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Here is the free live stream for tonight’s Karate Combat 37 event, where Raymond Daniels meets Rafael Aghayev in the main event.

Karate Combat 37 is kicking off tonight (December 17th) live from the back lot of Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The event is scheduled to start at 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT and will be streaming live and for free on the promotion’s YouTube channel (link at bottom of page).

The main event of the evening involves an interim welterweight title fight between two striking legends, Raymond Daniels and Rafael Aghayev. In the card’s co-main event, the bantamweight belt will be on the line when the current champion, Eoghan Chelmiah, collides with his challenger, Jesus Lopez.

Also competing tonight will be former GLORY Kickboxing champion and Bellator kickboxing/MMA fighter, Gabriel Varga. He will be facing off with Tommy Azouz in the lightweight division. Another name recognized from the MMA realm is former UFC welterweight, Sasha Palatnikov. He will be standing across from Rob Buxton for their middleweight matchup.

The entire Karate Combat 37 event can be seen below, live and for free on the company’s YouTube channel:

Main card:

Raymond Daniels vs. Rafael Aghayev: Interim Welterweight Title

Eoghan Chelmiah vs. Jesus Lopez: Bantamweight Title

Gabriel Varga vs. Tommy Azouz: Lightweight

Samuel Ericsson vs. Tarek Khelifi: Lightweight

Prelims:

Rob Buxton vs. Sasha Palatnikov: Middleweight

Andres Madera def. Maciej Tercjak by TKO in round 3: Lightweight

Gabriel Stankunas def. Maximo Nunez by decision: Bantamweight

Gabo Diaz def. Samy Ennkhaili by TKO in round 3: Lightweight

Disclosure: Karate Combat covered the author’s travel expenses to this event.

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We caught up with UFC legend Georges St-Pierre ahead of the Karate Combat 37 event.

UFC legend Georges St-Pierre has been brought in by Karate Combat as an ambassador. Bloody Elbow had the chance to catch up with the UFC’s former welterweight and middleweight champion on the set of Karate Combat 37 at the back lot of Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.

GSP discusses an array of topics ranging from his pick in the main event between Raymond Daniels and Rafael Aghayev, how the influx of MMA fighters might affect the landscape of Karate Combat, and even touches on his thoughts on Jake Paul trying to start a fighters union. Since we were at Universal Studios, GSP even disclosed why he doesn’t like to ride roller coasters.

When it came to a fighters’ union, the former UFC champ outlined what he thinks such an organization would need to be successful.

“I think it would need someone who do it not for the money or the fame, but do it purely because he loves the sport and he wish the sport to get better,” he said. “Yeah, I think it could be something very good. There are a lot of other groups who are trying to start something, but I think we need to dig more to see who is behind it, there’s more investigation to make. But if there is a group who is serious and wants me to be apart of it, I will always be the guy who try and do what is best for the conditions of the fighters.”

St-Pierre was also asked about some recent UFC fights, including Stephen Thompson’s karate infused win over Kevin Holland last weekend. “Karate works!” proclaimed GSP, who then reminded us all he won multiple world titles with that discipline as his base.

He was also asked if he had any advice for Paddy Pimblett, whose unanimous decision win over Jared Gordon has prompted an investigation over poor judging. St-Pierre told Pimblett not to pay that side of the sport any attention.

“Fighting is very subjective thing,” offered the Hall of Famer, who had a notable close decision go his way towards the tail end of his career. “That’s why sometimes it leads to different opinions on the matter. Sometimes there are things that affect the opinion of the opinion of the judging, like the commentator for example or the other people around you, what they are saying or your heart is with someone so you have the tendency to watch more that guy than the other guy and put yourself more in that guy’s shoes than the other guy.

“So what I can say is, control what you can control and try to forget about what people think. I know it’s very hard as a fighter, that we care so much, we have so much pride and we want to show the world, but that’s the hardest thing. You need to focus on what you can control. You have the power to only control the thing that you have control over. The other things that you have no control over, you shouldn’t waste energy thinking about it.”

The event is scheduled to start at 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT and will be streaming live and for free on the promotion’s YouTube channel (link at bottom of page).

