Tag: Interviews

Vinny Magalhaes Talks UFC 163, Chael Sonnen and M-1 Global

One of the most respected grapplers in the fight game today, UFC light heavyweight Vinny Magalhaes plans on finishing his upcoming opponent Anthony Perosh on the ground. The fact that “The Hippo” is a third-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu…

One of the most respected grapplers in the fight game today, UFC light heavyweight Vinny Magalhaes plans on finishing his upcoming opponent Anthony Perosh on the ground. 

The fact that “The Hippo” is a third-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Magalhaes is a second-degree black belt) means absolutely nothing to The Ultimate Fighter season 8 runner-up. 

“He’s a third-degree black belt because he’s as old as my grandfather. Next year I’ll be a third degree black belt myself and I’m half his age,” Magalhaes said in an exclusive interview with Bleacher Report. “I do expect to finish him on the ground. There’s nothing on my resume that says that I can’t finish Anthony Perosh or another black belt, especially considering the fact that I’ve gone against some of the best grapplers in the world. (I’m) way more accomplished than him…what other world-class grappler has he faced? Jeff Monson? Check the result of that fight.”

Magalhaes, 28, is a three-time medal winner (one gold, two bronze) at the Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championships, regarded as the highest-level no-gi jiu-jitsu tournament that exists today. 

In the grappling world, Magalhaes has defeated the likes of UFC heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum, upcoming middleweight title challenger Chris Weidman and respected full-time jiu-jitsu practitioners like Dean Lister and Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, among many others. 

For the sake of comparison, Perosh, 41 (not quite old enough to be Magalhaes’ grandfather), has qualified for the ADCC World Championship five times but has never placed at the tournament. 

Additionally, Perosh did indeed lose to Monson all the back at UFC 61 in July 2006, though it is worth noting he lost by TKO, not submission, and the bout was contested at heavyweight. 

Magalhaes and Perosh face off at UFC 163, which is set to take place at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 3. 

“Pezao” got some backlash from his countrymen for training Chael Sonnen for his UFC 148 middleweight title bout with Anderson Silva; however, he says this will not ruin the experience of competing in his home country for the first time ever in his in 17-fight MMA career. 

I’m not really worried about that. I have a lot of my friends and family members going to the fight to support me and that’s what really matters. Plus, most of the new MMA fans in Brazil don’t even care about (the situation). Some of them don’t even know anything about it. They just go to the fights because the UFC is the new “cool (thing)” going on right now.

Magalhaes has trained with Sonnen, a three-time UFC title challenger, on multiple occasions now, so the submission wizard stated he would not accept a fight with “The American Gangster” if offered. 

Speaking of Sonnen, Vinny also got a fair share of criticism after he picked “Uncle Chael” to defeat Jon Jones at UFC 159 (via BJPenn.com), a bout where the challenger was soundly defeated in the first round.

He argues that he has all the tools to be successful in the matchup and could still present Jones a challenge in the future, despite what happened in the recent championship bout:

When I give my opinion, I’m not necessarily saying that things will go exactly the way I’m saying; I’m usually talking about capability…I thought, and still think, he has some skills that would allow him to win a fight against Jones, but apparently, things didn’t really go the way I thought that they could’ve gone.  

While Magalhaes is best known by UFC fans for his time on TUF, he compiled a 7-1 record after being cut by the company in April 2009, which included winning the M-1 Global light heavyweight strap. 

Despite a 5-0 record (all stoppages) and being a champion, Magalhaes ran into problems with M-1 Global directors behind the scenes and actually ended up putting his belt for sale on eBay. 

Here’s what he had to say about the whole ordeal: 

I had a problem with one of their directors right after my last fight for them and the same guy was still trying to screw me over by not letting me fight and by making me sit out for the rest of my contract. So I just decided to put my belt up for sale; after all, there was nothing (in) my contract saying that I couldn’t sell my belt. I ended up not selling the belt, though. I decided to keep (it) so I can give it to my son once he’s older.

