Like sports betting, MMA has seen a massive surge in popularity in recent years. MMA combines a variety of martial arts styles, including boxing, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, making it a unique and exciting sport to watch. This article will take a closer look at the current state of MMA and what fans can expect in the future.
UFC Returns To Brazil
Brazil has played a significant role in the history of the UFC, from being the birthplace of the martial art Brazilian jiu-jitsu to producing some of the greatest fighters in UFC history. With the UFC returning to Brazil for the first time in nearly three years, it promises to be a big night for Brazilian fighters.
The main event in Rio de Janeiro features Glover Teixeira, born in Minas Gerais, as he faces Jamahal Hill for the vacant light heavyweight championship. A victory for Teixeira would give him his second title reign and make him the oldest first-time champion in UFC history, at 42.
This event also marks a pivotal moment in the UFC’s history, as the promotion returns to Brazil after a long hiatus due to the COVID pandemic. Fans can expect an exciting night of fights as the UFC showcases some of the best fighters from Brazil.
McGregor Admires Sorin Comsa
Conor McGregor, a renowned sports star, recently sent a congratulatory message to the new RXF heavyweight slap-fighting champion, Sorin Comsa. In slap fighting, two competitors face off on opposite sides of a podium and take turns slapping each other in the face to knock out or make the opponent quit.
The competition can be brutal, as demonstrated in a recent RXF event in Romania, where Comsa survived ten rounds and a swollen face to ultimately defeat his opponent.
Comsa earned the RXF heavyweight title for his victory, 5,435 dollars in prize money, and an unexpected shoutout from McGregor himself. The former dual-weight UFC champion tweeted a video from Comsa’s match, praising the new champion’s “gorgeous technique.”
It is unclear, however, if McGregor specifically praised Comsa or his opponent’s “hellacious blow.”
This newfound respect for slap fighting from McGregor comes at an exciting time, as Dana White’s Power Slap League is set to debut on Wednesday evening.
Ciryl Gane Copies Nate Diaz At UFC 285
Ciryl Gane is on the brink of making history as he prepares for his upcoming fight against Jon Jones on March 4th. If he emerges victorious, he will become the first fighter to claim a vacant heavyweight championship since the division was established in 1997.
Gane is determined to make the most of this opportunity, as it is his second chance at championship gold after falling short against former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in January 2022.
At UFC Vegas 67, Gane was in attendance for the promotion’s first event of 2023 and decided to have a bit of fun by making a spot-on impression of former UFC lightweight and welterweight fighter Nate Diaz. Diaz is known for his antics, and Gane’s impression was perfect and quite humorous.
Jon Jones Signs New Contract
The manager of Jon Jones, Richard Schaefer, has announced that Jones has signed a new contract and is set to make his highly-anticipated debut in the heavyweight division. Jones had decided to relinquish his light heavyweight title and set his sights on the heavier weight class over two years ago.
The transition period was filled with physical preparation and contract negotiations, but now Jones is ready to fight for the heavyweight title on March 4th against Ciryl Gane in Las Vegas.
Jones had been expected to face Francis Ngannou in his heavyweight debut, but Ngannou left the organization. Jones’s journey to the heavyweight division was long, but with his new contract in place, he is committed to staying in the higher weight class.
MMA is a rapidly growing sport that draws new fans and athletes worldwide. With exciting matches and top-notch talent, it is no surprise that MMA is becoming one of the most popular sports globally.
