(Courtesy of UFC)

After their star-making first meeting in the WEC, Chan Sung Jung (aka the Korean Zombie) and Leonard Garcia faced off again in the Octagon in 2011 in a fight that was just as exciting — and ended in the only ‘Twister’ submission in UFC history.

TRENDING Bellator 222 Fight Highlights: Lyoto Machida KO sends Chael Sonnen into retirement

Tune in to MMAWeekly.com on Saturday, June 22, for full UFC on ESPN+ 12: Moicana vs. Korean Zombie live results, as Jung steps into the main event to face Renato Moicano in Greenville, South Carolina.

Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/watch-korean-zombie-finish-leonard-garcia-with-the-ufcs-first-twister-ufc-greenville-fight-video

The Bellator MMA cage was in New York City on Friday where Madison Square Garden played host to Bellator 222: MacDonald vs. Gracie.  The 18-fight card featured two title fights with one champion retaining his belt and another relinquishing his. 

Welterweight titleholder Rory MacDonald put his title on the line against previously unbeaten Neiman Gracie in the fight card’s main event and handed Gracie his first career loss.

MacDonald established his jab in the opening round while Gracie targeted the legs of the Canadian with kicks.  In the second round, the fight went to the ground for the first time.  Gracie attempted to put MacDonald on his back but in the scramble that ensured MacDonald gained top position.  He was able to connect with some hard elbows and easily won the round.

In the third frame, MacDonald’s right hand was finding a home.  Gracie made a desperate attempt to get the fight to the ground but ended up being put on his back.  MacDonald postured and dove back into Gracie’s guard with punches.  Gracie made things interesting by sweeping MacDonald and briefly isolating an arm.  MacDonald was able to get free and gain top control in the closing moments of the frame. 

Gracie was able to take MacDonald down in both the fourth and fifth rounds, but MacDonald proved to be well prepared for any grappling exchanges.  He found himself with Gracie on his back at one point and was mounted by Gracie in the final frame.  MacDonald worked his way back to full guard and defended a heel hook attempt to end the fight.  The judges scored the bout unanimously for MacDonald. 

“I feel pretty good.  It’s such an honor to be able to compete in an arena like this in New York City.  I truly feel blessed to come so far in career to be fighting for a world championship in Madison Square Garden,” said MacDonald following his title defense.  

With the win, MacDonald retained his title and advanced to the finals of the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix.  He’ll face former champion Douglas Lima next in a rematch with a big payday on the line.  MacDonald defeated Lima by unanimous decision in January 2018 to capture the 170-pound belt. 

“I’m looking forward to it because it was a close fight (the first time), and I’m not surprised to meet him in the finals.  He’s a true champion and a gentleman and it’s an honor to compete with a guy like that,” he said about the upcoming rematch with Lima.   

In the co-main event, former UFC champion Lyoto Machida made his second appearance inside the Bellator cage. “The Dragon” faced Chael Sonnen in what would ultimately be Sonnen’s last fight. 

Sonnen came out aggressive looking to get the karate specialist to the ground.  Machida proved difficult to takedown and nearly finished the fight in the opening frame.  As Sonnen dipped his head to the left to throw a right hand, Machida jumped into the air with a flying knee that connected and sent Sonnen crashing to the canvas.  Machida following “The American Gangster” to the ground sensing a finish.  Sonnen held on and made it to the end of the round.  

In the second frame, the same situation presented itself and Machida seized the opportunity.  Sonnen tried to close the distance and dipped his head to the left and Machida dropped him with another flying knee.  Machida didn’t left Sonnen off the hook this time, though.  He unleashed a flurry of punches until the referee had seen enough.  

“I felt really good tonight,” said Machida after the win.  “I didn’t expect Chael to make it (after the knee in the first round).  He made it.  He’s really tough because I put my knee really strong but he took it really nice.” 

Following the loss, the 42-year old Sonnen announced his retirement from fighting.  He made his professional debut in 1997 and amassed a 31-17-1 record in 22 years of competition. 

“I’ve got one thing to say, I had a hell of a lot of fun.  I had a good run.  Scott Coker (Belletor president) gave me a five-fight deal.  He let me honor all five fights and ladies and gentlemen, I’m walking out.  I appreciate the memories and goodbye,” said Sonnen to the New York crowd. 

The bantamweight title was on the line to kick off the event’s main card. Darrion Caldwell put his belt on the line in a rematch against Kyoji Horiguchi. The two previously fought on New Year’s Even with Horiguchi defeating Caldwell by submission in the Japanese fight promotion Rizin.

Caldwell got off to a good start by quickly grounding the smaller opponent. From top position, Caldwell trapped an arm and delivered elbows to the head of Horiguchi. He won the opening frame with top control while inflicting damage.

In the second round, Caldwell was able to secure takedowns but did nothing from top position except maintain control. Horiguchi peppered Caldwell with short punches and elbows from the bottom. In the third frame, Horiguchi began stuffing Caldwell’s takedown attempts. In the fourth round, Horiguchi secured a takedown in the closing seconds to potentially tip the round in his favor.

