Tag: Tim Kennedy

Lyoto Machida Drops to Middleweight to Face Tim Kennedy at ‘Fight for the Troops 3?


(Let me guess: Liquid diet?)

Lyoto Machida had a damn good run at light-heavyweight. The hard-to-touch karate fighter spent a year as the UFC’s 205-pound champion in 2009-2010, and has earned victories against Dan Henderson, Randy Couture, Rashad Evans, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Tito Ortiz, Ryan Bader, and Thiago Silva. If you’re keeping score, that’s five former world-champions, a TUF winner, and a weed-puffin’ juice-monkey. What other active LHW can claim that kind of resume, outside of Jon Jones himself?

But following a loss to Phil Davis earlier this month — which he blamed on Davis running away from him during the fight, oh irony of ironies — Machida will officially be testing the waters in a new weight class. UFC president Dana White announced last night on FOX Sports Live that Machida will be making the drop to middleweight, and will face Tim Kennedy in the main event of Fight for the Troops 3, November 6th at Fort Campbell in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Kennedy is on a two-fight win streak, most recently getting Roger Gracie fired at UFC 162, and will surely be the recipient of some totally-acceptable “USA!” chants during the match.

For Machida, the drop in weight is a logical step and long overdue. “The Dragon” has often showed up to weigh-ins under the 205-pound limit, most notably coming in four pounds under for his August 2012 fight against Ryan Bader, and three pounds under for his subsequent fight against Dan Henderson. In terms of height and reach, he’s not too much different from Nick Diaz, who he was rumored to fight until the UFC realized it was a bad idea. Fighting smaller opponents at 185 could jump-start Machida’s career, and put him on a new path to a title — as long as his longtime friend Anderson Silva doesn’t get in the way.

At this point, the only other match booked for Fight for the Troops 3 is the lightweight scrap between Jorge Masvidal and Rustam Khabilov. The two previous installments of Fight for the Troops helped raise over $8 million for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.


(Let me guess: Liquid diet?)

Lyoto Machida had a damn good run at light-heavyweight. The hard-to-touch karate fighter spent a year as the UFC’s 205-pound champion in 2009-2010, and has earned victories against Dan Henderson, Randy Couture, Rashad Evans, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Tito Ortiz, Ryan Bader, and Thiago Silva. If you’re keeping score, that’s five former world-champions, a TUF winner, and a weed-puffin’ juice-monkey. What other active LHW can claim that kind of resume, outside of Jon Jones himself?

But following a loss to Phil Davis earlier this month — which he blamed on Davis running away from him during the fight, oh irony of ironies — Machida will officially be testing the waters in a new weight class. UFC president Dana White announced last night on FOX Sports Live that Machida will be making the drop to middleweight, and will face Tim Kennedy in the main event of Fight for the Troops 3, November 6th at Fort Campbell in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Kennedy is on a two-fight win streak, most recently getting Roger Gracie fired at UFC 162, and will surely be the recipient of some totally-acceptable “USA!” chants during the match.

For Machida, the drop in weight is a logical step and long overdue. “The Dragon” has often showed up to weigh-ins under the 205-pound limit, most notably coming in four pounds under for his August 2012 fight against Ryan Bader, and three pounds under for his subsequent fight against Dan Henderson. In terms of height and reach, he’s not too much different from Nick Diaz, who he was rumored to fight until the UFC realized it was a bad idea. Fighting smaller opponents at 185 could jump-start Machida’s career, and put him on a new path to a title — as long as his longtime friend Anderson Silva doesn’t get in the way.

At this point, the only other match booked for Fight for the Troops 3 is the lightweight scrap between Jorge Masvidal and Rustam Khabilov. The two previous installments of Fight for the Troops helped raise over $8 million for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

It Looks Like Roger Gracie Will Be the Third Straight Gracie to Go “One and Done” in the UFC


(“And he couldn’t be more thrilled. Back to you in the studio, Ariel!” Photo via Getty.) 

It’s safe to say that time has not been kind to the Gracie family, at least in the UFC. Hell, it’s safe to say that time has been kinder to the Sumatran Tiger than it has to the Gracies, and I see at least fourteen adds asking me to save the former from poachers every goddamn day.

