If you have ever seen the movie 300, you are probably aware of the scene where Leonidas, King of Sparta, exclaims, “This is Sparta,” and then executes a push kick that sends a messenger plummeting into a deep, dark hole.Well, Jon Jones and several othe…
If you have ever seen the movie 300, you are probably aware of the scene where Leonidas, King of Sparta, exclaims, “This is Sparta,” and then executes a push kick that sends a messenger plummeting into a deep, dark hole.
Well, Jon Jones and several other members of Jackson’s MMA in Albuquerque, N.M. recently videoed Andrei Arlovski, who bares a striking resemblance to Leonidas, replicating the “This is Sparta” kick during some downtime at the gym.
As you can see in the video, Arlovski attempted the kick on the much smaller flyweight John Dodson, who was sent flying backwards by the Belarusian heavyweight.
Arlovski has lost four consecutive fights, three by way of brutal knockout, but the former UFC heavyweight champion has said that he will continue to fight against the advice of some of his personal trainers and outside medical professionals.
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Fighters love to fight and fighters love to be the center of attention, and some do it much better than others. Being inside the cage can bring out some primal, animal instincts in a fighter, and being in front of a camera can sometimes bring out much,…
Fighters love to fight and fighters love to be the center of attention, and some do it much better than others. Being inside the cage can bring out some primal, animal instincts in a fighter, and being in front of a camera can sometimes bring out much, much more.
It’s not just about the fight and the skill in today’s mixed martial arts world, it’s also about the brand. If you have a certain style and brand yourself properly, opportunities will come: write a book, do a movie or make some big bucks endorsing a sports drink.
Show some charisma and you will be followed. When you are followed, you are more likely to stay relevant in this sport; of course, nothing matters if you suck in the cage!
Some guys bring the absolute alter ego, some guys reach for a persona and wing it fairly well and some are just plain born with it. There is no doubt that it has become a huge part of being successful in the MMA game.
Here is my list of The 10 Most Charismatic Fighters In MMA Today.
Lyoto Machida may have crane kicked his way back into title contention. While nothing is official, the UFC could offer the Brazilian a shot at light heavyweight champion Jon Jones depending on the status of anointed top contender Quinton “Rampage” Jack…
Lyoto Machida may have crane kicked his way back into title contention.
While nothing is official, the UFC could offer the Brazilian a shot at light heavyweight champion Jon Jones depending on the status of anointed top contender Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
After his UFC 130 bout with Matt Hamill, Jackson admitted that he had sustained a hand fracture prior to the fight. Despite a doctor’s confirmation of the injury, Jackson still decided to take the fight.
The bout was noticeably one-sided, as Jackson bested the exchanges and stuffed all of Hamill’s takedown attempts en route to a unanimous decision.
In a division plagued with injuries, Jackson’s victory over Hamill pretty much assured a 2011 meeting with Jones, but those plans could be scrapped if he isn’t medically cleared.
According to TATAME, Machida is prepared to step in for Jackson if given the opportunity.
“I’m ready. I’m already moving to another training part, and I’d be ready to fight in 12 weeks,” Machida said in a phone interview.
After losing back-to-back bouts to Mauricio Rua and Quinton Jackson, Machida bounced back at UFC 129 with a highlight reel knockout win over UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture.
The victory could grant Machida an opportunity to reclaim his light heavyweight title, but he doesn’t want to get his hopes up.
“There’s nothing yet, but it’s a great chance for me,” said Machida. “I don’t want to create hopes, and I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but if they do it, I’ll get this big opportunity to restart my walk in the UFC.”
Since becoming UFC champion, Jones has skyrocketed up the pound-for-pound rankings. His world class status can be attributed to an everlasting reach, high level grappling and a propensity for unorthodox stand up.
Fans have continuously scratched their heads over possible opponents that would prove to be a legit threat to Jones’ reign.
Could Machida be that guy?
“We know Jones is a great champion. He showed why (against Shogun), but everybody has strong and weak points,” stated Machida. “I haven’t studied Jones’ game yet because he was never ‘my problem,’ but I already saw him fighting.”
