Tag: Joey Baltran

UFC 136 Cut List: Six Fighters Who Need a Win Saturday Night


(“What is it I’m supposed to do with these things again?”)

Joey Beltran: If Beltran loses against UFC newcomer Stipe Miocic, the loss would put him at 1-3 in his last four fights. For a journeyman like Beltran, a slide like that would likely mean a pink slip with his check. A Golden Gloves champ and NCAA Division I wrestler, Miocic is no slouch, which could play into the favor of “The Mexicutioner” if he gets called to the boss’ office.

Steve Cantwell: Heading into his UFC middleweight debut bout with Mike Massenzio,Cantwell is 0-3 in his last three outings. A loss Saturday night would likely land him on the cut list, or at the very least in the margin with a circle around and a question mark beside his name. The UFC might take into account that there was a year-and-a-half gap between his last two losses in which the former WEC light heavyweight champ battled an unnamed illness that UFC president Dana White mentioned was “career-threatening.” Since he doesn’t quite have a memorable personality like Dan Hardy or Pat Barry, that may be the only card he has to play.


(“What is it I’m supposed to do with these things again?”)

Joey Beltran: If Beltran loses against UFC newcomer Stipe Miocic, the loss would put him at 1-3 in his last four fights. For a journeyman like Beltran, a slide like that would likely mean a pink slip with his check. A Golden Gloves champ and NCAA Division I wrestler, Miocic is no slouch, which could play into the favor of “The Mexicutioner” if he gets called to the boss’ office.

Steve Cantwell: Heading into his UFC middleweight debut bout with Mike Massenzio,Cantwell is 0-3 in his last three outings. A loss Saturday night would likely land him on the cut list, or at the very least in the margin with a circle around and a question mark beside his name. The UFC might take into account that there was a year-and-a-half gap between his last two losses in which the former WEC light heavyweight champ battled an unnamed illness that UFC president Dana White mentioned was “career-threatening.” Since he doesn’t quite have a memorable personality like Dan Hardy or Pat Barry, that may be the only card he has to play.

Mike Messenzio: If “The Master of Disaster” can’t figure out a way to pull of a win against Cantwell, he should probably ask for some work references from Bruce Buffer and Joe Rogan before he leaves the Octagon. At 1-3 in the UFC, it’s surprising that he hasn’t been fired yet, considering he was dropped by the promotion after back-to-back losses to CB Dolloway and Brian Stann, only to be brought back after winning a fight on the regional circuit and losing to Krzysztof Soszynski.

Eric Schafer: It was somewhat of a surprise when Schafer was released after only two straight decision losses in the UFC. Prior to that, he was 2-0 since returning from his first sabbatical from the Octagon. If he loses this return bout, which will be his first as a middleweight under the UFC banner, the result won’t be a favorable one for “Red.”

Anthony Pettis: Sure, a loss to Jeremy Stevens Saturday night likely wouldn’t cost “Showtime” his job with the UFC, but it sure as hell wouldn’t help MMAFighting and Sherdog’s 2011 “Breakout Fighter of the Year” plead his case for an upper main card slot any time in the near future, let alone a crack at a top five lightweight.

Jorge Santiago: Back-to-back losses for the former Sengoku middleweight champ won’t bode well for Santiago, who makes more than most fighters who have been fighting for the promotion for much longer. You could argue that he lost to a current and a former contender, but it might be for naught as DW and company might already have a ticket bought for Santiago to go back to Japan where the competition is easier.