Confirmed late Tuesday night, the UFC moved quickly in getting the two in front of reporters Wednesday for a 4 PM EST/1 PM PST press conference at the UFC Gym in Torranca, CA.
McGregor was hoping to fight lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and become the first man to hold two UFC titles at the same time, but a broken foot by RDA prevented that. Diaz, Donald Cerrone, and others were considered but Diaz’s resurgence, unique charisma, and ability to sell fan interest just on being himself made him the man to go with.
Even though there’s disappointment at McGregor/RDA being put off for a while, there’s still a lot to be excited for in this one.
In a cruel plot twist for one of the year’s most anticipated fights, UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos suffered a broken foot in training last week and is out of his Saturday, March 5th main event against UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor, confirmed by MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani.
According to Helwani, UFC is looking for a short-notice replacement for McGregor which should sound familar as a similar situation happened last July when Jose Aldo had to pull out of his fight with the Irishman due to a broken rib. RDA (25-7) was looking for the second defense of his lightweight gold, while McGregor (19-2) was to make his UFC debut at 155 pounds.
If they can’t, Holly Holm’s first defense of her women’s bantamweight title against Miesha Tate would be bumped up to the main event. The show also features our Tom Lawlor returning to action vs. Corey Anderson and Diego Sanchez vs. Jim Miller.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 83: Cowboy vs. Cowboy from the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The event is headlined by a five-round bout in the UFC’s welterweight division as former lightweight title challenger Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone moves up to 170 pounds to take on Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira in a battle of fighters sharing the same nickname. Oliveira is a late replacement for Cerrone’s original opponent, Tim Means, who was pulled from the bout due to a potential violation of the UFC’s anti-doping policy. Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 5:30 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
HEAVYWEIGHTS- ANTHONY HAMILTON (14-4, 2-2 UFC) VS. SHAMIL ABDURAKHIMOV (15-3, 0-1 UFC)
ROUND 1- Abdurakhimov lands an uppercut. Aburdakhimov throws Hamilton to the ground and lands some punches but Hamilton gets up. Uppercuts from Abdurakhimov in the clinch. They trade punches and Abdurakhimov lands a spin kick. More uppercuts from Abdurakhimov and then lands a left hand. They clinch for a moment with nothing happening. Abdurakhimov lands two right hands and they clinch. Hamilton is able to land a big right hand. They clinch and both land knees. Hamilton with a right hand before the break. 10-9 Abdurakhimov.
ROUND 2- Both men land some punches and Hamilton lands some good ones. Abdurakhimov lands a nice combo and an uppercut. Abdurakhimov ducks a punch but misses a takedown attempt but is able to land some uppercuts. They clinch and both land short knees. They break and Abdurakhimov lands a short left hook. Hamilton with a leg kick then a side kick to the body. Hamilton misses some punches and they clinch against the fence. Abdurakhimov with some uppercuts and escapes the clinch. 10-9 Abdurakhimov, 20-18 Abdurakhimov.
ROUND 3- Hamilton misses some punches and they clinch. Abdurakhimov is cut on the head, possibly from a headbutt. They break the clinch. Abdurakhimov lands a big jab. Hamilton goes for some punches but Abdurakhimov ducks and they clinch. Nothing happens before the break. Hamilton lands a right hand. Abdurakhimov lands a big right hand and Hamilton counters with body punches. They clinch and Abdurakhimov with a big knee followed by uppercuts. They clinch again as both men are tired. Body punches from both men. Uppercuts from Abdurakhimov and they break. Abdurakhimov lands a spinning back fist and a solid jab. Hamilton lands a right hand. Better round from Hamilton but this fight belongs to Abdurakhimov. 10-9 Abdurakhimov, 30-27 Abdurakhimov.
Official Result- Shamil Abdurakhimov def. Anthony Hamilton by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHTS- LAUREN MURPHY (8-2, 0-2 UFC) VS. KELLY FASZHOLZ (3-0, 0-0 UFC)
ROUND 1- Faszholz took this fight earlier this week as an injury replacement. Faszholz lands a right hand early on. Faszholz landing early. They clinch against the fence. Faszholz lands a Superwoman punch that knocks Murphy to the mat. Murphy gets up and lands a leg kick but Faszholz is able to continue landing punches on Murphy. More right hands from Faszholz. Murphy comes back and lands a big right hand and lands some more. She has Faszholz in trouble. Faszholz bleeding out of her nose as they clinch against the fence. Murphy with knees to the legs of Faszholz. Great round. Murphy made a rally but still belongs to the short-notice fighter. 10-9 Faszholz.
ROUND 2- Faszholz lands an overhand right and they clinch against the fence. Murphy reverses position and both landing knees. Both ladies land a bunch of punches as they trade. Faszholz is bleeding quite a bit. Faszholz with a high kick. Faszholz lands some nice punches. Faszholz lands a big right hand. Murphy lands two big right hands. They trade punches. Murphy with a leg kick and right hand and then another. They clinch. Murphy with knees and short uppercuts against the fence. Faszholz lands some body punches. Murphy with a front kick and Faszholz catches the leg and gets a brief takedown just before the round ends. 10-9 Murphy, 19-19.
ROUND 3- Both ladies come out quick with strikes as this round could decide it. Murphy with a right hand and ducks and scores a takedown and is in the guard of Faszholz. Murphy with some body punches from the top position. Murphy with more short punches from the top as she is suffocating from the top position. Faszholz bleeding heavily on the bottom. Murphy pushes the fight against the fence and lands more heavy punches from the top. Murphy looks to pass guard as she continues with punches from the top. Murphy switches to landing elbows to the head and body. Murphy passes and takes the back and has mount and is landing big from the top. Murphy laying on a beating this round. Murphy with elbows from the top and looking to finish with seconds left in the fight. More big punches from the top by Murphy. She finishes it with just seconds left! Big TKO win for Murphy in a dominant round.
Official Result- Lauren Murphy def. Kelly Faszholz by TKO (strikes) at 4:55 of Round 3
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHTS- (#12) MARION RENEAU (6-2, 2-1 UFC) VS. ASHLEE EVANS-SMITH (3-1, 0-1 UFC)
ROUND 1- Reneau with a front kick to start. Evans-Smith with a body kick. Reneau with a straight left. Evans-Smith with a body kick and Reneau counters with a combo. They trade punches and Evans-Smith with a nice combo and body kick. Reneau with a big right hand that hurts Evans-Smith and she starts teeing off for a finish. Evans-Smith survives and escapes. Evans-Smith with a body kick. Reneau with a head kick. Reneau with a leg kick. Evans-Smith with a body kick and then another. Evans-Smith with a front kick and then another but Reneau catches it and takes her down. Reneau grabs a guillotine choke and looks for the finish but the bell sounds and saves Evans-Smith. 10-9 Reneau.
