1. 5 Misconceptions MMA Fans Have About Professional Wrestling

    The connection between MMA and pro wrestling is something that most fans of mixed martial arts seem reluctant to acknowledge. As something of a masochist, I spend more time than I should reading comments sections of MMA websites...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 1 day ago 1,532 reads 54 comments

  2. Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann: Head-to-Toe Breakdown

    Carlos Condit and Martin Kampmann will once again square off—in a rematch of their exceptional 2009 bout—when they clash in Indianapolis for the second UFC on Fox Sports 1 event...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 7 days ago 5,846 reads 25 comments

  3. The Science Underlying the Fighter's Chin: What Makes a Fighter Durable?

    For something that is so central to success in combat sports, there is a surprising paucity of information readily available on the particulars of what we colloquially refer to as the “chin” of a fighter...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 9 days ago 4,432 reads 19 comments

  4. Jon Jones' Toe and 7 MMA Injuries You'll Never Be Able to Unsee

    It is a curious fact about human psychology that we can’t help but gawp at the abnormal, even if it makes us want to regurgitate our lunch. And so it is with MMA injuries...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 26 days ago 4,319 reads 19 comments

  5. UFC 160: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Predictions

    With UFC 160 fast approaching, it is once again time for us to engage in the thankless task of forecasting what will happen when trained killers engage in unarmed combat. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 26 days ago 22,572 reads 39 comments

  6. Vitor Belfort and TRT: Technique or TRT? That's the Wrong Question

    With UFC on FX 8 now in the books , it is once again time to review the particulars of yet another Vitor Belfort knockout win...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 1 month ago 3,550 reads 36 comments

  7. Wanderlei Silva and 5 Fighters Whose Aggression Works Against Them

    As fans, we love to see aggression inside the cage. It is the singular guarantor of what we pay to see: action. But for fighters, aggression also goes hand-in-hand with risk...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 1 month ago 7,466 reads 18 comments

  8. Bellator: Why MMA's Second Largest Organisation Is Failing Our Fighters

    Why do we value the existence of an organisation like Bellator ? There are a variety of reasons, but two stand out as being of particular importance. The first, and perhaps most obvious, is that fans appreciate the content it provides...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 1 month ago 5,464 reads 34 comments

  9. UFC 159: Dispelling the Myth of Michael Bisping the Point Fighter

    As UFC 159 approaches, the myth that Michael Bisping has all the punching power of an atomweight suffering from muscular dystrophy continues unabated, reinforced by those who simply don’t know any better...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 1 month ago 667 reads 8 comments

  10. UFC on Fox 7: 5 Pointless Observations

    UFC on Fox 7 is now in the books and there is no shortage of important storylines to follow in the aftermath of last night’s entertainment. Will Daniel Cormier drop down to light heavyweight? Will T...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 1 month ago 1,860 reads 11 comments

  11. MMA: Debunking the Myth of the K-1 Level Striker in Mixed Martial Arts

    If there is a pugilistic hierarchy within MMA , the “K-1 level striker” is perceived to be at its pinnacle...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 2 months ago 2,528 reads 43 comments

  12. TUF Season 17 Finale: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Predictions

    It has been an interesting week in the world of MMA . From Matt Mitrione making a less-than eloquent contribution to the Fallon Fox debate to Frank Mir threatening to vivisect Daniel Cormier, talking points have not been in short supply...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 2 months ago 21,823 reads 46 comments

  13. Matt Mitrione: Why the UFC Was Right to Suspend Him for Transphobic Comments

    According to a statement released by Zuffa earlier tonight , UFC heavyweight Matt Mitrione has been suspended by the organization for “ transphobic comments” about transgender fighter Fallon Fox on the MMA Hour ...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 2 months ago 14,385 reads 376 comments

  14. Mixed Martial Arts, Marijuana and the Problem with Current Drug Testing Policy

    Marijuana and its status as a performance-enhancing drug ( PED ) has long been a contentious issue in sport generally, but particularly in combat sports...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 3 months ago 858 reads 9 comments

  15. Fallon Fox and the Culture of Ignorance: A Response to Controversy

    As many of you are no doubt aware, I recently posted an article that explored what I deem to be ignorance surrounding the Fallon Fox story...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 3 months ago 6,338 reads 178 comments

  16. Fallon Fox and the Culture of Ignorance Within MMA

    If you have even a passing interest in the day-to-day happenings in mixed martial arts, you have no doubt heard about Fallon Fox , MMA ’s first transgender athlete. The story has been discussed ad nauseam over the past ten days or so...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 3 months ago 12,674 reads 262 comments

  17. Georges St-Pierre, Johny Hendricks and the Oversimplification of MMA

    So, UFC 158 is now in the books. Many long-lingering questions were answered, but perhaps even more were raised...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 3 months ago 2,130 reads 10 comments

  18. UFC 158: Preliminary Card Staff Predictions

    I have no doubt that many of you are waiting on the edge of your seats for this Saturday’s UFC 158 main event between Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz ...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 3 months ago 2,863 reads 4 comments

  19. Top 5 MMA Movies That Are So Bad, They're Good

    It’s fair to say that mixed martial arts films are the red-headed step children of the movie industry. Then again, that would be a bit harsh on red-headed stepchildren who haven’t really done anything to earn our ire...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 3 months ago 12,058 reads 31 comments

  20. Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche: Making a Real Contribution to the Female Cause

    It was everything we hoped it would be and more. Last night’s UFC 157 main event between Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche was a tremendous vindication of women’s MMA and its supporters...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 4 months ago 716 reads 3 comments

  21. Dana White: Why His Claim to Be "Regulated by the Government" Is Meaningless

    Did you know that the UFC is regulated by the government? If this fact comes as a surprise to you, it’s probably because you haven’t watched a Dana White press conference/interview/media scrum/Q&A over the past several years...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 4 months ago 1,342 reads 28 comments

  22. UFC 157: Are the UFC's Expectations for Ronda Rousey Too High?

    As the hype surrounding Ronda Rousey ’s Octagon debut at UFC 157 continues to intensify, it’s hard not to wonder whether Dana White and company are harbouring unrealistic expectations for the former Olympian...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 4 months ago 7,396 reads 52 comments

  23. MMA: If MMA Fans Dislike Grappling, Why Isn't Kickboxing More Popular?

    Fans love it when fighters “stand and bang,” don’t we? All that rolling around on the ground is little more than an unwelcome distraction, something that we reluctantly tolerate until the next blistering stand-up exchange...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 4 months ago 3,400 reads 56 comments

  24. Anthony "Showtime" Pettis and the Evolution of Mixed Martial Arts

    Anthony “Showtime” Pettis has nabbed more column inches than the gun control debate over the past few weeks...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 4 months ago 3,122 reads 37 comments

  25. B/R MMA Staff Predictions for UFC on Fox 6 Preliminary Card

    As you impatiently count down the days until UFC on Fox 6 , the B/R staff is here to both placate and occupy your mind with our predictions for Saturday's preliminary card bouts...

    James MacDonald Written by James MacDonald about 5 months ago 6,930 reads 10 comments