It may have lost some steam along the way, but the Heavyweight Grand Prix, Strikeforce’s little engine that could, is pulling into the station this evening. Tournament finalists Daniel Cormier and Josh Barnett will slug it out to decide who rules the now-defunct Strikeforce Heavyweight division and get their face plastered on one of those cheesy motivational office posters. Cormier, the two-time Olympian, tipped the scales at 238lbs; his opponent, Josh Barnett, will enjoy a 10lb advantage when they climb into the cage. Those of you ballsy enough to bet “other” as the tournament winner way back in January ’11 are on the verge of a mega-payout this evening.
Strikeforce Lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez will defend his title in a rubbermatch against Josh Thompson. Rumors swirled online that a serious knee injury would sideline “The Punk” from tonight’s bout, but he was able-bodied enough to step up on the scale. Both men tallied a weight of 153lbs and will look to settle the score in San Jose.
We’re liveblogging the crap out of this thing tonight, so join us back here for the festivities.
It may have lost some steam along the way, but the Heavyweight Grand Prix, Strikeforce’s little engine that could, is pulling into the station this evening. Tournament finalists Daniel Cormier and Josh Barnett will slug it out to decide who rules the now-defunct Strikeforce Heavyweight division and get their face plastered on one of those cheesy motivational office posters. Cormier, the two-time Olympian, tipped the scales at 238lbs; his opponent, Josh Barnett, will enjoy a 10lb advantage when they climb into the cage. Those of you ballsy enough to bet “other” as the tournament winner way back in January ’11 are on the verge of a mega-payout this evening.
Strikeforce Lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez will defend his title in a rubbermatch against Josh Thompson. Rumors swirled online that a serious knee injury would sideline “The Punk” from tonight’s bout, but he was able-bodied enough to step up on the scale. Both men tallied a weight of 153lbs and will look to settle the score in San Jose.
We’re liveblogging the crap out of this thing tonight, so join us back here for the festivities.
Main Card Bouts: Mike Kyle (203) vs. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (206)
Nah-shon Burrell (170) vs. Chris Spang (169)
Preliminary Card Bouts:
JZ Cavalcante (156) vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg (156)
Virgil Zwicker (204) vs. Carlos Inocente (205)
Gian Villante (205) vs. Derek Mehmen (205)
Quinn Mulhern (170) vs. Yuri Villefort (170)
James Terry (156.25) vs. Bobby Green (155)
In a way, the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo got everything they asked for last night. When you contract Nick Diaz for a bout, you sign on for a fair amount of trials and tribulations; the Nick Diaz package extends well beyond his formidable fighting skills. The very behavior that spikes a promoter’s blood pressure draws media attention and fan speculation—added interest that may not exist were it not for the Stockton native’s puzzling behavior. It’s a trade off, a roll of the dice that you make in hopes that you get the best of both worlds–the amazing prize fighter and the polarizing figure. But there’s a problem with counting on a tortured soul unable to cope with the most mundane aspects of life: you can’t count on him.
If you haven’t gotten the sense that all did not go well for Nick Diaz’s BJJ superfight with Braulio Estima last night, let me spell it out for you: the bout didn’t happen.
The details, as far as anyone knows, are after the jump.
In a way, the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo got everything they asked for last night. When you contract Nick Diaz for a bout, you sign on for a fair amount of trials and tribulations; the Nick Diaz package extends well beyond his formidable fighting skills. The very behavior that spikes a promoter’s blood pressure draws media attention and fan speculation—added interest that may not exist were it not for the Stockton native’s puzzling behavior. It’s a trade off, a roll of the dice that you make in hopes that you get the best of both worlds–the amazing prize fighter and the polarizing figure. But there’s a problem with counting on a tortured soul unable to cope with the most mundane aspects of life: you can’t count on him.
If you haven’t gotten the sense that all did not go well for Nick Diaz’s BJJ superfight with Braulio Estima last night, let me spell it out for you: the bout didn’t happen.
It’s almost an exercise in futility to try and figure out why, but we can certainly try. Things seem to have started unraveling when Estima failed to make the contracted weight the evening before the bout. Though it’s clear that he wasn’t prepared to make 180 lbs on Friday night, the decorated BJJ champion claims that the weigh-in time was never clearly outlined. Rumors have Estima hitting the scales at 189 lbs, then renegotiating a catch weight of 185 lbs, though both the man himself and Diaz’s coach Cesar Gracie claim he hit the contracted mark on Saturday morning.
