Author: Mike Hodges

Rodrigo Nogueira: No More Distractions, Motivated to Beat Mir

In his first bout with Frank Mir, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira didn’t appear to be himself. The Brazilian’s renowned striking and iron chin were non-existent as he was finished for the time in his career en route to a second round TKO. Since then…

In his first bout with Frank Mir, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira didn’t appear to be himself. 

The Brazilian’s renowned striking and iron chin were non-existent as he was finished for the time in his career en route to a second round TKO. 

Since then, Nogueira underwent multiple surgeries to repair some injuries and he resurfaced back onto the scene with a first-round knockout over Brendan Schaub at UFC 134. With the injuries behind him, Nogueira looks to remain healthy and motivated for his rematch against Mir next weekend. 

And this time around, Nogueira said he feels confident in his training camp. 

“For the last fight, we had more distractions and we’d just finished the show a couple months before in Vegas and it was hard to train over there. When I came to Brazil, I didn’t feel like the camp was really good,” Nogueira said during a UFC 140 media conference call earlier this week. “I’m more focused on what I’m doing and I’ve got my sparring partners and been able to train the way I wanted.”

Upon his UFC debut, there was a lot of optimism for “Big Nog” as he defeated Heath Herring and Tim Sylvia to capture the UFC interim heavyweight title. But against Mir, Nogueira did not perform under expectations.

The loss had some critics questioning his longevity in the sport. After a sudden resurgence against Schaub earlier this year, however, Nogueira feels prepared and excited to compete once again. 

“I feel more popular, more explosive and more confident now,” he said. “I feel this camp is better than the last one and I know Frank’s improved since the last time I fought him but I’m in shape and I’m ready to go and I’m excited to fight.” 

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Muhammed Lawal Says Lyoto Machida Is "Ready to Stop" Jon Jones at UFC 140

Muhmmed “King Mo” Lawal is one of many fighters who have assisted Lyoto Machida during his training camp to prepare for his upcoming title bout against Jon Jones at UFC 140. Lawal, who displays some of the best wrestling in mixed martial arts, was…

Muhmmed “King Mo” Lawal is one of many fighters who have assisted Lyoto Machida during his training camp to prepare for his upcoming title bout against Jon Jones at UFC 140. 

Lawal, who displays some of the best wrestling in mixed martial arts, was brought to Brazil to help improve Machida’s grappling ability and emulate Jones’ wrestling style. 

After working with the former UFC light heavyweight champion, Lawal believes Machida is ready. 

“Yes, I think he’s ready. You know, if he wasn’t ready he wouldn’t be fighting. He’s always ready,”Lawal told TATAME.com. “I think when it comes down to it, it’s all about the game plan and he’s got a great game plan, so I think he’s gonna do it.”

Machida has undergone a complete transformation with his training regimen to prepare for Jones’ style. In addition to tweaking his wrestling skills with “King Mo”, Machida has added 22 pounds of muscle mass to his frame. 

The 24-year-old Jones has yet to be tested during his young career thus far, previously dispatching two former UFC champions in Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Quinton “Ramapge” Jackson. He possesses outstanding wrestling skills—along with owning the longest reach in UFC history at 84″.

However, Machida’s style is just as difficult to adjust to, which only few fighters have attempted to solve, but Lawal said the Brazilian’s training camp will benefit him greatly come fight night. 

“I think that if Lyoto does what he’s been doing, it’ll be hard to take him down,” he said. “It’s hard to take down a moving target. If you’re standing still, you get taken down, but it’s hard to take down a moving target.”

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Tito Ortiz Is "Healthy" and "Excited" to Perform for Canadian Fans at UFC 140

Tito Ortiz has endured an interesting year so far. “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” earned his first win in six years against Ryan Bader at UFC 132, before dropping a bout to Rashad Evans three weeks later at UFC 133. Ortiz will now look to finish o…

Tito Ortiz has endured an interesting year so far. 

“The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” earned his first win in six years against Ryan Bader at UFC 132, before dropping a bout to Rashad Evans three weeks later at UFC 133. Ortiz will now look to finish off his year with a victory over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira next weekend when the two light heavyweights meet at UFC 140. 

While participating in a UFC 140 media conference call, Ortiz spoke about his upcoming bout with the Brazilian and he didn’t have any complaints regarding any nagging injuries or health issues. Ortiz appeared to be in a good spirits and is happy to be apart of the second event hosted in Toronto.

“I’m very excited to fight in front of the Canadian fans and put on my skills and get my hands raised,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz will make his 26th appearance inside the Octagon next weekend and he feels like he can still compete and remain relevant in one of the deepest divisions in the sport.

