Author: Mike Hodges

UFC 138 Results: Is Thiago Alves a Legitimate Title Contender?

Thiago Alves has re-emerged in the UFC welterweight division. “The Pitbull” was entering his bout against UFC newcomer Papy Abedi on a two-fight losing streak, thus he was under a lot of pressure to put on a good performance.In addition, Alves fai…

Thiago Alves has re-emerged in the UFC welterweight division. 

“The Pitbull” was entering his bout against UFC newcomer Papy Abedi on a two-fight losing streak, thus he was under a lot of pressure to put on a good performance.

In addition, Alves failed to make weight for the third time in his career. 

However, the Brazilian seemed to react well under the pressure, as he scored a victory over Abedi after he applied a rear naked choke in the first round.

Despite his history with weight problems, Alves looked in shape and didn’t show any signs of fatigue as he immediately put pressure on his opponent.

Following a vintage performance, Alves proved he can still be a dangerous competitor at 170 pounds.

The main concern is whether Alves can remain consistent or not. 

Prior to challenging for the UFC welterweight title, Alves was dominant and a mismatch to almost everyone he faced. However, since his loss to Georges St-Pierre, Alves hasn’t fared well, going 2-2 in has last four bouts. 

He will likely have to continue his current streak, and face a formidable opponent in his next bout, to prove he can compete with the elite fighters in the division. At 28-years-old, Alves can still make a another title run. 

But even though he might still have to climb through the rankings, Alves is still considered a legitimate title contender. 

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Jake Ellenberger: "Georges St-Pierre is Coming for (Nick Diaz)"

While there are some fans who believe that Nick Diaz has a chance of defeating Georges St-Pierre, Jake Ellenberger isn’t one of them. The UFC welterweight contender, who is just coming off a first-round knockout of Jake Shields, told ESPN.co.uk th…

While there are some fans who believe that Nick Diaz has a chance of defeating Georges St-Pierre, Jake Ellenberger isn’t one of them. 

The UFC welterweight contender, who is just coming off a first-round knockout of Jake Shields, told ESPN.co.uk that Diaz does not have the essential skills nor the knockout power to put the champion in any sort of danger. 

“I don’t see what Nick’s gonna bring to the table. I think Jake Shields was a more dangerous fight with GSP than Nick Diaz. Diaz has no power, he’s not gonna’ knock him out,” Ellenberger said. “He’s going to get his coming, GSP is coming for him.”

Ellenberger also said that he hopes to square off with the former Strikeforce welterweight champion in the future. He said Diaz’s boxing style wouldn’t have any effect against him and Ellenberger would plan to knock him out. 

“Ideally, I would love to fight Diaz,” he said. ” His little patty-cake game he plays, if he played that with me, I would put him down for sure.”

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Cesar Gracie: Nick Diaz Was Told to Call out Georges St-Pierre

Although he was preparing to face BJ Penn last weekend at UFC 137, the only opponent who Nick Diaz was focused on was Georges St-Pierre. During his post-fight interview, Diaz proceeded to call out the UFC welterweight champion. It turns out, Diaz …

Although he was preparing to face BJ Penn last weekend at UFC 137, the only opponent who Nick Diaz was focused on was Georges St-Pierre. 

During his post-fight interview, Diaz proceeded to call out the UFC welterweight champion. It turns out, Diaz had every intention of doing so. 

Diaz’s manager, Cesar Gracie, was a special guest on “The MMA Show” with Mauro Ranallo, and he revealed that both him and his client were instructed by UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to call out the champion. 

“Before the fight, after the weigh-ins, we were told by Joe Silva, ‘If you guys want it, you guys call people out. That’s how the fights get done,'” Gracie said. 

Diaz claimed that St-Pierre was faking his injury to purposely pull out of his bout with Carlos Condit, who was favoured over Diaz after he failed to appear at some media tours to promote the event. Shortly after, St-Pierre would opt to face Diaz instead of Condit, personally requesting a title bout to UFC President Dana White. 

Gracie said he wanted to make sure Diaz was comfortable calling out St-Pierre. 

“When I speak to Nick, I have to speak in ‘209ese’ and that’s the language he understands,” he said. “That was directed at him, I didn’t think he was going to hear it obviously.” 

With Diaz’s title shot secure, it is expected his bout against St-Pierre will be scheduled for Super Bowl weekend on February 4th. 

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Does Nick Diaz Deserve a Title Shot Over Condit?

Calling out Georges St-Pierre might of been the smartest move Nick Diaz has made in his mixed martial arts career. Fans watched Diaz pull off an impressive victory over BJ Penn at UFC 137, and shortly after, he accused the UFC welterweight champio…

Calling out Georges St-Pierre might of been the smartest move Nick Diaz has made in his mixed martial arts career. 

