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Showing posts with label Fight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fight. Show all posts
Monday, April 2, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
One More Bout Added to Fairfax Fight - Tickets on Sale Today!
Up-to-the-minute news about the UFC on FUEL 3 fight card, taking place May 15 in Fairfax, VA.
More fight card updates:
UFC on FUEL 2
UFC 145
UFC on FOX 3
UFC 146
The bout replaces the originally-planned 205 bout between Brandon Vera and Thiago Silva. That matchup fell through after Vera was injured. Silva was then tapped to headline the UFC on FUEL event in Sweden against Alexander Gustafsson when his original opponent, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, was also injured.
The ticket presale for the event, headlined by a featherweight contender's match between Chan Sung Jung ("The Korean Zombie") and Dustin Poirier began Wednesday morning, with general on-sale starting Friday.
Stephens in Against Cowboy, Plus Four New Fairfax Fights updated February 29
An exciting lightweight matchup has been tweaked due to injury, and the result is... another exciting lightweight matchup. With dynamic striker Yves Edwards injured, the bomb-lobbing Jeremy Stephens has been tapped to replace him against Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone. Chances for an of-the-night performances are good -- Stephens has picked up post-fight bonuses in three of his last six bouts; Cerrone in five of his last seven.
In other lightweight action on FUEL TV, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialists Carlo ‘Neo’ Prater and TJ Grant will clash, and wrestler/brawler Kamal ‘Prince of Persia’ Shalorus will meet BJJ black belt/brawler Rafael Dos Anjos.
Another contender is entering the UFC's bantamweight division as Azamat Gashimov makes his promotional debut against Alex Soto. "The aggressive styles of these fighters should make for a action-packed fight," said UFC president Dana White.
Plus longtime bantamweight veterans Jeff Curran and Johnny Eduardo will battle it out in the Octagon in Fairfax.
Bouts listed have been verbally agreed upon by both fighters.
The Hulk Takes on the Tiger in Fairfax updated February 13
Two bantamweight striking specialists, Mike "The Hulk" Easton and Yves "Tiger" Jabouin will go head-to-head in the Octagon on May 15th in Fairfax, VA. Both have verbally agreed to the bout, which will take place on a fight card that's quickly shaping up to feature some of the most exciting fighters in the UFC.
Fairfax Fight Card Filling Up updated February 11
Verbal agreements are in for a trio of bouts at the UFC event May 15 in Fairfax that feature TUF fan favorites coming in off the injured list.
TUF 7 winner Amir Sadollah will meet 11-2 Wanderlei Silva protege Jorge Lopez in a welterweight war. The matchup was originally slated to take place last weekend at UFC 143, but both fighters were injured during their training camps.
Lightweight Aaron Riley will throw down in his hometown against TUF 12 submission specialist Cody McKenzie.
Fans in Fairfax will also witness a middleweight matchup between 10-2 Dongi ‘The Ox’ Yang and 7-1 Brad Tavares.
Poirier vs. Zombie to Headline in Fairfax updated February 10
"The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung takes on Dustin "The Diamond" Poirier in a three-round main event, set for May 15th in Fairfax, VA.
Jung, widely regarded as one of the most exciting fighters in the sport, is coming off the 2nd-fastest KO in UFC history and pulled off the submission of the year for 2011. Poirier is the division's fastest-rising star, and known for his relentless power punching style, but his last two outings have earned him spectacular submission wins. He remains undefeated at featherweight.
In other UFC on FUEL news, two of the UFC's most exciting lightweights will clash as Yves Edwards and Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone go to war.
Additionally, Brandon Vera was injured shortly after his rematch with Thiago Silva was announced. Stepping in for the light heavyweight bout will be Igor Pokrajac, who most recently knocked out Krzysztof Soszynski and stopped Todd Brown.
All three fights have been verbally agreed upon.
Silva and Vera Get Their Rematch updated February 2
Light heavyweights Thiago Silva and Brandon "The Truth" Vera have verbally agreed to wrap up some unfinished business this May in Fairfax, VA. "Their last fight ended up a no contest and both guys are out to prove that they are the better man," said UFC president Dana White.
Verbal agreements are also in for a middleweight matchup at that event between "Filthy" Tom Lawlor and Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald.
The bouts will take place at the just-announced third UFC on FUEL TV event, tentatively scheduled for May 15 in Fairfax, Virginia. More details including venue information and ticket on-sales will be announced in coming weeks.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Belfort: Top Fighters Should Be Willing to Fight Anyone
Vitor Belfort agrees with UFC President Dana White’s belief that the best fighters should be willing to fight their friends, teammates and countrymen.
Belfort will challenge fellow Brazilian and former training partner Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title Saturday at UFC 126. Although Silva has been critical of Belfort’s loyalty in the past, Belfort thinks the fight will be worth it.
“This is a sport,” Belfort said recently on Bruce Buffer’s “It’s Time” show on the Sherdog Radio Network. “After this fight, I really think Anderson is going to look back and say, ‘Man, this fight [made history] in the sport.’ We’re proving this is a sport. … I believe after this fight, many fighters many years from now, they’re going to see how it was important that this fight happened for the sport.”
Belfort expects the matchup to influence future generations of mixed martial artists. The message: take on all comers regardless of affiliation.
“Pretty much people are going to start changing their perspective because this is what people want to see,” he said. “People want to see the best fighters fighting the best fighters. It’s hard. I know a lot of people take it personal, but what’s personal? People don’t recognize that. What’s loyalty? Loyalty is you taking care of your family. You being the guy that you preach that you are. Living the words that you say.”
A former UFC light heavyweight champion, Belfort emphasized that his fight with Silva is not about getting another title or even winning. He said it’s about putting on a show.
“In the past it was all about, ‘I cannot lose.’ Now I don’t care,” Belfort said. “I really don’t care what’s going to be the result as long as I … bring the best out of me. I think that’s what Dana’s expecting. ... Win or lose, I’m going to leave the Octagon wanting people to go back home and say, ‘Man, that was the best fight I’ve seen in my life. It was worth it.’”
Certainly both Belfort and Silva have the firepower to put on a classic. Silva is 12-0 in the UFC and one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Belfort hasn’t lost in more than four years. In his September 2009 return to the UFC, “The Phenom” stopped Rich Franklin in 3:02.
“I respect Anderson Silva’s skills a lot, as a person too,” Belfort said. “It’s a competition. It’s going to be a battle. I hope I can leave with a victory. I’m going to fight for that, but I can promise you guys one thing: that I’m not going to back down. I’m going to do my best.”
Listen to the full interview (beginning at :40) with Belfort.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Cerrone Accepted UFC 126 Fight Without Knowing Opponent
When the UFC asked Donald Cerrone if he wanted to fight Feb. 5 at UFC 126, he said yes. He didn’t know whom he would be fighting, but that didn’t matter.
“I didn’t care,” Cerrone said recently on the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Beatdown” show. “It’s good to get in there and get after it. As far as not being ready or being ready, I stay ready. … I wasn’t really concerned who I was fighting as long as I just get in there and fight.”
Cerrone will be taking on Paul Kelly in a lightweight matchup.
“The dude likes to go in there and throw down, which stylistically I love to do,” Cerrone said. “Someone that will stand there and let me showcase my standup -- I’m totally excited about [it].”
The bout marks Cerrone’s UFC debut, though he doesn’t foresee any issues transitioning from the WEC other than some added pressure.
Kelly, on the other hand, has been fighting in the Octagon since January 2008. He is 5-3 in the UFC and has split his last four.
“He’s got a real good clinch and dirty boxing,” Cerrone said. “He’s got good overhands and uppercuts. Those are the things that I definitely need to pay attention to. I can’t go in there and get careless. Other than that, his record’s not great and his jiu-jitsu’s not all that good either. He’s really standup oriented, and s--t, we can go out there and have a standup battle.”
If Cerrone gets by Kelly, he’d like a shot at Cole Miller. Cerrone said their issues started when Miller fought teammate Leonard Garcia in September 2007.
“I was with Leonard Garcia at the pool before his fight, and Cole was down there with his little entourage and they were kind of just being real cocky,” Cerrone said. “And then after the fight, just the way he held himself. He doesn’t remember me because I was a nobody. I was just a peon there with Leonard, just one of his friends. Just the manner in which he was talking to me -- I told him, ‘One day I’m going to be there, and I’m coming for you. You just disrespected me and I’m coming after you.’”
Miller dropped a unanimous decision Jan. 22 to Matt Wiman, but Cerrone’s animosity for him lingers.
“Just because Matt Wiman beat his ass doesn’t mean I did,” Cerrone said. “I’m still coming. You’re still a target. I have full [intention] on coming after Cole and definitely fighting him some time in my career. If it’s next, that’d be great.”
