UFC middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva is known to many as simply the “G.O.A.T” (greatest of all-time). His intelligence inside the octagon, adaptability and ever advancing mixed martial arts skills have allowed the Brazilian to excel, eve…
UFC middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva is known to many as simply the “G.O.A.T” (greatest of all-time). His intelligence inside the octagon, adaptability and ever advancing mixed martial arts skills have allowed the Brazilian to excel, even at 38 years old.
However, on July 6, 2013, at UFC 162, Silva will put his undefeated UFC streak on the line when he battles a formidable Chris Weidman. The champion is a heavy favoritegoing into UFC 162. At the same time, for Silva, this or any other fight at middleweight represents a lose-lose situation for the Brazilian.
Silva’s recent and shocking admission regarding the current UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, accompanied by his age and lack of legitimate opponents within his own division speaks volumes. Therefore, to preserve his legacy and end his MMA career on his own terms, the only sensible option would be for Anderson Silva to retire following his UFC 162 performance.
On September 4, 2013, at UFC on Fox Sports 1 No. 3, light heavyweight contenders Glover Teixeira (No. 3) and Ryan Bader (No. 10) will clash in an effort to move up the divisional rankings.For Teixeira, a win over Bader wouldn’t necessarily earn t…
On September 4, 2013, at UFC on Fox Sports 1 No. 3, light heavyweight contenders Glover Teixeira (No. 3) and Ryan Bader (No. 10) will clash in an effort to move up the divisional rankings.
For Teixeira, a win over Bader wouldn’t necessarily earn the Brazilian a title shot. However, he would be able to keep his standing as a top contender for the light heavyweight championship title.
The two combatants were scheduled to face each other in May 2013. However, citing an injury, Bader was sidelined and replaced by James Te Huna at UFC 160.
Teixeira went on to submit the New Zealander via guillotine choke in two minutes, 38 seconds in the very first round. The finish earned the Brazilian Submission of the Night honors, garnering him an extra $50,000.
They gave me Ryan Bader for my last fight. He’s a big name, but it ended up being James Te Huna. They’re all tough guys, don’t get me wrong. The big names can make a difference for exposure, but those up-and-coming guys are tough, too. I really don’t care. I know sooner or later, I’m going to get that title.
A victory over a once highly touted and formidable Bader on September 4 would not only pad Teixeira’s resume with a name opponent and extend his 19–fight win streak, it would also build credibility for a fighter who hasn’t defeated any of the current top-10 light heavyweights in his division.
At UFC 163, the No. 1 light heavyweight contender, Lyoto Machida, will face a formidable opponent in Phil Davis, who is ranked No. 8. Machida is riding a two-fight win streak and intends on returning to his glory days as the light heavyweight champion….
At UFC 163, the No. 1 light heavyweight contender, Lyoto Machida, will face a formidable opponent in Phil Davis, who is ranked No. 8. Machida is riding a two-fight win streak and intends on returning to his glory days as the light heavyweight champion.
With this fight, Davis will attempt to re-establish himself as a contender, with hopes of a title shot in the near future.
Both men have a lot at stake at UFC 163.
For Machida (19-3), a win on August 3 would likely garner him an opportunity to fight for the light heavyweight championship. While a loss wouldn’t see him drop to far in the rankings, the 35-year-old would risk never attaining another title shot again.
Before his loss to Rashad Evans at UFC on Fox 2, Davis (11-1-1) was on the fast track to a title shot. Since that loss, however, the former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler has fought nonranked opponents. His bouts against no-named foes have lowered Davis’ stock and have left him at the lower end of the 205-pound division’s totem pole.
This bout is Davis’ largest test to date. A win could lead him to a matchup against the light heavyweight champion or the man whom Davis beat at UFC 112—Alexander Gustafsson.
Former Olympian, and now undefeated mixed martial arts fighter, Daniel Cormier staked his claim as a top heavyweight championship contender with his win over former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir at UFC on Fox 7. However, even though Cormier is the…
Former Olympian, and now undefeated mixed martial arts fighter, Daniel Cormier staked his claim as a top heavyweight championship contender with his win over former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir at UFC on Fox 7.
However, even though Cormier is the UFC’s current No. 2 heavyweight contender, and would most likely see a title shot sooner rather than later, the Louisiana native has chosen to relinquish his status as a top heavyweight fighter. As a result of his friendship with Cain Velasquez, Cormier has chosen to drop down to the light heavyweight division, therefore avoiding the possibility of competing for the title against the current heavyweight champion.
Mixed martial arts middleweight contender Michael Bisping is one of the UFC’s more popular fighters. He has been a divisive character since his UFC debut in 2006. The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner is one of the MMA organization’s longest employ…
Mixed martial arts middleweight contender Michael Bisping is one of the UFC’s more popular fighters. He has been a divisive character since his UFC debut in 2006. The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner is one of the MMA organization’s longest employed fighters and has headlined numerous UFC events.
