UFC on Fuel TV 7 Main Card Breakdown: Part II

 Posted by at 7:35 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
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.

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UFC on Fuel TV 7 Main Card Breakdown: Part I

 Posted by at 2:53 PM  MMA News, UFC  1 Response »
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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UFC 152 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Michael Bisping vs. Brian Stann

 Posted by at 4:38 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Sep 192012
 

Brian Stann’s (red gloves) striking prowess and overall toughness have caused the undoing of many of his previous opponents, but in Michael Bisping he will find a game competitor who, like Stann himself, can end a fight quickly. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC’s youngest champion “Bones” Jon Jones (16-1) returns Saturday night to defend his light heavyweight title against seasoned veteran “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (21-9) as the main event for UFC 152. Toronto, Ontario, Canada will further see the crowning of the first UFC Flyweight Champion when “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson (15-2-1) and Joseph Benavidez (16-2) meet in the co-main event. “The Hammer” Matt Hamill (10-4) returns from retirement for another go in the 205lbs. division as he welcomes native countryman “The Hulk” Roger Hollett (13-3) into the UFC. The Pay-Per-View card opens up with exciting featherweight action when WEC veteran Cub Swanson (17-5) takes on submission specialist “Do Bronx” Charles Oliveira (16-2) . The card’s anchor is worthy of headliner status, with middleweights “The Count” Michael Bisping (22-4) and “The All-American” Brian Stann (12-4) primed for battle. Continue reading »

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UFC on Fuel 2 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara

 Posted by at 3:54 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 122012
 

Brian Stann (black trunks) packs tremendous power in every punch, leaving his opponents little room for error when standing with the war hero. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The world’s premiere mixed martial arts organization returns from a month-long hiatus as the UFC presents UFC on FUEL TV 2 live from the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden this Saturday. “The Angel of Death” Damacio Page (15-6) and “One Punch” Brad Pickett (20-6) open up the main card with bantamweight action.  ”The One” John Maguire (17-3) takes on “The Darkness” DaMarques Johnson (15-9) in a welterweight exhibition. “The Killer” Siyar Bahadurzada (20-4-1) makes his long awaited UFC debut when he takes on the very dangerous Brazilian submission specialist Paulo Thiago (14-3). Featherweights collide when “The Gun” Diego Nunes (17-2) takes on Dennis Siver (19-8) in a “Fight of the Night” frontrunner. Before Thiago Silva (14-2) and “The Mauler” Alexander Gustafsson (13-1) battle it out in the card’s headliner, they will have to try to surpass the bar set by “Legionarius” Alessio Sakara (15-8) and “The All-American” Brian Stann (11-4) in the co-main event. Stann and Sakara are two of the middleweight’s top names with the damage to show. However, only one of them can climb higher up the division’s ladder after their showdown in Stockholm. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey Main Card Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 6:11 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Mar 012012
 

"Hands of Steel" Scott Smith (right) likely will once again find himself playing the underdog role in his Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey match-up, however it is a role he has come to thrive in. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The second installment of Strikeforce action in 2012 takes place this Saturday in the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. “Hands of Steel” Scott Smith (17-9) returns from a timely lay-off to take on one of the middleweight division’s rising new stars, Lumumba Sayers (5-2). “The Punk” Josh Thomson (18-4) is back from injury and will be greeted by KJ Noons (11-4) in his return. Midway through the main card, two dynamos of the sport meet as knockout artist “Semtex” Paul Daley (29-11-2) battles a fellow veteran in “Hitman” Kazuo Misaki (24-11-2).  Bristol Marunde (12-6) makes his Strikeforce debut in the co-main event but has a steep mountain to climb in the form of submission ace, “Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (14-3). The main event has been turning heads for some time and now it finally comes to fruition when “Takedown” Miesha Tate (12-2) puts her women’s welterweight title on the line against “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey (4-0). With all the action already placed on the main card, here’s a glance of what to look out for when the combatants take to the cage. Continue reading »

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Spilled Bag of Fights: Absolutely Suck!

