On October 19, 2013, at UFC 166 in Houston, Texas, Junior dos Santos will attempt to reclaim his title and become a two-time UFC heavyweight champion. At UFC 155, former heavyweight champion dos Santos lost his championship title in a one-sided beating…
On October 19, 2013, at UFC 166 in Houston, Texas, Junior dos Santos will attempt to reclaim his title and become a two-time UFC heavyweight champion. At UFC 155, former heavyweight champion dos Santos lost his championship title in a one-sided beating at the hands of his archrival, Cain Velasquez.
Considering the five-round thrashing given by Velasquez during their last encounter, there are a great number of questions that surround dos Santos. UFC 166 will answer many of these questions, as the world of mixed martial arts bears witness to one of the most heated trilogies in combat sports history.
On October 19, 2013, Junior dos Santos (16-2) will face the reigning champion, Cain Velasquez (12-1), for the world heavyweight title at UFC 166 in Houston, Texas.
The two first met at UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos in 2011. Dos Santos sco…
On October 19, 2013, Junior dos Santos (16-2) will face the reigning champion, Cain Velasquez (12-1), for the world heavyweight title at UFC 166 in Houston, Texas.
The two first met at UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos in 2011. Dos Santos scored a quick, 64-second knockout over then champion Velasquez. Shortly thereafter, Velasquez defeated Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva at UFC 146 on his journey back to the title.
Velasquez then faced Dos Santos once again for the UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 155. This bout resulted in a one-sided beating of “Cigano.” Shockingly, the matchup lasted five rounds, with Velasquez wresting away the title from his Brazilian counterpart.
Their meeting on October 19 will close out an epic trilogy that will redefine the heavyweight division and give light to one of the greatest rivalries in mixed martial arts.
Unfortunately, Dos Santos’ one-dimensional fighting style may lead to a second loss to the current heavyweight champion, which would put his legacy at risk.
Boxing: Dos Santos’ Double-Edged Sword
Dos Santos is a highly skilled striker. The Brazilian is heavy handed and sports a 75 percent knockout rate.
He has knocked out talented fighters as well as former world champions. His list of victims include Fabricio Werdum, Gabriel Gonzaga, Frank Mir, Mark Hunt and, of course, Velasquez.
However, at UFC 155, it was evident that the Brazilian lacked the overall game to beat Velasquez. The 31-year-old champion used his high-level grappling/wrestling skills to attempt takedowns, which thwarted much of Dos Santos’ offense.
As the rounds wore on, Dos Santos became increasingly slower and unable to adjust to the champion’s explosiveness, grappling and footwork. He was beaten to the punch, seemingly, from all angles. He lost on all the judges’ scorecards.
One official even scored the bout a dismal 50-43 in Velasquez’s favor.
Immediately following the loss, Dos Santos vowed to reclaim the UFC heavyweight title. He stated in a post-fight interview, “Cain Velasquez, like you said, ‘I’m gonna come back, and I’m gonna take my belt again.’”
Dos Santos vs. Velasquez II occurred less than a year ago. It will be interesting to see how Dos Santos modified his game in an effort to contend with the champion’s versatility, speed, power and world-class grappling skills.
Losing the Trilogy
Historically, losing twice to a champion has proven to be devastating to one’s career. Multi-division contender Chael Sonnen and former lightweight champion Benson Henderson understand the grave implications of losing to the champion multiple times.
Former middleweight champion Anderson Silva triumphed over Sonnen at UFC 117 and again at UFC 148. This forced the “American Gangster” to flirt with the light heavyweight division, where he defeated Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC Fight Night 26. Sonnen will most likely remain at 205 pounds, pending the outcome of Silva vs. Chris Weidman II at UFC 168.
Henderson suffered the same fate after losing to the current lightweight champion Anthony Pettis at World Extreme Cagefighting 53 and at UFC 164, respectively. After his last bout against Pettis, talk in the world of mixed martial arts suggested that Henderson might move up in weight to face other worthy opponents.
As long as Pettis remains champion, the chances of Henderson fighting at lightweight appear slim. This is mainly a result of UFC president Dana White’s comments following UFC 164. Regarding turning down a third matchup between Henderson and the champion, White stated, per MMA Weekly:
Definitely. That is definitely the case. We had the fight with Ben and Frankie (Edgar) where some people thought (it was a questionable decision); there’s no (expletive) denying who won this fight. It was a first-round annihilation. Kind of like the Vitor/Anderson thing.
