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(All events on Oahu, unless noted)
2010
February
BJJ Tournament
(tba)
2009
12/17/09
Scrap MMA Event
(MMA)
(Pipeline Cafe)
12/12/09
Quest for Champions
(Pankration/Sub Grappling)
(Kalani HS)
12/5/09
Aloha
State Championship
of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Kaiser H.S. Gym)
12/4/09
Man Up & Stand Up
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom)
11/21/09
X-1 LIGHTS OUT
(MMA)
(Kekuaokalani Gym, Kona)
UFC
106
(Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas)
11/14/09
UFC
105
(United Kingdom)
11/8/09
X-1 Scuffle at Schofield
(MMA)
(Tropics, Schofield Barracks)
11/7/09
Mad Skills
(Kickboxing/Triple Threat)
(Waiphu Filcom)
11/6/09
Up & Up
(MMA)
(Kapolei High School)
11/1/09
Boxing
(Palolo District Park Gym)
10/31/09
H.A.P.A.
Hawaii Amateur Pankration Association
Hit-And-Submit
#4
(Pankration)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
10/30/09
Niko's MMA Event
(MMA)
(Veterans Hall, Keehi Lagoon)
10/24/09
X-1:
Scuffle on Schofield 2: Homebound Heroes
Press conference, autograph signing & picture taking
(Tropics Rec Center, Schofield Air Force Base, Wahiawa)
UFC
104
(Staples Center, Los Angeles)
10/18/09
NAGA
Hawaii
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Pearl City H.S. Gym)
10/17/09
Just Scrap
(MMA)
(Hilo Civic Auditorium, Hilo)
10/10/09
Man Up & Stand Up
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom)
10/3/09
Destiny Unfinished Business
(MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)
9/19/09
UFC
103
(American Airlines Center, Dallas)
9/16/09
UFC
Fight Night 19
(Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City)
9/12/09
Hawaiian
Open Championship
of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Kaiser H.S. Gym)
Up & Up
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
8/29/09
MAUI OPEN 2009
Submission Grappling Challenge
(Sub Grappling)
(Maui War Memorial Gym)
Island Assult
(Boxing)
(Blaisdell Arena)
UF1C
102
(Rose Garden, Portland)
8/22/09
Destiny: Maui vs. Oahu
(MMA)
(War Memorial Gym, Maui)
8/15/09
Mad Skills
(Kickboxing & Triple Threat)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
8/9/09
WEC
(Las Vegas, NV)
8/8/09
UFC
101: Declaration
(BJ Penn vs. Kenny Florian)
(Wachovia Center, Philadelphia)
8/1/09
Affliction: Trilogy
Fedor vs. Barnett
(Honda Cetner, Anaheim, CA)
7/25/09
X-1
Scuffle On Schofield
(MMA)
(Tropics Recreation Center, Schofield Barracks)
Amateur Boxing at Palolo
(Boxing)
(Palolo Gym)
Gracie Tournament
(Kalaheo H.S. Gym)
**Cancelled**
7/23/09
JUST SCRAP
(MMA)
(Pipeline Cafe)
7/20/09
Dream 10: Welterweight GP Final
(Japan)
7/11/09
UFC
100: Lesnar vs. Mir
(Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, NV)
7/10/09
Man up and Stand up
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
6/27-28/09
OTM's 2009
Pac Sub
(Gi & No-Gi competition)
(Blaisdell Exhibition Hall)
6/20/09
The
Ultimate Fighter 9:
Team US vs Team UK Finale
6/13/09
Destiny
(MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)
UFC
99: Comeback
Silva vs. Franklin
(Cologne, Germany)
6/7/09
WEC: Brown vs. Faber 2
(Versus)
6/6/09
Quest for Champions 2009 Tournament
(Sport Pankration, Sub Grappling)
(Kalani HS Gym)
Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields
(St. Louis, MO)
6/4/09 - 6/7/09
World
JJ Championships
(BJJ)
(California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA)
5/30/09
Event of the Champions
(Triple Threat, Kickboxing, Grappling)
(Elite Auto Group Center)
5/26/09
Dream 9
5/23/09
UFC
98: Evans vs. Machida
(PPV)
5/16/09
KTI's Scrappa Lifestylez
Scrapplers Fest
(BJJ/Submission Grappling)
(Kauai)
5/9/09 - 5/10/09 &
5/16/09 - 5/17/09
Brazilian Nationals JJ Championships
(BJJ)
(Carson, CA)
5/9/09
X-1 Kona
(MMA)
(Kekuaokalani Gym, Kona)
15th Grapplers Quest Las Vegas
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Las Vegas, NV)
5/2/09
Destiny
(MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)
Uprising MMA
(MMA)
(Maui)
May 2009
Abu Dhabi World Submission Wrestling Championships
(Sub Grappling)
(Tentative)
4/25/09
MMA Madness Water Park Extravaganza
(MMA)
(Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, Kapolei)
4/18/08
Kingdom
MMA
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
NY
International JJ Championships
(BJJ)
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
4/11/09
Hawaiian
Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Kaiser High)
X-1: Temple of Boom
(Boxing & MMA)
(Palolo Hongwangi)
4/10/09
HFC: Stand Your Ground XII
(MMA, Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)
4/4/09 - 4/5/09
NAGA
World Championship
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(NJ, Tentative)
3/28/09
Garden Island Cage Match
(MMA)
(Hanapepe Stadium, Hanapepe, Kauai)
3/27/09
- 3/29/09
Pan
Am JJ Championships
(BJJ)
(Carson, CA)
3/27/09
Tiger Muay Thai Competition
(Muay Thai)
(Tiger Muay Thai Gym, Sand Island Road)
3/21/09 - 3/22/09
$30k Grapplers Quest/Fight Expo/Make a Wish Weekend
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Del Mar, CA)
NAGA US Nationals
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Georgia)
3/14/09
Hawaii Amateur Pankration Association: "Hit and Submit"
(Pankration & Muay Thai)
(O-Lounge Night Club, Honolulu)
NAGA Vegas
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
3/7/09
UFC 96
(PPV)
(Columbus, OH)
Grapplers Quest Beast of the East
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Wildwood, New Jersey)
2/27/09
X-1 World Events
NEW BEGINNING"
(MMA)
(Maui War Memorial Gym, Wailuku, Maui)
2/21/09
Destiny
(MMA)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
UFC
95
(PPV)
(London, England)
2/15/09
X1 World Events
Temple of Boom: Fight Night III
(MMA)
(Palolo Hongwanji)
2/8/09
IWFF
Submission Wrestling Tournament
(No-Gi)
(IWFF Academy, Wailuku, Maui)
2/7/09
4th Annual Clint Shelton Memorial
(Boxing)
(Palolo Gym)
Manup and Standup
(Kickboxing)
(Kapolei Rec Center, Kapolei)
UFC Fight Night
(PPV)
(Tampa, FL)
1/31/09
UFC 93 BJ vs GSP
(PPV)
(MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV)
1/30/09
MMA Event
(MMA)
(Schofield Barracks)
1/24/09
Eddie Bravo Seminar
(BJJ)
1/17/09
UFC
93
(PPV)
(Dublin, Ireland)
1/10/09
MAT ATTACK Jiu-Jitsu & Submission Grappling Tournament
(Sub Wrestling)
(Lihikai School, Kahului, Maui)
1/3/08
Uprising - Maui
(MMA)
(Paukukalo Hawaiian Homes Gym)
Hazardous Warfare - Maui
(MMA)
(Lahaina Civic Center)
|
|
November
2009 News Part 2
|
Casca Grossa Jiu-Jitsu
is now the O2 Martial Arts Academy with 7 days a week training!
We are also offering Kali-Escrima (stick fighting) on Monday
nights with Ian Beltran and Kickboxing Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday with Kaleo Kwan, PJ Dean, & Chris Slavens!
Kids Classes are also
available!
Click
here for info!
Take classes from the Onzuka brothers in a family-like environment! |
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Check out this reasonably priced, quality hotel in Waikiki!
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the special Onzuka.com price, click banner above! |
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Fighters'
Club TV
The Toughest Show
On Teleivision
Tuesdays
at 8:00PM
Olelo Channel 52 on Oahu
Also on Akaku on Maui
Check
out the FCTV website! |
Onzuka.com
Hawaii Underground Forum is Online!
Chris, Mark,
and I wanted to start an official Onzuka.com forum for a while
now. We were searching for the best forum to go with and hit
a gold mine! We have known Kirik, who heads the largest and most
popular forum on the net, The Underground for years.
He
offered us our own forum within the matrix know as MMA.tv. The
three of us will be the moderators with of course FCTV808 being
the lead since he is on there all day anyway!
We
encourage everyone from Hawaii and our many readers around world
to contribute to the Hawaii Underground.
If you
do not have a login, it's simple and fast to get one.
Click here to set up an account.
Don't worry about using Pidgin English in the posting. After
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To
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O2
Martial Arts Academy
Your Complete Martial Arts School!
Click here for pricing and more
information!
O2 Martial Arts features Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu taught by Relson
Gracie Black Belts Chris and Mike Onzuka and Shane Agena as well
as a number of brown and purple belts.
We also offer a Boxing and Kickboxing classes with a staff that
is unmatched. Boxing, Kickboxing, and MMA champions Kaleo Kwan
and PJ Dean as well as master boxing instructor Chris Slavens
provide incredibly detailed instruction of the sweet science.
To top it off, Ian Beltran heads our Kali-Escrima classes (Filipino
Stickfighting) who was trained under the legendary Snookie Sanchez.
Just a beginner with no background? Perfect! We teach you from
the ground up!
Experienced martial artist that wants to fine tune your skill?
Our school is for you!
If you want to learn martial arts by masters of their trade in
a friendly and family environment, O2 Martial Arts Academy is
the place for you!
|
Want to Contact
Us? Shoot us an email by Clicking Here!
Follow O2 Martial Arts news via Twitter at:
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Quote
of the Day
"To
know that one has a secret is to know half the secret itself."
Henry Ward Beecher
|
X1
World Events Tomorrow!
“Light’s Out”
Nov 21, 2009
Kekuaokalani Gym, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
THIS
SATURDAY, IT WILL BE
“LIGHTS
OUT”
AS
X-1 WORLD EVENTS
PRESENTS
ITS NEXT FIGHT CARD
Cisneros
vs. Padilla Headlines, “Cabbage” Returns
Honolulu,
HI (USA): Fifty of Hawaii’s top young MMA fighters will
look to put each other’s “LIGHTS OUT” this Saturday,
November 21st as X-1 World Events presents its next fight extravaganza
at the Kekuaokalani Gym in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. In the main event,
Hilo MMA’s Chris Cisneros will battle Kaleo Padilla of Kona
BC. The co-main event will feature the return of one of Hawaii’s
top MMA fighters, as former UFC heavyweight contender Wesley
“Cabbage” Correira will lock horns with Elward Westbrook.
Tickets are available for $25 (floor), $50 (VIP), and $100 (rows
1&2), and can be purchased at Sergio Mamone Gym (808.961.0003),
CD Wizard (808.969.4800), Lulu’s (808.331.2633), Big Island
Surf (808.935.1430), Hilo Fight Company (808.895.1489), Pacific
Island Fitness (808.334.1977), Big Island Built (808.959.6243),
Waikoloa Chevron (808.883.8550), as well as at http://x1events.com/
Hawaii’s
biggest and best fight camps will be represented, as combatants
from B.J. Penn’s MMA, Hilo MMA, Kona BC, Team MMAD, Average
Joes, PFC, HIBC, Team Assassin, Universal Combat, Bang Inc.,
Demon MMA, 808 Fight Factory, Hawaiian MMA, Knoa BC, and Team
Submit will be on the card, which is subject to change. For more
information about the card and the fighters, log on to http://www.x1events.com/
“We
are extremely excited to bring a fighter like “Cabbage”
back to X-1, as he embodies the fighting spirit that our promotion
is all about. ‘LIGHTS OUT’ is going to be a fantastic
show, and I believe that every fight, from Cisneros-Padillo on
down, is going to rock the gym!” said Mike Miller, Owner/Promoter
of X-1 World Events.
“LIGHTS
OUT” will feature live performances from Mianlan, Ace HD,
and Kid Dynamite. The X-1 and Vandal weigh-ins and after-party
will take place at Lulu’s, and doors for the event at the
Kekuaokalani Gym will open at 4:00 PM on the day of “LIGHTS
OUT.” For more information, please contact Sonny Westbrook
at 808.895.5016.
The
full fight card includes:
Main
Card
185
lbs. - Chris Cisneros (Hilo MMA) vs. Kaleo Padilla (Kona BC)
Heavy
- Wesley Correira (Hilo) vs. Elward Westbrook (Kona BC)
145
lbs. - Justin Mercado (MMAD) vs. Tyler Kahihikolo (Average Joes)
170
lbs. - Ronald Hayward (PFC) vs. Kaeo Meyers (Kona BC)
170
lbs. - Elijah Joung (BJ Penn) vs. Dave Pakele (Average Joes)
145
lbs. - Peni Taufaao (Team Assassin) vs. Spencer Higa (HIBC)
Undercard
140
lbs. - Keean Desat (Freelance) vs. Timothy Meeks (HIBC)
155 lbs. - Steve Farmer (Universal Combat) vs. Brysen Murata
(HIBC)
145 lbs. - Sean Suribay (Bang Inc) vs. Waylen Cerenio (HIBC)
155 lbs. - Elia Mundon (PFC) vs. Kevin Soong (BJ Penn)
Heavy - Nalu Lavea (Universal Combat) vs. Chad Thomas (HIBC)
170 lbs. - Kapono Kuikahi (Hawaiian MMA) vs. Palema Amone (Average
Joes)
145 lbs. - Kevin Perry (Freelance) vs. Daniel Friend (HIBC)
145 lbs. - Brensen Hansen (MMAD) vs. Petey Vital (Demon MMA)
140 lbs. - Jayson Dumalao (808FF) vs. Levi Agcalon (HIBC)
185 lbs. - TBA vs. Miles Paaiva (Freelance)
135 lbs. - Kuulei Ohia (MMAD) vs. Rico Abadilla (HIBC)
170 lbs. - TBA vs. Martin Medina (Kona BC)
150 lbs. - Billie Kamakea (Team Submit) vs. Lani Fauhiva (Average
Joes)
160 lbs. - Ryan Dela Cruz (808FF) vs. Malu Benedicto (PFC)
140 lbs. - Treven Mukai (Hawaiian MMA) vs. Roy Higa (HIBC)
155 lbs. - Jirah Torres (Freelance) vs. Dylan Fillekes (Average
Joes)
130 lbs. - TBA vs. Keola Arakaki (HIBC)
145
lbs. - Jacob Kepa (HIBC) vs. Carlos Garrdo (Knoa BC)
120
lbs. - Sivada Koulphasen (Team Submit) vs. Sarah Kahele (HIBC)
About
X-1 World Events
Founded
in 2004 by Mike Miller, X-1 World Events is a world-class mixed
martial arts (MMA) promotional company based in Honolulu, HI.
Locally-owned and operated, X-1 delivers exciting live arena-based
entertainment events to fight fans all over the islands. The
events feature some of the MMA world’s most talented fighters,
including UFC, Pride, and Abu-Dhabi veterans such as former UFC
champions Dan “The Beast” Severn and Ricco Rodriguez,
UFC veterans Jeff Monson, Kimo Leopoldo, Chad “The Grinder”
Reiner, “Sugar” Shane Nelson, Brandon Wolff, Wes “The
Project” Sims, Ronald “The Machine Gun” Juhn,
Wesley “Cabbage” Correira, and Falaniko Vitale, as
well as Pride veterans Chris Brennan and Ron “H2O-Man”
Waterman. X-1 World Events can be found online at http://www.x1events.com/
Source:
X-1 World Events
|
UFC
106 Preview: The Main Card
by Tomas Rios
A
recent frenzy of Zuffa-sponsored shows reaches its climax this
Saturday, as UFC 106 Ortiz vs. Griffin 2 features some of the
best pure matchmaking mixed martial arts has seen in some time.
A bizarre development considering the injuries and reshuffling
that gutted this event, but a set of quality matches designed
to please even the most demanding palates remains.
At
a show headlined by a rematch between heated rivals Tito Ortiz
and Forrest Griffin, the collection of main card bouts serves
as the real selling point. From the grapple-fest starring Karo
Parisyan and Dustin Hazelett to the sure-fire clash of the titans
between Anthony Johnson and Josh Koscheck, expect plenty of competition
for post-fight bonuses.
Tito
Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin
The
Breakdown: More than three years removed from their contentious
first encounter, the stakes remain very much the same for the
rematch. For Griffin, it represents an opportunity to rebound
from consecutive losses and reestablish himself as a contender
for the light heavyweight title he once held. As for Ortiz, this
serves as his chance to prove that a fresh round of surgeries
have him back to his old, incalculably grating self.
With
his 35th birthday right around the corner and more injuries than
Evil Knievel already in his file, Ortiz enters this fight as
an unknown quantity. With that said, if his shots still have
some juice on them, he has already proven he can take down Griffin
and work the ground-and-pound game plan to perfection.
For
all his improvement inside the cage, Griffin still loses his
discipline with alarming regularity, and Ortiz will look to prey
on that weakness. How long will Ortizs gas tank hold up as he
tries to physically overpower a guy built like the unholy lovechild
of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox? The first time around, Ortiz
could not sustain his ground-and-pound game past the first round
and just barely survived two periods of attrition with Griffin.
Survival will not be an option if Ortiz gets thrown into that
crucible all over again, and Griffin will try and drag him into
that exact scenario.
The
X-Factor: As has been his pre-fight custom, Ortiz claims to be
back to 100 percent and ready to reclaim dominance of a division
he ruled for three years. Unfortunately, it has become hard to
take those claims seriously considering they are about as believable
as the Birther conspiracy theory.
Assuming
sanity for Griffin seems no more appealing. One has to wonder
about the state of mind of a man who willingly traded strikes
with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. All of Griffins
UFC success can be traced back to adopting a more conservative
fighting style, and if he plans to ignore those facts, he will
find himself on the fast-track to the second-tier.
The
Bottom Line: Nostalgia routinely loses to reality in sports,
and this fight will be no exception, as Ortiz will be confronted
with the fact that his prime came and went a long time ago. Expect
him to find some success early with ground-and-pound, but the
physical strain will be too much, as Griffin seizes the upper
hand with his striking as the bout progresses. Griffins vastly
improved conditioning will be what secures him the win, as he
takes a unanimous decision nod.
Josh
Koscheck vs. Anthony Johnson
The
Breakdown: Proof that difficult circumstances can make for appealing
matchmaking, Koscheck and Johnson were hastily thrown together
thanks to the injuries and reshuffling that have plagued this
card. As for the fight itself, the most interesting aspect is
whether or not Koscheck will have the good sense to use his all-universe
wrestling for a change.
The
double-leg shooting machine of yesteryear seems gone, however,
replaced by a fighter who relies more on preternatural punching
power that disguises fundamentals better suited to the world
of slap boxing. Johnson may be no Sugar Ray Robinson, but he
hits just as hard as Koscheck and flat-out dwarfs him, as he
does practically the entire division.
Of
particular concern is the reach disparity, considering Koscheck
does his best work from up close, where his winging overhand
right turns into a battle axe he can use to bludgeon opponents.
Getting inside on Johnson will be the challenge of Koschecks
career, one that will involve stepping right into the ginormous
Georgians wheelhouse. This sport is dangerous enough as it is,
and Koscheck will be making a fatal mistake if he thinks it a
good idea to brawl with a guy nicknamed Rumble.
This
becomes a completely different fight if Koscheck shoots in on
Johnson, who has not shown much of anything on the mats thus
far. Koscheck has the wrestling to ground-and-pound anyone not
named Georges St. Pierre, which makes his recent love affair
with striking all the more puzzling.
For
his own sake, let us hope Koschecks trainers have him locked
in a room watching his knockout loss to Paulo Thiago on a permanent
loop while Beethovens Ninth Symphony plays in the background.
At this point, the Ludovico technique may be the only hope Koscheck
has of coming to his senses.
This
will not be pretty for Koscheck, as his guns blazing approach
runs face-first into the nuclear warheads Johnson keeps in his
gloves. There should be a minute or two of entertaining violence
before Johnson lands something of the fight-ending variety and
picks up the Knockout of the Night, provided there are no more
weight-cutting follies for him. Consider it more proof that trainers
need to start looking to 20th century English authors for new
ideas
Amir
Sadollah vs. Phil Baroni
Just
in case anyone was thinking that being an obnoxious loudmouth
could never earn someone a UFC contract, Baroni comes back to
prove otherwise for the umpteenth time. Exactly why Baroni was
brought back seems obvious -- to help Sadollah pick up a win
in the UFC. He spent months on the shelf, only to lose his formal
UFC debut in less than 30 seconds.
Thankfully
for Sadollah, Baroni will never be confused for Johny Hendricks
and has not been the ferocious slugger of old for some time now.
The only things that have not changed about Baronis style are
his perpetually empty gas tank, lackadaisical grappling and wide-open
striking defense, none of which bode well considering Sadollah
has proven himself a versatile striker with surprising jiu-jitsu
skills.
The
multiple injuries that delayed his debut by nearly a year, compounded
by the eventual disappointment of his match with Hendricks, have
to be weighing heavily on Sadollah, who may be one loss away
from being written off en masse.
The
pressure of living up to the tag of The Ultimate Fighter plays
out unpredictably, with some rising to the challenge and others
fading from the spotlight that once belonged to them. Sadollah
has to overcome the mental obstacles that are part and parcel
of beating up men for a living.
This will serve as a get well fight for Sadollah, a man the UFC
seems unwilling to sacrifice to the hyper-competitive welterweight
division. Look for a solid performance from Sadollah, punctuated
by a rear-naked choke late in the second round of a one-sided
affair. Not bad for a guy who spent most of his time on The Ultimate
Fighter getting teased for his hair.
