Todd Duffee has been pursuing a fight with Frank Mir for weeks, and it looks like he finally got his wish.
The resurgent powerhouse will step into the Octagon with the former two-time heavyweight champion in the main event when the UFC returns to San D…
Todd Duffee has been pursuing a fight with Frank Mir for weeks, and it looks like he finally got his wish.
The resurgent powerhouse will step into the Octagon with the former two-time heavyweight champion in the main event when the UFC returns to San Diego for Fight Night 71. The news was broke by Ariel Helwani during the most recent installment of UFC Tonight on Wednesday, where it was officially confirmed the two heavyweights had agreed to the bout.
After a two-year absence from the sport’s biggest stage, the American Top Team product returned to pick up a quick knockout over Phil De Fries at UFC 155 in December 2012. Following his victory in Las Vegas, Duffee was diagnosed with Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, and the affliction kept him on the sidelines for another lengthy stint. The 29-year-old Indiana native battled his way through rehabilitation to make a triumphant comeback against Anthony Hamilton at UFC 181 this past December, where he knocked out the Washington native in the first round.
With back-to-back victories inside the Octagon, Duffee was determined to draw one of the biggest names in the division for his next fight and set about on a social-media campaign to court Mir for that role. The heavyweight divisional staple was coming off a first-round knockout of his own as the Las Vegas native drubbed Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in quick fashion in their main event tilt at Fight Night 61 in Brazil.
Mir’s win over Silva was his first victory since submitting rival Antonio “Big Nog” Nogueira in brutal fashion at UFC 140 in December 2011 and brought his four-fight losing streak to an end. While Mir—who is considered to be a perennial contender in the heavyweight ranks—may have been seeking an opponent with a higher profile for his next outing, the current divisional picture has the majority of top names currently booked in upcoming matches.
He was rumored to be in line for a trilogy bout with Brock Lesnar, but when the former champion re-signed with the WWE and officially retired from MMA that bout went up in smoke.
This situation left few options for either fighter, and the UFC saw it best to put the fight together. Mir vs. Duffee will be a crucial matchup for both men, as the Coconut Creek, Florida, transplant will be looking to obtain the biggest victory of his career, while the jiu-jitsu ace will be out to gain more traction on his run toward another shot at the heavyweight title. They are slated to square off on July 15 at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California.
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
Cub Swanson has a different mentality when it comes to the fight game. He knows a complex understanding of both the physical and mental realms is required, and the process of putting those elements in sync is what his run up the UFC’s featherweight lad…
Cub Swanson has a different mentality when it comes to the fight game. He knows a complex understanding of both the physical and mental realms is required, and the process of putting those elements in sync is what his run up the UFC’s featherweight ladder has been all about.
While others see trading leather inside the cage as competition or the opportunity to test their will against the durability of another, Swanson has an added element in his approach. “Killer Cub” has long been fascinated with the capabilities of the physical machine, and his personal skill set is a unique blend of power, speed and creativity. The end result of that mixture has made the 31-year-old Palm Springs, California, native one of the most explosive finishers in the featherweight ranks, and it has carried him to the elite tier of the highly competitive division.
When those talents are coupled with tenacity and resilience, the full package of what Swanson has to offer becomes clear.
While he’s found success at a high rate inside the Octagon, there have also been setbacks along the way. However, his ability to bounce back from rough turns has allowed him to establish longevity in a sport in which consistency is perhaps the most difficult task to achieve. And Swanson has it in spades. He’s the longest-tenured featherweight under the Zuffa banner, and that doesn’t happen without resolve.
After having a six-fight winning streak snapped against Frankie Edgar at Fight Night 57 back in November, the Jackson/Winkeljohn-trained fighter was eager to get things back on track. Swanson knew he had to dig in to turn things around and that nothing comes easy where personal progress is concerned.
“The ability to lean into adversity is something I’ve always had,” Swanson told Bleacher Report. “Tough times not only make you stronger, but you grow from those experiences. The same is true with fighting. You have to lean into it. When someone throws a power shot and you want to counter, you have to lean into it as you block it so that you can come right out with what you are throwing. If you roll away or lean back, it’s going to knock you off balance, and you won’t be able to counter the punch. Being able to do that comes from experience, and life is the same exact way.
