Nov 282012
Sep 022012
Dec 292011
Nate Diaz's (bottom) Jiu-Jitsu game is well beyond that of most of the lightweight division and will be one of his greatest weapons against Donald Cerrone come Friday night. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The world’s premiere MMA organization finishes off the year with a bang this Friday night with UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem. Undefeated featherweight prospect “The Kid” Jimy Hettes (9-0) takes on Nam Phan (19-10) in the main card’s opening bout. “The Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (26-5) collides with the fast rising “The Mauler” Alexander Gustafsson (12-1) to see whose stock gets a lift in the light heavyweight division. Johny Hendricks (11-1) is looking to get into the higher echelon of the welterweight class but will first have to grind it out against former title challenger Jon Fitch (22-3). The main event is seen as the classic “grappler versus striker” formula as former UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar (5-2) and current K-1, DREAM, and Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (34-11) fill the roles, respectively. The co-main event is receiving just as much acclaim as the marquee feature as Nate Diaz (13-8) and “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (16-4) butt heads in a lightweight match-up. Diaz and Cerrone are two of the sport’s most enigmatic personalities but once the cage door seals, this clash of personalities will turn into a battle truly worthy of remembering. Continue reading »
Sep 272011
Some people watch The Ultimate Fighter purely for the fights and don’t like the reality TV element. These people tend to be party-pooping wet blankets who think that they’re too good for a little mindless voyeuristic entertainment. Either way, the stuffy “purists” were treated to almost two hours of nothing but fights on the Season 14 premiere of TUF on Wednesday. The fights were pretty solid – as to be expected from bantamweight and featherweight fighters. Continue reading »
Sep 252011
Jon Jones (red trunks) proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is far more than "just hype" with his destruction of "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC delivered again in a big way Saturday night with UFC 135 in the Mile-High City of Denver, Colorado. Leading into an ultra-hyped main event Light Heavyweight Championship bout between the Jackson Submission Fighting wonder kin “Bones” Jon Jones (14-1) and the former champion, PRIDE superstar “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (31-9), was a night that included some of PRIDE’s biggest names, the UFC’s newest talents, and The Ultimate Fighter’s best products as well as the appearance of a Hall of Famer. In the co-main, “Kos” Josh Koscheck (16-5) likely put an end to the career of former welterweight king Matt Hughes (43-9). Prior to the headlining fights, “Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (7-7) broke even and showed late career growth at the expense of IFL stalwart “Big” Ben Rothwell (27-8), “Hapa” Travis Browne (9-0-1) achieved victory but little else against Rob Broughton (13-5-1), and Nate Diaz (13-8) picked up where his brother left off in a first-round submission win over former PRIDE champ “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (29-9). While every fight has a winner and a loser, not every loser truly loses and not every winner makes headway with the “W” and for the post-fight analysis, MMA Gospel has The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Continue reading »
Sep 242011
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion "Bones" Jon Jones (left) successfully made his first title defense at UFC 135, submitting PRIDE superstar "Rampage" Quinton Jackson (right) via Rear Naked Choke in the fourth round. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View)—
Jon Jones vs. Quinton Jackson: Jones via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 4, 1:14
Matt Hughes vs. Josh Koscheck: Koscheck via KO (Strikes), Round 1, 4:59
Ben Rothwell vs. Mark Hunt: Hunt via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00
Travis Browne vs. Rob Broughton: Browne via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00
Nate Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi: Diaz via Submission (Armbar), Round 1, 4:27
Sep 242011
Jon Jones (red trunks) has distinct advantages in almost every area of the fight game over "Rampage" Jackson, but he still has to respect Quinton's power. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Tonight at UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage, UFC Light Heavyweight champion “Bones” Jon Jones (13-1) will face off against veteran knockout artist “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (31-8) in the main event. There is only one guarantee in this fight and it is that it will most certainly not go the five rounds typically allotted for a championship fight. Jones will be looking to defend his belt for the first time in his short reign as champion while Jackson on the other hand will be looking to return to relevance and dominance in the division by reclaiming his title first in his bout with Jones, then his pride in the upcoming face-off with challenger “Sugar” Rashad Evans (16-1-1). Continue reading »
