Sep 192012
Aug 052012
Brandon Vera (black shorts) may have lost his UFC on FOX 4 bout, but he was expected to lose in a big way and instead pushed Mauricio Rua (white shorts) to his limit. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Zuffa’s flagship promotion, the UFC, returned to network TV last night on the heels of a highly disappointing UFC 149 Pay-Per-View card to present UFC on FOX 4: Shogun vs. Vera. The UFC needed a big hit to make up for the debacle at 149 and they got one with their fourth effort on the major network. The opening bout between “Quick” Mike Swick (15-4) and “Darkness” Damarques Johnson (15-11) was a fast paced battle that culminated in a brutal come-from-behind KO courtesy of a “Quick” right hand. Next out, “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (22-7) set the UFC record for bonuses when he ended a “Fight of the Night” performance against “C-4″ Jamie Varner (20-7-1) with a “Submission of the Night” winning third-round Triangle Choke. In the co-main event, “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (18-3) earned a shot at the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship with a picture perfect knockout of “Darth” Ryan Bader (14-3), and in the night’s main event, “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (21-6) fought, and won, a war against returning prodigal son “The Truth” Brandon Vera (12-6). The overall card was a phenomenal success and definitely left some smiles on the faces of more than a few network executives, but not everyone can be a winner. For that, MMA Gospel has The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Continue reading »
Aug 042012
Aug 042012
(Photo courtesy of FOX Sports and Zuffa, LLC.)
—MAIN CARD (on FOX @ 8:00pm ET)—
Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera: Rua via TKO (Punches), Round 4, 4:09
Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader: Machida via KO (Punch), Round 2, 1:32
Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner: Lauzon via Submission (Triangle Choke), Round 3, 2:44
Mike Swick vs. Damarques Johnson: Swick via KO (Punches), Round 2, 1:20 Continue reading »
Aug 032012
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Saturday night the UFC takes control of the FOX network airwaves for the fourth time since its primetime debut in November, bringing the fans of Los Angeles, California’s Staples Center a live spectacle courtesy of UFC on FOX: Shogun vs. Vera. Starting off the Pay-Per-View worthy main card is former top welterweight “Quick” Mike Swick (14-4) seeking a resurgence in his career after an injury and illness-riddled past two years as he squares off with TUF alum “Darkness” Damarques Johnson (15-10). WEC veteran “C-4″ Jamie Varner (20-6-1) looks to build on a recent upturn in his storied tenure as he faces submission aficionado “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (21-7). Co-main event honors go to elusive Shotokan Karate fighter and former UFC 205lbs. champion “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (17-3) and decorated NCAA Div. I wrestler “Darth” Ryan Bader (14-2), both of whom are hell bent on a rematch with reigning champion “Bones” Jon Jones (16-1). The event’s headliners pits PRIDE veteran and Chute Box fighter “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-6) against Muay Thai wrecking ball “The Truth” Brandon Vera (12-5), with the winner reportedly guaranteed a shot at UFC gold. A lot is on the line for these elite mixed martial artists at UFC on FOX 4, and it’s safe to say that virtually anything can happen. Here, the staff of MMA Gospel takes a crack at determining who will rise to the top come Saturday, and who will be sent to the back of the line. Continue reading »
Aug 032012
Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Shogun” Rua (left) and Muay Thai specialist Brandon Vera (right) are slated for battle in Saturday night’s UFC on FOX 4 main event. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
—MAIN CARD (on FOX)—
Mauricio Rua (205.0) vs. Brandon Vera (203.8)
Lyoto Machida (201.0) vs. Ryan Bader (205.0)
Joe Lauzon (155.8) vs. Jamie Varner (156.0)
Mike Swick (170.0) vs. Damarques Johnson (171.0) Continue reading »
Aug 032012
Aug 032012
“The Truth” Brandon Vera (red gloves) has a dangerous Muay Thai skill set, but he will have to use his reach advantage and leg kicks to slow down “Shogun” Rua if he wants to stage an upset at UFC on FOX 4. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
With three solid showings already, the FOX network broadcasts a card deserving a spot on the Pay-Per-View rotation as the UFC presents UFC on FOX 4: Shogun vs. Vera. “Quick” Mike Swick (14-4) returns after a two-year hiatus to battle with “Darkness” Damarques Johnson (15-10) in the main card opener. “C-4″ Jamie Varner (20-6-1) hopes to continue his resurgence in the lightweight division when he meets submission specialist “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (21-7). In the co-main event, “Darth” Ryan Bader (14-2) returns after an impressive victory at UFC 144 to take on the unorthodox “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (17-3). The landscape of the light heavyweight division is bound for drastic change as a title shot is up for grabs in the main event. Former champion “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-6) will try to make his way to the top of the mountain, but he will have to challenge a fellow Muay Thai wrecking machine, “The Truth” Brandon Vera (12-5). Each has dawdled in the light heavyweight division rankings but now that the path to gold is set in stone for them, it’s crucial for both men to make the best out of this opportunity. Continue reading »
