Posts Tagged ‘Strikeforce’
1/15 MMA Light Heavyweight Division Rankings Top 25 *Updated 4/9*
Posted by KDog13 on January 15, 2013
MMA Light Heavyweight Division Rankings Top 25
1. Jon Jones (17-1, 11-1 UFC) *Next Fight: Chael Sonnen #2 at MW
2. Lyoto Machida (19-3, 11-3 UFC)
3. Dan Henderson (29-9, 6-3 UFC) *Next Fight: Rashad Evans #4
4. Rashad Evans (16-3-1, 11-3-1 UFC) *Next Fight: Dan Henderson #3
5. Phil Davis (10-1, 6-1 UFC) *Next Fight: Vinny Magalhaes #25
6. Alexander Gustafsson (15-1, 7-1 UFC)
7. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (22-6, 6-4 UFC) *Next Fight: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira #10
8. Gegard Mousasi (34-3-2, 1-0 UFC)
9. Ryan Bader (15-3, 8-3 UFC)
10. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (21-5, 4-2 UFC) *Next Fight: Shogun Rua #7
11. Glover Teixeira (20-2, 3-0 UFC) *Next Fight: James Te-Huna #14
12. Forrest Griffin (19-7, 10-5 UFC)
13. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-11, 7-5 UFC)
14. James Te-Huna (16-5, 5-1 UFC) *Next Fight: Glover Teixeira #11
15. Anthony Johnson (15-4, 2-0 WSOF)
16. Muhammad Lawal (9-2-1, 1-1 BFC)
17. Attila Vegh (29-4-2, 5-0 BFC) *Next Fight: Emanuel Newton #20
18. Matt Hamil (11-4, 10-4 UFC)
19. Wanderlei Silva (35-12-1, 5-7 UFC)
20. Emanuel Newton (21-7-1, 4-1 BFC) *Next Fight: Attila Vegh #17
21. Mikhail Zayats (21-7, 2-1 BFC)
22. Renato Sobral (37-9, 0-1 BFC)
23. Ryan Jimmo (17-2, 1-1 UFC) *Next Fight: Igor Pokrajac #NR
24. Jimi Manuwa (13-0, 2-0 UFC)
25. Vinny Magalhaes (10-5, 1-2 UFC) *Next Fight: Phil Davis #5
———————————————–
Rafael Cavalcante (11-3, 0-0 UFC) *Next Fight: Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva (14-3, 5-3-1 UFC) *Next Fight: Rafael Cavalcante
*NR = Not Ranked*
*The legend Chuck Liddell (21-8, 16-7 UFC) removed from the list due to Retirement*
*The legend Randy Couture (19-11, 16-8 UFC) removed from the list due to Retirement*
*The legend Tito Ortiz (16-11-1, 15-11-1 UFC) removed from the list due to Retirement*
Posted in UFC/MMA | Tagged: Alexander Gustafsson, Alexandre Ferreira, Anderson Silva, Anthony Perosh, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, BellatorFC, BMMAF, Brandon Vera, Chuck Liddell, Cyrill Diabate, Cyrille Diabate, Dan Henderson, DREAM, Forrest Griffin, Gegard Mousasi, Glover Teixeira, Houston Alexander, Impact FC, Jason Brilz, Jon Jones, Keith Jardine, Luiz Cane, Lyoto Machida, Marcos Rogerio de Lima, Matt Hamill, Maurico Rua, MaximumFC, Mike Kyle, MMA, Muhammad Lawal, Paulo Filho, Phil Davis, Quinton Rampage Jackson, Rafael Cavalcante, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, Randy Couture, Rankings, Raphael Davis, Rashad Evans, Renato Sobral, Ricardo Arona, Rich Franklin, Robbie Lawler, Rodney Wallace, Roger Gracie, Ryan Bader, Ryan Jimmo, Stanislav Nedkov, Steve Cantwell, Strikeforce, The Dean of Mean, Thiago Silva, Tito Ortiz, UFC, Victor Belfort, Vitor Belfort, Vladimir Matyushenko, Wanderlei Silva, Yoel Romero | Leave a Comment »
