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Victory over Okami Is Alan Belcher’s Next Step Towards a Title Shot

Over the past few years the UFC middleweight picture has become chaotic. With reigning king Anderson Silva still holding court, the race to become next in line has been a storm of trash talk, hype and public posturing, as the best middleweights have jo…

The formula has provided short-term gains for some, but success for none, as no contender has been able to dethrone the champion.

As these various scenarios have played out, Alan Belcher has simply been handling his business and dispatching of everything thrown his way.

The Duke Roufus-trained fighter has quietly put together an impressive run of four consecutive victories, all coming by way of stoppage. In fact, the lone setback in his past seven outings came by way of a razor-thin split-decision loss to Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 100.

On the biggest night in the organization’s history, the two middleweights set the Octagon on fire, trading everything they had to offer from bell to bell. The end result may have come as a disappointment to the Arkansas native, but his performance made the sport’s fanbase sit up and take notice.

Belcher would bounce back in his next showing against veteran Patrick Cote at UFC 113, but before he could build momentum, the 28-year-old was forced to undergo emergency eye surgery that stopped his career cold in its tracks.

There was a period following the procedure to repair his detached retina where it was uncertain if he would ever fight again. But Belcher came roaring back to action as he scored a dominant, first-round victory over Jason MacDonald at UFC Fight Night in New Orleans, LA.

The win over “The Athlete” put Belcher‘s name back in the middleweight conversation, but another strong performance complete with his second consecutive first-round finish in his next showing against Rousimar Palhares at UFC on Fox 3 raised his stock into the top 10 of the 185-pound weight class.

Belcher pounded out the leglock specialist in brutal fashion and moved another rung up the ladder in the process. Where in most divisions under the UFC banner, four consecutive victories all coming by way of finish would have a fighter rapping at the door of a title shot, “The Talent” understands the variables which have kept him at bay.

Injuries have managed to slow him down over the past two years, but now with a clean bill of health and a full head of steam Belcher is fired up and ready to get moving. He will look to make that next step in grand fashion when he squares off with Yushin Okami at UFC 155.

“I think it’s huge for me and I have to make a statement,” Belcher told Bleacher Report. “I have to prove that I deserve a big fight against one of the big-name guys—which I already have and I need to stay there. If I really want 2013 to be my run at the title, this is a great way to kick it off.

“I’m just looking for the ‘W’ more than anything else, but I think my drive and my abilities right now are going to make it a very strong statement. If it’s not a real clean win for me, it’s just because Yushin Okami is a very good fighter. It could very well be a really hard win for me, but I’ll do what it takes to get the ‘W’ and I feel pretty confident about it.

“The only thing that has really held me back is my long lay-off. Then when I made my return, I took a long time between fights. After this last fight I had a broken hand and that injury kept me out for awhile.

“It’s just been my long time in between fights. Why would they give somebody a chance to fight Anderson Silva who the fans don’t really know, and that could go in there and take the belt from him? I have to prove that I’m able to fight more often and I have to let more fans know who I am. I have an underground fan base but that’s about it.”

The bout with Okami on December 29 will hold special significance for Belcher for a multitude of reasons. The fight not only marks the first rematch of his 24-fight career, but it will come against the man who spoiled his UFC debut back in 2006.

In his first matchup with “Thunder,” Belcher saw his seven-fight win streak snapped when he came up on the wrong end of a unanimous decision. The opportunity to make good on his previous misstep is a unique experience, and one that has Belcher looking forward to their second go-around at UFC 155.

“It has its advantages and disadvantages,” Belcher said regarding his rematch with Okami. “The advantages are I lost to him before and that makes me hungrier. Maybe he thinks he can beat me again and that gives me a little bit of an edge. The disadvantage could be that I lost to him and he feels really confident, but the main thing is this is the first rematch of my career and that is what really fired me up about doing this fight. It’s against the right person and it is relevant in the rankings.

“Okami is going to be a legend in the UFC when it’s all finished. He’s fought some of the greatest guys and he’ll always be a top fighter as long as he’s competing. Now I have the rematch against him. He’s really the only guy who’s beat me that makes sense to fight again right now. The rematch really has me fired up. The idea of winning five straight and continuing on my streak is getting me pumped up.”

