Author: Mike Hodges

Junior Dos Santos Hopes to Make Olympic Boxing Run in 2016

Having already accomplished his dream of being crowned UFC heavyweight champion at UFC on FOX, Junior dos Santos has other career goals he would like to pursue besides mixed martial arts. In an exclusive interview with TATAME.com, dos Santos said …

Having already accomplished his dream of being crowned UFC heavyweight champion at UFC on FOX, Junior dos Santos has other career goals he would like to pursue besides mixed martial arts. 

In an exclusive interview with TATAME.com, dos Santos said he is strongly considering making a run at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian said he has always preferred his boxing skills as his biggest strength in MMA, and he would like to attempt the challenge of competing on a national level.

“My trainings begin and end with Boxing,” the 27-year-old said. “There’re dynamics and strategies I’m already used to. But I’ll test myself, it’s inevitable. Who knows I get an Olympic medal,” he added. 

“Cigano” is widely considered to possess the best boxing in the sport today. His trainers, including boxing coach Luiz Dorea, fully support the Brazilian’s desire to compete in the Olympics. 

Dorea said few fighters have the same speed and ability that dos Santos carries, and he is confident that the Brazilian has all the potential to succeed in both MMA and boxing.

“The adaptations from Boxing to MMA are complexes. You gotta be careful about blocking the kicks and takedowns,” Dorea said. “If he’s already above average combining all those things, imagine when he fights traditional Boxing. The chances he’ll shine are huge.”

Until then, dos Santos is only focused on successfully defending the heavyweight title, but he will also await the winner of the Brock Lesnar versus Alistair Overeem match at UFC 141 to make his first title defense.

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UFC 139 Results: Wanderlei Silva Credits Anderson Silva for His Win over Cung Le

Wanderlei Silva turned in a vintage performance against Cung Le at UFC 139, improving his UFC record to 3-4.While the win brought back a sense of nostalgia for PRIDE FC fans, Silva credits UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva for helping him with p…

Wanderlei Silva turned in a vintage performance against Cung Le at UFC 139, improving his UFC record to 3-4.

While the win brought back a sense of nostalgia for PRIDE FC fans, Silva credits UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva for helping him with preparation. 

Silva is one of just the many fighters who Silva required to help him prepare for Le’s unorthodox style.

“I want to thank all my coaches: Dida, Rafael, Werdum. All the guys from Kings, from Wand that helped me. It was really a good vibe they’ve sent me,” Silva told TATAME.com following his victory. ” Anderson is phenomenal. He went there and trained with me.”

The first round saw the Sanshou practitioner use his distance to set up his dynamic kicks and pick apart the Brazilian. At one point, Le rocked Silva with a spinning back fist, but the former PRIDE champion was able to recover and survive throughout the first round. 

Silva entered the second round much more aggressive and began to close the distance and force his opponent to stand and trade. 

“The Axe Murderer” caught Le with a right hook and would send his opponent to the canvas following a barrage of knees. 

Silva said sticking to his strategy left him feeling very satisfied with the win.

“He hit me some times, because the plan was to feel him on the first round and move forwards on the second,” he said. “I was good prepared, I was strong and I was good to go.”

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Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber Possible Coaches for TUF 15

Following his victory over Brian Bowles, Urijah Faber has earned a rematch against rival Dominick Cruz to challenge for the UFC bantamweight title. While no official date has been announced, it is possible that both Cruz and Faber could be opposin…

Following his victory over Brian Bowles, Urijah Faber has earned a rematch against rival Dominick Cruz to challenge for the UFC bantamweight title. 

While no official date has been announced, it is possible that both Cruz and Faber could be opposing coaches on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Faber had suggested the idea to UFC President Dana White during the post-fight press conference this past weekend following UFC 139, and while White didn’t agree to the proposal, he didn’t necessarily rule out the possibility either. 

Faber and Cruz previously met at UFC 132, which saw Cruz retain his bantamweight title via unanimous decision. The matchup saw both competitors gain momentum throughout the duration of the bout, but Cruz’s speed and unorthodox striking proved to overwhelm the former WEC featherweight champion. 

Since then, Cruz successfully defended the title against Demetrius Johnson at UFC on Versus 6 earlier this year. 

The concept of featuring Faber and Cruz as opposing coaches would certainly appeal more fans and the exposure of the 145-pound and 135-pound weight classes would only heighten the popularity of the respective divisions. 

It’s evident that fans have taken an interest in the lighter weight classes, as TUF 14’s ratings have been steadily consistent on a weekly basis. Add to the fact that this past season has featured some excited bouts and the UFC has another marketable weight class to promote and new talent to add to its roster. 