It all started when Rolles Gracie shit the bed in his octagon debut at UFC 109. While you could argue that he might have been called up to the UFC a little prematurely (being that he was only 3-0 at the time), Dana & Co. showed no such consideration or hespect for the Gracie name when they gave him the boot. Next, Renzo Gracie was leg kick TKO’d by Matt Hughes at UFC 112 and that’s all we are willing to say about that. Most recently, Roger Gracie rode a two-fight win streak in Strikeforce over to the UFC, where he was upended by Tim Kennedy in an absolute snoozefest at UFC 162.

Unfortunately, it looks like the most qualified Gracie to…grace the octagon in years will suffer the same fate as the former two. Combate.com is passing along word that the Brazilian’s four fight Strikeforce contract — which transferred/expired following Roger’s uninspiring UFC 162 loss — has not been renewed by the promotion. We know what you’re thinking, and yes, it looks like Rampage vs. Ortiz just became A TRIPLE THREAT CAGE MATCH FOR THE WHATEVERF*CKYOUWEIGHT TITLE!


(“And he couldn’t be more thrilled. Back to you in the studio, Ariel!” Photo via Getty.) 

It’s safe to say that time has not been kind to the Gracie family, at least in the UFC. Hell, it’s safe to say that time has been kinder to the Sumatran Tiger than it has to the Gracies, and I see at least fourteen adds asking me to save the former from poachers every goddamn day.

It all started when Rolles Gracie shit the bed in his octagon debut at UFC 109. While you could argue that he might have been called up to the UFC a little prematurely (being that he was only 3-0 at the time), Dana & Co. showed no such consideration or hespect for the Gracie name when they gave him the boot. Next, Renzo Gracie was leg kick TKO’d by Matt Hughes at UFC 112 and that’s all we are willing to say about that. Most recently, Roger Gracie rode a two-fight win streak in Strikeforce over to the UFC, where he was upended by Tim Kennedy in an absolute snoozefest at UFC 162.

Unfortunately, it looks like the most qualified Gracie to…grace the octagon in years will suffer the same fate as the former two. Combate.com is passing along word that the Brazilian’s four fight Strikeforce contract — which transferred/expired following Roger’s uninspiring UFC 162 loss — has not been renewed by the promotion. We know what you’re thinking, and yes, it looks like Rampage vs. Ortiz just became A TRIPLE THREAT CAGE MATCH FOR THE WHATEVERF*CKYOUWEIGHT TITLE!

Despite opening most of our eyes to this great sport in 1993, this most recent setback brings the Gracie’s UFC record to 0-4-1 since, well, 1994. While success in the modern era of MMA can be defined by much, much more than UFC wins, to say that the UFC performances of the Gracies in recent years have been anything less than disheartening would be an understatement that everyone else in the room would silently resent you for making.

We blame the disintegration of the Gracie Train. How about you?

–J. Jones

Friday Link Dump: Tito Ortiz Does the Pro-Wrestling Crossover Thing, Maia vs. Shields on Deck, Ronda Rousey Scolds a Jackass Fan + More

(Now that is one athletic, explosive white man. Props: OfficialGSP via Reddit_MMA)

Tito Ortiz Repeats Surprise Entrance in Pro Wrestling; Fans Not Impressed (MMAFighting)

Chael Sonnen’s TRT Exemption Not a Done Deal in Massachusetts (BleacherReport)

Demian Maia vs. Jake Shields Targeted For Fall Card (FightDay)

Association of Boxing Commissions Addresses Knees to Self-Grounded Fighters (Sherdog)

Video: Ronda Rousey Blasts Fan for Asking Inappropriate Sexually-Charged Question (MMAMania)

UFC 163’s Ian McCall Offers Advice to ‘Dork’ Johnson: ‘Be Cooler’ (MMAJunkie)

Tim Kennedy Wants Wanderlei, ‘Wasn’t Thrilled’ About Fighting Belfort in Brazil (BloodyElbow)

The Most Polite Sucker-Punch of All Time (Break)

Diva AJ Lee’s Body Is Slammin’ (MadeMan)

The Best Sports GIFs of July 2013 (Complex)

