In this article at MMAOddsBreaker.com, lead writer and betting expert Gabe Killian highlights and comments on current headlines in the world of mixed martial arts as of August 20, 2017.
12-fight UFC veteran Sam Sicilia latest to sign multi-fight Bellator contract
Good on him! Dropping a unanimous decision to promotional newcomer Gavin Tucker at UFC Fight Night 105 back in October, Sicilia fell to a three-fight losing skid in the UFC and received his pink slip from the promotion. I like that he’s found a new home with Bellator, and hopefully an equally good or better payday. Win or lose, the Washington native always shows up to fight and looks for the finish. Congratulations to Sammy Dubs for his new contract, and best of luck on his new chapter.
Frank Mir agrees to deal with Bellator MMA
Nice! The UFC did the right thing and released Mir from his contract, which allowed Bellator to sweep him up. My guess is that they promised him a matchup against Fedor Emalianenko, which made him choose Bellator over competing promotions. I like this move by Mir and look forward to seeing him inside the Bellator cage. The Fedor matchup would certainly be an interesting one.
Cris Cyborg: Holly Holm ‘is gonna run in the ring, but I’m gonna find her’
OOHHHHHH SHIIIIIIIIT.
Artem Lobov responds to ‘emotional mess’ Paulie Malignaggi: ‘I’ll box the ears off him’
LOL Chill, bro. Go watch your fight against MMA boxer Alex White. ‘Nuff said.
NAC approves lighter gloves for Mayweather vs. McGregor
This was certainly some surprising news. Two ounces isn’t much, but I think it makes somewhat of a difference.
Dillashaw: Mighty Mouse was ‘consolation prize’
TJ Dillashaw is finally set to face UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt at UFC 217 in New York City on November 4th, and the main reason this title fight is now taking place is because UFC flyweight champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson refused to defend his title against Dillashaw when Garbrandt was forced out of their UFC 209 contest due to injury. The Duane Ludwig-trained fighter knows that Johnson was not confident in himself to accept the challenge. Speaking to MMA Junkie Radio, Dillashaw said that the Gabrandt fight is what he wanted all along and that the Johnson matchup was only a backup plan. He knows that’s not a good fight for him and wouldn’t accept it,” Dillashaw said. “He’s real worried about this record he needs to break. Go ahead and let him do that, I guess.”
White: Ferguson, Lee to fight for interim lightweight title
Alright, now we’re talking! Early popular consensus is that Ferguson is going to handily defeat Lee, but personally, I’m not so convinced. Lee has been very impressive as of late, and I enjoy seeing his growth inside the Octagon. This is a matchup I am looking forward to seeing, and win or lose, I hope Lee doesn’t suffer any injuries so he cane make a quick turnaround for December’s UFC 218 in his native Detroit, which is just two months after the Ferguson bout.
Paulo Borrachinha Costa: ‘I Will Knock Out Johny Hendricks’
Yeah, we’ll see about that, Paulito.
Does Former Invicta Champ Tonya Evinger Deserve a UFC Bantamweight Title Shot?
Why not? The division is not exactly stacked with potential contenders.
McGregor ‘100 percent’ considers himself the UFC 145-pound champ
LOL Quit playing, Connie.
Diego Sanchez returns to welterweight, meets Matt Brown at UFC Fight Night 120
No, Diego, Nooooo!!!!! Say it isn’t so! Just call it quits, my dude. Hang up them gloves. It’s time. You don’t need to be jumping back up to 170 pounds when you were recently testing the waters at 145. Don’t stick around for the money, man, the brain damage will not be worth it.
