Chris Clements is not likely going to look back on UFC 149 with positive memories.After a three-round battle saw him outgrappled by an organizational gatekeeper in Matt Riddle, Clements must be disgusted by his inability to be competitive on the ground…
Chris Clements is not likely going to look back on UFC 149 with positive memories.
After a three-round battle saw him outgrappled by an organizational gatekeeper in Matt Riddle, Clements must be disgusted by his inability to be competitive on the ground.
With a solid training camp and the fastest KO in MMA history, Clements has the ability to be marketable if he can put it all together.
Here is a look at five fighters that we think Chris Clements could take on in his next fight.
Some of them are designed to give him the striking battle that he craves, while others are there to force him into working on his ground game in the pre-fight training camp.
UFC 149 has come and gone, and once again, Dana White has rewarded the night’s top accomplishments with a big-time payday.Fighters lucky enough to receive the awards took home $65,000 each. This time around, the standard awards were given out for Fight…
UFC 149 has come and gone, and once again, Dana White has rewarded the night’s top accomplishments with a big-time payday.
Fighters lucky enough to receive the awards took home $65,000 each. This time around, the standard awards were given out for Fight of the Night, Submission of the Night and Knockout of the Night.
Here is a look at the UFC 149 fight night bonuses.
At UFC 149, longtime UFC veteran Cheick Kongo made his successful return to the Octagon for the first time since a February loss to Mark Hunt. The man who stood across the cage from him was Strikeforce and Bellator veteran Shawn Jordan.Jordan was ridin…
At UFC 149, longtime UFC veteran Cheick Kongo made his successful return to the Octagon for the first time since a February loss to Mark Hunt. The man who stood across the cage from him was Strikeforce and Bellator veteran Shawn Jordan.
Jordan was riding a two-fight winning streak and made a successful UFC debut in March when he finished strongman Oli Thompson with punches in the second round.
This fight was a big step up for Jordan, who has shown a lot of promise but hasn’t been challenged by a top star. Jordan used pressure to work the fight against the cage in the first round, but he was unable to secure a takedown. The experienced veteran reversed position and got Jordan’s back halfway through the round.
Jordan leaned over to put a hand on the mat in hopes of not eating a knee. When Kongo went to throw a strike, Jordan threw a back elbow that landed low. The action took a break and the two restarted with little more than two minutes on the clock.
Using pressure to put the fight against the cage once again, Jordan controlled the remainder of the first round.
The second round saw continued clinch work, with Kongo having a little more control this time around. After several knees to the body and a grappling intensive bout, Kongo looks to have worn out The Savage by the midway point of Round 2.
The round ended after Kongo failed to sink in hooks for a back mount and Jordan rolled into side control, although he couldn’t take advantage of the opportunity.
Going into the last round, the scores were likely even and Jordan was very tired. The former football standout continued to attempt to hold Kongo against the cage and stall, while Kongo didn’t mind the clinch game; when he gained control, he threw knees and did some damage.
Both men collapsed in exhaustion after the fight concluded. The battle of position was not the striking encounter that people wanted, and there were some sloppy exchanges. Ultimately, Kongo was awarded the rightful decision.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things UFC 149, including up-to-the-minute results and reaction pieces.
Only 29 days after earning a hard-fought decision victory over TJ Waldburger at UFC on FX, Brian Ebersole stepped in to fight James Head after Claude Patrick was forced out of the contest due to a training injury.Head has gone 1-1 since joining the UFC…
Only 29 days after earning a hard-fought decision victory over TJ Waldburger at UFC on FX, Brian Ebersole stepped in to fight James Head after Claude Patrick was forced out of the contest due to a training injury.
Head has gone 1-1 since joining the UFC roster. His first contest took place in the middleweight division, losing to Nick Ring. However, the Lovato Jiu-Jitsu fighter rebounded with a win over Papy Albedi back in April.
The first round of the contest saw Ebersole shoot for takedowns in hopes of grappling with Head. As a form of bait, he would openly lead with his head, hoping that Head would attempt to finish with a guillotine. At one point, Head took the bait, and Ebersole quickly freed himself from danger and delivered some ground-and-pound towards the end of the round.
Head would continue to get the better of the standup; Ebersole would work the fight to the ground in the final round and score some shoulder strikes, but not nearly as much damage as during the first round. Head would use a butterfly sweep to gain top position right before the bell sounded.
Ebersole’s corner wisely advised their fighter to get the fight to the ground in the third round, knowing that Ebersole would not win a decision if the fight remained standing.
