Tag: Roy Nelson

UFC 137 Weigh-In Results: Roy Nelson in Disguise, a Fat Tyson Griffin, and Nick Diaz as Himself

(Highlight video courtesy of MMAFighting.com)

 
It’s been a while since we brought you kids a good weigh-in video, and we’re truly sorry for that. It’s not that we don’t care, it’s just getting pretty rare that someone wears an elaborate costume to the scale, misses weight by an incredible margin, or a high-profile staredown gets personal. And if those are the criteria for a great weigh-ins, last night we hit the mother lode!

Roy Nelson’s been toying with us all about his new, streamlined look, and last night he dangled that carrot in front of us just a bit longer. “Big Country” stepped onto the stage concealing his new figure like the boys at Mercedes test driving a prototype in public. Even with the excess padding (and to be fair, we are just assuming that wasn’t his real physique), Nelson weighed only 252 lbs.

(Highlight video courtesy of MMAFighting.com)
It’s been a while since we brought you kids a good weigh-in video, and we’re truly sorry for that. It’s not that we don’t care, it’s just getting pretty rare that someone wears an elaborate costume to the scale, misses weight by an incredible margin, or a high-profile staredown gets personal. And if those are the criteria for a great weigh-ins, last night we hit the mother lode!

Roy Nelson’s been toying with us all about his new, streamlined look, and last night he dangled that carrot in front of us just a bit longer. “Big Country” stepped onto the stage concealing his new figure like the boys at Mercedes test driving a prototype in public. Even with the excess padding (and to be fair, we are just assuming that wasn’t his real physique), Nelson weighed only 252 lbs.

Despite dispensing nutritional advice earlier in the week, Tyson Griffin showed up three pounds over the allowance yesterday afternoon. Unable to cut the extra weight, he’ll forfeit 25% of his purse and his bout with Bart Palaszewski will go down at a catch weight of 148 lbs. Check out Rogan’s reaction when he’s on the scale, and we’ll let the looks of disappointment and anger from everyone else tell the rest of the tale.

Nick Diaz has spoken at length about BJ Penn being a friend, going so far as to say that tonight’s bout isn’t “a normal fight for me, it’s more of a sporting competition this time around. I hope nobody’s too disappointed if it doesn’t go the same as it always does.” Well, you can take the fighter out of Stockton (barely), but you can’t take the Stockton out of the fighter. As soon as the two main-eventers came head to head, this fight became as personal as any for the former Strikeforce champion. Hold up– is that Diaz taking a swing at Penn as the two are separated?!? Sometimes these things happen at weigh-ins.

 

Full results (via: MMAJunkie.com)

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)

  • Nick Diaz (170) vs. B.J. Penn (169)
  • Cheick Kongo (234) vs. Matt Mitrione (255)
  • Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (235) vs. Roy Nelson (252)
  • Jeff Curran (134) vs. Scott Jorgensen (135)
  • Hatsu Hioki (145) vs. George Roop (145)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)

  • Donald Cerrone (156) vs. Dennis Siver (155)
  • Tyson Griffin (149)* vs. Bart Palaszewski (146)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

  • Eliot Marshall (204) vs. Brandon Vera (205)
  • Danny Downes (155) vs. Ramsey Nijem (155)
  • Chris Camozzi (185) vs. Francis Carmont (185)
  • Dustin Jacoby (185) vs. Clifford Starks (186)

 

UFC 137 Final Predictions on the Night’s Results: Scott Jorgensen vs. Jeff Curran

Jeff Curran may need a bulletproof vest at UFC 137, where he’ll make his UFC return against top-5 bantamweight and former title contender Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen. The UFC certainly isn’t easing Curran into the bantamweight …

Jeff Curran may need a bulletproof vest at UFC 137, where he’ll make his UFC return against top-5 bantamweight and former title contender Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen.

The UFC certainly isn’t easing Curran into the bantamweight mix. Despite coming off back to back wins over Billy Vaughan and David Love, Curran is 4-5 in his last nine fights.