Luis
Arthur Cane vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
In
one of the most compelling bits of violence on this card, rugged
contender Cane looks to build on his solid win over former World
Extreme Cagefighting champion Steve Cantwell by providing a rude
welcome for Nogueiras debut. How Nogueiras combination of studied
boxing and top-shelf jiu-jitsu matches up against Canes nasty,
close-quarters striking game makes the clash compelling.
Undoubtedly
the more powerful striker of the two, Cane has a distinct advantage
as long as he stays in tight and keeps the pressure on Nogueira.
Of course, that approach will leave open the possibility of Nogueira
dragging him to the mat and turning him into a demented origami
project.
Still
largely untested as a wrestler, Cane will have to defend his
fair share of takedowns if he cannot goad Nogueira into a slugfest.
So far, Cane has found little resistance in that regard, and
how he reacts to a multi-talented foe will weigh heavily on this
fight.
Nogueira
was relegated to the fringes of the light heavyweight class following
the collapse of Pride, and his UFC debut can only be viewed as
long overdue. Still, it comes with many questions. How prepared
will he be for a quantum leap in competition after years spent
toiling against middling adversaries stands foremost among them.
Always
a consummate professional, Nogueira undoubtedly has the skill
to make a splash in the Octagon, but no one knows whether or
not he will hit the UFC as the same fighter that was once a mainstay
at the top of the divisions pecking order.
Cane
can hardly be described as unstoppable on the feet, as bouts
with Cantwell and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou have proven. The assumed
striking advantage many have given him seems severely overstated.
That will prove a critical factor, as Nogueira takes a nip/tuck
decision thanks to even exchanges on the feet and a marked advantage
whenever the fight hits the mat.
Karo
Parisyan vs. Dustin Hazelett
The
Breakdown: Those who like MMA love this fight because Hazelett
and Parisyan promise to deliver one of the most entertaining
grappling battles of the year. Parisyan has been all but impotent
from top control lately, but he can be drawn out of his shell
by aggressive grapplers, and Hazelett brings with him one of
the most dynamic jiu-jitsu styles in the game.
Trying
to ride out a top control special will not be an option for Parisyan,
and rolling around with Hazelett looks like a dicey proposition
for anyone not named Roger Gracie. Trading strikes does not appear
to be much of a choice, either, as Hazelett has made strides
in his kickboxing. Parisyan, on the other hand, remains content
to lob inaccurate overhands in the hope of someday scoring a
knockout.
Let
us hope Parisyan gets in touch with his inner Gene LeBell because
his conservative ways will not do him much good when Hazelett
throws the kitchen sink at him.
Trying
to end fights in spectacular fashion means putting ones self
in harms way, and Hazelett has cost himself fights in the past
with his relentless aggression. Parisyan may not be submitting
guys left and right, but he remains a dangerous grappler and
more than capable of taking advantage of any mistakes Hazelett
may make.
Striking
the right balance between his natural style and remaining cognizant
of the threat his opponent poses will be critical for Hazelett,
who finds himself on the cusp on contending for the welterweight
crown. Trying to leapfrog the entire division by going for something
foolish on someone like Parisyan, however, will only end with
his run to the title taking a potentially permanent detour.
Hazelett is flat-out better at everything than Parisyan, save
for takedowns, and those will be of little solace for the Armenian
judoka as he struggles to stave off the submission salvos thrown
his way. Parisyan has proven near impossible to submit. Do not
expect Hazelett to manage that feat, but a unanimous decision
win will be well within reach.
Source:
Sherdog
|
COUTURE
VS. COLEMAN TARGETED FOR UFC 109
by Steven Marrocco
Five-time UFC champion Randy Couture has verbally agreed to face
former heavyweight champion Mark Coleman at UFC 109 in a light
heavyweight bout.
Sherdog.com
was the first to report the news Tuesday afternoon, and MMAWeekly.com
subsequently confirmed it with sources close to the situation.
The
bout is expected to be the the co-main draw of the Feb. 6 event,
slated for the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
A
main event between Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort could possibly
headline the card, MMAWeekly.com sources said this week, though
the fight has yet to be officially confirmed.
Couture,
46, is three days removed from a close decision victory over
light heavyweight Brandon Vera at UFC 105 in Manchester, England.
It was his first bout at 205 pounds since February 2006, when
he lost a bid to regain the title against Chuck Liddell at UFC
57.
Coleman,
44, is coming off a knee injury that forced him to withdraw from
a scheduled fight with Tito Ortiz at Saturday's UFC 106, opening
the door for an Ortiz rematch with Forrest Griffin. The "Hammer
House" original made his last Octagon appearance in July,
defeating Stephan Bonnar by unanimous decision at UFC 100.
Source:
MMA Weekly
|
Whats
the motive behind Dana Whites public announcements on Brock Lesnars
health?
By Zach
Arnold
That
seems to be the question everyone is asking right now, which
of course is leading to all sorts of conspiracy theories. Does
Brock have Lyme disease? Does he have health problems related
to his pro-wrestling days? Why is he in the hospital? Is this
all a media frenzy in hopes of creating babyface heat for Lesnar?
And on and on and on it goes. Hell, ESPN ran with Whites health
proclamations about Brock on on their news ticket and at one
point the LA Times story about Whites comments were the most-viewed
out of anything in the papers online sports section and thats
on a weekend where USC got crushed by Stanford on Saturday at
the Coliseum.
No
matter how long Lesnar is out of action, the overall depth that
UFC once had is suddenly showing strain. The calls to bring in
the WEC fighters to work UFC shows will grow louder and louder
(as they should). Mike Brown vs. Jose Aldo should be at this
weekends UFC event instead, its on a Wednesday show most people
wont know is on and will probably lose in the ratings to Central
Michigan (Dan LeFevour mania,
brother) vs. Ball State on ESPN2 (college football).
Then
theres the prospect of booking Chuck Liddell for the January
2nd show that has Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva and no Antonio
Rodrigo Nogueira/Cain Velasquez match-up because Nogueira has
a staph infection. Shane Carwin may tempted in fighting Velasquez
for an interim title, but if he loses to Cain he will likely
never get that title match against Brock. However, Carwin needs
to fight and make some money. Hes in a catch 22 here. Fortunately,
it sounds like Carwin wont fight Velasquez due to a grade two
MCL strain.
Think
Dan Henderson enjoys the leverage he has right now at the bargaining
table? If UFC cant sign Henderson soon, theyre looking at Chael
Sonnen vs. Nathan Marquardt. Yeah. At least Michael Bisping is
on the comeback trail. Yushin Okami is hanging out with IWGP
champion Shinsuke Nakamura at Samurai TV. Ahh flashbacks to Alexey
Ignashov
Then
theres Rampage, whos off in movie-land and who wants what he
thinks is a fair amount of money to fight Evans in the UFC in
010.
As
for the Welterweight division, were going to see mega-star Georges
St. Pierre against a Top 20 WW in Dan Hardy, who looked well
OK against Mike Swick on Saturday night in Manchester. Jon Fitch
continues to draw the short end of the stick due to bad luck
and a lack of opponents. Would a new season of TUF with GSP and
Hardy as coaches help create new prospects?
Anderson
Silva is missing in action and is unpredictable as far as business
manueverings are concerned. Its possible that if things really
got desperate for UFC that they could book Randy Couture for
the January 2nd event. Tito vs. Forrest II will pop a nice buyrate,
probably 450,000ish, and even though Forrest is a -160 favorite
go into the fight theres a good shot that Tito can sneak out
a win here and hopefully add some life to future UFC PPV events.
Simply put, the UFC right now is in desperate need of making
new stars fast, quick, and in a hurry. Part of it is their fault,
but part of it is also the fault of the fighters they put into
make-or-break positions who end up breaking (like Brandon Vera).
And
part of it is the health of one larger-than-life individual who
right now has management worried that hes not coming back to
the cage any time soon to help them pop a couple of big PPV buy
rates.
Source:
Fight Opinion
|
Report:
Harris Denies WEC-UFC Merger In Works
By FCF Staff
In
posts attributed to World Extreme Cagefightings Reed Harris,
on the online MMA forum The Underground, the promotions General
Manager has denied recent rumors stating that the WEC will merge
with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in early 2010. In a recent
online report by Tatame, the Brazilian based publication cited
sources close to the WEC, as having informed the outlet that
the parent company Zuffa has plans to merge the two promotions
next year.
The
posts attributed to Harris stated that neither himself, nor any
other representative from the WEC would disclose such matters,
and that further, the promotion has an event scheduled for March
in Ohio. In a follow up post attributed to the WEC General Manager,
comments were added stating We started focusing on the lightweight
guys only a year ago....give us a little time! and that further
we plan on growing this thing a lot in the next couple of years.
Since
the WEC ceased promoting bouts in the welterweight, middleweight
and light-heavyweight divisions, there has been consistent speculation,
as to whether or not at some point Zuffa might explore merging
the WEC into the UFC. (Creating a featherweight and bantamweight
division in the much larger promotion)
Due
to the growing notoriety of competitors like current featherweight
champion Mike Brown, Miguel Torres and Urijah Faber, the WEC
is reportedly continuing to explore pay-per-view options. In
addition the organization is expected to begin promoting a flyweight
division sometime in 2010.
The
next WEC is scheduled for this Wednesday, November 18th in Las
Vegas, Nevada, and will feature a featherweight title bout between
the aforementioned Brown and challenger Jose Aldo.
Source:
Full Contact Fighter
|
UFC
Fight Night 20 Official for Jan.11 in Virginia
UFC
Fight Night on Spike TV heads to the suburbs of Washington D.C.
on Monday, January 11, 2010 at 9:00pm ET/PT for the first ever
UFC fight in Virginia with a card featuring some of the best
up-and-coming lightweight fighters. Emanating from the Patriot
Center in Fairfax, VA on the campus of George Mason University,
undefeated UFC lightweight Gray Maynard (9-0, 1 NC) takes on
hard-hitting Nate Diaz (11-4) in the main event with Efrain Escudero
and Evan Dunham in a duel of undefeated fighters in the co-feature.
The
main event features a rematch of lightweight contenders Gray
Maynard and Nate Diaz who first met in the Octagon on season
five of The Ultimate Fighter. Diaz defeated Maynard on was way
to being named The Ultimate Fighter that season.
A
former teammate of Rashad Evans on the Michigan State wrestling
team, Maynard currently trains with UFC legend Randy Couture
in Las Vegas. Maynard is riding one of the most impressive winning
streaks in the sport, defeating an impressive array of 155 lb
fighters including Frankie Edgar, Jim Miller, and most recently
Roger Huerta this past September.
Diaz
has won six of his last eight UFC fights including a win over
Melvin Guillard this past September. The pride of Stockton, CA
and product of the renowned Cesar Gracie Fight Team, Diaz needs
a win over Maynard to continue his path toward a shot at BJ Penns
lightweight crown.
Winner
of season 8 of The Ultimate Fighter, the undefeated Escudero
(13-0) is coming off of an impressive victory over Cole Miller
at UFC 103 in September. Fighting out of Tempe, AZ, Escudero
will look to use his superior grappling skills against another
rising star in the division, Dunham. An Oregon native, Dunham
(9-0) was victorious in his first two fights in the UFC, including
most recently earning a split decision win over Marcus Aurelio
at UFC 102 in August.
Spike
TV is available in 98 million homes and is a division of MTV
Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is
one of the worlds leading creators of programming and content
across all media platforms. Spike TVs Internet address is http://www.spike.com/.
Source:
The Fight Network
|
Fifteen
years of fight in a historical edition
Its 15 years of a lot of fight. On the anniversary of TATAME
Magazine, who gets the gift is you, who loves Jiu-Jitsu and MMA
and run to the newsstand every month to know everything that
happens on the rings and mats around the world. To know how did
Jiu-Jitsu became a fever and MMA became a phenomenon in a dozen
of countries, TATAME Magazine prepared a special edition this
month, with a retrospective of the facts and characters the marked
the history of fights around the world.
UFCs creation, making Vale-Tudo become MMA; Jiu-Jitsu organized,
with world championships and idols; the cross training and the
wrestlers age; Chute Boxes creation; the rivalry with Brazilian
Top Team, the high moment of Pride and the fight between the
teams; the revolution of the soft art on Arabics; the unattainable
Fedor Emalianenko; the goodbye to the Masters Helio, Carlos and
Carlson Gracie; the show with Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida...
Nothing is out of this historical edition, that also had the
participation of the biggest names of MMAs history. Im a fan
of TATAME since the first editions. I got really excited when
you published photos of me winning the Bahia Championship, still
with the blue belt, remember Rodrigo Minotauro, followed by Lyoto
Machida. What I like most in TATAME is that you show the fighters
before the fame, complements.
To Wanderlei Silva, Prides icon, TATAME marked his history. Its
an honor to me to make part of this magazines history. Its a
pleasure that I had my first cover on TATAME, said Wand, supported
by the leader of his old team, Chute Boxe. TATAME is the most
important martial arts magazine in Brazil, says Rudimar Fedrigo.
One of the first men on Vale-Tudo, Royce Gracie, is also on our
pages.
TATAME, with some time, educated the audience that MMA is not
a violent sport, said Royce Gracie who showed the power of Jiu-Jitsu
on UFCs first editions. Following Royce steps and keeping the
Brazilian hegemony on UFC, Anderson remember his beginning. The
story that marked me most was when I won Brazilian Killer, was
the first time that I was on a cover. At the time my mom was
still alive and got proud, it marked me a lot, Anderson Silva.
Source: Tatame
|
Romero
Jacare: It was the hardest year of my life
Alliance
leader reviews 2009 and treats readers to a detailed account
of the romantic days of Jiu-Jitsu
When
I got a call from Luca Atalla wishing me a happy 57th birthday,
I had a flashback to these 30-or-so years ever since I started
in the 70s at the famous Carlson Gracie academy, over Casa Gebara,
in Copacabana, with professor Tuninho, an instructor to this
day.
That
was where I really started to fall in love with Jiu-Jitsu, and
became sure it was I wanted to do the rest of my life. Jiu-Jitsu
wasnt as popular as it is today; there was no Brazilian National
Championship, no Pan or Worlds. Jiu-Jitsu in Rio was divided
into south and north zones.
On
our side of the city, the best by far were the Gracie academies,
Joao Alberto and Alvaro Barreto, and Osvaldo Alves, while at
the other end Mansors Kioto stood out, as did Monir, and in the
east of Niteroi there was Amelio Arruda, a kindly and educated
fellow who always brought ferocious opponents to competitions.
Heel-hooks
and slams were allowed; it was rough, a mistake in defense would
cost you the match. You would only get a rematch the following
year, since it wasnt like now with competitions all the time.
I
once took a slam at the Rio Championship and spent a few months
unable to train. I got greedy about the arm from the guard and
only woke up a while later.
Over
these 30 years I witnessed the development of our art, perhaps
the fighting style growing most in the world. Today it has reached
worldwide epidemic proportions. Wherever you go, at all four
corners of the globe, there is Jiu-Jitsu I produced good teachers
and students, participated in all the competitions since the
70s, and Im proud to be part of this history, first with Jacari,
then Master and now Alliance.
I
know mission is being accomplished, I always converse with my
late master Rolls Gracie. I ask him: Now are you satisfied? You
left the party early, but we're here till now to make you happy.
He
answers: Dear Jacari, this isnt even the beginning. We still
have a long way to go. And I sleep content, knowing we are doing
a good job and carrying on with what he started.
It
was in 1989 that I promoted my first black belt, Fabio Gurgel,
in Ipanema, where I had my first academy.
He is without a doubt doing an extraordinary job and if today
we have branches in South and North America, Europe and Asia
and still remain united, I owe a lot of it to him, who always
believed we could stand tall again after all we went through.
"These
days we are grateful to him, to Gigi Paiva and others who make
Alliance a force in Jiu-Jitsu worldwide.
This
year of 2009 has been the most difficult of m life, as I went
through moments I thought I wouldnt make it through. After training
at the gym I felt this horrible pain in my chest. I went to the
hospital and woke up with a quadruple bypass. The whole time
at the hospital I was thinking it wasnt time to go, that I still
have much to do.
When
Renzo called me one day and I was too weak even to speak. He
told me from the other end of the line, in his characteristic
cheerful and positive way: Champ, be strong because youll get
past this, weve been through rougher patches before, this is
nothing. And I imagined him standing before me, with that winning
smile that shrugs off hard times, and thought to myself: Of course
Ill make it past this.
I
did, and I could bear witness to a great 2009 for the team, which
after a few years of modest results returned to the top, conquering
the main Jiu-Jitsu Grand Slam tournaments again proving that
without hierarchy, union and command you will never get anywhere.
My
expectations for 2010 are the best possible, we'll try and win
all the main tournaments: the European, Pan, Worlds and Brazilian
Nationals. Whether we will or not, I dont know, but we will be
the main protagonists, always respecting the other teams.
In
2009, at the tournaments we had great joy and some sadness, with
our mains stars shining bright: Cobrinha won his fourth Worlds
and third Pan, Marcelo returning in grand style to win his third
Worlds, Langhi breaking through, our girls Luanna and Gabi collecting
medals and so many others, at all belts, who there is no room
to list here.
And
we hope to win more, like the Abu Dabi, but patience: there are
great athletes at the other end to. Cobrinha and Marcelo lost
twice but theres nothing to get beat up about. We are proud of
them and are sure that like all great warriors, they know how
to pick themselves up. Winning and losing are part of an athletes
ilfe and they are working with that in their minds.
"To
close, I wish the entire Jiu-Jitsu community a 2010 loaded with
success and everyone doing their part for this marvelous sport
to become even greater, so when the day comes that we meet our
eternal masters, Carlos, Helio, Rolls and Carlson, once again
we may ask them: Where do we go to train?
Romero
Jacare Cavalcanti
Source:
Gracie Magazine
|
Quote
of the Day
“When
you have to make a choice and don't make it, that is in itself
a choice.”
William James
|
X1
World Events This
Saturday!
“Light’s Out”
Nov 21, 2009
Kekuaokalani Gym, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
THIS
SATURDAY, IT WILL BE
“LIGHTS
OUT”
AS
X-1 WORLD EVENTS
PRESENTS
ITS NEXT FIGHT CARD
Cisneros
vs. Padilla Headlines, “Cabbage” Returns
Honolulu,
HI (USA): Fifty of Hawaii’s top young MMA fighters will
look to put each other’s “LIGHTS OUT” this Saturday,
November 21st as X-1 World Events presents its next fight extravaganza
at the Kekuaokalani Gym in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. In the main event,
Hilo MMA’s Chris Cisneros will battle Kaleo Padilla of Kona
BC. The co-main event will feature the return of one of Hawaii’s
top MMA fighters, as former UFC heavyweight contender Wesley
“Cabbage” Correira will lock horns with Elward Westbrook.
Tickets are available for $25 (floor), $50 (VIP), and $100 (rows
1&2), and can be purchased at Sergio Mamone Gym (808.961.0003),
CD Wizard (808.969.4800), Lulu’s (808.331.2633), Big Island
Surf (808.935.1430), Hilo Fight Company (808.895.1489), Pacific
Island Fitness (808.334.1977), Big Island Built (808.959.6243),
Waikoloa Chevron (808.883.8550), as well as at http://x1events.com/
Hawaii’s
biggest and best fight camps will be represented, as combatants
from B.J. Penn’s MMA, Hilo MMA, Kona BC, Team MMAD, Average
Joes, PFC, HIBC, Team Assassin, Universal Combat, Bang Inc.,
Demon MMA, 808 Fight Factory, Hawaiian MMA, Knoa BC, and Team
Submit will be on the card, which is subject to change. For more
information about the card and the fighters, log on to http://www.x1events.com/
“We
are extremely excited to bring a fighter like “Cabbage”
back to X-1, as he embodies the fighting spirit that our promotion
is all about. ‘LIGHTS OUT’ is going to be a fantastic
show, and I believe that every fight, from Cisneros-Padillo on
down, is going to rock the gym!” said Mike Miller, Owner/Promoter
of X-1 World Events.
“LIGHTS
OUT” will feature live performances from Mianlan, Ace HD,
and Kid Dynamite. The X-1 and Vandal weigh-ins and after-party
will take place at Lulu’s, and doors for the event at the
Kekuaokalani Gym will open at 4:00 PM on the day of “LIGHTS
OUT.” For more information, please contact Sonny Westbrook
at 808.895.5016.
The
full fight card includes:
Main
Card
185
lbs. - Chris Cisneros (Hilo MMA) vs. Kaleo Padilla (Kona BC)
Heavy
- Wesley Correira (Hilo) vs. Elward Westbrook (Kona BC)
145
lbs. - Justin Mercado (MMAD) vs. Tyler Kahihikolo (Average Joes)
170
lbs. - Ronald Hayward (PFC) vs. Kaeo Meyers (Kona BC)
170
lbs. - Elijah Joung (BJ Penn) vs. Dave Pakele (Average Joes)
145
lbs. - Peni Taufaao (Team Assassin) vs. Spencer Higa (HIBC)
Undercard
140
lbs. - Keean Desat (Freelance) vs. Timothy Meeks (HIBC)
155 lbs. - Steve Farmer (Universal Combat) vs. Brysen Murata
(HIBC)
145 lbs. - Sean Suribay (Bang Inc) vs. Waylen Cerenio (HIBC)
155 lbs. - Elia Mundon (PFC) vs. Kevin Soong (BJ Penn)
Heavy - Nalu Lavea (Universal Combat) vs. Chad Thomas (HIBC)
170 lbs. - Kapono Kuikahi (Hawaiian MMA) vs. Palema Amone (Average
Joes)
145 lbs. - Kevin Perry (Freelance) vs. Daniel Friend (HIBC)
145 lbs. - Brensen Hansen (MMAD) vs. Petey Vital (Demon MMA)
140 lbs. - Jayson Dumalao (808FF) vs. Levi Agcalon (HIBC)
185 lbs. - TBA vs. Miles Paaiva (Freelance)
135 lbs. - Kuulei Ohia (MMAD) vs. Rico Abadilla (HIBC)
170 lbs. - TBA vs. Martin Medina (Kona BC)
150 lbs. - Billie Kamakea (Team Submit) vs. Lani Fauhiva (Average
Joes)
160 lbs. - Ryan Dela Cruz (808FF) vs. Malu Benedicto (PFC)
140 lbs. - Treven Mukai (Hawaiian MMA) vs. Roy Higa (HIBC)
155 lbs. - Jirah Torres (Freelance) vs. Dylan Fillekes (Average
Joes)
130 lbs. - TBA vs. Keola Arakaki (HIBC)
145
lbs. - Jacob Kepa (HIBC) vs. Carlos Garrdo (Knoa BC)
120
lbs. - Sivada Koulphasen (Team Submit) vs. Sarah Kahele (HIBC)
About
X-1 World Events
Founded
in 2004 by Mike Miller, X-1 World Events is a world-class mixed
martial arts (MMA) promotional company based in Honolulu, HI.
