Author: Donald Wood

UFC 161 Results: Where Saturday’s Biggest Winners Go Moving Forward

Saturday night’s UFC 161 pay-per-view wasn’t the most exciting event in the company’s history, but the results have yielded big winners that have a very bright future in the sport.All of the following stars were victorious in their fi…

Saturday night’s UFC 161 pay-per-view wasn’t the most exciting event in the company’s history, but the results have yielded big winners that have a very bright future in the sport.

All of the following stars were victorious in their fights and will look to be bumped into the upper echelon of title contenders by UFC officials in their next bout.

Expect huge things from everyone on this list moving forward.

 

Rashad Evans Needs One More Victory

After a tough decision win over MMA legend Dan Henderson in the main event of the evening, the questions surrounding former champion Rashad Evans’ future and his quest to make it back to the top of the light heavyweight division are the talk of the UFC.

Evans avenged his loss to champion Jon Jones and the subsequent defeat against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, but he must fight another top contender and come out victorious once again before he is considered for a title shot.

The ideal fight would be a title eliminator against the winner of the Phil Davis vs. Lyoto Machida bout this August. Evans has a history with both men, and a rivalry could be built no matter which fighter wins at UFC 163.

Evans’ ascension back to the top of the division has begun.

 

Shawn Jordan Needs Redemption

After learning from a tough loss to Cheick Kongo in 2012, Shawn Jordan recommitted himself to MMA and destroyed UFC veteran Pat Barry with a first-round knockout that proved the former LSU fullback is a legitimate threat in the heavyweight division.

While many fans will want a big fight for Jordan next, the smartest possible matchup for the 28-year-old would be a out against a seasoned veteran like Frank Mir.

While Mir is expected to fight in August, if Jordan wants to climb the heavyweight divisional ladder, he will wait for a potential fight with Mir and prove his worth to the company by going head-to-head with one of the division’s top gatekeepers.

 

Stipe Miocic Needs Another Marquee Fight

Heavyweight contender and fan favorite Roy Nelson was supposed to roll through his challenger at UFC 161 and continue his ascent to the top of the division, but Stipe Miocic never got that memo and abused the big man throughout his decision victory.

Now that Nelson is out of the title hunt for the time being, the focus has shifted to Miocic and which fighter the UFC will line up for the heavyweight’s next bout. After avenging his loss to Stefan Struve by beating Nelson, the next fight is the most important of his career.

Dana White and company officials have to give Miocic immense credit for stifling one of the toughest men in the sport, and rewarding him with a big fight against the loser of the reported Alistair Overeem vs. Travis Browne bout this August, per MMA Junkie, is the smart move.

 

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UFC 161 Results: Where Saturday’s Biggest Losers Go Moving Forward

After a less-than-stellar UFC 161 pay-per-view that was full of predictable results and boring mismatches, there were several marquee names that came out the losers on Saturday night.All of the following fighters came out on the short end of stick, and…

After a less-than-stellar UFC 161 pay-per-view that was full of predictable results and boring mismatches, there were several marquee names that came out the losers on Saturday night.

All of the following fighters came out on the short end of stick, and the results indicate things must change for each man going forward if they want to have another chance to shine in the UFC.

 

Roy Nelson

While Roy Nelson may still be one of the biggest fan favorites in the UFC, his one-sided loss to Stipe Miocic proves that he is not ready to be a viable heavyweight championship contender.

Nelson has no more fights remaining on his UFC contract, and the talk that he could jump to Bellator MMA  has continued to boil to the surface. With a tough loss to stop any momentum he was building, where Nelson heads from here is as uncertain as ever.

The heavyweight is still one of the toughest fighters in the division and has an iron chin, but that’s not enough to reach the pinnacle of the company. Unless he drastically improves his cardio, there is a great chance he will leave the UFC for greener pastures elsewhere.

As long as that greener pasture doesn’t have a treadmill.

 

Dan Henderson

While a decision loss for Dan Henderson is devastating to the 42-year-old’s career in MMA, the fact that he fought the younger Rashad Evans and could have won the decision should signal that his time in the UFC isn’t over yet.

Henderson is still one of the best fighters in the light heavyweight division, but with two straight losses, the MMA legend will have to prove his worth by taking on any big fight officials will line up for his next bout.

No matter whom Dana White and UFC matchmakers puts in front of Henderson next—likely a younger fighter looking to make the jump into title contention—the former champion will have to find his rhythm once again and prove to the doubters that he isn’t through.

 

Tyron Woodley and Jake Shield 

In the worst fight of the night, Tyron Woodley and Jake Shield squared off in the main event of the FX preliminaries and disappointed everyone in attendance, including the president of the company, Dana White:

While the hope is that the last fight on the free televised pre-show will get fans to order the PPV, this bout did nothing to convince the fans that this show was something they should invest money.

If White has his way, these fighters won’t be in any more marquee fights anytime soon.