Listen to the full interview (beginning at 30:10) with Cerrone, who also discussed Mac Danzig and calling out opponents.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Evans Injures Knee; 'Bones' to Fight Rua for Title at UFC 128
Jon Jones just graduated from prospect to full-blown contender.
“Bones” will square off with light heavyweight king Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in the main event of UFC 128, going down March 19 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Rua was originally supposed to face Jones’ teammate Rashad Evans at the event, but Evans has reportedly suffered a knee injury that will prevent him from competing.
Following a dominant win over Ryan Bader at UFC 126 on Saturday night, “Bones” was offered the title shot by the organization and accepted on the spot.
“I feel great. God is so good,” said Jones. “I’m going for a world title, baby. Let's do it.”
Rua then entered the cage to face off with his new opponent.
“He's a great fighter. I respect him,” said Rua. “I'm a professional. I [will] fight [against] anyone, no problem.”
The victory marks Jones' third consecutive win inside the Octagon. The unorthodox light heavyweight holds a 6-1 record since joining the promotion and owns career victories over Stephan Bonnar, Brandon Vera and Vladimir Matyushenko. His lone defeat was a controversial one, as Jones was disqualified against Matt Hamill at “The Ultimate Fighter 10” finale for using 12-to-6 elbow strikes.
Rua was last seen in the cage dethroning former champion Lyoto Machida, knocking the karateka unconscious at UFC 113 nine months ago. A former Pride Fighting Championships star, “Shogun” has been on the shelf recovering from knee surgery since becoming champion. Rua is a former member of the Chute Boxe camp and is known for his aggressive muay Thai attack, knocking out 16 of his 19 career victims.
UFC 128 will also feature a bantamweight duel between two former champions as Urijah Faber meets Eddie Wineland. The card will also showcase a heavyweight tilt between Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Brendan Schaub as well as lightweight scrap between Jim Miller and Kamal Shalorus.
Reader comments are active below. Register an opinion by signing in with your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Yahoo! account.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
UFC ‘Fight for the Troops 2’ Preview: The Main Card
Fresh off a head-scratching decision loss to former lightweight champion Sean Sherk, the world-ranked Evan Dunham returns to the cage against dangerous Melvin Guillard in the UFC “Fight for the Troops 2” headliner on Saturday at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas.
The event also showcases a pair of heavyweight bouts of interest -- Matt Mitrione vs. Tim Hague and Patrick Barry vs. Joey Beltran -- and assorted matchups from the lighter weight classes.
A closer look at the main card follows:
The Matchup: As usual, Guillard brings a lot of on-paper advantages into a match, but how he will apply them is the lingering wild card. He’s a powerful striker and exceptionally strong. Dunham enjoyed a great 2010, scoring significant wins over “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 8 winner Efrain Escudero (submission) and Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts representative Tyson Griffin (decision). After a disputed decision defeat to Sherk in September, Dunham’s first career loss means very little. He remains a lightweight to watch.
Dunham will be tasked with controlling the range against Guillard, who excels at shuffling in and out of striking distance and letting big bombs go. Guillard does not want to get into a battle on the mat, where Dunham excels at transitions, threatening with submissions and constantly putting foes on the defensive. As such, Guillard will have to work his range appropriately, utilizing his strikes before getting away clean. Dunham is strong in the clinch, using his height and tie-ups to bang away and score points.
On paper, as was the case in his fight with Nate Diaz at UFC Fight Night 19, this looks like one Guillard can win. However, he made a key error against Diaz and was submitted by the Stockton, Calif., battler, showing again how a single mistake can cost one dearly inside the Octagon, especially against talented lightweights.
The Pick: Dunham is exactly that kind of guy, and he will survive a tough moment or two before finding an opening and exploiting it, winning by submission in the second. This will serve as a major chin test for Dunham, but it is also the kind of bout in which he can show his mettle and prove whether he deserves to move up another notch in the rankings.
Next Fight: Mitrione vs. Hague
Matches to Make After ‘Fight for the Troops 2’
With an upset in the main event and a pair of quality heavyweight bouts, UFC “Fight for the Troops 2” reinforced the unpredictability that ensues whenever fighters square off. Below, a look at five matches we’d like to see made in the wake of Saturday’s results.
Tonight was big-time redemption for Guillard, whose pursuit has been defined by flashes of potential followed by tough breaks and underwhelming performances. In his first-round knockout of the favored Evan Dunham, Guillard showed impressive skills, delivering a concussive assault en route to the biggest win of his career.
Melvin’s takedown defense is a splendid thing to watch, as he performs feats of uncanny agility while punishing opponents who try to plant him on the mat. His standup is also top-notch; on Saturday, the “Young Assassin” mixed in punches, knees and the kitchen sink from virtually every angle. Chalk up another career reborn through Greg Jackson’s magic touch -- Guillard should now be considered a Top-15 fighter in the UFC’s packed 155-pound division, and maybe even Top 10.
Lentz would be an ideal next opponent for Guillard. The “Carnie” possesses solid wrestling and a high-pressure style, the type of fighter who would gun for Guillard from the jump. The problem with attacking Guillard is that his takedown defense makes his striking all the more problematic to deal with. As the talented Dunham learned, Guillard is a very effective sprawl-and-brawl artist.
Lentz has progressed nicely since entering the UFC, going 4-0-1, and this would be the kind of elimination match to move one guy solidly into the UFC’s Top 10, which is where the ladder gets insanely tough to ascend.
Long-rumored, this is a no-brainer and is virtually guaranteed after Hominick’s blowout of George Roop. Featherweight champ Aldo is flirting with Georges St. Pierre-like status: he’s probably, at least, a 5-1 favorite over any potential challenger at this point. Hominick’s standup represents the toughest test available for the young Brazilian, however.
Given the status of the 145-pound division, Hominick is also the best available challenger, as well. Contenders Chad Mendes and Diego Nunes still need more seasoning and exposure, and Aldo himself could use some proper build-up so fans can appreciate him as he transitions into the UFC. Hominick has never shied away from a standup fight, and who knows? Maybe he’d actually force Aldo to go for a takedown. Either way, it’s a great first defense for Aldo to make in the big show.
While Guillard showed the promise of a reborn fighter living up to his potential, Edwards showcased the kind of veteran guile and experience one loves to see as a fight fan. It reminds you that the old dog can still bite, and the American Top Team product was his characteristically unflappable self in his second-round submission of the scrappy Cody McKenzie. Edwards -- who found himself in a bit of trouble in the second before taking McKenzie’s back for a fight-ending rear-naked choke -- is always tough when he has time to think, and especially when he can counter on the feet.
Edwards clearly dialed in on McKenzie’s spotty standup game -- which has improved somewhat from its virtual non-existence on “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 12 -- picking spots, varying his right hands and kicks, and picking the Alaskan apart. That’s why Castillo is the perfect next foe for Edwards.
Ever-aggressive, Castillo is coming off a one-round blowout of Will Kerr in WEC. He’s a solid wrestler and probably would be able to take Edwards down, forcing him to defend a hostile ground-and-pound assault. Castillo isn’t afraid to let his heavy hands loose on the feet, either, and is naturally bigger than Yves.
At this point, neither Edwards nor Castillo is among the elite of the crowded lightweight division. With most of the top fighters booked for the upcoming months, this is a fan-friendly matchup that would ask questions of both. Can Yves hang with the new breed and powerful wrestler types? Can Castillo solve a veteran puzzle like Edwards? If either guy wants to move up in the division, they’ll have to answer “yes,” and this fight is a great way to find out.
Mitrione was impressive on Saturday.
Both were impressive on Saturday, and since virtually every other UFC heavyweight seems to have his dance card booked, Mitrione-Barry makes sense on every level. Mitrone continued to show progress, as he displayed sharp striking and patience in dispatching of Tim Hague. Barry, meanwhile, showed off his trademark big kicks and explosive standup in a decision win against the uber-tough Joey Beltran.
At this point in their careers, Mitrione and Barry -- each an emerging commodity with upside -- will be vulnerable to overpowering wrestlers and more experienced fighters.
Mitrione-Barry would be the kind of standup gala that guarantees placement on the televised portion of the card. Both are articulate and somewhat comedic, so the trash talk would be entertaining as well. It’s a can’t-miss matchup that would be a test of both men’s chins and hearts.
These two lightweights are in similar spots: both picked up solid wins on Saturday night, and both are likely one win away from cracking the Top 20 in the UFC 155-pound division. That’s no small feat, since there are approximately 60 lightweights currently on the roster.
Wiman never looked better than he did in his dominating decision win over Cole Miller. “Handsome Matt” used wrestling and ground-and-pound to keep the tricky Miller constantly on the defensive. Lowe is an exceptionally good wrestler and would test Wiman in that regard.
