Author: Tim Daniels

UFC 148 Results: Anderson Silva Defeats Chael Sonnen

Anderson Silva’s dominating run continued at UFC 148, as he defeated Chael Sonnen by second-round TKO to defend his UFC middleweight championship at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.After a slow first round, Silva rocked Sonnen with a knee to t…

Anderson Silva‘s dominating run continued at UFC 148, as he defeated Chael Sonnen by second-round TKO to defend his UFC middleweight championship at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

After a slow first round, Silva rocked Sonnen with a knee to the body early in the second. Sonnen appeared to recover, but Silva attacked him again on the ground, raining down a series of vicious punches before the referee stopped the fight.

The victory is Silva’s 16th in a row dating back to 2006 and second over Sonnen during that span. He previously defeated the 35-year-old American two years ago in a thrilling bout that fueled interest in Saturday’s rematch.

Silva continues to amaze by fighting at such a high level for so long. By 37, most fighters are starting to break down from all the wear and tear of a long career, but Silva just continues to dominate, beating every challenger thrown his way.

It’s not like he’s beating up on no-name fighters, either. Forrest Griffin, Vitor Belfort and Sonnen are among his recent wins. He’s now held the middleweight title for nearly six years, asserting his dominance over the otherwise competitive division.

Now Silva just has to sit back and wait for a new top contender to emerge. He really has nothing left to prove to Sonnen or any of the other fighters he’s recently defeated, so hopefully a fresh face can step up and provide a true test for him.

On the flip side, it’s a disappointing result for Sonnen to say the least. He controlled a large portion of the first bout between the two but was forced to submit in the final round. He later failed a post-fight test due to high levels of testosterone (h/t Josh Gross, SI.com).

After returning from suspension he defeated Brian Stann and Michael Bisping to earn another chance at Silva. It was an opportunity for him to prove his terrific performance in the first fight wasn’t a fluke, but he couldn’t get the job done.

His career record still stands at an impressive 27-12-1 and he has been able to handle all of his mid-tier opponents. Whenever he attempts to step up to that next level, however, he hasn’t had what it takes to get over the hump.

While Sonnen heads back to the drawing board, Silva can celebrate another victory. He’ll lose the title eventually, it just didn’t happen on Saturday night.

And, judging by his performance, it might not happen any time soon.

 

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UFC 148: Anderson Silva and More Stars Who Will Pick Up Key Victories

UFC has put together one of its strongest cards in months, with Anderson Silva defending his middleweight championship belt in the main event against Chael Sonnen on Saturday night. The undercard also features several big names. Let’s take a look at th…

UFC has put together one of its strongest cards in months, with Anderson Silva defending his middleweight championship belt in the main event against Chael Sonnen on Saturday night. The undercard also features several big names.

Let’s take a look at three fighters who will emerge victorious at UFC 148. Since there are so many marquee matchups on the card, there will be huge audience tuned in to watch. That makes it a perfect opportunity to make a major statement.

 

Forrest Griffin

Griffin and Tito Ortiz are two guys in desperate need of a win. Griffin will be entering the octagon for the first time in 11 months after injuries suffered in a loss to Mauricio Rua. Ortiz, meanwhile, has lost two straight bouts and six of his last eight.

It’s the third time they have fought each other, splitting the first two. Although it’s tough to get a good read on Griffin’s match fitness, it’s hard to have any faith in Ortiz at this point. He simply hasn’t been the same since losing to Chuck Liddell.

Both of the previous meetings have been close, and this one shouldn’t be any different, since each should have plenty of motivation. Ultimately, Griffin has been in better form over the last few fights and should escape with the win.

 

 

Anderson Silva

Sonnen actually held his own the first time he faced off with Silva before the champion was able to earn a late submission victory. Neither fighter has lost since then, which adds a lot of intrigue to main event, as they both continue to show no signs of slowing down.

What makes Silva so tough to beat and has allowed him to set the record for most consecutive title defenses is his ability to win any type of fight. Just in his last four bouts, he’s won by knockout, submission and decision. That makes him special.

