Author: Pete Schauer

UFC 161 Results: What’s Next for Dan Henderson Following Dramatic Loss

Despite a second consecutive loss, Dan Henderson reportedly isn’t thinking about retirement, according to Ryan McKinnell of MMA Weekly.Henderson lost to Rashad Evans on Saturday night in a split decision, as Hendo was narrowly edged by Suga,&…

Despite a second consecutive loss, Dan Henderson reportedly isn’t thinking about retirement, according to Ryan McKinnell of MMA Weekly.

Henderson lost to Rashad Evans on Saturday night in a split decision, as Hendo was narrowly edged by Suga, 28-29, 29-28 and 29-28. That defeat comes on the heels of a split-decision loss to Lyoto Machida on Feb. 23.

Having lost back-to-back fights and now owning 10 losses in his career, wouldn’t you think it’d be time for Henderson to start pondering retirement?

The 42-year-old told McKinnell that he has some trips planned with his kids this summer and is looking to fight again before the end of the year, which clearly suggests retirement is far from his mind.

Henderson may have held his own against Evans during certain moments of the fight, but there were other instances where Hendo just looked overmatched and overpowered. For example, in the final minutes of the fight, there were moments when Evans landed some solid punches and elbows on Hendo, which certainly helped in Evans earning his 18th career victory.

Henderson may not be retiring, but his hopes of getting a shot at UFC’s most premier fighter, Jon Jones, are probably gone.

McKinnell suggests that a move to the middleweight division could be an option for Henderson, as the MMA Weekly writer cites a 2008 match vs. Anderson Silva as evidence that Hendo has fought at that weight before. 

Henderson hasn’t impressed me enough of late to even think about him continuing to compete let alone getting a shot at Jones, but he has continued to make things interesting in his past two fights.

At this rate, I don’t think there’s much to be gained for Henderson, but if he’s this passionate about the sport, no one’s going to stop him from continuing to fight.

 

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Evans vs. Henderson: Why Suga Has Ultimate Edge at UFC 161

The main event of UFC 161 will feature Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson, and if all goes according to plan, Suga will improve his record to 18-3-1.Despite losing back-to-back fights for the first time in his career, the 33-year-old Evans is poised for a …

The main event of UFC 161 will feature Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson, and if all goes according to plan, Suga will improve his record to 18-3-1.

Despite losing back-to-back fights for the first time in his career, the 33-year-old Evans is poised for a big victory on Saturday because he has more to lose than Henderson does.

Evans lost a five-round unanimous decision match against the champ Jon Jones on Apr. 21, 2012 but followed it up with a surprising loss to Brazilian Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in three rounds on Feb. 2, 2013.

If Evans loses three consecutive fights, it’s practically a death sentence for the future of his career, as he’d no longer be considered a championship fighter in the UFC realm.

Also giving Evans the ultimate edge against Henderson is his opponent’s age.

Henderson is 42 years old, and while he’s in impeccable shape for his age, he’s also coming off a loss and hasn’t faced a quality opponent like Evans in quite some time.

Hendo dropped his most recent fight to Lyoto Machida—a three-round split decision—on Feb. 23 and will now face an opponent who boasts better skills than he does.

Both men excel in the wrestling department, but Evans will have the advantage given his quickness and youth—well, youth in comparison to Henderson.

As we’ve seen in some of Henderson’s most recent fights, his takedown defense isn’t what it used to be, which is where Evans can take advantage. If Suga utilizes his speed and wrestling moves to his advantage, he’ll have the upper hand over his opponent.

According to UFC Tonight, Evans is ready to put on a show for the fans:

There’s a good possibility that this fight goes the distance and comes down to a split decision from the judges, as both opponents are nearing the end of their careers, but ultimately Evans has the advantage because of his quickness and wrestling skills.

Having fought Jon Jones recently, Evans has been battle tested and has faced the stiffer competition of late, giving him more experience and the ultimate edge over Henderson at UFC 161.