Magalhaes has a 10-6(1) record overall, though just a 1-3 record inside the Octagon, most recently dropping a decision to top-10 light heavyweight Phil Davis at UFC 159. 

One of the BJJ instructors at Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas, Magalhaes also said he personally “underperformed” in that matchup, while Davis looked “better than I expected.”

Nevertheless, these are two factors he considers non-issues in his upcoming summer scrap with Perosh.

 

All quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report unless otherwise noted.

John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com and contributes MMA videos to The Young Turks Sports Show. 

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UFC 161: Rashad Evans Focused on the Journey, Not the Destination

Every fighter competing in the UFC possesses a certain level of talent. Nevertheless, the truly great ones have something that sets them apart. In addition to a solid arsenal of skills, the best fighters bring unique intangibles which allow them to exp…

Every fighter competing in the UFC possesses a certain level of talent. Nevertheless, the truly great ones have something that sets them apart. In addition to a solid arsenal of skills, the best fighters bring unique intangibles which allow them to exploit even the most minimal of opportunities and push through situations where others crumble.

There is no denying that Rashad Evans is in the elite class of mixed martial artists.

That being said, over the past two years, the former light heavyweight champion has had difficulty keeping in touch with those things that put him on top of the sport. 

Turbulence in both his personal and professional life tipped the balance to put Evans on a downturn. These circumstances amplified when he came up short in a highly anticipated grudge match with former training partner and current champion Jon Jones at UFC 145, then put on a listless performance in his loss to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 156 back in February.

The fighter who looked gun-shy against “Lil Nog” in Las Vegas was a far stretch from the confidence Evans has displayed throughout his time in MMA.

After winning the second installment of The Ultimate Fighter, the former Michigan State wrestling standout rose to become one of the most dominant fighters in the 205-pound division. In the process of his ascension, Evans expanded his wrestling-heavy style to include a striking game based off speed and brutal knockout power.

When coupled with his bravado and confidence, Evans became a superstar under the UFC banner.  

It was on the strength of those talents that he became a champion. That is precisely what he needed to find heading into his main event showdown with Dan Henderson at UFC 161.  

For Evans, the rediscovery of what made him one of the world’s best fighters was a matter of mindset. He’s looking forward to bringing back “Suga” back in Winnipeg.

“The most important thing for me right now is just getting to enjoy competing again and competing from the standpoint where it’s not so much about my arrival at a destination,” Evans told Bleacher Report. “Not thinking that I have to get a title shot after this or worrying about my next fight, but really just enjoying each and every single part of this journey that I’m on.

“Before you know it, I’m going to be done with this, and I don’t want to have spent most of my time stressing or worrying about the final destination when there are so many great things I’ve been blessed to see along the path. I’m blessed enough to have the longevity that I have in a sport like mixed martial arts. Especially in the UFC.

“Being one of the stars in the UFC for as long as I’ve been isn’t an easy task, but it’s definitely a blessing. I’m going to take some time to smell the flowers along the way and enjoy where I’m at and fight my ass off.”

Throughout his career, Evans has defeated a collection of the best light heavyweight fighters the world has to offer. The 33-year-old Team Blackzilians fighter has steamrolled former champions, snuffed out legends and turned back rising prospects looking to take his spot in the divisional pecking order.

With continued success, expectations steadily rose for Evans inside the cage. And while living up to that measure and performing consistently at the highest level brings added pressure, Evans wouldn’t have things any other way.

“It’s something I want people to know,” Evans said. “For me, at first it was a burden, but I just realized how blessed I am and to have set the standard I’ve set for myself. It allows me to see how far I’ve come in my career.

“Really, you can’t smell the roses until you’ve retired, but every once in awhile you get a peek of how far you’ve come, how much people appreciate you and how much your body of work has meant. For people to have a standard of expectation for me to perform at the highest levels at all times is a bit overwhelming at times, but for the most part I feel like I’m blessed.”