An Academic Analysis of 7 Iconic Movie Poop Scenes (FilmDrunk)

The Women Available to Alpha, Beta & Omega Males: Where Do You Fit In? (DoubleViking)

Awesome Video: Firefighter Revives Kitten (EgoTV)

Dez Bryant Suing Girl Who Says He’s Into Strap Ons And Getting Peed On (TerezOwens)

Trailer: Elijah Wood Stabs a Bunch of Women in ‘Maniac’ (ReposDelight)

25 Photos of Girls Being Jealous Of Other Girls (WorldWideInterweb)

Why Pot Turns You Into a Slacker (MensFitness)


(Now that is one athletic, explosive white man. Props: OfficialGSP via Reddit_MMA)

Tito Ortiz Repeats Surprise Entrance in Pro Wrestling; Fans Not Impressed (MMAFighting)

Chael Sonnen’s TRT Exemption Not a Done Deal in Massachusetts (BleacherReport)

Demian Maia vs. Jake Shields Targeted For Fall Card (FightDay)

Association of Boxing Commissions Addresses Knees to Self-Grounded Fighters (Sherdog)

Video: Ronda Rousey Blasts Fan for Asking Inappropriate Sexually-Charged Question (MMAMania)

UFC 163′s Ian McCall Offers Advice to ‘Dork’ Johnson: ‘Be Cooler’ (MMAJunkie)

Tim Kennedy Wants Wanderlei, ‘Wasn’t Thrilled’ About Fighting Belfort in Brazil (BloodyElbow)

The Most Polite Sucker-Punch of All Time (Break)

Diva AJ Lee’s Body Is Slammin’ (MadeMan)

The Best Sports GIFs of July 2013 (Complex)

An Academic Analysis of 7 Iconic Movie Poop Scenes (FilmDrunk)

The Women Available to Alpha, Beta & Omega Males: Where Do You Fit In? (DoubleViking)

Awesome Video: Firefighter Revives Kitten (EgoTV)

Dez Bryant Suing Girl Who Says He’s Into Strap Ons And Getting Peed On (TerezOwens)

Trailer: Elijah Wood Stabs a Bunch of Women in ‘Maniac’ (ReposDelight)

25 Photos of Girls Being Jealous Of Other Girls (WorldWideInterweb)

Why Pot Turns You Into a Slacker (MensFitness)

Vitor Belfort vs. Tim Kennedy Off, Vitor Belfort vs. Chael Sonnen…On?

It’s become increasingly obvious that Vitor Belfort has taken a shining to beating up only the pastiest, whitest members of the middleweight division lately. Michael Bisping? Ghastly. Luke Rockhold? Surprisingly pale for a surfer, brah. Tim Kennedy also seemed to fit that bill, which made it all the more confusing when Belfort turned down the fight a couple days ago. But that’s what happened, as Kennedy officially broke the news that the fight was off on Twitter yesterday.

However, according to Ariel Helwani, Belfort has set his sights on yet another fair-skinned member of the middleweight division: Chael P. Sonnen.

Yes, even though Chael already has a headlining fight scheduled with Mauricio Rua at “Fight Night” in August — his last at light-heavyweight for the time being — he’s being called out by Belfort, specifically at a catchweight. It is…odd to say the least. Belfort(‘s wife) stated that he would only be accepting a title fight at middleweight next, yet he is preemptively calling out a guy (albeit at catchweight) who could potentially be on a three-fight losing streak?

It’s become increasingly obvious that Vitor Belfort has taken a shining to beating up only the pastiest, whitest members of the middleweight division lately. Michael Bisping? Ghastly. Luke Rockhold? Surprisingly pale for a surfer, brah. Tim Kennedy also seemed to fit that bill, which made it all the more confusing when Belfort turned down the fight a couple days ago. But that’s what happened, as Kennedy officially broke the news that the fight was off on Twitter yesterday.

However, according to Ariel Helwani, Belfort has set his sights on yet another fair-skinned member of the middleweight division: Chael P. Sonnen.

