And don’t even get me started on the so called “birth certificate” of our president, you guys. Guys?
Well, that didn’t take long. With GSP vs. Diaz looking more likely by the day, you had to figure that someone would have a problem with it. Yesterday Jon Fitch let it be known that even though he is out of action due to a shoulder injury, and he kind of has a rematch with BJ Penn waiting for him when he gets back, he should be next in line to fight GSP. Jon Fitch was prompted to voice his displeasure for Nick Diaz by a rapture joke (seriously), and kept going on his Twitter account from there. All thing’s considered, it’s pretty entertaining. The results are after the jump, in chronological order.
And don’t even get me started on the so called “birth certificate” of our president, you guys. Guys?
Well, that didn’t take long. With GSP vs. Diaz looking more likely by the day, you had to figure that someone would have a problem with it. Yesterday Jon Fitch let it be known that even though he is out of action due to a shoulder injury, and he kind of has a rematch with BJ Penn waiting for him when he gets back, he should be next in line to fight GSP. Jon Fitch was prompted to voice his displeasure for Nick Diaz by a rapture joke (seriously), and kept going on his Twitter account from there. All thing’s considered, it’s pretty entertaining. The results are after the jump, in chronological order.
*Note: Some of these are things that Jon Fitch re-tweeted. For those who don’t use Twitter, “re-tweeting” gives you the option of sharing what other people wrote with your followers. Basically, it’s your way of either saying “I wish I wrote that” or “I wish I could write that without getting in trouble”.
Click on the images for full size versions.
Not exactly…
Fitch has since claimed that Shields vs. Diaz was meant to be a joke.
Zuffa’s new pro-Twitter campaign has been getting quite a bit of publicity lately, this time in the form of consensus No. 2 welterweight Jon Fitch bashing Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz. The former UFC No. 1 contender took to the s…
Zuffa’s new pro-Twitter campaign has been getting quite a bit of publicity lately, this time in the form of consensus No. 2 welterweight Jon Fitch bashing Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz.
The former UFC No. 1 contender took to the social networking website on Saturday, where he tweeted at his AKA trainer Dave Camarillo as well as some fans.
@FitchFigher: @DaveCamarillo why would that fight be good. Diaz got title cause Shields vacated the belt. Paper champ.
@FitchFigher: @DaveCamarillo for realize. GSPvsDiaz=bullshit
@FitchFigher: @NotMrRendo I will be ok to fight by the time they are saying Diaz gsp will fight.
@FitchFigher: @MMAf0rum I’ll fight anyone. I’m out till dec. But I’ll fight anyone hopefully gsp in dec.
The Strikeforce welterweight champion since the belt was created in January 2010, Nick Diaz has been tentatively scheduled to be the next challenger to Georges St-Pierre’s UFC Welterweight Championship.
The situation surround that potential fight has been surrounded by controversy, as not only has Diaz been toying with the idea of a professional boxing fight in the near future, but the rumors of a potential Georges St-Pierre vs. Anderson Silva superfight continue to swirl around.
Unfortunately for him, with Jon Fitch out until later this year, the UFC may not have much of an option for a welterweight opponent for St-Pierre, if they want to get in another fight for him in 2011.
But Fitch has an idea for Joe Silva and the decision-makers in the UFC.
@FitchFigher: Let’s see Shields vs. Diaz for number one contender while I’m hurt.
With Shields and Diaz being close friends and Cesar Gracie Jiu Jitsu teammates, that fight is highly unlikely to ever materialize.
If another title defense happens in 2011, Fitch may find himself frustrated again, watching another fighter get what he believes to be his shot at the UFC Welterweight Champion, GSP.
BJ Penn has taken to Twitter (possibly for some of that Zuffa incentive cash) to call out Jake Shields. Guess, (just like the rest of us) even Penn isn’t interested in that Jon Fitch rematch..
BJ Penn has taken to Twitter (possibly for some of that Zuffa incentive cash) to call out Jake Shields. Guess, (just like the rest of us) even Penn isn’t interested in that Jon Fitch rematch.
Penn tweeted to Shields:
I would never challenge one of Cesar Gracie’s guys, but you’ve been calling me out for years.Let’s do it! I’ll contact Dana
Shields responded with the following tweets:
I’m a BJ fan but let’s get it on. Make the call
even better, let’s make it the first 5 round non-title fight
(Does this look like a dude who should be deprived of what he wants? Pic: Sherdog)
As avid readers of our keen, in-depth statistical analysis, we know that you know that we know that Jake Ellenberger is currently riding a four-fight win-streak in the UFC. After going to Toronto and knocking out short-notice opponent Sean Pierson (just like we told you he would) last month Ellenberger remains undefeated since his split decision loss to Carlos Condit in his Octagon debut (a fight he appeared to be on his way to winning before gassing out) way back in September, 2009. Now that he’s home in Nebraska rehabbing the hand he broke on Pierson’s face, Ellenberger is going back to basics, returning to a strategy he adopted some months ago: Trying to trash-talk his way into a fight with Jake Shields.
