Cain Velasquez’s return against Travis Browne is targeted for July’s UFC 200. A pivotal heavyweight clash between former UFC champion Cain Velasquez and Travis Browne is currently targeted for this summer’s UFC 200 landmark event, according …
Cain Velasquez’s return against Travis Browne is targeted for July’s UFC 200.
A pivotal heavyweight clash between former UFC champion Cain Velasquez and Travis Browne is currently targeted for this summer’s UFC 200 landmark event, according to UFC Tonight’s Ariel Helwani, who reported the news on Wednesday evening.
Velasquez (13-2) has been out of action since his shocking third-round submission loss to current titleholder Fabricio Werdum in the main event of UFC 188 last June. He was scheduled to rematch the Brazilian and attempt to regain his UFC belt earlier this year, but fell out of the matchup with an injury. The oft-injured Velasquez has fought just 6 times in the last 5 years.
Browne (18-3-1), once considered a rising star in the heavyweight division, recently got back into the winning column with a controversial TKO win over Matt Mitrione at UFC Fight Night 81 this past January. Prior to that, he was upset by top contender Andrei Arlovski by devastating fashion in a Fight of the Year contender in early 2015. “Hapa” also has a loss to Werdum on his record; he lost by decision in 2014 in a No. 1 contender’s matchup.
UFC 200 takes place live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 9. No other fights have been confirmed for the card.
After suffering a disappointing loss in a welterweight clash with Nate Diaz at March 5’s UFC 196, featherweight champion Conor McGregor is expected to drop back down to 145-pounds to defend his title at July’s UFC 200. While his opponent has yet to be announced, the two front runners appear to be former divisional kingpin
After suffering a disappointing loss in a welterweight clash with Nate Diaz at March 5’s UFC 196, featherweight champion Conor McGregor is expected to drop back down to 145-pounds to defend his title at July’s UFC 200.
While his opponent has yet to be announced, the two front runners appear to be former divisional kingpin Jose Aldo, who McGregor knocked out in just 13-seconds last December, and surging former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.
According to UFC color commentator Joe Rogan, Edgar would definitely be the biggest fight for the outspoken featherweight champ at this point. Rogan also suggested that Aldo build himself back up after such a devastating defeat:
“Frankie Edgar is a way easier sell,” Rogan said Tuesday on his podcast The Joe Rogan Experience. “Maybe if Aldo comes back and wins in spectacular fashion, like if he and Cub Swanson have a rematch. Because Swanson-Aldo went the same way Aldo and McGregor went. Aldo hits him with a flying knee two seconds into the fight cracks him. Aldo has to win again. You could sell [Aldo-McGregor II], but you wouldn’t sell it for as much as if Aldo won.”
Many have deemed “The Answer” to be McGregor’s toughest challenge given the fact that Edgar possesses an endless gas tank, and a decorated wrestling background, which has appeared to be the Irishman’s weakness.
Rogan agrees with the masses, albeit noting McGregor’s unparalleled knockout ability:
“Frankie Edgar is a 48-hour storm,” said Rogan. “You better have everything strapped down. He’s not going to get tired and he’s going to keep coming at you. He can wrestle his ass off. His footwork is sensational. I think Conor can knock out anybody, but you know what? So can Cub Swanson and he didn’t connect on Frankie. Frankie just wolverine’d him.
“Look at the Chad Mendes fight. Conor had a knee injury coming into it but Chad took him down at will. When Frankie gets you tired… What he did to Cub Swanson was incredible. Frankie’s not a huge draw but it’s a big fight.”
Who would you rather see the “Notorious” one square off with this summer?
Take a look at the current UFC Fight Night card for Sunday, May 8th on Fox Sports 1, which features Alistair Overeem and Andrei Arlovski in the main event of the UFC’s debut show in The Netherlands. The UFC has a couple of events lined up fo…
Take a look at the current UFC Fight Night card for Sunday, May 8th on Fox Sports 1, which features Alistair Overeem and Andrei Arlovski in the main event of the UFC’s debut show in The Netherlands.
