Author: Donald Wood

GSP’s Retirement Talk Adds Intrigue to Potential Rematch with Johny Hendricks

When UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre (25-2) teased retirement after his controversial decision victory over Johny Hendricks (15-2) at UFC 167, he only added to the intrigue surrounding a potential rematch.
St-Pierre claimed in his post-figh…

When UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre (25-2) teased retirement after his controversial decision victory over Johny Hendricks (15-2) at UFC 167, he only added to the intrigue surrounding a potential rematch.

St-Pierre claimed in his post-fight interview that he wanted to take some time away from the sport, per Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times:

On the heels of his polarizing 48-47, 47-48, 48-47 split-decision victory, the pressure for a rematch from Dana White, per ESPN’s Todd Grisham, and the MMA world will spawn genuine excitement about a second chapter in this battle.

GSP vs. Hendricks II would be one of the biggest fights of the last five years.

Any fight that features St-Pierre defending his championship will draw major attention. The titleholder has carried pay-per-views for the UFC for the past six years and has made stars out of average competition like Jake Shields, Josh Koscheck and others.

It doesn’t matter who he’s squaring off against; MMA fans will pay to see GSP fight.

The main issue many critics have with St-Pierre is the pacing of his fights. As one of the best wrestlers in the sport, he is methodical with his approach and doesn’t mind grinding out five-round decision victories. With eight of his nine consecutive title defenses coming via decision, his inability and/or unwillingness to finish the fight early has some turning on the superstar.

If GSP rethinks the decision to walk away from the UFC, and he would be willing to play the role of the villain during the build to the rematch with Hendricks, the welterweight champion would ensure that this is the most intriguing matchup of his career.

Every good antagonist plays off a likable protagonist, and that role will be played by Hendricks.

Not only does Hendricks possess the elite speed and power to stand and trade strikes with St-Pierre in the center of the Octagon, but he also has the wrestling skills as a two-time NCAA champion to match GSP on the mat.

Most fans and fellow fighters feel Hendricks deserved to get the decision victory Saturday night, and that has lent credibility to his role in the potential rematch as the underdog looking to capture the championship most feel he rightfully deserves.

St-Pierre’s comments about potentially retiring, and the drama that surrounds the next few weeks as his decision becomes official, will lead to the rematch hopefully being announced sooner rather than later.

With the hype around this main event still red hot, the UFC must capitalize and book the rematch.

 

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GSP vs. Hendricks Results: Dana White Right to Call for Rematch

After watching the controversial decision end to the Georges St-Pierre (25-2) vs. Johny Hendricks (15-2) UFC Welterweight Championship fight at UFC 167, company president Dana White was right to call for an immediate rematch.
Unfortunately for White an…

After watching the controversial decision end to the Georges St-Pierre (25-2) vs. Johny Hendricks (15-2) UFC Welterweight Championship fight at UFC 167, company president Dana White was right to call for an immediate rematch.

Unfortunately for White and MMA fans, St-Pierre was hinting at potential retirement, per Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times:

White responded to GSP’s comments about walking away from the sport, via ESPN’s Todd Grisham:

The controversy stems from the 48-47, 47-48, 48-47 split-decision outcome of Saturday night’s main event. The bout was incredibly close for all five rounds and could have conceivably gone either way on the judges’ scorecards.

There was no decisive winner, but many fighters, like UFC superstars Carlos Condit and Tim Kennedy, vehemently disagreed with the decision:

All of the buzz surrounding the fight’s outcome and GSP’s subsequent retirement makes it clear that this marquee matchup deserves another chapter.

The outcome of the bout may have caused backlash, but the in-ring work during this fight was outstanding.

St-Pierre is unquestionably one of the best wrestlers in the sport. As good as he is, Hendricks had him scouted perfectly and used his challenger’s momentum against him. Add in Hendricks’ elite striking, and it become clear that the No. 1 contender was not afraid of the stage, and in fact, he was thriving under the pressure.

GSP was still able to land his standard barrage of offense but was unable to land any devastating shots that would give him an opening he could capitalize on. With Hendricks thwarting everything the champion threw his way, this was a great technical fight.

Even without the controversy that surrounded the judges’ decisions, this fight deserved a rematch. The public outcry will ensure it happens, though.

St-Pierre has seen many of the fans that loved him over the years turn on the fighter for his slow and methodical style, and Saturday’s controversial decision victory and his choice to comment on his potential retirement has vilified the champion.

This win marked GSP’s ninth successful title defense in a row. While there is no arguing the utter dominance of his reign as divisional champion, the recent victories during that stretch have come in lackluster fashion.

