UFC 152: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

 Posted by at 2:34 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
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 »

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UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort Live Results

 Posted by at 3:56 PM  UFC  2 Responses »
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 »

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MMA Gospel Staff Picks: UFC 152

 Posted by at 8:51 AM  UFC  No Responses »
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 »

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UFC 152 Undercard Sleeper: “The Kid” Jimy Hettes

 Posted by at 4:51 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
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 »

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UFC 152 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Jon Jones vs. Vitor Belfort

 Posted by at 9:04 AM  UFC  No Responses »
Sep 212012
 

Jon Jones’ (red trunk) speed, reach advantage, and unconventional striking combined have caused fits for even some of the UFC’s top light heavyweights. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

After an injury-laden, fight-swapping, month-long roller coaster ride for the UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion returns Saturday night with UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort. The Air Canada Centre in Ontario, Toronto, Canada plays host to the five-fight main card on Pay-Per-View which features some of the best the promotion has to offer, including returning veterans, title hopefuls, and current and former champions. Starting things off is a featherweight match-up between WEC alum Cub Swanson (17-5) and submission expert “Do Bronx” Charles Oliveira (16-2). “The Hammer” Matt Hamill (10-4) returns from a 13-month-long retirement to face Canadian 205er “The Hulk” Roger Hollett (13-3). The card-anchoring bout features British slugger “The Count” Michael Bisping (22-4) and war hero “All-American” Brian Stann (12-4) with both men looking to make a statement as to their deservingness of middleweight title contention. Co-main event honors go to former WEC bantamweights Joseph Benavidez (16-2) and “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson (15-2-1), who will be duking it out to earn the inaugural UFC Flyweight Championship. MMA prodigy and reigning 205lbs. champion “Bones” Jon Jones (16-1) is slated to make his highly anticipated fourth title defense against the UFC’s youngest tournament champion, “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (21-9), in a match-up that pits the new breed of mixed martial arts versus the Old Guard. Continue reading »

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UFC 152 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Joseph Benavidez vs. Demetrious Johnson

 Posted by at 6:12 PM  MMA News, UFC  1 Response »
Sep 202012
 

UFC Flyweight Championship title hopeful Joseph Benavidez (top) had a far easier time in his semi-final match-up than his UFC 152 foe “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC lands in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Saturday night to present a Pay-Per-View card worthy of praise as UFC 152 pits the youngest divisional champion of all time, “Bones” Jon Jones (16-1), who defends his belt for a fourth time, against “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (21-9), a man whose heavyweight tournament victory at just 19-years-old made him the youngest fighter ever to win a UFC title as well as the youngest fighter to ever score a UFC win. Opening the gate for the Canadian crowd is Jackson’s Submission mainstay Cub Swanson (17-5) against UFC staple “Do Bronx” Charles Oliveira (16-2). “The Hammer” Matt Hamill (10-4) will make his return against Bellator transplant “The Hulk” Roger Hollett (13-3), and “The Count” Michael Bisping (22-4) will anchor the card against “All-American” Brian Stann (12-4). The former main event will see the first UFC Flyweight Champion crowned. After winning their first-round matches, Joseph Benavidez (16-2) and “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson (15-2-1) have earned the right to fight in the co-main for the newly minted belt. 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 152 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Matt Hamill vs. Roger Hollett

 Posted by at 5:43 PM  MMA News, UFC  1 Response »
Sep 182012
 

Roger Hollett (white trunks) will need all the momentum from the five-fight win streak that brought him into the UFC if he is to defeat veteran wrestler Matt Hamill. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

UFC 152 is set to hit the big stage in Toronto, Ontario, Canada Saturday and, provided the champion doesn’t decide to decline yet another bout, “Bones” Jon Jones (16-1) will defend his light heavyweight crown against the youngest tournament champion in the history of the UFC, “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (21-9). Shoring up the main event is a flyweight affair between “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson (15-2-1) and Joseph Benavidez (16-2) that will decide both the winner of the UFC Flyweight Tournament and the first UFC Flyweight Champion of the World. Polarizing Brit “The Count” Michael Bisping (22-4) will continue his campaign for a middleweight title shot against fellow title hopeful “All-American” Brian Stann (12-4) to anchor the card, and Cub Swanson (17-5) will open the Pay-Per-View broadcast against “Do Bronx” Charles Oliveira (16-2). Playing the second fiddle in the night’s entertainment is a bout that will see wrestler “The Hammer” Matt Hamill (10-4) return from retirement to face UFC newcomer “The Hulk” Roger Hollett (13-3). “The Hammer” hasn’t won a bout since 2010 and hasn’t finished a fight since 2009 and has decided to return the the cage to rectify the situation. Hollett, however, has plans to spoil Hamill’s return and launch his UFC career on a win over a TUF stand-out. Continue reading »

