3 Reasons to Believe Stefan Struve Will Only Get Better

UFC heavyweight Stefan Struve is currently riding a four-fight winning streak. In that current streak, he has defeated Pat Barry and Lavar Johnson by submission and Dave Herman and Stipe Miocic by knockout. He is only 25 years old and has improved and …

UFC heavyweight Stefan Struve is currently riding a four-fight winning streak.

In that current streak, he has defeated Pat Barry and Lavar Johnson by submission and Dave Herman and Stipe Miocic by knockout.

He is only 25 years old and has improved and grown in his last four fights. He looks like he is ready to make the next step and transition into an elite heavyweight.

In order to do so, he will need to first get past Mark Hunt.

Based on everything we’ve seen so far, we can only assume that Struve will only get better. Here are a few reasons why.

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UFC 157: 5 Fighters to Keep an Eye on Saturday Night

UFC 157 has garnered some major attention. It boasts a card filled with talented fighters. From former champions, to up-and-coming fighters, to the first two females to do battle in the UFC Octagon, UFC 157 has it all. Much of the attention is on Ronda…

UFC 157 has garnered some major attention.

It boasts a card filled with talented fighters. From former champions, to up-and-coming fighters, to the first two females to do battle in the UFC Octagon, UFC 157 has it all.

Much of the attention is on Ronda Rousey and her fight against Liz Carmouche. However, the card also has a bunch of other fighters who are guaranteed to put on a good show.

These fighters are focused and primed to make some big and exciting statements on Saturday night.

They come from a range of divisions, and each and every one wants to earn a big win and do so in spectacular fashion.

Here are five fighters you need to keep an eye on at this event.

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UFC 157 Preview: Keys to Victory for Lyoto Machida

Lyoto Machida would like to get another shot at champion Jon Jones. To do that he will need to go through a tough opponent in Dan Henderson. Henderson is a challenging opponent for any fighter to face. He is powerful, experienced and has a chin made of…

Lyoto Machida would like to get another shot at champion Jon Jones.

To do that he will need to go through a tough opponent in Dan Henderson.

Henderson is a challenging opponent for any fighter to face. He is powerful, experienced and has a chin made of iron.

If Machida wants to pull off a win, he will need to follow a game plan that gives him the best opportunity to do so.

There are certain keys that he needs to pull off in order for his victory to be assured. Let’s take a look at some of them.

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UFC 158: Johny Hendricks Now Controls His Own Destiny

Many felt that Johny Hendricks earned himself a shot at welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre after his knockout win over Martin Kampmann.It was the fifth win in a row for the bearded warrior known as “Bigg Rigg” and his second nasty knockout in three …

Many felt that Johny Hendricks earned himself a shot at welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre after his knockout win over Martin Kampmann.

It was the fifth win in a row for the bearded warrior known as “Bigg Rigg” and his second nasty knockout in three fights.

Despite that impressive streak, it wasn’t enough to earn him a shot at UFC gold. That shot went to GSP‘s rival Nick Diaz.

Hendricks was forced to take another fight to stay busy and hopefully, with a win, secure himself his long-awaited shot. He took a fight against the heavy-handed Jake Ellenberger at UFC 158.

Also fighting on that event is Carlos Condit. His opponent, Rory MacDonald, got hurt in training for their fight, leaving Condit without an opponent. This is where Hendricks came in.

Hendricks took the fight against Condit and has essentially taken his destiny into his own hands.

He very badly wants his shot at a UFC belt. If he can take out arguably one of the best welterweights today in Condit, then the UFC should have no choice in who gets the next shot.

Make no mistake, this is a tough fight for Hendricks. Condit is an elite welterweight who is dangerous wherever the fight goes. His striking is unorthodox and unpredictable, and he’s always dangerous off his back. He’s the man that nearly finished GSP with a head kick in their title fight.

The scenario that Hendricks finds himself in is a high-risk, high-reward one. He faces a top-flight welterweight who could potentially beat him, but if he beats Condit, the UFC has to give him a shot at whoever the champion is.

Hendricks is playing with fire. It is a dangerous and unpredictable scenario, and on March 16, we will find out if he emerges unscathed or if he gets burned.

Tweet me @FuscoNation16.

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UFC 157: Keys to Victory for Every Main Card Fighter

UFC 157 is a very important event in UFC history. It will be the first time that women fight on a UFC card. Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche are set to do battle for the title in the main event. Alongside them on the main card we have Dan Henderson takin…

UFC 157 is a very important event in UFC history.

It will be the first time that women fight on a UFC card.

Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche are set to do battle for the title in the main event.

Alongside them on the main card we have Dan Henderson taking on Lyoto Machida, Ivan Menjivar fighting Urijah Faber, plus Court McGee and Josh Neer duking it out.

Who could forget Josh Koscheck and Robbie Lawler to round out the main card of the event?

Each of these fighters has been working a game plan to defeat their opponent on fight night. Each needs to implement some specific goals to win their fight.

Here are the keys to victory for each main card fighter.

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UFC on Fuel 7: What Went Right for Renan Barao

Renan Barao was able to leave the UFC on Fuel 7 main event still the interim bantamweight champion after defeating tough challenger Michael McDonald via arm-triangle in the fourth round.Barao started the fight off well by landing a takedown and moving …

Renan Barao was able to leave the UFC on Fuel 7 main event still the interim bantamweight champion after defeating tough challenger Michael McDonald via arm-triangle in the fourth round.

Barao started the fight off well by landing a takedown and moving into side control early on. Barao also began hitting McDonald with some nice hook combinations as the young challenger moved in.

The second round came and went with Barao starting to utilize his fast and powerful leg kicks. He also managed to hit McDonald with a solid shot before the round finished up.

The third round began with both fighters throwing some leather. Barao continued to find his timing and got the better of the exchanges.

With a few minutes left in the round, Barao hit McDonald with a big right that stunned the younger fighter. Shortly after being clipped by a McDonald uppercut, Barao landed a nice spinning back-kick that sent his opponent backwards.

The fourth round started with Barao attempting to land a leaping hook. After a few striking exchanges and a failed takedown, Barao began to work his leg kicks. He also followed those kicks with a spinning back-kick to the chest of McDonald.

Barao then tied McDonald up against the cage and secured a body lock. He succeeded in dragging him to the canvas and landed some nice knees on the way down for good measure.

Once on the mat, Barao was able to take his opponent’s back. He saw McDonald trying to improve position and, displaying his Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt, he locked in an arm-triangle choke that won him the fight.

Barao showed some excellent hands and kicks throughout his fight. He was able to avoid the knockout power of McDonald’s right hand and use his experience to earn him the win over a very good challenger.

McDonald fought a great fight and should be commended for it, but Barao was much more experienced—and this was what won him their bout and allowed him to retain the bantamweight belt.

Tweet me @FuscoNation16.

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