UFC on Fox 3: Diaz vs. Miller Live Streaming Post-Fight Press Conference

Shortly after lightweights Nate Diaz and Jim Miller square off inside the Octagon, many of the UFC on Fox 3 competitors will join UFC president Dana White at the event’s post-fight press conference.  In addition …

Shortly after lightweights Nate Diaz and Jim Miller square off inside the Octagon, many of the UFC on Fox 3 competitors will join UFC president Dana White at the event’s post-fight press conference. 

In addition to what should be an electrifying main event, Saturday’s event at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. will also feature a bout between welterweight contenders Johny Hendricks and Josh Koscheck that could determine the next title contender in the 170-pound division.

Also, middleweights Rousimar Palhares and Alan Belcher will attempt to take one step closer to a title shot. Both on impressive three-fight winning streaks, many believe Palhares and Belcher have what it takes to rise to the top of the 185-pound division if given the opportunity.

Additionally, hard-hitting heavyweights Pat Barry and Lavar Johnson will throw down in a matchup that could produce fireworks. Both fighters are coming off of explosive knockout victories and will be looking to earn a win in similar fashion on Saturday night.

A live streaming feed of the post-fight press conference will be available on the below video player not long after UFC on Fox 3 comes to an end. After the presser, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for the rest of your MMA needs.

 

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA,

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UFC on Fox 3 Fight Predictions: Josh Koscheck vs. Johny Hendricks

The classic old vs. new matchup will be center stage when Johny Hendricks faces off against Josh Koscheck at the UFC on Fox 3 event. Koscheck has been around the UFC since the original Ultimate Fighter and has become the ultimate villain to many UFC fa…

The classic old vs. new matchup will be center stage when Johny Hendricks faces off against Josh Koscheck at the UFC on Fox 3 event.

Koscheck has been around the UFC since the original Ultimate Fighter and has become the ultimate villain to many UFC fans. Kos entered the UFC as a one-dimensional wrestler but has since transformed his game into a well balanced machine.

Hendricks entered the UFC much in the same way as his opponent. He’s one of the most accomplished collegiate wrestlers to enter MMA and has used the dynamite in his hands to defeat his foes. His last bout was one of the biggest shocks in MMA in 2011 as he defeated Jon Fitch with a single punch.

Although Kos has become well rounded, he’s seemingly forgot what brought him to the dance. Abandoning his wrestling skills, Koscheck has chosen now to focus on his striking. Other than neglecting his best skill set, Koscheck also relies too much on his power strikes. He does have power but unfortunately doesn’t set his strikes up to land them.

We’ve also seen holes in his striking defense as Matt Hughes and Mike Pierce were both able to get through Kos’ defense. I’ll give Kos a pass with the Hughes bout as it was his first time back from eye surgery and he was likely nervous to take a punch from a four-oz glove. But he looked rather lethargic in his bout with Pierce.

While Koscheck has looked slower and slower each time he comes out, Hendricks continues to build momentum. The Fitch win set him up for great things moving forward if he can get past Koscheck. UFC President Dana White recently let it be known that if Hendricks wins, a UFC title shot will be in the Oklahoma State grad’s future.

The way I see this fight playing out is Koscheck attempting to work his more diverse strikes with Hendricks looking to land a heavy counter. Near the end of round one, look for either man to shoot for a takedown in order to secure the round on points.

I don’t see Koscheck being able to take Hendricks down as Hendricks’ wrestling skills are likely better at this point in Kos’ career. Hendricks has the better wrestling skills and has more power in his hands but will need to set up his power punches.

It’s nice to knock a guy out with a single punch, but let’s hope Hendricks hasn’t gotten punch-happy and wings power shots without setting them up. If Georges St-Pierre can beat Koscheck for five rounds with just a jab, I’ve got to believe Hendricks can at the very least wobble Kos with his power.

Look for Koscheck to get rocked and Hendricks to swarm him for another great finish for the rising welterweight star.

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Jon Jones Reveals His Toughest Opponent, and It Isn’t Evans or Machida

Who is the toughest opponent Jon Jones has faced in his MMA career?If you answered Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida or Quinton Jackson, you would be wrong. Other than helping him break a good sweat, none of these fighters pushed Jones to the limit.There is …

Who is the toughest opponent Jon Jones has faced in his MMA career?

If you answered Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida or Quinton Jackson, you would be wrong. Other than helping him break a good sweat, none of these fighters pushed Jones to the limit.

There is one fighter that pushed Jones farther and harder than he’s ever gone. This man has never been a world champion or even a light heavyweight contender, but no one has ever questioned his heart and determination.

