UFC 142 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim

 Posted by at 5:24 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Jan 102012
 

Terry Etim's (gray trunks) striking is dangerous enough that most fighters find it a safer choice to fight him on the mat where his submissions are excellent but his positional wrestling is less than stellar. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.).

The world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, the UFC, reloads and fires off its first event of the 2012 year as it returns toRio de Janeiro, Brazil for UFC 142 featuring a featherweight title fight between “Junior” Jose Aldo (19-1) and “Money” Chad Mendes (11-0). Co-headlining the card is Brazil’s prodigal son “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (20-9) as he continues his middleweight renaissance against divisional newcomer “Rumble” Anthony Johnson (10-3). Playing anchor is a hard-nosed middleweight match-up between submission ace “Toquinho” Rousimar Palhares (15-5) and American ground fighter Mike Massenzio (13-5) preceded by a welterweight bout between Erick Silva (8-2) and veteran Carlo Prater (27-11-1). Opening the main card is a lightweight affair with career implications for both fighters as British slugger Terry Etim (15-3) seeks to regain his footing after falling short against Rafael dos Anjos (15-3) by following his last bout’s 17-second Guillotine Choke victory with a win over undefeated Edson Barboza (9-0).     Continue reading »

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2011 World MMA Awards Results

 Posted by at 12:37 PM  Bellator, MMA News, Strikeforce, UFC  No Responses »
Dec 012011
 
(Photo courtesy of Fighters Only)

Last night some of the most prominent names in mixed martial arts convened at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada to honor nominees in 22 categories at the 2011 World MMA Awards. The categories, which are selected by a nominations panel then voted on by fans, honor all things MMA, from fighters, to referees, to equipment, apparel, ring girls, and much more. The annual awards show, now in its fourth year, once again saw the UFC taking the majority of the honors. And the winners are… Continue reading »

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UFC 139: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 11:40 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Nov 202011
 

Former PRIDE superstar "The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva reigned supreme in his slugfest with striking sensation Cung Le, knocking out the Strikeforce veteran in the second round. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC followed up its monumental FOX debut with one of the best cards of the year, UFC 139: Shogun vs. Henderson. It was a one-sided affair when former The Ultimate Fighter alumni met  in the card’s opener. It was a battle of attrition between two of the welterweight’s most demanding forces. The bantamweight division saw its next title contender break out of the pack in flying colors. The co-main event was a matter of “do-or-die” between the hometown hero and a legend still proving to show he is a threat to be taken seriously. The main event was an instant classic when PRIDE veterans met for the very first time and did not leave a single seat in San Jose’s HP Pavilion disappointed. Now that all has been said and done, here’s a recap of each of the main card’s bouts as well as potential fights that could be put together later on down the road for the victors. Continue reading »

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UFC 139 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Mauricio Rua vs. Dan Henderson

 Posted by at 8:07 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Nov 182011
 

The legendary power in Dan Henderson's (white trunks) "H-Bomb" right hand coupled with his Olympic level Greco-Roman wrestling makes two of "Shogun's" favorite places to fight, the clinch and the pocket, very dangerous. (Photo courtesy of Yahoo! Sports)

This Saturday night the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California plays host to UFC 139: Shogun vs. Henderson much to the delight of fans both in the crowd and around the world via Pay-Per-View. Light heavyweight funnyman “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar (13-7) takes on “Kingsbu” Kyle Kingsbury (11-2). Welterweight stand-outs “Hitman” Martin Kampmann (17-5) and “The Horror” Rick Story (13-4) duke it out to regain relevance. UFC newcomer and former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Cung Le (7-1) takes on legendary slugger “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (33-11-1) in what is a guaranteed firefight. “The California Kid” Urijah Faber (25-5) and Brian Bowles (10-1) look to claim their shot at bantamweight gold in a #1 contendership fight. The main event is a hardcore MMA fan’s dream as PRIDE legend and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-5) takes on the only man to hold the PRIDE welterweight and middleweight belts, “Hendo” Dan Henderson (28-8). The winner will regain traction in the 205lbs. division and given both fighters penchant for slugging, this fight could go down in history as one of the all-time greats.

