Tag: UFC 167

Chael Sonnen vs. Phil Davis ‘Could Happen’ as Co-Main Event for UFC 167

Unless something dramatic happens, Chael Sonnen’s next opponent won’t be named Wanderlei Silva and he could draw a former NCAA champion instead.
Sonnen has been dancing around a fight against Silva for the last couple of weeks hoping to secure the bout…

Unless something dramatic happens, Chael Sonnen‘s next opponent won’t be named Wanderlei Silva and he could draw a former NCAA champion instead.

Sonnen has been dancing around a fight against Silva for the last couple of weeks hoping to secure the bout as the co-main event for the upcoming UFC 167 card, which will serve as the UFC’s 20th anniversary show.

The card is currently headlined by UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre against top contender Johny Hendricks, and Sonnen is gunning for the other top spot on the show.

The only problem is that Silva is out until January according to UFC president Dana White, but Sonnen has no desire to wait and has asked the UFC for a slot on the November 16 card.

“He wants to fight on that 20th Anniversary card (UFC 167),” White said about Sonnen when speaking to Bleacher Report on Wednesday night. “He wants to co-main that fight.”

If Sonnen does hope to land a slot on the UFC 167 show, there is still a laundry list of opponents he could potentially face since Silva would not be available.

One name that seems like a possibility is former Penn State wrestler and NCAA champion Phil Davis, who asked for a fight with Sonnen moments after he defeated Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC Fight Night 26.

Davis is coming off the biggest win of his career when he defeated former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, and a co-main event fight against Sonnen could be a big for the former All-American wrestler.

“Interesting,” White said about Sonnen vs. Davis. “That fight could happen.”

Sonnen had teased before his last fight against Rua that following the bout, he would likely be returning to the middleweight division where he’s spent the majority of his MMA career.

After the fight was finished and Sonnen defeated a former UFC champion in the first round, he appeared more open to another fight at light heavyweight.

Facing a fighter currently ranked ahead of him in the UFC top ten would be another opportunity for Sonnen to impress, while Davis would get a chance to take on one of the UFC’s biggest draws and potentially insert himself into the title picture with a win.

As of now, the UFC still hasn’t confirmed if Sonnen vs. Davis will definitely happen, but it’s at least a possibility for the UFC 167 show.

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

 

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Josh Koscheck to Motorboat the Ass of Tyron Woodley at UFC 167


(“I guess, just don’t play truth or dare with Rakishi is the main point of my story, Joe.” Photo via MMAPro.)

It appears as if Josh Koscheck has recovered rather quickly from the undisclosed injury that forced him to pull out of his fight with Demian Maia scheduled for UFC 163. In fact, the former welterweight title challenger and “five star guy” according to Ronnie from the Jersey Shore (unconfirmed) has already been booked to face former Strikeforce welterweight title challenger Tyron Woodley at UFC 167.

It’s probably the best news old Fluffin Top has heard in the better part of a year. After dropping back-to-back fights for the first time in his MMA career, many assumed that Koscheck’s pairing with the win-streaking Maia was the UFC’s way of putting the TUF 1 alum in a do-or-die situation. While that could still be the case for his fight with Woodley, at least Koscheck has been given a far more winnable matchup (or so it would seem). Are we insinuating that Koscheck faked an injury to duck Maia and get an easier opponent? Yes, that’s exactly what we’re saying.

Woodley has also seen some mixed results since transitioning the UFC back in February. After KO’ing Jay Hieron in his promotional debut at UFC 156, “The Chosen One” (whose nickname doesn’t hold a candle to “The Nsane 1“) was stifled by the ultimate stifler, Jake Shields, at UFC 161. It was a decision that some saw as controversial and most saw as “Oh, I was grabbing a ten dollar hoagie during that one.”

Who you like, Taters?

–J. Jones


(“I guess, just don’t play truth or dare with Rakishi is the main point of my story, Joe.” Photo via MMAPro.)

It appears as if Josh Koscheck has recovered rather quickly from the undisclosed injury that forced him to pull out of his fight with Demian Maia scheduled for UFC 163. In fact, the former welterweight title challenger and “five star guy” according to Ronnie from the Jersey Shore (unconfirmed) has already been booked to face former Strikeforce welterweight title challenger Tyron Woodley at UFC 167.

