Tag: UFC 156

CagePotato Has Vote on Yahoo! Sports Top 10 MMA Rankings, Now Have Your Say


(It’s good to be king)

Here at CagePotato, if we’re going to take the time to put together a rankings or list, it’s probably going to be one like this one. That doesn’t mean, however, that we’re opposed to taking part in others’ rankings. Take, for example, the Yahoo! Sports Top 10 MMA Pound for Pound Rankings, the voting for which is done by a panel that includes many luminaries of the MMA journalism community and also, for some unknown reason, me.

The latest Yahoo! Sports Top 10 list was released this week (panel voting and publication of the rankings are done monthly) and there are some familiar faces as well as some changes. Anderson Silva maintained his long-time top spot, followed by Jon Jones and then Georges St. Pierre in the number three spot.

Cain Velasquez made it back on to the list after beating Junior Dos Santos in their recent return bout. A number of notable fighters were not eligible for the list because of inactivity (Dominick Cruz, Alistair Overeem) and suspension (Nick Diaz, Overeem again).

Jose Aldo was eligible because he is fighting so close to the end of voting, and he took the number four spot. The rankings may soon get shaken up again after tonight’s UFC 156.

Frankie Edgar drops down to featherweight to try and take out Aldo. Would Aldo get a bump in the rankings by beating a former lightweight champ? Would Edgar skyrocket in the rankings if were to win a championship in a second weight class?

Also, will Overeem justify the media’s crush on him with an impressive fight against BigFoot that will propel him into the Top 10? Check out the full rankings Top 10 after the jump and then let us know your Top 10 in the comments section.


(It’s good to be king)

Here at CagePotato, if we’re going to take the time to put together a rankings or list, it’s probably going to be one like this one. That doesn’t mean, however, that we’re opposed to taking part in others’ rankings. Take, for example, the Yahoo! Sports Top 10 MMA Pound for Pound Rankings, the voting for which is done by a panel that includes many luminaries of the MMA journalism community and also, for some unknown reason, me.

The latest Yahoo! Sports Top 10 list was released this week (panel voting and publication of the rankings are done monthly) and there are some familiar faces as well as some changes. Anderson Silva maintained his long-time top spot, followed by Jon Jones and then Georges St. Pierre in the number three spot.

Cain Velasquez made it back on to the list after beating Junior Dos Santos in their recent return bout. A number of notable fighters were not eligible for the list because of inactivity (Dominick Cruz, Alistair Overeem) and suspension (Nick Diaz, Overeem again).

Jose Aldo was eligible because he is fighting so close to the end of voting, and he took the number four spot. The rankings may soon get shaken up again after tonight’s UFC 156.

Frankie Edgar drops down to featherweight to try and take out Aldo. Would Aldo get a bump in the rankings by beating a former lightweight champ? Would Edgar skyrocket in the rankings if were to win a championship in a second weight class?

Also, will Overeem justify the media’s crush on him with an impressive fight against BigFoot that will propel him into the Top 10? Check out the full rankings Top 10 after the jump and then let us know your Top 10 in the comments section.

Yahoo! Sports Top 10 MMA Pound for Pound Rankings:

1. Anderson Silva

2. Jon Jones

3. Georges St. Pierre

4. Jose Aldo 

5. Benson Henderson

6. Cain Velasquez

7. Demetrious Johnson 

8. Frankie Edgar

9. Gilbert Melendez

10. Renan Barao  

 

– Elias Cepeda

 

 

 

 

 

UFC 156: 5 Reasons You Can’t Miss Edgar vs. Aldo

It may not be a super fight that involves Anderson Silva, but Frankie Edgar vs. Jose Aldo is indeed a superfight. Tonight at UFC 156, we will finally get to see two of the greatest lighter weight fighters meet as they will fight for the UFC featherweig…

It may not be a super fight that involves Anderson Silva, but Frankie Edgar vs. Jose Aldo is indeed a superfight. Tonight at UFC 156, we will finally get to see two of the greatest lighter weight fighters meet as they will fight for the UFC featherweight title. 

It will be Edgar’s first time testing the waters at 145 lbs. 

Although he was always undersized at lightweight, he found great success capturing the UFC lightweight title from BJ Penn. 

But he now drops down to take on arguably the greatest featherweight fighter in MMA history. 

If this is not enough to get you excited for this fight, keep reading to find out why you can’t miss it. 

Begin Slideshow

UFC 156 Start Time: Complete Coverage Guide to Aldo vs. Edgar

UFC 156 looks like it’ll turn out to be a great show. The preliminary bouts offer some intrigue and immediately recognizable names, while the main card is stacked with meaningful and potentially competitive bouts.Top it all off with a legitimate feathe…

UFC 156 looks like it’ll turn out to be a great show. The preliminary bouts offer some intrigue and immediately recognizable names, while the main card is stacked with meaningful and potentially competitive bouts.

Top it all off with a legitimate featherweight superfight for the title, and the UFC’s strong run of events for 2013 should continue. The fights start at 6:30 p.m. ET on Facebook, but the main card will air on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET.

Featherweight champion Jose Aldo will take on the exciting and tough Frankie Edgar in the feature bout. This is one of the most anticipated fights in the sport. Edgar has been great at lightweight, but it is widely believed that he’ll be at his best at featherweight.

This could be one of the year’s best fights.

The action begins on Facebook as usual, and transitions to FX before the main card hits pay-per-view. Here’s a look at the confirmed bouts and the favorites for event bonuses.