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Paulo Filho: Against Himself

 Posted by at 6:56 PM  Features, MMA News  No Responses »
Oct 242011
 

Long considered one of the most talented middleweights in the world, "Eli" Paulo Filho (top) has been his own worst enemy throughout his career. (Photo courtesy of DREAM)

“Eli” Paulo Filho (22-4) was at one time considered the number two middleweight in the world, directly under countryman and UFC middleweight ruler “The Spider” Anderson Silva (29-4). But that was in 2008 – before his first professional loss to the Kryptonite of the MMA kings, Chael Sonnen (25-11). Prior to that loss he was in the midst of one of the longest dominating streaks in the world with 16 consecutive victories, eight by stoppage. Many believed he was the only man to prove a true challenge to “The Spider”, but as he stepped on the scale for his WEC 36 weigh-in for what would be the final middleweight fight before the promotion dropped the larger weight classes, “Eli” began losing his footing at the top of the middleweight mountain, and rumors regarding his descent swirled overhead.

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Spilled Bag of Fights: Absolutely Suck!

 Posted by at 6:19 PM  Spilled Bag of Fights  2 Responses »
Oct 112011
 

There’s been a lot of fights since my last Spilled Bag of Fights but I’m going to mainly focus on UFC 136 which was really one of the most impressive and stacked cards in recent memory. It featured two title fights as well as the return of the entertaining albeit polarizing Chael Sonnen. So, let’s just dive right in. Continue reading »

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UFC 136: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

 Posted by at 7:41 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Oct 092011
 
Frankie Edgar had all the answers at UFC 136, ending his UFC career-long rivalry with Gray Maynard in indisputable fashion with a TKO win in the championship rounds. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

UFC 136 burst into Houston, Texas with all the fan fare of a UFC Fan Expo and all the hype of the rematches between “The Answer” Frankie Edgar (14-1-1) and “The Bully” Gray Maynard (10-1-1), who fought to a hotly contested draw at UFC 125, and “Bad Boy” Leonard Garcia (15-8-1) and Nam Phan (19-10), who first met in one of the worst judging decisions in MMA history. The card was stacked to the ceiling with a co-main event title bout between “Ken-Flo” Kenny Florian (14-6) and “Junior” Jose Aldo (19-2), a middleweight contest between top contenders Chael Sonnen (25-11-1) and “All-American” Brian Stann (11-4), and a lightweight tilt between ailing submission ace “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (21-6) and red hot striker “The Young Assassin” Melvin Guillard (27-9-2). While the fans certainly were not disappointed and the card was controversy free, something rare indeed in this era of mixed martial arts. There were more than a few fighters on the card who suffered bitter defeat at UFC 136, and to explore this, MMA Gospel has The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Continue reading »

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UFC 136 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann

 Posted by at 11:03 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Oct 062011
 
Brian Stann (front) already has the nation’s third highest honor pinned to his chest and if he can KO Chael Sonnen as he did his last two opponents he may earn a chance to get the UFC’s highest award wrapped around his waist. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Before “The Answer” Frankie Edgar (13-1-1) takes on “The Bully” Gray Maynard (10-0-1) for a third time to defend his UFC lightweight strap at UFC 136, “Junior” Jose Aldo (18-1) will defend his own belt against “Ken-Flo” Kenny Florian (14-5), “Bad Boy” Leonard Garcia (15-7-1) will seek a repeat victory against Nam Phan (18-10), and “The Young Assassin” Melvin Guillard (27-8-2) will square off with “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (20-6). Sandwiched in the middle of all these high profile matches is a battle that will likely land the winner in the cage with “The Spider” Anderson Silva (29-4). The world watched in awe as the seemingly unbeatable UFC Middleweight Champion was dismantled and dominated for the better part of five rounds before submitting Chael Sonnen (24-11-1) in the fight’s closing seconds. Now “All-American” Brian Stann (11-3) will step in the cage with the man who nearly dethroned Silva for a three-round war to determine who will face the champion next. The match-up is one the fans have cried for since Sonnen’s suspension ended and the UFC has delivered.   Continue reading »

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Spilled Bag of Fights: RIO!

 Posted by at 4:59 PM  MMA News, Spilled Bag of Fights  1 Response »
Aug 292011
 

First of all. I gotta say, I missed Joe Rogan. Kenny Florian does a fine job on “MMA Live” but for commentary he lacks Joe’s enthusiasm and humor that plays so well off Goldie’s… umm… Goldieisms.  It’s hard to argue that Mike Goldberg isn’t the Goldiest.

