UFC News
Multiple sources have confirmed, although the UFC is yet too, that Anderson Silva will fight at 205 lbs against Stephan Bonner at UFC 153 in Brazil. Filling in for the card that was decimated by injuries to both the main event, and co main event. Also rumored is Wanderlei Silva v Chael Sonnen.
Video of Jones calling Hendo out for TRT
For the first time in promotion history, the UFC will be cancelling an event. Dan Henderson was scheduled to fight Jon Jones for the light heavy weight title, but due to a partial tear of his MCL in his right knee. According to White the injury originally occurred a few weeks ago, and continued to worsen as he trained. The event was almost saved when Chael Sonnen agreed to take the fight on short notice, but Jones declined. “Greg Jackson is a Fucking sport killer” White said. According to White Jackson advised Jones that taking the fight with Chael would be the biggest mistake of his career. “It has never happened before, a champion turning down a fight!” White said.
Plans are that Lyota Machida will now face Jon Jones at the next pay per view which was originally supposed to be UFC 152, but will now be promoted as 151, since this event was cancelled. “This is gonna cost us a shit load of money!” White said. “Me and Lorenzo are both disgusted.” he later lamented with regard to his relationship with Jon Jones. “This is a selfish disgusting decision that effects alot more than Jon Jones.” White went on to point out that many people who are involved behind the scenes of a fight, and the under-card fighters are the ones who will be hurt by Jones’s decision
According to White, Chael Sonnen was pumped to take the fight, even calling Jones a “mental midget”, and continued saying “there will be no spinning back fists in this fight, I’ll be him mentally and physically!” Sonnen said according to White. “Sonnen is a lunatic…but he is willing to step up and fight and I really respect that!” White said. The lost of revenue for the lost event has yet to be figured, but with the prelims airing on FX and the lost pay per view buys, the UFC has ever right to be angry with their paper champion.
Dana White also had some choice words for Jon Jones famed trainer Greg Jackson’s advice to stop the fight: “I dont give a shit what Jackson thinks the guys a fucking weirdo, Greg Jackson should be interviewed by a psychiatrist!” Obviously there is some major issues between the sports largest promotion, and one of the sports best camps.
The frustration in White was obvious, he discussed his limited options: “Being a fight promoter I can’t make a fighter fight, you are either a fighter or your not!” White said. “I can’t make you fight, but its probably not a good idea for you not too!” With the event this weekend now scraped, and the fight agree ment with Machida yet to be signed , White warned.”He ain’t turning down the Machida fight!
UFC 141 Main Card Predictions:
John Fitch (26-3-1 MMA) v. Johnny Hendricks (11-1 MMA)
Its been almost a year since John Fitch and BJ Penn fought to a draw in February 2012. Since then Fitch has undergone surgery, and suffered a few setbacks trying to get back into the octagon. His record however, should put all doubt aside. Fitch has notable wins over Thiago Alves, Mike Pierce, Paulo Thiago, Diego Sanchez, and many others. Basically John Fitch has beat everyone except the champion! His fights may be drawn out wrestling matches, that may not be as exciting as two guys standing and trading swollen faces, but his record and toughness silence all. Simply put, all John Fitch does is win!
Johnny Hendricks is looking to continue his rise in the 170lbs division with a solid performance against a very game John Fitch. Hendricks is a former wrestling champion, who has seen his striking improve with every fight. Since losing a decision to Rick Story in December 2010, Hendricks has put together consecutive victories over Mike Pierce, and TJ Waldburger.Hendricks has been recently training with his old collegiate wrestling team, preparing for the ground fighting Fitch.
Prediction: John Fitch via unanimous decision
Nathan Diaz (14-7 MMA) v. Donald Cerrone (17-3-1nc MMA)
This is a fight that should leave us all slack-jawed and hypnotized. Both fighters are virtually evenly matched in all areas of the game. Nathan Diaz has been moving out of his older brother (Nick)’s shadow since winning the Ultimate Fighter. With his latest and most impressive victory over Takinori Gomi, Diaz firmly planted his feet in the title mix for the 155lbs weight class. The Stockton California native is a cardio freak like his older brother, competing in triathlons, and xterra events to stay in pinnacle condition. His boxing skills, combined with Cesar Gracie inspired jujitsu make Nathan Diaz one of the most well-rounded fighters in any division.
Greg Jackson has produced some of the best fighters in MMA, Donald Cerrone certainly adds to that stable of greatness. ‘The Cowboy’ posses a great combination of striking, wrestling, and jujitsu. His latest win over Dennis Siver in dominating fashion pushed Cerrone back to the top of the contender list. Greg Jackson insists that Cerrone is full of tricks, that he plans to display against the very tough Diaz. Both fighters can strike, and grapple, this is going to be a shootout!
Prediction: Nathan Diaz via 2nd round submission
Brock Lesnar (5-2 MMA) v. Alistair Overeem (35-11-1 MMA)
Brock Lesnar is one of the largest and strongest men in the UFC. His wrestling pedigree and sheer size made him an instant contender in the division, simply because he was so massive. His athleticism for a man his size is almost unfathomable. At almost 300 pounds (by the time the fight starts) he shoots faster than most lightweight wrestlers. Lesnar’s critics are quick to point out his striking weakness. His technical striking may be lacking, but anyone he punches will certainly feel differently (ask Heath Herring and his broken orbital bone from a right cross). Every fighter he has faced, he has taken down. He will look to do the same against Overeem.
