Feb 152013
 
Cyrille Diabate (white trunks) will face a serious threat in UFC on Fuel TV 7 opponent Jimi Manuwa. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Cyrille Diabate (white trunks) will face a serious threat in UFC on Fuel TV 7 opponent Jimi Manuwa. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Back from a brief two-week hiatus, the UFC hits Fuel TV on Saturday for a card set to prime the pump for the UFC’s first ever foray into women’s MMA on February 23. Headlining the UFC on Fuel TV 7 card is a title match-up between reigning Interim UFC Bantamweight Champion “Barao” Renan Pegado (29-1) and “Mayday” Michael McDonald (15-1). Offering up co-main event action are featherweight killers Cub Swanson (18-5) and “Diamond” Dustin Poirier (13-2). ”Poster Boy” Jimi Manuwa (12-0) will put his undefeated record on the line against “Snake” Cyrille Diabate (19-8-1), and “Gunni” Gunnar Nelson (10-0-1) will find himself in a similar situation against “The Sandman” Jorge Santiago (25-10) as the two anchor bouts. Taking the second slot is James Te Huna (15-5) in a bout with “Big Deal” Ryan Jimmo (17-1) and opening the night is a welterweight affair between “Deep Waters” Matt Riddle (7-3) and “Beautiful” Che Mills (15-5). We’ve already gone over the night’s openers in Part I, now here in Part II of the UFC on Fuel TV 7 breakdown, MMA Gospel takes a look at the top half of the card.

Continue reading »

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Feb 122013
 
Scrappy welterweight Matt Riddle (blue gloves) will hold a clear advantage on the mat over his UFC on Fuel TV 7 opponent Che Mills. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Scrappy welterweight “Deep Waters” Matt Riddle (blue gloves) will hold a clear advantage on the mat over his UFC on Fuel TV 7 opponent Che Mills. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

February 16 the UFC returns to London as it presents its latest offering of MMA action with UFC on Fuel 7: Barao vs. McDonald. “Barao” Renan Pegado (29-1) will defend his interim bantamweight title when he meets “Mayday” Michael McDonald (15-1). In the co-main event, Cub Swanson (18-5) and “The Diamond” Dustin Poirier (13-2) battle in the featherweight division. Undefeated light heavyweight “Poster Boy” Jimi Manuwa (12-0) looks to keep the streak alive when he meets “Snake” Cyrille Diabate (19-8). In this half of the breakdown, however, a little more insight is shed on the first half of the main card’s proceedings. “Gunni” Gunnar Nelson (10-0-1) will look to display another submission spectacle when he meets a former Sengoku champion “The Sandman” Jorge Santiago (25-10). A battle between two light heavyweight titans is set in motion with “Big Deal” Ryan Jimmo (17-1) taking on James Te Huna (15-5) in his sophomore UFC match-up. Kicking off the night in a welterweight showdown are “Deep Waters” Matthew Riddle (7-3) and “Beautiful” Che Mills (15-5). Continue reading »

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Jan 122013
 
(Photo courtesy of Fighters Only)

(Photo courtesy of Fighters Only)

Friday night The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada played host to the fifth annual Fighters Only MMA Awards. The awards focused on the best the world of mixed martial arts had to offer during the entire 2012 calendar year, with the 21 categories honoring fighters, media organizations, apparel companies, technical equipment, and much more. The winners though were determined by fan votes. Check out the full list of 2012 World MMA Awards below, and tune in to Fox Sports Net on January 20 to catch the ceremony broadcast. Continue reading »

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Dec 162012
 
Roy Nelson (white trunks) reminded the MMA world why he is considered a top tier heavyweight by soundly defeating Matt Mitrione (black shorts) at the TUF 16 Finale. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Roy Nelson (white trunks) reminded the MMA world why he is considered a top tier heavyweight by soundly defeating Matt Mitrione (black shorts) at the TUF 16 Finale. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

It was a busy weekend for the UFC as they closed out not one but two seasons of The Ultimate Fighter, with UFC on FX 6 closing out The Smashes between Australia and the UK and The Ultimate Fighter 16 Live Finale marking the end of the Nelson vs. Carwin season. Both cards stepped away from the historical format of TUF finale cards in that neither featured a majority of the season’s cast members and instead framed the finale bouts and coaches’ showdown with more relevant bouts. The results both sent a message to the MMA world and had a much greater impact on the state of affairs in the UFC compared to other finale events. Aside from the outside-the-cage impacts that the cards had, they were, all things considered, a pair of solid MMA offerings that are a cut above what fans have come to expect in the finales. Also a bonus for MMA fans, the impact of having an electric finale follow a lackluster season as opposed to the usual finale that fails to live up to its hype should result in an overall TUF product from here out as the UFC puts renewed emphasis on fighters fighting to win as opposed to fighting not to lose while in the house by taking a few of the finale slots traditionally reserved for runners up and giving them to more relevant bouts.  Continue reading »

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Dec 132012
 
Roy Nelson (red gloves) represents a huge step-up in the level of competition Matt Mitrione has faced in his career. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

