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Edmond Tarverdyan on Travis Browne’s boxing: ‘I saw a lot of mistakes’

Travis Browne surprised a lot of people when he said in an interview that he was only just “learning to fight” with new coach Edmond Tarverdyan.

After all, this was a guy who spent the last few years training at Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA in Albuquerque, N.M., regarded as one of the top camps in the world. Tarverdyan attempted to explain to Ariel Helwani what Brown meant when he spoke to FOX Sports two months ago. The coach told Ariel Helwani on Monday’s The MMA Hour that he “saw a lot of mistakes” in the heavyweight’s game when he arrived at Glendale Fighting Club.

“The guy can’t punch from short distance or middle distance,” said Tarverdyan, who has made his MMA name coaching UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. “He has to swing his hands. And even swinging, when he was out there he really couldn’t have punched. He punches, but you have to swing to be able to connect that shot. Yes, it does [land], because he just has that in him, the fighting instinct. He just does it in there and it’s been working for him. But not at the top level where somebody could really keep the distance the right way. He won’t be able to land a shot and then what happens?”

Browne, who meets Brendan Schaub at UFC 181 on Saturday in Las Vegas, never meant to insult his coaches at Jackson’s. But he believes he has gained a wealth of knowledge about the fight game during this camp in Los Angeles.

“I learned as a fighter I know how to go out there and mess somebody,” Browne told FOX Sports in October. “I know how to go out there and ‘F’ stuff up, but I don’t know how to fight. That’s one of the things that I’m learning right now. As a fighter, you kind of don’t want to admit that but at the same time I’m not looking to sit here comfortably in the three-spot or four-spot — I’m going for the championship.”

Tarverdyan said it would be incorrect to intimate that Browne (16-2-1) was clueless in the Octagon. Browne has had plenty of success in the UFC and would have been the No. 1 contender in the heavyweight division had he beaten Fabricio Werdum on FOX back in April. His only other career loss came to Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and he tore his hamstring during that bout.

“Of course he could fight,” Tarverdyan said. “The guy gets in there and gets a lot of knockouts. He does know how to fight. But knows how to fight properly and knows how to balance himself and will be able to win against opponents at the top level? Absolutely not. Now he can. Because now he knows exactly what he’s doing.”

Browne’s biggest holes were, according to Tarverdyan, inside striking and strength and conditioning. Since coming to Glendale Fighting club, Browne has improved his gas tank and has held his own against Olympic-level boxers, per the coach.

“If a heavyweight cannot hit the bag for one round, there’s something wrong with that,” Tarverydyan said. “Travis Browne couldn’t hit the bag for one round. He would get fatigued, because he couldn’t let his hands go constantly the way I wanted him to go.”

The one thing Tarverdyan never doubted was Browne’s toughness. The Hawaiian broke his hand early in the fight with Werdum and persevered for all five rounds.

“He’s a fighter,” Tarverdyan said. “He’s gonna go out there and fight. That I know. The guy fought with one hand and was behind, yes. It says a lot. He does have heart. He does go out there and fight. And now he’s gonna go out there and fight and be able to fight the right way, I would say.”

Travis Browne surprised a lot of people when he said in an interview that he was only just “learning to fight” with new coach Edmond Tarverdyan.

After all, this was a guy who spent the last few years training at Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA in Albuquerque, N.M., regarded as one of the top camps in the world. Tarverdyan attempted to explain to Ariel Helwani what Brown meant when he spoke to FOX Sports two months ago. The coach told Ariel Helwani on Monday’s The MMA Hour that he “saw a lot of mistakes” in the heavyweight’s game when he arrived at Glendale Fighting Club.

“The guy can’t punch from short distance or middle distance,” said Tarverdyan, who has made his MMA name coaching UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. “He has to swing his hands. And even swinging, when he was out there he really couldn’t have punched. He punches, but you have to swing to be able to connect that shot. Yes, it does [land], because he just has that in him, the fighting instinct. He just does it in there and it’s been working for him. But not at the top level where somebody could really keep the distance the right way. He won’t be able to land a shot and then what happens?”

Browne, who meets Brendan Schaub at UFC 181 on Saturday in Las Vegas, never meant to insult his coaches at Jackson’s. But he believes he has gained a wealth of knowledge about the fight game during this camp in Los Angeles.