1/14 MMA Middleweight Division Rankings Top 25 *Updated 4/21*
Posted by KDog13 on January 14, 2013
MMA Middleweight Division Rankings Top 25
1. Anderson Silva (33-4, 16-0 UFC) *Next Fight: Chris Weidman #4
2. Chael Sonnen (26-12-1, 8-6 UFC) *Next Fight: Jon Jones #1 @ LHW
3. Vitor Belfort (22-10, 11-6 UFC) *Next Fight: Luke Rockhold #7
4. Chris Weidman (9-0, 5-0 UFC) *Next Fight: Anderson Silva #1
5. Michael Bisping (23-5, 13-5 UFC) *Next Fight: Alan Belcher #15
6. Yushin Okami (29-7, 13-4 UFC)
7. Luke Rockhold ( 10-1, 0-0 UFC) *Next Fight: Vitor Belfort #3
8. Ronaldo Souza (17-3, 0-0 UFC) *Next Fight: Costa Philippou #9
9. Costa Philippou (12-2, 5-1 UFC) *Next Fight: Ronaldo Souza #8
10. Tim Boetsch (16-5, 7-4 UFC) *Next Fight: Mark Munoz #11
11. Mark Munoz (12-3, 7-3 UFC) *Next Fight: Tim Boetsch #10
12. Hector Lombard (32-4-1, 1-2 UFC)
13. Alexander Shlemenko (47-7, 8-1 BFC) *Next Fight: Doug Marshall #NR
14. Mamed Khalidov (26-4-2, 11-0-2 KSW)
15. Alan Belcher (18-7, 9-5 UFC) *Next Fight: Michael Bisping #5
16. Cung Le (9-2, 2-1 UFC)
17. Rich Franklin (29-7, 13-6 UFC)
18. Brian Stann (12-5, 6-4 UFC)
19. Tim Kennedy (15-4, 6-2 Strikeforce) *Next Fight: Roger Gracie #NR
20. Chris Leben (26-9, 12-8 UFC) *Next Fight: Andrew Craig #NR
21. Ronny Markes (14-1, 3-0 UFC) *Next Fight: Derek Brunson #NR
22. Jorge Santiago (25-11, 1-5 UFC)
23. Maiquel Falcao (31-5, 3-1 BFC)
24. Francis Carmont (21-7-1, 5-0 UFC)
25. Lorenz Larkin (13-1, 0-1 UFC)
—————————————-
Rousimar Palhares (15-5, 8-4 UFC) *Suspended*
*NR = Not Ranked*
Posted in UFC/MMA | Tagged: Alan Belcher, Alessio Sakara, Alexander Shlemenko, Anderson Silva, BellatorFC, BFC, Bryan Baker, C.B. Dollaway, CFC, Chael Sonnen, Chris Leben, Chris Weidman, Cung Le, Dan Henderson, Demian Maia, Denis Kang, DREAM, Falaniko Vitale, Gerald Harris, Hector Lombard, Impact FC, Jake Shields, Jason MacDonald, Jason Miller, Jeremy Horn, Joe Doerksen, Jordan Radev, Jorge Rivera, Jorge Santiago, K-1, Kazuo Misaki, KSW, Luke Rockhold, M-1, Maiquel Falcão, Mamed Khalidov, Mark Munoz, Matt Horwich, Matt Lindland, Melvin Manhoef, MFC, Michael Bisping, Middleweight, MMA, Nate Marquardt, Patrick Cote, Paulo Filho, Rankings, Renato Sobral, Robbie Lawler, Ronaldo Souza, Rousimar Palhares, Scott Smith, Strikeforce, Thales Leites, Tim Kennedy, Tom Lawlor, UFC, Vitor Belfort, Wanderlei Silva, WVR, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Yushin Okami | Leave a Comment »
1/14 MMA Welterweight Division Rankings Top 25 *Update 4/21*
Posted by KDog13 on January 14, 2013
MMA Welterweight Division Rankings Top 25
1. George St. Pierre (24-2, 18-2 UFC) *Next Fight: Johny Hendricks #2
2. Johny Hendricks (15-1, 12-1 UFC) *Next Fight: George St. Pierre #1
3. Carlos Condit (28-7, 5-3 UFC)
4. Nick Diaz (26-9, 7-6 UFC)
5. Rory MacDonald (14-1, 5-1 UFC) *Next Fight: Jake Ellenberger #7
6. Demian Maia (18-4, 12-4 UFC)
