Tag: UFC 129

Brilz and Matyushenko Aim for an Explosive Battle at UFC 129

If you believe what Vladimir Matyushenko (25-5) and Jason Brilz (18-3-1) are saying ahead of their fight at UFC 129 this Saturday night, this is one wrestler-versus-wrestler match-up that will look like anything but.

Matyushenko – a former Belarusian …

If you believe what Vladimir Matyushenko (25-5) and Jason Brilz (18-3-1) are saying ahead of their fight at UFC 129 this Saturday night, this is one wrestler-versus-wrestler match-up that will look like anything but.

Matyushenko – a former Belarusian national team member – claims that he plans to use his wrestling skills mostly to stay off the mat, and his reasoning is fairly simple.

“I’ve been working on my stand-up skills for a little while now and honestly I’d like to show off a little bit in front of the fans,” Matyushenko told MMA Fighting. “And I know my friends and my fans are expecting it.”

Brilz, who’s been out of action since losing a very close split decision to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira last May, seems to be keeping his approach even simpler.

GSP’s Trainer Talks UFC 129 Title Fight: ‘One Guy Is Going to Break’

Filed under: UFC, NewsWhen it comes to the big fights, it helps to have been there before. That’s true not only in the cage, but also in the gym. As UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and challenger Jake Shields prepare to face off at UFC 129…

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When it comes to the big fights, it helps to have been there before. That’s true not only in the cage, but also in the gym. As UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and challenger Jake Shields prepare to face off at UFC 129 on April 30, they have to balance their training with seemingly endless media responsibilities and the ubiquitous presence of the UFC Primetime cameras in their gyms.

It might not sound like much of a factor in fight preparation, but according to St. Pierre’s trainer, Firas Zahabi, experience in the media spotlight counts for a lot in a UFC title fight.

“I can tell you, the first time we had Primetime around it was a lot harder. It was just more stress,” Zahabi told MMA Fighting. “Now, it’s the third time we’ve had them around, and we’ve had the Countdown so many times, just various other camera crews in our gym so many times, we’re accustomed to it. Now it doesn’t bother our training camp at all.”

Nate Marquardt Reports GSP “Definitely Considering” Bout with Anderson Silva

Earlier in the year, many MMA fans were sent into an excited “OMG you guys” frenzy, when UFC top dog Dana White conceded that a bout between welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre and middleweight king Anderson Silva would likely happen. Yes, there were a few little hurdles on the horizon, namely dudes like Jake Shields […]

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Earlier in the year, many MMA fans were sent into an excited “OMG you guys” frenzy, when UFC top dog Dana White conceded that a bout between welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre and middleweight king Anderson Silva would likely happen. Yes, there were a few little hurdles on the horizon, namely dudes like Jake Shields and Yushin Okami (although only recently did the  UFC confirm Okami wasn’t going to get effed over), but things were looking golden for the much ballyhooed bout.

While discussion about the super fight certainly hasn’t disappeared, it’s kind of cooled, as the realities of what is entailed to put the fight together have set in. So, is GSP still thinking about doing this? Provided he prevails over the terrifying ground game of Shields later this month? Nate Marquardt recently told ESPN UK yes.

“I don’t know if [St. Pierre] is planning on moving up but I definitely know he’s considering fighting Anderson. I think that’s a great fight and I think he has the perfect style to beat a guy like Silva.”

Cool beans. Marquardt also revealed in the interview that it was actually Georges who got him thinking about dropping to welterweight. Of course, Marquardt is making the cut and will fight Anthony Johnson in June, which naturally, has already led to a round of ‘will you fight your teammate’ questions. Marquardt responded “I’m not thinking about it and if it’s ever an issue I’ll deal with it then.”

To bet on GSP vs. Shields, or any other tilts at UFC 129, head here.

For Jake Shields, Title Shot Against Georges St. Pierre Is a Family Affair

Filed under: UFCThese days Jake Shields has a problem he’s never dealt with before. For most of his career, he was one of the best, but least recognizable fighters in MMA.

Now, thanks to his title shot against Georges St. Pierre at UFC 129 on April 3…

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These days Jake Shields has a problem he’s never dealt with before. For most of his career, he was one of the best, but least recognizable fighters in MMA.

Now, thanks to his title shot against Georges St. Pierre at UFC 129 on April 30 – and a significant promotional push from the UFC – his anonymity is a thing of the past.

“Sometimes just random people come up – and they’re fans, you have to be nice to them and I completely appreciate my fans – but sometimes when you’re just walking around you don’t want to think about [the fight],” Shields told MMA Fighting. “Sometimes guys will come up and ask me how much I weigh or telling me how I should fight GSP. It’s like, come on, man. Don’t tell me how I should fight him. I have trainers for that.”

Then again, every fighter has trainers. Shields also has something else that most don’t: a manager who treats him like family. Because, well, he is.

‘UFC Primetime’ Heads to ESPN2

Filed under: UFC, NewsEpisode 2 of UFC Primetime: St-Pierre vs. Shields aired on ESPN2 on Wednesday night at 11 p.m. ET, prior to its midnight airing on SpikeTV.

UFC president Dana White confirmed with MMA Fighting on Thursday that the final episode w…

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Episode 2 of UFC Primetime: St-Pierre vs. Shields aired on ESPN2 on Wednesday night at 11 p.m. ET, prior to its midnight airing on SpikeTV.

UFC president Dana White confirmed with MMA Fighting on Thursday that the final episode will also air on “The Deuce” next Wednesday night at both 11:00 p.m. ET and 11:30 pm ET.

“More eyeballs. We put it everywhere,” White responded via text message when asked why Primetime aired on ESPN2.

CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats Sponsor Mark Hominick for UFC 129

Filed under: UFC, NewsMark Hominick, a nine-year MMA veteran who will be fighting for his first major title in less than two weeks when he meets Jose Aldo at UFC 129, is finally cashing in.

And fittingly enough for the Ontario-born Hominick, a Canadia…

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Mark Hominick, a nine-year MMA veteran who will be fighting for his first major title in less than two weeks when he meets Jose Aldo at UFC 129, is finally cashing in.

And fittingly enough for the Ontario-born Hominick, a Canadian organization is backing him for the biggest fight of his career.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League announced on Wednesday that they had “entered a partnership” with the native of Thamesford, Ontario. In other words, the Ticats will be one of Hominick’s sponsors for his UFC featherweight title fight.