Lowe has rebounded from a tough UFC debut, in which he was knocked out by Guillard with a brutal knee to the body. Since then, he’s put together a pair of decision wins, including his win against former Shooto champion Willamy “Chiquerim” Freire on Saturday’s undercard.
Wiman’s wrestling has improved considerably; Lowe’s power and takedown prowess would answer whether or not the rest of Wiman’s game has improved as much.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Fight Flashback: The First Event
January 11, 2011 marked the ten-year anniversary of Zuffa's purchase of the UFC. Read below for a look at the company's first event, UFC 30. On January 11, 2001, a company named Zuffa, manned by brothers Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta and their friend Dana White, purchased the struggling Ultimate Fighting Championship, and over the next ten years turned it into a juggernaut in the sporting world that has exceeded all early expectations.
Now, you mention the UFC to anyone on the street and you will get a reaction; back in 2001, you were lucky if you got a puzzled stare. It’s been a spectacular decade for the organization to say the least, but every success story had to begin somewhere, and for Zuffa, the first test would be its first event, at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
That perception was about to change, and things really kicked into gear in 2005 when a little show called “The Ultimate Fighter” brought the sport into everyone’s living room. Now there are sold-out arenas both here and around the world, DVDs, action figures, trading cards, a magazine, and the UFC is everywhere.
And February 23, 2001 started it all. Here’s the way I saw things from the Auxiliary Press section that night…
UFC XXX - There's A New Sheriff in Town, and Ortiz is Packing The Guns
By Thomas Gerbasi
ATLANTIC CITY, Feb. 23 - It has gone from spectacle to sport; from "human cock fighting" to an art practiced by superior athletes. And as Zuffa undertook its maiden voyage into the Octagon tonight at the Trump Taj Mahal, the future looks brighter than it ever has for the fledgling sport of mixed martial arts.
Put the glitz aside. Forget that the royalty of the UFC (Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman, Mark Kerr, Ken Shamrock, Marco Ruas) was in attendance. And disregard the superior production values that marked the coming of the new sheriff in town. It has to be about the fighters and the fights. All the other 'stuff', which is necessary to appeal to the mainstream, means nothing to the hardcore fan. And it is doubtful if any fan left disappointed after last night's superior card.
"Keep bringing the middleweights, and I'll keep stompin 'em," said the champion after a post-fight grave digging display. Ortiz has undoubtedly risen to the top of the UFC in a short time, and as his ritual T-shirt read after the bout, "If you can read this, I just stomped his ass".
Nuff said.
In the end, Pulver's striking attacks, and his utter disregard for Uno's power and strength, proved to be the difference. See Uno vs. Pulver
"To be honest, I really don't know what hit me," said Barnett, who lost for the first time in 25 mixed martial arts bouts. The Seattle resident, who is one of the few to stand and trade with Rizzo for any length of time, will definitely be heard from again. As for 'The Rock', Rizzo will get his chance at heavyweight champion Randy Couture in UFC XXXI, also at Atlantic City's Taj Mahal.
In other undercard action:
Fabiano Iha made short work of Paul Johns, submitting him with an armbar in 1:47
'The King of Rock and Rumble', Australia's Elvis Sinosic, made a huge splash in his UFC debut, submitting highly regarded Jeremy Horn with a triangle armbar at 2:59 of the first round.
Iowa's Bobby Hoffman was able to free himself from the clutches of 285 pound South African Mark Robinson long enough to land a brutal right elbow, ending the heavyweight match in 3:27. "People thought it was gonna be a close match, so I wanted to thump his ass," said Hoffman after the bout.
Preliminary bouts:
Sean Sherk defeated Tiki via verbal submission (4:47), lightweights
Phil Baroni defeated Curtis Stout via unanimous decision, middleweights
Fight For The Troops 2 Weigh-In
Below are the official weigh-in results for Saturday night’s Fight For The Troops 2 event. Fight For The Troops 2, which is headlined by the lightweight bout between Evan Dunham and Melvin Guillard and the heavyweight battle between Matt Mitrione and Tim Hague, airs live and free on Spike TV from Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. Fans who “like” the UFC on Facebook can also view two live prelim bouts beginning at 7pm ET / 4pm PT.
Main Event
Evan Dunham (156) VS Melvin Guillard (155)
Main Card
Tim Hague (256.5) VS Matt Mitrione (260)
George Roop (145) VS Mark Hominick (144.5)
Joey Beltran (230) VS Pat Barry (240)
Matt Wiman (155.5) VS Cole Miller (155.5)
Facebook Prelims
Yves Edwards (155) VS Cody McKenzie (155)
Mike Guymon (170.5) VS DaMarques Johnson (170)
Rani Yahya (145) VS Mike Brown (146)
Wilamy "Chiquerim" Freire (155) VS Waylon Lowe (156)
Prelims
Chris Cariaso (135) VS Will Campuzano (135)
Amilcar Alves (171) VS Charlie Brenneman (171)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Fight Night Benefits Canadian Troops
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Thursday, January 27, 2011
Fight For The Troops 2 Musings
The Fight For The Troops 2 event is in the books...Michael DiSanto checks in to survey the lay of the land after Saturday's bouts. SPEED KILLS, BUT THE THANKS SHOULD GO TO FLORIAN
Melvin Guillard has always been an underachiever in my eyes. Few other lightweights possess the same combination of speed, power, experience, technical prowess on the feet and general wrestling ability. His glaring weaknesses have always been his submission defense and his inability fight big in big fights.
Guillard erased the big fight element of that equation with a career-best performance in the biggest fight of his career. It was evident right from Jump Street that Guillard’s speed was too much for Evan Dunham. It was just a matter of time, therefore, before the New Orleans native scored a knockout, unless Dunham was able to take the fight to the ground and keep it there.
Stepping up under the bright lights of a major main event fight is as much about preparation as it is talent. Guillard has always had the talent, but it seemed that his preparation always left something to be desired—maybe not in terms of his effort, rather in terms of the quality. Training guru Greg Jackson finally filled that void for the ultra-talented lightweight, and the results showed.
It was evident from the first minute that Dunham was in for a short, painful night if he wasn’t able to take the fight to the ground and keep it there. Despite his perceived advantage in overall skill level, he had no answer for Guillard’s elite hand speed. Guys can prepare all they want, but if they cannot fight behind a dominant jab or take the fight to the ground, then speed typically kills. It certainly did on Saturday night.
The win puts Guillard squarely into the 155-pound title mix. There is no question about that. Guillard should send Kenny Florian a nice “thank you” present because he almost didn’t get this opportunity. Guillard was originally slated to face Yves Edwards on the non-televised undercard, while Florian was scheduled to face Dunham in the main event. Florian suffered an injury in training a month ago, opening the door for Guillard to get his second opportunity in a headlining matchup.
From a style perspective, I actually think Edwards is a tougher matchup for Guillard, and a win over the veteran definitely doesn’t carry the same weight as a win over Dunham. Like I said, Guillard should spend some of that win bonus on a nice shiny gift for Mr. Florian.
MITRIONE KEEPS ON KEEPIN’ ON
I don’t think many people viewed Matt Mitrione as a serious fighter after watching the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter. The former NFL player came off as an arrogant, half-focused (albeit gifted) athlete who thought it might be fun to try his hand at mixed martial arts. He didn’t seem committed to the sport and definitely did not seem like the kind of guy who had fighting ingrained in his DNA.
Wrong.
Mitrione is rapidly developing into a very good heavyweight and remains the division’s most promising prospect. He has the size, athleticism, power and natural boxing ability to really do some damage in the UFC. The big question for Mitrione, however, continues to be his ability to stop takedowns against top wrestlers and survive on the ground against Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belts.
Tim Hague could not force him to answer either of those questions on Saturday night, as he fell prey to Mitrione’s fast hands and excellent footwork. After the bout, Mitrione made it clear that he wants to continue upping the level of his opposition, but he noted that he doesn’t want to get ahead of himself just yet.
It is easy to forget that he only has four professional fights under his belt after watching him dominate a veteran like Hague. But this isn’t boxing. Mitrione won’t have the luxury of 15 to 20 fights against weekend warriors, career opponents and fading former contenders as he builds his skills, confidence and general fighting IQ. The UFC doesn’t work that way. UFC President Dana White doesn’t own a pair of kid gloves, so he will likely get his wish for stepped-up competition, though White won’t likely worry about whether he is tossing the former footballer into the deep end too soon.
HOMINICK SENDS ALDO A MESSAGE
Lots of guys clam up when fighting under the pressure of a title eliminator. Not Mark Hominick. Knowing that a shot at reigning featherweight champion and pound-for-pound list occupant Jose Aldo was on the line, the Canadian delivered a dominant performance, knocking out George Roop in a mere 88 seconds.
