Author: Zach G. Harris

Bisping: ‘I Can Beat Everyone That Has Beaten Me,’ Talks Munoz and Philippou

In an interview with Steph Daniels of Bloody Elbow, middleweight contender Michael Bisping says he would relish the opportunity to take on fighters who previously beat him.
“I would love to rematch all the guys that have a victory over me. Chael is one…

In an interview with Steph Daniels of Bloody Elbow, middleweight contender Michael Bisping says he would relish the opportunity to take on fighters who previously beat him.

“I would love to rematch all the guys that have a victory over me. Chael is one of them, Rashad, Henderson, Vitor… I’d love to fight them all.”

Bisping‘s reasons are more than just revenge, and there is a sense the Brit simply believes he is better than each opponent he’s fallen to. “I’d love to get another crack. After every loss I’ve gone back to the drawing board, so to speak, figured out what went wrong, and I’ve come back as a better fighter.”

Bisping clearly has vengeance on the mind when it comes to names in the loss column. But the statements go beyond that and into a realm of brash self-assuredness that makes “The Count” both loved and loathed in the MMA community.

Dan Henderson? I know I’d definitely take care of him. Chael? I beat him the first time, but I’d make it even more unanimous in the second. Vitor? I was doing very well until I got caught with a head kick, so I’ve adjusted for that as well. I believe I could beat everyone that has beaten me up until now.

All credit should go to Bisping for having the confidence to stand up to men who bested him once before.

That said, it seems like focusing on the probable contenders that could stand in the way of his next title shot makes more sense than focusing on revenge.

Mark Munoz has been rumored to be a likely contender matchup for Bisping, but the Brit is quick to point out that there is no official fight yet.

Bisping also took the opportunity to shrug off Costa Philippou‘s remarks during the MMA Hour that the Englishman’s path the the title included taking on the Cypriot. “Costa Philippou is doing well. He’s won four or five I think, and good for him, but he’s not in a position to be making claims that I have to go through him.”

Bisping‘s remarks are fun and fodder for journalists and fans alike, but his willingness to back them up are what makes him a commodity for the UFC. A fight between “The Count” and either Munoz or Philippou would mean strong ratings for the organization.

However, Bisping should consider the fact he has failed to best a consensus Top 10 fighter yet in his career.

Brian Stann was the closest to a consensus Top 10 fighter Bisping defeated, but the military veteran was ranked anywhere from No. 8 to No. 12 in various rankings. All of his victories have been over fighters outside the Top 10 rankings.

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Rory MacDonald’s Coach Defends Strategy at UFC on Fox 8

In an interview with Sherdog.com, Fira Zahabi talked about Rory MacDonald’s recent underwhelming victory over Jake Ellenberger at UFC on Fox 8.
The co-main event did not please fans or UFC President Dana White, with MacDonald sticking to a snapping jab…

In an interview with Sherdog.com, Fira Zahabi talked about Rory MacDonald’s recent underwhelming victory over Jake Ellenberger at UFC on Fox 8.

The co-main event did not please fans or UFC President Dana White, with MacDonald sticking to a snapping jab and good movement rather than attacking his opponent. Zahabi, while aware of the frustration, was clear that Rory had the right plan.

“I think Rory neutralized the wrestling well and outboxed him,” said Zahabi. “Jake had to roll the dice and step in hard. Rory was controlling the distance well and did what he had to do to win.”

When asked if MacDonald was being overly cautious, the coach was blunt in stating “If you watch a lot of Jake Ellenberger fights, you would be cautious too.”

Zahabi noted that when training for an opponent like Ellenberger, the approach has to be different than with other fighters.

“[Jake] doesn’t just knock people out, he breaks their bones when he hits them. This is a very dangerous guy. You’re fighting a Tyson. You’ve got to fight him smart, you have to fight him calculated. It is not the same fight you would have if you fight a guy with normal human strength.”

Zahabi was willing to admit that MacDonald did have room to improve his stand-up game.

“There are so many things we need to fix. I think there are a lot of shots he could have landed. When you hesitate it is because you are not sure and you haven’t done it enough. He needs to be limited on the combinations he does in sparring, and focus on these combinations that should have come out but didn’t come out in this fight.”

There had been rumors that MacDonald and gym-mate Georges St-Pierre may be on course to face one another for the welterweight belt. With the lacking performance at UFC on Fox 8, MacDonald is likely in line for another contender bout. Meanwhile, Zahabi will focus his own attention on GSP’s upcoming bout with Johnny Hendricks at UFC 167 in November.

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Dana White Says Vitor Belfort vs. Tim Kennedy ‘In the Works’

During an interview with Ariel Helwani for MMAFighting.com at the UFC on Fox 8 weigh-ins, Dana White stated that a bout between middleweights Vitor Belfort and Tim Kennedy was currently being sought by the UFC.
“Lorenzo just talked to (Belfort’s) wife …

During an interview with Ariel Helwani for MMAFighting.com at the UFC on Fox 8 weigh-ins, Dana White stated that a bout between middleweights Vitor Belfort and Tim Kennedy was currently being sought by the UFC.

“Lorenzo just talked to (Belfort‘s) wife yesterday. We’re talking about doing Vitor Belfort vs. Tim Kennedy.”

According to White, the bout is being set for Brazil. Dana denied any interest in hiding Belfort in Brazil amidst concerns over PED or TRT use, saying that Belfort simply does well when placed in shows within his home country.

Helwani spoke on behalf of the Brazilian contender, saying Belfort may feel he should get a shot at the 185-pound belt. White was adamant in defending the organization’s decision to grant Silva an immediate rematch.

