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UFC 144: Which Fighter Has The Most to Lose?

For Ryan “Darth” Bader, a win at UFC 144 is an imperative. However, a loss will be catastrophic to him as a person, but more importantly for his once budding MMA career. The former NCAA Division-l standout landed at the gates of the UFC hea…

For Ryan “Darth” Bader, a win at UFC 144 is an imperative. However, a loss will be catastrophic to him as a person, but more importantly for his once budding MMA career.

The former NCAA Division-l standout landed at the gates of the UFC headquarters having ridden a seven-fight win streak. He continued that streak with five victories—most notably against Keith Jardine and Antonio “Minotouro” Nogueira.

It was Bader’s win over Nogueira that propelled him to the status “future of the light heavyweight division,” and an eventual matchup with Jon “Bones” Jones.

What Bader wasn’t to know is that if he’d won that bout, he could’ve easily been the one vying for the 205-pound gold in lieu of Jones, who now reigns supreme over that weight class.

A loss to Jones was nothing to be ashamed about, as the young phenom had been destined for great things, but to call out and then lose to a fading star in the guise of Tito Ortiz was an ignominy he’d sure like to put down as an aberration.

In the co-main event, Bader will be throwing down with a true and tested wily old fox by the name of Quinton Jackson, a former UFC light heavyweight titlist and a hero to the Japanese fans from his days in Pride—the latter of which could spell bad news for Bader, as Rampage will be hell bent on putting on a show for the home crowd.

That said, victory is a must if he’s to continue his redemption (a first-round KO of Jason Brilz at UFC 139), as well as the opportunity to climb up the ranks and back into title contention.

However, a defeat and it’s back to the drawing board, headlining preliminary televised cards whilst facing an arduous journey back to the top. And if he were to register a second loss in his next bout, it could signal a swift exit from Zuffa-based promotion.

At UFC 144, Bader has the most to lose.

UFC 144 is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2012, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

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Fedor Emelianenko Set for Possible June Return, Says M-1 Global

Mixed martial arts promotion M-1 Global is shooting for a possible June return to combative competition for its most lucrative asset, Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko. M-1’s Global director of operations Evgeni Kogan told MMAFighting: &…

Mixed martial arts promotion M-1 Global is shooting for a possible June return to combative competition for its most lucrative asset, Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko.

M-1’s Global director of operations Evgeni Kogan told MMAFighting:

“We’re working towards securing a Fedor fight in Monaco for the summer, sometime around the time when Formula One happens,” he said. “Specifically, a little while afterwards.”

Prior to signing for the San Jose-based promotion Strikeforce, the former PRIDE heavyweight champion was riding a 26-fight undefeated streak spanning nigh on nine years, and was thus widely regarded as one the greatest MMA practitioners of his era.

In his debut for the company, the 35-year-old starched Brett Rogers in two rounds. However, the Russian’s next three outings ended in disaster—he suffered a submission loss to Fabricio Werdum, a TKO defeat to Antonio Silva and was knocked out by Dan Henderson in his final bout for the organization.

In November 2011, Fedor (34-4-1 NC) began his road to redemption under the M-1 Global banner with a unanimous-decision win over Jeff Monson, and he made it two wins in row when he KO’ed Japanese judoka, Satoshi Ishii on New Year’s Eve, at Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011.

At present, neither an opponent nor date has yet to be confirmed for the once-indomitable Fedor, but the likelihood is that M-1 Global will disclose that information sometime in March.

“The search for the opponent is currently in process with a number of worthy candidates being considered,” Kogan said.

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Nick Diaz Faces Temporary Suspension for Positive Marijuana Test

According to MMAWeekly, Nick Diaz is now facing a temporary suspension for testing positive to marijuana metabolites following his unsuccessful interim title clash against Carlos Condit at UFC 143. The Nevada State Athletic Commission voted unanimously…

According to MMAWeekly, Nick Diaz is now facing a temporary suspension for testing positive to marijuana metabolites following his unsuccessful interim title clash against Carlos Condit at UFC 143.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission voted unanimously in favor of temporarily suspending the former Strikeforce welterweight champion until a disciplinary hearing decides his fate later this year, which could be as soon as April.

When the next hearing takes place, Diaz and his team are obligated to present information regarding his 2007 meet with Takanori Gomi at Pride 33 (the bout was overturned to a no contest), where he first tested positive for marijuana, and as such was subsequently banned for a six-month period.

In addition, the NSAC requires evidence of his entire fight purse as well as any bonuses he may have received for the UFC 143 co-main event. Diaz is also compelled to produce his complete application that was handed in preceding the fight.

Albeit the Stocktonian is licensed to use marijuana for medicinal purposes in the state of California, NSAC will conduct their own investigation apropos the authenticity of his medication and will have the reports at hand when they reassemble sometime this year.

