Tag: Announcement

Alexander Gustafsson to Welcome Gegard Mousasi to UFC in April


(Let’s get this man some new gloves)

Swedish sensation Alexander Gustafsson is going to put his six fight win streak and legit claim to #1 contender-ship in the light heavyweight division on the line against Gegard Mousasi April 6. The UFC just announced that the pair will headline UFC on FUEL TV 9 this spring.

Mousasi last lost in 2010 against Muhammed Lawal and is coming off of a submission win over Mike Kyle at the final Strikeforce event. Gustafsson won a decision over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in December.

If it wasn’t for his young age and the long line of people talking themselves into title shots against champion Jon Jones and the huge mess that has ensued, Gustafsson would likely already be considered worthy of challenging “Bones.” As it stands, Gustafsson has to keep on fighting and winning to earn his shot.


(Let’s get this man some new gloves)

Swedish sensation Alexander Gustafsson is going to put his six fight win streak and legit claim to #1 contender-ship in the light heavyweight division on the line against Gegard Mousasi April 6. The UFC just announced that the pair will headline UFC on FUEL TV 9 this spring.

Mousasi last lost in 2010 against Muhammed Lawal and is coming off of a submission win over Mike Kyle at the final Strikeforce event. Gustafsson won a decision over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in December.

If it wasn’t for his young age and the long line of people talking themselves into title shots against champion Jon Jones and the huge mess that has ensued, Gustafsson would likely already be considered worthy of challenging “Bones.” As it stands, Gustafsson has to keep on fighting and winning to earn his shot.

Mousasi is more of a hardcore fan cult favorite than household name – despite his impressive resume and skill set – so Gustafsson is taking a big risk in fighting the Dutchman. For Mousasi, this is a golden opportunity to leapfrog ahead of the entire UFC roster of light heavyweights and lay claim to a title shot should he beat Gustafsson.

Given that he’s said in the past that he’s suffered from lack of motivation, Mousasi is likely relishing the stakes in this bout for his career. Who do you got, nation?

– Elias Cepeda

Fight Booking Roundup: Jordan Mein Gets Dan Miller in Debut, Cruickshank Takes On Makdessi at UFC 158


Mein looks to continue his winning ways in UFC debut. Props: MMAMadhouse.com

Jordan Mein (26-8) has put together an excellent record on smaller shows, losing only to Tyron Woodley by split decision and beating the likes of Forrest Petz, and has gotten a call up to the big leagues at UFC 158. Unfortunately for him, he’s drawn one of the toughest outs in MMA – Dan Miller, as his UFC debut fight. The UFC announced the fight last week.

The match up for the Montreal card, headlined by Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz, is yet another welterweight one that totally probably doesn’t mean that Dana White is nervous he’ll have to do match up musical chairs again like he did at UFC 137 when Diaz and GSP’s ACL decided to gunk everything up. UFC 158 ain’t going to be all welterweights, though.


Mein looks to continue his winning ways in UFC debut. Props: MMAMadhouse.com

Jordan Mein (26-8) has put together an excellent record on smaller shows, losing only to Tyron Woodley by split decision and beating the likes of Forrest Petz, and has gotten a call up to the big leagues at UFC 158. Unfortunately for him, he’s drawn one of the toughest outs in MMA – Dan Miller, as his UFC debut fight. The UFC announced the fight last week.

The match up for the Montreal card, headlined by Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz, is yet another welterweight one that totally probably doesn’t mean that Dana White is nervous he’ll have to do match up musical chairs again like he did at UFC 137 when Diaz and GSP’s ACL decided to gunk everything up. UFC 158 ain’t going to be all welterweights, though.

TUF 15 vet and Detroit heart throb Daron Cruickshank will face John Makdessi. The two lightweights are both coming off of wins as Makdessi gets to fight in his home country once more.

– Elias Cepeda

 

 

And Now He’s Fired: Bellator Cuts Ties with Former Bantamweight Champion Zach Makovsky


“Wait…a ham sandwich walked into a bar? How is that even possible?”