Aug 022012
Ryan Bader (black trunks) will have to use a very offensive wrestling game to keep Lyoto Machida defending takedowns instead of throwing strikes to succeed at UFC on FOX 4. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC returns to network television on Saturday with a card headlined by PRIDE veteran “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-6) and Muay Thai specialist “The Truth” Brandon Vera (12-5). The card also features a pair of bouts between fighters struggling to redefine themselves within their divisions. “Quick” Mike Swick (14-4) returns after a long battle with various injuries to make his long-awaited welterweight title run. In his way is “The Darkness” Damarques Johnson (15-10), a TUF alum who is now desperate not to have his career defined as the launching pad for 170lbs. prospects. Lightweight gatekeeping submission prodigy “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (21-7) seeks to get back on the winning horse again after falling off at UFC 144 and to do it, he must defeat Jamie Varner (20-6-1), a former WEC champ who has recently emerged from one of the worst periods in his career. However, it isn’t just the two main event fighters who are hunting a title shot and it isn’t just the opening bout participants looking to redefine their careers. Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (17-3) went from 16-0 to 17-3 in his last four fights culminating in a loss to the current champion, “Bones” Jon Jones (16-1), however, Dana White has said that an impressive win could get him right back in front of the champ. Across from “The Dragon” is a man whose first loss was to Jones, TUF winner “Darth” Ryan Bader (14-2). Bader also eyes revenge and a shot at the belt, and he knows he must beat “The Dragon” in impressive fashion to get that chance. Continue reading »
Aug 012012
WEC veteran Jamie Varner will face an uphill battle at UFC on FOX 4 when he faces submission ace Joe Lauzon (left) in a fast-paced grappling match. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC is back on the big network as it hits FOX airwaves for the fourth time this Saturday. UFC on FOX: Shogun vs. Vera comes on the heels of a bitterly disappointing UFC 149 card and has a list of fighters that should be able to right the ship. Headlining the bout is former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-6) as he pits his high octane offense against fellow Thai Boxing specialist “The Truth” Brandon Vera (12-5). Ultra traditional Shotokan KO artist “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (17-3) will look to regain his place in the hunt for the 205 title he once held as he faces recovering TUF alum “Darth” Ryan Bader (14-2). Welterweights “Quick” Mike Swick (14-4) and “Darkness” Damarques Johnson (15-10) stepped up to the main card as openers when “Big” Ben Rothwell’s (32-8) bout against “Hapa” Travis Browne (13-0) was scrapped due to injury, and now filling the second slot, former WEC champ Jamie Varner (20-6-1) will look to shut down the talented submission game of “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (21-7). Continue reading »
Jul 312012
Mike Swick’s (black trunks) quick hands and knockout power have been the source of many of his victories, but come Saturday the AKA prodigy will have to battle two years of ring rust as well as TUF alum Damarques Johnson. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC returns this Saturday with a highly Pay-Per-View worthy fight card to be broadcast for free in their fourth installment on the FOX network. “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (21-7) and former WEC champion Jamie Varner (20-6-1) will meet in a promising lightweight match-up. The 205lbs. division is bound to get a new change in scenery as “Darth” Ryan Bader (14-2) meets former champion “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (17-3) in the co-main event. PRIDE veteran and former UFC champ “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-6) and “The Truth” Brandon Vera (12-5) battle it out to close the night’s proceedings in the main event. As if three big fights were not enough, the card will begin with a welterweight showdown between previous The Ultimate Fighter titans as “Darkness” Damarques Johnson (15-10) welcomes “Quick” Mike Swick (14-4) back to the eight-sided cage. Each man is in dire need of a win and with the same task to set the pace for the main card, Swick and Johnson are poised to draw fireworks come fight night. Continue reading »
Jul 282012
Apr 212012
Jon Jones (blue gloves) is heavily favored over Rashad Evans, but he has been bullied around by aggressive strikers before and that may provide Evans the ammunition he needs to fire off and upset. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
While the UFC has done an excellent job of promoting the animosity between training-partners-turned-foes for the upcoming title fight at UFC 145, there is more than meets the eye in the clash between UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Bones” Jon Jones (15-1) and former champion “Suga” Rashad Evans (17-1-1). There is much ado about the “betrayals” and various “hurt feelings” however more should be said about the caliber of the fighters and the technical skill that will have to be shown in the victor of this fight. Continue reading »
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 »
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 »