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Frank Collazo was responsible for one of the worst stoppages in MMA history.

Headlining Fury FC 76 was a bout between Edgar Chairez and Gianni Vazquez at flyweight. DWCS vet Chairez took home a quality victory to improve to 9-4, but it was the horrible and negligent officiating from referee Frank Collazo that stole all the attention.

In the fourth stanza of their main event bout, Vasquez got caught in a triangle choke and seemed to go limp and unconscious at the 3:34 mark of the round. Instead of stopping the fight and awarding Chairez the victory, the referee dangerously just allowed him to continue getting choked for a full 20 seconds. Everyone in the arena seemed to know he was out, with commentators and other people ringside just screaming “he’s out!!” over and over, but the referee just ignored them.

With the fight disturbingly not being called off, Chairez just decided to switch to an armbar, which the referee insanely allows him to apply to a clearly unconscious fighter. Everyone started screaming “Frank, he’s done! He’s done!” but referee Collazo just let it all continue. Vasquez eventually seemed to slowly regain consciousness right as his arm is being completely bent the other way, but guess what… the referee still doesn’t stop it!

“What are you doing?!? It’s done!!!” the commentators repeatedly screamed at the referee.

A seemingly confused Vasquez looked to have tapped with his leg as well as he slowly regained consciousness, but the referee still let it continue longer. A few more seconds and Vasquez uses his arm to tap again, and only then did the grossly incompetent referee to stop the contest.

To sum it up, referee Frank Collazo let an obviously unconscious fighter to get choked for 20 seconds, and then allowed the still unconscious fighter to get armbarred and injured for another 20 seconds.

Watch the seriously dangerous and disturbing scene produced by incompetent and irresponsible officiating from Collazo, courtesy of Caposa.

According to the commentators, the ringside physician was also screaming from outside the cage asking the referee to stop the fight.

Vasquez corner should’ve stepped in as well, but the brunt of the blame easily falls on the negligence Collazo showed as the referee in charge. The stoppage was about 40 seconds too late. And despite everyone repeatedly screaming at him, it was only when Vasquez fully woke up and was able to tap — possibly twice — due to his already injured arm that Collazo stopped the fight.

He not only unnecessarily caused an arm injury, he also risked serious health issues and death with the lack of blood to the brain for that long. It’s easily one of the worst officiating in MMA history, and Collazo clearly should not be able to keep his job after this.

“It’s one of the most bizarre things I’ve seen in my life in MMA,” the broadcast booth is heard saying about the officiating. “I’m still stunned right now. My heart is still beating (fast), I thought we were about to see the something very horrible.”

Fortunately, Vasquez seemed to have avoided the worst as he was able to regain consciousness and eventually stand up on his own accord during the official decision. His arm seems to have been badly injured though, despite it being a completely avoidable situation.

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Check out the results and highlights for BKFC 39, where Reggie Barnett Jr. defeated Frank Alvarez to retain his bantamweight title.

BKFC 39 just wrapped up from the gorgeous Norfolk, Virginia with two titles on the line in the main and co-main events. The top of the billing saw Virginia’s own Reggie Barnett Jr. stop Frank Alvarez before the fourth round to retain his 135-pound Title. Barnett had to overcome a couple of takedowns, but illegal grappling aside, Barnett was on fire!

In the BKFC 39 co-main event, Britain Hart won a pedestrian decision over Jenny Clausius to retain her 115-pound title. That fight was an dud, but there were plenty of shining moments on the undercard, including Will Worley making quick work of Dimitri Angelini in what was a downright flawless performance. Before that, we enjoyed a brilliant comeback knockout from Kyle Wright, who hurt Pat Casey so badly that he attempted a takedown, AND THEN THREW A SPINNING BACK KICK!

Main card:

Reginald Barnett Jr. def. Frank Alvarez by TKO at 2:00 of round 3: 135-pound Title

About 30-seconds into this one, Alvarez slammed Barnett on the canvas. After being down for a bit, Barnett stood back to his feet to the crowd’s delight. Alvarez was deducted two-points for the infraction, and the fight resumed. Barnett was sneaking in clean hooks on the inside in what turned out to be a massive round for the champ.

The second stanza opened up with Barnett showcasing some fast hands. He was getting Alvarez to open up, and would then counter him with crisp hands. The first knockdown occurred in this round, when Barnett unloaded a slick flurry off a clinch break. Alvarez answered the bell, but Barnett was putting it on him.

Alvarez was having trouble getting into range in the htird. Barnett may have been the shorter man out there, but he was doing a superb job of intercepting Alvarez with stinging punches. Then, Alvarez hit another takedown, causing another pause to the action. This break was much shorter, though, and also no point was deducted. Alvarez failed to answer the bell for the fourth round due to the advice of the doctor.

Britain Hart def. Jenny Clausius by unanimous decision (50-44 x2, 49-45): 115-pound title

We got a little bit of feeling out to start this one. Hart was the one moving forward, but we were getting a lot of feints from both sides. The round did end with a flurry, but few punches were actually landed. We got a ton of feeling out and measuring going on the second round. Maybe two or three punches landed the whole round.

We finally got a big moment in the third round, when Hart put together a combo that dropped Clausius. Jenny answered the count, but she was bleeding pretty good from her nose. The fourth frame slipped back into a feint fest, with things picking up a tiny bit in the fifth. We got a couple more exchanges, and some clinch fighting, but all in all the crowd was none too pleased with the lack of action.

Will Worley def. Dimitri Angelini by KO at 1:10 of round 1: 160-pounds

Worley was finding a home for his left hook from the get go. He was walking down Angelini, and the second Dimitri started to open up, Will pounced on him. The counters from Worley were so fast and crisp, that Angelini was getting dinked while failing to score with his own offense. Then came the haymaker that sent Angelini flying across the ring, and ultimately to the ground. Angelini was pretty badly hurt, and was unable to answer the count. What a showcase from Will Worley!

Ka’Sim Ruffin def. Trai Santos by KO at 1:47 of round 4: 145-pounds

The fighters tied up right away to get this one going, sharing short punches on the inside. Ruffin was pushing the pace, backing up Santos and opening up a cut around his left eye.

Santos started to land with his left hand early in the second round. His jab was being effective at slowing down the forward progress of Ruffin, but we still got plenty of tie ups. The clinch work continued into the third round, as both men seemed to want to be there. We got an accidental low blow to Santos that briefly paused the action, but upon the restart Trai connected with a three-piece that was the most impactful moment of the round.

Ruffin came out hot in the fourth frame, chasing after Santos with fists of Fury. An overwhelmed Santos elected to take a knee to get a much needed breath of air. Santos rose to his feet, but Ruffin smelled blood in the water. Ruffin attacked with some mean uppercuts, causing Santos to shell up and ultimately take a knee. The ref initiated the count, but Santos did not stand up in time.

Jay Jackson def. David Simpson by TKO at 1:32 of round 2: 185-pounds

Round uno was pretty competitive. It was Simpson who stung Jackson first, but shortly after that Jay realized a knockdown. The second round was scrappy, too. Both men were holding their own, but then a glancing hook opened up a cut around Simpson’s eye. The doctor was brought in to check on it, and that was the end of the match.

Stanislav Grosu def. Quartus Stitt by KO at 1:59 of round 2: 175-pounds

Stitt scored an early knockdown in the opening round, but he didn’t take much time for Grosu to answer the count. From there, it was actually Grosu who was pushing the pace and being the aggressor.

Grosu continued to press forward in the second round. The referee ended up warning him for punching to the back of the head while in the clinch, and then a low blow to Stitt caused a brief timeout. The fight resumed and Grosu staggered his opponent with a flurry, and then followed with another barrage to score the knockdown. Just as it looked like the round was going to end, Grosu put together another combination to earn another knockdown. This time, Stitt did not make the count.

Kyle Wright def. Pat Casey by KO in round 3: 185-pounds

Wright opened the bout with a jab to the body, but Casey was the first to draw blood. Casey knocked out the mouthpiece of Kyle, and it wasn’t until a slip that the referee was able to put it back in. In the closing moments of the round, Casey blitzed his opponent and scored a knockdown, with Wright answering the count.

The second round saw Wright press the action, but a hook from Casey dropped him. Kyle quickly answered the count, and went right back to pressing forward. Casey was somewhat stationary, and seemed content to launch counters.

Wright showed up in the third act and delivered a monstrous right hand that sat down Casey. The ref started the count, and the fight continued, but Casey didn’t seem to sure about fighting. Nonetheless, Wright went back to work and stung Pat yet again. Instincts kicked in and Casey delivered a SPINNING BACK KICK to the body. That’s when the referee stepped in and the fight was stopped. What a sight!

Prelims:

• Zachary Calmus def. Mikey Furnier by KO in round 2: 265-pounds
• Anthony Foye def. Cody Jenkins by unanimous decision: 145-pounds
• Brian Maxwell def. Dan Bunyan by TKO in round 1: 185-pounds

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Bloody Elbow looks over some of the exciting matchups kicking off this weekend’s IBJJF Pans black belt tournament.

