(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Travis Browne vs. Antonio Silva: Silva via TKO (Punches), Round 1, 3:27
Jake Ellenberger vs. Jay Hieron: Ellenberger via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00
John Dodson vs. Jussier Formiga: Dodson via TKO (Punches), Round 2, 4:35
Josh Neer vs. Justin Edwards: Edwards via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 1, 0:45 Continue reading »
Travis Browne (246) vs. Antonio Silva (266)
Jake Ellenberger (170) vs. Jay Hieron (170)
John Dodson (126) vs. Jussier Formiga (126)
Josh Neer (171) vs. Justin Edwards (170) Continue reading »
Erick Silva (red gloves) built his career on submissions and his UFC blue chip status on knockouts, but now at UFC on FX 3 he has to face the first in a long line of talented welterweight wrestlers. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida hosts the UFC’s third installment of “UFC on FX” this Friday night. WEC vets Eddie Wineland (18-8-1) and “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (13-5) kick off the main card with bantamweight action. “The Dentist” Josh Neer (33-10-1) will try to keep his third tour in the UFC going when he battles crafty veteran “Quicksand” Mike Pyle (22-8-1). Before flyweights “Uncle Creepy” Ian Mcall (11-2-1) and “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson (14-2-1) meet again to settle their controversial first encounter in the night’s closer, “Indio” Erick Silva (13-2) and “The Spaniard” Charlie Brenneman (15-3) will lock horns in the co-main event. Both welterweights have made strides within the division and with a phenomenal showcase, to the victor the spoils and a step higher to the peak of the 170lbs. mountain. Continue reading »
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
“The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung vs. Dustin Poirier: Jung via Technical Submission (D’Arce Choke), Round 4, 1:07
Amir Sadollah vs. Jorge Lopez: Sadollah via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00
Donald Cerrone vs. Jeremy Stephens: Cerrone via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00
Yves Jabouin vs. Jeff Hougland: Jabouin via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00
Igor Pokrajac vs. Fabio Maldonado: Pokrajac via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00
Jason MacDonald vs. Tom Lawlor: Lawlor via KO (Punches), Round 1, 0:50 Continue reading »
“The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung: 145lbs.
Dustin Poirier: 145lbs.
Amir Sadollah: 171lbs.
Jorge Lopez: 171lbs.
Donald Cerrone: 155lbs.
Jeremy Stephens: 155lbs.
Yves Jabouin: 135lbs.
Jeff Hougland: 135lbs.
Igor Pokrajac: 205lbs.
Fabio Maldonado: 205lbs.
Jason MacDonald: 185lbs.
Tom Lawlor: 186lbs. Continue reading »
Jose Aldo's (red glove, center of crowd) emotional reaction and the Rio fans' reaction to it following his brutal first-round KO of Chad Mendes has ensured him a place on every UFC event in Brazil for a long time to come. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC has come and gone and the once deafening roar of the Brazilian crowd is now silenced following an electric night of first-round stoppages at UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes. Headlining the all too brief card was UFC Featherweight Champion “Junior” Jose Aldo (20-1) who successfully defended his title in front of a fanatical hometown crowd by blasting the title dreams, consciousness, and undefeated record of “Money” Chad Mendes (11-1) into non-existence with a brutal knee strike. Former UFC Heavyweight Tournament and Light Heavyweight Champion “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (21-9) came to the cage looking dangerously eager to face ill-fated former welterweight “Rumble” Anthony Johnson (10-4) and made quick work of his foe, submitting “Rumble” with a Rear Naked Choke. “Toquinho” Rousimar Palhares (16-5) sent a clear message to the rest of the division against Mike Massenzio (13-6) as he added yet another vicious Heel Hook submission win to his record. Controversy filled the air when Erick Silva (8-3) completely destroyed Carlo Prater (28-11-1) in just 29 seconds only to have his victory taken from him as referee Mario Yamasaki ruled the bout a disqualification due to illegal strikes. The opening fight of the night saw British brawler Terry Etim (15-4) suffer one of the most spectacular KO losses in MMA history as Edson Barboza (10-0) nailed him square on the jaw with a spinning hook kick. In a night where all but one bout fails to go past the first round, it is very clear who the winners and losers are, but divining the level to which those victories and defeats impact a fighter’s career takes The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Continue reading »
Edson Barboza (left) kept his perfect record intact and won two fight bonuses with a spectacular KO over Terry Etim (right). (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The following fight bonuses were awarded for UFC 142:
Submission of the Night
Rousimar Palhares (over Mike Massenzio) receives $65,000
Knockout of the Night
Edson Barboza (over Terry Etim) receives $65,000
Fight of the Night
Edson Barboza and Terry Etim each receive $65,000
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes: Aldo via KO (Knee), Round 1, 4:59
Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson: Belfort via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 1, 4:49
Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Massenzio: Palhares via Submission (Heel Hook), Round 1, 1:03
Erick Silva vs. Carlo Prater: Prater via DQ (Illegal Blows to the Head), Round 1, 0:29
Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim: Barboza via KO (Spinning Hook Kick), Round 3, 2:02 Continue reading »
Jose Aldo: 145lbs.
