Author: Mike Hodges

Dana White Says Athletes Should "Own Up" For Using PED’s

UFC President Dana White is putting his best foot forward to create a drug-free environment within the company.The new policy, installed last week, is to assure that all incoming fighters must comply to taking drug test prior to signing a UFC contract….

UFC President Dana White is putting his best foot forward to create a drug-free environment within the company.

The new policy, installed last week, is to assure that all incoming fighters must comply to taking drug test prior to signing a UFC contract.

White said the reasoning behind employing the new policy is to look out for the safety and longevity of the younger fighters who are just entering the sport.

“These guys who abuse this stuff younger and earlier in their life now have to do this stuff because their body cannot produce testosterone,” White told MMAWeekly.com. “So if we can stop that stuff early with these athletes that are young and have the talent to be here, we feel like we’ll win half the battles.”

Steroid use has detracted the credibility and value of the sport, which White said he hopes the policy can enforce for several fighters in the future.

This policy comes into effect after Strikeforce competitors Muhammed Lawal and Cristine “Cyborg” Santos recently tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs for their respective bouts earlier this year.

Although White is aware there are some fighters who will fail future drug tests, he is hopeful they can be honest and admit to their mistakes.

“I don’t buy that (expletive). Own up to what you did,” he said. “It’s out there, it happens, everybody makes mistakes.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Lyoto Machida Would Be "Honored" To Fight Dan Henderson

Despite coming off a loss to Jon Jones at UFC 140, Lyoto Machida is set to return to the Octagon and is hoping to get back into title contention.And he already has an opponent in mind.”The Dragon” told Sherdog.com that he is eyeing a potential matchup …

Despite coming off a loss to Jon Jones at UFC 140, Lyoto Machida is set to return to the Octagon and is hoping to get back into title contention.

And he already has an opponent in mind.

“The Dragon” told Sherdog.com that he is eyeing a potential matchup with Dan Henderson at some point this year. Machida said he is intrigued at the idea of testing his skills against the 41-year-old Olympian and competing against him.

“I would be really honored to face him,” Machida said. “At 41 years old and competing at such a high level, he’s an example for our sport. I think we could have a great fight.” 

Machida has expressed interest in facing Henderson in the past, and with Rashad Evans now scheduled to meet Jon Jones at UFC 145, the chances of a potential bout coming to fruition are quite possible.

Henderson is recently coming off a unanimous decision victory over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 139, edging him in a five round non-title bout.  Widely considered by many, to be the greatest fight in UFC history. The win was his fourth in a row.

But if Henderson is unable to fight, the former UFC light heavyweight champion said he would welcome a bout with Chael Sonnen.

“Actually, I never had an interest in facing him, but he did so much trash talking that I started to have an interest because I’m not the kind of person who likes to say a lot of bad stuff about my opponents,” he said. “I think that fight could happen, but that will depend on whether or not he fights Anderson [Silva].” 

Machida is currently recovering from elbow surgery and he expects to resume training in two weeks, and is hoping for a return date in April or May.  However, he said it’d be a dream to be featured on the upcoming event in Brazil.

“I would love to fight in Sao Paulo, but I hope I can fight one time before that event,” he said.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC on FOX 2 Fight Card: What Rashad Evans Needs to Do to Win

Rashad Evans has remained among one of the more consistent fighters in the light heavyweight division for the past few years.Despite being on the losing end of one of the most vicious knockouts in UFC history, Evans has worked his way back up to regain…

Rashad Evans has remained among one of the more consistent fighters in the light heavyweight division for the past few years.

Despite being on the losing end of one of the most vicious knockouts in UFC history, Evans has worked his way back up to regain a light heavyweight title shot, and his chance couldn’t have come at a better time.

Slated to face Phil Davis, Evans was originally supposed to meet the 27-year-old prospect last summer before a knee injury postponed the bout, keeping a future title shot all but in reach for the 32-year-old.

But with both competitors seemingly healthy, the time to settle their difference is fitting for a television network debut when they headline UFC on FOX 2.

While he was praised for his speed and wrestling ability earlier on in his career, Evans has continued to evolve and adapt in the sport, while continuously finding ways to beat his opponents. “Suga” might have found his match in Davis, based on pure wrestling ability, but that won’t prevent the former light heavyweight champion from finding a way to earn the victory.

Davis’ striking is not fully developed, as he prefers to utilize his wresting to gain an advantage over his opponents, so look for Evans to try to expose Davis’ lack of strike defense. 

“Suga” will want to keep his distance as often as he can so he can find his range and use his speed to get inside of Davis and land clean shots. It is unknown how Davis will react to getting hit. Evans will want to use his speed and boxing skills to put pressure on his opponent and test his heart. 

Evans will want to beat Davis to the punch as much as possible. Being the faster, more aggressive fighter, Evans will put “Mr.Wonderful” in uncomfortable situations he’s not used to being in, neutralizing his wrestling and keeping him on the defense for a majority of the bout.

