At some point or another, every fighter has found themselves in a difficult position. Whether that comes in the heat of battle with their opponent on the attack, or at a juncture of a career where there is no longer room for a back step; an athlete competing in the competitive world of mixed martial arts has undoubtedly attempted to prepare themselves for anything that may come their way.
In a sport where anything can and often does happen, a fighter’s ability to adapt and adjust under pressure can make all the difference. It is in those moments where a competitor either finds the moxie to stand and deliver, or collapses under the weight of what is raining down upon them.
While natural talent and game planning provide the tools for success to be achieved, on many occasions it requires intangible resources to claim victory. Cliché words such as “heart” and “determination” are thrown around with high-frequency in mixed martial arts, and despite this being the case; there is no denying some fighters simply have it, where others unfortunately don’t.
Grit has never been an issue where Brian Stann is concerned. The war hero turned mixed martial artist has spent a lifetime standing tall in the face of adversity, as the 32-year-old has parlayed a blue-collar work ethic into a successful career on the sport’s biggest stage in the UFC. Throughout his journey, the former standout linebacker at Navy has experienced his fair share of victory and defeat. But every time Stann has been forced to take a step back, he comes charging forward reinvigorated.
The Marine Corps veteran has proven capable of bouncing back from a difficult situation in the past, and his ability to do so will undoubtedly be tested this Saturday night when he squares off with MMA legend Wanderlei Silva at UFC on FUEL TV 8 in Japan.
The bout with “The Axe Murderer” will be Stann’s first showing inside the Octagon since dropping a unanimous decision defeat to Michael Bisping at UFC 152 last September. The loss to “The Count” knocked Stann from the ranks of title contention, and with the divisional picture becoming increasingly competitive; Stann needs a victory over Silva to keep pace with the pack.
The former Chute Boxe fighter built his legacy competing in Japan as he put together one of the most dominant runs in mixed martial arts history while competing under the now-defunct PRIDE banner. While the 36-year-old Brazilian may be on the downside of his career, there is no aspect of the matchup Stann is taking lightly.
Competing in front of the fabled Japanese audience is something Stann has aspired to do since his fighting career began. When the high-profile status of the tilt being a main event factored in, Stann is thankful for the opportunity at hand.
“I was born at Yokota Air Base in Japan and it certainly adds an interesting layer to the fight,” Stann said. “I don’t remember anything because I was so young and I didn’t live there very long, but it is a place I’ve always wanted to fight. Even earlier in my career when I was in the WEC I always thought it would be really cool to fight in Japan at some point. PRIDE was still going on back then and MMA was such a huge sport over there. I never thought I’d get the opportunity because at the time, the WEC and UFC certainly weren’t traveling over to put on fights in Japan. This is one of those things that was on the bucket list of my MMA career. I’ve always wanted to go over and fight in Japan and I’m very fortunate to be fighting in a main event. Without the fight being in Japan or against Wanderlei, this opportunity might not have come.
“It’s my first time being the main event and it’s a dream come true. I’ve been scheduled there a couple of times before in the past but things have always fallen through. This is a big deal for me. I want to be a guy that the UFC continues to put in main events and co-main events because I deliver. I’m very proud of that.”
The matchup between Stann and Silva will feature two fighters who have the ability to end the action with a single punch. The former WEC light heavyweight champion is a powerful counterstriker who has punished opponents in the past when they’ve become overaggressive. In bouts with TUF alum Chris Leben and MMA veterans Jorge Santiago and Alessio Sakara, Stann’s improved footwork and timing allowed him to capitalize on the openings that were presented. In all three cases, the Pennsylvania-based fighter ended the action in brutal fashion, scoring highlight reel-worthy victories in the process.
Stann’s striking style seems custom-made to answer the problems Silva brings to the table, as the former PRIDE middleweight champion has made a career of blitzing the opposition with his aggressive Muay Thai-based attack. That being said, in his most recent fights, Silva has taken a different approach. The “mad dog” rushes are still very much present and his power is always a threat, but Silva has begun to use a style that favors patience over chaos.
“Preparing for the way Wanderlei fights now is different than it would have been a few years ago,” Stann said. “You can’t count on him coming forward the entire fight. There are going to be bursts, but he’s become more economical with his strikes. He’s become a much smarter fighter and more dimensional as well. He’s added some takedown capabilities into his game as well and I’m not banking on him to just come out there swinging. I think he’s going to be much more patient in this fight.
“Looking at his past few fights, he’s begun to counterstrike a little bit more. I think that is an interesting tactical layer in this fight and I’m interested to see how it plays out.
“If you look at all of his fights, there haven’t been too many where Wanderlei hasn’t hurt the person he’s fighting. Even in the fights he’s lost, he’s extremely dangerous. His fights against Rich Franklin were razor-thin. There were moments of those fights where it could have gone either way and he had Rich nearly finished. Wanderlei Silva is always dangerous.
“You look at guys like Vitor Belfort and it shows you this is a sport where more mature fighters can be very successful because the volume of technique and the depth it takes to continue to be proficient in every aspect takes so long. That’s why we have some athletes who have been training and competing longer to defeat younger athletes.”
While Stann is looking to make his way back up the ladder in the middleweight division, that course will take a slight detour in Japan as the bout with Silva will take place in the 205-pound weight class. While Stann may be revisiting the light heavyweight division for the first time in over two years, the stop will be a brief one. He wants nothing more than to reclaim his position in the middleweight division’s upper-tier and he’s looking to do so in the quickest possible fashion.
“I’m only fighting at light heavyweight for this Silva matchup then I’m going back down to 185 pounds,” Stann said. “I wanted to get back into the Octagon as soon as possible. (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva knew that was what I wanted and most of the other middleweights were either booked for fights or injured. The UFC wanted Wanderlei to be in the main event in Japan and he wanted to stay at 205 pounds. He didn’t want to cut the weight and it was fine with me. It wasn’t a big deal at all and I took the fight. To me, this is really a middleweight fight and we’re just agreeing not to cut the weight.
“The middleweight division is certainly one of the most competitive weight classes in the UFC,” he added. “It has become even more so with the addition of the Strikeforce guys. I think there are several guys who have come over from Strikeforce that have just made the division more deep. These guys are young and they are hungry. Even if (185-pound champion) Anderson Silva does end up riding off into the sunset with his title over the next year or two, I think it is still an extremely competitive division.”
Stann’s abilities inside the cage have garnered acclaim for years, but recently it has been his work in the broadcast booth which has drawn rave reviews. As a member of the analyst team for the FOX and FUEL TV cards, Stann has quickly earned a reputation for his top-notch presentation. Getting behind the analyst desk was previously uncharted territory, but Stann has handled the task like a consummate professional.
“I really enjoy doing it,” Stann replied when asked about his role as an analyst. “I just don’t necessarily consider it to be work. I enjoy breaking down fights. I kind of put my military hat back on when I do it because I like doing the homework and coming in prepared. I want the fans to be able to count on me, and not with some babble I just came up with 30 minutes before we went on air, but legitimate analysis and breakdowns of what I expect to see in the fight. It’s really a lot of fun for me.
“I’ve done a lot of different things to make a living and feed my family. Most of them have been very hard and back breaking. It has been professional fighting. It has been being in the Marine Corps. It’s been grinding it out on the road and with business. I’ve done all that and the opportunity to break down a sport that I love, with fighters I truly respect, is an awful lot of fun for me. Hopefully that will be something I’m allowed to continue.”
2012 may not have been the year Stann had originally intended for it to be, but that has only provided more motivation for him to make the most out of the year ahead. The bout with Silva will be his first of 2013, and a victory in Japan will set things off the right way.
The previous year came with distractions outside of the cage but now that his focus is locked on the task at hand, Stann plan to make the coming year one to remember.
