Sunday, February 5, 2012
UFC 143 Results: Is All the Hatred for Josh Koscheck Justified?
At UFC 143, former welterweight title contender Josh Koscheck picked up a split decision victory over Mike Pierce.
Koscheck, now 17-5, is arguably one of the best welterweights in the UFC today.
He's also one of the most hated.
From Koscheck allegedly faking being hurt in a fight with Anthony Johnson, to feuding with Tito Ortiz and Georges St-Pierre, Koscheck has often played the heel role in his career.
But is the now-former AKA fighter really all that bad?
Koscheck does come off as being a jerk most of the time.
But is he really that much different than other hated fighters like Michael Bisping, Chael Sonnen and Nick Diaz?
Well, the difference between Koscheck and those other fighters is there is at least one quality that people like about them.
Sonnen, although annoying at times, is at least entertaining.
Diaz puts on exciting fights and can even gain compassion from some fans.
Bisping may be one of the few fighters that is more hated more than Koscheck.
But, Bisping is still a bigger draw than Koscheck.
Koscheck may be a completely different guy off the screen.
But we have yet to really see a time, perhaps besides Paul Daley punching him after a fight, where we've really been on Koscheck's side.
But until he makes an on-screen change like Tito Ortiz did, he will continue to be one of the most hated fighters in the MMA.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
UFC fighters make their Super Bowl 46 picks
LAS VEGAS -- Athletes are athletes. Every sport has its stars, grunts and primadonnas.
Super Bowl 46 and the NFL have too many to count and so does the UFC.
Scott Bemis from the local CBS television affiliate in Las Vegas decided to mix the two worlds. Check out Roy Nelson and myself on KLAS trying to come up with our star QB, diva receiver, kicker, coach and the intimidating hitter from the UFC.
Everyone loves the NFL. The audience in the U.S. is expected to top 150 million. Plenty of fighters will be glued to a TV set or partying around Super Bowl 46. The promotion asked a bunch of the fighters at UFC 143 for their plays on the game.
Georges St-Pierre, UFC welterweight champion
"I've not a clue about the rules of football but I will be screaming for New York because it's the closest city to Montreal."
Carlos Condit, UFC interim welterweight title challenger
"I'm going to take the New York Giants. Sometimes being an underdog is the greatest motivation. I'm an underdog against Diaz this Saturday and it's going to be the weekend of the dog."
Roy Nelson, UFC heavyweight
"My picks for game day are Bud Light for the bud bowl. As for the other entertainment on that day, I have not picked my favorite commercial yet but it is usually the one with bigger budget, but the Cinderella story can always happen and that's why I love the tournament format. As for the filler, I don't have a pick but it definitely will be a showdownwith the New York Giants and New England, but my bet is on the one with "New" in their name."
Josh Koscheck, UFC welterweight
"I am mad because those are not my two favorite teams. That said, I think it should be a good, hard fought game. I'm not sure who will come out on top."
Brendan Schaub, UFC heavyweight
"My prediction for the game is it's going to be a good game--high scoring from both teams. In order for the Giants to win, they have to get pressure on Tom Brady from the D-line so he can't sit in the pocket and drop bombs to his monster tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, however even with that being said I think New England will be just too much for the Giants and pull off a late 4th quarter game-winning drive adding to the Brady legacy."
Clifford Starks, UFC middleweight
"I have to go with the Patriots, I know that they remember the last time they lost to the Giants and they are looking to take that bitter taste out of their mouth."
Max Holloway, UFC featherweight
"I'm going to have to take the Giants. I think they've got the defense to hold Brady and his offense down. Also because Eli is one lucky dude I swear. I think he could close his eyes and throw the ball and it would land into one of his receivers' hands. The Giants are just something else when they play in the post-season. Their wide receivers have just been on these last couple of games."
Matt Brown, UFC welterweight
"I predict the Patriots will win simply because New England is title town. My fianc� is from Massachusetts, home of the Patriots, Celtics, Red Sox, and Bruins. All the winning teams are from MA so there is no way the Pats will walk away defeated. It also helps that Patriots QB Tom Brady has the best record of any NFL quarterback in the modern era with at least 100 starts."
Chris Cope, UFC welterweight
"I'm picking the Patriots because their offensive line is stacked and Brady is always clutch during the playoffs! Woooooooooooo!!!!!!!! Patriots!"
Stephen Thompson, UFC welterweight
"Eli Manning's offense is very strong which will allow him to move the ball well especially in the air. Their D line is strong which will allow their D-Backs to do their jobs."
Edwin Figueroa, UFC bantamweight
"Personally, I'm from Texas and when it comes to football I bleed silver and blue - Cowboys all the way win or lose! Onlytrue fans can say that! On that note though, I'm rooting for the Patriots to avenge their 2008 final loss to the Giants. Go Pats!"
Ed Herman, UFC middleweight
"I'm going to have to go with the underdog Giants. I enjoy rooting for the underdog plus their defense has been stellar. Go Giants!"
Scott Jorgensen, UFC bantamweight
"Patriots over the Giants! AFC east all the way! If it ain't the Bills in the bowl, I want to see the division do well to justify the Bills performance."
Super Bowl weekend is huge in Sin City. The UFC's decision to hold a Super Saturday card each year in Vegas is brilliant. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is estimating an additional 286,000 people will come to town. Hotels are at near 90-percent occupancy and the non-gaming revenue generated this weekend is $98 million.
You can watch UFC 143 right here on Yahoo! Sports
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/fighters-super-bowl-xli-picks-215808439.html
UFC on Fox 2 weigh-in: Weidman ditches the Sloppy Joes to drop 32 pounds in 11 days
CHICAGO -- Dana White had to be smiling inside to see Chris Weidman make weight for his UFC on Fox 2 fight. Weidman, called just 11 days ago as a late replacement, had to drop from 217 pounds to make tomorrow's battle against Demian Maia an official middleweight fight.
It just two weeks ago that the promotion had to endure the embarrassment of watching Anthony Johnson missed weight badly at UFC 142.
Weidman was actually called with the offer while sitting at his dinner table. His wife was making some delicious Sloppy Joes. When Weidman committed to the fight, he had to go right to work.
