Author: Mike Hodges

UFC 1 on Fox: Ben Henderson Eyes an Important Win Against Clay Guida

A key to maintaining a successful career in mixed martial arts is to remain victorious. Benson Henderson is one fighter who has maintained a successful career, and while he currently holds a two-fight winning streak, a victory over Clay Guida coul…

A key to maintaining a successful career in mixed martial arts is to remain victorious. 

Benson Henderson is one fighter who has maintained a successful career, and while he currently holds a two-fight winning streak, a victory over Clay Guida could lead him to a potential title shot. 

However, Henderson is not thinking far into the future just yet. He is still aware of what is expected of him as he prepares to meet Guida and he hopes to walk away with a win this weekend. 

“I think you almost have to look at every fight that way. Every fight you have, literally, and I can’t over stress enough how important it is just to win,” Henderson told MMAWeeklyRadio. 

Henderson said the fact that there are title implications surrounding his upcoming bout add to the pressure of competing well and putting on a good performance, but the former WEC lightweight champion acknowledged that pressure is always on you to earn a victory in general. 

“There’s a world of pressure to get that ‘W’ and that’s how I feel going into all my fights. No. 1 contender spot, or whatever, it doesn’t matter. That’s how I approach all my fights,” he said. 

While he hopes to get the opportunity to compete for the UFC lightweight title, Henderson knows he isn’t the person to make that decision, but he is in charge of how he handles himself inside the Octagon. 

And if Henderson is able to record another victory then he is confident he will earn the recognition from UFC management. 

“I just take it one fight at a time, keep getting my hand raised,” Henderson said. “Eventually it will all work itself out.”

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Junior dos Santos Feeling No Pressure Ahead of Heavyweight Title Bout

Junior dos Santos’ dream of competing for the UFC heavyweight title is about to become a reality. Dos Santos will face Cain Velasquez this weekend in what is sure to be a monumental moment for the UFC and, more importantly, for the sport. UFC on F…

Junior dos Santos’ dream of competing for the UFC heavyweight title is about to become a reality. 

Dos Santos will face Cain Velasquez this weekend in what is sure to be a monumental moment for the UFC and, more importantly, for the sport. UFC on FOX is set to be broadcast in over 15 different countries worldwide, including dos Santos’ homeland of Brazil on Globo. 

Despite the national coverage, the heavy-handed Brazilian doesn’t feel any pressure heading into his bout against Velasquez, but rather, he embraces it.

In an exclusive interview with TATAME.com, “Cigano” said the chance of headlining the event could not only change the sport, but his career as well.

“I want to do the best inside the octagon and make my Brazilian fans proud, since they’ll watch me live on Globo,” dos Santos said.

“I guess the explosion for the sport and for the athlete is a big deal, and I’m sure it’ll bring them, in the future, more money (of sponsorship). As the fans worship the sport, it’s a bigger appeal for bigger sponsors.”

A native of Caçador, Santa Catarina, dos Santos’ success has already made him one of the more popular fighters in his country, and as a result, Brazilian fans have invested a huge amount of interest in the 27-year-old.

As he heads into this weekend, with an entire nation in full support of him, dos Santos is humbled by the goals he’s accomplished thus far in the UFC, and if he has his way, he’ll have reached his ultimate goal of becoming UFC heavyweight champion. 

Dos Santos is very appreciative of the overwhelming support he has received in Brazil, and he promises to fulfill his ambition, and his country’s ambition, of becoming world heavyweight champion.

“I’m glad to feel their interest and people’s affection, and I feel they have my back on this journey,” he said. “I’ll go there carrying a positive energy I’ve been getting, I’ll be faithful and I’ll pour my heart out to bring this belt to Brazil.”

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Rashad Evans Says Anderson Silva Would Beat Jon Jones

Rashad Evans’ hatred towards UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones continues to surface throughout the media. Evans made a recent appearance last weekend at a UFC Q&A session and was asked questions on various topics in mixed martial arts t…

Rashad Evans’ hatred towards UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones continues to surface throughout the media. 

Evans made a recent appearance last weekend at a UFC Q&A session and was asked questions on various topics in mixed martial arts today. One popular topic was regarding a potential superfight between Jones and UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. 

“Suga” was asked by one fan to give his prediction on the potential bout, and Evans didn’t hold anything back when it came to analyzing both Jones’ and Silva’s skill sets.

“I would say Anderson would win,” Evans said. “I think he would catch Jon standing up because I think Jon does a lot of crazy stuff but, fundamentally, sometimes he does it just to do it. But I think Anderson has a reason, like Anderson, fundamentally and technically, is better in that respect and I think he would catch (Jones) doing something stupid.”

While Evans picked the Brazilian to get the win over Jones, he didn’t rule out the possibility of seeing the 24-year-old making it a competitive bout with his wrestling skills.

“If the fight was to go a little bit longer and Jon used his wrestling then I think the fight may go to Jon. But for the most part, early on in the fight, Anderson would catch Jon trying to do something crazy,” he said.

Jones and Silva utilize similar fighting styles and the idea of seeing them match up against each other has a lot of fans intrigued at the possibility. And with Silva dismissing retirement rumors, there is a realistic chance these two dominant champions meet in the Octagon at some point in the future.