“It’s going to be a different Brian Stann. Fans are going to see a Brian Stann who is completely dangerous in every aspect of the sport. I’m going to be more focused. There were a lot of things happening in 2012 that, unfortunately for my fighting career, were more important than fighting. They needed my attention. Luckily for me, those are over and we closed the chapter on that when 2012 ended. Now I’m able to fully focus on my goals and what I want to accomplish in this sport. In 2013 I plan on having a great year.”
At some point or another, every fighter has found themselves in a difficult position. Whether that comes in the heat of battle with their opponent on the attack, or at a juncture of a career where there is no longer room for a back step; an athlete competing in the competitive world of mixed martial arts has undoubtedly attempted to prepare themselves for anything that may come their way.
In a sport where anything can and often does happen, a fighter’s ability to adapt and adjust under pressure can make all the difference. It is in those moments where a competitor either finds the moxie to stand and deliver, or collapses under the weight of what is raining down upon them.
While natural talent and game planning provide the tools for success to be achieved, on many occasions it requires intangible resources to claim victory. Cliché words such as “heart” and “determination” are thrown around with high-frequency in mixed martial arts, and despite this being the case; there is no denying some fighters simply have it, where others unfortunately don’t.
Grit has never been an issue where Brian Stann is concerned. The war hero turned mixed martial artist has spent a lifetime standing tall in the face of adversity, as the 32-year-old has parlayed a blue-collar work ethic into a successful career on the sport’s biggest stage in the UFC. Throughout his journey, the former standout linebacker at Navy has experienced his fair share of victory and defeat. But every time Stann has been forced to take a step back, he comes charging forward reinvigorated.
The Marine Corps veteran has proven capable of bouncing back from a difficult situation in the past, and his ability to do so will undoubtedly be tested this Saturday night when he squares off with MMA legend Wanderlei Silva at UFC on FUEL TV 8 in Japan.
The bout with “The Axe Murderer” will be Stann’s first showing inside the Octagon since dropping a unanimous decision defeat to Michael Bisping at UFC 152 last September. The loss to “The Count” knocked Stann from the ranks of title contention, and with the divisional picture becoming increasingly competitive; Stann needs a victory over Silva to keep pace with the pack.
The former Chute Boxe fighter built his legacy competing in Japan as he put together one of the most dominant runs in mixed martial arts history while competing under the now-defunct PRIDE banner. While the 36-year-old Brazilian may be on the downside of his career, there is no aspect of the matchup Stann is taking lightly.
Competing in front of the fabled Japanese audience is something Stann has aspired to do since his fighting career began. When the high-profile status of the tilt being a main event factored in, Stann is thankful for the opportunity at hand.
“I was born at Yokota Air Base in Japan and it certainly adds an interesting layer to the fight,” Stann said. “I don’t remember anything because I was so young and I didn’t live there very long, but it is a place I’ve always wanted to fight. Even earlier in my career when I was in the WEC I always thought it would be really cool to fight in Japan at some point. PRIDE was still going on back then and MMA was such a huge sport over there. I never thought I’d get the opportunity because at the time, the WEC and UFC certainly weren’t traveling over to put on fights in Japan. This is one of those things that was on the bucket list of my MMA career. I’ve always wanted to go over and fight in Japan and I’m very fortunate to be fighting in a main event. Without the fight being in Japan or against Wanderlei, this opportunity might not have come.
“It’s my first time being the main event and it’s a dream come true. I’ve been scheduled there a couple of times before in the past but things have always fallen through. This is a big deal for me. I want to be a guy that the UFC continues to put in main events and co-main events because I deliver. I’m very proud of that.”
The matchup between Stann and Silva will feature two fighters who have the ability to end the action with a single punch. The former WEC light heavyweight champion is a powerful counterstriker who has punished opponents in the past when they’ve become overaggressive. In bouts with TUF alum Chris Leben and MMA veterans Jorge Santiago and Alessio Sakara, Stann’s improved footwork and timing allowed him to capitalize on the openings that were presented. In all three cases, the Pennsylvania-based fighter ended the action in brutal fashion, scoring highlight reel-worthy victories in the process.
Stann’s striking style seems custom-made to answer the problems Silva brings to the table, as the former PRIDE middleweight champion has made a career of blitzing the opposition with his aggressive Muay Thai-based attack. That being said, in his most recent fights, Silva has taken a different approach. The “mad dog” rushes are still very much present and his power is always a threat, but Silva has begun to use a style that favors patience over chaos.
“Preparing for the way Wanderlei fights now is different than it would have been a few years ago,” Stann said. “You can’t count on him coming forward the entire fight. There are going to be bursts, but he’s become more economical with his strikes. He’s become a much smarter fighter and more dimensional as well. He’s added some takedown capabilities into his game as well and I’m not banking on him to just come out there swinging. I think he’s going to be much more patient in this fight.
“Looking at his past few fights, he’s begun to counterstrike a little bit more. I think that is an interesting tactical layer in this fight and I’m interested to see how it plays out.
“If you look at all of his fights, there haven’t been too many where Wanderlei hasn’t hurt the person he’s fighting. Even in the fights he’s lost, he’s extremely dangerous. His fights against Rich Franklin were razor-thin. There were moments of those fights where it could have gone either way and he had Rich nearly finished. Wanderlei Silva is always dangerous.
“You look at guys like Vitor Belfort and it shows you this is a sport where more mature fighters can be very successful because the volume of technique and the depth it takes to continue to be proficient in every aspect takes so long. That’s why we have some athletes who have been training and competing longer to defeat younger athletes.”
While Stann is looking to make his way back up the ladder in the middleweight division, that course will take a slight detour in Japan as the bout with Silva will take place in the 205-pound weight class. While Stann may be revisiting the light heavyweight division for the first time in over two years, the stop will be a brief one. He wants nothing more than to reclaim his position in the middleweight division’s upper-tier and he’s looking to do so in the quickest possible fashion.
“I’m only fighting at light heavyweight for this Silva matchup then I’m going back down to 185 pounds,” Stann said. “I wanted to get back into the Octagon as soon as possible. (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva knew that was what I wanted and most of the other middleweights were either booked for fights or injured. The UFC wanted Wanderlei to be in the main event in Japan and he wanted to stay at 205 pounds. He didn’t want to cut the weight and it was fine with me. It wasn’t a big deal at all and I took the fight. To me, this is really a middleweight fight and we’re just agreeing not to cut the weight.
“The middleweight division is certainly one of the most competitive weight classes in the UFC,” he added. “It has become even more so with the addition of the Strikeforce guys. I think there are several guys who have come over from Strikeforce that have just made the division more deep. These guys are young and they are hungry. Even if (185-pound champion) Anderson Silva does end up riding off into the sunset with his title over the next year or two, I think it is still an extremely competitive division.”
Stann’s abilities inside the cage have garnered acclaim for years, but recently it has been his work in the broadcast booth which has drawn rave reviews. As a member of the analyst team for the FOX and FUEL TV cards, Stann has quickly earned a reputation for his top-notch presentation. Getting behind the analyst desk was previously uncharted territory, but Stann has handled the task like a consummate professional.
“I really enjoy doing it,” Stann replied when asked about his role as an analyst. “I just don’t necessarily consider it to be work. I enjoy breaking down fights. I kind of put my military hat back on when I do it because I like doing the homework and coming in prepared. I want the fans to be able to count on me, and not with some babble I just came up with 30 minutes before we went on air, but legitimate analysis and breakdowns of what I expect to see in the fight. It’s really a lot of fun for me.
“I’ve done a lot of different things to make a living and feed my family. Most of them have been very hard and back breaking. It has been professional fighting. It has been being in the Marine Corps. It’s been grinding it out on the road and with business. I’ve done all that and the opportunity to break down a sport that I love, with fighters I truly respect, is an awful lot of fun for me. Hopefully that will be something I’m allowed to continue.”