Main card:

Raymond Daniels vs. Rafael Aghayev: Interim Welterweight Title

Eoghan Chelmiah vs. Jesus Lopez: Bantamweight Title

Gabriel Varga vs. Tommy Azouz: Lightweight

Samuel Ericsson vs. Tarek Khelifi: Lightweight

Prelims:

Rob Buxton vs. Sasha Palatnikov: Middleweight

Andres Madera vs. Maciej Tercjak: Lightweight

Maximo Nunez vs. Gabriel Stankunas: Bantamweight

Gabo Diaz vs. Samy Ennkhaili: Lightweight

Disclosure: Karate Combat covered the author’s travel expenses for this event.

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A physical altercation recently broke out between MMA veteran Jake Shields and UFC welterweight Mike Jackson.

MMA veteran and former UFC title contender Jake Shields got into a brawl with welterweight fighter Mike Jackson at the UFC Performance Institute on Friday. Shields himself posted the video on his Twitter account, accusing Jackson of calling him a “Nazi.”

That should’ve ended there, but it didn’t. The two continued to bicker over Twitter, with Shields challenging “The Truth” to another go around, this time at the nearby Xtreme Couture.

Per MMA Fighting, the rift between the two has been going on for a while now, concerning various hotly-debated issues like race and politics. Both men have been outspoken about their respective beliefs on Twitter.

MMA Fighting also reports that both men are taking legal action against each other. It is not clear what Jackson’s charges against Shields are, but Shields is allegedly filing a defamation lawsuit.

The 43-year-old Shields (33-11-1, 1 NC) last fought in 2018 at PFL 10 against Ray Cooper III, and lost via first-round TKO. The 37-year-old Jackson (1-2, 1 NC), who is known for welcoming CM Punk into the UFC and MMA last fought at UFC Vegas 62 in October against Pete Rodriguez and lost via first-round knockout.

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The former ADCC champion’s death was announced by team Gracie Barra via social media earlier today.

Last Thursday night, Orlando “The Cuban Tree Stump” Sanchez unexpectedly passed away. Rumours would circulate the online grappling community for most of the following day, until his longtime gym Gracie Barra confirmed the tragic news early last evening via Instagram post.

“The news of the passing of Professor Orlando Sanchez profoundly saddens us,” the post read. “Thank you for being a great friend and one of our greatest athletes.” They would go on to praise Sanchez’s career as both a teacher and successful competitor.

Born February 5, 1982, Sanchez experimented with a wide variety of sports as a youth. Playing American Football through college, the Californian allowed drugs and alcohol to play a large role in his 20’s. But at the urging of a friend, he found his new passion in training BJJ under Draculino black belt Alberto Crane.

Sanchez was a force on the mats, quickly reaching brown belt in just three years of training. He frequently trained under Gracie Barra coaches in this time, growing closer to the organization as a whole. Sanchez fully joined GB as a black belt, promoted by former GB coach José “Zé Radiola” Olímpio.

In 2015, Sanchez arguably reached the pinnacle of the sport with his ADCC +99kg championship win over Jared Dropp. Overcoming fellow legends in Dean Lister and Vinny Magalhães, Sanchez used his infamous strength and pressure to carry the trophy home.

He would flow in and out of grappling headlines in the years since, notably scuffling with UFC fighter Sean Strickland in 2021 during training. Through his career, Sanchez advocated for mental health awareness for both athletes and spectators.

Sanchez also previously fought in MMA, going 4-0-1 from 2010 to 2015.

He is survived by his wife and three children.

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Check this clip of Jake Paul dropping Faze Clan star Deestroying in a sparring session.

Jake Paul is back, working on his boxing skills in preparation for his next fight. But, despite a proposed $ 1 million sparring match against Paddy Pimlbett, it’s not ‘The Baddy’ he’s facing off against. Instead, the 6-0 social media star turned boxer put up a clip of some rounds he did wiht Faze Clan member, Deestroying.

In the clip, Faze Dee gets backed up into corner with Paul pressing him. Someone shouts out ‘30-seconds,’ to prompt both men to push hard for the end of the round. That’s when Paul lands a clean left hand to the head that staggers Dee, and follows that up with a wicked two-piece to the midsection. It was a right hook to the body and a left hook to the liver that put Faze Dee down on the mat. Unsurprisingly, he was done after that exchange.

Deestroying is a social media influencer that doesn’t appear to have any boxing experience to speak of. Hardly a shocking opponent for Paul, though—who has made a combat sports career out of competing against non-boxers.

