Author: Matt Fitzgerald

UFC on Fox 7 Results: Daniel Cormier’s Win Fortifies Case for Championship Shot

It may have only been Daniel Cormier’s promotional debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but his convincing victory at UFC on Fox 7 over prolific fighter Frank Mir sets up a promising career within his new company.The former Strikeforce Heavywei…

It may have only been Daniel Cormier‘s promotional debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but his convincing victory at UFC on Fox 7 over prolific fighter Frank Mir sets up a promising career within his new company.

The former Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champion won by unanimous decision on Saturday in San Jose’s HP Pavilion. With that, Cormier instantly proved he is a worthy candidate to take down Cain Velasquez in the future for the UFC heavyweight title.

After the resounding triumph over Mir, Cormier indicated he’s pondering a move to light heavyweight for at least one more bout before taking on Velasquez, per Dana Becker of FightLine.com.

He could likely use a couple more dominating showcases to earn the chance from Dana White as it is, but the boss of the UFC has to be impressed with what he saw from Cormier on Saturday evening.

Even well before he made his maiden appearance in the UFC, Cormier expressed his plans to wear a championship belt back in January.

Although he insisted on a prospective fight with Velasquez not being in his immediate plans, a title shot shouldn’t be out of the question in the not-too-distant future. Cormier and Vasquez train together and are good friends, and the possibility seems more tangible after Cormier‘s display against Mir.

Given Mir’s ground-game prowess and experience in the Octagon, it was extremely impressive that Cormier was able to dictate the tone of the entire match.

The consensus among B/R’s own experts was a TKO for Cormier in Round 2. However, despite not sporting the chiseled midsection that many of his counterparts do, Cormier showed outstanding stamina in the 15-minute clash.

Rather than get into a wrestling tangle, he kept Mir at bay by rattling him against the cage and hit him with effective, devastating combinations in close quarters. That ultimately thwarted an early push by Mir, which featured a plethora of crushing kicks.

Cormier is an ex-Olympic wrestler himself, yet he opted to use his 5’10”, 235-pound frame as a difficult moving target on foot. That shows the versatility necessary of a UFC champion and also Cormier‘s ability to adapt his arsenal in an effort to more adequately exploit his opponents.

In terms of his potential in mixed martial arts, it appears that Cormier is just scratching the surface.

Since Mir has a five-inch height advantage, it was difficult for Cormier in the early going to get enough space to diminish the effect of his opponent’s kicks. Once he got settled in, though, it was clear who the victor was going to be.

If he can continue to polish up and focus on specific martial arts disciplines in a more refined way, there is no telling what Cormier‘s ceiling in the UFC will be.

It may seem like hyperbole to garner Cormier with this type of hype so early in his UFC career. However, he showed that he could withstand early adversity and proved that his training at the American Kickboxing Academy has paid off.

That practice translated to the biggest stage in MMA, and Cormier should only continue to improve as the 34-year-old progresses through the ranks.

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Ronda Rousey’s Triumph in First Female Main Event Expands UFC’s Audience

Ronda Rousey used her signature armbar submission in the first round to beat Liz Carmouche at the main event of UFC 157. But the shock waves her victory sent beyond the octagon were arguably the bigger story.While the night was a landmark occasion that…

Ronda Rousey used her signature armbar submission in the first round to beat Liz Carmouche at the main event of UFC 157. But the shock waves her victory sent beyond the octagon were arguably the bigger story.

While the night was a landmark occasion that signaled the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship’s women’s bout, it was also yet another example of the promotional company’s marketing genius. UFC president Dana White had been opposed to women in his enterprise for a long time, but has been 100 percent supportive of Rousey from the jump.

Regarded as a star from the beginning, and after seven prior punishing performances, Rousey lived up to the hype in every way on the biggest stage.

Not only does that bash down barriers and the perception that females have no place in high-profile mixed martial arts, but it also heightens the intrigue surrounding one of the world’s fastest growing sports phenomenons.

In fact, even prior to the historic fight between Rousey and Carmouche, FOX Sports’ A.J. Perez reported that four new female fighters had joined the ranks of the UFC bantamweights.

Rousey has the extremely confident and extroverted personality of a classic fighting champion, good looks and, as brilliantly displayed against Carmouche, the substance to back it all up.

White took an unprecedented risk on Rousey, because if she lost—which she almost did, due to a rear-naked choke bid by Carmouche—the clear-cut No. 1 marketed female would have not perceptibly deserved the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship.


But thanks to Rousey‘s success, the event was a massive success from a financial standpoint. All 15,525 seats in the Honda Center were sold out, and the pay-per-view revenue that the fight raked in is reportedly spectacular.

Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times indicates that the addition of replay sales could bump the fight up to 500,000 buys, according to a UFC official with knowledge of the figures. The pay-per-view numbers were assessed at approximately 40 percent better than the card on Super Bowl weekend.

And the best part about this development for fighting fans is that Rousey still has plenty of upside from a fighting standpoint.

She is quickly becoming a trailblazer and an increasingly prominent figure in the sports realm, and she has only two years of experience at her recently chosen professional craft of MMA fighting.

Rousey already has a huge jump on the rest of the women ascending to the ranks of the UFC and those aspiring to do so, and she still has plenty of room for improvement at the age of 26.

The point is, get used to “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey, because she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon—neither is the UFC. Rousey and the company are strengthening a mutually beneficial relationship that should continue to see the UFC’s business explode.

And as she continues to generate this type of buzz, Rousey should also continue to be a dominating headliner at UFC events for years to come.

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UFC 157: Breaking Down Historic Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche Fight

Saturday evening’s UFC 157 will truly be a landmark spectacle in mixed martial arts when Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche headline the card in the first-ever fight featuring women.UFC president Dana White is used to taking risks and making bold moves, bu…

Saturday evening’s UFC 157 will truly be a landmark spectacle in mixed martial arts when Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche headline the card in the first-ever fight featuring women.

UFC president Dana White is used to taking risks and making bold moves, but his business savvy has been undeniable in growing the brand and popularity of the largest MMA promotion company in the world.

This is yet another stroke of genius by White, as pay-per-view sales should explode and the bantamweights should put on an entertaining display to cap off the night. The introduction of females into the octagon on this type of stage alone creates a sensational amount of buzz.

As for the fight itself, Rousey—who has the looks, charisma, substance and star power to generate the interest required for White to market this event—is the clear-cut favorite to retain the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship.

In her previous six matchups, the 26-year-old has been minimally tested and has forced opponents into submission by way of armbars within minutes of the fight’s beginning. Meanwhile, Carmouche has a solid record of 8-2 but started 6-0.

Public opinion is clearly on Rousey‘s side, as essentially no one is expecting Carmouche to emerge victorious. But it is worth breaking down how the underdog could make things interesting.

Although she is not as versatile or as good of a wrestler as Rousey, there is no doubting Carmouche‘s toughness and ability to play defense. She will likely be on her heels often against the prowess of Rousey, so it will be optimally important to weather the early fury.

If Carmouche is able to get past the opening round and stay relatively conservative so as to not leave herself susceptible to an early tap-out, it will put Rousey in unfamiliar territory. That is pretty much the only chance she has.

The former Marine is called “Girlrilla” for a reason. Carmouche is tough as nails and can destroy opponents if she gets in a position of leverage on the ground and pound.

Even a momentary slip-up by Rousey could result in a shocking upset, but based on how solid and imposing she has been on her previous opponents, it wouldn’t be surprising to see yet another armbar.

Regardless of the outcome, this is going to be a big win for mixed martial arts and an inspiration to women everywhere who are interested in breaking into the sport.

Both have the confidence and swagger necessary to heighten the anticipation, too.

Rousey said that she would take out every single girl in her path that even mentions her as competition, while Carmouche believes—at least publicly—that Rousey doesn’t have what it takes to beat her (h/t Las Vegas Sun).

Grit and toughness will only take Carmouche so far, though, and it’s difficult to pick against “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey. Look for Rousey to pull of another armbar and justify her label as the favorite in this epic clash.

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Dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2: UFC Heavyweights Should Have Title Rubber Match

Cain Velasquez got his redemption against Junior Dos Santos in the UFC 155 heavyweight title fight, putting on a stunning, dominant five-round display to reclaim his belt.It may be a while before Dos Santos recovers, but with the series tied at one api…

Cain Velasquez got his redemption against Junior Dos Santos in the UFC 155 heavyweight title fight, putting on a stunning, dominant five-round display to reclaim his belt.

It may be a while before Dos Santos recovers, but with the series tied at one apiece as it stands, the two fighters and MMA fans everywhere should entertain the idea of a rubber match with the title at stake once again.

The loss to Dos Santos back in November of 2011 was the only one of Velasquez’s UFC career. He was fighting through a knee injury at the time, but firmly denied that it was the determining factor. But it was clear who the better fighter was on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

SportsCenter‘s official Twitter page documented just how one-sided the affair was despite the fight going the full distance:

The first fight was over in 64 seconds, and Velasquez could have ended the fight after Round 1. A combination of a leg kick and punishing punches pushed Dos Santos against the cage and eventually knocked him down. That set the tone for the rest of the night in the octagon.

Two fights, two convincing wins for both Dos Santos and Velasquez. This most recent encounter also marked Dos Santos’ only loss in the UFC.

