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UFC 149: Tim Boetsch Wants to Welcome Lombard with Knockout Victory

The month of July has been a showcase for top-level middleweights. Champions and contenders alike have competed under the spotlight and the outcomes of their battles have changed the hierarchy of the division’s upper tier.With the weight class still lo…

With the weight class still looking for the next clear cut contender to Anderson Silva‘s crown, the month’s final matchup of elite middleweights between Hector Lombard and Tim Boetsch at UFC 149 on Saturday may tip the balance.

While his opponent is entrenched with title talk and generating a buzz throughout the MMA community, Boetsch plans to spoil the party. He has won three consecutive bouts since dropping to middleweight and believes he is the next contender to the 185-pound throne. After he’s finished with Lombard, Boetsch believes no questions will remain.

“I absolutely feel I’m a contender in this division,” Boetsch told Bleacher Report. “When I fought Yushin Okami he was coming off a title shot against Anderson Silva. He didn’t win that fight but he was certainly ranked right there at the top of the weight class. He’s a tough fighter, highly skilled, and I think he will beat most of the other guys in our division. After defeating Okami I feel it catapulted me to the top.

“I think a win over Okami got me close and by defeating Hector I’ll be knocking on the door. This is a huge fight. It’s the biggest fight of my life and certainly the most important one I’ve had to date. This is the one that will put me one step away from becoming a champion.

“I honestly feel like I’m making my run for the championship. This weight class feels great and I’m a better fighter than I’ve ever been in the past. I’m still working, learning new stuff everyday and continuing to improve. But with that being said, I feel like I can beat anyone in the division right now. I’m very excited about this upcoming fight. Hector has a huge win streak going and he’s a former Bellator world champion. I’m beating my first world champion this weekend.”

When the UFC signed Lombard there was an immediate emphasis put on his fast track to title contention. The former Bellator middleweight champion has been a wrecking ball as he has steamrolled over his opposition.

Even with this being the case, Boetsch is in the majority who feels Lombard hasn’t faced the caliber of opponent the UFC roster represents and “The Barbarian” is happy to welcome him into the lion’s den.

“I’m really looking forward to being that first guy to fight him in the UFC,” Boetsch said. “I’d really like to be the guy who ends that big win streak for him. I’ve fought guys with win streaks in the past and I’m not intimidated by those type of numbers. He’s done his job well by knocking guys out in his previous fights. He moves forward, hits hard, and that’s what he is good at. But I’m good at a lot of things too and plan on being the dominant fighter on Saturday night.

“He definitely hasn’t faced the quality of opponent that we have in the UFC. Our middleweight division is much deeper than Bellator’s was. But Hector is obviously a very tough guy. You don’t win 25 fights in a row by accident. He’s legit and he’s going to come over here in his big test and honestly he’s not going to beat me.

“He’s not going to pass the test I’m going to give him. But he’ll certainly have success down the road because that is just the type of fighter he is. Lombard will be able to knock a lot of guys out over here and impose his will. But I’m not that guy and he’s not going to come over to the UFC and get his first win over me.

“I know my wrestling is much better than Hector’s and I’ll be able to use that to my advantage. With that being said, I want to give him his first knockout and I know I can do it. I hit just as hard as hard as he does and he will find that out very quickly in this fight.”

Throughout his career, Lombard has been able to build a Mike Tyson-esque mystique. He has been able to create the type of intimidation level where he’s been able to mentally defeat opponents before they ever step into the cage with him. He will not find Boetsch standing in that category. The veteran fighter is beyond excited for the opportunity.

“He is a scary guy to look at,” Boetsch said. “If you ran into him in a dark alley somewhere you would probably be intimidated by him. I think a lot of fighters are like that. They hear about his 25 wins in a row and they think he’s unstoppable. They see him across the cage glaring at them, all muscled up, but that doesn’t work on me.

