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UFC 164 Danavlog: Anthony Pettis Gets Pep Talk From the Boss, Josh Barnett Gives Props to Frank Mir and Much More

Because there’s another fight to promote this week (tonight’s UFC Fight Night 29 in Brazil), Dana White has released another of his behind-the-scenes video blogs. This one looks back on UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis and lets fans in on some fascinating moments. Other than the first part of the vlog, where Dana chats with the Harley Davidson guys about customizing a motorcycle — skip past that stuff, trust us — this episode is low on fluff and big on intimate moments with the fighters who bled for us in Milwaukee. Some highlights…

0:00: If you can’t read backwards-English, the painting behind Dana says “Pay Attention Mother Fuckers.” Truly a man of pristine taste, this Mr. White.

1:40: “This is Fred Durst’s bike.” Wow. morganfreeman.gif

2:03: The camera locks on Ryan Couture backstage after his loss to Al Iaquinta, trying very hard to keep it together. This is the first of many glimpses at the often devastatingly quiet moments losing fighters on the card endured immediately after their fights. Always a bummer.

2:25: Matt Serra shows up to provide some much-needed comic relief, calling Dana White fat and saying Dana should stay dressed in slimming black until he “looks like Lorenzo Fertitta.” It should be noted that Serra, a former welterweight champion, probably weighs like 275 pounds at this point.

4:02: Ben Rothwell celebrates his win over Brandon Vera, unaware that he’s about to get suspended for nine months.

(Props: YouTube.com/UFC)

0:00: If you can’t read backwards-English, the painting behind Dana says “Pay Attention Mother Fuckers.” Truly a man of pristine taste, this Mr. White.

1:40: “This is Fred Durst’s bike.” Wow. morganfreeman.gif

4:02: Ben Rothwell celebrates his win over Brandon Vera, unaware that he’s about to get suspended for nine months.

4:12: An emotionally shattered Clay Guida gets tended to backstage, before checking in with Chad Mendes, the man who just TKO’d him. Both fighters are gracious with each other before Guida walks off, but when the camera pans back to Mendes, it seems as if the Carpenter’s heartbreak has sapped some of the joy out of Mendes’s win.

4:43: Frank Mir‘s dad calls “BULLSHIT!” after Mir is TKO’d by Josh Barnett in the co-main event. Greg Jackson is as silent and motionless as a statue, standing with his arms frozen in the air — the universal symbol for “you fuckin’ kidding me, ref?”

5:12: Mir and Barnett cross paths backstage, and share a moment of candid discussion before going their separate ways. Mir thanks Barnett for the fight, and Barnett says “Thanks for actually asking for it. I think you’re the only person…in history who’s ever been like, ‘Yeah, I want to fight him.’” Barnett greets and shows respect to Mir’s father and cornermen.

5:35: Barnett breaks down his finish of Mir in great and lucid detail to someone out of the frame. He says that he could feel Mir breaking down and knew it was “time to kill.”

6:22: Beltless and nursing his damaged arm, Benson Henderson is consoled by his coach. So many feels, man.

6:54: Dana White congratulates new lightweight champion Anthony Pettis after his shocking submission win over Benson Henderson. Dana seems amazed at what Pettis has done, and gives him a mini-pep talk that includes an ominous warning about the title belt he now possesses: “You have no idea. Watch now. That thing makes all the fucking difference in the world. Trust me. Now that you’ve got that, you’re never gonna want to let go of it. Watch how everything fucking changes now. Trust me.”

– Elias Cepeda

Jones vs. Teixeira Confirmed, Mir vs. Overeem Rescheduled for UFC 169, Feb. 1 in Newark

(All physiques subject to change. / Photo via Esther Lin, MMAFighting)

As suspected, UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones will attempt to make his seventh title defense against Glover Teixeira on February 1st at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, as the main event of UFC 169. Newsday confirmed the story, adding the following details:

The UFC typically holds its Super Bowl weekend show in Las Vegas, but since broadcast partner Fox will air the NFL’s premier showcase event, executives wanted both events in the same area. MetLife Stadium hosts Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2, the first time the NFL has held the game outdoors in a cold-weather city. Tickets for UFC 169 will go on sale to the public on Oct. 25.

The UFC’s 2014 Super Bowl weekend event will also feature the heavyweight do-or-die fight between Frank Mir and Alistair Overeem. That matchup was originally slated for next month’s UFC 167: St. Pierre vs. Hendricks event, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission took pity on Mir and recommended that it be pushed back. From UFC.com:

(All physiques subject to change. / Photo via Esther Lin, MMAFighting)

UFC officials announced today that the heavyweight showdown between Frank Mir and Alistair Overeem has been rescheduled to UFC 169 on February 1, 2014.

The move was determined in conjunction with the Nevada State Athletic Commission representatives to provide more time following Frank Mir’s recent August 31st competition.

While there was no indication whatsoever that Mir wouldn’t be fully, medically cleared in time to compete on November 16th, UFC officials and Nevada Commission representatives believed that a short postponement would allow both athletes more time to train for the bout.

