Author: Mike Hodges

Cain Velasquez Plans to Fight for "La Raza" Against Junior Dos Santos

Cain Velasquez won’t be short of any fan support on Saturday night. The UFC heavyweight champion, who will make his first title defense against Junior dos Santos, will have a bit of a home field advantage due to the large Spanish population in Cal…

Cain Velasquez won’t be short of any fan support on Saturday night. 

The UFC heavyweight champion, who will make his first title defense against Junior dos Santos, will have a bit of a home field advantage due to the large Spanish population in California.

Velasquez, a Mexican-American, became the first Mexican heavyweight champion in UFC history after he defeated Brock Lesnar at UFC 122 last year. Since then, Velasquez’s popularity has skyrocketed, and he has become one of most popular fighters within the Mexican community. 

And with his fans’ support firmly behind him, Velasquez is proud and honoured to fight for his heritage. 

“Thank you for all the support, especially to all La Raza out there,” Velasquez said as he addressed the fans in attendance during UFC on FOX pre-fight press conference earlier this week. “You guys make me fight harder and stronger, thank you, you guys make me proud.”

Certainly, it will take much more than just fan support to help him earn a victory over his opponent, dos Santos, who possesses arguably the best striking in the heavyweight division. Finishing five out his last seven opponents, the Brazilian is a formidable challenger for the champion.

However, Velasquez doesn’t intend on performing under expectations, and with the crowd in his corner, he feels motivated to put on an exciting fight against dos Santos.

“Whether in training or in fighting, just to know that I have people behind me, supporting me, it definitely pushes me forward,” he said. “They’re always the ones out there rooting for you and you always want to go out there represent them well.”

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Clay Guida Excited To Test His Wrestling Against Ben Henderson

Clay Guida has a lot to be confident about heading into this weekend. Guida will meet Benson Henderson on UFC on FOX, as both competitors are scheduled to face off on the undercard featured on Facebook and FOX.com.Although the main event has gener…

Clay Guida has a lot to be confident about heading into this weekend. 

Guida will meet Benson Henderson on UFC on FOX, as both competitors are scheduled to face off on the undercard featured on Facebook and FOX.com.

Although the main event has generated a majority of the coverage, Guida’s lightweight bout against Henderson has also been gaining quite a bit coverage in its own right, and it remains as one of the most anticipated bouts of the event. 

Guida appears to be in good spirits as he prepares to be a part of history this Saturday night and he is looking forward to walking away with a victory, which he credits to having a successful training camp.

“With every camp you become more confident in your skill-set, in your coaching and in your teammates,” Guida told MMA Heat reporter Karyn Bryant. “Since starting mixed martial arts, I expect to win.”

Guida’s last performance resulted in a win over Anthony Pettis, where he utilized his wrestling skills to prevent his opponent from gaining any offense on the feet. Guida said he intends on using his wrestling against Henderson, which he points out is the strongest base of MMA, whether fans find it boring or not. 

“If you look at five out of seven weight classes, five of them are wrestlers, five of them have a wrestling background,” he said. “Wrestling wins championships.”

And with a victory over Henderson, Guida will have his sights set on winning the UFC lightweight championship

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Dana White Calls Nick Diaz’s Comments "Crazy," Says UFC Fighters "Make Money"

When it comes to sustaining a comfortable living, you can assure that the UFC financially takes care of its employees. After Nick Diaz complained about not recieving fair compensation for his bout against BJ Penn, UFC President Dana White refuted …

When it comes to sustaining a comfortable living, you can assure that the UFC financially takes care of its employees. 

After Nick Diaz complained about not recieving fair compensation for his bout against BJ Penn, UFC President Dana White refuted Diaz’s previous comments and said that fighters are paid just fine while under the company.

“Believe me, guys make money in this sport,” White said during UFC 138 post-fight press conference last weekend. “There are guys that make lots of money, guys that make good money and there are guys that are working their way up.”

The idea of paying UFC fighters the same amount of income as professional boxers has always been on the boss’s radar, but he said it won’t necessarily happen anytime soon. White said the progress that the UFC has achieved in such a small amount of time is remarkable and only likely to become bigger in the future.

“From 2006-2011, I can’t remember what the number is, but it’s like 40-something millionaires. 40-something millionaires, 20-something multi-multimillionaires and the list goes on and on,” he said. “What we’ve been able to do, in that much time, is pretty phenomenal.”

There has always been a big distinction between the amount of income both boxing and the UFC provide, and while the UFC might not be in the same financial situation, they are certainly taking a big step in the right direction.