As for why Diaz no-showed, Gracie was less certain. “I don’t know,” Cesar told MMAFighting.com. “I know he was mad when he was told Braulio would not make weight last night. No one has seen him today. Braulio ended up making weight this morning.”
Making this turn of events a bit more glum is that Diaz had volunteered to donate his purse to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, but let’s go ahead and wipe that look of shock off of our mugs. This is par for the course with the elder Diaz, and if he didn’t play hooky for drug tests and press conferences and bouts, we wouldn’t be as interested when he actually does bother to show up. Fans were looking forward to a BJJ match that–on paper at least–was incredibly lopsided simply to see what sort of crazy antics Nick Diaz would get into; I’d say we weren’t disappointed.
Stay tuned in the days ahead for the Diaz chronicles to unfold. Something tells me he’s charging up his camera, fueling up his ride, and preparing a statement as I type.
It’s not the match we were promised, but it’s the one we’re going to watch. We’re only weeks away from UFC 146 and the heavyweight title bout between Junior Dos Santos and Frank Mir. In addition to the twelve pounds of gold at stake, we are witnessing a former champion’s quest to return to the top of his division and the familiar story arc of redemption and payback for a fallen master. There’s also a shooting range and lots of big guns. Whichever strikes your fancy, this Primetime comes correct.
Things open up with Junior Dos Santos’ mentor, Big Nog, showing up at his gym in Salvador, Brazil. The surprise appearance provides an emotional boost to the young champion.
“It wasn’t pain. I was very disappointed.” – Big Nog, on having his arm snapped by Frank Mir.It’s easy to write this off as a mistranslation, but English or Portuguese, it doesn’t matter; Minotauro doesn’t know the definition of pain in any language.
It’s not the match we were promised, but it’s the one we’re going to watch. We’re only weeks away from UFC 146 and the heavyweight title bout between Junior Dos Santos and Frank Mir. In addition to the twelve pounds of gold at stake, we are witnessing a former champion’s quest to return to the top of his division and the familiar story arc of redemption and payback for a fallen master. There’s also a shooting range and lots of big guns. Whichever strikes your fancy, this Primetime comes correct.
Things open up with Junior Dos Santos’ mentor, Big Nog, showing up at his gym in Salvador, Brazil. The surprise appearance provides an emotional boost to the young champion.
“It wasn’t pain. I was very disappointed.” – Big Nog, on having his arm snapped by Frank Mir.It’s easy to write this off as a mistranslation, but English or Portuguese, it doesn’t matter; Minotauro doesn’t know the definition of pain in any language.
“I don’t know why everybody worships this guy. His ground game is very simple. It’s only his attacks that are a little dangerous.” – Big Nog, telling Junior Dos Santos that he has little to fear from Frank Mir. Later, he explained that cobras are only dangerous if they bite you and that fire only burns you when it’s hot.
“He’s not a man. He gives up. Against Shane Carwin, he pretended he was hurt. He’s full of it.” – Junior Dos Santos, questioning Mir’s heart. In Frank Mir’s defense, Carwin ‘pretended’ to hit him very, very hard.
“There’s no ego anymore. I could care less. It’s like, yeah, you’re tough. I’m tough. Everybody’s tough.” – Frank Mir, on his new attitude. I for one will miss the swagger and incredible self-confidence, but I guess I’ll just have to get used to the New Frank Mir, as I’m certain he won’t say anything cocky or over-the-top from this point on in his career.
“I have three kids, but I have two belts. So when I pass away and they have to divide it up I don’t want them to have an argument about who doesn’t get a belt, so I have to make sure that before I retire I get a third one so it makes that argument easy.” – Mir, on troubles in his household.Sure, that’s a unique problem for a family to have, but I’d like to see how things are settled in his house when Frank gets up to use the restroom and forgets to ‘call’ his seat.
Mir’s father, wife, and young kids maintain a strong presence at his gym, and they take precedence over his training partners. It sounds like his children are an incredible motivation, but when he’d potentially sacrifice aspects of his training for their play time I have to wonder if they’re a distraction at the gym as well. Still, it’s great to see him in the role of loving father. I only wish his twitter-loving step-son had been there to share his thoughts on this match up.
Back in Salvador, Brazil, Dos Santos is getting his props as the people’s champ.
“I was from a very poor family, so I didn’t have very good opportunities. I discovered a way for me to be bigger than I ever dreamed before.” – Dos Santos, on his climb to the top. Many people have found a way to be bigger than they’d ever dreamed; let’s just hope his way consists of acai smoothies and hard work.