Locally-owned and operated, X-1 delivers exciting live arena-based
entertainment events to fight fans all over the islands. The
events feature some of the MMA world’s most talented fighters,
including UFC, Pride, and Abu-Dhabi veterans such as former UFC
champions Dan “The Beast” Severn and Ricco Rodriguez,
UFC veterans Jeff Monson, Kimo Leopoldo, Chad “The Grinder”
Reiner, “Sugar” Shane Nelson, Brandon Wolff, Wes “The
Project” Sims, Ronald “The Machine Gun” Juhn,
Wesley “Cabbage” Correira, and Falaniko Vitale, as
well as Pride veterans Chris Brennan and Ron “H2O-Man”
Waterman. X-1 World Events can be found online at http://www.x1events.com/
Source: X-1 World Events
|
Rested
St. Pierre well on way back
MANCHESTER,
England – Georges St. Pierre, the Ultimate Fighting Championship
welterweight champion, is one of the few individuals who can
look you in the eye, smile, say that his goal is to become the
greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time, and not have it
come across as the slightest bit arrogant.
“My
goal is that when I retire, I want to be considered the greatest
pound-for-pound fighter in the history of the sport, and to have
made a difference in the sport,” St. Pierre (19-2) said.
The
Quebec native, who has been sidelined since suffering a torn
abductor muscle midway through his July 11 win over Thiago Alves,
will return early next year to face Dan Hardy, who defeated Mike
Swick via decision on Saturday to earn the title shot.
And
if you listen to him, you will be seeing an improved St. Pierre
coming off the injury for the match that UFC officials hope to
deliver around March.
St.
Pierre, who is ranked No. 2 behind Anderson Silva in the current
Yahoo! Sports poll, said he’s all healed up, training hard
two or three times a day, six days a week.
Hardy,
or for that matter anyone in the 170-pound weight class these
days, would go in as a major underdog to even the St. Pierre
of several years ago, let alone the current version.
He’s
up from his usual 187-188 pounds as his walk-around weight to
195-196, and said he’s slowly developing muscle that he
will maintain. At the same time, he emphasized that his athletic
performance comes second to his health, and despite competing
in a dangerous sport, he is not going to take any steps that
would hinder his long-term well-being.
The
28-year old St. Pierre said that if he gets up to 200 pounds,
he may have to move up a weight class. He’s noted that he
goes against middleweights, light heavyweights and heavyweights
in training all the time, and does very well against them.
The
key is whether St. Pierre can continue to make 170 without a
problem. He said if and when the cut becomes too drastic, that’s
when he’ll stop. It’s in that next class up where Anderson
Silva, his much talked-about potential future opponent in what
would be one of the biggest matches in company history, resides
as champion.
“I’m
not afraid of any man in the sport,” said St. Pierre in
reference to Silva, who along with St. Pierre and Fedor Emelianenko
are the three fighters most debated for the No. 1 pound-for-pound
spot. “Everything is a question of timing.” Because
of the substantial size difference between St. Pierre and Silva,
who also competes at light heavyweight, UFC has been reluctant
to make a Silva-St. Pierre match no matter how much it is discussed.
“Now
Anderson wants to fight heavyweights and light heavyweights,”
said St. Pierre. “He’s considerably bigger. It all
depends on what the UFC and the public wants. But a lot can happen.
I could lose or he could lose and then the interest would drop.
But I’m up for it.”
It
would be easy for St. Pierre to rest on his laurels at this stage
of his career. He’s been the UFC’s most dominant champion
in terms of having the advantage start-to-finish in almost every
fight against the best in his division. In the past two-and-a-half
years, since returning from his shocking loss to Matt Serra in
Houston on April 7, 2007, he’s won 20 straight rounds, and
every fight in that streak has been against either a champion
or a top contender at his weight.
He’s
made legitimate No. 1 contenders like Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves
look like they aren’t even in his league. He’s reached
a point that no matter who he faces, whether it’s fair to
the challenger or not, it is going to take a great sell job by
UFC to convince the fans that the challenger has much of a chance.
But
no matter how dominant he’s been, the loss to Serra means
that St. Pierre will never take another challenger lightly again.
“Everybody
is a threat,” said St. Pierre, who noted Strikeforce middleweight
champ Jake Shields as someone he is interested in facing. “It’s
always a mathematical problem. I look at what my opponent’s
chances are against me in every part of the game and try and
find where he has the lowest percentage of chance to win.”
While
St. Pierre has been on the sidelines, he has made some changes
to his approach, chief among them hiring a nutritionist. John
Berrerdi of Toronto, who works with his personal cook in planning
all of his meals.
“I
recuperate better and I feel better,” St. Pierre. said.
“He talks to my cook, who makes three meals a day for me,
and they work together.”
St.
Pierre was brought by UFC to England to watch Swick-Hardy at
ring-side, and for a UFC Fight Club question-and-answer session
that took place on Friday. St. Pierre told fans he terms himself
a true mixed martial artist, noting that he’s not a guy
who trains in one gym for his sport, but instead drives around
Montreal from gym to gym training with the best boxers, wrestlers
and jiu- jitsu people he can find.
While
his contract with UFC wouldn’t allow it at the moment, St.
Pierre admits he’d like to challenge himself in other sports,
and even discussed the idea of trying out for the Canadian Olympic
team in wrestling.
He
said that although he has never had one competitive wrestling
match in his life, he has trained so much in the sport with high-level
wrestlers that he was going to enter the Canadian Olympic trials
at 84 kilos (185 pounds) for the 2008 games when he ended up
rushed into a fight with Matt Hughes at the end of 2007.
He
would be 31 when the 2012 games come around, but he’d have
to start winning tournaments in 2011 be able to qualify. While
St. Pierre has out-wrestled high level wrestlers in MMA competition
and may be the best MMA-style wrestler in the sport, freestyle
wrestling is a different game, encompassing far more than who
can get the first takedown.
“It’s
in my mind,” he said, noting it’s something he hasn’t
talked about publicly before and doesn’t know if he will
do. “I’ll have to clear it with the UFC. We’ll
see.”
Source: Yahoo Sports
|
St.-Pierre
approves future opponent but mentions Anderson
Canadian to defend belt against Dan Hardy
On a seven-fight winning streak, four of them in the UFC, Dan
Hardy earned a shot at the welterweight belt, now held by Georges
St.-Pierre. The organization’s president, Dana White, had
already suggested the possibility and, after the Englishman’s
win at UFC 105, this Saturday, over Mike Swick, the title challenge
was confirmed.
Hardy
saw his arm raised and, if it was a perfect moment, if was made
even more perfect. St.-Pierre entered the octagon and confirmed
the bout. He said his future opponent has been doing well and
deserves his shot.
But
the fight between Hardy and Swick, in the co-main event, was
not the most action-packed, despite the unanimous decision handed
to the Mohawk-wearing winner. GSP will be, without a doubt, the
toughest opponent the Englishman has faced so far in his career.
At
the UFC press conference, GSP was asked repeatedly about Anderson
Silva, champion of the category above his. And he was emphatic:
“I fear no one.” According to Sherdog.com, GSP proceeded
to say he would love a chance to match sinews with Anderson,
and that the fight will depend a lot on the result of the eventual
rematch between Silva and his fellow-Canadian Nate Marquardt.
“But,
I repeat: I believe technique will always be superior to size
or weight,” said GSP in finishing.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
BISPING
HAPPY TO PROVE THE CRITICS WRONG
It's no secret that "Ultimate Fighter" season 3 winner
Michael "The Count" Bisping has had some rough criticism
thrown towards him in his UFC career. From the statements that
he was getting easy fights to the shouts of "exposed"
following his loss to Dan Henderson, Bisping has never really
had a smooth road to walk on, but he proved himself a warrior
with a win over Denis Kang at UFC 105 on Saturday night.
Following
a rough first round in which Bisping was dropped by a big punch
from Kang, the Brit battled back in the second stanza and swarmed
the American Top Team fighter with takedowns and a vicious ground
attack.
Despite
the dominant win and impressive comeback after losing the first
round, Bisping admitted that he had butterflies in his stomach
heading into the fight, and that he's happy it all came together
in the end.
"Obviously
(I’m) very happy with the performance tonight. I was so
nervous going into this fight, I've never been this nervous before
in my life," Bisping stated following the win.
"Obviously
coming off a very disappointing loss in the last fight and it
was a lot of pressure, I've had a lot of critics doubting me.
A lot of people writing up the fight saying I was exposed and
this and that."
Never
one to pick his opponents, Bisping was comfortable with whoever
the UFC offered up after the Henderson fight, and he was adamant
that he wasn't backing down from anyone.
"I
was supposed to fight Wanderlei Silva. I said great, no problem.
He couldn't fight so they gave me Denis Kang, great, no problem,"
Bisping said. "I'll fight anyone the UFC said, I'll fight.
I just keep doing my job, doing what I do, keep trying to win
fights."
The
work is never done though because while the celebration for Bisping
is likely to hit a few pubs in his hometown of Manchester, the
gym will come calling soon enough.
"It
will only be a couple of weeks till I get the e-mail telling
me who the next opponent is, and it will start all over again."
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Big
Nog: “Sorry Cane, Rogerio will stop you”
Eleven
days left to Rogério Nogueira’s debut in the UFC
octagon, his twin brother Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira
is confident that he’ll leave UFC 106 with a victory, in
the fight against fellow Brazilian Luis Cane.
“Cane
is undefeated and has a good striking and clinch game, he has
a brilliant career but… I’m sorry Cane, Rogério
will stop you”, bets the heavyweight Nogueira, commenting
Cane’s style. “He’s a tough guy. I already saw
him in the UFC and at Minotauro Fight 5”, Minotauro reveals.
“I saw his style, he’s very aggressive, he goes for
it all the time, has a tough Muay Thai, a good pounding. I couldn’t
see him making the guard, but he has a good ground and pound,
a heavy hand”.
Source: Tatame
|
Raphael
Assunção
With
14 victories in 15 fights, Raphael Assunção is
walking to the tops of the featherweight division at WEC. Set
to fight Urijah Faber at January 10, the Brazilian talked to
TATAME.com about the fight against the former champion, once
considered one of the best pound for pound fighters of the world.
In the interview, Raphael talked about his trainings, the expectation
to the combat, the next title fight between Mike Brown and José
Aldo, and the possibility to go to the lightweight division in
the UFC.
How
are the trainings to get back to the octagon?
The
training is already starting, stronger and more professional
than ever.
Where
are you training? Who are your train partners?
For
now, I’m training here in Atlanta with my brothers Junior
and Freddy, Jucão, the brothers Douglas and Diego Lima,
but maybe I’ll go to a new camp... We’ll still decide
that.
You’ll
fight with Faber, a former champion of the category, who was
considered one of the best pound for pound of the world. What’s
the expectation for the combat?
The
expectation is always positive, he’s good in everything,
with a good arsenal, but I’ll press a good rhythm of threats
attacks, with a lot of gas, and we’ll see how the fight
will flow. I’ll go for it on my next fight... My next fight
will be explosive, and I expect to represent Brazil and my family
of the best way with my skills.
Do
you think that he will be your tough opponent until now?
Maybe
he’s the toughest opponent that I ever faced until then...
He has a good game, but I think that I fought athletes stronger
than him, with a jiu-jitsu better than his... I fought with athletes
with better muay thai and boxing than his, but what makes him
dangerous is how he conquest his techniques. The strategy will
be to explore his mistakes and openings.
Brazil
is growing on this weight, with you and José Aldo. How
do you see it?
Yeah,
Brazil is growing on this category... José Aldo’s
campaign is very good. I’m facing and beating high level
athletes, on different styles, but thank God we’re on top
of this category.
He’ll
fight for the title with Mike Brown. How do you think this fight
is gonna be? What’s your bet?
I
don’t know what’s my bet... The fight for the belt
will be tough, as everybody knows. Now I think that if both are
100% prepared and focused it will be fifty fifty.
Another
Brazilian who was good in this category is Wagnney Fabiano, who
lost recently. Did his defeat surprise you? Do you think that
he should change to a weight below?
It
surely surprised me. I think that Wagnney is okay for this weight,
but he must decide if he should change or not.
What
are your plans for the future? Do you think about going to the
lightweight division in the UFC?
Go
to 155 pounds on UFC is definitely not in my plans, because of
my body and my physical structure. Usually, my weight is 158
pounds. I already fought with 155 at the beginning of my career,
because we rarely had fights at until 145 pounds at the time,
and when we had, the purse was very low. This fights were against
very good athletes, tough and strong, bigger than me, but thanks
God I could win these battles.
Source: Tatame
|
Cristiane
Cyborg
Cristiane
Cyborg needed four fights and three knockouts to be on top of
female MMA in the United States, and she doesn’t want to
leave it so soon. In an exclusive interview to TATAME.com, the
knockout artist talked about the changes that the title brought
to her life and the expectation to the first title defense, against
Marloes Coenen.
How
are the trainings there in United States?
I’m
well trained, doing physiotherapy on my shoulder, it’s much
better now, and I’m waiting to go close the fight. I don’t
know if it’s gonna be in December or January, but when I
sign the fight I’ll press the training.
How
did it happen this injury on the shoulder?
It’s
an old injury, since handball. I couldn’t move the shoulder,
but now I’m doing physiotherapy to keep it normal. Both
shoulders were bad on handball times, I had tendonitis on both,
but it’s still bad. I was training hard and they got worse.
I started on handball when I was 12, so the injuries show up.
You
and Cyborg must fight on the same night. What’s the expectation?
It
will be cool, I think it’s gonna be the first time that
we’ll fight the same event and I expect that we end up with
the victory to celebrate. It will be cool to fight together,
we train together and we’ll celebrate together. He lowed
down to 170 pounds and he’s training a lot.
Cyborg
already fought 205 pounds and now he’s going to 170 pounds...
He
fought 205 pounds, but he actually weighted 205 pounds. Then
he lowed to 185 pounds and now we decided to low down to 170
pounds.
Last
Saturday, Marloes Coenen won and must fight for the belt with
you. Did you watch the fight?
I
haven’t saw the fight yet, but I know that she submitted
with an arm lock. I already knew that she would be my next opponent
and the thing is to work seriously and if we have to fight for
the belt, we’ll fight. I’ll keep training, I think
it’s gonna be a good fight. The good thing ist hat now there
are more girls to fight and things get hard even to me.
What
have changed since you won the belt?
More
opportunities, even on the event, people see me more, and people
recognize me on the streets. I got the belt and now it’s
gonna be hard to take it away from me... I’ll train more
and more.
We
received some images from an American magazine with sensual pictures
from you. How was that?
It
was cool, it was on MMA Ultimate Grappling magazine, and was
very nice. I also did an interview with me too and it was nice,
because I don’t speak english and people don’t know
me. People only know when I’m going to the ring, when I
say that I’m going to knock out, but they doesn’t show
who am I. I’m that way inside the ring, outside I have my
life, I don’t fight only... Up there I fight to win, this
magazine showed my personal side, my life outside the ring.
Are
you doing the english classes?
I
can handle with the guys up here, I talk with everyone. I understand
a little, but I’m learning more. On the next fight I’ll
risk more, the American audience likes that.
You’ll
let your speech ready, right?
Yeah...
When the fight ends I’ll get the paper (laugh).
Since
you won the belt, are girls looking more for Chute Boxe on United
States?
Actually
we’re waiting a little more to open the gym here, because
we’re in the end of the year and that’s a bad time
to open a gym... We’ll open later, I want to teach, have
students... I want to fight, but to have students training on
Chute Boxe. For now we’re here in Big Bear, training with
Tito Ortiz, who’s preparing to fight with Forrest Griffin.
We’re supporting, with training of Jiu-Jitsu, Boxe, Muay
Thai, and they’re supporting us too.
How
is his preparation to come back to UFC?
He’s
fine. Of course he’s coming from injuries, athletes are
like this, never 100%, but he’s fine and I think he will
win this fight.
What
are your plans to the future?
Here
is the place to stay, easier to find sponsorship... I miss my
family, but I like to live here. In Brazil I don’t speak
as much as when I’m here. It’s close, but actually
it isn’t... I haven’t trains as I have here. I go to
Brazil to take some walks, but here things are going on the way.
How
was the family after Strikeforce’s conquest?
Everyone
was glad, my parents, my brothers, my whole family was proud.
I fought for a long time to be here where I am now, I’m
a warrior, it’s good to see how proud they were, they and
everyone that supported me.
When
you started did your mom support you or did she had doubts about
MMA?
I
play handball since I was 12 and I loved sport, I used to play
anything, handball championships... I went to athleticism too
and she knew I liked sports, they saw I was going to live of
sports. It doesn’t matter what it was, I was good in whatever
I play. Then I made my first Muay Thai class and I liked. I was,
from the 12 since the 19, playing handball and athleticism, but
then I went to Muay Thai and there’s five years I’m
on it. I’m being well-succeeded, with a belt and I’m
very happy.
There
was any moment that you thought it wasn’t for you?
I
was in college, Physics Education, and I trained, but Master
Rafael (Cordeiro) said that he thinks that was better if I stopped
the fight, because the top train of Chute Boxe was in the morning,
and I could only train in the afternoon or in the night. He said:
“I think it’s better if you stop this college... If
you graduate you’ll teach, but on Muay Thai you can teach
too and you’ll dedicate more“. I stopped the college,
my mom wanted to kill me, but I followed a dream and thanks God
I was happy.
And
did it worth it?
It
worth... No mom would support a daughter with a hurt eye, but
she was getting use to it and then she saw it was professional,
I was winning fights... I discouraged for a while when I didn’t
fight for two years, but Master always said that my time would
come, and it came. Now people recognize me, know I train hard,
I got sponsorship.
How
were your first trains in the morning on Chute Boxe?
Chute
Boxe had two divisions, the top and down. I used to train on
the down part, the thing was hot on top and I wanted to be there.
I was searching for my space, interest, disposition, and I wanted
to be on top. I went there and didn’t come back down again.
I was a top train, I had no idea of who was Wanderlei, Shogun,
and it was all new to me.
How’s
the emotion to remember these times and being on top of MMA?
I’m
really happy, I wanted to thank all for the support and thank
to friends that support me. I’m always training, they’re
always supporting me since Muay Thai, the hard moments I passed.
Now I’m happy to help people, my family... I’m very
happy.
What
are you thinking about the growing of feminine MMA?
I
think that each day there will be more women, and I’m happy
with that. It may come to men level, people are enjoying to see
feminine fights. Girls have to dedicate to make the difference.
Have to search for the space, do more for the growing and come
to a belt. It was hard, but we could. Giving shows, fighting
well...
Do
you dream about fight for UFC someday?
I
imagine myself there... I’m happy on Strikeforce, but would
be one more open door. Who knows in the future...
Source: Tatame
|
Antwain
Britt vs. Scott Lighty in the works for “Strikeforce: Evolution”
A
light heavyweight matchup between undefeated slugger Scott Lighty
(5-0) and former "The Ultimate Fighter 8" hopeful Antwain
Britt (9-3) is in the works for "Strikeforce: Evolution."
Britt
first reported the matchup to the hosts of the "Curtis and
Kyle Show," though Strikeforce officials indicated to MMAjunkie.com
(www.mmajunkie.com) that bout agreements had not yet been distributed.
Featuring
a middleweight contest between Cung Le and Scott Smith, "Strikeforce:
Evolution" is scheduled for Dec. 19 at HP Pavilion in San
Jose, Calif.
A
prolific kickboxer and K-1 veteran, Lighty made the transition
to MMA in 2008. Lighty has displayed his lethal striking with
four-ounce gloves, as well, while earning four of his five career
wins by stoppage.
The
31-year-old made his Strikeforce debut in August and defeated
Mike Cook by TKO after delivering a devastating shot to the body.
Meanwhile,
Britt has also displayed a set of heavy hands throughout his
two-and-a-half year career. "The Juggernaut's" 2009
highlights include an eight-second knockout of UFC veteran Antonio
Mendes at "Shine Fights: Genesis."
Britt's
most recent outing was a submission loss to UFC signee Rodney
Wallace in the finals of Vendetta Fighting Championship's eight-man
tournament in September.
With
the potential addition to the card, "Strikeforce: Evolution"
now includes:
*
Cung Le vs. Scott Smith
* Matt Lindland vs. Ronald "Jacare" Souza
* Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal vs. TBA
* Robbie Lawler vs. TBA
* Antwain Britt vs. Scott Lighty*
*
- Not yet officially announced.
Source: Yahoo Sports
|
Minowa
vs. Sokoudjou “Super Hulk” finale set; WVR’s NYE
show scrapped?
The
long-expected "Super Hulk" finale between Ikuhisa "Minowaman"
Minowa (43-30-8) and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (7-5), as well
as a K-1 bout between Masato Kobayashi (54-6-2) and fellow two-time
K-1 World MAX champion Andy Souwer (134-8), were today official
announced for the Dec. 31 DREAM/FEG's Dynamite!! 2009 event.
