Chris Camozzi confidently fielded questions from inside New York City’s Best Buy Theater Thursday afternoon as part of the UFC’s Ultimate Media Day leading up to Saturday’s UFC on Fox 15 card in Newark, New Jersey.
Just days ago, Camozzi expected…
Chris Camozzi confidently fielded questions from inside New York City’s Best Buy Theater Thursday afternoon as part of the UFC’s Ultimate Media Day leading up to Saturday’s UFC on Fox 15 card in Newark, New Jersey.
Just days ago, Camozzi expected to watch this card from home, wondering when he’d get his second chance inside the UFC’s storied Octagon. The middleweight fighter was cut from the organization after four straight losses from May 2013 to September 2014, but he posted an impressive 2-0 record in local action following his release and was preparing for a return.
After UFC on Fox 15 co-main event combatant Yoel Romero was forced to pull out of his fight against Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza just days before the event, Camozzi perked up.
This could be his chance.
“I told my wife two days before I got the call that I was going to get back in the UFC on short notice, then it happened,” Camozzi told Bleacher Report in New York. “Guys fall out all the time, so I made sure my weight was low and I was ready.”
Despite a first-round submission loss to Jacare at UFC on FX 8 that began his UFC skid, Camozzi knew fighters wouldn’t be lining up to face a fighter of Souza‘s caliber. Jacare is a world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with ever-improving sledgehammer fists, and his killer instinct is terrifying to behold.
Still, there was no hesitation when the UFC rang Camozzi’s phone and asked for a favor.
“The answer was ‘hell yeah’ right away,” Camozzi said. “It was within about 10 seconds that I responded.”
While Camozzi‘s first bout against Jacare didn’t necessarily warrant a rematch, the opportunity is his. He stepped up when nobody else would, and now he has the chance to pull off a career-defining upset in Newark.
After evaluating his past performance against Jacare, Camozzi feels confident heading into UFC on Fox 15. He knows where he went wrong, and he feels he’s righted the necessary wrongs to lead himself to victory.
“It [the first fight] was only a couple years ago, but I feel like—maturity wise as far as a fighter, fight IQ—I’m being smart in there,” Camozzi said. “I’m getting better and better and better. I’m getting more mature as far as making the right decisions, and I feel a lot better now. I know I got a little anxious in my first fight instead of being patient, and I think that was the biggest thing that messed me up.”
Should he pull out the victory, Camozzi believes he’ll be launched right into contention in the middleweight division. Jacare is the No. 1-ranked middleweight in the organization, so a victory over him, Camozzi says, would prove he belongs with the big dogs.
“It puts me up there if I win, otherwise, everybody expects me to lose,” Camozzi said. “The pressure’s on him, not on me. I feel great. I’m excited about it. Right after the first fight, I was like, ‘God, I want to fight him again.’ So I got my opportunity. I’m not one of those people who says something and doesn’t mean it. I said it and I meant it.
“I think it puts me right at the top. And whoever’s at the top is who I’ll fight.”
After Jacare—win or lose—Camozzi said he’ll be sticking around the UFC for a bit.
“Yeah [I’ll have another fight in the UFC after this one], the UFC is taking care of me,” Camozzi said. “They offered me a new contract. They’re great. They’ve been awesome through this whole thing, making sure I have everything I need and helping me out. It’s just great to be back. This is the best organization in the world.”
On the doorstep of an unprecedented comeback, former UFC veteran Chris Camozzi will make his Octagon return this Saturday at UFC on Fox 15.
The fact that he will take on divisional standout and consensus top contender Ronaldo Souza on just a six-day no…
On the doorstep of an unprecedented comeback, former UFC veteran Chris Camozzi will make his Octagon return this Saturday at UFC on Fox 15.
The fact that he will take on divisional standout and consensus top contender Ronaldo Souza on just a six-day notice adds to the middleweight’s surprise comeback.
Remember, Camozzi and Souza have met once before, colliding in a 2013 showdown that left Jacare victorious via first-round submission in his promotional debut.
