Tag: barnburner

Barnburner Alert: Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier a Go for UFC 178


(“No, I’d rather not fight Ronda Rousey at UFC 176. Why would you ask me that, Joe?” Photo via Getty.)

Maybe it’s just me, but people seem to be riding pretty high on this Conor McGregor character following his first round destruction of Diego Brandao at what Kevin Iole referred to as “the greatest UFC event of all time” with 100% sincerity. Great job, Kevin. I hope Dana gave you the week off for partaking in such blatant shillery.

Right, back to McGregor. Following his win over Brandao, the Irish phenom was called out by Dustin Poirier on Twitter, who had a late September matchup in mind. McGregor quickly agreed at the Fight Night 46 press conference, and as luck would have it, they are now set to meet at UFC 178: Jones vs. Gustafsson II on September 27th.

“The fights were good and the crowd loved the show.” — Kevin Iole, describing UFC 75 to his fullest capabilities before declaring Fight Night 46 as the greatest UFC event of all time. If you ever thought this MMA writing stuff was easy, you’re right.

I’m sorry, I keep getting off track. Anyway, here’s what Poirier had to say about McGregor and how he carries himself on The MMA Hour yesterday. Spoiler: It is not exactly a ringing endorsement…


(“No, I’d rather not fight Ronda Rousey at UFC 176. Why would you ask me that, Joe?” Photo via Getty.)

Maybe it’s just me, but people seem to be riding pretty high on this Conor McGregor character following his first round destruction of Diego Brandao at what Kevin Iole referred to as “the greatest UFC event of all time” with 100% sincerity. Great job, Kevin. I hope Dana gave you the week off for partaking in such blatant shillery.

Right, back to McGregor. Following his win over Brandao, the Irish phenom was called out by Dustin Poirier on Twitter, who had a late September matchup in mind. McGregor quickly agreed at the Fight Night 46 press conference, and as luck would have it, they are now set to meet at UFC 178: Jones vs. Gustafsson II on September 27th.

“The fights were good and the crowd loved the show.” — Kevin Iole, describing UFC 75 to his fullest capabilities before declaring Fight Night 46 as the greatest UFC event of all time. If you ever thought this MMA writing stuff was easy, you’re right.

I’m sorry, I keep getting off track. Anyway, here’s what Poirier had to say about McGregor and how he carries himself on The MMA Hour yesterday. Spoiler: It is not exactly a ringing endorsement.

I mean, come on man. The guy runs his mouth too much. Right off the bat I’m fired up about this guy. I’ve been in this division since the WEC merged (with UFC), I’ve paid my dues and I’ve stayed quiet and busted my ass day in and day out. I’ve won the fights that I’ve needed to win, I’ve had some tough fights. I feel like I need to be up there. I need to be up there where people are talking about me. His name in the same sentence as featherweight title should never come out of anybody’s mouth.

I can’t believe the hype this guy is getting man. I think he is over-hyped, no doubt about it, 100 percent. And to tell you the honest truth, I feel like I should be fighting Frankie Edgar, Chad Mendes and Cub Swanson again. I should be fighting the top guys. But, I’ve asked for those fights and I haven’t got them. What should I do?

The answer is simple, Dustin: Find yourself a big audience and then just start spewing nonsense until you become a commodity. It’s worked for all of the UFC’s heavy hitters: Rousey, Jones, Sonnen, Iole, and so on.

Look, I know everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but calling Fight Night 46 the greatest UFC event of all time is just poppycock. Pure, unadulterated, poppycock. What has the UFC done with your soul, Iole? What are you going to tell me next, that the Phantom Menace is your favorite Star Wars movie? When you finished the final sentence of that article, did a single tear roll down your eye? Or have the years spent transforming from a legitimate reporter into a UFC PR robot eradicated your ability to emote? I DEMAND AN EXPLANATION, DAMN YOU.

………….

