The seemingly inevitable rematch now has a date in place.
Immediately following UFC on FX 3, Dana White revealed his plan to have the heavyweight championship rematch headline UFC 152 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. As of right now, a welterweight bout between BJ Penn and Rory MacDonald is also scheduled for the event.
The seemingly inevitable rematch now has a date in place.
Immediately following UFC on FX 3, Dana White revealed his plan to have the heavyweight championship rematch headline UFC 152 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. As of right now, a welterweight bout between BJ Penn and Rory MacDonald is also scheduled for the event.
When the two first met at UFC on FOX, the fight was a relatively anticlimactic affair that saw Junior Dos Santos wreck Cain Velasquez one minute and four seconds into the first round. While most fans weren’t clamoring for an immediate rematch, it was obvious that the two young heavyweights would meet up again.
This became even more obvious after UFC 146, which saw both men dominate their opponents on their way to early stoppages. In the main event of the evening, champion Junior Dos Santos defended his title against Frank Mir with a spectacular second round TKO. Despite Frank Mir’s best efforts to get the fight to the ground, the only time he managed to get it there was when he was dropped by the heavy hands of Junior Dos Santos.
And as great as Dos Santos looked against Mir, Cain Velasquez looked even more dominant against Strikeforce veteran Antonio Silva. Silva was at no point in their fight a threat to the former champion, being taken down early and beaten to a pulp before the fight was mercifully stopped at 3:36 of the first round.
UFC 152 is expected to go down on September 22. We’ll keep you up to date as more fights get announced for this card.
If the abysmal ratings of The Ultimate Fighter 15are any indication (hint: they are), then most of you are likely not up to speed on the happenings of this season, and I’m no exception. For instance, I couldn’t even name one of the participants still competing (Steve Sicilia?), nor could I tell you which phase of the tournament we are currently in. I chalk up my lack of enthusiasm over TUF 15 to the show’s shift to Friday nights, because personally, I’d rather get bombed on a mixture of hand grenades and PBR and hit on a mid-30’s divorcee with lowered self-esteem then watch Team Faber strip down and get a good sweat on in Team Cruz’s locker room, not that there’s anything wrong with that. But this Friday’s episode may mark the first time in the season that you and I might actually want to hold off on the brain damage and sexual harassment lawsuits for the time being.
If the abysmal ratings of The Ultimate Fighter 15are any indication (hint: they are), then most of you are likely not up to speed on the happenings of this season, and I’m no exception. For instance, I couldn’t even name one of the participants still competing (Steve Sicilia?), nor could I tell you which phase of the tournament we are currently in. I chalk up my lack of enthusiasm over TUF 15 to the show’s shift to Friday nights, because personally, I’d rather get bombed on a mixture of hand grenades and PBR and hit on a mid-30′s divorcee with lowered self-esteem then watch Team Faber strip down and get a good sweat on in Team Cruz’s locker room, not that there’s anything wrong with that. But this Friday’s episode may mark the first time in the season that you and I might actually want to hold off on the brain damage and sexual harassment lawsuits for the time being.
Rumors instantly started springing up that everyone from Michael McDonald, who is coming off a brilliant knockout of former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres, to Renan Barao, who is currently scheduled to face Ivan Menjivar at the same event, would be next in line for a crack at Urijah. However, Barao recently told Tatame that the UFC had yet to contact him on the potential of facing Faber, but that he would be more than willing if the opportunity presented itself:
It would be great. Actually, I fight any guy UFC tells me to. I’m prepared and I can fight anyone.
I started my preparation and I’ll fight anyone they tell me to. I’ll be prepared to go there and do a good jog and a good fight. My focus in on Menjivar. It’s all speculations, bets. I’m slated to fight Menjivar.
It’s a fans thing. They want it to happen. People on Facebook and Twitter want me to be in this fight and Faber himself pointed me out. The champion got injured and Faber is fighting. I’d be really glad to confront him. That’s all. They haven’t say anything to me.
So who do you think will be the man to step up, Potato Nation? And if not Barao or McDonald, then who else?
Personally, I’m hopping on the quickly growing bandwagon of people that think we should just cut our losses and have Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin duke it out again for old time’s sake. Any other takers?
