Grapplers Graveyard

Author: Jay Durden

Jay is a news reporter for Grapplers Graveyard who trains both MMA and BJJ.

How to Improve Your Roundhouse Kick

How to Improve Your Roundhouse Kick

The roundhouse kick is one of the most effective strikes in any striking art, but only when it’s built on sound mechanics. Power doesn’t come from forcing the leg through the target—it comes from the ground, the hips, and the way the body moves as one unit. Without balance, rotation, and control, even a hard kick becomes unreliable. This article breaks down the roundhouse kick step by step, focusing on stance, hip engagement, clean contact, and recovery, so the technique holds up under pressure, not just on pads.

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balance in striking

Why Balance Matters More Than Speed in Striking

Speed may look impressive in striking, but it is balance that determines real effectiveness. Without proper balance, fast punches and kicks lose power, accuracy, and control, often leaving a striker vulnerable to counters. Balanced movement allows fighters to generate force from the ground, recover quickly after attacks, and maintain strong defense. By prioritizing balance over speed in training, strikers build a more reliable, efficient, and sustainable skill set that performs under pressure.

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Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev Turns Down UFC 324 Title Fight

Islam Makhachev, the UFC welterweight champion, has turned down an offer to defend his title at UFC 324 in January 2026. After winning the belt at UFC 322, Makhachev said the quick turnaround didn’t give him enough time to prepare. The card’s main event will now feature an interim lightweight title fight, while Makhachev plans to return for his first title defence in spring 2026 against a top contender.

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UFC Lawsuit

Dana White Set to Testify in UFC Antitrust Lawsuit Proceedings

UFC President Dana White has been ordered to testify under oath as part of an ongoing antitrust lawsuit against the promotion, marking a key development in the case known as Cirkunov v. Zuffa. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware, schedules White’s testimony for a February 2026 spoliation hearing that will examine discovery and evidence preservation issues. The outcome of the hearing could play an important role in shaping the direction of the lawsuit and future legal challenges involving UFC contracts.

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Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson Defeats Warren Spencer Unanimously

Tony Ferguson continued his late-career resurgence on Saturday night in Dubai, defeating Warren Spencer by unanimous decision at Misfits Boxing 23. The former UFC interim lightweight champion controlled the fight from start to finish, scoring a key knockdown in the second round and outworking Spencer over five rounds to capture the vacant Misfits Middleweight Championship. The win marks Ferguson’s second straight victory in the promotion and another positive moment after a difficult final stretch in the UFC.

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why bjj is humbling

This Is Why BJJ Humbles Everyone

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has a quiet way of humbling people. It does not shout or embarrass. It simply places you in positions where strength fails, ego disappears, and patience becomes your only option. On the mats, excuses do not survive contact with reality. Every mistake is answered immediately, and every improvement must be earned. Over time, you stop trying to prove who you are and start learning who you need to become.

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Ben Askren

Ben Askren Today: From Double Lung Transplant to Wrestling Training

Former UFC star and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren has made a miraculous recovery, and shocked the MMA world by returning to wrestling training just months after undergoing a life-saving double lung transplant. Once fighting for his life in a hospital bed, Askren is now back on the mat, showing the same determination that made him

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Jon Jones

Jon Jones Calls Tom Aspinall “Incredibly Overrated” After UFC 321

Jon Jones Sparks Controversy on the No Scripts Podcast In a bold post-fight analysis, Jon Jones is making headlines by labelling Tom Aspinall “incredibly overrated” during his recent appearance on the No Scripts Podcast. The former two-division UFC champion dissected Aspinall’s performance at UFC 321, where the heavyweight bout against Ciryl Gane ended abruptly in

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