Apr 062013
Apr 052013
In the night’s main event, Gegard Mousasi (red gloves) holds distinct advantages in skill and experience as well as the benefit of a full training camp to stack the deck in his favor. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)
April 6 the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Fuel TV when it touches down live in Stockholm, Sweden. As explored in Part I of MMA Gospel’s UFC on Fuel TV 9 pre-fight breakdown, the first half of the main card kicks off with Akira Corassani (10-3) taking on Robbie Peralta (16-3), “The Scarecrow” Pablo Garza (12-3) battling “Ceara” Diego Brandao (16-8) in a featherweight showcase, and “The Hulk” Mike Easton (13-2) taking on fellow striker “One Punch” Brad Pickett (22-7). In this latter half of the main card breakdown, a quick look begins with the heavyweight battle between “Meathead” Matt Mitrione (5-2) and Philip DeFries (9-2). The co-main event sees “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (14-6) welcoming Strikeforce transplant Ryan Couture (6-1). Two new faces grace the light heavyweight division in the main event as Ilir Latifi (9-2) steps in on less than a week’s notice for his injured teammate, perennial contender “The Mauler” Alexander Gustafsson (15-1), to meet “The Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi (33-3-2). Both men grace the eight-sided cage for the first time and with each getting top-billing for their debut, a win at this stage can open many doors for them at 205 pounds. Continue reading »
Apr 052013
Apr 042013
Mike Easton (purple shorts) will look to right the course with a win at UFC on Fuel TV 9. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC returns after a wildly successful sojourn to Montreal at UFC 158 to offer its fifth free card of 2013, UFC on Fuel TV 9 from Stockholm, Sweden. Headlining the event is newcomer “The Sledgehammer” Ilir Latifi (7-2) as he debuts beside Dream and Strikeforce standout “The Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi (33-3-2). “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (14-6) looks to continue his recent success following TUF: The Smashes at the expense of second-generation prodigy Ryan Couture (6-1). “Meathead” Matt Mitrione (5-2) will struggle to find his winning way again as he meets Philip De Fries (9-2) in a bout that will likely leave one of the two jobless. The lower half of the main card also shows promise with “The Hulk” Mike Easton (13-2) looking to right the ship after a disappointing decision loss at the expense of “One Punch” Brad Pickett (22-7) in the anchor slot. Deadly finisher “Ceara” Diego Brandao (16-8) will meet “The Scarecrow” Pablo Garza (12-3) in the second match of the evening, and kicking things off is a pairing of featherweights looking to come out from under the radar, Akira Corassani (10-3) and “Problems” Robbie Peralta (16-3). Here in Part I of the UFC on Fuel TV 9 pre-fight breakdown, MMA Gospel examines the first three of the night’s match-ups. Continue reading »
Dec 162012
Roy Nelson (white trunks) reminded the MMA world why he is considered a top tier heavyweight by soundly defeating Matt Mitrione (black shorts) at the TUF 16 Finale. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
It was a busy weekend for the UFC as they closed out not one but two seasons of The Ultimate Fighter, with UFC on FX 6 closing out The Smashes between Australia and the UK and The Ultimate Fighter 16 Live Finale marking the end of the Nelson vs. Carwin season. Both cards stepped away from the historical format of TUF finale cards in that neither featured a majority of the season’s cast members and instead framed the finale bouts and coaches’ showdown with more relevant bouts. The results both sent a message to the MMA world and had a much greater impact on the state of affairs in the UFC compared to other finale events. Aside from the outside-the-cage impacts that the cards had, they were, all things considered, a pair of solid MMA offerings that are a cut above what fans have come to expect in the finales. Also a bonus for MMA fans, the impact of having an electric finale follow a lackluster season as opposed to the usual finale that fails to live up to its hype should result in an overall TUF product from here out as the UFC puts renewed emphasis on fighters fighting to win as opposed to fighting not to lose while in the house by taking a few of the finale slots traditionally reserved for runners up and giving them to more relevant bouts. Continue reading »
