Ian Garry earns a comedy rap track

Does this mean Ian Garry has made it as a crossover star? We’re not so sure. But Garry’s beef with Sean Strickland, with the UFC middleweight champ suggesting Garry’s wife is a predatory cougar, resulted in a comedy rap track from Tyler Cassidy.

“Y’all watch out now, there’s a cougar down there. She done got herself a calf. Ain’t that a damn shame,” the track begins, before breaking into “somebody save Ian, because I don’t wanna see him, with a 40-year old gold diggin’ European.”

Well then. Garry, 26, has stuck by his wife Layla, 40, through the revelation she had published a book entitled “How to Be a WAG.” In this context, “WAG” stands for “wives and girlfriends” (generally of rich/notable people). The book, just a few pages long, was later claimed to be meant as a joke.

Belal Muhammad to serve as UFC 296 back-up

One of the better decisions by UFC brass in recent years is to pay fighters to serve as back-ups for the promotion’s bigger fights. With Colby Covington and welterweight champ Leon Edwards set to face off at UFC 296 next weekend, it’s top contender Belal Muhammad serving as back-up.

Plenty would argue it’s Muhammad, not Covington, who is more deserving of a title shot that “Chaos,” but the UFC is siding with the fighter who will move more tickets.

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Muhammad revealed he was given less than two week’s notice, saying “they just hit me up Friday” asking if he could weigh in for UFC 296.

CSAC gives green light to slap-fighting, bare-knuckle boxing in California

The California State Athletic Commission has approved two forms of unarmed combat to be regulated in the state.

Following legalization in Florida, New York, and other states, the California commission passed, 6-0, a vote for the state regulate bare-knuckle boxing this week. MMA Fighting was first to report news of the development.

With Bare Knuckle FC (BKFC) leading the charge, bare-knuckle fighting has seen a massive resurgence in popularity over the past few years. Former UFC stars including Mike Perry, Luke Rockhold, Paige VanZant, Artem Lobov, and John Dodson have all competed under the BKFC banner, with the promotion exceeding most expectations.

The sport’s comeback has not been without tragedy: 38-year old Justin Thorton died in hospital a month after sustaining spinal injuries in a 2021 BKFC fight that left him paralyzed. An infection in the spinal cord later led to organ failure. Thorton had landed on his head after being on the receiving end of a knockout blow by Dillon Clecker.

Most have recognized the Thorton incident as an unfortunate tragedy that could have happened in any number of contact sports. As for slap-fighting, the sport is built around taking undefended concussive blows to the heard and can barely be called a “combat sport” at all. Despite major controversy, the CSAC also voted in slap-fighting with a 6-0 vote, opening up the state to Dana White’s PowerSlap.

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“Platinum” Mike Perry has been a member of the UFC’s roster since 2016. However, according to a press release from Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, he now has a new home, and it is not going to be inside of a cage.

According to BKFC, and also teased on social media by Perry himself, the controversial fighter has officially signed with the Florida-based BKFC. Perry reportedly had one fight left on his UFC contract following his loss to Daniel Rodriguez in April, but it seems likely that the promotion actually released Perry before his last fight could be booked. Which honestly doesn’t come as much of a surprise, as he had lost four of his last five fights prior to his release.

Perry originally joined the UFC as an interesting striking prospect in 2016. Over time, Perry became less of a championship contender and more of a fan favorite that while entertaining, was a level below the top 10. Across his five-year UFC run, “Platinum” Mike Perry did beat some very good competition, as he holds victories over the likes of Jake Ellenberger, Paul Felder, Alex Oliveira, and Mickey Gall.

BKFC President Dave Feldman provided a comment to MMA Fighting regarding the signing, saying: “We’re thrilled to bring Mike aboard to our vast stable of exciting fighters. Over the last seven years, he’s proven to be one of the toughest fighters in mixed martial arts and his skill set along with his aggressive style works very well for our growing international fan base.”

Perry’s debut date has yet to be confirmed but more details will reportedly be given in the coming weeks. According to the promotion’s Twitter, he will officially be throwing down at 175 pounds in the BKFC ring.

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BKFC 9 was headlined by a rematch between one of the greatest fights of 2019, the second go-around of Jason Knight vs. Artem Lobov. Lobov won their first encounter in an absolute war in April, where both fighters took an insane amount of damage and kept coming forward. Lobov would notoriously go on to defeat Paulie Malignaggi in the biggest win of his career this past June and has good momentum heading into this main event rematch against Knight.

Lobov and Knight opened the same way we expected, both winging punches to start. Knight lands a left hand that stings Lobov, but Lobov comes back to fire. Knight trying to keep Lobov on the outside, acting more of a boxer than a brawler to start the fight. Knight lands a 1-2, while Lobov struggles to get inside on the longer fighter. An interesting first round.

Lobov opens with a nice right hand, and Knight goes back to putting the pressure on Lobov. Lobov keeps looking for the power shots while Knight is trying to be tactical, eventually, Knight lands a clean right hand that drops Lobov, but Lobov looks okay. Lobov recovers and attacks the body, and we end the second round swinging. Knight looking great through two rounds.

Lobov started the third by pushing up the pressure, and steps in with a nice right hand. Lobov is trying to make this a fight in the third, winging punches and keeping Knight on the backfoot. Knight may have hurt his hand, he didn’t throw much in the third round and seemed to take his foot off the pedal after a great first two rounds.

Knight opens with a nice jab, while Lobov tries to stick and move. Lobov lands a right hand and switches stances. Lobov’s eye starts to swell shut as Knight is moving and landing efficiently. Knight once again pushing the pressure to end the fourth round, Artem is having trouble reaching Knight once again. Knight seems to be landing way more, but Artem is winging the more powerful shots.

Knight opens with a great combination to start the final round. He lands another one to drop Lobov, and the fight is over! He drops and finishes Lobov as the referee waves it off. What a performance by Jason Knight. He completely cut off the ring and walked him down over the course of five rounds.

An absolute war in the first fight, a finish in the second. Could a possible trilogy fight be down the line?

Jason Knight def. Artem Lobov by TKO in Round 5 (0:29)

Check out all the results from BKFC 9 here!

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Artem Lobov (13-15-1) of UFC fame was a free agent after being granted his release from the MMA promotion this past month. According to Lobov, there were many offers on the table, from the likes of Bellator MMA and others. However according to Ariel Helwani who broke the news this morning, Artem Lobov is leaving the sport of MMA behind, for the moment anyways.

It was revealed Wednesday that Lobov has signed a three fight, six figure deal with the Bare Knuckle FC promotion. With that came the announcement that Lobov’s debut would come against fellow ex-UFC fighter Jason Knight, who also stalked the UFC featherweight division, thought the pair never crossed paths. The fight is set for April 20, at a venue yet to be announced.

This is just one of many acquisitions for the upstart Bare Knuckle promotion. Since their debut event last year, they’ve promoted four cards and featured many notable former UFC fighters.  The likes of Bec Rawlings, Ricco Rodriguez, Kendal Grove and Julian Lane have all fought under the BKFC banner. Rawlings has become their breakout star, becoming champion and going 3-0 under the bare knuckle ruleset.

It appears that Bare Knuckle fighting has been the trend in combat sports as of late in the US. After becoming legalized in a number of states within the past year, the sport has seen many former world champions, including Johnny Hendricks, fight under the controversial ruleset. Now joining them is a former all time great in his own right, the one, the only Artem Lobov.

According to Helwani, Lobov is still permitted to compete in MMA promotion under his BKFC contract. So if you’re missing your Lobov MMA fill, stay tuned for more news to come.

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