MMA Gospel Staff Picks: UFC 145

 Posted by at 7:06 PM  UFC  No Responses »
Apr 202012
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

One of the most hyped fights in UFC history will finally take place after what seems like years of snowballing animosity between training-partners-turned-foes “Bones” Jon Jones (15-1) and “Suga” Rashad Evans (17-1-1) as the two face off in the UFC 145 main event Saturday night. The prelude to the evening’s marquee bout is a welterweight affair between rising young prospect “Ares” Rory MacDonald (12-1) and fight-finishing Brit “Beautiful” Che Mills (14-4). The heavyweights take to cage with TUF alum “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub (8-2) slugging it out against IFL veteran “Big” Ben Rothwell (31-8). Former WEC Bantamweight Champion “Angel” Miguel Torres (40-4) looks to earn his third UFC win at the expense of 21-year-old “Mayday” Michael McDonald (14-1), who currently enjoys a seven-fight win streak. A pair of lightweight match-ups start off the night in Atlanta with former top contender and WEC vet “The Machine” Mark Hominick (20-10) facing well-rounded Hawaii native “The Filipino Phenom” Eddie Yagin (15-5) and Tristar MMA fighter Mark Bocek (10-4) pushing the pace against seasoned veteran “The Natural” John Alessio (34-14).

In an event filled with such intriguing match-ups, the possibilities are endless. Here are those that the MMA Gospel staff find most likely. Continue reading »

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UFC 145 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans

 Posted by at 12:11 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 202012
 

After months of building animosity and hype, Jon Jones (red trunks) will put his belt on the line Saturday night against former training partner Rashad Evans. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Atlanta, Georgia is the epicenter for mixed martial arts action this Saturday night as the Ultimate Fighting Championship presents UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans. “The Natural” John Alessio (34-14) and Mark Bocek (10-4) open up the main card with a lightweight exhibition. Featherweights make their presence known when “The Filipino Phenom” Eddie Yagin (15-5-1) faces former contender “The Machine” Mark Hominick (20-10). “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub (8-2) tees off with fellow heavyweight behemoth “Big” Ben Rothwell (31-8). “Mayday” Michael McDonald (14-1) makes a big leap in competition when he stands across former WEC bantamweight champ “Angel” Miguel Torres (40-4). The co-main event is a showcase of promising welterweights as “Ares” Rory MacDonald (12-1) battles “Beautiful” Che Mills (14-4). In the main event, “Bones” Jon Jones (15-1) will put his light heavyweight title on the line again, this time against friend-turned-foe “Suga” Rashad Evans (17-1-1). No fight in the light heavyweight division has drawn up such a storm before now but once the cage door shuts Saturday night, the time to talk ends and the time to act begins. Continue reading »

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UFC 145 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills

 Posted by at 1:43 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 192012
 

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.
Continue reading »

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UFC 145 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell

 Posted by at 1:28 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 182012
 

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 »

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UFC 145 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Miguel Torres vs. Michael McDonald

 Posted by at 7:04 PM  MMA News, UFC  1 Response »
Apr 172012
 

Submission-savvy former WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres (right) will face a stern test in young up-and-comer Michael McDonald at UFC 145, however Torres' experience and well-rounded skillset should allow him to stay in the driver's seat. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to the States after last weekend’s showing in Sweden with the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia hosting UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans this Saturday night. Journeyman “The Natural” John Alessio (34-10) returns to the UFC for the fourth time to challenge Jiu-Jitsu artist Mark Bocek (10-4). “The Filipino Phenom” Eddie Yagin (15-5-1) will match up against fellow featherweight “The Machine” Mark Hominick (20-10). Heavyweight action graces Atlanta when “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub (8-2) stands opposite IFL veteran “Big” Ben Rothwell (31-8). The welterweight division is bound for a change in scenery when “Ares” Rory MacDonald (12-1) meets British sensation  “Beautiful” Che Mills (14-4) in the co-main event. Closing out the night is a long-awaited fight as friends-turned-foes collide as current light heavyweight champion “Bones” Jon Jones (15-1) takes on another former champ in “Suga” Rashad Evans (17-1-1). Bantamweight action anchors the main card with “Mayday” Michael McDonald (14-1) battling former WEC 135lbs. king “Angel” Miguel Torres (40-4). McDonald has been making serious waves in what is considered a young career while the tested Torres has always been a big dog in the bantamweight division’s yard. McDonald has the weapons needed to get the job done but Saturday night will be presented his stiffest challenge to date. Continue reading »

