Two belts were on the line at RFA 12 and the fights couldn't have been more opposite. Pedro Munhoz successfully defended his Bantamweight belt by sinking in a guillotine on Billy Daniels at :41 of round 1. In the main event Brian Ortega and Keoni Koch slugged it out for the Featherweight belt. Ortega came out on top winning a split decision in a fight of the year (candidate) performance.
At UFC on FOX 10 Lightweight Donald Cerrone landed a SC Top 10 worthy head kick KO on Adriano Martins at 4:40 of round 1. Heavyweight Stipe Miocic kept his momentum rolling in a unanimous decision win over Gabriel Gonzaga. And finally, Benson Henderson squeaked out a close split decision win over Josh Thomson.
ONE FC has signed undefeated Featherweight Marat Gafurov.
UFC Light Heavyweights Dan Henderson and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will fight for a second time following their classic first fight. The bout will take place on March 23rd in Brazil.
Titan FC has signed former UFC fighters George Sotiropoulos (Lightweight) and Iliarde Santos (Flyweight).
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
1/19/14
A busy week of MMA was kicked off with last Wednesday's UFC Fight Night 35. While it wasn't the most exciting fight card, it did have its moments. Bantamweight contender TJ Dillashaw put together crisp combos and takedowns to earn a unanimous decision win over Mike Easton. Middleweight Brad Tavares won a narrow unanimous decision over Lorenz Larkin. In the main event, Middleweight Luke Rockhold landed a perfectly placed liver kick that dropped Costas Philippou halfway through the first. Rockhold won via TKO at 2:31 of round 1.
Two titles were on the line at MFC 39... well not really. There was going to be a Lightweight title fight between Tom Gallicchio and Kurt Southern but Gallicchio weighed in over weight. Despite there not being the extra motivation of winning a title, Gallicchio fought hard to win by rear naked choke at 4:31 of round 2. The second title fight did go on and Anthony Hamilton successfully defended his Heavyweight belt against TUF veteran Darrill Schoonover. Hamilton dominated the fight with takedowns and won via unanimous decision.
In the very young history of the World Series of Fighting, WSOF 8 was the best fight card to date. Jessica Aguilar won the inaugural Women's Strawweight title by defeating Alida Gray via side choke at 2:41 of round 1. A fight that had been a long time in the making featuring two heavy handed Light Heavyweights, Anthony Rumble Johnson and Mike Kyle, finally went down. It didn't last too long. Johnson hit Kyle with a quick right hook that sent Kyle falling to the ground hard. The KO came at 2:03 of round 1. The main event was even shorter. Justin Gaethje defeated Richard Patishnock at 1:09 of round 1 by TKO to claim the inaugural Lightweight championship.
UFC on FOX 11 will feature a Heavyweight bout between Fabricio Werdum and Travis Browne. Also Miesha Tate will return to action to take on Liz Carmouche in a Women's Bantamweight fight.
Titan Fighting Championship has signed an eight fight deal with CBS Sports Network. The deal will kick off with an event on February 28th. The main event will feature a Lightweight fight between Mike Ricci and Jorge Gurgel.
Bellator Light Heavyweight titles will be unified when Attila Vegh and Emmanuel Newton fight at Bellator 113. Champion Alexander Shlemenko will defend his Middleweight belt against Brennan Ward at Bellator 114. Finally the Bellator Heavyweight title will be on the line when Chieck Congo and Vitaly Minakov fight at Bellator 115.
Two titles were on the line at MFC 39... well not really. There was going to be a Lightweight title fight between Tom Gallicchio and Kurt Southern but Gallicchio weighed in over weight. Despite there not being the extra motivation of winning a title, Gallicchio fought hard to win by rear naked choke at 4:31 of round 2. The second title fight did go on and Anthony Hamilton successfully defended his Heavyweight belt against TUF veteran Darrill Schoonover. Hamilton dominated the fight with takedowns and won via unanimous decision.
