Tag: Forrest Griffin

Photo of the Day: Stephan Bonnar, MMA Savior, Welcomes His Son Into the World


(Bonnar has clearly yet to inform the little guy of the rules regarding small joint manipulation in MMA, but we’ll give him a pass for now.) 

I don’t mean to get all transcendent on you Taters, but to me, life is little more than a cyclical series of events; with death comes birth, with loss comes acquisition, and so on. And before you ask, yes, I take all of my philosophical life lessons from The Lion King. So it only makes sense that just a day after we bid farewell to one of MMA’s greatest ambassadors in Stephan Bonnar — professionally at least — we should welcome Stephan’s newborn son into the world.

Stephan released this photo on his Twitter account yesterday, along with the caption: “Just wanted to welcome in my MINI ME to this world…right in time to wish ya’ll a Happy Holloween!”


(Bonnar has clearly yet to inform the little guy of the rules regarding small joint manipulation in MMA, but we’ll give him a pass for now.) 

I don’t mean to get all transcendent on you Taters, but to me, life is little more than a cyclical series of events; with death comes birth, with loss comes acquisition, and so on. And before you ask, yes, I take all of my philosophical life lessons from The Lion King. So it only makes sense that just a day after we bid farewell to one of MMA’s greatest ambassadors in Stephan Bonnar — professionally at least — we should welcome Stephan’s newborn son into the world.

Stephan released this photo on his Twitter account yesterday, along with the caption: “Just wanted to welcome in my MINI ME to this world…right in time to wish ya’ll a Happy Holloween!”

Although his son has yet to be named, Bonnar has hinted at using the surname of his arch rival and good friend Forrest Griffin before, so expect “The American Psycho” to make an official announcement any day now, preferably while displaying his child on a Serengeti cliffside for the rest of the animal kingdom to see.

Until then, go congratulate the most successful member of the Potato Nation ever on Twitter.

–J. Jones

MMA: 7 Fighters Who Need to Call It Quits

We are all familiar with the clichéd tale of the great champion who can’t walk away from the sport he loves. While we admire the courage of these athletes, we wince every time we watch them climb inside the ring or the cage and take unnece…

We are all familiar with the clichéd tale of the great champion who can’t walk away from the sport he loves.

While we admire the courage of these athletes, we wince every time we watch them climb inside the ring or the cage and take unnecessary punishment.

We know that they should have retired years ago, yet we can do nothing to stop them from putting themselves in harm’s way for one last shot at glory or a much-needed paycheque.

With that in mind, here is my list of the top seven fighters who really should call it quits.

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Oh Great, Rampage Jackson Has More Shit to Complain About [VIDEO]

(Props: AXS TV Fights)

It seemed like a foregone conclusion that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson would fight new light-heavyweight hotness Glover Teixeira for his UFC farewell bout. Unfortunately, Teixeira’s medical suspension could delay the meeting even further, as the Brazilian slugger may have injured his right hand and elbow while breaking his arm off in Fabio Maldonado’s ass at UFC 153.

In this clip from Inside MMA, Bas Rutten drops the bad news on Jackson, who explains that he’d rather not wait six more months to get back in the cage…so what’s Forrest Griffin up to these days, anyway? When Bas is informed that Griffin vs. Phil Davis has already been booked, it’s tantrum time for Quinton:

“That’s gonna be a boring fight! No disrespect to anybody, but that’s gonna be a boring fight, I’m sorry…This is why I’m leaving the UFC. I don’t understand what Joe Silva’s doing. Joe Silva have a complex, something’s wrong with him. The guy can’t match *shoes*. What kind of matchmaker is this guy? What is he thinking? Give me Forrest. Everybody wants that, that would sell, everybody wants to see me and Forrest fight again. Everybody keeps talking about it.“


(Props: AXS TV Fights)

It seemed like a foregone conclusion that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson would fight new light-heavyweight hotness Glover Teixeira for his UFC farewell bout. Unfortunately, Teixeira’s medical suspension could delay the meeting even further, as the Brazilian slugger may have injured his right hand and elbow while breaking his arm off in Fabio Maldonado’s ass at UFC 153.