Sep 232011
- (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Is UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Bones” Jon Jones (13-1) truly the messiah of a new era of elite fighters being ushered into the realm of professional mixed martial arts? Tomorrow night that very question may be answered as the 24-year-old Jones makes his first title defense by squaring off with a very determined and heavy-handed former UFC champion in “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (31-8), also of PRIDE fame. In the co-main event, The Ultimate Fighter alum and American Kickboxing Academy stand-out “Kos” Josh Koscheck (15-5) steps in as a late replacement for an injured “The Dream” Diego Sanchez (23-4) to face UFC Hall of Famer and two-time former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes (43-8). “Big” Ben Rothwell (27-7) will collide with K-1 veteran “Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (6-7) in a heavyweight tilt following Cesar Gracie protégé Nate Diaz’s (12-8) match-up with former PRIDE champion “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (29-8) in the 170lbs. division. Starting off the main card action is a heavyweight clash between undefeated Hawaiian-born knockout artist “Hapa” Travis Browne (8-0-1) and Cage Rage veteran and Wolfslair MMA fighter “The Bear” Rob Broughton. While it does stand true that “Anything can happen in MMA”, the staff of MMA Gospel nonetheless has decided to take a crack at determining who may come out on top tomorrow night. Continue reading »
Sep 232011
Jon Jones (red trunks) is seen by many as the herald of a new era of elite MMA fighters to come, but they say to be a true champion one must first defend the belt and that is exactly what Jones aims to do Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC will make its third appearance in seven days on Saturday when UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage storms the Pepsi Center in the UFC’s birthplace of Denver, Colorado. Opening the main card are two heavyweight hopefuls “Hapa” Travis Browne (8-0-1) and Rob Broughton (13-4-1). Next on the slate is a pair of bouts between fighters staring gloomily at Dana White’s extra sharp career-severing axe as “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (29-8) 1-2 squares off with Nate Diaz (12-8) and Mark Hunt (6-7) takes on “Big” Ben Rothwell (27-7). Playing co-main event is a welterweight war between prolific wrestlers “Kos” Josh Koscheck (15-5) and Matt Hughes (43-8). Finally, the main event features the smack talk fueled old guard vs. new blood title fight between seemingly unstoppable incumbent champion “Bones” Jon Jones (13-1) and the outspoken former champ and PRIDE superstar “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (31-8). Jackson may have had a mercurial relationship with the sport as a whole but one thing he has never changed his tune about is that he wants his UFC light heavyweight belt back. In his way is Jon Jones, a young, talented, natural warrior who hasn’t so much as broken a sweat in his domination of every fighter he has faced so far in his MMA career. Continue reading »
Sep 232011
UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes (left) represents a unique threat in the welterweight division; having accomplished all there is to accomplish, he doesn't feel the same pressure as his opponents when he steps in the Octagon. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
After a big week in MMA saw the UFC launch its last season of The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV, Zuffa’s flagship organization finishes things with a bang as current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Bones” Jon Jones (13-1) looks to become a “true champion” by successfully defending his belt against hungry former champion “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (31-8). Kicking off the festivities is a heavyweight bout between two men looking to prove they are more than gatekeepers, “Hapa” Travis Browne (8-0-1) and Rob Broughton (13-4-1). The next two bouts on the card feature four men who need wins to prove not only to the Zuffa brass but to the fans that they deserve to fight on MMA’s biggest stage. “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (29-8) entered the UFC as PRIDE’s last lightweight champion and promptly went 1-2. Nate Diaz (12-8) went from Ultimate Fighter to title contender to failed lightweight to failed welterweight. Both need a win to survive. Mark Hunt (6-7) went from K-1 star to a man who has expressed a complete lack of faith in his own abilities and his opponent, “Big” Ben Rothwell (27-7) is a former IFL champion who has yet to put on a memorable performance in the UFC. Serving as the co-main event is a bout with less dire implications. On late notice, “Kos” Josh Koscheck (15-5) has stepped up to face UFC Hall of Fame welterweight Matt Hughes (43-8). Koscheck has not seen action since December when“Rush” Georges St. Pierre (22-2) severely damaged his orbital bones, requiring surgery. Hughes, despite a fall from the dominance he once had, remains a viable threat in the division and is even more dangerous now because, as he once put it, he has nothing left to prove. Continue reading »
Sep 222011