"I just headed to the gym and ate a spoonful of peanut butter, and that was it," a glum Weidman told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The former Hofstra wrestler is trying to make a big step up the middleweight ladder with a victory over Maia. We'll find out tomorrow if the severe weight cut will affect him on fight night.
Phil Davis went with the wrestling theme. Rashad Evans, a former Michigan State wrestler, tried to rip on Davis and his college wrestling career. It was a strange approach considering Davis was a four-time All-American and national champ in 2008. Davis, who's done a brilliant job of poking fun at Evans, pulled out his old Nittany Lions' garb for the fight today.
This from wrestling guru Maggie Hendricks:
So that singlet is Penn State's championship singlet, one that only gets broken out if a guy wrestles in the finals. Since Davis wrestled in the NCAA finals twice, he has at least one. Most schools have them, but PSU's is very recognizable because they don't have a ton of singlet options, like other schools. As a fellow Big 10er, Evans would know that. Wearing that one, and not Penn State's more traditional dark blue singlet, was a sly way of Davis saying, "Yes, I am the better wrestler."
A weigh-in wouldn't be complete with a dust up or some heat arising. Michael Bisping took care of that by angrily reacting to the booing crowd at the Chicago Theater. The Brit flipped off the fans.
UFC on Fox 2 weigh-in (Courtesy MMAjunkie):
MAIN CARD (FOX)
- Phil Davis (205) vs. Rashad Evans (205)
- Michael Bisping (185) vs. Chael Sonnen (185)
- Demian Maia (186) vs. Chris Weidman (185)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FUEL TV)
- Evan Dunham (155) vs. Nik Lentz (155)
- John-Olav Einemo (253) vs. Mike Russow (251)
- George Roop (145) vs. Cub Swanson (145)
- Charles Oliveira (144) vs. Eric Wisely (145)
- Michael Johnson (156) vs. Shane Roller (156)
- Joey Beltran (228) vs. Lavar Johnson (252)
PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)
- Chris Camozzi (185) vs. Dustin Jacoby (185)
UFC 143 video: Alex Cacares loves the big time, but misses the days of backyard brawling
LAS VEGAS -- The crowds, money, adulation, safety precautions are all dynamite for 23-year-old Alex Cacares as he fights for the biggest mixed martial arts promotion in the world, but the Miami native misses the days of what appears to be a much more barbaric mode of fighting - the backyard brawl.
Those types of fights have been going down since the beginning of time. They recently became headliners again with the growth of YouTube and exposure for guys like Kimbo Slice in the Miami area.
As a hulking stack of muscle and intimidation, Slice fit the part. Cacares is slender and appears to be non-threatening, but when you hear him talk about his teenage experience with those pit fights you realize the kid loves to fight anywhere, anytime.
"I got into it because I was underage to get into professional fighting, "Cacares told Cagewriter just a few days before his 11 pro fight at UFC 143. "I was doing amateur fights at the time. I really wanted to get into a professional fighting, minimize the hand protection, no shin guards and really see what I could do."
The UFC currently uses four ounce gloves which are tiny compared to boxing's eight and 10 ounce models. Cacares still prefers the more primitive style of using bare-knuckles. "I believe bare knuckle hurts less than wearing these UFC gloves. I've been hit by both� and I'd rather be hit by the bare knuckle," Cacares said the gloves increase the surface area of the fist and seem to make the punches stick more. "The bare knuckle slides off more. When you get hit by the whole glove it gives you that little ringing sound."
Cacares did his first backyard brawl at 17, making between $300 and $600 per fight. If he won, he'd get spiffed by the winning bettors. He'd take home as much as $800 on some nights.
"It's a crazy experience. The crowd might not be as big as UFC crowd, but man they sound really loud because they're literally two feet away from you and we're fighting in a chicken cage. It's kind of like a pit fight, a dog fight. But it was a good experience," said Cacares.
He's clearly fearless. There were no structured weight classes, no rounds, no time limits, no doctor to look at cuts and the fights went to the finish. You win when your opponent quits, can't continue or you submit him.
Things are different now in many ways. Most importantly, Cacares is actually fighting guys his size. He fought on Season 12 of "The Ultimate Fighter" at 155 pounds, but he barely walks around above 150. Now he's more comfortable down at 135 and can be a bully in the division.
Cacares was excellent in his UFC bantamweight debut against Cole Escovedo. On Saturday, Cacares (6-4, 1-2 UFC) takes a good step up against Edwin Figueroa. The shorter Figueroa is the only guy recently who's given phenom Michael McDonald a fight, going the distance in losing a decision. The promotion is so high on MacDonald that he's been throw in there with former bantamweight champ Miguel Torres in February. If Cacares takes out Figueroa, that's a big notch on his belt.
You can watch UFC 143 right here on Yahoo! Sports
MMA Top 10 Women's Pound-for-Pound
These are uncertain times for women's mixed martial arts. Strikeforce has been the industry leader in female fights, while the UFC has maintained that it has no interest in putting women in the Octagon. So now that the UFC runs Strikeforce, does that mean women's MMA is endangered?Not necessarily. The Strikeforce women were invited to the UFC's recent fighter summit in Las Vegas, which indicates that Zuffa thinks women have a future within the company, and next month's return of the sport's biggest female star, Gina Carano, will result in a publicity boost for women's MMA.
So as I review the top 10 female fighters in mixed martial arts, I'm confident that it's a list of fighters whose futures are bright. Even if I'm not sure where and when most of them will fight next.
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Source: http://mmafighting.com/2011/05/14/mma-top-10-womens-pound-for-pound/
Pacquiao vs. Mosley: Why MMA Fans Should Care
We'll have full results and live round-by-round scoring for Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley on Saturday night, which may lead to a few readers wondering, What's boxing news doing on an MMA site? Here are five reasons why you, if you're an MMA fan, should care about Pacquiao vs. Mosley:1. It's the biggest combat sports event of the year.