New years often mean new beginnings. For Bellator, this means cutting ties with former bantamweight champion Zach Makovsky.

Makovsky took to his Twitter account yesterday to confirm his release, tweeting “Honestly shocked but thank you for the opportunity @BellatorMMA @BjornRebney.”

A former D1 wrestler for Drexel University, Zach “Fun Size” Makovsky was the face of Bellator’s bantamweight division since the beginning, becoming the inaugural bantamweight champion at Bellator 32 with a unanimous decision victory over Ed West. A pair of non-title fights saw him knock out Chad Robichaux and choke out Ryan Roberts, improving his Bellator record to a flawless 6-0, and the future was wide open for Fun Size.


“Wait…a ham sandwich walked into a bar? How is that even possible?”

New years often mean new beginnings. For Bellator, this means cutting ties with former bantamweight champion Zach Makovsky.

Makovsky took to his Twitter account yesterday to confirm his release, tweeting “Honestly shocked but thank you for the opportunity @BellatorMMA @BjornRebney.”

A former D1 wrestler for Drexel University, Zach “Fun Size” Makovsky was the face of Bellator’s bantamweight division since the beginning, becoming the inaugural bantamweight champion at Bellator 32 with a unanimous decision victory over Ed West. A pair of non-title fights saw him knock out Chad Robichaux and choke out Ryan Roberts, improving his Bellator record to a flawless 6-0, and the future was wide open for Fun Size.

Unfortunately, 2012 was a rough year for Makovsky. In his first title defense, he lost his bantamweight strap to Eduardo Dantas by arm triangle choke in April. Looking to rebound from the loss, Zach took on Anthony Leone at Bellator 83. Zach dropped a close, yet ultimately forgettable split-decision to the noticeably larger Leone, finishing the year without a victory and now as a free agent.

It sucks to be released from a contract so close to the holidays, but it’s doubtful that Makovsky will remain a free agent for too long. Also, given the size advantage that Leone held over him, don’t be too surprised if he flirts with the idea of dropping to flyweight. For now though, enjoy some of his more memorable moments.


Vs. Bryan Goldsby


Vs. Ed West


Vs. Chad Robichaux

@SethFalvo

Buy the ‘California Kid vs. Shark’ T-Shirt Right Now on Our Redbubble Page!


(Buy it right here for $24.95)

Need a last-minute stocking stuffer? Consider this attractive Urijah Faber-tribute t-shirt, which tied for first place in our Punch Buddies design contest earlier this year. Created by Peter Starwalt, the shirt shows Urijah in a chill-bro victory pose after smacking down a shark who dared chomp his board. (You can see a full-size version here.)

The design is now available on CagePotato’s official Redbubble page in a wide range of colors, and sizes ranging from three-month-old baby to XXXL man-whale. You can also get it in sticker form! Pick one up today and hang loose, Potatoheads.

Previously: The CagePotato ‘Don Fryed’ T-Shirt Is Available for Purchase!


(Buy it right here for $24.95)

Need a last-minute stocking stuffer? Consider this attractive Urijah Faber-tribute t-shirt, which tied for first place in our Punch Buddies design contest earlier this year. Created by Peter Starwalt, the shirt shows Urijah in a chill-bro victory pose after smacking down a shark who dared chomp his board. (You can see a full-size version here.)

The design is now available on CagePotato’s official Redbubble page in a wide range of colors, and sizes ranging from three-month-old baby to XXXL man-whale. You can also get it in sticker form! Pick one up today and hang loose, Potatoheads.

Previously: The CagePotato ‘Don Fryed’ T-Shirt Is Available for Purchase!

The CagePotato ‘Don Fryed’ T-Shirt Is Available for Purchase!


(Buy it right here for $24.95)

Two months after the end of our 2012 CagePotato T-Shirt Design Contest, I finally decided to get off my ass this week and set up an official CagePotato merch page on RedBubble.com, so we can start selling the winning design to the Potato Nation. Known as the “Don Fryed,” this masterpiece by Ben Schmidt mashes up our spiritual godfather Don Frye and Mr. Potato Head. It’s currently available as a t-shirt or hoodie, baby onesie, iPhone/iPod case, and sticker. Pick one up, and prepare to get lots of confused looks!

