UFC 160: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

 Posted by at 3:08 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
May 262013
 
Cain Velasquez (red gloves) looked unstoppable as he unified the UFC Heavyweight and Linear MMA titles against Antonio Silva (blue gloves). (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Cain Velasquez (red gloves) looked unstoppable as he unified the UFC Heavyweight and Linear MMA titles against Antonio Silva (blue gloves). (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

It will take a fairly spectacular card to top the Pay-Per-View event that the UFC presented at UFC 160. Cain Velasquez (12-1) destroyed “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (18-5) in under two minutes, setting up a rubber match between the reigning champ and “Cigano” Junior Dos Santos (16-2), who turned in a highlight reel spinning hook kick KO of “The Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (9-8) at the end of a “Fight of the Night” performance. Just the main and co-main had more excitement and more story lines built into it than most cards top to bottom, but the fireworks started long before that. In the anchor bout, Glover Teixeira (21-2) extended his rash of lopsided UFC victories with first-round modified Guillotine Choke after a brief fire fight with James Te Huna (16-6). TJ Grant (21-5) stepped out of the shadows as the next challenger to the lightweight crown with a “KO of the Night” stoppage of “The Bully” Gray Maynard (11-2-1). Opening the evening, “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (20-5) fought a three-round war in a winning effort against “King” KJ Noons (11-7) that easily could have taken a “Fight of the Night” bonus on any other card. The UFC and its fans are the clear winners this time out, but not everyone can come out ahead. For that, MMA Gospel presents The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.  Continue reading »

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UFC 160 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva

 Posted by at 5:07 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
May 242013
 
With his powerful takedowns and brutal ground and pound, Cain Velasquez (red trim) is the worst possible match-up for Antonio Silva. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

With his powerful takedowns and brutal ground-and-pound, Cain Velasquez (red gloves) is the worst possible match-up for Antonio Silva. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

When the UFC returns to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 25, it will be packing quite a punch. The UFC 160 main card is loaded top to bottom with ground-and-pounders, knockout artists, and stand-up killers starting with former Muay Thai champion “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (19-5) against professional boxer and kickboxer “King” KJ Noons (11-6). Following the two lightweight sluggers is the night’s only grappling-heavy pairing as TJ Grant (20-5) puts his submission skills against a wrestler who has shown that he too has a nasty right hand, “The Bully” Gray Maynard (11-1-1). Raw power returns in the anchor match as Glover Teixeira (20-2) looks to make James Te Huna (16-5) his fourth UFC victim. The co-main pits two of the deadliest stand-up fighters in the heavyweight division against each other as “Cigano” Junior Dos Santos (15-2) meets “The Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (9-7). Capping it all off is a battle for heavyweight gold. Cain Velasquez (11-1) has been an animal ever since first setting foot in the Octagon, finishing seven of ten UFC bouts with his vicious ground-and-pound. One of his victims was Strikeforce transplant “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (18-4), who is back for revenge following a stunning upset win to get a chance at the belt. Continue reading »

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UFC 160 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Junior Dos Santos vs. Mark Hunt

 Posted by at 4:33 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
May 232013
 
Mark Hunt (red gloves) is a long shot to win over Junior dos Santos, but counting him out would be a serious mistake. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Mark Hunt (red gloves) is a long shot to win over Junior Dos Santos, but counting him out would be a serious mistake. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC has been accused in the past of favoring fighters who seek the knockout over those who seek other routes to victory and a strong case for that argument is an event  like UFC 160. Opening the card is a lightweight bout between former Thai boxing champion “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (19-5) and professional boxer and kickboxer “King” KJ Noons (11-6). Next out, in the second slot typically reserved for the softest offering of a five-fight main card, is “The Bully” Gray Maynard’s (11-1-1) return in a number one contendership bout against TJ Grant (20-5). Anchoring the card is another pair of heavy-hitting KO machines Glover Teixeira (20-2) and James Te Huna (16-5), and of course the headlining bout features UFC Heavyweight Champion and brutal ground-and-pound artist Cain Velasquez (11-1) in his second meeting with “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (18-4). Continuing an overall theme of punch happy fanfare is the co-main which will see one of MMA’s best boxers, “Cigano” Junior Dos Santos (15-2), go toe-to-toe with 2001 K-1 Grand Prix Champion “The Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (9-7). Continue reading »

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UFC 160 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Glover Teixeira vs. James Te Huna

