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“Uncle Creepy” doesn’t have to wait long for redemption.
Southern California-based Ian McCall is a last-minute addition to UFC on FOX 4, which takes place Aug. 4 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
McCall, who fell short this past month to Demetrious…
“Uncle Creepy” doesn’t have to wait long for redemption.
Southern California-based Ian McCall is a last-minute addition to UFC on FOX 4, which takes place Aug. 4 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
McCall, who fell short this past month to Demetrious Johnson, will meet promotional newcomer John Moraga in a flyweight bout.
Live from the Flames Centrail in Calgary, Alberta, Canada the live pre-fight press conference for this weekends upcoming UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao event went down this afternoon. The video, which begins at 8:31 features fighters Urijah Faber, Renan Barao, Cheick Kongo, Shawn Jordan, Tim Boetsch and Hector Lombard along with UFC Canada exec Tom Wright.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Live from the Flames Centrail in Calgary, Alberta, Canada the pre-fight press conference for this weekends upcoming UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao event went down this afternoon. The video, which begins at 8:31 features fighters Urijah Faber, Renan Barao, Cheick Kongo, Shawn Jordan, Tim Boetsch and Hector Lombard along with UFC president Dana White.
You would be hard pressed to find another fighter more ambitious than Urijah Faber. The Team Alpha Male leader is a jack of all trades with a strong mind for business and an unflappable drive to accomplish his goals. He also happens to be one of the be…
You would be hard pressed to find another fighter more ambitious than Urijah Faber.
The Team Alpha Male leader is a jack of all trades with a strong mind for business and an unflappable drive to accomplish his goals. He also happens to be one of the best 135 pound fighters on the planet, and at UFC 149 he will have the opportunity to check “UFC champion” off his list.
When MMA needed it most, Faber was amongst a handful of fighters who helped push the sport to the next level. While Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz were carrying the UFC flag, Faber was at the helm of the WEC showing the world the excitement which came from the lighter weight classes. Faber didn’t just compete in the WEC; he was the king of the WEC—dominant and undisputed.
Like all fighters, “The California Kid” has faced ups and downs in his career. Losses to Mike Brown, Jose Aldo and Domick Cruz have stung him; but every time he’s stumbled, Faber has bounced back stronger and more determined.
Now he turns his focus to rising star Renan Barao, and the young Brazilian is the only thing standing between him and a dream realized. Faber told Bleacher Report, “Becoming a UFC champion would mean a lot[…]I started this sport almost nine years ago and when I first started I wrote down on a piece of paper that I wanted to be either a Pride or a UFC world champion.The WEC title was almost justification of that dream but I still didn’t have the exact title I wanted. This is a huge opportunity and I’m ready to take advantage of it”
The clash between Faber and Barao represents a battle between the proven and the capable. Faber has been a champion and knows what it takes to remain at the top, whereas Barao has scrapped his way up the rankings to the upper tier of the bantamweight division.
While Barao has built momentum, Faber believes he’s never faced the type of test he is going to bring into the Octagon. Faber said, “He’s never been in there with a guy like me[…]I’m not saying he doesn’t belong, it’s just that we haven’t seen it yet. We are going to get a real gauge of where Barao is at on Saturday. I’m looking to take his win streak out from under him. I don’t mind being the guy who says, ‘this is the top level and either you’re here or you aren’t.'”
“We are pretty closely matched across the board[…]I have a small advantage in wrestling, stamina and strength. His kicks and knees are probably his advantage. Everything else is close.”
“I think my speed matches up well but we are going to find out Saturday. You never really know that type of thing until you are standing in front of somebody. As soon as we are right there I think he’s going to be surprised to find out how fast I am.”
Due to the rash of injuries which has plagued the card for UFC 149, the match up for the interim bantamweight title was moved to the main event. In addition to the delay, the shuffling of opponents against the backdrop of a big fight would be enough to rattle a lesser fighter, but Faber has never been one to shy away from the spotlight, “I like to be one of the guys the UFC comes to come to the rescue[…]I’ve been a team player with them and always do my due diligence with media and things of that nature. Plus I always put on a show. That is the most important thing. I go out there and fight with heart and tenacity. I never give up and that’s something you are going to get from me every single time and the UFC knows that.”
“I’m going to be looking for the kill and trying to finish the fight from the get-go. I’m going to try to be really creative in this one. He’s a guy who brings it and I’m going to make sure I’m a step ahead. I’m ready for anything.”
Urijah Faber knows the task ahead will not be easy, but he wouldn’t appreciate reaching the destination if the journey wasn’t challenging. That is simply Urijah Faber’s way and what has motivated him to push himself to be the best fighter, entrepreneur, author and champion he can be.
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All fighters competing at Friday’s Bellator 72 event today successfully made weight.