The
event is slated for Dec. 31 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama,
Japan, and airs in North America on HDNet.
The
show features a hybrid MMA/K-1 card with some of the biggest
names in combat sports.
The
open-weight, eight-man "Super Hulk" commenced earlier
this year with a variety of competitors, ranging from the undersized
(Gegard Mousasi) to the oversized (Hong Man Choi) to the absurd
(Jose Canseco). Ultimately, after Mousasi was forced out of the
tournament with an injury in the second round, Sokoudjou defeated
replacement Bob Sapp and Minowa subbed Choi to set up the finale.
The
latest official card now includes:
*
Masato vs. Andy Souwer (K-1)
* Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (MMA/"Super
Hulk" finale)
* Hiroya vs. Japan Masaaki Noiri (K-1 KOSHIEN semifinal)
* Katsuki Ishida vs. Shota Shimada (K-1 KOSHIEN semifinal)
For
the latest on "Dynamite!! 2009," check out the MMA
Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.
*
* * *
One
other New Year's Eve event appears it won't take place.
World
Victory Road, Japan's other major organization, planned to host
a Dec. 31 show with Satoshi Ishii vs. Hidehiko Yoshida, among
other bouts.
However,
a key press conference for the show planned for today was canceled.
WVR
had announced 10 competitors for its planned show, including
lightweight champion Mizuto Hirota, though the organization struggled
to find a broadcast outlet for the event.
According
to a variety of reports, including one from Tokyo Sports, WVR
may combine its show with DREAM's event for a co-promoted Dec.
31 show.
Source: Yahoo Sports
|
Quote
of the Day
“A
man's work is from sun to sun, but a mother's work is never done.”
Source Unknown
|
Quest
for Champions
|
STAPH
TAKES NOGUEIRA OUT OF UFC 108 MAIN EVENT
The Ultimate Fighting Championship continues to defy the current
global economic downturn – as evidenced by a record European
crowd of 16,693 at UFC 105 – but you can’t say it’s
been an easy road of late. The promotion’s top fighters
are dropping like flies.
Add
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to the UFC’s ever-growing injured
reserve/physically unable to perform list.
Nogueira
and Cain Velasquez were scheduled to meet in the latest attempt
at a Jan. 2 main event for UFC 108, but company president Dana
White, according to a report on Sherdog.com, on Saturday night
revealed that Nogueira had to withdraw due to a recurring staph
infection.
Nogueira
vs. Velasquez is the third attempt to declare a headline bout
for UFC 108. Middleweight champion Anderson Silva, due to elbow
surgery, was unable to defend his title against Vitor Belfort
on the New Year’s card. An attempt to reschedule heavyweight
champ Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin for Jan. 2 was aborted due
Lesnar’s continued illness.
“Yeah,
Rodrigo’s got a pretty bad case of staph,” Nogueira’s
manager, Ed Soares, told MMAWeekly.com on Saturday night.
“There
is no way that he could be prepared in time to face a fighter
the caliber of Cain Velasquez.”
Soares
said that Nogueira could possibly make a return to training in
about three weeks or so, but he stressed that is “the absolute
best case scenario” according the former champion’s
doctor. That would leave him little time to prepare.
Nogueira
has had staph before, most notably prior to his bout with Frank
Mir. Nogueira, his timing off and looking sluggish, lost his
interim heavyweight championship to Mir in a second round TKO,
the first time in his career he has been finished. He doesn’t
intend to make that mistake again.
“At
the end of the day, nobody cares about excuses,” said Soares.
It’s
believed that Nogueira wasn’t given the proper antibiotic
in Brazil to completely clear the staph from his body. His doctor
in the U.S. has prescribed a different antibiotic that they believe
should completely clear up the infection.
Soares
said while the current infection is severe, Nogueira has not
been hospitalized and there are currently no plans to do so,
unless the current round of antibiotics doesn’t work.
He
indicated that it is still too soon to be sure of the medicine’s
effectiveness, but Nogueira is feeling a little better with the
new antibiotic. He will be in Las Vegas next week to corner his
brother, Rogerio, who makes his promotional debut at UFC 106.
It
is currently unknown if Velasquez will remain on the UFC 108
fight card. If he does, it won’t be against Carwin, even
though Lesnar’s future is in doubt due to his continuing
illness.
When
the bout with Lesnar was again postponed, Carwin had knee surgery
that he had been putting off performed and will be unavailable
until at least February, according to a recent post on his official
Twitter account.
White
wasn’t sure yet what he would do to fill the headline slot
at UFC 108.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
LESNAR'S
CONDITION "NOTHING LIFE THREATENING"
UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar’s future has been
in doubt ever since his withdrawal from UFC 106 and subsequent
mononucleosis diagnosis, but Saturday night, the future got even
cloudier for Lesnar.
UFC
president Dana White, according to numerous reports, revealed
that Lesnar’s illness, far from getting better, has actually
taken a turn for the worse. Though he was a little light on details,
White revealed that Lesnar “dropped” on a recent trip
he took to Canada to relax.
Several
reports painted the picture as extremely bleak, even using the
phrases “career threatening” and “life threatening.”
MMAWeekly.com
spoke to a source in Lesnar’s camp on Saturday night that
denied such characterizations, but indicated that there are some
new issues to deal with.
“Nothing
life threatening like the reports, just some complications with
his illness and he had to be hospitalized for antibiotics.”
The
extent and exact nature of Lesnar’s illness is still unclear.
White indicated that he might even fly out to visit the champion
to find out more about his condition and see what the promotion
can do to help him get better.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
WHITE
SURPRISED BY HARDY'S HANDLING OF SWICK
British fighter Dan Hardy surprised many people on Saturday night
with his win over Mike Swick, but maybe none so more than UFC
president Dana White, who commented at the UFC 105 post-fight
press conference that he was basically blown away with "The
Outlaw" and his breakout performance.
Going
into the bout, White felt that Swick had been highly underrated
by many, and that Hardy definitely had his hands full with the
American Kickboxing Academy fighter.
"My
opinion going into this fight is that Mike Swick was one of the
most underrated fighters in that weight division, because Mike's
been, when I say inconsistent, he's been inconsistently fighting
cause he's always getting injured," White said. "Mike
Swick's a really good fighter. I always say about him and (Yushin)
Okami, they're both highly underrated."
When
it was all over and Hardy's hand was raised, White said he was
extremely impressed with what the U.K. star was able to accomplish.
"He
handled Swick easily, that is impressive," White commented.
"He did something I didn't expect him to do tonight, he
whooped Mike Swick's ass. I did not expect that to happen.
"Dan
could have finished that fight. Dan could have knocked him out.
He had a couple opportunities, more than a couple opportunities,
to knock Mike Swick out tonight. He's going to get better every
time he gets in there. I think he could have finished that fight
tonight, he just didn't."
The
UFC president shied away from saying there was much of a chance
of Hardy's next fight, a title shot against raining welterweight
king Georges St-Pierre, ending up in England. White believes
the bout will take place in Las Vegas, but doesn't know its timetable
yet.
Whether
it's sooner or later, Hardy is just happy to have the chance
to fight for the title. The usually boastful fighter was humble
in victory at UFC 105.
"I'm
honored to be in this position, the UFC they're giving me a great
opportunity," Hardy said. "I'm going to make the most
of it."
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Caio
Terra comments on nearly-perfect No-Gi Worlds
Light featherweight won tough bracket and lost absolute without
a point scored against him
Two-time
champion Caio Terra didn’t have it easy at last Sunday’s
No-Gi Worlds. In the end, his venture into the absolute didn’t
pan out, but his sacrifice in the light featherweight division
was worthwhile.
“I
had a by in the first round, in the second I faced Joseph Capizzi,
stood with him, took him down and submitted him. In the semifinal
I faced Rafael Barata,” narrated Caio, to reporter to GRACIEMAG.com’s
Gabriel Menezes. “I tried to keep it standing but he pulled
guard quickly, and I managed to get another submission.
“In
the final against [Carlos] Esquisito, he tried to sweep and I
went for his foot. He escaped and I went after him, and he scored
an advantage point. I pulled guard and eight minutes into the
match I swept and scored two points. I’m happy, the match
played out in the reverse guard for most of the time, didn’t
flow much, but it was worthwhile,” he explained.
“Now in the absolute I got the submission in the first bout
against a lightweight and lost the second to Marcel Louzado,
by judges’ decision. There are times where I win but feel
I could have done better, but this time I didn’t: I won
and fought well, and didn’t tire. I went in calm, and I
didn’t get flustered at any time – I ended up not having
a single point scored on me the whole championship, not even
in the absolute,” he continued.
After
three serious injuries in 2009, Caio attributed this solid phase
to his effort and the structure at Cesar Gracie’s academy:
“A lot of good guys train together there, at black belt
we have Samir Chantre - featherweight runner-up and who trains
so much he even sleeps on the sofa at the gym -, Matheus Andre,
Ismael Mota, Andre de Freitas, Lana Stefanac, Nick Diaz, Jake
Shields, Denny Prokopos (featherweight bronze)… At brown
there are more than 30 guys, among them Rob Luggo, Barry Anderson,
Kim Terra, Luis Assuerio, Nathan Diaz, George Albert, Greg Lara,
Matt Pedro, Morgan e Mike Mitchel. I thank them all.”
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
UFC
105 outcome
New controversy, new rematch?
More
than the fighting, what marked this Saturday’s UFC 105 event
in England was the outcome of the bout between Randy Couture
and Brandon Vera, in the evening’s main event. After a clear
advantage to Vera in the final two rounds, the scorecards came
in handing a unanimous decision to Couture.
On
his way to the Octagon, applauded by the English crowd, Couture,
46, his cap was even stolen by the fans. But the euphoria quickly
reverted to boos. The opening round was lukewarm at best. Vera
started with striking and Randy countered by pinning him against
the fencing. There was a bit of action in the second stanza.
Couture tried to repeat his tactics against the fence, but took
a knock down after a kick and knee to the midsection.
Vera
was again stuck up against the fencing in the final round, where
he took a few elbows to the face. Nevertheless, in the ensuing
action, he surprised the wrestler by going for his legs, taking
the former champion down and mounting. In the end, Randy Couture
was handed a unanimous decision. “You never know what the
judges see,” declared the winner when asked his opinion
by official interviewer Joe Rogan, who tried to explain the result:
“You controlled the better part of the fight.”
Unenthused,
Vera ironically remarked: “Thank’s judges.”
Couture
had had another very evenly-matched fight against Brazilin Pedro
Rizzo in the past. At the time, a sequel to the match was quickly
put together. Could it be that UFC president Dana White will
bring about another rematch this time?
Check
out the complete results from the event:
UFC
105 – Couture vs. Vera
Manchester Evening News Arena, England
14 November, 2009
Andre
Winner knocked out Roli Delgado at 3:22min of R1
Alexander Gustafsson knocked out Jared Hamman at 0:41 min of
R1
Dennis Siver defeated Paul Kelly by technical knockout at 2:53min
of R2
Nick Osipczak defeated Matt Riddle by technical knockout at 3:53min
of R3
Terry Etim submitted Shannon Gugerty by guillotine at 1:24min
of R2
John Hathaway defeated Paul Taylor by unanimous decision
Ross Pearson defeated Aaron Riley by doctor's intervention at
4:38min of R2
Matt Brown defeated James Wilks by technical knockout at 2:27min
of R3
Michael Bisping defeated Denis Kang by technical knockout at
4:24min of R2
Dan Hardy defeated Mike Swick by unanimous decision
Randy Couture defeated Brandon Vera by unanimous decision
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Rafael
Mendes: “I want to fight MMA”
The
youngest champion of the ADCC’s history, Rafael Mendes was
one of the biggest revelations of the year on the soft art and
on Submission. Between the trainings with Sheik Tahnoon and the
seminaries around the world, the champion accepted TATAME”s
invitation and answered the questions from people who sign the
magazine, revealing that he is thinking about fight MMA.
“I’m
very young, I’m 20, and I have a lot to compete on Jiu-Jitsu,
but I want to fight MMA on the future”, revealed Rafa, remembering
the hard moments that he passed thru until he gets to the black
belt. “When I was a blue belt, I had to make raffles to
go to fight in Rio de Janeiro, I traveled with the right money
to eat. A lot of times, me, Guilherme and Ramon joined our money
to eat”. On the chat, the athlete still talked about the
controversy guard 50-50. “I feel that who criticize doesn’t
know the position, knows only how to be on it and that’s
why doesn’t attack. These people need to learn instead to
criticize, to develop”, finished.
Source: Tatame
|
WEC
46: Assunção ready for Urijah Faber
With
14 victories in 15 fights, Raphael Assunção is
walking to the tops of the featherweight division at WEC. Set
to fight Urijah Faber at January 10, the Brazilian talked to
TATAME.com about the fight against the former champion, once
considered one of the best pound for pound fighters of the world.
In the interview, Raphael talked about his trainings, the expectation
to the combat, the next title fight between Mike Brown and José
Aldo, and the possibility to go to the lightweight division in
the UFC. Click here to read the exclusive interview with Assunção.
Source: Tatame
|
Mailbag:
Extreme schedule
Not
much good has come of Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight
titleholder Brock Lesnar’s bout with mononucleosis, but
the champion’s illness has indirectly aided Mike Brown and
Jose Aldo.
Brown
and Aldo will meet for Brown’s World Extreme Cagefighting
featherweight title in what legitimately figures to be one of
the finest matches of 2009 on Nov. 18 at the Palms in Las Vegas.
That
will put it three days before UFC 106, in which Lesnar was scheduled
to defend his title against Shane Carwin in the main event. With
Lesnar forced to withdraw because of mononucleosis, Tito Ortiz
and Forrest Griffin were bumped to the UFC main event. However,
the move also affords Brown and Aldo to escape Lesnar’s
considerable shadow.
The
fight figures to get much more attention given the fact Lesnar
is no longer competing and won’t dominate the media’s
time and attention, though it must be noted that the card also
comes four days after the 1-2 combo of Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel
Cotto and UFC 105. WEC 42, which was headlined by Brian Bowles’
upset of Miguel Torres for the WEC bantamweight belt, received
far less attention and coverage than it otherwise would have
because it came the day after the much ballyhooed UFC 101, which
featured Anderson Silva’s stunning knockout of Forrest Griffin
and B.J. Penn’s stoppage of Kenny Florian in a lightweight
title match.
WEC
general manager Reed Harris said more conflicts with the UFC
are inevitable in 2010. He said choosing a date is a tricky process
that involves working with Versus, which broadcasts WEC cards,
as well as venues.
“The
first factor is really what Versus has available as far as dates
and what works for them,” Harris said. “We look at
venues and we usually have two or three in a pool we’re
looking at. That was one of the factors here. We went first to
the Hard Rock (in Las Vegas) and when the Hard Rock wasn’t
available and we went first to the Maloofs. The Maloofs (who
own the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas and the NBA’s Sacramento
Kings) were interesting in having us at the Palms for a while.
We’re doing a show with them in Sacramento (in January)
and that played into it as well.
“When
you’re in my spot, there are a number of factors that have
to be considered. Really, though, the bottom line is that we
have to focus on growing our company and not worry about the
UFC. Brown-Aldo is a very strong fight and we felt it would work
for us on the week of 106. We’re solidly the No. 2 company
in MMA behind the UFC in terms of things like TV partnerships,
sponsorships, gates, etc., and we want to continue to build on
that.”
The
WEC consistently puts on compelling shows. No one benefits when
it gets hidden in the shadow of a major UFC event, though, so
hopefully the WEC will be able to find dates where it gets the
most visibility and attention possible.
Before
we jump to the mailbag and I answer your questions and comments,
please follow me on Twitter at follow me on Twitter.
Remember,
also, when submitting questions for the mailbag to include your
full name and your city and state or country.
Fedor
ducks elite competition
Tell
me the last time Fedor fought a quality opponent in or near his
prime? You have to go back to 2005, when he fought Mirko “Cro
Cop” Filipovic and, surprise, surprise, it went to a decision.
Before that it, was Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and, guess what,
another decision. The myth continues all right: Fedor is the
greatest to ever not fight the best. Plain and simple, since
the fall of PRIDE, he has repeatedly avoided the best competition
and when the media plays up this imaginary aura, it’s even
more maddening. I will admit, it was a good fight on Saturday
night. That punch would have knocked out most workers in any
Sam’s Club.
Erick
I’m
sort of in-between on this one, Erick. While I agree with your
contention about his competition level, I do think he’s
a phenomenal fighter. I won’t agree with the very vocal
contingent who thinks Fedor is this monster who can’t ever
be touched. Rogers clearly proved that incorrect. Having said
that, I do agree with you that if he were fighting guys like
Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, Cain Velasquez, Shane Carwin and
Junior dos Santos on a regular basis he may not look as invincible
as he does now.
Rematch
talk ridiculous
After
the Fedor/Rogers fight, the subject of a rematch came up. My
question is why? Rogers’ lost in a round-and-a-half and
looked gassed at the end of the first. He is a tough guy with
a big punch and briefly got Fedor in a tough position, but is
that really enough? Or is the talk of a rematch have more to
do with the lack of depth in Strikeforce’s heavyweight division?
Devin
Galaudet
I
think rematch talk is premature now, but you’re right that
it has to do with the lack of depth on Strikeforce’s roster.
He’s likely to fight Fabricio Werdum, who scored a decision
over Antonio Silva in an entertaining fight in the CBS opener
on Saturday, in his next outing. Let’s be honest: Who wants
to see that fight? Werdum was hardly exceptional in his UFC career
and few would give him a legitimate chance to beat Fedor. After
that, who is there? Alistair Overeem is Strikeforce’s heavyweight
champion. Bobby Lashley is expected to sign with Strikeforce,
but he’s at the beginning of his career and not nearly ready
for such a fight. There simply aren’t a lot of options for
opponents who would produce competitive fights. That’s why
the rematch talk came up, since the fight Saturday was entertaining
while it lasted.
Why
hype Fedor?
Why
do you guys hype Fedor? His entourage looks like a street gang
and he continues to fight opponents who do not fit a true champion’s
abilities. I also thought the Jake Shields-Jason “Mayhem”
Miller bout was boring. It was only exciting as Mayhem rolled
moves. Jake seemed to just lay on him and do nothing. Good luck,
CBS. You won’t catch me wasting another weekend watching
that garbage.
Tim
Blue Bell, Pa.
I
think Fedor is a terrific fighter, Tim. I wish we could see him
fight Brock Lesnar, but it’s not going to happen. I thought
the fights were fairly good on CBS on Saturday. The non-televised
portion of the card was dreadful, though the TV bouts were pretty
good for the most part (I, too, didn’t care for Shields-Miller).
But Silva-Werdum and Fedor-Rogers were highly entertaining and
Gegard Mousasi-Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou wasn’t half bad.
UFC
should follow Strikeforce model
I
think the UFC will have a tough time competing for TV popularity
with Strikeforce. Don’t get me wrong: I am a huge [Randy]
Couture fan and am very excited for UFC 105 this weekend. However
neither hell nor high water was going to keep me from watching
Fedor last week. Do you think the UFC will ever put some of its
biggest guns on display outside of pay-per-view?
Jesse
Allen
Montana
Jesse,
they do put their stars on free TV on Spike. Last year, Anderson
Silva fought on Spike. Saturday, Randy Couture is facing Brandon
Vera. They put several cards a year on Spike for free. In 2007,
they put a major fight, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs.
Dan Henderson for the UFC-PRIDE light heavyweight belts, on Spike.
If you’re asking if the UFC will land on network television,
I’d say eventually. President Dana White was sounding very
confident when I spoke to him on this topic last week.
Not
impressed
As
much as Fedor’s knockout was impressive, I’m still
not convinced. The guy he beat was a guy who used to work at
Sam’s Club, for crying out loud. Sure, he’s beaten
Big Nog, Cro Cop, and various others in the past in PRIDE, but
don’t you think he really needs to prove himself in UFC?
I honestly think he needs to fight a guy who’s got the courage
and heart to take the fight to him, say maybe a Randy Couture
or a Brock Lesnar, or maybe even a Cain Velasquez?
Brent
Forbes
Charlotte, N.C.
It’s
possible to be considered the best of all-time and not the best
active heavyweight. When Sugar Ray Robinson was fighting in the
1960s, he wasn’t even a top 25 fighter, but he was still
the best of all-time in boxing. Fedor’s competition level
has dropped significantly since his hey-day about four-five years
ago. He’s still a major fighter, though, and even in a worst-case
scenario is a top three or five heavyweight in the world. I think
he’d have trouble with Lesnar given Lesnar’s size and
skill set, they’re all interesting bouts.
Unify
Strikeforce, UFC titles?
I
think that you’ll probably agree that if the Fedor Emelianenko-Brett
Rogers fight is a ratings success on CBS that it will be a huge
bonus for MMA and will help the sport to become more mainstream,
such as boxing. I think it will also show some of the sport’s
best fighters that there is another place that they can call
home other than the UFC. Don’t get me wrong: I think the
UFC has done more for MMA than any other organization. For the
record, I’m not a UFC hater. My question is do you think
that as Strikeforce becomes more popular and the sport evolves
that we’ll get some unification matches with fighters from
both organizations? I think that unifying titles will be part
of the natural evolution of the sport.
Mark
Bazid
Brantford, Ont.
I
would like to see all the best fighters in the world fight each
other. It’s not going to happen, though. The UFC is the
dominant company right now and has the highest percentage of
the world’s top 100 fighters. They’re not eager to
help build their competitors and so there’s no way they’ll
agree to co-promote with Strikeforce, M-1 Global, DREAM or anyone
else. As fans of the sport, we may not like it – who wouldn’t
want to see Fedor against Lesnar? – but it’s a reality.
Source: Yahoo Sports
|
Abu
Dhabi Pro Australasia ready to rumble
BJJ practitioners on high alert for November-15th showdown
The
following communique was released by the organizers of the Abu
Dhabi Pro tournament:
"The
best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in the country are on
high alert as the Abu Dhabi Pro Australasia gets set for showdown
in November 15th.
