What lies ahead for UFC 249 winner Bryce Mitchell?

By Alistair Hendrie

Bryce Mitchell shot to the cusp of a featherweight ranking at UFC 249 on Saturday, dominating Charles Rosa on the mat for scores of 30-25 (twice) and one 30-24. Undefeated in thirteen fights, Mitchell, 25, will now be looking for a step-up in competition after commanding Rosa from side control and mount, threatening with arm-triangles and twisters.

While the Arkansas star leaves matchmaking to his manager, Matt Weibel of First Round Management, he could do a lot worse in 2020 than face Sodiq Yusuff. The Nigerian stands at 12-1 after outscoring Andre Fili in January, showing a malicious jab and a heavy top game, not to mention a granite chin – Yusuff had his knees buckled early but recovered well, boxing Fili’s head off for the rest of the round.

Depending on when the UFC can arrange further events during the coronavirus outbreak, facing Yusuff would make a lot of sense for Mitchell. Both men are unbested in the UFC and with Mitchell at 25 and Yusuff at 26, they are at similar levels of athletic and physical development. Mitchell was the second man to score a twister in the UFC and would hold the advantage on the ground given how he takes his time and strives for position rather than strikes. Still, would he be able to take Yusuff down, despite Yusuff’s mass and bulk at 145lbs?

Mirsad Bektic could also oppose Mitchell soon. Training under Firas Zaharbi and boasting a UFC record of 6-3, the Bosnian-American is unranked but would have been higher up the food chain were it not for bouts with Renato Moicano and Arnold Allen falling through. Not to be taken lightly, Bektic earned the biggest win of his career in June 2018 when he outpointed Ricardo Lamas, while he dropped a razor-thin decision to Dan Ige in his latest bout in February.

It’s fair to say Mitchell could make a lot of people sit up a take notice with a win over Bektic, a tough competitor who made his UFC bow in 2014. Georges St-Pierre described Bektic’s top game as the strongest he’s ever trained with so Mitchell could earn another feather in his cap by submitting “The Bosnian Bomber.”

Trouble is, featherweight is a crowded house and you only need to look at the career of Allen – who is 7-0 in the UFC yet only ranked twelfth – to see than Mitchell may have to wait for the bigger fights and recognition. The domination of Jose Aldo and Max Holloway in recent years, coupled with the rivals’ rematch in 2017, made it difficult for prospects to get a look in but that may have changed because of Holloway’s defeat to Alexander Volkanovski six months ago. Still, there’s no rush for Mitchell.

There’s no question over his talent and when you consider he won his first eight contests by tapout – seven of them in round one – he guarantees excitement. He’s got his head screwed on, too. Away from fighting he enjoys simple pleasures such as fishing and has been entrenched in the same gym, Westside MMA, from day one. His coaches at the Arkansas training base must have been delighted with how Mitchell disposed of Rosa on Saturday.

Mitchell scored a beautiful takedown in round one, tying up his rival’s shins with his legs and establishing wrist control, stunting his opponent with one of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s favourite techniques. He went close with an arm triangle and a twister and in round two, he attempted another twister, swapping grips on Rosa’s wrist and striking to the body and head. Once Mitchell locked up the twister, Rosa was saved by the bell.

“Thug Nasty” completed his victory parade in the third when he utilised fight IQ to telegraph a spinning-back kick and take the back. Thereafter he dominated and transitioned between side control, crucifix position and the twister set-up wherever possible.

With performances like that it’s no surprise the likes of Daniel Cormier, Javier Mendez and Matt Serra have all praised Mitchell after seeing his talent during season 27 of The Ultimate Fighter and various sparring sessions. For now, though, Mitchell is keen to stick with those who know him best at Westside MMA. While Mitchell’s coaches have nurtured his single-mindedness and broad submission arsenal, you never know, maybe one day they’ll help him secure a second twister finish as he ascends the UFC featherweight ladder.

Check out Alistair Hendrie's Kindle book, Fight Game: The Untold Story of Women's MMA in Britain, featuring interviews with Rosi Sexton, Joanne Calderwood and many more

UFC 249: Ferguson and Gaethje set to provide “Mortal Kombat”

By Alistair Hendrie

There is a warm feeling in the air as we approach Saturday’s twice-postponed UFC 249 card which will be headlined by Tony Ferguson against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title. The UFC has the backing of the Florida State Athletic Commission, has implemented social distancing procedures and is providing daily tests for coronavirus. So far, so good.

That aura of hope is exacerbated by a thrilling main event between Ferguson, ranked number one in the world, and Gaethje, ranked number four. We all have memories of watching a 25-minute staring contest which started to cries of “This can’t fail to be a war!” but this pair of 155ers are guaranteeing entertainment during the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is going to be like Mortal Kombat,” said Gaethje, 31. “It’s perfect and it will be a f***ing war.”
“This is why we’re main event,” agreed Ferguson, 36. “We’re the best of the best and we’re going to go out there and keep sports alive.”

