Having the ultimate or near-enough ripped physique in MMA should at best be a prerequisite for all athletes contesting in the ever-growing sport of diversified combative skills. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case, as some fighters either let them…
Having the ultimate or near-enough ripped physique in MMA should at best be a prerequisite for all athletes contesting in the ever-growing sport of diversified combative skills.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case, as some fighters either let themselves go, or have a “what you see is what you get” attitude to the game. To the hardcore contingent, it isn’t that big a deal, but to the casual fans who tune in for a fleeting glimpse of the new breed of fighter, it could mean changing the channel.
That said, physique-wise, it’s safe to say that none of the fighters on this list are ringing endorsements of what a true professional mixed martial artist should look like.
Antonio “Big Nog” Nogueira is back in training following surgery to a broken arm he sustained when he locked horns with Frank Mir in the co-main event of UFC 140. Initially, it was thought he’d be out of action for a longer period of …
Antonio “Big Nog” Nogueira is back in training following surgery to a broken arm he sustained when he locked horns with Frank Mir in the co-main event of UFC 140. Initially, it was thought he’d be out of action for a longer period of time.
I felt very good, I missed being able to train. I was only supposed to do ‘shadow’ training, but I couldn’t (hold myself).
I still need another three weeks of physical therapy to sharpen my boxing, and after that I will call Master De La Riva and start training jiu-jitsu. I believe I’ll be back in a month’s time.
Soon Junior dos Santos will be coming here to train for his fight against Alistair Overeem and thereafter it will be Big Foot and Anderson Silva coming to train. I need to be 100% to train with these guys because they’re tough.
Nogueira’s injury occurred in the third round, when the former UFC heavyweight champion locked in a kimura, and with the jiu-jitsu master refusing to tap, Mir (16-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) continued to apply the pressure, resulting in the breakage, as well as injuries to his shoulder.
The Brazilian has been widely regarded as one the foremost practitioners in the art of submission, but in Mir, Nogueira was up against a fellow black-belt exponent, who, prior to their meet, had already amassed eight victories via submission in 15 career wins.
Conversely, Big Nog (33-7-1-1NC MMA, 4-3 UFC), a former UFC interim heavyweight titlist, has compiled a record of 20 submissions.
Though to date, he has only one kimura execution on his submissions résumé, and that took place on his professional debut back in June of 2009.
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Albeit Quinton “Rampage” Jackson tried his damndest to upend Ryan “Darth” Bader at UFC 144 that doesn’t necessarily suggest his heart is still in sport of MMA, and if that’s the case, the former light heavyweight tit…
Albeit Quinton “Rampage” Jackson tried his damndest to upend Ryan “Darth” Bader at UFC 144 that doesn’t necessarily suggest his heart is still in sport of MMA, and if that’s the case, the former light heavyweight titlist needs to walk away.
Due to an injury incurred prior to the fight, Rampage entered the co-main event six pounds over the limit. Whether that had anything to do with his poor performance is neither here nor there (though he says it did), the fact remains, that for some time now, Rampage’s mind has been elsewhere.
In 2010, he starred in the movie A-Team when there was money to be made in the Octagon. Rampage has also completed the filming of Fire with Fire and at present has another in post-production (Duel of Legends). This could easily suggest a future change in vocation for the former Pride star.
In addition, Rampage has intimated that he’s bored with professional mixed martial arts, and as such hinted at lacing up his gloves in the art of the sweet science.
Furthermore, Jackson is almost 34, and has contested in 42 fights. Now that wouldn’t be much of problem, save for the fact that in the last five years, seven of his nine outings have gone to decision—some of them grueling encounters. Which begs the question, has the fight game finally taken its toll on him?
Rampage says he wants to continue fighting, though saying it is one thing, and actually believing it is another. If it’s the latter, then now is the time for the Memphis native to walk away.
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At UFC 144, former WEC lightweight titlist Benson Henderson will attempt to achieve what B.J. Penn and Gray Maynard could not—upend Frankie “The Answer” Edgar and, in the process, capture (or recapture) UFC gold.
When t…
At UFC 144, former WEC lightweight titlist Benson Henderson will attempt to achieve what B.J. Penn and Gray Maynard could not—upend Frankie “The Answer” Edgar and, in the process, capture (or recapture) UFC gold.
When the UFC purchased World Extreme Cagefighting back in 2006, it also acquired the services of the organization’s combatants. Some of those fighters went on to scale the heights of the Zuffa-based company. Others have either not fared that well or just simply fallen by the wayside.