He can’t take Sonnen lightly, because the challenger will be out to prove his narrow loss in the first fight wasn’t a fluke. That said, Silva still has the overall advantage and should figure out a way to come out on top when the dust clears.

 

 

Chad Mendes

Even though Mendes failed in the biggest fight of his career against Jose Aldo back in January, there’s still a lot to like about his future. He has showcased the ability to survive grueling fights and has improved his approach in recent years.

He’ll battle Cody McKenzie, who ended a short losing streak with a win over Marcus LeVesseur the last time out. Both guys have shown flashes out potential early in their careers, so it all comes down to becoming more consistent from fight to fight.

The key for Mendes will be showing a little more aggressiveness early. He has established his ability to go deep in fights. If he can start earning some early knockouts, that’s when he’ll take his game to the next level and become a star. He can do that against McKenzie.

 

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UFC 148 Live Stream: Online Viewing Info for Saturday’s Epic MMA Event

Anderson Silva will attempt to extend his record for most consecutive title defenses to 10 in a rematch against Chael Sonnen, who nearly upset the champion when they first faced off two years ago. That bout highlights the UFC 148 card. There are a tota…

Anderson Silva will attempt to extend his record for most consecutive title defenses to 10 in a rematch against Chael Sonnen, who nearly upset the champion when they first faced off two years ago. That bout highlights the UFC 148 card.

There are a total of 11 fights on tap for Saturday. It’s one of the most complete cards of the year for UFC. With that in mind, here’s a look at all the key viewing information and a breakdown of the biggest bouts of the night.

 

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

When: Saturday, July 7 at 10 p.m. ET (Main Card)

Watch: Facebook and FX (Preliminary Card) and Pay-Per-View (Main Card)

Live Stream: UFC.com provides multiple options

 

Fights to Watch

Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen

No fighter has been more dominant over the past handful of years than Silva. Not only has he defeated every challenger thrown his way, but he has often made it look easy, showing just how far ahead of the middleweight pack he has been.

Sonnen did give him a run for his money in the first matchup, though. He was able to make himself into the aggressor and kept Silva on his heels for much of the fight. But in the fifth round, he got caught in an armbar and was forced to tap out, ending his run at the title.

He gets another chance now, and he looked strong in a January victory over Michael Bisping. Although Silva is still the favorite to retain the belt, he will face another tough test from the American, who’s looking for his big break.

 

Forrest Griffin vs. Tito Ortiz

Even though both of these fighters have name recognition, they have been struggling as of late and would really benefit from a win on Saturday. Griffin has lost three of his last five fights, and Ortiz has lost five of his last six.

One of Griffin’s wins during that span did come against Ortiz. It was a split-decision victory back in late 2009, which helped fuel a rematch. The key for Griffin will be getting back to fighting at his pace, not accelerating to match his opponent.

As for Ortiz, he’s looking for any proof that he still has some great performances left in him. He was knocked out in each of his last two outings and just hasn’t looked like his old self. Now would be a perfect time to turn things around.

 

Cung Le vs. Patrick Cote

Le was unable to make the immediate statement he was hoping for in his first UFC fight, losing to Wanderlei Silva by knockout. The last thing he needs is to begin his UFC career on a two-match losing streak, so it’s a big night.

His opponent will have plenty of motivation. Cote returns to the promotion after four fights away and will be looking to show that he deserves to stay this time around. He was let go following three consecutive losses a couple years ago.

With so much on the line for both guys, this should be one of the most intense fights of the night. It will come down to which guy can better absorb some shots, because both are capable of landing some big ones and will be looking for the KO.

 

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Silva vs. Franklin: TV Info, Preview and Prediction for UFC 147 Main Event

Three years after Rich Franklin defeated Wanderlei Silva by unanimous decision, the veteran UFC stars will once again battle inside the octagon. The bout will be the main event of a card that also features the finals of the Ultimate Fighter Brazil. Sil…

Three years after Rich Franklin defeated Wanderlei Silva by unanimous decision, the veteran UFC stars will once again battle inside the octagon. The bout will be the main event of a card that also features the finals of the Ultimate Fighter Brazil.

