Author: Mike Hodges

Bas Rutten Favors Junior dos Santos to Beat Alistair Overeem

Former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten has been long associated with Dutch mixed martial artists throughout his entire career. One of those fighters is Alistair Overeem.”The Demolition Man” has been regarded as one of the best heavyweight fighters …

Former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten has been long associated with Dutch mixed martial artists throughout his entire career. One of those fighters is Alistair Overeem.

“The Demolition Man” has been regarded as one of the best heavyweight fighters in the sport and he will finally get his chance when he challenges Junior dos Santos for the UFC heavyweight title later this year.

Having been familiar with Overeem’s career, Rutten gave his thoughts on the upcoming title bout while appearing on Sherdog Radio’s “It’s Time!” with Bruce Buffer.

Rutten spoke about how Overeem would fare against the Brazilian and said Dos Santos is a bad stylistic matchup for the Dutchman.

“I think that Junior dos Santos, with his combinations, his reach, I think he’s going to tag him and he’s going to throw combos and I think that yeah, he’s going to take this fight,” Rutten said. 

Overeem earned his title shot against Dos Santos after defeating Brock Lesnar in his UFC debut at UFC 141 in December last year. The former Strikeforce heavyweight champion easily dispatched of Lesnar, utilizing his kickboxing and Muay Thai skills.

Rutten also pointed out the fact that despite Overeem’s dominance in the heavyweight division, he has been knocked out quite often in his career while competing against some the world’s elite strikers. Due to the Dutchman’s inability to take a punch, “El Guapo” also said he had told Overeem’s training camp to specifically avoid Dos Santos.

“I always told them … make sure to avoid Junior dos Santos,” he said. “I think Alistair, everything he does is one single shot because he knows he’s got that glass jaw as well. He’s been knocked out quite a few times in the past, even by Chuck Liddell as well. Every time when he punches, one hand is up. He throws single shots; he doesn’t throw combinations.”

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UFC on FX 1 Results: Jim Miller Gets Back to His Winning Ways

Jim Miller was able to remain within title contention at 155 pounds, and he did it in impressive fashion.After getting stunned early on in the opening minutes of the first round, Miller was able to regain his composure and apply a rear-naked choke on M…

Jim Miller was able to remain within title contention at 155 pounds, and he did it in impressive fashion.

After getting stunned early on in the opening minutes of the first round, Miller was able to regain his composure and apply a rear-naked choke on Melvin Guillard to get the victory at UFC on FX 1.

Both competitors were entering their lightweight bout in search of a win, in order to stay within reach of a title shot in the lightweight division. Miller previously lost to Benson Henderson at UFC Live 5 last year, while Guillard was coming a submission loss to Joe Lauzon at UFC 136.

Guillard came out and attempted to press the action, as he utilized his striking and speed. He landed a flying knee that hurt Miller, and continued to attack his opponent, who was visibly wounded. Shortly after, Guillard repeatedly tried to land a flying knee, before Miller countered and landed a double leg takedown, securing top position.

Miller would utilize his superior ground game, as he immediately passed Guillard’s guard, and ended up in full mount. “The Young Assassin” tried to reverse the position, but gave up his back in the process, allowing Miller to lock in a rear-naked choke and forcing Guillard to tap.

The victory was a huge moral boost for Miller, considering his personal problems as of late, and it has launched him back amongst the elite competitors in the division. The win was Miller’s twelfth submission victory, and he has now won eight of his ten UFC bouts, extending his overall record to 21-3-0.

Meanwhile, Guillard has now dropped back-to-back fights for the first time in nine bouts, owning a professional of 29-10-2.  

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UFC 142: Decision of Silva Vs.Prater Still Stands as a Disqualification

After reviewing the finish during the Erick Silva and Carlo Prater bout at UFC 142, the controversial decision will not be overturned by UFC Vice-President of Regulatory Affairs, Marc Ratner, and will stand as a disqualification.Although there was no i…

After reviewing the finish during the Erick Silva and Carlo Prater bout at UFC 142, the controversial decision will not be overturned by UFC Vice-President of Regulatory Affairs, Marc Ratner, and will stand as a disqualification.

Although there was no instant replay at cageside to analyze and review the decision, Ratner released a statement to address the matter further:

“Based on the referee’s verbal warnings and his determination that the blows were intentional and a disqualifying foul, this is not the type of decision that can be reviewed,” Ratner wrote. “Therefore, the decision stands.”

During the bout, Silva appeared to hurt his opponent with a body kick that dropped Prater, and the Brazilian proceeded to ground-and-pound and was the verge of recording the victory. However, referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the bout, and rewarded Prater with the win after ruling some of Silva’s strikes as illegal blows.

