Greatness is attained by those destined to live in the history books. Fighters win world championships and go on to enter the Hall of Fame by putting together a career of impressive highlights that are typically held in place by milestone moments.Unfor…
Greatness is attained by those destined to live in the history books. Fighters win world championships and go on to enter the Hall of Fame by putting together a career of impressive highlights that are typically held in place by milestone moments.
Unfortunately, many stars reach the opportunity for a career milestone and end up falling just short when it matters the most.
Do you know the difference in almost winning a close battle and losing one? When it comes to the record books, almost winning and getting completely demolished carry the same weight. As my grandmother used to say, “Almost only counts in horseshoes, hand-grenades and attempted murder.”
Here is a countdown of the 10 fighters who came so very close to excellence, but went home with nothing but heartache and stitches.
USA! USA! USA! USA!This chant may be the most widely loved and hated aspect of MMA events. I say loved and hated because judging by reactions on Twitter, most MMA fans and media loath this chant while I and the ones taking part absolutely love it. …
USA! USA! USA! USA!
This chant may be the most widely loved and hated aspect of MMA events. I say loved and hated because judging by reactions on Twitter, most MMA fans and media loath this chant while I and the ones taking part absolutely love it.
For me, it’s a reminder of beach parties with friends in the summer back in New Jersey where we listened to copious amounts of Bruce Springsteen while getting sauced. The Boss always invokes feelings of nationalism and usually caused all of us to break out into “USA!” chants. Heck we used to break out in those chants when just hanging out at bars over the weekend.
The reason why is because we all love the United States of America and everything it represents.
I’ve traveled all over the world and the only thing that I’ve ever really learned is that I love America. Sure, Australia was pretty rad and Korea was a wild time, but I’m always stoked when I’m told by a Customs & Immigration agent “Welcome home.”
This weekend Chael Sonnen faces Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title. I fully expect to hear a raucous arena erupt into USA! chants when Chael P. Sonnen’s music hits. In fact, I’d be a little disappointed if the crowd didn’t chant “USA!” all night.
People always talk about how amazing the atmosphere in Sweden was and incredible the Brazilian shows are with their very vocal fans. Those passionate Brazilian fans that everyone loves? They’re chanting “You’re gonna die!” at foreign fighters.
There’s a word for that and it’s not “passion.” The word is “psychotic.”
When you look at it that way, isn’t the USA! chant a bit controlled? There’s no threat of death. Just a bunch of drunk Americans rallying behind an American fighter. It’s the best kind of group think.
It’s Fourth of July weekend in Las Vegas, one that the UFC hopes they can turn into their own WrestleMania weekend. It’s appropriate to chant USA! when walking down Fremont Street or even when hitting blackjack at the tables. Hell, I did that multiple times last night.
I live in the best country in the world and I will not ever feel bad about chanting USA! when given the opportunity.
Have a great Independence Day everyone and remember: USA! USA! USA! USA!
The biggest rematch in UFC history takes place this weekend at UFC 148. This fight between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen has garnered much media attention, overshadowing almost every other fight on the card.Also gracing the main card is a bantamweigh…
The biggest rematch in UFC history takes place this weekend at UFC 148. This fight between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen has garnered much media attention, overshadowing almost every other fight on the card.
Also gracing the main card is a bantamweight scrap between Ivan Menjivar and Mike Easton. Both are hard-nosed fighters who are aggressive and look to finish fights.
In addition to that, both men are undefeated thus far in the UFC, as Menjivar is 3-0 and Easton is 2-0.
Let’s break down this fight between two potential bantamweight contenders and take a look at the possible winner of this important bout.
Chael Sonnen paid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu wizard Vinny Magalhaes double the amount in his quest to dethrone reigning 185-pound titlist Anderson Silva in their upcoming grudge match at UFC 148. From Magalhaes, originally reported by Fightlinker.com: I don&r…
Chael Sonnen paid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu wizard Vinny Magalhaes double the amount in his quest to dethrone reigning 185-pound titlist Anderson Silva in their upcoming grudge match at UFC 148.
