Author: Matt Juul

UFC 135 Fight Card: Does Matt Hughes Have Anything Left to Prove?

Having the title of world champion synonymous with your name is a dream that most fighters will never achieve. Going even further, leaving a legacy that fans will talk about decades from now is never even on the radar until a champion reaches the twili…

Having the title of world champion synonymous with your name is a dream that most fighters will never achieve.

Going even further, leaving a legacy that fans will talk about decades from now is never even on the radar until a champion reaches the twilight of their career.

For UFC Hall of Famer and former UFC Welterweight champion Matt Hughes, that crossroad has finally come.

Ever since he made his UFC debut almost 12 years ago, Hughes has been exciting fans with his dominating style and spectacular performances against the elite of the sport.  Still possessing the title as the longest reigning welterweight champion in UFC history, Hughes has left a legacy that few fighters will ever match.

Now set to face Diego Sanchez at UFC 135, it seems that the former All-American may be overstaying his welcome as retirement continues to loom large over the head of the aging legend.

The question remains, what more does he have to prove?

Hughes has already established himself as one of the greatest champions of all-time, putting on spectacular performances in his title fights and owning win over some of the biggest names in the sport, such as Georges St. Pierre and BJ Penn.

While still an active member of the UFC roster, the promotion bestowed upon him one of the most prestigious honors in sports, adding Hughes to the gallery of legends in the UFC Hall of Fame.

Even after his championship reign was over, Hughes put on some spectacular performances, taking out a whole slew of stars, such as Ricardo Almeida, Matt Serra, and Renzo Gracie, all in a row.

But after such a brutal knock out loss to Penn in the rubber match of their trilogy, it seems that his tank is finally reaching empty.

Sure he’s still in great shape and poses a threat to any opponent, but putting his body through this stress, especially against a top contender in Sanchez, just seems like too much.

As members of the old guard continue to be taken out one by one, fans of the fighters who took the UFC to another level do not want to see another legend retire after a few bad beatings.

Hughes is dangerously entering Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture territory, having their retirements handed to them after heart breaking losses.

I’m not saying that Hughes cannot beat Sanchez, but what does fighting him even prove?

Hughes has already admitted that he only wants to fight in bouts that interest him and that making a run at the title is unrealistic.

But just because a fight may pique his curiosity does not mean he should take them.

Win or lose on September 24th, Hughes should recognize the incredible legacy he has already set and make the decision to hang up the gloves.

The fans love him for everything he has given the sport and he has nothing left to prove to the public. All that remains is convincing himself that the name Matt Hughes will stay in the memories of fans for a long, long time.

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Bellator 48 Post-Fight Interview with Ring Girls Mercedes and Jade

Bellator 48 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT featured and amazing night of fights with the entire card putting on an exciting show.After the event, Bleacher Report caught up with Bellator’s lovely ring girls Mercedes Terrell and Jade Bry…

Bellator 48 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT featured and amazing night of fights with the entire card putting on an exciting show.

After the event, Bleacher Report caught up with Bellator’s lovely ring girls Mercedes Terrell and Jade Bryce to find out what they thought about the evening’s results.

“This was a good, good night,” Mercedes said, “I think everybody’s favorite tonight is going to be Curran.”  And who can disagree with her after seeing the newly crowned featherweight tournament champion Pat Curran knockout the highly touted Marlon Sandro with a highlight reel head kick.

“The head kick knockout was super entertaining,” Jade said.  

Many analysts did not think Curran could win this fight because of Sandro’s impressive record, with only two losses to top UFC featherweights Michihiro Omigawa and Hatsu Hioki.

“I was rooting for Pat all the way,” Mercedes exclaimed, making sure her support for the underdog was well known.  “I wouldn’t even call it an upset,” she said.

Jade was a little more torn over her pick for the night saying that, “Marlon has such an amazing back story but Curran is definitely one of my favorites too so I was having a hard time choosing who to root for”.

“I’d be happy either way but I was happy with the way Curran knocked him out,” Jade added.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Bellator 48 Results: Ring Girls Mercedes & Jade Talk Fights, Sweet Subs and More

Bellator 48 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT featured and amazing night of fights with the entire card putting on an exciting show.After the event, Bleacher Report caught up with Bellator’s lovely ring girls Mercedes Terrell and Jade Bryce to…

Bellator 48 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT featured and amazing night of fights with the entire card putting on an exciting show.

After the event, Bleacher Report caught up with Bellator’s lovely ring girls Mercedes Terrell and Jade Bryce to find out what they thought about the evening’s results.

“This was a good, good night,” Mercedes said, “I think everybody’s favorite tonight is going to be Curran.” And who can disagree with her after seeing the newly crowned featherweight tournament champion Pat Curran knockout the highly touted Marlon Sandro with a highlight reel head kick.

“The head kick knockout was super entertaining,” Jade said.  

Many analysts did not think Curran could win this fight because of Sandro’s impressive record, with only two losses to top UFC featherweights Michihiro Omigawa and Hatsu Hioki.

“I was rooting for Pat all the way,” Mercedes exclaimed, making sure her support for the underdog was well known. “I wouldn’t even call it an upset,” she said.

