Author: Donald Wood

UFC 139: Fight Card, Live Streaming, PPV Info, Predictions and More

After UFC 138 in England that was seen by almost no one and a UFC on FOX event that disappointed even more fans, the company is desperate for a great showing from the fights on the UFC 139 card. While the star power isn’t there, there are intrigu…

After UFC 138 in England that was seen by almost no one and a UFC on FOX event that disappointed even more fans, the company is desperate for a great showing from the fights on the UFC 139 card.

While the star power isn’t there, there are intriguing matches throughout the main card and a couple gems in the under-cards.

No matter who you’re rooting for, this is the kind of show when expectations are low that has everyone talking.

 

Where: HP Pavilion in San Jose, California

When: Saturday, November 19, 9:00 p.m. ET

Watch: Facebook under-card fights at 6 p.m. EST, preliminary fights at 8 p.m. EST on Spike TV, Main Card fights at 9 p.m. EST on pay-per-view; online pay-per-view streaming—must pay $44.99—at UFC.tv, Yahoo! Sports, UStream, Android or iPhone

 

Fight Card

Main card

Light Heavyweight bout: Mauricio Rua vs. Dan Henderson

Middleweight bout: Wanderlei Silva vs. Cung Le

Bantamweight bout: Urijah Faber vs. Brian Bowles

Welterweight bout: Martin Kampmann vs. Rick Story

Light Heavyweight bout: Stephan Bonnar vs. Kyle Kingsbury

Preliminary card (Spike TV)

Light Heavyweight bout: Ryan Bader vs. Jason Brilz

Bantamweight bout: Michael McDonald vs. Alex Soto

Preliminary card (Facebook)

Middleweight bout: Tom Lawlor vs. Chris Weidman

Lightweight bout: Gleison Tibau vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Bantamweight bout: Miguel Torres vs. Nick Pace

Welterweight bout: Matt Brown vs. Seth Baczynski

Lightweight bout: Shamar Bailey vs. Danny Castillo

 

Mauricio Rua’s Keys to Victory

Mauricio Rua is one of the best in the business and its his ability to adapt to the person he is fighting that has let him be a force as long as he has. While Dan Henderson has cardio for days, he is 41 years old and 12 years the elder of Rua and that could be a factor.

Dan Henderson’s Keys to Victory

With Rua being a solid take down artist and extremely aggressive, Dan Henderson has to capitalize on any and all mistakes from Rua. Hendo is one of the best fighters in MMA history, but age is starting to catch up with him.

 

What They’re Saying

MMA fighter Jade Porter sends best wishes to his friends fighting at UFC 139:

UFC fighter Michael “Mayday” McDonald reports on his fight’s status and his excitement:

 

Undercard Fight To Watch: Urijah Faber vs. Brian Bowles

Urijah Faber is one of the best fighters in MMA, but distractions cost him much of the momentum he gained from the WEC.

This fight in important because the winner will become the number one contender and most likely earn a rematch with UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz.  

Bowles was the UFC champ until his fight was stopped due to a broken hand, and that loss remains his only. This fight could become an instant classic.

 

Main Event Prediction: Henderson via Submisson

If Henderson has done anything better than any other aging star, its use his mental experience to manipulate a fight. With his elite wrestling abilities and Rua’s ability and willingness to go to the ground, Hendo will wait for a mistake and tap Shogun out.

 

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UFC 136 Results: Why Kenny Florian Would Be Wise to Retire

Kenny Florian’s unanimous defeat to featherweight champ Jose Aldo at UFC 136 was one of the toughest losses of his career, and it may have been his last good shot at a title. The 35-year-old was noticeably dejected in his post-fight pres…

Kenny Florian’s unanimous defeat to featherweight champ Jose Aldo at UFC 136 was one of the toughest losses of his career, and it may have been his last good shot at a title.

The 35-year-old was noticeably dejected in his post-fight press conference, and did not make a decision on his future immediately following Saturday’s loss.

On Monday, Florian released a statement regarding his future.

Via the 5th Round:

“The only response I can give right now is that I’m going to take some time. I want to rest, spend some time with my family and friends, and then evaluate all of my options. I’ll speak with [UFC president] Dana White, and my manager, Glenn Robinson, and we will figure out my next move.”

