UFC 197: Rumored to Feature McGregor/RDA and Holm/Tate

Who wins in a potential fight?

Rafael dos Anjos

Conor McGreggor

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Who wins in a potential fight?

Holly Holm

Miesha Tate

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The MMA world is buzzing about the news of a possible headliner and co-headliner between some of the UFC's biggest stars.  It has been rumored that the UFC soon be announcing title fights between UFC Lightweight Champion, Rafael do Anjos, and UFC Featherweight Champion, Conor McGregor at UFC 197 in March.  Rumors are also spreading that Holly Holm will be defending her UFC Womens' Bantamweight Championship against longtime contender and former Strikeforce Champion, Miesha Tate.  The fight has yet to be confirmed by the UFC, but sources are confident that these two title fights will be happening.  Stay posted to Tough Spar MMA for the latest news regarding this fight on our Facebook Page Tough Spar MMA and our Twitter @Toughsparmma.

Leaked Ronda Rousey SI Swimsuit Photo

Former UFC Bantamweight Champion, Ronda Rousey, has given her Instagram followers a sneak peak of her feature in the 2016 SI Swimsuit Edition.  This will not be her first time being featured in the annual issue of the magazine.  Be sure to check out her post here.  The magazine features the former champion posing covered only be body paint.

Holly Holm vs. Cyborg?

In a recent media scrum with UFC Bantamweight Champion, Holly Holm, we as an MMA community have learned that the newly crowned champion is willing to take on one of Ronda Rousey's arch-rival Chris Cyborg.  The two are cast mates in the film "Fight Valley", but it is now possible that the two could be opponents in the cage.

Former UFC Champion, Ronda Rousey has stated many times that she would be willing to fight Cyborg as long as she was willing to drop down to 135lbs for their fight.  Cyborg, who is the Invicta 145lb champion, has stated that she doesn't believe that she could medically make 135lbs.  Now with that Ronda Rousey is no longer the champion, we will probably never see the two of them fight.  The fight has always been presented as a "super fight" that would be a crowd pleaser.  As an MMA fan, I can honestly say that I was never truly interested in seeing Cyborg take on Rousey.  In my opinion, I felt that it would be a one-sided win for Cyborg.  I don't like seeing one-sided fights, so the idea never really appealed to me.

On the other hand, Holly Holm has stated that she isn't opposed to the idea of meeting Cyborg in a super fight and would be okay facing the Invicta champ in a higher weight class.  For me this is music to my ears.  Both women are superior strikers to most of the other women in similar weight classes and I think the fight would be more exciting.  I believe that Holly Holm's high level of striking would give Cyborg more of a challenge than Ronda Rousey's mediocre striking abilities.  I would watch this fight if it were to happen whether it was a $100 PPV or just a small fight in front of 100 people recorded on a crappy cell phone.  I would watch this fight no matter what.  I wouldn't pay to watch Cyborg dismantle Rousey on the feet.  This is truly a fight that the fans would deserve, despite the fact that Holm and Cyborg aren't bigger draws with the casual mainstream fight fans, but the die hard, long-time MMA fans would explode with excitement at the news of such a fight.  I really hope that we can witness this fight.  Below is the video of the media scrum, provided by Marc Raimondi of MMAfighting.com:

Which fight would you rather see?--Tough Spar MMA

Rousey vs. Cyborg

Holly Holm vs. Cyborg

Poll Maker

Who would win in a super fight between Cris Cyborg and Holly Holm?--Tough Spar MMA

Cris Cyborg

Holly Holm

Poll Maker

Alexis Davis Meets Ronda Rousey at UFC 175

The UFC has announced that top contender, Alexis Davis will be competing for the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship at UFC 175 on July 5th.  Davis currently has a 16-5 record in her MMA career and is currently 3-0 in the UFC.  She holds significant over some of WMMA's best fighters including Julie Kedzie, Amanda Nunes, Shana Baszler, Rosi Sexton, Liz Carmouche and most recently Jessica Eye.  Alexis Davis is a very well-rounded fighter with amazing striking and grappling.

The current UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, Ronda Rousey has been an unstoppable force since arriving to WMMA.  She is undefeated and has been competing on a high-level since she began her career.  Ronda Rousey has been able to finish all nine of her opponents.  She has 8 submission wins and 1 TKO win with 8 of 9 fights ending in the first round.

