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UFC Adds 4-Event Series in Japan for 2013

To make the UFC fresher and to attract more ideas, it appears that the world’s largest MMA promotion is going to be holding a Japan-only series in 2013.As reported by Nikkansports and secondhand through MMAweekly.com, it appears that there will be four…

To make the UFC fresher and to attract more ideas, it appears that the world’s largest MMA promotion is going to be holding a Japan-only series in 2013.

As reported by Nikkansports and secondhand through MMAweekly.com, it appears that there will be four events in smaller venues that hold around 5,000 spectators.

There is no word yet on broadcast options, as in whether it will be televised on Fuel TV, FX, Facebook or any other station the UFC has dealt with in the past. It is known, though what type of fighters will be included in the series.

According to the Mark Fisher, the UFC’s Asian chief, some details were released.

The series will be “Japanese fighter” centric, said Mark Fisher, the UFC’s Asian chief. The plan is to hold the events in a venue to be named with a target attendance of about 5,000 people.

This is an interesting development, as the UFC expands into Asia. Recently, a UFC on Fuel event was announced to take place in China, more specifically Macau.

This move will bring more Japanese talent to the eye of the public. This may be a strong move, as a number of top talent in Japan are from the lower weight classes, which are still being developed.

One would have to assume that the UFC’s series in Japan will heavily feature flyweights, bantamweights and featherweights. This would definitely make the fights more exciting, as the lighter weight classes are faster and more aesthetically pleasing.

The last trip to Japan was UFC 144, which was a huge success for the UFC. Hopefully, this series of events will bring further popularity to the company in a country rich in martial art history.

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Rashad Evans Looking to Return in December

Former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans is healthy and ready to return to fighting in December.According to MMAWeekly.com, Evans is looking to return to the light heavyweight division, though he would drop to middleweight if offered a fight with…

Former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans is healthy and ready to return to fighting in December.

According to MMAWeekly.com, Evans is looking to return to the light heavyweight division, though he would drop to middleweight if offered a fight with Anderson Silva.

Most likely, Evans would be looking to return at UFC 155, which is the last show of the year and already hosts a heavyweight title fight between Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez. This must be assumed, though, as UFC on Fox is in December and is basically booked on the main card portion.

Of course, Evans is looking to make his return since losing his latest bout against Jon Jones. That fight was for the light heavyweight championship, a bout in which he was overmatched en route to a decision loss.

Plus, since the Jon Jones-UFC 151 debacle, Evans is ready for any opponent given by the UFC. Jones’ representative, Glenn Robinson, spoke to MMA Weekly.

As far as potential opponents, there’s no one in particular that Evans is calling out or asking to fight. The fighters on his radar, however, are the best ones available to face, and that’s who Evans wants when his next bout is officially scheduled.

“Whoever is the best available,” said [Glenn] Robinson. “That’s who we’ll fight.”

Obviously, Evans wants the best available opponent. Currently, most of the top 205ers are booked. Jon Jones is set to fight Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen and Forrest Griffin are booked and Alexander Gustafsson will meet Mauricio Rua.

Dan Henderson is looking for an end-of-the-year return, possibly in December. If he is ready, I would say put him in the cage with Evans. Again, that is if he is healthy.

That leaves Lyoto Machida. Maybe, if the pieces fall into place, we will see a Rashad Evans-Lyoto Machida rematch.

We will wait and see until then.

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UFC 155: Joe Lauzon vs. Gray Maynard Head-to-Toe Breakdown

UFC 155 currently plays host to the last show of 2012—a heavyweight championship fight and an important lightweight bout between contenders Joe Lauzon and Gray Maynard.Currently, Lauzon and Maynard are among the several top contenders in the 155-…

UFC 155 currently plays host to the last show of 2012—a heavyweight championship fight and an important lightweight bout between contenders Joe Lauzon and Gray Maynard.

Currently, Lauzon and Maynard are among the several top contenders in the 155-pound division, including such other names as Anthony Pettis, Donald Cerrone and Nate Diaz. Styles make fights, and this one should be interesting.

Here is a head-to-toe breakdown of this key lightweight affair.

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Will GSP’s Legacy Be Incomplete If He Never Fights Anderson Silva?

It has been several years since the first time a Georges St-Pierre vs. Anderson Silva superfight has been brought up. To be honest, it has felt like a decade.Fans are infatuated by a showdown between the Canadian star and Brazilian juggernaut, and for …

It has been several years since the first time a Georges St-Pierre vs. Anderson Silva superfight has been brought up. To be honest, it has felt like a decade.

