Several weeks ago, undisputed UFC 205-pound linchpin Jon “Bones” Jones was charged for a DWI offense after crashing his Bentley into a telephone pole. Since that incident, the New York native has gone to ground which, for his sake, was a good step to h…
Several weeks ago, undisputed UFC 205-pound linchpin Jon “Bones” Jones was charged for a DWI offense after crashing his Bentley into a telephone pole. Since that incident, the New York native has gone to ground which, for his sake, was a good step to have taken.
What also came to light on that fateful night was the fact that Jones had two female occupants in his car, neither of whom was his fiancée Jessie Moses, the mother of his two daughters.
There has been no indication that Jones was playing away from home, yet mud has a tendency of sticking even in the right place and at the right time.
At 23, Jones became the youngest-ever champion in the history of the Zuffa-based promotion when he unseated then-titlist Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Since then, he’s been the focus of the media’s attention and has had to deal with everything that comes with being an MMA superstar—adulation and vilification, more so the latter.
Now that he’s keeping a low profile, Jones can take time out of his hectic celebrity lifestyle as well as take stock of his meteoric rise to fame and thus put things into perspective.
Here is a young man with the world at his feet—a phenom with the potential to reach MMA immortality, not to mention sporting-icon status. The DWI offense is a blessing in disguise, because when Jones comes back to the MMA fold, he’ll come back a much stronger and mature Jon Jones.
For now, his squeaky-clean image is on the back burner, and he’ll just have to weather any storm that is directed his way as best as he can.
When reports filtered through that erstwhile 205-pound champion Tito Ortiz was to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, Frank Shamrock was livid that yet again he’d been given the cold shoulder—and rightly so.“The Legend” has m…
When reports filtered through that erstwhile 205-pound champion Tito Ortiz was to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, Frank Shamrock was livid that yet again he’d been given the cold shoulder—and rightly so.
“The Legend” has more than done his fair share for the Zuffa-based promotion and as such his omission is a triple slap in the face—hard.
Frank’s take on his UFC Hall of Fame non-inclusion:
First off, I don’t think the Hall of Fame has any credibility unless I’m in it. I was the first champion ever and set two world records. I’ve been pioneering for this sport since before there was weight classes and gloves. so, it kinda looks to me like the whole Hall of Fame is kind of a flim-flam and it’s up to Dana’s own jock as to who goes in. And unfortunately, that doesn’t define a real sport. A real sport is completely different.
The current UFC Hall of Fame roster reads: Charles Lewis, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Randy Couture, Mark Coleman, Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes.
Sure enough, the aforementioned inductees deserved their spot in said HOF, but so has Frank, and his résumé suggests so.
He is the first ever UFC light heavyweight champion (formerly middleweight title) and defended said title successfully on four separate occasions akin to “The IceMan.”
In terms of consecutive UFC title defenses, Frank comes in at No. 5 (tied with Liddell) behind Ortiz, Matt Hughes (tied), Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva. The latter two are HOF bound no matter what.
During the period he was champ, Frank (23-10-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) acquired the rank of the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
Furthermore, the Wrestling Observer named him “Fighter of the Decade” for the 1990s. In 1998, he was lauded by Black Belt magazine as the “Best Full Contact Fighter.”
Moreover, he has notable wins over Ortiz, Jeremy Horn and Kevin Jackson. He defeated Jackson in 16 seconds, thus etching his name in the Guinness World Records for Fastest UFC Title Fight Victory by Submission.
If the above accomplishments are insufficient for his induction, then something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
That being said, one of the reasons for Frank’s continued exclusion from the UFC’s Hall of Fame is due to his overall persona—he’s the complete antithesis of self-effacing and the epitome of narcissism, and why not? It’s his prerogative.
Another underlying issue is his penchant for doing things the Frank way—company man and towing the line are phrases that don’t register with the San Jose native.
Aforesaid characteristics are a prerequisite if any resident UFC combatant wants to get on the good side of the Zuffa-based promotion’s president, Dana White.