Now while that defeat sent Camozzi on a four-fight losing streak, thus ending his UFC tenure in 2014, the opportunistic 28-year-old has since recorded two first-round finishes on the open circuit.
Needless to say, Souza will be a heavy favorite in the rematch and a guy who is arguably one win away from a title shot.
Here is the head-to-toe breakdown for Saturday’s co-main event.
(Photo via Camozzi’s Instagram/Vital Imagery) For the past four years, TUF 11 alum Chris Camozzi has become one of the most reliable, if not completely overlooked staples of the UFC’s middleweight division. In an era of the sport that sees champions go an entire year without defending their belt, Camozzi was the increasingly rare kind of […]
(Photo via Camozzi’s Instagram/Vital Imagery)
For the past four years, TUF 11 alum Chris Camozzi has become one of the most reliable, if not completely overlooked staples of the UFC’s middleweight division. In an era of the sport that sees champions go an entire year without defending their belt, Camozzi was the increasingly rare kind of fighter that neither turned down an opponent nor pulled out of fights due to injury more often than he didn’t. He was a workhorse, a gamer — a guy the UFC could consistently count on to kick off a pay-per-view (or carry the FS1 prelims) — and should be remembered as one of the promotion’s most consistent scrappers during his two-tour run in the octagon.
But Camozzi’s fallen on hard times as of late. He’s dropped his past four fights in a row to increasingly lower ranked fighters, most recently suffering a controversial split decision loss to Rafael Natal at Fight Night 50 in September. And yesterday, word of his release from the UFC was made public by none other than Camozzi himself, who posted this even-headed and grateful goodbye on the blog of his MMA apparel website, PerformanceMMA. Give it a read after the jump.
Cuts are minor nuances that sometimes leave a scar as a reminder. They are not life changing and if you treat them the right way you can possibly learn how to avoid them in the future.
I knew this Natal fight was win or move on, probably for both of us. In my heart I felt like I had done enough to win. I left my UFC contract in the judges hands. They felt like I lost and getting cut is what comes with that decision. It is unfortunate that MMA judging and statistical fight analysis is so far off. Instead of looking back I am going to look forward, look forward to building my MMA career.
I am thankful the UFC gave me the opportunity to fight the best in the World. They treated me fair and gave me a lot of great experiences and the opportunity to meet some amazing MMA fans. At the end of the day I am a MMA fighter at heart. That means my future is not tied to being in the UFC. My future in MMA will continue. I am in the gym already working on all aspects of my fighting skills.
My coaches have helped me evolve into a more complete fighter. There are a lot of great Middleweights not in the UFC and I look forward to facing some of them. We get better through battles and I am always looking to do just that.
I can’t thank my sponsors enough, your commitment to me in and out of the cage has allowed me to realize my dreams and help others. I am honored to continue to represent you and thankful for all of your support.
To my fans, I promise you that I will train harder and continue to showcase the style and heart that you have come to expect from me. I will always keep coming forward and always go out on my shield. I can’t express how much you mean to me, your support and love make the hard days easier and the good days great.
–Chris
He might not have been the most memorable guy to ever come through the TUF house, but with a 12-fight UFC career behind him, he lasted longer than about 90% of his fellow alums, which is definitely an accomplishment in and of itself.
Best of luck wherever you land, Chris. We imagine we’ll be seeing you back in the UFC before too long.
Anyone who knows anything about UFCs and MMAs knows that the best fights are never found on the hoity-toity main card or even the highfalutin FX undercard on a channel that takes two of your friends a TV guide and Encarta ’97 to find. No, it’s a well known fact amongst us MMA media types that the best fights *always* go down during the Facebook preliminaries. “That’s where the real action is,” Ariel Helwani once told me, Danga, while pointing to the champagne room of a Tijuana strip club called La Mula Triste, but I think his words of wisdom can be applied to FB prelims as well.
Anyways, I just took a popper and feel like drunkblogging my way through the Fight for the Troops 3: Kennedy vs. Natal because there’s fuck all to write about besides. In my apartment I have: A bottle of Beam, a 12-pack of Lagunitas IPA, a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a nip of Svedka, so lets do this!