In the same vein, the loser of Velasquez vs. Dos Santos III will be forced to evaluate his career within the heavyweight division, with the winner donning the championship title. On UFC Primetime: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos 3, the Brazilian stated:
I don’t think Cain Velasquez is able to do what he did last time. He got the belt right now, but I really think I am the No. 1. I believe I’m a better fighter, ‘cause I finish fights, and I’m gonna finish him again.
At UFC 166, Dos Santos plans on reclaiming the heavyweight title and becoming a two-time UFC champion. More than anything else, his legacy depends on it.
At UFC 164, former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett out-struck and pummeled another former champion in Frank Mir. The latter fighter was once one of the most feared heavyweights in his division. However, with his third consecutive loss, UFC presid…
At UFC 164, former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett out-struck and pummeled another former champion in Frank Mir. The latter fighter was once one of the most feared heavyweights in his division. However, with his third consecutive loss, UFC president Dana White stated that Mir’s career would be in jeopardy with another defeat.
On the other hand, Barnett, after 11 years away, returned to the UFC on August 31, 2013. He scored a technical knockout win over a formidable Mir, and reestablished himself as one of the best heavyweights in the world.
By defeating Mir, Barnett earned a No. 6 ranking on the UFC’s Top-10 heavyweight list. Given the opponents who occupy the No. 1 through No. 5 slots, the former world champion appears to have a legitimate shot at capturing another UFC world title before retiring.
Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne
Barnett (33-6) and Browne (15-1-1) are slated to fight on December 28, 2013, at UFC 168. Although Browne is the No. 5 contender, a matchup against a seasoned opponent in Barnett will most likely lead to his undoing.
Aside from the tremendous in-Octagon experience advantage Barnett possesses over Browne, the former world champion is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace. 20 of Barnett’s 33 wins have come by way of submission. His grappling will most likely be on display and employed to contend with Browne’s height (6’7’’) and reach advantage (80”) at UFC 168.
Josh Barnett vs. Fabricio Werdum
Werdum is the No. 3 heavyweight contender, according to the UFC. In this matchup, experience would again play a factor in determining the outcome of this fight. However, it would also be of great interest to witness the way in which these two world-class grapplers engage one another in the Octagon.
Both are highly skilled on the ground and possess the ability to submit anyone in the heavyweight division. Barnett, however, has illustrated boxing talents that appear slightly more advanced than those of Werdum.
A Barnett/Werdum matchup would redefine the heavyweight division and more than likely grant the victor the opportunity to face the champion.
Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier
A Barnett/Cormier matchup would have been a must-see event. The two fought to a decision at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier in 2012. The former came up short in securing the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix title. Therefore, a second matchup between would have seemed logical in determining the division’s No. 1 contender.
However, following his bout against Roy Nelson at UFC 166, Cormier plans on moving to the light heavyweight division. The move appears to benefit Barnett, as Cormier’s current No. 2 slot will need to be filled. In that case, besting one of the aforementioned fighters should prep Barnett for a title shot.
Josh Barnett’s Heavyweight Title Hopes
At 35 years old, realistically, Barnett has just one opportunity to attempt a run at the title. In an interview with Fight Magazine, Barnett stated:
Logically, if I’m going out there and crushing everybody, then I’m going to get a title shot; and I really don’t see it as something that’s avoidable for my opponents or for the company at some point….Not to mention, I’ve already got a pretty gold belt. It’s also a matter of me showing like, ‘Hey, I’m still the champ. I’m gonna take that belt back and put it in its right hands.’
Barnett has already beaten a variety of former world champions in the form of Mir, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Randy Couture and Semmy Schilt. The Warmaster’s focus, experience and world-class grappling make the former UFC champion more than a legitimate threat to the heavyweight title.
On September 21, 2013, at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will put his title on the line when he faces the division’s No. 1 contender, Alexander Gustafsson.
Throughout Jones’ career, he has…
On September 21, 2013, at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will put his title on the line when he faces the division’s No. 1 contender, Alexander Gustafsson.