Hominick seemed like a man possessed right from the opening bell. He stalked Roop with a purpose, firing punches dripping with bad intentions at every opportunity in his quest to earn his first shot at UFC gold. When he finally found pay dirt just over a minute into the bout with a clean left hook that dropped Roop like a sack of potatoes, he finished with the efficiency of a highly trained assassin, leaving nothing to chance as he secured his bout with Aldo.
There are many pundits in the sport who consider Aldo to be the baddest man on the planet, pound for pound. They might be correct. But he will be tested like he has never before been tested before in the standup realm. Hominick is the real deal, and has a very real chance at unseating the champion, if the battle remains on the feet.
I’m already excited about this matchup.
OUTGUNNED BELTRAN AS TOUGH AS THEY COME
I will never know how Joey Beltran survived for three full rounds against Pat Barry. Imagine allowing Albert Pujols to take full swings with a baseball bat at your left leg. That is what Beltran experienced on Saturday night courtesy of the most fearsome lower body striker in the heavyweight division, bar none. The severity of the lower body attacks was evident when Beltran collapsed immediately after the bell, unable to hold himself up any longer.
If we are being honest with ourselves, Beltran didn’t have much of a chance to win. He does not have good takedowns, and the standup disparity between the two is like pitting a chess-playing teenager wielding a stick against a Green Beret carrying an M-16.
The fact that Beltran survived for three full rounds is a testament to his fighting spirit and iron chin. He had plenty of opportunities to quit, most notably when he took a finger to the eye late in the third round. He could barely walk and knew he had absolutely no shot at winning. Beltran could have escaped the beating at that point by admitting that his vision was blurred from the inadvertent eye poke.
Not “The Mexicutioner.” There is no quit in that guy, which is why I will tune in to watch him fight anybody, anytime, anywhere.
WIMAN NO LONGER AN ALSO RAN
With seven wins in his last nine UFC bouts, Matt Wiman has officially established himself as a contender in the lightweight division. The win over Cole Miller was arguably his most complete performance to date. He showed excellent striking, unyielding tenacity, solid top control and brutal ground and pound. The former TUF star did all of that against a well rounded, well prepared opponent in Miller.
With that said, all fighters, Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre included, are constantly on a journey toward perfection—a goal that cannot possibly be reached by mortal men. Wiman is no different, and when he looks back at the tape of the fight, he will notice that he covers up far too often during exchanges on the feet.
Covering up is a completely passive move, and, more importantly, it takes a fighter’s hands and arms completely out of the equation for anything, other than serving as punching bags. A fighter is far better served to keep his hands in an attacking position and use slight upper body movements up, down and side to side to defend incoming strikes. That way he remains in a good position to counter.
To be fair to Wiman, I’m really being nitpicky with that piece of constructive criticism. He was firing on all cylinders on Saturday night. In fact, I think he was so dominant that I’m having trouble justifying the decision of the lone judge who scored a round for Miller. I had it 30-27 and didn’t think any of the rounds were close.
Wiman may be only another win or two away from putting himself in position to fight in a title eliminator. He appears to have really taken his confidence and game to a new level over his last two bouts. It is now time to take it up one more notch to see whether he really belongs among the 155-pound elite.
BIG NIGHT FOR EDWARDS
I remember talking with Yves Edwards several years ago before his fight with Josh Thomson. The bout should have been for the UFC Lightweight Championship, but the UFC had made the decision to take the division in another direction for the time being. Edwards mentioned during our conversation that he was sick of eating ham sandwiches for every meal because the economic realities for UFC lightweights back then didn’t really allow for much more money in the food budget.
Well, Saturday night certainly went a long way toward getting the affable lightweight a steady diet of USDA PRIME dry-aged steaks (or whatever else he prefers to eat). Edwards’ thrilling second-round submission win over Cody McKenzie earned him both Fight of the Night and Submission of the Night honors, which resulted in an extra $60,000 in his pocket, something he could not have possibly expected.
Not bad for nine minutes, 33 seconds worth of work. Not bad at all.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sherdog’s Fight of the Year
Jorge Santiago-Kazuo Misaki 2 -- Sherdog’s “Fight of the Year” for 2010 -- was the kind of mixed martial arts contest fans and pundits point to as an example of why they believe their sport is the best in the world. Played out at Sengoku Raiden Championship 14 on Aug. 22 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, it represents the kind of fight to which MMA supporters direct their friends on YouTube.
Interestingly enough, it was not the first time these two had engaged in such a larger-than-life, marathon struggle. At Sengoku “No Ran 2009” in January 2009, Santiago and Misaki met to determine who would become the fledgling promotion’s inaugural middleweight champion. It was a tense five-rounder Misaki was winning on points until a miraculous comeback in the final stanza saw the Brazilian put him to sleep with a fight-ending choke to capture Sengoku’s middleweight title.
A little more than a year and a half later, they were at it again. Few expected them to live up to their first encounter, and no one thought they could surpass it. Santiago and Misaki not only traded rounds but almost finished each other in every frame. It was the kind of give-and-take struggle MMA fans so rarely witness.
It came as no surprise that the fight took a toll on its participants. Misaki has no memory of the bout, outside of what he has seen on video.
“I was surprised at how the fight went. I thought, ‘Oh, wow, I did that?’ and ‘Hey, I could have finished him there,’ even if I didn’t remember those moments myself,” he said of his first review of the film. “On the one hand, I think [this fight] was only possible because we’re both very technically skilled fighters, but on the other, it was also only possible because of our spirit and emotions behind this fight. Both our first and second fights had great spirit in them.”
The champion, however, saw their second encounter as an opportunity to best what he felt was a poor performance in their first fight.
“I definitely consider Misaki the toughest opponent I could have faced in Japan,” Santiago said. “He proved that in Pride when he was the [grand prix] champion. After our first fight, when I fought him with a broken hand, I really wanted to face him again and make an even more exciting fight. That’s what happened.”
What happened was what every promoter wants in his or her event. Though World Victory Road President Toru Mukai was just as thrilled as the fans to witness the bout unfold, he was not without reservations.
“It was certainly a fantastic fight, one where both fighters could be considered winners and showed true warrior spirit, but to tell the truth, I wanted to stop it right in the middle,” said Mukai, with a paternal chuckle. “I was afraid because I thought that either one of these men could die in the ring that night.”
Misaki’s own cornermen shared those same concerns as the fight drew on.
“In the history of combat sports -- no wait, in the history of all sports -- this contest stands out. It was something you could accurately call ‘mortal combat,’” said Pride veteran Daiju Takase, who served as Misaki’s grappling coach during the match. “Every time Kazuo was on the attack, I thought, ‘He can do this!’ But because I knew what his physical condition was whenever he was under attack, I started praying.”
After a competitive first round, Misaki stole the second period, nearly choking out Santiago with a tight guillotine.
Oh yes, Misaki had his moments.“In that guillotine, I was really in trouble,” said the self-effacing champion. “I think at other moments, too, he was on my back and then trying to get the [arm triangle], and I was thinking, ‘S--t!’ In my mind, I felt I was behind. [During a fight], some people will tell me ‘You’re even,’ or they’ll say, ‘You’re winning,’ but I always think I’m behind.”
Santiago rebounded in the third round with a high kick-right straight combination, nearly stopping Misaki with punches on the ground before being foiled by the ring ropes. The roller-coaster fight then swung back in the challenger’s favor in the same frame, as Misaki shocked Santiago with a left hook and followed up with punches and knees to the head. Santiago, whether willfully or instinctively, fell out of the ring, earning a severe rebuke and red card from referee Yoshinori Umeki.
“If it was in the cage,” said Takase, ever the outspoken critic, “the fight would definitely have ended there.”
Fortunately for the fans, it did not. With judges Masato Fukuda, Tenshin Matsumoto and Ryogaku Wada carrying Misaki cards of 39-36, 38-36 and 38-36 into the fifth and final round, Santiago’s back was to the wall. If he could not produce a 10-8 round for the 46-46 draw on judges Matsumoto and Wada’s scorecards and hold out hope for the must-decision after the final bell, he would likely lose the title.
“My worst moment was when he knocked me down in the fourth round,” Santiago said, “but my best moment was in the last minute of the fifth, when I finished him.”
In the fifth period, Santiago dug deep and produced more than a 10-8 round for the necessary draw. He rained brutal punches on the challenger from top position for four and a half minutes, until Misaki’s corner threw in the towel. Official time was 4:31.