In the very young history of the World Series of Fighting, WSOF 8 was the best fight card to date. Jessica Aguilar won the inaugural Women's Strawweight title by defeating Alida Gray via side choke at 2:41 of round 1. A fight that had been a long time in the making featuring two heavy handed Light Heavyweights, Anthony Rumble Johnson and Mike Kyle, finally went down. It didn't last too long. Johnson hit Kyle with a quick right hook that sent Kyle falling to the ground hard. The KO came at 2:03 of round 1. The main event was even shorter. Justin Gaethje defeated Richard Patishnock at 1:09 of round 1 by TKO to claim the inaugural Lightweight championship.
UFC on FOX 11 will feature a Heavyweight bout between Fabricio Werdum and Travis Browne. Also Miesha Tate will return to action to take on Liz Carmouche in a Women's Bantamweight fight.
Titan Fighting Championship has signed an eight fight deal with CBS Sports Network. The deal will kick off with an event on February 28th. The main event will feature a Lightweight fight between Mike Ricci and Jorge Gurgel.
Bellator Light Heavyweight titles will be unified when Attila Vegh and Emmanuel Newton fight at Bellator 113. Champion Alexander Shlemenko will defend his Middleweight belt against Brennan Ward at Bellator 114. Finally the Bellator Heavyweight title will be on the line when Chieck Congo and Vitaly Minakov fight at Bellator 115.
Monday, January 6, 2014
1/5/14
Cage Warriors held the honor of having the final MMA event of 2013. In the first of two title fights Jim Alers successfully defended his Featherweight belt against Graham Turner after defeating him via north south choke at 1:22 of round 2. Fresh off of being cut from the UFC, Welterweight John Maguire returned to the win column by earning a unanimous decision over Philip Mulpeter. In the main event Ivan Buchinger won the Lightweight title by defeating Stevie Ray by rear naked choke at 3:34 of round 4.
The UFC made its way to Singapore for UFC Fight Night 34. Featherweight Tatsuya Kawajiri made his UFC debut in impressive fashion by defeating Sean Soriano at :50 of round 2 by rear naked choke. In the main event Welterweight Tarec Saffiedine earned a unanimous decision over Hyun Gyu Lim.
Bellator Welterweight Brent Weedman has announced that he is retiring.
Justin Gaethje and Richard Patishnock will fight for the inaugural Lightweight title at WSOF 8.
The UFC made its way to Singapore for UFC Fight Night 34. Featherweight Tatsuya Kawajiri made his UFC debut in impressive fashion by defeating Sean Soriano at :50 of round 2 by rear naked choke. In the main event Welterweight Tarec Saffiedine earned a unanimous decision over Hyun Gyu Lim.
Bellator Welterweight Brent Weedman has announced that he is retiring.
Justin Gaethje and Richard Patishnock will fight for the inaugural Lightweight title at WSOF 8.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
12/29/13
My final Five Round Review of the year will be focusing solely on the final UFC event of the year, UFC 168. The year end events for The Ultimate Fighting Championship are always significant but this one might have been a little more important then past ones and for the wrong reasons.
Heavyweight Travis Browne made sure that everyone knows that he now belongs in the upper tier of the division. Browne knocked out Josh Barnett at just 1:00 of round 1. In the co-main event, Women's Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey successfully defended her belt against long time rival Miesha Tate. Tate put up a way better fight than she did the first time the two fought but it still wasn't enough as she lost via armbar at :58 of round 3. The main event saw UFC legend Anderson Silva try to win his Middleweight belt back from Chris Weidman. Weidman won in gruesome fashion after a checked leg kick broke Silva's leg. The stoppage due to injury (TKO) came at 1:16 of round 2. This horrific injury could possibly be the end of Anderson Silva's career.
Additional Notes:
Middleweight Chris Leben is possibly retiring after losing to Uriah Hall via doctor stoppage at the end of round 1.
Ronda Rousey will defend her Women's Bantamweight belt against Sara McMann at UFC 170. A Light Heavyweight fight between Daniel Cormier and Rashad Evans has been moved to the co-main event.
