Gorkhali Championship - September 7, 2024 @ LOD, Kathmandu, Nepal

 Hi guys,

Wanted to share that there is an exciting news for Nepalis worldwide.  Gorkhali Championship will be featuring several Muay Thai and MMA fights in Nepal.  

Official Description of event here

One of the exciting fighters featured - Raju Erawan

When the Fan Favorite became the Baddest MotherF'er - Holloway vs Gaethje

Max Holloway's masterful performance against Justin Gaethje showcased his exceptional skills and versatility in the octagon. Holloway, known for his remarkable striking and cardio, utilized his precise footwork and fluid combinations to outclass Gaethje throughout the fight. With pinpoint accuracy, Holloway peppered Gaethje with a relentless barrage of strikes, showcasing his boxing prowess and sharp counter-attacks. Despite Gaethje's renowned power and aggression, Holloway's calculated defense and movement allowed him to evade danger while capitalizing on openings to land significant shots. Displaying his trademark resilience and endurance, Holloway maintained a high pace from start to finish, wearing down Gaethje and securing a dominant victory that solidified his status as one of the top fighters in the division.

Benson Henderson Retires

After his loss to Usman Nurmagomdeov, Benson "Smooth" Henderson left his gloves in the middle of the Bellator cage after a long MMA career. 

Henderson's decision to retire comes after a long and successful career in MMA, which saw him compete in some of the biggest organizations in the world, including the UFC, Bellator, and WEC. He leaves the sport with a professional record of 30 wins and 12 losses, and a legacy as one of the most respected and beloved fighters in the game.

Throughout his career, Henderson was known for his tenacity, heart, and unbreakable spirit. He was a fighter who never gave up, no matter how tough the odds, and always gave his all in the cage. His technical skills, work ethic, and ability to adapt to different styles made him a formidable opponent for anyone in the division, and he leaves behind a legacy of some of the most memorable fights in MMA history.

In his retirement announcement, Henderson thanked his fans, coaches, teammates, and opponents for their support and for helping him to achieve his dreams. He also expressed his gratitude to the sport of MMA, saying that it had given him everything he could have asked for and more.

As Henderson moves on to the next chapter of his life, he leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered by fans and fellow fighters for years to come. His retirement marks the end of an era in MMA, but it also opens the door for a new generation of fighters to step up and carry on the tradition of excellence that he helped to establish.

Promising Prospect of the Day: Yuki Angdembe

Yuki Angdembe fights out of Great Britain Top Team in the featherweight division.  Currently he has a professional record of 2 wins and 1 loss.  His head coach is Brad Pickett and he has great potential to do great things in his weight class, as he seems good at grappling, striking and has solid foot work.

Yuki sparring in Bali:

Can Volkanovski beat Makhachev?

Could Volkanovski surprise the MMA world by beating Makhachev this weekend?  I guess anything is possible with four ounce gloves, but according to Tristar Gym coach, who has coached the great GSP, it could be a tough task.

New comer to keep an eye on in 170 or 185 pound division - Shara Bullet

Shara Bullet aka Sharaputdin Magomedov has been signed by the UFC and is soon to debut in the octagon.  Some call him the Dagestani Wonderboy for his impressive kicking game.  Quick look at some of his previous fights suggests he could make a good addition to welterweight or middleweight, wherever he will fight.

Da Un Jung - Someone to keep an eye on in Light Heavyweight division

 Da Un Jung is a rising star in the world of mixed martial arts. With a record of 14 wins and only 2 losses, Jung is quickly making a name for himself as one of the top prospects in the sport.

Jung's impressive striking skills and aggressive style have earned him a reputation as a fierce competitor, and his highlight-reel finishes have fans eagerly anticipating his next fight. But it's not just his skills in the cage that have people talking – Jung's charismatic personality and infectious energy have made him a fan favorite.

With his combination of raw talent and undeniable star power, it's only a matter of time before Jung becomes a household name in the world of MMA. If you're not already a fan, now is the time to jump on the Jung bandwagon and get ready for an unforgettable ride!

Here's Da Un Jung taking out Kennedy Nzechukwu

Doo Ho Choi Returns

 After few years off, Korean Super boy is returning to fight Canada's Kyle Nelson.  On paper, Super Boy should beat Nelson, as Anderson Silva used to say " fight is a fight ..." and anything can happen once the cage door closes.

