Spilled Bag of Fights: Happy Birthday to Me!

 Posted by at 5:03 PM  Spilled Bag of Fights  8 Responses »
Feb 072011
 

February 6, 2010. Mandalay Bay Events Center – Las Vegas, Nevada. UFC 109: A bag of ice spilled all over the Octagon in the corner of Ronnys Torres in between rounds. Joe Rogan filled the time while the cornermen tried to clean the ice up by doing a play-by-play of the chaos. Many were amused – myself included. Three days later, yours truly was born on Twitter.

Yes, icemigos, this Wednesday will be the one year birthday/anniversary of the SBoI Twitter account being born. I believe my first tweet was “Don’t blame me, @JoeRogan. I’m helpless to the laws of gravity!” From there, the UFC added me to their official fighters list and Mr. Rogan tweeted about me and soon I had an audience. I never intended to have an audience nor did I ever imagine that any of the crazy ride that the last year has been would’ve happened. Once I had an audience I realized that I also had a voice. Smart ass commentary on the world of MMA that would now be appreciated because it would be read by MMA fans who would actually get my references. Try making a Krazy Horse or Nick Diaz’s bong joke to the general public. Guess what? Most of them don’t get it. Sad, I know, but true. Then again, I attribute all the awesome stuff that has happened as a result of starting the SBoI account to the fact that I didn’t have an agenda other than to have people think I’m funny and enjoy it. I didn’t set out to be a “journalist” and clearly, I still don’t. I didn’t set out to write a column or be on MMA radio shows or to get to meet Phil Baroni and his awesome dog. I merely wanted people to be like “That dude writes some funny ass tweets.”  But as the wise man says: “Do what you love and the rest will follow.” Continue reading »

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“Bones” Jon Jones to Face “Shogun” Rua for Light Heavyweight Title at UFC 128

 Posted by at 1:03 AM  MMA News, UFC  3 Responses »
Feb 062011
 

"Bones" Jon Jones, with his dominant performance and second round win over "Darth" Ryan Bader, earned the next shot at the light heavyweight title. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

In a surprising twist at tonight’s UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, “Bones” Jon Jones (12-1) was announced as the next light heavyweight title challenger, replacing the injured “Sugar” Rashad Evans (15-1-1), against the current 205lbs. champion “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (19-4) at UFC 128 in March. Just this afternoon Evans withdrew from the title fight due to a knee injury sustained during training. Per both his and the UFC’s doctor’s orders, “Sugar” is mandated to six weeks off of training to recover from the injury. Continue reading »

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UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort Live Quick Results

 Posted by at 8:15 PM  MMA News, UFC  1 Response »
Feb 052011
 

(File photo)

—PRELIMINARY CARD (Un-aired)—

Kenny Robertson vs. Mike Pierce: Pierce via TKO (Punches), Round 2, 0:29

Ricardo Romero vs. Kyle Kingsbury: Kingsbury via TKO (Punches), Round 1, 0:21

Gabe Ruediger vs. Paul Taylor: Taylor via KO (Head Kick and Punches), Round 2, 1:42

—FACEBOOK LIVE STREAM—

Demetrious Johnson vs. “KID” Norifumi Yamamoto: Johnson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

—SPIKE TV—

Michihiro Omigawa vs. Chad Mendes: Mendes via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Paul Kelly vs. Donald Cerrone: Cerrone via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 2, 3:48

—MAIN CARD (Pay-Per-View)—

Antonio Banuelos vs. Miguel Torres: Torres via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Carlos Eduardo Rocha vs. Jake Ellenberger: Ellenberger via Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

Ryan Bader vs. Jon Jones: Jones via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 2, 4:20*

Rich Franklin vs. Forrest Griffin: Griffin via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00 (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Vitor Belfort vs. Anderson Silva: Silva via KO (Strikes), Round 1, 3:25**

*In the wake of his victory, the UFC made the surprise announcement that Jon “Bones” gets the next shot at UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (19-4) at UFC 128 in five weeks. The original challenger, “Sugar” Rashad Evans (15-1-1), dropped out of the fight due to a knee injury.

**Silva retains the UFC Middleweight Championship belt after his record breaking eighth consecutive title defense and 14th consecutive victory.

