Tag: Jon Fitch

Report: Jon Fitch to Welcome Aaron Simpson to the Welterweight Division; Fight Possible for UFC 149


(Jon Fitch is proudly sponsored by Dr. Remus’s Old-Timey Follicular Fertilizer and Invigorator for Males. / Photo courtesy of @jonfitchdotnet)

As first reported by MMAWeekly, UFC welterweight contender Jon Fitch will make his next Octagon appearance against ex-middleweight Aaron Simpson, who will be dropping to 170 for the first time in his career. The fight, which hasn’t been officially announced yet, is rumored to take place at UFC 149, July 21st in Calgary.

The formerly rock-solid Fitch has seen victory elude him in his last two fights. Most recently he was on the wrong end of a 12-second knockout against Johny Hendricks at UFC 141 in December, which followed a disappointing draw against BJ Penn. As for Simpson, the former ASU wrestling star lost a split-decision to Ronny Markes in February — which snapped a three-fight winning streak — and is now looking to relaunch his career in a division where he might enjoy a size advantage over his opponents.

So what you do think: Is this a rebound fight for Fitch, or the best decision that Simpson could have made? And are you psyched to see this matchup?


(Jon Fitch is proudly sponsored by Dr. Remus’s Old-Timey Follicular Fertilizer and Invigorator for Males. / Photo courtesy of @jonfitchdotnet)

As first reported by MMAWeekly, UFC welterweight contender Jon Fitch will make his next Octagon appearance against ex-middleweight Aaron Simpson, who will be dropping to 170 for the first time in his career. The fight, which hasn’t been officially announced yet, is rumored to take place at UFC 149, July 21st in Calgary.

The formerly rock-solid Fitch has seen victory elude him in his last two fights. Most recently he was on the wrong end of a 12-second knockout against Johny Hendricks at UFC 141 in December, which followed a disappointing draw against BJ Penn. As for Simpson, the former ASU wrestling star lost a split-decision to Ronny Markes in February — which snapped a three-fight winning streak — and is now looking to relaunch his career in a division where he might enjoy a size advantage over his opponents.

So what you do think: Is this a rebound fight for Fitch, or the best decision that Simpson could have made? And are you psyched to see this matchup?

UFC on Fuel 2 Results: 3 Fights for Siyar Bahadurzada to Take Next

In his debut UFC fight at UFC on Fuel 2, Afghan fighter Siyar Bahadurzada scored a shocking knockout victory against Paulo Thiago. The knockout was an impressive introduction for Bahadurzada who earned the “Knockout of the Night” bonus.W…

In his debut UFC fight at UFC on Fuel 2, Afghan fighter Siyar Bahadurzada scored a shocking knockout victory against Paulo Thiago. 

The knockout was an impressive introduction for Bahadurzada who earned the “Knockout of the Night” bonus.

With the 42-second victory out of his way, Bahadurzada should be looking to step back into the Octagon sooner than later. 

Here are some exciting fights he should take next. 

Begin Slideshow

B/R MMA Official Rankings for March: Top 10 Welterweights in MMA

There has been a lot of commotion at 170 pounds as of late.UFC champ Georges St-Pierre remains sidelined due to injury, while interim titleholder Carlos Condit waits on the wings, debating whether or not he’ll wait out for the Canadian or opt to t…

There has been a lot of commotion at 170 pounds as of late.

UFC champ Georges St-Pierre remains sidelined due to injury, while interim titleholder Carlos Condit waits on the wings, debating whether or not he’ll wait out for the Canadian or opt to take up a fight in the meantime.

Several contenders have since emerged in the UFC, with guys like Martin Kampmann and Jake Ellenberger leading the pack of would-be challengers to the title.

Ellenberger in particular has been especially impressive as of late, though it remains to be seen just exactly what his future is inside the Octagon.

Here, we will take a look at the best of the rest of the welterweight class, see who’s new, on the rise or spiraling out of the top 10. 

 

*These rankings are the combined effort of some of Bleacher Report MMA‘s best writers, as we continue to try to provide you with the best content on the web.*

 

Jake Ellenberger/ Ken Pishna for MMAWeekly.com

Begin Slideshow

UFC on FX 2 Results: Thiago Alves Wants Martin Kampmann or Diego Sanchez Next

After controlling the fight for 14 minutes, it seemed as if former UFC welterweight title challenger Thiago Alves was well on his way to victory against his always-tough Xtreme Couture opponent, Martin Kampmann. However, as “The Pitbull” won yet a…

After controlling the fight for 14 minutes, it seemed as if former UFC welterweight title challenger Thiago Alves was well on his way to victory against his always-tough Xtreme Couture opponent, Martin Kampmann. 

