Two of the biggest heavyweights in MMA will collide Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 95, as Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva meets Roy “Big Country” Nelson.
For Silva, the bout is a chance to get back on track after losing two straight and four of his last five. The Brazilian has recorded just one win since a 2013 knockout of Alistair Overeem.
“Roy Nelson is a tough opponent, a guy who has proved to withstand many strikes and who has a heavy right hand,” he said. “I respect him a lot, we are friends, I even helped in his training for the fight against Overeem. He really likes to fight on his feet, but in his last fight, against Derrick Lewis, he proved to be able to take the fight to the ground. Because of that, I tried to train for everything to be prepared: wrestling, grappling, jiu-jitsu.”
Once a challenger for the UFC heavyweight title, Silva has suffered back-to-back first round knockout losses to Stefan Struve and Mark Hunt. He was also finished by Frank Mir and Andrei Arlovski around a second round TKO win vs. Sao Palelei in 2015.
“I don’t know what can happen, but I am sure it will be a great fight,” Silva said.
Two of the biggest heavyweights in MMA will collide Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 95, as Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva meets Roy “Big Country” Nelson.
For Silva, the bout is a chance to get back on track after losing two straight and four of his last five. The Brazilian has recorded just one win since a 2013 knockout of Alistair Overeem.
“Roy Nelson is a tough opponent, a guy who has proved to withstand many strikes and who has a heavy right hand,” he said. “I respect him a lot, we are friends, I even helped in his training for the fight against Overeem. He really likes to fight on his feet, but in his last fight, against Derrick Lewis, he proved to be able to take the fight to the ground. Because of that, I tried to train for everything to be prepared: wrestling, grappling, jiu-jitsu.”
Once a challenger for the UFC heavyweight title, Silva has suffered back-to-back first round knockout losses to Stefan Struve and Mark Hunt. He was also finished by Frank Mir and Andrei Arlovski around a second round TKO win vs. Sao Palelei in 2015.
“I don’t know what can happen, but I am sure it will be a great fight,” Silva said.
In this 2014 fight replay, Andrei Arlovski started his push back up the UFC heavyweight ladder by defeating former foe Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva.
Arlovski, a former UFC heavyweight champ…
In this 2014 fight replay, Andrei Arlovski started his push back up the UFC heavyweight ladder by defeating former foe Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva.
Arlovski, a former UFC heavyweight champion, takes on Josh Barnett – also a former UFC heavyweight champion – this coming Saturday afternoon in the main event of UFC Fight Night 93. The card airs live on UFC Fight Pass from Hamburg, Germany.
Arlovski entered this rematch with Silva as a huge underdog, coming in at +325.
Added to UFC Fight Night 95 this September is an exciting heavyweight pairing that features “Big Country” and “Bigfoot” locking horns in Brazil.
FOX Sports and other outlets reported this week that a heavyweight bout between Roy Nelson and Antonio S…
Added to UFC Fight Night 95 this September is an exciting heavyweight pairing that features “Big Country” and “Bigfoot” locking horns in Brazil.
FOX Sports and other outlets reported this week that a heavyweight bout between Roy Nelson and Antonio Silva has been added to the card that will be taking place in Brasilia, Brazil next month.
Headlining the event, UFC Fight Night 95, which will air live and free on FOX Sports 1, will be the Octagon return of dangerous Invicta FC Featherweight Champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino, as she meets Lina Lansberg in the main event, as we reported earlier today.
UFC Fight Night 95: Cyborg vs. Lansberg goes down on September 25, 2016 from Brasilia, Brazil.
While not that enticing on paper, Fight Night 61 actually delivered some highly entertaining moments over the course of its five-hour run time, which is more than you could say for the Oscars! #BoomRoasted #NailedIt #WhatsInTheBox
In the main event of the evening, four-fight-losing-streak GOAT Frank Mir looked like he wasn’t even riding a four fight losing streak when he quickly dropped Bigfoot Silva with a left hook and OBLITERATED the Brazilian with some follow-up elbows. The win was a much needed one for the former champion, to say the very least, and one that capped off a night in which ten straight underdogs walked away with a victory. Which, again, is more than you could say for the Oscars. #BirdmanRules #F*ckEddieRedmayne
Highlights from Mir vs. Silva are above, but join us after the jump to check out the rest of the evening’s highlights, including the co-main event scrap between Michael Johnson and Edson Barboza, Matt Dwyer’s superman punch KO, and Smilin’ Sam Alvey going HAM on Cezar Ferreira.
While not that enticing on paper, Fight Night 61 actually delivered some highly entertaining moments over the course of its five-hour run time, which is more than you could say for the Oscars! #BoomRoasted #NailedIt #WhatsInTheBox
In the main event of the evening, four-fight-losing-streak GOAT Frank Mir looked like he wasn’t even riding a four fight losing streak when he quickly dropped Bigfoot Silva with a left hook and OBLITERATED the Brazilian with some follow-up elbows. The win was a much needed one for the former champion, to say the very least, and one that capped off a night in which ten straight underdogs walked away with a victory. Which, again, is more than you could say for the Oscars. #BirdmanRules #F*ckEddieRedmayne
Highlights from Mir vs. Silva are above, but join us after the jump to check out the rest of the evening’s highlights, including the co-main event scrap between Michael Johnson and Edson Barboza, Matt Dwyer’s superman punch KO, and Smilin’ Sam Alvey going HAM on Cezar Ferreira.