Going into his fight with Henderson at UFC 161, Evans finds himself in the strangest of positions. While he’s been a perennial contender for the past five years, the reality of his current situation is a two-fight losing skid and the potential to be removed from the title picture for the foreseeable future.

Evans is aware of the circumstances, and they are nothing more than distractions from the task at hand. He knows the dangers Henderson presents and isn’t looking past the former Olympian, because it’s a mistake he’s made in the past. In order to Evans to keep his focused locked on “Hendo,” he’s had to tune out the static and keep his mind on the immediate goal.

“It does get difficult because before you know it, everybody is talking about everything else except for what is really going on in front of you,” Evans said. “And if you’re not really careful and watch the garden that is your mind, you can allow those weeds to take root. Before you know it, you are lost in what you should actually be thinking about and lose focus on what you should be focused on.

“You really have to be able to let people talk about what they are going to talk about—but at the same time—not let it affect you as an athlete.”

On Saturday night, Evans will once again put everything on the line when he squares off with Henderson.

It will be a meeting of two men who are at a crucial crossroads in their respective careers, with the winner staying on the title radar and the loser having those dreams extinguished. While the pressure surrounding Evans is at an all-time high, he’s worked hard to get back to what made mixing it up inside the cage worthwhile, and he’s determined to put that on display.

“Fans are going to see Rashad Evans out there having fun,” Evans said. “It’s going to feel really good, I’ve been working and trying to cultivate that and trying to get back to the best of me.”

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise. 

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UFC on Fuel TV 10: Legendary Nogueira Looking to Prove He’s Still a Factor

When the book finally closes on the career of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira he will go down as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.The former Pride and UFC champion stood shoulder to shoulder with the very elite of his weight class during an era wi…

When the book finally closes on the career of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira he will go down as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.

The former Pride and UFC champion stood shoulder to shoulder with the very elite of his weight class during an era widely regarded as the “golden age” of the heavyweight division. The Brazilian submission artist became a legend in mixed martial arts on the strength of a high-level grappling game and an unbreakable will which he showcased time and time again in some of the grittiest fights in MMA history. 

Nogueira was never the biggest man in the cage nor the strongest, but when it came to immeasurable intangibles like heart and determination, “Big Nog” found an advantage difficult to match.

Nevertheless, in a sport as physically unforgiving as MMA, the tides eventually shifted and the toll of battle began to show on Nogueira. Where “Minotauro” had once appeared unstoppable, a rash of injuries and a rough skid where he traded wins and losses at every turn, suddenly made the 37-year-old’s armor appear to be wearing thin.

Following his devastating loss to Frank Mir at UFC 140 in December of 2011, retirement talk swirled around the MMA legend. He had suffered a brutal fracture at the hands of the former two-time champion and it was unclear if Nogueira would ever return to compete inside the Octagon.

But as he’s proven so many times throughout his career, Nogueira is an extremely difficult fighter to put away and he refused to let a rough night in Toronto be the closing chapter to his career.

The Team Nogueira leader made a triumphant return to the sport’s biggest stage when he submitted veteran Dave Herman during their tilt at UFC 153 last October. In front of a raucous crowd in Rio de Janeiro, the hometown hero put an end to the retirement talk with a definitive display of show and prove.

The victory brought his career back into focus and he will be looking to keep the resurgence alive when he squares off with Fabricio Werdum in the main event of UFC on Fuel TV 10 in Fortaleza, Brazil. The bout is a rematch nearly seven years in the making, and Nogueira will be looking to once again claim victory over Werdum.

“I’m a much more experienced fighter now,” Nogueira told Bleacher Report. “I learned how to fight in the Octagon. My wrestling improved. My boxing improved. I got bigger, stronger and my skills got sharper. I know Fabricio improved as well. His stand-up has gotten better and he’s a very dangerous opponent with his knees and kicks. His striking is good and he’s strong on the ground as well. I knew I had to train really hard for this fight but I believe in myself and I’m very confident I can do well. I know it’s going to be a really tough fight and I’m ready for it.

