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Gina Carano: Why Strikeforce Needs Her Back NOW

Ailing promotion Strikeforce is in dire need of the services of mixed martial artist turned actress Gina “Conviction” Carano, and they need her now. The former women’s Strikeforce title contender has been on a self imposed furlough si…

Ailing promotion Strikeforce is in dire need of the services of mixed martial artist turned actress Gina “Conviction” Carano, and they need her now.

The former women’s Strikeforce title contender has been on a self imposed furlough since she fought and lost to Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, in the company’s first women’s championship bout back in August of 2009.

Since then, there have been rumors of her possible return to the outfit—Dec. 17, 2011 was a date pencilled in, but nothing came to fruition.

Also, during that period, Carano (7-1 MMA, 0-1 SF) forged an acting career—most recently, the Steven Soderbergh’s action flick Haywire, which is due out for general release on Jan. 20 2012.

Whilst the former face of women’s MMA was transitioning to the art of thespianism, the San Jose-base promotion was in the process of being acquired by the Zuffa-based promotion UFC, which finally took place in March of 2011.

This consequently lead to the sudden demise of the promotion, which to be honest wasn’t exactly fairing well up to them.

At present, Strikeforce is almost in the doldrums and with no pay-per-view to augment their ratings—an injection of sorts is required to keep it from flagging any further.

Gina Carano is the right person for the job, and here are the reasons why.

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Chael Sonnen Says He Is Fighting Munoz Because Anderson Silva “Got His Way”

Speaking on Fueltv, Chael Patrick Sonnen said the only reason his fight with Mark Munoz is taking place at UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) on Fox 2 later this month is because Anderson Silva got his way. Sonnen also claimed that Ed Soares, Silva&r…

Sonnen also claimed that Ed Soares, Silva’s manager, was the catalyst in the fight transpiring between the two former NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I wrestlers.

Also, he said that Silva’s motives for not wanting to engage in a fight with Munoz was due to the latter gaining the upper hand in a training session.

The former middleweight title contender lost the opportunity of usurping Silva as the division’s champion when he succumbed to a triangle armbar submission at UFC 117 back in August of 2010.

Since that defeat, Sonnen has been hot on the heels of “The Spider” for a rematch, berating and doing his utmost to coerce the 185-lb kingpin into fighting him.

So far, his vocal challenges have fallen on deaf ears, save for Silva insisting that if the rematch were to come to fruition then it would have to take place in his native country of Brazil.

Though for that to happen, Sonnen needs to upend Munoz in the co-main event of their slated matchup in a fortnight’s time.

Munoz, who was also on the show, spoke briefly about his upcoming fight as well as complimenting Sonnen’s oratory and fighting skills.

UFC on Fox 2 is set for Jan. 28, 2012 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

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UFC 142: How Close is Vitor Belfort to a Title Shot?

For only the second time in his illustrious career, Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort had the honor of fighting in front of his home crowd at UFC 142, Brazil. As he did almost 14 years ago, Belfort did not disappoint, defeating Anthony “Rumb…

For only the second time in his illustrious career, Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort had the honor of fighting in front of his home crowd at UFC 142, Brazil.

As he did almost 14 years ago, Belfort did not disappoint, defeating Anthony “Rumble” Johnson via rear naked choke—his first submission in nearly 11 years and only the third in a career that has spanned almost 16 years.

The bout itself was shrouded in controversy, as Johnson—who was making his debut at 185 lbs, having jumped a weight class from welterweight—was found to be over the weight limit during the initial weigh-ins at 197 lbs.

Still, the fight went ahead as planned with Belfort coming in at 205 lbs and Johnson 211.6 lbs before the co-main event kicked off.

Even though he was roughed up a bit and taken to the mat on several occasions, Belfort still managed to lock in the winning submission.

The time: 4:49 of Round 1.

Following the loss, Johnson (10-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) was subsequently released from the Zuffa-based organization due to his failure to make the required weight.

Since his loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 126, Belfort has amassed a two-fight winning streak.

Also, at UFC 142, The Phenom (21-9 MMA, 10-5 UFC) proved that he’s still a world-class mixed martial artist as well as a threat to anyone in the middleweight division.

That begs the question, how close is The Phenom to a tilt at the title?

Well first off, there’s a rematch with Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva, whom he defeated via TKO at the inaugural UFC Brazil.

That fight is penciled in for later this year, after the finale of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, where both combatants will be the opposing coaches.

If Belfort is successful in that matchup, then a top-10 ranked fighter looms, or dependent on the middleweight picture at the time, it could be a straight title shot.

With that said, Belfort is one, maximum two fights away from a shot at the UFC middleweight crown.

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UFC 142: Why Jose Aldo is Already the Greatest Featherweight

Following his first-round knockout of Chad Mendes at UFC 142, 145-pound kingpin Jose Aldo proved beyond a doubt why he’s in fact the greatest featherweight to have ever graced the MMA stage. In Mendes, he was up against a former NCAA Division-I s…

Following his first-round knockout of Chad Mendes at UFC 142, 145-pound kingpin Jose Aldo proved beyond a doubt why he’s in fact the greatest featherweight to have ever graced the MMA stage.

In Mendes, he was up against a former NCAA Division-I standout and arguably the division’s best wrestler.