“I feel that protecting yourself and protecting my family is the obligation of every father.” – Mir, shooting off some big guns at the firing range. Hey, we respect that kind of fire power.
“The one thing I possess is versatility. I always try to find a way to win. JDS has, I think, a great tool. I think his boxing is top notch, but whenever he’s seen obstacles in his fights he just keeps using the boxing. You’ve got to remember this is mixed martial arts; there’s more to this than just boxing.” – Mir, on his opponent’s weapons.Mir really hits the nail on the head here. He’s simply too versatile to lose to a ‘one-dimensional’ fighter.
“Every fight it seems like I’m almost doubted. The naysayers say I shouldn’t be there. Somehow I keep pulling out victories. I have the most wins out of any heavyweight in the division. I have the most submissions. I have all these accolades to prove that, hey, you know, I’m not just talking it, I’m backing it up.” – Mir, on his apparently unsung credentials. It’s good to see that the New Frank Mir hasn’t forgotten his accomplishments.
“JDS is a young guy. If I catch him in a hold and he taps, he lives to fight another day. If I catch him in a hold and he decides not to tap, that limb, is it ever going to be the same again? I have enough of a history about me now that if you get locked in a hold of mine and you choose not to tap, that’s something you’ve trained for for weeks coming up to and you’ve watched my videos and you’ve studied me…if you make that mistake that’s your fault, that’s not mine. What is your life going to be like afterwards? What is your career going to be like afterwards? I’m bigger and stronger. One wrong mistake and now he’s in trouble and has to tap or deal with the consequences.” – Mir, on torquing a limb beyond its breaking point.And just in time for the closing credits, it’s official: the Old Frank Mir is back!
The fighters in Bellator may not get the same respect and acclaim as their Zuffa-based brethren, but at least they have video evidence to back up their wild fight stories. Season six of our favorite Friday night fights marched on last night, and here’s how it all went down.
The rematch between Waachiim Spiritwolf and Marius Zaromskis was far more eventful than their initial clash, though the ending was just as unsatisfying. After spending the opening minutes pressed against the cage, Zaromskis took advantage of the space created by a ‘Tan’ Dan Miragliotta break to land a backward elbow that opened a small vertical cut between Spiritwolf’s brows. The Native American responded with a slam, but Zaromskis was immediately back to his feet. The pair spent the remainder of the round tightly clinched with Spiritwolf working very hard for short-lived takedowns. Round two looked less promising for Waachiim, who had missed weight the day before. He showed signs of fatigue early on and had trouble finding the clinch at the end of his lunging punches. Zaromskis backed him up with a series of knees and kicks to the head, but a bloodied Spiritwolf responded with a torrent of heavy hands that forced the wobbled Lithuanian to retreat. Spritwolf downed him with another punch and closed out the final two minutes of the frame on top, trying to land finishing blows through Zaromskis tight defense.
Unfortunately, the battle would end on the stools and not the canvas…
The fighters in Bellator may not get the same respect and acclaim as their Zuffa-based brethren, but at least they have video evidence to back up their wild fight stories. Season six of our favorite Friday night fights marched on last night, and here’s how it all went down.
The rematch between Waachiim Spiritwolf and Marius Zaromskis was far more eventful than their initial clash, though the ending was just as unsatisfying. After spending the opening minutes pressed against the cage, Zaromskis took advantage of the space created by a ‘Tan’ Dan Miragliotta break to land a backward elbow that opened a small vertical cut between Spiritwolf’s brows. The Native American responded with a slam, but Zaromskis was immediately back to his feet. The pair spent the remainder of the round tightly clinched with Spiritwolf working very hard for short-lived takedowns. Round two looked less promising for Waachiim, who had missed weight the day before. He showed signs of fatigue early on and had trouble finding the clinch at the end of his lunging punches. Zaromskis backed him up with a series of knees and kicks to the head, but a bloodied Spiritwolf responded with a torrent of heavy hands that forced the wobbled Lithuanian to retreat. Spritwolf downed him with another punch and closed out the final two minutes of the frame on top, trying to land finishing blows through Zaromskis tight defense.
Unfortunately, the battle would end on the stools and not the canvas. Cage-side physicians halted the bout between rounds due to Spiritwolf’s cut. We’ve seen some pretty messed up eyes and some real bloodbaths in our day, and this one didn’t really make the cut. Even MMA’s most respected physician, Dr. Hector Oscar Molina Dr. Johnny Benjamin questioned the stoppage, with the obvious caveat that he didn’t get to closely inspect the cut. Third time’s the charm, boys?
