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UFC 137 Extended In-Depth Preview: GSP vs Condit and Penn vs Diaz

The hype machine is in full swing for the next Ultimate Fighting Championship event, as evidenced by this UFC 137: Extended Preview video, courtesy of YouTube. This card is loaded at the top with a main event title fight between Georges St-Pierre and dangerous challenger Carlos Condit, plus a co-main event with “The Prodigy” BJ Penn taking on tough, bad boy Nick Diaz.

This video gives an in-depth preview of those two fights, as well as the main card heavyweight matchup between rising heavyweight Matt “Meat” Mitrione and French striker Cheick Kongo, which is sure to be a banging affair.

Welterweight Championship Title Fight

Georges St-Pierre vs Carlos Condit

It is no secret that Georges St-Pierre is in the midst of one of the most dominating title reigns in UFC history. He will look to dominate and win with his athletic, well-rounded style. GSP holds a 22-2 record and has not lost a fight since April 2007.

“I believe Carlos poses more problems to me that I haven’t seen. I’m gonna have to deal with a guy that has knockout power, very technical striking and a great ground game as well” St-Pierre states in the video.

“I will dictate the pace of the fight. We’ll fight my fight and I’ll take him out.”

Carlos Condit is one of the top contenders in the the division and is an extremely dangerous matchup for the champion. He is 27-5 in his career, with a well rounded 13 wins by knockout and 13 wins by submission. He is a former WEC welterweight title holder and is coming off a vicious knockout victory over Dong Hyun Kim.

“I’m hard to fight no matter what position we’re in. I’m going to beat you down physically and break you mentally, and I’m going to do that in this fight as well.”Condit said in the video.

“This is my dream. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain in this fight.”

BJ Penn vs Nick Diaz

BJ Penn is a former two-division champion in the UFC and is looking for one last shot at gaining another title before the end of his career draws near. “The Prodigy” is 16-7 in his career with 7 wins by knockout and six by submission, and he is coming off a draw with Jon Fitch in February.

“Everyone’s goal is to get to the top, and we’re gonna have to beat each other,” BJ Penn says in the video.

“Nothing surprises me with Nick Diaz.”

“This fight is the real main event of the night. This is it. BJ Penn and Nick Diaz this is a big fight.”

Nick Diaz is one of the most enigmatic beings in mixed martial arts and he is also one of the most dangerous. This is his first fight in his return to the UFC and his chance to show that he truly belongs with the sports’ elite. Diaz is 25-7 with 13 wins by knockout and eight by submission. He is on a ten fight win streak with his last win coming against Paul Daley.

“I’m better than these guys, you know. I can beat BJ Penn.”

“The thing is, if he gets in a bad spot he’s done, but if I end up in a bad spot I’m gonna get out.”

“This is all I got. This is who I am. I have no other way.”

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and correspondent for MMACanada.net.

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 140 Fight Card: Frank Mir vs. Big Nog II Head-to-Toe Breakdown

UFC star heavyweights Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira are set for a rematch this December 10 at UFC 140 at the Air Canada Center in Toronto.Mir comes in on a nice roll, gaining victories in his last two fights over Mirko Cro Cop and Roy Nelson, …

UFC star heavyweights Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira are set for a rematch this December 10 at UFC 140 at the Air Canada Center in Toronto.

Mir comes in on a nice roll, gaining victories in his last two fights over Mirko Cro Cop and Roy Nelson, respectively. Meanwhile, Nogueira regained some relevancy with his own knockout victory over young lion Brendan Schaub last month in Brazil.

Despite what some people may think or say, a fight between the two aging stars carries some significance in the heavyweight division, as the winner may find himself in a No.1 contender match sometime in 2012, possibly against the winner of Brock Lesnar-Alistair Overeem, or the loser of Cain Velasquez-Junior Dos Santos. Meanwhile, the loser of this fight may never come close again.

The fighters first clashed in 2008 at UFC 89, and the fight and the outcome did not play out how many people thought it would. Heading into that fight, many people had written Mir off and said that he only had a slight chance if the fight hit the ground. Nogueira was seen to have a heavy edge in the stand-up, toughness and experience categories.

In a perfect example of why fights are never fought on paper, Mir came out and dominated Big Nog on the feet with superior boxing footwork and combinations, gaining a shocking TKO victory.

Information came out shortly after the fight saying that Big Nog was suffering from a knee injury and staph infection that did not allow him to be at his best that night.

A healthy Big Nog, combined with the stakes, should provide a very intriguing and exciting rematch.

Here is my head-to-toe breakdown of Mir versus Big Nog II.

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UFC 140 Press Conference: Dana White, Jon Jones and Lyoto Machida in Toronto

Toronto is primed and ready for the UFC to return on December 10th with light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones defending his title against the world-class and elusive Brazilian Lyoto Machida.It will be the 2011 encore for the UFC north of the border as i…

Toronto is primed and ready for the UFC to return on December 10th with light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones defending his title against the world-class and elusive Brazilian Lyoto Machida.

It will be the 2011 encore for the UFC north of the border as it debuted in April with an incredible show both inside the cage and out, as fighters were scattered all over the city making appearances for flocks of rabid fans.

The UFC announced today that Jones, Machida, UFC President Dana White and Director of Canadian Operations Tom Wright will be in Toronto tomorrow, Oct. 12, to discuss the event at a press conference at 1:00 P.M. EST at the Air Canada Centre. It will be open to the public and streamed live at UFC.com.

Additionally, the fighters will hold an autograph session from 5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Real Sports Apparel, located within Maple Leaf Square.

“After his performance against Rampage, there’s no doubt Jon Jones is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport,” UFC President Dana White said.

