Tag: UFC 153

Dana White Talks Ronda Rousey, Reconfirms Future Plans for Women’s MMA

It sounds like Dana White hasn’t changed his mind about adopting women’s MMA.Although the majority of the questions at the UFC 153 post-fight press conference revolved around Anderson Silva, potential superfights and the company’s future plans for Braz…

It sounds like Dana White hasn’t changed his mind about adopting women’s MMA.

Although the majority of the questions at the UFC 153 post-fight press conference revolved around Anderson Silva, potential superfights and the company’s future plans for Brazil, the final minutes of the session were devoted to Ronda Rousey and Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos.

Dana White praised both fighters as the best in the world, and noted that the time seems right for him to get involved in women’s MMA:

As far as women’s MMA goes, I’m warming up to it, thinking about sticking my toe in it and seeing how this thing goes. I agree with you, obviously, Cyborg is one of the best in the world and Ronda Rousey is another one. So we’ll see what happens.

Exactly what that means is up to interpretation, but it mirrors statements the UFC president made during the UFC on FX 5 post-fight press conference and a MetroPCS live fan chat last August.

Rousey‘s future is uncertain, as Strikeforce has canceled the rest of its events this year, fueling speculation that the promotion will close its doors. If Showtime does pull the plug on Strikeforce—one of the most prominent stages for female fighters—women’s MMA will take a huge hit.

Dana White has been working behind the scenes in an attempt to put together a fight between Rousey and Cyborg, although he has yet to confirm if that fight would be a UFC event.

For her part, Ronda Rousey has stated that she would only take the bout at the 135-pound bantamweight limit, calling Cyborg a “cheater” following the former featherweight champion’s positive test for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid.

Most notably, the UFC president has taken it upon himself to keep Rousey in the spotlight with several events, including a cameo spot on The Ultimate Fighter: Live, appearances at various UFC cards and celebrity events like the season premiere of FX‘s Sons of Anarchy.

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UFC 153: Five Fights for Glover Teixeira to Take Next

Highly-touted light-heavyweight prospect Glover Teixeira backed up the hype at UFC 153, finishing Fabio Maldonado at the end of the second round via doctor’s stoppage.The Brazilian has proven to be a well-rounded threat, showing great striking skills a…

Highly-touted light-heavyweight prospect Glover Teixeira backed up the hype at UFC 153, finishing Fabio Maldonado at the end of the second round via doctor’s stoppage.

The Brazilian has proven to be a well-rounded threat, showing great striking skills against Maldonado, whom he out struck 117 to 14.

Showing that he’s a force to be reckoned with at 205, Teixeira definitely deserves a jump up in competition for his next bout.

Let’s take a look at who might be up next for this rising MMA star.

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UFC 153 Results: 5 Fights for Dave Herman to Take Next

At UFC 153, Dave Herman might have suffered his last loss in the UFC Octagon. Before, during and after the fight, plenty was made about Herman’s statement that jiu-jitsu didn’t “work” on him.Well, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira made him eat those words with …

At UFC 153, Dave Herman might have suffered his last loss in the UFC Octagon. Before, during and after the fight, plenty was made about Herman’s statement that jiu-jitsu didn’t “work” on him.

Well, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira made him eat those words with a second-round armbar submission, and in so doing may have robbed Herman of his final shred of appeal.

The loss was Herman’s third straight and brings his record to 21-5 overall and 1-3 in the UFC. Will he hang on in the UFC? Will he catch on with another promotion? Here are five fights that cover both possibilities.  

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Silva vs Bonnar: Power Ranking Anderson Silva’s Next 5 Possible Opponents

UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva put on another brilliant performance in his UFC 153 win Saturday night, adding Stephan Bonnar to his long list of Octagon victims.After this impromptu trip to light-heavyweight, Silva stated after the bout that he’…

UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva put on another brilliant performance in his UFC 153 win Saturday night, adding Stephan Bonnar to his long list of Octagon victims.

After this impromptu trip to light-heavyweight, Silva stated after the bout that he’s intending to stay at home in the middleweight division, meaning another title defense may be up next for the champ.

However, there is another option for MMA‘s pound-for-pound king as welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre has been thrown around as Silva’s next possible challenge.

