Tag: Curitiba

UFC Rankings Update: Stipe Miocic Soars Following Title-Sealing KO

There was a huge amount of heavy-hitting action at last weekend’s (Sat., May 14, 2016) UFC 198 from the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil, and not surpisingly, the official UFC rankings have echoed that. Obviously the biggest shift was made by newly-crowned heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, who knocked out former champ Fabricio Werdum with a massive

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There was a huge amount of heavy-hitting action at last weekend’s (Sat., May 14, 2016) UFC 198 from the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil, and not surpisingly, the official UFC rankings have echoed that.

Obviously the biggest shift was made by newly-crowned heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, who knocked out former champ Fabricio Werdum with a massive counter right hand that changed the UFC’s heaviest division in a big way by injecting some new (and perhaps unexpected) blood at the top. For the victory, Miocic debuted on the pound-for-pound rankings list, coming in at No. 11. Werdum dropped a lofty 11 spots as a result of the loss.

At heavyweight, Werdum dropped to the No. 1 spot, sending Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem down to No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.

Several other top-flight fighters also benefitted from “Vai Cavalo’s” drop, as the previous Nos. 5-12 fighters each rose up a spot, including Conor McGregor to No. 7, while previous No. 14-ranked pound-for-pound fighter Joanna Jedrzejczyk rose up two spots to No. 12.

In other movement, No. 3-ranked middleweight Vitor Belfort stayed put at that spot even though he was largely dominated by No. 2-ranked Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in UFC 198’s co-main event. Also at 185, Thiago Santos made his debut at No. 14 after finishing longtime vet Nate Marquardt in Curitiba, pushing another longtime vet in Dan Henderson to the No. 15 spot.

At welterweight, Demian Maia continued his climb back up the rankings after his submission victory over Matt Brown, his fifth straight. The talented Brazilian rose two spots to No. 4, pushing Carlos Condit and Johny Hendricks each down a spot to Nos. 5 and 6, respectively. Gunnar Nelson also traded spots with Kelvin Gastelum, rising to No. 12 and forcing Gastelum down to No. 13.

Here are the fully updated rankings courtesy of UFC.com:

POUND-FOR-POUND
1 Jon Jones
2 Demetrious Johnson
3 Luke Rockhold
4 Dominick Cruz +1
5 Rafael Dos Anjos +1
6 Robbie Lawler +1
7 Conor McGregor +1
8 Daniel Cormier +1
9 Jose Aldo +1
10 Chris Weidman +1
11 Frankie Edgar +1
12 Joanna Jedrzejczyk +2
13 Stipe Miocic *NR
14 TJ Dillashaw -1
15 Fabricio Werdum -11

FLYWEIGHT
Champion: Demetrious Johnson
1 Joseph Benavidez
2 Henry Cejudo
3 Jussier Formiga
4 Kyoji Horiguchi
5 Ian McCall
6 John Moraga
7 Zach Makovsky
8 Wilson Reis
9 Dustin Ortiz
10 Ali Bagautinov
11 Justin Scoggins
12 Louis Smolka
13 Ray Borg
14 Sergio Pettis
15 Ben Nguyen

BANTAMWEIGHT
Champion: Dominick Cruz
1 TJ Dillashaw
2 Renan Barao
3 Urijah Faber
4 Aljamain Sterling
5 Raphael Assuncao
6 Michael McDonald
7 Thomas Almeida
8 Bryan Caraway
9 Takeya Mizugaki
10 John Dodson
11 John Lineker +1
12 Johnny Eduardo -1
13 Frankie Saenz
14 Jimmie Rivera
15 Eddie Wineland

FEATHERWEIGHT
Champion: Conor McGregor
1 Jose Aldo
2 Frankie Edgar
3 Chad Mendes
4 Max Holloway
5 Ricardo Lamas
6 Cub Swanson
7 Charles Oliveira
8 Dennis Bermudez
9 Jeremy Stephens
10 Hacran Dias
11 Darren Elkins
12 Brian Ortega
13 Tatsuya Kawajiri
14 Yair Rodriguez
15 Mirsad Bektic

LIGHTWEIGHT
Champion: Rafael Dos Anjos
1 Khabib Nurmagomedov
2 Eddie Alvarez
3 Tony Ferguson
4 Donald Cerrone
5 Nate Diaz
6 Edson Barboza
7 Anthony Pettis
8 Michael Johnson
9 Michael Chiesa
10 Beneil Dariush
11 Dustin Poirier
12 Al Iaquinta +1
13 Bobby Green -1
14 Rashid Magomedov +1
15 Evan Dunham -1

WELTERWEIGHT
Champion: Robbie Lawler
1 Rory MacDonald
2 Stephen Thompson
3 Tyron Woodley
4 Demian Maia +2
5 Carlos Condit -1
6 Johny Hendricks -1
7 Neil Magny
8 Matt Brown
9 Dong Hyun Kim
10 Tarec Saffiedine
11 Rick Story
12 Gunnar Nelson +1
13 Kelvin Gastelum -1
14 Hector Lombard
15 Thiago Alves