Stylistically speaking the two fighters couldn’t be more different.

Where Belcher brings an unpredictable and versatile attack into the cage, Okami is methodical and disciplined. It doesn’t matter if the Japanese fighter’s game plan is well-known, stopping it becomes the problem. It is a task Belcher is confident he can handle this time around, and he believes he has a variety of answers to the challenges the former No. 1 contender presents.

“[Okami] is threatening with what he does,” Belcher said. “He’s really tight and really athletic. He has a big body and throws fast punches nice and straight. He can kick a little bit, he’s hard to hit, and strong. He pressures you, puts you against the cage, and tries to clinch up with you. He has good take downs. He is good on the ground and good at holding you down.

“He’s good at what he does but at the same time, it’s very easy to figure out what he’s going to do. He’s very predictable. I have a lot of options with the things I can do. I have a lot of different styles and strategies I use. I have a lot of different ways to beat him where for him to win, he has to keep pressuring me and has to take me down. That’s pretty much it.”

A victory over Okami would not only make it five in a row for Belcher, but also place a big feather in his proverbial cap. Where his past wins have all been impressive, coming out on top of a solid name like the one Okami carries would be a strong push to place him firmly in the upper tier of the middleweight division.

It would also further the blue-collar effort Belcher has put forth in climbing the rankings towards a title shot. Despite recent examples of surging contenders being passed over for higher-profile opposition, Belcher embraces both optimism and realism equally.

He knows it is a position he’s scrapping his way towards, but at the same time, not a situation he’s currently included in. That being the case, Belcher is looking forward to making his case undeniable and feels he has a versatile skill set few fighters can match.

“It is an interesting time right now,” Belcher said. “I feel like the UFC is a little bit desperate to make big-money fights, but I don’t really fit into that category right now. It sucks, but we’ll deal with that when it comes. Right now, I have to win this fight and then probably one or two more.

“After I beat Yushin Okami, I’m not going to be mad if the UFC doesn’t have me fighting Anderson Silva in February or March. I want to make it realistic. I want to work for it. I want to legitimately beat everyone in the division with no questions asked. That means if I have to beat Lombard, Bisping, Belfort, Weidman, all of them in 2013, that’s what I’ll do.

“There are things I’ve been working on for years and years I’m really good at. My grappling is dynamic but I don’t think people realize the technical side of it. I’m always working it and I think my grappling is cleaner than most UFC fighters. I really pay attention to the details. The same goes with my striking.

“One of the things the fans love about my striking, and one of the things that makes me dangerous is my attitude. I’m very comfortable in there. I really get in my opponent’s face and throw a lot of strikes. I mix it up and go for takedowns. Not to mention all my shots are clean and powerful. I have some really strong tools.

“I’ll be the first one to admit I have some places I need to work on and I’m always working on them, but compared to everyone else in the division, and most fighters in the UFC, I would say my style is very versatile and I have a lot of tools.”

As Belcher‘s fight towards the ultimate goal of becoming a UFC champion continues, his work outside of the cage carries on as well. Belcher and his wife Ashlee have been diligent in committing their time to various charities in their community and surrounding areas.

Their commitment has impacted situations large and small, as the Belchers have worked with groups ranging from the Humane Society to individuals in their community struggling to pay medical bills. It is a passion they share as a family and giving back to those in need remains a high priority.

“We are trying to team up with St. Jude’s [Hospital] right now and put together a martial arts for St. Jude’s program,” Belcher said. “It’s an organization I would like to team up with and I like that cause. I grew up close close to the Memphis Tennessee area in Northeast Arkansas, and St, Jude’s Hospital there in Memphis really helps a lot of kids and families. They operate entirely on donations and it takes a lot to run that place.

“I’ll be posting some links up on my website and Twitter pretty soon. I’m trying to raise some money for St. Jude’s and get involved in that a little bit more. Right now, I’m just trying to help out around Christmas time. Trying to help some families is what I’ve been doing this year. I’m doing a little bit less for my family and trying to teach them it’s not about having a bunch of Christmas presents under the tree. I’m trying to give my kids the gift of giving to other people.”

