MMA’s Great Debate Radio returns as we preview and give our predictions for UFC 165 as well as welcome in guests Brendan Schaub, Pat Healy and Ultimate Fighter 18 coach Bryan Caraway.
Schaub will give us his take on the deteriorating friendship wi…
MMA‘s Great Debate Radio returns as we preview and give our predictions for UFC 165 as well as welcome in guests Brendan Schaub, Pat Healy and Ultimate Fighter 18 coach Bryan Caraway.
Schaub will give us his take on the deteriorating friendship with Matt Mitrione ahead of their fight at UFC 165 and how he sees the fight going down.
Following a win that was overturned due to a positive drug test for marijuana in his last fight, Healy will discuss bouncing back from disappointment and breaks down young gun KhabibNurmagomedov.
Also on the show, TUF 18 coach Bryan Caraway tells us what really happened during the bar showdown with Ronda Rousey and her coaches, as well as his thoughts on the latest fight to take place in the house.
Finally, we break down the entire UFC 165 main card and give our picks and predictions.
The debate topics on today’s show include:
—Who is in the biggest must win situation at UFC 165?
—Fight Pick: Pat Healy vs. KhabibNurmagomedov?
—Fight Pick: Costa Philippou vs. Francis Carmont?
—Fight Pick: Brendan Schaub vs. Matt Mitrione?
—Fight Pick: RenanBarao vs. Eddie Wineland
—Who should get the next shot at the winner of Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson?
—Fight Pick: Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson?
This is MMA’s Great Debate Radio for Thursday, September 19, 2013
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Friends and fellow UFC heavyweights Brendan Schaub and Matt Mitrione will finally fight one another this Saturday at UFC 165. Both men were celebrated athletes long before they ever got into MMA and the UFC, with extensive football backgrounds in the AFL and NFL, respectively.
When you get two athletes who hail from similar backgrounds in the cage, there is often an added element of rivalry to the match up. Randy Couture facing Mike Van Arsdale, for example, or “Minotauro” Nogueira vs. Fabricio Werdum.
It doesn’t work that way with football, though, according to Schaub. “Not really,” he tells CagePotato.
“I think Matt is the more decorated football player and that I am more the decorated mixed martial artist. I pride myself on being a martial artist. I have a strong work ethic and was born to compete and fight. Martial arts is my true calling. Who the better football player is doesn’t really matter to me.”
Alright, the question was a silly one. But one still has to legitimately wonder what it will be like for Schaub and Mitrione to go all out against one another in the Octagon. They are not “friends” in the generic, early Tito Ortiz/Chuck Liddell sense. Schaub and Mitrione have been close and in constant contact with one another since they were both participants on the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Friends and fellow UFC heavyweights Brendan Schaub and Matt Mitrione will finally fight one another this Saturday at UFC 165. Both men were celebrated athletes long before they ever got into MMA and the UFC, with extensive football backgrounds in the AFL and NFL, respectively.
When you get two athletes who hail from similar backgrounds in the cage, there is often an added element of rivalry to the match up. Randy Couture facing Mike Van Arsdale, for example, or “Minotauro” Nogueira vs. Fabricio Werdum.
It doesn’t work that way with football, though, according to Schaub. “Not really,” he tells CagePotato.
“I think Matt is the more decorated football player and that I am more the decorated mixed martial artist. I pride myself on being a martial artist. I have a strong work ethic and was born to compete and fight. Martial arts is my true calling. Who the better football player is doesn’t really matter to me.”
Alright, the question was a silly one. But one still has to legitimately wonder what it will be like for Schaub and Mitrione to go all out against one another in the Octagon. They are not “friends” in the generic, early Tito Ortiz/Chuck Liddell sense. Schaub and Mitrione have been close and in constant contact with one another since they were both participants on the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter.
“Me and Matt are good buddies,” Brendan says.
“We talk once every week. We had the same trainer for years. We talk a ton. He was my closest friend in the [TUF] house. Before a fight we would talk game plans – what I think he should do to win, etc.”