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Heavy is the Crown of Anderson Silva

 Posted by at 3:01 PM  Features, MMA Gospel Radio, MMA News, UFC  2 Responses »
Feb 052011
 

"The Spider" Anderson Silva is on top of the world now, but how will he be remembered when he's gone? (Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)

What will become of the legacy of “The Spider” Anderson Silva (27-4), who fights tonight at UFC 126? When his career has faded into the grainy memory of mixed martial arts, what will be remembered? Will it be his vicious, calculated striking? Will fans talk of the daunting 12 consecutive wins that he currently holds within the toughest promotion on the planet? How will the MMA community remember his demolition of “Ace” Rich Franklin  (28-5) not once, but twice in a shocking symphony of punches and kicks that left “Ace” crumpled on the floor, humbled and broken? Or will we remember the indifferent, stand-offish Silva? The one who danced around “The Predator” Patrick Cote (13-7) at UFC 90. When the fighter who toyed with Thales Leites (18-4) and Demian Maia (14-2), the latter of which was so painful to watch that even Silva’s biggest supporters shook their heads, puzzled as to why one of the most gifted fighters the sport has ever seen would act in such a pathetic and classless manner. Continue reading »

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Looking for the Underdog: Vitor Belfort

 Posted by at 7:34 AM  Features, MMA News, UFC  1 Response »
Feb 052011
 

"The Phenom" Vitor Belfort will face his toughest opponent to date in UFC Middleweight Champion "The Spider" Anderson Silva tonight at UFC 126. (Photo courtesy of Terry Goodland and Sherdog)

As a prelude to Super Bowl XLV, tonight’s stacked UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort card promises an exhilarating night of fights for both the casual and avid fans. The bout that many fans are looking forward to in particular is the main event’s 185lbs. clash between longtime UFC Middleweight Champion and top rated pound-for-pound fighter in the world “The Spider” Anderson Silva (27-4) and PRIDE veteran “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (19-8). After seeing Silva dominated for nearly all 25 minutes of his bout against the previous title challenger Chael Sonnen (24-11-1) at UFC 117 in August, the aura of invincibility that once shrouded Silva has been nearly destroyed, leaving many fans to believe that Vitor Belfort will be the man to expose Silva’s human vulnerabilities once and for all and dethrone the champion. At the very least, the vast majority of the MMA community agree that Belfort’s combination of hand speed and power will be enough to force Silva into fighting seriously and showing vestiges of the vintage Anderson Silva that finished his first five UFC opponents in a combined time just under 22 minutes. For his part, Belfort has looked amazing since 2006, the year when both he and Silva last lost. However, many pundits will point out that Vitor has faced less than UFC caliber competition since his last defeat, leaving naysayers to question whether “The Phenom” truly has the tools to push Anderson Silva or if he was simply made to look good by sub-par opponents. This fight will further reveal the mystique of the champion in one way or another, but more than that it will tell fans about the true abilities of Vitor Belfort.

Continue reading »

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UFC 126 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort

 Posted by at 8:31 PM  MMA News, UFC  2 Responses »
Feb 042011
 

Just an hour ago, UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva (left) and title challenger Vitor Belfort (right) took part in one of the most intense staredowns in MMA history. Tomorrow night, the friends-turned-enemies will square off for the 185lbs. championship. (Photo courtesy of Esther Lin and Fanhouse)

Tomorrow night the UFC brings its live audience at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada and the millions watching worldwide on Pay-Per-View one of the most stacked cards in UFC history with UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort. The event showcases a wealth of electrifying match-ups including former WEC warriors “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (12-4) and Miguel Torres (37-3) gracing the UFC Octagon for the very first time and taking on British slugger Paul Kelly (11-3) and Antonio Banuelos (18-6), rising stars “Bones” Jon Jones (11-1) and “Darth” Ryan Bader (12-0) in a light heavyweight clash, NCAA wrestling coach “The Juggernaut” Jake Ellenberger facing dangerous submission expert Carlos Eduardo Rocha (9-0), and two former champions battling it out for light heavyweight supremacy following an inactive 2010 with Forrest Griffin (17-6) and “Ace” Rich Franklin (27-5). The highly anticipated main event pits UFC Middleweight Champion and arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world “The Spider” Anderson Silva (27-4) against deadly striker “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort. Anderson has been not only invincible in the UFC, but damn near untouchable. The lone hiccup in his UFC career came when he was controlled for nearly five rounds by Chael Sonnen (24-11) at UFC 117 but turned the tables and finished his opponent in the closing minutes with a Triangle Choke. Anderson Silva is riding a thirteen fight win streak including a flawless 12-0 record inside the UFC, and tomorrow night will make his record breaking eighth title defense.  Vitor Belfort on the other hand more or less earned his title shot with one recent win inside the UFC over Rich Franklin at a catch-weight.  He has however won five in a row, but is very middling (7-5) in his past twelve fights, compared to a perfect dozen victories that Anderson Silva has put up. Come the conclusion of UFC 126 tomorrow night, either Anderson Silva walks out of the cage with the middleweight title belt rightfully cinched around his waist for the ninth consecutive time, leaving any questions about his skill and dedication answered, or the world’s most recognizable UFC champion will have fallen and given way to a new era in the 185lbs. division with the vicious striker Vitor Belfort as its reigning king. Continue reading »

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UFC 126 Live Weigh-In Results

 Posted by at 7:03 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Feb 042011
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—PRELIMINARY CARD (Un-aired)—

Kenny Robertson: 170lbs.
Mike Pierce: 172lbs.*

Ricardo Romero: 205lbs.
Kyle Kingsbury: 205lbs.

