UFC Betting Sites – The Best MMA Online Bookies
UFC best betting sites and the best MMA odds and gambling news
(Thank you, Internet. You never fail us. Dancing Gina Carano GIF via MMAConvert)
UFC 141‘s best moments, boiled down to 12 animated gifs. Check out the rest after the jump. Special thanks to IronForgesIron, Chas, and Unfilter on the UG.
(Thank you, Internet. You never fail us. Dancing Gina Carano GIF via MMAConvert)
UFC 141‘s best moments, boiled down to 12 animated gifs. Check out the rest after the jump. Special thanks to IronForgesIron, Chas, and Unfilter on the UG.
Alistair Overeem vs. Brock Lesnar
Johny Hendricks vs. Jon Fitch
At UFC 141, the curtains closed on one of the most fascinating careers in MMA history.Former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar officially announced his retirement from the sport following a first-round TKO loss to heavyweight phenom Alistair Overeem.As…
At UFC 141, the curtains closed on one of the most fascinating careers in MMA history.
Former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar officially announced his retirement from the sport following a first-round TKO loss to heavyweight phenom Alistair Overeem.
As the dust finally settles on his fight career, Lesnar leaves a plethora of questions behind that will never be answered. Was he pushed too fast through his career? Could more experience and a shake-up in coaching help patch obvious holes in his overall fight game? Did his full potential go unrealized?
Upon entry into the promotion, the UFC didn’t waste any time in matching Lesnar up against the upper-echelon sharks of the heavyweight division.
With only one professional bout to his name, Lesnar was pitted against former heavyweight champion Frank Mir in his UFC debut in February 2008. He was submitted in the first round, but it was still a very impressive performance that turned heads in the MMA community.
Lesnar wasn’t just some random celebrity with hopes of cashing in on his fame. He was a legit competitor with the right athletic background to be something special in the sport.
After the loss to Mir, the UFC opted to keep the Lesnar train at full speed and paired him with wily MMA veteran Heath Herring. It was a stiff test for the MMA rookie, but he passed with flying colors, earning a lopsided unanimous decision.
The point of no return for Lesnar came when he defeated MMA legend Randy Couture for the UFC heavyweight title in November 2008.
Looking back on Lesnar’s career, he never got the opportunity to rise through the ranks and truly develop as a fighter. His current fight record stands at 5-3, but his experience against upper-echelon opposition makes that number feel somewhat distorted.
Junior Dos Santos and Cain Velasquez, who are widely considered the top dogs in the heavyweight division, competed inside the octagon for over two years before finally receiving title shots.
Physically, Lesnar was blessed in many ways. It’s rare to see a heavyweight of his size move around with such explosiveness and fluidity.
Unfortunately, he never developed into the striker he needed to be to realize his true potential. Was it coaching, or was it an innate fear of getting hit?
Lesnar is the only person who can truly answer that question.
Still, it’s interesting to ponder the kind of fighter Lesnar could be if he were able to stand his ground in the pocket and amount some form of an offensive threat.
It may not be a case of whether or not Lesnar was pushed too fast. Lesnar was kind of in the wrong place at the wrong time. The UFC heavyweight division was in a dark place during Lesnar’s arrival. There weren’t many household names, and the world was searching for that next breakout heavyweight superstar.
Whether he wanted to be or not, Lesnar quickly became that guy.
No one can predict the future. If we turned back time and slowed Lesnar’s progression, it could’ve helped or hampered his MMA career. As a former world champion, he leaves the sport knowing he achieved more than anyone ever thought he could.
There are all-time greats that go uncrowned throughout their respective careers.
To his fans, Lesnar will always be “The Baddest Dude on the Planet.”
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
(Hey Mario, is that some Jacks Links in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?)
By Jason Moles
When we next see Brock Lesnar, will it be in the Octagon or the squared circle? What did “Cowboy” Cerrone do with the beanie Nate Diaz handed him? Where in the world did this Jimy Hettes guy come from? None of these questions will be answered in this forum. Instead, you’ll learn which UFC 141 fighters’ stock to buy more of, sell off, or hold. Even if you’re still too hung over to remember what happened Friday night, you’ll still need to make a few fiscal moves to stay ahead of the curve. Remember, money never sleeps, kid. Now go make yourself a Bloody Mary then keep reading to kick off the New Year with sage advice about the MMA stock market.