“It’s how you get up that matters in life, and I’ve had to do it many times. I’ve had 27 fights as a professional, with my 28th coming up, and I’ve never lost two in a row. Any time I’ve been knocked down, I’ve come back even better. I think everyone knows that about me.”
His opportunity to do just that arose when Max Holloway stepped up to the challenge after defeating Cole Miller at Fight Night 60. “Blessed” earned a lopsided decision over the American Top Team product, and the UFC offered up a fight with the perennial featherweight contender in his post-fight interview. Holloway accepted the bout, and the two dynamic strikers are set to square off at UFC on Fox 15 on April 18 in Newark, New Jersey.
While Swanson appreciates the versatility the young Hawaiian brings to the cage, he’s confident he will have what it takes to get the job done against Holloway. The SoCal representative believes they are going to put on a show, but it will be one he walks away from victorious.
“This is one of those fights where I need to make sure I’m focused on myself and making sure I’m firing off,” Swanson said. “I have to make sure my distance is good and I’m not playing his game. Max [Holloway] is always game, and I like the way he fights. I think this could easily turn into a situation where we are both out there on our feet throwing crazy stuff, or it could be a fight where I dominate.
“I just have to make sure I’m on point that day, and that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to show beautiful destruction was once again. I want to go out there and put on a show for the fans and walk away with the victory.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
Chad Mendes wants another opportunity to get his hands on championship gold.
The Team Alpha Male staple is only one fight removed from his last attempt to claim the UFC featherweight title, but his most recent performance solidified the fact that “Mone…
Chad Mendes wants another opportunity to get his hands on championship gold.
The Team Alpha Male staple is only one fight removed from his last attempt to claim the UFC featherweight title, but his most recent performance solidified the fact that “Money” is still in elite form.
The Sacramento-based fighter and perennial contender destroyed fellow former title challenger Ricardo Lamas via first-round knockout when the two met in the main event at Fight Night 63 this past Saturday in Fairfax, Virginia.
While “The Bully” figured to be one of the toughest challenges of Mendes‘ career, the featherweight powerhouse answered the challenge with relative ease.
Mendes used his speed and power to make the difference as he caught Lamas with a big right hand in an early exchange that sent the Chicago native to the canvas. With his opponent on wobbly legs, Mendes‘ killer instinct took over as he poured on the offense until referee Dan Miragliotta stepped in to stop the fight.
While his victory at Fight Night 63 put Mendes back into the win column, he is also optimistic that it will carry him to another crack at the featherweight title.
A pair of high-profile fights on deck could serve to play a major factor in that equation, as Frankie Edgar is set to face Urijah Faber on May 16, and Jose Aldo and ConorMcGregor are slated to handle their business at UFC 189 on July 11 in Las Vegas.
The former two-time title challenger will have to wait to see how things play out, but Mendes is more than ready for another shot at the featherweight crown.
He talked about his hopes for the next step at the post-fight press conference for Fight Night 63 this past Saturday:
I’ve been trying to figure out who I would fight after this, if I were to go out there and beat Ricardo. The only thing that makes sense in my mind is back for that title. We’ve just got to wait to see what happens with Aldo-McGregor and Frankie-Faber. So we’ll see.
I’m kind of just in a weird spot right now.
…
I’m going to be watching the Frankie-Faber fight and the Aldo-McGregor fight very closely, just hoping that I can get back in there and fight for that title soon. And if that’s not the case, if it’s not too far off from being up there in the top-three or top-four, I’ll probably take a fight. But like I said, I’ve got to talk to the UFC.
Although it will take a few moving parts falling into place for Mendes to be granted the next shot at the featherweight strap, there’s no doubt he’s within striking distance of that coming to fruition.
The 29-year-old Californian has been a dominant presence in the featherweight ranks since the division formed in 2011 and has steamrolled every opponent not named Jose Aldo that he’s faced inside the Octagon.
Mendes has won eight of his 10 showings under the UFC banner, with six of those wins ending in finishes.