7. Jake Ellenberger (29-6, 8-2 UFC) *Next Fight: Rory MacDonald #5
8. Jon Fitch (24-5-1, 0-0 WSOF) *Next Fight: Josh Burkman #NR
9. Jake Shields (28-5-1, 3-2 UFC) *Next Fight: Tyron Woodley #18
10. Martin Kampmann (20-6, 11-5 UFC)
11. Tarec Saffiedine (14-3, 6-1 Strikeforce) *Next Fight: Robbie Lawler #19
12. Nate Marquardt (32-12-2, 10-5 UFC)
13. Josh Koscheck (17-7, 15-7 UFC)
14. Ben Askren (11-0, 8-0 BFC) *Next Fight: Andrey Koreshkov #26
15. Dong Hyun Kim (17-2-1, 8-2-1 UFC)
16. Mike Pyle (24-8-1, 9-3 UFC) *Next Fight: Rick Story #21
17. John Hathaway (17-1, 7-1 UFC) *Next Fight: Erick Silva #NR
18. Tyron Woodley (11-1, 1-0 UFC) *Next Fight: Jake Shields #9
19. Robbie Lawler (20-9, 5-3 UFC) *Next Fight: Tarec Saffiedine #11
20. Matt Brown (17-11, 10-5 UFC)
21. Rick Story (15-6, 8-4 UFC) *Next Fight: Mike Pyle #16
22. Thiago Alves (19-8, 11-5 UFC)
23. Siyar Bahadurzada (21-5-1, 1-1 UFC)
24. Paul Daley (31-12-2, 1-0 BFC)
25. Douglas Lima (24-5, 6-1 BFC) *Next Fight: Ben Saunders #NR
—————————————————————————————
26. Andrey Koreshkov (13-0, 5-0 BFC) *Next Fight: Ben Askren #14
*NR = Not Ranked*
*Kazuo Misaki (25-11-2, 2-0 Strikeforce) removed due to retirement*
*Matt Hughes (45-9, 18-7 UFC) removed for inactivity*
*Chris Lytle (31-18-5, 10-10 UFC) removed due to retirement*
Posted in UFC/MMA | Tagged: Akihiro Gono, Amilcar Alves, Anthony Johnson, Ben Askren, Ben Saunders, BFC, BJ Penn, Bobby Voelker, Carlos Condit, Charlie Brenneman, Chris Lytle, Dan Hardy, Dan Hornbuckle, David Mitchell, Dennis Hallman, Diego Sanchez, Dong Hyun Kim, DREAM, Evangelista Santos, Frank Trigg, George St. Pierre, Impact FC, Jadamba Narantungalag, Jake Ellenberger, Jake Shields, Jason Miller, Jay Hieron, John Hathaway, John Howard, Johnny Hendricks, Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck, Karo Parisyan, Lyman Good, Marcus Davis, Marius Zaromskis, Martin Kampmann, Matt Hughes, Matt Serra, Mike Pierce, Mike Pyle, Mike Swick, MMA, MMA Welterweight Rankings, Nate Diaz, Nick Diaz, Papy Abedi, Pascal Krauss, Paul Daley, Paulo thiago, Ricardo Almeida, Rick Story, Roger Bowling, Rory MacDonald, SRC, Strikeforce, Thiago Alves, Tyron Woodley, UFC, Welterweight, Yoshiyuki Yoshida | Leave a Comment »
1/14 MMA Lightweight Division Rankings Top 25 *Updated 4/21*
Posted by KDog13 on January 14, 2013
1. Ben Henderson (19-2, 7-0 UFC)
2. Gilbert Melendez (20-3, 0-1 UFC)
3. Anthony Pettis (16-2, 3-1 UFC) *Next Fight: Jose Aldo @ FW
4. Gray Maynard (11-1-1, 8-1-1 UFC) *Next Fight: T.J. Grant #12
5. Josh Thomson (20-5, 3-1 UFC)
6. Nate Diaz (16-9, 11-7 UFC)
7. Jim Miller (22-4, 11-3 UFC) *Next Fight: Pat Healy #23
8. Michael Chandler (11-0, 8-0 BFC) *Next Fight: David Rickels #NR
9. Eddie Alvarez (24-3, 8-1 BFC)
10. Shinya Aoki (32-6, 1-0 OneFC)
11. Donald Cerrone (19-5, 6-2 UFC) *Next Fight: KJ Noons #NR
12. T.J. Grant (20-5, 7-3 UFC) *Next Fight: Gray Maynard #4
13. Diego Sanchez (24-5, 13-5 UFC)
14. Joe Lauzon (22-8, 9-5 UFC)
