("Just relax and don’t think about where my other hand is.")Unless you’re doing an interview with a small regional Canadian television station, if your teammate is fighting you’re pretty much obligated to say he or she is going to win or…
("Just relax and don’t think about where my other hand is.")
Unless you’re doing an interview with a small regional Canadian television station, if your teammate is fighting you’re pretty much obligated to say he or she is going to win or you may find yourself being greenlit the next time you show up for practice.
It’s no surprise then that Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante is picking his Team Nogueira training partner, UFC middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva to beat former UFC light heavyweight champ Vitor Belfort when the pair meet February 5 at UFC 126 in Las Vegas.
According to Feijao, who is ignoring the principle rule of training: what happens in the gym stays in the gym, says that he has never seen Belfort get an upper hand over Silva in rolling or sparring while the two trained together briefly at Black House.
“I’ve had the opportunity of training with both [Anderson and Vitor] and to see them training with each other," he told Tatame. I’ve never seen Vitor beating Anderson."
As news leaks that UFC Welterweight, Jake Ellenberger will be getting a crack at the #2 ranked Welterweight in the world, MMAFix decided to ask Ellenberger 10 burning questions. Jake Ellenberger took some time out from training in Hawaii to sit down at his computer and explain to us why he […]
ByJoyce Lynda Valdes
As news leaks that UFC Welterweight, Jake Ellenberger will be getting a crack at the #2 ranked Welterweight in the world, MMAFix decided to ask Ellenberger 10 burning questions. Jake Ellenberger took some time out from training in Hawaii to sit down at his computer and explain to us why he calls Jake Shields, “Miss Piggy” and why he thinks he’s been asked to fight Jon Fitch at UFC 126.
1. Okay, I’ve seen your Twitter talk to Jake Shields. Why did you dub him “Miss Piggy”? And are you not a fan of McDonald’s dollar menu?
JE: Miss Piggy is fitting for Shields for his softness when he fights. Also his feminine charm reminds me of Miss Piggy from the Muppet Show.
2. I’ve read that Jake Shields ducked a fight with you some time ago. Can you explain that?
JE: Easy, I signed a contract to fight him, his dad pulled him out. Weak move.
3. So is it safe to say you were unimpressed with Shield’s Decision win against Martin Kampmann? What did you think of Kampmann’s performance? He told us he put in a shitty performance and wasn’t happy with himself.
JE: Jake Shields always seems to have an excuse. News Flash, everyone cuts weight in the upper echelon of the UFC, I cut 20 pounds to make welterweight, and I walk around at 205. When you are a professional athlete, you have the right people are in place around you, and decisions can be made about situations like this. If it’s too hard to make 170, either compete at middleweight or cut the weight and don’t complain.
4. How much can you confirm that there will be a bout between you and Jon Fitch at UFC 126?
JE: That is the rumor…
5. Jon Fitch is the number 2 ranked Welterweight in the world but is often criticized for not putting on the most exciting performances. How do you feel about Fitch?
JE: Jon Fitch is a great fighter and no one but GSP has beaten him in a long time. He has solid wrestling, good hands, smothering top game, and a good guard. Like any other guy, he has holes in his game though in which I will try to exploit.
6. We know you put on exciting fights. What you did to John Howard’s face was very impressive at UFC on Versus 2. What do yousay to people who are a little surprised though at your rapid flight up the ranks to get an opportunity at Jon Fitch?
JE: Joe and Dana are the best in the business for a reason and they make matchups for exciting fights. I will always have an exciting fight!
7. Do you agree as some MMA analysts have said, that Fitch has far more to lose than you do if he takes a loss to you?
JE: Sure, I agree. Everyone in a fight has something to lose.
8.It may be fair to say the UFC Welterweight division is the most stacked division they have with all four of the top ranked MMA Welterweights in the world fighting in the promotion. Other top 10 fighters, for instance in the UFC Light Heavyweight division like Jon Jones and Matt Hamill have yet to receive a top 5 fighter, why do you think you are getting this outstanding opportunity?
JE: My job is to fight, that’s it. I am grateful for the opportunity to fight a top 5 guy, and any other professional fighter would take advantage of this opportunity as well.
9.If you can beat Jon Fitch and have the chance to pick your next opponent, Title shot not a factor, who would you choose to fight? GSP or Jake Shields? Shields has said that he would prefer Georges St. Pierre over Josh Koscheck because beating St. Pierre would be more prestigious. How do you feel?
JE: Shields, he will not beat me. EVER.
