Non-threadworthy MMA Rumors/Quotes/Tweets/Etc., Vol. 4

[Jasen777]

[lilfishi22]

Lol interim champ?

[Bernman]

LFA produced a show. You foos missed it.

Le is a talent. So silly the UFC didn't sign him after DWCS. He kicks so hard he hurts he makes his own leg bleed. And they are set up so well. Feint and then ripping those liver shots to the body. And he was 2 for 2 on fake leg to jumping head kicks. Love that move. Hurt him on the 2nd one, and then finished him with textbook straights and counters.

Frincu is kind of the meat and potatoes version of him. Dude kicks and hits like a mule too and very technical. Ultimately got the finish and was working toward it beforehand, but his opponent had terrible luck for it to happen that way. One of the most sympathetic fighters in a fight I can ever remember. Frincu delivered a direct hit between the legs and he was doubled over trying to stop from throwing up. He bounces up right before the 5-minute count is over. Goes in for the glove touch and Frincu hits him the face. A couple minutes later he tore his ACL stepping wrong, possibly because the immense pain from the nutshot was still impeding his movement.

[Nemesis21]

Fedor vs Mir in Bellator.

http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/22181237/bellator-finalizes-fedor-emelianenko-frank-mir-heavyweight-clash-april-28

[Bernman]

Maybe that was a tldr about LFA, so I'll just be more succinct and point out one fighter took a vicious nut shot, was holding back from vomiting, fired himself up to keep on fighting, got hit with a hard combo when trying to glove touch, and ultimately lost via tearing his own ACL. Tragic stuff really.

[Bernman]

Interesting interview and portion on the JRE with Askren. Both give credence to the theory back then that WSOF was indeed a stealth feeder org for the UFC. It was at a time when they were trying to show the FTC there wasn't a monopoly, while they were attempting to undermine Bellator to ensure one. Askren talks about how he was asked by the UFC to fight once for WSOF and after he could transfer over to the big show (meant to make Bellator look bad, like their champ wasn't worthy straight away, and also wanted to jerk around w/ Askren bcuz there was a feud). WSOF were amenable. UFC even agreed to pay Ben's purse for his lone WSOF match. Then they reneged and didn't sign him altogether.

Starts at 5:40:

Watch on YouTube

[Susan]

Interesting interview and portion on the JRE with Askren. Both give credence to the theory back then that WSOF was indeed a stealth feeder org for the UFC. It was at a time when they were trying to show the FTC there wasn't a monopoly, while they were attempting to undermine Bellator to ensure one. Askren talks about how he was asked by the UFC to fight once for WSOF and after he could transfer over to the big show (meant to make Bellator look bad, like their champ wasn't worthy straight away, and also wanted to jerk around w/ Askren bcuz there was a feud). WSOF were amenable. UFC even agreed to pay Ben's purse for his lone WSOF. Then they reneged and didn't sign him altogether.

Starts at 5:40:

Watch on YouTube

Love how much Askren hates Hendricks because he beat him when they were 17 and never got to run it back.

[NO-KG-AI]

I’m still shocked they haven’t signed Thanh. I feel like their are more than a few guys that aren’t as good, and he’s be one of the more exciting guys on the roster easily. Everything he does is waiting to end on a highlight reel. Super nice guy too.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[REDDzone]

Love how much Askren hates Hendricks because he beat him when they were 17 and never got to run it back.

I think its more than that too. Hendricks was a heel on the wrestling scene, even known as a somewhat dirty wrestler. Obviously Askren and Woodley are really tight and I think Hendricks fish hooked Woodley or something lol.

[Bernman]

I’m still shocked they haven’t signed Thanh. I feel like their are more than a few guys that aren’t as good, and he’s be one of the more exciting guys on the roster easily. Everything he does is waiting to end on a highlight reel. Super nice guy too.

Killing 'em with kindness.

There are a lot of guys in LFA that are over-due for a UFC contract (Frincu and Heinisch were another couple Sat. night). Either they have a tough time fitting them all in with the surplus LFA is providing them as a dedicated high-level feeder. Or they aren't properly assessing how tough it is to go on a run in LFA with all the talent there. Once you're an LFA regular I think the difficulty level is practically as high as average UFC.

But that doesn't entirely explain Le's neglect considering he fought right in front of them at the DWCS.

