Author: Karlo Silverio III Sevilla

Mark Muñoz vs. Chris Weidman to be Shown on Free TV in the Philippines

The showdown between Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Muñoz (12-2-0) and Chris Weidman (8-0-0) on UFC on Fuel TV 4 will usher in a new era for MMA in the Philippines.On July 14, at 11:00 p.m. PHL time (11:00 a.m. EST), the replay…

The showdown between Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Muñoz (12-2-0) and Chris Weidman (8-0-0) on UFC on Fuel TV 4 will usher in a new era for MMA in the Philippines.

On July 14, at 11:00 p.m. PHL time (11:00 a.m. EST), the replay will be telecast across the whole archipelago for free on leading local TV channel ABS-CBN

This move will boost the awareness of MMA among sport fans in the home country of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, the 12th  most populous in the world (with 101,833,938 people as of 2011).

A three-part UFC special has been running since June 30 on ABS-CBN, hosted by the Ultimate Panel composed of Filipino actor Luis Manzano, matinee idol and former amateur MMA fighter JM De Guzman, former professional MMA fighter Christian Wong and top Filipino grappler Ali Sulit.

On the first two episodes, aired on June 30 and July 7, the trio discussed the background of Muñoz as a “fighter, coach, father, brother and friend.”

Previous UFC fights won by the fighter, whose parents hail from the Southeast Asian country, were also shown and analyzed.

The Filipino Wrecking Machine emerged victorious over Aaron Simpson, C.B. Dollaway, Demian Maia and most recently Chris Leben to build up a four-fight winning streak in the UFC. He also previously beat Nick Catone, Ryan Jensen and Kendall Grove.

His two losses inside the UFC were dealt by Matt Hamill and Yushin Okami.

The last episode, which will air on July 14, will cover Muñoz’s fight versus Chris Weidman.

Widely perceived by fight fans as a potential title eliminator for the UFC middleweight belt still worn by Anderson Silva, who stopped Chael Sonnen last Saturday night, Filipinos everywhere will be rooting for Muñoz to overcome the tough test that Weidman will provide.

Manny Pacquiao lost to Timothy Bradley last month, while Nonito Donaire Jr.—another top Filipino boxer—unified the WBO and IBF superbantamweight title by dominating Jeffrey Mathebula last Saturday.

Filipinos are hoping that Muñoz will follow up Donaire’s victory with his very own inside the Octagon for a second celebration this week.

 

Karlo Silverio Sevilla is a Contributor for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.

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Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen MMA Gangsta Rap by Pat Burner

Anderson Silva’s upcoming UFC 148 title defense and rematch versus longtime nemesis Chael Sonnen gets a promotional boost from MMA music video artist Pat “Banana Hands” Burner. This time, Burner, of the eponymously sounding MMABurner.com collaborates w…

Anderson Silva‘s upcoming UFC 148 title defense and rematch versus longtime nemesis Chael Sonnen gets a promotional boost from MMA music video artist Pat “Banana Hands” Burner. This time, Burner, of the eponymously sounding MMABurner.com collaborates with Tucker Betts to star in their own Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen – MMA Gangsta Rap (embedded here).

MMA’s version of the Beastie Boys (and may its recently departed band member Adam Yauch rest in peace) comes up with an admittedly “goofy and silly” hip-hop video that hopes to elicit, er, goofy and silly smiles from the not-too-serious MMA fans.

Leave the searing animosity between the true protagonists Silva the Champion and Sonnen the Challenger (for the second time) to them fighters; let the more creative fans take care of the lighter and sillier side of MMA fighting.

Why settle for just watching Silva and listening to Sonnen, when you can come up with something musical to add spice to the looming epic battle?

Here’s a sampling of the poetic repartee from the MMA gangsta rap:

…Sonnen’s gonna take The Spider down, He’s gonna get in his grill, Make him feel like he just looked under his bed and found an evil boogey-man, He’s the gangsta from West Linn, Chael Sonnen!

Well I don’t think so! The Spider be squeezing necks, And if he gets a chance he’ll just grab on your throat and rip your larynx out, Just like in that movie Under Siege—A great flick for the family, No not really!

 

 

What? Well, those familiar with the genre “comedy of the absurd” would be more appreciative. (Think Steve Martin in his early standup comedy gigs.)

And watch out for the mean double-leg lift at 1:17 and the flawlessly executed triangle choke at 1:23…whatever. But you’ve got to love those pink 70’s NBA shorts.

