Author: Todd Seyler

UFC 134: With a Win over Nogueira in Rio, Is Brendan Schaub the Legend-Killer?

With victories over seasoned veterans Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga, would defeating the former Pride heavyweight champion, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira, provide Brendan “The Hybrid” Schaub the moniker as the “legend-killer?”Competing on fo…

With victories over seasoned veterans Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga, would defeating the former Pride heavyweight champion, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira, provide Brendan “The Hybrid” Schaub the moniker as the “legend-killer?”

Competing on foreign soil in Nogueira’s home country, Schaub rides his 8-1 overall MMA record with seven knockout defeats as a wave of momentum into Saturday night’s matchup with Minotauro.

As accomplished as a heavyweight competitor can be, Nogueira has engaged in monumental battles with Fedor Emelianenko, Mirko Cro Cop, Randy Couture, Fabricio Werdum and Dan Henderson.

Competing against these prolific names has rightfully associated Nogueira as a legend within the heavyweight division.

Speaking with Ariel Helwani from MMAFighting.com and aired on AOL Video, Schaub discusses his Saturday matchup with the legend at the HSBC Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Embracing the role as the “legend-killer,” Schaub was quoted as saying, “I love it [the role]. Gonzaga, Mirko Cro Cop and Big Nog have been huge heroes of mine and for me, it takes a special kind of fighter to close that off and really get after these guys.

“After my fight with Mirko Cro Cop, I asked to compete in Brazil. This has been a dream of mine,” Schaub told Helwani.

Speaking about the experience and the culture in Brazil, “The Hybrid” is very thankful for his opportunity to compete in Rio.

“I can’t thank the UFC and Dana White enough for this experience. People in the States take it for granted and you come out here and see the way these kids are living and it’s a rude awakening,” Schaub said regarding the poverty in Rio de Janeiro.

Nogueira has not competed inside the cage in more than two years. Recovering from surgeries and working himself back into shape has sidelined the veteran for some time.

Speaking on Minotauro’s absence, Schaub told Helwani, “It’s Big Nog in Brazil, I heard he’s been training his tail off and looking good.”

Confident in his ability to defeat the legend, Schaub said, “When I beat Big Nog, it’s something that Fedor, Frank Mir, Cain Velasquez, it’s something no one has ever done [defeating Nogueira on his home soil]. It’s going to be a huge feather in my cap.”

Believing in his victory, Schaub thinks a win over Nogueira should catapult him into title contention. “That would be five straight [victories]. A good argument for a title talk,” Schaub confidently said.

Predicting a victory, Schaub told Helwani, “I guarantee we get a bonus that night, and I guarantee that my hand is raised at the end of the night.”

Stay tuned to UFC 134 live on pay-per-view to see if Schaub is truly the “legend-killer” and defeats Nogueira in his home country.

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UFC 134: Rio Analysis, Insights, and Predictions for All 12 Fights on the Card

UFC 134: Rio will be held this Saturday, August 27 from the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The second trip to this beautiful country for the UFC, the night’s action is loaded with tremendous matchups.Highlighting the car…

UFC 134: Rio will be held this Saturday, August 27 from the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The second trip to this beautiful country for the UFC, the night’s action is loaded with tremendous matchups.

Highlighting the card will be a middleweight showdown between Brazil’s own, Anderson “The Spider” Silva as he defends his coveted title against Japanese sensation, Yushin “Thunder” Okami.

The co-main event of the night is a bout between two former UFC light heavyweight champions. Another Brazilian star, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will attempt to avenge his previous loss to the American, Forrest Griffin.

In heavyweight action, Brendan “The Hybrid” Schaub will attempt to add to his seven knockout victories as he battles the legendary Brazilian, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira.

With 13 Brazilian born fighters on the card, the UFC’s return to their native land will be a showcase for the seasoned veterans as well as the rising stars.

Please follow along as I dissect all 12 fights and provide analysis and predictions for the outcomes.

Enjoy the fights!

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UFC 134 Fight Card: Schaub Looking for Title Shot with Victory over Nogueira

Climbing the ranks of the heavyweight division, “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub believes a victory over the seasoned veteran Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira justifies a title shot.Live from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, UFC 134 will showcase a plethora of American figh…

Climbing the ranks of the heavyweight division, “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub believes a victory over the seasoned veteran Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira justifies a title shot.

