Author: Mike Hodges

Georges St-Pierre Undergoes Knee Surgery to Repair ACL Tear

UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre underwent surgery earlier today to repair a knee injury that he suffered a few weeks ago.According to MMAFighting.com, the surgery was conducted under Dr.Neal ElAttrache, one of the most renowned surgeons in …

UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre underwent surgery earlier today to repair a knee injury that he suffered a few weeks ago.

According to MMAFighting.com, the surgery was conducted under Dr.Neal ElAttrache, one of the most renowned surgeons in sports medicine and a current team physician for Major League Bseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers. 

St-Pierre suffered the injury by overcompensating it during a wrestling training session a couple of weeks ago.

The champion, who had recently come off a minor injury to his left knee, felt pain in his right knee but attempted to continue. 

The St. Isidore native continued his training camp with no swelling in his knee, but the pain only worsened.

St-Pierre underwent an MRI to reveal that he had a torn ACL in his right knee that will force him to withdraw from his upcoming title bout against Nick Diaz, scheduled for February 6th at UFC 143. 

St-Pierre’s personal physician, Dr. Sebastien Simard, explained during a recent teleconference that the surgery was mandatory and it would reconstruct the champion’s ACL, as well as repair some damage to his meniscus.

Simard was optimistic that St-Pierre will return to the UFC in the future, but the injury should require him to be out of action for six to nine months depending on the rehabilitation process. 

In the meantime, an interim welterweight title bout was scheduled due to St-Pierre’s absence, and Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz will meet in the main event at UFC 143.

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Junior dos Santos Hopeful of Making First Title Defense in Brazil

After earning the biggest win of his career over Cain Velasquez earlier this year at UFC on FOX 1, newly-crowned UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos is eagerly anticipating his next challenger. The winner of the upcoming headliner between B…

After earning the biggest win of his career over Cain Velasquez earlier this year at UFC on FOX 1, newly-crowned UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos is eagerly anticipating his next challenger. 

The winner of the upcoming headliner between Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem at UFC 141 will meet the champion in a title bout next year while he recovers from knee surgery. 

The 27-year-old has aspirations of defending the heavyweight crown in front of his home country, and he is hoping to do it in his first title defense against either Lesnar or Overeem.

“I really want to fight in Brazil,” dos Santos told TATAME.com. “There’ll be many events in Brazil, like Dana (White) said himself. So I want my first title defense to be in Brazil.”

The company will make its second trip back to Brazil early next year to host UFC 142 when countryman Jose Aldo defends his UFC featherweight title against Chad Mendes. Also on the card is a middleweight bout between Vitor Belfort and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.

With South America currently on the radar, the UFC intends on visiting Brazil as much as possible next year. With UFC 142 already planned for January 16, the company is rumored to return by mid-next year, likely in June. 

And with a potential event on the horizon, dos Santos, who reflected on his recent victory over Velasquez, sees himself being involved.

“When I punched him, I saw him going down and I could tell it was easy for me to knock him out and, even before the referee stopped the contest, I could feel that thrill,” he said. “I can’t really explain the way I feel. I’m really happy. It’s an incredible feeling.”

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Dana White Calls Jon Jones Second Best Pound-for-Pound Fighter

Jon Jones rightfully has a spot on the pound-for-pound rankings. The UFC light heavyweight champion made his second consecutive title defense following his submission victory over Lyoto Machida at UFC 140. It earned Jones his fifth straight w…

Jon Jones rightfully has a spot on the pound-for-pound rankings. 

The UFC light heavyweight champion made his second consecutive title defense following his submission victory over Lyoto Machida at UFC 140. It earned Jones his fifth straight win inside the Octagon. 

“Bones” has endured one of the most remarkable years in mixed martial arts history. 

The 24-year-old’s incredible run has impressed many fans and critics, including UFC President Dana White, who told a media scrum following the UFC 140 post-fight press conference that Jones’ unprecedented rise has made him one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in MMA. 

In fact, White places him directly behind reigning pound-for-pound king, Anderson Silva.

“(He’s) number two (in the world),” White said. “He’s literally walked through everybody. He fought four times this year, probably the nastiest schedule in the history of the company. He’s incredible, man.”

While White did stop short of ranking him above the UFC middleweight champion, he was very adamant of Jones’ accomplishments so far, indicating that the champion is well on his way to overtaking the Brazilian’s spot in the future.

“The guy is, I hate to talk too much about it…like nobody’s gonna hear this (laughs) … because he’s so young, you don’t wanna put that kind of stuff in a guy’s head who is that young but he’s walking through serious, serious guys and bustin’ ’em up bad,” he said.

“You don’t see somebody come in and wreck people like this.”

