Author: Joshua Carey

UFC 141’s Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem Discuss Fight Days Before Headliner

UFC 141 has an massive main event with former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar facing former Strikeforce and Dream heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.Lesnar returns to the Octagon tomorrow night after 14 months out of action due to a second battle …

UFC 141 has an massive main event with former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar facing former Strikeforce and Dream heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.

Lesnar returns to the Octagon tomorrow night after 14 months out of action due to a second battle with diverticulitis, and he welcomes Overeem to the organization.

“I went through the surgery, had 12 inches of my colon removed, three-month layoff (and) back in the gym,” Lesnar said. “(I) got a phone call from Dana White saying, ‘Hey, let’s get you back in the Octagon, are you ready?’ I said, ‘Let’s do it,’ and here I am. I feel blessed to be here and I’m just excited to get back into the Octagon Friday night.”

Overeem has fought world-class competition all over the world and his elite striking makes him arguably the toughest test of Lesnar’s career.

Friday night’s massive heavyweight tilt marks Overeem’s inaugural trip to the Octagon, but he’s not your ordinary newcomer as he earned his fifth career victory 10 years prior to Lesnar defeating Shane Carwin to score the fifth win of his career.

“With Brock, it’s pretty straightforward with what he’s going to do,” Overeem said. “He’s going to try and take me down, that makes it easy for a fighter who’s going to be predictable and for me it’s all about stuffing that takedown and keeping the fight in the stand up.

“Keeping it on my terms and my terms is striking. I can say I’m a very good striker, I won the K-1 championship last year. That’s what I’m good at and that’s exactly what I’m going to do with Brock. Keep it standing and out-strike him.”

Both gentlemen sat down with ESPN to talk about the matchup prior to stepping inside the Octagon inside MGM Grand Garden live on pay-per-view tomorrow night.

For additional information on UFC 141, follow Joshua Carey on Twitter.

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UFC 141’s Alistair Overeem Provides Stern Test, but Won’t Defeat Brock Lesnar

You would be hard pressed to find a larger matchup to end the 2011 campaign for the UFC as Brock Lesnar returns to welcome Alistair Overeem to the sport’s premier organization.After 14 months away from the sport due to a second bout of diverticulitis, …

You would be hard pressed to find a larger matchup to end the 2011 campaign for the UFC as Brock Lesnar returns to welcome Alistair Overeem to the sport’s premier organization.

After 14 months away from the sport due to a second bout of diverticulitis, Lesnar (5-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) is back in action on Friday night to headline UFC 141 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

K-1 World Grand Prix, Strikeforce and Dream champion Alistair Overeem (35-11, 1 NC MMA, 0-0 UFC) will stand in Lesnar’s way of reclaiming the UFC heavyweight championship as the winner will be awarded a title shot.

Friday night’s massive heavyweight tilt marks Overeem’s inaugural trip to the Octagon, but he’s not your ordinary newcomer.

Overeem earned his fifth career victory 10 years prior to Lesnar defeating Shane Carwin to score the fifth win of his career.

Lesnar’s best route to victory is no secret as it will be through his advantages in wrestling and conditioning.

His striking, however, is light years behind Overeem’s and he’ll be facing the most experienced fighter of his career.

Lesnar won four consecutive bouts over Heath Herring, Randy Couture, Frank Mir and Shane Carwin but his deficiency in the striking department helped cost him the heavyweight championship when he was defeated by Cain Velasquez.

Forty-seven professional mixed martial arts contests in difference between both fighters, oddsmakers have Overeem as a slight favorite to claim victory in his Octagon debut.

The unfortunate illness of Overeem’s mother forced him to abandon training camp in Las Vegas to be near her in Holland. Additionally, the talented striker nearly found himself in trouble with the Nevada State Athletic Commission due to complications of finding the appropriate testing facilities in his country.

With that being said, Lesnar’s time away from the Octagon should actually benefit him as it’s provided him the opportunity to return at full-health and advance his striking, while Overeem’s switch in training and dealings with the NSAC have likely hurt his chances.

Normally, I’m very hesitant in picking a fighter that is returning from an extended layoff but in this case Lesnar’s wrestling pedigree and speed advantage will prove too much for Overeem to handle in what will be a dynamite main event.

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Meet the Blackzilians: A Family of World Class Coaches and Fighters

After spending time in Boca Raton, Florida, with the Blackzilians, it’s clear that they’re much more than a team. Led by head coach Mike Van Arsdale, the Blackzilians are a family of world class fighters. With world champion kickboxer Tyron…

After spending time in Boca Raton, Florida, with the Blackzilians, it’s clear that they’re much more than a team.

Led by head coach Mike Van Arsdale, the Blackzilians are a family of world class fighters.

With world champion kickboxer Tyrone Spong, MMA’s Anthony Johnson, Rashad Evans, Melvin Guillard, Michael Johnson, Jorge Santiago, JZ Cavalcante, Abel Trujillo, and Roy Jones Jr., to merely name a few, there’s no lack of talent and determination in the group.

Van Arsdale keeps training structured and professional in order for each fighter to achieve his full potential.

Dutch striking coach Henri Hooft leads the way in developing that aspect of their skill sets; I only had to attend one sparring practice to realize how knowledgeable he truly is.

Hooft’s input to each fighter is received with full attention and it quickly shows during practice and one-on-ones.

