Author: Gary Herman

UFC’s Gym Expansion: Chuck Liddell, Adam Sedlack and Joseph Benavidez Comment

The UFC wants you to want to be an Ultimate Fighter. By opening up a string of UFC-theme based gyms across the country, the world’s top mixed martial arts promotion believes it can leverage its brand recognition into several fitness centers. Pres…

The UFC wants you to want to be an Ultimate Fighter.

By opening up a string of UFC-theme based gyms across the country, the world’s top mixed martial arts promotion believes it can leverage its brand recognition into several fitness centers.

Presently, the UFC has four gyms open, all in California. There are three in Southern California (Corona, Rosemead and Torrance), and one in Northern California (Concord).

The next location is already determined to be Honolulu, Hawaii.

Not surprisingly, California is also where UFC draws some of the company’s biggest pay-per-view buy rates.

“Certainly, it’s nice to be able go into a market where the UFC has a lot of penetration,” UFC Gym Senior Vice President Adam Sedlack said, “because you have a natural customer base.”

For UFC 145, the strongest pay-per-view markets were Las Vegas, Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Minneapolis, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston and Columbus, Ohio.

As for future plans, Sedlack was reluctant to overly commit.

“We’re doing a lot of homework right now on where the right spaces are to go, but I really can’t divulge where we’re going to right now.”

The gym is not just geared to a potential mixed martial artist. They are also looking to gather in traditional gym attendees. Sedlack’s experience prior to UFC Gym was with 24-Hour Fitness.

As a result, the non-mixed martial arts parts of the gym have a lot of the same features that a 24-Hour Fitness does. There are free weights, nautilus machines, spinning classes, etc.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell is impressed with the new Torrance location.

“It’s great seeing the gym,” Liddell said. “It’s one of the things that comes with our sport growing.”

However, the opening of a new UFC Gym is not without controversy. When the UFC opened in Rosemead, the community did not want it there.

“The people there thought it would be the year 1995 hardcore fighting,” Sedlack said. “We can take people that don’t know the UFC and educate them.”

After teaching the people of the community that mixed martial arts is not the barbaric sport they had seen previously, the community embraced the location. Last year, the Rosemead Chamber of Commerce rewarded the UFC Gym with its business of the year award.

Flyweight contender Joseph Benavidez is shocked to see how fast the UFC brand is growing.

“It’s amazing to see the expansion of the UFC. Just to have gyms opening up like this, it’s insane. It’s the fastest growing sport in the world.”

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Chuck Liddell on Retirement, Jon Jones and Rashad Evans

One of the biggest light heavyweight title bouts in the UFC’s history is about to take place.
When Jon Jones defends the title against Rashad Evans, the fight will likely receive the most attention for the 205 lb. weight class since Chuck Liddell…

One of the biggest light heavyweight title bouts in the UFC’s history is about to take place.

When Jon Jones defends the title against Rashad Evans, the fight will likely receive the most attention for the 205 lb. weight class since Chuck Liddell took on Quinton “Rampage” Jackson back in May 2007.

The upcoming fight – set for Saturday, April 21 – has the recently retired former champion very interested.

“Rashad is a different style of fighter than Jones has been fighting,” Liddell told Bleacher Report’s Gary Herman when asked about the UFC 145 main event. “He’s a lot better at takedowns, and he’s a lot better at takedown defense.”

Even though Jones has ripped through the competition since joining the UFC in August 2008, Liddell believes Evans creates many potential problems for Jones.

“He won’t be able to control where the fight goes as easy as he does normally,” Liddell said. “So we’ll see how that affects him.”

In his 10 UFC fights, Jones has never been threatened or seriously hurt. No fighter has been able to prevent Jones from doing whatever he wants to do in the cage. In his last three fights, Jones has stopped three former champions: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Jackson, and Lyoto Machida.

“Jon is a good kid,” Liddell said about the champion. “He’s got his head right. He goes out and works hard.”