In this clip from Inside MMA, Bas Rutten drops the bad news on Jackson, who explains that he’d rather not wait six more months to get back in the cage…so what’s Forrest Griffin up to these days, anyway? When Bas is informed that Griffin vs. Phil Davis has already been booked, it’s tantrum time for Quinton:

“That’s gonna be a boring fight! No disrespect to anybody, but that’s gonna be a boring fight, I’m sorry…This is why I’m leaving the UFC. I don’t understand what Joe Silva’s doing. Joe Silva have a complex, something’s wrong with him. The guy can’t match *shoes*. What kind of matchmaker is this guy? What is he thinking? Give me Forrest. Everybody wants that, that would sell, everybody wants to see me and Forrest fight again. Everybody keeps talking about it.”

Really? Everybody wants to see a rematch of a fight between two ex-champs who are, sorry to say it, broken-down husks of their former selves? Judging by Forrest’s recent performances — his dull squeaker over Tito Ortiz in July, and his knockout loss to Shogun Rua last August — you’d think that Quinton wouldn’t even want to fight him anymore, since he’s only interested in exciting opponents.

Look, I understand why Rampage would like a redemptive victory in his last outing, but I think just as many fans would prefer to have him wait for Teixiera to heal up, and go toe-to-toe with a young lion in his final performance. Maybe Jackson’s odds wouldn’t be as good against Teixeira as they would be against Forrest, but at least it would be entertaining — and it wouldn’t be a re-run.

Jackson also had this to say about his last loss to Ryan Bader:

Me losing my last fight due to an injury to such a weak opponent like Ryan Bader; I’ve got excuses for every loss I have, but you could tell I was injured. But me losing to a guy like Ryan Bader has really lit a fire under my ass. Now, I’m staying in shape, I’m training all the time. I’m not fighting injured no more.

Ugh. He didn’t even have the common decency to throw in “no disrespect” before describing Bader as “such a weak opponent.” And I’d like you guys to remember that quote if Jackson loses his next fight then tries to blame an injury. In the words of our President, that’s a bullshitter.

Rampage Jackson Calls for Forrest Griffin If Teixeira’s Medical Suspension Holds

Some kind of fire must have been lit under Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. The mixed martial artist with the history of a love/hate relationship with the sport is now calling out fighters left and right. His latest target is former light heavywe…

Some kind of fire must have been lit under Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. The mixed martial artist with the history of a love/hate relationship with the sport is now calling out fighters left and right.

His latest target is former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin.

Talking to Bas Rutten on a special Facebook edition of Inside MMA, Rampage said a fight with Griffin would be very popular among the fans.

“Everybody wants to see me fight Forrest but Forrest. Forrest knows I beat him the first time. He know it, the whole world know it.”

Jackson was responding to news that his original final opponent on his UFC contract, the much hyped Glover Teixeira, might be out due to injury.

Jackson was one of the few fighters to step-up to fight the dangerous Brazilian, and wasted no time in challenging him after Teixeira’s win at UFC 153 earlier in the month.

But that fight took its toll on Teixeira, and there are reports he could be medically suspended for up to six months.

That news came as a shock to Rampage. He wasted no time in switching his attention to Griffin.

“Why they won’t give me Forrest? I’ll take Forrest right now,” he said. “I’m calling my manager right now, give me Forrest. Listen, I told that. I will fight Glover and Forrest the same night!”

Griffin is hoping to rejuvenate his MMA career after defeating Tito Ortiz in the hall-of-famers swansong fight. He was slated to fight Chael Sonnen at UFC 155 in December, but Sonnen got promoted to face champion Jon Jones, and Phil Davis has been slipped in to replace him.

Rampage has been in the UFC since 2007 and lost his title to Griffin in 2008.

For years he’s expressed his loss of interest with the sport, moving between acting and other distractions, and has openly expressed his disdain for UFC president Dana White. In fact, Jackson has spent most of the year trying to get fired.

