Jan 242013
 
Glover Teixeira (red gloves) has effortlessly disposed of both of his UFC opponents thus far using his dangerous combination of technical and lethal striking. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Glover Teixeira (red gloves) has effortlessly discarded both of his UFC opponents thus far by using his dangerous combination of technical and lethal striking. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The NFL season might be slowly winding down but it is another healthy feed of mixed martial arts action January 26 as the UFC returns for its sixth installment on the FOX network. Opening the main card, “New Breed” Erik Koch (13-1) steps back into the spotlight after a lengthy lay-off to battle “The Bully” Ricardo Lamas (12-2). WEC veterans-turned-UFC lightweight contenders are set to collide as “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (19-4) meets “Showtime” Anthony Pettis (15-2). “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson (16-2-1) defends his flyweight title against “The Magician”  John Dodson (14-5) in the main event. Before the night closes, the co-main event will see Glover Teixeira (19-2) try to make the jump from prospect to contender when he takes on former light heavyweight champion “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (32-10) in his final organizational appearance. Continue reading »

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Oct 112012
 

Glover Teixeira (right) owns a pair of powerful hands himself but has the more well-versed Jiu-Jitsu over his upcoming foe, Fabio Maldonado. If Maldonado’s boxing proves too much “Caldeirão” can opt to showcase his submission game. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC returns to Rio De Janeiro’s HSBC Center Saturday with UFC 153. In a last-minute scramble, the main event is headlined by the UFC’s most dominant champion “The Spider” Anderson Silva (32-4) stepping up to the light heavyweight division to face off against “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar (15-7). Former PRIDE and UFC heavyweight champion “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-7) takes on “Pee Wee” Dave Herman (21-4) in the co-main event. Welterweights Jon Fitch (23-4) and “Indio” Erick Silva (14-2) agree to dance in a welterweight battle. After an inadvertent eye-poke to draw their first encounter to a close, “Caldeirão” Wagner Prado (8-0) and “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis (9-1) will look to settle their business, and in the card’s opener, “The Horror” Rick Story (14-5) and Demian Maia (16-4) square off. The card’s anchor has much to look forward to as two Brazilian powerhouses meet when Glover Teixeira (18-2) and Fabio Maldonado (18-5) lock horns. Teixeira has much buildup behind him after one fight under the Octagon’s lights, but Maldonado could be just the guy to play the role of “spoiler”. Continue reading »

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Sep 292012
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC. and Fuel TV)

—MAIN CARD (on Fuel TV @ 4:00pm ET)—

Stefan Struve vs. Stipe Miocic: Struve via TKO (Punches), Round 2, 3:50

Dan Hardy vs. Amir Sadollah: Hardy via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Brad Pickett vs. Yves Jabouin: Pickett via KO (Punches), Round 1, 3:40

Paul Sass vs. Matt Wiman: Wiman via Submission (Armbar), Round 1, 3:48

John Hathaway vs. John Maguire: Hathaway via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Che Mills vs. Duane Ludwig: Mills via TKO (Knee Injury), Round 1, 2:38 Continue reading »

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Sep 282012
 

(Video courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Fuel TV)—

Stefan Struve (251) vs. Stipe Miocic (239)

Dan Hardy (169) vs. Amir Sadollah (169)

Brad Pickett (135) vs. Yves Jabouin (136)

Paul Sass (156) vs. Matt Wiman (156)

John Hathaway (169) vs. John Maguire (169)

Che Mills (170) vs. Duane Ludwig (169) Continue reading »

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May 262012
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View)—

Junior Dos Santos vs. Frank Mir: Dos Santos via TKO (Punches), Round 2, 3:04

Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva: Velasquez via TKO (Elbows), Round 1, 3:36

Roy Nelson vs. Dave Herman: Nelson via KO (Punch), Round 1, 0:51

Shane Del Rosario vs. Stipe Miocic: Miocic via TKO (Strikes), Round 2, 3:14

Lavar Johnson vs. Stefan Struve: Struve via Submission (Armbar), Round 1, 1:05

Continue reading »

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May 252012
 


Weigh-ins start at about 19:30 mark. (Video courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View)—

Junior Dos Santos: 239lbs.
Frank Mir: 261lbs.

