Author: Alex Ballentine

Uriah Hall Can’t Look Past Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale Opponent Kelvin Gastelum

If Uriah Hall defeats Kelvin Gastelum to become The Ultimate Fighter season 17 winner, prepare for the inundation of praise. There will be plenty of those ready to throw him up against the very best in 185-pound division.The operative word there is if …

If Uriah Hall defeats Kelvin Gastelum to become The Ultimate Fighter season 17 winner, prepare for the inundation of praise. There will be plenty of those ready to throw him up against the very best in 185-pound division.

The operative word there is if Hall beats Gastelum.

Hall has created quite the buzz with his performance on the show this season. Quite frankly, the hype is deserved. He delivered one of the most memorable knockouts in the history of not just the show but the UFC as an organization against Adam Cella.

He didn’t stop there, though. He followed it up with a devastating knockout of Bubba McDaniel in the first round. He then saved his most impressive feat for last and essentially knocked out Dylan Andrews from bottom position in the second round to advance to the finals.

It’s easy to see why Hall is being seen as a potential contender right way. He’s been a blast to watch fight on the show and the potential is definitely there.

However, his opponent has been counted out from the beginning and is now in the same position as Hall.

Gastelum was an afterthought even in the show’s draft process. As Chael Sonnen’s last pick, he didn’t stand out during the entry round and was never considered one of the front-runners to wind up in that position.

Despite the lack of fanfare, he’s finished all of his opponents in the house on his way to the final.

He choked out McDaniel in the second round. Showed off some power when he scored a first-round knockout of Collin Hart in the next round and punched his ticket to the final with a submission victory over Josh Samman.

It’s felt like Gaselum has been the underdog in every round, yet he just finds a way to win.

In many ways, he’s the perfect opponent for Hall to take on in The Ultimate Fighter Finale. Hall is the ultimate favorite—the flashy knockout artist with the potential to become a legitimate contender right away.

Gastelum is the perpetual underdog—always overlooked yet surprisingly efficient. Just watching the two fight we know that Hall is the favorite; he’s earned that. But we also know that Gastelum won’t quit or fight apprehensively.

Hall may be capable of accomplishing great things in the Octagon, but he can’t afford to be focused on anything other than beating Gastelum at The Ultimate Fighter Finale, because Gastelum certainly won’t be looking past Hall.

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Mousasi vs. Latifi Results: Bouts for Both Fighters to Take After UFC on Fuel 9

As expected, Gegard Mousasi breezed through his UFC debut against Ilir Latifi at UFC on Fuel TV 9 in Sweden. Mousasi came out and controlled the fight from the very beginning. He didn’t score a fancy finish like many expected, but he controlled th…

As expected, Gegard Mousasi breezed through his UFC debut against Ilir Latifi at UFC on Fuel TV 9 in Sweden. 

Mousasi came out and controlled the fight from the very beginning. He didn’t score a fancy finish like many expected, but he controlled the distance well in the stand-up department and slowly picked apart the stocky Latifi. 

Latifi came in as a heavy underdog after stepping in on short notice, but he put on a good effort. Despite being completely overmatched, he hung tough for three rounds and even scored a takedown late in the fight. 

It wasn’t a fight that will have fans buzzing for very long, but Mousasi put in a successful debut and Latifi showed that he’s tough enough to warrant a second shot in the UFC with a more conventional scenario this time around. 

Here are a few potential matchups for each fighter going forward. 

 

Gegard Mousasi

Alexander Gustafsson

Mousasi did what he had to do against Latifi, now he should be rewarded with the marquee fight he was originally given. 

Gustafsson had to withdraw from the fight due to a cut over his eye suffered in training, but he’s still one of the top contenders in the light heavyweight division. He’s coming off of a win against Mauricio Rua and could be one more win away from a title shot. 

Mousasi could pose some problems for the lanky striker and a win would automatically put him in title contention. 

 

Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes Winner

Mousasi‘s win wasn’t enough to propel him up the light heavyweight rankings, but a win over the winner of Phil Davis and Vinny Magalhaes would put him in contention. 

Davis and Magalhaes are set to face off at UFC 159. Both are experts on the ground with developing striking skills, so they would present an interesting matchup for Mousasi. 

This is another matchup that would afford Mousasi the opportunity to rise up the ranks with a win. 

 

Ilir Lafiti

Anthony Perosh

Latifi put on an admirable performance on late notice. He came up short against Mousasi, but it would be interesting to see what he’s able to do with the benefit of a full camp to prepare.

At the very least, the UFC could stash him on the roster for the next time the organization heads to Europe. If they do that, a matchup with Perosh makes sense, the organization has used him primarily in international events. 

Perosh is coming off of seven-second loss to Ryan Jimmo, but holds three wins in the UFC. He’s a skilled grappler and would provide a true litmus test for Latifi‘s credibility as a UFC fighter. 

 

Ovince St. Preux vs. Gian Villante Loser

There aren’t many low-end options at 205 pounds on the UFC roster for Latifi to fight next, but a matchup against the loser of the St. Preux and Villante fight makes sense. 