Sep 222011
With more experience in the cage, Ben Rothwell (left) should be able to easily determine how the fight with Mark Hunt will go. Rothwell though has to be able to defend and react quickly should Hunt's striking advantage overwhelm him. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The UFC takes over Saturday night once again when Denver, Colorado hosts UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage. Light Heavyweight Champion “Bones” Jon Jones (13-1) defends his title for the first time against former champion “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (31-8). “Kos” Josh Koscheck (15-5) steps in to save the co-main event against Matt Hughes (43-8) after “The Dream” Diego Sanchez had to pull out due to injury. Hawaiian bred “Hapa” Travis Browne (8-0-1) and England’s “The Bear” Rob Broughton (13-4-1) square off in a heavyweight contest. Knockout artist “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (29-8) and Jiu-Jitsu ace Nate Diaz (12-8) square off in the lightweight division. The main card gets another dose of heavyweight action when IFL veteran “Big” Ben Rothwell (27-7) returns from injury to face K-1 veteran “Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (6-7). Rothwell is a highly regarded heavyweight and would love to return to the cage with a victory to chain a two-fight win streak. Hunt though enjoys a nice stand-up war but loves a quick knockout victory even more. Continue reading »
Sep 222011
Nate Diaz (right) has the reach advantage to compliment his boxing and Jiu-Jitsu. Despite success in both the welterweight and lightweight divisions, Diaz in the past has admitted to having difficulty cutting down to 155lbs.; showing up to fight Takanori Gomi at less than 100 percent could produce a long night for Diaz. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Mixed martial arts action takes to the Mile-High City when the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado plays host to UFC 135 this Saturday night. Heavyweight juggernauts make their presence known when “Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (6-7) faces IFL veteran “Big” Ben Rothwell (27-7) and “The Bear” Rob Broughton comes overseas to lock up with “Hapa” Travis Browne. “Kos” Josh Koscheck (15-5) steps in to replace an injured “The Dream” Diego Sanchez (23-4) when he finally gets to challenge UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes (43-8) in the co-main event. The night closes with a bang when “Bones” Jon Jones (13-1) lays his light heavyweight title on the line for the first time against the sharp-tongued yet heavy-handed “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (31-8). Lightweight action is set to take place among the festivities when the “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (29-8) puts his nose to the grindstone as he welcomes Nate Diaz (12-8) back to the 155lbs. division. Gomi has the knockout power that puts every chin on guard, but Diaz’s Jiu-Jitsu is the kind that squeezes the life out of all that get caught. When the cage door shuts behind these two, fireworks and the likelihood of a bonus check is virtually guaranteed. Continue reading »
Sep 212011
Hawaiian-born "Hapa" Travis Browne (left) will bring massive power and reach to the Octagon at UFC 135, ensuring that he has the advantage in the stand-up over his opponent Rob Broughton. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
The Pepsi Center in the Mile-High City of Denver, Colorado will play host to another star studded MMA card this Saturday with UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage. The event serves as the battleground for UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Bones” Jon Jones (13-1) to make his first title defense against former UFC champion and PRIDE superstar “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (30-8). “Rampage” has been vocal about his mission to get his belt back, and come Saturday, all the smack talk will come to a head as Jones and Jackson prove who is the king of the 205lbs. division mountain. UFC Hall of Famer and two-time welterweight champion Matt Hughes (43-8) returns to the Octagon to face late replacement and American Kickboxing Academy fighter “Kos” Josh Koscheck (15-5), who steps in for the injured “The Dream” Diego Sanchez (23-4). PRIDE and K-1 veteran ”Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (6-7) will trade punches with seasoned heavyweight “Big” Ben Rothwell (27-7) in a battle of mammoth proportions. The only man to hold PRIDE silver,”The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (29-8), and Nate Diaz (12-8) of Cesar Gracie tutelage will look to get back to the winner’s circle in a lightweight showdown that is likely a must-win situation in terms of relevancy in the UFC’s 155lbs. division. Opening up the main card, Hawaiian-born ”Hapa” Travis Browne (8-0), fresh on the heels of his bone chilling knockout over “Skyscraper” Stefan Struve (18-5), will meet Cage Rage veteran “The Bear” Rob Broughton (13-4). With the UFC’s heavyweight division deepening at an unprecedented rate, both Browne and Broughton undoubtedly will do all in their massive power to make an impression on the Zuffa brass and work their way to the top of the ranks. Continue reading »
Sep 202011