Cain Velasquez: 240lbs.
Antonio Silva: 264lbs.

Roy Nelson: 254lbs.
Dave Herman: 233lbs.

Shane Del Rosario: 246lbs.
Stipe Miocic: 245lbs.

Lavar Johnson: 248lbs.
Stefan Struve: 255lbs. Continue reading »

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Feb 242012
 

Fighting once again in Japan and in what could be the closing moments of his career, Quinton Jackson (left) finds himself superior in nearly all aspects when pitted against Ryan Bader. Jackson has chosen to slug his fights out but being in Japan could drive him to bring all facets of his game to light. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

It’s been some time but the UFC will make its long awaited return to Japan this Saturday with UFC 144. Lightweights are charged with kicking off the main card when “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (21-6) encounters “Showtime” Anthony Pettis (14-2). Japanese sensation Hatsu Hioki (23-4-2) will meet “Bartimus” Bart Palaszewski (35-13) and “Thunder” Yushin Okami (26-6) takes on “The Barbarian” Tim Boetsch (14-4). Jake Shields (26-6-1) and “Sexyama” Yoshihiro Akiyama (14-5) engage in a promising welterweight showdown. Cheick Kongo (17-6-2) could be in for a kickboxing clinic when he battles K-1 veteran “Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (7-7). Before “The Answer” Frankie Edgar (14-1-1) defends his lightweight title against “Smooth” Ben Henderson (14-2) in the main event, a co-main event of epic proportions has been set as “Darth” Ryan Bader (13-2) flies to foreign territory to take on “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (31-9). Jackson, an accomplished veteran, and Bader, a promising star, are at pivotal points in their careers and a victory at UFC 144 can be the very defining moment on which to perch their futures.

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Nov 202011
 

Dan Henderson (blue gloves) and "Shogun" Mauricio Rua (red gloves) had one of the single most epic bouts in the history of the sport at UFC 139. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

UFC 139 was not only a solid offering in the box office, it was one of the best overall MMA cards in recent memory headlined by a fight that is at the front of the running for greatest UFC fight of all time. In a five-round war that left both fighters unable to stand for several moments after the final bell, the victorious “Hendo” Dan Henderson (29-8) was carried from the Octagon on the arms of his corner men, much as “The Russian Bear” Oleg Taktarov (14-5-2) was after winning UFC 6, and “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-6) was bloodied, swollen, and barely able to speak in his post-fight interview he was so exhausted. “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (35-11-1) overcame a very rough first round to knock out three-time world kickboxing champion Cung Le (7-2) in the co-main. “The California Kid” Urijah Faber (26-5) put on a stunning performance in his domination of Brian Bowles (10-2), earning a rubber match against “The Dominator” Dominick Cruz (18-1). Welterweights “The Hitman” Martin Kampmann (18-5) and “The Horror” Rick Story (11-4) clashed in a mostly stand-up war to restore their place in the divisional rankings and “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar (14-7) ran the show against light heavyweight hopeful “Kingsbu” Kyle Kingsbury (12-3). While it is difficult to truly find fault with any fighter involved in such a stellar card, not everyone can come out a winner in the big picture.     Continue reading »

