Author: Carl Waldron

UFC 154 Will Revive the Welterweight Divison with Kampmann vs. Hendricks

The UFC has a solid Welterweight division. That goes without question. It has been stuck in a rut, though. It is the only division that has not one, but TWO, champions. Both of which were on hiatus. With no title defenses to speak of this year, the div…

The UFC has a solid Welterweight division. That goes without question. It has been stuck in a rut, though. It is the only division that has not one, but TWO, champions. Both of which were on hiatus. With no title defenses to speak of this year, the division has felt a bit stagnant. But that all changes with UFC 154. And it’s all because of the co-main event, Martin Kampmann vs. Johny Hendricks.

By the way, I think the main event and co-main event should switch places. Who is with me? Show of hands.

I am 10 pounds of happy that Georges St-Pierre is returning to the Octagon on Saturday. The man has been gone too long. His fight with Carlos Condit will be interesting. However, fears that George “Rust” St. Pierre may show up are valid concerns. Let’s not forget Condits‘ impromptu vacation from the overly-sided squared circle. I have a sneaking suspicion that fight will be a bit lackluster.

Now Kampmann vs. Hendricks is what I am paying money to see.

I am a well-documented Hendrick’s fan (I keep my own documents). Anytime that man shows up to fight, he delivers. He is a walking, talking, smiling, punching, kicking, wrestling beard. With each fight, Hendricks improves his striking skills, becoming more of a threat with each win. Speaking of wins, Hendricks has defeated his last four opponents, most recently, Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck.

Kampmann is definitely no slouch in the worthy department. The man has been one of the most exciting fighters of 2012, scoring two consecutive wins in spectacular fashion. Kampmann played the role of comeback kid, scoring victories over Thiago Alves and Jake Ellenberger after being rocked on both occasions. When Martin steps into that Octagon, you know full well he is going to do everything in his power to clobber his opponent.

These men are going to put on a show, no question about it. They are both coming off some serious momentum, and while it may have cooled a bit, it isn’t nearly are cold as both Condit and GSP will be when they step into the Octagon.

I think the number one contenders would make for a more entertaining conclusion to the night. They have so much to gain, you just know they wont leave it in the judges’ hands. I would bet money on either of those men to give Condit or GSP a run for their title.

I’ll be looking for excitement come UFC 154, and I think Kampmann and Hendricks will provide that for us all. I just hope they don’t upstage the main event.

That would be awkward.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 154 Will Revive the Welterweight Divison with Kampmann vs. Hendricks

The UFC has a solid Welterweight division. That goes without question. It has been stuck in a rut, though. It is the only division that has not one, but TWO, champions. Both of which were on hiatus. With no title defenses to speak of this year, the div…

The UFC has a solid Welterweight division. That goes without question. It has been stuck in a rut, though. It is the only division that has not one, but TWO, champions. Both of which were on hiatus. With no title defenses to speak of this year, the division has felt a bit stagnant. But that all changes with UFC 154. And it’s all because of the co-main event, Martin Kampmann vs. Johny Hendricks.

By the way, I think the main event and co-main event should switch places. Who is with me? Show of hands.

I am 10 pounds of happy that Georges St-Pierre is returning to the Octagon on Saturday. The man has been gone too long. His fight with Carlos Condit will be interesting. However, fears that George “Rust” St. Pierre may show up are valid concerns. Let’s not forget Condits‘ impromptu vacation from the overly-sided squared circle. I have a sneaking suspicion that fight will be a bit lackluster.

Now Kampmann vs. Hendricks is what I am paying money to see.

I am a well-documented Hendrick’s fan (I keep my own documents). Anytime that man shows up to fight, he delivers. He is a walking, talking, smiling, punching, kicking, wrestling beard. With each fight, Hendricks improves his striking skills, becoming more of a threat with each win. Speaking of wins, Hendricks has defeated his last four opponents, most recently, Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck.

Kampmann is definitely no slouch in the worthy department. The man has been one of the most exciting fighters of 2012, scoring two consecutive wins in spectacular fashion. Kampmann played the role of comeback kid, scoring victories over Thiago Alves and Jake Ellenberger after being rocked on both occasions. When Martin steps into that Octagon, you know full well he is going to do everything in his power to clobber his opponent.