Except here’s the difference: If not for that original loss to Condit at UFN 19, people might just be talking about a 5-0 (in the UFC) Jake Ellenberger as a potential top candidate to get a welterweight title shot one of these days soon. So now that Ellenberger is soaring and the Shields hype-wagon has been slowed a bit by his do-nothing performance against Georges St. Pierre at UFC 129, maybe this booking wouldn’t seem so crazy. Hmmmm?
(Does this look like a dude who should be deprived of what he wants? Pic: Sherdog)
As avid readers of our keen, in-depth statistical analysis, we know that you know that we know that Jake Ellenberger is currently riding a four-fight win-streak in the UFC. After going to Toronto and knocking out short-notice opponent Sean Pierson (just like we told you he would) last month Ellenberger remains undefeated since his split decision loss to Carlos Condit in his Octagon debut (a fight he appeared to be on his way to winning before gassing out) way back in September, 2009. Now that he’s home in Nebraska rehabbing the hand he broke on Pierson’s face, Ellenberger is going back to basics, returning to a strategy he adopted some months ago: Trying to trash-talk his way into a fight with Jake Shields.
Except here’s the difference: If not for that original loss to Condit at UFN 19, people might just be talking about a 5-0 (in the UFC) Jake Ellenberger as a potential top candidate to get a welterweight title shot one of these days soon. So now that Ellenberger is soaring and the Shields hype-wagon has been slowed a bit by his do-nothing performance against Georges St. Pierre at UFC 129, maybe this booking wouldn’t seem so crazy. Hmmmm?
In fact, Ellenberger strikes us as sort of a perfect opponent for Shields at this point. Shields has long been considered one of the top welterweights (and maybe one of the top middleweights) on the planet, but before coming to the UFC he spent the last couple of years feasting on lesser competition in Strikeforce. Since his arrival in the Octagon, he frankly hasn’t seemed all that spectacular. Meanwhile, Ellenberger has been steadily climbing the ranks. We’re seeing a classic litmus-test situation for both fighters here.
As for Shields’ recent loss to GSP, Ellenberger tells Sherdog.com this week that he hasn’t even watched it yet. He says he will, but it sounds like he’ll do it more out of professional obligation than anything else.
“Will I watch it? Probably,” he said. “But I bet it’s going to go exactly the way that I thought. If they do make that match and me and Jake get to fight, he’s not a hard guy to figure out. I feel like I can beat him right now.”
You may remember that Ellenberger began singling out Shields as far back as November of last year, immediately following the former Strikeforce champ’s underwhelming promotional debut against Martin Kampmann. Ellenberger took his beef with Shields to (we mean, where else) Twitter and bombed away with such gems as: “Jake Shields, you’re as exciting as watching a bowl of mash potatoes get cold …Your days are numbered” and “Jake Shields’ cardio won’t be a factor if he fights me next. I won’t keep him around long enough to get tired.”
It’s too bad the UFC wasn’t offering cash bonuses for creative tweeting last year, are we right? Are we right?
Anyway, instead of giving Ellenberger (then just 2-1 in the UFC) what he wanted, the UFC teased him with a bout against Jon Fitch – only to give Fitch a chance at BJ Penn instead — before ultimately allowing him to whoop up on Carlos Eduardo Rocha and then Pierson (as an injury replacement for Brian Foster). Somewhere in there, Ellenberger reportedly lost his job as an assistant wrestling coach when the University of Nebraska-Omaha announced it would cut that sport while making the jump to Division I. It’s unknown if Ellenberger will be one of the coaches retained as most of the program (including the head coach and many of the athletes) decamps for Maryville University in St. Louis.
Signs point to no, since he’s talking like a guy who’s looking for a big pay day. Either way, it’s pretty clear what he really wants. Now it just remains to be seen if he gets it.
Props to Jon Fitch for saying no to peer pressure. While all the cool kids are canceling fights to have surgery, then canceling the surgery itself, Fitch decided to actually go under the knife to repair the shoulder that pulled him from his rematch with BJ Penn. In the latest of his high-quality vlogs, he takes us back through his preparation for surgery.
What we learn: Fitch’s girlfriend is pretty attractive by societal standards; packing is easy when you’ve got clothing companies up your ass; if you’re a top-dog in your division, the UFC won’t wait until June 1st to hook you up.
