Tag: MMA Gossip

After a dominant unanimous decision victory over Rampage Jackson, the big question in Glover Teixeira’s future is who should he fight next? The Brazilian top contender has made it very clear that he wants to stay active, and that he does not believe that he is the number one contender. With the majority of the Light Heavyweight division’s top contenders busy, there aren’t too many options that will bring Teixeira to a title shot. One option would be a man who fought on the Fox 6 card, and that is Ryan Bader. Bader is two and three in his last three, with the only loss coming to Lyoto Machida. Bader is undoubtedly a top ten fighter, but the question is will this fight bring Teixeira closer to a title shot. In my opinion, no. Another option would be Mauricio Shogun Rua. This fight was supposed to happen a while back, but Shogun thought it was too much risk for so little reward. There is no doubt now that this fight would be a war, and Shogun can’t deny that Teixeira has made a name for himself. Other than that, Glover would have to wait for some other fights in the coming months to resolve. With the way that fighters have been getting injured, if I were Teixeira I would be staying in shape in case the UFC comes calling for a replacement. Regardless I think that Teixeira will probably get Bader or he will wait for maybe the loser of Henderson vs. Machida, or Gustafsson vs. Mousasi.

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section.
– Josh Leduc.

Matt Wiman came into this fight riding a significant amount of hype after coming off his submission win over submission specialist, Paul Sass, and for that reason, many of the prediction experts picked him to extend his win streak. However, Grant had other plans to derail the hype train, and prove that for good reason, he was the favorite to win the fight. What was thought to be one of the most closely contested fights on the card, ended up being the most devastating finish of the night, and TJ Grant’s UFC career.

In a performance that was so obviously robbed of knockout of the night honors, Grant displayed his newly found Muay Thai striking, incorporating a plethora of elbows and knees from the clinch. Wiman’s chin held up for some time, but eventually he was unable to take anymore punishment, as he crumbled under the vicious strikes of Grant that lead up to the inevitable knockout.

His improved Muay Thai makes him one of the most well rounded fighters in the division, as his wrestling and submissions are outstanding. It’s difficult to fathom a fighter who ranks outside of the top ten that will be able to make for a competitive fight if matched against Grant. Now riding a four fight win streak, Grant is due for a bout with a top ten lightweight for a chance to prove that he is among the division’s elite.

There are several potential opponents that would make excellent fights, such as Joe Lauzon, Nate Diaz, or Donald Cerrone, but for the most intriguing and potentially exciting fight, I have to suggest Jim Miller. Both Grant and Miller aren’t afraid to stand toe to toe and throw punches, but also have exceptional grappling skills. This bout has fight of the night written all over it.

Whether or not he fights Miller, Cerrone, or any top ten contender, Grant will look to showcase his well rounded skills against any opponent the UFC puts in front of him in a diehard attempt to pursue a title fight.

– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli

@FightFreek

Once again, Michael Bisping was only one win away from receiving a title shot, and was determined to defeat Vitor Belfort. Unfortunately for Bisping, Belfort had other plans for the direction of the fight, and landed a perfectly placed head kick that dropped the Count to the canvas. Belfort made sure Bisping wouldn’t recover as the phenom smothered him with punches until the ref had no choice but to intervene. It’s unlikely that the UFC will yield to Belfort’s request to rematch Jon Jones, so the question remains, who’s next for Belfort?

After his win over Mark Munoz, many fans, analysts, media staff saw Chris Weidman as the unofficial number one contender. Unfortunately for him, he was sidelined due to injury before his scheduled bout with Tim Boetsch, which could’ve possibly solidified his spot for the next crack at Anderson Silva. A match between Belfort and Weidman is sensible seeing that Weidman may be the only fighter that could possibly be ranked higher than Belfort. However the earliest Weidman can make his return to the octagon is early summer, so timing may be an issue if Belfort wishes to stay active.

As the man who took Chris Weidman’s place in his bout with Tim Boetsch and won, Costa Philippou is now among the elite of the middleweight division. It wouldn’t be too obscure to think that his victory over Boetsch sets up a possible bout with Belfort. Being a fellow boxing style fighter, a bout between the two of them would make for an exciting stand up war. This fight could help Belfort keep a consistent win streak, or Philippou will be rapidly climbing the ranks.

Yushin Okami would be a suitable opponent for Belfort, as the Japanese powerhouse is coming off a decisive win over Alan Belcher. Belfort and Okami were slated to fight each other at UFC 122, however Belfort was pulled from the fight to replace Chael Sonnen in a title fight with Anderson Silva, when controversy over Sonnen’s elevated testosterone levels arose. This was a fight that was supposed to happen, but never came through. This alone will make Belfort vs. Okami an intriguing fight.

Before UFC on FX 7 took place, Dana White established that even though a win for Bisping would be rewarded with a title shot, Belfort wouldn’t be extended the same courtesy. The first and only question that comes to mind, is why? Bisping, Tim Boetsch, and Alan Belcher, were all nearing a title fight if they were to win the next bout, but all three fighters were defeated. Why can Cain Velasquez rematch Junior dos Santos after one win over Antonio Silva, but Belfort can’t rematch Anderson Silva even after finishing Yoshihiro Akiyama, Anthony Johnson, and Michael Bisping? As of now, there’s no clear number one contender, so I say why not give Belfort a fight with Anderson Silva?

– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli

@FightFreek