These men are going to put on a show, no question about it. They are both coming off some serious momentum, and while it may have cooled a bit, it isn’t nearly are cold as both Condit and GSP will be when they step into the Octagon.

I think the number one contenders would make for a more entertaining conclusion to the night. They have so much to gain, you just know they wont leave it in the judges’ hands. I would bet money on either of those men to give Condit or GSP a run for their title.

I’ll be looking for excitement come UFC 154, and I think Kampmann and Hendricks will provide that for us all. I just hope they don’t upstage the main event.

That would be awkward.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

10 Rarely-Seen Submissions in Professional MMA

Where would a fighter be without submissions? Probably choked out somewhere in the gutter. Without a firm knowledge of at least the very basics of submission grappling, one cannot defend against an onslaught of limbs looking to coil around your various…

Where would a fighter be without submissions? Probably choked out somewhere in the gutter. Without a firm knowledge of at least the very basics of submission grappling, one cannot defend against an onslaught of limbs looking to coil around your various pressure points. MMA fighters know this all too well.

That is why a steady diet of jiu jitsu is encouraged for everyone who looks to compete. The results are some fantastic finishes by submission.

But where is the variety?

Fights usually come down to a very few, select submissions that are time tested and mother approved. The armbar, rear naked choke, guillotine and the triangle choke. While witnessing these are always entertaining, we can’t forget that there are hundreds of different submissions and variations on submissions that we never see.

Let’s take a look at a few moves that are not only beautiful, but deadly as well—like Lara Croft or a decorative pinata full of badgers.

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Anderson Silva No Longer Needs the Middleweight Title

Stephan Bonnar said something interesting in his pre-fight confessional. I am paraphrasing here, but it was to the tune of “Do you think I care about a belt if I beat Anderson Silva?” Why would he say such craziness?Because Anderson Silva is a walking,…

Stephan Bonnar said something interesting in his pre-fight confessional. I am paraphrasing here, but it was to the tune of “Do you think I care about a belt if I beat Anderson Silva?” Why would he say such craziness?

Because Anderson Silva is a walking, Portuguese-talking, front-kicking title all on his own.

Silva has progressed far beyond a mere champion. He has become an achievement. The highest achievement. Who will beat the unbeatable?

The middleweight title is little more than a trinket now. Icing on the cake. These fighters are stepping into the Octagon for something more. Something much grander.

They want to go down in history as the man who ended the reign of Anderson Silva. Being handed the belt would be dessert after an incredible bacon-wrapped steak dinner.

Every fighter dreams of being what Anderson Silva used to be. A champion renowned the world over. No one ever thinks they will become what he currently is. The greatest fighter to ever step into the cage. A ridiculous mix of skill and prowess.

That’s not to say a win over Silva would instantly make his usurper king of the cage, but it would certainly catapult him higher than any gold-plated belt could.

As for Silva, what does he even need the belt for these days anyway? The man takes vacations in the light-heavyweight pool as a way to wind down before he returns to his duties as the final boss in the middleweight division.

UFC 153 proved that he can take fights on short notice, in a different division, with a man who is notorious for taking punishment and not going down, and still win.

After this win over Bonnar, everyone is questioning which phenomenon Silva will take on next. Will it be the oft-mentioned GSP or the current favorite Jon Jones? Which of these men can do what seemingly no one else can?  I think I have the answer.

Silva vs. The Undertaker in a Hell In The Cell match at WrestleMania. At this point, it’s the only logical fight left for the both of them.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 152: 3 Non-Main Card Fights That Will Be Great

I have to admit, I was one of the guys complaining that the UFC was putting on a few to many shows.It seemed like every other week I was gearing up for a new event. I mean c’mon Mr. White, there are only so many one-man parties I can throw. Only so …

I have to admit, I was one of the guys complaining that the UFC was putting on a few to many shows.

It seemed like every other week I was gearing up for a new event. I mean c’mon Mr. White, there are only so many one-man parties I can throw. Only so many ribs I could eat (final tally was 54). I was a little burnt out.

Then UFC 151 was cancelled.

I went from needing a break to needing a fix. Fight withdrawal hit me hard. Not seeing people punched in the face really took its toll on my psyche.

So I was rather happy when I realized this week is UFC 152. And while the whole Jon Jones controversy has thrown a blanket over everyone’s collective excitement for this card, I still believe there are a few gems that could make the night worth the wait.

Let’s explore them, shall we?

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