Drive and determination are not things in short supply in the life of Alan Belcher. In a life full of complexities, setbacks, victories and lessons learned, he charges forward knowing he has an unwavering confidence in his abilities. Next Saturday night in Las Vegas, the time to once again put his skills to the test will arrive, and in his signature fashion, Belcher is going to leave everything he has inside the Octagon.

“As always I’m going to be fearless,” Belcher said. “I’m a fighter who is going to leave everything in the ring and have no regrets. I’m going to leave it all out there and do the very best that I can at that moment, in that fight, for those 15 minutes. Win, lose, or draw; I guarantee I’m not just going to lay down and give it away.”

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Lenne Hardt’s Gift Idea for Hardcore Fight Fans

Fighters have told Lenne Hardt that they knew they had “made it” in the fight game when they heard her call their name.Hardt, who started her run in the world of martial arts under the Pride FC banner, still works events—namely with…

Fighters have told Lenne Hardt that they knew they had “made it” in the fight game when they heard her call their name.

Hardt, who started her run in the world of martial arts under the Pride FC banner, still works events—namely with GLORY World Series and One FC. But it now takes much less than years of dedicated training to have your name called by Hardt in her distinct style, which she says has developed organically over the course of the past decade and a half.

Via her website, which includes unique “Warhol-inspired” merchandise like shirts and mugs, fans may order a personalized message from the famed announcer—with “a little bit o’ my soul one piece at a time,” the Alaska-born Hardt says.

Getting to Know Lenne Hardt

Lenne Hardt was born in Alaska but spent her early childhood as the youngest of six children of an Air Force pilot on a farm in northern Idaho, with “lots of dogs, horses, skiing and dreaming.”

Hardt, who wanted to be either an actress or an archaeologist in her youth, began her announcing career at Pride FC’s first grand prix in Tokyo in 2000. Since Hardt’s first event, where she says she was “simply gobsmacked” by the spectacle of it all, she estimates that she has worked more than 100 martial arts events en route to being known in the mixed martial arts world.

Hardt, a veteran voice actress, has also worked on video games (with the Tekken and Silent Hill franchises) and anime productions and has been the announcer for several Japanese music groups.

Ed Kapp is a Regina, Saskatchewan-based freelance journalist. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations were obtained firsthand.

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Ryan Dickson: ‘There Are Always New Goals—There Is Always Room to Grow’

Like many young Canadians, Ryan Dickson dreamt of someday making his living in the world of professional hockey. But Dickson, like more than a few of his fellow countrymen, learned at a young age that big-league hockey most likely wasn’t in his f…

“With hockey in Canada, you know if you’re going to go pro when you’re pretty young,” the 23-year-old Burlington product says. “Some of the guys that I played with were drafted to the Ontario Hockey League, and they were getting talked to by NHL teams. I knew it wasn’t in the cards because I wasn’t getting talked to.”

With Dickson’s dream job seemingly out of the question, he decided to try his hand at a sport that mirrors hockey in more than a few ways—mixed martial arts. Within a week of training under Jeff Joslin, a Hamilton-born Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and UFC veteran, the then-17-year-old Dickson was hooked on his new sport.

Half a decade since first stepping foot in a mixed-martial-arts academy, Dickson, still a student at Joslin’s MMA in Hamilton, has become even more infatuated with fighting.

Why?

“There’s so much to it,” the former forward and defenseman says. “There are guys at Brock wrestling who just manhandle me in wrestling, and there are guys who, like when I went to train in Brazil and this friend that I have here from Brazil, who just destroy me in jiu-jitsu.

“If I was always beating people, I think it might get a little boring, but every day in training I see where I could be—it’s a reality-check—and that’s what keeps me going. I’m very competitive.”

Dickson’s passion for fighting—or improving as a fighter, at least—has so far translated into an impressive resume.

The 5’10”, 170-pound contender fought his way to an undefeated amateur record before making the jump to the professional ranks of the sport in the summer of 2011. Since Dickson’s professional debut—a first-round submission victory—he has reeled off four stoppage wins in four outings, including two under the Score Fighting Series banner.

Dickson has fought progressively tougher competition with every bout, he says, and if that trend continues, he feels that his third or fourth fight from today could very well be with the UFC. Dickson would like little more than to land in the UFC at this point—it is the NHL of MMA, after all—but he has bigger goals than signing a single contract.

