Bleacher Report’s Cody Slovensky:Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has had one of the greatest careers in MMA history.He burst on to the Pride scene and took it by storm, starting his career with an impressive 19-3 record. Rampage is best known for his “pow…
Bleacher Report’s Cody Slovensky:
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has had one of the greatest careers in MMA history.
He burst on to the Pride scene and took it by storm, starting his career with an impressive 19-3 record. Rampage is best known for his “powerbomb” slam against Ricardo Arona at Pride Critical Countdown 2004.
Rampage defeated Chuck Liddell at UFC 71 for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. He has posted a 6-2 record inside the UFC.
However, to many observers, Jackson hasn’t been “Rampage” since defeating The Iceman.
In the past couple of years, Rampage has been a very marketable person. His personality is very likable and this has led to endorsement and movie deals.
As his showbiz career was taking off, Rampage faced Rashad Evans and put on arguably the worst performance of his career in a decision loss.
Weeks after that, it was announced that he would face Lyoto Machida at UFC 123. Leading up to that fight, Rampage stated that he was going to be the old Rampage. When it came time for the fight, he walked out to the Pride promotion’s old theme song, and you could see the hunger in his eyes. For the first two rounds, Rampage controlled the pace and out-struck Machida, as well as scoring a couple of takedowns. In the end, Rampage received the split-decision win.
UFC heavyweights Frank Mir and Roy Nelson have both seen plenty of success in their respective careers and whoever emerges from their UFC 130 matchup will move either one step closer to a heavyweight title shot. While Nelson has faced his fair sh…
UFC heavyweights Frank Mir and Roy Nelson have both seen plenty of success in their respective careers and whoever emerges from their UFC 130 matchup will move either one step closer to a heavyweight title shot.
While Nelson has faced his fair share of quality competition throughout his career, Mir believes the rotund heavyweight would have a better chance at 205 pounds.
Since trimming down and adding muscle to his frame, Mir considered the idea of moving down to the light heavyweight division prior to his bout against Cheick Kongo at UFC 107.
While he admires the success Nelson has achieved competing in the heavyweight division, Mir is skeptical of “Big Country” and his chances of competing against the upper echelon of the division.
“The whole big belly thing is cool, but I think he will struggle with some of the better heavyweights in the UFC,” Mir said.
Nelson’s most recent loss came at the hands of heavyweight standout Junior Dos Santos at UFC 117, while Mir’s recent losses came up against some of the bigger, stronger guys such as Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin.
It’s those two losses that has Mir believing Nelson’s time will be limited in the heavyweight division.
“He could still beat guys at heavyweight, but will he be an unstoppable force? Nah, he is giving up a lot of height. I can speak from experience, quality size matters.”
Following UFC 125, things don’t seem to sit right with lightweight contender Gray Maynard. Maynard went back and forth with UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar for five rounds, only for the bout to be declared a draw. The final decision didn’t go ov…
Following UFC 125, things don’t seem to sit right with lightweight contender Gray Maynard.
Maynard went back and forth with UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar for five rounds, only for the bout to be declared a draw. The final decision didn’t go over too well with fans or UFC president Dana White, which is why both competitors will headline UFC 130.
Originally, former WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis was slated to face the winner, but after a controversial decision, an immediate rematch was inevitable.
“I beat him two years ago and then it was a draw at UFC 125—this dude has never beaten me. How do I not get to fight him again?” Maynard said in an interview on MMA.Mirror.co.uk.
“I was hurt. Then I got a call from Dana and he was cool as hell. He was like ‘Hey, the fight’s yours.’ I was like ‘Man! Thank you.’”
Maynard went into his title bout against Edgar riding a seven-fight winning streak, holding victories over Nate Diaz, Roger Huerta and Kenny Florian. Maynard already holds a victory over Edgar, and since thier highly contested bout left a bitter taste in his mouth, Maynard is focused on defeating his opponent.
“He’s my whole life now. I wake up and he’s on my mind. I go to sleep and he’s on my mind. I just want to beat him.”
UFC 130 is scheduled for May 28, live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
April 2, 2008, UFC Fight Night: Florian vs Lauzon, we saw Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard fight. In that fight Gray dominated Frankie with his wrestling and took a unanimous decision victory.After that bout Frankie won three in a row including two of tho…
April 2, 2008, UFC Fight Night: Florian vs Lauzon, we saw Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard fight. In that fight Gray dominated Frankie with his wrestling and took a unanimous decision victory.
After that bout Frankie won three in a row including two of those being fight of the night performances and earned a shot to face BJ Penn at UFC 112. Frankie won a very debatable decision and became the new UFC Lightweight Champion and four months later defended it in a rematch with BJ and won a 50-45 unanimous decision.
That win lined up the rematch with Gray Maynard and it took place at UFC 125.
Gray on the other hand after the Edgar fight had to win five fights in a row and earned the number one contender ship by defeating Kenny Florian at UFC 118. Gray is a grinder and all of his bouts after the first Edgar fight went to decision.
He was inconsistent throughout this period, he never lost but had a couple of close decisions. During the streak he kept saying he deserved his title shot and finally after his dominating performance against Florian he was granted his wish, and on New Years Day 2011 it all took place.
The lead up to the second fight was interesting, not much smack talk only respect and confidence on both ends. You could truly see the hunger in the two fighters eyes in interviews and pre-fight press conferences. Many, and I mean about 90 percent of people expected this to be a wrestling match and not be very interesting. Oh, how many were surprised.
Round 1 was interesting. Maynard caught Frankie with a solid shot and that led to one of the most lopsided rounds in UFC history that was not stopped and it is good that it wasn’t stopped because what happened after that 10-8 arguably 10-7 round was just amazing.
