Congratulations to UFC analyst Joe Rogan on his promotion to jiu-jitsu black belt under Eddie Bravo. The promotion took place at Bravo's 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu academy in Burbank, California on June 26th.
"This is one of the proudest moments of my life," said Rogan after the ceremony. "Becoming really good at jiu-jitsu is probably one of the most difficult things a person can do, and I think it helps me with everything I do."
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Terry Etim injured, out of UFC on Fox 4 bout with Joe Lauzon
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Terry Etim continues to find himself on the sidelines, as he's suffered another injury that has taken him out of a fight with Joe Lauzon at UFC on Fox 4. Etim had hoped to bounce back from a vicious knockout loss to Edson Barboza in January, but he'll once again be delayed.
Etim's had lengthy layoffs before in his career, with a 19-month layoff hitting him after an April 2010 loss. He'll hope this layoff is considerably shorter.
Lauzon is likely to remain on the card, though no opponent has yet been named for the event. He's also looking to bounce back from a knockout loss, his coming against Anthony Pettis at UFC 144 in February.
Terry Etim continues to find himself on the sidelines, as he's suffered another injury that has taken him out of a fight with Joe Lauzon at UFC on Fox 4. Etim had hoped to bounce back from a vicious knockout loss to Edson Barboza in January, but he'll once again be delayed.
Etim's had lengthy layoffs before in his career, with a 19-month layoff hitting him after an April 2010 loss. He'll hope this layoff is considerably shorter.
Lauzon is likely to remain on the card, though no opponent has yet been named for the event. He's also looking to bounce back from a knockout loss, his coming against Anthony Pettis at UFC 144 in February.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/quicknews/article_13706.shtml
UFC Fight Camp Insider with Matt Serra – Chael Sonnen
Join former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra as he goes inside Chael Sonnen’s training camp as he prepares for his UFC middleweight title bout with Anderson Silva at UFC 148. 
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmaconvert/~3/OE1yg30yCjQ/
Ronda Rousey vs. Sarah Kaufman official for August 18 Strikeforce headliner in San Diego; tickets on sale this week
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Ronda Rousey's first defense of her Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship will indeed take place on August 18, as Strikeforce officials announced this week that the fight will headline a card at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif. on that date.
"We're excited to head back to the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego with the first title defense of bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, arguably the best female fighter in the sport today," Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said. "She's submitted all of her opponents thus far, but number one contender Sarah Kaufman has the experience and tenacity to push her like no one else. This is a great title fight for Strikeforce fans and we look forward to another tremendous night of fights in San Diego!"
Rousey comes into the event with an undefeated record, which was extended in March when she nearly tore former Champ Miesha Tate's arm apart with an armbar, finally forcing her to submit. All of her career wins have come by armbar.
Kaufman, the division's former Champion, earned her way back into a title fight with a decision win over Alexis Davis on that same card in March. The win was her third straight win since losing her title to Marloes Coenen back in October of 2010.
Tickets for the event go on sale this week. UFC Fight Club members have their first crack at tickets today, June 27, beginning at 10AM PT. UFC and Strikeforce Newsletter subscribers will have a presale tomorrow, June 28, and tickets will open up to the public on Friday, June 29. Prices range from $45 to $150.
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"We're excited to head back to the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego with the first title defense of bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, arguably the best female fighter in the sport today," Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said. "She's submitted all of her opponents thus far, but number one contender Sarah Kaufman has the experience and tenacity to push her like no one else. This is a great title fight for Strikeforce fans and we look forward to another tremendous night of fights in San Diego!"
Rousey comes into the event with an undefeated record, which was extended in March when she nearly tore former Champ Miesha Tate's arm apart with an armbar, finally forcing her to submit. All of her career wins have come by armbar.
Kaufman, the division's former Champion, earned her way back into a title fight with a decision win over Alexis Davis on that same card in March. The win was her third straight win since losing her title to Marloes Coenen back in October of 2010.
Tickets for the event go on sale this week. UFC Fight Club members have their first crack at tickets today, June 27, beginning at 10AM PT. UFC and Strikeforce Newsletter subscribers will have a presale tomorrow, June 28, and tickets will open up to the public on Friday, June 29. Prices range from $45 to $150.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Affliction2/article_13701.shtml
Rebellion Media looking for new talent
Ever sat in front of your computer screen, reading an article on a website covering Mixed Martial Arts, and thought you could the same job if not better? Love MMA and want to put your own spin on covering it?
If so, the opportunity for you has arrived. Rebellion Media is looking to bring on people passionate about the sport who are interested in showing off their word-smithing skills (as well as photographers and other folks who feel they have something to contribute).
Interested applicants should inquire about opportunities at Info@rebellionmedia.com with “Writing for Rebellion” in the subject line. Experience is appreciated but not required. A variety of skill-sets and expertise are welcomed.
Rebellion Media outlets where your work could end up include Five Ounces of Pain, Fighters.com, Fightline, MMAFrenzy, Fightlinker, and MMAConvert.
Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2012/06/30/rebellion-media-looking-for-new-talent/
UFC Primetime returns Saturday for UFC 148's Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen bout
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
It's being thrown together a little late, but the UFC will premiere a one episode Primetime special for UFC 148's Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen rematch this Sunday on Fuel TV. The program, which will feature Silva and Sonnen behind the scenes in the last weeks before their fight in Las Vegas, will air on Fuel TV at 7PM ET on Saturday, June 30. The program will be available for viewing on UFC.com as well following it's initial airing, and replays will air on Fuel and FX, along with Fox Sports Net. Here is a list of replay times:
SATURDAY, JUNE 30
7PM ET/4 pm PT - FUEL TV
7:30PM ET/4:30PM PT - UFC.com premiere
4:30PM ET/1:30PM PT - FUEL TV
SUNDAY, JULY 1
Check regional listings - Fox Sports Network
MONDAY, JULY 2
Available on-demand - Blockbuster Studio, channel 102 on DISH
THURSDAY, JULY 5
2AM ET/PT - FX
FRIDAY, JULY 6
2AM ET/PT - FX
It's being thrown together a little late, but the UFC will premiere a one episode Primetime special for UFC 148's Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen rematch this Sunday on Fuel TV. The program, which will feature Silva and Sonnen behind the scenes in the last weeks before their fight in Las Vegas, will air on Fuel TV at 7PM ET on Saturday, June 30. The program will be available for viewing on UFC.com as well following it's initial airing, and replays will air on Fuel and FX, along with Fox Sports Net. Here is a list of replay times:
SATURDAY, JUNE 30
7PM ET/4 pm PT - FUEL TV
7:30PM ET/4:30PM PT - UFC.com premiere
4:30PM ET/1:30PM PT - FUEL TV
SUNDAY, JULY 1
Check regional listings - Fox Sports Network
MONDAY, JULY 2
Available on-demand - Blockbuster Studio, channel 102 on DISH
THURSDAY, JULY 5
2AM ET/PT - FX
FRIDAY, JULY 6
2AM ET/PT - FX
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/quicknews/article_13712.shtml
Alert for iPhone MMATorch Users: Upcoming Events section update
We've had several questions regarding the "Upcoming Events" section on the iPhone and iPad apps, so we wanted to respond here. On the Android versions of the app, there is an "Event Calendar" that is updated daily; unfortunately that feature is not yet in the iPhone version of the app. Instead, for now, there is one post in the "Upcoming Events" section that is being regularly updated with all of the fights for future events. There are no longer individual events posts, but everything is being kept up to date in the post entitled "Updated Upcoming Events Calendar." Hope that clears up any confusion!
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/mmatorchappalert/article_13406.shtml
WWE Smackdown News and Notes: In AJ We Trust
Sometimes before Kane takes to the ring I think to myself, “Oh no! This is a Kane match.” But this week’s Kane match was also a Daniel Bryan match and will I always watch those? Do I want to elect AJ queen of the universe? Do I crib Bryan’s catchphrases way too often? YES! YES! YES!
How good is AJ right now? Even in a thirty-second role as “special guest timekeeper” (LOL), she’s complex and interesting and seductive and funny, and still hot even in Kane’s ridiculous mask. Credit to Kane too. He kept up with Bryan athletically, and watching AJ manipulate him is the best love triangle involving an arsonist since Desperate Housewives.
Two more jobbers got a good Rybacking. As long as they keep him off of live TV the sound editors can make some headway against the “Goldberg” chants.
Alberto Del Rio went over Christian after great effort from both. Del Rio winning via jumping kick of awesomeness and a Cross Armbreaker and just a bit of Ricardo Rodriguez interference. How cool is Del Rio’s leaping springboard top-rope enzuigiri move? “It’s really cool,” you should be answering.