Meanwhile, Jorgensen rebounded from a decision loss to UFC champion Dominick Cruz at “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 13 Finale, where he scored a first round knockout over Ken Stone.

Curran is a journeyman and a wily veteran of the sport, but he has been plagued by inconsistencies against quality opposition. He can beat up on middle of the pack scrappers all day long, but when it comes to legitimate top-10 opposition, Curran tends to come up short in those bouts.

Is this the time he finally turns everything around?

It’s going to be tough against Jorgensen, who is clearly a stylistic nightmare for Curran. As predominantly a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter, Curran struggles against aggressive strikers with domineering wrestling, which is a great description of Jorgensen’s skill set.

Jorgensen, a three-time PAC-10 NCAA Division I wrestling champion at Boise State University, is a strong wrestler with a sturdy top game and great submission defense. Along with his wrestling prowess, Jorgensen is a fairly powerful striker at 135-pounds.

Curran will have openings to land on the feet, as Jorgensen still shows signs of defensive woes in the standup exchanges.

Still, it’s hard to envision Curran showcasing the standup chops needed to take advantage of Jorgensen’s mistakes.

This won’t be a pretty fight. Curran will take a three-round beating, but his will to survive should keep him in the fight and possibly even open up a few opportunities to take the upset.

Unfortunately, the opportunities will be missed, as Jorgensen dominates and takes a clear cut unanimous decision.

Bleacher Report’s Jordy McElroy

UFC 137 Fight Card: Results, Analysis, News, Reaction for BJ Penn vs. Nick Diaz

UFC 137 will take place on Saturday, Oct. 29, from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV.  The main event will feature a welterweight contest between former UFC champion BJ Penn and Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz. Penn …

UFC 137 will take place on Saturday, Oct. 29, from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV.  The main event will feature a welterweight contest between former UFC champion BJ Penn and Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz. 

Penn and Diaz have trained together in the past and in the days leading up to the fight, both fighters spoke of how the bout was not an ideal situation for either of them.

The talk of mutual respect and friendship lasted until Friday’s weigh-ins, when the two went head-to-head during the staredown, with Diaz leaning into his opponent and Penn not giving an inch. The two were then separated without incident. Diaz left the stage before he could speak to UFC commentator Joe Rogan. Penn gave a terse response to Rogan’s interview attempt, and—just like that—a fight that some had been worried about went to an entirely different level.

In the evening’s co-main event, Matt Mitrione and Cheick Kongo will meet in a heavyweight contest. Mitrione will put his 5-0 record on the line against his toughest competitor to date. Kongo is coming off a knockout victory over Pat Barry that many consider the comeback victory of the year. Both fighters will be looking to use this fight to take the next step within the division.

Another heavyweight bout of some importance will also take place on the pay-per-view card. In that bout Mirko Cro Cop will face Roy Nelson. Both fighters will enter Saturday night carrying with them a two-fight losing streak. Nelson will be looking to ride a victory back into the mix in the heavyweight division, while a win for Cro Cop could very well end his MMA career on a high note.

The full UFC 137 fight card:

Nick Diaz vs. BJ Penn

Cheick Kongo vs. Matt Mitrione

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic vs. Roy Nelson

Hatsu Hioki vs. George Roop

Jeff Curran vs. Scott Jorgensen

Donald Cerrone vs. Dennis Siver

Tyson Griffin vs. Bart Palaszewski

Eliot Marshall vs. Brandon Vera

Danny Downes vs. Ramsey Nijem

Chris Camozzi vs. Francis Carmont

Dustin Jacoby vs. Clifford Starks

Check back often as Bleacher Report will have pre-fight, in-fight and post-fight coverage of UFC 137 right here.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Friday Afternoon Link Dump

(Video courtesy of YouTube/MadeMan)

– MMAFighting.com’s future uncertain (FightOpinion)

– Suddenly Battlefield 3 doesn’t look as good as we thought (Complex)

– Oh jeez..MMA JayT fancies himself an MMA manager now (WarshFighterManagement)

