Author: Dan Hiergesell

Fabricio Werdum Willing to Wait for Cain Velasquez

After securing an epic submission victory over fellow Brazilian Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira back in June, former Strikeforce standout Fabricio Werdum was more or less guaranteed a UFC title shot.
He was seemingly being shelved until the winner of Cain Vel…

After securing an epic submission victory over fellow Brazilian Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira back in June, former Strikeforce standout Fabricio Werdum was more or less guaranteed a UFC title shot.

He was seemingly being shelved until the winner of Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos III was decided. 

Well, after news broke yesterday regarding Velasquez’s timetable to return from shoulder surgery, it looks like “Vai Cavalo” has to wait for the champ once again.

“They told me it’s my decision,” said Werdum, originally reported by Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com.  “I had a meeting with Dana White and my team, the UFC said it’s up to me, if I want to wait or fight again.  I’m still thinking about it, but I believe I’m going to wait for this opportunity to fight for the title.  I’m the next in line. But it’s not 100 percent yet.”

If Werdum does decide to sit out and wait for Velasquez, he’d be essentially prolonging his Octagon absence to over a year.  However, if he decides to stay busy and make the UFC happy, he could fight the winner of UFC 168’s Travis Browne vs. Josh Barnett bout.

“I’ll make my final decision next week,” added the 36-year-old. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, something that I’ve been waiting for a long time.  My biggest dream is to fight for the UFC title.”

 

For more UFC news and coverage,

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Junior Dos Santos Believes Next Opponent Should Be Josh Barnett-Travis Browne

Junior dos Santos has given us unforgettable fights over the past few years.
From a storied trilogy opposite UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez to a highlight-reel knockout of the uber-popular Mark Hunt, “Cigano” has been one of the promotion’s bi…

Junior dos Santos has given us unforgettable fights over the past few years.

From a storied trilogy opposite UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez to a highlight-reel knockout of the uber-popular Mark Hunt, “Cigano” has been one of the promotion’s biggest draws.

But as dominant and effective as dos Santos has been on his feet, the Brazilian has simply been unable to thwart the momentum and drive of Velasquez.

This sort of limbo is not good for a 29-year-old superstar currently competing in the prime of his career.  He’s too good to fight practically any other fighter in the division, but not good enough to fight for another title as long as Velasquez holds the belt.

However, on the heels of scintillating performances, two prime opponents have emerged to challenge the tenured veteran for heavyweight supremacy sometime in 2014.

“I don’t know what’s next for me, and I don’t choose opponents,” said dos Santos, originally reported by MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz.  “I’ll be ready for anyone, but I believe my next opponent can be either Josh Barnett or Travis Browne.” 

Barnett and Browne are scheduled to do battle later this month as part of UFC 168’s stacked main card.

After a remarkable come-from-behind knockout over Alistair Overeem, “Hapa” is looking to take that next step in his career.  Fighting a borderline heavyweight legend like Barnett, who just made quick work of divisional gatekeeper Frank Mir back at UFC 164, gives him that chance.

“I believe it would (make sense to fight Barnett or Browne next),” added dos Santos.  “The heavyweight division is in a great moment right now.  We have great fighters, and you never know what’s going to happen in a heavyweight fight.  One punch can change everything.”

As two of the most effective and crafted heavyweights in the sport, Barnett and Browne could produce a fight similar to the one that Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and Mark Hunt just put on.  Either way, JDS will be ready.

 

For more UFC news and coverage,

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Best UFC Debuts of 2013

Each year, the UFC experiences an influx of young prospects, wily veterans and an overall talent-rich spectrum of fighters.
The promotion’s consistent edge to attract the “next best thing” has separated the international powerhouse from fellow organiza…

Each year, the UFC experiences an influx of young prospects, wily veterans and an overall talent-rich spectrum of fighters.

The promotion’s consistent edge to attract the “next best thing” has separated the international powerhouse from fellow organizations like Bellator, ONE FC, WSOF and Invicta.

It’s given matchmaker Joe Silva endless opportunities to make the Octagon the most exciting environment in all of sports.

With that said, on the heels of vicious knockouts, last-minute submissions and historic accomplishments, here are the best UFC debuts of 2013.

Feel free to comment with your own power rankings.  Happy Holidays!

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Best UFC Debuts of 2013

Each year, the UFC experiences an influx of young prospects, wily veterans and an overall talent-rich spectrum of fighters.
The promotion’s consistent edge to attract the “next best thing” has separated the international powerhouse from fellow organiza…

Each year, the UFC experiences an influx of young prospects, wily veterans and an overall talent-rich spectrum of fighters.

The promotion’s consistent edge to attract the “next best thing” has separated the international powerhouse from fellow organizations like Bellator, ONE FC, WSOF and Invicta.

It’s given matchmaker Joe Silva endless opportunities to make the Octagon the most exciting environment in all of sports.

With that said, on the heels of vicious knockouts, last-minute submissions and historic accomplishments, here are the best UFC debuts of 2013.

Feel free to comment with your own power rankings.  Happy Holidays!

Begin Slideshow

UFC’s John Dodson out 8-10 Weeks

Being absent from your respective division’s title scene is no laughing matter, especially when you’re one of the most exciting fighters around.
For John Dodson, any extended period of time he spends on the sidelines means he’ll be that much further aw…

Being absent from your respective division’s title scene is no laughing matter, especially when you’re one of the most exciting fighters around.

For John Dodson, any extended period of time he spends on the sidelines means he’ll be that much further away from another shot at UFC flyweight gold.

Following an injury to Dodson’s original opponent, Ian McCall, “The Magician” was all set to take on former bantamweight mainstay Scott Jorgensen next weekend at UFC on FOX 9, but an apparent knee injury has derailed those plans.

“I have partial tears of my MCL and ACL,” said Dodson in a recent Instagram video post, originally transcribed by Trent Reinsmith of Bloody Elbow.  “Don’t worry, I’m only going to be out eight to 10 weeks then I get back to training, and you get to see me back in the cage.  Bam, let’s get it.”

Tristen Critchfield of Sherdog had initially broke the story of the injury a few days ago, but the details were uncertain.

It’s truly a blow to Dodson’s chances of getting the winner of Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez II, as he’s the obvious choice considering how shallow the top of the flyweight crop heap continues to be.

In any case, eight to 10 weeks isn’t devastating.  Dodson is one heck of an athlete who should have no trouble regaining his Octagon explosiveness upon return.

Promotional newcomer Zach Makovsky will now fill in against Jorgensen.

 

For more UFC news and coverage,

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

7 Fights You Can’t Miss This December

‘Tis the season—for bloody fists and bludgeoned faces.
While violence is no sane substitute for swashing eggnog and unwrapping gifts, it’s great news for fight fans everywhere.
Barring unforeseen injuries, which have become the norm of late, Dece…

‘Tis the season—for bloody fists and bludgeoned faces.

While violence is no sane substitute for swashing eggnog and unwrapping gifts, it’s great news for fight fans everywhere.

Barring unforeseen injuries, which have become the norm of late, December has the perfect amount of Octagon brutality on deck and in the hole—whether you’ve been naughty or nice.

Championship grudge matches, No. 1 contender bouts, Fight of the Year candidates and heavyweight scintillators will surely fill the void left by any unfortunate stocking stuffer.

Here are seven fights you absolutely cannot miss before the start of the new year.  

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