According to Jones, the toughest opponent he has ever faced is none other than The Ultimate Fighter Season One runner-up Stephan Bonnar.

“The toughest opponent, up to this point, would have to have been Stephan Bonnar,” Jones said in an interview on Spike TV’s MMA Uncensored Live. “He pushed me to the limits. I hit him hard, and he kept coming with relentlessness.”

Granted, Jones was still rough around the edges at the time, but Bonnar’s resilience and constant pressure made for an intriguing bout.

A couple of the judges even scored the third round for Bonnar.

It was a bout that really highlighted the cardio concerns about Jones, who could hardly stand in the final round. There is no question Bonnar was treated as a grappling dummy in the first couple of rounds, but his heart shined through in the end.

With that said, there really isn’t anything to take from that particular fight other than a gutsy performance from Bonnar. Since growing under the tutelage of Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn, Jones’ conditioning woes have become a distant memory.

Still, one can’t help but wonder.

Does Jones truly consider Bonnar his toughest foe to date, or could he be playing mind games in an attempt to psyche out the rest of the division?

 

Looking for some more MMA news, and perhaps a couple of laughs? Follow me on Twitter @JordyMcElroy.

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UFC Expands Its Reach as Vermont Passes MMA Regulation

Vermont is the latest state in the U.S. to regulate MMA. According to UFC officials, lawmakers in the “Green Mountain State” have passed a bill to regulate the sport in their state. UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta was naturally enthus…

Vermont is the latest state in the U.S. to regulate MMA.

According to UFC officials, lawmakers in the “Green Mountain State” have passed a bill to regulate the sport in their state. UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta was naturally enthusiastic about this move.

Vermont’s legislation of the sport of MMA is further evidence of the continued growth and success of our sport in this country. We are pleased that fans in Vermont will now have the opportunity to watch a live UFC event in their own backyard, and look forward to making that happen.

Vermont is now the 46th state to regulate MMA out of 48 states with the necessary regulatory bodies to do so. Of those states, the sport remains unregulated only in New York and Connecticut.

Vermont is one of the least-populated states, and only Wyoming—who also voted to regulate MMA this year—has a lower population. Because of this, Vermont’s decision doesn’t exactly mean major events will be hosted in the state any time soon.

Nevertheless, this move comes as a welcome addition to the growing body of states with regulatory boards for MMA. The UFC has spent a great amount of time and energy building its presence by lobbying for state regulation, and the past two years alone have seen similar legislation in Wyoming, West Virginia and Alabama.

This also places more pressure on New York, which has been the target of the strongest push by the UFC to adopt regulation.

Furthermore, the UFC’s recent increase of Fight Nights on network television means states like Vermont have better chances to host smaller events. This is likely a better opportunity for the UFC, however, which has been working hard to drive expansion not only through more options for fight locations but through network television as well.

Vermont’s decision to regulate MMA, then, means the UFC will have more options for this expansion, whether it decides to host fights in the state or simply build a stronger regional and national presence.

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The Ultimate Fighter Live: Preview and Predictions for Second Round

The Ultimate Fighter: Live concluded its first round yesterday, which saw Team Faber run its team record to 5-3, effectively beating Team Cruz. Now, the second round begins, with fighters fighting to make the semifinals.Both teams have their respective…

The Ultimate Fighter: Live concluded its first round yesterday, which saw Team Faber run its team record to 5-3, effectively beating Team Cruz. Now, the second round begins, with fighters fighting to make the semifinals.

Both teams have their respective top picks still in the mix, and they are undoubtedly the favorites from here on out. Dana White already announced the first two matchups on last night’s show, so we have an idea who will be fighting who.

Let’s take a dive into this round and preview the possible outcomes.

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What Options Does the UFC Have for Alistair Overeem When He Returns?

The Nevada State Athletic Commission denied Alistair Overeem’s license on April 24 due to elevated testosterone levels. This was well documented.UFC President Dana White has spoken to the media recently about how Overeem lied to his face. Tha…

The Nevada State Athletic Commission denied Alistair Overeem’s license on April 24 due to elevated testosterone levels. This was well documented.

UFC President Dana White has spoken to the media recently about how Overeem lied to his face. That set a fire under White’s backside. It is clear that the heavyweight has struck a nerve with the brass.

Instead of a 12-month ban, the superstar heavyweight was given a generous nine-month wait where he can then re-apply for a license.

But then what?

The UFC is still contemplating how they will respond to the 14:1 ratio and the subsequent fallout that has had the UFC searching for replacement after replacement for UFC 146.

These are their options.

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