Today in #millionsofdollars: It’s only been a couple days but AW already seems to be clicking with the Prime Time Players, Darren Young and Titus O’Neil, who are. Their opponents were The Usos, a chronically underutilized tag team almost as awesome to watch as their seriously wicked crazy cool entrance is. After winning the matchup with some AW interference, the Players took a few hits backstage from Primo and Epico along with a very noisy Rosa Mendes, who are ballsier and cooler now as suddenly turned babyfaces out for revenge than they’ve been for months. I almost don’t want to mention my cautious optimism over a segment that featured three real-life serious tag teams, because Vince does not want us to have nice things and now, because I’ve jinxed it, the whole tag division is going to end up as Ryback chow.
Be sure to also check out the main event of Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler part 6 or 7, but however many times they go at it, the matches always seem to get better. Pro-Ziggler chants are becoming a regular occurrence, which means that if WWE is serious about keeping him a top heel he is going to be tongue wrestling Vickie Guerrero a lot.
The eternal Ziggler match dilemma: I’d love to see Dolphie Z win every match and championship in WWE, but there is no one who can take a kick like him. I don’t know if Dolph’s official action figure has an easy-off kickable face but it should.
PHOTO CREDIT – WWE
TweetSource: http://www.fighters.com/06/25/wwe-smackdown-news-and-notes-6-21-12-in-aj-we-trust
Tony Fryklund Kazuyuki Fujita Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesić
Defining Chael Sonnen
The rematch the world has waited for finally takes place in the main event of UFC 148 on July 7th in Las Vegas. We’ve looked at champion Anderson Silva’s defining moments earlier this week. Now up to the plate – challenger Chael Sonnen.Jeremy Horn III – UFC 60 – May 27, 2006
Result – Horn Wsub2
What happened – When Sonnen faced off with Jeremy Horn at UFC 60 in 2006, he was fresh from his first Octagon victory over someone who had beaten him previously, Trevor Prangley, and 23 fights into a career that began in 1997, there was no better time for some more redemption, considering that Horn held two wins over him. It didn’t happen though, as Sonnen succumbed to an armbar in the second round. It would be nearly three years before he returned to the UFC.
What was said – “The one thing with Horn is that he is so doggone crafty and you would almost have to fight him to understand what I mean,” said Sonnen before the fight. “So physically, for 15 minutes I need to pay attention and focus in on a couple of positions that he gets in where he is real dangerous. But mainly what I take from those fights is a mental thing. The first time I fought Horn, I was scared of him. I’ve been scared of a lot of guys but you’ve got to walk out there and fight them anyway. The second time, I believed ‘Jeez, I can really beat this guy,’ but pretty much the whole fight I was just waiting for him to catch me. I remember even thinking ‘is he gonna catch me now? Is it gonna be in this round or in this position?’ So mentally, things are different. I now know I can beat Jeremy Horn, and I know I’m going to beat Jeremy Horn, and there’s a big difference mentally.”
Paulo Filho I – WEC 31 – December 12, 2007
Result – Filho Wsub2
What happened – The rivalry with Silva doesn’t mark Sonnen’s first encounter with one of Brazil’s finest. There was the two fight series with then-unbeaten Paulo Filho, the WEC middleweight champion considered to be the best middleweight not under contract to the UFC. In their first bout, Sonnen appeared to have Filho knocked out at one point, but the Brazilian weathered the storm to score what was then seen as a very controversial submission win. Sonnen would even things up with the troubled Filho with a bizarre decision win nearly a year later, but with Filho not making weight, the WEC belt was no longer on the line. Next stop for Sonnen? Back to the UFC.
What was said - “I hit him on our feet and he went out and in fact, I caught him,” recalled Sonnen. “I walked all the way around him and grabbed him. In hindsight I should have just let him fall forward. But I was so excited because I thought it was over and I told the ref “he’s out.” And he was. He wasn’t moving or budging, but of course, I’m laying on top of him. For whatever reason, that was the route I took.”
“It hurts,” he continued. “I don’t know what a moral victory means. If the shoe was on the other foot and I got handed one that I didn’t quite earn, I’d feel just as good about it. I’d be completely content and proud of myself. At the end of the night, it’s whoever gets his hand raised, and so it hurt a lot. It kept me up at night. I got right back into the gym, but I was going through the motions and it was really difficult. I didn’t know how it would play out and whether I’d have this void forever. I’ve had a lot of disappointments in athletics over the years and they hurt a lot. But that’s the risk you take. It’s a two-man sport and only one guy’s gonna win.”
Dan Miller – UFC 98 – May 23, 2009
Result – Sonnen W3
What happened – When Sonnen returned to the UFC in 2009, the result was familiar to those who followed his Octagon career, as he was submitted by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Demian Maia at UFC 95. But with his back against the wall, he pulled off a hard fought three round victory over New Jersey’s Dan Miller three months later, beginning his run to a world title shot against Anderson Silva and making it clear that this time, he was in the UFC to stay.
What was said – “UFC’s got the tradition, and when I was a young man and went to bed at night, it was the UFC I was dreaming about,” he said before the Maia fight. “You always want to be satisfied and happy with your situation, and I always was, but in the back of the head, there’s no way to deny or pretend that this isn’t exactly what I was hoping to happen.”
Yushin Okami – UFC 104 – October 24, 2009
Result – Sonnen W3
What happened – Sonnen was always a compelling interview, but it was around his UFC 104 bout with Japanese contender Yushin Okami that the rest of the world began to catch on, and the Oregonian became to amp things up in terms of promoting a possible fight down the line with champion Anderson Silva. Of course, there was the business of beating Okami, not an easy task at all, especially with “Thunder” bringing a three fight winning streak into the bout. But Sonnen made his three round decision win look easy, and now people considered him a legit contender for the title. He would need to keep winning though and keep things intense in training camp. So to help him with the latter part, he brought in none other than Yushin Okami.
What was said – “You don’t want to get beat by anybody, but especially him,” said Sonnen before the fight. “I gotta prepare for a guy and try to hype a fight with a guy that doesn’t even understand what hyping a fight means. I’m a one man band in this thing. I’m going at it alone, and when we get in the ring, if he backs up like he likes to always do, there’s just no end game here – there’s no way to win. So anyway, I’m just gonna go and beat the guy up because it’s the only thing that he and I can do together in friendship.”
“When the music hits those speakers, I will suck it up and make that walk,” he said. “And if I’ve got to take my medicine like a man, I’ll take it like a man, but either way, I’ll be in that ring on the 24th. And if Okami or anybody else wants to dispute something, I swear to goodness I will give them their opportunity. And I’ll end it on this – Yushin Okami is coming off an injury. Nobody is as good returning from an injury as they were prior to their injury, and I could’ve beat Okami when he was tough.”
“I want to be the champ and that’s it,” Sonnen continued. “If Anderson gets beat, I no longer want to fight Anderson. I don’t blame him for going up to light heavyweight – it’s a lot easier division than ours. I think there’s a false mystique when he flies up to light heavyweight and beats up these slow, unathletic guys. ‘Oh my goodness, he’s the king of two divisions.’ Well sure, anybody can move up a weight class. Look at Randy (Couture). Randy slid up from 205 to heavyweight and he wins a title every time he does it. The toughest guy to fight is the one a weight class below you. We’d have the same problem at 185 if one of the ’70 pounders moved up – ‘jeez, this guy’s a little faster than what we’re used to.’ So I, for one, am not impressed that Anderson went up to 205 and beat up some slow light heavyweights.”
Nate Marquardt – UFC 109 – February 6, 2010
Result – Sonnen W3
What happened – 4-1 with four finishes and one controversial decision defeat since his title fight loss to Silva in 2007, Nate Marquardt was one win away from a return meeting with the champion and he was favored to get the job done against Sonnen, whose pre-fight rhetoric was reaching epic proportions. But the man soon to christen himself as “The Gangster from West Linn” took Marquardt by surprise with his speed and control of the Octagon, and while both guys looked like they had been in a bat fight and not a fistfight at the end of three rounds, it was Sonnen who took the win and earned his shot at “The Spider.”
What was said – “I don’t want to be an also-ran. I want to be king of the mountain and I think I can beat any man God ever made.”
Anderson Silva – UFC 117 – August 7, 2010
Result – Silva Wsub5
What happened – Not much can be said about this fight that hasn’t already. Suffice to say that it was one of the best in UFC history, a nearly five round battle that saw Sonnen shock the world by dominating the pound for pound king for over four of those rounds. But it was the final seconds that the world will remember, as Silva crushed Sonnen’s championship dreams with a triangle armbar that forced the challenger to tap out with only 1:50 left on the clock.
