UFC 137: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

 Posted by at 5:03 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Oct 302011
 

Nick Diaz (red trunks) took full advantage of BJ Penn's (white trunks) cardio issues at UFC 137, out-landing him 218-58 in total strikes during the second and third rounds. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The thousands of fans have left the Mandalay Bay Event Center and fighters have returned home to nurse their injuries and plan for their next bouts following a night of solid competitive fights at UFC 137. “Diablo” Nick Diaz (25-8) took the win over “The Prodigy” BJ Penn (16-7-2) in his main event return to the UFC. Cheick Kongo (17-6-2) showed how superior technical abilities are a perfect foil for raw athletic ability when he dismantled “Meathead” Matt Mitrione (5-1). The MMA world witnessed the end of one of the most storied careers in MMA as “Cro Cop” Mirko Filipovic (27-11-2) came out on the losing side of a three-round fire fight with “Big Country” Roy Nelson (16-6). “Big Frog” Jeff Curran (35-14-1) had his UFC return spoiled by WEC stand-out “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (12-3) and Hatsu Hioki (22-4-2)  broke the curse of JMMA fighters with a solid win over George Roop (12-7-1). With the fights in the books, everyone knows which man recorded the victory in each fight, but that doesn’t necessarily reflect how each man’s career will be affected and for that, MMA Gospel has the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.   Continue reading »

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Bellator 56: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 12:52 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Oct 302011
 

Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren (black trunks) retained his title after an arguably lackluster performance, defeating Jay Hieron (yellow trunks) via Split Decision. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

The battle for the Bellator Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament finals went out like a bat out of hell with two match-ups lasting a little over a minute combined. Former US Army Boxing Champion “The American Soldier” Eric Prindle (6-1) took on Kentucky native “The Monster” Ron Sparks (5-1). Brazilian “Big Monster” Thiago Santos (6-1) and South African “Goliath” Neil Grove (11-5) met in a replacement bout that took weeks to finalize, but only seconds to conclude. In the main event Welterweight Champion Ben Askren (9-0) faced seasoned IFL veteran and hungry top contender “The Thoroughbred” Jay Hieron (19-5) in a five-round affair that put Askren’s title on the line for the first time. Continue reading »

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UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz Live Results

 Posted by at 5:18 PM  UFC  No Responses »
Oct 292011
 

Former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion BJ Penn (left) and former Strikeforce 170lbs. champ Nick Diaz (right) square off tonight in the UFC 137 headliner. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View)—

BJ Penn vs. Nick Diaz: Diaz via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Cheick Kongo vs. Matt Mitrione: Kongo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Mirko Filipovic vs. Roy Nelson: Nelson via TKO (Punches), Round 3, 1:30

Scott Jorgensen vs. Jeff Curran: Jorgensen via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Hatsu Hioki vs. George Roop: Hioki via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00 Continue reading »

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Bellator 56, Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament Semi-Finals Results

 Posted by at 4:04 PM  Bellator  No Responses »
Oct 292011
 

(Photo courtesy of Bellator)

—MAIN CARD (on MTV2)—

Welterweight Championship Fight
Ben Askren vs. Jay Hieron: Askren via Split Decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48), Round 5, 5:00

Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament Semi-Final Fight
Neil Grove vs. Thiago Santos: Santos via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 1, 0:38

Adam Schindler vs. Jeremy Spoon: Spoon via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament Semi-Final Fight
Eric Prindle vs. Ron Sparks: Prindle via KO (Punches), Round 1, 0:40 Continue reading »

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MMA Gospel Staff Makes UFC 137 Predictions

 Posted by at 12:29 PM  UFC  3 Responses »
Oct 292011
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC 137 main card has survived a series of blows to its line-up to finally come to fruition tonight at the promotion’s primary stomping grounds, the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. To kick off the Pay-Per-View festivities, perpetual underdog and TUF 8 alum George Roop (12-6-1) welcomes Japanese sensation Hatsu Hioki to the Octagon for his stateside debut. Two former WEC stand-outs go to battle as multiple-time “Fight of the Night” winner “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (11-3) is pitted against fellow bantamweight and seasoned submission guru “Big Frog” Jeff Curran (35-13-1). The famed head kicks of  ”Cro Cop” Mirko Filipovic (27-10-2) will likely make an appearance when the former PRIDE superstar takes on inaugural IFL Heavyweight Champion and TUF 10 winner “Big Country” Roy Nelson (15-6). The co-main event sees another heavyweight clash, this time between renowned French kickboxer Cheick Kongo (16-6-2) and the man who “pisses excellence” each time he steps foot in the Octagon, “Meathead” Matt Mitrione (5-0). Former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion “The Prodigy” BJ Penn (16-7-2) goes head to head with Stockton native “Diablo” Nick Diaz (24-8) of Cesar Gracie tutelage in the evening’s marquis event – a pairing that already showed fireworks at last night’s weigh-ins. Despite its rocky start, the UFC once again has managed to string together an event chock full of promising match-ups that are nearly certain to render the full gamut of results. Continue reading »