Whether the bout would have resulted in a draw or not if Misaki had survived to the final bell, his chances to pick up his first title since being crowned the Pride 2006 welterweight grand prix winner were high. To some onlookers, the corner stoppage was a source of debate, but it was a decision none of the participants seem to begrudge.
“Whether I would have won if the towel wasn’t thrown in is not something I think about, so I don’t feel any regrets over it,” Misaki said. “Besides, cornermen have a responsibility to protect their fighter. That’s why I’m able to be here now, talking to you. For that, I’m very grateful to them.”
“From the midway point, Kazuo couldn’t remember anything because he was so exhausted. He was fighting completely on spirit alone,” said Takase. “His striking coach threw in the towel. Misaki would never tap, so it’s a bit unfortunate. I’m confident he could have won, but protecting your fighter’s health is of the utmost and proper consideration.”
With two titanic and taxing encounters with the Brazilian in the books, it would seem understandable if Misaki resigned himself to never facing Santiago again. However, as is often seen in MMA, fighting so fiercely and thoroughly with an opponent rarely breeds contempt or resignation. Misaki appears convinced that he and Santiago are bound by destiny and key to each other’s personal growth.
“As a professional fighter, I think it was a great experience to fight him, but aside from that, he’s also helped me grow and change a lot, just in life. It doesn’t matter who won. I’m very grateful for him and having had the chance to fight him,” Misaki said solemnly. “I think we will probably meet again because I don’t think that this fight was the end of our story. Even though the towel was thrown in at the end, I think there’s still one more drama to be played out by the both of us. I think it’s our destiny to meet again.”
The champion also thinks highly of Misaki and does not seem to mind the prospect of a third encounter, if fans want it.
“He’s a tiger, you know? He has that fire in his eyes and in his heart. I do, too. We’re the same. We both feel like we’re not going to just give a fight to anybody,” Santiago said. “Like he was saying [at the press conference], the champion of this bout is going to be the one who wants it more, who has more will. I think if we always fight with that mindset, we’ll always put on great shows.”
Until the day of their third meeting comes, however, their second fight will remain prominent in the hearts and minds of those who experienced it firsthand.
“One thing I’ll never forget is how gassed Kazuo was in the last round, but he was still trying desperately to get out of mount,” Takase said. “He couldn’t even breathe properly, yet he was still in the fight. Even if he could have died in there, he wouldn’t give up. It’s an example that I think, more than just fighters, everyone should follow. Even recalling it now, I’m moved by it.”
“It was a magnificent fight, and I think it made the audience come together as one,” Mukai said. “As far as MMA goes, I think it’s one of the best fights ever.”
For Misaki, it was a life-altering experience.
“I don’t know if I’ll still be alive in 10 or 20 years. If I am still alive, I think it would be because of fights like these with Santiago,” he said. “That’s also why I think it’s our destiny to face each other. Again, I’m grateful for the chance to fight against someone like him, and in 10 or 20 years, I’ll still think the same.”
Marcelo Alonso contributed to this report.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
UFC Fight Night 24 Announced; Garcia-Phan Rematch Official
As expected, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will make its first ever trip to Seattle on March 26, as the promotion will hold UFC Fight Night 24 at Key Arena.
The UFC today made the event official and announced the first signed bout on the card: a featherweight rematch between Leonard Garcia and Nam Phan.
The event, which airs live on Spike TV, is likely to be headlined by a light heavyweight matchup between former champion Tito Ortiz and Pride Fighting Championships veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
The controversial first meeting between Garcia and Phan took place at “The Ultimate Fighter 12” finale in December. Although Phan consistently beat Garcia to the punch, out-striking the Greg Jackson product as tallied by both CompuStrike and Fight Metric, Garcia was awarded a split decision victory in what was deemed Sherdog.com’s 2010 “Robbery of the Year.”
Prior to that contest, Phan had competed on Season 12 of “TUF,” losing in the semifinals to eventual runner-up Michael Johnson. Phan began his fighting career in 2001 and has fought some of the best lightweight and featherweight competitors in the world, including Josh Thomson, Michihiro Omigawa and Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante. The 27-year-old has lost four of his last six fights.
Known for his wild offense and gutsy performances, Garcia has earned “Fight of the Night” honors in three of his last four performances. After fighting George Roop to a split draw in March, Garcia took part in a “Fight of the Year” candidate against Chan Sung Jung at WEC 48 in April, edging out another much-debated split decision. He came up on the wrong end of the judges’ scorecards in his next outing, however, as he was out-pointed by the more accurate Mark Hominick at WEC 51.
Also rumored for UFC Fight Night 24 is a welterweight scrap between former title challenger Dan Hardy and the returning Anthony Johnson, as well as a heavyweight tilt pitting Mike Russow against Jon Madsen.
Report: Pace-McDonald Slated for UFC Fight Night 24
Bantamweight prospects Nick Pace and Michael McDonald have agreed to meet at UFC Fight Night 24, according to a report from MMAWeekly.com.
While neither the matchup nor the event has been announced by the promotion, the show is expected to go down on March 26 at Key Arena in Seattle, and will likely be headlined by a light heavyweight duel between Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Tito Ortiz.
Pace suffered the first loss of his career against Demetrious Johnson in September, but rebounded with a victory over Will Campuzano at “The Ultimate Fighter 12” finale in December. The Team Tiger Schulmann representative ended the fight late in the third round with an innovative submission which he dubbed the “Pace Choke.”
Prior to entering the Zuffa ranks, Pace won five straight while competing for Ring of Combat and Bellator Fighting Championships, including a highlight-reel flying knee knockout of Collin Tebo at a June 2009 Bellator event.
While Pace was successful in his UFC debut, McDonald will be stepping into the Octagon for the first time in Seattle. “Mayday” has won four consecutive fights, including a 3-0 stint in Tachi Palace Fights, during which he earned victories over WEC veterans Manny Tapia and Cole Escovedo.
Most recently, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt submitted Clint Godfrey at WEC 52 in November with a first-round armbar. McDonald has finished all 11 of his career victims and holds seven of his wins by knockout. The only loss on his ledger came to Escovedo at a May 2009 Palace Fighting Championship event, where McDonald was knocked out in the second round.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Pettis To Sit Cageside For Title Fight
“That particular kick comes from my traditional martial arts background. That just came off the top of my head. I wasn’t planning on throwing that kick (against Henderson). That was instinctive." Being famous for an astonishing, almost fantasyland kick is nice, and when Anthony Pettis’ career is over someday, that may be what many people best remember him for. But that’s not how the 23-year-old phenom wants to be defined.
Already in possession of a WEC belt, the Milwaukee native now covets the UFC title and the legacy and prosperity that would come with it. Pettis’ rapid ascent toward the top of the 155-pound division has earned him the right to sit cageside for Saturday night’s main event between UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and No. 1 challenger Gray Maynard. Asked to predict a winner, the flamboyant fighter (fittingly nicknamed “Showtime”) was understandably somewhat wishy-washy. But under pressure to make a pick he squeezed out a half-hearted prognostication.
“I’m going to go with Gray Maynard,” said Pettis, 13-1. “If he can get him down and bully him like he did the first fight then I think Gray Maynard can take the fight. But Frankie has some momentum behind him.”
That was Pettis commenting on the same night earlier this month when he dethroned Benson Henderson for the WEC crown. More than a week later, however, Pettis was back on the fence.
“I don’t know, this fight is hard to call,” he said. “Frankie Edgar against BJ Penn, he looked like a whole new Frankie Edgar. But Gray Maynard is a huge 155er who just imposes his will. His nickname (“The Bully”) fits him well. Either guy I fight will be a tough fight. I’m just getting ready for another wrestler.
“A lot of people say I would match up better with Edgar. I mean, I think it would be a higher-paced fight. But they are the champion and the No. 1 contender so I’ve got my work cut out for me with either guy.”
Pettis hopes to achieve bigger and better things in 2011, but the rising star will be hard pressed to outdo the massive good fortune that engulfed him in 2010. Few fighters experienced a more banner year, as he racked up a 4-0 record, gained national exposure courtesy of being featured on MTV’s “World of Jenks,” and won a world title with arguably the most clutch – and most spectacular - flying kick that MMA fans have ever seen. I must confess that I can replay Pettis’ running, off-the-cage kick against Benson Henderson over and over and over again, without it ever diminishing my sense of marvel. I’ve replayed and studied the maneuver more than any other I’ve witnessed in the cage, and judging from a YouTube video of the maneuver, there are millions more who feel the same way I do.
“That particular kick comes from my traditional martial arts background,” said Pettis, who at the behest of his late father began studying Tae Kwon Do at 7 years old. “That just came off the top of my head. I wasn’t planning on throwing that kick (against Henderson). That was instinctive, man. We didn’t practice that before the fight, it was just one of those things.”