 Posted by at 6:19 PM  Spilled Bag of Fights  2 Responses »
Oct 112011
 

There’s been a lot of fights since my last Spilled Bag of Fights but I’m going to mainly focus on UFC 136 which was really one of the most impressive and stacked cards in recent memory. It featured two title fights as well as the return of the entertaining albeit polarizing Chael Sonnen. So, let’s just dive right in. Continue reading »

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UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III Results

 Posted by at 4:55 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Oct 082011
 

UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar (left) puts his title on the line for the third time, the second against challenger Gray Maynard (right), in tonight's UFC 136 main event. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View)—

Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard: Edgar via TKO (Punches), Round 4, 3:54

Jose Aldo vs. Kenny Florian: Aldo via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46), Round 5, 5:00

Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann: Sonnen via Submission (Arm-Triangle), Round 2, 3:51

Melvin Guillard vs. Joe Lauzon: Lauzon via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 1, 0:47

Leonard Garcia vs. Nam Phan: Phan via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

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UFC Fight Night 25 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Alan Belcher vs. Jason MacDonald

 Posted by at 6:46 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Sep 142011
 

With a highly regarded submission game, Jason MacDonald (white trunks) has the definite advantage on the ground over Alan Belcher come fight night. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC returns to the bayou when UFC Fight Night 25 takes place once again in New Orleans, Louisiana this Saturday night. Former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion and top contender Jake Shields (26-5-1) plans to get back into his winning ways when he meets fellow wrestling powerhouse “Juggernaut” Jake Ellenberger (24-5). “New Breed” Erik Koch (12-1) is charged with the task of welcoming back fellow featherweight Jonathan Brookins (14-1) in a promising fast-paced battle. In the co-main event, fan favorite TUF 11 winner “Crusher” Court McGee (11-1) takes on one of the silent killers of the middleweight division, “The Ox” Dongi Yong (5-1). Among all the action though, UFC veteran “The Athlete” Jason MacDonald (23-14) brings his crafty ground game to the cage when striking extraordinaire “The Talent” Alan Belcher (16-6) returns to face him after a lengthy lay-off.  Belcher has been absent from combat for some time but his stand-up game is the weapon of choice he can always rely on. MacDonald might be creeping into the elder years in respect to MMA competition but with a tight submission game, Father Time might have to take a backseat for now as athleticism tries to shut down talent. Continue reading »

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Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann Slated for UFC 136

 Posted by at 10:17 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Jul 062011
 

After over a year of battling legal issues, Chael Sonnen (right) will return to the UFC against US military vet Brian Stann at UFC 136. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

In addition to heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez (9-0) who will face “Cigano” Junior Dos Santos (12-1), UFC 136 will also see the return of outspoken former middleweight title challenger Chael Sonnen (24-11-1). HeavyMMA confirmed today that a verbal agreement has been reached between Sonnen and the red-hot “All-American” Brian Stann (11-3) for a middleweight tilt on the October card. The bout will mark the first time Sonnen has competed since legal problems and a lengthy dispute with the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) sidelined him for almost a year. Continue reading »

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Brian Stann: All-American to All-Star

 Posted by at 8:23 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Jun 062011
 

"All-American" Brian Stann has quickly climbed the ranks in the UFC's middleweight division. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

UFC middleweight “All-American” Brian Stann (11-3) made another big splash in the 185lbs. division last Saturday at UFC 130 with his striking clinic win over “Sandman” Jorge Santiago (22-9). Many thought it would be a back-and-forth battle on the feet with the former Sengoku champion, but Stann proved them wrong. The USMC soldier worked angles, mixed up his strikes, and countered the seemingly ineffective advances of Santiago. After a power-counter that dropped the Brazilian in the closing seconds of the first round followed by a rain of bombs up to the closing bell, Stann was already breaking the will of the more experienced Santiago. The second frame was just a continuation of the beating. Then with only thirty seconds left on the clock, Stann dropped “Sandman” again and finished him with a powerful combo.