Chris Weidman will next defend his Middleweight belt against veteran Vitor Belfort. The fight has not officially been booked on any card thus far.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
12/15/13
The XFC headed up north for XFC 27 this past weekend. Lightweight Dom O'Grady earned an upset win over Eric Reynolds via rear naked choke at 1:42 of round 2. In the main event the Inaugural Featherweight title was on the line. Deivison Ribeiro won a unanimous decision over Farkhad Sharipov to become the XFC Featherweight tournament champion.
BAMMA 14 saw Welterweight Jim Wallhead return to the win column in impressive fashion by knocking out Florent Betorangal with a slam at :21 of round 3. Mansour Barnaoui defended his Lightweight belt for the first time by defeating Colin Fletcher via rear naked choke at 4:00 of round 1. And finally Welterweight Paul "Semtex" Daley added another KO to his record after landing a devastating upper cut on Romario Manoel da Silva at 1:42 of round 2.
Despite multiple fights being scrapped from the fight card, UFC on FOX 9 still maintained some exciting fights. Featherweight contender Chad Mendes earned a unanimous decision over Nik Lentz. Bantamweight Urijah Faber proved yet again why he is one of the best in the division by defeating Michael McDonald via guillotine at 3:22 of round 2. In the main event Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson successfully defended his belt in a rematch with Joseph Benavidez. Johnson knocked out Benavidez at 2:08 of round 1.
Keoni Koch and Brian Ortega will fight for the Featherweight title at RFA 12 on January 24th.
Former Bellator Welterweight champion Ben Askren has signed with ONEFC.
Anthony Hamilton will defend his Heavyweight belt for the first time at MFC 39 against Darrill Schoonover.
Light Heavyweight Aaron Rosa has signed with Legacy FC.
Brad Pickett has moved to the UFC Flyweight division and will fight against Ian McCall at the UFC European Tour in London.
The XFC has announced that they will be launching their new MMA series called MMA Copa (Latin American MMA cup) in 2014.
The UFC has signed 11 WMMA Strawweights who will be featured on TUF 20. The winner of that season will be the first UFC Strawweight champion.
UFC Welterweight champion Georges St Pierre has announced that he will vacate his belt. Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler will fight for the vacant belt at UFC 171.
BAMMA 14 saw Welterweight Jim Wallhead return to the win column in impressive fashion by knocking out Florent Betorangal with a slam at :21 of round 3. Mansour Barnaoui defended his Lightweight belt for the first time by defeating Colin Fletcher via rear naked choke at 4:00 of round 1. And finally Welterweight Paul "Semtex" Daley added another KO to his record after landing a devastating upper cut on Romario Manoel da Silva at 1:42 of round 2.
Despite multiple fights being scrapped from the fight card, UFC on FOX 9 still maintained some exciting fights. Featherweight contender Chad Mendes earned a unanimous decision over Nik Lentz. Bantamweight Urijah Faber proved yet again why he is one of the best in the division by defeating Michael McDonald via guillotine at 3:22 of round 2. In the main event Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson successfully defended his belt in a rematch with Joseph Benavidez. Johnson knocked out Benavidez at 2:08 of round 1.
Keoni Koch and Brian Ortega will fight for the Featherweight title at RFA 12 on January 24th.
Former Bellator Welterweight champion Ben Askren has signed with ONEFC.
Anthony Hamilton will defend his Heavyweight belt for the first time at MFC 39 against Darrill Schoonover.
Light Heavyweight Aaron Rosa has signed with Legacy FC.
Brad Pickett has moved to the UFC Flyweight division and will fight against Ian McCall at the UFC European Tour in London.
The XFC has announced that they will be launching their new MMA series called MMA Copa (Latin American MMA cup) in 2014.
The UFC has signed 11 WMMA Strawweights who will be featured on TUF 20. The winner of that season will be the first UFC Strawweight champion.
UFC Welterweight champion Georges St Pierre has announced that he will vacate his belt. Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler will fight for the vacant belt at UFC 171.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
12/8/13
This weekend was an MMA fans paradise with a total of six major events taking place around the world. So take your seat and get comfortable as I break down exactly what happened over the past three days.