However, that shouldn’t be the case, as meritorious per se, should be the one and only byword. Anything else smacks of vindictiveness and UFC autocracy on the part of Mr. White.
The adopted brother of Ken Shamrock by now should’ve been a UFC Hall of Famer.
Two months removed from his license being revoked by the Nevada Athletic State Commission, Dutch behemoth and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) resident Alistair Overeem has decided to set the record. From Overeem, originally reported by MMAFighting…
Two months removed from his license being revoked by the Nevada Athletic State Commission, Dutch behemoth and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) resident Alistair Overeem has decided to set the record.
When I had the positive test result, I didn’t know why that was and I didn’t want to talk about something that I didn’t know about. By the time we researched it, I had just gotten out of this situation in front of the commission. To avoid, if we were going to do all the questions which come from the media, that’s not going to solve the situation, especially if you didn’t know where it comes from or what you’re talking about.
I didn’t think that was the right thing to do. So we decided to do research, stay quiet, when we did have the research done we went in front of the commission and we explained our side of the story.
Like I explained in front of the commission, this was due to medication I received from a licensed doctor, due to injury,” he said. “This caused a spike in my T-E ratio, and, yeah, I did it, took responsibility for it, stepped away from a title fight, and now I’m slowly building up the confidence with the commission by doing random tests, monthly tests, to show that I am a clean fighter, this is to prove that I am legit.
What I want to show the world is that I am a clean fighter, I’ll do these tests on my own. One test doesn’t say anything. If I do these tests every three to four weeks, then you prove to everyone that you are clean, the medical staff is observing you taking the test, so there’s no foul play involved.
…
What I’m hoping to achieve is that I can prove to the world that I am a clean fighter. I’m doing it for myself as well as for the fans. For me, myself, my fans, for the commission, I am a clean fighter.
Less than eight weeks before his scheduled bout with UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos at UFC 146, it was disclosed that the former Strikeforce, Dream and K-l heavyweight titlist had failed a pre-fight drugs test—his testosterone-to-epitestosterone level (14-1) was more than twice over the allowed ratio of 6-1.
For the aforementioned infraction, he was denied a license application for nine months. In addition, he was subsequently bounced from the main event and supplanted by Frank Mir.
The 32-year-old’s eligibility to fight in the Zuffa-based promotion is dependent on whether his reapplication for a license is successful. His due date commences on Dec. 27.
“The Demolition Man” made his UFC debut against former heavyweight titlist and current WWE wrestler Brock Lesnar at UFC 141.
The match in question was to determine who would vie for Santo’s coveted crown.
In a heavyweight clash of epic proportion, Overeem dispatched Lesnar with ease, thus cementing his place as the No. 1 contender and effectively sending the latter into retirement.
However, since his drugs violation, former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has moved back into title contention following his shellacking of Antonio Silva, and as a consequence, Overeem now finds himself on the outside looking in at No. 2.
At present, Sherdog rank him the No. 3 heavyweight in MMA (mixed martial arts).
Albeit that might be the case, Overeem (36-11-1NC MMA, 1-0 UFC) begs to differ and believes the status quo of the division will change once he’s back in the mix.
“When I’m back in there, hopefully in December, hopefully for the title, I’m going to show the world I’m No. 1.”
There’s a bloodbath on the horizon, and it’s set to play out in the main event of UFC 148 between Anderson “The Spider” Silva and his arch rival, the self-proclaimed “American Gangster” Chael Sonnen. Will the real An…
There’s a bloodbath on the horizon, and it’s set to play out in the main event of UFC 148 between Anderson “The Spider” Silva and his arch rival, the self-proclaimed “American Gangster” Chael Sonnen.
Will the real Anderson Silva stand up? Well, in a recent UFC 148 media conference call, he did more than assume a vertical position—he let rip with a verbal tirade that sent shock waves through the MMA world.
