The bright lights of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino will play host to a UFC event where the injury curse has come in waves as the main event has been changed for the third time as BJ Penn and Nick Diaz will battle for welterweight supremacy.
Continue reading “UFC 137 Preview and Predictions”
UFC 136 Edgar vs. Maynard III results 10/8/11
Toyota Center in Houston, Texas
– Facebook Prelims
Mike Massenzio defeated Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision
Aaron Simpson defeated Eric Schafer via unanimous decision. The score was 30-37 across the board
Darren Elkins defeated Tiequan Zhang via unanimous decision
Stipe Miocic defeated Joey Beltran via unanimous decision
– Spike Prelims
Anthony Pettis defeated Jeremy Stephens via split decision. The score was 29-28 across the board
Demian Maia defeated Jorge Santiago via unanimous decision. The score was 30-27 across the board
– Main Card
Joe Lauzon defeated Melvin Guillard by submission via rear-naked choke @ 0:47 of 1st Round
Nam Phan defeated Leonard Garcia via unanimous decision. The score was 29-28 across the board
Chael Sonnen defeated Brian Stann by submission via arm triangle @ 3:51 of the 2nd Round
*Sonnen cut a promo after the bout saying “Anderson Silva absolutely sucks. Superbowl weekend, lets sweeten the deal. If you lose, you leave the division. If I win, I leave the UFC forever”.
-Featherweight Championship
Jose Also defeated Kenny Florian via unanimous decision to retain the title. The score was 49-46 across the board as Florian won the 1st round and Aldo won 4 close rounds.
-Lightweight Championship
Frankie Edgar defeated Gray Maynard via TKO due to strikes at 3:54 of the 4th round.
Gray Maynard won the first round in similar fashion as he won the first round in their second fight when Gray hit Edgar with a over hand right hand that rocked him. Frankie recovered and used slick footwork and got in and out with his punches. Maynard kept telegraphing his punches as he kept looking for that one knockout shot. Edgar finished Maynard in the 4th when he connect with two right hand shots after Maynard missed the takedown. Edgar jumped on him and kept hitting with shot after shot until Josh Rosenthal came in to stop the fight. Edgar was happy as can be while Maynard was devastated as he buried his face into the cage while his corner calmed him down.
While UFC 136 does not have a marquee mega fight that will produce a lot of fan fare, it is the most well rounded card of the year as every fight is intriguing and well matched. Two title championship fights headline the card with the return of one of the most controversial fighters the sport has seen in years. The Facebook Prelims start 5:45 p.m. EST and the Spike TV Prelims start at 8:00 p.m. followed by the PPV beginning at 9:00 p.m. EST.
Continue reading “UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III Preview & Predictions”
Chael Sonnen, the mouthpiece of the middleweight division, returns to the Octagon on Saturday night after a 14-month suspension to take on Brian Stann in a contest that will determine the next contender to Anderson Silva’s championship reign. For Stann, it’s a fight to show the world that he belongs among the middleweight elite.
For Sonnen, this is the first step towards silencing the critics that the fruits of his labor against Silva were the result of hard work and not the product of ill-gotten gains. The sub-par administration and lack of drug testing from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will cast a shadow of doubt over a Sonnen victory. Chael’s flair for dramatic storytelling sells the bout while Brian Stann’s personal story of heroic combat and decorated military service sells itself to popular opinion.
The UFC stayed away from commission shopping for fighters, but they made a first-time exception for Sonnen since Texas is the only state in the country he can get licensed in. The Oregonian’s placement on this card suggests the promotion is banking on him to win. The reality is Zuffa wins no matter the outcome. A win for Sonnen sets up a huge money-making rematch and a win for Stann creates a new star in the division. Whether it is legal or in poor taste, you can’t blame the UFC for making a business decision, they would have done it sooner or later.
The promotion for this fight has been a little different since Sonnen has uncharacteristically shied away from insulting his opponent. Customary diatribe such as “I will mow you down like autumn wheat, AGAIN” in reference to Silva has been replaced by “I’m the best Middleweight fighter in the world and I’m going to prove it again on Saturday”. It’s easier to insult a world champion who some perceive to be cocky than a Marine Corps veteran with hero status.
The fight itself will prove to be a battle of wills inside the cage. Stann will try to engage with his stand up while Sonnen will look to control the action with his wrestling. Chael’s weakness is unquestionably his submission defense. Stann does not have the pedigree on the ground to catch him in a submission. He will have to avoid Sonnen’s mixture of punches and elbows from the top position and scramble back to his feet in quick fashion in order to improve his chances. In the end, wrestling will be the key factor, as I don’t see Sonnen having problems taking Stann down since he has no problem taking down higher caliber opposition.
Prediction: Chael Sonnen by judges decision.
The featherweight division has a new king, and his name is Jose Aldo. His takedown defense and fierce striking were all he needed to wrestle away the WEC crown from the very game Mike Thomas Brown. At only 23 years old, the Brazilian sensation has shown the poise and maturity of a grizzled veteran.
Like many before him, Aldo has been labeled a “can’t miss prospect” by fans and media. Is Jose Aldo any different from the other fighters who have carried that tag? Jose Aldo has only been a professional fighter for five years, and with a record of 16-1, he has gained a reputation of finishing first and asking questions later.
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UFC 104 from start to finish was a great night of fights. Sadly, the event will mostly be remembered for the horrible judge’s decision that gave Lyoto Machida the nod to retain the Light Heavyweight Title. Every time I watch a close fight, I always get nervous when I hear the play-by-play team keeping repeating, “If you want to be the champion, you have to beat the champion.” It right away tells me that winning on points is not enough. You better destroy the champ if you want to win the title. I don’t know how all three judges scored the bout 48-47 in favor of Machida. There is no way Machida won three rounds. I scored the bout 49-46 for Shogun. The only round I scored for Machida was the third. The second round was very close and could have gone either way; however, I thought Rua did just enough to edge it out.
Continue reading “UFC 104 thoughts: Where is Shogun’s Belt?”
Saturday’s UFC 88 event is headlined by Chuck Liddell as he takes on the undefeated Rashad Evans. Rich Franklin will also compete as he moves back to light heavyweight for one night only against wrestling powerhouse Matt Hamill. One fight that is not getting much attention involves former Pride welterweight & middleweight champion Dan Henderson. Henderson’s opponent, Rousimar Palhares, is getting less attention despite the hype about his potential in the division. Palhares made his Octagon debut at UFC 84 in May. He dominated the highly regarded Ivan Salaverry and is looking to impress once again and take out the war-tested veteran in Henderson.
Continue reading “Rousimar Palhares is looking for his own breakthrough”
RingsideLogic.com 