The IBJJF Pans tournament kicks off this weekend, with the lower belts and masters divisions battling it out Friday afternoon in sunny Kissimmee, Florida. As higher profile pros take over tomorrow, Bloody Elbow is here to break down the stacked black belt divisions and round one matchups.

With many high level athletes serving doping bans from the 2022 No Gi Worlds, fresh black belts have a bigger shot at upsetting established names and making deep podium runs. Here are just a handful of the numerous athletes to watch.

The adult black belt division kicks off Saturday at 1PM EST, and you can stream it here.

Female Divisions

ROOSTERWEIGHT

Kicking off with the roosterweight division, Checkmat’s Lavinia Barbosa takes on Atos black belt and former brown belt IBJJF champ Jhenifer Aquino. Barbosa comes off of a silver-medal finish at the IBJJF Tampa Open absolute division last month, while Aquino is still riding high from a dominant title win at the 2022 No Gi Worlds.

Also on the bracket, Canadian black belt and 2018 IBJJF champ Ni Ni Vicky Hoang faces Cobrhina standout Giulia Gregorut. Recently promoted following a successful title run at purple and brown belt (taking IBJJF titles in both), this year’s pans marks Gregorut’s first at black belt.

LIGHT FEATHERWEIGHT

The legendary gi/no gi titan Mayssa Bastos will take on the winner of Adele Fornarino and Sayuri Pereira in round two of the light featherweight division, receiving a round 1 bye. Bastos has collected nearly every major IBJJF title in her black belt career, despite often coming into matches undersized. And fresh off her black belt debut, Elizabeth Liera hopes to bring yet another gold medal home to Atos HQ by first overcoming Infight BJJ’s Kaynara Martins on the other side of the bracket.

LIGHTWEIGHT

Submitted by Elizabeth Clay at the Polaris GP earlier this month, ADCC and IBJJF champ Ffion Davies will try for her first Pans gold medal at lightweight by overcoming the winner of Suellen Lima De Souza vs. Larissa Martins Dos Santos of Dream Art.

MIDDLEWEIGHT

Speaking of Clay, she’ll be taking her Polaris momentum to the middleweight division, wher she’ll face multi-time IBJJF champion Raquel Canuto in round one. The Drysdale black belt has multiple no gi world titles, most recently taking gold at the 2022 Houston Fall Open representing Hybrid BJJ.

MEDIUM HEAVYWEIGHT

29-year-old Ana Carolina Vieira hunts for her third pans championship in the medium-heavyweight bracket, bringing her exceptional passing/top control against the winner of Akeela Jovon Al-Hameed vs. Vedha Toscano. Toscano enters the Pans as a longtime gi competitor, known for her solid open guard game that helped her win the 2019 Pans in the brown belt division. Also in the bracket, last year’s heavyweight champ Melissa Cueto has dropped down to challenge these exceptional grapplers for the chance at a new medal for her wall, making it anyone’s game.

HEAVYWEIGHT

The heavyweights start strong with Alliance BJJ’s Leticia Cardozo de Carvalho taking on last year’s heavyweight brown belt champion Tamaris Fernanda Da Silva. Finishing third in last year’s Pans as a medium-heavy brown belt, Carvalho hopes to make a splashy debut in her new division against the deadly Dream Art athlete. Neither woman will have time to rest if they make it through to the the next match, however, with 2022’s heavyweight bronze medalist and 2022 Worlds gold winner Leticia Cardozo de Carvalho on deck. Carvalho is the only Pans podium finisher of last year’s to return to the heavyweight bracket, bringing her incredible back attacks to a new roster of opponents.

SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT

Queen of the super-heavyweight division Gabrieli Pessanha hopes to continue her prodigious run through the sport of BJJ. Going unbeaten for the last two years and 71 matches, the 22-year-old has collected nearly every title in professional Gi BJJ including the 2022 ultra-heavy and open Pans titles. She defends her throne against able competition in the winner of Checkmat’s Mayara Monteiro Custódio—a former Worlds winner at black belt and colored belt levels—who will face IBJJF Rome Open champ Lama Qubbaj. Pessanha will face the runner up in the left side of the bracket, and the winner will advance to the finals.

Male Divisions

ROOSTERWEIGHT

Thalison Soares is gunning for more than silver this year. Losing a back-and-forth points war against Carlos Alberto Oliveira da Silva at last year’s Pans, the roosterweight brings new lessons and a fresh 2022 Worlds title’s worth of confidence into his first match. Zayed Abdulnaser A Alkatheeri faces Gracie Barra’s Italo Augusto Bonfim Frota for the right to face Soares in round two.

LIGHT FEATHERWEIGHT

Brothers Hiryu and Reon Niwa fill spots in the rooster and light-featherweight divisions respectively. Promoted after closing out their brown belt division at the 2022 No Gi Worlds, the AOJ phenoms are looking to make a splash at their black belt world debut.

Ares BJJ black belt Keven Carrasco was promoted in part due to his gold finishes in 2019 and 2020 as a purple and brown belt. Now returning to Pans after three years, he enters the light featherweight division off of two gold medal wins at the 2023 Dallas and LA Opens. On the other side of the bracket, BJJ legend Cleber Sousa fights for his second Pans title since his stellar 2019 tournament run. Dropping a loss to Mikey Musumeci in the One FC inaugural grappling championship bout in December of last year, Sousa brings an incredible defensive game to both gi and no gi.

FEATHERWEIGHT

The featherweight division features returning champion Alexssandro Sodré taking on the winner between Danilo Moreira and Thiago Brito. Rebounding from a silver medal run at the European Open, Sodré spent the rest of his time since his last Pans sharpening his game and appearing at smaller tournaments. Brito similarly landed a silver finish at the Atlanta Open last month, the event further preparing him for tomorrow’s matches.

LIGHTWEIGHT

Lightweight champ Johnatha Alves also returns to defend his title. One of the most dominant athletes in the tournament, he’s held Pans gold for the last three years straight against a who’s-who of grappling royalty. Alves recently showcased his dominant positioning and mount pressure at the GP open earlier this month, taking home a razor thin decision over Andy Murasaki.

2021 Featherweight champ Shane Jamil Hill looks to join the LW division in hopes of reclaiming gold. His 2022 effort ended in a close decision loss to Sharpen Iron Academy’s Richar Nogueira, but his 2023 has been kept busy with seminars and other tournaments.

MIDDLEWEIGHT

Moving up to middleweight, AOJ’s Tainan Dalpra Costa joins the long list of returning champions from 2022. On a crazy tear since his 2020 promotion, he helps spearhead the AOJ contingent at Pans with two consecutive gold medals in the last two tournaments. He faces either Felipe Silva of Unity or Rehan Muttalib of UACTP with a first round bye.

Norwegian grappler Tarik Hopstock has made some podium runs in his four years as a black belt. Inventor of the Tarikoplata submission, he hopes to break out of his 2nd and 3rd place finishes among various European IBJJF tournaments in starting with a first round win against Joshua S. McKinney.

MEDIUM HEAVYWEIGHT

The great Gustavo Batista makes a return to medium-heavyweight this year, delivering championship gold performances at the weight in 2019 before moving to heavyweight in 2020 and 2021. On the other side of the bracket, returning 2022 champ Sebastian Rodriguez fights right away against Checkmat rising star, Elder Cruz. A terror at lower belts, Cruz has built a solid reputation before this Pans debut as a reletively new black belt.

HEAVYWEIGHT

Two brackets filled with questionably muscular (USADA Pending) competitors make up the heavyweight division. Returning Champ Dimitrius Souza joins fellow Alliance grapplers Felipe Silva, Marcos Silva and Gabriel Henrique Dos S. Oliveira. Jersey native Devhonte Johnson hopes to upset the defending champ and add another Pans title to his wall. A master of lapel grips and guard, he’s utilized his athleticism and slower technical pace to achieve solid ins in the gi for years as a Unity JJ athlete.

Despite all the top grapplers in that side of the bracket, Roberto Jimenez enters as a crowd favorite to take the tournament by storm. The prodigy has had a fluctuating last few years, fighting close matches with several future hall of fame grapplers at only 23-years-old. Now sporting a wild mane and scraggly beard, ‘The Natural’ will be put right to the test against Polish butterfly guard master Adam Wardzinski.

SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT

Super heavies fire off at 6pm, with last year’s silver medalist Erich Minis taking on the winner of Eric Schlooser and Salenco Coutinho. Becoming the first non-black belt to win the Copa Podio GP in 2019, Munis utilizes his length in his incredibly effective open guard and sweep series. Italo Costa stands opposite on the bracket, he’s an Ares JJ fighter with an amazing ability to break down posture from guard for attacks, escapes and general defense.

