Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that combines elements of various martial arts disciplines. Such as Muay Thai, judo, karate, jiu-jitsu, boxing and wrestling. This has been around for decades, but with the help of increased media presence, it’s becoming more and more popular. With that increase in interest comes an inevitable evolution of the sport, from rule changes, shifting strategies, and different formats. Also, new attitudes towards athletes extend far beyond just technique. In this topic, we’ll look at how MMA has evolved into what it is today, top tips to learn MMA and why fitness is crucial for success.
Remembering Stephan Bonnar: A UFC legend that will never be forgotten
On December 23, 2022, the MMA community was deeply saddened by the tragic news that former UFC light heavyweight contender Stephan Bonnar died at the age of 45.
“Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the octagon,” commented UFC President Dana White. “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. The fans loved him, related to him, and he always gave them the best. He will be missed.”
Bonnar made his name known during the UFC’s first-ever airing of The Ultimate Fighter reality show in 2005. And with the help of Forrest Griffin, Bonnar produced one of the greatest fights of all time, a bout that earned him a place in UFC’s Hall of Fame fight wing.
The Case for Ohio’s Stipe Miocic as the UFC’s Greatest Heavyweight
Who is the greatest heavyweight in Ultimate Fighting Championship history? There is a strong case that the title should belong to Ohio native Stipe Miocic.
Miocic has held the UFC heavyweight title on two separate occasions and defended it in fights four times. The six total heavyweight title wins and three successful title defenses in a row are both UFC records. In addition he has won Fight of the Night three times, Performance of the Night five times and Knockout of the Night once, for a total of nine fight-night bonus awards. That too is a UFC heavyweight record.
All told he has compiled a record of 20-4 and is still the second ranked challenger at the age of 40. His last bout was in March 2021 when he lost his title to Francis Ngannou via a second round knockout. It is unclear whether he will fight again in UFC or move over to a rival fighting circuit. There are rumors of a bout coming up versus Jon “Bones” Jones, spread partly by Jones himself, but so far no fight has materialized.
Despite all his achievements, Miocic does not quite get the acclaim as all sorts of less accomplished UFC fighters. That is quite possibly because he is not as “colorful” as many other UFC fighters. No smashed sports cars and bar brawls litter his past. Rather he spends his time outside the ring working as a part-time firefighter and paramedic near his home in Ohio. He does not get into viral tweet wars and the like. Unfortunately that all translates to good but not great ratings on his pay-per-view fights.
Best Slots About Wrestling at Canadian Online Casinos
Gambling is getting more and more popular in Canada. It is hardly a big surprise since this industry has only reached several billion dollars in Canada. This means that this business will continue growing, and it is a perfect time to join online gambling as a beginner or professional. With that being said, the game selection is quite insane. If you are a beginner, finding a game that will satisfy all your needs at once will be extremely challenging. You’ll probably have to try several options, and we know exactly where and when you can start. If you are a fan of sports, especially wrestling, many perfect options were created solely for wrestling fans. So let’s rank the best WWE slot machines in Canadian casinos.
WWE Stars Who Play In Casinos
Our lives are full of highs and lows, offering unexpected twists at every turn. It’s no wonder that WWE has become so popular; its superstars put in immense effort to deliver a fantastic show, combining superior storytelling with thrilling stunts proving why the industry has been a fan favourite for decades.
WWE stars are known for their athleticism and entertainment skills inside the ring, but did you know that many of them also have a passion for gambling? Whether it’s playing card games or hitting slot machines, these wrestlers love the thrill of the casino. In this article, we will look at some of the WWE’s biggest names, who can often be found enjoying a night out at the casino.
UFC Profiles: Charles Oliveira
Any UFC fan knows the names of the latest champions, and the fighters who have gone down in the record books. Betting on the UFC lines can be a great and worthwhile pass time if you know who you should be putting your money on.
One of the names that has been pretty popular in recent years is Charles Oliveira.
Oliveira is a MMA and BJJ practitioner, competing in the lightweight division of the UFC, where he is a former Lightweight UFC champion.
He has the most submission wins in the history of the organization and this is a major part of what brings him his fame. He has 16 submissions and 19 finishes.
Back in the late summer of 2022, he was ranked as number one in the lightweight rankings of the UFC, and by October of the same year he ranked as number 7 in the UFC’s men’s pound for pound rankings.
He is quite the performer, at 5ft10, weighing 155 lbs, his MMA record is impressive. His total overall records include 43 total matches, with 33 of those being wins! He made 9 wins by knockout, 21 wins by submission, and 3 by decision.
Let’s take a moment to look at his records, and more of what we know about Charles Oliveira.
How to Have Fun While Playing Online Casino Games
Playing online casino games is a fun and easy way to do something in your free time. With so many enticing titles to choose from, chances are you’ll find one that suits your taste. Cash-out winnings instantly, or keep adding to your bankroll — it’s up to you. The best part is no matter where you are, all the games are at your fingertips.
