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UFC 149 Live Stream: Storylines to Watch for in Calgary

As we head into UFC 149 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, we have a potentially explosive main event, along with several intriguing warmup fights.The event, scheduled for Saturday and available on multiple platforms, showcases Renan Barao vs. Urijah Faber, …

As we head into UFC 149 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, we have a potentially explosive main event, along with several intriguing warmup fights.

The event, scheduled for Saturday and available on multiple platforms, showcases Renan Barao vs. Urijah Faber, as well as a tuneup of a potential clash with Anderson Silva.

Here’s a look at some of the big storylines as we approach UFC 149.

Renan Barao’s Winning Streak

Renan Barao (28-1, 1 NC) has not lost a fight since his mixed martial arts debut in April 2005—that’s a string of 29 fights.

The 25-year-old Brazilian has gone 3-0 in the UFC, with impressive victories against Cole Escovedo, Brad Pickett and Scott Jorgenson.

Of course, he goes up against Urijah Faber (26-5), who is coming off a victory against a challenging bantamweight in Brian Bowles. Faber also has the reach advantage over Barao, which will make it easier for him to close the gap and proceed to do what he does best: ground-and-pound.

This is a hard pick, which is good because it probably means it’s going to be a great fight. Barao’s explosiveness and athleticism favors him standing up, but I don’t think Faber is going to allow it to be a standing fight. Faber’s best chance is getting as many clinches as he can and tiring Barao against the cage and down on the mat. I think he will ultimately execute a sound strategy, but he needs to watch out for those kicks from Barao, which were pivotal in the Brazilian’s victory over Jorgenson.

Implications of Hector Lombard vs. Tim Boetsch

After Michael Bisping was forced out due to injury, Hector Lombard (31-2-1, 1 NC) will be pitted against Tim Boetsch (15-4).

The main thing to remember about this fight is that the winner will be a prime contender to take on Anderson Silva for the middleweight championship.

This should be a high-octane fight, as both competitors have won most of their fights by way of either knockout or technical knockout. Lombard is the more experienced fighter, but Boetsch is no slouch, and his heart and conditioning could make this an interesting fight.

I like Lombard in the end—with his striking ability, upper body strength and takedown defense—but Boetsch should certainly give him a test.

Youth vs. Experience

Brian Ebersole (50-14-1) versus James Head (8-2) should be an interesting fight, pitting a long-standing veteran against a competitor with a small sample of fights.

Ebersole has won 11 straight fights, but Head shouldn’t be taken lightly. He has a solid all-around game, apparently comfortable on his feet and on the ground and he’s coming off a victory in his welterweight debut against Papy Abedi (rear naked choke, 4:33, first round).

Head displayed strong fighting recently, but he has yet to square up with a fighter of Ebersole’s caliber.

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Anderson Silva: Brazilian Will Make Home Country Proud by Silencing Chael Sonnen

Chael Sonnen has done a good job of hyping up his fight with Anderson Silva, but Brazil’s villain will be silenced by the country’s hero come Saturday night at UFC 148.The few who back Sonnen in this fight see a competitor with no fear who got Silva do…

Chael Sonnen has done a good job of hyping up his fight with Anderson Silva, but Brazil’s villain will be silenced by the country’s hero come Saturday night at UFC 148.

The few who back Sonnen in this fight see a competitor with no fear who got Silva down on the mat for each round of their last clash in August 2010. They see a fighter who surprised Silva with his striking ability.

Of course, there’s the other side of the coin, one I tend to agree with.

Sonnen got Silva down on the mat, but he was never able to finish him, despite landing 320 times. As Silva noted, per ESPN:

[Sonnen] was in his most dominant position for most of the fight. If I was in my most dominant position for a few seconds, that fight wouldn’t have went the way it did.

The result was Sonnen’s expending all of his energy throughout the fight before Silva swiftly caught him with a triangle choke, ending the battle via submission in the fifth round.

Silva is a more dominant fighter who is just as confident in his skills as Sonnen is. Also, this time he won’t be caught off-guard by Sonnen’s striking ability.

He knows what to expect.