15. Khabib Nurmagomedov (18-0, 3-0 UFC) *Next Fight: Abel Trujillo #NR
16. Rafael Dos Anjos (18-6, 7-4 UFC) *Next Fight: Evan Dunham #17
17. Evan Dunham (14-3, 8-3 UFC) *Next Fight: Rafael Dos Anjos #16
18. Gleison Tibau (27-9, 11-7 UFC) *Next Fight: John Cholish #NR
19. Jamie Varner (21-7-1, 7-5-1 UFC)
20. Edson Barboza (11-1, 5-1 UFC)
21. Melvin Guillard (30-12-2, 11-8 UFC) *Next Fight: Mac Danzig #NR
22. Takanori Gomi (34-9, 3-4 UFC)
23. Pat Healy (28-16, 6-1 Strikeforce) *Next Fight: Jim Miller #7
24. Ross Pearson (15-6, 7-3 UFC)
25. Matt Wiman (15-7, 9-5 UFC)
*NR = Not Ranked*
*Removed for Inactivity: Sean Sherk (33-4-1, 8-4 UFC)*
Posted in UFC/MMA | Tagged: Akihiro Gono, Anthony Pettis, Antonio Mckee, B.J. Penn, Ben Henderson, Benson Henderson, BFC, CCS, Charles Oliveira, Clay Guida, Cole Miller, Curt Warburton, Dennis Siver, Donald Cerrone, DREAM, Eddie Alvarez, Edson Barboza, Efrain Escudero, Evan Dunham, Frankie Edgar, George Sotiropoulos, Gesias Cavalcante, Gilbert Melendez, Gleison Tibau, Gray Maynard, Jacob Volkmann, Jadamba Narantungalag, Jeremy Stevens, Jim Miller, Joachim Hansen, Joe Stevenson, John Gunderson, Jorge Gurgel, Jorge Masvidal, Josh Thomson, K-1, Karl James Noons, Kazunori Yokota, Kenny Florian, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Kurt Pellegrino, Lightweight, Luciano Azevedo, Luis Palomino, Lyle Beerbohm, Maximo Blanco, Melvin Guillard, Michael Chandler, Mizuto Hirota, MMA, Nate Diaz, Nik Lentz, Pancrase, Paul Sass, Rafael Dos Anjos, Rankings, Roger Huerta, Ross Pearson, Sam Stout, Satoru Kitaoka, Sean Sherk, Shamar Bailey, Shinya Aoki, Spencer Fisher, Strikeforce, Takanori Gomi, Tatsuya Kawajiri, TJ Grant, Tyson Griffin, UFC, WEC, WVR, Yokthai Sithoar, Yves Edwards | Leave a Comment »
Strikeforce: Marquardt vs Saffiedine Predictions
Posted by KDog13 on January 12, 2013
Sorry all, I was away on vacation but I made it back in time for Strikeforce’s last hoo-ray card. It’s probably one of the most lopsided cards. But, it just means expect finishes like usual! I’m not going to break this one down but point out that most of these guys are and are not fighting for a UFC contract. I have my eyes on a few fighters such as KJ Noons, Anthony Smith, Pat Healy, and Jorge Gurgel who will likely need a stand out performance to get the UFC brass to give them a call. I really expect all the main event favorites to role, with the exception of Gegard Mousasi, and Nate Marquardt. Mousasi hasn’t fought in awhile, and Mike Kyle packs a punch. I think the threat of his hands gives him a shot, hell he dropped Antonio Silva at heavyweight, but couldn’t finish the job. I think Mousasi wins but, it might be a closer fight than imagined especially with the stakes of a UFC contract possibly on the line. As for Marquardt, he should win as well but Tarec Saffiedine is a tough kid, and won’t go away easily. I just don’t think he ready for someone like Marquardt that is dangerous in every scenario, but we will see. Daniel Cormier, and Josh Barnett should roll early in the first round, and Ronaldo Souza should take Ed Herman pretty easily as well. Granted Herman is a UFC veteran, Souza is just better in everything that Herman is. Anyways, I expect fireworks!