ULTRA HEAVYWEIGHT

Finally onto the ultra-heavyweights, and where the gaps caused by the fight sports bans become really noticeable. Though Cyborg is sitting at home, FS black belt Roosevelt Souza carries the banner against Renato Dos Santos Tagliari of Checkmat fame. Though a big controversy, the other big story of the division lies in the return of Nicholas Meregali to gi competition. One of the most dominant athletes competing today, he took a brief break from PJ wrestling after winning the 2022 worlds. Pedro José Pessoa De Melo Bisneto of ZR Team Association and Jose Inacio Dos Santos of Reaction MMA will fight for the chance to send Meregali home and nab possibly the biggest upset on the Pans.

Kevin Bradley is a Jersey-based grappling journalist for Bloody Elbow. He began writing for the site in 2022, and has covered both BJJ and MMA news since 2018. (full bio)

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In a sport where ‘mean stuff’ gets said, Colby Covington crossed the line

In combat sports, threats are an accepted part of the build-up to a fight. As UFC president Dana White is fond of saying, “This is not a nice sport. This is a very rough sport. We say a lot of mean things to each other, and justice gets severed at the end of the day.”

That’s all well and good when two fighters who can settle their difference in a cage are squabbling and quarreling. Although when a UFC competitor threatens a broadcaster, there is no “justice” that can be served, to quote White, and that’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed.

That’s exactly what Colby Covington did though, as he responded to what he perceived as a slight from UFC commentator Jon Anik with a clear threat.

“So, you wanted to lick my frickin’ balls in London, ‘Oh Colby! This, this, this!’” Covington said, “But then you want to go back behind the stage and cheerlead for a racist! So he associates with racism and Belal Muhammad.

“And, you know, Jon Anik, dude, I don’t want your kids to grow up without a dad. Just realize you live in Boca, I live in Miami motherf—ker. You’re not too far from me. So you better shut your f—king mouth. You poke the bear? Now you get the bear comes after you.”

Looking at the definition of a “criminal threat,” it seems like Anik might just have a case.

A criminal threat involves one person threatening someone else with physical harm or death. To be convicted, the prosecution must prove:

the defendant communicated a threat of harm to another

the defendant intended that the communication be taken as a threat, and

the threat was credible and specific so as to place a person in fear of harm.

But in reality, the UFC should make sure this and future cases don’t have to even get close to any legal proceedings.

Covington’s threats warrant a response from the UFC, and the organization needs to send a message that threatening UFC employees is not okay. Once that door is kicked open, nothing prevents a fighter from threatening a commentator for the perception of an incorrect or “bad” call or for backlash from a perceived “gotcha” question posed during an interview.

No UFC employee, not even a former or current fighter, should have to worry about some loose nut rolling up on them at work — or outside of work. The way the UFC can prevent that from happening is dealing with Covington in a way that shows these kinds of threats are unacceptable, not just in society, but in the UFC. Promotion officials too often shrug off this type of behavior as “well, this is a mean sport.” While that might be true, it’s also a professional sport, and the UFC needs to treat it as such.

Bloody Elbow reached out to the UFC for comment on Covington’s threat. The promotion did not respond before publication of this story.

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See what happens on the scales ahead of UFC San Antonio.

The UFC is in the Lone Star state this weekend with a bantamweight clash that should get the San Antonio crowd on their feet. In the main event of the UFC’s latest show on big ESPN, Marlon Vera will meet Cory Sandhagen. In this fight both men will be hoping they prove themselves worthy of a 135 lb title shot in the near future.

The rest of this card will be exciting for ardent viewers of the Contender Series. This event is another where the UFC is making bank off of the lowest entry-level contracts they offer. Many of the fighters on this card got into the promotion through the Contender Series and a few of them coming straight from that pseudo-try-out format.

Outside of those Contender Series products, we have former bantamweight champion Holly Holm taking on Yana Santos (formerly Kunitskaya), Alex Perez meeting Manel Kape and Andrea Lee versus Maycee Barber.

Before these bouts can happen, everyone has to step on the scales. So let’s see what the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (the same body that accidentally sent me the late Kimbo Slice’s medical records in an email where they were telling me they couldn’t share those records) has in store for us.

The weigh-ins go live at 10 a.m. ET. Keep it locked here for all the results and news.

Main card (7 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+)

• Bantamweight: Marlon Vera vs. Cory Sandhagen
• Bantamweight: Holly Holm vs. Yana Santos
• Featherweight: Nate Landwehr vs. Austin Lingo
• Flyweight: Andrea Lee vs. Maycee Barber
• Flyweight: Alex Perez vs. Manel Kape
• Middleweight: Chidi Njokuani vs. Albert Duraev

Prelims (4 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+)

• Featherweight: Daniel Pineda vs. Tucker Lutz
• Featherweight: Steven Peterson vs. Lucas Alexander
• Welterweight: Trevin Giles vs. Preston Parsons
• Flyweight: CJ Vergara vs. Daniel de Silva
• Lightweight: Manuel Torres vs. Trey Ogden
• Flyweight: Vinicius Salvador vs. Victor Altamirano
• Bantamweight: Tamires Vidal vs. Hailey Cowan

About the author: Tim Bissell is a writer, editor and deputy site manager for Bloody Elbow. He has covered combat sports since 2015. Tim covers news and events and has also written longform and investigative pieces. (full bio)

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‘Borz’ believes he’d have no issues with ‘Po Atan’ if they ever shared the Octagon. 

Khamzat Chimaev says his easiest UFC fight is still out ahead of him.

With the exception of his ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate with Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 nearly a year ago, Chimaev has run through the rest of his past opponents. Gerald Meerschaert, Jingliang Li, and Kevin Holland fell short against ‘Borz’ in less than a round, but the Chechen admits none of them were as easy as they appeared.

Surprisingly enough, that distinction was reserved for an opponent Chimaev hasn’t even faced yet: UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira. Since his stunning fifth-round TKO of Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 this past November, the Swedish sensation set his sights on ‘Po Atan,’ who he offered to ’smash’ for his first defense.

Since the UFC went with an immediate rematch between Pereira and Adesanya instead, Chimaev has to wait for the opportunity. If he gets it, the 28-year-old expects to dispatch the middleweight division’s current king.

“He’s the most easy fight for me in the UFC,” said Chimaev during an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. “In my career, brother.

“First round, first minute,” continued Chimaev. “Easy. No punch, nothing.”

As straightforward as he seems to see his fight against Pereira going, Chimaev also added that Adesanya should also have little to no difficulty with the Brazilian—as long as he focuses on his wrestling.

“If Israel trains just wrestling in this training camp, he will beat him easily,” said Chimaev. “The guy has zero wrestling. I don’t know. Yes, UFC likes to push that guy, crazy guy, and he’s playing, showing his face always serious, and all that s—t. Why play that much? I don’t like that guy. He has no real wrestling. Who they give him? Who was wrestler in his career?”

For his next fight, Chimaev remains unscheduled. The two-division wonder is moving up from welterweight to middleweight, hoping to face a top-ranked name such as Robert Whittaker next.

About the author: Kristen King is a writer for Bloody Elbow. She has covered combat sports since 2016. (full bio)

Reserve your user name for the new Bloody Elbow before April 1, 2023. Go here for more details (link).

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It looks like ‘Borrachinha’ isn’t hitting the free agent market after all.

Paulo Costa and the UFC have come to terms on a new four-fight contract.

The UFC middleweight thought he had completed his most recent deal following a unanimous decision against Luke Rockhold in a ‘Fight of the Night’ awarded appearance at UFC 278 this past August. Prior to the Rockhold fight, ‘Borrachinha’ expressed frustration over his pay, revealing that it stayed the same since signing with the promotion nearly five years ago.

As it turned out he still had one fight left, a bout the UFC tried to make against Robert Whittaker at UFC 284 earlier this year. Costa ended up turning that fight down, however, dubbing the fight ‘fake news’ shortly after it was announced. Seemingly intent on staying sidelined until he got a new contract or secured his release, fans have been waiting for months to find out what Costa’s next move would be.

That is, up until now, at least. Costa recently revealed that he and the UFC have officially agreed to a new deal—one that he expects to sign soon. He credits the success to his manager (and girlfriend) Tamara Alves.

“I haven’t signed the contract yet but we have reached a deal with the UFC regarding the pay,” said Costa in an interview with Brazilian outlet PVT (H/T Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting). “It wasn’t easy, there was a lot of hard work, and I have to highlight Tamara’s brilliant work here.”

With a new contract, Costa also revealed that he was offered two fighters for his next fight. The 31-year-old has either Sean Strickland in May or Khamzat Chimaev in October.

“I want that, too,” said Costa. “[The UFC] wants to make sure this Chimaev fight happen at all costs, but I want to make both happen. We’ll see.”