Silva will be looking for redemption, and he should have the vast majority of crowd support since the event is taking place in his home country of Brazil. That should give him plenty of motivation as he heads toward the twilight of his career.

Here’s a look at all the important information for tonight’s bout, a look at each fighter and a prediction for how the main event will turn out.

 

Where: Estadio Jornalista Felipe Drumond in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

When: Saturday, June 23 at 10 p.m. ET

Watch: Pay-per-view (local providers)

 

Wanderlei Silva

After defeating Quinton Jackson for the second time in a year back in 2004, Silva was riding high as one of MMA‘s biggest stars. Since that marquee victory, he’s managed just a 7-8 record and hasn’t looked like the same dominant force.

The biggest reason for his struggles has been a lack of pop on his punches. He used to control the fight with his quick, powerful combinations. When he attempts to do the same things now, they don’t have the same impact on opponents.

He hasn’t fought since last November, so the time off should have given him a chance to get back to full strength. If he’s going to have a late-career resurgence, he needs to get back to the style that made him a star in the first place.

Of Franklin’s six career losses, four have come by knockout. So there’s definitely an opportunity there and Silva must take advantage.

 

Rich Franklin

Franklin returns after more than a year between fights. He had a fight with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira canceled after Nogueira had to pull out and then Franklin suffered an injury of his own. Now he’s ready for action.

His results have been mixed over the past few years with wins over Silva and Chuck Liddell, but losses to Forrest Griffin, Vitor Belfort and Dan Henderson. Although he’s not a top-tier fighter anymore, he can still hold his own.

The key for Franklin will be going on the attack and forcing Silva to defend early. Two of Silva’s last three losses have come by first-round knockout. That should be the path the American should attempt to take as well.

It’s a golden opportunity for him to show he still have some good fights left in him. In the ultra-competitive UFC, he can’t afford to let it slip away.

 

Prediction

Overall, this is an evenly-matched bout. It should be exciting since both guys will be looking to score a knockout early. That pace will be impossible to maintain, however, so whichever guy illustrates more endurance will pick up the win.

Neither fighter has been in top form and are coming off extended layoffs, so it’s a tough call. Ultimately, I expect Franklin to pull off the main-event victory.

Franklin by knockout

 

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Jon Jones Car Accident: What UFC Champion Must Do to Restore Image

Jon Jones made a mistake. Everybody makes them, but when the person making the error in judgment is the UFC light heavyweight champion and one of the fastest rising stars in sports, everything gets magnified. Now he must take steps to restore his image…

Jon Jones made a mistake. Everybody makes them, but when the person making the error in judgment is the UFC light heavyweight champion and one of the fastest rising stars in sports, everything gets magnified. Now he must take steps to restore his image.

Jones pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated earlier in the week, stemming from an incident where he struck a pole a couple weeks ago. Loretta Hunt of Sports Illustrated reports it’s now known that he had two passengers in the car with him at the time.

Even though everybody escaped the crash without suffering any serious injuries, Jones put everybody at risk and should consider himself fortunate that nothing tragic occurred.

The first thing he needs to do is understand how important of a person he has become over the past few years. He’s not just another face in the crowd anymore due to his tremendous success in the Octagon, so he’s in the spotlight like never before.

Every move he makes will be watched closely and analyzed repeatedly, especially when it’s something as serious as a car crash. And when you’re the face of an entire brand, mistakes like that can’t happen.

When they do, the backlash is warranted.

That’s a lot of pressure on a 24-year-old fighter who’s just starting to understand what fame brings, both positively and negatively. But it’s not an excuse. He should be mature enough to know the consequences for every choice he makes.

After the sentencing occurs and the situation finally passes, it will be crucial that he stays out of trouble for an extended period of time. The only reason he should end up making headlines is when he crushes another opponent.

He doesn’t want to gain the reputation of somebody who can’t stay out of trouble, because that tends to overshadow an entire career. He’s well on his way to becoming the biggest MMA star on the planet, but further mistakes can end that rise in a heartbeat.