It’s probably the best news old Fluffin Top has heard in the better part of a year. After dropping back-to-back fights for the first time in his MMA career, many assumed that Koscheck’s pairing with the win-streaking Maia was the UFC’s way of putting the TUF 1 alum in a do-or-die situation. While that could still be the case for his fight with Woodley, at least Koscheck has been given a far more winnable matchup (or so it would seem). Are we insinuating that Koscheck faked an injury to duck Maia and get an easier opponent? Yes, that’s exactly what we’re saying.

Woodley has also seen some mixed results since transitioning the UFC back in February. After KO’ing Jay Hieron in his promotional debut at UFC 156, “The Chosen One” (whose nickname doesn’t hold a candle to “The Nsane 1“) was stifled by the ultimate stifler, Jake Shields, at UFC 161. It was a decision that some saw as controversial and most saw as “Oh, I was grabbing a ten dollar hoagie during that one.”

Who you like, Taters?

–J. Jones

3 Anderson Silva Records That Georges St-Pierre Will Break

Before July 6, most of the records set by former pound-for-pound linchpin Anderson Silva seemed etched in stone.
After all, prior to his stunning setback to Chris Weidman at UFC 162, “The Spider” had utterly wreaked havoc on the company’s middleweight …

Before July 6, most of the records set by former pound-for-pound linchpin Anderson Silva seemed etched in stone.

After all, prior to his stunning setback to Chris Weidman at UFC 162, “The Spider” had utterly wreaked havoc on the company’s middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. In the process, the 38-year-old Silva set plenty of records that appeared would never get shattered.

But with longtime welterweight king Georges St-Pierre still in his heyday, some of The Spider’s records appear in clear danger of getting shattered.

Here are three pertinent Silva records that the 32-year-old GSP will smash.

 

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Josh Koscheck vs. Tyron Woodley Added to UFC 167

UFC 167, scheduled for November 16, is developing a very welterweight feel. 
Headlining the event is a title showdown between Georges St-Pierre and Johny Hendricks. Also featured is a 170-pound contest between rising star Rory MacDonald and resurg…

UFC 167, scheduled for November 16, is developing a very welterweight feel. 

Headlining the event is a title showdown between Georges St-Pierre and Johny Hendricks. Also featured is a 170-pound contest between rising star Rory MacDonald and resurgent veteran Robbie Lawler. 

Now, according to a recent announcement from the the UFC’s official Twitter account, you can add another welterweight battle to the show, namely Josh Koscheck vs. Tyron Woodley.

Yeah we do RT @latimespugmire#UFC announces @JoshKoscheck vs. Tyron @TWooodley welterweight fight on Nov. 16 at @MGMGrand

— UFC (@ufc) August 22, 2013

Well, technically the UFC is retweeting news of the fight, but it’s retweeting the news that it announced in the first place. You get the point.

Both Koscheck and Woodley will enter the bout coming off a loss—back-to-back losses in Koscheck‘s case.

The former No. 1 contender has failed to regain momentum after succumbing to St-Pierre for a second time back in December 2011. Since that one-sided affair, The Ultimate Fighter 1 alumnus has posted a 2-2 record, dropping recent contests to Hendricks and Lawler.

He’ll be looking to stop the bleeding this November when he squares off with the dynamic Woodley.

Woodley owns a 1-1 UFC record after hopping over from Strikeforce earlier this year. The 31-year-old turned a lot of heads when he crushed Jay Hieron in 36 seconds for his promotional debut, but he garnered nothing but eye rolls for his snoozefest defeat to Jake Shields.

The UFC 167 affair will make a big impact on the trajectory of both Koscheck‘s and Woodley‘s careers. The winner will move right back toward the contender mix, while the loser will fade away fast.

If both guys come out fighting like they need a W—which they do—it could be an exciting, competitive matchup that adds a good deal of value to a fight card that is rapidly growing into a strong event.

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Rory MacDonald vs. Robbie Lawler Booked for UFC 167 in November


(You almost feel bad for Koscheck. Almost. / Photo via Getty)

UFC officials announced last night that the Rory MacDonald vs. Robbie Lawler matchup that Dana White liked so much has been formally booked. The two dangerous welterweights will face off at UFC 167: St. Pierre vs. Hendricks, November 16th in Las Vegas.

