Author: Mike Hodges

Roy Nelson Eyes Winner of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cheick Kongo

Roy Nelson’s victory over Dave Herman at UFC 146 kept the rotund competitor from remaining irrelevant in the UFC heavyweight division.Now, he looks to take it one step further and earn a win over one of the sport’s most respected veterans.Nelson appear…

Roy Nelson‘s victory over Dave Herman at UFC 146 kept the rotund competitor from remaining irrelevant in the UFC heavyweight division.

Now, he looks to take it one step further and earn a win over one of the sport’s most respected veterans.

Nelson appeared on Sherdog Radio Network and said he wants to face the winner of an upcoming bout between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cheick Kongo at UFC 149.

“I’ll take the winner out of Big Nog and Cheick Kongo. I’d love that fight,” Nelson said. “Because if you’re in the UFC, you’re the best in the world. You can fight that guy and be the next title contender.”

Nelson’s stock could certainly rise by earning a win over either fighter, but it isn’t likely going to improve his chances at receiving a title shot.

He has gained victories over respectable opposition like Mirko Cro Cop and Stefan Struve, but “Big Country” has yet to be credited with a notable win over some of the division’s top contenders; since 2009, Nelson is 4-3 in the Octagon.

Critics have attributed some of Nelson’s recent losses to his weight, forcing UFC president Dana White to convince him to drop to 205 pounds.

But for now, Nelson’s future appears to be safe. 

However it will take more than a few wins for Nelson to prove he belongs at the top of the division.

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Rashad Evans Hopes to Avenge Loss to Lyoto Machida Before He Retires

Rashad Evans’ first career loss to Lyoto Machida continues to haunt the former UFC light heavyweight champion to this day.Evans and Machida, both of whom were undefeated at the time, met at UFC 98 for the UFC light heavyweight championship. The outcome…

Rashad Evans‘ first career loss to Lyoto Machida continues to haunt the former UFC light heavyweight champion to this day.

Evans and Machida, both of whom were undefeated at the time, met at UFC 98 for the UFC light heavyweight championship. The outcome of the bout resulted in one of the most brutal knockouts in UFC history.

Now, after coming off only his second loss in three years to Jon Jones at UFC 145, “Suga” intends on returning with a vengeance and hopes to get back into the 205-pound title picture very soon.

And he wants to start with the Brazilian that beat him.

“I would like to avenge my loss to Jones one day, but also to Machida,” Evans told Miami radio station, 790AM The Ticket. “Last time he got me pretty good, and all those Internet pictures of me getting knocked out all over the Internet.”

Evans isn’t going to forget the thought lying on the canvas anytime soon; neither are the fans. Earlier this year, one fan ridiculed Evans over the loss at a UFC Expo by trying to have the fighter sign a picture of the knockout, but he refused. Evans was visibly upset and crumpled the picture before throwing it on the ground.

However, Evans embraces his role as the villain with fans, and he isn’t bothered by the negative reaction sent his way. The former 205-pound champion said the fans only see one side of him.

“They just know a character of who they think I might be based on, what they have seen on TV or anything else like that. But, that’s not me as a person,” he said. “So when they say things to, you know, insulting things or they boo me, I don’t get upset about it because they don’t know who I am as a person.”

A second encounter with “The Dragon” might not happen in the near future, as Machida is slated to face Ryan Bader at UFC on FOX 4 in August. It is still a possibility, however, and it could generate a respectable number of viewers as both men are much more established than last time.

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Georges St-Pierre: "Road to Recovery" Part 4

Georges St-Pierre may be away from the Octagon recovering from a knee injury, but fans are anticipating his return with his “Road to Recovery” series documenting his rehabilitation.In the fourth episode, St-Pierre is shown doing a variety of stren…

Georges St-Pierre may be away from the Octagon recovering from a knee injury, but fans are anticipating his return with his “Road to Recovery” series documenting his rehabilitation.

In the fourth episode, St-Pierre is shown doing a variety of strength-related exercises as he prepares to come back later this year. 

He has been out of action since last October after tearing his ACL, and he is expected to face Carlos Condit, tentatively scheduled for UFC 154 in Montreal on November 17.

The UFC welterweight champion appears to be healing relatively fast and looks to be in top condition based on his training sessions.

If this is a glimpse into a re-motivated St-Pierre, fans can certainly expect a longer reign at 170 pounds, not to mention a potential move to the middleweight division.

As the champion continues to release his “Road to Recovery” series, there is little doubt he will perform at less than 100 percent when he returns, dismissing rumors regarding his longevity in the sport.

St-Pierre has always been renowned for his work ethic and his training regimen, ranging from gymnastics and plyometrics. He is considered arguably the top-pound-for-pound fighter in the sport.

And if his documentary is any indication, St-Pierre may return stronger and better than before.