Alistair Overeem – Buy it like they’re giving it away for free
It makes no difference whether you think “The Reem” is completely unstoppable or flat out overrated — when he fights, people watch. Casual fans will be enamored with Alistair Overeem because he looks good with his shirt off (at least that’s why I think Arianny make that face) and the hype that can be drummed up by Zuffa thanks to his Strikeforce, DREAM, and K1 titles. For the next few years, as long as he doesn’t piss hot for some tainted horsemeat, the “Demolition Man” will be a main event attraction that will only make him more valuable with time.
(Hey Mario, is that some Jacks Links in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?)
By Jason Moles
When we next see Brock Lesnar, will it be in the Octagon or the squared circle? What did “Cowboy” Cerrone do with the beanie Nate Diaz handed him? Where in the world did this Jimy Hettes guy come from? None of these questions will be answered in this forum. Instead, you’ll learn which UFC 141 fighters’ stock to buy more of, sell off, or hold. Even if you’re still too hung over to remember what happened Friday night, you’ll still need to make a few fiscal moves to stay ahead of the curve. Remember, money never sleeps, kid. Now go make yourself a Bloody Mary then keep reading to kick off the New Year with sage advice about the MMA stock market.
Alistair Overeem – Buy it like they’re giving it away for free
It makes no difference whether you think “The Reem” is completely unstoppable or flat out overrated — when he fights, people watch. Casual fans will be enamored with Alistair Overeem because he looks good with his shirt off (at least that’s why I think Arianny make that face) and the hype that can be drummed up by Zuffa thanks to his Strikeforce, DREAM, and K1 titles. For the next few years, as long as he doesn’t piss hot for some tainted horsemeat, the “Demolition Man” will be a main event attraction that will only make him more valuable with time.
Brock Lesnar – Hold
Maybe it’s because of his pro wrestling background or because he wouldn’t be the first fighter to say one thing and do another, but I’m not sold that Brock Lesnar is retiring from competition. Some have suggested that once the larger-than-life beef jerky spokesman’s body and ego heal, he may decide otherwise and squeeze into his 4XL gloves one last time. Others, like UFC president Dana White, have pointed out that with the money he’s made over the years and what he has accomplished in such a short amount of time, Brock has nothing left to prove. Whatever side of the fence you sit on, don’t make any moves. If he comes back, you’ll be happy you didn’t bail, and if he shows up on RAW some Monday night in the not too distant future, I’m sure some booger-eating wrestling fan would be more than happy to take that stock off your hands.
Nate Diaz – Buy
What did I tell you? After dominating Donald Cerrone for three full rounds, people might start taking the Stockton native a bit more seriously. Nate Diaz played New York Giants to “Cowboy” Cerrone’s New England Patriots by spoiling a 5-0 run in 2011, and he enjoyed every minute of it. To borrow a line from his UFC 141 opponent, “The dude’s a warrior.” Look for Diaz to appear on a few broadcast TV events in 2012, as the UFC needs to showcase exciting fighters, which is the only kind Nate knows how to be. Winner of five FOTN and three SOTN bonuses, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt is the type of guy who’s always in high demand, driving the price up. Get in now before he throws his beanie “in the mix” (or, you know, just hands it to someone after destroying them).
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone – Buy
Since Donald Cerrone first stepped foot into the cage, only one guy has had his number, which is hardly a fault considering Ben Henderson is now heading to Japan where he’ll face UFC Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. In 2011 alone, the Jackson’s MMA product fought four times more than GSP, winning all but one of his matches. So when he says he’s down to fight whenever, you know he honestly means it. You shouldn’t let a bad night in the Octagon shake your confidence in the future professional bull rider.
Jon Fitch – Zzzzzzzzz (Now he’s the one sleeping!)
It’s about time Jon Fitch was in an exciting match. According to the latest UFC Magazine, Fitch has landed 1,973 strikes in UFC competition — more than anyone in the promotion’s history. After his fight Saturday night in Vegas, he’s still landed 1,973 punches. Pay no attention to those who tell you, “He got caught, that’s all.” A loss is a loss here. He’ll never be a UFC champion, although he’s a superb talent. He won’t fight his teammates nor will he and Dana White ever go catch a movie together. Dump everything you have.
Johny Hendricks – Buy
With an impressive 12-1 record, Hendricks is headed in the right direction at the right pace. Buy a few hundred shares of Hendricks Fight Sports at a modest price and watch for the dividends to mount. KO’ing John Fitch is a win he can hang his hat on, something that adds a welcome pop to his highlight reel for PPV trailers. 2012 will bring a wild range of match ups in the Welterweight division with GSP nursing his wounds. It’s not incredibly out of the realm of possibility for the two-time NCAA National champion to get a title shot.