The fight continued to unfold the same way that it had previously.
Ebersole attempted to score takedowns and failed throughout the final round. Head refused to take the bait by going for the guillotine that Ebersole was serving on a platter.
When the scores were read, it is surprising that someone awarded the fight to Brian Ebersole, but the split decision ended up going to Head. With the decision win, Head improves to 2-0 in the welterweight division.
Taking the fight on short notice, Ebersole didn’t get hit much during the contest; however, he couldn’t implement his ground game. Post-fight, Ebersole and Joe Rogan had an exchange through the cage where Ebersole confirmed that he is still planning on dropping to lightweight: “These guys are big.”
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things UFC 149, including up-to-the-minute results and reaction pieces.
The UFC returns to Canada tomorrow night for UFC 149. The main event features one of the biggest stars in WEC history taking on a hot prospect out of the Nova Uniao camp. It’s a can’t-miss event that is sure to fire on all cylinders. But, if you don’t …
The UFC returns to Canada tomorrow night for UFC 149. The main event features one of the biggest stars in WEC history taking on a hot prospect out of the Nova Uniao camp. It’s a can’t-miss event that is sure to fire on all cylinders. But, if you don’t know how to tune in, you can’t catch the action.
Facebook Prelims
According to the UFC’s Facebook page, the prelims are available to be streamed beginning at 6:40p.m. EST. Fights to air on this stream include Mitch Clarke vs Anton Kuivanen and Antonio Carvalho vs Daniel Pineda.
FX Prelims
If you thought that the only exciting battles were taking place on the PPV portion of UFC 149, you would be missing out on some intriguing contests. Four fights fill the prelims, and should prove to be a delicious appetizer for what is to come.
Although there isn’t a lot of star power this time around, the FX prelims includes a rematch between Nick Ring and Court McGee. Ring actually eliminated McGee from The Ultimate Fighter tournament, but had to drop out due to a knee injury. McGee would be back as a replacement and go on to win the tournament.
Headliner Renan Barao isn’t the only fighter on the card who has a killer winning streak. Promotional newcomer Ryan Jimmo makes his long-awaited debut after an injury kept him out of a January debut. Jimmo puts his 16-fight streak on the line against surging light-heavyweight Anthony Perosh.
Additional fights include Brian Caraway vs Mitch Gagnon and Roland Delorme vs Francisco Rivera.
The action begins at 8:00 p.m. EST. Check with your cable or satellite provider for listings for FX and FXHD.
Pay-Per-View
The PPV kicks off at 10:00 p.m. EST with five main-card fights that may not feature many of the originally booked stars, but it hosts a series of fights that promise to provide fireworks.
Fights include:
Urijah Faber vs Renan Barao Hector Lombard vs Tim Boetsch Cheick Kongo vs Shawn Jordan Brian Ebersole vs James Head Matt Riddle vs Chris Clements
There are many options for viewing the fights. The PPV is available from major cable and satellite providers, as well as on UFC.com.
Some less conventional viewing methods include watching on the UFC’s Facebook page through Facebook Credits, or ordering through the UFC app on XBox Live.
Looking for a less costly option? Many sports bars like Buffalo Wild Wings, Hooters or Applebees host the fights for their customers. For the price of a quesadilla appetizer and a beer, you get to watch a $54.99 PPV.
Attending the event live?
Doors at the Scotiabank Saddledome open at 4:45 p.m. local time and the PPV kicks off at 8:00 p.m.
Rory MacDonald has proven himself to be a dangerous contender in the UFC’s welterweight division. At only 22 years old, MacDonald has already competed inside the Octagon five times and walked away with his hand raised in four of those contests.MacDonal…
Rory MacDonald has proven himself to be a dangerous contender in the UFC’s welterweight division. At only 22 years old, MacDonald has already competed inside the Octagon five times and walked away with his hand raised in four of those contests.
MacDonald’s sole loss came at the hands of Interim Champion Carlos Condit when Condit used ground and pound to finish with only seven seconds left. Prior to that, MacDonald had dominated the first two rounds and would have likely won a decision victory.
Since that time, the Canadian superstar has won key matchups against the likes of Nate Diaz, Mike Pyle and Che Mills. Next on the docket is former multi-divisional champion BJ Penn. Despite Penn’s distinct experience advantage, MacDonald is being viewed as the favorite to win in his biggest challenge to date.
What is it that gives Rory MacDonald his competitive edge? Let’s take a look.
At