Posts Tagged ‘Combat Sports’

UFC 139 Predictions

Posted: November 15, 2011 in Combat Sports
Tags: , , , , , , ,
0

By Jonathan King
Dan Henderson (28-8 MMA) vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (20-5 MMA)

The most powerful right hand in the light heavyweight division, hangs off the end of Dan Henderson’s arm. However, it is the combination of skills, that makes him lethal at this division. Most prolific fighters at the age of 41, seem to be winding down their careers. Henderson apparently has been drinking from the same well as Randy Couture. He actually seems to get better with age. Henderson possesses world-class wrestling skills, combined with sleep inducing striking. His precision right hand knockout of Michael Bisping in 2009 is still being replayed today. After leaving the UFC for Strikeforce,Henderson continued his winning ways, capturing the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Title following his knockout of Rafael Calvacante. Then he entered the realm of immortality in the sport of MMA with an upset knockout of heavyweight Fedor Emelianeko. In 36 career fights Henderson has never been knocked out.

Mauricio Rua, is the Brazilian version of Dan Henderson. He possesses some of the best jujitsu in the division, but also has dynamite in both of his hands. Shogun can snap bones with his vicious leg kicks, or he can utilize the clinch to punish his victims with crushing knees. After losing the title to Jon Jones, Rua has returned to form as evident with his first round knockout of Forrest Griffin at UFC 134 in August, avenging an earlier loss. A fight that saw a much improved Rua, who seemed more agile, and quicker than Griffin.  Rua will look to utilize good movement and leg kicks to avoid Henderson’s take-downs. Rua will try to keep this fight standing, utilizing in and out movement and capitalizing on distance.

Prediction:Henderson via KO RD.2

Cung Le (7-1 MMA) vs. Wanderlei Silva (33-11 MMA)

After an undefeated career as a kickboxer, Cung Le has since compiled a 7-1 record in MMA. His most notable win was his middleweight championship bout with Frank Shamrock. After a fantastic kicking display, Shamrock was unable to continue having sustained a broken arm, defending Le’s onslaught. That evening Cung Le won the Strikeforce title. His spinning back-kick is legendary, and his powerful strikes work faster than Ambien. After vacating his Strikeforce title to pursue acting, Le is now looking to make his Octagon debut.

Wanderlei Silva is an icon in the sport of mixed martial arts. Entering the fight having been knocked out in 4 of his last 8 fights, his retirement seemed eminent. However, Brazilian is is looking to slug out just one more bit of relevance. The free swinging Silva is still a threat to anyone at 205 lbs, let along anyone at 185lbs, so even at this stage he is quite dangerous. Silva will have to get close to Le, where he can utilize his savage muay thai clinch, that has created a highlight reel of knockouts caused by knees, and elbows. Silva, is also particularly ferocious exiting the clinch, with his fierce free swinging hooks.

Predictions: Le via KO RD.2

Brian Bowles (10-1 MMA) vs. Urijah Faber (25-5 MMA)

Brian Bowles is entering his third UFC fight looking to continue his winning streak. The former WEC Bantamweight champion is an accomplished wrestler, with incredible striking. His rabid fire punches have overwhelmed fighters such as Marcus Galvao and Miguel Torres. However, his wrestling has also led to slick submission victories as well. A win over Urijah Faber will land Bowles a shot at the UFC Bantamweight Title.

Once again Urijah Faber finds himself fighting another world class mixed martial artist. Having already fought Jose Aldo, Mike Brown(x2), Jens Pulver, Dominick Cruz(x2), Jeff Curran and many others; Faber is not only looking to remain a title contender, he just always seems to be in tough fights. Faber will look to utilize his high energy wrestling, and unorthodox striking to contain the smaller Bowles. If he is able to take Bowles down, he will attempt to pepper the face of his opponent with his thunderous ground and pound.