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Bellator 56, Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament Semi-Finals Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 9:25 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Oct 282011
 

Eric Prindle (top) proved his toughness and grit against Abe Wagner (bottom) but he will have to back it up with his crisp boxing to beat "The Monster" Ron Sparks. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

The Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas, home field of Titan Fighting Championships, will loan its famous venue to Bellator Fighting Championships for Bellator 56 tomorrow night.  The first title fight of the season serves as the main event when Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren (8-0) puts his belt on the line against UFC, IFL, and Strikeforce veteran and Season 4 tournament winner “The Thoroughbred” Jay Hieron (19-4). “Big Monster” Thiago Santos (5-1), who replaced “300″ Mike Hayes (14-4), was scheduled to face Blagoi Ivanov (5-0) but an injury forced Ivanov to the bench. Now in his place is feared striker “Goliath” Neil Grove (11-4). Grove is looking to make an example of Santos by knocking him out cold and showing the world he is still that dangerous man that busted onto the scene during Bellator Season 2. Kentucky’s own “The Monster” Ron Sparks (5-0) will duke it out with yet another big man “The American Soldier” Eric Prindle (5-1). With four massive heavyweights competing for the two slots in the tournament finals, fans can expect nothing less than a rock ‘em sock ‘em slugfest. Continue reading »

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UFC 137 Pre-Fight Breakdown: BJ Penn vs. Nick Diaz

 Posted by at 3:04 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Oct 282011
 

Former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion BJ Penn (white shorts) likely won't be able to resist a slugfest with former Strikeforce 170lbs. king Nick Diaz, who is very similar to him stylistically. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The Mandalay Bay Events Center welcomes the UFC back to its home in Las Vegas with UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz this Saturday.  Joe Silva should be given a matchmaking award for the roster of fights he’s put together including the debut of Sengoku Raiden and Shooto champion Hatsu Hioki (24-4-2) versus featherweight stalwart George Roop (12-7-1) in what will surely be an early contender for “Fight of the Night” awards. “Big Country” Roy Nelson (15-6) looks to rebound from a lackluster loss against the aging fan favorite “Cro Cop” Mirko Filipovic (27-9-2).  Cheick Kongo (16-6-2) will look to stave off the fast rise of “Meathead” Matt Mitrione in the night’s most intriguing heavyweight match. And while the title fight between UFC Welterweight Champion “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (22-2) and underrated contender “The Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit  (27-5) has been scrapped, there is no question that its replacement fight between former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion “The Prodigy” BJ Penn (16-7-2) and former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion “Diablo” Nick Diaz (25-7) has “one for the ages” written all over it. Regardless of the dubious reasons behind this fight’s origin, one thing is for sure: both men will be looking to throw down.  Penn has always been a fighter first and foremost and Diaz loves opponents who come at him full-throttle. With two multi-talented, born-to-brawl athletes like Penn and Diaz, this fight is guaranteed to entertain. Continue reading »

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UFC 137 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Cheick Kongo vs. Matt Mitrione

 Posted by at 5:48 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Oct 272011
 

Matt Mitrione (yellow trunks) has shot through the ranks like a rocket thanks to his work ethic and solid fundamental striking, two things Cheick Kongo will put to the test. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

While a knee injury in training has robbed MMA fans of the UFC Welterweight Title fight between “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (22-2) and “Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (27-5), the UFC 137 card headlined by  “The Prodigy” BJ Penn (16-7-2) and “El Diablo” Nick Diaz (24-8) is certainly not lacking in talent. Sengoku superstar Hatsu Hioki (21-4-2) will open the main card in his UFC debut against George Roop (12-6-1). “Big Frog” Jeff Curran (35-13-1) will make his return to the Octagon against former WEC contemporary “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (11-3) and “Cro Cop” Mirko Filipovic (27-10-2) will seek a return to glory against “Big Country” Roy Nelson (15-6). Pulling co-main event duties are a pair of heavyweight strikers from opposite ends of the public spectrum, Cheick Kongo (16-6-2) and “Meathead” Matt Mitrione (5-0). Known for his blunt, dry sense of humor and almost comical arrogance, Matt Mitrione came from the NFL, to the TUF house, and into a five-fight win streak as he continues to “piss excellence” in the Octagon. Kongo, by contrast has been a man of very few words who has quietly climbed the UFC ladder with a five-year-long, 9-4-1 mark in the organization and a traditional, no-flash style of kickboxing that he uses to great effect. Both men have made their presence known and are looking for the chance to make a big splash in the division. This fight represents that chance. Continue reading »

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UFC 137 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Mirko Filipovic vs. Roy Nelson