“I learned as a fighter I know how to go out there and mess somebody,” Browne told FOX Sports in October. “I know how to go out there and ‘F’ stuff up, but I don’t know how to fight. That’s one of the things that I’m learning right now. As a fighter, you kind of don’t want to admit that but at the same time I’m not looking to sit here comfortably in the three-spot or four-spot — I’m going for the championship.”

Tarverdyan said it would be incorrect to intimate that Browne (16-2-1) was clueless in the Octagon. Browne has had plenty of success in the UFC and would have been the No. 1 contender in the heavyweight division had he beaten Fabricio Werdum on FOX back in April. His only other career loss came to Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and he tore his hamstring during that bout.

“Of course he could fight,” Tarverdyan said. “The guy gets in there and gets a lot of knockouts. He does know how to fight. But knows how to fight properly and knows how to balance himself and will be able to win against opponents at the top level? Absolutely not. Now he can. Because now he knows exactly what he’s doing.”

Browne’s biggest holes were, according to Tarverdyan, inside striking and strength and conditioning. Since coming to Glendale Fighting club, Browne has improved his gas tank and has held his own against Olympic-level boxers, per the coach.

“If a heavyweight cannot hit the bag for one round, there’s something wrong with that,” Tarverydyan said. “Travis Browne couldn’t hit the bag for one round. He would get fatigued, because he couldn’t let his hands go constantly the way I wanted him to go.”

The one thing Tarverdyan never doubted was Browne’s toughness. The Hawaiian broke his hand early in the fight with Werdum and persevered for all five rounds.

“He’s a fighter,” Tarverdyan said. “He’s gonna go out there and fight. That I know. The guy fought with one hand and was behind, yes. It says a lot. He does have heart. He does go out there and fight. And now he’s gonna go out there and fight and be able to fight the right way, I would say.”

Dana White thinks Anthony Pettis is ‘the pound-for-pound best’ fighter in the world

Earlier this year, it was Renan Barao. Then it was Jon Jones. At some point, it was probably Jose Aldo, too.

But UFC president Dana White has changed his mind again on who the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world is. He believes it to be Anthony Pettis, who just so happens to be defending his lightweight title against Gilbert Melendez in the co-main event of UFC 181 on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

In fairness to White, he did preface his statement in an interview Friday with Jim Rome. At least the first time he said it.

“Honestly, I think Pettis is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, if the kid could stay healthy,” White said. “This kid is able to do things to people that other people can’t do. The famous run-off-the-cage kick. He bounces off the cage and hits people with knees.”

White went on to put over Pettis’ superior kicking ability and, well, he might have a point about that.

“He’s so powerful with his kicks that once he kicks you, he hurts you immediately,” White said. “Human beings can’t take the kicks to the body that this kid throws.”

Sure. But the assertion that Pettis, who has not fought in 16 months, is tops on the planet is flawed. He’s ranked No. 6 on the UFC’s official pound-for-pound list, which is voted on by media. Jones and Aldo both could make much more compelling cases, especially Jones. Then there are guys like Demetrious Johnson and Cain Velasquez. Chris Weidman has two wins over Anderson Silva.

To White, though, Pettis is the man. And not just because he’s gracing the cover of a Wheaties box.

“I believe that kid is the pound-for-pound best,” White said. “He is an incredible athlete and has this style that’s incredibly hard to defend against.”

Earlier this year, it was Renan Barao. Then it was Jon Jones. At some point, it was probably Jose Aldo, too.

But UFC president Dana White has changed his mind again on who the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world is. He believes it to be Anthony Pettis, who just so happens to be defending his lightweight title against Gilbert Melendez in the co-main event of UFC 181 on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

In fairness to White, he did preface his statement in an interview Friday with Jim Rome. At least the first time he said it.

“Honestly, I think Pettis is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, if the kid could stay healthy,” White said. “This kid is able to do things to people that other people can’t do. The famous run-off-the-cage kick. He bounces off the cage and hits people with knees.”

White went on to put over Pettis’ superior kicking ability and, well, he might have a point about that.