For as much as the UFC has gained on -- and in some respects surpassed -- the popularity of boxing, the biggest fights in boxing still exceed the biggest fights in the UFC in terms of pay-per-view buys and worldwide media attention. Although the MGM Grand in Las Vegas obviously won't attract nearly as many fans as the 55,000 who came out to see Georges St. Pierre in Toronto, Pacquiao vs. Mosley will surely get more pay-per-view buys in the United States, far more mainstream media attention and far more attention globally, as Pacquiao is a draw throughout Asia and the single biggest celebrity in the Philippines, a country of nearly 100 million people. This is a major worldwide sporting event.
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Source: http://mmafighting.com/2011/05/06/pacquiao-vs-mosley-why-mma-fans-should-care/
Saturday, February 4, 2012
UFC 143: Yahoo! Sports and Heavy present Fight Day Live
Fight Day Live is coming back at you this Saturday for another star studded show from the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas for UFC 143: Condit vs. Diaz. Hosts Dave Farra and Megan Olivi will prepare you for all the fighting action on Saturday and the expert panel of Matt Brown, John Morgan and Larry Pepe will break down the pay per view card and give their opinion on who will take home the win.
Also slated for Fight Day Live are two interview, live on set. The first is with the number one contender to the women's 135-pound belt, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey. Rousey is a human soundbite, so you won't want to miss that one. And also on set is crowd favorite Clay "The Carpenter" Guida. �Main event fighter Carlos Condit will also be featured in an exclusive one-on-one interview. Be sure and tune into Fight Day Live at 6 p.m. ET/ 3 p.m. PT.
Want to see Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit battle it out live at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada?� Of course you do.� Well, your chance at being a part of all the UFC fighting action is only a couple of clicks away.
Log onto HeavyMMA's Facebook page.� From there, you must "like" the page and leave a comment about how much you'd love to go to the show. The folks at will Heavy conduct a random drawing and the lucky winner will receive two tickets to the big fight card on Feb. 4.
It's that easy!� So head over to HeavyMMA's Facebook page now and good luck.
You can watch UFC 143 right here on Yahoo! Sports
UFC 143: Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit Live Streaming Post-Fight Press Conference
Immediately after former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz and former WEC champion Carlos Condit square off for the interim welterweight title, many of the UFC 143 competitors will join UFC president Dana White at the post-fight press conference.
Saturday's event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas will also feature heavyweight Fabricio Werdum's return to the Octagon for a fight with Roy Nelson. Werdum reclaimed his spot as one of the top heavyweights in the world by defeating Fedor Emelianenko under the Strikeforce banner.
Additionally, rising bantamweight contender Renan Barao will attempt to make his case for a shot at the winner of a title fight between champion Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber. If Barao can convincingly defeat Scott Jorgensen, he will be more than deserving of a championship bout.
Former top contender Josh Koscheck will also try to jump back into the mix of welterweight contenders with a victory over Mike Pierce. Though Koscheck has lost twice to champion Georges St-Pierre, there is a possibility he could earn a fight for the interim title if St-Pierre suffers a setback in his recovery from a knee injury.
A live streaming feed of the post-fight press conference will be available on the above video player as soon as UFC 143 comes to an end.
Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, Follow Sean Smith on Twitter
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
Evan Dunham stops Nik Lentz at UFC on Fox 2
CHICAGO -- Evan Dunham finished off the preliminary card of UFC on Fox 2 with a pummeling of Nik Lentz. Dunham won after two rounds because of a doctor's stoppage.
Both fighters were light on their feet and throwing several punches early in the round. Lentz tried for takedowns, but Dunham was able to spring back to his feet. Dunham got a big takedown late in the round.
Again in the second round, Dunham got the takedown. When they returned to their feet, they traded leather, smiling as they threw abuse at each other's bloody face. Dunham broke from their punchfest to get another takedown. He tried for a guillotine, but when he couldn't choke Lentz out, Dunham punished him with elbows. They returned to their feet in the final thirty seconds, with Lentz's face showing the damage he sustained in the round. Because of the damage, the bout was stopped before the third round began.
Dunham is now 13-2, while Lentz falls to 21-5-2.
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/evan-dunham-stops-nik-lentz-ufc-fox-2-004514000.html
UFC 143: 10 Things You Need to Know About the Fighters Debuting in Las Vegas
Five new faces will enter the Octagon on Saturday night for UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit.
The prelims on Facebook and FX will feature these UFC rookies, and there will be plenty of action to look forward to.
I've compiled a list of 10 things you should know about these fighters as they embark on their UFC careers.
The UFC Gladiator: Saying Goodbye to a True MMA Icon
He seemed a strange choice for a sport looking to shed its reputation for brutality. Yet there he was before every UFC event, donning his armor and preparing himself for battle. Did the UFC Gladiator evoke thoughts of "human cockfighting"? Of the arenas in Rome where men too often fought to the death? Of excess, depravity, cruelty?
Of course he did. But there he was, nonetheless, paired with Stemme's song "Face the Pain," a constant before every UFC broadcast for more than a decade. When you saw him girding his loins for the fight of his life, surely your blood starting pumping a little faster. If you didn't feel a little rush, well, it's time to go back to watching tennis. The UFC Gladiator meant things were about to get raw.
No more. Starting tomorrow, the UFC will debut a new opening for their cage fighting events. It will no doubt be slick and modern, will no doubt pay homage to the great athletes who have graced the Octagon with their presence during the Zuffa era.
It won't be the same.
Sure, sometimes you hated the Gladiator. If you ever bought a UFC event on DVD, you know full well the pain of watching that introduction in toto every time you popped the disc in. There was no skipping the UFC Gladiator. He was there whether you wanted him or not.
I write this with no tears in my eyes. We knew it was coming. It was announced last year when we learned the little sport that could was going prime time, network style.
"We're gonna change everything, graphics, show openings for pay-per-views and fight nights," Dana White said. "We're going to enhance the look and feel. The gladiator opening is going away."
It's important to embrace progress. The UFC is looking to capture a brand new audience of fans. To them, the Gladiator is likely a relic. It's cheesy. It's undoubtedly homoerotic. And yet, it's a bridge to our past, to the days when the UFC was more spectacle than sport.
