Tag: quick quote

‘Little Nog’ Nogueira Will Look For The Knockout Win Versus Gustaffson At UFC Sweden

UFC light heavyweight Antônio Rogério ‘Little Nog’ Nogueira is looking to make it two victories in a row this coming April at the UFC on FUEL TV 2 event by knocking out hometown hero Alexander Gustafsson at the Swedish show. The two headline the second FUEL TV event, set for April 14, 2012 at the […]

UFC light heavyweight Antônio Rogério ‘Little Nog’ Nogueira is looking to make it two victories in a row this coming April at the UFC on FUEL TV 2 event by knocking out hometown hero Alexander Gustafsson at the Swedish show.

The two headline the second FUEL TV event, set for April 14, 2012 at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.

Speaking to Tatame.com, Nogueira is happy to face a striker and feels his “counter attack” will help earn him the knockout versus Gustafsson.

You’re fighting in Sweden. You’ve asked for a striker and UFC gave you one.
That’s right. I train harder when I’m fighting a striker, I really like training Muay Thai, Boxing. I guess I can do a good fight. I’m a good fighter in the end of the fights, I can hold my impulse and do better later, I was born a counter attacker and that’s how I have greater chances to get the knockout. Tito Ortiz came to strike against me, and I got the knockout. Cane tried to sant-up and I got to knock him out. I can do a good fight against striker. It’s not because I don’t know Wrestling. Yes, I’m actually a lot better defending the takedowns, after I left Pride I had to adjust because the rules and the cage are different. I guess I can fight anywhere, but I rather stand-up because fans dig the knockouts and I’m a fighter who likes giving the KO to the fans.

UFC is promoting its first event in Sweden and you’re fighting in the main event of the evening. What do you think about that?
I can’t complain about UFC. They’re being good for me, I did a co-main event against Phil Davis and now against Tito Ortiz it was supposed to be the co-main event, but then they matched Lyoto up (with Jon Jones) and it was the third fight, but it’s really a big fight, almost a co-main event. Now they really know what I’m capable of and they’re really proving that and I’ll have to prove them right. I have great responsibility and I know my talent, I know what I can do, so let’s bet on my experience. I’m much more experience, I have a bigger name and I’ll bet on my name to bring this win home.

‘Little Nog’ is 1-2 in his last three, earning a first round TKO victory over Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 last December. The Brazilian used body shots to finish the former UFC champ at the Toronto show. Nogueira’s losses were to Phil Davis at UFN 24 and to Ryan Bader at UFC 119 putting his overall Octagon record at 3-2.

Chris Weidman’s Coach Says His Fighter “Broke” Demian Maia’s Will On Saturday Night

UFC middleweight fighter Chris Weidman (8-0) stepped in on ten days notice this past Saturday night (January 28, 2012) to face submission ace Demian Maia on the main card of UFC on FOX 2. Besides having little time to prepare for the fight, Weidman also dropped over thirty pounds to make weight for the fight. […]

Photo by Rey Del Rio for FOXSports.com

UFC middleweight fighter Chris Weidman (8-0) stepped in on ten days notice this past Saturday night (January 28, 2012) to face submission ace Demian Maia on the main card of UFC on FOX 2.

Besides having little time to prepare for the fight, Weidman also dropped over thirty pounds to make weight for the fight. Despite all of this adversity, Weidman would walk away the unanimous decision.

Coach Ray Longo, the striking coach of the Serra-Longo Fight Team, says his fighter “broke” Maia mentally and creating doubt in the Brazilian which would eventually lead to his loss.

Longo explained his theory this past Monday on “The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo” (hit play to listen to the whole podcast).

“If I’m in Maia’s corner, I’m telling him to press the action right away and see what Weidman has in the gas tank. You have to be in there, but I think Demian Maia felt something from Chris Weidman that broke him, that gave him a slight hesitation not to push. I think Weidman was potshotting him from the outside in the first round and maybe it made Maia think, “Maybe this guy has more gas that I think. ” Really, how is Maia going to beat him? If Weidman had a healthy camp, he may have walked through this guy.”

