Author: Ben Fowlkes

Donald Cerrone: I Feel Like I’m on the Chopping Block

Filed under: WECGLENDALE, Ariz. – Donald Cerrone may not be meeting his old pal Jamie Varner for a third time when the WEC rolls out its final event on Thursday night, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t thinking about each other.

“I would love that fi…

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GLENDALE, Ariz. – Donald Cerrone may not be meeting his old pal Jamie Varner for a third time when the WEC rolls out its final event on Thursday night, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t thinking about each other.

“I would love that fight again, and again, and in the parking lot, and wherever I can get it,” Cerrone said at Tuesday’s WEC 53 open workouts. “But it’ll come in due time. Hopefully he wins his next fight and I can see him in the UFC. I plan on whipping his a– every chance I get, so I don’t ever plan on letting him dictate one round or one second of any fight ever again.”

It’s a sentiment that’s likely shared by Varner, who recently described Cerrone as a “lonely, uneducated hillbilly” in an interview with MMA Fighting. But while Cerrone admitted he wasn’t aware of that latest salvo, even he seems to be on the verge of acknowledging that the time might have come for him to finally move on from that rivalry after winning a unanimous decision in their last meeting.

Some habits, however, die hard.

The MMA Wrap-Up: Post-UFC 124 Edition

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Following another dominant effort in another barely competitive title defense at UFC 124, The MMA Wrap-Up returns to look at how this most recent win will alter fans’ perception of UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. Somewhere in there we also find time to wonder whether finishing fights is really as vital as it’s made out to be, and what makes something an internet meme, anyway?

All that, plus some awkward staring. How could you possibly allow yourself to miss that?

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Following another dominant effort in another barely competitive title defense at UFC 124, The MMA Wrap-Up returns to look at how this most recent win will alter fans’ perception of UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. Somewhere in there we also find time to wonder whether finishing fights is really as vital as it’s made out to be, and what makes something an internet meme, anyway?

All that, plus some awkward staring. How could you possibly allow yourself to miss that?

Firas Zahabi: GSP Already Back in Training, Should Face Jake Shields Next

Filed under: UFCDespite going five full rounds in another successful title defense at UFC 124 on Saturday night, UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre isn’t taking time off to savor the win. According to head trainer Firas Zahabi, St. Pierre is in …

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Despite going five full rounds in another successful title defense at UFC 124 on Saturday night, UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre isn’t taking time off to savor the win. According to head trainer Firas Zahabi, St. Pierre is in New York this week to continue his training just days after defeating Josh Koscheck via unanimous decision in Montreal.

“We love the sport, we love what we do. Georges loves the sport. It’s on our mind 24 hours a day,” Zahabi explained to MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour.

“This is a vacation for him. This is a pleasure. It’s not going to be training like we’re training for a fight. It’s not close to a fight, so training’s going to be more pleasurable and more cerebral, maybe a little less physical since his body does need to rest. But it’s still going to be physical and it’s true enjoyment.”

Falling Action: Best and Worst of UFC 124

Filed under: UFCThe fans in Montreal got an early Christmas present when their homegrown champion gave them 25 minutes worth of domination, but what about UFC 124’s supporting cast? While some fighters took a step forward on Saturday night, others like…

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The fans in Montreal got an early Christmas present when their homegrown champion gave them 25 minutes worth of domination, but what about UFC 124‘s supporting cast? While some fighters took a step forward on Saturday night, others likely stepped out of the picture entirely, and at least one found himself just barely hanging on.

Without further delay, let’s take a look at the winners, losers, and everything in between after UFC 124.

Biggest Winner: Georges St. Pierre
Watching GSP out-jab Koscheck for five rounds was like watching a mongoose fight a sponge. He was simply too quick and too precise, and that was before Koscheck was forced to try and defend himself with the use of only one eye. You can say what you will about the pound-for-pound debate, but there is no champion in all of MMA who is currently more dominant in his weight class. Now that he’s proven his ability to pick apart with strikes what few opponents he can’t easily outwrestle, a lot of 170-pounders in the UFC are probably considering going up or down in weight this morning. It’s either that, or wait for the 29-year-old champion’s skills to atrophy with age. Better get comfortable, because it’s probably going to be a while.

Fighter vs. Writer: UFC 124 Picks with Matt Mitrione

Filed under: UFCIn the last edition of Fighter vs. Writer, I smoked “Mr. International” Shonie Carter by a healthy margin with my UFC 123 picks. The victory was sweet, and somewhat rare, but it’s over now and all that matters is the next showdown.

Wi…

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In the last edition of Fighter vs. Writer, I smoked “Mr. International” Shonie Carter by a healthy margin with my UFC 123 picks. The victory was sweet, and somewhat rare, but it’s over now and all that matters is the next showdown.

With UFC 124 going down in Montreal tonight, I tapped UFC heavyweight and former “Ultimate Fighter” contestant Matt Mitrione to go head-to-head with me in a fight-picking battle to the death.

When it came to making picks, Mitrione was easily the most enthusiastic and verbose opponent I’ve faced in this series, but is he the most formidable? Find out below, but be warned, some of his picks may shock you…

UFC 124: By the Odds

Filed under: UFCWith the holiday season coming up, the betting man has a choice to make. Do you play it safe, reasoning that you only have so much money to buy gift cards for extended family members who you never see?

Or do you go big anyway, even if…

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With the holiday season coming up, the betting man has a choice to make. Do you play it safe, reasoning that you only have so much money to buy gift cards for extended family members who you never see?

Or do you go big anyway, even if it means that, depending on how the Georges St. Pierre–Josh Koscheck bout turns out, you might be left handing out a bunch of homemade certificates for free back rubs this Christmas?

Your answer to that question probably depends on whether you actually care about your family, and also on whether you have a severe gambling problem, but I digress.

UFC 124 in Montreal offers several tantalizing possibilities for the gentleman (or lady) who loves a good wager. And even if you’re saving your money, there’s no harm in just looking at the betting odds for Saturday night’s event…