 Posted by at 7:17 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
May 222013
 
Glover Teixeira (white trunks) has the advantage on the mat and can go blow for blow with James Te Huna standing as well. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Glover Teixeira (white trunks) has the advantage on the mat and can go blow-for-blow with James Te Huna standing as well. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada hosts UFC 160 Saturday night. The heavyweight title is up for grabs when champion Cain Velasquez (11-1) meets “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (18-4) in the main event. “The Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (9-7) has been making a resurgence and hopes to keep it alive when he battles the former heavyweight king, “Cigano” Junior Dos Santos (15-2). “The Bully” Gray Maynard (11-1-1) will test his mettle against TJ Grant (20-5) in a lightweight showdown with the victor earning the right to a title shot. KJ Noons (11-6) makes his Octagon debut as he is set to tango with “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone” (19-5). The card’s anchor, however, is a light heavyweight shoot-out between Glover Teixeira (20-2) and James Te Huna (16-5). Both men have been unstoppable in their recent outings, but one man’s rise to the top will take a slight dive when the cage door closes. Continue reading »

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UFC 160 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Gray Maynard vs. TJ Grant

 Posted by at 11:46 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
May 222013
 
Gray Maynard (bottom) is a world-class wrestler who's advancing his skills in every other area of the MMA game, but his almost year-long lay-off could prove detrimental in his UFC 160 bout. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Gray Maynard (bottom) is a world-class wrestler who’s advancing his skills in every other area of the MMA game, but his almost year-long lay-off could prove detrimental in his UFC 160 bout. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

UFC 160 broadcasts live from Las Vegas, Nevada’s MGM Grand Garden Arena this Saturday and has a main card like no other for the fight capital of the world to display. KJ Noons (11-6) makes his UFC debut against “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (19-5) in the card’s opener. A pair of light heavyweight sluggers grace the card with Glover Teixeira (20-2) meeting James Te Huna (16-5) in the anchor. In the co-main event, “Cigano” Junior Dos Santos (15-2) will look to bounce back from his recent loss as he’s paired against “The Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (9-7). “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (18-4) will try to avenge a 2012 loss when he challenges Cain Velasquez (11-1) for the heavyweight title. In the middle of all the action, a lightweight title eliminator is set between “The Bully” Gray Maynard (11-1-1) and TJ Grant (20-5). Maynard is once again inching closer to a title shot while Grant has never been close to the same chance until now. Come Saturday, there will be a new lightweight challenger waiting to make his claim for 12 pounds of gold. Continue reading »

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UFC 160 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Donald Cerrone vs. KJ Noons

 Posted by at 5:21 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
May 212013
 
In addition to being the superior striker, Donald Cerrone (black trunks) also has the clear advantage in every other aspect of the MMA game of KJ Noons. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

In addition to being the superior striker, Donald Cerrone (black trunks) has the clear advantage in every other aspect of the MMA game versus Strikeforce implant KJ Noons. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The heavy hitters will return to the Octagon on Saturday as UFC 160 takes the helm from Las Vegas, Nevada. UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez (11-1) will meet the hard hitting “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (18-4). “Cigano” Junior Dos Santos (15-2) looks to rebound from his loss to the champ by facing the resurgent former K-1 champion “The Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (9-7). Continuing the trend of knockout machines in the anchor bout is the ultra dangerous Glover Teixeira (20-2) meeting Aussie kickboxer James Te Huna (16-5). The second bout of the night represents the only departure from the striking-heavy theme as “The Bully” Gray Maynard (11-1-1) returns from a long lay-off to pit his tar pit of a top control wrestling game against Canadian submission expert TJ Grant (20-5). Opening the main card, fans find a striking match of a different color. While the top of the card is stacked with serious heavy-handed KO power, the opener pits the slick combination boxing of “King” KJ Noons (11-6) against the straightforward Thai boxing attack of “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (19-5). Continue reading »

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UFC on FX 8: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 11:08 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
May 192013
 
Vitor Belfort (red shorts) made short work of Strikeforce transplant Luke Rockhold (blue shorts) at UFC on FX 8. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

Vitor Belfort (red shorts) made short work of Strikeforce transplant Luke Rockhold (blue shorts) at UFC on FX 8. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

