Tag: Breaking News

Ryan Bader Confirms Bout Against Glover Teixeira in Brazil

UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader has confirmed rumors that circulated over the weekend that his next fight will be against Glover Teixeira. Bader posted the news on his Twitter account Monday, indicating that the fight will be the main event on a Septe…

UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader has confirmed rumors that circulated over the weekend that his next fight will be against Glover Teixeira.

Bader posted the news on his Twitter account Monday, indicating that the fight will be the main event on a September UFC Fox 1 card in Brazil.

 

 

 

Bader last fought in January, defeating Vladimir Matyushenko via first round submission. Once considered a rising star until he tasted defeat at the hands of current 205 pound champion Jon Jones, Bader has gone 3-2 in his last five matches and will be fighting for relevancy. However, all eyes will be on Teixeira—a man carrying a fearsome reputation since making his UFC debut in May last year.

The Brazilian has run through four opponents in the promotion, stretching his undefeated streak back to an incredible 19 fights.

His reputation has grown to eclipse almost any other in the division, and he’s already being talked of as a contender. But a fight against Bader is hardly one that will land him in Jones’ path.

Teixeira is currently No. 3 on the UFC rankings, while Bader is clinging on to the No. 10 spot. In fact, he’s only had one Top 10 fight in the UFC—against fading star Quinton Jackson earlier this year. His last fight was against the unremarkable James Te Huna; however, Teixeira doesn’t blame the UFC for “slow pacing” his career.

On the contrary, in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, the Brazilian seemed to be eager to take on Bader.

“They gave me Ryan Bader for my last fight. He’s a big name, but it ended up being James Te Huna,” said Teixeira. “They’re all tough guys, don’t get me wrong. The big names can make a difference for exposure, but those up-and-coming guys are tough, too. I really don’t care. I know sooner or later, I’m going to get that title.”

The timing of the September bout couldn’t be more perfect. Jones is also due to fight that month against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165. If Jones wins that fight, he’ll have all but cleaned out the division, leaving Teixeira the last man standing—that’s if he gets past Bader.

Bader v Teixeira is set to go down on September 4 th at the Mineirinho Arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Ryan Bader Confirms Bout Against Glover Teixeira in Brazil

UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader has confirmed rumors that circulated over the weekend that his next fight will be against Glover Teixeira. Bader posted the news on his Twitter account Monday, indicating that the fight will be the main event on a Septe…

UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader has confirmed rumors that circulated over the weekend that his next fight will be against Glover Teixeira.

Bader posted the news on his Twitter account Monday, indicating that the fight will be the main event on a September UFC Fox 1 card in Brazil.

 

 

 

Bader last fought in January, defeating Vladimir Matyushenko via first round submission. Once considered a rising star until he tasted defeat at the hands of current 205 pound champion Jon Jones, Bader has gone 3-2 in his last five matches and will be fighting for relevancy. However, all eyes will be on Teixeira—a man carrying a fearsome reputation since making his UFC debut in May last year.

The Brazilian has run through four opponents in the promotion, stretching his undefeated streak back to an incredible 19 fights.

His reputation has grown to eclipse almost any other in the division, and he’s already being talked of as a contender. But a fight against Bader is hardly one that will land him in Jones’ path.

Teixeira is currently No. 3 on the UFC rankings, while Bader is clinging on to the No. 10 spot. In fact, he’s only had one Top 10 fight in the UFC—against fading star Quinton Jackson earlier this year. His last fight was against the unremarkable James Te Huna; however, Teixeira doesn’t blame the UFC for “slow pacing” his career.

On the contrary, in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, the Brazilian seemed to be eager to take on Bader.

“They gave me Ryan Bader for my last fight. He’s a big name, but it ended up being James Te Huna,” said Teixeira. “They’re all tough guys, don’t get me wrong. The big names can make a difference for exposure, but those up-and-coming guys are tough, too. I really don’t care. I know sooner or later, I’m going to get that title.”

The timing of the September bout couldn’t be more perfect. Jones is also due to fight that month against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165. If Jones wins that fight, he’ll have all but cleaned out the division, leaving Teixeira the last man standing—that’s if he gets past Bader.

Bader v Teixeira is set to go down on September 4 th at the Mineirinho Arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Ryan Bader Confirms Bout Against Glover Teixeira in Brazil

UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader has confirmed rumors that circulated over the weekend that his next fight will be against Glover Teixeira. Bader posted the news on his Twitter account Monday, indicating that the fight will be the main event on a Septe…

UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader has confirmed rumors that circulated over the weekend that his next fight will be against Glover Teixeira.

Bader posted the news on his Twitter account Monday, indicating that the fight will be the main event on a September UFC Fox 1 card in Brazil.