Posted in UFC/MMA | Tagged: Adriano Martins, Anthony Smith, Daniel Cormier, Dion Staring, Ed Herman, Estevan Payan, Gegard Mousasi, Jorge Gurgel, Josh Barnett, KJ Noons, Kurt Holobaugh, Mike Bravo, Mike Kyle, Nandor Guelmino, Nate Marquardt, Pat Healy, Roger Gracie, Ronaldo Souza, Ryan Couture, Strikeforce, Tarec Saffiedine, Tim Kennedy, Trevor Smith | Leave a Comment »
UFC 155 Results: Velasquez defeats Dos Santos; Recaptures UFC Heavyweight belt
Posted by KDog13 on December 30, 2012
Main Card:
Cain Velasquez def. Junior Dos Santos by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-43, 50-44)
Jim Miller def. Joe Lauzon by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Constantinos Philippou def. Tim Boetsch by TKO (punches) Round 3 (2:11)
Yushin Okami def. Alan Belcher by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Derek Brunson def. Chris Leben by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Preliminary Card:
Eddie Wineland def. Brad Pickett by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Erik Perez def. Byron Bloodworth by TKO (strikes) Round 1 (3:50)
Jamie Varner def. Melvin Guillard by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
Myles Jury def. Michael Johnson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Todd Duffee def. Philip De Fries by TKO (punches) Round 1 (2:04)
Max Holloway def. Leonard Garcia by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
John Moraga def. Chris Cariaso by submission (guillotine choke) Round 3 (1:11)
Posted in UFC/MMA | Tagged: Alan Belcher, Cain Velasquez, Chris Leben, Costa Philippou, Dana White, Derek Brunson, Facebook, FX, Jamie Varner, Jim Miller, Joe Lauzon, Junior Dos Santos, MMA, Results, Ronaldo Souza, Strikeforce, Tim Boetsch, UFC, UFC Results, Yushin Okami | Leave a Comment »
UFC 155: Dos Santos vs Velasquez II Predictions
Posted by KDog13 on December 29, 2012
Main Card Breakdown:
Well, I’ve analyzed the main card previously, so I’ll try to make this breakdown short and to the point. This main event could not be any better to cap off the year. Seriously, two of the very best mma practitioners will collide for a second time. This time, and at least I believe so, they will make it out of the first round. I actually think it will last up until the third. Now, Velasquez’s biggest chance in this fight is to use his wrestling but I don’t think people realize how good Dos Santos is at defending the takedown. Also he now holds a black belt in jui-jitsu. Although he hasn’t used all of his mma skills, doesn’t mean being on the ground is his weakness. I actually think Dos Santos will take care of business here, and finally put away Velasquez in the 3rd round.