2012 may not have been the year Stann had originally intended for it to be, but that has only provided more motivation for him to make the most out of the year ahead. The bout with Silva will be his first of 2013, and a victory in Japan will set things off the right way.
The previous year came with distractions outside of the cage but now that his focus is locked on the task at hand, Stann plan to make the coming year one to remember.
“It’s going to be a different Brian Stann. Fans are going to see a Brian Stann who is completely dangerous in every aspect of the sport. I’m going to be more focused. There were a lot of things happening in 2012 that, unfortunately for my fighting career, were more important than fighting. They needed my attention. Luckily for me, those are over and we closed the chapter on that when 2012 ended. Now I’m able to fully focus on my goals and what I want to accomplish in this sport. In 2013 I plan on having a great year.”
As a kid growing up on the Hawaiian island of Kailua, Brad Tavares dreamed of one day seeing the world. The ambition to do so was never in short supply, but the idea of traveling the globe and the means to bring this goal to fruition, at times appeared to be as distant as the sun setting across the western horizon.
In many cases, leaving the small island paradise is a door which never opens. And while Tavares may be Hawaiian to the bone, there was a world and a sport beyond the shores that were waiting for him.
At just 23 years old, Tavares was selected to participate in the 11th season of The Ultimate Fighter. While the reality show was the Xtreme Couture-product’s introduction to the UFC fan base, the two years which have followed have been the most rewarding. In his five showings inside the Octagon, Tavares has emerged victorious in all but one affair, showcasing an ever-evolving skill set in the process.
Working under mentor Ray Sefo has allowed Tavares to add unique elements to an already strong striking game. The 25-year-old’s standup attack has always been the foundation of his success, but with a mind for detail and a blue collar work ethic, Tavares has added elements of speed and power, making his greatest attribute all the more dangerous.
The commitment to honing his craft has allowed Tavares to collect back-to-back wins, and he will be looking to keep the momentum rolling when he steps into the cage this weekend with Riki Fukuda at UFC on FUEL TV 8 in Tokyo, Japan.
For Tavares, competing in the “Land of the Rising Sun” will be another dream realized. For a kid who has made his way through the world based on his ability to stay on the grind, the fires of motivation are stoked heading into his showdown with Fukuda in Japan.
“Honestly…growing up, Japan was a place I always wanted to go,” Tavares said. “I’m not much of a person who wants to fight in crazy places, but Japan is definitely one of the places I’ve always wanted to fight in. I grew up watching PRIDE and K-1. I’ve seen those crowds and the type of shows they’ve put on. It has always intrigued me. Fighting in Japan is always something I’ve wanted to do and I’m glad I get to do it on the biggest stage in the world in the UFC.
“I’m always trying to please the fans and put on a fun fight. I’m looking to showcase my striking and go for the finish. If the opportunity arises, I’m going to take that finish wherever I can get it. I’m going to try to knock him out, but if it goes to the ground, I’ll try to submit him there. I want to get one of these bonuses and put on a great fight for the Japanese fans. I want to win these fans over forever. That’s what they say about the Japanese fans. You put on a good show for them and you have fans for life. That’s what I’m going to do for them.”
While striking may be the source of talent that sparked Tavares’s career as a mixed martial artist, training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas has paid dividends in other areas. The Las Vegas gym is well known for housing some of the best wrestlers in MMA, in addition to a revolving door of top-level grapplers aspiring to cut their teeth in a new venue. The constant grind has served to sharpen the TUF alum’s wrestling skills and they will come in handy against Fukuda.
The Japanese fighter uses a wrestling-heavy attack, and training at the American Kickboxing Academy will only serve to strengthen Fukuda’s skills. While Tavares expects the 32-year-ol to be looking to take the fight to the canvas, he is prepared to handle anything Fukuda brings his way.
“[Fukuda] likes to grind and wrestle but he doesn’t really possess that strong, Division I-type wrestling,” Tavares said. “I’m not taking anything away from him because he is a good fighter, but he doesn’t bring that powerful style of wrestling. He strikes to get to a single and tries to put guys on the mat, but I’m confident in my takedown defense and that I’ll be able to stuff him and stop his takedowns. I’ve seen in his past fights, when that does happen, he is no stranger to brawling. If he wants to do that, it is all the better for me. A standup battle is exactly what I want.
“That being said, this is the UFC where the best of the best fight. Anything can happen. I’m not expecting only one attack from him, and I’ve taken all aspects of the fight into consideration. If he does take me to the mat, I’ve been working heavily on my jiu-jitsu and wrestling games. I’ll be ready for wherever the fight goes. Obviously I’d like to keep the fight on the feet, but if it doesn’t go that way, I’ll get to show a different side of my game.”
“I never wrestled in high school, college, or any of those things,” Tavares continued. “But the team I started out with, wrestling was one of our foundations. We saw it early on that wrestling can dictate where the fight goes and it’s something we worked on constantly. Striking is where I excel and the most fun part of fighting for me. That is what a lot of people see from me, but I would say I have a pretty strong wrestling game as well.
“On occasion we’ve had college wrestlers come by the gym, and I do very well against them. Recently Martin Kampmann brought in a wrestler who had just competed in the Olympics and I was able to do pretty well against him in straight-up wrestling. Those things are confidence boosters. People probably won’t see a (Jon) Fitch from me, where I take my opponent down and grind them, but I do posses solid offensive and defensive wrestling skills.”
With the bout against Fukuda quickly approaching, the goals Tavares has set for himself are coming within reach. Often times, young fighters are looking to grab the lion’s share of opportunity as quick as it comes, but an elevated sense of maturity has Tavares willing to take his journey through mixed martial arts one step at a time.
He understands victory is the catalyst which makes all things possible in the realm of combat sports. By defeating Fukuda on Saturday night in Japan, the next step will become available, and Tavares is ready to hit the next tier of the middleweight division at full speed.
“I want to keep the ride going,” Tavares said. “I definitely want to be in the Top 10 of this middleweight division and a win over Fukuda will get me closer to that goal. I don’t think it will quite get me into the Top 10, but it will definitely put me in a position to fight the guys who are there. I want to be on another good show, especially for the Japanese fans, and come home with the ‘W’”.
“2013 is the perfect time for me to make my move up the ladder. A bunch of the guys who were in contention fell out recently. The opportunity is there, and with a good win over Fukuda, I can get a bigger name on a higher stage. I definitely think the division is wide open and I’m looking to make my run.”
As a kid growing up on the Hawaiian island of Kailua, Brad Tavares dreamed of one day seeing the world. The ambition to do so was never in short supply, but the idea of traveling the globe and the means to bring this goal to fruition, at times appeared to be as distant as the sun setting across the western horizon.
In many cases, leaving the small island paradise is a door which never opens. And while Tavares may be Hawaiian to the bone, there was a world and a sport beyond the shores that were waiting for him.
At just 23 years old, Tavares was selected to participate in the 11th season of The Ultimate Fighter. While the reality show was the Xtreme Couture-product’s introduction to the UFC fan base, the two years which have followed have been the most rewarding. In his five showings inside the Octagon, Tavares has emerged victorious in all but one affair, showcasing an ever-evolving skill set in the process.
Working under mentor Ray Sefo has allowed Tavares to add unique elements to an already strong striking game. The 25-year-old’s standup attack has always been the foundation of his success, but with a mind for detail and a blue collar work ethic, Tavares has added elements of speed and power, making his greatest attribute all the more dangerous.
The commitment to honing his craft has allowed Tavares to collect back-to-back wins, and he will be looking to keep the momentum rolling when he steps into the cage this weekend with Riki Fukuda at UFC on FUEL TV 8 in Tokyo, Japan.
For Tavares, competing in the “Land of the Rising Sun” will be another dream realized. For a kid who has made his way through the world based on his ability to stay on the grind, the fires of motivation are stoked heading into his showdown with Fukuda in Japan.