Also on the line with host Ranallo were Chuck Mindenhall of ESPN.com and Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Check that podcast and more at theScore.com

Former UFC Champ Matt Hughes Says Retirement Up To Dana White

Former UFC welterweight champion, and current UFC Hall of Famer, Matt Hughes (45-9) is currently on a two fight losing skid, suffering first round knockout losses to Josh Koscheck at UFC 135 and to BJ Penn at UFC 123. After the defeat to Koscheck, Hughes said he was going to evaluate his future as a […]

Former UFC welterweight champion, and current UFC Hall of Famer, Matt Hughes (45-9) is currently on a two fight losing skid, suffering first round knockout losses to Josh Koscheck at UFC 135 and to BJ Penn at UFC 123.

After the defeat to Koscheck, Hughes said he was going to evaluate his future as a fighter, even considering hanging up the gloves to join the likes of other former champions such as Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture in retirement.

Hughes was on hand at the United Center for last nights UFC on FOX 2 show in Chicago, Ill. and took a few moments to speak to reporter Ariel Helwani who asked about the former champions future plans.

“I want to fight again. My wife tells me I’m going to retire. Dana (White) is the deciding vote and we’ll talk with him to see what happens…I haven’t talked to him tonight so I don’t know yet to be honest.”

Helwani responds by inquiring about his wife’s thoughts asking whether or not she should be one to help make that final decision, noting that “happy life, happy wife.”

“No I think Dana can be the final decision maker. My wife is a great lady but she is not going to tell me when Matt Hughes retires.”

If he fights again, when could fans expect to see him in the Octagon again.

“I’m just hoping that I can fight next. We’ll see what happens, and I’m not scouting anybody out. I’m just hoping the opportunity is still there…As soon as this ole’body can get back in shape I’d love to jump back in there. That’s another question he’ll (White) will answer for me.”

Hughes last held the UFC welterweight title back in November 2006 when he faced Georges St-Pierre at UFC 65. GSP would go on to win via second round TKO to take the title from Hughes.

Former MFC Champ Antonio McKee Says Failed Weight Cut Due To Him “Blacking Out”

This past Thursday saw another well known mixed martial arts personality suffer from a bad weight cut, as former Maximum Fighting Championship lightweight title holder Antonio ‘Mandingo’ McKee (27-4-2) hit the scales seven pounds over the 155-lbs limit for his MFC 32 bout versus Brian Cobb. McKee was stripped of his title by MFC President […]

This past Thursday saw another well known mixed martial arts personality suffer from a bad weight cut, as former Maximum Fighting Championship lightweight title holder Antonio ‘Mandingo’ McKee (27-4-2) hit the scales seven pounds over the 155-lbs limit for his MFC 32 bout versus Brian Cobb.

McKee was stripped of his title by MFC President Mark Pavelich, and, like Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson who is fresh on everyone’s mind after coming in 11-lbs over for his middleweight debut, was cut from the promotion following his bout versus Cobb.

There was some rumbling on various multimedia sites that McKee had failed the weight cut on purpose as a slight to the MFC boss.

McKee took to Facebook (@antoniomckee) to explain his side of the story, saying that he was “blackin out and having internal problems.” Which would certainly be a health issue that would require McKee to rehydrate immediately.

Here’s his full statement:

My body comp. has really changed in the last 6 months or so. I was at 3% bodyfat and was blackin out and having internal problems..just couldnt cut anymore. I am a natural athlete and do not rely on chemicals or any other substances to get myself prepared for battle. I take my job seriously but I can only do so much. Unfortunately, its the unprofessional nature of hot head Pavelich who is taking the hit for the nation my friend! Its not me! I love fighting in CANADA!!! and no worries, I’ll be back… the MFC fucked around and helped boost my stock!!! I have a keen INSTINCT that my AGGRESSION will properly be put to the test in a ring NEARBY SOON! MUCH LOVE

McKee also addressed his recent firing by Pavelich in an interview with The Joe Show for those interested in hearing more of ‘Mandingo’s’ side of the story.

On Friday night, McKee earned his twenty-seventh pro-victory by earning a unanimous decision over Cobb at the MFC 32 event.