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Dana White Open to Paul Daley Returning to the UFC

UFC President Dana White has appeared to have changed his stance regarding former UFC welterweight Paul Daley. The British slugger sealed his fate with the company after sucker-punching Josh Koscheck following their bout at UFC 113 last year. Whil…

UFC President Dana White has appeared to have changed his stance regarding former UFC welterweight Paul Daley. 

The British slugger sealed his fate with the company after sucker-punching Josh Koscheck following their bout at UFC 113 last year. While White was adamant on Daley never competing inside the Octagon again, the UFC boss didn’t exactly share the same opinion this time around.

“The Strikeforce-Showtime deal isn’t done yet,” White told reporters during UFC 138 post-fight press conference. “We’ll see what happens with that first. I just have a hard time with what Daley did.”

Since his departure from the UFC, “Semtex” has gone 6-2 in his past eight bouts, which would allow most competitors back into the company with open arms. However, White hasn’t necessarily paid attention to Daley’s post-UFC career.

“Any guy who loses in the UFC or other promotions, you lose, and you go get some wins somewhere else and come back,” he said. “The guy’s got to win some fights.”

Despite boasting a respectful record since competing in the UFC, Daley does not appear to be in contact with White in attempting to construct a new deal, which leaves White unconvinced that he’ll be back anytime soon.

“It’s not like Daley’s been so friendly since that happened, either,” he said regarding Daley’s behaviour. “I’m not a fan, to be honest.”

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Clay Guida: "It’s Time To Go out There and Prove the Critics Wrong.”

Clay Guida is used to be overlooked while competing in the stacked UFC lightweight division. While earning notable victories over such fighters as Takanori Gomi and Anthony Pettis, Guida has yet to pay his dues and receive a title shot. But “The C…

Clay Guida is used to be overlooked while competing in the stacked UFC lightweight division. 

While earning notable victories over such fighters as Takanori Gomi and Anthony Pettis, Guida has yet to pay his dues and receive a title shot. But “The Carpenter” is just fine with continuing on facing the best fighters in the world. 

This weekend, Guida will meet Benson Henderson on the preliminary card of UFC on FOX and although the winner might not necessarily be guaranteed a title shot, Guida just hopes to go out and perform how he usually does. 

“We’ve been around [in the UFC] for five years and have never been in a rush to get a title shot, so we’re not starting now,” Guida told CagePotato.com. “Hopefully a big win against Henderson will put an exclamation point on me being the legit, No. 1 contender and show Joe Silva, Dana White, and the Fertita brothers.”

Henderson has also settled well at 155 pounds since his exit from the WEC last year, where he established himself as one of the company’s top stars. Henderson last loss was to Anthony Pettis, who coincidentally was defeated by Guida earlier this year at The Ultimate Finale 13. Guida believes Henderson presents a different challenge towards him and feels he is a tougher opponent than Pettis.

“Pettis stayed in Henderson’s face and kept him guessing. It would be smart to follow suit,” he said. 

Guida is aware he isn’t favoured to beat Henderson, but he will look to use that mentality to prove the critics wrong. 

“It’s time to go out there and prove the critics wrong,” he said.

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Brock Lesnar to Prove He Is Still Baddest Dude on the Planet Against Overeem

Brock Lesnar’s aspirations of reclaiming the UFC heavyweight title goes through Alistair Overeem. The former UFC heavyweight champion will meet former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem in the main event at UFC 141 in December.In a …

Brock Lesnar‘s aspirations of reclaiming the UFC heavyweight title goes through Alistair Overeem. 

The former UFC heavyweight champion will meet former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem in the main event at UFC 141 in December.

In a recent interview to promote the upcoming video game WWE ’12, which features the former WWE star as a playable character, Lesnar spoke on his upcoming bout with Overeem and he believes he will prevail over the Dutchman.

“Here’s a guy that is getting his chance to make his name in the UFC and unfortunately for him there’s a gatekeeper that stands in his way and that’s Brock Lesnar,” Lesnar said. “And I will prove on that night that I am, once again, and will always be, the baddest dude on the planet.”

Lesnar prepares to return to the Octagon after a second battle with diverticulitis that sidetracked him from a bout with heavyweight contender Junior dos Santos, and potential rematch with current champion, Cain Velasquez.

Overeem will make his much-anticipated debut after a disappointing stint with Strikeforce, that saw him released from the company after a bitter dispute regarding his contract negotiations.

“The Demolition Man” fought under the promotion for three years, holding victories over Brett Rogers and Fabricio Werdum.

In addition to competing in Strikeforce, Overeem has fought in several organizations worldwide, including K-1 and DREAM, and establishing himself as one of the most decorated fighters in the sport today.

UFC 141 is scheduled for Dec. 30, live from the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

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