 

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Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen Results: What’s Next for People’s Champ

Chael Sonnen entered UFC 159 talking plenty of trash, but he wasn’t in any position to open his mouth following a first-round knockout from light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.Bones Jones landed several blows to Sonnen’s face in the first round, leavi…

Chael Sonnen entered UFC 159 talking plenty of trash, but he wasn’t in any position to open his mouth following a first-round knockout from light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

Bones Jones landed several blows to Sonnen‘s face in the first round, leaving his face bloodied and leading to the total knockout.

The Sonnen-Jones matchup was one that was a long time coming, as the two had an opportunity to fight in August 2012 after Jones’ opponent at time, Dan Henderson, was forced to back out, leaving Sonnen as the fill-in. Jones declined to fight Sonnen, forcing UFC president Dana White to cancel an event for the first time ever.

Following the TKO by Jones, Sonnen hinted that his time in the fighting game may be up. According to John Morgan of USA Today, Sonnen said, “I’m not going to be one of the guys to hang around. If there’s not a road to the title, then this sport isn’t for me. I believe that was probably my last opportunity.”

The 36-year-old is still in excellent condition and clearly has the fighting skills to continue fighting, but success isn’t something that has followed Sonnen of late. He’s lost three of his last five UFC title fights, highlighted by two defeats to Anderson Silva.

You can knock Sonnen for his trash talking and loud mouth, but he certainly knows when he’s been outmatched and just flat out beat (h/t UFC).

So with all that said, what is next for Chael Sonnen if he does call it quits in the UFC?

Case Keefer of the Las Vegas Sun found that Sonnen could still be involved in the fighting game—only not in actual competition. Here’s what Sonnen had to say:

“I like to fight, but I love this business, and there are so many opportunities that are out there that weren’t here a few years ago. And broadcasting is one of them.”

So there you have it, folks.

I’m not 100 percent sold on Sonnen ending his fighting career just yet. I can see him giving it a go another couple of times before he finally calls it quits, but if he gets abused like he did versus Jones, it’ll be over for Sonnen.

Nonetheless, broadcasting seems like the perfect post-fight career for him. If you’ve ever seen him on ESPN or any other public appearance, you know he has one of the best personalities of any athlete in professional sports.

If there’s one thing we learned from Saturday’s UFC 159 event, it’s that very few can hang with Jon Jones, and it’s certainly not Chael Sonnen.

 

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Jones vs. Sonnen: Why Bones Jones Has Ultimate Edge Heading into UFC 159

UFC fans should see one of the best fights in recent memory when Jon Jones (17-1-0) and Chael Sonnen (28-12-1) step into the ring for the UFC 159 main event with the light heavyweight championship title on the line, but they shouldn’t expect …

UFC fans should see one of the best fights in recent memory when Jon Jones (17-1-0) and Chael Sonnen (28-12-1) step into the ring for the UFC 159 main event with the light heavyweight championship title on the line, but they shouldn’t expect to see an upset on Apr. 27.

Despite the friendly relationship between the two fighters, I’m expecting these two to really get after each other at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., with Bones Jones doing much of the damage. 

This is a matchup that’s been in the making for a while, as the two could have fought back in August 2012. Sonnen was slated to replace Dan Henderson as Jones’ opponent, but Jones refused and UFC president Dana White was forced to cancel an event for the first time ever.

Now that this fight is going to happen, I think Jones gets the ultimate edge heading into the main event because of his size and length.

Both fighters possess excellent wrestling backgrounds, and while I may be inclined to give the wrestling edge to Sonnen, Jones has more skill to win the fight. Where I really see this fight being won is in the stand-up game, where Jones can be extremely deadly with kicks and takedowns.

Sonnen‘s stand-up game is just average, and if he’s too aggressive against Jones, he could leave himself open to a swift kick to the face and a loss against Jones.

All signs point to Jones coming out of this fight with the win, but that’s not to say Sonnen doesn’t have a chance. The best way for Sonnen to come out of the Prudential Center with a win on Saturday night is to keep this fight on the ground.

Jones owns great skills on the ground, but Sonnen‘s ability to land striking blows on the ground and constantly own the position battle are what make him one of the best wrestlers in the UFC.

