McGregor now a licensed California boxer

The first fighter to simultaneously hold two championships in the UFC, Irishman Conor McGregor, is now a licensed boxer in the state of California as well.

McGregor, who made history by winning the UFC lightweight belt to add to his featherweight title, has been given a license by the California State Athletic Commission, according to MMA Fighting.

This comes after the UFC stripped McGregor of his featherweight belt and named his Brazilian rival, Jose Aldo, the new champion.

"He's qualified," CSAC executive officer Andy Foster said in the MMA Fighting report. "I'd love to see him fight in California."

"It just needs to be the right opponent," Foster added. "Certainly a high-level opponent. We're happy to license him. We're happy he's a California fighter."

McGregor has been repeatedly linked to a "mega-fight" against unbeaten American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., but "Money" recently stressed that he is happily retired.

"If you don't hear it from my mouth, it's not true," Mayweather told Boxing Scene of rumors linking him to a McGregor bout.

The American further said that other fighters are simply using his name to drum up interest in their own career.

"I think that fighters and people that compete in physical combat need to go out there and lay the groundwork, and make their own name," said Mayweather.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Diaz shocks, submits McGregor at UFC 196

Nate Diaz made the most of his height and weight advantage to submit featherweight champion Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 196 Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas (Sunday in Manila).

Diaz took the fight on two weeks' notice after McGregor's original opponent, lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, had to withdraw from the fight card due to injury. The bout was held at 170-pounds, a full two weight classes above where McGregor usually fights (145 pounds/featherweight).

No belts were on the line but the combatants still traded barbs and trash talk in the abbreviated lead-up to the fight.

McGregor had the better start, keeping the fight on the feet and landing several left hands that opened up a cut on Diaz's eye. The tide turned in the second, however, when Diaz landed a left hand and an uppercut that clearly rocked the Irishman.

The end came for McGregor when Diaz denied his takedown attempt and took top control, landing shots before eventually securing a rear naked choke. McGregor tapped at the 4:12 mark of the second round.

"I'm not surprised," a bloody Diaz declared after his win.

"I'm an athlete, a warrior. We should always be ready to fight," he added.

Diaz entered the bout having won just two of his last five MMA bouts, but that did not stop him from snapping McGregor's 15-fight winning streak that began in 2010.

"I was inefficient with my energy," McGregor said after the bout. "I'm humble in victory or defeat."

"I respect Nate. He came in, he took the fight on short notice. He took the fight at 170, and he did the job. He was efficient, and I wasn't efficient," he added.

It was McGregor's first bout since winning the UFC featherweight title off Jose Aldo in December, and his first bout at the welterweight division.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

McGregor, Diaz continue verbal joust after skirmish

Saturday can't come soon enough! #UFC196 https://t.co/sZjTF5UaPi

— #UFC196 (@ufc) March 3, 2016

McGregor: His wrist will never be the same

“The Notorious” Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz have continued swapping verbal tirades after their tension-filled face-off at the UFC 196 presser.

A free-for-all nearly erupted at the press conference when McGregor slapped away Diaz’s fist, which the latter aimed directly at the Irishman’s face during their staredown.

Diaz’s crew quickly jumped on the stage to confront McGregor but UFC officials, together with a couple of policemen, stepped in to defuse the tension.

"The man was afraid to look me dead in the eye," said McGregor during their appearance on FOX sports 1 as reported by MMA Fighting. "So he put a frame out in front of him and I quickly snatched it and broke his wrist.”

"The medics are in with him now," he added. "His wrist will never be the same. Like his bum knee, like his bum leg."

Diaz just shrugged off McGregor's attempt to slap his hand away.

"Yeah, you got a scared little [expletive] shot on the hand and [expletive]," he said.

Diaz then blasted McGregor for his status, claiming that he was born rich unlike most fighter.

"You're a rich kid," the fighter from Stockton, California said. "Rich kids shouldn't fight ever. Real people fight. Real people fight. Not [expletive] rich kids. You were born rich."

McGregor railed back.

"[Expletive] you, you don't know me," said McGregor. "You don't know where the [expletive] I came from. I'll ride into Stockton and take everyone out. Bunch of snitches in Stockton. I never heard of Stockton in my life."

Diaz also mentioned McGregor’s career defeats, which he claimed came in the hands of sub-par ground fighters.