People who have seen it say the new intro is amazing. That it will get you ready to watch the greatest sport on earth. I'm sure it will. The UFC never does anything half way. But I'll miss the Gladiator. Godspeed, my iconic friend. And good luck.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1051950-the-ufc-gladiator-saying-goodbye-to-a-true-mma-icon
Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum Preview - Strikeforce
Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum Preview Video by StrikeforceSource: http://mmalice.com/strikeforce/strikeforce-overeem-vs-werdum-preview-video_68946046e.html
Friday, February 3, 2012
20 MMA Cliches We Never Want to Hear Again
There are cliches and then there are cliches so heinous and widespread that they evoke intense feelings of nausea and lunacy.
Well...maybe they're not that bad, but they're bad for sure.
Whether it's an overused phrase, a false belief about a fighter or group of fighters, or axiomatic truths that don't deserve the name, we hope that MMA evolves past these horrific cliches and that we never have to hear them again.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1049780-ufc-20-mma-clichs-we-never-want-to-hear-again
UFC on Fox 2 picks, Vegas-style: Bisping really getting annoyed by Sonnen?s wrestling lines
CHICAGO -- It's all about staying off your back and top control in tonight's three big fights on the UFC on Fox 2 card.
If they control the pace in fights, top level wrestlers have the ability to steal rounds and money. A mix of underdogs and favorites (Chael Sonnen, Phil Davis and Chris Weidman) with excellent college wrestling backgrounds, will be an interesting follow on the betting scene.
Sonnen's controlled the pace so well in his recent fights, it's made him just about unbeatable and a huge favorite over Michael Bisping. We'll find out tonight if Bisping's takedown defense allows him to stay in the fight. Hopefully keeps his cool. Sonnen along with yesterday's weigh-in crowd at the Chicago Theater really got under the Brit's skin.
As an underdog, Phil Davis will be looking to do slow things down against Rashad Evans. Chris Weidman's in the most interesting position because the former Hofstra star could probably stay on top of Demian Maia the entire fight, but that's incredibly dangerous place to be against a top level jiu-jitsu fighter. In spite of that Weidman is a pretty solid favorite over the UFC veteran.
Former UFC bantamweight champ Miguel Torres joined Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole and myself on ESPN1100/98.9 FM to pick the fights using the Las Vegas' numbers.
UFC on Fox 2 odds:
Best plays in bold
Rashad Evans (-205) vs. Phil Davis (+175) - Light heavyweight
Michael Bisping (+360) vs. Chael Sonnen (-450) - Middleweight
Demian Maia (+120) vs. Chris Weidman (-140) - Middleweight
Evan Dunham (-355) vs. Nik Lentz (+295) - Lightweight
Mike Russow (-150) VS. Jon-Olav Einemo (+130) - Heavyweight
George Roop (-115) vs. Cub Swanson (-105) - Featherweight
Charles Oliveira (-490) vs. Eric Wisely (+390) - Featherweight
Shane Roller (-225) vs. Michael Johnson (+185) - Lightweight
Joey Beltran (-205) vs. Lavar Johnson (+175) - Heavyweight
Chris Camozzi (-150) vs. Dustin Jacoby (+130) - Middleweight
Jon-Olav Einemo?s harrowing trip to UFC on Fox 2
CHICAGO -- While his opponent, Mike Russow, is fighting in his hometown, Jon-Olav Einemo had to travel from his camp in Holland to get to Chicago for Saturday's bout. The trip was memorable for all the wrong reasons.
"I came from the UK, and we were about three or four hours into the flight. We were over the Atlantic Ocean, and it started to smell burnt on the plane," Einemo said. "The stewardess was running around, telling us there was nothing to be worried about. We had to turn back and make an emergency landing in Ireland, then wait there for four hours. It was a long break."
Einemo didn't see any flames shooting from the plane, but said the experience spooked him and the other passengers a bit.
"I was watching a movie, I had my headset on, and I started to smell something. I looked around, looked at the eyes of four other people, but it was OK."
Fighting against Russow, a Chicago police officer, Einemo knows he won't have the crowd on his side. He wore a shirt that read, "Chicago Rum Runners," to Thursday's press conference. Since law enforcement won't be on his side, he joked that he needs to appeal to other fans.
"Not everybody likes the police, so I have to try to get the other ones on my side!"
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/jon-olav-einemo-harrowing-trip-ufc-fox-2-151254059.html
UFC on Fox 2: Evans says Davis isn?t ready for the big stage
Phil Davis is talking a damn good game getting ready for his UFC on Fox 2 main event fight against Rashad Evans. It was so good recently that Evans had finally had enough saying it's all lip service until their face to face in the Octagon.
"When you get hit in the mouth, things change," Evans said during the UFC on Fox 2 conference call (2:15 mark). "When you got hit by 'Little Nog,' you didn't know what to do. When I hit you n the mouth, you're going to feel it."
Davis set off Evans when he said the former UFC light heavyweight champ wouldn't have to worry about a title shot after this fight. Evans unloaded on the young Davis, also suggesting he would freeze in a fight of this magnitude.
"He ain't ready. He knows he ain't ready. You're just a boy," Evans, 32, said of the 27-year-old Davis. "We're going to see what happens. When those lights hit you and the crowd is roaring ... we're gonna see what kind of man you are, what kind of fighter you are."
Evans then went onto say he's a real fighter. He fights because he loves it while Davis fights because it's a job that pays. So the heat has kicked up a notch for Saturday night's fight on network TV.
UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones did his part to pitch the bout. He came out with some pretty strong words about Davis' chances in the fight, saying "Rashad's chin sucks." Jones said Davis by knockout is possible.
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-fox-2-evans-says-davis-isn-t-155350902.html
It's Not Over, Until It's ALL OVER. - UFC
This Saturday night, two of the most talented KO artists in UFC history meet in the Octagon. Don't miss UFC 131: Dos Santos vs Carwin Live on Pay-Per-View or www.UFC.tv at 6/9PM PT/ETSource: http://mmalice.com/ufc/its-not-over-until-its-all-over-video_fe8c32076.html
Dana White blog captures controlled chaos of UFC on Fox 2
As is the norm, UFC president Dana White's first video blog of the week focused on last week's event. With UFC on Fox 2 airing on network television, the timing and control of this event had to be even tighter than usual. You'll see just how that is accomplished with looks into meetings, the production truck, and fighter walkouts.