The UFC has a couple of events lined up for Europe over the spring, including a trip to Zagreb, Croatia on April 10th, plus a debut event in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on Sunday, May 8th. In the main event, Jackson-Wink teammates Andrei Arlovski and Alistair Overeem will square off, with Greg Jackson confirmed to be cornering longtime camp staple Arlovski come fight night. It’ll also be heavyweights in the co-main event, as Bigfoot Silva battles Stefan Struve in a must-win for both men.
But wait, there’s more! Gunnar Nelson may be coming off a loss, but he’s been booked to fight Albert Tumenov in what should serve as an intriguing stylistic clash in the welterweight division. The legendary Nikita Krylov returns to action against Brazil’s Francimar Barroso in a 205 lbs showdown. Be sure to take note of Long Island prospect Chris Wade, whose set to face Rustam Khabilov, who is filling in for the injured Rashid Magomedov.
Here’s the current fight card, noting no bout order has been finalized beyond the main and co-main:
Ovince Saint Preux’s patience is wearing thin.
After taking out Rafael Cavalcante at UFC Fight Night 82 last month (recap here), “OSP” was hoping to get back into the Octagon sooner, rather than later. A wish that didn’t come true for t…
Ovince Saint Preux’s patience is wearing thin.
After taking out Rafael Cavalcante at UFC Fight Night 82 last month (recap here), “OSP” was hoping to get back into the Octagon sooner, rather than later. A wish that didn’t come true for the talented light heavyweight, as he was put on hold by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) matchmakers.
But as he recently told MMA Fighting, most of the 205-pound field is actually “scared” to fight him, which is why Joe Silva hasn’t hit him up for a new fight. As a result, Saint Preux is looking for fights elsewhere, particularly the heavyweight division.
“I get it, guys in my division are scared to fight me. I get that. I’m breaking people’s arms and choking people out with stuff they ain’t ever seen. But c’mon [UFC matchmaker] Joe [Silva] make someone man up and fight me. Gustafsson, Bader, Manuwa and Latifi don’t have fights lined up. I’d love to rematch Bader, because he’s a great fighter and he’s not afraid of anyone. If not those guys, how about Josh Barnett or Travis Browne? I know those guys in the heavyweight division aren’t afraid to throw down.”
Time to step up, 205’ers.
For now, Saint Preux will keep playing the waiting game. When you look down the field, it seems there are plenty of viable options with no opponents lined up at the moment.
If I were in Joe Silva’s shoes, I’d be keen on having “OSP” take on Jimi Manuwa if “Posterboy” is at full health. If you have a better potential opponent in mind, let us know in the comments section below.
Jason Miller’s return to MMA might have to wait after his latest run-in with the law. The troubled UFC veteran was arrested for allegedly vandalizing a tattoo shop this January. He was taken to Orange County Men’s Central jail where he is being held on a $1,000,000 bond according to a report from TMZ Sports.
Jason Miller’s return to MMA might have to wait after his latest run-in with the law.
The troubled UFC veteran was arrested for allegedly vandalizing a tattoo shop this January. He was taken to Orange County Men’s Central jail where he is being held on a $1,000,000 bond according to a report from TMZ Sports.
‘Mayhem’ was scheduled to take on fellow UFC castoff Luke Barnatt in the headliner of May 21’s Venator 21 from Italy, his first fight since a 2012 defeat to middleweight vet C.B. Dolloway.
Miller was once a prominent figure in the MMA world, hosting MTV’s “Bully Beatdown” prior to his stint as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 14. There, he failed to deliver on his massive trash talk opposite Michael Bisping, absorbing an embarassing TKO loss at the Finale.
He was cut after the subsequent loss to Dollaway and has been on an unfortunate downward spiral of drug and alcohol abuse coupled with numerous arrests for charges such as DUI, assaulting a police officer, and a highly publicized standoff with a SWAT team at his California home. The high number of his arrests coupled with the fact that he already out on bail for a prior felony charge.
Miller was reportedly arrested on Tuesday and appeared in court today.
Venator FC has not pulled Mayhem from the bout despite the allegations, but with only slightly more than two months remaining until the card, they may have no choice.
The three things you need to know about Bec Rawlings trying to right the fight ship against the diminutive but talented Seohee Ham for UFN 85 in Australia.
Women’s strawweight opens up the Hunt vs. Mir main card festivities this March 20, 2016 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, Australia.