The bout was stopped due to illegal blows to the back of the head. It should be noted that the UFC and the sport need to invest their time into including video replay at UFC events for the foreseeable future. 

Many critics will continue to interpret illegal strikes differently, and until instant replay is enforced, the UFC will likely continue to deal with the controversy that surrounds officiating and referees in mixed martial arts.

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Belfort Spent $100,000 on Trainers in Preparation for UFC 142

Vitor Belfort was very well-prepared heading into his bout with Anthony Johnson at UFC 142 last weekend.The Brazilian was able to submit Johnson via rear naked choke just before the end of the first round, signifying his first win in his home country i…

Vitor Belfort was very well-prepared heading into his bout with Anthony Johnson at UFC 142 last weekend.

The Brazilian was able to submit Johnson via rear naked choke just before the end of the first round, signifying his first win in his home country in over ten years.

Brazilian journalist Gustavo Noblat was with “The Phenom” prior to the event, spending time with Belfort and his family. Following the win, Noblat was able to chat with Belfort at a local restaurant about his training camp for Johnson.

“A wrestler won’t be able to take me down and give me a hard time. I came from jiu-jitsu,” Belfort told O Globo.com. “I had seven trainers working with me during the last three months. I spent around $100,000 with them.” 

With the win, Belfort extended his win streak to two fights after falling short to the UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 126 last year. With satisfying victories over the likes of Yoshihiro Akiyama and now Johnson, Belfort will face off against a familiar foe in Wanderlei Silva in a rematch later this year. The long-awaited rematch will happen at the conclusion of the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brasil, scheduled to begin in March.

But as he celebrated with joy and rejuvenation, the 34-year-old said the two UFC events hosted in Brazil will bring a positive impact on the economy.

“Now I’m sure the UFC will explode and reach a new level in Brazil,” he said.

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Demian Maia Says There is Not Enough Brazilian Talent at 185 Pounds

When Mark Munoz fell to injury, promoting Michael Bisping into the co-main event against Chael Sonnen, Demian Maia’s position on the main card was uncertain.Fans were quick to point to a potential matchup between Maia and fellow Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pra…

When Mark Munoz fell to injury, promoting Michael Bisping into the co-main event against Chael Sonnen, Demian Maia‘s position on the main card was uncertain.

Fans were quick to point to a potential matchup between Maia and fellow Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner Rouismar Palhares. However Palhares turned down the opportunity to face Maia on one week’s notice, especially after scoring a first-round victory this past weekend at UFC 142.

But it was Maia’s decision to pass up a bout with Palhares, as he felt a matchup between him and “Toquinho” would prevent the lack of Brazilians fighting at 185 pounds. 

“It was rumored (a fight with Palhares), but I thought there would not be any possibilities (of it happening), because he just fought, it doesn’t make sense for him to throw himself into another fight right now,” Maia told SporTV (translated by Tom Mendes of BloodyElbow.com).

“To be honest, the Brazilian fans should be more worried about seeing us fighting foreigners. There are (only) a few Brazilian fighters in the division and I think that, aside of the title, since it’s Anderson who is the champion, the Brazilians should not face each other,” he added.

A step-up in competition is obviously in Palhares’ future, and a fight with Maia would be the most logical choice. However, it is doubtful Palhares would be physically able to compete on such short notice against a well-versed grappler of Maia’s caliber, and therefore, put a damper on any title aspirations the UFC would have for Palhares at this point.

Maia will meet Chris Weidman on the main card of UFC on FOX 2, scheduled for next Saturday at the United Center in Chicago.

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Rampage Jackson Says ‘King Mo’ Isn’t a ‘True Fighter’ for Using Steroids

With their feud escalating regularly, it looks like Quinton “Rampage” Jackson may get the last laugh on Muhammed Lawal.After learning that Lawal tested positive for steroids following his win over Lorenz Larkin at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine last…

With their feud escalating regularly, it looks like Quinton “Rampage” Jackson may get the last laugh on Muhammed Lawal.

After learning that Lawal tested positive for steroids following his win over Lorenz Larkin at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine last weekend, Jackson decided to respond to the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion’s incident.

While speaking with Karyn Bryant of MMA HEAT, Jackson said Lawal got what he deserved.

“Man, he talks a big game and he’s calling people bums and everything, it’s just karma. Look at him, he’s a very cocky individual,” Jackson said.

“King Mo” has since denied that he has ever used steroids to enhance his performance and is looking to appeal the steroid allegations. 

Jackson and Lawal have been bitter rivals for years, issuing challenges to one another, but nothing has ever materialized. As of this point, Jackson would no longer have an interest in facing Lawal and he doesn’t believe any fighter is a true professional with the use of steroids or performance enhancing drugs.

“I feel like any fighter that has to use steroids to go in a cage and fight somebody is not a true fighter,” he said.

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