Round 2 Frankie came out like an animal and looked like nothing had happened in the previous five minutes and showed his heart and dedication. Frankie landed a big take down and land three times the amount of strikes that Maynard did in that round.
Round 3 was a very close round with Edgar landing just a few more strikes than Maynard, but the two take downs that Maynard landed stole the round for him. At this point Frankie seemed fine and ready to go, but you could clearly tell that Maynard was getting very tired and had punched himself out in the first round.
Round 4 was all Edgar while Round 5 was very close. In the fifth Edgar only landed a couple more shots than Maynard, but Maynard failed on seven take down attempts. The final round was very close but Frankie clearly won that round.
After all was said and done many were curious on how the fight would be scored, but besides that everyone had witnessed one of the greatest title fights in UFC history. The fighters paced around, both thought that they had won this fight and both had a legit claim.
Judge Marcos Rosales scored the bout 48-46 for Edgar. Judge Glenn Trowbridge scored the bout 48-46 for Maynard. Then finally judge Patricia Morse-Jarman scored the bout 47-47, and the bout was declared a draw. You could see the disappointment on both fighters faces as Bruce Buffer made the call.
Post fight, Dana White showed praise for both fighters. The WEC merger had recently taken affect and WEC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis was supposed to face the winner, but with the amazing fight and the draw Dana went against the call and announced that we would see a third fight between Edgar and Maynard.
What to expect in this fight? Many things. Both men really want to be the sole owner of this belt. They will do whatever it takes to get the belt as well. Who will go for the early take downs, who will have the superior striking?
We all know what to expect, but how much will each truly change things up in this fight? Edgar must utilize his speed and counter punching. Maynard is more of a power puncher, but one solid shot can take you out of your element.
The wrestling in the fight will be very interesting. Edgar looked tons better that Maynard in the take down department in the last fight, due to his speed and if he fights to his strength he could and should beat Maynard.
These two warriors were made for each other in the octagon, and this fight will not be a test of skill. This fight will be a test of heart and desire. Odds are this fight will go to decision, but should be very entertaining as well.
What happens to the loser of the bout? Would Frankie drop to 145-lbs and try and challenge Jose Aldo? Would Gray add weight and test Welterweight waters? Gray has been known to walk at over 180-lbs when not fighting, so there are weird scenarios like that.
Odds are if the fight isn’t close or controversial the loser will fight a top 4-5 guy and with one or two wins will be back in the title picture, but this is MMA anything is possible.
Be sure to check out UFC 130 on May 28, 2011 live on pay per view.
The recent bad blood between rivals Urijah Faber and UFC bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz has certainly been well-documented.Both competitors will headline UFC 132, when they meet in a rematch from WEC 26, to determine the newly crowned bantamweigh…
The recent bad blood between rivals Urijah Faber and UFC bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz has certainly been well-documented.
Both competitors will headline UFC 132, when they meet in a rematch from WEC 26, to determine the newly crowned bantamweight champion.
While appearing as a guest on MMA Fight Corner Radio, Faber did not hold anything back when discussing his opponent. In fact, the former WEC featherweight champion used as little dialogue as possible
“Immature,” Faber said when asked on describing his opponent.
The last time both men competed, Faber picked up the victory, submitting Cruz via guillotine choke.
Since failing to recapture his featherweight title against Mike Thomas Brown and current title holder Jose Aldo, Faber recently moved down to bantamweight and made his debut at UFC 128.
Faber defeated Eddie Wineland via unanimous decision and following the bout he proceeded to call out his rival, Cruz.
The win ultimately earned Faber a title shot against Cruz, scheduled for this summer.
Faber continued to speak of his disdain for Cruz, and while he isn’t one to trash-talk or belittle his opponents, “The California Kid” said he respects the bantamweight champion, but he wouldn’t consider him a friend.
“I was forced to spend some time with him this last week with the Marines in Camp Pendleton in San Diego and it was fun,” Faber said.
“He can actually take a joke, and we were at each other’s throat a little bit at the beginning there. He’s a decent guy, but he has a lot of growing up to do, and me beating him up is going to be part of that process.”
UFC 132 is scheduled for July 2nd, live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It looks like Antonio Rogerio Nogueria will be receiving some assistance from training partner Anderson Silva, in preparation for a light heavyweight bout against Rich Franklin at UFC 133. Should Nogueira defeat the former UFC middleweight champio…
It looks like Antonio Rogerio Nogueria will be receiving some assistance from training partner Anderson Silva, in preparation for a light heavyweight bout against Rich Franklin at UFC 133.
Should Nogueira defeat the former UFC middleweight champion, his boxing coach Luis Dorea feels a big opportunity lies ahead for him.
“He is among the best, so our dream, our target is one day to fight for the title. Rich Franklin is the way to reach the title. This fight is very well matched because he is a man who likes to fight, right? He fights, gives show and doesn’t get into the tied game. He trades, is aggressive on the mat, standing. The game fits well,” Dorea told FightersOnly Magazine.
Franklin has built a solid resume, since moving to light heavyweight, holding notable victories over Wanderlei Silva, Matt Hamill and Chuck Liddell. As a result, Franklin is looked at as a respected veteran in the sport. Nogueira could be another one of the more established names added to Franklin’s resume after UFC 133.
However, Noguiera will have an advantage over Franklin strategically, as he will bring in the last man to defeat Franklin at middleweight, Anderson Silva. Dorea said the addition will help Nogueira earn a victory over his opponent.
“This is something normal, they always train together. In this fight, as in all the others, we’re with everything set, helping each other, and certainly Anderson will pass on all the situations of how Nogueira has to behave… He’ll help so much,” Dorea said.
UFC 133 is set to place on August 6th, live from Philadelphia.
