Author: Artem Moshkovich

UFC 172 Start Time: When and Where to Watch Jones vs. Teixeira

Don’t be misled by the recent news leading you in a dozen directions—during Saturday night’s UFC 172 main event, the spotlight will be focused on light heavyweight champion Jon Jones as he seeks to continue his historic title run.
Will he keep t…

Don’t be misled by the recent news leading you in a dozen directions—during Saturday night’s UFC 172 main event, the spotlight will be focused on light heavyweight champion Jon Jones as he seeks to continue his historic title run.

Will he keep the gold strap at 205? Will this seventh consecutive title defense against Glover Teixeira act as nothing more than a stepping stone on his path to securing the coveted title of greatest ever?

Or in a far more unpredictable twist—and certainly in spite of the odds stacked against him—can the Brazilian wade through Jones’ reach long enough to land a killing blow?

Regardless of the outcome, the championship fight at UFC 172 isn’t one you want to miss.

In the co-main event, Phil Davis will look to thwart Anthony Johnson, assuming he can somehow keep his mind off the champion.

“Rumble” has tremendous power on his feet, so if he’s to secure the victory, Davis will need to execute a full MMA clinic to prevent Johnson from building any momentum.

Let’s take a look at the entire fight card to really get a feel for what the evening has in store.

Fresh off his blitzkrieg knockout victory over Costas Philippou, Luke Rockhold will be squaring off against Tim Boetsch. Rockhold has the athleticism necessary for a repeat performance, whereas Boetsch has the kind of thumping power that can drop any fighter in his division.

Earlier in the main card, perennial fan favorite Jim Miller will seek to overwhelm Yancy Medeiros, a talented fighter but possibly not of the caliber necessary to avoid Miller’s submission wizardry.

With Jones front and center at UFC 172, the prelims are rather sparse.

Nonetheless, with fighters such as Joseph Benavidez, Takanori Gomi and Danny Castillo sprinkled throughout the undercard, fans are all but certain to get their money’s worth from UFC 172.

Other than the championship fight, which bout are you anticipating most?

Be sure to check back with Bleacher Report for deep pre-fight and post-fight coverage come Saturday night.

 


Artem Moshkovich is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for MMA news and more. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC on Fox 11: Post-Fight Stock Report

This far into the year, few would argue the claim that UFC on Fox 11 may have very well been the most enjoyable fight card of 2014.
On paper, top-tier names like Fabricio Werdum, Miesha Tate and Donald Cerrone are enough to drive interest in a pay-per-…

This far into the year, few would argue the claim that UFC on Fox 11 may have very well been the most enjoyable fight card of 2014.

On paper, top-tier names like Fabricio Werdum, Miesha Tate and Donald Cerrone are enough to drive interest in a pay-per-view—let alone a free televised fight card, accessible to the masses.

On Saturday night, all of the essential fighters delivered in spades—the finishes were brutal, while the decisions were edge-of-your-seat exciting.

Sure, the show ran past its scheduled run time, but in all honesty, you’d have to be crazy to complain.

In the wake of Saturday night’s fight card, MMA fans are left with a new No. 1 contender in Fabricio Werdum—when he takes on Cain Velasquez in Mexico, you can safely expect fireworks in heavyweight form.

Let’s take a look at where stock went up with victory, as opposed to those who dropped as a result of defeat at UFC on Fox 11.

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UFC on Fox 11 Start Time: When and Where to Watch Werdum vs. Browne

When the UFC returns to Fox on Saturday night, the organization will be pulling out all the stops—just shy of a title fight to cap off the card.
Sure, gold may not be on the line directly, but the stakes are still incredibly high.
In the main eve…

When the UFC returns to Fox on Saturday night, the organization will be pulling out all the stops—just shy of a title fight to cap off the card.

Sure, gold may not be on the line directly, but the stakes are still incredibly high.

In the main event, juggernaut Travis Browne will look to overcome Fabricio Werdum‘s experience and grappling pedigree in a fight worthy of a pay-per-view main slot. They’ll both have good reason to push things to the limit, with recent developments, per MMA Junkie, confirming that the winner will square off against heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez later this year.