Cub Swanson reflecting on his fight with Doo Ho Choi:

Jamahal Can't Find Jiri!

 This was quite funny!

Goodbye to Glover!

Glover Teixeira, one of the most accomplished mixed martial artists of his generation, has announced his retirement from the sport. The Brazilian veteran, who had been competing professionally since 2002, leaves behind a legacy of fierce competition, unyielding determination, and countless unforgettable moments.

For many fans, Teixeira's exit from the sport is a bittersweet moment. On one hand, he leaves behind a wealth of memories, including his incredible run of success in the light heavyweight division of the UFC. Teixeira was a constant threat to the division's elite, and his battles with the likes of Jon Jones, Phil Davis, and Ryan Bader will go down in MMA history as some of the greatest fights of all time.

Despite his impressive record, Teixeira was never able to capture the UFC light heavyweight title. But he was the definition of a warrior, always pushing forward and never giving up, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

On the other hand, it is also a reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the inevitable end of all things. Glover Teixeira's exit from MMA marks the end of an era, and it is a reminder that all athletes, no matter how great, must eventually hang up their gloves.

Teixeira's retirement is a loss for the sport of MMA, but his legacy will live on forever. He will be remembered as one of the toughest and most skilled fighters to ever step into the octagon, and his impact on the sport will be felt for years to come.

As we bid farewell to Glover Teixeira, we can only hope that his future is as bright as his past, and that he will continue to inspire future generations of fighters to pursue their dreams with the same passion and dedication that he brought to the sport.

A Farewell For Francis...

Francis Ngannou, the heavyweight knockout artist, has officially parted ways with the UFC. The Cameroonian fighter, known for his devastating power and highlight reel finishes, leaves the promotion on a high note, with back-to-back knockout wins over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Stipe Miocic.

But while Ngannou's time with the UFC may have been brief, it was certainly memorable. From his humble beginnings on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, to his rise to the top of the heavyweight division, Ngannou's journey was one of hard work, dedication, and, of course, a whole lot of punching power.

In his time with the UFC, Ngannou established himself as one of the most feared strikers in the game. His ability to end a fight with one punch was second to none, and his fights were always must-see TV. But his time in the octagon wasn't just about the knockouts, as he also showed a much-improved ground game in his later fights.

Ngannou's departure from the UFC comes as a surprise to many, but it's clear that the heavyweight powerhouse has big plans for his future. Whether it's a move to another promotion or a different path entirely, one thing is for sure: wherever Ngannou goes, he will continue to pack a punch.

It's a sad day for MMA fans as we bid farewell to one of the most exciting and powerful fighters in the game. But we're excited to see what's next for Francis Ngannou, and can't wait to see him back in action.

 The Next Welterweight Champion: Shavkat Rakhmonov

While everyone is busy talking about Khamzat Chimaev, a cold blooded killer from the grasslands of Kazakhstan has been rising up the ranks in the UFC.  Even though not a big trash talker, his work inside the cage speaks on his behalf.  His debut in the UFC was a fight against a veteran like Cowboy Oliveira, who he completely dominated and choked out.  He has notable wins against Neil Magny as well.

Check out this highlight:

Asian Fighter to Watch out for in 2021: Su Mudaerji aka The Tibetan Eagle

Su Mudaerji probably is the most exciting fighter east of the Caucasus mountains since the Dagestani Eagle has retired from the UFC.  Coincidentally, Su Mudaerji, whose Tibetan name is Sonam Dhargye, also goes by the nickname Tibetan "Eagle."  

Besides his armbar loss to Louis Smolka, he has defeated three good fighters in a row.  He is set to fight Tim Elliott next on June 26, 2021.  

Check out his highlights below:

Nepali MMA Fighters: Part II (Fighters of Nepali origin might be more accurate)

Here are a list of noteable Nepali fighters:

1. Subba Brothers (One-FC, MMA)

2. Asha Roka (One-FC, MMA)

3. Aadeep Rana (kickboxing)

4. Deva Thapa (kusti):

Danaa Batgerel vs Guido Cannetti

Guido is coming off of his loss to Marlon Vera in November of 2018 and Danaa Batgerel is also coming off of a loss to fellow country-man, Heili Alateng.  Danaa has a noteable win over Kai Kara-France.