As a wrestler that thrives on grinding out victories, the fans have fallen out of love with a style many consider boring. The problem isn’t that the veteran fighter is winning every one of his matchups, it’s that he isn’t putting on interesting fights.

That was until Saturday night.

If St-Pierre decides against taking some time off and he can embrace the role of villain in the next fight with Hendricks, the proposed bout would have the earmarks of an instant classic and would be one of the most anticipated fights in 2014.

White and the MMA world were right to call for a rematch, and this is a second chapter the UFC must make happen.

 

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Georges St-Pierre, Rashad Evans and Top Fighters to Watch at UFC 167

UFC 167 from Las Vegas features superstars of the sport like Georges St-Pierre, Rashad Evans and others celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary with an impressive slate of fights.
As if their mere presence on the card wasn’t enough to dr…

UFC 167 from Las Vegas features superstars of the sport like Georges St-Pierre, Rashad Evans and others celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary with an impressive slate of fights.

As if their mere presence on the card wasn’t enough to draw fans into the event, the fact that both St-Pierre and Evans are taking on challengers who could steal a win on the marquee stage has anticipation for Saturday’s pay-per-view growing.

Here is all the vital viewing information needed to watch this PPV and predictions for how each top name will perform.

 

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas

When: Saturday, November 16 at 10 p.m. ET

Watch: Pay-Per-View (call local service provider)

Live Stream: UFC TV

 

* (c ) denotes champion.

 

Georges St-Pierre (24-2-0)

Welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre has won 11 straight fights coming into Saturday’s matchup with Johny Hendricks, including eight successful title defenses. Hendricks is red-hot right now, and the focus has shifted from GSP‘s utter dominance of the division to whether or not he will be able to successfully defend the belt.

Experience in title fights always becomes a factor. As well as Hendricks has fought during his six-fight winning streak, this is his first chance at a UFC championship. The bright lights of the PPV main event are much hotter than most fighters expect, and the pressure can play a role in the success or failure of a fighter.

GSP has been in 12 title fights during his long MMA career and knows exactly how to pace a fight to keep himself out of trouble. Fans complain about his style being boring due to the lack of knockouts, but he knows how to win.

The game plan St-Pierre uses Saturday night will be the same ground-and-pound formula he utilizes every time. The ultimate X-factor remains Hendricks, though.

The No. 1 contender could easily falter and fail under the pressure of performing in the main event, but his track record suggests he could rise to the occasion and make this a close fight. This is a bona fide dream matchup.

Predicted Winner: St-Pierre via Decision

 

Rashad Evans (23-3-1)

Rashad Evans is undoubtedly one of the top contenders in the light heavyweight division, but he faces a tough matchup against Chael Sonnen. Both men are elite wrestlers, and that will force each fighter to rely on another skill in their arsenal to get the victory Sunday.

Sonnen proved he is one of the more dangerous submission artists in the division with his victory over Mauricio Rua, but this co-main event is all about Rashad Evans and if he can once again climb the championship ladder.

Evans is one of the best strikers in the sport. His unique blend of speed, aggressiveness and raw power from his sturdy frame make him one of the most dangerous men in the division. While Sonnen may be the more vocal of the two outside the ring, it is Evans who is the more talented in the Octagon.

Expect Evans to come out fast and land a barrage of shots in the first round. That will set up Sonnen for the same in the second round and will result in a TKO victory.

A victory would signal that Evan’s hunt for the Jon Jones and the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship would be back in full swing.

Predicted Winner: Evans via Second-Round TKO.

 

Tyron Woodley (11-2-0)

Josh Koscheck may be the fighter most know in this matchup, but it will be Tyron Woodley who everyone is talking about when this bout is over.

Woodley is coming off a controversial split-decision loss to Jake Shields and will be looking for redemption in the form of a decisive victory. If his first-round knockout against Jay Hieron is any indication of what to expect Saturday, Koscheck will be dealing with an even more focused challenger.

As well as Woodley has been fighting, Koscheck has been flat-out awful.

Two straight losses and three in his last five fights prove his time as a legitimate contender for the welterweight championship is over. Expect Koscheck to play gatekeeper for Woodley Saturday.

With Koscheck’s loss to Robbie Lawler in February coming via first-round TKO and Woodley trying to send a message to Dana White and company officials, MMA fans should expect a quick end to this bout as Woodley standing tall.

Predicted Winner: Woodley via First-Round TKO.