"You got choked out by two nobodies," he said. "You were submitted by lames not even that long ago, it was like a week ago."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Who will be CM Punk's opponent?

UFC president Dana White has identified the fighter who may just wind up facing CM Punk in his first-ever mixed martial arts bout.

Punk, the former WWE superstar whose real name is Phil Brooks, signed with the UFC in 2014 despite not having any professional MMA experience.

According to reports from ESPN and MMA Fighting, White has given young fighter Mickey Gall the opportunity to fight Punk – provided he gets past "a kid named Michael Jackson" in a bout that will appear in the preliminary event of UFC 196.

White "discovered" Gall via the UFC web show "Lookin' for a Fight," wherein the executive watches regional MMA shows in search for talent. White watched as Gall submitted his opponent and then called out Punk.

"I'm bringing in Mickey Gall, and he's going to fight a kid named Michael Jackson," said White. "They're going to fight on the prelims on February 6 on Fight Pass."

"If he wins that fight, Mickey Gall will fight CM Punk," he added.


White said Punk will be on hand to watch the Gall-Jackson showdown.

If Gall winds up losing the bout, Jackson will not get a shot against Punk.

"He (Gall) is holding a lottery ticket, with really good odds of winning the lottery right now," said White. "He's got to get through this fight. It's going to be a life-changer for this kid."

Punk is expected to make his UFC debut later this year.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

What's next for Conor McGregor?

How can Conor McGregor top his spectacular achievement at UFC 194, when he ended Jose Aldo's decade of dominance in just 13 seconds?

How about holding two UFC championship belts at once? For the brash, outspoken, and talented Irishman, the goal of holding two titles at the same time is very much in the cards.

McGregor on Saturday crushed Aldo with a perfectly placed left hand punch that sent the Brazilian icon falling to the canvas. He followed it up with a couple of hammer fists, and the referee quickly stopped the fight, ending Aldo's long reign as featherweight champion.


In the post-fight press conference, it was revealed that UFC president Dana White "saw two potential paths" for McGregor, as reported by MMA Fighting. "The Notorious" can either vacate his featherweight belt and move up to lightweight, where he can immediately challenge for the title, or defend his belt against Frankie Edgar.

"I think that was always his plan," White said, as quoted by MMA Fighting in a separate report. "He wanted to fight Jose Aldo, and then move to 55 (lightweight) and then fight for that title."

McGregor is open to both scenarios but said he has no intention of vacating his featherweight belt.


"I'll tell you one thing that won't be happening. If I go up to that lightweight division, there's no way in hell that I'm vacating my belt," he declared. "That's not happening."

"There will be a belt on one shoulder and a belt on the other," he said.

In the history of the UFC, only two fighters have held belts in multiple weight divisions – Randy Couture and BJ Penn. Neither fighter held the championships concurrently, however, and that is the goal that McGregor hopes to reach.

"Look how many fights I've had in the last year. I stay busy. I stay fresh. So when I go to lightweight and take that lightweight belt, I will stay the featherweight champion also," he said.

"I will be a dual weight champion. There is no going up and vacating. The belt will still be active, because I am active," he said.

White has yet to comment on McGregor's plans.

The lightweight belt is currently held by Rafael Dos Anjos, who is set to make a title defense next week against Donald Cerrone.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jon Jones reinstated to UFC

Former UFC champion Jon Jones has been formally reinstated to the UFC roster after serving a suspension for figuring in a hit-and-run accident involving a pregnant woman.

Jones was arrested last April 27 after running a red light in a rented SUV and causing a three-car collision in Albuquerque. The former light heavyweight champion pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of the accident.

Jones was eventually granted a discharge on condition that he will undergo 18 months of supervised probation and 72 charity speaking appearances with children.

He will not be convicted of a felony if he fulfills the conditions of his probation.

"We've made it clear to Jon that this new opportunity to compete in UFC is a privilege and not a right, and that there are significant expectations we have regarding his conduct moving forward," said UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta in a statement posted on MMA Fighting.



"We're happy to read and see reports that he has embraced the terms of his plea agreement and is using this experience to grow and develop as a person."