That, however, was of little significance as he stuffed Mendes’s takedown attempts time and again, eventually creating an opening to unleash a devastating knockout knee to the head—two hammer fists later it was over—4:59 of Round 1.

That was Aldo’s third successful UFC title defense since the acquisition of the WEC by the Zuffa-based promotion.

It was also Mendes’s first defeat in 12 outings.

Prior to the matchup, his last performance against Mark Hominick left a lot to be desired as the Canadian was able to take him down almost at will and dictate the fight.

This time, however, was much different, as the 25-year-old Brazilian displayed impressive takedown defense and utilized his supreme striking abilities to their fullest potential.

At present, “Scarface” has locked horns with the best the featherweight division has had to offer and upended each and every one of them—from the WEC straight to the gates of the UFC.

In his first title shot he captured the World Extreme Championship featherweight crown by a technical knockout of Mike Brown.

He then went on to defend the belt against former WEC titlist Urijah Faber who had lost twice to the aforementioned Brown and finally Manvel Gamburyan.

At UFC 136 he decisively defeated top-10 featherweight Kenny Florian.

So far the Black House trained fighter has made a total of five defenses in both the UFC and the WEC.

With that said, there are several interesting fights to be made if Aldo decides to continue plying his trade in the featherweight assemblage—there’s former Shooto and Sengoku champion Hatsu Hioki as well as Erik Koch and Dustin Poirer who both possess knockout power with good submission skills to boot.

The likes of Chan Sung Jung of the famed twister submission and Diego Nunes could also be in the mix.

Still, with all their attributes, I doubt any of the above will unseat Aldo from his featherweight throne.

Scarface (21-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has that championship mentality, the striking prowess, notable takedown defense, but most importantly, save for the one blip on his record which came early on (at lightweight) in his career , has upended all that have stood in his way.

Jose Aldo, currently riding a 13-winning streak, is already the greatest 145-1b in MMA history.

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UFC on Fox 2: CM Punk Will Not Accompany Chael Sonnen to the Octagon

According to MMAFighting.com, Chael Sonnen will no longer be accompanied to the Octagon at UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) on Fox 2 by WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) superstar and champion CM Punk. Apparently, WWE chairman Vince McMahon was o…

Apparently, WWE chairman Vince McMahon was opposed to the idea of Punk making his way to the steel cage with Sonnen in tow and has thus put a halt to it.

This latest news was verified by Punk himself.

Once word got around that two of the most polarizing figures in professional wrestling and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) were set to share centre stage at the Jan. 28 event, it went viral.

And that was regardless of Punk’s minor role of just escorting Sonnen to his co-main event matchup against Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Munoz.

Add to the equation that the event itself is being held in Punk’s native Chicago, then the furor culminated by their expected appearance in tandem was understandable.

Both Sonnen and Punk are at the top of their respective games with regards to entertainment value but, more importantly, their innate oratory skills which have thrust them into the public’s stratosphere more so than many of their contemporaries.

With that said, the main event features Rashad Evans and Phil Davis, with the former requiring a win to keep him in contention for the UFC light heavyweight title currently held by Jon “Bones” Jones.

Sonnen, on the other hand, needs to secure a victory against Munoz if he’s to stand any chance of a rematch with 185-pound kingpin Anderson “The Spider” Silva sometime later this year.

UFC on Fox 2 is set for Jan. 28, 2012 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

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UFC 142 Fight Card: Can Vitor Belfort KO Anthony Johnson?

At UFC 142, Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort will lock horns with Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, the newest addition to the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s 185-lb. division. By the end of the proceedings, however, Belfort will leave the O…

Almost 14 years ago, back in 1998, Belfort stepped into the Octagon at UFC Brazil, that was the first time he’d fought in front of his fellow countrymen whilst being a resident of the Zuffa-based promotion.

It was also the first time he tangled with his compatriot, the legendary Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva.

That would be an epic night for the former UFC light heavyweight champion as he clinically and systematically decimated Silva in 44 seconds of the first round.

The speed and punching power which he demonstrated against Silva and has continued to exhibit throughout his MMA career (most recently against Yoshihiro Akiyama) will stand him in good stead when the horn sounds to get his matchup with Johnson underway.

On the other hand, Johnson (10-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) has displayed his fair share of striking prowess (punches and kicks)—knocking out the likes of Tommy Speer, Kevin Burns, Yoshiyuki Yoshida and Charlie Brenneman.

That, however, was at welterweight and against mid-tier opposition.

Belfort (20-9 MMA, 9-5 UFC) is and has been an elite fighter for more than a decade now.

Johnson has a good wrestling base and standard jiu-jitsu in his arsenal, whilst Belfort is a black belt in the art, as well as being an accomplished judoka.

I doubt any of that will matter come fight night as I see this as a stand-and-bang affair, that’s unless Johnson has other plans to take matters to the mat, but even if that’s the case, expect Belfort to negate all attempts.

Belfort recently said the following:

“He’s a lion, but I’m a lion, and when we get there I’m going to roar. I’m going to roar on that day. I respect him, but on that day the cage belongs to me so that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to earn it.”

The bottom line is this: As long as the Phenom brings the same mentality he brought to Brazil the last time around, he wins this matchup, but even more importantly, he’ll register a KO—in the first round.

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