“Even when I get to the UFC, there are always places to go,” says Dickson, who moonlights as an instructor at Burlington’s TapouT Training Centre. “I want to be the champ. But like Ben Henderson, he’s the champ, but he wants to be pound for pound. There are always new goals—there is always room to grow.”

Ed Kapp is a Regina, Saskatchewan-based freelance journalist. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations were obtained firsthand.

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Hard work paying off for Jason House

Jason House’s days begin early and often end late, but he doesn’t seem to mind. “I don’t get out of bed; I jump out of bed,” the 28-year-old CEO and founder of Iridium Sports Agency says. “I love this.” House, …

Jason House’s days begin early and often end late, but he doesn’t seem to mind.

“I don’t get out of bed; I jump out of bed,” the 28-year-old CEO and founder of Iridium Sports Agency says.

“I love this.”

House, the son of an entrepreneur-turned-deputy-sheriff and a long-time waitress, usually begins his day around 5 a.m. From there, House likes to drive to Irvine’s Team Oyama MMA and Fitness to put in some training time on the mats or in the weight room—“whatever I can get it in,” he says.

After training, House, the recipient of hundreds of phone calls and emails throughout any given day, “hits the phone” to touch base with his more than 40 clients, coaches, promoters, sponsors, journalists and other associates. The proud owner of a car that has logged more than 12,000 miles over the past few months alone, House spends much of his day behind the wheel—whether it is to drop off new equipment or supplements for his clients or to sit down with coaches.

House, an alumnus of the University of La Verne in his native California, works hard these days, but he isn’t exactly a stranger to putting in long hours.

As a full-time law school student, House worked under Ken Pavia at MMA Agents—where he got his start on the management side of the fight game—a law firm and also waited on tables during the evening at the local Outback Steakhouse.

“Part of the blessing of going to law school and doing the things that I’ve done,” the Diamond Bar product says with a laugh, “is you learn how to manage your time.”

At 25—an early start by all accounts—House, who had recently left MMA Agents but wasn’t yet ready to walk away from the prospect of intertwining his passion for fighting and his education, created Iridium Sports Agency.

“When things didn’t work out with Ken, I just wasn’t going to let my dream fall apart like that,” he says. “I looked at my dad and my dad said, ‘Listen, son, I started my company with nothing to my name. If you want it bad enough, you can go get it,’… He said that whenever we watch the fights—we used to order all the events at the house—I was going to be wondering if I could’ve done it.

“‘You can do it if you want,’ he said, ‘So I suggest you go do it.’”

House decided to take his father’s advice—and a $2,000 loan.

There were some doubts at the onset, to be certain. But within the first year of Iridium Sports Agency opening its doors—a busy 12 months by any measure—House had helped a 26-year-old Reuben Duran ink a deal with the UFC. Since that first major contract—a milestone for any agency—House has helped guide the careers of high-level mixed martial artists like Ian McCall, Shane Del Rosario and Francisco Rivera.

For House, the secret to his success is rather simple.

“It’s just hard work and being honest,” he says. “If you just work hard, keep your nose to the grind every day and you’re an honest man, people will respect you—you’ll have their trust. This sport is all about trust.”

With the UFC and Bellator FC seemingly putting on more cards every month and smaller promotions sprouting up now more than ever before, House feels that the best is yet to come for his agency.

“The sky is the limit,” he says. “As long as we keep working hard and keep grinding every day for our clients, the sky is the limit. We have some really great clients coming up—we’ve got a really, really great group of guys coming up.”

Ed Kapp is a Regina, Saskatchewan-based freelance journalist. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations were obtained firsthand.

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No Longer Waiting, Renan Barao Looking Forward to Battle with McDonald

The waiting game is over for Renan Barao.The UFC interim bantamweight champion had decided to wait for Dominick Cruz’s return from injury in hopes of unifying the divisional title. But after the reigning 135-pound champion reported his recovery would b…

The waiting game is over for Renan Barao.

The UFC interim bantamweight champion had decided to wait for Dominick Cruz’s return from injury in hopes of unifying the divisional title. But after the reigning 135-pound champion reported his recovery would be prolonged due to complication’s with the repaired ligaments in his knee resulting in a second ACL tear, Barao immediately decided to move forward.

