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Icons of MMA and The Big Personalities in the Sport

Posted on August 21, 2024 by A. J. Riot

It is fair to say that MMA attracts some absolutely huge personalities and sometimes more eccentric people. You may already be thinking of some of the top names in the sport (and one particular Irish star).

MMA has rocketed in popularity and it wasn’t so long ago that it was something of a minority sport (well, compared to today). Over the last 30 years or so we have seen some key figures whose contributions have shaped its history and elevated it into the global spectacle it is today bringing millions of pairs of eyeballs to the sport.

Israel Adesanya vs Dricus du Plessis: How they compare

Posted on August 15, 2024 by A. J. Riot

The highly anticipated showdown between Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis is set for Sunday, 18th August, promising to be a thrilling encounter between two formidable middleweights. The fight will be at the RAC Arena in Australia; it is expected to be packed to the rafters, with all 15,000 plus seats booked, with fans on either camp ready to cheer, and bet, on their fighter.

Both fighters have carved out impressive careers in the UFC, and this bout is expected to be a clash of styles, skills, and strategies. As the fight approaches, let’s take a closer look at how these two fighters compare in various aspects of their game.

UFC Fighters Who Helped Shaped It Into A World-Renowned Player

Posted on August 9, 2024 by A. J. Riot

The UFC stands as a premier organization in mixed martial arts, boasting a rich history and a legion of fans worldwide. Its rise in popularity owes much to a select group of fighters whose skill, charisma, and memorable matches have left an indelible mark on the sport. These fighters have not only showcased extraordinary talent but have also created moments that define the UFC’s legacy.

UFC Fighter Discussion: Analyzing a Prominent Competitor in Mixed Martial Arts

Posted on July 29, 2024 by A. J. Riot

Mixed martial arts (MMA) continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its intense and dynamic nature. One competitor, in particular, has been making waves with their impressive performances. Understanding the journey and skill set of this fighter can provide valuable insights for fans and bettors alike.

In the continually shifting landscape of mixed martial arts, keeping track of standout fighters is crucial for enthusiasts and bettors. This article delves into the career, skills and significance of a notable UFC competitor Islam Makhachev offering you a comprehensive view of what makes him exceptional.

Legends of the Octagon: BJ Penn

Posted on July 13, 2024 by Heather

BJ Penn was born on December 13, 1978 in Hawaii. His ethnic background is Korean and Irish American. He is an extremely influential retired MMA fighter, who competed for the UFC in three divisions, including the achievements of being a welterweight and lightweight champion – the second fighter to reach double champion status in the UFC. He is a pioneer of the lighter weight classes in the UFC and is one of the first stars of the lightweight division.

Penn is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) prodigy and began practicing in 1997 under Ralph Gracie. Then, in 2000, he had made a phenomenal accomplishment by earning a black belt in BJJ. This was astonishing; Penn had only practiced BJJ for three years. Typically, a talented BJJ practitioner can obtain a black belts within seven years. Soon after, BJ Penn became the first non-Brazilian to win the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. This event was held in Brazil for first degree black belts. After years of practicing martial arts, Penn had leveled up to a fifth degree black belt in BJJ.

MMA & Boxing Author | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. I was once a Judoka, which is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.

www.fightmatrix.com

Unsung Heroes in MMA History

Posted on June 27, 2024 by A. J. Riot

Whether your an MMA fan or soon to be one, we guarantee you’ll find our survey of the “biggest and best” of this fascinating sport….well, fascinating. So put aside your online socializing, gaming, and shopping for a few minutes. But don’t put your phone away – by the time you finish reading this article, you’ll want to look even deeper into the lives of the 6 heroes below.

MMA is often dominated by household names and celebrated champions whose exploits find a place in the history of the sport. However, there is a cadre of fighters whose contributions to the sport are overshadowed by the glitz and glamour of more famous counterparts.

These unsung heroes have, through their skillful, resilient, and determined performances, definitely left a mark on MMA that will not die. That is even though they never could hold as much press in the mainstream as their counterparts. Let’s now go deep into the careers of some MMA unsung heroes who deserved more recognition for their prowess inside the cage.

Legends of the Octagon: Ronda Rousey

Posted on June 24, 2024 by Heather

Ronda Rousey attracted many spectators to Mixed Martial Arts. Obviously, with the help from Dana White, she created a following for and an interest in viewing women fight in the UFC. Since early childhood, Ronda’s mother, AnnMaria De Mars, has been an extremely influential part of her life. Especially, in terms of being heavily interested in and practicing Judo. De Mars has won a World Judo Championship in 1984. Ronda began practicing Judo with her mother at the age of eleven years old. Then, at the age of 17 she won a Gold medal at the World Judo Juniors Championships. Eventually, Rousey was an Olympic Judo Bronze medalist in Beijing in 2008.

MMA & Boxing Author | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. I was once a Judoka, which is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.

www.fightmatrix.com

Top UFC Records and Record Holders

Posted on June 19, 2024 by A. J. Riot

The world of the UFC is filled with champions and remarkable fighters who have set impressive records. Champions in the UFC are just a tiny part of the roster. For those interested in reliable bookmakers and valuable betting information, check out RG.ORG. Today, we will talk about the top records in the UFC. Let’s go!

