Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best fights from February 2021.
With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best fights from February 2021: Here are the four nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Fight of the Month” award for February.
At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting on your choice.
With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best submission from February 2021.
With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best submissions from February 2021: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Submission of the Month” award for February.
At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice.
After one too many unsuccessful callouts of the biggest names, Belal Muhammad decided on a new strategy at UFC 258.
For a while now, [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] has been stuck at the level in his division that can be hardest to escape: Muhammad (18-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) established himself as a dangerous opponent for anyone at welterweight, but he didn’t have the name value of the biggest stars.
That made him the sort of fighter the biggest names wanted to avoid as a high-risk, low-reward foe, which made for lots of fruitless callouts in recent years.
“It was one of those things where I was calling and begging for these ranked guys for the last 2-3 years, where I’m calling these guys out and they never give it to me,” Muhammad recently told MMA Junkie. “And one day I’m like, ‘Dude, they’re not taking it.’ They’ve always got an excuse like, ‘I don’t want to fight below me. I don’t want to fight below me.’ And it was more so just tired of calling out these higher-ranked guys because I never get them.”
[lawrence-related id=588392,576438]
As the wins racked up, he got more specific in his big-name callouts, but they never panned out.
“I think I called out somebody – I’m always getting the callout and I’m never getting the guy,” he said. “I think even when I called out Tim Means in Australia, I called out Colby Covington, and that was at a place where Colby Covington isn’t where he is now, he was like No. 2 or 3. I’m one of those guys who are always calling out the top guys, but they never give me the fight.”
So Muhammad came up with an interesting new wrinkle at UFC 258. He put on an impressive show in defeating the always tough Dhiego Lima, using a striking game that was both high volume and pinpoint, which can be a tough thing to combine.
After getting the decision for his eighth victory in his past nine fights, Muhammad went for the opponent one spot ahead of him in the UFC’s official rankings: Li Jingliang.
The thinking behind this is, “The Leech,” who has been impressive in his own right, could make for a banger of a fight, and this could be the type of killer fight that finally forces his way into the biggest matchups once and for all.
“I’m like, ‘All right, this fight this makes sense – he’s right above me.’ If I can get booked for a fight in Singapore with him, why not? But it was nothing personal,” he said.
Even then, Muhammad said he’s since heard from people who told him he didn’t aim high enough in his callout. So sometimes, it seems like he just can’t win either way.
“Everybody was like, ‘Dude, you should aim higher,'” he said. “I’ve been like, ‘Dude, I’ve been aiming here and they all say you don’t deserve these guys.’ So I’ve got a name right above me, and they’re like, ‘Bro, you should have aimed higher than that.’ There’s no right answer, but as long as I get a ranked guy above me, I’ll be happy.”
[vertical-gallery id=588219]
Gilbert Burns admits his UFC 258 loss still hurts but believes it has only increased his hunger to become a champion.
With a few days to reflect upon his failed title bid at UFC 258, [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] admits the loss still hurts but believes it has only increased his hunger to become a champion.
“Durinho” knows his early knockdown of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman brought too much emotion to the surface, and the lack of patience ultimately proved costly.
“It’s always painful, but as the days are going, I’m feeling better,” Burns told MMA Junkie. “I watched the fight several times, possibly over 20 times already. I started very good, and I lost the patience. I saw the knockout, and I started going after it too much, loaded up a lot of punches. I was out of my zone at the time, but it was right there.
“If I was a little bit more patient, a little bit more relaxed, even if I was listening to Vicente Luque, the things that he was saying, ‘Hey, don’t load up. Keep the quick punches. He’s not fighting you.’ When I was trying to be quick and not loading up, he wasn’t finding no jab at me, nothing. Head movement was on point. Footwork was on point. But as soon as I hit him hard once, I was out of there, and it was hard to get me back on my flow mode.”
Now back in Florida, Burns said he’s struggling to take the necessary time away from the gym because he’s so anxious to go back and correct his mistakes. He’s already been in contact with UFC president Dana White, as well as his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, and they’ve both advised him to take a little rest before making his next move.
[lawrence-related id=589079,588792,589194]
“I already texted Dana,” Burns said. “I already texted Ali. I already texted Sean Shelby. They want me to take a little time off. That’s exactly what I’m going to do, but I believe in three to four weeks, I’ll be able to go back to training camp and training, but we’ll see.
“It’s hard to relax right now because I was believing so much that I would become a champion, and now it didn’t happen, so it’s kind of very weird right now, but I’m trying to be in the moment right now.”
Despite the setback, Burns remains in an enviable position in the UFC’s welterweight division, holding at No. 4 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie welterweight rankings. With much of the division still waiting to book a fight, Burns admits he’s already looking at the possibilities of a May or June matchup with guys like Coby Covington, Leon Edwards, Stephen Thompson, Michael Chiesa or even Khamzat Chimaev, and how those contests might be able to get him back to another shot at the belt.
