As the UFC continues to expand globally, there still remains many international cities that have yet to hold an event yet.In fact, the UFC has only been held in 10 countries, with UFC 134’s event only the second show in history to be held in Brazil.If …
As the UFC continues to expand globally, there still remains many international cities that have yet to hold an event yet.
In fact, the UFC has only been held in 10 countries, with UFC 134’s event only the second show in history to be held in Brazil.
If the promotion plans to extend its reach even further throughout the world, they must open up markets in Europe, Asia and other continents that are filled with enthusiastic MMA fans.
Here are 25 cities in America and beyond that the UFC needs to hold an event in.
Fans were treated to a bit of a change to the broadcasting team for last weekend’s UFC 134.The usual duo was mixed up a bit with Mike Goldberg teamed up with guest commentator Kenny Florian. Joe Rogan was away shooting the new season of Fear Facto…
Fans were treated to a bit of a change to the broadcasting team for last weekend’s UFC 134.
The usual duo was mixed up a bit with Mike Goldberg teamed up with guest commentator Kenny Florian. Joe Rogan was away shooting the new season of Fear Factor.
This was not the first time for Florian to trade in the trunks for a suit as he has filled in for Rogan on quite a few occasions.
Many fighters have become color commentators for different organizations and found success behind the mic. Their presence analyzing each fight is an integral part of the sports growth as fighters can dissect the many facets of MMA better than outside observers.
Here are seven fighters who would make for great, full-time commentators when their fighting days are done.
UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva delivered another fantastic performance at UFC 134 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, finishing challenger Yushin Okami in brutal fashion in the second round.Now that another top contender has been cast aside, who is le…
UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva delivered another fantastic performance at UFC 134 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, finishing challenger Yushin Okami in brutal fashion in the second round.
Now that another top contender has been cast aside, who is left to face “The Spider”?
Fans again are calling for a superfight between Silva and UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre.
The reigning welterweight king is also close to cleaning out his division with former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz as the next, and possibly last, challenger to his belt.
With both fighters seeking only big fights against big names, this potential matchup is starting to make more and more sense, as attested to by UFC President Dana White.
But where would such a monumental bout like this take place?
“There are still a lot of fights for Anderson to do in his division and Georges Saint-Pierre, too,” said White after UFC 134. “But it’s about time for it to happen. I don’t know if we have a stadium that could handle a fight like that.”
Well here are five possible sites that might be able to handle what could be the biggest event in UFC history.
The longest-reigning champion in UFC history, Anderson Silva will look to extend his streak as he takes on Japanese top contender Yushin Okami this weekend at UFC 134.Throughout his reign, Silva has put on some of the most exciting shows, whether domin…
The longest-reigning champion in UFC history, Anderson Silva will look to extend his streak as he takes on Japanese top contender Yushin Okami this weekend at UFC 134.
Throughout his reign, Silva has put on some of the most exciting shows, whether dominating his opponent and quickly knocking them out or pulling out submissions in the waning seconds of the bout.
Although criticized in some fights for not taking his opponent seriously, there is no questioning Silva’s motivation any more as an inspired Silva looks to leave a mark on the MMA world as the greatest fighter of all time.
Let’s look back at Silva’s past title defenses and they rank up.
Two of mixed martial arts’ elite lightweights appear set to face each other once again.According to Sherdog.com, Dream lightweight champion Shinya Aoki and Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez may face each other in a rematch in the works under …
Two of mixed martial arts’ elite lightweights appear set to face each other once again.
According to Sherdog.com, Dream lightweight champion Shinya Aoki and Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez may face each other in a rematch in the works under the Bellator banner.
The bout, targeted for early 2012, will be the first time these two champions have faced each other since the Dynamite!! 2008 New Year’s Eve event where Aoki submitted Alvarez with a heel hook less than two minutes into the first round.
Since the loss, Alvarez has won seven straight fights and captured the Bellator lightweight title. He is currently scheduled to face Michael Chandler at Bellator 54 on October 15th, Alvarez’s second title defense.
Aoki has gone 9-2 since defeating Alvarez, winning the Dream lightweight belt in 2009 by submitting Joachim Hansen.
The rumored bout is planned to take place in the United States in what would be only Aoki’s third fight outside of Japan.
In his first fight in America, Aoki faced Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez in April of 2010, losing a lopsided decision in the five round title affair. Aoki has rebounded from the loss by going 5-0, including a win over Strikeforce lightweight Lyle Beerbohm in his second overseas bout.
The current Dream lightweight champion is set to face Rob McCullough in September at Dream 17.
As UFC 134 draws closer, much attention has been given to the past history between UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami, who will square off in the main event on Saturday.Five years ago, both fighters faced each other at Rumble on …
As UFC 134 draws closer, much attention has been given to the past history between UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami, who will square off in the main event on Saturday.
Five years ago, both fighters faced each other at Rumble on the Rock 8 in the opening round of the welterweight tournament.
The fight, as seen in full in the video above, ended in incredible fashion, despite the apparent victor taking the loss.
For the entire fight, Silva dominated the stand-up, landing crisp punch combinations and solid leg kicks while stuffing Okami’s take downs.
Okami repeatedly shot in, but after being stuffed, attempted to pull guard only to be hit with more kicks to his legs.
In the middle of the round, Okami successfully got a hold of Silva and was able to complete a take down, only to find himself in danger in Silva’s guard.
After standing up to attempt a pass, Okami was hit with a hard kick to the midsection. However, it was a swing of a leg, similar to an outside-inside crescent kick, that would render the Japanese fighter unconscious, forcing the referee to call a stop to the match.
The bout was ruled a disqualification loss for Silva because it appeared that Okami was still on his knees when the kick was delivered.
Now, five years later, these two men will face each other once again on the biggest stage in MMA.
Okami has been steamrolling through opponents since joining the UFC in 2006.
Holding notable wins over Mike Swick, Mark Munoz and Nate Marquardt, Okami has finally earned himself a shot at the title and a chance to validate the win he already holds against the champion.
For Anderson Silva, a win will only further solidify his standing as the pound-for-pound king and possibly the greatest fighter of all time. Now that Okami trains with Chael Sonnen, Silva has even more reason to be motivated for this fight and redeem his last loss.
Expect fireworks when these two middleweights face off this Saturday to clear up their past and see who deserves to be called the UFC Middleweight champion.
Two of mixed martial arts’ elite lightweights appear set to face each other once again.