At the moment, MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It has emerged from the shadows of its contemporary—boxing—which was once upon a time its fiercest rival with regards to establishing itself as a legitimate sport. Howeve…
At the moment, MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It has emerged from the shadows of its contemporary—boxing—which was once upon a time its fiercest rival with regards to establishing itself as a legitimate sport.
However, times have changed and mixed martial arts is now at the forefront of combative spectator sport, to such an extent that those of the sweet science persuasion have even crossed over in to the realm of the ultimate warrior.
Former boxing champion James Toney tried, but failed in his one and only attempt when he was submitted by Randy Couture at UFC 118 via arm triangle choke.
Ray Mercer didn’t fare much better, either.
The bottom line is professional mixed martial arts is a completely different animal to boxing, but with that said, there are a few pugilists who could make the transition to MMA.
In the lead up to his fight with Michael Bisping at UFC on Fox 2, the usual smack-talk that emanates from the oral orifice of Chael Sonnen has thus far been near non-existent, however, one person who can turn his verbal taps on, is none other than his …
In the lead up to his fight with Michael Bisping at UFC on Fox 2, the usual smack-talk that emanates from the oral orifice of Chael Sonnen has thus far been near non-existent, however, one person who can turn his verbal taps on, is none other than his arch nemesis UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) middleweight champion Anderson Silva, whom he suggested was akin to Mike Tyson—fake.
[…] “Anderson Silva is as fake as Mike Tyson was. They called him the hardest, ‘the baddest man in the world’ but he wasn’t even the toughest guy in America and we had to sit through and listen to that over and over again as he fought lots of tomato cans. Anderson Silva has no interested in the fight with me and I don’t know what his deal is …” Sonnen said in a recent interview with Telegraph Sport.
The Oregon native has been spoiling for a rematch with the 185-pound kingpin ever since his near miss at capturing the title back at UFC 117. Sonnen has goaded, berated and thrown everything at Silva save for the kitchen sink to get another tilt at the belt, but still no joy.
As consequence, he’s given up hope of ever contesting with the Brazilian denizen and instead has turned his attentions to two other UFC titlists—welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre and 205-pound kingpin Jon Jones.
[…] “If I win this contest on Saturday I will become the number one contender and I intend to fight either GSP or Jon Jones.”
“Don’t ask me whether the GSP fights will be at welterweight – just ask me on Sunday after the Bisping fight and I will answer that question for you then.”
“If Mike [Bisping] wins, he might get his shot at Anderson Silva, but I’m out of the picture. I’ve given him four opportunities and he’s turned them all down. I’m not giving him a fifth chance. Anderson Silva and I will not cross paths again in a fighting arena – ever.”
“You will have to talk to Anderson Silva to ask him why he has turned down the rematch with me. For me, it’s plain and simple. I will fight with anyone at the weight class – Anderson Silva is just a closet champion.”
Still, Sonnen is quite aware of the fact that if he defeats Bisping in several days time, he automatically attains the position of No. 1 contender to “The Spiders” crown. And if that transpires a rematch is more or less in the offing as UFC President Dana White said recently.
“I 100 percent guarantee you, if Chael Sonnen wins this fight, Anderson Silva will fight Sonnen this summer,” White told ESPN.
With that said, the upcoming Chicago event was abruptly interrupted following news that his original opponent, Mark Munoz, had to pull out due to an elbow injury sustained whilst training, thus thrusting Bisping into the title eliminator bout with less than a fortnight to go.
According to Sonnen, however, the prospect of locking horns with Bisping on short notice holds no real significance—to him it’s just another fight.
Both combatants are renowned for their abrasive trash-talking and that per se, would likely be enough to generate the public’s interest in their co-main event matchup. However, Sonnen sees it differently.
“You are asking me why there is so much interest in my fighting Michael Bisping, all I can say is this – they always come out in their droves to watch me fight. It doesn’t make any difference to me that Bisping is a new opponent for me at 11 days notice.”
“I’m from a wrestling background and you never know who you are going to be up against. Since I was nine years old every weekend I would jump in the truck with my dad and we would go to wrestling tournaments all over the place.”
“Whoever shows up, you fight. I’ve fought nine guys in a day before now and not known anything about any of them even though I’ve been fighting one after the other 20 minutes apart.”
“So who cares whether I was facing Mark Munoz and now I’m facing Michael Bisping in Chicago.”
“Who cares? I really don’t care who the opponent is,” Sonnen said.
UFC on Fox 2 is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2012, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
For additional information, follow Nedu Obi on Twitter.
Regardless of whether Chael Sonnen or Michael Bisping comes out victorious in their co-main event matchup at UFC on Fox 2, neither fighter will pose a real threat to the reign of the 185-lb kingpin Anderson “The Spider” Silva. At present, S…
Regardless of whether Chael Sonnen or Michael Bisping comes out victorious in their co-main event matchup at UFC on Fox 2, neither fighter will pose a real threat to the reign of the 185-lb kingpin Anderson “The Spider” Silva.
At present, Silva (31-4 MMA, 14-0 UFC) is currently recuperating following a shoulder injury incurred prior to his title bout with Yushin Okami at UFC 134.
Once he’s fighting fit and the aforementioned Sonnen and Bisping have taken care of the No. 1 contender’s position, one of them is guaranteed a shot at his coveted belt.
That said, a tilt a Silva’s crown is the best that either will ever get close to—they’ll leave the Octagon and trudge home licking their wounds akin to the nine other opponents (Sonnen being one of them) who have tried and failed in an attempt to unseat the division’s perennial champion.
