Monday, April 29, 2013

5 Fighters who get better as the fight goes on

Some fighters weaken as the fight progresses, and then there are some who seem to get stronger as the fight goes on. Here are five that tend to improve as the minutes wind down in a contest.

Diego Sanchez

Diego has so much heart and cardio that he really can use that as a weapon the later stages of a fight. He has an iron-will and is willing to just take punches and keep walking forward and not show signs of fatigue as the fight goes on. Even if tiredness is setting in he keeps going forward with his heart and outlasts so many opponents as a result.

Michael Bisping

Bisping trains so hard and it shows in his fights. He gets better as the fight goes on in terms of picking apart his opponent's tendencies and also in terms of being able to beat them in the cardio game.

Carlos Condit

Condit is a warrior that trains so hard is so intense in his desire to finish his opponent that he really wears on people as the fight goes on. Like he did with Rory MacDonald and Johny Hendricks, he turned it into high gear in the third round of those fights and finished MacDonald. Also, Condit came close to finished GSP in the same manner.

Rich Franklin

Franklin like Bisping is highly conditioned and gets increasingly stronger and more comfortable as a fight progresses. He was able to endure fights with Wanderlei Silva and defeat Wand in their second battle because of superior cardio and ability to improve as the fight progressed.

Nick Diaz

Diaz regularly does triathlons and has some of the best cardio in the game. Nick Diaz is an endurance athlete and nothing his opponents throw at him seems to be able to stop him. Diaz keeps coming forward at a frantic pace and really drives people into lower gas tank levels and messes wit their confidence.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Jon Jones broken toe pic



Jon Jones breaks toe in the process of defending UFC title against Chael Sonnen.

The Only Person Chael Sonnen follows on Twitter: Alexis P. Sonnen @LexyNataliaaa

Chael Sonnen has over 300,000 followers, but finally followed his first person on Twitter: Alexis P. Sonnen @LexyNataliaaa
Some Recent Tweets:



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Knockout game fail

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Quotes from MMA fighters:

Anderson Silva
Chael Sonnen
Fedor Emelianenko
Georges St-Pierre
Jon Jones
Ronda Rousey


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Chuck Liddell type of fighter can only beat Ronda Rousey

A fighter that is going to beat a fighter like Ronda Rousey will need to be a Chuck Liddell-esque type of fighter. Particularly like how Chuck fought Randy Couture in their second and third fights. Liddell avoided the clinch by pushing Couture away and when he was taken down he popped right back up instantly. From there he landed his famous one-punch right hand KO. A fighter with big KO power that can avoid the clinch and being thrown will be able to beat Ronda. Nobody like that exists in the UFC right now, even though Cat Zingano has big power. Possibly the only person is Cyborg Santos, but doesn't look like she's going to be competing in the UFC any time soon against Ronda Rousey.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Cat Zingao vs Miesha Tate was stopped early

Not the worst call ever, but after looking at it again it seems Tate was going for a takedown and the fight shouldn't have been stopped. When I first watched it I thought Tate fell by being rocked from Zingano, but she willingly dropped down for a takedown attempt. Sure it was a weak attempt but it was an attempt and she was not turtled in the fetal position or anything. She was still "intelligently defending" herself.

Wanderlei Silva talks Brian Stann fight and more

Wanderlei Silva talks next fight and more.

Best Asian MMA fighter in the world

Yushin Okami is a terrific 185er in the UFC middleweight division, and might be champ if Anderson Silva wasn't around. However, I wouldn't saw that he's the number one Asian fighter in MMA, I'd put him as a very close number two. Number three would be Shinya Aoki, the submission wizard out of Japan. However, the number one Asian MMA fighter in the world is UFC featherweight Chan Sung Jung, AKA the Korean Zombie. The Zombie gets the number one nod not just because he is arguably the number one contender for Jose Aldo's title, but also because he is incredibly exciting. Okami is a great fighter but has a very stifling style that involves outmuscling and working his opponent from the clinch and blanketing and landing some shots here and there to get a judges' decision. Korean Zombie however is much more exciting as seen from his battle with Leonard Garcia that was unbelievable, and the rematch just as exciting with the Twister submission finish. Then Zombie goes on to KO Mark Hominick in a record seven seconds, and then has an amazing fight where he finishes Dustin Poirier. The Korean Zombie is a finisher, very exciting, and a strong threat for the 145 pound title for the UFC. And he is the greatest Asian mixed martial artist in the world.

