Tag: Cheick Kongo

UFC 149: UFC.com Announces Big Nog’s Replacement

Yesterday, we learned that former heavyweight champion of both PRIDE and UFC, Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira, has been forced from his UFC 149 battle against Cheick Kongo.Today, UFC.com has announced that Big Nog will be replaced by none other than Shawn…

Yesterday, we learned that former heavyweight champion of both PRIDE and UFC, Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira, has been forced from his UFC 149 battle against Cheick Kongo.

Today, UFC.com has announced that Big Nog will be replaced by none other than Shawn Jordan. 

Jordan is a former Strikeforce competitor who put on an exciting battle against strongman Oli Thompson at UFC on FX back in March. The contest saw Jordan win via TKO after two rounds of back and forth action.

The American fights out of Greg Jackson’s camp and compiled a 3-1 record in Bellator, before going 1-1 in Strikeforce, where he holds a submission win over Lavar Johnson. 

Despite his 13-3 record, this fight represents a major step up in competition for Jordan, as Cheick Kongo is a mainstay of the UFC Heavyweight division and holds wins over the likes of Mirko Cro Cop and Assuerio Silva. To date, Kongo is the only man to go the distance with former champion Cain Velasquez. 

This fight is the first for Kongo since a TKO loss to Mark Hunt back at UFC 144 in Japan. After stating on multiple occasions that he is hoping to get the title shot that he eluded him throughout his 17-fight UFC career, 37-year-old Kongo will need to be successful against the rising prospect if he has any realistic hopes of getting his shot. 

UFC 149 takes place on July 21, 2012 and will be headlined by the Interim Bantamweight title fight between Urijah Faber and Renan Barao.

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Alistair Overeem: 5 Fights for Him to Take Upon His Return

When Alistair Overeem returns from serving out his sentence for failing a drug test, his first fight back could be contingent on fan reception and organizational forgiveness.If Dana White finds himself in a charitable mood, maybe he’ll throw Over…

When Alistair Overeem returns from serving out his sentence for failing a drug test, his first fight back could be contingent on fan reception and organizational forgiveness.

If Dana White finds himself in a charitable mood, maybe he’ll throw Overeem a meatball to kick around. Nothing erases the stain of a hot urinalysis better than a devastating knockout victory.

However, if Uncle Dana is still perturbed that Overeem lied to his face and ruined a huge title fight, then he could end up throwing Overeem to a wolf.

Here are five great fights for the bruising Dutchman when he returns.

Begin Slideshow

Matt Mitrione to Make Octagon Return at UFC on FOX 4 in Los Angeles


(The key to defeating Marcus Jones? A few drops of barbecue sauce on your glove, believe it or not.) 

Ever since dropping a unanimous decision in a snorefest to Cheick Kongo at UFC 137, a loss that snapped a five fight win streak that included vicious (T)KO victories over Christian Morecraft, Tim Hague, and Kimbo Slice, TUF 10 veteran Matt Mitrione has been M.I.A. He hasn’t returned any of our phone calls, and he damn sure hasn’t left us any messages, so we just assumed he was taking a really long vacation on a mysterious, remote island that had yet to develop cell phone technology…like Australia. Because surely no one would willingly ignore us, right? RIGHT?!

…

Ahem. Well, most of you will be happy to know that “Meathead” will be returning to action at UFC on FOX 4 against Rob Broughton. Who is Rob Broughton, you ask? He would be the British gentlemen with the, let’s call it “Fedorian” physique, who is currently 1-2 in the octagon. After scoring a debut victory (via third round rear-naked choke) over a juiced up Vinicius Quieroz, “The Bear” has dropped a pair of unanimous decision victories to Travis Browne and Philip De Fries at UFC 135 and UFC 138, respectively. He also holds notable victories over Neil Grove (via decision), Robert Berry (via TKO), and James Thompson (via WTFdoyouthink).

Contain your excitement. CONTAIN IT.

