In the fast paced world of mixed martial arts we at Fighters Only know it’s hard to stay on top of all the latest news so here’s five stories that may have flown under your radar.
McGregor fans clueless?
Eddie Alvarez wasn’t prepared for the New York crowd reaction at the UFC 205 press conference last week. Receiving some boos to McGregor’s cheers, the current UFC lightweight champion doesn’t seem to be phased comparing the Irishman’s following to WWE fans when making an appearance on The MMA Hour.
“It just sort of reiterated to me what his fan base is,” Alvarez said. “His fan base is him. They’re people who, it’s all perception. It seems like he has a lot of WWE fans, guys who don’t know much about fighting at all, they are just like him.
“You can have them fans, they’re not the fans I want anyway. You can boo all day long. I don’t want fans who don’t know s**t about MMA. I’d rather have a fan who knows the sport, enjoys the sport, and can see value.”
Daley back in business
Following a crushing defeat against Douglas Lima this summer, when Bellator rolled into London for the very first time, Paul Daley has been handed the opportunity to get back in the win column next month.
The promotion have announced Daley vs. Derek Anderson for the Bellator 163 main card, which takes place on Friday 4th November at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Fellow Brit Liam McGeary headlines against leading contender Phil Davis for the light heavyweight championship.
UFC add first Welsh dragon
Current Cage Warriors middleweight champion Jack Marshman (20-5) has become the first Welshman to sign for the UFC. It’s been a long road for the 26-year-old to get there and he expressed as much in his Facebook post.
“I had my doubts and thought about knocking it on the head but they pushed me to a world title and now a UFC contract,” said Marshman. “With that all being said getting to the UFC was a goal not the end this is just the beginning.”
Marshman was due to defend his ‘domestic’ middleweight championship this weekend at CWFC 79 in Newport, Wales, but that card will now be headlined by the 155lb clash between Martin Svensson and Scott Clist.
Lineker and Rivera climb the rankings
Following his debated split decision victory over John Dodson last weekend, and the fact he never even made weight, Brazilian John Lineker has moved up to number two in the official UFC bantamweight rankings.
Although he won, he missed weight by half a pound, but that hasn’t put off the fringe members of the MMA media who vote in the rankings, who have regardless decided he’s still worthy enough to move up!
And, joining him in the top five is Jimmie Rivera, who recently scored a signature win over Urijah Faber at UFC 203, who is now sitting in the number four spot.
NSAC hearing postponed
In what was supposed to be a PPV-worthy NSAC hearing this upcoming Monday as standout stars Jon Jones, Brock Lesnar and Nate Diaz were all set to face the commission and go through their due process for various alleged infractions and violations. But we’ll now have to wait a little longer.
NSAC executive director Bob Bennett confirmed the switch, having received a request of continuance by the Jon Jones’ legal team. However, no reason for the other two hearings not to be heard has yet been released.
Leave it to McGregor show to save the day, however, as his hearing with the commission is still set to take place as scheduled for a disciplinary action following his bottle/can throwing incident with the Diaz at the UFC 202 pre-fight press conference.