Will Browne continue his streak of first-round knockouts, or will Werdum figure out a way to secure a limb and force the tap?

One step shy of that main bout, Miesha Tate and Liz Carmouche will duke it out in a fight that could represent the beginning of the end for the fighter who winds up on the losing end.

Which of the two women is hungrier for victory at this apex of their respective career arcs?

And just prior to that, Donald Cerrone will look to avoid the lightning-fast kicks coming his way courtesy of Edson Barboza. Cowboy is far more capable on the ground, but the question lies in whether or not Junior will light him up on the feet before it even gets there.

When we talk of stacked fight cards, this is the kind of event everyone has in mind.

Let’s take a look at the entire thing, from stem to stern.

Just consider how robust the main card must be in order to force the UFC matchmakers to stick Thiago Alves‘ return bout on the undercard.

If you factor in the appearances of Jordan Mein, Jorge Masvidal and Pat Healy, it’s tough to argue that the Fox Sports 1 prelims are nearly as tantalizing as the primary Fox fights.

Oh, and let’s not forget that acting as the segue to the first main card fight, we have Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Rafael dos Anjos—the undefeated Dagestani is looking to overwhelm any and all opposition en route to a 155-pound title shot.

With prospective title shots—not to mention potential UFC employment—on the line at UFC on Fox 11, fans are certainly in store for a memorable fight card.

The roster is good enough to warrant pulling out that wallet; the beauty lies within the fact that on Saturday night, you won’t even be asked to do so.

Be sure to check back with Bleacher Report for thorough post-fight coverage and news.

 

Artem Moshkovich is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for MMA news and more. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 171 Start Time: When and Where to Watch Hendricks vs. Lawler

I hope you’re ready—UFC 171 has the potential to blast the roof straight off the American Airlines Center in Dallas this Saturday night.

Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre may have left a sizeable void, but make no mistake about…

I hope you’re ready—UFC 171 has the potential to blast the roof straight off the American Airlines Center in Dallas this Saturday night.

Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre may have left a sizeable void, but make no mistake about it—Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler is the fight to remind MMA fans that the UFC’s 170-pound division is alive and thriving.

Gutted by what most consider to be an unjustifiable loss in his attempt to formally dethrone St-Pierre this past November, Hendricks is coming with a vengeance—vowing to formally take a belt that he’s “already earned,”(via UFC) no matter the cost.

Well, the task won’t be easy.

UFC brass have pitted him against an adversary with 31 professional fights to his name, nearly twice as many as Hendricks has even competed in. In Lawler, we’re presented with a fighter so seasoned that he isn’t rattled anywhere near as easily as he tends to rattle others.

Hendricks hasn’t yet stood across from a fighter with the type of knockout arsenal he often demonstrates—that will all change on Saturday night.

Oh, and let’s not forget the other welterweight showdown that’ll preface the explosive championship main event.

Perennial fan favorite Carlos Condit possesses the consummate MMA arsenal: diverse muay thai striking, slick submissions, endless cardio and the ability to string it all together in one lethal package.

He’ll need it on Saturday night when he stands across the Octagon from Tyron Woodley, a contender working to make a name for himself by nearly decapitating fighters with power punches.

Two extraordinary welterweight fights, back to back.

Let’s take a look at what the rest of the evening has in store.

Earlier in the main card, a newly reinvigorated Diego Sanchez will look to mow down the undefeated Myles Jury—does he have enough left in the tank to exact his savagery over such a young, fresh fighter?

And before that, grappling ace Jake Shields will look to bring down and control the juggernaut in Hector Lombard, a fighter who stuffs takedowns three out of four times they’re attempted. If the fight stays on the feet, can Shields handle Lombard’s power?

All of these riveting questions are bound to be answered at UFC 171—I’m venturing to guess that the answers will be coming fast and hard.

Zuffa is setting the stage for an undeniably exciting fight card, one that culminates in a chaotic championship fight. 

A belt will be put around a welterweight who, for the first time in ages, won’t be a French Canadian. And just prior to that, fans will likely be alerted to the new No. 1 contender when either Condit or Woodley gets his hand raised.

Don’t forget to check back with Bleacher Report before and after the action begins—we’ll have you covered with tons of exciting content to prepare you for the mayhem of UFC 171.