MIDDLEWEIGHT
Champion: Luke Rockhold
1 Chris Weidman
2 Jacare Souza
3 Vitor Belfort
4 Michael Bisping
5 Anderson Silva
6 Robert Whittaker
7 Lyoto Machida
8 Gegard Mousasi
9 Tim Kennedy
10 Uriah Hall
11 Derek Brunson
12 Thales Leites
13 Rafael Natal
14 Thiago Santos *NR
15 Dan Henderson -1

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Champion: Daniel Cormier
1 Jon Jones (Interim Champion)
2 Anthony Johnson
3 Glover Teixeira
4 Alexander Gustafsson
5 Ryan Bader
6 Ovince Saint Preux
7 Mauricio Rua +1
8 Rashad Evans -1
9 Jimi Manuwa
10 Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
11 Nikita Krylov +2
12 Corey Anderson
13 Ilir Latifi +1
14 Patrick Cummins -3
15 Gian Villante

HEAVYWEIGHT
Champion: Stipe Miocic
1 Fabricio Werdum -1
2 Cain Velasquez -1
3 Alistair Overeem -1
4 Junior Dos Santos
5 Ben Rothwell
6 Andrei Arlovski
7 Travis Browne
8 Mark Hunt
9 Josh Barnett
10 Roy Nelson
11 Derrick Lewis +1
12 Frank Mir -1
13 Stefan Struve
14 Ruslan Magomedov
15 Alexey Oliynyk

WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHT
Champion: Joanna Jedrzejczyk
1 Claudia Gadelha
2 Carla Esparza
3 Rose Namajunas
4 Tecia Torres
5 Valerie Letourneau
6 Jessica Penne
7 Karolina Kowalkiewicz
8 Paige VanZant
9 Maryna Moroz
10 Michelle Waterson
11 Joanne Calderwood
12 Randa Markos
13 Jessica Aguilar
14 Juliana Lima
15 Justine Kish

WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT
Champion: Miesha Tate
1 Holly Holm
2 Ronda Rousey
3 Cat Zingano
4 Amanda Nunes
5 Julianna Pena
6 Sara McMann
7 Jessica Eye
8 Liz Carmouche
9 Valentina Shevchenko
10 Raquel Pennington
11 Bethe Correia
12 Germaine de Randamie
13 Lauren Murphy
14 Ashlee Evans-Smith +1
15 Marion Reneau -1

 

 

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Fabricio Werdum Now Focused On UFC 200 Rematch With Stipe Miocic

Fabricio Werdum was more than confident he would score his first defense of the UFC heavyweight title when he met Stipe Miocic in main event of last night’s (Sat., May 14, 2016) UFC 198 from Arena da Baixada in Curitiba from his native Brazil. Yet he may have been a bit too confident, as the

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Fabricio Werdum was more than confident he would score his first defense of the UFC heavyweight title when he met Stipe Miocic in main event of last night’s (Sat., May 14, 2016) UFC 198 from Arena da Baixada in Curitiba from his native Brazil.

Yet he may have been a bit too confident, as the loose, joking mood of Werdum appeared to echo his fighting style against Miocic, which saw him rush in carelessly only to be finished by a powerful counter right from the challenger.

After his illustrious six-fight run since 2012 that saw him rise up to UFC champion status, a humbled Werdum revealed his respect for Miocic in an interview with UFC on FOX after the card:

The experienced gave all due credit to the new champion, but also gave his opinion that a rematch is the best choice for the promotion to book next:

“Yeah, I think he beat me for sure, one hundred percent. You know heavyweight is so hard, one punch, that’s it, and the light is black, I saw. He knocked out me for sure, one hundred percent, I say congratulation for him, but I think the best way is the rematch, because I mean, I have a six victory straight. I think the best way is the rematch, for sure, one hundred percent.”

As for the reason why he didn’t perform his best last night, Werdum gave no excuses. He said his body was completely healthy and uninjured going into the fight, and losing to one punch is just the nature of the UFC heavyweight division:

“No, I’m one hundred percent, my body, I don’t have an injury. Everything’s great. I think that just because he got it, he got it one punch, that’s it. Heavyweight is like this one.”

With his world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu pedigree widely known as his most noteworthy skill, Werdum instead utilized his improved Muay Thai to land varied kicks and punches on Miocic in the bout’s early going. But then the finish obviously came when he got careless, something that “Vai Cavalo” addressed in laying out his desire to have been more patient at UFC 198:

“Just a little bit more calm, you know? Just calm, have five rounds to beat him. Tonight, he beat me, tonight, he’s the best, but I think I’m more completed. Yeah I change this one, just a little bit more calm.”

Werdum did appear to be winning the very beginning stages of the pivotal bout by staying just that, so it’s hardly a surprise that he wants a rematch soon to prove the one-punch knockout was a fluke. Asked just when he was ready to set foot in the cage at July 9’s blockbuster UFC 200 card from Las Vegas, which already features three title fights and a slew of other elite bouts.

“Soon, my athletic commission give me 30 days off, but after 30 days I’m waiting for maybe the UFC 200. Maybe. I think it’s very good to rematch there.”