Read the rest of the article at Fighters Only

For more UFC 249 coverage, take in Dominick Cruz's thoughts on fighting for a greater purpose during coronavirus

Check out Alistair Hendrie’s Kindle book, Fight Game: The Untold Story of Women’s MMA in Britain, featuring insight from Rosi Sexton, Joanne Calderwood and more

UFC 249: Dominick Cruz aims to offer hope during coronavirus with title bout against Henry Cejudo

By Alistair Hendrie

“I look at this fight a lot differently than just belts,” said Dominick Cruz, talking on a conference call about his bantamweight title shot against Henry Cejudo on Saturday at UFC 249, which will be held behind closed doors. “What’s the value of championship belts when there are millions of Americans applying for unemployment benefit who can’t feed their families? I look at this fight as a time when I can make a huge difference.”

As such the leader in UFC and WEC bantamweight wins is aware of the moment of respite a UFC event can offer the world during the coronavirus pandemic. The 35-year-old, returning from a four-year absence due to a litany of arm and shoulder injuries, spoke of the millions of Americans who are being laid off work as the economy suffers. Indeed, Cruz wants to offer a glimmer of hope on Saturday.

“Realistically this fight is a stand for everyone who thinks they’re not a champion and to let them know that regardless of what anyone says, regardless of what their credentials are, if you believe something, if you want something, you have a greater purpose than just yourself. I’m gonna stand for that after a four-year lay-off – again – when everyone says ring rust exists even though it doesn’t.”

Read the rest of the article at Fighters Only

Check out Alistair Hendrie’s Kindle book, Fight Game: The Untold Story of Women’s MMA in Britain, featuring insight from Rosi Sexton, Joanne Calderwood and more

Luke Rockhold wants a UFC return but can he test the current crop?

By Alistair Hendrie

Since Luke Rockhold last won a UFC contest in September 2017 a lot has changed. The 185lbs title he once wore has switched hands three times and three of the American’s last four victims – Lyoto Machida, Michael Bisping and David Branch – have either retired or left the UFC. But after Rockhold suffered a pair of knockouts between 2018 and 2019, leading to concerns for his welfare, the polarising middleweight is now considering stepping back into the Octagon.

“I’m getting healthier, and I might be getting an itch (to fight again)” Rockhold told MMA UK. “We’ll see… If Anderson Silva is still interested and seemingly he is. Maybe, you never know.” UFC president Dana White and former foe Michael Bisping had urged Rockhold to leave the sport after his dip in form and since going on hiatus last summer, Rockhold has acted in a film, Cage Fighter: Worlds Collide, in order to keep his options open for a career after MMA.

After all, White and Bisping’s advice was understandable. Yoel Romero broke Rockhold’s jaw when blasting through the Californian in February 2018, while Jan Blachowicz’s punches sent the American Kickboxing Academy man clattering to the mat, stiff as a board, in a light-heavyweight contest in July 2019. The ex-Strikeforce 185lbs leader still has the desire to compete but over the course of his 1-2 skid, Nigerian stylist Israel Adesanya has swaggered into the UFC, vanquished eight foes and taken the middleweight crown. That’s the standard Rockhold will be stepping up to, if he does decide to fight on.

Learn who Rockhold might face on his comeback by reading the full article at Fighters Only. 

Check out Alistair Hendrie’s Kindle book, Fight Game: The Untold Story of Women’s MMA in Britain, featuring insight from Rosi Sexton, Joanne Calderwood and more

On this day: Manchester United silence the critics to stun Juventus in 1999 Champions League

By Alistair Hendrie

Which team did Manchester United fear the most during the mid-to-late nineties? Real Madrid? Borussia Dortmund? Arsenal? Wrong on all counts. It was Juventus. Sir Alex Ferguson was so in awe of Marcelo Lippi’s side that won the Champions League in 1996 that he studied many of Lippi’s traits and idiosyncrasies and applied them to his own team. “Juventus were the model for my United,” he admitted. “Just standing in the tunnel next to them was intimidating,” added full-back Gary Neville.

Heading into the Champions League in 1998-1999 United had won only once in their last four battles with Juventus and the pair were drawn together again in the semi-finals. United were written off, holding a record of two goals in Italy in their history. A 1-1 draw in the first meeting did them no favours but in the return leg in Turn, on 21st April 1999, United roared back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and progress to the final in what was considered one of the most thrilling turnarounds in European history. Until a few weeks later, of course.

