Issue 133

October 2015

UFC sues The Axe Murderer

The verbal assault from former fan favorite Wanderlei Silva against the UFC reached new heights this summer, forcing the promotion to file a lawsuit for intentional misconduct against the former Pride champion. The relationship between ‘The Axe Murderer’ and his employers broke down after Silva reportedly fled a random drug test from the Nevada State Athletic Commission last May, and was subsequently indefinitely suspended. Since then, the 39-year-old Wanderlei has become an outspoken critic of the promotion, and claimed in July he had evidence of fixed fights. The UFC responded by filing the litigation, with charges including defamation and business disparagement.

On the radar 

Jan Jorgensen, 8-1

Pit Elevated heavyweight has plenty of punching power, with half of his wins coming via KO. The 30-year-old suffered a loss in his RFA debut, but responded with a split-decision win in July.

Rany Saadeh, 6-1

This 22-year-old German is a potential flyweight star. His time at Phuket Top Team clearly paid off last year as he won British promotion BAMMA’s 125lb strap, though illness has prevented him from defending it so far.

Anatoly Tokov, 20-1

Another standout Russian sambo star, the 25-year-old welterweight hasn’t tasted defeat in four years and has finished 16 of 20 victims with powerful takedowns from the clinch, strong grappling and improving boxing. 

Poll Position

Jones vs. Weidman

UFC president Dana White recently revealed NYC super-fight talks had taken place between the former 205lb champ and current 185lb kingpin, so FO polled your opinions on the outcome

Social media FO poll on super-fight outcome

30.9%

JONES BY KO/TKO

@xxDoc_Holidayxx: “Bones by BLOODY KO!”

15.4%

WEIDMAN BY KO/TKO

@leeranger1: “Weidman by tko.”

7.7%

JONES BY SUB

@Linko64: “Jones by a rear naked choke-hold”

7.7%

WEIDMAN BY SUB

Justin Doyle: “Weidman via submission.”

30.7%

JONES BY DECISION

Hani Hilal: “Weidman is a real challenge for Jones.”

7.6%

WEIDMAN BY DECISION

@DiegoPujolT: “Chris is a bit more strategic.”

Dillashaw ‘a wannabe'

Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz had some choice words for

TJ Dillashaw following his fourth-round TKO victory over Renan Barao at UFC on 

Fox 16. Cruz, 30, rubbishes talk of comparisons between the two in terms of style. “I see absolutely no similarities... We do different things. He’s switching stances and I’m not. I’m doing something totally different that nobody understands,” Cruz explains. “People will see TJ Dillashaw is nothing but a wannabe, and I look forward to going out there and proving I’m the best in the world.”

¼

Cruz has fought just once in the last four years after three separate knee surgeries. 

What's hot

Lawler vs. Condit 

Likely the most exciting welterweight fight out there, but can it possibly live up to the excitement of Lawler vs. MacDonald II? We sure hope so.

Bellator 142: Dynamite

MMA and kickboxing together? With a light heavyweight tourney to boot? Sounds like a perfect time for owners Viacom to announce live global TV.

Ronda Rousey

‘Rowdy’ proved she’s absolutely no ‘do-nothing bitch’ with yet another first-round KO against Bethe Correia. So, who’s next, ladies?

What's not

Conor McGregor’s pet tiger

Sounds like fun – if you’re a gun-toting Minnesota dentist. Come on, Conor, surely the big cat hiding your belly button is ferocious enough.

Groin shots

All men felt Edson Barboza’s spinning kick to Paul Felder’s nuts. Man points to the Philly striker for continuing, but that had to leave a mark.

Terrible Toquinho

Does Rousimar Palhares not understand what a tap-out is? With a double WSOF and NSAC suspension it’s unlikley we’ll see him again.

3.8 million

The rematch between TJ Dillashaw and Renan Barao for the UFC bantamweight title at UFC on Fox 16 was the highest rated of the UFC’s four free-TV summer specials, with 3.8 million US viewers tuning in. 

Star sighting

Niall Horan 

Who? Singer

Where? While being part of the biggest boy band in the world doesn’t scream MMA fan, One Direction’s Niall Horan has been to his fair share of UFC events since he became a huge celebrity. The 21-year-old Irishman was in Chicago to watch TJ Dillashaw retain his strap against Renan Barao.