“None of those things matter. In fact, some of the toughest guys I know are skinny little guys who you would never think could ever fight. You wouldn’t be afraid to start trouble with them but then you’d be picking yourself up off the floor. Looks are very deceiving in the fight game. I understand that very well and while Hector looks scary, I’m not intimidated by him in the slightest. I think it’s played a huge factor in a lot of his fights but it won’t factor into this one at all.

“I’m excited for this fight and I’m bringing fireworks. This is going to be an explosive fight from start to finish. He’s going to come out trying to take my head off and I’m going to be returning the favor. I’m looking to finish this fight and I’m looking to take Hector out.”

And when he says finish the fight, he means it.

“I’m going to finish him. This will not go to the judge’s decision,” Boestch said. “I’m going to wear him down and then take his head off.”

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Urijah Faber Focused & Determined to End Renan Barao’s Win Streak

You would be hard pressed to find another fighter more ambitious than Urijah Faber. The Team Alpha Male leader is a jack of all trades with a strong mind for business and an unflappable drive to accomplish his goals. He also happens to be one of the be…

You would be hard pressed to find another fighter more ambitious than Urijah Faber.

The Team Alpha Male leader is a jack of all trades with a strong mind for business and an unflappable drive to accomplish his goals. He also happens to be one of the best 135 pound fighters on the planet, and at UFC 149 he will have the opportunity to check “UFC champion” off his list.

When MMA needed it most, Faber was amongst a handful of fighters who helped push the sport to the next level. While Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz were carrying the UFC flag, Faber was at the helm of the WEC showing the world the excitement which came from the lighter weight classes. Faber didn’t just compete in the WEC; he was the king of the WEC—dominant and undisputed.

Like all fighters, “The California Kid” has faced ups and downs in his career. Losses to Mike Brown, Jose Aldo and Domick Cruz have stung him; but every time he’s stumbled, Faber has bounced back stronger and more determined.

Now he turns his focus to rising star Renan Barao, and the young Brazilian is the only thing standing between him and a dream realized. Faber told Bleacher Report, “Becoming a UFC champion would mean a lot[…]I started this sport almost nine years ago and when I first started I wrote down on a piece of paper that I wanted to be either a Pride or a UFC world champion.The WEC title was almost justification of that dream but I still didn’t have the exact title I wanted. This is a huge opportunity and I’m ready to take advantage of it”

The clash between Faber and Barao represents a battle between the proven and the capable. Faber has been a champion and knows what it takes to remain at the top, whereas Barao has scrapped his way up the rankings to the upper tier of the bantamweight division.

While Barao has built momentum, Faber believes he’s never faced the type of test he is going to bring into the Octagon. Faber said, “He’s never been in there with a guy like me[…]I’m not saying he doesn’t belong, it’s just that we haven’t seen it yet. We are going to get a real gauge of where Barao is at on Saturday. I’m looking to take his win streak out from under him. I don’t mind being the guy who says, ‘this is the top level and either you’re here or you aren’t.'”

“We are pretty closely matched across the board[…]I have a small advantage in wrestling, stamina and strength. His kicks and knees are probably his advantage. Everything else is close.”

“I think my speed matches up well but we are going to find out Saturday. You never really know that type of thing until you are standing in front of somebody. As soon as we are right there I think he’s going to be surprised to find out how fast I am.”

Due to the rash of injuries which has plagued the card for UFC 149, the match up for the interim bantamweight title was moved to the main event. In addition to the delay, the shuffling of opponents against the backdrop of a big fight would be enough to rattle a lesser fighter, but Faber has never been one to shy away from the spotlight, “I like to be one of the guys the UFC comes to come to the rescue[…]I’ve been a team player with them and always do my due diligence with media and things of that nature. Plus I always put on a show. That is the most important thing. I go out there and fight with heart and tenacity. I never give up and that’s something you are going to get from me every single time and the UFC knows that.”

“I’m going to be looking for the kill and trying to finish the fight from the get-go. I’m going to try to be really creative in this one. He’s a guy who brings it and I’m going to make sure I’m a step ahead. I’m ready for anything.”