After “The Answer” lost his title to “Smooth” at UFC 144 via unanimous decision, many assumed that Henderson was destined for a rematch of a different nature, specifically, that of his WEC 53 clash with Anthony Pettis, who not only defeated Benson to claim the WEC’s final lightweight title, but whom also scored a big win over Joe Lauzon via first round head kick at UFC 144. Considering Dana White repeatedly stated that he would prefer to see Edgar drop to 145 and face champion Jose Aldo, it seemed we were destined for another round of cage leaping madness. Aside from that possible matchup, the MMA blogosphere also rallied behind the idea of the winner of the upcoming Nate Diaz/Jim Miller match getting the next shot, a sentiment that to a certain degree was echoed by White himself just hours ago at the UFC on Fox press conference.
But alas, it seems our cries fell on deaf ears, as we are destined for yet another rematch for the lightweight title. It’s not that we’re pissed for another Edgar/Henderson go-around, because the first fight was more than entertaining, but we’re starting to get the impression that if a fight goes the distance at 155, it must mean that it was hotly contested. Perhaps the UFC should adopt a “finish or GTFO” type policy for the lightweight division, because all these rematches are starting to get ridiculous, exciting as they are.
To be fair, Edgar has accepted a rematch with everyone that the UFC has asked him to, so DW probably owed him this. In either case, there’s no point in bitching about it now, so who y’all got for this one?
It’s a new year, Potato Nation, and aside from an endless number of Mayan-themed jokes that will undoubtedly punctuate most of our content, we’ve decided to kick off 2012 with you, our esteemed followers, in mind. And while we had more than our fill of exciting brawls in 2011, things like injury curses, excessive title shots, and sudden desires for film careers left us with hunger pains that could only be satiated by the announcement of another marquee match-up. That, or one of your wife’s famous steak sandwiches.
Call us greedy, call us insensitive, but we’re the type of fans that simply must have our every fantasy fulfilled, and it is with that in mind that we ask you, our fellow fanatics, to join us in a discussion of the five fights we NEED to witness this year, if only to end a few of the never ending arguments that constitute the CP comments sections. Here are our picks…
Why?: Because if we have to hear how lucky Silva got one more time, we are going to round up all of our writers and perform a full reenactment of Death of a (Real Estate) Salesman. Goldstein will play Willy Loman, the elderly and dillusional salesman (Obvs.). CrushCo will play Biff, the former football star who yearns for a life as a farmhand, and Seth will play Happy, the slacking womanizer, leaving none other than myself to play Linda. What can I say, it sucks being the new guy.
(Can someone say SUPERFIGHT?!!!)
It’s a new year, Potato Nation, and aside from an endless number of Mayan-themed jokes that will undoubtedly punctuate most of our content, we’ve decided to kick off 2012 with you, our esteemed followers, in mind. And while we had more than our fill of exciting brawls in 2011, things like injury curses, excessive title shots, and sudden desires for film careers left us with hunger pains that could only be satiated by the announcement of another marquee match-up. That, or one of your wife’s famous steak sandwiches.
Call us greedy, call us insensitive, but we’re the type of fans that simply must have our every fantasy fulfilled, and it is with that in mind that we ask you, our fellow fanatics, to join us in a discussion of the five fights we NEED to witness this year, if only to end a few of the never ending arguments that constitute the CP comments sections. Here are our picks…
Why?: Because if we have to hear how lucky Silva got one more time, we are going to round up all of our writers and perform a full reenactment of Death of a (Real Estate) Salesman. Goldstein will play Willy Loman, the elderly and dillusional salesman (Obvs.). CrushCo will play Biff, the former football star who yearns for a life as a farmhand, and Seth will play Happy, the slacking womanizer, leaving none other than myself to play Linda. What can I say, it sucks being the new guy.
Why?: Depending on the outcome of Evans/Davis of course, this one needs to happen because 2011 was shockingly absent of, as Rampage would put it, “some black on black crime.” For reals though, if the rivalry between these two was great enough to create a rift in the almighty Team Jackson, then it’s definitely a fight worth seeing.
Why?: Because we need to end this whole “Face of Women’s MMA” debate. And since Ms. Carano seems reluctant to return to the cage, we’d be satisfied if this fight took place at a training facility, in the form of a dance off, or preferably, after a heated game of lingerie SCRABBLE.