Evans and Jones certainly have a storied history. Not only did Jones ascend to Evans’ former spot atop of the light heavyweight division, he also effectively took Evans’ spot at Jackson’s MMA training camp.

Evans quickly found a new home at the newly formed Blackzilians training camp in Florida.

Liddell believes Evans knows how to put together an effective strategy regardless of where he is preparing.

“Against Rampage, he was really good at keeping the distance,” Liddell said. “He was either all the way in or all the way out. I tell the guys all the time, ‘if you have a good puncher, all the way in or all the way out.’ Don’t stay there and box.”

The “experts” have listed Jones as a heavy favorite in the fight.

“The fight opened with Jones at 6 to 1,” Liddell said, referring to the current odds. “That’s ridiculous. I think it’s going to be a lot bigger test than that.”

Liddell has that view based on firsthand experience with Evans. Evans’ knockout victory of Liddell started Liddell’s string of three straight knockout losses, which eventually led to the end of his historic career.

The former top draw for the UFC is content with his decision.

“I think the reasons I retired stay the same,” Liddell said. “I don’t want to change my style. I can’t take a punch like I used to for whatever reason. I’ve heard all sorts of theories as to why that would happen, but I can’t do it.”

Instead of fighting, Liddell now works in the front office of the UFC.

“I’m still a fan,” Liddell said. “I still like watching fights.”

The fight with Jones and Evans is no exception. The match-up will be Jones’ highest-profile fight to date. Liddell wonders how the younger Jones will react to the added pressure.

“The biggest thing about that fight is: is he going to stick to his game plan as much as he normally is able to?” Liddell said. “We’ll see.”

As for who Liddell believes will win the fight, the former champion believes an upset is very possible.

“I think Rashad has a lot better chance than most people think.”

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B/R Exclusive: Dan Henderson on Jones vs. Evans, Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen

Dan Henderson has a vested interest. Positioned with the option to fight either Lyoto Machida or Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, the former Pride light heavyweight and middleweight champion said no. Taking on Rua in a rematch of one of the best figh…

Dan Henderson has a vested interest.

Positioned with the option to fight either Lyoto Machida or Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, the former Pride light heavyweight and middleweight champion said no.

Taking on Rua in a rematch of one of the best fights in UFC history did not appeal to Henderson. Nor did a fight with Machida, the man who recently knocked out his former training partner Randy Couture.

Henderson passed on the fights because he has one goal. He wants to be UFC light heavyweight champion.

To win the title belt, he’ll have to beat the winner of the upcoming April 21 bout between champion Jon Jones and top contender Rashad Evans.

Henderson has his preference of opponent.

“I think Jon Jones is a better fight for me,” Henderson said to Bleacher Report’s Gary Herman. “His style matches up better. Jones will stand-up with me more.”

The former Greco-Roman Olympian gave a somewhat surprising answer as to why he is not as interested in fighting Evans.

“Rashad is real well-rounded,” Henderson said about the former UFC champion. “He’ll stand and bang with me a little, but he’ll be trying to put me on my back—a lot more than Jones would.”

Jones, however, appears to be the tougher fight. He has pretty much torn through the light heavyweight division. Jones is 9-1 in the UFC. The only loss was due to an illegal blow in a fight he was dominating against Matt Hamill. In the 10 bouts, Jones has not been seriously hurt.

“Jones is real awkward and kind of poses a different threat,” Henderson said. “He’s awkward, unorthodox and a little tougher to figure out, and that’s also what intrigues me about it—he’s different.”

Before announcing his intention to fight the winner of the Jones vs. Evans bout, UFC president Dana White gave Henderson the option of dropping down a weight class to fight for the middleweight championship.

In his prior UFC stint, Henderson lost to middleweight champion Anderson Silva. While he currently prefers the light heavyweight division, Henderson has not ruled out a return match with the champion.