Let’s take a look at how “the Spider’s” next five possible challengers stack up.

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UFC 153: Why Anderson Silva Is the Best Fighter in the Sport

Following his first-round technical knockout of Stephan Bonnar, there’s no doubt that Anderson Silva is the best fighter in all of the UFC.After putting himself in a position to be pounded against the fence, Silva moved his opponent back, applied a kne…

Following his first-round technical knockout of Stephan Bonnar, there’s no doubt that Anderson Silva is the best fighter in all of the UFC.

After putting himself in a position to be pounded against the fence, Silva moved his opponent back, applied a knee to Bonnar‘s solar plexus and proceeded to TKO his opponent, propelling his overall record to 33-4.

After the fight, UFC president Dana White showed his appreciation for Silva and his fighting style (via MMA Weekly).

Elaborating on his comments, MMA Weekly is reporting that White spoke highly of Silva after the press conference.

“He’s the greatest of all time. I think he’s the greatest in any combat sport. Anderson Silva just does amazing things that nobody else can do. Watch every fight that he has. Enjoy every moment that he’s here, because when he’s gone, you’re gonna regret it (if you don’t). Anderson Silva is the guy you want to watch when he’s fighting.”

Words like that from the president have to be extremely humbling for Silva, especially given the fact that we all know White doesn’t have a problem speaking his mind to other fighters (see Jon Jones).

Silva basically toyed with Bonnar for the first few minutes of the fight before finally delivering the blow that would end the fight in its first and only round.

Silva has done it all. He’s claimed the UFC middleweight championship and has moved up and defeated fighters at light heavyweight. After watching him in UFC 153, I’m not sure there’s anything this guy can’t do. 

Honestly, I’m not sure who you could put in the Octagon against Silva to prove his standing in the UFC as the best fighter. Perhaps Georges St-Pierre, as my colleague Rick Weiner notes. A matchup of Silva vs. St-Pierre would pin one of the best strikers against one of the better grapplers in the sport and would undoubtedly make for a thrilling fight.

We’ll monitor that situation, but for now, I think we can all agree that there’s no better fighter right now than Anderson Silva.

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Jon Fitch vs. Erick Silva: What Went Wrong for Silva

UFC 153 proved to be a learning experience for rising welterweight prospect Erick Silva.Taking on former top contender Jon Fitch, the young Brazilian just could not stop his opponent’s relentless grappling skills, losing via unanimous decision for one …

UFC 153 proved to be a learning experience for rising welterweight prospect Erick Silva.

Taking on former top contender Jon Fitch, the young Brazilian just could not stop his opponent’s relentless grappling skills, losing via unanimous decision for one of the toughest losses in his MMA career.

Silva was able to land some nice shots throughout the bout, but unfortunately fell prey to Fitch’s game, playing right into his strengths.

In the first round, Silva showed absolutely no regard for his opponent’s skill set, throwing kicks and knees that Fitch was able to catch and turn into takedowns.  The American was able to control his young opponent against the cage and on the ground, grinding away to take the energy out of Silva.

What went wrong for the Brazilian in the opening frame was that he didn’t keep his distance enough.  Even after landing a huge overhand right, Silva didn’t follow up with strikes and instead chose to tie up with Fitch against the cage.

Silva should have kept the fight on the outside and picked Fitch apart with his striking, a notable weakness for the former contender.

In the second round, Silva was actually in control for the majority of the time, controlling Fitch’s back and nearly sinking in the rear-naked choke.  However, the Brazilian’s gas tank started to wane and the American was able to capitalize on this and almost finished Silva with an armbar as time ran out.

The final frame proved to be a dominant round for Fitch, who’s superior grappling skills really shined through.  Silva was just too tired and too over-matched, unable to escape Fitch’s web on the ground.

What Silva should take away from this fight is that you can never underestimate the skills of your opponent, especially against such a high-level fighter like Fitch.  In order to take himself to the next level, the Brazilian has to employ better strategies that don’t play into his opponents’ strengths.

This fight really showed why experience is one of the most underrated intangibles in the fight game.  No matter how much hype a young fighter has, a seasoned veteran who can implement his game plan will always have the advantage.

 

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