 

Artem Moshkovich is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for MMA news and more. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC Fight Night 37 Start Time: When and Where to Watch Gustafsson vs. Manuwa

In a continued effort to reinforce the Fight Pass platform, the UFC is bringing a few exciting, high-stakes bouts to Saturday’s Fight Night 37 fight card—culminating in the showdown between light heavyweight contenders Alexander Gustafsson and Ji…

In a continued effort to reinforce the Fight Pass platform, the UFC is bringing a few exciting, high-stakes bouts to Saturday’s Fight Night 37 fight card—culminating in the showdown between light heavyweight contenders Alexander Gustafsson and Jimi Manuwa in London.

It wasn’t long ago that the Swede was pushing champion Jon Jones to his limits. If he’s successful on Saturday night, there’s every reason to believe he’ll get a second shot at the light heavyweight strap.

On the other hand, hometown favorite Jimi Manuwa may find a way to secure his 15th consecutive victory and maintain his undefeated status. With 93 percent of his wins coming by way of KO, he could cause Gustafsson some trouble in the stand-up exchanges.

Manuwa has the ability to finish of the feet, whereas Gustafsson’s fight savvy could be more than enough to get the fight on the ground and secure the necessary submission.

With a title shot possibly brewing, this is certainly an interesting bout to cap off the affairs in London’s O2 Arena.

Let’s take a look at the entire fight card that precedes this important main event.

In the co-main event, hard-hitting Melvin Guillard will look to bring some stability back to his recent UFC track record. If he can stop Michael Johnson, he’ll break his long streak of losing two bouts for every one he wins.

If you factor in Johnson’s accurate counter punching and even-keeled approach, it becomes clear that Guillard’s task won’t be easy.

As the evening’s biggest favorite to win, Brad Pickett will square off against fellow flyweight Neil Seery. Regardless of the outcome, fans are sure to be treated to another fast-paced scrap. 

Earlier in the main card, the UFC’s undefeated welterweight from Iceland will look to secure his 12th straight victory. If Gunnar Nelson manages to finish underdog Omari Akhmedov, he’ll continue to rise to stardom among international fight fans.

Which fight excites you the most?

Artem Moshkovich is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for MMA news and more. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 170 Start Time: When and Where to Watch Rousey vs. McMann

Two days removed from UFC 170—the organization’s first event to feature a trifecta of Olympic athletes—things are really heating up. 

Despite Rashad Evans’ last-minute injury causing a bit of frenzy, fans are still left with some verb…

Two days removed from UFC 170—the organization’s first event to feature a trifecta of Olympic athletes—things are really heating up. 

Despite Rashad Evans’ last-minute injury causing a bit of frenzy, fans are still left with some verbal warfare in the co-main event, along with plenty of intrigue in the evening’s main event.

Will Sara McMann’s wrestling pedigree result in the first genuine impediment to Ronda Rousey’s unstoppable judo? Or will “Rowdy” hold onto her women’s bantamweight championship with the same ease and supreme control she’s demonstrated in her UFC stint thus far?

It’s Olympian vs. Olympian—with nuance and variance as to how the two women approach the grappling game.

If you listen to the oddsmakers, the co-main event tilt between wrestling extraordinaire Daniel Cormier and Patrick Cummins should be nothing more than a squash match. Look at it this way: If Cormier has his way, we’ll be in for an entertaining beating, yet if he doesn’t, Cummins might deliver a historic upset.

Whatever the end result, it’ll likely be worth watching.

Here’s the full fight card for Saturday night:

After falling a rung down the welterweight ladder in his loss to Robbie Lawler, Rory MacDonald will face off against submission specialist Demian Maia. Will MacDonald’s versatility afford him more tools than Maia can handle, or will the former ADCC champion force the Canadian youngster to tap before he can even get into gear?

And it doesn’t end with those three main bouts—UFC 170 will feature exciting names like Mike Pyle, Stephen Thompson, Alexis Davis and Zach Makovsky.

There are plenty of reasons to be excited. Thankfully, Bleacher Report will have you covered with tons of fight-night content.

 

Artem Moshkovich is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for MMA news and more. 


Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com