Both Faber and Cruz each hold a victory over one another and this will be mark the third bout between the two rivals..

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Muhammad "King Mo" Lawal to Help Lyoto Machida Train for Jon Jones

As Lyoto Machida prepares for his upcoming title bout against Jon Jones, “The Dragon” is continuously finding ways of implementing different ideas into his training camp. According to FightersOnly.co.uk, in addition to acquiring the services of cl…

As Lyoto Machida prepares for his upcoming title bout against Jon Jones, “The Dragon” is continuously finding ways of implementing different ideas into his training camp. 

According to FightersOnly.co.uk, in addition to acquiring the services of close friend and teammate, Anderson Silva, Machida has now called upon former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Muhammad Lawal as well. 

“Off to Brazil! Lyoto….I got u,” Lawal posted on his Facebook page.

Lawal is credited to having some of the best wrestling pedigrees in the sport, as he was a part of the United States Olympic national wrestling team. 

“King Mo” has also occasionally trained with Team Blackhouse before and he is considered to be a very knowledgeable wrestling coach. 

Jones’ wrestling skills are arguably his greatest strength and he utilizes it from a longer distance than most accomplished grapplers in mixed martial arts. Machida is also efficient with his grappling, specifically from the clinch, where the Brazilian sets up trips and footsweeps from inside close range. 

Machida’s current training regimen has the former UFC light heavyweight champion looking to be in great shape and focused on reclaiming the light heavyweight title. Jones is clearly no easy task for any opponent, however Machida has one of the most elusive and unorthodox styles in the UFC. 

UFC 140 will certainly showcase a stylistic and strategic bout between two of MMA‘s most talented fighters.

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UFC 139 Results: Shogun Rua Should Consider Dropping to Middleweight

After enduring one of the most memorable bouts in mixed martial arts history, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua came up short to Dan Henderson in a tight decision at UFC 139. Both competitors went back and forth throughout the bout, both gaining their fair sh…

After enduring one of the most memorable bouts in mixed martial arts history, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua came up short to Dan Henderson in a tight decision at UFC 139. 

Both competitors went back and forth throughout the bout, both gaining their fair share of momentum, but ultimately Henderson was awarded the victory.

Rua’s performance was nothing short of inspiring, and although he still showed that he remains a competitive force in the light heavyweight division, his consistency is still questionable. 

Perhaps it would not be a bad idea for the Brazilian to move down to the middleweight division, where he can immediately emerge as a contender. 

It’s evident that Rua is undersized for a light heavyweight, and he has had a history of poor cardio, partially due to the recurring knee injuries. 

Should he consider a potential move down to 185 pounds, Rua would have less of an issue suffering with his cardio and would be able to compete on a more consistent basis. 

Nothing against his performance at UFC 139, while he survived a five-round bout with no visible signs of gassing, but his days as a title contender at 205 pounds may be over, considering other options might serve more importance at this point in his career. 

It isn’t unlikely he remains competing as a light heavyweight in the near future, but if “Shogun” is still realistic about reclaiming a UFC championship, he should contemplate on making a transition to the middleweight division.

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UFC 139 Predictions: Which Fighter Has the Most to Lose?

Wanderlei Silva’s career is currently on life supportAfter coming off a knockout loss to Chris Leben, the former Chute Boxe fighter will be competing against Cung Le in the co-main event. And although UFC 139 centers around two former PRIDE stars, fans…

Wanderlei Silva‘s career is currently on life support

After coming off a knockout loss to Chris Leben, the former Chute Boxe fighter will be competing against Cung Le in the co-main event. And although UFC 139 centers around two former PRIDE stars, fans will be hoping to see a vintage performance out of Silva, as he will be the most intriguing storyline coming out of the main card. 

Unfortunately, the Brazilian’s career has declined considerably and he has not incorporated nearly much of his aggressive fighting style since transitioning to the UFC in 2007. Silva has evolved his skills to adapt to the Octagon, but he has remained much more hesitant to engage than before due to his age and suspect chin. 

As confident as he is in skills, Silva isn’t favoured to defeat Le, who presents a much more dynamic offense to “The Axe Murderer” than any of his previous opponents. Le’s Sanshou style has allowed him to pick up seven victories by KO/TKO. 

Silva has suffered four knockouts in his last six losses, which doesn’t benefit his chances when facing an unorthodox striker of Le’s caliber.

A win for Silva might keep him around with the company temporarily, however it is a better option for him to retire from the sport regardless of the outcome of his upcoming bout. 

It is safe to assume that Silva is one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all-time, and that he no longer has to prove anything else to prolong his legacy, but it is unnecessary to add more exposure than he already needs. 

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