(Just a typical 5 p.m. in the life of Danga.)
Anyone who knows anything about UFCs and MMAs knows that the best fights are never found on the hoity-toity main card or even the highfalutin FX undercard on a channel that takes two of your friends a TV guide and Encarta ’97 to find. No, it’s a well known fact amongst us MMA media types that the best fights *always* go down during the Facebook preliminaries. “That’s where the real action is,” Ariel Helwani once told me, Danga, while pointing to the champagne room of a Tijuana strip club called La Mula Triste, but I think his words of wisdom can be applied to FB prelims as well.
Anyways, I just took a popper and feel like drunkblogging my way through the Fight for the Troops 3: Kennedy vs. Natal because there’s fuck all to write about besides. In my apartment I have: A bottle of Beam, a 12-pack of Lagunitas IPA, a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a nip of Svedka, so lets do this!
Derek Brunson vs. Brian Houston
Round 1: Fight for the Troops cards are notoriously violent so let’s see how this goes-HOLY SHIT! Brunson nails Houston with a picture perfect roundhouse to the dome and follows him to the mat where, after a little struggle, he finishes Houston off with a rear-naked choke.
Brunson def. Houston via rear-naked choke 0:48 of round 1.
And the bottle of Beam is open.
Jesus, that was so fast I wasn’t even able to explain the rules of the drinking game I will be playing for these prelims. They are as follows:
Additionally, I will take a swig for each Goldberganism, each Rogan freak out and each time the name “Yancy” is spoken. Yancy.
Neil Magny vs. Seth Baczynski
Round 1: Baczynski with a pair of leg kicks and a nice right to start. Fuck that name, I’m calling him Bski. Bski pushes Magny into the fence. Big John McCarthy separates the two after a minute and Bski fires off an overhand right that lands. Magny clinches and they battle for position before BJ separates them again. Bski snags a double and slams Magny to the mat but gets hit with a good shot from the bottom. Bski to half guard then full mount, landing a few body shots before the bell ends. 10-9 Bski.
Round 2: Man, this crowd is fired up. They’re treating every landed punch like an ultimate diss in a Yo Momma episode. Remember that show? God it was terrible. Anyways, the first minute and a half of this one is all clinch before Big John separates them. Bski lands another nice right hand and tries for a takedown but is reversed and were back to a clinch battle. Magny with a right. Bski dives for another takedown but appears to be fading. Big John calls for a time as Magny’s glove tap is loose. Bski gets his takedown on the restart. After landing a couple elbows, Bski moves to half guard and lands some elbows as the rounds ends. 10-9 Bski
The soldiers are literally counting down the final five seconds of each round in unison. SHould a fight end via spinning heel kick, I’m quite certain the roof will ‘splode. Anyways, I just ripped another popper because fuck you.
Round 3: Magny lands a right and the two clinch up. Knees to the midsection from Bski. They break briefly and Bski goes for another takedown. He gets Magny down for a second before he is reversed. Magny with some nice knees now. Big John breaks ‘em up and Bski with another nice takedown. Joe Rogan is really impressed with Magny’s hand strength, so I’ll call it a half freak out and take a swig of some wine. The two get back to their feet and Magny lands a big takedown but Bski pops back up. Magny unloading with some nice shots and snags another takedown. Bski gets to his feet and the two swing to the finish. 10-9 Magny
Seth Baczynski def. Neil Magny via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Yves Edwards vs. Yancy Medeiros
Oh boy, they’ve already said Yancy twice. This fight is going to be rough on my liver. Three times. CURSE YOU YANCY!!!!
Yves Edwards’ walkout music sounds like Shaggy is being rectally force fed a steel drum.
Round 1: Yancy comes out aggro for a guy named Yancy, trading low/body kicks with Edwards. Left hook Yancy. Body kick Yves. Edwards with a nice left hook. Yancy is throwing front kicks and Yves is answering with right hooks. Yancy tells Edwards to bring it and Edwards does with a few more rights. Out of nowhere, Yancy clips Yves with an uppercut and pounds him out for the victory. Son of a bitch, Yancy.