You also see the emotions and second-guessing that come naturally after fights. Joey Beltran breaks down after getting knocked out by Lavar Johnson. Jon-Olav Einemo realizes that he should have arrived in Chicago earlier. Eric Wisely says he should have rolled out to avoid Charles Olivera's calf slicer.
A few warnings before you press play: As always, expect plenty of NSFW language, unless you work at a swear word factory. Also, there is a long segment of Phil Davis getting his knee stitched up. Davis can't bear to look, so no on will hold it against you if you look away, too.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
10 Reasons MMA Needs Brock Lesnar More Than Brock Lesnar Needs MMA
Brock Lesnar's MMA career may have been short, but it sure was sweet.
The former collegiate wrestling champion made a big splash in the MMA scene following a successful career in professional wrestling.
Lesnar used his celebrity status to obtain the UFC Heavyweight strap in just his fourth MMA fight.
As quick as his rise was, so too was his downfall. Highlighted by some serious beatings at the hands of Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem, Lesnar retired from MMA following his UFC 141 loss.
With his retirement, Lesnar left a huge void not only in the heavyweight division, but in all of MMA and the UFC as well. Dana White may not say it publicly, but there's no doubt he'd love to have Lesnar back under the UFC banner.
The only problem with that is MMA needs Lesnar more than he needs MMA. Look beyond his poor showings in his final three fights and realize what Lesnar brought to MMA was much more than what occurred once the cage door closed.
Officer Mike Russow takes UFC on Fox 2 decision
CHICAGO -- Mike Russow did his city proud with a decision victory at UFC on Fox 2. The judges scored it 29-28, 29-28, 30-27 for Russow, causing loud cheers from the crowd at the United Center.
Russow started with a quick takedown. When they returned to their feet, Russow was aggressive, landing a combination before clinching up with Einemo. He moved inside with strikes, and then got another takedown. From there Russow controlled Einemo until the last five seconds, when Einemo briefly reversed position before the round ended.
The second round started much like the first, with Russow getting a quick takedown. Russow briefly stood up and towered over Einemo, but returned to controlling him on the ground. They were stood up with 22 seconds left in the round, but Russow returned to the takedown that served him well for the first two rounds.
Einemo was more aggressive in the third round, and nailed Russow with a knee and a punch. Russow got the takedown again, but had more trouble with it. When on the ground, Einemo came close to take Russow's back, but Russow slipped out of it. Russow controlled Einemo for most of the round, but the two were stood up with just over a minute left. Einemo hit Russow with a knee, then Russow used the next knee for another takedown.
Russow is a full-time member of the Chicago Police Department and took a month off from the department to prepare for this bout. He's now 4-0 in the UFC and 15-1 overall. Einemo, a member of the famed Golden Glory camp, has lost both of his UFC bouts.
Mike Easton edges Jared Papazian in rock?em, sock?em battle at UFC on FX 1
It may not be widely recognized as the deepest division in the world, but the bantamweights are starting to carve out quite a reputation in the UFC.
Mike Easton and Jared Papazian added to the cause by putting in some awesome work tonight on the UFC on FX 1 card in Nashville.
At the end of the fight, both fighters were still standing after throwing over 400 strikes at each other. Easton got the nod via majority decision, 30-27, 29-29 and 29-28, in a crowd-pleasing brawl that got better as the fight went along.
"He's a tough dude. He was the champ back in the division where he was at," Easton told UFC play-by-play voice Jon Anik. "All we wanted to do was please the fans and we rapped. We the 35ers baby! Nothing but non-stop action. We love to fight."
Papazian (14-7, 0-1 UFC) making his UFC debut, was a huge underdog at plus-275, but he didn't look intimidated whatsoever. Easton (12-1) is now 2-0 with the UFC.
Easton generally takes a while to get going, but when he did tonight it made for an awesome final round. With the fight on the line, Easton fired up the pace and Papazian, 23, stood in front him willing to bang. The fighters combined to wing 213 shots at each other over the final five minutes.
UFC 143 video: With a muddled 170 picture, Pierce wants to bring some clarity
LAS VEGAS -- Mike Pierce is a pretty reserved dude, but you can feel a quiet confidence coming from the welterweight prospect this week before UFC 143.
Pierce is trying to become the second straight fighter to knock off one the division's traditional gatekeepers. Between Koscheck (16-5, 14-5 UFC) and his teammate Jon Fitch (lost to Johny Hendricks), it's been pretty tough to crack the top three behind champion Georges St-Pierre.
"For a long time, those guys have been at the top. . they've had their chances fighting for the title ..josh kos jsut recently again fought Gsp for the title," Pierce told Cagewriter. "And I think this is a great opportunity for me to take advantage of an opportunity and get a win and move myself up."
Pierce didn't say much on "Countdown to UFC 143," but it definitely made an impression on Josh Koscheck. The veteran was irked by the fact that Pierce said Koscheck's striking game was predictable and that he wouldn't be able to use his heavy right-handed attack to score a knockout. Pierce says the fighters of today are versatile and unpredictable.
"Guys have been getting better and better at disciplines and figuring out a way to mesh them together to make a really good fighting style," said the 30-year-old Pierce (13-4, 5-2 UFC). "We're starting to see more of that now with the younger guys, who are coming up and they really get it. They know how to put these things together and they're catching guys."
Koscheck, a minus-245 favorite is confident that Pierce has little to threaten him. He's basing that on Pierce's 2009 fight against Fitch. Fitch controlled the pace of the fight to gain a decision, but was in big trouble in the final minutes of the fight after he ate big punch and finished the tilt on shaky legs.
Koscheck is holding a good crop of younger welterweight that includes Pierce, Jake Ellenberger, Rory MacDonald, Rick Story and Hendricks. Guys like Erick Silva, Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley and Douglas Lima could also be in the mix soon.