Costa and Chimaev had a run-in at the UFC Performance Institute, where ‘Borz’ was preparing for his first headliner against Nate Diaz at UFC 279 in September. Though a few words were exchanged, neither fighter got physical, but it appears as though they could have a chance to do so in the near future.

As for Strickland, he slammed Costa for not fighting due to his pay dispute with the UFC. Now that it is over, ‘Tarzan’ could get Costa as an opponent next.

Costa is 6-2 in the UFC, with this only losses coming to Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori.

About the author: Kristen King is a writer for Bloody Elbow. She has covered combat sports since 2016. (full bio)

Reserve your user name for the new Bloody Elbow before April 1, 2023. Go here for more details (link).

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Dana White told the media to ask Novitzky about McGregor and USADA — we tried

During the UFC 286 post-fight press conference, the promotion’s president, Dana White, punted when asked about Conor McGregor’s ongoing battle with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

“Have you ever heard of (UFC senior VP of athlete health and performance) Jeff Novitzky? Ask him these questions. I don’t give a sh-t about any of that stuff anymore. That’s his problem. I don’t get involved in the drug testing situation whatsoever. I know nothing about it, and I don’t want to know nothing about it. I leave it to the expert. He’s the expert in this thing, and you guys call him and interview him anytime about it.”

USADA has not tested McGregor since the third quarter of 2021. Further, as of early February, the former two-division UFC champion, who reportedly removed himself from the USADA testing pool during his recovery for the broken leg he suffered against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, had yet to re-enter that pool.

With McGregor serving as a coach for the upcoming season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the expectation is he will face Michael Chandler, the opposing TUF coach at the conclusion of the reality program’s run.

McGregor thinks he can produce “two clean tests and off I go.” On the other hand, USADA made it clear that unless the Irish fighter receives a pass from the UFC because of “exceptional circumstances,” he needs to be in the testing pool for six months before the UFC can book him for a fight.

USADA oversees the UFC’s drug testing program.

Bloody Elbow reached out to the UFC — per White’s instructions — to get a comment from Novitzky. We asked three questions of the promotion:

Does the UFC have any comment on the back-and-forth between Mr. McGregor and USADA on social media?

Does the UFC plan to offer Mr. McGregor a USADA testing exemption for “exceptional circumstances,” as USADA said was the right of the promotion?

Can the UFC confirm that Mr. McGregor must enter the USADA testing pool for six months before he can compete again for the UFC?

As of this writing the UFC nor Novitzky have responded.

The most recent update to the USADA athlete testing results page from March 16, 2023, shows that McGregor has yet to be tested this year.

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Your source for all that happens at the March Grand Sumo Tournament.

The 2023 Grand Tournament of Sumo rolls on this weekend with the Haru Basho (Spring or March Tournament), taking place from March 12 to March 26 at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka.

Bloody Elbow is your home for all the news, highlights and updates as this year’s field of competitors face off for the first time in an attempt to hold or better their place on the banzuke (rankings document).

You can stream this tournament via NHK World, both live and on demand. This can be done on their website via your web browser or the NHK World app on Apple and Android products. The live shows happen around 4:10 a.m. ET. Highlights are often shown at 12:30 a.m and are then available on demand.

Banzuke (Pre-tournament rankings):

Note: This article will only cover the results from the Makuuchi division. Results for all divisions can be found here.

Day 1

Full Results

• Asanoyama (J1, 1-0) def. Mitoryu (M17, 0-1) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
• Tsurugisho (M16, 1-0) def. Choyoshoma (M16, 0-1) via shitatedashinage (pulling underarm throw)
• Hokuseiho (M15, 1-0) def. Oho (M15, 0-1) via yorikiri*
• Kinbozan (M14, 1-0) def. Bushozan (M14, 0-1) via okuridashi (rear push out)
• Daishoho (M13, 1-0) def. Kotoeko (M13, 0-1) via yorikiri
• Takarafuji (M12, 1-0) def. Kagayaki (M12, 0-1) via oshidashi (frontal push out)*
• Takanosho (M11, 1-0) def. Azumaryu (M11, 0-1) via oshidashi
• Nishikifuji (M10, 1-0) def. Myogiryu (M10, 0-1) via oshidashi
• Aoiyama (M9, 1-0) def. Hiradoumi (M9, 0-1) via kotenage (arm lock throw)
• Ura (M8, 1-0) def. Ichyamamoto (M8, 0-1) via hatakikomi (slap down)*
• Takayasu (M7, 1-0) def. Hokutofuji (M7, 0-1) via oshidashi
• Endo (M6, 1-0) def. Sadanoumi (M6, 0-1) via oshidashi
• Midorifuji (M5, 1-0) def. Kotoshoho (M5, 0-1) via oshidashi
• Onosho (M4, 1-0) def. Meisei (M4, 0-1) via oshidashi
• Daieisho (K, 1-0) def. Nishikigi (M3, 0-1) via oshidashi
• Kotonowaka (K, 1-0) def. Mitakeumi (M3, 0-1) via yorikiri
• Wakamotoharu (K, 1-0) def. Ryuden (M3, 0-1) via yorikiri
• Kiribayama (S, 1-0) def. Abi (M2, 0-1) via oshidashi*
• Shodai (M1, 1-0) def. Hoshoryu (S, 0-1) via oshidashi*
• Tamawashi (M1, 1-0) def. Wakatakakage (S, 0-1) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)*
• Tobizaru (K, 1-0) def. Takakeisho (O, 0-1) via hatakikomi*

*Must see bouts!

Quick analysis

This tournament was all about ozeki Takakeisho and finishes day one with a loss to Tobizaru via slap down. Tobizaru rode out Takakeisho’s thrusting attack and used the ozeki’s momentum against him for the hatakikomi. A shocking start for the man who was hoping this basho would be where he finally earns the rank of yokozuna. Another upset was Shodai dispatching of Hoshoryu (who might be carrying an injury from January). Hakuho protege Hokuseiho got welcomed to the top division with a stiff arm to the throat from Oho, but he rallied and earned his first win. Bout of the day for me is Tamawashi’s win over Wakatakakakge. The ageless wonder started off with his patented attacks to the throat, but the athletic sekiwake was able to get around those and almost sent Tamawashi charging out of the ring. However, Tamawashi showed deft footwork to stay in, strength to withstand the ensuing rush and then craftiness to turn Wakatakakakge and send him out, just before he himself fell off the ring.

Day 2

Full Results

• Chiyoshoma (M16, 1-1) def. Mitoryu (M17, 0-2) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
• Tsurugisho (M16, 2-0) def. Tohakuryu (J1, 1-1) via yorikiri
• Kinbozan (M14, 2-0) def. Oho (M15, 0-2) via tsukidashi (frontal thrust out)
• Hokuseiho (M15, 2-0) def. Bushozan (M14, 0-2) via yorikiri
• Kotoeko (M13, 1-1) def. Kagayaki (M12, 0-2) via yorikiri*
• Daishoho (M13, 2-0) def. Takarafuji (M12, 1-1) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
• Takanosho (M11, 2-0) def. Myogiryu (M10, 0-2) via oshidashi
• Nishikifuji (M10, 2-0) def. Azumaryu (M11, 0-2) via oshidashi
• Hiradoumi (M9, 1-1) def. Ichiyamamoto (M8, 0-2) via oshidashi*
• Ura (M8, 2-0) def. Aoiyama (M9, 1-1) via oshidashi
• Takayasu (M7, 2-0) def. Endo (M6, 1-1) via hikiotoshi (hand pull down)
• Sadanoumi (M6, 1-1) def. Hokutofuji (M4, 1-1) via yorikiri
• Midorifuji (M5, 2-0) def. Onosho (M4, 1-1) via hatakikomi (slap down)
• Meisei (M4, 1-1) def. Kotoshoho (M5, 0-2) via yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)
• Wakamotoharu (K, 2-0) def. Nishikigi (M3, 0-2) via yorikiri*
• Tobizaru (K, 2-0) def. Mitakeumi (M3, 0-2) via yorikiri
• Kotonowaka (K, 2-0) def. Ryuden (M2, 0-2) via katasukashi (under shoulder swing down)
• Daiesho (K, 2-0) def. Wakatakakage (S, 0-2) via oshidashi
• Shodai (M1, 2-0) def. Kiribayama (S, 1-1) via oshitaoshi (frontal push down)*
• Abi (M2, 1-1) def. Hoshoryu (S, 0-2) via hikiotoshi
• Takakeisho (O, 1-1) def. Tamawashi (M1, 1-1) via oshidashi

*Must see bouts.

