Ronaldo Souza won’t be hitting the free agency market after all. The No. 3-ranked middleweight is set to take on Robert Whittaker on tomorrow’s (Sat. April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 23 card from Kansas City, Missouri, which was set to be the final bout on his UFC contract. Souza was set to hit the free
Ronaldo Souza won’t be hitting the free agency market after all.
The No. 3-ranked middleweight is set to take on Robert Whittaker on tomorrow’s (Sat. April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 23 card from Kansas City, Missouri, which was set to be the final bout on his UFC contract. Souza was set to hit the free agency market alongside fellow top middleweight prospect Gegard Mousasi, putting two of the promotion’s best unknown 185 pounders at risk of leaving the promotion.
According to a post from Souza on social media, however, the Brazilian has signed a new eight-fight deal to keep the jiu-jitsu specialist under the UFC’s banner for the foreseeable future:
I’m very happy! New contract signed with UFC. Let’s go for some more battles! #TeamJacare
Souza is on a two-fight win streak coming off victories over Vitor Belfort and Tim Boetsch. Prior to that, Jacare had an eight-fight undefeated streak snapped after a controversial split decision loss to Yoel Romero at UFC 194 in December of 2015.
If Souza is able to earn a victory over up-and-coming Robert Whittaker coming off of two back-to-back victories, he’ll make quite the case for a shot at the middleweight title.
Robert Whittaker has stepped inside the Octagon six times since a 2014 loss to Stephen Thompson. And on all six instances, the former Ultimate Fighter winner has been declared the winner. Whittaker will try to take a major step towards becoming a top contender in the welterweight division this Saturday night at UFC on FOX […]
Robert Whittaker has stepped inside the Octagon six times since a 2014 loss to Stephen Thompson. And on all six instances, the former Ultimate Fighter winner has been declared the winner. Whittaker will try to take a major step towards becoming a top contender in the welterweight division this Saturday night at UFC on FOX […]
So, a week removed from a disappointing middleweight clash, we’ll all have the distinct pleasure of letting the UFC make it up to the fans with an equally intriguing bout at 185 lbs that could have major implications for the division. Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza gets to attempt to solidify his spot as top contender against the young, hungry prospect Robert Whittaker. It’s a fight that any casual fan or avid purist can appreciate. Both men have a propensity for finishing fights which only means potential excitement.
So, a week removed from a disappointing middleweight clash, we’ll all have the distinct pleasure of letting the UFC make it up to the fans with an equally intriguing bout at 185 lbs that could have major implications for the division. Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza gets to attempt to solidify his spot as top contender against the young, hungry prospect Robert Whittaker. It’s a fight that any casual fan or avid purist can appreciate. Both men have a propensity for finishing fights which only means potential excitement.
Jacare Souza is a beast. Describing him as anything less would be a true insult to one of the greatest Brazilian jiu-jitsu practioners any fan has had the honor of watching. In recent years opponents have come to fear Jacare on the feet as much as he’s feared on the ground. In the striking realm he doesn’t use his jab as a stinging strike but rather a range fund for his powerful right hand and left hooks. It’s basic, but it’s his bread and better and he knows how to use those basics to enter into the clinch where he has crushing strength. He’ll be smart to use a similar game plan against the young Whittaker as the Australian-New Zealand fighter has a tendency to burst forward with a blitz from time to time.
If Jacare can get Whittaker to respect his punching power, then he’ll go a long way to implementing his game. Getting his opponent against the cage will be key in this fight, followed by the clinch and trips as he’s fond of. Once the fight hits the ground it could be all over for Whittaker.
The thing is, ‘The Reaper’ understands that fact very well. Robert Whittaker has some dangerous striking and great hand speed especially in the middleweight division. His movement and distancing allows him to get away with blitzing in and getting back out before his opponent can return fire *cough* karate tactics *cough*. Whittaker will do well to lean on his karate experience in order to leave enough of a gulf between him and Jacare. It will force Jacare to step forward into the middle space where Whittaker can blitz forward with blinding speed and power.
His jab as always should be used by Whittaker judiciously as Jacare can be explosive himself and leap into his strikes. If Whittaker’s jab is undisciplined, Souza can certainly clip him with a hard shot. Jabbing for distance and damage, keeping the center and having his back go nowhere near the cage are keys to victory that Whittaker must follow in order to not only survive but to keep Jacare on the end of his strikes. When Jacare does get aggressive, a left hook right straight combo would be a great option for Whittaker.
