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UFC 153: Glover Teixeira Promises to KO Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson

If Quinton “Rampage” Jackson had plans of leaving the Zuffa-based promotion in a blaze of glory, he should put those thoughts on the back burner for now.Brazilian Glover Teixeira is hellbent on knocking him out when the pair meet at UFC 153…

If Quinton “Rampage” Jackson had plans of leaving the Zuffa-based promotion in a blaze of glory, he should put those thoughts on the back burner for now.

Brazilian Glover Teixeira is hellbent on knocking him out when the pair meet at UFC 153. Via MMAMania.com, Teixeira told Black House MMA 1360 films:

Fighting Rampage in Rio is going to be very exciting for me because it’s Rio de Janeiro. I have been there many times in my fights and it’s very exciting. I went to the (first) UFC in Rio 1 and it was great. I love the crowd and it is going to be exciting this time for me. I come to California to help Lyoto for his fight and also to help myself. But it is mostly Lyoto‘s training right now and he is getting ready for Ryan man. This is the last week. I will come back and I think I am going to do my camp in California. I think Lyoto and Ryan Bader‘s fight is going to be a good fight and great for Lyoto. I am betting a third round knockout for Lyoto Machida. I am going to do my camp in California. It is going to be half and half time in between here (Blackhouse MMA) and San Luis, Obispo with John Hackleman and I am bringing some guys from Brazil to help me out. Fighting him (Jackson) is great because he is a, you know, and idol of this sport. I am training hard man, I am going to knock him out.

The 32-year-old Teixeira debuted for the promotion at UFC 146, defeating Kyle Kingsbury via arm-triangle choke in the opening stanza.

In addition, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and knockout artist is currently riding a 16-fight win streak and has notable victories against former UFC heavyweight titlist Ricco Rodriguez as well as Cameroonian and former KSW 205-pound champ Thierry Sokoudjou.

Initially, Teixeira was supposed to face off against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, but those plans where scuppered when the latter insinuated Teixeira wasn’t a brand name and, as such, he had nothing to gain from fighting his fellow compatriot.

However, Teixeira (18-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) now gets the opportunity to not only prove he’s worthy of top billing, but also prove he’s a force to be reckoned with in the 205-pound assemblage.

Conversely, the 34-year-old Jackson (32-10 MMA, 7-4 UFC) was originally slated to lock horns with Shogun, but instead elected to have double-knee surgery.

He will now attempt to vacate the UFC premises on a high, having suffered defeat in his last two outings (Ryan Bader and Jon Jones). He’s also been shorn of a stoppage win since his 2008 KO of nemesis and archrival Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva.

That said, we’ll wait with bated breath and see whether the former UFC light heavyweight and PRIDE middleweight champion responds to Teixeira’s prediction of handing him a leaving present via knockout.

Though, the chances of Rampage not coming back with some kind of retort is between slim and none.

UFC 153 is scheduled to take place on October 13, 2012 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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UFC on FOX 4: Michael Bisping Takes a Sly Shot at Mauricio “Shogun” Rua

With UFC on FOX 4 just days away, brash Brit Michael “The Count” Bisping took an underhanded swipe at Mauricio “Shogun” Rua for turning down a fight with Zuffa newbie Glover Teixeira—he both commended and criticized his actions in equal measure. …

I have asked for higher fights a couple times. I can kind of understand why Shogun Rua feels the way he does being a former champion. And Glover Teixeira is an amazing fighter, but he is not a household name like Shogun. Glover has everything to win in this situation, but Shogun has to look at what the gains are for him. I am not saying I would choose my fights, but I sympathize with them. We are not in the habit of choosing our fights, the UFC makes the fights. I have never turned down an opponent.

Now are they or are they not the characteristics of a weasel (or is that Wiesel)? Bisping recently employed the term to make comparisons to Chris “The All-American” Weidman.

Rua is slated to throw hands with Brandon Vera in the main event of UFC on FOX 4, a fight that could determine whether he gets the opportunity to vie once again for the 205-pound crown.

With that in mind, had the 30-year-old Muay Thai specialist opted to take on Teixeira instead (Rua’s assumption was he had nothing to gain from that fight), it’s highly doubtful he’d been in this present and lucrative position.

In hindsight, it was a good judgement call by the Brazilian.

That said, Lyoto Machida and Ryan Bader are also in the running for a shot at the winner of Jon Jones vs. Dan Henderson, but as UFC president Dana White recently stated, only the most impressive victor of the aforementioned gets the right of first refusal.

Regarding Bisping, he’s in the hunt for a tilt at the 185-pound belt currently held by Anderson Silva.

Assuming he gets past Brian Stann at UFC 152, there’s every chance it might be in the offing.

UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera is scheduled to take place on August 4, 2012 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

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Jon Jones and Lyoto Machida React to Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera Title Shot

There were contrasting reactions from Jon Jones and Lyoto Machida when reports filtered through that Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Brandon Vera are now within striking distance of a shot at the 205-pound crown come UFC on FOX 4. Machida and Rya…

Machida and Ryan Bader were also at one time, part of the whole title contender mix, but that has been firmly nipped in the bud in favor of the main eventers.

“Bones” Jones, who is the current UFC light heavyweight champion and has defeated the aforementioned quartet, is on course to defend his crown for a fourth consecutive time when he locks horns with former Strikeforce and PRIDE titlist Dan Henderson at UFC 151.

On hearing the news, Jones tweeted: “Scratching my head.”

With that in mind, he probably wasn’t the only one searching for answers to a decision that has left some of the MMA community up in arms.

The assumption is Jones’s head scratch was in regards to Vera (12-5-1NC MMA, 8-5-1NC UFC) getting a tilt at the title rather than towards Rua, or maybe it was both—who knows?

Nevertheless, with regards to Vera, his train of thought must’ve gone something along these lines:

Wait, what, seriously?

Vera! The same guy I grounded-and-pounded into having facial surgery, the same guy Thiago Silva face slapped until his heart’s content and the same guy who defeated an MMA nonentity (Eliot Marshall) in his last outing, thus giving “The Truth” a respectable sole victory in his last four fights.

If that was or wasn’t the case, well, during a UFC on FOX 4 media conference call, his former victim and erstwhile 205-pound champ Machida took an altogether different view (diplomatic and/or company man approach) of the entire situation.

I think the UFC always positions themselves correctly, and this fight could be a great fight this weekend. ‘Shogun’ was obviously a champion, and Brandon Vera has fought in two weight classes – he’s a great fighter, as well. This fight… could be deserving of a title shot. (via MMAMania.com).

At UFC 139, Rua (20-6 MMA, 4-4 UFC) lost an epic battle with Dan Henderson. A matchup nonetheless, that garnered Fight of the Year honors.

However, some would say, his entitlement to a title shot whilst riding a loss into the Vera fight is unwarranted.

That said, if Rua is victorious, “The Dragon” is open to a rubber match. It was the former who ended the so-called Machida era via first-round knockout back at UFC 113.

I think it would be a great opportunity for the both of us. Obviously I would love to face ‘Shogun’ again, and I think he probably feels the same way. It’s one victory to each of us right now, and I think it would be a great ideas and definitely put us in a good position for title contention.

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Mike Tyson Warns Jon Jones about the Perils of Fame and Fortune

If there is anyone in the sporting world most privy to the pitfalls of fame and fortune, then Mike Tyson is your man. The former “Baddest Man on the Planet” has elected to share his personal experience of sporting tragedy with UFC light hea…

From Tyson, original quotes reported by Kevin Francis of the Daily Star (h/t Boxingscene.com):

“I had millions of dollars during my life but I didn’t have a support system. I had a bad support system, so I received bad support. Nobody really knows Jon Jones and he is now in a time that is vital to his career. We know him as a great fighter and the way he carriers himself, as a great individual, a humanitarian.

But is he going to let the bright lights and the dark shadows invade his life? Will he be one of those rising meteors that flies through the air and lights the world up, but then dies down in a moment? I hope not.

You live and you learn from mistakes.

Hopefully I can use some of my downfalls to make myself better, make people around me better and show that you can come back from anything.”

Since capturing the 205-pound crown at the young age of 23, “Bones” Jones’ rise has been nothing short of meteoric.

Thus far, the Ithaca, N.Y., resident has successfully defended his title on three separate occasions and defeated four former champions in the process.

That said, an inadvertent striking of a Faustian bargain (media) has propelled him from MMA nonentity to overnight superstar—television appearances and endorsement deals have come aplenty.

However, said bargain also has its negative aspects.

For a while he was the darling of the media—he averted a mugging and came to the aid of a mother and her child.

Nevertheless, another side of Jones soon surfaced, which, if only for a short period would turn his goody two-shoes image on its head.

In May of this year, Jones was arrested and charged with a DWI offense after crashing his Bentley into a telephone post. No one was injured, but it could’ve been worse.

Following the above mentioned incident, Jones has more or less stayed out of the media’s spotlight and kept a low profile.

With regards to Tyson, at 20, he became the youngest ever heavyweight boxing champion in the history of the sport when he decimated the late Trevor Berbick in two rounds.

In his day, the now 46-year-old was a hell-raiser personified, and as he alluded to, squandered a fortune.