“He’s so powerful with his kicks that once he kicks you, he hurts you immediately,” White said. “Human beings can’t take the kicks to the body that this kid throws.”

Sure. But the assertion that Pettis, who has not fought in 16 months, is tops on the planet is flawed. He’s ranked No. 6 on the UFC’s official pound-for-pound list, which is voted on by media. Jones and Aldo both could make much more compelling cases, especially Jones. Then there are guys like Demetrious Johnson and Cain Velasquez. Chris Weidman has two wins over Anderson Silva.

To White, though, Pettis is the man. And not just because he’s gracing the cover of a Wheaties box.

“I believe that kid is the pound-for-pound best,” White said. “He is an incredible athlete and has this style that’s incredibly hard to defend against.”

Robbie Lawler: ‘I Want To Finish Hendricks’

Robbie Lawler has warned fans not to expect another ding-dong battle with Johny Hendricks, because he’s planning an early night.The welterweights’ first clash in March was one of the fights of the year with Hendricks prevailing in Texas to win the vaca…

Robbie Lawler has warned fans not to expect another ding-dong battle with Johny Hendricks, because he’s planning an early night.The welterweights’ first clash in March was one of the fights of the year with Hendricks prevailing in Texas to win the vacant title.And Lawler is confident he can exact revenge in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
 Full Article on Mail Online. Read the Full Article Here

Invicta FC 10 results: Herica Tiburcio stuns Michelle Waterson to win atomweight title

Invicta FC is down a poster girl.
Michelle Waterson, arguably the most popular fighter in the organization, was upset by young newcomer Herica Tiburcio by submission (arm-in guillotine) at 1:04 of the third round in the main event of Invicta…

Invicta FC is down a poster girl.

Michelle Waterson, arguably the most popular fighter in the organization, was upset by young newcomer Herica Tiburcio by submission (arm-in guillotine) at 1:04 of the third round in the main event of Invicta FC 10 on Friday night in Houston, Texas. Tiburcio, who is just 21 years old, is the new Invicta women’s atomweight champion. The card aired live on UFC Fight Pass.

Tiburcio (9-2), from Brazil, gave Waterson a black eye in the first round and nearly finished her two separate times in the second, with a key lock and an armbar. “The Karate Hottie” persevered then, but could not in the third. Tiburcio jumped an arm-in guillotine after taking Waterson down and the champion was forced to tap.

It was a stunning result for an organization in need of star power. Waterson (12-4), attractive and charismatic with an exciting style, was the perfect face for the all-women’s promotion following the departures of many of its stars to the UFC. But it was Tiburcio’s night — and she appeared to be the better fighter, too.

Waterson, 28, is far from done and will almost surely earn a rematch in a thin 105-pound division. She had won six in a row and defeated current UFC fighter Jessica Penne for the title at Invicta FC 5 in April 2013. Most recently, “The Karate Hottie” knocked off Yasuko Tamada at Invicta FC 8 in September.

Waterson wasn’t even supposed to headline this event, but was asked to when Cris “Cyborg” Justino pulled out with an injury.

Tiburcio has now won four straight. Her last loss came to UFC fighter Claudia Gadelha, one of the top 115-pounders in the world, at Max Sport 13.2 in May 2013. At her young age, she has a chance to be a star for a long time in Invicta FC, but she won’t be nearly as marketable as Waterson, especially since she doesn’t speak English.

Invicta might have had one of its stars lose, but another is coming into her own. Tonya Evinger submitted Cindy Dandois with an armbar at 1:23 of the second round in the co-main event. Evinger (15-5) has now won six in a row and should be a shoo-in to contend for the vacant women’s bantamweight title.

“I don’t even know how to do armbars,” Evinger said afterward.

With her charisma, Evinger, 33, has a chance to headline an Invicta event sometime in the future. Dandois (5-3) was making her return to the cage after three years away.

In the feel-good fight of the night, women’s MMA pioneer Roxanne Modafferi defeated top prospect Andrea Lee by split decision. Modafferi (18-11) was a sizeable underdog in the bout, but used her superior ground game to stifle her younger, more athletic opponent. The 25-year-old Lee (2-1) is still extremely inexperienced and remains a potential future star for the organization.