Quick analysis

Takakeisho came into day two with a point to prove and made short work of Tamawashi, quickly pushing him to the edge and out of the ring. He evened his record, but other upper ranked wrestlers continued to struggle. Hoshoryu dropped a bout to Abi, and didn’t look great doing so. Kiribayama was overwhelmed by Shodai (who has looked incredible since his demotion from the upper ranks) and Wakatakakage is still to notch a win after a loss to the surging Daiesho. Daiesho and the three other komosubi all went to 2-0 today. Kotonowaka has looked especially strong over the first two days. Wakamotoharu had a thrilling match with Nishikigi where both looked close to throwing the other down. My match of the day has to go to Hiradoumi (who I think is a Fighting Spirit contender) vs. Ichiyamamoto. They put on a fierce show with Hiradoumi narrowly avoiding a hatakikomi loss before scoring the fight winning push out.

Day 3

Full results

• Tsurugisho (M16, 3-0) def. Mitoryu (M17, 0-3) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
• Chiyoshoma (M16, 2-1) def. Tochinoshin (J2, 0-3) via yorikiri
• Bushozan (M14, 1-2) def. Oho (M15, 0-3) via oshidashi (frontal push out)*
• Hokuseiho (M15, 3-0) def. Kinbozan (M14, 2-1) via yorikiri
• Koteoko (M13, 2-1) def. Takarafuji (M12, 1-2) via yorikiri
• Daishoho (M13, 3-0) def. Kagayaki (M12, 0-3) via kimedashi (arm barring force out)
• Nishikifuji (M10, 3-0) def. Takanosho (M11, 2-1) via yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)
• Myogiryu (M10, 1-2) def. Azumaryu (M11, 0-3) via yorikiri
• Ura (M8, 3-0) def. Hiradoumi (M9, 1-2) via oshidashi*
• Aoiyama (M9, 2-1) def. Ichiyamamoto (M8, 0-3) via hatakikomi (slap down)
• Takayasu (M7, 3-0) def. Sadanoumi (M6, 1-2) via oshidashi
• Endo (M6, 2-1) def. Hokutofuji (M7, 0-3) via oshidashi
• Midorifuji (M5, 3-0) def. Meisei (M4, 1-2) via oshidashi*
• Onosho (M4, 2-1) def. Kotoshoho (M5, 0-3) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
• Mitakeumi (M3, 1-2) def. Wakamotoharu (K, 2-1) via yoritaoshi
• Tobizaru (K, 3-0) def. Nishikigi (M3, 0-3) via tsukiotoshi*
• Daiesho (K, 3-0) def Ryuden (M2, 0-3) via oshidashi
• Hoshoryu (S, 1-2) def. Kotonowaka (K, 2-1) via yorikiri*
• Abi (M2, 2-1) def. Wakatakakage (S, 0-3) via hatakikomi*
• Kiribayama (S, 2-1) def. Tamawashi (M1, 1-2) via sukuinage (beltless arm throw)
• Takakeisho (O, 2-1) def. Shodai (M1, 2-1) via oshidashi

*Must see bouts!

Quick analysis

Takakeisho built upon yesterday’s win on Day 3, with a quick win over the previously impressive looking Shodai. That moves the ozeki up to 2-1. A former ozeki, Takayasu, has looked extremely dominate so far, easily dispatching of Sadanoumi today. Takayasu is ranked maegashira 7 only because an injury-forced absence ruined his record in the last tournament. It’s clear that he’s a level above who he’s being matched up against in the middle of the banzuke. These kind of bouts might be just what he needs, though, as he creeps back to full fitness before taking on the big names of the division. Joining him at the top of the leader board with a 3-0 record are the recently promoted komusubi Daiesho and Tobizaru. Hoshoryu, a future yokozuna candidate to some, got his first win today, beating Kotonowaka (who had steam-rolled his first two opponents). Hoshoryu looked to take a more patient approach in this match, compared to his flop against Abi on Day 2. After getting in on Kotonowaka’s belt he was able to escape a yorikiri attempt and make an angle for a force out of his own (that’s my bout of the day). Kotonowaka’s stable-mate Kotoshoho, who was the championship runner-up and Fighting Spirit away winner in January, is struggling this month. He dropped to 0-3 after being face-planted by Onosho.

Day 4

Full results

• Hokuseiho (M15, 4-0) def. Mitoryu (M17, 0-4) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
• Oho (M15, 1-3) def. Chiyonokuni (J2, 0-4) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
• Chiyoshoma (M16, 3-1) def. Daishoho (M13, 3-1) via yorikiri
• Kotoeko (M13, 3-1) def. Tsurugisho (M16, 3-1) via yorikiri
• Kagayaki (M12, 1-3) def. Bushozan (M14, 1-3) via oshidashi
• Kinbozan (M14, 3-1) def. Takarafuji (M12, 1-3) via oshidashi
• Takanosho (M11, 3-1) def. Aoiyama (M8, 2-2) via oshidashi
• Hiradoumi (M9, 2-2) def. Azumaryu (M11, 0-4) via yorikiri
• Nishikifuji (M10, 4-0) def. Ichiyamamoto (M8, 0-4) via yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)*
• Myogiryu (M10, 2-2) def. Ura (M8, 3-1) via hatakikomi (slap down)
• Takayasu (M7, 4-0) def. Kotoshoho (M5, 0-4) via tsukidashi (thrust down)*
• Midorifuji (M5, 4-0) def. Hokutofuji (M7, 0-4) via yorikiri
• Onosho (M4, 3-1) def. Sadanoumi (M6, 1-3) via oshidashi
• Endo (M6, 3-1) def. Meisei (M4, 1-3) via oshidashi
• Daiesho (K, 4-0) def. Mitakeumi (M3, 1-3) via tsukidashi
• Kotonowaka (K, 3-1) def. Nishikigi (M3, 0-4) via katasukashi (under shoulder swing down)*
• Ryuden (M2, 1-3) def. Tobizaru (K, 3-1) via uwatedashinage (pulling over armthrow)*
• Kiribayama (S, 3-1) def. Wakamotoharu (K, 2-2) via okuridashi (rear push out)*
• Hoshoryu (S, 2-2) def. Tamawashi (M1, 1-3) via oshidashi*
• Shodai (M1, 3-1) def. Wakatakakage (S, 0-4) via oshidashi
• Abi (M2, 3-1) def. Takakeisho (O, 2-2) via hatakikomi*

*Must see bouts!

Quick analysis

Bad news Takakeisho fans. The ozeki went into his bout with Abi with strapping on his knee and after he was slapped down, he jogged off the dohyo in visible pain. He limped his way back up onto the clay and then backstage. It’s still early in the tournament so a 2-2 record can be turned into an impressive yokozuna earning performance, but that’s unlikely to happen if he’s fighting on one leg. We’ll have to wait and see if he makes it out to face Ryuden tomorrow.

Three wrestlers who are standing out at this stage are Hokuseiho, Takayasu and Daiesho. All are 4-0 and all looked fantastic today. To borrow a western term, though, you have to look at the strength of schedule. Hokusieho is proving his prodigious talent is better than the lower ranks of the maegashira, Takayasu is showing his is better than the middle of the rankings (which he is forced to compete against only due to an injury last time out), but Daiesho is getting his wins against much tougher opposition. He was my pick to win this tournament after I saw him win the Fuji TV tournament in February. All those guys will be getting a big test tomorrow, so we’ll see which of them can remain undefeated. Hokuseiho has been dealt former ozeki Ichinojo (who is equally massive and is coming up from juryo for the day). Takayasu will take on Ura, whose chaotic spontaneity is a challenge for anyone, and Daiesho will meet former ozeki Shodai; who is looking more motivated now than he did in recent tournies.

Bout of the day for me is Hoshoryu defeating Tamawashi with a display of quick feet and then incredible strength to secure the oshidashi.

Day 5

Full results

• Ichinojo (J3, 5-0) def. Hokuseiho (M15, 4-1) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
• Mitoryu (M17, 1-4) def. Bushozan (M14, 1-4) via uwatenage (over arm throw)
• Kinbozan (M14, 4-1) def. Tsurugisho (M16, 3-2) via yorikiri
• Kotoeko (M13, 4-1) def. Chiyoshoma (M16, 3-2) via sukuinage (beltless arm throw)*
• Oho (M15, 2-3) def. Daishoho (M13, 3-2) via hikiotoshi (hand pull down)
• Takanosho (M11, 4-1) def. Takarafuji (M12, 1-4) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
• Kagayaki (M12, 2-3) def. Azumaryu (M11, 0-5) via oshidashi
• Nishikifuji (M10, 5-0) def. Hiradoumi (M9, 2-3) via uwatenage
• Aoiyama (M9, 3-2) def. Myogiryu (M10, 2-3) via oshitaoshi (frontal push down)
• Takayasu (M7, 5-0) def. Ura (M8, 3-2) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)*
• Hokutofuji (M7, 1-4) def. Ichiyamamoto (M8, 0-5) via oshidashi
• Midorifuji (M5, 5-0) def. Sadanoumi (M6, 1-4) via yorikiri*
• Endo (M6, 4-1) def. Kotoshoho (M5, 0-5) via tsukiotoshi
• Abi (M2, 4-1) def. Meisei (M4, 1-4) via oshidashi
• Daiesho (K, 5-0) def. Shodai (M1, 3-2) via oshidashi*
• Kotonowaka (K, 4-1) def. Tobizaru (K, 3-2) via oshidashi*
• Wakamotoharu (K, 3-2) def. Tamawashi (M1, 1-4) via hatakikomi (slap down)
• Mitakeumi (M3, 2-3) def. Wakatakakage (S, 0-5) via tsukihiza (knee touch down)
• Onosho (M4, 4-1) def. Kiribayama (S, 3-2) via tsukiotoshi
• Nishikigi (M3, 1-4) def. Hoshoryu (2-3) via kotenage (arm lock throw)
• Takakeisho (O, 3-2) def. Ryuden (M2, 1-4) via oshidashi

Quick analysis

If Takakeisho is hurting, he didn’t show it today. He blasted through Ryuden to improve his record to 3-2. The pool of undefeated rikishi was reduced to four today, after Hokuseiho took an admirable loss to former ozeki Ichinojo (who out-thought and then out-muscled his much younger opponent).

