In the grand scheme of professional mixed martial arts, every promotion tends to know more or less what their goals are, where their interests lie, and what kind of organization they want to be. The UFC is rightfully considered to…
Why has the UFC failed to create a female star since Ronda Rousey?
In November 2012, UFC president Dana White announced the arrival of women in the UFC, a moment that he said would never happen just a year prior. Ronda Rousey, the Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion, became the inaugural 135-pound champion in…
Is Cain Velasquez a lost love, or a disappointing ex-boyfriend?
Cain Velasquez casts a penumbra over the UFC heavyweight division. With a 14-2 record and two heavyweight title wins and defenses, he’s unquestionably one of the greats. For a long time, he was the mythical creature all heavyweights compared themselves…
Not virtually identical: A countdown of the UFC’s best commentary teams
From baseball to tiddlywinks to chess to Olympic figure skating to mixed martial arts, there’s always some clown in a badly-fitting outfit sitting somewhere nearby, foaming at the mouth as they puke up a ceaseless diatribe of barely relevant half-truths…
Trash-talking in the UFC: Stories of slander, rhymes, and strange accents
To succeed in the modern era of combat sports, it’s no longer enough to just be a great fighter. A good work ethic, genetic gifts, technical proficiency and a hunger to win will only take you so far. These days,…
Nate Diaz vs. Nick Diaz: A difference between brothers
Is there a more iconic pair of MMA brothers than Nick Diaz and Nate Diaz? Casual fans see them as overblown, gangster wannabes whose popularity far outstrips their skill. True fans look past their onstage persona and see genuine human…