The Hurt Take - Episode XXXVII
UFC 219 was supposed to end the year on a bang after a difficult 2017 for the UFC. It did all those things. Funny how meeting expectations can be really underwhelming.
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The Hurt Take - Episode XXXVI
There's never enough MMA news to talk about! The week in MMA was loaded, from news about Conor McGregor and GSP to title fight announcements at UFC Middleweight and Heavyweight. Bellator had a title fight (that no one saw) while the UFC had a nice little Fight Night card (with some excellent highlights). The cherry on top was a boxing fight for the hardcore fans out there with Vasyl Lomanchenko taking on Guillermo Rigondeaux. But what got Rhys really going? His awe of the lighter weight classes.
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XXXV
UFC 218 had not one, but two Fight of the Year candidates with Alex Oliveira and Yancy Medeiros putting on a show alongside Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez. Even if the rest of the card had been a dumpster fire, that's enough to put it up there among the best of the year. But guess what? The rest of the card wasn't a dumpster fire! It was on fire! We have Max Holloway, who officially ended any thoughts of Jose Aldo reigning again, and Francis N'Gannou, who hit Alistair Overeem so hard Overeem nearly did a backflip, to thank for that.
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XXXIV
The Hurt take looks back at UFC: Norfook, er, Norfaulk, uhhh, Northfolk? Whatever, it was a good card. But was it overshadowed by he the one Conor McGregor? With a Q-Rating measured in another chemical compound entirely, when McGregor is naughty does it truly make a sound?
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XXXIII
A night that could have gone so very, very differently turned out to be one of the best fight cards you will ever see. The return of GSP was mired by chaos - but St. Pierre certainly put all those bad feelings to rest by capturing the Middleweight title. Rose Namajunas just wants people to hug each other while TJ Dillashaw was in no mood for hugs with Cody Garbrandt.
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XXXII
De greatist championne dat de UFC has evr known is coming back to de Octogon, Georges St. Pierre, will take on Michael Bisping at UFC 217! But will his fans return with him or are we in a whole new world? Also, Joanna Jędrzejczyk v. Rose Namajunas, TJ Dillashaw v. Cody Garbrandt., and Cats v. Dogs. UFC 217 has all the matchups you wanna see!
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XXXI
With a big win over Donald Cerrone (and a bit of horsing around with Mike Perry), Darren Till is injecting some much needed youthful exuberance to the Welterweight division. Also, DJ teaches us how to beat Brock Lesnar and stresses not to get hurt, Conor McGregor is on tap for this week's Q-Rating, and is UFC 217 at risk of under performing?
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XXX
Demetrious Johnson breaks the record in sublime fashion (and we ask, 'How does the UFC think it can't promote this guy?'), Tony Fergie Ferg takes the interim Lightweight belt and lines himself up for a Red Panty Night against Conor McGregor (maybe), and more!
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XVIII
It's a big one this weekend. Well, a semi-big one - an upper-middle class one. UFC 216 is on the docket! At the top is an interim Lightweight title fight between Tony Ferguson and Kevin Lee for the right to get the biggest payday of one's life (oh, unify the Lightweight belt...) against Conor McGregor. Also, you've got history to be made as Demetrious Johnnson chases Anderson SIlva's title defence record.
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XVII
Hey, #maybeyouheard the UFC was just in Japan! Oh, you didn't hear? That's probably because the card was 'Taikutsuna'! In other news, Cyborg once again is caught up in some negative headlines about her pee, Bellator's hype kid gets his hype train back on the hype rails, and Benson Henderson can't understand why fighting a decision-friendly style is biting him in the ass. Lastly, what the recent spate of big boxing fights means for MMA and the ole sport of fisticuffs.
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XVI
Even during a week without a big-time fight card (at least, not a boxing one...), MMA just keeps on giving us the goods. From Michael Bisping dropping retirement hints to Ronda Rousey's coach Edmond Targareyen giving her a '50-50' return and a tabbing Cris Cyborg as the return fight, there was a lot to talk about. Also, fights! Luke Rockhold made his return, dispatching David Branch, while the UFC travels to the land of PRIDE this weekend.
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XXV
After losing it's big heavyweight affair, UFC 215 lost it's headlining title fight of Demetrious Johnson v. Ray Borg the night before the weigh-ins. Thankfully, Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko had a plan to save the night! Not. The refs had a plan to save the night! Not.
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XXIV
Conor Who? People, Demetrious Johnson is going to make history on Saturday! DJ stands alone as the best in the business. Hoping to move into that category on the women's side, Amanda Nunes faces down Valentina Schevchenko to defend her Bantamweight Strap. Both DJ and Nunes faced the wrath of one Mr. Dana White and now try to make hay headlining a card together. Conspiracy? All that and more on The Hurt Take!
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XXIII
Somewhere in between the hype that McGregor would put Mayweather away within four and the reality that Mayweather TKO’d the Irishman in the 10th, the feeling is that everyone in the equation won. Also, Jon Jones managed to make news during such a hyped-up week for all the wrong reasons.
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XXII
The fight some thought would never happened has arrived. The boxing great, 'Pretty Boy' Floyd 'Money' Mayweather takes on 'The Notorious' Conor McGregor in a matchup of the two most-hypable fighters in combat sports. This week on The Hurt Take, Rhys is joined by the ubiquitous Mitch Bayliss to talk how we got here, what the hype has dished out, and what we may see come Saturday. Hold on to your butts!
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XXI
Two weeks out from the biggest crossover bout of the 21st century (and ever), all the news in the MMA sphere right now is about the Notorious one, Conor McGregor. Whether it's his fresh new rivalry with Paulie Malignaggi, accusations of racism, or folk songs, he's all anyone wants to talk about. So, of course, Rhys talks about him...and other stuff.
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XX
After the fervor of UFC 214, UFC Fight Night: Mexico City wasn't going to look as good. But it tried! Seven first round finishes and a couple of narratives worth paying attention to, from Sergio Pettis making his case as the next contender at 125, Rashad Evans looking more washed than your old pair of Levi's. Subscribe the to show on iTunes!
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XIX
The king is back. Jon 'Bones' Jones was stripped of his title nearly two years ago and this weekend at UFC 214, he took it back in the same dominating fashion that he won and defended it. We talk what the future holds for Bones and lament the legcy of DC, which will forever be punctuated by his losses to Jones. Rhys examines about Tyron Woodley v. Damian Maia, Cris Cyborg, Robbie Lawler, Donald Cerrone - the whole gang!
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XVIII
You smell that? That's the smell of victory, a Chris Weidman victory. The former Middleweight found a way to exorcise his demons rallying over Kelvin Gastellum at UFC Fight Night: Long Island. But what's got Rhys fired up is the big one: UFC 214. The grudge match to end all grudge matches. Jon Jones v. Daniel Cormier, Volume II.
Read MoreThe Hurt Take - Episode XVII
Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather went on a four-city World Tour and the Earth managed to stay intact. The tour had it's ups and it's downs, but did it manage to sell the fight? Rhys also tackles the recent card in Glasgow (FREEEEDOOOOOM!) and the card this weekend in Long Island.
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