Ben Henderson versus Gilbert Melendez prediction

Ben Henderson and Gilbert Melendez are quite evenly matched. Good wrestlers, good striker, have power, speed, and cardio. However, Benson Henderson is a bigger version of Gilbert Melendez and should be able to use that size, power, and edge in cardio to win. He won't stop Melendez, because he's tough as nails, but he will win at least three out of the five rounds to earn a judges' decision at UFC on Fox 7.

Why do MMA fighters fight?

Mixed martial artists fight for a variety of reasons. Some fighters fight because they were involved with martial arts and segued into mixed martial arts. Some fighters fight because they were in wrestling programs and after they wanted to pursue a career that involved wrestling that wasn't professional wrestling. Some fighters fight because they are athletic competitors. Some fighters fight for money. Some fighters fight for fame. But one reason why a lot of MMA fighters fight is because they came from broken homes. And oftentimes more specifically they have father issues.

Issues with their fathers include a variety of things. It might be an absentee father who was never around growing up. It may be a dad who treated them terribly with abuse. But if you look at a lot of fighters in the mixed martial arts landscape there is a common thread among many and that is that they have had problems with their fathers growing up. Nonetheless, mixed martial arts has transformed many individuals into wonderful people and turned them into fully functional members of society.

Arianny Celese stripping in an elevator video

Promoting something 'er other.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Will TUF 18 turn into Jersey Shore?

Since The Ultimate Fighter will be co-ed for the first time ever people are wondering if this season will turn into something like Jersey Shore. I hope so. The show needs some new life and different angles and elements to it. TUF 17 was more interesting than past seasons, but aside from the 10 minute fight at the end of the program, they have a lot of time in between to fill air with and it's good television to have interesting drama. If they can become more dramatic in the minutes leading up to the fight that's great. Jersey Shore got big ratings because it's interesting TV. So who doesn't like interesting TV? In the end the best fighter will come out on top, but the road leading up to that should be interesting!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Jon Jones is pound for pound the best fighter in MMA

Had a discussion with a colleague the other day and came to the conclusion Jon Jones is the best pound for pound fighter in the world. I put Anderson Silva in the top of the heap before, but after thinking about I feel Jon Jones would beat Silva in a fight so why shouldn't I put Jones at number one? Also, I am fairly confident that Jones could move up to heavyweight and make a run to the UFC heavyweight belt. Nothing says pound for pound best like that.

So here are the five pound for pound fighters in mixed martial arts:

1. Jon Jones

2. Anderson Silva

3. Georges St-Pierre

4. Jose Aldo

5. Benson Henderson

Should Georges St Pierre (GSP) retire?

Georges St-Pierre has won the UFC welterweight title twice, defended it an astounding eight times, and pretty much done it all in MMA. I'd say that for GSP the only thing he has left to do is defeat Johny Hendricks at welterweight, and if he accomplishes that, go forth and try and fight Anderson Silva in a superfight. I think GSP is the type of guy who wants to go out as the greatest of all time and for him to do that he will need to fight Anderson Silva. The one caveat to that statement is if Anderson Silva defeats Chris Weidman. Weidman is hell bent on messing up all superfights and defeating Silva to win the title. Should Weidman pull off the upset, then a superfight between Pierre and Silva can be put on ice. However, assuming that the odds do come into reality and Pierre beats Hendricks and Silva beats Weidman, then I believe GSP should fight Silva and retire after that, win or lose.

From there the next generation of stars will get a crack at the belt, and his teammate Rory MacDonald can finally challenge for the welterweight title and possibly continue the legacy of Canadian champions in the UFC at 170 pounds.

Ronda Rousey vs Cat Zingano TUF 18 prediction

This 135 pound women's UFC bantamweight title fight between Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano is an interesting matchup. Zingano is a devastatingly powerful striker who has a strong chin, iron will, and mean-spirited streak inside the cage. She is tough as nails and can do a lot of damage to Rousey on the feet. However, she will need to do that very quickly in this fight because as soon as Rousey clinches with her, it seems the fight will be over, based on all historical evidence. Rousey grabs the clinch, takes her opponent down, and then armbars them. It takes a little bit longer sometimes, but it always happens in the first round. It's a very unique skillset but it works extremely well for Ronda Rousey.

No out of this dimension prediction for this fight: Ronda Rousey via armbar in the first round.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

UFC on Fox 8 predictions

UFC on Fox 8 takes place on July 27 at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington.