ROUND 2- They trade punches. Reneau with a leg kick and Evans-Smith counters with a body kick. They trade punches. Reneau with a body kick. They trade punches as the pace has slowed a little. Reneau with a big right hand. Reneau with a leg kick and Evans-Smith lands one in a counter. Reneau with more body kicks as this has turned into a sparring fight. Evans-Smith with a body kick. Evans-Smith with a combo. Reneau with a left hook. Close round. 10-9 Reneau, 20-18 Reneau.
ROUND 3- Reneau with a leg kick and Evans-Smith counters with a body kick. They trade kicks. Reneau with a right hand. Reneau with a big leg kick. Reneau with a left hook and a front kick but Evans-Smith catches the leg and throws Reneau to the mat. Evans-Smith looking to go in the guard and kicks the legs of the downed Reneau. Quick stand-up of Reneau by the referee. That was a terrible call. Reneau with a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Evans-Smith with a body kick and catches a kick attempt from Reneau. They trade kicks and Reneau attacks the legs. They trade punches. Evans-Smith starts a clinch against the fence and lands a big elbow. Evans-Smith with some knees and an elbow and both land on the break. Close final round. 10-9 Evans-Smith, 29-28 Reneau.
Official Result- Ashlee Evans-Smith def. Marion Reneau by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-27)
OK, that is a bad, bad decision. There was no way Evans-Smith won all three rounds. She was nearly finished in the first. Rounds 2 and 3 were close. What round was a 10-8 for Evans-Smith? That doesn’t make any sense.
ROUND 1- They trade punches to start off the fight. Webb misses a big overhand right. Webb with a straight right hand and a head kick. Webb with some more right hands as he ducks under a head kick from Coy. Head kick from Webb. Webb with a right hand. Webb just misses a head kick. Coy keeps missing with his strikes but is able to land a right hand and then a left. Coy looks for a combo and Webb goes for a takedown but it is defended and Coy has a front headlock on. COy with a knee and some uppercuts. They break the clinch. Webb with a front kick and both miss body kicks. 10-9 Webb.
ROUND 2- Webb goes to the mat and is looking for an armbar on Coy but Coy manages to escape. They scramble and Coy grabs the neck and looks to set up a D’Arce choke. They get to their feet and each land knees in the tie-up. They break. Webb with a head kick. Coy lands a nice combo. They clinch and Webb with some knees. Webb grabs the neck and Coy goes to the mat to play defense. Coy is able to score a takedown and takes the back of Webb. They get to their feet. Webb looking for a kimura attempt. Coy escapes and takes the back again. Coy is able to get the mount and is looking for a choke but the fence is in the way. Coy still going for it. Coy with punches from the mount. Coy abandons and Webb claims Coy bit him. Webb escapes and the round ends. 10-9 Coy, 19-19.
ROUND 3- This round could decide it. Both men trading punches and Coy lands a nice left hand. Webb gets a takedown and has the back and is looking for the armbar. Coy scrambles out and Webb takes the neck as they get to their feet. Coy scores a takedown but Webb still has the neck. Coy is on top and applying pressure from the position. Coy with some punches from the top. Coy is able to transition to the back. Coy still has the back and is looking for an opening for a choke but landing punches. Webb able to get to his feet but Coy takes the fight back down. Coy with punches from the top as Webb looks exhausted. Webb looks for a knee bar but Coy able to free his leg from danger. Webb grabs the neck but Coy in side control and lands elbows to end. 10-9 Coy, 29-28 Coy.
Official Result- Nathan Coy def. Jonavin Webb by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
SCORING UPDATE- We have the scorecards for the Reneau vs. Evans-Smith fight. The 29-27 scorecard for Evans-Smith was a mistake as there was an addition error. It was actually a 29-28 scorecard for Evans-Smith. Two judges gave Evans-Smith the first round, which makes absolutely zero sense since she was nearly finished at the end of the round, and would likely have been if not for being saved by the bell. Still a bad decision.
MIDDLEWEIGHTS- ANTHONY SMITH (24-11, 0-1 UFC) VS. LEONARDO AUGUSTO LELECO (11-1 1 NC, 0-0 UFC)
ROUND 1- Smith is another fighter who took this fight just this week. Smith with a leg kick and then a body kick. Leleco with a big right hand. Smith with a combo and a knee against the fence and then a leg kick. Head kick from Smith. Smith with a leg kick and then a combo and lands a big elbow. Combo from Smith ends with a knee to the body. Smith with some leg kicks. Leleco with a leg kick. Smith with a flying knee and then a high kick. Another high kick from Smith. Leleco with a right hand. Smith lands a nice right hand and then another. Smith with a nice combo and then trade punches. Leleco is cut open. Leleco with a combo to end the round. 10-9 Smith.
ROUND 2- They trade punches and Smith hurts Leleco. Leleco comes back and rocks Smith with a right hand and Smith counters with a takedown. Smith takes the back of Leleco and looks for a choke. He swweps and tries to find mount. Leleco scrambles and lets Smith into his half-guard. Smith takes the back again and lands punches that are hurting Leleco. Smith looking for a choke from the back. Smith postures and lands a knee to the body. Not much going on but Smith still looking to find the choke. They get to their feet and Smith with a big suplex on Leleco. Both men looking tired. Smith landing big punches as Leleco turtles up. For some reason they are stood up, another bad call. That could cost Smith the fight as he had Leleco in trouble. They trade punches and Leleco gets the advantage on the ground and is landing punches as the round ends. 10-9 Smith, 20-18 Smith.
ROUND 3- Leleco hurts Smith with some punches as Smith looks tired. Leleco takes the fight to the mat and has Smith in trouble. Leleco with punches but Smith scrambles out and looks to grab the legs of Leleco. Leleco looks to take the back and lands some punches. Leleco looks for the arm. Leleco landing big punches on Smith as Smith looks to survive. Leleco looking for the choke as he lands more punches. They are stood up again, another bad stand-up. Leleco with a right hand and Smith comes back with a body kick. Leleco with a nice combo on Smith, who is clearly gassed out. Leleco with right hands against the fence. Smith goes for a desperation takedown but Leleco stuffs it and takes the back. Leleco with some punches. Leleco goes to side control looking for a choke but the round ends. Leleco rallied in that round and we’ll see if it was enough. 10-9 Leleco, 29-28 Smith.
