Updated: 2012-02-04T01:47:20Z
2012-02-04T01:47:20Z
Its superbowl weekend and we’ll a super-contender show tomorrow night for the UFC’s annual pre-festivity fight. Nick Diaz will take on Carlos Condit to see who is the top contender to fight super-champ GSP. It looks to be a more exciting card than the UFC’s free-view last week. For the full card breakdown click here. In celebration of America’s [...]Its superbowl weekend and we’ll a super-contender show tomorrow night for the UFC’s annual pre-festivity fight. Nick Diaz will take on Carlos Condit to see who is the top contender to fight super-champ GSP. It looks to be a more exciting card than the UFC’s free-view last week. For the full card breakdown click here. In celebration of America’s almost-national holiday I’ve got predictions from some of the UFC’s best below: Georges St-Pierre, UFC welterweight champion “I’ve not a clue about the rules of football but I will be screaming for New York because it’s the closest city to Montreal.” Carlos Condit, UFC interim welterweight title challenger “I’m going to take the New York Giants. Sometimes being an underdog is the greatest motivation. I’m an underdog against Diaz this Saturday and it’s going to be the weekend of the dog.” Roy Nelson, UFC heavyweight “My picks for game day are Bud Light for the bud bowl. As for the other entertainment on that day, I have not picked my favorite commercial yet but it is usually the one with bigger budget, but the Cinderella story can always happen and that’s why I love the tournament format. As for the filler, I don’t have a pick but it definitely will be a showdown with the New York Giants and New England, but my bet is on the one with “New” in their name.” Josh Koscheck, UFC welterweight “I am mad because those are not my two favorite teams. That said, I think it should be a good, hard fought game. I’m not sure who will come out on top.” Brendan Schaub, UFC heavyweight “My prediction for the game is it’s going to be a good game–high scoring from both teams. In order for the Giants to win, they have to get pressure on Tom Brady from the D-line so he can’t sit in the pocket and drop bombs to his monster tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, however even with that being said I think New England will be just too much for the Giants and pull off a late 4th quarter game-winning drive adding to the Brady legacy.” Clifford Starks, UFC middleweight “I have to go with the Patriots, I know that they remember the last time they lost to the Giants and they are looking to take that bitter taste out of their mouth.” Max Holloway, UFC featherweight “I’m going to have to take the Giants. I think they’ve got the defense to hold Brady and his offense down. Also because Eli is one lucky dude I swear. I think he could close his eyes and throw the ball and it would land into one of his receivers’ hands. The Giants are just something else when they play in the post-season. Their wide receivers have just been on these last couple of games.” Matt Brown, UFC welterweight “I predict the Patriots will win simply because New England is title town. My fiancé is from Massachusetts, home of the Patriots, Celtics, Red Sox, and Bruins. All the winning teams are from MA so there is no way the Pats will walk away defeated. It also helps that Patriots QB Tom Brady has the best record of any NFL quarterback in the modern era with at least 100 starts.” Chris Cope, UFC welterweight “I’m picking the Patriots because their offensive line is stacked and Brady is always clutch during the playoffs! Woooooooooooo!!!!!!!! Patriots!” Stephen Thompson, UFC welterweight “Eli Manning’s offense is very strong which will allow him to move the ball well especially in the air. Their D line is strong which will allow their D-Backs to do their jobs.” Edwin Figueroa, UFC bantamweight “Personally, I’m from Texas and when it comes to football I bleed silver and blue – Cowboys all the way win or lose! Only [...]2012-01-13T17:11:35Z
It's gonna be a busy weekend for Cincinnati fighters and fans alike.It’s gonna be a busy weekend for Cincinnati fighters and fans alike.
The UFC is putting on a rare Brazilian card in which there is a featherweight superfight between Jose Aldo and Chad Mendez. It seems the big guys get most of the attention and the light guys produce the consistently best and most highlight worthy fights.
“Chad (Mendez’s) style of fighting is very similar to (his coach and former Aldo challenger) Urijah Faber’s. The height, the wrestling, the way they move…they are very similar. Mendes is younger than Faber, but it’s basically the same type of fight for me,” said Aldo.