Here’s to hoping that this middleweight clash doesn’t end in some ludicrous controversy.
Who do you got, Jacare Souza or Robert Whittaker?
Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
Former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza could be reuniting with his former boss soon. Souza, who meets Robert Whittaker in a key bout this Saturday at UFC on FOX 24 from Kansas City, will have exhausted his current contract after the fight. “We’ve been going back and forth (with UFC officials) for a while,” Souza’s […]
Former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza could be reuniting with his former boss soon. Souza, who meets Robert Whittaker in a key bout this Saturday at UFC on FOX 24 from Kansas City, will have exhausted his current contract after the fight. “We’ve been going back and forth (with UFC officials) for a while,” Souza’s […]
No. 1-ranked UFC middleweight contender Yoel Romero has won an incredible eight straight fights, with six of those victories coming by way of stoppage. “The Solider of God” was expected to face off with champion Michael Bisping next, but the UFC elected to give the title shot to returning former welterweight king Georges St. Pierre.
No. 1-ranked UFC middleweight contender Yoel Romero has won an incredible eight straight fights, with six of those victories coming by way of stoppage. “The Solider of God” was expected to face off with champion Michael Bisping next, but the UFC elected to give the title shot to returning former welterweight king Georges St. Pierre.
Romero clearly wasn’t pleased with the decision, which led him to call for an interim title bout. Bisping, however, feels as if Romero’s idea is ‘laughable’:
“You’ve got Yoel Romero calling for an interim title shot, which is just desperate,” Bisping said on his podcast “Believe You Me” this week. “It’s laughable. It’s desperate.
“Interim titles are for if the champion is hurt or injured or taking time out. None of that’s happening. GSP’s fighting for the belt. So shut up, fight someone else in the meantime or sit on the side. One or the other.”
While Bisping vs. St. Pierre certainly makes sense from a business standpoint, the bout has angered some fans and fighters. Aside from Romero, No. 3-ranked Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza has also voiced his displeasure with the booking, as he even went as far to say that he hopes Bisping and St. Pierre knock each other out.
“The Count” also responded to the Brazilian:
“Well first and foremost, ‘Jacare’ come on, my friend, that’s a very, very nasty thing to say. I thought you were all about love and God and this and niceness and spreading the beauty of jiu-jitsu and all this [expletive] but yet you call for us both to get knocked out? That’s not very Christian is it?” Bisping said.
“Listen, I understand his frustration, of course. But the fact of the matter is he did lose to Yoel Romero. So he’s only won two fights since then. So he’s really got no one to be mad at but himself. He lost around a year ago so it is what it is. Yoel’s ahead of him when this fight happens.”
What do you make of the decision to give “Rush” a shot at Bisping?
Yoel Romero and Jacare Souza are not too pleased with the breaking news that was announced earlier today (Wed. March 1, 2017). UFC President Dana White went on SportsCenter earlier today to make the announcement that former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre will make his Octagon return against Michael Bisping later this year for the
Yoel Romero and Jacare Souza are not too pleased with the breaking news that was announced earlier today (Wed. March 1, 2017).
UFC President Dana White went on SportsCenter earlier today to make the announcement that former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre will make his Octagon return against Michael Bisping later this year for the middleweight title. St-Pierre gets the shot at the 185-pound title before the No. 1 and 3-ranked Romero and Souza.
Romero comes off of a third round knockout win over Chris Weidman at UFC 205 from Madison Square Garden this past November via flying knee. The win extended the Cuban’s win streak to eight and made him the prime candidate to challenge the Englishman for the strap next.
‘The Soldier Of God’s’ management reacted to the news through MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, who tweeted Romero’s response to the news of Bisping vs. GSP earlier today:
From Romero's mgmt: "We don't have any comment right now other than Yoel wishes GSP well in his return. He'll talk more about this soon."
Another man with a claim to a shot at the 185-pound title is Jacare Souza who is currently on a two-fight win streak. The Brazilian’s latest victory saw him take home a dominant win over Tim Boetsch at UFC 208 this past month, when he locked in a Kimura for the first round submission.
Helwani also Tweeted a response from Jacare’s management which you can check out here:
From Jacare's management: "Michael 'The Count' Bisping is now Michael 'The King' Bisping, he just got promoted! Money fights win again."
