Tag: Rematches

10 More MMA Rematches We’d Love to See

Anytime a fighter loses, if he really did his best, he usually wants a rematch to prove he can be better . Chuck Liddell took pride in settling the score in his rematches. He creamed Jeremy Horn the second time around, as he did Randy Couture. But sadly, he gained no satisfaction when he fought […]

Anytime a fighter loses, if he really did his best, he usually wants a rematch to prove he can be better . Chuck Liddell took pride in settling the score in his rematches. He creamed Jeremy Horn the second time around, as he did Randy Couture. But sadly, he gained no satisfaction when he fought […]

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Jon Jones Opens as -400 Favorite in Future Rematch With Alexander Gustafsson


(Photo via Esther Lin/MMAFighting)

Three months before their title fight at UFC 165, Jon Jones opened up as a massive -800 favorite against Alexander Gustafsson, who was slated as a +500 underdog. In other words, the oddsmakers felt that Jones/Gustafsson would be an even bigger squash match than Jones/Sonnen. Of course, this was back when everybody assumed that Bones could walk through the Swedish challenger with no trouble whatsoever. As it turned out, Gustafsson was the toughest test of Jones’s career, and might have stolen the belt if he hadn’t started to fade in the championship rounds.

We’re still not certain when Jones and Gustafsson will meet up for an encore performance, but that shouldn’t stop you from betting on the hypothetical fight. The opening line for Jones vs. Gustafsson 2 was recently released, establishing Jones as a still-hefty -400 favorite, compared to a +300 mark for Gustafsson. Since then, the line has slightly widened out, suggesting that the early money is coming in on Jones. (i.e., the oddsmakers are making Jones less profitable and Gustafsson more profitable, in an attempt to lure more wagers in Gustafsson’s direction.)

And why wouldn’t people be betting on Jones? Gustafsson may have made the champ look vulnerable during their five-round war, but the reality is that Gustafsson still wasn’t able to come away with a victory, despite putting in the greatest performance of his career. So if you were thinking of laying some cash on Gus in the rematch, here’s what you need to ask yourself: Does it really makes sense to wager on Gustafsson now that he’s significantly less profitable than he was for the first fight? Do you expect Gustafsson to do even better against Jones the second time? Really? Why?

In my opinion, the only logical reason for betting on Gustafsson in the rematch is that the fight could easily turn into another evenly-matched five-round war of attrition — and when a fight like that goes to the judges, you might as well be flipping a coin.


(Photo via Esther Lin/MMAFighting)

Three months before their title fight at UFC 165, Jon Jones opened up as a massive -800 favorite against Alexander Gustafsson, who was slated as a +500 underdog. In other words, the oddsmakers felt that Jones/Gustafsson would be an even bigger squash match than Jones/Sonnen. Of course, this was back when everybody assumed that Bones could walk through the Swedish challenger with no trouble whatsoever. As it turned out, Gustafsson was the toughest test of Jones’s career, and might have stolen the belt if he hadn’t started to fade in the championship rounds.

We’re still not certain when Jones and Gustafsson will meet up for an encore performance, but that shouldn’t stop you from betting on the hypothetical fight. The opening line for Jones vs. Gustafsson 2 was recently released, establishing Jones as a still-hefty -400 favorite, compared to a +300 mark for Gustafsson. Since then, the line has slightly widened out, suggesting that the early money is coming in on Jones. (i.e., the oddsmakers are making Jones less profitable and Gustafsson more profitable, in an attempt to lure more wagers in Gustafsson’s direction.)

And why wouldn’t people be betting on Jones? Gustafsson may have made the champ look vulnerable during their five-round war, but the reality is that Gustafsson still wasn’t able to come away with a victory, despite putting in the greatest performance of his career. So if you were thinking of laying some cash on Gus in the rematch, here’s what you need to ask yourself: Does it really makes sense to wager on Gustafsson now that he’s significantly less profitable than he was for the first fight? Do you expect Gustafsson to do even better against Jones the second time? Really? Why?

