What’s next for Cody Durden after his intense week inside and outside the cage?
Cody Durden is a UFC flyweight fighter who has also become quite popular for his fighting techniques and his controversies. It’s been a week full of action, both inside the cage and out, and Durden has become a name on everyone’s lips in the MMA community. While he has continued to prove himself as a fierce competitor in the flyweight division, his most recent fight, coupled with personal challenges and public scrutiny, has left fans and analysts wondering: what’s next for Cody Durden? In this article we discuss Durden’s last fight, the scandals he faced, and what is ahead for him in the UFC. Cody Durden: A Fighter with a Divisive Public Image Cody Durden is one of the most inspiring MMA fighters who has worked hard to get to the top. Durden was born in Georgia and he has always been inspired to wrestle and using this foundation he was able to create his own market in wrestling. His wrestling-oriented style has indeed been his main staple, which carried him through the local and regional shows to the UFC. Since his entry into UFC, Durden has been one of those fighters who have been polarizing at best. On one hand, his grinding style, which involves constant pressure and a slow pace, has endeared him to the fans due to his hard working nature. On the other hand, he is not afraid to speak his mind and has been caught in some controversies several times. Whether people love him or hate him, one thing is clear: Cody Durden understands how to stay relevant in a conversation. The Fight: Durden’s Latest UFC Performance Durden’s last fight was at the most appropriate time in his career as he was rising to the big leagues. Durden was coming into the octagon with a 4-2-1 record in the UFC and had just won his last fight to try to gain momentum and get into the top tier of the flyweight division. In his way was a tough and skilled fighter who excelled in both striking and grappling and thus the fight was going to be a real challenge for Durden. The fight was a quintessential Durden fight. As soon as the bell went, Durden went for takedowns, trying to assert his dominance on the wrestling aspect of the fight. His opponent was ready for this, parrying the first attempts and responding with clean counters, probing Durden’s jaw. The first round therefore was characterized by both fighters exchanging positions and blows but this was an advantage to Durden as he continued to apply pressure as the fight went on. In the second and third round the pressure that Durden put to his opponent increase significantly. His conditioning, characteristic of his style, enabled him to transition to looking for takedowns while maintaining top control. Although he could not manage to get the finish, Durden had control of the fight for large spans, earning him the unanimous decision win. It was an ugly fight, but that is the type of win that establishes him as a contender in the flyweight division. Still, doubts remain as to whether Durden’s one-dimensional approach to the fight will be enough to propel him up the ladder of the division. His wrestling is top notch but in the ever growing field of MMA, one has to be versatile in order to challenge for titles. Durden’s striking still has potential for growth and if he wants to have a title shot, he needs to round out his skill set. The Controversy: Controversial Statements and Reactions This week was rather dramatic not only in the cage but also in Cody Durden’s life outside the cage. Before the fight, Durden found himself in one controversy after another that only intensified the already growing hatred towards him. The UFC has always had fighters that like to court controversy and Durden is no exception. The first hint at trouble was when Durden spoke to a television camera during a pre-fight interview. In attacking his opponent, he said things that were seen by many as insulting to his opponent’s ethnic background and ancestry. The MMA community that has grown to be more sensitive to social issues within the recent past was quick to react, with fans and fighters alike taking Durden to the cleaners over his choice of words. Twitter, a platform that hosts such kinds of disagreements, erupted with anger, and Durden was in the middle of controversy. Durden responded to the criticism in typical fashion: unapologetic and defiant. Later in the subsequent interviews, he said that his words were twisted and that he did not mean to disrespect anybody. However, instead of trying to correct his statements, Durden went further in his conviction that the world of MMA should not restrict the fighters’ freedom of speech and they should be free to express their opinions without getting banned for it. After the fight Durden was quoted as saying, “I am not here to be a people’s champion.” “I’m here to fight. If people don’t like what I have to say that is on them, but I am going to continue being myself. While some of the fans enjoyed his provocative attitude and some of the things that he has said, others found that Durden has gone too far, pointing out that the UFC and MMA in general should be fighting for equality and mutual respect among fighters from different ethnic backgrounds. The Weigh-Ins: Drama and Intensity The issue did not end with the words Durden said before the fight. There is no better example of this than in the ceremonial weigh-ins when Durden was as boiling mad at his opponent. Before the two fighters could pose for the photographers, the exchange of words came to near fisticuffs. The UFC security had to calm the two fighters and ensure that they do not exchange blows, which only served to escalate the event even further. It is not strange to find fights at weigh-ins especially in the
Burns vs. Brady: Did UFC Vegas 97 shake up the welterweight rankings?