The native Brooklynite’s fall from grace was the culmination of a myriad of incidents, none more so than when he lost his titles to James “Buster” Douglas in February of 1990.

From that point onwards, his life and career spiraled out of control, and he eventually wound up incarcerated for several years on a rape charge.

Tyson, however, has managed to turn his life around, and for the better.

If there ever was a rags to riches and back to scratch story, well, Tyson is it.

Jones is no Tyson for sure, but it would be wise to heed the warnings of sports’ most polarizing figure.

Jones is slated to throw hands with Dan Henderson at UFC 151.

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Nam Phan Calls Steven Seagal a ‘Douche’

One hundred forty-five-pounder Nam Phan has hit back at recent comments made by Steven Seagal. In the nicest possible way, the UFC resident called the aging martial arts actor a “douche”. In a recent interview with MMAFighting’s Ariel Helwani, Se…

One hundred forty-five-pounder Nam Phan has hit back at recent comments made by Steven Seagal. In the nicest possible way, the UFC resident called the aging martial arts actor a “douche”.

In a recent interview with MMAFighting’s Ariel Helwani, Seagal had this to say about Phan:

“Never heard of him. Nam Fran? Is he an American guy? I don’t know who this guy is and I don’t really care.”

Phan, who is slated to face off against Cole Miller at UFC on FOX 4 this weekend, retorted with this gem:

“You know what, I’m not the most famous fighter,” Phan said. “But, whatever, I still think he’s a douche,” (via MMAFighting.com).

Whether it’s a way of resurrecting his floundering acting career or earning more respect in the mixed martial arts community, the star of such films as “Above the Law” and “Under Siege” has courted controversy ever since acquiring MMA notoriety courtesy of his affiliations with Black House members Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida.

Seagal, who has a 7th degree black-belt in Aikido, has lambasted Chael Sonnen for his TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) use leading up to his first encounter with Silva. In addition, he took potshots at current 205-pound titlist Jon Jones regarding his striking executions.

With regards to Silva and Machida, the 60-year-old reserve deputy sheriff credits himself with shoring up their fight game.

Under Seagal’s tutelage, “The Spider” decimated Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort via front kick whilst “The Dragon” sent Randy “The Natural” Couture into retirement by way of jumping front kick.

Apropos Phan (17-10 MM), the 29-year-old Vietnamese-American is 1-3 in his four outings thus far for the Zuffa-based promotion. He’ll be intent on getting back to winning ways or else the hot seat beckons.

That said—if Phan catches sight of Seagal at a UFC event, he said he’ll do one of two things:

“I wouldn’t say anything to him,” Phan said. “I’d just walk right past him, or maybe just snicker at him.”

UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera is scheduled to take place on August 4, 2012 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

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Luke Rockhold on Anderson Silva: ‘I Feel Like That’s a Fight I Could Win’

The thespian dramatics are in full swing once more as Strikeforce 185-pound champion Luke Rockhold continues where the other would-be contenders to Anderson Silva’s crown left off—which is, they feel they can defeat “The Spider.&rdquo…

Chris Weidman, Michael Bisping, Tim Boetsch and Alan Belcher—the would-be heirs, have all spouted off at the mouth at possessing the requisite arsenal to upend the Brazilian.

“It feels real good hearing that from Anderson Silva’s camp. I wish we could make that happen. Of course that’s what I want. I want to be the best and to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. Anderson Silva’s the best fighter in the world. It feels good: him taking notice and seeing me out there,” Rockhold said in an interview with MMAWeekly Radio (via MMAWeekly.com).

“I feel like that’s a fight I could win.”

Along with Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz, Rockhold was also touted as a potential candidate to throw hands with the perennial champ, and as the above quote suggests, the San Jose-based fighter is ecstatic.

However, the chances of Rockhold sharing the same Octagon as Silva won’t happen anytime soon, as Strikeforce combatants are contractually obligated to Showtime for the next 18 months or so.

Furthermore, during that period, said fighters can jump ship to other organizations, but apropos the UFC, it’s totally out of bounds.

That said, according to Rockhold (10-1 MMA, 9-0 SF), if the UFC elected to allow another company traverse (feasible fights only) akin to the Frank Mir vs. Daniel Cormier situation, then his ideal opponent would be Tim Boetsch, who defeated the much hyped ex-Bellator champ Hector Lombard.

“UFC wise, who’s out there that they would let go that would actually allow a crossover? ‘Cause you know certain guys you know they wouldn’t, but there’s certain guys that they might,” said Rockhold.

“Tim Boetsch looked pretty good last weekend. He just beat the Bellator champion, let’s see if he can come beat the Strikeforce champion.”

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