Yes, even though Chael already has a headlining fight scheduled with Mauricio Rua at “Fight Night” in August — his last at light-heavyweight for the time being — he’s being called out by Belfort, specifically at a catchweight. It is…odd to say the least. Belfort(‘s wife) stated that he would only be accepting a title fight at middleweight next, yet he is preemptively calling out a guy (albeit at catchweight) who could potentially be on a three-fight losing streak?

As you would expect, “The American Gangster” has already agreed to a fight with Belfort, but under even more ridiculous circumstances. On yesterday’s edition of UFC Tonight, Sonnen responded to Belfort by declaring that he would only accept the fight under the stipulation that the victor faced the winner of the Silva/Weidman rematch at UFC 168 in December. As for the event that Sonnen would prefer to face Belfort at: It’s UFC 168. Classic Sonnen!

We’d normally ask you what you think of a potential Sonnen/Belfort matchup, but what does it matter, really? Chael Sonnen is a closer, and closers get to drink coffee ground from the finest Brazilian beans while us losers fight for a set of steak knives in the unemployment line. It’s a metaphor.

–J. Jones

So the Thing About Vitor Belfort vs. Tim Kennedy Is, It’s Probably Not Happening [D’OH!]


(Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It’s what separates us from the animals… except the weasel. -Homer Simpson)

Over the weekend, we reported that Vitor Belfort vs. Tim Kennedy had been booked for that tentatively-titled Brazilian event in October. Suffice it to say, we might have jumped the gun a bit when we said “booked.”

Here’s the thing: Dana White said that the bout was being put together, and how many people turn down The Baldfather or that mean little f*cker, Joe Silva? Kennedy’s tweet also seemed to indicate that the fight was the done deal, so can you really blame us? WE JUST WANTED A PICK-ME-UP, DAMN IT.

In any case, Belfort’s wife/manager, Joana Prado, recently spoke on his behalf, telling Combate that the Kennedy matchup “didn’t make sense.” Which in today’s MMA landscape, means “give him a week to come around.”

 It doesn’t make sense that Vitor, who is No. 1 in the rankings, should fight against No. 2, No. 6 or No. 10 in his weight class. His next fight in the middleweight class will be against the winner of Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva. If the UFC wishes him to fight in any class above middleweight, we are at their disposal. It can be anyone, Tim Kennedy, even Roy Nelson, but it has to be at 205 pounds or heavyweight – he’ll even fight as a heavyweight. Vitor wants to fight, but in his weight class, only if for the belt.

As oddly as that was worded, we kind of understand Belfort’s logic here.


(Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It’s what separates us from the animals… except the weasel. -Homer Simpson)

Over the weekend, we reported that Vitor Belfort vs. Tim Kennedy had been booked for that tentatively-titled Brazilian event in October. Suffice it to say, we might have jumped the gun a bit when we said “booked.”

Here’s the thing: Dana White said that the bout was being put together, and how many people turn down The Baldfather or that mean little f*cker, Joe Silva? Kennedy’s tweet also seemed to indicate that the fight was the done deal, so can you really blame us? WE JUST WANTED A PICK-ME-UP, DAMN IT.

In any case, Belfort’s wife/manager, Joana Prado, recently spoke on his behalf, telling Combate that the Kennedy matchup “didn’t make sense.” Which in today’s MMA landscape, means “give him a week to come around.”

 It doesn’t make sense that Vitor, who is No. 1 in the rankings, should fight against No. 2, No. 6 or No. 10 in his weight class. His next fight in the middleweight class will be against the winner of Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva. If the UFC wishes him to fight in any class above middleweight, we are at their disposal. It can be anyone, Tim Kennedy, even Roy Nelson, but it has to be at 205 pounds or heavyweight – he’ll even fight as a heavyweight. Vitor wants to fight, but in his weight class, only if for the belt.

As oddly as that was worded, we kind of understand Belfort’s logic here.

While asking for another title shot is a bit presumptuous, a fight with Kennedy doesn’t exactly make a ton of sense either. Belfort is ranked #2 on the UFC’s official list. Kennedy is not ranked at all. Belfort just dusted the guy who put a five round beating on Kennedy less than a year ago. Kennedy is coming off a tepid win over Roger Gracie, also unranked, in his UFC debut. We’re not saying it couldn’t make for an interesting fight, but it’s pretty much a lose-lose for Belfort.