Furthermore, despite ultimately getting a notch in the loss column in his rematch with Jose Aldo at UFC 179 last October, Mendes picked up solid momentum and appreciation from the UFC fanbase as he took the Brazilian phenom to the wire in a five-round war in Brazil.
Mendes‘ performance against the dominant champion provided proof of an expanding skill set, and his knockout against Lamas was another sign of the progress he’s making inside the cage. He wants to keep things rolling in that department and knows there is a limited amount of time for things to take shape in his mixed martial arts career.
Speaking with reporters at that same press conference, Mendes said he is aware of the ticking clock and wants to make the most of the time he has left competing inside the Octagon:
I don’t want to sit out for another year. I only got one fight last year. I don’t want to have another year of just one fight. I’m turning thirty this year. I’m probably only going to be doing this for another six, seven years, so I’m trying to make as much money as I can, getting in there and putting a pounding on my body. So you know, I’ll have to talk to (the UFC).
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
The race for supremacy in the UFC’s featherweight division has never been hotter than it is in 2015.
No. 1 contender Conor McGregor literally chased long-reigning champion Jose Aldo around the world during the promotional tour for this summer’s UF…
The race for supremacy in the UFC’s featherweight division has never been hotter than it is in 2015.
No. 1 contender ConorMcGregor literally chased long-reigning champion Jose Aldo around the world during the promotional tour for this summer’s UFC 189, and a collection of top fighters in the 145-pound ranks are lined up to make their bids to be the next championship contender in the featherweight fold.
And off those showdowns, the main event at UFC Fight Night 63 in Fairfax, Virginia, was perhaps the most crucial.
Chad Mendes and Ricardo Lamas squared off in the main event to determine who would remain in the hunt and who would be pushed to the back of the pack in the elite tier of the division. The Team Alpha Male staple came into the tilt fresh off his second failed attempt to dethrone Aldo, in a bout where he took the Brazilian phenom into deeper waters than any previous opponent had before. Yet, in order for him to get back to a championship opportunity, he needed to derail The Bully, who came into Saturday’s bout with a full head of steam.
After his loss to Aldo at UFC 169 back in February 2014, the Chicago native had collected back-to-back victories over tough competition. Those wins led to his scrap with Mendes at Fight Night 63. With both fighters determined to become the next No. 1 contender, the main event in Fairfax was almost guaranteed to be a barnburner, but that’s not what Mendes had in mind.
The Sacramento-based fighter felt Lamas out early and then dropped him with a crisp shot as the MMA Masters product attempted to close the distance. Once Lamas was hurt, Mendes pounced and poured on the heat until the referee stepped in to end the bout, which put the cap on another incredible performance from the perennial title contender.
Let’s take a look at the good, bad and strange from Fight Night 63.
The Good
Chad Mendes wants another shot at the featherweight title.
After falling short in both of his previous opportunities to snatch the 145-pound strap, Money came into his bout with Ricardo Lamas at Fight Night 63 determined to jump back into the title hunt. That said, many figured The Bully to be one of the toughest tests of his career, but the Team Alpha Male staple answered the challenge with ease.
Mendes caught Lamas in an early exchange, and the Chicago native was never able to recover. Mendes stayed on task with intensity until Lamas gave up the ghost, and the referee was forced to step in. It was another impressive victory for a fighter who has made a career out of impressive showings, and it will create an interesting situation atop the featherweight division.
With Mendes being one fight removed from a title opportunity, his victory over Lamas on Saturday doesn’t necessarily guarantee another title shot. Fellow top-ranked contender Frankie Edgar is set to step in against Urijah Faber next month, and champion Jose Aldo will settle his feud with ConorMcGregor in July.
The divisional situation has a lot of moving parts, and things could play out a number of ways, but regardless of how things shake out, Mendes once again proved he’s the man to beat in the featherweight ranks.
*** There was a solid amount of tension between Michael Chiesa and Mitch Clarke in the buildup to their tilt in Fairfax. The two men started with a heated pre-fight staredown and continued that friction inside the Octagon on Saturday.