Just like the GSP/Hendro main event, MacDonald vs. Lawler pits an athletically gifted Canadian phenom against an American southpaw with dynamite in his fists. Our prediction: Robbie Lawler knocks out GSP in a short-notice replacement fight after MacDonald and Hendricks are both injured while warming up backstage before the event. We’re actually willing to bet money on that, but you have to give us +150,000 odds. (Alternate prediction: Hendricks misses weight by over 20 pounds.)

MacDonald is riding a five-fight win streak in the Octagon, most recently earning a decision win in a snoozefest against Jake Ellenberger at UFC on FOX 8. Lawler is 2-0 since returning to the UFC as a welterweight, scoring knockouts of Josh Koscheck and Bobby Voelker.


(You almost feel bad for Koscheck. Almost. / Photo via Getty)

UFC officials announced last night that the Rory MacDonald vs. Robbie Lawler matchup that Dana White liked so much has been formally booked. The two dangerous welterweights will face off at UFC 167: St. Pierre vs. Hendricks, November 16th in Las Vegas.

Just like the GSP/Hendro main event, MacDonald vs. Lawler pits an athletically gifted Canadian phenom against an American southpaw with dynamite in his fists. Our prediction: Robbie Lawler knocks out GSP in a short-notice replacement fight after MacDonald and Hendricks are both injured while warming up backstage before the event. We’re actually willing to bet money on that, but you have to give us +150,000 odds. (Alternate prediction: Hendricks misses weight by over 20 pounds.)

MacDonald is riding a five-fight win streak in the Octagon, most recently earning a decision win in a snoozefest against Jake Ellenberger at UFC on FOX 8. Lawler is 2-0 since returning to the UFC as a welterweight, scoring knockouts of Josh Koscheck and Bobby Voelker.

UFC 167 Fight Card: Rory MacDonald vs. Robbie Lawler Confirmed (Updated)

Rory MacDonald will likely continue on his path toward a welterweight title shot at UFC 167, a fight card headlined by his training partner and 170-pound champion Georges St-Pierre.
On Tuesday evening, MMAJunkie.com reported that MacDonald could meet f…

Rory MacDonald will likely continue on his path toward a welterweight title shot at UFC 167, a fight card headlined by his training partner and 170-pound champion Georges St-Pierre.

On Tuesday evening, MMAJunkie.com reported that MacDonald could meet fellow top-10 welterweight Robbie Lawler at the event scheduled for Nov. 16. With verbal agreements in place for the bout, contracts just need to be signed for the matchup to be made official.

Since losing to Carlos Condit in his second UFC bout, MacDonald has won five straight fights and is now considered one of the biggest title threats in the 170-pound class. After MacDonald’s recent win over Jake Ellenberger, some thought that the Canadian could rematch Condit if “The Natural Born Killer” defeated Martin Kampmann at UFC Fight Night 27. A rematch was previously booked for UFC 158, but it fell through due to a MacDonald injury.

However, before Condit and Kampmann could step into the Octagon, UFC brass had already set their sights on pairing MacDonald with Lawler.

After winning only three of eight fights under the Strikeforce banner, Lawler has been rejuvenated by a return to MMA‘s premier organization. In his first two appearances since rejoining the UFC roster, Lawler has knocked out Josh Koscheck and Bobby Voelker.

Rarely in a boring contest, Lawler may have been pegged as MacDonald’s opponent as a message to the 24-year-old Tristar Gym fighter. In his most recent outing, MacDonald played it safe with his jab for three rounds in a decision win over a stumped Ellenberger.

Even if that same approach works in this matchup, Lawler is going to do everything he can to pressure MacDonald.

Right now, St-Pierre’s title defense against Johny Hendricks and the bout between MacDonald and Lawler are the only targeted bouts on the UFC 167 fight card. The event will be hosted by the Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena and serves as the UFC’s 20th anniversary show.

Update: UFC Tonight has confirmed that this fight will take place at UFC 167.

Sean Smith is a Featured MMA Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow on Twitter @SeanSmithMMA.

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