Now, if I was a cynic, I’d say something about Mir and/or Reem needing more time to get his/their testosterone levels back into the normal range, but no, I’m not even going to bring that up.

With UFC 167 losing a big main card fight, Ariel Helwani has confirmed that the welterweight bout between Josh Koscheck and Tyron Woodley has been bumped up from the prelims.

Is Josh Barnett a Legitimate Heavyweight Threat?

At UFC 164, former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett out-struck and pummeled another former champion in Frank Mir. The latter fighter was once one of the most feared heavyweights in his division. However, with his third consecutive loss, UFC presid…

On the other hand, Barnett, after 11 years away, returned to the UFC on August 31, 2013. He scored a technical knockout win over a formidable Mir, and reestablished himself as one of the best heavyweights in the world.

By defeating Mir, Barnett earned a No. 6 ranking on the UFC’s Top-10 heavyweight list. Given the opponents who occupy the No. 1 through No. 5 slots, the former world champion appears to have a legitimate shot at capturing another UFC world title before retiring.

Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne

Barnett (33-6) and Browne (15-1-1) are slated to fight on December 28, 2013, at UFC 168. Although Browne is the No. 5 contender, a matchup against a seasoned opponent in Barnett will most likely lead to his undoing.

Aside from the tremendous in-Octagon experience advantage Barnett possesses over Browne, the former world champion is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace. 20 of Barnett’s 33 wins have come by way of submission. His grappling will most likely be on display and employed to contend with Browne’s height (6’7’’) and reach advantage (80”) at UFC 168.

Josh Barnett vs. Fabricio Werdum

Werdum is the No. 3 heavyweight contender, according to the UFC. In this matchup, experience would again play a factor in determining the outcome of this fight. However, it would also be of great interest to witness the way in which these two world-class grapplers engage one another in the Octagon.

Both are highly skilled on the ground and possess the ability to submit anyone in the heavyweight division. Barnett, however, has illustrated boxing talents that appear slightly more advanced than those of Werdum.

A Barnett/Werdum matchup would redefine the heavyweight division and more than likely grant the victor the opportunity to face the champion.

Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier

A Barnett/Cormier matchup would have been a must-see event. The two fought to a decision at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier in 2012. The former came up short in securing the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix title. Therefore, a second matchup between would have seemed logical in determining the division’s No. 1 contender.

However, following his bout against Roy Nelson at UFC 166, Cormier plans on moving to the light heavyweight division. The move appears to benefit Barnett, as Cormier’s current No. 2 slot will need to be filled. In that case, besting one of the aforementioned fighters should prep Barnett for a title shot.

Josh Barnett’s Heavyweight Title Hopes

At 35 years old, realistically, Barnett has just one opportunity to attempt a run at the title. In an interview with Fight Magazine, Barnett stated:

Logically, if I’m going out there and crushing everybody, then I’m going to get a title shot; and I really don’t see it as something that’s avoidable for my opponents or for the company at some point….Not to mention, I’ve already got a pretty gold belt. It’s also a matter of me showing like, ‘Hey, I’m still the champ. I’m gonna take that belt back and put it in its right hands.’

Barnett has already beaten a variety of former world champions in the form of Mir, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Randy Couture and Semmy Schilt. The Warmaster’s focus, experience and world-class grappling make the former UFC champion more than a legitimate threat to the heavyweight title.

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UFC: Josh Barnett Is More Interesting Than Ever

I remember watching Josh Barnett back at UFC 34, outworking, outmaneuvering and outfighting Bobby Hoffman. He looked less like a monster and more like a man in touch with his inner child, and that boy was covered in blood and having a blast in the cage…

Hard to believe that was nearly 26 fights and 12 years ago.

Throughout his storied career, Barnett has gathered unto himself a record of 33-6, with eight wins coming via KO/TKO and 20 wins by submission.

He’s defeated Randy Couture, Semmy Schilt, Mark Hunt, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Hidehiko Yoshida, Sergei Kharitonov and now, Frank Mir.

Just seeing Barnett back in the Octagon is oddly fulfilling.

He left the UFC at a time that was very exciting for the fans; Dana White and Zuffa were really making a strong push, the events were available on PPV and the sport didn’t actually look like it was going to die tomorrow.

It was a promising time, and Barnett was a promising fighter; as optimistic about his future as we were about the sport.

And now he’s back.

Barnett always seemed to be building toward something during his time as a MMA’s most notable nomad; a reckoning of sorts. He may be the closest thing the sport has to a Rhodes Scholar, having fought in the UFC, Pancrase, Pride FC, Affliction, Dream and Strikeforce, and now back to the UFC.

Given the current landscape of the UFC’s heavyweight division, his return is not only interesting, it’s exciting.

Alistair Overeem looks to be one step from imploding, and Frank Mir is tumbling down the rankings. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is faltering, and Antonio “Big Foot” Silva is looking more and more like a gatekeeper every day.

Roy Nelson is still viable, and Travis Browne looks promising, but the true stars of the division are former champ Junior dos Santos and reigning king Cain Velasquez.

