Tag: Leonard Garcia

The Cut List: Who’s in Desperate Need of a Win at UFC 136?

Filed under: UFCUFC 136 may be the rare event to include two title fights, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some men fighting for their livelihoods in Houston this Saturday night.

We all know that professional pugilism isn’t the line of work …

Filed under:

UFC 136 may be the rare event to include two title fights, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some men fighting for their livelihoods in Houston this Saturday night.

We all know that professional pugilism isn’t the line of work you go into if you really crave job security, but some of this weekend’s competitors are on much shakier ground than others, and it might take only one more loss to send them plummeting into the void of unemployment.

Who are they, and what are their chances to revive their careers with a win at UFC 136? For answers, we turn to The Cut List.


Leonard Garcia (15-7-1, 2-3 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Nam Phan
Why he’s in danger: Garcia’s 2-3 record in the Octagon is a little misleading for a couple of reasons. He went 1-2 in his first UFC run, which precipitated a drop to featherweight and a full-time move to the WEC. He came back after the merger and won a highly suspect decision over Nam Phan last December, then got twister’d by Chan Sung Jung in March. In a more just world, Garcia would be 0-2 in his latest stay with the UFC, and there’s a good chance that this is how he’s viewed by the people who matter. The good news is, Garcia is unquestionably one of those fighters who, in Dana White’s words, brings it. And boy does he bring it. No defense. No fancy technical stuff. Just straight-up bringing it. As a matter of fact, so much space in his brain is devoted to bringing it that there simply isn’t any space for thoughts of self-preservation. That makes Garcia the exact kind of fighter who can keep his job with a losing record in the UFC, but it also makes him predictable. Opponents who can keep their wits about them and resist the urge to brawl with him should be able to take great advantage of his incessant need to bring it, which might result in Garcia bringing it right on out of the UFC if he’s not careful.
Chances of getting cut: Decent. Phan should win this, but Garcia could still get another shot afterward with the right kind of showing. His brawlability quotient is simply too high, and the UFC has too few name brand featherweights to go and get rid of one people know and like.

Nam Phan (16-9, 0-2 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Leonard Garcia
Why he’s in danger: Just like Garcia, Phan’s record is also skewed by some questionable judging. If he’d have gotten that decision in his UFC debut, he’d be sitting at 1-1 after his not-at-all questionable decision loss to Mike Brown in August. But as it is, he’s winless in the UFC, at least on paper, and you know what typically happens after you lose three in a row. Again, the edge in this fight likely goes to Phan, but in a way it might be more interesting to see what would happen if he were to lose. Would the UFC give him a mulligan on that first loss to Garcia, with the understanding that it was complete nonsense from the judges? Or would a second, more legitimate loss to Garcia make all that irrelevant anyway? Hard to say, but I’m sure he’d rather not find out.
Chances of getting cut: Unlikely. I think he beats Garcia more clearly and obviously the second time around, thus securing his status for at least a few more months. That is, if he can resist the siren’s song of a bonus-worthy street fight. We know Garcia’s game.

Eric Schafer (12-5-2, 3-4 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Aaron Simpson
Why he’s in danger: If Schafer’s name sounds familiar, that’s because he’s been around — in a manner of speaking — for a good little while. This will be his third stint with the UFC in five years, and let’s just say that the UFC isn’t known for handing out fourth chances, so he’d better make this one count. Schafer went 1-2 in his first Octagon installment and 2-2 in the second, but all his losses came against tough opponents like Michael Bisping, Stephan Bonnar, Ryan Bader, and Jason Brilz. If you’re going to get beat, those aren’t bad guys to get beat by, but then you turn around and look at his three UFC wins. Rob MacDonald, Houston Alexander, Antonio Mendes — none of them remained in the UFC for long after losing to Schafer, and that’s not a good sign. Now Schafer has dropped to middleweight and, like virtually every fighter who moves weight classes, seems convinced that it has changed everything for him. We’ll see if he’s right, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up.
Chances of getting cut: Very good. I sure wouldn’t want to fight a grinder like Simpson if my career was on the line. Schafer lacks the wrestling prowess of a Mark Munoz and the punching power of a Chris Leben, so I don’t see how he stops the “A-Train” here. I think he gets outwrestled and roughed up, and then I think the UFC gives him his participant ribbon and sends him home.