Silva, however, already has a big fight coming up. In June, he is slated for a rematch against another of Henderson’s former training partners, Chael Sonnen.

In the first fight with Sonnen, Silva pulled off a spectacular submission victory in the fifth round. Sonnen thoroughly dominated Silva for the first 28 minutes before Silva locked in a triangle.

Henderson is looking forward to the June bout.

“As long as Chael fights the way he did the last time with the exception of the last couple of minutes,” Henderson said, “he’ll most likely win.”

Should Sonnen take the title, Henderson would not fight for the championship. He is, however, still interested in avenging the prior loss.

“I’m not real keen on fighting 185 right now unless it’s Anderson,” the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion said, “so if Chael wins, I’d maybe still fight Anderson. Who knows?”

Before Henderson decides about a potential Silva rematch, he will first compete for the light heavyweight championship. As for who he expects the opponent to be, Henderson offered a cautious prediction.

“If I had to bet money, I’d put it on Jones,” Henderson said, “but I’d say Rashad has a real good chance. It’s going to be a close fight.”

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B/R Exclusive: Sean McCorkle on Mark Hunt, UFC, Mirko Cro Cop and WMMA

Sean McCorkle does not want a rematch. In the most high-profile win of his career, McCorkle tapped out former Pride and now UFC star Mark Hunt. The fight lasted only 63 seconds. “Mark Hunt is the only guy I fought that I didn’t talk trash a…

Sean McCorkle does not want a rematch.

In the most high-profile win of his career, McCorkle tapped out former Pride and now UFC star Mark Hunt.

The fight lasted only 63 seconds.

“Mark Hunt is the only guy I fought that I didn’t talk trash about,” McCorkle (16-2) said. “I was a huge fan of him. It was surreal to fight him.”

Since losing the fight, Hunt has been on a three-fight winning streak. The former K-1 star defeated Chris Tuchscherer, Ben Rothwell and Cheick Kongo in succession.

“Everybody now is like, ‘you wouldn’t want a rematch?'” McCorkle said. “You’re darn right I wouldn’t want a rematch. What would I have to gain from a rematch? I already beat Mark Hunt, and you’re not going to take it away.

“I’m proud of beating him.”

The fight marked McCorkle’s debut in his short-lived UFC stint. Even after defeating Hunt, the entertaining McCorkle only lasted two more fights with the promotion. He was stopped in both losses.

First, Stefan Struve defeated McCorkle by TKO. Then, Christian Morecraft won by submission.

“I did look really, really bad in the Morecraft fight,” McCorkle said. “He surprised me. I was stunned Morecraft tried to kneebar me. Everything I saw said he had no ground game. I mean, that would be like Brock Lesnar trying a flying triangle.”

Morecraft later got the submission win with a guillotine. A few weeks later, McCorkle’s manager, Monte Cox, got the call from Joe Silva.

“I was completely shocked,” McCorkle said. “The release came about a month after I lost. Chris Tuchscherer was 1-3 in the UFC, and he never officially was released. I think he retired.

“Even now, Christian Morecraft is 1-3 in the UFC, and they didn’t cut him, and he’s been knocked out three times.”

McCorkle was pushed up the card very quickly by the UFC. After defeating Hunt, he was in the co-main event of UFC 124 against Struve.

“I thought everybody over there liked me,” McCorkle said. “Obviously, I say controversial stuff, but it’s never with bad intentions.”

Since being dropped from the UFC, McCorkle has done very well. He’s won six straight fights in the past year, although none of the wins were against known fighters.

His last fight win was a one-minute win against Richard White on March 9 at Bellator 60.

If he continues to win, the question will begin to arise about coming back to the sport’s top promotion.

“I don’t know if I want to make a push to get back into the UFC,” McCorkle said, “or see what Bellator says.”

Should he come back to the UFC, McCorkle already knows who he wants to fight.