It will be an interesting fight for Rousey seeing as Davis is truly the most well-rounded opponent that Rousey has faced.  Seeing how easily Davis beat Liz Carmouche in their fight is truly a testament to her skills.  She is a master at technical striking and a genius on the ground.  Though I might not be a huge fan of Ronda Rousey, I can't deny how talented that she truly is.  I feel that in a few years we will be talking about her in a similar way that we talk about Anderson Silva, Fedor and Big Nog.  She has been a true superstar in not only WMMA, but in MMA in general.  Ronda Rousey has the ability to overwhelm her opponents with her inhuman Judo abilities and her signature armbar.  She has already beaten some of the best in the world and Alexis Davis will be no exception.

UFC 170 Results

Main Card:

Ronda Rousey def. Sara McMann via first-round TKO
Daniel Cormier def. Patrick Cummins via first-round TKO
Rory MacDonald def. Demian Maia via unanimous decision
Mike Pyle def. TJ Waldburger via third-round TKO
Stephen Thompson def. Robert Whittaker via first-round TKO

Preliminary Card:

Alexis Davis def. Jessica Eye via split decision
Raphael Assuncao def. Pedro Munhoz via unanimous decision
Aljamain Sterling def. Cody Gibson via unanimous decision
Zach Makovsky def. Josh Sampo via unanimous decision
Erik Koch def. Rafaello Oliveira via first-round TKO
Ernest Chavez def. Yosdenis Cedeno via split decision

Cris Cyborg Planning a Drop to Bantamweight, Wants Rousey in December

Invicta FC Featherweight Champion, Cristiane Santos aka Cris Cyborg has recently announced a plan to drop down to 135 lbs this year and already has her sights on a specific opponents. Cyborg says she wants a bout with the current UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, Ronda Rousey. When the UFC was first introducing the female bantamweight division, the UFC had a super fight between Rousey and Cyborg, but Cyborg said that she couldn't medically make the 135 lb weight requirement.  Cyborg Is planning on working with her doctor so that she can make the cut in the healthiest way possible.

A drop to 135 lbs is exciting news for the UFC and WMMA community alike.  Not long ago, Cyborg parted ways with her manager and UFC public enemy number one, Tito Ortiz. With Ortiz out of the way, negotiations with the UFC could begin. Dana White was unwilling to sign Cyborg as long as Ortiz was her manager.  I think a fight involving Cyborg and Rousey would mean big bucks for the UFC and fireworks for MMA fans. With Rousey scheduled to fight Sarah McMann this weekend, if McMann we're to fail this weekend, Cyborg would be the next biggest threat to Rousey's belt.

UFC 170 Weigh-in Results

Main Card:

Ronda Rousey (135) vs. Sara McMann (135)
Daniel Cormier (205) vs. Patrick Cummins (205)
Rory MacDonald (171) vs. Demian Maia (170)
Mike Pyle (171) vs. T.J. Waldburger (171)
Stephen Thompson (170.5) vs. Robert Whittaker (170)

Preliminary Card:

Alexis Davis (135) vs. Jessica Eye (136)
Raphael Assuncao (136) vs. Pedro Munhoz (135)
Aljamaine Sterling (135.5) vs. Cody Gibson (135.5)
Zach Makovsky (125) vs. Josh Sampo (126)
Erik Koch (155) vs. Rafaello Oliveira (155)
Ernest Chavez (156) vs. Yosdenis Cedeno (155.5)

UFC 170: Countdown to UFC 170/Rousey vs. McMann

Sarah Kaufman Returns to Action in Quebec

UFC  Bantamweight star, Sarah Kaufman was last seen in the Octagon at UFC 166 in Houston.  Kaufman met Jessica "Evil" Eye  in a slufest on the preliminary card on Fox Sports 1.  The two went at it for fifteen minutes with a controversial decision victory giving Eye the win despite what seemed like an obvious win Kaufman.  The decision victory was then overturned recently two a no contest after Eye failed a drug test and tested positive for marijuana.

Now Kaufman will have the opportunity to prove herself in the cageagain against WMMA vet and recent TUF 18 contestant, Shana Baszler. The two on will clash at the UFC TUF Nations Finale in Quebec, Canada.