Fans are infatuated by a showdown between the Canadian star and Brazilian juggernaut, and for good reason. Both men have cleared out their divisions for the most part.

So the question is, would St-Pierre’s legacy be incomplete if he never fights the Brazilian legend?

To be fair, the question could go for Anderson Silva too, had he ever lost in the UFC.

St-Pierre has dominated the 170-pound weight class in a way similar to Silva’s domination of the 185-pound division.

Both are so dominant, they rarely lose rounds. I mean, when was the last time either lost a round?

For Silva, it feels the only time he has ever lost a round in the UFC was when he fought Chael Sonnen. St-Pierre’s only lost rounds as of late came as a result of an savage eye poke against Jake Shields, though he still won the fight.

St-Pierre’s legacy goes as follows: Establish dominance in the regionals, impress in your first couple UFC fights, earn a title shot against the legendary Matt Hughes in your young career, lose that title fight and come back stronger.

After that, go on a big winning streak against top competition, earn another title shot against Matt Hughes, win the rematch and get upset in your first defense against a career journeyman.

The final phase of St-Pierre’s legacy sees him win a rubber match with Hughes, get back his title in a revenge fight with aforementioned journeyman and never look back.

That’s right; since winning his title back, he has won six fights in a row—all of which have been against the cream of the crop at welterweight.

St-Pierre is a legend at welterweight, whether fans like him or not. Sure, his fight style has gotten a little safe as of late, but his dominance is unquestioned.

Yes, a fight with Silva would be epic. And yes, win or lose, it would still be great for his reputation.

But, in my eyes, St-Pierre doesn’t need this fight to complete his legacy. It is already set in stone, as he is the most dominant welterweight of all time.

I still want to see the fight, as the divisions are basically cleared out. Once St-Pierre fights Carlos Condit and Silva fights Chris Weidman, I think the time is right to let them fight.

It would further their already legendary reputations.

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Brendan Schaub vs. Lavar Johnson, 3 Other Fights Added to UFC on Fox 5

Today, the UFC announced four new bouts to take place at UFC on Fox 5 in Seattle’s Key Arena (via UFC.com).The most significant of the announcements was that of a heavyweight bout between sluggers Brendan Schaub and Lavar Johnson. Both men are power st…

Today, the UFC announced four new bouts to take place at UFC on Fox 5 in Seattle’s Key Arena (via UFC.com).

The most significant of the announcements was that of a heavyweight bout between sluggers Brendan Schaub and Lavar Johnson. Both men are power strikers who are sure to provide fireworks for the crowd.

Both Johnson and Schaub are looking to rebound off losses. Johnson’s latest loss saw him submit to Stefan Struve via armbar, while Schaub will try to erase the memory of two straight knockout losses, to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Ben Rothwell.

It is not sure whether the heavyweight bout will make the main card yet, but it is a must-see due to its promise of a finish.

Also announced was a welterweight showdown between fan favorites Mike Swick and Matt Brown.

Like the heavyweight bout announced, this one is sure to provide fireworks. Both Swick and Brown love to strike and are successful when touching their opponents’ chins.

Swick recently made his triumphant return after an almost two-year layoff. He did so by knocking out DaMarques Johnson on the most recent Fox card.

Brown is currently riding a three-fight win streak, with knockouts of Luis Ramos and Chris Cope as well as a decision win over Stephen Thompson.

Most likely, this fight will grace the prelims. It is not known whether the prelims will be on Fuel TV or FX, though history would tell us Fuel.

The last two additions are refugee fights from the cancelled UFC 151 card. Both are lightweight fights, as Daron Cruickshank meets Henry Martinez and Tim Means fights Abel Trujillo.

These fights will grace the preliminary card, as that is where they were placed at UFC 151. Both will likely be exciting bouts, with lesser-known fighters looking to establish their names.

UFC on Fox 5 will take place on December 8.

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Shogun Rua v. Alexander Gustafsson, UFC on FOX 5: a Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Title implications in the light heavyweight division will be felt at the next UFC on Fox, when former champion Mauricio Rua meets up with hot, up-and-coming Swede Alexander Gustafsson on the main card.Each man has a chance to be in the title picture. R…

Each man has a chance to be in the title picture. Rua, who won his last fight in the last UFC on Fox headliner against Brandon Vera, is one of the top fighters at 205 pounds and has a chance to get the title shot with a win.

Gustafsson, who has looked stellar as of late, is on a solid winning streak as of right now. He may be a win or two away from a title shot.

Here is a head-to-toe breakdown of this important matchup.

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