Prediction: Faber via Decision

Junior dos Santos v Cain Velasquez, UFC on FOX and Commentary on what happened in Las Vegas

Posted: November 13, 2011 in Combat Sports
Tags: , , , , , , ,
4


(Video:Bob Arum at his best, and THE UFC on FOX)

Saturday night the world was introduced to Mixed Martial Arts’s at its finest, when the UFC debuted in a prime-time market; on a prime-time network: Fox. A few months ago the media giant FOX, and the UFC came to an agreement to showcase octagon battles live beginning in 2012. Previously the sport was relegated to secondary cable networks, late-night slots, and Pay Per view channels. Last night was just a taste of this new venture.

The first Heavyweight Championship fight on network television in recent memory lasted only 1:04. Junior dos Santos caught a passive Cain Velasquez with an overhand right hand to the temple, that knocked the champion senseless, just long enough to allow a swarming dos Santos to finish the fight with unanswered strikes on the ground.

An estimated 60 million viewers in Brazil alone tuned in to watch countrymen dos Santos capture the Heavyweight Championship in remarkable fashion.

Commentary:The UFC debut on FOX was a huge success,in spite of what critics and fans might claim. Many have stated the UFC’s ‘one-fight’ format backfired, when the 25 minute fight ended in just over 1 minute. However the ratings will certainly show, worldwide, that people watched. Finally, the fastest growing sport in the world, was shown to the world, for free, live! The way the fight ended only matters in one respect: it ended definitively and it ended fairly.

Can the same be said of the other major fight this weekend? This weekend boxing sunk to an all-time low, with the robbery of Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas. I watched the fight through 7 rounds (before i lost my feed), and had marquez ahead 5 rounds to 2. From most legitimate accounts, the scoring of this fight ranged from a draw, to a Marquez win by two or even three rounds! Only one judge agreed! The other two judges saw the fan favorite Manny Pacquiao winning. The crowd was obviously in disagreement, as the boos thundered throughout, and press-row took a bath in discarded beer. The boxing world as whole seemed to disagree.

The sport took another devastating shot, this time delivered below the belt, and directed from Bob Arum’s racial tirade after the fight when he claimed the only ones who cried robbery were people with “Mexican” last names. Bob Arum is slowly becoming as detestable as Don King, they are both a skid-marks on the sport they earn their living in! The simple truth of the matter is Marquez won that fight! Now ask yourself why?

There are many reasons why this fight ended the way it did. In fact there are 200 million reasons. A Marquez victory surely would have dampened a possible Mayweather v Pacquiao fight, that some say would generate over 200 million dollars. Im pretty sure the Nevada State Athletic Commission is not going to investigate themselves, so they are hoping the Mayweather hype will replace the discussion entirely. However, they are sadly mistaken. Boxing fans are quick to jump ship when the product is corrupt (see Heavyweight division since Tyson). This time, it may be the death rattle, the casual fan can now find MMA on network television, a similar product, with rising stock. The overall winner in the Pacquiao v Marquez fight was The UFC, and FOX!

UFC on FOX Main Card Predictions!

Posted: November 9, 2011 in Combat Sports
Tags: , , , ,
4

Dana Whites Video Blog!

Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto vs. Darren Uyenoyama

Yamamoto is a well seasoned fighter, with wins over Jeff Curran, Cal Ono, and Royler Gracie. However the striker is entering this fight after being on the wrong side of a decision in three of his last four fights. Yamamoto may be one of the most prolific strikers in the 135 lbs division, and his chin is equally as tough.

Darren Uyenoyama enters this fight after compiling a 3-0 record fighting for (the now Zuffa controlled) Strikeforce. With a 6-3 record, Uyenoyama seems like a newcomer to the sport. However his strong striking, and wrestling backed jujitsu techniques silence the inexperience.

Prediction: Yamamoto via TKO Rd 1.

Robert Peralta vs. Mackens Semerzier

With strong boxing and wrestling skills, Robert Peralta enters his second UFC fight hoping to extend his eight fight win streak. His first UFC fight resulted in a decision victory over Mike Lullo at UFC fight Night 25. Peralta will certainly look to utilize his wrestling skills to avoid take-downs, enabling him to utilize his boxing skills.