It doesn’t mean he can’t have any fun. There’s no problem with going out and having a good time, especially when you have to work as hard as him to remain in elite shape. Making better choices after that is the key.

Hopefully the crash serves as a wake-up call for Jones and he stays out of trouble. Everybody will move past it over time and that’s when his image will return to full strength. Another lapse in judgment will put it in jeopardy forever.

It’s all up to Jones.

 

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Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale: Preview, Fight Card, TV Info, Predictions and More

The Ultimate Fighter 15 live finale will take place on Friday night. The stacked card features the championship match between Mike Chiesa and Al Iaquinta as well as an intriguing battle between Jake Ellenberger and Martin Kampmann. UFC will be looking …

The Ultimate Fighter 15 live finale will take place on Friday night. The stacked card features the championship match between Mike Chiesa and Al Iaquinta as well as an intriguing battle between Jake Ellenberger and Martin Kampmann.

UFC will be looking to build off the success of UFC 146, which saw Junior dos Santos defend the heavyweight championship against Frank Mir. It’s important for the promotion to keep building momentum as it gains traction amongst sports fans.

Many of the fighters on the finale card aren’t big names yet, but they are looking for a chance to move up the ladder. With that in mind, here’s all the key information and some predictions for Friday’s event.

 

Where: Palms Casino Resort in Paradise, Nev.

When: Friday, June 1

Watch: Facebook (5:45 p.m. ET), Fuel TV (7 p.m. ET) and FX (9 p.m. ET)

 

Fight Card


Main Card

Jake Ellenberger vs. Martin Kampmann

Mike Chiesa vs. Al Iaquinta

Justin Lawrence vs. John Cofer

 

Preliminary Card

Jonathan Brookins vs. Charles Oliveira

Max Holloway vs. Pat Schilling

Daron Cruickshank vs. Chris Tickle

Myles Jury vs. Chris Saunders

Cristiano Marcello vs. Sam Sicilia

Jeremy Larsen vs. Joe Proctor

John Albert vs. Erik Perez

 

Main-Card Predictions

Jake Ellenberger vs. Martin Kampmann

Ellenberger comes into the fight off one of the most impressive performances of his career in a victory over Diego Sanchez. It was his sixth straight win and established him as a contender in the welterweight division.

He’ll face another tricky test from Kampmann, who defeated Thiago Alves in his last bout. After a strong start to his career, things have been a little rocky for “Hitman” lately. A marquee win over Ellenberger will get him right back on track, though.

This should be a really good back-and-forth battle between two competitors with a lot to prove. I give Ellenberger the edge due to his recent form, which will lead him to a late knockout. There’s a good chance it will be the fight of the night.

Prediction: Ellenberger by knockout.

 

Mike Chiesa vs. Al Iaquinta

Chiesa and Iaquinta both face the biggest challenge of their young MMA careers as they look to become the champion of The Ultimate Fighter 15. A win will establish one of them as a rising star in the sport and open up more doors moving forward.

Nobody has been move impressive throughout the competition than Chiesa. He defeated Justin Lawrence and James Vick in the last two rounds to reach the finals. Prior to the show, he held a 7-0 career record, so his run hasn’t been a fluke.

Iaquinta entered The Ultimate Fighter after a loss to Pat Audinwood, but has bounced back nicely to reach the finals. He brings a lot of power to the table, but I don’t think it will be enough to end Chiesa’s undefeated run.

Prediction: Chiesa by submission.

 

Justin Lawrence vs. John Cofer

After entering the competition as one of the favorites, Lawrence was knocked off by Chiesa. He still has a bright future, however, and will get a chance to prove that against Cofer. A solid performance is necessary to illustrate that potential.

Cofer entered The Ultimate Fighter with a lot of experience, but wasn’t able to parlay that into much success. That said, a victory over Lawrence would provide a major boost. He must showcase his all-around ability to make it happen.

All told, I expect this match to go the distance and Lawrence walking away with a narrow victory. Even though he didn’t win the competition, he’s definitely a name to watch moving forward as he continues to develop.

Prediction: Lawrence by decision.

 

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