UFC 159: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

 Posted by at 2:24 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 282013
 
Jon Jones (black trunks) took the fight to Chael Sonnen (white trunks) and beat him at his own game. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones (black trunks) took the fight to challenger Chael Sonnen (white trunks) and beat him at his own game. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

To say UFC 159 was an anti-climactic disappointment would be unfair but it certainly didn’t go off without a hitch. The prelims showcased the first flat performance from the women in the UFC then followed it with a lapse in referee judgement that led to a technical decision and then a fight that was ended due to an odd thumb injury – and the mishaps didn’t end on there. “Bam Bam” Pat Healy (30-16) opened the Pay-Per-View card on a very good note with a “Fight on the Night” and “Submission of the Night” winning, come-from-behind performance against “The Mongoose” Jim Miller (22-5). Next,  ”Mr.Wonderful” Phil Davis (11-1) came out on top with the best striking performance of his career over “Pezao” Vinny Magalhaes (10-6) who gassed early. If the three-round boxing lesson from Davis slowed things, “Big Country” Roy Nelson (19-7) got things back on track with a vicious “Knockout of the Night” win over Cheick Kongo (18-8-2). Then the curse of the canceled UFC 151 card returned in the co-main. “The Count” Michael Bisping (24-5) came out and began dominating a very flat looking “The Talent” Alan Belcher (18-8). Between rounds two and three a bizarre audio issue gave the impression that someone was spinning vintage Black Sabbath records backwards and just one minute later, Bisping’s finger found Belcher’s eye in a very bad way, forcing a second technical decision of the night. In the main event, champion “Bones” Jon Jones (18-1) handily defeated Chael Sonnen (27-13-1), but came just thirty seconds from losing his title due to a nasty injury to his toe, which somehow snapped during one of the striking exchanges. To break down the aftermath of this bizarre main card, MMA Gospel has The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Continue reading »

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UFC 159 Event Bonuses

 Posted by at 8:49 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 282013
 
Pat Healy (blue gloves) nabbed $130K in fight bonuses for "Submission of the Night" and "Fight of the Night" in his bout against Jim Miller (red gloves), who also gets $65K for his part in the FOTN. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Pat Healy (blue gloves) nabbed $130K in bonuses for “Submission of the Night” and “Fight of the Night” against Jim Miller (red gloves), who also earned $65K for his part in the FOTN. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The following fight bonuses were awarded for UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen

Submission of the Night:

Pat Healy (over Jim Miller) receives $65,000

Knockout of the Night:

Roy Nelson (over Cheick Kongo) receives $65,000

Fight of the Night:

Pat Healy and Jim Miller each receive $65,000

Click here for the full list of UFC 159 results.

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UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen Live Results

 Posted by at 3:19 PM  UFC  2 Responses »
Apr 272013
 
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View @ 10:00pm ET)—

Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen: Jones via TKO (Strikes), Round 1, 4:33

Alan Belcher vs. Michael Bisping: Bisping via Unanimous Technical Decision – Eye Injury (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), Round 3, 4:30

Cheick Kongo vs. Roy Nelson: Nelson via KO (Punch), Round 1, 2:03

Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes: Davis via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Pat Healy vs. Jim Miller: Healy via Technical Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 3, 4:02 Continue reading »

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UFC 159 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen

 Posted by at 7:43 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 262013
 
Chael Sonnen (white trunks) is fighting an uphill battle, but his tenacity and aggression have led him to shock the world before. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Chael Sonnen (white trunks) is fighting an uphill battle, but his tenacity and aggression have led him to shock the world before. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