So just sit back, loosen up and endure or enjoy!

Note on the artist: Pat Burner (real name Patrick Boerner) is also the creative force behind the soon-to-be MMA cult classic music videos UFC 145 Jon Jones vs Rashad Evans Hype Song, Alistair Overeem—What’s That in Your Ice Cream and Strikeforce Champion: Ronda Rousey Rocks! which could all be found on this linked Youtube.com page.

Karlo Silverio Sevilla is a Contributor for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.

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Martin Kampmann Proves His Bounce Again with Win over Jake Ellenberger

Martin Kampmann (20-5) has shown again last night at The Ultimate Fighter 15 finale that he’s got bounce, and it’s not about his head hair—of which he hardly has any. It’s about his heart that propels him to rise from impending …

Martin Kampmann (20-5) has shown again last night at The Ultimate Fighter 15 finale that he’s got bounce, and it’s not about his head hair—of which he hardly has any. It’s about his heart that propels him to rise from impending loss and surprisingly emerge victorious just when his adversaries think they’ve finished him.

Well, lately Kampmann has proven that we should not be surprised next time.

The Hitman has made his last two opponents become little kids learning how to dribble a basketball: The harder they slapped the ball, the harder it bounced back into their faces.

Surviving a booming left hook from Jake Ellenberger and the subsequent barrage of fists that almost finished him in the first round, Kampmann came back strong in the second with knee strikes that earned him a Knockout of the Night award.

Previously, Kampmann also rose from a dangerously close defeat after getting rocked by Thiago Alves at UFC on FX 2 just last March in the third and last round of a fight he was judged to have been losing. Fortunately, Alves dove for a double-leg shoot after staggering his opponent, giving Kampmann the chance to reverse and sink in a guillotine choke that also won him Submission of the Night.

Further cementing his place among the world’s top 10 welterweights, fans are now abuzz on how close Kampmann is to a UFC title shot.

Kampmann has just knocked out a strong and heavy-handed wrestler in Ellenberger, achieving this feat after submitting a feared striker in Alves.

And, just prior to beating Alves, the Hitman notched a unanimous decision win over well-rounded and previous hot item Rick Story.

What better way to prepare for that much-coveted title shot than facing and convincingly beating opponents that offered a variety of fighting styles and scoring victories via equally varied ways of winning?

Also in hindsight, losing to but surviving submission specialist Jake Shields can’t be all that bad along the way to every MMA fighter’s ultimate objective.

Now, in case Kampmann eventually fights Georges St-Pierre and gets pushed down by the champion to the brink of defeat, will he be able to spring back and snatch the welterweight title?

Or will it be all downhill from there and he’ll just register as the nth frustrated pretender to the throne?

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Jon Jones: Younger Brother Chandler Jones’ Earnings Zoom Past His

Jon Jones is the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion and is highly regarded as one of the world’s top three pound-for-pound MMA fighters. His younger brother, Chandler Jones, was recently picked at No. 21 in the 2012 National Football League …

Jon Jones is the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion and is highly regarded as one of the world’s top three pound-for-pound MMA fighters. His younger brother, Chandler Jones, was recently picked at No. 21 in the 2012 National Football League draft in the first round.

The champion of the world’s premier MMA organization so far has reportedly made $400,000 for 2012. The 21st draft pick of the NFL has signed a signing bonus worth $4.384 million—with more millions guaranteed (click “view contract details” here)—as incoming rookie for the New England Patriots.

Not promoting sibling rivalry here, just happy that exceptionally athletic blood brothers are set off for a very bright and prosperous future for their family and respective families. And yes, that includes their eldest brother Arthur who has been playing as defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens since 2010.

It is also worth noting that the three big bros are earning way-above-average incomes through sports, both of the bruising and grinding kind. (By the way, is “way-above-average incomes” still an understatement?)

The rest of us are either content with middling salaries or looking for employment.

Most of us will bump into a street pole with no car, much less a Bentley, in between.

At least we can afford to be dead drunk, as long as it’s not on a regular basis so we can still lead productive lives for ourselves and our families.

And we try to be good role models, especially the parents among us, for our children and respective immediate communities. Though, we also fail in this respect every now and then. (Admit it! My friend, who was recently awarded as “Father of the Year,” was arrested last night for JWI. He was jaywalking while intoxicated, and bumped into the policeman across the street.*)

In ending, does my article fail to mention other issues and implications regarding the staggering difference between the Jones brothers’ professional earnings? Like that our Jon Jones could be the “poorest” of the three?