The final frame played out with Caldwell taking Horiguchi down like he had throughout the bout. Once on top, Caldwell only held position while Horiguchi worked off his back landing short punches and elbows. In the end, the judges scored the fight for Horiguchi and Bellator crowned a new 135-pounch champion. Horiguchi holds both the Bellator MMA and Rizen bantamweight titles.

“I do apologize for it being a lack of action fight,” said Horiguchi after the win. “The plan was to conserve energy at the beginning and finish strong.”

TRENDING  TJ Dillashaw: ‘I cheated. I don’t want to create any excuses.’

Dillon Danis, Conor McGregor’s Jiu-Jitsu coach, improved his record to 2-0 with a first-round submission win over Max Humphrey in a catchweight bout. Danis dominated the fight with his superior grappling ability. He quickly took Humphrey down and took his back. He landed punches and hammer fists before locking on an armbar that forced Humphrey to tap out.

“I’ve said this before, I’m the f—ing best in the world. I’ve said that already, and I say it again. Let’s see who gets in here and stops me,” he said following his second career win.

Bellator 222 Full Results

Main Card

– Rory MacDonald def. Neiman Gracie by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
– Lyoto Machida def. Chael Sonnen by TKO (knee and punches) at 0:22, R2
– Dillon Danis def. Max Humphrey by submission (armbar) at 4:28, R1
– Patrick Mix def. Ricky Bandejas by submission (rear-naked) choke, at 1:06, R1
– Juan Archuleta def. Eduardo Dantas by KO (punch) at 4:59, R2
– Kyoji Horiguchi def. Darrion Caldwell by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)

Preliminary Card

– Brandon Polcare def. Brandon Medina by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:33, R1
– Kastriot Xhema def. Whitney Francois by TKO (punches) at 3:17, R2
– John Beneduce def. Kenny Rivera by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
– Taylor Turner def. Heather Hardy by TKO (punches) at 3:53, R1
– Ádám Borics def. Aaron Pico by KO (flying knee and punches) at 3:55, R2
– Valerie Loureda def. Larkyn Dasch by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
– Lindsey VanZandt def. Rena Kubota by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:04, R1
– Haim Gozali def. Gustavo Wurlitzer by submission (triangle choke) at 4:02, R1
– Mike Kimbel def. Sebastian Ruiz by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)
– Robson Gracie, Jr. def. Oscar Vera by submission (armbar) at 3:15, R1
– Marcus Surin def. Nekruz Mirkhojaev by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-27)
– Phil Hawes def. Michael Wilcox by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00, R1

Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/rory-macdonald-defeats-neiman-gracie-and-lyoto-machida-retires-chael-sonnen-at-bellator-222

It has been nearly three months since TJ Dillashaw relinquished the UFC bantamweight championship after having tested positive for a banned substance. He finally broke his silence, admitting to having cheated in preparation for his January 2019 bout with Henry Cejudo.

Dillashaw held the bantamweight title entering the fight with Cejudo, who was the UFC flyweight champion. He wanted nothing more than to become a dual-division champion, proclaiming to the world that he could easily drop to 125 pounds and take the belt from the Olympic Gold Medalist.

The problem for Dillashaw was that his body disagreed. He couldn’t make the drop as easily as he thought and it ravaged his body to the point he didn’t feel like training for the fight. He was tired, lethargic, not at all himself. So he took the only way he could find to try and get himself back on form.

“First and foremost, I cheated,” Dillashaw said while on a recent episode of You’re Welcome with Chael Sonnen. “I don’t want to create any excuses. I wanted to drop the weight class. I wanted to go down one weight class to 125 pounds and I played it off on how easy it was gonna be.

“I pushed my body to the extreme. About six weeks out, my body started to crash, it started to get tired. My hematocrit was crashing. I was on the verge of becoming anemic. I decided to take something I wasn’t allowed to take. It’s called ProCrit. It would help me not only make the weight, but to be myself.”

ProCrit is a medication often used to help people with anemia. The active ingredient is Erythropoietin or EPO, which is a substance that has often been used in the professional cycling world as a performance enhancer. It is one of the main substances that led to former multiple-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong being banned from the sport for life.

Dillashaw relayed that his blood levels bordered on him becoming anemic, which would account for his being so wiped out. He also said that when he used EPO, it basically brought him back in line with his normal levels, not something beyond what is naturally occurring in the human body. 

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The only problem with that is it is still a banned substance. For that, he makes no excuses.

“I cheated. I got caught,” Dillashaw continued. “It is hard not to hate yourself a little bit.”

Dillashaw said that the hardest part of the situation for him has been having the decision he made cast a dark cloud over his family and his team, whom he said had no knowledge of what he was doing.

After he was caught, Dillashaw was issued a two-year suspension by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which administers the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. The suspension is retroactive to the Cejudo fight, which took place on Jan. 19, 2019. He will be eligible to return after Jan. 19, 2021, and fully intends to return.

“I”ll have to come back and prove myself,” said Dillashaw.

“I will come back. I will be champion again.”

Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/tj-dillashaw-i-cheated-i-dont-want-to-create-any-excuses

Chael Sonnen steps into the cage at Bellator 222 at 42 years of age to face Lyoto Machida. But why? Why at an age that is considered beyond the prime for most athletes is Sonnen continuing to put his health at risk?

Sonnen has fought the crème de la crème of the fight world. He has defeated the likes of Rampage Jackson, Wanderlei Silva, Michael Bisping, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and more. Granted, he has also lost bouts to Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, Fedor Emelianenko, and Tito Ortiz… and that’s part of why he is still fighting. 

Yes, the competitive fires are stoked, and likely always will be, that hardly ever dies for any elite athlete; but what really motivates Sonnen is a promise to become a world champion. He failed to do that in fights with Silva and Jones, and it’s a promise that he doesn’t take lightly. After all, it’s a promise he made to his father.

“I started in mixed martial arts with one goal: to win a world championship. It was a promise I made to my dad, and it’s the only promise I ever made to him that I have not kept,” Sonnen wrote in an article for ESPN.

“I have done everything in my power to keep the promise, and I got close a few times, but in the end I have always come in second. I’m still working toward my goal, though, and the promise I made all those years ago remains very much a motivation.”

Sonnen has wondered if maybe he shouldn’t have kept that particular promise, that motivation, to himself. After all, it’s a lot of pressure to say you’re going to become a world champion. It’s an entirely different level of pressure when you not only say it, but promise it to one of the most special people in your life.

There is a certain gravity to the sense of failure you feel when the promise to achieve is to someone that matters more to you likely than life itself. 

“At this point, I almost regret it and wish I would’ve kept it as a personal motivation for myself,” Sonnen told MMA Junkie during Bellator 222’s media day on Wednesday. “It is a lot of pressure.

“I will either win a championship or I will be a failure. I believe that wholeheartedly. I was told when I was 17 years old by Matt Lindland, we were both on a wrestling quest at that time, but he told me, ‘You cannot retire unless you win a world championship; you can only quit.’ I don’t want to be a quitter.”

TRENDING Bellator 222 is a pivotal fight in world champion boxer Heather Hardy’s MMA career

Sonnen’s fight at Bellator 222 on Friday isn’t for a championship. But, in facing 41-year-old former UFC champion Lyoto Machida, Sonnen knows that it puts him in prime position to make a run at current Bellator light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Ryan Bader. 

Machida is on a three-fight winning streak, just a step away from a title shot. Sonnen would like nothing more than to derail Machida and take his spot at the front of the line. Though he lost his last bout, a heavyweight fight against the legendary Fedor, Sonnen defeated Wanderlei Silva and Rampage prior to that.

A victory over Machida is more than a feather in his cap, it puts Sonnen in prime position to try and fulfill that long ago promise he made to his father.

Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/chael-sonnen-will-either-be-a-champion-or-a-failure

Rafael dos Anjos versus Leon Edwards is set as the headliner for UFC on ESPN 4 on July 20 in San Antonio, Texas.

After a lot of searching, false starts, and misfires, UFC officials finally nailed down a headliner for its July event on ESPN’s flagship network. 

A bout between current UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko and Liz Carmouche had been considered for the UFC San Antonio main event, as well as the idea of moving the UFC 239 light heavyweight bout between Luke Rockhold and Jan Blachowicz, but neither materialized. 

The Shevchenko vs. Carmouche bout never came together and Rockhold was already booked to shoot a Polo Ralph Lauren commercial on July 20, so officials shifted gears to dos Anjos vs. Edwards. UFC president Dana White revealed to Yahoo! Sports on Thursday that the dos Anjos vs. Edwards bout was set to headline the San Antonio fight card. 

Having defeated Kevin Lee in his most recent bout, former lightweight champion dos Anjos (29-11) is looking to build some momentum and get back in the hunt for the UFC welterweight championship.

Following wins over former Strikeforce champion Tarec Saffiedine, Neil Magny, and former UFC champion Robbie Lawler, dos Anjos had been rocketing toward the title, but misfired in his shot at the interim UFC welterweight championship. After losing a five-round unanimous decision to Colby Covington for the interim belt, he then lost a decision to now-champion Kamaru Usman.

The victory over Lee was a huge step toward redemption for dos Anjos, but he’ll need to fend off the red-hot Edwards in order to keep his hopes of getting a crack at Usman alive.

Edwards’ (17-3) most recent loss was also to Usman, although that took place nearly four years ago. He has since been rocketing toward the belt on the heels of a seven-fight winning streak. 

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Edwards’ last two fight in particular have put him in prime position to earn a shot at the belt. His last two victories came at the expense of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, who has returned to the lightweight division, and Gunnar Nelson, considered one of the toughest technical fighters in the division. Defeating a former champion in dos Anjos would certainly make for a strong case to earn a title shot.

UFC on ESPN 4, aside from the dos Anjos vs. Edwards headliner, is also expected to feature several pivotal heavyweight bouts, including Aleksei Oleinik vs. Walt Harris, Andrei Arlovski vs. Ben Rothwell, and Greg Hardy vs. Juan Adams.

Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/rafael-dos-anjos-vs-leon-edwards-set-as-ufc-san-antonio-headliner