It’s nearly impossible to predict who Jake’s next actual opponent will be in the ring, but history tells us that it won’t likely be a seriously experienced pro. Current frontrunners are former UFC title contender Nate Diaz or the half-brother of heavyweight champion boxer Tyson Fury, Tommy Fury.

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Paulo Costa hasn’t agreed to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC 284.

Paulo Costa wants to make it clear that he hasn’t agreed to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC 284, claiming the fight contract is ‘non-existent’ and that the UFC is actively spreading ‘fake news’ by promoting the matchup on social media.

Costa’s frustrations come after the Brazilian revealed earlier this month that he had turned down a six-fight extension with the UFC, citing problems with fighter pay.

‘Borrachinha’ has refused to accept another fight until the UFC starts paying him more, meaning his reported fight with ‘The Reaper’ is effectively dead in the water.

But that hasn’t stopped the UFC from advertising the matchup online, with official posters circulating on social media.

Costa took issue with this, writing on Twitter: “I’m Asking UFC to show my signs in this non-existent contract lol. That’s pure fakenews.”

Costa last fought at UFC 278 where he defeated Luke Rockhold in a wildly entertaining Fight of the Night at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.

UFC 284, which was expected to feature Whittaker vs. Costa on the main card, is scheduled to take place on Feb. 12, 2023, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

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The former UFC champion is reflecting on his career, and there is one moment he regrets. 

There is one thing T.J. Dillashaw regrets doing in his career.

On an episode of Food Truck Diaries with Brendan Schaub, the former UFC bantamweight champion reflected on his decision to cut from 135 to 125 for a champ vs. champ fight against then-UFC flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo in 2019. It was costly, as Dillashaw suffered some severe consequences during and after his fight with Cejudo at UFC Brooklyn. Not only did he lose by first-round TKO, but he also lost a few years of his career.

Dillashaw tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO), a banned substance he used to help with his cut. He received a two-year suspension by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and could not return to the Octagon until 2021. When asked if that was one of his career regrets, Dillashaw said this:

“A hundred percent,” said Dillashaw. “I mean, that’s the biggest regret I have right now is cutting to 25s. Not only just getting in trouble, but just what I did to my body. Everyone seen that I got in trouble and I got suspended. But, dude, the six months after that of me bouncing back from that weight cut just destroyed my metabolism, looked like s—t, went through surgery. So, like, that was hard on me, it was hard on my hormones, it was hard on everything, man.”

If he could do it over again, Dillashaw claims he would not even consider using EPO, but he explained that his drive to accomplish certain goals is what led him to that career-altering decision.

“I wouldn’t have gotten in trouble, none of that s—t would have happened,” said Dillashaw. “So that would have been a big difference as well. So, yeah. That’s my biggest regret for sure, was trying to go down to 25s. The same thing as why I feel like I took this fight [against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280] this last time, too, right? You just have the ultimate belief and a goal. When I put a goal in my head, I’m going to work my f—king ass off until I get it done. When I said I am going to be a double-champ going to down to 25s, it was like, ‘I’m getting it done’.”

In his return from suspension, Dillashaw won a controversial split decision over Cory Sandhagen, which set up a championship fight against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280 in October. The 36-year-old dislocated his shoulder and lost to the ‘Funk Master’ by second-round TKO.

Months after his loss to Sterling, Dillashaw was removed from the UFC roster after notifying the promotion of his retirement. He left the sport with a record of 17-5.

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ADCC Champ Gordon Ryan and former teammate Nick Rodriguez headline a card stacked with world-class grapplers. Former UFC champ Miesha Tate is also competing.

Tonight’s UFC Fight Pass event is being taken over by the grappling elite.

Kicking off at 9pm EST in the UFC Apex Center in Las Vegas, The eight-man absolute tournament features recent No Gi Worlds standouts like Oliver Taza and Fight Pass mainstays like Mason Fowler competing for a $ 25,000 grand prize.

Buffeting the event are two superfights featuring both UFC and BJJ legends. ADCC Champ Gordon Ryan takes on late-replacement and former friend Nicky Rodriguez in the heavyweight main event. Rodriguez, who’s absolute roster spot now belongs to Luke Griffith, replaces Vinny Magalhães due to as of yet unknown medical issues. The announcement was made earlier today in a video on the UFC Fight Pass Instagram page.