*Just kidding about the whole thing, I’m just implying something here.

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Dana White: Consummate UFC President and Weight Loss Advocate

Dana White cares. Aside from performing his multiple tasks as president of the UFC, White also assumes the role of fitness consultant to select overweight athletes of the world’s leading MMA organization. He announced his preference—right a…

Dana White cares.

Aside from performing his multiple tasks as president of the UFC, White also assumes the role of fitness consultant to select overweight athletes of the world’s leading MMA organization.

He announced his preference—right after the recently dethroned former lightweight champion lost his belt—that Frankie Edgar should move down to current titlist Jose Aldo’s featherweight division. Even guaranteeing an immediate title shot versus Aldo if The Answer replies in the affirmative.

He said that past welterweight title challenger Jake Shields should keep campaigning in Georges St-Pierre’s estate, and not ascend the middleweight roster.

He insisted UFC 146 winner Roy Nelson should cut down and invade the light heavyweight territory ruled by Jon Jones.

Likewise, the UFC head stated that Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champion Daniel Cormier should reduce and accompany Nelson in that expedition.

White is a firm believer in the principle of maximizing each fighter’s strength-to-weight ratio. The idea being that every serious fighter should be at the heaviest of his weight class come the official weigh-in, and not give away a deficit of poundage to his opponent.

If the strength and conditioning trainers and dietitians of Edgar, Shields, Nelson and Cormier have “negligently overlooked” this principle, then it’s not White’s problem.

He is the boss of the UFC stable of fighters. And maybe he implies that they should listen if they know what’s good for them. (Not that they’re obliged, though.)

 

Edgar has lately hinted that he might drop down to featherweight.

Jake Shields is already scheduled to fight at middleweight against Ed Herman at UFC 150.

Nelson shouted some strong words at White after stopping Herman last Saturday night, presumably over this weight-loss issue, among others.

And Cormier is now considering losing pounds to fight Jon Jones, according to MMAMania.com. This despite a “horrific weight cut” in the past “not only cost him an Olympic wrestling bid, but almost cost him his life.”

Fighters may or may not oblige, as White’s tips are not considered standing orders—unless it’s in their contract, which is doubtful.

Still, White is free to speak his mind about his fighters as a concerned surrogate parent. Or fan.

But he can’t dispense unsolicited advice as dietitian or strength and conditioning consultant, unless certified.

Note: Dana Fonda, er, I mean White, used to be an aerobics instructor and conducted classes in three gyms.


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UFC 146 Results: Brock Lesnar Called out by Roy Nelson on Twitter

Brock Lesnar is yet to be announced as officially back to fight in the UFC, but Roy Nelson could no longer hide his urge to take on the former heavyweight champion—if he actually returns. Still euphoric after stopping Dave Herman in the main card…

Brock Lesnar is yet to be announced as officially back to fight in the UFC, but Roy Nelson could no longer hide his urge to take on the former heavyweight champion—if he actually returns.

Still euphoric after stopping Dave Herman in the main card of UFC 146 and probably bloated with Carl’s Jr. cheeseburgers by then, Big Country tweeted the following:

 

Nobody can blame him, coming fresh off a confidence-boosting victory to further prove he still deserves his place in the UFC. In spectacular and convincing fashion, walloping Pee-Wee into semi-consciousness with his famed overhand right.

So excited was the only fighter to give still-champion Junior Dos Santos “a run for his money” that he hurried towards Dana White immediately after the referee stoppage, shouting strong words towards the UFC honcho while still inside the cage.

It can be presumed that the president’s earlier implied threat that “he needs a win,” along with strong suggestions that he cut to 205 pounds, has riled up Big Country big time leading to the fight.

 

Nelson must have felt vindicated and made it known verbally to White that he could win even with that lifesaver around his waist. (Though, Nelson may have conceded a bit as the tube appeared somewhat deflated last Saturday.)

So Nelson now strings along a respectable record of 2-1 in his last three fights, winning over Mirko Filipović and Herman while losing to Fabricio Werdum in between.

Why should he heed White’s importuning for him to drop down to the light heavyweight class?

When an immediate fight versus a post-diverticulitis Brock Lesnar is always less threatening than the long-term prospect of challenging a wasted Jon Jones—especially when Bones is hell on wheels?

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