With dos Santos and Velasquez scheduled to fight a third bout for the title, whoever wins is going to need a serious contender.

And Barnett is really only one win away from a title shot.

Many are going to scoff at the notion due to Barnett’s documented problems with testing free and clean of banned substances, and they have a point.

But there is a seriousness about Barnett now; a wisdom that comes with experience that makes me think those days are behind him.

At 35 years of age, Barnett is one of those rare fighters that knows how to win; he’s incredibly cunning and savvy, adaptable and dangerous almost anywhere.

When you add to this the fact that the top of the UFC heavyweight food chain is comprised of fighters who use predictable styles, Barnett could be well-rounded enough to beat them.

But he might not, which makes his return all the more poignant.

As great as Barnett is, he was never able to defeat Mirko “Cro-Cop” Filipovic. They fought three times and Barnett was defeated three times.

In Junior dos Santos, Barnett will be facing another dynamic striker with KO power and good takedown defense.

Then, there is the tale of his most recent loss against Daniel Cormier via unanimous decision. Should Barnett end up facing Cormier’s teammate Velasquez, he will be up against another great grappler who has nearly unlimited cardio and is aggressive as the day is long.

If Barnett’s return really is akin to a reckoning, it’s a reckoning of styles.

Has Barnett found an answer to beat men like these? Dos Santos and Velasquez implement both styles better than anyone else in the sport right now, and they’re young and bold.

With Barnett, it’s hard to assume, one way or another. He dismantled Mir and made it look shockingly easy. When he’s focused, all he needs is one little opening to turn the tide and win any fight, be it against dos Santos or Velasquez.

If either dos Santos or Velasquez face Barnett, a loss for either man seems predicated on the fact that anyone can lose in MMA because there are so many ways to do so. It really is a chess game, and Barnett is a very good player.

Will his experience and unflinching confidence see him reclaim the title that was stripped from him so many years ago?

I’m not so sure, but I do know that anyone who faces Barnett has to be at their very best, taking nothing for granted. If not, then they don’t really realize who they’re fighting.

And when Barnett steps into the cage, he fights like a man with nothing to lose.

When a man fights like that, anything is possible.

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Frank Mir vs. Alistair Overeem Is Do or Die for Both Fighters

Frank Mir and Alistair Overeem are facing the worst runs in their extensive mixed martial arts careers. The two will be battling for their futures when they face each other at UFC 167 in November.
UFC president Dana White has spoken of how important th…

Frank Mir and Alistair Overeem are facing the worst runs in their extensive mixed martial arts careers. The two will be battling for their futures when they face each other at UFC 167 in November.

UFC president Dana White has spoken of how important the fight is for both heavyweights.

According to MMA Fighting, when asked whether the fight was “do or die” for both men, White answered, “Definitely.”

Both fighters are riding career-threatening losing streaks, although Mir, with three straight losses to Overeem’s two, is in a much more precarious situation.

Mir has been fighting in the UFC since 2001 and is a former heavyweight champion. However, he hasn’t won a match since submitting Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in 2011. The three losses he’s stacked up—to Junior dos Santos, Daniel Cormier and Josh Barnett—amount to the worst streak of his career.

Overeem, by contrast, only joined the UFC two years ago, riding a formidable run in Strikeforce, Dream and the K1 kickboxing tournament. He quickly established himself in the promotion by finishing former champion Brock Lesnar in the first round. But after a failed drug test and two KO losses to Antonio Silva and Travis Browne, the Dutch fighter could become the biggest bust in UFC history.

Per Tom Ngo of 5th Round, Overeem made $264,285 (with about half coming from a win bonus) for beating Lesnar and $285,714 in his loss to Silva. Mir took home $200,000 in each of his last two fights. That’s enough for both fighters to buy a whole range of tv stands.

The pair will fight on the UFC 167 undercard taking place in Las Vegas on Nov. 16. The card will be headlined by a title fight between welterweights Georges St-Pierre and Johny Hendricks.

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Jon Jones ‘Standing Guillotine’ and the 10 Coolest Submissions in MMA History

When Jon Jones faced Lyoto Machida at UFC 140, he found himself in a fight more difficult than most anticipated.
He adapted to the situation and managed to secure a fight-ending submission via a standing guillotine choke. It wasn’t the first time…

When Jon Jones faced Lyoto Machida at UFC 140, he found himself in a fight more difficult than most anticipated.

He adapted to the situation and managed to secure a fight-ending submission via a standing guillotine choke. It wasn’t the first time this submission has been used, but it was impressive nonetheless.

Jones proved that he could win by employing the conventional at unconventional times; something many take for granted as normal procedure in an MMA bout.

Granted, it wasn’t a “cool” submission because of the fact that Machida fell face-first to the floor, unconscious. It was “cool” because no one really expected a fighter as skilled as Machida to get caught with it.

Upon reflection, there have been other submissions that stack up just as well, if not better.

So just how high does that standing guillotine rank compared to other submissions that were both shocking and sublime?

Here are the top 10 submissions that define that rare species of “cool.”

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