Author: Donald Wood

UFC 135 Live Streaming: Jones vs. Rampage Is Perfect Headliner for UFC 135

As with every UFC event, the level of quality should be fantastic from all fighters involved, and to miss the action would be foolish. If you want to stream the PPV online to watch it, UFC has built a UFC 135 Live Streaming page to show you how you can…

As with every UFC event, the level of quality should be fantastic from all fighters involved, and to miss the action would be foolish. If you want to stream the PPV online to watch it, UFC has built a UFC 135 Live Streaming page to show you how you can get the show.

The headlining fight of UFC 135 should be one of the most exciting bouts of the year, and it features defending Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones taking on veteran fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

While Jones has been known as a relatively humble fighter, Rampage has brought out the arrogance that every fighter needs to posses to be a great champion.

As the heat from the trash talking increases, so will the hype for this fight, and the war of words will escalate into an all-out brawl at UFC 135.

Jones told the Vancouver Sun about having to back up his trash talk against Rampage:

It definitely makes me fight better. The only reason it makes me fight better is because it makes me prepare better. I realize every quote I make, I’ve got to back it up. That’s why I try to not insult my opponent and say things that I only think will be true.

The usually quiet fighter knows what Rampage tries to do mentally to his opponents, and just like in the ring, Jones is prepared for anything and everything that his opponent will try on him.

While Rampage was initially thrown off by Jones attitude, he realizes that the smart, young fighter is trying not to tip his hand before the fight. Jackson knows this Jones kid is the real deal, but he knows that there isn’t a fighter Jones faced that has what Rampage has.

Rampage talked to the Vancouver Sun about Jones lack of experience, and the fact that he hasn’t fought someone like Jackson before:

I basically looked at the fight, my teammates looked at it and saw he ain’t really fought anyone like me. Everybody’s counting me out and it’s making me more and more confident. I’m going to relieve of him of his first loss. I’m going to be the person to give him the first (expletive)-whooping, so he can go on to be the great fighter that I know he can be.

Rampage is so much smarter than people give him credit for, and his statement is 100 percent right. Many people question Jones’ ability to take on a hard striker that isn’t afraid of him, and beating Rampage would catapult him into the mainstream lexicon.

With UFC 135 just days away, I can’t wait to see this fight and all of the stellar undercard specials.

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.

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Brock Lesnar: Why UFC Return Will Be Short Lived for Over-Hyped Star

The UFC finally has their biggest moneymaker back, and the over-hyped Brock Lesnar will get knocked out in his first fight back in the federation. On December 30, former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar will make his second return from a battle wi…

The UFC finally has their biggest moneymaker back, and the over-hyped Brock Lesnar will get knocked out in his first fight back in the federation.

On December 30, former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar will make his second return from a battle with the intestinal ailment diverticulitis against former Strikeforce Heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem at UFC 141.

As much as people may hate Lesnar, the heavyweight division has been in shambles since his departure and this is the perfect fight to bring the fans back in droves.

The winner of this fight will be in line to challenge the winner of the Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos Championship scrap at the first ever UFC on Fox on November 12.

While Lesnar was in line for a rematch, his time off has led him to have to fight his way back into the main-event picture, and unfortunately for the UFC, their biggest star will get knocked out.

As good as Shane Carwin was, and he damn near beat Lesnar, Overeem is a much better fighter and he will take advantage of Lesnar’s limited abilities outside of wrestling.

Overeem told the Los Angeles Times:

Brock is a big name, a dangerous guy, and this is a dream matchup. Brock’s a big guy, an exciting wrestler with his takedowns. I want to see this fight myself. Overall, I’m a different fighter. A striker, athletic, big. These are going to be two big trucks going at it on a collision course.

The UFC needs Lesnar to draw in the money for their pay-per-views, and as much as he can be annoying, he is the main draw for the company.

If he gets in that ring and gets beat down, the company will be doing itself a financial disservice, but UFC president Dana White doesn’t care.

White is concerned about putting on the best shows for the fans of MMA, and that is exactly what he is doing by pitting Lesnar up against Overeem at UFC 141.

Hopefully both men make it to the match, and we actually get our two super fights in November and December because that would set up a spring World title match between the winners of these two fights.

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.

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UFC 132 Preview: Final Predictions for Tonight’s Fight Card

With UFC 132 just a few hours away, the press around the pay-per-view isn’t what it should be for what is potentially an amazing card. The undercard is solid all the way though, and considering that this may be Tito Ortiz’s last fight, the lack o…

With UFC 132 just a few hours away, the press around the pay-per-view isn’t what it should be for what is potentially an amazing card.

The undercard is solid all the way though, and considering that this may be Tito Ortiz’s last fight, the lack of hype surrounding this PPV is a testament to just how far Ortiz has fallen.

