The night of fights at UFC 143 has come to an end and its time again to examine which fighters furthered their careers, which fighters hurt their careers, and which fighters need to make a serious change in order to reverse the damage they caused themselves with The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. “Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (28-5) led Nick Diaz (26-9) around the Octagon as if he had him on a string, punishing him the entire time for a clear cut Unanimous Decision win for the newly minted Interim UFC Welterweight Championship belt. “Via Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (15-5-1) made a successful return to the UFC by battering “Big Country” Roy Nelson (16-7) on the feet for three solid rounds. “Kos” Josh Koscheck (17-5) managed to squeeze out an uneventful Split Decision over Mike Pierce (10-4). Renan Barao (28-1) extended his total MMA win streak to 28 with a third UFC victory, this time over “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (12-4), and “Short Fuse” Ed Herman (18-8) recorded the main card’s only finish by submitting Clifford Starks (5-1). Continue reading »

Carlos Condit (black trunks) isn't the more well rounded fighter in his UFC 143 match, but he is one of the rare welterweights who can match both Nick Diaz's striking ability and his reach.(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC returns to its familiar five-bout Pay-Per-View format Saturday as UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit hits the air waves from the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. After the prelim fighters finish their business on Facebook and FX, the PPV portion of the broadcast will open with a bout between middleweight TUF alum “Short Fuse” Ed Herman (17-8) and undefeated prospect Clifford Starks (5-0). Next up, a bantamweight affair hits the cage as WEC mainstay “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (12-3) squares off with Renan Barao (27-1). For the anchor and co-main, “Kos” Josh Koscheck (16-5) will face Mike Pierce (10-3) and heavyweights Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) and “Big Country” Roy Nelson (16-6) will throw their weight around the Octagon. Even with such a strong supporting card, all eyes will still be on the main event fight for the Interim UFC Welterweight Championship. In one corner, controversial former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz (26-8), in the other, former WEC champion “Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (27-5). Continue reading »
Last week, Ed Perdomo and Johnny Rodriguez covered passing the guard on the high side. This week, Ed will build off of that maneuver with a Spinning Straight Armbar. The Armbar is a simple technique that not only follows the natural momentum of the guard pass, but also plays into the opponent’s natural reaction to having his guard passed in this manner. We will start with the last image from last week’s article to provide reference and to serve as a chance to remind practitioners of a few key positions coming out of the pass. Continue reading »
Following up a strong network TV debut at UFC on FOX 2 last Saturday, the UFC returns to Pay-Per-View for UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit. The promotion’s first full network TV card fell short of many fans’ expectations, but it dominated the ratings and UFC 143 will provide the first measuring stick for how the more than five million fans exposed to the sport for free will affect the PPV buy rates. Headlining the card is Nick Diaz (26-8) as he faces “Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (27-5) for the Interim UFC Welterweight Championship. Stepping into the co-main slot is a heavyweight showdown between returning Fedor killer “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) and “Big Country” Roy Nelson (16-6). “Kos” Josh Koscheck (16-5) will anchor the card against the always dangerous Mike Pierce (10-3) and WEC bantamweight stalwart “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (12-3) will put his heavy hands to the test against submission machine Renan Barao (27-1). Opening the PPV card, fans will find “Short Fuse” Ed Herman (17-8) who looks to continue his renaissance with a third straight UFC win by defeating undefeated Clifford Starks (5-0). Continue reading »
The UFC on FOX 2 card went down at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois and the fans of MMA around the world were treated to a night of solid mixed martial arts on Fuel TV and FOX. Unfortunately for the UFC, all of the fight bonus winners and the most casual fan friendly bouts aired as part of the prelims on the much smaller Fuel TV network and the FOX network showed three technical but less than entertaining fights that went the distance. “All American” Chris Weidman (8-0) used superior wrestling and solid stand-up to edge out Demian Maia (14-4) with a Unanimous Decision. The consensus number one contender Chael Sonnen (26-11-1) stamped his ticket to another showdown with middleweight king “The Spider” Anderson Silva (29-4) by earning a Unanimous Decision over top British middleweight “The Count” Michael Bisping (22-4). In the main event, “Sugar” Rashad Evans (17-1-1) put on a dominant five-round performance against “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis (8-1) to earn himself a unanimous nod from the three judges cageside. The card may have fallen short of the UFC’s expectations, but the story may be different for the fighters themselves. Continue reading »
—MAIN CARD (on FOX)—
Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis: Evans via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45), Round 5, 5:00
Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping: Sonnen via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00
Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman: Weidman via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00*

- Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Sugar” Rashad Evans (right) has the advantages of a more solid striking game and experience on his side in his UFC on FOX 2 match-up against Phil Davis, who, though undefeated, has only half the number of fights to his credit and is predominantly a ground fighter. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC takes its second FOX Network fight card to Chicago, Illinois’ United Center tomorrow night for UFC on FOX 2: Evans vs. Davis. The national broadcast network will feature three fights this outing, including a newly shuffled fight between budding middleweight prospect “All American” Chris Weidman (7-0) and crafty submission veteran Demian Maia (15-3). The new co-main event features not only a battle for #1 contender to “The Spider” Anderson Silva’s (31-4) title, but also the crown for the most polarizing figure in MMA as Chael Sonnen (26-11-1) squares off against “The Count” Michael Bisping (22-3) in what is sure to be an all out war of skill and words. The main event is also a title eliminator as “Sugar” Rashad Evans (16-1-1) and “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis (9-0) vie for the next crack at 205lbs. phenom “Bones” Jon Jones (15-1). This fight is not being as hyped as it should be, as both fighters are highly skilled and pose very interesting problems to each other. The winner will also be heavily compared to the dynamic champ so a good showing here is a must for either fighter.

Chael Sonnen (white trunks) represents a very dangerous threat to Michael Bisping, who has given up what would have been a much less risky fight against Demian Maia for a chance at a UFC title shot. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
UFC on FOX 2: Evans vs. Davis will take place Saturday at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois as the UFC delivers its second official offering of its multi-year deal with FOX. Chris Weidman (7-0) will face Demian Maia (14-3) on short notice to open the night’s broadcast with what will likely develop into a ground battle between wrestler and submission artist. Two title shots will also be on the line as “Sugar” Rashad Evans (16-1-1) squares off with “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis (8-0) in the main event and “The Count” Michael Bisping (22-3) replaces an injured “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Mark Munoz (10-2) against Chael Sonnen (25-11-1) in the co-main. With a potential title shot up for grabs, Bisping jumped at the chance to bow out of his previously scheduled bout with Demian Maia and face the Team Quest fighter. However, Chael Sonnen has made no secret of the fact that he will let nothing stand between him and the “12 lbs. of gold” around “The Spider” Anderson Silva’s (29-4) waist. Continue reading »