Yancy Medeiros def. Yves Edwards via KO at 2:47 of round 1
Well, there goes the nip of Svedka. Ditto for Yves’ UFC career, one would assume, as that’s three straight for the longtime vet. At this time, I’d like to personally thank Yves for a ridiculously entertaining caree-APACHE HELICOPTER SHOT. Drink drink!
Chris Camozzi vs. Lorenz Larkin
Chris Camozzi looks like a guy who knows where that good crystal is at, know what I’m saying? Larkin, on the other hand, is coming out to James Brown’s “Living in America” which makes me think that he is going to get beat to death in this fight. THROW IN THE TOWEL, ROCK!
Round 1: Herb Dean is our ref, which reminds me that I need to re-up with my weed guy. Inside leg kick Camozzi. The two trade front kicks, then oblique kicks like a couple ‘a pussies. Counter left from a retreating Larking, then a straight right that drops him! Camozzi recovers and is back up and lands a leg kick. Front kick to the body by Larkin. Inside leg kick Camozzi, who is getting off first. Flying knee Camozzi and a left hook. I’m not scoring this because I stopped paying attention to pack a binger halfway through this.
Round 2: Camozzi with some more leg kicks. Larkin appears to be aiming for Camozzi’s gloves like he is hitting mits. Nice straight right by Larkin that jacks back the head of Camozzi. Camozzi tries another flying knee and they clinch. Larkin with a weak leg kick on the break. Camozzi’s nose is bloodied up but they trade leg kicks. Nice left by Camozzi. Larkin cuts Camozzi with a left and they clinch again. A couple nice standing elbows from Larkin have really busted up Camozzi, who simply will not stop coming forward. Probably on account of the meth. 10-9 Larkin
Round 3: The two trade body kicks to start the round. Larkin with a nice jab and the two trade leg kicks. Huge right hand by Larkin, who is just the quicker man. Camozzi whifs a head kick. Camozzi is visibly worn down but refuses to quit. Some brutal elbows and rights from Larkin in the clinch. Camozzi has Larkin pinned against the fence and Larkin lands some more elbows. My God this crowd is awesome, and Camozzi cheers them on while getting beat up in the clinch. I’ll have what he’s having, amiright? *crickets* Larkin lands some spinning shit to close things out and that’s all she wrote. 10-9 Larkin
Lorenz Larkin def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision (30-27 x2 29-28)
Well, that’s it for me, Nation. I’m going to go take a piss off the balcony and yell at stray cats. Enjoy your fancy FS1 fights you bunch ‘a bitches.
The belief was that the eye was healed and ready to go, but another setback happened to Bisping during training, while getting ready for Munoz, and he was forced to visit his doctor again where he was given the diagnosis.
According to Bisping’s management team at Paradigm Sports Management, who spoke to Bleacher Report on Friday evening, the British fighter already had the necessary corrective eye surgery on Thursday and will now begin his rest and rehabilitation.
Bisping is expected to have no contact whatsoever on the eye for the approximately the next three months, and then they hope he can return to full sparring and a fight in four to six months.
The timelines are obviously estimates based on the surgery and typical recovery time, but Bisping could potentially return sooner or later depending on how he heals up.”
Lyoto Machida, who was set to face Tim Kennedy less than two weeks after UFC Fight Night, at Fight for the Troops 3 on November 6th, has been tabbed to replace Bisping against Munoz. Kennedy is now left without an opponent, and has been doing his best on twitter to find a new one.
First, Kennedy, called out former middleweight champion Rich Franklin:
The belief was that the eye was healed and ready to go, but another setback happened to Bisping during training, while getting ready for Munoz, and he was forced to visit his doctor again where he was given the diagnosis.
According to Bisping’s management team at Paradigm Sports Management, who spoke to Bleacher Report on Friday evening, the British fighter already had the necessary corrective eye surgery on Thursday and will now begin his rest and rehabilitation.