The UFC returned to FX and Brazil with last night’s UFC on FX 8 card to roaring success, especially for Brazilian fighters who went 9-1 against those visiting their country for the event. On the main card, the Brazilians took a clean sweep with the only loss going to “The Brazilian Samurai” João Zeferino (13-5) who dropped a Unanimous Decision to his fellow countryman “Sapo” Rafael Natal (16-4-1). Rafael Dos Anjos (19-6) won a close and, as a result, controversial unanimous bid over Evan Dunham (14-4). In his UFC debut, “Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (18-3) made short, one-sided work of journeyman Chris Camozzi (19-6), and the main event saw a strong contender for “Knockout of the Year” as “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (23-10) handed Luke Rockhold (10-2) a sound thrashing in his first trip to the Octagon, culminating with a stunning spinning hook kick KO. MMA Gospel is here, as always, to break down each bout and the potential consequences for the winners and losers. Continue reading »

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UFC on FX 8 Fight Bonuses

 Posted by at 4:31 AM  MMA News  No Responses »
May 192013
 
Vitor Belfort (left) earned a highlight-reel KO over former Strikeforce champ Luke Rockhold (right) and took home a $50K fight bonus for his efforts. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Vitor Belfort (left) earned a highlight-reel KO over former Strikeforce champ Luke Rockhold (right) and took home a $50K fight bonus for his efforts. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The following fight bonuses were awarded for UFC on FX 8: Belfort vs. Rockhold

Submission of the Night:

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (over Chris Camozzi) receives $50,000

Knockout of the Night:

Vitor Belfort (over Luke Rockhold) receives $50,000

Fight of the Night:

Lucas Martins and Jeremy Larsen each receive $50,000

Click here for the full list of UFC on FX 8 results.

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UFC on FX 8: Belfort vs. Rockhold Live Results

 Posted by at 2:40 PM  MMA News, UFC  2 Responses »
May 182013
 
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on FX @ 9:00pm ET)—

Vitor Belfort vs. Luke Rockhold: Belfort via KO (Head Kick and Punches), Round 1, 2:32

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Chris Camozzi: Souza via Technical Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke), Round 1, 3:37

Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Evan Dunham: Dos Anjos via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Rafael Natal vs. João Zeferino: Natal via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00 Continue reading »

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UFC on FX 8 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Part II

 Posted by at 8:06 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
May 162013
 
Vitor Belfort (black trunks) has been a force of nature second only to Anderson Silva at middleweight and represents a tall order for incoming Strikeforce champ Luke Rockhold. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Vitor Belfort (black trunks) has been a force of nature second only to Anderson Silva at middleweight and represents a tall order for incoming Strikeforce champ Luke Rockhold. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC is back on the airwaves Saturday night with a strong offering from Santa Catarina, Brazil. In Part I of MMA Gospel’s coverage of the upcoming matches, close looks were taken at 2008 BJJ world champ “The Brazilian Samurai” Joao Zeferino’s (13-4) debut bout against “Sapo” Rafael Natal (15-4-1), and the meeting of mid-tier lightweights Evan Dunham (14-3) and Rafael Dos Anjos (18-6). In this second look at the main card, the co-main and main events get the rundown. Former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion “Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (17-3) will meet TUF standout Chris Camozzi (19-5) who replaced “Costa” Constantinos Philippou (12-2-1) after he sustained a cut in training. Headlining the event is the man who stripped Souza of his title and never relinquished it, Luke Rockhold (10-1). The final Strikeforce champ will face a tall order as he meets a man who has destroyed every middleweight he has faced not named “The Spider” Anderson Silva (33-4), “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (22-10).  Continue reading »

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UFC on FX 8 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Part I

 Posted by at 7:25 PM  MMA News, UFC  1 Response »
May 152013
 
Evan Dunham's (blue gloves) career has had a few ups and downs, but his ability to control the position of the fight should net him a win at UFC on FX 8. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

Evan Dunham’s (blue gloves) career has had a few ups and downs, but his ability to control the position of the fight should net him a win at UFC on FX 8. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

The FX Network again plays host to the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization as the UFC on FX 8 pits former champion “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (22-10) against the final king of the Strikeforce middleweight division, Luke Rockhold (10-1). Fellow Strikeforce standout “Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (17-3) will fill the co-main against TUF alum Chris Camozzi (19-5). Before the former kings of the Strikeforce 185 scene hit the mats, two solid pairings will open the night’s festivities. Evan Dunham (14-3) will fight to rebuild his chances at 155-division gold against the streaking Rafael Dos Anjos (18-6). Opening the main card, fans will find newcomer “The Brazilian Samurai” Joao Zeferino (13-4) pitting his varied and lethal submission skill set against those of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt “Sapo” Rafael Natal (15-4-1). Here, MMA Gospel takes a closer look at the first half of Saturday evening’s main card offerings. Continue reading »