The welterweight category in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has always been one of the most exciting and closely contested categories in MMA. Since GSP, whom many consider to be one of the best ever in the division, to Kamaru Usman and the new crop of talent, the 170-pound division has been delivering great fights. This event, UFC Vegas 97, that took place on September 14, 2024, was not an exception and offered fans an interesting match between the best welterweight contenders Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady. The two fighters went into the octagon with a lot to lose and gain in the fight. For Burns, it was an opportunity to come back into the division’s upper echelon after a defeat he suffered earlier in the year. For Brady, it was a chance to climb into the top five of the welterweight division and maybe even get a shot at a championship bout. The bout that was as expected proved to be significant in the UFC welterweight division. In this article, the author looks at the fight between Burns and Brady, the relevance of this fight to the welterweight rankings, the division’s title picture, and what is in store for Burns and Brady. Also, we will discuss the overall view of the welterweight division and the possible fights that can be arranged in the near future. Has UFC Vegas 97 upset the welterweight rankings? Let’s explore. The Fighters: Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady Gilbert Burns: The Veteran Warrior Gilbert “Durinho” Burns is one of the longest tenured fighters in the UFC’s welterweight division. Burns is an experienced fighter with a very high work rate, a large variety of skills, and a desire to face the toughest opponents. Although he started his professional career as a lightweight, his ascension to the welterweight category was the point of no return, which saw him become a real contender for the titles. Burns has a good background in BJJ, having won several BJJ world championships before turning full-time MMA fighter. In his career, Burns has proved that he is not only a wrestler but much more than that. Before joining Sanford MMA (now Kill Cliff FC) to be trained by Henri Hooft, he had great striking but had become even more lethal on the ground. As a result of his striking and grappling skills, Burns is a dangerous man for anyone at 170 pounds. Burns got his first title shot at UFC 258 in 2021 after building a good winning streak that included knockouts over former champion Tyron Woodley, submission artist Demian Maia, and the elusive Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. However, his title challenge bout against Kamaru Usman ended in a third-round TKO loss. Nevertheless, Burns retained his position as one of the top five contenders and kept on pursuing the second opportunity. When UFC Vegas 97 came, Burns ranked #5 in the welterweight division list. Burns arrived at the fight on the back of a decision loss to Belal Muhammad earlier in 2024 and was looking to bounce back. His game against Brady was a turning point in his career—aanother defeat would take him even further away from a title shot, while a victory would bring him right back into the mix. Sean Brady: The Rising Phenom Sean Brady was one of the most promising prospects in the welterweight division in UFC Vegas 97. Brady entered the octagon with an undefeated record in his first 15 professional fights coming from Philadelphia. He has very good grappling, a high work rate, and steadily evolving stand-up game. Brady was able to keep the game most of the time focused on wrestling; his submission skills made his game hard to read for the opponent. He made his way through the UFC division rather quickly. Brady started to put together victories against some prominent opponents within the division, such as Court McGee, Jake Matthews, and former lightweight title contender Michael Chiesa. Nevertheless, his ascend to the top was stopped in 2022 when he suffered his first loss to Belal Muhammad, a fighter who has been around for quite some time and is famous for his pressure and late finisher. After the loss, Brady came back strongly with a victory over Neil Magny and entry into the #7 ranked welterweight division in UFC Vegas 97. A win over Burns would place him in the top five and would put him in the running for the title eliminator fight. For Brady, the stakes were high: this was his opportunity to make it into the upper crust of the division. The Fight: Burns vs. Brady The bout between Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady was one of the most intriguing at UFC Vegas 97. It was interesting to see the style difference between the two fighters as fans and analysts watched. Burns’ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and dangerous striking would meet Brady’s wrestling and relentless top game. The bout itself was as expected, evenly matched, and only the climax was typical of each fighter, but it was Burns who had the better of it in the last push. Round 1: A Strategic Battle The first round started with both fighters taking their time in the ring. Burns started the fight in the center of the octagon and used his footwork and leg kicks to control the fight. Brady, whose strength has been his submission fighting, shocked some pundits by not shying away from the stand-up fight. He did connect with his left jab, which he scored in the first round and which threw off Burns’ timing. But Burns did not lose his temper and remained quite composed. He was able to land several big leg kicks that seemed to have an impact on Brady’s mobility. Every time Brady attempted to move in and put his punches to work, Burns would counter with a quick punch or a hook, keeping his man at a safe range. During the round, Burns was able to find the range with his overhand right, with increasing frequency. He
Sean Brady’s fearless call-out of Colby Covington: Will ‘Chaos’ respond?
In the high voltage and competitive world of mixed martial arts (MMA) where action, performance, theatrics and bluster all intersect, call-outs are the fuse that lights the fire for bouts. Interviews, social media, and post-fight statements are some of the ways that fighters challenge their next opponents and the rivalry that ensues may heat up to produce a confrontation. In the past few weeks, a fast-rising UFC welterweight contender named Sean Brady took to social media to challenge one of the most polarizing and talented fighters in the promotion’s history, Colby Covington. The big question looming over the MMA world now is: Will Covington answer the call and if he does will this lead to one of the most exciting bouts in the welterweight division? Who is Sean Brady? The Emergence of a New Power In order to appreciate the importance of this call-out, one has to understand who Sean Brady is and why his challenge to Covington is creating such a buzz. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Brady has made his mark as a contender in the welterweight category and is known for his durability and the ability to switch between offense and defense. His current record is 15-1 in his last fight and this shows how good he is and can be in the octagon. Standing at 5 ’10”, and with a stocky muscular build, Brady is a grappler who likes to pressure his opponents and has great stamina, which makes him a very tough opponent for anyone at 170 pounds. Brady has been on the rise and has become one of the most successful quarterbacks in the NFL. The 30-year-old is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and has proved his worth on the ground in the majority of the fights he has had in his career. In his bout with Michael Chiesa, another wrestler, Brady proved his grappling credentials with a unanimous decision win even though Chiesa tried to make a late comeback. This fight was important for Brady as it showed that he can fight and defeat some of the best fighters in the UFC. Despite the fact that his grappling is probably his biggest strength, Brady is not a bad striker either. His striking has been improving and he has proved that he is capable of standing up to the best in the division whether it is on the ground or on the feet. Another great example of the versatility of Brady was the way he defeated Jake Matthews with his striking, which led to takedowns and controlling the position of Matthews for the entire fight. In every fight that passes, Brady has been improving as a fighter and with the rate at which he is improving, he is expected to become a title contender in the coming years. But the one thing that has been absent from Brady’s resume is a win