Dana White Says Door Not Closed To Anthony Johnson, But He’ll Have To Win Somewhere Else First

Former UFC welterweight, and one time failed middleweight fighter, Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson was cut loose by the promotion shortly after his loss to Vitor Belfort at UFC 142 earlier this month. Johnson, who had been heavily criticized for missing weight at 170-pounds several times, failed to make weight for his middleweight debut stepping on the […]

Anthony Johnson (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Former UFC welterweight, and one time failed middleweight fighter, Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson was cut loose by the promotion shortly after his loss to Vitor Belfort at UFC 142 earlier this month.

Johnson, who had been heavily criticized for missing weight at 170-pounds several times, failed to make weight for his middleweight debut stepping on the scales 11-pounds overweight for the 185-lbs division. At the post fight press conference for the event, UFC president Dana White announced Johnson’s dismissal to the press.

On Thursday, during the UFC on FOX 2 pre-fight press conference, the media had a chance to ask White if ‘Rumble’ was truly banished from the top promotion.

“He needs to go fight somewhere else, get some wins, come in on weight,” White said of Johnson. “He needs to prove to me that he can be a professional, show up on weight and do the things he needs to do. If he does, we can talk.”

White was also asked about another top fighter at 185-lbs who was set free last March in Nate Marquardt, who had issues with high testosterone levels and was released from the UFC on weigh-in day.

The UFC president appeared to soften his stance saying “We’ll see what happens.”

As we’ve seen with other fighters in the past who have had their issues with the promotion and it’s president, such as Tito Ortiz and most recently Miguel Torres, “time heals all wounds.”

Quote via MMAFighting.com

“I Have A Belly, I’m Fat…But I’m Always In Good Shape,” UFC Heavyweight Mike Russow

UFC heavyweight Mike Russow (14-1, 1NC) is not one of those imposing fighters who possesses a Herculean physique such as one of his former opponents Todd Duffee. The fighter called himself “fat” in a recent interview with UFC.com. Despite those comments, Russow doesn’t actually appear that overweight as this video shows from Wednesday’s open workouts. […]

UFC heavyweight Mike Russow (14-1, 1NC) is not one of those imposing fighters who possesses a Herculean physique such as one of his former opponents Todd Duffee. The fighter called himself “fat” in a recent interview with UFC.com.

Despite those comments, Russow doesn’t actually appear that overweight as this video shows from Wednesday’s open workouts. What Russow does posses though, is the ability to finish opponents while standing or on the ground having earned four wins by (T)KO and eight by submission over his pro career.

Russow showed of his knockout power by finishing Duffee at UFC 114 with a memorable finish in the third round, and most recently stopped Jon Madsen at UFN 24 via TKO.

He currently is riding a ten fight win streak into this Saturday’s UFC on FOX 2 event in his hometown of Chicago, and is set to meet Norwegian submission expert John Olav Einemo on the nights prelim card.

“I have been able to stay in shape,” states Russow. “I took a week off after UFC 136 just because that was a long camp, but since then I’ve been pretty much going full-time. We’ve really picked up the sprints and doing more running than we did in the last camp. The intensity has been higher, the workouts have been harder, and conditioning wise, I think I was in great shape last time, but this time we started doing sprints and stuff about six weeks out instead of waiting until four weeks. We’ve done a lot of sprints and running for this camp, which is something we always do, but we’ve been having some real hard workouts and started it out earlier, so I think I’m going to be in even better shape. I always think my conditioning is pretty good. I have a belly, I’m fat and some people see that, but I’m always in good shape. I think as I’m getting older and we’re doing these camps I think we’re tweaking them and being smarter about the way we do things. I think I’m in the best shape right now. I hope that it pays off and I have a ton of energy and hopefully we put on an exciting fight.”

“I think (Einemo)’s a very tough opponent,” asserts Russow. “Obviously, his grappling is something to look out for because he’s a world champion. That’s one of the main concerns we really have focused on for this camp – he’s very dangerous on the ground. Even if I take him to the ground or if he takes me down – he’s dangerous. That’s what he’s good at. But from what I’ve seen from him on the tapes, he tries to throw the hard punches too. He likes to throw hard and straight punches. He throws a good 1-2. A lot of times, he likes to lead off with his right hand. He likes to stand on the feet. In the Dave Herman fight, he only took him down like once and the rest of the time they fought on their feet. I definitely think I can get the takedowns on him. That is my goal to get the takedowns and once I get him down to stay in good position.”