After viral win over 529-pound man, Darina Mazdyuk has big plans for Bellator career

You remember the name Darina Mazdyuk, right? It should at least job your memory, because if you’re a frequent visitor of MMA websites, there’s a good chance you saw the viral video of her beating a man back in November.

This wasn’t just any man, though. The inter-gender contest saw Mazdyukscore a first-round TKO victory against Grigory Christyakov, who tipped the scales at 529 pounds against Mazdyuk’s 139.

The freak show fight – for better or worse – caught the attention of many, including the Bellator brass. It didn’t take long fo the promotion to reach out to Mazdyuk with a contract offer, and she said she jumped at the opportunity and intends to thrive.

“Bellator contacted me about one to two weeks after the fight video came out – notably after comments of our fight from the likes of Mickey Rourke, Mark Goddard, and Mike O’Hearn,” Mazdyuk told BJPenn.com . “I will get even more attention when I start to conquer Bellator.”

Although her current notoriety stems from the viral bout, Mazdyuk assured skeptics that she is not a gimmick. She has an extensive background in martial arts, having trained in some variety of combat since she was 15. She’s got experience in sambo and karate, but MMA is now the main focus.

The optics of her viral bout tended to garner different impressions within the sport. Nevertheless, Mazdyuk got the attention she was seeking and managed to flip it into a spot on the Bellator roster. It’s a concept Mazdyuk had in mind for some time, she said, and was ultimately pleased to execute it.

“The idea to hold this fight came from me,” Mazdyuk said. “There was no quarrel with Grigory. There was an idea for a fight between a woman and a man. We had been looking for a long time for someone who would agree. The organizers found two fighters and from them I chose Grigory.”

Besides the viral mismatch win, which was an exhibition, Mazdyuk, 28, has compiled an official 3-1 professional record. Madzyuk has competed at openweight, lightweight, featherweight, and bantamweight. She rides a two-fight winning streak and holds one TKO victory in three wins.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/01/darina-mazdyuk-big-plans-bellator-career-529-pound-man-viral-video

 

UFC Fight Island 7 loses another bout, this time non-COVID related

UFC Fight Island 7, the promotion’s return to Fight Island and its debut on ABC, continues to take hits to the fight card. Bethe Correia is out of her planned bout opposite Wu Yanan.

The line-up has already been battered with COVID-19 related casualties, but Correia is not out because of the pandemic induced disease. She is out because she needs to have her appendix removed, which requires surgery. The news was first reported by MMA Fighting.

Correia has blazed a rough trail during her UFC tenure, losing five of her last eight bouts. She fought one time earlier this year, losing a decision to Pannie Kianzad in July.

It was unclear at the time of publication if the UFC would be able to secure a replacement and keep Yunan on the fight card. Though there is still more than a week left until the fight, the UFC faces many more hurdles than normal because of the COVID-19 related testing and travel restrictions that fighters face getting to Abu Dhabi.

UFC Fight Island 7 is headlined by a featherweight battle between former champion Max Holloway and rising contender Calvin Kattar. It takes place on Jan. 16 and will be simulcast on ESPN+ and ABC, a first for the UFC.

TRENDING Dana White sends warning to illegal streamers ahead of UFC 257

Bethe Correia confirms successful appendix surgery


Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-fight-island-7-loses-another-bout-this-time-non-covid-related

 

UFC lightweight title picture clearing as Justin Gaethje vs. Charles Oliveira targeted

A fight between UFC lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira is being targeted to help clear up the title picture.

UFC president Dana White, in an ESPN+ question and answer session with fans, said that Gaethje vs. Oliveira could be the next bout for the two contenders.

Gaethje (22-3) is fresh off of a loss to UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 in October. He had been on a four-fight winning streak before losing his bid for the belt, but still remains the No. 1 contender in the division.

Oliveira (30-8, 1 NC) is on an incredible streak, having won his eight most recent bouts. His most recent bout was the most notable, as Oliveira dominated Tony Ferguson at UFC 256.

With Khabib’s future in limbo, as he announced his retirement following UFC 254, a bout between Gaethje and Oliveira could help bring a potential successor into focus. If Khabib decides to fight again, it could also whittle down his potential opponents.

Other pivotal lightweight bouts are already on order, as UFC 257 features Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor in a main event rematch, as well as former Bellator champion squaring off with No. 6 ranked Dan Hooker.

TRENDING Michael Chandler finally books first UFC bout on ‘the biggest stage’ possible


Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-lightweight-title-picture-clearing-as-justin-gaethje-vs-charles-oliveira-targeted

 

UFC lightweight Tony Ferguson gives update on arm – in classic ‘El Cucuy’ fashion

UFC lightweight Tony Ferguson says his arm is feeling great.

Well, actually his exact phrasing was, “The Arm Is As Good As Iron Ahhhhhhhh Ah Ahhhhh Ahhhh Ah.”

That’s a substitute for “great,” right?

Ferguson (25-5 MMA, 15-3 UFC) suffered his second loss in a row at UFC 256, and in that fight, found himself on the receiving end of a gruesome Charles Oliveira armbar attempt. Somehow, someway, Ferguson refused to tap.

Although Ferguson has never acknowledged explicitly that his arm suffered any sort of injury in the fight, he’s posted images on social media of physical therapy treatment.

On Tuesday, Ferguson took to Twitter to further update fans on how he was doing – and he did so in vintage fashion.

It was written in all caps. There were random hashtags. Yes, Ferguson even used 15 different emojis and added a random video of him dancing. And of course, he signed it off with his signature, “CSO” meaning “Champ Sh*t Only.”

But that’s “El Cucuy” for you, right? That’s what makes him so awesome and intriguing. He’s truly one of a kind. Twitter might not be for everyone – but it’s certainly for Tony Ferguson.

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/2021/01/ufc-news-tony-ferguson-arm-update-el-cucuy-fashion

 

MMA rankings report, 2020 review: Who were the year’s biggest movers?

Before events kick into full swing this year, John Morgan and “Gorgeous” George Garcia look back at the biggest movers in the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings during 2020.

Which fighters stood out in shooting up their respective divisions this past year? You can watch the video above for discussion on the following:

, , , , , , , , , , , , , Bellator, Featured, News, Radio Highlight, UFC, Videos

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/01/2020-ufc-bellator-rankings-year-in-review-movers-shakers

 

 

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