The free preliminary card on FX is also quite impressive as it features Gabriel Gonzaga, Sam Stout, and Mike Pyle.
Locally Absolute Action MMA is running AAMMA 22 in Florence, KY. For full info click here.
In other news two local fighters will be traveling for their biggest fights to date. Jared Combs will be taking on Jason Butcher in Ashland, KY for the Spartan Fighting promotion. Dustin Center will be fighting Lucas Gwaltney – who has 30 professional fights under his belt – in St. Louis, MO for FightMe MMA.
Full Cards Below:
UFC
MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FX)
PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)
AAMMA
Pro
155-Chris Bennett(5-3) vs TBD (Pending)
170-Tony Parker(7-6) vs TBD (Pending)
105-Stephanie Frausto(1-2) vs TBD (Looking)
185-Marcus Finch (5-5)vs Jamey Scruggs(3-2)
Amateur
170 James Fehring(4-0) vs Mike Dabe(7-5) TITLE
135 Jessamyn Duke(4-2) vs Chandra Engel(7-6)
145-John Hale(1-0) vs Aris Everage(0-0)
185-Bill Underwood(3-2) vs William Magana(3-0)
Heavy-Josh Nicholson(2-0) vs Austin Howard(0-1)
145-Steven Harness(3-2) vs Zac Carpenter(3-1) (pending)
135-Adam Fritz(2-0) vs Keith Williams(4-1) (pending)
185-John Viscuso(2-1) vs Justin Walters(1-0)
155-Deric Reece (4-7)vs Micah Cox(2-2)
135-Josh Dawson (5-3) vs TBD (Pending)
155-TJ Wash(7-0) vs TBD (Pending)
145-Charles Stanford(5-1) vs TBD (Pending)
155-Nick Noe(6-5) VS TBD (Pending)
170-Josh Finch(0-1) vs TBD
170-Brandon Parker(0-0) vs TBD
145-Shawn Nickel(0-0) vs TBD
155-Andrew Brown(1-0) vs TBD
205-Jeremy Miller(0-0) vs TBD
155 Brittany Skelton vs TBD TITLE
2011-12-31T17:19:44Z
Recent K1 Kickboxing champion Alestair Overeem neutralized Brock Lesnar’s wrestling long enough to decimate him with a stream of overwhelming body blows. After a few knees and punches to the gut Lesnar went down—not just for the fight, but forever.(image)
UFC 141 delivered the biggest punches of the year—both literally and figuratively.
Recent K1 Kickboxing champion Alestair Overeem neutralized Brock Lesnar’s wrestling long enough to decimate him with a stream of overwhelming body blows. After a few knees and punches to the gut Lesnar went down—not just for the fight, but forever.
“I’ve had a really difficult couple years with my disease (Diverticulitis),” said Lesnar. “And I’m officially going to say this is the last time you’ll see me in the octagon.”
Overeem was awarded a title fight with fellow striker Dos Santos in what could (and should) be the most awe inspiring standup battle of 2012.
“Today was all about bad intentions,” said Overeem. “Junior Dos Santos is next. I promise you guys that.”
In the co-main event Nate Diaz picked apart fast rising Donald Cerrone. Bad blood flowed before and during the match; as Diaz, while taunting Cerrone before the third round, proudly flipped off Cerrone one last time.
Yet, it didn’t seem that it took that long for Cerrone to feel defeat. Within the first 10 seconds Diaz picked apart Cerrone who, aside from a few strong kicks, looked incapable of stopping Diaz.
They hugged after the match and Diaz looked the best he ever has. He may have moved into the conversation for top contenders for the lightweight title.
Johnny Hendricks shocked the world with a quick KO of nearly unstoppable John Fitch—whose only loss in the UFC has been to Georges St. Pierre. It only took 12 seconds for Hendricks to give Fitch his first KO in the octagon.
We should see much more of the up-and-coming Hendricks, an All-American wrestler nonetheless, in 2012.