Michael “The Count” Bisping is raring to get things underway in his co-main event matchup with Chael Sonnen and is also ready for any trash-talking the Oregon native might throw his way.In an interview with theTelegraph Bisping said,
If he…
Michael “The Count” Bisping is raring to get things underway in his co-main event matchup with Chael Sonnen and is also ready for any trash-talking the Oregon native might throw his way.
If he tries to get under my skin, I will take the bait. If he starts talking and saying things, as he often does, I will retaliate.
Obviously, it’s more mature to take the moral high ground and say nothing, but I enjoy a bit of verbal sparring. Obviously, it’s entertaining for the fans, but it gets me fired up. I like that. I fight a lot better when I’m irritated by my opponent.
I fight a lot better when I’m emotional. When I feel the fight has become personal, I feel I do perform better. People say that you get thrown off your game plan, but I don’t react that way.
I’m a fighter, through and through, and if my opponent gets under my skin he’ll bring the best out in me. We did a conference call together, Chael and I, a few days ago, and he was very complimentary.
Not a bad word to say, but that could change very quickly. We have only had 11 days to think about this with the late announcement of the fight.
I have said one or two things in the press over the weekend and he may change his opinion.
In several days time at UFC on Fox 2, Bisping, the pride of British mixed martial arts, is set to take on the enigmatic Sonnen in what could turn out to be the biggest challenge of his career thus far.
What awaits the winner is an eventual tilt at the Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title currently held by the division’s kingpin Anderson “The Spider” Silva.
Less than a fortnight ago, Bisping was slated to lock horns with submissions expert Demian Maia, but as fate would have it, he was suddenly granted the opportunity to vie for the 185-pound crown following an elbow injury sustained to Sonnen’s original opponent Mark Munoz.
With that said, though not overlooking Sonnen, Bisping does have his sights set on the bigger picture which is a shot at the title, the big payday that lies ahead as a result of challenging Silva and also the possibility of dethroning the indomitable Brazilian.
Bisping also thinks the British MMA scene will gain exposure additional exposure if a fight with Silva ever comes to fruition.
There is a world title on the line, a shot at Anderson Silva, and at big payday at stake. Never mind the trash talk, the thing people really want to see is the fight.
I’ll put it all on the line, because the real prize awaits.
Silva is pound-for-pound best in the world, he has almost become iconic. He is revered for the way he wins, the way he defeats people.
For me, to get a shot at him has always been my aim. If I was going to win the title off anyone, I’d want it to be against Anderson Silva.
He is the very, very best we have in the sport. No one else has been able to do it. He has been a champion for six years. If by fighting for the UFC middleweight title I can draw some attention to MMA in the UK, and help give it the boost it needs, then that will be the icing on the cake.
UFC on Fox 2 is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2012, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
For additional information, follow Nedu Obi on Twitter.
The UFC Undisputed 3 demo featuring 205-lb. titlist Jon “Bones” Jones versus Anderson “The Spider” Silva is out now and available to download for free on the Xbox Live Marketplace (Xbox 360) and PlayStation Network (PlayStation …
The UFC Undisputed3 demo featuring 205-lb. titlist Jon “Bones” Jones versus Anderson “The Spider” Silva is out now and available to download for free on the Xbox Live Marketplace (Xbox 360) and PlayStation Network (PlayStation 3).
A super-fight between the divisional champions has been something that the fans and media have speculated about due to Silva’s dominant reign as the 185-lb. kingpin and the emergence of Jones as a force to be reckoned with in the light heavyweight class.
Even though it’ll only be a fantasy fight, fans of the video game can finally get the opportunity to determine who wins in a matchup between the world’s No. 1 and No. 3 pound-for-pound mixed martial artists.
The demo also features rematches of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva in Pride Mode.
However, the demo will only be available in Europe from the Jan. 25, 2012.
Note
For the first seven days, the UFC Undisputed 3 demo is exclusive to Xbox Live gold members whilst it’s free to everyone on PlayStation 3.
UFC Undisputed 3 the video game will be available on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles and is scheduled for release on Feb. 14, 2012.
For additional information, follow Nedu Obi on Twitter.
Presented here is a fight simulation of the UFC on FOX 2 main event featuring Rashad Evans and Phil Davis in the UFC Undisputed 3 video game. Evans, a former 205-lb. champion, has an overall rating of 89 whilst his opponent, the undefeated Davis (9-0 M…
Presented here is a fight simulation of the UFC on FOX 2 main event featuring Rashad Evans and Phil Davis in the UFC Undisputed 3 video game.
Evans, a former 205-lb. champion, has an overall rating of 89 whilst his opponent, the undefeated Davis (9-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC), is rated at 88.
Stats
Evans and Davis both attempted one takedown per round.
Evans defended 40 percent of Davis’ takedowns.
Three of Davis’ wins were by submission.
Five of Evans’ wins were via ground-and-pound TKO.
Evans won by KO in 28 percent of the simulated fights.
With regards to the outcome of the simulation fight, Evans (16-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC) comes out victorious following a vicious knee to the face of Davis, rendering him unconscious at 3:25 of Round 3.
Evans and Davis are slated to throw down on Jan. 28 at the United Centre in Chicago, Ill., in a match that could determine whether or not Evans finally gets a shot at Jon “Bones” Jones and his UFC light heavyweight crown.
UFC Undisputed 3, which will be available on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles, is scheduled for release on Feb. 14, 2012.
For additional information, follow Nedu Obi on Twitter.
In the lead up to his fight with Michael Bisping at