Your 5-0 wrestlers are Daiesho, Takayasu, Midorifuji and Nishikifuji. Daiesho and Takayasu have looked especially impressive. Today Daiesho smashed Shodai and Takayasu won a very fun bout over Ura. Midorifuji continued to make forcing out much larger men look easy today, wrapping up and then bunny hopping Sadanoumi out of the ring.

Bout of the day for me is Endo vs. Kotoshoho. An aggressive thrusting exchange between the two was halted by a nifty pivot from Endo, which saw Kotoshoho (last tournament’s runner-up sailing head first out of the ring).

I also want to note how many different finishes we had today. It might be a close competition for the Technique Prize this month. I think Kotonowaka might be leading the charge of that one, albeit at this early stage.

Day 6

Full results

• Mitoryu (M17, 2-4) def. Oho (M15, 2-4) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
• Shonannoumi (J3, 5-1) def. Bushozan (M14, 1-5) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
• Daishoho (M13, 4-2) def. Hokusieho (M15, 4-2) via yorikiri
• Kotoeko (M13, 5-1) def. Kinbozan (M14, 4-2) via sukuinage (beltless arm throw)*
• Tsurugisho (M16, 4-2) def. Takarafuji (M12, 1-5) via oshidashi
• Chiyoshoma (M16, 4-2) def. Azumaryu (M11, 0-6) via hatakikomi (slap down)
• Myogiryu (M10, 3-3) def. Kagayaki (M12, 2-4) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
• Aoiyama (M9, 4-2) def. Nishikifuji (M10, 5-1) via yorikiri
• Hiradoumi (M9, 3-3) def. Takanosho (M11, 4-2) via uwatenage (over arm throw)*
• Hokutofuji (M7, 2-4) def. Ura (M8, 3-3) via hatakikomi (slap down)
• Takayasu (M7, 6-0) def. Ichiyamamoto (M8, 0-6) via shitatenage (under arm throw)*
• Midorifuji (M5, 6-0) def. Endo (M6, 4-2) via katasukashi (under should swing down)*
• Meisei (M4, 2-4) def. Sadanoumi (M6, 1-5) via oshidashi
• Abi (M2, 5-1) def. Kotoshoho (M5, 0-6) via hatakikomi
• Shodai (M1, 4-2) def. Tamawashi (M1, 1-5) via tsukiotoshi
• Wakamotoharu (K, 4-2) def. Tobizaru (K, 3-3) via hatakikomi
• Daiesiho (K, 6-0) def. Kotonowaka (K, 4-2) via tsukiotoshi
• Hoshoryu (S, 3-3) def. Onosho (M4, 4-2) via hatakikomi
• Wakatakakage (S, 1-5) def. Ryuden (M2, 1-5) via yorikiri
• Kiribayama (S, 4-2) def. Nishikigi (M3, 1-5) via sotogake (outside leg trip)*
• Mitakeumi (M3, 3-3) def. Takakeisho (O, 3-3) via oshidashi

*Must see bouts!

Quick analysis

After a suspected knee injury, this was another day where Takakeisho looked rather ordinary. He looked to be lacking both power and agility thanks to the injury, unable to brace against the charges of Mitakeumi or escape along the edge of the ring before being forced out for his third loss of the basho.

We’ve got three undefeated wrestlers now. Daieisho, Midorifuji and Takayasu have separated from the pack at this point and each of them looks like a serious threat to win the championship. Midorifuji and Takayasu will meet on Day 7. Lower down on the leaderboard Kotoeko (who scooped my bout of the day honours and scored his second sukuinage in a row on Day 6), Abi and Aoiyama are also performing well.

Kiribayama went back to his judo days to score an unusual sotogake victory over Nishikigi this day. However, it might have cost him. Nishikigi has a strong underhook on Kiribayam’s arm when he was tripped and it looked as though that might have hyper-extended the Mongolian’s elbow. Kiribayama then hit the clay on that elbow and took some time to get up. Hopefully it’s not too serious and the sekiwake can continue to build on his 4-2 record.

Three wrestlers are now 0-6 and perilusly close to a losing record. Azumaryu has looked as though he has zero energy in his bouts and has been moved around seemingly at will. Ichiyamamoto has been in some all out brawls and been unlucky to lose in a few of them. Kotoshoho has looked nothing like he did in January, where he went 11-4 and finished as runner-up and Fighting Spirit award winner. He’s switched back and forth between hesitance and rashness this month and has had to eat dirt on more than one occasion.

Day 7

Full results

• Oho (M15, 3-4) def. Tsurugisho (M16, 4-3) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
• Kinbozan (M14, 5-2) def. Chiyomaru (J4, 0-7) via yorikiri
• Mitoryu (M17, 3-4) def. Kotoeko (M13, 5-2) via hatakikomi (slap down)
• Bushozan (M14, 2-5) def. Daishoho (M13, 4-3) via tottari (arm bar throw)
• Chiyoshoma (M16, 5-2) def. Kagayaki (M12, 2-5) via oshitaoshi (frontal push down)
• Takanosho (M11, 5-2) def. Hokuseiho (M15, 4-3) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
• Takarafuji (M12, 2-5) def. Azumaryu (M11, 0-7) via oshidashi
• Ura (M8, 4-3) def. Nishikifuji (M10, 5-2) via oshidashi*
• Ichiyamamoto (M8, 1-6) def. Myogiryu (M10, 3-4) via katasukashi (under shoulder swing down)
• Hokutofuji (M7, 3-4) def. Hiradoumi (M9, 3-4) via yorikiri
• Endo (M6, 5-2) def. Aoiyama (M9, 4-3) via oshitaoshi*
• Midorifuji (M4, 7-0) def. Takayasu (M7, 6-1) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)*
• Kotoshoho (M5, 1-6) def. Sadanoumi (M6, 1-6) bia hatakikomi*
• Meisei (M4, 3-4) def. Mitakeumi (M3, 3-4) via hikiotoshi (hand pull down)
• Shodai (M1, 5-2) def. Abi (M2, 5-2) via oshidashi
• Tobizaru (K, 4-3) def. Tamawashi (M1, 1-6) via hikiotoshi
• Wakamotoharu (K, 5-2) def. Daiesho (K, 6-1) via tsukiotoshi
• Kotonowaka (K, 5-2) def. Kiribayama (S, 4-3) via yorikiri
• Hoshoryu (S, 4-3) def. Ryuden (M2, 1-6) via katasukashi
• Wakatakakage (S, 2-5) def. Onosho (M4, 4-3) via yorikiri*
• Nishikigi (M3, 2-5) def. Takakeisho (O, 3-4) via fusen (default)

*Must see bouts!

Quick analysis

Well, Takakeisho’s yokozuna run ends here (for now). The ozeki hurt his left knee on Day 3 and tried to tough it out, to mixed success. It’s being reported that he’s suffered a meniscus injury so it feels as though he may be absent for the rest of this tournament and possible a few more to come. An absence forced losing record here, paired with a total no-show in the next tournament, would see him lose his ozeki ranking and could stall his hopes of becoming a yokozuna for years.

The bout of the day was the clash of the undefeated with Takayasu meeting Midorifuji. And it would be the diminuitive Midorifuji who would advanced to 7-0 (becoming the only wrestler to achieve that this tournament after Daiesho fell to Wakamotoharu). Midorifuji got his win despite the much larger Takayasu laying into him with a massive tach-ai. He withstood the hit, let the former ozeki lean into him and try and force him out and then quickly thrusted his shoulders down, forcing Takayasu’s forward momentum into the ground. Exceptional performance from the 26-year-old who is competing in only his eighth top division tournament.