“At first, when I got back to the hotel, I was already thinking, ‘OK, I want to fight Colby next,'” Burns said. “Then Colby is fighting Leon Edwards. ‘OK, give me Michael Chiesa.’ The names were going. Maybe ‘Wonderboy.’ But to be honest, right now I don’t know. I just saw Colby-Leon I don’t think is going to happen. That was the one that should happen. We’ll see. Now we’ve got some time, especially with the whole division laid off like that. It looks Kamaru is going to fight (Jorge) Masvidal.
“One fight and back to the title would only be Colby Covington. That’s the only one. Or Leon Edwards, if until May he doesn’t get another opponent, and then I fight him. That’s the fight. So I don’t know who I want. I want every single one of these guys. I’ll fight Khamzat. I’ll fight ‘Wonderboy.’ I’ll fight Michael Chiesa. It depends. If the UFC says you need two fights, then I’ll be a little bit behind on the rankings and then a guy up front on the rankings, but if they say one fight, OK, give me Colby Covington.”
If Burns does make his way back to a rematch with Usman, one glaring change that could be made would be for his head coach, Henri Hooft, to handle corner duties on fight night. Hooft declined to do that the first time around due to his relationship with former longtime pupil Usman, but Burns hopes that’s a conversation that can be had if the two are booked a second time.
“I believe the rematch is going to happen, and I would love to have Henri there with me,” Burns said. “I missed that guy in my corner so much. … I hope he will be able to be there for the rematch because I do believe that rematch is going to happen in the future, for sure.”
Until that time, Burns said he’s willing to face anyone and everyone standing in his way. He’ll wait until March to get back into his full training routine, but after that, much like his first run to the title, the 34-year-old Brazilian wants to fight as often as possible against absolutely anyone on the roster.
“I’m not going to decline a fight,” Burns said. “Dana already knows. Sean Shelby. Ali – Ask Ali. Those guys already know I will fight anybody in that division. I was the one calling everybody out and getting the short notice, and I guess I have to do everything back again.”
And Burns said he’s now more driven than ever. A former Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, Burns also knows the feeling of coming up just short of your ultimate goal. But that’s when a man’s character is truly tested, and Burns says it’s those moments that drive him to succeed.
“There were a lot of people calling me a crybaby, but I cried a lot because that was my dream, and I saw me winning, and then to lose the way I lost, especially feeling that I didn’t give my best, that was devastating,” Burns said. “But I’m in good spirits right now. My mind is good. The family supports me. My team, my team is supporting me. All my friends, a lot of great messages that I got, and I guess that pain, I already felt that a couple times. Before I became a world champion, I lost a couple times. I was second place. I was third place, and then I finally became a world champion, so I know that pain already. I know that feeling already. I don’t know what it does with me, but it just freaking motivates me, drives me to get back to work.
“I know what I did wrong, and I cannot wait to be back fighting again, giving my best. Like I said multiple times, I’m going to be champion, or I’m going to die trying, but a couple more weeks, I’ll be back on the horse again, training. I know that pain, so it’s OK right now. I’m feeling good right now because I know that feeling already, so I’ll be back very soon.”
To hear the full interview with Burns, check out the video below.
https://youtu.be/lejorJ8o8Kw
[vertical-gallery id=579363]
Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is among eight fighters who could be facing lengthy time off after UFC 258.
UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] could be sidelined for up to six months after his most recent title defense.
Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC), who retained his title after stopping [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] (19-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) in the third round of the UFC 258 main event, will need doctor clearance for his right foot or he could be looking at a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Joining Usman with potential 180-day terms is [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag], who defeated [autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] via unanimous decision. Grasso (13-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) must have an X-ray and MRI on her right knee. Barber (8-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC), who returned after more than a year away, could be facing time on the shelf again, requiring an MRI on her right shoulder.
MMA Junkie on Tuesday obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.
The full list of UFC 258 medical suspensions includes:
[vertical-gallery id=588402]
Brian Kelleher’s Twitter pic reminds us what fighters endure long after the fight is over.
We know what we were getting into when we became fight fans: There’s the thrill and the rush and the exhilaration of following an exciting fight.
And then there are the bumps and bruises that are the results of a solid scrap: The bone breaks and the bloodshed and the hematomas. They happen to real people who have to live with them, not video game characters.
Even though we know all this, since the fighters fight their fights and then tend to vanish from our television sets until we see them compete again, we sometimes forget what the aftermath looks like.
And that’s why, even though we know the damage that gets done, sometimes we’re still shocked when we see behind-the-scenes footage following MMA fights.
