American Kickboxing Academy head Javier Mendez isn’t modest when it comes to prized pupils Cain Velasquez and Daniel Cormier. The pair may be booked at the moment, but they each seem to be a collision course with UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Asked for his take on how his fighters stack up with ‘Bones,’ Mendez sees AKA wins at both heavyweight and 205 pounds. Even with Jones holding a reach advantage of 12.5 inches, Mendez insists that won’t be a game-changer against Cormier.
“Out of everybody that Jones’ has fought, Daniel’s going to be the one that’s not going to have an issue with his reach, that’s not going to have an issue getting inside,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “He is going to get inside. You know, what happens is gonna happen, but I guarantee you this, he’s going to go inside, Daniel’s going to take him down and we’ll see what happens from there.”
Jones has been heavily criticized this week for how he helps maintaining that range, by placing his outstretched fingers dangerously close to his opponents’ eyes. Jones was warned of the practice by referee Dan Miragliotta during his UFC 172 title bout with Glover Teixeira, but no action was taken.
“I don’t think that’s a strategy they used on purpose, I just think it’s an unfortunate thing that happens because of the way the gloves are,” said Mendez. “So if there’s something that can be done to fix the gloves, that would be fantastic, or if there’s something to say that you can’t stick your fingers out like that like they do in boxing you know, you can’t do it in MMA, then that can help out.”
If or when Jones should make a move to heavyweight, Mendez doesn’t expect Velasquez to be thrown for a curve.
“Jon will definitely pose some problems for Cain, but Cain’s going to pose more problems for Jon that he’s never faced in his whole entire life.”
With Velasquez set to defend his title to Fabricio Werdum at UFC 180 in November and Cormier slated to face Dan Henderson May 24 at UFC 173, hypotheticals will have to do for now.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Finally in Mexico. Cain Velasquez will defend his title to Fabricio Werdum this November in Mexico City.
The return. Andrei Arlovski credits his management team for getting him back to the UFC. ‘I always knew I was going to come back.’
‘Disrespected.’ Patricio Freire says Bellator needs to show him the love after snatching away his featherweight title shot. ‘If Bellator tells me it’s happening now, I will stay (in Bellator). If they don’t give me what I deserve, I will leave for the promotion that offers me a better opportunity.’
Gracie vs. Bravo. Royce Gracie says his beef with Eddie Bravo isn’t about the matches with Royler, but the way he ‘endorses drugs.’ ‘I don’t want my kids involved with pot and I don’t want my kids drinking and I did what every man should do if you have a problem, talk face to face with the person.’
Chasing down a strawweight dream. A great behind the scenes look at the TUF 20 tryouts earlier this week in Las Vegas.
MEDIA STEW
Has Jones gone full heel?
Free Fight: Erik Koch vs. Raphael Assuncao.
Gracie Breakdown of Renan Barao’s arm triangle submission against Michael McDonald.
Wanderlei Silva put together a promotional highlight for Chael Sonnen.
TTTHS.
A look at the TUF 20 tryouts.
Highlights from PANCRASE 257. Soccer kicks galore and a must see KO at 3:40.
Long watches.
UFC Special Announcement Press Conference (Dana, Cain and Werdum in Mexico)
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Rampage Jackson on the Adam Carolla podcast
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TWEETS
All the rage this week at the gym. Thanks.
According to the Gracies, the move I hit on Glover Saturday night is called the defensive shoulder lock http://t.co/5PqIFDwUnZ
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 30, 2014
Get well soon.
I have to get MRI in this arm tomorrow i’ll keep you guys posted http://t.co/CDguvSg0Zx
— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) April 29, 2014
#TyroneSpong already at the gym!!! Getting some tips and good energy from our big bro… http://t.co/jONuVucKU0
— Gesias JZ Cavalcante (@Gesias) April 29, 2014
If u have a serious head injury @DuduDantasMMA sorry for the verbal abuse! If you’re full of shit I will physically abuse u! @BellatorMMA
— Joe Warren (@JoeWarrenMMA) April 29, 2014
Back at it.
About to hit the gym for the first time.. Excited! Prob will have some muscle ache issues after lol pic.twitter.com/ovI4ChwP5j
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) April 29, 2014
Not a great look.
Yeesh.
Being a dumb Karo Parisian is disrespecting not only me #Ronda my friends to. He just got slapped by Edmond, I hope he learns from this.
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) April 29, 2014
Hail.
ALL HAIL SNACK KING FILI http://t.co/hTCBI5DzVc
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) April 29, 2014
Video here. Worst thing I’ve ever linked to.
Craziest video ever and cadeliddell proved he can take one to the chin. Can you spot him in this… http://t.co/OrgPMRItmG
— Chuck Liddell (@ChuckLiddell) April 29, 2014
Already sparring.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Apr. 29 2014)
Joe Ellenberger vs. Frank Trevino at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens
Ryan Laflare vs. Gunnar Nelson at UFC Fight Night: Dublin
Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdrum at UFC 180: Velasquez vs. Werdum
Ian McCall vs. Brad Pickett at UFC Fight Night: Dublin
Ilir Latifi vs. Tom Lawlor at UFC Fight Night: Dublin
Phil Harris vs. Neil Seery at UFC Fight Night: Dublin
Cody Donovan vs. Nikita Krylov at UFC Fight Night: Dublin
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via okgangster.
One Fight Fan’s Perspective: UFC 172
The UFC brought out the big guns for it’s debut in Baltimore, Maryland as Jon Jones looked to defend his title for the seventh time against Glover Teixeira, the heavy handed Brazilian from Connecticut who trains in California (makes perfect sense right?). Also on the card was Anthony Johnson seeking redemption for his past transgressions as he fought top ranked Phil Davis, Luke Rockhold hoping to keep his title aspirations alive against Tim Boetsch, Jim Miller battling Yancy Medieros for relevancy, and a two featherweight prospects getting into a fist fight for the heck of it.
First fight on the main card was Max Holloway fighting Andre Fili. Sporting one of the sports best nicknames, “Touchy” Fili put up good fight against Holloway as he won the first round, maybe the second, but then wilted under Holloway’s pressure in the third as he succumbed to a guillotine choke in the third. Holloway’s loses are to Dustin Poireir, Dennis Bermudez, and Conor McGregor; the point is Holloway is a good fighter who has only lost to other good fighters and at his young age he has potential to do things. He should fight Clay Guida or the winner of Kevin Souza/Mark Eddiva. Fili also has potential to grow into someone noteworthy after he finishes his time out with Team Alpha Male for tapping to a guilottine he should look to bounce back against Akira Corasanni or maybe Jumabieke Tuerxun.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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