Author: Jeff Fox

By: Jeff Fox | April 18, 2018 Oct 20, 2017; Uncasville, CT, USA; Alexander Shlemenko (blue gloves) fights Gegard Mousasi (red gloves) during Bellator 185 at Mohegan Sun Arena. 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...

By: Jeff Fox | April 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 Interim Welterweight Championship: Rafael dos Anjos (28-9) vs Colby Covington (13-1) – UFC 224 –...

By: Jeff Fox | April 16, 2018 UNIONDALE, NY – JULY 22: Alex Oliveira (L) celebrates after knocking out Ryan LaFlare (R) during their UFC Fight Night welterweight bout at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on July 22, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images) 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...

By: Jeff Fox | April 16, 2018 Dustin Poirier is one step closer to a title shot after his performance Saturday night, and he also has some more dough in his bank account. Here are the fighter payouts for UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs Gaethje, released by the Arizona Department of Gaming. Attendance: 11,382Gate: $1,085,712.25 Dustin Poirier: $240,000 ($85,000 to show, $85,000 win bonus, $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus, $20,000 fight week incentive pay) Justin Gaethje: $163,500 ($110,000 to show, $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus, $3,500 fight week incentive pay) Alex Oliveira: $160,000 ($50,000 to show, $50,000 win bonus,...

By: Jeff Fox | April 16, 2018 So you think you know your MMA? You think you can predict who is going to win a fight and how?  Time to prove it. We present to you The MMA Manifesto Pick ‘Em contest.  We are now sponsored by McBryde Mats! We are McBryde Mats, a sports mat manufacturer that’s based out of Lubbock, Texas. Our CEO, Clayton McBryde, founded the company in 2014 after plenty of research and consideration into the mat market – Today we pride ourselves on making the best quality mats at affordable prices to keep athletes in all...

  So you think you know your MMA? You think you can predict who is going to win a fight and how?  Time to prove it. We present to you The MMA Manifesto Pick ‘Em contest.  We are now sponsored by McBryde Mats! We are McBryde Mats, a sports mat manufacturer that’s based out of Lubbock, Texas. Our CEO, Clayton McBryde, founded the company in 2014 after plenty of research and consideration into the mat market – Today we pride ourselves on making the best quality mats at affordable prices to keep athletes in all sports categories safe from accidents and...

By: Jeff Fox | April 15, 2018 Congratulations to Craig S for winning our UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs Gaethje Pick ‘Em Contest via tiebreaker!  Next Pick ‘Em action of will be UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs Lee on Apr 21st.  Thanks for playing! Consensus Picks Dustin Poirier – 61%Israel Adesanya – 74%Alex Oliveira – 61%Michelle Waterson – 56%Antonio Carlos Junior – 70% Consensus Overall Record in 2017: 31-22 (58%) UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs Gaethje Pick ‘Em Results 1 Craig S. 11 2 James Weise 11 3 Matt G. 10 3 Jon Doe 10 3 Robert Oakes 10 6 Ryan A. MacDonald 9...

By: Jeff Fox | April 15, 2018 Dustin Poirier Career Earnings (WEC & UFC fights only, doesn’t include undisclosed bonuses, Reebok sponsorship started July 2015) * denotes an estimated purse Click on event name for full payout for all fighters for that event WEC 50 – Aug 18/10 – L (Castillo) – $3,000 WEC 52 – Nov 11/10 – W (Micklewright) – $6,000 ($3,000 to show, $3,000 win bonus) UFC 125 – Jan 1/11 – W (Grispi) – $8,000 ($4,000 to show, $4,000 win bonus) UFC 131 – Jun 11/11 – W (Young) – $10,000 ($5,000 to show, $5,000 win bonus) UFC on Fox: Velasquez...

By: Jeff Fox | April 14, 2018 [embedded content] MMA Manifesto View the original article on MMA Manifesto: Bellator 197 Video...

By: Jeff Fox | April 13, 2018 UNIONDALE, NY – JULY 22: Chris Weidman (R) and father Charlie Weidman celebrate Weidman’s submission win during his UFC Fight Night middleweight bout at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on July 22, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images) 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...

By: Jeff Fox | April 11, 2018 Nov 3, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Phil Davis (red gloves) fights Leo Leite (not pictured) during Bellator 186 at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-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...

