UFC on FOX 5 Pre-Fight Breakdown: BJ Penn vs. Rory MacDonald

 Posted by at 11:18 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Dec 052012
 

Former two-division champion BJ Penn (black shorts) hones top-notch submission skills, which, when paired with his utter determination to once again be a dominant force in the UFC, could spell big trouble for the young Rory MacDonald. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Seattle, Washington’s Key Arena plays hosts to mixed martial arts action as the UFC returns to deliver its latest installment: UFC on FOX 5. The night’s main card kicks off with welterweight action as “Quick” Mike Swick (15-4) and “The Immortal” Matt Brown (15-11) face off. In the co-main event a fighter of the Old Guard, “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (21-6) is pitted against an up-and-coming light heavyweight in “The Mauler” Alexander Gustafsson (14-1). Lightweight champion “Smooth” Ben Henderson (17-2) and Nate Diaz (16-7) get five rounds in the night’s main even to stake their claim to the lightweight title. The card’s anchor is worthy of the headliner as well as “Ares” Rory MacDonald (13-1) meets veteran of the sport “The Prodigy” BJ Penn (16-8-2). MacDonald has become a force to be reckoned with at 170lbs. and has yet to hit his prime, but Penn has fought the best the sport can offer from lightweight, welterweight, and even light heavyweight. Now with two fighters of two different times colliding, will it be youth that prevails or will experience prove to trump all? Continue reading »

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UFC on FOX 5 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Matt Brown vs. Mike Swick

 Posted by at 5:04 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Dec 042012
 

Matt Brown (white trunks) is known for his ability to force the clinch and do damage against the cage but he will face a larger, more experienced opponent in Mike Swick. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The fifth offering in the UFC’s major television deal with FOX is set to hit the airwaves from Seattle, Washington on December 8 as “Smooth” Benson Henderson (17-2) defends his lightweight crown against Nate Diaz (16-7). The night is packed with big names from MMA’s previous era as former PRIDE superstar “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (21-6) meets “The Mauler” Alexander Gustafsson (14-1) and former lightweight wrecking machine “The Prodigy” BJ Penn (16-8-2) has emerged from his apathetic semi-retirement to meet “Ares” Rory MacDonald (13-1). Also conjuring up images of the time during and just after the PRIDE merger is the thirteenth UFC appearance of original TUF cast member “Quick” Mike Swick (15-4). Against him in the main card’s opening bout is one of the most dangerous, if inconsistent, members of the welterweight ranks, TUF 7 cast member “The Immortal” Matt Brown (15-11).
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UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva Live Results

 Posted by at 10:10 AM  UFC  1 Response »
Apr 142012
 

Hometown fighter Alexander Gustafsson (left) squares off with heavy-handed Brazilian Thiago Silva (right) in today's UFC on Fuel 2 main event. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Fuel TV)—

Alexander Gustafsson vs. Thiago Silva: Gustafsson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara: Stann via KO (Ground-and-Pound), Round 1, 2:26

Paulo Thiago vs. Siyar Bahadurzada: Bahadurzada via KO (Punches), Round 1, 0:42

Dennis Siver vs. Diego Nunes: Siver via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

DaMarques Johnson vs. John Maguire: Maguire via Submission (Armbar), Round 2, 4:40

Brad Pickett vs. Damacio Page: Pickett via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 2, 4:05 Continue reading »

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MMA Gospel Staff Picks: UFC on Fuel 2

 Posted by at 8:07 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 132012
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The Ultimate Fighting Championship descends upon the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden this Saturday to present its second fight card on FOX affiliate network Fuel TV. UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva starts off the main card with a pair of WEC alumni as “One Punch” Brad Pickett (20-6) and “The Angel of Death” Damacio Page (15-6) fight it out to get back in the good graces of the Zuffa brass on the heels of a rough patch in each man’s respective career. TUF alum “The Darkness” DaMarques Johnson (15-9) faces off with British submission specialist “The One” John Maguire (17-3) in a welterweight affair, followed by German kickboxer Dennis Siver (19-8) making his 145lbs. debut against fellow striker “The Gun” Diego Nunes (17-2). Then, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu aficionado Paulo Thiago (14-3) welcomes long awaited prospect and United Glory, Sengoku, and Shooto veteran “The Great” Siyar Bahadurzada (20-4-1) to the UFC’s Octagon. Two of the middleweight division’s most battle-tested fighters, USMC war veteran “All-American” Brian Stann (11-4) and former pro boxer “Legionarius” Alessio Sakara (15-8) will be slinging fists in the UFC on Fuel 2 main event. The marquee bout of the evening pits Brazilian bomber Thiago Silva (14-2) against hometown fighter and rising contender “The Mauler” Alexander Gustafsson (13-1) in a light heavyweight match-up that is a frontrunner for “Knockout of the Night” honors.

