In the fast paced world of mixed martial arts we at Fighters Only know it’s hard to stay on top of all the latest news so here’s five stories that may have flown under your radar.
Showtime’s cars set alight
With just over a month until he takes on Max Holloway at UFC 206 in Toronto, Canada, Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis has a more pressing matter to attend to. Yesterday local news reported that three cars sitting in the former lightweight champion’s driveway were set on fire. Fortunately the fire brigade was able to attend to the fires in time and nobody was hurt. Pettis took to Instagram to comment on the situation.
“I am a fighter. I won’t be defeated by this,” said Pettis. “I am also extremely confused and saddened by the events that occurred. I am grateful that no one was harmed by this cowardly act. My life as well as my loved ones were put in danger. I cannot understand why someone would want to hurt myself or my family.
“I will do everything I can to ensure that we find out who committed this crime and that they are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I’m constantly defending my choice to stay in this city. Regardless of the crimes that have been occurring lately, this is my home. I really hope the city that I rep has my back on this one and helps by reporting anything they know about this.”
Bisping vs. Diaz for UFC 206?
With GSP now off the table and any consideration to fight UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping at UFC 206, the Brit has turned his attention to Stockton bad boy Nick Diaz. Speaking on his podcast ‘The Countdown’ Bisping said he’s down to fight anyone and with the top pack of the 185lb division all booked over the course of the next month it would have to be someone special, someone that moves the needle and a big pay day. Nick Diaz would fit the bill.
GSP earning big bucks with sponsors
GSP has been in the headlines for the past few weeks and with talks with the UFC eventually stalking and the two parties unable to come to terms all hopes of the former welterweight champion making a return to the Octagon have for the time being been extinguished. Part of that may be due to the inability to use his current crop of sponsors in the UFC. Speaking on this week’s episode of The Fighter and the Kid, guess Chael Sonnen said St-Pierre earns “$350k per month from sponsorship deals with Bacardi, Under Armour and Gatorade.”
RRR version 2.0 turns pro
Two time Olympic gold medallist in Judo and Ronda Rousey’s former training partner Kayla Harrison is entering the world of professional mixed martial arts. Following her signing with Dominance MMA management she has now signed a deal with World Series of Fighting. She is due to start her role with WSOF as an analyst on their New Year’s Eve card in New York and will also serve as a brand ambassador. A potential opponent, when we can expect to see her debut is for the time being unknown.
Carwin on the RIZE
Former UFC interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin has come out of retirement and signed with Japanese promotion RIZIN Fighting Federation. He’s wasting no time getting stuck in as he’s scheduled to enter the open-weight Grand Prix which also includes Mirko Cro Cop and Wanderlei Silva. The first round of bouts are scheduled to take place on September 25th and continue on December 29th
