MMA Gospel

Jon Jones (right) finally handled the elephant in the room that was his rivalry with Rashad Evans (left), the man he replaced as challenger for the light heavyweight crown at UFC 128. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The MMA fans of Atlanta, Georgia were treated to a top-flight night of UFC action capped off by the third defense of “Bones” Jon Jones’ (16-1) UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in which he ended his rivalry against “Suga” Rashad Evans (17-2-1). Both “Ares” Rory MacDonald (13-1) and “Mayday” Michael McDonald (15-1) proved that they deserve the respect they have been given by defeating “Beautiful” Che Mills (14-5) and “Angel” Miguel Torres (40-5), respectively. “Big Ben” Ben Rothwell (32-8) and “The Filipino Phenom” Eddie Yagin (16-5) each saved their UFC careers from an almost certain end with their victories over “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub (8-3) and “The Machine” Mark Hominick (20-11). Canadian submission master Mark Bocek (11-4) continued his rebuild against “The Natural” John Alessio (34-15) to open the evening. The UFC had a $2.3 million gate and clearly came out a winner with the Georgia fans, but to find out which fighters came out ahead, we have The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Continue reading »

Though seemingly lopsided, Che Mills' (right) bout with Rory MacDonald is a lot more evenly matched than it initially appears. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC will return to Pay-Per-View Saturday night to follow last week’s highly successful and entertaining UFC on Fuel TV card with a night of championship MMA action. Lightweights Mark Bocek (10-4) and “The Natural” John Alessio (34-14) will kick things off followed by a striking tilt between “The Machine” Mark Hominick (20-10) and “The Filipino Phenom” Eddie Yagin (15-5). The anchor bouts of the card feature heavyweights “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub (8-2) and “Big” Ben Rothwell (31-8) and former WEC Bantamweight Champion “Angel” Miguel Torres (40-4)  against “Mayday” Michael McDonald (14-1). Before “Bones” Jon Jones (15-1) steps into the cage to tie up the loose ends with former friend and training partner “Suga” Rashad Evans (17-1-1) “Ares” Rory MacDonald (12-1) will face “Beautiful” Che Mills (14-4) in the co-main event. The two welterweights are looking to make the best of the opportunities left in“Rush” Georges St.Pierre’s (22-2) absence and a strong showing at UFC 145 is just what they need to achieve that goal.
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Ben Rothwell (left) has struggled with quick, athletic strikers in the past and will have to close the distance and force Brendan Schaub to clinch if he wants to score the W at UFC 145. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

“Bones” Jon Jones (15-1) will return to the Octagon on Saturday to finally finish the business between him and former training partner “Suga” Rashad Evans (17-1-1) as UFC 145 hits the scene from Atlanta, Georgia. “Ares” Rory MacDonald (12-1) will face “Beautiful” Che Mills (14-4) in the co-main for the card and Canadian submission specialist Mark Bocek (10-4) draws opening duties against “The Natural” John Alessio (34-14). Former WEC champ “Angel” Miguel Torres (40-4) will take on “Mayday” Michael McDonald (14-1) and “The Machine” Mark Hominick (20-10) will offer “The Filipino Phenom” Eddie Yagin (15-5) his second chance to shine in the UFC. Leading into the night’s featured entertainment is a heavyweight affair between TUF stand-out “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub (8-2) and former top IFL heavyweight “Big” Ben Rothwell (31-8). Both men are coming off of disappointing losses in their most recent outings and desperately need a victory to find their identity in the UFC’s ever deepening heavyweight division.   Continue reading »

Mark Hominick (blue gloves) has fallen on rough times lately, but his high level striking should be more than enough to handle Eddie Yagin. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

One week following the return of the UFC, storied UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Bones” Jon Jones (15-1) will defend his belt for a third time against former friend and former champion “Suga” Rashad Evans (17-1-1). The amount of animosity between the two is enough to sell the Pay-Per-View on its own, but nevertheless the UFC has built a solid card to support the title fight with “Ares” Rory MacDonald (12-1) facing “Beautiful” Che Mills (14-4) after a heavyweight meeting between “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub (8-2) and “Big” Ben Rothwell (31-8). Former WEC Bantamweight Champion “Angel” Miguel Torres (40-4) will face “Mayday” Michael McDonald (14-1) in an effort to stop the younger man’s seven-fight hot streak and Canadian submission expert Mark Bocek (10-4) will open things up against returning UFC veteran “The Natural” John Alessio (34-14). Also making a splash on the main card is “The Machine” Mark Hominick (20-10). The Canadian kickboxer is looking to snap a two-bout skid but standing in his way is “The Filipino Phenom” Eddie Yagin (15-5), a well-rounded fighter who lost his UFC debut but still boasts triumphs in seven of his last ten bouts.   Continue reading »