Also being rumored for UFC 178 is a welterweight showdown between top contenders Tarec Saffiedine and Rory MacDonald. The former is fresh off a decision win Hyun Gyu Lim in one of the greatest brawls of the year so far. The latter is on the heels of a dominant return to form over Tyron Woodley at UFC 174. So that should be fun.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go punch some trees in Minecraft until my Iole rage dissipates.

–J. Jones

Barnburner Alert: Cub Swanson vs. Jeremy Stephens to Headline ‘Fight Night Something or Other’ on June 28th


(Stephens puts the stamp on TUF Brazil winner Ronny Jason, while Kenny Florian does his best Joe Silva impersonation in the background. Photo via Getty.)

Jeremy Stephens is a perfect example of a fighter who all but saved his career by dropping a weight class. While Stephens was a staple of the UFC’s lightweight division for some five years, his last three appearances all resulted in losses — a pair of one-sided decisions to Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone and a first round KO (the first of his career) at the hands of Yves Edwards.

Since making the cut to featherweight, however, “Lil Heathen” has been a man reborn (also, acquitted). With decision victories over Estevan Payan and Darren Elkins and a brutal KO over TUF Brazil winner Rony Jason (who did not take the loss well), Stephens has gone from a perennial gatekeeper to a fighter ranked just outside the top 10 on the UFC’s totally unbiased rankings system.

And now, Stephens will be given arguably the biggest fight of his career when he faces off against #4 ranked Cub Swanson in the main event of a Fight Night card scheduled for June 28th in San Antonio. The likelihood of the winner receiving a title shot? Kinda sorta maybe. The likelihood that this fight turns into a slugfest the likes of Lawler vs. Hendricks? Definitely maybe.

Swanson, on the other hand, has strung together five straight wins since dropping his UFC debut to Ricardo Lamas, including stoppage victories over Ross Pearson, Charles Oliveira, and Dennis Siver. He also has some pretty funny-lookin’ tattoos, if you ask me.

Who you like, Nation?

–J. Jones


(Stephens puts the stamp on TUF Brazil winner Ronny Jason, while Kenny Florian does his best Joe Silva impersonation in the background. Photo via Getty.)

Jeremy Stephens is a perfect example of a fighter who all but saved his career by dropping a weight class. While Stephens was a staple of the UFC’s lightweight division for some five years, his last three appearances all resulted in losses — a pair of one-sided decisions to Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone and a first round KO (the first of his career) at the hands of Yves Edwards.

Since making the cut to featherweight, however, “Lil Heathen” has been a man reborn (also, acquitted). With decision victories over Estevan Payan and Darren Elkins and a brutal KO over TUF Brazil winner Rony Jason (who did not take the loss well), Stephens has gone from a perennial gatekeeper to a fighter ranked just outside the top 10 on the UFC’s totally unbiased rankings system.

And now, Stephens will be given arguably the biggest fight of his career when he faces off against #4 ranked Cub Swanson in the main event of a Fight Night card scheduled for June 28th in San Antonio. The likelihood of the winner receiving a title shot? Kinda sorta maybe. The likelihood that this fight turns into a slugfest the likes of Lawler vs. Hendricks? Definitely maybe.

Swanson, on the other hand, has strung together five straight wins since dropping his UFC debut to Ricardo Lamas, including stoppage victories over Ross Pearson, Charles Oliveira, and Dennis Siver. He also has some pretty funny-lookin’ tattoos, if you ask me.

Who you like, Nation?

–J. Jones

Barnburner Alert: Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Rustam Khabilov Booked for UFC 170 in February


(When Keeping it Real Sarcastically Slow-Clapping Goes Wrong. Photo via Getty.)

After his promotional debut at UFC 91 ended in the most hellacious uppercut KO defeat of all time, it was generally assumed that Rafael Dos Anjos would retire from MMA and spend the rest of his life feeding bread crumbs to pigeons on a park bench while sipping broccoli puree through a straw. But lo, Dos Anjos would rise from the proverbial ashes two fights later, picking up a decision win over Rob Emerson at UFC 103. In the time since, he has been lawn-chairing motherfuckers left and right, compiling an astounding 8-2 record including a dominant decision win over Donald Cerrone at Fight Night 27 back in August.