Neville’s concerns became all the more reasonable when you looked at Juventus’ record of three consecutive Champions League finals in 1996, 1997 and 1998. In their ranks they boasted World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, revered battler Edgar Davids and archetypal fox-in-the-box Filippo Inzaghi, who in the previous season bundled in 18 goals in Serie A after arriving from Atalanta. However, Lippi left a struggling bianconeri in February 1999, and although Carlo Ancelotti restored order, the former Chelsea manager hadn’t quite engineered the sort of form which helped Manchester United streak to the top of the Premier League and into the FA Cup Final, having vanquished Arsenal in the semis.

United travelled to Italy seven days after that success and it looked like there could have been an FA Cup hangover on the cards when they collapsed with an audible crash in the opening moments. Inzaghi helped himself to a brace in first eleven minutes, the first a close-range finish at the far post and the second via a looping deflection over Jaap Stam. Zidane whipped in an inswinger for the first as Inzaghi stole ahead of Neville. The second was less artistic as Inzaghi, turning with his back to goal, swiped a shot which fortuitously ballooned over Peter Schmeichel.

Watching Zidane was a bit like watching a stage actor playing out a part he’d played a hundred times before – he seemed to know what was about to happen before it happened. He was such a stylish and unflappable footballer. Inzaghi was a striker’s striker who loved scoring goals, however they went in. He marked both of his finishes with arms outstretched, eyes in a frenzy, sprinting away from his teammates. This was his moment, and only his.

Still, moments after Dwight Yorke was hauled down by Ciro Ferrara on the edge of the D – no foul, apparently – United earned a lifeline as Roy Keane ghosted in at the near post, unmarked, to head in a David Beckham corner which span to the danger area with menace and velocity. Ten minutes later, though, Keane misread Jesper Blomqvist’s square ball and clattered into Zidane. Yellow card. Keane was suspended for the final. “Roy was really shouting at me… I think he’s still mad at me,” said Blomqvist. The Irishman went on to run the rest of the game like a captain should.

It’s not that it was one of Keane’s best performances, it was more the fortitude and professionalism the former Nottingham Forest man showed to marshal his team and drive them on despite his own setback. For the last hour of the match, he made sure nobody in a red shirt put a foot wrong and played sensible passes, dribbled when possible and allowed Beckham to build up a head of steam down the wing. “It was the most emphatic display of selflessness I have ever seen on a football field,” said Ferguson.

With Keane on a yellow United surged forward and made it 2-2 when Andy Cole crossed for Yorke to head home. As such, the Englishmen had equalised for a second time in the tie and were on their way to Barcelona for the final. Yorke hung in the air beautifully, guiding the ball into the top corner so Angelo Peruzzi in the Juventus goal had no chance. He smacked the post moments later too, shooting on sight, driving across goal from 20 yards.

Ancelotti threw on Nicola Amoruso and Paolo Montero at half-time. He was going for it. So were United. The second half was a dog-fight that you couldn’t take your eyes off. Inzaghi rushed when one-on-one with Schmeichel, banging a shot straight at the Dane’s knees. He thought he’d scored a moment later – offside – and Stam stole across Amoruso when the Italian had a clear path to goal.

Keane led by example and so, too, did Schmeichel. The Denmark international was a doubt for the second leg after suffering a groin injury and it was that with Raimond van der Gouw standing by as United’s second choice, the Dutchman could be thrown in at crunch time. There were no problems with Schmeichel’s mobility though. He stood up to Inzaghi and on more than one occasion sprinted into a pack of players to claim and spring a counter, aware of the threat Ancelotti’s men posed.

Schmeichel did look beaten on 83 minutes when Fonseca’s cross skidded across an open goal, but nobody in a black and white shirt could reach the delivery. By now, home fans were shuffling out, heads down, hoods up against the drizzle, and Yorke and Denis Irwin had already blown chances to seal it for United. Cole had no such trouble keeping his composure, converting a loose ball with six minutes remaining to send 6,000 travelling fans into raptures and fire United into their first European final for 31 years.

The match is still gripping viewing today and the rain, Juventus’s support and the gaping, yawning, cavernous Stadio delle Alpi only added to the element of theatre. The second half in particular unfolded like a computer game as both teams attacked as if battling for their lives at the bottom of the table rather than navigating their way to Europe’s biggest prize. It’s a shame, too, that this Houdini moment is overlooked by United’s heroics against Bayern Munich in the final – also a stellar feat of escapology, it has to be said.

It’s true that with the will of Keane and the tandem offence of Yorke and Cole, United never knew when they were beaten. They went on to complete a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in 1999 which earned Ferguson a knighthood and sent these players – many of them academy graduates – into club folklore. They became the first English side to upend Juventus at the Stadio delle Alpi since 1980 and frankly made a mockery of their tag as underdogs. Neville and Ferguson would never tremble at the thought of Juventus again.

Check out Alistair Hendrie's Kindle book, Fight Game: The Untold Story of Women's MMA in Britain, featuring insight from Rosi Sexton, Joanne Calderwood and more