Since making his pro debut in 2003, Florian has a 14-6 MMA record, and is 12-5 in UFC. He has had a great career, but has been unable to win the title he’s craved.

Despite giving a great effort against Aldo, it seemed that Saturday’s fight was Florian’s last shot at a title.

Florian has fought in three title bouts, including Saturday’s featherweight title match against Jose Aldo, and has lost each one.

In his mid thirties, it appears that Florian doesn’t have what it takes to win a title against the younger and stronger fighters, which is why he needs to retire.

Florian is a fan favorite and is a very recognizable face of MMA, and even if he chooses to not fight again, he will certainly remain involved in the UFC.

He is currently a regular analyst on ESPN’s weekly program “MMA Live” and has done color commentary for the UFC.

Florian does well on TV, and the transition from not fighting any more to being on TV full time would likely be a smooth one for him.

UFC President Dana White has also praised Florian’s skills in the media.

“Kenny Florian’s awesome,” White said via MMA Junkie. “He commentated our last show. I think he’s great on camera. I think he’s great on the mic. He’s a talented guy with a lot of options, and he’s always been a solid guy with us and always been a team player.”

Whether Florian decides to retire or not, he’ll always have a home with UFC. He’s a smart guy with great knowledge of the sport, and would also help promote fights.

Kenny Florian never won a title, but his career is one to be proud of, and even in retirement, he can remain a big part of the success and rising popularity of UFC.

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UFC 136 Results: Anderson Silva Needs to Make an Example of Chael Sonnen

While it was obvious that Chael Sonnen was back with bad intentions after beating down Brian Stann and eventually choking him out, his words after the fight spoke volumes about his intentions. Sonnen said immediately after the fight with Stann about a …

While it was obvious that Chael Sonnen was back with bad intentions after beating down Brian Stann and eventually choking him out, his words after the fight spoke volumes about his intentions.

Sonnen said immediately after the fight with Stann about a possible rematch with UFC Middleweight Champion Silva:

Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck. Super Bowl weekend, the biggest rematch in the history of the business. I’m calling you out Silva, but we’re upping the stakes. I beat you, you leave the (185 lbs.) Division. You beat me, I will leave the UFC forever.

Sonnen has never been one to mince words, but his newfound swagger after all of the turmoil he faced in the UFC and in his personal life are greater than anyone could’ve expected.

For those who don’t remember, Sonnen fought Anderson Silva and dominated for most of the fight before falling into a choke and eventually tapping out.

After the fight, Sonnen tested positive for steroids and was suspended for a year (reduced to six months). During his time off he pleaded guilty and received two years probation for money laundering.

While all of the turmoil has drummed up more hype for a possible second fight between Sonnen and Silva, Sonnen has made it abundantly clear that he is back in the UFC for one reason.

Ariel Helwani of MMAfighting.com interviewed Sonnen after his fight on Saturday night:

Is that camera big enough to take in the largest arm in Westland, Oregon that has found its way to Houston, Texas? Because that thing looks a little bit small. I’m not here to be just one of the guys, I have plenty of money and plenty of fame. I’m after 12 pounds of gold and that’s it.

Silva has never been a man that backed down from a fight, and if Sonnen wants this fight bad enough, Dana White and the people of the UFC will make it happen.

With the hype that Sonnen created by calling out the champion after the fight, this fight could draw in the kind of numbers that make the UFC’s pockets that much fatter.

Check back for more on the UFC as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Mixed Martial Arts Page to get your fill of MMA. For more MMA talk, check out Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics you just can’t miss.

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UFC 136 Results: Chael Sonnen Proves Why He Is UFC’s MVP

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Chael Sonnen has not competed in UFC for 14 months, since his near-victory against Anderson Silva last August, but at UFC 136 it took him just 14 minutes to make his presence known as he made rising star Brian Stan…

Your changes have been published

Chael Sonnen has not competed in UFC for 14 months, since his near-victory against Anderson Silva last August, but at UFC 136 it took him just 14 minutes to make his presence known as he made rising star Brian Stann tap out and then issued the challenge to end all challenges.

“Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck,” Sonnen said during the post-fight interview. “Super Bowl, weekend, the biggest weekend but we’re upping the stakes.  I beat you, you leave the division.  You beat me, I will leave the UFC forever.” 

The only thing that Sonnen is known for more than his wrestling prowess inside the octagon is his ability to talk, and he did not disappoint in either area on Saturday night.