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Nov 202011
 

Former PRIDE superstar "The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva reigned supreme in his slugfest with striking sensation Cung Le, knocking out the Strikeforce veteran in the second round. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC followed up its monumental FOX debut with one of the best cards of the year, UFC 139: Shogun vs. Henderson. It was a one-sided affair when former The Ultimate Fighter alumni met  in the card’s opener. It was a battle of attrition between two of the welterweight’s most demanding forces. The bantamweight division saw its next title contender break out of the pack in flying colors. The co-main event was a matter of “do-or-die” between the hometown hero and a legend still proving to show he is a threat to be taken seriously. The main event was an instant classic when PRIDE veterans met for the very first time and did not leave a single seat in San Jose’s HP Pavilion disappointed. Now that all has been said and done, here’s a recap of each of the main card’s bouts as well as potential fights that could be put together later on down the road for the victors. Continue reading »

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Nov 192011
 

Tonight's UFC 139 main event pits together two legends of the sport, Chute Box fighter "Shogun" Mauricio Rua (left) and fellow PRIDE star and Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion "Hendo" Dan Henderson (right) in a five-round tilt. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View)—

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Dan Henderson: Henderson via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47), Round 5, 5:00

Wanderlei Silva vs. Cung Le: Silva via KO (Strikes), Round 2, 4:49

Urijah Faber vs. Brian Bowles: Faber via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 2, 1:27

Martin Kampmann vs. Rick Story: Kampmann via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29), Round 3, 5:00

Stephan Bonnar vs. Kyle Kingsbury: Bonnar via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25), Round 3, 5:00

Continue reading »

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Nov 182011
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The Ultimate Fighting Championship blasts into San Jose, California tomorrow night, bringing with it perhaps one of the most rousing cards of the year, much to the delight of fans both in the HP Pavilion stands and watching via Pay-Per-View from even the furthest reaches of the world. Kicking off the UFC 139 main card at 9pm ET is a light heavyweight affair between two TUF alum, seasoned gatekeeper “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar (13-7) and hometown fighter “Kingsbu” Kyle Kingsbury (12-2). Next up, top-ranked Danish welterweight “The Hitman” Martin Kampmann (17-5) pits his renowned Muay Thai against the ground game of collegiate wrestler “The Horror” Rick Story (11-3). Two former WEC champions collide when oversized bantamweight “The California Kid” Urijah Faber (25-5) takes on American Top Team’s Brian Bowles (10-1) in what will mark both men’s third bout in their new home promotion. The co-main event sees former PRIDE superstar and mauler “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (34-11-1) act as former IKF Light Heavyweight San Shou World Champion and Strikeforce veteran Cung Le’s (7-1) rather tough welcome to the UFC. Closing out the night is a match that MMA fans have salivated over for the better part of a decade: Chute Boxe fighter and former UFC light heavyweight champ “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-5) versus fellow former PRIDE star and current Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion “Hendo” Dan Henderson (28-8). Continue reading »

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Nov 182011
 

The legendary power in Dan Henderson's (white trunks) "H-Bomb" right hand coupled with his Olympic level Greco-Roman wrestling makes two of "Shogun's" favorite places to fight, the clinch and the pocket, very dangerous. (Photo courtesy of Yahoo! Sports)

This Saturday night the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California plays host to UFC 139: Shogun vs. Henderson much to the delight of fans both in the crowd and around the world via Pay-Per-View. Light heavyweight funnyman “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar (13-7) takes on “Kingsbu” Kyle Kingsbury (11-2). Welterweight stand-outs “Hitman” Martin Kampmann (17-5) and “The Horror” Rick Story (13-4) duke it out to regain relevance. UFC newcomer and former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Cung Le (7-1) takes on legendary slugger “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (33-11-1) in what is a guaranteed firefight. “The California Kid” Urijah Faber (25-5) and Brian Bowles (10-1) look to claim their shot at bantamweight gold in a #1 contendership fight. The main event is a hardcore MMA fan’s dream as PRIDE legend and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-5) takes on the only man to hold the PRIDE welterweight and middleweight belts, “Hendo” Dan Henderson (28-8). The winner will regain traction in the 205lbs. division and given both fighters penchant for slugging, this fight could go down in history as one of the all-time greats.