All that made finding out he was fighting Mitrione a bit awkward for Schaub. “The way I found out we were going to fight was I got a call from Matt around midnight one night. I’m thinking, ‘what the hell is he calling so late for?’ I ignored the call. Then, the next day I look at my phone and I had about twelve missed calls from him. So, the first thing I do in the morning is to text Matt, ‘what the hell do you want?’ I thought he had drunk dialed me,” Schaub remembers.
“He wrote back, ‘we have to fight each other.’ I told him, ‘whoa, what do you mean? You’ve got to be kidding me.’ What can you do? You don’t say ‘no’ to Dana White and Joe Silva. Otherwise it can get real ugly.”
A fight between two close friends who feel forced by professional circumstances to face one another doesn’t seem like a sure-fire formula for fireworks. Brendan admits that, conceptually, fighting a friend can be a tough thing.
In the end, however, he’s certain that the fighter in him will come out against Mitrione at UFC 165, friend or not. “I think when you are outside the Octagon maybe there is a risk of not ripping his limb off if you get the chance,” he says.
“But when the juice is flowing in front of millions of people…I feel that in every fight my reputation on the line. Now he’s a guy messing with my reputation and my progress getting to the belt. I’m not going to let anyone do that.”
The team of analysts for the UFC on Fox Sports 1 and Fox broadcasts have been providing the most in-depth coverage mixed martial has seen in its 20 years of existence.
With a collection of seasoned fight veterans and a handful of well-versed hosts at t…
The team of analysts for the UFC on Fox Sports 1 and Fox broadcasts have been providing the most in-depth coverage mixed martial has seen in its 20 years of existence.
With a collection of seasoned fight veterans and a handful of well-versed hosts at the helm, the people working the pre- and post-fight shows for the UFC have consistently raised the bar.
For the next installment of “Dropping Knowledge,” former multi-divisional contender Kenny Florian sits in to give his thoughts on the upcoming card for UFC 165.
“Ken Flo” has traded leather with some of the best fighters to have ever stepped inside the Octagon, and while he is recently retired from scrapping it out on the sport’s biggest stage, Florian brings a unique angle to his fight analysis.
The Massachusetts native competed in four divisions throughout his UFC career, making title runs in two of them before hanging up the gloves for good in 2012. While Florian may not be competing inside the cage, he certainly stays busy outside of the action as he co-hosts UFC Tonight with Chael Sonnen and works the commentator table for Fight Night events alongside Jon Anik.
This is what Florian told Bleacher Report about Saturday night’s UFC 165 event in Toronto.
Let’s start with the main event. Jon Jones is facing Alexander Gustafsson for the light heavyweight title and so much has been made about the reach each fighter brings into this fight. How much stock are you putting into that particular aspect of this tilt?
It becomes extremely pertinent if the person knows how to control the range, and Jon Jones certainly knows how to do that. As does Alexander Gustafsson to a certain extent. However, having the kind of strength Jon Jones has with his wrestling as well makes things even more interesting. That range is going to be a difficult thing for anyone that faces Jon Jones. Not only is he a master of range, he has the range advantage and can keep you on the outside, but when either they or Jones decides to close that gap, it brings it into his realm. He really creates a dilemma for a lot of fighters.
It’s so strange to say these days with a fighter we’ve seen compete so many times, but I still don’t think we’ve seen the best Jon Jones. Is that something you would agree or disagree with?
I absolutely agree. He’s a guy who is still very young and still has time to fill in those tiny little holes and improve. Take his power for example. He’s not a knockout power guy. He’s a fighter who throws beautiful combinations and is very dynamic. He’s very diverse with his attacks but certainly has things in his game he can improve.
Another example is his ground game. He’s submitted great guys already, but I think what makes Jon Jones so great right now is his mind. He believes in his technique, but I think when he gets those other skills to that place, he’s going to be even scarier. It’s unbelievable when you think about what kind of potential he has.
So many people are writing off Gustafsson before he ever steps into the Octagon and that could be a big mistake if Jones is of that collective. In your opinion, what does Gustafsson have to do to beat Jones on Saturday?