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UFC 145 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin

 Posted by at 11:49 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 172012
 

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 »

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UFC 145 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Mark Bocek vs. John Alessio

 Posted by at 6:48 PM  MMA News, UFC  1 Response »
Apr 162012
 

Fight-finishing MMA veteran John Alessio (blue gloves) returns to the UFC Saturday night to face top lightweight prospect and submission specialist Mark Bocek. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

The UFC returns to Atlanta, Georgia this Saturday with perhaps the most hyped title fight of the year featuring training-partners-turned-bitter-rivals, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Bones” Jon Jones (15-1) and “Suga” Rashad Evans (17-1-1). Young prospect “Ares” Rory MacDonald (12-1) takes on English striker “Beautiful” Che Mills (14-4) in the UFC 145 co-main event. Returning to the Octagon searching for victory is IFL veteran “Big” Ben Rothwell (31-8) versus confident knockout artist “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub (8-2) in a heavyweight scrap. Former UFC featherweight title challenger “The Machine” Mark Hominick (20-10) steps into the cage against “The Filipino Phenom” Eddie Yagin (15-5) with both men in a must-win situation. Starting up the Pay-Per-View action is Canadian submission expert Mark Bocek (10-5) welcoming fellow countryman and WEC, UFC, and MFC veteran “The Natural” John Alessio (34-14) back to the Octagon. Alessio, a long-time welterweight, has found a new home at lightweight and will look to show the fans, Dana White, and all of the 155lbs. division that he is here to stay, while Bocek looks to prove that his name belongs in the mix of top lightweight contenders. With both men having a lot to gain and a lot to lose from this fight, the main card opener is sure to entertain. Continue reading »

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UFC 142 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes

 Posted by at 6:39 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Jan 132012
 
Jose Aldo (black trunks) has vicious stopping power and killer instincts that can, and often do, end fights quickly but lately, those traits haven’t been present in his title defenses. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC makes its return to Brazil this Saturday with UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes. After a sell-out night in August at UFC 134, the Zuffa brass move to strike again as undefeated Edson Barboza (9-0) looks to add another tic to his win column as he takes on Terry Etim (15-3), an Englishman with intentions of stringing together his own winning streak. Welterweight “Indio” Erick Silva (8-2) is making his second appearance in the UFC, this time against MMA journeyman and Strikeforce, WEC, Legacy FC, and Shine Fights veteran “Neo” Carlo Prater (27-11). Brazil’s submission hulk “Toquinho” Rousimar Palhares (15-5) is looking to make it three in a row against the tough and determined Mike Massenzio (13-5). Devastating striker and former champion “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (20-9) steps into the Octagon in front of his hometown crowd for the first time in well over a decade to face middleweight debutee “Rumble” Anthony Johnson (10-3). The main event of the evening sees top ranked pound-for-pound fighter and UFC featherweight king “Junior” Jose Aldo (19-1) defend his title against undefeated Team Alpha Male fighter “Money” Chad Mendes (11-0). Aldo is known for his explosive stand-up including crippling kicks and devastating knees, but will it be enough to overcome the wrestling pedigree of Mendes? Continue reading »

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Spilled Bag of Fights: UFC Smash, Snap, and Drop!

 Posted by at 5:56 PM  Spilled Bag of Fights  2 Responses »
Dec 142011
 

UFC 140. What can you say? “Wow”, “Holy Shit”, “Didn’t see that coming” All the above. Let’s just break this crazy card down, shall we?

Dennis Hallman vs. John Makdessi: Hallman via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 1
Hallman, who didn’t make weight and who famously horrified Dana White with his blue micro-speedos at UFC 133, took Makdessi down, controlled him, beat him up and eventually choked him out – and saved himself from a certain firing if he had lost. He then told Joe Rogan that he hopes Jesus comes soon because “we’re barely hanging on”…okay.  That was creepy. Made even more creepy by Hallman’s lisp. Just sayin’. Continue reading »

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UFC 140: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

 Posted by at 10:44 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Dec 112011
 

Though Jon Jones (black trunks) was frustrated by seeming to just miss Lyoto Machida (red trunks) for the majority of their UFC 140 bout, he pulled through and capitalized on the opportunities he was presented with to retain his light heavyweight crown. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