Johnson vs. Barboza Highlights
Mike De La Torre vs. Tiago Trator
Alvey vs. Ferreira
Dwyer vs. Patolino
Complete Fight Night 61 Results
Main card
Frank Mir def. Bigfoot Silva via first-round KO (1:40)
Michael Johnson def. Edson Barboza via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x2)
Sam Alvey def. Cezar Ferreira via first-round KO (3:34)
Adriano Martins def. Rustam Khabilov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Frankie Saenz def. Iuri Alcantara via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Sean Strickland via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Undercard
Marion Reneau def. Jessica Andrade via submission (triangle choke) (1st, 1:54)
Matt Dwyer def. William Macario via first-round KO (3:14)
Mike de la Torre def. Tiago Trator via first-round TKO (2:59)
Douglas Silva de Andrade def. Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Ivan Jorge def. Josh Shockley via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
UFC Fight Night 61: Bigfoot vs. Mir is another top-heavy card that we’re starting to see a lot of on Fox Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass. It’s also a card that’s been compared to “a dumpster fire full of squirrel feces” by some of MMA’s more hyperbolic writers. In any case, the card does feature ranked fighters in the main event (take that, oversaturation!) and a whole lot of TUF quarter-finalists, raw prospects and last-minute replacements.
But that’s where the money is! If you haven’t heard of these guys, chances are the bookies haven’t either, and that right there is what upsets and parlays are made of. So join us after the jump to get the inside scoop on a card the UFC should be paying us to watch in the first place.
By CP Reader Sam Stilson
UFC Fight Night 61: Bigfoot vs. Mir is another top-heavy card that we’re starting to see a lot of on Fox Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass. It’s also a card that’s been compared to “a dumpster fire full of squirrel feces” by some of MMA’s more hyperbolic writers. In any case, the card does feature ranked fighters in the main event (take that, oversaturation!) and a whole lot of TUF quarter-finalists, raw prospects and last-minute replacements.
But that’s where the money is! If you haven’t heard of these guys, chances are the bookies haven’t either, and that right there is what upsets and parlays are made of. So join us after the jump to get the inside scoop on a card the UFC should be paying us to watch in the first place.
The Sure Bets
Sean Strickland over Santiago Ponzinibbio at -170
Strickland is an undefeated prospect with two wins in the UFC’s middleweight division. He’s making his welterweight debut here and the added size and strength against the undersized Ponzinibbio should allow him to steal a win in enemy territory.
Tiago Trator over Mike de la Torre at -210
Mike de la Torre hasn’t looked awesome in the UFC and would be 0-2 if not for an opponent’s failed drug test. Trator is a young fighter out of Team Nogueira who hasn’t lost in four years. He’s quicker, stronger and fighting at home. Should be a lock.
Jessica Andrade over Marion Reneau at -250
I’m surprised Andrade isn’t a bigger favourite. She’s 14 years younger than Reneau and is in the top 10 of her division. Reneau is a good athlete but I don’t see how she can win this fight.
Betting on Frank Mir is never a fun thing to do. He’s a supremely gifted fighter but with a glass chin and some poor fight IQ. Betting against? Not fun either. Even when he is borderline unconscious he can pull amazing submissions out of nowhere. So why consider betting on him at all? Because he’s fighting Antonio Silva. Silva has gotten his ass kicked badly in every fight since 2011. He’s 2-4-1 in those fights and both wins were come-from-behind surprise KOs. He’s looked terrible sans TRT and his chin has started to crumble. If Frank Mir still can win a fight against a top 10 heavyweight, this is that fight.
Douglas Silva over Cody Gibson at +200
Gibson somehow lost a fight to Manny Gamburyan he was dominating. His only UFC win, was an early stoppage over UFC washout Johnny Bedford. Don’t be surprised if he finds a way to lose.
Easily the best fight on the card. Barboza has looked great lately, but often chokes against elite talent. Johnson’s had a year off but prior to it looked like a contender. Bet at your peril!
(“What was your question? Are we looking to buy the entire Internet? I mean, yeah, we’ll see what happens.”/Photo via Getty)
UFC’s digital subscription service, Fight Pass, has its fair share of pros and cons. The cost isn’t all that damaging to the wallet, but it’s not exactly the game-changer promotion officials thought it would be.
Without knowing too much about subscriber info and profits, the network allows you to watch free UFC cards, including FOX Sports 1 events, preliminary fights, and exclusive Fight Pass broadcasts that usually take place outside of North America. It also has an extensive UFC library, containing an abundance of full main cards from UFC, Pride, WEC, EliteXC, and those two Affliction MMA cards that were surprisingly fun.