The two former Strikeforce fighters are set to make their UFC debuts against one another at UFC 159. St. Preux recently loss to Mousasi by unanimous decision, so there’s a common opponent there that could make this fight interesting. 

The loser of this fight could take on Latifi with the loser most likely receiving their release. 

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UFC on Fuel TV 9: Power Ranking Top Must-See Fights on Main Card in Sweden

The UFC makes its return to Sweden on April 6 with UFC on Fuel TV 9 being broadcast live from Stockholm.The card may be light on big names, but a card full of free fights is better than no fights at all. Fans turning into the matinee (the main card kic…

The UFC makes its return to Sweden on April 6 with UFC on Fuel TV 9 being broadcast live from Stockholm.

The card may be light on big names, but a card full of free fights is better than no fights at all. Fans turning into the matinee (the main card kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Fuel TV) will be treated to some good scraps. 

Headlined by a light heavyweight tilt between international star Gegard Mousasi and little-known Ilir Latifi, this is a card that is heavy on up-and-comers looking to make a statement. 

Here’s a look at the three fights that fans should be looking forward to based on intrigue and potential awesomeness.

 

3. Gegard Mousasi vs. Ilir Latifi

Yeah, this isn’t Alexander Gustafsson vs. Mousasi as fans were anticipating, but this fight isn’t a completely lost cause.

Mousasi‘s UFC debut is still something to get excited about. He’s one of the most accomplished fighters in the world that has yet to make his UFC debut, and going against a hometown product looking to pull off the huge upset provides some interesting back story.

Mousasi is an electric striker with a strong submission game so even if it’s a blowout, we should get to at least see a fun finish.

Despite its headliner status, it isn’t the best fight on the card. You still won’t want to miss it.

 

2. Ross Pearson vs. Ryan Couture

The son of a legend makes his UFC debut. A former Ultimate Fighter winner attempts to get things rolling as a lightweight again after a knockout victory in his return to the division. What’s not to love?

Ryan Couture is the son of UFC legend Randy Couture. That won’t be the first time you hear that, but he does have serious skills. He brings a 6-1 record from Strikeforce into the Octagon with his latest win coming over veteran K.J. Noons.

Pearson already has two Fight of the Night performances to his name. He’s coming off of an impressive knockout of George Sotiropoulos. The intrigue of grappler vs. striker is definitely there and this one could be a barn burner.

 

1. Mike Easton vs. Brad Pickett

Brad Pickett is not capable of being in a boring fight. Mike Easton throws every punch with bad intentions. This has Fight of the Night written all over it. 

Both Pickett and Easton are coming off of disappointing losses but can take a big step forward with a win. Pickett has fought four times in the UFC. Three of those times he has walked away with a post-fight bonus of some sort (Fight of the Night twice, Knockout of the Night once). 

According to Fightnomics, Easton and Pickett should set the fastest pace of any matchup on the card.

 

Both fighters love to set a fast pace and have experience going the distance. This has to be the odds-on favorite for Fight of the Night. 

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UFC on Fuel TV 9: Predicting Most Impressive Performances in Sweden

The UFC on Fuel TV 9 card will see a few fighters take a big step forward in their careers.The free event being broadcast from Stockholm may not be the most talked-about event in UFC history, but winning only leads to bigger and better things. Placemen…

The UFC on Fuel TV 9 card will see a few fighters take a big step forward in their careers.

The free event being broadcast from Stockholm may not be the most talked-about event in UFC history, but winning only leads to bigger and better things. Placement on bigger and better cards is all about making the most of your opportunities, and that’s just what the fighters on this card will look to do. 

From well-known veterans looking to rise to new heights to relative unknowns making their UFC debut, this card features a ton of fighters with a lot to gain on Saturday. 

Here’s a look at three fighters that should make big statements in Stockholm.

 

Robbie Peralta

Poor Peralta has been buried on the Facebook prelims in every one of his three UFC fights. He’s also gone 2-0 with one no-contest in those three fights. 

His last fight, a win over Jason Young, lasted just 23 seconds, as Peralta’s devastating power was on full display. This time around Peralta finally gets the main card treatment against an opponent that fans are at least a little familiar with. He’ll take on former The Ultimate Fighter contestant Akira Corassani.

Corassani won his UFC debut at UFC on Fuel TV 5 against Andy Ogle, but he didn’t look nearly as dominant as Peralta has. 

Expect Peralta to make a case to remain on the televised portion of cards with an impressive finish. 

 

Ryan Couture

Ryan Couture is going to have to put together a pretty nice career to get out of his father’s (Randy Couture) shadow. A win in his debut against Ross Pearson would be a good start.

Couture enters the fight as a sizable underdog (plus-300, according to Bovada), but he has the tools to win the fight. 

Pearson is a grizzled veteran in the organization. He’s fought in the UFC since 2009 and is coming off of a great performance against George Sotiropoulos. However, he’s struggled to put things together in back-to-back fights. He’s alternated wins and losses in his past six bouts.