Urijah Faber knows the task ahead will not be easy, but he wouldn’t appreciate reaching the destination if the journey wasn’t challenging. That is simply Urijah Faber’s way and what has motivated him to push himself to be the best fighter, entrepreneur, author and champion he can be.

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UFC 149: Cheick Kongo Ready to Get Back on Track Against Shawn Jordan

Setbacks are a common occurrence in mixed martial arts. Whether it is injury or defeat, a fighter must learn how to bounce back from unfortunate circumstances. Failure to do so can be the nail in the coffin for a fizzled out career. But when a fighter …

Cheick Kongo has been a staple of the UFC heavyweight division for the past six years.

Several times throughout this stretch he has fallen only to rebound in impressive fashion. After a loss to Mark Hunt in his last outing, Kongo once again finds himself in the position where he needs to make a statement.

He will have the opportunity to do so when he faces Shawn Jordan this Saturday night at UFC 149 in Calgary.

While he was originally slated to face Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Big Nog’s slow recovery resulted in him being pulled from the card. Jordan was tapped to fill his spot and despite the change of opponent, Kongo is ready to give the fans what they want to see.

“I was preparing for Big Nog but he was hurt and now I fight Shawn Jordan,” Kongo told Bleacher Report. “I was ready for a good fight against Big Nog but that’s how it goes some times—that’s life. The UFC found a new opponent and everything is okay. It is important for the fan base to have a good fight. I’m here and I’m doing my thing.”

“In preparation for the fight with Jordan I didn’t really change anything in my camp. I worked with my coaches and on my sparring. I was obviously training my jiu-jitsu and that switched to wrestling after my opponent changed.”

“No fighter is the same and we have to be very smart and disciplined in how we attack. I’m very confident in my skills and it is going to be a great fight. I’m getting the victory and I’m going to get back on track.”

Throughout his time in the UFC heavyweight division, Kongo has witnessed plenty of change. For years, the weight class was thin on talent but now it has become one of the most competitive divisions in the organization. While Kongo hopes to eventually regain his contender status he is well aware fighters on the rise such as Jordan are looking to take his place.

“New fighters are coming into the division all the time and they are looking to replace the more established fighters,” Kongo said. “A fight like this is important for me because I need to stay in the rankings and get back to the top of the division.”

“There is a variety in the heavyweight division now and more guys are closer to my weight. I used to have to be careful about being taken down by bigger guys. Now there is a mixture of strikers, wrestlers, jiu-jitsu guys and I have to be prepared to handle that. The division right now is really good and I like that. It makes it a better challenge.”

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UFC 149 Collision Course: Urijah Faber vs. Renan Barao

This Saturday night in Calgary, two of the world’s top 135-pound fighters will step into the Octagon to decide who will become the interim champion of the UFC bantamweight division. Urijah Faber will have the opportunity to finally get his hands on UFC…

Faber, a long-reigning former champion, has built a storied career. For years he was the face of the lighter weight classes and has scored impressive victories over some of the sport’s best. After several failed attempts, the only piece of the puzzle eluding him is a UFC championship. Should he earn the victory at the main event at UFC 149, Faber will add another block to an already solid legacy.

Barao, on the other hand, is in a different position. While little is known about him outside of the cage, the things he’s been able to accomplish inside have been impressive. The Brazilian has amassed an impressive win streak as he’s built momentum and mystique while ascending the divisional rankings. A win over Faber would be a launch pad for his career.

Both men have traveled different paths to get to Calgary. Let’s take a look at how they got there:

Urijah Faber

In the days before Zuffa merged the WEC into the UFC, Faber was the king of the little blue cage. He became the organization’s featherweight champion in his first outing and went on to successfully defend the belt on six occasions.

A key factor to Faber’s success has always been work ethic. In 2006 alone he competed six times, scoring victories in every outing—including a high-profile win over Bibiano Fernandes. That type of output, mixed with an unwavering drive, put him on the fast track to success in mixed martial arts.

