Tag: MMA

UFC News: Anthony Pettis Talks Gray Maynard, His Bout with Clay Guida

Since both Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard sustained injuries, ultimately forcing them off of UFC 130, UFC lightweight Anthony “Showtime” Pettis finds himself in limbo.While promised a title shot at the winner of their second encounter, Pettis was focus…

Since both Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard sustained injuries, ultimately forcing them off of UFC 130, UFC lightweight Anthony “Showtime” Pettis finds himself in limbo.

While promised a title shot at the winner of their second encounter, Pettis was focused, and in fact sat cage-side to get a better perspective on Edgar and Maynard at UFC 125. Unfortunately for him, the result ended in a draw. 

And now that another setback has hit the former WEC lightweight champion and he said it not only messes up his plans but the lightweight division as well.

“It kinda sucks,” Pettis said in an interview with Heavy.com.

“It kinda puts the whole lightweight (division) on a stand. I was in line for a title shot after Clay Guida, I mean I’m definitely focused on Guida, but the whole lightweight division is just kinda stuck right now.”

And for the next little while, the division will have to remain patient as challengers, like Pettis, will have to watch Maynard and Edgar battle for a third time at some point later this year.

And although a lightweight title will have to take a little longer for Pettis to earn, he hasn’t ruled out another bout after Guida in order to prepare himself for either competitor.

“I haven’t looked past Clay yet. I guess after Clay we’ll figure out what’s gonna happen, but I mean, potentially that’s definitely possibility,” he said.

And after Maynard recently expressed his disinterest in Pettis, a bout between the two lightweights could happen some time in the future. Maynard said in a recent interview that he wasn’t impressed with Pettis’ style or the competitors he fought in the WEC, in response Pettis said Maynard is just envious towards him.

“I feel that he might be a little jealous of my level of success so fast, I am probably the most popular UFC fighter that hasn’t fought in the UFC yet,” Pettis said. 

Pettis will compete against Clay Guida at The Ultimate Finale 13 on June 4, live from from Las Vegas Nevada.  

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UFC 130 Fight Card: Is Rampage Jackson vs. Matt Hamill Main Event Worthy?

UFC 130 was to be event in which the next five rounds of the epic duel between lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard took place. In terms of fighting style, both men were tailor made for one another, and the second rematch was …

UFC 130 was to be event in which the next five rounds of the epic duel between lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard took place. In terms of fighting style, both men were tailor made for one another, and the second rematch was one of the most intriguing bouts of the year.

Unfortunately, this bout was canceled due to both fighters being injured at nearly the same time. Because of this strange and unfavorable coincidence, the event’s co-main event—Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Matt “The Hammer” Hamill—was bumped up to the main event slot.

Is this fight truly main event-worthy, though?

The answer is twofold and complicated.

While Rampage has historically been a draw, he is getting up there in age and has not done anything to really “wow” MMA fans in quite some time—his recent controversial decision victory over Lyoto Machida notwithstanding.

As for Hamill, his five-fight win streak is great for marketing, but does not really hold up when scrutinized. One of those “wins” is a questionable disqualification victory over current light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

So, even if the DQ is ignored, that leaves four straight victories. That means Hamill is a contender, right?

Wrong.

Out of those four victories, two came over lackluster opponents who are no longer in the UFC, and one came over a Tito Ortiz long past his prime. The only really noteworthy victory is a head-kick knockout of Mark Muñoz at UFC 96 back in 2009.

The fight may be billed as a matchup between two perennial contenders for Jon Jones’ light heavyweight crown, but such a billing is very generous; both fighters have neither the skills nor the time (Rampage is 32 and Hamill is 34) to become a force in the division.

In that sense then, the fight is not main event-worthy. However, the UFC has grown to such a size that the main itself is not as important as the UFC brand itself.

The UFC has—arguably since UFC 72—been selling cards on brand name alone and will likely continue to do so.

Is this a sordid practice? Hardly, unless you are one who believes in “Zuffa zombies.”

The UFC usually puts on quality fights regardless of the name value of the fighters. Despite the fact that Rampage will likely never own a belt again, and Hamill will likely never own one to begin with, the card will still sell because of the brand name attached to it.

For better or for worse, any main event attached to a UFC card is main event-worthy by virtue of it being the main event of a UFC-caliber card.

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UFC 130 Fight Card: Is Rampage Jackson vs. Matt Hamill Main Event Worthy?

UFC 130 was to be event in which the next five rounds of the epic duel between lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard took place. In terms of fighting style, both men were tailor made for one another, and the second rematch was …

UFC 130 was to be event in which the next five rounds of the epic duel between lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard took place. In terms of fighting style, both men were tailor made for one another, and the second rematch was one of the most intriguing bouts of the year.