Pettis said that when he went back to his corner at the conclusion of the fourth round, he mistakenly thought he had just finished the third round. So, headed into the fifth and final round – with the fight up for grabs – head coach Duke Roufus set his fighter straight: This is it, kid. Last round.
“S---! I got to get after it,” Pettis thought to himself. “My dream is five minutes away. I gotta get after it and make it happen.’”
With less than 90 seconds left, and Pettis arguably losing the fifth and decisive round, he charged forward, went airborne, bounced off the cage on one leg! … and unleashed the mother of all high kicks. And actually landed it flush across Henderson’s face.
“It was a title fight and there was a lot at stake and that’s one of those kicks where you can get yourself in trouble if you miss,” he said. “It was a clutch kick that just happened at the right time.”
It was a kick that has caused Pettis’ popularity to skyrocket, a kick so wondrous that reporters and fans are still trying to figure out what in the heck to call it. Some have stayed simple, dubbing it a “superkick.” Others have called it a “Matrix” kick. I like to call it the “Holy S&$%# Kick,” since I literally and instinctively started writing expletives on my computer screen while writing about the fight live from Glendale, Ariz., earlier this month. Holy (expletive of your choice) is the first thing that jumped into my mind, and I’m one of those guys who tends to think that our first reaction to a situation is usually the right one.
In the days following his sweetest victory, Pettis would soon learn that while he hasn’t changed much, other people’s reaction to his presence has. He returned to Milwaukee even more recognizable and beloved than before. His cell phone answering machine was overwhelmed with messages, and flooded with hundreds of text messages.
After fighting five times in the past 12 months, Pettis took a well-deserved break, booking a four-day cruise to the Bahamas.
“It was my first time there,” he said. “It was crazy, all the workers and a lot of other people in recognized me in the Bahamas. They said, “You’re the guy that did the kick off the cage …” It was crazy. I didn’t even know they watched WEC over there. When I went through Customs they were trying to take pictures with me.”
Roufus calls his prized protégé a “Latin GSP,” comparing Pettis to current UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre in athleticism, work ethic and determination. Indeed, Pettis has come so far, so fast. By now, Pettis’ humble beginnings have been well-documented, and oft-reported, but bears repeating because it showcases the true grit and glory of Pettis’ struggle to the top. For most of his life, he had been dealt a rather paltry hand. The product of a seedy, drug- and crime-infested neighborhood in the south side of Milwaukee, Pettis can never completely forget the violence of that place because those mean streets claimed the life of his father. Eugene Pettis, a janitor who worked two jobs so his kids could attend Catholic schools, was murdered on Nov. 12, 2003. He was 46.
Pettis, half-Puerto Rican and half-Mexican, is motivated by his father’s memory. In the days leading up to a fight, and even during his walk to the cage, he sports a hooded sweatshirt with his father’s image. Pettis said he won the WEC title not just for himself, but for his father.
“It’s a dream come true,” Pettis said. “My dad was with me all throughout my martial arts career. When he died I stopped doing martial arts for awhile. But then I found mixed martial arts. Duke Roufus and Pat Barry, these guys brought me in and were like family to me. It’s something (my father’s death), that I carry with me into every fight. My dad gives me my competitive edge and I bring him on my hoodie to every fight. I feel close to him doing this. Getting this belt is the icing on the cake. I can’t wait to go to his grave and show him that.”
Saturday, January 8, 2011
All But One Make Weight for ‘Soul of Fight’
TOKYO -- All fighters barring Taisuke Okuno made weight for Sengoku Raiden Championships’ all-day fight festival, “Soul of Fight,” going down Thursday at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo.
Filling in as a late replacement for Bellator veteran Dan Hornbuckle, Okuno weighed in at 176 pounds for his showdown against UFC and Pride veteran Ryo Chonan. As a penalty, Okuno will enter the welterweight bout with two red cards, World Victory Road officials informed Sherdog.com.
Aside from Okuno’s absence, most of the event’s 56 participants were in attendance for the pre-fight presser, which was held in the Coliseum, where work crews busily constructed the ring and entry ramp behind the gathered press. Because of this unique venue choice, most of the fighters were not only dressed in their Sunday best, but also in coats and scarves to fend off the cold in the vast, unheated arena.
Saying what was ostensibly on everyone’s minds -- and coming up with the line that most of the other fighters would end up stealing for their own comments -- Maximo Blanco stated, “It’s extremely cold in here, so I’ll put on a hot fight tomorrow. Look forward to it.”
Main-eventers Hatsu Hioki and Marlon Sandro, meanwhile, kept their comments brief and classy.
“It’s a real honor to be the main event. To have the chance to stand here amongst fighters like Buakaw [Por. Pramuk], [Kazuo] Misaki, and everyone else makes me a very happy man. I, of course, plan to have a good fight and make this a great event,” said Sengoku and Pancrase featherweight champion Sandro.
Shooto 143-pound champion Hioki echoed Sandro’s sentiments, giving Sandro himself particular credit.
“Because it’s Marlon Sandro I’ll be facing tomorrow, we’ll be able to show the fans some incredible MMA. Please look forward to it,” Hioki said.
At the earlier title-bout signing ceremony, the champion claimed to have no pressing concerns over this being his first five-round title defense.
“It’s my first defense, so I’ve trained hard for it. I’ve never thought about having to defend the title before, since I’m always focusing on my opponent. Five five-minute rounds is indeed a long time, but I’m not very concerned about it. I’m going to give it my all,” said Sandro.
“I didn’t think much about the belt. I’m focusing on Sandro, who is an outstanding fighter. As for five-round title fights, I’ve already done those in TKO. It’ll be difficult, but I have confidence I can go the distance,” said the challenger, referencing his own experience fighting for and defending the featherweight title in the now-defunct, Montreal-based TKO promotion.
While Sandro vowed to finish the fight early, a nervous Hioki claimed with a chuckle, “I have to watch out that I don’t get finished early. Out of all the fighters I’ve faced, Sandro has the best record. It’ll be tough, but if I survive the early moments, I think I’ll have a chance.”
Elsewhere, Yoshiro Maeda was in high spirits while waving the flag for his native promotion, Dream.
“I’m real proud to be one of the three co-promoted bouts tomorrow, and I promise to put up a brutal fight that’ll fill everyone’s bellies and satisfy. I’m going to kill tomorrow!” Maeda cheerfully yelled into the microphone.
Megumi Fujii tied her upcoming bout with Emi Fujino to the coming New Year’s Eve feasts that await most Japanese on Dec 31.
“All I’m thinking of for tomorrow is a knockout or a submission. But whether I win or lose, it’s going to be exciting. My fight will be the spice to go with all the delicious food and drink that all the fans will return home to after the event,” said Fujii.
Marlon Sandro (65.4 kg / 144.1 lbs) vs. Hatsu Hioki (65.7 kg / 144.8 lbs)
Kazuo Misaki (83.6 / 184.3) vs. Mike Seal (83.8 / 184.7)
Megumi Fujii (52.9 / 116.6) vs. Emi Fujino (53.3 / 117.5)
Masanori Kanehara (65 / 143.3) vs. Yoshiro Maeda (64.2 / 141.5)
Taisuke Okuno (79.9 / 176.1) vs. Ryo Chonan (77.1 / 169.9)
Maximo Blanco (70.3 / 154.9) vs. Won Sik Park (70 / 154.3)
Keita Nakamura (76.5 / 168.6) vs. Yasubey Enomoto (76.9 / 169.5)
Kazunori Yokota (70.2 / 154.7) vs. Jadamba Narantungalag (70.1 / 154.5)
Yuki Sasaki (83.6 / 184.3) vs. Mamed Khalidov (83.5 / 184)
Yoshihiro Nakao (100.3 / 221.1) vs. Dave Herman (108 / 238)
Akitoshi Tamura (61.2 / 134.9) vs. Taiyo Nakahara (61.1 / 134.7)
Manabu Inoue (61.1 / 134.7) vs. Shunichi Shimizu (61.2 / 134.9)
Hitomi Akano (60.7 / 133.8) vs. Roxanne Modafferi (60.2 / 132.7)
Rin Nakai (63.4 / 139.7) vs. Mika Harigai (64.7 / 142.6)
Misaki Takimoto (48 / 105.8) vs. Amy Davis (47.7 / 105.1)
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thoughts on a Fight Well Fought
As Edgar and Maynard were called to the center of the Octagon for the start of round one, there was no question that they were going to leave it all out there Frankie Edgar made his 6am flight back to New Jersey Sunday. And as the UFC lightweight champion walked to his seat, you would have mistaken him for any other passenger on the plane if not for the bumps and bruises of his previous night’s work displayed on his face.