I’m going to break his face and every tooth in his mouth. I know he’s on the call listening to this and playtime is over. There’s no more talking from him. I’m going to beat him out of the UFC. I’m going to make him pay for everything he’s said about me, my family and my country. I’m going to beat him maybe like his parents should have to teach him some manners. I’ll teach him those manners myself.
No more sh** talking from him. Chael Sonnen’s going to get his ass kicked like he’s never gotten his ass kicked before. What I’m going to do inside the Octagon is something that’s going to change the image of the sport, I’m sorry. I’m going to beat his ass like he’s never been beaten before. This is going to be violent and I am sorry. I’m going to make sure that every one of his teeth are broken, that his arms are broken and his legs are broken. He’s not going to be able to walk out of the Octagon by himself. I can guarantee that. He will need a plastic surgeon afterwards.
His message to Uncle Chael was simple: The Sonnen hype train is at an end, blood will be spilt, and there’ll be a whole lot of cussing and crying come fight night.
This isn’t the persona of a personable person we know Silva to be, this is ferocity unleashed—a man on a mission, a man intent on utter carnage and a man with a score to settle once and for all.
The erstwhile NCAA Division l standout has thrown everything at Silva including the kitchen sink just to get a reaction, and he finally got it.
However, he must now be ruminating that he’s got more than he bargained for—every action has a reaction.
Long story short: Sh** just got real for the Oregon native.
With that in mind, unbeknownst to the Brazilian, he subconsciously elevated and promoted the fight from a must-see to a bagarre on the scale of “where were you when President John F. Kennedy got shot?” It’s that kind of a fight—a throwdown that will go down in the annals of MMA and UFC history.
That said, in some quarters there’s the belief that Sonnen has finally accomplished what he set out to do in the first place: Get into Silva’s head and thus infuriate the champion.
Are they right? Absolutely—he’s fuming.
However, to assume a fighter of his caliber and standing will enter the Octagon overwhelmed by anger is a non-starter.
Silva was enraged when he fought Vitor Belfort, and some would say incensed at Yushin Okami for the disqualification he suffered in their first encounter. Nevertheless, he obliterated them both.
Furthermore, Silva has been there and done that—six years undefeated, 15-fight win streak and nine successful title defenses to the good.
“Anybody can become angry—that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way—that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.”
The aforementioned quote from Aristotle is within Silva’s power—he’ll take that anger and use it to his advantage, controlled aggression culminating into a bloodbath and Sonnen’s destructive demise.
UFC 148 is scheduled for July 7, 2012, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
UFC 148 will see Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen lock horns in the most anticipated fight since the Zuffa-based promotion opened its doors—a pay-per-view must-see at all costs—but when all is said and done, which of these two enigmas is the…
UFC 148 will see Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen lock horns in the most anticipated fight since the Zuffa-based promotion opened its doors—a pay-per-view must-see at all costs—but when all is said and done, which of these two enigmas is the bigger draw?
That encomium falls solely on the shoulders of one self-proclaimed “American Gangster”—the inimitable character that is “Uncle Chael.”
Anderson Silva
“The Spider” has held sway over the 185-pound assemblage for six years.
In addition, the 37-year-old São Paulo native is the longest reigning champion in the promotions history. He also holds the distinction of most consecutive wins (14) and has amassed a record nine successful title defenses.
Furthermore, he is widely regarded as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the MMA stratosphere, and has been heralded by the UFC as the greatest of all time.
To some, the resident Black House-trained fighter comes across as the model professional. To others, he’s arrogant and doesn’t do enough to endear himself to the American fanzine.
Rightly or wrongly, and regardless of all his accomplishments, Silva hasn’t fared so well when it comes to drawing in the big crowds and the pay-per-view buys.
Silva (31-4 MMA, 14-0 UFC) currently resides at No. 5 in the top 10 PPV draws (UFC 33-146), behind the likes of Quinton Jackson at No. 4 and Rashad Evans at No. 2.
Chael Sonnen
Sonnen doesn’t make the cut in the PPV stakes, but his celebrity has gradually been gathering pace ever since he almost usurped Silva’s coveted crown at UFC 117.