Should Evans capitalize on Davis’ striking inability and inexperience, he will have the necessary tools to carry out the win via unanimous decision, setting up a highly anticipated grudge match between him and Jones. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC on FOX 2 Predictions: Mike Russow vs. John-Olav Einemo

Before the main card is underway, fans will be able to catch the preliminary card on FUEL TV. One of the bouts featured on the undercard is a heavyweight matchup featuring Mike Russow and John-Olav Einemo.Einemo will make his return to the UFC after un…

Before the main card is underway, fans will be able to catch the preliminary card on FUEL TV. One of the bouts featured on the undercard is a heavyweight matchup featuring Mike Russow and John-Olav Einemo.

Einemo will make his return to the UFC after undergoing a contract dispute with his former management, Golden Glory, that saw “The Viking” released from the company.

Now set to make his return, Einemo will meet Russow in a heavyweight bout that is sure to keep fans entertained. Holding a black belt in Brazilian-Jiu-Jitsu, Einemo has earned the last five of his six wins via submission, so should the bout hit the ground, it is more than likely he’ll be comfortable off of his back.

Russow isn’t afraid to test his striking against anyone in the heavyweight division. Russow is perhaps best known for his knockout victory over Todd Duffee at UFC 114 that saw the Chicago native on the losing end of the fight until he scored the knockout with just a few minutes before the end of the bout.

Currently riding a three-fight winning streak, Russow will look to continue his ascension up the heavyweight division by getting the win over a veteran like Einemo.

Although Russow is heading into his bout with a lot of momentum, Einemo holds a lot of experience, and he’ll also enjoy a eight-inch reach advantage. 

Russow has shown to battle through adversity. However, Einemo’s size and striking is not something Russow will want to endure for a majority of the bout. He will look to take the fight to the ground, where he holds the advantage in submissions and grappling.

Einemo might want to approach his opponent with more caution than his last bout with Dave Herman, which saw him on the receiving end of a knockout at UFC 131.

While it is possible Russow can weather the storm early on, it isn’t likely he can absorb punishment on the feet against a caliber fighter like Einemo.

Prediction: Jon Olav Einemo via third round TKO.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC on FOX 2 Fight Card: How High Is Phil Davis’s Upside?

At UFC on FOX 2, no other fighter has a bigger opportunity to shine than Phil Davis.The 205-pound prospect not only has the chance to defeat one of the sport’s elite fighters in Rashad Evans, but he has the chance to do it in front of a large audience …

At UFC on FOX 2, no other fighter has a bigger opportunity to shine than Phil Davis.

The 205-pound prospect not only has the chance to defeat one of the sport’s elite fighters in Rashad Evans, but he has the chance to do it in front of a large audience when the event makes its official debut on FOX Sports.

The winner of the bout is expected to be next in line to challenge Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title but that doesn’t seem to be the case regarding Davis and his status in the division. 

Although the 27-year-old has embarked on an impressive run so far in the UFC, boasting a 9-0 record in the Octagon, his skills are still progressing and he is still improving at a gradual rate, which leaves some critics skeptical of his ability against top competition.

While he has the potential to hold onto the light heavyweight crown in the future, it would seem that the UFC isn’t in any hurry to fast-track him to a title shot anytime soon.

So if Davis is to walk away with a decisive victory over Evans, it might enter him into the top five of the division, but it won’t thwart the UFC’s plans of hosting a title bout, as Dan Henderson is likely to receive the next shot.

Davis’s victory over Evans will be a moral one, however, and while it might not be the one that leads him to an immediate title shot, it is a step in the right direction.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC on FOX 2 Predictions: What a Chael Sonnen Win Means for the MW Division

Chael Sonnen’s trash talking has kept him relevant in the spotlight since his loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 117 and he is one win away from getting a rematch that he and the fans have desperately been seeking.Sonnen will meet fellow trash talker Michae…

Chael Sonnen’s trash talking has kept him relevant in the spotlight since his loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 117 and he is one win away from getting a rematch that he and the fans have desperately been seeking.

Sonnen will meet fellow trash talker Michael Bisping in the co-main event at UFC on FOX 2 Saturday night, in hopes of meeting Silva in the Octagon once again. Sonnen has done almost everything in his power to get a rematch with the champion, but a win this weekend will guarantee it.

Sonnen was originally supposed to face off against fellow 185-pound contender Mark Munoz until an injury forced Munoz out of the bout. The UFC made the decision to call up Bisping to replace “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” on just one week’s notice, with a title shot still hanging in the balance.

If Sonnen can get past his British counterpart, it will set up one of the most anticipated rematches in recent memory between Sonnen and the Brazilian. Sonnen is the only competitor to put up any sort of a fight against Silva, as he dominated and outwrestled “The Spider” for nearly five rounds until being submitted with just few minutes remaining. It was the first time fans had seen Silva pushed to the brink of defeat.

Despite the loss to Silva, fans are still interested in the thought of Sonnen attempting to dethrone the champion. 

A tall task indeed, but based on their first enounter, it is likely their second bout would be just as competitive.

At this point, anything but a win for Sonnen would be a big disappointment.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com