According to the Brazilian website GLOBO, UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva and former number one contender Vitor Belfort will be the coaches on the Brazilian version of The Ultimate Fighter, which begins filming in South American country in March 2012.
UFC officials, however told MMAJunkie this afternoon that the report is erroneous, but take the denial with a grain of salt. Remember the company has been guarded in the past when it comes to revealing TUF coaches prior to approximately the month before shooting begins for logistical reasons. The other reason why they could be denying the report, if it is in fact true, is that Silva is likely to face Chael Sonnen in February and it would come off as though they are expecting “The Spider” to win if they were to announce him as a coach, especially if it’s likely that he will defend his title against Belfort at the conclusion of the season. Smoke and mirrors.
Personally, I’d like them to bring in Uncle Chael to coach opposite Anderson. Hell, I’d watch the whole season without subtitles and on mute just to see Anderson’s facial expressions whenever Chael addresses him. It probably won’t happen since 3/4 of the Brazilian MMA fan base don’t know what playing the heel is, which is probably tied into the absence of the Internet in the country and because they often mistake buses for horses.
(“Your face still has my footprint on it, bro.”)
According to the Brazilian website GLOBO, UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva and former number one contender Vitor Belfort will be the coaches on the Brazilian version of The Ultimate Fighter, which begins filming in South American country in March 2012.
UFC officials, however told MMAJunkie this afternoon that the report is erroneous, but take the denial with a grain of salt. Remember the company has been guarded in the past when it comes to revealing TUF coaches prior to approximately the month before shooting begins for logistical reasons. The other reason why they could be denying the report, if it is in fact true, is that Silva is likely to face Chael Sonnen in February and it would come off as though they are expecting “The Spider” to win if they were to announce him as a coach, especially if it’s likely that he will defend his title against Belfort at the conclusion of the season. Smoke and mirrors.
Personally, I’d like them to bring in Uncle Chael to coach opposite Anderson. Hell, I’d watch the whole season without subtitles and on mute just to see Anderson’s facial expressions whenever Chael addresses him. It probably won’t happen since 3/4 of the Brazilian MMA fan base don’t know what playing the heel is, which is probably tied into the absence of the Internet in the country and because they often mistake buses for horses.
Tryouts for the show will take place in the coming weeks, during which time more info should be revealed about the format and location, but it’s unlikely the coaches will be announced until December or January. We’ll just have to watch Belfort’s Twitter posts the next couple months for any tweets about traveling to Brazil for six weeks or about being disrespected at the gym.
It would definitely fly in the face of Dana White’s earlier assertion that Vitor wasn’t ready for a title shot yet, but then again, that wouldn’t be the first time “The Baldfather” contradicted himself *cough* Kimbo *cough*.
For those of you who don’t know, “Swagger Jacked” is the new phrase for stealing another man’s style, swag, or even ideas.The most recent case of Swagger Jackin’ took place when Rashad Evans claimed current UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones stol…
For those of you who don’t know, “Swagger Jacked” is the new phrase for stealing another man’s style, swag, or even ideas.
The most recent case of Swagger Jackin’ took place when Rashad Evans claimed current UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones stole his style.
But, Evans isn’t the only man who’s been jacked of his swag.
The following slides display five fighters who’ve been swagger jacked in MMA today.
St-Pierre vs. Diaz Is Set The on-again, off-again Georges St-Pierre vs. Nick Diaz is apparently back on. At the UFC 137 post-fight press conference, Dana White announced the matchup. “Carlos Condit is going to step aside,” White said. &ldqu…
St-Pierre vs. Diaz Is Set
The on-again, off-again Georges St-Pierre vs. Nick Diaz is apparently back on.
At the UFC 137 post-fight press conference, Dana White announced the matchup.
“Carlos Condit is going to step aside,” White said. “St-Pierre’s next title fight will be against Nick Diaz.”
The bout quickly came about following Diaz’s impressive unanimous decision win over B.J. Penn. In the post-fight interview, the Strikeforce welterweight champion made the brash statement that St-Pierre was scared of him.
According to White, St-Pierre was not pleased with those comments.
“Since 2004, I’ve never seen GSP like he was tonight,” White said. “GSP flipped out tonight.”
White had more from his conversation with St-Pierre.
“He’s (Diaz) the most disrespectful guy I ever met,” White said, repeating what St-Pierre told him, “I’m going to put the worst beating on him in the history of the UFC.”
Diaz immediately reacted to St-Pierre.
“I got to come off like that just to get a fight,” Diaz said, not happy with the situation. “I got to be the bad guy just to get the fight.”
Upon hearing Diaz’s statement, White quickly added, “It worked.”
The worst kept secret in MMA is Chael Sonnen’s desire for a rematch against UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
“He’s a big nuisance,” Sonnen said. “He’s just a nuisance. He’s a fake and a phony.”
Sonnen has taken to the media to go after any angle possible to make the match happen. This includes verbally going after Silva’s training partners.
“Are you fighters or aren’t you?” Sonnen said. “Black House has so many excuses they should just be called Team Backout.”
Another Chance for Faber
Urijah Faber is set to take on Brian Bowles on November 19. Since the fight announcement, rumors began to circulate that the winner would receive a chance at Dominic Cruz’s bantamweight championship.
“Yes,” Faber said. “At first, there was talk of me having an immediate rematch with Cruz, but I want to beat a top contender first.”
