Author: Alex Ballentine

UFC 142 Results: Why Anthony Johnson Needs to Go to Strikeforce

UFC 142 has most likely signaled the end of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson’s current run in the UFC. Johnson’s first-round submission loss to Vitor Belfort on Saturday in his first attempt at the middleweight division, paired with weighing in at a whopp…

UFC 142 has most likely signaled the end of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson’s current run in the UFC. Johnson’s first-round submission loss to Vitor Belfort on Saturday in his first attempt at the middleweight division, paired with weighing in at a whopping 12 pounds over the weight limit, will most likely result (and deservedly so) in a pink slip from Dana White.

However, with a few tweaks and some major dedication, his path back to the UFC should be simple. As Johnson looks to make the changes he needs to make, a trip to fellow ZUFFA-owned promotion Strikeforce could be the perfect fit.

Johnson is extraordinarily gifted but has chronically underachieved in his time with the organization. What Johnson needs is a wake-up call.

Getting cut is about as much a wake-up call as a fighter can get, and some time in a smaller organization would give Johnson time to really pin down what weight he wants to fight at.

With the dissolution of the heavyweight division, Strikeforce is in need of name power more than ever. Johnson could immediately contend in whichever division he would choose, be it middleweight or light heavyweight.

Despite Johnson’s struggles with his weight, he is extraordinarily gifted and has proven he can win in the UFC. While the UFC wants to teach him a lesson, it should definitely not give up on him. Its goals should be to punish him while keeping an eye on his return.

A move to Strikeforce accomplishes both of those goals while also helping out their sister organization. Sounds like a win-win for Dana White and Co.

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UFC 142 Fight Card: 3 Underdogs That Will Pull off Upsets in Brazil

Everyone loves an underdog.When all the odds are stacked against a man, winning becomes that much more sweet, and there’s nothing the fans love more than seeing the unexpected. MMA is a sport where there are plenty of underdogs, and watching an upset c…

Everyone loves an underdog.

When all the odds are stacked against a man, winning becomes that much more sweet, and there’s nothing the fans love more than seeing the unexpected. MMA is a sport where there are plenty of underdogs, and watching an upset can be one of the most exciting things to witness in the sport.

Whether it be by surprise submission, knockout or just a thorough beat-down—as we saw at UFC 141 with Jim Hettes and Nam Phan—fans love seeing the underdog pull off the upset.

Heading into UFC 142‘s card, there are a few fighters facing unfavorable odds that just might be able to pull off the upset.

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UFC 142: Gabriel Gonzaga Makes His Octagon Return in Rio

UFC 142 is stacked with intriguing stories. Featherweight champion Jose Aldo is facing the toughest test of his career. Anthony “Rumble” Johnson will make his much-anticipated middleweight debut. Brazil will play host to its second UFC event in the las…

UFC 142 is stacked with intriguing stories. Featherweight champion Jose Aldo is facing the toughest test of his career. Anthony “Rumble” Johnson will make his much-anticipated middleweight debut. Brazil will play host to its second UFC event in the last year.

Perhaps the most intriguing story is the return of a former UFC heavyweight title challenger—Gabriel Gonzaga.

The inconsistent Gonzaga was once a highly-touted prospect in the organization who even fought for the title against Randy Couture in 2007 after his upset victory over Mirko Cro Cop.

After posting a pedestrian 3-5 record after the win over Cro Cop, Gonzaga was cut from the organization and largely forgotten as a serious threat in the division.

With heavyweight Rob Broughton a late scratch in his scheduled matchup against UFC newcomer Edinaldo Oliveira, Gonzaga became an obvious injury replacement for the UFC and got the call.

With the addition of the Strikeforce heavyweights coming, the heavyweight division landscape will dramatically change in 2012. If Gonzaga plans on ever being relevant again, he will need to capitalize on the opportunity.

Gonzaga’s opponent, Edinaldo Oliveira, won’t be an easy out.

Oliveira has an impressive 13-0-1 (1 NC) record while fighting exclusively in Brazil. Oliveira has the power to pull off an upset knockout of his own and will force Gonzaga to use his impressive jiu-jitsu to win the fight.

Will UFC 142 be Gonzaga’s first step back to relevance? Or his last stand in the organization?

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 143: Josh Koscheck vs. Mike Pierce Early Breakdown

With Georges St. Pierre out indefinitely and many questions surrounding his return, the welterweight division is now as up in the air as any.UFC 143 will go a long way in clearing up the title picture with a pair of important fights at 170.While Carlos…

With Georges St. Pierre out indefinitely and many questions surrounding his return, the welterweight division is now as up in the air as any.

UFC 143 will go a long way in clearing up the title picture with a pair of important fights at 170.

While Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz is sure to get plenty of hype as the main event and the interim title on the line, Josh Koscheck‘s bout with Mike Pierce will also play a role in the current landscape of the division.

Koscheck, a name everyone is familiar with, looks to get his second victory on the comeback trail after being thoroughly battered by Georges St. Pierre.

Pierce, a highly underrated opponent, looks to finally get some of the recognition he deserves and make a case of his own that he is a threat in the welterweight division.

With so much on the line and the interesting clash of styles that exists, Koscheck-Pierce is sure to be an interesting fight.

Here’s how they stack up.

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Brock Lesnar: 7 Reasons the UFC Needs Him as Their Poster Boy

After a great year of fights, 2011 will end with one of the most anticipated matchups of the year, Brock Lesnar-Alistair Overeem. Questions surround the bout and the fight should really show if either of these guys can truly contend in the heavyweight …

After a great year of fights, 2011 will end with one of the most anticipated matchups of the year, Brock Lesnar-Alistair Overeem. Questions surround the bout and the fight should really show if either of these guys can truly contend in the heavyweight division.

With Lesnar’s health concerns and questionable chin and Overeem’s organizational debut, each of these guys certainly come into the fight with many questions to answer.

While it is hard to tell what will happen in this fight it is very clear who the UFC should be rooting for: Brock Lesnar.

As 2012 begins, the UFC is in a better position than ever to break into the mainstream.

With the new partnership between FOX and the UFC the organization will have more exposure than ever before. Along with that exposure is the need for marketable stars who can become household names.

For many reasons Brock Lesnar is the perfect candidate to be the UFC’s poster boy.

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UFC 141: Breaking Down Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko

UFC 141 is sure to be a great night of fights, and while the collision of titans Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem is the main attraction, there are plenty of potentially entertaining fights for fans on December 30th.Among those fights is the light hea…

UFC 141 is sure to be a great night of fights, and while the collision of titans Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem is the main attraction, there are plenty of potentially entertaining fights for fans on December 30th.

Among those fights is the light heavyweight fight between grizzled veteran Vladimir Matyushenko and promising prospect Alexander Gustafsson. At the very least, it will have the most syllables of any matchup at UFC 141.

Matyushenko comes into this fight with an impressive 4-1 streak in his last five fights (the one loss was to Jon Jones). A win for him would surely take him higher than he has ever been in the UFC, and potentially set him up with a big-name opponent.

Gustafsson, one of the most intriguing prospects in the UFC, looks to continue his dominance by improving on his 12-1 record, and move one step closer to being considered a serious contender for Jon Jones’ belt.

Much like Jones, Gustafsson brings a freakish frame to the table. Standing at 6’5″ and sporting a 76.5″ reach, it will be interesting to see how the 6’1″ Matyushenko handles Gustaffson’s length.

Here’s how Matyushenko and Gustafsson measure up:

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