I don’t want to talk about amounts, because my management was the one dealing with the whole money situation. But he did pay more than my management asked. We asked for a certain amount, and he came up with much more. We asked for an amount for two weeks of training, and he came up with an amount which would’ve entitled him to four weeks of training. So how can I not respect the guy? He paid me double. On Chael’s check … you know how they have a line for what the check is for? He wrote ‘Defeat Silva.’ So I kept a copy, because I thought that was pretty funny.
“Uncle Chael’s” main objective in enlisting the services of Magalhaes was to shore up his submission defense.
Back at UFC 117, the Oregon native was on the brink of wresting the title for Silva’s grasp only to fall victim to a triangle-armbar submission in the latter stages of the final frame.
That said, throughout his MMA career, Sonnen, a former NCAA Division-l standout, has been overly susceptible to the art of Jiu-jitsu—of the 11 losses on his record, eight have come via submission.
Apropos, Magalhaes, the former UFC resident and M-I champion, has come under fire from his fellow countrymen for consorting with the enemy, so much so that he has now been deemed a traitor.
However, the 28-year-old Vegas inhabitant was quick to point out that training Sonnen was strictly business and he has nothing personal against the Sao Paulo-born Silva.
UFC 148 is scheduled for July 7, 2012, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
Chael Sonnen will enter the cage at UFC 148 against Anderson Silva in four days time as a marked man. After relentless trash talk and self-promotion, it’s finally time for Sonnen to put up or shut up. For two years since their first encount…
Chael Sonnen will enter the cage at UFC 148 against Anderson Silva in four days time as a marked man.
After relentless trash talk and self-promotion, it’s finally time for Sonnen to put up or shut up.
For two years since their first encounter, which Sonnen lost via submission, the so-called “American Gangster” has repeatedly attacked Silva. The anticipation leading up to this fight has been intense, with MMA fans disappointed by a rash of injuries ruining several other marquee matchups.
Meanwhile, Silva remained silent and well composed, until he absolutely snapped during a UFC 148 conference call last week. It was an unexpected and shocking revelation that Silva is human—and that he is tired of all the talking from his brash, cocky opponent.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Sonnen unleashed his verbal attacks on Silva yet again.
Chael – People said it shouldn’t be personal but it is personal. I don’t offer apologies. I don’t care. Where was he the four years before?
However, the excitement truly happened when both men stood for a traditional stare down, where Silva bumped into Sonnen.
We know about all the hype and pre-fight banter—but can the fight live up to such high expectations that have been created by the media and fans alike? Some people already seem skeptical about the fight, but MMA fans won’t be disappointed whether they are in attendance or watch on pay-per-view.
The fight will absolutely live up to all of the pre-fight hype. Whether we get to enjoy watching Silva brutalize his American opponent, or if Sonnen can control on the ground, we should be treated to a great main event.
Sonnen was in complete control during their last encounter, able to land clean shots on his feet and control the action on the ground—but still managed to get caught in a heroic, yet surprising come from behind by Silva.
All of the trash talk stops on Saturday night, when Silva and Sonnen meet inside the cage again. Either the dominant champion will continue his title reign, or the loud-mouthed challenger will learn from his mistakes in the first fight.
Forrest Griffin will be battling Tito Ortiz in Ortiz’s farewell bout at UFC 148. While fans are recounting the accolades of Ortiz’s career, the fight could very well be the last for Griffin as well. The original Ultimate Fighter winner, Griffin kick-st…
Forrest Griffin will be battling Tito Ortiz in Ortiz’s farewell bout at UFC 148. While fans are recounting the accolades of Ortiz’s career, the fight could very well be the last for Griffin as well. The original Ultimate Fighter winner, Griffin kick-started the growth of the UFC and MMA in general.
Possessing neither amazing athletic ability or a freakish physical frame, Griffin reached the pinnacle of the sport with a sheer will to win and underrated skills. When he took the title from Quinton Jackson at UFC 86, it was a big upset as Jackson appeared to be on his way to a lengthy title reign.
All of the fighters on this list can share that feeling of being the underdog en route to winning an UFC title. On the list fans will find current and future Hall of Famers but all weren’t expected to win in their title bouts.
USA! USA! USA! USA!