Throughout Jones’ career, he has, for the most part, faced opponents of smaller stature. At 6’4”, Jones possesses the longest reach in the UFC(84.5 inches). The New York native has consistently used his length and size advantage to dominate every one of his foes.
At UFC 165, “Bones” will battle an athlete of similar size and stature. Gustafsson is 6’5”, and his record of 15-1 virtually mirrors that of Jones (18-1). However, Jones’ list of accolades is unparalleled, and his clearing out of the 205-pound division makes his move to the heavyweight division that much more logical.
Nothing Left to Prove
At 23 years old, Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history. Since then, he has beaten five former world champions and has recorded the longest win streak (nine) in UFC light heavyweight history. With a win over Gustafsson at UFC 165, Jones will surpass Tito Ortiz’s record for most successful light heavyweight title defenses (five). Jones, now 26, has accomplished more than most other fighters ever do in their entire career.
In an interview leading up to Jones’ fight against Lyoto Machida at UFC 140, UFC president Dana White stated, “The sky’s the limit for this guy (Jones). This guy could go down as the greatest ever.”
A win over Gustafsson would, at least statistically, solidify Jones’ standing as the greatest UFC light heavyweight champion of all time.
Where Are All the Contenders?
Currently, the light heavyweight division suffers from a lack of options in the form of viable contenders. Jones has defeated four of the UFC’s current top-10 light heavyweights: Machida (No. 4), Rashad Evans (No. 5), Chael Sonnen (No. 9) and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (No. 10). Other contenders include:
Gegard Mousasi: This No. 8 contender has fought only once in the UFC. He faced a non-ranked opponent at UFC on Fuel TV 9 and injured himself in the process.
Dan Henderson: The MMA veteran (No. 7) has lost his last two fights. He is currently scheduled to face Vitor Belfort at UFC Fight Night 32.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: The Brazilian (No. 6) injured himself leading up to his last fight against “Shogun” Rua, which was scheduled to occur in June of this past year.
Glover Teixeira: Teixeira earned his No. 2 ranking and a possible shot at Jones’ title by defeating a non-ranked opponent in Ryan Bader at UFC Fight Night 28. In fact, the Brazilian has fought none of the UFC’s top-10 light heavyweights, placing the legitimacy of his standing in question.
Phil Davis: It appears that the Pennsylvania native (No. 3) is the only legitimate contender to face Jones. Not only has Davis defeated three of the UFC’s current top-10 fighters, which includes the submission of current No. 1 contender Gustafsson, he is also on a three-fight win streak.
Given the contender options within the 205-pound division, following a UFC 165 win by Jones, a bout between the champion and Davis would make the most sense. However, if a fight of this magnitude fails to materialize, it would behoove Jones to seek out a greater challenge in the form of the heavyweight division.
The Champion Says So
On numerous occasions, Jones has expressed an interest in moving to the heavyweight division. With his size and athleticism, the champion would more than likely be able to make the transition without complication.
Because things have been going so well, right now it’s about not putting limits on anything and realizing the sky is the limit. Really, I want everything, and I’ve said that since day one. I want to be the best. I want to be a record-holder in everything. I want to be a heavyweight champion and a light heavyweight champion. I want it all.
A year later, it appears that the light heavyweight champion’s dream of capturing the 265-pound title has remained intact. If Jones moves up and dominates the heavyweight contenders just as he has done to those of the 205-pound ranks, the New York native may find himself becoming only the third UFC fighter to hold a championship title in two separate divisions.
Given Jones’ accomplishments, his lack of viable opponents at light heavyweight level and desire to “be the best,” a win over Gustafsson should send the 26-year old straight to the heavyweight division.
At UFC 164, Benson Henderson lost an electrifying and long-awaited matchup to his archrival, Anthony Pettis. He not only lost the bout, Henderson relinquished his championship belt in the process, and he squandered an opportunity to redeem his loss to …
At UFC 164, Benson Henderson lost an electrifying and long-awaited matchup to his archrival, Anthony Pettis. He not only lost the bout, Henderson relinquished his championship belt in the process, and he squandered an opportunity to redeem his loss to the same opponent who stripped him of his first world title three years ago.
On August 31, 2013, Henderson and Pettis fought at 155 pounds. The bout ended with an armbar submission four minutes and 31 seconds into the first round. Now, Henderson faces one of two options: remain at lightweight or transition to the heavier welterweight division.
