UFC 131: Dos Santos vs. Carwin
Michihiro Omigawa vs. Darren Elkins really, what can you say? Not only did the judges rob Omigawa with a Unanimous Decision nod for Elkins. One of these crackheads scored it 30-27. That’s like scoring the first round of Edgar/Maynard II 10-9 for Frankie Edgar. How do people that fuck up that bad still have jobs? Continue reading »
Dallas, Texas. It was only fitting that in a state where everything is bigger the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix would continue here. The Dallas Mavericks finally won their first title. The entire city and all its surrounding areas are still reliving that moment to the point every other song on the radio has some kind of Mavericks, “Thank you, Dirk” promo to precede the next track. The days leading into the Grand Prix though had the combat loyalists already staking claims and picking sides that even the minute leading to the fight was adrenaline-filled. As a fan of the sport, I have always found enough joy just sitting back at home or at the local sports bar watching my guys get the job done. It was not until I attended the Grand Prix, my first MMA event no less, that watching two men go at it in a high stakes brawl became an even greater experience. Continue reading »
Chad Griggs' (black trunks) one-sided destruction of Valentijn Overeem (white trunks) set a theme for most of the night at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum (Photo courtesy of Showtime)
Last night, Strikeforce graced the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, TX with the second installment of its World Heavyweight Grand Prix quarter-finals. The event was perhaps one of the ugliest events in recent MMA history with a fight-ending accidental eye poke and what appeared to be a dislocated elbow or possibly a seriously broken arm in the prelims and a main card that featured one extremely bloody fight and several one-sided beatdowns. To make matters worse, the main event saw “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (32-12) channel his inner “The Spider” Anderson Silva (28-4) against Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) who felt a need to emulate Thales Leites (16-4). The main card itself was lopsided to the point that the match-making would be called into question had the fighters not have stacked so well on paper with “The Snowman” Jeff Monson (37-12), “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (27-22), “The Grim” Brett Rogers (11-3), and KJ Noons (9-4) suffering complete domination at the hands of Daniel Cormier (7-0), “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (10-1), “The Babyfaced Assassin” Josh Barnett (22-5), and “Gamebred” Jorge Masvidal (19-6) respectively. MMA Gospel is here with the post-fight shakedown. Continue reading »
In tonight's main and co-main event respectively, the remaining two Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix semi-finalists will be determined between Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, Josh Barnett, and Brett Rogers. (Photo courtesy of Showtime)
Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum: Overeem via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00
Josh Barnett vs. Brett Rogers: Barnett via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke), Round 2, 1:17
Jorge Masvidal vs. KJ Noons: Masvidal via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00
Daniel Cormier vs. Jeff Monson: Cormier via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00
Chad Griggs vs. Valentijn Overeem: Griggs via Submission (Strikes), Round 1, 2:08 Continue reading »
Alistair Overeem (left) and Fabricio Werdum (right) met once, long ago, in PRIDE where Werdum was victorious, but both fighters have changed since 2006 and the dynamics of their second meeting will be far different. (Photo courtesy of Scott Petersen and MMA Weekly)
Dallas, Texas has the basketball greats the Mavericks, the hockey stand-outs in the Stars, and multiple NFL Superbowl Champions the Cowboys, but on June 18 Strikeforce invades the American Airlines Center with the second half of their Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament with Strikeforce, DREAM, and K-1 champion and seemingly unstoppable muscle-bound behemoth “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (31-12) taking on rival “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-4) at the helm. Supporting the edge-of-the-seat main event is a star studded card of heavyweights with international star “The Babyfaced Assassin” Josh Barnett (21-5) taking on heavy handed “The Grim” Brett Rogers (11-2) and two Grand Prix alternate bouts. Former UFC heavyweight title contender and world renowned submission king “The Snowman” Jeff Monson (37-11) returns to the American spotlight as he is welcomed to the Strikeforce ranks by the undefeated OSU and Olympic team wrestler Daniel Cormier (6-0) and IFL veteran and heavyweight dark horse “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (9-1) meets former PRIDE veteran and kickboxing powerhouse “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (27-21). Outside of the tournament brackets, the return of the much loved “Conviction” Gina Carano (7-1) against undefeated Sarah D’Alelio (3-0) has been pulled due to Carano not receiving medical clearance from her doctor and as a result, former Elite XC Lightweight Champion KJ Noons (9-3) and “Gamebred” Jorge Masvidal (19-6) will fill the spot with a shot for the lightweight title on the line. The tournament may dominate the card itself, but it is the match between Overeem and Werdum that has the attention of the MMA world as the first man to record a recognized legitimate win over “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-3) faces the man that MMA fans worldwide have wanted to see him face in a rematch of their 2006 PRIDE bout. Both fighters have come a long way since then; the dynamics have changed and it will be interesting to see which of these two warriors has progressed the most. Continue reading »
(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Alistair Overeem: 256lbs.
Fabricio Werdum: 246lbs.
Josh Barnett: 256lbs.
