Author: Mike Hoag Jr.

Shane Carwin Pulls out of Fight vs. Roy Nelson with Knee Injury

UFC heavyweight Shane Carwin will not face Roy Nelson at The Ultimate Fighter Finale on Dec. 15 due to a knee injury, according to promotion president Dana White (via Twitter):
WOW!! It never ends Carwin blew his knee out. Looking for a new opponent f…

UFC heavyweight Shane Carwin will not face Roy Nelson at The Ultimate Fighter Finale on Dec. 15 due to a knee injury, according to promotion president Dana White (via Twitter):

The fight was set to be the headline of the card that’s airing live on FX from the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. It’s the second time he has missed a bout against Nelson. In January of 2011, Carwin withdrew due to back and neck pain stemming from a November 2010 surgery.

This setback is the latest in a string of injuries that have hampered the very promising Carwin (12-2). He re- injured his back in training in 2011 and has been rehabbing from the ensuing surgery for over the past year.

His career hasn’t been all bad news and gloom, though, despite the slew of injuries.

In 2010, Carwin defeated former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir to obtain the first-ever UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship. That was the last time the champion held his arms high after a round in the Octagon.

Carwin has not fought since losing a unanimous decision to current heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos in June of 2011 prior to the back injury. It was his second consecutive loss in UFC competition.

The former champ will have to wait to get off this losing streak. Luckily for him it wasn’t an aggravation of the back and neck issues that have kept him sidelined for much of the past two years.

However, if “blown out” is as bad as Dana White made it sound, Carwin could be in store for another long rehab process that could leave him even more slowed than the series of back injuries made him.

You have to wonder how big of a toll these injuries will have on both the physical and mental ability of Carwin to continue on in the grueling UFC heavyweight division.

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UFC on Fuel TV 6: Why Rich Franklin Should Retire After Embarrassment in China

Rich Franklin was embarrassed by Cung Le in Macau, China on Nov. 10 during the UFC on Furl TV 6 main event. Le knocked out the American striking specialist just two minutes and 17 seconds into the first round. As a result, the former UFC Middleweight c…

Rich Franklin was embarrassed by Cung Le in Macau, China on Nov. 10 during the UFC on Furl TV 6 main event. Le knocked out the American striking specialist just two minutes and 17 seconds into the first round.

As a result, the former UFC Middleweight champion would be best served to retire now and move on to a different role within the sport. He could make a transition to training or go back to coaching in the Ultimate Fighter.

Whatever he does, he shouldn’t get back into the Octagon.

Still, it’s tough to advocate retirement after an embarrassment like the one he suffered in China, but what’s the alternative? Sure, losing hurts and he would like to get back out there and make up for it but what’s the point if it ends in more embarrassment?

Another loss like this would do nothing but tarnish the impressive career of the Cincinnati native.

Franklin’s clearly lost the competitive edge that could have taken him to a title shot with middleweight champ Anderson Silva. Besides, we’ve already seen the ending to that book. Silva dominates, retains title, etc.

And, let’s face it, the only Silva Franklin has been able to beat and could beat still is Wanderlei.

That’s nothing to call home to mom about.

The biggest reason why Franklin should bow out of the Octagon now is that there aren’t really any avenues he could pursue that would end in him gaining another title before he retires. It’s a low-probability, even if he moves back up to the light heavyweight division, that he’d even be able to get a shot let alone win the title.

What’s the point then for the 38-year-old striker?

Hopefully, Franklin won’t be the guy who keeps fighting well past his prime. He’s had a heck of a career and should hang up the gloves and go out with some dignity.

 

Mike Hoag Jr. is a Breaking News Team writer and NFL featured columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter:

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Jones vs. Belfort: What Vitor Belfort Must Do to Upset World Champ

How can “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort upset the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight champion, Jon “Bones” Jones, at UFC 152? Most will tell you that he can’t. That it’s already been decided in favor of the embattled champ. J…

How can “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort upset the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight champion, Jon “Bones” Jones, at UFC 152?

Most will tell you that he can’t. That it’s already been decided in favor of the embattled champ.

Jones, 25, is a heavy favorite in his match against Belfort in Toronto, Canada, on September 22. In fact, the betting odds (Jones at -750 according to Bovada and BettingOdds) are insanely stacked against the 35-year-old mixed martial arts veteran.

After Jones refused to fight Chael Sonnen, the UFC was forced to cancel its UFC 151 pay-per-view event. That sets up this fight, which many believe to be a cop-out for Jones and an easy title defense.