Jones is set to defend the light heavyweight crown against Silva’s good friend and teammate, Lyoto Machida, at UFC 140 in December.

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Georges St-Pierre: "If There’s Anyone Who Wants to Finish Fights It’s Me"

Despite being highly ranked in numerous pound-for-pound lists, Georges St-Pierre’s recent victories are not held with the same significance as fellow pound-for-pound king, Anderson Silva.However, with the UFC welterweight champion set to meet Nick Diaz…

Despite being highly ranked in numerous pound-for-pound lists, Georges St-Pierre’s recent victories are not held with the same significance as fellow pound-for-pound king, Anderson Silva.

However, with the UFC welterweight champion set to meet Nick Diaz at UFC 143 on Super Bowl weekend, that might change. 

St-Pierre has dominated the welterweight division for nearly six years, beating some of the world’s best competitors to establish himself as one of the elite fighters in mixed martial arts. But his last four wins have seen the champion easily cruise to a decision, irritating some fans, to say the least. 

St-Pierre is aware of the criticism, but against Diaz, he promises to inflict damage on the former Strikeforce welterweight champion.

“I’ve had a lot of criticism about not finishing fights, but if there’s anyone who wants to finish fights it’s me,” St-Pierre told The Globe and Mail. 

Fans have not seen a stoppage in the French-Canadian’s repertoire since 2009, when he earned a TKO victory over BJ Penn at UFC 94. While his latest victories have been equally impressive, there are still some fans who feel St-Pierre’s performances leave a lot to be desired. 

Come February 4th, fans might just get what they want from the Saint Isadore, Quebec native. 

Diaz’s post-fight comments directed at St-Pierre following UFC 137 forced the champion to request a grudge match with him to UFC President Dana White. St-Pierre got his wish and now he intends on punishing Diaz in dominant fashion. 

“Everyone has a violent side,” he said. “It’s a violent sport but in real life I’m not a violent guy. I’m an athlete in a full contact sport so it requires violence to win.”

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UFC 138 Results: Chris Leben Lost 21 Pounds in 24 Hours Prior to UFC 138

Chirs Leben had struggled cutting weight to prepare for his opponent, Mark Munoz, at UFC 138. FightersOnly.co.uk has now revealed that Leben cut nearly 21 pounds in 24 hours prior to his bout against Munoz. Sources close to the 31-year-old said he…

Chirs Leben had struggled cutting weight to prepare for his opponent, Mark Munoz, at UFC 138. 

FightersOnly.co.uk has now revealed that Leben cut nearly 21 pounds in 24 hours prior to his bout against Munoz. Sources close to the 31-year-old said he was closely watched by medical staff just prior to the weigh-ins. 

The website reports that Leben spent Friday morning in the hotel sauna and he wore layers of clothing as he sweat water out of his body. The weight cut became so difficult that Leben’s general condition came into question and he was almost forced to withdraw from the bout. 

However, Leben proceeded to fight against Munoz but he was visibly tired after the first round. Leben began the second round looking much more sluggish and fatigued; he then was taken down repeatedly by his opponent. Munoz cut Leben above his right eye which prompted the referee to request a doctor’s inspection, but Leben continued and finished the round. 

Leben was exhausted after the end of the round, which forced his cornermen to end the bout as they didn’t feel he was in any physical condition to continue.

The loss now puts Leben’s UFC record at 12-7 and 22-8 overall.

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UFC 138 Results: Chris Leben Needs to Adapt to Survive in the UFC

Although he might have put on a good performance, Chris Leben suffered another setback in his quest to challenge for the UFC middleweight title. After enduring two hard fought rounds in the main event against Mark Munoz at UFC 138, a doctor’s stop…

Although he might have put on a good performance, Chris Leben suffered another setback in his quest to challenge for the UFC middleweight title. 

After enduring two hard fought rounds in the main event against Mark Munoz at UFC 138, a doctor’s stoppage forced “The Crippler” out of the bout after he was complaining about a cut he received above his eye. The decision was met with a resounding number of jeers from fans in attendance, and it was a lackluster conclusion to what was an eventful main card overall. 

While Leben was effective throughout the beginning of the opening round, it became apparent that he was clearly overmatched by the skillful, stronger wrestler in Munoz. The NCAA Division I wrestler continued to have his way with Leben as he took him down repeatedly and controlled him from top position. 

While Leben did put on a strong performance, there are still holes in his game that he does need to improve on. His cardio was one of his biggest weaknesses as the fight wore on. Leben continuously looked for a submission, but he wasted a lot of energy in doing so, causing his strikes to hold less power.

He did show good scrambling technique, however, he demonstrated an inability to properly defend off of his back. Leben also displayed poor wrestling defense throughout the bout as well. 

He might still remain as one of the top competitors at 185 pounds, but Leben’s bout against Munoz indicated that he has not progressed overall as a mixed martial artist, often abandoning it for his brawl-like style.

If he intends on still making a legitimate run to the middleweight crown, Leben will certainly have to fix the present holes in his game that are preventing him from competing against some of the division’s elite fighters. 

Once he is able to properly reassess his overall game and fix the glaring weaknesses, Leben can then begin to establish himself as a contender.

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