What was said – “No one tunes in to see Anderson Silva,” said Sonnen before the fight. “The guy’s the worst Pay-Per-View draw in the history of Zuffa, and he’s a four-year undefeated athlete with one sponsor. There is one company on the face of the planet that’s willing to put their name on that guy. He walks into a room, he doesn’t have any fans, the media doesn’t want to talk to him, you watch the UFC promotion and it’s the Chael Sonnen show and it might as well be. Anderson Silva is about as entertaining as watching paint dry so if you can keep the mic and camera on me; I’ll sell some tickets. I can drag Anderson Silva outside the hotel any day I wanted to and beat him up, But I’m gonna wait until August 7th and I’m gonna do everything I can to make sure millions of people are watching me do it.”
Brian Stann – UFC 136 – October 8, 2011
Result – Sonnen Wsub2
What happened – The world wanted and needed to see a rematch between Sonnen and Silva, but legal and commission issues kept MMA’s most compelling figure on the sidelines while the champion knocked out Vitor Belfort and Okami in title defenses. When Sonnen was cleared to return in October of 2011, anticipation was at a fever pitch as American hero Brian Stann squared off with the American gangster. And this time, the “bad guy” won, as Sonnen dominated before scoring his first finish win since 2007 via second round submission. Sonnen would have to win one more bout – against Michael Bisping – before getting his return match with Silva, but on July 7th in Las Vegas, the wait is over.
What was said – “It’s almost the opposite of the last guy I fought,” said Sonnen of Stann. “The last guy I fought was a little dancing chicken, and this guy’s more of a man that will come out and draw a line in the Octagon and say put your toe on it and let’s go.”
Source: http://www.ufc.com/news/Defining-Chael-Sonnen
Luiz Buscapé Firmino Spencer Fisher Jon Fitch Kenny Florian
Jamie Varner facing Joe Lauzon at UFC on FOX 4
It didn’t take long for the UFC to find a replacement for Terry Etim after news surfaced earlier this week regarding the Brit’s removal from an August 4 match-up with Joe Lauzon due to injury. According to an official announcement from Zuffa brass, Jamie Varner agreed to step up and fill in for Etim in the UFC on FOX 4 fight.
Combined Varner and Lauzon have stopped 39 of the 41 total opponents they’ve beaten.
Varner made a triumphant return to the Octagon last month against highly-touted Brazilian Edson Barboza, a bout he also took on short notice. The win improved the former WEC champion’s overall record to 20-6-1 and was his fourth first-round finish in his last five fights.
A Closer Look at Varner’s Win Over Barboza
Lauzon himself is coming off an opening round loss, suffering a knockout to Anthony Pettis this past February. The stumble snapped a two-fight winning streak for the 28-year old who also holds past instances of success against the likes of Jens Pulver, Jeremy Stephens, and Melvin Guillard.
UFC on FOX 4 is headlined by Mauricio Rua-Brandon Vera with other featured fights including Lyoto Machida-Ryan Bader and Travis Browne-Ben Rothwell.
PHOTO CREDIT – WEC
TweetSource: http://www.fighters.com/06/28/jamie-varner-facing-joe-lauzon-at-ufc-on-fox-4
Ronda Rousey vs. Sarah Kaufman official for August 18 Strikeforce headliner in San Diego; tickets on sale this week
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Ronda Rousey's first defense of her Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship will indeed take place on August 18, as Strikeforce officials announced this week that the fight will headline a card at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Calif. on that date.
"We're excited to head back to the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego with the first title defense of bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, arguably the best female fighter in the sport today," Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said. "She's submitted all of her opponents thus far, but number one contender Sarah Kaufman has the experience and tenacity to push her like no one else. This is a great title fight for Strikeforce fans and we look forward to another tremendous night of fights in San Diego!"
Rousey comes into the event with an undefeated record, which was extended in March when she nearly tore former Champ Miesha Tate's arm apart with an armbar, finally forcing her to submit. All of her career wins have come by armbar.
Kaufman, the division's former Champion, earned her way back into a title fight with a decision win over Alexis Davis on that same card in March. The win was her third straight win since losing her title to Marloes Coenen back in October of 2010.
Tickets for the event go on sale this week. UFC Fight Club members have their first crack at tickets today, June 27, beginning at 10AM PT. UFC and Strikeforce Newsletter subscribers will have a presale tomorrow, June 28, and tickets will open up to the public on Friday, June 29. Prices range from $45 to $150.
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"We're excited to head back to the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego with the first title defense of bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, arguably the best female fighter in the sport today," Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said. "She's submitted all of her opponents thus far, but number one contender Sarah Kaufman has the experience and tenacity to push her like no one else. This is a great title fight for Strikeforce fans and we look forward to another tremendous night of fights in San Diego!"
Rousey comes into the event with an undefeated record, which was extended in March when she nearly tore former Champ Miesha Tate's arm apart with an armbar, finally forcing her to submit. All of her career wins have come by armbar.
Kaufman, the division's former Champion, earned her way back into a title fight with a decision win over Alexis Davis on that same card in March. The win was her third straight win since losing her title to Marloes Coenen back in October of 2010.
Tickets for the event go on sale this week. UFC Fight Club members have their first crack at tickets today, June 27, beginning at 10AM PT. UFC and Strikeforce Newsletter subscribers will have a presale tomorrow, June 28, and tickets will open up to the public on Friday, June 29. Prices range from $45 to $150.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Affliction2/article_13701.shtml
John Alessio Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida Eddie Alvarez
UFC 148: Chael Sonnen responds to "dirt bag" Anderson Silva's comments
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva unleashed a tirade of comments on Monday about what he was going to do to Chael Sonnen at UFC 148 in their rematch for his title. It was an unprecedented level of vitriol being spewed out of Silva's mouth, a level of anger he hadn't truly expressed in any of his fights in the UFC to date.
It was a delivery that caught people off guard. UFC President Dana White commented about how he had never seen anything like that out of the longtime Middleweight Champ; and many have wondered aloud whether Sonnen's gotten into Silva's head with his own history of comments toward the Champ, his teammates, and his country.
However, there's one man who says he wasn't the least bit surprised by Monday's outburst: Chael Sonnen.
"Well, it was nice to see the real Anderson come through," Sonnen said on Tuesday's new episode of UFC Tonight on Fuel TV. "The guy is a dirt bag, like I've told you for years. He made a lot of statements about breaking my teeth and bones, but it's not like I've never been to the orthodontists before or had my jaw stapled. What he didn't say was that he was going to break my spirit, or my will, and beat me for the belt. I don't care if he breaks my jaw, or I need staples, I kind of expect it. I think he was one off from saying he would give me a knuckle-sandwich, I'm just glad the real Anderson came out."
Sonnen continues to claim there's no "gamesmanship" from him and his comments towards Silva over the last couple of years. Additionally, he says Silva's comments don't do anything to get him more riled up for the fight than he was before.
"I don't care about being in his head. There is no gamesmanship here," Sonnen said. "It was nice to see the true Anderson Silva here. He probably thought he would get under my skin, but I've been a gangster from West Lynn, Oregon my whole life. If he thought I'd be upset because I found what I was looking for, he is wrong. On 7/7 at 7:00 PM I am going to pound my fist into his head until he gives up."
Penick's Analysis: Sonnen's shifted into low-key mode as the fight approaches. We've got just over a week left to the fight itself, and there will be some very interesting moments next week leading into the fight. With one more press conference that will see the two square off, as well as the weigh-ins, there could be some more heat added to these proceedings as the week wears on. July 7 truly can't come soon enough.
[Chael Sonnen art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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It was a delivery that caught people off guard. UFC President Dana White commented about how he had never seen anything like that out of the longtime Middleweight Champ; and many have wondered aloud whether Sonnen's gotten into Silva's head with his own history of comments toward the Champ, his teammates, and his country.
However, there's one man who says he wasn't the least bit surprised by Monday's outburst: Chael Sonnen.
"Well, it was nice to see the real Anderson come through," Sonnen said on Tuesday's new episode of UFC Tonight on Fuel TV. "The guy is a dirt bag, like I've told you for years. He made a lot of statements about breaking my teeth and bones, but it's not like I've never been to the orthodontists before or had my jaw stapled. What he didn't say was that he was going to break my spirit, or my will, and beat me for the belt. I don't care if he breaks my jaw, or I need staples, I kind of expect it. I think he was one off from saying he would give me a knuckle-sandwich, I'm just glad the real Anderson came out."