I’m going back and forth with our Co-Main event, and it’s a fight I just wouldn’t touch if you are a betting person. It depends what fighters show up because the very best Miller will utilize his wrestling, and strong submission game to a tee. If the wrong Miller shows up, he will take a beating standing up. There is one thing though about Miller, is that the man keeps coming forward, and will not give up. As for Lauzon, will we see the guy who’s striking game, sets up the quick submissions or the guy who doesn’t pace himself, and runs out of juice in the later rounds. Granted he beat Jamie Varner in the third round, he paced himself better than the example I’m referring to is against George Sotiropoulos. Miller will probably be able to take Lauzon down, but I’m thinking Lauzon trained stop that to a degree. I think we are in for a hell of a fight, with Lauzon edging it out, barely.
I really like Costa Philippou here, but I don’t understand why he is the favorite. His striking game is very sharp, and he utilizes his wrestling very well. Boetsch is very similar in ways, which is why we are in for a brawl here. I do not believe this fight will end early, but I think Philippou paces himself so well in fights, he will be the fresher man in the third round. That’s when he will put Boetsch away, and pull off the upset in terms of rankings.
This fight is tearing me apart, and it’s actually pretty similar to that of Jim Miller vs Joe Lauzon. Yushin Okami’s gameplan will be like always, and that’s to get this one to ground where he can grind you away for an entire round. He did that to Boetsch for two rounds, but he couldn’t close out that fight. Belcher is very well rounded, but it his weakness is takedown defense. Now I’m sure he is fully prepared for it, and if Okami can’t take him down, Belcher will capitalize on the feet. I think Belcher has the ability to put him away, but Okami is a game fighter, and I don’t think he will go away. Belcher via decision.
Our First fight to start the card off features the Strikeforce crossover Derek Brunson against fan favorite Chris Leben. Now, Leben was suspended for a year, so ring rust might be a factor, but he looked really in shape at the weigh in’s. This fight is simple, Brunson is not going to strike with him, and try to take Leben down. If Leben can stuff some early shots, Brunson is going night night real early. I’m really surprised “Jacare” knocked him out, and Leben hits way harder. This will not end well for Brunson in my opinion.
Posted in UFC/MMA | Tagged: Alan Belcher, Cain Velasquez, Chris Leben, Costa Philippou, Dana White, Derek Brunson, Facebook, FX, Jamie Varner, Jim Miller, Joe Lauzon, Junior Dos Santos, MMA, Ronaldo Souza, Strikeforce, Tim Boetsch, UFC, Yushin Okami | Leave a Comment »
MMA: Top 5 Fighters of 2012
Posted by KDog13 on December 29, 2012
As another mma year wraps up, I’ll look back at who were the best fighters of 2012. The one thing that effects this though is the injury bug this year. Normally fighters have around 3 fights a year, but that was dampened. Also I’m not only referring to the UFC, but other organizations such as Strikeforce, and Bellator have had this issue as well.
5. Nick Newell (XFC)
Known as the one-armed fighter, Newell has had a fairy tale of a year. Defying odds, he is not only undefeated in his young career but now a champion in XFC. He became the XFC lightweight champion this December defeating Eric Reynolds, to cap off a 3-0 year in 2012. Now some fans may have never heard of him, but he is the real deal, even with only one arm. It’s a matter of time until one the upper tier mma organizations give him a shot.
4. Andrey Koreshkov (Bellator)
At 21, with a record of 8-0, the Russian came to the United States to fight under Bellator. The expectations were high, and he certainly was able to live up the hype. Koreshkov went 5-0 in 2012, finishing 3 of his opponents. Perhaps his biggest wins were his last two against the DREAM welterweight champion Marius Zaromskis, and former Bellator welterweight champion Lyman Good. Not only did Koreshkov go 5-0 as stated above, but he did not appear to be in trouble in any of his fights. Koreshkov will look to build off a successful 2012 campaign in 2013, where he will fight the winner of Ben Askren vs Karl Amoussou for the belt.
