Daniel Cormier, a former Olympic wrestler, struggled to take Jon Jones down when the two fought at UFC 182 earlier this month. Phil Davis doesn’t believe he would have the same issue.
“I’ll get [Jones] down and keep him down,” Davis said at …
Daniel Cormier, a former Olympic wrestler, struggled to take Jon Jones down when the two fought at UFC 182 earlier this month. Phil Davis doesn’t believe he would have the same issue.
“I’ll get [Jones] down and keep him down,” Davis said at a media luncheon last week in Los Angeles promotion UFC on FOX 14: Gustafsson vs. Johnson. “That is a fact. Put me on the record.”
Davis, who meets Ryan Bader on Saturday in Sweden on the big FOX card, trained with Cormier at American Kickboxing Academy in advance of Cormier’s fight with Jones. Davis said he was there to work wrestling with Cormier, so he didn’t know what the exact strategy would be against Jones. But he doesn’t think Cormier wrestled as much as he could have in the UFC light heavyweight title fight.
“I’m not sure how much he tried to,” Davis said. “He went for a couple takedowns early on and then he just started putting hands on him. I mean, he definitely did wrestle. But at the same time, he kind of got away from it.”
Jones won the fight by unanimous decision with Cormier fading late. Davis, who hasn’t been very complimentary of Jones in the past, was impressed with the victory.
“Little bit,” Davis said. “I think what surprised me more was his speed in the later rounds. I thought he did alright. I thought he did real good.”
Davis doesn’t think Jones would fare as well against him, especially in the wrestling game. But “Mr. Wonderful,” a former four-time All-American wrestler at Penn State, first has to tackle Bader, another top-notch collegiate wrestler from Arizona State. Davis really likes Bader as a person and respects him as a fighter. But obviously he’s confident going in.
“I think I’m more solid all around,” Davis said.
As for Jones, Davis isn’t sure how many wins he needs to earn a title shot. Alexander Gustafsson, Davis’ training partner at Alliance MMA in San Diego, will meet Jones if Gustafsson beats Anthony Johnson on Saturday. After that, it’s up in the air. Davis said a win over Bader could be enough to earn him that title opportunity.
“No way to know for sure,” Davis said. “It could be, the way injuries are going, this could be it. It’s just been like that.
“Once you’re in that top five, it’s just a matter of, I’d say like luck and timing.”
Two of Davis’ friends, Gustafsson and Cormier, are ahead of him in the rankings. And Davis has already beaten Glover Teixeira, another contender, back at UFC 179 in October. His potential elite light heavyweight opponents seem to be running out, but Davis said he would not like to fight Gustafsson or Cormier. Davis has already fought and beaten Gustafsson before the two began training together.
“I think people want you to fight people who helped to make you good because of it has this great storyline than you fighting a complete storyline,” Davis said. “At the end of the day, why would you want to fight somebody you train with? Why would you want to try to hurt someone you train with? Nobody gets better that way.”
Davis is interested in a rematch with Rashad Evans, who beat Davis in 2012.
“I owe him one,” Davis said.
The main goal, though, is Jones. Davis has no love lost for the controversial champion. And he believes he knows how a fight between the two would go — with his wrestling owning the day.
“I can get down anybody in the world,” Davis said.
Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson will square off Saturday night in the main event of UFC on Fox 14 in Stockholm. It’s a must-watch card—not just because it’s free if you own a TV, but because there’s a lot on the line for both fighte…
Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson will square off Saturday night in the main event of UFC on Fox 14 in Stockholm. It’s a must-watch card—not just because it’s free if you own a TV, but because there’s a lot on the line for both fighters.
Most notably, the winner will face Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title.
For Gustafsson, that means a rematch of his bout with Jones in September 2013, when he challenged Jones for five rounds in a way no fighter had before with the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on the line.
While Jones came out on top, there was plenty of debate as to whether Gustafsson deserved better.