Mackens Semerzier is also entering his second UFC fight after choking out Alex Caceras in the first round of their fight. A wrestling and jujitsu ace, with 5 submission victories behind him Semerzier will look to take this fight to the ground. However his boxing skills require equal respect, as he has power in both hands.

Prediction: Semerzier via 2nd round submission

Alex Caceres vs. Cole Escovedo

After losing his first two UFC fights, former Ultimate Fighter contender Alex Caceres is certainly fighting with his back against the wall. In order to keep himself in the prime-time, ‘Bruce-leroy’ will have to utilize his jujitsu, and jeet kune do striking to impress the UFC brass enough to keep him around. Caceras needs to turn his flashes of greatness into a complete performance.

Cole Escovedo is one of the toughest MMA fighters in the world, after coming back from near death in 2007 from a staph infection, he returned to form three years later, winning his first 5 fights back in competition. He has fought the likes of Urijah Faber, Bart Palazewski, and Jens Pulver, so he is no stranger to being in pressure fights. Coming into this fight the loser of four out of his last five, the pressure now, is to remain relevant for Escovedo. The one-time (and first ever) WEC Featherweight champion will look to mix up his striking, enabling him to take his opponent to the ground, where he can expose Caceras’s weakness.

Prediction Escovedo via 1st round submission

A Warriors Farewell. Rest In Peace Champ! Joe Frazier

Posted: November 8, 2011 in Combat Sports
Tags: , , , ,
0

He may have been best known as Mohammed Ali’s arch nemesis, and greatest competition. To boxing fans the world over, he was more than that, Joe Frazier was the man who walked softly, and carried a big right hand! His always moving forward style, was very easy to appreciate. He was in a sense, “The Working Mans” champion, during the time of the flamboyant Ali.

My favorite story about Smoking Joe, is how he helped Ali financially during his exile from the sport for dodging the draft. Never had any fighter been mocked in the press to the extent of Frazier, at the hands of Ali. Still, when hard times came for Ali, ‘Smoking’ Joe was there to help.

Joe Frazier will forever be remembered as a warrior. Fighters come and go, so do titles. However, long after the lights had faded, and the crowd silenced; long after the strap found another waist to rest on. Frazier still stood, alone in the empty ring of honor. At one time he was the Champion of the World, but in life, he never relinquished that title!

UFC on FOX Predictions and Analysis!

Posted: November 7, 2011 in Combat Sports
Tags: , , , ,
0

Featherweight bout: Cub Swanson vs. Ricardo Lamas

Cub Swanson is entering this bout the winner of 4 of his last six fights. The loses came to Jose Aldo, and Chad Mendes, arguably the two best fighters in the division. He is a quick striker with great muay thai. He also has a chin tougher than a Cadillac.

Coming off a recent victory over Matt Grice at UFC Live 4 Kongo v Barry. Ricardo Lamas has proven, he is comfortable wherever the fight may go. He posses good striking, and even better wrestling and jujitsu.

Prediction: Swanson rd 1 Guillotine Choke

Lightweight bout: Clay Guida vs. Ben Henderson

Clay Guida, is always fun to watch. His vicious ground and pound style, and his forever stalking forward advances , seem almost ‘Rocky-esque’.  The fan favorite, is also now a title contender. He will look to smother Henderson, and pound him on the ground.

Ben Henderson may be one of the most athletic fighters in any division. Since joining the UFC, Henderson has bounced back from his WEC title loss to Anthony Pettis, by beating UFC veterans Mark Bocek, and Jim Miller. Henderson has great wrestling, jujitsu, muay thai, and boxing.

Prediction: Ben Henderson via  unanimous decision.

Heavyweight Championship bout:

Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos (FIRST FIGHT ON FOX)

It is difficult to evaluate a fighters seasoning after only nine pro fights. However with wins over Ben Rothwell, Cheick Kongo, Brock Lesnar, and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, his pedigree has been justified.  Velasquez is a former state champion wrestler, and also has dynamite in both of his hands! Velasquez is also coming off a long layoff due to a torn rotator cuff, an injury he suffered during his win over Lesnar.