over one of the division’s best fighters. He has defeated seasoned campaigners and up and coming fighters but now he has his sights on one of the division’s top contenders in Colby Covington. Colby Covington, Chaos in and Out of the Octagon: Opposite this potential bout is Colby “Chaos” Covington. Whether fans are fans of Covington or not, he is easily one of the most polarizing fighters in the entire UFC today. Covington’s flamboyance, which includes trash talking, political statements and aggressive behavior has made him a favorite among many and a villain among others. However, the persona that is presented to the public is a fighter who has earned his right to be considered as one of the top welterweight fighters in the division. Covington was able to quickly climb the ranks in the UFC and this was not only due to his skill but also his promotion. After winning fights against top-shelf competition, Covington continued to ramp up the antics of his trash-talking. His conflict with former team-mate Jorge Masvidal, his bitter rivalry with Kamaru Usman and his support for the former President of the United States of America, Donald Trump have also contributed to the persona. This larger than life character has helped Covington become the star that he is and has brought attention to the city of Milwaukee but it has also tended to distract from the fact that he is a very capable fighter. Covington’s game plan is simple, put pressure on his opponents, keep the pace high and use his wrestling to control the fight. A former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, Covington’s wrestling is as good as it gets and he likes to wear his opponents down. He is a wrestler who also has a high volume striking and does not necessarily rely on knockout power. In the fights against Usman, Covington demonstrated a great chin and heart, going to the score with one of the best fighters in the world. Although he failed in his bid to win the undisputed title in both tries, the performances against Usman got him a lot of recognition as one of the best in the division. Covington’s wins against the likes of former champion Tyron Woodley, Robbie Lawler and Rafael dos Anjos have only added to his growing reputation as one of the division’s next in line. His relentless pressure and tenacity in the octagon coupled with his desire to play the role of the bad guy has made him an interesting character in the UFC. The Call-Out: Brady Vs Covington Welcome Sean Brady, the man who is as tough as they come but does not say much, and is ready to take on the challenge of a lifetime. Brady in his interviews and social media platform has expressed his desire to face Covington. He has been very vocal about his criticism towards Covington for what he believes is the latter’s lack of willingness to face potential opponents and just waiting around for title shots without working for it. Brady has taken time to criticize Covington for what he termed as ‘cherry picking’ opponents that do not pose
The emotional story behind Cody Durden’s tumultuous week before UFC Vegas 97
In the highly intense and unforgiving environment of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), the fighter is supposed to have only one thing on his mind, the fight and the process of getting ready for it. Unfortunately, life is not a movie and it doesn’t always go according to the plan. UFC flyweight contender Cody Durden was not in the normal training regimen in the week leading to UFC Vegas 97. Instead of focusing on honing his skills, losing some weight and getting ready for one of the biggest fights in his career, Durden was confronted with a hurricane of personal issues that would challenge him much more than any opponent in the cage. Durden had a week of emotional turmoil in which he faced numerous personal challenges that almost led to him losing focus and direction in the career path. All these challenges not only affected his body but his mind and spirit as well. As we look more into the build-up to UFC Vegas 97, we get to learn about Durden’s week, the emotional stress that he went through, and how he was able to channel this into one of the most important fights of his life. Cody Durden: A Fighter with Deep Roots To set the stage for the insanity that surrounded the days leading up to UFC Vegas 97, it is first necessary to know who Cody Durden is as a fighter and as a person. A talented high school wrestler, Durden was an All-American wrestler and brought his competitive attitude into the world of mixed martial arts where he had aspirations of success and strong wrestling base. Durden was able to gain recognition on the regional level of the MMA competition and started to build up victories due to his tough and active fighting style. He is a very active and aggressive fighter and that is why the UFC officials noticed him and in 2020 he joined the organization. Known for his wrestling prowess and dogged work ethic, Durden entered the UFC flyweight division with a clear goal: to rise up the ladder and get famous in the world of the sport. Outside the cage, Durden is a man who has a family to support, he is married to Caroline and they have two children with another on the way. He has always had a passion for his family and that has led him to work hard in order to get a better paying job in order to support his family. But this emotional bond with his family would become a big burden on him as he approached UFC Vegas 97. Fight Camp and Preparation: A Fighter’s Routine Like any other professional mixed martial artist, Cody Durden arrived in fight camp for UFC Vegas 97 with a clear mind. His rival was strong and Durden understood that a win in this battle would bring him closer to the top of UFC flyweight division. His training camp was very tough, he did a lot of cardio, strength training, and sparring and of course a lot of drilling of moves. His coaches devised Durden’s training regime in the most detailed manner possible so that he could be in his best shape. However, every fight camp has its share of difficulties. Durden, like many fighters, had to deal with the wear and tear of injuries, training, and the mental aspect of being a fighter and a husband and a father. Nevertheless, as the fight week neared, Durden was sure that he had done all the work which was required to prepare for the biggest fight in his career. What Durden failed to foresee was that a string of events which he could not control would befall him in the near future. A Family Crisis: The First Day of a Long and Troublesome Week In the period before UFC Vegas 97, Durden faced a family crisis that almost derailed his preparations. His wife Caroline who was three months pregnant with their third child was admitted in the hospital due to some complications arising from the pregnancy. This news came as a blow to Durden, it hit him as hard as a sledgehammer. This had been a week of anticipation and preparation for the fight of a lifetime and now the fighter found himself in a world of fear and doubt. For Durden, the life of his wife and unborn child was more important than the fight that he had at the moment. The emotional weight of the situation was crushing, and Durden found himself torn between two equally important responsibilities: his family and his boxing career. He was thinking of many things–Should he withdraw from the fight so that he can be with his wife? Could he train his mind and body for the battle while at the same time come to terms with the fact that his family was in trouble? These are not questions that any fighter would want to answer, let alone when there is so much at stake. It would be a career disadvantage for a UFC fighter to pull out from a fight especially when it is still scheduled within the coming days; both in his career progress and earnings. However, Durden’s main concern was the well being of his wife and the unborn child that she was carrying. A Difficult Decision: The Decision to Engage However, Durden had to go through a lot of personal issues but he still decided to remain on the UFC Vegas 97 fight card. However, this was not a decision that was taken by him without much thinking. Durden kept on talking to his family and the doctors who were attending to his wife on a daily basis. Caroline herself had her own problems but she motivated Durden to keep on fighting. She understood how much this was a big deal for him and was sure that he could do it despite the turbulence they had going on in their relationship. What made Durden decide to fight was not
The untold stories of fighters who earned millions: From sponsorships to superfights.
