Tag: UFC 184

UFC 184: Vitor Belfort Believes He Is a Better Fighter Without TRT

While everyone seems to think Vitor Belfort will be unable to compete at the same level that he did while using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), the Brazilian believes he’s actually better off without it.
Speaking to SporTV (translation vi…

While everyone seems to think Vitor Belfort will be unable to compete at the same level that he did while using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), the Brazilian believes he’s actually better off without it.

Speaking to SporTV (translation via MMA Fighting), Belfort said that he’s actually a better fighter without the TRT:

It was better for me (the end of TRT) because I left a boring treatment that was bothering me, and now I’m stronger, lighter and faster. So, for me, it was wonderful. Doesn’t matter what my blood says, nor the result of the blood test. What matters is what is in my head. It was banned? There is no problem. I took 2014 to improve some techniques. I know that is hard to believe but I’m better now. I have been improving my skills, my kicks, my boxing, my endurance, my grappling, my strength and my footwork.

This would appear to be in contrast to Belfort’s previous stance that he believed he needed TRT based on one doctor’s advice, per MMAjunkie. But the Brazilian’s most recent comments echo that of a fighter with renewed confidence despite having to alter previous medical treatment.

Belfort had long been the face of TRT (and PEDs in general) in the MMA game for years, and it finally came to a head when news broke that he had failed a random drug test for elevated testosterone earlier this year.

He would release documents showing the test results on his Instagram page.

Originally scheduled to face UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman at UFC 181, Belfort will have to wait to get his chance at UFC gold at UFC 184 after Weidman suffered an injury. Belfort was less than enthused about Weidman’s injury.

“To me, he wanted to keep his belt during the Christmas and that was the only way,” Belfort said, per Combate.com (via Bloody Elbow).

Weidman continues to point the focus of their upcoming fight towards Belfort and his drug test results (or lack thereof), but Belfort has had no issues with lab results thus far.

A Belfort-Weidman fight already had plenty of intrigue given the late-career resurgence of the Brazilian, but when you add in the fact that Belfort is claiming to be even better without TRT, fans should be in for quite the spectacle at UFC 184.

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Josh Koscheck Returns To The Octagon At UFC 184 Against Neil Magny


(Josh Koscheck deep in thought. / Photo via Getty)

Josh Koscheck will look to avoid being a stepping-stone for the rising Neil Magny when both welterweights collide at UFC 184, according to MMA Junkie.

The Fresno-based fighter, who began a stint as an analyst on FOX Sports 1 and gave our children nightmares on the first day of the job, will be returning from a year of inactivity and mumblings of retirement based on remarks made by Dana White after the former welterweight title challenger was knocked out by Tyron Woodley at UFC 167. It was his second back-to-back knockout loss, falling at the hands of Robbie Lawler before that at UFC 157 back in February 2013. “Kos” is in dire need of a win if he wants to resume fighting, riding a three-fight losing streak. If he topples his opponent in Los Angeles, Calif., it would be his first victory in two years.


(Josh Koscheck deep in thought. / Photo via Getty)

Josh Koscheck will look to avoid being a stepping-stone for the rising Neil Magny when both welterweights collide at UFC 184, according to MMA Junkie.

The Fresno-based fighter, who began a stint as an analyst on FOX Sports 1 and gave our children nightmares on the first day of the job, will be returning from a year of inactivity and mumblings of retirement based on remarks made by Dana White after the former welterweight title challenger was knocked out by Tyron Woodley at UFC 167. It was his second back-to-back knockout loss, falling at the hands of Robbie Lawler before that at UFC 157 back in February 2013. “Kos” is in dire need of a win if he wants to resume fighting, riding a three-fight losing streak. If he topples his opponent in Los Angeles, Calif., it would be his first victory in two years.

Undefeated in 2014 by racking up five straight victories, Magny’s stock can rise if he’s successful against “Kos,” as he currently holds the record for the most wins by any fighter in the UFC this year when he defeated William Macario at UFC 179 last month. Tying Roger Huerta for the most nods in a calendar year, not to mention holding the longest active winning streak out of all his 170-pound compatriots, Magny hopes to show observers his impressive run wasn’t for nothing. Winning is everything, yet this is Magny’s chance to prove he’s better than just the average mid-card talent. Koscheck would be his most prized victory, if that makes sense, after getting the better of a handful of guys without Wikipedia pages (including three out of five decision victories).

Call it odd matchmaking, but it makes sense if we look at it in terms of the fight game. Koscheck may or may not have it anymore, seeing how he’s faltered as of late, and him and his past nemesis Diego Sanchez are the only bucks left from the inaugural TUF season 1 (arguably the only season you ever needed to watch). That’s a lot of wear and tear, especially for someone that never sported gold.