“Honestly…growing up, Japan was a place I always wanted to go,” Tavares said. “I’m not much of a person who wants to fight in crazy places, but Japan is definitely one of the places I’ve always wanted to fight in. I grew up watching PRIDE and K-1. I’ve seen those crowds and the type of shows they’ve put on. It has always intrigued me. Fighting in Japan is always something I’ve wanted to do and I’m glad I get to do it on the biggest stage in the world in the UFC.
“I’m always trying to please the fans and put on a fun fight. I’m looking to showcase my striking and go for the finish. If the opportunity arises, I’m going to take that finish wherever I can get it. I’m going to try to knock him out, but if it goes to the ground, I’ll try to submit him there. I want to get one of these bonuses and put on a great fight for the Japanese fans. I want to win these fans over forever. That’s what they say about the Japanese fans. You put on a good show for them and you have fans for life. That’s what I’m going to do for them.”
While striking may be the source of talent that sparked Tavares’s career as a mixed martial artist, training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas has paid dividends in other areas. The Las Vegas gym is well known for housing some of the best wrestlers in MMA, in addition to a revolving door of top-level grapplers aspiring to cut their teeth in a new venue. The constant grind has served to sharpen the TUF alum’s wrestling skills and they will come in handy against Fukuda.
The Japanese fighter uses a wrestling-heavy attack, and training at the American Kickboxing Academy will only serve to strengthen Fukuda’s skills. While Tavares expects the 32-year-ol to be looking to take the fight to the canvas, he is prepared to handle anything Fukuda brings his way.
“[Fukuda] likes to grind and wrestle but he doesn’t really possess that strong, Division I-type wrestling,” Tavares said. “I’m not taking anything away from him because he is a good fighter, but he doesn’t bring that powerful style of wrestling. He strikes to get to a single and tries to put guys on the mat, but I’m confident in my takedown defense and that I’ll be able to stuff him and stop his takedowns. I’ve seen in his past fights, when that does happen, he is no stranger to brawling. If he wants to do that, it is all the better for me. A standup battle is exactly what I want.
“That being said, this is the UFC where the best of the best fight. Anything can happen. I’m not expecting only one attack from him, and I’ve taken all aspects of the fight into consideration. If he does take me to the mat, I’ve been working heavily on my jiu-jitsu and wrestling games. I’ll be ready for wherever the fight goes. Obviously I’d like to keep the fight on the feet, but if it doesn’t go that way, I’ll get to show a different side of my game.”
“I never wrestled in high school, college, or any of those things,” Tavares continued. “But the team I started out with, wrestling was one of our foundations. We saw it early on that wrestling can dictate where the fight goes and it’s something we worked on constantly. Striking is where I excel and the most fun part of fighting for me. That is what a lot of people see from me, but I would say I have a pretty strong wrestling game as well.
“On occasion we’ve had college wrestlers come by the gym, and I do very well against them. Recently Martin Kampmann brought in a wrestler who had just competed in the Olympics and I was able to do pretty well against him in straight-up wrestling. Those things are confidence boosters. People probably won’t see a (Jon) Fitch from me, where I take my opponent down and grind them, but I do posses solid offensive and defensive wrestling skills.”
With the bout against Fukuda quickly approaching, the goals Tavares has set for himself are coming within reach. Often times, young fighters are looking to grab the lion’s share of opportunity as quick as it comes, but an elevated sense of maturity has Tavares willing to take his journey through mixed martial arts one step at a time.
He understands victory is the catalyst which makes all things possible in the realm of combat sports. By defeating Fukuda on Saturday night in Japan, the next step will become available, and Tavares is ready to hit the next tier of the middleweight division at full speed.
“I want to keep the ride going,” Tavares said. “I definitely want to be in the Top 10 of this middleweight division and a win over Fukuda will get me closer to that goal. I don’t think it will quite get me into the Top 10, but it will definitely put me in a position to fight the guys who are there. I want to be on another good show, especially for the Japanese fans, and come home with the ‘W’”.
“2013 is the perfect time for me to make my move up the ladder. A bunch of the guys who were in contention fell out recently. The opportunity is there, and with a good win over Fukuda, I can get a bigger name on a higher stage. I definitely think the division is wide open and I’m looking to make my run.”
The process of fighting your way onto the sport’s biggest stage is a difficult challenge by all measures. A mixed martial artist has to build their skills on the regional circuit, progressing with every step, and building their records until they receive the phone call they have been working diligently towards.
For 28-year-old Kenny Robertson, the opportunity to compete inside the UFC Octagon is a dream realized, lost, and found again.
After a successful run fighting for smaller promotions around the Midwest, the Illinois native was tapped to face veteran Mike Pierce at UFC 126. Unfortunately for Robertson, his performance did not yield the desired results, and he suffered a TKO loss in the second round of the bout. The loss was disappointing for Robertson, but the aftermath compounded when he was promptly released from the UFC following his fight with Pierce.
Under these circumstances, a fighter can choose to fold up shop and walk away or dig deeper to get back to where they feel they belong. In Robertson’s case, the Central Illinois Combat Club fighter returned to the grind and scored a first round KO victory over former UFC fighter Lucio Linhares in a bout overseas. The victory put him back on track and when perennial welterweight contender Jon Fitch pulled out of his fight with Aaron Simpson at UFC on FUEL TV 4, the second chance Robertson had been looking for presented itself.
The former Arizona State University wrestling standout may have earned the unanimous decision nod, but Robertson’s performance earned him another appearance inside the Octagon. That opportunity will come against Brock Jardine at UFC 157, and Robertson is looking forward to locking up with the Pit Elevated fighter.
“I think I match up pretty well with [Jardine],” Robertson said. “Hopefully I’ll be the faster fighter and I believe I will be. He likes to throw a lot of power shots and he mixes it up with kicks and punches in his standup. I match up well with him and I think I’ll be able to take him down whenever I want to. Hopefully I’ll be fast enough to dictate the pace, set it at a high level, and wear him out.
“I want to show I’m a finisher and that I can go in there do whatever it takes to finish my opponent. Whether it is standup or submission, I don’t really care. I just like getting in there and getting after it.”
As a young fighter in a sport which is becoming increasingly competitive, experience and the lessons learned along the way are priceless. For a fighter like Robertson, who is looking to carve out his place on the UFC roster, every step of the journey comes with a sense of urgency, and a fighter’s ability to turn negatives into positives can make all the difference.
“Obviously getting cut sucked,” Robertson said. “Every loss is bad but you can learn a lot from them as well. Personally, I believe I learn more from a loss than a win and those experiences have helped me become a better fighter. It helped me learn to prepare better. I try to evolve my standup each and every time out and along with that my wrestling and my jiu-jitsu as well.
“It felt really good to get that call that I was back in the UFC, but I was really disappointed with my conditioning for my last fight. Halfway through the second round I was gassed and there is no excuse for that. I took the fight on late notice but just wasn’t in good enough shape to do what I wanted to do in there. That was probably the low point for me.”
If the grind of two careers weren’t enough, Robertson is fighting out of the Midwest, where high-profile gyms and top-level training partners can be difficult to find. While talented fighters come out of the region, it is yet to be seen as a power player in the fight game.
“I think the Midwest is a bit overlooked, but it is such a big area and you have to travel so far to train with good guys,” Robertson said “I travel to Mahomet to work with Dan Hornbuckle. I travel to Springfield to work with Matt Veach and Dustin Jacoby. I have traveled to Indianapolis, which is three and a half hours away, to get in some training. I think the reason the Midwest is overlooked is because most of the time there are only one or two top guys per gym. That isn’t always the case, but most of the time it is kind of sporadic.
“It’s what you have to do. It is a lot of hours in the car and it sucks after working all day, but it is what you have to do to make yourself better.”
Every fighter looking to make his way at some point experiences the difficulty of balancing training and what it takes to pay the bills…and Robertson is no exception. The Peoria-based fighter is a teacher by day, but once the classrooms are empty, he heads into the gym looking to further his skill set as a mixed martial artist.