Here are some factors that may lead to a possible upset of the champion.

 

Jones’ Issues Outside of the Octagon

The lofty expectations of a dominant Jones win coupled with distractions in his personal and professional life may leave the champ open for a letdown at the hands of Belfort.

Recently, Jones was arrested for DWI, and he was also involved in a controversy in which he turned down the Chael Sonnen fight a mere eight days before the event. His decision prompted a flurry of criticism throughout the media.

These issues may not be enough to distract Jones from the task at hand, but they may be exploitable for Belfort. I’m not saying he will mention these things during or before the fight, but it couldn’t hurt to try to distract the champ.

 

Experience and Speed

Belfort chose former UFC Light Heavyweight champion “Suga” Rashad Evans to be his trainer in preparation for his fight with Jones. Evans is one of the most knowledgeable fighters when it comes to Jones considering the two used to be good friends and just fought in April.

While Evans failed to personally best his former friend, he may have learned enough to help produce a Belfort upset.

If Belfort can tap into the vast knowledge running through Evans’ head and translate it into an effective game plan, then he may be able to find holes in the champ’s defense. Holes that are big enough to exploit with his quick striking and power combinations.

 

Nothing to Lose

As mentioned earlier, Vitor Belfort has absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain against Jon Jones at UFC 152. He may not get another title shot, especially if he’s manhandled as many are predicting.

That means there is no holding back or saving himself to fight another day. He has to leave his heart out there in the octagon.

A surprise victory to steal the title is going to take everything Belfort has left in the tank, and then some.

 

Mike Hoag is a Breaking News Team writer with Bleacher Report and also covers the Cleveland Browns and the NFL for the site.

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Strikeforce Results: Ronda Rousey Strengthens Role as Face of Strikeforce

Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey is the face of the Strikeforce mixed martial arts fighting promotion. Her utterly dominant performance Saturday night against challenger Sarah Kaufman is yet another loud statement by the reigning bantamweight champion….

Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey is the face of the Strikeforce mixed martial arts fighting promotion.

Her utterly dominant performance Saturday night against challenger Sarah Kaufman is yet another loud statement by the reigning bantamweight champion. She was expected to utilize her Olympic bronze medal level judo skills to control Kaufman and wear her down.

There was no “wearing down” needed.

Instead, 54 seconds into the bout, Rousey snapped on her grueling armbar move and that was all she wrote. Kaufman had no choice but to submit.

The most impressive fact was how fast it all went down. Not even a minute into the main event.

Totally dominant.

It may not have provided an exciting, hard-fought culmination for those in attendance at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. However, the main event of the night went down as it should have: Rousey’s arms raised victorious.

Like Chuck Liddell, Ken Shamrock, Tito Ortiz and Randy Couture of the UFC, Rousey is in a position to take on the role of the face of the fledgling promotion. Additionally, she’s taken over for the retired Gina Carano as the face of the entire women’s MMA movement.

Rousey has become somewhat of a media sensation in the wake of her explosion onto the MMA scene. She was featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine and made an appearance on Conan. There’s not a media opportunity that 25-year-old should or would pass up.

She’s blowing up right now and there isn’t any sign of her coming down.

The biggest problem for her career and the continued rise of Strikeforce is that there aren’t enough competent competitors to give her a decent fight. The biggest ideas out there right now circle around having fighters drop to her 135-pound weight class in order to create a significant matchup.

Rousey called out Cris “Cyborg” Santos after her win Saturday night, according to Mike Chiappetta of MMAFighting.com:

I need to send out a challenge to Miss Cyborg out there. People want to see the first fair fight of your life. I’m the champ now. The champ doesn’t go to you, you go to the champ. Come down to 135 and let’s settle this.

Cyborg has previously stated she wants Rousey to fight her at her weight—145 pounds.

The fight will have to wait, as Cyborg is coming off of a steroid suspension.

Until then, Rousey will continue to win the hearts and minds of the fans as the face of the promotion. We’ll see if Strikeforce can capitalize on her fame and vault itself into the mainstream as the UFC did.

 

Mike Hoag Jr. is a Trends and Traffic writer for Bleacher Report and also covers the Cleveland Browns and the NFL for the site. Follow him on Twitter @BigHoagowski.

