UFC 148 is set to be the biggest card of the year and possibly the biggest card since UFC 100.Dana White announced yesterday at a special press conference that the long-awaited rematch between UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen w…
UFC 148 is set to be the biggest card of the year and possibly the biggest card since UFC 100.
Dana White announced yesterday at a special press conference that the long-awaited rematch between UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen was moving from UFC 147 to headline the Vegas card on July 4th weekend.
At UFC 117, Sonnen nearly accomplished what no other man has been close to doing inside the Octagon, defeat Silva. When they meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena do not expect the same performance.
Anderson Silva will dominate this fight, and here are 10 reasons why…
Following Jon Jones’ easy victory over Rashad Evans at UFC 145 in Atlanta, GA, numerous pundits proclaimed that the young UFC Light Heavyweight Champion has replaced Anderson Silva, or Georges St-Pierre, atop the vaunted pound-for-pound list.From what …
Following Jon Jones’ easy victory over Rashad Evans at UFC 145 in Atlanta, GA, numerous pundits proclaimed that the young UFC Light Heavyweight Champion has replaced Anderson Silva, or Georges St-Pierre, atop the vaunted pound-for-pound list.
From what I have seen from Jon Jones, I would still not place him in the top three.
Now, before you stop reading and skip to the comment section to yell at me, I implore you to keep reading so that we are all clear on where I am coming from.
Many fans love pound-for-pound rankings and love to debate them, while many others think they are pointless. Though, from what I have seen, almost all have misinterpreted what the pound-for-pound list is supposed to be. At least in this man’s opinion.
The pound-for-pound list was designed in combat sports to put in perspective who was the most talented boxer or fighter regardless of weight class. Yes, in boxing, Floyd Mayweather would get pummeled by WladimirKlitschko but not because the latter is more talented. It was a hypothetical question asked: If the fighters were the same size, who would win?
And therein lies why Jon Jones does not make my pound-for-pound ranking.
Jones’ greatest skill is utilizing his size. Something that is irrelevant in the pound-for-pound debate. His incredible reach and length are the greatest factors in his fights.
Technically, Jones leaves many things to be desired in his striking game. While he performs flashy techniques, those same techniques leave him open for a counter—if anyone could get into range.
Even with a few submissions to his credit, we have yet to see what his ground game truly entails. What about his wrestling? Unquestionably he is very skilled with his Greco-Roman background, but his dominant technique inside the Octagon has him using his long legs to trip opponents from the clinch.
If you ask me how he stacks up pound-for-pound against Anderson Silva, GSP or Jose Aldo, I will immediately tell you that all three would see success against Jones. All three are more technical on their feet and on the ground than the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
If you ask me who the best fighter in the world is I will tell you Jon Jones.
What he is able to do, because of his length, is astonishing. He is a master at utilizing his greatest asset. And all the while he is improving in the other areas of his game.
In time I may very well move him up my pound-for-pound fighters list, but at this time I see far too many technical flaws that without his length would cause concern.
Jon Jones is the best fighter on the planet right now. But my issue with placing him atop any pound-for-pound list is that, by definition, his greatest asset would be taken away from him.
Asking who is the best fighter and who is the pound-for-pound better fighter are two entirely different questions for me. If you want to argue that he should still be included, I will definitely hear your pleas.
There really is no wrong answer. I will accept if you have different interpretations of what a pound-for-pound list is. That is the nature of the beast with such an ambiguous topic.
But this is how I interpret what it means, and by my definition, Jon Jones simply is not ready to crack that list. While a pound-for-pound list is fun, it is not an accurate way to gauge who the best fighter in the world is.
“King” Muhammed Lawal remains on the sidelines recovering from a severe staph infection following multiple surgeries on his damaged knee. Lawal is also serving a nine-month suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for tes…
“King” Muhammed Lawal remains on the sidelines recovering from a severe staph infection following multiple surgeries on his damaged knee. Lawal is also serving a nine-month suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for testing positive following Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine.
After the hearing, and his now infamous Twitter responses, he finds himself without an employer. So what is next for the talented light heavyweight?
The answer should be the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Lawal took responsibility for his actions and apologized for his comments about NSAC commissioner Pat Lundvall. How “King” Mo handled the situation speaks to his character and much like Miguel Torres, he deserves a second chance.
UFC president Dana White has always been adamant that he is willing to give second chances to those who make the effort to handle their mistakes. Lawal has certainly done that.
