Author: Joe Chacon

UFC 156 Injury: Tyron Woodley Replaces Erick Silva

The UFC’s first pay-per-view of the new year got bit by the injury bug today as it was announced Erick Silva was forced off the UFC 156 card.Stepping up with a month’s notice will be the former Strikeforce veteran, Tyron Woodley.Woodley compiled an 8-1…

The UFC’s first pay-per-view of the new year got bit by the injury bug today as it was announced Erick Silva was forced off the UFC 156 card.

Stepping up with a month’s notice will be the former Strikeforce veteran, Tyron Woodley.

Woodley compiled an 8-1 record inside the Strikeforce cage with his only loss coming against the talented Nate Marquardt on July 14 of last year.

The news was released today by the UFC with the following tweet, which also mentioned another injury hitting the UFC on FX 7 card:

Woodley isn’t known as one of the most exciting fighters in the sport, but he does rank high in consistency. Fans know they are going to see a guy go in there and try to wrestle his opponent to the ground to grind out a victory.

With the fight being taken on short notice, the chances of Woodley trying to utilize that game plan are even greater.

The initial buzz from around the MMA community is that of disappointment for the Silva injury as many were looking forward to seeing how he would bounce back from his recent loss to Jon Fitch.

Woodley’s opponent at UFC 156 will be Jay Hieron. Hieron is coming off a loss of his own to Jake Ellenberger in what was a hard-fought unanimous decision defeat this past October.

At 36 years of age with a 0-3 UFC record, Hieron needs a win against Woodley in the worst way.

Woodley vs. Hieron is part of a stacked PPV card that also features Jon Fitch vs. Demian Maia, Alistair Overeem taking on Antonio Silva, Rashad Evans battling Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and headlined by Jose Algo against Frankie Edgar.

UFC 156 takes place February 2 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

 

Joe Chacon is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report and a staff writer for Operation Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @JoeChacon.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Dana White: ‘If Michael Bisping Wins He Gets the Shot’

LAS VEGAS — Dana White fielded questions during the UFC 155 post-fight press conference and shed some light into the future of Michael Bisping.”If Michael Bisping Wins He Gets the Shot,” Dana said in response to whether or not “The Count” will ge…

LAS VEGAS — Dana White fielded questions during the UFC 155 post-fight press conference and shed some light into the future of Michael Bisping.

“If Michael Bisping Wins He Gets the Shot,” Dana said in response to whether or not “The Count” will get that long anticipated title shot.

Bisping needs to first get by Vitor Belfort when the two fight each other at the UFC on FX 7 in January. Interestingly enough, White said Belfort probably wouldn’t not get another crack at Anderson Silva if he beats Bisping. 

Bisping has been on the cusp of fighting for a championship before. In fact, had he beaten Chael Sonnen earlier this year on the Fox card he would have gotten his shot.

It’s been a long but productive career for Michael Bisping. He has already participated in 17 UFC fights and compiled a record of 13-4. Many fans have labeled him as a “gatekeeper” because he always seems to lose the fights that should catapult him to the elite level.

After a four-fight win streak to start his UFC career, Bisping lost to Rashad Evans at UFC 78. He then went on a three-fight tear and lost to Dan Henderson at UFC 100 in a way that many thought he would never recover from.

Following a win over Denis Kang at UFC 105, he then lost again just three months later to Wanderlei Silva.

Whether or not he’s going to have the same type of career that fighters such as Kenny Florian had by never winning the fights that matter the most remains to be seen. One thing is for certain now, Bisping will face Silva for the championship if he beats Belfort.

 

*All quotes obtained first hand by B/R MMA

 

Joe Chacon is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report and a staff writer for Operation Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @JoeChacon.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 155: Memorable Moments from Las Vegas

UFC 155 started out excruciatingly slow on Saturday night in Las Vegas. As the night progressed, the twitterverse mirrored the frustration inside the MGM Grand Arena.One of the many beautiful things about a MMA fight card is that the entire comple…

UFC 155 started out excruciatingly slow on Saturday night in Las Vegas. As the night progressed, the twitterverse mirrored the frustration inside the MGM Grand Arena.

One of the many beautiful things about a MMA fight card is that the entire complexion of an evening can change like the flip of a switch.

When it was all said and done, 12 fights went down and only a handful of them sparked any sort of positive reaction from the crowd. Fortunately for the fans in attendance and the viewers on Pay-Per-View, the final two fights were two of the best one will ever see.

Following the final fight of the evening, people filed out of MGM buzzing about the performances that took place towards the end of the night. All the boos (and there were an awful lot) were a distant memory by the time 10:00 PM rolled around.

As we close the chapter on another UFC card, let’s take a look back at the most memorable moments of the evening. 

 

 

*Quotes provided by the UFC

Begin Slideshow

Dana White Hopes for 20th Anniversary Card in New York

Speaking to the media following UFC 155, Dana White said one of his 2013 goals is to finally bring the UFC to New York.”I plan on being in New York in 2013 for the UFC’s 20th anniversary,” White said. “Madison Square Garden is behind us 100 percent, th…

Speaking to the media following UFC 155, Dana White said one of his 2013 goals is to finally bring the UFC to New York.

“I plan on being in New York in 2013 for the UFC’s 20th anniversary,” White said. “Madison Square Garden is behind us 100 percent, they want it bad.” White also mentioned that they already have a date set with MSG.

When asked what fans, media and the fighters could do to help the cause for a New York show, Dana replied, “Nothing. It’s all dirty union s—. Dirty rotten scummy culinary union.”

White alluded to the card in New York being comparable to a UFC 100 type of blockbuster event. “We got a card planned. We have some stuff planned. We just have to get past these scumbag union gangster guys.”