ONE FC kicked things off in the Philippines with a main event that was not only a rematch but also for the Featherweight title. Koji Oishi gave Honorio Banario a familiar blemish on his record as he defeated him via KO (just like the first meeting) at 1:43 of round 3 to win the belt.
Staying on that side of the world, the UFC headed down to Australia for UFC Fight Night 33. Heavyweight Soa Palelei gave his fellow countrymen what they wanted with a KO win over Pat Barry at just 2:09 of round 1. Light Heavyweight Ryan Bader earned a one sided unanimous decision win over Anthony Perosh by dropping him with big shots and dominating him on the ground. Light Heavyweight legend Mauricio "Shogun" Rua returned to the win column with a nasty KO of James Te Huna at 1:03 of round 1. And in the main event Heavyweights Mark Hunt and "Bigfoot" Silva put on a fight of the year nomination with a back and forth blood bath that ultimately ended in a majority draw.
Wrapping up Friday was Legacy FC 26 which featured a main event for the Featherweight title. Former UFC fighter Leonard Garcia claimed the belt by defeating Kevin Aguilar via TKO at 2:57 of round 1.
Cage Warriors 62 kicked off the second day of nonstop MMA action. In the main event Lightweight Curt Warburton defeated Wesley Murch via rear naked choke at just :49 of round 1.
World Series of Fighting made its international debut with WSOF 7. One armed Lightweight Nick Newell remained undefeated by sinking in a guillotine on Sabah Fadai at 1:21 of round 1. In a Middleweight semifinal fight Jesse Taylor earned a unanimous decision victory over Elvis Mutapcic. Taylor will now take on David Branch for the Middleweight belt. In the main event Georgi Karakhanyan handed Lance Palmer his first professional loss while also claiming the Featherweight title. Karakhanyan won via guillotine at 4:40 of round 3.
Invicta FC 7 wrapped the weekend up the right way with two title fights. Lauren Murphy defeated Miriam Nakamoto via TKO (injury) at :23 of round 4. Although it may not have been the ideal finish Murphy still won the Women's Bantamweight title. In the main event Barb Honchak earned a unaimous decision win over Leslie Smith to win the Women's Flyweight title.
Former UFC Welterweight fighter Tim Means will headline Legacy FC 27 against Aretenas Young.
WSOF 8 will be headlined by a Lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Gesias Cavalcante. Also on the card will be a Light Heavyweight fight between Anthony Johnson and Mike Kyle that was originally scheduled for WSOF 7. Finally there will be a Bantamweight fight with Tyson Nam welcoming WSOF newcomer and TUF 18 cast member Cody Bollinger.
Jon Jones will defend his Light Heavyweight title against Glover Teixeira at UFC 171.
ONE FC kicked things off in the Philippines with a main event that was not only a rematch but also for the Featherweight title. Koji Oishi gave Honorio Banario a familiar blemish on his record as he defeated him via KO (just like the first meeting) at 1:43 of round 3 to win the belt.
Staying on that side of the world, the UFC headed down to Australia for UFC Fight Night 33. Heavyweight Soa Palelei gave his fellow countrymen what they wanted with a KO win over Pat Barry at just 2:09 of round 1. Light Heavyweight Ryan Bader earned a one sided unanimous decision win over Anthony Perosh by dropping him with big shots and dominating him on the ground. Light Heavyweight legend Mauricio "Shogun" Rua returned to the win column with a nasty KO of James Te Huna at 1:03 of round 1. And in the main event Heavyweights Mark Hunt and "Bigfoot" Silva put on a fight of the year nomination with a back and forth blood bath that ultimately ended in a majority draw.
Wrapping up Friday was Legacy FC 26 which featured a main event for the Featherweight title. Former UFC fighter Leonard Garcia claimed the belt by defeating Kevin Aguilar via TKO at 2:57 of round 1.
Cage Warriors 62 kicked off the second day of nonstop MMA action. In the main event Lightweight Curt Warburton defeated Wesley Murch via rear naked choke at just :49 of round 1.