Dana White’s response was surprisingly curse-free. “Vitor, for some insane reason, believes he should get the fight with Weidman or Anderson Silva right now,” White said during the UFC on FOX 8 media scrum. “He’s out of his mind.”

Might you say he’s even raging, Dana? Might you? Yes…gooood. Goooood. 

Personally, I say we get behind this Vitor Belfort at heavyweight idea. Oh, you wouldn’t want to see Belfort and Junior Dos Santos slug it out until someone falls over? Go fuck yourself. And a fight with Roy Nelson? It would be the closest thing to Belfort/Ferrozzo II that we’re ever going to get, damn it. I say we roll the dice.

–J. Jones

Fight Booking Alert: Vitor Belfort vs. Tim Kennedy Booked For Brazil UFC


(You know, stories that start with a photo of Mike Bisping getting his come-uppance are just more fun | Photo via Reuters)

Tim Kennedy is getting his second famous Brazilian opponent in as many UFC fights. The former Army Ranger and Strikeforce middleweight contender confirmed Friday on twitter that he would fight Vitor Belfort at a yet unannounced Brazil card.

“I’m going to brazil to fight Vitor!” Kennedy tweeted Friday.

The fight will be Belfort’s fourth fight in Brazil in his last five fights. That’s good for the UFC for two reasons – 1. Belfort has a tendency to test positive for banned substances, takes TRT and likely wouldn’t get a Therapeutic Use Exemption for it in Nevada so in unregulated Brazil, Vitor can go ahead and be Vitor – whatever that may entail. 2. Vitor is really, really popular in Brazil.

We’re not saying that the UFC is reckless and stupid enough to endanger their hard-earned standing in the sports world as a legitimate sports promotion by booking Belfort in places where he can do things he couldn’t do elsewhere, but they are certainly fortunate that they have other marquee locale options other than Vegas to promote a star of his caliber.  In any case, the fight will be a big opportunity for Kennedy to break into the top 5 or so of UFC middleweights.

Belfort is on a tear of late, with three straight knock out wins at middleweight, a submission win over Anthony Johnson at a fatcatchweight. The only guy who has beaten Belfort lately is Jon Jones – and Vitor almost broke that kid’s arm before losing.

What do you think, nation? Does Kennedy have what it takes to beat Belfort and move ahead in the middleweight division or will he get starched quickly like his former Strikeforce stablemate and foe, Luke Rockhold?

– Elias Cepeda


(You know, stories that start with a photo of Mike Bisping getting his come-uppance are just more fun | Photo via Reuters)

Tim Kennedy is getting his second famous Brazilian opponent in as many UFC fights. The former Army Ranger and Strikeforce middleweight contender confirmed Friday on twitter that he would fight Vitor Belfort at a yet unannounced Brazil card.

“I’m going to brazil to fight Vitor!” Kennedy tweeted Friday.

The fight will be Belfort’s fourth fight in Brazil in his last five fights. That’s good for the UFC for two reasons – 1. Belfort has a tendency to test positive for banned substances, takes TRT and likely wouldn’t get a Therapeutic Use Exemption for it in Nevada so in unregulated Brazil, Vitor can go ahead and be Vitor – whatever that may entail. 2. Vitor is really, really popular in Brazil.

We’re not saying that the UFC is reckless and stupid enough to endanger their hard-earned standing in the sports world as a legitimate sports promotion by booking Belfort in places where he can do things he couldn’t do elsewhere, but they are certainly fortunate that they have other marquee locale options other than Vegas to promote a star of his caliber.  In any case, the fight will be a big opportunity for Kennedy to break into the top 5 or so of UFC middleweights.

Belfort is on a tear of late, with three straight knock out wins at middleweight, a submission win over Anthony Johnson at a fatcatchweight. The only guy who has beaten Belfort lately is Jon Jones – and Vitor almost broke that kid’s arm before losing.

What do you think, nation? Does Kennedy have what it takes to beat Belfort and move ahead in the middleweight division or will he get starched quickly like his former Strikeforce stablemate and foe, Luke Rockhold?

– Elias Cepeda