“Big Country” Roy Nelson (red gloves) represents a huge step up in the level of competition fellow heavyweight Matt Mitrione has faced in his career. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Less than 24 hours after the winners of TUF: The Smashes are determined, the final offering from The Ultimate Fighter 16 will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada. As has become the trend of late, coach “The Engineer” Shane Carwin (12-2) injured his knee and thus the coaches will not be facing one another. Instead, “Big Country” Roy Nelson (17-7) will face fellow TUF 10 alum “Meathead” Matt Mitrione (5-1). The co-main will feature the two finalists of the TUF series’ latest installment with ”The Martian” Mike Ricci (7-2) of Team Carwin taking on  Colton Smith (3-1) of Team Nelson. Anchoring the card is a clash of heavyweight kickboxers as “HD” Pat Barry (7-5) steps in the Octagon across from Shane del Rosario (11-1). The opening match will see “The Diamond” Dustin Poirier (12-2) against Jonathan Brookins (13-5) followed by a lightweight tilt between “The Young Assassin” Melvin Guillard (30-11-2) and “C-4″ Jamie Varner (20-7-1). Continue reading »

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May 312012
 

Max Holloway (blue gloves) and his opponent, Pat Schilling, were both fed to the wolves in their debuts, however, Holloway handled his big name opponent and Octagon jitters with a great deal more poise and discipline. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

Another season of The Ultimate Fighter is in the books. All that’s left is for “Maverick” Mike Chiesa (7-0) to face Al Iaquinta (5-1-1) in the TUF Finale tomorrow to determine the season’s winner. The card will be headlined by dangerous Danish kickboxer “The Hitman” Martin Kampmann (19-5) as he goes toe-to-toe with stand-out welterweight wrecking machine “The Juggernaut” Jake Ellenberger (27-5) with a place in the UFC title picture on the line. Shoring up the rest of card is a pair of solid bouts featuring TUF Season 12 winner Jonathan Brookins (13-4) who faces submission specialist “Do Bronx” Charles Oliveira (15-2) and “Blessed” Max Holloway (4-1) as he meets “Thrilling” Pat Schilling (5-1). Continue reading »

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May 212012
 

Alas, the return of Spilled Bag of Ice and Patrick Guera!  This time the guys chat it up about Nick Diaz’s medical condition and the ridiculousness of athletic commissions, Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier, the epic battle between “The Korean Zombie” and Dustin Poirier, and the upcoming all-heavyweight and all-awesome UFC 146.

Click here to listen to MMA Gospel Podcast # 3. Don’t be scared, homie!

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May 152012
 

"The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung (left) and Dustin Poirier (right) wowed audiences in an instant classic match-up, earning both men "Fight of the Night" honors and Jung "Submission of the Night" for his fourth-round D'Arce Choke victory. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The following fight bonuses were awarded for UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier

Submission of the Night:

“The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (over Dustin Poirier) receives $40,000

Knockout of the Night:

Tom Lawlor (over Jason MacDonald) receives $40,000

Fight of the Night:

Chan Sung Jung and Dustin Poirier each receive $40,000

Click here for the full list of UFC on Fuel TV 3 results.

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May 152012
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Fuel TV)—

“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 »

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May 142012
 

Marcus LeVesseur (right), record-breaking collegiate wrestler turned well-rounded mixed martial artist, makes his national debut in the UFC on Fuel TV 3 prelims Tuesday night. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

UFC on Fuel TV: Zombie vs. Poirier is set to take place Tuesday night with a card that looks to bring a lot of exciting free fights to the masses yet again. Headlining the third installment of mixed martial arts action on Fuel TV courtesy of the UFC is a featherweight match-up between “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (12-3) and “The Diamond” Dustin Poirier (12-1). Rounding out the main card are the likes of TUF alum Amir Sadollah (5-3), Tachi Palace Fights vet “Lil’ Monster” Jorge Lopez (11-2), lightweight mainstay and multiple-time fight bonus winner “Lil’ Heathen” Jeremy Stephens (20-7), Muay Thai aficionado “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (17-4), 145lbs. submission artist “Hellbound” Jeff Hougland (10-4), heavy-handed Croatian “The Duke” Igor Pokrajac (24-8), Team Nogueira fighter Fabio Maldonado (18-4), seasoned veteran “The Athlete” Jason MacDonald (25-15), and middleweight jokester “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (7-4). While there certainly will be plenty of entertainment afforded by the main card on Fuel TV, the prelims streamed on Facebook certainly should not be overlooked, as once again they are chock full of young hungry fighters ready to showcase their skills on the big stage. Continue reading »

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May 142012
 

Footage begins at about the 3:36 mark, event starts at about 11:00. (Video courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Fuel TV)—

“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 »

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May 112012
 

"The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung (blue gloves) is a dangerous finisher who will test the mettle of Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC on Fuel TV 3. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The world’s premier MMA organization will return to its home away from home on cable TV as UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier hits the airwaves from the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia this Tuesday. The injury-plagued card has had no less than six changes due to injury, resulting in a main card filled with newcomers and fresh undercard stock. Headlining the event is “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (12-3) vs. “The Diamond” Dustin Poirier (12-1). Playing second horn is TUF winner Amir Sadollah (20-7) as he faces Tachi Palace Fight stand-out “Lil’ Monster” Jorge Lopez (11-2), who makes his sophomore effort in the big show. Lightweight top contender “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (17-4) looks to rebound from one of his worst performances ever against “Little Heathen” Jeremy Stephens (20-7). “Tiger” Yves Jabouin (17-7) will look for three in a row in the UFC against “Hellbound” Jeff Hougland (10-4). “The Duke” Igor Pokrajac (24-8) will go to war with Fabio Maldonado (18-4) as each man looks to get back above .500 in the UFC, and “The Athlete” Jason MacDonald (25-15) will open the card against “The Filthy Mauler” Tom Lawlor (7-4). Continue reading »

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