Unfortunately, this bout was canceled due to both fighters being injured at nearly the same time. Because of this strange and unfavorable coincidence, the event’s co-main event—Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Matt “The Hammer” Hamill—was bumped up to the main event slot.

Is this fight truly main event-worthy, though?

The answer is twofold and complicated.

While Rampage has historically been a draw, he is getting up there in age and has not done anything to really “wow” MMA fans in quite some time—his recent controversial decision victory over Lyoto Machida notwithstanding.

As for Hamill, his five-fight win streak is great for marketing, but does not really hold up when scrutinized. One of those “wins” is a questionable disqualification victory over current light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

So, even if the DQ is ignored, that leaves four straight victories. That means Hamill is a contender, right?

Wrong.

Out of those four victories, two came over lackluster opponents who are no longer in the UFC, and one came over a Tito Ortiz long past his prime. The only really noteworthy victory is a head-kick knockout of Mark Muñoz at UFC 96 back in 2009.

The fight may be billed as a matchup between two perennial contenders for Jon Jones’ light heavyweight crown, but such a billing is very generous; both fighters have neither the skills nor the time (Rampage is 32 and Hamill is 34) to become a force in the division.

In that sense then, the fight is not main event-worthy. However, the UFC has grown to such a size that the main itself is not as important as the UFC brand itself.

The UFC has—arguably since UFC 72—been selling cards on brand name alone and will likely continue to do so.

Is this a sordid practice? Hardly, unless you are one who believes in “Zuffa zombies.”

The UFC usually puts on quality fights regardless of the name value of the fighters. Despite the fact that Rampage will likely never own a belt again, and Hamill will likely never own one to begin with, the card will still sell because of the brand name attached to it.

For better or for worse, any main event attached to a UFC card is main event-worthy by virtue of it being the main event of a UFC-caliber card.

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UFC News: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Says He Won’t Fight Past 35 Years Old

After recent reports suggested that Quinton Jackson was fighting on borrowed time, as he planned to pursue an acting career and depart mixed martial arts altogether, the Memphis,Tennessee native downplayed the rumours quickly. While speaking to ES…

After recent reports suggested that Quinton Jackson was fighting on borrowed time, as he planned to pursue an acting career and depart mixed martial arts altogether, the Memphis,Tennessee native downplayed the rumours quickly. 

While speaking to ESPN.co.uk, Jackson said he was misquoted by the media and insisted he is training hard for his upcoming bout with Matt Hamill at UFC 130. 

“Matt Hamill’s a tough guy with good wrestling, and he moves forward. So hopefully it’ll be an exciting fight,” Jackson said. 

Jackson and Hamill were originally featured in the co-main event but after both Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard became injured, the two light-heavyweights quickly found themselves promoted to main event status. 

Never one to shy away from a camera or a microphone, Jackson’s colorful personality has contributed to his success in and outside of the UFC. Last year, Jackson was cast alongside actor Bradley Cooper in the remake of The A-Team. 

And while he has shown a desire to continue his acting career, Jackson’s first priority is to fight but he does not intend to be doing it for much longer. 

Jackson, who turns 33 this year, admits he is not the same fighter he used to be. 

“There are young guys coming in and doing good. I’ve been fighting for a long time and it’s no secret that I don’t fight the same way I used to,” he said.

“Going through each camp I go through all these pains and think, ‘Man I don’t want to do this anymore’. But after the fight I say, ‘OK, I’ll give it one more’. So who knows? But at 35 I’m done.”

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UFC 133: Phil Davis Doesn’t Plan on Losing to Rashad Evans

During the past few months, many of the UFC’s top fighters have been plagued by injuries, the latest being light heavyweight champion and Greg Jackson prodigy, Jon Jones. The highly anticipated bout between two former friends, Rashad Evans and Jo…

During the past few months, many of the UFC’s top fighters have been plagued by injuries, the latest being light heavyweight champion and Greg Jackson prodigy, Jon Jones.

The highly anticipated bout between two former friends, Rashad Evans and Jon Jones, has been postponed due to Jones getting injured during training when he tore a ligament in his right hand.

Evans’ last scheduled bout with then-champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua was also postponed when Rua was injured during training. Evans chose to wait for Rua to heal and for his shot at regaining the light UFC heavyweight title, a decision that he has come to regret.

This time, while not a title shot, Evans will not be waiting on his opponent as the undefeated and very hungry, Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis steps up to replace the champion in what could be a three-round war between two of the sport’s best wrestlers.