Official Result- Anthony Smith def. Leonardo Augusto Leleco by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS- DANIEL SARAFIAN (9-5, 2-3 UFC) VS. OLUWALE BAMGBOSE (5-1, 0-1 UFC)
ROUND 1- Bamgbose with a leg kick to start. Bamgbose drops Sarafian with a head kick and then knocks Sarafian out with a couple of punches on the ground. Huge stoppage for Bamgbose and that might get him a bonus tonight.
Official Result- Oluwale Bamgbose def. Daniel Sarafian by knockout (head kick & punches) at 1:00 of Round 1
WELTERWEIGHTS- ALEX GARCIA (13-2, 3-1 UFC) VS. SEAN STRICKLAND (16-1, 3-1 UFC)
ROUND 1- Garcia gets a quick takedown but Strickland scrambles and reverses and takes the back. Strickland with some knees as they get to their feet. Strickland throws Garcia to the mat. Garcia lands an upkick. Strickland is able to get on top and is in the half-guard of Garcia. Strickland stands and eats another upkick from Garcia. Strickland goes back into half-guard. Strickland with some elbows from the top and Garcia is bleeding from the mouth. Strickland with some punches from the top and Garcia is in trouble. It was almost stopped there. Strickland gets to his feet and Garcia is able to reverse and takes Strickland down. Garcia with punches from the top. Garcia with some more punches from the top as the round ends he lands a big right hand. 10-9 Strickland.
ROUND 2- Strickland with a high kick then a low kick. Garcia with a right hand and then a left jab. Strickland with a high kick and a right hand. Garcia’s nose is bleeding. Strickland with a right hand. Garcia with a nice combination. Strickland with a left hand. They trade punches. Garcia lands a left hand. Strickland with a nice jab. Garcia misses some punches and Strickland is able to land a right hand. The pace has definitely slowed this round. Garcia scores a takedown with less than a minute to go in the round. Both land soft punches on the mat. Strickland has control of the wrists and the posture on the ground. Garcia unable to land but got one punch in to end the round. 10-9 Strickland, 20-18 Strickland.
ROUND 3- Strickland with an inside leg kick. Strickland lands a left hand. Garcia just misses a right hand. Garcia goes for a takedown and gets it against the fence. Strickland scrambles to the feet and lands a jab and right hand. Strickland with another jab. Strickland landing some more jabs as Garcia is unable to land anything. Now he lands two left hands and shoots and doesn’t get the takedown. Strickland lands a left hand and Garcia lands one as well. Strickland defends a takedown attempt from Garcia. Strickland lands a big right hand and has Garcia in trouble. Strickland looking for the finish and drops Garcia with a right hand and it is over! Strickland with the knockout win in the last minute of the fight.
Official Result- Sean Strickland def. Alex Garcia by TKO (punches) at 4:25 of Round 3
MAIN CARD (FOX SPORTS 1- 9 PM ET/6 PM PT)
LIGHTWEIGHTS- JAMES KRAUSE (22-7, 3-3 UFC) VS. SHANE CAMPBELL (12-3, 1-1 UFC)
ROUND 1- Campbell lands a solid right hand to start. Krause clinches with Campbell against the fence. Campbell with a knee and Krause pulls guard. They scramble to their feet. Krause misses a takedown. Krause lands a right hand. Krause working hard for a takedown. Krause with a nice combo. Krause lands a nice right hand. Both men trade heavy right hands and they clinch against the fence. Krause with a nice combo. Krause with a big body kick. Campbell with a head kick and lands a huge right hand. Krause ducks down and scores a takedown and grabs the back. Not a lot of time to work. Campbell tries to roll out but Krause has the choke locked in. Campbell is saved by the bell! That was in deep but the round ends. Second time tonight a fighter has been saved by the bell to end a round. 10-9 Krause.
ROUND 2- Campbell attacks the body to start the round. Campbell foot sweeps Krause to the mat and it ends with Campbell in the guard of Krause. Krause looks for an armbar and rolls over and they get to their feet. Krause lands a big right hand and they clinch. They each land knees against the fence. Krause gets the back of Campbell and takes the fight to the mat and switches to side control on the top. Krause looks for another choke. Krause transitions to the back and looks for the choke. Krause with punches from the back. Krause has the choke in and its in deep but Campbell somehow escapes. They scramble and Campbell lands a knee to the chest. They get to their feet. Krause gets another takedown but Campbell scrambles up. Krause with a big knee. Campbell sweeps Krause to the mat but Krause ends up on top in the guard. Fun round there. 10-9 Krause, 20-18 Krause.
ROUND 3- They trade kicks to the body. They clinch against the fence. Campbell misses a spinning kick. They trade leg kicks. They trade kicks again. Krause looks for the takedown and gets to the back of Campbell. They break and trade strikes. Campbell stuffs a takedown attempt from Krause. They scramble and Campbell gets the back and is looking for the choke. Great pace from both men. Krause spins and Campbell ends up on top. Campbell with shoulder strikes from the top and finishes the round with many punches from the top. Good fight. 10-9 Campbell, 29-28 Krause.
Official Result- James Krause def. Shane Campbell by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
MIDDLEWEIGHTS- CHRIS CAMOZZI (22-10, 7-7 UFC) VS. JOE RIGGS (41-16 1 NC, 5-6 UFC)
ROUND 1- Camozzi with a leg kick to start. Camozzi stuns Riggs with a jab and then a barrage of knees and he finishes Riggs quickly! Big, violent finish from Chris Camozzi as he gets his second straight win and a possible performance bonus there.
Official Result- Chris Camozzi def. Joe Riggs by TKO (knees) at :26 of Round 1
FEATHERWEIGHTS- (#8) DENNIS BERMUDEZ (14-5, 7-3 UFC) VS. (#12) TATSUYA KAWAJIRI (35-8-2, 3-1 UFC)
ROUND 1- Bermudez with a leg kick. Kawajiri with a spinning back fist. Kawajiri with a left hook but Bermudez grabs his back and looks for a choke in a standing position. They go to the mat and Bermudez is looking for a kimura. Kawajiri looks to get his arm free. Not much happening and the crowd is booing. Bermudez lets go and Kawajiri takes the back and lands some knees to the body. They get to their feet and Kawajiri goes for the takedown. Kawajiri is able to finish it and looks to flatten Bermudez out on the mat. They get to their feet and Kawajiri gets another takedown. He hasn’t done much with them yet. They get to their feet again. Kawajiri gets another takedown but they get right back up. Not much of a round. 10-9 Kawajiri.
ROUND 2- Bermudez looks to land punches and they clinch up. They get to the mat and Bermudez is on top and landing some punches. They get back to their feet. They break the clinch. Bermudez with a body kick. Kawajiri going back for a takedown but Bermudez defends. Kawajiri drives him towards the fence. Bermudez with punches from the top but Kawajiri continues to go for the takedown. Bermudez with punches and elbows as Kawajiri keeps going for a takedown. More punches from Bermudez. They scramble and Bermudez takes the back but moves to a front headlock. Bermudez moves to the back and lands more punches. Bermudez looking to set up a submission but the round will end. 10-9 Bermudez, 19-19.
