Mar 032013
Mar 022013
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
—MAIN CARD (on Fuel TV @ 10:00pm ET)—
Wanderlei Silva vs. Brian Stann: Silva via KO (Punches), Round 2, 4:08
Mark Hunt vs. Stefan Struve: Hunt via TKO (Punches), Round 3, 1:44
Takanori Gomi vs. Diego Sanchez: Sanchez via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00
Yushin Okami vs. Hector Lombard: Okami via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00
Mizuto Hirota vs. Rani Yahya: Yahya via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Siyar Bahadurzada: Kim via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00 Continue reading »
Feb 282013
Takanori Gomi (black trunks) has the power in his punches to score an upset win in his Japanese homecoming. (Photo courtesy of Yahoo!)
The first females of the UFC have already made history and now just one week later, the UFC returns to Saitama, Japan with UFC on Fuel TV 8. Opening duties are bestowed upon the welterweights as “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim (16-2-1) locks up with “The Great” Siyar Bahadurzada (21-4-1). Brazilian Rani Yahya (17-7) will look to prove homefield advantage means nothing when he takes on Japan’s own “Pugnus” Mizuto Hirota (14-5-1). A move up into middleweight contention could be in order for the victor between fourth-ranked “Thunder” Yushin Okami (28-7) and eighth-ranked “Lightning” Hector Lombard (32-3-1). “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (34-8) will greet “The Dream” Diego Sanchez (23-5) when he makes his return to the lightweight division. In the co-main event, one heavyweight’s rise to glory will come to a screeching halt as “Skyscraper” Stefan Struve (25-5) takes on K-1 veteran “Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (8-7). Closing the night off is a light heavyweight battle between “The All-American” Brian Stann (12-5) and the always popular “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (34-12-1). The first half of the main card was given a look in UFC on Fuel TV 8 Main Card Pre-Fight Breakdown: Part I. MMA Gospel will round the card off here with Part II, providing what to look for in each match-up leading up to the main event. Continue reading »
Feb 272013
War hero Brian Stann (white trunks) returns to action to headline UFC on Fuel TV 8 against brutal PRIDE superstar Wanderlei Silva. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC hits the land of the rising sun again just a week after the historic UFC 157 card to offer fight fans another great night of mixed martial arts action, this time for free on Fuel TV. The eighth installment of the UFC on Fuel TV series is headlined by “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (34-12-1) and “All-American” Brian Stann (12-5), while co-main duties fall on heavyweights “Skyscraper” Stefan Struve (25-5) and K-1 star Mark Hunt (8-7). ”The Dream” Diego Sanchez (23-5) and “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (34-8) will anchor the card in a lightweight contest. The opening fight of the night will see dangerous welterweights “The Great” Siyar Bahadurzada (21-4-1) and “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim (16-2-1). In middleweight action, eighth-ranked ”Shango” Hector Lombard (23-3-1) and current number 4 “Thunder” Yushin Okami (28-7) will continue their quest for 185lbs. gold. Rounding out the bottom half of the card, filling the second slot and filling the second slot is Rani Yahya (17-7) in a featherweight clash with “Pugnus” Mizuto Hirota (14-5-1). Here in Part I of the UFC on Fuel TV 8 pre-fight breakdown, MMA Gospel will delve into the first half of the six-fight card.
Nov 082012
Dong Hyun Kim (bottom) has an advantage in size and is a far more technical fighter than his UFC on Fuel TV 6 opponent. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC returns to free TV Saturday with a solid showing from the People’s Republic of China. “The Mongolian Wolf” Tiequan Zhang (15-3) opens the card against “Super Saiyan” Jon Tuck (8-0) followed by a pair of solid bouts featuring “Bruce Leeroy” Alex Caceres (7-5) against Motonobu Tezuka (19-4-4) and Mac Danzig (21-9-1) versus “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (33-8). Headlining the event is a meeting between two former middleweight champions “Ace” Rich Franklin (29-6), once the UFC 185lbs. king, and Cung Le (8-2), the San Shou master who once dominated the Strikeforce middleweight scene. Shoring up the former champs in the co-main is light heavyweight wrecking machine Thiago Silva (14-3-1) who will look for his first win since 2009 as he faces Stanislav Nedkov (12-0). Holding the anchor spot is Korean Judoka “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim (15-2-1) as he meets struggling welterweight Paulo Thiago (14-4). Continue reading »
Nov 072012
Nov 062012
