If we can all put aside the shakeup with next weekend’s UFC 170 co-main event, we might be able to instead focus on all of the raw potential in Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night 36 fight card.
In a bid for a chance at the middleweight championship, pere…
If we can all put aside the shakeup with next weekend’s UFC 170 co-main event, we might be able to instead focus on all of the raw potential in Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night 36 fight card.
In a bid for a chance at the middleweight championship, perennial fan favorite Lyoto Machida will look to continue his success at a new weight class when he faces off against veteran Gegard Mousasi. With a combined record of 54-7-2, these two men bring the kind of skill and experience needed to deliver an explosive, technical main event.
One step earlier in the evening, former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo Souza will look to continue his five-fight win streak against Francis Carmont. Will Jacare’s world-class ground game be enough to hand the Canadian his first Octagon defeat?
Let’s take a look at the entire fight card scheduled for Saturday night:
Machida’s unorthodox style, Souza’s ferocity, Erick Silva’s exciting striking, Charles Oliveira’s slick submissions—all taking place free on Fox Sports 1, but only after seven straight fights brought to you by UFC Fight Pass.
This free card has both top-tier names and enough ranking significance to get me scooting toward the edge of my seat. How about you?
Two champions, two title bouts—there’ll be plenty at stake during the main showdowns on Saturday night at UFC 169.
Since losing to UFC bantamweight champ Renan Barao at UFC 149, perennial fan favorite Urijah Faber put together an impressive four-…
Two champions, two title bouts—there’ll be plenty at stake during the main showdowns on Saturday night at UFC 169.
Since losing to UFC bantamweight champ RenanBarao at UFC 149, perennial fan favorite Urijah Faber put together an impressive four-fight win streak—and he did it decisively enough to earn himself another shot against the Brazilian terror ruling over the 135-pound division.
Will all the pieces fall into place for him on Saturday night, or does Barao really have his number for the long haul?
In the evening’s co-main event, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will look to secure his sixth-straight UFC victory against the dangerous Ricardo Lamas.
Will Aldo’s sheer ferocity be too much for the American to handle at UFC 169?
Oh, and let’s not forget the fact that Alistair Overeem vs. Frank Mir will act as a precursor to both of those title fights. Though neither the winner nor the loser will walk away from the fight with a title, there’s still much to lose for either man.
Both know how to finish fights, so there’s no reason to doubt that we’ll be left with one fighter loudly snapping a losing streak and the other left worse for the wear.
Here’s a look at the entire fight card scheduled to go down in Newark, NJ.
Will both Brazilian champs continue their respective title reigns, or will we see the dawn of a new era? Does Mir have what it takes to whether the Overeem storm, or will he tap the K-1 champ before he even knows what hit him?
With the inaugural Fight Pass fight card in the books, courtesy of a recent event in Singapore, the UFC has flown back home and is set to land in Atlanta, Georgia for Fight Night 35.
If the picture painted by the numbers holds up, we might be in …
With the inaugural Fight Pass fight card in the books, courtesy of a recent event in Singapore, the UFC has flown back home and is set to land in Atlanta, Georgia for Fight Night 35.
If the picture painted by the numbers holds up, we might be in for an exciting fight card.
During Wednesday night’s five-round main event, former Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold will look to cement his place in the division by beating CostasPhilippou. Will Rockhold‘s versatility be enough to avoid Philippou‘s power?
A bit earlier in the evening, fists will fly with a frenzy when T.J. Dillashaw squares off against Mike Easton. The lighter weight classes have been delivering as of late—you can bet that this bout won’t be any different.
There’s a ton to like about this fight card, so don’t worry, Bleacher Report has you covered with a full guide.
After the bizarre finale to UFC 168, the MMA community is still struggling to overcome the horrific end to the evening’s main event bout between middleweight champion Chris Weidman and former kingpin Anderson Silva.
Weidman lifted his leg, turned his k…
After the bizarre finale to UFC 168, the MMA community is still struggling to overcome the horrific end to the evening’s main event bout between middleweight champion Chris Weidman and former kingpin Anderson Silva.
Weidman lifted his leg, turned his knee and checked the kick heard around the world.
Georges St-Pierre voluntarily retired weeks ago, whereas Silva might be forced to do the same in light of his crippling leg fracture.
MMA’s new guard has much work ahead of it in 2014.
There is an upside, though. The rest of the evening was rather terrific.
Travis Browne continued his destructive run, as did Ronda Rousey. In fact, the entire main card was devoid of a single decision.
Let’s take a moment to examine whose stock went up, whose went down and what the consequences of this monumental fight card are likely to be.
In the electrifying buildup to UFC 168, there’s a fight flying under the radar. It doesn’t have a single thing to do with pre-fight banter or elaborate rivalries. Instead, it’s about matters far more primal.
