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UFC 142: Pressure on Vitor Belfort and Jose Aldo to Perform in Brazil

According to Espn.go.com, Anthony Johnson and Chad Mendes claim that Vitor Belfort and Jose Aldo are under pressure to perform in the UFC 142 Brazil event, which gets underway this weekend. “I feel no pressure at all,” Johnson said. “…

According to Espn.go.com, Anthony Johnson and Chad Mendes claim that Vitor Belfort and Jose Aldo are under pressure to perform in the UFC 142 Brazil event, which gets underway this weekend.

“I feel no pressure at all,” Johnson said. “I don’t have to perform in front of my home country. I don’t get nervous about what could happen. I’m just going to do what I do.”

For Belfort, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, this will be his second time fighting in the presence of his home crowd since he last set foot there back in October of 1998, when he TKO’d Wanderlei Silva in the inaugural UFC Brazil event.

Johnson, a former welterweight contender who recently moved up to the 185-lb division due to problems cutting weight, is highly aware of the threat that Belfort poses, but nonetheless is undaunted by the what lies ahead of him in the co-main event.

“Vitor is an amazing athlete, very fast hands and very powerful, and you have no choice but to respect him,” Johnson said. “I’m not afraid, and I’m willing to accept the challenge. I’m just going in to fight. There’s no strategy. It’s what’s called ‘get it done’,” Johnson said.

On the other hand, this will be the first time that Belfort’s compatriot, UFC featherweight champion Aldo, will be fighting in his homeland of Brazil under the banner of the Zuffa-based promotion.

With that being the case, Mendez, a California resident and NCAA Division-I wrestler, senses the expectation to perform rests largely on the shoulders of Aldo when they clash in the main event this Saturday weekend.

Also, as well as harboring thoughts of leaving Brazil victorious, he also feels at ease with regards to the fight itself and the hometown support that will be channeled towards Aldo.

“I have tunnel vision,” the challenger said. “I have that goal of winning that belt. It’s all I’m thinking about. I think I’m going to get booed as it’s Jose’s back yard, and he’s the champion. But I can’t speak Portuguese so I can’t understand what they say anyway. I’m in the zone and there’s not going to be any problem.”

UFC 142 is set for Jan. 14, 2012 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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Why the UFC Heavyweight Division Should Worry About Daniel Cormier

Daniel Cormier’s presence will be felt in UFC heavyweight assemblage sooner rather than later and that’s something the rest of that weight class should sincerely worry about. The soon to be ex-Strikeforce heavyweight, is one, maybe two figh…

Daniel Cormier’s presence will be felt in UFC heavyweight assemblage sooner rather than later and that’s something the rest of that weight class should sincerely worry about.

The soon to be ex-Strikeforce heavyweight, is one, maybe two fights away from crashing the party of one of the most weak divisions in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The first stop for “DC,” however, is Josh “The Warmaster” Barnett at the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale.

It’s not a question of if he gets past that hurdle, but a question of when. When that happens, a possible one-time defense of the title looms—the MMA rumor mill has it, that it could be the once great Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko.

Though, regardless who it is, it will make no difference—Cormier is heading straight to the UFC with a baptism by fire awaiting whomsoever stands in his way .

Preceding his MMA coming out party, the handle “Daniel Cormier” was a name only the hardcore fans had heard about. Prior to that, he was only thought as a prospect of sorts.

In his eighth fight for the promotion, he took on the weary but still dangerous Jeff “The Snowman” Monson, after his original opponent withdrew following a car accident.

Cormier won the match via unanimous decision, executing impressive striking to ward off the submission specialist.

Still, no joy with regards to the recognition he so rightly deserved.

That, however, soon all changed, when he stepped in to replace Alistair Overeem in the semifinals of Strikeforce GP.

His opponent, the gigantean Antonio Silva had but seven months earlier put a supreme clinic on Fedor, automatically knocking him out of the quarterfinals of the tourney.

Cormier wasn’t given much of chance, but proved a lot of people wrong. Exhibiting confidence and wit, he used his standup game to derail the favourite via first-round KO, whilst at the same time sending a message of intent to the rest of the MMA heavyweights.

The message was loud and clear: Daniel “DC” Cormier had arrived and he’s a force to be reckoned with.

The once unknown nonentity was forthwith thrust into the media’s spotlight and soon everyone was taking notice.

The 2008 Olympic wrestling team captain who never made it to the games due to kidney failure is near enough a supreme athlete—NCAA Division I credentials, kickboxing pedigree and the striking ability to hang with the best the heavyweight division has to offer.

Add to the equation his affiliation with AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) and the likes of head grappling coach and Guerilla jiu-jitsu expert Dave Camarillo alongside him, then Cormier’s progression is endless.

DC is 9-0 (four stoppages, three submissions and two unanimous decisions) in his relatively short mixed martial arts career, expect him to get into double figures by the time he arrives at the UFC headquarters.

At present he’s ranked No. 10 by Sherdog and No. 6 by MMAFighting, though he should be in the top five by the year’s end, having taken a UFC scalp or two along the way.