Should Faber vs. Cruz 3 take place, the fight would be Faber’s fourth title chance in his last eight fights.
Faber offers no apologizes for what some people believe is preferential treatment for biggest star from the now-defunct WEC.
“I’ve been in the top of my weight class for eight years,” Faber said. “There’s haters out there. If someone wants to beat me to get into one of these title shots, then go ahead and do it.”
Lauzon Ready to Get Back in the Cage
After his scintillating submission victory against Melvin Guillard at UFC 136, Joe Lauzon is already talking about his next potential opponent.
Lightweight striker Anthony Pettis is clearly in his sights.
“I think it’s going to be an exciting fight,” Lauzon said of the former WEC champion. “We have talked about it.”
Lauzon also knows when he would like the fight to take place.
“I would love to fight in Vegas on the Super Bowl card in February,” Lauzon said. “We’re both exciting fighters. We both go for it.”
Japan’s MMA
Prior to the explosion of the UFC in the United States, MMA was first popular in Japan. But with the UFC buying Pride Fighting Championships and its subsequent replacement, Dream, not having much mainstream success, the future of the sport is cloudy at best.
HDNet announcer Mike Schiavello believes there still is opportunity.
“The small shows are flourishing at the moment,” Schiavello said. “The big shows? Not so much. Dream is still in a pretty good position. Hopefully, they can still do a New Year’s show.”
“I don’t think it will be like the Dynamite show as we know it. I think there’s a 60 percent chance.”
Next Featherweight Title Shot
Chad Mendes was recently passed over for a shot at Jose Aldo and the featherweight championship in favor of the better-known Kenny Florian.
Florian failed in his attempt to win the title, and now, the UFC may be close to calling Mendes’ name to face Aldo.
“We haven’t signed any contracts, but I truly believe I should be the next one in line,” Mendes said. “Whenever they tell me, I will be there, front and center, to sign that contract.”
UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen also confirmed that the fight was close to being announced.
“Mendes is the No. 1 contender in the featherweight division, but I’ll leave it at that,” Sonnen said, clearly alluding to the potential title bout. “I don’t want to say what’s next for him because it’s not public yet.”
With the UFC recently announcing that it will be returning to Brazil on January 14, 2012, Aldo vs. Mendes would appear to be a perfect fit from a timing standpoint for the main event spot.
MMA is just like any other sport: There will always be guys that get under people’s skin and make fans ready to jump them. Whether it’s because of trash talk, poor decisions, or claims that seem too good or silly to be true, some guys really just …
MMA is just like any other sport: There will always be guys that get under people’s skin and make fans ready to jump them.
Whether it’s because of trash talk, poor decisions, or claims that seem too good or silly to be true, some guys really just seem too full of themselves to be liked.
Over the past several years, the UFC hasn’t had a more talked about name than Chael Sonnen.Uncle Chael is overly recognized for calling out the world’s greatest fighter in Anderson Silva.Sonnen’s gone to Twitter, post-fight interviews, and even nationa…
Over the past several years, the UFC hasn’t had a more talked about name than Chael Sonnen.
Uncle Chael is overly recognized for calling out the world’s greatest fighter in Anderson Silva.
Sonnen’s gone to Twitter, post-fight interviews, and even national television to share exactly how he feels about Silva.
But, Silva’s not the only fighter Sonnen’s called out, and Sonnen’s outspokenness has caused many fighters to despise of him and formed a desire to fight him.
The following slides display the five fighters who would love to fight Uncle Chael.
UFC veterans Chael Sonnen and Kenny Florian joined John Anik on ESPN’s MMA Live segment on October 21st, 2011.The hot topic of the day consisted of Anderson Silva and his manager Ed Soares, who have no interest in a fight with Sonnen over Superbowl wee…
UFC veterans Chael Sonnen and Kenny Florian joined John Anik on ESPN’s MMA Live segment on October 21st, 2011.
The hot topic of the day consisted of Anderson Silva and his manager Ed Soares, who have no interest in a fight with Sonnen over Superbowl weekend.
“Anderson just feels that he doesn’t deserve it yet. He doesn’t deserve it yet… A lot of people are interested in the fight. It’s a big fight. Anderson’s not ducking him.”
Sonnen was quick to chime in regarding Ed Soares’ comments stating,
“Well look, apparently the Ed So excuse factory is open for business. Look, there’s a couple of things going on here. First, a champion doesn’t call someone out. If your the champion, you get called out.”
Sonnen went on to add,
“Secondly, he’s doing the same thing I am. He’s calling Bisping out because Bisping’s an easy fight. Well, I want an easy fight too so that’s why I’m calling him out. I get it.”
Anik turned the conversation over to Florian in his opinion of whether or not Silva is ducking Sonnen.
Florian sarcastically stated,
“I think if this fight doesn’t get put together, I think it’s Chael’s fought. I don’t think Chael is doing enough to get the fight with Anderson Silva. He’s just not doing enough to promote the fight.”
The subject then changed to George St-Pierre’s return but Sonnen cut off Anik, bringing the attention back to Silva.
Sonnen asked,
“Will A, Anderson Silva go as a duck for Halloween this year or B will he dress as a chicken?”
While Florian refrained from answering, Anik went with option A.
Sonnen of course went with choice B, as he believes Silva will “chicken out” of their highly anticipated rematch.
Sonnen ended the interview by stating,
“I think he goes as a chicken. He already has the costume”
St-Pierre vs. Diaz Is Set