Sonnen continues to claim there's no "gamesmanship" from him and his comments towards Silva over the last couple of years. Additionally, he says Silva's comments don't do anything to get him more riled up for the fight than he was before.
"I don't care about being in his head. There is no gamesmanship here," Sonnen said. "It was nice to see the true Anderson Silva here. He probably thought he would get under my skin, but I've been a gangster from West Lynn, Oregon my whole life. If he thought I'd be upset because I found what I was looking for, he is wrong. On 7/7 at 7:00 PM I am going to pound my fist into his head until he gives up."
Penick's Analysis: Sonnen's shifted into low-key mode as the fight approaches. We've got just over a week left to the fight itself, and there will be some very interesting moments next week leading into the fight. With one more press conference that will see the two square off, as well as the weigh-ins, there could be some more heat added to these proceedings as the week wears on. July 7 truly can't come soon enough.
[Chael Sonnen art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_13703.shtml
Kit Cope Wesley Cabbage Correira Patrick The Predator Côté Randy The Natural Couture
Basic Gears for MMA Training
When it comes to mma clothing and gear, it’s not always the price that you should always consider. Start with the basic gear and what you will need to begin your training. You don’t really need to buy everything in just one go. Always check for durability and how long the item will last. Different brands have their own distinct characteristics and share some advantages and disadvantages as well. Durable construction is the first thing you should take a look at when it comes to MMA gear. This is to ensure that the product can withstand the rigors of your training. You might need to put in extra cash to get the best quality gear but this will ensure that they will last for a long time. Check online reviews if you want to get ahead before making any purchase. It will also be beneficial to ask your coach and your colleagues as to what particular brand they prefer.
Source: http://www.ufcrundown.com/blog/basic-gears-for-mma-training/
Hilarious Impersonation of the confrontation between Evans and Rampage ("treat me li
I can't stop laughing hahah
Original video:
Original video:
Kit Cope Wesley Cabbage Correira Patrick The Predator Côté Randy The Natural Couture
UFC Champ Georges St-Pierre admits he was burned out before injury, plans to have fun upon return
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre has been out of action for over 15 months, and though he's getting back to full training after two knee injuries in the last year, he still does not have a firm timetable for his return. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing for the 31-year-old Champion.
For a long time he's been considered one of the greatest in the sport, but in his last several fights the skill gap between he and his opponents has resulted in some less than thrilling fights. These bouts had brought criticisms on St-Pierre for fighting too safe or for becoming a "boring" fighter, and as he continued going through the motions, he says that all was beginning to weigh on him.
"This is the first big injury that's kept me out of the sport for such a long time. I was completely burned out before I got it," he admitted in an interview with UK publication The Sun. "I was over-trained and wasn't having as much fun as I used to before because of all the pressure and all the critics. So the fact that I hurt my knee allowed me to take a break, step back and see what my priorities were and change a lot of things in my life and in my training.
"I'm coming back as a new guy and I've never been as relieved. I'm having fun again. The key to this whole thing is to have fun so that's what I'm going to focus on. When you have fun in what you do best — that's when you're successful."
While he was tired and burned out, with the criticism weighing heavy on him as well as the pressure to keep himself on top, he insists he wasn't ready to walk away from the sport. Instead, he's excited after the layoff, and is very much looking forward to taking on new challenges in the division.
"I never felt like quitting," he said. "I've trained almost every day since I was seven years old. I never took a break in my life and now that it's happened for the first time I took it as a blessing to come back fresh, better and sharper.
"It's been the most frustrating period of my career but it's allowed a whole lot of new challengers to appear. It's going to be fun because I'm not going to have to fight the same guys all over again — it's a new challenge and I feel very motivated about that."
First up on that list is Carlos Condit, who defeated Nick Diaz in February to capture the Interim Welterweight Championship. Some other names have emerged in recent months as well, with Martin Kampmann and Johny Hendricks likely locking horns this November to determine the next challenger for the title. Then there's Nick Diaz, who will likely be in the mix when his suspension for marijuana metabolites expires next February. That last fight is one St-Pierre still hopes to get, but he's got other things on his plate first.
"He is the champion and I want to beat the champion — I want to beat the best guy.
"I'm confident I could beat him. I would also like to fight Nick Diaz — but I have to fight one guy at a time!"
Ultimately, St-Pierre believes he's coming back strong, and even though he's been on top for so long he feels he hasn't reached his apex just yet.
"I believe my best years are to come," he said. "I want to be the best of the best at the end of my career.
"I aim very high. I love what I do for a living and I don't plan on retiring any time soon."
Penick's Analysis: If St-Pierre having fun upon his return gets him back to the dominating, violent force of nature we had seen from him on his path to the title and back again to recapturing the title a second time that can only be a good thing. I've never been a harsh critic of St-Pierre's dominating style, but considering the way other fighters finished some of the opponents that St-Pierre allowed to survive for five rounds with him, there's something to be said about his overly conservative nature at times. That said, he's still the greatest fighter the 170 lb. division has ever seen, and if he comes back from this knee injury healthy and prepared to be better than ever, that can mean only positive things for fans and the UFC for years ahead.
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For a long time he's been considered one of the greatest in the sport, but in his last several fights the skill gap between he and his opponents has resulted in some less than thrilling fights. These bouts had brought criticisms on St-Pierre for fighting too safe or for becoming a "boring" fighter, and as he continued going through the motions, he says that all was beginning to weigh on him.
"This is the first big injury that's kept me out of the sport for such a long time. I was completely burned out before I got it," he admitted in an interview with UK publication The Sun. "I was over-trained and wasn't having as much fun as I used to before because of all the pressure and all the critics. So the fact that I hurt my knee allowed me to take a break, step back and see what my priorities were and change a lot of things in my life and in my training.
"I'm coming back as a new guy and I've never been as relieved. I'm having fun again. The key to this whole thing is to have fun so that's what I'm going to focus on. When you have fun in what you do best — that's when you're successful."
While he was tired and burned out, with the criticism weighing heavy on him as well as the pressure to keep himself on top, he insists he wasn't ready to walk away from the sport. Instead, he's excited after the layoff, and is very much looking forward to taking on new challenges in the division.
"I never felt like quitting," he said. "I've trained almost every day since I was seven years old. I never took a break in my life and now that it's happened for the first time I took it as a blessing to come back fresh, better and sharper.
"It's been the most frustrating period of my career but it's allowed a whole lot of new challengers to appear. It's going to be fun because I'm not going to have to fight the same guys all over again — it's a new challenge and I feel very motivated about that."
First up on that list is Carlos Condit, who defeated Nick Diaz in February to capture the Interim Welterweight Championship. Some other names have emerged in recent months as well, with Martin Kampmann and Johny Hendricks likely locking horns this November to determine the next challenger for the title. Then there's Nick Diaz, who will likely be in the mix when his suspension for marijuana metabolites expires next February. That last fight is one St-Pierre still hopes to get, but he's got other things on his plate first.
"He is the champion and I want to beat the champion — I want to beat the best guy.
"I'm confident I could beat him. I would also like to fight Nick Diaz — but I have to fight one guy at a time!"
Ultimately, St-Pierre believes he's coming back strong, and even though he's been on top for so long he feels he hasn't reached his apex just yet.
"I believe my best years are to come," he said. "I want to be the best of the best at the end of my career.
"I aim very high. I love what I do for a living and I don't plan on retiring any time soon."
Penick's Analysis: If St-Pierre having fun upon his return gets him back to the dominating, violent force of nature we had seen from him on his path to the title and back again to recapturing the title a second time that can only be a good thing. I've never been a harsh critic of St-Pierre's dominating style, but considering the way other fighters finished some of the opponents that St-Pierre allowed to survive for five rounds with him, there's something to be said about his overly conservative nature at times. That said, he's still the greatest fighter the 170 lb. division has ever seen, and if he comes back from this knee injury healthy and prepared to be better than ever, that can mean only positive things for fans and the UFC for years ahead.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_13702.shtml
Hockey Fight of the Day: Joe Finley vs. Matt Martin
The State of New York ranks 27th when it comes to size so needless to say there’s some pressure to be the best as far as professional teams in the same league calling it home. On that note, this hockey fight from January between the Buffalo Sabres’ Joe Finley and New York Islanders’ Matt Martin shows each man understands how much is on the line each time their teams play with both clearly out to show his is the State’s superior squad.