UFC 172: Jessamyn Duke to be Featured at UFC 172

According to Brazilian MMA outlet, Combate, TUF 18 Muay Thai standout, Jessamyn Duke is being scheduled to face Bethe Correia at UFC 172.  Jessamyn Duke is coming off of a decision victory over Peggy Morgan who was also featured on the Ultimate Fighter 18 as well at the TUF 18 Finale.  Bethe Correia made her UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 33 in Australia where she defeated MMA veteran Julie Kedzie by split decision.

UFC 171: Raquel Pennington Meets Jessica Andrade

TUF 18 Alumni, Raquel Pennington has now be slated to face Jessica Andrade in place of Julianna Pena.  It was reported earlier this week that TUF 18 winner, Julianna Pena has suffered a serious knee injury that has forced her to pull out of her post-TUF debut at UFC 171.  There are mixed messages about how the injury occurred, but Pena will not be fully recovered by UFC 171.  Pennington made it all the way to the semifinals of the Ultimate Fighter Season 18 in the first ever TUF to feature female fighters.

Pennington is an excellent replacement for Pena.  Pennington already has an impressive resume despite only having seven professional fights in MMA.  She has faced top level competition already such as Kim Couture, Sarah Moras, Cat Zingano, Leslie Smith and most recently a victory over WMMA vet and TUF cast mate, Roxanne Modafferi in her UFC debut.  Pennington matches up well with Jessica Andrade.  Before the UFC announced Pennington as Pena's replacement, both Sarah Kaufman and Shana Baszler wanted the fight with Andrade.

UFC 171: Julianna Pena Out of Jessica Andrade Fight

Female Bantamweight Ultimate Fighter, Julianna Pena has suffered a serious knee injury and will no longer be able to face her first UFC opponent, Jessica Andrade, at UFC 171.  Both Sarah Kaufman and Shana Baszler have shown an interest in filling in for Pena to face Andrade.

Who would you rather see fight Jessica Andrade in place of Julianna Pena?--Tough Spar MMA

Sarah Kaufman

Shana Baszler

Other

Please Specify:

Poll Maker

Tate and Carmouche Meet at UFC on Fox 11

Contrary to the opinion Matt 'the Immortal' Brown, WMMA keeps getting better and more interesting as the days go by as former Stikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate and Liz Carmouche are set to do battle at UFC on Fox 11on April 19th in Florida.

Carmouche and Tate both share a loss to the current queen of the 135 lb division, Ronda Rousey. Tate desperately needs a win against Carmouche as she is 0-2 since the UFC has brought in the women's Bantamweight division. Carmiuche is in a similar boat in which she needs a win as well at 1-2 in the UFC. It will be a scrappy bout between two of the best in women's MMA.

Miesha Tate Would Fight Rousey 100 Times if Allowed

The UFC's Miesha Tate recently went to war with UFC Champ Ronda Rousey this past December and even though she has now lost to Rousey twice, Tate is still willing to go to war with her as many times as Dana White will allow her to. She stated that even if she lost 99 of the 100 times she would still go to war with Rousey even if it is not for the title.

I would be willing to watch Tate and rousey clash at least five of those hundred times considering Tate was able to last longer against Rousey than her first attempt and the attempt of any other of Rousey's opponents. Rousey and Tate have a legitimate feud that fed both of the competitors to become better fighters and it was evident when they clashed at UFC 168. Tate has admitted to not feeling 100% in her fight with Tate. Imagine what would've occured had we had a 100% Miesha in the cage with Rousey.

UFC 171: Julianna Pena faces Jessica Andrade

On November 30, 2013 the UFC made history by crowning its first female Ultimate Fighter, Julianna Pena.  Pena (5-2) fought her way through many tough women in the Ultimate Fighter house and trained for 6 weeks before facing dangerous striker, Jessica Rakoczsy in the finals.  Pena was able to defeat Rakoczy by way of TKO due to ground strikes.  Pena easily walked through Rakoczy who just couldn't improve on her grappling enough to contend with Pena's superior skills.  Pena will now get to finally step into the Octagon after becoming the TUF Season 18 crown.