Tiequan Zhang (red trunks) has struggled in the UFC against larger, stronger opponents, but he has faced vastly superior competition to that which his opponent has seen in his career. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC will present its sixth offering on the FOX cable network Fuel TV as the organization breaks into the Chinese market with an event in the Cotai Arena of Cotai, Macau, People’s Republic of China. Headlining the November 10 event is a pair of bouts featuring some of the UFC’s most exciting finishers as Cung Le (8-2) faces “Ace” Rich Franklin (29-6) and Thiago Silva (14-3) squares off with Stanislav Nedkov (12-0). Korean Judo ace “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim (15-2-1) anchors the card against Paulo Thiago (14-4) but before those fireworks go off, Zuffa has arraigned for a trio of solid mixed martial arts contests. Starting the main card is a meeting between “The Mongolian Wolf” Tiequan Zhang (15-3) and UFC newcomer “Super Saiyan” Jon Tuck (6-0). Next on the slate “Bruce Leeroy” Alex Caceres (7-5) looks to break even in the UFC for the first time with a win over Motonobu Tezuka (19-4-4). Sitting squarely in the middle of the card, “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (33-8) rounds out the first half of the card in a bout against former TUF standout Mac Danzig (21-9-1). Continue reading »
Oct 092012
Dropping from 185lbs. to 170lbs. isn’t the only recent change in Demian Maia’s (blue trunks) career – the BJJ specialist has also made significant strides in his striking and now poses a threat both on the mat and on the feet. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC returns to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this Saturday with a card that, though injury-bitten, pulled through with a addition of star fighters to make it happen. The HSBC Arena will welcome back UFC Middleweight Champion “The Spider” Anderson Silva (32-4) as he makes his third appearance at 205lbs. to take on TUF 1 veteran and long-time UFC tough man “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar (15-7) in the main event of the night. Brazilian fight circuit veteran Glover Teixeira (18-2) returns home under the UFC banner looking to go 2-0 within the promotion as he squares off with fellow countryman Fabio Maldonado (18-5) who hopes to notch a win and end a two-fight skid. Former PRIDE and UFC heavyweight king “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-7) returns from his submission loss against Frank Mir (16-6) that resulted in a broken arm against the hungry Team Quest kickboxer “Pee Wee” Dave Herman (21-4) who is looking to earn the biggest win of his career. Former UFC welterweight title contender Jon Fitch (23-4) seeks his first win since UFC 117 in 2010 as he faces the surging Brazilian star in “Indio” Erick Silva (14-2). A rematch is on tap for “Mr.Wonderful” Phil Davis (9-1) and Sao Paulo knockout specialist “Caldeirao” Wagner Prado (8-0) after their first fight ended in a No Contest due to accidental eye poke. Starting off the Pay-Per-View is a battle in the welterweight division between Demian Maia (16-4) and “The Horror” Rick Story (14-5). Continue reading »
Jul 092012
Jul 082012
Anderson Silva’s (yellow shorts) killer instincts brought an end to his rivalry with Chael Sonnen (white shorts) after Sonnen over-committed to a spinning backfist in the second frame. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
UFC 148 was the most successful live event in UFC history. Though the Pay-Per-View numbers for the second meeting of “The Spider” Anderson Silva (32-4) and Chael Sonnen (27-12-1) have yet to be released, the live gate was over 6.5 million dollars, eclipsing the previous UFC record of 5.3 million and setting a record for MMA in the state of Nevada. ”The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz (16-11-1) went out with a “Fight of the Night” earning bang but saw his retirement party crashed by Forrest Griffin (19-7) in a narrow decision loss. Cung Le (8-2) defeated “The Predator” Patrick Cote (17-8) in his first UFC victory. Demian Maia (16-4) was the beneficiary of “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim’s (15-2-1) bad luck when the Korean Judoka’s self-inflicted rib injury brought an early halt to the match. “AK Kid” Cody McKenzie (13-3) found out the hard way that a move to 145 wasn’t going to make his life any easier when “Money” Chad Mendes (12-1) finished him in just 31 seconds. Opening the card, “The Hulk” Mike Easton (13-1) came out on top against “The Pride of El Salvator” Ivan Menjivar (24-9). The UFC and its fans were the clear winners of the night, but the fighters themselves may not have fared so well. To explore this is The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
Jul 072012
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View)—
Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen: Silva via TKO (Punches), Round 2, 1:55
Forrest Griffin vs. Tito Ortiz: Griffin via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00
Cung Le vs. Patrick Cote: Le via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Demian Maia: Maia via TKO (Rib Injury), Round 1, 0:47
Chad Mendes vs. Cody McKenzie: Mendes via TKO (Body Punch), Round 1, 0:31
Ivan Menjivar vs. Mike Easton: Easton via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00
Jul 072012