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Cris Cyborg vs. Leslie Smith Full Fight Video Highlights

After years of waiting and speculation, Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino finally made her UFC debut when she took on Leslie Smith at a 140-pound catchweight on the main card of last night’s (Sat., May 14, 2016) UFC 198 from the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil. It was a typical Cyborg victory as

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After years of waiting and speculation, Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino finally made her UFC debut when she took on Leslie Smith at a 140-pound catchweight on the main card of last night’s (Sat., May 14, 2016) UFC 198 from the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil.

It was a typical Cyborg victory as expected, and it showcased Justino’s unstoppable stand-up power when she put out a non-stop assault of pinpoint punches to smatter Smith and have her face-down on the canvas for a stoppage.

With the victory, where Cyborg weighed in at 139 pounds the day before, the future now instantly features a wealth of high-profile feuds and bouts. She said she wanted to defend her Invicta title again and would accept more catchweight bouts in the UFC, but one can’t help but wonder if she shouldn’t just drop the extra four pounds and take on names like Miesha Tate, Ronda Rousey, and Holly Holm.

For now, watch the full fight video highlights of her dominant UFC debut win here:

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Jacare Souza vs. Vitor Belfort Full Fight Video Highlights

Seeking a UFC title shot through his entire four-year UFC career, top-ranked middleweight Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza may have finally earned it when he battered and brutalized Vitor Belfort in the co-main event of tonight’s (Sat., May 14, 2016) UFC 198 from the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil. “The Phenom” offered next to no offense as

The post Jacare Souza vs. Vitor Belfort Full Fight Video Highlights appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Seeking a UFC title shot through his entire four-year UFC career, top-ranked middleweight Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza may have finally earned it when he battered and brutalized Vitor Belfort in the co-main event of tonight’s (Sat., May 14, 2016) UFC 198 from the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil.

“The Phenom” offered next to no offense as the Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend utilized a creative takedown to ground Belfort and smother him with a vicious attack of elbows and punches to bloody Belfort and earn the stoppage in the first round.

Although Jacare did lose his previous bout to Yoel Romero by controversial split decision at UFC 194, “Soldier of God” was suspended for six months when he failed a USADA drug test then had his first punishment reduced when it was found he unwittingly took a tainted supplement.

That opened the door for Jacare to start with close to clean slate, and the No. 2-ranked former Strikeforce champ capitalized by dominating the No. 3 Belfort to potentially earn a shot at the winner of UFC 199’s main event between champion Luke Rockhold and challenger Chris Weidman. For now, watch the highlights of Jacare’s win on the grand stage of UFC 198 right here:

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Twitter Reacts to Stipe Miocic’s Shocking Knockout Of Fabricio Werdum

UFC 198 popped off from soccer stadium Arena Da Baixada tonight (May 14, 2016) in Curitiba, Brazil. The stacked card was headlined by Fabricio Werdum’s first title defense against top contender Stipe Miocic. The Cleveland native ended the night in the very first round with a counter right hook to the oncoming champion’s chin, sending him crashing

The post Twitter Reacts to Stipe Miocic’s Shocking Knockout Of Fabricio Werdum appeared first on LowKick MMA.

UFC 198 popped off from soccer stadium Arena Da Baixada tonight (May 14, 2016) in Curitiba, Brazil. The stacked card was headlined by Fabricio Werdum’s first title defense against top contender Stipe Miocic.

The Cleveland native ended the night in the very first round with a counter right hook to the oncoming champion’s chin, sending him crashing face-first to the canvas. And so a new heavyweight champion was crowned.

The co-main event saw top middleweight contenders Vitor Belfort and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza duke it out to become potentially the division’s next title challenger. “Jacare” was able to work his takedowns and top game, and smashed Belfort from mount on the way to a first round stoppage.

See how MMA Twitter reacted to these fantastic matchups:

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Stipe Miocic vs. Fabricio Werdum Full Fight Video Highlights

An absolutely jam-packed main card was capped off by the crowning a new heavyweight champion by way of shocking knockout when Stipe Miocic knocked out Fabricio Werdum in the first round at tonight’s (Sat., May 14, 2016) UFC 198 from the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil. Werdum seemed to control most of the action early,

The post Stipe Miocic vs. Fabricio Werdum Full Fight Video Highlights appeared first on LowKick MMA.

An absolutely jam-packed main card was capped off by the crowning a new heavyweight champion by way of shocking knockout when Stipe Miocic knocked out Fabricio Werdum in the first round at tonight’s (Sat., May 14, 2016) UFC 198 from the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil.

Werdum seemed to control most of the action early, keeping the challenger at bay while stinging him with a varied mix of kicks and punching combinations. However, the Brazilian may have been a bit too relaxed in his home country, as he rushed in sloppy with his hands down and was put to sleep by a literally perfect counter right hand.

With the slight upset win, Miocic finally brings home a championship to Cleveland, and has breathed new life into an aging heavyweight division with his third straight win. Check out the full fight video highlights of his game-changing victory right here:

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