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Greg Jackson Opens Up Regarding Jon Jones’ DUI, Says He’s Doing the Right Thing

Since Jon Jones was arrested on a DUI charge, the opinions of fellow mixed martial artists have varied regarding the incident, but Greg Jackson is one of the few people who has yet to comment on it.The head trainer of Jackson’s Submission Fighting…

Since Jon Jones was arrested on a DUI charge, the opinions of fellow mixed martial artists have varied regarding the incident, but Greg Jackson is one of the few people who has yet to comment on it.

The head trainer of Jackson’s Submission Fighting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, recently appeared on HDNet’s “Inside MMA” to share his opinion on Jones’ situation.

Jackson said the light heavyweight champion can rebound from the setback, and as long as he handles it appropriately, fans will not condemn him.

“He’s trying to do the right thing here,” Jackson said. “As long as you make a mistake and learn from it, I hope people give him a lot of latitude because we all make mistakes. And as long as he takes those positive steps and trying to do the right thing, I think we should all respect that and try and support him.”

The 24-year-old has already accepted a plea bargain and is expected to appear in court later this month. Jones must complete an alcohol and dependency assessment before his sentencing. 

Although fighters’ opinions have been mixed, Jones has received support from those close to him including his manager Malki Kawa and UFC president Dana White.

Add Jackson onto that list of growing supporters, and the future appears to be bright for the New York native. 

The champion is expected to make his fourth title defense against Dan Henderson at UFC 151 on September 1.

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Shogun Rua’s Camp Denies Turning Down Fight Against Glover Teixeira at UFC 149

After learning that Thiago Silva had withdrew from UFC 149, it appeared the UFC was aiming to promote another Brazilian in Glover Teixeira, but Mauricio “Shogun” Rua’s camp reportedly turned down the offer.But according to TATAME.com, Rua and his camp …

After learning that Thiago Silva had withdrew from UFC 149, it appeared the UFC was aiming to promote another Brazilian in Glover Teixeira, but Mauricio “Shogun” Rua’s camp reportedly turned down the offer.

But according to TATAME.com, Rua and his camp have denied the rumors and they were also unaware of Silva’s injury.

“(Turning down a fight with Glover) it’s not true at all,” Rua’s manager Julio Heller said.

Teixeira made his debut last weekend at UFC 146 and defeated Kyle Kingsbury in the opening round. Despite only competing in his first fight with the company, Teixeira is veteran in the sport, having fought in over 20 professional bouts. His dominant victory over Kingsbury should earn a rapid rise throughout the rankings at 205 pounds.

Although Rua and his camp have yet to accept the bout, there is little upside to facing Teixeira for the former UFC light heavyweight champion. Rua is coming off a close unanimous decision loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 137 last year.

However, due to Teixeira’s sudden impact, the UFC might want to jump on the Brazilian’s early success and try to build him as a potential contender.

And with other competitors out due to injury or already scheduled to fight, whether he approves the matchup or not, may have to settle with Teixeira.

Regardless, Rua will be featured in the co-main event when the UFC makes a trip to Calgary, Alberta on July 21.

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Glover Teixeira Wants to Avoid Fighting Teammate Lyoto Machida

Glover Teixeira’s recent win over Kyle Kingsbury put the rest of the light heavyweight division on notice, and some fans already consider him to be a legitimate contender.The Brazilian, who has spent 10 years in the sport, made his UFC debut this past …

Glover Teixeira’s recent win over Kyle Kingsbury put the rest of the light heavyweight division on notice, and some fans already consider him to be a legitimate contender.

The Brazilian, who has spent 10 years in the sport, made his UFC debut this past weekend at UFC 146.

The win extended his professional record to 18-2, but it was a satisfying victory for the Brazilian, who the company has been trying to pursue for three years. However, visa issues had prevented him from competing.

“Even with it being my first fight in the UFC, I wasn’t nervous at all. I was very calm and relaxed, maybe because of all my fights before,” Teixeira said in an exclusive interview with BloodyElbow.com.

“Things happen for a reason, so I’m happy with the way everything is going. The past is the past, and I can’t go back in time to change anything.”

After building up quite the resume for himself before coming to the UFC, Teixeira is now looking to make a name for himself at 205 pounds. 

In hopes of prolonging his tenure in the light heavyweight division, Teixeira welcomes all challengers and is prepared to fight anyone.

Unless, of course, that one challenger is Lyoto Machida.

“Right now, the one I wouldn’t want to fight is Lyoto Machida,” he said. “I’ve trained with him, I help him out and he’s a great guy. Whatever they tell me to do, I’ll do, but if I could have a say, Lyoto would be the one I wouldn’t want to fight.”

Teixeira’s presence adds more depth to the 205-pound division, and he boasts all the skills to become a title contender at some point, but his refusal to face one of his friends will not go over well with UFC president Dana White.

Machida remains one of the top competitors in the UFC. In order for Teixeira to move ahead in his division, he may have to set his personal feelings aside.

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