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UFC 152 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Cub Swanson vs. Charles Oliveira

 Posted by at 11:02 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Sep 182012
 

The submission skill set of Charles Oliveira (green trunks) is downright dangerous, and is one that will give the Brazilian a massive advantage over Cub Swanson so long as he is able to take the fight to the mat. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

On September 22 the UFC returns to Toronto, Ontario, Canada for UFC 152 at the AIR Canada Center. The headlining feature fight brings UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Bones” Jon Jones (16-1) to his fourth title defense against the former UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and former Light Heavyweight Champion, “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (21-9). Former WEC bantamweights Joseph Benavidez (16-2) and “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson (15-2) fight for the first ever UFC flyweight title in the co-main event of the evening. England’s own ”The Count” Michael Bisping (22-4) takes on the familiar role of the villain against a real American hero and former WEC Light Heavyweight Champion “All-American” Brian Stann (12-4) in a middleweight bout that will send the winner into title contention talks. “The Hammer” Matt Hamill (10-4) returns from a 13-month retirement to face a late replacement in MFC veteran ”The Hulk” Roger Hollett (13-3) in a 205lbs. tilt that will surely produce fireworks for the Tornoto crowd. Starting off the night is a battle in the featherweight division as surging star Cub Swanson (17-5) looks for three consecutive wins as he faces “Do Bronx” Charles Oliveira (16-2) and his arsenal of dangerous submissions. Continue reading »

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Bellator 57: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 11:39 AM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Nov 132011
 

"The Phenom" Douglas Lima (white trunks) reigned victorious in his main event bout against fellow Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament finalist "Killa B" Ben Saunders (black trunks). Lima will now get a crack at 170lbs. champ Ben Askren's belt in a future event. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

A pair of Season 5 Tournament finales crowned another set of tourney champions of their rightful place to fight for Bellator gold in last night’s most recent offering from the Chicago-based mixed martial arts promotion. Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario, Canada served as the witness and the battle grounds for former MFC Welterweight Champion “The Phenom” Douglas Lima (19-4) to take on UFC veteran ”Killa B” Ben Saunders (12-4) in the Season 5 Welterweight Tournament finals match-up that also served as the main event. The 170lbs. marquis affair was preceded by a battle between Season 2 Middleweight Tournament Champion “The Storm” Alexander Shlemenko (33-4) and multi-time world Jiu-Jitsu champion Vitor Vianna (12-2) in the 185lbs. tournament finals. Light heavyweights John Hawk (6-4) and Roger Hollett (12-3) faced off for a spot in the upcoming light heavyweight tournament that begins next year. Kicking off the main card on MTV2 was Shark Fights and UFC veteran Douglas Evans (12-8) versus Bellator veteran Alexandre Bezerra (12-1) fighting for a spot in the upcoming 145lbs. tournament. Continue reading »

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Bellator 57, Season 5 Welterweight, Middleweight Tournament Finals Live Results

 Posted by at 4:01 PM  MMA News  No Responses »
Nov 122011
 

(Photo courtesy of Bellator)

—MAIN CARD (on MTV2)—

Season 5 Welterweight Tournament Finals Fight
Ben Saunders vs. Douglas Lima: Lima via TKO (Punches), Round 2, 1:21

Season 5 Middleweight Tournament Finals Fight
Alexander Shlemenko vs. Vitor Vianna: Shlemenko via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight
John Hawk vs. Roger Hollett: Hollett via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Catchweight (146lbs.) Feature Fight
Alexandre Bezerra vs. Doug Evans: Bezerra via Submission (Heel Hook), Round 1, 4:04 Continue reading »