Vladimir Matyushenko – Sell it like a dog with fleas
Some things get better with age: denim, fine wine, Halle Berry. Some things however do not — and “The Janitor” is one of them.
Jimy Hettes – Buy, Buy, Buy
The most notable thing about “The Kid” is that he looks a helluva lot like that guy from ‘The Social Network’. The second thing that stands out about Jimy Hettes he possesses superior judo skills for a brown belt. Rogan commented that he is probably “sandbagging at purple belt” referring to his BJJ. Holding a perfect 10-0 record, Hettes completely annihilated Nam Phan, bashing him time and again on the ground. This may be your first chance to truly buy into a commodity while the groundwork is still being laid. UFC Champion, 2012?
Nam Phan – Dump it like your autographed picture of Carrot Top
Sorry, I guess an Asian brother can’t get no love, Nam. You may have beat Leonard Garcia twice, but you fail to execute a logical gameplan against almost everyone and just can’t seem how to get a win against an opponent worthy of mentioning. It was fun while it lasted, but we can’t keep our money tied up in your services any longer.
Where I come from, if a fight ends with you trapping your helpless opponent’s face between your sweaty butt cheeks, you’ve done enough to win.If you’d spent the preceding minute choking him dizzy before finally giving him your descending co…
Where I come from, if a fight ends with you trapping your helpless opponent’s face between your sweaty butt cheeks, you’ve done enough to win.
If you’d spent the preceding minute choking him dizzy before finally giving him your descending colon as a breathing tube through which to gasp oxygen, you’ve got a rock solid case for being the victor—especially if you emerge without a scratch.
Unfortunately for Efrain Escudero, Nevada State Athletic Commission judges are not trained to honor these criteria when rendering judgement. The season eight Ultimate Fighter winner may have lost on every judge’s scorecard, but he finished the fight with honor. And that’s the most a true warrior could hope for.
Escudero was the only one who came close to finishing the fight—Volkmann later told MMA Fighting that he was starting to black out.
For a fight he took on late notice and finished so impressively, Escudero should feel proud. And UFC matchmaker Joe Silva, in his emanating brilliance, should keep him around.
Lucky for Escudero, there’s a good chance he’ll get another shot. The UFC is immensely popular among Mexicans, but the Mexican contingent on the organization’s roster is on shaky legs at the moment.
Cain Velasquez was recently humiliated by Junior dos Santos on network television. Miguel Torres barely survived RapevanGate with his cojones attached and Tito Ortiz is surfing off into the Huntington Beach sunset after losing his last two by TKO. If you compare any of those situations to the way Escudero handled the closing moments of his fight with Volkmann, he’s got the most momentum and dignity of them all.
Let’s not forget it was Volkmann who had called Escudero “cocky,” and then showed up at the weigh-ins with a first aid kit for Escudero. As a publicity stunt, this has to be one of the most cocky, and least original, jokes of its kind.
Escudero was already a winner in the hearts of some after Volkmann failed to give him any reason to even open that first aid kit. Though he lost the first to rounds via yawn-worthy top control, he took no damage before taking over the fight late in the third.
A hero’s job is to restore order to the universe. Escudero’s 11th-hour push may have come up short, but it was nonetheless an act of heroism. Escudero had the last word. We can only hope, for Escudero and for Mexico, that his pre-fight meal had included plenty of refried beans.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
Alistair Overeem, former heavyweight title-holder in this and that MMA promotion, was up to the task of proving all his worth in his UFC debut versus Brock Lesnar. But coming off that kind of win in UFC 141 last December leaves fans asking for a much t…
Alistair Overeem, former heavyweight title-holder in this and that MMA promotion, was up to the task of proving all his worth in his UFC debut versus Brock Lesnar. But coming off that kind of win in UFC 141 last December leaves fans asking for a much tougher next match for The Reem.
Sure, it was a first round finish, but it was as brief as it was wanting. And here’s an equally brief recap from Sherdog.com:
Lesnar bounces on his toes to begin (the first round) as Overeem crouches and approaches with caution. Lesnar wades inside and ducks under an overhand right. Overeem hops away from a Lesnar single leg but he’s cut above his right eye. Stepping in, Overeem lands a solid knee to the body, then shoves him into the fence. More knees up the gut land on Lesnar and the ex-UFC champ is composed but moving backward. Lesnar is throwing single left crosses and gets jacked with another big knee. A kick to the liver sends Lesnar to the floor, covering up. Overeem stands over his crouching, covering opponent, socking Lesnar with heavy right hands until ref Yamasaki steps in. The TKO finish comes officially at 2:26 of round one.
