Author: Mike Hodges

Jon Jones "Will Be Anderson Silva-Like with His Standup" Says Winklejohn

The sky is the limit for Jon Jones.The UFC light heavyweight champion is coming off a recent submission victory over Lyoto Machida at UFC 140, his fourth consecutive win this year and second successful title defense. What’s startling is that the 2…

The sky is the limit for Jon Jones.

The UFC light heavyweight champion is coming off a recent submission victory over Lyoto Machida at UFC 140, his fourth consecutive win this year and second successful title defense. 

What’s startling is that the 24-year-old is only beginning his mixed martial arts career and will only continue to improve as he enters his prime. While utilizing his Greco-Roman wrestling skills, his opponents become vulnerable in an instant. 

And his cornerman and trainer Mike Winklejohn believes it is only a matter of time before Jones reaches his potential as a fighter. 

“He’s constantly wanting to learn and evolve,” Winklejohn said while appearing on Sherdog Radio Network. “He has knockout power in both hands when he wants to throw them. He’s just at that point where he doesn’t have enough experience yet to trust his motion and his distancing as Anderson Silva does now. But soon, he’ll be Anderson Silva-like with his standup.”

Jones’ style has drawn comparisons to Silva’s, leading fans to dwell over the possibility of witnessing a superfight between the two competitors.

But both fighters have been reluctant at the idea, especially Silva, while Jones still has a many challenges ahead of him before the idea of a bout with “The Spider” comes to fruition. 

Regardless, Winklejohn sees Jones having a bright future in the UFC.

“He’s capable of becoming so much better than he is right now. He’s just scary,” he said. “He’s getting faster. I think he’s going to have a jab that’s going to be comparable to a Muhammad Ali jab as far as dominating his opponent when he wants to use it.” 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Phil Davis Says Rashad Evans Is the "Same Old Guy"

While Rashad Evans is widely regarded as one of the top competitors at 205 pounds, fellow light heavyweight contender Phil Davis begs to differ.The two light heavyweight competitors are set to meet in the main event on UFC on FOX 2 on January 28, where…

While Rashad Evans is widely regarded as one of the top competitors at 205 pounds, fellow light heavyweight contender Phil Davis begs to differ.

The two light heavyweight competitors are set to meet in the main event on UFC on FOX 2 on January 28, where the winner is likely slated to meet UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones later next year. 

While conducting an interview with Lowkick.com, Davis spoke about his upcoming bout with Evans—who despite holding a lot of skills and experience in his arsenal, the 26-year-old Davis think Evans is still the same guy.

“I think he’s the same old Rashad—which is very dangerous, very skilled and I think he’s definitely gotten better over the years, but I think he’s the same old guy,” Davis said.

Evans has recently developed a more sound, technical offense by implementing his strikes with his wrestling, as opposed to preferring to stand and trade with his opponents. The latter didn’t always prove to be successful for “Suga,” who suffered his first knockout loss to former UFC light heavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida.

Davis is also a efficient grappler, holding tremendous strength and ability in wrestling his opponents down to the canvas. He said it is one of the most successful areas in his overall game, and he plans to utilize it more against Evans. 

Unlike Evans, it is one aspect Davis doesn’t see himself abandoning throughout his career. 

“There’s no point in my career where I plan on abandoning wrestling. It’s always a part of my game plan,” he said. “That’s something I’m going to go into every fight making my opponent respect.” 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Frank Mir Looks to Be Considered Top Submission Fighter in UFC History

Following one of the biggest wins of his career at UFC 140, Frank Mir believes he should be considered as the best submission fighter in heavyweight history. There certainly can be an argument made to that statement.Mir not only defeated Antonio R…

Following one of the biggest wins of his career at UFC 140, Frank Mir believes he should be considered as the best submission fighter in heavyweight history. 

There certainly can be an argument made to that statement.

Mir not only defeated Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira once again, but he did it in dramatic fashion, as he applied a kimura on the Brazilian and proceeded to break his arm. 

While appearing as a special guest blog on Sportsnet.ca, Mir said he intended on grappling with his opponent, as opposed to striking with him again.

“I knew he’d dive for the guillotine, and he did. It was on pretty good but I managed to get out,” Mir wrote. “As it happens, I escaped and ripped his arm off. I knew he wouldn’t tap; he’s a proud warrior, so I yanked it as hard as I could. You know what happened then.”

The victory gives Mir the distinction of being the first fighter to finish Nogueria by both knockout and submission.

Nogueira is widely considered as the greatest submission specialist in mixed martial arts heavyweight history, however Mir said he deserves the right to be called the greatest submission heavyweight fighter in UFC history. 

