Tag: Rankings/List

UFC 180 Results: 3 Fights for Fabricio Werdum to Take Next

Heading into UFC 180’s main event between Fabricio Werdum and Mark Hunt, the smart money was certainly on the Brazilian. “Vai Cavalo” wasn’t just physically and mentally more prepared, he also presented significant matchup issue…

Heading into UFC 180’s main event between Fabricio Werdum and Mark Hunt, the smart money was certainly on the Brazilian. “Vai Cavalo” wasn’t just physically and mentally more prepared, he also presented significant matchup issues for the Kiwi.

How the fight actually unfolded was a little surprising, though. Despite the knockout, Werdum wasn’t as competitive on the feet as some had anticipated. He looked hesitant from the opening bell, and each right hand from Hunt only reinforced his hesitance.

Even when the fight went to the floor, Werdum didn’t get an awful lot done with his ordinarily potent guard. In fairness, Hunt did a surprisingly good job of keeping the Brazilian pinned against the cage, limiting his offensive options.

When Werdum eventually landed the knee that signaled the beginning of the end of Hunt’s interim title bid, it’s fair to say that it was against the run of play.

“Outclassed” is too strong a word for what happened prior to the knee, but Hunt was winning the fight, and it wasn’t particularly close. This should be cause for concern for anyone who believed Werdum had a realistic shot against Cain Velasquez.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the immediate options for the UFC’s new interim heavyweight champion.

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7 UFC Newcomers Sure to Shine in 2015

The UFC is a tactical organization.
The company’s efforts are often thrust under a public microscope, and rightfully so. With millions of dollars at stake, they must make the right moves.
In the process of writing checks, signing new talent and showcas…

The UFC is a tactical organization.

The company’s efforts are often thrust under a public microscope, and rightfully so. With millions of dollars at stake, they must make the right moves.

In the process of writing checks, signing new talent and showcasing them to the masses, the UFC is consistently in a state of wait and see.

From young prospects to savvy veterans, well-crafted disciplines to natural athleticism, the plethora of UFC additions are as different as they are unpredictable.

The gamble is certainly worth it for the largest mixed martial arts promotion in the world, as the payoff of a superstar is sometimes priceless.

Here are seven organizational newcomers who are sure to shine in 2015 and make the UFC’s contractual efforts worthwhile.

 

*This list contains fighters with no more than one Octagon appearance 

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10 UFC Fighters in Most Desperate Need of a Win

For nearly seven years, Anderson Silva dominated the middleweight division.
Now, The Spider has lost two in a row and will be battling to show he can still compete with the best in the world. The sudden role change displays how quickly the MMA landscap…

For nearly seven years, Anderson Silva dominated the middleweight division.

Now, The Spider has lost two in a row and will be battling to show he can still compete with the best in the world. The sudden role change displays how quickly the MMA landscape can be altered.

At the moment, many are simply wondering how many more times Silva will step into the Octagon. However, should the former titleholder rebound with a couple wins, MMA pundits could begin calling for a third meeting between Silva and now-champion Chris Weidman.

Silva’s future in the sport could all depend on how he performs in his next outing.

Where does The Spider stand among the UFC competitors in most desperate need of a victory? Here is a look at the 10 individuals who require a win more than all their other UFC counterparts.

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The 11 Best Fighters of Mexican Heritage in MMA History

Whether it was Julio Cesar Chavez’s dominance through the 1980s and early ’90s, Oscar De La Hoya’s days as the Golden Boy in the 1990s and early 2000s or Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s ongoing rise to supremacy, Mexico has always boasted its fair share of imp…

Whether it was Julio Cesar Chavez’s dominance through the 1980s and early ’90s, Oscar De La Hoya’s days as the Golden Boy in the 1990s and early 2000s or Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s ongoing rise to supremacy, Mexico has always boasted its fair share of impressive boxers. 