Jones, for his part, expressed remorse for his actions and vowed that "the best is yet to come."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

UFC's White denies plans for Rousey-Cyborg fight

UFC president Dana White has debunked rumors that the company will hold the highly anticipated showdown between bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and Cris "Cyborg" Justino at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

Former UFC champion Tito Ortiz, who trains "Cyborg," claimed that White offered Justino the chance to fight Rousey at Cowboys Stadium.

"I've heard from Cris, actually, that the fight that's supposed to be happening at the Cowboy's Arena. They offered the fight to Cris. I know her management said yes, and I've told her, 'Let's do it.' So I guess the ball's all in Ronda's corner, and Ronda wants to do it," Ortiz said, as quoted by MMA Fighting.

In an interview with Yahoo! Sports, White flatly shot down Ortiz's claims.

"That was a complete lie," White told Kevin Iole. "It's 100 percent a lie."

"First of all, the UFC doesn't even talk to Tito Ortiz, so let's start there," added White. "But we haven't offered any fight to (Justino). Tito Ortiz is just making this (expletive) up."

"In no way, shape or form did we offer her a fight against Ronda at Cowboys Stadium Completely untrue," he stressed.

Rousey is coming off a stunning 34-second knockout of Bethe Correia at UFC 190 in Brazil, and is expected to face Miesha Tate in a trilogy fight for her next title defense.

The Rousey-Tate showdown will likely be part of a massive doubleheader along with the featherweight title bout between Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor for December 5 at the Cowboys Stadium.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Rousey leaves UFC belt at judo school in Brazil

UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey fulfilled a promise she made ahead of UFC 190, as she left her title belt in Brazil.

Ahead of her title defense against Bethe Correia, Rousey promised that she will leave her title belt in Brazil – but not in the way that Correia wants. And indeed, it only took Rousey 34 seconds to knock out Correia and defend her title.

Rousey is now fulfilling her promise, as MMA Fighting reported that she will leave her belt at the judo school of Flavio Canto in Rio De Janeiro.



This is the second time that Rousey has given Canto's school a gift. In March 2015, she donated $30,000 to the school to help needy children learn the sport.

Ahead of UFC 190, Rousey explained her decision to leave her belt in Brazil.

"Bethe did have one thing right. She said that the Brazilian people deserve to have the belt left here. So I've decided that after I win it, I'm going to make sure that when I have the belt, I don't take it home with me," she said.

"I'm going to give it and make sure that it stays some place in Brazil as my gift."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Rousey looks forward to trilogy fight vs. Tate

Undisputed UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is already thinking of her upcoming trilogy fight against top contender Miesha Tate, even as she was still relishing another stunning knockout victory.

Rousey underscored her dominance of the division with a brutal 34-second knockout of Brazilian challenger Bethe Correia in the main event of UFC 190, and immediately looked forward to another showdown against Tate.

Tate remains the only fighter who has lasted more than a round against Rousey: When they fought at UFC 168 in 2013, Tate made it to the third round before submitting to an armbar. In their first fight, in 2012, Rousey submitted her in the first round – also via armbar – to win the women's Strikeforce belt.


"They can watch as much"Every fight is a challenge. This fight was a challenge in its own, and I think one advantage that I do have over my opponents is they don't really know what they're coming into when they get in there," Rousey said, as quoted by MMA Fighting, in the post-fight press conference.
 footage as they like, but they don't know what it's like to be in there with me," she added.

This element of surprise is gone with Tate, as they have already fought twice before.

"She already has an idea of what she's getting in there with," Rousey said, although she quickly added: "I know I've improved a lot since the last time we fought."

Since beating Tate in 2013, Rousey has won four straight fights with a combined time of two minutes and 10 seconds. It took her a minute and six seconds to knock out Sara McMann at UFC 170, and then crushed Alexis Davis in 16 seconds at UFC 175.

Rousey memorably submitted Cat Zingano in only 14 seconds – a UFC record – at UFC 184, then took a little longer to put Correia away.

Like Rousey, Tate has also won four straight fights since their last encounter, most recently out-pointing Jessica Eye to become the number one contender for the title once more.

Tate was quick to comment on Rousey's victory against Correia, posting on Instagram: "Guaranteed she won't do this to me."



"I know she'll bring in something different every single time," Rousey said of Tate. "I'm eager to see what she comes up with this time."

The UFC has not yet set a date and venue for the Rousey-Tate trilogy fight, although there are reports that it can be held later this year on the same card as the featherweight title showdown between Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor.