[Duke4life831]

Fedor vs Mir in Bellator.

http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/22181237/bellator-finalizes-fedor-emelianenko-frank-mir-heavyweight-clash-april-28

I actually like the tournament setting that Bellator is going with the heavyweights. But man talk about big names way after their prime, Bellator just feels like the MLS. Ryan Bader is the only guy in it that isnt pushing 40 or already is 40. And its not these guys are pulling a Hendo, Randy or DC and still in their prime in their late 30s. These guys are kind of the definition of washed up. It just sucks to see these fights getting top billing over a fight like Rory vs Lima. I get it, theyre bigger names than those guys and theyre trying to get eye balls. It just gives it a MLS feel. MLS is never going to compete with the EPL and Bellator is never going to compete with UFC by paying big bucks to these washed up guys.

[Susan]

Fedor vs Mir in Bellator.

http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/22181237/bellator-finalizes-fedor-emelianenko-frank-mir-heavyweight-clash-april-28

I actually like the tournament setting that Bellator is going with the heavyweights. But man talk about big names way after their prime, Bellator just feels like the MLS. Ryan Bader is the only guy in it that isnt pushing 40 or already is 40. And its not these guys are pulling a Hendo, Randy or DC and still in their prime in their late 30s. These guys are kind of the definition of washed up. It just sucks to see these fights getting top billing over a fight like Rory vs Lima. I get it, theyre bigger names than those guys and theyre trying to get eye balls. It just gives it a MLS feel. MLS is never going to compete with the EPL and Bellator is never going to compete with UFC by paying big bucks to these washed up guys.

For me, I absolutely loved having Rory/Lima as the co-main because it meant I could watch Bellator right up to the start of DC=Volkan. I got to see probably the best card of the year if you count it as one event/night with the GOAT Pico, Chandler, Rory/Lima, DC-Volkan and Stipe-Ngannou.

Of course, this tournament would be better if these guys were all 5+ years younger but I like the element that it's bringing to their promotion. I really enjoyed the Strikeforce HW tournament too though. As a promotion, it's a better wildcard practice than what the UFC has done bastardizing the belts like the UFC has since the sale.

[Bernman]

Fedor vs Mir in Bellator.

http://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/22181237/bellator-finalizes-fedor-emelianenko-frank-mir-heavyweight-clash-april-28

I actually like the tournament setting that Bellator is going with the heavyweights. But man talk about big names way after their prime, Bellator just feels like the MLS. Ryan Bader is the only guy in it that isnt pushing 40 or already is 40. And its not these guys are pulling a Hendo, Randy or DC and still in their prime in their late 30s. These guys are kind of the definition of washed up. It just sucks to see these fights getting top billing over a fight like Rory vs Lima. I get it, theyre bigger names than those guys and theyre trying to get eye balls. It just gives it a MLS feel. MLS is never going to compete with the EPL and Bellator is never going to compete with UFC by paying big bucks to these washed up guys.

They aren't building towards anything. It's a terrible long-term plan that has failed repeatedly before. Basically the polar opposite philosophy they used to have under Bjorn. They were getting the same ratings with a small fraction of the costs during that era. Really they just needed to be more consistent, flexible, and have better timing to have something of a boom.

That said, I can get some enjoyment out of the hw tourney in a vacuum because they are all still at least decent fighters relative to their division, some are crossing over divisions, I kind of like tourneys, etc. Just wish the rounds would be all on one night like the olden days.

I try to find the quality where it still exists enough, like Saturday night. They still give you morsels. But I'd prefer another org that gave you a whole meal, so definitely wouldn't mind if they just dissolved and were replaced in the market or a union were formed within the UFC and they gobbled them up.

[Susan]

The greatest striker of our generation just joined the WWE.

[High 5]

I thought CM Punk was already in the WWE.

[REDDzone]

The greatest striker of our generation just joined the WWE.

LOL nobody said that right? If so, had to be Edmund or else Rogan when he was literally crying over her talent.

[GameBredAPBT]

Just bought tickets to the Fedor/Mir card in Chicago. Hoping they stack it up nicely.

I heard a rumour from an agent friend of mine that the UFC is looking to sign Minakov for a few fights. From what I could gather, he's still on a Rebney-era Bellator contract that forbids him to fight on any televised American MMA events sans Bellator. I know he's currently signed to Fight Nights, but I believe it was an 8 fight contract & that he only has one fight left on it. UFC is scheduling their first Russian card this year & has another one in the works after that.

Minakov has needed to be in the UFC for years, hopefully it finally materializes.

[Susan]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC47UlrwAYX5HRs5bm2KbEZg/videos

Great youtube channel here with tons of behind the scenes MMA content.

[REDDzone]

Derrick Lewis has got to be the funniest fighter in MMA. I was dying when he told Ariel he didn't watch the Stipe/Ngannou PPV because he was watching reruns of Martin.

[Jasen777]