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Tate vs. Kedzie: Miesha Tate’s Victory Sets Up Rematch with Ronda Rousey

Miesha Tate’s third-round armbar submission of Julie Kedzie has made her the first in line for a shot at Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey. In Tate versus Kedzie, there were a lot of question marks following the first two rounds. Kedzie came out s…

Miesha Tate’s third-round armbar submission of Julie Kedzie has made her the first in line for a shot at Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey.

In Tate versus Kedzie, there were a lot of question marks following the first two rounds. Kedzie came out swinging, literally, and kept Tate at bay with some effective striking. Ultimately, she could not stay off the mat and was eventually submitted well into the third round.

Rousey destroyed Sarah Kaufman with an armbar of her own, just 54 seconds into the first-round. There was never any doubt as to who the champion and who the challenger was in San Diego.

So why does Tate, who suffered a similar fate to Rousey back in March via armbar submission, deserve another shot to reclaim her title?

Tate weighed in on her suitability for a title shot and rematch with Rousey after her performance Saturday night (via MMAWeekly.com):

At this point, I don’t feel that my performance, I mean everyone is saying it was ‘Fight of the Night’ and everything and that’s great and I’m really happy it was an entertaining bout, but I personally am not happy with my performance. I definitely don’t think it was a contention worthy performance, Tate said.

While Tate may not agree she deserves a rematch yet, there are few other options for StrikeForce to turn to in the bantamweight division. They could conceivably convince someone like Gina Carano or Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos to drop weight to fight Rousey, but it’s more likely Tate will be the next in line to try to stop Rousey’s dominant run.

What a rematch it will be, too.

Tate, who gave Rousey the longest fight of her career, has seemingly improved her already impressive grappling ground game—as displayed in her bout against Kedzie Saturday night. Will it be enough to stop the Olympic bronze judo skills of Rousey in the cage?

That is the big question of the moment.

The Rousey train looks unstoppable at the moment and it will take the best fight of her, or anyone’s career, and perhaps a little luck for Tate to avenge her loss and regain the bantamweight title.

 

I am a Trends and Traffic sports writer for Bleacher Report. I also cover the Cleveland Browns and the NFL exclusively for the site. Follow me on Twitter @BigHoagowski if you want breaking sports updates or want to talk sports.

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Rousey vs Kaufman Start Time: Bantamweight Title Fight Preview and Viewing Info

Strikeforce’s main event on Saturday night, Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey vs. Sarah Kaufman, is set to take place at 10 p.m. ET. The Bantamweight Championship is on the line and this will be the first defense of Rousey’s reign as the cha…

Strikeforce’s main event on Saturday night, Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey vs. Sarah Kaufman, is set to take place at 10 p.m. ET.

The Bantamweight Championship is on the line and this will be the first defense of Rousey’s reign as the champ since she submitted Miesha Tate in Columbus last March. Both Kaufman and Rousey have similar builds, with Rousey holding a one-inch reach advantage.

The hype around this fight has reached a pinnacle and the two women are ready to let their fighting do the talking.

 

 

Where: Valley View Casino Center, San Diego, California

When: Saturday, August 18 at 8 p.m. ET

Main Event Start Time: 10 p.m. ET

TV: Showtime

Odds: 1-to-8 in favor of Rousey, Kaufman is 5-to-1 (Bovada)

 

 

Rousey will have her hands full as she is taking on one of the best and most experienced 135-pound women currently fighting in Strikeforce. Kaufman has been participating in mixed martial arts for over 10 years.

Let’s take a look at how these two stack up against each other before weighing in on a prediction.

Fightmetric.com lists Kaufman’s take down defense as 86 percent, and she’s going to need to improve on that if she hopes to leave San Diego as the bantamweight champion.

Kaufman will have to stretch the fight out and use that to her advantage. Rousey wins quick fights, averaging a fight length of 1:23, while Kaufman’s fights have averaged over 13 minutes.

“Rowdy” needs to fight to her strengths, keeping Kaufman on the mat and not on the offensive. Kaufman is averaging 6.43 strikes landed per minute in comparison to Rousey’s 1.63. By keeping Kaufman horizontal, she can control the pace of the fight and cripple Kaufman’s strength at the same time.

If she can control the fight and utilize her judo to get Kaufman to the mat, Rousey’s ability to finish things with her elite arm bar is second-to-none.

This fight is actually very predictable. Kaufman needs to avoid the take-down at all costs. She isn’t severely at a disadvantage due to reach, but it will be an issue for her as Rousey will be continually attempting to take her down.

 

Prediction: Rousey by arm bar in Round 2.

 

 

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