You can watch UFC 143 right here on Yahoo! Sports
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz III: 5 Reasons Why This Fight Will Not Happen
Tito Ortiz will take to the Octagon in 2012 in what will be his final fight before retirement. In a largely circulated interview with MiddleEasy Tito stated:
July, hopefully Fourth of July weekend I will be fighting my last fight and I will be done. That's it: It's time to walk away. You know, Forrest, or I know everybody would like to see me against Chuck (Liddell) and, I don't know. We will see what Lorenzo and Dana have to offer and see what they want to do. I'll sit down with Lorenzo and Dana next week and let's see, let's make a fight, my last fight and let's make a memorable one.
The general consensus, to my surprise, were fans of Chuck's saying they'd love to see him beat Tito for a third time. My initial reaction as a fan was disgust. What has Tito done to warrant a third fight with Chuck? Furthermore, Chuck has beaten Tito badly in both fights. Why would Chuck risk giving Tito the satisfaction of ending his career with a win?
For fans of Chuck Liddell who are concerned about him taking the bait and asking to get in the Octagon one last time with Tito, don't worry, this fight will not happen, and here are five reasons why.
Jason Miller agrees with Dana White about his performance
After Jason "Mayhem" Miller lost to Michael Bisping at "The Ultimate Fighter" season 14 finale earlier this month, he took a verbal beating from UFC president Dana White. He called it the worst stand-up and the most lopsided fight he has ever seen.
A disappointed Miller is now training in Holland, and responded to White's comments on his own website.
Dana White was right. He made some disparaging comments about my performance, and I agree with him. I displayed the worst of everything that night in the octagon. I was tense in round one and I locked up after that. I didn't perform to my potential, and I take full responsibility for it. That wasn't a UFC caliber performance, and I'm not happy about it.
After reading about Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira blame his loss on referee Herb Dean, it's refreshing to hear Miller take such responsibility for his loss. He also said that he is taking this loss as a challenge, and ended it with a little bit of an inspirational speech.
My challenge to you, and myself, is to continue to press on and make the most of your adventure here on earth. At the end of your life you want to be sure that you've made your best effort to make a collection of epic stories. Some sorrowful ones, some happy ones and some downright amazing, but the challenge for you is to find and make the most of each of these adventures.
That was the exact inspiration I needed to go finish my Christmas shopping.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Falling Action: Best and Worst of UFC 141
Filed under: UFC
Well, it's over. 2011 -- arguably the biggest year for MMA and the UFC -- has come and gone. UFC 141 gave us a night to remember on the way out, and now we charge boldly on into a new year with an even more frantic fight calendar. I hope you're taking this opportunity to rest up and prepare yourselves, people. Things are only going to get busier.But before we completely turn our backs on the year that was, let us return one last time to Friday night's event for a look at the biggest winners, losers, and everything in between from UFC 141. It's the least we can do.
Biggest Winner: Alistair Overeem
He stood in the center of the Octagon when Lesnar entered, fixing him with a cold, dispassionate stare as the former champ jogged around the perimeter. When Lesnar passed by without so much as a glance in his direction, Overeem turned to his corner and nodded as if to say, Yeah, we got this one. As it turned out, he did. Overeem showed zero fear of Lesnar. He bullied him in the clinch and made him look not just mortal, but downright vulnerable. Was this the one true test of his skills that Overeem's detractors have been waiting for? Yes and no. He took Lesnar apart "piece by piece," just like he promised he would, but he also didn't face many serious takedown threats in the short bout. That might still leave some questions about his wrestling ability, but you can't doubt that he's an elite heavyweight who deserves a crack at the title. Not all his fights have been against top competition, but this one was and The Reem looked every bit as good as advertised. It's time to give this man his due. Hopefully he can get that lawsuit with Golden Glory squared away so he can get his money, too.
Biggest Loser: Brock Lesnar
If he really does call it quits now, MMA history may not be terribly kind to him. His last three fights go a long way toward supporting the theory that Lesnar was the classic bully who folded under attack, and people are more likely to remember the images of him skittering backwards and crumpling to the mat than they are to recall his struggle his diverticulitis and what it may have cost him career-wise. It's still remarkable to think of what he managed to do in such a short time and with so little prior fight experience. His presence and his success in the sport brought a new level of attention and awareness to the UFC, which is the kind of rising tide that lifts all ships. Even if we don't remember him as a great heavyweight, we'll have to recognize his status as one of the true superstars of this little era. It's just a shame he couldn't have packed more actual fighting into the few years he spent inside the cage, but if he feels like he wants to retire, then he absolutely should. I just wouldn't want to be a deer anywhere in North America now that that guy has a lot of free time on his hands.
Most Surprising: Johny Hendricks
Usually the phrase 'puncher's chance' is code for 'almost no chance at all,' but Hendricks reminded us that there's a reason for that particular combat sports cliche. He said afterward that he was motivated by all the people who forgot about the power in his left hand and wrote him off completely in this fight, and I'll admit I was one. At the same time, the look of elation on his face as he paraded around the Octagon following the TKO stoppage seemed to be mixed with at least a little bit of surprise. He can say he expected to win, but he's kidding himself if he says he expected to win just like that. Fitch is known as a guy who can take a shot, which is part of what makes Hendricks' win so impressive. As he was quick to point out, he did what both Georges St-Pierre and B.J. Penn were unable to do. Whether that necessarily puts him among the welterweight elite, we'll have to wait and see.
Most Impressive in Defeat: Anthony Njokuani
His striking is sharp, but if he can be that easily outwrestled then he might as well find out now. Just a couple more stuffed takedowns here or there and he probably would have beaten Danny Castillo -- maybe even finished him. He defended himself well once the fight got to the mat, but that's not enough in that division. Every potential opponent with a double-leg that's worth a damn will look at this film and see a blueprint for victory. Njokuani's job is to make sure that the next person to try and follow it is in for a painful surprise. If he can force people to stand in front of him and play his game, he'll be in business. If he can't, he'll end up as just another striker complaining about being surrounded by wrestlers.