ROUND 3- This round could decide it on the scorecards. Bermudez throws a Superman punch and a right hand which pushes Kawajiri against the fence. Bermudez gets the takedown. They scramble and Kawajiri has a takedown attempt stuffed. They get back to their feet. Bermudez with body punches against the fence. They break. Bermudez slips as he lands a body kick. Kawajiri goes for a guillotine but Bermudez slips out. They get to their feet and Bermudez lands a leg kick. Kawajiri misses a spinning back fist and eats a leg kick and right hand from Bermudez. Bermudez gets another takedown. They get back to their feet. Bermudez with a knee and some right hands. Bermudez gets another takedown. Bermudez with some punches from the guard. Not an exciting fight. 10-9 Bermudez, 29-28 Bermudez.
Official Result- Dennis Bermudez def. Tatsuya Kawajiri by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
142-POUND CATCHWEIGHT- CODY GARBRANDT (7-0, 2-0 UFC) VS. AUGUSTO MENDES (5-0, 0-0 UFC)
ROUND 1- Mendes is a third fighter who took a fight on this card this week. Garbrandt with a leg kick and he lands a left hook. Mendes with a leg kick but eats a right hand from Garbrandt. They go to the mat for a moment but Garbrandt gets to his feet quickly and Mendes is ordered to his feet. Garbrandt with a leg kick. Mendes with a leg kick and Garbrandt counters with a nice combo. Garbrandt with another nice combo that lands. Garbrandt with a quick combo but Mendes is able to land an uppercut. Garbrandt drops Mendes with a big right hand and it is over. Garbrandt gets the knockout win!
Official Result- Cody Garbrandt def. Augusto Mendes by TKO (punches) at 4:18 of Round 1
ROUND 1- Brunson with a left hand. Carneiro slips to the ground and Brunson ends up on top and starts throwing a ton of punches and is looking for a finish. He lands a barrage of punches but this fight keeps going on. Brunson lays back and then more big punches and it is over. Brunson with the quick first-round finish of Carneiro. That should have been stopped sooner as there were a ton of unanswered punches.
Official Result- Derek Brunson def. Roan Carneiro by TKO (punches) at 2:38 of Round 1
WELTERWEIGHTS- (#5 LW) DONALD CERRONE (28-7 1 NC, 15-4 UFC) VS. ALEX OLIVEIRA (14-2-1 1 NC, 3-1 UFC)
ROUND 1- They clinch and Oliveira lands some knees and Cerrone fires back some knees. Oliveira with a spinning back kick. Cerrone with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Oliveira lands a right hand. Cerrone gets a takedown and is in half-guard. Cerrone gets mount and he has a triangle choke locked in and Oliveira taps out! Cerrone with the submission win as he had Oliveira in all kinds of trouble on the mat.
Official Result- Donald Cerrone def. Alex Oliveira by submission (triangle choke) at 2:33 of Round 1
The Octagon returns this weekend with an event on Sunday night, as UFC Fight Night 83 culminates from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The card is headlined by a welterweight bout as Donald Cerrone takes on Alex Oliveira. Below are our studs, value plays and fighters to avoid when setting your fantasy line-ups for this weekend’s event.
STUDS
Derek Brunson ($11,100)
Derek Brunson has the highest salary of the 26 fighters on the card and for good reason. He is a rising contender in the middleweight division, has won three straight fights and five of six in the UFC, with his lone loss coming to Yoel Romero. He has won his last two fights by first-round knockout, and he just keeps getting better each time he steps inside the Octagon. When he steps inside that Octagon on Sunday night in the co-main event, it will be opposite of Roan Carneiro, who hasn’t fought in nearly a year. Carneiro has won six straight fights and is in the midst of a career resurgence, but he sported a 12-8 record at one point before his recent 9-1 run. Brunson is a tough opponent for someone returning from a year-long layoff, and Carneiro has been finished in six of his nine losses. Brunson is the top play of the weekend.
Donald Cerrone ($10,600)
Donald Cerrone headlines this event against the other fighter known as “Cowboy” in Alex Oliveira, and he is making his debut at 170 pounds to top it off. Gone are the big weight cuts that Cerrone makes, though he never has really shown any ill-effects from them. Oliveira is a replacement for the pulled Tim Means, taking the fight on short notice. Oliveira has taken most of his UFC bouts on short notice, and he has looked good during his UFC tenure. Cerrone is the best fighter he has ever fought, though, and Cerrone eats opponents like Oliveira up. He seems to falter against the best, and Oliveira is yet to be anywhere near that class. Cerrone is a violent finisher, and he has an excellent chance of finishing a short-notice opponent. Cerrone will be an excellent play this weekend.
VALUE PLAYS
Leonardo Augusto ($9,200)
Leonardo Augusto Guimaraes is making his UFC debut on Sunday, having scored 11 wins in 13 professional fights. He has nine wins by stoppage, and he gets a short-notice replacement in Anthony Smith, who took the fight just this week after Trevor Smith pulled out due to a hand injury. Smith has won seven straight fights outside of the UFC, but last fought less than a month ago and is taking the fight the week of the event. He likely kept himself in shape but fighting on just a few days’ notice can be a tough challenge. That makes Augusto a solid play at his salary if you are looking to spend up for your roster.
Tatsuya Kawajiri ($8,600)
Tatsuya Kawajiri is an interesting play at his salary. Only three fighters have a lower salary than him, and it’s interesting that he’s a big underdog to Dennis Bermudez, who has lost two straight fights by finish. Bermudez was on the cusp of a title shot but now has his back against the wall, while Kawajiri is rising as he gets more adjusted to fighting inside the Octagon. He is 3-1 in the UFC, and he is primed for an upset win. He might not be able to finish Bermudez, but is a good candidate to score a decision win. Having him on your roster also allows for more spending on higher-end fighters. Kawajiri is an excellent value play at his salary.
FIGHTERS TO AVOID
Daniel Sarafian ($10,400)
Daniel Sarafian has been a big disappointment during his UFC tenure. He is just 2-3 inside the Octagon, and both wins have come to opponents who are no longer on the UFC roster. He hasn’t fought since a win in December 2014, which came due to a finger injury to his opponent. He has bounced between weight classes and gyms, and it will be interesting to see how all of this, and being out of action for 14 months, affects him. He has a tough match-up against Oluwale Bamgbose, who is a knockout artist getting a full training camp. I recommend avoiding Sarafian on this card as his salary doesn’t justify his performances, and Bamgbose is a solid bet to score an upset victory.