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UFC 159: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

 Posted by at 2:24 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 282013
 
Jon Jones (black trunks) took the fight to Chael Sonnen (white trunks) and beat him at his own game. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones (black trunks) took the fight to challenger Chael Sonnen (white trunks) and beat him at his own game. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

To say UFC 159 was an anti-climactic disappointment would be unfair but it certainly didn’t go off without a hitch. The prelims showcased the first flat performance from the women in the UFC then followed it with a lapse in referee judgement that led to a technical decision and then a fight that was ended due to an odd thumb injury – and the mishaps didn’t end on there. “Bam Bam” Pat Healy (30-16) opened the Pay-Per-View card on a very good note with a “Fight on the Night” and “Submission of the Night” winning, come-from-behind performance against “The Mongoose” Jim Miller (22-5). Next,  ”Mr.Wonderful” Phil Davis (11-1) came out on top with the best striking performance of his career over “Pezao” Vinny Magalhaes (10-6) who gassed early. If the three-round boxing lesson from Davis slowed things, “Big Country” Roy Nelson (19-7) got things back on track with a vicious “Knockout of the Night” win over Cheick Kongo (18-8-2). Then the curse of the canceled UFC 151 card returned in the co-main. “The Count” Michael Bisping (24-5) came out and began dominating a very flat looking “The Talent” Alan Belcher (18-8). Between rounds two and three a bizarre audio issue gave the impression that someone was spinning vintage Black Sabbath records backwards and just one minute later, Bisping’s finger found Belcher’s eye in a very bad way, forcing a second technical decision of the night. In the main event, champion “Bones” Jon Jones (18-1) handily defeated Chael Sonnen (27-13-1), but came just thirty seconds from losing his title due to a nasty injury to his toe, which somehow snapped during one of the striking exchanges. To break down the aftermath of this bizarre main card, MMA Gospel has The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Continue reading »

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UFC 159 Event Bonuses

 Posted by at 8:49 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 282013
 
Pat Healy (blue gloves) nabbed $130K in fight bonuses for "Submission of the Night" and "Fight of the Night" in his bout against Jim Miller (red gloves), who also gets $65K for his part in the FOTN. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Pat Healy (blue gloves) nabbed $130K in bonuses for “Submission of the Night” and “Fight of the Night” against Jim Miller (red gloves), who also earned $65K for his part in the FOTN. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The following fight bonuses were awarded for UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen

Submission of the Night:

Pat Healy (over Jim Miller) receives $65,000

Knockout of the Night:

Roy Nelson (over Cheick Kongo) receives $65,000

Fight of the Night:

Pat Healy and Jim Miller each receive $65,000

Click here for the full list of UFC 159 results.

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UFC 159 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen

 Posted by at 7:43 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 262013
 
Chael Sonnen (white trunks) is fighting an uphill battle, but his tenacity and aggression have led him to shock the world before. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Chael Sonnen (white trunks) is fighting an uphill battle, but his tenacity and aggression have led him to shock the world before. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

UFC 159 will hit the Pay-Per-View airwaves from Newark, New Jersey on Saturday and the UFC certainly hasn’t skimped on the main card talent. Opening the main card is Strikeforce stand-out “Bam Bam” Pat Healy (29-16) who will look to make his name known against dangerous submission fighter “The Mongoose” Jim Miller (22-4). Second out, the light heavyweights take the cage as “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis (10-1) continues his quest to re-establish himself at 205 against “Pezao” Vinny Magalhaes (10-5). The anchor bout pits “Big Country” Roy Nelson (18-7) against the towering French kickboxer Cheick Kongo (18-7-2), and the co-main will see two of the loudest mouths in the middleweight division, “The Count” Michael Bisping (23-5) and “The Talent” Alan Belcher (18-7), battle for another chance to climb the mountain. Perhaps the loudest mouth of them all will grace the Octagon in his third title bout in as many years as Chael Sonnen (27-12-1) steps up to face the dominant young king of the light heavyweight division, “Bones” Jon Jones (17-1). Continue reading »

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