Odds makers are giving a slight edge to Danaa probably due to Guido being out of action for over a year, his age and perhaps Danaa's decent wrestling. Danaa has two submission wins on his record and most of Guido's losses have come via submission.  If Danaa can mix it up and take Guido down, there might be his chance to win either by submission or ground and pound.  

Back in the Game!

Hi all,

After a long hiatus, I am back to writing on my blog.

First of all, there is a good boxing scrap coming up on February 8th - fight between Gary Russell Jr and Tugstsogt Nyambayar of Mongolia.  Russell is the champion and Nyambayar the challenger as well as the underdog.  Looks like everyone expects Russell Jr to win, but having watched some of Nyambayar's fights, it should be exciting.  He brings good technique and a powerful right hand as well as an aggressive style, which is fun to watch:

Nyambayar Highlights

Wild Wolf against The Bama Beast

Tomorrow night during Bisping vs Rockhold, I am interested in another bout, which features the Wild Wolf aka Jumabieke Tuerxun.  Jumabieke is from ethnic Kazakh background, but represents China.  He will be fighting the Bama Beast aka Marcus Brimage, a strong fighter that parcticipated in the Ultimate Fighter.

Both the fighters are on a losing streak, so thy must both feel a sense of pressure to win in order to keep their UFC contract.  It looks like Brimage has fought tougher opponents than Jumabieke.  Brimage has lost to Connor McGregor, while Bieke's lost was to Lleando Issa.  To Bieke's credit, I think he was winning that fight with his striking until he got caught in a submission in the third round.

Looks like everyone is expecting Brimage to easily defeat the Wild Wolf tomorrow night.  Call it bias or wishful thinking, I feel like Jumabieke's striking looked good in his last fight against Issa.  He made the mistake of trying to take Issa out with one big punch, which I think cost him the fight.  The fight with Brimage, undoubtedly will be a tough one.

He has to use his wrestling background to counter Brimage's takedown attempts and land some solid punches if Brimage attempts to brawl.  The exchanges during the brawl will be the opportunities for Jumabieke to land his power shots like he did against Issa.

The Wild Wolf reminds me of a smaller, Kazakh version of Dan Henderson.  Hopefully he can prove all the online fight journalists wrong!

Hunt for the Title - UFC 180

With Cain out due to injury, Mark Hunt gets a shot at the interim heavyweight title.  It is too bad that Hunt will not have proper time to train and will have to focus on making weight instead of training for a former world champion in bjj, who has become an amazing muay thai fighter under the great master Rafael Corderiro.

Although I like the resurgence of Werdum, I am rooting for Hunt.  Alistair Overeem called him the strongest fighter he has ever faced and we know Overeem has faced the best in both kickboxing in K-1 and in MMA as well.  If Hunt can fight off the takedown of Werdum and land some of his powerful punches, he could pull it off.

The outcome of this fight will depend on how well Hunt can prevent the take downs and improved his grappling versus how much Werdum has improved in his striking since the uppercut knockout by Junior Dos Santos.  If the fight takes place on the feet, between Hunt's thunderous punches and his granite chin, Werdum might end up on the floor staring towards the heavens, as Hunt walks off after one of his 'Roy Nelson' dropping uppercuts!

Fighters to keep an eye on in 2013: Jacare Souza (Middleweight)

Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu wiz that transitioned into MMA.  He recently beat Ed Herman and will soon be fighting in the UFC.  UFC has not announced who he will be fighting next, but I am excited to see how he does.  His striking has improved greatly since joining Team Nogueira and training with the likes of Anderson Silva, Junior Dos Santos, Lil Nog etc..  He showed by knocking out Derek Brunson that he is not a one dimensional fighter anymore. 

Jones vs Belfort

I am glad UFC 151 got canceled.  This card actually looks good after the Jones vs Belfort got added to it.  Can't wait for Belfort to try his luck with getting the light heavy weight belt from Jon Jones.  The things he has going for him are his experience, heavy hands speed and the inside information from Rashad Evans from training with the Blackzilians team.  Michael Bisping and Brian Stann fight also probably will be exciting considering Bisping is a good kickboxer and Stann has some serious knockout power if he can land.