 

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UFC 167 Odds: Latest Betting Information for Saturday Night’s PPV

Saturday night’s UFC 167 pay-per-view features several main-event caliber fights between huge names, and bettors are eager to place a last-second wager on these bouts as the odds continue to fluctuate.
Here is all the vital viewing information f…

Saturday night’s UFC 167 pay-per-view features several main-event caliber fights between huge names, and bettors are eager to place a last-second wager on these bouts as the odds continue to fluctuate.

Here is all the vital viewing information for UFC 167, the full card featuring odds and predictions for each fight and the safest bets of the event.

 

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas

When: Saturday, November 16 at 10 p.m. ET

Watch: Pay-Per-View (call local service provider)

Live Stream: UFC TV

 

* (c) denotes champion.

 

Safest Bets of the Night

Rashad Evans (19–3–1) vs. Chael Sonnen (29–13–1)

Chael Sonnen and Rashad Evans are two of the most dangerous light heavyweights in the UFC today, each possessing elite wrestling skills, but the duo’s evenly-matched grappling abilities will force a stalemate in that aspect of the fight. That will force these combatants to lean on their other strengths.

That’s where Evans has the distinct advantage.

Sonnen may have solid striking power and the ability to submit his opponents if presented the right situation, but Evans has the power and strength edge in this bout and will impose his will on the challenger Saturday night.

Sonnen has been knocked out in two of his last three fights, and there is no question that doubt will begin to creep into his mind, especially against a heavy-handed fighter like Evans. The accuracy and power Evans packs into his punches will open up the potential for another abrupt finish.

For Sonnen, his aggressive nature could be his ultimate downfall as Evans will be looking to catch him with a flurry of knees and fists as he moves forward to shoot for the takedown.

With an elite combination of power and strength, Evans will outclass Sonnen Saturday and earn the second-round TKO victory.

Predicted Winner: Evans via TKO.

 

Josh Koscheck vs. Tyron Woodley

Both Josh Koscheck and Tyron Woodley sit at a crossroads in their respective careers.

Koscheck is trying to rebuild his reputation by getting back into the win column after two-straight losses, but he will have to go through a fighter in Woodley that is trying to prove he belongs in the discussion for a welterweight title shot.

The real winner in this potential slugfest will be the fans.

Koscheck has always been known as a wild striker that will take unnecessary risks to land the one-punch knockout. That offensive game plan may have worked when he was fighting other challengers, but Woodley will not play into Koscheck’s scheme.

Woodley is coming off a tough split-decision loss of his own to Jake Shields and will be looking to prove that he deserves to be catapulted into championship contention by exploiting his challenger’s porous defensive abilities.

Using a combination of striking accuracy, unmatched power in the division and Koscheck’s aggressiveness against him, Woodley will bring the battle to his challenger and end the bout early with a first-round TKO.

Predicted Winner: Woodley via TKO.

 

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Sonnen vs. Evans: Breaking Down UFC 167’s Co-Main Event

When Chael Sonnen (29–13–1) squares off against Rashad Evans (19–3–1) in UFC 167’s co-main event, the bout will steal the show and win the Fight of the Night Award.
These fighters are both long-time UFC competitors that ha…

When Chael Sonnen (29–13–1) squares off against Rashad Evans (19–3–1) in UFC 167’s co-main event, the bout will steal the show and win the Fight of the Night Award.

These fighters are both long-time UFC competitors that have built a reputation as two of the most dangerous light heavyweights in the sport today. Each man is coming off a win, but has struggled overall recently.

This marquee matchup at Saturday’s pay-per-view will result in a momentum-shifting win for one of these challengers.

Here is all the vital viewing information for Saturday’s PPV, and a full breakdown of what Sonnen and Evans must achieve to walk out of the Octagon victorious.

 

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas

When: Saturday, November 16 at 10 p.m. ET

Watch: Pay-Per-View (call local service provider)

Live Stream: UFC TV

 

Rashad Evans’ Keys to Victory

Rashad Evans is known for his wrestling ability and his powerful striking, and he must lean on those strengths against a veteran fighter like Sonnen that has seen it all before. Instead of focusing on trying to take down Sonnen, Evans should be looking to counter his shoot attempts and turn them into offense by landing well-placed knees or punches to the head.

Evans has the distinct power advantage in this fight, and he must showcase that edge standing up and on the ground to ensure he walks out of this matchup with a victory.

Sonnen and Evans are two of the best wrestlers in the division. Grappling is usually the key to each of these fighters’ victories, but with these two competitors being so well-versed on the ground, this will be a stalemate.