UFC on FOX 4 goes down from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on August 4th.

Since we kind of have to ask this, who you got?

–J. Jones


(The key to defeating Marcus Jones? A few drops of barbecue sauce on your glove, believe it or not.) 

Ever since dropping a unanimous decision in a snorefest to Cheick Kongo at UFC 137, a loss that snapped a five fight win streak that included vicious (T)KO victories over Christian Morecraft, Tim Hague, and Kimbo Slice, TUF 10 veteran Matt Mitrione has been M.I.A. He hasn’t returned any of our phone calls, and he damn sure hasn’t left us any messages, so we just assumed he was taking a really long vacation on a mysterious, remote island that had yet to develop cell phone technology…like Australia. Because surely no one would willingly ignore us, right? RIGHT?!

…

Ahem. Well, most of you will be happy to know that “Meathead” will be returning to action at UFC on FOX 4 against Rob Broughton. Who is Rob Broughton, you ask? He would be the British gentlemen with the, let’s call it “Fedorian” physique, who is currently 1-2 in the octagon. After scoring a debut victory (via third round rear-naked choke) over a juiced up Vinicius Quieroz, “The Bear” has dropped a pair of unanimous decision victories to Travis Browne and Philip De Fries at UFC 135 and UFC 138, respectively. He also holds notable victories over Neil Grove (via decision), Robert Berry (via TKO), and James Thompson (via WTFdoyouthink).

Contain your excitement. CONTAIN IT.

UFC on FOX 4 goes down from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on August 4th.

Since we kind of have to ask this, who you got?

–J. Jones

[VIDEO] Full UFC 149 Press Conference From Calgary


(We’re sorry, Tom, but it’s just not the same. Photo courtesy of MMAMania.)

Just a couple of hours ago, the UFC held a press conference in Shaw Court, Alberta, Canada, to promote UFC 149: Jose Aldo vs. Some Guy (it’s a joke, take it easy), which is expected to transpire on July 21st from Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Surprisingly absent from the conference was that of UFC President Dana White, who was in turn replaced by Director of Operations for UFC Canada, Tom Wright. Also absent was a hearty supply of French fries and gravy for the fighters involved, which was a real shame in our opinion.

In the co-main event of the evening, the most hated wanted man in the middleweight division, Michael Bisping, will square off against hard nosed slugger Tim Boetsch. Also expected for UFC 149 will be Antonio Rodrigo’s Nogueria’s return to the octagon for the first time since Frank Mir went all Paul Harris on his arm, the difference between their UFC 140 scrap and the average Paul Harris fight being that Nog waited until after Mir broke his arm to tap, not the other way around. Anyway, Big Nog will be squaring off against the inconsistent but always dangerous Cheick Kongo, who is coming off a knockout loss at the hands of Mark Hunt at UFC 144.

Check out the full video and lineup after the jump. 


(We’re sorry, Tom, but it’s just not the same. Photo courtesy of MMAMania.)

Just a couple of hours ago, the UFC held a press conference in Shaw Court, Alberta, Canada, to promote UFC 149: Jose Aldo vs. Some Guy (it’s a joke, take it easy), which is expected to transpire on July 21st from Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Surprisingly absent from the conference was that of UFC President Dana White, who was in turn replaced by Director of Operations for UFC Canada, Tom Wright. Also absent was a hearty supply of French fries and gravy for the fighters involved, which was a real shame in our opinion.

In the co-main event of the evening, the most hated wanted man in the middleweight division, Michael Bisping, will square off against hard nosed slugger Tim Boetsch. Also expected for UFC 149 will be Antonio Rodrigo’s Nogueria’s return to the octagon for the first time since Frank Mir went all Paul Harris on his arm, the difference between their UFC 140 scrap and the average Paul Harris fight being that Nog waited until after Mir broke his arm to tap, not the other way around. Anyway, Big Nog will be squaring off against the inconsistent but always dangerous Cheick Kongo, who is coming off a knockout loss at the hands of Mark Hunt at UFC 144.