For full results see below:
2011-12-31T03:06:34Z
UFC will exit an exciting year with a bang. Brock Lesnar faces Alistair Overeem Friday night in a behemoth battle of giants. They are two of the biggest fighters the UFC has ever seen and both predict an early finish.(image)
LAS VEGAS–UFC will exit an exciting year with a bang. Brock Lesnar faces Alistair Overeem Friday night in a behemoth battle of giants. They are two of the biggest fighters the UFC has ever seen and both predict an early finish.
“If I go in and execute my game-plan, then I am winning this fight. That’s the bottom line here. Overeem says he is knocking me out in two rounds. Well, I am glad he has the ability to see the future. That’s his dream. I have my own dreams of winning this fight and going on to get my belt back. And on Friday December 30 his dream will be over” said Lesnar.
That won’t be the only great fight on the card. Rising star Donald Cerrone will test his might against perennial contender Nick Diaz. Jon Fitch will also put his ground-n-pound style to the test against rising welterweight Johny Hendricks.
MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)
Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem
Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz
Jon Fitch vs. Johny Hendricks
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
Jim Hettes vs. Nam Phan
PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)
Junior Assuncao vs. Ross Pearson
Danny Castillo vs. Anthony Njokuani
PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson
Efrain Escudero vs. Jacob Volkmann
Luis Ramos vs. Matt Riddle
Manny Gamburyan vs. Diego Nunes
2011-12-19T17:50:46Z
Saturday night’s Strikeforce card was a mixed bag for fighters with Cincinnati connections. Local fighter Roger Bowling came out and had a spectacular first round knockout over Jerron Peoples. Unfortunately Justin Wilcox was knocked out in the first round by Carlos Foder. For the full results click here.Saturday night’s Strikeforce card was a mixed bag for fighters with Cincinnati connections. Local fighter Roger Bowling came out and had a spectacular first round knockout over Jerron Peoples. Unfortunately Justin Wilcox was knocked out in the first round by Carlos Foder. For the full results click here.
2011-12-16T18:28:04Z
I had a chance to interview Bowling for the fight as he looks to fight Jerron Peoples. Thus, he will be the feature in this installment of Fighter Spotlight.After what should be a great boxing match in Ward vs Froch, this weekend we’ll see Strikeforce’s Melendez vs Masvidal card on Showtime.
The undercard will feature a couple of fighters with local ties in Roger Bowling and Justin Wilcox.
I had a chance to interview Bowling for the fight as he looks to face Jerron Peoples. Thus, he will be the feature in this installment of Fighter Spotlight:
Bowling grew up in a small town on river off to the east side of 275. He started in MMA like many fighters with an addiction to UFC’s inceptive fights. “I was always in love with MMA from back in the early days,” said Bowling.
“I followed Don Frye and Tank Abbott and I was constantly going back to the video store to rent UFC videos. Eventually I started taking JiuJitsu, I competed as an Amateur boxer, and I ended up training full time.”
His opponent, Jerron Peoples, presents a fight that Bowling took on quote the short notice. “I usually take 8-10 weeks in a training camp, but I took this one on short notice because I think I’m better than him standing and on the ground, otherwise I wouldn’t have,” said Bowling.
When asked what he had to say to other up-and-comers in the Cincinnati area, he replied. “You know, growing up, I never even knew that there was life on the other side of 275, and now I’m here in San Diego.”
“So never get discouraged,” added Bowling. “No matter how long of a week, don’t get down on yourself, and keep pushing forward toward you goal and you’ll get there. I’m living proof.”
As an aside, Bowling was one of the nicest interviews I’ve ever had. I speak for the city when I say that we wish him the best of luck tomorrow as he represents Cincinnati on Showtime.
For the full card, see below:
MAIN CARD (Showtime)
Champ Gilbert Melendez vs. Jorge Masvidal (for lightweight title)
Champ Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos vs. Hiroko Yamanaka (for women’s featherweight title)
Gegard Mousasi vs. Ovince St. Preux
Billy Evangelista vs. K.J. Noons
PRELIMINARY CARD
Roger Bowling vs. Jerron Peoples
Caros Fodor vs. Justin Wilcox
Devin Cole vs. Gabriel Salinas-Jones
Fernando Gonzalez vs. Eddie Mendez
Chris Brown vs. Herman Terrado
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Follow Evan on Twitter or email him at cincinnatimma(at)gmail.com.
