Gray Maynard: Can He Ever Be Champion?

 

James Head, UFC Welterweight, Looking To Help Clean-up Oklahoma

Following the destruction that a tornado left in Moore, Oklahoma, UFC welterweight James Head is looking to lend a hand – and wants his fellow fighters to do anything and everything than can, as well.

“Hey UFC fighters, I would like to help coordinate some kind of relief (debris, clean-up, etc.) for the families affected by the tornado that devastated Moore, Ok.” Head posted on Twitter. “Any and all help will be greatly appreciated by the victims.”

Oklahoma was ripped apart by the devastating tornado on Monday, and the recovery process has already started. Several have been killed in the incident, along with thousands injured.

Head has a 9-3 record, including a 2-2 mark in the UFC. His latest scheduled fight was postponed after Nick Catone was removed due to severe dehydration.

 

Mark Hunt: Does He Have A Shot Against Junior Dos Santos?

 

Vitor Belfort Proves that TRT Works Wonders

Last night on UFC on FX 8, we saw that an old dog can still learn new tricks. The “TRTnom,” Vitor Belfort, gave us the knockout of the year over Luke Rockhold. That didn’t sit well with Brian Stann, who tweeted that he has seen a noticeable difference in speed and power when training with guys pre and post TRT.

Vitor Belfort is developing new skills at age 36 and that is a testament to the effectiveness of the treatment. Prior to his head-kick knockout of Michael Bisping, Belfort mostly stuck to punching dudes in the face with his incredibly fast hands. Yet in the last two fights, Belfort has discovered new-found proficiency for kicking dudes in the face.

In my mind, it is great to see fighters like Belfort able to extend their careers and give us more amazing, highlight reel knockouts. Why wouldn’t fighters to recover from injury faster and have longer careers? Many people were disappointed with BJ Penn’s career because he had all the skills in the world but didn’t do everything in his power to be a great fighter. Belfort is using everything within legal means to improve himself as a fighter. You can argue that performance enhancing drugs are dangerous for the health of fighters. However, there are 13 million men that also have lowered testosterone levels. They also receive the same injections that Belfort receives. Belfort may have developed lowered testosterone levels by taking illegal PEDs in the past, but he has already served his time for those transgressions. TRT, on the other hand, is legal.

If you want to get mad at someone for the issue of TRT, get mad at lawmakers and athletic commissions who allow the perceived “loophole” to continue to exist. Don’t blame fighters for legally improving their careers.

Like any drug, steroids are dangerous if abused. But under the guidance of medical professionals, performance enhancing drugs can be used relatively safely.  If they were regulated and monitored, PEDs could help fighters recover from injuries faster. Also,  if everyone is taking them, then there isn’t a competitive advantage; everyone would be on an even playing field. As it stands today, a good majority of fighters take PEDs even though they are illegal anyway.  If they were legal it would gives fighters like Belfort the opportunity to knock even more guys out for our viewing pleasure.

Photo Credit – Jason da Silva – USA Today Sports

 

UFConFX 8 Fight-by-Fight Results

Thank you for joining us here at MMAConvert, this is Miggs here for you guys reporting tonight’s UFConFX 8 fight-by-fight results. Don’t forget to refresh you page for the most up-to-date results.

 

Uriah Hall Searching For A New Home

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

No, Uriah Hall isn’t leaving the UFC. Instead, the recent runner-up on The Ultimate Fighter is departing from the Tiger Schulman gym.

“Moving forward is the one thing I’m constantly focused on as most of you know I’m not with Tiger Schulman’s anymore never will I forget where I came from but I know exactly where I’m going so much could be said now especially to those who dislike me for my actions but I’ll let your thoughts consume you; if wanting to become better is selfish then that’s a road I’ll gladly take in the mist of my training i have gained the best traits any Tiger Schulmann student can get, from this experience I learned the importance of finding oneself I know people are still struggling with this and I’m ready for the next path.. that’s in front of me” “IF YOUR NOT THERE DURING MY STRUGGLE DONT EXPECT TO BE THERE DURING MY SUCCESS -will smith”

Hall lost to Kelvin Gastelum in the finals, as he entered as the heavy favorite after several highlight-reel knockouts.

Hall informed FightLine.com via text that he was “not interested” in discussing his plans and that he didn’t want to explain his reason for leaving.

 

Leonard Garcia Inks Deal With Legacy FC

Leonard Garcia has a new home – and a fight lined up – as the former UFC competitor has signed with Legacy FC.

According to Damon Martin of Bleacher Report, Garcia will meet Rey Trujillo in July.

The report also claims that Garcia (15-11-1) can leave for the UFC if his former bosses wish to bring him back. He lost five straight and was released earlier this year.

 

UFC Headed To Indianapolis In August For FS1 Show

As expected, the UFC will return to Indianapolis this August with a show on FOX Sports 1.

The announcement came during Saturday night’s NBA playoff game between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks.

The UFC had previously planned a card in Indiana but moved it after slow ticket sales started trickling in.

 

MFC 37 Results: Anthony Birchak Downs Ryan Benoit, Sam Alvey Tops Jay Silva

In an exciting championship match, Anthony Birchak defeated Ryan Benoit to become the Maximum Fighting Championship bantamweight titleholder on AXS TV.

Birchak scored a decision victory in the main event from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Also, Sam Alvey downed Jay Silva in one of the main card bouts. Complete results can be found below:

MAIN CARD

Anthony Birchak def. Ryan Benoit via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Luke Harris def. Jason Zentgraf via submission (neck-crank choke) – Round 1, 2:21

Kurt Southern def. Mukai Maromo via submission (north-south choke) – Round 1, 2:54

Sam Alvey def. Jay Silva via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 1:05

Peter Neufeld def. Garret Nybakken via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Allen Hope def. Paul Grandbois via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:54

PRELIMINARY CARD

Jared McComb def. Marcus Hicks via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:09

Chris Treadwell def. Mike Treadwell via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:22

Maged Hammo def. Allan Munroe via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:53

 

Cage Warriors Fight Night 8 Results

With no UFC or Bellator MMA this weekend, the minor leagues took center stage, as Cage Warriors held Fight Night 8.

In the main event, Jack Mason earned a decision victory over Collin Reuter from the Mirbeh Sports Hall in Al Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

Complete results can be found below:

MAIN CARD (MMA Junkie)

Jack Mason def. Collin Reuter via unanimous decision

Faycal Hucin def. Antoni Chmielewski via submission (triangle choke) at 2:12 of round 1

James Brum def. Olivier Pastor via unanimous decision

Martin Buschkamp def. Matteus Lahdesmaki via unanimous decision

Gregor Herb def. Mike Ling via split decision

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

Mauro Chimento def. Domingos Mestre via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:30 of round 2

Mohamed Ali def. Sylvain Potard via TKO (strikes) at 4:07 of round 3

Sean Carter def. Matt “Short Fuze” Hughes via submission (standing guillotine choke) at 1:44 of round 2