After his last win at UFC 159 against Alan Belcher, the Englishman was called out by international superstar and former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le. Since April 2013, the two fighters have expressed a great interest in facing each other in the near future.
That would be a great fight for the fans. That would be a big fight [against Bisping]. But I’m not the one to make that decision. Whether I’m at the top of that list for the fight or on the bottom, it ultimately comes down to who Joe Silva and the UFC decide who we fight.
Both combatants possess a unique skill set and a profound knowledge of the fight game. Since both Bisping and Le prefer the stand-up game, a fight of this magnitude has all the trimmings to be one for the ages.
On April 13, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale, Cat Zingano destroyed her opponent, Miesha Tate, with devastating knees to the face that caused the referee to stop the bout in the third round. The win gave Zingano the right to face UFC champion R…
On April 13, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale, Cat Zingano destroyed her opponent, Miesha Tate, with devastating knees to the face that caused the referee to stop the bout in the third round. The win gave Zingano the right to face UFC champion Ronda Rousey for the women’s bantamweight title later this year.
However, Zingano hurt her knee, requiring surgery. This injury not only halted the undefeated fighter’s immediate title shot opportunity, it also prevented her from coaching opposite Rousey on TUF 18—the first co-ed version of the series.
The UFC scrambled and eventually replaced Zingano with Tate. Since she lost to Zingano, the UFC’s decision to substitute Tate for the Colorado native remains questionable. Given the shallow pool of women in the UFC, only one fighter would have served as the perfect replacement for Zingano—undefeated MMA combatant and Olympic champion Sara McMann.
McMann and Her Dominance
McMann’s wrestling is exemplary. She won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics and owns a host of wrestling titles dating back to 1998. Her dominance in wrestling is, for the most part, unparalleled in the women’s bantamweight division.
McMann’s accomplished wrestling background has translated well into the world of MMA. She uses her grappling skills to dictate the pace and dominate her opponents. The Olympic champion’s world-class wrestling, accompanied by her undefeated streak, made her a worthy candidate to coach TUF 18.
Her wrestling also made her a legitimate threat to Rousey‘s belt.
Steven Rondina of Bleacher Report wrote about McMann‘s possible advantage over Rousey.
McMann, on paper, is the most likely to dethrone Rousey, and could arguably be favored if the two fought today.
Wrestlers have historically had the edge against Judoka in MMA, and there are very few wrestlers on par with McMann.
The Projected Uneventfulness of Tate vs. Rousey II
On March 3, 2012, then Strikeforce bantamweight champion Tate met Rousey with the title on the line. The bout was anything but competitive, as Rousey took Tate down within seconds of their first exchange. The bout ended with 32 seconds left in the first round, as Tate struggled to escape an armbar. The former champion lost her belt and incurred some ligament damage for her troubles as well.
Tate’s last career win was over Julie Kedzie on August 18, 2012. At the post-fight conference, the former Strikeforce champion exclaimed that she was not ready to face Rousey just yet. She stated:
I’m not going to ask for that at that point because I don’t feel that I deserve it. I think that I need to take a couple fights and I need a better performance than that. I think the fans deserve something better, and I know that I can deliver better than that.
In the end, Tate vs. Rousey I showcased Rousey‘s dominance. Her world-class grappling skills far surpass those of Tate. Given the ease with which the UFC women’s bantamweight champion defeated Tate the first time—accompanied by Tate’s recent loss to Zingano—it is difficult to believe that Tate vs. Rousey II will end any differently.
Olympian vs. Olympian
A matchup between McMann and Rousey had all the trimmings to be a ground-breaking event. Using TUF 18 to build up two Olympic champions who both hold undefeated MMA records would have not only produced an epic battle, it would have also done wonders in advancing the progress of women’s MMA.
I don’t think that the UFC says that they operate on like a strictly title shot earned opportunity. They promote it like they have the discretion to choose who they want to fight for title shots.
The UFC, you know, like it’s part sport, part entertainment and, you know? It’s not like this is the first time that they’ve ever done that. I think that these decisions were made behind closed doors long before it got out to the public.
With McMann as a TUF 18 coach, the UFC had the opportunity to strengthen and bring more credibility to its brand by choosing a more deserving contender to face Rousey. Instead, the world’s largest MMA organization decided to bank on two fighters who have history with each other to deliver high ratings for the long-running reality television show.
Ultimately, McMann deserved the coaching spot opposite Rousey onTUF 18. The Olympian’s elite grappling skills will most likely allow her to remain undefeated and extend her reign as a top-notched contender until she faces the UFC’s bantamweight champion.