While many of us expected Dos Anjos — who is currently riding a 5-fight win streak in the UFC’s most stacked division — to receive a top 10 opponent in his next bout, Fox Sports is reporting that Dos Anjos and Russian suplex machine Rustam Khabilov have verbally agreed to meet at UFC 170: Scratch That on February 22nd.

Khabilov exploded onto the scene back in December of 2012, suplexing the ever-loving shit out of Vinc Pichel at the TUF 16 Finale. “Tiger” followed the victory with a first round TKO via takedown-induced thumb injury over Yancy Medeiros (YAAAANCY!!) at UFC 159 and most recently outgunned former Strikeforce title challenger Jorge Masvidal in a FOTN affair at Fight for the Troops 3.

A sure to be barnburner if there ever was one, Taters. Who do you like?

–J. Jones


(When Keeping it Real Sarcastically Slow-Clapping Goes Wrong. Photo via Getty.)

After his promotional debut at UFC 91 ended in the most hellacious uppercut KO defeat of all time, it was generally assumed that Rafael Dos Anjos would retire from MMA and spend the rest of his life feeding bread crumbs to pigeons on a park bench while sipping broccoli puree through a straw. But lo, Dos Anjos would rise from the proverbial ashes two fights later, picking up a decision win over Rob Emerson at UFC 103. In the time since, he has been lawn-chairing motherfuckers left and right, compiling an astounding 8-2 record including a dominant decision win over Donald Cerrone at Fight Night 27 back in August.

While many of us expected Dos Anjos — who is currently riding a 5-fight win streak in the UFC’s most stacked division — to receive a top 10 opponent in his next bout, Fox Sports is reporting that Dos Anjos and Russian suplex machine Rustam Khabilov have verbally agreed to meet at UFC 170: Scratch That on February 22nd.

Khabilov exploded onto the scene back in December of 2012, suplexing the ever-loving shit out of Vinc Pichel at the TUF 16 Finale. “Tiger” followed the victory with a first round TKO via takedown-induced thumb injury over Yancy Medeiros (YAAAANCY!!) at UFC 159 and most recently outgunned former Strikeforce title challenger Jorge Masvidal in a FOTN affair at Fight for the Troops 3.

A sure to be barnburner if there ever was one, Taters. Who do you like?

–J. Jones

[VIDEO] The ‘Michael Chandler vs. Eddie Alvarez’ of Amateur MMA Fights

I’m not sure where or how I stumbled across this video last night, because the life of a drunkblogger is one filled with empty memories (also: shame), but I’ll be damned if it isn’t the greatest amatuer fight I have ever seen. That it takes place in one of those smaller weight classes where nothing exciting ever happens is just the icing on the cake.

What you need to know: Our fighters are Ashley Reece and Martin Chester. The event is Full Contact Contender 8. Chester is the guy that looks “more British.” He is also the promotion’s lightweight champion. Ashley is a girl’s name.

There’s something in the water at 155 pounds, you guys. Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler fight like Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Rustam Khabilov be throwing spinning shit, and now this happens. Next thing you know, these crazy lightweight fuckers will be jumping off the cage and ninja-kicking other dudes in the face.

–J. Jones

I’m not sure where or how I stumbled across this video last night, because the life of a drunkblogger is one filled with empty memories (also: shame), but I’ll be damned if it isn’t the greatest amatuer fight I have ever seen. That it takes place in one of those smaller weight classes where nothing exciting ever happens is just the icing on the cake.

What you need to know: Our fighters are Ashley Reece and Martin Chester. The event is Full Contact Contender 8. Chester is the guy that looks “more British.” He is also the promotion’s lightweight champion. Ashley is a girl’s name.

There’s something in the water at 155 pounds, you guys. Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler fight like Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Rustam Khabilov be throwing spinning shit, and now this happens. Next thing you know, these crazy lightweight fuckers will be jumping off the cage and ninja-kicking other dudes in the face.