Here are tips to enjoy this game as much as possible:
Types of casino bonuses you can use for MMA betting
For sports lovers, betting online is just a fantastic addition to their passion. Sports betting offers the chance to support your favorite players while having the opportunity to earn some money.
Why is sports betting so popular?
Several reasons contribute to sports betting popularity. You can bet on your favorite players and for your favorite sport’ tournaments or championships, depending on the platforms you like using, how much money you want to bet, or which athletes you prefer.
Online betting is a great invention since technology has evolved, giving you the chance to bet easily, from the comfort of your home, while watching the sports you enjoy, and even while you are on the go, vacationing, or out with your friends.
The History and Origins of Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed Martial Arts, or as it is more commonly known, MMA, is perhaps one of the newer fighting sport styles that has found its way into the spotlight in recent years, thanks to the fresh approach that it brings to the table. With traditional boxing, for instance, you know you can expect to see the competitors throwing punches, with anything even remotely takedown style or kicks being completely off limits. However, the fighting styles in MMA are what makes it so unique as a sport!
With a blend of not only combat but also self-defense, mixed martial arts allows a lot more flexibility in the styles of combat that can be used. With techniques from karate, judo, and taekwondo, just to name a few, the blend of these is what makes the game so distinctive, keeping both spectators and opponents on their toes – quite literally! Keep reading below to see where this form of combat style emerged from and the history behind it.
Is Keoma-Ali Al-Ahmadieh’s Commonwealth Games medal the start of something special?
There’s a new name coming through the ranks of Canadian boxers. Yes, Keoma-Ali Al-Ahmadieh is a young man of great potential, and he is really looking to be the real deal, with a Commonwealth Games medal already to his name.
🥉 LE BRONZE POUR #ÉQUIPECANADA 🥉
Une médaille de bronze pour le boxeur canadien ! Keoma-Ali Al Ahmadieh remporte une médaille de bronze chez les hommes 57kg. 💪#OuiCANB2022 | #B2022 | @boxing_canada pic.twitter.com/UKZffyO4iz
— Commonwealth Sport Canada (@CwthSportCAN) August 7, 2022
The next big thing in Canadian Boxing?
At only 19 years of age, Al-Ahmadieh is still learning his trade. He still boxes as an amateur, where there is no need to rush him. Al-Almadieh is 1.72 cm high and fought in the Featherweight category (54-57 kg) at the recent Commonwealth Games – although there are obvious reasons why he might not stay at that weight, which we come to later.
Al-Almadieh has plenty of potential. Of that, there is already no doubt. But with all the potential, should come a note of caution.
6° COMBATE (Campeonato Continental de boxeo olímpico)
Keoma-Ali Al-Ahmadieh 🇨🇦 vs Jahmal Harvey 🇺🇸 (Semifinal peso pluma)
🔥 EN VIVO 🔥 por #ESPNKnockOut
📺 @StarPlusLA pic.twitter.com/GLDoGj1qEZ— ESPN KnockOut (@ESPNKnockOut) March 30, 2022
There’s been a drought of real top-quality Canadian boxers over the past 30 years, so it’s imperative that too much weight isn’t placed onto the shoulders of a young man just trying to find his way. Since the glory days of Lennox Lewis and Donovan Ruddock, there has been little to shout about.
Yes, Canada has seen names like Adonis Stevenson come and go in that time, but by and large, the cupboard has been bare.
The Canadian public love boxing and they have been longing for another superstar to come along that they can get behind, with both vocal support, and financial for those who like a bet. Whether it be placing a boxing bet on a local fighter, or even on the blockbuster start to 2023 where Chris Eubank Junior is 2/5 to beat Liam Smith with the best Ontario sportsbooks, Canadians who love a boxing bet, would get behind their man.
Al-Almadieh – Already a Commonwealth Games medal winner
At the tender age of 19, Canadian boxing prospect Keoma-Ali Al-Ahmadieh already has a Commonwealth Games bronze medal to his name. And it could have been more, as the young prospect was forced to pull out of his semi-final fight against Northern Ireland’s Jude Gallagher for medical reasons.
Medical reasons are the official line stated, but it was due to Al-Ahmadieh not being able to make the weight. So could Al-Ahmadieh have got a different color medal if he had made the weight? Quite possibly.
His win over Keevin Allicock of Guyana in the quarter-finals was the highlight of the competition, although it wasn’t greeted with joy in all quarters, as the 4-1 split decision results in the Canadian’s favor was greeted with boos from the crowd. But everybody has their own view on how a fight went, and his victory over the Guyanan wasn’t treated with the same displeasure across the board.