UFC president Dana White said that star-studded fight card may take place at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas this December.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Rousey's coach welcomes trilogy bout vs. Tate

The coach of UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is open to a trilogy fight against top contender Miesha Tate, claiming that "Rowdy" was not at her peak form during their first two fights.

Rousey has beaten Tate twice already. In March 2012, she submitted Tate via armbar in the first round to take the Strikeforce women's bantamweight championship. In their December 2013 rematch at UFC 168, Tate lasted until the third round before getting submitted, again via armbar.

To date, Tate remains the only fighter who has gotten past the first round against Rousey. She has also won four consecutive matches since her loss at UFC 168, including a unanimous decision against Jessica Eye last weekend that propelled her back to title contention.

"I think she does deserve the title shot again," said Rousey's trainer, Edmond Tarverdyan, in an interview with MMA Fighting. "And we're ready."

"I like that fight. I do like that fight, because she's still talking crap a little bit and she thinks making it into the third round with Ronda, she thinks she can do better now and go for a decision or something like that," he added.

"She's mistaken, and we'll be ready for that fight."

Rousey still has to take care of Bethe Correia, against whom she is defending the UFC women's bantamweight belt this weekend in Brazil, but the champion is confident of victory and is already looking forward to fighting Tate again.

"Here's pretty much the plan. I'm going to beat up Bethe, then I'm going to take a couple of weeks to rest, and then I'm going to beat up Miesha, and then I'm going to go like Thailand, or wherever we decide to film, and prep for like a month, and then start filming for like eight to 10 weeks, and then go beat up the next chick," Rousey told Fox Sports in an interview ahead of UFC 190.

Tarverdyan said that if and when Rousey fights Tate again, he is going to make sure that the champion is in her best form.

According to the trainer, Rousey was sick ahead of her first fight with Tate, and did only 40 days of hard training for their rematch.

"She's just a lucky girl because of that. This time, it's going to be a totally different fight," Tarverdyan said. "Ronda's improvement is just going to be too much. This girl (Tate) is gonna get hurt in there."

"She's not gonna know where she is. This time, she's not gonna know where she is, for sure," he added.

"I'm going to make sure that Miesha Tate gets really punished and knows what she's getting into. It's not gonna be good for her career. She's gonna get a lot of damage, and I'm gonna make sure it's not healthy for her career," Tarverdyan also said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

McGregor clarifies: KO bet vs Mendes is $3.5M

Conor McGregor confirmed that he indeed offer UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and president Dana White a multi-million dollar side bet that he will knockout Chad Mendes in two rounds.

But he said it wasn’t $3 million as White earlier announced, but $3.5 million.

The outspoken Irishman will be facing Mendes this weekend for the UFC interim featherweight title in UFC 189 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"I'm still hoping it goes ahead," McGregor said in MMA Fighting. "I feel it's a good bet. It could go either way, so I believe he should take it. It's to do with this pay-per-view stipulation, so it's not as black and white as it seems, but I hope he takes it."

McGregor was supposed to challenge Jose Aldo, but a rib injury forced the UFC featherweight champion to pull out despite heavy promotion done for the title bout.

Mendes stepped in as a replacement.

"We were discussing negotiations," McGregor said of his conversation with White. "And one of them negotiations was a little friendly wager. I sent him an e-mail breaking it all down.”

"I just heard that he spoke about it on the radio, so everyone else knows, because I didn't tell anybody. It was behind closed doors. I don't discuss business. He does, so I hope that means he is taking it."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

McGregor: Mendes is a 'B-level fighter'

Conor McGregor called his UFC 189 opponent, Chad Mendes, a ''B-level'' fighter who easily tires out.

The two are set to clash on July 11 for the interim UFC featherweight title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Mendes stepped up to fight McGregor after UFC champion Jose Aldo pulled out because of a rib injury.

"I think Chad is a substitute," McGregor told MMA Fighting.

"A B-level [fighter]. I think he's a wrestler with an overhand who gasses [out].''

The Irish MMA fighter said the 5'6'' Mendes easily tires out because of his bulk.

''I think his body weight to his height, his body is in disproportion, and I think that hampers him as a fighter. I think that's why he gasses and he gets that tired,'' said McGregor.

McGregor said that part of his strategy is to put pressure on Mendes until his opponent caves in.