Why?: Sorry Carlos, but THIS is the match that MMA fans have been clamoring for. It’s a classic battle of Good vs. Evil, Wealthy vs. Homeless, and Completely Incoherent vs. Sort of Incoherent. And now that one huge PPV draw has moved on to greener, chicken salad filled pastures, this fight would provide a much needed boost in the upcoming lineup, which is a bit stagnant, to be honest.
#1 – Anderson Silva vs. JJ, GSP, JDS…
Why?: Because we NEED an Anderson Silva supermatch. We don’t care who it’s against, we really just need to see Silva step outside of the 185 pound division to fight someone who has more than a Hail Mary’s chance in Hell of beating him. The man is the clean shaven, smirking face of domination, and it’s about time that he showed someone other than Justin Bieber that he can shuck and jive with anyone, and we mean ANYONE, placed before him. Make it happen, DW.
Give us your top five in the comments section below.
If you needed further evidence that somebody’s going to get all butthurt tomorrow, the above video featuring UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and light-heavyweight contender Phil Davis doesn’t pull any punches. As they climb through a storage unit, the duo take shots at Arianny Celeste, Jon Jones, Cecil Peoples, Wanderlei Silva, and more. It’s definitely worth a couple of minutes of your time.
Yesterday’s skit probably reminded you that a good chin doesn’t always equate to strong acting chops. Then again, there’s only so much you can do with the script you’re handed. Speaking of which, the comedic stylings of Frank Mir await you after the jump.
If you needed further evidence that somebody’s going to get all butthurt tomorrow, the above video featuring UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and light-heavyweight contender Phil Davis doesn’t pull any punches. As they climb through a storage unit, the duo take shots at Arianny Celeste, Jon Jones, Cecil Peoples, Wanderlei Silva, and more. It’s definitely worth a couple of minutes of your time.
Yesterday’s skit probably reminded you that a good chin doesn’t always equate to strong acting chops. Then again, there’s only so much you can do with the script you’re handed. Speaking of which, the comedic stylings of Frank Mir await you after the jump.
(I can already hear her voice, caressing me like a newborn and telling me that everything will be OK.)
When Dana White first announced that the UFC planned to hold both a live event in Japan and Las Vegas on the same night, many of us sat back and scratched our heads, wondering what in the hell “The Baldfather” was hoping to achieve with such a maneuver and more importantly, how he would pull it off. When we found out we would be treated to a free Japan card followed by a Vegas PPV card, most of us rejoiced, but still found ourselves doubting the likelihood of such a exorbitant event actually coming to fruition. Well, we hate to say we told you so, but as it turns out, you won’t have to roll out of bed at 10 a.m. to catch the free Japan card. Matter of fact, you won’t be getting a free card at all.
(I can already hear her voice, caressing me like a newborn and telling me that everything will be OK.)
When Dana White first announced that the UFC planned to hold both a live event in Japan and Las Vegas on the same night, many of us sat back and scratched our heads, wondering what in the hell “The Baldfather” was hoping to achieve with such a maneuver and more importantly, how he would pull it off. When we found out we would be treated to a free Japan card followed by a Vegas PPV card, most of us rejoiced, but still found ourselves doubting the likelihood of such a exorbitant event actually coming to fruition. Well, we hate to say we told you so, but as it turns out, you won’t have to roll out of bed at 10 a.m. to catch the free Japan card. Matter of fact, you won’t be getting a free card at all.
In an effort to ensure that their return to Japan goes successfully, Zuffa has not only elevated the card to pay-per-view status, but has signed a deal with Japanese advertising mogul Dentsu Inc. to help promote the card to as wide a fan base as possible. Currently, the UFC has yet to achieve a mass television deal in Japan, and is only broadcast on the rather private WOWOW and NTT Plala’s Hikari networks. Though it has yet to be reached, a mass distribution deal could open the gates for local programming in Japan, which would be a huge boost to the UFC’s ever-expanding market.
Though we will now be forced to pay for the card, you gotta believe this is a good move by DW and company, who at first seemed as if they were underselling the Japan card to generate interest in the Vegas one. Considering the globe spanning events that the UFC has planned for next year, not to mention the enormous following MMA has in Japan, it would be pretty foolish to undersell or under-promote the first Japanese card in over ten years. But from the looks of it, everything is going to be fine, until the injury curse comes back that is.