Joe Riggs ($8,900)
Joe Riggs has been around a long time and has a lot of mileage under him. Sunday will mark his 59th career fight. He is coming off a win in his last bout, which was his first UFC win since August 2006. However, the win came due to disqualification from an illegal upkick by Ron Stallings in a fight Riggs was losing. He hasn’t looked too good during this UFC run, one that could come to an end on Sunday night. He takes on Chris Camozzi, who is in his own third stint with the UFC. Camozzi is coming off a solid win and should be in line to get another win over Riggs. I don’t see Riggs being able to top Camozzi, so I would be avoiding him on Sunday.
OUR LINE-UPS
RYAN FREDERICK- Derek Brunson ($11,100), Donald Cerrone ($10,600), Marion Reneau ($10,300), Oluwale Bamgbose ($9,000), Tatsuya Kawajiri ($8,600)
I have Derek Brunson and Donald Cerrone as my top two plays, thus I will be having them on my roster. Brunson has been super impressive in recent bouts, with two straight first-round knockout wins. He has a favorable fight against Roan Carneiro and I expect another quick finish. Donald Cerrone has a short-notice opponent in Alex Oliveira and he finishes fights where he’s the big favorite. I like him finishing Oliveira. Marion Reneau is looking to rebound from a loss to Holly Holm, and she has a good match-up with Ashlee Evans-Smith, who was choked unconscious in her last fight. I see that happening again. Oluwale Bamgbose is an underdog with a solid chance at winning by finish with his knockout power, and Daniel Sarafian has been disappointing. My last fighter on my roster is Tatsuya Kawajiri. He has good value and is a good pick for an upset win over Dennis Bermudez. I like his chances.
PAUL FONTAINE- Derek Brunson ($11,100), Jonavin Webb ($10,700), James Krause ($10,100), Leonardo Augusto ($9,200), Alex Oliveira ($8,800)
Both Cowboys are moving up a weight class for their main event 5 round fight and I think the difference could be that Alex Oliveira has fought most of his career at 170 and should be much more comfortable with the extra weight. He’s looked great since losing his UFC debut and even looked good in that fight before succumbing to a late submission. Cerrone also had a brutal KO loss in his last fight and that can be hard to come back from. Derek Brunson is a powerhouse at 185 and I look for him to finish Carneiro quickly and get me those first round stoppage bonus points. James Krause has the experience edge over his opponent Campbell and he looked awesome in his first round finish of Daron Cruickshank last time out. He hasn’t had a win that went to the judges in UFC and Sunday will be no different, in my opinion. Augusto is a bit of an unknown but his opponent is taking the fight on less than a week’s notice and just fought 3 weeks ago against a tough veteran in Josh Neer. I like him to continue his impressive non-UFC run with an early finish. Last for me is Jonavin Webb, who was robbed of a win in his UFC debut against Kyle Noke. That’s the only loss of his career and I look for him to rebound in a big way against journeyman Nathan Coy.
PEACH MACHINE- Donald Cerrone ($10,600), James Krause ($10,100), Sean Strickland ($9,900), Oluwale Bamgbose ($9,000), Augusto Mendes ($8,400)
I LOVE Mendes, aka Tanquinho, in this fight. He will submit Garbrandt… Bamgbose is scary and is going to be a player someday and I expect him to easily handle Sarafian… Cerrone needs to rebound and look good here. He will… Krause is a savage. He’s 29 and has already had 29 fights (22-7)… I like Strickland. He’s lanky and tough and 13-1, and 4-1 in UFC. I don’t think Garcia will be able to stop him… My picks have been pretty solid so far this year, and I like my picks this card. If I didn’t live in America’s urethra, aka Tennessee, I’d probably play this line-up, but you know, I can’t because jesus hates gambling, I guess. Not the lottery though, he’s cool with that.
There is a big weekend upcoming with Bellator’s biggest show so far this year tomorrow night, WWE’s Fast Lane show, a Sunday live UFC show, two ROH shows in Japan, NXT full touring and WSOF.
Bryan and I will be posting the first of two shows tomorrow night. Tomorrow night we will cover Bellator and the first ROH of the weekend in Japan. The Sunday Wrestling Observer Radio we will cover FastLane, the second ROH in Japan and UFC. We’ll also be doing shows next weekend on both Friday & Saturday covering the ROH PPV from Las Vegas and the UFC Fight Pass from London.
We’re looking for reports on tonight’s NXT shows in Upper Darby, PA and Crystal River, FL at Dave Meltzer
SMACKDOWN TONIGHT ON USA NETWORK AT 10 P.M.
Lucha Dragons & Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev & Alberto Del Rio & Sheamus
Sasha Banks vs. Tamina
Chris Jericho vs. The Miz
Charlotte vs. Natalya non-title
Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose vs. Dudleys
ROH ON NEW JAPAN WORLD LIVE TONIGHT AT 4:30 A.M. EASTERN AND 1:30 A.M. PACIFIC TIME
Jushin Liger & Matt Sydal vs. Dalton Castle & Ryusuke Taguchi
Gedo vs. Delirious
Kushida vs. Frankie Kazarian
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin & Tomoaki Honma & Moose vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi & Cody Hall
Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Young Bucks & Kenny Omega
Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson
Jay Lethal & Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi
Roderick Strong vs. Tomohiro Ishii for ROH TV title
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our new Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!
The 2015 business of WWE is the lead in a packed issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. We go through the keys to the current business: biggest revenue streams, why the stock was down, compare with the past, the truth about television ratings, house show business, social media effect, Vince McMahon talks ratings, what ratings mean right now and in the future, network numbers, both good and bad signs regarding those numbers, why numbers declined and will go up soon and what kind of seasonal gain can be expected.
The career of Kevin Randleman, his most famous matches, comments from Bas Rutten, comments he made about first getting into fighting, plus his career as a pro and college wrestler.
We also have a piece looking at matches that in one night changed promotions or made superstars, and how that fits in with this past week’s Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kenny Omega match. A full rundown of the New Beginnings in Osaka and New Beginning in Niigata shows, with match-by-match coverage, story behind both shows, star ratings and poll results. We also look at the big shows coming up for New Japan.
Lots more about Daniel Bryan, details on his medical issues, lots of things not really put into perspective, Brie Bella;s retirement, Wade Barrett situation, Titus O’Neil suspension and fine, FastLane notes, the weirdness of the Fast Lane main event as it pertains to the company’s future, WWE injury updates, more on John Cena’s injuries, Cesaro talks his own injury and Bryan retirement, WWE Network notes, notes on wrestlers who received tryouts last week, Jericho vs. Styles notes, WWE star opening up a wrestling themed restaurant, plus highlights of all the NXT and WWE house shows over the past week and business notes.