Dutch strikers usually have a glaring hole in their game, the Dutch are not known for their grappling prowess. Alistair Overeem is the exception to this rule. His record proves this as he has more wins by submission (19) then he does by TKO (14). His vicious legs, knees, and elbows have left a wake of defeated champions behind him. Currently he is the Dream, Strikeforce, and K-1 Heavyweight Champions, and since moving up in weight he has looked unbeatable! Overeem will look to avoid Lesnar’s take-downs by utilizing distance. Once inside, Lesnar had better be aware of Overeem’s tendency to use his patent guillotine choke.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar via rd 2 TKO
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has always been one of the toughest men in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Last night he improved on that legend. After being locked up in a kimura, by Frank Mir, Noguera rolled three times, instead of tapping, in order to find a way out of the hold. He was rewarded with a spiral fracture of the arm that will probably cause his retirement. Some times, tapping is the best options.”If your gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough”
Carlos Condit, talks about GSP and Nick Diaz. Also predicts he will be first interim champion, and once GSP returns, he will be undisputed Champion.
GsP will be out of action for 6-9 months, as he recovers from ACL surgery. The question looms, with two bad knees, will GSP be able to return to form?
Jason Mayhem Miller, claims if this fight stays standing, that he will knock out Michael Bisping. A bold claim considering Bisping has the clear advantage in most experts eyes, as far as striking goes. However, Bisping would be wise to give respect to Miller’s improved Muay Thai striking.
Bisping’s punching power is well known, and is the primary reason for The Count’s current three fight win streak. However, he still has not been able to shake the specter of Dan Henderson’s right hand. The vicious knockout is still replayed often, and always mentioned in the same breathe when Bisping;s name is mentioned. The stigma is unfair, especially in a sport that that see’s very few go undefeated.
Jason Miller is going to have to utilize his muay thai, to close the distance. Then he will look to bring the fight to the mat, where his superior jujitsu will give him a decisive advantage. Bisping will have to keep his distance, utilizing his jab. His superior boxing skills, and knockout power will only be effective with space.
Prediction: Jason Miller via rd 3 submission.
There are many fighters in the UFC, very few who have given as much effort as ‘The American Psycho’ Stephan Bonner. His fights are consistently entertaining, and his efforts against Forrest Griffin, Mark Coleman, Krzyztof Soszynski, Rashad Evans, and many others have placed him among the fan favorites in the light heavyweight division.
Two years ago, Bonner was riding a losing streak that saw his stock in the division at an all time low. However, his recent three fight win streak has placed Bonner back in the divisional mix. His latest victory was his most impressive. Although the fight ended in a decision, Bonner dominated up-and coming light heavyweight Kyle Kingsbury. Utilizing his tenacious ground game, set up by strikes, Bonner smothered Kingsbury, almost submitting him on several occasions.
Since his victory at UFC 139 over Kingsbury, speculation had Quinton Jackson as his next opponent. However Jackson has recently been inked to fight in Japan at UFC 144 against Ryan Bader, leaving Bonner in limbo.
Solution:
The perfect fight scenario would be a bought with Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua. Both fighters posses incredible jujitsu, and are equally paired with there boxing skills. Both fighter have tremendous hearts, and their efforts would surely be a fight of the night candidate. Rua, coming off his decision loss to Dan Henderson would be the perfect fit for Stephan Bonner.
What do you think?
UFC 139 featured one of the greatest fights, in Mixed Martial Arts History. Dan Henderson and Mauricio Rua displayed tremendous heart, and beat the hell out of each other for 25 minutes. A see-saw like fight, that saw each fighter grab hold of the momentum. For the first two and half rounds, Henderson periodically punished Rua, with vicious right hands, and almost had the fight finished.
Rua was battered and extremely bloodied, however he was far from finished. The fourth and fifth rounds saw the fight momentum swing. A obviously tired Henderson ate several strategic strikes from the clinch, and saw Rua dominate in both positions (on the ground, and standing).
Both fighters gave every ounce of effort, and the judges decision narrowly gave Henderson the victory.
Urijiah Faber looked dominant claiming his next title fight, with a surprisingly one-sided submission victory over former WEC title holder Brian Bowles. From the opening bell Faber overwhelmed Bowles with his striking, and take-downs. The fight ended after a barrage of strikes put Bowles to the ground. Faber followed, grabbed a hold of a choke, then rolled over Bowles, forcing the tap at 1:27 of the second round. Faber is now the clear number one contender and will fight Dominick Cruz again for the Bantamweight Title.
Wanderlei Silva put retirement talks on hold at least for now, with a decisive win over Cung Le. The Brazilian veteran used effective spacing, to counter the versatile attacks of Le. However early in the first round Le landed a stunning spinning back fist to the jaw of Silva, that briefly staggered him. After that, it was all Silva. Towards the end of the fight, Silva closed in on a tired Le. Against the cage, Silva grabbed a plum clinch and began delivering reconstructive knees to a battered Cung Le’s face. Once dropped, Le tried to grab a hold of Silva’s leg, as he ate multiple hammer-fists to the face. The fight ended at 4:49 of the second round.
The fight card results as following:
Dan Henderson def. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
Wanderlei Silva def. Cung Le via knockout (strikes) – Round 2, 4:49
Urijah Faber def. Brian Bowles via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 1:27
Martin Kampmann def. Rick Story via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Stephan Bonnar def. Kyle Kingsbury via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 30-27)
Ryan Bader def. Jason Brilz via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 1:17
Michael McDonald def. Alex Soto via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:56
Chris Weidman def. Tom Lawlor via technical submission (D’arce choke) – Round 1, 2:07
Gleison Tibau def. Rafael dos Anjos via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Miguel Torres def. Nick Pace via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Seth Baczynski def. Matt Brown via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 0:42
Danny Castillo def. Shamar Bailey via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:52
The Clinch Report Performers of the night: Dan Henderson, Mauricio Rua, Stephan Bonner, and Urijah Faber.
Behind the scenes for the history making UFC on Fox debut! Dana White gives us an inside view of the UFC.
THE CLINCH REPORT 