There was no loud entourage, no championship belt slung over his shoulder, so you could forgive those who looked at the pride of Toms River and wondered what he was up to on Saturday night. Two such folks mumbled to each other. One said, ‘he must be one of those MMA guys.’ The other responded, ‘he probably won, because the loser wouldn’t make his flight.’
Edgar didn’t hear the comments, and if he did, you can guarantee that he wouldn’t respond. It’s not his way. But if he did choose to respond, he probably would have just smiled at being called ‘one of those MMA guys.’
His dance partner on Saturday night, Gray Maynard, would likely agree with the man he shared 25 minutes in the Octagon with at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. As a resident of Las Vegas, he didn’t need to make a flight this morning, so there’s no need for talk of winners making flights, and losers sleeping in. When the 155-pound championship bout was over, a draw verdict was rendered, so there were no winners, no losers, only talk of what happened over the course of those five rounds and what will happen in the next five or less that they fight.
It’s been said over the years in boxing that a draw is like kissing your sister, and while Edgar keeps his title belt and Maynard keeps his unbeaten record, the idea that there was no resolution to their rematch Saturday night is something that will likely haunt both fighters in the coming weeks. There’s no getting around that, nothing you can say to soften that blow; yet for those of us watching what amounted to 25 minutes of high drama, it was a night that should have reminded you why you began watching the sport in the first place.
***
Before the addition of the bantamweight and featherweight divisions to the UFC, the lightweights were long considered the “little men” of the organization, yet with a mix of speed, technique, and intensity, the 155-pounders would more often than not deliver excitement like few others. Edgar and Maynard did their share over the years, Edgar in bouts against the likes of Tyson Griffin, Hermes Franca, and Matt Veach; Maynard against Joe Veres, Rob Emerson, and Dennis Siver.
But the popular water cooler jab at both men leading up to Saturday’s bout was that they weren’t “finishers”, that their championship bout wouldn’t hold a candle to more visceral undercard bouts, let alone some of the championship epics of years past. Edgar had fights go the judges’ scorecards in six of his last seven bouts; Maynard, seven in a row. Forget that they were engaging in fights against top level competition, the equation was decisions=boring. Try telling that to Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva, Randy Couture and Minotauro Nogueira, or Jens Pulver and BJ Penn, three pairs of UFC superstars who engaged in distance level wars for the ages.
For Edgar, the knock was that his stick and move style wasn’t going to crack an egg, let alone a world-class fighter’s chin. Yet what people don’t realize is that Edgar doesn’t need to cut weight to make the lightweight limit like most of his peers do. That means on fight night, he could be giving up 15 to 20 pounds. Yet he still gets in there with bigger, stronger fighters who could probably send him packing with one shot. It reminds me of what one of my boxing mentors, Mike Katz, told me one time about former heavyweight boxing champion Chris Byrd. He called Byrd the toughest and bravest fighter in the sport. I raised my eyebrows, only thinking of Byrd as defensive wizard and slipmaster. Katz explained, saying that Byrd went into every fight knowing that he couldn’t hurt his opponent, yet he still made that walk up the steps and won more often than not, armed only with his smarts, guts, and two fists. Edgar faces similar hurdles every time he steps into competition, but you won’t hear that out of his mouth.
That’s a fighter.
So is Maynard, and in a recent conversation he told me that drama is nice for the movies and television, but he’s not in the drama business; he’s in the domination business. He’s not looking to have a rock ‘em sock ‘em fight or roar back from the brink of defeat to win by spectacular Rocky-esque knockout. He’s in a fight to beat you up from the opening bell to the last, or better yet, when the referee pulls him off. If you don’t get off one shot or gain one dominant position on him, that’s the point. He’s not looking for 12-11 baseball slugfests; he wants a two-hit shutout.
So as Edgar and Maynard were called to the center of the Octagon for the start of round one, there was no question that they were going to leave it all out there – not for your entertainment, but for themselves. Both were born with a competitive gene that means you give it everything you have in whatever you do that involves a winner and a loser. It could mean a championship prizefight, a video game with your little cousin, or a game of checkers. For guys like Edgar and Maynard, winning is part of their identity, and dealing with the alternative is something they don’t even want to address.
This was evident after Maynard dropped Edgar with a left hook in the opening stanza. It was probably the first time anyone saw Edgar in trouble, let alone rocked. Maynard moved in for the finish, and Edgar did everything in his power to avoid it. Edgar was running on pure instinct as his legs didn’t want to obey what his brain was telling them, and Maynard furiously emptied his gas tank in order to end the bout. For the former Michigan State University wrestling standout, the fight went from a five round marathon to a 30 second sprint. There was no saving it for later; he was going to finish now. For his part, a bloodied Edgar stumbled and tried to get his wits back as he was on the receiving end of more solid power punches than he had probably absorbed in his last five fights combined.
Through it all, no one would have complained if referee Yves Lavigne would have intervened and halted the bout, but the Canadian veteran pulled off the hardest job in sports with grace. It’s often said that the best referees are the ones you don’t even notice in the ring or Octagon, and that you can call 100 fights perfectly, but if you make a bad call in the 101st, you’re a pariah. In a championship fight especially, you want the fighters to decide the fight, and Lavigne did that, giving Edgar the ability to decide his own fate. If Edgar wanted out, he could have just put his hands up on the mat and let Maynard fire away, or he could have turtled up and let Lavigne halt the fight. He didn’t and you wouldn’t expect him to, and just when things seemed darkest for Edgar, he would put his hands out, scramble, or do something to let the world know that he wasn’t ready to give up his belt yet.
When the bell rang, the crowd roared, both for Maynard’s power punching assault and for Edgar’s undeniable heart. It was a crowd that thankfully stayed away from the chants for an elbow or for one of the fighters to “kick his ass, Sea Bass”. Whether the members of the crowd were cheering for Edgar or Maynard, they were watching the fight and reacting to the ebb and flow of the bout. That’s a good sign for the New Year.
As round two commenced, you would have expected that one more clean shot from Maynard would have sent Edgar back on a one way trip to Wobblesville, but that shot never came. Instead, Edgar again showed the heart that will be his trademark as he roared back to clearly win the second round. In the days and weeks following this bout, that will likely be the focus – Edgar’s comeback from a truly horrific first round. But what about Maynard? What about him going all in for the knockout in the first five minutes and still having 20 minutes left to fight? Try holding your hands up in a defensive posture for three minutes. Not easy. Now do it for 25 minutes with someone trying to punch you, dump you on your head, or choke you. This is what Maynard did on Saturday night, and he survived Edgar’s punches, a couple cuts, a thudding slam, and a guillotine choke attempt while still getting his licks in. Heart? Edgar’s got it, but Maynard’s right there with him.
Before the third round, UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, one of the most soft-spoken athletes you will ever meet, yelled at his fighter, Maynard, with an intensity that reached all the way to press row.
“Just beat him up, you don’t need the knockout,” said Couture. “You just gave him that round.”
Couture has forgotten more about championship fights than 95% of fighters will ever know, and if he had the opportunity he probably would have grabbed a pair of gloves and jumped in the Octagon himself Saturday. But that would not be the case, and the only way a fighter can learn about fighting in a championship bout is by doing it. Frankie Edgar got his education in his title-winning effort against BJ Penn last April. When he met Penn again four months later, it was a different, better, more confident fighter, and he won even more convincingly the second time around. Maynard, a competitive athlete since he was barely out of diapers, would have to get his championship lesson, like all fighters, on the job.
And while many say that fighters are born, not made, I’d like to think that they are equally born and made. If you’re a fighter, you’ve got something inside you that separates you from everybody else. But to become an elite fighter, a world champion, you have to learn how to build your game, learn new techniques, and adapt under enormous pressure. Only instruction, listening, and hours in the gym will build that type of muscle memory. So when Maynard’s takedowns were stuffed by Edgar, he had to go to Plan B. When Edgar’s head was rattled by Maynard’s strikes in round one, he had to find a way to survive while the challenger chased after him with bad intentions. The Edgar and Maynard who both made their UFC debuts in 2007 wouldn’t have been able to hold a candle to the 2011 versions. That’s not luck.
The final verdict wasn’t luck for the fighters either, though both would probably call it bad luck. In a sport where judges’ decisions are met with the anticipation of an IRS audit or root canal, Saturday’s final tally was one most wouldn’t find fault with. Many thought Edgar pulled off the miracle comeback, and just as many felt Maynard had done enough to win his first world title. Some just said, ‘hey, it was a great fight, it could have gone either way, let’s call it even.’ So when the decision came back as a draw, it was just. Of course Edgar believed he won, while Maynard felt the victory should have been his, but that’s what fighters do, and they both had valid cases. Yet in making those cases, the two lightweight standouts did so with their characteristic class.