“This competition will be better than my last fight because I had more time to train and get in shape. I had almost four months to camp. I’m doing well. I have great motivation. We put a lot of big guys together to do my camping for this fight. We just came off a good season of TUF: Brazil and we had a lot of good guys to spar with. Some of the guys were smaller than me and it really pushed my physical conditioning in training. I feel great. I feel very motivated. I’m ready for Saturday.

“I’m going to put a lot of heart into this fight,” he added. “I’m going to use my best skills. I’m going to use my hands and my jiu-jitsu. I’m going to unleash knees and everything I have to win the fight. I want to win this fight so bad.”

In addition to their upcoming tilt this weekend, both heavyweights took up coaching duties for the second installment of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. Throughout his career Nogueira has coached and mentored some of the best fighters to ever step inside the cage, so making his second go as head coach on the reality show was a natural fit.

While two months is hardly enough time to make a tremendous impact on the fighters under his tutelage, Nogueira used the eight weeks to focus on the smaller details of fighting inside the Octagon.

“It was a great experience to coach the fighters,” Nogueira answered when asked about TUF: Brazil. “It was great to work with them and teach them some things. I taught them some boxing, wrestling and even jiu-jitsu to some of the fighters. We focused on details because we aren’t going to teach them how to fight in two months. But we could make them sharper and better fighters by showing them a few things and explaining why certain things need to be done and why there are things they shouldn’t do.

“We spent a lot of time showing them how to work against the cage. How to wall walk, get the best position and what do when they are in those positions. We did a lot of cage work. I think we did a great job and really motivated them. They were a great group and really easy to work with because they worked together as a team. It was a good season.”

Alongside countrymen Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort, the Nogueira name is an institution on the Brazilian mixed martial arts scene. He’s easily one of the country’s most well-known fighters and takes tremendous pride in representing the passionate fanbase.

That element will be amplified on Saturday night as he helps bring MMA and the UFC to a different part of the country—one where Nogueira believes the people deserve relief from the grind of their every day situations. 

“Having the UFC in Brazil is a great thing,” Nogueira said. “This fight is different and special because it’s in a different part of the country where people are really struggling. It’s a poorer part of the country. People here suffer more and make less money than in other parts of the country. That makes fighting here very special for me.

“It’s a great time for MMA in Brazil. To go around and see the fights on T.V. and people gathering in places to watch them is great. I think it has to do with how good the Brazilian fighters are doing in the UFC. The Brazilian people are so proud of their fighters. It’s great to go out on a Saturday night and see everybody getting together everywhere to watch the fights on T.V. People are so proud of the fighters.”

For a fighter who as accomplished as much as Nogueira has, diminishing motivation would certainly be understandable at this stage of his career. Multiple championships across multiple organizations and a resume filled with a collection of legendary names would be enough for most fighters to rest upon, but then again, Nogueira isn’t like most fighters.

He’s proud of the work he’s done in the past, but the Team Black House fighter is focused on the here and now. While he may have chased championships before, his current mindset isn’t locked on a gold belt as much as it is in knowing he’s still one of the best heavyweights on the planet.

“This sport is at a really good moment right now and I want to be a part of it,” Nogueira said. “I’m very happy to be among the best fighters competing right now in the UFC heavyweight division. Whoever wins this fight will be in a very good position in the weight class and I’m very excited about that. I want to be one of the best guys in the world in my weight division. I can see myself fighting for the title again one day.

“If I have the chance to fight for the title again that would be great. I just don’t want to fight my buddies like Junior dos Santos or Pezao (Antonio Silva). Those guys are my friends and I have no interest in fighting them. But if I had to fight someone else for the title I certainly would.”