WWE’s new Global Cruiserweight series concept, how the tournament will work, the schedule, the scouting of participants and more.
Bellator’s deal with Rampage Jackson and details of how it happened.
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.
Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
Bellator and Spike TV announced the launch of a new promotion, Bellator kickboxing that will air on a regular basis and will be the sister promotion to Bellator MMA. Scott Coker will be running both groups. The promotion debuts on 4/16 for a show in Torino Italy with Melvin Manhoef vs. Alexandru Negrea and Karim Ghaji defending his 165 pound weight class title against Mustapha Haida, the 158 pound champion. It will be a combination MMA & Kickboxing show. The MMA show will air live at 3 p.m. an the kickboxing will air on tape in prime time at 9 p.m.
Lucha Underground set its record once again last night with 152,000 viewers for the 8 p.m. show on the El Rey Network. That’s a record for the show on El Rey, although it has drawn more on Unimas most weeks.
TNA Impact on Tuesday night did 273,000 viewers for the 9 p.m. airing and 87,000 for the midnight airing. The Tuesday number was about the same as the week before, while the midnight number is down from 112,000. Combined, it was the fewest viewers for Impact since the first first-run episode on Pop TV.
Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling Amped show has its first announced TV deal, in New Zealand, starting in March.
Bomani Jones of ESPN was critical of Steve Austin using the term “shucking and jiving” as a term in reference to Titus O’Neil in the Vince McMahon incident on his podcast, saying on Twitter: “When you try to say something wasn’t racist, but you say `shucking and jiving,’ that’s unfortunate.”
Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson, Enzo Amore & Big Cass and Sami Zayn are all scheduled for the 3/12 show in Toronto which is the live network special. Whether they’ll be on the TV special isn’t clear.
Charlotte will be judging a “Whooo” contest on Saturday at the Lake Erie Monsters hockey game.
Spike TV has a special on the life of Kimbo Slice tomorrow night from 7:30 to 9 p.m. called “Kimbo Slice: The Truth.”
World Series of Fighting runs a live show on Saturday night at the Next Level Sports Complex in Orange County at 9 p.m. on NBC Sports with Marlon Moraes (15-4-1) vs. Joseph Barajas (12-1) for the bantamweight title.
The M-1 Challenge group has moved its 3/4 show in St. Petersburg, Russia to 4/8 due to building renovations. They have a show tomorrow night in Moscow headlined by former Bellator champion Alexander Shlemenko (51-9) facing Vyacheslav Vasielevsky (27-3) and Alexander Volkov (24-6) vs. Denis Smoldaraev (11-1).
Rob Van Dam has been added to the House of Hardcore shows on 4/15 in Queens, NY and 4/16 in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena.
Updated list for the Icons of Pro Wrestling convention on 4/16 in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena before the House of Hardcore show is: Shawn Michaels, Tommy Dreamer, Rob Van Dam, Lex Luger, Roadkill, Bull Dempsey, Sean Waltman, So Cal Val, Road Warrior Animal, Ricky Steamboat, Stan Hansen, Ron Bass, Abyss, Billy Gunn, Bill Apter, Justin Credible, Brian Cage, Cliff Compton, Kevin Thorne, Maven, Jeannie Clark, Curt Hawkins, Amber Gallows, Danny Cage, Blue Meanie, Eddie Edwards, Davey Richards, Sabu, Melissa Coates, Little Guido, Marty Jannetty, Rhino, Sami Callihan and Mil Mascaras.
ECWA on Saturday night in New Castle, DE at the United Asbury Methodist Church with Deonna Purrazzo vs. Miranda Vionette for their women’s title.
United Wrestling Coalition on 3/12 in Wrightstown, NJ at Kelly’s Bar and Banquet Hall for their 20th anniversary show, bring back Don Montoya and Rick Silver.
Mark Nulty’s visitation will be Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at the Roberts Funeral Home East Chapel at 2739 SE Maricamp Rd. in Ocala, FL, and the funeral will be Sunday at the Church of Hope at 3233 SE Maricamp Rd. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in the anem of Evan Nulty at Gateway Bank.
Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 3/5 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds headlined by Flash Flanagan vs. Vic the Bruiser & Tommy Danger in a handicap match.
Bull James, formerly Bull Dempsey, headlines for Grand Slam Wrestling on 3/12 in Moosic, PA at the Moosic Youth Center.
Superkick’d Pro Wrestling on 3/11 in Toronto at the Great Hall.
CWF on 4/16 in St. Catherines, ONT at the Haig Bowl Arena.
Luchaproof on 4/17 in Toronto at The Rockpile.
Kurt Angle will be the guest referee for the Battlarts Academy show on 4/10 in Mississauaga, ONT. He’ll ref the main event of Tyler Tirva vs. Stone Rockwell vs. Randy Reigns vs. RJ City in an elimination match.
Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling on 3/12 in Vancouver, BC has the 2016 Pacific Cup tournament with Alex Plexis, Bishop, Artemis Spencer, Phantasmo, Billy Suede, Nelson Creed, Nicole Matthews, Tony Baroni, Pete Powers, Ethan HD and Air Adonis participating.
Ignite Wrestling on 2/27 in Fort Pierce, FL.
Gouge Wrestling on Sunday in Raleigh from Noon to 5 p.m. at the CAM Raleigh with free admission to a Sunday family event.
National Fighting Championships on 2/27 at Center Stage in Atlanta for its 82nd show.
The UFC announced Thursday that they have postponed plans to use Hall of Famer B.J. Penn on an upcoming show after a sexual assault claim was made against him.
“UFC is aware of the recent allegations made against B.J. Penn. The organization requires all athletes who compete in the UFC to act in an ethical and responsible manner, as detailed in the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy. UFC will not tolerate violations of the policy. Every athlete is deserving of proper review and this situation, as with any serious investigations, will be investigated by an independent party and thoroughly reviewed by the UFC. The UFC organization will also cooperate with any law enforcement investigations. In light of the serious allegations, UFC has postponed plans to book Penn for an upcoming bout until more details are determined.
“UFC holds athletes who compete in the organization to the highest standard and will continue to take appropriate action, if and when warranted. It is important to note that Penn is considered innocent until proven guilty and UFC is not prejudging this matter.”
Earlier in the week, Pedro Carrasco, a former reporter with BJPenn.com that had left the site in October, had gone on Twitter with allegations that Penn had sexually assaulted his girlfriend.