Steve Cantwell (7-4, 1-3 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Mike Massenzio
Why he’s in danger: Honestly, I’m a little surprised he hasn’t already been cut. He entered the UFC with a full head of steam as WEC light heavyweight champ, and then he enthusiastically bent Razak Al-Hassan’s arm out of shape in his Octagon debut. After that, however, he lost three in a row. Now he’s dropping to middleweight, which he should have done a long time ago, but it’s mildly amazing that the UFC let him hit a three-fight losing streak before either suggesting that he drop down or go win a few in the minors. As it stands, Cantwell’s claim to fame is that he won one of three fights against Brian Stann (and, sure, also the Al-Hassan arm snap thing), so if he wants to stick around at all after Saturday, he absolutely, positively needs to win.
Chances of getting cut: Good. Massenzio is a beatable opponent for Cantwell, but by no means an easy one. If he wins, he stays. If he loses, he’s gone for sure. Dan Hardy might get to lose four straight, but Cantwell is no Dan Hardy.

Mike Massenzio (12-5, 1-3 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Steve Cantwell
Why he’s in danger: Massenzio got cut after going 1-2 his first time around, but earned himself some points with the UFC when he took a fight out of his weight class on extremely short notice at UFC 131. Even though that resulted in an ugly decision loss to Krzysztof Soszynski, it represented him stepping up and doing the UFC a solid just to get back in there. Now, as is customary, he gets a fight back in his own weight class and with adequate time to prepare. That’s the UFC’s version of repaying a favor, and if Massenzio can’t capitalize on it he’ll find himself all out of brownie points.
Chances of getting cut: Good/Very good. I give Cantwell the slight edge, but it’s very slight. Whoever loses this one is probably also going to lose his job, and let’s just say Massenzio is not the favorite.

 

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The Cut List: Who’s in Desperate Need of a Win at UFC 136?

Filed under: UFCUFC 136 may be the rare event to include two title fights, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some men fighting for their livelihoods in Houston this Saturday night.

We all know that professional pugilism isn’t the line of work …

Filed under:

UFC 136 may be the rare event to include two title fights, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some men fighting for their livelihoods in Houston this Saturday night.

We all know that professional pugilism isn’t the line of work you go into if you really crave job security, but some of this weekend’s competitors are on much shakier ground than others, and it might take only one more loss to send them plummeting into the void of unemployment.

Who are they, and what are their chances to revive their careers with a win at UFC 136? For answers, we turn to The Cut List.


Leonard Garcia (15-7-1, 2-3 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Nam Phan
Why he’s in danger: Garcia’s 2-3 record in the Octagon is a little misleading for a couple of reasons. He went 1-2 in his first UFC run, which precipitated a drop to featherweight and a full-time move to the WEC. He came back after the merger and won a highly suspect decision over Nam Phan last December, then got twister’d by Chan Sung Jung in March. In a more just world, Garcia would be 0-2 in his latest stay with the UFC, and there’s a good chance that this is how he’s viewed by the people who matter. The good news is, Garcia is unquestionably one of those fighters who, in Dana White’s words, brings it. And boy does he bring it. No defense. No fancy technical stuff. Just straight-up bringing it. As a matter of fact, so much space in his brain is devoted to bringing it that there simply isn’t any space for thoughts of self-preservation. That makes Garcia the exact kind of fighter who can keep his job with a losing record in the UFC, but it also makes him predictable. Opponents who can keep their wits about them and resist the urge to brawl with him should be able to take great advantage of his incessant need to bring it, which might result in Garcia bringing it right on out of the UFC if he’s not careful.
Chances of getting cut: Decent. Phan should win this, but Garcia could still get another shot afterward with the right kind of showing. His brawlability quotient is simply too high, and the UFC has too few name brand featherweights to go and get rid of one people know and like.