That said, the opening two rounds of the fight were all Chiesa. The Spokane-based fighter used his pressure and control to dominate throughout the first 10 minutes of the bout as he came close to putting Clarke away several times. While the MMA Lab representative would rebound to duke it out in the final frame, it was too little, too late. Chiesa picked up the unanimous-decision victory for his third win in his past four outings.
*** A knee injury put Julianna Pena out for a lengthy stint, but The Venezuelan Vixen didn’t appear to miss a beat against MilanaDudieva. The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 winner recaptured the momentum she had pre-injury by putting a beating on her opponent on Saturday. As has become her calling card, Pena’s pressure was too much for Dudieva, as the referee eventually stepped in to call off the ground-and-pound drubbing the Washington State native was handing out. With the victory, Pena not only marked a triumphant return but re-established herself as a formidable presence in the women’s bantamweight ranks.
***Fan favorite Clay Guida changed things up before his bout with Robbie Peralta at Fight Night 63. The longtime staple at Jackson/Winkeljohn’s in New Mexico decided to take his preparation to Team Alpha Male due to the plethora of lighter-weight fighters in the camp’s stable. That decision paid off, as The Carpenter returned to form against Peralta.
Guida put his notoriously heavy pace on the Californian early and kept it cranked up until the final bell. The end result was a unanimous-decision victory and his second win in his last three showings inside the Octagon.
*** Despite having found success at a high rate as a featherweight, Dustin Poirier wanted to start a new chapter in his career as a member of the talented lightweight fold. The Diamond made that jump in Fairfax against talented grappler Carlos Diego Ferreira to kick off the main card at Fight Night 63. Where the Louisiana native’s tenacity and aggression were crucial elements to the victories he earned at 145, those elements were still intact and on display in his new weight class.
Poirier battered Ferreira early and often until he eventually put him away with strikes from top position to get the win. The American Top Team product’s performance was not only strong enough to melt his Brazilian opponent but earned him a quick turnaround when the UFC touches down in his home state for Fight Night 68 in June.
*** After two rough outings in the welterweight division, Alexander Yakovlev made his official lightweight debut at Fight Night 63. The Thunder of the North was looking to finally gain some traction under the UFC banner and had a tough test in former title challenger Gray Maynard in front of him. That said, the rangy Russian came to fight Saturday and got the job done against the Xtreme Couture representative, working behind his length and counterwrestling skills. While the bout wasn’t necessarily action-packed, defeating a name like Maynard is a great first step into 155-pound waters for Yakovlev.
*** Although the heavyweight tilt between ShamilAbdurakhimov and Timothy Johnson was about as rough as a fight that ended in the first round can be, the mustachioed American came out the victor on Saturday. He struggled to close distance early but then caught a well-timed level change to put the Dagestan native on the canvas. Once there, he unloaded a flurry of shots from the mount, and referee Mike King waved off the action in the waning seconds of the opening frame.
While there was nothing pretty about the fight, props go to King for being the first official in quite some time to jump in and take a point from Abdurakhimov for repeatedly grabbing the fence. Even though the point deduction ultimately had no impact on the outcome, it was nice to see an official lay down the thunder for a blatant infraction of the rules.
The Bad
The past few years have brought rough waters for former two-time lightweight title challenger Gray Maynard.
The Las Vegas native went from being one of the best 155-pound fighters on the planet to the fringes of obscurity due to a three-fight losing streak against tough competition. The former standout wrestler from Michigan State University came into his bout with Alexander Yakovlev in desperate need of a victory but just didn’t get it done Saturday night. Despite a solid start, the Russian’s size was ultimately too much of an obstacle to overcome, as Yakovlev picked up the unanimous-decision victory on the judges’ scorecards.
With the setback at Fight Night 63, Maynard has now dropped four consecutive fights and five of his past six. While the UFC has kept several fighters on the roster despite having a four-fight losing skid on their shoulders, it’s difficult to tell what the future will be for The Bully. The 35-year-old Xtreme Couture product was a crucial element in bringing the lightweight division to prominence in the post-B.J. Penn era, and that aspect could land him one more chance at turning things around.