Las Vegas oddsmakers we are not, but nonetheless, here is the MMA Gospel staff’s most valiant effort at determining who will come out on top at UFC on Fuel 2. Continue reading »

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UFC on Fuel 2 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Thiago Silva

 Posted by at 5:54 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 132012
 

Alexander Gustafsson (green trunks) rides a four-fight finishing streak into the Octagon against Thiago Silva, but he will need more than momentum to stop the dangerous Brazilian. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

“One Punch” Brad Pickett (20-6) and “The Angel of Death” Damacio Page (15-6) will hit the airwaves on Fuel TV this Saturday to kick off the first UFC fight card in over a month. Shored up by fights like “The Darkness” DaMarques Johnson (15-9) vs. “The One” John Maguire (17-3) and Dennis Siver (19-8) vs. “The Gun” Diego Nunes (17-2), UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva has the perfect line up to get fans ready for the following weekend’s UFC 145 card. Paulo Thiago (14-3) will step in to welcome hardcore favorite “Siyar the Great” Siyar Bahadurzada (20-4-1) as an anchor to the event preceding a co-main event between middleweight favorites “All-American” Brian Stann (11-4) and “Legionarius” Alessio Sakara (15-8). As always, all eyes are on the main event. This time it’s a knockout fan’s dream match between Swedish powerhouse Alexander Gustafsson (13-1) and returning beleaguered light heavyweight star Thiago Silva (14-2, 1 NC). The match is an important one for both men as it represents a major turning point in their respective careers. Continue reading »

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UFC on Fuel 2 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Paulo Thiago vs. Siyar Bahadurzada

 Posted by at 6:09 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 112012
 
Hardcore fans are all about Siyar Bahadurzada being the favorite in his UFC debut, however Paulo Thiago (blue gloves) has faced and defeated far superior competition in his time with the UFC. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

After a month of flying under the MMA radar, the UFC presents UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva to whet the appetite of its fans prior to UFC 145 the following weekend. Thiago Silva (14-2, 1 NC) makes his return to the Octagon against Swedish killer “The Mauler” Alexander Gustafsson (13-1) as the main event following a stellar co-main involving  “All-American” Brian Stann (11-4) and “Legionarius” Alessio Sakara (15-8). “One Hit” Brad Pickett (20-6) and “The Angel of Death” Damacio Page (15-6) will open the card before “The Darkness” DaMarques Johnson (15-9) squares off with “The One” John Maguire (17-3) and Dennis Siver (19-8) goes to war with “The Gun” Diego Nunes (17-2). However, the fight that has the hardcore MMA fan base salivating is an affair between Brazilian welterweight Paulo Thiago (14-3) and Afghan phenom “Siyar the Great” Siyar Bahadurzada (20-4-1). While most casual fans have likely not heard of “Siyar the Great”, he has made quite an impression on the sport’s diehards with dominant wins over “The Eraser” Derrick Noble (26-15), “The Natural” John Alessio (34-14), and “Cyborg” Evangelista Santos (18-15). Thiago is known mainly for his dark horse obliteration of “Kos” Josh Koscheck (17-5), but is still the young Afghan’s stiffest test to date.   Continue reading »

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UFC on Fuel 2 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Dennis Siver vs. Diego Nunes

 Posted by at 7:07 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 102012
 

German kickboxer Dennis Siver's (left) signature spinning strikes have earned him a handful of (T)KO victories and fight bonuses in the UFC, and will likely prove entertaining for fans in his 145lbs. debut against fellow striker Diego Nunes. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden hosts the UFC’s second installment of UFC on Fuel TV this Saturday with UFC on Fuel 2: Gustafsson vs. Silva.  The bantamweights start off the main card as “The Angel of Death” Damacio Page (15-6) clashes with “One Punch” Brad Pickett (20-6). Ultimate Fighter alumni “The Darkness” DaMarques Johnson (15-9) takes on fellow welterweight “The One” John Maguire (17-3). Paulo Thiago (14-3) is charged with the task of welcoming long awaited prospect “The Killer” Siyar Bahadurzada (20-4-1) in his UFC debut in the welterweight division. In the co-main event, “Legionarius” Alessio Sakara (15-8) and “The All-American” Brian Stann (11-4) are set to engage in a middleweight match-up. Thiago Silva (14-2) makes his return to action after a year long lay-off to take on the hometown hero, “The Mauler” Alexander Gustafsson (13-1) in the main event. In the middle of all this action, two featherweights are set to meet when “The Gun” Diego Nunes  (17-2) welcomes Dennis Siver (19-8) from the lightweight division.  With both men being strikers at heart who refuse to back down, it is a fight that all will be dying to watch. Continue reading »