Day 8

Full results

• Kinbozan (M14, 6-2) def. Chiyoshoma (M16, 5-3) via tsuridashi (frontal lift out)
• Daishoho (M13, 5-3) def. Mitoryu (M17, 3-5) via uwatenage (over arm through)
• Hokuseiho (M15, 5-3) def. Kotoeko (M13, 5-3) via harimanage (backwards belt throw)*
• Oho (M15, 4-4) def. Takarafuji (M12, 2-6) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
• Bushozan (M14, 3-5) def. Azumaryu (M11, 0-8) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
• Tsusugisho (M16, 5-3) def. Myogiryu via sukuinage (beltless arm throw)
• Kagayaki (M12, 3-5) def. Nishikifuji (M10, 5-3) via oshidashi
• Ura (M8, 5-3) def. Takanosho (M11, 5-3) via yorikiri (frontal force out)*
• Hiradoumi (M9, 4-4) def. Takayasu (M7, 6-2) via yorikiri*
• Ichyamamoto (M8, 2-6) def. Sadanoumi (M6, 1-7) via hatakikomi (slap down)
• Hokutofuji (M7, 4-4) def. Kotoshoho (M5, 1-7) via oshidashi
• Midorifuji (M5, 8-0) def. Aoiyama (M9, 4-4) via yorikiri
• Endo (M6, 6-2) def. Onosho (M4, 4-4) via yorikiri
• Daieisho (K, 7-1) def. Abi (M2, 5-3) via oshidashi
• Kotonowaka (K, 6-2) def. Tamawashi (M1, 1-7) via yoritaoshi (frontal crush out)
• Shodai (M1, 6-2) def. Wakamotoharu (K, 5-3) via yoritaoshi
• Wakatakakage (S, 3-5) def. Nishikigi (M3, 2-6) via tsukiotoshi
• Kiribayama (S, 5-3) def. Tobizaru (K, 4-4) via uwatenage*
• Hoshoryu (S, 5-3) def. Mitakeumi (M3, 3-5) via yorikiri

*Must see Bouts!

Quick analysis

On a day where we saw nine different finishing techniques (and just a handful of yorikiri and oshidashi) Midorifuji become the first rikishi to secure a kachi-koshi (winning record). He did that by standing his ground against the initial charge of Aoiyama, who outweighs him by about 160 lbs, and then backing down the larger man with aggressive shoves and barges, making the massive Bulgarian wilt at the edge of the ring. Midorifuji then helped his opponent over the straw to earn the yorikiri.

My bout of the day was the furious battle between sekiwake Kiribayama and komusubi Tobizaru. Tobizaru utilized his chaotic style to try and unsettle the usually poised Kiribayama. Kiribayama was able to hang with Tobizaru’s mobility and level changing attacks before getting snug and going to his judo background for a very pretty throw.

With Takakeisho out, the big storyline heading into this basho is moot. So it will be interesting to see which wrestler/s step out of the ozeki’s shadow to make a name for themselves here. Midorifuji is the front runner in that regards so far, but keep an eye on Daieisho, Kotonowaka and Hoshoryu (who is starting to hit his stride).

Day 9

Full Results

• Chiyoshoma (M16, 6-3) def. Hokuseiho (M15, 5-4) via uwatedashinage (pulling over arm throw)
• Bushozan (4-5, M14) def. Tsurugisho (M16, 5-4) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
• Kotoeko (M13, 6-3) def. Oho (M15, 4-5) via hikiotoshi (hand pull down)
• Mitoryu (M17, 4-5) def. Takarafuji (M12, 2-7) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
• Takanosho (M11, 6-3) def. Kagayaki (M12, 3-6) via oshidashi
• Nishikifuji (M10, 6-3) def. Kinbozan (M14, 6-3) via uwatedashinage
• Myogiryu (M10, 4-5) def. Daishoho (M13, 5-4) via oshidashi
• Takayasu (M7, 7-2) def. Aoiyama (M9, 4-5) via oshidashi*
• Sadanoumi (M6, 2-7) def. Azumaryu (M11, 0-9) via yorikiri
• Endo (M6, 7-2) def. Hiradoumi (M9, 4-5) via yorikiri
• Midorifuji (M5, 9-0) def. Ura (M8, 5-4) via oshitaoshi (frontal push down)*
• Ichiyamamoto (M8, 3-6) def. Kotoshoho (M5, 2-7) via oshitaoshi*
• Hokutofuji (M7, 5-4) def. Onosho (M4, 4-5) via fusen (default)
• Mitakeumi (M3, 4-5) def. Nishikigi (M3, 2-7) via hatakikomi (slap down)
• Daieisho (K, 8-1) def. Tamawashi (M1, 1-8) via tsukitaoshi (frontal thrust down)
• Kotonowaka (K, 7-2 ) def. Shodai (M1, 6-3) via oshitaoshi*
• Wakamotoharu (K, 5-3) def. Abi (M2, 5-3) via yorikiri
• Hoshoryu (S, 5-3) def. Tobizaru (K, 4-4) via hatakikomi*
• Wakatakakage (S, 3-5) def. Meisei (M4, 4-4) via oshitaoshi
• Kiribayama (S, 6-3) def. Ryuden (M2, 1-8) via yorikiri*

*Must see bouts!

Quick analysis

Another day, another win for Midorifuji. The 9-0 rank-and-filer showed again that he might be the strongest. pound-for-pound, rikishi out there when he blasted through Ura, shoving him into the second row. Bout of the day has to be the marathon grappling session between Kiribayama and Ryuden, which Kiribayama won in gruelling fashion. Ichiyamamoto’s win over Kotoshoho was a lot of fun, too. Ichiyamamoto was on his skates for this one, also tripping and falling twice, before thrusting the struggling Kotoshoho out.

Hoshoryu vs. Tobizaru was fun, with Tobizaru again forcing an opponent to fight his game (a chaotic one). The Flying Monkey went for a henka to start this one, which the Golden Boy narrowly avoided. Hoshoryu was then able to pivot away from a charing Tobizaru and lead him down and out the ring. The bout ellicited a rare smile from the stoic Hoshoryu and a less rare smile from cheeky Tobizaru.

Onosho was a no-show today after he suffered some sort of knee injury on Day 7.

Day 10

Full Results

• Mitoryu (M17, 5-5) def. Tohakuryu (J1, 4-6) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
• Kagayaki (M12, 4-6) def. Oho (M15, 4-6) via hikiotoshi (hand pull down)
• Takarafuji (M12, 3-7) def. Bushozan (M14, 4-6) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
• Tsurugisho (M16, 6-4) def. Takanosho (M11, 6-4) via yorikiri
• Chiyoshoma (M16, 7-2) def. Myogiryu (M10, 4-6) via hatakikomi (slap down)*
• Daishoho (M13, 6-4) def. Nishikifuji (M10, 6-4) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
• Hiradoumi (M9, 5-5) def. Kotoeko (M13, 6-4) via yorikiri
• Azumaryu (M11, 1-9) def. Ichiyamamoto (M8, 3-7) via hatakikomi
• Hokuseiho (M15, 6-4) def. Ura (M8, 5-5) via yorikiri*
• Hokutofuji (M7, 6-4) def. Aoiyama (M9, 4-6) via oshidashi
• Kinbozan (M14, 7-3) def. Takayasu (M7, 7-3) via oshidashi*
• Sadanoumi (M6, 3-7) def. Nishikigi (M3, 2-8) via sukuinage (beltless arm throw)
• Tamawashi (M1, 2-8) def. Ryuden (M2, 1-9) via oshidashi
• Endo (M6, 8-2) def. Shodai (M1, 6-4) via sukiuinage*
• Wakamotoharu (K, 7-3) def. Meisei (M4, 4-6) via yorikiri
• Midorifuji (M5, 10-0) def. Tobizaru (K, 4-6) via waridashi (upper arm force out)*
• Kotonowaka (K, 8-2) def. Abi (M2, 5-5) via oshitaoshi (frontal push down)
• Kiribayama (S, 7-3) def. Mitakeumi (M3, 4-6) via yorikiri
• Hoshoryu (S, 7-3) def. Daieisho (K, 8-2) via yorikiri
• Kotoshoho (M5, 2-8) def. Wakatakakage (S, 4-6) via oshidashi

*Must see bouts!

Quick analysis

It’s time to start hoping for a zensho yusho (undefeated championship win) for Midorifuji. He got one of his stiffest tests this month in the form of Tobizaru, but the young rank-and-filer was able to withstand, nullify and muscle Tobi on route to his tenth win. Midori won with a rarely seen waridashi. That technique is the seventh diferent kimarite (winning method) across his ten bouts. It’s not going to get easier for him from here, though. He’s matched up with the 7-3 komusubi Wakamotoharu tonight (they are 1-1 against each other).

The bout of the day for me was Hokuseiho versus Ura, because of all the swings back and forth, with Ura doing his best to destabilize the the tall Hakuho student, before Hokuseiho was able to find an opening for the force out. Surprisingly, Hokuseiho’s performances this basho are being overshadowed by the other top rookie, Kinbozan. This day the Kazakh rikishi beat Takayasu by refusing to let the former ozeki get comfortable, or get a grip, before forcing him over the straw.