3. Matt Brown (UFC)
Talk about a year, Brown arguably went from almost being cut in the UFC, to putting together a 4 fight win streak in 2012. With a 12-11 record to start the year, a win streak like this would have been unimaginable. But, it happened as Brown defeated the likes of Chris Cope, Stephen Thompson, Luis Ramos, and most notably Mike Swick. Three of those wins by knockout to boot. Expect Brown to get another high-profile fight in 2013.
Author: Lawscientist
2. Ben Henderson (UFC)
Ben Henderson has been on a rise like no other since 2011, and was able to keep it going in 2012. Henderson went 3-0, capturing the UFC Lightweight belt, and was able to successfully defend it twice. Now, although his two fights with Frankie Edgar were labeled as controversial, he was able to put that behind him dominating Nate Diaz from start to finish. Henderson will likely be fighting Gilbert Melendez in 2013, which could further cement his legacy in the UFC.
1. Ronda Rousey (UFC)
What a year for Ronda Rousey, and although she fought only twice, her accomplishments were ever so numerous. Rousey is a talent, and not only does her mouth excite, but her submission game is ridiculously amazing. Rousey went 2-0 this year, including capturing the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Championship in what was voted as the submission of the year. Rousey’s accomplishments don’t stop there, as she broke barriers being the first women signed to the UFC. She also is going to headline UFC 157, where she will defend her newly acquired UFC belt. Literally, Rousey not only elevated women’s mma in a single year, but took it to the extreme by getting into the UFC. Rousey is the fighter of the year in my books, for sure.
Posted in UFC/MMA | Tagged: Andrey Koreshkov, Bellator, Ben Askren, Ben Henderson, Chris Cope, Dana White, DREAM, Eric Reynolds, Frankie Edgar, Karl Amoussou, Luis Ramos, Lyman Good, Marius Zaromskis, Matt Brown, Mike Swick, MMA, Nate Diaz, Nick Newell, Ronda Rousey, Stephen Thompson, Strikeforce, UFC, XFC | Leave a Comment »
UFC 155: Analyzing the main card
Posted by KDog13 on December 27, 2012
On December 29th, the UFC has given us a card to end the year off with a bang. Two of the baddest men on the planet will collide in a rematch, with the belt on the line. Junior Dos Santos looks to defend his belt for the second time, and Cain Velasquez looks to get back the belt he once held. This is a fight, that you don’t want to miss! These men are regarded as two of the best fighters in the heavyweight division, and although the first fight ended quickly, redemption is on the mind of Cain Velasquez. Don’t Blink!
Junior Dos Santos
By Flickr User Fotos Gov/Ba [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons
Junior Dos Santos vs Cain Velasquez
As I previewed above, this fight is going to be an awesome one. Anytime heavyweights step into the octagon, it is exciting. But the fact that these are the two very best heavyweight fighters, makes it just that much better. And I know these men have already squared off, but the fact that it ended so quickly, left a poor taste in my mouth of how good this fight could be. Now I’m not discrediting Junior Dos Santos because we all know he carries one of the heaviest hands in mma, period. But, Velasquez just standing in front of Dos Santos, and not shooting for a takedown, didn’t seem right. Apparently he was hurt, something with his ACL, but everyone isn’t 100% when they fight. Nagging injuries, and the daily pains of training, make it hard to step into that octagon perfectly fine. Well, not to get off subject, I’m more interested if Velasquez implements his wrestling in this fight, and also if Junior Dos Santos can stuff Velasquez’s attempts to get this one to the ground. Either way this fight is going deliver because heavyweights rarely fail to excite.
