UFC on FOX 3 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Josh Koscheck vs. Johny Hendricks

 Posted by at 6:32 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
May 022012
 

Josh Koscheck vs. Johny Hendricks (right) will showcase a match between two nearly identical skillsets as a pair of wrestlers with one-punch knockout power square off in the UFC on FOX 3 co-main event. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The Garden State hosts mixed martial arts action Saturday night as East Rutherford, New Jersey’s IZOD Center is the battleground for UFC on FOX 3.  Submission specialist “Toquinho” Rousimar Palhares (14-3) takes on stand-up extraordinaire “The Talent” Alan Belcher (17-6) in the opening bout of the main card. Expect heads to fly as the heavyweights take to the cage when “HD” Pat Barry (7-4) collides with fellow striker “Big” Lavar Johnson (16-5). In the main event “The Mongoose” Jim Miller (21-3) gets the homefield advantage when he challenges Nate Diaz (15-7) in a pivotal match-up in the lightweight division. “Kos” Josh Koscheck (17-5) and “Big Rig” Johny Hendricks (12-1) will meet before the night’s end in the co-main event. Koscheck has always been held high in the welterweight picture and looks to re-establish himself as a viable contender. Hendricks, on the other hand, is finally coming into his own and will look to keep the “Big Rig” moving on all gears. Continue reading »

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Spilled Bag of Fights: Nick Diaz!

 Posted by at 4:19 PM  Spilled Bag of Fights  No Responses »
Feb 072012
 

It’s been three days since Nick Diaz lost to Carlos Condit for the interim UFC welterweight title. Three days of controversy, outrage and suffering…Well, for me it was suffering. I wanted Nick to win. I wanted Nick to fight Georges St. Pierre and to beat him. I wanted the fearless, scrappy kid from Stockton to overthrow the Canadian golden boy and bring some excitement and “fuck you” attitude back to MMA.

However, unlike most Nick Diaz fans, I couldn’t find solace in thinking that the loss was a “robbery” or that Condit just “ran away” the whole fight because both of those sentiments are ridiculous. I’m blessed and cursed with having the ability to see things from a lot of different angles and perspectives and not just the ones that fit into my desired reality. So, it’s not so easy for me to come to terms with certain things without that ability to just ignore certain facts. But after days of absorbing everything that I saw Saturday night as I sat in my awesome seats at Mandalay Bay like a pimp and all the different points of view that fans have shared via that beautiful yet diseased harlot I like to call “the internet”, I’ve got some things worked out. I suffer, struggle, and come up with answers and now share them with you so that you may be saved. Kinda like Jesus… okay, exactly like Jesus. Continue reading »

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UFC 143: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

 Posted by at 7:14 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Feb 052012
 
Carlos Condit (black trunks) defeated Nick Diaz (red trunks) for the UFC Interim Welterweight Championship at UFC 143, besting him in nearly every category on the score cards and showing himself to clearly be the superior stand-up fighter and tactician. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The night of fights at UFC 143 has come to an end and its time again to examine which fighters furthered their careers, which fighters hurt their careers, and which fighters need to make a serious change in order to reverse the damage they caused themselves with The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. “Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (28-5) led Nick Diaz (26-9) around the Octagon as if he had him on a string, punishing him the entire time for a clear cut Unanimous Decision win for the newly minted Interim UFC Welterweight Championship belt. “Via Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (15-5-1) made a successful return to the UFC by battering “Big Country” Roy Nelson (16-7) on the feet for three solid rounds. “Kos” Josh Koscheck (17-5) managed to squeeze out an uneventful Split Decision over Mike Pierce (10-4). Renan Barao (28-1) extended his total MMA win streak to 28 with a third UFC victory, this time over “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (12-4), and “Short Fuse” Ed Herman (18-8) recorded the main card’s only finish by submitting Clifford Starks (5-1). Continue reading »

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UFC 143 Fight Bonuses

 Posted by at 1:12 AM  UFC  No Responses »
Feb 052012
 

Dustin Poirier (red gloves) finished Max Holloway (blue gloves) with a vicious Arm-Triangle, taking home the victory and "Submission of the Night" honors. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The following fight bonuses were awarded for UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit

Submission of the Night:

Dustin Poirier (over Max Holloway) receives $65,000

Knockout of the Night:

Stephen Thompson (over Dan Stittgen) receives $65,000

Fight of the Night:

Roy Nelson and Fabricio Werdum each receive $65,000

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UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit Live Results

 Posted by at 3:48 PM  UFC  1 Response »
Feb 042012
 

Tonight's UFC 143 main event sees Nick Diaz (left) square off with Carlos Condit (right) for the UFC Interim Welterweight Championship. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View)—

Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit: Condit via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46), Round 5, 5:00

Roy Nelson vs. Fabricio Werdum: Werdum via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Josh Koscheck vs. Mike Pierce: Koscheck via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Renan Barao vs. Scott Jorgensen: Barao via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Ed Herman vs. Clifford Starks: Herman via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 2, 1:43

Continue reading »

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MMA Gospel Staff Predictions: UFC 143

 Posted by at 8:19 PM  UFC  No Responses »
Feb 032012
 
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to its stomping grounds at the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada tomorrow night to present UFC 143, a card packed with world class talent including emerging prospects and top contenders alike. Kicking off the main card festivities on Pay-Per-View is a middleweight bout between TUF alum “Short Fuse” Ed Herman (17-8) and undefeated Arizona native Clifford Starks (5-0). Former bantamweight title challenger “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (12-3) takes to the cage next with the intentions of putting a stop to Renan Barao’s (27-1) impressive 27-fight win streak. Trashtalker extraordinaire and staple of the UFC’s welterweight division “Kos” Josh Koscheck (16-5) faces a fellow NCAA Div. I wrestler in heavy-handed Mike Pierce (10-3). The evening’s sole heavyweight match-up sees former IFL champion “Big Country” Roy Nelson (16-6) welcome renowned BJJ practitioner “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) back to the UFC’s Octagon after a three-year hiatus. Saturday’s UFC 143 main event boasts a pairing that will make history in the 170lbs. weight class as former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz (26-8) and former WEC champ “Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (27-5) vie for the UFC Interim Welterweight Championship title.

With a night full of possibilities ahead, the staff of MMA Gospel determines what may be in the cards for UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit. Continue reading »

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UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit Live Weigh-In Results

 Posted by at 4:59 PM  UFC  No Responses »
Feb 032012
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Pay-Per-View)—

Nick Diaz: 169lbs.
Carlos Condit: 169lbs.

Roy Nelson: 246lbs.
Fabricio Werdum: 246lbs.

Josh Koscheck: 170lbs.
Mike Pierce: 170lbs.

Renan Barao: 136lbs.
Scott Jorgensen: 135lbs.

Ed Herman: 185lbs.
Clifford Starks: 185lbs. Continue reading »

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UFC 143 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit

 Posted by at 11:10 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Feb 032012
 

Carlos Condit (black trunks) isn't the more well rounded fighter in his UFC 143 match, but he is one of the rare welterweights who can match both Nick Diaz's striking ability and his reach.(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The UFC returns to its familiar five-bout Pay-Per-View format Saturday as UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit hits the air waves from the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. After the prelim fighters finish their business on Facebook and FX, the PPV portion of the broadcast will open with a bout between middleweight TUF alum “Short Fuse” Ed Herman (17-8) and undefeated prospect Clifford Starks (5-0). Next up, a bantamweight affair hits the cage as WEC mainstay “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (12-3) squares off with Renan Barao (27-1). For the anchor and co-main, “Kos” Josh Koscheck (16-5) will face Mike Pierce (10-3) and heavyweights Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) and “Big Country” Roy Nelson (16-6) will throw their weight around the Octagon. Even with such a strong supporting card, all eyes will still be on the main event fight for the Interim UFC Welterweight Championship. In one corner, controversial former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz (26-8), in the other, former WEC champion “Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (27-5).   Continue reading »