Then again, his bout against Yakovlev on Saturday could well be his final showing inside the Octagon.
The Strange
Lauren Murphy just can’t catch a break.
The MMA Lab representative came out on the raw end of a questionable split-decision loss to Sara McMann in her promotional debut last August, and that trend continued Saturday at Fight Night 63. The Alaska native traded leather with Liz Carmouche and took the fight to the former title challenger for the first two rounds. The former Marine would take the upper hand in the third frame, but it didn’t seem enough to sway the tide of the fight.
That said, MMA judging is a curious monster.
While it’s difficult to say any decision rendered by MMA judges these days is shocking, the way things fell with Murphy vs. Carmouche certainly qualifies. The 31-year-old Arizona transplant took the fight to her opponent for the opening 10 minutes, and when she wasn’t in physical control of the action, she was backing Carmouche across the Octagon. That element would change in the final round as Carmouche‘s game kicked into gear, but the final four minutes should not negate the 11 that came before them.
The judges saw Carmouche taking the fight, dealing Murphy her second consecutive loss inside the Octagon. She well could be 2-0 under the UFC banner, but therein lies the push in MMA. Just because it has become cliche to tout never leaving a fight in the hands of the judges doesn’t mean there isn’t truth there. Murphy is a great example of this strange wrinkle, but she’s far from alone. And while that too is unfortunate, as Gus Johnson once famously said, “Those things happen in MMA.”
Staying with the timeless words of Mr. Johnson, the baffling decisions rolled on to the co-main event between Jorge Masvidal and Al Iaquinta. Where Murphy vs. Carmouche could be debated, there is no way to explain the scorecards for this lightweight tilt. Masvidal dominated the first round and put Iaquinta in serious trouble late in the frame. While the Serra-Longo fighter would regain his footing and put together a bit of offense of his own, Masvidal shrugged off every shot and continued to press his offense.
When the bout concluded, things appeared to be clear cut for Masvidal, but two of the judges saw things working out exactly the opposite, awarding Iaquinta the split-decision victory.
Masvidal threw his hands up in protest and bolted out of the Octagon in frustration as the crowd at the Patriot Center rained down a chorus of boos. Uncertain of where the disdain was being directed at, Iaquinta earned his “Ragin'” nickname as he launched off on a tirade, berating the dissenters. While it was undoubtedly a fun fight, Masvidal—not Iaquinta—should have picked up his fourth consecutive victory in Fairfax.
While the strange happenings inside the cage were mostly limited to the judges’ table on Saturday afternoon, a few notables took place beyond the Octagon. Unless fight fans are also lovers of promotional advertisements, it would be safe to assume the constant barrage of commercials during the spaced out six-fight main card was widely regarded as brutal.
Yet, perhaps the only thing more painful than the bevy of ad spots was the remote interview with former light heavyweight champion and recent UFC returnee Quinton Jackson during the main card on Fox Sports 1. Jon Anik tossed questions his way, but background music drowned out Rampage’s responses, and the confusion of a botched live moment mounted.
The interview would eventually level out, and Jackson would talk about his upcoming fight against Fabio Maldonado at UFC 186, but there is still an elephant in the room in that regard. As has been widely reported, Jackson is currently entrenched in a breach of contract with Bellator—the promotion he competed for after the UFC cut him in 2013—and the hearing on those matters is set to go down Tuesday.
Should things not go smoothly, Jackson would not be legally permitted to compete in Montreal, which would put the UFC’s co-main event in shambles. The card already lost its original headlining bout when T.J. Dillashaw had to withdraw from his rematch with RenanBarao, and losing a recognizable name like Jackson would be devastating to the pay-per-view lineup.
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
The card for UFC 189 is already stacked with star power, but the event added a little more firepower with the recent addition of what is guaranteed to be a shootout in the welterweight ranks.
As announced on Wednesday’s edition of UFC Tonight, the prom…
The card for UFC 189 is already stacked with star power, but the event added a little more firepower with the recent addition of what is guaranteed to be a shootout in the welterweight ranks.
