Nedu Obi | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Wanderlei Silva: Chael Sonnen Doesn’t Have Balls and Vitor Belfort Is a Coward

Erstwhile PRIDE wrecking machine and current Ultimate Fighting Championship resident Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva has called Chael Sonnen a man with no balls and in the same breath labeled fellow Brazilian Vitor Belfort a coward. From…

From Silva, originally reported by Cagepotato.com:

[…] I opened the cage for [Chael] and he didn’t say anything. What kind of man is that? I know, actually, because he don’t have balls. He uses testosterone because he don’t have balls. This is his problem.

He don’t have balls, no? His balls don’t work (laughs). I have two big balls over here, you know? And I say for him and I say for everybody, no matter, I am a man. This is a lesson I took from my dad. A man can’t talk about another man because one day we are going to be face to face. In that day, you never know.

For a while now, there has been no love lost between the axe-wielding Brazilian and the overly vocal Oregon native—“Uncle Chael” has taken it upon himself to berate Silva at every given opportunity.

Conversely, Silva (34-11-1-1NC MMA, 3-4 UFC) more times than not has kept it schtum, but at one point he did threaten to kill the former NCAA Division-l standout.

However, per usual, Sonnen had the last say.

Apropos Belfort, Silva akin to UFC middleweight titlist Anderson Silva is of the belief that “The Phenom” is a coward:

[…] Man, everybody knows [that Belfort is a coward], not just me. Everyone knows that when the fight is going good for him, he’s a lion. But when the fight starts to go bad for him, he’s a lamb. We know that.

He’s a really, really good athlete. But everyone knows that his problem is in his head, not his body.

In 1998 Belfort and Silva—21 and 22 at the time and both fighting in their seventh professional bout—locked horns at UFC 94. The bout ended dramatically, with Silva on the receiving end of a brutal assault which lasted all but 44 seconds.

Both combatants, who were coaches on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, were scheduled to throw hands at UFC 147, but due to Belfort’s incurring a broken hand, the match was canceled.

Instead, the main event will see Silva mix it up with former 185-pound champion Rich Franklin at a catch weight of 190 pounds.

For additional information, follow Nedu Obi on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Fedor Emelianenko: Vladimir Putin Thanks Him for Promoting MMA in Russia

Following Fedor Emelianenko’s 84-second demolition of Pedro Rizzo, none other than Russian President Vladimir Putin stepped into the St. Petersburg ring and personally bestowed praise upon “The Last Emperor” for his contribution to an…

“I want to congratulate Fedor and thank him from all of us, martial arts fans. It is because of him this sport became so popular in our country,” the Russian premier said.

The 35-year-old former Pride heavyweight champion, who called time on his storied career after blitzing erstwhile UFC resident Rizzo, leaves the MMA stage 3-0 in as many outings.

Prior to the aforesaid victories, Fedor had suffered a spate of ignominious defeats—to Fabricio Werdum, Antonio Silva and Dan Henderson–in the San Jose-based promotion Strikeforce.

Before heading to the now Zuffa-acquired SF, Fedor was undefeated for nigh on 10-years and was riding a 27-fight win streak, to boot.

At his peak, Fedor (34-4-1 MMA, 1-3 SF) held sway over the heavyweight stratosphere and defeated the upper-echelon contemporaries.

Some of those who fell to the Sambo Grand Master included the likes of former UFC heavyweight titlists Mark Coleman (twice) Tim Sylvia, Andrei Arlovski and Kevin Randleman.

Also on his hit list were interim UFC and Pride heavyweight champion Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira (twice) and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic.

To most MMA purists, the accomplished Judoka will go down in the annals of history as one of the best—if not the greatest—heavyweight champions to have ever laced up a pair of grappling gloves.

The once-baddest man on the planet cited the need to spend time with his family and no enticing offers as the reasons he’s decided to hang ‘em up.

At one time he was the UFC’s most sought-after fighters, but due to negotiations breaking down between the head honchos of the aforementioned organization and his own promotion M-I Global, his fighting career slowed considerably.

However, if Fedor does decide to come out of retirement, it’ll most likely be for a stint in the world’s best MMA promotion.

But before that can transpire, UFC president Dana White and M-I Global supremo Vadim Finkelstein will have to iron out their differences.

For additional information, follow Nedu Obi on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 148: Is This the Most Anticipated Event in UFC History?

In less than three weeks time all roads will lead to the MGM Grand Las Vegas, Nevada, where UFC 148—the most eagerly awaited event since the UFC’s inception—will take place. In the past, certain events staged by the Zuffa-based promot…

In less than three weeks time all roads will lead to the MGM Grand Las Vegas, Nevada, where UFC 148—the most eagerly awaited event since the UFC’s inception—will take place.

In the past, certain events staged by the Zuffa-based promotion have grabbed the fans imagination to no end—UFC 47: Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz; UFC 40: Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock and UFC 94: Georges St. Pierre vs. B.J. Penn ll to name a few—but none more so than the aforementioned affair, which has Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen ll as its main attraction.

Due to Sonnen’s none stop shenanigans, but more importantly his incessant rhetoric, said bout, is enough per se, to sell this event as the most anticipated in UFC history. Furthermore, it’s guaranteed to whet the appetite of even the least savant of the MMA contingent.

Apropos expectation, it’s safe to say its boxing version of Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao. The difference being, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Silva vs. Sonnen grudge match of the ages is going down.

Moreover, “The People’s Champ,” formerly known as “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” and erstwhile 205-pound titlist makes his curtain call when he takes on another former light heavyweight champion in the guise of Forrest Griffin.