“I’d like to fight Nogueira or Cro Cop,” he said, before adding his own spin. “I want one of the big names on the downside of their career.”

McCorkle expanded on why he’d be successful against one of the older legends.

“I’d beat Cro Cop. Mark Hunt beat Cro Cop, and I beat Mark Hunt.”

Now, McCorkle prepares for his next fight on the local circuit. He’s taking on Brian Heden in the main event of the upstart WMMA promotion out of Texas (not be confused with WAMMA).

McCorkle believes that WMMA has a chance to be successful.

“WMMA is talking about putting on a lot of shows,” he said. “They’re having the event at a place that holds 12,000 people, and they’re pricing tickets at $4 each. They’re trying to fill the building. They seem like they really get it.”

The promotion’s debut will be available on pay-per-view March 31. Unfortunately, not many companies have been successful going the PPV-only route.

“Eventually, they’ll have to be on TV,” McCorkle said of WMMA. “This fight is on pay-per-view, but I’m not sure how many pay-per-views anyone can sell.”

McCorkle sees UFC’s recent deal with the Fox networks as a potential springboard for other promotions.

“With the UFC becoming more mainstream on television, there are going to be other networks that want that programming,” he said. “WMMA could fill the void.”

As for the fight with Heden, McCorkle is confident about the result.

“I’m going to stop him in the first round by submission.”

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B/R Exclusive: Tom Watson on the UFC, Brian Stann, and BAMMA

Tom Watson is interested in making the UFC. He just does not want to go the conventional route. As a middleweight with a record of 14-4 (six knockouts, one submission), the quickest way to get to the UFC is through the Ultimate Fighter reality show. Th…

Tom Watson is interested in making the UFC. He just does not want to go the conventional route.

As a middleweight with a record of 14-4 (six knockouts, one submission), the quickest way to get to the UFC is through the Ultimate Fighter reality show.

That does not appeal to Watson.

“I’ll be 30 soon,” Watson when asked about the TUF. “The last thing I want to do is live in a house full of kids that just want to make it on TV.”

Watson, however, remains steadfast in his goal to compete in the sport’s top promotion. In his career, the former boxer has defeated many notable fighters including Murilo “Ninja” Rua, Matt Horwich, and Travis Galbraith.

“Of course, I want to fight in the UFC,” Watson said. “I know a lot of guys want to protect the organizations’ they’re in, but the UFC is where the money is. That’s where people make a living.”

One person who is in Watson’s corner is also a training partner at Jackson’s MMA – Brian Stann.

“He is one of the most underrated fighters in the world,” Stann said about Watson. “The fact that he is not in the top 10 or at least honorable mention will change soon.”

Watson, tongue-in-cheek, responded to Stann’s comments.

“I don’t know,” Watson said. “Stann’s been hit in the head too many times.”

Going forward, in order for Watson to achieve his goal of making the UFC, he has to continue to be successful on the regional shows.

His next opponent is the undefeated Jack Marshman. Marshman is 10-0 with eight knockouts and one submission.

The fight is scheduled for the upstart BAMMA promotion on March 24.

“Jack is a tough guy,” Watson said. “The fight should be great for the fans. He always comes out and puts on a good fight. It’s gotten “war” written all over it.”

As far as Marshman’s strengths, Watson will be ready

“He’s got a lot of boxing fights as well,” Watson said. “He has fast hands and decent power. I have been preparing for him at my usual spot – Jackson’s MMA.”

Should Watson be victorious, the British native feels the UFC will take notice.

“This is a good fight for me coming up,” Watson said. “Going against a guy that’s 10-0? This is the type of guy the UFC likes as an opponent. I want to make the fans get onto me a little more. That’s what I need to do.”

Watson understands that it takes more to being a successful mixed martial artist then just winning fights. He understands this is a business, and he needs to make fans want to see him.

“It’s important to be a winning fighter,” Watson said, “but you have to be an exciting fighter as well. I don’t want to be like someone like a Jon Fitch. He’s a great fighter, but who’s really going to pay to watch him fight?”