Speaking of prospects, Mexican strawweight Alexa Grasso continued to show her huge potential with a first-round TKO of Alida Gray at 1:21 of the first round. Her crisp striking and rare knockout power for someone her size could turn her into a serious draw, especially in her home country. It might not be long before the UFC comes calling for the 21-year-old Grasso (6-0).

In other bouts, DeAnna Bennett beat Jennifer Maia and Peggy Morgan defeated Andria Wawro, each in controversial unanimous decisions. Jinh Yu Frey, an exciting finisher, beat Cassie Robb by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:36 of the first round and Rachael Ostovich won her debut over Evva Johnson via split decision.

Anthony Pettis on Khabib Nurmagomedov: ‘I didn’t know who he was, honestly’

Anthony Pettis‘ first encounter with Khabib Nurmagomedov came last year on Twitter. Since then, Nurmagomedov has been relentless, both in his pursuit of the UFC lightweight title and his trash talk of Pettis, the champion. But back then, Pettis admits he wasn’t exactly sure what to make of the correspondence.

“A little bit it got under my skin, so I got back at him,” Pettis told MMA Fighting on Monday at a media lunch in New York. “I didn’t know who he was honestly when I initially tweeted him back. I was like, who is this guy? Then I saw him fight Pat Healy. I wasn’t impressed — just another tough wrestler guy. Then he beat [Rafael] dos Anjos. Ehh.”

Pettis (17-2), who defends his title against Gilbert Melendez in the co-main event of UFC 181 on Saturday in Las Vegas, isn’t sure if Nurmagomedov has done quite enough to earn the next title shot. “Showtime” doesn’t think victories of dos Anjos and Healy are enough to warrant a No. 1 contender position.

“Both of them guys haven’t proven enough to be in title contention,” Pettis said. “Maybe if he fights someone like [Donald] Cerrone or whoever the next guy is. Maybe Myles Jury.”

Nurmagomedov (22-0) has been extremely vocal about Pettis recently, especially since he has improved his English. The dominant Dagestani wrestler has called Pettis a “paper champion” and said a fight against him would be “easy money.”

“I think he [doesn’t] want this fight,” Nurmagomedov said of Pettis on The MMA Hour in September. “I am no good for his style. My pressure, my wrestling, my top control, it’s no good for him. He said he wants to fight Nate Diaz. Nate Diaz lose many times in the UFC, and I am undefeated. I am the next contender. But he’s not saying ‘Khabib is good, Khabib is undefeated, Khabib is 6-0,’ he’s not saying nothing. I think he [doesn’t] want this fight.”

Pettis has not ruled out a fight with Nurmagomedov and concedes that the No. 1 contender if he beats Melendez on Saturday is up in the air. And maybe it could be Nurmagomedov, who is currently recovering from knee surgery.

“I think he’s right there,” Pettis said “It’s kind of weird after this fight. I didn’t look after this fight yet, but the question was asked. Who knows? If he didn’t have a knee injury, maybe he would be next if the timing matches up.”

Pettis himself has not even defended the belt yet. He beat Benson Henderson to win the lightweight title at UFC 164 in August 2013 and has not fought since. “Showtime” had knee surgery late last year and then spent the summer filming The Ultimate Fighter 20 opposite Melendez. But he relishes the other contenders in the loaded lightweight division gunning for him.

“I love it,” Pettis said. “Everybody has to look at me and want what I have around my waist. I only have to fight them one at a time.”

As for Nurmagomedov? Pettis said he just needs to wait his turn, whenever that might come up.

“He’s an up-and-comer,” Pettis said. “He’s pleading his case, he wants a title shot. He’s undefeated. Title shots are hard to get. I know from experience.”

Anthony Pettis‘ first encounter with Khabib Nurmagomedov came last year on Twitter. Since then, Nurmagomedov has been relentless, both in his pursuit of the UFC lightweight title and his trash talk of Pettis, the champion. But back then, Pettis admits he wasn’t exactly sure what to make of the correspondence.

“A little bit it got under my skin, so I got back at him,” Pettis told MMA Fighting on Monday at a media lunch in New York. “I didn’t know who he was honestly when I initially tweeted him back. I was like, who is this guy? Then I saw him fight Pat Healy. I wasn’t impressed — just another tough wrestler guy. Then he beat [Rafael] dos Anjos. Ehh.”