Joe Lauzon
By Stephen McGinnis [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Jim Miller vs Joe Lauzon
An interesting Co-Main Event to say the least, although the original fight was Gray Maynard vs Joe Lauzon. Either way, Miller is a top 10 lightweight, so it’s not like Lauzon got an easy replacement or anything. Miller has been one of these guys in a stacked lightweight division that has hung around contendership. The problem though is of late, and not capitalizing on fights that would get him that opportunity to fight for the belt. Miller is primarily a wrestler with a really good submission game, and I wonder what gameplan he is going to implement in this fight. I don’t think he can lay on Lauzon, even if he takes him down, so it should be interesting. As for Lauzon, this is a big fight to launch himself into being a lightweight contender. When Lauzon fights, it’s almost guaranteed to be exciting, he is just that type of fighter. Armed with one of the best submission games, and a pretty underrated striking game…Lauzon is pretty well rounded. Don’t be surprised to see him pull guard against Miller either because we all know how quick he can latch onto a limb, and take it home. This fight is definitely going to be a war!
Tim Boetsch vs Costa Philippou
Although this fight was originally supposed to be Tim Boetsch vs Chris Weidman, I actually like this better. I am a Weidman fan as well, but I think Costa Philippou has earned a big fight like this. Currently on a 4 fight win streak, Philippou has shown nothing but improvement in his stand up and wrestling. As for Boetsch, the drop down to middleweight was the best decision he’s ever made in his fight career. Since dropping down, Boetsch is 4-0, which includes big wins over Yushin Okami, and Hector Lombard. Now, Boetsch is gunning for a title shot, and with another win, he will be knocking at the door. For Philippou, this is his chance to get a name on his record, as well as prove that he is a top middleweight.
Alan Belcher
By East718 at en.wikipedia (Transferred from en.wikipedia) [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
Yushin Okami vs Alan Belcher
A long awaited rematch, as both men made their UFC debut’s against each other at UFC 62. That was back in 2006, and 6 years later, they will meet again. They are Different, and more complete fighters then they were before, and this one should be a good one. Yushin Okami is armed with one of the better jabs in mma, as well as well as one of the best top games. Okami can take you down, and smother you on the top for an entire round. As for Alan Belcher, he is one of the more talented grapplers in the UFC. But make no mistake, the man can strike as well. This fight is very interesting because Okami is going to try and take Belcher down, there is no question about that. If Belcher can shrug it off, Okami might be in trouble on the feet. But, if Okami can get it to the ground, he will have to watch out for Belcher’s guard because it is a dangerous one. Should be an awesome fight though!
Chris Leben (Well not really)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/welovethedark/220584884/sizes/m/in/photostream/
Chris Leben vs Derek Brunson
This is yet again, another replacement fight on the main card, which just shows you what type of year it’s been for the UFC. Nevertheless this is an intriguing fight, as Chris Leben makes his Octagon return after being suspended for a year. Leben known to many fans as a real life zombie, will have to shake off the rust, and prove to the fans that is iron chin, and heavy hands are in tact. As for Derek Brunson, this is a big fight in his career. Labeled as a prospect and future talent, Brunson has hit a rough patch in his young career. Two consecutive losses, although one is controversial, the other against “Jacare” Souza was not. Brunson was knocked out cold for the first time in his career. Brunson is a wrestler, with a pretty good submission game, and we can clearly see what his gameplan will be. I’m not sure we will see too much striking from Brunson, especially if he wants to be awake the entire fight. Can the Strikeforce crossover, pull off the upset, maybe. But, this is one should be a fun one regardless.
Posted in UFC/MMA | Tagged: Alan Belcher, Cain Velasquez, Chris Leben, Chris Weidman, Costa Philippou, Dana White, Derek Brunson, Gray Maynard, Hector Lombard, Jacare, Jim Miller, Joe Lauzon, Junior Dos Santos, MMA, Ronaldo Souza, Strikeforce, Tim Boetsch, UFC, UFC 155, Yushin Okami | Leave a Comment »