In my opinion, the only logical reason for betting on Gustafsson in the rematch is that the fight could easily turn into another evenly-matched five-round war of attrition — and when a fight like that goes to the judges, you might as well be flipping a coin.

Johnson vs. Benavidez II Flyweight Title Fight Booked for TUF 18 Finale Main Event


(Pshht, whatever. Let us know when you guys weigh 400 pounds. / Photo via Getty)

Demetrious Johnson‘s first meeting with Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 was a frantic, closely-pitched five-rounder that earned Mighty Mouse a split-decision victory and the UFC’s first-ever flyweight title. A year later, Johnson and Benavidez are still the two best 125-pounders in the UFC — so why not come back for an encore?

UFC Tonight‘s Ariel Helwani announced yesterday that Johnson vs. Benavidez II has been booked for the main event of the TUF 18 Finale, which is slated for November 30th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. This will be the third title defense for Demetrious Johnson, who has outpointed John Dodson and submitted John Moraga with a fifth-round armbar since winning the title.

As for the challenger, Benavidez has looked more impressive with each recent outing — which is becoming a trend among Team Alpha Male fighters. Since his loss to Johnson, Benavidez has scored a decision win against Uncle Creepy, TKO’d Darren Uyenoyama, and laid a beating on Jussier Formiga. Joe B has clearly earned another shot at the belt, and he’s a markedly improved fighter compared to a year ago. Will it be enough to make the outcome any different this time?


(Pshht, whatever. Let us know when you guys weigh 400 pounds. / Photo via Getty)

Demetrious Johnson‘s first meeting with Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 was a frantic, closely-pitched five-rounder that earned Mighty Mouse a split-decision victory and the UFC’s first-ever flyweight title. A year later, Johnson and Benavidez are still the two best 125-pounders in the UFC — so why not come back for an encore?

UFC Tonight‘s Ariel Helwani announced yesterday that Johnson vs. Benavidez II has been booked for the main event of the TUF 18 Finale, which is slated for November 30th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. This will be the third title defense for Demetrious Johnson, who has outpointed John Dodson and submitted John Moraga with a fifth-round armbar since winning the title.

As for the challenger, Benavidez has looked more impressive with each recent outing — which is becoming a trend among Team Alpha Male fighters. Since his loss to Johnson, Benavidez has scored a decision win against Uncle Creepy, TKO’d Darren Uyenoyama, and laid a beating on Jussier Formiga. Joe B has clearly earned another shot at the belt, and he’s a markedly improved fighter compared to a year ago. Will it be enough to make the outcome any different this time?

Carlos Condit on Rematches and the Visceral Need for Redemption and Revenge

Fighters all have something in common that goes much deeper than some cliché about brotherhood among martial artists, or all of them growing up watching The Karate Kid and old Bruce Lee movies before strapping on a set of gloves for the first time. The real heart of fighting comes down to competition—one winner and one […]

Fighters all have something in common that goes much deeper than some cliché about brotherhood among martial artists, or all of them growing up watching The Karate Kid and old Bruce Lee movies before strapping on a set of gloves for the first time. The real heart of fighting comes down to competition—one winner and one […]

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Dana White: If Anderson Silva Loses to Chris Weidman, He Will Receive an Immediate Rematch

(Weidman watches and comments on Anderson Silva vs. Stephan Bonnar live, last year in Brazil. Video via YouTube.com/fueltv)

On Monday, UFC President Dana White told MMA Junkie that, should middleweight champion Anderson Silva lose his title defense against Chris Weidman this Saturday at UFC 162 in Las Vegas, “I’d do the rematch the next fight.”

White went on to explain why Silva’s title defense against Weidman might just effectively be a warm-up match for the champion. “[Silva] hasn’t lost in the UFC ever, has beat everybody. He loses that fight, he’s the guy for a rematch if he wants it.”