2011-12-13T17:18:50Z
After reading and watching the torrid discourse about the UC/Xavier brawl I am a bit perturbed. As a fight writer I'd like to vent.(image)
CINCINNATI–After reading and watching the torrid discourse about the UC/Xavier brawl I am a bit perturbed. As a fight writer I’d like to vent.
It was just a fight. Plain and simple. It is not that big of a deal.
In no way do I condone needless violence. Many make arguments of this nature and push a bad rap on MMA – a bad rap which sidetracks the pure artistry and athleticism of professional fighters. I mean in all honesty MMA is safer than high school football – crazy right?
Yet, I am still perturbed about people making such a big deal out of an emotional event that had a little blood and no injuries. In all seriousness it was just a fight. Not that big of deal.
To confess, I fell asleep before the pounding. I caught the highlights on SportsCenter. I saw Tu Holloway unremorsefully taunting UC during and after the game. I saw UC get their butts handed to them on the court. I saw a Xavier player start a brawl off the court (probably instigated by UC on the court). And just like that Yancy Gates threw a right at the big white guy Kenny Frease.
For the record, if the NBA doesn’t come calling, Heavyweight boxing has been on the downfall for years. It might be an option for someone with that type of right hand power.
I watched the fight like everyone else who is suckered in by sports media. Contrary to popular belief Frease was not “defenseless” and he did not get “sucker-punched” (but it sounds cooler when you phrase it that way as a writer or commentator). Watch the video and you’ll Kenny Frease’s arms flailing around. Whether or not he was trying to move out or engage is almost impossible to tell. I know Gates couldn’t and he shouldn’t be singled out for having some power to his punch.
While I grew up a UC fan, I also drove to Atlanta to scream at the refs while Xavier got robbed by Duke – I’m still angry about that one. The fight was sad. What Holloway said after the moment was more regretful. What Cheikh Mbodj did was disgusting. There are even ethics in street fights and Moodj broke them. Yet at the end of the day it was a bunch of boys on a playground engaging in a continuation of a competitive game.
No one got hurt. If this was hockey we wouldn’t even care. But it’s not a bunch of white Canadians and for some reason we put Basketball on a pedestal. We ignore the fact that sports are competitive and sometimes people get carried away. If someone got shot I would be horrified. No one got shot, no one got injured, and yet we treat it like its the college basketball apocalypse.
Before I moved to Thailand as a 22 year old, a wise mentor once told me that he was fascinated that such a peaceful culture could have such a violent national sport in Muay Thai. Yet, he added, “Evan, you know what, they fight, but when it’s over, it’s over.”
I watched Yancey Gates cry. Tu Hollaway appologized. It’s over. It’s ok.
I mean in all honesty, it was just a fight.
2011-12-12T02:28:31Z
Anyone that thinks knockouts are more exciting than submissions obviously missed UFC 140.(image)
TORONTO–Anyone that thinks knockouts are more exciting than submissions obviously missed UFC 140. The card made a few queasy as Jon “Bones” Jones and Frank Mir finished with some unbelievable submissions.
It seems every time Jones fights he teaches us something new. Lyoto Machida took the first round, which may have been the first that Jones ever legitimately lost. Yet, Jones returned in a back and forth second round and taged Machida with a hard straight. Then, without warning, Jones hit a standing guillotine. It was a type of guillotine that most have never seen that passed out Machida while standing. As Machida’s body fell limp to the ground it was clear–Jones may be unstoppable.
“He didn’t have me hurt, but he did hit me pretty good,” Jones said. “He’s just smart. He kicked really hard. He knows his range. He has good tactics. He was a challenge.” Obviously not enough of one.
The Nogeuria twins almost had a clean sweep–and then it ended with a literally sick submission with Frank Mir. While most UFC fights aren’t as violent as the rap the UFC recieves, this fight was. Mir, known for his Jiujitsu, almost got nocked out by Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and hen they went to the ground it looked like Noguria was going to submit Mir–but it didn’t happen. Mir pulled out a sick kimura, Nogeuria didn’t tap, and Mir broke his elbow.