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Bellator 57, Season 5 Welterweight and Middleweight Tournament Finals: Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 12:35 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Nov 122011
 

Alexandre Bezerra (blue gloves) comes into his Bellator 57 match undefeated in the promotion and will likely remain that way. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

Tonight at Bellator 57 it’s back to the Casino Rama in Orilla, Ontario, Canada for not one but two tournament finales that grants one contender a homecoming to his former stomping grounds. Former MFC Welterweight Champion “The Phenom” Douglas Lima (18-4) earned his salt in the MFC promotion making him a fan favorite in the region. Standing across from him is UFC veteran, “Killa B” Ben Saunders (12-3). Both men have fought their ways to the finals and now only the other stands in their way for the big payday and the title shot against champion Ben Askren (9-0). Aside from the 170lbs. tournament finals, the promotion’s stacked and dangerous middleweight division will also prepare for glory. Season 2 Tournament winner and Russian striking machine “The Storm” Alexander Shelmenko (32-4) will meet multi-time world Jiu-Jitsu champion Vitor Vianna (12-1) in the tournament finals with the winner gaining the task of attempting to dethrone the champion “Shango” Hector Lombard (28-2). Supporting the two finales are a pair of bouts that could earn the winners a spot in the upcoming season’s tournaments.  NAAFS veteran and owner of one Bellator victory John Hawk (6-3) will meet Extreme Cage Combat and MFC veteran Roger Hollett (11-3) in a light heavyweight affair, and Shark Fights and UFC  veteran Douglas Evans (12-7) faces Bellator veteran Alexandre Bezerra (11-1). Bezerra is looking to stay unbeaten in his Bellator career while Evans is looking to get back on the comfortable side of victory road. Continue reading »

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W-1: New Ground Quick Results

 Posted by at 9:21 PM  MMA News  No Responses »
Oct 242010
 

W-1: New Ground

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Halifax Forum

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

————————————————————————

Heavyweight bout: Brett Rogers defeats Reuben Villareal via unanimous decision

Catchweight (190 lbs): Roy Boughton defeats Murilo Rua via unanimous decision

Light heavyweight bout: Roger Hollett defeats Mychal Clark via unanimous decision

Welterweight bout: Sean Pierson defeats Ricky Goodall via TKO (Punches) – Round 1, 1:44

Middleweight bout: Matt MacGrath defeats Ryan Machan via unanimous decision

Featherweight bout: Douglas Evans defeats Tristan Johnson via submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 3, 1:55

Featherweight bout: Musa Tolliver defeats Jason MacKay via unanimous decision

Middleweight bout: Nordine Taleb defeats Chad Cox via unanimous decision

Catchweight (190 lbs): Jeremy Hamilton defeats Chris Johnson via submission (Rear Naked Choke) – Round 1, 2:56

Welterweight bout: Jeremiah Bernard defeats Todd Henry via KO (head kick) – Round 1, 2:20

Featherweight bout: Pat Schilling defeats Tom Waters via submission (Kneebar) – Round 1, 2:34

Bantamweight bout: Michael Imperato defeats Jeff Black via submission (Armbar) – Round 1, 4:36

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W-1 Pre-Fight Breakdown:New Ground

 Posted by at 10:57 PM  MMA News  No Responses »
Oct 182010
 

MMA is big with our neighbors to the north. So big, in fact, that the fan base has managed to overturn many MMA bans within just a few short months whereas a similar feat has taken US fans almost a decade. With a fan base this strong, it’s only logical that several solid Canadian-based MMA promotions have begun to climb the ranks. One such promotion is Warrior One MMA (W-1). W-1 normally holds their cards in Quebec, but on Saturday, October 23, the cage travels to Halifax, Nova Scotia for W-1: New Ground. The card is filled with some well known international MMA stars as well as some of the best Canadian MMA names. The main event is a heavyweight battle between Strikeforce veteran “The Grim” Brett Rogers (10-2), who has been forced to step out of Strikeforce after back-to-back losses to “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-2) and “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (30-12), and fellow slugger “Warpath” Ruben Villareal (18-18-3). The card also features “Ninja” Murilo Rua (17-10-1) who is coming to North America for the first time since the collapse of Elite XC, and is chock full of Canadian all-stars and up-and-comers. Continue reading »

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