Author: Mike Chiappetta

Lesnar and Carwin Jockey for No. 1 Ranking While Gridlock Forms Behind

Filed under: UFC, NewsLAS VEGAS — The first thing that came out of Dana White’s mouth was an admission.

“Our heavyweight division used to suck,” the UFC president said. “But now, it’s stacked with incredible talent, and all these guys are lined up, …

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Brock Lesnar and Shane CarwinLAS VEGAS — The first thing that came out of Dana White‘s mouth was an admission.

“Our heavyweight division used to suck,” the UFC president said. “But now, it’s stacked with incredible talent, and all these guys are lined up, waiting to fight.”

Indeed, gridlock is forming on the road to the division’s championship. On Saturday night at UFC 116, current champion Brock Lesnar returns from illness to defend his belt against top contender and interim champ Shane Carwin with the world’s No. 1 heavyweight ranking on the line, but both guys don’t have to look too far in their rearview mirrors to see rival war wagons speeding up behind them.

Dana White: After Loss, We Have No Interest in Fedor Emelianenko

Filed under: UFC, Strikeforce, NewsLAS VEGAS — For a time, Russian MMA heavyweight star Fedor Emelianenko was UFC President Dana White’s obsession. Negotiations ensued, wild money figures were thrown about, and the flirtation ended short of consummati…

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Fedor EmelianenkoLAS VEGAS — For a time, Russian MMA heavyweight star Fedor Emelianenko was UFC President Dana White‘s obsession. Negotiations ensued, wild money figures were thrown about, and the flirtation ended short of consummation.

But the love story that never was will forever remain unrequited, it seems. White says that after Emelianenko lost to Fabricio Werdum last Saturday night in a Strikeforce show, any interest in him is gone for good.

“I’m not interested,” White said after a UFC 116 press conference. “Listen, how many times have you seen us sign a guy when he just loses in another promotion, you know? Oh, the guy just lost in Strikeforce, let’s sign him!”

Brendan Schaub Says He’s Ready for Primetime, Chris Tuchscherer

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse ExclusiveLAS VEGAS — Brendan Schaub’s name did not appear anywhere on the UFC’s official schedule, but that didn’t stop the Colorado native from making an appearance at the open workouts at the MGM Grand Conference Center Ma…

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LAS VEGAS — Brendan Schaub‘s name did not appear anywhere on the UFC’s official schedule, but that didn’t stop the Colorado native from making an appearance at the open workouts at the MGM Grand Conference Center Marquee Ballroom.

While Schaub was there mainly in support of teammate and main event participant Shane Carwin, in a way, it also symbolized his hope to be considered among the sport’s top-level heavyweights following his UFC 116 match against Chris Tuchscherer.

“I expect to be on the main card after this,” Schaub (5-1) told MMA Fighting. “It’s an honor to be on the Spike prelims, but after this, I expect big-name opponents. I think this will separate me from the rest of the up-and-comers. I think I showed what I do to up-and-comers like Chase Gormley and the guys on the [Ultimate Fighter] show, so I think from here it’s going to be some pretty big-name UFC vets for me.”

Brock Lesnar Relaxed for Comeback Despite Major Strategy Shift

Filed under: UFC, NewsLAS VEGAS — With so much focus on Brock Lesnar’s return from illness as the main storyline for UFC 116, it’s been easy to miss some of the fight-oriented details of his upcoming title unification bout with interim champion Shane …

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LAS VEGAS — With so much focus on Brock Lesnar‘s return from illness as the main storyline for UFC 116, it’s been easy to miss some of the fight-oriented details of his upcoming title unification bout with interim champion Shane Carwin.

Yet in all the words that have escaped the mouths of those who’ve spoken about Lesnar in the last few days, few will have as much impact on Saturday night as a quick revelation that some might have missed if they weren’t fully attentive to his words. Despite the long layoff, Lesnar is essentially re-inventing himself for the biggest fight of his life, admitting to reporters that he’ll be taking the risk of competing in a brand-new stance.

“I brought in Peter Welch, and we changed my stance and switched it from traditional to southpaw,” he said. “It’s really worked out, helped on wrestling and shooting. We changed a lot of things and we’ll see if they work I guess.”

Werdum’s Victory Was Throwback to Sport’s Roots

Filed under: StrikeforceEvery once in a while, we need a reminder of where we came from. In the modern mixed martial arts family tree, the deepest roots are those of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the art that spawned the original Ultimate Fighting Championship …

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Every once in a while, we need a reminder of where we came from. In the modern mixed martial arts family tree, the deepest roots are those of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the art that spawned the original Ultimate Fighting Championship tournament back on Nov. 12, 1993, that art that was essentially showcased on that night.

Unbeknowst to most of us at the time, the tournament was essentially designed as an infomercial. So confident were the Gracies that BJJ would reign supreme, they chose the smallest of the fighting family, Royce, as their representative. It took him five minutes to win three matches that night. His striking was, shall we say, rudimentary, as he tapped out all three opponents with submissions.

Fabricio Werdum‘s win over Fedor Emelianenko may not have the far-lasting historical ramifications of Gracie conquering of the tournament field — that remains to be seen — but it’s in many ways an homage to the sport’s roots in this: Werdum beat the man most consider the sport’s greatest all-time heavyweight without landing a single strike.

Despite Loss, Fedor Emelianenko Still Greatest MMA Heavyweight Ever

Filed under: StrikeforceThere have been bigger upsets in the short history of mixed martial arts, even ones that left a bigger shockwave. It was just that this seemed like it would never happen. That Fedor Emelianenko would never bow to the superiority…

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Fedor EmelianenkoThere have been bigger upsets in the short history of mixed martial arts, even ones that left a bigger shockwave. It was just that this seemed like it would never happen. That Fedor Emelianenko would never bow to the superiority of another fighter on a given night.

Sadly yet predictably, in this world of 24-hour news cycles, instant analysis and social media, the backlash against Fedor and the devaluing of his stunning run of success was immediate.

It doesn’t matter; he’s still the greatest heavyweight mixed martial artist of all time. One fight does not change everything that’s come before it. One result does not impact a legacy that’s already been made.