MMA as a sport has evolved from a combat sport that was only practiced by a few to become one of the most popular sports across the globe with fighters earning huge amounts of money. While the fighters in the sport have been changing at a fast pace, the financial aspect of the sport has also been volatile. In the early days of the UFC, fighters were paid little and had to make a living out of their fighting, but as the UFC evolved, only a chosen few get to earn millions. It is not only the earnings in the cage but the earnings from the sponsorships, endorsements, superfights and the smart investments made by the fighters. While most people know superstars such as Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey who earned their millions in the cage, there are many other fighters who have amassed millions behind the scenes. In this article, we will be looking at how fighters, both famous and less famous, have been able to earn their money in an industry that is well known for not paying its lower ranked fighters much. From intelligent investments, sponsorships, and right fight decisions, here is how some fighters made the best out of the violent world of MMA and turned it into a lifelong source of income. 1. A History of Fighter Pay in MMA To understand how fighters have been able to earn millions, one has to first get a grasp of the history of fighter pay in MMA especially within the UFC. In the first years, fighters fought for the sake of the victory, honor and, most often, for the money which was often not enough to pay for training. In the early years of the UFC in the 1990s, the fighters’ earnings were not very good. As recently as the mid-2000s, purses for middle-of-the-pack fighters were not bad, with some fighters making $5,000 just to step into the cage and another $5,000 for a victory. Nevertheless, as MMA and the UFC in particular started to receive recognition with events such as the highly-anticipated UFC 100 and the appearance of popular fighters like Georges St-Pierre and Brock Lesnar, revenues started to increase. The biggest step was the signing of the contract with Fox Sports in 2011. The fighters started to negotiate for better wages especially when they are to face big opponents and the sport started to generate more revenue. Some fighters capitalized on this and were able to translate their victories in the cage to the bank and wealth that runs into seven and even eight figures. 2. Conor McGregor: An example of self-advocacy and sponsorships It is hard to discuss fighters who have made millions and not mention Conor McGregor. He is arguably the most popular fighter to grace the octagon and he is also the richest. It is for this reason that McGregor’s story is different from the rest; not because of his rapid ascent to the top of the UFC but because of his entrepreneurial spirit and personal branding. McGregor was not unknown to the Octagon before 2013, he was the two-time champion in the Cage Warriors organization. But his move to the UFC came with a lot of self- promotion that had not been seen before. McGregor employed the use of social media, press conferences, and his loud mouth to create a legion of fans who would follow him anywhere. Thus, he would mention his future rivals and promise to knock them out, and that made him a must-see fighter, which, in turn, resulted in increased earnings. However, what really put McGregor into a different financial league was the fact that he was able to monetize on sponsorships and endorsements. He entered into partnership with Reebok, Monster Energy, and Beats by Dre among others. However, the biggest turning point in McGregor’s career was his fight with Floyd Mayweather in 2017. The fight was dubbed as “The Money Fight” and McGregor got $100 million from the boxing match alone, including his fight check, percentage from the pay-per-view sales, and endorsements related to the fight. McGregor has also been successful in turning his fighting career into a business one is also another interesting aspect. He also ventured into the business world and introduced his whiskey brand known as Proper No. Twelve which has brought him so much profit in sales to an extent of selling a part of it at $600 million. This deal rendered McGregor as one of the richest athletes in the world. 3. Georges St-Pierre: The Professional and the Intelligent Investor Georges St-Pierre also known as GSP is one of the greatest mixed martial arts fighters of all time. His reign in the welterweight division, together with his polite and professional attitude, made him a fan and marketer’s choice. GSP never came close to McGregor’s fight earnings in terms of money but he was able to accumulate millions of dollars through investments, sponsorships and the right fights to take. Over the years, GSP has been one of the first fighters to get sponsorship from companies outside the UFC’s partners. He got sponsorship from Under Armour, Gatorade and even NOS Energy Drink which are companies that helped him make some money from his fights. When GSP was at the pinnacle of his career, he was getting several million dollars for each fight and this was because he was able to sell pay per view in Canada where he is a national icon. Unlike other fighters who spend their money in the wrong way, GSP was very responsible on his finances. He often mentioned how he had to save and invest his fight purses because he knew that a person’s fighting career is limited. He was also careful with the products he endorsed because he only endorsed products that are relevant to his personal and career values. This strategic planning made him quit work with good health and enough money to cater for his needs for the rest of his life. 4. Ronda
Sean Brady’s rise: Why he believes Colby Covington is his easiest matchup yet.
MMA is a dynamic environment where new talents are always coming up to disrupt the order of the champions and the contenders. New entrants in the UFC welterweight division include Sean Brady, who has not lost a fight in his career and is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and known for being one of the most dangerous grapplers in the division. As his star continues to rise, Brady has made a bold claim: Colby Covington, a former interim welterweight champion and one of the most controversial fighters in MMA, would be his easiest fight. This is quite shocking to many, especially given that Covington is a black belt in wrestling, has great cardio and has faced some of the best fighters in the division, including Kamaru Usman, Jorge Masvidal and Robbie Lawler. But Brady, who is quite sure of his abilities, thinks that Covington’s style is perfect for him. In this article we are going to discuss how Sean Brady has risen to the top of the welterweight division and what makes him special and why he believes that Colby Covington is the perfect fighter for him. Sean Brady’s Journey: The Star on the Rise Sean Brady was born and raised in Philadelphia Pennsylvania and has always been an athletic person who engaged in combat sports since his childhood. Like many other fighters, Brady began with the common forms of martial arts such as boxing or karate; however, this was not the case. He got hooked on Brazilian jiu-jitsu in his teenage years and the experience in grappling arts paved the way for his MMA career. Brady made a name for himself in the Midwest grappling scene and was recognized and received his black belts from coaches such as Daniel Gracie, member of the Gracie family who introduced Brazilian jiu-jitsu in America. His wrestling has always been one of the key aspects of his MMA game and he shows it by being able to control his opponents, keep them down and even threaten them with submissions from various positions. After going through his career without a single loss in the regional MMA competition, Brady joined the UFC in 2019 and has been on the rise ever since. His BJJ from the gracie humaita, his wrestling and his increasing stand up makes him one of the most versatile fighters in the welterweight division. In his UFC career, Brady has faced a number of strong opponents such as Jake Matthews, Court McGee and Michael Chiesa where he has demonstrated his excellent grappling skills and his ability to survive a fight. The Basics of Sean Brady’s Skill Set First, let’s look at the aspects of Brady’s game that make him a tough matchup for Covington and why he thinks the American is his easiest foe. 1. Grappling Mastery Brady’s wrestling is his biggest asset and it is the key to his confidence against someone like Covington who is also a wrestler. While many strikers or even wrestlers can have problems with dealing with Covington’s pressure and his wrestling, Brady is not bothered by that at all. That Brazilian jiu-jitsu background also means he’s not just trying to block takedowns, he’s trying to create and capitalize on positions, and if need be, finish opponents from his back. This is where Brady is different from most grapplers in MMA because he is able to link his offense and defense grappling nicely. He has demonstrated that he can go from submission to sweeps, control his opponents on top, and not get hit while keeping his opponents busy. In the fight against Michael Chiesa, who is also a very skilled grappler, Brady was able to shut down Chiesa’s takedown and submission game and keep him on the back foot the whole time. Such an approach is especially risky against opponents like Covington, who mainly focuses on wrestling and controlling the fight on the ground. Covington’s speed and cardio are known to be on another level, but Brady is technically sound on the ground, and that could be a problem. In the clinch, where the fight is mostly about who can out-throw who, technicality wins over athleticism, and Brady feels that he is technically better. 2. Tactical Wrestling Brady is mostly famous for his jiu-jitsu but his wrestling has also become quite good thus making him a very dangerous fighter in the ground game. That is why he is so sure that he will be able to handle Covington: he is not just a jiu-jitsu guy, he can also wrestle. Wrestling is usually the key to victory in any MMA bout and Brady’s takedown defence, scrambles, and his own takedowns are difficult to deal with. While many fighters can be easily taken down and outwrestled by Covington, Brady is not a fighter that can be easily taken down and controlled on the mat, and he is not afraid to use his own wrestling to either keep the fight on the feet or take it to the ground. This is especially true against someone like Covington who wants to keep the fight standing and is always looking to take his opponents down. This means that Brady who is a wrestler is not only trying to avoid takedowns but also trying to counter attack with his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Covington’s pressure wrestling may present Brady with targets to strike and submit or reverse, and this is where Brady thinks he has the edge. 3. Cardio and Conditioning The biggest issue in any fight with Colby Covington is cardio. Covington is famous for his gas tank, he always tries to out work his opponents and keep the pace of the fight for five rounds. But, Brady is not a weak link when it comes to fitness. An athlete of Philadelphia based team with Daniel Gracie and his team, Brady is known for his commitment towards strength and conditioning. Brady also acknowledges the fact that Covington has one of the best cardio in the division but he is certain that
Walter’s legendary submissions: A look back at his most technical finishes.
MMA and BJJ have produced many great grapplers in its history and they are still competing today. One of them is Walter, who is well known for his technical skills and submission skills. Walter is one of the most skilled fighters in the history of mixed martial arts and submission grappling with a phenomenal record of taking out opponents on the ground. While many fighters get the spotlight from their knockouts or their ground and pound, Walter has always been the opposite, the thinking man’s fighter, the planner, the strategist. His ability to create space, especially in the tiniest of gaps and then submitting his opponents with the finesse of a surgeon has earned him his place in the MMA Hall of Fame. Walter has been known to have a very unique way of using technique, leverage, and timing to get submissions that are phenomenal to watch and submissions that make the opponent tap out. In this article, we look at the most technical finishes of Walter in detail. It also demonstrates his skills in grappling and also the development of submission moves in MMA and BJJ. Whether it is an arm bar or choke, a leg lock or a unique position, Walter’s submission wins are a great example of the art of grappling. 1. The Triangle Choke Against Anderson Silva aka “The Spider” One of the most famous fights of Walter was against Anderson Silva, a man with great striking skills and black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Silva was always considered as a hard nut to crack when it came to submission, mainly because of his long limbs and his ability to defend himself. But Walter’s analytical mind was on display in this match when it came to grappling. It started with Silva keeping Walter at the distance with the use of his jab and low kicks. Although Silva was the much more effective striker of the two men, Walter continued to look for a way to take the fight to the mat. At the middle of the second round, Walter was able to perform a single leg takedown on Silva and brought him to the ground into his guard. At this point, the real creativity of Walter’s grappling was revealed. When Silva moved to strike and knock Walter out, Walter changed the position by moving his hips and securing his legs around Silva’s neck and applying a very tight triangle choke. Silva knew that he was in a spot of trouble and tried to defend himself by posturing up and trying to control Walter but the experienced grappler simply made the hold tighter and also changed the angle so that the carotid arteries of Silva were cut off. However, Silva tried his best and could not get out of the submission and within seconds he had no choice but to tap. This triangle choke was a classic example of Walter’s ability to finish off an opponent when they made a mistake. He was perfect in his movements and applied perfect biomechanics to control the head and arm and then submit one of the greatest triangle choke in the history of mixed martial arts. 2. The Guillotine Choke: A Case Study of Carlos “The Pitbull” Rodriguez. Another beauty from Walter’s submission library was seen in his clash with Carlos “The Pitbull” Rodriguez, a grappler with most of his game built around his wrestling. Rodriguez’s game plan was clear from the outset: use his wrestling to dominate Walter on the ground and not allow himself to be taken down by submissions. But it was Rodriguez’s own aggression which led to his downfall in the hands of Walter. It was a typical stand up battle against the ground specialist as Rodriguez was always on the lookout for the takedown of Walter. In the second round, Rodriguez went for a double-leg takedown in order to take Walter down and control him on the ground. But Walter, who was always prepared, was ready. Rodriguez then moved forward and attempted the takedown and Walter was able to sprawl and shut the shot down. Walter quickly grabbed Rodriguez into a front headlock, wrapping his arm around the neck of Rodriguez. Walter moved quickly and slipped into a guillotine choke and used the other hand to finish the choke. He then pulled guard and took Rodriguez with him and increased the pressure on the choke. Rodriguez, who is a strong man and has good takedown defense against submission, attempted to shake off the choke but Walter had already repositioned his body in the right manner. His legs were around Rodriguez’s chest and his arms were tightly around him, there was no way out. Rodriguez, through touching the canvas, agreed that Walter was the better man with the technical guillotine. This finish is considered as one of Walter’s best guillotine chokes not just on the aspect of effectiveness but also on how he was able to make Rodriguez fall into his trap. What made Walter a great fighter was his ability to move from one position to another without any gaps in between and this was evident in this fight. 3. The Armbar Against “Iron” Ivan Petrov Another thing that I like about Walters’ submission game is the fact that he can flow through submissions and transition between them while in a fight. This was most evidently seen in his battle with the strong and very durable Ivan Petrov, the Iron. Petrov was a ground-and-pound fighter with a very aggressive style and his toughness made him a tough nut to crack for any grappler. However, Walter’s jiu-jitsu was a different class and he showed it that night. The fight started with Petrov trying to take control of the fight and landing big punches while searching for the perfect chance to take the opponent down and ground him. Walter, however, remained calm and tried to find a way to avoid Petrov’s aggression. Walter did not have to wait for long before he got Petrov into his trap.
The complex journey of Conor McGregor: What’s next for the Irish superstar?
The man who can be credited for the popularizing of the mixed martial arts (MMA) as a full contact combat sport is none other than Conor McGregor. His loud mouth, stunning knockouts and unapologetic self-marketing made him one of the biggest stars in the world of MMA. McGregor’s career can be described as a meteoric rise that was characterized by many firsts such as being the first ever UFC fighter to simultaneously hold titles in two weight categories. However, as he has moved through his career, it has also been filled with controversy, legal issues, injuries, and unsteadiness in the octagon. At the time of writing this article in 2023, McGregor’s position in the history of the MMA is unarguable, however, his further career prospects are still unclear. What is in the pipeline for the Irish superstar? In order to do that, it’s necessary to look at his story from the time he grew up in Ireland to the present day where he is the king of UFC, the obstacles he has encountered in his fighting career as well as in his personal life and the possible scenarios for the future. The Early Years: Rising like a Meteor. Conor McGregor was born on 14th of July 1988 in Crumlin, Dublin, to a working-class family. Like any other great athlete, he came from a poor background. He was initially apprenticed to a plumber and his passion was always in combat sports. McGregor started off as a boxer before switching to mixed martial arts which was the right place for him. In his early years, McGregor was a man who boasted a lot of confidence and he always delivered inside the cage. Cage Warriors was also a platform where the UFC noticed him in 2013 and he had won both the featherweight and lightweight titles. In the same year, McGregor entered the UFC as he fought Marcus Brimage and won by knockout in the first round. This was the beginning of one of the most powerful and energetic periods in the history of UFC. McGregor’s journey in the UFC was quite spectacular and it is safe to say that he rose through the ranks very quickly. He entertained the fans across the globe with his mouth, attitude and swagger that could not be matched. The 2015 knockout of Jose Aldo, the featherweight champion, in just 13 seconds is one of the most shocking moments in the history of UFC and one of the biggest milestones of the career of McGregor. That win made McGregor the UFC Featherweight Champion and his fame skyrocketed in the following days. In 2016 McGregor created history again when he defeated Eddie Alvarez to become the UFC Lightweight Champion and became the first fighter in the history of UFC to hold two titles at the same time. By that time, McGregor was not only a UFC fighter, but he was a global celebrity, a person who became famous not only for MMA but for everyone in the world. From Dominance to Distraction: Shift in the