Pettis (17-2), who defends his title against Gilbert Melendez in the co-main event of UFC 181 on Saturday in Las Vegas, isn’t sure if Nurmagomedov has done quite enough to earn the next title shot. “Showtime” doesn’t think victories of dos Anjos and Healy are enough to warrant a No. 1 contender position.

“Both of them guys haven’t proven enough to be in title contention,” Pettis said. “Maybe if he fights someone like [Donald] Cerrone or whoever the next guy is. Maybe Myles Jury.”

Nurmagomedov (22-0) has been extremely vocal about Pettis recently, especially since he has improved his English. The dominant Dagestani wrestler has called Pettis a “paper champion” and said a fight against him would be “easy money.”

“I think he [doesn’t] want this fight,” Nurmagomedov said of Pettis on The MMA Hour in September. “I am no good for his style. My pressure, my wrestling, my top control, it’s no good for him. He said he wants to fight Nate Diaz. Nate Diaz lose many times in the UFC, and I am undefeated. I am the next contender. But he’s not saying ‘Khabib is good, Khabib is undefeated, Khabib is 6-0,’ he’s not saying nothing. I think he [doesn’t] want this fight.”

Pettis has not ruled out a fight with Nurmagomedov and concedes that the No. 1 contender if he beats Melendez on Saturday is up in the air. And maybe it could be Nurmagomedov, who is currently recovering from knee surgery.

“I think he’s right there,” Pettis said “It’s kind of weird after this fight. I didn’t look after this fight yet, but the question was asked. Who knows? If he didn’t have a knee injury, maybe he would be next if the timing matches up.”

Pettis himself has not even defended the belt yet. He beat Benson Henderson to win the lightweight title at UFC 164 in August 2013 and has not fought since. “Showtime” had knee surgery late last year and then spent the summer filming The Ultimate Fighter 20 opposite Melendez. But he relishes the other contenders in the loaded lightweight division gunning for him.

“I love it,” Pettis said. “Everybody has to look at me and want what I have around my waist. I only have to fight them one at a time.”

As for Nurmagomedov? Pettis said he just needs to wait his turn, whenever that might come up.

“He’s an up-and-comer,” Pettis said. “He’s pleading his case, he wants a title shot. He’s undefeated. Title shots are hard to get. I know from experience.”

Anthony Pettis on Khabib Nurmagomedov: ‘I didn’t know who he was, honestly’

Anthony Pettis‘ first encounter with Khabib Nurmagomedov came last year on Twitter. Since then, Nurmagomedov has been relentless, both in his pursuit of the UFC lightweight title and his trash talk of Pettis, the champion. But back then, Pettis admits he wasn’t exactly sure what to make of the correspondence.

“A little bit it got under my skin, so I got back at him,” Pettis told MMA Fighting on Monday at a media lunch in New York. “I didn’t know who he was honestly when I initially tweeted him back. I was like, who is this guy? Then I saw him fight Pat Healy. I wasn’t impressed — just another tough wrestler guy. Then he beat [Rafael] dos Anjos. Ehh.”

Pettis (17-2), who defends his title against Gilbert Melendez in the co-main event of UFC 181 on Saturday in Las Vegas, isn’t sure if Nurmagomedov has done quite enough to earn the next title shot. “Showtime” doesn’t think victories of dos Anjos and Healy are enough to warrant a No. 1 contender position.

“Both of them guys haven’t proven enough to be in title contention,” Pettis said. “Maybe if he fights someone like [Donald] Cerrone or whoever the next guy is. Maybe Myles Jury.”

Nurmagomedov (22-0) has been extremely vocal about Pettis recently, especially since he has improved his English. The dominant Dagestani wrestler has called Pettis a “paper champion” and said a fight against him would be “easy money.”

“I think he [doesn’t] want this fight,” Nurmagomedov said of Pettis on The MMA Hour in September. “I am no good for his style. My pressure, my wrestling, my top control, it’s no good for him. He said he wants to fight Nate Diaz. Nate Diaz lose many times in the UFC, and I am undefeated. I am the next contender. But he’s not saying ‘Khabib is good, Khabib is undefeated, Khabib is 6-0,’ he’s not saying nothing. I think he [doesn’t] want this fight.”