The top two heavyweights of the UFC, Junior dos Santos and Overeem, will have their hands full if they ever lock horns with the 32-year-old Cormier.

DC is for real and he’s a threat to each and every big man currently residing in the UFC’s heavyweight division.

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Nick Diaz and 10 MMA Fighters Who Could Tear It Up in a Boxing Ring

Mixed martial arts, as the name implies, comprises of a variation of offensive and defensive disciplines—boxing being one of them. It’s also safe to say that the majority of victories in MMA come as a result of TKOs or KOs, with punches pla…

Mixed martial arts, as the name implies, comprises of a variation of offensive and defensive disciplines—boxing being one of them.

It’s also safe to say that the majority of victories in MMA come as a result of TKOs or KOs, with punches playing a major role in said outcome.

MMA has welcomed some boxers into their realm, most notably former champions Ray Mercer and James Toney—neither of whom fared that well, especially the latter, who ended up submitted via arm triangle choke, courtesy of Randy Couture at UFC 118.

So with that said, we’ll take a look at some fighters who could do likewise or even better in a boxing ring—by that, I mean tear it up.

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Predicting the Next 10 MMA Fighters to Get Inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame

Only the best combatants in the world are bestowed with the honor of UFC Hall of Fame glory, thus seating them for all eternity, in the realm of MMA eminence. Their achievements have been recognized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship for services re…

Only the best combatants in the world are bestowed with the honor of UFC Hall of Fame glory, thus seating them for all eternity, in the realm of MMA eminence.

Their achievements have been recognized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship for services rendered during a period where more times than not they’ve overcome adversity to stand head and shoulders above their peers.

Such distinguished figures as Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Randy Couture, Mark Coleman, Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes have all been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

With that said, who will be next batch of warriors to take their places alongside the aforementioned greats?

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Anthony Johnson Says Chael Sonnen and Anderson Silva Should Be Worried About Him

According to MMATorch.com, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, the newest resident of the 185-lb division, has delivered a message of intent to Chael Sonnen, Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort and the rest of the middleweight assemblage, in which he says …

“I will dominate Vitor Belfort. Chael Sonnen is seen as the top threat to Anderson Silva’s title. Well, I am at 185 pounds and everyone at middleweight has to worry about me now. I’m in this division to go to the top. You will see a whole different animal now I am at this weight class,” Johnson said.

Johnson (10-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC), who has spent almost the entirety of his professional career at welterweight, finally switched to middleweight having on numerous occasions suffered extensively with cutting weight at 170-lb.

“Moving up to face Vitor was a new chapter in my life, a new challenge,” Johnson reflected in quotes released by the UFC on Tuesday. “I’m going to stay here and I’m going to take over this weight class.”

In several days time at UFC 142, Johnson will make his first foray into the division, where he’s slated to lock horns with “The Phenom” Belfort in the Brazilian’s own backyard.

Belfort (20-9 MMA, 9-5 UFC), a veteran of the sport, has campaigned at both the 205-lb and heavyweight divisions. He’s also a former UFC light heavyweight champion, having defeated Randy Couture at UFC 46 back in January of 2004.

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Belfort is known for his quick hands and punching prowess.

“I’m going to use everything in my power to dominate Vitor in every way possible,” Johnson said. “He’s fast, he’s powerful, he has a lot of experience, but my right hand is his Kryptonite.”

Johnson has won the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) Knockout of the Night honors twice—against Kevin Burns and most recently Charlie Brenneman.

It’s safe to say that Johnson is looking ripped with the mass bulk, and if the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) wrestling champion can upend Belfort come fight night, the rest of the division is bound to take notice.

UFC 142 is set for Jan. 14, 2012 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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Gina Carano Unsure of Return to MMA and Avoids Scar Question

Gina Carano, a former Strikeforce employee and retired mixed martial artist, recently appeared on the Attack of the Show to talk about her upcoming movie, Haywire. She also spoke about MMA and a certain scar. During the interview, which was hosted by C…

Gina Carano, a former Strikeforce employee and retired mixed martial artist, recently appeared on the Attack of the Show to talk about her upcoming movie, Haywire. She also spoke about MMA and a certain scar.

During the interview, which was hosted by Candace Bailey, Carano shared her thoughts on whether or not she’ll ever venture back into MMA.

Before Carano departed from the sport back in 2009, she’d amassed a 7-1 record, the sole loss coming via TKO courtesy of Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos in the first ever women’s Strikeforce championship bout.

Following that defeat, “Conviction” Carano took a furlough from MMA, and according to her, an eventual return to fighting is at present up in the air.

Though, when Bailey asked about a prominent scar on her left arm, Carano coyly avoided answering the question.

Carano, who also starred in Blood and Bone, returns to the silver screen in Steven Soderbergh’s action flick, Haywire.

She plays lead protagonist Mallory Kane, a freelance covert operative who ends up being double-crossed.

With vengeance on her mind, she sets out to find those responsible.

The films cast consists of thespian heavyweights such as Michael Douglas, Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Antonio Banderas and Bill Paxton.

Haywire is set to hit the screens on Jan. 20, 2012

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