First and foremost, I think he needs to have a good first round. I think it’s very important that he take away any momentum from Jon Jones early. If Jon Jones has momentum, he’s going to run away with it. Gustafsson isn’t going to have a prayer. Gustafsson has to find a way to hurt Jones or make him respect his striking early.
Whether it is stopping a few of his takedown attempts early and get into Jones’ head that way, he needs to get off to a great start early. He also has to stop the wrestling. If he can stop the wrestling of Jon Jones, he gives himself a chance. He’s still not safe, because Jones is such a great striker, but it gives him a chance. Gustafsson hits harder than Jones, and I’m not sure if he’s faster, but he’s right there with him as far as speed goes. I also think Gustafsson has a tiny advantage in the footwork department.
If Jones wins at UFC 165, he will break Tito Ortiz’s long-standing record for title defenses in the light heavyweight division. Other than the history books, how does this fight with Gustafsson affect Jones’ legacy?
It’s an interesting question to the point where some people are questioning whether or not Jon Jones is motivated going into this fight. I know some people who are close to him that are kind of a little nervous about whether or not he’s actually motivated for this fight. Then of course there is the UFC record on the line in this fight.
Jon Jones has the opportunity to take this sport to the next level with as great as he is. He is the full package. Here is a guy who good looking, charismatic and exciting to watch. These are the guys as former fighters, we have to root for because they can take the UFC and mixed martial arts to that next level. Much like GSP has done, Jon Jones could take it even further.
He can bring a whole new legion of fans into this sport. He can bring the same kind of attention Muhammad Ali brought to boxing. He has all that potential. For me, that’s truly what’s on the line. It goes beyond Jon Jones. It matters for the sport. I’m not sure that’s fair to put on a guy like Jon Jones who is only 26 years old, but that’s the reality.
Moving on to the co-main event where interim champion Renan Barao puts his title on the line against Eddie Wineland. What are the keys to victory for both fighters in this matchup?
The more Eddie Wineland can fight at a boxing range, the better off he will be. I think he puts together some of the most beautiful combinations we’ve seen in mixed martial arts. He has good head movement and the kid can counter-wrestle. He also has a lot of experience, and he needs to fight Barao in that boxing range and hurt Barao.
On the other hand, Barao doesn’t have any real weaknesses anywhere. Barao is going to have a big advantage if he’s able to get on top of Wineland and if he can make it a kickboxing match. If he can keep Wineland on the outside, that is really going to work to his benefit. Barao is going to have to mix things up, his takedowns and his strikes, and really show a mixed bag of MMA in there. Wineland is going to have to make it a scrappy fight because the more technical the fight is, the more it favors Barao.
Renan Barao is a product of the Nova Uniao camp in Rio de Janiero where he trains alongside featherweight phenom Jose Aldo. You have personal experience from being in the cage with Aldo, and in your opinion, what makes these guys so dangerous?
They are so well-rounded. Brazilian fighters used to get a lot of slack for not having the best wrestling pedigree, and that’s true when you compare them to the Americans and Russians. But they have done such a great job of using their athleticism and strategy to avoid the takedowns of very good wrestlers. Whether it’s using the cage, or their speed and footwork, it’s really making them such complete fighters. They don’t have any glaring weaknesses anywhere.
Of course, they come from Brazilian jiu-jitsu backgrounds and are always going to be strong there, but we are seeing some of the best Muay Thai in mixed martial arts come from that camp now. Andre Pederneiras is doing such a great job, they almost all look the same when you are talking about the guys under 155 pounds. They are all so similar and so good. They have a solid game and don’t make a lot of mistakes. That is what makes them so difficult to face.
The heavyweight matchup between Matt Mitrione and Brendan Schaub presents some interesting story lines. Both had momentum to begin their UFC runs, but after suffering losses, their profiles cooled off considerably. Do you believe the winner of this bout goes up to the next tier while the loser takes a step toward irrelevancy?
It’s tough because the heavyweight division has become so competitive, and this is an extremely important fight for both. They have the opportunity to break out of that middle of the pack section of the division, and it’s definitely an important fight. Especially in the way the fight is won. If the winner does so impressively, it can turn some heads and draw some attention their way.
