Author: By Duane Finley

A young fighter trying to establish themselves in mixed martial arts will take progress in any form it comes. Whether their career moves forward as the result of a grinding, three round decision or a barn burning battle that demands every ounce of grit they have, as long as the needle moves north, the sacrifices were worthwhile. After coming up short in his quest to become the winner of the 14th installment of The Ultimate Fighter, New York native Dennis Bermudez has blazed forward, refusing to take a step back. The 26-year-old has claimed three consecutive victories since his loss to Diego Br … Read the Full Article Here

“Once a champion, always a champion” is a common saying used in combat sports. And while it sounds nice for fighters who have moved beyond the scope of title contention…they are words that mean nothing to Junior dos Santos.The heavy-handed Brazilian slugger wore the UFC heavyweight championship proudly during his reign atop the division. But after losing the strap in a lopsided loss to the man who he claimed the belt from in Cain Velasquez at UFC 155, “Cigano” is on a mission to reclaim the belt he coveted. Only a select few have what it takes to become a UFC champion and the 29-year-old is de … Read the Full Article Here

Respect means everything to a fighter. Titles and acclaim are certainly elements to be pursued throughout a career, but earning the respect of peers and the fans who make their jobs possible is the foundation upon which everything is built. For some, that aspect comes easily. But for others, the pursuit of recognition is seemingly a never ending battle, and UFC bantamweight George Roop associates himself with the latter.The TUF alum has been competing on the sport’s biggest stages for the better part of the past five years and still believes he’s largely overlooked as a mixed martial artist. D … Read the Full Article Here

There is perhaps no fighter in mixed martial arts with a more suitable nickname than the one attached to Donald Cerrone. Much like his predecessors from the wild days of the open range, “Cowboy” is of the rough and tumble, hard-scrabble sort who doesn’t mind mixing it up when the opportunity arises. The name isn’t a description for Cerrone; it’s a lifestyle. And one he’s certified to carry.On a 40-acre ranch outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico he calls “home” from time to time, Cerrone raises livestock and houses a collection of fighters looking to break through in the sport of mixed martial ar … Read the Full Article Here

In a career which has spanned nearly two decades and transitioned through several defining eras, Vitor Belfort’s legacy as a mixed martial artist has been carved in stone.“The Phenom” earned his nickname by blazing onto the scene as a heavy-handed 19-year-old knockout artist, racking up a collection of victims in brutal fashion during the initial stage of what was certain to be a legendary career. The talented young Brazilian rose to become one of the sport’s biggest stars as he helped carry the UFC from the days of Royce Gracie and open weight tournaments and into the Zuffa era, where sanctio … Read the Full Article Here

Mixed martial arts may be rising into the mainstream consciousness of professional athletics, but there is still something primal about fighting. When two competitors are locked inside the Octagon, looking to impose their respective wills upon one another, there comes a moment where a fighter is pushed to their limit. Once at their breaking point, a decision has to be made to either submit to the pressure or reach down deeper to find that extra grit to go on.Where MMA is filled with athletes whose toughness will never be brought into question, there is still that unique brand of fighter who fi … Read the Full Article Here