Even though this alleged attack took place in Hilo, Hawaii, the alleged victim, a 29-year-old woman, filed a police report on Tuesday in Delaware County, Ohio, claiming the incident took place in August. The report has been sent to the Hilo, Hawaii, police department.
Penn, 37, who had retired after a loss to Frankie Edgar on July 6, 2014, was expected to return on UFC’s April 23 show, although that had not been officially announced by the company. He has been training at Greg Jackson’s gym in New Mexico.
The long legal ordeal of former UFC and PRIDE star Wanderlei Silva came to somewhat of a resolution Wednesday as the Nevada Athletic Commission reduced his lifetime suspension issued nearly a year and a half ago down to three years.
The catch is that the suspension is retroactive to the date of what caused his incident —- dodging a drug test before his never-did-happen fight against Chael Sonnen at UFC 175 — which was on May 24, 2014. Silva can apply to fight again on May 25, 2017, and must provide a clean drug test when he does so.
The 39-year-old’s lawyer Ross Goodman is expected to file an appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court as he feels it wasn’t legal for the NAC to test Silva while he was unlicensed.
Earlier Wednesday, Silva shared a poster of himself and Fedor Emelianenko for August 2016. While he’s ineligible to fight anywhere that recognizes licenses, that doesn’t completely put him out of the running to fight in Japan or another DGAF country if he wants to.
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our new Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!
The newest issue of the Wrestling Observer is one of the best of the year. A very detailed look at the end of Bryan Danielson’s career and retirement. Looking back at sports, pro wrestling and the ramifications that are and are not being talked about. Danielson’s retirement is a big story, both his short and long term impact on pro wrestling. How his story will act as a catalyst for change not only within pro wrestling but all contact sports. If you are a wrestling fan, a sports fan or a science fan, this may be the most important issue of the year.
Bryan Danielson’s retirement speech, career highlights, home town, character both in and out of the ring, booking, the crazy way he ended up as champion for the first time, the birth of the “Yes” chant, the build to WrestleMania 30 & 31, the various exams, why he wanted to continue wrestling and WWE didn’t, his goals outside of WWE and why he changed his mind in the last few weeks.
The quandary he was in about continuing his career, how his career began, the formation of ROH and the changing landscape of independent wrestling, the changing ideas of what a pro wrestling headliner can look like, the first time I ever saw him wrestle while sitting with Red Bastien and Nick Bockwinkel
The suspension of Titus O’Neil, a longtime WWE star talking about going into another sport, another star looking at retiring soon, lots of WrestleMania plans including an early summer major match, Steve Austin’s WrestleMania status, update on promotion of Stephanie McMahon, star who may be interested in returning, Fast Lane, A.J. Styles talks his beginnings in WWE and how hard he tried to hide the Royal Rumble story, how DDP figured in Styles’ return, Linda McMahon forms a new company, Roman Reigns in Raw main events, WWE cuts five in developmental, new WWE books. New announcer hired, Update on many Tough Enough competitors from the past season, plans for a WWE show taped this summer, international star WWE has interest in, as well as a look at all the weekend house shows from WWE & NXT with business notes.
PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.
Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
In case you missed the news, Jim Ross continues to get work everywhere and will do some boxing commentary for CBS Sports Network, likely for Premier Boxing Champions. No start date was announced.
Here’s spoilers for this week’s Smackdown. The full line-up for Fastlane after the show has Dean Ambrose vs. Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Title, Charlotte vs. Brie Bella for the Divas title, Becky Lynch & Sasha Banks vs. Naomi & Tamina, Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler for the IC Title, Ryback & Big Show & Kane vs. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan & Braun Strowman, and AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho III.
Our Zach Dominello has a new column up about why The Miz focusing on being a mentor is best for, well, Mizness.
Our Bryan Alvarez and peers from other sites were featured in this Motherboard piece on why wrestling podcasts are popular.
Bryan and Mike are also giving away a copy of SUNNY SIDE UP on DVD on Wrestling Observer Live (Sports Byline was sent 5 copies to give away), and the contest is to try to guess who is getting the Vince McMahon Sr. Award of Excellence on Monday. You can listen along and play every day on Sports Byline USA at noon Pacific/3 ET, and links to listen are on the front page of the website.
Voices of Wrestling analyst Brandon Howard did some additional must-read analysis of the WWE Q4 financial call. Especially of note from Brandon:
“The infograph WWE released on Thursday along with their press release seemed to claim their YouTube channel had received 8 billion views for the full year of 2015. Just by looking at their YouTube channel’s “About” page, which publicly lists all-time video views, you can see that’s not the case as the channel has accumulated about 7.5 billion video views all-time (since May 2007). Based on archived instances of that web page that I found, I estimate YouTube video views for WWE in 2015 at about 3.5 billion. I’m guessing they’re including in that total the views of all WWE videos on YouTube that are uploaded by other users, which WWE has made copyright claims on.”
Lots of MMA media are making the mainstream sports media rounds talking about Ronda Rousey’s admission that she briefly contemplated suicide after her loss to Holly Holm. Friend of the site Ariel Helwani was on The Dan Patrick Show this morning talking about Rousey and more.
Gleison Tibau has agreed to drop his appeal and accept the two year suspension handed down by the USADA for his drug test failure last month. He actually said in an interview that he’d used the substance (EPO) out of competition and “we thought (it) wouldn’t be anything”. So whoever WE is, presumably his team, they figured EPO was perfectly fine to use outside of competition. He claims his conscience is clear because he took it “without imagining I was doing something wrong.”
Recently re-signed UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem says that he’ll be headlining the UFC Sunday, May 8th show in Rotterdam in his home country of the Netherlands. No opponent has been announced.
Invicta FC announced its next show will be on March 11 in Las Vegas’ Tropicana, headlined by an atomweight (105 lb) title fight between champion Ayaka Hamasaki vs Amber Brown. Former UFCers Jessamyn Duke and Roxanne Modaferri will also fight on the show in separate bouts.
ONE Championships announced its next show will be on March 18 in Myanmar. Teenage sensation Christian Lee will be featured on the card after he’s finished each of his first two pro opponents in under two minutes.
Bellator and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson have reached an out-of-court settlement on their lawsuit. As part of the agreement Jackson will return to fight in Bellator.
Bellator released the information today stating Jackson’s return is part of an amicable agreement to settle litigation.
Jackson signed with Bellator in 2013 after his UFC contract expired on a joint deal with Spike TV, Bellator and TNA. Jackson was signed to headline a PPV against Tito Ortiz, but due to a neck injury to Ortiz in training, the fight fell through. Jackson won three fights in Bellator, over Joey Beltran, Christian M’Pumbu and King Mo Lawal, the latter a very disputed decision in a grudge match.