Pettis has not ruled out a fight with Nurmagomedov and concedes that the No. 1 contender if he beats Melendez on Saturday is up in the air. And maybe it could be Nurmagomedov, who is currently recovering from knee surgery.

“I think he’s right there,” Pettis said “It’s kind of weird after this fight. I didn’t look after this fight yet, but the question was asked. Who knows? If he didn’t have a knee injury, maybe he would be next if the timing matches up.”

Pettis himself has not even defended the belt yet. He beat Benson Henderson to win the lightweight title at UFC 164 in August 2013 and has not fought since. “Showtime” had knee surgery late last year and then spent the summer filming The Ultimate Fighter 20 opposite Melendez. But he relishes the other contenders in the loaded lightweight division gunning for him.

“I love it,” Pettis said. “Everybody has to look at me and want what I have around my waist. I only have to fight them one at a time.”

As for Nurmagomedov? Pettis said he just needs to wait his turn, whenever that might come up.

“He’s an up-and-comer,” Pettis said. “He’s pleading his case, he wants a title shot. He’s undefeated. Title shots are hard to get. I know from experience.”

Anthony Pettis‘ first encounter with Khabib Nurmagomedov came last year on Twitter. Since then, Nurmagomedov has been relentless, both in his pursuit of the UFC lightweight title and his trash talk of Pettis, the champion. But back then, Pettis admits he wasn’t exactly sure what to make of the correspondence.

“A little bit it got under my skin, so I got back at him,” Pettis told MMA Fighting on Monday at a media lunch in New York. “I didn’t know who he was honestly when I initially tweeted him back. I was like, who is this guy? Then I saw him fight Pat Healy. I wasn’t impressed — just another tough wrestler guy. Then he beat [Rafael] dos Anjos. Ehh.”

Pettis (17-2), who defends his title against Gilbert Melendez in the co-main event of UFC 181 on Saturday in Las Vegas, isn’t sure if Nurmagomedov has done quite enough to earn the next title shot. “Showtime” doesn’t think victories of dos Anjos and Healy are enough to warrant a No. 1 contender position.

“Both of them guys haven’t proven enough to be in title contention,” Pettis said. “Maybe if he fights someone like [Donald] Cerrone or whoever the next guy is. Maybe Myles Jury.”

Nurmagomedov (22-0) has been extremely vocal about Pettis recently, especially since he has improved his English. The dominant Dagestani wrestler has called Pettis a “paper champion” and said a fight against him would be “easy money.”

“I think he [doesn’t] want this fight,” Nurmagomedov said of Pettis on The MMA Hour in September. “I am no good for his style. My pressure, my wrestling, my top control, it’s no good for him. He said he wants to fight Nate Diaz. Nate Diaz lose many times in the UFC, and I am undefeated. I am the next contender. But he’s not saying ‘Khabib is good, Khabib is undefeated, Khabib is 6-0,’ he’s not saying nothing. I think he [doesn’t] want this fight.”

Pettis has not ruled out a fight with Nurmagomedov and concedes that the No. 1 contender if he beats Melendez on Saturday is up in the air. And maybe it could be Nurmagomedov, who is currently recovering from knee surgery.

“I think he’s right there,” Pettis said “It’s kind of weird after this fight. I didn’t look after this fight yet, but the question was asked. Who knows? If he didn’t have a knee injury, maybe he would be next if the timing matches up.”

Pettis himself has not even defended the belt yet. He beat Benson Henderson to win the lightweight title at UFC 164 in August 2013 and has not fought since. “Showtime” had knee surgery late last year and then spent the summer filming The Ultimate Fighter 20 opposite Melendez. But he relishes the other contenders in the loaded lightweight division gunning for him.

“I love it,” Pettis said. “Everybody has to look at me and want what I have around my waist. I only have to fight them one at a time.”

As for Nurmagomedov? Pettis said he just needs to wait his turn, whenever that might come up.

“He’s an up-and-comer,” Pettis said. “He’s pleading his case, he wants a title shot. He’s undefeated. Title shots are hard to get. I know from experience.”