High-level wrestling made him a standout, but as his skill set evolved, Faber became dominant. He steamrolled the competition at 145 pounds until Mike Brown ended his 13-fight win streak at WEC 36. Faber would come up short in his next two attempts to reclaim the belt he held for so long as Brown defeated him again in the rematch and pound-for-pound great Jose Aldo bested him in a lopsided decision.

Following the loss to Aldo, Faber made the cut down to the bantamweight division, where he looked extremely impressive in his first two outings against Takeya Mizugaki and former champion Eddie Wineland. The victories earned him the opportunity to fight for the 135-pound title against champion Dominick Cruz. Faber is the only man to hold a win over Cruz, and their meeting at UFC 132 was a five-round battle.

When the judges’ scorecards were read, Cruz walked away with the unanimous decision victory and Faber found himself on the verge of being reshuffled in the divisional deck. But after a strong showing and a quick finish against former champion Brian Bowles in his next outing, he once again put his bid in for a title shot.

The UFC granted Faber his wish, and the two rivals were selected as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter Live with their trilogy bout slated as the co-main event of UFC 148. Unfortunately, Cruz suffered an ACL injury toward the end of the tournament and the organization tapped Barao to take his place.

Due to the length of time the champion will be sidelined the UFC instituted an interim title, which will be awarded to the winner of the bout at UFC 149.

Renan Barao

After losing the first fight of his professional career, Barao turned a corner and hasn’t looked back. The Nova Uniao product has notched 28 consecutive victories, making him the proud owner of one of the longest win streaks in the sport.

Much like Faber, Barao has remained extremely active throughout his career. Over an 11-month stretch from March 2008 to April 2009, he earned eight victories with five of them coming by way of finish. Barao built his name fighting in Brazil, but eventually the buzz grew big enough for him to earn an invite to compete in the WEC.

In Barao’s first two outings with the organization he earned submission victories, which included a first-round stoppage over the scrappy Chris Cariaso. When Zuffa announced the WEC would be merging into the UFC, Barao’s contract was absorbed and he was brought over to the Octagon.

His UFC debut against Cole Escovedo ended in a decision, but Barao quickly returned to his dominant ways in his next bout against Brad Pickett. In a rapid-fire affair that earned “Fight of the Night” honors, Barao submitted Pickett late in the opening round. The performance earned him rave reviews, but it was his next fight which would put him on the radar for title contention.

At UFC 143 he faced former No. 1 contender Scott Jorgensen. A scrappy wrestler with knockout power, Jorgensen was figured to be the toughest test thus far in the Brazilian’s career. But by utilizing his unique blend of speed, power and accuracy, Barao battered Jorgensen from pillar to post en route to earning a lopsided unanimous decision victory.

Following the bout, Barao moved into the upper tier of the UFC bantamweight division. With champion Cruz already tied up in a third fight with Faber, the UFC scheduled Barao’s next bout to come against veteran Ivan Menjivar at UFC 148. A pair of injuries would alter that course as Cruz’s injury opened the window for Barao to step into the fight with Faber.

Next would come the injury to his friend and teammate Jose Aldo, who was set to defend his featherweight title against Erik Koch at UFC 149. With the bout scrapped, the organization pushed Faber vs. Barao back to July 21, where the two men will square off for the interim title in Calgary.

Both men need this fight for different reasons.

This could be the final title opportunity of Faber’s career, and failure to complete his goal would serve to haunt such a self-driven and determined man to no end. He wants to be a UFC champion more than anything, and if he misses the mark against Barao, it would become a dream unrealized. But losing isn’t an option and Faber intends on proving he has what it takes to figure out the puzzle of Renan Barao.

While his opponent is in the later stages of his career, Barao’s is just now taking flight. A win over Faber will greatly accelerate that process and at just 25 years old, his physical prime is yet to come.

This is undoubtedly the biggest fight of his young career, and a victory over a highly decorated fighter such as Faber would prove beyond a shadow of a doubt the hype surrounding him is legit. It is a tremendous opportunity for Barao, and one he intends to capitalize on.

