Author: Mike Hodges

Carlos Condit Willing to Wait for Georges St-Pierre, Turns Down Josh Koscheck

Despite the initial offer from Josh Koscheck earlier this week, Carlos Condit only wants to face Georges St-Pierre. “The Natural Born Killer” was pulled from UFC 137 after learning that St-Pierre was forced to withdraw after suffering a knee injur…

Despite the initial offer from Josh Koscheck earlier this week, Carlos Condit only wants to face Georges St-Pierre. 

“The Natural Born Killer” was pulled from UFC 137 after learning that St-Pierre was forced to withdraw after suffering a knee injury. BJ Penn and Nick Diaz will now headline the event. 

Although he is physically prepared to compete next weekend, taking any other bout wouldn’t have have the same value as a title bout right now. 

“It’s in my heart to fight, but logically, I need to be patient,” Condit told ESPN.com. “No matter who the opponent was–right now, a fight against anyone other than Georges wouldn’t make sense.” 

Although history shows us that waiting for a title shot always the best option, Condit seems to be in a good position momentarily as it was learned the champion’s injury is not severe and should be able to resume training in four weeks. 

The UFC has not rescheduled the title bout but given St-Pierre’s current time table, it is expected Condit will challenge St-Pierre early next year. 

Luckily, for both fighters, they have more time to prepare and implement any strategies they intend to use. Condit might be disappointed to not be able to compete next weekend, but he is content with the extended layoff.

“I was ready to fight,” he said. “The layoff isn’t huge, but, you know, it’s kind of a crappy situation all around.”

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UFC on Fox: Who Is Bigger Threat to Frankie Edgar, Clay Guida or Ben Henderson?

UFC on FOX will showcase a lightweight bout between Benson Henderson and Clay Guida, which will likely determine the next challenger for UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. Henderson and Guida have become two of the division’s top stars and im…

UFC on FOX will showcase a lightweight bout between Benson Henderson and Clay Guida, which will likely determine the next challenger for UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. 

Henderson and Guida have become two of the division’s top stars and implement similar strategies and styles when they are competing. Therefore, a bout between both of them seems inevitable. 

While Guida has comfortably enjoyed a three-fight winning streak over some credible opponents, including Anthony Pettis and Takanori Gomi, he doesn’t boast the same credentials and skills as Henderson to be considered a legitimate threat to Edgar. 

Henderson’s pace and style blend well together and it forces his opponents to be more persistent and aggressive in their attack than usual, something Edgar is not relatively known for. The champion is patient and utilizes quick footwork as he anticipates his opponent’s attack and counters with fast, technical combinations. 

Henderson also implements fast movement and is constantly moving inside the pocket and around the Octagon, again, establishing a frenetic pace which his opponents aren’t accustomed to. Guida implements a similar approach but is fairly easier to hit and consumes a lot more damage, making him an easier target for Edgar to hit. 

Also, Henderson is an effective grappler and he will not hesitate to impose his will or attempt a submission when the opportunity arises. Guida has improved his game dramatically since training with Greg Jackson, but he is not as polished in certain areas like Henderson. 

Again, Henderson and Guida will certainly put on one of the most entertaining bouts of the year. They are two of the most accomplished and talented fighters to compete in the UFC today. They both present similar styles, and Guida is a well-rounded fighter, but Henderson displays more tools and a superior skill set that presents him as more of a threat to the champion than Guida.

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UFC 137 Preview: BJ Penn Willing to Consider a 5-Round Bout with Nick Diaz

Ever since BJ Penn and Nick Diaz have been slotted into the main event picture at UFC 137, Diaz’s manager, Ceasar Gracie, has been vocal about rescheduling the bout to five rounds. UFC President Dana White announced earlier this week that the two …

Ever since BJ Penn and Nick Diaz have been slotted into the main event picture at UFC 137, Diaz’s manager, Ceasar Gracie, has been vocal about rescheduling the bout to five rounds. 

UFC President Dana White announced earlier this week that the two competitors would headline the event after UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre was forced to withdraw from the card due to injury. 

While Gracie has been open to the idea of seeing Diaz and Penn compete in a five round, and although he was hesitant at first, Penn is willing to accept the bout under new terms.

“I want to be compensated accordingly and that’s it. I’m more than willing to do a five-round fight,” Penn told MMAWeekly.com. 

The Hawaiian native has not competed in a five-round bout at 170 pounds since his second encounter with St-Pierre at UFC 94 in 2009. Penn was challenging for the welterweight title but ended up suffering a TKO loss to the champion in the fourth round. Since then, Penn has only moved back to the welterweight division on two separate occasions. 

With the event being just one week away, both fighters seem content to meet in a five round contest. 

But according to Penn, mixed martial arts is as much of a sport as it is a business, and “The Prodigy” believes he is entitled to a higher salary should the bout commence. Whether it is from the UFC boss or Gracie, he expects a raise. 

“If Dana wants a five-round fight, just give me a call and we can put it together right now,” he said. “Or if Cesar wants to make it a five-round fight and he wants to compensate me personally, he can put his money where his mouth is, it’s that easy. I’ve been training to fight. I’m ready to fight.”

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UFC 137 Preview: BJ Penn Considers Nick Diaz To Be Best Boxer in MMA

Despite all the changes UFC 137 has had to undergo the past week, one would seem to think that BJ Penn would become irritated by the sudden reformation. First, Penn was scheduled to square off against Carlos Condit in the co-main event, but instea…

Despite all the changes UFC 137 has had to undergo the past week, one would seem to think that BJ Penn would become irritated by the sudden reformation. 

