As one of three heavyweight showdowns scheduled to take place this weekend at UFC on Fox 13, veterans Alistair Overeem and Stefan Struve will attempt to impress and stake their divisional claim.
In an interesting on-paper matchup between two promotiona…
As one of three heavyweight showdowns scheduled to take place this weekend at UFC on Fox 13, veterans Alistair Overeem and Stefan Struve will attempt to impress and stake their divisional claim.
In an interesting on-paper matchup between two promotional standouts who are at their own respective career crossroads, this heavyweight clash could produce the next relevant title contender.
A victory for either fighter wouldn’t be enough to warrant them an initial championship opportunity, but Overeem and Struve are two names that the promotion is eager to push.
It’s going to be interesting to see how aggressive Overeem comes out considering he’s been finished in the first round in two of his last three appearances.
It’s also going to be interesting to see if Struve commands the Octagon or battles cage rust in his first action since March of 2013, having been sidelined with a fairly serious heart condition that involved a bicuspid aortic valve (which means he has two leaflets instead of the normal three).
Needless to say, both heavyweights are desperately seeking a victory and have some of the best finishing ability in the sport today.
Here is a full head-to-toe breakdown for one of the more fascinating divisional bouts of 2014.
Both Brock Lesnar and Georges St-Pierre are respected fighters in their own right. The two are former world champions and sport a long list of impressive accolades.
However, Lesnar left mixed martial arts competition in 2011, citing his struggles with …
Both Brock Lesnar and Georges St-Pierre are respected fighters in their own right. The two are former world champions and sport a long list of impressive accolades.
However, Lesnar left mixed martial arts competition in 2011, citing his struggles with diverticulitis. In 2013, St-Pierre vacated the welterweight title that he held for six years, stating that he needed “some time off.”
Recently, a great amount of speculation has surfaced regarding the return of both dominant athletes. Both combatants’ star power alone would benefit the UFC on varying levels.
While Lesnar’s return would make more of an immediate impact with respect to money, his age, one-dimensional fighting style and history of health issues would more than likely make it difficult for the Next Big Thing to remain competitive, and eventually may render him inactive (again) altogether.
With regard to fighting, St-Pierre possesses none of the above issues that plague Lesnar, which could potentially set him and the UFC up for big paydays over the next five years at least.
The UFC’s signing of WWE star Phil Brooks, better known as CM Punk, easily ranks among the biggest stories of the year in mixed martial arts. However, there is still a lot up in the air regarding his MMA debut, including what gym will bring aboard “The…
The UFC’s signing of WWE star Phil Brooks, better known as CM Punk, easily ranks among the biggest stories of the year in mixed martial arts. However, there is still a lot up in the air regarding his MMA debut, including what gym will bring aboard “The Best in the World.”
Well, if Twitter is any indication, the race is on.
Numerous fighters and coaches reached out to the professional wrestler, angling to have him join their gym’s fight team. That list includes light heavyweight title contender Daniel Cormier, new UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, Tyron Woodley and more.
. @CMPunk we’ve done it before with @herschelwalker (2-0), @akahq is your home. No recruiting pitch needed. I will see u soon. DC
It isn’t just fighters from American Top Team and the American Kickboxing Academy who are angling for the straight-edge superstar. Speaking with MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani, he discussed Team Curran (which is based out of his hometown of Chicago) and Roufusport (which is located in Milwaukee, near his current residence). He also revealed that, regardless of where he winds up training, he will want to have his current Brazilian jiu-jitsu trainer, Rener Gracie, available and able to accompany him on fight night.
When it comes to MMA, Brooks is essentially a clean slate. While many professional wrestlers, from Brock Lesnar to Bobby Lashley on down to Jack Swagger, all own legitimate amateur wrestling experience, Brooks has never actually competed in combat sports. That has many questioning what, if anything, can be expected of the 36-year-old.
Where he trains is not the only unknown when it comes to Brooks. There is currently no timetable for his UFC debut, and it is unknown who his opponent may be. Stick with Bleacher Report for more details as they become available.
This Saturday, two UFC veterans will face off in the World Series of Fighting, as Jon Fitch squares off against the WSOF welterweight champion, Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares.
Palhares was released from the UFC following his welterweight debut, a 31-seco…
This Saturday, two UFC veterans will face off in the World Series of Fighting, as Jon Fitch squares off against the WSOF welterweight champion, Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares.
Palhares was released from the UFC following his welterweight debut, a 31-second victory over Mike Pierce. Palhares held on to the submission for too long, and as a result, he was cut. He has had just one fight since his release: a victory over Steve Carl to win the WSOF welterweight title.
Fitch has had three fights since his release back in 2013—first, a submission loss to Josh Burkman but then two straight decision victories over Marcelo Alfaya and Dennis Hallman.
These are two high-level grapplers, and it’s sure to be a fun fight come Saturday. Let’s check out who has the edge in this head-to-toe breakdown.
In a live, face-to-face interview, UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan verbally skewered heavyweight Brendan Schaub, claiming Schaub was not a high-level fighter and suggesting he was risking major brain damage by continuing with his UFC career.
Fresh off his TK…
In a live, face-to-face interview, UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan verbally skewered heavyweight Brendan Schaub, claiming Schaub was not a high-level fighter and suggesting he was risking major brain damage by continuing with his UFC career.
Fresh off his TKO loss to Travis Browne—his second straight defeat and third knockout loss in three years—Saturday at UFC 181, Schaub, a frequent guest on The Joe Rogan Experiencepodcast, didn’t seem to expect the confrontation and was left in stunned silence for much of the extended exchange.