Gabe Ruediger: 155lbs.
Paul Taylor: 156lbs.

—FACEBOOK LIVE STREAM—

Demetrious Johnson: 136lbs.
“KID” Norifumi Yamamoto: 135lbs. Continue reading »

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UFC 126 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Forrest Griffin vs. Rich Franklin

 Posted by at 7:34 AM  MMA News, UFC  1 Response »
Feb 042011
 

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin (left) faces one of his most evenly-matched opponents to date in Rich Franklin tomorrow night at UFC 126. Though his striking isn't as technical as his competitor's, Griffin has a substantial size advantage over "Ace". (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

Tomorrow night the UFC brings its fans an astounding night of mixed martial arts action with UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort.  The stacked card features former WEC fighter “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (12-4) taking on British slugger Paul Kelly (11-3), submission expert Miguel Torres (37-3) making his UFC debut against fellow former WEC bantamweight Antonio Banuelos (18-6), top contenders “Darth” Ryan Bader (12-0) and “Bones” Jon Jones (11-1) in a light heavyweight tilt, International Fight League (IFL) and BodogFIGHT veteran Jake Ellenberger (22-5) squaring off against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Carlos Eduardo Rocha (9-0), and in the main event, “The Spider” Anderson Silva (27-4) makes a record breaking eighth title defense, this time against dangerous striker “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (19-8). One of the more thought-provoking fights on this card though is a light heavyweight clash between two former champions: Forrest Griffin (17-6) and “Ace” Rich Franklin (27-5).  Griffin and Franklin are two very capable fighters that also happen to be two of the most popular fighters on the UFC’s roster – they’re also incredibly evenly matched, thus making it difficult to predetermine the ultimate outcome of this main card bout. Let’s have a crack at it.  Continue reading »

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UFC 126 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Jake Ellenberger vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha

 Posted by at 7:01 PM  MMA News, UFC  1 Response »
Feb 032011
 

IFL and BodogFight veteran Jake Ellenberger (blue trunks) has been a tough fight for every opponent he has faced and has made a UFC career out of being a winning underdog. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

This Saturday the UFC presents the fans with UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort from its home stomping grounds at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card features the biggest threat to “The Spider” Anderson Silva’s (27-4) middleweight crown to date as he takes on the blistering hand speed and undeniable power of “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (19-8), as well as a host of other great match-ups. Forrest Griffin (17-6) will be making his long awaited return to the Octagon against the man that Silva took the middleweight title from in 2006, “Ace” Rich Franklin (27-5), and light heavyweight superstar “Darth” Ryan Bader (12-0) will put his undefeated record on the line against the man Bruce Buffer called “the next Muhammad Ali”, “Bones” Jon Jones (11-1). Also in action are former WEC warriors “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (12-4) and Miguel Torres (37-3) as they make their UFC debuts against Paul Kelly (11-3) and Antonio Banuelos (18-6), respectively. The last main card combatants are the NCAA wrestling coach “The Juggernaut” Jake Ellenberger (22-5) and his opponent, the deadly submission fighter Carlos Eduardo Rocha (9-0). The match is a test for both men, as Ellenberger saved his reputation by defeating up-and-coming prospects and Rocha is just such a prospect looking to send a message to the rest of the welterweight division. Continue reading »

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MMA Gospel Makes UFC 126 Predictions; Enter for a Chance to Win Free Swag!

 Posted by at 2:03 PM  MMA News, UFC  17 Responses »
Feb 032011
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Dan Griffin, MMA Gospel CEO

Donald Cerrone vs. Paul Kelly: Kelly via TKO, Round 2
Miguel Torres vs. Antonio Banuelos: Torres via TKO, Round 1
Jon Jones vs. Ryan Bader: Jones via TKO, Round 2
Jake Ellenberger vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha: Rocha via Submission (Heel Hook), Round 2
Forrest Griffin vs. Rich Franklin: Griffin via Unanimous Decision, Round 3
Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort: Belfort via KO, Round 1

——————————————————————————————————————————————
Mallory Mejia, MMA Gospel Editor-in-Chief

Donald Cerrone vs. Paul Kelly: Kelly via TKO, Round 2
Miguel Torres vs. Antonio Banuelos: Torres via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 2
Jon Jones vs. Ryan Bader: Jones via TKO, Round 2
Jake Ellenberger vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha: Rocha via Submission (Kneebar), Round 1
Forrest Griffin vs. Rich Franklin: Franklin via TKO, Round 3
Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort: Silva via TKO, Round 4