Jones has been rather dismissive of Gustafsson‘s rematch pleas, but he may be unable to ignore the Swedish fighter for long if he proves his worth against Johnson, as B/R’s Steven Rondina explains:
Jon Jones does not like Alexander Gustafsson, and he has almost reveled in leaving him twisting in the wind in regards to a title shot. The only thing Gustafsson can do to combat that? Leave no doubt that he is still the greatest threat to Jones’ belt. …
If Gustafsson can get through this fight unscathed, it will cement his place as both an elite talent and the top contender at 205 pounds. If there is any level of doubt, however, and should another fighter such as Rashad Evans or Phil Davis put on a particularly strong performance in the meantime, expect Jones to try and once again take a pass on a rematch.
Saturday’s event will take place at Stockholm’s Tele2 Arena, which Rondinapoints out is the second-largest venue in UFC history, behind only Toronto’s Rogers Centre. It will be a huge home crowd for Gustafsson, who can’t afford to lose.
This is his chance to remind UFC fans that he—not Daniel Cormier—is Jones’ greatest challenger.
[A]n impressive performance will help [Gustafsson] win the hearts of those who this month felt let down by [Daniel] Cormier (for his defeat) and Jones (for his failed drugs test).
For Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, meanwhile, Saturday marks his first bout since being suspended by UFC in September amid allegations of domestic violence. UFC reinstated him in November after the civil case was dismissed. Since 2009, three women have accused Johnson of domestic violence (per Yahoo Sports).
Prior to his suspension, Johnson was in the midst of a resurgence at 205 pounds. Since moving up from 170 pounds to the light heavyweight division in 2012, he has gone 7-0.
“Johnson can punch and kick through a mountainside if it means he’ll get to the belt,” writes B/R’s Scott Harris. “He’s new to this level of competition, but far from unprepared. His power sees to that.”
If Johnson can defeat Gustafsson on Saturday, it would make an enormous statement. Even giving the Swede a run for his money would be a big step toward establishing his legitimacy.
If Gustafsson takes care of business? Jones better take notice.
Dave Herman has been released from jail, but the events of the last few days still have him emotional.
The former UFC and Bellator MMA fighter was hit with a taser and arrested following a dispute with police outside his car at an Indiana gas station early Tuesday morning. Herman was arraigned Wednesday and released on $7,500 bail later that night. His pre-trial hearing will be in March.
The heavyweight competitor, who last fought for Titan FC, is facing three felony charges and a misdemeanor. Herman is being charged with resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, battery against law enforcement, neglect of a dependent and resisting law enforcement. The latter is the misdemeanor.
Herman’s wife Madeleine captured video of the arrest and posted it online. It seemed to contradict some of what was in the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department incident report. The document said Herman was “aggressive” toward police. But in the video, Herman got out of the vehicle with his hands up, asking the officers for identification. Madeleine told MMAFighting.com she started recording with her iPad when cops pulled guns on Herman.
When Herman didn’t comply with the officers’ demands to get on his knees and put his hands on his head, they threatened him with a taser. Herman still failed to comply and he was tasered and then arrested.
“I was trying to communicate with the officers,” Herman told MMAFighting.com on Thursday. “They were screaming and threatening my life. There’s no reason I should be treated like a dog. I’m a human being. I’m a person. I have feelings, too. I have a right to know who these people are.”
Herman was in the car with Madeleine and their 2-1/2 month old son Leo. They were heading home to Fort Wayne, Ind., from their friends house after 1 a.m. on I-69. Their vehicle experienced some issues, a recurring problem with the alternator, and Herman put the hazards on while they attempted to find a safe, well-lit area to pull into.
The police report said that the Hermans’ car was going at a high rate of speed without the headlights and taillights on. The police cruiser began following them. Herman admittedly did not pull over right away, preferring to find that well-lit area. About two or three miles later, Herman pulled the vehicle into a gas station.
Herman said he learned in driver’s ed that the correct procedure when being pulled over by cops was to find a safe, well-lit area and that’s all he was trying to do.
“I literally did it by the book,” Herman said. “Like, that’s what you’re supposed to do and I’m being charged.”
Herman said he got out of his car to address the officers thinking they would be able to assist him with his car trouble.
“I did not feel like I was aggressive at all,” Herman said. “I was pleading. I said please identify yourself to me. Who are you? I stepped out of my vehicle literally thinking these people are going to help me and this is what I got.”