MMA purists hate professional wrestling style promos because they feel that it distracts from the sport, but if ever there was a money promo in this sport, this was it.

Fans and analysts were wondering what Sonnen had left after having so much time off. Not only did he make them look foolish, he set up arguably the biggest money fight in the history of the sport.

Sonnen and Silva are going to battle, and it sounds like it is going to happen in February, which is the best possible thing that could have happened to UFC.

Stann is a rising star and will have plenty of opportunities to fight for the middleweight championship, but the fight that the sport needed was Sonnen and Silva.

Of all the fights that UFC could possibly make, Sonnen and Silva will have the most mainstream anticipation because of the way their first bout went.

Sonnen is the only fighter in the last five years to give Silva a challenge. Add his ability to cut a promo on top of that, and you have the makings of a historic fight.

There are not a lot of true big money fights left that UFC can make, but the second bout between Sonnen and Silva is one of them.

And if you didn’t believe it before, you better after hearing Sonnen throw down the gauntlet.

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UFC 135 Results: Storybook Ending for Matt Hughes’ Career Isn’t in the Cards

Matt Hughes is arguably one of the biggest starts to ever grace the UFC’s cage, and the explosion of MMA in the USA has a lot to do with what Hughes did throughout his career. After being inducted to the UFC Hall of Fame in 2010, the two-time wel…

Matt Hughes is arguably one of the biggest starts to ever grace the UFC’s cage, and the explosion of MMA in the USA has a lot to do with what Hughes did throughout his career.

After being inducted to the UFC Hall of Fame in 2010, the two-time welterweight champion is second all time with 25 fights, and first in UFC history with 18 wins.

While he was one of the most dominant fighters the sport has ever seen, there hasn’t been much left in the tank over the last few years, and the popular consensus for the 37-year-old is that he will hang it up after his latest loss at UFC 135.

UFC president Dana White told MMAjunkie.com about the future of Hughes in the octagon of the UFC:

I think he’s going to retire. I just don’t think Hughes wants to say the word ‘retire.’ There was a lot of talk that this was the last fight on his contract. I don’t know if that’s true or not because he’s a guy I’ve never worried about last fights or whatever. He’s going to fly out to Vegas in the next month or so and sit down and talk, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to hang it up – without saying ‘retire’. I’m almost 100 percent positive he’s going to retire. I don’t think he’s going to do anything else.

There hasn’t been a big star in the UFC that hasn’t faced off with Hughes as a measuring stick, and most didn’t pass the test.

One of the few men that actually beat Hughes in the prime of his career was Georges St. Pierre, but Hughes also boasts the fact that he was one of the only fighters to hand GSP a loss earlier in their careers.

While all of the UFC publicity is good for Hughes ego, he has found God and loves his wife, and it looks like the right time to pack up his gear and walk away from the bright lights of MMA fighting.

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UFC 135: Jon Jones Earns Newfound Respect from Rampage Jackson

Before their fight at UFC 135, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson told the media that he had no respect for UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones. With Jones willing to share in the trash talking, all of the pressure was placed firmly on the shou…

Before their fight at UFC 135, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson told the media that he had no respect for UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones.

With Jones willing to share in the trash talking, all of the pressure was placed firmly on the shoulders of the defending champion, and he punished his opponent and earned his respect.

Rampage is not a modest or humble man, but he tells things how they are, and that’s something that is very refreshing from MMA fighters, who sometimes sound like drones.

Rampage Jackson told the USA Today about his loss to Jones, and his feelings towards him now:

I expected to come out here and close the distance, but he’s great. I thought it was hype, but the kid is good. When he got on top of me, I knew I had a big cut. I turned so he wouldn’t elbow this cut any more. It was a big mistake on my part.

While gaining the respect of Rampage Jackson is great, it will be the respect he earns from all of the veteran fighters that really matters in Jones’ career moving forward.

Jones is only 24 years old, and it is imperative to his career in the UFC that the veterans respect his abilities, because that respect will give Jones the edge.

Rampage Jackson may not be in his prime anymore, but the way Jones handled him with patience and power will make other veterans weary of the talent this young star possesses.

Check back for more on the UFC as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Mixed Martial Arts Page to get your fill of MMA. For more MMA talk, check out Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics you just can’t miss.

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