That isn’t to say that Couture is going to win just because that’s been the pattern. But it’s worth pointing out that Pearson has a penchant for being a little inconsistent and Couture went 6-1 in his time at Strikeforce. 

If Couture pulls off the upset of the night, there’s no doubt the UFC will be ready to capitalize on his name. 

 

Marcus Brimage

Brimage takes on UFC newcomer Conor McGregor in the best matchup of the Facebook prelims. 

If Brimage has shown anything in his brief UFC career, it’s that he knows how to stop a hype train. McGregor has an impressive track record in Europe. He’s earned 11 of his 12 wins by knockout and comes into the fight with an eight-fight win streak. There’s a fair amount of buzz over his debut.

That buzz won’t bother Brimage. He took on lauded international prospect Maximo Blanco in his last fight and came out victorious. Before that, he ruined the momentum that Jimy Hettes had after upsetting Nam Phan. 

If Brimage can beat another dangerous opponent in impressive fashion, it’ll be time for him to step up in competition. 

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UFC 158 Results: Fighters Who Took Huge Step Forward with Big Performance

Georges St-Pierre’s title defense against Nick Diaz was the main attraction at UFC 158, but plenty of other fighters did well for their careers on Saturday night.From highlight-reel knockouts to decision wins against an elite opponent, it takes a great…

Georges St-Pierre’s title defense against Nick Diaz was the main attraction at UFC 158, but plenty of other fighters did well for their careers on Saturday night.

From highlight-reel knockouts to decision wins against an elite opponent, it takes a great effort to really stand out as a fighter that needs to take the next big step.

UFC 158 had its share of fighters that are in line for bigger fights after impressive performances. Here are three that set themselves up for even greater success with big wins.

 

Johny Hendricks

The bearded wonder didn’t put Carlos Condit away, but he did enough to earn his title shot against Georges St-Pierre.

While many would have liked to see him set up the fight with a knockout, the adversity he faced against Condit could be a positive. There’s an argument to be made that Condit won, but it showed that Hendricks can go the distance and win fights with his wrestling when he doesn’t get the stoppage.

Hendricks really didn’t need to have the most impressive performance in the world. Truth be told, he should have been in the main event against St-Pierre. His credentials were better than Diaz‘s before tonight and a win over Condit only makes his case that much stronger.

Dana White wasted little time in deeming Hendricks the No. 1 contender in the welterweight division, and at this point, he deserves that distinction.

 

Jake Ellenberger

The Juggernaut was somewhat of an afterthought in light of the four welterweights at the top of the card. After his knockout win over Nate Marquardt, he’s officially back in the top tier of the division.

Ellenberger looked every part the legitimate contender we thought he was when he reeled off six straight wins before his upset loss to Martin Kampmann.

After his less-than-dominant split decision win over Jay Hieron, it appeared Ellenberger may have lost it. Marquardt was a much more credible opponent and Ellenberger looked as dominant as ever.

He shouldn’t vault Hendricks for the next crack at GSP, but he certainly made the case to be placed in a title eliminator.

 

Darren Elkins

Before the main card got started, Elkins made a huge statement on the FX broadcast of undercard fights.

The 28-year-old entered the fight on a four-fight win streak but still felt a little under appreciated. That could be owed to the fact that all four of those wins were by unanimous decision.

Elkins put away any talk of him being a one-dimensional wrestler with his knockout win over Antonio Carvalho. With the win, he’s proven that he can not only out-grapple opponents for three solid rounds, he has the power to put on exciting fights and put people away.

There’s a good chance that the UFC won’t be keeping Elkins on the undercard much longer.

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Ronda Rousey Will Be Coach on Historic Season of The Ultimate Fighter

Ronda Rousey just keeps on making UFC history.The newest mainstream MMA star and women’s bantamweight champion will be the first woman to coach the UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter show, according to an announcement from UFC.com.Dana White also made the anno…

Ronda Rousey just keeps on making UFC history.

The newest mainstream MMA star and women’s bantamweight champion will be the first woman to coach the UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter show, according to an announcement from UFC.com.

Dana White also made the announcement during FX’s broadcast of the UFC 158 prelims.

Rousey‘s next challenger and opposing coach on the show will be determined by the upcoming bout between Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano. That fight is scheduled for The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen card on April 13.

According to the report, the show’s cast will feature 135-pound fighters from both the men’s and women’s divisions.

Rousey and potential opponent Miesha Tate already have some history. Rousey challenged Tate for her Strikeforce championship when they both fought for the now-defunct promotion. Rousey was able to take the title from Tate by armbar at the 4:27 mark in the first round.

Zingano has yet to make her UFC debut but sports a 7-0 record. Her latest win came in the Invicta promotion.

This also marks the first time that female fighters will be featured on the UFC’s trademark show.

Rousey made all kinds of UFC history when she became the first woman to headline a UFC event at UFC 157. She successfully defended her championship against Liz Carmouche by first-round armbar in the organization’s first-ever female fight.

With more history to be made with Season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter, it’s clear the organization is all in with its first female star.

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