Jake Ellenberger vs. Rory MacDonald

Ellenberger has incredible KO power, but I think MacDonald will use the clinch, wear out Ellenberger a bit and then get the fight to the floor and land ground and pound. He will avoid getting KO'd and then he will score a unanimous decision.

Melvin Guillard vs. Mac Danzig

Melvin is one of the most talented fighters at 155 but has fell short of making it to the top. He will keep this fight on the feet and then he will knock out Danzig. Guillard's striking is amazing, especially in the first round, so he will realize his potential in this fight and get a big KO in the first.

UFC 161 predictions

UFC 161: Barao vs. Wineland takes place at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Renan Barão (ic) vs. Eddie Wineland 

Renan Barao is so well rounded and dangerous that he will come out victorious in this fight. Wineland has a lot of heart, great punching power and technique, however I feel the durability and diversity of attack that Barao has in his arsenal will earn him a decision win, three or four rounds for Barao.  

Maurício Rua vs. Antônio Rogério Nogueira 

Shogun has a tendency to fade later in fights, so I give the third round to Little Nogueira. However, the first two will be won by Shogun via superior striking. Shogun wins by decision in this all Brazilian affair.    

Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson 

Similar fighters in that they both have powerful rights and great wrestling. I think Evans will avoid the H-Bomb and get some takedowns to earn a decision, two rounds to one in this fight. Actually a split decision.   

Pat Barry vs. Shawn Jordan

Pat Barry is a such an unbelievable striker and has gained so much knowledge and experience fighting top dogs in the UFC that he wins this one, and gets a big KO.

Pound for Pound rankings (MMA/UFC)

Top five pound for pound fighters in the world.

1. Jon Jones

Jones can defeat Anderson Silva, everyone at 205, and go up to heavyweight and become champion there too. He will go down as one of the greatest ever.

2. Anderson Silva

16-0 in the UFC and unstoppable at 185. He also has wins at 205 over Forrest Griffin, Stephan Bonnar, and James Irvin.

3. Georges St. Pierre

Greatest welterweight ever. He has dominated 170 for years. If he defeats Anderson Silva in a superfight, GSP will be able to retire as the greatest fighter of all time.

4. Jose Aldo

This man has been unbeatable for years at 145 and took out former UFC 155 pound champion Frankie Edgar.

5. Ben Henderson

Ben Henderson has been on fire since 2011 in the UFC and blown through the competition at lightweight, and did it all with a toothpick in his mouth.

UFC 162 predictions

UFC 162 goes down on July 6th in Vegas.

Anderson Silva versus Chris Weidman

Weidman might get a takedown in the first, but he won't be able to tap out Silva. So in the second round, just like he did against Dan Henderson and Chael Sonnen in their second fight, Silva will come back and get the TKO victory.

Korean Zombie (Chan Sung Jung) vs Ricardo Lamas

Lamas is very well rounded by the Zombie is more talented on both the feet and ground. Zombie will find a way to win this fight, either submission or decision. Going with decision because Lamas is so tough and talented.

Tim Boetsch versus Mark Munoz

Munoz's solid wrestling will allow the Filipino-American middleweight to get the fight to the floor in every round, earning him a unanimous decision over Tim.

UFC 163 prediction

Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis duke it out at 145 for the UFC featherweight title. Pettis will be the bigger fighter in this bout, and he will also have better cardio. Striking wise they are fairly even, but what will be the deciding factor will be better conditioning for Pettis. Even though he is making his debut at 145 he will have more gas in the tank than Aldo. Pettis will split the first two rounds with Aldo, but in the last three he will take two rounds to earn a decision victory, three rounds to two.

UFC 159 predictions

Jon Jones will win in the main event against Chael Sonnen. Sonnen doesn't deserve this title shot. It made sense on eight days notice when the UFC was desperate, but they have over six months to set Jones up with a legit contender at 205. Snnnen is tough and will go forward in this fight but he's going to be met with a lot of strikes that's going to put him away in the first round on the ground. Jones by TKO.

Michael Bisping says he'll finish Alan Belcher in the first, but that won't happen. If someone does get KOd in this fight it's probably Bisping, but Belcher will most likely go the distance with Bisping. Since Bisping has strong cardio and mixes takedowns and strikes will, he'll earn the nod on the scorecards.

Cheick Kongo and Roy Nelson will strike in this fight. Nelson has a better chin but he won't put away Kongo and vice versa. Kong will beat Nelson on points. Kongo by decision.