Author: Mike Hodges

UFC’s Rashad Evans: Jon Jones Wants a Title Fight

For weeks now, the animosity between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis has been building, eventually culminating into a main event showdown between the two competitors this Saturday at UFC on FOX 2.A victory over Davis will finally give Evans the opportunity…

For weeks now, the animosity between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis has been building, eventually culminating into a main event showdown between the two competitors this Saturday at UFC on FOX 2.

A victory over Davis will finally give Evans the opportunity to challenge UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

While discussing his bout to MMAWeekly.com, Evans commented on the possibility of getting the win over Davis and earning a potential title shot; however, Evans is more concerned with putting on a good performance.

“It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve been promised to get a title shot, I’ve been promised a lot, so I just want to go in there and fight hard for the UFC, and if the stars align and I get a title shot, then great,” Evans said.

While the rivalry between Evans and Davis might be based solely on the competitive nature of the sport, Evans’ bad blood with Jones goes much further than that.

“Suga” was aware that Jones was rooting for him this weekend and Evans said he expects the 24-year-old champion to be prepared as much as he is because it’s a fight they both want.

“Yeah I believe he wants the fight to happen,” he said. “He wants to get it over with as much as I do. He’s probably getting tired of people talking about Rashad Evans, he can’t go anywhere without people talking about me, so I’m sure he wants to get it over with as much as I do.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Phil Davis Prepares for Rashad Evans in UFC on Fox 2 Video Blog

Before Phil Davis gets set to face a step up in competition against one of the 205-pound division’s elite fighters in Rashad Evans, he has given fans an inside look into his training regimen.Prior to UFC on FOX 2, Davis has introduced a video blog focu…

Before Phil Davis gets set to face a step up in competition against one of the 205-pound division’s elite fighters in Rashad Evans, he has given fans an inside look into his training regimen.

Prior to UFC on FOX 2, Davis has introduced a video blog focusing on his upcoming bout with Evans.

The first episode shows Davis participating in a sparring session and working on his striking and kickboxing while his coaches give insight on Davis’ current training sessions and analyze some of Evans’ strengths—including his boxing and wrestling.

The video blog is unique in a sense that it is very simplistic in how Davis is presented, and it gives a humble look in the personal life of one of the UFC’s top prospects.

Davis will be entering his bout with Evans on a nine-fight winning streak, having beaten some of the light heavyweight division’s credible fighters in Alexander Gustafsson and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

UFC on FOX 2 is scheduled for this Saturday, live from the United Center in Chicago. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Phil Davis is Confident He Would Defeat Jon Jones

In most fans’ eyes Phil Davis doesn’t stand much of a chance against Rashad Evans, however the Penn State alumni likes his chances against the former UFC light heavyweight champion.Not to mention, Davis also favours himself in a future title bout again…

In most fans’ eyes Phil Davis doesn’t stand much of a chance against Rashad Evans, however the Penn State alumni likes his chances against the former UFC light heavyweight champion.

Not to mention, Davis also favours himself in a future title bout against current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

“I think a fight with me and Jon would go like any other fight I’ve had,” Davis told MMAFighting.com.

Despite not competing in the Octagon since March last year, Davis intends on utilizing his wrestling skills in his bout with Evans at UFC on FOX 2. In addition to using his wrestling abilities, Davis said he has sharpened his striking skills since falling out of action in August last year with a knee injury.

Davis says the adjustments in his arsenal will benefit him to picking up the victory on Saturday.

“I haven’t fought in a year and a lot can change in a year’s time,” he said. “He has no idea what to expect. He doesn’t know my wrestling, he doesn’t know my standing, he doesn’t know.”

And contrary to his time away from the Octagon, Davis said his absence has allowed him to improve and grow as a fighter.

“He might have out-struck me a year ago,” he said. “My game has come a long way since my fight with Nogueira, and I’m anxious for people to see how far I’ve come since my time off.”

Should Davis get past Evans this weekend, Jones may have another future challenger to his 205-pound title. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Phil Davis is Confident He Would Defeat Jon Jones

In most fans’ eyes Phil Davis doesn’t stand much of a chance against Rashad Evans, however the Penn State alumni likes his chances against the former UFC light heavyweight champion.Not to mention, Davis also favours himself in a future title bout again…

In most fans’ eyes Phil Davis doesn’t stand much of a chance against Rashad Evans, however the Penn State alumni likes his chances against the former UFC light heavyweight champion.

Not to mention, Davis also favours himself in a future title bout against current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

“I think a fight with me and Jon would go like any other fight I’ve had,” Davis told MMAFighting.com.

