Author: James MacDonald

UFC 163 Preview: Tom Watson vs. Thales Leites Head-to-Toe Breakdown

With Jose Aldo and “The Korean Zombie” gobbling up most of the UFC 163 column inches, the underrated Tom “Kong” Watson vs. Thales Leites scrap has flown under the radar.
While most no doubt remember Leites for his painfully unev…

With Jose Aldo and “The Korean Zombie” gobbling up most of the UFC 163 column inches, the underrated Tom “Kong” Watson vs. Thales Leites scrap has flown under the radar.

While most no doubt remember Leites for his painfully uneventful fight with Anderson Silva at UFC 97, he’s been gone three years on a spin outside of the UFC and, in Tom Watson, is facing a fighter who will force him to engage.

The Brit is nothing if not exciting inside the cage. By his own admission, leaving a lasting impression on the viewers is his No. 1 priority, with winning coming in a distant second.

That attitude might not secure him the 185-pound strap, but it’ll be music to Dana White’s ears.

Without any further delay, let’s see how this one breaks down.

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Nick Diaz and the 5 Sorest Losers in Mixed Martial Arts

Being beaten into temporary oblivion in front of an audience of thousands entails not just physical pain but also the kind of ego-shattering mental pain that keeps psychiatrists in business.
That being said, most mixed martial artists seem to take thei…

Being beaten into temporary oblivion in front of an audience of thousands entails not just physical pain but also the kind of ego-shattering mental pain that keeps psychiatrists in business.

That being said, most mixed martial artists seem to take their licks with a startling amount of grace. But there are a few who react to defeat like a spoiled kid who’s just had his favourite toy confiscated.

Read on for the rundown of MMA’s sorest losers. As always, include your own suggestions in the comments.

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UFC on Fox 8: Main Card Staff Predictions

Perhaps it’s an indication of the fans’ general indifference toward the UFC’s flyweight division, but UFC on Fox 8 has flown under the radar.
We’re used to heavy promotion for these nationally televised cards, but Zuffa hasn&rsq…

Perhaps it’s an indication of the fans’ general indifference toward the UFC’s flyweight division, but UFC on Fox 8 has flown under the radar.

We’re used to heavy promotion for these nationally televised cards, but Zuffa hasn’t flexed its promotional muscle on this one.

Still, there’s plenty to look forward to on Saturday night, including Demetrious Johnson vs. John Moraga for the UFC’s 125-pound title and Jake Ellenberger vs. Rory MacDonald, which has turned into something of a grudge match.

With such a stellar card on offer, I decided to get the boys back together for one last job (until the next card, that is). On the crew we have Scott Harris, Riley Kontek, Craig Amos, Sean Smith and yours truly, James MacDonald.

Read on for our thoughts on Saturday night’s main card.

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MMA: The 6 Most Overused Phrases in Mixed Martial Arts

Every sport has its own collection of phrases that have been uttered to the point of senselessness. And mixed martial arts is no different.
Yes, MMA personalities are no less platitude-happy than the rest of the sporting world—perhaps more so.
Fr…

Every sport has its own collection of phrases that have been uttered to the point of senselessness. And mixed martial arts is no different.

Yes, MMA personalities are no less platitude-happy than the rest of the sporting world—perhaps more so.

From promoters to announcers to fighters—individuals at every level of the sport can be found demonstrating their linguistic limitations.

Read on for a rundown of the most overused phrases in mixed martial arts. As ever, feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments section.

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Anderson Silva and the 10 Most Powerful Right Hands in MMA

There are few more pleasing sights in MMA than a picture-perfect, one-punch knockout. Why do we derive so much pleasure from watching an individual being separated from his senses?Whether fight fans are simply a bunch of sadists or there is something m…

There are few more pleasing sights in MMA than a picture-perfect, one-punch knockout.

Why do we derive so much pleasure from watching an individual being separated from his senses?

Whether fight fans are simply a bunch of sadists or there is something more profound underlying our bloodlust, knockouts are a major selling point of combat sports.

With that in mind, this list is a celebration of the most potent right hands in MMA today. Read on for my top 10 and feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments section.

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5 Characteristics That Make Up the Worst MMA Fan Possible

I love MMA fans. Heck, I’m a fan of MMA fans. Despite the sport’s stratospheric growth over the past decade, the fanbase has somehow retained its almost-cultish solidarity. That’s something you don’t tend to get within the fanba…

I love MMA fans. Heck, I’m a fan of MMA fans. Despite the sport’s stratospheric growth over the past decade, the fanbase has somehow retained its almost-cultish solidarity.

That’s something you don’t tend to get within the fanbases of mainstream sports like soccer, football, basketball, etc.

I shan’t lie. I’ve been known to get a touch giddy when I run into someone else who appreciates my sport, eager to swap views and test the depth of my new friend’s knowledge.

Still, we’re far from a perfect lot. There are a few bad apples in every bunch, as the cliché-inclined like to say.

The list that follows laments five characteristics that define the worst of our kind. As always, feel free to add to/improve on my list in the comments section.

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