The 30-year-old said he never assumes that anyone pulling him over is an actual police officer, despite the apparent police cruiser and badge. Herman said that he just read about a man impersonating a police officer in Atlantic City, N.J., last week.
“If you assume, then you make an ass out of you and me,” Herman said. “You can assume a lot of things, but you can’t know for sure. Anyone can buy a car. Anyone can buy an outfit. Anyone can buy a nametag. Anyone can buy a toy fake badge. I dressed up as a cop for Halloween one time, it was awesome.”
Herman said he was also fearing for the safety of his infant son and wife. He said that everything the officers did is what he is being charged for.
“They verbally assaulted me, they physically assaulted me and they endangered the life of my wife and child,” Herman said. “Those are the charges they’re saying I did. All those things they did to me and then they charged me with them. I want them dropped and I don’t even think these people should be police officers. It’s ridiculous. You should automatically be fired for something like that. But I’m sure they’ll just get a slap on the wrist and maybe a week or two paid vacation.”
Herman is due back in court in March. He doesn’t have a lawyer yet, but said the response online has been “overwhelming” in a positive way since Madeline posted the video and they have set up a gofundme page for legal fees. Herman believes part of the incident has to do with him being a 6-foot-5 man. But he doesn’t excuse the officers for their actions.
“I’ve never been involved with police where it’s been a calm environment,” Herman said. “There’s flashlights in your face — ‘Who are you? What are you doing?’ It’s not a calm environment. It’s a very threatening, interrogational environment. Is it protect and serve or harass and assault?”
Dave Herman has been released from jail, but the events of the last few days still have him emotional.
The former UFC and Bellator MMA fighter was hit with a taser and arrested following a dispute with police outside his car at an Indiana gas station early Tuesday morning. Herman was arraigned Wednesday and released on $7,500 bail later that night. His pre-trial hearing will be in March.
The heavyweight competitor, who last fought for Titan FC, is facing three felony charges and a misdemeanor. Herman is being charged with resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, battery against law enforcement, neglect of a dependent and resisting law enforcement. The latter is the misdemeanor.
Herman’s wife Madeleine captured video of the arrest and posted it online. It seemed to contradict some of what was in the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department incident report. The document said Herman was “aggressive” toward police. But in the video, Herman got out of the vehicle with his hands up, asking the officers for identification. Madeleine told MMAFighting.com she started recording with her iPad when cops pulled guns on Herman.
When Herman didn’t comply with the officers’ demands to get on his knees and put his hands on his head, they threatened him with a taser. Herman still failed to comply and he was tasered and then arrested.
“I was trying to communicate with the officers,” Herman told MMAFighting.com on Thursday. “They were screaming and threatening my life. There’s no reason I should be treated like a dog. I’m a human being. I’m a person. I have feelings, too. I have a right to know who these people are.”
Herman was in the car with Madeleine and their 2-1/2 month old son Leo. They were heading home to Fort Wayne, Ind., from their friends house after 1 a.m. on I-69. Their vehicle experienced some issues, a recurring problem with the alternator, and Herman put the hazards on while they attempted to find a safe, well-lit area to pull into.
The police report said that the Hermans’ car was going at a high rate of speed without the headlights and taillights on. The police cruiser began following them. Herman admittedly did not pull over right away, preferring to find that well-lit area. About two or three miles later, Herman pulled the vehicle into a gas station.
Herman said he learned in driver’s ed that the correct procedure when being pulled over by cops was to find a safe, well-lit area and that’s all he was trying to do.
“I literally did it by the book,” Herman said. “Like, that’s what you’re supposed to do and I’m being charged.”
Herman said he got out of his car to address the officers thinking they would be able to assist him with his car trouble.
“I did not feel like I was aggressive at all,” Herman said. “I was pleading. I said please identify yourself to me. Who are you? I stepped out of my vehicle literally thinking these people are going to help me and this is what I got.”
The 30-year-old said he never assumes that anyone pulling him over is an actual police officer, despite the apparent police cruiser and badge. Herman said that he just read about a man impersonating a police officer in Atlantic City, N.J., last week.
“If you assume, then you make an ass out of you and me,” Herman said. “You can assume a lot of things, but you can’t know for sure. Anyone can buy a car. Anyone can buy an outfit. Anyone can buy a nametag. Anyone can buy a toy fake badge. I dressed up as a cop for Halloween one time, it was awesome.”