The alternative view of that fight is that after a slow start, Al-Ahmadieh took over in the latter stages, and it was his strong finish that earned him the victory via a split decision. Split decisions in boxing are just that. Some go for you, some against you. And just because your opponent has the more vocal supporters in the arena, doesn’t mean they are right.
It could even be argued that Al-Ahmadieh’s win was all the more impressive, as he had to show a lot of heart to come back from behind and win in the face of such intimidation. It’s a great sign of character moving forward.
Sadly, we will never know now if Al-Ahmadieh would have beaten Jude Gallagher, and possibly gone on to win the gold medal. But one thing that is for sure, is that the two previous wins over Charlie Senior (3-2) of Australia in the preliminary round, and his win over Keevin Allicock (4-1) in the quarter-finals were impressive.
If anything, the win over Senior was the harder of the two. Well, at least that’s how the judges scored it!
Potential Rivals
Moving forward, there is potential for rivalries now. Jude Gallagher is only 21, and Allicock is 23. There will be plenty of opportunities for the men to fight in the future, like at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, and this will at some point give Allicock and his entourage the opportunity to prove that the Commonwealth Games split decision was wrong.
Also, Jude Gallagher won his semi-final and his Gold Medal match by walkover. The Northern Irishman has already stated that it wasn’t the way he wanted to win a gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, and he will want to set the record straight, and would no doubt relish a fight with Al-Ahmadieh somewhere down the road.
If either of these fights doesn’t happen in the amateur ranks, they could be fights that are made professionally at a later date. It could just now be the case, that with a bit of patience, Canada now has another boxing superstar on its hands.
Bellator MMA and RIZIN New Year’s Eve Event
Bellator MMA and RIZIN are set to stage a historical event on New Year’s Eve (January 31, 2022) at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event will feature five fighters from each promotion facing off in a one-night spectacle. The co-main event will pit Bellator’s featherweight king, Patricio Pitbull, against champion Kleber Koike.
According to Bellator president Scott Coker, the two sides have agreed to hold two such events, with the other one taking place in 2023 in the United States under Bellator’s MMA rule set. Coker stated that the next event “has to be in the cage, and it has to be Bellator rules. It would be different. Whether in the US or somewhere else. I think Hawaii would be fun.”
The main event of the Bellator and RIZIN cross-promotion event on New Year’s Eve will be a lightweight bout between A.J. McKee and Roberto de Souza. McKee, who is ranked No. 3 in the Bellator pound-for-pound rankings, is known for his dynamic striking ability and submission skills, with 13 combined stoppage victories in his career. De Souza is the RIZIN featherweight champion and has a professional record of 14-2, with several notable victories in his career. The fight will be a non-title bout and will take place inside the four-sided ring at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Additional information about the rules set and other details of the fight have not yet been announced.
Highest Paid Boxers From Nederland
There are a lot of additional revenue sources that open up for someone who becomes a famous athlete. You no longer have to be paid by your club, you can create your own business agreements with other companies. Famous athletes usually become brand ambassadors and promote all sorts of merchandise and services. Some of them promote sports equipment, gambling sites, fashion, or healthcare products. However, even if you are the very best that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the best opportunities. Here we will focus on Dutch kickboxers, see how much they are earning and what side gigs they have in addition to their core profession.
What Payment Methods Are Used in Online Casinos?
Online casinos support a range of payment methods. They try to add as many options as possible to attract gamblers. You may pay using traditional methods like cards and new ways like cryptocurrencies. An online casino Australia real money may even accept prepaid cards.
Let’s check out some of the most popular ways to deposit and withdraw money from virtual casinos.
5 MMA Fighters set to rise through the rankings in 2023
Rankings give us the perfect assessment of a fighter’s form at any specific point in time. If we look at them over a period of a few months, we can also identify those who are in the ascendancy, along with the ones who might want to consider calling time on their careers.
The start of any New Year also gives us a perfect opportunity to make predictions. Who will be rising through the ranks in 2023 as they enjoy a stellar 12 months of MMA competition?
Paulo Costa Turned Down A Six-Fight Extension With UFC
Why Paulo Costa Turned Down A Six-Fight Extension With UFC?
When Paulo Costa began training in Muay Thai at age 9, he started his career in combat sports. Eventually, he introduced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to his repertoire and began martial arts training at the age of 17.
Early in the 2010s, Costa switched to MMA, and he faced Téo Esteves in his professional debut in 2012 at the MMA Total Combat: Santa Luzia. His combats have been a popular attraction for sports bettors online.
Paulo Costa doesn’t appear to be re-signing with the UFC except if he receives a better offer. The Brazilian fighter, who has an MMA record of 14-2-0, is unquestionably one of the best in the sport. In fact, reputed sports betting sites such as captaingambling.com have always kept their players informed with detailed updates on such News which could impact the outcomes of their betting ventures. Especially, when it involves star players such as Paulo Costa.