What other sort of incentive needs to be provided for another showdown?

Velasquez revealed his strategy that helped him succeed so well the second time around (h/t AP via The Daily Globe and Mail):

I knew that Junior was a tough striker and he was able to end our last fight that way, so I was prepared for him this time…I was able to effectively use my striking and my grappling to control him throughout the fight and get the title back.

Velasquez’s background as a wrestler at Arizona State certainly served him well, and the boxing brilliance of his opponent couldn’t get him out of trouble. Neither could Dos Santos’ jiu-jitsu prowess.

Given the time to evaluate what went wrong and how he can improve, Dos Santos is a versatile fighter that can make the necessary adjustments and bounce back in the next encounter. As he said afterwards, he is determined to get his belt back.

However, Dos Santos might not get that opportunity until early 2014.

UFC president Dana White expects Velasquez and Dos Santos to meet again, but as mentioned in an article by John Morgan of USA TODAY, it might be a while before that occurs. White notes that Dos Santos’ injuries could prevent a rematch for an extended period of time.

I think trilogies are always awesome, especially when both these fights went the way that they did. I mean, I want to see the third fight. It will be interesting. But this isn’t like losing a regular fight. He got beat up pretty bad. It usually takes a little longer to recover from what he went through.

It was a straining, 13-month wait for the second edition of the Velasquez vs. Dos Santos battle. It could be about that long until the two will be prepared to meet again—especially with Velasquez likely to take on an additional fight in the meantime.

But it was worth the wait on Saturday night in Las Vegas, where a record ticket sales of $3.2 million were logged at the MGM Grand Garden.

With true bragging rights and an edge in this emerging rivalry on the line in the next prospective clash, the wait would certainly be worth it once again.

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Silva vs. Bonnar: Brazilian Fighter Will Notch TKO on Home Soil

Arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the history of mixed martial arts, Anderson Silva will feed off of a home crowd in Rio de Janeiro and notch a TKO against Stephan Bonnar in UFC 153.The main event on the card at HSBC Arena is a month from to…

Arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the history of mixed martial arts, Anderson Silva will feed off of a home crowd in Rio de Janeiro and notch a TKO against Stephan Bonnar in UFC 153.

The main event on the card at HSBC Arena is a month from today, and the two veteran fighters are slated to go at it for three rounds. Silva will make sure the fight doesn’t go the distance, despite facing an opponent in Bonnar, who will cut weight if anything before the fight. Bonnar has also never been stopped in a fight during his UFC career.

Moving up to light heavyweight won’t be a problem for Silva, who is coming off a rematch victory over Chael Sonnen, thanks to a vicious knee to the body in Round 2.

It doesn’t take long for the 37-year-old to capitalize on even the smallest mistake by his opponent, thanks to his legendary striking prowess and accuracy.

UFC president Dana White is certainly pleased with the fact that the biggest name in his sport stepped forward to salvage a card that looked to be in jeopardy (via MMAJunkie.com):

“This is old-school UFC. A card is in jeopardy, but guys that are world champions and superstars stepped up and jumped in and saved the card. This is why the fans love this sport and why we went on a 12-year run without canceling an event.”

Silva was shooting a commercial in Brazil when he got the call from White to join the card, according to the report. Withdraws due to injuries kept Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Jose Aldo out of UFC 153. The fact that Silva has come forward will create a gigantic buzz in Brazil, and the main event crowd will undoubtedly be on Silva’s side.

The ultimate shot that Bonnar has clamored for has arrived, but it’s probably even more of an opportunity than he could have ever anticipated. That’s not necessarily a good thing.

Although he’s just 8-6 in the UFC, Bonnar is an experienced, smart fighter who has won his past three bouts—two by unanimous decision and one by TKO. That’s mostly due to reining in his typical brawling style, which has earned him the nickname “The American Psycho.”

Bonnar must use his superior height and slight advantage on reach to keep Silva at a distance, and do his best to get him on the ground to have any chance in this one.

Against a foe of Silva’s unmatched caliber and versatility, Bonnar should turn to his natural, scrappy instincts and maximize the damage through what he’s done best. That would be a sound strategy for getting off to a fast start in Round 1 because given his knack for hanging in for an entire fight, he’d need a massive mistake to get KO’d by Silva in the first frame.

Since it is a three-round fight and Silva is clearly the superior man in the Octagon, Bonnar will push in Round 2 after a relatively even opener. He will go for the knockout, but will end up on his back for being too bold.

There has to be a bit of a pride factor in that Bonnar doesn’t want the fight to be shut down prematurely, but there is no shame in going down swinging against Silva. 

After all, Bonnar doesn’t have much to lose against the man who is the truly ultimate fighter.

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