 

 

 

Bader last fought in January, defeating Vladimir Matyushenko via first round submission. Once considered a rising star until he tasted defeat at the hands of current 205 pound champion Jon Jones, Bader has gone 3-2 in his last five matches and will be fighting for relevancy. However, all eyes will be on Teixeira—a man carrying a fearsome reputation since making his UFC debut in May last year.

The Brazilian has run through four opponents in the promotion, stretching his undefeated streak back to an incredible 19 fights.

His reputation has grown to eclipse almost any other in the division, and he’s already being talked of as a contender. But a fight against Bader is hardly one that will land him in Jones’ path.

Teixeira is currently No. 3 on the UFC rankings, while Bader is clinging on to the No. 10 spot. In fact, he’s only had one Top 10 fight in the UFC—against fading star Quinton Jackson earlier this year. His last fight was against the unremarkable James Te Huna; however, Teixeira doesn’t blame the UFC for “slow pacing” his career.

On the contrary, in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, the Brazilian seemed to be eager to take on Bader.

“They gave me Ryan Bader for my last fight. He’s a big name, but it ended up being James Te Huna,” said Teixeira. “They’re all tough guys, don’t get me wrong. The big names can make a difference for exposure, but those up-and-coming guys are tough, too. I really don’t care. I know sooner or later, I’m going to get that title.”

The timing of the September bout couldn’t be more perfect. Jones is also due to fight that month against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165. If Jones wins that fight, he’ll have all but cleaned out the division, leaving Teixeira the last man standing—that’s if he gets past Bader.

Bader v Teixeira is set to go down on September 4 th at the Mineirinho Arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Ryan Bader Confirms Bout Against Glover Teixeira in Brazil

UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader has confirmed rumors that circulated over the weekend that his next fight will be against Glover Teixeira. Bader posted the news on his Twitter account Monday, indicating that the fight will be the main event on a Septe…

UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader has confirmed rumors that circulated over the weekend that his next fight will be against Glover Teixeira.

Bader posted the news on his Twitter account Monday, indicating that the fight will be the main event on a September UFC Fox 1 card in Brazil.

 

 

 

Bader last fought in January, defeating Vladimir Matyushenko via first round submission. Once considered a rising star until he tasted defeat at the hands of current 205 pound champion Jon Jones, Bader has gone 3-2 in his last five matches and will be fighting for relevancy. However, all eyes will be on Teixeira—a man carrying a fearsome reputation since making his UFC debut in May last year.

The Brazilian has run through four opponents in the promotion, stretching his undefeated streak back to an incredible 19 fights.

His reputation has grown to eclipse almost any other in the division, and he’s already being talked of as a contender. But a fight against Bader is hardly one that will land him in Jones’ path.

Teixeira is currently No. 3 on the UFC rankings, while Bader is clinging on to the No. 10 spot. In fact, he’s only had one Top 10 fight in the UFC—against fading star Quinton Jackson earlier this year. His last fight was against the unremarkable James Te Huna; however, Teixeira doesn’t blame the UFC for “slow pacing” his career.

On the contrary, in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, the Brazilian seemed to be eager to take on Bader.

“They gave me Ryan Bader for my last fight. He’s a big name, but it ended up being James Te Huna,” said Teixeira. “They’re all tough guys, don’t get me wrong. The big names can make a difference for exposure, but those up-and-coming guys are tough, too. I really don’t care. I know sooner or later, I’m going to get that title.”

The timing of the September bout couldn’t be more perfect. Jones is also due to fight that month against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165. If Jones wins that fight, he’ll have all but cleaned out the division, leaving Teixeira the last man standing—that’s if he gets past Bader.

Bader v Teixeira is set to go down on September 4 th at the Mineirinho Arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Josh Burkman Staying Loyal to World Series of Fighting, Not Returning to UFC

It took Josh Burkman just 41 seconds to not only beat former UFC welterweight contender Jon Fitch, but to pull off one of the quickest and nastiest walk-off submissions that has ever been done in MMA history. Burkman rushed forward following a quick pu…

It took Josh Burkman just 41 seconds to not only beat former UFC welterweight contender Jon Fitch, but to pull off one of the quickest and nastiest walk-off submissions that has ever been done in MMA history.

Burkman rushed forward following a quick punch that stunned his opponent, and when the opening came for a guillotine choke, he grabbed onto Fitch’s neck like a vice grip before falling to the mat. Fitch was unconscious seconds later, as Burkman rolled him over and stood proud over his fallen prey.

It was a huge win for the former Ultimate Fighter season two veteran, improving his record in World Series of Fighting to a perfect 3-0—two of those victories coming in the first round.

Following the fight, the natural question that came up to Burkman was about a possible return to the UFC, where he spent a big chunk of his career from 2005 to 2008.

Burkman was quite vocal during his time away from the promotion that he was working towards a return to the UFC and wanted to prove, after a multitude of mounting injuries kept him from fighting healthy for several years, that he could still compete against the best of the best in the welterweight division.