UFC 159 will hit the Pay-Per-View airwaves from Newark, New Jersey on Saturday and the UFC certainly hasn’t skimped on the main card talent. Opening the main card is Strikeforce stand-out “Bam Bam” Pat Healy (29-16) who will look to make his name known against dangerous submission fighter “The Mongoose” Jim Miller (22-4). Second out, the light heavyweights take the cage as “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis (10-1) continues his quest to re-establish himself at 205 against “Pezao” Vinny Magalhaes (10-5). The anchor bout pits “Big Country” Roy Nelson (18-7) against the towering French kickboxer Cheick Kongo (18-7-2), and the co-main will see two of the loudest mouths in the middleweight division, “The Count” Michael Bisping (23-5) and “The Talent” Alan Belcher (18-7), battle for another chance to climb the mountain. Perhaps the loudest mouth of them all will grace the Octagon in his third title bout in as many years as Chael Sonnen (27-12-1) steps up to face the dominant young king of the light heavyweight division, “Bones” Jon Jones (17-1). Continue reading »

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UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen Weigh-In Results, Video

 Posted by at 3:55 PM  UFC  No Responses »
Apr 262013
 

 

(Video courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View @ 10:00pm ET)—

Jon Jones (205) vs. Chael Sonnen (205)

Alan Belcher (185) vs. Michael Bisping (186)

Cheick Kongo (237) vs. Roy Nelson (258)

Phil Davis (205) vs. Vinny Magalhaes (205.5)

Pat Healy (155.5) vs. Jim Miller (155) Continue reading »

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UFC 159 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Michael Bisping vs. Alan Belcher

 Posted by at 7:40 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 252013
 
Michael Bisping (left) has a similar skill set to Alan Belcher, but his cardio and athleticism should see him through to victory. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Michael Bisping (left) has a similar skill set to Alan Belcher, but his cardio and athleticism should see him through to victory. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Just a week after an outstanding FOX card, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Pay-Per-View as New Jersey’s Prudential Center hosts the long-awaited UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen. “Bam Bam” Pat Healy (29-16) makes his UFC debut against “The Mongoose” Jim Miller (22-4) in the card’s opener. It’s a clash of styles as Jiu-Jitsu ace “Pezao” Vinny Magalhaes (10-5) takes on wrestling extraordinaire “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis (10-1). Heavyweights make their mark on the main card as “Big Country” Roy Nelson(18-7) battles Cheick Kongo (18-7-2) in the anchor bout. Before “Bones” Jon Jones puts (17-1) his light heavyweight title on the line against Chael Sonnen (27-12-1) in the main event, “The Count” Michael Bisping (23-5) and “The Talent” Alan Belcher (18-7) are set to dance. Both men have fallen short in their last outings, but only one will redeem himself when all is said and done. Continue reading »

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UFC 159 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Roy Nelson vs. Cheick Kongo

 Posted by at 9:33 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 252013
 
Roy Nelson (black trunks) has big power that he can use to bully his opponents into a position where he can score an easy takedown. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Roy Nelson (black trunks) has big power that he can use to bully his opponents into a position where he can score an easy takedown. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC is returning to Pay-Per-View Saturday to showcase five solid MMA pairings, not the least of which is the clash of TUF 17 coaches “Bones” Jon Jones (17-1) and the man who wants to strip him of his light heavyweight crown, Chael Sonnen (27-12-1). Pulling co-main duties on the card is a long awaited middleweight challenge between “The Talent” Alan Belcher (18-7) and “The Count” Michael Bisping (23-5), while lightweights “The Mongoose” Jim Miller (22-4) and “Bam Bam” Pat Healy (29-16) open the evening’s entertainment. A light heavyweight bout will come up second as “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis (10-1) squares off with “Pezao” Vinny Magalhaes (10-5). Of particular interest is a meeting between “Big Country” Roy Nelson (18-7) and Cheick Kongo (18-7-2) which has been lined up in the anchor slot. Nelson skipped the gatekeepers when he won TUF 10 but then slumped hard before regaining some steam in 2012. Now it seems it’s time to pay the piper and face the French kickboxer who has long been the unofficial bodyguard of UFC heavyweight title contention.  Continue reading »

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UFC 159 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes

 Posted by at 3:42 PM  MMA News, UFC  Comments Off
Apr 242013
 
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Despite his opponent’s excellent submission game, Phil Davis (blue gloves) should be able to shut him down with his elite level wrestling. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