–J. Jones

Barnburner Alert: Rafael Cavalcante vs. Igor Pokrajac Joins ‘Fight Night 32: Belfort vs. Henderson’

Strikeforce Dan Henderson Rafael Feijao Cavalcante
(Feijao asks Dan Miragliotta to hold his hand while getting tattooed by Dan Henderson at Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson.)

Looks like it’s time to sound the do-or-die siren once again.

With a combined record of 3-4 2 NC since 2011 (both Feijao and Pokrajac’s UFC on FX 6 opponent, Joey Beltran, tested positive for PEDs last year), the UFC futures of Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante and Igor “The Duke” Pokrajac are on shaky ground to put it politely. While Feijao was trounced by Thiago Silva in his UFC debut at UFC on FUEL 10 in June, the Croatian has dropped 2 out of his last 3 contests. That being the case, the powerful and oft misunderstood Joe Silva has called upon these two gentlemen TO DO BATTLE.

*plays medieval trumpet, reads from scroll*

The winner shall receive the ultimate glory: a feast of carp, sloths, yams and breakfast cereals, as well as twenty thousand dollars cash. The loser shall be cast into Bellator purgatory forevermore. Tis a fate some consider worse than death, and other, humorless people oft lose their shit over when we joke about it.

Feijao vs. Pokrajac becomes just the third fight to join the UFC Fight Night 32: Belfort vs. Henderson card (along with the originally scheduled TUF Brazil finals match between Cezar Ferreira and Daniel Sarafian), which goes down on November 9th from somewhere in Brazil because Vitor Belfort is fighting. I know Dana White can’t see me, but I’m totally giving him the X-Pac Suck-It! gesture right now.

Who will be seeking new employment come November 10th, Potato Nation?

Fun facts: Cavalcante has never gone the distance in 15 contests and the Suck-It! gesture was originally a parody of Michael Buffer’s infamous “Let’s get ready to rumble!” catchphrase. Small world.

–J. Jones

Strikeforce Dan Henderson Rafael Feijao Cavalcante
(Feijao asks Dan Miragliotta to hold his hand while getting tattooed by Dan Henderson at Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson.)

Looks like it’s time to sound the do-or-die siren once again.

With a combined record of 3-4 2 NC since 2011 (both Feijao and Pokrajac’s UFC on FX 6 opponent, Joey Beltran, tested positive for PEDs last year), the UFC futures of Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante and Igor “The Duke” Pokrajac are on shaky ground to put it politely. While Feijao was trounced by Thiago Silva in his UFC debut at UFC on FUEL 10 in June, the Croatian has dropped 2 out of his last 3 contests. That being the case, the powerful and oft misunderstood Joe Silva has called upon these two gentlemen TO DO BATTLE.

*plays medieval trumpet, reads from scroll*

The winner shall receive the ultimate glory: a feast of carp, sloths, yams and breakfast cereals, as well as twenty thousand dollars cash. The loser shall be cast into Bellator purgatory forevermore. Tis a fate some consider worse than death, and other, humorless people oft lose their shit over when we joke about it.

Feijao vs. Pokrajac becomes just the third fight to join the UFC Fight Night 32: Belfort vs. Henderson card (along with the originally scheduled TUF Brazil finals match between Cezar Ferreira and Daniel Sarafian), which goes down on November 9th from somewhere in Brazil because Vitor Belfort is fighting. I know Dana White can’t see me, but I’m totally giving him the X-Pac Suck-It! gesture right now.

Who will be seeking new employment come November 10th, Potato Nation?

Fun facts: Cavalcante has never gone the distance in 15 contests and the Suck-It! gesture was originally a parody of Michael Buffer’s infamous “Let’s get ready to rumble!” catchphrase. Small world.

–J. Jones

Barnburner Alert: John Makdessi vs. Edson Barboza Joins Stacked UFC 162 Card


(“I don’t mean to freak you out, Terry, but there’s a bee on your nose. Now if you just hold still…I’m gonna try something here.”) 