MMAJunkie.com caught up to White who gave some hope to see the former Strikeforce champion back in the cage, “The fact that he called her and reached out to her, I mean that’s what he should have done. It’s respectable. I respect that.”
Now that Lawal is not hamstrung by the Strikeforce contract, he would be a welcome addition to the UFC light heavyweight ranks. If he is granted his license later this year, of course.
A return to Strikeforce would only see his talents wasted in a shallow talent pool. No one wants that.
There is always the possibility that we could see Lawal back in Strikeforce or take a fight on other shows. If so, where are the marquee matchups for him?
The most obvious would be a potential fight against Fedor. An interesting, and unlikely, fight that could highlight a card in Russia or Japan. But outside of Emelianenko, there is not the premier fight for Lawal outside of Zuffa, both the UFC and Strikeforce, in the light heavyweight division.
The UFC 205-pound division offers many more interesting matchups for the decorated wrestler. Not the least of which is the battle against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. A fight fans have been clamoring for.
While Jackson was penciled in for his final UFC fight against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, a surgery forced that fight to be postponed. It is possible that Rua could be put in a matchup with another top contender in the division leaving Jackson without an opponent. A perfect scenario for the UFC.
It is a fight the fans want to see. Both men should be coming off layoffs around the same time making the timing impeccable.
In the case of what is next for Lawal, one has to think that the matchup with Rampage is logical and the best use of his talent. He will have suffered the punishment for his actions from the NSAC, there is no reason to continue to punish “King” Mo by forcing him into the doldrums of the regional circuits or to Japan.
For an upstanding fighter such as Lawal who has owned up to his mistakes, let’s put him inside the Octagon, under the bright lights of the UFC, against his nemesis “Rampage” Jackson. High-character individuals such as Lawal should be rewarded with a second chance. It is a win-win for the UFC and should be the next step for “King” Mo and Zuffa.
Each spring, the UFC holds their fighter summit to educate their fighters on various issues. From how to manage their finances to bringing in the much-lauded social media firm Digital Royalty to teach the platform to their stable of fighters, the summi…
Each spring, the UFC holds their fighter summit to educate their fighters on various issues. From how to manage their finances to bringing in the much-lauded social media firm Digital Royalty to teach the platform to their stable of fighters, the summit is an invaluable education tool for the roster.
It has been almost a year since the last summit and in that time, it is apparent that Dana White and the Fertittas need to address fighter conduct outside of the Octagon.
Less than a month after last year’s fighter summit, Rampage Jackson was lambasted in the media for his “motorboating” of reporter Karyn Bryant of MMA Heat. While Bryant declared that she was not offended by his actions, it still was not an appropriate action for the athlete.
It is not the proper forum for this kind of questionable humor. It only adds to the perception that combat athletes are, in general, misogynistic.
It is not just Rampage Jackson, however. Fast forward to November and Forrest Griffin found himself on various news outlets such as The Huffington Post for his offensive tweet. Griffin wrote, “Rape is the new missionary.” This on the heels of winning a UFC Twitter bonus for “Most Creative.”
Just a month after that incident, UFC bantamweight Miguel Torres found himself cut from the roster for his tweet that read, “If a rape van was called a surprise van more women would not mind going for rides in them. Everyone like surprises.” Torres has since been reinstated to the UFC and will fight at the upcoming UFC 145 PPV on April 21.
However, the issues go beyond the world of social media. Fans are consistently subjected to news about fighters’ performance-enhancing drug use, from anabolic steroids to testosterone replacement therapy to recreational drugs. The stories pile atop one another.
And the need for a code of conduct does not stop there. There have been issues outside of the cage concerning violence. Most recently, heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery after allegedly shoving a woman in the face in early January.
These much-ballyhooed incidents highlight the need for the UFC brass to put an emphasis on fighter conduct when the summit convenes in the near future.
A major issue is the ambiguity that Zuffa has in dealing with these issues. Fighters are left to guess, as there is no set guideline to follow. Let’s give them one.
The “big four” sports in the United States all have conduct policies. It is time for the UFC to join the fold. They have taken the next step with FOX Sports; it is important to put their best foot forward with the public eye hovering over the organization.
In fact, it is even more important the UFC implement this change. First, combat sports already have the aforementioned negative perception from the public. Fighters are thought of as Neanderthals while the UFC has boasted for years that their fighters are more intelligent.