Most MMA purists know that Sonnen (27-11- MMA, 6-4 UFC) was a mixed martial arts nonentity prior to the aforementioned event.
Apropos skill set, he ain’t got nothing on The Spider. Moreover, what has the Oregon native accomplished? Nada, and yet he’s the most talked-about fighter on the MMA circuit.
However, what he lacks in overall fighting ability, he more than makes up for with his proficiency in the vocal department—eloquent, rhetoric, vociferous and abrasive are just a few of the phrases synonymous with MMA’s own king of smack talk.
Talented or talentless, loathed or loved, the former NCAA Division-l standout is everything that Silva is not. But of more importance is his gift of the gab—that bit of ingenuity is and has been the ace up his sleeve and the catalyst in enthralling both the fans and media in equal measure.
Sonnen is and will be the bigger draw at UFC 148 for several reasons:
Firstly, some sections of the fans believe he can or will re-enact the same one-sided beatdown he meted out to Silva the first time around, only this time he’ll leave the Octagon as the new champ.
Secondly, they want to witness Silva’s demise.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, his penchant for overt oratory emissions—entertainment personified.
The bottom line is this: Chael. P Sonnen is all about the hard sell—UFC/MMA promoter extraordinaire—and does it with such adroitness.
Something to whet the appetite of the Sonnen faithful:
Does anyone here know there is a fistfight going on in the United Center on Saturday night, at 8 p.m. in the East and 5 in the West, and yours truly will be headlining it? Is anybody here aware of that? Do you know that Chael Sonnen Promotions, in conjunction with Zuffa, is putting on UFC on Fox 2 this Saturday? Have we talked about that yet?Does anybody know that yet?
We only had one and that was Chandella [Powell]. The other was the IQ card girl. Arianny [Celeste] kind of walks around and holds up her latest test score. One time when there was a title fight, she got all the way up to five and we were very proud of her.
UFC 148 is scheduled for July 7, 2012, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
It might sound harsh, but when has Wanderlei Silva ever been a title contender in the UFC? Never. On the back of some truly violent victories, “The Axe Murderer” arrived from the now-defunct PRIDE FC to the gates of the Zuffa headquarters a…
It might sound harsh, but when has Wanderlei Silva ever been a title contender in the UFC? Never.
On the back of some truly violent victories, “The Axe Murderer” arrived from the now-defunct PRIDE FC to the gates of the Zuffa headquarters and cataclysmically imploded on impact.
The Brazilian’s first stint in the UFC produced a record of 1-2. His current résumé for said promotion reads: won three and lost five.
The erstwhile PRIDE middleweight champion’s second spell in the company was anything but title-contention material—a loss to Chuck Liddell was followed by a Keith Jardine victory, and then came successive defeats at the hands of Quinton Jackson and Rich Franklin.
His next three outings were more or less the same—triumphant against Michael Bisping, starched by Chris Leben and then he went on to steamroll Cung Le.
At UFC 147, in his rematch with Franklin, the 35-year-old former lethal assassin fought his heart out, and to boot, wore his heart on his sleeve several times over.
However, nothing came to fruition, as “Ace” took home the unanimous decision win to deny Silva a run of consistency.
And that’s the crux of the matter—Silva lacks and has lacked the consistency to get a whiff of the UFC’s Holy Grail, and that’s due to his win/loss ratio. With that record, it is mathematically incorrect to even suggest a tilt at the middleweight title or any belt for that matter would be in the offing.
Now if Silva (34-12-1-1NC MMA, 4-7 UFC) had defeated Franklin and registered two or more wins on the trot against high-calibre opponents, then maybe he might have been in with a shout for title contention, but as things stand, that ship has long sailed for The Axe Murderer.
Several weeks ago, undisputed UFC 205-pound linchpin Jon “Bones” Jones was charged for a DWI offense after crashing his Bentley into a telephone pole. Since that incident, the New York native has gone to ground which, for his sake, was a good step to have taken.