 

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UFC 161: What’s Next for Roy Nelson After Stunning Defeat

Roy Nelson was one of the brightest stars in the heavyweight division and a crowd favorite, but after being dominated by Stipe Miocic in a lopsided decision loss Saturday night at UFC 161, the future is uncertain for the bulky brawler.Nelson was on his…

Roy Nelson was one of the brightest stars in the heavyweight division and a crowd favorite, but after being dominated by Stipe Miocic in a lopsided decision loss Saturday night at UFC 161, the future is uncertain for the bulky brawler.

Nelson was on his last fight on his current contract with the UFC, and there had been talk about whether the company would re-sign the talented heavyweight or if he would try to sign with the UFC’s top rival, Bellator MMA.

Nelson told MMA Weekly during the UFC 161 post-fight press conference about his future and where he’s like to end up when he signs a new deal:

I go where the fans want me. If Dana and Lorenzo want me to be with the UFC, I’ll be knocking on Cain Velasquez‘s door, or whoever the champ is, when I’m knocking on it… My interest (right now) is I want to get past this loss and just fight. That’s what a fighter does. I just want to get out there and fight and get another W. Where that opportunity is, hopefully it’s with the UFC, if they want me here then I’ll be here.

He may not be the best pure fighter in the world, and his weight and lack of conditioning is alarming to some in the sport, but Nelson is an exciting fighter who brings the fans into an event with his power and unstoppable chin.

As great as he looked in his previous three fights (all first-round knockouts), though, the loss to Miocic halts the hype machine surrounding him temporarily. While Bellator would have loved to steal Nelson from underneath the nose of Dana White and the UFC officials, the loss has killed his momentum and the company will now likely low-ball the big man to coax him away.

What would have been a massive bidding war that would have come with a victory has now become a tense negotiating process that will result in a far less expensive contract for one of these MMA companies.

Nelson lost more than a fight Saturday; he lost his chance at an enormous pay day.

There is no questioning that the better talent is in UFC right now. But with a television deal with Spike TV and an affiliation with TNA Wrestling, the possibility that Nelson could jump ship to Bellator is still there.

With another loss likely relegating him to the bottom of the heavyweight title contention ladder, starting over in Bellator as one of the company’s top stars and a focal point of the marketing campaigns could be the new beginning the big man needs.

Nelson is a star, and Bellator needs another top name to build around.

 

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UFC 161: Bold Predictions for Entire Main Card

The excitement surrounding Saturday’s UFC 161 is through the roof, and it’s finally time for the last-second bold predictions for the entire main card.The MMA world is in a frenzy over what should be an unpredictable card, and with some of …

The excitement surrounding Saturday’s UFC 161 is through the roof, and it’s finally time for the last-second bold predictions for the entire main card.

The MMA world is in a frenzy over what should be an unpredictable card, and with some of the most dangerous fighters in the world, the hope is that judges will not be used much during the PPV.

 

Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson

In the main event of the evening, Rashad Evans will take on Dan Henderson as both men look to get back to their winning ways and take command of their own destiny in the light heavyweight division.

Evans has lost two fights in a row—including a shot at UFC Light Heavyweight Championship Jon Jones in April 2012—and with a chance at redemption against a bona fide legend like Henderson, he will be looking to climb the mountain once again.

Despite being 42 years old, Henderson is still one of the best fighters in the world and will give Evans one of the toughest fights of his career. Hendo is also looking for another title shot, and beating Evans would be a great start.

This bout will be a great mixture of striking and wrestling, and will be one of the hardest fought bouts of the night.

Prediction: Rashad Evans via decision

 

Roy Nelson vs. Stipe Miocic

Whether you’re a casual MMA fan or a hardcore UFC fanatic, the heavyweight war between Roy Nelson and Stipe Miocic has all the potential to be the best fight of the night.

While Miocic has the power to knock out a normal fighter, he has never fought a man with a chin like Nelson. After watching Stefan Struve knock out Miocic in his last fight, it’s clear that Nelson has the edge and will be looking for a devastating win.

If Nelson wins, he deserves a title shot.

Prediction: Roy Nelson via first-round knockout

 

Ryan Jimmo vs. Igor Pokrajac

The light heavyweight division behind Jones is thin to say the least, but Saturday’s bout between Ryan Jimmo and Igor Pokrajac will reveal one of the top contenders for an eventual title shot.

Both men understand what’s on the line—each is coming off losses in their previous fights—and this will be a tough fight filled with strategic game plans. Neither will want to risk getting knocked out, so this will likely be defensive bout that goes the distance.

That style of fight favors Jimmo.

Prediction: Ryan Jimmo via decision

 

Alexis Davis vs. Rosi Sexton

In a women’s bantamweight fight featuring two of the UFC’s newest signings, Alexis Davis and Rosi Sexton will have a chance to show the world what they can do and what kinds of fights the MMA world should expect from the women’s division in UFC.

The problem for Sexton is that she had to jump up in weight for this fight, and that could hurt her if it was forced. If Sexton is any less than 100 percent, the always-dangerous Davis will grab a submission win.

Prediction: Alexis Davis via submission

 

Pat Barry vs. Shawn Jordan

Both Pat Barry and Shawn Jordan are looking to begin their ascension back into title consideration for the heavyweight division, and a big victory in the opening fight of UFC 161 would go a long way in making that happen.