Junior Dos Santos has been climbing the ranks, building a pile of crushed heavyweight contenders beneath his feet.  dos Santos might have the best hands in the Mixed Martial Arts world. After knocking out Fabricio Werdum in his UFC debut, he has left a path of destruction that includes Mirko Cro Cop,  Roy Nelson, Shane Carwin, and Gabriel Gonzaga.

Analysis: Both fighters can punch, but dos Santos will have the advantage in striking, however if  Velasquez can set up a take-down with strikes, his wrestling should neutralize dos Santos’s jujitsu. If the fight stays up, dos Santos will outbox the champion.

Prediction: Junior dos Santos via unanimous decision

The year that was, and the one to come in MMA!

Posted: November 4, 2011 in Combat Sports
Tags:
0


The past year has seen some of the best fights in MMA history. Edgar v Maynard II and III, Barry v Congo, Fitch v Penn, Henderson, v Cavalcante and the list could easily continue. The year saw the return of a champion, at 40 years old, Dan Henderson taking a page out of Randy Couture’s book in capturing the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Title. Unfortunately for Randy, that book was closed for his fighting career, thanks to a kick to the face from Lyota Machida, who also returned to winning form after dropping a controversial decision to Quinton Jackson.

The year also left many fighters in limbo! After losing title fights, fighters such as Josh Koshcheck, Kenny Florian, and Matt Hughes are now left to wonder whats left? At their ages, most fighters are set to make a run at a belt, with those hopes dashed, whats next? Lets just hope, that these two fan favorites can keep putting together entertaining fights, because title picture or not, these two come to bang every time out!

We also saw the return of an invigorated Tito Ortiz, who shockingly beat a more than game Ryan Bader, and also came a few seconds from choking out Rashad Evans, before losing the hold and eventually the bout. Even in the loss, 2011 saw Tito Ortiz’s stock as a fighter return to relevancy, if only momentarily!

Evans meantime is forced to wait for his title shot against Jon Jones. Injuries and untimely delays have put Lyoto Machida across from Jones first. For the champion Jon Jones, this year has seen him catapulted from youngster with talent, to the Champion of the world. After beating Ryan Bader for the #1 contender spot, he was thrust into a title shot just weeks later against Maurico Rua. History was made that night at the expense of Rua’s jaw. Then Jones solidified his dominance of the division by decisively choking out Quinton Jackson in his first title defense.

We saw the UFC’s lightest title holders Jose Aldo and Dominick Cruz on display for two title defenses each. Both fighters are still holders of their respected belts. During those defenses Cruz has added to his reputation, while Aldo although still dominant has at times seemed mortal at best! Meanwhile, Chad Mendez is still for some reason waiting!

Fight fans said goodbye this year to Matt Hamil, and Chris Lytle. Both fighters are known to put in fight of the night caliber performances every night. Their enthusiasm, and heart will be missed by all fans of mma. However, look to see “The Hammer” a film about Matt Hamil’s life. Supposedly it is really well done, and won several film festival awards. Watch for Rich Franklin, as the ‘Hammer’s’ wrestling coach!

We can look forward to seeing Brock Lesnar before the year is through, as he gets ready to face Alistair Overeem (who recently signed with Zuffa). We also get to see Velazquez v Dos Santos on the Fox network. MMA is now Prime-time! This single event will prove to be the sports launching point.

With the UFC’s purchase of rival promotion Strikeforce(currently in limbo), another promotion continued its assent to greatness. The Bellator Fight Championships promotion really picked up speed by televising their weight-class tournaments. These tournaments have created quite a buzz among mma addicts and novices alike. Their stable of fighters is also very impressive with Ben Askren, Joe Warren, Hector Lombard and of course Eddie Alvarez who some feel is the greatest fighter outside of the UFC. Bjorn Rebney has really put together a quality promotion that is available to most on MTV networks.