TweetSource: http://www.fighters.com/06/24/hockey-fight-of-the-day-joe-finley-vs-matt-martin
Eric Butterbean Esch Efrain Escudero Rashad Evans Urijah Faber
Wanderlei in Brazil: Remembering the Old Days and Readying for War at UFC 147
It was going to be so good. Wanderlei Silva vs. Vitor Belfort II. Nearly 14 years had not been long enough for Silva to get over the quick TKO loss to Belfort at Ultimate Brazil in 1998 and now he had a chance for revenge in his home country. And, oh yeah, Silva really does not like Belfort. He’s made that quite clear over the years and did so again when speaking with UFC.com about the Belfort rematch. The rivalry even grew over the course of the inaugural TUF Brazil season which they both coached. But all that went away when Belfort broke his hand and was forced to pull out of the UFC 147 fight with Silva. Replacing Belfort against Silva this Saturday is former middleweight champion Rich Franklin. The fight will take place at a catchweight of 190 pounds.
The disappointment at losing the Silva/Belfort rematch was palpable in the fight world. Sure, Franklin is another former champ and future Hall of Famer. It is also true that Franklin/Silva is also a rematch that gives Silva a chance to even the score with “Ace” (Franklin won a decision over Silva in a Fight of The Night performance back at UFC 99), but would Wanderlei have the same fire against someone of whom he’s had nothing but positive things to say?
“I’m here to fight. With everybody. No matter who,” Silva says.
The succinct and chilling answer from Wanderlei should answer that. But really, this is something we all should have known about the fighter.
Silva has an uncanny ability to walk into the ring or Octagon all-smiles, only to have his visage darken moments later as he attacks his opponent with an unrelenting fury. While obviously not literally true, Silva’s nickname of “The Axe Murderer” has never really been considered hyperbole, at least in spirit.
The point is, Silva can turn that switch that flips him from perhaps the friendliest fighter in the UFC into a ruthless competitor. But how, exactly, does he do that?
“Man, I don’t know,” Silva wonders himself before pausing to think. “I’m a happy guy. When I see my opponent, though, when he is across from me, I’m ready. I take my job very seriously.”
More, perhaps, than reflexes, physical strength or skill, this innate ability to become instantly war-ready is invaluable to top athletes. It has to be part of the reason that Silva became such a dominant champion at 205 pounds in PRIDE despite being very undersized.
He is ferocious and he will have no problem unleashing that on Rich Franklin, even though he respects the American. Wanderlei loves the fight itself too much to do anything less.
It is, in large part, that love for battle that has kept Silva in the fight game for so long. He is only 35 years old, but has been in plenty of wars in training and nearly fifty career fights.
Wanderlei once went over four years and eighteen fights without a loss, but for the past six years, he’s lost more than he’s won, often by knockout. If he can get a homecoming win in Brazil, one imagines that it would be a perfect note for Wanderlei to go out on, that he’d then retire.
Though he admits to having begun to plan what he will do once he stops fighting, Silva is not ready to concede his career just yet. “I don’t know,” he says.
“I fight one fight after another, you know? I check my performance after the fight. If I’m fighting good, man, I can’t [stop]. I’ve got to check what’s going to happen. I have started to look for my next step in the sport, though.”'
That is a tough line for a fighter to toe, and Silva isn’t the first to do so. Someone as good as him can still pull off wins long after his prime has gone. But for now, Silva is hopeful that if he’s got more great wins in him, the next one comes in front of his countrymen at UFC 147.
A consummate performer, the emphasis for Silva really is on the “great,” and not quite as much on the “win,” part. Take, for example competitive decision losses like those he has taken at the hands of Franklin or Chuck Liddell. Wand still considers those types of bouts successes because they were exciting.
“Some fights that I’ve lost by decision, like with Franklin, with Chuck Liddell, man, I don’t feel bad,” he says. “I think, ‘man, this fight is going down in history, we’ve made the fans happy,’ and that’s the point of the fight.”
He’ll have a lot of fans in Brazil to make happy at UFC 147. The UFC is exploding in popularity in Brazil. Jose Aldo’s last UFC featherweight title defense was watched on television by nearly 100 million Brazilians, and Silva and Belfort’s TUF Brazil was watched every week by millions more.
Silva couldn’t be more excited. For the first time in seven years, he held part of his training camp in Brazil. He did part of his camp in his new home of Las Vegas in his Wand Gym, went a few hours west to his long-time coach Rafael Cordeiro at Kings MMA in California for another portion and then, with a month out before the fight, Wand returned to Brazil to train with another long-time coach, Andre Dida.
Wanderlei has been training with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and many other teammates from the Chute Boxe days. Silva says that connecting with his roots has felt great.
“I feel really good. I’m in my hometown, I eat the food from here, I train with the guys from here. I remember my old days. The quality of the guys here is so good, the guys train well, I am so happy,” he says.
As for the fight itself, Silva doesn’t get specific on predictions for how he will beat Franklin but he has the important stuff mapped out for June 23rd. It has been nearly 12 years since Silva has fought in his home country. Back then, he was fighting bare-knuckled and in obscurity.
At UFC 147 he will return as a superstar. He can envision that night clear as day.
“It’s been a long time that I haven’t fought here. I’m going to make the crowd very happy,” he says. “Everybody is going to cheer for me over here. I’m going to give the victory for all my fans around the world. For me, and for my fans.”
Source: http://www.ufc.com/news/Wanderlei-in-Brazil-Remembering-the-Old-Days-and-Readying-for-War-at-UFC-147
ASK THE TORCH: Amadi answers reader questions on Chael Sonnen in Anderson Silva's head, TUF, and capoeira
By: Jason Amadi, MMATorch Columnist
Brent writes: Do you really think Sonnen has gotten into Anderson's head? He's never let anybody do it before, why start now? On the other hand, Sonnen is a completely different monster on a mic than anyone else. Or do u think that Anderson is also hyping this fight? Seeing this as his last huge payday unless he moves to 205 and fights Jones?
A: I feel like people are looking way too deeply into Anderson Silva's conference call blow up. The truth is that Anderson Silva doesn't like Chael Sonnen; but so what? What does that really change? He didn't like him in their first meeting and he still fought like professional. He didn't like Vitor Belfort or Yushin Okami either, but he didn't fight with anymore emotion in those fights than he usually does.
As far as huge paydays for Anderson Silva go, he's making tons of money regardless of who he fights at this point. Silva isn't the kind of draw in North America where his presence alone means a ton of pay-per-view buys, but with the right opponent he can draw with the best of them.
Sure, if Anderson Silva gets matched up with a guy like Mark Munoz, yeah, it's probably not going to draw a ton of interest. But if he were to square off against a guy people care more about like Michael Bisping or someone who people might perceive to be his striking equal like Hector Lombard or Vitor Belfort (again), we're probably looking at big numbers.
Joel writes: My question is about something that will probably never happen, but bare with me for the sake of the question. Since no one watches or cares about TUF anymore I would love to see them do another come back season, with maybe heavyweights ( since causal fans love the big boys) and then get maybe Tim Sylvia, Arlovski, perhaps Todd Duffee. Anyway my question is who else would you put in that season and finally who would win?
A: For reasons I stated in my column earlier this week, I don't necessarily buy into the idea that interest in the Ultimate Fighter has just bottomed out all of a sudden. If you look at the UFC's numbers on FX, all of the Friday programming is significantly down from where it was on Spike last year, but the Saturday night prelims are on still on par.
But assuming that the season of TUF you hypothesized was actually put together, I'm not sure who else you could put in. There is a reason that you don't see a lot of heavyweight or light heavyweight seasons of the Ultimate Fighter; there really aren't many good fighters at those weights who aren't already signed to exclusive deals.
Really, outside of a guy like Bobby Lashley, who's seriously fallen off at this point, there aren't too many other name heavyweights to bring in. I think a season with Sylvia, Arlovski, Todd Duffee and Bobby Lashley would drum up a lot of interest and perhaps it could be a step up from some of the sloppy C-level action we've seen on recent seasons of TUF. Then again, considering the guys we're talking about, probably not.
Oliver writes: In light of the recent signing of Marcus Aurelio by Bellator, what is your opinion on how well the capoeira style he uses fits with MMA and how successful can a capoeira fighter be in this sport?
A: Capoeira, much like every other martial art, has its place in MMA. People get it into their minds that practitioners of "non-traditional" MMA styles like taekwondo, capoeira or even karate are just going to enter the ring or cage and fight like it's 1993, but that usually isn't the case. Everyone has to train boxing, muay thai, wrestling and jiu jitsu to be successful in MMA, but other disciplines like capoeira definitely have their place as well.
Capoeiristas have fast, unorthodox kicks. We saw Edson Barboza score what's probably going to go down as the year's best knockout with a spinning wheel kick; that's a bread and butter technique of capoeiristas all over the world.