– Viewer’s Guide to UFC 137 (Sports Illustrated)

– 8 slutty Halloween costumes and what they say about the girl (Guyism)

– 50 most beautiful women in sports (DoubleViking)

– Hatsu Hioki ready to wow American fans (Five Ounces of Pain)

– Nick Diaz: ‘Fight with BJ Penn could be my last (LowKick)

– Reporter with the worst timing ever (BREAK)

– Bill Murray to be the Yin to Charlie Sheen’s fucked up yang in ‘Charles Swan’ (Screen Junkies)

– Dana White: Carlos Condit Guaranteed Next Shot at Georges St-Pierre (5thRound)

– Career-defining moment for every UFC 137 fighter (Bleacher Report)

– Rejected Peanuts specials (HolyTaco)

– The not so unreasonable $25 UFC 137 bet that will put $12,631.70 in your pocket (MiddleEasy)

– This kid is going to be a beast (YouTube)

– Roy Nelson talks about his belly, beard and secret ninja training (Clutch.MTV)


(Video courtesy of YouTube/MadeMan)

– MMAFighting.com’s future uncertain (FightOpinion)

– Suddenly Battlefield 3 doesn’t look as good as we thought (Complex)

– Oh jeez..MMA JayT fancies himself an MMA manager now (WarshFighterManagement)

– Viewer’s Guide to UFC 137 (Sports Illustrated)

– 8 slutty Halloween costumes and what they say about the girl (Guyism)

– 50 most beautiful women in sports (DoubleViking)

– Hatsu Hioki ready to wow American fans (Five Ounces of Pain)

– Nick Diaz: ‘Fight with BJ Penn could be my last (LowKick)

– Reporter with the worst timing ever (BREAK)

– Bill Murray to be the Yin to Charlie Sheen’s fucked up yang in ‘Charles Swan’ (Screen Junkies)

– Dana White: Carlos Condit Guaranteed Next Shot at Georges St-Pierre (5thRound)

– Career-defining moment for every UFC 137 fighter (Bleacher Report)

– Rejected Peanuts specials (HolyTaco)

– The not so unreasonable $25 UFC 137 bet that will put $12,631.70 in your pocket (MiddleEasy)

– This kid is going to be a beast (YouTube)

– Roy Nelson talks about his belly, beard and secret ninja training (Clutch.MTV)

Reminder: Watch the UFC 137 Weigh-In Stream Live Right Here at 7:00 pm ET

(Video courtesy of YouTube/0fficialbjpenn)

(Video courtesy of YouTube/LayzietheSavage)

Just a friendly reminder that the weigh-ins for UFC 137 will be live from the Mandalay Casino and Events Center at 7:00 pm ET tonight and you can watch the stream live right here.

Until then, enjoy some BJ Penn and Nick Diaz highlight reels to get you pumped for tomorrow night. Is anyone actually not excited for this fight?

Tonight we will get to see which BJ Penn showed up in training camp — the one with abs or the one who doesn’t give a shit. We’ll also get to see how effective Roy Nelson’s diet of toilet paper and castor oil was this camp.

It will be a telling if Nick looks Penn in the eyes during the staredown. Hearing him talk all week about how BJ is one of his idols and that he really looks up to him reminded me of when GSP said the same thing about Matt Hughes right before losing by an armbar to “Country Breakfast.” He said similar things about fighting Karo before they squared off, about how he didn’t want the fight. Look what happened in that one.

Check out the stream at 7 after the jump.


(Video courtesy of YouTube/0fficialbjpenn)


(Video courtesy of YouTube/LayzietheSavage)

Just a friendly reminder that the weigh-ins for UFC 137 will be live from the Mandalay Casino and Events Center at 7:00 pm ET tonight and you can watch the stream live right here.

Until then, enjoy some BJ Penn and Nick Diaz highlight reels to get you pumped for tomorrow night. Is anyone actually not excited for this fight?