The coming year seems to bring a limitless potential for the exponential growth of this sport. With each passing day, MMA is becoming more mainstream. Hopefully the growing talent pool within each respected division will continue thrilling the fans with vein popping chokes, and I.Q. changing elbows.

UFC 138 Chris Leben’s VIDEO BLOG!

Posted: November 3, 2011 in Combat Sports
Tags:
0

UFC 138 Main Card Predictions

Posted: November 1, 2011 in Combat Sports
Tags:
0

MAIN CARD:  UFC 138

Chris Leben vs. Mark Munoz

With Mark Munoz’s wrestling based ground and pound, the striking prowess and iron chin of Chris Leben could be in some serious trouble. Wrestlers have been his Achilles heal, having lost to Khalib Starnes and more recently to Jake Rosholt. However as Aaron Simpson learned, you better stick to your strength! Or its sleepy time! Leben posses one of the most powerful left hooks in the division, if it lands, it could be lights out. However I see this one going to the ground, with Munoz in dominate position. Prediction: Munoz tko 2nd round

Renan Barao vs. Brad Pickett

Reana Barao has amassed a very impressive  26-1 record as a Mixed Martial Artist. He has incredible jujitsu. and also posses excellent conditioning. He will need both to fight American Top Team member Brad ‘One Punch’ Pickett, the moniker is somewhat perplexing because most of his wins came via submission. However, it is not without reason, he is one of the hardest punchers at that weight class. Working ever day with the likes of Mike Brown, Cole Miller, Mike Bruno,  his wrestling skills improve daily. Prediction: Brad Pickett via 2nd round submission (Rear Naked Choke)

Papy Abedi vs. Thiago Alves

Papy Abedi is a very large man, who will be entering this fight for the first time at 170lbs. Normally fighting at 185lbs, Abdeli has destroyed his first 8 opponents using a combination of  judo based grappling and devastating striking. There is one problem, he is coming down in weight to fight a ‘Pitbull’. Being welcomed to the Octagon by Thiago Alves, is certainly a baptism by fire. The one time contender has stumbled since his ferocious seven fight wins streak, however he has undergone brain surgery, so maybe give him a mulligan or two! Luckily for  Alves, he won’t have to worry about  wall and stall tactics from Abedi. Look for fireworks in this one! Prediction: Alves 1st rd TKO (cutting weight, and octagon jitters will cause problems for Abedi).

Who will win A UFC Strap in 2012

Posted: November 1, 2011 in Combat Sports
Tags:
3

Cerrone v Diaz at UFC141 winner to get Edgar?

Posted: October 31, 2011 in Combat Sports
Tags:
0

Donald Cerrone (17-3 MMA 4-0 UFC) fresh of his his first round submission win over Denis Siver, at UFC 137 is reportedly being scheduled to fight Nate Diaz (14-7 MMA (-5 UFC) at UFC 141 December 30, 2011 in Las Vegas.

The many similarities between the two fighters will prove this to be quite a battle. At 6’0 and with similar long reaches, Cerrone and Diaz should be able to put on a striking display from the outside. Cerrone posses superior muay thai, but Diaz has the superior boxing. Both fighters posses iron clad jaws, and neither one is afraid to take shots, just to land their own.

The one advantage Cerrone would certainly have over Diaz would be Greg Jackson; who can plan and change a fight plan, on the fly better than anyone. Cerrone is also a very adept pupil. Several times in his fight with Siver, he adjusted, and executed the plan perfectly, showing Jackson he was listening!

Diaz on the other hand, is well “A Diaz”. Even though he is one of the most talented fighters in any division, like his brother, he can be goaded into a brawl, and eat several punches looking to counter. Usually leaving him bloody, which never translates well to the judges. It does however translate to fight fans, as even in losing efforts Diaz still manages to garner Fight of The Night honors.

Both fighters are warriors, and if this bout is finalized, it will surely be a candidate for Fight of the Year.

Older Entries
Newer Entries