Jade was a little more torn over her pick for the night saying that, “Marlon has such an amazing back story but Curran is definitely one of my favorites too so I was having a hard time choosing who to root for”.

“I’d be happy either way but I was happy with the way Curran knocked him out,” Jade added.

Although the evening featured nine exciting bouts, seven that ended in finishes, Mercedes and Jade still have to rank the classic bout between Patricky “Pitbull” Freire and Toby Imada at Bellator 39 as their top Bellator fight of all-time.

But the choice was easy when it came to their favorite moment working for Bellator.  “Sweet Submissions!” Jade exclaimed.

Sweet Submissions is a series of online videos where Jade and Mercedes teach fans different submission moves that the pros use.  Both ring girls enjoy the taping process and all the attention they get.

“Whenever we do the filming of it, it’s supposed to be a clear set but all the guys from our trucks, our TV crew are all of a sudden surrounding the cage,” Mercedes explained. “It’s kind of hilarious. It’s always funny if you’re there in person,” she said.

The techniques they learn are not just for show either, as both girls have taken an affinity to a few special moves.

“I like the triangle,” Mercedes said, “I’m pretty flexible so anything where I can use that.”

“The only one where I was able to make her tap was the guillotine,” Jade said. “So far that’s my favorite.”

Looking forward to Bellator’s upcoming fifth season on MTV 2 Jade and Mercedes are excited for the bouts lined up this fall.

“Chandler and Alvarez,” Jade said, explaining that she can’t wait for this lightweight title fight.  “That’s going to be big,” Mercedes added.

Both girls also look forward to Bellator Featherweight champion Joe Warren taking a crack at the 135 lb. division in the upcoming bantamweight tournament.  They look forward to all the fights coming up with Jade saying, “I’m excited for the whole next season, Bellator weekends are my favorites”.

Bellator season five kicks off on September 10th on MTV2 and marks the beginning of the welterweight tournament. The first event will be Bellator 49 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

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Top 5 Bellator Fighters That Could Make in in the UFC

Last night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, Bellator put on an outstanding card.Bellator 48 featured Seth “The Kimbo Killer” Petruzelli going up against the former UFC heavyweight champion, Ricco Rodriguez.In the co-main event, ther…

Last night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, Bellator put on an outstanding card.

Bellator 48 featured Seth “The Kimbo Killer” Petruzelli going up against the former UFC heavyweight champion, Ricco Rodriguez.

In the co-main event, there was a non-title superfight featuring the heavyweight champion, Cole Konrad, against the always dangerous, Paul Buentello.

The main event of the evening had Marlon Sandro face off against Pat Curran in the Bellator Summer Series finale in the featherweight division.

Curran landed a massive head kick in the second round, and Sandro was out cold.

Could Curran make it in the UFC? He has potential, but probably not yet, but here are five fighters who could make some serious waves in the UFC.

Read the rest of the article here.

Bellator 48 Fight Card: Pat Curran vs. Marlon Sandro Reactions

First RoundSo far both fighters are pretty even striking, with Sandro showing a bit more movement than Curran.Sandro is starting to pick up the pace, and is throwing a few more strikes than Curran is.Spinning heel kick from Sandro just misses, he defin…

First Round

So far both fighters are pretty even striking, with Sandro showing a bit more movement than Curran.

Sandro is starting to pick up the pace, and is throwing a few more strikes than Curran is.

Spinning heel kick from Sandro just misses, he definitely has some nice, crisp striking. He throws another one to the body which lands.

Tough round to score, B/R has it 10-9 Sandro

Second Round

Fighters touch gloves, and the second round is underway.

Each fighter is throwing big combos and swinging for the fences, looking to land a game-changer.

 

Third Round

Bellator 48 Fight Card Results: Cole Konrad vs. Paul Buentello

First RoundBoth fighters come out orthodox, with no glove touch to start if off.Konrad immediately takes the center.An uneventful first round, with neither fighter landing anything of real significance, but Konrad did control the center for the most of…

First Round

Both fighters come out orthodox, with no glove touch to start if off.

Konrad immediately takes the center.

An uneventful first round, with neither fighter landing anything of real significance, but Konrad did control the center for the most of it.

B/R scores the round 10-9 Konrad

Second Round

Buentello comes out looking for urgent, and looking to land something at the start. Konrad still holds the center of the cage.

Konrad is landing a few kicks and jabs here and there, but still nothing major at the midway point of the second round.

Konrad goes for a takedown, fails, then tries to swarm, but Buentello gets away.

With about thirty seconds left in the round, Konrad lands a solid combo, and again Buentello gets away.

B/R scores the round 10-9 Konrad

Third Round

More of the same for the first minute of the round, until Buentello slips and Konrad ends up on his back working for a rear-naked choke.

Konrad had it sunk in good, but Buentello escaped, and Konrad still has his back.

Konrad is now in Buentello’s half guard, looking to try throw down some ground and pound.

Dan Miragliotta stands them up with one minute remaining in the third round.

The round ends with Konrad pushing Buentello up against the cage, and boos are heard from the crowd.

B/R scores the fight 30-27 for Cole Konrad

Official Decision: Cole Konrad defeats Paul Buentello by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds.