Feb 032013
Feb 012013
Jose Aldo’s (black shorts) killer instinct makes him a very dangerous opponent for a slow starter like Frankie Edgar. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC returns to Las Vegas tomorrow night for the annual Super Bowl weekend event. UFC 156 opens the Pay-Per-View portion of the card with a flyweight showdown between two men eager for a rematch with the champ Joseph Benavidez (16-3) and “Uncle Creepy” Ian McCall (11-3-1). Second out of the gates is a welterweight pairing between resurgent BJJ champion Demian Maia (17-4) and long-time welterweight title hopeful Jon Fitch (24-4-1). Anchoring the main card is a heavyweight meeting that will see “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (36-11) clash with “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (17-4). The co-main event features “Sugar” Rashad Evans (17-2-1) and “Little Nog” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5) as they look to knock the ring rust off of each other. All eyes are, as usual, drawn to the main event. “Scarface” Jose Aldo (21-1) has reigned like a tyrant over the featherweight ranks since capturing the WEC belt in 2009. Now he faces “The Answer” Frankie Edgar (15-3-1) who, for a brief time was just as impressive as the king of the lightweight division. Continue reading »
Feb 012013
—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View @ 10:00pm ET)—
Jose Aldo (145lbs.) vs. Frankie Edgar (144lbs.)
Rashad Evans (206lbs.) vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (206lbs.)
Alistair Overeem (264lbs.) vs. Antonio Silva (262lbs.)
Jon Fitch (171lbs.) vs. Demian Maia (170lbs.)
Joseph Benavidez (126lbs.) vs. Ian McCall (125lbs.) Continue reading »
Jan 312013
“Little Nog” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (red gloves) has excellent boxing and exceptional Jiu-Jitsu, giving him the ability to end a fight at any time. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada will host another stacked card for Super Bowl weekend. Flyweights kick off the main card when Joseph Benavidez (16-3) encounters “Uncle Creepy” Ian McCall (11-3-1). Demian Maia (17-4) tests the welterweight waters again when he meets Jon Fitch (24-4-1) to see who ultimately is the superior grappler. Heavyweights anchor the card as “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (17-4) and “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (36-11) lock horns. “The Answer” Frankie Edgar (15-3-1) comes down from the lightweight division to challenge “Scarface” Jose Aldo (21-1) for his featherweight title in the card’s main event. The fight in question at the moment is set in the co-main event when “Sugar” Rashad Evans (17-2-1) takes on acclaimed veteran of the sport, “Little Nog” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5). These light heavyweights have been nothing short of spectacular in their careers but the stage could not have been set any better for these two to come to a head. Continue reading »
Jan 302013
Alistair Overeem (orange trunks) is arguably the best striker in the history of the heavyweight division, a fact that makes him especially dangerous for Antonio Silva. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC will return to its old stomping grounds at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada to settle business between reigning featherweight king “Scarface” Jose Aldo (21-1) and “The Answer” Frankie Edgar (15-3-1) in a five-round championship fight. Also on the slate, a light heavyweight meeting between former champ “Sugar” Rashad Evans (17-2-1) and PRIDE standout “Little Nog” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5). Welterweights Jon Fitch (24-4-1) and Demian Maia (17-4) will clash, and the opening bout is a meeting between flyweight title hopefuls Joseph Benavidez (16-3) and “Uncle Creepy” Ian McCall (11-3-1). In the anchor slot is a heavyweight meeting of particular interest to hardcore fans and pundits. “Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (36-11) looks to regain his lost title shot by sending “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (17-4) back below the .500 mark in UFC competition. However, the Brazilian giant has other plans. Continue reading »
Jan 302013
Jan 292013
Fourth-degree BJJ black belt Demian Maia (red gloves) has had no problems whatsoever dealing with skilled welterweight wrestlers such as his UFC 156 opponent Jon Fitch. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC 156 card set for February 2 on Pay-Per-View is another step in the UFC’s growing trend of ensuring that big money cards on FOX and PPV are stuffed with matches that have a particular relevance to the fans. Headlining the event is a title affair between “The Answer” Frankie Edgar (15-3-1) and reigning featherweight champ “Scarface” Jose Aldo (21-1). Filling the co-main slot is a pairing of light heavyweights who are eager to get back in the 205 picture after long lay-offs, “Sugar” Rashad Evans (17-2-1) and “Little Nog” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5). The card will be held down by heavyweight title hopefuls “Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (36-11) and “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (17-4). Opening duties fall on 125ers “Uncle Creepy” Ian McCall (11-3-1) and Joseph Benavidez (16-3), and the second fight of the night is a welterweight affair between Jon Fitch (24-4-1) and Demian Maia (17-4). Continue reading »
Jan 282013
Joseph Benavidez (black shorts) will need to rely on his wrestling to control the tempo of the match at UFC 156. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC reloads and fires again with its second title bout in seven days as UFC 156 pits former lightweight kingpin and debuting 145er “The Answer” Frankie Edgar (15-3-1) against the reigning UFC Featherweight Champion, “Scarface” Jose Aldo (21-1). Filling the co-main event slot for the UFC’s return to the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada is a light heavyweight affair between “Sugar” Rashad Evans (17-2-1) and “Little Nog” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5). Elite heavyweights “Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (36-11) and “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (17-4) will anchor the card after welterweights Jon Fitch (24-4-1) and Demian Maia (17-4) go toe-to-toe. Opening the card is a meeting between two of the top flyweights in the world, “”Uncle Creepy” Ian McCall (11-3-1) and Joseph Benavidez (16-3). Continue reading »