Bisping is expected to have no contact whatsoever on the eye for the approximately the next three months, and then they hope he can return to full sparring and a fight in four to six months.
The timelines are obviously estimates based on the surgery and typical recovery time, but Bisping could potentially return sooner or later depending on how he heals up.”
Lyoto Machida, who was set to face Tim Kennedy less than two weeks after UFC Fight Night, at Fight for the Troops 3 on November 6th, has been tabbed to replace Bisping against Munoz. Kennedy is now left without an opponent, and has been doing his best on twitter to find a new one.
First, Kennedy, called out former middleweight champion Rich Franklin:
“Mr. @RichFranklin
I’m not sure if you have plans Nov 6th? I just got stood up on for a date, and now need someone else to step in… ,”Kennedy tweeted.
When we got no response from “Ace,” Kennedy went off on Chris Camozzi.
“Hey @ChrisCamozzi I think you have bad hair, and should fight me in defense if your stylist. (My best attempt at picking a fight),” Kennedy spit out on twitter.
Lorenz Larkin, who is currently scheduled to fight Camozzi at UFC Fight Night 31 might not like Kennedy trying to get in on his action but Camozzi seems fine with switching opponents.
“@TimKennedyMMA how dare you talk about my hair!!! That’s crossing the line bro! I’m always available,” Camozzi tweeted back at Kennedy.
Nothing official has been announced for Kennedy yet, ‘Taters, but we’ll let you know if his campaign of nasty trash talks snags him a new opponent.
(This photo of Ronny Markes was included to show Paulo Filho in happier times, and the shorts he bought at the Walmart across the street from this event when he realized he left his gym bag at home.)
Over the past twenty-four hours, ‘Fight for the Troops 3’ has seen several bouts added to a card that will be headlined by the middleweight debut of Lyoto Machida. Some of these fights are worth getting excited about (such as the Jorge Masvidal vs. Rustam Khabilov bout), while others, well, the Facebook preliminary card needs something, I guess. The following bouts are also set for the event, loosely arranged in order of how interesting they are on paper.
(This photo of Ronny Markes was included to show Paulo Filho in happier times, and the shorts he bought at the Walmart across the street from this event when he realized he left his gym bag at home.)
Over the past twenty-four hours, ‘Fight for the Troops 3′ has seen several bouts added to a card that will be headlined by the middleweight debut of Lyoto Machida. Some of these fights are worth getting excited about (such as the Jorge Masvidal vs. Rustam Khabilov bout), while others, well, the Facebook preliminary card needs something, I guess. The following bouts are also set for the event, loosely arranged in order of how interesting they are on paper.
George Roop vs. Francisco Rivera – This bout was originally scheduled for UFC 166, but was moved to this card to make room for Sarah Kaufman vs. Jessica Eye. Some fun facts about this fight: George Roop will be entering a fight riding back-to-back victories for the first time since 2008 for this one, and if Rivera didn’t piss hot after UFC 149, he’d be riding a five fight winning streak. It’s never a smart idea to bet money on a George Roop fight, but I think we’re in for a fun scrap.
Ronny Markes vs. Yoel Romero – Former Olympic wrestler Yoel Romero will look to follow up his devastating UFC debut with an impressive performance against a fighter who is 3-0 in the UFC and hasn’t lost since 2010. Sign me up.
Chris Camozzi vs. Lorenz Larkin – Yeah, I know, both guys are coming off losses. But before accepting a fight against Jacare on short notice, Camozzi was riding a four fight win streak that included victories over at least three guys you’ve heard of. Likewise, you can make the argument that Lorenz Larkin should still be undefeated; his loss against Francis Carmont this past April was debatable, to say the least. It’ll make for a decent midcard fight.
Neil Magny vs. Seth Baczynski – It’s win or go home for both fighters. That should at least provide a dramatic finish to a fight I otherwise wouldn’t be able to care less about.
Chris Camozzi confidently fielded questions from inside New York City’s Best Buy Theater Thursday afternoon as part of the UFC’s Ultimate Media Day leading up to Saturday’s UFC on Fox 15 card in Newark, New Jersey. 
,”