Herman said he was also fearing for the safety of his infant son and wife. He said that everything the officers did is what he is being charged for.
“They verbally assaulted me, they physically assaulted me and they endangered the life of my wife and child,” Herman said. “Those are the charges they’re saying I did. All those things they did to me and then they charged me with them. I want them dropped and I don’t even think these people should be police officers. It’s ridiculous. You should automatically be fired for something like that. But I’m sure they’ll just get a slap on the wrist and maybe a week or two paid vacation.”
Herman is due back in court in March. He doesn’t have a lawyer yet, but said the response online has been “overwhelming” in a positive way since Madeline posted the video and they have set up a gofundme page for legal fees. Herman believes part of the incident has to do with him being a 6-foot-5 man. But he doesn’t excuse the officers for their actions.
“I’ve never been involved with police where it’s been a calm environment,” Herman said. “There’s flashlights in your face — ‘Who are you? What are you doing?’ It’s not a calm environment. It’s a very threatening, interrogational environment. Is it protect and serve or harass and assault?”
We’re about 18 months into the new era of middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
Ever since that historic night inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena at UFC 162, the world has begun familiarizing itself with this new breed. He’s the All-American and the b…
We’re about 18 months into the new era of middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
Ever since that historic night inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena at UFC 162, the world has begun familiarizing itself with this new breed. He’s the All-American and the best fighter at 185 pounds.
Two men have tried to pry the belt from his grasp. Two men have failed. A third man gets his chance at UFC 184 on Feb. 28, but whether VitorBelfort has what it takes to dethrone the king is anybody’s guess.
Whether any of the current crop of middleweight contenders has a legitimate chance is a viable question to ask, too. But let’s not kid ourselves: Some guys holster tools to deny Weidman an extended winning streak. Scroll on as we rank each contender based on how he matches up against the middleweight czar.
(Note: Only those with subjectively reasonable chances will be listed. Those who are not, by this definition, do not stand a chance.)
While the broad shoulders of former light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson take center stage in Stockholm, Sweden, up-and-coming UFC welterweight Nico Musoke demands your attention.
With three wins in his first four fights, the S…
While the broad shoulders of former light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson take center stage in Stockholm, Sweden, up-and-coming UFC welterweight Nico Musoke demands your attention.
With three wins in his first four fights, the Stockholm native will look to make it back-to-back victories when he faces Albert “Einstein” Tumenov at UFC on Fox 14. After first testing the waters against veteran AlessioSakara at 185 pounds, Musoke has settled into his new weight class, notching decision wins over The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil Season 2 alum ViscardiAndrade and well-rounded Russian fighter Alexander Yakovlev.
Musoke will now turn his attention to Yakovlev‘s teammateTumenov. The 23-year-old prospect trains out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe in Fairfield, New Jersey, and has won his last two fights by way of first-round knockout.
Einstein began his professional mixed martial arts career at 18 years old, piling up 12 wins, compared to just one loss, in Russia. Tumenov‘s best weapon is his power.
Leading up to his UFC stint, Tumenov let the bodies hit the floor, taking out five men in a row, all in the first round. His win over Roman Mironenko is a fine example of his masterful handiwork.
In the Mironenkofight, Tumenov was on the offensive, and defensive, catching a kick and lighting up his opponent with head kicks. His most effective punch, the left uppercut, separated Mironenko from his senses and spelled the beginning of the end for Tumenov‘s challenger.
Even more impressive, in his last win on the independent circuit, Einstein fought Swiss striker YasubeyEnomoto. Throughout the first three minutes of the fight, he landed his trademark left uppercut three times, including one that dropped Enomoto.
Though he kept it competitive, Enomoto got clipped by a left hook after his leg kick was caught in an exchange by Tumenov late in the first round and was finished off by a left head kick.
Tumenov‘s UFC career has started quite the same way as his career in the lower ranks, save a tough split-decision loss in his debut to IldemarAlcantara in February. Octagon opponents Anthony Lapsley and Matt Dwyer have felt the wrath of both his fists and his kicks.