Overeem is not at fault for the fight’s quality, though, as he did win with a stoppage and proved right on his predictions—in less than two rounds and via liver kick—and can be assumed to have had the best intention of putting up an entertaining showcase of his skills.
You can’t blame Lesnar, the wealthy retiree, either, as he claimed to have been healthy and prepared enough to resurrect the monster self who beat Frank Mir “to a pulp.” (Although now, one can’t help but question the veracity of those claims.)
And who wants to lose on that year-end UFC event to start the New Year on a sour note?
But I’m still wondering how Overeem stuffed that single-leg takedown attempt. Have Lesnar’s wrestling skills deteriorated drastically or does Overeem have better balance and takedown defense than previously acknowledged—or both?
Well, UFC 141 may now “only” belong to the very recent past but it’s still over now and 2012 will bring greater challenges to the new and victorious heavyweight recruit; bigger challenges who will surely bring out—again—what the former Strikeforce, Dream Interim and K-1 World Grand Prix Champion is truly made of.
Fortunately, Overeem will be fighting the best next as challenger to UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos in a title match.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
Brock Lesnar’s UFC return after a year-long battle with the intestinal disease diverticulitis was one of the most highly anticipated moments of 2011. The UFC 141 battle between he and Alistair Overeem was essentially a No. 1 contenders’ bou…
Brock Lesnar’s UFC return after a year-long battle with the intestinal disease diverticulitis was one of the most highly anticipated moments of 2011. The UFC 141 battle between he and Alistair Overeem was essentially a No. 1 contenders’ bout with the winner likely being the next man to fight current heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos.
It didn’t last long, though, as Overeem battered Lesnar’s weakened body with kicks and knees before finally knocking him out less than halfway through the first round. With that, Lesnar announced his retirement from the sport in the post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.
So what’s next for the former NCAA and UFC champion?
Well, if you’ve been looking around on the Internet much since Friday night, you have probably seen the rumors that he will be returning to the WWE.
As crazy as that might sound on the surface, it actually makes quite a bit of sense for the WWE to bring in the former superstar. There is a potential program available with a man who he has quite a bit of history with. I’m talking, of course, about The Undertaker.
These two pro wrestling legends have feuded before on camera, but a famous video following Lesnar’s UFC 121 loss to Cain Velasquez in 2010 showed that there may be some legitimate bad blood between the two mammoth heavyweights.
The WWE has a great opportunity to promote a feud between Lesnar and The Undertaker in 2012. A question of real life bad blood has made countless storylines much more effective in the past, and when it has to do with two guys who legitimately could beat the snot out of one another, things just become that much more intriguing.
Only one match has been officially announced for WrestleMania XXVIII on April 1. The event, which will take place from Sun Life Stadium in Miami is set to be headlined by the much-anticipated legend-vs-legend bout between John Cena and The Rock.
However one thing that has become a WrestleMania tradition is the winning streak held by The Undertaker at the event, which currently stands at an unbelievable 19-0. As of right now, “The Dead Man” does not have a scheduled opponent for the event.
Needless to say, a semi-main event between Lesnar and The Undertaker could help make WrestleMania XXVIII an even more monumental event than it otherwise looks like it will be.
While it’s true that pro wrestling is still a strenuous activity, the training is quite a bit different. While performers are looking to hurt one another in MMA, pro wrestling is more of an art of working together to create the appearance that the performers are trying to hurt one another. As such, perhaps pro wrestling might be a better option for Brock’s health going forward, particularly if he doesn’t plan on making it a long-term return.
Lesnar has made it known that he wants to be more of a family man, but the WWE has been pretty good about making that possible for their “for hire” top-level superstars like The Rock in recent years. It is possible that Lesnar could have a very light schedule that would allow him to still be a Dad to his children and a husband to his wife, former WWE diva Rena “Sable” Mero-Lesnar.
Perhaps the biggest thing holding this match back is that Lesnar remains under his UFC contract. However according to a post-fight interview that MMAJunkie had with UFC President Dana White, the company is not certain about the possibility of Lesnar making a return to the WWE.
If it is a possibility under the law, a return to the WWE does make sense. Will he do it? Time will tell. But certainly it’d be a big pay day for a small time investment.
For more MMA news, fighter interviews and opinions, follow Nick Caron: @NicholasCaron
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com