Mixed martial arts

More Sports Sep 18, 2018

Popular fighter Norifumi 'Kid' Yamamoto dies from cancer at age 41

Popular mixed martial arts fighter Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto passed away from cancer, the Twitter account of his gym Krazy Bee announced on Tuesday. He was 41 years old. 山本KID徳郁を応援して下さった皆様へ 山本KID徳郁(享年41歳6ヶ月)が、本日9月18日に逝去致しました。生前に応援、ご支援をして頂きました関係各位、ファンの皆様に本人に変わり御礼申しげます。 尚、山本家、家族、友人への取材等はご遠慮頂き、ご配慮頂けますようお願い申し上げます。 KRAZYBEE — KRAZY BEE OFFICIAL (@KB_official) September 18, 2018 With a wrestling background and aggressive striking-oriented fighting style, Yamamoto ...

More Sports Aug 23, 2018

One Championship makes big plans for Japan

by Jason Coskrey

No one will ever accuse Chatri Sityodtong, the chairman of martial arts organization ONE Championship, of shying away from a fight. The half-Japanese Sityodtong has a grand vision for his promotion, a vision that includes ONE spreading the gospel of Asian martial arts around the ...

More Sports Jun 6, 2018

ONE Championship making waves on martial arts scene

by Kaz Nagatsuka

Atomweight champion Angela "Unstoppable" Lee and Japanese veteran Mei Yamaguchi fought another closely contested main event before a sellout crowd of 12,000 during a ONE Championship at Singapore Indoor Stadium. At the end of the fight, the winner was the same as two years previously, ...

More Sports / Boxing Dec 9, 2017

Manny Pacquiao opens talks to face MMA star Conor McGregor next spring

Manny Pacquiao said on Friday he has opened talks to fight mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor in April when he takes a break from his legislative duties. "If we can negotiate it, I have no problem. It is OK with both of us," Pacquiao ...

More Sports Jul 18, 2017

UFC plots growing presence in Asia, beyond

by Kaz Nagatsuka

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is returning to Japan after a two-year absence on Sept. 23, when it will host UFC Fight Night Japan at Saitama Super Arena. UFC events were held in Japan every year between 2012 and 2015 under the organization's previous ownership. Now, ...

More Sports Jul 11, 2016

UFC sold for $4 billion; White staying on to run promotion

The UFC has been sold for approximately $4 billion to a group led by Hollywood talent agency WME-IMG. UFC President Dana White confirmed the sale of the mixed martial arts promotional company in text messages to AP on Sunday night. WME co-CEO Ari Emanuel also announced ...

More Sports Jun 7, 2016

MMA pioneer Kimbo Slice dies at 42

Kimbo Slice, the bearded street fighter who parlayed his internet popularity into a mixed martial arts career and worldwide fame, has died. He was 42. Slice, whose real name was Kevin Ferguson, was taken to a hospital in Margate, Florida, near his home Monday, Coral ...

More Sports Mar 6, 2016

Diaz, Tate earn upset victories at UFC 196

With a pair of rear naked chokes that finished two celebrated champions, Nate Diaz and Miesha Tate both accomplished the improbable in a pair of sport-shaking victories at UFC 196. Diaz forced Conor McGregor to tap out with 48 seconds left in the second round ...

More Sports Dec 13, 2015

McGregor stops Aldo with one punch

Conor McGregor backed up every word he ever said to Jose Aldo with one spectacular punch. McGregor stopped Aldo with a left hand to the jaw just 13 seconds into the first round Saturday night, claiming the undisputed featherweight title at UFC 194. McGregor (19-2) finished ...

More Sports Feb 28, 2015

'Kid' Yamamoto ready to rumble

by Jason Coskrey

Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto still gets asked about the time he knocked out an opponent in four seconds with a flying knee to the head. He managed that feat shortly after the opening bell for his fight against Kazuyuki Miyata, a former Olympic wrestler who on ...

More Sports Sep 24, 2014

UFC eyeing Asian market

by Kaz Nagatsuka

This past Saturday, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to Japan for a third straight year to host a show, dubbed UFC Fight Night Japan, at Saitama Super Arena. Used to hosting huge mixed martial arts events like K-1 and PRIDE, Japan remains one of the ...