In light of his temporary suspension, Diaz was initially heading for a straight 12-month ban or more, with a hefty fine in tow. However, that could still be the case when the hearing convenes again at a date yet to be decided.

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Benson Henderson Believes He Can Beat Anderson Silva’s Record

According to MMAJunkie, Benson Henderson believes he has what it takes to surpass the records set by UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) middleweight champion Anderson Silva.Henderson stated:
“I don’t think me beating Frankie gets me anywhere near th…

According to MMAJunkie, Benson Henderson believes he has what it takes to surpass the records set by UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

Henderson stated:

“I don’t think me beating Frankie gets me anywhere near the conversation. I’d have to beat Frankie and beat a couple of other guys and defend the belt – what is Anderson up to? He’s up to 12 right now? Thirteen? So after I beat whatever Anderson’s record is – whatever he stops at, 14 times, 15 times, after I beat that – then the conversation is going to begin.

“I want to be the best fighter, period,” he said. “That goal is still in my sights. I still wake up thinking about that.

“I definitely have long-term goals (and) short-term goals, but that’s been my goal since I first got into fighting – to be the best fighter on the planet,” Henderson said during a media teleconference in support of UFC 144. “No ifs, ands or buts about it.”

Silva is currently riding a 14-fight winning streak in the UFC, 15 in all MMA competitions, and to boot has defended his crown a record nine times—a feat that he achieved in less than six years.

For Henderson to accomplish those goals, his first port of call has to be the unseating of lightweight titlist Frankie Edgar in the main event of UFC 144 this weekend. If successful, his next step would be to keep said belt intact whilst compiling a respectable streak of wins, which is no mean feat, given the 155-lb division is stacked with talent.

At present, the former WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting) champion is 3-0 in the Zuffa-based organization. In that respect, Henderson has some way to go if he’s to emulate or better the records set thus far by “The Spider.”

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6 Reasons Why 2012 Won’t Be a Disappointing Year for the UFC

It would seem 2012 is set to be the biggest and most lucrative year yet for the Zuffa-based promotion that is the UFC. Since its inaugural event—UFC 1: The Beginning—back in November of 1993, the company has gone from strength to strength. …

What was first thought by some as a bunch of barbarians contesting in a steel cage is now regarded by most people as a legitimate sport. This has been partly due to the appreciation of the fighters with regards to their skill sets in various disciplines of mixed martial arts.

At this moment in time, the UFC has set its mark in the realm of generic sports, and it is now on course for global recognition on a massive scale.

That said, 2012 is just one of those years that will lead the way to a prosperous future for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Here are the reasons.

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Anderson Silva Says Chael Sonnen Respects Nothing and Talks Too Much

The perennial UFC titlist of the middleweight division Anderson Silva has opined that Chael Sonnen respects nothing and talks too much. MMAmania has the story: Chael has good wrestling. The first fight, I broke my ribs, I fought with broken ribs. But t…

The perennial UFC titlist of the middleweight division Anderson Silva has opined that Chael Sonnen respects nothing and talks too much. MMAmania has the story:

Chael has good wrestling. The first fight, I broke my ribs, I fought with broken ribs. But that’s okay, I finished the fight and I win. But this time I am ready. I am training hard, this is a different fight. My opinion for Chael is that this guy does not respect nothing. This time in this sport is very important. The people watching the UFC, the people that watch Chael Sonnen talking, they are like ‘What? What is this sport? I don’t like this sport. This guy doesn’t respect nothing.’

I understand sometimes you need to promote the fight but, I don’t know. Chael talks about my people in Brazil, about my wife, about the older fighters. It’s his problem, it’s no good, it’s no good promotion, this is a sport. I love my sport. I love it and I respect the older people and the older fighters of the sport. This is a great time for the sport. But Chael maybe does not understand this, his problem is he talks too much. It is no good.

Eighteen months have passed since Sonnen’s near miss at capturing Silva’s coveted 185-lb. belt at UFC 117, and what ensued following that eventful night was a master class in Sonnen-esque tactics to goad the champion into a rematch.

Employing invectives and diatribes was Sonnen’s preferred weapon of choice in an attempt to undermine, unsettle and force Silva’s hand into a second meet. Though, try as he might, “The Spider” refused to take the bait, until recently when he responded and accepted Uncle Chael’s challenge—a summer clash in Brazil.

That said, the rematch could’ve happened in early 2011 if hadn’t been for the fact that Oregon native had failed a drug test at the time of their first outing, an offense that resulted in a 12-month suspension (later reduced to six months).

Though since that period, Silva (31-4 MMA, 14-0 UFC) has fought twice (Vitor Belfort and Yushin Okami), before being sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Conversely, Sonnen defeated Brian Stann on his return to the Octagon as well as recently cementing his place as the No. 1 contender following his title eliminator bout against Michael Bisping.

Sonnen (27-11-1 MMA, 6-4 UFC) has finally got his date with destiny, and it’s all to play for when he eventually locks horn with the Spider.

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