Tonight we will get to see which BJ Penn showed up in training camp — the one with abs or the one who doesn’t give a shit. We’ll also get to see how effective Roy Nelson’s diet of toilet paper and castor oil was this camp.

It will be a telling if Nick looks Penn in the eyes during the staredown. Hearing him talk all week about how BJ is one of his idols and that he really looks up to him reminded me of when GSP said the same thing about Matt Hughes right before losing by an armbar to “Country Breakfast.” He said similar things about fighting Karo before they squared off, about how he didn’t want the fight. Look what happened in that one.

Check out the stream at 7 below.


(Stream courtesy of YouTube/UFC)

UFC 137: Mirko "Cro Cop" Unconcerned with Dangerous "Fat Guy"

Concern? Who’s concerned? UFC 137 fighter Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic isn’t. The Croatian striker has seen his share of fights spanning over a legendary career that has lasted more than a decade. With that much time in the game, it’s safe to say he’s tes…

Concern? Who’s concerned? UFC 137 fighter Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic isn’t.

The Croatian striker has seen his share of fights spanning over a legendary career that has lasted more than a decade. With that much time in the game, it’s safe to say he’s tested a lot of different fighting styles and taken what he needs from them to build the best arsenal.

When it comes to his opponent Roy Nelson’s grappling, “Cro Cop” isn’t any more concerned with that than he was with anyone else he’s faced. After all, time in the game translates to experience on the mat, apparently.

The 2006 Pride Open Weight Grand Prix winner wants people to know that he is more than familiar with how to grapple. According to the time line, he’s trained in jiu-jitsu longer than some black belts.

When asked, straightforwardly, how concerned his is with Nelson’s grappling, “Cro Cop” simply replies, “not much.” According to the former Pride standout, If he’s submitted guys like Fabricio Werdum, he’s not worried about Roy Nelson.

“He’s a jiu-jitsu black belt, but the times when fighters were divided (between) stand-up fighters and grapplers [are] history,” Filipovic said at the UFC 137 open workouts in Las Vegas. “People forget that I [have] trained jiu-jitsu for 10 years, and had the privilege to train with top jiu-jitsu fighters like Werdum… like Dean Lister.

“With Werdum I trained for three years. So if I was able to submit Werdum in a fight, I don’t have to be concerned with (Nelson).”

So does this mean “Cro Cop” will walk to the Octagon on Saturday night with a Team Cro Cop gi and appropriate belt on? No, probably not. He knows what he’s paid to do.

While he doesn’t want people to sell his ground game short, “Cro Cop” knows that people buy tickets to see him do one thing: strike.

The highlight reels showing Mirko kicking off heads might just be memories at this point, but anything can happen in MMA. There is a sense that people hold onto the slight chance that Filopovic will bring back those highlight reels on Saturday night.

If anything, he’ll look to please the crowd just as he’s done in years past.

“People expect… and pay (to watch me) kick and punch people, not to submit them. Of course I will submit if I have a chance, but I always prefer to finish a fight in a stand-up position.”

“Cro Cop” said that he didn’t forget how to punch and kick, that all his recent shortcomings were more from mental issues than physical. Despite those shortcomings, Filipovic still has goals, first of which is beating Roy Nelson on Saturday night.

He may lack concern about Nelson’s grappling, but that doesn’t mean “Cro Cop” thinks his UFC 137 opponent isn’t dangerous. His fellow countryman might be critical of Nelson’s frame—and so is “Cro Cop to an extent—but he knows Saturday won’t be easy.

The fat-guy routine can be very misleading.

“He’s definitely too heavy for his height and his conditioning is his biggest problem,” Filipovic said of Nelson. “People in my country will say ‘if [you] beat him, you beat a fat guy.’ If I lose to him they will start laughing [at] me. But he’s a super-dangerous guy who can knock out anyone. Some people might be tricked with his body, but he’s a dangerous guy.”

 

Erik Fontanez is a senior writer and reporter for MMAWeekly.com.

Follow him on Twitter: @Erik_Fontanez

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