Musoke will need to be very wary of the Russian’s top-notch striking ability.
“I will find a win way to win,” Musoketold MMA Crazy TV. “I’m more versatile, I find more ways to win. I’m ready to bang, I’m ready for whatever.”
The Swede proved that in his submission win over potent Italian striker Sakara, Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Andrade and Yakovlev. Musoke‘s chin has been tested multiple times early in his UFC run.
Musoke weathered an early storm by Andrade, after the fight looked like it was well over following an overhand right by the Brazilian, to take the last two rounds by applying constant pressure. He took the same approach in his bout against the sambo master, claiming all three rounds while stifling his opponent’s attack.
It’s clear that the 28-year-old Musoke has his hands full here. No matter what type of stand-up game plan Musoke employs, Tumenov will surely have an answer for it.
While the Swede’s striking is solid, it’s not nearly on the same level as the Russian’s. Musoke is better off making this fight ugly and utilizing his clinch work to secure a takedown (think Jon Fitch or Rick Story against ThiagoAlves).
Musoke is smart; he won’t play right into his opponent’s advantage. He hasn’t lost a bout due to strikes in his 17-fight career. Engaging in a ground war may be the easiest path to a finish for Musoke. However, it still won’t be easy.
If he’s able to pull off a TKO or submission victory, it would mark the first time Tumenov has been finished in his career. This fight can go either one of two ways: It can end early or end up a grappling match.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Spike TV is already the home of Bellator MMA and Glory kickboxing. Now, it’s about to add the sweet science as well.
The cable network is set to announce Thursday that it has inked a deal with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions organization. The first of several Spike TV boxing cards is scheduled for March 13 and will feature a main event between former welterweight champion Andre Berto and perennial contender Josesito Lopez.
Spike TV president Kevin Kay told MMAFighting.com that the presence of Premier Boxing Champions will allow the network to rebrand its Friday nights solely for combat sports. Bellator, Glory and Premier Boxing Champions will all keep their individuality, but they will be packaged together on Spike.
“You’ll have a boxing event on Friday nights once a month,” Kay said. “You’ll have a Bellator event on Friday nights once a month. You’ll have a Glory event pretty much every month — not quite every month, but almost every month. And then in the weeks off you’ll have shoulder programming that supports all of that. So you’ll know that Friday nights on Spike is combat sports.”
The March 13 Premier Boxing Champions card does not have a venue announced yet. The co-main event will be between Shawn Porter and Roberto Garcia. Spike and PBC are putting a premium on exciting fights between boxers with aggressive styles.
The Spike deal, along with the one Haymon signed with NBC last week, is a time buy, according to a report by ESPN.com. Haymon, a top advisor and manager who lists Floyd Mayweather among his clients, has purchased the airtime to showcase his new Premier Boxing Champions series in his quest to change the evolution of the sport. In recent years, high-level boxing has only been found on pay-per-view and premium channels like HBO and Showtime.
Kay, a huge boxing fan who calls Muhammad Ali one of his biggest heroes, is all for it.
“I feel like boxing has been subjugated to pay TV for so long and presented in the same way for too long,” Kay said. “To give fans free, live fights on a cable network on a regular basis in a multi-year commitment is the opportunity. It’s what’s been missing from the mix — and big-name fights, competitive fights.”
Kay promises that Premier Boxing Champions on Spike TV will look nothing like boxing elsewhere. The production will change, the presentation will be different and the announce team will include “fresh faces.”
“I watch [boxing] and I’m like, ‘Oh man it looks like it’s 1975,'” Kay said. “That presentation is the same; those commentators are the same; the red, white and blue is the same. This partnership is about innovating and trying to create something different. We’re trying to bring young guys back to the sport who have been missing for a long time.”
Part of that plan includes lumping PBC together with Bellator and Glory to make Spike TV the home for combat sports on cable, Kay hopes. Kay said Spike had been talking to boxing promotions for the last two years, but Haymon’s group bought into their ideas and was open to holding fights on Friday nights.
“I think we were able to convince these guys this is the right place, because it will all be on Fridays and it gives us the opportunity to brand it and make it a destination,” Kay said. “And that’s great. I do believe that we’ve proven that on the mixed martial arts side and on the kickboxing side that we have a big commitment to it, so we’re invested in combat sports. And this just takes it to another level.”