Watson hopes that pretty soon the fans will be paying to see him fight, but prior to any of that, Marshman is first.

“I think it’s going to be a tough fight. At this stage of my career, I can’t afford to lose,” Watson said, noting the importance of the fight. “I’m focusing on a getting a victory.”

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B/R Exclusive: Krzysztof Soszynski on Possible Retirement, TUF and Bisping

The Polish Experiment is not done yet. Following Krzysztof Soszynski’s knockout loss to Igor Pokrajac, a still-dazed Soszynski said that he would be leaving MMA. Days later, Soszynski repented on those comments and even went as far as to say he d…

The Polish Experiment is not done yet.

Following Krzysztof Soszynski’s knockout loss to Igor Pokrajac, a still-dazed Soszynski said that he would be leaving MMA.

Days later, Soszynski repented on those comments and even went as far as to say he does not remember making those comments. Soszynski cleared up where the comments would have come from.

“It’s kind of funny,” Soszynski said to Bleacher Report’s Gary Herman, when asked if he would be leaving the UFC, “everybody is talking about the fact that I got knocked out and that’s why I said something about retirement.

“That’s got nothing to do with it. It’s MMA. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. I’m fine with that. It’s my injuries.”

Soszynski has been fighting professionally for the past nine years. Before that, he had the added injuries that result from time as a professional wrestler.

“When you can’t train even close to 50-percent capacity, it’s pretty hard to get ready for a fight,” Soszynski said. “It’s something I’ve been dealing with for about two years now. That’s the problem.”

Soszynski determined that he could not go on in the sport dealing with the lingering injuries.

“We’re going to see a doctor this month,” Soszynski said, “and hopefully, you’ll see me back in the cage real soon.”

 

As for what is his biggest problem, Soszynski comically said, “I have three bad knees. Really, really bad knees.”

When Soszynski was fully healthy, he competed across Canada as a pro wrestler. After he decided to make the transition to mixed martial arts, he enlisted in the help of the late former pro wrestler Bad News Allen (also known as Bad News Brown).

Allen never took part in mixed martial arts for one reason—it was not very popular. Soszynski is certain the former judo star would have been dominant.

“I think he would have been ruthless,” Soszynski said. “The last time I spoke with him, he said, ‘If MMA was around when I was around, I would have been the champ.’”

Soszynski is also impressed by another pro wrestler’s transition to MMA.

“Brock Lesnar was always an athlete from a very young age,” Soszynski said about the recently retired former UFC champ.

“I think it was a little easier for him. I think somebody who starts off in wrestling as a youngster has a better chance transitioning to martial arts than somebody like myself, who started at age 25.”

Even though Soszynski started his professional career in his mid-20s, he has had a very good career. With wins over Brian Stann, Stephan Bonnar and Goran Reljic, Soszynski has certainly accomplished a lot in the sport.

However, if he needs any inspiration to continue, he does not have to look further than his current training partner.

 

“I was right there when Dan Henderson knocked Bisping out,” Soszynski said about Henderson’s victory.

While on The Ultimate Fighter season 8, Soszynski verbally sparred with Henderson’s opponent at UFC 100, Michael Bisping.

“That was one of the best moments of my MMA career,” Soszynski said of Henderson’s vicious one-punch knockout over Bisping.

“It’s amazing to watch a 41-year-old man can still compete with the best fighters in the world—knock them out, destroy them. His fight with shogun Rua was absolutely amazing.”

At age 34, Soszynski is seven years younger than Henderson. Therefore, he maintains his goal of getting back in the Octagon. Even though Soszynski would still like the chance to fight Bisping, he will not be selective of his opponent.

“It doesn’t matter,” Soszynski said, when asked who he wants to face. “Just the fact that I get another chance to fight will be an amazing experience itself.”

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were garnered first-hand.

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