“Is there anyone on this (expletive) planet that doesn’t agree with the Chris Weidman/Anderson Silva match?” White then went on to say, “He’s going to have to get over it. He’s out of his mind if he thinks that he should have got a fight in there before those two.”

Despite being passed over for a title shot, a bout between Belfort and Kennedy does seem like another step backward for the former heavyweight champion. The choice to place Kennedy in the cage with Belfort may simply be due more to circumstance than anything else.

Anderson and Weidman are already set for UFC 168. Ronaldo Souza is set to face Yushin Okami. Tim Boetsch is currently slated to face Luke Rockhold, while Mark Munoz is gearing up for Michael Bisping. With all of those matches set, the UFC had few options left for Belfort.

Costa Philippou is the only top-level contender remaining in the middleweight division. Philippou is riding a five-fight win streak, and, on paper, has more potential for excitement than a bout with Kennedy. A slugfest between the Cypriot boxer and Belfort would have been a true stand-up war; however, it appears the UFC may pass on the option. 

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UFC on Fox 8: Masvidal Fears ‘Mat Herpes’ from Chiesa’s Beard

In an interview with MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani, Jorge Masvidal voiced his apparent concern about contracting something from Michael Chiesa’s beard during their UFC on Fox 8 bout on Saturday.
“I’m going to tell the commission to wrap that thing up…

In an interview with MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani, Jorge Masvidal voiced his apparent concern about contracting something from Michael Chiesa’s beard during their UFC on Fox 8 bout on Saturday.

“I’m going to tell the commission to wrap that thing up,” Masvidal said. “I don’t want to get no mat herpes or nothing on my face. I’ve been in this game a long time, and I ain’t got nothing on my face. I ain’t about catch some syphilis or whatever he’s got going on in that beard, you know?”

It is pretty clear that Masvidal is attempting to bully Chiesa leading into their bout. What is not clear is whether he is doing so to “Sonnen-up” his persona or if he is actually unaware that he would just as easily catch syphilis and herpes from an opponent who had the diseases and did not have a beard.

The unsportsmanlike implications by Masvidal are not the first prodding attempt the Miami native has taken against Chiesa. In an early interview with Sherdog.com, Masvidal stated that he approached this fight as “an easy paycheck. That’s the whole theme of this training camp. An easy paycheck.”

The whole situation is gearing up to be the MMA‘s version of a 1990s ABC after-school special. The 24-7 Masvidal has taken the role of the mean kid with his sideways hat, thuggish mush-mouth speak and self-assuredness. In contrast, the 9-0 Chiesa appears to have taken on the role of the soft-spoken kid who is simply working hard to strive past the obstacles in his path.

Chiesa’s only response to all the talk regarding Masvidal’s comments came via his Twitter account:

Jeremiah Johnson would be proud of such a response.

 

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7 Fighters Poised to Make a Run in the UFC’s Featherweight Division

The Featherweight division is something of a Wild West in the UFC. There is a stand-tall sheriff in Jose Aldo who is beginning to show signs of slowing down. Chan Sung Jung is the new man from out of state who wants his badge (or in this case the belt)…

The Featherweight division is something of a Wild West in the UFC. There is a stand-tall sheriff in Jose Aldo who is beginning to show signs of slowing down. Chan Sung Jung is the new man from out of state who wants his badge (or in this case the belt). Behind him are a pack of blood-thirsty outlaws and hired guns who are hellbent on taking what is his.

While well-known gun slingers like Cub Swanson, Frankie Edgar, Ricardo Lamas and Nick Lentz have their sights set on a short-term title shot, there is a brood of young guns hoping to build momentum for their respective run toward the title.

Each contender has the desire to make it to a top-contender bout. Each holds an array of fundamental tools to succeed. The question is, who can string together the right kind of victories and survive the murderers row that is the featherweight division?

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Weidman ‘1,000 Percent in’ for Superfight with Jon Jones

In an ESPN article by Brian Campbell earlier this month, UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman said he would love to take on UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
“I’ve got Anderson Silva on my mind, but if the fans wanted to see that fight…

In an ESPN article by Brian Campbell earlier this month, UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman said he would love to take on UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

“I’ve got Anderson Silva on my mind, but if the fans wanted to see that fight [against Jones] and the UFC wanted it to happen, I’m 1000 percent in.”

The newly crowned 185-pound champion stated beforehand he was not the type who says “Hey, you wanna fight?” but did note that he already ask to fight Jon Jones once before. Weidman stated that he threw his name in the ring for UFC 159 after Dan Henderson dropped out due to injury. According to Weidman, “I wasn’t a big enough name at that point, so they were like, no.”

It is unclear whether Weidman meant the UFC or Jon Jones’ camp turned down the fight.

A superfight with Jones would surely please the hardcore fans of the sport. However, there is a question of whether the battle would actually be a superfight for the more casual fans.

After all, the interest of casual fans is often what propels the UFC to put on less logistically sound bouts. For example, Georges St-Pierre vs. Nick Diaz and Chael Sonnen vs. Jon Jones were each put on partially because it could draw in more casual fans.

The less devoted of the MMA community are only now realizing the talent that Weidman wields. A second win against Silva at UFC 168 is a start, but Weidman likely needs two or three more high-quality wins for the UFC to truly consider a possible bout with Jones.

A superfight only makes sense for the UFC if big money can be made, as a champion has to lose some clout by stomaching a loss on his record. So for now fans simply have to hope both champions keep winning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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