Fans watched Diaz pull off an impressive victory over BJ Penn at UFC 137, and shortly after, he accused the UFC welterweight champion of faking his injury to pull of their original bout. Diaz’s comments instantly brought the crowd into a frenzy as they chanted for the Canadian star.

The UFC immediately found their new villain to market in Diaz, and set up a potential title bout between the former Strikeforce welterweight champion and St-Pierre. 

Ultimately, it turns out the title shot promised to Carlos Condit was never meant to be, at least for now. UFC President Dana White announced that Diaz would be favoured over Condit to face the champion, and from a business perspective, he rightfully should be. 

Although Condit is more of a legitimate threat to St-Pierre’s title reign than Diaz, the Stockton native possesses the skills and personality to make it a more lucrative bout.

Diaz might not be as versatile Condit, but he certainly has the boxing skills and aggression to force the champion into a back-and forth battle that fans haven’t seen out of St-Pierre in quite some time.

Not to mention, St-Pierre was so infuriated with Diaz’s remarks that he personally asked White to schedule a title bout between them. Therefore, it’s fair to assume that he will be holding a personal grudge against his opponent. 

The magnitude of this title bout has excited fans and it has become one of the most anticipated fights in recent memory.

Alas, Condit was sidetracked on his route to a title shot and Diaz just happened to sell himself better to make the audience invest more attention and interest in him. Part of what sells fights is a fighter’s personality, and unfortunately, Condit does not have the personality that fans want to see. 

Diaz represents a different kind of a fighter, one who carries certain traits that an average fan can either loathe or relate to. And while some fans may not agree with White’s choosing of Diaz over Condit, it is the right decision.

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UFC on FOX: Junior Dos Santos Is ‘Thankful’ to Face Cain Velasquez

While he might appear to be cold and calculated inside of the Octagon, Junior dos Santos is certainly grateful and blessed for his reward of competing for the UFC heavyweight championship. Set to to air in over 16 different countries worldwide, UF…

While he might appear to be cold and calculated inside of the Octagon, Junior dos Santos is certainly grateful and blessed for his reward of competing for the UFC heavyweight championship. 

Set to to air in over 16 different countries worldwide, UFC on FOX will feature a heavyweight title bout between dos Santos and Cain Velasquez next weekend. The 27-year-old dos Santos has ran through every single one of his opponents to earn the opportunity to face Velasquez, who he considers the best heavyweight in the world today. 

“I truly believe that Cain Velasquez is the best heavyweight in the world, and he’s undefeated. So, it’s an honor to be fighting him,” dos Santos said during a media call earlier this week.

The reward of facing the champion came at the expense of Shane Carwin at UFC 131, where the Brazilian dominated and out-struck the NCAA division II wrestler en route to a unanimous decision. Velasquez has been sidelined for nearly a year recuperating from shoulder surgery, after he tore his rotator cuff during his bout against then-champion, Brock Lesnar.

Eager and motivated to be crowned UFC heavyweight champion, the whole situation has become surreal for the Bahia, Salvador native and he said he thankful to receive the opportunity. 

“Truly I am very proud. I’m very proud to be a part of history. I’m proud of my work and I’m proud of myself and my dedication that’s brought me to this point,” he said. “Come Nov. 12, I want to be the number one heavyweight in the world and I’m just very thankful for the opportunity.”

UFC on FOX will be next weekend live from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. 

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Chris Leben Says Mark Munoz ‘Definitely’ Won’t Stand and Trade with Him

Chris Leben has every intention of making his bout a slugfest, but he is unsure of his Mark Munoz’s gameplan heading into their main event at UFC 138.The heavy-handed Leben is notorious for his knockout power and is often the one who initiates the stan…

Chris Leben has every intention of making his bout a slugfest, but he is unsure of his Mark Munoz’s gameplan heading into their main event at UFC 138.

The heavy-handed Leben is notorious for his knockout power and is often the one who initiates the stand-up early on. However, in Munoz, he will be facing a decorated wrestler with a strong grappling ability and improved striking, which is a far contrast from most of Leben’s opponents. 

While he prepares for “The Filipino Wrecking Machine,” Leben is confident that his superior striking will overcome Munoz’s wrestling ability, which could turn the bout in his favour. 

“Everybody says they want to stand and bang with me, everyone says they will stand and bang with me. But if Wanderlei Silva can’t do it, Mark Munoz definitely can’t do it,” Leben told Fighters.com.

Leben’s recent destruction of former Pride FC legend, Wanderlei Silva, proved that he doesn’t fear who stands across from him and that he has the capability to end the fight with one punch. Leben said part of what helps him perform well is the energy he receives from the fans. 

He described the feeling like walking into the Roman Coliseum as he prepares to do battle. 

“When I go out there I know it’s time…it’s time for me to go to battle,” he said. “I’m prepared to put it all on the line to bring those fans exactly what they want to see and that’s ‘The Crippler’ smash somebody.”

And Leben will look to put on a show for the fans in Birmingham, England this weekend. 

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