UFC 137 takes place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on October 29.The pay-per-view event is headlined by welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre (22-2) and former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz (25-7).Diaz relinquished his …
UFC 137 takes place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on October 29.
The pay-per-view event is headlined by welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre (22-2) and former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz (25-7).
Diaz relinquished his welterweight championship in order to face St. Pierre for the UFC title.
Additionally, former lightweight and welterweight champion B.J. Penn (16-7-2) co-headlines the event opposite Carlos Condit (27-5).
A pair of heavyweight fights also join the aforementioned welterweight bouts as The Ultimate Fighter season 10 winner Roy Nelson (15-6) faces Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (27-9-2) and Cheick Kongo (16-6-2) steps in against Matt Mitrione (5-0).
Rounding out the main card action will be featherweight newcomer Hatsu Hioki (24-4-2) testing his skills on American soil against George Roop (12-7-1).
MMAjunkie.com recently reported that the event will receive two fights courtesy of a “UFC Prelims” slot on Spike TV.
Preliminary Card:
Donald Cerrone vs. Dennis Siver
Tyson Griffin vs. Bart Palaszewski
Tim Credeur vs. Brad Tavares
Jeff Curran vs. Scott Jorgensen
Brandon Vera vs. Elliot Marshall
Ramsey Nijem vs. Danny Downes
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ProElite held its inaugural event last night from Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii and featured multiple UFC veterans.”The Ultimate Fighter” Season 3 winner Kendall Grove (13-9 MMA, 1-0 ProElite) returned to action for the first time since…
ProElite held its inaugural event last night from Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii and featured multiple UFC veterans.
“The Ultimate Fighter” Season 3 winner Kendall Grove (13-9 MMA, 1-0 ProElite) returned to action for the first time since being released by the UFC earlier this summer.
Grove, who trains alongside Justin McCully, BJ and Reagan Penn, and Troy Mandaloniz re-matched Joe Riggs (34-14 MMA, 0-1 ProElite) in the main event and wasted little time in taking the action to his opponent.
He quickly moved into the clinch where he soon capitalized on a Rigg’s mistake and applied a fight ending guillotine choke.
It took Grove merely 59 seconds to return to the win column and the Hawaiian avenged a 2004 loss to Riggs.
A bout with Drew McFedries (10-6 MMA, 1-0 ProElite), who was also victorious on the card would be an intriguing matchup for “Da Spyder”.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (16-9 MMA, 1-0 ProElite) returned to the win column for the first time since a 2008 knockout victory over Roy Nelson.
Arlovski stopped Ray Lopez (5-3 MMA, 0-1 ProElite) in the third round courtesy of strikes from the mount.
While the victory may not of been a spectacular one, Arlovski proved that he still has some fight left in him and he can build on the win under the ProElite banner.
Reagan Penn (1-0 MMA, 1-0 ProElite) made a successful professional debut by reversing opponent, Paul Gardiner (3-1 MMA, 0-1 ProElite), on the mat and submitting him in the first round.
Penn, who is the younger brother of former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion B.J. Penn, needed just 70 seconds to hand Gardiner his first professional loss.
In additional action, former NCAA Division 1 national wrestling champion Mark Ellis (1-0 MMA, 1-0 ProElite) defeated Jake Heun (1-1 MMA, 0-1 ProElite) via second round submission (rear-naked-choke).
Sara McMann (4-0 MMA, 1-0 ProElite), a Olympic silver medalist in freestyle wrestling submitted Raquel Pa’aluhi (3-2 MMA, 0-1 ProElite) courtesy of a third round keylock.
Out of 10 contests only one fight went the distance with Joey Palemia defeating Chad Thomas.
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UFC 134 weigh-ins took place earlier today with all 22 fighters stepping on the scale and successfully making weight. UFC middleweight champion and pound-for-pound king Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami each made the 185-pound limit. Mauricio “Shog…
UFC 134 weigh-ins took place earlier today with all 22 fighters stepping on the scale and successfully making weight.
UFC middleweight champion and pound-for-pound king Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami each made the 185-pound limit.
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Forrest Griffin appeared in tremendous shape for the rematch, which will be the night’s co-main event.
Additionally, the six remaining main card fighters looked sharp and charged up for the organizations return to Brazil.
Who were the biggest winners and losers at weigh-ins? Follow inside to learn who has the edge heading into tomorrow night’s action.
Tyrone Spong is an elite kickboxer that appears headed for MMA and at 25 years of age, he’s an amazing talent. Spong has mastered the sport of kickboxing, amassing a 67-6-1 (1 NC) record en route to capturing titles in multiple weight classe…
Tyrone Spong is an elite kickboxer that appears headed for MMA and at 25 years of age, he’s an amazing talent.
Spong has mastered the sport of kickboxing, amassing a 67-6-1 (1 NC) record en route to capturing titles in multiple weight classes. Needless to say, Spong has the makings of a truly dangerous mixed martial artist.
With that being said, he isn’t making the switch in sports without taking the proper steps. Spong has formed a bond with UFC light heavyweight Rashad Evans (15-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) and has set up training with the Blackzilians at Imperial Athletics in Florida.
“I’ve been here for a couple of weeks right now,” Spong recently told Bleacher Report. “I’m really enjoying myself, helping Rashad out and training for myself too a little bit on the ground. The Blackzilians, I think we have a great team, all the guys are like family, they all help each other out, and it feels great. I enjoy myself here. Me and Rashad are like brothers, we help each other out, (and) I enjoy working with him.
“He’s an athlete, he picks (techniques) up very fast, and I think that’s why we can help each other out that good, because I’m an athlete too and when you have another athlete to work with it makes it much more easy, a lot more easy. We’re like family, everyone helps each other out, (and) I think they have a great thing going on down here in Florida. I’m looking forward to working with them for a long time.”