Van Arsdale, Hooft, and the fighters are in the midst of preparing for an extremely busy month to kick off their 2012 campaign.

January features Anthony Johnson making his middleweight debut against Vitor Belfort at UFC 142, Guillard headlining UFC on FX 1, Spong facing Melvin Manhoef in kickboxing and Evans along with Michael Johnson round out the month at UFC on Fox 2 Jan. 28.

In preparation for those bouts, the atmosphere in training is serious, and with a full lineup of fights slated within weeks of one another, each fighter is growing and vastly improving his game.

In addition to Van Arsdale and Hooft, jiu-jitsu professor Flavius Silva leads the way and Marcus Silva works with the gentlemen to round out their skill sets with his judo expertise.

There’s no doubt that each man was meant to be a professional fighter.  There’s a near perfect balance of the disciplines needed to be a world champion.

No one fighter holds himself higher than another, and each professional is dedicated to the overall success of his teammates.

While the goal is to grow and evolve as fighters, everyone has fun and works together for the greater good of the Blackzilian family.

Glenn Robinson, president of Authentic Sports Management, ensures that all of the fighters’ needs are met; he’s a true professional in every sense of the word.

Overall, the Blackzilians are a tremendous group of fighters and coaches who are primed for a dynamic year in 2012.

Stay tuned for the team profile feature that is set for publishing on the week of Dec. 26.

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Anderson Silva, Melvin Guillard and UFC’s All-Time Leaders in Knockdowns Landed

There’s a reason why UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has yet to lose in the Octagon and has been so dominant inside the Octagon.Since 2006, nine of Silva’s 14 organizational victories have come by way of knockout against the middleweight divis…

There’s a reason why UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has yet to lose in the Octagon and has been so dominant inside the Octagon.

Since 2006, nine of Silva’s 14 organizational victories have come by way of knockout against the middleweight division’s best.

Joining Silva is explosive lightweight Melvin Guillard, who owns knockout victories over Shane Roller, Evan Dunham, Waylon Lowe, and Denis Siver among others.

A host of former champions along with a current welterweight contender round out the top six fighters in takedowns landed with five mininum fights according to Fight Metric.

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UFC 145 Set for Montreal, Rory MacDonald Slated to Face Che Mills

The UFC has announced their return to Montreal, Quebec, Canada in March 2012.At UFC 145, young welterweight prospect Rory MacDonald (12-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) returns to the Octagon for the first time since suffering an injury that forced him out of a schedul…

The UFC has announced their return to Montreal, Quebec, Canada in March 2012.

At UFC 145, young welterweight prospect Rory MacDonald (12-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) returns to the Octagon for the first time since suffering an injury that forced him out of a scheduled UFC 140 bout against Brian Ebersole.

MacDonald is slated to face Che Mills (14-4, 1 NC MMA, 1-0 UFC) who made an impressive Octagon debut at UFC 138 by defeating Chris Cope courtesy of first-round technical knockout.

At 22 years of age, MacDonald truly is one of the brightest prospects on the UFC roster.

He’s collected three wins since making his organizational debut in January 2010 and his most recent victories against Nate Diaz and Mike Pyle were nothing short of impressive.

Diaz was on the receiving end of an one-sided beating for 15 minutes at UFC 129, while Pyle was dispatched in the opening round of action by technical knockout.

Mills is riding a five-fight win streak that includes three victories by knockout. While he may certainly have a bright future in the organization, it’s hard to see him defeating the future of the welterweight division in MacDonald.

It remains to be seen if MacDonald and Mills will fight on the pay-per-view main card.

For additional information on UFC 145, follow Joshua Carey on Twitter.  

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UFC’s Clay Guida ‘Happy and Proud’ to Visit Troops for Holidays During USO Tour

Top-10 ranked lightweight and UFC veteran Clay Guida is spending a portion of the holidays visiting troops in Italy.Joining Guida are top ranked bantamweight Urijah Faber and UFC Octagon girl Brittney Palmer.Guida, a native of Chicago, where UFC on Fox…

Top-10 ranked lightweight and UFC veteran Clay Guida is spending a portion of the holidays visiting troops in Italy.

Joining Guida are top ranked bantamweight Urijah Faber and UFC Octagon girl Brittney Palmer.

Guida, a native of Chicago, where UFC on Fox 2 takes place next month, has enjoyed the time spent with the troops during the holiday season.

“I am happy and proud to be a part of this USO tour,” Guida said via press release. “So far, the best part has been spending time with troops and listening to their stories. I can’t think of a better way to get into the holiday spirit than giving back to our troops.”

As for the troops, it’s clear they appreciate Guida, Faber and Palmer spending time with them.

Bruno Cantu from Aviano, Italy sent his appreciation on Twitter.

“@whiskeyross: @ClayGuida thanks again for stopping by Aviano. It was much appreciated! Go cubs!! Sandberg will get his chance!”

As part of the tour Guida, Faber and Palmer are set to visit six bases in nine days for a variety of interactions with the troops.

Autograph signings, photo opportunities and sharing training techniques are all part of the tour.

Guida made his UFC debut five years ago and through 15 fights inside the Octagon he’s made a name for himself by possessing a fan-friendly and high energy fighting style.

For additional information on the USO tour with Guida, Faber, and Palmer follow along on Twitter.

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