Here’s a look at the best that the WEC has had to offer the UFC.
Strikeforce fighter and accomplished judoka Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey has been making a bit of a name for herself, not only in the steel cage but also as the female doppelgänger of Chael Sonnen. Rousey only has four wins in as many ou…
Strikeforce fighter and accomplished judoka Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey has been making a bit of a name for herself, not only in the steel cage but also as the female doppelgänger of Chael Sonnen.
Rousey only has four wins in as many outings on her resume, yet she believes a title shot is warranted—one that will come soon enough when she locks horns with Strikeforce bantamweight champion Meisha “Takedown” Tate on March 3 in Columbus, Ohio.
That said, Tate didn’t take to kindly following Rousey’s challenge to her coveted crown, given the fact she believed others like Sarah Kaufman were more deserved of a title tilt.
One of the reasons, if not the only reason the 25-year-old got her shot at the 135-pound belt is down to her eloquent, abrasive and often candid trash-talk—a signature vocality that has been for the past several years synonymous with none other than MMA’s own master rhetorician Uncle Chael.
Akin to Sonnen, Rousey is fearlessly and overly outspoken, and the differential between the two and other fighters on the MMA circuit is their penchant for unashamed self-promotion—sometimes at any cost—if the end justifies the means, then it’s on.
The Oregon’s beration and taunting of UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has been well-documented. In addition, he’s derided other Brazilian fighters as well as the nation itself. Rousey hasn’t gone that far yet; however, she’s on the right trajectory.
Sonnen loves courting controversy, and for the California girl, it was never more evident than when in an interview with MMAWeekly Radio she sided with Nick Diaz. This was in light of his recent suspension after testing positive for marijuana metabolites, prior to his interim title bout with Carlos Condit at UFC 143.
Her take on the matter was that marijuana wasn’t a performance enhancing drug, and as such shouldn’t be tested for.
All that is required of Rousey is to capture Tate’s Strikeforce gold, and then her looks coupled with her innate oratory skills will one day place herself permanently alongside the magniloquent one—Chael. P. Sonnen.
With regards to a Sonnen article, it wouldn’t be complete without a quote or two, and the same applies to the heiress apparent.
On herself
“I’m the most dangerous unarmed woman in the world,” Rousey says. “I’ve prepared my entire life to be that way. Whichever girl I’m going to fight, I’m sure that I’m going to find a way to win.”
“I feel like anyone with half a brain isn’t surprised. I have mixed emotions of Cyborg being caught cheating because I know everyone knew she was cheating and I wanted to make an example of her because you don’t need to take steroids to win.”
The stage has been set for Benson Henderson to prove that he’s worthy of sharing the same octagon with Frankie Edgar in the main event at UFC 144 Japan. A victory come fight night will gain him the respect of not only his peers, but also the MMA …
The stage has been set for Benson Henderson to prove that he’s worthy of sharing the same octagon with Frankie Edgar in the main event at UFC 144 Japan. A victory come fight night will gain him the respect of not only his peers, but also the MMA world in general.
The former WEC lightweight champion was on a 10-fight tear before Anthony Pettis usurped said title, thus putting a brief halt to his present ascension to the rank of No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter in the 155-lb. division.
At present, his tenure in the Zuffa-based hierarchy has been a success—three wins via unanimous decision against Mark Bocek, Jim Miller and Clay Guida.
In Edgar, the 28-year-old “Smooth” will face his toughest test to date. However, Henderson possesses impressive striking attributes coupled with an admirable submission pedigree—skill sets which are a prerequisite if he’s to leave the Saitama Arena as the newly crowned king of the lightweights.
There are several fighters on the card who have the opportunity to prove their worth to themselves, the UFC and the fans, and thus gain a lot in the process. However, no one stands to gain more than Henderson if he captures UFC gold.
For one, he’ll automatically supplant “The Answer” as the assemblage’s No. 1 fighter, thus catapulting him to the status of top 10 pound-for-pound combatant in the MMA stratosphere.
If and when negotiations for renewal of contracts begin, his championship status will be the bargain tool for an increment in his wages.
Finally, with the belt strapped around his waist Henderson will be in prime position to keep his aspirations alive of one day surpassing Anderson Silva’s records for consecutive wins and title defenses.
UFC 144 is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2012, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
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Antonio “Big Nog” Nogueira is back in training following surgery to a broken arm he sustained when he locked horns with