First, Penn was scheduled to square off against Carlos Condit in the co-main event, but instead he was lined up against Nick Diaz after Diaz failed to show up and co-promote his main event bout with Georges St-Pierre.

Now, after learning that St-Pierre’s knee injury will keep him the welterweight champ out of the main event, Penn and Diaz have been asked to fill that void. 

However, the Hawaiian native feels composed ahead of his bout against Diaz and anticipates an intriguing matchup. 

“I think this is an exciting fight for the fans, two good fighters,” Penn told USA Today.

The former UFC lightweight champion hasn’t been as successful at 170 pounds as most fans had hoped. Since 2009, Penn is 1-1-1 with his most recent victory coming against Matt Hughes at UFC 123 last year, which is unimaginable after his dominance at 155 pounds. 

But in Diaz, Penn faces an opponent who as arguably as skilled as he is in every aspect. He even went as far as to claim the former Strikeforce welterweight champion was a superior boxer. 

“I think with Nick Diaz’s background—he spars with Andre Ward, he was signed to fight Jeff Lacy, he was being considered to fight Roy Jones Jr.—he’s got to be the best boxer in mixed martial arts today,” he said. 

Diaz’s behaviour landed him in a position to face Penn, which is a bout that has interested fans much more than Penn’s original matchup with Condit. But if fans are looking forward to a bout surrounding trash talk and emotion, Penn isn’t the fighter who can necessarily deliver that promise. 

While Diaz is renowned for his trash-talk and taunting, Penn said he doesn’t feel the need to respond in the same manner. After being involved in mixed martial arts for early a decade, “The Prodigy” says he has changed as a fighter.

“For me, nowadays, all it is is a job,” he said. “I’m sure my fans would want to see me fight certain fighters and beat certain fighters, but as of now, in my head, I’m at peace. Everything is clear for me.”

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UFC 137: Does Diaz Deserve a Title Shot After His Antics During Media Call?

This is just another case of Nick Diaz being Nick Diaz. During a UFC 137 prefight conference call, which also featured BJ Penn, Cheick Kongo and Matt Mitrione, the Stockton, California native appeared to be a no-show for yet another media appearan…

This is just another case of Nick Diaz being Nick Diaz. 

During a UFC 137 prefight conference call, which also featured BJ Penn, Cheick Kongo and Matt Mitrione, the Stockton, California native appeared to be a no-show for yet another media appearance that would have likely sealed his fate with the UFC. 

Diaz finally made an appearance near the conclusion of the call, but he didn’t appear to be quite interested in providing any answers to the media nor did he reply with anything significant that would possibly justify his tardiness. 

This incident is similar to Diaz‘s no-show at the UFC 137 press conferences, where he was originally scheduled to face UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, but was eventually pulled from the main event and replaced by Carlos Condit.

It is no surprise that Diaz‘s antics make him one of the company’s most polarizing figures, but with the spotlight firmly placed on him to carry UFC 137, he isn’t necessarily leading by example. He certainly is not making a strong case to become the next contender for the UFC welterweight title. His recent actions have taken a considerable hit to his reputation and he doesn’t seem to be fazed by it.

Obviously, Diaz‘s image is not what would you classify as professional. In fact, it’s far from that. 

While competing in Strikeforce, Diaz could play by his rules because he was the company’s biggest asset and any indication that the Strikeforce welterweight champion was being released would have led to the company’s demise.

This time around, Diaz does not have the same freedom that he once did, but he continues to employ the same attitude he has always had and not “play the game.”

As mentioned previously, this incident will likely be met with little criticism, as the old adage goes “Nick Diaz being Nick Diaz.” However, his image and outlook on the sport is becoming tiring and predictable.

Diaz is his own worst enemy and if he continues to rebel against UFC management, he may never reach the success he is capable of achieving. 

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Firhas Zahabi Says There Was No Way Georges St-Pierre Could Fight UFC 137

After suffering a knee injury earlier this week, Georges St-Pierre was unable to compete at UFC 137 and was forced to withdraw from his upcoming bout. The French-Canadian was scheduled to make his seventh title defense against Carlos Condit. After…

After suffering a knee injury earlier this week, Georges St-Pierre was unable to compete at UFC 137 and was forced to withdraw from his upcoming bout. The French-Canadian was scheduled to make his seventh title defense against Carlos Condit. 

After learning about the champion’s departure, St-Pierre’s trainer Firas Zahabi spoke to Sherdog.com about the extent of the injury. 

“He was sparring today and he hurt his knee,” Zahabi said. “I had a feeling it was bad, but then, once he cooled down, he started limping. There’s no way he would be able to fight.”

Zahabi has been an integral part of St-Pierre’s training regimen, as he has coached and trained the 30-year-old at the Tristar Gym in Montreal. Alongside coaches Greg Jackson, Mike Winklejohn and Phil Nurse, Zahabi has witnessed the champion comfortably reign over the welterweight division for the last four years. 

Zahabi recalled the incident and said St-Pierre had sprained his knee during a shoot boxing session, which consists of striking and take downs. Zahabi said the cause of the injury is complicated due to how complex the sparring session was. 

St-Pierre underwent an MRI shortly after and the diagnosis was only a sprained knee, so it won’t require any additional surgery. Zahabi said the entire camp was disappointed but he believes the hard work that was put into the training camp will only make St-Pierre an even better fighter in the future. 

“We made a lot of sacrifices. We had a lot of people come in to help us train. We put a lot of man hours into getting ready for this fight,” he said. “But it’s not going to waste, it’s just being put on hold.”

St-Pierre is expected to remain out of action for the remainder of the year, but he is scheduled to return by early 2012.

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