As announced on Wednesday’s edition of UFC Tonight, the promotion’s July 11 event has added a bout between 170-pound knockout artists Brandon Thatch and John Howard. The card is already figured to be one of the biggest of the year, with two title fights atop the billing as Jose Aldo will defend his featherweight strap against ConorMcGregor, and welterweight champion Robbie Lawler is set to put his title against Rory MacDonald.
UFC 189 will take place at the MGM in Las Vegas and will be a part of the organization’s annual “International Fight Week” celebration.
The bout between Thatch and Howard is a crucial juncture in the careers of both fighters. “Rukus” will look to bounce back from his first loss in six years, when he was submitted by former lightweight champion Benson Henderson at Fight Night 60 back in February. Prior to his setback against “Smooth,” the Colorado native had won 10 consecutive bouts, with two of those victories coming under the UFC banner.
Due in large part to his striking skills, Thatch has generated a solid amount of buzz for his potential to be a major player in the 170-pound ranks, and he’ll need a victory over Howard to put those expectations back on track.
Things look a bit different on Howard’s side of the table going into UFC 189. Where “Doomsday” had previously built enough momentum to earn himself another tour on the UFC roster, the Massachusetts native has hit rough waters as of late. The Boston-based fighter has dropped each of his past three outings inside the Octagon, with his most recent showing ending via stoppage at the hands of Lorenz Larkin at Fight Night 57.
A loss against Thatch could very well cost Howard his spot on the UFC’s welterweight roster, but a victory over the up-and-coming striker would be the ideal scenario to keep his time inside the Octagon rolling.
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand, unless noted otherwise.
When Julianna Pena steps into the Octagon at Fight Night 63, it will be a moment that has been a long time in the making—and one that almost didn’t happen.
After her dominant run on The Ultimate Fighter during which she defeated Jessica Rakoczy t…
When Julianna Pena steps into the Octagon at Fight Night 63, it will be a moment that has been a long time in the making—and one that almost didn’t happen.
After her dominant run on The Ultimate Fighter during which she defeated Jessica Rakoczy to become the Season 18 tournament winner, Pena was poised to hit the UFC women’s bantamweight division with some momentum.
Shortly after her time on the reality-based fighting program, her next bout was booked against Jessica Andrade at UFC 171, and the Washington-state native set about preparing for the fight.
And that’s where her story takes a cruel turn.
The 25-year-old bantamweight suffered a devastating knee injury that required major surgery and put her mixed martial arts career in jeopardy in one brutal swoop.
Nevertheless, Pena’s mental toughness matches her aggression inside the cage, and she was determined to return to competing inside the Octagon. While she admits that there were some tough spots throughout her road to recovery, Pena never doubted her ability to return to form.
“I was able to stay positive with the help of my family and friends, the fans and my management team,” Pena told Bleacher Report. “They were able to lift my spirits and help me get through the difficult times. I want to give a thank you to my friends and family, the fans who have stayed loyal and dedicated, and Oren Hodak at KO Reps. They really made all the difference.”
On the physical side of things, the scrappy TUF winner put full trust in her surgeon, Dr. Ronald Kvitne, and her team at Sikjitsu to help her regain fighting form.
As soon as her knee could hold, Pena was back in the gym, and all the hard work and sacrifice invested are what she will be looking to turn into victory this Saturday in Fairfax, Virginia.
She will make her return against MilanaDudieva at Fight Night 63, and Pena has every intention of making it a triumphant comeback.
“I am competing at the highest level of this sport, but Dr. Kvitne was very confident in the surgery I received that I would be fighting within a year,” Pena said. “I just did everything both he and my physical therapist requested of me. I’ve always been known for my work ethic and I worked very hard in rehab. I was very dedicated and diligent in my recovery process, and as soon as I was back to submitting my partners in training and moving around the gym like I used to, that’s when I realized I hadn’t really missed a beat. I knew I could compete again, and that’s why I signed on to fight.
“[Dudieva] is very scary and dangerous. She’s coming to take my head off, and I take that very, very seriously,” she added. “It feels awesome to be back. I’m pumped up and I can’t wait.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
Todd Duffee has been pursuing a fight with Frank Mir for weeks, and it looks like he finally got his wish.