Author: Matt Erickson

Soszynski Ready for a ‘Whole New Fight’ Against Bonnar at UFC 116

Filed under: UFCWhen it comes to fight preparation, Krzyzstof Soszynski has most assuredly been on both ends of the spectrum.

Last May, “The Polish Experiment” got less than three weeks notice to fight Andre Gusmao at UFC 98. In August, he got about …

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When it comes to fight preparation, Krzyzstof Soszynski has most assuredly been on both ends of the spectrum.

Last May, “The Polish Experiment” got less than three weeks notice to fight Andre Gusmao at UFC 98. In August, he got about a month’s notice to fill in for Matt Hamill against Brandon Vera at UFC 102. He came through with a knockout against Gusmao, but was sluggish and out-pointed against Vera.

That’s why he would much prefer a nice, long training camp – even if, like this time around, it’s essentially an eight-month camp to fight the same opponent twice.

Soszynski (19-9-1, 4-1 UFC) rematches with Stephan Bonnar (11-7, 5-6 UFC) at UFC 116 on Saturday after a controversial ending to their first fight at UFC 110. An accidental head butt opened up a cut on Bonnar’s head that forced a TKO stoppage, and Bonnar’s appeal to have the bout ruled a no contest was denied. Both fighters agreed a rematch would be prudent, but Soszynski said this is not likely to be a continuation of their last meeting.

Where Does Werdum’s Stunner Over Fedor Fall on All-Time Upsets List?

Any time a monumental upset takes place in mixed martial arts, it’s pretty much mandatory to start up the discussion about where the fight falls on the list of biggest upsets of all time.

With Fabricio Werdum’s Strikeforce win over Fedor Emelianenko …

Any time a monumental upset takes place in mixed martial arts, it’s pretty much mandatory to start up the discussion about where the fight falls on the list of biggest upsets of all time.

With Fabricio Werdum‘s Strikeforce win over Fedor Emelianenko on Saturday, the debate began as soon as the shock of seeing Fedor tapping out wore off: Was this the biggest upset in the history of the sport?

This is just one Top 10 list. Yours will likely differ in inclusions, snubs and placement. There have, of course, been plenty of other notable upsets beyond this set, some of which are listed here as Honorable Mentions. But like unofficial pound-for-pound lists, big upsets like Werdum over Fedor are a part of what keeps MMA fans debating. So let the discussion begin.

Varner, Shalorus Lead WEC 49 Medical Suspensions List

Filed under: WEC, NewsAll fighters on Sunday’s WEC 49 card in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, received medical suspensions from the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission.

MMA Fighting received the list of suspensions in an e-mail from Pat Reid, the commiss…

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All fighters on Sunday’s WEC 49 card in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, received medical suspensions from the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission.

MMA Fighting received the list of suspensions in an e-mail from Pat Reid, the commission’s executive director.

Main event lightweights Jamie Varner and Kamal Shalorus, who battled to a controversial draw, both received indefinite suspensions due to broken bones. Varner will need a doctor’s clearance before he can fight again, plus X-rays on his broken right hand and right foot, not to mention a clean bill of health on his left ribs. Shalorus will also need a doctor’s clearance before his next fight and X-rays on both hands and his lower right leg.

TUF Veteran John Kolosci Signs One-Fight Deal With Bellator

Filed under: FanHouse Exclusive, Bellator, NewsJohn Kolosci hoped his latest victory would propel him back to another shot with a major promotion, and it appears that it has.

Kolosci, a veteran of Season 6 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” told MMA Fighting…

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John Kolosci hoped his latest victory would propel him back to another shot with a major promotion, and it appears that it has.

Kolosci, a veteran of Season 6 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” told MMA Fighting on Monday he has signed a one-fight deal with Bellator and will face unbeaten Kenny Robertson on the promotion’s Aug. 19 card at the Chicago Theatre.

Kolosci (14-6) is coming off the biggest win of his career, a submission of nine-fight UFC veteran Luigi Fioravanti in just 42 seconds. He delivered a strong right that floored Fioravanti early in their main-event welterweight fight at the Hoosier Fight Club 4 show in Gary, Ind., 10 days ago. He then went to the ground, took Fioravanti’s back and locked in a rear-naked choke to end the fight.

Ben Henderson Defends Position on Rematches, Awaits Varner-Shalorus Winner

Filed under: WEC, NewsSunday’s main event between lightweights Jamie Varner and Kamal Shalorus at WEC 49 isn’t a title fight, but it will have title implications.

WEC general manager Reed Harris said on a media call Tuesday that the winner will get t…

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Sunday’s main event between lightweights Jamie Varner and Kamal Shalorus at WEC 49 isn’t a title fight, but it will have title implications.

WEC general manager Reed Harris said on a media call Tuesday that the winner will get the next crack at current champion Ben Henderson. Varner, a former WEC lightweight champ, has been down that road before. Henderson caught him in a guillotine at WEC 46 in January to unify his interim title with Varner’s belt.

And while Varner said he’s not overlooking Shalorus on Sunday, it’s clear his eyes are on a chance at redemption against Henderson, whom he was critical of for his stance of not wanting rematches after he’s beaten someone.

“See the thing is, he doesn’t have that decision-making power (to turn down a rematch),” Varner said Tuesday. “I think Ben knows – I think it’s a little bit of fear, to be honest with you.”

But Henderson defended his position on rematches to MMA Fighting on Thursday.

Former Bantamweight Champ Eddie Wineland Wants to Stay in the Hunt

Filed under: WECAsk 100 MMA fans to name the former WEC bantamweight champion from Indiana, and all 100 of them are liable to say Miguel Torres. And while the Torres response is true – and certainly understandable – Eddie Wineland might have something …

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Ask 100 MMA fans to name the former WEC bantamweight champion from Indiana, and all 100 of them are liable to say Miguel Torres. And while the Torres response is true – and certainly understandable – Eddie Wineland might have something to say about that.

Wineland was the WEC’s first champ at 135 pounds. He won the belt at WEC 20, knocking out Antonio Banuelos for the title. But that was in the WEC’s pre-Zuffa era, before the big TV deal with Versus and really before “MMA” was a household term. Casual fans not really knowing him could be forgiven. Besides, he lost the belt less than a year later in his first defense at WEC 26.

But on Sunday, at WEC 49 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Wineland goes after his third straight win, and he’ll do it against Will Campuzano to open the televised card on Versus – the latest step on his goal to get another crack at the title.

“You always want to be on the main card – everybody always wants to be seen,” Wineland said. “But whether I’m the first fight or the last fight, as long as I’m there and I get to fight and I get that win, that’s really all that matters.”