Jessica Andrade has been tapped as the TUF queen's first opponent since winning the crown.  Andrade (10-3) will be no cake walk for Pena as Andrade is even more dangerous than Rakoczy, as Andrade can strike and grapple.  Andrade lost her UFC debut against the fierce Liz Carmouche by TKO but then devastated Rosi Sexton in her most recent fight in October.  This will be a tough fight for Pena and I don't believe that she will win this one against Andrade.  I just don't believe that Pena has the skill set to dismantle Andrade.  The two women will face each other at UFC 171 which is being headlined by a clash between Johnny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler for the vacant UFC Welterweight Title.

After winning TUF 18, will Julianna Pena make a successful UFC debut against Jessica Andrade?--Tough Spar MMA

Yes

No

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Tito Invites Tate to Help Train with Cyborg

By way of Twitter, Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino's manager Tito Ortiz called Miesha Tate out asking for Tate to help he and Cyborg train for her next bout. Right now the current Invicta FC Featherweight champ doesn't have a fight scheduled but the invitation was still extended. Tat simply replied with "anytime." Not long before Tate's fight at UFC 168, Cyborg offered to help Tate train for Rousey via Twitter.

The two of them have the potential to form a Velasquez-Cormier type of partnership if the two of them could become allies. Both women are arguably top ten WMMA pound-for-pound fighters and would be a force to be reckoned with if they ever come together for training. It makes one wonder if Cyborg has found a way to cut down to 135 to eventually get at Rousey, despite Cyborg claiming that she medically couldn't do so. If we eventually got to see Cyborg in the UFC at 135 lbs we would be in for a treat.

UFC 170: Alexis Davis Gets Jessica Eye as Next Opponent

UFC 170 will be headlined by the UFC's Women's Bantamweight Championship fight between Ronda Rousey and Sara McMann, but there will be another female bout added to the card.  Alexis Davis, who is coming off of a dominating decision win over Liz Carmouche at UFC Fight for the Troops 3.  She believed that she was ready for Ronda Rousey after her win, but the UFC did not agree; instead they gave Sara McMann the title shot and gave her a different opponent. Her opponent in place of Rousey is Jessica Eye who is coming off of a split decision victory over top contender Sara Kaufman in her UFC debut.

UFC 170: Rousey and McMann Clash for the Title

After her victory over Miesha Tate, it was announced that the UFC had already chosen her next opponent and the fight would be occurring very shortly.  Sara McMann has been chosen as the next gladiator to step I to the cage with the UFC's hungry dragon named Ronda Rousey.

Sarah McMann is an undefeated competitor who is 7-0 in her professional MMA career. She holds notable wins over Shana Baszler and Shiela Gaff.  Of her seven wins 6 come by way of stoppage (3 submissions, 3 TKOs) with one decision.  McMann is a silver medaliat at thw 2004 Olympic Games in women's freestyle wrestling at 63 kg (~138 lbs.)  This will be a clash of two Olympic medalists from the same year, but different sports.

This will be a great clash between two female titans in the UFC. I believe that McMann poses the greatest threat to Rousey's title, even over Zingano who is the rightful contender for the title. They will be replacing Rashad Evans and Daniel Cormier as the headlining bout at UFC 170 in February.

UFC 168: Post Fight Bonuses

The UFC has released its results for the post fight bonuses for UFC 168 and here they are:

Fight of the Night Bonus: Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate

Submission of the Night Bonus: Ronda Rousey

Knockout of the Night Bonus: Travis Browne

UFC 168 Results

Main Card:

Chris Weidman def. Anderson Silva due to injury (leg fracture) Round 2
Ronda Rousey def. Meisha Tate via submission Round 3
Travis Browne def. Josh Barnett via TKO (elbow strikes) Round 1
Jim Miller def. Fabricio Camoes via submission (armbar) Round 1
Dustin Poirier def. Diego Brandao via TKO (punches) Round 1

Preliminary Card:

Uriah Hall def. Chris Leben via TKO (corner stoppage) Round 1
Michael Johnson def. Gleison Tibau via KO (punches) Round 1
Dennis Siver def. Manny Gamburyan via unanimous decision
John Howard def. Siyar Bahadurzada via unanimous decision
William Macario Patolino def. Bobby Voelker via unanimous decision
Robbie Peralta def. Estevan Payan via KO (punches) Round 3
145 lbs.: Estevan Payan vs. Robbie Peralta -- Peralta wins by KO (punches) - 0:12 rd. 3