Tag: quick quote

Blackhouse Coach Says Next Fight For Anderson Silva Should Be “Against GSP”

Following this past weekends UFC 149 event in Calgary, there remains no clear cut contender for the middleweight title, with many fighters in the division doing their best to jockey for the No. 1 position in order to challenge UFC champion Anderson Silva. If that wasn’t enough to make UFC match makers crazy, one of […]

Anderson Silva (left) reacts to being declared the winner in his fight against Chael Sonnen (white shirt, right) after their UFC middleweight championship bout at UFC 148 inside MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 7, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges via UFC.com)

Following this past weekends UFC 149 event in Calgary, there remains no clear cut contender for the middleweight title, with many fighters in the division doing their best to jockey for the No. 1 position in order to challenge UFC champion Anderson Silva.

If that wasn’t enough to make UFC match makers crazy, one of the managers in Anderson Silva’s camp has come out to muddy the waters even more by saying the only fight that makes sense is a “catchweight” fight versus UFC welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre.

Blackhouse founder, and Gracie Jiu-jitsu black belt, Jorge Guimaraes spoke to Tatame.com about who ‘The Spider’ should face next.

“That’s a big joke,” Silva’s manager, Jorge Guimaraes, said about Chris Weidman, Tim Boetsch and Alan Belcher’s challenges. “Everybody saw that it worked for Chael, and he got really famous with that, and now everybody wants to be on the spotlight”.

The manager believes that only one fight makes sense for the middleweight champion right now, and it’s not on the middleweight division.

“No opponent makes sense for Anderson at this moment. Unless we do a catchweight against Georges St. Pierre,” he suggests. “They didn’t offer the fight, but he’s the only one that could do a super fight. Anderson has the biggest paycheck in the UFC, and you can’t promote an event with these amateur kids that are coming up now”.

St-Pierre is busy recovering from knee surgery in preparation for his return to the Octagon to face UFC interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit this fall.

If a fight between Silva and St-Pierre were to go down a lot would have to happen, putting a bout like this a long ways down the road. St-Pierre has stated in the past that if he ever fought Silva, he’d have to put on more size as he walked around near the 185-lbs limit for middleweight.

It’s more likely that Silva and his camp are simply posturing, as has been done in the past, to force Dana White and the UFC to ante up an even bigger payday for ‘The Spider’s’ next match.

“Frank Mir Is Going To Introduce Me To The UFC Fans,” Strikeforce GP Winner Daniel Cormier

With Wednesday nights late announcement, we now know who Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion Daniel Cormier (10-0) will face for his final bout inside the Strikeforce cage. Former two-time UFC champion Frank Mir (16-6) has agreed to cross promotions to face Cormier with the two meeting on SHOWTIME. In an interview with MMAWeekly.com, Cormier saw […]

Daniel Cormier with the Strikeforce Grand Prix title – Photo via Strikeforce.com

With Wednesday nights late announcement, we now know who Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion Daniel Cormier (10-0) will face for his final bout inside the Strikeforce cage.

Former two-time UFC champion Frank Mir (16-6) has agreed to cross promotions to face Cormier with the two meeting on SHOWTIME.

In an interview with MMAWeekly.com, Cormier saw this as a great way to get introduced “to the UFC fans,” by facing a top 10 fighter and former champion. The former Olympic wrestler was also quick to note the similarities between Mir and his last opponent, Josh Barnett whom he beat by decision last May, feeling that Barnett was the more dangerous of the two.

“The reality is Frank Mir is a guy people from the UFC know, he’s been a champion, he’s always around the top of the sport. Frank Mir is going to introduce me to the UFC fans a little bit more than I would fighting a different guy,” said Cormier.

“There’s no motivation like fighting a champion. I respect Frank, the fight’s very similar to Josh Barnett. I think Josh Barnett is better,” Cormier revealed.

“No disrespect to Frank, but I think Josh is better and I’m going to train as if I’m fighting Josh Barnett again, and let’s see how this fight plays out.”

