Tag: UFC 144

UFC 144: Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon Breakdown

As the UFC makes its return to Japan at this Saturday’s UFC 144, most of the attention has been focused on headliners Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson, who will be battling for the lightweight crown.However, another pair of exciting 155ers will be fi…

As the UFC makes its return to Japan at this Saturday’s UFC 144, most of the attention has been focused on headliners Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson, who will be battling for the lightweight crown.

However, another pair of exciting 155ers will be fighting for a chance to climb up the contenders’ ladder as former WEC champion Anthony Pettis takes on surging submission ace Joe Lauzon.

Although both fighters are still a ways away from a shot at the title, a win in Japan will certainly solidify a spot among the best in the division.

Here’s the head-to-toe breakdown for this early Fight of the Night candidate.

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UFC 144: Benson Henderson and the 20 Best from the WEC

At UFC 144, former WEC lightweight titlist Benson Henderson will attempt to achieve what B.J. Penn and Gray Maynard could not—upend Frankie “The Answer” Edgar and, in the process, capture (or recapture) UFC gold.
When t…

At UFC 144, former WEC lightweight titlist Benson Henderson will attempt to achieve what B.J. Penn and Gray Maynard could not—upend Frankie “The Answer” Edgar and, in the process, capture (or recapture) UFC gold.

When the UFC purchased World Extreme Cagefighting back in 2006, it also acquired the services of the organization’s combatants. Some of those fighters went on to scale the heights of the Zuffa-based company. Others have either not fared that well or just simply fallen by the wayside.

Here’s a look at the best that the WEC has had to offer the UFC.

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UFC 144 Fight Card: Final Betting Odds and Predictions

The UFC will attempt to revive MMA in Japan this Saturday, when the organization will visit to Saitama Super Arena for UFC 144, which will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between champion Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson. Since the downfall…

The UFC will attempt to revive MMA in Japan this Saturday, when the organization will visit to Saitama Super Arena for UFC 144, which will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between champion Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson.

Since the downfall of Pride, the popularity of MMA in Japan has quickly declined. Enthusiasts are now hoping that the UFC’s first trip to Japan under the Zuffa ownership will prove enough to reignite a flame and bring the sport back to prominence in the country.

With a fight card full of elite athletes and popular Japanese fighters, the world’s premier MMA organization is determined to entertain fans in its return to Japan. Let’s take a look at how each of the matchups could play out in one of the deepest fight cards in recent memory.

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UFC 144 Fight Card: Questions People Have About Ryan Bader

On Saturday night in Saitama, Japan, Ryan Bader will continue his efforts to jump from prospect to contender when he takes on Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the co-main event of UFC 144. However, even with some solid wins on his resume, people have quest…

On Saturday night in Saitama, Japan, Ryan Bader will continue his efforts to jump from prospect to contender when he takes on Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the co-main event of UFC 144.

However, even with some solid wins on his resume, people have questions about the former Sun Devil, not the least of which include:

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MMA: The Best Fighter from Each Country

One day, I’d like to see a series of pie graphs of every pro sport’s athletes by nationality. I know basketball would look pretty good. Soccer would look great. Golf, surprisingly, might look OK. Hockey would look like a Merced…

One day, I’d like to see a series of pie graphs of every pro sport’s athletes by nationality. I know basketball would look pretty good. Soccer would look great. Golf, surprisingly, might look OK. Hockey would look like a Mercedes-Benz hood ornament. American football would look, you know, like a circle, with a tiny sliver carved out for Samoa. Someone a lot less lazy than me should really get on that.

I bet MMA would rank right up there with the most diverse. For evidence, one need look no further than UFC 144, coming to you Saturday night from Saitama Super Arena in Japan and featuring fighters from seven different countries on its 12-fight card.

For further evidence, just take a look at this list, which ticks off the best fighters from 25 of the planet’s most MMA-happy nations. 

Now, of course, I realize there are more than 25 countries that can claim pro fighters or an interest in fighting. So please save comments like”BROWHATABOUTSOANDSOFROMNORTHERNBRAMBLEFRAGHESTHETEATSBRO.” If you want to make those sorts of observations, fine. But they must be delivered by carrier pigeon.

But really, how did I narrow it down. I picked countries with more than one fighter currently aligned with a major promotion (UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, DREAM, BAMMA, ONE FC, Shooto and M-1 Global) or that generally appear to incorporate combat sports and similar pursuits into their sporting cultures. Or both. 

Just try to relax and enjoy it. It’s what a true global citizen would do. Fighters appear in alphabetical order by country.

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UFC 144: Breaking Down Every Main Card Fight

UFC 144 could end up being the most stacked card of the year by the end of 2012, and with so many promising fights on the card, it makes sense that the UFC would up the ante and throw down seven high-profile fights on the main card. With the organizati…

UFC 144 could end up being the most stacked card of the year by the end of 2012, and with so many promising fights on the card, it makes sense that the UFC would up the ante and throw down seven high-profile fights on the main card.

With the organization returning to Japan for the first time in over a decade, there is a lot of Japanese talent on the card and a huge main event between Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson for the lightweight title, making the card a must-see for both hardcore and casual fans.

Throw in Rampage Jackson’s return to Japan and a number of fights that have some serious title implications, and this card could easily become one of the best of all time.

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