Which brings us to [autotag]Brian Kelleher[/autotag]. An undeniably tough competitor, the Long Islander didn’t see things go his way Saturday night at UFC 258. He hung in there and went the distance during a unanimous decision loss, but found himself with wounds that needed tending afterwards.
Tuesday, Kelleher gave us a graphic look at the damage — and straight into his skull — over Twitter:
Scar too deep for a bandaid solution pic.twitter.com/IFsCqav2L3
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) February 16, 2021
At least Kelleher has a sense of humor about the situation. We’ll no doubt see Kelleher back looking good as new soon enough, but in the meantime, this is a good reminder what fighters endure for our entertainment.
The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.
UFC middleweight Julian Marquez chats to MMA Junkie Radio following his come-from-behind victory over Maki Pitolo at UFC 258.
UFC middleweight Julian Marquez chats to MMA Junkie Radio following his come-from-behind victory over Maki Pitolo at UFC 258.
Anthony Hernandez recounts UFC 258 victory obtained after early hand injury
Anthony Hernandez recounts UFC 258 victory obtained after early hand injury
Kamaru Usman’s dominant reign at 170 pounds continues. But which UFC welterweight has the best chance of toppling the champ?
[autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] cemented his position as the UFC’s premier welterweight with a third-round TKO of No. 1 contender Gilbert Burns at UFC 258, and his reign of dominance at the top of the 170-pound division continued this past Saturday.
Usman now has defended his title three times since he dominated Tyron Woodley to win it. His wins over Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal and Burns all showed Usman’s championship credentials. He outlasted the division’s cardio king, outbattled one of the most seasoned fighters in the UFC, then stopped one of the hardest punchers in the weight class.
Usman’s latest win means he now is riding a 17-fight winning streak, including an unbeaten 13-0 in the UFC with dominant victories over six of the current top 10, including each fighter currently in the top four.
It begs the question: Which UFC welterweight is most likely to dethrone Usman? In this week’s edition of Triple Take, MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun, Simon Head and Danny Segura offer their views on who from the UFC’s 170-pound division might have the best chance of taking out “The Nigerian Nightmare.”
Bruce Buffer reminisces on his 25-year run as UFC announcer.
LAS VEGAS – Bruce Buffer is embedded in the UFC’s DNA through his memorable announcing over 25 years with the company.
Referred to by many as “The Voice of the Octagon,” Buffer has been introducing fighters the UFC since February 1996. For his 25-year anniversary with the company, Buffer was paid a tribute Saturday during the UFC 258 broadcast in Las Vegas.
Buffer didn’t expect the tribute and said he is thankful to be recognized for his work inside the cage.
“You know how passionate I am to be the voice of the octagon, working for Dana (White) and all the powers that be in the UFC – I love it,” Buffer told reporters after UFC 258. “I wish I had another 25 years, who knows, because I’m ready to rock and roll for 25 more.
“I can’t even imagine 25. It’s just gone by so fast. I want to thank the UFC for the beautiful tribute tonight. I did not expect that. It caught me like a side shot to the head. It was so beautiful.”
[lawrence-related id=573983,588630,588645]
The UFC started in 1993 and Buffer joined three years after its launch. In the 1990s, the UFC was far from what it is today. MMA was far from being a mainstream commodity, and it didn’t have the magnitude of a fan base it has now.
Although Buffer joined in the early stages of the sport, he said he knew the UFC and MMA were headed for big things.
“Back in 1996 when I got involved with the UFC, I realized this was going to be the biggest thing in fighting sports,” Buffer said. “I realized it was probably going to be the biggest thing in sports. And when you stick with something, when I set a goal, I stick with it to the end. I’m a loyal soldier.
“I’ve wanted to do everything I could, way beyond being the face of the octagon announcer to the UFC, because I love the organization. I love the sport. I love announcing these female and male warriors, the greatest fighters in the world. (They’re) some of the best people I’ve ever met. The friends I’ve made, the relationships with media, fighters, the people I work with – I love this. This is awesome.”
Throughout the course of his 25-year run with the UFC, Buffer has been able to see the company and sport blossom. He’s also traveled the world and witnessed MMA history from the front row. Buffer does have several announcing goals left, even after 25 years, and some outside the sport.
“I’ve had a lot of bucket lists that I’ve crossed out, and there’s more to come,” Buffer said. “As far as the UFC, I want to continue to announce these great warriors.
“I’ve had the Super Bowl commercial, but I want to be on the field for the Super Bowl announcing everybody coming out of the tunnel and start up the game. I’ve done it for the NFL, NBA, hockey, baseball – I’ve done it for all the sports. There’s always mountains to climb and I’m always open for another challenge. Let me parachute out of a plane, land on a stadium, and announce it. I’ll do it. I’m always game for something.”
[vertical-gallery id=588402]