(“What was your question? Are we looking to buy the entire Internet? I mean, yeah, we’ll see what happens.”/ Photo via Getty)
UFC’s digital subscription service, Fight Pass, has its fair share of pros and cons. The cost isn’t all that damaging to the wallet, but it’s not exactly the game-changer that promotion officials thought it would be.
The network allows you to watch free UFC cards, including FOX Sports 1 events, preliminary fights, and exclusive Fight Pass broadcasts that usually take place outside of North America. It also carries an extensive UFC library, containing an abundance of full main cards from UFC, as well as Pride, WEC, EliteXC, and those two Affliction MMA cards that were surprisingly fun, among others.
UFC Chief Content Officer Marshall Zelaznik announced the news in a press conference on Saturday, revealing that over 13,000 individual bouts are slated to be added to Fight Pass this upcoming spring. The content comes from the brain of UFC matchmaker Joe Silva, who apparently made his own list of what promotions he wanted to see on the digital service (according to MMA Fighting).
After news broke that hackers stole login info and credit card numbers from tens of thousands of subscribers a few days ago (which really speaks volumes about the lack of security), fight fans were met with a better announcement, as Zuffa announced hours before UFC 182 it has acquired eight fight libraries from renown and regional promotions, including legendary Japanese promotion Pancrase (complete library), King of The Cage, HookNShoot, TKO, Cage Rage, Extreme Challenge, Ultimate Challenge MMA (UCMMA), and XFO.
But there’s still a lot to complain about, after the jump:
(“What was your question? Are we looking to buy the entire Internet? I mean, yeah, we’ll see what happens.”/ Photo via Getty)
UFC’s digital subscription service, Fight Pass, has its fair share of pros and cons. The cost isn’t all that damaging to the wallet, but it’s not exactly the game-changer that promotion officials thought it would be.
The network allows you to watch free UFC cards, including FOX Sports 1 events, preliminary fights, and exclusive Fight Pass broadcasts that usually take place outside of North America. It also carries an extensive UFC library, containing an abundance of full main cards from UFC, as well as Pride, WEC, EliteXC, and those two Affliction MMA cards that were surprisingly fun, among others.
UFC Chief Content Officer Marshall Zelaznik announced the news in a press conference on Saturday, revealing that over 13,000 individual bouts are slated to be added to Fight Pass this upcoming spring. The content comes from the brain of UFC matchmaker Joe Silva, who apparently made his own list of what promotions he wanted to see on the digital service (according to MMA Fighting).
Now, the Pancrase library certainly gets us giddy, seeing that their current events are pretty difficult to find, without the availability to download those events after they take place. The rest is a nice treat, yet we’re still holding out for Yamma and Rhode Island Vale Tudo. With that said, Fight Pass is starting to shape up as definitive library of MMA fights from the most important promotions, and it’s apparently still growing.
This comes not too long after UFC’s inclusion of Invicta FC events, providing streaming of live events and past showcases from the leading all-female MMA promotion. We could really do without exclusive shows like The Ultimate Fighter: Whatever Country We’re In and MMA Mindset, but variety is never a bad thing.
On the other hand, this also means a boatload of free content will likely be pulled from YouTube and other free streaming sites. Zuffa legal teams will be out in full force and prohibiting fans from watching some old Bas Rutten and Frank Shamrock Pancrase fights because they now own that material.
In spite of that, it still feels like Fight Pass is “under construction,” since the search tool is fairly problematic; you’d think the service could at least rank the bouts you’re looking for in chronological order. It’s also incredibly glitchy, with a lot of complaints about getting bounced out of a live broadcast, only to have to sign back in. There are rewind functions, but it’s kind of annoying to be asked to log in again after the site freezes and have to reenter your password during the critical moments of a fight.
Also, for those that think pro wrestling isn’t direct competition to MMA, think again. Fight Pass was overshadowed by the WWE Network days after its launch, which isn’t doing so good itself, according to pundits. The reason WWE stole the glory was their inclusion of the 12 PPV events they put on a year (including WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series), not to mention countless hours of WCW and ECW footage. By comparison, the UFC didn’t even have their complete fight library posted at first (nor did they have as much Pride material, which is sort of a deal-breaker if you’re going to monopolize the online MMA world). For what it’s worth, Japan’s top wrestling promotion, New Japan Pro Wrestling, launched its own digital network a few weeks ago, called NJPW World. The cost is similar, and since Puroresu is rising in North America, it’s a lot more compelling to watch old Antonio Inoki contests from decades ago, instead of an Ultimate Bigfoot Silva collection.
If that’s not enough, there’s no indication the new additions will help generate more subscribers. It’s a nice bonus for the MMA diehards who are already staying up all night to watch international UFC cards on the Internet, but is it a true selling point for those who are still on the fence? If the UFC was willing to take a little bit of a pay cut to include a couple of PPV events on the network, then the service would be a must for your typical UFC enthusiast. But apparently, PPV isn’t dead, despite more and more people cancelling their cable subscriptions in favor of laptops and HDMI wires.