World Series of Fighting made its international debut with WSOF 7. One armed Lightweight Nick Newell remained undefeated by sinking in a guillotine on Sabah Fadai at 1:21 of round 1. In a Middleweight semifinal fight Jesse Taylor earned a unanimous decision victory over Elvis Mutapcic. Taylor will now take on David Branch for the Middleweight belt. In the main event Georgi Karakhanyan handed Lance Palmer his first professional loss while also claiming the Featherweight title. Karakhanyan won via guillotine at 4:40 of round 3.
Invicta FC 7 wrapped the weekend up the right way with two title fights. Lauren Murphy defeated Miriam Nakamoto via TKO (injury) at :23 of round 4. Although it may not have been the ideal finish Murphy still won the Women's Bantamweight title. In the main event Barb Honchak earned a unaimous decision win over Leslie Smith to win the Women's Flyweight title.
Former UFC Welterweight fighter Tim Means will headline Legacy FC 27 against Aretenas Young.
WSOF 8 will be headlined by a Lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Gesias Cavalcante. Also on the card will be a Light Heavyweight fight between Anthony Johnson and Mike Kyle that was originally scheduled for WSOF 7. Finally there will be a Bantamweight fight with Tyson Nam welcoming WSOF newcomer and TUF 18 cast member Cody Bollinger.
Jon Jones will defend his Light Heavyweight title against Glover Teixeira at UFC 171.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
12/1/13
I would love to write a big lengthy blog for you guys tonight but the fact of the matter is I do not have enough MMA news from this past week. So instead I'm going to inform you on what I have and then go to bed... because I'm tired.
The Ultimate Fighter 18 came to a close on Saturday with two new TUF winners being crowned. The first was Chris Holdsworth who defeated Davey Grant via rear naked choke at 2:10 of round 2 to become the Men's Bantamweight winner of season 18. The Women's Bantamweight winner was Julianna Pena who dominated Jessica Rakoczy by earning a TKO at 4:59 of round 1. In the main event Lightweight Nate Diaz won his rubber match with Gray Maynard by winning via TKO at 2:38 of round 1. The only thing as entertaining as the main event fight was Diaz's post fight rant.
UFC Welterweight cast off Rousimar Palhares has officially signed with the WSOF. They have also signed Razak Al-Hassan, Luis Palomino and Kelvin Tiller.
Bellator has signed former NCAA national champion wrestler Darion Caldwell to their Featherweight roster.
Welterweight Tarec Saffiedine will now meet Hyun Gyu Lim due to Jake Ellenberger suffering an injury that caused him to withdraw from the UFC Fight Night 34 main event fight.
My thoughts are with UFC Heavyweight Shane Del Rosario. He is starting to show signs of recovery after suffering from cardiac arrest late last week. He is still very much in a fight for his life.
The Ultimate Fighter 18 came to a close on Saturday with two new TUF winners being crowned. The first was Chris Holdsworth who defeated Davey Grant via rear naked choke at 2:10 of round 2 to become the Men's Bantamweight winner of season 18. The Women's Bantamweight winner was Julianna Pena who dominated Jessica Rakoczy by earning a TKO at 4:59 of round 1. In the main event Lightweight Nate Diaz won his rubber match with Gray Maynard by winning via TKO at 2:38 of round 1. The only thing as entertaining as the main event fight was Diaz's post fight rant.
UFC Welterweight cast off Rousimar Palhares has officially signed with the WSOF. They have also signed Razak Al-Hassan, Luis Palomino and Kelvin Tiller.
Bellator has signed former NCAA national champion wrestler Darion Caldwell to their Featherweight roster.
Welterweight Tarec Saffiedine will now meet Hyun Gyu Lim due to Jake Ellenberger suffering an injury that caused him to withdraw from the UFC Fight Night 34 main event fight.
My thoughts are with UFC Heavyweight Shane Del Rosario. He is starting to show signs of recovery after suffering from cardiac arrest late last week. He is still very much in a fight for his life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)