Author: Mike Hodges

Frankie Edgar Explains How He Was Offered Rematch With Benson Henderson

Frankie Edgar finally got his rematch with Benson Henderson.For several weeks, the former UFC lightweight champion voiced his frustration over the judges’ decision to award Henderson the 155-pound title at UFC 144, which was met with some controversy.&…

Frankie Edgar finally got his rematch with Benson Henderson.

For several weeks, the former UFC lightweight champion voiced his frustration over the judges’ decision to award Henderson the 155-pound title at UFC 144, which was met with some controversy. 

Edgar and his manager met with UFC President Dana White earlier this week to discuss the possibility of a rematch against Henderson and he was happy to hear the response.

“It was a relief, it really was. A weight lifted off my chest,” Edgar told MMAWeeklyRadio. “I definitely made it known that I wanted the rematch, I’m not going to sit there and I don’t want to argue for a title, I want to fight for a title.”

However, White was not sold on the rematch at first due to his persistence on seeing Edgar move down to 145 pounds. 

But they both eventually came to an agreement.

“Dana he was still concerned and I respect him for that. He thinks 145 might be better for the longevity of my career and my health and what not, and I disagree,” he said. “That’s when he said ‘alright man, you’re going to get it.”

Edgar has had previous success in rematches, defeating BJ Penn and Gray Maynard on respective occasions, and he hopes to repeat that same success against Henderson later this year.

“I feel like my track record’s pretty good in rematches so I want to keep it going,” he said. “That’s always the plan to get better between each fight and now that I kind of got to get in there and mix it up with him.”

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Jon Jones Says Being Called "Cocky" Is the "Biggest Blow" to Him as a Fighter

Jon Jones is widely considered the future of mixed martial arts.The 24-year-old’s dominant performances over former champions like Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has garnered him a lot of success in a short period of time. But for …

Jon Jones is widely considered the future of mixed martial arts.

The 24-year-old’s dominant performances over former champions like Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has garnered him a lot of success in a short period of time. But for the amount of praise he receives from the media, Jones gets even more criticism from the fans.

In a feature story on MensJournal.com, Jones said he is aware of his role as UFC light heavyweight champion and he understands it will bring forth its fair share of criticism.

But like some of the UFC’s past stars in Chuck Liddell or Brock Lesnar, who brought a lot of success to the company with their style and charisma, Jones is attempting to do the same, regardless of how he is perceived.

“Sometimes I look back, and I want to be rude to people who didn’t believe in me. But that’s not what I do,” Jones said. 

Even some of Jones’ colleagues have taken a disliking to the champion’s good-guy image, particularly Rashad Evans, a former training partner of “Bones” and the next challenger to the light heavyweight championship. The two 205-pound contenders will meet in the main event at UFC 145.

Evans shares the fans’ opinion and believes Jones’ image is nothing but a facade, and has continuously called him out for being arrogant or cocky. But Jones said he is the furthest thing from it.

“My road wasn’t easy, by any means. That’s why when people call me cocky, it’s, like, the biggest blow I can get. It’s like, ‘It’s not me! I’m sorry I’m coming across that way,” he said.

But whether he is cheered or booed by the fans in attendance, Jones is grateful for where he is at in his career and accepts the fact that his job is to win fights, not popularity contests.

“I can’t please everyone,” he said. “Some people are going to love you, and some are going to hate you, no matter what you do.”

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Chael Sonnen Offers an Apology to Anderson Silva

While making an appearance on Fuel TV’s UFC Tonight, Chael Sonnen made a special announcement to Anderson Silva.Sonnen issued an apology to the UFC middleweight champion, regarding his actions in the past few months. The 34-year-old Sonnen was sincere …

While making an appearance on Fuel TV’s UFC Tonight, Chael Sonnen made a special announcement to Anderson Silva.

Sonnen issued an apology to the UFC middleweight champion, regarding his actions in the past few months. The 34-year-old Sonnen was sincere in his apology, but retracted his statement after and continued to belittle the Brazilian.

At first, Sonnen’s attempt was legitimate, but it seemed to be more for dramatic effect, as he obnoxiously laughed at the conclusion of the segment.

This incident is likely just the first of many to come from Sonnen, who meets Silva in an anticipated rematch later this year in Brazil, tentatively scheduled for UFC 147.

