Aguilar predicted UFC success in 2008

Strawweight Jessica Aguilar is desperate to honor a seven-year-old pledge she made to Dana White that one day he’d wrap UFC gold around her waist. The former WSOF champion, on the cusp of announcing her Octagon debut at time of going to print, told FO how she met the UFC president at an event and vowed then to one day be a champion in the organization.

She says: “I met Dana White in 2008 and I gave him my business card and told him then that one day I would be his champion. So when the UFC added the strawweight division, oh my God, I knew it would happen, but I honestly didn’t think I was going to live it. The day has come now, so it’s time to keep that promise.”

Coach ‘Wink’ unsure of Jones’ future

Coach Mike Winkeljohn admits he’s not sure if former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will ever compete again. ‘Bones’ is facing a felony wrap in Albuquerque, New Mexico after he was involved in a hit-and-run in April. He was subsequently stripped of the 205lb belt and suspended indefinitely by the UFC.

“The most important thing is Jon Jones,” Wink’ told Submission Radio. “Everybody seems to forget other things, but at the end of the day it’s about Jon Jones becoming the best person he can. The fighting is secondary... There’s a possibility he might not fight, there’s a possibility he might fight. I know right now he’s staying busy helping others in the gym and that’s very important.”

TJ Grant mining for new riches

TJ Grant, the UFC’s former number-one contender at 155lb, isn’t ruling out a return to the Octagon despite presently working at a potash mine in his native Canada. He was due to challenge then champion Benson Henderson at UFC 164 in 2013, but a concussion during jiu-jitsu practice forced him to withdraw and he’s been voluntarily inactive since.

“Basically, I’ve gotta make a living,” Grant told the Regina Leader-Post. “When you’re injured it’s one of those sports where you can live off what you made for a little bit, but we don’t make that much money so you have to go on to other things.” He added: “In my opinion, I’m not done fighting. I feel 100% healthy. It’s just there’s a little bit of hesitation as far as returning to competition. In my heart I want to do it but I’m trying to be smart. I want to make the best decisions I can and make some money while doing it.”

MMA icons hit ADCC mats

The prestigious Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Submission Wrestling World Championship has been confirmed for Sao Paulo, Brazil from August 28th-30th, and will feature a couple of huge matchups likely to garner the attention of MMA fans.

Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes will take on Pride legend Renzo Gracie under submission wrestling rules at the 2015 event – five years on from their first meeting inside the Octagon. Plus, American Top Team coach Ricardo Liborio is due to face Pride veteran and former Blackzilians head coach Mario Sperry. And Roberto ‘Cyborg’ Abreu, last year’s ADCC absolute class winner, will meet multiple world champion and Strikeforce veteran Andre Galvao.

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