The series continues, as we go over the best lightweights from the “other” companies in this edition.One of the deeper weight classes, the lightweight division has some elite talent and legitimate consensus top-five guys that are currently plying their…
The series continues, as we go over the best lightweights from the “other” companies in this edition.
One of the deeper weight classes, the lightweight division has some elite talent and legitimate consensus top-five guys that are currently plying their trade outside of the Zuffa banner.
From submission experts to devastating knockout artists, it was tough to whittle the list down to 10 from all corners of the globe. There are plenty of notables that didn’t quite make the cut, but look for them to make their respective appearances in the rankings as they continue their climb to the top.
In the sixth edition of UFC Live on Versus, UFC fans were treated to a very exciting evening of free fights. When Pat Barry took on Stefan Struve in the co-main event, it briefly looked like fans may see a rare slam TKO when Barry looked to count…
In the sixth edition of UFC Live on Versus, UFC fans were treated to a very exciting evening of free fights.
When Pat Barry took on Stefan Struve in the co-main event, it briefly looked like fans may see a rare slam TKO when Barry looked to counter a triangle choke with a rarely seen, but always appreciated, powerbomb.
Struve absorbed the brunt of the impact with his right forearm and still miraculously managed to finish the choke for the submission victory.
What are some of the most aesthetically pleasing maneuvers for fans to see executed in the cage? Let’s take a look inside.
After a blockbuster week that saw UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones successfully defend his belt at UFC 135 against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, there were plenty of other news items that took center stage.UFC President Dana White briefly announce…
After a blockbuster week that saw UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones successfully defend his belt at UFC 135 against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, there were plenty of other news items that took center stage.
UFC President Dana White briefly announced a highly-anticipated showdown between light heavyweights Phil Davis and Lyoto Machida, only to pull back the news almost immediately.
Consensus No. 1-ranked female fighter Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos will return to Strikeforce to defend her 145-pound title on Dec. 17.
UFC welterweight kingpin Georges St-Pierre announced that he will be training with former challenger Dan Hardy in preparation for his UFC 137 title defense against Carlos Condit.
Rob Tatum is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com. For anything related to MMA, you can follow Rob on Twitter @RobTatumMMA.
DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki has revealed his upcoming fight plans while speaking with MMAWeekly. The submission stalwart defeated striking specialist Rob McCullough at DREAM 17 on Sept. 24 and is now planning to return to action on New Year’…
DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki has revealed his upcoming fight plans while speaking with MMAWeekly.
The submission stalwart defeated striking specialist Rob McCullough at DREAM 17 on Sept. 24 and is now planning to return to action on New Year’s Eve. No opponent has been announced for the end of year event.
Aoki also acknowledged his extensive training at Evolve MMA in Singapore, where he has been working on his Muay Thai skills. The fighter described his preparation for the McCullough fight, “For the first time, I was unafraid to stand and strike because of my Muay Thai training.”
The fighter also released the news that he will rematch current Bellator lightweight title holder Eddie Alvarez in 2012. Aoki defeated Alvarez by heel hook in late 2008.
The Japanese fighter also discussed the uphill battle that MMA faces in the country. Since the demise of Pride in 2007, other promotions have struggled to stay afloat. However, Aoki is confident that the sport will recover in the country. “MMA in Japan is a complicated situation,” Aoki declared. “(But) It’s not in my control.”
Despite a pair of appearances inside Strikeforce, Aoki has yet to make the jump to US competition full time. Aoki recently welcomed a newborn baby at home and the fighter made it known that his family is his priority. “If I did not have a family, then I would go to the UFC right now,” said Aoki.
With the current state of MMA in Japan looking bleak, Aoki remains the country’s biggest draw. Wins on New Year’s Eve and against Alvarez could help revive the sport’s popularity or even force Aoki to reconsider making the jump to the UFC.
It wasn’t too long ago that Japanese standout Shinya Aoki was making his second appearance in the United States, defeating Lyle Beerbohm by neck crank—one of his most dangerous submissions. He returned to Japan to take on UFC veteran Rich Clement…
It wasn’t too long ago that Japanese standout Shinya Aoki was making his second appearance in the United States, defeating Lyle Beerbohm by neck crank—one of his most dangerous submissions.
He returned to Japan to take on UFC veteran Rich Clementi on May 29, 2011.
Clementi, who has over 60 professional MMA bouts, went 5-5 inside the Octagon before being released by the promotion in 2009.
Aoki (26-5), who is widely considered to be one of the best grapplers in the sport, made it look easy when he submitted “No Love” in the second round of their bout in front of 7,000 fans. The bout was featured as the main event of Dream. Fight for Japan!
It was Aoki’s 16th submission victory of his career. Being a submission wizard, he has won his bouts using a wide variety of submission and grappling techniques, including a gogoplata, flying triangle choke, standing armlock and achilles lock.
The 28-year-old has established a name for himself, fighting in many organizations, including Dream, Strikeforce, Pride FC, Shooto and DEEP.
Wins over lightweight standouts Eddie Alvarez, Tatsuya Kawajiri and Joachim Hansen have earned Aoki top 10 recognition in the division, but it’s his grappling ability that continues to fascinates fans.
Don’t forget to check out Sal DeRose’s “Knockout of the Day” article, here.
Japanese mixed martial arts has recently fallen on a bit of hard times and as a result, so has the development of the fighters who live and train there. It is a far cry from the glory days of MMA in Japan during the 1990’s and early to mid 20…
Japanese mixed martial arts has recently fallen on a bit of hard times and as a result, so has the development of the fighters who live and train there.
It is a far cry from the glory days of MMA in Japan during the 1990’s and early to mid 2000’s, where the land of the rising sun held epic fight cards regularly under such promotions as “Shooto” Vale Tudo, Pancrase, and of course, Pride FC.
During those glory years, Japanese MMA stood on it’s own with many Japanese fighters becoming local heroes for their blood-and-guts performances against countrymen.
In addition, some became national heroes for waving the Japanese flag in fights against the biggest and baddest fighters from the rest of the world.
It is with great honour that I present to you, The 10 Best Japanese Fighters of All Time.
DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki has revealed his upcoming fight plans while speaking with