Live from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, UFC 134 will showcase a plethora of American fighters versus the hometown bred Brazilian mixed martial artists.

In his ninth professional MMA contest, Schaub will be involved in his biggest matchup to date, as he takes on the former Pride heavyweight champion and 32-6-1 Nogueira.

“The Hybrid” spoke with MMA Nation regarding his assertion that a defeat over such a highly-regarded fighter like Nogueira in Rodrigo’s back yard would validate a title contention.

Nogueira is one of the top jiu-jitsu practitioners in all of mixed martial arts. With 20 submission victories to his credit, the elder twin is more than capable of defeating an opponent off his back.

Realizing the jiu-jitsu game that Nogueira brings inside the Octagon, Schaub has been training diligently in his groundwork.

“He’s [Schaub’s jiu-jitsu coach in Denver, Colorado Emal Easton] a guy who I trust 100% and sometimes he definitely over works me especially when I fight jiu jitsu guys… He just puts it into overdrive and makes sure my jiu jitsu defense and offense is ready to go to compete with these guys so he’s definitely a huge element of my success,” Schaub stated.

Responding to the pressure of fighting Nogueira in Brazil, Schaub told MMA Nation, “…I’m fighting possibly the greatest heavyweight of all time in his backyard and man, I’m definitely the underdog in this situation and not only physically – it’s one thing to get mentally prepared and physically this is gonna take a special effort by me on August 27 to beat this guy in front of his home crowd. So this is by far my biggest challenge.”

A true realist with respect to this matchup, Schaub is maintaining a level head and a professional composure going into this weekend’s battle in Brazil and not leaving the fight up to the judges to decide a victor.

“With that Brazilian crowd behind him, this is going to be the closest thing to the pressure of a title fight as you can get which is why I have asked for this and a win’s a win,” Schaub said.

“This thing isn’t going to the judges. You’re crazy if you think I’m letting this go to the judges. If it goes to the third round you’re gonna see some crazy stuff from me to try and finish this guy. I’ll take the win however I can get it. All I can guarantee is that it won’t go to a decision,” commented “The Hybrid.”

A victory for Schaub over Nogueira would catapult the young fighter’s career. “I think if I were to beat Nogueira in convincing fashion and beating the likes of Gonzaga, Cro Cop, and Nogueira – no one in the division right now can say that. I think if you look at the layout of the land, I think it makes sense [to request a title shot].”

Whether or not a victory for “The Hybrid” earns the heavyweight a title shot is up to Dana White and the UFC.

A victory over Nogueira would definitely position the young fighter in the top seven of the UFC heavyweight division.

Stay tuned this Saturday at UFC 134:Rio to see if Schaub’s dreams become a reality.

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With Brock Lesnar’s Return Imminent, Potential Next 5 Fights in the UFC

UFC President Dana White speaks about Lesnar’s return” target.” Dana White reported that former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is scheduled to compete on New Year’s Day 2012.This avalanche of a man has been sidelined due to his second bout of divert…

UFC President Dana White speaks about Lesnar’s return” target.” Dana White reported that former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is scheduled to compete on New Year’s Day 2012.

This avalanche of a man has been sidelined due to his second bout of diverticulitis. Lesnar’s last bout was a one-sided thrashing at the hands of Cain Velasquez who defeated Brock and captured the heavyweight crown.

Assuming that the timetable for Lesnar’s return is correct and that he is physically as dominant as he was prior to the illness, this former UFC heavyweight champion should possess his patented strength, power, explosiveness and brutal aggression that fortified his reign as champion.

I realize that Lesnar’s return to health and form prior to his bout with diverticulitis is a big assumption, but if modern medicine plays its role, and Lesnar is healthy, he will be a force once again in the heavyweight division.

“I feel like a new man, healthy, strong, I feel like I used to feel,” Lesnar stated in a video released through his sponsors.

Taking Brock on his word, the prediction that this destructive force will return to the Octagon is true. If that is so, please follow along as I detail Lesnar’s first five fights back in the UFC.