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.

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UFC 161: Tyron Woodley Ready for the Wolves of the Welterweight Division

The welterweight division is the deepest and most competitive under the UFC banner, and Tyron Woodley is eager to get to the top of the ladder.The former standout wrestler from Missouri University blazed a trail through the Strikeforce organization goi…

The welterweight division is the deepest and most competitive under the UFC banner, and Tyron Woodley is eager to get to the top of the ladder.

The former standout wrestler from Missouri University blazed a trail through the Strikeforce organization going from surging prospect to title contender in less than three years. The rapid progress put the 31-year-old on the radar as a fighter to watch, and judging from his performance against Jay Hieron in his Octagon debut at UFC 156, “T Wood” is looking to get into title contention in the sport’s most successful promotion as well.

It only took Woodley 36 seconds and a nasty right hand to flatten the seasoned MMA veteran and make a thundering statement in the process. No sooner than Hieron hit the canvas in Las Vegas, the word around the MMA community was that Woodley had not only arrived, but was going to be a force in the welterweight division.

“The whole goal that entire camp was to make a statement,” Woodley told Bleacher Report about his UFC debut. “I not only wanted to make a statement to myself but also the team I fight for and the promotion. The UFC needed to see that I was there now and put everyone on notice.

“I think I’m ready, man. I don’t need to be powdered up. I’ve asked for tough fights on purpose. Feed me to the wolves. I already know who they are. It’s not like they have some secret animal they are going to unleash inside the cage. I already know who the wolves are in the welterweight division and I’m ready to fight any of them.”

The next step on his journey toward contender status will come next Saturday against Jake Shields at UFC 161. The former Strikeforce middleweight champion will be making his return to 170-pound waters where he hopes his unique blend of wrestling and jiu-jitsu will bring him back to title contention.

The Team Cesar Gracie fighter has one of the sport’s most impressive resumes as he’s collected victories over some of the top names to compete in mixed martial arts this past decade. While Woodley certainly acknowledges the past accomplishments of his opponent, the Missouri-native also believes he’s prepared for everything Shields will bring to the table at UFC 161.

“It’s a great opportunity for me,” Woodley said. “Shields is a top-level fighter that has been around the game for awhile. He has a ton of experience and he’s a true specialist at what he does. But at the end of the day, I feel my ability to be a complete mixed martial artist, with heavy hands, solid combinations, good takedown defense and great cardio; those things and elements are going to allow me to be victorious in this fight.

“This time around I’m in better shape than I’ve ever been to be honest. I’ve ran more. I’ve done more sprints. I’ve done more interval training. I’ve had more sparring and grappling sessions. I’ve had more weeks notice for this fight. Before, I was getting three or three-and-a-half weeks to prepare for an opponent. But in this fight, I’ve had eight, 10, 12 weeks to think about punching Jake Shields in the face. I’ve had time to think about stopping his takedowns and think about making it a miserable night for him.

“For me, that is a competitive edge. It’s the first time I’ve had this amount of notice to properly prepare, to neutralize everything he does well, and to get everything I bring to the table sharper. I’m there. I’m ready to fight now and that tells me that I’m going to be able to push a little bit harder than I have in the past.

“I’m expecting the best Jake Shields,” Woodley added. “I’m expecting his striking to be better. I’m expecting his conditioning to be good. I’m expecting his pressure to be there. If I’m mentally prepared for that and I’m equipped with the proper defense to get around those things, if he does come out and has does have some ring rust it is going to be a short night for him. If he comes out there and he’s not at an A+ performance, then you are going to see me knock him out. That’s what my goal is.

“I’m going in there to press him and press him and press him. Hit him with heavy hands on every shot. I want to make it an ugly night for him. If you start doing that to a person he is going to start getting desperate. He’s going to start shooting from way out across town. And I’m going to make him pay for it.”