Brett Rogers: 258lbs.
Jorge Masvidal: 155lbs.
KJ Noons: 156lbs.
Daniel Cormier: 239.5lbs.
Jeff Monson: 234lbs.
Chad Griggs: 234lbs.
Valentijn Overeem: 234.5lbs. Continue reading »
(Video courtesy of Zuffa, LLC. and Showtime)
Power alone grants "The Grim" Brett Rogers (white trunks) an advantage in striking, but he will have to let his reach keep submission artist and seasoned veteran Josh Barnett at bay until he finds the opportunity to finish the fight. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)
The same week they gain their first NBA title, Dallas, Texas is treated to MMA action courtesy of California-based mixed martial arts promotion Strikeforce presenting Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum where the quarter-finals of the Heavyweight Grand-Prix will continue. Kicking off the main card, “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (27-21) hopes to shut down the four-fight win streak of “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (9-1). Daniel Cormier (6-0) faces his greatest test to date when he takes on Jiu-Jitsu extraordinaire “The Snowman” Jeff Monson (37-11). Then the 155lb-ers break onto the scene when KJ Noons (9-3) and “Gamebred” Jorge Masvidal (19-6) take the cage front-and-center for a lightweight title contention bout. In continuance of the Heavyweight Grand Prix, “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1) battles with “Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (31-13) and “The Grim” Brett Rogers (11-2) contends with “The Babyfaced Assassin” Josh Barnett (21-5). Rogers is known for letting his hands smash his way to victory while Barnett lets his submission grip lead him to success. The world-tested submission artist Barnett stands as a heavy favorite in the tournament but with the vile power in Rogers’ hands, either man can pull a fast one over the other en route to the semi-finals. Win or lose, fans in the Lone Star State and those watching at home are in for a treat. Continue reading »
KJ Noons (red gloves) is almost always the better stand-up fighter in his match-ups, but his lack of skill elsewhere allows the threat of other modes of attack to cripple his offense as it did against Nick Diaz. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Dallas, Texas gets the honor of hosting the second installment of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix quarter-finals as Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum comes to the Lone Star State’s third largest city this Saturday night. On the slate for the evening is the continuance of the Grand Prix with “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (31-12) squaring off with “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1) and “The Babyfaced Assassin” Josh Barnett (21-5) stepping into the cage with and “The Grim” Brett Rogers (11-2). Also up for action are tournament alternate eliminator bouts featuring “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (27-21) against “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (9-1) and “The Snowman” Jeff Monson (37-11) vs. Daniel Cormier (6-0). As a result of “Conviction” Gina Carano (7-1) pulling out of her bout, KJ Noons (9-3) and “Gamebred” Jorge Masvidal (19-6) have found their lightweight title eliminator bout pushed up to the main card. While it lacks the name recognition of Carano, the bout is nevertheless a far more important bout int the big picture of Strikeforce as one-time title contender Noons looks to get his career back on track against a man who is looking to capitalize on a dark horse win. Continue reading »
Strikeforce heavyweight Daniel Cormier (gold trunks) is a truly talented blue chip prospect, but will his raw talent be any match for the finely honed skills of seasoned veteran Jeff Monson? (Photo courtesy of Esther Lin and Zuffa, LLC.)
Saturday, June 18, Strikeforce returns with the second installment of the first round of its Heavyweight Grand Prix as “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (31-12) takes on “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1) and “The Grim” Brett Rogers (11-2) squares off with “The Babyfaced Assassin” Josh Barnett (21-5). The card is one of the better showings from Strikeforce in a long time, perhaps due to an influx of financial backing from Zuffa, and features several of the names that recently staked a claim in the California-based promotion. Among those names are former title challenger KJ Noons (9-3), “Gamebred” Jorge Masvidal (19-6), “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (27-21), and “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (9-1) as well as a bout between blue chip wrestler Daniel Cormier (6-0) and submission specialist “The Snowman” Jeff Monson (37-11). This last pairing is an excellent test of Cormier’s skills as “The Snowman” is not only a monster on the ground but is a battle tested veteran with more fights than all of Cormier’s previous opponents combined. Continue reading »
Heavyweight "Grave Digger" Chad Griggs (red trunks) has proven time and again that his power and severely underrated stand-up skills make him an extremely dangerous opponent as long as he is still conscious. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)
The American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas shall host the second installment of the inaugural Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix less than one week after its home team the Dallas Mavericks toppled bitter rivals the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals. This Saturday, June 18, the Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament resumes after a three-month break to bring its heavy hitting champion face-to-face yet again with his former foe and to wrap up the last of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarter-Finals as well as bring some of its up-and-coming stars to the big stage. Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1 champion “The Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (31-12) meets “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-4) in a long awaited rematch that pits arguably the world’s best heavyweight striker against the world’s best heavyweight Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Former UFC Heavyweight Champion, PRIDE, and Sengoku stand-out “The Baby Faced Assassin” Josh Barnett (21-5) fights Chicago-born slugger ”The Grim” Brett Rogers (11-2) in the co-main event to determine which man moves on to the tournament semi-finals. The reemergence of “Conviction” Gina Carano (7-1), who was making her return to the cage against undefeated Sarah D’Alelio (3-0), has been pulled due to Carano not receiving medical clearance from her doctor and has been replaced by a previously scheduled prelim bout between former Elite XC Lightweight Champion KJ Noons (9-3) and “Gamebred” Jorge Masvidal (19-6). Opening up the main card though are a pair of tournament reservoir bouts with former UFC heavyweight title contender and American submission specialist “The Snowman” Jeff Monson (37-11) returning to the big leagues opposite the undefeated rising star Daniel Cormier (6-0), and IFL veteran and heavyweight dark horse “The Grave Digger” Chad Griggs (9-1) looking to continue his dominant win streak when he meets former PRIDE veteran and powerhouse “The Python” Valentijn Overeem (27-21). With the opportunity for either Griggs or Overeem to partake in one of Strikeforce’s most major events, both men have a lot to gain but even more to lose. Continue reading »
Paul “Semtex” Daley is arguably the hardest hitting Welterweight in MMA. Nick Diaz began his fight with “Semtex” Saturday night by walking towards him, taunting him with his hands down at his side. That’s some crazy shit. Crazy like a fox? I think so. Diaz showed the cocky Brit how cocky is done – 209 style. But there’s definitely a method to Diaz’s madness. The conventional wisdom was that Diaz should try to get the fight to the ground where Daley is weakest and the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu master has a huge advantage… but Nick Diaz ain’t no bitch. He’s said as much on many occasions. Nick doesn’t change the way he fights based on his opponent. He comes out, starts trash talking, looks for his openings and begins picking his opponent apart with his unorthodox but accurate and effective striking and if the fight happens to go to the ground, well, he’s certainly okay with that too. Continue reading »
Saturday, February 12. The night was chilly as usual but even another freezing night could not damper my mood as I drove towards East Rutherford, New Jersey and the start of the unprecedented (in the US at least) Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament being put together by Strikeforce. With so much emphasis put on the UFC, fans really had to be surprised to see the wealth of heavyweight talent amassed for this tournament. That I was witnessing the launch of such an historic MMA event left me quite gleeful. Of course events that unfolded would show that for Strikeforce no good deed goes unpunished. But we’ll get to that.
The IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey played host to Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva last Saturday night. (Photo courtesy of MeadowLands.com)
As I drove toward Lot 26 which is designated for the press and employees I stopped to ask every parking attendant where the lot was located and was instructed to just keep driving. When I finally circled the entire IZOD Center and came to my designated lot I made an ill advised, on-the-fly decision to not stop by the parking person manning this lot and a few seconds later felt like Billy Hayes in Midnight Express as my car was surrounded by several guys who looked as if they were competing in the evening’s Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament or at least a local tough man contest. After the some venting of steam by guys whose mood was not enhanced by the freezing temps, I was finally able to spit out my name and ultimately allowed to proceed and park. So began my first sojourn as a credentialed press dignitary. I almost ended up buried with Jimmy Hoffa and other luminaries in the nearby meadowland swamps courtesy of Mo and the guys. Continue reading »
"Bigfoot" Antonio Silva (top) upset the MMA world last night when he battered and finished "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko (bottom) in two rounds. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)
The MMA world has been ablaze since the end of 2010 when Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker announced the organization’s upcoming eight-man single-elimination tournament, dubbed the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, which was slated to include some of the biggest names in the heavyweight division signed on as competitors. Last night the San Jose-based mixed martial arts promotion kicked off that tournament, as the main card of its “Fedor vs. Silva” event, with two Quarter-Finals match-ups and two alternate qualifying bouts. It was an amazing night of fights, culminating with a fight between “Bigfoot” Antonio Silva (15-2 ) and “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-3). Continue reading »
Antonio Silva (right) was by far the biggest winner in last night's Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva card, TKOing top heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko (left) in the main event. (Photo courtesy of Esther Lin and Strikeforce)
Strikeforce launched its World Heavyweight Grand Prix last night to the eager cheers of one of the largest crowds it has ever hosted. The night was filled with exciting barn burners including a main card that opened with four straight first round finishes and ended with what many are viewing as the biggest upset in modern MMA history. As a whole the card was an overwhelming success and did its job of hyping the casual fan base for the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix magnificently. It brought all the ingredients of a fan pleasing MMA production to the table with big names against big underdogs, fast paced casual fan-friendly brawls, bouts which displayed that higher level of technical precision that awes the pundits, big finishes and even bigger upsets. However, it is not all wine and roses for the San Jose-based promotion. One of their biggest drawing fighters announced his potential retirement after being knocked out of the tournament along with another fan favorite, there were a few close calls from the referees that could have easily caused a controversy, and their commentary was even more painful than usual. There are always ups and downs with every fight, so to help sort them out MMA Gospel presents The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Continue reading »