honor to be asked. Honestly I probably would stay on my couch crying and eating ice cream for another month if he didn’t ask me so it was probably a good thing.”
She later posted on Instagram: “Thank you Lance Cpl. Jarrod Haschert for taking me to the Marine Corps Ball, being such a gentleman, and putting a smile on my face again.”
POLL POSITION
Who’s next?
Now that Conor McGregor sits on top of the world, he’s got his pick of opponents for his next fight at featherweight or lightweight. But who do you think he should fight first in 2016?
Frankie Edgar – 46%
José Aldo – 19%
Rafael dos Anjos – 33%
Max Holloway – 2%
@KingTwittaaa: “@FightersOnly Edgar arguably deserved the shot before Mac.”
Luis Saldana: “Rafael dos Anjos faces McGregor. José Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar. Winner faces McGregor.”
Callum March: “If there’s no rematch with Aldo then Frankie Edgar, then step up to lightweight where he will be dominated.”
Dale Blacklock: “If Ronda gets an instant rematch, Aldo more than deserves one.”
Gee Smith: “Edgar. After José getting knocked out, it could be six months before he can fight.”
David Lagos: “Edgar, then Holloway, then Cerrone.”
Paul Thompson: “Frankie Edgar! Then whoever else wants beaten.”
What's hot
And the new...
The back end of 2015 was all about titles changing hands. Demetrious Johnson, Fabricio Wedum and Joanna Jedrzejczyk better watch their backs!
‘You want that real s**t!’
Fresh from his best performance in years against Michael Johnson, Nate Diaz’s post-fight tirade toward Conor McGregor was 209 trash talk at its absolute finest.
Grappler’s resurgence
Two thumbs up for Ryan Hall and Demian Maia showing that a three-round grappling clinic can be just as thrilling a
What's not
Post-fight style
C’mon guys! Not a single fighter dressed to impress at the TUF 22 presser. Thank goodness for Conor McGregor’s three-piece and Aljamain Sterling’s gold bling.
King of the streets
We’ll all tune in, but if Kimbo Slice vs. Dada 5000 has to happen, surely it should be in a Florida backyard or boatyard instead of on a Bellator card?
Eye poke baulk
No one likes to see a foul end a fight, particularly when it’s because Antonio Carlos Junior tried to tickle the back of Kevin Casey’s eye socket.
UFC 194 was the third event in UFC history to see two undisputed belts change hands, after UFC 185 and UFC 46.
Star Sighting
Son of anarchy
Who? Charlie Hunnam
Where? UFC 194
The stars were out for December’s MMA blockbuster spectacular, and few were more immaculately turned-out than leading man of the big and small screens, Charlie Hunnam. A notable Conor McGregor fan, he must have been happy to see ‘The Notorious’ take the featherweight title in Vegas.
...