 

Full Card

Preliminary Card (Facebook)

Bantamweight – Chico Camus vs. Dustin Kimura

Bantamweight – Edwin Figueroa vs. Francisco Rivera

 

Preliminary Card (FX)

Lightweight – Gleison Tibau vs. Evan Dunham

Welterweight – Tyron Woodley vs. Jay Hieron

Lightweight – Jacob Volkmann vs. Bobby Green

Lightweight – Yves Edwards vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg

 

Main Card PPV

Flyweight – Joseph Benavidez vs. Ian McCall

Welterweight – Jon Fitch vs. Demian Maia

Heavyweight – Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio Silva

Light Heavyweight – Rashad Evans vs. Antônio Rogério Nogueira

Featherweight – José Aldo (c) vs. Frankie Edgar

 

Favorite For Submission of the Night

Fitch vs. Maia

Any fight with Maia has the potential to be the source of submission of the night. He is perhaps the best submission artist in the sport. Nine of the 35-year-old’s 17 victories have come by way of submission.

He started his career with five-straight tap-out victories. 

Fitch has only been submitted once in his career, which is why Maia tapping him out will be so spectacular. 

 

Favorite For KO of the Night

Overeem vs. Silva

This isn’t likely to be a one-shot KO because of Silva’s chin, but that could make the stoppage all the more brutal.

Bigfoot is too slow to avoid Overeem’s stand-up assault, and with The Reem eager to endear himself to the UFC faithful, he will be on a mission to destroy.

Expect him to score the most impressive stoppage of the night.


Favorite For Fight of the Night

Aldo vs. Edgar

Fights that are billed as superfights rarely live up to the billing, but this one could very well turn out to be an exception.

I’m convinced it is nearly impossible for Edgar to participate in a boring fight. If you factor in the balanced brilliance that Aldo brings to the table, this could begin another memorable fighting series for Edgar.

I’m picking Aldo to win, but I can guarantee it won’t be easy.

 

Follow Brian Mazique and Franchiseplay on YouTube and Twitter for reactions, analysis and news from the world of sports and sports video games

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Aldo vs. Edgar: 3 Things to Watch in Super Fight

Frankie Edgar (15-3-1) will be looking to make history on Saturday night when he squares off against current featherweight champion Jose Aldo (21-1).If Edgar beats Aldo at UFC 156, he’ll become just the third fighter in UFC history to win a championshi…

Frankie Edgar (15-3-1) will be looking to make history on Saturday night when he squares off against current featherweight champion Jose Aldo (21-1).

If Edgar beats Aldo at UFC 156, he’ll become just the third fighter in UFC history to win a championship in two different divisions.

With Edgar dropping down to the 145-pound division, he’ll be at a disadvantage against an opponent in Aldo who has experience fighting at the lighter weight.

With Aldo having not fought in more than a year, it’ll be intriguing to see how this fight plays out.

Here are three things to watch for in Aldo vs. Edgar at UFC 156.

 

Aldo’s Striking Abilities

When Aldo is right, he can contend with the top fighters in the UFC.

He’s got deadly striking combos, especially with his feet, meaning Edgar will have to be on the lookout for swift shin kicks that can be devastating.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Aldo has outlanded his opponents by 106 strikes in WEC/UFC fights, which doesn’t translate into good news for his opponent.

If this becomes a primarily stand-up fight, Aldo will be retaining his title on Saturday night.

 

Edgar’s Wrestling History

Born and raised at the Jersey Shore, Edgar was a stud wrestler at Toms River High School East and Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and has carried those skills into the UFC.

Using his background as a wrestler and possessing excellent ground moves, Edgar undoubtedly has the advantage if he can get Aldo on the ground and into submission.

Edgar also has the advantage in cardio, as Aldo hasn’t fought since Jan. 14, 2012 after missing most of the season, partially due to a motorcycle crash.

If Edgar can take this thing to the ground and keep it there, he’ll come out with the victory.

 

Aldo’s Eye Injury

It’s never good to give your opponent an area to hone in on, but Edgar may be looking to do some further damage to the left side of Aldo’s face on Saturday night to make this fight a bit easier for him.

According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Aldo will enter this fight already sporting some wounds:

Given the fact that Aldo already has a significant wound on his face, you can bet Edgar will be looking to bust it wide open.

With the speed and strength that Edgar possesses, Aldo will need to keep his hands up and utilize his blocks to keep himself in this fight.

 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 156: Final Predictions for the Fight Night Bonuses

UFC 156 is just a few hours away. Headlining the event will be UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo defending his title against former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. Also featured on the card will be Alistair Overeem returning to take on…

UFC 156 is just a few hours away. 

Headlining the event will be UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo defending his title against former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. 

Also featured on the card will be Alistair Overeem returning to take on Antonio Silva, Rashad Evans taking on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in a light heavyweight bout and Jon Fitch taking on Demian Maia in a welterweight grappling duel. 

The night should have many exciting moments. 

Let’s take a look at what should be three of the most exciting as I predict the “Fight Night Bonuses.” 

Begin Slideshow

UFC 156: Final Predictions for the Fight Night Bonuses

UFC 156 is just a few hours away. Headlining the event will be UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo defending his title against former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. Also featured on the card will be Alistair Overeem returning to take on…

UFC 156 is just a few hours away. 

Headlining the event will be UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo defending his title against former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. 

Also featured on the card will be Alistair Overeem returning to take on Antonio Silva, Rashad Evans taking on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in a light heavyweight bout and Jon Fitch taking on Demian Maia in a welterweight grappling duel. 

The night should have many exciting moments. 

Let’s take a look at what should be three of the most exciting as I predict the “Fight Night Bonuses.” 

Begin Slideshow