Check out the full video and lineup below.

UFC 149 Lineup

  • Champ Jose Aldo vs. Erik Koch (for featherweight title)
  • Michael Bisping vs. Tim Boetsch
  • Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Thiago Silva
  • Cheick Kongo vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
  • Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Thiago Alves
  • Jon Fitch vs. Aaron Simpson
  • Antonio Carvalho vs. George Roop
  • Bryan Caraway vs. Mitch Gagnon
  • Mitch Clarke vs. Anton Kuivanen
  • Ryan Jimmo vs. Anthony Perosh
  • Court McGee vs. Nick Ring

–J. Jones

UFC 149: Big Nog vs Cheick Kongo Set for UFC 149

As reported on MMAWeekly.com this morning, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cheick Kongo have been added to the UFC 149 fight card that will take place in Calgary on July 21.The Calgary Sun cited anonymous sources in announcing the news, but the fight was …

As reported on MMAWeekly.com this morning, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cheick Kongo have been added to the UFC 149 fight card that will take place in Calgary on July 21.

The Calgary Sun cited anonymous sources in announcing the news, but the fight was verified via the UFC Canada Official Twitter feed. The announcement came on the same day that UFC President Dana White hinted that Brazilian featherweight Champion Jose Aldo would most likely be pulled form that same card.

Aldo was originally announced as the headliner for the debut Calgary event with a challenger to be named later. The UFC announced via press conference yesterday that the Silva-Sonnen rematch that was tentatively set for UFC 147 in Brazil will now take place at UFC 148 in Las Vegas. This move leaves a big hole on the Brazil card, and many feel it will be filled by Aldo.

Nogueira (33-7-1) is currently recovering from a broken humorous he suffered after refusing to tap to a kimura lock in his last fight with Frank Mir at UFC 140 in December of 2011. Nogueira has had a tough time in the UFC with a 4-3 record.

Kongo (17-7-2) is also coming off a loss via TKO to Mark Hunt at UFC 144 in Japan.

If the Aldo fight is indeed moved off the Calgary card, the Canadian fans could be in for a very nice replacement as White has already mentioned that Jon Jones vs. Dan Henderson is the leading candidate to fill that slot.

UFC 149 Fight card To Date: (Subject to Change)

Thiago Alves vs Yoshihiro Akiyama – welterweight

George Roop vs *Antonio Carvalho – featherweight

*Nick Ring vs Court McGee – middleweight

Bryan Caraway vs *Mitch Gagnon – featherweight

*Mitch Clarke vs Anton Kuivanen – lightweight

Cheick Kongo vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

* Canadian Fighter

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA, MMA Editor at CKSN.ca and guest blogger for Sportsnet.ca.

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma.

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UFC 149: Antonio Nogueira’s Next Fight Announced

A heavyweight bout between veterans Cheick Kongo and Antonio Minotauro Nogueira has been added to UFC 149 in Calgary reports the Calgary Sun.The bout will likely serve as the co-main event on a card that’s also expected to host a championship bout in t…

A heavyweight bout between veterans Cheick Kongo and Antonio Minotauro Nogueira has been added to UFC 149 in Calgary reports the Calgary Sun.

The bout will likely serve as the co-main event on a card that’s also expected to host a championship bout in the light-heavyweight division when Jon Jones attempts to defend his title for a fourth time against PRIDE FC legend Dan Henderson.

Kongo and Nogueira are both coming off of stoppage losses in their most recent bouts.

Kongo was knocked out by Mark Hunt at UFC 144. Prior to that, the Frenchman had not suffered a loss since 2009.

Big Nog was submitted for the first time in his career at UFC 140 by current No. 1 contender Frank Mir. Nogueira has not found the success he wanted in the UFC, as he holds a modest 4-3 record in the organization.

UFC 149 is also expected to host an interesting welterweight matchup between Thiago Alves and Yoshihiro Akiyama.

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