While Evans and Jones continue their newfound grudge via Twitter, Davis is focused on only one thing: his fight with Evans at UFC 133.

Stepping up and seizing the opportunity is nothing new to Davis. He stepped up to replace Tito Ortiz in his last fight against former PRIDE fighter, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira also known as, “Little Nog”. Davis beat Nogueria by unanimous decision, controlling him with his superior wrestling.

According to Eric Fontanez at MMA Weekly, Davis is preparing for a battle against an opponent of equal, if not better wrestling skills.

“He’s someone I should definitely be concerned about with my skill set…I expect a pretty good fight,” Davis said.

“I invite the opportunity to face someone of his level of wrestling and I think I’ll be fine.”

Regardless of Evans’ wrestling ability, Davis plans on controlling the fight.

“I like to think I’m going to be the one controlling the pace of any fight,” he said. “And I don’t think this will be any different.

“I will take this fight wherever it wants to go.”

Even though Davis is undefeated, he will be facing an experienced former champion with only one loss on his record and who has been in deep water before.

Considering each of these great athletes wrestling experience, this fight could turn out to be a high-paced wrestling match. Regardless, Davis is facing the biggest test and challenge of his career.

For Davis, it’s just another opportunity, one that leads to a light heavyweight title shot and one he doesn’t plan on losing.

“Losing was never something I planned on doing.”

Davis told MMA Heat’s Karyn Bryant that it makes no difference to him who he fights.

“To me it’s not about fighting people. I don’t care if you can beat this guy or that guy. I want to have the belt.”

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Mighty Mouse Johnson: His Fight with Torres Is Like David and Goliath

With The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 130 scheduled for May 28, the speedy, 5’3″ Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, discusses his next bantamweight contest versus the much taller Miguel Torres, who stands six inches above his oppone…

With The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 130 scheduled for May 28, the speedy, 5’3″ Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, discusses his next bantamweight contest versus the much taller Miguel Torres, who stands six inches above his opponent.

Following a three-fight win streak, including a unanimous decision versus highly touted Japanese fighter Kid Yamamoto, the shorter Johnson welcomes the height difference as he prepares against the former World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) 135-pound champion, as he explains to MMAMania’s Brian Hemminger:

“Being 5’3″ with him 5’9″, there’s a huge height difference,” states Johnson.  “If he wants to punch me, he has to punch down, which exposes his chin, and if I want to hit him, I have to reach up and my chin will always be protected.  It’s like David and Goliath.  David was a little guy and he had to throw up and Goliath had to break his posture to hit David with a good clean shot.”

Though “Mighty Mouse” wasn’t initially slated to fight Torres, as UFC bantamweight contender Brad Pickett had to withdraw due to injury, he’s definitely grateful for this fantastic opportunity to fight a former champion:

“I was very honored when the UFC gave me the call and asked me if I wanted to step up and take on Miguel Torres instead of Renan Barão,” says Demetrious. 

“Now I’m stepping up to take on Miguel Torres.  I trained really hard for this fight and it’s gonna go down in the Octagon on Spike TV,” exclaims the AMC Pankration fighter.

Though there are few 135-pounders to train with in his Washington state-based gym, Johnson feels that sparring with larger and stronger training partners is an advantage:

“This morning I worked out two hours with a guy who’s 205 and has very good knowledge of the mixed martial arts game.  It helps me because it makes my body get adapted to be pushed the whole time,” said the Kentucky bred wrestler. “You see guys go against guys their own size, and that’s good too, but when I’m rolling on the ground and I have a guy who’s 205 pounds on me, it makes my body work and it conditions every single part of my body. 

“Whether it’s my tendons, my wrists, whatever, it’s getting worked the whole time.  It’s a good benefit for me and when I get in there with guys my own size, like 5’3″ or whatever, it’s a piece of cake because I’m used to kicking guys in the head who are 5’10” or 5’11”.”

As “Mighty Mouse” takes on a former world champion in Torres, it will be exciting to see how Demetrious handles the sizable 10-inch reach difference, as he owns a 66-inch reach, while Torres possesses a 76-inch reach advantage.

Regardless, Johnson’s heart and dedication is unparalleled and a fight of this magnitude is well deserved.  As the UFC’s 135 pound weight class continues to bring energetic, fast-paced fights, this bantamweight match-up has the makings to be filled with non-stop action and be equally exciting as well.

 

-ROLAND RISO
MMAIDIOT.COM

Roland Riso is a contributing writer for Bleacher Report.  All quotes were obtained from MMAMania.com.

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