That portion of Monday’s edition of The Joe Rogan Experience is apparently no longer publicly available, but Twitter user @Fight_Ghost captured some of Rogan‘s choicest quotes, which were collected and curated by Mookie Alexander of Bloody Elbow.
“You are a smart dude. You know about concussions you have had. The reality is, I don’t see you beating elite guys. You have no fluidity,” Rogan was quoted as telling Schaub. “When I look at the performances, you are not an elite fighter. I know what I am seeing. You are not recognizing.”
“15 minutes with an elite fighter. You can’t do that. Your brain doesn’t get better from punches. Werdum, Cain is another level than you.”
Eventually, Schaub rallied, half-heartedly defending himself from the broadside and also reiterating a previous point that he believed the referee’s stoppage at UFC 181 was premature.
Rogan: “what holes do you see in your game?” Schaub: “I disagree with you when you say I can’t beat Dos Santos or Cain”. Whoa.
It is uncertain whether Schaub will continue to appear on Rogan‘s podcastor to what extent the confrontation might affect Schaub’s thinking as far as his future in professional MMA is concerned.
At UFC on Fox 13, Junior dos Santos will test the up-and-coming Stipe Miocic, who could earn a title shot with a victory over the former heavyweight champion on Saturday.
It has been 14 months since dos Santos last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 166, …
At UFC on Fox 13, Junior dos Santos will test the up-and-coming Stipe Miocic, who could earn a title shot with a victory over the former heavyweight champion on Saturday.
It has been 14 months since dos Santos last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 166, where he lost his rubber match with current champion Cain Velasquez. Considering he’s not likely to earn a fourth bout with Velasquez any time soon, dos Santos will need some help to get another crack at reclaiming UFC gold.
Miocic, meanwhile, has won three in a row, most recently knocking out Fabio Maldonado in May. Originally scheduled to meet dos Santos at that event in Brazil, Miocic has been rebooked for a contest with Cigano, who will be the biggest test he’s had in MMA.
Regardless of the main event outcome this weekend, dos Santos and Miocic will have spots on the UFC roster. The same can’t be said for some other UFC on Fox 13 competitors. Here are the individuals sitting on the hot seat heading into the event, which will be hosted by Phoenix.
Stefan Struve
A heart condition has prevented Stefan Struve from competing since March 2013. The Skyscraper hasn’t had his hand raised inside the Octagon in over 26 months.
Struve is hardly at fault for his win drought. However, he will still have to prove that his heart condition won’t prevent him from competing at the highest level, especially after having a July bout with Matt Mitrione cancelled when he fainted in the locker room.
While Struve maintained that he did not pass out as a result of his heart condition, it was still a cause for concern. Heaven forbid, but a similar setback leading into Struve’s matchup with Alistair Overeem on Saturday could force him to contemplate retiring at only 26 years old.
Performing poorly this weekend could have a similar result, with Struve debating whether it would be worth risking his health when he can’t compete to the best of his abilities.
Jamie Varner and Drew Dober
With wins over Edson Barboza and Melvin Guillard, Jamie Varner was once on the verge of breaking into the lightweight rankings. Now, he’s lost three in a row and will likely be battling for his UFC job.
In August 2013, Varner suffered a rough split-decision loss to Gleison Tibau. Then, Varner was looking good against Abel Trujillo before getting knocked out. Most recently, Varner fought through a broken ankle against James Krause before the bout was eventually stopped.
Although he’s lost three in a row, Varner was given another opportunity to compete inside the Octagon, likely due to the unreal toughness he showed in that bout with Krause back in May.
Having begun his career with two losses, Drew Dober is a bit lucky to be getting another shot. He won’t be expected to win, but he’ll probably need to do so in order to maintain a roster spot with the world’s top MMA organization.
Being 26 years old, Dober would have time to build himself back up and earn another contract with the big show. Now on the wrong side of 30 years old, Varner needs the win much more in this matchup.
David Michaud and Garett Whiteley
This is a pretty straightforward loser-leaves-town matchup.
David Michaud fell in his May UFC debut against Li Jingliang. More often than not, competitors who begin their UFC career with a 0-2 record are released.
Whiteley was a rare exception to that rule, having fallen to 0-2 inside the Octagon with a decision loss to Vinc Pichel in January. He won’t be so lucky should he suffer another loss against Michaud.
Henry Cejudo
Former Olympic wrestling gold-medal winner Henry Cejudo was supposed to make his UFC debut in August against Scott Jorgensen. However, due to issues with his weight cut, Cejudo was forced to withdraw from that flyweight matchup.
Now set to compete in the bantamweight division, Cejudo will have no excuses for missing the 135-pound mark on Friday.
An upset loss to Dustin Kimura certainly wouldn’t mean the end of Cejudo’s UFC career. However, should he run into troubles at the weigh-in, the UFC brass may decide he’s no longer worth the headaches.
Ian Entwistle
In June, Ian Entwistle made his UFC debut against Dan Hooker. The outing did not go well for Entwistle, who was stopped in the opening round.
As previously mentioned, a 0-2 UFC start often leads to fighters being let go. So, Entwistle will need to bring his best to the Octagon on Saturday.
Facing UFC newcomer Anthony Birchak, Entwistle should have a great opportunity to earn his first UFC victory this weekend.
In a live, face-to-face interview, UFC broadcaster