On Saturday night, two great fighters will step into the Octagon. One is looking to define a legacy while the other is preparing to begin his.

Two fighters who have traveled different routes to get to the top of the sport and their paths collide this weekend at UFC 149.

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Shawn Jordan Looking to Capitalize on Biggest Opportunity of His UFC Career

More than any other event in recent memory, UFC 149 has been ravaged by injuries. Every scheduled matchup on the original lineup has either been scrapped or altered, and the organization has scrambled to hold the ship together as July 21st approaches.A…

Amidst all the chaos, opportunity came knocking for Shawn Jordan, and it’s a challenge he’s looking forward to answering.

The former LSU fullback turned UFC heavyweight faces the biggest test of his young career when he steps into action against veteran Cheick Kongo this Saturday night.

The French powerhouse was originally slated to face Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. After “Big Nog’s” physicians deemed that the injury he suffered at UFC 140 was not fully healed, the former Pride champion was forced to withdraw, and the UFC tapped Jordan to take his place.

Jordan is coming off a successful debut, in which he earned a stoppage victory over Oli Thompson at UFC on FX 2 in Sydney, Australia. In the bout he was able to use pressure and his heavy hands to put his opponent away in a second-round stoppage.

Rather than take measured steps up the divisional ladder, Jordan is eager to test his skills against a fighter with the experience Kongo brings into the cage.

“My manager called me about the fight at one o’clock in the morning, and I was half asleep,” Jordan told Bleacher Report. “I didn’t hesitate for a second to take this fight. How could you say no? It’s a huge opportunity. It’s a jump up in competition, and Cheick is well known. He’s been around for a long time, and he’s a great fighter. I used to watch him back before I ever started fighting.

“It’s exciting, and that’s why I’m in the sport. I want to compete against the best guys I could possibly fight. I’m really looking forward to it because this is a fight that could move me up, and that is where I want to keep going.”

In addition to being the more experienced fighter, Kongo’s striking skills will also be an advantage in the bout. Throughout his career the Frenchman’s length and range have been two of his biggest assets.

It is when his opposition works its way inside that Kongo has been known to struggle.

“This is one of those matchups where you have two big heavyweights who both have knockout power,” Jordan said. “Stylistically, I think it is going to come down to who can adapt the quickest to the other guy’s style. Kongo is taller and has more reach on me, but I think it’s a great matchup.

“It could very well come down to who gets their punches off first and imposes their game plan. I have no problem going to the ground if that’s where we are going to go, but it’s exciting to get in there and bang with a guy who’s been fighting in this sport forever.

“I’m coming out to fight, and it’s going to be exciting. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to compete against a great athlete. I want to show that I belong in the UFC, and this is going to be fun.”

As Jordan enters the third year of his professional fighting career, he is still making adjustments to fighting on the biggest stage in mixed martial arts. As a former standout at a perennial powerhouse college football program, though, Jordan has plenty of experience with passionate fanbases.

He understands that the fans make the MMA world go round, and it is something he appreciates.

“There are pretty big differences as far as the fanbases are concerned,” Jordan said. “At LSU the fans are great. They know everything about you and they are extremely supportive. They want you to do well, look out for you, and they still keep up with me now in my fighting career. There is a huge market of fans in this sport, whereas in football the fans are particular to one university or city.

“In football it’s not as intimate because you are one person on a team of 40-70 guys who are all contributing to one game. The fans have more people to spread things over. When it comes to fighting, it’s just you and your opponent. That creates a more personal situation. You are either praised or criticized for your individual performance, rather than how it would be in a team competition.”

While the bout with Kongo will be only Jordan’s second showing inside the Octagon, he sees a bright future in the UFC heavyweight division.

Over the past year, the competition level has grown considerably. With the influx of fighters coming over from Strikeforce and a handful of prospects battling their way up the ladder, Jordan believes the division is going to experience some changes in the near future.