The official fighter weigh-ins took place at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla.
In addition to the night’s many tournament fighters, Bellator newcomer and co-headliner …
All fighters competing at Friday’s Bellator 72 event today successfully made weight.
The official fighter weigh-ins took place at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla.
In addition to the night’s many tournament fighters, Bellator newcomer and co-headliner Paul Daley easily made weight and tipped the scale at 170.25 pounds for his welterweight bout with Rudy Bears, who weighed 169.5 pounds.
Dan Henderson may have woken a sleeping giant.In his bouts against Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Jon Jones showed a willingness to engage in pre-fight trash talk.He hoped his upcoming UFC 151 bout with Henderson would be different. There …
Dan Henderson may have woken a sleeping giant.
In his bouts against Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Jon Jones showed a willingness to engage in pre-fight trash talk.
He hoped his upcoming UFC 151 bout with Henderson would be different. There are few fighters who garner the same amount of respect as an all-time great like Henderson, who is the epitome of a modern-day warrior.
In an interview with ESPN, Jones implored that Henderson keep things “classy”:
As far as Dan Henderson, I’m excited about [him], he’s a great fighter. You know, I’ve gone through a lot with Rashad as far as all of the trash talking and I really hope Dan’s listening and I really hope that Dan keeps it classy throughout this fight. I respect him as an older man, I respect him as a warrior and I just hope he keeps it classy and not drag me through another trash-talking bout. Let’s stick to why we’re really here, let’s just fight.
Unfortunately, things haven’t gone the way Jones hoped.
In a post on Twitter, Jones said he felt Henderson was being “disrespectful” in some of his comments leading up to the fight. He never pinpoints exactly what was said that upset him, but he assured the MMA world that Henderson’s mouth had given him extra motivation:
No clue why Dan Henderson decided to be so disrespectful to me leading up to this fight, but it is what it is. I could use the motivation
The dudes done so much for the sport, I’m not even trying to come at him like that. I did enough trash talking with Page&Evans
FYI Henderson’s mouth isn’t bothering me at all, I just figured with all his experience he’d be over stuff like that
Jones could be referring to Henderson’s recent interview with ESPN, where the MMA legend called him “young” and “sloppy.”
Henderson also said he felt Jones had “a lot to learn, technically.”
For the most part, Jones has been relatively quiet leading up to his September 1 showdown with Henderson.
There was even some talk of him possibly overlooking Henderson’s chances, especially after the picture he posted of himself on Twitter that has him looking out of shape.
Is it really smart to give Jones added motivation?
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After earning his 50th career mixed martial arts victory, one would think that journeyman welterweight Brian Ebersole would enjoy some time away from the Octagon.Instead of resting on his laurels, the 31-year-old MMA vet will look to have his hand rais…
After earning his 50th career mixed martial arts victory, one would think that journeyman welterweight Brian Ebersole would enjoy some time away from the Octagon.
Instead of resting on his laurels, the 31-year-old MMA vet will look to have his hand raised for the second time in less than a month as Ebersole prepares to take on James Head at this weekend’s UFC 149.
Most fighters Ebersole’s age would steer clear of fighting in back-to-back bouts will little time to rest and recover, especially considering that his last fight was a three-round affair against a budding young prospect in TJ Waldburger. But much like Ebersole’s unorthodox fighting style, the self-proclaimed “Bad Boy” doesn’t like to play by the rules.
Ebersole isn’t like the other 30-somethings in the sport.
Instead of teetering with a gatekeeper status or slowly sinking into retirement fighting on the regional scene, Ebersole is seriously making a run at something special while in the UFC. His unorthodox striking style and humorous nature have transformed Ebersole into a very endearing and intriguing figure.
Despite this, he will have to fight to keep his name in the spotlight. Any opportunity to get back in the cage will aid Ebersole in climbing the divisional ladder, so booking a pay-per-view card bout on short notice is a virtual must.
Let’s face it, nobody expected Ebersole to continue his winning ways when he joined the UFC. But his four straight wins since joining the promotion and his entertaining style have made him into a dangerous veteran in the welterweight division.
A perennial underdog, Ebersole has cartwheel kicked his way into legitimacy as an emerging threat, but will have to keep his streak going if he wants to become more than just a motivational storyline.
Head will be a difficult challenge, as the young welterweight owns big wins over the likes of Papey Abedi and Gerald Harris. However, his relative inexperience when compared to Ebersole’s resume will be a major advantage for the “Bad Boy.”
What Ebersole brings to the table that people shouldn’t discount is his ability to break the norm. Finally finding his footing at a point in his career where most others are in the middle of or past their prime, Ebersole has made a career out of taking the tougher path.
Head’s going to be a hard guy to beat, but Ebersole wouldn’t have it any other way.
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