Least Impressive in Victory: Jacob Volkmann
Rarely do you see a fighter whose personality so perfectly matches his fighting style. Both in the cage and in interviews, Volkmann comes off as awkwardly off-putting and the exact opposite of entertaining. The only exciting moments of his decision win over Efrain Escudero came when he nearly got choked out, and his post-fight interview was painfully uncomfortable. Bringing politics into the cage is a risky proposition to begin with, but doing so with a bad joke poorly delivered is the worst of all possible worlds. Watching Volkmann trying to tell a joke in the presence of actual comedian Joe Rogan was like watching Jerry Seinfeld hit mitts with Greg Jackson: it just feels wrong on every level. I'm not sure who is encouraging Volkmann to continue playing this political angle, but they're doing the man a disservice. He's got enough of an image problem with his fighting style. He doesn't need to make it worse by using every interview to demonstrate why comedy should be left to the professionals.
Baddest (Individual): Nate Diaz
Is there anything short of an unexpected drug screening that can make one of the Diaz boys take a step backwards? Just like his brother Nick, Nate Diaz showed why pace, pressure, and a willingness to take a few to give some back is a dangerous combination. He got right in Cerrone's face and never left, peppering him with blistering punch combos that seemed on the verge of giving "Cowboy" a bad case of whiplash. After the fight, according to Cerrone, Diaz came up and apologized for knocking his $1,000 cowboy hat to the floor at the press conference, telling him, "Here, take mine." Is it just me, or is Diaz become one of the UFC's most oddly compelling characters? Whatever the UFC decides to do with him next, the one thing you know is that you could stick him in the cage against Napoleon's army and he'd at least make a fight of it. The UFC will always have a use for guys like that.
Mr. Self-Awareness: Donald Cerrone
He came out flat-footed and never really got his offense working, and he was the first to admit it. He was also refreshingly candid in the post-fight press conference, admitting that Diaz took it to him and made him eat his words. In a world where excuses and regrets are the preferred armor of each night's losers, it's nice to see a guy who can provide such an honest assessment of his own failings. When Cerrone intends to smash your stupid face, he'll tell you. When he instead got his own face smashed, he'll tell you that too. He didn't quite have it against Diaz on Friday night, but he still made sure that fans got their money's worth, which is why he earned his fourth bonus in five fights. Maybe it wasn't a perfect year for the "Cowboy," but it was still a memorable and profitable one.
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Best New Prospect: Jimy Hettes
Dana White admitted that he hadn't really paid much attention to Hettes prior to UFC 141, but the skinny grappler has his attention now. Nam Phan couldn't have been more outmatched if he was going up against a tag team, and the judges' scores reflected as much. I mean, 30-25, 30-26, and 30-26? At that point, the judges might as well stop tallying the numbers and just write 'BEATDOWN' across their scorecards. Hettes could obviously use a little more polish, and he's not ready to be thrown in with the big dogs just yet, but he is someone worth keeping an eye on. If he's indicative of the next generation of MMA fighters, you can't help but be very excited about this sport's future.
Hype Train with an Uncertain Destination: Alexander Gustafsson
Vladimir Matyushenko may be 41 years old, but all you need to do is look at the guy's record to know that beating him still puts you in pretty solid company. Gustafsson looked more comfortable than we've ever seen him in the Octagon, and right away you got the sense that it was only a matter of time until he found a way to end this one. Still, I'm not sure if it's his size or his youth that has some people whispering about how he'd do against Jon Jones, but those people need to slow their roll. Gustafsson is a talented young fighter, but he's still a work in progress. He needs to shore up his wrestling if he's going to jump up to that next level in the light heavyweight division, and that's not going to happen overnight. All his training partners rave about him, but what he needs right now is time to grow as a fighter. By the same token, he should see if he can't hurry it up a little. At the rate Jones is slicing through challengers, Gustafsson's number might come up sooner than he thinks.
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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/01/01/falling-action-best-and-worst-of-ufc-141/
Photo: Jon Fitch wrestles referee after UFC 141 knockout
Johny Hendricks scored a 12-second knockout of Jon Fitch at UFC 141 on Friday night. When Fitch came to, he thought he was still fighting and tried to wrestle referee Steve Mazzagatti.
If Fitch was facing Mazzagatti, he would have had a nice start on the round. Unfortunately, he had already lost.
Cyborg Santos vs. Ronda Rousey: Comparison, Breakdown of Possible Fight
On August 15, 2009, the future of women's MMA was cast into serious doubt.
Gina Carano was considered the face of women's MMA. She had the beauty and skills to potentially carry the sport on her back for the foreseeable future, and much hinged on her success.
Gina's opponent that night was Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos. It only took one round for the torch of women's MMA to be passed from Carano to Santos, as Santos won the fight via TKO.
Santos has since rattled off three consecutive wins to push her overall winning streak to 11 fights.
Her dominance in the women's featherweight division has been so impressive that there has even been discussions to include her in the overall pound-for-pound rankings.
There is now a potential fight on the table to match up Santos with rising star Ronda Rousey.
Rousey has began her professional career with four straight victories, winning all of them via armbar in 49 seconds or less.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1007997-cyborg-santos-vs-ronda-rousey-head-to-toe-breakdown
Video analysis: Iole and Meltzer question Lesnar?s strategy at UFC 141
Brock Lesnar chose to slug it out with Alistair Overeem at UFC 141. He lost and then walked away from the sport.
It was a shocking approach to take against one of the more accomplished strikers in the division, especially knowing Lesnar's strength is the takedown game.
Yahoo! Sports' experts Kevin Iole and Dave Meltzer spoke about Lesnar's gameplan and why it unfolded the way it did.
UFC 141 stunner: Johny Hendricks wallops Jon Fitch in just 12 seconds
LAS VEGAS - Jon Fitch played it smart for years and it paid off with a sterling 12-1-1 career mark in the UFC. But when you fight to decision that often, you're eventually going to get nailed.
The veteran welterweight got drilled by the first punch Johny Hendricks winged his way and the lights went out. Hendricks scored a big upset in just 12 seconds at UFC 141 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Outside of a title tilt against Georges St-Pierre, Fitch rarely gets hit in his fights. He's a tall 170-pounder at 6-foot-1, who uses his length well and usually takes the fight to the ground.