While a decision like this could be perceived as indicative of the UFC desperately wanting to keep Silva champion and of their willingness to do just about anything to make sure that happens, immediate title rematches are not without precedent and are, in fact, becoming quite common in the organization. (These kinds of rematches also have a long tradition in boxing, where bout agreements often include automatic rematch clauses for champions.)

Silva certainly deserves one based on past accomplishments, as White suggested, but a rematch could also just be good business. For his part, Weidman is certainly not surprised by White’s announcement. The #1 contender has already says that he expects to have to face and beat Silva twice. Heck, his coach Matt Serra had to do the same thing when he beat Georges St. Pierre in 2007.


(Weidman watches and comments on Anderson Silva vs. Stephan Bonnar live, last year in Brazil. Video via YouTube.com/fueltv)

On Monday, UFC President Dana White told MMA Junkie that, should middleweight champion Anderson Silva lose his title defense against Chris Weidman this Saturday at UFC 162 in Las Vegas, “I’d do the rematch the next fight.”

White went on to explain why Silva’s title defense against Weidman might just effectively be a warm-up match for the champion. “[Silva] hasn’t lost in the UFC ever, has beat everybody. He loses that fight, he’s the guy for a rematch if he wants it.”

While a decision like this could be perceived as indicative of the UFC desperately wanting to keep Silva champion and of their willingness to do just about anything to make sure that happens, immediate title rematches are not without precedent and are, in fact, becoming quite common in the organization. (These kinds of rematches also have a long tradition in boxing, where bout agreements often include automatic rematch clauses for champions.)

Silva certainly deserves one based on past accomplishments, as White suggested, but a rematch could also just be good business. For his part, Weidman is certainly not surprised by White’s announcement. The #1 contender has already says that he expects to have to face and beat Silva twice. Heck, his coach Matt Serra had to do the same thing when he beat Georges St. Pierre in 2007.

“If I beat Anderson Silva, I definitely kind of expect a rematch,” Weidman said recently.

“Unless he decides to retire because he’s the greatest of all time. He’s been undefeated in the UFC, and I’m sure he’s not just going to lose and then fight a couple of guys to get a title shot again. He’s going to be right back in there.”

Do you think automatic immediate rematches are fair to underdogs who manage to pull out wins, Potato Nation? And, if you are one of the many who are giving Weidman more than snowball’s chance in hell, do you think he can take out “The Spider” twice in a row?

– Elias Cepeda

Royler Gracie on Eddie Bravo Rematch: “Some People Like to Talk, Some People Like to Fight” [VIDEO]

(Video via YouTube.com/CagePotato. Subscribe, dammit!)

At the age of 47, BJJ legend (and retired MMA fighter) Royler Gracie is preparing to return to competition later this year at Metamoris 3 (date/venue TBA), in a grappling rematch with Eddie Bravo. In this interview following the match announcement at Metamoris 2 earlier this month, CagePotato reporter Elias Cepeda recaps the first meeting between Royler and Eddie back in 2003 — which made Eddie Bravo’s name overnight and legitimized his forward-thinking approach to jiu-jitsu — and gets Royler’s take on their second meeting ten years later. As Royler puts it, “I’m not trying to make history, I’m already part of history.”

For more behind-the-scenes videos and MMA interviews, please visit CagePotato’s YouTube channel.


(Video via YouTube.com/CagePotato. Subscribe, dammit!)

At the age of 47, BJJ legend (and retired MMA fighter) Royler Gracie is preparing to return to competition later this year at Metamoris 3 (date/venue TBA), in a grappling rematch with Eddie Bravo. In this interview following the match announcement at Metamoris 2 earlier this month, CagePotato reporter Elias Cepeda recaps the first meeting between Royler and Eddie back in 2003 — which made Eddie Bravo’s name overnight and legitimized his forward-thinking approach to jiu-jitsu — and gets Royler’s take on their second meeting ten years later. As Royler puts it, “I’m not trying to make history, I’m already part of history.”

For more behind-the-scenes videos and MMA interviews, please visit CagePotato’s YouTube channel.