Chad Mendes: 144lbs.
Vitor Belfort: 186lbs.
Anthony Johnson: 197lbs.*
Rousimar Palhares: 186lbs.
Mike Massenzio: 184lbs.
Erick Silva: 169lbs.
Carlo Prater: 170lbs.
Edson Barboza: 154lbs.
Terry Etim: 155lbs. Continue reading »
The UFC makes its return to Brazil this Saturday with UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes. After a sell-out night in August at UFC 134, the Zuffa brass move to strike again as undefeated Edson Barboza (9-0) looks to add another tic to his win column as he takes on Terry Etim (15-3), an Englishman with intentions of stringing together his own winning streak. Welterweight “Indio” Erick Silva (8-2) is making his second appearance in the UFC, this time against MMA journeyman and Strikeforce, WEC, Legacy FC, and Shine Fights veteran “Neo” Carlo Prater (27-11). Brazil’s submission hulk “Toquinho” Rousimar Palhares (15-5) is looking to make it three in a row against the tough and determined Mike Massenzio (13-5). Devastating striker and former champion “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (20-9) steps into the Octagon in front of his hometown crowd for the first time in well over a decade to face middleweight debutee “Rumble” Anthony Johnson (10-3). The main event of the evening sees top ranked pound-for-pound fighter and UFC featherweight king “Junior” Jose Aldo (19-1) defend his title against undefeated Team Alpha Male fighter “Money” Chad Mendes (11-0). Aldo is known for his explosive stand-up including crippling kicks and devastating knees, but will it be enough to overcome the wrestling pedigree of Mendes? Continue reading »
"Toquinho" Rousimar Palhares' (left) superior strength and ability to chain together submissions give him the decided advantage on the ground over fellow Jiu-Jitsu artist and UFC 142 opponent Mike Massenzio. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
It is a homecoming of all sorts as Brazilians and fellow fight fans around the world alike are treated to UFC 142 straight from the HSBC center in Rio de Janiero, Brazil this Saturday night. Muay Thai aficionado Edson Barboza (9-0) takes on Terry Etim (15-3) in the lightweight opener. A battle of Brazilians is set as “Indio” Erick Silva (8-2) welcomes “Neo” Carlo Prater (27-11-1) to the Octagon. The co-main event is sure to have mouthpieces flying, bodies dropping, and consciousness lost as “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (20-9) clashes with “Rumble” Anthony Johnson (10-3). Stakes could not be any higher as “Money” Chad Mendes (11-0) puts his undefeated steak on the line as he challenges “Junior” Jose Aldo (19-1) for his featherweight title in the main event. In middle of all this action, the hometown favorite “Toquinho” Rousimar Palhares (15-5) and “The Master of Disaster” Mike Massenzio (13-5) prepare to butt heads. While UFC’s last event in Brazil, UFC 134, lacked any submission victories, BJJ is bound to get its credit due as these two veterans of the art will seek to take the victory at the expense of the other’s limbs. Continue reading »
The younger and less experienced Brazilian "Indio" Erick Silva (right) needs an impressive finish over MMA veteran Carlo Prater to cement his status as a blue chip prospect in the UFC. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
This Saturday the UFC returns to the homeland of the most well-known MMA family in the world. Brazil, the proving grounds for the Gracie family, is welcoming back the world’s premier MMA promotion with open arms as it hosts UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes. Headlining the event in Rio de Janeiro is a championship match-up between former WEC and current UFC featherweight king “Junior” Jose Aldo (19-1) and undefeated Team Alpha Male wrestler “Money” Chad Mendes (11-0). Former UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (20-9) is fighting in front of his countrymen for the first time since 1998 now on the heels of a brutal KO over ”Sexyama” Yoshihiro Akiyama (14-5) in August. His opponent, wrestling powerhouse “Rumble” Anthony Johnson (10-3), is making his middleweight debut against the former world champion. “Toquinho” Rousimar Palhares (15-5) will look to extend his win streak and enter the top of the division but first he has to get past the war-ready Mike Massenzio (13-5) who is game to stand and bang or rip and roll with anyone. In the card’s opener English lightweight Terry Etim (15-3) takes on undefeated Edson Barboza (9-0). Etim wishes to create another impressive win streak while Barboza is looking to stay undefeated inside the UFC. In his UFC debut, MMA veteran “Neo” Carlo Prater (27-11) seeks his big break at the expense of “Indio” Erick Silva (8-2), a Brazilian submission enthusiast looking to put on another show for his hometown crowd. With both hunting an opportunity to emerge from mainstream obscurity and ascend the ranks of the welterweight division, the bout is sure to deliver.
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 »