By: Jeff Fox | April 10, 2018 [embedded content] MMA Manifesto View the original article on MMA Manifesto: Fight Night Glendale: Road to the Octagon Full...

By: Jeff Fox | April 10, 2018 LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 9: Brock Lesnar before his fight against Mark Hunt during the UFC 200 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 9, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) Despite the WWE announcing yesterday that their Universal Champion Brock Lesnar has re-signed with the company, still expect the former UFC Heavyweight Champion back into the octagon sooner rather than later.  As Dave Meltzer reports on MMA Fighting, Lesnar’s deal is a short one with the WWE (some sources say it could be for only one...

By: Jeff Fox | April 9, 2018 Mar 17, 2018; London, United Kingdom; Jan Blachowicz (blue gloves) defeats Jimi Manuwa (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sport 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 | April 9, 2018 So you think you know your MMA? You think you can predict who is going to win a fight and how?  Time to prove it. We present to you The MMA Manifesto Pick ‘Em contest.  We are now sponsored by McBryde Mats! We are McBryde Mats, a sports mat manufacturer that’s based out of Lubbock, Texas. Our CEO, Clayton McBryde, founded the company in 2014 after plenty of research and consideration into the mat market – Today we pride ourselves on making the best quality mats at affordable prices to keep athletes in all...

By: Jeff Fox | April 9, 2018 Nick Diaz has come to an agreement with the USADA in regards to his missed drug tests.  The UFC star has accepted a one-year suspension due to missing three out-of-competition drug tests within a year (aka “whereabouts” violations), the USADA announced today. However, there is good news for fans of the Stockton bad boy – his suspension is retroactive to April 2017, meaning he is eligible to compete again as of April 19th of this year (yes, one day before 4/20).  Whether he is at all interested in fighting again, however, is...

By: Jeff Fox | April 9, 2018 LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 9: Brock Lesnar prepares to fight Mark Hunt during the UFC 200 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 9, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) Brock Lesnar’s imminent return to the UFC octagon appears to have been put on hold.  Or the WWE is working us all.  Or he never really was coming back to the UFC, and Dana White is working us all. The wrestling promotion put out a press release today stating that Lesnar has re-signed with them, and will next...

By: Jeff Fox | April 9, 2018 UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs GaethjeApr 14, 2018 Gila River ArenaGlendale, Arizona UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs Gaethje Fight Card Fight Card Ranking (strength of card on paper based on our exclusive Pound for Pound fighter rankings) UFC on FOX cards range between 7,700-6,400 points, with an average UFC on FOX card ranking 7,100 (click on fighter’s name for detailed scouting report) (fighter ranking based on our exclusive Performance Based Ranking system – click fighter’s rank to check out the list) Main Card (FOX/CTV Two – 8:00 pm Eastern) Lightweights (five rounds):Dustin Poirier (22-5,...

By: Jeff Fox | April 9, 2018 Carlos Condit Scouting Report Vitals 6’2″ 170 lbs (Welterweight)76″ reach, OrthodoxApril 26, 1984 Record 30-11 (UFC: 7-7) Current Streak 3 straight losses Training Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-JitsuBlack belt in Gaidojutsu Championships Held WEC Welterweight Champion: 2007-2008 (three successful title defenses)UFC Interim Welterweight Champion: 2012 (no title defenses) Strengths – very experienced– long reach– very well coached– finishes fights– knockout power– great submission artist– great cardio– great at passing guard– solid striking defense– terrific chin – never been knocked out– versatile striker– great at scrambling– very aggressive fighter – pushes pace– kicks...

By: Jeff Fox | April 9, 2018 Tim Boetsch Scouting Report Vitals 5’11” 205 lbs (Middleweight)74″ reach, OrthodoxJanuary 28, 1981 Record 21-11 (UFC: 12-10) Current Streak 1 straight win Training NCAA Division 1 wrestler Championships Held Reality Fighting Light Heavyweight Champion: 2006-2007 (one successful title defense)Extreme Challenge USKBA Heavyweight Champion: 2007 (no title defenses)Extreme Challenge Light Heavyweight Champion: 2007 (one successful title defense)5150 Combat League Light Heavyweight Champion: 2010 (no title defenses) Strengths – strong wrestler– knockout power– mixes up strikes well– good submission skills– good chin– utilizes wrestling/judo throws effectively– good at passing guard– has fought many highly...