Even at just 23-years-old, undefeated rising prospect Khabib Nurmagomedov’s (white trunks) accomplishments in the martial arts and well-rounded skill set pose a substantial threat to the UFC’s lightweight division. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Tonight the UFC is back in action at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with a star-studded card that features one of the most highly anticipated rematches in MMA history. As made even more evident by the reported 10,000+ in attendance for Friday night’s UFC 148 weigh-ins, Zuffa can certainly look forward to having some of their highest Pay-Per-View numbers to date with a card headlined by current UFC Middleweight Champion and arguably one of the greatest fighters to ever grace the Octagon, “The Spider” Anderson Silva (31-4), and polarizing figure Chael Sonnen (27-11), who is looking to score revenge for the loss he suffered the last time he and the champ met nearly two years ago. But that’s not the only great rematch on the PPV portion of UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen II, as fans will also get to see the long awaited rubber match between former light heavyweight champions Forrest Griffin (18-7) and “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz (16-10). Win, lose, or draw, Ortiz plans on hanging up his gloves and flamed shorts and walking off into the sunset. Shoring up the main card are the likes of former Strikeforce champ Cung Le (7-2), returning UFC veteran “The Predator” Patrick Cote (17-7), JMMA star “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim (15-1-1) and BJJ expert Demian Maia (15-4), WEC veteran “Money” Chad Mendes (11-1) and TUF alum “AK Kid” Cody McKenzie (13-2), and Tristar Gym fighter “Pride of El Salvador” Ivan Menjivar (24-8) and “The Hulk” Mike Easton (12-1) in the opening slot. The UFC is also supplying tremendous action in the undercard match-ups, with perhaps the most promising contender for becoming a main card mainstay being “The Eagle” Khabib Nurmagomedov (17-0).
Jul 062012
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The phrase “most anticipated fight of the year” is thrown around very liberally in the landscape of mixed martial arts, and has long since become overstated in respect to both frequency and descriptiveness. Saturday night’s UFC 148, however, boasts a match-up that truly is the most anticipated fight of the year, if not of the past two years since the headlining combatants first met in August 2010. In just over 24 hours, one of the biggest scores in recent MMA history will be settled when long-reigning UFC Middleweight Champion “The Spider” Anderson Silva (31-4) comes face to face with boisterous, professional wrestling-esque smack talker Chael Sonnen (27-11-1), who in their first meeting came all too close to handing Silva his first loss in over four years before being submitted late in the fifth round. Directly supporting the ultimate grudge match of a main event is a rubber match between former champions and staples of the UFC, Forrest Griffin (18-7) and “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz (16-10-1). Revered 185lbs. striker Cung Le (7-2) welcomes fellow heavy-hitter “The Predator” Patrick Cote (17-7) back to the Octagon after a two-year-long UFC hiatus. Welterweights “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim (15-1-1) and Demian Maia (15-4) will compete in what is sure to be a battle on the mat. Former top 145lbs. contender “Money” Chad Mendes (11-1) will square off with TUF alum “AK Kid” Cody McKenzie (13-2), preceded by a bantamweight affair between “The Hulk” Mike Easton (12-1) and “The Pride of El Salvador” Ivan Menjivar (24-8). The winners and losers of UFC 148 have yet to be determined, but here are the MMA Gospel staff’s picks of who is likely to come out on top. Continue reading »
Jul 062012
UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva (left) and title challenger Chael Sonnen (right) are set to face off for the second time at UFC 148. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View)—
Anderson Silva: 184lbs.
Chael Sonnen: 185lbs.
Forrest Griffin: 204lbs.
Tito Ortiz: 204lbs.
Cung Le: 185lbs.
Patrick Cote: 185lbs.
Dong Hyun Kim: 170lbs.
Demian Maia: 170lbs.
Chad Mendes: 146lbs.
Cody McKenzie: 145lbs.
Ivan Menjivar: 136lbs.
Mike Easton: 135lbs. Continue reading »
Jul 062012
In their first meeting, Chael Sonnen (white trunks) dominated Anderson Silva (yellow shorts) both standing and on the ground. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada will once again host the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization as Zuffa presents UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen II on Saturday night. Opening the card is a bantamweight match between “The Hulk” Mike Easton (12-1) and “The Pride of El Salvador” Ivan Menjivar (24-8), proceeded by former top 145lbs. contender “Money” Chad Mendes (11-1) versus TUF alum “AK Kid” Cody McKenzie (13-2). Welterweights “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim (15-1-1) and Jiu-Jitsu expert Demian Maia (15-4) will follow the 135ers with Cung Le (7-2) and “The Predator” Patrick Cote (17-7) holding the anchor position. The co-main will see Forrest Griffin (18-7) face “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz (16-10-1) for the third time in each man’s storied career and headlining the Pay-Per-View card will be a rematch that nearly everyone in the MMA world has been eagerly awaiting for nearly two years: “The Spider” Anderson Silva (31-4) against Chael Sonnen (27-11-1). Continue reading »