“The heavyweight division is stacked right now, and it’s only going to improve,” Jordan said. “There are so many great fighters right now, but I think we are going to see a difference the more transition athletes come into the sport. It will change the fighting style in the future.

“We already have some guys like myself and Lavar Johnson who came from a football background. Travis [Browne] came from a basketball background, and they are big, athletic guys with power. They have more to offer than just being tough, and it’s changing things.

“A bunch of talented fighters and great competitors came over from Strikeforce. It’s getting tougher and tougher to win, and it’s only going to get harder as the division grows.

“It’s great to be a part of this division and it’s only going to get more exciting as it develops.”

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Renan Barao Excited to Face Urijah Faber at UFC 149 (Exclusive Interview)

One of the best-kept secrets in mixed martial arts will take the sport’s biggest stage this Saturday night in Calgary at UFC 149. For the past seven years, Brazilian Renan Barao has been a wrecking machine, amassing an impressive 28-fight win streak. D…

One of the best-kept secrets in mixed martial arts will take the sport’s biggest stage this Saturday night in Calgary at UFC 149.

For the past seven years, Brazilian Renan Barao has been a wrecking machine, amassing an impressive 28-fight win streak. During this stretch, no opposition has been able to find an answer for his unique blend of speed, power and precision. When those attributes are matched with a slick ground game, Barao becomes a nightmare to decipher.

Since coming stateside, Barao has looked unstoppable. Now the task falls on former WEC champion Urijah Faber to do what 28 others could not.

Following the injury to bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, the UFC tapped Barao to step into action against “The California Kid.” Due to the lengthy amount of time Cruz will be sidelined, the organization opted to create an interim title in order to keep the divisional picture moving.

At UFC 149, Barao will find himself one victory away from reaching his goal of becoming a UFC champion. It is an opportunity he’s dreamed of for years. He credits his family at Nova Uniao, including featherweight champion Jose Aldo, for helping prepare him for the biggest fight of his career.

“What motivates me is what I’ve gotten past in my life and my training,” Barao told Bleacher Report through his translator Eduardo Perdigao. “The consecutive victories are the result of my hard work. I’m very happy to have this opportunity and only have my teammates to thank.”

“Training with Jose Aldo has absolutely helped me prepare, but my other teammates like Hacra, Jonny, Beicao, Dudu Dantas and Marlon have been a big factor as well.”

Faber, once the long-reigning champion of the WEC featherweight division, has been one of the sport’s most dominant fighters in the lighter weight classes. Much like Barao, Faber is familiar with putting together win streaks.

Before losing his title to Mike Brown, Faber notched 13 consecutive victories inside the blue cage, using his wrestling and power to steamroll the opposition. Barao is confident he can handle Faber’s greatest attribute and is looking forward to mixing it up with the former champion.

“I’ve trained my wrestling as well as my takedown defense,” Barao said. “My training has gone very well. I’m very focused for this fight and his wrestling will not be a problem. It will be a tough fight. Urijah is an experienced fighter and well rounded. I will do my best to get that belt.”

As the main event at UFC 149 approaches, Barao’s ability to fly under the radar will become nonexistent. Should he be victorious against Faber, Barao will join the growing list of Brazilian UFC champions. While he feels honored to represent his country, the heat of the spotlight doesn’t phase him.

“I’m very happy to be Brazilian and represent my country in the UFC,” Barao said. “Brazil needs victories and happiness. I am prepared to give all I can for the Brazilian people.”

“I’m feeling no pressure at all for this fight. I just have to do my part and put my trust in my coaches and friends.”

Throughout his career, Barao has been a fighter who allows his work inside the cage to do the talking. Of his 28 victories, 19 have come by either knockout or submission. The language barrier may create some issues with the American fanbase, but fighting is a universal language. Barao plans on doing his part and giving fans a performance they can appreciate.

“I’m an extremely focused fighter,” Barao said. “I am a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and my skills are very well rounded. Most importantly, I never give up. This is going to be a great fight on a big card. I’m excited to face Urijah Faber. Let’s do it!”

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