Author: Dan Hiergesell

Travis Browne: Josh Barnett Will Have to Finish Me at UFC 168

Outside of two tantalizing grudge matches set to command the majority of attention heading into UFC 168 next weekend in Las Vegas, the UFC’s end of the year bash has yet another scintillating matchup on deck.
Before Chris Weidman, Anderson Silva, …

Outside of two tantalizing grudge matches set to command the majority of attention heading into UFC 168 next weekend in Las Vegas, the UFC’s end of the year bash has yet another scintillating matchup on deck.

Before Chris Weidman, Anderson Silva, Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate step inside the Octagon, heavyweight standouts Travis Browne and Josh Barnett will do battle to separate one another in a close-knit divisional title scene.

For Browne, who has recorded sensational knockouts of Alistair Overeem and Gabriel Gonzaga over his past two outings, a victory would mean everything for his career.

But Barnett isn’t going to give up that easy.  He’s one of the most game contenders in the sport today and one that always brings his best stuff on fight night.

That’s why Browne knows he’ll have to walk through fire to get the win.

“I want to be the best and fight the best,” said Browne in an interview with ESPN’s Michael Huang, originally reported by MMA Underground.  “I have momentum now.  To stop me, my opponent is going to have to finish me to win.”

If Browne wants to claim victory over a fighter who calls himself “The Warmaster,” he’ll need the perfect gameplan.

“I try to do different stuff for every camp,” added Browne.  “Always add something you can use.  Train smarter, harder.”

Before the co-main event and main event of the evening get underway, look for the very best Travis Browne we’ve ever seen.

As a towering dynamo equipped with excellent kickboxing skills, a heavy heart and an enormous threshold for pain, “Hapa” is one of the most fascinating contenders the heavyweight crop heap has seen in years.

 

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5 Fighters Who Should Change Weight Classes

There has been a new epidemic of sorts in today’s mixed martial arts.
As a means of building speed, packing on muscle or implementing new title plans, fighters are morphing careers by jumping weight classes.
Some do it to escape a divisional collapse. …

There has been a new epidemic of sorts in today’s mixed martial arts.

As a means of building speed, packing on muscle or implementing new title plans, fighters are morphing careers by jumping weight classes.

Some do it to escape a divisional collapse. Others do it to test their skills at an entirely different level. 

So, on the heels of popular weight class shifts by notable athletes such as Frankie Edgar and Daniel Cormier, here are five other fighters who should seek a change in scenery.

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Chael Sonnen: Takedowns Key to Chris Weidman Victory at UFC 168

Chris Weidman’s victory over Anderson Silva at UFC 162 will go down as one of the biggest upsets in mixed martial arts history.
It was a moment of unfathomable glory that not only gave Weidman the grand recognition he deserved, but proved yet again tha…

Chris Weidman‘s victory over Anderson Silva at UFC 162 will go down as one of the biggest upsets in mixed martial arts history.

It was a moment of unfathomable glory that not only gave Weidman the grand recognition he deserved, but proved yet again that underestimating any Octagon opponent can be forever deadly.

But as prolific and memorable as their first meeting was, there’s really no predicting the outcome of their rematch at UFC 168 next weekend.

However, that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about it. That doesn’t mean a media ambassador like Chael Sonnen, who before Weidman was the first man to ever test the will and sustainability of “The Spider,” can’t give his two cents.

“It’s the takedowns,” said Sonnen during his usual stint on UFC Tonight, originally reported by MMA Underground. “He was a college all-American in wrestling. He’s got to move forward, he can’t back up. He’s got to land the takedown, and have ground control. He’s got to look for a submission, but watch out for Silva’s submission attempts.”

If anybody knows about taking Silva down and watching out for submissions, it’s Sonnen. He did such a good job of stifling the world-class striker at UFC 117 for nearly five-straight rounds, but he was memorably tapped with just under two minutes remaining in the fight.

“That’s how he sets you up,” added Sonnen regarding Silva’s clowning on his feet. “He’s like the Medusa; he freezes you and gets you to turn to stone, then knocks you out. He did that to stop the take downs in the first fight.”

For Weidman to be truly effective in this fight he has to stick to his own game plan. His first encounter with Silva obviously ended the way he had hoped, but he was essentially being toyed with in that elusive second round.

The champ needs to keep his head on a swivel, utilize his big frame, stay away from crazy exchanges and try to pressure the Brazilian by utilizing ground-and-pound.