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Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida: "My Gameplan Was Working Against Jon Jones"

Lyoto Machida’s second attempt at reclaiming the UFC Light Heavyweight Title from current champion, Jon Jones, was unsuccessful despite putting the champion through adversity and stealing the opening round.Machida’s elusive counter-striking appeared to…

Lyoto Machida‘s second attempt at reclaiming the UFC Light Heavyweight Title from current champion, Jon Jones, was unsuccessful despite putting the champion through adversity and stealing the opening round.

Machida’s elusive counter-striking appeared to frustrate and overwhelm Jones, preventing the 24-year-old phenom from finding any success in the first round. It was pretty clear that Machida had set some doubt into Jones’ mind, as the champion was visibly concerned while he rested in between rounds.

However, it would only seem to force the champion to reassess his strategy entering into the second round where he would dominate the Brazilian and secure a submission for the victory. 

Following the event, Machida told TATAME.com that prior to being submitted, his game plan was very effective against the champion.

“I felt him a little loss on the first round, but I was focused on not making it a big deal, because each round was a different one and I had to will them all,” Machida said. “I did my game and he was falling for it.”

Machida propelled himself back into the light heavyweight title picture after knocking out Randy Couture at UFC 129 earlier this year.

A hand injury to Rashad Evans prevented an anticipated showdown between the two rivals, and slotted “The Dragon” in as Evans’ replacement.

Despite losing the last three of his four bouts, Machida fared better than any of Jones’ past opponents, and still remains a valuable contender at 205 pounds. 

Regarding his future at light heavyweight, Machida said he will return to the Octagon and let the UFC decide his next opponent.

“Actually I’m waiting. It’s just happened,” he said. “We gotta keep training and waiting for them to call me up for my next fight.

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Dana White: Jon Jones vs. Anderson Silva Won’t Happen, Says Jones Is Too Young

Despite disposing another former UFC champion in Lyoto Machida, it isn’t likely Jon Jones will face Anderson Silva in a dream fight that fans have been wanting for some time.The UFC light heavyweight champion recorded his fifth straight victory after h…

Despite disposing another former UFC champion in Lyoto Machida, it isn’t likely Jon Jones will face Anderson Silva in a dream fight that fans have been wanting for some time.

The UFC light heavyweight champion recorded his fifth straight victory after he successfully defended the title at UFC 140 this past weekend. Jones, who was making his second title defense, overcame a difficult opening round against his opponent to submit Machida in the second round.

However, UFC President Dana White  said Jones’ recent success hasn’t earned him any super-fight with the 185-pound titleholder anytime soon.

“I don’t see that fight happening anytime soon,” White told reporters during the post-fight press conference.

Jones’ current dominance over the light heavyweight division has drawn comparisons to Silva, who has ruled over the middleweight division for the past five years. Also, Jones’ lanky frame and creative striking techniques are parallel to that of the Brazilian, and thus, has created a substantial amount of hype surrounding the potential bout.

With fellow pound-for-pound kingpin, Georges St-Pierre, currently sidelined with a torn ACL, some fans’ have favored the 24-year-old over the French-Canadian to compete against Silva.

But White shot down the idea, citing Jones’ inexperience as a possible factor.

“He’s 24 years old. He’s just getting out there and fighting all the best in the light heavyweight division,” he said. “What people have to realize, too, is Anderson Silva is 37 years old. They’re in two different weight classes.”

Jones’ recent victory has granted him some much-needed rest, as he won’t likely make his next title defense until mid-2012 against either Rashad Evans or Dan Henderson.

Meanwhile, Silva has been out of action since August when he made his last title defense against Yushin Okami at UFC 134. The Brazilian is expected to return by early summer next year.

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UFC 140 Fight Card: Is Tito Ortiz in a Must-Win Situation?

Tito Ortiz was once a relevant competitor in the 205-pound division. However, “The People’s Champion” now finds himself battling to stay relevant when he meets Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 140. This year has been somewhat of a successful year f…

Tito Ortiz was once a relevant competitor in the 205-pound division. However, “The People’s Champion” now finds himself battling to stay relevant when he meets Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 140. 

This year has been somewhat of a successful year for Ortiz, as he scored his first victory in five years against Ryan Bader at UFC 132. The victory brought the former UFC light heavyweight champion recognition and praise from fans, as he still showed the ability to remain a competitive force in the light heavyweight division. 

But the post-fight celebration was short-lived as Ortiz fell victim to Rashad Evans three weeks later at UFC 133, placing him back down the rankings and eliminating one final title run.

Ortiz’s bout with Nogueira should be an implication of how far his skills has evolved and where his future lies.

Ortiz has been open about retiring next year, and with one bout remaining on his contract, it isn’t likely he will be released following a loss to the Brazilian. Most fans are aware that while Ortiz might no longer be in his prime, he is still a formidable opponent and always has a chance to record a win due to his competitive drive and work ethic. 

Should Ortiz lose on Saturday night, it won’t have any significance on his status in the division. He has been open to facing Forrest Griffin in his last bout and it’s possible that the UFC lets Ortiz end his career on his own terms.

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