In the middleweight division, Costa Philippou has been quietly climbing the ladder. I know it’s cliche to say that every fight is important, but when a fighter lacks a certain amount of name recognition, does that make every outing that much more crucial?
It absolutely does. It comes down to the fighter being exciting, getting those exciting wins and getting the fans behind them. By that I mean, you can’t do it only with your performances. You have to be able to market yourself. You have to be able to make a name for yourself and get attention. It’s frustrating for me when I watch it from the commentator’s booth and these guys have the opportunity when they get the mic in their hands and they do nothing with it.
They have the opportunity to reach out to millions of people and say what they want to say. Chael Sonnen is a perfect example of this. Get some attention, call out somebody and get people talking. When they ask you what you want next, don’t say it’s up to the UFC. We already know that. Of course it’s up to the UFC. Call out the fighter you want next. If you want a shot at the title, then make it known. That’s what is going to get people behind you. Whether they want to see you win or lose, that is what is going to draw attention to yourself as a fighter.
There is a great lightweight matchup at UFC 165 between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Pat Healy. In the four outings he’s had thus far under the UFC banner, Nurmagomedov has been able to manhandle the opposition. Healy, on the other hand, is a huge fighter for the 155-pound weight class. Does “The Eagle” have his way with Healy or does the gritty veteran find a way to win this fight?
This is an exciting fight. Khabib Nurmagomedov has been extremely impressive with his performances thus far. He’s showing that he may have some of the best wrestling in the 155-pound division, period. Not only that, but he also has tremendous knockout power, as well, which has been a nice wrinkle to his game. But we haven’t really seen him tested.
Pat Healy looked great in his return to the UFC against Jim Miller, and he’s a tough guy. Whoever wins this fight, and if they do so in impressive fashion, they could be contending for the belt in the near future. I don’t think this win will do it, but I could definitely see the winner of this fight being two fights away and knocking on the door.
Outside of the main card, are there any other fights that you are excited to see and think fans need to keep an eye on?
I really like the Myles Jury versus Mike Ricci fight. I think these are two guys with a tremendous amount of potential. I’ve trained with Mike Ricci in Montreal, and this kid is a specimen. Physically, he’s very impressive with a lot of athletic potential. I think he’s starting to mature as a human being as well and starting to take his training more seriously.
Myles Jury is someone I’ve been looking at since day one. I’ve been talking about him for a long time and a lot of people thought I was crazy saying this kid hasn’t done anything and whatnot. For me, it’s just the way that he fights. He’s very technical, smart and takes his training very seriously. He’s been nothing but impressive. Also, his wins have come in a variety of fashions. He’s not just winning by one thing. He’s winning with his ground game. He’s winning with his wrestling. In his last fight, he won by knockout. He’s been very impressive, and one of these kids are going to make a big name for themselves. I think they are going to do big things.
Actually, I think both of them have bright futures. I don’t think this is a one and done kind of fight, but I think the winner of this fight moves up significantly, and we are going to see great things from them.
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub has literally grown up while competing in the Octagon since appearing on The Ultimate Fighter season 10.
Heading into that show, Schaub was still a novice when it came to MMA, having only four professional fights under hi…
UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub has literally grown up while competing in the Octagon since appearing on The Ultimate Fighter season 10.
Heading into that show, Schaub was still a novice when it came to MMA, having only four professional fights under his belt after spending most of his athletic career as a football player.
Now, with eight fights in the UFC, which is double the experience he had before he fought in the promotion, Schaub knows it’s time to start putting on the performances that will put him at the top of the heavyweight division.
To accomplish that goal, Schaub moved to California to train full time, and he’s put more time and effort into his camp to get ready for his UFC 165 fight against Matt Mitrione than any he’s ever done before.
There will be no excuses come fight night—Schaub is promising nothing but a spectacular performance. So much so, he even believes that when the night is over, it’s his name fans and journalists will be talking about.
“This is the very best I’ve ever been,” Schaub said. “In shape, stand-up, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and now my sights are on Matt Mitrione. I promise you I will be the talk of UFC 165.”
