Combat Sport – Sports Gazette

The year in sport 2018: British Boxing

by Matt Davies - 31 December 201830 December 2018 0128

We have celebrated and endured a remarkable catalogue of truly extraordinary events. But if we’re honest with ourselves, we all just want a break. So, why not take a drastic leap away from the serious and relive some of the more enjoyable moments, by metaphorically flicking through the highlights of what

The year in sport 2018: MMA

by Darren Barnard - 30 December 201830 December 2018 0106

2018 was a year of anniversaries for mixed-martial arts. The UFC celebrated its 25th year with a commemorative event in Denver in November and finished their contract with FoxSports, signalling the start of a new chapter with ESPN in 2019. Bellator MMA also celebrated their tenth year with a heavyweight grand

Is boxing in need of a structural change after Fury vs Wilder draw?

by Matt Davies - 3 December 20187 December 2018 0254

Few sporting occasions leave the world at a standstill more than a top class, competitive boxing fight. Whether by the WWE-style smack talk or the intrigue posed by a pair of fighters seemingly inseparable, people are almost magnetically attracted. Although the build-up exclusively focuses on the winner — and all related sub-plots

Webb seals the biggest win of his career in front of a jubilant home crowd at Cage Warriors 99

by Darren Barnard - 18 November 201819 November 2018 0237

As the oldest recorded town in Britain, it’s difficult to produce many more firsts for Colchester, the former Roman settlement. When Cage Warriors came to Charter Hall, though, it marked the first opportunity for Europe’s top MMA fighters to entertain the Essex crowd just as their Roman counterparts did. For James Webb

From lightweight champion to war hero: Author Gene Pantalone tells the incredible story of Lew Jenkins

by Matt Davies - 16 November 20187 December 2018 0347

From the lightweight champion of the world to a recognised war hero, Lew Jenkins lived a life almost too unbelievable to be true. Despite his notoriety in the 1940s, Jenkins is now largely unheard of. However, his story — both in the ring and outside — is extraordinary. A tragedy if it were

Paige McPherson: USA Taekwondo Olympian using her dance background in the ring

by Rachael Mathewson - 19 October 201819 October 2018 0672

Paige McPherson, the Miami-based Olympian, was a tap, ballet and jazz dancer from the age of five to 18, and is now using the fluidity she learned on the dance floor to great effect in the Taekwondo ring – or dojang. Her moves will next be put to the test this

From offshore to the octagon: Cage Warriors fighter Ross Houston now has the UFC in his sights

by Darren Barnard - 19 October 201818 October 2018 0392

Most children in the UK dream of scoring a goal in the FA Cup Final at Wembley. Or scoring a hundred in an Ashes test at Lords. Even sinking a putt on the 18th at St Andrews to win The Open. Very few have ambitions to step foot in a

McGregor reaches new high in sporting rich list

Boxing
MMA

by Shane Murphy - 26 June 2018 0508

Conor McGregor managed to push his way through the rankings of the UFC in a very short space of time and it seems as if that will-to-win hasn't deserted him following Forbes’ release of the highest-paid athletes in the world. McGregor was listed number four on the rich list ahead of

Is women’s mixed martial arts bucking the trend of male sporting hegemony?

Combat Sport

by Will Pearse - 14 June 2018 0488

In just two decades, mixed martial arts has developed into a popular and mainstream sport. Prior to the turn of the century, MMA, with its limited rule set and reputation for unchecked violence had become a marginalised sport that had disappeared from television networks. Under the investment and strategy of the

Johnny Nelson: “I think the loser of this fight retires but the winner possibly will go on to fight another big name in the heavyweight division”

by Shane Murphy - 4 May 20184 May 2018 0722

Saturday marks the long awaited rematch between David Haye and Tony Bellew at London’s 02 Arena. The rematch, which was due to take place on 17th December last year, was postponed due to Haye suffering, what he labelled, a “freak” accident. The rematch comes after Bellew upset the odds by a long margin