“He’s already beaten Shogun and Rampage this year and now he gets Machida, a former champion. Machida is one of the most elusive and dangerous strikers in the UFC and he’s motivated to get the belt back. We’re giving the fans in Toronto a really great title fight.”

“I am thrilled to be fighting Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 in Toronto, which is just a few hours from my hometown, Endicott, N.Y.,” Jones said.

“He is an incredibly skilled fighter and one who poses numerous challenges inside the Octagon. He has only been defeated twice in his career and is coming off a big victory in April. For me, it will be important to just continue to focus on making myself better as a fighter, and keeping the fight at my intensity and aggression levels. It is my goal to become the first UFC fighter to defeat three former champions in one year.”

“I’m really excited to be fighting for the light-heavyweight title again,” Machida, owner of a 17-2 record, said. “Jon Jones is a great fighter and a great champion. It’s going to be my experience and technique against his youth and athleticism. It’s going to be a great fight.”

Aside from the mouth-watering title fight, the UFC rewarded Canadian fans with the Nogueira brothers, Tito Ortiz and Frank Mir all fighting on the card. They have also followed the usual blueprint of stacking the card with fighters from the host country, as we will see fan-favorites Mark “The Machine” Hominick. Rory MacDonald, Mark Bocek, Krzysztof Soszynski, John Makdessi and Mitch Clarke, all on the card.

Christmas is coming early for UFC fans in Canada.

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and Correspondent for MMACanada.net. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 140: Lyoto Machida Confident in His Skill to Beat Jon Jones

The main event has been announced for UFC 140 in Toronto and the surprise challenger has caused some controversy in the mixed martial arts world.Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will defend his title against Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida, not widely-r…

The main event has been announced for UFC 140 in Toronto and the surprise challenger has caused some controversy in the mixed martial arts world.

Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will defend his title against Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida, not widely-regarded number one contender Rashad Evans.

On the surface this matchup appears to be a bit out of sync, as Jones-Evans seemed primed and fans have been teased with that fight for some time now. However, Evans has shown that he is clearly injured and not in good enough form form to train and get prepared in time for the December 10th event.

Two and a half years have passed since Lyoto Machida’s spectacular knockout of Rashad Evans to take the title at the time, and performance, timing and circumstance has left him in a no man’s land with his place in the division.

I have always been intrigued with the style matchup that is Jones-Machida, and according to Sherdog.com, “The Dragon” is confident that he has the skill set to defeat Jones.

“It’s hard to say what the perfect style is to stop Jones.” Machida said. “I have a lot of trust in my skills against any fighter. I won’t change what people have seen, and I would rather show them in the Octagon rather than talk about it beforehand. Jones wasn’t my problem before the UFC booked the fight. I’ll spend a lot of time studying him and find the best way to stop him. I now he is versatile, but I have my own talents and I know what it takes to win.”

Machida does feel that he will be an underdog in the fight with the hotter than lava Jones, but Machida cares nothing about the odds.

“The fight will be decided in the Octagon. Let him be the favorite, he will enter with the label of being a prodigy, but I’ll be stronger because of that. Since I’m the underdog, I will enter the fight even more motivated to show that I deserve to be here and show why they offered me the chance.”

Machida is banking on experience being a key factor, adding “I’m a complete man now that I am 33-years old. I’m not a 22- or 23-year old kid anymore. It’s something subtle that people don’t see easily, but you feel the change, you acquire things you couldn’t even imagine.”

it is clear that Machida also thinks the longer it goes the better for him.

“I can get Jones to the fifth round,” he said “I believe in myself in what I am doing and in my teammates.”

Sounds like the mental part of training camp is already in full swing.

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and (also a Correspondent for MMACanada.net)

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 136 Fight Card: Can Kenny Florian Upset Jose Aldo?

Kenny Florian gets his shot at featherweight king and pound-for-pound star Jose Aldo tomorrow night at UFC 136 in Houston. The champ is a large favorite going into the fight and the question is, can Florian pull off the upset? There is one major advant…

There is one major advantage I see for Florian in this one and that is his coaching, camp and ability to game plan to victory. Aldo is the superior fighter in skill alone, but Florian has a very solid MMA machine behind him, and that help and experience is his key to victory.

If Florian can stick to, and execute, the game plan his team sets out for him, he most certainly can pull off the upset tomorrow night. We have seen Florian work a strategy in all his big fights but not always to success.

I see him trying to smother Aldo to the cage and the ground in order to nullify the power which Aldo possesses. Florian won his featherweight debut in this fashion as well.

After standing with Diego Nunes early and not getting the upper hand, he shifted to the jab, take downs and grappling control to pour it on and take the fight. If he couldn’t get the upper hand standing with Nunes, he certainly won’t with Aldo so look for Florian to wrestle.

I think Aldo will push him off and try to keep distance all night. He will use his strikes and power to win, but don’t be completely surprised if Florian “GSPs” his way to the upset.

If Aldo wins by employing his strategy, we are in for a very fun fight to watch. If Florian can impose his will, it will be a disappointing fight for the fans to watch but a satisfying upset for Florian.

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and (also a Correspondent for MMACanada.net)

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 139 Fight Card: Wanderlei Silva vs. Cung Le Head-to-Toe Breakdown

The Ultimate Fighting Championship just keeps pumping out events heading into the winter season, and we will soon be treated to UFC 139 from San Jose, California. The card is headlined by Mauricio Rua vs. Dan Henderson, but there is another intriguing matchup on the card that is sure to get the fans excited. Cung Le makes his return to combat-fighting against a fading but dangerous fill-in, Wanderlei Silva.

Vitor Belfort was the originally announced opponent for Le’s return, but Belfort was forced to pull out due to injury. The UFC called on the aging brawler Silva to come in, in a sure case of styles make fights, and he poses an interesting foe for Le in his return.

Here is my head-to-toe breakdown of the fight to come in November.

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