There’s also the fact that Sonnen is susceptible to getting caught off-guard, as well. That was clear when he got knocked back by an elbow-straight punch combination in the fourth round of their last fight. His style of fighting may make him a more difficult opponent for Silva to face than, say, Rich Franklin, but he does open up in his opponents’ closed guards.

Will this be an old-fashioned thrashing? No, sorry Brazil, I don’t see that happening.

But it would be shocking if Silva lost this fight, and I see him emerging victorious against the American in a more convincing manner.

Sonnen has certainly talked the talk, but Silva will do his talking in the Octagon on Saturday, silencing his rival.

If only for a night.

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UFC 147: Consolation Fight Silva vs. Franklin Proves UFC Can Do No Wrong

First, UFC 147’s main event was supposed to be between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen, where Brazil would have the opportunity to root against the country’s ultimate villain.When that got pushed to Las Vegas, the main event was supposed to be Wanderle…

First, UFC 147‘s main event was supposed to be between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen, where Brazil would have the opportunity to root against the country’s ultimate villain.

When that got pushed to Las Vegas, the main event was supposed to be Wanderlei Silva vs. Vitor Belfort.

But when Belfort broke his hand, we all of a sudden had a rematch between Wanderlei Silva and Rich Franklin.

And what a fight it was. Silva vs. Franklin on Saturday was proof that no matter what goes wrong before a UFC event, the UFC always wins.

With 44 seconds left in the second round on Saturday, Silva connected with a right hand that sent Franklin to the mat. Would Silva get his revenge? Silva proceeded to wail on the man who had defeated him back in 2009, throwing a flurry of left hands as Franklin sat helpless on the floor.

But it was not to be. Franklin built on his reputation of being able to withstand punishment when he weathered Silva’s barrage, and went on to win via unanimous decision after a technically-sound last three rounds, using jabs and body kicks to outclass Silva.

And while it was ultimately a disappointing result for Brazil, it was a win for the UFC. Franklin showed great class in lifting Silva up in the air after the fight, even though both competitors knew who the true victor was. And as Brazil roared its approval, we were treated to a sentimental moment, one of many the UFC has treated us to throughout the years. We not only saw a fight worthy of being a main event, we saw why the UFC connects with so many fans.

The main event on Saturday could have been relatively disappointing. But what transpired on showed that the UFC can’t lose, even when everything falls apart before an event. It’s further proof that the UFC either has an overwhelming amount of inspired fighters, or it’s simply riding a wave of success that cannot crash down to earth.

Maybe it’s both.

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UFC 144 Fight Card: Frankie Edgar Will Grind out Another Victory

Frankie Edgar vs. Benson Henderson could be the Fight of the Year.Edgar comes into the fight as one of the toughest and most determined fighters in the UFC. Henderson has the style to create problems for Edgar.Edgar (14-1-1, 9-1-1 UFC) has won six of h…

Frankie Edgar vs. Benson Henderson could be the Fight of the Year.

Edgar comes into the fight as one of the toughest and most determined fighters in the UFC. Henderson has the style to create problems for Edgar.

Edgar (14-1-1, 9-1-1 UFC) has won six of his last seven fights. After battling Gray Maynard to a draw in January 2011, Edgar knocked him out in Round 4 during their rematch in October.

But Edgar’s strength doesn’t lie in his knockout ability. He’s had three knockouts in 16 career fights. Edgar’s strength has always been his wrestling and his ability to grind out round after round and turn them into wins.

Henderson (15-2, 3-0 UFC) has the size and grappling ability to pose problems for Edgar. It’s part of the reason why he’s going to be such an interesting challenger for Edgar. But his striking ability isn’t great, and he’s not the wrestler Edgar is.

But it’s about more than X’s and O’s when it comes to Edgar. He simply seems to will himself to victory each and every fight.

Henderson noted, via the Vancouver Sun:

“Against Frankie, what I’d be most worried about, is maybe losing each round by a hair. Frankie does a great job of doing just enough — not just enough, I don’t want to say it like that — but just winning that round… So, at the end of the fight, you’re down five rounds to none. Not really too beat up or too damaged, but you lost all five rounds to Frankie Edgar.”

I think Edgar deserves a little more credit than that (he has beat up quite a few opponents), but Henderson is right about Edgar outlasting his opponents. Sometimes it feels like he doesn’t tire at all.