If Sonnen did it, so can Weidman. Just look out for that triangle armbar.

 

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Anderson Silva: Chris Weidman Rematch at UFC 168 Is for My Legacy

Anderson Silva’s career has already reached legendary status.
With a slew of UFC records, historical knockouts and sensational victories under his belt, “The Spider” has weaved a web of epic proportions.
Most mixed martial arts fans and enthusiasts see…

Anderson Silva‘s career has already reached legendary status.

With a slew of UFC records, historical knockouts and sensational victories under his belt, “The Spider” has weaved a web of epic proportions.

Most mixed martial arts fans and enthusiasts see him as the greatest fighter of all time. One that not only carried a division on his back, but made it look like a walk in the park.

So, it’s difficult to imagine that Silva’s legacy would ever be called into question. But on the heels of one of the most devastating knockouts in the sport’s history, compliments of current middleweight champion Chris Weidman’s left hand, the Brazilian’s image has been “tarnished.”

That’s why his upcoming rematch with Weidman on Dec. 28 at UFC 168 is so important. Not only to reclaim the belt, but reclaim his status as the GOAT.

“This is very important for me,” said Silva recently during an interview to promote his Los Angeles gym, originally reported by Dave Doyle of MMA Fighting. “For my family, my coach, for my legacy, this is very important.”

People have ridiculed Silva for his past performance at UFC 162. They’ve called it lackadaisical and disrespectful to not only Weidman, but the sport itself. That to leave your hands down and invite damage is a notion that any true champion should never entertain.

But to see Silva so focused and driven means Weidman is going to have to be that much more effective next weekend in Las Vegas.

“For 16 fights, Anderson was on the right end of the magic moment,” said Silva’s manager Ed Soares in the same report by Doyle. “In the last fight, Anderson was on the wrong end. Hat’s off to Chris [Weidman] for pulling it off. But I don’t know what we’ll see and the fans don’t and that’s why so many people are going to tune in.”

Tune in they will. The rematch is already being called the biggest grudge match in UFC history, and that carries some weight around these parts.

In any case, Soares is right. The outcome of the first fight was so astonishing and unprecedented that not even the greatest of fortune tellers can predict Silva and Weidman’s second clash for Octagon glory.

We’ll just have to order the hiked-up pay-per-view card and hope UFC 168 caps off the best year of fights ever.

 

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10 Fighters Poised to Make Divisional Runs

Ever so often a group of fighters come along that possess the sturdy momentum and overall promise to make a run at their respective divisions.
Unlike most key contenders that stay positioned in yearly title discussions, these unlikely challengers often…

Ever so often a group of fighters come along that possess the sturdy momentum and overall promise to make a run at their respective divisions.

Unlike most key contenders that stay positioned in yearly title discussions, these unlikely challengers often have to exceed expectations to make noise in crowded weight classes.

Whether it’s a wily veteran scratching his way to the upper echelon of ranked comrades or a young go-getter itching for recognition, the list is practically open-ended.

However, based on recent victories and upcoming opportunities, here are 10 deserving fighters who are poised to make that elusive run at glory.

* Already noteworthy contenders will be sadly excluded (e.g. Urijah Faber and Travis Browne)

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UFC 168 Predictions Video: Pros Pick Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva 2

In what many consider to be the greatest rematch in UFC history, middleweight champion Chris Weidman will defend his newly acquired title opposite pound-for-pound legend Anderson Silva at UFC 168 on Dec. 28.
Their first meeting saw Weidman shock the wo…

In what many consider to be the greatest rematch in UFC history, middleweight champion Chris Weidman will defend his newly acquired title opposite pound-for-pound legend Anderson Silva at UFC 168 on Dec. 28.

Their first meeting saw Weidman shock the world as he landed a left hook to Silva’s lackadaisical jaw, ending the Brazilian’s seven-year championship reign and record 10-straight title defenses.

Weidman‘s unprecedented knockout at UFC 162 was so astonishing that it’s nearly impossible to predict the outcome of his rematch with Silva.

However, this is the fight game and people often live and breathe predictions.  So, who better to predict Weidman vs. Silva II than UFC fighters themselves?

From Junior dos Santos to Gilbert Melendez, Daniel Cormier to Liz Carmouche—here are some of the most popular names in the sport today giving their honest opinions for UFC 168.

Video courtesy of MMA Mania, originally uploaded by UFC.com

 

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