New Jersey’s Prudential Center hosts a highly anticipated light heavyweight showdown April 27 as “Bones” Jon Jones (17-1) lays his title on the line against the always brash Chael Sonnen (27-12-1) in the headliner for UFC 159. Co-main event duties lie between two middleweights trying to get back in the win column as “The Talent” Alan Belcher (18-7) meets “The Count” Michael Bisping (23-5). Cheick Kongo (18-7-2) will look to make a comeback of his own as he takes on fan-favorite heavyweight “Big Country” Roy Nelson (18-7). A dogfight in the lightweight ranks are promised as “The Mongoose” Jim Miller (22-4) welcomes Strikeforce transplant “Bam Bam” Pat Healy (29-16) in the card’s opener. Amongst the action, “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis (10-1) looks to keep his status as top 10 light heavyweight when he’s charged with facing “Pezao”  Vinny Magalhaes (10-5). The tension is still thickening as words have been exchanged, but words alone can only get each fighter so far once they stand across from each other fight night. Continue reading »

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UFC 159 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Jim Miller vs. Pat Healy

 Posted by at 3:22 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 232013
 

Jim Miller (bottom) has faced a higher level of competition than UFC 159 opponent and Strikeforce vet Pat Healy, but has struggled with well-rounded fighters in the past. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

The UFC heads back to the Pay-Per-View airwaves on April 27 for UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen. Before “Bones” Jon Jones (17-1) defends his title against Chael Sonnen (27-12-1) to officially close the 17th season of TUF, the UFC has lined up several bouts with strong career implications for the athletes involved. In the co-main, “The Talent” Alan Belcher (18-7) hopes to rebound against “The Count” Michael Bisping (23-5) who is also struggling to keep his place in line for the middleweight crown. “Big Country” Roy Nelson (18-7) looks to continue his streak at the expense of heavyweight measuring stick Cheick Kongo (18-7-2). “Mr.Wonderful” Phil Davis (10-1) aims to right the ship after a rough 2012 by ending the six-fight win streak of “Pezao” Vinny Magalhaes (10-5). First out, “The Mongoose” Jim Miller (22-4) will continue his quest to re-establish himself as a dominant force in the lightweight division after going 2-2 in his last four. Across from him will be Strikeforce standout “Bam Bam” Pat Healy (29-16), who enters the UFC on the heels of a half-dozen consecutive victories.   Continue reading »

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Weekend Recap: UFC on FX 6, The Ultimate Fighter 16 Live Finale

 Posted by at 4:22 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
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.)

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 »

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The Ultimate Fighter 16 Live Finale: Main Card Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 11:18 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Dec 132012
 
Roy Nelson (red gloves) represents a huge step-up in the level of competition Matt Mitrione has faced in his career. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

“Big Country” Roy Nelson (red gloves) represents a huge step up in the level of competition fellow heavyweight Matt Mitrione has faced in his career. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Less than 24 hours after the winners of TUF: The Smashes are determined, the final offering from The Ultimate Fighter 16 will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada. As has become the trend of late, coach “The Engineer” Shane Carwin (12-2) injured his knee and thus the coaches will not be facing one another. Instead, “Big Country” Roy Nelson (17-7) will face fellow TUF 10 alum “Meathead” Matt Mitrione (5-1). The co-main will feature the two finalists of the TUF series’ latest installment with ”The Martian” Mike Ricci (7-2) of Team Carwin taking on  Colton Smith (3-1) of Team Nelson. Anchoring the card is a clash of heavyweight kickboxers as “HD” Pat Barry (7-5) steps in the Octagon across from Shane del Rosario (11-1). The opening match will see “The Diamond” Dustin Poirier (12-2) against Jonathan Brookins (13-5) followed by a lightweight tilt between “The Young Assassin” Melvin Guillard (30-11-2) and “C-4″ Jamie Varner (20-7-1). Continue reading »

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