However, the real question for Rawlings is whether she can match that talk with the proverbial walk. She has the personality to take her far in the UFC, but her skills in the division are a question mark.
2. Ham is a bit better than her brief record indicates, and anything but a “squash match” for Rawlings.
Her last win was debated given Cortney Casey’s ability to land the bulk of the meaner shots, but Ham stood tall in the end, and displayed the same durability she’s shown throughout her career. Will it be enough against Rawlings?
3. Ham’s toughness can hold up to Rawling’s offense. However, durability is a fickle beast.
Seohee Ham has had a fairly impressive run. Her performance against Joanne Calderwood was somewhat mixed; good technique lost out to modest technique, reach, and a few too brutal front kicks too many. But at her best, the pugilist southpaw from South Korea is a potent blend of thread the needle boxing, and pressure warfare. Her straight left is efficient, and she does a good job of sustaining a diverse attack. On the ground, despite her diminutive frame, she’s adept at maintaining her balance through her sprawl, or within scrambles. She’ll virtually never not be at a size disadvantage in the division, so this will take her a long way.
Against Rawlings, she’ll be dealing with an improving kickboxer who is adept at stringing a mid-range attack into dirty boxing. Rinse. Repeat. And Beat. Rawlings has traditionally confined herself to proximity boxing, but as she’s improved, she’s been able to explore the rest of her arsenal.
Prediction
On the feet, Ham will display her pedigree. She’ll be the first on the draw early. But as I said, durability is a fickle fruit. Rawlings’ ability to close the distance and take over with knees, and clinchwork will be the deciding factor. Ham is good at using tactics to undercut her size disadvantage ,but she concedes too much room to her opponent at times. One of the issues non North American MMA generally has is that the lack of a significant network of coaching influences a fighter’s inability to phase shift. Thankfully, that’s changing. Ham is the better technical fighter by a comfortable margin. But she tries too hard to fight a big woman’s game at times, and I think that’ll be the difference in controversy. Bec Rawlings by Split Decision.
The three things you need to know about Bec Rawlings trying to right the fight ship against the diminutive but talented Seohee Ham for UFN 85 in Australia.
Women’s strawweight opens up the Hunt vs. Mir main card festivities this March 20, 2016 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, Australia.
However, the real question for Rawlings is whether she can match that talk with the proverbial walk. She has the personality to take her far in the UFC, but her skills in the division are a question mark.
2. Ham is a bit better than her brief record indicates, and anything but a “squash match” for Rawlings.
Her last win was debated given Cortney Casey’s ability to land the bulk of the meaner shots, but Ham stood tall in the end, and displayed the same durability she’s shown throughout her career. Will it be enough against Rawlings?
3. Ham’s toughness can hold up to Rawling’s offense. However, durability is a fickle beast.
Seohee Ham has had a fairly impressive run. Her performance against Joanne Calderwood was somewhat mixed; good technique lost out to modest technique, reach, and a few too brutal front kicks too many. But at her best, the pugilist southpaw from South Korea is a potent blend of thread the needle boxing, and pressure warfare. Her straight left is efficient, and she does a good job of sustaining a diverse attack. On the ground, despite her diminutive frame, she’s adept at maintaining her balance through her sprawl, or within scrambles. She’ll virtually never not be at a size disadvantage in the division, so this will take her a long way.
Against Rawlings, she’ll be dealing with an improving kickboxer who is adept at stringing a mid-range attack into dirty boxing. Rinse. Repeat. And Beat. Rawlings has traditionally confined herself to proximity boxing, but as she’s improved, she’s been able to explore the rest of her arsenal.
Prediction
On the feet, Ham will display her pedigree. She’ll be the first on the draw early. But as I said, durability is a fickle fruit. Rawlings’ ability to close the distance and take over with knees, and clinchwork will be the deciding factor. Ham is good at using tactics to undercut her size disadvantage ,but she concedes too much room to her opponent at times. One of the issues non North American MMA generally has is that the lack of a significant network of coaching influences a fighter’s inability to phase shift. Thankfully, that’s changing. Ham is the better technical fighter by a comfortable margin. But she tries too hard to fight a big woman’s game at times, and I think that’ll be the difference in controversy. Bec Rawlings by Split Decision.