Focus of McGregor At the same time, McGregor’s fame grew, so did the number of things that could divert his attention. The money, fame, and the lifestyle that came with being a celebrity started to gradually drift McGregor away from the cage. After defeating Alvarez, McGregor chose to step aside from the UFC to focus on other things that he wanted to accomplish. This included his foray into professional boxing where he fought with the then undefeated champion, Floyd Mayweather in 2017. The McGregor vs. The Mayweather fight was a historic event, which was also called “The Money Fight” and it brought millions of dollars into the box office. Despite the fact that McGregor was defeated by Mayweather in the 10th round of the fight, the event generated a huge revenue for him. However, the fight also marked a shift in the career of McGregor in one way or the other. The defeat to Mayweather signified the start of a new and somewhat more problematic chapter in his career, one that saw him make fewer and fewer appearances in the octagon, deliver some rather lacklustre performances, and attract a great deal of off-cage controversy. The Khabib Fight: The Clash of the Titans McGregor came back to UFC in 2018 after being inactive for almost two years and fought Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC Lightweight Championship. The lead up to the fight was one of the most dramatic in the history of the UFC and was characterized by personal animosity, name-calling and the fateful bus incident in which McGregor and his cohorts threw a trolley at a bus carrying Khabib and other fighters. The fight itself was one sided. Khabib controlled McGregor in most of the fight and finished him in the 4th round by forcing him to tap out with a neck crank. Then the two camps engaged in a full on brawl which resulted in fines, suspensions and a bitter rivalry between the two fighters. The defeat to Khabib was a big setback to McGregor in the UFC and it is still fresh in the memory of many fans. This was the first time that he had been so clearly out-classed in a title fight and it also highlighted some of the weaknesses in his grappling. Nonetheless, McGregor’s ability to stay in the limelight after the loss and his words and upcoming fights proved that he is still a big star. It is still one of the most popular PPVs in the history of the UFC, which only serves to show that the public was as much interested in McGregor’s character as in his achievements in the cage. Legal Problems and Other Challenges in Life It is also important to mention that Conor McGregor has faced a lot of legal issues and scandals outside of the fighting ring. McGregor has been involved in many controversies since he entered the limelight and has been charged with assault, accused of sexual misconduct and
Belal Muhammad’s quest for respect: Why he’s tired of being overlooked.
MMA has always been a sport where respect is earned in the process of training and the price one has to pay in the cage. But as we have seen with the likes of Belal Muhammad, even when a fighter is winning the majority of his or her bouts, it doesn’t mean that they will be getting the attention they deserve. Despite the great record, the grit, and the unquestionable work ethic, Muhammad has been rather neglected in the public and promotional discourse about the top fighters of the UFC. Belal Muhammad has always been very open about the problems he encounters and his irritation with the fact that nobody pays attention to him. This article looks at the reasons why Muhammad has not been given his due recognition, how he has fared in the welterweight category and why he feels that the recognition he has been denied for so long is long overdue. The Underdog Journey: Rising Through the Ranks Without Attention Belal Muhammad was born on July 9, 1988, in Chicago, Illinois, to Palestinian parents and thus work ethic was not foreign to him. He started his career in the MMA in 2012 and with time, he has fought and won many fights and has been ranked in the UFC welterweight division. It is important to note that one of the biggest issues that fighters such as Muhammad faces is the ability to get past the wall of public focus. UFC fighters have always been able to gain attention through either their finishing skills or through self promotion. Some of the popular fighters include Conor McGregor, Jorge Masvidal, and Nate Diaz that gained fame not only by their fighting skills but also by their attitude and ability to market themselves. Belal Muhammad, on the other hand, is known to be a ‘grinder’ – a hard-working, humble, and polite fighter and this has not always been a good thing in a combat sport that is ruled by larger-than-life characters. Perhaps, his rather unassuming personality away from the MMA cage has also played a role in this, but the fighting style he adopts has also been an issue. Although Muhammad has been able to create a winning spree, he has always been described as a ‘grinder’ in the ring, a fighter who focuses on wearing down opponents with work rate, pressure and volume rather than flashy knockouts. This is a good strategy though – Muhammad’s cardio and his ability to break down his opponents are arguably the best in the division, but it is not the most glamorous and flashy style that would attract the attention of casual viewers and big promotions. This, coupled with the fact that there are no famous “quotes” from outside the cage, has meant that he has been rather underrated despite the impressive record. Belal Muhammad’s UFC Career: It’s as simple as this: The numbers don’t lie. Belal Muhammad’s UFC journey has been quite remarkable to say the least. Some of the best and the most dangerous welterweight fighters have been defeated by him in the ring. At the time of this writing, which is September of 2023, Muhammad is 23-3-0 (with one no-contest) in his professional MMA career. He made his UFC debut in 2016 and with each fight, he has been getting better and better having defeated the likes of Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Demian Maia and many more. Still, Muhammad has been battling the problem of being outshone by other fighters in the division who may be more commercially viable or more colorful personalities. Some fighters with rather less stable records or even those who have recently been defeated have been given chances which according to Muhammad should have been given to him. For instance, in early 2021, Muhammad had won four fights in a row but was only given a high stakes fight against Leon Edwards, a top contender at the time. However, the fight was stopped in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke on the eye of Muhammad which left him without the much needed victory that would have placed him closer to title shot. In a sport that is all about timing, the above moments have not helped him in any way but to postpone his chance at the title. However, the numbers don’t lie, Muhammad has one of the most active winning streaks in the UFC welterweight division and everyone should know by now that he is a force to reckon with when it comes to fighting top tier opponents in the division. The Leon Edwards Dilemma: When Respect Is Delayed A turning point that can be noted in the career of Belal Muhammad was during the fight against Leon Edwards in March 2021. Edwards was a dangerous striker who was on a great winning streak and was being set up to challenge for the title and this fight was supposed to be one of the stepping stones towards that goal. But the bout was not without controversy as Edwards accidentally poked the eye of his opponent in the second round which resulted to a no-contest. This was not just a night of disappointment to Muhammad, it was a night of lost chance to show that he is an equal to the best of his competitors. After the fight nobody really spoke about a second fight, though Muhammad was quite keen on the idea himself. The UFC then decided to proceed with Edwards and soon Edwards was given his own route towards the title. Edwards would later on reclaim the UFC welterweight title from Kamaru Usman but Muhammad was left hanging, having to fight his way to the top without the assurance of getting a shot at the title. For Muhammad this was just a small example of the bigger picture of his everyday struggles. Although Edwards was able to shrug off the no-contest and continue with his career, Muhammad was again left without a job. Nevertheless, it was as if UFC and its matchmakers
Cain Velasquez’s legal battles: How it affects his MMA career and future.