Whether or not having two careers will ever change, it is an option which remains unseen at the present time. That being said, with a growing family at home, and a steady career as a foundation, Robertson is moving forward with his MMA career one step at a time. Even if the opportunity to train and compete full-time became a possibility, it would be a difficult decision for him to make.
“I have a really good gig here with teaching,” Robertson said. “They allow me to take time off to fight and they are really supportive of me. It keeps me busy throughout the day and I’m still able to get my workouts in.
“It’s a cutthroat sport,” Robertson added. “I’ve been cut just as many others have been cut as well. If you are off just a little bit it can pretty much cost you a career. I have a good job with a salary. I teach at a good school and it would be hard to give up. It would be nice though.”
The process of fighting your way onto the sport’s biggest stage is a difficult challenge by all measures. A mixed martial artist has to build their skills on the regional circuit, progressing with every step, and building their records until they receive the phone call they have been working diligently towards.
For 28-year-old Kenny Robertson, the opportunity to compete inside the UFC Octagon is a dream realized, lost, and found again.
After a successful run fighting for smaller promotions around the Midwest, the Illinois native was tapped to face veteran Mike Pierce at UFC 126. Unfortunately for Robertson, his performance did not yield the desired results, and he suffered a TKO loss in the second round of the bout. The loss was disappointing for Robertson, but the aftermath compounded when he was promptly released from the UFC following his fight with Pierce.
Under these circumstances, a fighter can choose to fold up shop and walk away or dig deeper to get back to where they feel they belong. In Robertson’s case, the Central Illinois Combat Club fighter returned to the grind and scored a first round KO victory over former UFC fighter Lucio Linhares in a bout overseas. The victory put him back on track and when perennial welterweight contender Jon Fitch pulled out of his fight with Aaron Simpson at UFC on FUEL TV 4, the second chance Robertson had been looking for presented itself.
The former Arizona State University wrestling standout may have earned the unanimous decision nod, but Robertson’s performance earned him another appearance inside the Octagon. That opportunity will come against Brock Jardine at UFC 157, and Robertson is looking forward to locking up with the Pit Elevated fighter.
“I think I match up pretty well with [Jardine],” Robertson said. “Hopefully I’ll be the faster fighter and I believe I will be. He likes to throw a lot of power shots and he mixes it up with kicks and punches in his standup. I match up well with him and I think I’ll be able to take him down whenever I want to. Hopefully I’ll be fast enough to dictate the pace, set it at a high level, and wear him out.
“I want to show I’m a finisher and that I can go in there do whatever it takes to finish my opponent. Whether it is standup or submission, I don’t really care. I just like getting in there and getting after it.”
As a young fighter in a sport which is becoming increasingly competitive, experience and the lessons learned along the way are priceless. For a fighter like Robertson, who is looking to carve out his place on the UFC roster, every step of the journey comes with a sense of urgency, and a fighter’s ability to turn negatives into positives can make all the difference.
“Obviously getting cut sucked,” Robertson said. “Every loss is bad but you can learn a lot from them as well. Personally, I believe I learn more from a loss than a win and those experiences have helped me become a better fighter. It helped me learn to prepare better. I try to evolve my standup each and every time out and along with that my wrestling and my jiu-jitsu as well.
“It felt really good to get that call that I was back in the UFC, but I was really disappointed with my conditioning for my last fight. Halfway through the second round I was gassed and there is no excuse for that. I took the fight on late notice but just wasn’t in good enough shape to do what I wanted to do in there. That was probably the low point for me.”
If the grind of two careers weren’t enough, Robertson is fighting out of the Midwest, where high-profile gyms and top-level training partners can be difficult to find. While talented fighters come out of the region, it is yet to be seen as a power player in the fight game.
“I think the Midwest is a bit overlooked, but it is such a big area and you have to travel so far to train with good guys,” Robertson said “I travel to Mahomet to work with Dan Hornbuckle. I travel to Springfield to work with Matt Veach and Dustin Jacoby. I have traveled to Indianapolis, which is three and a half hours away, to get in some training. I think the reason the Midwest is overlooked is because most of the time there are only one or two top guys per gym. That isn’t always the case, but most of the time it is kind of sporadic.
“It’s what you have to do. It is a lot of hours in the car and it sucks after working all day, but it is what you have to do to make yourself better.”
Every fighter looking to make his way at some point experiences the difficulty of balancing training and what it takes to pay the bills…and Robertson is no exception. The Peoria-based fighter is a teacher by day, but once the classrooms are empty, he heads into the gym looking to further his skill set as a mixed martial artist.
Whether or not having two careers will ever change, it is an option which remains unseen at the present time. That being said, with a growing family at home, and a steady career as a foundation, Robertson is moving forward with his MMA career one step at a time. Even if the opportunity to train and compete full-time became a possibility, it would be a difficult decision for him to make.
“I have a really good gig here with teaching,” Robertson said. “They allow me to take time off to fight and they are really supportive of me. It keeps me busy throughout the day and I’m still able to get my workouts in.
“It’s a cutthroat sport,” Robertson added. “I’ve been cut just as many others have been cut as well. If you are off just a little bit it can pretty much cost you a career. I have a good job with a salary. I teach at a good school and it would be hard to give up. It would be nice though.”
The only opportunity Gilbert Melendez has ever wanted as a professional fighter is just around the corner. While finally making his UFC debut is certainly a highlight for the last man to hold the Strikeforce lightweight title, the chance to prove he is the number one 155-pound fighter in the world is the challenge “El Nino” has longed for, and on April 20th, the 30-year-old Team Cesar Gracie fighter squares off with UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in a clash of MMA’s two top lightweight fighters.
It is a platform years in the making for Melendez. The Northern California-native has been on a quest for respect and recognition as the world’s best lightweight fighter — a task not easily accomplished competing outside of the UFC. But with a title shot in place, and a showdown with the UFC champion on the horizon, the fires of motivation are raging and Melendez is dead set on settling the conversation once and for all.
“I’ve always wanted to challenge myself against the best,” Melendez said. “That has never meant fighting in the UFC necessarily, but finding out if I really am the best lightweight in the world. Now I’m going to get that chance to figure out if I am the number one lightweight in the world and I’m banking on doing it.
“This is what I’ve been waiting for. This is the goal right here. I felt like this moment was inevitable. It’s been a long time but this is exactly what I’ve been training and fighting for my entire career. It all comes down to this one moment and it’s time to zero in and do it.
“I feel a huge amount of respect coming from the UFC for giving me an immediate title shot. It also goes to show that people really want to see this fight. That also plays a big factor in putting this fight together and I’m really happy fans are coming out and really getting behind me in this. It feels great to get that kind of respect and I’m really happy to be a part of the UFC now.”
If an immediate title shot against Henderson wasn’t sweet enough, the opportunity comes with additional perks with the UFC on FOX 7 bout coming in Melendez’s backyard of San Jose. As a Bay Area native, Melendez was able to compete in San Jose numerous times under the Strikeforce banner, and he has built a passionate fan base in the San Jose/San Francisco area.
The bout taking place as the main event of FOX also plays a huge factor in the importance of the fight. Since the relationship between the UFC and FOX kicked off in 2011, the organization has begun transitioning some of their biggest fights off of their traditional pay-per-view model and onto free television. Melendez sees this scenario as the perfect opportunity to make a definitive statement to a brand new audience in the UFC.
“How can I not be excited about this fight,” Melendez said. “Fighting in San Jose, against Ben Henderson on FOX…it doesn’t get better than that. What a great platform for me to show the world what I got. It is an amazing thing and I’m honored to be a part of it. They know I’m ready to deliver. I’m coming out ready to fight and everybody is going to be in for a good show. With me they get a guy who always shows up to fight.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more than fighting in San Jose. It feels like [the UFC] is doing something really generous for me and maybe it’s because of all the things I’ve done for the sport. I don’t really know, to be honest, but it feels great. At least that is the way I’m taking it. Fighting in the Bay Area definitely adds more fuel to my fire because my fans are going to be there, they are feisty, and they are going to get in Ben’s head.”