But with a new promotion pushing him towards a title shot in 2013, Burkman is happy right where he’s at, even if the UFC comes calling.

“I have a great relationship with Dana White, and my goal originally was to go back to the UFC, but when World Series of Fighting called me and said ‘hey Josh this is who we are, this is what we’re doing,’  I had a really good feeling about them and where it could take me,” Burkman recently told MMA’s Great Debate Radio on Bleacher Report.  “I believe I have a really unique situation with World Series of Fighting. On NBC Sports, free TV, and I’ve said before that I wanted to be a featured fighter and I think now I’ve earned that spot.”

Burkman‘s next fight for the promotion will be for the first ever World Series of Fighting welterweight belt later this year. He also knows he made a commitment to the organization when he signed his contract last year, and Burkman is nothing if not a man of his word.

“I have three fights left on my contract and I’m not going to try to get out of my contract. I’m going to fulfill my contract,” Burkman said.  “We’ll see what happens from there.”

Loyalty in MMA sometimes comes down to the right paycheck, but Burkman felt gratitude when World Series of Fighting invested in making him one of the marquee names on their roster a year ago.

That doesn’t mean the door is closed to a potential UFC return after the fights on Burkman‘s contract are finished.  If Burkman can win those final three fights on his current deal, he would be an enticing addition to the UFC’s welterweight division in 2014.

Burkman isn’t looking that far ahead right now. He’s got to take some time off to heal an ailing hand—after hurting it during the fight with Fitch—and prepare for a title shot later this year.

“I hurt my hand against Aaron Simpson. I re-injured it against Fitch so I’ve got to go see the orthopedist this week.  Probably be about six to eight weeks, so I need the time off anyways,” Burkman said.  “I believe with them behind me, and me behind them, we’re going to make World Series of Fighting one of the top organizations in the world.”

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Tito Ortiz: Stephan Bonnar Doesn’t Belong in the UFC Hall of Fame

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz doesn’t think Stephan Bonnar deserves a spot alongside him in the UFC Hall of Fame. Ortiz recently spoke with MMA Junkie about the two latest fighters to be named to the Hall of Fame— Bon…

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz doesn’t think Stephan Bonnar deserves a spot alongside him in the UFC Hall of Fame. 

Ortiz recently spoke with MMA Junkie about the two latest fighters to be named to the Hall of Fame— Bonnar and another former 205-pound champ in Forrest Griffin. 

“Forrest deserves it,” Ortiz said. “He beat me, and he beat some other really good guys. He was a world champion. He had some great fights. I think he deserves it. As far as Stephan, I have nothing against the guy, but you’ve got to be a world champion, I think, to be in the Hall of Fame.”

Ortiz fought Griffin three times in his career, winning their first bout at UFC 59, but losing their subsequent encounters at UFC 106 and UFC 148. 

UFC president Dana White announced at the UFC 160 post-fight conference last month that Griffin and Bonnar would be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the UFC Fan Expo prior to UFC 162 (via MMA Fighting). 

Griffin ended his UFC tenure with a respectable 10-5 record with victories over the likes of Ortiz (twice), Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rich Franklin. 

Additionally, his historic 2005 battle with Bonnar in the finals of the original season of The Ultimate Fighter helped to give the sport of MMA serious mainstream appeal. 

However, fans and analysts alike have panned the decision to give “The American Psycho” a spot in the hall, given a mediocre UFC record with no wins over big-name opponents.

Bonnar retired with an 8-7 record under the UFC banner and his biggest accomplishments in the cage were victories against Keith Jardine, Krzysztof Soszynski and Kyle Kingsbury. 

Ortiz goes on to rhetorically ask if one major fight is enough to warrant a Hall of Fame induction: 

“That’s a big honor to be in the Hall of Fame,” Ortiz said. “It means you had a significance in the sport at one time or another. You look at that, and the Forrest and Stephan fight was a big step for the UFC, so do they deserve it? Possibly. But can one fight get you in the Hall of Fame? I don’t know. I guess that’s Dana’s decision.”

The UFC Hall of Fame has just nine members, eight of which being respected champions during their time: Ortiz, Mark Coleman, Randy Couture, Royce Gracie, Matt Hughes, Chuck Liddell, Dan Severn and Ken Shamrock.

The only non-fighter currently enshrined is TapouT co-founder Charles “Mask” Lewis, a well-known proponent of MMA prior to his death in March 2009. 

Also worth noting is that Ortiz suggested future Hall of Fame inductees should be decided by a fan vote. 

Was Bonnar‘s landmark brawl with Griffin enough to earn him an official spot in UFC history, or should the UFC Hall of Fame be limited, as Ortiz believes, to former champions only? 

 

John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com and contributes MMA videos to The Young Turks Sports Show. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com