Cain Velasquez, a man who has dominated the heavyweight division in the UFC has faced a lot of challenges in his life that he never expected. Velasquez was known for his KO power, great cardio, and technical skills and at one point his career seemed to be on the rise and ready to build a Hall of fame career. Nevertheless, his legal problems have become a concern for his MMA career and his life after that. This article seeks to examine the details of Cain Velasquez’s legal problems and how these have affected his career and what may be the implications in the future. First, we will explore the details of his legal issues, second, how these affected his career and third, the overall impact on his life and the MMA world. Cain Velasquez: A Short Background of the Study Let me first briefly explain who Velasquez is because he has an amazing record in the MMA. Cain Velasquez was born on the 28th of July in the year 1982 in Salinas California and has been one of the most promising fighters in the MMA. Velasquez was a highly accomplished wrestler in the college circuit and transferred that dominance into the UFC as a heavyweight contender. Velasquez’s UFC career highlights include:Velasquez’s UFC career highlights include: UFC Heavyweight Champion: Velasquez captured the UFC Heavyweight Championship on October 23, 2010, after defeating Brock Lesnar in UFC 121. This is because he was working at his best speed and using all his technicality to defeat the then champion. Dominant Title Reign: Velasquez won the match against Junior dos Santos in UFC 155 on December 29, 2012 and again in the rematch at UFC 166 on October 19, 2013. He was the king of the division and this was evident from his great physical fitness and versatility. Comeback Attempts: Velasquez suffered a series of injuries and took a break from the sport for some time and returned to the octagon in February 2019 against Francis Ngannou at UFC on ESPN 1. Even though he was defeated in that fight, the fact that he was once a champion did not change. However, Velasquez’ life became a subject to numerous controversies and legal issues which seems to have defined his legacy more than his fighting career. The Legal Issues Unfold: The Arrest. Cain Velasquez was arrested in February 2022 and was charged with several crimes including attempted murder. The charges were as a result of a quarrel with an individual he suspected to have injured a family member. Velasquez was said to have chased the alleged perpetrator and shot at him which led to the shooting of an innocent person. The details of the case, as reported, are as follows: The Incident: Velasquez first got into trouble with the law after a shooting incident on the 28th of February in 2022. It was reported that Velasquez had a altercation with Harry Goularte who was alleged to have molested a member of Velasquez family. Velasquez is said to have chased Goularte and shot at his car several times. Goularte was not injured in the process and the unfortunate part of the incident was that an innocent person was wounded. Charges and Legal Proceedings: Velasquez was indicted for attempted murder, several counts of assault with a deadly weapon and other charges. The case has been lengthy and the media has covered it extensively and Velasquez’s defense has claimed that he had acted in a way to protect his family. Public Reaction: The case received much attention from the media and many people especially felt for Velasquez especially in light of the alleged crime being committed against a family member. However, the legal system has had to remain unbiased in the case and has had to concentrate on the actual charges brought as well as the evidence that has been produced. Effects of Velasquez’s MMA Career The legal struggles have been significant to Cain Velasquez’s MMA career. The consequences of the charges have affected his chance of being able to keep on competing as a professional fighter and his reputation in the sport. Here’s how his career has been affected: Suspension and Inactivity: Velasquez was subsequently arrested and suspended by the UFC while he came under much flak from the MMA fraternity. His career which had been marred by injuries and a break was not helped by the legal issues that he faced. The suspension and later legal problems did not let him get back into the Octagon and try to revive the career. Loss of Sponsorship and Support: Velasquez has faced legal issues that have resulted in the loss of sponsorships and financial support. The major sponsors and brands that used to be associated with the former champion have avoided the association due to the negativity that is surrounding the case. This loss of support has had some financial implications on Velasquez and has in some way impacted his career. Reputation and Legacy: The accusations and legal issues have, however, somehow affected the image of Velasquez within the MMA fraternity. Despite the fact he is still a fighter who has done a lot for the sport, the legal problems only shadow his reputation. The emphasis has been made on his sports achievements but now it is on his legal issues and their consequences. The Broader Impact: The Impact on the Personal and Professional Life Cain Velasquez’s legal issues do not only end with the consequences that directly affects his career in MMA. The broader impact includes personal challenges and societal reactions, which have influenced his life in various ways: Personal Struggles: It is quite evident that the stress and the emotional energy that was put into the legal processes have not been easy on Velasquez’s private life. Legal problems can be very stressful for a person, and they affect one’s psychological state, close relationships, and quality of life. Velasquez, in particular, has experienced considerable stress from the situation, which is further exacerbated by the fact that the