During the UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami prelims, fans were treated to what seemed like an inept, if hilarious, move by Brazilian middleweight Rousimar Palhares.After kicking Dan Miller in the head and knocking him flat on his back, “Toquinho” s…
During the UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami prelims, fans were treated to what seemed like an inept, if hilarious, move by Brazilian middleweight Rousimar Palhares.
After kicking Dan Miller in the head and knocking him flat on his back, “Toquinho” started punching his grounded opponent repeatedly. Miller was helplessly covered up, and Herb Dean looked ready to stop the fight.
Palhares walked away—hands in the air in total elation of his latest win, and jumped on the fence.
Only there was a problem: Herb Dean never stopped the fight. He dragged Palhares down from the fence and restarted the fight again. In the confusion, Miller lands a left and nearly stops Palhares!
Unfortunately for Miller, that was the closest he got to winning the fight. It went the distance, but not before Palhares established his dominance time and again.
So what caused all this confusion? Did Palhares try to referee his own fight? Is he an idiot?
Or is Rousimar Palhares simply misunderstood?
Let’s examine a few facts and attempt to draw some conclusions.
On September 24, Jon “Bones” Jones will defend his belt for the first time against the heavy handed Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.With the hype surrounding Jones and the fame surrounding Jackson, this is one of the biggest events the UFC this year.The even…
On September 24, Jon “Bones” Jones will defend his belt for the first time against the heavy handed Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
With the hype surrounding Jones and the fame surrounding Jackson, this is one of the biggest events the UFC this year.
The event extends far beyond a title defense. Here are ten reasons why you should not miss watching UFC 135.
On November 12th, the UFC will premiere on Fox and introduce MMA to a brand new audience. This is a monumental step for the sport, one that will forever alter how the casual viewer perceives mixed martial arts.As is, the UFC could air the same programm…
On November 12th, the UFC will premiere on Fox and introduce MMA to a brand new audience. This is a monumental step for the sport, one that will forever alter how the casual viewer perceives mixed martial arts.
As is, the UFC could air the same programming it gives for its pay-per-views and Fight Nights. The format is solid and exciting, and the average fan wouldn’t know the difference.
Fox is a completely different animal than Spike or FX, however. The demographic is larger than the standard 18-35 year-old male range the UFC usually caters to, and Zuffa has a big opportunity in its hands to expand the UFC’s audience.
In the midst of this event, here are 10 changes the UFC might have to make as it broadcasts over network television.
On September 24th, 2011, Jon “Bones” Jones will defend his light heavyweight championship against veteran and former champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.It has the makings of the best fight of the year.Oddsmakers have Jones pegge…
On September 24th, 2011, Jon “Bones” Jones will defend his light heavyweight championship against veteran and former champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
It has the makings of the best fight of the year.
Oddsmakers have Jones pegged as the favorite in the fight, and the general consensus is that the 24-year-old will run through Jackson.
I’ll admit that Jones deserves some of his hype, but the fight won’t be a shutout. Rampage will be his stiffest test to date, and as such we will see a tremendous performance from both fighters.
The old adage “styles make fights” certainly applies to Rampage vs. Jones, so let us explore how this fight could stylistically be the biggest and most entertaining of the year.
It is a rematch four years in the making. At UFC 134, Forrest Griffin will be facing Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in a rematch of their 2007 bout, which Griffin won by rear-naked choke. This time, however, the outcome will be much different. Altho…
It is a rematch four years in the making.
At UFC 134, Forrest Griffin will be facing Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in a rematch of their 2007 bout, which Griffin won by rear-naked choke.
This time, however, the outcome will be much different.
Although Rua is coming off a devastating loss to Jon “Bones” Jones back in March, expect to see quite possibly the hungriest Shogun that has ever stepped inside the octagon. In addition to being motivated to even the score of what is arguably his most embarrassing loss, Rua will be fighting in his home country for the first time since 2003.
Perhaps most important to note is the fact that Rua has not had a post-fight knee surgery since his last fight.
Historically, Rua’s surgeries have been a reoccurring problem in his career. After injuring his knee after the first Griffin fight, Shogun returned with a sluggish performance over Mark Coleman at UFC 93, a match which he won by a third-round knockout.
A few months later, however, Shogun defeated former champion Chuck Liddell with a tremendous display of striking and movement.
He went on to fight the undefeated champion Lyoto Machida with a pair a strong performances. Although Rua controversially lost the first fight, he was granted an immediate rematch and knocked out Machida in the first round.
As luck would have it, Rua required yet another knee surgery after defeating Machida, which turned into another sluggish performance against Jon Jones.
Griffin is not a slouch, though. After submitting Shogun, he went on to defeat Rampage Jackson and win the title. His record since then has been a bit spotty, however. He was knocked out consecutively by Rashad Evans and Anderson Silva, and won a controversial split decision over Tito Ortiz. His last convincing win was over Rich Franklin back in UFC 126.
If we were to compare highlights between the two fighters, one would be hard pressed to find a Griffin highlight reel that could match Rua’s. As it stands, the very best Forrest Griffin is not as good as the very best Mauricio Rua.
At UFC 134, we will see the very best Shogun. Both fighters are hungry and want the belt back, but I’m feeling more than a bit sorry for Forrest Griffin.
Gather around, fight fans, as UFC 134: Rio is almost upon us. Featured in this spectacular card is a title rematch between Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami, another rematch between Forrest Griffin and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and a generationa…
Gather around, fight fans, as UFC 134: Rio is almost upon us.
Featured in this spectacular card is a title rematch between Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami, another rematch between Forrest Griffin and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and a generational battle between MMA legend Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira and rising superstar Brendan Schaub.
So how will this card event play out? Let’s take a look at all the main card bouts and pick out some winners, shall we?