Nam Phan (16-9, 0-2 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Leonard Garcia
Why he’s in danger: Just like Garcia, Phan’s record is also skewed by some questionable judging. If he’d have gotten that decision in his UFC debut, he’d be sitting at 1-1 after his not-at-all questionable decision loss to Mike Brown in August. But as it is, he’s winless in the UFC, at least on paper, and you know what typically happens after you lose three in a row. Again, the edge in this fight likely goes to Phan, but in a way it might be more interesting to see what would happen if he were to lose. Would the UFC give him a mulligan on that first loss to Garcia, with the understanding that it was complete nonsense from the judges? Or would a second, more legitimate loss to Garcia make all that irrelevant anyway? Hard to say, but I’m sure he’d rather not find out.
Chances of getting cut: Unlikely. I think he beats Garcia more clearly and obviously the second time around, thus securing his status for at least a few more months. That is, if he can resist the siren’s song of a bonus-worthy street fight. We know Garcia’s game.

Eric Schafer (12-5-2, 3-4 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Aaron Simpson
Why he’s in danger: If Schafer’s name sounds familiar, that’s because he’s been around — in a manner of speaking — for a good little while. This will be his third stint with the UFC in five years, and let’s just say that the UFC isn’t known for handing out fourth chances, so he’d better make this one count. Schafer went 1-2 in his first Octagon installment and 2-2 in the second, but all his losses came against tough opponents like Michael Bisping, Stephan Bonnar, Ryan Bader, and Jason Brilz. If you’re going to get beat, those aren’t bad guys to get beat by, but then you turn around and look at his three UFC wins. Rob MacDonald, Houston Alexander, Antonio Mendes — none of them remained in the UFC for long after losing to Schafer, and that’s not a good sign. Now Schafer has dropped to middleweight and, like virtually every fighter who moves weight classes, seems convinced that it has changed everything for him. We’ll see if he’s right, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up.
Chances of getting cut: Very good. I sure wouldn’t want to fight a grinder like Simpson if my career was on the line. Schafer lacks the wrestling prowess of a Mark Munoz and the punching power of a Chris Leben, so I don’t see how he stops the “A-Train” here. I think he gets outwrestled and roughed up, and then I think the UFC gives him his participant ribbon and sends him home.

Steve Cantwell (7-4, 1-3 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Mike Massenzio
Why he’s in danger: Honestly, I’m a little surprised he hasn’t already been cut. He entered the UFC with a full head of steam as WEC light heavyweight champ, and then he enthusiastically bent Razak Al-Hassan’s arm out of shape in his Octagon debut. After that, however, he lost three in a row. Now he’s dropping to middleweight, which he should have done a long time ago, but it’s mildly amazing that the UFC let him hit a three-fight losing streak before either suggesting that he drop down or go win a few in the minors. As it stands, Cantwell’s claim to fame is that he won one of three fights against Brian Stann (and, sure, also the Al-Hassan arm snap thing), so if he wants to stick around at all after Saturday, he absolutely, positively needs to win.
Chances of getting cut: Good. Massenzio is a beatable opponent for Cantwell, but by no means an easy one. If he wins, he stays. If he loses, he’s gone for sure. Dan Hardy might get to lose four straight, but Cantwell is no Dan Hardy.

Mike Massenzio (12-5, 1-3 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Steve Cantwell
Why he’s in danger: Massenzio got cut after going 1-2 his first time around, but earned himself some points with the UFC when he took a fight out of his weight class on extremely short notice at UFC 131. Even though that resulted in an ugly decision loss to Krzysztof Soszynski, it represented him stepping up and doing the UFC a solid just to get back in there. Now, as is customary, he gets a fight back in his own weight class and with adequate time to prepare. That’s the UFC’s version of repaying a favor, and if Massenzio can’t capitalize on it he’ll find himself all out of brownie points.
Chances of getting cut: Good/Very good. I give Cantwell the slight edge, but it’s very slight. Whoever loses this one is probably also going to lose his job, and let’s just say Massenzio is not the favorite.