Those of you hoping to catch “The Silverback” back in action will have to wait just a bit longer. Seth Petruzelli’s scheduled bout with Carmelo Marrero was cancelled just hours before fight time when doctors heard wheezing in his lungs during a pre-fight exam. Petruzelli confirmed that he’s been sick all week, but hoped to fight through the illness anyway.
In their stead, Marcin Held and Derrick Kennington were bumped up from the undercard to clash on the main broadcast. Sensing that things may not go his way on the ground, Kennington took charge early on, clipping Held with a crisp uppercut in the opening moments of the bout. Fighting off his back, Held kept his composure and worked for an omaplata until D.K. pulled free to resume the bout on the feet where he enjoyed a clear advantage. Eager to hit the mat once more, Held pulled guard—to the joy of BJJ practitioners around the world—and quickly sunk in a heel hook. Back in Poland, Held’s grappling coach celebrated by flipping over a Fiat.
Marcos Galvao and Travis Marx had the honors of kicking off this season’s Bantamweight semifinals. The Brazilian was largely able to keep Marx on his heels by getting off first and landing the heavier strikes in their exchanges. Marx was the aggressor in round two, forcing Galvao back against the cage. From the clinch Marx landed with knees to the thigh and scored several combinations, though he fell short of getting Galvao to the ground. “Loro” resumed his aggressive striking in the third, and save for a brief takedown, regained control of the fight. Galvao scored the unanimous decision, 29-28, on all three scorecards.
Headlining the card was the Featherweight tournament championship between Daniel Straus and Marlon Sandro. Straus opened the bout with a crippling dick-kick that sent Sandro crashing to the canvas. It was doubtful that Sandro would be able to continue fighting/reproduce, but after the five-minute break he amazingly returned to action.
Straus was in control of this bout. In the exchanges he landed single shots then disengaged, and when the two tied up he controlled the clinch and threatened to take Sandro to the mat. The Brazilian tied up a standing arm triangle in the third, but Straus defended well and prevented Sandro from dragging him to the floor. Straus rallied back with a big slam and closed the round struggling for a rear naked choke. Straus took the unanimous decision and will now await the winner of the upcoming title bout between Pat Curran and Patricio Freire.
Featherweight tournament final: Daniel Straus def. Marlon Sandro via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Bantamweight tournament semi-final: Marcos Galvao def. Travis Marx via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight bout: Marcin Held def. Derrick Kennington via Submission (Heel hook) – R1 @ 2:08
Catchweight (230-lbs) bout: Seth Petruzelli vs. Carmelo Marrero – bout cancelled, see update
Catchweight (172-lbs) bout: Marius Zaromskis def. Waachiim Spiritwolf via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) – R2 @ 5:00 – cut above Spiritwolf’s right eye
Preliminary Card (Spike.com)
Featherweight bout: Jeff Lentz vs. Eddie Fyvie
Lightweight bout: Don Carlos-Clauss def. Jacob Kirwan via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Catchweight (175-lbs) bout: Aung La Nsang def. Jesus Martinez via TKO (Punches) – R1 @ 36
Bantamweight bout: Anthony Leone def. Claudio Ledesma via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Middleweight bout: Francois Ambang def. Gregory Millard via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Invicta FC 1 wasn’t the first promotion to feature an all-femalefight card, nor did they invent the MMA livestream, but last night they paired the two beautifully for a groundbreaking show that will undoubtedly do wonders for WMMA. The online broadcast is said to have peaked at 100k viewers, some four-times their initial projection.
Overall the show had a professional, polished appearance. The familiar voice of Mauro Renallo carried the commentary team with the sort of obvious, gender-based puns that we would never personally sink t…oh, right. The recently unemployed “King Mo” kept it 100 on the mic, but casual doesn’t always equal comfortable or competent, and Jon Anik can breath a little easier this morning. Alongside Lawal, Julie Kedzie called the fight from a fighter’s perspective, and with a little more experience she could transition well into that roll.
While one of Invicta’s stated goals is to develop clearly defined weight classes, the fighters will have to do their part when it’s time to step on the scales. With four fighters missing weight for the inaugural event, some of them badly, there’s still much work to be done.
As for the fights, it was an overall entertaining card. Videos and a recap are after the jump.