Having steadily climbed the ranks of the UFC’s middleweight ladder, now the question is: What’s next in the bright future of “All-American”? Continue reading »

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Spilled Bag of Fights: Gross!

 Posted by at 6:35 PM  Spilled Bag of Fights  1 Response »
May 302011
 

I’m gonna keep this brief because it’s a holiday and there’s not a lot to say about UFC 130. Except I want $25 off for the lack of a Frankie Edgar/Gray Maynard rubber match.

I picked Travis “Hash” Browne over Stefan “Topple” Struve and Rick “Based on a True” Story over Thiago “Get A More Original Nickname” Alves but then I thought I shouldn’t have two upset picks and changed my pick to Stefan “Timber!” Struve. Damn it!  Story is tough and honestly I think Alves is overrated – not that he’s not a great fighter but I don’t think he’s top five. Continue reading »

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UFC 130: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

 Posted by at 8:09 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
May 292011
 

"Rampage" Quinton Jackson may not have gotten the KO win he wanted, but he showed all around improvement in his game at UFC 130. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

UFC 130 received mixed reviews from the fans. A card with ten fights and seven decisions and no super hyped match-ups, Rampage vs. Hamill showed what happens when an organization puts all their eggs in one basket. The fights were, as a whole, excellent, but the UFC had the fans salivating over the conclusion of “The Answer” Frankie Edgar (13-1-1) and “The Bully” Gray Maynard’s (10-0-1) New Year’s title fight. Once that bout was scrapped due to injuries to both men, the UFC needed a card that was stuffed with “Fight of the Year” candidates to make up for the disappointment, especially among the casual fans. UFC 130 may be getting an unfair bad wrap from many fans and media for not living up to the hype of its cancelled previous incarnation, but the beauty of MMA is that the lackluster reception of the card itself doesn’t reflect too heavily on the fighters involved with it. Some fighters, however, managed to squander that blessing by putting on poor performances that are only magnified by the poor light in which UFC 130 has been cast. To explore who came out ahead and who fell behind, MMA Gospel has The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Continue reading »

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UFC 130: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 2:02 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
May 292011
 

USMC soldier Brian Stann (left) made his Memorial Day weekend all the more special with an impressive TKO victory over Sengoku champ Jorge Santiago (right). Stann always bears solid striking but before he gets the big-name fights, pitting a wrestler or Jiu-Jitsu artist against "All-American" will assess the strength of his ground game. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill is now in the books this Memorial Day weekend after another night of great fights. A U.S. Marine and a former Sengoku champion met in a middleweight battle. In a welterweight showcase, an up-and-coming prospect faced a former title challenger with the hopes of starting his own run for the 170-pound title.  Two of the UFC’s biggest heavyweights entered the cage where the potential for either to come tumbling down was nearly guaranteed. In the co-main event, two heavyweight contenders clashed trying to claw their way to the top of their weight division’s elite pack. The headlining bout saw a promising fighter take on a beloved-yet-feared former champion as the 205lb-ers closed out the event. After a night of action, here is a recap of what went down. While the victors goes the spoils, here listed are also a few fighters that may be coming up soon to take their place. Continue reading »

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UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill Quick Results

 Posted by at 7:35 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
May 282011
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD—

“Rampage” Quinton Jackson vs. “The Hammer” Matt Hamill: Jackson via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Frank Mir vs. “Big Country” Roy Nelson: Mir via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26), Round 3, 5:00

“The Skyscraper” Stefan Struve vs. “Hapa” Travis Browne: Browne via KO (Punch), Round 1, 4:11

“All-American” Brian Stann vs. “Sandman” Jorge Santiago: Stann via TKO (Strikes), Round 2, 4:29

“The Pitbull” Thiago Alves vs. “The Horror” Rick Story: Story via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00 Continue reading »

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