 

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The Cut List: Who’s in Desperate Need of a Win at UFC 136?

Filed under: UFCUFC 136 may be the rare event to include two title fights, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some men fighting for their livelihoods in Houston this Saturday night.

We all know that professional pugilism isn’t the line of work …

Filed under:

UFC 136 may be the rare event to include two title fights, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some men fighting for their livelihoods in Houston this Saturday night.

We all know that professional pugilism isn’t the line of work you go into if you really crave job security, but some of this weekend’s competitors are on much shakier ground than others, and it might take only one more loss to send them plummeting into the void of unemployment.

Who are they, and what are their chances to revive their careers with a win at UFC 136? For answers, we turn to The Cut List.


Leonard Garcia (15-7-1, 2-3 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Nam Phan
Why he’s in danger: Garcia’s 2-3 record in the Octagon is a little misleading for a couple of reasons. He went 1-2 in his first UFC run, which precipitated a drop to featherweight and a full-time move to the WEC. He came back after the merger and won a highly suspect decision over Nam Phan last December, then got twister’d by Chan Sung Jung in March. In a more just world, Garcia would be 0-2 in his latest stay with the UFC, and there’s a good chance that this is how he’s viewed by the people who matter. The good news is, Garcia is unquestionably one of those fighters who, in Dana White’s words, brings it. And boy does he bring it. No defense. No fancy technical stuff. Just straight-up bringing it. As a matter of fact, so much space in his brain is devoted to bringing it that there simply isn’t any space for thoughts of self-preservation. That makes Garcia the exact kind of fighter who can keep his job with a losing record in the UFC, but it also makes him predictable. Opponents who can keep their wits about them and resist the urge to brawl with him should be able to take great advantage of his incessant need to bring it, which might result in Garcia bringing it right on out of the UFC if he’s not careful.
Chances of getting cut: Decent. Phan should win this, but Garcia could still get another shot afterward with the right kind of showing. His brawlability quotient is simply too high, and the UFC has too few name brand featherweights to go and get rid of one people know and like.

Nam Phan (16-9, 0-2 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Leonard Garcia
Why he’s in danger: Just like Garcia, Phan’s record is also skewed by some questionable judging. If he’d have gotten that decision in his UFC debut, he’d be sitting at 1-1 after his not-at-all questionable decision loss to Mike Brown in August. But as it is, he’s winless in the UFC, at least on paper, and you know what typically happens after you lose three in a row. Again, the edge in this fight likely goes to Phan, but in a way it might be more interesting to see what would happen if he were to lose. Would the UFC give him a mulligan on that first loss to Garcia, with the understanding that it was complete nonsense from the judges? Or would a second, more legitimate loss to Garcia make all that irrelevant anyway? Hard to say, but I’m sure he’d rather not find out.
Chances of getting cut: Unlikely. I think he beats Garcia more clearly and obviously the second time around, thus securing his status for at least a few more months. That is, if he can resist the siren’s song of a bonus-worthy street fight. We know Garcia’s game.

Eric Schafer (12-5-2, 3-4 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Aaron Simpson
Why he’s in danger: If Schafer’s name sounds familiar, that’s because he’s been around — in a manner of speaking — for a good little while. This will be his third stint with the UFC in five years, and let’s just say that the UFC isn’t known for handing out fourth chances, so he’d better make this one count. Schafer went 1-2 in his first Octagon installment and 2-2 in the second, but all his losses came against tough opponents like Michael Bisping, Stephan Bonnar, Ryan Bader, and Jason Brilz. If you’re going to get beat, those aren’t bad guys to get beat by, but then you turn around and look at his three UFC wins. Rob MacDonald, Houston Alexander, Antonio Mendes — none of them remained in the UFC for long after losing to Schafer, and that’s not a good sign. Now Schafer has dropped to middleweight and, like virtually every fighter who moves weight classes, seems convinced that it has changed everything for him. We’ll see if he’s right, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up.
Chances of getting cut: Very good. I sure wouldn’t want to fight a grinder like Simpson if my career was on the line. Schafer lacks the wrestling prowess of a Mark Munoz and the punching power of a Chris Leben, so I don’t see how he stops the “A-Train” here. I think he gets outwrestled and roughed up, and then I think the UFC gives him his participant ribbon and sends him home.