At UFC 167, the current welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre, faces a dangerous and formidable opponent in Johny Hendricks. If the French-Canadian emerges victorious against the No. 1 contender on November 16, 2013, the champion may need new blood in the division to remain motivated.
Henderson has already expressed a great amount of interest in fighting St. Pierre in the past. In addition, UFC president Dana White recently rejected a third bout between Henderson and Pettis. Therefore, a move to the welterweight division may be a logical and sound decision for the former lightweight champion.
Henderson’s Call Out of Georges St. Pierre
Prior to losing his title to Pettis at UFC 164, Henderson gave light to a possible bout with the reigning welterweight champion. Leading up to his matchup against Gilbert Melendez at UFC on Fox 7. According to Shaun Al-Shatti of MMAFighting.com, Henderson said:
I want to fight in the biggest fights and against the best fighters. Georges St. Pierre is one of the greatest fighters in our sport’s history. Of course I’d love to fight him, and I think the fans would want to see that fight too. It would be an honor to go up against such a great competitor, especially with a title on the line.
However, St. Pierre quickly rejected the notion of fighting Henderson. When speaking with MMAFighting.com earlier this year, the welterweight champion exclaimed that Henderson simply wished to amass popularity and fame by facing a more accomplished fighter, according to this report from Dave Doyle:
There are a lot of people who want to make money on pay-per-view, but only a few fighters who can do it. So, the quickest way to try to get one of those fights is to try to call out one of those fighters who can make money. It’s a way to try to cut the line… There are other welterweight contenders on the way. Ben Henderson isn’t a fight I’m thinking about right now.
Moving to the welterweight division would allow Henderson to legitimately earn a title shot and put an end to St. Pierre’s claims of line-cutting. A win against the champion would grant him the opportunity to become only the third fighter to hold a UFC championship in two different weight classes.
No Henderson/Pettis III … At Least Not Anytime Soon
At the UFC 164 post-fight conference, White exclaimed that another matchup between the two combatants would not take place. The UFC president stated:
Definitely, that is definitely the case. We had the fight with Ben and Frankie [Edgar] where some people thought he (Edgar) won; there’s no (expletive) denying who won this fight. It was a first-round annihilation. Kind of like the Vitor-Anderson thing.
Henderson’s first loss to Pettis occurred at WEC 53, three years ago. In a back-and-forth matchup, during the final moments of the last round, Pettis scaled the Octagon and delivered a spinning roundhouse kick to the face of the former champion. The maneuver, later dubbed the “Showtime Kick,” cemented the victory for Pettis, earning him his first world title.
Given Henderson’s yearning to face the welterweight champion, St. Pierre, and after suffering his second defeat to Pettis, it would behoove the former two-time world champion to transition to the 170-pound division.
If Henderson is able to capitalize off the opportunity, he may find himself challenging for his third world title against one of the greatest fighters of all-time: Georges St. Pierre.
Shortly after Chael Sonnen’s win over former two-time world champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC Fight Night 26, the Oregon native was called out by another former world champion, Wanderlei Silva.
In a video released by Silva, t…
Shortly after Chael Sonnen’s win over former two-time world champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC Fight Night 26, the Oregon native was called out by another former world champion, Wanderlei Silva.
Sonnen, I will punch your face in…I will make you swallow your teeth, you loser…I will go in to show Sonnen what happens when someone disrespects our nation…You (Sonnen) will get a beating…I will hurt you. I will break your nose with my knee. From there, you will go straight to the surgeon to fix your nose. I will break your nose in this fight.
However, Silva recently became injured and, according to UFC president Dana White, would not be cleared to fight until early next year. Therefore, on September 4, 2013, Sonnen agreed to fight former 205-pound champion and fellow FOX Sports analyst Rashad Evans at UFC 167. The event will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on November 16, 2013.
Evans is coming off a significant win over former three-time world champion Dan Henderson. Currently, the New York native is the UFC’s No. 5 light heavyweight contender. A win over Evans would more than likely catapult Sonnen (No. 9) to the top of his division.
Here’s a head-to-toe breakdown of the upcoming fight.
On October 19, 2013, Junior dos Santos (16-2) will face the reigning champion,