Both Cormier and Mir will meet this October at an as-of-yet-to-be-announced Strikeforce event, vice September 29 as was tentatively scheduled. The September date was changed likely, as it conflicted with the upcoming UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs. Miocic in England.

UFC Middleweights Take To Twitter To Call For No. 1 Contender Bouts

With UFC 149 concluding this past weekend in Calgary, Alberta with no clear contenders for Anderson Silva’s UFC title, many fighters are attempting to take matters in their own hands by calling out opponents who could get them that shot. Former UFC champion Vitor ‘The Phenom’ Belfort (21-9) took to Twitter (@vitorbelfort) to call out […]

Vitor Belfort

With UFC 149 concluding this past weekend in Calgary, Alberta with no clear contenders for Anderson Silva’s UFC title, many fighters are attempting to take matters in their own hands by calling out opponents who could get them that shot.

Former UFC champion Vitor ‘The Phenom’ Belfort (21-9) took to Twitter (@vitorbelfort) to call out recent FUEL TV winner Chris Weidman (9-0).

Guys I spoke to joe silva and ask to fight with the top contender #weidman here in brasil so I think this is the fight that will credence me to a title fight so that is what happened. I want the belt but I am not desperate I think weidman is the next for the belt, but Anderson silva deserve to see who is next .So let`s make this fight the next #contender belfort vs weidman the next contender for #andersonsilva

It didn’t take long for Weidman to respond on Twitter (@ChrisWeidman) by telling ‘The Phenom’ that he already had his shot at Silva and that “now is my time.”

Love ya @vitorbelfort but you already had your shot at the belt and Im sure u will have another in the future.Rt now is my time though

Another middleweight fighter is also getting into the mix, with Alan ‘The Talent’ Belcher (18-6) calling out Belfort, going so far as to say he’d face the former champ in his own country of Brazil at UFC 153 in October.

I will fight anyone.although I want to fight someone who will challenge me!I want to fight @vitorbelfort in his home country in October #UFC

Hey guys,help me get the word 2 Dana & Lorenzo,this fight should happen w ur help.include there names & #belcher4champ #talentvsphenom

Belfort has won two in a row since being knocked out in spectacular fashion by ‘The Spider’ back in February 2011 in the main event of UFC 126. ‘The Phenom’ then went on to stop Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133 by knockout and then Anthony Johnson at UFC 142 by submission.

Weidman is so far undefeated as a pro, going 9-0 with five of those victories inside the Octagon. Earlier this month he stopped Mark Munoz in memorable fashion in the main event of UFC on FUEL TV 4, slipping a right hand from ‘The Filipino Wrecking Machine’ to land an elbow to finish his opponent by knockout.

Belcher has won four straight and is 6-1 in his last seven Octagon appearances. He most recently took down Rousimar Palhares at UFC on FOX 3, diving into the deep end with the leg lock specialist to finish the Brazilian by first round TKO. The other victories in his current win streak also include stoppages against Jason MacDonald, Patrick Cote, and Wilson Gouveia.

Hector Lombard Staying At Middleweight Despite UFC 149 Loss

The much anticipated Octagon debut of former Bellator middleweight champ Hector Lombard (31-3-1, 1NC) was certainly a let down for many fans who were expecting to see fireworks versus Tim Boetsch in the co-main event of UFC 149 this past weekend in Calgary, Alberta. Both fighters employed a conservative approach to the fight preferring to […]

Hector Lombard enters the Octagon prior to facing Tim Boetsch during their middleweight bout at UFC 149 inside the Scotiabank Saddledome on July 21, 2012 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Nick Laham via UFC.com)

The much anticipated Octagon debut of former Bellator middleweight champ Hector Lombard (31-3-1, 1NC) was certainly a let down for many fans who were expecting to see fireworks versus Tim Boetsch in the co-main event of UFC 149 this past weekend in Calgary, Alberta.