However, as “The Pitbull” won yet another exchange on the feet, he went for an ill-advised takedown where Kampmann was able to latch on a guillotine, which he continued to secure from the mount position as the fight hit the ground. 

Alves choices were clear: tap out or pass out, and the Brazilian chose the former. 

While the massive 170-pounder is understandably looking for some redemption, he has thrown another interesting name into the mix: Diego Sanchez. 

Early Sunday evening, Alves tweeted: 

 

 

While an immediate rematch with “The Hitman” is not impossible, after back-to-back wins over Rick Story and now Alves, it is likely Kampmann will get a top 10 opponent next. 

Prior to working his way back into the win column, Kampmann suffered consecutive, albeit controversial, losses, to Jake Shields and Sanchez. 

As for Alves, he is now just 2-3 since challenging UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre at UFC 100, losing to Jon Fitch, Story and now Kampmann during that time.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Quick Quote of the Day: Demian Maia Seriously Contemplating Move to Welterweight

Demian Maia is a tough fighter to wrap your head around. One day, the onetime middleweight contender is choking out Chael Sonnen and handling a guy like Jorge Santiago the next he’s being dominated by Mark Munoz and Chris Weidman. The one thing the Brazilian jiu-jitsu standout, who is 9-4 in the Octagon has lacked in his career is consistency, which explains why he’s ready perhaps to make a change.

Maia, who admits he sometimes struggles to maintain his 198-pound walking around weight, told Tatame recently that he’s been thinking  about dropping down a weight class to fight at 170 pounds.

Demian Maia is a tough fighter to wrap your head around. One day, the onetime middleweight contender is choking out Chael Sonnen and handling a guy like Jorge Santiago the next he’s being dominated by Mark Munoz and Chris Weidman. The one thing the Brazilian jiu-jitsu standout, who is 9-4 in the Octagon has lacked in his career is consistency, which explains why he’s ready perhaps to make a change.

Maia, who admits he sometimes struggles to maintain his 198-pound walking around weight, told Tatame recently that he’s been thinking  about dropping down a weight class to fight at 170 pounds.

“It has not been decided yet [for sure]. I’ve always said it was a possibility… I usually have to make much effort to keep 198lbs and I gotta eat a lot not to lose weight because it’s easy for me. I’m getting healed from my hand (hand surgery), which is almost good. I’m taking a week off because it’s been a while since I haven’t taken some time to rest. Now that I’m not training and eating what I want I weight 194lbs, more or less. When it’s close to the fight I cut weight and leave the last 11 to 13lbs to lose at the very end.”

Maia is recovering from hand surgery following a break he sustained his loss to Chris Weidman at  last month, but is hoping to be back 10 100 percent by the summer so he can fight on the next planned card in Rio.

“I hope to be ready in June. We’re getting back to training now and I’ll fight in June if I have to,” he explains. “I’ll be ready.”

Who do you think he should face if he debuts at 170?

Mike Swick, Jon Fitch or Josh Koscheck, perhaps? Personally, I’d like to see him face Alan Belcher like he was scheduled to do before we write him off as a middleweight.

UFC on Fuel TV 1 Results: 5 Fights for Jake Ellenberger to Take Next

Jake Ellenberger went the full three rounds with Diego Sanchez in the UFC on Fuel main event welterweight clash and, with the performance he put on, it’s a sure-fire bet that he’ll soon be knocking on the door of the 170-lb. title holder, w…

Jake Ellenberger went the full three rounds with Diego Sanchez in the UFC on Fuel main event welterweight clash and, with the performance he put on, it’s a sure-fire bet that he’ll soon be knocking on the door of the 170-lb. title holder, whoever that maybe when the time comes.

Albeit, he didn’t have things all his own way against Sanchez, Ellenberger still showed why he is a force to be reckoned with in one of the most precarious divisions the Ultimate Fighting Championship has.

Thus far, the NCAA Division-ll wrestler has taken care of business—adding the likes of Mike Pyle, Jake Shields and now Sanchez to his win column, which has so far resulted in a six-fight winning streak for “The Juggernaut.”

His only hiccup in the Octagon to date was his split decision defeat to Carlos Condit.

That said, which five contests could Ellenberger take next or more to the point, which fights could lead to an eventual tilt at UFC gold?

Let’s have look.

Begin Slideshow