Carlos Condit tells our host Steve Cofield that people are expecting Nick Diaz to make Georges St. Pierre fight and that’s what they want to see. Not one to join the bandwagon and criticize St..
Carlos Condit tells our host Steve Cofield that people are expecting Nick Diaz to make Georges St. Pierre fight and that’s what they want to see. Not one to join the bandwagon and criticize St. Pierre who trains with his same coach, Greg Jackson, Condit does feel Diaz could rightfully receive a title-shot, though it is unfair that even he, himself as the WEC Welterweight Champion did not receive an immediate title-shot when his division was absorbed into the UFC. While Condit waits in the wings for his eventual shot, he now focuses on his fight against Don Hyun Kim at UFC 132 on July 2nd.
Cofield also asks Condit about the now infamous Jon Jones and Rashad Evans feud and how it effects his team at Jackson’s Submission Fighting. Watch the interview below.
It appears that Lyoto Machida is more than willing to accept a bout with UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Machida, who recently scored a victory over Randy Couture at UFC 129, has been quite vocal and aggressive in his approach to recaptu…
It appears that Lyoto Machida is more than willing to accept a bout with UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Machida, who recently scored a victory over Randy Couture at UFC 129, has been quite vocal and aggressive in his approach to recapture the light heavyweight crown since losing to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 113 last year.
“There’s nothing yet, but it’s a great chance for me,” Machida told TATAME.com, when asked if he had received a call from the UFC regarding a potential bout with Jones.
This news comes just days after UFC president Dana White announced Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as the new No. 1 contender to Jones’ title. But Jackson, who recently defeated Matt Hamill at UFC 131, revealed that he fractured his hand prior to the bout. White made it clear that if Jackson was unable to compete against Jones this fall, Machida would receive the opportunity to face the 23-year-old champion instead.
Machida said he didn’t want to make a big deal over the potential bout between him and Jones, but he said he would be ready if called upon.
“I’m ready. I’m already moving to another training part, and I’d be ready to fight in 12 weeks,” he said.
While the opportunity might be too early for the Brazilian, many pundits are intrigued at witnessing a potential bout between the two light heavyweights, as some feel Machida has the style to dethrone the undefeated champion.
However, Machida, who was undefeated at one point in his career, knows that no one is unbeatable in mixed martial arts.
“We know Jones is a great champion, he showed why (against Shogun), but everybody has strong and weak points,” he said.
“I haven’t studied Jones’ game yet because he was never ‘my problem’, but I already saw him fighting.”
After defeating Matt Hamil at UFC 130, UFC president Dana White announced that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson would likely be the next contender to face UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones.But Jackson revealed he went into his bout with a fractured ha…
After defeating Matt Hamil at UFC 130, UFC president Dana White announced that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson would likely be the next contender to face UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones.
But Jackson revealed he went into his bout with a fractured hand—an injury that could prevent him from competing for a title shot if he is not medically cleared.
Jackson elaborated on the injury during the UFC 130 post-fight press conference.
“Honestly, I hurt my hand in Japan back in December/Christmas, drunken around, fighting with my friend in the hallway. I thought it would heal up,” Jackson explained to reporters.
While the win wasn’t the most entertaining performance of Jackson’s career, it was enough to elevate himself into the title picture.
White said that should Jackson’s injury not prevent him from competing, he will be in line for a title bout with Jones.
But Jackson confidently stated he will be able to compete against Jones and accepted the bout.
Jones is currently out of action nursing an injury that has prevented him from training, but if both fighters heal properly and all goes according to plan, Jackson and Jones could be scheduled for a title bout in September or October.
Jackson, who previously held light heavyweight gold, relinquished the title over to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86—a controversial bout that some fans believe Jackson won. While he holds nothing against Jones, the fact that he has the belt has motivated Jackson to beat the 23-year-old and reclaim the belt that he feels he never lost.
“I still feel like I didn’t lose that belt, ” Jackson said.
“I don’t really know Jones, I don’t got nothing against him. He has my belt.”
If you have ever seen the movie 300, you are probably aware of the scene where Leonidas, King of Sparta, exclaims, “This is Sparta,” and then executes a push kick that sends a messenger plummeting into a deep, dark hole.