“Unfortunately Vinny is out due to some medical issues,” Ryan said in the video. “Hopefully he heals up. The replacement for him will be Nicky Rod versus myself in the headliner. That’s tomorrow night only on UFC Fight Pass at the Fight Pass Invitational.”

The second superfight suffered no such shake-ups, as former UFC champion Miesha Tate takes on BJJ powerhouse Bea Mesquita. The women’s MMA pioneer last fought in July, and hopes to test her submission skills against the 2017 ADCC champion and IBJJF hall of famer.

The event can be watched exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.

Absolute Tournament

Round 1

Patrick Gaudio def. Haisam Rida (Triangle Choke)

Mason Fowler def. Pat Shahgholi (Armbar)

Luke Griffith def. Andy Varela (Overtime RNC)

Oliver Taza def. Richie Martinez (Heel Hook)

Round 2

Mason Fowler def. Patrick Gaudio (Triangle)

Luke Griffith def. Oliver Taza (RNC)

Final

Mason Fowler def. Luke Griffith (Faster OT escape time)

Superfights

Women’s Featherweight

Bea Mesquita def. Miesha Tate (Overtime Armbar)

Men’s Heavyweight

Dan Manasoiu def. Ricardo Evangelista (Ref Stoppage)

Main Event

Gordon Ryan def. Nick Rodriguez (Faster OT escape time)

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Shevchenko is already thinking about her next title defense about two breakout stars in her division. 

Reigning UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is targeting two fighters for her next defense.

Gearing up for a return to the Octagon following her split decision over Taila Santos at UFC 275 in June, Shevchenko sees either Alexa Grasso or Manon Fiorot as opponents. Ranked No. 1 and No. 5 in the flyweight division, Fiorot and Grasso have built their cases for a potential championship opportunity with their recent wins. And they have caught the attention of Shevchenko, who told Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie recently that she is ready for either challenge.

“I would consider two names: It’s Alexa Grasso and Fiorot,” said Shevchenko at the World MMA Awards. “These are two challengers that are extremely good and ready for this title test. I think any of them.”

Should fights against Grasso and Fiorot fail to materialize, Shevchenko would revisit Amanda Nunes, the reigning UFC bantamweight and featherweight champion. The ‘Bullet’ has lost to the ‘Lioness’ twice, once by unanimous decision at UFC 196 and once by split decision at UFC 215, but both women have hinted at a trilogy in the near future.

“There is interest always, and I’m actually ready for that, because it’s a fight that makes sense,” said Shevchenko. “But yeah, let’s see how everything plays out, because I think any bright names, any superfights would be good.”

One superfight that has emerged as an option for Shevchenko is against Zhang Weili, who became a two-time strawweight champion by submitting Carla Esparza at UFC 281 in November. ‘Magnum’ told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that she and Shevchenko would deliver a ‘banger’ if they fought.

When asked about that champ vs. champ fight, Shevchenko was interested in sharing the Octagon with Weili.

“Definitely, it’s one of the options that can happen,” said Shevchenko. “I saw her recent fights. She got stronger, more tactical, but if a fight is gonna happen, it’s not gonna help her.”

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“If he beats him, if he connects, if he gets a knockout, my God – he’s in a title fight next.”

UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping thinks Conor McGregor is just one win away from a title shot.

‘The Notorious’ is currently rehabilitating a leg injury but is expected to return to competition within the next six months, possibly at welterweight.

But many pundits think McGregor is better suited at lightweight, with oddsmakers opening the Irishman as a -155 favorite in a potential 155-pound matchup with +135 underdog Michael Chandler.

If that fight got made, and McGregor won via KO, Bisping thinks his next matchup would be for the lightweight championship, no questions asked.

“Conor’s got all the money in the world, but he wants that [title], so you’ve got to respect that about him,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel (h/t Harry Kettle). “And coming back against Michael Chandler, if he gets the job done, well, it wouldn’t be crazy to think about a title fight next. It really wouldn’t. Chandler is still one of the top dogs. If he beats him, if he connects, if he gets a knockout, my God – he’s in a title fight next.”

McGregor hasn’t fought since last July when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in their trilogy bout at UFC 264. He was recently removed from the UFC rankings, presumably due to inactivity, having not won a fight since January 2020.

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