Steve Cantwell (7-4, 1-3 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Mike Massenzio
Why he’s in danger: Honestly, I’m a little surprised he hasn’t already been cut. He entered the UFC with a full head of steam as WEC light heavyweight champ, and then he enthusiastically bent Razak Al-Hassan’s arm out of shape in his Octagon debut. After that, however, he lost three in a row. Now he’s dropping to middleweight, which he should have done a long time ago, but it’s mildly amazing that the UFC let him hit a three-fight losing streak before either suggesting that he drop down or go win a few in the minors. As it stands, Cantwell’s claim to fame is that he won one of three fights against Brian Stann (and, sure, also the Al-Hassan arm snap thing), so if he wants to stick around at all after Saturday, he absolutely, positively needs to win.
Chances of getting cut: Good. Massenzio is a beatable opponent for Cantwell, but by no means an easy one. If he wins, he stays. If he loses, he’s gone for sure. Dan Hardy might get to lose four straight, but Cantwell is no Dan Hardy.

Mike Massenzio (12-5, 1-3 UFC)
Who he’s facing: Steve Cantwell
Why he’s in danger: Massenzio got cut after going 1-2 his first time around, but earned himself some points with the UFC when he took a fight out of his weight class on extremely short notice at UFC 131. Even though that resulted in an ugly decision loss to Krzysztof Soszynski, it represented him stepping up and doing the UFC a solid just to get back in there. Now, as is customary, he gets a fight back in his own weight class and with adequate time to prepare. That’s the UFC’s version of repaying a favor, and if Massenzio can’t capitalize on it he’ll find himself all out of brownie points.
Chances of getting cut: Good/Very good. I give Cantwell the slight edge, but it’s very slight. Whoever loses this one is probably also going to lose his job, and let’s just say Massenzio is not the favorite.

 

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UFC 136 Fight Card: Nam Phan vs. Leonard Garcia Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Moving up to the main card for this weekend’s UFC 136, the highly anticipated rematch between featherweights Nam Phan and Leonard Garcia is sure to be an exciting bout.These two long time veterans first faced off at the Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale, endi…

Moving up to the main card for this weekend’s UFC 136, the highly anticipated rematch between featherweights Nam Phan and Leonard Garcia is sure to be an exciting bout.

These two long time veterans first faced off at the Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale, ending in a highly controversial split decision win for Garcia.

Many onlookers, including UFC President Dana White, had Phan winning the fight decisively. White even awarded Phan a win bonus on top of both fighters receiving Fight of the Night honors.

Now ready to settle the score, Phan will look to avenge this loss against Garcia on Saturday night in Houston, Texas.

Here is the head-to-toe breakdown for this exciting 145-lb. battle.

Begin Slideshow

UFC 136’s Leonard Garcia Primed for Return to Home State Against Nam Phan

UFC 136 isn’t the first time Leonard Garcia has faced Nam Phan. Garcia (15-7-1 MMA, 2-3 UFC) faced Phan (16-9 MMA, 0-2 UFC) on short notice in December 2010, and managed to score a decision victory. Many observers felt that the outcome was contro…

UFC 136 isn’t the first time Leonard Garcia has faced Nam Phan.

Garcia (15-7-1 MMA, 2-3 UFC) faced Phan (16-9 MMA, 0-2 UFC) on short notice in December 2010, and managed to score a decision victory. Many observers felt that the outcome was controversial, which has led to their rematch on Saturday night.

Needless to say, Garcia was thrilled when he received word of the rematch and the opportunity to prove that he’s the superior fighter. It also doesn’t hurt that he gets to do so in a return to his home state of Texas.