Props to Jon Fitch for saying no to peer pressure. While all the cool kids are canceling fights to have surgery, then canceling the surgery itself, Fitch decided to actually go under the knife to repair the shoulder that pulled him from his rematch with BJ Penn. In addition to doing yard work, Fitch has been spending some time in the editing room. Through the magic of television, he takes us back in time to his preparation for surgery.
What we learn: Fitch’s girlfriend is pretty attractive by societal standards; packing is easy when you’ve got clothing companies up your ass; if you’re a top-dog in your division, the UFC won’t wait until June 1st to hook you up.
Brock Lesnar versus Junior dos Santos’ June 11 heavyweight tangle at UFC 131 was meant to be the UFC’s first five-round non-title fight, UFC President Dana White recently revealed in Toronto.That fight fell through, but the UFC’s…
Brock Lesnar versus Junior dos Santos’ June 11 heavyweight tangle at UFC 131 was meant to be the UFC’s first five-round non-title fight, UFC President Dana White recently revealed in Toronto.
That fight fell through, but the UFC’s plans for five-round non-title fights haven’t. There are no shortage of candidates that stand to benefit from such a policy, although a few fighters stand out for their style, stature and substance.
Here are five UFC fighters that would benefit most from five-round non-title fights.
5) Brad Pickett
The British bantamweight’s last three bouts were all-around, back-and-forth 15-minute grueling battles.
He came up victorious versus Demetrious Johnson and Ivan Menjivar and was unanimously defeated by Scott Jorgensen in between.
Anchored at American Top Team, Pickett has developed the cardio to push his grit around the cage more effectively than a straight-banger style.
In a division loaded with incredible pace, Pickett is a contender that can be increasingly dangerous as the clock ticks on.
4) Jim Miller
The most impressive feat Gray Maynard accomplished before beating Frankie Edgar in a potential 10-7 first round of a title fight was dominating Jim Miller.
That’s because Jim Miller is nearly impossible to take out of a fight and he’s proven that by responding to the Maynard loss with a two-year, seven-fight win streak.
The AMA Fight Club representative has a potent blend of ill-intentioned wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, throwing his hands better with each outing.
Well-rounded, all-in fighters like Matt Wiman, Mac Danzig, Mark Bocek, Gleson Tibau and Kamal Shalorus have all fallen to Miller’s ability to seize control fights with bull-headed steamrolling.
He’s proven ready for the upper echelon of the division by performing in 15-minute fights like 25-minute fights would be just another day on the job.
Michael “The Count” Bisping’s cardio is apparent in his ability to play a strong stick-and-move striking game.
It also shines when the Brit turns it up, sits on his punches and fights to finish. He has been able to stay off his back because he is always fresh enough to pop back up if the fight hits the mat.
Consistent footwork and output have carved The Ultimate Fighter season three winner’s place at 185-pounds as perennial contender.
If there was an ideal striking candidate at middleweight for five-round non-title fights, it’s Michael Bisping.
The skill level in mixed martial arts elevates daily and is represented well in fighters like Bisping, Georges St. Pierre and Frankie Edgar, who are clear-cut winners due to efficiency and strategy while confusing the competition with multiple looks.
2) Jon Fitch
The term “grinder” in mixed martial arts latches on to no one more than Jon Fitch.
American Kickboxing Academy’s welterweight insists if his all fights went into the championship rounds, his last six wins—and his February draw with B.J. Penn—would have been finishes instead of unanimous decisions.
Posting a 10-8 round versus the former two-division champion was no easy feat from inside Penn’s guard—a testament to the suffocating style that has kept Fitch’s record since 2002 spotless outside of dropping a unanimous decision to champion Georges St-Pierre.
Extra time is just extra time to impose his will and few, if any, welterweights can deal with that for 25-minutes.
1) Clay Guida
“The Carpenter” is simply wired differently. Guida runs to the cage on his surplus supply of high-energy and never rests once inside the Octagon.
He’s had championship cardio since 2006 and that was illustrated best as his Octagon career progressed with classic scraps with Tyson Griffin, Roger Huerta and Diego Sanchez.
The Chicagoan’s performances never waver in entertainment value, crafting a fan base that matches his energy.
Fighters like Clay Guida beg the question if non-title fights can be five-rounds, is there room for seven-round title fights?
Too much, maybe, but some mixed martial arts still have a no-holds-barred, no-time limit spirit and Guida has the cardio to make it seem practical.
Danny Acosta is the lead writer at FIGHT! Magazine. Follow him on twitter.com/acostaislegend
