Apr 062013
Apr 052013
In the night’s main event, Gegard Mousasi (red gloves) holds distinct advantages in skill and experience as well as the benefit of a full training camp to stack the deck in his favor. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)
April 6 the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Fuel TV when it touches down live in Stockholm, Sweden. As explored in Part I of MMA Gospel’s UFC on Fuel TV 9 pre-fight breakdown, the first half of the main card kicks off with Akira Corassani (10-3) taking on Robbie Peralta (16-3), “The Scarecrow” Pablo Garza (12-3) battling “Ceara” Diego Brandao (16-8) in a featherweight showcase, and “The Hulk” Mike Easton (13-2) taking on fellow striker “One Punch” Brad Pickett (22-7). In this latter half of the main card breakdown, a quick look begins with the heavyweight battle between “Meathead” Matt Mitrione (5-2) and Philip DeFries (9-2). The co-main event sees “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (14-6) welcoming Strikeforce transplant Ryan Couture (6-1). Two new faces grace the light heavyweight division in the main event as Ilir Latifi (9-2) steps in on less than a week’s notice for his injured teammate, perennial contender “The Mauler” Alexander Gustafsson (15-1), to meet “The Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi (33-3-2). Both men grace the eight-sided cage for the first time and with each getting top-billing for their debut, a win at this stage can open many doors for them at 205 pounds. Continue reading »
Apr 052013
Apr 042013
Mike Easton (purple shorts) will look to right the course with a win at UFC on Fuel TV 9. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC returns after a wildly successful sojourn to Montreal at UFC 158 to offer its fifth free card of 2013, UFC on Fuel TV 9 from Stockholm, Sweden. Headlining the event is newcomer “The Sledgehammer” Ilir Latifi (7-2) as he debuts beside Dream and Strikeforce standout “The Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi (33-3-2). “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (14-6) looks to continue his recent success following TUF: The Smashes at the expense of second-generation prodigy Ryan Couture (6-1). “Meathead” Matt Mitrione (5-2) will struggle to find his winning way again as he meets Philip De Fries (9-2) in a bout that will likely leave one of the two jobless. The lower half of the main card also shows promise with “The Hulk” Mike Easton (13-2) looking to right the ship after a disappointing decision loss at the expense of “One Punch” Brad Pickett (22-7) in the anchor slot. Deadly finisher “Ceara” Diego Brandao (16-8) will meet “The Scarecrow” Pablo Garza (12-3) in the second match of the evening, and kicking things off is a pairing of featherweights looking to come out from under the radar, Akira Corassani (10-3) and “Problems” Robbie Peralta (16-3). Here in Part I of the UFC on Fuel TV 9 pre-fight breakdown, MMA Gospel examines the first three of the night’s match-ups. Continue reading »
Sep 292012
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC. and Fuel TV)
—MAIN CARD (on Fuel TV @ 4:00pm ET)—
Stefan Struve vs. Stipe Miocic: Struve via TKO (Punches), Round 2, 3:50
Dan Hardy vs. Amir Sadollah: Hardy via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00
Brad Pickett vs. Yves Jabouin: Pickett via KO (Punches), Round 1, 3:40
Paul Sass vs. Matt Wiman: Wiman via Submission (Armbar), Round 1, 3:48
John Hathaway vs. John Maguire: Hathaway via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00
Che Mills vs. Duane Ludwig: Mills via TKO (Knee Injury), Round 1, 2:38 Continue reading »
Sep 282012
—MAIN CARD (on Fuel TV)—
Stefan Struve (251) vs. Stipe Miocic (239)
Dan Hardy (169) vs. Amir Sadollah (169)
Brad Pickett (135) vs. Yves Jabouin (136)
Paul Sass (156) vs. Matt Wiman (156)
John Hathaway (169) vs. John Maguire (169)
Che Mills (170) vs. Duane Ludwig (169) Continue reading »
Jun 212012
Up-and-coming featherweight fighter Steven Siler (red shorts) has flown somewhat under the radar thus far in his career, but has the skillset to earn the praises of casual and hardcore fans alike. His next chance to do so will come this Friday in the UFC on FX 4 prelims. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC once again brings its roster of top mixed martial arts talent to the FX network Friday night with UFC on FX 4: Maynard vs. Guida. The marquee attraction sees a lightweight affair between “The Bully” Gray Maynard (10-1-1) and “The Carpenter” Clay Guida (29-11) as they battle it out for potential title contention in the UFC’s 155lbs. division. Supporting the main event are the likes of “Hands of Stone” Sam Stout (17-7-1) and “The King” Spencer Fisher (24-8) duking it out for the third time in a lightweight tilt, 170ers “Bad Boy” Brian Ebersole (49-14-1) and TJ Waldburger (15-6) facing off in what will likely be a brawl on the canvas, and British TUF alum “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (13-5) and WEC veteran Cub Swanson (16-5) fighting to ascend the 145lbs. division ladder. Though much of the MMA fan base will have their eyes glued to the main card on FX, as always, the prelims on Facebook and Fuel TV offer some entertaining match-ups as well, featuring some of the best up-and-comers in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization. Among the long list of promising undercard fighters to keep an eye on is “Super” Steven Siler (20-9). Continue reading »
Oct 282011