''I'm having these exchanges and these scrambles, his belly is going to be breathing in and his body is going to be screaming for oxygen and I'm going to still be there in his face, cracking him with everything that I have. Every shot; the heel, the knee, the elbow, the fist, every shot in the book I have. And that will be that. Eventually he will give, like they all do," he said.

McGregor's said this after hearing that Mendes plans out to stop him in three rounds.

"Yeah, Conor I'm going to give you a little more respect buddy," Mendes said. "I'm going to finish you within the first three."

Mendes is confident that he will be able to stun the Irishman with his superior speed.

''I think my striking is going to be great," he said. "Conor's never faced anybody like me before. I have the athleticism, the strength, the power, the speed, and I have wrestling to put him on his back to finish this fight. This fight is mine.''

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Fighter denies making anti-gay comments after UFC win

Moments after booking the biggest win of his UFC career, middleweight contender Yoel Romero found himself mired in controversy because of the comments he made in his post-fight interview inside the Octagon.

Romero knocked out former light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Florida on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time), an impressive performance for the former Olympian.

His victory lost a bit of luster, however, thanks to a post-fight speech that seemed to criticize the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage in all fifty stages.

Speaking in heavily accented English, Romero said: "What happened to you, USA? What happened to you? What's going on? You forget the best of the best of the world, the name of Jesus Christ. What happened to you? What come, USA? Go back for you, go!"

His final statement drew the most scrutiny, with some saying that Romero said: "Go for Jesus, not for gay Jesus," while others believe the fighter said: "Go for Jesus, not forget Jesus."

Romero, whose nickname is "Soldier of God," explained his comments via an interpreter in the post-fight press conference.

"First of all, I am a man of God, and God is love. My expressions are always going to be about love. What I was trying to say in the Octagon was, live for the American Dream," Romero said, as quoted by MMA Fighting.

"I will tell you guys something. God made man to be free. Anybody can do whatever they want. I wouldn't be the type of person to critique anybody. I have to look at myself first, and be a better person, to love people," he continued.

"What I was trying to say was, to the United States, thank you for giving me the American Dream. There is no better country, because it is blessed by God."

Other UFC fighters were at a loss for words while watching Romero's Octagon speech. Scott Jorgensen, a UFC bantamweight, said on Twitter: "Why, Romero, why?" and lightweight fighter Kevin Lee said Romero should expect a "PR visit" after his comments.

Lee also said on Twitter: "Maybe I'm tripping, but sounds like Yoel was about to go at the USA for making gay marriage legal. Am I tripping?... I just don't think it's a good idea to come to a foreign country and insult their morals and policy."

Adnre Fili, a featherweight fighter, pointed out that it was difficult to determine exactly what Romero said.

"I'm pretty sure he just yelled a bunch of homophobic stuff, but it was so hard to understand that no one is sure if they're offended or not," he said on Twitter.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Another UFC fighter fails drug test

Another Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter has failed a drug test after the company announced that welterweight contender Hector Lombard has tested positive for a banned substance.

"Hector Lombard has tested positive for a banned substance following his fight at UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier on January 3, 2015, in Las Vegas," the UFC announced in a statement.

"As a result of his positive test, Lombard has been informed that he has violated the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC. The UFC will cooperate with the commission on the matter and fully support Lombard's right to a due process hearing before the commission," it added.

Lombard defeated Josh Burkman via unanimous decision when they fought at UFC 182.

MMA Fighting reported that Lombard tested positive for an anabolic steroid called desoxymethyltestosterone.

Lombard's positive test is also the reason for the cancellation of his UFC 186 showdown against Rory MacDonald, MMA Fighting confirmed.

Lombard is just the latest in a series of UFC fighters to fail drug tests. Jon Jones, who won his main event bout against Cormier, was found to have tested positive for cocaine metabolites three days after UFC 182.

Meanwhile, Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz, who fought in the main event of UFC 183, both failed drug tests, with Silva testing positive for anabolic steroids in an out-of-competition test and Diaz testing positive for marijuana in a post-fight test.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Anderson Silva compared to Lance Armstrong

The trainer of former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre criticized Brazilian legend Anderson Silva after it was revealed that "The Spider" tested positive for anabolic steroids.

"It's horrible for the sport," said Firas Zahabi, St-Pierre's outspoken trainer, as quoted by MMA Fighting.