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Rashad Evans’ Thumb Is ‘Completely’ Shattered

Following Rashad Evans’ destruction of Tito Ortiz at UFC 133, “Suga” downplayed the injury he sustained in the one-sided affair—claiming it a sprained hand that should be fine.However, yesterday at the breaking news press conference of the UFC an…

Following Rashad Evans’ destruction of Tito Ortiz at UFC 133, “Suga” downplayed the injury he sustained in the one-sided affair—claiming it a sprained hand that should be fine.

However, yesterday at the breaking news press conference of the UFC and its newly signed seven-year deal with Fox, Evans spoke with reporter Ariel Helwani, sporting a full cast on his right hand.

Reported on BJPenn.com, Evans told Helwani that “I just got three pins into the thumb, the thumb is completely broken, it’s shattered.”

The timetable for Evans return to training is still unknown. “Suga” stated, “They put some pins in it to hold it together for a few weeks. I have got like four more weeks of this and then I am good to train again.”

With a decisive victory over Ortiz in Philadelphia, Evans has claimed the No. 1 contender ranking against the victor of the Jon “Bones” Jones matchup with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in September.

Injuries to Evans have effected the former champion in the past. Forced off of the card with the then-UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Evans’ teammate at the time, “Bones” Jones, stepped in for the injured “Suga,” who was rehabilitating his knee.

With his future once again hampered by an injury, the thumb surgery may further set back the timetable for a future matchup with a former teammate (should Jones be victorious against Jackson).

Stay tuned for breaking news here on Bleacher Report regarding Rashad Evans’ return to the Octagon.

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Matt Serra States That Only a Small Percentage of Fighters Do Not Use PED’s

Performance enhancing drugs, or PED’s, have become the hot topic of great conversation lately within the mixed martial arts community.Nate Marquardt formally introduced this discussion to the masses following his failed drug test to secure the necessar…

Performance enhancing drugs, or PED’s, have become the hot topic of great conversation lately within the mixed martial arts community.

Nate Marquardt formally introduced this discussion to the masses following his failed drug test to secure the necessary license to compete at the UFC Live on Versus 4 event in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Suspended from his main-event matchup with Rick Story and subsequently released from his contract by UFC President Dana White, Marquardt’s justification for his failed drug test was the result of testosterone replacement therapy prescribed by a physician.

Following the release of Nate Marquardt, “The Great” was chastised by a number of fighters including UFC veteran BJ Penn.

Challenging Marquardt’s integrity, Penn blasted Marquardt on his Twitter account and was very verbal regarding the usage of testosterone replacement therapy in mixed martial arts.

This public scrutiny of Marquardt and the use of PED’s by Penn opened up an outpouring of opinions regarding performance enhancing drugs amongst MMA practitioners.

Most recently, former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra sounded off on the ever-increasing practice of PED’s in the sport.

In an article released by MMAWeekly.com, Serra stated, “It’s wrong man, it’s really wrong. Let me tell you something. I got to the title without doing anything. I didn’t use anything.”

Further defending his position, Serra went on to state that BJ Penn is also a clean fighter who is against the practice.

“Me and BJ Penn are in that small percentage that don’t do (expletive). There’s a lot of guys that are considered legends, and they’re doing the [H]GH and doing this and that, and it’s obvious, it’s freaking obvious,” Serra adamantly stated.

PED’s are known to provide the user with an unfair advantage. The long-term implications of these drugs are not as well documented as their effects on performance. The inherent danger of their usage can lead to injury.

“There’s certain teams out there that look like they got a freaking chemist assigned to them,” said Serra.

“It’s not that I want to judge anybody, but hey man, I’m fighting these people. Next thing you know you’re in there fighting a guy with unlimited energy that looks like a He-Man figure. I don’t give a (expletive) if it’s happening in baseball, but when a guy can kick your head off, someone can get hurt. There’s a chance for serious bodily harm,” Serra said.

This ever-present practice of utilizing performance enhancing drugs is now becoming more common in mixed martial arts.

Will PED’s taint the landscape of MMA as they have professional baseball? Only time will tell. Until then, the debate rages on as to the credibility of a fighter who utilizes this practice.

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