Both fighters employed a conservative approach to the fight preferring to keep each other at a distance than looking for a finish. The match ended in a split decision for Boetsch with fans at the Scotiabank Saddledome booing for much of the three rounds.

Despite the disappointing performance, and a call by UFC president Dana White at the post fight press conference for Lombard to drop down to welterweight, the Cuban born fighter plans on competing at 185-lbs.

Taking to Twitter (@HectorLombard) to apologize to fans for the fight, Lombard also had this to say about changing weight classes.

– I feel strong at 185 just because I had a bad fight does not mean that I am going to drop to 170

The loss to Boetsch ended a twenty-five bout undefeated streak which included nineteen finishes by either knockout or submission.

Word From Dana White “Tim (Sylvia) Is Not With Zuffa,” It’s “Never A Fact Unless I Say It Is”

Keeping with the theme of the previous post, another match that was recently announced appears to be nothing but a rumor. On Friday, news broke that former UFC heavyweight champ Tim ‘The Maine-iac’ Sylvia (31-7) had been re-signed by Zuffa and would face undefeated Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament winner Daniel Cormier (10-0) this September. […]

(Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images North America)

Keeping with the theme of the previous post, another match that was recently announced appears to be nothing but a rumor.

On Friday, news broke that former UFC heavyweight champ Tim ‘The Maine-iac’ Sylvia (31-7) had been re-signed by Zuffa and would face undefeated Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament winner Daniel Cormier (10-0) this September.

Now word comes from Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White who says that Zuffa has not signed Sylvia in an exclusive with The Underground.

However, this appears to not be the case. White said the signing was never announced, and that “long story, but yes, Tim is not with Zuffa.”

White received criticism earlier today, as he had told the media that Tim Sylvia was not an option to fight Cormier, before today’s news of Sylvia’s signing broke online

But, as is usually the case with rumors, in the words of White himself: “Never a FACT unless I say it is.”

There may still be some truth to the rumor, with White confirming that Sylvia has not been re-signed by Zuffa, it may mean that ‘The Maine-iac’ has instead signed with SHOWTIME for the fight with Cormier.

Regardless, Cormier is expected to compete for the last time with Strikeforce on September 29, 2012 at the Power Balance Pavilion in Sacremento, California.

Ben Saunders Using Losses To Become A Better Fighter

Bellator welterweight Ben ‘Killa B’ Saunders (13-5-2) is set to return this weekend as part of Bellator 72 versus opponent Brian Warren in a 178-lbs catchweight bout. Saunders is hoping that a win for him in Tampa, Florida will earn him a spot in this falls upcoming Season Seven Welterweight Tournament. ‘Killa B’ has already […]

Ben Saunders

Bellator welterweight Ben ‘Killa B’ Saunders (13-5-2) is set to return this weekend as part of Bellator 72 versus opponent Brian Warren in a 178-lbs catchweight bout.

Saunders is hoping that a win for him in Tampa, Florida will earn him a spot in this falls upcoming Season Seven Welterweight Tournament.

‘Killa B’ has already competed in two previous Bellator tournaments, losing to Douglas Lima in the Season Five Finals, and to Bryan Baker this past May in the Season Six semifinals.

As a guest on MMAjunkie.com Radio, Saunders explains his philosophy on losing and his hopes at capturing his first world title.

“I’d say every loss I’ve ever had is a different story,” Saunders said. “At the end of the day, it really just comes down to I’m gaining lots of experience out there. People say time and time again you learn more from a loss than a win. But I’ll say it’s only a loss if you don’t learn form it. I I learn from everything I do.

“Even if I’m out here destroying someone, I wonder why I couldn’t finish faster. When I go through a loss, I’m even more critical upon myself. You live and learn. It’s a crazy fight game, and if this was easy everyone would be doing it. That’s not the case, so it’s just staying strong mentally, believing in your skills and preparing yourself every day to go into battle with someone as good or better. You’ve got to make it happen and come out on top.”