Dec 122012
Multi-promotional champion Hector Lombard (right) will make a second attempt to introduce UFC fans to his high octane striking at UFC on FX 6. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The Ultimate Fighter may be struggling to retain its relevance in the USA, but The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes, featuring emerging fighters from the UK against the best journeymen Australia has to offer, has from all accounts been a resounding success. Friday night, just 24 hours prior to the finale of its American counterpart, the second international season of The Ultimate Fighter will come to a close as coaches George Sotiropoulos (14-4) faces off against “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (13-6). Australian superstar and former Bellator Middleweight Champion “Shango” Hector Lombard (31-3-1) will make his sophomore UFC effort in a middleweight tilt with dangerous submission machine “Toquinho” Rousimar Palhares (14-4). Rounding out the card are the two TUF: The Smashes finale bouts featuring Brad Scott (8-1) against Robert Whittaker (9-2) at welterweight and “Freakshow” Colin Fletcher (8-1) against “Stormin’” Norman Parke (16-2) at lightweight. Continue reading »
Sep 072012
Jun 232012
Clay Guida (left) had a good game plan against Gray Maynard at UFC on FX 4 but his lack of striking acumen saw it degrade into merely running from the fight. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC returned to the FX network last night to deliver a free card featuring some of the UFC’s more exciting and colorful characters. Hard nosed British slugger “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (13-6) went out on his shield in the second in a TKO loss to WEC veteran Cub Swanson (17-5). Crafty veteran and harbinger of the hairrow “Bad Boy” Brian Ebersole (50-14) added an eleventh victory to his winning streak as he survived early then out-foxed his younger opponent TJ Waldburger (15-7) en route to a Unanimous Decision. The co-main saw “Hands of Stone” Sam Stout (18-7) earn a unanimous nod over “The King” Spencer Fisher (24-9) in their “Fight of the Night” winning rubber match, and the headline bout of the evening saw “The Bully” Gray Maynard (11-1-1) and “The Carpenter” Clay Guida (29-13) deliver a cure for insomnia with one of the most lackluster fights in recent memory. Continue reading »
Jun 232012
Sam Stout’s (left) and Spencer Fisher’s (right) 15-minute rubber match fight in the 155lbs. division entertained fans and earned both men a $50K “Fight of the Night” bonus. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The following fight bonuses were awarded for UFC on FX 4: Maynard vs. Guida
Submission of the Night:
Dan Miller (over Ricardo Funch) receives $50,000
Knockout of the Night:
Cub Swanson (over Ross Pearson) receives $50,000
Fight of the Night:
Sam Stout and Spencer Fisher each receive $50,000
Click here for the full list of UFC on FX 4 results
Jun 222012
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
—MAIN CARD (Live on FX, 9:00 PM ET)—
Gray Maynard vs. Clay Guida: Maynard via Split Decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47), Round 5, 5:00
Sam Stout vs. Spencer Fisher: Stout via Unanimous Decision (30-27 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00
Brian Ebersole vs. TJ Waldburger: Ebersole via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00
Ross Pearson vs. Cub Swanson: Swanson via TKO (Strikes), Round 2, 4:14 Continue reading »
Jun 212012
Up-and-coming featherweight fighter Steven Siler (red shorts) has flown somewhat under the radar thus far in his career, but has the skillset to earn the praises of casual and hardcore fans alike. His next chance to do so will come this Friday in the UFC on FX 4 prelims. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC once again brings its roster of top mixed martial arts talent to the FX network Friday night with UFC on FX 4: Maynard vs. Guida. The marquee attraction sees a lightweight affair between “The Bully” Gray Maynard (10-1-1) and “The Carpenter” Clay Guida (29-11) as they battle it out for potential title contention in the UFC’s 155lbs. division. Supporting the main event are the likes of “Hands of Stone” Sam Stout (17-7-1) and “The King” Spencer Fisher (24-8) duking it out for the third time in a lightweight tilt, 170ers “Bad Boy” Brian Ebersole (49-14-1) and TJ Waldburger (15-6) facing off in what will likely be a brawl on the canvas, and British TUF alum “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (13-5) and WEC veteran Cub Swanson (16-5) fighting to ascend the 145lbs. division ladder. Though much of the MMA fan base will have their eyes glued to the main card on FX, as always, the prelims on Facebook and Fuel TV offer some entertaining match-ups as well, featuring some of the best up-and-comers in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization. Among the long list of promising undercard fighters to keep an eye on is “Super” Steven Siler (20-9). Continue reading »
Jun 212012
—MAIN CARD (Live on FX, 9:00 PM ET)—
Gray Maynard (155.0) vs. Clay Guida (155.5)
Sam Stout (155.5) vs. Spencer Fisher (156.0)
Brian Ebersole (170.0) vs. TJ Waldburger (170.5)
Ross Pearson (146.0) vs. Cub Swanson (145.5) Continue reading »
Jun 212012
“The Carpenter” Clay Guida’s (white trunks) frantic pace and bottomless gas tank have caused fits for many of his previous opponents and multiple times have proven sufficient in earning him the judges’ favor. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The Ultimate Fighting Championship sets up shop at Atlantic City, New Jersey’s Revel Casino on Friday night to present UFC on FX 4. “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (13-5) battles Cub Swanson (16-5) in the main card’s opening bout. The highly eccentric veteran “Bad Boy” Brian Ebersole (49-14-1) will take on submission ace TJ Waldburger (15-6) in the welterweight division. The co-main event sees the final battle of an epic rivalry as “Hands of Stone” Sam Stout (17-7-1) and “The King” Spencer Fisher (24-8) battle it out once again with each man hoping to break the tie in this famous trilogy. Rounding off the card though sees another pivotal match-up in the 155lbs. division as “The Carpenter” Clay Guida (29-11) takes on his fellow contender “The Bully” Gray Maynard (10-1-1). Each man has stumbled in their past endeavors but with the lightweight division as competitive as ever, it’s crucial at this point for each fighter to come out on top. Continue reading »
Jun 202012
Sam Stout (silver trunks) and Spencer Fisher (green trunks) have set a high bar for their third meeting considering the high octane results of their first two fights. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Friday night the UFC returns to the birthplace of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts as UFC on FX 4: Maynard vs. Guida hits the Garden State of New Jersey. Opening the main card action is a featherweight brawl between “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (13-5) and Cub Swanson (16-5). Playing the role of anchor is a welterweight affair between the harbinger of the hairrow “Bad Boy” Brian Ebersole (49-14-1) and TJ Waldburger (15-6). The main event will feature 155er “The Bully” Gray Maynard (10-1-1) against “The Carpenter” Clay Guida (29-12), but before they meet two other lightweights will face off in the center of the Octagon: “The King” Spencer Fisher (24-8) and “Hands of Stone” Sam Stout (17-7-1).
Jun 202012
Sixty-five fight veteran Brian Ebersole (black shorts) has several clear cut advantages over his UFC on FX 4 opponent TJ Waldburger, including high pressure ground-and-pound. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Atlantic City, New Jersey’s Revel Casino will be the next venue to host the world’s greatest mixed martial artists as the UFC delivers UFC on FX 4: Maynard vs. Guida Friday night. Headlining the card is former lightweight title challenger “The Bully” Gray Maynard (10-1-1) as he sees action against long-time lightweight wrestling powerhouse “The Carpenter” Clay Guida (29-12). Also featured on the card is a lightweight stand-up affair between “Hands of Stone” Sam Stout (17-7-1) and “The King” Spencer Fisher (24-8). Opening the festivities is yet another striker’s war between British transplant “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (13-5) and WEC veteran Cub Swanson (16-5), and rounding things off on the main card is a welterweight feature fight between “Bad Boy” Brian Ebersole (49-14-1) and TJ Waldburger (15-6). Continue reading »