Dana even has the card pictured, but wasn’t about to share those details just yet. “I don’t know, I wish I could tell you. I do have the fight but I can’t tell you guys yet.”

Fans have been clamoring for the UFC to come to New York for quite some time, but one thing or another has always appeared to get in the way. Now it appears there is one clear focus on how the UFC plans to overcome its obstacles and finally put on a card inside MSG.

While the talk of the UFC in New York has been ongoing, these were the most specific statements from White with regard to a time frame.

Should this come to fruition, the 20th anniversary of the UFC would land in November. The first UFC event took place on November 12, 1993.

 

 

*All quotes obtained first hand by B/R MMA

 

Joe Chacon is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report and a staff writer for Operation Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @JoeChacon.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Nate Marquardt Says ‘Everything Is Resolved’ and Looks Toward the UFC

LAS VEGAS – Speaking with the media before UFC 155 in Las Vegas, Nate Marquardt expressed his gratitude for fighting once again as well as his plans to contend for the UFC title in the immediate future.Fans will remember that in 2011 Marquar…

LAS VEGAS – Speaking with the media before UFC 155 in Las Vegas, Nate Marquardt expressed his gratitude for fighting once again as well as his plans to contend for the UFC title in the immediate future.

Fans will remember that in 2011 Marquardt was pulled from the UFC on Versus 4 card for his failure to obtain medical clearance due to his testosterone levels not falling within regulated guidelines.

Marquardt now says, “Everything is resolved,” and admitted that it was “one of the toughest things in my career.”

Marquardt made his return after the suspension in July of this year as he took on Tyron Woodley for the Strikeforce welterweight championship. It was an impressive fight for Marquardt and created some buzz around his career once again.

“When I won the Strikeforce title, that was redemption for me,” Marquartd said. As far as where he is in the UFC title picture, he doesn’t feel he’s far down the ladder, saying, “I know I’m right in the mix, if not at the top.”

Before the thought of a UFC title becomes reality for Marquardt, he needs to get by Tarec Saffiedine. The two will fight in the final Strikeforce card on Jan. 12. “He’s very tough, I haven’t seen him get finished,” Marquardt stated, “I just feel I’m a better athlete.”

Marquardt is now 35 years old and has 44 professional fights under his belt (32-10-2). Should he make a serious run at the UFC title, the time may be now.

When asked about his potential return to the UFC, “The Great” didn’t hesitate, “I assume I’ll be in the UFC after this fight [with Saffiedine].”

 

*All quotes obtained first hand by Bleacher Report MMA

 

Joe Chacon is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report and a staff writer for Operation Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @JoeChacon.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Donald Cerrone Answers Questions from Fans, Claims He’d Beat Benson Henderson

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone took part in a fan Q&A prior to the UFC 155 weigh-ins on Friday afternoon and gave quite a performance.In between the numerous requests for hugs from female fans and the bizarre question of whether or not he’d rather ride Ar…

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone took part in a fan Q&A prior to the UFC 155 weigh-ins on Friday afternoon and gave quite a performance.

In between the numerous requests for hugs from female fans and the bizarre question of whether or not he’d rather ride Arianny Celeste or his horses, he gave quite a bit of insight into his motivations and obstacles.

Cerrone is set to fight Anthony Pettis on January 26 as part of the UFC on Fox 6 card, “I plan on going out there and standing with him. Come on mother——.”

With regard to how the beef started with Pettis, Cerrone simply said, “I started the beef, but the truth hurts.”

Fans were interested to hear how Cerrone felt about Strikeforce Champion Gilbert Melendez possibly jumping over Cerrone for a title shot, “The guy has been a champion for a while. If Dana wants to give him a shot (so be it). If they want to give him a fight before that, I’m game.”

With regard to Benson Henderson, the current UFC Lightweight Champion, Cerrone said a third fight with him would turn out differently. If they were to meet again, Cerrone stated, “I’ll beat him.”

“Cowboy’s” charismatic personality was shining throughout the Q&A. He answered questions directly (with a lot of bad language mixed in), and seemed very appreciative of the opportunity to connect with fans.

Cerrone was asked to discuss the low point of his life, “When I lived in a closet. I had no money, then I fought and won $40,000. To have a bank account and know I can fill up my car and be okay now (is great).”

Cowboy is fueled by the young fighters. He said, “The young guys keep me motivated. Youngsters coming up behind me.”

As one may have expected, there was a question directed towards Cerrone regarding gun control. When asked about his thoughts on any sort of proposed gun laws, Cerrone said, “They aren’t going to take my guns. I have 44 guns and they aren’t going to take my guns. They need to enforce how and who to give guns to. But there are Americans like me who are responsible and they shouldn’t take that away. If they outlaw guns, they won’t take mine.”

Cerrone has a common sense approach to marijuana testing as well, “I believe the (current) policy should stay. (Nick Diaz) should be able to smoke his weed and whatever, but don’t show up to the fight stoned. Be allowed to do it in states that have legalized it, but not while performing at the UFC.”

The UFC accident clause is something Cowboy addressed. Cerrone is an avid wakeboarder and doesn’t see why he shouldn’t be allowed to do extreme sports such as wakeboarding, bungee jumping, bull riding, etc. “I want to be a professional wakeboarder. This summer, when I don’t have a fight, I’m going to sit down with Dana. Are you telling me I can’t go ride my horses?”

Time and time again Cerrone stressed the importance of showing up for a fight, whether or not you are sick or injured. Cowboy even brought along his gear in the event Jamie Varner pulls out of his fight once again. As Cerrone stated, “I would have thrown up all over Melvin and got it done.”

*All quotes obtained first hand by B/R MMA

Joe Chacon is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report and a staff writer for Operation Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @JoeChacon.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com