“I think it allows you to make an argument, sure,” he wrote. “I think you’d have to look at my record side-by-side with other guys, and of course there are fighters who’ve done a lot more than I have in submission-only fights, but purely in the UFC, I think I am right up there, yes.”

With the win, Mir has earned his third consecutive victory and could be in title contention depending on his next bout.

In the meantime, the Las Vegas native plans to remain in shape until he is called upon to compete again. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Anderson Silva and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Featured in New Honda Commercial

While neither competitor has any intention of facing each other in the Octagon, outside of the eight-sided cage, it seems that anything goes. Anderson Silva and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira seem to be competing for more than just a UFC title in a bran…

While neither competitor has any intention of facing each other in the Octagon, outside of the eight-sided cage, it seems that anything goes. 

Anderson Silva and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira seem to be competing for more than just a UFC title in a brand new commercial.

The two Brazilians are seen shopping for a new Honda Hornet CB600F until they both become interested in the same model. Ultimately, Silva and Nogueira square off in a fictional bout to determine who wins the motorbike. 

It looks as if the UFC is taking advantage of advertising “The Spider” in his homeland after the amount of exposure he received to promote UFC 134. 

In hopes of achieving similar success in his next trip to Brazil, Silva seems to be expanding his celebrity status in his country and becoming one of the most well-recognized and successful professional athletes in the world.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Alistair Overeem Doesn’t See Bout With Brock Lesnar Going Past Second Round

Heading into UFC 141, there has been more talk about Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem’s personal lives than the bout itself. Lesnar’s health has been well documented since his last appearance inside the Octagon at UFC 122. The former UFC hea…

Heading into UFC 141, there has been more talk about Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem’s personal lives than the bout itself. 

Lesnar’s health has been well documented since his last appearance inside the Octagon at UFC 122. 

The former UFC heavyweight champion underwent a second surgery after being diagnosed with diverticulitis once again, forcing him out of a anticipated bout with current UFC heavyweight champion, Junior dos Santos. 

Alistair Overeem’s recent battle with the Nevada Athletic State Commission regarding multiple drug tests has kept his name firmly in the spotlight, but for all the wrong reasons, as the 265-pound Dutchman has faced constant accusations of steroid abuse. 

After answering numerous questions regarding either man’s health and preparation, UFC Director of Public Relations Dave Scholler told reporters to ask relevant questions regarding their upcoming bout. 

But if there is one thing both competitors have in common, it’s that they see themselves walking away with a win on December 30th. 

“I don’t see it really going past the second round,” Overeem told reporters during a UFC 141 media conference call. 

“I feel the same,” Lesnar added. “This is a heavyweight fight that, you know, we’re both going in to finish this fight. I don’t foresee it going five rounds.”

Either Lesnar or Overeem has a chance to earn the opportunity to contend for the UFC heavyweight title with a victory and stand alone as the best heavyweight in the sport. 

And judging by their impatience and disregard for the media, both men are only focused on their heavyweight matchup.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Nick Diaz Still Plans to Face Georges St-Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Title

Nick Diaz is striving to prove he is the best fighter at 170 pounds. The Stockton, California native’s 10-fight win streak has included some of the top competitors in mixed martial arts including Paul Daley and BJ Penn. His next bout will be …

Nick Diaz is striving to prove he is the best fighter at 170 pounds. 

The Stockton, California native’s 10-fight win streak has included some of the top competitors in mixed martial arts including Paul Daley and BJ Penn. 

His next bout will be against another top competitor in Carlos Condit when they meet at UFC 143 for the UFC interim welterweight title. Diaz, who was originally scheduled to face Georges St-Pierre, is focused on his upcoming matchup with Condit, but he has his sights on an even bigger opportunity against the champion.

“I wanted to fight Georges St-Pierre, and I still want that fight when Georges comes back,” Diaz told Fightline.com. “Right now, I’m focused on beating Carlos Condit.”

One of the UFC’s most polarizing figures, Diaz found himself in the title picture after recently beating Penn at UFC 137 and then called out St-Pierre, who was sidelined with an ACL sprain at the time, and claimed that he was scared to face him.

The stage was set for a potential showdown between Diaz and St-Pierre, however, the champion was forced out of the bout after tearing his ACL, allowing Condit to face him instead. The winner will meet St-Pierre next year in a title unification bout.

Diaz is aware of Condit’s abilities, but he believes he is the superior fighter. 

“He’s tough and he’s knocked a lot of guys out, but that doesn’t concern me. I know I’m a better fighter in all areas,” he said. “I’m gonna win that belt on February 4.”

UFC 143 is scheduled for February 4th, 2012, live from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com