Conor hits Hollywood & the UFC preps for a brutal grudge match
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The world, it seems, just can’t get enough of Conor McGregor.
For the latest illustration, look no further than the Twitter feed of Universal Pictures, who are putting the finishing touches on a feature-length McGregor documentary.
The film will chart his remarkable rise from the Irish welfare system to his stunning world-title win over Jose Aldo, and the studio have released a short teaser trailer for the picture, titled Notorious.
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That’s not to say that McGregor’s upcoming film is distracting him from the job in hand. No, he’s being put through his paces - hard - by his coaching team as he gets himself in tip-top shape for his upcoming bout with Floyd Mayweather.
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The brawl that started it all
The countdown to UFC 214 is well and truly under way, as UFC light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and disgraced former champ, external Jon ‘Bones’ Jones prepare to renew hostilities in the main event - a rematch of their fiery first encounter at UFC 182.
In the lead-up to their first contest, the pair clashed in an ugly brawl at the MGM Grand lobby in Las Vegas. The man caught in the middle of that dust-up was former UFC VP Dave Sholler, whose retelling of that infamous incident is well worth a watch ahead of the big fight this weekend.
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The pair are now focused on Saturday’s title fight, with Jones returning from suspension looking to recapture the title he never lost in the octagon, while Cormier is desperate to exact revenge on the only man to ever defeat him in four-ounce gloves.
It’s the biggest rivalry in the UFC, and it promises to be a monumental contest.
The Poster Boy… on a poster
They’re not the only light-heavyweights set for action on Saturday night. British knockout king, Jimi ‘Poster Boy’ Manuwa will be taking on Swiss contender Volkan Oezdemir in the night’s main card opener.
Manuwa’s punch power has propelled him into the UFC’s light-heavyweight title conversation. And, another knockout win for the Brit should see him as the number one contender to face the winner of the main event on Saturday.
But that prospect isn't the only thing that's got Manuwa excited this week. He was pretty thrilled to see this at Waterloo Station in London...
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Welterweight stars ready to deliver
Ever wondered which UFC champion doesn’t get the respect he deserves? The Takedown reckons welterweight belt-holder Tyron Woodley could well be that guy. He’s tried to book himself into big money fights with the likes of Georges St-Pierre, Michael Bisping and others, and has been refreshingly honest when discussing his career aims.
But give him a chance and the 170-pound powerhouse is one of the most articulate, engaging personalities in the sport. Plus he’s a phenomenal athlete to boot.
On Saturday night, Woodley puts his title on the line against jiu-jitsu specialist Demian Maia in the co-main event. And, the bout promises a fascinating clash of styles. A win over Maia will further cement Woodley’s position as the world’s premier 170lb fighter, but the dangerous submission specialist from Brazil may only need one opening to finish the fight on the mat.
And finally…
If we were giving out a ‘Fighter of the Week’ award, we’d have to give it to American light-heavyweight Patrick Cummings, whose bald head and circus strongman moustache combination marks him out as one of the more distinctive figures in the UFC.
Cummins endured a slugfest with Gian Villante to pick up a decision victory, but winning can be a painful business in the UFC, as his gory post-fight ambulance selfie illustrated...
But before he even got to the backstage area to be checked out, he enjoyed this moment of moustache-based comradeship with a fan. What a guy.