In addition to a lethal kicking game, capoeristas also have really tricky footwork. If fighters supplement their capoeira game with the other disciplines like boxing, muay thai and wrestling there's no reason they can't be successful in MMA.
From what I've seen of him, Marcus Aurelio is a really talented fighter and probably shouldn't have much trouble finding success in Bellator. He's a dynamic striker with serious knockout power in his kicks and can keep more conventional fighters off balance with his footwork.
The only problem is that he's knocked out so many of his opponents early that we really haven't seen what his cardio looks like later on in a fight against a really good opponent. He went three rounds with Ken Tran before submitting him (which is a good sign) but in Bellator he'll be up against a much higher caliber of competition. If he has the conditioning to work his style in the third round of a tough fight, then he may be a forced to be reckoned with for years to come.
Feel free to follow me on Twitter @Jason Amadi and direct your "Ask the Torch" questions to mmatorch@gmail.com
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A: I feel like people are looking way too deeply into Anderson Silva's conference call blow up. The truth is that Anderson Silva doesn't like Chael Sonnen; but so what? What does that really change? He didn't like him in their first meeting and he still fought like professional. He didn't like Vitor Belfort or Yushin Okami either, but he didn't fight with anymore emotion in those fights than he usually does.
As far as huge paydays for Anderson Silva go, he's making tons of money regardless of who he fights at this point. Silva isn't the kind of draw in North America where his presence alone means a ton of pay-per-view buys, but with the right opponent he can draw with the best of them.
Sure, if Anderson Silva gets matched up with a guy like Mark Munoz, yeah, it's probably not going to draw a ton of interest. But if he were to square off against a guy people care more about like Michael Bisping or someone who people might perceive to be his striking equal like Hector Lombard or Vitor Belfort (again), we're probably looking at big numbers.
Joel writes: My question is about something that will probably never happen, but bare with me for the sake of the question. Since no one watches or cares about TUF anymore I would love to see them do another come back season, with maybe heavyweights ( since causal fans love the big boys) and then get maybe Tim Sylvia, Arlovski, perhaps Todd Duffee. Anyway my question is who else would you put in that season and finally who would win?
A: For reasons I stated in my column earlier this week, I don't necessarily buy into the idea that interest in the Ultimate Fighter has just bottomed out all of a sudden. If you look at the UFC's numbers on FX, all of the Friday programming is significantly down from where it was on Spike last year, but the Saturday night prelims are on still on par.
But assuming that the season of TUF you hypothesized was actually put together, I'm not sure who else you could put in. There is a reason that you don't see a lot of heavyweight or light heavyweight seasons of the Ultimate Fighter; there really aren't many good fighters at those weights who aren't already signed to exclusive deals.
Really, outside of a guy like Bobby Lashley, who's seriously fallen off at this point, there aren't too many other name heavyweights to bring in. I think a season with Sylvia, Arlovski, Todd Duffee and Bobby Lashley would drum up a lot of interest and perhaps it could be a step up from some of the sloppy C-level action we've seen on recent seasons of TUF. Then again, considering the guys we're talking about, probably not.
Oliver writes: In light of the recent signing of Marcus Aurelio by Bellator, what is your opinion on how well the capoeira style he uses fits with MMA and how successful can a capoeira fighter be in this sport?
A: Capoeira, much like every other martial art, has its place in MMA. People get it into their minds that practitioners of "non-traditional" MMA styles like taekwondo, capoeira or even karate are just going to enter the ring or cage and fight like it's 1993, but that usually isn't the case. Everyone has to train boxing, muay thai, wrestling and jiu jitsu to be successful in MMA, but other disciplines like capoeira definitely have their place as well.
Capoeiristas have fast, unorthodox kicks. We saw Edson Barboza score what's probably going to go down as the year's best knockout with a spinning wheel kick; that's a bread and butter technique of capoeiristas all over the world.
In addition to a lethal kicking game, capoeristas also have really tricky footwork. If fighters supplement their capoeira game with the other disciplines like boxing, muay thai and wrestling there's no reason they can't be successful in MMA.
From what I've seen of him, Marcus Aurelio is a really talented fighter and probably shouldn't have much trouble finding success in Bellator. He's a dynamic striker with serious knockout power in his kicks and can keep more conventional fighters off balance with his footwork.
The only problem is that he's knocked out so many of his opponents early that we really haven't seen what his cardio looks like later on in a fight against a really good opponent. He went three rounds with Ken Tran before submitting him (which is a good sign) but in Bellator he'll be up against a much higher caliber of competition. If he has the conditioning to work his style in the third round of a tough fight, then he may be a forced to be reckoned with for years to come.
Feel free to follow me on Twitter @Jason Amadi and direct your "Ask the Torch" questions to mmatorch@gmail.com
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Ask_the_Torch_41/article_13708.shtml
Urijah Faber Weighs In On Long Hair as an Advantage in MMA
Urijah Faber joins Inside MMA and discusses whether or not long hair can be used as an advantage inside the cage. Inside MMA airs live on HDNet every Monday night at 8pm ET. Inside MMA Archive 
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmaconvert/~3/6uuY4yfJtUo/
Preview – UFC Primetime: Silva vs Sonnen II
Two familiar foes get the UFC Primetime treatment as cameras follow Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen as they prepare for their long-awaited rematch at UFC 148. 
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmaconvert/~3/p4okUZsDZ18/
Aldrin de Jesus Todd Duffee Marvin Eastman Stav Crazy Bear Economou
Weekend Fight Musings
FRANKLIN BEGINS THE ROAD BACK TO MIDDLEWEIGHTRich Franklin knows that his days in the sport are numbered. The former middleweight champion turns 38 years old in October, which qualifies as long in the tooth by anyone’s athletic standard. As a result, he needs to put together an impressive stretch of wins if he wants to make one final run at UFC gold before it is time to hang up the gloves.
Franklin got the ship pointed in the right direction on Saturday night with a clear, but certainly not safe, victory over former PRIDE champion Wanderlei Silva. The win proved that “Ace” remains relevant in the division. Yet, the near knockout loss at the end of the second round has to draw questions about his ability to dominate at middleweight like he did during his 16-month title run.
To be blunt, I don’t think anyone outside Franklin’s inner circle would be complaining if referee Mario Yamasaki had chosen to stop the fight in the waning seconds of the round. Silva dropped Franklin with a savage right hand that came on the heels of a couple clean shots that had the former UFC champion on wobbly legs. Once Silva knew for sure that his opponent was hurt, he jumped on him with all the ferocity that made him a legend in Japan.
Franklin moved just enough on the bottom to prevent a stoppage. I am certain that Yamasaki gave him additional leeway because the round was almost over. Many fighters haven’t received the same leeway in similar situations.
I am not suggesting in any way that I disagree with Yamasaki’s decision. Not at all. I think that fighters in that situation should be given the ability to try and work through the storm, particularly with just a few seconds remaining in the round. Franklin was rattled at the time. We know that for sure because of his post-fight comments about not remembering the third or fourth rounds at all. But he was also alert enough to roll on the ground in search of a leg lock or securing his guard. He covered up, but he also was moving his head to defend. All those things suggested that he was able to continue just a little bit longer.
Yamasaki’s decision was validated by the fact that Franklin was able to resume executing his effective game plan in the third round en route to a clear five-round unanimous decision win.
I’m sure Franklin wants to parlay the win into another marquee middleweight matchup, as he tries to build his case for a middleweight title shot. Don’t pay any attention to the fact that Franklin hasn’t actually competed at 185 pounds since April 2008 and Saturday’s fight was at a catchweight of 190 pounds. He can easily make the required weight limit. The catchweight was solely due to the fact that Franklin, who takes a very scientific approach to making weight, agreed to take this bout on short notice, so he didn’t have the proper time to come down from his walking around weight of 205 pounds.
Welcome back to middleweight, champ. It’s been a long time in coming.
SILVA SHOWS THAT HE STILL HAS SOME TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRES
It probably shocks the average MMA fan to read that Wanderlei Silva has only three wins in his last 10 fights. There is no doubt that the “Axe Murderer” isn’t the same dominant force who once ruled in the Land of the Rising Sun. But he remains a competitive force in the UFC, despite his recent run of tough outcomes.
Silva has now earned five post-fight bonuses in his eight UFC bouts, including “Fight of the Night” honors for his bout with Franklin. Yet, he suffered losses in three of those fights. Silva’s willingness to wade into the heart of darkness in search of victory, seemingly with no regard to his personal safety, is why fans love to watch this guy, whether he wins or loses. That isn’t going to change any time soon, if he keeps fighting with reckless abandon.