Legends of the Octagon: Mark Kerr

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Heather

Mark Kerr was born in Toledo, Ohio on December 21, 1968. He’s a down to earth person and a well known former heavyweight champion of the UFC. Even prior to joining the UFC and starting his MMA career, Kerr was good friends with Mark Coleman – another early UFC heavyweight champion. Coleman was a big influence on Kerr and is one of the reasons that Kerr decided to practice mixed martial arts.

MMA & Boxing Author | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. I was once a Judoka, which is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.

www.fightmatrix.com

Legends of the Octagon: Mark Coleman

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Heather

Mark ‘The Hammer’ Coleman is well known as the first UFC heavyweight champion. Prior to his career in the UFC, he was an NCAA wrestling champion at Ohio State. This led him to compete in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics on the U.S. wrestling team, where he placed 7th overall.

In July of 1996, at UFC 10, Mark Coleman became the promotion’s first ever heavyweight champion. With a powerful skillset in wrestling, his opponents typically lost once Coleman got them to the mat and unleashed a fury of strikes or chokehold. Coleman’s fighting style lead him to be known as “The Godfather of Ground and Pound“.

Due to Coleman’s introduction and success of his ground and pound technique, many subsequent fighters have incorporated the technique in their style. Though he is now enjoying his retirement, Mark Coleman was once known as a force to be reckoned with inside the Octagon. He is also known as a mentor to many fighters who came later.

At his gym, Team Hammer House, Mark Coleman trained with standout mixed martial artists such as Phil Baroni and Kevin Randleman. Through coaching and mentorship, he has helped up-and-coming fighters, while solidifying his legacy as a transformative figure in the sport.

MMA & Boxing Author | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. I was once a Judoka, which is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.

www.fightmatrix.com

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk fight: Who’s the Best Fighter?

Posted on May 17, 2024 by A. J. Riot

You might just be wondering what the fuss about Fury vs Usyk’s fight is. The matchup to this fight has been nothing short of massive. News outlets and social media platforms have hyped up the importance of this heavyweight championship in the history of the sport. Well, no one really doubts the significance of this fight in the history of boxing, especially in the four-belt era.

Legends of the Octagon: Tim Sylvia

Posted on May 15, 2024 by Heather

Former two-time UFC Heavyweight champion, Tim ‘The Mainiac’ Sylvia was one of the original big men of the Octagon. At 6’8″ in height he was one of the tallest individuals to compete in the UFC at the time. Prior to entering the Octagon, Tim Sylvia won several local tournaments in Iowa, defeating multiple opponents on the same night on two occasions.

Sylvia came into the UFC with an undefeated record. Additionally, he won his first UFC fight with Wesley ‘Cabbage’ Correira due to Technical Knockout (TKO) when Cabbage’s corner threw in a towel, which happens to be quite an infrequent situation. Only on three other occasions has a UFC fight been stopped due to a corner throwing in a towel mid-round.

MMA & Boxing Author | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. I was once a Judoka, which is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.

www.fightmatrix.com

Can McGregor Reclaim His Throne at the UFC 303? Examining the Odds for His Upcoming Bout

Posted on April 23, 2024 by A. J. Riot

Following the historic UFC 300, the former dual-weight champion was confirmed to return to the Octagon at UFC 303 on the 29th of June. The shaggy fight will make the octagon a lot more chaotic. Michael Chandler, a hard-hitting powerhouse, is the opponent. The American, who has previously won a number of Bellator titles, is poised for his relentless attack and knockout power.

In addition to the tremendous excitement in the UFC community, the contrasting fighting type of this opponent assures a game well deserving anticipation. This article details everything you need to know about the battle and also provides my selection of the bout.

Most Educated UFC / MMA Fighters

Posted on April 18, 2024 by A. J. Riot

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), primarily the UFC, is littered with well-educated people. It’s common for people to think that the UFC is just a lot of people with more muscles than brains, but these fighters break the stereotypical mold.

Wanting to finish a degree is a common thing for many people. You could pay people to do your homework, and getting HW for money may be used as an easy way to land a degree. I’d hire someone to do my homework if I could spend more time training. It’s not wrong to pay someone to do my homework if I’m too busy preparing for a fight.

These MMA fighters demonstrate that having a degree as a fallback position is an excellent choice for an athlete. Being a competitor means learning more about the world around you. According to Angelina Grin, a writer and editor at Studybay, certain fighters’ academic backgrounds have likely played a significant role in defining their strategic approach to combat, allowing them to predict and neutralize their opponents’ moves with pinpoint accuracy.

These fighters are well-trained athletes, but they never neglect their mental abilities in favor of it. Let’s look at some of the most educated UFC/MMA fighters.

Patricky Pitbull Eyes Featherweight Switch Following 2024 PFL Season

Posted on April 11, 2024 by A. J. Riot

Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull dropped a bombshell on MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca podcast recently, hinting at a potential featherweight run in 2025. The move would require a significant weight cut to 145 pounds, marking a new chapter in Pitbull’s storied career.

“My brother and a few training partners are insisting that I move down to 145,” the Brazilian said. “Who knows, maybe after this season I’ll fight on the 145 season. I think there’s a good possibility I’ll put on good performances and win fights at 145.”

Despite no prior experience at featherweight (145 lbs), Patricky draws confidence from his successful lightweight run in Bellator since 2011. His current nutritionist, the same one who helped his brother Patricio make the cut to bantamweight (135 lbs), fuels his belief in a smooth transition.

“I just need to get used to training lighter and faster,” Pitbull continued. “I would need to adapt before the season starts, and not just cut weight for the season. My body reacts well to diets and I lose weight pretty easily.”