Despite not competing in the Octagon since March last year, Davis intends on utilizing his wrestling skills in his bout with Evans at UFC on FOX 2. In addition to using his wrestling abilities, Davis said he has sharpened his striking skills since falling out of action in August last year with a knee injury.

Davis says the adjustments in his arsenal will benefit him to picking up the victory on Saturday.

“I haven’t fought in a year and a lot can change in a year’s time,” he said. “He has no idea what to expect. He doesn’t know my wrestling, he doesn’t know my standing, he doesn’t know.”

And contrary to his time away from the Octagon, Davis said his absence has allowed him to improve and grow as a fighter.

“He might have out-struck me a year ago,” he said. “My game has come a long way since my fight with Nogueira, and I’m anxious for people to see how far I’ve come since my time off.”

Should Davis get past Evans this weekend, Jones may have another future challenger to his 205-pound title. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Chael Sonnen Tells Anderson Silva His ‘Time Has Passed’

Chael Sonnen is up to his antics again.Prior to meeting Michael Bisping at UFC on FOX 2 this past Saturday, the UFC middleweight contender was conducting an interview on Dan Le Batard Is… on ESPN2.While appearing on the show, Sonnen was wea…

Chael Sonnen is up to his antics again.

Prior to meeting Michael Bisping at UFC on FOX 2 this past Saturday, the UFC middleweight contender was conducting an interview on Dan Le Batard Is… on ESPN2.

While appearing on the show, Sonnen was wearing a replica UFC belt claiming to be the current UFC middleweight champion. 

Although the host seemed to be confused at Sonnen’s proclamation, it did not stop Sonnen to continuously mock and belittle him in typical fashion.

What is this? Like, I say something, and you repeat it to make sure you heard it. This whole thing is being videotaped.

Although it seemed like Sonnen was putting on a similar performance to his appearance on Canadian sports-talk show Off The Record, he was humorous and more casual in his responses this time around.

Despite Sonnen’s best attempts to promote his upcoming fight with Bisping this weekend, various topics were discussed, including his title bout against Anderson Silva at UFC 117 last year and the ongoing debate of whether he actually tapped or not.

There seems to be a misunderstanding or a misapplication of the rule process.

I thought like if somebody had you in a tight hold, you could just rub his leg a couple of times, and your tag-team partner step in there and help you out a little bit. And then they bring me, too, and they try to explain the rules, and there was some kind of confusion, and he ended up getting his hand raised in an extremely tainted victory.

And while he was on the subject, Sonnen had a few choice words for the Brazilian.

[The first thing I think of when I think of Anderson is] fraud. Phony. Paint your face up like Mike Tyson, gain a hundred pounds, sit in the second row and talk about when you meant something to the world, ‘cause your time has passed.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Carlos Condit Says He is "A More Technical Fighter" Than Nick Diaz

Carlos Condit won’t be the first person to gloat about his skills as a fighter, because that’s not his style.However, when comparing his skills to his opponent’s (Nick Diaz), Condit is confident that he is the superior fighter.Condit and Diaz will meet…

Carlos Condit won’t be the first person to gloat about his skills as a fighter, because that’s not his style.

However, when comparing his skills to his opponent’s (Nick Diaz), Condit is confident that he is the superior fighter.

Condit and Diaz will meet in the main event next weekend at UFC 143 for the UFC interim welterweight title, a matchup that adds significance to the welterweight division. The attention for UFC 143’s title bout has primarily shifted its focus to this Saturday’s coverage of UFC on FOX 2, headlined by Rashad Evans and Phil Davis, but the momentum will pick up near the conclusion of this weekend.

While discussing Diaz’s striking ability, Condit easily favours himself to be the more well-rounded of the two competitors, especially regarding his kickboxing skills.

“I have more weapons in my arsenal. I just bring some different stuff to the table,” Condit said. ““He can take a good shot but can he take knees? Is he going to be able to take elbows? It’s a different when it’s a shin across your face.” 

“I feel like I’m a more technical fighter than Diaz.” he added.

“The Natural Born Killer” can certainly make a fair argument to prove he is a more polished striker than Diaz, even owning three award bonuses, including two “Knockout of the Night” honours to his name. But the former Strikeforce welterweight champion can prove to be just as an effective force when utilizing his boxing skills and relentless pace.

Neither fighter has attempted to engage in a verbal sparring due their mutual respect for one another, but both Conidt and Diaz intend on making a statement, in hopes of walking away with the UFC interim welterweight crown.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com