Continue reading »

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Nov 172011
 

"The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva (right) is known for leaving destruction in his wake but as of late he has very much been on the receiving end of such destruction. If he can be cautious enough and draw Cung Le out of his element in the clinch or with Jiu-Jitsu, Silva could put a damper on Le's UFC debut. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

After a momentous showing in their FOX network debut, the UFC’s latest installment takes back to Pay-Per-View with UFC 139: Shogun vs. Henderson. Light heavyweight action is set to take place when “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar (13-7) and “Kingsbu” Kyle Kingsbury (12-2) prepare to engage in a promising back-and-forth battle.  “The Hitman” Martin Kampmann (17-5) tries to break back into the winner’s circle but fellow welterweight “The Horror” Rick Story (11-3) will pit his own skill set against the Dane to send him to the back of the line.  The pace quickens when the bantamweights are present, especially when former champions “The California Kid” Urijah Faber (25-5) and Brian Bowles (10-1) are pitted against one another. In the main event, it is a PRIDE FC dream match when former UFC light heavyweight champ “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-5) welcomes former PRIDE middleweight and Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion “Hendo” Dan Henderson (28-8) back to the Octagon. The co-main event though has all the potential to steal the show when the latest Strikeforce transplant Cung Le (7-1) makes his organizational debut against the legend of the sport “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (34-11-1). Le has been a force in Strikeforce’s middleweight division but when he enters against Silva, he will face a different level of aggression that he has yet to face. Continue reading »

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Nov 162011
 

Brian Bowles (right) has gone the distance only once in his career and with a well-rounded game, he can end the fight wherever the opportunity presents itself. He will have to be weary of any damage he takes and inflicts though especially when Urijah Faber has no problem taking advantage of a weakened opponent. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

San Jose, California’s HP Pavilion Center is known as Strikeforce territory but come Saturday night, the UFC holds the keys when it presents UFC 139. “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-5) welcomes a familiar face from PRIDE, “Hendo” Dan Henderson (28-8), back to the UFC when the two square off in the main event. Cung Le (7-1) makes the jump over from Strikeforce when he battles the always dangerous “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (34-11-1) in the co-main event.  Welterweight action is set when “The Hitman” Martin Kampmann (17-5) takes on “The Horror” Rick Story (11-3). The main card is guaranteed to start off with a bang when the dogs of war “Kingsbu” Kyle Kingsbury (12-2) and “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar (13-7) duke it out in a light heavyweight exhibition. In the midst of all the action, a bantamweight title shot is on the line when “The California Kid” Urijah Faber (25-5) takes on Brian Bowles (10-1). Faber and Bowles have held gold before and with the promise of another chance to hold it again, both will go to all lengths to secure their spot as number one contender. Continue reading »

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Nov 162011
 

In his bout against Jake Shields (red gloves) Martin Kampmann (blue gloves) proved that he poses a serious threat to top control-focused ground fighters like Rick Story. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-5) and current Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion “Hendo” Dan Henderson (28-8) will square off this Saturday to the delight of PRIDE fans everywhere as they headline UFC 139. Co-main duties for the solid Pay-Per-View event will fall squarely on the shoulders of the extremely exciting “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (34-11-1) and fellow vaunted striker Cung Le (7-1). The UFC continues to bring the excitement as fans move down the card and find a bantamweight showdown between former WEC champions “The California Kid” Urijah Faber (25-5) and Brian Bowles (10-1) and an opening contest featuring the streaking “Kingsbu” Kyle Kingsbury (12-2) and the UFC’s ultimate gatekeeper “American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar (13-7). Bolstering up the middle of the event is a welterweight contest between struggling former title hopefuls. “The Hitman” Martin Kampmann (17-5) and “The Horror” Rick Story (11-3) have hit stumbling blocks in their climbs towards“Rush” Georges St.Pierre’s (22-2) welterweight title and will be eager to get things back on track with a dominant win at UFC 139. Continue reading »

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