“I’m really glad the fight ended the way it did. I hope that ‘Minotauro’ is OK. I idolize him, and I’m curious to see what he has to say after. When you are as big as we are, things are going to happen,” said Mir.
The other Nogueria took out Tito Ortiz with ease. Ortiz was knocked down and Nogueria proceeded to pound him with some intense body shots until it was clear Ortiz couldn’t defend himself.
“He caught me clean in the same place Rashad (Evans) did,” said Ortiz. “That body shot really hurt me…But I came in here and gave it my all.”
Full Results:
2011-12-10T20:07:58Z
Saturday’s UFC 140 presents an intriguing card with no shortage of superstars including Jon Jones, Lyoto Machida, Tito Ortiz, and the twin Nogueria brothers.(image)
Saturday’s UFC 140 presents an intriguing card with no shortage of superstars including Jon Jones, Lyoto Machida, Tito Ortiz, and the twin Nogueria brothers.
The title fight should prove more intriguing than the betting line suggests. No one was more surprised than Lyoto Machida when he was offered the title fight against current belt-holder Jon “Bones” Jones. “To be honest with you, it was a big surprise because of the way things were working out with contenders and the fight and also Jon Jones having the title and that he’ll be fighting four times, which is a lot for a guy to fight in a year. So it was a big surprise,” said Machida.
Yet, other than Jones, Machida may have the most unorthodox style out of all the light heavyweights. Machida was nearly unstoppable for the last five years and they share a victory over Shogun Rua. Furthermore, Machida holds a victory over Rashad Evans—who was originally slated to challenge Jones for the title. Thus, their styles could make for a really interesting matchup that could very well put the ever crowd favorite Jones in danger.
“Lyoto’s a unique challenge [but] there’s nothing to fear when you’re prepared,” said Jones.
Crowd polarizer Tito Ortiz looks to get back on track as he takes on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Two fights ago Ortiz shocked the MMA world with a win over rising star Ryan Bader. Yet, he was knocked out in his last fight by Rashad Evans and will have a difficult matchup against the fellow MMA vet.
“Cardio wise, strength, my timing for my boxing, my kickboxing, my jujitsu defense, offense, wrestling. I mean this is mixed martial arts, it’s everything you’ve got to work on and make sure we do everything the right way. And I think I’ve done it for this fight and I’m ready,” said Ortiz.
Also, sliding somewhat under the radar is Frank Mir’s matchup against the other twin Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria. BJJ ace Mir has beat nearly everyone there is to beat in the Heavyweight division, including Brock Lesnar, but seemingly doesn’t get the attention he deserves. He’ll be looking to earn it in this tough matchup with this fellow BJJ ace from Brazil.
Look for some upsets, submissions, and hopefully knockouts as UFC 140 puts on a great top to bottom card.
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MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)
PRELIMINARY CARD (ION Television)
PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)
2011-12-05T21:39:12Z
Ever growing tournament-style promotion Bellator just announced that they will be kicking off 5 new sets of tournaments starting March 2nd on MTV2 and EPIX. The lightweights in particular will be gunning for newly crowned Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler after his fight of the year with Eddie Alvarez. Fresh off a welterweight tournament that [...]Ever growing tournament-style promotion Bellator just announced that they will be kicking off 5 new sets of tournaments starting March 2nd on MTV2 and EPIX.
The lightweights in particular will be gunning for newly crowned Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler after his fight of the year with Eddie Alvarez.
Fresh off a welterweight tournament that saw Douglas Lima punch his ticket to a guaranteed title shot against reigning Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren, eight 170 pounders will compete to earn their title shot against the winner.
Middleweights also collide as the promotion searches for a challenger to take on the winner of Lombard vs. Shlemenko II for the Bellator Middleweight Title.
“Our focus was to find the right night, where the largest number of MMA fans could enjoy the show,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “We’ve been discussing this move with our partners at Viacom for months. When we looked at the alternatives, we agreed that Fridays provided a great night for us to reach MMA fans with our live, real sport, tournament events every week.”
It looks like we’ll have some fun friday night fights this spring.