Stay tuned, because we’ll be adding more designs to our store page in the future. In fact, here’s a standing offer — if you design an official CagePotato t-shirt and send it to us at [email protected], we’ll pay you $100 if we end up selling it. Just remember: It has to include our logo (see links below), and it has to be really, really good. Please, no Tater Williams.

– CagePotato logos white/black (PDF)
– CagePotato white logo (lo-res jpeg)

Previously:
Heads Up: CagePotato Fightin’ Dudes T-Shirt Available Now!
Introducing the CagePotato.com ‘MMA Hairstyles’ T-Shirt!


(Buy it right here for $24.95)

Two months after the end of our 2012 CagePotato T-Shirt Design Contest, I finally decided to get off my ass this week and set up an official CagePotato merch page on RedBubble.com, so we can start selling the winning design to the Potato Nation. Known as the “Don Fryed,” this masterpiece by Ben Schmidt mashes up our spiritual godfather Don Frye and Mr. Potato Head. It’s currently available as a t-shirt or hoodie, baby onesie, iPhone/iPod case, and sticker. Pick one up, and prepare to get lots of confused looks!

Stay tuned, because we’ll be adding more designs to our store page in the future. In fact, here’s a standing offer — if you design an official CagePotato t-shirt and send it to us at [email protected], we’ll pay you $100 if we end up selling it. Just remember: It has to include our logo (see links below), and it has to be really, really good. Please, no Tater Williams.

– CagePotato logos white/black (PDF)
– CagePotato white logo (lo-res jpeg)

Previously:
Heads Up: CagePotato Fightin’ Dudes T-Shirt Available Now!
Introducing the CagePotato.com ‘MMA Hairstyles’ T-Shirt!

Oh, Thank God: ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ Reportedly Moving to Tuesdays


(Nah, that’s cool. It’s not like we need to see the champion’s face or anything. / Image via MMAJunkie)

The Ultimate Fighter‘s year of wandering the Friday-night desert may be coming to a merciful end. Following two seasons on FX in which the show’s viewership went from really bad to straight-up abysmal, a new ad in UFC 360 (formerly UFC Magazine) claims that TUF 17: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen will debut Tuesday, January 22nd, at 9 p.m. ET. Says MMAJunkie.com:

UFC and FX officials have yet to make an official announcement, however representatives from both companies have since confirmed the change with MMAjunkie.com. UFC President Dana White was a little more coy.

“That day sounds good to me,” White told MMAjunkie.com.

With the new season of TUF slated for Tuesdays, it seems that the UFC and Bellator will avoid an uncomfortable head-to-head scheduling situation. According to recent reports, Bellator’s live events will be returning to Thursdays beginning next month.

TUF 17, which began filming in October, will feature a cast of middleweight fighters to be named shortly. The question is: Will you start watching it again? Before you answer, keep in mind that these guys will no longer be on the show.


(Nah, that’s cool. It’s not like we need to see the champion’s face or anything. / Image via MMAJunkie)

The Ultimate Fighter‘s year of wandering the Friday-night desert may be coming to a merciful end. Following two seasons on FX in which the show’s viewership went from really bad to straight-up abysmal, a new ad in UFC 360 (formerly UFC Magazine) claims that TUF 17: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen will debut Tuesday, January 22nd, at 9 p.m. ET. Says MMAJunkie.com:

UFC and FX officials have yet to make an official announcement, however representatives from both companies have since confirmed the change with MMAjunkie.com. UFC President Dana White was a little more coy.

“That day sounds good to me,” White told MMAjunkie.com.

With the new season of TUF slated for Tuesdays, it seems that the UFC and Bellator will avoid an uncomfortable head-to-head scheduling situation. According to recent reports, Bellator’s live events will be returning to Thursdays beginning next month.

TUF 17, which began filming in October, will feature a cast of middleweight fighters to be named shortly. The question is: Will you start watching it again? Before you answer, keep in mind that these guys will no longer be on the show.