“I keep saying this, but it’s true: the baddest dudes in the world, throughout the history of the world, have come from Mexico and Latin America,” UFC President Dana White told the media in Mexico City in August. “Your Salvador Sanchezes, your Julio Cesar Chavezes, and the list goes on and on. In the MMA world, all of those guys exist in [Mexico] right now, and you’re going to see them popping up over the next six years. You’re going to see Mexico start to dominate, like it did in boxing.” 

Mexico hasn’t boasted the same sort of royalty in MMA compared to boxing—that’s Brazil. Still, it’s done a solid job of birthing some of the better fighters the sport has ever seen. 

Here’s a list of the top 10 fighters of Mexican heritage in MMA history. 

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Power Ranking the 10 Best MMA Fights to Watch on November 15

November 15 will be packed with MMA action, and quality MMA action at that. Three of the top MMA promotions in the world will run cards on Saturday with 36 fights in total.
UFC 180 hits Mexico City for an 11-fight card. The action starts on UFC Fight P…

November 15 will be packed with MMA action, and quality MMA action at that. Three of the top MMA promotions in the world will run cards on Saturday with 36 fights in total.

UFC 180 hits Mexico City for an 11-fight card. The action starts on UFC Fight Pass (subscription required) and moves to Fox Sports 1 to cap off the preliminary action. Then the main card kicks off on pay-per-view, headlined by an interim heavyweight title tilt between Fabricio Werdum and Mark Hunt.

Bellator 131 will see all of its prelims on Spike.com before airing the main card live and free on Spike TV. The main card features King Mo Lawal, Melvin Manhoef, a lightweight title bout and Tito Ortiz vs. Stephan Bonnar.

Not to be forgotten, WSOF 15 brings a four-fight main card to NBC Sports Network with two title defenses.

Fans will have options on Saturday to watch high-quality MMA content. From free TV to PPV, there is plenty of choose from, and plenty to schedule your DVR to record. Bleacher Report will have you completely covered from top to bottom this weekend, but first we break down the 10 best fights from all three cards.

Let’s take a look at the power rankings for Saturday’s action.

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5 Former Strikeforce Fighters Who Are Threats to UFC Gold

When the UFC purchased Strikeforce back in March 2011, it was first believed that the organization was going to continue to operate under then-President Scott Coker. But in January 2013, after Tarec Saffiedine became the promotion’s last welterwe…

When the UFC purchased Strikeforce back in March 2011, it was first believed that the organization was going to continue to operate under then-President Scott Coker. But in January 2013, after Tarec Saffiedine became the promotion’s last welterweight champion, big brother brought over a stash of prime Strikeforce talent to stockpile several of its weight divisions.

Strikeforce had been the No. 2 mixed martial arts organization in America for roughly six years. They fostered elite-level talent, such as Gilbert Melendez and Jake Shields, which helped spark debate over who exactly was the best in the world. Since the takeover, Strikeforce fighters have gone 0-5 in championship fights, with three left to be played out. Those who have failed in their efforts to capture UFC gold include Shields, Melendez, Robbie Lawler and Nick Diaz, who lost twice.

There are three championship bouts in the light heavyweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions featuring the pride of Strikeforce. Melendez and Lawler are both back at it again—with Melendez facing an entirely different foe this time around. Each lost a close split decision in his initial title fight. The last one on the docket pits Olympic wrestler Daniel Cormier against Jon Jones.

We are a year and a half removed from the time Strikeforce contracts were transferred over to UFC brass, and they have yet to establish a championship reign. Which fighters have the best chance to become UFC title holders?

The following set of rankings is composed of the most able—and dangerous—threats to champions. This does not mean that the fighter necessarily needs to be challenging for a belt. Fighters who have fought for a belt prior don’t hold an advantage over rising divisional candidates.

Fighters in the women’s bantamweight division are also candidates, however—spoiler alert—none made the list. Here are the five biggest Strikeforce-bred threats to UFC champions—but first, here are a few fighters who failed to make the cut.

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