UFC 158 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Jake Ellenberger vs. Nate Marquardt

 Posted by at 2:52 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Mar 132013
 
Nate Marquardt (red gloves) has a wealth of experience and skill, but has always struggled with skilled wrestlers. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

Nate Marquardt (bottom) has a wealth of experience and skill, but has always struggled with skilled wrestlers. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

March 16 the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Montreal, Quebec, Canada as welterweight champion “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (23-2) takes on a dangerous adversary in Nick Diaz in the UFC 158 headlining match-up. The co-main event sees “The Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (28-6) take on “Bigg Rigg” Johny Hendricks (14-3). Chris Camozzi (18-5) battles fellow middleweight “The Promise” Nick Ring (13-1). In the card’s opener, The Ultimate Fighter alumni “The Martian” Mike Ricci (7-3) meets “Freakshow” Colin Fletcher (8-2) in a lightweight showdown. The card’s anchor will have two welterweights meet in a pivotal match-up as “The Great” Nate Marquardt (32-11-2) returns to the UFC to meet “The Juggernaut” Jake Ellenberger (28-6).  Both fighters are coming off recent setbacks, but a victory over the other is more than enough needed to put them back on their former path to glory. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine Main Card Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 6:24 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Jan 112013
 
"Jacare" Ronaldo Souza (red gloves) has a distinct advantage on the ground as well as a far more extensive training camp under his belt for the final Strikeforce card. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

“Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (red gloves) has a distinct advantage on the ground as well as a far more extensive training camp under his belt for the final Strikeforce card. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

All good things must come to an end. In this case, the good thing is the Strikeforce promotion that has essentially served as a UFC feeder league, as well as a home for those high profile fighters on the Zuffa poo-poo list, since its inception. The California-based, Zuffa-owned promotion will lock its cage doors one last time Saturday night as “The Great” Nate Marquardt (32-10-2) defends his Strikeforce Welterweight Championship for the first and only time against dangerous submission fighter “Sponge” Tarec Saffiedine (13-3). Co-headlining the event is Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion Daniel Cormier (10-0) who will face “The Soldier” Dion Staring (28-7). “The Warmaster” Josh Barnett (31-6) will make his first appearance since losing in the finals of the Grand Prix as he goes toe-to-toe with “The Hun” Nandor Guelmino (11-3-1) in the anchor bout, and “The Dream Catcher” Gegard Mousasi (32-3-2) will face the always dangerous “Mak” Mike Kyle (19-8-1). Opening duties for the main card fall squarely on the shoulders of “Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (16-3) who looks to continue rebuilding his title dreams at the expense of “Short Fuse” Ed Herman (20-8).

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Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman The Aftermath

 Posted by at 1:03 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce, Women's MMA  No Responses »
Aug 192012
 

Ronda Rousey (black shorts) secured another first-round Armbar win against Sarah Kaufman (gray shorts), arguably the most skilled female fighter currently at 135lbs. behind Rousey herself. (Photo courtesy of Yahoo! Sports)

The women once again took center stage in Strikeforce as “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey (6-0) continued her rapid ascent to MMA super-stardom with yet another first-round Armbar submission. This time the victim was former champion Sarah Kaufman (15-2) and the bout took just 54 seconds. Also continuing on the path to greatness was blue chip journeyman Ovince St. Preux (12-5). “OSP” opened the main card in spectacular fashion with a third-round highlight reel KO of TJ Cook (12-5). Grappling specialist Lumumba Sayers (6-3) had the script flipped on him as “Lionheart” Anthony Smith (17-8) lured him into his guard for a first-round Triangle Choke win. “The Sponge” Tarec Saffiedine (13-3) managed to out-work Roger Bowling (11-3) en route to a Unanimous Decision in the anchor bout and the co-main event saw “Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (16-3) put hot prospect Derek Brunson (9-2) away in spectacular fashion with a solid right hand. It was a solid showing for the junior organization of the Zuffa family and made another strong impression for the ladies with Dana White. MMA Gospel is here to recap the action. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman Main Card Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 6:33 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce, Women's MMA  No Responses »
Aug 152012
 

Unlike Julia Budd (blue gloves), Sarah Kaufman will have the wrestling skill to keep Ronda Rousey (red gloves) on her feet long enough to test her chin for the first time. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The women return to Zuffa action Saturday as Strikeforce pits reigning undefeated Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey (5-0) against former champion Sarah Kaufman (15-1) in her first title defense. Supporting the championship affair is a card filled with some of the smaller Zuffa promotion’s best including a co-main event between former middleweight king “Jacare” Ronaldo Souza (15-3) and Derek Brunson (9-1). Anchoring the Showtime main card is dangerous submission fighter “Sponge” Tarec Saffiedine (12-3) against knockout artist “Relentless” Roger Bowling (11-2). Lumumba Sayers (6-2) will find himself face to face with “Lionheart” Anthony Smith (16-8) in the second fight of the night and it will all kick off with a battle between red hot Tennessee journeyman “OSP” Ovince St.Preux (11-5) as he battles TJ Cook (12-4). Continue reading »

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Strikeforce “Rockhold vs. Jardine”: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 3:51 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Jan 082012
 
