Tag: Matt Lindland

‘Don’t Be Scared Homey’ Is Pretty Much the Official Slogan of Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons II

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It’s not quite Nick Diaz vs. Jason Miller, but Strikeforce is going to do its very best to convince you that Nick Diaz vs. KJ Noons — who’s fighting for the title in his Strikeforce welterweight debut…

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It’s not quite Nick Diaz vs. Jason Miller, but Strikeforce is going to do its very best to convince you that Nick Diaz vs. KJ Noons — who’s fighting for the title in his Strikeforce welterweight debut! — is the grudge match you’ve been begging for. And how do they plan on accomplishing that? By staying on message. As you’ll see, the famous phrase "Don’t be scared, homey" pops up twice in this one-minute hype clip for Strikeforce’s next event at San Jose’s HP Pavilion on October 9th. Which begs the question: If "DBS,H" is the theme of the night, why not hold the event in Stockton? What, too real for you guys? Violent crime rate too high? Pussies.

At this point, only two other fights have been booked for the Showtime broadcast of Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons II. After earning her employers’ respect with a slam-knockout of Roxanne Modafferi at the last Challengers card, 135-pound champion Sarah Kaufman will make her next title defense against Marloes Coenen, who was sacrificed to Cris Cyborg earlier this year at Strikeforce: Miami. Also, Matt Lindland will follow up his TKO win over Kevin Casey with a bout against hot middleweight prospect Luke Rockhold (7-1), who has ended all six of his Strikeforce appearances by first-round stoppage, including wins over Jesse Taylor and Cory Devela. Christ, good luck Matt.

Where Is MMA’s Next Great Middleweight?

Filed under: UFC, Strikeforce, BellatorFor all his pre-fight bluster, Chael Sonnen walked into the octagon as a major underdog against UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, with most expecting him to emerge chastened and quieted, however briefly. Y…

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Anderson Silva kicks Chael Sonnen in the main event of UFC 117.For all his pre-fight bluster, Chael Sonnen walked into the octagon as a major underdog against UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, with most expecting him to emerge chastened and quieted, however briefly. Yet for about 23 minutes, Sonnen did just what he said he would, dominating Silva as he seemingly coasted towards his moment of glory. It was not to be. In a comeback that will live on in MMA lore for years to come, Silva found a way to steal a win from Sonnen’s back pocket, trapping him with a fight-ending triangle/armbar submission.

Even in losing, though, Sonnen did something of immeasurable value to the UFC: he stayed a viable contender. Beyond the UFC’s long-reigning champion, a look at the 185-pound class worldwide shows a wide-open field. More specifically, most of the world’s top 10 middleweights are over 30 years old. While opportunities abound, though, few young 185-pound prospects have distinguished themselves.

Most weight classes have their exciting, young prodigies. Featherweight has Jose Aldo, welterweight has John Hathaway, and light-heavyweight has Jon Jones, among others. So where, we must ask, is the next great, young middleweight?

Matt Lindland Calls for Silva / Sonnen Rematch “in Short Order”

We’ve now moved into ‘Day Two’ of UFC 117 post-fight analysis, and due to the fact Anderson Silva kind of had his ass handed to him by Chael Sonnen before pulling off the near, last minute win, be prepared for what? Two; three weeks straight of endless coverage regarding this story? Guess when one considers that the […]

Matt-Lindland

We’ve now moved into ‘Day Two’ of UFC 117 post-fight analysis, and due to the fact Anderson Silva kind of had his ass handed to him by Chael Sonnen before pulling off the near, last minute win, be prepared for what? Two; three weeks straight of endless coverage regarding this story? Guess when one considers that the vast majority of people didn’t expect Sonnen to even come close in this fight, much less dominate the champ for four rounds, people are going to talk about it and then some (kind of like Chael’s pre-fight ‘insights.’)

Of course people are already talking rematch, not just because Silva barely squeaked out of Oakland with the middleweight belt still in his possession, but the champ’s post fight revelation that he injured his ribs recently makes the case for a rematch that much more compelling. In an interesting interview with Sherdog.com, Sonnen’s long time training partner and coach Matt Lindland had this to say, when asked about the prospect of Silva vs. Sonnen II.

“I hope so; I hope we see him right back in there with Anderson and that we will in short order. I don’t know what the UFC’s plans are for a rematch yet, or if he has to fight someone to get that rematch or whatever, but we’re willing to do whatever. Chael’s willing to take the rematch, to fight whoever he needs to fight to get one; it doesn’t matter.”

We agree. Lindland also talked about Sonnen being injured heading into the fight in the interview, as well as the now infamous ‘it wasn’t me’ Lance Armstrong incident. Check it out here.

Fighter vs. Writer: UFC 117 Predictions

Filed under: UFCOAKLAND – It’s been a while since my last spectacular fight picking failure, but with UFC 117 just around the corner, Fighter vs. Writer returns with Olympic silver medalist and MMA vet Matt Lindland.

As those of you who have been foll…

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OAKLAND – It’s been a while since my last spectacular fight picking failure, but with UFC 117 just around the corner, Fighter vs. Writer returns with Olympic silver medalist and MMA vet Matt Lindland.

As those of you who have been following this series already know, I have yet to win a single one of these prediction contests. Either that means fighters are all really great at picking fights, or I’m really, really terrible. I choose to think it’s the former, and there’s nothing you can say to convince me otherwise.

Below, check out how Lindland and I see Saturday night’s fights going down.

Thin Line Between Love and Hate for Anderson Silva Fans

Filed under: UFCCONCORD, Calif. – For some of the fans gathered at the UFC Gym for Wednesday afternoon’s UFC 117 open workouts, braving the midday traffic, the teeming crowd, and the long wait just to get a glimpse of Anderson Silva was a labor of love…

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CONCORD, Calif. – For some of the fans gathered at the UFC Gym for Wednesday afternoon’s UFC 117 open workouts, braving the midday traffic, the teeming crowd, and the long wait just to get a glimpse of Anderson Silva was a labor of love.

For others, it was slightly more complicated.

“I want to see Anderson Silva get beat really bad,” said Fahrudin Velic, an ardent MMA fan who showed up early along with two friends to ensure a good view of the afternoon’s activities. “He used to be my favorite fighter. I loved Anderson Silva. Then he turned into an ass. If you buy his pay-per-views, it gets you mad because he’s not even fighting.”

Frank Mir: Soon to Be the Distinguished Gentleman From Las Vegas?

Filed under: UFCIt’s been a few months since the last time we heard Frank Mir talking about a career in politics, but judging by a story in the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Tuesday, his enthusiasm for the idea hasn’t waned since then.

Mir, who describe…

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It’s been a few months since the last time we heard Frank Mir talking about a career in politics, but judging by a story in the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Tuesday, his enthusiasm for the idea hasn’t waned since then.

Mir, who described his political bent as “extremely liberal” when he mentioned a potential run for office to MMA Fighting’s Mike Chiappetta back in March, said he’s still considering a career in politics once his fighting days are over, if only because he wants to get off the sidelines and into the game.

“Politics affects everybody’s daily life,” Mir said. “I never want to be one of those guys that bellyaches in a bar about the president or Congress and at the end of the day you never vote or talk about what’s going on or do anything as far as having any kind of influence.”