Acting
as a qualifier for the richest and most prestigious Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu event on the planet, the Abu Dhabi Pro, the Australasian
qualifier will see the best of the best congregating upon Cronulla.
Taking
place on Sunday, 15 November at Endeavour Sports High, the event
will see eight qualifiers afforded the chance to represent Australia
at Abu Dhabi in 2010.
“There’s
a lot at stake,” said Alex Prates and John Shimooka from
Abu Dhabi Pro Australasia. “The action and the battle’s
will be intense.”
All
qualifiers from the Australasian event will fight it out to compete
with the best grapplers and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes from
across the world and for the chance at winning a massive USD$200,000
in cash and prizes at the Abu Dhabi Pro.
Propelled
by the support of the government of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi
Pro supported personally by his Highness the Supreme Prince and
Commander In Chief of the United Arab Emirates National Army,
H. H. Sheik Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“They
will have all airfares, accommodation and meals paid for, and
of course they will also have a chance at the cash and prizes,”
Shimooka continued.
“Plus,
there is the ultimate title of the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in
the world.”
Being
the one and only professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu event in Australia,
this is the tip of the iceberg for what is quickly becoming one
the fastest growing sports in the world.
The
Australasian qualifier will be brimming with world-class talent.
“The
vision is to one day have a world tour very much like surfing
with big prize money to those who compete and do well,”
Shimooka added.
One
man who has seen the highest level of competition is former Olympic
wrestler Talgat IIyasov.
Having
represented Australia at last years Abu Dhabi event, Ilyasov
has tasted the heights of the Abu Dhabi Pro.
“It
was unbelievable,” he said.
“The
atmosphere was amazing, watching top class athletes in Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu really made it special for me.”
“I
realised that there is a lot to learn and one training session
a week is not enough to be one of the best in the World, he said
wryly.
Also
on hand will be a host of businesses and industry leaders with
stalls and products such as Gi’s, food, drinks, supplements
and other mixed martial arts merchandise.
The
Abu Dhabi Pro Australasia will take place on Sunday, 15 November
2009 at Endeavour Sports High.
The Abu Dhabi Pro Australia/Australasia is proudly supported
by Triple Bull, Nippy's, Boost Mobile, Aerial 7, CJ Signs, Grapplingstore.com,
Rhino Mouthguards, Little Corner Shop.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Quote
of the Day
“I
have never been hurt by what I have not said.”
Calvin Coolidge
|
Fighters'
Club TV Tonight!
Channel
52
NEW TIME of 8:00 PM!
If
you are not on the Onzuka.com Hawaii Ground forum, you are missing
the latest news from upcoming events, get to rub elbows with
numerous promoters and fighters, and get to voice your opinion
on any subject you can dream up. Hit the links above to sign
up for a free account and start posting away!
|
Man-up
and Stand-Up
Dec 4 Friday
Filcom Center Waipahu
DEC
4 2009 IS THE NIGHT MAN-UP & STAND-UP SHOWS ITS APPRECIATION
TO ALL OF THE FIGHTERS THAT HAVE SUPPORTED THE EVENT AND HAS
DONE WELL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR(S). THERE WILL BE TITLES FOR FIGHTERS
WITH HEADGEAR (AMATEUR), FIGHTERS WITH NO HEADGEAR (SEMI PRO),
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, GRUDGE MATCHES ETC. THIS YEAR THERE WILL
BE SOME MAJOR TALENT FIGHTING THEIR HEARTS OUT TO WALK HOME WITH
A BELT. THE UNDERCARD WILL ALSO BE FEATURING MAJOR SKILLED FIGHTERS
THAT WILL BE MAKING THEIR AIM ON ALL THE TITLES THAT WILL BE
GIVEN OUT THAT NIGHT. MAN-UP & STAND-UP HAVE ALWAYS SHOWN
ITS APPRECIATION AT THE END OF EVERY YEAR FOR ALL OF YOU FAITHFUL
SUPPORTERS. AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO AS LONG AS WE’RE
HERE.
OUR
MAIN WILL FEATURE BIG BOYZ PETE SEFO OF 94 BLOCK AGAINST TEAM
STAND ALONE’S OTTO HOOPII. THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH WILL
BE SET TO FIGHT KING OF THE GIANTS CHAMPION MATT EATON OF THE
BULLSPEN ON OUR NEXT SHOW. BOTH FIGHTERS WILL BE TIPPING THE
SCALES AT MORE THAN 300 POUNDS EACH. AND YOU KNOW THAT THE BIGGER
THEY ARE THE HARDER THEY FALL. BE SURE NOT TO MISS OUT ON THIS
SHOW. JUST LOOK AT THIS CARD AND SEE WHY YOU SHOULDN’T MISS
OUT.
PETE
SEFO SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT OTTO HOOPII
NATACIA
MANUMA FEMALE HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE CHANTELLE OF ISLAND THUNDER
TAZZY
WETLING FEMALE MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE VANNA OF TEAM SUBMIT
EMIL
LAQUISTA AMATEUR WELTERWEIGHT TITLE JORDAN CALLAHAN
SOTA
NAKANO TEENAGE SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE JACOBY SMITH
KALAI
MCSHANE TEENAGE SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE ISRAEL ALVAREZ
ALIKA
KUMUKOA SEMI PRO BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE JAMEN TABAYA
RED
DAVIS SEMI PRO MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE FERDINAND RAMIREZ
NICK
CORREA GRUDGE MATCH TITLE COLIN MACKENZIE
MARTIN
DAY LIGHTWEIGHT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR JORDAN ANDUHA
MIKE
MCNAAB GRUDGE MATCH TITLE PHILLIP AKUI
GEARY
UDAGAWA WELTERWEIGHT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR JASON “J ROC”
ROCEMAR
NUI
SOLJAH BOY WHEELER TITLE DEFENSE JONAH VISTANTE
JAN
QUIMOYOG TITLE DEFENSE ALVIN BERTO
ERIC
EDWARDS TITLE DEFENSE TBA
TONY
PERRERA 155 SHAISON LAUPOLA
SPUDS
TIGER 150 MASA KURITA
JUSTIN
KAHALEWAI 130 KEOKI NEGRON
LISA
HA 120 CHEVY DECASTRO
MIKE
ELI 185 JESSIE LINDLEY
RICKY
PLUNKETT 145 MACK WASHINGTON
AND
MORE…
MATCHES
AND PARTICIPANTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE |
BIG
BONUSES AND RECORD ATTENDANCE AT UFC 105
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to Manchester, England,
for the first time in two and a half years on Saturday night
for UFC 105: Couture vs. Vera. The promotion celebrated by handing
out healthy $40,000 bonus checks to the fighters that took home
awards for their performances on the night.
Fight
of the Night honors went to Manchester’s own Michael Bisping
and his opponent, Denis Kang. The fight was all Kang’s early
on, but Bisping came back strong, showing a much-improved ground
game before securing a second-round TKO. It was a strong rebound
for Bisping following his knockout loss to Dan Henderson his
last time out.
Dennis
Siver impressed with his spinning back kick that dropped Paul
Kelly, who got back up before Siver finished him off with strikes
to earn the Knockout of the Night.
The
Submission of the Night was handed to Terry Etim, who submitted
Shannon Gugerty with a guillotine choke in round two. It was
the only submission on Saturday night, but enough to finish the
fight and earn a $40,000 bonus check.
UFC
105 set a promotion record for highest attendance at a European
event at 16,693, with a gate of more the $2 million.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Couture
claims close decision over Vera
MANCHESTER,
England – Brandon Vera went through a gamut of emotions
leading into and coming out of UFC 105. Heading into the fight,
he had to get over the mental roadblock of having to fight his
idol, UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture.
He
developed a game plan to counter Couture’s Greco-Roman wrestling
game, knocked him down in the second round with a knee and said
everything was going as he visualized it many times in the past
few weeks.
But
the ends didn’t justify the means as the 46-year-old Couture,
the five-time former UFC champion, won by unanimous decision
Saturday night in the main event at the Manchester Evening News
Arena.
The
crowd reaction was mixed when the decision was read aloud. The
majority of the press cageside had it 29-28 for Vera, including
Yahoo! Sports. But it was clearly a decision that could have
gone either way.
“I
wanted to show Randy that I’m not the same little kid I
was at the Olympic training center (when the two trained together
years ago in Greco-Roman wrestling),” said Vera (11-4).
“I hurt him a few times. I took him down once. I learned
a lot tonight. I’m only at 70 percent of my full potential.
I’m going back in the gym in five days and destroy some
people.”
Couture
(17-10) controlled the octagon, as much of the fight was fought
in the clinch against the cage with Couture imposing his will
and Vera not cracking. Vera did more physical damage and won
the second round, the only round that was clear-cut.
The
first and third rounds were close enough that they could have
gone either way, and by no means was the decision outrageous,
even though announcer Joe Rogan was strong in his interview with
the belief Vera won and that it was part of a string of bad decisions
in the sport.
It
was not a crowd-pleasing main event after one of the company’s
best undercards of late. The UFC’s European record-setting
sellout crowd of 16,693, drawing approximately $2 million, booed
the fight several times when the action stalled.
Couture
worked the first part of his game plan, which was to tie up Vera
in a Greco-Roman clinch, tire him out, eventually take him down
and finish him. He continually got the clinch during the fight,
but he didn’t tire Vera out and wasn’t able to throw
him or get him off his feet except for one time in the first
round. Vera was back up immediately without any damage.
The
match came down to the third round, and Couture scored with his
dirty boxing, largely punches off the clinch, and he was winning
the early part of the round. But Vera (11-4) came back with strong
body kicks late in the round and Vera actually took Couture down
with 43 seconds left, which many cageside credited as the deciding
move of the fight. Couture was up just before the finish and
the two swung away for an exciting conclusion to an otherwise
slow fight.
“I’m
pissed, I’m really pissed,” said Vera. “In this
sport, there is a saying, ‘If you let it go to the judges,
anything can happen.’ I should have finished him. I had
a great opportunity. I thought I won. But I’m really happy
I got to face Randy Couture, my idol, the legend and to the next
guy at 205 who faces me, I’m gonna whip your ass.”
“I
was sitting with Brandon’s wife (Kerry Vera, a professional
fighter who is fighting Couture’s ex-wife, Kim, on a Strikeforce
card next week) and said, ‘Don’t let it go to the judges,’”
said UFC president Dana White. “Couture’s the kind
of guy who is in your face. If you want to beat Randy, finish
him.”
Vera,
who at 6-foot-2 was listed an inch taller than Couture but towered
over him and was able to score often with body kicks when they
were at a distance, stayed with Couture at Couture’s strong
point and was quicker than Couture when out of the clinch. But
Vera wasn’t able to keep Couture away from always getting
the clinch. Most of the fight was almost a stalemate against
the cage.
This
was Couture’s first match back at light heavyweight after
losing twice at heavyweight, as he lost the title to Brock Lesnar
last November and then lost a decision to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
in August. Couture is attempting to duplicate what happened in
2003, when he had lost twice as a heavyweight, moved down to
light heavyweight and went on to capture the championship twice.
But Saturday’s win appeared to not be impressive enough
by itself to vault Couture into title contention against Lyoto
Machida, which would be his obvious goal.
“I
felt really comfortable,” Couture said about moving down
in weight. “The pounds came off fast. I lost 10 pounds in
70 minutes while on the treadmill (before weigh-ins on Friday).
The weight came off quickly. I stayed at 215 to 217 pounds all
through camp.”
Couture,
12 years older than Vera, said he felt his three good flurries
early in the third round made the difference, conceding the second
round to Vera.
“I
was very impressed with Brandon,” Couture said. “I
knew it wasn’t going to be an easy fight.”
Source: Yahoo Sports
|
Bráulio:
“I’m not in my best performance yet”
On
Jiu-Jitsu’s mats or on the biggest Submission Grappling
event of the world, it was Bráulio Estima’s year.
After consquest the tri world championship and the bi championship
weight and absolute on European, the black belt entered to ADCC’s
history winning the weight and absolute’s title in Barcelona.
On the peak of his career, the black belt guarantees that he’s
still far away from his aim. “I believe that I’m on
my best shape, technically, physically and mentally, but I’m
far away from the high I want to come. Sometimes I feel like
a white belt, the road is too long…” guarantee.
On
an exclusive Paredão with the champion, published on November
edition of TATAME Magazine, Bráulio remembered his history
and difficulties that he passed thru to be on top of the world.
“I’m a realized man professionally, but I feel that
I’m not on my best performance yet, I think I still have
a lot to develop. I’m very happy for my history, from where
I come is not easy. When I stop and look to my medals and trophies
is when I wake up and see what have I done”, tells, talking
about his plans to debut on MMA, the trainings with Roger Gracie
and a lot more.
Source: Tatame
|
Conan
guarantees: “Cane will stop Rogerio”
Coach
and one of American Top Team’s leaders, Conan Silveira is
anxious to the next fight of Luis “Banha” Cane on UFC.
With 10 victories on his career, Cane will face Rogério
“Minotouro”, who will debut on UFC. “It will be
a very tough fight for both, high level and with a lot of intelligence”,
analyzes, mourning that fact to face another Brazilian. “Unfortunately
is that thing, we have to be professionals”.
Working
with Cane, who won his first eight triumphs on the first round,
Conan bets that the combat will end quickly. “I think that
we’ll see how the fight is gonna be on the first round,
if it will be a long or a short fight, but I believe that it
would be decided on the first round, at the most on the second”,
bets Conan. “Both are great fighters, had a brilliant future,
whatever the results are, but fight is fight and we support our
side”.
Two
days after Minotauro says that his brother would stop Banha,
Conan jokes back. “I think that he will bring to the octagon
everything that was made on the gym, he has good weapons. And
I wanted to answer Minotauro: Cane will stop Minotouro (laugh)”,
finished Conan. To know more about UFC 106, that will also have
the Brazilians Paulo Thiago and Fabrício “Morango”
in action, stay on TATAME.
Source: Tatame
|
DAN
HARDY EARNS A SHOT AT GEORGES ST-PIERRE
To the delight of a crowd full of his countrymen, Dan Hardy on
Saturday night at UFC 105 defeated Mike Swick to earn a shot
at the top 170-pound fighter in the world, UFC welterweight champion
Georges St-Pierre.
It
came down to the judges’ scorecards, but there wasn’t
much doubt that Hardy had done enough to earn the nod. That held
true with the disappointed expression on Swick’s face following
the final bell.
Not
that Hardy was able to just walk away with the fight.
“That
was a tough fight. I can’t take anything away from Mike,”
he said later.
Hardy
did control the majority of the bout however. He used the well-documented
power of his punches to clip Swick on several occasions, notably
at the onset of all three rounds.
Swick
wouldn’t go down though. Even when Hardy did follow through
and attempt to put him away, the American Kickboxing Academy
fighter held tough until he could regain his composure.
His
corner pressing him between rounds, Swick managed a couple effective
flurries in round three, but Hardy countered each time, staying
one step ahead of Swick to the end.
“I
did what I could England; I did what I could. I couldn’t
put him away,” commented Hardy after the fight, adding that
he was excited to earn the shot at St-Pierre.
It
was an impressive performance by Hardy, but he’ll have to
take his game up a notch to face the man that greeted him in
the Octagon after the fight.
“Dan
Hardy proved that he deserves the title (shot). I look forward
to the challenge,” St-Pierre offered after shaking Hardy’s
hand.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
BISPING
FINISHES KANG AT UFC 105
Michael “The Count” Bisping finished Denis Kang at
UFC 105, rebounding from his knockout loss to Dan Henderson at
UFC 100 in Manchester, England on Saturday in front of a European
record crowd of 16,693.
Hearts
nearly stopped inside the Manchester Evening News Arena early
in the first round when Kang dropped the Englishman with a right
hand. Bisping recovered and displayed a ground game not seen
by him in previous fights.
Kang
remained in top position on the ground for the remainder of round
one, but Bisping was able to work his way back to full guard
after being mounted and attempted submissions from his back keeping
Kang unable to inflict any more damage.
Bisping
looked hesitant in the second round as Kang worked his jab looking
to set up that big right hand that sent the Wolfslair MMA Academy
trained Brit to the canvas in the first.
Bisping
secured a single-leg takedown and the complexity of the fight
changed. He unleashed an arsenal of ground and pound on the Canadian,
and when Kang got back to his feet he was bloodied and battered.
Bisping
took the fight to the ground again with a slam and continued
with his barrage. Kang momentarily got back to his feet before
collapsing from the pressure of Bisping’s relentless strikes.
“He
took it to me in the first round,” said Bisping following
the fight. “Sorry to all of my fans for the last fight.
I promise you that was just a set back. I’m going back to
the old Michael Bisping, the one you saw tonight.”
Source: MMA Weekly
|
UFC
105 is British MMA’s graduation day
If
there was an overriding theme for UFC 105 Saturday night, it
was the coming-out party for British mixed martial arts.
In
a country that hasn’t embraced major American sports like
football, basketball or baseball, MMA, in two and a half years
has become one of the country’s most popular sports, with
a fan base that matched crowds in the UFC’s hometown of
Las Vegas in their appreciation for the technical points of the
sport, and a roster of fighters that continually improves.
The
country’s two most popular MMA fighters, Michael Bisping
from Manchester and Dan Hardy from Liverpool, had the most impressive
performances of their respective careers at the Manchester Evening
News Arena, as British fighters had wins in six of eight matches
against opponents from other countries.
Hardy
(23-6, 1 no contest) scored an upset in winning a unanimous decision
over Mike Swick (14-3), of San Jose, Calif., and the well-known
American Kickboxing Academy team in a match to determine who
will be the next opponent for welterweight champion Georges St.
Pierre.
Hardy
was able to get the better of most of the standing exchanges,
and surprised everyone with an improved wrestling game that allowed
him to thwart all of Swick’s takedown attempts throughout
the three-round fight. Hardy won by scores of 30-27, 29-28 and
30-27. Hardy even took Swick down and roughed him up on the ground,
which left Swick bleeding from the side of the head.
UFC
president Dana White said it was too soon to know when the St.
Pierre-Hardy match would take place, but did mention Las Vegas
as a possible location.
Hardy
has only been with the company for 13 months, winning a decision
over Marcus Davis in his last outing.
“I’m
blown away with his performance,” said White of Hardy, noting
that he also expected Swick to win. “Mike Swick is one of
the most underrated fighters in the UFC, and Dan Hardy handled
him. Swick only lost once in the UFC, at 185 pounds, to Yushin
Okami, and Yushin Okami is also one of the most underrated fighters
in the UFC, and Okami only beat him by decision.”
The
book on Hardy was that he had strong punching power, like most
of the British fighters, but that his wrestling game had lagged
behind. That’s a general rule because wrestling barely exists
as a sport in the U.K. Swick is a strong all-around fighter who
tried to exploit that weakness from the start until finding out
it was no longer a weakness.
“I
should have knocked him out,” said Hardy. “I’ve
got a new stand-up coach and I’m going to start putting
people to sleep.”
The
match wasn’t as explosive as hoped for early, but Hardy
came on strong, particularly in the third round when he rocked
Swick several times with punches.
Hardy,
27, was well known as the No. 2 native star on the show, but
is still able to walk the streets in a busy city and go largely
unrecognized. But in becoming the first U.K. fighter to get a
title shot in the UFC, and with the company’s increased
exposure on television in the country, that may change.
With
the exception of soccer, the national sport, boxing, and native
sports like rugby and cricket, MMA is as visible as in the country.
And in comparison, the night before UFC 105, in Manchester, Ricky
Hatton promoted a boxing show headlined by his brother, which
was nationally televised and heavily promoted, and drew less
than 1,000 fans, while the UFC event drew a sellout of 16,693
fans. White said he believed that set an all-time record for
the Manchester Evening News Arena.
Hardy
will go into the title fight as a prohibitive underdog against
one of the most dominant fighters in the history of the sport.
Staying upright against St. Pierre will be far more difficult,
since he’s considered the best takedown artist there is.
St. Pierre has beaten one opponent after another by taking them
down at will and punishing them on the ground, including opponents
with high-level wrestling ability.
In
the other bout, Bisping (19-2) finished Denis Kang (32-12-1)
after a hard knee at 4:21 of the second round.
Bisping
admitted feeling incredible pressure, both in fighting in his
home city, but knowing that after being knocked out badly by
Dan Henderson in his highest-profile fight on July 11, that a
second loss would fuel criticism that his record was a creation
of a company needing a U.K. star upon its arrival.
But
he survived a first-round knockdown to come on strong in the
second round. He took Kang down three times, and on the second,
unleashed punches and elbows that left the 2006 Pride Grand Prix
finalist with multiple cuts all over his face, and Bisping claimed,
a broken will.
“In
the second round I could see him break,” said Bisping, who
is a relatively well-known sports star in the U.K., the one UFC
fighter known by people in the country who aren’t necessarily
sports fans. “I knew I was going to finish him then.”
Bisping
and Kang’s fight brought the crowd to its feet, as both
men picked up a $40,000 bonus for the best fight.
Besides
the fighters, the audience has come a long way since UFC 70,
two and a half years ago in the same building, when UFC began
its U.K. expansion in earnest. The British crowd was no different
than a typical Las Vegas crowd that has watched the sport on
a regular basis for nearly eight years. The crowd reacted wildly
at the slightest position changes on the ground, such as fighters
escaping to dominant positions and getting caught back in half
guards, which took U.S. crowds several years to fully appreciate.
Source: Yahoo Sports
|
Romulo
calls for peace
Gi and No-Gi world champion Barral dedicates title to Batore
Romulo
Barral added a title he was missing to his CV last Sunday the
8th, but he would gladly trade it for the chance to see a friend
he just lost again.
Purple
belt Vinicius “Batore” Caetano was murdered last week
in Belo Horizonte, shot in the head over a misunderstanding.