The matchup between Melendez and Henderson features some interesting stylistic parallels. Both men are strong wrestlers who work behind high-paced attacks. Over his career, Melendez has displayed a brutal fashion of ground and pound that he blends with an increasingly accurate striking game.
Henderson, on the other hand, brings a unique amount of pressure which has allowed him to break the opposition he faces. While Henderson’s legendary cardio is difficult to prepare for, Melendez believes the UFC champion’s greatest attribute is not his physical skill set, but “Smooth’s” ability to stay relaxed under fire.
“Benson is a total athlete,” Melendez said. “He has a lot of strengths and very few weaknesses, if any. One thing I do see in him as a big strength is that he is very mentally strong. That is one thing I see in him that I don’t see in every fighter. He is very focused and keeps his game face on at all times. He gets dropped in fights but he recovers quickly and keeps the same face on.
“There is no look of desperation and he maintains his composure. I think it is going to be a tough mental battle for both of us. We are going to push each other hard and it is going to be just as much of a mental battle as it is a physical one.”
While Melendez has been around the UFC scene for years, cornering his teammates in their biggest fights, he is definitely looking forward to his first opportunity to make that walk to the Octagon. The moment is a long time coming and Melendez is excited to finally have the chance to show the UFC fan base what he can do.
“I’ve been around UFC events for a long time, cornering my boys and whatnot, but it is going to be a neat experience coming out of that tunnel for the first time, hearing my music bump the way it bumps,” Melendez said. “There is nothing like that feeling. It is going to be great to fight in front of the UFC audience.
“I’ve been around that atmosphere before, but it is going to be nice when it is all targeted at me. It is going to be a new experience but it is also going to be weird because it will be in a familiar territory in San Jose. Fighting in front of a hometown crowd is going to be awesome, but having the UFC brand behind it will only make it that much more magical. I thrive for that stuff and that is when I perform at my best. I don’t shy away from those moments at all.”
As the next chapter of his career is set to begin, Melendez can finally look back at everything he accomplished under the Strikeforce banner. For the past four years he was one of the promotion’s brightest stars, and Melendez took tremendous pride in being one of the most dominant champions in the organization’s history. With the doors forever closed on the promotion, Melendez is ready to take his career to new heights, but he will always appreciate the journey which has allowed him to reach this point.
“It was a little bit different for me since I didn’t fight on the final card,” Melendez said. “But once it was over, I finally was able to exhale and look back on my career in Strikeforce and all my accomplishments under that banner. I appreciate that part of my career and that portion of my journey as a mixed martial artist. Now that Strikeforce is gone I can look back on it, but I’m very much looking forward to great things ahead. It’s a rejuvenating feeling.
“The first highlight for me was winning the Strikeforce title against Clay Guida. It was nuts in there…like 11,000 or 12,000 people in there. The fight wasn’t televised and the main event was Vitor [Belfort] versus [Alistair] Overeem. It was crazy and I really put it all on the line out there. I represented for the first time and really got that NorCal crowd behind me. That was a really big spot for me.
“Beating Shinya Aoki on CBS was another big moment for me, and avenging my loss against Josh Thomson ranks up there as well. It was an awesome fight and I think it is one everybody in MMA appreciated.”
With his time in Strikeforce over and a UFC debut quickly approaching, Melendez’s focus now turns to proving once and for all he is the number one lightweight on the planet. Over the course of his journey, Melendez has battled for respect, grown as a fighter and a father, with everything leading up to this one pivotal moment in his MMA career.
The championship tilt against Henderson is precisely the type of scenario he longed for, and make no mistake about it…Melendez is coming after the UFC lightweight crown. It is the opportunity he’s given everything to earn and Melendez has one goal in mind when the cage door closes in San Jose.
“I am coming to take that belt,” Melendez said. “I’m not defending my belt anymore and I’m coming to take his. I’m coming with bad intentions and I’m not counting on squeaking anything out on the scorecards. People are going to see a focused Gilbert Melendez, ready to put it all on the line to get that title. I’m ready to entertain and I’m coming to win. I’m coming to get that belt.”
The only opportunity Gilbert Melendez has ever wanted as a professional fighter is just around the corner. While finally making his UFC debut is certainly a highlight for the last man to hold the Strikeforce lightweight title, the chance to prove he is the number one 155-pound fighter in the world is the challenge “El Nino” has longed for, and on April 20th, the 30-year-old Team Cesar Gracie fighter squares off with UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in a clash of MMA’s two top lightweight fighters.
It is a platform years in the making for Melendez. The Northern California-native has been on a quest for respect and recognition as the world’s best lightweight fighter — a task not easily accomplished competing outside of the UFC. But with a title shot in place, and a showdown with the UFC champion on the horizon, the fires of motivation are raging and Melendez is dead set on settling the conversation once and for all.
“I’ve always wanted to challenge myself against the best,” Melendez said. “That has never meant fighting in the UFC necessarily, but finding out if I really am the best lightweight in the world. Now I’m going to get that chance to figure out if I am the number one lightweight in the world and I’m banking on doing it.
“This is what I’ve been waiting for. This is the goal right here. I felt like this moment was inevitable. It’s been a long time but this is exactly what I’ve been training and fighting for my entire career. It all comes down to this one moment and it’s time to zero in and do it.
“I feel a huge amount of respect coming from the UFC for giving me an immediate title shot. It also goes to show that people really want to see this fight. That also plays a big factor in putting this fight together and I’m really happy fans are coming out and really getting behind me in this. It feels great to get that kind of respect and I’m really happy to be a part of the UFC now.”
If an immediate title shot against Henderson wasn’t sweet enough, the opportunity comes with additional perks with the UFC on FOX 7 bout coming in Melendez’s backyard of San Jose. As a Bay Area native, Melendez was able to compete in San Jose numerous times under the Strikeforce banner, and he has built a passionate fan base in the San Jose/San Francisco area.
The bout taking place as the main event of FOX also plays a huge factor in the importance of the fight. Since the relationship between the UFC and FOX kicked off in 2011, the organization has begun transitioning some of their biggest fights off of their traditional pay-per-view model and onto free television. Melendez sees this scenario as the perfect opportunity to make a definitive statement to a brand new audience in the UFC.
“How can I not be excited about this fight,” Melendez said. “Fighting in San Jose, against Ben Henderson on FOX…it doesn’t get better than that. What a great platform for me to show the world what I got. It is an amazing thing and I’m honored to be a part of it. They know I’m ready to deliver. I’m coming out ready to fight and everybody is going to be in for a good show. With me they get a guy who always shows up to fight.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more than fighting in San Jose. It feels like [the UFC] is doing something really generous for me and maybe it’s because of all the things I’ve done for the sport. I don’t really know, to be honest, but it feels great. At least that is the way I’m taking it. Fighting in the Bay Area definitely adds more fuel to my fire because my fans are going to be there, they are feisty, and they are going to get in Ben’s head.”
The matchup between Melendez and Henderson features some interesting stylistic parallels. Both men are strong wrestlers who work behind high-paced attacks. Over his career, Melendez has displayed a brutal fashion of ground and pound that he blends with an increasingly accurate striking game.
Henderson, on the other hand, brings a unique amount of pressure which has allowed him to break the opposition he faces. While Henderson’s legendary cardio is difficult to prepare for, Melendez believes the UFC champion’s greatest attribute is not his physical skill set, but “Smooth’s” ability to stay relaxed under fire.
“Benson is a total athlete,” Melendez said. “He has a lot of strengths and very few weaknesses, if any. One thing I do see in him as a big strength is that he is very mentally strong. That is one thing I see in him that I don’t see in every fighter. He is very focused and keeps his game face on at all times. He gets dropped in fights but he recovers quickly and keeps the same face on.