Silva will almost certainly never again put together an 18-fight streak with no losses like he did from 2000 to 2004. But his near knockout win over Franklin proved that he still has some tread left on the tires.
JASON MAKES HISTORY
“The Ultimate Fighter” is a popular reality television show in the United States. It is must-see TV in Brazil. It’s not on cable. It’s on network television. And approximately 12 million people watched the debut. That is nearly 10 times more viewers than the most recent installment of TUF in the US.
Rony Jason became the first winner of TUF Brazil with a workmanlike effort over Godofredo Pepey. The fight didn’t have the same level of fireworks that Jason’s fights had in the house. But that is to be expected because of what was on the line. I know. One of the best fights in UFC history was the inaugural light heavyweight final of TUF. But things are different now. The UFC is a monstrous global brand. Millions of dollars are on the line for top fighters. And fighters are no longer relatively anonymous, particularly not fighters in Brazil, where they are almost as popular as NFL football players in the US.
The magnitude of the fight was obvious in Jason’s affect before and after the fight. He was overcome with tears walking to the cage. He was overcome with tears after the fight was over. Yet, he was somehow able to turn all of that off and completely relax once Pepey was trying to punch a hole through his head. Amazing, isn’t it?
It’s tough to know how Jason fits into the UFC featherweight division. That is one of the deeper divisions in the sport, and it is ruled by one of the best in the world, pound for pound, Jose Aldo. My guess is that Jason will be brought along slowly so that he can develop a bit before throwing him to the wolves.
WERDUM ON THE CUSP
I’ve never seen Fabricio Werdum more outwardly comfortable and confident than he was walking into the cage for his fight with Mike Russow. He was dancing and smiling in a way that suggested that he didn’t have a care in the world. At first, I thought it was overconfidence. Then, when the fight started and he switched on the competitive focus that we are used to with him, it suggested something else.
This fight was so important to Werdum, who was fighting in his home country for the first time since 2004, that he was doing anything he could to remain calm before the storm. It worked. That was the single best standup performance of his career. The right uppercut was a beautiful technique, something that would have been a pipe dream for Werdum a few years ago.
This guy is one of the best, if not the best, heavyweight submission fighters in the world. Frank Mir is the only man who can challenge for that title. His blind spot has always been his standup. With back-to-back stellar standup performances against seriously tough opponents, Werdum appears to have eliminated that blind spot. That is bad news for the rest of the heavyweight division.
Werdum has now won five of his last six fights. His only defeat was to one of the best heavyweights on the planet, Alistair Overeem. His run of recent success definitely has him on the cusp of heavyweight title considerations. In my opinion, he is one marquee win away from joining the current short list of heavyweight Preferiti. A bout with former champion Frank Mir is the perfect situation to see where this guy really stands.
GUIDA…..REALLY?
Anyone who read my pre-fight breakdown of Friday’s main event on FX knows how much I was looking forward to what was sure to be an entertaining, back-and-forth scrap between Clay Guida and Gray Maynard. Anyone who watched the fight must have been wondering what kind of narcotic was affecting my brain when I wrote that because the actual fight turned out to be one of the major sleepers of 2012 thanks to Guida riding a bicycle for five full rounds in an attempt to avoid engaging with Maynard.
Huh?
Believe me, I’ve been asking myself that question all morning. Remember, Guida easily ranked as one of the top 10 most exciting fighters on the UFC’s roster heading into the fight. His average fight is more entertaining and action-packed than the career best for most fighters. Yet, he chose to completely flip the switch and run from Maynard for five full rounds.
Yes, I described it as “running.” His execution wasn’t about calculated lateral movement designed to open angles for lead attacks or counters. It was about getting out of Dodge and staying out of Dodge. I really had to rack my brain to remember a guy fighting like that in the UFC. Three other instances come to mind. The first is Kalib Starnes completely embarrassing himself against Nate Quarry at UFC 83. This was easily the worst fight in UFC history, with Starnes not so much as throwing a punch that I can remember. Maybe he actually let a handful fly. But if my life depended on correctly answering whether he threw fewer or greater than 10 strikes over three rounds, I would bet on fewer. But he easily ran the equivalent of a couple of miles over the 15 minutes. Disgusting.
Next is David Loiseau versus Rich Franklin at UFC 58. Loiseau certainly engaged when he was cornered, but he was the first guy that I can remember ever seeing turning his back and running at one point in the fight—literally. If memory serves, he did that twice. Of course, Franklin broke his hands and feet in that fight, so there were plenty of action-filled moments. It was far better than Starnes-Quarry or Guida-Maynard.
The final example is Kenny Florian versus Diego Sanchez at the finale for the inaugural season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Florian opened the fight laterally jogging around the extreme edge of the cage. When Sanchez got close, Florian picked up the pace and changed directions. It was obvious to anyone watching that Florian wanted no part of Sanchez, who looked at least a full weight class, if not two, bigger than his foe. Luckily for the fans and Florian’s future, it only took about two minutes for Sanchez to finally cut off the cage and get his hands on Florian. The fight was brought to a brutal end moments later thanks to some nightmarish ground and pound.
I’m not sure what Guida was thinking heading into the fight. He plan was obviously to stick and move, which is a perfectly acceptable way to fight. I encourage that sort of attack all the time based on styles. As Floyd Mayweather once said, “Fighting is about hitting someone and not getting hit back.” There is no need to take unnecessary punishment in any fight. A guy should only take as much punishment as is absolutely necessary in order to defeat his foe. But Guida took that to the extreme. It wasn’t quite as bad as Starnes – I’ve never watched a fight that bad – though it was a putrid effort. I’m sure when Guida watches the tape he will be equally disgusted, so I don’t suspect that we will ever see that sort of effort out of him again.
PEARSON LEARNS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A FEATHERWEIGHT
Ross Pearson was always a smallish lightweight. He looked like Conan the Barbarian as a featherweight. The problem, however, is that he looked a full step slower against Cub Swanson on FX than he did in his lightweight fights. I don’t know if that is solely because Swanson is a speed maniac or if Pearson was flat from the cut for his second 145-pound bout. He looked better in his division debut against Junior Assuncao.
The reality is that life as a featherweight is very different from life as a lightweight. Even though there is only a 10 pound difference, it is a big deal. These guys are significantly faster, on average, than lightweights. And they are significantly smaller. That much was evident by Pearson appearing a full weight class bigger than Swanson, when the Brit was almost always the noticeably smaller man in his lightweight bouts.
Pearson should work on his quicks for future bouts. Lots of fast-twitch muscle training. If he can improve in that area, then I think the sky is the limit for Pearson in the featherweight division.
Barboza KO up for Play of the Year ESPY Award
A near lock for 2012 Knockout of the Year, Edson Barboza's single head kick finish of Terry Etim at UFC 142 is now competing for ESPN's 2012 Play of the Year at the 2012 ESPY awards. To vote for Barboza's spectacular knockout, click here.
Source: http://www.ufc.com/news/Barboza-KO-up-for-ESPN-Play-of-the-Year
Top Quality MMA Gear
There are many reasons why you would need to step back and take a look at the extensive line of mma clothing and gear available before making any decisions on which to purchase. It’s not just a matter of picking the first pair of gloves you see or that shiny red pair of fight shorts hanging in the rack. You need to take a look at your needs and how a particular brand will hold up to your expectations. Because of the extensive line of products coming out in the market almost every week, it is important to give it a lot of thought first. MMA is an extreme sport and everybody knows why it’s important to get durable gear that you will use in training. You need to invest if you want the top quality gear, but if you’re on a budget you can still find reasonable brands. Ask your coach or an MMA store clerk because they can make recommendations depending on your needs and your budget as well.
Source: http://www.ufcrundown.com/blog/top-quality-mma-gear/
Strikeforce Title challenger Sarah Kaufman wants to test Ronda Rousey's chin on August 18
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Through five professional MMA fights, Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey has only been in the cage for around seven minutes total. That limited combined time means that she's destroyed her competition with relative ease, but it also means that she hasn't seen much in the way of opposition overall.
Her stand up game was put to the test somewhat in her title winning performance over Miesha Tate, but she was able to overpower Tate to bring the fight to the ground. Against Sarah Kaufman on August 18, that may not be as easy of a task, and Kaufman plans to test how well the newly crowned champion can take a punch when they square off in San Diego.
"Ronda hasn't fought someone like me yet. It's going to be a shock for her," Kaufman said in an interview with MMAJunkie.com. "I definitely want to test [Ronda's] chin, for sure. I don't think Miesha came up with the greatest game plan, just running straight at [her]."