 Posted by at 7:48 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Oct 272011
 

Mirko "Cro Cop" (right) will look to end his career as the fighter he was when he KO'd Wanderlei Silva (left) when he faces Roy Nelson and his own demons at UFC 137. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Though an injury to UFC Welterweight Champion “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (22-2) cost fans a title fight between he and former WEC champ “Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (27-5), the UFC 137 event headlined by “The Prodigy” BJ Penn (16-7-2) and polarizing welterweight talent “El Diablo” Nick Diaz (24-8) remains one of the most impressive offerings of the year, from any organization. The cast of characters is nothing short of amazing with the stern Frenchman Cheick Kongo (16-6-2) going head to head with heavyweight class clown and break away knockout artist “Meathead” Matt Mitrione (5-0), Japanese champion Hatsu Hioki (21-4-2) taking on George Roop (12-6-1), and “Big Frog” Jeff Curran (35-13-1) making his first Octagon appearance in nearly six years against former WEC rival “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (11-3). Also slated for marquis action, former PRIDE superstar “Cro Cop” Mirko Filipovic (27-10-2) will again seek to reclaim a piece of his former self against former IFL champion “Big Country” Roy Nelson (15-6). The pairing is an interesting affair as both men have questions about their career decisions pressing in on them from the media, the UFC brass, and the fans. Continue reading »

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UFC 137 Pre-Fight Breakdown: George Roop vs. Hatsu Hioki

 Posted by at 5:05 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Oct 262011
 

He might have stumbled a few times in past performances but George Roop (left) has always made it a point to win until stopped otherwise. He will face a daunting challenge when he faces UFC newcomer Hatsu Hioki in the main card's opener. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The card has undergone many changes but UFC 137 still comes at full force come Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Young  Guns” Scott Jorgensen (11-3) welcomes back “Big Frog” Jeff Curran (35-13-1) in a bantamweight match-up. The potential for knockouts is always high when the heavyweights are involved, especially when Cheick Kongo (16-6-2) meets “Meathead” Matt Mitrione (5-0) and “Cro Cop” Mirko Filipovic (27-10-2) clashes with “Big Country” Roy Nelson (15-6). The main event is a dream match for those who love a good old fashioned scrap, as “The Prodigy” BJ Penn (16-7-2) and “Diablo” Nick Diaz (24-8) are set to lock horns. In the card’s opener, George Roop (12-6-1) welcomes top featherweight Hatsu Hioki (21-4-2) into the Octagon. Roop has always been the featherweight division’s underdog but when he meets a high-level grappler in Hioki, the moniker might seem fitting more than ever. Continue reading »

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Viacom Stakes Claim in Bellator Fighting Championships

 Posted by at 2:46 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Oct 262011
 

Late Tuesday night an announcement was made that raised Bellator Fighting Championships’ stock in the MMA market: Viacom, the parent company of Spike TV, MTV, BET, and Comedy Central, has purchased broadcasting rights for the Chicago-based promotion.

The deal won’t come into effect until 2013, but that doesn’t mean the benefits will be on hold for the promotion, the fighters, and the fans. Apart for the obvious gains in terms of consistent programming and production value, the deal will also help insure the long-term stability of Bellator as a promotion, meaning that fighters will be able to count on their paychecks cashing and their jobs being secure so long as they continue to preform. For fans, it means more MMA on more channels on a more regular basis.    Continue reading »

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Lyman Good Returns at Bellator 59, Faces Michael Costa

 Posted by at 8:10 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Oct 252011
 

Former Bellator 170lbs. champion Lyman Good returns to action against Michael Costa at Bellator 59 next month. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

Former Bellator Welterweight Champion “Cyborg” Lyman Good (11-2) is returning to the cage after a six-month hiatus following his Split Decision loss to Season 4 Welterweight Tournament finalist “Judo” Rick Hawn (11-1) in April.

Good was slated to take on “The Handler” Dan Hornbuckle (18-5) at Bellator 44 the following month but a hamstring injury forced him to withdraw from the fight. Now fully healed and ready to start his climb back to a shot at the Bellator championship gold of which he was the first to wield, “Cyborg” will face off with Brazilian native and Sengoku veteran ”Maicon” Michael Costa (10-5) in a welterweight tourney qualifying match at Bellator 59 on November 26.

Costa, a Chute Boxe fighter, will debut under the Bellator banner with nine finishes out of his ten victories, and with a training camp that is Chute Boxe there’s no question that his Muay Thai is extremely lethal. Costa’s last fight will be a day shy of a year come November 26 and what a welcome back he gets with a former champion of Good’s caliber. Costa is a Royler Gracie-trained black belt who currently trains alongside Bellator Season 5 Middleweight Tournament finalist Vitor Vianna (12-1-1) at Wand Fight Team in Las Vegas, Nevada. Continue reading »

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