Day 11

Full results

• Oshoma (J4, 5-6) def. Tsurugisho (M16, 6-5) via shitatenage (under arm throw)
• Daishoho (M13, 7-4) def. Kinbozan (M14, 7-4) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
• Kotoeko (M13, 7-4) def. Takanosho (M11, 6-5) via tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
• Mitoryu (M17, 6-5) def. Azumaryu (M11, 1-10) via yorikiri
• Chiyoshoma (M16, 8-3) def. Nishikifuji (M10, 6-5) via yorikiri
• Hokuseiho (M15, 7-4) def. Myogiryu (M10, 4-7) via yorikiri
• Hiradoumi (M9, 6-5) def. Bushozan (M14, 4-7) via yorikiri
• Oho (M15, 5-6) def. Aoiyama (M9, 4-7) via yorikiri*
• Kagayaski (M12, 5-6) def. Ichiyamamoto (M8, 3-8) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
• Takarafuji (M12, 4-7) def. Sadanoumi (M6, 3-8) via kotenage (arm lock throw)*
• Kotoshoho (M5, 3-8) def. Ryuden (M2, 1-10) via shitatenage*
• Abi (M2, 6-5) def. Nishikigi (M3, 2-9) via hatakikomi (slap down)
• Ura (M8, 6-5) def. Shodai (M1, 6-5) via katasukashi (under shoulder swing down)*
• Tamawashi (M1, 3-8) def. Mitakeumi (M3, 4-7) via oshidashi
• Hokutofuji (M7, 7-4) def. Kotonowaka (K, 8-3) via hikiotoshi (hand pull down)*
• Wakamotoharu (K, 8-3) def. Midorifuji (M5, 10-1) via oshitaoshi (frontal push down)*
• Daiesiho (K. 9-2) def. Takayasu (M7, 7-4) via oshidashi
• Wakatakakage (S, 5-6) def. Tobizaru (K, 4-7) via okuridashi (rear push out)
• Kiribayama (S, 8-3) def. Meisei (M4, 4-7) via hatakikomi
• Hoshoryu (S, 8-3) def. Endo (M6, 8-3) via uwatenage (over arm throw)*

*Must see bouts!

Quick analysis

Midorifuji’s run at an undefeated March ends on Day 11, thanks to komusubi Wakamotorharu. In their bout Wakamotoharu was able to stifle the fighter of the tournament thus far with an incredibly strong inside grip on the left side. He maintained that hold and used it to nullify Midori’s attempts to get over one of his shoulders. With that grip he was able to keep his opponent mostly perpendicular and drive him out.

Despite the loss Midorifuji remains in pole position to take the championship, with Daieisho just behind him. Bout of the day for me was Ura in another Urafest, this time against Shodai. This one had all the back and forth’s you’d expect from the popular pink clad rikishi and ended with a nifty under shoulder swing down. Nifty as that was, move of the day goes to Hoshoryu, who executed the prettiest over arm throw you could hope to see versus Endo. Golden Boy has quietly worked his way back into contention after a stalled start to the tournament.

There’s a few wrestlers who are flying under the radar right now, but might surprise us with a strong finish this month which might earn them a special prize. Kotoeko, Hokutofuji, Chiyoshoma and the rookie Daishoho has all had strong springs.

Day 12 promises to be exciting with Mongolian frenemies Kiribayama and Hoshoryu matched up. Former ozeki Asanoyama gets the call up from juryo (which it looks like he’ll win again) to take on Oho, too. Midorifuji gets a shot at revenge on Day 12. He takes on the brother of the man who just beat him, Wakatakakage.

Day 12

Full results

• Oho (M15, 6-6) def. Asanoyama (J1, 10-2) via yorikiri (frontal force out)
• Kinbozan (M14, 8-4) def. Mitoryu (M17, 7-5) via yorikiri
• Takarafuji (M12, 5-7) def. Hokuseiho (M15, 7-5) via yorikiri
• Azumaryu (M11, 2-10) def. Tsurugisho (M16, 6-6) via yorikiri
• Takanosho (M11, 7-5) def. Chiyoshoma (M16, 8-4) via kotenage (arm lock throw)
• Myogiryu (M10, 4-7) def. Koteoko (M13, 7-4) via oshidashi (frontal push out)
• Aoiyama (M9, 5-7) def. Kagayaki (M12, 5-7) via hatakikomi (slap down)
• Daishoho (M13, 8-4) def. Hiradoumi (M9, 6-6) via yorikiri
• Ichiyamamoto (M8, 4-8) def. Bushozan (M14, 4-8) via uwatenage (over arm throw)
• Nishikifuji (M10, 7-5) def. Takayasu (M7, 7-5) via oshidashi
• Kotoshoho (M5, 4-8) def. Ura (M8, 6-6) via kotenage*
• Abi (M2, 7-5) def. Mitakeumi (M3, 4-8) via uwatenage
• Sadanomumi (M6, 4-8) def. Ryuden (M2, 1-11) via yorikiri
• Nishikigi (M3, 3-9) def. Tamawashi (M1, 3-9) via yorikiri
• Daieisho (K, 10-2) def. Hokutofuji (M7, 7-5) via oshidashi
• Kotonowaka (K, 9-3) def, Meisei (M4, 4-8) via yorikiri
• Wakamotoharu (K, 9-3) def. Endo (M6, 8-4) via kotenage*
• Shodai (M1, 7-5) def. Tobizaru (K 4-8) via yorikiri
• Wakatakakage (S, 6-6) def. Midorifuji (M5, 10-2) via uwatedashinage (pulling over armthrow)*
• Kiribayama (K, 9-3) def. Hoshoryu (S, 8-4) via uwatenage*

*Must watch bouts!

Quick analysis

Bout of the day was the fascinating clash between former judo training partners turned upper-ranks rivals Kiribayama and Hoshoryu, both of whom came into this with a 8-3 record. In the build up to this tournament both men admitted they hated losing to the other, which is about as vicious as sumo smack talk can get.

Off the tachi-ai Kiribayama locked in an outside left grip on Hoshoryu’s mawashi. Hoshoryu inched his fingers into an inside grip on the same side, while Kiribayama was able to get the inside grip on the other side. The pair then took a breath to strategize. Hoshoryu went for a trip, but his fellow judoka wasn’t going to fall for that. Hoshoryu then tried to throw Kiribayama, but he didn’t have the right grip. It served to break Kiribayama’s grip, but the komusubi was able to re-establish that and keep his hips far enough away that Hoshoryu had to overreach to reply in kind. When Hoshoryu did get on the belt, Kiribayama stepped forward, catching his rival upright and was then able to walk him to the edge. When Hoshoryu leaned forward to save himself, Kiribayama let that momemtum come all the way forwards and helped the Golden Boy onto the clay with the uwatenage.

Hoshoryu slammed his hands together after the loss in a rare display of frustration.

The other big match-up of the day saw Midorifuji get pegged back to 10-2 thanks to a relentless attack from Wakatakakage. Midorifuji is now tied for top spot with Daieisho, who won against Hokutofuji.

Watching Ura roll out of bed is probably exciting. The fan favourite was in another fun bout, this time with Kotoshoho. Ura pulled off an incredible escape in this one where everyone, including Kotoshoho, thought he was out. However, Ura was able to spin and rally. Though that fell short with Kotoshoho being able to execute a beautiful arm lock throw.

About the author: Tim Bissell is a writer, editor and deputy site manager for Bloody Elbow. He has covered combat sports since 2015. Tim covers news and events and has also written longform and investigative pieces. (full bio)

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The UFC superstar got into it with one of the top managers in the game…then he deleted his tweets

Sometimes the fight game is a battle of fists, sometimes it’s a battle of words…and then there’s days like today when it’s a battle of tweets….later deleted.

Former UFC champ and current The Ultimate Fighter coach Conor McGregor took to Twitter last night to say: “Firaz zihabi is a little douchebag. Trevor wittman is a pad man. Javier Mendez is a fat lick arse kick boxer. Mike brown is a smelly price, Greg Jackson got caught up, the system of coach kvanagh is now shining thru. In years to come the world will know what we have been at. It’s beginning to bare fruit, if you want to train. Train at sbg Ireland with kav. And me. We are a fight factory akin to butter churning.”

Then Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA management replied:

Conor fired right back (since deleted): “Hey, shit stain on the game, I’m talking as of now it is beginning to bare fruit. We beat their system of fighting on Tuf. Its locked down. It’s no wonder shit pants scurried. There’s no competing now. The head of the style is too fat a bitch and afraid to compete again. So we win. You can’t compete with us. Watch and witness you rat bastard.”

To which Ali replied:

And:

How do you score this exchange?

We here at Bloody Elbow have to deduct points from McGregor for the tweet and delete so advantage Abdelaziz.

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