Then should they not show it by controlling their tempers when not locked inside the cage or giving the sport a black-eye by taking PEDs?
Secondly, unlike the other major sports, the UFC encourages their athletes to tweet at break-neck speed. While the NFL and others closely monitor their athletes and have restrictions on when they can tweet during contests, the UFC has been applauded for their efforts to utilize the social media platform.
Fighters should not take part in the sophomoric, embarrassing and flat-out offensive “jokes” that we have seen float across our timelines.
Now is the time for Dana White to take to the podium to inform the fighters that their actions will be monitored. Not in a Big Brother way, but rather to protect the fighters from hurting their personal brand, the UFC brand and the sport in general.
We all appreciate the rawness that the fighters deliver by not being bound by strict policies, but there comes a point where something must be put in place to show professionalism and restraint.
A structure of fines, suspensions and, yes, ultimately termination need to be laid out. No more ambiguity. Let the fighters know explicitly what consequences they face for acting before thinking.
The past 12 months should have given Zuffa cause to create the framework for a code of conduct. It is time to step up to the plate of professionalism and implement it for the benefit of the fighters, organization and the sport.
UFC fans have not had to wait this long for a fight card since last Summer. But the UFC returns in April with two cards filled to the brim with exciting fights.On April 14, UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva emanates from Stockholm, Sweden …
UFC fans have not had to wait this long for a fight card since last Summer. But the UFC returns in April with two cards filled to the brim with exciting fights.
On April 14, UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva emanates from Stockholm, Sweden for the first time ever.
Just one week later the UFC’s most interesting grudge match will take place in Atlanta, Georgia when Jon Jones puts his Light Heavyweight Championship on the line against former teammate and friend, Rashad Evans.
We take a look at the five best fights the UFC has to offer in April.
Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen II is on according to an Ultimate Fighting Championship press release. The fight, slated for UFC 147 in Brazil, is the most anticipated rematch in UFC history. However, the massive scale of the event would not have been …
Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen II is on according to an Ultimate Fighting Championship press release. The fight, slated for UFC 147 in Brazil, is the most anticipated rematch in UFC history. However, the massive scale of the event would not have been possible without the proper timing.
August 7, 2010 was the date of their first epic encounter. Chael Sonnen was riding a three fight win streak in to the fight and made it a must-see event with his trash-talk. Many felt as if this would be just another spectacular finish for the long-time UFC Middleweight Champion, but Sonnen had other ideas.
For four and a half rounds the challenger pounded Silva en route to what would have been a dominating decision victory. But Anderson Silva retained his title with a comeback performance that fans will not soon forget as he forced the tap at 3:10 of the fifth and final frame with a triangle choke.
Since that day fans have been clambering for the rematch.
Sonnen tested positive for elevated testosterone/epitestosterone post-fight, sending him to the sidelines for over a year. During Sonnen’s absence from the scene Anderson Silva dazzled the crowd with an astonishing front-kick knockout of top contender Vitor Belfort and a TKO over Yushin Okami.
Coming off his suspension, Chael Sonnen battled Middleweight contender Brain Stann, and won in impressive fashion with an arm-triangle choke in the second round. After the fight Sonnen did his best to goad Anderson Silva with a post-fight promo. For fans and pundits alike, now was the time to have the grudge settled between Silva and Sonnen, but the fight did not come to fruition.
This January, Chael Sonnen stepped in to the cage in a number one contender’s bout against Michael Bisping. Anderson Silva sat cageside as Sonnen won a narrow decision to set up the rematch everyone has been waiting for. Chael put together another memorable post-fight speech to entice Silva to accept and to rouse the fans in attendance. But when and where would it take place?
If this fight had been made any sooner it may have ended up in Las Vegas or another MMA hotbed. But due to the timing the most anticipated rematch in MMA history finds itself in Joao Havelange Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The UFC is expecting its largest crowd to date for the June 23rd event, which will come on the heels of “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” with the co-main event between the two coaches and Brazilian superstars, Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva. The expectations for the pay-per-view broadcast are lofty as well.
Timing put this matchup when and where it should be. If Chael Sonnen had not been suspended, and if Anderson Silva had not incurred injuries that prevented an earlier rematch or if any other of the litany of factors had not happened we would have been deprived of the spectacle that this massive stage brings.
Timing is everything, and Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen is finally set for the biggest stage the UFC has ever been on.
Following Jon Jones’ easy victory over