As Dana White said in the post-fight press conference, the trend for 2011 has been ending events asking how the next card will measure up, and then watching that next event blow the previous one out of the water. Such was the case with UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida. The card kicked off with a bang when “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (12-3) ended “The Machine” Mark Hominick’s (19-9) night in seven seconds with just one punch. Coming behind the featherweight showdown, emerging welterweights Brian Ebersole (45-14-1) and “Prince” Claude Patrick (14-2) fought back and forth to a razor thin Split Decision in a fight that showed all aspects of mixed martial arts. Next on the card, renamed former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “The People’s Champion” Tito Ortiz (16-10-1) brought the heat to “Little Nog” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (19-5) before having the flames doused by a brutal series of short hooks from the younger Nogueira brother. In the co-main event, “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-7-1) out-boxed fellow former champ Frank Mir (16-5) before having victory snatched from him courtesy of a vicious submission reversal that saw Mir severely damage Nogueira’s arm. Finally, at the end of the night, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Bones” Jon Jones (15-1) successfully defended his title against the last man to defend the belt, “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (17-3). The fans came out the big winners again, as they have in almost every Pay-Per-View event in 2011, but for the fighters, there are always The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.    Continue reading »

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UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida Fight Results, Bonuses

 Posted by at 3:02 PM  UFC  No Responses »
Dec 102011
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View)—

Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida: Jones via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 2, 4:26

Frank Mir vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira: Mir via Submission (Kimura), Round 1, 3:38

Tito Ortiz vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: Nogueria via TKO (Strikes), Round 1, 3:15

Claude Patrick vs. Brian Ebersole: Ebersole via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29), Round 3, 5:00

Mark Hominick vs. Chan Sung Jung: Jung via KO (Punch), Round 1, 0:07 Continue reading »

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UFC 140 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida

 Posted by at 7:40 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Dec 102011
 

Though both men are stylistically very similar, Jon Jones (red trunks) is by far the more aggressive and that means that he will benefit more from any lucky slips or miscues. (Photo courtesy of Heavy MMA)

UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida will take the world’s premier MMA promotion back to its home away from home as the Canadian fans gather to watch a series of top level showdowns. Frank Mir (15-5) and “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-6-1) have gotten lost in the mix of the UFC heavyweight title picture and will use their rematch to remind everyone they are still contenders. “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz (16-9-1) and “Little Nog” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (18-5) are both in dire need of a renaissance in their light heavyweight careers and will look to find it against each other. Brian Ebersole (43-14-1) and Claude Patrick (14-1) have both worked long and hard for their chances at UFC glory and will now battle each other for a spot among the top contenders. “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (11-3) and “The Machine” Mark Hominick (19-8) both had renown and glory as elite WEC featherweights and will open the Pay-Per-View card showing the fans why they deserve the acclaim they were introduced with despite falling short in their recent UFC performances. All eyes, however, are focused on the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship fight between “Bones” Jon Jones (14-1) and “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (17-2). Both men have had almost identical MMA careers and now, many experts have speculated that Machida is the man most likely to solve the riddle of Jon Jones much as “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-6) was the man to shatter the invincible aura of “The Dragon”.   Continue reading »

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MMA Gospel Staff Predictions: UFC 140

 Posted by at 7:10 PM  UFC  5 Responses »
Dec 092011
 
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Tomorrow night the Ultimate Fighting Championship takes aim at Toronto, Ontario, Canada for its second offering to the city’s ravenous MMA community with UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida. Leading the way on the live Pay-Per-View broadcast is a featherweight battle between two former WEC stand-outs “The Machine” Mark Hominick (19-8) and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (11-3). Then, hometown fighter Claude Patrick (14-1) squares off with the always eccentric personality and often underrated skill set of Indiana native Brian Ebersole (43-14-1). Renowned light heavyweights “The People’s Champion” Tito Ortiz (16-9-1), previously dubbed “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy”, and “Little Nog” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (18-5) take to the cage in an effort to revive their once lucrative careers. The co-main event features a heavyweight rematch between former champion Frank Mir (15-5) and “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-6-1). Finally, the marquis event pits together two of the most technical strikers in the UFC, “Bones” Jon Jones (14-1) and “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (17-2), with Jones’ 205lbs. title up for grabs.

Below, the MMA Gospel staff takes a stab at determining how the UFC’s most recent effort may unfold in front of its ever-growing, worldwide audience. Continue reading »

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