Jan 282013
Sep 242012
Sep 232012
Vitor Belfort (white shorts) shocked the world by nearly finishing Jon Jones (red trunks) with a first-round Armbar that injured the champ for the first time in his career. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
UFC 152 was a night filled with an interesting dichotomy of events. Many things went exactly as the fans expected them to but shocked them out of their seats at the exact same time. For instance, much of the MMA world expected “Bones” Jon Jones (17-1) to dominate the aging “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (21-10). He did, but not before the renowned striker locked in a deep Armbar from the bottom and did serious damage to the champion’s elbow and the nerves in his biceps. The UFC Flyweight Championship was expected to be a lightning fast, technical affair and it delivered despite the boos of some uneducated fans. However, the manner in which “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson (16-2-1) dismantled Joseph Benavidez (16-3) and out-wrestled the Alpha Male standout was a shock to even Johnson’s staunch supporters. “All-American” Brian Stann (12-5) was able to land some heavy leather on the supposedly glass jaw of “The Count” Michael Bisping (23-4), but the Brit was still successful in controlling the pace and winning convincingly. Perhaps the only fight that went exactly as expected in every way was “The Hammer” Matt Hamill’s (11-4) ho-hum decision victory against “The Hulk” Roger Hollett (13-4). The opening fight between Cub Swanson (18-5) and “Do Bronx” Charles Oliveira (16-3-1) was contested at a catchweight due to problems with Oliveira’s weight cut, but he seemed no worse for wear in the Octagon. Then Swanson shattered his orbital with a right hand and sent “Do Bronx” crashing to the mat and handing him his first loss at 145. Winning isn’t everything, especially in the UFC. Sometimes a winning fighter still fails to achieve his potential rewards and sometimes a loser advances his career more than he could have with a pair of back-to-back wins. To explore this, MMA Gospel has The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Continue reading »
Sep 232012
Sep 222012
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View @ 10:00pm ET)—
Jon Jones vs. Vitor Belfort: Jones via Submission (Americana), Round 4, 0:54
Joseph Benavidez vs. Demetrious Johnson: Johnson via Split Decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46), Round 5, 5:00
Michael Bisping vs. Brian Stann: Bisping via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00
Matt Hamill vs. Roger Hollett: Hamill via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00
Cub Swanson vs. Charles Oliveira: Swanson via KO (Punch), Round 1, 2:40 Continue reading »
Sep 222012
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC has had a tumultuous month riddled with injuries, fight cancellations, and the drama surrounding the demise of UFC 151. Through it all, though, the world’s top mixed martial arts promotion persevered, and tonight returns to action in Ontario, Toronto, Canada to present UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort to the eagerly awaiting fans in the Air Canada Centre and across the world watching via Pay-Per-View. Getting things started is WEC veteran Cub Swanson (17-5) facing off with the submission savvy “Do Bronx” Charles Oliveira (16-2) in a featherweight match-up. Next, TUF 3 contestant “The Hammer” Matt Hamill (10-4) returns from a year-long retirement to welcome Bellator transplant “The Hulk” Roger Hollett (13-3) to the Octagon. Anchoring the main card is a middleweight strikers’ duel between British bad boy “The Count” Michael Bisping (22-4) and bonafide US military hero “All-American” Brian Stann (12-4), with the winner hoping to have his name thrown into the title contention hat. The co-main event is quite literally one for the record books, as Joseph Benavidez (16-2) and “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson (15-2-1) square off the the inaugural UFC Flyweight Championship title. Capping off the night is the somewhat unexpected pairing of reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Bones” Jon Jones (16-1) and Old Guard fighter and former champ “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (21-9). Who will come out on top? Only time will tell, but for now the staff of MMA Gospel takes a stab at predicting who will reign victorious and who will be sent packing. Continue reading »
Sep 212012
Jimy Hettes (top) will face his third TUF alum Saturday, putting his grappling prowess to the test against the punching power of Marcus Brimage. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
With the UFC being plagued by the injury bug as of late, many fights have been either postponed or canceled entirely, leaving fans of the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization starving for action. Much to the pleasure of MMA enthusiasts across the globe, Saturday night the UFC is back in full swing and looks to bring what could be one of the most exciting cards of the year including two title fights. The main event looks to showcase “Bones” Jon Jones (16-1) defending his 205lbs. division championship belt against a late replacement for the injured “Hendo” Dan Henderson (29-8): “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (21-9). In the co-main event fans will see the first ever UFC Flyweight Champion be crowned as Joseph Benavidez (16-2) takes on “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson (15-2). Both these fights look to be high paced and the highlight of the main card, which also has a middle weight match-up that could possibly decide number one contender status as “The Count” Michael Bisping (23-4) takes on the heavy-handed “All-American” Brian Stann(12-4). Fans will also see the return of “The Hammer” Matt Hamill (11-4) as he looks to make a comeback, taking on UFC newcomer “The Hulk” Roger Hollet (13-3). Kicking off the main card, the always exciting Cub Swanson (17-5) takes on the dangerous “Do Bronx” Charles Oliveira (16-2). FX and Facebook will share the duties of bringing the undercard to viewers, however on the FX prelims look out for “The Kid” Jimy Hettes to be the one that makes a name for himself at UFC 152. Continue reading »