Where a victory over Shields would move Woodley up the ladder of the divisional hierarchy, he’s also looking at the bigger picture. The welterweight divisional race has never been hotter than it is in 2013, and Woodley is eager to put himself into the upper tier at 170 pounds.

That being said, the former Strikeforce title challenger understands there are fighters above him in the standings. But mixed martial arts is a game of uncertainty, and Woodley believes he can make a tremendous jump with a victory over the former Elite XC champion in Winnipeg.

“I’m not just looking for a win over Shields, but a dominant performance,” Woodley said. “They need to see what I can do. They need to see the skills I posses. When they see me get the win by using those things, it will put me right in the picture for title contention. Johny Hendricks is next in line for the shot. Jake Ellenberger has won a few in a row. He lost a fight but climbed right back up. He’s fighting Rory MacDonald. If Rory MacDonald wins that fight he’s not going to fight GSP.

“A win in this fight can really put me right in that picture or in the next spot. But injuries happen. Positive drug tests can happen. There are a lot of unforeseen circumstances that can happen and you have to be ready to step up in the big show. Mentally, I’m just in the zone right now. I got my swag on. I’m feeling good about training. I’m feeling good about myself and everything I’m doing is with purpose. I’m running with purpose and I’m thinking about the fight. I’m sparring with purpose and when I get tired, I just push harder towards that purpose.”

Walking into the Octagon to face Shields at UFC 161, Woodley is fully aware of the challenges ahead of him. He understands Shields possesses a skill set that has been a nightmare for many fighters who have come before him, but he also believes in the work he’s put in.

Where other elite fighters have been competing for years on the biggest stages of the sport, Woodley just crossed over the four-year mark as a professional mixed martial artist. Nevertheless, while experience is something he can’t produce inside the gym, Woodley believes the skill set he brings to the cage tips the scales of advantage in his favor. 

“At the stage I’m at in my career it is a make up game,” Woodley said. “I can’t make up for lost time but I can really work my butt off. If you look at all the guys I’ve fought in [Paul] Daley, [[Nate] Marquardt, Jake Shields and Jay Hieron, those dudes combined and have probably 150 fights.

“Experience is something you can’t make up. These guys have been hit and dropped. They have been submitted. They have been losing two rounds and had to come back strong in the final round to win. They’ve had those experiences in the cage and they can bring that in there with them. That’s their advantage. But my advantage is mindset, hunger, athleticism, speed, power, conditioning and skill set.

“I’m a complete mixed martial artist. I can grapple. My first win was by submission. I can knock people out. I can grind out wins. I can take punches and I can give them. I’m a part of the new school in MMA. I’m a part of the new generation of guys who are aggressive, hit hard and really put on performances that people want to see.

“Fans should expect a passing of the torch,” he added in regard to his upcoming bout with Shields. “Out with the old and in with the new. They are going to see me coming out there and being explosive and building off my last performance. Don’t expect any other fighter. Don’t expect to see a fighter who is going out there and grinding out close wins, I’m going out there with a job and a mission to do. I’m going to get the job done by any means necessary.”

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand, unless noted otherwise.

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Mike Pyle Eyeing Top 10 Competition Following Victory at UFC 160

Mike Pyle put on one of the grittiest performances of his career last weekend at UFC 160.Following a treacherous first round where he was dropped and close to being finished by Rick Story, the Las Vegas-based fighter bounced back with vigor to earn the…

Mike Pyle put on one of the grittiest performances of his career last weekend at UFC 160.

Following a treacherous first round where he was dropped and close to being finished by Rick Story, the Las Vegas-based fighter bounced back with vigor to earn the split-decision nod. It was a fight which required the savvy veteran to tap into every facet of his skill set. And while his ground game and striking turned the tide of the fight, it was perhaps his intangible attributes which ultimately secured the victory.

Over the three-round affair, the 37-year-old Syndicate MMA fighter displayed heart and determination all the while relying on his experience to help him persevere. It was a close fought back-and-forth affair, but after the 15 minutes had concluded, Pyle’s hand was raised in victory.