“I
would like to dedicate this win to him. And I would like to leave
a message requesting all fighters avoid fights of any kind, especially
we who practice martial arts. No one wants to fight us and this
world is a dangerous one. I wish for peace, because something
happened in Belo Horizonte that has caused great sadness, a really
cool and tough kid has died,” he reflected.
“We
have to fight in the dojo, this is a very dangerous, very cruel
world. It could happen to any of us. I dedicate this win to you,
Batore,” an emotional Romulo told GRACIEMAG.com.
With
a sore arm, Romulo submitted two opponents, among them James
Brasco, and closed out the final with Otavio Sousa.
“I
wasn’t going to compete but thought to myself, ‘shoot,
there’s a championship 30 minutes from the gym; I have to
compete.’ And it’s a title I didn’t have. Now
I’m world champion with and without the gi, how about that?
Next year I hope I’m in good shape to defend my titles,
and fight for the absolute.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Quote
of the Day
“As
long as a man stands in his own way, everything seems to be in
his way.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
|
NOT
EVERYONE AGREES, BUT COUTURE EDGES VERA
It surely wasn’t the knock-down, drag-out type of fight
that fans tend to get excited about, but Randy Couture continued
his defiance of Father Time to earn a unanimous decision victory
over Brandon Vera, despite UFC commentator Joe Rogan’s protestations.
Leading
up to UFC 105, Couture said he went back to his wrestling roots
for this fight. He surely did, and showed from bell to bell.
No
sooner did the fight begin then Vera caught Couture with a kick
and flurried with punches. From then on, Couture would continually
clinch Vera and push him to the fence, using his Greco-Roman
skills to press the taller fighter and keep his weight against
him.
Couture
kept the grappling approach throughout, using dirty boxing and
knees to the thighs when in the clinch to try and score in the
judges’ eyes and keep Vera from using his reach.
When
they did separate, Vera was effective with his kicking, notably
catching Couture in the ribs midway through the second round.
The kick was solid, but Couture attempted to shrug it off, until
in a delayed reaction he turned away and slumped to the mat.
Vera followed, but Couture smartly tied him up and recovered.
Couture
finished round two and the majority of round three with more
clinching and inside work to the legs and body before all three
judges awarded him scores of 29-28 for the victory.
He
admitted it wasn’t the crowd pleaser that fans expect. “I
controlled a lot of tempo. Probably wasn’t the most exciting
thing to watch. He kicked me twice in the body in the second
and third rounds. That hurt a lot,” Couture said in assessing
the fight.
Asked
by Rogan about the decision, Couture said “you just never
know” what the judges are looking for, but felt that his
control over where the fight took place and the pace of it are
probably what ultimately determined such a close fight.
Vera
respectfully disagreed.
“I
thought I won. I left it all out there. I gave it to Randy as
best I could,” he told Rogan, visibly perplexed. “I
still don’t know what the hell. Thanks judges.”
Rogan
sided with Vera.
“I
think we’ve had a number of problems with judging in MMA
and I think this was another example of that.”
It’s
hard to say where Vera goes from him. Much of that probably depends
on if the UFC brass agrees with Rogan that Vera was shafted.
The
future isn’t as muddled for Couture. Although there isn’t
a clear opponent on the horizon, his weight class appears decided.
“Right
now the trend in the heavyweight division is pretty stacked with
a lot of big, strong, heavier guys. I feel a lot better (at light
heavyweight),” said Couture, indicating he will remain at
205 pounds for the time being.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Report:
UFC-WEC merger in 2010
Biggest
MMA event of the planet, UFC has plans even bigger to 2010. Sources
close to WEC informed TATAME.com that the UFC will add new weights
categories on the next year, bringing athletes with contract
with WEC, that was bought by Zuffa – same organization that
commands the UFC – in 2006.
This
year, UFC scheduled 20 events – WEC made only eight –,
but the bigger amount of athletes would force the organization
to make a bigger number of annual shows. According to sources
close to the event, Zuffa called all the fighters with contract
with WEC in Las Vegas earlier this month, telling about the merger
and revealing that they plan three events for month in the future.
With
the change, the Brazilians José Aldo, Raphael Assunção,
Wagnney Fabiano, Rafael Dias, Marco Galvão, Douglas Lima,
Diego Nunes, Frédson Paixão and Rani Yahya would
became UFC athletes, joining the team of 22 Brazilian fighters
with contract with Ultimate.
On
the next Wednesday, WEC 44 will define the featherweight champion
on the fight between Mike Brown and José Aldo, what could,
joining the events, define who would become the first UFC featherweight
champion. Besides that, WEC has two more shows scheduled until
January 2010. Stay tuned on TATAME.com for more information about
the merger between WEC and UFC.
Source: Tatame
|
Mario
Reis goes after tickets to Europe
South American championship yields two tickets to Portugal
Mario
Reis confirmed to GRACIEMAG.com he will compete at the South
American Jiu-Jitsu Championship, to take place November 21 and
22 in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Sign-ups using credit card may
be performed by clicking here. The deadline is November 16.
The
championship will yield one ticket to Europe for the winner of
the absolute adult black belt division, while a second will be
raffled off to the winners of the other black belt categories,
but that is not what motivated Reis to sign up.
“My
aim at the South American is to win a title I don’t yet
have. I’ve never competed there and I like competing in
all the CBJJ’s championships. I would like this title on
my CV. I already have European, Brazilian National, World titles…
Besides that it’s good to keep me in competition rhythm.
We become stronger when we keep up the pace,” said Mario
to GRACIEMAG.com.
To
clarify what competition rhythm means to him, the black belt
explained: “After this year’s Worlds, I took a break,
since I had been competing constantly since January of 2008,
winning pretty much every championship around, and practically
spend Christmas and New Year’s fighting. Even so, I kept
rolling for pleasure. But now I’m training to suffer. When
you train for a championship, you have to suffer. It doesn’t
matter how long you’ve been competing, championships will
be tense and full of pressure. I don’t go to championships
to compete, I go to win,” said Mario Reis in finishing.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Jose
Aldo's pre-WEC feast
Brazilian excited about first-ever WEC broadcast in Brazil
If
it were not enough that he heads into his WEC featherweight-title
challenge against leviathan Mike Brown riding five-straight knockout-wins
in as many appearances for the organization, and headlines an
event for the first time in his life, Nova Uniao’s Jose
Aldo has further pressure and motivation to put on another of
the violent spectacles MMA lovers have come to expect of him:
next Wednesday’s event will be the first-ever live broadcast
of Zuffa’s lighter-fighter event in his homeland of Brazil.
Although
he says only on the day of the fight will he know just how the
added attention will affect him, it is another dream come true.
“It’s what every athlete wants,” he told GRACIEMAG.com,
regarding his feelings about the five-round showdown with Brown
being aired live on the Premier Combate TV channel.
“You
want your countrymen to be able to watch you, and that’s
what I get for the first time. It’s not on network television
but still a lot of people have the channel,” he elaborated,
while feasting at an all-you-can-eat pizza parlor in celebration
of his wife’s birthday this Thursday, one day before departing
for his fight in Las Vegas, accompanied by coach Andre Pederneiras
and training partner Marlon Sandro, who just returned from Japan
with an Aldoesque first-round knockout at Sengoku.
Asked
whether it was the wisest thing to spend two hours gorging on
pizza, pasta and meat five days before having to make weight,
the former Jiu-Jitsu world champion-turned-slugger was unconcerned.
“That’s why I’m in this division, so I can eat.
Otherwise I'd fight at bantamweight.”
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
BROWN
AND PEARSON FINISH AT UFC 105
Ross Pearson and Matt Brown finished their opponents at UFC 105.
Ross
Pearson made his official Ultimate Fighting Championship debut,
kicking off the UFC 105 broadcast against Aaron Riley in Manchester,
England, and rose to the occasion finishing the veteran by technical
knockout due to a cut in a one-sided fight.
Pearson
picked Riley apart standing, mixing up his strikes with punches
and kicks, both low and high and muscled the American in the
clinch.
Riley
never seemed to get comfortable and in the second round Pearson
opened up a cut on Riley with a flying knee from the clinch followed
by a right hand. The fight was stopped due to the laceration.
Pearson
looked impressive and improved.
Heading
into his fight with James Wilks, Matt Brown said, “I think
he’s a lot tougher than people think,” and he was right.
The
first round was back and forth, but a well timed flying knee
in round two sent Wilks crashing to the canvas. The England native
survived the rest of the round but didn’t seem to ever totally
regain his composure. In the final seconds of the round, Brown
applied a tight triangle choke but Wilks was saved by the bell.
Brown
appeared to be on his way to finishing the fight standing in
the final round but Wilks effectively clinched and took the Ohioan
down. Brown found himself in trouble when Wilks cranked on a
kimura, but was able to escape.
“I
don’t know how I got out of that,” Brown said following
the fight.
Brown
got out of it none the less and mounted Wilks where he finished
with strikes.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
STEPFATHER
SENTENCED IN EILERS' DEATH
Mixed martial arts fighter Justin Eilers was shot and killed
late Christmas night by his stepfather, James Malec, in Nampa,
Idaho.
Malec
was convicted of manslaughter in September. The Idaho Statesman
on Friday reported that he will serve at least six and a half
years and up to 15 years for the shooting, which occurred during
a family gathering at the home of Malec and Eilers’ mother,
Gwen Moore.
Both
Malec and Eilers had been drinking that night.
Eilers
– 19-7-1 as a professional MMA fighter – fought for
the Ultimate Fighting Championship in late 2004 where he won
his Octagon debut before exiting the promotion following a three-fight
skid. One of the losses was to then UFC heavyweight champion
Andrei Arlovski. He would later fight for World Extreme Cagefighting
a couple of times before losing an EliteXC heavyweight title
bid to Antonio Silva in July of 2008.
Eilers
was 30 years old at the time of his death.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
SHERK
FACES OLIVEIRA AT UFC 108
Former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk will face off against
Rafaello Oliveira at UFC 108 on Jan. 2 in Las Vegas.
UFC
108 is scheduled for the MGM Grand Garden Arena and features
Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Rashad Evans
vs. Thiago Silva as headliners.
Sherk
(33-4-1) made the announcement Friday via Wisconsin Combat Sports.
Sherk,
36, told the website he plans to stay in the game until he turns
40 and reaches 50 fights.
The
Minnesotan has struggled since returning to the Octagon after
a one-year suspension due to alleged steroid use, going 1-2 against
the division's top-tier fighters.
Most
recently, Sherk dropped a unanimous decision loss to Frankie
Edgar at UFC 98, prompting a post-fight dash from the arena that
raised many eyebrows. Sherk told the website he had no desire
to rematch Edgar and preferred do-overs with champion BJ Penn
and Kenny Florian in addition to current challenger Diego Sanchez.
Oliveira
(11-2) fell short in his Octagon debut at UFC 103, losing a unanimous
decision to Nik Lentz which snapped a three-fight win streak.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Quote
of the Day
"The
word of man is the most durable of all material. "
Arthur Schopenhauer
|
UFC
105 Results: Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera
M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England.
In
the main event, Randy Couture (16-10) moves back down to light
heavyweight against fellow weight class hopper Brandon Vera (11-3).
Spike
TV:
Randy
Couture def. Brandon Vera by unanimous decision
Dan Hardy def. Mike Swick by unanimous decision
Michael Bisping def. Denis Kang by second-round TKO
Matt Brown def. James Wilks by third-round TKO
Ross Pearson def. Aaron Riley by second-round TKO
Undercard:
Andre
Winner beat Rolando Delgado by first-round KO (punch)
Alexander Gustafsson beat Jared Hamman by first-round KO (punches)
Denis Siver beat Paul Kelly by second-round TKO (strikes)
Nick Osipczak beat Matthew Riddle by third-round TKO (strikes)
Terry Etim beat Shannon Gugerty by second-round submission (guillotine)
John Hathaway beat Paul Taylor by unanimous decision
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Manny
Pacquiao TKO's Miguel Cotto:
Firepower Equals Fireworks
Ringside
Boxing Report
By John Novoselac
Over 12 absolutely action packed rounds, Manny Pacquiao proved
himself to be a force in the welterweight division with a 12th
round TKO victory over Miguel Cotto.
Cotto
came out fighting behind a stiff jab and disciplined approach,
that included some nice body shots, and came out of the first
round looking to be able to handle the Filipino fury.
However,
the 2nd round saw Pacquaio's left hand finding its target, and
proved to be the harbinger of things to come as a war erupted.
45 seconds into the third round saw a Pacquiao straight left
shot put Cotto down shockingly. Cotto appeared to shake it off
and set some traps later in the round in the corners, with no
real success as he ate counters for his trouble.
The
4th round proved problematic for the Puerto Rican champion as
he once again tasted the canvas late in the round, and was in
serious trouble. It was a round in the trenches with both men
landing very hard shots, and Cotto looked to be leading until
the right - left combo sent him down.
Cotto
tried to rough Pacquiao up in the 5th and rallied late despite
a flurry by pac to end the round. In the 6th Pacman re-established
his momentum and never looked back. He pounded away at Cotto
and the champ started to show some real signs of trouble. Pacquiao's
speed was simply too much.
By
the 8th round Cotto was looking to counter and boxing off the
back foot. Pac continued to stalk like a man looking for his
lost dog (or possibly eaten by his father). Pacquaio set traps
of his own in the 9th, brutalizing Cotto's body on the ropes
with vicious combos. By the 10th, Cotto was in full on retreat
mode, the safety defense if you will.
The
Rican slugger was bleeding badly by the 11th, and appeared to
be looking to simply survive. The end came somewhat surprisingly
after a flush right hand shot 55 seconds into the 12th, when
referee Kenny Bayless called a halt to the contest.
The
capacity crowd certainly got its money's worth tonight, despite
an atrocious undercard that hardly anyone sat through. This fight
delivered on its promise of non stop action, and once again the
Filipino contingent comes away we even greater hubris. Pacmania
is runnin' wild, folks.
Source: Dog House Boxing
|
Transcript
of Scott Coker interview with Fanhouse
By Zach
Arnold
INTERVIEWER: “Scott, now we are just I guess 72 hours away
from the biggest event that you’ve ever promoted. Is that
correct?”
SCOTT
COKER: “Yeah, absolutely, I mean you know to be on CBS,
it’s uh you know a lot of eyeballs and you know we’re
looking forward to it.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Back page of the Chicago Sun-Times, USA Today, you’re
all over the local news, are you happy with the buzz that this
fight has created?”
SCOTT
COKER: “Yeah, absolutely, I think that you know if you look
at the paper uh today and then I think the USA Today has something
in there as well and you know we’re hoping to finish strong
for the rest of the week.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Now for the casual fan out there, let’s say the Fanhouse
viewer who doesn’t know a lot about MMA, what can you tell
them about Fedor? Why should they watch this fight on Saturday?”
SCOTT
COKER: “He is truly the Last Emperor, he’s appropriately
named, and uh you know he is MMA’s um uh I would say MMA
royalty in the sense that I’ve watched him fight for the
last you know 10 years probably or 8 years when I was working
for K-1 in Japan and uh you know to have that undefeated record
is very rare and it just doesn’t happen and so he’s
uh a special athlete.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Now a lot of people are trying to compare this event to
the last MMA on CBS event, Kimbo Slice, he loses, Elite XC crumbles.
Not exactly related but there were it sort of didn’t really
help the cause. Um. What happens if Fedor loses? Is that the
worst thing in the world because [onward] you got Brett Rogers,
you got your Buster Douglas, you got your homegrown star and
now he just shocked the world?”
SCOTT
COKER: “Well, you know what, that’s the Buster Douglas
story, right? And the only thing is Buster Douglas in this case
would have a re-match, right? And so you know I mean to me the
better man should win, this is why that’s why they fight
and this is that’s why you know MMA is exciting is that
you never know in a sport, if Brett Rogers hits Fedor you know
that’s all I got to say is you never know. And uh, you know,
we have a great heavyweight division, a lot of people underestimate
our Heavyweight division but if you look up there with Fabricio
(Werdum), Fedor, Brett Rogers, uh Bigfoot Silva and uh with Alistair
Overeem in the mix, a couple of other signings that we’re
going to announce next week, I think we have a great division.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Oh, you just peaked my interest. Any, no one’s listening,
right? Any scoops you can give us?”
SCOTT
COKER: “I can’t give you anything right now, but I’ll
comment next Monday.”
INTERVIEWER:
“C’mon, Scott, all right. Well what about the rest
of the card? I mean, it’s a great card as well and you’re
going to crown a new Middleweight champion, I’m sure you’re
happy to finally put that whole saga behind you and crown a new
champion, right?”
SCOTT
COKER: “Yeah, I mean, you know it’s these guys are
very deserving and you know to put Jake and Mayhem together in
this fight is you know it’s going to be a great fight, I
think that might be the Fight of the Night, you know? I think
like we did in uh you know in some of our previous fights you’ll
have the Knockout of the Night, I think you’ll have the
Submission of the Night, I think you’ll have the Fight of
the Night.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Now, speaking of champions, there’s some confusion,
why isn’t Gegard Mousasi defending his title on Saturday?”
SCOTT
COKER: “Well, you know, uh, Sokoudjou as you know is a very
dangerous fighter. Um, but you know we looked at all the rankings,
he wasn’t a really you know he had uh he had gone through
a 3 or 4 fight loss streak and then he won a couple of fights
in Japan but he wasn’t ranked at the Top 10 and so we said,
you know what, let’s make this a non-title fight and then
if he does well, or if he beats Gegard… let’s do it
again.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Final question on championship belts. We saw the WAMMA
title up at the press conference. What’s the deal with that?
Is that title on the line?”
SCOTT
COKER: “You know, uh, it’s something that I’ll
have a conversation with WAMMA about, but I believe that Fedor
wanted WAMMA to uh be represented because Fedor is their champion
and uh I believe that they will present the belt to whoever wins
the fight. Uh, win or lose, whether it’s 3 rounds or 5 rounds
and uh that’s what they’ve decided to do.”
INTERVIEWER:
“And as the Strikeforce CEO and founder, uh, you know it’s
not do or die for MMA on CBS clearly but are you nervous? Like
how do you feel just a couple of days before about what’s
going to transpire?”
SCOTT
COKER: “I woke up yesterday on my way over here going, this
is getting exciting you know, you know it’s you get the
I get the butterflies not like the fighter you know not like
the competitor but I get butterflies and you know I did at the
Carano fight, I did at the Frank’s fights, at Cung’s
fights, I mean you know this is uh this is uh these guys are
very special athletes and they’re very important to me and
uh this you know is a big event and it’s like you said,
it’s the biggest event with the most eyeballs ever in the
history of Strikeforce and it’s uh you know you feel like
a proud parent.”
INTERVIEWER:
“And by the way I heard a rumor, I don’t know if it’s
true or not, but I heard that Brett Rogers is pregnant. Can you
confirm or deny this?”
SCOTT
COKER: “You got to talk to Brett about that, he’s right
over there.”
INTERVIEWER:
“That’s a joke about the whole Cyborg situation that
happened to you, the prank, you didn’t get that, c’mon
Scott, you’re very…”
SCOTT
COKER: “You know what, yeah, don’t do that to me because…”
INTERVIEWER:
“Don’t even go there.”
SCOTT
COKER: “Because that was uh my heart just dropped when they
told me she’s pregnant, I was going, I gotta find Marloes
Coenen because I got to get in the cage against you know Gina,
right, and then they go, oh, we’re just joking, I was like,
I’m going to get you back! You wait, I’m going to get
my staff back some day.”
INTERVIEWER:
“All right, final question. I’m sure your main competitor,
the UFC, is going to be watching on Saturday night. Any message
to your good friend Dana White about the show on Saturday?”
SCOTT
COKER: “You know what, I don’t want to get into that,
I mean you know they’re doing a great job over there and
honestly I say with sincerity and you know we’re just going
to do our job and I think we’re doing a great job over here
and you know if you think about the relationship uh with us purchasing
Elite XC assets, getting the Showtime/CBS contracts, starting
April 11th or 10th I think it was April 11th of this year uh
you know we’ve only been in the national TV business for
six months so I think we’ve accomplished a lot in six months
and I think you know give me another year or so, I think you’ll
see some real big big moves.”
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Cris:
“It’ll be hard to take this belt from me“
By Guilherme Cruz
Cristiane Cyborg needed four fights and three knockouts to be
on top of female MMA in the United States, and she doesn’t
want to leave it so soon. In an exclusive interview to TATAME.com,
the knockout artist talked about the changes that the title brought
to her life and the expectation to the first title defense, against
Marloes Coenen.
“I
knew that she would be my next opponent”, revealed Cris,
happy with the opportunities that came after the conquest on
Strikeforce. “The opportunities are raising, even on the
event, I have more visibility, and people recognize me on the
street, they’re are supporting my work... I got the belt
and now it’s gonna be hard to take it away from me”,
guarantees the Chute Boxe athlete, who talked about the trainings
with Tito Ortiz on United States, the next fight of her husband,
Evangelista Cyborg, at the same event, and the future: "I
see myself in the UFC". Stay tuned and check tomorrow the
chat with the champion.
Source: Tatame
|
Spike
to Air UFC's Davis-Saunders, Rosholt-Grove
by Mike Chiappetta
The UFC's cable broadcast home Spike will air two UFC 106 preliminary
matchups prior to the pay-per-view portion of the card, a pair
of sources confirmed to FanHouse on Tuesday.
The
two bouts scheduled to air include the welterweight clash between
Marcus Davis and Ben Saunders, as well as a middleweight tangle
pitting Jake Rosholt against Kendall Grove.
An
official announcement of the broadcast should come in the next
day or two.
Davis
(21-5), is coming off a split-decision loss to Dan Hardy in June,
while Saunders (10-1-2) hopes to rebound off his first career
loss, a knockout at the hands of Mike Swick. Meanwhile, Rosholt
(6-1) will try to make it two in a row after choking out Chris
Leben at UFC 102, while Grove (10-6) is looking to rebound after
falling in a unanimous decision against Ricardo Almeida.
