Author: Jeff Fox

By: Jeff Fox | October 21, 2018 Jan 27, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Ronaldo Souza (red gloves) defeats Derek Brunson (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports As Ferris Bueller said: “Life in the MMA world moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”  Or something like that.   But fight announcements do come fast and furious these days, so it’s easy to miss them.  But don’t worry, The MMA Manifesto has got you covered.  Our  MMA  Fight Announcement Roundup will let you know what fights...

By: Jeff Fox | October 19, 2018 Sep 8, 2018; Dallas, TX, USA; Jimmie Rivera (red gloves) defeats John Dodson (not pictured) during UFC 228 at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports There is constant debate about the “official” UFC fighter rankings, which are based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or not.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA Manifesto has...

By: Jeff Fox | October 18, 2018 As Ferris Bueller said: “Life in the MMA world moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”  Or something like that.   But fight announcements do come fast and furious these days, so it’s easy to miss them.  But don’t worry, The MMA Manifesto has got you covered.  Our  MMA  Fight Announcement Roundup will let you know what fights have been announced recently.  You’re welcome. (click here for details on all upcoming UFC fight cards) UFC Artem Lobov   (14-14-1, 1 NC) vs Michael Johnson   (18-13) – UFC Fight Night:...

By: Jeff Fox | October 17, 2018 Aug 25, 2017; Verona, NY, USA; Bruna Ellen fights Veta Arteaga during Bellator 182 at Turning Stone Casino. Mandatory Credit: Dave Mandel-USA TODAY Sports There is constant debate about fighter rankings, which are normally based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or no.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA Manifesto has come up with a performance based...

By: Jeff Fox | October 16, 2018 SINGAPORE – OCTOBER 17: Bibiano Fernandes of Brazil attends the official weigh-in for his bout ahead of the One Fighting Championship Bantamweight World Championship Unification bout at Chijmes on October 17, 2013 in Singapore. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images) As Ferris Bueller said: “Life in the MMA world moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”  Or something like that.   But fight announcements do come fast and furious these days, so it’s easy to miss them.  But don’t worry, The MMA Manifesto has got...

By: Jeff Fox | October 16, 2018 Eddie Alvarez is hunting for another belt to add to his extensive collection.  And Asia’s ONE Championship has just signed their biggest name fighter in its seven year history.  The Underground King has signed with the company, it was announced on Monday by the promotion’s head man, Chatri Sityodtong. Alvarez became a free agent after losing to Dustin Poirier this past July.  He went a pedestrian 4-3 (1 NC) during his four year UFC run, but did win the lightweight championship from Rafael dos Anjos in July 2016, before losing it that...

By: Jeff Fox | October 15, 2018 Mar 3, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Brian Ortega lands a kick against Frankie Edgar during UFC 222 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports There is constant debate about the “official” UFC fighter rankings, which are based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or no.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA Manifesto has...

By: Jeff Fox | October 14, 2018 [embedded content] MMA Manifesto, Updates View the original article on MMA Manifesto: Bellator 208 Event...

By: Jeff Fox | October 13, 2018 Bellator 208: Fedor vs SonnenOct 12th, 2018Nassau Coliseum Uniondale, New York Bellator 208: Fedor vs Sonnen Results Main Card (Paramount, DAZN – 9:00 pm Eastern) Heavyweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals:Fedor Emelianenko vs. Chael Sonnen Lightweights:Benson Henderson vs. Saad Awad Heavyweights:Cheick Kongo vs. Timothy Johnson Middleweights:Alexander Shlemenko vs. Anatoly Tokov Featherweights:Henry Corrales vs. Andy Main Prelims (ParamountNetwork.com – 6:30 pm Eastern) Featherweights:Frank Buenafuente vs. James Gonzalez Middleweights:Jeremy Puglia vs. Eric Olsen Welterweights:Mike DiOrio vs. Andrews Rodriguez Lightweights:Ryan Castro vs. Dennis Buzukia Welterweights:Robson Gracie Jr. vs. Jamal Pottinger Bantamweights:Zarrukh Adashev **WINNER VIA TKO (KNEES & PUNCHES)...