Kaufman believes Rousey's quick rise up the ranks and short time in the sport mean she's going to be at a disadvantage in the striking game, and it will be an area she can exploit come August.
"Ronda hasn't been in the sport very long, so she hasn't developed that side of her game yet and is really relying solely on her judo at this point," Kaufman said. "She's a good athlete; you can look at her and see that. She moves well, and with her judo she's done well.
"I think it's going to take a while before she has any ground to stand on as far as the striking."
Kaufman thinks her experience also helps her when it comes to this big of a fight. She believes Rousey may not be able to deal with the pressure of her first title defense, as well as Kaufman's drive to retain the title she once held.
"It's hard to stay at the top once you're at the top," she said. "Everyone below you is gunning up, and you've already reached that pinnacle. That being said, Ronda has only had five fights, and I think she is going to be nervous and is definitely going have the jitters when it comes to how serious my style is versus her style, as well as caring about having that title. "
"There's been more of a buildup coming to this fight, having the title and knowing what that's like and having fought those five rounds, it's really exciting to be able to have that journey looking back toward it. It makes you want it that much more."
Penick's Analysis: Kaufman obviously thinks she's the better, more experienced fighter regardless of Rousey's skills and stature in the sport in 2012. One of the big things about this fight is Kaufman's wrestling game; she may be solid enough with her wrestling base and defense to keep this fight standing longer than any of Rousey's other opponents. That plays into her abilities on the feet, and if Rousey can't find a way to get her to the ground she'll definitely be in some trouble considering how often she was getting hit by Tate at times. Kaufman's a hard hitter, and a very solid opponent overall, so this fight is going to be quite interesting for both fighters. Rousey is wholly capable of doing to Kaufman what she's done to all her opponents, but Kaufman is also probably her toughest challenge to date.
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Her stand up game was put to the test somewhat in her title winning performance over Miesha Tate, but she was able to overpower Tate to bring the fight to the ground. Against Sarah Kaufman on August 18, that may not be as easy of a task, and Kaufman plans to test how well the newly crowned champion can take a punch when they square off in San Diego.
"Ronda hasn't fought someone like me yet. It's going to be a shock for her," Kaufman said in an interview with MMAJunkie.com. "I definitely want to test [Ronda's] chin, for sure. I don't think Miesha came up with the greatest game plan, just running straight at [her]."
Kaufman believes Rousey's quick rise up the ranks and short time in the sport mean she's going to be at a disadvantage in the striking game, and it will be an area she can exploit come August.
"Ronda hasn't been in the sport very long, so she hasn't developed that side of her game yet and is really relying solely on her judo at this point," Kaufman said. "She's a good athlete; you can look at her and see that. She moves well, and with her judo she's done well.
"I think it's going to take a while before she has any ground to stand on as far as the striking."
Kaufman thinks her experience also helps her when it comes to this big of a fight. She believes Rousey may not be able to deal with the pressure of her first title defense, as well as Kaufman's drive to retain the title she once held.
"It's hard to stay at the top once you're at the top," she said. "Everyone below you is gunning up, and you've already reached that pinnacle. That being said, Ronda has only had five fights, and I think she is going to be nervous and is definitely going have the jitters when it comes to how serious my style is versus her style, as well as caring about having that title. "
"There's been more of a buildup coming to this fight, having the title and knowing what that's like and having fought those five rounds, it's really exciting to be able to have that journey looking back toward it. It makes you want it that much more."
Penick's Analysis: Kaufman obviously thinks she's the better, more experienced fighter regardless of Rousey's skills and stature in the sport in 2012. One of the big things about this fight is Kaufman's wrestling game; she may be solid enough with her wrestling base and defense to keep this fight standing longer than any of Rousey's other opponents. That plays into her abilities on the feet, and if Rousey can't find a way to get her to the ground she'll definitely be in some trouble considering how often she was getting hit by Tate at times. Kaufman's a hard hitter, and a very solid opponent overall, so this fight is going to be quite interesting for both fighters. Rousey is wholly capable of doing to Kaufman what she's done to all her opponents, but Kaufman is also probably her toughest challenge to date.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Affliction2/article_13720.shtml
UFC Champs Jon Jones, Anderson Silva nominated for ESPY award for "Best Fighter"
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
No MMA fighter has ever been handed the "Best Fighter" award at ESPN's "ESPY Awards," but that could change in 2012 as two UFC Champions are in the running.
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva join boxers Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and Andre Ward. Mayweather has previously won the award in 2007, 2008, and 2010.
Jones earns his first nomination after an incredible run in the MMA world over the last 15 months. After capturing the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship from Mauricio "Shogun" Rua last March, Jones has defeated three former champions in Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Lyoto Machida, and Rashad Evans consecutively to retain his title.
"It's an honor to not only be nominated for the ESPY for Best Fighter, but to also be included in a category with some of the greatest fighters in MMA and boxing history," Jones commented in a statement released by his management group.
Fans can vote on ESPY award categories online or by heading to ESPN.com/ESPYS on their mobile devices. The awards ceremony takes place on July 11 at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, hosted by Rob Riggle.
Penick's Analysis: There's no earthly reason anyone but Jones should win the award this year. No MMA fighter has gotten the nod in past years, but what Jones has done inside the cage in the last calendar year is nothing short of spectacular. Regardless of anything else outside of the cage, his work inside has been unparalleled. Stopping three Champions in a row and becoming only the second person to defeat Evans, all in such a short time period, is an incredible feat, and he deserves to be recognized as the best fighter of the last year. Silva only fought once during the last calendar year, and though it was a fantastic knockout of Yushin Okami, it's not up to Jones' three fight stretch.
[Jon Jones art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva join boxers Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and Andre Ward. Mayweather has previously won the award in 2007, 2008, and 2010.
Jones earns his first nomination after an incredible run in the MMA world over the last 15 months. After capturing the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship from Mauricio "Shogun" Rua last March, Jones has defeated three former champions in Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Lyoto Machida, and Rashad Evans consecutively to retain his title.
"It's an honor to not only be nominated for the ESPY for Best Fighter, but to also be included in a category with some of the greatest fighters in MMA and boxing history," Jones commented in a statement released by his management group.
Fans can vote on ESPY award categories online or by heading to ESPN.com/ESPYS on their mobile devices. The awards ceremony takes place on July 11 at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, hosted by Rob Riggle.
Penick's Analysis: There's no earthly reason anyone but Jones should win the award this year. No MMA fighter has gotten the nod in past years, but what Jones has done inside the cage in the last calendar year is nothing short of spectacular. Regardless of anything else outside of the cage, his work inside has been unparalleled. Stopping three Champions in a row and becoming only the second person to defeat Evans, all in such a short time period, is an incredible feat, and he deserves to be recognized as the best fighter of the last year. Silva only fought once during the last calendar year, and though it was a fantastic knockout of Yushin Okami, it's not up to Jones' three fight stretch.
[Jon Jones art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_13704.shtml
Terry Etim injured, out of UFC on Fox 4 bout with Joe Lauzon
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Terry Etim continues to find himself on the sidelines, as he's suffered another injury that has taken him out of a fight with Joe Lauzon at UFC on Fox 4. Etim had hoped to bounce back from a vicious knockout loss to Edson Barboza in January, but he'll once again be delayed.
Etim's had lengthy layoffs before in his career, with a 19-month layoff hitting him after an April 2010 loss. He'll hope this layoff is considerably shorter.
Lauzon is likely to remain on the card, though no opponent has yet been named for the event. He's also looking to bounce back from a knockout loss, his coming against Anthony Pettis at UFC 144 in February.
Terry Etim continues to find himself on the sidelines, as he's suffered another injury that has taken him out of a fight with Joe Lauzon at UFC on Fox 4. Etim had hoped to bounce back from a vicious knockout loss to Edson Barboza in January, but he'll once again be delayed.
Etim's had lengthy layoffs before in his career, with a 19-month layoff hitting him after an April 2010 loss. He'll hope this layoff is considerably shorter.
Lauzon is likely to remain on the card, though no opponent has yet been named for the event. He's also looking to bounce back from a knockout loss, his coming against Anthony Pettis at UFC 144 in February.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/quicknews/article_13706.shtml
Bellator 71 Light Heavyweight Tournament Highlight Video
Tim Carpenter, Emanuel Newton, Attila Vegh and Travis Wiuff took one step toward the summer series light heavyweight title with wins in the quarterfinals at Bellator 71.
Bellator 71 Light Heavyweight Tournament Highlight Video is a post from: MMA Interplay UFC News
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