UFC
106 emanates from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Nov. 21, and is
highlighted by a rematch between Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin.
The
event marks the third time the UFC and Spike will air prelim
fights leading into a major card. The first outing took place
at UFC 103, when 1.4 million viewers tuned in to see Tomasz Drwal
choke out Drew McFedries and Efrain Escudero knock out Cole Miller.
Last
month at UFC 104, a broadcast showing Pat Barry's KO of Antoni
Hardonk and Ryan Bader's decision win over Eric Schafer also
drew 1.4 million viewers.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Mino
faces JJ World Champ
UFC
108 decides who challenges Brock Lesnar
Rodrigo
Minotauro’s next opponent, at UFC 108 in January, is a Jiu-Jitsu
World Champion.
Of
course, undefeated Cain Velasquez’s (7w, 0l) isn’t
to worrying to the Brazilian former champion of Pride FC, but
it’s an indication the fight won’t be easily resolved
there.
It’s
one more reason for Rodrigo to train on Christmas and New Year’s
– something he’s been used to since his days in Japan.
Wrestling
champion Cain competed for Guerilla JJ team and won the IBJJF’s
2007 No-Gi World Championship in California, both at blue belt
ultra heavyweight and absolute. Not too shabby.
On
the other hand, the man to overwhelm Ben Rothwell and Cheick
Kongo hasn’t gotten a submission in any of his fights so
far. But he also didn’t need to, as he mercilessly battered
his opponents with strikes. On the ground, the time has come
to prove he knows how to defend.
To
further spice up the impending face-off, Dana White today guaranteed
the winner of this main event for UFC 108, at the MGM Arena,
will be the number one contender for the heavyweight belt, once
the Brock Lesnar vs Shane Carwin title bout finally comes to
pass.
Check
out the complete card for the event:
UFC
108
MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
January 2, 2010
Antonio
Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez
Rashad Evans vs Thiago Silva
Junior dos Santos vs Gabriel Gonzaga
Paul Daley vs Carlos Condit
Tyson Griffin vs Jim Miller
Joe Lauzon vs Sam Stout
Dan Lauzon vs Cole Miller
Mark Munoz vs Ryan Jensen
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
The
limitations of the CBS/Showtime model for Strikeforce
By Zach
Arnold
Over
at the Heavy web site, Jonathan Snowden has an interview posted
with Scott Coker after Saturday’s night show in Chicago.
For all intents and purposes, I thought Coker did a good job
with the show. Obviously the scheduling situation with the Mark
Miller fight being canceled at the last minute on the undercard
is a bad move on their part, but it’s the same type of thing
that happened to Jay Hieron on the August show where he wasn’t
on TV and ended up losing sponsorship money. Does the heat go
on Strikeforce or should it go on CBS & Showtime? Probably
the latter.
I
wrote an article for MMA Memories talking about the problems
that Strikeforce faces by being under the CBS/Showtime business
model. There was a reason last week why I transcribed the interview
Kelly Kahl did with Fanhouse. He talks a big game in terms of
what CBS has done for Strikeforce in terms of promotion and either
he’s a total spinner or he’s not looking at the ways
to promote Strikeforce from multiple angles. Having 10-seconds
ads featuring Choi Hong-Man on top of Fedor is not the way to
promote him. I don’t care if you ‘flood the zone’
on NFL or SEC football games or not, that’s not effective
advertising. When the whole goal is to try to promote new stars,
CBS did the bare minimum on Saturday - no interviews from the
fighters, a poor ad campaign leading up to the event, and no
sense of either CBS or Showtime doing episodic programming with
Strikeforce in the future.
If
you want to be event-driven only in terms of promotion, that’s
fine, UFC is that way, but Spike TV invests countless hours each
week to promote the brand. Roger Goodell likes to say that he
protects “the shield” (the NFL logo)… well, Dana
White and Lorenzo Fertitta do a pretty good job of protecting
the UFC brand. Scott Coker, at this point, finds himself at the
mercy of what Showtime and CBS want to do. Sure, Kelly Kahl and
company can say that Scott is the head matchmaker and that they
defer to him on many decisions, but ultimately Showtime and CBS
runs the show and not Strikeforce. As the ratings information
comes in and we see how things play out both politically and
in a business sense, you get the feeling that UFC made the right
decision in not immediately giving up control in exchange for
exposure on CBS.
Note
in the MMA Memories article what Kahl says about the idea of
working with UFC in the future.
As
for Jake Shields… the only defense I can say for him for
his boring fight performance is that he was lucky Chad Dawson
was fighting Glen Johnson. Who’s more boring - Shields or
Dawson?
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Rousimar
Palhares hungry to fight Linhares
By Erik Engelhart
Rousimar Palhares is 100%. After na injured and be forced to
stay out of trainings for months, Palhares will be back to the
octagon at UFC 107 against Lucio Linhares. In interview to TATAME.com,
the Dores do Indaiá native talks about the expectations
to the fight.
“It’s really better now. I’m gonna train a lot,
do my best to do a show to the Brazilian fans. I’m training
for that and I’ll do it”, guarantees the Brazilian
Top Team fighter. With a great game in BJJ, “Toquinho”
doesn’t expect a ground fight. “I don’t know,
the level is very high in the MMA today, so I only know that
he’ll be prepared and so do I, and we’re gonna do a
great fight”.
Without
fighting since January, Rousimar guarantees his best at the fight.
“When I’m injured and I can’t fight, I come back
hungrier for that”, Palhares said, who didn’t study
Linhares’ fights yet. “I didn’t watched it yet,
but they (my coaches) are getting that for me”, finished.
Source: Tatame
|
Quote
of the Day
"Everyone
wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don't
keep it a secret."
Mary Kay Ash
|
UFC
11/14 Manchester, England
Today
By Zach Arnold
Venue:
Manchester Evening News Arena
TV: Spike TV (delayed broadcast)
Hawaii
Air Times:
4-5PM Countdown
6-9PM Event
Dark matches
¦Lightweights
(155 pounds): Andre Winner vs. Rolando Delgado
¦Light Heavyweights (205 pounds): Alexander Gustafsson
vs. Jared Hamman
¦Lightweights (155 pounds): Paul Kelly vs. Dennis Siver
¦Welterweights (170 pounds): Nick Osipczak vs. Matthew
Riddle
¦Lightweights (155 pounds): Terry Etim vs. Shannon Gugerty
¦Welterweights (170 pounds): Paul Taylor vs. John Hathaway
Main card
¦Lightweights
(155 pounds): Ross Pearson vs. Aaron Riley
¦Welterweights (170 pounds): James Wilks vs. Matt Brown
¦Middleweights (185 pounds): Michael Bisping vs. Denis
Kang
¦Welterweights (170 pounds): Mike Swick vs. Dan Hardy
¦Light Heavyweights (205 pounds): Randy Couture vs. Brandon
Vera
Source: Fight Opinion
|
BERT
SUGAR'S BREAKDOWN: PACQUIAO VS. COTTO
Today!
Bert Sugar is quick to an opinion, but you can be assured it'll
be an entertaining one... Every major fight, he breaks down the
fight and let's you in "under the hat." Here's his
take for Pacquiao vs. Cotto.
Nov 11, 2009 - by Bert Sugar with Steve Small
STRENGTHS
OF BOTH FIGHTERS
MANNY
PACQUIAO
-
Pacquiao has greatly improved in the past two years--in tactics,
in angles given opponents, in head movement, and the use of his
right hand.
-
Faster and with more than one-punch power than Cotto, Manny Pacquiao
has become the Evel Knievel of Boxing, able to leap over tall
divisions in a single bounce and still bring his explosive knockout
power north with him.
-
The PacMan has a secret weapon: trainer Freddy Roach, who has
devised battle plans for Pacquiao that woud have brought tears
to the eyes of Robert E. Lee--such as the battle plan for Pacquiao
against De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, his last two fights.
-
Pacquiao has the edge in the "home cookin'" arena,
having fought ten times in Vegas including his last five fights,
while Cotto's home court is Madison Square Garden in front of
his adoring fans , his one loss coming to Margerito in Vegas.
MIGUEL
COTTO
-
Cotto is a big, tough natural welterweight, bigger and physically
stronger than Pacquiao. - A bul-like fighter, Cotto tends to
walk through his opponents' punches, all the better to land his
own.
-
A gritty, gutsy performer, Cotto overcame an early clash of heads
and the resuting nasty cut to stay the course and outpoint Joshua
Clottey in a battle of wills in his last fight.
-
Cotto throws some of the most crippling body shots in boxing,
thudding punches that have the sound of surf hitting shore which
have the effect of breaking down opponents.
WEAKNESSES
OF BOTH FIGHTERS
PACQUIAO
-
Pacquiao has no inside game, his fight is all from the outside.
-
Paquiao's style, which is one of offense, offense and more offense,
not defense. He tends to come charging in with his hands held
low and his chin raised after he punches and coud be an inviting
target for Cotto.
-
In Pacquiao's only fight in which he has fought a "bulying"
opponent, Agapito Sanchez, Pacquiao had difficuty dealing with
Sanchez. Cotto's style of crowding his opponent as Sanchez did,
coud present problems for Pacquiao, disrupting his rhythm and
offsetting his speed.
-
In previous fights there has been a question of Pacquiao's focus
and how he dealt with his many distractions. Now, before his
fight with Cotto, Pacquiao has spent time in the Philippines
doing humanitarian work helping his fellow countrymen battle
typhoons and torrential rains and has spent only two weeks at
the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles preparing for this fight and
the question arises again.
COTTO
-
With little or no head movement and hands held high, Cotto tends
to lean in with his head, not roll with it, leaving him vunerable
to uppercuts.
-
Cotto doesn't so much throw a left hook to the body as an uppercut,
which works well with his right-handed fighters, but not left-handers-which
not incidentally, Pacquiao is.
-
Although he has a sturdy chin, Cotto has been wobbled by Ricardo
Torres and Chop-Chop Corley and hurt by Zab Judah. And the question
before the floor is whether he'll be able to take Pacquiao's
best punch.
-
Cut badly in his last fight against Clottey, there is no telling
whether his healed cut can take Pacquiao's punches.
WHAT
EACH MUST DO TO WIN
PACQUIAO
-
Pacquiao must throw his 1-2, or 1-2-3, or 1-2-3-4 combinations,
then move to his right and to Cotto's left, away from him.
-
Pacquiao must use his jab to keep Cotto at arm's length.
-
When Cotto throws his left hook to the body Pacquiao must come
over with a quick counter right as he did against Hatton.
COTTO
-
Cotto must keep Pacquiao in front of him, throwing a wider left
hook to keep Pacquiao from moving away in angles.
-
Cotto must use his stronger upper body to "muscle"
Pacquiao and get inside, where he has the advantage.
-
Cotto must move his head more and try not to come barreling in,
head down, all the better to evade Pacquiao's punches.
Source: HBO
|
UFC
105: Randy Couture Talks Brandon Vera
by Michael David Smith
Randy Couture had a 15-minute war with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
at UFC 102 on August 29. But he didn't take any time off to recover.
Instead, he agreed shortly after the Nogueira fight to take on
Brandon Vera at UFC 105, which takes place Saturday in Manchester,
England on Spike TV.
In
an interview with FanHouse, Couture discussed crafting the right
game plan for an opponent like Vera, his move down to light heavyweight,
having his son in his corner for the first time, and how he stays
in fighting shape at age 46.
The
full interview is below.
Michael
David Smith: How would you describe what kind of opponent Brandon
Vera is?
Randy Couture: I think he's a striker who uses his long frame
and his Muay Thai skills to stay away from guys, draw guys in
and find ways to win. Thanks to those long, straight punches
and his kicks, he rarely has to use his wrestling skills or his
ground skills at all. It's not that he doesn't have them, but
he doesn't use them effectively as an offensive weapon very much.
And
since Vera has those Muay Thai skills and doesn't do a lot on
the ground, is it safe to say you're going to try to take the
fight to the ground?
Well, I definitely don't want to stand around and allow him to
establish his range and hit his rhythm. I'd like to make it as
much of a wrestling match as I can. That's what's going to put
me in the best position to win.
It's
certainly no surprise to hear you say that: You were an Olympic-caliber
wrestler and he is more of a kickboxer. Is game planning just
that simple, preparing for a fight in which you'll be able to
use your own strengths and avoid the strengths of your opponent?
I've seen Brandon fight a lot and I'm very familiar with his
style, with how he uses his hands, with his motion. If you're
a fighter, you definitely have to fashion your training camp
to work out the right game plan for your opponent, to be ready
for the problems he poses and to make the right plan to beat
him. I've studied the places he likes to be and where he doesn't
like to be and now it's up to me to use that in the Octagon.
Before
the Shogun-Machida fight at UFC 104, I had heard you were most
likely next in line for a title shot if Machida beat Shogun and
you beat Vera. But now that it was so close and there's going
to be a Shogun-Machida rematch, do you think you get the Shogun-Machida
rematch winner next, or would you need to win another fight to
get a light heavyweight title shot?
I don't know. We'll see how that comes out. I don't spend too
much time worrying about things I can't control. If I get a shot
at Machida for the title, that would be great, but whatever happens
I'm just looking for interesting fights and there are a lot of
other interesting fights.
Is
moving down to light heavyweight a permanent move, or could your
next fight after Vera be back up at heavyweight?
I can go either way. It's not like I'm cutting much weight or
changing my body drastically to make 205. That's not a huge issue
for me. I'll just fight at whatever weight class will make for
an interesting fight.
Are
you walking around at the same weight now that you were when
you were preparing for heavyweight fights?
Yes. I weighed in at 220 for my fight against Antonio Rodrigo
Nogueira and I was 217 this morning before practice.
With
your wrestling background is cutting weight second nature to
you?
I have a lot of experience cutting weight, and there were times
in my wrestling career when I cut a lot of weight. So I'm familiar
with what it takes, and it's kind of a routine. I've cut to 205
pounds plenty of times and it's not a problem.
What
do you think about fighting in England?
I'm excited about going to Manchester. They have a great crowd
there. I've heard the fight's already sold out, and that's going
to make it a lot of fun.
This
is a fight that will be on Spike TV, whereas we're accustomed
to your fights being on pay-per-view. Does that make a difference
to you? There have been stories of some of the most popular fighters
saying they don't want to fight in Europe because they rely on
pay-per-view bonuses for a large chunk of their income.
I know the UFC will take care of me so I'm not terribly worried
about that. It all comes out in the wash because I'm satisfied
and the UFC is satisfied.
Who's
going to be in your corner against Vera?
Neil Melanson is going to be my head cornerman. Gil Martinez
will be there as my striking coach. Quentin Chong will be there
as my Muay Thai coach and my son Ryan will accompany me as one
of my cornermen for this fight, too.
Has
Ryan been in your corner before?
He's never cornered me before. He's been to most of my fights,
maybe even all of them, but this will be his first time cornering
me.
That
must be exciting for both of you.
Yeah, it'll be fun.
How
is his MMA career going? I know he's had some amateur fights.
It's going well. In his last fight he won with a first-round
armbar, and he's going to take a little time off, probably through
the holidays, and then get a few more amateur fights and then
look at stepping up to the pros.
You
won't have Shawn Tompkins in your corner. Why did he leave your
gym?
I think he's interested in building his own brand and we're restructuring
some things at Xtreme Couture, so I think it made sense for both
of us. He'll do very well where he ends up.
What
will 2010 look like for you? How many times might you fight next
year?
I don't really map it out, I just see which opportunities present
themselves and I make those evaluations when the time comes.
There are a lot of opportunities both at heavyweight and at light
heavyweight and we'll just see how it unfolds.
You're
taking this fight after an 11-week layoff: One of the shortest
you've ever had in your career. Do you like having that little
time between fights?
Yeah, that was one of the things I liked about this fight: It's
a very quick turnaround and I was very healthy after the Nogueira
fight, so it allows me to keep moving. The last time I fought
two times in pretty quick succession were my fights against Chuck
Liddell and Tito Ortiz [in June and September of 2003], and that
worked out pretty well for me, so I feel great about it.
I
know you get the question all the time, but how do you stay in
good enough shape to fight twice in three months at age 46, and
how much longer can you do it?
I don't know if there's any one answer. I keep my body healthy.
I stay in good shape. In the last couple years I've spent a lot
of time getting my blood chemistry evaluated, taking the supplements
and eating the things that my blood chemistry says I should be.
That's been the biggest thing the last couple years, age 45 and
46.
Is
it realistic to think you could be fighting at 50?
Anything is possible. I'm not thinking that far ahead, but I'm
not ruling anything out either. I'm just preparing myself for
a great fight and I hope I'll have more of them.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Alberto
Crane to Face Wander Braga at Called Out MMA II
LOS
ANGELES – On November 14, UFC veteran and world jiu-jitsu
champion Alberto Crane is scheduled to fight fellow world class
jiu-jitsu player Wander Braga at the CALLED OUT MMA II event
being held at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.
“He’s
(Braga) a tough guy. His record [16-1] speaks for itself. I expect
a tough fight, but I’ve been training harder than ever and
I’m confident in my ability. I’m ready,” said
Crane.
Recognized
as one of the world’s top jiu-jitsu players, Crane sports
a decorated list of accomplishments, having been a three-time
Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Champion, as well as owning a gold
medal in the black belt division from the 2002 World Jiu-Jitsu
Championship.
Braga,
a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt holder, will be looking to get
back on the winning track after suffering his first professional
loss (round 2 – guillotine choke) at the hands of former
TUF participant Gabe Ruediger this past August. Prior to the
loss, Braga had reeled-off a string of 16 straight victories
dating back to 1994.
Crane
sports an impressive record as well (12-4) and is well tested,
having fought battles in the Ultimate Fighting Championship against
the likes of Roger Huerta and Kurt Pellegrino. He is also a former
lightweight champion for both the King of the Cage and Ring of
Fire fight promotions.
In
addition to training and fighting professionally, Crane continues
to instruct students at his Encino-based Legacy Mixed Martial
Arts Academy, which he owns and operates alongside world-class
jiu-jitsu instructor Romulo Barral.
Source: The Fight Network
|
Nogueira
vs. Velasquez Confirmed for UFC 108
Light-Heavyweight bout Between Evans and Silva Also Announced
By FCF
Staff
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has confirmed that rising
heavyweight contender Cain Velasquez, will fight former interim
champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, at the promotion’s upcoming
January 2nd event in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, the company
has also announced that UFC 108 will feature a light-heavyweight
clash between former champion Rashad Evans and Thiago Silva.
“Nogueira
vs. Velasquez is a great matchup between the present and the
future of the heavyweight division,” UFC President Dana
White was quoted saying on the promotion’s official site.
“Nogueira showed in the Couture fight that he still has
plenty left to offer at the top level of the game, and Velasquez
was devastating in his win over Ben Rothwell, so with both guys
in top form, we’re definitely going to see a number one
contender emerge from this fight to take on the winner of the
Brock Lesnar vs Shane Carwin title fight.”
As
White noted, Nogueira (32-5-1) is coming off an impressive Unanimous
Decision victory over Randy Couture this past summer, after the
former Pride champ was stopped by Frank Mir last December.
Velasquez
extended his professional record to 7-0 with his second round
stoppage of Rothwell at UFC 104 last month. The American Kickboxing
Academy fighter has won 5 straight since arriving in the UFC.
With
the fighting career of “Rampage” Jackson still up in
the air due to his acting ambitions, Evans will now turn his
attention to Silva. Evans (13-1-1) has not fought since May,
when he lost the light-heavyweight belt to Lyoto Machida, who
knocked out the “Ultimate Fighter” vet in the second
round.
Silva
(14-1) is coming off a first round TKO stoppage of Evan’s
teammate, Keith Jardine, at UFC 102 in August. Prior to that,
in January the American Top Team fighter was also defeated by
the current champion Machida, who KO’d Silva in the first
round.
Source: Full Contact Fighter
|
Transcript
of Jason “Mayhem” Miller interview on AOL Fanhouse
By Zach
Arnold
INTERVIEWER: “Now, let’s talk about that. Obviously
you have a huge fight on Saturday fight and I’ve heard you
say in interviews that you know you want to be more than just
the Bully Beatdown guy and a lot of fans are getting to see you
now on that show and they don’t even know that you fight
really. How much does that weigh on you?’
MAYHEM
MILLER: “I think you’re misquoting me, man, I do not
really care that they know, I never said that I want them to
know more but they are going to see that I’m a world-class
fighter on Saturday night. You know? I think that of course most
people know me as the wacky guy on the TV show, cool with me!
I don’t care how you know me as long as you know me. So,
uh, you know, I’m going to go in there and show everybody
that not just the wacky guy on Bully Beatdown, but also the wacky
guy who kicks people in the head.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Just to clarify, I wasn’t saying that was uh an issue
for you, it just you know to show more people what you’re
all about. All right, well you got this shot against Jake Shields
and obviously you’ve fought in the UFC before but this,
I mean, let’s be honest, this is the biggest fight of your
career. Do you view it that way just because it’s on CBS
for a title?”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “Yeah! Oh yeah! I never really thought about it
until you said it right now! Wow. Uh, doesn’t change anything,
I’m still going to beat him up.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Do you respect his game as an MMA fighter? I mean, obviously,
twelve wins in a row, um everyone says that they’re going
to stand with him but it doesn’t really work out when they
get into the cage or ring with him.”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “I don’t think that, yeah, he said he’s
going to stand with me, of course he’s lying! Because he’s
not going to do that, but same time I know a few tricks of my
own on the ground so if we get there, you know, I’m going
to be able to do stuff to him as well so it’s like um you
know it’s one of those things, I see the glaring weaknesses
in his game, I’m going to do my best to exploit them.”