It’s not what you expect from professional athletes these days, and that’s a sad commentary in and of itself, but in the Octagon and outside of it, Edgar and Maynard proved that they’re not who many say they are – they’re even better. And if Saturday night’s bout was a precursor for what we can expect in 2011, it’s going to be a good year.
So yeah, Frankie Edgar is one of those MMA guys, but that’s a description he and Gray Maynard wear proudly.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Daniel Roberts - Hurry Up and Fight!
“People can expect me to just go out there and go for it. I’ve never trying to win a decision, never trying to win a round, I’m trying to end the fight as soon as possible. Every single chance I get to finish a fight, that’s what I’m going to do.” Daniel Roberts is a changed man. Well, slightly modified is more like it, and credit for this modification can be partially credited to Forrest Petz. During their fight at UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin, Roberts squeezed out a win over the MMA veteran via split decision, much to his chagrin.
“In my fight against Forrest Petz I focused too much on submissions and it didn’t happen, so now I’m just thinking about destroying,” said Roberts. “I’m just looking to do damage and that’s how I’m going to fight from now on. Of course I am pretty good with submissions, so if my opponent hands me the opportunity of course I’m going to take it, but I’m just looking to do damage.”
This is the quintessential definition of Roberts’ mental change from patient strategist with a succinct game plan in tow to all-out aggression in order to win by destruction. The shift was seen in his next bout against Mike Guymon, where his stunning first round anaconda choke won him Submission of the Night honors and a sick addition to the highlight reel.
“He kind of gave that to me,” said Roberts. “It was kind of surprising that he wanted to clinch with me, and I just kind of locked it up. At first I was going for the guillotine and then I switched off because whenever someone’s clinching I automatically just go to submission mode and I transition really well from submission to submission so it just worked out pretty good. My game plan was to just go out there and fight.”
In a stacked UFC welterweight division, Roberts has had to fight for recognition. Some saw the Guymon submission as a high-profile surprise win for the welterweight prospect. However, Roberts feels he is one of the best in the division. Training out of San Francisco with Jake Shields, Gilbert Melendez and the Diaz brothers, Roberts looks at the other welterweights and feels ready for all challengers.
“I think my jiu-jitsu is really up there because I’m able to handle myself with Jake (Shields) and I think he’s by far the best,” he said. “I think people will see that it wasn’t a fluke with Mike Guymon. If you look at my record, most of my wins were first round submissions or first round TKOs, so I go out there and just go for it. I move really fast, so even if a guy is technically better at jiu-jitsu than me, he definitely doesn’t move better than me on the ground. And I think my wrestling and jiu-jitsu is as good as anyone’s in the division. I’m working on my stand-up, and that’s definitely my weakest point, but I’m getting better day by day working over at Fairtex.”
Roberts’ next challenge at UFC 125: Resolution is Greg Soto, a Roberts doppelganger with only one loss and a penchant to go for the submission. With Soto’s only loss coming via disqualification against Matt Riddle for an illegal up kick at UFC 111, Soto is the perfect new challenge in this battle of under the radar fighters.
“He’s kind of a similar style to me - wrestling and jiu-jitsu - but I think that his striking will be his weakest point. Its going to be an interesting fight because we both have the same strengths; I’m not going to say my stand-up’s bad, but my stand-up is not as good as my grappling so it will be kind of interesting to see what he does. I definitely think my grappling is better than his, but that’s his strong point too, so if he wants to grapple, that is fine with me. I think my wrestling is a lot better than his and my jiu-jitsu is as well.”
Roberts has even channeled his inner Muhammad Ali with a prediction for his upcoming battle against Soto.
“When I get in that cage I’m just 100% confident that no matter how tough my opponent is, I’m looking to destroy them as soon as possible. I’m thinking either first round knockout or first round submission against Greg Soto.”
Every fight at the UFC level is a must win, but no more pressing than now. Roberts’ former wrestling teammate, Gerald Harris, recently tasted the sting of a UFC cut and all fighters have that possibility on their minds. Roberts, however, sees his new fight mentality as the difference maker for his UFC career.
“I definitely don’t want to get cut, but Dana White and Joe Silva, they always say just go out there and fight, that’s all they want, that’s all they ask for and that’s what I do,” said Roberts. “Every time I walk up in that cage, I’m going to fight and I’m going to give it my all; I’m never going to give up and I just want to fight every single second that I’m in there. I’m not really worried about being cut because I know that I’m going to fight my heart out.”
As Roberts battles the rest of the welterweight division, with the fight to avoid getting cut and his own newfound strategy for fighting, he is confident the fans and the executives will enjoy his performance. Armed with the desire to “destroy”, Roberts expects nothing less from himself than the best non-stop action craved by all fight fans, and he hopes his mental redesign can aid in that quest.
“People can expect me to just go out there and go for it. I’ve never trying to win a decision, never trying to win a round, I’m trying to end the fight as soon as possible. Every single chance I get to finish a fight, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Hornbuckle Out; Okuno to Meet Chonan at ‘Soul of Fight’
Less than a week before the event, Dan Hornbuckle has been forced to withdraw from his Dec. 30 bout with Ryo Chonan at Sengoku Raiden Championship’s “Soul of Fight.”
Chonan broke word of the shake-up on Dec. 25 via Twitter. Monday, SRC parent company World Victory Road confirmed that Hornbuckle will not fight due to influenza, and will be replaced by Sengoku welterweight grand prix semi-finalist Taisuke Okuno.
Chonan has emerged victorious in three of his last four bouts. After returning to Japan following an unsuccessful stint in the UFC, the 34-year-old “Piranha” defeated Jutaro Nakao and Andrews Nakahara under the Deep and Dream banners, respectively.
Chonan was knocked out by little-known South Korean Jung Hwan Cha in April, and sought to avenge that loss in October, in the Deep ring However, Cha withdrew from the rematch, and Chonan instead defeated Jun Hee Moon via third-round stoppage.
After spending five years in the Shooto ranks, Okuno made a name for himself in 2010. After dispatching former Deep welterweight champ Hidehiko Hasegawa in February, Okuno entered Sengoku’s welterweight grand prix, where he pulled off an upset against well-traveled veteran Nick Thompson via brutal knockout. However, Okuno was eliminated in his next fight, a unanimous decision loss to tournament favorite Yasubey Enomoto.
The 28-bout “Soul of Fight” takes place at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo. The all-day card is populated not only by mixed martial arts, but also kickboxing and grappling contests.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Sengoku ‘Soul of Fight’ Preview
Sengoku Raiden Championship promoter World Victory Road has saved the best for last.
After going a cost-cutting route in 2010, focusing almost exclusively on domestic talent and lighter-weight classes, Sengoku “Soul of Fight” has assembled an epic 28-fight card for its year-end-show. From muay Thai and kickboxing matches to excellent female fights, an “SRC vs. Dream” three-parter, and even a meaningful championship bout -- fans with tickets to WVR’s almost-New Year’s Eve extravaganza are in for a whole day of martial arts action.
Below, we take a look at the most competitive and high-profile bouts on the card.
In the year’s biggest 145-pound bout outside of WEC, SRC featherweight champion Sandro will make the first defense of his belt against Shooto title-holder Hioki.
A teammate of pound-for-pound phenomenon Jose Aldo and numerous WEC standouts at Nova União, Sandro has transformed himself from a conservative Brazilian jiu-jitsu player into a vicious knockout machine over the past 18 months.
Hioki has been a mainstay on the Shooto circuit for the past eight years. At only 27 years of age, the dangerous submission fighter already has 28 professional bouts under his belt, with 22 wins. In May, he captured the Shooto 143-pound title, defeating “Lion” Takeshi Inoue in a hotly-contested bout. Hioki was considered the odds-on favorite to win Sengoku’s 2009 featherweight tournament, but had to bow out due to a concussion sustained in his semifinal victory over eventual winner Masanori Kanehara.
Despite being the less experienced fighter, Sandro should come into the fight as the favorite. Not only is the Brazilian defending champion, but his last three bouts have seen him pulverize three highly-regarded Japanese veterans -- Yuji Hoshino, Tomonari Kanomatao and Kanehara -- with a trio of brutal knockouts in exactly 200 seconds combined.
To avoid the same fate, Hioki must either use his reach advantage or work the clinch. Under no circumstance does he want to meet Sandro at the Brazilian’s striking distance. Even though he has been around for quite a while, Hioki’s standup game remains underdeveloped. He is a decent kicker, but his hands are nothing that will strike fear into the heart of a hard-nosed veteran like Sandro.
Prediction: The safe bet is on Sandro to win another unanimous decision. Don’t be surprised if he posterizes Hioki with another first-round knockout, though.
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