Schaub knows that all the talk he’s doing leading up to the fight backs him up into a corner to perform at the highest level, and he knows that he has put on a show when he faces Mitrione in Toronto.
The former Colorado fullback knows that just beating Mitrione won’t be enough. He has to put him away, and do so in impressive fashion.
“I have to finish him,” Schaub said. “It has to be a finish, it has to be a statement fight to get me to that next tier of guys. It’s a big test.”
Check out the entire interview with Schaub where he also talks about his fractured friendship with Mitrione after they were booked to fight.
I don’t like it, but I’ll do it.
That seemed to be the thinking of Brendan Schaub and Matt Mitrione when the UFC matchmakers asked if they would be interested in fighting each other on the UFC on Fox 8 fight card.
The reason the two heavywe…
I don’t like it, but I’ll do it.
That seemed to be the thinking of Brendan Schaub and Matt Mitrione when the UFC matchmakers asked if they would be interested in fighting each other on the UFC on Fox 8 fight card.
The reason the two heavyweights, who became friendly during filming for season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter, needed to say yes to the fight was simple: They’re both coming off of wins, and they’re both outside the top 10 in the division. The fight made sense to the UFC, and it made sense to the fighters, so it was booked.
Unfortunately, a training camp injury suffered by Mitrione caused the bout to be removed from the July 27 Fox card.
Oh, and that pesky friendship thing? Yeah that seems like it’ll no longer be a concern after a Twitter fallout between the fighters ended with Mitrione calling Schaub “Benedict Arnold.”
Mitrione (6-2) enters the fight coming off a 19-second knockout victory over Phil De Fries at UFC on Fuel TV 9. More recently, though, he is remembered as the fighter who was suspended and fined by the UFC for transphobic comments he made about transgender fighter Fallon Fox.
Meanwhile, Schaub (9-3) is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Lavar Johnson at UFC 157.
The victories ended two-fight losing streaks for both fighters.
A UFC light heavyweight title fight will be the main event at UFC 165. Champion Jon Jones will put his title on the line against No. 2 ranked Alexander Gustafsson.
UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub has expressed his frustration after losing his spot at UFC on Fox 8 later this month due to an injury to his opponent, Matt Mitrione.
The two former The Ultimate Fighter teammates were supposed to meet on July 27, but it …
UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub has expressed his frustration after losing his spot at UFC on Fox 8 later this month due to an injury to his opponent, Matt Mitrione.
The two former The Ultimate Fighter teammates were supposed to meet on July 27, but it was reported on Thursday that Mitrione was injured in training.
“I’m a sad panda right now, straight up… I just got done with camp. Matt Mitrione pulled out yesterday so, it’s a killer for me.”
Up until this year, the two heavyweights were struggling in the division, having lost two fights in a row with possible dismissals from the promotion looming. In February, Schaub arrested his losing streak with a win over Lavar Johnson at UFC 157. Mitrione did the same in April against Phil De Fries.
Since then, Mitrione has been waging a Twitter war against his opponent in an effort to drum up interest in the contest. But from Schaub’s comments, it seems the two are still firm friends.
“I don’t know what’s up with Matt. Hopefully he gets better,” said Schaub. “I hope it’s not serious. I hope he’s all right; he’s a buddy… I text him, make sure he’s all right, I heard from him.”
Nevertheless, Schaub doesn’t hide his frustration at losing the opportunity to fight his friend, especially due to the cost of his training camp. He told Fight Hub TV that he flew training partners and coaches in from all over the place in preparation for the contest.
Those training partners included LyotoMachida and ChaelSonnen. His one consolation is that he’s come out of the camp an improved fighter.
Schaub says that he’d like to fight Mitrione later in the year at UFC 165, which takes place in Toronto in September.
If he does make it to that card, he’ll be on below a Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson light heavyweight championship main event.
And, in the meantime, he can take some of that striking knowledge he’s accumulated from Machida to help the Ring of Champions Society in Manchester, who are currently looking to take young fighters the 2016 Olympics.
The team of analysts for the UFC on Fox Sports 1 and Fox broadcasts have been providing the most in-depth coverage mixed martial has seen in its 20 years of existence.