While I do see Sonnen as a worthy opponent to take on Jones, he won’t be the next owner of the light heavyweight championship title. 

I think Jones keeps the pace quick in the fight and closes in on Sonnen to earn a win by submission and retain his title. 

 

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Nick Diaz: Veteran UFC Fighter Shouldn’t Call It Quits Just Yet

Say it ain’t so, Nick.Following a five-round unanimous-decision loss to welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, multiple sources, including MMA Supremacy, are citing a possible retirement plan for Nick Diaz.This isn’t the first time we’ve heard retire…

Say it ain’t so, Nick.

Following a five-round unanimous-decision loss to welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, multiple sources, including MMA Supremacy, are citing a possible retirement plan for Nick Diaz.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard retirement rumblings from the 29-year-old fighter, as Yahoo! Sports notes that Diaz almost called it a career after losing to Carlos Condit in February 2012. 

After the loss, this is what Diaz had to say regarding his future in the UFC (via Yahoo! Sports):

“I have to decide if I even want to do this anymore. To be honest, I don’t know if I really got any more. I don’t make excuses; I think I’m done with mixed martial arts. I’m tired of getting banged up like this.”

After hearing those comments, it sounds like a typical Diaz sound bite—firing off at the mouth and letting his emotions get the best of him.

And fire off at the mouth he did. After spewing words of possible retirement, Diaz backtracked, believing he still thinks he can beat St-Pierre (via Yahoo! Sports).

Despite losing back-to-back fights, Diaz still has enough left in the tank to continue fighting.

The loss to St-Pierre came after roughly a yearlong layoff after testing positive for marijuana, and he still took the fight a full five rounds.

Diaz lost the match to St-Pierre on the ground, as the champ’s wrestling skills were too much for Diaz, but I think we need to see Diaz in at least one more stand-up fight where he can utilize his boxing skills before he hangs up the gloves.

For what it’s worth, even UFC president Dana White doesn’t think Diaz should retire, nor does fellow fighter John Dodson III.

It’s anyone’s guess as to what Diaz will do, but it would be a shame for a guy who still has the potential to contend for a title to call it quits.

He’s one of the most established fighters in the history of MMA—fighting for UFC, EliteXC, IFC, WEC, Strikeforce and PRIDE championships—and still has a lot to offer the UFC.

 

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How Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche Prevented UFC 157 Disaster

Ronda Rousey did more than just successfully defend the bantamweight title on Saturday night—she saved UFC 157.Perhaps it was a predictable win for the defending champ, as she forced opponent Liz Carmouche into submission via her signature armbar…

Ronda Rousey did more than just successfully defend the bantamweight title on Saturday night—she saved UFC 157.

Perhaps it was a predictable win for the defending champ, as she forced opponent Liz Carmouche into submission via her signature armbar.

Rousey was caught in an early submission but was able to get out of it and eventually force Carmouche to tap out at 4:49 in the first round, as she retained her title.

Despite the early finish, the bantamweight fight between Rousey and Carmouche essentially saved UFC 157 from being a total disaster after Lyoto Machida and Dan Henderson submitted a less than desirable fight.

Machida and Henderson split the main card with the women but put fans through a sleeper of a fight, as Machida won in a split decision, 28-29, 29-28, 29-28.

It was a fight that Henderson should have won, which could have brought him a step closer to a fight with Jon Jones, but instead fans saw Machida practically avoid Henderson and squeak out a split-decision victory.

Even UFC president Dana White admitted that Rousey and Carmouche saved the event, according to Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports:

“Imagine how this place would have been had [Machida-Henderson] been the main event. Everyone would have left here [angry] and it would have ruined the show.”

That’s when the women saved the event.

Rousey got the crowd on its feet as she entered the cage, with fans knowing she was the favorite to repeat as champion. Fans saw plenty of action, from Carmouche practically winning the fight in the early going to Rousey clinching victory with her signature finishing move.

It was certainly a momentous event for women’s fighting, as two females saved UFC 157 from a complete failure.

Saturday night’s fight was not only a step in the right direction for women’s fighting, but a historical point for the UFC.

 

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