By: Jeff Fox | October 13, 2018 [embedded content] MMA Manifesto View the original article on MMA Manifesto: Bellator 208: Fedor vs. Sonnen: Episode...

By: Jeff Fox | October 13, 2018 [embedded content] MMA Manifesto View the original article on MMA Manifesto: Bellator 207...

By: Jeff Fox | October 12, 2018 Sep 22, 2018; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Francisco Trinaldo (red gloves) defeats Evan Dunham (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ginasio do Ibirapuera. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports There is constant debate about the “official” UFC fighter rankings, which are based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or no.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA Manifesto...

By: Jeff Fox | October 12, 2018 [embedded content] MMA Manifesto View the original article on MMA Manifesto: Bellator 207: Countdown - Matt Mitrione vs. Ryan Bader: Episode...

By: Jeff Fox | October 11, 2018 Perhaps Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Conor McGregor really was the biggest fight in MMA history.  Dave Meltzer reports that last Saturday’s UFC 229 extravaganza sold approximately 2.4 million pay-per-views.  These numbers break down to about 1.9 million sold via traditional PPV, and another 470,000-480,000 via online streaming. This destroys the previous UFC PPV record, which was for UFC 202 (McGregor vs Diaz), which sold in the 1.5-1.7 million PPV range.  So you can pretty much guarantee a Khabib-McGregor 2 will become a reality in the near future. Click here for the top selling UFC...

By: Jeff Fox | October 11, 2018 [embedded content] MMA Manifesto View the original article on MMA Manifesto: Bellator 207: Countdown - Ryan Bader vs. Matt Mitrione: Episode...

By: Jeff Fox | October 10, 2018 ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 29: Daniel Cormier reacts to losing to Jon Jones in the Light Heavyweight title bout during UFC 214 at Honda Center on July 29, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Daniel Cormier’s days as the champ-champ are numbered.  Ariel Helwani reports that the UFC has booked Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson 2 for UFC 232 on December 29th.  And, since the promotion is hellbent that every pay-per-view must be headlined by a title fight, it will be for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. But Daniel Cormier...

By: Jeff Fox | October 10, 2018 Dec 1, 2017; Thackerville, OK, USA; Julia Budd (red gloves) looks on prior to fighting Arlene Blencowe (not pictured) during Bellator 189 at Winstar World Casino. Mandatory Credit: Dave Mandel-USA TODAY Sports There is constant debate about fighter rankings, which are normally based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or no.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA...

By: Jeff Fox | October 10, 2018 Oct 6, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Derrick Lewis (red gloves) reacts after beating Alexander Volkov (blue gloves) during UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports The champ Daniel Cormier should be a massive favorite when he steps into the octagon next month in Madison Square Garden.  DC has opened as a huge favorite for his first defense of the UFC Heavyweight Championship in a hastily arranged matchup against Derrick Lewis.  After opening as a -800 fav, he’s now settled in at -596 (meaning he’s predicted to...

By: Jeff Fox | October 9, 2018 Feb 3, 2018; Belem, Brazil; Valentina Shevchenko (red gloves) defeats Priscila Cachoeira (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Mangueirinho Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports The UFC matchmaking musical chairs continue, as ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reports that Valentina Shevchenko and Sijara Eubanks will no longer fight at UFC 230, and instead Shevchenko will once again fight Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 231. Here’s what we wrote about that fight when it was originally announced a few weeks back: Joanna Jedrzejczyk will aim to make some UFC history on December 8th.  The former...

By: Jeff Fox | October 9, 2018 Oct 6, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Derrick Lewis (red gloves) fights Alexander Volkov (blue gloves) during UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports It couldn’t come more last minute, but next month’s UFC 230 fight card finally has a main event.  Again.  Per ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, and confirmed by the UFC, heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier will defend his belt (the heavyweight one, not light heavy) against Derrick Lewis. This comes as a bit of a surprise, since the UFC announced Valentina Shevchenko vs Sijara Eubanks was...