After being defeated by Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title and falling to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in his subsequent bout, Evans lost all of the momentum he had built during the four-fight winning streak leading into the matchup for the championship. He has gained some of his momentum back with a win over Dan Henderson, but the split-decision outcome discounted the work Evans had put into that fight.

Evans must find the confidence in the power behind his striking again or risk falling victim to Sonnen and his submission abilities.

 

Chael Sonnen’s Keys to Victory

As a former NCAA All-American wrestler, Sonnen matches up perfectly in the wrestling aspects of this fight with Evans. The stalemate on the ground will force Sonnen to reach into his bag of tricks and pull out one of his submission moves.

Sonnen must focus on getting the fight to the mat and secure the top mount. His unique mixture of striking and submissions will leave Evans in a vulnerable position on the bottom. If Evans fails to cover his head or leaves his arm too far away from his body, Sonnen will take advantage and finish the fight early.

Even if Evans gains the top mount position, look for Sonnen to hunt for the triangle choke.

Sonnen is coming off a huge submission victory over Mauricio Rua, and another possible win over Evans couldn’t come at a better time. The two previous losses to Anderson Silva and Jon Jones respectively had led many to assume his time contending for a championship was over.

That couldn‘t be farther from the truth. Evans is a serious light heavyweight contender and beating him would prove Sonnen deserves at least a title eliminator fight next.

The challenger may have the more powerful strikes, but Sonnen will realize he must limit the impact of Evans’ punches by shooting for the takedown and looking for a submission.

 

Predicted Winner: Evans via Second-Round TKO

One of the best parts of watching MMA is when two fighters come into a battle with the same primary skill. Evans and Sonnen are great wrestlers, but with both men so evenly matched, the difference maker will be the other skills each possesses.

Sonnen deserves an immense amount of credit for his ability to submit a fighter like Rua in his previous fight, but Evans is a much smarter fighter than the Brazilian. He knows when he is being baited into a submission and will avoid Sonnen’s traps.

Evans will keep the fight standing up by thwarting Sonnen’s takedown attempts and will use his powerful striking to alter his opponent’s game plan and leave him guessing.

If these two brawlers stand toe-to-toe and exchange punches, the power advantage for Evans will be the deciding factor.

With Sonnen knocked out in two of his last three fights, Evans will be looking to end this bout with a flurry of punches and a TKO victory.

 

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UFC 167: Evans vs. Sonnen Betting Odds and Predictions

In what should be the most interesting UFC pay-per-view in a long time, the light heavyweight battle between Rashad Evans and Chael Sonnen will be the co-main event for Saturday’s UFC 167.
While this marquee battle would highlight almost any other PPV,…

In what should be the most interesting UFC pay-per-view in a long time, the light heavyweight battle between Rashad Evans and Chael Sonnen will be the co-main event for Saturday’s UFC 167.

While this marquee battle would highlight almost any other PPV, the UFC welterweight championship fight between Georges St-Pierre and Johny Hendricks has stolen most of the headlines leading up to the event.

Despite not headlining UFC 167, Evans vs. Sonnen still has the interest of hardcore and casual MMA fans piqued, and that will result in a spike in interest for this bout.

All stats and information via UFC.com.

All betting info courtesy of Bovada.

 

“C” denotes champion.

 

Evans vs. Sonnen Co-Main Event Preview and Prediction

The title fight between St-Pierre and Hendricks has been the focus for many MMA fans, but there is no discounting how interesting the potential slugfest between Evans and Sonnen could become.

As two of the more experienced fighters in the UFC, these veterans know exactly what it takes to win in the biggest matchups. While each has earned hard-fought victories over legends in the sport, tough losses have piled up recently and hindered the chances for each man to earn another title shot.

Evans was on the fast track back to light heavyweight championship glory, but he lost to champion Jon Jones in his last title fight. As hard as the loss was to swallow, Evans was also defeated in his follow-up fight against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

“Suga” was able to beat Dan Henderson in his last bout, but he must beat Sonnen decisively if he wants to prove to Dana White and UFC officials that he deserves another title shot.

Just as Evans is looking for redemption, the same can be said about his challenger.

Sonnen may have won against Maurício Rua in his last fight, but he was coming off two tough losses to champions Anderson Silva and Jon Jones. The 36-year-old understands that his opportunities are running low, so he will be looking to end his fight with Evans in definitive fashion.

Both men are excellent wrestlers that possess the ability to knock out their opponents—the skill sets of these fighters are hauntingly similar—but it is Sonnen‘s submission ability that will make the ultimate difference.

While Evans is talented, he will get caught in one of Sonnen’s traps and lose via submission. 

Predicted Winner: Chael Sonnen via submission.

 

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