“It was a good war,” Pyle told Bleacher Report. “It’s been awhile since I’ve been in a three round battle and a fighter needs it every now and again to dig deep and get the job done. I’m happy with my performance. I’m happy with the outcome. I’m glad to be victorious, man.”

The opening minutes of the fight were spent grappling on the mat. But when the fighters returned to their feet, Story caught Pyle with a big shot that put the veteran flat on the canvas. The 29-year-old Team Brave Legion fighter immediately swarmed in looking for the finish, but Pyle was able to regroup and get Story under control inside his guard.

“The thoughts going through my mind were like, ‘I have to weather the storm and hang in there. I know I can beat this kid, I just can’t let him get anymore shots in on me,” Pyle said. “I tried to stay safe and [Steve] Mazzagatti did a good job by not stopping the fight. I was still in that fight and he did a good job.”

While Pyle rode out the rest of the first round off his back, the position would be repeated several times throughout the fight. But where the majority of fighters lose points with their backs to the canvas, Pyle remained offensive from the bottom as he made several solid submission attempts.

“I was just looking for whatever he gave me,” Pyle said. “I was just playing it by ear. If he gave me something I was going to take it. He gave me opportunities a couple of times but I wasn’t able to capitalize on them. That boy is really strong. Rick Story is a strong son of a b***.”

“I have put a lot of time into my ground game and I believe that showed through in this fight. I’m comfortable off my back. I know that I can hang with the best. That is all there is to it. I’m not afraid to be in that position and I’ll be there with anyone. I don’t care who they are. In a fight, you are going to end up on your back.

“It’s not just about scrambling up to get back to your feet. It’s about winning. You have to stay focused and make sure your defense is sound before your offense. I have a pretty good defense on the ground and it’s somewhere I’m comfortable.” 

Going into the final frame it was anyone’s fight to take and Pyle put his foot on the gas pedal. Where the first two rounds were spent in grappling exchanges, the third round saw Pyle open up with his striking and score at will. He consistently backed Story up with solid shots and scored enough to lock down the round on the judge’s scorecards. 

“I was just in better shape,” Pyle said. “I was in better shape and I could see a lot more openings because he slowed down a bit. I was moving a little slow myself but I was scoring. My corner was telling me it was time to get after him. I got a little complacent trying to put a play in and let him get that takedown at the end. But I was still able to use my jiu-jitsu again off my back and make the fight.

The win over Story at UFC 160 was Pyle’s fourth-consecutive victory and added to an impressive streak where he’s found success in seven of his last eight showings. That momentum has brought him to the doorstep of the top 10 and creates a likely scenario where he will see one of the division’s best standing across the cage the next time he steps into the Octagon.

That being said, the decisions as to what comes next or where he stands in the bigger picture of the welterweight division are out of his hands. For Pyle, the only thing within his control is his ability to improve with each and every fight and the slick welterweight is determined to be prepared for whatever comes his way next. 

“Let’s do it,” Pyle replied when asked about getting a top-10 opponent for his next fight. “Whatever comes my way I’m going to take it. I can’t predict and I can’t control what the UFC has plans for as the welterweight division. Hopefully I fit in there somewhere and we’ll just take it day by day.

“I’m only getting better, man,” he added. “My health is great. I feel 27 not 37 and I’m ready to keep going. Let’s do it.”

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.

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Jon Fitch Bringing Added Motivation into Debut at WSOF 3

For the better part of the past decade, Jon Fitch has been heralded as one of the top welterweights in mixed martial arts.The former wrestling standout from Purdue University worked his way up from the lower rungs of a stacked 170-pound weight class to…

For the better part of the past decade, Jon Fitch has been heralded as one of the top welterweights in mixed martial arts.

The former wrestling standout from Purdue University worked his way up from the lower rungs of a stacked 170-pound weight class to become a perennial contender in the UFC fold. Unfortunately for the AKA staple, a lengthy layoff due to injury and a rough skid where Fitch dropped two of his last three bouts pushed the 35-year-old further from title contention than he’d been in years.

Adding insult to injury, following his loss to Demian Maia at UFC 156 back in February, Fitch was released from the promotion despite carrying a 14-3-1 record over his time with the company.

Nevertheless, it didn’t take long for the Ft. Wayne native to find a new home with World Series of Fighting, and Fitch will begin the next chapter of his career on June 14 when he squares off with veteran Josh Burkman at WSOF 3.

For Fitch, the new endeavor will provide new opportunities, and he’s looking forward to proving he’s still one of the best 170-pound fighters on the planet.

“I’m going to show everybody what I’m capable of,” Fitch told Bleacher Report. “And I’m going to show everybody what I’m capable of with support behind me. It’s going to be really nice to fight for an organization that is pushing and promoting me instead of trying to hold me back and put me down. 

“There wasn’t a fight I went into where I didn’t feel as if I was fighting for my job. If I didn’t win I was going to be fired. Every fight I had before was not just a fight against the guy in front of me but a fight against the people putting on the show.

“I’m really excited,” he added in regard to fighting at WSOF 3. “I only have a couple more weeks of training then I take off for Las Vegas. I can’t wait to get started in this new promotion and be on free TV with NBC Sportsnet. I think it’s a big opportunity and I can’t wait for it.”

The upstart promotion made headlines around the MMA community when it signed Fitch back in March, and he’s eager to get the next chapter of his career under way. His first challenge will come against a resurgent welterweight in Burkman.

“The People’s Warrior” has won both of his showings under the WSOF banner and collected victories in seven of his last eight bouts. While Fitch was victorious in their first meeting back in 2006, he’s not relying on history or memory for the upcoming tilt. Fitch knows the 32-year-old Utah native has evolved as a fighter since their initial clash and is looking at Burkman as a new challenge.

“I can’t really view this as a rematch because there has been so much time between the two fights,” Fitch said. “I’m looking at him as a new opponent. He’s switched his stance and changed a lot of things. I’m looking at him as a brand-new opponent and I’m excited for this opportunity.”

Following his win over Aaron Simpson at WSOF 2, rather than use his post-fight interview to hype a future bout with Fitch, Burkman suggested the San Jose-based fighter needed to get in line to fight him. While the commentary created a bit of confusion around the MMA community, Fitch understood his upcoming opponent’s point of view.

“I think he was trying to say that I shouldn’t get a title shot for my first fight,” Fitch said. “There were a lot of people talking that I was going to walk in and fight for the title in my first fight. I can understand where he’s coming from with that because he has two wins for World Series and could certainly make a case for himself that he deserved it. He’s put in the time and the work. But I don’t think they are going to be bringing in any belts until their fifth or sixth show or something like that. 

“I’ve put in the work and I could see myself fighting for a title with this organization very soon. But I also understand it’s a very young organization and it doesn’t have very many depths where fighters have had multiple fights competing for that organization for people to get behind. That makes it kind of hard to introduce belts that early. 

“I’m hoping the next fight will be a title shot. Obviously, I’d make more money but I understand what they are doing with the organization. I think they made the right call.”

With the the next chapter of his career rapidly approaching, Fitch will be looking to shake off the troubles of the past two years and put his unique brand of the grind back at the forefront of mixed martial arts. 

It was grit and heart that brought him to the pinnacle of the sport, and it will take more of the same to begin on his new journey. That being said, without the stresses and concerns he once carried, Fitch is certain he will put his best on display at WSOF 3.

“People can expect to see the best of Jon Fitch,” he said. “No filters. No worries other than the fight in front of me and I think that is going to bring out the best Jon Fitch you’ve seen.”

 

Duane Finley is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.

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