UFC Embedded teases new fighter kit

Eagle-eyed fight fans glued to the UFC 189 Embedded series may have spotted both José Aldo and Conor McGregor sporting new-style fight shorts while they filmed a TV promo in Las Vegas.

In episode three of the behind-the-scenes show, which was shot during the event’s world press tour, Aldo is seen wearing a pair of board shorts with his surname emblazoned down the right leg. Seconds later, McGregor appears in his favored vale tudo style shorts with his name on the same leg and the Irish tricolor on the left.

Reebok’s new outfitter deal kicks in for the July 11th event, which is destined for the MGM Grand Garden Arena during International Fight Week. It has kept its new designs for fighter kit under wraps, but this brief clip gave expectant fans the biggest indication yet about what’s to come this summer.

Bravo praises McGregor's BJJ skills

Founder of 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, Eddie Bravo, gave Conor McGregor’s ground game the stamp of approval during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. Some critics believe ‘The Notorious’s grappling is a weakness José Aldo can exploit. However, Bravo was impressed with the Irishman’s willingness to train with his top students when he turned up at his gym.

”I’m teaching a class one day, and someone was punching a bag in the corner. I look over and said ‘is that Conor McGregor hitting the bag in my gym?’ I told him I was just teaching and he tells me that he needed a place to hit a bag while he was doing some work for the UFC,” said Bravo. “Within three minutes, he shows up on the mat and he’s like ‘where are your best guys?’ So I hooked him up with my best guys. No UFC guys do that. He’s not afraid to grapple and train and work with whomever on the ground to improve his grappling. That’s huge. From that point, I thought, that’s why he’s good. He’s looking to evolve.”

Cage Warriors' future uncertain

The future of Cage Warriors, Europe’s premier MMA promotion, remains unresolved two months on from Graham Boylan’s resignation as CEO. The promotion hasn’t staged a fight card since November’s CWFC 74 event at the Copper Box in London. Though it’s based in the capital, the brand is owned by a group from the Middle East, which is rumored to be looking for a buyer or new investors for the brand.

Meanwhile, athletes signed to Cage Warriors were given one-fight dispensation agreements to fight on other promoters’ events to stay busy. At the time of going to print, no Cage Warriors events were announced for 2015.

Boylan is now focused on fighter management. His clients include Joe Duffy, who made a successful UFC debut last month, as well as Tom Breese and Nicolas Dalby, who also recently signed with Zuffa.

Roach believes GSP nearing return

Legendary boxing coach Freddie Roach says he believes former UFC welterweight champion Georges St Pierre is close to a return to the Octagon. During an interview with Inside MMA’s Kenny Rice, Roach described a recent encounter with ‘Rush’ at the Wild Card Boxing Club.

“I trained him two days ago, before he went home. I said, ‘What do you think, are you going to fight again?’ He said ‘I’m getting the itch.’ I said, ‘If you do, make sure you’re 100% healthy and everything is on point.’ He said, ‘The only way I’ll fight again is if you promise me you’ll be in my corner,’ and I told him that’s not a problem.”

Roach added: “I do think Georges will fight one more time and we’ll train very hard for that fight.”

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