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UFC on Fuel 2 Pre-Fight Breakdown: DaMarques Johnson vs. John Maguire

 Posted by at 12:40 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 102012
 

DaMarques Johnson is a well-rounded fighter, but he has a huge deficit in the submission fighting department against John Maguire (red gloves) that his striking can't make up for. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

Following more than a month-long hiatus in which the only Zuffa action took place on The Ultimate Fighter Live, the UFC returns to action on Fuel TV for UFC on Fuel 2: Gustafsson vs. Silva. Taking center stage is a match-up between Swedish phenom “The Mauler” Alexander Gustafsson (13-1) and returning Brazilian killer Thiago Silva (14-2, 1 NC). “All-American” Brian Stann (11-4) pulled co-main duties against “Legionarius” Alessio Sakara (15-8) while Paulo Thiago (14-3), Siyar Bahadurzada (20-4-1), Dennis Siver (19-8), and “The Gun” Diego Nunes (17-2) anchor the main card with a pair of solid bouts. “One Punch” Brad Pickett (20-6) and “The Angel of Death” Damacio Page (15-6) will open the card and TUF alum “The Darkness” DaMarques Johnson (15-9) is set to face off with “The One” John Maguire (17-3) in a welterweight affair. Johnson has made a pedestrian 4-3 mark in the UFC and is in serious need of a second consecutive win to make anything of his career in the organization, but he faces a stern test in the British submission artist John Maguire who took care of his UFC debut jitters at UFC 138 when he increased his winning streak to six.    Continue reading »

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UFC on Fuel 2 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Brad Pickett vs. Damacio Page

 Posted by at 7:11 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 092012
 

Brad Pickett (left) will face fellow WEC veteran Damacio Page in a main card-opening bantamweight bout that may very well serve as both competitors' last chance to impress the Zuffa brass. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC returns from over a month-long hiatus this Saturday to stake its claim in the city of Stockholm, Sweden for its second event to be broadcast on Fuel TV. Headlining the event is a light heavyweight match-up between Sweden’s own “The Mauler” Alexander Gustafsson (13-1) and wrecking machine Thiago Silva (14-2-1). Former USMC and war hero “All-American” Brian Stann (11-4) returns to battle against another warrior in Rome, Italy’s “Legionarius” Alessio Sakara (15-8) in a middleweight bout. United Glory, Sengoku, and Shooto veteran “The Great” Siyar Bahadurzada (20-4) makes his UFC debut against Brazilian bad boy Paulo Thiago (14-3). Top featherweight “The Gun” Diego Nunes (17-2) welcomes powerful kickboxer Dennis Siver (19-8) to the 145lbs. division. TUF 7 alum “The Darkness” DaMarques Johnson (15-9) faces England’s “The One” John Maguire (17-3). Bantamweights “The Angel of Death” Damacio Page (15-6) and “One Punch” Brad Pickett (20-6) have the honor of starting off the stacked main card to showcase one of the UFC’s newest divisions in what will likely be a fight not only for a victory, but also to maintain employment with the Zuffa promotion. Continue reading »

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UFC 141: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

 Posted by at 10:26 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Dec 312011
 

"The Demolition Man" Alistair Overeem (blue gloves) entered the Octagon in a big way at UFC 141, retiring Brock Lesnar (red gloves) with a vicious kick to the liver and subsequent strikes. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC’s traditional New Year’s card went off in a very big way last night to usher in a new year of elite level mixed martial arts. With the FOX deal and more new fans than ever before waiting in the wings, it was extremely important that the UFC start 2012 off on the right foot and UFC 141 certainly achieved that goal. To open the card, undefeated newcomer “The Kid” Jimy Hettes (10-0) announced his presence to the featherweight division in emphatic fashion with an extremely one-sided thrashing of TUF alum Nam Phan (19-11). Rising star “The Mauler” Alexander Gustafsson (13-1) continued to impress with a quick KO of long-time gatekeeper “The Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (26-6) only to be outdone by Johny Hendricks (12-1) in the very next bout when he blasted top welterweight contender Jon Fitch (22-4-1) from consciousness in only 12 seconds. The co-main saw a “Fight of the Night”-winning performance from Nate Diaz (14-8) who handily out-boxed “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (16-5) and in the main event, titanic heavyweights “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (33-12) and Brock Lesnar (5-3) squared off with only the Dutch kickboxing machine left standing after 2:26 of action. The event was a clear winner for the UFC and the fans who got more than their $50 worth, but to assess the damage and gains to the fighters themselves, we turn to The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Continue reading »

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