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UFC 143 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Roy Nelson vs. Fabricio Werdum

 Posted by at 6:18 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Feb 022012
 
“Big Country” Roy Nelson’s (right) physique might not be typical of a world class fighter but with formidable Jiu-Jitsu and one-punch knockout power, he is more than prepared to take on top heavyweight, Fabricio Werdum come Saturday night. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

This Saturday UFC 143 is live from the Mandalay Bay Events Center from Las Vegas, Nevada. Clifford Starks (5-0) will try to keep his undefeated streak intact against the always dangerous “Short Fuse” Ed Herman (17-8). Renan Barao (27-1) and “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (12-3) prepare to engage in a bantamweight showdown with title implications sure to follow. Welterweight action goes down mid-card as “Kos” Josh Koscheck (16-5) meets with fellow wrestler Mike Pierce (10-3). Easily two of the top welterweights headline the card as “Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (27-5) and Nick Diaz (26-8) duke it out in order to seize the interim title. In the co-main event, “Big Country” Roy Nelson (16-5) will look to chain together another win as he takes on fellow heavyweight “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1). Werdum is looking to reestablish himself within the UFC ranks after his tenure in Strikeforce but with Nelson looking to do the same, these heavyweight juggernauts are likely to go all out to prevent their own plans from being snuffed.
Continue reading »

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UFC 143 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Josh Koscheck vs. Mike Pierce

 Posted by at 8:05 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Feb 022012
 
Mike Pierce (white trunks) will look to use angles, footwork, and counter wrestling to score another upset win at UFC 143 over former top welterweight contender Josh Koscheck. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

On February 4, a UFC Interim Welterweight Champion will be crowned as Strikeforce welterweight king and MMA bad boy Nick Diaz (26-8) faces off with former WEC Welterweight Champion “Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (27-5) in the UFC 143 main event. Supporting the potential slug fest of a title fight is the return of UFC and Strikeforce veteran “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-5) against “Big Country” Roy Nelson (16-6) of IFL fame in a heavyweight tilt. A battle between two WEC 135lbs. veterans will take place as Renan Barao (27-1) looks to become a title contender by defeating former top contender “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (12-3). The reborn “Short Fuse” Ed Herman (17-8) is looking not only for his third straight victory but his third straight finish as he takes on Clifford Starks (5-0) in the main card opening fight on Pay-Per-View. Anchoring the card is former welterweight title contender and TUF Season 1 veteran “Kos” Josh Koscheck (16-5) returning after his TKO win over UFC legend and former 170lbs. champion Matt Hughes (43-9) to tee off with heavy-handed Team Quest fighter Mike Pierce (10-3) in match-up that pits two NCAA Div. I wrestlers against one another with a chance to move up the ranks in arguably the UFC’s most competitive division on the line. Continue reading »

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UFC 143 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Renan Barao vs. Scott Jorgensen

 Posted by at 7:07 PM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Feb 012012
 
Bearing stiff hands with the wrestling to boot, Scott Jorgensen (front) stands a better chance than those before him when he faces Renan Barao in what could very well be a title eliminator for the bantamweight strap.  (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Las Vegas, Nevada plays hosts again for mixed martial arts action when the UFC unleashes what could already be one of their most pivotal cards of the year with UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit. Middleweights kick off the card when “Short Fuse” Ed Herman (17-8) battles Clifford Starks (5-0). Mike Pierce (10-3)  is looking to jump into the higher ranks of the welterweight division, but he will have to go through “Kos” Josh Koscheck (16-5)  in order to do so. In the co-main event, heavyweights take the stage as “Big Country” Roy Nelson (16-6) welcomes back one of the top submission artists in mixed martial arts, “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1). The welterweight title picture is sure to change as “The Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (27-5) and former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz (26-8) battle for the interim welterweight title. Traces of the WEC make itself known though in the middle of all this action as Renan Barao (27-1) and “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (12-3) collide. Each have made their own strides within the bantamweight division but the time has come for these two to meet in what could ensure a chance at gold in the future. Continue reading »

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