In Hendricks, he was facing a fellow former NCAA wrestler, so he didn't charge across the Octagon looking for the takedown.
[ Related: Kevin Iole's complete UFC 141 recap ]
Fitch (23-4-1, 12-2-1 UFC) missed early with a pair of punches. The fighters circled for a few more seconds and Hendricks surprised Fitch by jumping into a perfectly placed left hook. Fitch fell backwards, his head slammed off the canvas and referee Steve Mazzagatti jumped on top to save him.
Fitch was so out of it that he quickly sat up and pushed forward to grab and control Mazzagatti. The fighter thought the referee was his opponent.
[ Related: Brock Lesnar announces retirement after UFC 141 loss ]
The loss snaps a six-fight unbeaten streak for Fitch. Hendricks is now 12-1 and 6-1 in the UFC. The win over Fitch, ranked by most No. 2 in the world at welterweight, puts him right in the middle of the title chase at 170 pounds.
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Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Frank Mir says Alistair Overeem has little chance of staying on his feet against Brock Lesnar
When fellow fighters can't decide how a big tilt is going to shake out, you've got something big on the horizon.
Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal says Alistair Overeem has a solid shot of stopping Brock Lesnar's powerful takedowns. Frank Mir, a former opponent of Lesnar, says Overeem will be like a fish out of water at UFC 141 this Friday in Las Vegas.
Watch UFC 141 right here on Yahoo! Sports
If Overeem sprawls or tries to knee, it'll do him no good.
"Brock doesn't shoot that low. He'll put his forehead in your chest, and he's going to run you through. If he's not able to take you down with that initial blast, he's going to run you against the cage," Mir told "The MMA Insiders" on ESPN1100/98.9 FM in Las Vegas. "Then he's going to rip your legs out from under you. Now, you should have gotten taken down in the middle of the area, but instead, you've been taken down against the cage [where it is more dangerous]. Speaking from experience, that sucks."
Mir, was a state champion high school wrestler in Nevada. He was helpless on the ground, crunched against the cage. Overeem is about the same size as Mir. Is he stronger, with better technique? We may find out Friday night.
"Now, you have a guy who is not a black belt in jiu-jitsu and who is not a wrestling All-American who is going to be able to get back to his feet, so what does he do?" Mir said.
Mir said Overeem's background indicates little to say that he'll get back to his feet. He also worries about all the extra mass Overeem has added over the years.
"Are you going to try to tell me he's going to wrestle with a national champion wrestler for five minutes? His cardio is going to suck [after wrestling with Lesnar for a while]. I've seen guys with muscles like that, and that's why he slows down," said Mir.
Overeem has to catch Lesnar in the first 90 seconds or he's got little shot.
Not only did Mir question Overeem's chances to survive grappling, but he's not overly impressed with the guy that some say is the best striker in the heavyweight division. Lesnar may even do some damage standing. Mir pointed out that Overeem was hit a lot in his fight against Fabricio Werdum and tired badly half way through the fight.
Quotes via Kevin Iole
JZ Cavalcante Post Fight vs Wilcox Wants to Return to Action Soon - JZ Cavalcante
JZ Cavalcante Post Fight vs Wilcox Wants to Return to Action Soon Video by JZ Cavalcante
UFC 143: Why Fabricio Werdum Will Have No Problems Against Roy Nelson
At UFC 143, former UFC contender Fabricio Werdum will make his return to the octagon more than three years after his previous fight, a knockout loss to now Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos, to fight "The Ultimate Fighter" Season 10 alum Roy "Big Country" Nelson.
Werdum enters the bout looking to avenge a disappointing decision loss at the hands of current number one contender Alistair Overeem back in June, where Werdum spent time begging Overeem to come into his guard, hoping to utilize his world class jiu-jitsu. Before that, he had pulled off the upset of the year in 2010 when he submitted Fedor Emelianenko in 69 seconds.
Nelson is looking to pick up his 2nd straight win after a 3rd round TKO victory over Mirko Cro Cop back at UFC 137 in late October. Before that, Nelson lost two straight decisions to Junior Dos Santos and Frank Mir.
Werdum should enter this fight as a solid betting favorite, and for solid reasons.
"Vai Cavalo" has won five of his last seven fights, four of those coming by way of TKO or submission, and for his career, he's beaten Emelianenko, Gabriel Gonzaga (twice), and Overeem (back in 2006).
Nelson is 3-4 in his last seven fights, his toughest win coming at either the hands of Stefan Struve or Brendan Schaub. You decide who's a tougher test. Those two might be the toughest wins of his career, as his other victories include Brad Imes and a well-past-his-prime Cro Cop.
Nelson has shown great ability to take a punch, as shown in his fights with Mir and Dos Santos, but Werdum will, like Mir, possess a great balance of power and submissions, and Nelson
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
Werdum vs. Nelson official: Brazilian promises fireworks
Fabricio Werdum is getting his second chance in the UFC, he plans on seizing the opportunity.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt makes his return to the promotion next year. He's officially booked to face Roy Nelson at UFC 143 on Super Saturday in February.
Werdum said don't expect what you saw in his last fight against Alistair Overeem. He was sluggish that night. He explained to the inimitable Aaron Tru that because the fight got cancelled several times and put on hold, he was simply overtrained when it finally hit the cage.
Werdum was 2-2 in his last stint in the UFC from 2007-2008. His striking has gotten a lot better and he sounds like he gets it now. Simply going in and hunting for the submission won't get it done with the UFC. He promises this time to go for the knock out or get knocked out.
That probably won't happen against Nelson, but what fans will see is a good battle between two of the best submission artists in the big boy division. No one saw Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira pulling off a sub in their fight, maybe we get shocked here too.
Werdum's exit in 2008 came after an upset loss against Junior dos Santos, who was making his UFC debut at the time. The promotion asked to renegotiate his deal. Camp Werdum got a little chirpy and next thing he knew, he was gone. Werdum jokes in the Tru video that he won't be talking too much this time around.