With a possible slugfest between Wanderlei Silva and Chris Leben leaving people looking for more, the Bantamweight Championship between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber could be the best of the night.

Here are the full predictions for the UFC 132 pay-per-view Saturday night.

 

Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber

Defending Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz has not lost a fight since moving to the bantamweight division, but the only loss of his career came against the former titleholder Urijah Faber.

While Faber’s jump to bantamweight was spurred on by his lack of success at featherweight, I predict that he will lose to Cruz by decision and become the shell of what he was supposed to be when he came over in the WEC unification.

 

Wanderlei Silva vs. Chris Leben

This match has the potential to steal the show, but it all depends on the condition of both men as they enter the match. Silva is coming off knee surgery, and his age is worrisome as well.

Meanwhile, Leben is coming off a hard loss against Brian Stann at UFC 125. Nonetheless, he will win against Silva by KO in the second round.

 

Tito Ortiz vs. Ryan Bader

This fight is the ultimate match of new breed against old because Tito Ortiz was the face of UFC for a long time, whereas the winner of The Ultimate Fighter, Ryan Bader, is one of the company’s newer poster boys.

UFC President Dana White indicates that a loss from Ortiz would result in his release from the organization. Ortiz’s lack of concentration will make him a sitting duck for Bader’s aggressive attitude. Bader will win by KO in the first round.

 

Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim

Of all the fights taking place tonight, this is the one with the most intrigue surrounding it. Dong Hyun Kim is undefeated in his career, and he has won his last three fights by unanimous decision. Once in turmoil, Condit has turned his career around and stolen the show in each of the last two PPVs he worked, having earned the Knockout of the Night at UFC 120 and Fight of the Night at UFC 115.

This fight could steal the show. A late-round submission by Dong Hyun Kim will continue his undefeated streak.

 

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.

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UFC 131: Canadian Fighter Krzysztof Soszynski to Fight Massenzio in Montreal

Canadian Fighter Krzysztof Soszynski to fight Massenzio at UFC 131 in Montreal Winnipeg doesn’t just have the Jets to root for anymore because at UFC 131 in Montreal, Canadian fighter Krzysztof Soszynski will fight Mike Massenzio in what should be an…

Canadian Fighter Krzysztof Soszynski to fight Massenzio at UFC 131 in Montreal

Winnipeg doesn’t just have the Jets to root for anymore because at UFC 131 in Montreal, Canadian fighter Krzysztof Soszynski will fight Mike Massenzio in what should be an excellent match.

The Winnipeg native Soszynski was scheduled to fight Igor Pokrajac, but an injury forced him to pull out of the battle.

Pokrajac has been replaced with Mike Massenzio, who has a stellar track record as a tough fighter. Massenzio is on a rough stretch, though, losing three of his last five fights.

Must Read: UFC 131 Fight Card: Demian Maia and 15 Best Submission Artists in MMA Today

Looking at this matchup, Soszynski has the clear advantage in most categories, and he should be able to take this match fairly easily.

Soszynski is a superior ground-and-pound fighter that seems to only be involved in absolute battles. His victory over Stephan Bonnar and the subsequent rematch loss were the talk of the MMA world in 2010.

I think that this match could be trouble for Soszynski if Massenzio gets good position on the ground and taps him out. Other than that, I think Soszynski’s striking ability could end this bout by knockout early in the fight.

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.

UFC 131 Fight Card: Will Shane Carwin Beat Dos Santos and Earn a Title Shot?

UFC 131 Fight Card: Will Shane Carwin Beat Dos Santos and Earn a Title Shot? Shane Carwin is one of the toughest heavyweights in the UFC, and his battle against Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 was one of the year’s best fights. That loss to Lesnar has fueled…

UFC 131 Fight Card: Will Shane Carwin Beat Dos Santos and Earn a Title Shot?

Shane Carwin is one of the toughest heavyweights in the UFC, and his battle against Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 was one of the year’s best fights.

That loss to Lesnar has fueled Carwin’s urge to get back to the top of the heavyweight division, and now he gets his chance at UFC 131 in Canada.

Lesnar pulled out of the No. 1 contender match at UFC 131 with more stomach issues, and Carwin was more than willing to step in and take on Junior Dos Santos.

Must Read: UFC 131 Fight Card: Demian Maia and 15 Best Submission Artists in MMA Today

Junior Dos Santos is one of the toughest young fighters in the organization and was one of the few fighters to hand Roy Nelson a loss before Frank Mir did at UFC 130.

Dos Santos loves to stand up and throw punches, and the same can be said about Carwin, so something has to give. Dos Santos has the superior ground game and submission ability, but Carwin knows what his opponent can do and has been training hard on his ground work.

Carwin has the power to beat Dos Santos standing up, but if this fight goes to the ground, it has to favor the Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Dos Santos. I think Junior takes the fight by submission.

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.