Former UFC light heavyweight Keith Jardine (black trunks) had no answer for the heavy-handed striking of Luke Rockhold (white shorts) at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine. (Photo courtesy of Strikeforce)

The second promotional child of the Zuffa family unloaded with its first offering of the new year last night as Strikeforce presented Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine. The card featured reigning Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold (9-1), who defended his belt against “The Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine (16-10-2), and “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (19-8) who put his devastating left hand up against the crisp kickboxing of Adlan Amagov (2-1). Also appearing on the main card were wrestling stand-outs “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal (9-1) and “T-Wood” Tyron Woodley (12-0) who tested their mettle against “The Monsoon” Lorenz Larkin (11-1) and Jordan Mein (22-6). Opening the card was a tightly contested bout between “The Sponge” Tarec Saffiedine (12-2) and “The Evolution” Tyler Stinson (22-8). The fights lived up to the expectations of the fans and ushered in 2012 on a good note for Strikeforce. Here’s how things went down. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine Live Results

 Posted by at 5:53 PM  Strikeforce  2 Responses »
Jan 072012
 

(Photo courtesy of Strikeforce and Showtime)

—MAIN CARD—

Luke Rockhold vs. Keith Jardine: Rockhold via TKO (Punches), Round 1, 4:26

Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov: Lawler via TKO (Flying Knee and Punches), Round 1, 1:48

Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal vs. Lorenz Larkin: Lawal via TKO (Strikes), Round 2, 2:32

Tyron Woodley vs. Jordan Mein: Woodley via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Tarec Saffiedine vs. Tyler Stinson: Saffiedine via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00 Continue reading »

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Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine Main Card Pre-Fight Breakdown

 Posted by at 6:10 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Jan 042012
 
While Tarec Saffiedine (right) does possess exceptional striking abilities, his key to victory at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine this Saturday likely will lie in his aptitudes on the mat. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC. and Showtime)

Strikeforce hits the ground running in 2012 as it dishes out MMA action this Saturday night from the Hard Rock Cafe and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The California-based promotion’s veterans welcome new faces to the main card and hope to stake their claim within their respective divisions. Knockout artist  ”The Evolution” Tyler Stinson (22-7) takes on “The Sponge” Tarec Saffiedine (11-2) in the main card’s opener. One of the welterweight division’s top dogs, “T-Wood” Tyron Woodley (11-0) collides with the fast rising Jordan Mein (22-6). “The Monsoon” Lorenz Larkin (11-0) takes a step out from the Strikeforce: Challengers series to face his stiffest test to date, “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal (8-1). Just as many who watch NASCAR hope to see a crash, the casual MMA observer comes to watch someone get knocked out and with Adlan Amagov (2-0) and “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (18-8) suited against each other, the crowd should be on the edge of their seats. Middleweight gold is up for grabs in the main event when champion Luke Rockhold  (8-1) defends his newly earned title for the first time against “The Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine (16-9-2). Strikeforce has stepped up its game over the past several years, and if this card is any indication of what’s to come, fans are in for an exciting year. Continue reading »

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Spilled Bag of Fights: RETURNS!

 Posted by at 5:48 PM  Spilled Bag of Fights  2 Responses »
Aug 012011
 

Did you miss me? Well, dry your tears icemigos. I have returned. There was a rough few weeks with no MMA events – at least none that I was able to see. And now… now… I have three events to draw from. Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson, Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III, and Bellator 47.

Let’s start from the top. What’s up with Fedor? Sure, anyone can get knocked out by Dan Henderson but before that Fedor was swinging wildly.  Yes, Fedor is known to try and finish a fight when he has someone hurt but there was an almost desperate recklessness in Fedor’s attempt to finish – not the precision timing that KO’d Andrei Arlovski in mid-air. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce “Fedor vs. Henderson”: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 5:54 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  1 Response »
Jul 312011
 

In the evening's main event, UFC and PRIDE veteran Dan Henderson (left) bested "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko (right) in a stand-up battle that left the latter with a third consecutive loss. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC. and M-1 Global)

Strikeforce has come and gone from the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, leaving empty seats and the occasional snack wrapper or beer bottle where thousands of screaming fans once stood watching “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-4) fight for the second time in the Windy City. The world’s second most powerful force in MMA presented one of its most stacked cards to date last night and while some of the bouts went pretty much as expected, big things still went down. From the first bell of the prelims to the last punch of Fedor’s main event brawl against “Hendo” Dan Henderson (28-8), MMA Gospel was there, looking for the lasting effects a card with this much name recognition would have on the MMA world. Continue reading »

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Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson Live Results

 Posted by at 6:26 PM  MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Jul 302011
 

Russian Sambo Champion and MMA veteran "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko faces off with fellow PRIDE veteran and Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion "Hendo" Dan Henderson in tonight's main event. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD—

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Dan Henderson: Henderson via TKO (Strikes), Round 1, 4:12

Marloes Coenen vs. Miesha Tate: Tate via Submission (Arm Triangle), Round 4, 3:03

Robbie Lawler vs. Tim Kennedy: Kennedy via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Paul Daley vs. Tyron Woodley: Woodley via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Scott Smith vs. Tarec Saffiedine: Saffiedine via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00 Continue reading »

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