Zahabi even compared Silva's situation to that of disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and admitted in 2013 that he had used performance enhancing drugs.

"Lance Armstrong has not helped the sport of cycling," said Zahabi. "A lot of people were inspired by his story, and afterwards, we find out that it's a lie."

"Here, we're going through something similar in our sport," he added.

Zahabi believes that in light of Silva's failed drug test, the Brazilian fighter's achievements have to be reconsidered.

"Georges is the best pound-for-pound fighter. We have to drop Silva," he declared.

"If he really cheated, we can't set this example for the youth. It's ridiculous. Is Lance Armstrong considered the best cyclist of all time? No. A few years ago, the answer would have been different," he added.

Silva is widely considered as the greatest MMA fighter of all time, and for a long time reigned on top of the UFC's middleweight division. He still holds the record for the longest winning streak in the UFC (16) and successive title defenses (10).

He has also denied using performance-enhancing drugs. It was the first time that Silva had failed a drug test in his career.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Anderson Silva denies taking steroids

Mixed martial arts (MMA) legend Anderson "The Spider" Silva has vehemently denied using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) after failing a drug test conducted ahead of his comeback fight.

The UFC announced yesterday that Silva tested positive for anabolic steroids in an out-of-competition drug test conducted last January 9.

Last weekend, Silva made a successful and emotional return to the UFC, defeating Nick Diaz via unanimous decision in his first fight since December 2013.

"I've been competing in this sport for a very long time. This is my 19th fight in the UFC. I have been thoroughly tested many times, and have never had a positive test," Silva said in a statement, as reported by ESPN.com.

"I have not taken any performance enhancing drugs," Silva stressed. "My stance on drugs is and will always be the same. I'm an advocate for a clean sport."

Silva said he is consulting with his advisors on what step to take as he seeks to "fight this allegation and clear my name."

Diaz, for his part, also failed a post-fight drug test after he was found with marijuana metabolites in his system.

Silva tested positive for Drostanolone and Androstane, both of which are banned substances.

Meanwhile, Silva's doctor, Dr. Marcio Tannure, said the Brazilian legend was disappointed and upset, "because he didn't use steroids."

"He will ask for the confirmation test because he believes the only explanation is a contamination or a mistake from the lab," Tannure said, as quoted by MMA Fighting. "He told me: 'I have an impeccable career history and I wouldn't want to tarnish my image.'"

Both Silva and Diaz are expected to be meted suspensions and fines by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Silva to talk to family about UFC future

Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva plans to consult with his family before he makes a decision about his future in the sport after making a successful return to the Octagon last weekend.

Silva routed Nick Diaz in a middleweight fight in the main event of UFC 183 to win his first fight since coming back from a left leg injury.

But "The Spider" was non-committal about his future when asked about it following his bout against Diaz.

"I need to talk to my family," Silva said in the post-fight press conference, as quoted by MMA Fighting. "I love my job. This is me. I love (to) fight."

"But I need to talk to my family," he stressed. "Because this is more important to my life now."

Silva revealed in an interview with Joe Rogan that his son had asked him to stop fighting, something that he kept in mind even as he stressed his love for the sport.

"I love my job, I love (the) UFC," he said. "When my son talked to me, I'm a little scared."

The win over Diaz was Silva's first since October 2012, snapping a two-fight losing streak against reigning champion Chris Weidman.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

UFC: Silva says he'll be 100% on fight night

Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva of Brazil promised to be at 100% when he returns to the Octagon next year against Nick Diaz.

It will be Silva's first fight since breaking his left leg while fighting reigning champion Chris Weidman in their rematch last December.

"When I realized my leg was broken, I thought my career was over," Silva said, as quoted by MMA Fighting, in a recent interview.

"You might think that depression is not something serious, but I was depressed. I was very upset, and if I didn't have the people that I have by my side, maybe I wouldn't come back," he added.

Silva admitted that when he first started training again, he "didn't have a lot of strength."

"I lost some strength in my leg, which is normal, but now I'm recuperating and I'm (doing) specific work to recuperate my strength in my leg," he said.

"Every day that goes by, I'm going back to my origins and being able to kick without any fear, and I believe that on fight night, I will be 100%," he added.

Silva will fight Diaz on January 31, 2015 in what will be the main event of UFC 183.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com