“There is no look of desperation and he maintains his composure. I think it is going to be a tough mental battle for both of us. We are going to push each other hard and it is going to be just as much of a mental battle as it is a physical one.”
While Melendez has been around the UFC scene for years, cornering his teammates in their biggest fights, he is definitely looking forward to his first opportunity to make that walk to the Octagon. The moment is a long time coming and Melendez is excited to finally have the chance to show the UFC fan base what he can do.
“I’ve been around UFC events for a long time, cornering my boys and whatnot, but it is going to be a neat experience coming out of that tunnel for the first time, hearing my music bump the way it bumps,” Melendez said. “There is nothing like that feeling. It is going to be great to fight in front of the UFC audience.
“I’ve been around that atmosphere before, but it is going to be nice when it is all targeted at me. It is going to be a new experience but it is also going to be weird because it will be in a familiar territory in San Jose. Fighting in front of a hometown crowd is going to be awesome, but having the UFC brand behind it will only make it that much more magical. I thrive for that stuff and that is when I perform at my best. I don’t shy away from those moments at all.”
As the next chapter of his career is set to begin, Melendez can finally look back at everything he accomplished under the Strikeforce banner. For the past four years he was one of the promotion’s brightest stars, and Melendez took tremendous pride in being one of the most dominant champions in the organization’s history. With the doors forever closed on the promotion, Melendez is ready to take his career to new heights, but he will always appreciate the journey which has allowed him to reach this point.
“It was a little bit different for me since I didn’t fight on the final card,” Melendez said. “But once it was over, I finally was able to exhale and look back on my career in Strikeforce and all my accomplishments under that banner. I appreciate that part of my career and that portion of my journey as a mixed martial artist. Now that Strikeforce is gone I can look back on it, but I’m very much looking forward to great things ahead. It’s a rejuvenating feeling.
“The first highlight for me was winning the Strikeforce title against Clay Guida. It was nuts in there…like 11,000 or 12,000 people in there. The fight wasn’t televised and the main event was Vitor [Belfort] versus [Alistair] Overeem. It was crazy and I really put it all on the line out there. I represented for the first time and really got that NorCal crowd behind me. That was a really big spot for me.
“Beating Shinya Aoki on CBS was another big moment for me, and avenging my loss against Josh Thomson ranks up there as well. It was an awesome fight and I think it is one everybody in MMA appreciated.”
With his time in Strikeforce over and a UFC debut quickly approaching, Melendez’s focus now turns to proving once and for all he is the number one lightweight on the planet. Over the course of his journey, Melendez has battled for respect, grown as a fighter and a father, with everything leading up to this one pivotal moment in his MMA career.
The championship tilt against Henderson is precisely the type of scenario he longed for, and make no mistake about it…Melendez is coming after the UFC lightweight crown. It is the opportunity he’s given everything to earn and Melendez has one goal in mind when the cage door closes in San Jose.
“I am coming to take that belt,” Melendez said. “I’m not defending my belt anymore and I’m coming to take his. I’m coming with bad intentions and I’m not counting on squeaking anything out on the scorecards. People are going to see a focused Gilbert Melendez, ready to put it all on the line to get that title. I’m ready to entertain and I’m coming to win. I’m coming to get that belt.”
CHICAGO – UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader has risen to become one of MMA’s most promising young talents based on his knack for giving everything he has inside the cage. Since winning the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter, the former Arizona State wrestling standout has climbed the competitive ranks of the 205-pound weight class to become one of the elite fighters in the UFC’s premier division. There have been setbacks along the way, but the 30-year-old has shown tremendous resolve in the face of adversity, as he continues to push towards becoming a UFC champion.
No comeback is ever easy and Bader will begin the process once again when he faces off with Vladimir Matyushenko this weekend at UFC on FOX 6 in Chicago. While his focus is locked on getting back into the win column on Saturday night, the inspiration Bader has received from the men and women of the United States Military led the former All-American down a brand new path.
Earlier this week, Bader made a $5,000 donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. The organization focuses on providing programs and services to the men and women who are severely injured in battle. In addition to the monetary commitment, Bader also purchased four tickets to this weekend’s event in Chicago. He plans to provide an “all-access UFC experience” to the participating veterans and is happy he has the chance to give back to those who have sacrificed so much.
“I’m in a position where I want to give back and Wounded Warriors is an unbelievable organization,” Bader said. “The men and women in the United States Military allow me to live my dream and this is my opportunity to thank them for all they do. I really wanted to find a way to make this a unique experience for them and wanted them to be involved in a hands-on basis. That is why I thought the donation and tickets would be a great place to start, but in reality, it is just the tip of the iceberg. I really want this to be an ongoing process that carries on throughout the year. I think it is a great organization and I’m excited to be involved with them.”
The Wounded Warrior Project was established in Roanoke, Virginia in 2003 by a group of veterans and friends who were committed to help the wounded men and women of this generation’s military. The organization operates with the purpose of raising awareness and enlisting the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members. What began as a small collective of individuals focused on providing items to wounded service members has grown into a complete rehabilitative effort which assists wounded soldiers as they recover and transition back to civilian life. To date, tens of thousands have received support through WWP programs and the organization has expanded into a national network.
In regard to Bader’s commitment and the Chicago chapter of WWP’s involvement in coordinating the event, WWP National Alumni Director Ryan Kules had this to say:
“The opportunity to attend a UFC fight like the one in Chicago allows wounded warriors an opportunity to bond and rebuild the camaraderie that they miss from being in the military. The support that we have received from Ryan has allowed us to extend these opportunities to additional warriors.”
CHICAGO – UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader has risen to become one of MMA’s most promising young talents based on his knack for giving everything he has inside the cage. Since winning the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter, the former Arizona State wrestling standout has climbed the competitive ranks of the 205-pound weight class to become one of the elite fighters in the UFC’s premier division. There have been setbacks along the way, but the 30-year-old has shown tremendous resolve in the face of adversity, as he continues to push towards becoming a UFC champion.
No comeback is ever easy and Bader will begin the process once again when he faces off with Vladimir Matyushenko this weekend at UFC on FOX 6 in Chicago. While his focus is locked on getting back into the win column on Saturday night, the inspiration Bader has received from the men and women of the United States Military led the former All-American down a brand new path.
Earlier this week, Bader made a $5,000 donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. The organization focuses on providing programs and services to the men and women who are severely injured in battle. In addition to the monetary commitment, Bader also purchased four tickets to this weekend’s event in Chicago. He plans to provide an “all-access UFC experience” to the participating veterans and is happy he has the chance to give back to those who have sacrificed so much.
“I’m in a position where I want to give back and Wounded Warriors is an unbelievable organization,” Bader said. “The men and women in the United States Military allow me to live my dream and this is my opportunity to thank them for all they do. I really wanted to find a way to make this a unique experience for them and wanted them to be involved in a hands-on basis. That is why I thought the donation and tickets would be a great place to start, but in reality, it is just the tip of the iceberg. I really want this to be an ongoing process that carries on throughout the year. I think it is a great organization and I’m excited to be involved with them.”
The Wounded Warrior Project was established in Roanoke, Virginia in 2003 by a group of veterans and friends who were committed to help the wounded men and women of this generation’s military. The organization operates with the purpose of raising awareness and enlisting the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members. What began as a small collective of individuals focused on providing items to wounded service members has grown into a complete rehabilitative effort which assists wounded soldiers as they recover and transition back to civilian life. To date, tens of thousands have received support through WWP programs and the organization has expanded into a national network.
In regard to Bader’s commitment and the Chicago chapter of WWP’s involvement in coordinating the event, WWP National Alumni Director Ryan Kules had this to say:
“The opportunity to attend a UFC fight like the one in Chicago allows wounded warriors an opportunity to bond and rebuild the camaraderie that they miss from being in the military. The support that we have received from Ryan has allowed us to extend these opportunities to additional warriors.”