In the end, I see Edgar winning via decision in what should be yet another great fight for UFC fans.

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UFC Undisputed 3: Why Latest Installment Will Have Been Worth the Wait

Throughout the years, we’ve seen how video game developers can shortchange loyal customers by producing new installments of franchises as if they’re hotcakes.But developer Yuke’s is doing it right, ensuring UFC Undisputed 3 lives up the series’ growing…

Throughout the years, we’ve seen how video game developers can shortchange loyal customers by producing new installments of franchises as if they’re hotcakes.

But developer Yuke’s is doing it right, ensuring UFC Undisputed 3 lives up the series’ growing reputation.

After a two-year wait, UFC fans and gamers will be able to get their greedy paws on the latest installment next Tuesday. And, it figures to continue the tradition of blowing gamers away.

First thing’s first: the gameplay. You can bump up the graphics and modes all you want, but if your gameplay is off, so is your product.

This year, UFC Undisputed 3 gives you more adaptable gameplay, including an updated combat system and a new submission system. You are given two choices as far as the control system: Pro and Amateur.

In Amateur, you use the thumbstick to perform moves, while Pro utilizes a more complicated system that includes button control.

The new submission system uses an octagonal gauge now, giving you more control over your submission attempts than simply hammering on the thumbstick.

You also have a variety of new moves and ground positions, feinting, new KO animations, whip knees, a redesigned striking system emphasizing jabs and quick strikes, and “Finish the Fight,” which allows you to keep striking your opponent until the referee pulls you off of your opponent.

There’s also more of an emphasis on leg-kicking. We’ve all executed leg-kick KOs before, but now kicking an opponent’s leg throughout the fight can result in leg-kick TKOs. It provides a more real feel to the game and gives gamers another strategy to implement against their foes.

And, now stamina plays an even bigger role in fights. If you rush into a hold on the ground, it won’t be as effective as if you ground-and-pound and wear out your opponent first.

Beyond that, Pride FC fans will be happy to know the mode has been included in this year’s version. As we all know, you are able to kick opponents on the ground and do head-stomps in Pride FC. This is also available in career mode.

In all, UFC Undisputed 3 appears poised to be a knockout, and my advice is to run to the store first thing on Tuesday.

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UFC on FX: 3 Guarantees for Alves vs. Kampmann

As we get set for Thiago Alves vs. Martin Kampmann on March 3 in Sidney, Australia, one thing we can be certain of is some big hits in a main event featuring the top-two strikers in the UFC’s welterweight division.Both Alves and Kampmann exhibit tremen…

Both Alves and Kampmann exhibit tremendous striking ability, with Alves having a slight edge, but Kampmann holds the advantage in takedown defense and on the ground.

Here are three guarantees for Alves vs. Kampmann.

3. Alves Will Surprise Kampmann with Some Big Shots

Let’s be clear, Kampmann knows he’s going up against a punishing striker in Alves.

But that’s not the same as experiencing Alves‘ striking ability. Eleven of Alves‘ victories have come via KO or TKO. Before Alves‘ loss to Georges-St. Pierre in July 2009, the Brazilian had won eight of his previous 10 UFC fights via KO or TKO.

On top of that, Alves got back in the win column in November when he submitted Papy Abedi in the first round. He’s gotten back on track to an extent and will be more confident in March.

2. Kampmann‘s Ground Game Will Surprise Alves

Surprise, surprise: Alves won’t be the only one doing the surprising.

Kampmann‘s ground game is overshadowed by his takedown defense, but it’s actually quite good. Six of Kampmann‘s 18 MMA victories have come via submission, and when he’s in position for the submission he rarely misses his opportunity. In fact, his submissions can be alarmingly quick.

Alves will get some big shots in, but Kampmann has the edge on the ground.

1. Alves Will Get Back to His Losing Ways

Before his victory against Abedi, Alves had lost three of his previous four fights. The truth is, he’s not equipped to beat the top welterweights in the UFC right now and I even expect to him to have trouble with Kampmann.

Alves has shown he struggles against fighters who can take him down and his ground game still isn’t good enough to beat someone like Kampmann. I expect Kampmann to find a way to get Alves on the mat and finish him there.

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