Spong will celebrate his 26th birthday in September and with a professional kickboxing record totaling 75 fights, he’s wise beyond his years.
With Evans and company by his side, the gifted striker is fully aware that time is on his side and he’s prepared for the challenge.
“I take one step at a time,” Spong said. “I’m still young, I started out very young with fighting, (and) I had my first pro fight when I was 16. I fought a lot of fights and I built up a very big record which I enjoyed because I enjoy fighting.
“I just like to fight and I enjoy stepping in the ring, I can show my skills and show the world what I got. I like that and I like a challenge and I’m still young, only 25 and I think I’m very mature in my sport because I’ve been through a lot. Ups and downs, more ups than downs luckily, but still, I’ve been through a lot and I traveled the world for my sport.
“I still have a big thing ahead of me I think, so just taking it easy (and) making sure that I’m ready. Whatever I do, I want to do it good and I want to show myself at the best I can be.”
While Spong continues honing his ground skills alongside Evans and head coach Mike Van Arsdale, he’ll continue to embrace the challenge of mastering the new discipline.
“Rashad is a hell of a wrestler, (so) he helps me out with that,” Spong said. “I have coach Mike Van Arsdale, who’s a hell of a coach, (and) a good wrestler. So, I’ve been practicing on that a lot and try to master that and I think I pick (techniques) up fast.
“Like I said, I’m a athlete so I pick up (techniques) very fast and I don’t have a roof, I keep learning and I keep learning at a very fast pace. I enjoy that and I think for me that is the most important, to try and learn stuff on the ground. I’m eager too, I like the challenge, so it’s something new for me and I enjoy that part the most.”
At the moment, Spong is taking an educated approach in making himself a well-rounded fighter, so when the right opportunity presents itself he’ll be fully equipped for all challengers.
“I’m a fighter and I thank God for the abilities he gave me,” Spong said. “This talent because I can do whatever. For me, fighting is like a second nature, it feels very natural for me, so whether it’s kickboxing or MMA or boxing, I can adjust that fast. If I do something I always want to be the best at what I do, (I) always have been like that.
“If everything is right, I never say no, I like a challenge, I love a challenge, so maybe we’ll see if it works out. I got approached by a few organizations already, but I know where my head is right now, so I’m taking one step at a time and when the time is ready and the offers are good, I’ll do it for sure.”
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HDNet will televise weigh-ins and preliminary action for next month’s grand prix in Cincinnati, Ohio.Officials announced the deal with HDNet earlier today. Strikeforce Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov is set for Sept. 10 at U.S. Bank Arena.The main c…
HDNet will televise weigh-ins and preliminary action for next month’s grand prix in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Officials announced the deal with HDNet earlier today. Strikeforce Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov is set for Sept. 10 at U.S. Bank Arena.
The main card will remain on Showtime, but a full slate of preliminary action will now be featured on HDNet.
Former light heavyweight champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante returns to action for the first time since a March defeat to Dan Henderson to face Yoel Romero. Additionally, Mike Kyle faces Marcos Rogerio de Lima and Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos takes on Jordan Mein. Rounding out the preliminary card is Amanda Nunes versus Alexis Davis.
“As we continue to showcase some of the sport’s up-and-coming talent on our prelims, we’re excited to be able to air them live on HDNet,” Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said. “We’re excited to give Strikeforce fans even more access to great fights.”
Lastly, HDNet’s Inside MMA, which is hosted by Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten, is set to broadcast live from the weigh-in location that will feature on-set interviews and analysis of the forthcoming bouts.
HDNet televised Preliminary Card:
Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante vs. Yoel Romero
Mike Kyle vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos vs. Jordan Mein
Amanda Nunes vs. Alexis Davis
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UFC 134 is headlined by middleweight champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva (28-4 MMA, 13-0 UFC) defending against Yushin “Okami” Thunder (26-5 MMA, 10-2 UFC), who previously fought in January 2006.Okami picked up the victory courtesy of a Silva upkick…
UFC 134 is headlined by middleweight champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva (28-4 MMA, 13-0 UFC) defending against Yushin “Okami” Thunder (26-5 MMA, 10-2 UFC), who previously fought in January 2006.
Okami picked up the victory courtesy of a Silva upkick which landed while both men were fighting for position on the ground.
Nonetheless, the kick is illegal and it ultimately cost Silva the fight at Rumble on the Rock 8.
Since that fight took place, Silva has had his hand raised 14 consecutive times, 13 of which have taken place in the UFC.
Silva’s undefeated since entering the UFC, but his toughest test came against Chael Sonnen, who landed 320 total strikes in dominating Silva for 23 minutes of action.
With the fight coming to a completion with Sonnen clearly ahead on the scorecards, Silva pulled off a “hail mary” submission to retain the title.
Okami has been victorious in 10 of 12 fights inside the Octagon with losses coming at the hands of current light-heavyweight Rich Franklin and middleweight contender Chael Sonnen.
While Okami was able to find some success in his fight with Franklin, he was completely unable to do so against Sonnen at UFC 104.
Sonnen’s elite wrestling proved far superior and Okami was forced to return to the drawing board, which soon included his former foe.
With that being said, both Silva and Okami have faced Sonnen with each fighter taking different paths after the fights.
Anderson clearly isn’t fan of Sonnen and the feeling’s mutual, but Okami on the other hand decided to seek out the former U.S. Olympic wrestling team alternate in hopes of taking his game to the next level.
Since joining Sonnen at Team Quest, Okami is 3-0 with notable victories over Mark Munoz and Nate Marquardt.
UFC 137 takes place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on October 29.