INTERVIEWER:
“What do you think about his ground game overall? I mean,
is this the best ground fighter that you’ve ever faced in
your career?”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “Hell no! I think… Jacare wrapped me up like
a pretzel, you know, Christmas present, I was like wow, this
guy is all over like just a snake, you know, and I think that
while Jake Shields is definitely good on the ground, um I think
that uh most of the time he’s dealing with a guy who’s
you know smaller than him and I’m of equal size so we’re
going to you know he cuts his weight real well but now he’s
fighting at 185 and I don’t think he’s going to be
able to squash me like he’s squashes everybody else.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Obviously we’ve read all you know some of your harsh
words towards Jacare on Twitter and all that stuff. Is he still
on your mind or are you over the whole beef with him?”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “No, I mean, whatever. Dude, he doesn’t like
me and I don’t like him, you know, it’s just something
we’re going to have work out, you know, through through
through couple’s counseling is what I was really thinking
but I mean if we’re going to fight, OK, I’ll do that
too.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Well you’ve fought in a lot of organizations in your
career and now here you are fighting for a title on CBS for Strikeforce,
you win the title obviously you sort of found a home. Is that
exciting to you to fight for one organization, be known as a
fighter who competes solely for that league or organization/promotion?”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “You got your facts wrong, pal, I’m also fighting
in DREAM so you know I’m also a DREAM fighter. I fight in
Japan, I fight here in America now, so it’s uh I’m
still you know nobody’s girlfriend you know. I date around.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Would you like that better to not be exclusive?”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “Yeah! Of course. It allows me to do what I want
to do, you know what I mean, it allows me to kinda go around
and uh choose what I’d like to do or what path I want to
take my career, as opposed to fighting in one organization you
know that owns everything and I can’t do anything else and
there’s no MTV show for you, pal, you know? You’re
going to have to go on um TUF you know. No thanks.”
INTERVIEWER:
“The Ultimate Fighter.”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “Yeah, no thanks.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Well, uh, in talking to Scott Coker, I believe and I may
be mistaken, I thought that he had said that you are exclusive
to Strikeforce now but now you’re saying…”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “In America? Yeah, in America.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Oh, in America, that’s the caveat.”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “In America, that’s the little asterisk!”
INTERVIEWER:
“All right, well OK, so now you’re going to be bouncing
back and forth, but if you do win the title, does that change
anything or can you still keep, I mean is there a clause in the
contract that if you’re the champion you have to fight more
here in America for Strikeforce?”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “Ooh, should have read my contract, huh? Damn! I
don’t know, yeah, I mean, I’m sure, nah, there’s
no clause where I’m not allowed to uh fight anywhere else,
you know, I’m going to fight where I want to fight.”
INTERVIEWER:
“All right, I saw you talking to your dancers earlier and
obviously a big part of the you know the Mayhem Experience are
the entrances and everything. Is Strikeforce and CBS, are they
going to let you do that on Saturday night, be yourself?”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “Well, I mean, I hope so, you know, we’ll see
on Saturday night, uh as far as everyone saying they’re
like YEAH, we’re going, we’re behind on you on your
entrances and do what you want to do, be you, and I’m like,
all right, cool, but you know we’ll see if they get it,
you know, maybe uh this first one we might have to work some
kinks out, who knows you know, I hope they just get it right
on the first try.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Do you practice with them beforehand or do you just kind
of do it out there for the first time?”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “You bet your sweet ass I practice.”
INTERVIEWER:
“All right, just uh then it would be even more impressive,
you should have just said that you didn’t and everyone would
respect it more and more.”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “No! You got to learn your moves, baby.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Do we get a preview?”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “I never give a preview, bro.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Never?”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “Never have and although you are a good looking
man, I don’t think I’m going to do it, I don’t
think I’m going to do for it you buddy.”
INTERVIEWER:
“All right, and finally are we going to see another season
of Bully Beatdown? Everyone wants to know if we’re going
to see a third season.”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “Hey, everybody wants to know that! I don’t…
I don’t know! I haven’t got it confirmed yet. Ratings
did good, so I hope for everyone’s sake that we do, that
we get another one. It’s a fun show to do and it’s
a fun show to watch so, I’m hoping we do.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Rumor has it Jake Shields talked to a few MTV executives
and he might be hosting the show now.”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “Yeah, you know… *laughing* Aaaahhhhhh!”
INTERVIEWER:
“Can you confirm or deny this?”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “Yeah, but it’s weird because uh they’re
going to have Jake just walking around and I’m going to
just talk for him so it’s going to be all my voice dubbed
over. He just goes this like this (mouth open) and then I talk
for him.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Are you saying that he doesn’t have what it takes
to host a show?”
MAYHEM
MILLER: “I’m saying that he doesn’t have what
it takes to order some food at a restaurant.”
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Mir
dreams of retiring Brock Lesnar
Black belt says he has something to prove
Frank
Mir has a single objective in MMA: to retire Brock Lesnar
That’s
what the Ricardo Pires black belt told Fighters Only Magazine
recently. More than reconquering the post of UFC heavyweight
champion, or simply having revenge, Mir says he has a vital mission
against the guy who knocked him out at UFC 100, last June.
“To
end Brock Lesnar’s career. It’s what I think about
all the time,” Mir told Fighters Only. “Brock Lesnar
exploited a huge weakness in my game and no matter who I crush
after this, I have to crush him to show I’ve improved that
weakness.
“It’s
nothing about how he talked to me in my last fight. I could care
less about it. If I took it that personal there are other ways
to handle situation like that outside of a cage, but honestly
I just want to fix what was exploited. If you’re a true
martial artist you don’t do it for money or titles, just
to be the best human being possible, and if someone exploits
a weakness, who better to see if you’ve fixed it than the
guy who exploited it,” Mir explained.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
White
says Lesnar would smash Fedor’s head
Every time Fedor Emelianenko defeats somebody outside the UFC,
Dana White starts the provocations. After the knockout victory
against Brett Rogers at Strikeforce, White guaranteed some of
the UFC heavyweights would do the same to Rogers.
“The
guy just got his face smashed in by Brett Rogers. Do you know
what Brock or [UFC heavyweights] Frank Mir and Cain Velasquez
would do to Brett Rogers?”, asked the Dana, betting on his
heavyweight champion against Fedor. “It’s time to bring
[Fedor] in, to see Brock Lesnar smash his head”.
Source: Tatame
|
Arlovski
Eyes Dec. 19 Strikeforce Or NYE Fight
by Ray Hui
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski is looking to
fight by the end of the year and could be competing at Strikeforce:
Evolution on Dec. 19 or in Japan with Sengoku or Dynamite!! 2009
on New Year's Eve.
FanHouse
has learned that Arlovski's management has been in discussions
with the aforementioned organizations and Arlovski is currently
training to potentially fight on one of those cards.
Interestingly,
Arlovski, who is coming off a pair of knockout losses this year
to Fedor Emelianenko in January and Brett Rogers in June, could
have fought on the Fedor vs. Rogers card this past weekend. Arlovski
was offered Mike Whitehead, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (Whitehead
and Sokoudjou would have moved up in weight) and finally Antonio
Silva, but parties could not agree to the matchups.
Strikeforce
CEO Scott Coker teased the media late Saturday at the Fedor vs.
Rogers post-fight conference by saying that there will be two
big heavyweight signings to be announced within the next 10 days.
Could Arlovski be one of them?
Source: MMA Fighting
|
K-1
World GP Final 8 (12/5 Yokohama Arena)
By Zach
Arnold
¦Reserve
Fight: Peter Aerts vs. Gokhan Saki
¦Reserve Fight: Daniel Ghita vs. Chalid “Die Faust”
Arrab
¦Super fight: Kyotaro vs. Tyrone Spong
¦Opening Fight: Jan Soukup vs. Tsutomu Takahagi
¦Opening Fight: Kei’ichi Samukawa vs. Ryuji Kajiwara
¦World GP Fight #1: Ruslan Karaev vs. Badr Hari
¦World GP Fight #2: Alistair Overeem vs. Ewerton Teixeira
¦World GP Fight #3: Jerome Le Banner vs. Semmy Schilt
¦World GP Fight #3: Errol Zimmerman vs. Remy Bonjasky
¦World GP Semi-Finals: Winner of Fight #1 vs. Winner of
Fight #2
¦World GP Semi-Finals: Winner of Fight #3 vs. Winner of
Fight #4
¦World GP Finals
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Quote
of the Day
"The
wheel that squeaks the loudest is the one that gets the grease."
Josh Billings
|
Oahu
girl raises awareness and money to cure diabetes
By Brooks Baehr
The O2 Martial Arts Academy is proud to partner up with an
outstanding person and martial artist such as Brian McCutcheon
and his school the Oahu Taekwondo Center. Our day classes are
held at his school and this story epitomizes the kind of person
he is and the type of school that he runs.
November
is National Diabetes Awareness Month and few are doing more locally
to raise awareness than a 4th grader from Royal Kunia.
Taylor
Kim, 9, is a national medal winner in taekwondo. Her coach says
she is getting better all the time despite being diagnosed with
Type 1 diabetes a little more than a year ago.
Folks
at the Oahu Taekwondo Center are so impressed with Taylor that
180 of them will participate this weekend in the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes at Kapiolani Park.
"We
have an opportunity to be proactive unlike so many times in life
your family and friends have a situation where all you can do
is sit on the sidelines and wait and hope things work out. And
I think everybody in our school feels like this is an opportunity
to do something and play our part and do what we can do, so everybody
is excited to help," said Brian McCutcheon, who owns and
operates the Oahu Taekwondo Center.
"Finding
a cure I'd love to say within Taylor's lifetime would be the
best gift for her," added Taylor's mother Chandra Kim.
The
JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes is Saturday. It will get underway
at about 7:30 at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand.
Source:
KGMB.com
|
UFC
11/14 Manchester, England
Tomorrow
By Zach Arnold
Venue:
Manchester Evening News Arena
TV: Spike TV (delayed broadcast)
Hawaii
Air Times:
4-5PM Countdown
6-9PM Event
Dark matches
¦Lightweights
(155 pounds): Andre Winner vs. Rolando Delgado
¦Light Heavyweights (205 pounds): Alexander Gustafsson
vs. Jared Hamman
¦Lightweights (155 pounds): Paul Kelly vs. Dennis Siver
¦Welterweights (170 pounds): Nick Osipczak vs. Matthew
Riddle
¦Lightweights (155 pounds): Terry Etim vs. Shannon Gugerty
¦Welterweights (170 pounds): Paul Taylor vs. John Hathaway
Main card
¦Lightweights
(155 pounds): Ross Pearson vs. Aaron Riley
¦Welterweights (170 pounds): James Wilks vs. Matt Brown
¦Middleweights (185 pounds): Michael Bisping vs. Denis
Kang
¦Welterweights (170 pounds): Mike Swick vs. Dan Hardy
¦Light Heavyweights (205 pounds): Randy Couture vs. Brandon
Vera
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Transcript
of Gegard Mousasi interview with Fanhouse
By Zach
Arnold
INTERVIEWER: “There’s a lot to talk to you about because
uh you were supposed to fight on the DREAM card (Yokohama Arena)
and mysteriously you pulled out. Can you shed some light as to
why you didn’t fight on that card?”
GEGARD
MOUSASI: “Uh, I was injured and now I’m fighting in
the CBS show.”
INTERVIEWER:
“What kind of injury did you sustain?”
GEGARD
MOUSASI: “Shoulder injury.”
INTERVIEWER:
“All right, well what do you think about this fight against
Sokoudjou, because you were supposed to fight him in that bout,
it’s not going to be for a title but he’s shocked some
people in the past. What are you expecting to see from him?”
GEGARD
MOUSASI: “I feel he’s a dangerous opponent and people
underestimate him, but I trained very well for this fight and
um I’ve done everything to win the fight in my training
so I hopefully its going to be a good night for me.”
INTERVIEWER:
“So you didn’t grow up in the United States but I’m
sure you understand the significance of fighting on CBS. What
does that mean to you because obviously this is network television,
it’s not cable, it’s not PPV, millions of people are
going to see this.”
GEGARD
MOUSASI: “Of course I’m going to get more people to
see me so it’s more exposure for me but of course you have
to perform well and so my main thing is that to fight though
and eventually it doesn’t matter if CBS, Showtime, as long
as you keep winning they will know you so.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Why isn’t the title on the line?”
GEGARD
MOUSASI: “I don’t know… they didn’t ask me
to defend it, they said three rounds so it’s three rounds.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Does that bother you because you are the champion, wouldn’t
you like to defend the title?”
GEGARD
MOUSASI: “No, I like to fight for the belts more to win,
I don’t like to be a champion who defends these titles every
time so I like to be uh I like the underdog position so I don’t
like to be a champion. I like the title, but…”
INTERVIEWER:
“Do you like when people underestimate you?”
GEGARD
MOUSASI: “Yeah, it’s a better position for me and a
little less pressure and no expectations so that’s much
better because now people have big expectations but I’m
going to do my best to win.”
INTERVIEWER:
“How are you dealing with that? Because in the last few
months a lot more people know who you are, a lot of people asking
for interviews, uh probably asking for autographs, all that stuff,
how are you dealing with this new found fame?”
GEGARD
MOUSASI: “I got used to it a little bit in Japan so it’s
.. I’m OK, in Holland I’m not famous so it’s only
when I’m in US or in Japan that people know me or recognize
me but I’m normal though.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Speaking of Japan, is it safe to assume that you’re
going to be fighting most of your fights in the United States
because you’re the Strikeforce champion? We know that you
have those fights lined up in DREAM but now that you’re
back here uh is it safe to assume that more, the majority of
your fights be contested here for Strikeforce?”
GEGARD
MOUSASI: “Uh, yeah, I think so and but um I’m still
uh going to fight also in Japan, I just want to be um every two
months I want to fight and um so yeah probably I will fight more
in America now.”
INTERVIEWER:
“And uh there’s a rumor that Dan Henderson might be
signing with Strikeforce soon and obviously the obvious match-up
would be you against him. That would be a great match-up at 205.
What would think of that if Strikeforce offers you a fight against
big Dan Henderson?”
GEGARD
MOUSASI: “Uh, it’s a great fight, he’s a tough
opponent, um, I don’t think he will come.”
INTERVIEWER:
“Why not?”
GEGARD
MOUSASI: “Well, they’re not going to pay him that much
so… I think he’s going to stick with UFC but if he
will come it’s going to be a very good fight and so…
yeah, Dan Henderson’s a tough fighter so it’s going
to be a…”
INTERVIEWER:
“And you have said that if they do offer you Henderson you
want to be shown the money, sort of speak, right?”
GEGARD
MOUSASI: “No, I have a contract so I have to fight but …
who cares, after the contract is finished then I can ask for
my money.”
INTERVIEWER:
“It’s safe to assume you’ll be making more than
$2,000 this time around? Because that was the number that jumped
out at everyone.”
GEGARD
MOUSASI: “Yeah, definitely.”
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Report:
Fedor vs. Rogers Tilt Draws 5.46 Million Viewers
By FCF Staff
CBS
Entertainment has announced this afternoon that the broadcast
of the Fedor Emelianenko and Brett Rogers bout Saturday night
drew 5.46 million viewers. The news release goes on to report
that the Strikeforce event averaged 4.04 million viewers and
that further, the CBS Saturday Night Fights broadcast outrated
ABC's regionalized primetime college football programming in
men and adults aged 18-34, as well as ESPN's Florida State vs.
Clemson game in the same demographics.
These
latest rating are an improvement upon initial numbers, which
speculated that the Strikeforce card drew approximately 3.8 million
viewers. Due to the fact that Saturday’s card went over
the original time allotted, however, those ratings did not reflect
the viewership for the Fedor vs. Rogers bout.
According
to the CBS release, compared to the network’s usual Saturday
night programming from 9:00-11:00 PM, viewership in the male
18-49 year-old demographic was up 178% Saturday, while in the
18-34 male category, ratings improved by 283%.
Last
May, the CBS broadcast of the Elite XC bout between Kimbo Slice
and James Thompson, peaked at 6.1 million viewers.
Source: Full Contact Fighter
|
DAN
HARDY DECLARES WAR ON MIKE SWICK
by Ken Pishna
You could call Dan Hardy one of those “ahead of his time”
kinds of guys.
He
began his career in mixed martial arts in England, when there
really were no careers to be had in the sport.
Hardy
paid his dues, taking his first professional bout in 2004. He
worked his way up, primarily through the ranks of the Cage Warriors
Fighting Championship, where he held titles as both welterweight
and light welterweight champion, until the sport finally developed
to the point that being a full-time mixed martial artist was
a legitimate pursuit.
When
the Ultimate Fighting Championship started its international
expansion efforts, they looked first to England, where the small
scene that Hardy was dominating was starting to gain some traction.
Not long after, they finally took notice of Hardy’s efforts,
signing him to fight at UFC 89 in late 2008.
He
hasn’t looked back.
Hardy
has won 11 of his 12 most recent fights, including three straight
in the Octagon. The UFC didn’t give him an easy road either.
His first three bouts have amounted to wins over Akihiro Gono,
Rory Markham, and Marcus Davis, all tough journeyman fighters
known for hard-nosed, bruising efforts, win or lose
His
persistence, however, has paid off. He steps in the Octagon with
Mike Swick on Saturday night at UFC 105 in Manchester, England,
in a bout to determine the next challenger to welterweight champion
Georges St. Pierre .
But
Hardy didn’t get to where he is by looking so far into the
future that he overlooks what’s standing right in front
of him.
“I
don’t really think about (the title shot) much, to be honest,”
he told MMAWeekly.com. “Swick is the next opponent and my
focus is on fighting him. If the next opponent is GSP then so
be it. I’ll fight anybody the UFC puts in front of me.
“The
UFC puts the heads on the block and I just take ’em off.”
A
title shot is on the line, and Swick is not a fighter to be taken
lightly. In 10 UFC bouts, his only stumble was a decision loss
to Yushin Okami at UFC 69, the American Kickboxing Academy standout’s
last bout at 185 pounds.
That’s
when he determined his frame was better suited to the 170-pound
division. Swick started off a little slow in his first two bouts
in the class, despite winning both, but hit his stride with crushing
knockouts in his two most recent wins to reach the cusp of a
title bid.
In
short, he’s tailor made for Hardy... or so says the animated
Brit.
“He’s
aggressive, he’s exciting, he likes a good fight, and I
can knock him out. That’s everything I want in an opponent.”
Swick
said recently that he doesn’t just want to win he wants
to “make a statement.”
That’s
fine by Hardy. He doesn’t want to take the safe road to
a title shot, either; he wants to earn it with a fight that leaves
fans blown away.
“I
want 15 minutes of war until one of us hits the canvas.”
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Cunha:
“Fedor still is the number one”
By Guilherme
Cruz
Sérgio Cunha helped Brett Rogers’ preparation to
face the Russian Fedor Emelianenko, but he saw the American be
knocked out on the second round. Besides the loss, the Muay Thai
coach liked the athlete’s performance.
“He went very well on the first round, fought with the strategy
I made, but he went out of the strategy on the second round and
was knocked out by the best fighter of the world, that’s
normal”, lamented Cunha, talking about the fight.
“He moved well, broke Fedor’s nose, could block the
takedowns and, when he fell, he quickly went out e got on top,
hitting three good punches and defending an arm-lock... I just
think that he came back too open on the second round and didn’t
moved well... If he follows (the strategy) he could finish the
fight. But Fedor is still the number one”, pointed the coach,
who worked for six months with the American heavyweight.
In
some MMA forums, some fan criticized the referee Big John McCarty
about a possible early stoppage. To Cunha, the referee was right.
“The punch hit right on him and he did right... If he left,
Brett would have been hit two or three times more with Fedor
over him. He couldn’t do anything, he was dizzy and the
referee was right”, said Sérgio, without plans to
the future. “I work with camps and I still don’t know
when it’s gonna be the next... Probably I’ll take a
ride in Brazil and then I’ll come back here”, finished.
Source: Tatame
|
Mamed
Khalidov TKOs Jorge Santiago in Sengoku Upset
by Michael David Smith
In a major MMA upset, Mamed Khalidov defeated Jorge Santiago
by first-round TKO Saturday at Sengoku 11.
The
Polish Khalidov came out aggressively, trying and missing a spinning
back kick in the early going before Santiago took him down. On
the ground, Khalidov stunned Santiago with a punch to the jaw,
and as soon as he smelled blood he pounced, unleashing a series
of hard strikes to the head that had Santiago dazed and hurting.
The referee stepped in and stopped it at the 2:45 mark of the
first round.
"I
always had a dream to come to Japan," Khalidov said after
the fight. That dream turned out to be a nightmare for Santiago,
who was on a nine-fight winning streak and was widely regarded
as one of the world's 10 best middleweights. Now Santiago falls
to 21-8.
For
Khalidov, who improves his record to 20-3-1, this is a career-changing
performance. Khalidov had been fighting in the Polish promotion
KSW, and until now was best known to American fans (to the extent
that he was known to American fans at all) for beating Jason
Guida in a ShoXC fight last year.
Now
Khalidov has a much, much bigger win on his record than that.
He's an exciting, well-rounded fighter who can be expected to
do big things in the future. By beating Santiago, he's already
done something big.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Robson
Moura wins again
But
this time in a different ring
An
email hits the GRACIEMAG.com inbox announcing a Jiu-Jitsu black
belt’s latest conquest.
The
email is extraordinary for two reasons:
1)
He’s none other than our GMA Robson Moura (Nova Uniao),
one of the greatest World Championship gold medal collectors
there is.
2)
His latest win came in Muay Thai, in the United States.
“I
had a Muay Thai bout this Friday, it was my first in Muay Thai,
in the amateur division. I fought at 137 pounds against a guy
with three fights under his belt, and I won by judges’ decision,”
wrote the former Shooto fighter to GRACIEMAG.com.
“I’ve
been training for some time and liked the experience. I thought
it would be cool to share it with the Jiu-Jitsu community, to
show our power.
“Ah,
I’m sending you a photo. They weren’t very good because
I think my wife was more worried about the fight! I’m the
one in the red gloves. Best regards, Robinho.”
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Aloha
State Championships of BJJ
12/5/09
Kaiser High School Gym
|
|