Before fans are treated to Anders…
In the electrifying buildup to UFC 168, there’s a fight flying under the radar. It doesn’t have a single thing to do with pre-fight banter or elaborate rivalries. Instead, it’s about matters far more primal.
Before fans are treated to Anderson Silva’s first walk to the Octagon as challenger since 2006 or even Ronda Rousey’s first title defense, a pair of heavyweights will clash inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Oh, and it’s no ordinary heavyweight tilt—Josh Barnett and Travis Browne know how to deliver.
With 39 career fights to his name, Barnett is the consummate been-there-done-that kind of fighter. He’s got the pedigree and proven track record necessary to perform in his late-career run at a UFC title.
If you delve deep into his history, you’ll spot names like Dan Severn, Semmy Schilt, Sergei Kharitonov, Randy Couture and Mirko Filipovic. The “Warmaster” has fought in countless organizations, with emphasis on his most memorable years under the Pride FC banner.
Even his most severe detractors wouldn’t argue against his submission grappling expertise—he’s tapped several of the names above. If he’s not taking the fight to the canvas, he can be pretty destructive in the clinch also.
And he’ll need every bit of that experience and all the tools of his veteran trade to overcome the momentum that Browne has built up as of late.
Unlike the 36-year-old Barnett, “Hapa” has considerably less wear and tear. Save for a freak-injury loss to Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva last year, Browne is essentially unscathed and undefeated. His confidence is likely to be at an all-time high, considering he recently weathered an nearly unimaginable storm shortly before stopping Alistair Overeem.
Beyond the background story, the numbers also paint a tantalizing picture.
Key Stats
Average height of both fighters: 6’5″
Browne’s takedown defense rate: 100 percent
Combined total fights of both fighters: 55
Reach of both fighters: 78″
Percent of Browne’s 15 career victories that have come by way of knockout: 73 percent
Percent of Barnett’s 33 victories that have come by way of submission: 61 percent
Browne’s average fight time: 06:15
Average percent of the time either fighter goes to decision: 13 percent
The figures don’t lie—this is the kind of fight that’s bursting with exciting potential. They’re similar in the stats that keep things competitive, but differ in those that will lead to a tug of war between a standing affair and a ground battle.
Then there’s also the matter of finish rates.
The last time Barnett has won via decision? Ten fights ago in May 2008. Browne? September 2011.
Both men also have extraordinary chins, so if this thing turns into a slugfest, we could be in for another heavyweight war.
As if the general atmosphere of a year-end card wasn’t reason enough to inspire grand performances, both Barnett and Browne have an added impetus to go that extra mile. The UFC is planning to have the winner take on Fabricio Werdum for a huge heavyweight title eliminator bout.
The more you consider it, the easier it is to imagine UFC matchmakers Joe Silva and Sean Shelby grinning ear-to-ear when they booked this fight to lead into the co-main and main events.
These big boys hit hard, fast and with enough bad intentions to force a stoppage at nearly every turn. Rest assured that when that arena roars on Saturday night, they’ll answer the call—and we’ll all be in for a wild ride.
Follow @ArtemMoshkovich Artem Moshkovich is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for MMA news and more.
There are plenty of ways to close out a year of MMA, but given the magnitude of its main and co-main events, few are bound to be more memorable than UFC 168.
Two title fights, each with a unique reason to draw hardcore and casual fans alike.
Did Anders…
There are plenty of ways to close out a year of MMA, but given the magnitude of its main and co-main events, few are bound to be more memorable than UFC 168.
Two title fights, each with a unique reason to draw hardcore and casual fans alike.
Did Anderson Silva really lose the first fight as a result of his over-the-top antics? Does he need to revise his approach in the second go? Or does UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman have his number regardless of what he does inside the cage on Saturday night?
And before the main men even step foot inside the Octagon, fans will be treated to the second act in the heated rivalry between UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate. Is Tate destined for another armbar, or is this her time to shine under the Zuffa banner?
But let’s go a step further down the UFC 168 rabbit hole.
How about that heavyweight tilt between a pair of consistently thrilling savages? MMA veteran Josh Barnett will look to outclass up and coming contender Travis Browne in a bout all but guaranteed to produce fireworks and mayhem.
Here’s a breakdown of what the UFC has in store and where you can watch it:
With names like Dennis Siver and Chris Leben spread through the undercard, there’s no reason to doubt the appetizers before the evening’s main course.
As we near fight time, be sure to return to Bleacher Report for live play-by-play and pre-fight analysis.
When the dust settles, will Weidman reign supreme? Will Rousey have her eight professional armbar under her belt? Or will the tides completely turn as both contenders oust the reigning champs?
No matter the outcome, UFC 168 is sure to ignite the MMA furnace well into 2014.
Follow @ArtemMoshkovich Artem Moshkovich is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for MMA news and more.
If we can all put aside the shakeup with next weekend’s UFC 170 co-main event, we might be able to instead focus on all of the raw potential in Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night 36 fight card.