As talented as Jordan is—he has won three of his last four fights—Barry hasn’t fought since December 2012 and is looking to return with an early and decisive finish. With both fighters being aggressive, Barry’s big-fight experience will give him the edge and the victory.

Prediction: Pat Barry via knockout

 

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UFC 161: Last-Minute Odds for Main Card Fights

With just a few hours until the UFC 161 pay-per-view from the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, many MMA fans are excited about betting on the event and are looking for the best last-minute odds.If you’re looking to make a wager on Saturd…

With just a few hours until the UFC 161 pay-per-view from the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, many MMA fans are excited about betting on the event and are looking for the best last-minute odds.

If you’re looking to make a wager on Saturday’s bouts, these are the most up-to-date odds for the entire UFC 161 main card and the safest and riskiest picks for the night.

 

Full UFC 161 Main Card Odds

Rashad Evans (-140) vs. Dan Henderson (+110)

Roy Nelson (-275) vs. Stipe Miocic (+215)

Ryan Jimmo (-270) vs. Igor Pokrajac (+210)

Alexis Davis (-400) vs. Rosi Sexton (+300)

Pat Barry (-120) vs. Shawn Jordan (-110)

*Odds via Bovada.lv

 

Safest Bet: Roy Nelson (-275)

If you’re looking for the safest bet of UFC 161, look no further than heavyweight bruiser Roy Nelson. With three straight knockouts against serious competition, Nelson will be looking to earn a title shot by dominating Stipe Miocic on Saturday.

Miocic is a stellar fighter who has the power to do some serious damage on Nelson, but his main issue is his own chin. As seen from Miocic’s loss to Stefan Struve at the end of 2012, he can be knocked out.

This bout has been set up for Nelson to shine and knock Miocic out.

These two men are brutal fighters who look to stand in the middle of the Octagon and knock out their opponent. While Miocic deserves credit, Nelson and his 12 career KO victories will make it 13 on Saturday night in Canada.

 

Riskiest Bet: Rashad Evans (-140)

Rashad Evans is one of the best fighters in the light heavyweight division, but Dan Henderson can never be taken lightly. While Evans has the ability and skill to steal the victory, Hendo is too dangerous to bet against.

Evans is coming off two straight losses and hasn’t looked like the dominant star he once did earlier in his career. Henderson is also coming off a loss, but the 42-year-old has proven throughout his storied career he can win after a tough loss.

This will be an all-out war in the Octagon, and with two great wrestlers with even better striking ability squaring off in the main event Saturday, this bout could easily go either way.

Evans may win, but he is far from a safe bet.

 

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UFC 160: Biggest Fights Coming out of Saturday’s PPV

Saturday’s UFC 160 pay-per-view from Las Vegas was billed as one of the biggest events in recent history, and while it didn’t deliver as expected, the long-term title ramifications from this show made it unforgettable.With two championship …

Saturday’s UFC 160 pay-per-view from Las Vegas was billed as one of the biggest events in recent history, and while it didn’t deliver as expected, the long-term title ramifications from this show made it unforgettable.

With two championship fights resulting from Saturday’s bouts, UFC 160 was incredibly important.

The heavyweight and lightweight title scenes have been drastically altered after Saturday’s action, and these are the biggest fights coming out of UFC 160.

 

Junior Dos Santos Earns Another Shot at Cain Velasquez

When Cain Velasquez successfully defended his UFC Heavyweight Championship against Antonio Silva in the main event of UFC 160, the champion confirmed his spot as the king of the divisional mountain.

As great as Velasquez looked in his fight, the co-main event featured former champion Junior Dos Santos knocking out journeyman Mark Hunt in convincing fashion and cementing his place as the No. 1 contender to the heavyweight crown.

Dana White agrees and made the fight official that night (h/t USA Today).

These two juggernauts have met twice before—Dos Santos stole the heavyweight title in the first meeting and Velasquez stole it back in the second bout—making this third matchup one of the few trilogies that MMA fans want to see.

Velasquez and Dos Santos are the two best fighters in the heavyweight division, and a final meeting in this feud to settle which fighter is truly superior is a dream come true for the UFC enthusiasts around the world.

Predicted Winner: Junior Dos Santos via TKO.

 

TJ Grant Earns His Big Chance Against Benson Henderson

While Gray Maynard has become nothing more than a divisional gatekeeper, the utter domination from Canadian lightweight contender TJ Grant Saturday at UFC 160 proved that he is ready for his championship opportunity.

As White said in the buildup to this fight (h/t MMAJunkie.com), Grant’s victory against Maynard earned him a shot against Benson Henderson for the UFC Lightweight Championship.

Henderson will be the toughest fight of Grant’s life—the lightweight champion is on a seven fight winning streak and has successfully defended the title three times—but with the momentum created from his own five-fight winning streak, the Canadian is ready for his big chance.

There is little doubt that this will be an absolute war featuring two men that love to strike, but how Grant reacts to the elite wrestling ability of Henderson will decide his fate in this title bout.

This matchup has Fight of the Year Award potential.

Predicted Winner: TJ Grant via Decision.

 

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