Tag: FanHouse Exclusive

Jon Jones Studying Ryan Bader ‘Like a Spy’ in Preparation for UFC 126

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse ExclusiveWhen UFC light heavyweight Jon Jones sits down to watch tape on a future opponent, it is an exercise in excess. In fact, that’s kind of the point. For Jones, there’s no such thing as too much time spent studying the …

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When UFC light heavyweight Jon Jones sits down to watch tape on a future opponent, it is an exercise in excess. In fact, that’s kind of the point. For Jones, there’s no such thing as too much time spent studying the man he’s about to fight.

Take Ryan Bader, for instance. To prepare for their fight at UFC 126 on Super Bowl weekend, Jones has procured tape not only of Bader’s fights, but also his interviews and even a recent fan Q&A session. Now he “can’t watch them enough.” As he told MMA Fighting recently, he already feels like he knows what’s going on inside of Bader’s head.

“When you watch someone’s interviews, you can tell where they’re at mentally,” said Jones. “There’s certain words people use, keywords that show their level of confidence. Like, if I win this fight. Or, I hope. I might be able to do this. For instance, when [Bader] says, ‘When Jon does that spinning back elbow he has his back open for a split second and maybe I can take his back.’ Just the fact that he mentioned that in a Q&A tells me that’s on his mind and that’s a move that frustrates him, that’s bothering him, so I should work on it and make it even faster and harder for him to see coming. People give a lot away in everything they say.”

Phil Baroni Signs With Titan Fighting Championships

Filed under: Fighting, FanHouse Exclusive, NewsPhil Baroni said following his loss at UFC 125 that he wasn’t going to retire, and “The New York Bad Ass” is staying true to his word.

Baroni has signed a two-fight deal with Kansas City-based Titan Fight…

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Phil Baroni said following his loss at UFC 125 that he wasn’t going to retire, and “The New York Bad Ass” is staying true to his word.

Baroni has signed a two-fight deal with Kansas City-based Titan Fighting Championships, MMA Fighting has learned from sources close to the organization.

The MMA veteran is expected to make his organizational debut in March at middleweight against a yet to be determined opponent. The event is also expected to air on HDNet.

As Movie Release Nears, Scott Coker Expects Gina Carano Back Soon

Filed under: Strikeforce, FanHouse Exclusive, NewsStop me if you’ve heard this one before: Scott Coker thinks Gina Carano will return to Strikeforce sooner rather than later.

Of course you have. But this time, he really believes it’s going to happen.
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Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Scott Coker thinks Gina Carano will return to Strikeforce sooner rather than later.

Of course you have. But this time, he really believes it’s going to happen.

That’s what the Strikeforce CEO said again on Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour. If you recall, Coker said back in October 2009 that Carano would return to action “probably towards the summertime” of 2010.

Obviously, that never happened.

The MMA Hour With Werdum, Barnett, Coker, Marquardt, Walker and More

Filed under: MMA Videos, UFC, Strikeforce, FanHouse Exclusive, VideosThe MMA Hour makes its 2011 debut in a very big way. Monday’s show will be a three-hour, nine guest extravaganza, featuring some of the biggest names in the sport. The show will also …

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The MMA Hour makes its 2011 debut in a very big way. Monday’s show will be a three-hour, nine guest extravaganza, featuring some of the biggest names in the sport. The show will also start at a special start time of 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT.

* Fabricio Werdum, Josh Barnett and Scott Coker will all be in studio to discuss Strikeforce’s upcoming heavyweight tournament.

* Another Strikeforce heavyweight, Herschel Walker, will return to discuss his Jan. 29 fight against Scott Carson.

* UFC middleweight Nate Marquardt will talk about his 2011 plans and his recent loss to Yushin Okami.

* Mike Roberts, Chael Sonnen and Anthony Pettis’ manager, will lay out what’s next for his clients.

* Jacob Volkmann will talk about getting a visit from the Secret Service and being featured on The Tonight Show after making comments about President Obama.

* Mark Hominick will talk about his UFC fight against George Roop on Jan. 22 and a potential title fight against Jose Aldo.

* And Matt Mitrione will stop by to deliver his “Mitrione Minute.”

And of course, we’ll be taking your calls. Give us a shout at: 212-254-0193 or 212-254-0237.

Watch the show live below beginning at a special start time 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT. Download previous episodes of The MMA Hour on iTunes here.

Rafael Cavalcante vs. Dan Henderson Title Fight Targeted for March 5

Filed under: Strikeforce, FanHouse Exclusive, NewsStrikeforce has its sights set on a March 5 date for a light-heavyweight championship bout that would pit current kingpin Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante against challenger Dan Henderson, sources with knowle…

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Strikeforce has its sights set on a March 5 date for a light-heavyweight championship bout that would pit current kingpin Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante against challenger Dan Henderson, sources with knowledge of the situation have confirmed to MMA Fighting.

The event will take place at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

The fight, however, is not yet signed, with contract negotiations ongoing, though both fighters are training under the assumption they will be competing against each other that night.

Kenny Florian Targeting April Return, Says He’s the Man to Fight Pettis

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse ExclusiveIt’s been a rough couple of months for Kenny Florian. First, he lost his No. 1 contender fight with Gray Maynard, then he suffered a knee injury that knocked him out of a potential fight with Evan Dunham, and now, it…

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It’s been a rough couple of months for Kenny Florian. First, he lost his No. 1 contender fight with Gray Maynard, then he suffered a knee injury that knocked him out of a potential fight with Evan Dunham, and now, it appears the fighter he hoped to face upon his return has a bout scheduled that won’t include him.

Late Monday night, Florian told MMA Fighting that he thought he should be the one to face Anthony Pettis in “Showtime’s” UFC debut. Hours later, though, reports of a matchup between Pettis and Clay Guida surfaced, seemingly knocking that possibility out of the water.

But it’s not all bad news for Florian, whose recovery from a knee injury has gone faster than expected, pushing his timetable for return to the cage as early as April or May. He was originally expected back in the summer.

Even with the good news, Florian’s not exactly in a happy frame of mind. He’s yet to receive clearance to begin any type of sparring or hard workouts — that should come in a few weeks — and the wait has the noted gym rat chomping at the bit to get back to training and fighting.