UFC fighter Cub Swanson has stepped into the cage for 38 professional fights. His longtime manager, Kami Safdari, was there every time. Unfortunately, he won’t be there the next time Swanson steps into the Octagon.

Safdari, according to Swanson, passed away suddenly from a heart attack three days before Christmas.

Even through Swanson’s four-fight losing skid, Safdari was there. Fortunately, he was also there to see Swanson emerge from that skid to see him win his last two fights, including a knockout of Daniel Pineda at UFC 256 earlier this month.

According to Swanson, Safdari was a full-time doctor who managed his career simply because “he loved it.”

Swanson issued a heartfelt statement about his manager – his friend – thanking him and committing to being there for Safdari’s 11-month-old son, Tyson.

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Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/cub-swanson-mourns-sudden-death-of-his-manager

Conor McGregor hasn’t fought since his 40-second knockout of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 246 in January. He makes his return to the Octagon one year later on Jan. 23 at UFC 257, where he will rematch Dustin Poirier on UFC Fight Island.

Poirier steps back in the cage having defeated Dan Hooker over the summer after having failed to take the UFC lightweight title from Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019.

Get hyped for the UFC 257 Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor rematch as 2021 is about to kick off.

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(Video courtesy of UFC)

Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/get-hyped-for-conor-mcgregors-return-opposite-dustin-poirier-at-ufc-257

After a three-year hiatus, “The Ultimate Fighter” returns in 2021.

The long-running reality competition series – credited for launching the career of UFC Hall of Famers Michael Bisping, Stephan Bonnar, Rashad Evans, Forrest Griffin and Diego Sanchez, as well as former UFC champions T.J. Dillashaw, Carla Esparza, Tony Ferguson, Nicco Montano, Rose Namajunas, Kamaru Usman and Robert Whittaker, not to mention dozens of MMA notables – originally launched in 2005.

UFC brass often points to the first season’s live finale between Griffin and Bonnar as the launching point for MMA’s modern popularity.

“The Ultimate Fighter 29” is set to air on ESPN+ in March 2021, though an exact debut date has yet to be announced. The promotion also has yet to reveal the coaches for the relaunch of the series, though UFC president Dana White previously revealed the promotion was casting middleweight and bantamweight prospects.

Ahead of the show’s 29th season, relive the best, worst and most ridiculous moments in series history with “The Ultimate Fighter: Through the Years,” hosted by “TUF 1” winner Griffin.

From White’s legendary “Do you want to be a f-cking fighter?” speech – as well his equally legendary “beat him off” flub – to Julian Lane’s passionate “Let me bang, bro” plea and everything in between, the hourlong special looks at some of the most memorable moments in series history, including some that those involved would probably rather forget.

The official teaser, from the UFC:

Hosted by Forrest Griffin, this compilation special takes a look back on 28 groundbreaking seasons with incredible moments, fighters, and coach rivalries that have made TUF the longest running sports competition series in history.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/ahead-of-tuf-29-check-out-a-robust-recap-video-of-the-ultimate-fighter-through-the-years

Chael Sonnen’s Submission Underground returns to UFC Fight Pass on Wednesday, and once again the card features a number of MMA notables.

The closed-door submission grappling event takes place in Portland and features Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader in the main event, taking on SUG absolute champion Mason Fowler. The full card streams live on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT local time).

Bader competed earlier this month at Submission Underground 19, scoring an overtime victory over recent Bellator signee Anthony Johnson, while Fowler also competed on the same card, submitting Satoshi Ishii in overtime to defend his belt.

In the co-main event of Submission Underground 20, Japanese Olympic gold medalist judoka and longtime MMA veteran Ishii faces Australian grappling superstar Craig Jones.

Additional featured contests include 20-time UFC veteran C.B. Dollaway against 10th Planet black belt Richie Martinez, as well as Invicta FC flyweight Pearl Gonzalez taking on UFC women’s flyweight Gillian Robertson.

The complete Submission Underground 20 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD

• Champ Mason Fowler vs. Ryan Bader – for absolute championship
• Satoshi Ishii vs. Craig Jones
• C.B. Dollaway vs. Richie Martinez
• Pearl Gonzalez vs. Gillian Robertson
• Hunter Colvin vs. Gabriel Gonzaga

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Ben Egli vs. Andy Varela
• Micah Brakefield vs. Benji Silva
• Rita Gribben vs. Kristin Mikkelson
• Juan Bernardo vs. Alex Larmey
• Charlie Gilpin vs. John Simon

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/submission-underground-20-ryan-bader-cb-dollaway-pearl-gonzalez-gillian-robertson

While winning fights is the primary goal of every athlete in the UFC, what you do immediately after a victory is equally important to long-term success.

No one is better on a microphone in post-fight interview than former UFC double champ Conor McGregor, and he remains the gold standard for how to handle your time in the spotlight to lay out future plans and promote your next moves. It’s no surprise that in the UFC’s “Best Octagon Interviews of 2020,” McGregor leads the charge with his boisterous post-fight rant following his January win over Donald Cerrone.

But McGregor wasn’t the only one to make an impression.

Check out the best (and maybe some worst) post-fight interviews, courtesy of the UFC, including a pair of passionate Paul Felder clips, farewells from two of the best two ever do it in Anderson Silva and Khabib Nurmagomedov, Israel Adesanya pushing back against the clickbait, and Derrick Lewis sharing the status of his bowels.

And, of course, don’t forget what Nate Landwehr brings to the table: “Blood, sweat, and a good-ass fight.”

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/video-best-ufc-post-fight-interviews-includes-blood-sweat-and-a-good-ass-fight