“I was excited, it’s a fight that I wanted,” Garcia recently told BleacherReport.com. “We both been looking forward to it, we’ve got a chip on our shoulder from the first fight, so we’re both coming in with something to prove. And those are the best fights, you know both guys are going to give it all they got because both of us have something to prove.”

Garcia’s name is associated with knock down, drag out fights that will leave you on the end of your seat for the duration of the fight.

That’s exactly the reason why he was promoted to the main card after a heavyweight bout was dropped from the event. Garcia feels that’s a testament to the hard work and exciting fights he puts on each time he steps in the Octagon.

“Definitely, it’s good to be patted on your back every now and again and the UFC has done that, they gave me the opportunity to open the card (pay-per-view portion),” Garcia said. “They know what I bring to the table (and) this time I’m going to have all six abs instead of just two. It’s going to be a big difference and everybody is going to see that I’ve worked a lot harder and I’ll be ready to put on a better performance than I did the first time. I think the UFC wants to make the pay-per-views a lot more exciting and they want guys that are going to keep bringing people back.

 

“My fighting style is what people like to see, they like to see a guy that goes out and leaves everything in the cage. Also, give it up to Nam, he’s one of those guys as well. We got fight of the night last time we fought and I’m excited about this one, especially back in Houston, it’s my home state and everything’s played out perfectly. I wanted the rematch, I didn’t care where it was, but to have it in my home state that worked out perfectly for me. The UFC knows what I bring to the table and I think that’s why we’re kicking off the card.”

In his return home, Garcia is filled with emotions knowing that has a special opportunity ahead of him.

He can silence critics that questioned the result of the first matchup with Phan in the state he spent many years of his life. Needless to say, he can’t help but to be emotional ahead this weekend’s pay-per-view at the Toyota Center.

 “I’m an emotional person, everybody can see that in my fighting style. I kind of go out there and let my emotions get the best of me everytime. I’m the same way with stuff like that, it played out perfectly being in my home state. When I found out about the fight and it’s going to be in Houston and a week ago I found out I was going to be on the main card. It’s like a really good event, there’s a lot of good energy before me.

“I hate to admit it, but you get so excited you almost want to cry. It makes me happy to that point, so to be able to go out there and perform in a place where people are going to be backing and supporting you, it’s a great feeling and it’s something that I’m looking forward to. I have a couple things I’m ready to tell Nam before the fight, I want to tell him ‘I hope he brings his A game because this time I’m coming in with mine.’ So, we’re set for a good one.”

In preparation for his second meeting with Phan, Garcia honed his skills in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Jackson-Winkeljohn camp and “The Ranch” alongside lightweight contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

 

Additionally, Garcia has continued to learn under the tutelage of striking coach Mike Valle and the results were evident in his last performance when the fight remained standing.

“I got a new striking coach as well as Winkeljohn, who is always there as well, but Mike Valle is our pad guy. He works with me and Cowboy, he lives at the Ranch with us. He’s one of those guys that understands MMA. He’s a Thai boxer trainer and he converted his style over to MMA and he’s become part of the family at Jackson’s. Me and Cowboy are lucky enough to get him out to the house. He’s not a guy that comes in and tells us striking is everything that we need to work on and that’s it.

“He’s a coach that tells me you need to grapple, you need to use your wrestling, we need to implement takedowns in your technique. He’s definitely helped me and Cowboy out a whole lot and it’s like he told me ‘We’re not reinventing Leonard Garcia, we’re just refurbishing everything, we’re making everything to where it’s your style still, but I’m bringing in new points.’ This is a growing sport and if you stop growing then you’re going to be left behind.”

Garcia’s crowd pleasing style is sure to be well received once he enters the Toyota Center.

His uncanny ability to continue on when others can’t push through the tough moments is a due to the fact that Garcia and “Cowboy” put it all on the line in practice to ensure they’re battle ready once they step foot inside the cage.