At 36-years-old, however, Ortiz’s best days appear to be behind him but that won’t prevent him from entertaining fans and putting on a good performance. Ortiz’s recurring injuries have certainly slowed down his mobility and prevented him from being consistent at 205 pounds. 

In preparation for his bout against Nogueira, Ortiz spoke highly of his training camp and credits his training partners and doctor’s for helping him remaining active at this stage of his career. 

“Being healthy is great. Being able to battle and train like I used to train when I didn’t have any injuries,” he said. “My wrestling is snapping now and it’s easier to get the single, double legs and body locks that put my neck in jeopardy. I’ve been in this game almost 15 years now and my body has taken some damage.”

UFC 140 is scheduled for December 10, live from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Mike Hodges is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise stated, all quotes were obtained first-hand.

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Frank Mir Doesn’t Believe Nogeuira’s Staph Infection Determined Their First Bout

Frank Mir will be entering his bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira with nothing to prove. The Las Vegas native last faced the Brazilian at UFC 92, where Mir dominated and was able to out-strike Nogueira on the feet, which lead to a second-round TKO…

Frank Mir will be entering his bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira with nothing to prove. 

The Las Vegas native last faced the Brazilian at UFC 92, where Mir dominated and was able to out-strike Nogueira on the feet, which lead to a second-round TKO stoppage. The victory was arguably the biggest achievement of Mir’s career. 

In anticipation of UFC 140 next weekend, Mir is featured as a special guest blogger on Sportsnet.ca, where he recalled his performance against “Minotauro” and said he was the superior fighter. 

Rumours surfaced of a possible staph infection that had affected Nogueira’s performance on that night, but Mir downplays that idea. 

“I won the last fight, which took place three years ago in Las Vegas, because I was the better fighter on the night,” Mir wrote. “Me punching him in the chin repeatedly had nothing to do with a staph infection, believe me. I could be sick as hell going into a fight, but I still remember and can perform the necessary techniques to get me out of trouble.

“Nogueira lost that fight because my striking technique was better than his and that could be the reason he loses this rematch, too,” he added. 

The win earned Mir a title shot the following year. However, he came up short in his chances of reclaiming the heavyweight crown. Since then, Mir has remained consistent in his attempt to receive another title opportunity, going 3-2 in his past five bouts. 

Mir’s title aspirations will come full circle against the same opponent he beat to earn the opportunity just three years ago. Despite already holding a victory over Nogueira, Mir doesn’t see himself having to prove anything.

“I am already a two-time UFC champion but what drives me at this stage in my career is the need to achieve all I can achieve before my career is up,” he wrote. “I know that I am capable of becoming even better than I am right now, and that excites me on a daily basis.”

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Michael Bisping: "I Fancy My Chances Well Against Anderson Silva."

Michael Bisping seems quite optimistic of a title shot in the future. Bisping will meet Jason “Mayhem” Miller in the main event at The Ultimate Fighter Finale 14, which will likely place the winner one step closer into title contention.However, ac…

Michael Bisping seems quite optimistic of a title shot in the future. 

Bisping will meet Jason “Mayhem” Miller in the main event at The Ultimate Fighter Finale 14, which will likely place the winner one step closer into title contention.

However, according to the Englishman, he already envisions himself in title contention and he believes he can test the 185-pound champion, Anderson Silva.

“I definitely fancy my chances,” Bisping told Fighthubtv.com. “I actually feel that I match up well with him. Anderson finishes guys better than I do, I can’t argue with that, but I think my striking matches up well with him.” 

“The Count” has become a formidable competitor since transitioning to the middleweight division in 2008 and has held victories over Chris Leben, Denis Kang and Yoshihiro Akiyama. A win over Miller will earn Bisping his fourth consecutive victory and one more bout before challenging the Brazilian to a future title bout.

TUF Finale 14 is scheduled for this weekend, live from The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

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UFC 144: Frankie Edgar vs Ben Henderson Early Breakdown

UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar makes his fourth title defense against lightweight contender Benson Henderson when the UFC travels to Japan to host UFC 144 on February 25, 2012. Both competitors have established themselves as respective sta…

UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar makes his fourth title defense against lightweight contender Benson Henderson when the UFC travels to Japan to host UFC 144 on February 25, 2012. 

Both competitors have established themselves as respective standouts in the 155-pound division and will now look to determine the best lightweight on the planet. 

Edgar has looked nothing short of spectacular in each of his title bouts against BJ Penn and Gray Maynard, while Henderson has dominated his opposition in the process. 

In anticipation of their lightweight encounter, we’ll break down the bout and predict which man will walk away with the title around their waist. 

Here is an early breakdown of Frankie Edgar vs. Benson Henderson.

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