Issue 129
June 2015
3 ROUNDS OF ACTION
BRAZILIANS FLIP-FLOP ON DOBER-SILVA DECISION
After originally insisting its rules did not allow it to change the result of the refereeing debacle that saw Leandro Silva record a submission win over Drew Dober last month, the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA) finally saw sense and changed the result to a no-contest.
Silva caught Dober in a guillotine choke in the second round of their lightweight scrap at UFC Fight Night 62, but referee Eduardo Herdy called the fight before Dober was given the opportunity to either tap or pass out from the choke.
UFC president Dana White called for the result to be changed to a no-contest, but CABMMA COO Cristiano Sampaio confirmed in a statement that a rule in their governance didn’t allow for a result relating to a refereeing blunder to be overturned.
However, thankfully, just five days later, the CABMMA released another statement in which they confirmed the result would be discounted from both records. In the statement, referee Eduardo “admitted his professional mistake and is willingly in favor to forgo his authority in the bout.”
FO SCORE: Thankfully the CABMMA did the right thing in the end. And surely the best way to put this whole debacle to bed is for the UFC to stage a rematch in the summer. Referee Eduardo Herdy need not apply.
MCGEARY INKS NEW BELLATOR DEAL
After defeating Emanuel Newton for the Bellator 205lb title, Liam McGeary has re-signed with the promotion. The undefeated British-born, New York-based light heavyweight said he’s “excited to have signed this contract extension with Bellator” and he “looks forward to working with Spike TV for years to come.”
FO SCORE: Bellator will be delighted to have one of its homegrown talents locked down. Keeping exciting champions like McGeary, Will Brooks and Brandon Halsey on its roster will be key to its growth in the next few years.
LOMBARD BANNED FOR 12 MONTHS
UFC welterweight Hector Lombard has been suspended from competition for one year by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) after failing a post-fight drug test following his bout against Josh Burkman at UFC 182. Along with his suspension, Lombard was fined his entire win bonus and 33% of his show money by the NSAC. His points win over Burkman was also changed to a no-contest.
FO SCORE: Lombard should consider himself lucky because if this had happened after the UFC puts its anti-drugs policy into play this July, he could have faced far more than 12 months on the sidelines.
ON THE RADAR
Three red-hot prospects worth keeping an eye on...
Li Wei Bin, 2-0
This Chinese 18-year-old burst onto the MMA scene when he won the flyweight tournament at One FC 24: Dynasty of Champions in December, submitting Hao Yi Jie in the semifinal before earning a decision against Wang Wei later the same night. He has a Sanshou and Muay Thai base, which will serve him well as he broadens his game.
TJ Laramie, 1-0
Just when it seemed like the Canadian MMA scene was starting to fade, along came featherweight TJ Laramie. The 17-year-old from Windsor, Ontario began his MMA education aged 13 and made his pro debut at Pancrase 265 in March after starring on the Canadian reality TV show Fight Xchange. He dismantled the much more experienced Koji Obata with strikes. Talent in abundance.
Kenny Jordan, 4-0 (1NC)
While Illinois native Kenny Jordan may well be relatively inexperienced in MMA, having only started his professional career in 2012, his strong wrestling base has helped him dominate many tough opponents on the regional circuit. Like most wrestlers, the featherweight’s striking is still developing but with his level of athleticism and ability to mix up his takedowns and punches the 27-year-old could develop into a solid contender given his chance.
QUOTES
“The biggest thing I think I’m gonna change is me and my little bro fighting on the same card. The first time it went amazing, the second time not so well. He got knocked out, I had to watch that and get up mentally for my fight. Not making excuses or nothing, but them little things could have triggered my performance.”
Former UFC champ Anthony Pettis attempts to pick up the pieces
“I wanted everyone to see it and know that this is a very serious issue that can’t be ignored. I would never be comfortable with him as a referee again.”
Drew Dober speaks candidly about the travesty that occurred at UFC Fight Night 62
“I’ve had meetings with them all in MMA, World Series, Elite XC, twice with UFC. Whether it was the money or the timing wasn’t right, it didn’t happen. I considered going until I turned 42.”
Could you imagine TNA wrestler and former Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle winning a fight via ankle lock?
“At home, I am a little bit (of a) star. A lot of people believe (in) me. I believe I’ll take this belt for Russian MMA. If I take this belt, this is very good for me, for my family, for my friends, for my team, and for all Dagestani and Russian people.”
Undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov wants the lightweight belt for his comrades
“They didn’t want me to stop being Phoenix Jones. The other contracts had a lot of clauses about what you could and could not do. And it didn’t exactly say ‘stop being Phoenix Jones,’ but it did sort of say that. It’s, like, eight weeks before a fight you can’t be engaged in a risky or mischievous behavior”
Who doesn’t want more Phoenix Jones, aka new WSOF signee Ben Fodor, in their life?
INSTAGRA MMA
Brendan Schaub
“I don’t always buy myself birthday gifts, but when I do it’s my dream car since I was 6 yrs old”
Joanna Jedrzejczyk “I love this Kicks! Lebron XII NSW! I cant wait when I back to Poland to pick some New babys;)!”
Anthony Johnson “My security system is always on… My girls will bark at you til the sun come up and go down! That’s about all they will do.lol”
REWIND/FAST FORWARD
Legend reborn: linking two combatants – one past, one present
DAN HARDY
UFC fights before title shot: 4
Challenged: Georges St Pierre
CONOR MCGREGOR
UFC fights before title shot: 5
Challenging: José Aldo
STAR SIGHTING
Chandler Parsons
Who? NBA star
Where? UFC 185, Dallas, Texas
Chandler Parsons may well be best known for dunking on opponents and putting numbers on the board, but the six-foot-nine Dallas Mavericks small forward decided to step out of the limelight to watch Rafael dos Anjos become the first.Brazilian to win the UFC 155lb title when he smashed Anthony Pettis for five rounds in March.