However, he is one of the most recognisable fighters in the sport with one fight left in his contract and the UFC is keen to cash in on his final bout.

 

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Rashad Evans vs. Lil’ Nog Reportedly in the Works for Super Bowl Weekend


(We’ll give you an A for effort, Rashad, but we don’t think you have the..ahem… skin tone to pull off Sloth from The Goonies this Halloween.) 

For those of you who were hoping to see Rashad Evans test the waters at middleweight, it looks like you’ll have to keep waiting, because it has been reported by the Brazilian outlet SporTV that Evans will be facing off against Antonio Rogerio Nogueria at a TBD event planned for Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas.

Prior to his failed light heavyweight title bid at UFC 145, the TUF 2 winner scored big victories over Phil Davis — who trounced Nogueira back at Ultimate Fight Night 24 — and Tito Ortiz — who was defeated by Lil’ Nog in December of last year. Following hsi win over Ortiz, Nogueira recently called out Forrest Griffin — who lost his title to Evans at UFC 92 and defeated Ortiz in his last appearance — but was beat out for the spot by the last man to defeat him: Phil Davis. So according to MMA math…I’m illiterate.


(We’ll give you an A for effort, Rashad, but we don’t think you have the..ahem… skin tone to pull off Sloth from The Goonies this Halloween.) 

For those of you who were hoping to see Rashad Evans test the waters at middleweight, it looks like you’ll have to keep waiting, because it has been reported by the Brazilian outlet SporTV that Evans will be facing off against Antonio Rogerio Nogueria at a TBD event planned for Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas.

Prior to his failed light heavyweight title bid at UFC 145, the TUF 2 winner scored big victories over Phil Davis — who trounced Nogueira back at Ultimate Fight Night 24 — and Tito Ortiz — who was defeated by Lil’ Nog in December of last year. Following hsi win over Ortiz, Nogueira recently called out Forrest Griffin — who lost his title to Evans at UFC 92 and defeated Ortiz in his last appearance — but was beat out for the spot by the last man to defeat him: Phil Davis. So according to MMA math…I’m illiterate.

In all honesty, this is not a good matchup for Nogueira, who struggled against the grappling prowess of guys like Jason Brilz, Ryan Bader (who defeated Brilz but lost to OrtiSTOP DOING THIS!), and Davis, who himself was out-grappled by Evans…you know what, I’ll let you draw your own conclusions for this one. Needless to say, Nogueira is likely going to try and keep this thing standing, which Evans shouldn’t have all that much trouble with if Chuck Liddell has anything to say about it.

The matchup has not been officially confirmed by the UFC as of this write up, but according to MMAFighting, a source close to one of the fighters has all but confirmed this. So unless Evans suddenly gains the gusto to call out Anderson Silva, we will more than likely be seeing these two square off in early February.

Who do you like for this one, Potato Nation?

–J. Jones

UFC 155: Phil Davis vs. Forrest Griffin Head to Toe Breakdown

Forrest Griffin has a new opponent for UFC 155, and despite rumors that a trilogy fight with Stephan Bonnar was on tap, Griffin’s return to the cage will come against a very talented up-and-coming fighter in Phil Davis. Griffin was originally set…

Forrest Griffin has a new opponent for UFC 155, and despite rumors that a trilogy fight with Stephan Bonnar was on tap, Griffin’s return to the cage will come against a very talented up-and-coming fighter in Phil Davis.

Griffin was originally set to fight Chael Sonnen on the UFC’s year-end card, but Sonnen was placed into a high-profile spot opposite Jon Jones on The Ultimate Fighter 17, and Griffin was left without an opponent.

In steps “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis, who is fresh off a submission win over Wagner Prado at last weekend’s UFC 153 event.

This is an extremely important fight for both men: Griffin needs to prove he is still amongst the elite fighters in the light heavyweight division, and Davis has yet to show the world that he is worth the hype that has been thrown his way.

The winner of this fight will be thrown into a light-heavyweight-title mix full of fighters who have already lost to the champion, so a win here could earn one of these fighters a fast track to a title opportunity.

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