“My brother Cowboy man, everyday in training we have statements we tell each other,” Garcia said. “When you watch fights, you see a guy get hit and he turns around and runs or he covers up funny. We tell each other, if you ever do that in a fight, don’t bother coming back home. The flight back, get it back to your home state, get it to Colorado or go back to Texas. Just don’t even show up at the Ranch ever again. It’s stuff we tell each other like that every day, we train really hard as evidence for my last fight. I was supposed to fight Bruce Leeroy (Alex Caceres), I had some cartiliage damage under my ribs from Cowboy two weeks before the fight. It wasn’t his fault, it’s just the way we train, we train hard (and) people walk in the gym and see us training against each other and they think we hate each other.

“Then we hop in the same car and leave at the time, these people are mindboggled, they can’t believe that two guys are in there trying to hurt each other like that and then come out of there and they’re like ‘What’s the deal with those two, they were in there beating each other up and now they’re leaving together.’ That’s just the way we are and we’re both competing together right now for fight of the night, knockout of the night, and I think it’s a testament to our training.”

For additional information on UFC 136 follow Joshua Carey on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UPDATED: Dave Herman Tests Positive for Marijuana, Pulled From UFC 136 Bout Against Mike Russow

Dave Herman UFC steroids
(Come on. You’re telling me that’s not a pothead? / Photo via Sherdog)

Update: Herman only tested positive for marijuana. The report that originally stated he also tested positive for steroids came from a misinterpretation of his interview.

UFC heavyweight Dave Herman has confirmed that his scheduled UFC 136 main card bout against Mike Russow has been canceled, after his pre-fight drug tests came back positive for marijuana. Herman denies using the illegal substance. As he explained to Clinch Gear Radio:

“I went in to get in my drug test (on Sept. 15), and a week later, they called me and told me they lost my urine specimen. I had to come in and redo it. That was last week. I went back in that day. And [on Wednesday], they told me I failed. I said, ‘That’s impossible.’…[now,] Texas said they never lost it and the first one [tested positive] for drugs and the second was for steroids. I don’t even smoke…I haven’t even had a beer in two months.”

Dave Herman UFC steroids
(Come on. You’re telling me that’s not a pothead? / Photo via Sherdog)

Update: Herman only tested positive for marijuana. The report that originally stated he also tested positive for steroids came from a misinterpretation of his interview.

UFC heavyweight Dave Herman has confirmed that his scheduled UFC 136 main card bout against Mike Russow has been canceled, after his pre-fight drug tests came back positive for marijuana. Herman denies using the illegal substance. As he explained to Clinch Gear Radio:

“I went in to get in my drug test (on Sept. 15), and a week later, they called me and told me they lost my urine specimen. I had to come in and redo it. That was last week. I went back in that day. And [on Wednesday], they told me I failed. I said, ‘That’s impossible.’…[now,] Texas said they never lost it and the first one [tested positive] for drugs and the second was for steroids. I don’t even smoke…I haven’t even had a beer in two months.”

To our knowledge, this is the first time that an MMA fighter has been flagged for performance enhancing drugs by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. We’ll update you when we learn more about Herman’s potential punishment for the botched test, and his inevitable appeal.

At this point, it doesn’t appear likely that the UFC will find a replacement opponent for Mike Russow, who’s a perfect 3-0 in the Octagon. UFC 136′s preliminary-card rematch between Leonard Garcia and Nam Phan has been promoted to the main card to fill the space. The current lineup for “Edgar vs. Maynard 3″ is below…

Main PPV Card
Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard (for UFC lightweight championship)
Jose Aldo vs. Kenny Florian (for UFC featherweight championship)
Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann (MW)
Joe Lauzon vs. Melvin Guillard (LW)
Leonard Garcia vs. Nam Phan (FW)

Spike TV Prelims
Demian Maia vs. Jorge Santiago (MW)
Anthony Pettis vs. Jeremy Stephens (LW)

Preliminary Card (Facebook)
Joey Beltran vs. Stipe Miocic (HW)
Zhang Tie Quan vs. Darren Elkins (FW)
Aaron Simpson vs. Eric Schafer (MW)
Steve Cantwell vs. Mike Massenzio (MW)