Invicta FC 1 wasn’t the first promotion to feature an all-femalefight card, nor did they invent the MMA livestream, but last night they paired the two beautifully for a groundbreaking show that will undoubtedly do wonders for WMMA. The online broadcast is said to have peaked at 100k viewers, some four-times their initial projection.
Overall the show had a professional, polished appearance. The familiar voice of Mauro Renallo carried the commentary team with the sort of obvious, gender-based puns that we would never personally sink t…oh, right. The recently unemployed “King Mo” kept it 100 on the mic, but casual doesn’t always equal comfortable or competent, and Jon Anik can breath a little easier this morning. Alongside Lawal, Julie Kedzie called the fight from a fighter’s perspective, and with a little more experience she could transition well into that roll.
While one of Invicta’s stated goals is to develop clearly defined weight classes, the fighters will have to do their part when it’s time to step on the scales. With four fighters missing weight for the inaugural event, some of them badly, there’s still much work to be done.
As for the fights, it was an overall entertaining card. Videos and a recap are after the jump.
Leslie Smith and Kaitlin Young threw down for three full rounds, taking home the evening’s $1500 ‘Fight of the Night’ bonuses . The two bantamweights left the ‘feeling out’ process to Rex up in the stands. They pulled the trigger from the opening bell, exchanging heavy strikes in a back and forth slugfest. The evening’s most exciting fight was also the most controversial; neither fighter got her hand raised as the bout ended in a Split Draw. Both were given their win bonuses.
2008 Olympic wrestling bronze medalist Randi Miller disappointed in her victorious pro-debut. Aside from the heavy, backyard ground and pound that earned her the win over Mollie Estes, she showed little to get excited over and exhibited none of the wrestling skills one would naturally expect given her background.
(Liz Carmouche vs Ashleigh Curry, via Budo-Zone.com)
It would take you longer to read a review of the Liz Carmouche-Ashleigh Curry bout than it would to watch it. Just check out the video to catch the ‘Girl-Rilla’ bulldoze Curry real quick like. Carmouche, along with Penne, scored a $1000 ‘Social Media’ bonus for her efforts to promote the event online.
Atomweights (105 lb’ers) Jessica Penne and Lisa Ellis put their matwork on display in the evening’s co-main event. The pair employed takedowns and reversals, and submissions and sweeps as they battled to gain control on the ground. Penne landed a pair of knees from the clinch to open up Ellis’ nose like a spigot and seize control in the third. From there she gained top position on the canvas and further pounded her bloody opponent, drawing the TKO.
In the evening’s main event, former Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion Marloes Coenen earned her second victory over Romy Ruyssen, though the rematch would go the distance. Coenen injured her hand in the first round, but still maintained a decisive advantage throughout the bout. The Frenchwoman tried to take Coenen down in vain, losing a point in the first round for grabbing the cage, but even when she pulled guard she found no success on the ground. Coenen scored the win 30-26 on all three judge’s scorecards.
Last weekend Jon Jones followed up what was arguably the mostdominant year in MMA history with an impressive victory over arch-nemesis Rashad Evans. Having toppled four consecutive UFC champions, “Bones” is so far ahead of the pack at 205lbs that he can barely reach them with his jab, and as he heads into his next bout against living-legend Dan Henderson it looks like everyone is putting their money on the champ. Well, you know, not *everyone*.
MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas has crunched the numbers for the Bones-Hendo affair and the odds are not kind to the former Pride and Strikeforce champion. Jones is opening up at -545 while the 41-year-old Henderson comes in as a big ‘dog at +385. So, he’s basically giving Dan as little of a chance as the rest of Bones’ challengers, only we still have plenty of time for the line to move.
MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas has crunched the numbers for the Bones-Hendo affair and the odds are not kind to the former Pride and Strikeforce champion. Jones is opening up at -545 while the 41-year-old Henderson comes in as a big ‘dog at +385. So, he’s basically giving Dan as little of a chance as the rest of Bones’ challengers, only we still have plenty of time for the line to move.
Henderson may not have ended 2011 with UFC gold around his waist, but he wasn’t exactly sitting on his ass last year either. After H-Bombing the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight belt off of “Feijao” last March, Henderson pounded the final nail into Fedor Emelianenko’s Strikeforce-shaped coffin then headed home to the UFC where he and Shogun proceeded to beat the tar out of one another in the battle of the millennium.
Henderson’s pedigree speaks for itself, but it’s hard to picture anyone taking out Jones right now. Still, with these odds in mind, who are you emptying your wallet on?