On December 20, 2014, UFC announced that Jackson had signed a new deal to return to UFC. Scott Coker, the President of Bellator, immediately stated that Jackson still had multiple fights left on his contract and they filed suit against him.
Jackson had claimed to be a free agent based on a contract breach, claiming he had not gotten a full breakdown of the PPV numbers for the Lawal fight. Bellator officials stated he was told the number and they had publicly released the number at approximately 100,000 buys. Jackson was also unhappy that Bellator had not gotten him movie roles as was talked about in the original contract negotiations.
Bellator originally got an injunction to stop him from fighting in UFC. However, an appellate court in New Jersey overturned the injunction and allowed Jackson to face Fabio Maldonado on 4/25 in Montreal, a fight he won. However, the injunction went back into effect after the fight, and Jackson’s career has been on hold ever since because he did not want to go back to Bellator.
On a segment that will appears on Tuesday’s episode of Ellen, an emotional Ronda Rousey told host Ellen DeGeneres that she contemplated suicide following her November 2015 loss to Holly Hom.
The former UFC champion appeared on the show to help promote her Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover, but the first part of their conversation centered around her title loss to Holm, the first time she’s truly opened up on camera about that night. At first, subdued and serious, she said that things weren’t perfect going into the fight but that’s how things go. She cited that it was her third title fight in nine months and that she felt tired, but nothing too out of sorts with other fights she’s had.
She said that Holm’s first shot “knocked out on her feet”, cutting open her mouth and knocking her teeth loose. She lost her depth perception and that she was swinging blindly.
She then got choked up when talking about what happened in the locker room afterward. She said she thought, “What am I anymore if I’m not this?” and said she had thought about “killing myself” and that she was “nothing” before looking up to boyfriend and UFC heavyweight Travis Browne. She said she saw him, thought that “I need to have his babies and to stay alive” and that he was meant to be there at that time.
She said she does want to fight Holm next and to be the one that beats her.
Watch the six minute clip below and more with Rousey on today’s episode of Ellen.
Today is quite honestly a welcomed quiet weekend in the world of Pro Wrestling and MMA after a very long week. To quickly recap the week: It all started with the retirement of Bryan Danielson from WWE that culminated with his WWE RAW Retirement speech. In the aftermath of the Danielson speech Titus O’Neil was suspended for 90 days and then quickly reduced to 60 days for grabbing Vince McMahon during the closing of RAW’s broadcast on the WWE Network. CM Punk’s UFC debut was delayed due to needing back surgery which was by all reports successful.
Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask & Captain New Japan vs. Young Bucks & Cody Hall
Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly vs. Gedo & Kazushi Sakuraba
Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima & Ricochet & Matt Sydal vs. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Ryusuke Taguchi & David Finlay
Michael Elgin & Jay White vs. Tetsuya Naito & Evil
Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Mark & Jay Briscoe & Toru Yano for Never Open weight title
Hirooki Goto & Katsuyori Shibata & Juice Robinson vs. Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hash
Kushida vs. Bushi for IWGP jr. title
Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe vs. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows for IWGP tag titles
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kenny Omega for IWGP IC title
Sunday has WWE in Bakersfield,, CA (Chris Jericho, Bray Wyatt, Wyatt Family, Dudleys, Ryback, A.J. Styles, Kane, Natalya).
Raw will be Monday in Anaheim. No Brock Lesnar or Paul Heyman on to the go-home show for Fast Lane. Ticket sales picked up with the announcement of A.J. Styles, although I’m sure in management that will be passed off as pure coincidence, and maybe it is. But this looks to be the first sellout of a Raw show this year. It’s very close at this point and Anaheim is good walk-up market.
Lesnar will make his first appearance on Smackdown since 2004 at the Tuesday tapings in Ontario, CA.
If you’ve ever wanted to WATCH our radio shows here on the site, check out our new Youtube page! No full video shows, but lots of video clips, full free audio shows that you can tell your friends about, and much more to come! Make sure you subscribe today!
The newest issue of the Wrestling Observer is one of the best of the year. A very detailed look at the end of Bryan Danielson’s career and retirement. Looking back at sports, pro wrestling and the ramifications that are and are not being talked about. Danielson’s retirement is a big story, both his short and long term impact on pro wrestling. How his story will act as a catalyst for change not only within pro wrestling but all contact sports. If you are a wrestling fan, a sports fan or a science fan, this may be the most important issue of the year.
Bryan Danielson’s retirement speech, career highlights, home town, character both in and out of the ring, booking, the crazy way he ended up as champion for the first time, the birth of the “Yes” chant, the build to WrestleMania 30 & 31, the various exams, why he wanted to continue wrestling and WWE didn’t, his goals outside of WWE and why he changed his mind in the last few weeks.
The quandary he was in about continuing his career, how his career began, the formation of ROH and the changing landscape of independent wrestling, the changing ideas of what a pro wrestling headliner can look like, the first time I ever saw him wrestle while sitting with Red Bastien and Nick Bockwinkel
The suspension of Titus O’Neil, a longtime WWE star talking about going into another sport, another star looking at retiring soon, lots of WrestleMania plans including an early summer major match, Steve Austin’s WrestleMania status, update on promotion of Stephanie McMahon, star who may be interested in returning, Fast Lane, A.J. Styles talks his beginnings in WWE and how hard he tried to hide the Royal Rumble story, how DDP figured in Styles’ return, Linda McMahon forms a new company, Roman Reigns in Raw main events, WWE cuts five in developmental, new WWE books. New announcer hired, Update on many Tough Enough competitors from the past season, plans for a WWE show taped this summer, international star WWE has interest in, as well as a look at all the weekend house shows from WWE & NXT with business notes.
PLUS MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE FOR A FULL WRESTLING OBSERVER PREVIEW
You can also order the print Observer right now and get it delivered to your door via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer
For the United States, it is $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.
If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a 40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today.
Click here for the most requested Wrestling Observer back issues.
The Fight Network’s John Pollock has some details on that just-announced show featuring Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping in a grappling match, Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio, and Roy Jones Jr. offering to box a fan for $100k.
ECWA returns on Saturday, 2/20 for a “Winter Challenge” show at the United Asbury Methodist Church in New Castle, DE.
Chyna is appearing tonight for Maryland Championship Wrestling’s Xtreme Anniversary show in Joppatowne, MD. Matt Hardy is in the main event with Jeff Hardy also making a non-wrestling appearance.
Due to a late change due to “medication issues” involving the Siyar Bahadurzada-Brandon Thatch fight on next weekend’s Fight Night 83, the Joe Riggs-Chris Camozzi fight has been moved to the prelims after originally being scheduled for the Fight Pass prelims. The Thatch fight will now take place 2 weeks later at UFC 196