—————————————————————————————————————————————— Continue reading »

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UFC 126 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Jon Jones vs. Ryan Bader

 Posted by at 7:21 AM  MMA News, UFC  1 Response »
Feb 032011
 

Muay Thai kickboxer "Bones" Jon Jones (red trunks) has some of the most devastating striking in the UFC's light heavyweight division and rounds out his game nicely with a formidable ground game courtesy of his Greco-Roman wrestling background and time spent at Jackson's Submission Fighting training center. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

Superbowl Sunday is undoubtedly one of the biggest sports day of the year, and to conclude the NFL 2010-2011 season the Pittsburgh Steelers will meet the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, February 6 in Dallas, Texas.  However, on the eve of the big game, the UFC will be hosting one of the biggest mixed martial arts shows of the year live from its hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada in the form of UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort. The event is considered to boast the most stacked card since UFC 100, with former WEC bad boy “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (12-4) facing Wolfslair Academy graduate Paul Kelly (11-3), fan favorite Miguel Torres (37-3) making his UFC debut against fellow former WEC bantamweight Antonio Banuelos (18-6),  a collision between former champions with Forrest Griffin (17-6) facing “Ace” Rich Franklin (27-5), and in the main event, top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world and current UFC Middleweight Champion “The Spider” Anderson Silva (27-4) defending his belt for a record eighth time against dangerous striker “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (19-8). Another bout on this star studded fight card features a match-up between arguably two of the premier young light heavyweights in the world, when Jackson’s Submission Fighting trained “Bones” Jon Jones (11-1) meets undefeated The Ultimate Fighter 10 alum “Darth” Ryan Bader (12-0).  The lone blemish on Jones’ record came via disqualification due to some illegal elbows in a fight he was dominating against “The Hammer” Matt Hamill (9-2).  The winner of this fight will most certainly be considered a top five light heavyweight in the UFC, if not the world. Continue reading »

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Dana White: “Kid” Yamamoto vs. “Mighty Mouse” Fight to Stream Live on Facebook

 Posted by at 4:49 PM  MMA News, UFC  1 Response »
Feb 022011
 

Japanese MMA sensation "Kid" Yamamoto makes his UFC debut this Saturday night against Demetrious Johnson at UFC 126. The bout will air live on Facebook. (Photo courtesy of Taro Irei and Sherdog)

At today’s UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort pre-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White announced that the preliminary card bout between the highly touted “Kid” Norifumi Yamamoto (15-2-1) and “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson (10-1) will stream live on Facebook this Saturday night.

MMA fans have anticipated the UFC debut of Yamamoto for quite some time, and will get their wish this Saturday night. “Kid” Yamamoto is a Japanese mixed martial artist and kickboxer that has quickly gained popularity in the Shooto organization largely due to his aggressive style, well rounded skill set, and often controversial character. He also is a PRIDE and K-1 veteran, for the latter of which he holds the record for the fastest knockout in the organization’s Hero’s history with a four second flying knee KO over Kazuyuki Miyata (7-6) in 2006. Throughout his career, “Kid” has earned 11 TKO/KO, one submission, and three decision victories. His pair of losses are split between TKO and Split Decision, respectively. The southpaw Yamamoto fought as a lightweight to start his career in 2001 and descended the divisions to fight at featherweight from 2002-2009 and finally made his home at bantamweight just last year. Continue reading »

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UFC 126 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Donald Cerrone vs. Paul Kelly

 Posted by at 7:51 PM  MMA News, UFC  1 Response »
Feb 012011
 

Donald Cerrone (left) must rely on his world class submission skills against Paul Kelly if he wishes to start his UFC career with a victory. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

This Saturday night the Ultimate Fighting Championship holds another mixed martial arts spectacle with UFC 126 at the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.  One of the most stacked fight cards in recent UFC history, the event will showcase Jackson’s Submission Fighting trained “Bones” Jon Jones (11-1) facing The Ultimate Fighter 10 alum “Darth” Ryan Bader (12-0), former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin (17-6) versus former UFC 185lbs. champ “Ace” Rich Franklin (27-5), and in the main event, top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world and current UFC Middleweight Champion “The Spider” Anderson Silva (27-4) against dangerous striker “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort (19-8) for the middleweight belt. Though not on the main card, one of the most talked about fights offered at UFC 126 is the UFC debut of “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (12-4) against UFC veteran and former Wolfslair fighter Paul Kelly (11-3). Both of these men are well on their way to becoming truly well rounded fighters, but each comes from a different background. Cerrone is deadly on the ground with ten of his 12 victories coming by submission. On the other side, Kelly has proven a solid striker with five TKO’s in his 11 wins. The result is a meeting in the middle as the classic Striker vs. Grappler match is met with the kickboxer who can grapple and the submission fighter who can box. Continue reading »

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