Prior to the event, Ortiz, the only man in the history of the aforesaid division to successfully defend the belt a record five times, is set to be inducted into the UFC’s Hall of Fame.

Also featured on the bill is Demian Maia who makes his welterweight debut against the South Korean “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim, following an unsuccessful stint at 185 pounds. The gauge is on as to whether the Jiu-Jitsu wizard will fare better in this weight class.

Fighter come-actor Cung Le and former feather weight title contender Chad Mendez are on a resurgence mission following respective shellackings at the hands of Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva and current 145-pound champ Jose “Scarface” Aldo.

In addition, the rest of the card looks tasty as well, so expect a bagarre (fight) from all quarters.

At the end of the night’s proceedings, the moniker attached to UFC 148 as the most anticipated event in its history will be meritorious in every sense of the word.

UFC 148 is scheduled for July 7, 2012, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For additional information, follow Nedu Obi on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Junior dos Santos’ Biggest Threat Outside the UFC

At present, Junior dos Santos presides over the UFC’s heavyweight division with fists of steel, and former champions Cain Velasquez and Frank Mir can certainly attest to that, as both were on the receiving end of his devastating punching prowess….

That said, there are still a number of Zuffa-based fighters waiting in the wings to test the resolve of the Brazilian, such as Alistair Overeem who more or less instigated a self-imposed furlough upon himself for failing a drugs test.

Also, Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum, both KO victims of “Cigano” are now in shooting distance for a shot at the title.

So, outside of the UFC’s heavy contingent, who is dos Santos’ biggest threat?

One person comes to mind, and that individual’s name is Daniel “DC” Cormier—the newly crowned Strikeforce heavyweight champion.

MMAWeekly currently ranks Cormier No. 3 in the world of mixed martial arts just behind his AKA stable mate and training partner Velasquez.

The 33-year-old Louisiana native began his MMA career less than three years ago, but to everyone’s amazement, has come on leaps and bounds.

Thus far, he’s had 10 victories in as many outings—he obliterated Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, the man who steamrolled Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko, and for the icing on the cake, won the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix when he defeated submissions expert and MMA veteran Josh “The Warmaster” Barnett.

Cormier is improving all the time—he can stand-and-bang if the situation arises, he’s got decent grappling skills, and to boot, he’s both a former Olympian wrestler and NCAA Division I standout.

The aforementioned skill sets make him the one of the three most dangerous heavyweight fighters on the planet, the others being dos Santos and Overeem.

If there was a unification bout for the Strikeforce and UFC heavyweight titles or if Cormier jumped ship to vie for the latter title, I’d put my house on it, he’d come out victorious.

Albeit dos Santos reigns supreme in the UFC heavyweight ranks, Cormier will be his worst nightmare when the time comes.

For additional information, follow Nedu Obi on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 148: Why You Should Support Anderson Silva as He Takes on Chael Sonnen

At UFC 148, in one of the most anticipated fights in MMA history, Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen will go head-to-head in a grudge match for the ages. However, come fight night, only one of the aforesaid combatants should have the fanzines’ full suppor…

Since the self-proclaimed “American Gangster” inflicted a five-round shellacking of the reigning middleweight titlist, a rematch has been in the works. Hell, a rematch has been inevitable.

That fateful night at UFC 117, Sonnen almost usurped the crown from the perennial champion, but as fate would have it, he succumbed to a triangle armbar in the dying minutes of the final frame.

Las Vegas, Nev. (Rome) will be the setting and the Octagon (Coliseum) is where the drama will play out.

Vae victo (Sonnen).

Begin Slideshow

UFC on FX 3: Is Erick Silva the Next Brazilian UFC Champion?

Erick Silva will attempt to get back to winning ways when he throws hands with Charlie Brenneman at UFC on FX 3, and thus continue his ascension up the welterweight ranks.However, any notions of Silva being the next Brazilian to hold a coveted UFC belt…

Erick Silva will attempt to get back to winning ways when he throws hands with Charlie Brenneman at UFC on FX 3, and thus continue his ascension up the welterweight ranks.

However, any notions of Silva being the next Brazilian to hold a coveted UFC belt should be firmly squashed, as that honor belongs solely to his compatriot Renan Barão.

For one, Silva (13-2-1DQ MMA) is coming off a disqualification loss, but a defeat nonetheless. Secondly, he’s 1-1 in the Zuffa-based promotion, but of more importance is the fact “Indio” is nowhere near the top 10-ranked fighters in MMA’s welterweight class, let alone the UFC.

Furthermore, he’s yet to fight an upper-echelon 170-pounder, so his chances of vying for the title anytime soon are between slim and none.

Conversely, Barão is riding an astonishing 28-fight undefeated streak, with the sole defeat (his MMA debut more than seven years ago) on his record coming by way unanimous decision.

The 25-year-old is currently 3-0 in the UFC having dispatched Cole Escovedo, Brad Pickett and Scott Jorgensen.

He’s now slated to lock horns with former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber for the bantamweight interim title, a fight I believe he’ll win.

Once that mission has been accomplished, the next stop will be Dominick Cruz and the original 12 pounds of UFC gold. Again, that’s a fight he will be victorious in, thus making him the next Brazilian UFC titlist.

And as a consequence, Barão will sit alongside other Brazilian UFC champions such as Junior dos Santos (heavyweight), Anderson Silva (middleweight) and Jose Aldo (featherweight).

A triumph over Cruz would also make him only the eighth Brazilian to hold a UFC divisional championship belt (Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira won the interim heavyweight title).

UFC on FX 3 is scheduled for June 8, 2012, at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla.

For additional information, follow Nedu Obi on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com