In a prelim fight that was shown three times (well, it was only forty seconds long), Erick Silva caught Luis Ramos with a huge right hand that had Ramos not out cold but you could almost imagine the birds chirping and flying in a circle around his head. Then Silva jumped in and threw another thirty or so punches in about two seconds to finish it. Nice debut, kid. Continue reading »

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UFC 134: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

 Posted by at 7:45 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Aug 282011
 

Anderson Silva (top) extended his record number of UFC title defenses to nine after brutally destroying the only man to hand him a loss in the past seven years. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC made its triumphant return to Brazil with UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami in Rio de Janeiro. The card was loaded to the hilt with Brazil’s biggest stars as well as a few hometown heroes as the South American nation took on the world. In their bouts, the Brazilians had resounding success with “The Spider” Anderson Silva (29-4), “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-6-1), and “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-5) all taking home spectacular knockout wins and undefeated young Edson Barboza (9-0) taking a “Fight of the Night” winning Split Decision. With “Thunder” Yushin Okami (26-6), Forrest Griffin (18-7), “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub (7-2), and “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (17-7-1) all coming up short, the lone main card victor from the visitor’s dugout was Stanislav Nedkov (6-0) who scored a come-from-behind TKO win over “Banha” Luiz Cane (9-4). The fans were the real winners as the UFC again came out and proved why it is the greatest mixed martial arts organization in the world, bar none, but did the fighters come out as well as the fans did? To answer this, MMA Gospel brings The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Continue reading »

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UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami Live Results

 Posted by at 4:59 PM  UFC  No Responses »
Aug 272011
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on PPV)—

Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami: Silva via TKO (Strikes), Round 2, 2:04

Forrest Griffin vs. Mauricio Rua: Rua via KO (Punches), Round 1, 1:53

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Brendan Schaub: Nogueira via KO (Punch), Round 1, 3:09

Luiz Cane vs. Stanislav Nedkov: Nedkov via TKO (Strikes), 4:13, Round 1

Edson Barboza vs. Ross Pearson: Barboza via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00 Continue reading »

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UFC 134 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami

 Posted by at 1:55 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Aug 272011
 

Anderson Silva (black shorts) is the undisputed pound-for-pound king who has proven that no matter what is thrown at him, he has a response to it. His ground game will fend well against the wrestling of Yushin Okami, but the clear advantage goes to him standing. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The HSBC center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil plays host to UFC 134, the first Brazilian UFC event since their first taste in 1998. “Banha” Luiz Cane (9-3) is charged with the task of welcoming Stanislav Nedkov (5-0) to the Octagon in his UFC debut. Two of the lightweight division’s stars battle it out when Brazilian Edson Barboza Jr. (8-0) and “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (17-6-1) meet in Barboza’s backyard. One of Brazil’s most beloved fighters “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (32-6-1) tries to snuff out the flame of his fellow heavyweight “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub (7-1).  In the co-main event two former light heavyweight champs try to make their second run at a title when “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (19-5) and Forrest Griffin (18-6) clash heads for the second time. Brazil is given another rematch to look forward to when native Brazilian “The Spider” Anderson Silva (28-4) defends his middleweight championship against “Thunder” Yushin Okami (26-5). The first meeting saw Okami defeating Silva in 2006 via DQ. Silva has been one of the most enigmatic figures in the middleweight division, defeating all those who have come before him. Despite a few bumps along his way to the title, Okami has stormed through the ranks. A win from Silva is always one that causes excitement and uproar as he always seems to find a way to pull off the victory. If Okami can get the victory on Silva’s stomping grounds, he will have pulled off one of the largest upsets in UFC history. Continue reading »

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UFC 134 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Mauricio Rua vs. Forrest Griffin

 Posted by at 10:02 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Aug 262011
 

"Shogun" Rua (black trunks) has the kind of explosive striking that gives Forrest Griffin (tan trunks) fits, but his stamina is always a question, especially against a large, powerful fighter. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

This Saturday the UFC makes its triumphant return to Brazil, 13 years after ‘The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (20-9) KO’d “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (34-11-1) in 44 seconds and “The Legend” Frank Shamrock (23-10-2) defended his Middleweight title at UFC 17.5: Ultimate Brazil. This time the card is headlined by today’s Brazilian striking quasi-deity, “The Spider” Anderson Silva (28-4), as he attempts to avenge his most recent loss against “Thunder” Yushin Okami (26-5) who had his hand raised in 2006 due to a DQ. Opening the card will be “Banha” Luiz Cane (9-3) and Stanislav Nedkov (5-0) who will open the gates for the likes of “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (17-6-1), Edson Barboza (8-0), “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub (7-1), and “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (32-6-1). Pulling co-main event duties for the UFC’s second trip to Brazil are Forrest Griffin (18-6) and “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (19-5) in a rematch of Rua’s UFC debut loss. Both men have won, and lost, the hotly contested UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in the time since their last meeting and are in virtually the same position as they were in their first bout. “Shogun” has a load of hype and a few questions about him and needs a decisive win to show why he is so highly regarded and Griffin is on the cusp of a title shot-earning win streak with two straight victories over respected veterans. Continue reading »

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