Berto believes being on Spike TV represents a move back to the glory days of boxing when the best fighters were on television and also a step in the right direction for the growth of the sport.
“We’re in a position right now that a million people can mistakenly watch us fight,” Berto said. “Just imagine if it’s promoted the right way and marketed the right way what type of numbers we’ll pull. With us performing and putting on a show, just imagine what numbers could come out.
“As soon as I heard about it, I was like, ‘Oh sh*t, that’s perfect — Spike TV.’ Anybody that’s in the MMA world, I’d say tune into it, it’ll just be an easy transition.”
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Spike TV is already the home of Bellator MMA and Glory kickboxing. Now, it’s about to add the sweet science as well.
The cable network is set to announce Thursday that it has inked a deal with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions organization. The first of several Spike TV boxing cards is scheduled for March 13 and will feature a main event between former welterweight champion Andre Berto and perennial contender Josesito Lopez.
Spike TV president Kevin Kay told MMAFighting.com that the presence of Premier Boxing Champions will allow the network to rebrand its Friday nights solely for combat sports. Bellator, Glory and Premier Boxing Champions will all keep their individuality, but they will be packaged together on Spike.
“You’ll have a boxing event on Friday nights once a month,” Kay said. “You’ll have a Bellator event on Friday nights once a month. You’ll have a Glory event pretty much every month — not quite every month, but almost every month. And then in the weeks off you’ll have shoulder programming that supports all of that. So you’ll know that Friday nights on Spike is combat sports.”
The March 13 Premier Boxing Champions card does not have a venue announced yet. The co-main event will be between Shawn Porter and Roberto Garcia. Spike and PBC are putting a premium on exciting fights between boxers with aggressive styles.
The Spike deal, along with the one Haymon signed with NBC last week, is a time buy, according to a report by ESPN.com. Haymon, a top advisor and manager who lists Floyd Mayweather among his clients, has purchased the airtime to showcase his new Premier Boxing Champions series in his quest to change the evolution of the sport. In recent years, high-level boxing has only been found on pay-per-view and premium channels like HBO and Showtime.
Kay, a huge boxing fan who calls Muhammad Ali one of his biggest heroes, is all for it.
“I feel like boxing has been subjugated to pay TV for so long and presented in the same way for too long,” Kay said. “To give fans free, live fights on a cable network on a regular basis in a multi-year commitment is the opportunity. It’s what’s been missing from the mix — and big-name fights, competitive fights.”
Kay promises that Premier Boxing Champions on Spike TV will look nothing like boxing elsewhere. The production will change, the presentation will be different and the announce team will include “fresh faces.”
“I watch [boxing] and I’m like, ‘Oh man it looks like it’s 1975,'” Kay said. “That presentation is the same; those commentators are the same; the red, white and blue is the same. This partnership is about innovating and trying to create something different. We’re trying to bring young guys back to the sport who have been missing for a long time.”
Part of that plan includes lumping PBC together with Bellator and Glory to make Spike TV the home for combat sports on cable, Kay hopes. Kay said Spike had been talking to boxing promotions for the last two years, but Haymon’s group bought into their ideas and was open to holding fights on Friday nights.
“I think we were able to convince these guys this is the right place, because it will all be on Fridays and it gives us the opportunity to brand it and make it a destination,” Kay said. “And that’s great. I do believe that we’ve proven that on the mixed martial arts side and on the kickboxing side that we have a big commitment to it, so we’re invested in combat sports. And this just takes it to another level.”
Berto believes being on Spike TV represents a move back to the glory days of boxing when the best fighters were on television and also a step in the right direction for the growth of the sport.
“We’re in a position right now that a million people can mistakenly watch us fight,” Berto said. “Just imagine if it’s promoted the right way and marketed the right way what type of numbers we’ll pull. With us performing and putting on a show, just imagine what numbers could come out.
“As soon as I heard about it, I was like, ‘Oh sh*t, that’s perfect — Spike TV.’ Anybody that’s in the MMA world, I’d say tune into it, it’ll just be an easy transition.”
Alexander 