Competing on the biggest stage in mixed martial arts comes with a certain amount of pressure. When you attach the expectations which come with being a highly touted prospect, the experience of fighting in the UFC can be somewhat overwhelming. German-born Pascal Krauss came into the Octagon as one of Europe’s highest regarded young fighters, but after suffering a setback in his second outing against John Hathaway at UFC on FOX 3, the buzz surrounding the 25-year-old cooled off for the time being.
The loss proved to be motivational on several levels. Not only did the defeat serve to alleviate the mounting pressure to continue his undefeated streak, but it gave Krauss the feeling that it is now on him to capture the acclaim and attention of the UFC fan base. He has every intention of jump starting that process when he squares off with Mike Stumpf at UFC on FOX 6 in Chicago this weekend.
“There is definitely added motivation to get back into the win column,” Krauss said. “The last fight didn’t go my way. I came off a long layoff and I was definitely rusty in the ring. It felt weird being in the Octagon. [Hathaway] is a good guy and he was the better man that night. It pissed me off pretty bad. After the fight, I came back to the gym and trained even harder. I am going to show what I’m able to do this time.
“There was a lot of pressure. But now, getting rid of the undefeated thing takes some of that pressure off. I think I’m flying a little under the radar right now. A lot of people were talking if I beat John Hathaway I was going to be on the big show pretty soon. But since I lost, I’m flying a little under the radar and I’m not feeling that much pressure right now. I kind of like it. I can come back with a big win and people will recognize again that I’m a force to reckon with.”
The process of preparing for a bout puts a fighter’s body on a full-time grind. Training camps are a grueling part of the sport, but a necessary aspect to ensure every competitor shows up at his best. For Krauss, training with the team at Duke Roufus’s gym in Milwaukee has been a crucial part of his personal development as a mixed martial artist.
This camp in particular has presented a unique environment as several of Krauss’s teammates are also preparing for high profile matchups of their own. Alongside former WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and UFC featherweight contender Erik Koch, Krauss is looking forward to doing his part and making sure the Roufussport Team has a great showing on January 26th at the United Center in Chicago.
“Everything is going really good,” Krauss said. “We had a great training camp out here. There are a few other guys in our gym who have fights coming up. Anthony, Erik, and Ben Askren all have fights they are training for as well. Then we had a bunch of other guys who are all training for smaller shows and there has been good spirit at the gym. Everybody is showing up, pushing the pace, and motivated. That is what you need to compete at the highest level and we have that here in our gym.”
The bout with Stumpf will mark the third appearance for Krauss inside the Octagon and only his 12th fight overall. In the four years he has been competing as a professional mixed martial artist, many things have been learned on the fly.
That being said, fighting in the UFC is a platform like no other in the sport, and the environment took some getting used to. Now that he feels acclimated, Krauss is looking to make good on what many figured to be a promising career in the UFC.
“In the beginning everything is new and so exciting,” Krauss said. “It is good and excitement is good, but on the other hand, it can be a little bit overwhelming too. Now I’m getting used to it and I’m not that nervous anymore. You get to a point where you’ve done it all before. You know how to cut weight. You know how it is to be back in the locker room for the UFC fights. You know how to handle walking out and the fans are screaming. You definitely get comfortable once you have done it a couple of times. It is still pretty exciting though.
“[Stumpf] has been off for a while as well. He looks like a pretty physical and strong guy. He’s a hometown hero and I might have the crowd against me. I’m going to show who is the better man that night and I’m pretty sure it is going to be me.
“It should always be exciting to see me fight because I come in there to finish,” Krauss added. “I like every part of the game. If it is standing up, wrestling, or the ground; I’m prepared to do whatever I have to in order to get the finish. It is going to be a good fight. Don’t blink.”
Competing on the biggest stage in mixed martial arts comes with a certain amount of pressure. When you attach the expectations which come with being a highly touted prospect, the experience of fighting in the UFC can be somewhat overwhelming. German-born Pascal Krauss came into the Octagon as one of Europe’s highest regarded young fighters, but after suffering a setback in his second outing against John Hathaway at UFC on FOX 3, the buzz surrounding the 25-year-old cooled off for the time being.
The loss proved to be motivational on several levels. Not only did the defeat serve to alleviate the mounting pressure to continue his undefeated streak, but it gave Krauss the feeling that it is now on him to capture the acclaim and attention of the UFC fan base. He has every intention of jump starting that process when he squares off with Mike Stumpf at UFC on FOX 6 in Chicago this weekend.
“There is definitely added motivation to get back into the win column,” Krauss said. “The last fight didn’t go my way. I came off a long layoff and I was definitely rusty in the ring. It felt weird being in the Octagon. [Hathaway] is a good guy and he was the better man that night. It pissed me off pretty bad. After the fight, I came back to the gym and trained even harder. I am going to show what I’m able to do this time.
“There was a lot of pressure. But now, getting rid of the undefeated thing takes some of that pressure off. I think I’m flying a little under the radar right now. A lot of people were talking if I beat John Hathaway I was going to be on the big show pretty soon. But since I lost, I’m flying a little under the radar and I’m not feeling that much pressure right now. I kind of like it. I can come back with a big win and people will recognize again that I’m a force to reckon with.”
The process of preparing for a bout puts a fighter’s body on a full-time grind. Training camps are a grueling part of the sport, but a necessary aspect to ensure every competitor shows up at his best. For Krauss, training with the team at Duke Roufus’s gym in Milwaukee has been a crucial part of his personal development as a mixed martial artist.
This camp in particular has presented a unique environment as several of Krauss’s teammates are also preparing for high profile matchups of their own. Alongside former WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and UFC featherweight contender Erik Koch, Krauss is looking forward to doing his part and making sure the Roufussport Team has a great showing on January 26th at the United Center in Chicago.
“Everything is going really good,” Krauss said. “We had a great training camp out here. There are a few other guys in our gym who have fights coming up. Anthony, Erik, and Ben Askren all have fights they are training for as well. Then we had a bunch of other guys who are all training for smaller shows and there has been good spirit at the gym. Everybody is showing up, pushing the pace, and motivated. That is what you need to compete at the highest level and we have that here in our gym.”
The bout with Stumpf will mark the third appearance for Krauss inside the Octagon and only his 12th fight overall. In the four years he has been competing as a professional mixed martial artist, many things have been learned on the fly.
That being said, fighting in the UFC is a platform like no other in the sport, and the environment took some getting used to. Now that he feels acclimated, Krauss is looking to make good on what many figured to be a promising career in the UFC.
“In the beginning everything is new and so exciting,” Krauss said. “It is good and excitement is good, but on the other hand, it can be a little bit overwhelming too. Now I’m getting used to it and I’m not that nervous anymore. You get to a point where you’ve done it all before. You know how to cut weight. You know how it is to be back in the locker room for the UFC fights. You know how to handle walking out and the fans are screaming. You definitely get comfortable once you have done it a couple of times. It is still pretty exciting though.
“[Stumpf] has been off for a while as well. He looks like a pretty physical and strong guy. He’s a hometown hero and I might have the crowd against me. I’m going to show who is the better man that night and I’m pretty sure it is going to be me.
“It should always be exciting to see me fight because I come in there to finish,” Krauss added. “I like every part of the game. If it is standing up, wrestling, or the ground; I’m prepared to do whatever I have to in order to get the finish. It is going to be a good fight. Don’t blink.”
At some point or another, every fighter has found themselves in a difficult position. Whether that comes in the heat of battle with their opponent on the attack, or at a juncture of a career where there is no longer room for a back step; an athlete competing in the competitive world of mixed martial arts has undoubtedly attempted to prepare themselves for anything that may come their way. 
CHICAGO – 