Author: Dan Hiergesell

Anderson Silva: ‘Spider Claus’ Hands out Gifts Before UFC 168

Despite the magnitude of his rematch with Chris Weidman on Saturday at UFC 168, former middleweight king Anderson Silva still has time to celebrate this joyous time of year.
In a recent YouTube video courtesy of Fox Sports that was originally repo…

Despite the magnitude of his rematch with Chris Weidman on Saturday at UFC 168, former middleweight king Anderson Silva still has time to celebrate this joyous time of year.

In a recent YouTube video courtesy of Fox Sports that was originally reported by MMA Underground, “The Spider” did his best Santa Claus impression by handing out much-needed gifts to notable UFC superstars, including Weidman.

There’s nothing like a little fun before a fight. Watch and enjoy. Merry Christmas!

 

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Dana White: ‘Everyone’ Wants to See Vitor Belfort vs. Weidman-Silva Winner

Vitor Belfort has been one of the most dominant UFC fighters of 2013. 
With dynamic knockouts over Dan Henderson, Michael Bisping and Luke Rockhold, “The Phenom” has demolished every top contender in his way.
By doing so, Belfort has finally regai…

Vitor Belfort has been one of the most dominant UFC fighters of 2013. 

With dynamic knockouts over Dan Henderson, Michael Bisping and Luke Rockhold, “The Phenom” has demolished every top contender in his way.

By doing so, Belfort has finally regained momentum to challenge the winner of Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva II for ultimate bragging rights.  The resurgent 36-year-old has been riding the division’s back burner since getting front kicked in the face by Silva back in 2011.

However, on the heels of three straight spectacular finishes, it seems as if the Brazilian’s grace period is finally over.

“On Saturday night, if Chris Weidman wins or Anderson Silva wins, the next massive, huge fight that everyone wants to see is Vitor Belfort,” said UFC president Dana White in a recent interview with Boston’s “Metro South Morning Show,” originally reported by MMA Junkie.  “That’s what everybody wants to see.”

Now while White’s praises go a long way in creating the best fights for loyal fans everywhere, nothing is for certain.  Whether Weidman retains the belt or Silva recaptures it, either one of them could suffer serious injury this weekend at UFC 168.

But until that happens, and hopefully it doesn’t, it’s nice to know that Belfort will finally get his shot to once again hoist UFC gold.

 

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Ronda Rousey: Nick Diaz Will Be Back in the UFC

On the doorstep of the biggest fight of her career, and quite possibly the most anticipated women’s bout in mixed martial history, UFC champion Ronda Rousey has set some time aside to weigh in on the whole Nick Diaz retirement thing.
As a fellow traini…

On the doorstep of the biggest fight of her career, and quite possibly the most anticipated women’s bout in mixed martial history, UFC champion Ronda Rousey has set some time aside to weigh in on the whole Nick Diaz retirement thing.

As a fellow training partner and close friend of Diaz’s, “Rowdy” may possess ultimate insight on whether or not he’s aiming for a Octagon return in 2014.

In a recent interview with Charissa Thompson on Fox Sports Live, and originally reported by David St. Martin of MMA Fighting, she was kind enough to elaborate:

“Nick’s been fighting for a really really long time,” said Rousey. “I’ve only been fighting for three years, I mean, he’s been fighting I think for over a decade now. This sport puts a lot of miles on you very quickly. If he feels like he needs a rest and to take a break, you can’t fight for anyone other than yourself. You can’t fight sooner than you feel like you should. It really is a life and death situation out there and you have to do it when you feel it’s right.”

Now if Diaz was to make a return to the welterweight division at any point in time, the sooner the better.  Longtime champ and personal rival Georges St-Pierre is no longer king.  With him out of the loop for the foreseeable future, the road to the title is slightly less imposing.

So when asked flat out if she thinks Diaz will return, Rousey simply said, “Yeah, I think he will.”

Take it as you will, but if anybody knows what the elder Diaz is looking to do, wouldn’t it be one of his close companions and mat partners?

In any case, it is Rousey who will be fighting for a UFC championship come Saturday, not Diaz.  She’ll be taking on nemesis Miesha Tate for the second time in her short career.

 

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UFC 168: Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Before two of the most anticipated title rematches in mixed martial arts history unfold, opposing heavyweights will do battle at UFC 168 this Saturday.
In what many consider a colossal collision of momentum, conflicting skill sets and overall bravado, …

Before two of the most anticipated title rematches in mixed martial arts history unfold, opposing heavyweights will do battle at UFC 168 this Saturday.

In what many consider a colossal collision of momentum, conflicting skill sets and overall bravado, resurgent Josh Barnett will take on red-hot Travis Browne in a true barnburner.

As two of the biggest heavyweights in the division who possess unforgiving power and precision, “Hapa” and “The Warmaster” have a chance to put on a Fight of the Night performance.

So, for a showdown that holds ultimate title implications, here’s a head-to-toe breakdown for one of the most intriguing fights of the year. 

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UFC 168 Predictions Video: Pros Pick Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate Winner

UFC 168 will not only mark the return of Anderson Silva and the career-defining moment of Chris Weidman, but it will feature one of the biggest grudge matches of all time: Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate.
In their first meeting, a Strikeforce women’s bant…

UFC 168 will not only mark the return of Anderson Silva and the career-defining moment of Chris Weidman, but it will feature one of the biggest grudge matches of all time: Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate.

In their first meeting, a Strikeforce women’s bantamweight title fight back in early 2012, Rousey‘s submission skills proved too much for then-champion Tate.

Subsequently, “Rowdy” snapped the arm of “Cupcake,” launching herself to the forefront of women’s mixed martial arts and sparking the popular diva you see today.

In any case, Tate will have her chance on Dec. 28 in Las Vegas to avenge that heart-wrenching loss and reclaim a title that once hung around her waist.

Here are the pros’ picks for UFC 168’s co-main event, compliments of MMAinterviews‘ video on YouTube (originally reported by MMA Underground).

 

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‘TUF’ Standout Kelvin Gastelum Set to Fight Rick Story at UFC 171

The Ultimate Fighter season 17 winner Kelvin Gastelum was supposed to fight Court McGee at UFC on FOX 9 earlier this month, but was forced to withdraw due to a torn PCL.
Now, in a report by MMA Underground user and NBC sports radio host Gator Choke, it…

The Ultimate Fighter season 17 winner Kelvin Gastelum was supposed to fight Court McGee at UFC on FOX 9 earlier this month, but was forced to withdraw due to a torn PCL.

Now, in a report by MMA Underground user and NBC sports radio host Gator Choke, it appears that Gastelum will return to action opposite welterweight juggernaut Rick Story at UFC 171.

The bout will presumably be featured on the pay-per-view main card which is shaping up to be a great one with a welterweight championship showdown between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler serving as the headliner.

This will be Gastelum‘s second appearance at 170 pounds, as he finished veteran Brian Melancon via first-round submission back in August in his divisional debut.

Stay tuned for any further details.

 

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