As if UFC 162 wasn’t already stacked enough, word broke earlier today that a lightweight matchup between John Makdessi and Edson Barboza has been booked for the event as well. Set to transpire on Fourth of July weekend, UFC 162 not only feature the much-anticipated middleweight title fight between Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman, but a trio of ridiculously awesome featherweight fights and yes, the return of Dave Herman.

After suffering his only career defeat in one of the greatest upsets of 2012 (via TKO to Jamie Varner), Barboza recently rebounded with a first round TKO of Lucas “Why me, God, WHY?!” Martins at UFC on FX 7. Currently 3-2 in the octagon, Makdessi has been able to right the course in his past two fights, bouncing back from a two fight skid with UD victories over Sam Stout and Daron Cruickshank.

We don’t mean to overhype it, but this fight has all the ingredients for a end of the night bonus at the minimum and a FOTY nomination at best. And what’s the only way to make a great fight even better? That’s right, a drinking game. Here are the rules we will be playing by during Makdessi/Barboza:

1. For every attempted spinning backfist/kick, take a drink.
2. For every landed spinning whatchamacallit, take two drinks.
3. If Mike Goldberg mentions “the slapping sound” made by a leg kick, finish your beer.
4. If Rogan informs Goldberg (for the billionth time) shortly thereafter that the best leg kicks are the ones that make no sound, shout out your favorite Goldbergism and take a shot.
5. If it ends in a knockout/TKO, finish your beer.
6. If Joe Rogan completely loses his sh*t during the fight (ala Boetsch/Okami), take a bong rip, finish your beer, and Ezekiel choke the person closest to you.

Check out the crazy lineup for UFC 162 after the jump. 


(“I don’t mean to freak you out, Terry, but there’s a bee on your nose. Now if you just hold still…I’m gonna try something here.”) 

As if UFC 162 wasn’t already stacked enough, word broke earlier today that a lightweight matchup between John Makdessi and Edson Barboza has been booked for the event as well. Set to transpire on Fourth of July weekend, UFC 162 not only feature the much-anticipated middleweight title fight between Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman, but a trio of ridiculously awesome featherweight fights and yes, the return of Dave Herman.

After suffering his only career defeat in one of the greatest upsets of 2012 (via TKO to Jamie Varner), Barboza recently rebounded with a first round TKO of Lucas “Why me, God, WHY?!” Martins at UFC on FX 7. Currently 3-2 in the octagon, Makdessi has been able to right the course in his past two fights, bouncing back from a two fight skid with UD victories over Sam Stout and Daron Cruickshank.

We don’t mean to overhype it, but this fight has all the ingredients for a end of the night bonus at the minimum and a FOTY nomination at best. And what’s the only way to make a great fight even better? That’s right, a drinking game. Here are the rules we will be playing by during Makdessi/Barboza:

1. For every attempted spinning backfist/kick, take a drink.
2. For every landed spinning whatchamacallit, take two drinks.
3. If Mike Goldberg mentions “the slapping sound” made by a leg kick, finish your beer.
4. If Rogan informs Goldberg (for the billionth time) shortly thereafter that the best leg kicks are the ones that make no sound, shout out your favorite Goldbergism and take a shot.
5. If it ends in a knockout/TKO, finish your beer.
6. If Joe Rogan completely loses his sh*t during the fight (ala Boetsch/Okami), take a bong rip, finish your beer, and Ezekiel choke the person closest to you.

Check out the crazy lineup for UFC 162 after the jump. 

-Champ Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman
-Chan Sung Jung vs. Ricardo Lamas
-Tim Boetsch vs. Mark Munoz
-Frankie Edgar vs. Charles Oliveira
-Dennis Siver vs. Cub Swanson
-Roger Gracie vs. Tim Kennedy
-Andrew Craig vs. Chris Leben
-David Mitchell vs. Mike Pierce*
-Edson Barboza vs. John Makdessi
-Seth Baczynski vs. Brian Melancon
-Shane Del Rosario vs. Dave Herman
* – Not officially announced

–J. Jones