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Junior dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem Officially Announced for UFC 146

Junior dos Santos will make his first title defense against Alistair Overeem at UFC 146 on May 26th.The UFC confirmed the event earlier this week and announced the heavyweight title bout as a part of a press release.”The biggest heavyweight fight of 20…

Junior dos Santos will make his first title defense against Alistair Overeem at UFC 146 on May 26th.

The UFC confirmed the event earlier this week and announced the heavyweight title bout as a part of a press release.

“The biggest heavyweight fight of 2012 will land at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 26th, as UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos defends his title for the first time in the main event of UFC 146 against former Strikeforce and K-1 champion Alistair Overeem. Ticket information will be announced soon.” 

Dos Santos is coming off a knockout victory over Cain Velasquez, where he captured the heavyweight crown at UFC on FOX 1 last November in only 69 seconds. The Brazilian is undefeated during his tenure, holding a UFC record of 9-0. 

Overeem enters the bout after dispatching former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 to become the No.1 contender. Overeem holds a lot of experience, competing in various promotions including K-1 and Strikeforce prior to joining the UFC, and also carries a 12-fight win streak.

Also on the card, two heavyweight bouts have been added as former heavyweight titleholder Cain Velasquez will meet Frank Mir in a No. 1 contender’s bout, and UFC newcomer Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva will face Roy Nelson.

In addition, Dan Hardy will look to snap a four-fight winless streak when he squares off against UFC veteran Duane Ludwig in a welterweight contest.

UFC 146 is scheduled for May 26th live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

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Dana White Not Too Worried Over Rampage Jackson’s Threats to Quit UFC

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s recent comments regarding his potential exit from the UFC have not bothered UFC President Dana White one bit.Jackson’s remarks on Twitter saw the former UFC light heavyweight champion threatening to walk away from the organi…

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s recent comments regarding his potential exit from the UFC have not bothered UFC President Dana White one bit.

Jackson’s remarks on Twitter saw the former UFC light heavyweight champion threatening to walk away from the organization after voicing his frustration with the company.

However, after speaking to Jackson, White told MMAFighting.com that he isn’t concerned about his possible departure and claims Jackson is just an emotional person.

“I talked to Rampage yesterday for about an hour-and-a-half before all the tweets started and, you know, Rampage just lost and I think Rampage takes his losses hard,” White said. 

Jackson recently came off a disappointing loss to Ryan Bader at UFC 144, when the former PRIDE star fought in Japan for the first time in six years.

Following the loss, Jackson had admitted to using Testosterone Replacement Therapy to treat a previous knee injury, which he said hindered his overall performance and refuted any rumours of retirement.

White said he isn’t buying Jackson’s threats and fully expects him to continue fighting for the UFC.

“I’m always on-again, off-again with him as it is anyway. But listen, I have no beef with Rampage. I don’t dislike Rampage or anything like that,” he said. “I just think he takes the losses really hard and he takes criticism really hard too.”

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UFC on FX 2 Results: Martin Kampmann Pulls Off Amazing Comeback

Martin Kampmann made the most of the opportunity in a last-ditch effort to defeat Thiago Alves this past weekend at UFC on FX 2.Alves would out-strike and dominate Kampmann for a majority of the fight but the Danish welterweight would capitalize on the…

Martin Kampmann made the most of the opportunity in a last-ditch effort to defeat Thiago Alves this past weekend at UFC on FX 2.

Alves would out-strike and dominate Kampmann for a majority of the fight but the Danish welterweight would capitalize on the Brazilian’s strategic mistake of attempting a takedown as he submit Alves in the final minute of the bout.

The win results in a big opportunity for Kampmann, who has now recorded two straight victories, and will remain in title contention in the UFC welterweight division.

However, while the win might have vaulted him near the top of the division, Kampmann’s overall performance didn’t enlighten his spirits.

“It was in my mind that I had to step it up, because I was behind,” Kampmann told Sherdog.com. “I was disappointed in my performance, but I was happy to get the submission.”

Alves, who has dropped the last three of his past five bouts, looked every bit as dominant throughout the bout, even having many chances to end the fight. 

The 29-year-old Kampmann will now see his stock rise as he likely finds himself in a title eliminator bout, while Alves will hope to regain some momentum and attempt to climb back up the divisional rankings.

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