The rising Brazilian star will put his title on the line against surging prospect turned contender Michael McDonald at UFC on Fuel TV 7 in London, England. Both fighters have played a huge part in the shaping of the weight class in Cruz’s absence, and while the unification bout is the fight Barao wanted, the 25-year-old is at ease with the situation.

“I am peaceful,” Barao told Bleacher Report through translator Francisco Sigiliano. “The goal is Cruz, but something unforeseen can happen and change the opponent. What matters most is the fight. I really wanted to fight as soon as possible. I’m exited to not have to wait that long.”

The buzz surrounding Barao has been building for years and for good reason. After losing his first professional effort in 2005, Barao has not tasted defeat since the Nova Uniao product has collected 29 consecutive victories in versatile fashion. He has proven to be dangerous wherever the fight takes place, scoring a mixture of knockouts and submission finishes over the course of his impressive run.

When he finally made his North American debut at WEC 49 in 2010, Barao made the most of the opportunity, submitting Anthony Leone with an armbar in the third round. Once the WEC merged into the UFC, Barao put his foot on the gas and did not look back as he steamrolled his way through upper-tier caliber competition the likes of Brad Pickett, Scott Jorgensen and former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber.

The victory over the “California Kid” earned Barao his first UFC title and his journey to the top has garnered acclaim across the MMA landscape. The young Brazilian is nominated for “Breakthrough Fighter of the Year” at the 2012 World MMA Awards, and is a big reason his coach Andre Pederneiras, and gym Nova Uniao, are up for awards as well.

Barao‘s time in the spotlight is only just beginning, and long hours spent in the gym working to become UFC champion are starting to pay dividends.

“It is a dream that we’ve been working towards for many years,” Barao said. “It is the result of the hard work we have labored for many years with various positive results. I am very happy.”

While the original plan was a showdown with Cruz, the path has altered courses, and the current road leads to McDonald in England.

Neither man has been defeated under the Zuffa banner. While Barao‘s win streak has been a hot topic of conversation, “Mayday” has put together an impressive run in his own right. The 21-year old has earned eight consecutive victories with his most recent win coming in highlight reel fashion as he knocked out former champion Miguel Torres in the first round of their bout at UFC 145 in April.

Both Barao and McDonald have the capability to end a fight wherever the action takes place. Their main event bout in London will be a show case of the division’s future as both fighters bring a well rounded skill set into the Octagon. There is no doubt Barao has become one of the weight class’s most feared strikers, but he is not looking past McDonald in any form or fashion.

“We will assemble the best possible strategy,” Barao said. “I do not know if striking will be an advantage for me. I try to train in all areas and that keeps me comfortable standing and on the ground. I am happy to show my work in the best way possible. I’m going to battle forward. I’ll give my best and try to come out with the win at all costs.”

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Video Details One-Armed Fighter Nick Newell’s Rise to the XFC Title

One of mixed martial arts’ most inspiring stories of 2012 has to be the rise of one-armed, XFC champ “Notorious” Nick Newell.Earlier this month, the undefeated lightweight defeated MMA vet Eric Reynolds to take the 155 lb. title at XFC 21, finishing “I…

One of mixed martial arts’ most inspiring stories of 2012 has to be the rise of one-armed, XFC champ “Notorious” Nick Newell.

Earlier this month, the undefeated lightweight defeated MMA vet Eric Reynolds to take the 155 lb. title at XFC 21, finishing “It’s a Wrap” with a slick rear naked choke just over a minute into the fight. Newell, who owns eight first-round finishes out of nine career bouts, has not let his disability stop him from becoming one of the sport’s rising stars as he’s poised to have a huge 2013.

You can check out Newell‘s ascension to the XFC crown in the video embedded above. The piece, compiled by yours truly, documents the tail end of “Notorious'” training camp as well as his fight night viewing party in Connecticut where the champ’s hometown friends and family members gathered to offer their support.

Earlier this week, XFC officials announced that the winner of the Jason Hicks vs. Scott Holtzman at February’s XFC 22 will get the first crack at the newly-crowned champ. Hicks and Holtzman also sport unblemished professional records, so I expect either fighter to be a solid challenger for Newell‘s first title defense.

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