10. What do you want MMA fans to expect from you going into your next fight? …that you can finish Fitch?…that you will put on an exciting show?…that you can smack talk better than Chael Sonnen?
JE: I always have exciting fights, and look forward to becoming a world champion.
(Damn, Anthony, if you can’t get psyched around this crowd, we don’t know what to tell you.)
One day, mankind will realize that fighting is a counter-productive act, leading to only misery and division. Until then…
— Returning from his painf…
(Damn, Anthony, if you can’t get psyched around this crowd, we don’t know what to tell you.)
One day, mankind will realize that fighting is a counter-productive act, leading to only misery and division. Until then…
(He may be a nice guy who doesn’t mean-mug, but Lytle’s no slouch.)Chris Lytle (30-17-5) could take a dramatic jump up the UFC’s 170-pound ladder if he gets past his next rumored opponent.
According Sportsnet.ca, to the Indianapolis fighter could take …
(He may be a nice guy who doesn’t mean-mug, but Lytle’s no slouch.)
Chris Lytle (30-17-5) could take a dramatic jump up the UFC’s 170-pound ladder if he gets past his next rumored opponent.
According Sportsnet.ca, to the Indianapolis fighter could take on welterweight contender Carlos Condit (26-5) February 5 at UFC 126, which is surprising, considering that the Albuquerque, NM fighter turned down a fight with Jon Fitch on the same card because he felt he didn’t have enough time to prepare for the fight.
Reps from Lytle’s camp informed us this afternoon that they have yet to be contacted by the UFC, but they aren’t completely surprised that the fight is being considered as they requested the bout after Condit mentioned earlier this week that he would love to face "Lights Out."
When you think about it, Carlos has much more to lose by taking a fight with Lytle over one with Fitch, so he may regret the decision after February 5.
(In case you’ve completely forgotten what he looks like, this is Jake Ellenberger.)
Immediately after Jake Shields notched an ugly decision win over Martin Kampmann at UFC 121, welterweight vet Jake Ellenberger logged onto Twitter and started posting…
(In case you’ve completely forgotten what he looks like, this is Jake Ellenberger.)
Immediately after Jake Shields notched an ugly decision win over Martin Kampmann at UFC 121, welterweight vet Jake Ellenberger logged onto Twitter and started posting short-message bombs directed at the former Strikeforce champ. Highlights included, "Jake Shields, you’re as exciting as watching a bowl of mash potatoes get cold…Your days are numbered" and "Jake Shields’ cardio won’t be a factor if he fights me next. I won’t keep him around long enough to get tired."
(As cheap as it is for Ellenberger to talk smack over Twitter — without even including ‘@jakeshieldsajj‘ in his posts so that Jake will actually see them — we have to commend him for being the first MMA fighter in Twitter history to understand the difference between "you’re" and "your." Okay, nerdy grammar rant over.)
Since Ellenberger is just 2-1 in the UFC with wins over fellow mid-packers Mike Pyle and John Howard, we didn’t think for a second that he’d get Jake Shields pulled from his impending title fight just on the strength of his eDisses. And he didn’t. Instead, Ellenberger got a fight against Jon Fitch.
MMA Junkie is reporting that UFC Welterweight, Jon Fitch will be facing Jake Ellengeberger over Superbowl Weekend at UFC 126 on February 5th. Fitch who has five straight wins since his titleshot loss to Georges St. Pierre was itching for a GSP rematch before his AKA training partner, Josh Koscheck was given the opportunity. […]
MMA Junkie is reporting that UFC Welterweight, Jon Fitch will be facing Jake Ellengeberger over Superbowl Weekend at UFC 126 on February 5th. Fitch who has five straight wins since his titleshot loss to Georges St. Pierre was itching for a GSP rematch before his AKA training partner, Josh Koscheck was given the opportunity. Since then many rumors have surfaced that Fitch would move to the Middleweight division as he suggested he would if Kos could win and defend the Welterweight title.
This is an interesting match as it would be a detriment to Fitch in the Welterweight division to lose to Ellenberger; who is still relatively new in the UFC with only 3 fights under the promotion. His first fight was a loss to former WEC Welterweight Champion, Carlos Condit, followed by back to back wins against Mike Pyle and John Howard. The matchup with Fitch serves to skyrocket Ellenberger high up the division’s ladder, facing the number 2 or 3 (considering what source you look up) Welterweight in the world, so if he could win this bout, he may have a titleshot in his very near future. But it won’t be easy to get past Jon Fitch who has one fighter he hopes to eventually meet in the Octagon, and that remains to be GSP for the belt.