His foe certainly is turning some heads, however, Magny isn’t a name that’s going to be thrown around at your next UFC viewing party. A win in definitive fashion could change that.

Plus, it doesn’t take a boxing historian to figure out this is a crossroads fight for Koscheck, and the most important bout for Magny to date in his career. It’s either out with the old, in with the new, or “I’ll punch out of work when I tell you I’m punching out of work.”

UFC 184 takes place Feb. 28, 2015, from LA’s famed Staples Center, featuring two title bouts including Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort for the middleweight strap, alongside Ronda Rousey defending her women’s bantamweight belt against Cat Zingano.

– Alex G.

‘Cyborg’ Laughs at Rousey’s Bare-Hands Killing Remark, Proposes Fight at 140

Invicta FC women’s featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino found Ronda Rousey’s most recent call-out quite amusing, despite the “Rowdy” one saying she would “kill her with my bare hands.” 
The UFC women’s bantamweight titleholder spoke w…

Invicta FC women’s featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino found Ronda Rousey‘s most recent call-out quite amusing, despite the “Rowdy” one saying she would “kill her with my bare hands.” 

The UFC women’s bantamweight titleholder spoke with B/R’s own Jeremy Botter yesterday, where Rousey once again led a spirited attack against Justino for her previous failed drug test for the anabolic steroid stanozolol after a quick TKO win in December of 2011, per MMA Junkie. 

The Brazilian knockout specialist responded succinctly in a post on Mixedmartialarts.com, better known as The Underground, challenging Rousey to a catchweight bout at 140 pounds. 

From: criscyborg
Hahaha, you say you want to try and kill me in the cage? but you are scared about 10 lbs? lets meet in the middle at 140lbs, I’m tired of the bully talking. Cat Zingano if you are looking for a training partner let me know, I can not wait to see you shut this girls mouth.

Justino, a hulking featherweight, was set to make her bantamweight debut at Invicta FC 10 on December 5 but had to withdraw after suffering an ankle injury earlier this month, per Sherdog. 

Meanwhile, Rousey, who is still unbeaten (10-0) and has only seen a fight go beyond the first round once, next defends her championship gold against Cat Zingano at UFC 184 in February.

Zingano is also undefeated (9-0) and has only seen the judges scorecards once, earning a title shot by scoring a TKO over Amanda Nunes at UFC 178 in September.

Rousey and Justino have been engaging in verbal warfare for years now, with both top-tier competitors remaining adamant that her archnemsis is scared to settle their differences inside the cage.

With a win over Zingano, there are few intriguing fights left for Rousey on the UFC roster outside of Holly Holm or possibly Bethe Correia.

Will 2015 finally bring the women’s superfight between Rousey and Justino, or has the ship sailed on this dream matchup a long time ago?  

 

John Heinis is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.

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Here’s Hoping UFC’s Injury Luck Turns Around in Time for Epic January Slate

2014 has been a trying year for the UFC. The organization has had a number of premier fights fall apart due to injuries.
Injuries are a part of the sport, but for whatever reason, they have wreaked havoc on fights fans have wanted to see. In recent mon…

2014 has been a trying year for the UFC. The organization has had a number of premier fights fall apart due to injuries.

Injuries are a part of the sport, but for whatever reason, they have wreaked havoc on fights fans have wanted to see. In recent months we have seen Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier get pushed back, and Cain Velasquez have to back out of his UFC 180 fight against Fabricio Werdum.

I am asking any deity that will listen to curtail these injuries moving forward, because the beginning to 2015 is electric.

Within 31 days we will be treated to a slate of fights like never before. The UFC offers four events in the first month of 2015 that will deliver highly anticipated fights and spectacular action. The UFC will waste no time in providing one of the hottest bouts out of the gate.

Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier for the light heavyweight title is set as the main event on January 3. The title tilt will headline UFC 182. This is one of the hottest rivalries in the sport, and their tussle at their press event earlier in 2013 helped generate even more buzz surrounding this fight.

Almost lost in the wake of Jones and Cormier’s hatred for one another is a spectacular co-main event between lightweight contenders Donald Cerrone and Myles Jury.

The UFC’s next offering is on January 18. The UFC Fight Night 59 card is headlined by rising superstar Conor McGregor against Dennis Siver, and the co-main event may be the least talked-about blockbuster of all: Benson Henderson vs. Eddie Alvarez.

The UFC’s slate of fantastic fights marches on.

January 24 plays host to UFC on Fox 14 in Stockholm, Sweden. The two headlining bouts are Dan Henderson, in his return to middleweight, against Gegard Mousasi and Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Johnson.

Those two fights are free on network television.

The month closes with UFC 183 on January 31 with the return of two of the sport’s biggest stars in what is almost guaranteed to be one of the most entertaining fights of 2015.

Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz are signed on for a middleweight clash. Both men are showmen inside the cage. Taunting, trash-talking and superior striking ability will be on display. And while this matchup gets all the attention, and rightfully so, the UFC has a great undercard beneath it.

Welterweights Tyron Woodley and Kelvin Gastelum co-main event, top-five women’s bantamweight contenders Miesha Tate and Sara McMann square off, and no one should forget bout welterweight’s Jordan Mein and Thiago Alves are signed to do battle as well.

If the injury rate slows down enough to allow all of these fights to go off in the first 31 days of 2015, we could be talking about the greatest month of fights in MMA history. It is a ridiculous way to open the new year, and the UFC would be well on its way toward delivering what fans want to see.

We are a month-and-a-half away from kicking that incredible slate off.

Fingers crossed. That is a lot of time before the calendar turns.

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Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza vs. Yoel Romero Added to UFC 184


(Real shirt, available here for $15. Finger-pointing swagger and missing tooth not included.)

A middleweight bout between top contenders Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Yoel Romero has been added to the stacked UFC 184: Weidman vs. Belfort lineup, February 28th in Los Angeles. The UFC confirmed the booking this morning.

It’s a match with high stakes, as it could theoretically produce a new title contender at 185-pounds. Jacare is currently listed as the #3 middleweight contender in the promotion’s rankings, and is a perfect 4-0 in the UFC with stoppage wins against Chris Camozzi, Yushin Okami, and Gegard Mousasi. Romero is ranked #6 and is 5-0 in the UFC, with four of those wins coming via KO/TKO. The “Soldier of God” most recently picked up a very controversial win against Tim Kennedy (#stoolgate), but nevertheless, this is a dangerous dude who can swing the hammers.

As it stands, UFC 184 will feature two title fights, a win-or-GTFO match in the heavyweight division, and now a potential #1 contender bout at middleweight. Meanwhile, this Saturday’s UFC 180 card in Mexico City is 59% non-wiki, but that’s none of my business.


(Real shirt, available here for $15. Finger-pointing swagger and missing tooth not included.)

A middleweight bout between top contenders Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Yoel Romero has been added to the stacked UFC 184: Weidman vs. Belfort lineup, February 28th in Los Angeles. The UFC confirmed the booking this morning.

It’s a match with high stakes, as it could theoretically produce a new title contender at 185-pounds. Jacare is currently listed as the #3 middleweight contender in the promotion’s rankings, and is a perfect 4-0 in the UFC with stoppage wins against Chris Camozzi, Yushin Okami, and Gegard Mousasi. Romero is ranked #6 and is 5-0 in the UFC, with four of those wins coming via KO/TKO. The “Soldier of God” most recently picked up a very controversial win against Tim Kennedy (#stoolgate), but nevertheless, this is a dangerous dude who can swing the hammers.

As it stands, UFC 184 will feature two title fights, a win-or-GTFO match in the heavyweight division, and now a potential #1 contender bout at middleweight. Meanwhile, this Saturday’s UFC 180 card in Mexico City is 59% non-wiki, but that’s none of my business.

Yoel Romero vs. Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza Booked for UFC 184 in Los Angeles

UFC 184 was already a must-watch, but it just got even stronger with the announcement that surging contenders Yoel Romero and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will face off on the card. The news was first announced by the Los Angeles Daily News.
The two Strikefo…

UFC 184 was already a must-watch, but it just got even stronger with the announcement that surging contenders Yoel Romero and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will face off on the card. The news was first announced by the Los Angeles Daily News.

The two Strikeforce alums have been major players in the UFC’s middleweight division since the promotion’s 2013 death. Romero, an Olympic silver medalist from the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia, has gone 5-0 in the UFC since dropping to 185-pounds (his lone Strikeforce fight was at light heavyweight opposite Rafael Cavalcante).

Souza, meanwhile, has racked up an impressive seven-fight winning streak between the UFC and Strikeforce, knocking out top-10 mainstay Yushin Okami and submitting old rival Gegard Mousasi during that stretch.

It is worth noting that the main event on this card is a middleweight title fight between Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort. Given the timing, it’s not a huge leap to assume that Romero and Souza are there to provide an insurance policy should the main event fall through (the bout between Weidman and Belfort has twice been pushed back), to decide the next contender for the middleweight division or both.

Regardless, the fight is a welcome addition to an already tantalizing card. In addition to the Weidman vs. Belfort main event, a women’s bantamweight title fight between Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano is slated for the co-main event.

Not only that, but the UFC also recently announced a heavyweight fight between former champion Frank Mir and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva. UFC 184 is slated for February 28, 2014 and will go down at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Many fights are yet to be announced, so make sure to stick with Bleacher Report for more news as it becomes available.

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